Healing Horsemanship Programs for serving and ex-serving defence personnel and first responders
Are you eligible to participate?
Are you serving or ex-serving defence personnel or first responder who suffers from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress injuries due to service trauma. Equine-assisted services can be complimentary to traditional methods.
- Perhaps you have found the traditional methods available haven’t been the right fit for you.
- You may have struggled to see sustained positive changes through psychiatry, medication or counselling.
- Or maybe you simply need a different approach to complement your current coping strategies.
We’re here to help you find healing
Horse Aid provides free-of-charge healing horsemanship programs to serving and ex-serving defence personnel and first responders like you—offering our ex-racehorses as partners in your healing journey.
You’ll be taught by highly-qualified and experienced instructors some who have served themselves, and have a deep understanding of the wounds borne by both heroes and the horses after their highly-trained and institutionalised first careers are over.
We don’t need to know why you’re joining us, unless you want to share—we’re just glad that you’re here.
All our programs offer a safe, understanding and supportive environment where your needs are our number one priority.
Working with our Thoroughbred ex-racehorses is a truly transformative experience
When you join us you will:
- Learn horsemanship skills in our hands-on training, designed by former members of the military and police force to support recovery from trauma.
- Build trust and connection with ex-racehorses, and experience the satisfaction of helping them get a second chance in life.
- Enjoy social connection and interaction with other participants who have walked in your boots.
- Spend time in nature, in a safe and non-judgemental setting, away from your everyday lived experience.
Our programs are free to eligible participants
One Day Intro Programs
Next dates:
2025 - Expression of Interest
This program is an ideal introduction to our horsemanship skills training and how working with our ex-racehorses offers a different but impactful approach to healing post traumatic stress injuries.
It is a low-key stepping stone into our Five Day Residential Program, and an opportunity to see if Horse Aid is a right fit for you. No pressure. No judgement. No expectations.
Limited to 12 participants
- Times: One day, 9.30am to 3.30pm approx
- Food: Includes breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks
- Accomodation: NA
- Where: Sutton Forest, NSW
- Price: Free for serving and ex-serving defence personnel and first responders
Five Day Residential Programs
Next dates:
2025 - Expression of Interest
The full experience. The one that changes lives. In a trauma-informed setting, over five days, eligible participants seeking to heal from service trauma come together to learn horsemanship skills and harness the healing power of working with horses from the ground.
Join us to discover more peace, presence and connection—away from the stressors of everyday life.
Limited to 12 participants
- Times: Five days, Monday arrive 10:30am and Friday leave 10:30am
- Food: Includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and drinks
- Accomodation: Four nights of accommodation
- Where: Dixieland Estate, Berrima NSW and work with horses at Heartland, Sutton Forest NSW
- Price: Free for serving and ex-serving defence personnel and first responders
Why is Horsemanship such a powerful and positive pathway for trauma recovery?
Working with the horses from the ground teaches you about self-control, positive and negative body language, and how to exude confidence and self-belief.
Building a relationship with a horse as sensitive as our Thoroughbred ex-racehorses from the ground helps you understand and navigate your emotions and focus on the present.
The horse is a mirror for what is going on within you as you work with them. While we teach the horses, they teach us. You’ll find they are incredible listeners—even when you don’t say a word.
Fantastic experience—very humbled to be able to attend. Do yourself a favour—come spend tranquil time with the horses.
Participant
Learning useful and applicable horsemanship skills within training horses was a great experience and very empowering. Moving as a group and staying as a group really helped it feel like a safe and healing little bubble. The catering was fantastic! Really felt well looked after and welcomed the entire week.
Participant
I was a mess. Trauma, anxiety and depression ruled the day. My confidence was gone. I struggled to exist day-by-day and most days didn’t want to exist at all. The more I worked with these horses in the group, the more my confidence grew. Step-by-step, the program delivered something unique that helped me to get in touch with what was going on inside me. This saved my life.
Mel
Navy Veteran
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