
Forest Equine Therapy
Forest Equine Therapy is located in Thorney Hill, a village set within the open heathland and ancient woodland of the New Forest national park. Led by directors Liz and Emily, the practice grew from witnessing firsthand the profound impact of equine-assisted work.
We offer equine-assisted activities and therapy (EAAT) to individuals of all ages, including those looking for new ways to engage, build confidence and self-esteem, and enhance overall wellbeing. Our sessions provide a unique opportunity to connect with horses in a natural, forest setting, and experience the benefits of working alongside these highly intuitive animals.
Our horses are an intrinsic part of the process, and are given the space to express their innate behaviours and live as a herd in the surrounding fields. Next to the yard, the annex provides a quiet, relaxing space to sit and reflect.
As prey animals highly attuned to their environment, horses reflect how we are really feeling, beneath any masks we may need to wear throughout the day.
In EAAT, horses serve as co-facilitators, providing a reflective, non-verbal, non-judgemental presence that helps individuals engage with the present moment.
By working with and understanding their highly sensitive nature - which mirrors human emotions - moments of profound self-discovery and awareness arise, and opportunities emerge for new ways of being and engaging with the world, driven by a desire to connect.
Our work is rooted in the human-equine bond, built on mutual respect, trust, and autonomy. Our sessions take place in the yard, surrounding fields, and on the open forest, with no ridden work or prior horse-handling experience required.
From September 2025, we will be running a wellbeing programme for children and young people, offering weekly 1-hour guided equine-assisted activities. These sessions help to calm emotional responses, develop communication and observational skills, and encourage a mindful connection to the world. Each session is tailored to individual goals and can incorporate alternative learning outcomes.
For adults, we offer one-to-one private sessions - a supportive space for personal growth, reflection, and connection through equine-assisted work.
As we grow, we will be expanding our services to include group sessions with a specialist horse trainer and exploring various therapeutic models, including equine-assisted psychotherapy and art therapy.
If you are interested in learning more about our sessions or making a booking, please get in contact.
Animal-assisted therapy has a long history, but it gained formal recognition in the 1950s when psychologist Boris Levinson discovered that his dog helped a withdrawn child engage in therapy. It was his research and writings that laid the foundation for modern animal-assisted interventions.
EAAT has expanded in recent decades and the evidence base is growing - please find below a selection of findings on its effectiveness:
We welcome collaboration with researchers and organisations interested in advancing the field of EAAT. If you're interested in partnering on future research projects, please get in contact.
EAAT should not replace traditional counselling or psychotherapy. It offers a complementary approach rooted in several interconnected frameworks and principles that address human and equine wellbeing, including the human-animal bond theory, the biophilia hypothesis, the five domains model and dialectical behaviour therapy.
Our facilitators hold the nationally recognised Level 3 OCNLR Diploma in Equine Assisted Services and bring years of horsemanship experience. Committed to ongoing professional development, they are members of the Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI), an organisation dedicated to promoting collaboration and excellence in equine-assisted services worldwide.
Our services are fully insured, including public liability, and all activities thoroughly risk assessed. We follow strict safeguarding policies to ensure a safe environment for all clients.
Mon | 09:00 – 17:00 | |
Tue | 09:00 – 17:00 | |
Wed | 09:00 – 17:00 | |
Thu | 09:00 – 17:00 | |
Fri | 09:00 – 17:00 | |
Sat | By Appointment | |
Sun | By Appointment |