Wild Hooves Therapies

17/06/2026

The ‘Paddock Shed’. A space to create, learn, feel, release, play and grow. The space might be small, but the things that happen in here are often huge.

This little shed has held many stories sacred, offered protection from the elements and transformed into places only the imagination is capable of.

Whilst majority of the time we are out exploring the paddocks, connecting with our horsey friends and enjoying all the natural healing medicine of Mother Nature, sometimes it is the space in this shed that offers just as much healing ✨

16/06/2026

The horses we work with are not merely tools that can can be objectified, they are beings, living, breathing and feeling who need regulation and release after sessions just like us human therapists 🤍✨

One thing I think we need to talk about more in equine-assisted work is what happens for the horse AFTER the session. 🐴

Not in a“they absorbed the trauma” way.

But in a very real nervous-system, behaviour, and welfare-based way.

Horses are incredible beings. They are constantly scanning body language, tension, unpredictability, movement, tone, breathing patterns, and environmental changes around them.

During sessions, many horses are exposed to:
• heightened emotion
• dysregulation
• sudden movement or noise
• inconsistent energy
• crying
• frustration
• hypervigilance
• multiple handlers or clients across the day

Even very experienced horses can become mentally fatigued.

That does not mean they are “bad / not for use "therapy" horses”.
It means they are living beings participating in emotionally demanding environments.

As facilitators, part of ethical practice is learning to observe not just obvious stress signals, but subtle cumulative ones too.

Things like:
• increased tension through the face or jaw
• frequent yawning or licking
• walking away more than usual
• becoming shut down or overly compliant
• irritability with herd mates afterwards
• increased startle responses
• changes in appetite or engagement
• difficulty settling
• repetitive behaviours
• tension during catching or tacking up

Sometimes what a horse needs after sessions is not more work, training, or stimulation.

They need decompression.

That might look like:
🌿 turnout and free movement
🌿 access to herd mates
🌿 quiet hay time
🌿 mutual grooming opportunities
🌿 rolling and natural behaviours
🌿 lower stimulation
🌿 consistent routines
🌿 pauses between clients
🌿 facilitators regulating themselves before the next session

Good equine-assisted practice should include emotional and physical welfare planning for the horse, not just the client.

Because welfare is not just about food, rugs, and saddle fit.

It is also about respecting the horse’s emotional bandwidth, choice, communication, and recovery. 🤍

26/05/2026

National Sorry Day.

This beautifully heartbreaking painting was made for me by a young indigenous person I cared for. An image of mob, coming together - yet underneath carrying a darkness that has torn them apart.

My heart aches for the Mothers, wailing, fighting and watching as their children were forcibly taken from their safety. Families torn apart as children were snatched from mob with no choice, control or voice. Beaten, tortured or killed if anyone dare fight against such an action. Worthless. Powerless. Defeated. My heart aches for you.

Today is a personal reminder for me of the history that is shamefully etched into my blood as a white western woman, one I do not in any way identify with, but one that still needs to be acknowledged with honesty and humility.

I see first hand how trauma can move through generations when safety, culture, connection and community are shattered. Working in the out of home care field, the over-representation of Indigenous children is still rising at an astronomical rate and White Power still dominates decision making for a culture still fighting to be heard.

National Sorry Day doesn’t just end today, it is a consistent fight for systemic change so our Indigenous Mobs can have their voice heard, and the removal of children no longer outweighs keeping mob together.

I hold such a deep respect for the strength, resilience, and enduring connection to culture of First Nations Peoples - especially the younger generations who continue to carry both the weight of history and the hope for the future.

I am sorry for those before me. But I will never be sorry for supporting and standing beside mob today, for listening, advocating, learning and supporting cultural healing. I stand in solidarity with you and I will continue to care for mob in a system that is failing 🖤💛❤️

17/05/2026

This morning I had the privilege to stand alongside fellow q***r community members and allies to support the raising of the Progress Pride Flag for IDAHOBIT day in the Blue Mountains 🌈

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is a day to reflect on the resilience, courage and progress that has been made toward equality for the LGBTQIA+ community.

What an honour it is to be able to now celebrate May 17 1990, the day the World Health Organization officially removed homosexuality from its classification of diseases. A moment that marked a turning point for the rights, dignity and challenging stigma and discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community.

Everyone deserves the freedom to be themselves and to live openly, safely and proudly without fear of discrimination, prejudice or hate. Whilst we have come a long way thanks to the q***r leaders before me breaking barriers and paving the way, there is still important work ahead to ensure every person feels seen, respected, included and valued for who they are.

Today is a reminder of the importance of visibility, allyship and standing in solidarity in support of equality and human rights for all human beings.

I am so proud to be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community and vow to continue to advocate for equality, inclusion and acceptance to build a world where every person feels safe, supported and empowered to live an authentic life. Starting with the young people in our communities who deserve to grow up knowing they are valued, respected and loved exactly as they are.

Here’s to standing proud. Standing in solidarity. And advocating for a brighter world of equality 🌈✨

***r

12/05/2026

Are you between the ages of 18-30 and looking for a safe, collaborative space to heal your nervous system that goes beyond just talking about it?

Whether you are struggling with past trauma experiences, experiencing relationship challenges, exploring your identity, or simply trying to survive in a world full of pressure leading to anxiety, burnout and stress - I currently have spaces available for online EMDR sessions.

Eye Movement and Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can offer a space to slow down, process what’s been difficult, and reconnect with yourself with greater clarity and self-compassion. EMDR supports healing in a way that goes beyond just talking about what’s happened - It helps your brain and nervous system actually process difficult experiences so they stop feeling so overwhelming in everyday life.

Online appointments available Australia-wide.

Walk with me and reach out for more information to begin a journey of healing together ✨👣

08/05/2026

✨ My first EMDRAA Conference ✨

Like a kid walking into a theme park for the first time, I was in complete awe and filled with so much excitement to be witnessing and be in the presence of some of the best EMDR practitioners we have here in Australia.

Talking all things EMDR, learning new insights into how we can support beautiful humans in this world and of course the best part, connecting with other like minded therapists out there doing the work that matters.

1 week since I was inspired, reminded of why I do what I do and absolutely humbled to be a part of such a beautifully supporting community. Yes I survived. In fact I did more than that and actually made so many new connections with people who I can’t wait to learn from, continue to be inspired by and connect with again.

Thank you EMDRAA for making my first conference so much fun! Here’s to new knowledge, new creativity and most importantly, new colleagues. What an honour 🙏🏻👀✨

03/05/2026

Hello my lovely herd! It’s been a while since I have been in the land of social media! Lots of grounding paddock time has been happening as well as more trainings and some special new things at Wild Hooves!

Looking forward to sharing some more soon! And hopefully this time stay a little longer in this world with much intended breaks between! Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your animals! 🐴💚👣

23/12/2024

Mate, Texas and I would like to wish everyone a safe and playful Christmas and New Year that is filled with love, gratitude and connection. To everyone who has supported us this year, taken the time to connect whether brief or long, liked a post, made a call or offered their support through words and recommendations, we truly thank you from the bottom of our hearts 💕

It has been a pleasure having the opportunity to connect and walk alongside so many young people in their healing journey this year and form relationships so deep that I have been beautifully reminded of why I love this work so much 🥰

This time of year can be a really tricky time for a lot of our young people so check in where you can, sit in silence if needed, hold space to be heard and held, show unconditional love and above all, remind these beautiful young souls their worth. Next year is a fresh start, a new chapter or as one of my young people put it, a year of “Calm”. We look forward to connecting with you all again in the New Year, when we return on the 8th of Feb.

Until then, it’s 6 weeks of work for us as we have the privilege to visit and spend time with many of our young people in out of home care 💕 If you need to get in contact, please email as I will not have my work phone during this time 🙏🏻

Again, thank you, to all of you, we are beyond grateful for your support and look forward to what is awaiting on next years adventures.

Our love Always ❤️🎄💚💫🐴🐾👩🏼‍🌾

15/11/2024

Hello lovely Herd Members,
Unfortunately there has been some miscommunication occur with the new NDIS legislation changes that came in to effect on October 3rd which has had some of my young people struggling to receive funding. I just wanted to clear this up here in case anyone is needing to express what occurs at Wild Hooves to their Plan Managers/Coordinators.

Firstly, Wild Hooves does NOT offer Equine Therapy, I offer Equine ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY meaning that the therapeutic work I offer is supported by the horses as a means of regulation and support of participation in the work not as a way of just having a positive experience with the horses. Wild Hooves also does not offer horse riding, all activities are based on the ground.

The new legislation states “In these interventions, the animal may be used by the therapist to help the client meet specific goals but the therapy is delivered to the participant by the allied health professional, with the animal used to support participation”. As I am a registered social worker I am considered as an “allied health professional”. I also work under an EMDR framework with the support of the horses who assist participants to regulate during processing traumatic memories in EMDR. It is not solely coming in to pat a horse, each session is guided by the principles of trauma informed practice to safely unpack trauma a young person has experienced.

I hope that gives a clear explanation for anyone confused or getting replies by plan managers and coordinators to say they are no longer funded for “equine therapy”. I understand why the new legislation has had to come into effect, however it deeply saddens me that NDIS participants are now being told they are unable to attend a support that has been so beneficial to them, sometimes the only thing that has helped. Please reach out if you have any troubles and I will advocate for your young persons needs with everything I have. 🌈🌟

04/11/2024

Some exciting news Herd Members! I’ve just spent the last week away in Melbourne finishing my Level 2 EMDR Training for children and adolescents with complex trauma with the extremely knowledgeable Sarah Schubert. This is something I’ve been working pretty hard to complete and can’t wait for what I can now offer the young people coming to Wild Hooves, here’s to the next chapter of the journey together ✨💚👀