Equine Assisted Learning in the Yarra Valley
Located in the beautiful Yarra Valley, our Equine Assisted Learning practice offers a place to pause, reflect, connect and learn.
A calm space to slow down
Set on a working vineyard, this is a space where people spend time with horses and nature in a calm and supportive environment.
Sessions invite curiosity and exploration. Alongside a small herd of horses, participants can explore themes such as emotional regulation, awareness, boundaries and relationships.
Whether you are seeking personal growth, a sense of calm, or a deeper connection with yourself and others, you are welcome here.
A different way of learning
Equine Assisted Learning is a hands-on, experiential approach that takes place outdoors alongside horses.
Learning through experience
Rather than talking about challenges in a room, participants engage in activities with horses that naturally bring awareness to patterns, behaviours and relationships.
Honest, non-judgemental feedback
Horses are highly perceptive animals. They respond honestly and without judgement, offering immediate feedback through their behaviour and presence.
Natural insight and reflection
This creates opportunities for reflection, insight and learning in ways that often feel natural, grounded and meaningful.
About Claire
Claire Piltz is a certified Equine Assisted Learning Practitioner who completed her training with the Equine and Animal Assisted Psychotherapy Institute.
She brings together professional training with a lifelong connection to horses and years of experience living and working alongside them.
Claire deeply admires the sensitivity and awareness of horses, and their ability to reflect what is happening in a moment. She believes this natural feedback creates powerful opportunities for learning and personal growth.
As a mother of three teenagers, Claire understands the complexities of childhood, family life and navigating different stages of life. This lived experience informs her compassionate and practical approach when working with children, young people and adults.
Her work is grounded in curiosity, safety and respect. She aims to create a calm environment where people can slow down, explore their experiences and discover new insights.
Meet the horses
Claire is supported by a small herd of wonderful horses who are an important part of each session.
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Kristoff
A very gentle, kind and calm Fjord horse that loves to spend time with humans.
Genna
A strong, brave and steady Fjord mare, and a natural leader within the herd.
Polly
Our oldest and wisest herd member, currently in her late 20's.
Xander
A sensitive soul that forms close bonds with his horse and human family.
Little Dude
Small in stature but big in personality. He is a very funny and cheeky little pony.
➤ Participants often discover that the horses bring their own wisdom and perspective to the experience.
➤ Each horse has its own personality and way of interacting with people and their environment.
A unique part of the herd
Two of the horses, Genna and Kristoff, are Fjord horses — A rare and special breed not commonly found in equine assisted learning programs in Australia.
Fjords are known for their calm, steady nature and their strong connection with people, making them particularly suited to this kind of work.
They bring a quiet presence to each session, helping create a space where clients can feel safe, supported, and at ease.
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Equine Assisted Learning Sessions
Yarra Valley Equine Connections offers individual sessions and a structured program designed to support personal growth, along with social and emotional skills.
Individual Sessions
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Individual sessions are tailored to your personal goals, interests or areas of curiosity.
Sessions may explore themes such as:
• Confidence
• Emotional regulation
• Communication
• Boundaries
• Self-awareness
Horse Wisdom Program®
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The Horse Wisdom Program® is a series of six sessions designed to support the development of social and emotional skills.
Across the program, participants explore themes such as:
• Emotional regulation
• Self-awareness
• Healthy boundaries
• Relationships and communication
• Thoughts and internal dialogue
• Understanding and expressing feelings
Who this work is for
Equine Assisted Learning sessions are suitable for a wide range of people and life stages.
This may include:
Children aged 8 years and over
Teenagers
Adults
Sessions may be particularly helpful for people who:
✓ Prefer active, hands-on learning experiences
✓ Are interested in building confidence or emotional awareness
✓ Would like to develop communication, leadership or teamwork skills
✓ Respond well to visual, physical or relational learning styles
✓ Enjoy being outdoors and spending time in nature
✓ Feel comfortable around animals or are curious about working with horses
How a session works
Equine Assisted Learning sessions are typically 45 minutes and take place outdoors with the horses.
During a session, participants will spend time with the horses in in varying ways including:
Meeting horses at liberty in the paddock
Grooming and caring for the horses
Leading a horse on a walk or simple trail
Guiding a horse through an obstacle course or activity
➤ Activities are tailored to each participant’s goals or areas of interest. The focus is not on riding or horsemanship, but on learning through interaction and observation.
➤ Throughout the session, Claire works alongside both the participant and the horses to support a safe, thoughtful and reflective experience.
Enquire about a session
If you would like to learn more about Equine Assisted Learning or enquire about booking a session, you are warmly invited to get in touch.
Submit your details through the enquiry form and Claire will respond as soon as possible.