Empowering you through the connection between horses and humans
I invite you to step outside, into the paddock and come and experience the healing power of horses.
There is something powerful about being out in nature and connecting with horses. Their calming presence and their ability to respond to our emotions, energy and behaviour can create a unique space for reflection, connection and growth.
At Horse emPower, I combine counselling, mindset coaching and youth mentoring with horses to create a holistic approach to mind and body healing. The calming presence of the horses, combined with the fresh outdoor air and resident ducks, make the world slow down allowing you to take a breath, decompose and leave feeling revitalised
What I Offer
Sometimes life can leave us feeling like we’re going around in circles—overthinking, carrying too much, feeling anxious or depressed or struggling to see a clear way forward. It can affect our sleep, our relationships, our careers and simply just our ability to function. Leaving us feeling like we’re in survival mode or just hanging on by a thread.
My equine-assisted wellbeing sessions combine traditional counselling (talk therapy) with mindset coaching (retraining your thought patterns) and somatic therapy (recognising how you feel trauma, stress, emotions ect in the body), creating a holistic approach to healing and wellness.
Horses are incredibly responsive to body language, emotions and energy, making them the perfect partners. The horses can choose how and when they engage and play different roles for different individuals. The comfort a horse can provide is truly magical. Sometimes their behaviours can even mirror our own behaviours or the behaviours of others, creating opportunity for learning and reflection.
Together, we can explore the experiences and traumas, thoughts, emotions and patterns that may be holding you back or simply exhausting you, while developing practical strategies to build clarity, confidence, resilience and a stronger sense of self and direction.
My approach is person-centred, strengths-based, trauma-informed and culturally safe. You will be supported to move at your own pace, while being encouraged to challenge limiting beliefs, consider new perspectives and recognise your own strengths and capabilities.
This is your journey. My role is to walk alongside you, help you make sense of where you've been, support you in where you are now, and emPower you to move towards where you want to be.
I offer equine-assisted individual, cultural and group supervision for workers within the community services sector, providing an opportunity to step away from the office and get out in the paddock surrounded by horses and nature. The horses can choose when they want to interact and their presence can create a sense of calm, helping to regulate the nervous system.
We spend a good chunk of our time at work (too much in fact)! And in the community service sector, we give so much of ourselves to helping and supporting others through some of the most challenging and critical times of their lives. It’s a big load to carry.
Supervision provides a safe and supportive space to debrief, gain perspective, be challenged (because without challenge, how do we grow?) and create workplace wellbeing.
Some of the things we can work through in supervision include:
Debriefing following challenging or complex situations
Working through client or organisational challenges
Exploring team structures, communication and conflict
Reflective practice and professional development
Supporting workplace wellbeing and team connection
Exploring systemic issues and workplace frustrations
Sessions are guided by the needs of the individual or group.
Keep an eye on my socials for upcoming groups. Tickets will be advertised on Eventbright
Growing up is hard!
One minute you have people helping you with everything, and the next you’re expected to figure out life for yourself.
Equine-assisted youth mentoring is a space that’s about you.
A place where you can talk about what’s going on without judgement — and the horses definitely won’t be judging you! You can talk, ask questions, have a laugh, or just spend some time hanging out with someone who is there to listen and support you.
Being around horses creates a relaxed and grounding environment where you can slow down, connect and feel comfortable being yourself. Through grooming, leading, observing and spending time with the horses, you can develop confidence, self-awareness, emotional regulation, communication, trust and healthy boundaries.
Whether you’re dealing with friendships, relationships, school, emotions, family stuff or anything in between or just feeling a little lost, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Together, we can work on:
Building confidence and self-belief
Managing emotions and difficult situations
Building healthy relationships and boundaries
Discovering your strengths
Setting goals and working towards them
Building resilience
Finding your voice and feeling confident to use it
There’s no pressure to have everything figured out. You can take things at your own pace, in a space where you feel safe, heard and supported.
My role is to listen, encourage and walk alongside you as you work out who you are, what you want and where you want to go next.
Is located on the edge of Aberglasslyn. Next to the Hunter River. Whilst we are close to the hustle and bustle of the suburb, the property itself is quiet and peaceful.
If you have any questions or would like to reach out, please fill in the details
A bit about me
My name is Charna, im a proud Jerrinja and Wiradjuri woman. Mother of two beautiful daughters, foster carer, advocate and horse lover.
I have spent the bulk of my career working within the community service sector where I provided therapeutic support and crisis intervention to women, children and young people throughout the most vulnerable times of their lives. Whilst rewarding the role could also be draining and as a single parent, with not a lot of support close to me, I burnt out. I was forced to go on my own journey of discovering myself and working out what was going to fill my cup, whilst giving me the flexibility to work around the kids and the horses. Therefore, Horse emPower was founded.
The journey wasn’t easy though. For what felt like the longest of time I sat in a blackhole of nothingness, living day by day in survival mode, struggling to keep up and doubting everything about myself. There were tears, there was frustration, there was isolation and there was a whole lot of confusion BUT once I learnt to overcome my own mindset, back myself, be vulnerable and gain more control over my body and my emotions, I have found pure bliss (with only a little bit of that old stuff on the side, every now and then).
Horses and being out in the paddock have been my saviour. I got my first horse when I was around 11 and learnt very quickly the therapeutic benefits horses could provide. As a struggling 19 year old, moving out of home, going through a toxic relationship and trying to find my way in the world, horses just weren’t sustainable. After 10 years (and a lot of life in between), horses found their way back into my life and there has been no looking back since. I have owned, ridden, trained and been able to enjoy the comfort of horses again for the past 7 years and want to share the unconditional love and support they can provide with you.
I have a Graduate Certificate in Human Services, a Diploma of Counselling and level 2 ACA registration. I have worked a lot in trauma and bring plenty of lived experience to my work.
I am especially passionate about supporting single mums, first nation peoples and young people growing up in out of home care. I am a big advocate for thoroughbred horses and providing them with a life after racing.
Aubrey is a 9-year-old thoroughbred, enjoying her life after racing. Aubrey is the biggest of the pack but don’t let that scare you, she is a gentle giant. She’s super sweet and, lovely and enjoys cuddles.
Favourite food: Carrots
Buck is the baby of the heard. He is a 3-year-old Miniature Horse. Miniature but full of attitude and cuteness! He will do anything for some food!
Favorite food: everything!
Capri is a 5-year-old thoroughbred, enjoying his life after racing. He is such a dude, he’s laid back, cruisy and enjoys his grooming sessions
Favorite food: Liquorice