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WELCOME TO 
EQUINE HEALING CENTRE BENDIGO

Horses Helping People

Equine Assisted Therapy and Equine Assisted Learning are two separate modalities

 

EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY/COUNSELLING.

 

Is offered in a Therapeutic, Nature based outdoor setting alongside Horses in collaboration with a Registered Counsellor/ Equine Training professional.

 

3 Initial Sessions are offered.

 

Emotional Awareness, Self Regard and Nervous system regulation, Empathy and Agency with beautiful Horses in connection is established in the ‘felt sense’ delivering Evidence based and Integrative Therapeutic approaches tailored to the individual client needs.

 

Equine Assisted Therapy - Counselling

 

Also integrates but is not limited to: -

 

Emotional regulation, stress tolerence, problem solving, boundaries and independence. Equine Assisted Therapy fosters an holistic approach to Children, Adolescents, Adults and our Neurodiverse community requiring emotional support with benefits of Mental relaxation, re-setting with applications of scientific evidence based modalities alongside Horses. 

 

For people experiencing Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD requiring connection with horses to soothe and nurture.

 

This is an opportunity for the client to be ‘Seen just as they are’ without judgements, masks or performances. To just ‘be’ in a safe, nurturing, non-clinical space.

 

If the client decides Equine Therapy is a suitable fit, more sessions are available and welcomed.

 

Equine Healing Centre Bendigo, is a Trauma Informed Practice.

 

3 Sessions Block total ($450)

($150.00 ea)

 

EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING (EAL)

Is an educational space with horses, on Personal Discovery, supporting clients in relationship, connection and growth, personal development, communication and empowerment.

 

A Psycho-Social / Holistic approach recognising the clients wellbeing, social environment and current life circumstances are explored.

 

3 Session Block Total ($360.00)

($120.00 ea)

 

There are also more Sessions available if the client wishes to engage further.

 

 

NDIS PRICES ARE EXCLUDED AS THEY OPERATE UNDER THEIR OWN INDIVDUAL LINE ITEM. CONTACT EQUINE HEALING CENTRE BENDIGO FOR MORE DETAILS. 

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Equine Assisted Therapy in Australia & World Wide

 

Is evidenced based model reporting major benefits for those experiencing Trauma, Anxiety and PTSD with participation in sessions.

 

Suitable clients have been referred by GP’s and other Service Organisations for clients. Seeking healing options with horses and professional facilitation to benefit quality of life.

 

Every relationship with client and horse is unique.

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Horses live in awareness at all times.

They experience the four feeling domains of anger, sadness, grief and joy.

They experience all of these emotions, even when in a natural herd environment, then - they go back to grazing.

 

Horses don't hold onto thoughts and feelings the way humans do.

They self regulate their nervous system.

They do not judge.

Their communication is authentic.

They are intuitive.

They are responsive to the inner world of a human - for example:

If a human is nervous around a horse, the horse will sense this.

 

When one bonds with a horse, they teach us to open our communication and relate with trust and love.

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If we have experienced emotionally/physically abusive situations we can shut down and close off to life and live in a limited state of being.

 

Horses can help us heal.

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HORSES AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Humans learn effectively by doing. Neuro scientific research has proven change occurs through being in the here and now in a present state of awareness - this is learning via doing.

Changing old habits of thinking and feeling involves learning how to build new supports, living in the present, sometimes with emotional or somatic discomfort that many of our old habits are designed to help us avoid and escape.

Experiential Learning with horses is designed to:-

 Try something in the here and now in order to heighten awareness and explore patterns of self perception/inner conflict.

Explore and support new ways of thinking, being and behaviours.

Explore contacts and relationship as client with practitioner/horse.

To express what is un expressed.

 

 Sessions can support clients in relationship, to build awareness, experiment with choice, new experiences, new ways of thinking and feeling, being embodied, self regulating  and making better choices to lead to living a more fulfilling life.

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HORSES AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Many people are and feel disconnected from nature.
Horses in the session can assist with the reconnection of our natural environment and contribute to a sense of grounding and somatic (being in touch with sensations in the body) experience.

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OTHER WAYS HORSES CONTRIBUTE TO CHANGE IN THE EAL ENVIRONMENT

HORSES PROVIDE co regulation and resourcing.

Being in the presence of calm, regulated horses can offer a safe, rhythmic, sensory and somatic experience that can soothe the brainstem and limbic regions of the brain supporting regulation of the brain and body.
HORSES PROVIDE unique feedback due to their heightened sensitivity 
and natural instincts to the field/environments, they respond  to each person uniquely.
HORSES PROVIDE emotional safety and trust.  The presence of calm, healthy horses can contribute to clients feeling calm, confident and developing trust in others.
HORSES PROVIDE humans with the reality that we are unique and by engaging with them, we experience various characteristics of our inherent nature and learn to experience a better understanding of ourselves.
HORSES PROVIDE Confirmation.  Some horses offer a confirming presence and some people can feel or receive unconditional holding 
or “love” from the horse.  This could be a totally new experience for some people. Horses can evoke feelings in clients that may have been unconscious, unaware and bring their feelings and needs to the surface.
HORSES PROVIDE a rich opportunity for people to engage with.
Touch is an essential developmental  need that supports healthy brain and biological development.

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ABOUT THE HERD

Our horses live in an I.Thou capacity way of life.
They communicate with love and respect.  Natural Horsemanship techniques are embodied in their groundwork training.
Their health and happiness is a major priority and contribution to this work.

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MEET THE HERD

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ROK STAR

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Abby

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Cookie Bear

Winter

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Bodhi

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Alpacas

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Equine Assisted Learning Sessions

 Sessions are suitable for personal development. They provide skills in interpersonal development /communication and effective team leadership skills relating to others in the workplace, at school and home life.

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NB: THIS IS NOT A RIDING FOR THE DISABLED SERVICE/

TRAIL RIDING FACILITY. 

ALL WORK IS ON THE GROUND.

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**THERE IS NO HORSE RIDING IN THE SESSIONS.

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Sessions give clients the opportunity to communicate with the horses in a way that feels safe and right for them.

 Sessions also assist those in the community experiencing isolation and loneliness and serves as a way to begin moving forward and seeing their life situation through a different lens.

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Inner calm and mindfulness lead to a better connection within the self. Wisdom and knowledge experienced in the paddock translate to everyday situations. 

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All clients' needs are strictly confidential and a questionnaire pertaining to the individual needs to be completed prior to first session.

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THE FACILITATOR

Tracey Kenny-Dive

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TRACEY KENNY-DIVE 

Dip. Counselling ACA. 

EAL Facilitator.

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Tracey completed her Diploma of Counselling through the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC) and is a registered member of the Australian Counselling Association, the recognised peak professional body for counsellors in Australia.

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Tracey trained at the Equine Psychotherapy Institute in the Equine Psychotherapy model.  Training is based on the overview of core principals and theory of GESTALT THERAPY and the

WAY OF THE HORSE PSYCHO EDUCATION.

*Trauma Informed Practice*

 

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Complimentary therapy accreditations includes: Diploma of Holistic Healing, Certificate of Holistic Counselling.

 

International Institute of Complimentary Therapies I.I.C.T Membership.

 

Tracey was a Champion Equestrian Rider when competing up until the age of twenty one years.

Tracey advocates for the prevention of animal cruelty.

Has also worked in Education support services for students with special  needs.

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Equine Therapy and EAL is a valuable service for children and adolescents when room based therapy is not the 'right fit' or for those wanting to try a balanced in nature approach and connecting with horses.

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Experiential learning is intertwined with Personal Development skills and Psychosocial Emotional Education and is also suited to those with Intellectual Disabilities . 

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This facilitation is evidence based from many positive client outcomes.

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For more information on EAL refer to: The Equine Psychotherapy Institute of Victoria.

https://www.equinepsychotherapy.net.au/

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SESSIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

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 There is also a 24hr cancellation fee as sessions with horses require some preparation.

 

​*Please Note - This program is only suited to Children over 7 years old. Being with horses requires spatial development. 

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REFERRALS, CONTACT AND ENQUIRIES
Tracey Kenny-Dive
EQUINE HEALING CENTRE BENDIGO

*For client testimonials please head to: https://www.facebook.com/equinehealingcentrebendigo

Phone: 0476 127 294

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Shelbourne, Victoria, Australia.

23.7km from Bendigo CBD.


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We proudly acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung and People of the Kulin Nation.

The traditional custodians of the land on which we work, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We honour their continuing connection to culture, land, knowledge and community. 


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© Equine Healing Centre Bendigo. 2026

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ACA number: R81793 

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