.png)
The Story of Equichild
Equichild grew from a lifetime of learning, working with children, and connecting deeply with horses.
Over many years in early childhood education, I have been continually amazed by the ways children express themselves — through play, through gestures, through laughter and tears. I have seen how they communicate, regulate, and make meaning long before words can capture it. I have also witnessed the pressures placed on children today — the need to perform, to fit into systems that sometimes overlook the richness of their inner worlds.
​
Alongside this professional journey, my personal connection with horses taught me lessons that no classroom ever could. Horses showed me the power of presence, of attunement, and of truly being with another being without trying to fix or direct. They taught me about non-verbal communication, emotional regulation, and the quiet magic of being fully present.
Equichild grew from weaving these two worlds together — education, play therapy, and equine-assisted learning. It is not a set of steps or rules, but a way of being in relationship with children, one that honours their voice, their strengths, and their natural rhythms of growth.
I am deeply grateful to the children who have trusted me with their play and stories, to the families who have invited me into their worlds, to colleagues who have shared their wisdom, and to the ponies who have quietly co-facilitated every session. Their stories, insights, and trust live within this framework.
Equichild is a living, evolving practice, shaped by every interaction, every reflection, and every relationship. At its heart, it is a commitment to creating spaces where children feel safe to explore, express, and connect — supported through play, guided by relationship, and inspired by the wisdom of the natural world.
FROM PRACTICE TO PHILOSOPHY
Equichild grew from listening to children, walking alongside families, and mentoring educators — witnessing the power of play, connection, and relationships in supporting growth and wellbeing.
​
From this lived experience, The Equichild Framework was created: a holistic, strength-based approach that honours children as capable, whole beings, with connection, emotional safety, and identity at the heart of learning.
​
Programs like The Pony Pace bring the framework to life, offering experiences that adapt to each child’s strengths, voice, and needs.
A CONNECTED COMMUNITY
Equichild supports children, families, and educators through a holistic, strength-based framework.
​
Children engage in play-based, relational experiences that nurture wellbeing, confidence, and learning. Families are guided to recognise and build on their child’s strengths, while educators deepen their practice through mentoring and reflective learning.
​
The Pony Pace brings this framework to life, offering equine-assisted experiences where children explore play, connection, and movement with ponies in a safe, nurturing environment — fostering growth, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
A LIVING AND EVOLVING JOURNEY
Equichild continues to grow through relationship, reflection, and shared learning.
​
It is shaped by the voices of children, the insight of families, and the collective experience of educators and facilitators committed to working in ways that are gentle, ethical, and deeply respectful of each child.
​
At its heart, Equichild holds a simple belief:
​
Children thrive when they are met with connection, curiosity, and trust.
​
This belief guides everything we do — from every play-based session to programs like The Pony Pace, ensuring that learning, wellbeing, and growth unfold together, in ways that honour each child’s strengths and potential.