Cardinia Equine and Animal Assisted Counselling and Play Therapy

20/01/2026

14/01/2026

🐴🌿How Do Horses Help Us Heal?

Horses are highly sensitive, intuitive and social animals with a remarkable ability to tune into the world around them. Their keen senses, social behaviours, natural instincts and physical adaptations help them to survive in the wild.

Scientific studies have highlighted how horses can detect the emotions of humans and even fine-tune their own emotional state with that of others.

Their awareness, honesty and clear communication offer something unique to those who spend time with them.

Here’s a brief, break-down on how horses can support our healing journey:

🐴 Living in the moment
Horses live moment to moment, responding only to what’s happening right now. When we’re with them, they invite us to slow down, breathe and reconnect with the present.

🐴 Clear, honest communication
Horses communicate clearly through their body language and behaviour. This encourages us to reflect on how we express our own needs and boundaries.

🐴 A non-judgemental space
Horses don’t judge. A well regulated horse, offers a safe environment and a calming presence to help people understand what it feels like to be safe again.

🐴 Grounding and embodiment
In a world that keeps us ‘in our heads’ horses draw us back into our bodies. They help us feel, sense and experience the present moment more fully.

🐴 Authenticity matters
Horses feel safest with honesty. When we allow ourselves to be real and vulnerable they respond. This can be deeply affirming and freeing.

🐴 Support for growth
Through relationship and presence, horses gently challenge us to grow. With them, we can explore new ways of relating to ourselves and others, to build deeper, more genuine connections.

✨ Healing with horses is about co-regulation, relationship, presence and rediscovering how to bring the nervous system back to a balanced state.

14/01/2026

Our "big" herd just hanging out listening to some opera on their holiday 😍

14/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BeRCtQucx/

31/12/2025

To all our wonderful clients and families, we look forward to connecting and being with you in 2026 🙏🥰

24/12/2025

A Christmas Wish from All of Us at Cardinia Equine and Animal Assisted Counselling and Learning Centre

From Suzanne, Shannon and Zoe, and all of our amazing animal team, we want to thank you for trusting us to walk alongside you and support you throughout 2025.

It has been a privilege to share moments of connection, growth and healing with you, and to welcome you into our spaces and our paddocks.

Featured in this year's photo are Milo, Star, Toby, Mac, Panda and Rosie, representing all of our incredible animal partners who play such a meaningful role in the therapeutic journeys we share with you.

As we head into Christmas, we hope you find time for rest, warmth and gentle moments that feel meaningful to you.

We are very much looking forward to an exciting 2026, with new therapy spaces to enjoy and engage in, and many more opportunities to connect, create and grow together.

With heartfelt thanks and warm wishes for the festive season and the year ahead.

Suzanne, Shannon, Zoe and all the animals 🎄🐴🐄🐐🐱

21/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AGcMBdXsF/

16/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AGGPvjsor/

13/12/2025

Some children seem to manage so well at school — polite, quiet, compliant.
Then they come home and everything falls apart.

That shift isn’t manipulation.
It’s the crash that happens when a child has spent all day masking, suppressing, and holding it together.

At school they survive.
At home they release.

Our new visual explores what’s really happening beneath the surface — and why those meltdowns after school are actually signs of trust and safety, not defiance.

Explore our linked toolkits for deeper support:
Masking Toolkit – understanding the hidden effort of blending in
After-School Restraint Collapse Toolkit – practical strategies for recovery and regulation at home.
Instant electronic download with secure global checkout. at link in comments ⬇️ or via our Linktree Shop in Bio.

Save this post for when you need the reminder that 'coping' can come at a cost — and that behaviour always tells a story.