Epona Enterprises

24/01/2025

Co-regulation is a core part of equine therapy. At our core, both humans and horses, need to feel safe and connected.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to do some training with the Polyvagal Equine Institute and Equine Assisted Therapy Australia in October 2024. It was a fabulous learning experience and left me hungry for more.

If you are curious to learn more, please send us a DM. We are always open to a confidential chat about how Polyvagal Theory and Equine Therapy might be of assistance.

Did you know horses can actually sync their nervous systems with ours? 🐴💞

It’s called co-regulation, and it’s at the heart of equine-assisted therapy.

Horses can be helpful in regulating the nervous systems around them, creating a sense of connection and calm.

This process reflects our human need to feel safe and connected, making healing and emotional growth possible.

Through this bond, you can learn to regulate your emotions, build trust, and create deeper connections — not just with the horse, but with your therapist and others in your life.

Curious what it feels like to experience that kind of connection and growth? That’s what we’re all about here at PVEI. 🌿✨

24/01/2025

Epona Enterprises is proud to be participating in this important research project. It’s another small but important step for horses and humans, and a giant step for the legitimacy of equine therapy.

‼️Exciting News‼️
We are so excited to be involved in the TAL pilot program to adapt equine-assisted therapy to deliver rehabilitation support to Life Insurance customers who have experienced mental health issues.

We are very grateful to Wendy Coombe and Brian Zanker from Animal Therapies Limited for all of the work that they have done to make this happen.

This research project has been developed in partnership between Workcom, Equine Assisted Therapy Australia, the University of Southern Queensland and TAL. This pilot program seeks to address the growing need for innovative recovery approaches by combining the expertise of mental health and rehabilitation specialists with the unique benefits and principles of equine assisted therapy.

John Mellors (CEO, Workcom) and Glenn Baird (Head of Mental Health, TAL) will be presenting at the ATL conference and will introduce the pilot designed to adapt equine assisted therapy to deliver as a component of rehabilitation support to Life Insurance customers who have experienced mental ill-health. ATL Conference delegates will learn about the program's structure, customer journey, and its potential to enhance recovery outcomes for individuals living with PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.

03/01/2025

For anyone who had a tough year in 2024, this message is for you. You survived, and in the future, you will do more than survive; you can thrive.

If time doesn’t heal the wounds, you could consider some counselling. I am always happy to have a chat; no pressure. Just reach out. You can always drop by for coffee, and meet the herd, including me.

Be gentle with yourself in 2025.

24/12/2024

Many individuals in my local community are facing challenges this year. I am with you in spirit. Although I am currently overseas, I remain committed to supporting you. I will return on 3 Jan 2025. Please do not hesitate to contact me for a confidential discussion. I am dedicated to ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder my ability to assist those in need. We can explore viable solutions.

12/12/2024

A beautiful reminder of the generosity of our equine allies and our long-standing shared history. Thank you, Equine Assisted Therapy Australia.

The Incredible Gift of Horses 🐴🌿

Throughout history, horses have stood by us as loyal partners—carrying us across continents, sharing in our battles, and offering safety and connection when the world felt uncertain. They have tolerated so much- both good and bad at the hands of humans and yet, they still offer partnership.

From their wild ancestors to the companions we cherish today, horses have evolved alongside us, retaining their natural wisdom and beauty while adapting to our needs. Their quiet presence, patience, and willingness to connect is a reminder of their incredible capacity to be in the moment, to be curious and to remain open hearted.

In the presence of a horse, many of us have found a sense of safety and belonging that felt out of reach with others. Horses see us as we are, offering a space where we can feel truly seen. I feel so blessed to live alongside these incredible beings and to connect and learn from them every day. 🐴✨💙

27/11/2024

It's time for a bit of shameless self-promotion gentle supporters. Please feel free to spread the word about the herd. Thank you in advance.

19/11/2024

Prioritizing kindness over the necessity of being “right” will ultimately lead to better outcomes for all living beings.

23/10/2024

Ongoing professional development is an important part of maintaining and developing your skills as a professional counsellor. It is also a requirement of membership with the Australian Counselling Association.

This week I am attending a five-day program with the Polyvagal Equine Institute and Equine Assisted Therapy Australia RTO no:41482. Polyvagal theory is at its core based on the science of feeling safe. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity to learn from these amazing people. I look forward to sharing it with my clients.

18/10/2024

Just a quick update to explain my lack of communication over the past month or so. I took a break and went to Ireland with a couple of my lovely local soul sisters. While I was there I caught up with lots of other good friends from the Irish chapter of my life and immersed myself in the Irish countryside and culture. I did a bit of set dancing, listened to some great trad music, rode a massive Irish clumper called Sally, and reconnected with my heart and soul. It was a great reset. I highly recommend a change of scenery to anyone who needs a mental or emotional kickstart, especially if there are ponies involved. We saw lots of beautiful Connemara ponies and donkeys as we travelled up the West coast of Ireland.

While I was away the Epona herd had some time out. They were allowed to go wild. Well, as wild as horses who live a very comfortable domestic existence can go. They were left alone to be a herd with no human expectations or interactions. I think this is very important for their overall mental health. I took a short video of them this morning. They seem settled and ready to start engaging with humans again. Chancey seems determined to change his colour but that's normal behaviour for him. Why are grey horses so committed to being dirty? Dan the Man (my Buckskin) looked like he had stepped out the show ring on my return but the greys had really let themselves go. Lol. Never mind... I care more about their mental health than how they look.

Now that I am back from my adventures, I am going to ramp up the business and actively look for some new clients. Next week, I am undertaking some training with the Polyvagel Equine Institute from America and Equine Assisted Therapy Australia. I am super excited about undertaking this training because the trauma-informed work they do with horses has delivered some very impressive life-changing and sustainable changes for people with trauma. Will keep you posted gentle supporters.

11/08/2024

Abbie helps her client explore their relationship map in the arena. She is very sensitive and attentive. Horses work so well with intention. It is one of the many gifts they share with us.

27/07/2024

Tea time with Wee Toby! A hard working pony needs a banana caramel muffin for morning tea. He is so adorable!

20/07/2024

Horse Bio - Sir Percival

Registered Name (if applicable): Point Danger

Paddock Name/s: Sir Percival, Mr Perfect, Perce, Perce Man!

Nickname/s: Big Brown Maggot (used rarely)

Breed: Standardbred

Colour: Bay

Age: 11 years old

Height: 15 hands

Temperament: Calm, easy going, people pleaser.

Career Highlights: Winning $30K in his past life as a pacer

Position in Herd: Second-in-Charge (2IC)

Professional roles: Riding horse, Pack-saddling and Equine Therapist for adults and children.

Likes: Food, all kinds of food, horse, human, whatever. Gentle face brushing and spending time with his followers.

Dislikes: New paddock intruders who might challenge his 2IC status in the herd.

Future goals: Helping people co-regulate. Being a good role for horses and humans. Bush adventures with his mates.

29/06/2024

It's playtime! Time to knock off work!

29/06/2024

Ponies head back to their favourite paddock after a day of being patient fo the humans.

One of the life lessons we can learn from the herd is that we are never too old for playtime. It's great to run, jump, kick up your heels and just be silly with your mates.

11/06/2024

It's true...there is nothing standard about Standardbreds. I have become a huge fan of the Standardbred breed since purchasing Sir Percival in 2018. He's the handsome dude in the photo. Sir Percival (Perce or Perce Man to his friends) is the calmest, sweetest, most willing, and versatile horse, I have ever owned. Well, technically speaking he does belong to my husband, but what's his is mine, right? Over the next few weeks, I am going to introduce the members of my equine therapy herd, starting with this handsome guy.

22/05/2024

Welcome to Epona Enterprises!! We are a new business offering counselling and equine assisted therapy to individuals seeking support and encouragement to survive and thrive. There's not a lot on the page at the moment but there's plenty more coming. Stay tuned...

Here's a photo of Wee Toby, who is ready, willing and able to start working with children, nervous adults or people addicted to cuddling cute ponies. He's very sweet!