Affinity EFL provides a range of complementary therapies, one of those being equine facilitated learning, enabling the participant to achieve personal goals and aspirations within a unique learning environment

EFL engages the client in experiential learning with horses (and ponies) in a positive and safe manner, allowing for all participants (the client, the facilitator, the horse, and the spectators) to enjoy the experience at their own level of ability, interest, and mutual benefit. EFL promotes strategies to develop healthy relationships that can be generalised to the dynamics of all relationships. Much of this occurs through understanding herd behaviour as well as the relationship between human and horse.

Your session may include:

  • Simply sharing the same space as a horse or pony

  • Catching/leading a horse, grooming and horse-care

  • Round-yard work including liberty work

  • Stable/yard and Land-care

  • Basic First Aid for self and horses

  • Obstacle courses with the horses and Fun developmental Games

  • Cooking (treat making), food prep and nutrition for the horses

  • Arts and crafts (Drawing, painting, toys and other craftwork), horse braiding

  • Learning about horses – breeds, colours, confirmation, behaviour, herd dynamics, disciplines, history of working horses

  • Grooming gear, Tack and equipment awareness and care/maintenance

  • Photography - Selfie sticks/photo shoots.

  • Treasure hunts, Hoof painting, Haybale obstacle course

  • All about poop

  • Water play – shampoo/wash horses, bubble play

  • Lassoing (not the horses) and other rope skills (ie knots)

  • Preparing to ride (using Vinnie our barrel horse) … and so much more

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What is Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)?

Tailored Therapy Support

A tailored flexible program, usually around 6/12 sessions per block depending on whether engagement is weekly or fortnightly is designed to support goals, interests and aspirations of participants. Resources are developed to support learning with tailored programs working towards your personal goals. A summary report is available following completion of each block. And don’t worry, if you enjoy the program and we are achieving outcomes together we simply draft another service agreement and continue to enjoy EFL.

Session times are negotiable and dependent on preferred horse availability, anticipated program and weather. Sessions are available Monday to Friday. Weekends and Public holiday are not currently available.

You can also blend therapy sessions with leisure/recreational participation to enjoy both approaches to get the most out of your time spent with horses.

We currently offer a program in Spring and Autumn (September-November and March-May) excluding the coldest and the warmest as well as times of high fire risk.

Unfortunately our property does not accommodate wheelchair access for equine therapy due to undulating hills, sand and muddy surfaces to navigate as well as limited access to toilet facilities. However if you really want to get up close with a horse, we can arrange a tailored experience for you.