Kanukadale Care Farm in Goongerah, Far East Gippsland, offers Equine Enhanced Wellness Retreats to support personal development and well-being through nature-based programs involving therapy horses.
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Kanukadale Care Farm in Goongerah, Far East Gippsland, offers Equine Enhanced Wellness Retreats to support personal development and well-being through nature-based programs involving therapy horses. *
These retreats, ranging from one to three days, provide participants with an opportunity to engage in therapeutic and educational activities designed to foster self-awareness, resilience, and confidence. The programs are guided by a trained equine-assisted practitioners, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all participants, neurodivergent and neurotypical, including those with trauma or mental health challenges.
The retreats feature various activities, such as mindfulness exercises with horses, equine-assisted learning sessions, and reflective trail walks. Participants learn about horse behavior and communication while developing life skills that extend beyond the sessions. Attendees may bring family, carer or support worker, who can enjoy the natural surroundings while the program is underway.
Attendees can use the camp kitchen for meals, snacks and drinks. Accommodation is close by including a free campground or local Airbnbs. The cost is $400 per day per participant. The retreats are available as individual learning experiences, family, siblings or group sessions. They usually run from 10am to 4pm, however flexible hours ensure convenience for participants traveling to and from the farm.
These retreats combine therapeutic engagement with the joy of working with horses, offering a transformative experience for attendees in the tranquil setting of Goongerah.
Prior horse experience is not needed.
Horse Wisdom Retreat - half day and full day
In this program we work with the natural sensitivity and intuitive responses of horses to support personal growth, emotional healing, and skill development. Horses act as co-facilitators, offering real-time feedback through their behaviour, which helps participants better understand their emotions, communication patterns, and interpersonal dynamics.
Participants engage in activities such as grooming, leading, projective activities, or observing horses, which encourage mindfulness and connection. These interactions provide opportunities for self-awareness as horses respond authentically to human emotions and actions. The program helps individuals recognize and address unhelpful behavioural patterns and develop valuable life skills like emotional regulation, trust-building, and leadership.
The non-judgmental and calming nature of horses makes this program especially effective for individuals dealing with trauma, anxiety, or mental health challenges. It fosters healing through experiential learning rather than traditional talk therapy, creating a safe and supportive environment for participants to explore personal growth.
Join The Herd Retreat - one to three days
This retreat is a dynamic and experiential educational approach that leverages interactions with horses to enhance personal and professional development. The program focuses on grounding participants in self-discovery, emotional awareness, and improved interpersonal skills through structured activities with horses. Participants engage in activities designed to challenge them emotionally and cognitively, facilitating a deep understanding of their behavioural patterns and the impact of their actions on both themselves and others.
Horses, as prey animals, are highly attuned to human emotions and non-verbal cues. This unique characteristic allows participants to receive immediate feedback on their behaviour and communication styles, fostering a safe environment for exploration and learning. In this context, various equine activities are employed, from grooming to guided ground work, each serving a specific developmental purpose aimed at enhancing life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
The program is typically tailored to meet the diverse needs of participants, ranging from individuals seeking personal growth to teams aiming to boost collaboration and effectiveness. The facilitator guides participants through reflective discussions that reinforce the lessons learned during interactions with the horses. By bridging the gap between the equine experience and real-life applications, the Join the Herd program empowers individuals to create meaningful change in their personal and professional lives.