HEAL™ Method - HUMAN EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING

Healing begins with connection...

Stylized light blue swirl design on a black background.
Stylized light blue swirl design on a black background.

THE FIRST CONNECTION IS HĀ | BREATH

At HEAL™ Aotearoa, connection begins before instruction, before riding and before words - with breath, presence and relationship

Stylized blue wave or wind design on black background.

This is inspired by the significance of hā - breath - within te ao Māori and the hongi, where the sharing or exchange of breath acknowledges relationship and interconnectedness.

Stylized blue and black swirl design on a black background.

BREATH as CONNECTION

a DISTINCTIVE HEAL™ practice

The opening practice of HEAL centres on breath: slowing down, becoming present and allowing a respectful connection to form between human and horse.

Stylized illustration of a hair strand with a curl at the end.
Stylized illustration of a hair strand with a curl at the end.
Stylized depiction of a hair strand, featuring curl and movement, in light blue color on a black background.

HEAL does not replicate the hongi; rather, it respectfully draws on the principle that breath can mark the beginning of connection. For those who communicate differently, this creates a powerful non-verbal starting point: you do not have to speak to begin to connect.

A brown silhouette of a wheat stalk

Grounded in Te Ao Māori & aligned with Te Whare Tapa Whā

The HEAL™ Method is born in Aotearoa | New Zealand and understands wellbeing as relational and whole-person.

Its philosophy is informed by values including:

✤ whanaungatanga - relationship and belonging

✤ manaakitanga - care, dignity and respect

✤ kaitiakitanga - responsibility toward horses, whenua and environment

✤ ako - reciprocal learning

It aligns naturally with Sir Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model: taha tinana (physical), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional), taha wairua (spiritual), taha whānau (family and social), with whenua as the foundation.

The HEAL™ Method aims to support the whole person in relationship with others, horses and the natural environment.

A man with tattoos on his right arm gently holding a brown horse's face, standing near a metal barn with another person partially visible behind them on a farm or stable.
A man with tattoos on his right arm gently holding a brown horse's face, standing near a metal barn with another person partially visible behind them on a farm or stable.
A young girl wearing a black helmet and a pink t-shirt sits on a white and brown horse. An older woman in glasses, a blue and white sports jacket, and gray pants stands next to them, holding the horse's reins and smiling. The background features trees, a blue sky with clouds, and a wooden structure.
CONNECT TODAY
A young girl smiling and wearing a light gray hoodie with pink butterfly designs, standing next to a brown horse with a mane, in an outdoor setting with trees and a clear sky in the background.

The HEAL™ Pathway

Close-up of an object with a circular shape and a sleek metallic surface, featuring evenly spaced rectangular cutouts around its edge.
A close-up of a white horseshoe against a black background, showing its shape and nail holes.
Close-up of a pair of wireless over-ear headphones, showing the ear cups and headband.
A white horseshoe-shaped object with evenly spaced rectangular holes on a black background.

H

Human Awareness
Notice body, breath and how the inner self is feeling.

E

Equine Connection
Enter a respectful relationship with the horse.

A

Assisted Experience
Learn through safe, purposeful experience.

L

Learning & Integration
Carry learning beyond the paddock into life.

EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMES
EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMES
Close-up of a circular object with evenly spaced small rectangular cutouts, possibly part of a mechanical or industrial device, seen against a black background.

THE HEALn HORSE SHOE
Carrying the connection home

As part of a child’s HEAL™ journey, they can be gifted a horseshoe - their ‘Healn Horse Shoe’ - as a taonga / treasure to take home to their whānau or caregiver.

It creates a tangible bridge between horse, HEAL™, home and whānau. The child can use it to share a story, feeling, learning or achievement from their time with the horse, without pressure to talk or disclose.

Whānau might gently ask, “What would your Healn Horse Shoe like to tell us about HEAL today?” Over time, it can become a symbol of connection, empoerment, safety, memory, achievement and belonging - helping carry the HEAL™ experience beyond the paddock and into everyday life.

CONNECT WITH EVIE TODAY

HEAL™ METHOD

HUMAN EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING PROGRAMMES

Bespoke HEAL™ Programmes are created for each person after their initial Assessment Session based on the HEAL™ philosophy of connection.

The following programmes are also available, and are tailored to the needs of each individual.

A young boy wearing a red hoodie and a black helmet stands next to a brown and white horse with a black mane. The boy is smiling and touching the horse's face. The horse is saddled with a red saddle blanket and is standing on a gravel surface outdoors, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Connect to the HEAL Method Programmes

A pathway for neurodivergent & special needs children

For neurodivergent and special needs children, including children who are non-verbal or communicate differently.

HEAL™ offers a pathway into relationships that does not depend on spoken language. The HEAL™ Method allows for facilitator to adapt for each child.

Read here to find out more
A woman and a young girl with a horse in a grassy field on a sunny day with blue sky and clouds.
A woman and a young girl with a horse in a grassy field on a sunny day with blue sky and clouds.

Working with rangatahi

A key offering HEAL™ is working alongside rangatahi.

Creating a safe and supportive space where young people can strengthen confidence, identity, connection and their sense of possibility.

Read here to find out more
Person riding a horse over colorful ground poles during sunset on a farm, with trees and blue sky in the background.
Person riding a horse over colorful ground poles during sunset on a farm, with trees and blue sky in the background.

Tāngata whai ora - people seeking wellbeing | respite

HEAL™ offers a dedicated pathway for tāngata whai ora - people seeking wellbeing, including those experiencing mental health or addiction challenges.

The approach is mana-enhancing, strengths-based and trauma-aware, recognising each participant as the expert in their own life and creating space for choice, self-determination and hope.

Read here to find out more
A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a gray and white patterned sweater, stands next to a brown and white horse with a blue halter. They are outside near a green building and a large green tree, with dogs in the background.
A woman with short blonde hair, wearing a gray and white patterned sweater, stands next to a brown and white horse with a blue halter. They are outside near a green building and a large green tree, with dogs in the background.

Advanced Riding Lessons

HEAL™ offers lessons for adults returning to riding or to build confidence with your own horse with the talented Māori Equestrian (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Hine, Ngā Puhi).

Read here to find out more
A woman riding a brown and white horse on a grassy field with trees in the background, wearing a navy jacket, white riding pants, a black helmet, and a numbered vest.
A woman riding a brown and white horse on a grassy field with trees in the background, wearing a navy jacket, white riding pants, a black helmet, and a numbered vest.

Out & About

HEAL™ offers to take Miss Faith our miniature pony or Queen Kass our riding pony to places and spaces that residents may not be able to come here, like Rest Homes, birthdays & kura.

Read here to find out more
A group of people, including children and adults, gathered around a person sitting on a brown horse. The child is wearing a helmet and camouflage shirt, while the adults and other children are interacting with the rider. The scene is outdoors with blue sky, some clouds, and palm trees in the background.
A group of people, including children and adults, gathered around a person sitting on a brown horse. The child is wearing a helmet and camouflage shirt, while the adults and other children are interacting with the rider. The scene is outdoors with blue sky, some clouds, and palm trees in the background.

Notes of aroha from our community

  • “Eve and her beautiful horses have been game changing for my 8 year old daughter, Mya. Eve is patient, kind and supportive with Mya. Her 3 horses are so safe and calm. Mya shows a sense of calm and focus when she is with the horses that she struggles to find in other areas of life. Thank you for all you do.”

    — Mother of rangatahi with ADHD & confidence issues

  • “I had the most beautiful day out in Ōtaki on Friday at the amazing HEAL Human Equine Assisted Learning farm. Evie is so genuine and authentic in her warmth and manaakitanga, she really has the knack of making people feel comfortable quickly. I love that her vision for this place is for it to be a community supported healing space and resource for, and with, the community. For all those who would enjoy and benefit from the healing power of Horse assisted healing and learning to have access to it. I love that her kauapapa is different from something like Riding for the Disabled programs, (no dis to them, they're great at what they do), in its flexible, responsive, relational approach, and its basis in Aotearoa and te ao Māori ways of working, healing and growing.”

    — HEAL Respite Client

  • “Had the pleasure of meeting Evie & the gentle giant Moose today. My daughter flourished in her 1st session today and Evie was absolutely amazing. Her way with kids, mannerism and adapting to make them feel completely comfortable really made a huge difference and it allowed my girl to shine. She had the best time and we will definitely be regulars. I highly recommend her and her beautiful horses who just make you fall in love with their presence.”

    — Caregiver of 3 year-old

EXPLORE PROGRAMMES

We are currently developing the HEAL™ Method, training programme and supporting resources so that, in the future, others can learn and deliver the programme within their own communities.

Our vision is bigger than one location. We want to see HEAL™ Healing Hubs across Aotearoa and, eventually, around the world - creating safe spaces where people can experience learning, connection and wellbeing alongside horses.

The HEAL™ Method will be supported by a structured programme, resources and training to help ensure the values, integrity and kaupapa at the heart of HEAL™ are carried through wherever it is delivered.

If you are an individual, equine professional, school, organisation or community interested in bringing HEAL™ to your area, we would love to hear from you.

You can register your interest now and be kept informed as HEAL™ training and programme opportunities become available.

The HEAL™ Method allows for everyone to HEAL and learn through connection.

Nau mai haere mai.

A digital illustration of a brown horse with a blue background.

HEALn Begins with Connection

Connect directly with Evie, founder of the HEAL™ Method and learn more about how we can HEAL™ the world one session at a time.