Our Programs
Healing looks different for everyone. At Hands for Healing Equine, every program shares one foundation: the quiet, nonjudgmental presence of our equine companions. Sessions are ground-based — no riding required — so the herd can show up as partners in the work, not tools for it. Whether you're processing grief, rebuilding trust, navigating recovery, or stepping into your own leadership, our herd and human facilitators meet you where you are.
Healing Herd
Equines won't let you fake it.
Healing Herd is a six-week equine-assisted learning circle for women in recovery. It's not therapy, and it's not a support group — it's six weeks of practicing the skills recovery asks of you, with partners who give immediate, honest feedback on what you bring into the arena. Ground-based. No riding. No prior experience needed.
Who this is for
Women navigating recovery from addiction who want practical skill-building alongside whatever clinical support, peer support, or program work they're already doing. Healing Herd is a complement, not a replacement. You define what recovery means for you; the equines respond to who you are in the moment.
Program format
-
Six weekly sessions
-
Small groups
-
LMHC-facilitated
-
Ground-based — no riding, no equine experience required
-
Held at our Topsfield, MA farm
The journey
-
Week 1 — Observation & Awareness
-
Week 2 — Congruence
-
Week 3 — Boundaries & Clear Communication
-
Week 4 — Problem Solving & Flexibility
-
Week 5 — Connection & Support
-
Week 6 — Reflection & Application
Mothers Mourning Brush
Grief doesn't always have words. The herd doesn't need them.
Mothers Mourning Brush is an eight-week equine-assisted learning circle for mothers navigating the loss of a child. Ground-based. No riding. Just presence, brushwork, and the slow work of being met where you are.
Who this is for
Mothers carrying the loss of a child. You don't need to explain it or be at a particular point in your grief. You need to be willing to show up.
Program format
-
Eight weekly sessions
-
Groups of 4–8
-
LMHC-facilitated and EAGALA-certified
-
Ground-based — no riding, no equine experience required
-
Held at our Topsfield, MA farm
The journey
-
Week 1 — Arrival
-
Week 2 — Naming the Loss
-
Week 3 — The Weight We Carry
-
Week 4 — The Silent Language of the Heart
-
Week 5 — Identity After Loss
-
Week 6 — Compassion for Self
-
Week 7 — Hope Without Pressure
-
Week 8 — Integration & Honoring the Journey
Veterans Program
Equines and soldiers have walked the same ground for centuries.
Our Veterans Program is an eight-week equine-assisted learning journey built for those who've served. Ground-based. No riding is required. Structured around what the herd offers — a return to body, breath, and present-moment trust, without rank, and without anyone asking you to explain yourself before you're ready.
Who this is for
Veterans of any branch, any era, any service experience. You don't need a referral or a particular reason to be here. Curiosity is enough.
Program format
-
Eight weekly sessions
-
Small groups
-
LMHC-facilitated and EAGALA-certified
-
Ground-based — no riding, no equine experience required
-
No-touch participation option always available
-
Held at our Topsfield, MA farm
The journey
-
Week 1 — Orientation & Safety
-
Week 2 — History of Equines & the Warrior Connection
-
Week 3 — Understanding Equine Communication
-
Week 4 — Ground Handling & Boundaries
-
Week 5 — Nervous System Awareness
-
Week 6 — Trust, Confidence & Relationship
-
Week 7 — Leadership, Purpose & Identity
-
Week 8 — Integration, Meaning & Closure
