ChilMan Equine and Counselling

12/06/2026

Proud to be a Professional Member of Animal Therapies Ltd and a facilitator of the Horse Whispering Youth Program.

I’ll be delivering this program again in Term 3 and am currently accepting referrals.

If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact Jan at the Horse Whispering Youth Program, or follow the details in the post below.

The horsewhisperingyouthprogramqld is celebrating 15 years of Leading with Courage.

The Horse Whispering Youth Program is pleased to announce that Term 3 referrals are now open.

One Extraordinary Program. Two Age Groups.

Built on the internationally recognised Circle of Courage® framework, Horse Whispering Youth Program helps young people develop confidence, resilience, emotional regulation, responsibility and a stronger sense of self through meaningful interactions with horses.

Talk to a Horse, and Reset Your Course is a unique 8-week Experiential Equine Learning (EAL) program is delivered by skilled facilitators across South East Queensland.

Groups are limited to just 6 participants, allowing for meaningful peer connection and individual attention.

Who Can Attend?
• Juniors aged 8–12
• Young People aged 12–18

Participants are carefully matched into age-appropriate groups.

Locations
Gold Coast | Logan | Moreton Bay | Sunshine Coast | Ipswich

Program Dates
Week commencing 20 July 2026 through to 18 September 2026

Need more information? Visit them on the ATL National directory here:

https://animaltherapies.org.au/providers/?type=providers&sort=alphabetical

08/06/2026

Yes. Definitely.

The most common mistake in rider development is not moving too slowly. It is moving forward before the current level is genuinely ready to support the next one. It usually happens with the best intentions - an enthusiastic student, a willing horse, an instructor who wants to keep the energy high or a pushy parent. A canter that was introduced before the trot was balanced is a canter built on an unstable base. A jump that came before the flatwork was solid is a jump that is going to reveal that gap every single time something goes slightly wrong. Foundations matter more than most students and some instructors give them credit for. Here is why...

1. Rushing creates problems that take longer to fix than building it right would have taken.

A rider who skips the foundational work does not just plateau earlier, they also develop habits and compensations that become increasingly difficult to unravel the longer they are reinforced. The chair seat that developed because the rider started cantering before their balance was ready. The death grip on the reins that formed because the rider was jumping before they had an independent seat. The horse that became dull, tight, or resistant because it was asked to carry an unbalanced rider through movements it was not yet ready for either. These are not minor inconveniences. They are structural problems built into the riding that require going back to properly address. Remember that it is easier to build a new habit than it is to fix an old one!

2. The horse pays the price when foundations are skipped.

A rider who is not ready for a skill does not just struggle with it themselves but they also communicate that struggle directly to the horse through unclear aids, unbalanced weight, and inconsistent contact. A horse carrying a rider who is not yet ready for the canter does not understand why the balance and communication that worked at the trot has suddenly changed. Over time a horse that is consistently asked to work with a rider above their foundation level becomes confused tense and eventually resistant. Not because the horse has a problem but because nobody set either of them up to succeed.

3. Going back to fix the foundation is not a step backward.

This is the one most students and parents struggle with most. Once a rider has experienced the canter or the jump or the lateral movement going back to walk and trot basics feels like regression. It is not - it is the most direct route forward available. A rider who genuinely masters the fundamentals at each level has something to fall back on when the next level gets hard, a foundation of competence and confidence that holds up under pressure rather than crumbling the moment something goes wrong. Every skill in riding is built on top of something else. Balance before rhythm. Rhythm before contact. Contact before collection. Each layer depends completely on the layer beneath it being solid. Rush the lower layers and every layer above them is unstable. Build them properly and each new skill has something real to stand on.

4. As instructors our job is to create the steps, not just the destination.

The students who get to the exciting milestones and actually stay there are the ones whose instructors built enough small achievable steps between where they started and where they were going that there were no gaps when they arrived. Not just getting them to the canter but also building the balance, the independent seat, the correct leg position, and the feel for the horse's rhythm that makes the canter safe and successful when it comes. Every step forward should feel like a natural extension of the step before it and not a giant leap into something the body and the horse are not yet prepared for.

Good riders are not made by how quickly they reach the milestones, they are made by how solidly they built everything that got them there. Take the time to build the foundation and the milestones will come.

How do you handle the conversation with a student or parent who wants to move faster than the foundation supports?

04/06/2026

The arena has had a much-needed refresh ✨

With all the constant rain lately, the sand levels have taken a hit — something everyone can see.

What isn’t always seen is the time, effort, and cost that goes into maintaining it.

This week we’ve had the arena re-levelled and topped up with fresh sand, bringing it back to a consistent and safe surface for both horses and riders 🙌

A lot happens behind the scenes to keep everything running safely and smoothly 💛

04/06/2026

Highly recommend Catherine from Jiva Rise. She creates such a safe, welcoming space and brings a calm, nurturing energy to everything she does. I absolutely love what she offers.

She runs women’s retreats in the beautiful Mary Valley - perfect for anyone wanting to slow down, reconnect, and recharge.

🌿June Events at Jiva Rise

🌀BOLD One Day Women's Retreat
20 June, 9 - 3pm, $225
Theme: Boundaries
On the Day: Mindfulness, Nature immersion, Experiential activities (hands on, felt, experienced), journaling, and equine facilitated activities.
Personal, small group - time to simply be, discussion with depth, connection with other.
For more information see the booking link or DM me so we can chat & see if this retreat is a good fit for you.
https://bit.ly/BOLD_Retreat_June_2026

🐴 Held by the Herd: Mindfulness & Meditation
21 June, 3.30pm - 5pm, $30
Join us - surrounded by nature, bird song, rolling hills and the gentle supportive presence of the horses for a mindfulness and meditation session. Taking time for yourself, getting away from the busyness of life to sit, be, and breath.
See the link for additional information, or DM me and I can answer any queries.
https://bit.ly/Held_By_Herd_June_2026

Upcoming:
🌻Balance Weekend Women's Retreat
25-25 July 2026, $495 (payment plan available)
A powerful weekend combining Awakening and BOLD Retreats as well as an added session on values. Awakening – at the heart of it, it’s less about striving and more about remembering, It’s the gentle unveiling of what has always been present, once the layers of conditioning are seen and released. Add to this the exploration of boundaries and your values. This is hands-on, experiential, doing with time for reflection, discussion and connection.

Interested in knowing more - DM me or email: [email protected] and I can provide more information.

03/06/2026

Equine assisted therapy australia is transforming mental health support. Discover its history, benefits, and how it is shaping the future of therapy today. (154 characters)

03/06/2026

Recently completed further professional development in Trauma-Informed Practice 🧠✨

I’m always committed to growing and refining my skills so I can better support my clients.

As an ACA Registered Counsellor, my Equine Assisted Therapy/Counselling sessions offer a calm, supportive space to:
🐴 build self-awareness
🐴 regulate emotions
🐴 develop confidence & self-trust
🐴 feel safe, seen, and supported

Horses help us slow down, connect, and work through challenges without pressure.

If you’re looking for a gentle, grounded approach to counselling, feel free to reach out 💬

03/06/2026

Pip and Lisa having a discussion today.

02/06/2026

Charlotte loves this big Do**us.

02/06/2026

Term 3 Referrals Now Open

As we move into the cooler months, Term 3 referrals are now open.

As facilitators with the Horse Whispering Youth Program (HWYP), we run sessions on Mondays and Tuesdays, with daytime availability as well as an after-school session on Tuesdays.

All initial enquiries and referrals are managed through HWYP, so please contact Jan - [email protected], who will be happy to assist with further information and the referral process.

You can also learn more about the program here:
www.hwyp.com.au⁠.

We’re really looking forward to the cooler weather that Term 2 and Term 3 bring, and to continuing this work supporting young people alongside the horses. 🐴