Goal Suggestions
I am committed to offering therapy with the horses from the ground (unmounted).
If you have a client who already knows how to ride a horse, please speak with me about their expectations for this therapy. My horses are fully trained and have competed in dressage and jumping, they are not beginner horses. What this also means is that they are highly responsive to cues and have partnered with me in this work for many years.
Goal: Reconnect with Wairua through Presence with Horses and the Natural World
How this will improve functioning:
The kiritaki will experience an increased sense of spiritual grounding, meaning, and inner peace, reducing feelings of disconnection, despair, or purposelessness. This will enhance emotional resilience and support long-term wellbeing.
How this goal will be achieved:
Through equine-facilitated sessions that incorporate quiet reflection, observation of horse behaviour, karakia, and moments of shared stillness in nature. Practices may include sitting with horses in silence, walking barefoot, and using journaling or waiata to reflect on spiritual insight.
How progress will be measured:
- Kiritaki articulates at least three personal insights or moments of spiritual connection experienced during sessions.
- Reports a greater sense of connection to self, spirit, or something greater (wairua, nature, God, tīpuna) in weekly reflections.
- Describes using practices (e.g. karakia, breath, connection to land or animal) to access wairua in daily life.
Who will deliver the services and expected timeframe:
Delivered by Rachelle Millar (Equine Therapist) over 8 sessions. Progress to be reviewed through reflective prompts and kōrero in final sessions.
Develop Emotional Regulation through Somatic Awareness
How this improves functioning:
The kiritaki will be able to recognise signs of emotional dysregulation and apply grounding techniques in moments of overwhelm, improving their capacity to engage in daily tasks and relationships.
How this goal will be achieved:
Through structured equine-facilitated sessions focused on body cues, breathing regulation, and working alongside a calm horse to notice and name internal states.
How progress will be measured:
Kiritaki will name and regulate at least three emotional or physiological states during or after equine sessions; reduction in self-reported anxiety on GAD-7 scale.
Provider and timeframe:
Delivered by Rachelle Millar PAS195 across 8 weekly sessions.
Strengthen Personal Boundaries and Relational Confidence
How this improves functioning:
Kiritaki will be able to identify, communicate, and maintain personal boundaries in interactions with others, reducing feelings of vulnerability or shutdown.
How this goal will be achieved:
Facilitated activities with horses that highlight personal space, consent-based contact, and assertive communication (e.g. leading, haltering, stop/go cues).
How progress will be measured:
Kiritaki reports a greater ability to say “no” or assert needs in two personal situations; demonstrates clear verbal and non-verbal boundary-setting during equine exercises.
Provider and timeframe:
Rachelle Millar (Equine Therapist) 10 weeks with interim reflection check-ins.
Rebuild Trust and Safe Attachment through Equine Interaction
How this improves functioning:
Kiritaki will increase their capacity for safe relational connection, reducing hypervigilance or avoidant behaviours in personal or professional relationships.
How this goal will be achieved:
Through attuned, non-verbal communication and co-regulation activities with a chosen horse (e.g. grooming, synchronised movement, mirroring exercises).
How progress will be measured:
Client reflects increased sense of safety and connection; fewer reported intrusive thoughts and improved IES-R score post-programme.
Provider and timeframe:
Facilitated over a 12-week equine-assisted therapy series with integrated counselling.
