Equine-Assisted Therapy for Humans

On this page: 

 

• ACC SCS - 7 Week Group (Women & Youth)
• ACC SCS - Te Whare Tapa Wha Equine Therapy group Retreat day (General)
• ACC SCS - Equine-Assisted Creative Expressive Therapy Group (General)
• Equine-Assisted Wellbeing Sessions (Non-Clinical)
• Equine Assisted Team Building & Group Development Days
• Therapy Options coming to Pongarosa
• Confidentiality & Privacy

 

Groupwork and Individual

 

At Pongarosa, our herd of trained therapy mini horses are at the heart of the therapeutic experience. Equine-assisted therapy is therapy for people, with horses supporting the process in a natural and powerful way. The horses are not the clients; they are our partners. Through their calm presence, honesty, and sensitivity, they help people learn about themselves, their emotions, and their relationships with others.

 

Horses live in the moment. They respond to what is happening right now, without judgement or expectation. This makes them incredible teachers. They help us slow down, notice what is going on inside and around us, and learn new ways of being that feel safer, clearer, and more connected.

 

Set in our peaceful rural environment, Pongarosa offers a grounding space where children, youth, and adults can step away from daily pressures and reconnect with themselves through nature and horses.

 

 

• Emotional regulation and nervous system calming
• Trauma recovery
• Anxiety and stress
• Chronic Pain Management 
• ADHD and neurodivergence
• Confidence and self-awareness
• Boundaries and communication
• Behavioral challenges
• Relationships and connections

 

The work is experiential rather than talk-based alone. Clients learn through observation, interaction, reflection, and gentle exploration alongside the horses.

 

Our Group Therapy Programs

ACC Sensitive Claims - 7 Week Group and One-day Equine Therapy Retreat Day

In partnership with Creative Life Healing Counselling Service

 

7 Week Group: This program runs as a 7-week group, meeting once a week for 2 hours.

 

One Day Retreat Day: This program runs on a Saturday, from 10am-3pm

Each group has up to 10 participants and is facilitated by both a Pongarosa Equine Behaviourist and an ACC Lead Provider who is a Qualified Counsellor, bringing together expertise in horse behaviour and human mental health.

 

Each session explores a therapeutic theme with the horses with a focus on PTSD and Trauma. Through these experiences, clients develop skills and awareness that help them recognise they have choices in how they respond to situations, emotions, and relationships.

 

We support clients to be with the horses, and with each other, in the way horses naturally are: present, grounded, and responsive. Clients learn about “the way of the horse” and how this wisdom can guide us in everyday life.

 

Sessions include:

 

• Observation of horse behaviour

• Guided interaction with the horses

• Reflection and discussion

• Therapeutic tasks and activities

• Gentle play and creative exploration

 

Topics explored, and skills developed include:

 

• Observing accurately

• Reflection and self-awareness

• Safety and trust

• Regulation and grounding

• Boundaries

• Sensory awareness

• Feelings and emotional expression

• Relationships and connections

• Creative expression

• Horse wisdom and natural communication

ACC Sensitive Claims - Equine-Assisted Creative Expressive Therapy Groupwork 

 

This retreat blends equine-assisted therapy with creative expression, offering a unique combination of:

• Time with the horses

• Art-based and expressive activities

• Reflection and grounding practices

It supports emotional processing, nervous system regulation, and personal insight in a gentle, non-verbal way. This is ideal for clients who benefit from creativity alongside animal-assisted therapy.

ACC Sensitive Claims - Youth 10–17 Years Old – 7 Week Equine Therapy Group (To Be Confirmed mid-2026)

 

We are also setting up a 7-week Equine Therapy Group for youth aged 10–17 years. This group will have a maximum of 5 participants.

 

Please check back in June/July 2026 for more details

 

How to Enrol in an ACC Group:

 

If you have an approved ACC Sensitive Claim and are interested in enrolling in one of these groups, please have your lead provider go to www.creativelifehealing.com  . All information on cost codes and suppliers is on that website. If you have any enquires please also contact Chantelle at:

 

www.Creativelifehealing.com or [email protected]

Equine-Assisted Wellbeing Sessions (Non-Clinical)

 We also offer equine-assisted sessions facilitated by an experienced Equine Specialist. These sessions are not clinical therapy and are not facilitated by a trained mental health professional. Instead, they focus on personal growth, learning, and wellbeing through connection with the horses.

 

These sessions can support:

 

• Building self-confidence

• Increasing self-awareness

• Developing self-care practices

• Navigating social challenges

• Strengthening communication and boundaries

• Personal reflection and growth

 

Working alongside the horses, participants are supported to explore their own experiences, patterns, and strengths in a gentle, practical way. The horses offer honest feedback through their behaviour and presence, helping people gain insight and confidence without pressure or judgement.

 

These sessions are ideal for people who are seeking:

 

• Personal development 

• A grounding and reflective experience with horses

• Support with life skills and emotional awareness

• Growth in a calm, natural environment

 

They can be offered as:

 

• Individual sessions

• Small group sessions

• Stand-alone experiences or as a complement to counselling or therapy

 

Then a small clarifying line (important legally and ethically):

 

Please note: These sessions are not mental health therapy and do not replace counselling, psychology, or medical support. They are wellbeing and personal development experiences supported by an Equine Specialist.

 

Equine-Assisted Team Building & Group Development Days

 

We also offer Equine-Assisted Team Building & Group Development Days – For further information regarding these, please go to https://www.creativelifehealing.com/equine-assisted-team-building or contact Sonja (all information on the contact page)  

Therapy Options coming to Pongarosa 

 

We are developing a range of offerings (Dates and information coming soon), including:

• Private Group Therapy Programs

• Small therapeutic groups focused on emotional skills, confidence, and connection.

• Adjunct Therapy Sessions

• Equine-assisted therapy is used alongside existing counselling or support. More details coming soon.

 

Confidentiality & Privacy

 

Your privacy, safety, and dignity are very important to us. All equine-assisted therapy and wellbeing sessions at Pongarosa are conducted in a respectful and confidential manner.

For all clinically facilitated sessions delivered through Creative Life Healing, confidentiality is maintained in line with:

 

• NZAC (New Zealand Association of Counsellors) ethical standards

• ACC Sensitive Claims requirements

• New Zealand privacy legislation

 

Any personal information,sessions content,and, therapeutic material is treated as confidential and is only shared when:

 

• You give informed consent, or

• There is a legal or safety obligation to do so (for example, if there is risk of harm to yourself or others, or where disclosure is required by law), or

• Communication with ACC for clients gaining funding under ACC

• Sensitive Claims. 

 

 

Creative Life Healing is responsible for the clinical governance of all therapeutic services delivered onsite at Pongarosa by Creative Life Healing. Client records, referral information, ACC documentation, and any clinical notes are securely stored and managed by Creative Life Healing in accordance with professional and legal standards.

 

For Equine-Assisted Wellbeing Sessions facilitated by an Equine Specialist (non-clinical), confidentiality is also respected. While these sessions are not clinical therapy and are not governed under counselling regulations, any personal information shared is treated with care, respect, and discretion. Participants are always encouraged to share only what feels safe and appropriate for them.

 

In all group sessions, confidentiality is discussed at the beginning of the program. 

 

Participants are asked to agree to:

 

• Respect each other’s privacy

• Not share personal stories or identifying information outside the group

• Support a safe and trusting group environment

 

While facilitators uphold confidentiality, absolute confidentiality in group settings cannot be guaranteed. We actively work to foster a culture of trust, respect, and responsibility among all participants.

 

All personal information collected by Pongarosa and Creative Life Healing is:

 

• Used only for the purpose of providing services

• Stored securely

• Managed in accordance with privacy legislation

• Never shared unnecessarily

 

Your story is yours. Together, Pongarosa and Creative Life Healing are committed to creating a space where you feel safe, respected, and supported throughout your experience with the horses and your therapeutic journey.

 

 

 PLEASE NOTE ALL PHOTOS ARE FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS. NO ACTUAL PHOTOS ARE TAKEN OF OUR CLIENTS.