Herd by Horses NZ - Equine Assisted Development

26/03/2025

Making new connections and having the freedom to explore today with a new group.

25/03/2025

🐴Equine-Assisted Well-Being 2-Day Workshops for Young People 🐴

We’re excited to offer equine-assisted well-being 2 day workshops in the April school holidays, designed to support young people navigating mental health challenges. These workshops provide a safe, supportive space where they can build self-confidence, self-esteem, learn some strategies to cope with challenges and develop meaningful connections—with both horses and other young people.

✨ What to Expect:
🌱 Hands-on experiences with our incredible horses - all ground based, no riding
💛 Activities that foster resilience and emotional well-being
🤝 A chance to connect with others in a supportive environment
🌿 Tools to build confidence and self-belief

We have two tailored groups:

🐴 Years 4–8
15th and 16th April
9am - 1pm
A gentle introduction to self-awareness, emotions, and confidence-building through horse-led activities.

🐎 Years 9–13
22nd and 23rd April
9am - 1pm
Deeper exploration into self-esteem, stress management, and personal growth, with a strong focus on connection and empowerment.

These workshops are funded through Gumboot Friday, making them accessible for those who need support. If you know a young person who could benefit, or if you'd like to learn more, send us a message or email. Places are confirmed once funding and paperwork has been completed.

📍 Held at our serene setting at 593 Waikawa Beach Road, Waikawa Beach
📅 Spaces limited. Get in touch to secure a spot! Email us at [email protected]

20/02/2025

18/02/2025

We said farewell to this little guy on Sunday. Ludo we will miss you so much! He's done 3 years of therapy work and been an absolutely amazing. We have so much gratitude for the joy and insights he brought to our clients. Ludo is off to a lease home in Paekakariki to be a paddock mate for another mini, Danny. Danny is already an experienced therapy horse for the elderly and will show Ludo the ropes for his new role. We look forward to seeing Ludo's updates.

16/02/2025

✨ Session Spots Available Next Week! ✨

We’ve had a couple of postponements which means we have some session openings on Wednesday this coming week! If you’ve been thinking about booking in, now is a great time.

Just a reminder that we can offer fully funded equine-assisted therapy through Gumboot Friday for young people aged 5 to 24. If you or someone you know could benefit from a session with our amazing herd, get in touch—we’d love to support you.

Send us a message to book. Spaces won’t last long!

13/01/2025

🌟 2 Day Workshop - Supporting Young Minds Through the Power of Horses 🌟

At Herd by Horses, we’re here to help young people aged 5–24 enhance their well-being and embrace a brighter, more positive outlook on life. If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, we offer a safe and supportive space where horses become co-facilitators in the journey to healing and growth.

Our Equine Assisted Therapy and Psychotherapy sessions focus on building strength, resilience, and connection while encouraging a positive mindset. Through the unique bond with these incredible animals, young people can explore new ways to navigate life’s challenges, gain confidence, and find their inner calm.

💙 Funding is available through Gumboot Friday (as long as this funding hasn't been used previously), to make these transformative sessions more accessible.

📍 If this sounds like something that could help, or if you'd like to learn more, get in touch with us today. Together, we can support the young people in our community to thrive.

Date: Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd January
Time: 9.30am - 1.30pm
Venue: 593 Waikawa Beach Road, Waikawa Beach

Let’s create a space where challenges turn into growth and where young minds can flourish. 🌈



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07/01/2025

ONE SPOT LEFT!

💫🦄Years 9-13 FULLY FUNDED ANXIETY WORKSHOP💫🦄
Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th January 2025
9.30 - 1.30pm each day

Is your teen struggling with anxiety? Join us for a special workshop designed to help young people reconnect with nature, themselves and the calming presence of horses. Our workshop offers a safe and supportive environment where they can explore their feelings, learn valuable coping strategies, and experience the unique connection that comes from working with horses - no riding involved, just meaningful interaction on the ground.
Through guided activities in nature and the calming presence of our horse co-facilitators, we aim to create a space where you teen can feel understood, empowered and more in control of their emotions.
This workshop is fully funded by Gumboot Friday. The criteria is:
* must have a mental health challenge and not currently be receiving help, or are on a waiting list.
* not have received Gumboot Friday funding previously
Spaces are limited to 4. Book your spot today and give your teen the gift of self-confidence and inner peace.

593 Waikawa Beach Road, Waikawa Beach
To register please email [email protected]

20/12/2024

Well that's a wrap from us this year. What an incredible year it's been, especially the last 6 months!

I have endless gratitude for Carolyn (Counsellor) and Caroline (Teacher), and all the amazing work we have done together, helping people overcome challenges in their lives. Thank you so much!

Thank you to all our referrers that send clients our way. Gumboot Friday funding has made such a difference to around 80 people's lives since June as they have come to us for guidance and support in tough times. This funding is invaluable in our community so please support them in any way you can.

Merry Christmas everyone!

(A separate gratitude post will be done for the horses as they deserve their own special mentions too)

Caroline Beaufort

15/12/2024

🦄💫Years 4-8 FULLY FUNDED ANXIETY WORKSHOP💫🦄

Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th January 2025

9.30 - 1.30pm each day

Is your child struggling with anxiety? Join us for a special workshop designed to help young people reconnect with nature, themselves and the calming presence of horses. Our workshop offers a safe and supportive environment where children can explore their feelings, learn valuable coping strategies, and experience the unique connection that comes from working with horses - no riding involved, just meaningful interaction on the ground.
Through guided activities in nature and the calming presence of our horse co-facilitators, we aim to create a space where you child can feel understood, empowered and more in control of their emotions.

This workshop is fully funded by Gumboot Friday. The criteria is:
* must have a mental health challenge and not currently be receiving help, or are on a waiting list.
* not have received Gumboot Friday funding previously
Spaces are limited to 4. Book your spot today and give your child the gift of self-confidence and inner peace.

593 Waikawa Beach Road, Levin

To register please email [email protected]

11/12/2024

ONE SPOT LEFT!

NAVIGATING FAMILY SEPARATION WORKSHOP
🌟Discover Healing Through Horses: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Workshop for Youth 🌟
Are you a youth aged 12-18 navigating the challenges of family separation? Join us for a transformative two-day workshop that combines the therapeutic power of horses with emotional support and connection!

🐴 Workshop Details:
Dates: 16th & 17th December 2024
Time: 9.30am - 1.30pm
Location: 593 Waikawa Beach Road, Levin
Cost: Fully funded by Gumboot Friday - criteria apply

🦄What to Expect:
Connect with Horses:
Experience hands-on interaction with horses in a safe and nurturing environment. Horses help mirror our emotions, providing unique insights and opportunities for healing. All activities are ground-based, no riding.

Explore Your Feelings:
Engage in creative activities and discussions that allow you to express your emotions related to family separation. Learn that it’s okay to feel what you feel!

Build Resilience:
Discover effective coping strategies and tools to navigate the complexities of your situation, helping you to build trust and communication skills.

Foster Connections:
Meet other young people who understand what you’re going through. Share experiences and build a supportive community that lasts beyond the workshop.

Why Choose Equine Assisted Psychotherapy?
Equine therapy is proven to enhance emotional well-being, improve communication, and foster a sense of empowerment. The gentle presence of horses helps create a safe space for healing and self-discovery.

Limited Spots Available!
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to heal, connect, and grow. Register today!
For more information or to sign up please message us on our page or email [email protected]
Join us and take the first step toward healing with the power of horses! 🐎❤️

20/11/2024

👩‍👦👨‍👦 Strengthen Bonds with Equine-Assisted Therapy: Parent-Child Sessions to build Connection 👩‍👦👨‍👦

Is your child having mental health challenges? Are you struggling to find ways to connect with them? Are you looking for a unique way to connect with your child and strengthen your relationship? Join us for Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) sessions designed for parents and children to bond, build trust, communicate and improve connection —while enjoying the therapeutic presence of horses.

What to Expect:

• Hands-On Experiences: Engage in guided exercises with horses, designed to support mental health challenges, foster collaboration, communication, and understanding. All interactions are on the ground, no horse riding.

• Professional Guidance: Work with a certified therapist and an experienced equine specialist who help you explore and overcome obstacles in a safe, supportive environment.

• Connection Without Words: Horses naturally mirror emotions, creating opportunities for you and your child to understand each other on a deeper, non-verbal level.

• Life Lessons: Strengthen teamwork skills, build mutual respect, and boost confidence through activities that translate into everyday life.

Who Is It For?

These sessions are perfect for parents and children seeking a meaningful, non-traditional way to bond, build trust, and develop communication skills. Please contact us to see if you are eligible for funded sessions through Gumboot Friday/

Limited spots available! Reconnect with your child in an unforgettable way. Contact us today to reserve your session and discover the power of equine assisted therapy.

12/11/2024

Thanks Tim, Alana, Grace and Brigette for visiting us yesterday and getting a taster for Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Tim Costley is our local MP so we had a chat to him and his team about how we can access longer term funding for young people and adults in our community. We see a massive gap in our mental health system for long-term funded counselling sessions. So watch this space!

11/11/2024

What a fabulous day at work! I feel very grateful to wake up every day and love what I do for a "job".

We went from high energy and excitement in our first session, to the whole herd lying down asleep in the second session, including the 3 horses in the adjacent paddock. It is rare for these 4 horses to feel safe enough to lie down at the same time around humans. This showed these young women that they had created a trusting, calm and safe space. This can be significant learning for clients that have suffered significant trauma and lack those feelings of safety in their own lives.

Our session after lunch started with horses fighting and by the end of the session they were flat out asleep - again a great learning opportunity.

Fabulous day!

01/11/2024

🌟 A Heartfelt Thank You to Gumboot Friday 🌟

As we reflect on the last couple of years, our hearts are full of gratitude for the incredible support from Gumboot Friday. Thanks to their funding, we’ve been able to bring equine-assisted therapy to over 150+ young people in our community, providing a safe and healing space to support mental health and well-being. 🐴💙

Without this support, reaching these young lives simply wouldn’t have been possible. Each child’s journey with our horses has been made richer through this funding, giving us the means to walk alongside them, witness their resilience, and celebrate their progress.

Please donate to this incredible charity by texting
"boots" to 469 to donate $3.

To everyone involved in Gumboot Friday, thank you for helping us make a difference. Together, we’re building stronger futures, one hoofbeat at a time. 🐾❤️

31/10/2024

NAVIGATING FAMILY SEPARATION WORKSHOP

🌟Discover Healing Through Horses: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Workshop for Youth 🌟

Are you a youth aged 12-18 navigating the challenges of family separation? Join us for a transformative two-day workshop that combines the therapeutic power of horses with emotional support and connection!

🐴 Workshop Details:
Dates: 16th & 17th December 2024
Time: 9.30am - 1.30pm
Location: 593 Waikawa Beach Road, Levin
Cost: Fully funded by Gumboot Friday - criteria apply

🦄What to Expect:

Connect with Horses:
Experience hands-on interaction with horses in a safe and nurturing environment. Horses help mirror our emotions, providing unique insights and opportunities for healing. All activities are ground-based, no riding.

Explore Your Feelings:
Engage in creative activities and discussions that allow you to express your emotions related to family separation. Learn that it’s okay to feel what you feel!

Build Resilience:
Discover effective coping strategies and tools to navigate the complexities of your situation, helping you to build trust and communication skills.

Foster Connections:
Meet other young people who understand what you’re going through. Share experiences and build a supportive community that lasts beyond the workshop.

Why Choose Equine Assisted Psychotherapy?
Equine therapy is proven to enhance emotional well-being, improve communication, and foster a sense of empowerment. The gentle presence of horses helps create a safe space for healing and self-discovery.

Limited Spots Available!
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to heal, connect, and grow. Register today!
For more information or to sign up please message us on our page or email [email protected]

Join us and take the first step toward healing with the power of horses! 🐎❤️

24/09/2024

Did you know that spending time outdoors, especially with horses, can naturally boost your Vitamin D levels?

Vitamin D, often called the "sunshine vitamin", plays a key role in maintaining mental health by:

* reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression
* supporting a healthy immune system
* improving overall mood and energy levels

Vitamin D may need to be supplemented during winter months and if you work in an indoor environment. Seek professional advice to see if this applies to you. Vitamin D can make a huge difference to our mental well-being.