EQuivalence

Who are We?

We are a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) dedicated to integrating Emotional Intelligence (EQ) with the power of horses (Equine). Our vision is to enrich the lives of individuals and communities by harnessing the transformative power of horses, offering Equine Assisted Services that foster personal growth, healing, and connection. We strive to provide children, families, and individuals—particularly those with special needs or facing adversity—with the tools to thrive cognitively, emotionally, and physically. Through these programs, we aim to nurture stronger communities, empower individuals to overcome challenges, and promote a deeper connection to nature. Our vision is to make Equine Assisted Services accessible to all, especially those who may not have the means, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to benefit from this life-changing experience. Our mission is to create a sustainable enterprise that prioritises the well-being of horses while providing a safe and nurturing environment for individuals to grow and heal. Through collaboration with like-minded individuals and organisations, we aim to uplift and empower the less privileged members of our community in the Western Cape, ensuring that everyone has access to the transformative power of equines. The definition of equivalence is the state of being equal in value, function, or meaning. In the context of EQuivalence, it refers to the idea that all individuals, regardless of background or ability, are equally valued and capable within the space we provide, much like how horses perceive everyone without judgment.

What makes EQuivalence one-of-a-kind?

• We have a well-established, sustainable business model run byexperienced, professional, and qualified facilitators.
• It is founded on a solid value system that is focused on enabling children and adults to experience change and be empowered to be developed, balanced and caring individuals.
• It offers an environment that is open, friendly, warm, inclusive, and family-oriented.
• Community involvement is a major focus where opportunities are constantly being created to give back to the less  fortunate.
• We continuously run equine-assisted learning workshops forvarious target groups. These programs focus on emotional  intelligence development, communication skills, mindfulness, leadership development, critical thinking, self-exploration, rewilding - returning to nature, connection, to name just a few.
• We are building our equine assisted therapy services whichoffer individuals, couples, and families equine assistedtherapy. We are also providing funded programs to Gender Based Violence victims, psychosocial support for caregivers,as well as other need-based services to our communities whoare in need.
• We love to collaborate and are building a community that willempower and enrich our society through nature and horses.

What do we do:

• Adaptive & Recreational Riding through the lens of EQUINEASSISTED LEARNING

Our sessions are centred around Equine Assisted Learning. This approach creates a unique space for learning, guided by horses—where the learning can take many forms, dependingon the individual’s needs and goals. We refer to our sessions as "sessions" rather than "lessons" because we don't provide direct instruction; instead, we facilitate the learning process. Through experiential learning, participants develop skills that are not only applicable in the moment but also transferable to their everyday lives, supporting their long-term growth and development. This type of learning fosters a sense of accomplishment, building self-esteem and motivating a deeper desire to learn. As children engage with the horses, they are encouraged to explore their interests, tackle challenges as they arise, and problem-solve in real-time. Since they are actively involved in the experience, the learning becomes more meaningful and lasting, making it easier for them to retain and apply what they’ve learned.

• Funded Equine Assisted Services

We are proud to be able to offer equine assisted services that are donor funded. These services are aimed at giving members of our community’s access to this unique modality of experiential processing that is empowering, enriching, and life changing. We are building a network of donors who have the same vision and who seek to work towards positive change in our society. The services we offer range from gender-based violence therapy programs for victims, psychosocial support programs for caregivers, youth development and therapeutic programs, and support programs for teachers. We also offer individual therapy sessions and other funded sessions depending on the need and availability of funds. These processes are all ground-based experiences that equip people with skills to make positive choices and changes when faced with challenging circumstances. Through engaging with horses, disempowered people have a safe space to make choices and determine what they want in their lives and how they can bring balance to their lives.

• Equine Connection Experiences

A wonderful way to experience being in the presence of horses. All interactions with the horses are ground based, meaning no horse riding is involved and no prior horse experience or knowledge is required. Your equine connection experiences are facilitated by an Equine Professional and Mental Health Professional. Our professionals are trained in various International Equine Assisted Therapy modalities. Each individual professional also belongs to a South African governing body within their respective fields of mental health practice. These interactions are, but not limited to:

• Life, Relationship and Wellness Coaching
• Counselling, Psychotherapy, Therapy
• Tailormade workshops
• Corporate & Wellness packages

We host a number of different workshops available to the public throughout the year, follow our social media to find out more!

• Horses Outreach Program at EQuivalence (HOPE)

Since 2016 we offer a program to children, ages 3 years – teenager, from our local farm community to help grow, empower and teach them about care for self, animals and nature while supporting their social and emotional development through interaction with the horses. Currently a 3-hour session is offered once a month to group of 18 children on average. We alsoprovide them with lunch.

• School Outreach Program for Learners At Risk

We have run a 1 x 7-week program per term focused on pupils from The Valley Primary School since beginning 2023 supporting social and emotional development within the classroom through interactions with the horses. Our sessions are rooted in experiential learning, allowing students to engage directly with horses in ways that promotes personal growth and emotional resilience. By fostering a supportive, hands-on environment we help students develop the tools needed to navigate their academic and personal lives with increased self-assurance and adaptability. This program is dependent on specialised facilitators teaming up with an equine professional in order to make this program sustainable and we need funding to maintain and expand the program to reach more children in the school.