Equine S.E.L.F
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Equine SELF — where the Serendipity Equines are the Lead Facilitators

Where Horses Inspire Human Potential

At EquineSELF, we use guided, ground-based experiences with horses to help people develop greater self-awareness, confidence, communication, connection and personal insight. No riding is involved, and no previous horse experience is needed.

Get in touchOur programmes
A group working with horses at Serendipity Equine

No riding

Ground-based experiences

None needed

Previous horse experience

Hira

North Nelson

20 mins

From Nelson

Our programmes

Programmes

No riding is involved, and no previous horse experience is needed.

A team working with the herd at Serendipity Equine

Teams

Team Building

Take your team out of the office — and into a different way of working together. At EquineSELF, we create unique, experiential programmes that help teams strengthen communication, trust, collaboration, leadership and connection.

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A participant guiding a horse through a leadership exercise

Leaders

Leadership

Great leadership starts with self-awareness. Leadership isn't simply about having a position or making decisions. It's about how you show up, how you influence others and the impact you have on the people around you.

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A quiet moment of connection between a participant and a horse

Individuals, couples and families

Equine Assisted Therapy

Equine-assisted therapy is a creative, experiential and innovative approach to counselling, therapy and mental health that incorporates horses as assistants, co-facilitators and teachers. It can be used with individuals, couples and families.

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Horses meeting in the arena at Serendipity Equine

Youth

Kids Program

A 6-session structure for youth at Serendipity Equine with EquineSELF. Group sessions, maximum 6 participants, 1 hour duration, $350.00 per week.

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A quiet greeting between a participant and a horse

Why horses?

The horse becomes a mirror.

Horses are highly perceptive animals. They are constantly responding to our body language, energy, focus, confidence, emotions and behaviour. Unlike people, they don't judge us based on our position, appearance, past experiences or what we say about ourselves. They respond to what we are communicating in the moment.

Honest feedback

This creates an opportunity for honest, immediate and non-judgemental feedback.

The horse becomes a mirror

A simple interaction can create insights into trust, boundaries, communication, leadership, confidence, emotional awareness, cooperation and personal responsibility.

Learning through experience

The power comes from experiencing rather than simply talking about change.

No riding. No horse experience required.

Everything we do at EquineSELF is ground-based. There is no riding involved, and you don't need any previous horse experience.

Equine-assisted learning

What a session looks like

  1. 1

    Arrive

    You arrive at Serendipity’s purpose-built facility, sign a disclaimer and do a little introduction about yourself and your goals.

  2. 2

    Observe the herd

    The first task is observing the herd at liberty in the arena while herd dynamics are explained.

  3. 3

    Go in with the horses

    You can then go into the herd environment with Dawn and Joanne to guide you. Grooming, or an activity with the horses, may follow.

  4. 4

    Debrief

    All sessions are finished with a debrief.

The horses

Here the horses are in charge.

Here the horses are in charge, acting as teachers and therapists, bringing growth, learning and support to individuals, families and corporate teams in a safe and supportive environment.

Meet the team and horsesSerendipity Equine ↗Stuff.co.nz ↗TEDx Nelson ↗

A short film from the Serendipity Equine facility in Hira.

What participants say

“The activities were well thought through and tailored to meet the brief that I provided. Slowing down to a deeper level was a great closer. A good call on your part, Joanne.”
Nigel Teal
Programme Director, Chrysalis Enterprise · Team Building and Leadership Course
“I loved how friendly Joe and Dawn were and how welcomed and supported I felt attending each session. The horses were all really friendly and I felt safe and comfortable in the setting.”
Fritha McDonald
Horses and Her Course
“Learning to observe the herd, the way horses communicate with each other, the hierarchy of the herd — it all folded together nicely and became my happy place.”
Fran Scholefield
Horses and Her Course

Good to know

Which programme is right for us?+

The site sets out team building, leadership, equine-assisted therapy, a kids programme, and personal development. If you are unsure, get in touch and we can talk it through.

Do we need any horse experience?+

No. Everything we do at EquineSELF is ground-based. There is no riding involved, and you don't need any previous horse experience.

Where are sessions held?+

At our purpose-built equestrian facility in Hira, North Nelson. Coming from Nelson on route 6, we are just over the first hill after leaving the sea on your left. Coming from Blenheim, we are just after Hira on your right.

How many people can take part?+

The kids programme is group sessions with a maximum of 6 participants, for 1 hour. Other programmes are tailored — tell us who is coming.

How soon will you reply?+

We will endeavour to get back in touch within 24hrs.

How do we begin?+

Email info@equineself.nz or call Joanne on 027 305 2879.

Get in touch

Get in touch with EquineSELF.

Get in touch