Welcome to Hidden Valley Horses, where we provide a unique blend of nature-based and equine-assisted therapeutic services designed to support your journey toward self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. Our approach combines evidence-based counselling techniques with the wisdom of our equine companions, offering a holistic path to well-being.
While meeting each client’s unique needs, we may integrate counseling approaches such as:
Additionally, Karmin is committed to ongoing education, with special interests in Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Therapy (IFOT), EMDR, Somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).
Our Equine Guided counselling sessions, set in nature, are designed to facilitate your personal journey towards empowerment and healing. These sessions offer a unique and transformative experience that goes beyond traditional office counselling. They provide a dynamic platform for enhancing communication skills, problem-solving, resolving personal concerns, and navigating conflict resolution. By interacting with our equine partners, you will engage in a therapeutic process that is powerful, deeply personal, and reflective of your own unique experiences, life, and needs. Experience the difference as you embark on this journey of self-discovery and growth with us in Wellness Counselling and Learning Together!
A transformative journey of healing and self-discovery at Hidden Valley Horses. Led by Karmin Manning, our equine assisted therapy sessions redefine healing as a holistic embrace of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. We believe healing is not about fixing, but about returning to ourselves and accepting every part of our being with love.
Through interactions with our horses, renowned for their non-judgmental nature, clients experience a profound mirror of their inner selves. This unique therapeutic approach helps remove ego barriers, guiding individuals to rediscover their natural state of balance and peace—the essence of “rest and digest” in equine terms.
Did you know that hearts emit an electromagnetic field measurable by science, affecting how humans feel and connect? Horses, with hearts ten times larger in magnetic field than humans, amplify this connection, teaching us about herd resonance. Just as horses communicate feelings within their herd, humans also sense each other’s emotions instinctively.
Equine therapy can help individuals develop better emotional regulation, increase self-awareness, improve social skills, and build trust and confidence. The non-judgmental and accepting nature of horses can provide a unique and powerful therapeutic experience
At Hidden Valley Horses, we integrate evidence-based techniques with these profound insights, facilitating personal growth and wellbeing. Join us to reconnect with yourself and harness the healing power of horses in a supportive, natural environment.
Here are some quick links to learn more about equine assisted therapy and its benefits.
Equine Assisted Therapy: A Unique and Effective Intervention | Psychology Today
Equine-Assisted Therapy: Mental Health Term Definition | BetterHelp
Our 1:1 Youth Equine Assisted Learning & Counselling Sessions offer a unique and transformative experience for young individuals. Through guided interactions with horses, youth develop essential life skills, build emotional resilience, and work through personal challenges. Whether they are dealing with developmental differences, trauma, or low self-esteem, the presence of these gentle horses, along with the guidance of our counsellor, creates a safe and supportive environment that fosters growth and healing in a nature-based setting.
Join us for a 30-minute Meet & Greet Equine-Guided Discovery Session to explore the transformative world of horse-guided therapy and learning. This introductory session offers a chance to experience the unique benefits of equine-assisted counselling and see if this approach resonates with you. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our gentle horses, immerse yourself in our serene environment, and discuss your goals and concerns with our counselor. This session ensures a good fit for both you and the therapeutic process, offering a valuable glimpse into the potential for personal growth and wellness through equine-guided therapy.
Our Youth Programs blend horsemanship with equine-guided learning to foster communication skills, emotional agility, and self-awareness. Our monthly youth programs run year-round, with each program spanning 4 weeks. Scheduling can be found here. These programs provide a supportive environment for young individuals to build confidence and explore personal growth through interactions with horses. Ideal for youth interested in a unique learning experience that combines hands-on activities with valuable life skills development.
Our Kids Camps offer a dynamic blend of activities designed to inspire and educate young minds. Running throughout summer, winter, and spring breaks, these camps provide a fun and educational experience that fosters growth, teamwork, and creativity. Check the booking link and our socials for upcoming dates. HVH combines land-based learning, horsemanship, obstacle courses for both horse and human, team-building exercises, and creative arts—all conducted in nature, with the enriching presence of horses (and other animals too!).
*Limited spaces available.
Our Family Connection Sessions are horse and facilitator-guided experiences aimed at sharing the space of connection, enhancing relationships and fostering communication within families. Held at HVH, these sessions offer a unique opportunity for families to interact in a meaningful way with our horses and other animals. Parents, caregivers, and children will discover new strategies to connect with each other, and strengthening bonds through engaging activities and fun games. These nature-based sessions encourage exploration and play, guided by our horses and knowledgable facilitator.
Sessions are booked weekly, biweekly, or monthly based on individual needs and financial capacity, and are decided collaboratively during the initial appointment. Sessions are available in 1-hour and 1.5-hour options. The number of sessions a client attends varies depending on their needs. As always, we collaborate on the timing and frequency of sessions to best meet each client’s requirements.
Equine-guided counselling sessions typically include filling out initial intake forms, discussing the therapeutic process, setting goals, and addressing concerns. You’ll also meet the horses and begin collaborating on your therapeutic journey. Based on your needs and abilities, activities may include grooming, walking with horses, mindfulness practices, groundwork and obstacles with horses. Sessions may be held seated with horses either inside or outside the designated space. Each session may vary; for example, we might stand and use movement with the horses for therapeutic engagement, or we might sit and conduct the session within or outside the horse pen.
All sessions at HVH require intake forms and liability waivers, which can be completed through our online booking system, JaneApp. Simply click the “BOOK NOW” button at the top of the page to be directed to our booking site, where you can fill out the necessary forms. Whether you’re booking for youth programs, counselling, or meet-and-greet sessions, our intake process ensures you receive personalized care and attention right from the start. If online intake forms are not within your capacity, we can fill them out in person during our first session together
Insurance coverage varies by provider. We recommend checking with your insurance company to see if they cover equine-assisted therapy from an RPC. At Hidden Valley Horses, we are happy to assist you in determining whether your insurance covers our services. Karmin Manning holds an RPCC (Registered Professional Counselling-Candidate) designation. We can provide letters of financial support/reimbursement for individuals seeking funding support through alternative sources, as well as hold booking spots for sliding scale payments.
Yes, equine therapy can help with mental health issues! Horses are highly intuitive and sensitive to human emotions, which can help individuals understand their own feelings and behaviours. The therapeutic process with horses can help individuals address and work through their emotional and psychological challenges in a supportive and non-threatening environment. Common mental health issues that equine-guided counselling can help with include depression, chronic stress, emotional dysregulation, crisis, anxiety, and addictions.
In equine therapy sessions, clients can expect to spend time with horses engaging in activities such as sitting with horses, observing horses/self/nature, grooming, leading, obstacles, and mindfulness. Sessions build progressively from one to the next, with interactions tailored to the client’s comfort and safety. For some clients we may sit in observation at a distance from the horses, for others we may actively interact with the horses. We meet each person where they are at. These interactions are guided by a trained therapist who helps clients process/understand/gain insight into their experiences, cognitions, and behaviours that arise during the activities. Horses provide immediate feedback to the client’s actions creating opportunities for learning and growth.
Yes, family members may observe from the waiting area, which provides shade and seating for observers. Please note that there is no exploration of the farm allowed. No children may be left unattended, and no dogs are permitted on the farm. We invite individuals and families to discuss their unique needs. We also offer family sessions!
No prior horse experience is necessary to participate in equine therapy. The sessions are designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with horses. Safety and comfort are top priorities, and Karmin will guide you through every step.
Equine Therapy at Hidden Valley Horses supports individuals seeking mental, emotional, and relational well-being. We assist with challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, relationship issues, crisis support, parenting, postpartum depression, stress management, self-esteem, resilience building, divorce/separation, grief, addiction, trauma, workplace stress, and more. Sessions are personalized for adults, the elderly, families, Indigenous communities, LGBTQ2+ individuals, youth, and children in care or foster care settings.
No riding is involved in Hidden Valley Horses’ Equine-Guided Counselling sessions. At HVH, we focus exclusively on ground-based interactions with the horses, such as grooming and leading. The specific activities are tailored to the client’s comfort and therapeutic goals.
Our Equine-Guided and Nature-Based Counsellor, Karmin Manning, has a unique blend of education and qualifications. She is a graduate of Kelowna College for Professional Counselling (KCPC), holding a Diploma in Applied Psychology and Professional Counselling. Karmin is also designated as an RPCC (Registered Professional Counsellor-Candidate) by the Canadian Professional Counselling Association (CPCA). Additionally, she holds a certificate in Aboriginal Community Support Work (ACSW) from Okanagan College.
Karmin has completed the Horse Medicine Leadership Academy Certificate in Equine-Guided Leadership Coaching and Experiential Learning, a year-long course in equine-based experiential learning. She also holds certificates in Mindful Communication, Mindful Emotions, and Mindful Educator from Mindfulness Schools, focusing on non-violent communication.
Her training includes certification in the Victims Assistance Program, Parent training in Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), and courses in Positive Parenting and Peaceful Parenting. Karmin has extensive experience with horses in disciplines such as Dressage, Eventing, Cowboy Dressage, Natural Horsemanship, Circus/Trick Training, and Positive Reinforcement Training. She brings many years of lived experience to her practice!
We recommend 8+ for participation in equine therapy and non-counselling horse programs. However, family sessions are open to all ages, and exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis.
Closed-toed shoes must be worn when interacting with the horses. If open-toed shoes are worn, we can still hold equine-guided sessions, but they will take place outside the horse’s area, beyond the fences. Since our sessions are held in nature, we kindly request that you consider your personal comfort when attending. We also offer an indoor office as an alternative to outdoor sessions, as well as online appointments.
Getting started is easy! Simply click the “BOOK NOW” button at the top of the page to access our booking site, JaneApp. There, you can complete your intake forms, liability waivers, and consent forms. Alternatively, you can contact us by phone or email to schedule an initial consultation. During this session, you’ll have the chance to meet the horses, tour our facility, and discuss your goals and expectations with our therapist.
We look forward to supporting you every step of the way.
