A herd of ten horses grazing on grass, standing in front of a white fenced arena.

Improving mental health through evidence-based, trauma-focused, animal-assisted and nature-guided programs

A Place of Hope, Healing, and Harmony

Hoofbeats Sanctuary, Equine Therapy Centre, Sunshine Coast


Life is rarely simple.

Sometimes it feels like there are obstacles and competing demands everywhere we look. It feels like we are just going through the motions every day โ€“ barely surviving. Stress and anxiety start taking over.

For some, those feelings are the result of big life stressors like trauma or abuse, for others itโ€™s more of a constant underlying anxiety or feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.

Regardless of the cause, those feelings are signals that itโ€™s time to make a change, time to prioritise personal growth, time to reach out to find the knowledge, tools and support you need to get back on the road to a balanced life full of hope, heart and healing. Itโ€™s time to thrive, not just survive.

The sanctuary is a safe and restorative space to undertake that journey.


What happens at the Sanctuary?

Hoofbeats Sanctuary is a trauma-healing centre that brings people, animals and nature together to improve the emotional well-being of some of the most vulnerable members of our community โ€“ women and girls living with mental health challenges resulting from complex trauma.

We ensure equitable access to programs by providing full and part-scholarships for every program.

We offer a variety of individually tailored evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches including:

  • equine therapy programs (both private sessions and groups)
  • art therapy programs
  • trauma-informed somatic movement programs
  • mindfulness and mediation programs

Our definition of women includes transgender and cisgender, including non-binary and gender non-conforming people, and all those who identify as women.

One of the horses in the Hoofbeats herd lying down flat on the ground, with a volunteer lying beside them, head on their chest

Help us empower women and girls impacted by trauma

You’ll be supporting a charity that provides a restorative sanctuary to both humans and horses.

Four of the horses in the Hoofbeats herd grazing on grass in a paddock, with a volunteer observing them

Our Herd

Most of the horses and ponies at the sanctuary have also experienced big life stressors in their lives, and they are the perfect teachers.

They don’t care about your appearance, background, vulnerability, or past experiences. They simply hold space for you, without judgement, and offer much-needed emotional security and comfort.

A Hoofbeats volunteer scratching the neck of Mack, one of the horses in the herd

Our People

Our programs are supervised and run by qualified facilitators โ€“ most of whom have also experienced, and healed from, big life experiences.

They have built an amazing culture of kindness and positivity – a space where we support each other, lift each other, trust each other, learn new skills, share our knowledge and get inspired to live a life in service to others.

A Hoofbeats volunteer walking beside Kazu, a grey Arabian horse in the herd

Volunteer with us

Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the Sanctuary, caring for our horses and managing day-to-day operations.

How can you support the Sanctuary?

Community is key to all that we are and all that we do. We are a unique non-profit organisation that operates with the support of local volunteers, sponsors and donors.

By having almost no overhead expenses, close to 100% of donations support sanctuary services, programs and activities that assist our amazing clients and rescue horses.

Three Hoofbeats volunteers proudly posing behind a stack of horse feed buckets, with each bucket having the name of a horse painted on it

Volunteer

How do you make your valuable time even more valuable? By volunteering with us to help transform lives.

Rocket, a small buckskin-coloured Shetland pony in the herd, laughs next to a blue gym ball

Sponsor a Horse

The gift that gives twice! A beautiful gift pack for a loved one and much needed funds to support the sanctuary.

Two Hoofbeats volunteers sitting next to Indy, one of the horses in the herd, who is laid down on the ground

donate

Your support will help humans and horses that are recovering from big life stressors – and it’s tax deductible too.

A glass slide is put under a microscope

Order FEC Tests

Every horse should have a FEC test performed prior to deworming to give an indication of the worm burden. Tests start at just $25.

A wraught-iron sign that reads Welcome, hanging downwards off a wall

Shop Online

More gifts that give twice! Lots of horse-themed gifts for a loved one and much needed funds to support the sanctuary.

A horse's muzzle nudging both the ground and a plastic container, overlaid with the Containers for Change logo

Donate Containers

Just pop your eligible containers in our collection bin on the nature strip – those 10c donations really do add up.


Our major grant providers, partners, and sponsors


Our in-kind partners


Registered charity

The ACNC registered charity tick

Kanyini Connections Ltd is a mental health charity fully endorsed as a Public Benevolent Institution, Deductible Gift Recipient and Tax Concession Charity. Registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), we undergo an independent financial audit each year. All donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.

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Acknowledgement of Country

Hoofbeats Sanctuary pays our deepest respect to the Gubbi Gubbi people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and culture. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.