Believe Equine Counselling & Coaching

17/04/2026

Love this ❤️

17/04/2026

❤️

14/04/2026

❤️

Box breathing is one of the most commonly taught techniques for managing stress and anxiety. It’s simple, structured, and for many people—it works.

But it’s important to recognise: not every tool works for every nervous system.

Box breathing is often used in high-performance environments, including military training, where soldiers are taught to regulate their breathing to maintain focus during high-pressure situations such as live fire or combat scenarios. While this can be incredibly effective in the moment, the body can also form strong associations between that breathing pattern and intense, life-threatening experiences.

For some veterans or individuals with lived trauma, returning to a structured breathing pattern like box breathing can unintentionally activate the nervous system rather than calm it. Instead of feeling grounded, they may feel heightened, triggered, or transported back to moments of danger.

This is why having a range of regulation tools matters.

Equine-assisted therapy offers an alternative pathway—one that doesn’t rely solely on internal techniques like breath control. Horses respond to what is happening in your body, not what you are trying to “make happen.” They invite you into regulation through presence, body awareness, and connection.

Rather than focusing on controlling the breath, individuals can:
• Notice their body in space
• Adjust posture and tension
• Slow down naturally through interaction
• Experience co-regulation with a calm, responsive animal

Horses provide immediate, honest feedback. When your nervous system settles, they settle. When you are dysregulated, they show you—without judgment.

For those who find traditional techniques confronting or ineffective, this kind of experiential, relational approach can feel safer, more accessible, and deeply impactful.

Because regulation isn’t one-size-fits-all—and sometimes, healing happens through connection, not control.

08/04/2026

Thank you Pegasus Connections
❤️

The arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith is a confronting moment for many….especially veterans and those connected to service. It brings into focus the difficult space where service, identity, accountability, and moral injury intersect. At Pegasus Connections, we hold that supporting veterans also means holding space for complexity: pride and pain, loyalty and responsibility, service and consequence.

Accountability and care are not opposing ideas. In fact, they sit side-by-side. When allegations of harm arise, it can impact the broader veteran community — stirring anger, grief, confusion, and a sense of collective burden. These moments remind us why safe spaces for reflection, regulation, and connection matter. Veterans deserve support that acknowledges the weight of service, the impact of conflict, and the importance of integrity — for individuals, for communities, and for the profession of arms.

08/04/2026

❤️

03/04/2026

❤️

02/04/2026

❤️

02/04/2026

❤️

💙 World Autism Day 2026

Today on World Autism Day we join a global movement to move beyond awareness and towards understanding, acceptance and genuine inclusion.

World Autism Day highlights the importance of creating neuroinclusive environments across education, workplaces, healthcare and our wider communities.

Globally, 1 in 127 people are diagnosed with autism, a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interaction, communication and behaviour.

🐴 Equine-assisted mental health offers a unique and evidence-informed approach to support many autistic individuals.

Research in this area continues to grow, with promising results.

📊 A 2024 study of 86 children found significant improvements in adaptive behaviour, including daily living skills, following an eight month equine-assisted therapy program.
📊 9 out of the 11 studies that assessed social communication outcomes, reported improvements in communication following equine interventions
📊 Across multiple reviews, equine-assisted therapy shows consistent gains in emotional regulation, engagement and social interaction.

🌿 It is often said that neurodivergent individuals respond well to horses - but why?

Horses communicate extensively through sensory awareness and heightened sensitivity. They rely on a sophisticated system of sensory input to interact with other horses.

Their communication is based on body language, attunement and subtle sensory cues.

For many neurodivergent individuals, this can create a more accessible, non-pressured way to connect, without the demands of language or complex social expectations.

Many autistic individuals can find a sense of connection in the horse’s natural sensitivity to its environment and feel seen and responded to in a different, often more comfortable, way.

🌿As mental health practitioners we continue to learn and evolve in how we support neurodivergent individuals.

We focus on neuro-affirming practice, supporting autonomy and choice and educating ourselves on how other people process the world around them.

At a very basic level it is helpful to view neurodiverse individuals as simply having a different brain type rather than a disorder.

Today is a reminder to keep learning and creating spaces where all individuals can feel seen, supported and included 💫

02/04/2026

🌿 A common question we get asked by prospective students…
Do I need to complete EATA’s equine handling units if I’m already experienced with horses?

👉 Yes - even if you’re experienced with horses, you are still required to complete the equine handling units in EATA’s courses.

🐴 While prior horse experience is valuable, bringing horses into a therapeutic setting requires a different - and specialised - skill set.

🙍 Your client may have little to no experience with horses and may feel unsure around them.

As an equine-assisted mental health practitioner, you’ll learn how to:
✨ Brief clients on how to read and understand equine body language
✨ Facilitate safe interactions between horse and client
✨ Create a space where the client feels supported, while honouring the horse or herd

Our equine handling units are designed to support safe, ethical and professional practice for both people and horses.

🙋If you have any questions, feel free to comment below - we’re always happy to answer them 🤍

27/03/2026

❤️

A significant win for disability rights and assistance animals in NSW

In NSWCATDAD: GRD v INA Operations, the Tribunal reinforced an important principle — policies must adapt to people, not the other way around.

A resident in a land lease community faced termination due to a “no pets” policy. However, her dog was an assistance animal, and the Tribunal found:

▪️ The respondent failed to make reasonable adjustments
▪️ There was a direct link between her disability and the termination notice
▪️ This amounted to discrimination under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)

Outcome:
✔️ $25,000 awarded for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
✔️ Notice to Terminate withdrawn
✔️ Permanent injunction preventing further action against her or her assistance animal

This case highlights a crucial message:
Assistance animals are not “pets” — they are essential supports, and the law protects that.