EquiHaven Retreats

06/04/2026

Beautiful day, feed time and everyone is so shiny!

14/03/2026

🌿 **Welcome to EquiHaven** 🌿
*Where Horses Help People Grow*

I’m excited (and a little nervous!) to finally introduce **EquiHaven**, a new small horse-based wellness and riding program near **Waiinu Beach in the Whanganui region**.

EquiHaven was created from something very personal to me.

For many years I struggled with **chronic depression and PTSD**, and like many people, I tried to find ways to cope and heal. What I discovered along my journey was something incredibly powerful — **time spent with horses**.

Horses have a unique ability to help people slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves. Being around them helped me find calm during difficult moments and gave me a sense of grounding when life felt overwhelming.

That experience is what inspired me to create **EquiHaven**.

This space is not a clinic, and I am not a psychologist. Instead, EquiHaven is a **safe, peaceful environment where people can spend time with horses in a supportive and non-judgmental setting**.

Our wellness sessions focus on things like:
🐴 Spending quiet time with horses
🐴 Grooming and connecting with them
🐴 Learning to be present and calm
🐴 Rebuilding confidence and trust

Many people who come to EquiHaven may be:
• Feeling overwhelmed by a busy life
• Struggling with stress, anxiety, or emotional challenges
• Recovering from difficult life experiences
• Simply needing time in nature to reconnect with themselves

The horses here each have their own personalities, and they are incredibly gentle teachers. Sometimes healing doesn’t come from talking — sometimes it comes from **simply being present with an animal that accepts you exactly as you are.**

Alongside the wellness program, EquiHaven also offers **children’s pony riding lessons**, helping young riders build confidence, kindness, and a love for horses from an early age.

This is a small, heart-led business, and I’m grateful to begin sharing it with the community.

If EquiHaven sounds like something that could help you or someone you know, feel free to **send a message to learn more about our horse connection sessions or riding lessons.**

Thank you for supporting a new local business and for being part of this journey. 💚

🐴 *EquiHaven – Where Horses Help People Grow*

Send a message to learn more

14/03/2026

🐴✨ **Kids Pony Riding Lessons at EquiHaven** ✨🐴

Looking for a fun outdoor activity for your child?
Our **kids riding lessons** are designed to build **confidence, balance, and a love for animals** in a safe and supportive environment.

🌟 **Little Riders (Ages 4–7)**
Perfect first pony experiences with our gentle **mini ponies**
• Grooming and pony care
• First riding skills
• Confidence building

💰 **$35 per session**

🌟 **Junior Riders (Ages 8–13)**
Learn real riding skills on our calm pony (13.3–14hh)
• Riding basics
• Steering and balance
• Horse care and connection

💰 **$45 per session**

🐴 Small group lessons so every child gets attention
🌿 Relaxed farm setting near **Waiinu Beach – Whanganui Region**
💚 Safe, kind horses that love children

Parents often tell us their children leave lessons feeling **proud, confident, and excited to come back.**

📩 **Message our page to book a spot or ask questions.**
Limited spaces each week.

✨ *Where Horses Help People Grow*

Send a message to learn more

14/03/2026

🌟 **Meet Our Little Riding Stars!** 🌟

At **EquiHaven**, we believe the best way for children to start their horse journey is with kind, gentle ponies who love their job.

That’s why our **Little Riders program (ages 4–7)** is led by our two adorable horses, a**mini horse and a pony**. 🐴💛

These small but mighty teachers are perfect for young children who are learning to ride for the very first time. Their calm nature helps kids feel safe, confident, and excited about horses.

In our Little Riders lessons children will learn:
✨ How to safely approach and groom a pony
✨ Basic riding skills and balance
✨ Confidence and connection with horses
✨ Respect and kindness toward animals

Watching a child’s face light up when they ride for the first time is one of the most special moments at EquiHaven.

Our horses may be small, but they have **huge hearts and lots of patience for young riders**.

📍 Near Waiinu Beach – Whanganui Region

If your child loves animals and would like to meet our mini and pony, send us a message to learn more about our **Little Riders lessons**.

🐴 *Where Horses Help People Grow*

11/03/2026

🐴 **Meet Jay Zee – The Quiet Observer** 🐴

This is **Jay Zee**, another of our newer herd members.

At **7 years old Thoroughbred** and standing at **15.3 hands**, Jay Zee is the **quieter and more shy** one of the group. Since arriving, he’s been gently finding his place within the herd dynamics.

Jay Zee particularly enjoys **having his neck scratched** and seems to appreciate calm, patient company. He shares a special connection with **Alex**, as the two boys come from the **same breeder**, and they often find comfort in each other’s presence.

At the moment Jay Zee tends to **hang back toward the rear of the herd**, quietly observing what’s going on around him. He is a **very gentle boy**, and as he becomes more confident, we’re looking forward to seeing more of his personality shine through.

Sometimes the quiet ones simply need **a little time and space to show us who they are**. 💚

11/03/2026

🐴 **Meet Alex – The Gentle Newcomer** 🐴

This handsome boy is **Alex**, one of the newest members of our Equine Wellness Program herd.

At **7 years old Thoroughbred** and standing at **16.1 hands**, Alex is one of the taller boys in the group. Since joining the herd, he’s been **finding his place and learning the dynamics** of his new family.

Alex has a **curious but very gentle nature**. He enjoys human company and will happily **offer up his nose for kisses** if you take the time to say hello.

As he settles in, we’re seeing more of his personality come through. When the others aren’t bossing him away, Alex is **more than happy to wander over for a greeting and some attention**.

We’re looking forward to watching his confidence grow as he continues to settle into herd life. 💚

11/03/2026

😄 **Meet LB (Little Buddy) – The Cheeky One** 😄

Next up in our Equine Wellness Program herd is **LB**, also known as **Little Buddy**.

LB is **8 years old Thoroughbred** and definitely brings a bit of personality to the group. He’s the **cheeky and curious one**, always wanting to know what’s going on and making sure he doesn’t miss out on any attention.

Despite his playful nature, LB is a **very gentle soul**. He loves being **brushed, talked to, and spending time with people**. Every now and then he’ll even allow you to **give him a kiss on his nose**, which makes him extra special to those who spend time with him.

LB also likes to think **he’s the boss of the herd**, but his sweet personality always shines through. Whether you’re riding him or simply spending time together in the paddock, he’s a wonderful horse to be around.

🐴 We’re lucky to have LB as part of our Equine Wellness family.

11/03/2026

🌼 **Meet Daisy – Our Gentle Matriarch** 🌼

Next in our Equine Wellness Program herd is the lovely **Daisy**.

Daisy is **17 years old Thoroughbred** and one of the more experienced girls in the herd. She spent most of her life as a **broodmare**, and that nurturing nature still shines through in how gentle and calm she is around people.

Daisy has a wonderfully **quiet and patient personality**. She is more than happy to **stand with you all day soaking up scratches and affection**, enjoying every moment of attention she receives.

While she is sweet and gentle with people, Daisy also knows how to **set her boundaries with the younger boys in the herd**. If they get a little too close for her liking, she’ll happily boss them away from her space—before calmly coming right back to you for more love.

Her steady presence and kind nature make Daisy a beautiful part of our herd and a special companion for anyone who spends time with her.

🐴 We’re so lucky to have Daisy as part of our Equine Wellness family.

11/03/2026

👑 **Meet Amora – The Queen of the Herd** 👑

Next up in our Equine Wellness Program introductions is **Amora**.

Amora is **7 years old Thoroughbred** and truly lives up to her title as the **queen of the herd**. She is confident yet incredibly gentle, and she’s almost always **the first to come over to say hello** when someone arrives.

Standing at an impressive **17.1 hands high**, Amora is the **biggest horse in the herd**, but her personality is nothing but sweet. She absolutely **loves having her bum scratched** and will happily turn it toward anyone willing to give her a good scratch.

Amora is known for her affectionate nature and often shows it by **giving little horse kisses**, making her a favourite for many who spend time with her.

With her leadership, kindness, and loving personality, Amora brings a special energy to the herd and to everyone who meets her.

🐴 We’re so lucky to have Amora as part of our Equine Wellness family.

11/03/2026

✨ **Meet Marshall – Our Gentle Giant** ✨

Next up in our Equine Wellness Program herd is **Marshall**.

Marshall is a **7-year-old Thoroughbred** with a wonderfully **quiet and gentle nature**. Even though he is one of the **bigger horses in the herd, standing at 16.1 hands high**, he has a calm and kind presence that people immediately feel comfortable around.

Marshall loves attention and is often **one of the first horses to walk over and say hello**, happily soaking up scratches and affection from anyone willing to share a little love.

His steady personality and friendly curiosity make him a beautiful partner for connection, reminding us that sometimes the biggest hearts come in the biggest packages.

🐴 We’re so lucky to have Marshall as part of our herd.

11/03/2026

✨ **Meet Lucy – One of the Hearts of Our Herd** ✨

We’re so excited to introduce **Lucy**, one of the wonderful horses in our Equine Wellness Program.

Lucy is **17 years old Thoroughbred** and is known around the farm for her incredibly **calm and loving nature**. She has a quiet presence that helps people slow down, breathe, and feel at ease the moment they spend time with her.

Lucy absolutely **loves scratches and being brushed**, and she happily stands nearby soaking up all the attention. Her gentle personality makes her a special partner for participants who are learning to connect, relax, and build confidence around horses.

With her kind spirit and steady presence in the pasture, Lucy reminds us every day of the **healing power of horses and the joy of simple connection**.

🐴 We’re so grateful to have Lucy as part of our herd.