Our Services
EQUINE NATURE provides a range of options including Equine-Assisted Therapy, Equine-Assisted Learning, and Peaceful Equine Time.
We also offer an indoor option of traditional face-to-face Counselling sessions with a registered counsellor in a comfortable and private therapy room environment.
Service One:
Equine-Assisted Therapy
Session length: 60 minutes
Individual sessions: $180 including GST
Purpose
EAGALA sessions support mental health, emotional healing, and recovery from psychological challenges through safe, structured interaction with horses.
How Sessions Work
All sessions are ground-based and use a team approach involving the client, the herd, and two EAGALA-trained facilitators:
– a registered mental health professional (MH) assists the emotional process
– a certified equine specialist (ES) observes the horses and manages safety
– the horses move freely around the paddock and act as responsive partners, reflecting human energy and body language honestly and without judgement
Structured sessions include activities such as leading, observing, moving with, and relating to the horses. These support emotional regulation, trust-building, and communication skills, while offering real-time, non-verbal, experiential feedback on specific issues and everyday challenges.
Service Two:
Equine-Assisted Learning
Session length: 50 – 70 minutes
Individual sessions: from $160 including GST
Purpose
Equine-Assisted Learning focuses on personal growth, practical skill development, and self-awareness. Sessions may support communication, confidence, boundaries, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving through structured, ground-based activities with horses.
How Sessions Work
Guided by equine specialists, participants take part in structured, ground-based activities such as grooming or navigating obstacle courses. The horse’s immediate, non-verbal, behavioral feedback helps participants reflect on their own actions, communication, and responses in the moment.
Service Three:
Peaceful Equine Time
Session length: 60 minutes
Individual sessions: $120 including GST
Purpose
Peaceful Equine Time offers one hour with the herd in a safe, tranquil setting, with no expectations, no pressure, and no required outcomes. This session is ideal for caregivers, healers, therapists, or anyone who would like to slow down, enjoy gentle connection with the natural environment, and experience the calm of simply being present with horses.
How Sessions Work
An equine specialist is present throughout the session to support a safe and autonomous experience and answer any questions you may have regarding the herd, their behaviours, and their interactions. Depending on what feels comfortable, you may brush, walk alongside, sit near, or simply spend quiet time with the horses while taking time to breathe, settle, and ground yourself in the beautiful Bethells Valley.
Service Four:
Individual Face-to-Face Counselling
Session length: 60 minutes
Adult Individual sessions: $120 including GST
Purpose
Individual counselling with Acushla provides a private, supportive space to explore personal challenges, strengthen emotional wellbeing, and develop practical strategies for change. Sessions are person-centred and pluralistic, drawing from a range of evidence-based approaches to meet each client’s needs, goals, and preferences.
How Sessions Work
Acushla places the therapeutic relationship at the heart of her practice. She offers a free 15-minute pre-session phone call so you can ask questions and explore whether her counselling approach feels like the right fit for you. Sessions take place in a private therapy room beside the horse area, with the option to sit outside in the shade near the herd if preferred.
Service Details
Pricing and Funding
-Individual session fees are noted above.
-All other session prices, group, and programme costs can be discussed to meet your needs.
-Sessions can be tailored to individual requirements and can accommodate up to six participants.
-Equine Nature is an approved WINZ supplier. Quotes can be supplied on request.
-Some clients may be eligible for funding through ACC Sensitive Claims Service. Please discuss with your ACC counsellor to apply.
Accessibility
These horse-assisted sessions are ground-based and do not involve horse-back riding. This makes the therapy accessible to most people, supports safety, and means no previous horse experience is required.
Private parking and disabled-access toilet facilities are on site.
The Code of Rights:
As a client of Equine Nature, you are protected under The Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights. For more information see:
https://www.hdc.org.nz/your-rights/the-code-and-your-rights/
The Right to Refer:
We reserve the right to decline services or refer clients to other specialists if we feel our programme, facility, or current capacity cannot safely support your specific needs.
This decision may be based on safety considerations, clinical scope of practice, practitioner availability, or horse welfare.
Bookings Available