Equine Therapy
Freya
Meet Freya, our beautiful 13.2hh Welsh pony and a much-loved part of the Thrive in Thought equine therapy team. Freya brings a calm, intuitive presence to every session, with a naturally gentle and engaging personality that helps participants feel safe, supported, and at ease from the moment they meet her.
Freya has a unique ability to connect with people in a way that feels genuine and grounding. She is responsive without being overwhelming, making her particularly well-suited to individuals who may feel anxious, unsure, or are still building confidence around animals. Her steady temperament and soft nature allow participants to approach at their own pace, fostering trust, emotional regulation, and positive relational experiences.
In sessions, Freya supports the development of key skills such as communication, confidence, emotional awareness, and self-regulation. Whether working on the ground or engaging in guided activities, she provides consistent, honest feedback that helps participants better understand their own responses and build meaningful connections.
At Thrive in Thought, Freya is more than just a therapy horse—she is a partner in the therapeutic process, offering warmth, patience, and a quiet kind of wisdom that makes her truly special.
Equine Therapy Horse
Kirslyn Conlon
Meet Kirslyn Conlon, our equine therapist and the heart behind Thrive in Thought. With a strong foundation in counselling, psychotherapy, and positive behaviour support, Kirslyn brings a holistic, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed approach to every equine therapy session.
Kirslyn has a natural ability to create environments where people feel safe, understood, and genuinely supported. Her work is grounded in building authentic relationships, recognising that connection is at the core of meaningful therapeutic change. Through her calm and attuned presence, she supports participants to regulate, reflect, and engage at their own pace, meeting them exactly where they are.
In the equine setting, Kirslyn integrates her clinical knowledge with the unique therapeutic qualities of horses, facilitating experiences that support emotional awareness, communication, confidence, and behavioural understanding. She is particularly skilled at translating these experiences into practical strategies that carry over into everyday life across home, school, and community environments.
Kirslyn is deeply passionate about providing care that is ethical, evidence-informed, and centred on both human and animal wellbeing. Her approach reflects a commitment to dignity, choice, and respect, ensuring that each session is not only therapeutic, but empowering.
Equine Therapist | PsychotherapistWhat is Equine Therapy?
Tucked away in the peaceful surrounds of Yerrinbool, our equine therapy program at Thrive in Thought offers a unique, nature-based approach to supporting emotional wellbeing, regulation, and connection. Set on a private, rural property, this environment provides the space for individuals to slow down, feel safe, and engage in meaningful therapeutic experiences alongside our horses.
Our equine therapy is grounded in a holistic, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed framework. We focus on building emotional awareness, communication, confidence, and self-regulation through guided interactions with horses. Horses are highly attuned to human emotion and body language, offering immediate, honest feedback that can support insight, reflection, and growth in ways traditional settings sometimes cannot.
Sessions are tailored to each individual’s needs and may support a range of goals, including emotional regulation, anxiety management, social connection, confidence building, and behavioural support. Working alongside our qualified practitioners, participants are supported to develop practical skills that can be transferred into everyday life across home, school, and community settings.
At Thrive in Thought, we prioritise both human and animal wellbeing. Our approach aligns with ethical, evidence-informed practice, ensuring that all interactions are safe, respectful, and mutually beneficial for both participant and horse.
Whether you are seeking an alternative to clinic-based therapy or looking to complement existing supports, our equine therapy program offers a calm, grounded, and deeply engaging pathway to growth and healing.