Sweet As- Equine Assisted Therapy

16/02/2026

🐴✨ When the Horses Run the Schedule… ✨🐴

Last week Echo decided she needed a bit of extra attention and developed a foot abscess. After a few sore days, it finally blew out on Sunday (what a relief!).

And today… Whinny thought she’d join the party with an eye abscess 🙈

Out comes the best vet ever (honestly so grateful!), and once again we’re reminded that working with animals means expecting the unexpected.

I’m starting to think the horses planned it so they could take turns getting pampered and fussed over 😂

On a serious note though, this is the reality behind equine therapy – there’s always care happening behind the scenes to keep our four-legged therapists healthy, happy, and ready to support our clients. Their wellbeing always comes first. 💛

Send some healing vibes to Echo and Whinny tonight! 🐎✨

15/02/2026

💛 DID YOU KNOW HORSES CAN HELP WITH ANXIETY & TRAUMA?

Here in Whangārei, we’re lucky to have space, fresh air… and horses.

Horses are incredibly intuitive. They:
• Reflect our emotions
• Help build confidence
• Support emotional regulation
• Encourage healthy boundaries
• Create a calm, non-judgemental space

At Sweet As Equine Therapy, sessions are ground-based (no riding required) and combine evidence-based approaches like CBT with equine-assisted therapy.

If you or someone you know is:
✨ Struggling with anxiety
✨ Experiencing trauma
✨ Feeling overwhelmed
✨ Supporting a child who is having a hard time

Pop a 🐴 in the comments or send me a message and I’m happy to chat.

Located in Onerahi, Whangārei.

13/02/2026

If you could leave one thing behind before stepping into a paddock session, what would it be?

✨ Stress
✨ Self-doubt
✨ Anger
✨ Fear
✨ Overthinking

Drop it in the comments 👇

Healing starts with awareness.

12/02/2026

"You are not weak for struggling: you are strong for facing your battles head-on."

11/02/2026

ANXIETY — YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Anxiety can quietly take over daily life.
It might show up as avoidance, constant worry, tightness in the chest, or feeling overwhelmed by places and people others seem to manage easily. For many, anxiety shrinks the world.

🐎 Why horses can be powerful allies

They respond to the present moment: Horses naturally pick up on tension and emotional shifts, helping people become more aware of what’s happening inside themselves.

They offer calm without judgement: Horses don’t rush, pressure, or expect explanations — they meet you exactly where you are.

They support nervous system regulation: Being near a grounded, regulated animal can help the body settle and slow down.

They encourage authentic communication: Horses respond to intention, boundaries, and clarity, supporting emotional expression in a safe way.

They foster connection: Relationship-building with a horse can gently rebuild confidence in connecting with others.

They allow gradual challenge: Equine therapy creates opportunities to face fears and anxiety triggers in a supported, controlled environment.

If anxiety is affecting your life — or someone you care about — support is available.
Feel free to PM me to learn more 🤍

10/02/2026

How equine therapy supports wellbeing!

Equine therapy works in a way that feels natural rather than clinical. By engaging with horses, people are supported to learn about themselves through experience, awareness, and connection—not just conversation.

Emotions made visible
Horses respond to what they sense, not what they’re told. Their reactions can highlight emotional shifts in real time, helping individuals notice feelings earlier and practise managing them more safely.

Rebuilding trust and inner confidence
Forming a partnership with a horse takes time and consistency. Each small success helps strengthen self-trust, confidence, and a sense of capability—especially for those who have experienced setbacks or trauma.

Connection beyond words
Because horses rely on body language and energy, sessions naturally strengthen non-verbal communication. This can improve emotional awareness and how individuals relate to others in everyday life.

Soothing the nervous system
The rhythm of being around horses, combined with fresh air and gentle movement, can help the body shift out of survival mode and into a calmer, more regulated state.

Grounding in the present moment
Horses are fully present and require our attention to stay connected. This encourages grounding and mindfulness, offering relief from racing thoughts or emotional overwhelm.

Practising relationships safely
Group equine therapy provides a supported space to practise boundaries, cooperation, and healthy interaction, helping rebuild confidence in relationships and social settings.

Strengthening coping and resilience
The challenges that arise when working with horses create opportunities to practise patience, problem-solving, and emotional regulation—skills that translate directly into daily life.

Whole-person support
Equine therapy recognises that wellbeing is emotional, physical, and mental. The human–horse relationship offers a powerful pathway for healing, insight, and personal growth.

If you’d like to explore whether equine therapy could be the right support for you, feel free to get in touch 🤍

09/02/2026

What is equine therapy video!!

We send Jo Stanley in search of a little healing, exploring the world of equine therapy and how horses can be used as mental health aids for humans.From The ...

05/02/2026

This is great

04/02/2026

🌿 A gentle note from the paddock 🌿

This work happens slowly, with intention. It often starts before you arrive — loading gear, checking the horses, and travelling out to the paddock to prepare a calm, safe space for you.

I know life can be unpredictable, and there are days when showing up feels hard. That’s understood, and it’s met with compassion. At the same time, when an appointment is missed or cancelled at very short notice, it means time has already been given — travelling, preparing, and holding space — and that time can’t be recovered or offered to someone else who may be waiting.

The horses show us the value of presence and respect for energy and time. When we communicate early, it helps keep this work grounded, sustainable, and fair for everyone.

Thank you to those who honour their bookings, reach out when things change, and respect the time it takes to meet you in the paddock. It truly matters 🤍

03/02/2026

“Horses help us to learn about ourselves, and to overcome our fears and limitations.”
– Linda Kohanov

02/02/2026

The Best Office I Could Ever Ask For !!!

My “office” is a paddock.
A blanket on the grass.
Shade from a big old tree.
Horses quietly grazing nearby.

And I sit there and think… how did this become my job?

There’s something incredibly grounding about working outside, away from walls and clocks, with horses who keep everything honest and present. No pressure. No rushing. Just space to breathe, notice, and be real.

But what truly makes this the best job ever isn’t just the setting — it’s the people.

The courage my clients bring.
The trust they place in the process.
The way they show up, even on the hard days.

Watching healing happen in a paddock, with horses as co-regulators and quiet supporters, is something I’ll never take for granted.

I honestly have the best clients I could ever ask for, and I feel so grateful every single day that this is the work I get to do.

💛🐎 Grounded. Grateful. Right where I’m meant to be.

01/02/2026

Trauma doesn’t always respond to talking alone🐴

Sometimes the body needs safety first — and horses are incredible teachers of that.

Horses don’t judge, rush, or expect explanations.
They respond to your nervous system, your breath, your presence.

For many people living with trauma, PTSD, or complex trauma, working alongside horses can help with:

-feeling grounded and regulated

-rebuilding trust and safety

-understanding triggers and boundaries

-reconnecting with your body in a gentle way

✨ ACC FUNDING IS AVAILABLE

You don’t have to “be ready” or have the right words.
You just have to be willing to take the first step.

👉 If this resonates, reach out.
Send a message, ask a question, or book a chat to see if equine-assisted therapy is the right fit for you.

💛 Please LIKE and SHARE this post — you never know who might need to see it today.

Your healing gets to happen at your pace.
And you don’t have to do it alone.