Talk therapy has its benefits, but for some people it also has some serious limitations.

Some of us struggle to talk or think our way out of the patterns that keep us stuck and hold us back.

In these cases, we need an approach that involves our body, and that teaches our nervous system how to regulate in a relational way.

That’s where equine facilitated therapy comes in.

(No riding. No horse experience required.)

Horses invite us to be present with them, take off our masks and armour, and explore relationship in a whole new way.

They help us embody different pathways in our nervous system and in our brain to help us get unstuck and feel more free.

Being human is hard. Learning to be a little more “horse-like” can help.

RESEARCH TO LEARN MORE HERE

BLOGS TO LEARN MORE:

Why Horses? The Unique Role of Equine Therapy in Leadership and Trauma Recovery

Clarity, Connection & Courage: How Healing With Horses Can Transform Your Life

The Transformational Power of Horse Sense: How We Guide You to Be Who You’re Meant to Become

Relational Healing - What it Means and How it Applies to First Responders

There are 3 parts to Equine Facilitated Therapy sessions. There is no riding, and no horse experience required.

First, we spend time together as humans, getting to know each other and preparing for our time with the horses. This includes exploring various nervous system regulation and embodiment tools.

Second, we spend time with our teacher and guide for the session: the horse. The horse is loose in a round pen so that they have their full voice and choice in how they interact with us. They are also volunteers for our session, ensuring that our horses are safe and willing partners, and we can trust that they want to be there to help us learn.

Third, we process the experience as humans. We reflect on the horse time with non-judgement and curiosity, and build bridges from our horse teachers into our human world.

Important to note:
There is not wrong way to experience a therapy session with a horse. There is no goal that must be accomplished, and everything that happens with them is part of the learning that offers us growth and transformation.

The difference is whether or not there is a therapist present for the session.

Private Horse Sessions are offered with coach and facilitator, Carmen Theobald (she/her). Learn more about Carmen HERE.

Equine Therapy (also known as Equine Facilitated Therapy), is offered with Carmen, as well as a registered therapist. Learn more Lee Merkley (they/them), Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) HERE.

No horse experience is required for your time at Horse Sense North.

There’s also no riding - we only work with them on the ground.

We’ve had many clients here who have never touched a horse, and we’ve also had Olympic level riders, and everything in between.

Our horses are safe and willing partners for this healing work, no matter your background with horses.

There is no riding offered at Horse Sense North.

All the activities are done on the ground.

The horses are also willing participants in the work we do. We know this because they volunteer for our sessions. We don’t pick them, they pick us. This makes the work safer and ethical.

• Protect your feet with closed toed shoes (no sandals)

• Wear in comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty.

• Dress for the weather, and bring an extra layer in case the temperature shifts

• Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated

• Consider bringing slippers for time in the yurt (for our human time :)

• We encourage you to take a technology break and keep you phone on silent while you’re here

Yes, we typically work with people who are 16 years and up. There can be some exceptions, so please contact us if you want to explore this further.

If you’re feeling stuck and you’re ready for change, then this kind of horse work is a great option to consider.

Often, people who are deeply struggling come to us after trying nearly everything else. They end up finding so much relief in their time with the horses. It gives them more clarity, connect and courage in finding a direction forward.

You don’t have to wait until you’ve exhausted all your other options. You can choose to book a horse session today, even if you’re simply searching for some extra wellness tools.

This kind of healing work with the horses can help us thrive in all areas of life. Some examples of that would be:

• Deepening our sense of self-worth and empowerment

• Enhancing our connection with our authentic self

• Developing secure attachments to ourselves and others

If this sounds like what you’re looking for, contact us HERE to book a free discovery call.

Equine Facilitated Therapy can help us with struggles such as:

• Generally feeling stuck

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Post traumatic stress

• Low self-esteem/self-worth

• Grief

• Hyper-vigilence

• Relationship challenges (personal or professional)

• Emotional dysregulation/Nervous system dysregulation

If you’re wanting a new approach that is effective and efficient, contact us HERE to set up a free discovery call.

Horse Sense North Founder and Director, Carmen Theobald (she/her) is a coach and facilitator with extensive experience working with horses and humans. She has worked with thousands of horses as a farrier since 2008, and hundreds of individuals, teams and organizations since 2015, focusing on vulnerable populations and complex trauma, particularly with public safety personnel.

Carmen is an Advanced Eponaquest Instructor (internationally recognized program for Equine Facilitated Learning), and holds many additional certifications including Connection Focused Therapy.

Lee Merkley (they/them) is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). They have a background in addictions recovery and residential treatment centres, and have specialized in working with first responders, active military, veterans, and other public safety personnel.

Lee has been supporting Equine Facilitated Therapy sessions since 2022, and they are now Horse Sense North’s Clinical Director.

Horse Sense North’s Above & Beyond Program has supervision from clinical psychologist, Dr. Steve Jett. Learn more about Jett Psychological Services HERE.

Horse Sense North also partners with other therapists and mental health professionals. We’re open to working with your therapist or counsellor if that is something you desire.

Both are available.

We accept private bookings for individuals or small groups (max 5 people).

This will depend on the kind of session, and if it’s for an individual or a group.

For Individual sessions (minimum 2-hours):

Equine Facilitated Learning (with an equine facilitator, and no therapist) the cost is $145 plus HST per hour.

If it’s an Equine Facilitated Therapy session (with an equine facilitator and therapist present), the cost is $250 per hour (for one person).

Sliding scale options are available.

For workshops, programs, and group pricing, please contact for more information.

Please contact us HERE to set up a free discovery call, or reach out to Carmen directly:

carmen@horsesensenorth.com

We can definitely discuss this.

If you have a therapist or counsellor who you want to attend with you during your session, we will ask to speak with them prior to your session to best prepare for our time together.

If it’s a friend of family member who wants to attend with you, we generally ask that they also participate in the session, or give you the space to have your session privately.

Private sessions start at 2-hours, however there are options to come for longer stretches of time.

Please contact us to set up a free discovery call to explore options.

We have a 48 hour cancellation policy for individuals, otherwise 50% of the billing will still apply.

No show appointments will be charged at the full rate.

Group bookings require 2 weeks notice for cancellation, otherwise 75% of the billing will still apply.

If for any reason Horse Sense North needs to cancel and you have already paid, you will be offered your choice of a full refund or a credit.

One option to consider for accommodations are our partners at the Huntsville Comfort Inn, offering a discounted rate for Horse Sense North clients when booking through THIS LINK.

Accommodation bookings are the responsibility of the client. We suggest booking well in advance.