Farm therapy through healing horses

A TWENTY-two-acre property at Shelbourne is home to horses, ponies and alpacas that serve a unique purpose.

The animals are the key to the Equine Healing Centre Bendigo which combines psychotherapeutic exercises with horse observation.

The centre’s founder Tracey Kenny-Dive said the initiative has been a great way to combine her experience in horsemanship and holistic counselling.

“I’ve always been fascinated with what makes people tick. I’ve been around horses for about 30 years and used to compete in agricultural shows, and then worked in the racing industry,” she said.

“I studied counselling in Melbourne at what was the Victorian College of Holistic Counselling at the time.

“My clients are often people from NDIS backgrounds, people dealing with anxiety, grief, loss, at-risk students and people struggling with addiction.

“Not everyone is suited to a clinical environment with a psychologist so this is coming in from a different angle.”

Participants undertake breathing exercises and observational learning facilitated by Ms Kenny-Dive, who received her accreditation at the Equine Psychotherapy Institute at Mount Prospect.

The centre has five horses and four alpacas, and was relocated to the region following its establishment in Woodend in 2019.

Ms Kenny-Dive said it’s been “phenomenal” to offer her services to people in need.

“Every horse has a different personality and they’ll respond differently so it’s about how you react to that and what that can teach you about yourself,” she said.

“People get to observe how horses relate to each other in relationship and that can impact how we see ourself at work, in the family unit, socially, even our own self-perception.

“Being out in the farm and being around animals, people tend to relax more and become more aware of their surroundings.

“It’s amazing how horses can bring out the potential in people.”