ChilMan Equine and Counselling

01/09/2026

What an amazing day we had on Sunday for our first Horse Fun Day with our independent participants! 🐴❤️

The day was filled with games, dressage, laughter and lots of fun. We are incredibly proud of every single one of our participants, but a special highlight was seeing every participant who chose the canter dressage test pick up the correct canter lead every single time! 👏🏼🐎

The camaraderie between everyone was wonderful, with so much encouragement, support and cheering each other on. It was truly lovely to watch. ❤️

A huge thank you to Bri and Polly for organising everything, and a very special thank you to Karen and Dallas for coming along to score and pencil the dressage tests.

It was such a fantastic day, and everyone had an absolute ball! 🥰

We’re looking forward to making these days a regular part of Chilman Equine, with future days including both our participants who still need support and our independent participants.

What a wonderful group of people - and what a wonderful day! 🐴✨

29/08/2026

✨ Working it out together ✨

A beautiful session with Izzi and Tia today, really working each other out as they trotted around the grass arena. 🐴💕

There were so many beautiful, soft moments as Tia began to loosen through her shoulders, and Izzi helped her find a better, more balanced way of moving.

It’s lovely watching these little moments of understanding develop between horse and participant — where softness, feel and communication come together.

A beautiful partnership in the making. ❤️

25/08/2026

We are taking bookings for Term 4 Horse Whispering Youth Program. We are so excited to be delivering this powerful program again.

LET’S GET ON THE "FOUR HOOF"!
TERM 4 REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN

Okay, we know it’s on the front foot… but around here, four hooves seem far more appropriate.

Our Horse Whispering Youth Program is returning to all 7 our locations in Term 4 — with our herd continuing to grow!

Guanaba / Bonogin Valley / Logan Village / Carbrook / Bellmere / Yandina Creek / Kholo-Ipswich

Sometimes young people simply need a different space to learn, connect and find their confidence. Know a young person who might benefit?

For further information, please contact [email protected]

And follow us here on Facebook for more from our horses, young people and HWYP community.

Talk to a Horse. Reset Your Course.

23/08/2026

Time for these two go get out of the arena and enjoy the rare Sunshine 🌞.

16/08/2026

A change of scenery for Izzi & Tia! 🐴💕

Yesterday they got to enjoy the big open space of our new grass arena, and the horses and riders certainly made the most of it!

We haven’t been able to ride in this space yet because the constant wet weather hasn’t allowed the ground to properly settle and harden with good grass coverage. 🤞🌱

We’re hoping for some drier weather soon so we can start making the most of this beautiful space for our riders.

For now, it was lovely to see Izzi and Tia enjoying a little taste of what’s to come!

16/08/2026

So proud of these two. 🥰

Proud of Rosie for pushing through her fear and finding the courage to work on her canter. And so proud of Tigerlily for looking after her every step of the way. 💕🐴

It’s moments like this that remind us it’s not just about the riding it’s about building trust, confidence and a partnership between horse and rider.

08/08/2026

There is a phrase many of us hear when life becomes overwhelming:

“This too will pass.”

While those words are often offered with kindness, they can sometimes leave a person feeling unseen.

When someone is experiencing overwhelming distress, knowing that things might improve one day doesn’t always help them get through today.

What many people need is practical support. Someone to listen without judgement. A safe place to regain their footing. Tools to help regulate their emotions. Opportunities to reconnect with hope, purpose and the strengths they may have lost sight of.

For some people, animal-assisted services can provide that bridge.

The calm presence of an animal can help create a sense of safety when words are hard to find. Through guided interactions with qualified practitioners, people can develop coping strategies, rebuild confidence, improve emotional regulation and begin taking small, meaningful steps forward.

Hope isn’t just believing tomorrow will be better.

Hope grows when people are supported to navigate today.

If you or someone you know is experiencing situational distress, remember that you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and the right support can make all the difference.

02/08/2026

ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY IS NOT AN NDIS SCAM

Ben Fordham recently described “horse therapy” as the latest NDIS scam. This misleading generalisation fails to distinguish recreational activities from legitimate animal-assisted therapy.

View the original post:
https://www.facebook.com/100053078863268/posts/1574123884366892/

The NDIA confirms that animal-assisted therapy can be funded when delivered by a qualified health professional as part of a goal-directed, evidence-based treatment plan and when it meets NDIS funding requirements.

ATL supports action against fraud, inflated fees and inappropriate claiming. However, legitimate practitioners and participants should not be discredited because some providers misuse the system.

ATL has written to Ben Fordham to request a correction and has offered to provide accurate information about this specialised field.

Fraud should be exposed—but facts and professional distinctions matter.

Read the NDIA guidance:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/assistive-technology/animal-supports/what-animal-assisted-therapy

Ben Fordham

Ben FordhamstedTherapy

02/08/2026

For too long, Australia has focused almost exclusively on responding to mental illness, while not doing enough to support men and boys experiencing situational distress before it reaches crisis point.

Many men facing family and relationship breakdown, separation from their children, financial hardship, legal proceedings, unemployment, or other major life challenges may not have a diagnosable mental health condition. Yet these life events can still lead to overwhelming distress, hopelessness, and, tragically, su***de.

We need to ask an important question:

Are our current systems providing the right support for men experiencing situational distress, or are we expecting every crisis to fit within a mental health framework?

Early intervention should include practical, accessible, and stigma-free support that helps address the underlying life circumstances contributing to distress, alongside psychological support where appropriate. One approach does not replace the other—they should work together.

ATL believes su***de prevention requires innovative and accessible pathways that engage people early, reduce barriers to seeking support, and complement existing mental health services.

Animal-assisted services can be one of many valuable ways to help people reconnect, build trust, reduce isolation, and engage with support during difficult periods in their lives.

Reducing male su***de requires us to broaden the conversation beyond diagnosis alone and invest in services that respond to the whole person and the challenges they are facing.

If we truly want to save lives, we must ensure men and boys can access support before distress becomes despair.

01/08/2026

Today we celebrate the real heart and soul of Chilman Equine… our incredible horses 🐴✨

Happy Birthday to our hard-working, patient, and endlessly giving partners. These horses show up every single day with honesty, kindness, and a willingness to teach — carrying riders of all ages, abilities, and emotions.

They are more than just lesson horses. They are teachers, therapists, confidence-builders, and quiet healers. 💛

From early mornings to long afternoons, they give so much of themselves, and today is all about giving back — extra scratches, favourite treats, and a whole lot of appreciation.

Thank you for everything you do. We are so lucky to have you. 🫶