Equine Dynamics
At Equine Dynamics, we offer a range of Equine Assisted Services—specialised programmes that harness the unique power of horse-human interactions to support personal growth, learning, and mental wellbeing. Our services fall into two main categories:
1. Equine Assisted Therapy – This therapeutic service is guided by a registered counsellor, who integrates horses into the counselling process to support clients facing emotional, behavioural, or psychological challenges. Sessions are tailored to individual goals such as:
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Strengthening mental wellbeing and emotional regulation
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Encouraging positive behaviour change
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Fostering healthy relationships
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Developing coping strategies such as mindfulness
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Promoting resilience, empowerment, and self-awareness
All therapy sessions are co-facilitated by our registered counsellor and equine specialist, ensuring both emotional wellbeing and physical safety throughout the experience. Sessions are 60 minutes long and are suitable for ages 8 and above.
2. Equine-Assisted Learning
This is a non-therapy programme focused on the development of social, emotional and cognitive life skills, through hands-on, experiential activities with horses. Equine Assisted Learning supports:
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Life skills: problem-solving, decision-making, teamwork, effective communication, self-awareness and emotional regulation.
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Personal development: self-confidence, emotional insight, reflection, leadership, and team building in a dynamic and interactive environment.
Each session is led by a trained facilitator with expertise in both human development and horse behaviour. Individuals and teams develop vital life skills by navigating thoughtfully designed challenges—guided by their horse as both teacher and teammate. Sessions are 90 minutes long, suitable for ages 8 and above, and we have a range of programmes to suit.
Leanne Benjamin – Equine Specialist and Facilitator
Leanne brings nearly two decades of experience across education, mental health, and social services, supporting children, youth, adults, and whānau with complex needs including trauma, disability, neurodiversity, and mental illness. She is trained as an Equine Connection Facilitator, delivering equine‑assisted learning in safe, compassionate, and effective ways, and has a strong foundation in social work, community support, and mental health practice.
In 2022, Leanne established Equine Dynamics to integrate her professional expertise with her lifelong love of horses. The programme now offers Equine Assisted Learning and, in collaboration with counsellor Susan Ricketts, Equine Assisted Therapy. Leanne’s commitment to ethical, strengths‑based practice and animal welfare ensures a safe, respectful environment where therapy horses and other animals contribute to holistic, trauma‑informed support for individuals and groups navigating sensitive life challenges.
Susan Ricketts – Counsellor and Equine Assisted Therapist
Susan is an ACC lead service provider with over 20 years’ experience supporting children, young people and adults with complex trauma, family violence, mental health and neurodivergent presentations. She has extensive experience within ACC Sensitive Claims, including risk assessment, safety planning and trauma-informed practice.
As a qualified teacher and assessor, Susan brings strong facilitation skills and the ability to translate therapeutic concepts into accessible, embodied learning experiences within the equine environment. Susan will support programme design and group delivery, ensuring clinical safety, trauma-responsive practice and alignment with ACC requirements. She brings strong group facilitation and reflective practice skills, supporting safe engagement, therapeutic processing and outcome reporting for kiritaki.
For-Purpose organisation special offer:
- Discount: 20% off a programme of 5 or more sessions.
- Donations for referrals: 10% off if the referred organisation signs up for a programme of 5 or more sessions.
- We can help a for purpose organisation by supporting staff and clients with Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning Programmes.
- We can also provide organisation team building events to improve staff morale, life skills, wellbeing and provide a fun and unique experience.
How to redeem
Please phone, email, text/message or complete our website enquiry form.