Hillsview Haven

A Place to Be and Become

Our Mission

Hillsview Haven is a small private farm dedicated to providing a safe place for horses and humans to learn and grow, through the horse-human connection.

What We Value

Learning. Learning through authentic experience, reflection and building meaningful relationships with the horses.

Connection. Finding a connection with yourself, with the herd and with nature.

Wellbeing. This includes both physical and emotional wellbeing for the herd and our clients.

Bob soaking up the sun.

Lucky (left) and Bob (right) munching on hay.

Why Learn Through Horses?

Horses provide comfort and an emotionally safe environment to learn.

Horses are close to their intuition.

Horses offer grace and allow space for us to be ourselves.

Horses live in the present moment.

Horses show us the hierarchical nature of attachment.

Horses show us the value of play and rest.

Our EAL Programming

Our Equine Assisted Learning program is tailored towards the individual or group objective, and may promote empowerment, confidence, healthy relationships, self-awareness and leadership skills. The sessions facilitated on the ground only, and are designed for ages 12 and up.

Approaches to Learning:

Grooming & Leading Exercises to learn effective non-verbal communication and build relationships.
Observing Horse & Herd Behaviours to understand herd dynamics, non- verbal communication and natural hierarchy.
Interactive Grounding Exercises to become open, receptive and observe shifts in horse behaviour.
Discussions & Debriefs to reflect on your own learning and make connections to others experiences.

3 Programming Streams:

We provide three programming options, including group workshops for professional development, group workshops for personal development, and individual sessions.

Professional Development- Group Workshops

-Corporate teams; groups up to 8

-Themes may include leadership, self care & effective non-verbal communication

-Highly tailored programming

-Full day workshop

Personal Development- Group Workshops

-Open or private groups; up to 8

-Themes may include building healthy relationships, self-care, mindfulness & empowerment

-Programming is predetermined

-4 part series or half day workshops

Personal Development- Individual Sessions

-Private or semi-private (1 guardian)

-Themes may include self-care, building healthy relationships, effective communication, mindfulness & empowerment

-Individualized programming

-Reoccurring sessions

Future Programming

While the current program is centred around the equine-human connection, the long-term goals of the farm will be to also incorporate stewardship and sustainable farming in the programming.

The farm includes a small apple orchard, maple trees for tapping, and a small flock of chickens for eggs (and snuggles). Our next goals for the farm are to plant native pollinator gardens, an organic vegetable garden and set up an apiary.

Want to Learn More About EAL?

The Professional Association of Equine Facilitated Wellness (Pro-EFW) is a governing body for human service professionals to certify and practice equine assisted learning or therapy. They have established ethics and guiding principles for the EAL profession in Canada.

My mentor and training is through Sue McIntosh, the founder and lead counselor at Healing Hooves . She is a Certified Canadian Counsellor with a Masters Degree in counseling and is triple certified as a mentor, trainer and practitioner through Pro-EFW. Her specific program uses attachment theory by Dr. Gordon Neufeld as the framework for which her curriculum is built.

Pro-EFW

Healing Hooves Blog

Lucky sharing hay with Simon. Can you find Henry?

The herd: Coco, Bob, Deedie, Lucky.

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