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0421849439
AILISH HILL
ACA registered Level 1 Counsellor, NCAS Level 1 Dressage Coach, Disability Support Worker, Equine Psychotherapist, working towards Advanced study majors in Expressive Therapies, Child Development and Effective Parenting & Mindfulness Therapy
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Ailish is a certified Counsellor and has had over a years experience as a Equine Psychotherapist, dedicated to helping individuals navigate emotional and social challenges, including stress, anxiety, and trauma. With 21 years of experience as a dressage coach and trainer, she possesses a deep understanding of horse behaviour and training. Ailish believes that being present self-aware is essential for personal growth, positively impacting all relationships—both human and equine. Through her unique approach, she empowers clients to become the best versions of themselves.
After working with horses for decades Ailish realised felt she could do more, as a coach she had riders who were struggling in life, with self confidence and anxiety, it was then that Ailish decided to start a counselling diploma and get into disability support work. She knew this was the right move as both her professional and personal development blossomed. Once qualified as a counsellor Ailish made a huge move to Queensland and while working as a therapist for Viva Equine she discovered her Neurodivergence. Ailish sought out for a formal diagnosis to better learn about herself. This gives Ailish real lived experience of the trauma and struggles that neurodivergent people face. Ailish discovered she was autistic and ADHD. With this new knowledge of herself this gave her some relief also opening up a lot of questions. with this knowledge Ailish is both personally and professionally committed to ongoing professional development and strives to support like minded others.
If you have any questions about my methods, or would like to schedule a session, please get in touch today.
FEYMUS
Equine Therapist
Feymus started his life in the Macedon Ranges in Victoria. Performance bred for dressage or eventing, he is a warmblood by the coloured Kenlock Superman, out of a Wunder Gold mare. Feymus stands at 16.3 hands and is 16yo. As a 3yo he was broken in and started training at Hill Cottage Dressage with the help of a Grand Prix Danish dressage instructor. Ailish started her dressage/coaching and training education for almost 10yrs at Hill Cottage. Ailish handled Feymus and had the odd few rides on him as a green youngster. His owner at the time started Feymus’ competition career up until he was 8yrs old. Ailish then purchased Feymus and competed up to medium level dressage, competing in the state and national titles in the first year of owning him. Unfortunately, his career as a dressage horse had to end early due to injury. Ailish was running her own business, Ailish Hill Dressage and decided his talent and temperament was too good to be wasted in the paddock, so managed him carefully to be used as low-level schoolmaster to teach riders balance and some cool tricks of piaffe, passage and flying changes. Teaching each rider the feel and giving nervous riders self-confidence. Unfortunately, his body couldn’t handle this lighter workload for long, even though he never would put a foot wrong and always wanted to please and look after his riders, Ailish decided to retire him as a riding horse. Feymus is a social butterfly and loves to be around people and horses, he’s like an oversized Labrador and really wants to connect with everyone he meets, almost getting jealous if he is left out. He took the long journey from Vic to Qld a year ago and has blossomed as a therapy horse, putting the same effort and gentle kindness into his new role as a therapy horse as he did with dressage. Secretly, I think he may like his retired therapy life a tad better!
RIVER
Equine Therapist
River was purchased May 2024. She was rescued by her previous owner from a 500acre property in rural Qld. River is the perfect children's horse and has been ridden by smaller kids on lead and showed she has the potential to make a great childs riding pony and therapy animal. Ailish spent some time getting to know river and training her for both therapy and dressage. River has the sweetest nature, very willing and kind and a quick learner. She does however, very quickly tell you when she doesn’t like something, making it very easy for clients to be aware to listen to her needs and respect her. Also she's very playful and inquisitive and so far seems to be enjoying her new life and even allows the other four legged therapist, Bluey to lead her around, may not love it but goes with the flow. River has plenty more years of training and play so time will tell what else she will bring to therapy sessions with clients.
BLUEY
Trainee Canine Therapist
Bluey thinks he’s a horse, a very keen showjumper with endless energy to burn. However, Bluey is Ailish’s family pet. Bluey is in training to be a therapy animal so will most likely be around to increase his exposure to life at Stable Life Therapy. Bluey thinks he is number one, never wants to leave anyone out, wants to connect with anyone and everything. He is currently almost 2yrs old so in dog years, he is going through teenager years. He can be very independent and resourceful, will even jump over six foot fences to get what he needs. Bluey, however loves people and dogs, he is that dog at the dog park, that if no dog wants to play then he will go say hi to all the owners and get love from them. He seeks love and connection. He is still learning to become an adult and understand what is right from wrong. He will very quickly show people when they need to set more appropriate boundaries as he will walk all over you, especially if you don’t say hello.
"If we are in tune with our horses, if we are knowledgeable about horses, we will be more likely to create interventions that are in the best interest of both the horse and the participant" Lief Hallberg, The way of the Horse.