Stable Minds Solutions
Building Confidence, One Stride at a Time
Equine Assisted Learning in Leopold, Victoria
Building Confidence, One Stride At A Time
At Stable Minds Solutions, we offer individual equine‑assisted learning sessions designed to foster personal growth, emotional resilience, and confidence. Each session is tailored to meet your unique needs, providing a safe and supportive environment for:
Building emotional resilience
Strengthening self-awareness
Improving emotional regulation
What is
Equine Assisted Learning?
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) allows you to develop new emotional patterns and boundaries in a non-threatening or judgmental environment. Participants learn ways to self-regulate their emotions in a safe environment. Safety is high in our EAL program both for the client and the horse. You will learn how to safely approach a horse and learn about body language both from the horse and in ourselves.
EAL harnesses the unique bond between humans and horses to facilitate emotional growth and healing.
EAL offers a promising alternative to traditional therapy methods, especially for those who may find conventional office settings intimidating or ineffective.
Activities might include observing horses, grooming and leading them in a safe environment which helps the client develop a deeper sense of self awareness and emotional regulation. These interactions with horses can significantly boost mindfulness, ease anxiety and alleviate emotional distress.
No horse experience necessary. No riding involved. All interactions with horses are conducted in a safe and fun environment.
Meet the horses
At Stable Minds Solutions, our horses play a crucial role in our equine-assisted learning sessions. Each horse brings a unique presence that supports individuals in building trust, emotional resilience, and self-awareness. Through their interactions, participants gain valuable insights and experiences that contribute to their personal growth.
DUSTY DEE DEE (“Krusty”)
Krusty was originally bought as a broodmare for breeding. After producing 1 foal she was left in the paddock as a lady of leisure. Later in life she started her working career and attending a couple of shows but preferred paddock life and we had 2 young children at the time, showing took a side step.
Krusty started to give riding lessons later in her life (18) and was great at building confidence in beginner riders. She did have the odd time where I had to hop on as she was not making life easy for her inexperienced rider.
She is a real “people horse” and loves to engage with people and loves a cuddle.
At 27 years old she is allowed to take things slowly and enjoy the journey and bring enjoyment and peace to clients’ lives. She really is one of a kind.
FLASH KID (“Gordon”)
Gordon raced until he was 8 years old and that is when his life began at our property. The owner no longer wanted him so I jumped at the chance to buy him. When he arrived I knew he was a special horse.
Gordon has had some trauma in his life and is the perfect example of what you can do with patience and time. He is a big red giant, but even though he is tall his droopy lip will have you smiling and if you ask nicely he will give you a smile. I have learnt so much from Gordon in patience and teaching him to slow down and that he is no longer a race horse.
Now at 20 years old he has finally got the message and loves nothing more than to chill and be pampered.
MATTHEW
Matthew is the newest member of the team. We bought him to gain my confidence after I broke my ribs. Matthew originally had a lot of anxiety and fear and upset tummies from anxiety, and was always on edge. He always had to get to the highest part of the paddock to see what was happening before he could relax.
It took us a couple of years to develop a connection and for Matthew to know that he can truly trust me. He no longer has as many anxiety issues or upset tummies, and that has come from spending time with him and not expecting him to do anything.
Matthew is still in training as a therapy horse so is not used as much as Krusty and Gordon, but is coming along in a slower way that doesn’t stress him too much, similar to some people who need time adjusting to new things. He will be used when clients need to take another step in their journey with life skills or their anxiety. As he still has some anxiety, it is good to be able to relate to him in a way that people do. And yes horses do get anxious as well as people.
Meet Lynell
My name is Lynell Dungen and together with my husband Robert we have been involved in the horse industry for over 40 years. We have been involved with Adult Riding Club, Dressage, Eventing, Campdrafting, Western and breeding Paint Horses and Quarter Horses.
I run Equine Assisted Learning sessions because I love to see people achieve their goals in life with the use of our horses. Our program is not a 6 week program, it takes as long as it takes and we go at the clients pace. Even if you are frightened of horses I can help you overcome that fear with honest, genuine support and we go at your pace.
I try and match the horse to the clients needs. I teach about being safe around horses and also not expecting too much from themselves or the horse. You don’t need to have any horse experience.
Building Connections with Our Horses
Our horses are integral to the learning process, helping participants develop emotional resilience and self-awareness. Through meaningful interactions, participants can:
Build trust
Develop emotional regulation
Improve self-awareness
Foster a sense of calm and clarity
We invite you to meet these remarkable horses and experience firsthand how they help guide you on your journey of personal growth.
Martine’s Story
I started working with Lynell in June 2022, mainly as a way to reconnect with something I’d always loved – being around horses. I had a horse in my teens and early twenties, and just being near them has always made me feel calm and grounded.
At first, I thought it would just be brushing and spending time with the horses, but it’s turned out to be so much more. Lynell has helped me understand how horses communicate – through their body language, breathing, and expressions – and how much our own energy affects how they respond to us. As you work with the horse, Lynell helps you understand their behaviour and gently encourages you to notice and reflect – “What do you think the horse is telling us?”
One of the things I really appreciate is how carefully Lynell pairs you with the right horse. She knows her horses so well and takes the time to get to know you too, which makes each session feel really personal and special.
I honestly look forward to every session. I always leave feeling lighter, happier, and more in tune with myself. It’s made a huge difference to my mental health and overall wellbeing.
~ Martine
Arran’s Story
My wife has been working with Lynell since June 2022. When she first told me she was going to be spending time with horses again, I was really happy for her. I remembered how much she had loved her horse, Katie, when we first met, and I knew how special that bond had been for her.
At the time, I didn’t think much more about it. But over time, I began to notice a real change in her. As the day of her horse sessions approached, her mood would noticeably lift. It became a clear priority for her — a true highlight of her week. She often said it gave her ‘something to look forward to.’ When she came home afterwards, she was lighter, brighter, and noticeably more settled within herself. That positive shift would often last for several days.
For someone like my wife who is living with Complex PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, and OCD, finding something that consistently brings that kind of emotional relief is incredibly rare. Watching how much working with Lynell and her horses has helped her — how it’s challenged her, pushed her outside her comfort zone, and given her the space to grow in confidence — has been remarkable and as her family, it’s been amazing for us to see.
It’s more than just spending time with horses. It’s been a vital part of her healing, her stability, and her happiness.
Benefits can include:
Feeling calmer and less overwhelmed
Growing confidence in yourself
Building better relationships
Learning how to set healthy boundaries
Boosting focus and attention span
Finding new ways to solve problems
Developing emotional awareness and resilience
Experiencing real moments of calm, presence, and mindfulness
Who should participate?
Kids and teens
Adults
NDIS participants
Neurodivergent individuals
People looking for growth
Leaders and managers
Personal development
Booking Enquiries
Interested in a session? Contact me for more details or fill in the form and I’ll be in touch!