Our Story
Horses helping us heal.
At the Path of the Horse we aim to assist people of all ages and from all walks of life who seek better mental health and well-being. Our work is a powerful, effective and an empathetic approach that assists our clients make positive change.
We help people become more self-aware about themselves and identify patterns and themes in their lives that may not be serving them well. It is this awareness that enables people to make better choices about their lives. Through bringing about ‘awareness’, we work on ways to help manage, build resilience, enjoy better relationships, and maintain better mental health. We welcome people just the way they are along with all their feelings and emotions.
We proudly support veterans, emergency service personnel and their families and others better manage conditions such as PTSD, anxiety and depression. We help young people discover coping mechanisms and assist them to understand their feelings and make aware choices. We work with people with Autism, those battling addictions, self-harm, grief and many other conditions.
.
Why Horses
Horses model some wonderful behaviours for us to follow when we learn to listen and walk their path. Horses live in a constant state of awareness that has enabled them to survive for millions of years. They always notice what is happening in their environment, what is happening with their feelings and their bodies.
Horses have an amazing ability to release stress and a truly unique capacity to share their empathy with humans. They never judge, they are completely honest and are our much-loved assistants in the healing process. They are great listeners too.
No previous horse experience is required, just an open mind and a willingness to encounter a new way of allowing yourself to feel. You may be invited to meet the whole herd, take time groom one, participate in controlled lead work, perhaps a mounted experience or just share space with one of the herd that you feel drawn to.
What we do
Our clients are invited to take part in safe activities with the horses and then if they wish, process their experience, feelings and thoughts. Many of the experiences people have with our herd relates readily to life situations and can offer the opportunity to explore how we are in our relationships with others or how we are coping with life’s challenges. We will also demonstrate techniques that help people be calm and regain control.
We focus entirely on supporting individuals and their needs in private sessions. We also assist various organisations to build stronger relationships through improved understanding, communication, and leadership.
Maintaining our clients physical and emotional safety and that of our herd is our priority always.
We also offer the Horse Wisdom Program (TM Equine Psychotherapy Institute) which is a comprehensive program that will take individuals or groups through Awareness, Boundaries, Feelings, Thoughts and Facing Challenges.
We are not a riding school or trail riding business.
Who We Are
The Path of the Horse is a Registered Charity with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission. All proceeds to the Charity to support our clients, horses and operations.
Dean Mighell is the Founder, Director and Practitioner. Dean trained with and is a qualified Gestalt Councillor (GTA Advanced Cert in Gestalt Relational Counselling), qualified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning and has also done trauma training and is currently studying Psychotherapy at the Gestalt Institute of Australia.
Our Board is made up of volunteer Directors committed to the Charity and good governance. We are greatly assisted by a dedicated group of Volunteers, Veterans and locals.
Where we are located
The Path of the Horse operates very near the township of Trentham in Victoria’s Central Highlands an hour’s drive north of Melbourne along the Calder or Western Highways. We are surrounded by the beautiful Wombat State Forest and in a “Special Protection Zone” that supports conservation of our wildlife and habitat.
To find us, drive 1.7kms from the centre of Trentham along Cosmo Rd towards Blackwood then turn right on to Domino Rd (signposted on your left) and head west, our gate is 1.9kms on the right and clearly signed.
Contact Us
Call Dean Mighell on 0418354362 for further information or look us up on Facebook @ The Path of the Horse.
www.pathofthehorse.com.au
Please Support Us
We are a self-funded Charity. Ensuring we have trained, happy and healthy horses and maintaining the property we lease is a time consuming and expensive proposition and we need all the help we can get. If you can assist us with a donation to help us support our clients, sponsor a horse, provide horse feed or improve our facilities please contact us. All support is greatly appreciated.
