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. 

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