What's So Great About Horses
Many horse owners speak of the remarkable “therapeutic” value horses provide. Spending time in the barn—grooming, feeding, and caring for them—not only reduces stress and lowers blood pressure but also enhances overall well-being.
The profound depth of connection and companionship we experience with horses forms the foundation for personal growth and healing. Simply being with horses is its own form of “therapy.”
There is undeniable healing power in the way we connect with these magnificent animals.
How?
Horses have an extraordinary ability to sense emotions that often lie beneath the surface—sometimes even before we are consciously aware of them. As prey animals, they rely on highly tuned emotional senses as a survival tool and naturally respond to the emotions of their herd.
Within the herd environment, horses are transparent and intentional in expressing their feelings. Their authenticity and honesty make them exceptional partners on the journey to emotional growth and well-being.
So What?
Horses have the unique potential to act as emotional mirrors for humans, sensing and responding to our feelings almost instantly. By reflecting our emotions back to us, they provide feedback in a way that feels neither intrusive nor judgmental. This gentle yet profound interaction creates an opportunity to experience a sense of freedom like never before.
Meet The Facilitators
Michelle Neustaedter
Michelle Neustaedter
Michelle Neustaedter
Michelle is a counselling therapist whose goal is to help others succeed. Michelle has been working in mental health since 2009. She holds a doctorate in counselling and psychotherapy, and is certified as a counsellor (CCPA), counselling therapist (ACTA), coach (JMT), and trainer (JMT)
Nikki Harris
Michelle Neustaedter
Michelle Neustaedter
Nikki holds an MA in Counselling from City University. With a strong foundation in Psychology and a minor in French from her BA at Mount Royal University. She is driven by a passion for helping individuals navigate life's challenges and transitions.
Program Details
1-day Intensive
6 hours - with a break for lunch (bring a packed lunch to picnic there)
Pricing - $250 this is covered under most insurance plans
Join us for a powerful one-day intensive designed to explore how trauma, anxiety, stress, and grief impact our emotional well-being—and how to navigate them with confidence and clarity.
In this experiential session, you'll learn key tools for emotional regulation, boundary-setting, calming the nervous system, and grounding techniques. Through interactive work with horses—who are uniquely attuned to human emotion—you’ll have the opportunity to apply these tools in real-time, gaining deep insight and lasting skills.
This immersive day integrates discussion, mindfulness, and equine interaction to create a meaningful, transformative experience—all in one day.
Full Length Program
Session Length - 3 hours
Frequency - Saturday, Sunday morning for 3 weekends - See below for specific dates
Pricing - $100 deposit then 3 payments of $250 each, this is covered under most insurance plans
The program consists of six sessions, each focusing on a core concept such as trauma, anxiety, stress, or grief, and exploring how these challenges interact and impact one another.
In each session, we discuss tools for navigating these emotions, including emotional regulation, understanding zones of regulation, strategies to refocus or calm the body and mind, setting boundaries (both with ourselves and others), and much more.
Mindfulness and grounding strategies are integrated into every session, ensuring you learn a new tool each week. These skills are then applied during interactive experiences with the horses.
The horses play a vital role in this program. As prey animals, they rely on interpreting emotions in their environment and connecting with humans by reading their emotions. This unique ability allows participants to apply what they’ve learned in a meaningful and transformative way through their interactions with these incredible animals.
Locations
Central Alberta Equine Rehab & Wellness Centre
30363 Range Rd 12, Carstairs
