Using mindfulness principles and unmounted equine-assisted activities, participants focus on breathing, awareness, and developing a deeper connection with the horse, nature, and themselves. Hidden Acres therapy horses are mindfulness masters. They live only in the present moment without regret about yesterday or worry about tomorrow. They graciously teach us to do the same.
Horses naturally seek connections with those around them. They are non-judgmental and accept us for who we are, regardless of our physical or mental condition. We just need to show up and be authentic. The horse will do the rest.
Programs are customized to meet the specific needs of each group or individual.
This program centers you. It brings you to calmness, and to work with the horses - it’s just such a unique opportunity. I highly, highly recommend it to anyone who needs change in their life and to experience something really phenomenal. - Debbie, Cancer Wellness Program Participant
This program is designed to help survivors struggling to rebuild their physical and inner strength and healthy relationships. Cancer takes a tremendous toll on the body, mind, and spirit. Hidden Acres therapy horses will help the group find balance by mirroring our feelings and providing a grounded experience as they teach us to stay in the moment.
Members of the LGBTQ community often face challenges discovering their authentic selves and finding the support to validate and express who they really are. Hidden Acres offers an equine facilitated program for people seeking to embrace the process of coming out to themselves and others with pride, joy and health. Using mindfulness principles and equine-assisted activities, participants will focus on practicing healthy relationships, heightening honest communication, and developing deeper, more authentic connections with those around them.
“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is connection.” – Johann Hari
Hidden Acres offers an equine facilitated program for people in recovery from substance abuse and addiction who are seeking to increase their level of connection with others and themselves. Using mindfulness principles and equine-assisted activities, participants will focus on practicing healthy relationships, heightening awareness, and developing deeper, more authentic connections with those around them.
Hidden Acres Wellness Program provides an environment for older adults to enhance sensory stimulation through interaction with Hidden Acres therapy horses, nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. Participants are encouraged to share and make new memories during structured equine-assisted activities. They experience all of the beauty nature has to offer – the smells of the farm, the breeze and sun on their face, the songs of the birds or the trees creaking in the wind, and the warmth of the horses. Social connections, laughter, learning new things, and expressive art engage participants in improved mental and physical agility, alertness, and mood.
This program is for veterans struggling to rejoin everyday life. Horses graciously help those that have protected our Country by reducing symptoms of PTSD, social isolation, and emotional dysregulation. Hidden Acres therapy horses seek connection and demonstrate vulnerability in a safe, non-verbal environment with other veterans needing similar support.
Horses are dynamic, graceful and gentle creatures that provide us with the opportunity to learn valuable information about ourselves. This program takes attendees on a “journey” with horses through a series of unmounted (not riding) activities designed to build greater self-awareness, improve relationships and apply the special lessons learned from horses to daily life.
Health is not just about living disease free. Horses live in the moment and reach to connect with people without judgement of health or physical status. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to engage in meditative, healing interactions with Hidden Acres therapy horses. Using mindfulness principles and guided by a licensed mental health provider, activities will focus on breathing, awareness, mindful grooming, and developing a connection to both nature and the relationships around us.
Hidden Acres provides a memory and sensory enrichment program for seniors in the Naugatuck area. Seniors will be guided in activities created to embrace sensory stimulation and integration including grooming horses, working in the sensory garden, and experiences in nature. Special attention is paid to creating and encouraging memories and providing opportunities to share memories through storytelling and expressive arts.
Working with horses provides a unique opportunity for individuals who face a wide spectrum of social and emotional challenges, including survivors of sexual assaults and those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Being in the presence of a horse encourages people to focus on mindfulness, self-awareness, compassion for self, empathy, and trust building.
Workshop participants will have the opportunity to engage in powerful, healing interactions with Hidden Acres Therapy horses in a trauma informed setting. Using mindfulness principles and guided by a licensed mental health provider, activities will focus on personal safety, boundaries, honest communication and the building blocks of trusting relationships.