Our Work
We are committed to transforming lives through the power of horses, nurturing a compassionate environment that promotes mental well-being, personal growth, and hope for a brighter future.
Our equine-assisted trauma informed care sessions are more than just a service; they are a commitment to walking beside you as you reclaim your sense of peace, purpose, and hope.
Through the gentle wisdom of our horses, our dedicated team and innovative equine-assisted therapy, we strive to be a beacon of support and inspiration for all who seek solace and strength.
Healing hearts, building resilience.
We help transforming lives through equine-assisted trauma informed services. Our individual sessions and small peer groups allow participants a safe space to explore themselves and discover what tools work best for them.
Session by session, Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) help rewire neural pathways, teaching the brain to self-regulate from the bottom up—beginning in the brainstem and moving up to the neocortex. This process restores balance to the nervous system, allowing clients to move from survival mode into calmness, clear thinking, and lasting emotional resilience.
Emerging research in the science of trauma shows that these changes go even deeper—down to the epigenetic level. Chronic trauma can alter how genes are expressed, leaving “imprints” on DNA that influence stress, immunity, and emotional regulation. By calming the nervous system and building safe, repeated experiences of trust and connection, EAS supports the body in reversing the biological imprint of trauma. Over time, this work not only reshapes the brain, but also helps reset the body at the cellular level, creating conditions for true healing and resilience to emerge.
Our sessions individualized based on clients’ needs and goals and includes the following techniques:
Equine Assisted Services (EAS)
Our trained and certified practitioners assist the participant in recognizing the non-verbal communication that horses use. Horses, being herd animals, react strongly to the body language and behavior of those around them. This can lead to self-reflection on the part of the participant, which is important for personal growth.
HeartMath® Trauma-Informed Care
For over 30 years, HeartMath Institute has been researching the heart-brain connection. Tuning into the heart’s wisdom creates a profound shift within that helps people approach situations with more emotional balance, compassion, clarity, and personal confidence.
Natural Lifemanship®
Our team is trained in Natural Lifemanship®, a trauma-informed approach that emphasizes the science of healthy relationships. This model teaches youth how to build trust, set boundaries, and develop emotional awareness—skills that translate from time with horses into their everyday lives. Through experiential exercises, youth practice staying present, noticing their own feelings, and responding with care rather than reaction.
Brainspotting with Horse Presence
Brainspotting with Horses combines the gentle presence of equines with a powerful, neuroscience-based method for processing trauma. Guided by a trained facilitator, participants connect with a horse while focusing on an eye position (or “brainspot”) that links to unprocessed emotional or physical experiences. The horse’s natural attunement and body language help mirror the client’s internal state, promoting regulation, release, and deep healing. This somatic and relational approach allows trauma to resolve from the body outward, fostering calm, clarity, and resilience.
Our facilitators are trained and certified in various equine-assisted trauma informed care services.
Why work with horses?
Non-verbal Healing
Horses reflect your emotions when our words fall short.
Rebuild trust
Foster connections and rediscover safety in a non-judgmental space.
Boost Confidence
Feel empowered as you build a bond with these gentle giants.
Body-Mind Healing
Release tension and trauma stored in your body with hands-on care.
Emotional Regulation
Manage stress and anxiety through calm, focused interactions with horses.
Stay grounded
Find mindfulness and peace in the present moment, guided by your equine partner.
What does a session look like?
It all starts with a scenic drive to our remote ranch in Ulupalakua on the southwest side of Haleakalā.
Our sessions are individualized but typically include:
Groundwork: Building connection
This stage begins with a calm greeting and gentle brushing and caring of the horse. The intention is to create an atmosphere of trust, ease, and mutual respect, laying the foundation for meaningful connection and collaboration between participant and horse.
HeartMath® integration
Practicing breathing and self-regulation techniques alongside the horse to build coherence.Facilitated interaction
Walking, leading, or guided exercises that foster communication, confidence, and awareness.Rhythmic riding (optional)
This gentle practice reduces stress, builds confidence, and creates a pathway for healing and learning. It helps individuals find calm, balance, and connection through the natural movement of the horse that helps regulate the nervous system. The movement promotes bilateral brain stimulation, much like EMDR or other evidence-based trauma treatments, supporting the release of stress and the integration of traumatic memories. Riding in rhythm also fosters deep physical and emotional connection with the horse, encouraging trust, safety, and a sense of harmony—all of which are critical for healing and resilience.Processing & reflection: Space for participants to share insights, often tied to resilience, relationship skills, and emotional regulation.
We need your ongoing support to grow our unique programs to heal, encourage and educate participants on their journey to freedom.
Help Maui heal by making a tax-deductible charitable donation today!
We are a 501(c)3 Nonprofit recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt public charity. We need your support to allow us to provide free services to the Maui community.