Photo: Supplied.
FROM HEMMANT EQUINE AGISTMENT RIDING & THERAPY
Just 10 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, in the bayside suburb of Hemmant, a quiet but powerful kind of community connection is unfolding every day. At Hemmant Equine Agistment Riding & Therapy (HEART) horses are helping people build confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.
A registered charity, HEART offers inclusive horse- and farm-animal-based programs for people of all ages and abilities. From horse-assisted learning and riding lessons to equine-assisted therapy, horsemanship, supervised volunteering and practical property skills, each program is designed to support physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
For some, that means Tiny Tot classes, where children learn balance, safety, respect and animal care in a fun and nurturing setting. For others, it is sensory-based movement therapy, confidence-building activities, or simply the joy of spending meaningful time outdoors with animals. HEART also creates memorable experiences for older members of the community, including residents from local retirement villages.
Horses facilitate the experiences. Honest and intuitive, they respond to human emotion and behaviour in a way that encourages calm, presence and trust.
What makes HEART particularly special is the community that surrounds it. Run entirely by volunteers, the charity has become a place where friendships flourish, and people feel valued, included and connected. Supported by local businesses, grants and donations, HEART offers something increasingly rare in a busy world: genuine connection – one horse, one interaction and one life at a time.
Get in touch with HEART at [email protected].
