Horses, Healing and the NDIS: What Our Equine Programs Really Offer -

The power of horses: a quick recap

For generations, people have recognised the unique emotional presence of horses. Their calm energy, honest reactions, and ability to mirror human emotion make them powerful partners in personal growth. From trauma recovery to confidence building, horses offer a grounded and non-judgemental space where people can reconnect with themselves.

This power has often been harnessed in what is broadly called “equine therapy.” At Heartfelt Support, we believe the value of horses goes far beyond exercise. It’s in the way a participant stands taller after grooming a miniature pony, or the calm breathing that comes from walking a horse across a quiet paddock. But in 2025, the way we talk about these experiences matters more than ever.

We’ve been working in this field since 2022, and over that time we’ve made several changes to align ourselves with evolving NDIS policy. Our commitment to doing things the right way, both ethically and administratively, has only grown stronger with each shift in guidance.

What does the NDIS think about equine therapy?

The NDIA has taken a clear position: most equine-related services are not automatically eligible for funding. Their official guidelines list “animal therapy” alongside other alternative approaches that do not meet the NDIS’s definition of evidence-based support. Specifically:

“Animal therapy. For example, puppy therapy, goat therapy.”
— NDIS, “Supports that are not NDIS supports” (2024)

We have never billed as animal therapy and do not intend to. However, there’s nuance here. If a program is:

Delivered by a qualified professional (such as a social worker), and
Billed under the appropriate therapeutic support category, and
Clearly aligned with participant goals in their NDIS plan

…then interaction with horses may be acceptable as part of the broader therapeutic approach. But the days of calling it “equine therapy” and hoping that label alone justifies it are over, even if any reasonable person would find that the most convenient and accurate name.

That’s why we’ve retired that term from our programs. We now offer two clearly differentiated services.

Our two programs compared

Feature	Groundwork for Growth	Horse-Centred Social Connection
Quick description	A conversation about personal issues, difficulties or growth with a social worker, in an outdoor setting where horses are present. Therapy with horses, not “animal therapy.”	Recreational and social focus; session time can be extended or incorporated into other support outings.
Purpose	Therapeutic support aligned with NDIS goals	Capacity building and community participation
Staff	Qualified social worker or mental health practitioner	Experienced disability support worker
Funding category	Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living (15_621_0128_1_3)	Core: Social and Community Participation (04_104_0125_6_1)
Activities	Structured horse interaction linked to therapeutic goals	Grooming, walking, calm time with horses
Goal types supported	Emotional regulation, trauma recovery, communication	Confidence, social interaction, routine and responsibility
NDIS compliance	Yes. Delivered by qualified professional, plan-aligned.	Yes. Social participation activity, clearly scoped.
Cost to attend facility	Nil. No additional cost to attend our equine site.	Nil. No additional cost to attend our equine site.
Billing structure	One hour session + 10 minutes for notes	One hour session + 10 minutes for notes
Safety officer	Present at no charge to participant	Not present
Session location	May also take place in our art room, music room, counselling lounge, or in the community	May also take place in our art room, music room, counselling lounge, or in the community
Improves social skills	Yes, part of the programme design	Yes, part of the programme design
Assists with immediate issues	Yes, part of the programme design	Yes, but incidental to the aims of the programme
Offers movement and gentle exercise	Yes, but incidental to the aims of the programme	Yes, part of the programme design
Assists emotional regulation	Yes, part of the programme design	Yes, but incidental to the aims of the programme

Why the words matter

Using horses in support work is incredibly powerful. But unless the service is described accurately, the funding could be knocked back, or worse, clawed back later. We’re committed to being fully transparent with participants, families, support coordinators and planners. These two programs reflect the real outcomes we’ve seen again and again. We’ve just reworded them to match the current expectations of the NDIS.

We’ve published a follow-up post: What Do I Need in My Plan to Access These Programs?