Pilbara Heart Horses

29/09/2025

Energy! Thanks Guy for the reminder!

17/09/2025

✨ Choices, Choices… ✨

We often talk about “empowering people with choice.” And yes—choice is powerful. Having a say in your own life, your own healing, your own pace—that’s the root of autonomy.

But here’s the catch: more choices don’t always mean more freedom. Sometimes, choice can feel overwhelming. Too many options, too much pressure, or too much responsibility placed on someone who’s already carrying a lot.

That’s where the difference between choice and autonomy matters.

Choice is about the options laid out in front of you.

Autonomy is about the deeper right to decide for yourself, even if that decision is “not yet,” “not today,” or “I don’t want to choose right now.”

In equine sessions, we see this clearly. A child may be given the “choice” between brushing or leading a pony—but real autonomy is knowing they can also say, “I just want to sit quietly and watch.”

It’s not about piling on options. It’s about creating a safe space where saying yes, no, or maybe later are all equally valid choices.

Empowerment isn’t handing over a menu of options. Empowerment is honouring someone’s capacity, pace, and voice—even when that voice says “I don’t want to decide right now" , because THAT is still a choice.

And the horses? They model this beautifully. A horse will step forward, step back, or simply stand and breathe. Each is a form of choice. Each is valid. Each is respected.

🌿 Autonomy is freedom with safety. Choice is only empowering when it comes wrapped in respect.

17/09/2025

👏☺️🥰

16/09/2025

Pilbara Heart Horses is proud to create, and facilitate this wonderful program in partnership with Peg's Creek Primary School

Energy is our Superpower - Learning with Horses

Big special mention to West Pilbara Communities for Children for the funding Regional Development Australia Pilbara

Here's the link for the audio: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/pilbara-breakfast/breakfast/105769624

Scroll to 14.40.

Always love the kids honest, cute feedback too ;)

.mccarthy

15/09/2025

Thankyou Regional Development Australia Pilbara Communities for Children for supporting this amazing Pilot Program. Peg's Creek Primary School

Pilbara Heart Horses, in partnership with Peg's Creek Primary School, wrapped up its pilot program, 'Energy is Our Superpower - Learning With Horses' on Friday last week.

The program, a first of its kind, was a collaborative development designed especially for Peg's Creek Primary School.

Peg's Creek Primary students participated in the four-week program with horses Vegas and Breeze, and pony Max - the alleged troublemaker of the three.

Deputy Principal Anissa Hinchcliffe said the program was developed with the aim of helping students explore emotional regulation, self-awareness, and energetic communication with the help of horses.

"The aim of the program has been to create a safe, trauma-informed space where students can learn how their energy influences others, especially horses, who offer immediate, honest feedback," Ms Hinchcliffe said.

"Kids generally wouldn't get to work with horses, and it's in a low-pressure environment.

"Watching students work with the horses and watching their energy levels come down to match the horse they're working with has been incredible."

The school hoped the program would be funded and could continue in following years after the success and impact it had on students.

"We would probably look at extending the program, and having smaller groups work with the horses to get more one-one-one time," Ms Hinchcliffe said.

Pilbara Heart Horses was a finalist in two categories at this year's KDCCI awards, including the People's Choice Award.

14/09/2025

Thankyou to KDCCI for recognising my heart project Pilbara Heart Horses as a finalist in 2 categories in this years business awards.

What a lovely night at the Country Club.

Congratulations to all the winners. ❤️

To me, doing what I love, supported by my friends, family and amazing participants and business partners is to truly win.

Grow Therapy Services Peg's Creek Primary School Kader Boot Co. The Karratha Community Garden

12/09/2025

RUOK?Day The Base Wickham
Wickham, Western Australia

09/09/2025

I read this and had tears. Its beautiful…
I did not know a horse could give me so much, and I have the honour to share their love with my community.

I did not know a horse could bring people into your life that end up meaning the most to you.
I did not know a horse could make the hardest days of your life bearable.
I did not know a horse could teach you to put others first.
I did not know a horse could remind you time and time again that your gut is always right.
I did not know a horse could break your heart.
I did not know a horse could pick you up when you have fallen apart.
I did not know a horse could teach you to dream again, after you thought it was not possible.
I did not know a horse could make you believe in yourself.
I did not know a horse could teach responsibility, work ethic, and dedication.
I did not know a horse could make you believe in something when no one else does.
I did not know a horse could make you learn to forgive and forget.
I did not know a horse could humble you faster than you can say humble.
I did not know a horse could make you a winner.
I did not know a horse could also teach you how to lose gracefully.
I did not know a horse could instill patience in you.
I did not know a horse could make you listen better.
I did not know a horse could give you their heart.
I did not know a horse could change your life.
I did not know a horse could do all these things...
but now I know.

by Alissa Kelly

Image - Faime, Moet and Tuff

09/09/2025

🐴 Horse Welfare in Equine-Assisted Interventions: Why It Matters

When we invite the public into our work with horses, we aren’t just opening a gate—we’re asking for trust. Trust that the horses in our care are safe, respected, and not being used at the expense of their wellbeing.

🌱 Social license—the public’s permission for us to continue these practices—depends on more than “happy clients.” It rests on how clearly we can demonstrate that horses are not tools but partners, and that their welfare is as important as human outcomes.

Research in equestrian sport shows that public confidence rises when welfare, ethics, and transparency are at the centre. The same is true in equine-assisted interventions. If a session looks like the horse is stressed, over-handled, or ignored, the trust erodes. If the horse is visibly regulated, given agency, and cared for with trauma-informed practices, the trust deepens.

At Equimotional, we train facilitators to see welfare as the foundation, not an afterthought. That means:

- Recognising subtle stress signals and responding, not pushing through.

- Ensuring horses have choice, rest, and boundaries.

- Treating their emotional world as real and valid, just like the clients we support.

When we care for the horse with empathy, the work gains integrity. Public trust follows. And our industry’s future depends on it.

🐴 Horses are not the backdrop to healing—they are part of it.