Meet Founder & Principal
Hi I’m Felicity!
The kid who loved horses and never grew out of it. I learnt from a young age the positive influence being in the presence of horses can have on us. When at 8 years old, my parents separated, just spending time with my pony offered a solace that couldn’t be matched. Whether it was grooming him, feeding him or just sitting on the fence of his paddock, when I was with him I felt a sense of joy and peace that was unlike anything else life could offer.
I went on to compete successfully and receive selection on the Young Rider State Dressage Squad, sadly though it wasn’t long before the immense pressure I put on myself robbed me of my happiness. I experienced severe burnout and depression, and walked away from what had given me so much pleasure for so long.
Thankfully I hadn’t walked away for good! Once you have experienced connection and meaning from being with horses I don’t think it ever leaves you. After so many years I knew it needed to be different without the pressure of competitions or an agenda, simply forming a connection and building trust, which in itself is an incredibly rewarding and often undervalued journey.
So funnily enough not much has changed, I’m still the horsey girl, only now a little older (and wiser) and mum of three incredible small humans.
Drawing upon my university education in psychology, the years of hands-on experience in diverse mental health settings, and enriched by my personal journey with neurodivergence, in 2017 I founded Therapeutic Equine Experience.
This platform enables me to combine my knowledge with the therapeutic benefits that horses offer to benefit others in meaningful ways. In my role as the principal of the EAWI (Equine Assisted Wellbeing Institute), I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to educate and support others on their path to becoming endorsed Equine Assisted Wellbeing practitioners, empowering them to also combine their love for horses with a deeply meaningful purpose.
