Equine-Assisted Learning

In today’s fast-paced world, many people—young and old—find themselves struggling to connect, focus, or feel confident. At Hooves of Hope, we offer something different. Something grounding. Something powerful.

Our Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) program is a structured, evidence-informed program that uses horse-based activities to build life skills, resilience, and emotional capacity. Our team of qualified youth workers, support professionals, and equine specialists create a safe, inclusive environment where participants can reconnect with themselves—and others—through meaningful, hands-on experiences.

School isn’t a one-size-fits-all environment. Some students thrive in traditional settings—others need something different.

Our school-partnered EAL programs provide an alternative pathway for students who:

• Are disengaged or at risk of dropping out
• Experience learning difficulties or behavioural challenges
• Struggle with anxiety, trauma, or social interaction
• Need support with emotional regulation and communication
   

EAL helps students build:
✔ Confidence and self-esteem
✔ Teamwork and problem-solving skills
✔ Trust, boundaries, and resilience

All sessions can be curriculum-aligned and outcome-focused, with progress reports available for teachers, wellbeing teams, and families.

At Hooves of Hope, we understand how to turn NDIS goals into real-world progress.

Our Equine-Assisted Learning programs align with:

• Capacity Building – Increasing independence and daily living skills
• Social and Community Participation – Improving confidence, engagement, and self-expression 
• Improved Relationships – Enhancing social communication and emotional intelligence
   

Participants don’t need horse experience or to ride—just a willingness to engage.

Our sessions are run by a registered ACA counsellor and qualified support and youth workers, ensuring full compliance with skill-building, and social and community funding categories under NDIS. We also support transition-to-work outcomes for older participants.

Living with a psychosocial disability can be incredibly isolating. Our EAL programs offer a safe space where adults can reconnect—with nature, animals, and themselves—without pressure or judgement.

Through guided interaction with horses, participants explore:

• Emotional regulation
• Self-awareness and identity
• Building safe and respectful relationships
• Reclaiming autonomy and motivation
   

Whether it’s managing anxiety, rebuilding after trauma, or developing social confidence, EAL is tailored to each participant’s pace and goals.

Many veterans carry invisible wounds—trauma, disconnection, or a lost sense of purpose. Our veterans' programs are designed to restore what’s often hardest to regain: trust, calm, and connection.

Horses, as prey animals, are hyper-vigilant and tuned into their environment. They respond instantly to changes in energy, helping veterans become more aware of their own internal states without feeling judged or “therapised.”

Participants rediscover:

• Grounding and mindfulness
• Non-verbal communication 
• Confidence and control 
• The ability to form new, safe relationships
   

For many, it’s the first step toward reconnecting with community—and themselves.

✔ Qualified counsellors and disability support staff
✔ Research-backed, trauma-informed programs
✔ Fully NDIS-aligned
✔ Safe, inclusive environment in the heart of nature
✔ Purposeful, hands-on experiences—horse riding optional

Let the horses do what they do best—meet you where you're at, and walk beside you as you grow.

📍 Sessions available for individuals, schools, and group referrals.
📞 Contact us to book a visit or request an information pack for your organisation.

🐴 Hooves of Hope – Empowering People, One Hoofbeat at a Time