Hey fellow horse lovers, lovely to meet you! 🐴❤️
I’m Abby Shpilman, from Melbourne Australia
If you’re anything like me, your horses are your heartbeats. Mine, Banjo and Genie, are my daily dose of joy and grounding. But our journey together hasn’t always been smooth.
You see, Banjo arrived to me as a quite a shut down horse, and as I worked to help him overcome his trauma, something shifted in me.
I started experiencing crippling anxiety, even panic attacks, something completely foreign to my years of riding and competing in Dressage and show jumping.
I felt lost and alone, wondering why I suddenly felt this way around the animals I loved most.
This unexpected turn led me on a deep dive into exploring and understanding trauma, nervous system regulation, mental health, and the deeper emotional patterns we carry — often without even realising it.
As a trauma therapist, horsemanship coach, and Equine Assisted Learning coach, I realised I could combine my passions to help other female riders facing similar challenges.
I understand how fear, anxiety, and self-doubt can steal the joy from riding your horse.
I know how it feels to want to connect with your horse, but have those inner voices hold you back.
Having been there myself, I want to reassure you: you’re not alone.
My journey with Banjo taught me the power of slowing down, paying attention to every detail, and being truly present.
Working with horses naturally instills this mindfulness, this “being in the moment” without expectations, staying under threshold, and practicing kindness and understanding.
By using a powerful trauma therapy approach called Embodied Processing (EP), I help female equestrians overcome fear and anxiety by combining the deep wisdom I’ve learned from horses with professional, evidence-based nervous system healing techniques.
This isn’t just talk therapy — it’s body-based, trauma-informed support that meets you where you are.
Tapping into what our bodies are telling us, to welcome and process those overwhelming emotions and beliefs is so powerful!
It’s about shifting from anxiety and fear to empowered confidence, both in the saddle and in life.
My goal is simple: to help you enjoy your horses and your life to the fullest.
To ride without stress, anxiety, or fear.
To be present in every moment, appreciating every experience, and truly savouring your time with your beloved horses.
Beyond my work with horses, you’ll find me dancing, cooking, or exploring nature with my dog.
I believe in living a rich, full life, and I want to help you do the same.