Herd by Horses NZ - Equine Assisted Development

20/11/2025

🌿 Supporting Our Young People Through Equine-Assisted Therapy 🐴💛

In our community, so many young people are carrying heavy emotional loads — anxiety, stress, trauma, depression, or just the challenge of finding their place in the world. Sometimes the hardest part is opening up, especially in a face-to-face therapy setting. We are very fortunate to be able to access Gumboot Friday funding which may mean the sessions are FULLY FUNDED.

That’s where equine-assisted therapy can make a real difference.
Being out in nature, away from pressure and judgment, creates space for young people to breathe, slow down, and reconnect with themselves.

Horses have an incredible way of tuning into emotions. They don’t speak, but they listen — deeply. They mirror what’s going on internally, helping tell a young person’s story without them having to find all the right words. Often, that makes it easier for them to express how they’re feeling and begin working through the things that are weighing them down.

We’ve seen first-hand how powerful these sessions can be for confidence, emotional regulation, trust building, and healing. And for many, working alongside a horse feels safer and more natural than sitting in a traditional therapy environment.

If you know a young person who could use some extra support, equine-assisted therapy might be exactly what they need — a gentle, grounded way to feel seen, heard, and understood. 💛🐴🌿

If you’d like more info or want to chat about how we can help, feel free to get in touch.

Email [email protected]
Located 45 McDonald Road, Levin

06/11/2025

✨✨ It's Gumboot Friday! ✨✨

Every dollar you donate supports the administration and delivery of Gumboot Friday, ensuring FREE counselling for young Kiwi's 5-25 years old. 🧡 Let's stand together for mental health!

Text BOOTS to 469 to make a $3 donation.

Please get in touch if you know a young person that needs some mental health support.

21/09/2025

We have two places left on this FULLY FUNDED Well-being Workshop on 30th Sept and 1 Oct. Please message us for more info. (Conditions apply for funding.)

09/09/2025

🌟School Holiday Workshop for Kids 🌟

We’re excited to offer a 2-day workshop these school holidays designed to support children’s mental health and well-being in a fun, positive, and nurturing environment. 💛🐴

🗓 When:
Tuesday 30th September & Wednesday 1st October
🕘 9:00am – 1:00pm each day

✨ Who for:
Children aged 8–13 years
(Only 4 places available – small group for individual attention)

Where:
45 McDonald Road, Levin

✨ What’s included:
✅ Confidence building
✅ Emotional regulation skills
✅ Positive peer interactions
✅ Strengths-based activities
✅ Mindfulness with horses (all activities are unridden – no horse experience needed)

This workshop is a wonderful opportunity for tamariki to connect, grow, and have fun during the holidays. 🌿💫

📩 Message us to reserve your child’s spot – spaces are very limited!

11/07/2025

🌿 We’ve Moved! 🌿
We’re excited to announce that we’ve now settled into our beautiful new venue at 45 McDonald Road, Levin! This peaceful space is already proving to be a healing haven, surrounded by nature and, of course, our magical herd of horses 🐴💚

A reminder that Gumboot Friday funding is available for young people aged 5–25. This means fully funded interim counselling support through our equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions.

✨ Life Satisfaction nearly triples!
Before counselling, only 28% of Rangatahi rated their wellbeing in the positive range. After counselling that number jumps to 66%. That's the power of the right support - and a reminder that early help can truly change lives. Follow the link below to read more **

🌱 Why does it matter?
Because life satisfaction nearly triples after receiving mental health support. Our sessions take place alongside our horses, who help take the pressure off direct conversation and offer a calming, metaphor-rich experience that speaks straight to the heart.

✨ If you know a young person who could benefit, please reach out. You could be the bridge to the support they’ve been quietly needing. Contact us to see if they qualify for funding.

📩 Message us or email [email protected]
📍 Now based at 45 McDonald Road, Levin

**https://www.iamhope.org.nz/news-and-views/gumboot-fridays-impact-on-youth-mental-health-in-nz?utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--7_ZdTgU30Qn5L76ye4bmk9ZZqtTuWf_MGMyGx9o8E5r4DELyYe_ufLlxAx7555sTysoByNozZxMWE864ayiUe5GRmgg&_hsmi=370494350&utm_content=370494350&utm_source=hs_email

Together, we can make a difference 🖤

16/06/2025

🌿2-Day Equine Assisted Wellbeing Workshop for Tamariki and Rangatahi🌿

Fully funded by Gumboot Friday (criteria apply)

Ages: Year 9–13
📍 New Venue! 45 McDonald Road, Levin
🗓️ Monday 30 June and Tuesday 1 July | 🕘 9:00am – 1:00pm
🎟️ Limited to 4 participants

Ages: Year 4-8
📍 New Venue! 45 McDonald Road, Levin
🗓️ Monday 7 & Tuesday 8 July | 🕘 9:00am – 1:00pm
🎟️ Limited to 4 participants

We’re excited to offer a powerful 2-day experience designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of our young people through the healing connection between humans and horses.

Set in a peaceful new location in Levin, this small-group workshop combines professional mental health support with the intuitive presence of horses, offering a safe, non-judgmental space for people to explore emotions, build confidence, and connect with others.

✨ What’s Included:
💬 Wellbeing support from registered counsellor Carolyn Brown
🐴 Equine-assisted activities guided by equine specialist Kelly Henry
💛 Opportunities for connection, growth, and reflection
🌱 A calm, nature-based setting to step away from stress and reconnect

Perfect for young people who may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just need time and space to reset with support.

📩 To register or find out more, send us a message or email [email protected]

Spots are limited to just 4 participants to ensure each young person gets the care and connection they deserve.

03/06/2025

Meet the Team Behind Herd by Horses 🐴💬

We’re Carolyn and Kelly — the duo behind Herd by Horses, where healing happens through connection, compassion, and the incredible power of the human-animal bond. Read on for info on funding for young people.

👩‍⚕️ Carolyn is a Registered Counsellor with a deep belief in the therapeutic potential of animals, especially horses. With years of experience in mental health and a heart for helping others, she brings a calm, grounded presence to each session.

🐴 Kelly is our Equine Specialist, with a lifelong passion for horses and an intuitive understanding of their behaviour. Her experience and natural connection with horses help create a safe, supportive environment for clients to grow, heal, and thrive.

Together, we offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy sessions that gently support people through a range of mental health challenges — including anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, and more.

Why horses?
Horses are incredibly intuitive beings. They respond to our emotions, reflect our energy, and help us become more aware of ourselves in a non-judgmental way. Their presence alone can regulate the nervous system, build trust, and support emotional growth.

At Herd by Horses, you don’t need to be “horsey” to benefit — just open to connection.

🧠❤️🐎 If you or someone you know could benefit from working with horses for mental health, we’re here. We can apply for funding through Gumboot Friday for people aged 5 - 25 years.

We are located at Waikawa Beach, between Otaki and Levin.

26/03/2025

Making new connections and having the freedom to explore today with a new group.

25/03/2025

🐴Equine-Assisted Well-Being 2-Day Workshops for Young People 🐴

We’re excited to offer equine-assisted well-being 2 day workshops in the April school holidays, designed to support young people navigating mental health challenges. These workshops provide a safe, supportive space where they can build self-confidence, self-esteem, learn some strategies to cope with challenges and develop meaningful connections—with both horses and other young people.

✨ What to Expect:
🌱 Hands-on experiences with our incredible horses - all ground based, no riding
💛 Activities that foster resilience and emotional well-being
🤝 A chance to connect with others in a supportive environment
🌿 Tools to build confidence and self-belief

We have two tailored groups:

🐴 Years 4–8
15th and 16th April
9am - 1pm
A gentle introduction to self-awareness, emotions, and confidence-building through horse-led activities.

🐎 Years 9–13
22nd and 23rd April
9am - 1pm
Deeper exploration into self-esteem, stress management, and personal growth, with a strong focus on connection and empowerment.

These workshops are funded through Gumboot Friday, making them accessible for those who need support. If you know a young person who could benefit, or if you'd like to learn more, send us a message or email. Places are confirmed once funding and paperwork has been completed.

📍 Held at our serene setting at 593 Waikawa Beach Road, Waikawa Beach
📅 Spaces limited. Get in touch to secure a spot! Email us at [email protected]

20/02/2025

18/02/2025

We said farewell to this little guy on Sunday. Ludo we will miss you so much! He's done 3 years of therapy work and been an absolutely amazing. We have so much gratitude for the joy and insights he brought to our clients. Ludo is off to a lease home in Paekakariki to be a paddock mate for another mini, Danny. Danny is already an experienced therapy horse for the elderly and will show Ludo the ropes for his new role. We look forward to seeing Ludo's updates.

16/02/2025

✨ Session Spots Available Next Week! ✨

We’ve had a couple of postponements which means we have some session openings on Wednesday this coming week! If you’ve been thinking about booking in, now is a great time.

Just a reminder that we can offer fully funded equine-assisted therapy through Gumboot Friday for young people aged 5 to 24. If you or someone you know could benefit from a session with our amazing herd, get in touch—we’d love to support you.

Send us a message to book. Spaces won’t last long!