What Do I Need in My NDIS Plan to Access Horse Programs? -

Horse in paddock in golden morning light

Quick answer: To access horse programs through the NDIS, your plan needs goals that match the program (such as emotional regulation or community participation) AND budget in the right category. Therapeutic programs require Capacity Building funding; social programs require Core Supports. Both the goal and the funding category must be present.

If you’re interested in either Groundwork for Growth (our social work-based therapy program) or Horse-Centred Social Connection (our capacity building program), the first question to ask is: “Will the NDIS cover it?”

NDIS line items that can fund equine programs

Improved Daily Living Therapeutic Supports Community Participation Social & Community Activities Capacity Building

Key tip: The exact line item depends on how your goals are worded. A support coordinator can help frame your goals so equine therapy is clearly funded in your plan.

The short answer: it depends what’s written in the participant’s plan. Here’s what to look for, and how to set things up for success.

Goals come first

The NDIS won’t fund a support just because it sounds helpful. It needs to directly relate to one or more of the participant’s goals.

For Groundwork for Growth (our social work-based program)

We recommend goals that focus on:

Managing anxiety or processing trauma
Building emotional awareness or regulation
Improving communication and daily coping skills

This program is structured for therapeutic outcomes. It needs to be linked to personal development, not just recreation.

For Horse-Centred Social Connection (our capacity building program)

Good plan goals include:

Building confidence in community settings
Developing positive routines and responsibilities
Improving social interaction and independence

This is about community participation and wellbeing, not clinical intervention.

Funding categories matter

Even with the right goals, the plan still needs to include the appropriate budget category. If there’s no budget in that category, the program can’t be billed, even if it fits the goals perfectly.

Program	Funding type	Line item
Groundwork for Growth	Capacity Building: Improved Daily Living	15_621_0128_1_3
Horse-Centred Social Connection	Core Supports: Social & Community	04_104_0125_6_1

Not sure what’s in the plan?

That’s common. Here’s how to check:

Participants or families: look at the most recent plan paperwork, especially the goals and funding breakdown.
Support coordinators: review both the stated goals and the support categories funded.
Plan managers: double-check which line items are active and how the budget is tracking.

We’re also happy to help. If you’re unsure, you can send through a redacted version of the plan and we’ll look it over with you.

What if the plan doesn’t line up?

It doesn’t mean the opportunity’s gone. You may be able to:

Bring the program into a plan review
Submit a change of circumstances
Adjust how the session is delivered to match the funding available

We’ve supported participants through these processes many times, and we’re happy to assist with the wording or strategy.

What to ask your planner or support coordinator

If you’re heading into a plan review or preparing a change of circumstances request, here are the key questions to raise:

“Can we include a goal around emotional regulation or community participation that would support a horse-centred program?”
“Is there capacity building or core social budget in this plan?”
“Can the provider supply a program outline I can attach to my request?”

We can provide a simple program description for support coordinators and planners on request. Just get in touch.

Final thoughts

We’ve been offering horse-based support since 2022, and in that time, we’ve learned how to make meaningful experiences work within NDIS guidelines. The key is planning ahead.

If you’d like help getting your goals or plan wording right, reach out. We’ll talk you through it: no pressure, no jargon, no gatekeeping.