Indie being a comforter after a join up session this morning. Personally, I feel that there is nothing quite like a horsy hug. Being so up close and connected to a 500+kg animal has always had a profound affect on me. They are great listeners and seem to sense when we just need reassurance and acceptance.
Rachel – Client
Participants learn practical horsemanship skills that help them communicate with, understand, and safely work alongside our horses and ponies. As they groom, lead, and connect with the horses, they develop self‑awareness, resilience, and emotional regulation. Horses respond honestly and calmly to human behaviour, giving participants immediate feedback that helps them understand their own emotions and reactions.
Our NDIS participation sessions offer a supportive, hands‑on environment where individuals can learn, grow, and build confidence through meaningful interaction with our horses and ponies. Sessions are available as a one‑hour individual session or a two‑hour session for two participants, either held weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
What Participants Gain
Our NDIS sessions support a wide range of developmental, emotional, and social goals, including:
- Social skills — building cooperation, turn‑taking, shared experiences, and positive peer interactions.
- Communication & relationship skills — learning to express needs clearly, read non‑verbal cues, and build trust.
- Horsemanship skills — grooming, leading, Join Ups, and understanding horse behaviour.
- Horse wisdom — learning presence, boundaries, calmness, and emotional awareness through the horse’s natural responses.
- Resilience & self‑esteem — developing confidence through mastering new skills and overcoming challenges.
- Emotional regulation skills — learning to recognise emotions, stay calm, manage anxiety and frustration, and adjust behaviour in response to the horse’s feedback.
Our participants have enjoyed a full term of Equine Therapy with all their learning culminating in an assessment task which included questions about safety, grooming, and a practical obstacle course. They couldn’t have been prouder to accept their certificates. The bonds they have formed with Gus and Indie during the ‘joining up’ through to the ‘follow up’ process in the short time they have been attending this program with Deb, has developed their self-confidence and has been incredible to see.
HEIDI FABER – GROW2BE // NDIS Service Provider
Cost and FAQ
Do I need to have experience with horses?
Not at all! Your interaction with our horses is guided and supervised at all times. There is no horse riding in the sessions but lots of interaction including observing how horses interact, understanding their psychology and body language, grooming, working and connecting with them in the arena in joining up to them and leading exercises.
What can I expect to happen at an equine therapy session?
Once you arrive at Jabulani Farm, Deb will meet and guide you to our purpose built counselling space in the stable complex. There, your therapeutic goals will be determined collaboratively with Deb. Then it is onto meeting our horses, and interacting with them through the session, to work towards achieving your goals. To end the session there will be a debrief with Deb in the stable counselling space for you to reflect on your session. Please watch our video to gain more understanding of what to expect in a session.
Is Jabulani Sanctuary registered with the NDIS?
At this stage Deb is not a registered Provider but continues to work with Self Managed & Plan managed participants. Read our testimonials from Self and Plan managed participants.
How much does a session cost?
Equine assisted Therapy:
- Individual session non NDIS (1 hour) – $200.00 (inc GST)
- Individual session NDIS (1 hour) – billed as per the “NDIS pricing arrangements and price limits” for registered counsellors
Wisdom of the Horse course:
- 4 x 1 hour sessions – POA
Jabulani Getaway Retreat:
- Stay in our self contained Tiny House with 2 hourly sessions per overnight stay – POA
Standard counselling:
- 1 hour session (in rooms) – $132
What do I need to do to book a session?
No referral is needed, give Debbie a call 0438424889 or email: debbie@jabulani.com.au and she will book you in.