Equine Dynamics
Please enquire about our equine assisted retreats and team building events for your for purpose organisation.
At Equine Dynamics, we offer a range of Equine Assisted Therapy Services—specialised programmes that harness the unique power of horse-human interactions to support personal growth and mental wellbeing.
Equine Assisted Therapy – This therapeutic service is guided by an experienced registered counsellor and equine specialist, and together we integrate horses into the counselling process to support clients facing emotional, behavioural, or psychological challenges. Sessions are tailored to 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 10 and above.
We provide the following services:
- Private individual, couple and family therapy
- Referrals from organisations
- Individual therapy for ACC funded sensitive claim clients
- Group therapy for ACC funded sensitive claim clients
- Group retreats and team building
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, and under EAGALA as an Equine Specialist, 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. Equine Dynamics now offers equine assisted therapy, in collaboration with counsellor Susan Ricketts. 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 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:
- 10% off group retreats and team building events to improve staff morale, life skills, wellbeing and provide a unique equine experience.
How to redeem:
Please phone, email or complete our website enquiry form, making sure to mention they are a For-Purpose organisation applying for a discount.