Equine Assisted Therapy
Crestline Equestrian offers a range of equine assisted therapy packages and can facilitate NDIS programs at our facility in Carbrook. Through interactions with horses we can guide and support clients to deepen their understanding and awareness of themselves, work through issues and improve communication and interpersonal skills.
Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) includes a range of activities centred around our team of therapy horses which include:
- Ground work: Catching, leading, lunging the horse/s
- Grooming: Brushing, washing, hoof care and preparation
- Tacking up: Learning the process of saddling/bridling and unsaddling/bridling, fitting equipment to the horses correctly
- Feeding
- Riding
- Cleaning up
- Maintaining the horse’s environment: collecting manure, fixing fences, preparing stables
There is a growing body of research that evidences the effectiveness of EAT in treating individuals with personal and psychological health issues such as:
- ADD & ADHD
- Autism & Aspergers Syndrome
- Depression and Anxiety
- Low Self Esteem
- PTSD
- Eating Disorders
- Bullying
- Learning and behavioural issues
What are the Benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy?
Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) sessions have been shown to offer many benefits. Participants and Carers of have observed that they feel calmer and more able to regulate their emotions after a session.
Emotional Benefits
EAT is an excellent way to promote relaxation, mindfulness, understand and regulate emotions, increase self-awareness,empathy, confidence and self-esteem, decrease negative self-talk and develop a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Horses are excellent listeners and provide a safe and gentle space for participants to share their emotions, thoughts, secrets and fears without judgement or impatience.
Social Benefits
Learning to work with horses also brings participants together with a common goal, which fosters positive social interactions, team work, leadership and communication skills. We find our participants start to feel part of a safe and nurturing community whereby problems are shared and strategies are learned to assist with daily life and improving social relationships.
EAT also promotes improved communication skills through the modelling of clear communication (with both participants and horses), the importance of listening and observing subtle cues, body language and physical aides in working with an animal who cannot ‘speak’ verbally.
In addition, horses are excellent ‘ice-breakers’ and provide a way to begin many difficult conversations.
Cognitive Benefits
EAT has been shown to promote cognitive development in a number of ways with participants improving in their ability to understand and follow instruction, improve organisation and time-management skills, developing problem solving skills and prediction of cause and effect. There are also opportunities to further understanding of science and mathematical concepts through learning about the horses care, health, nutrition and management.
Participants have shown improved ability to concentrate and focus which has led to increases in their academic performance.
Physical Benefits
Working with horses both on the ground and in the saddle enables participants to build strength, cardiovascular fitness and improve both gross and fine motor coordination skills.
What Packages are Available
Crestline Equestrian offers a number of flexible options and can tailor a package to suit your requirements. We are also able to offer group ‘Farm Day’ packages for school or other organisational groups.
Here are some of our most popular options:
Groundwork Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) Packages
For those who are not physically able or do not wish to ride, Crestline offers small group and private EAT packages that involve learning basic horse handling, behaviour and grooming within a supportive and nurturing environment. The focus of these packages is to build and facilitate confidence with horses, foster positive social interactions, encourage communication and improve self-esteem. These sessions can be a starting point from which participants may choose to move on to some of our other packages.
Recovering Together Project
Crestline recently pioneered the ‘Recovering Together’ project – a free, community funded project which pairs rescue horses with small teams of teens who have metal health and social issues. The aim of the program is for the teams to work together (under the supervision of our experienced team leaders, vets and trainers), to care for and rehabilitate their horses in an effort to encourage team building, empathy, responsibility and a sense of pride and achievement. Read more about this project here
Group Lesson Package
Small group lessons of up to 5 participants that cater to all ages and levels of experience.
We teach basic equitation, horse handling and care.
Lessons are 45 minutes in duration and are available in blocks of 10 throughout the school term times.
Private Lesson Package
Private lessons that cater to all ages, levels of experience and areas of interest – we can offer tuition in all aspects of riding, horse handling and care – from basic riding through to competing and showing.
Lessons are 45 minutes in duration and are available in blocks of 10 or via casual bookings.
Pony Club Package
For those who want to take their horsemanship and riding to the next level and experience what it is like to own their own horse or pony, Crestline Pony Club Packages enables participants to lease a school horse to participate in Pony Club musters and at our facilities in Carbrook.
Holiday Camps
During school holidays, we offer a range of camps and clinics to cater to all ages and levels of experience – from children’s pony camps with riding lessons, games and craft activities to camps for teens and adults to improve their riding.
Group Packages
Crestline also offer our facilities for the use of groups who require Equine Assisted Therapy programs, farm day experiences, team building events and more. We can assist in planning and delivering activities and work with you to tailor an experience to suit your organisation and participants requirements.
For further details and costs, please contact Julieanne on 0403 873 845