Sweet As- Equine Assisted Therapy

29/03/2026

🐴🧠 What if therapy could actually change the brain?

A really interesting study titled “Neural changes following equine-assisted therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A longitudinal multimodal imaging study”, published in Human Brain Mapping, gives us something we don’t often see in therapy research — actual brain-based evidence of change.

Using MRI scans before and after equine-assisted therapy, researchers found:

✨ Changes in brain areas linked to emotional regulation
✨ Stronger connections in the brain’s reward and motivation system (the caudate)
✨ Real reductions in PTSD symptoms — linked directly to these brain changes

This is powerful, because it shows that the impact of equine therapy isn’t just something people feel — it can be seen in how the brain is functioning.

💡 Horses respond to us in the moment — without judgement, without words.
They help people become more aware of their emotions, regulate their responses, and feel safe enough to reconnect.

🌿 Why this matters
For many people, especially those who have experienced trauma, talking isn’t always enough. This research highlights that healing can happen through connection, experience, and relationship — not just conversation.

27/03/2026

A little reminder from behind the scenes…

This work is incredibly meaningful, but it can also be heavy at times. Supporting others through their journeys requires presence, care, and connection—and just as importantly, it reminds me how essential it is to prioritise wellbeing for everyone, including myself.

Equine-assisted therapy offers a unique space to slow down, regulate, and reconnect. Spending time with Echo and Whinny, there’s no pressure—just a calm, grounded environment where people can feel safe to be themselves 🐴

The herd has an incredible way of helping with emotional regulation, building trust, and creating connection without the need for words.

23/03/2026

Working from the office today thanks to this beautiful rainy weather 🌧️

A slower kind of day, catching up on the inside work.

But nothing beats getting out to see Echo and Whinny, with Luffy coming along for the adventure 🐴🐶💛

22/03/2026

Behind the scenes today was a big one 🙌

Spent a solid 4 hours out in the paddock spraying blackberry (never-ending job 😅), followed by cleaning up all the horse poo — glamorous, I know! Then finished off by feeding Echo and Whinny, who were very happy to see me once the hard work was done 🐴💛

Days like this might not look exciting from the outside, but they’re what keep everything running and the horses happy, healthy, and ready to connect with people. I actually really love these quiet, behind-the-scenes moments… just me, the land, and the herd 🌿

I’ve got a bit of space this week if anyone is wanting to come out for a meet and greet and spend some time with the herd. Such a special way to slow down, connect, and just be.

Send me a message if you’re keen ✨

10/03/2026

Some days at the paddock remind me exactly why I love doing this so much. 🐴

Yesterday Echo and Whinny both had their feet trimmed, which is always a good reminder of how important the little care jobs are that keep our horses happy and healthy. After that, it was time for some less glamorous paddock work – spraying the blackberry that always seems determined to take over if you let it!

But one of my favourite parts of today was simply being with the horses.

Echo decided she was going to make catching her a bit of a game today. Anyone who knows her will understand that sometimes she likes to keep me on my toes! The trick with Echo is keeping my energy low, staying patient, and not turning it into a chase. Horses read our energy so clearly.

The lovely part was Whinny. Instead of wandering off, she quietly walked with me around the paddock while I tried to catch Echo – almost like she was helping. Eventually Echo decided it was time, and we got there in the end.

Moments like that remind me how special these horses are and why I love sharing them with people. Watching others connect with them, meet them, and spend time in the paddock is something that means a lot to me.

08/03/2026

🐴 A “Horse Thought of the Day”

Something horses teach us:

They don’t pretend to be anything they’re not.

If they’re curious, they come closer.
If they’re unsure, they step back.
If they trust you, they stand beside you.

There’s something really honest about that.

Sometimes I think we could learn a lot from horses about being genuine. ✨

06/03/2026

MEET AND GREET DAY

Echo and Whinny enjoying their breakfast before they meet some amazing ladies.

If you are interested in meet the girls and seeing what we do here send me a pm.

First available space is 12.30 today

02/03/2026

This tree is so beautiful 😍

26/02/2026

With all the new follows recently, I’d love to open the gate and let you come meet the herd 🐴

I’m thinking short 15-minute one-on-one meet & greet bookings, so you can:
✨ Meet Echo and Whinny
✨ Ask questions about ACC or private sessions
✨ See what happens here
✨ Get a feel for the space

Would you book a time slot if I offered this?

Let me know below 👇

25/02/2026

That feeling never gets old 🤍

Walking into the paddock and seeing Echo lift her head… then choose to walk over and wait for me. Not because she has to because she wants to.

There’s something so grounding about that moment. The quiet. The trust. The connection without words.

Horses don’t fake connection. They don’t show up unless they feel safe. So when Echo comes up and stands there, waiting patiently, it reminds me why I do this work. It’s built on relationship. On consistency. On being present.

Sometimes the smallest moments are actually the biggest ones.

Grateful for this girl every single day 🐴💛

24/02/2026

23/02/2026

People often ask how I came up with the name Sweet As Equine Assisted Therapy.

“Sweet As” was actually the name of my very first horse here in New Zealand.

When I bought her, I was told she was 18 years old. Later, after checking her brands, I discovered she was actually 28. And honestly? That just made me love her even more.

Her full name was Sweet As — Sweety for short.

She was stubborn.
She had a mind of her own.
She was everything I ever wanted in a horse.

She was absolutely beautiful, but more than that — she had a heart of gold.

She taught me about patience.
She taught me about boundaries.
She taught me that connection isn’t about control — it’s about respect.

I think about her every single day.

So when it came time to name my business, there was never really a question.

Sweet As isn’t just a name… it’s a legacy. It’s the foundation of everything I do.

And in many ways, this work exists because of her 🤍