Just being around horses has such an uplifting effect on my mental and emotional wellbeing. Through Flourish Australia’s Penrith Service I’ve had the opportunity to work with horses at a farm near Box Hill in NSW and it’s worked wonders for my confidence and self-esteem.
I look forward to Fridays when we visit David Hollier’s Bushbred Farm in Gables, where I can get hands on with horse care and farm chores. It’s been a wonderful part of my recovery journey for two years now, under my NDIS funding. While I was initially uncertain about being around other strangers in this group activity, I took a leap of faith and made supportive new connections through our shared love of animals.
Our day gets underway with a hot billy tea out in the chilly fresh air by the barn. This is our time to share what’s been going on with us during our week that’s made a positive difference to our lives.
When I shared that it had rained so hard during a visit with my daughter in a remote part of NSW that we became trapped by floodwaters everyone said ‘oh, bad luck’, but I didn’t see it that way! It meant I got to spend more one-to-one time with my daughter.
Before we even get around to grooming or groundwork with the horses, there’s all of the other farm animals to attend to. There are guinea pigs, chooks, sheep, alpacas and even camels, along with the horses. I feed the farm animals by hand with Peggy the farm dog following me around. She reminds me of my own dog, Ivy who is hilarious! When she doesn’t get her way she whinges, ‘Wow-wow-rowrooow.’
Once these chores are taken care of, it’s horse therapy time! Dave is a former horse trainer with a special interest in Equine Therapy. This involves a Support Worker walking us through engaging safely with horses and getting involved in grooming, feeding, ground work and leading. It’s such a rewarding way to develop skills like emotional regulation, impulse-control, self-confidence, problem solving, trust, tolerance and responsibility.
One Psychologist says when a person is bodily engaged in this way, acting in a new way can help them think in new ways. (Sabrina Romanoff, Gupta & Gans 2024)
Over time, I’ve gained the courage to head out into the paddock by myself and bring in one of the horses. Sometimes extending an offer of food can make it smoother to bring them up to the float.
Horses are keen observers and highly sensitive to movement and emotion. Because they mirror their handler’s behaviour, it conveys a sense of connection that helps me to feel safe and grow more empathetic. Giving horses the care they need, like watering, exercising and grooming, helps me to establish healthy routines and structure.
I can’t wait for Fridays each week! The whole experience has brought me out of my shell and just keeps improving every aspect of my wellbeing and love of life in leaps and bounds.
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