Our Story

the equinox trust

About The Equinox Trust

the equinox trust

The founders of The Equinox Trust have witnessed how the powerful interactions between horses and humans have encouraged journeys of positive change within individuals and this has been the fundamental motivation for the founding of The Equinox Trust.

Equinox was founded out of a realisation that those most in need of emotional support often lack the financial resources to access this type of therapeutic service.

Their aim was thus to be able to reach the wider communities within the Cape Town area and offer support to as many people as possible.

Since the founding of our organisation we have further developed what we offer and provide our unique services to the general public.

Vision and Mission

the equinox trust

VISION

We envision a world where individuals are emotionally empowered, self-aware, caring and connected to others, and are responsible in their decision making, reaching their fullest potential, thriving in a peaceful world.

MISSION

The Equinox Trust’s mission is to foster the social and emotional development and enhance the overall well-being of members of society through enriching, equine assisted experiential programmes. In the partnership with horses, participants will engage in experiential ground-based activities that do not involve horse riding. These activities enable them to become self-aware by learning to recognise and identify their needs and be empowered to make positive choices to support and achieve their goals and manage their challenges.

Our Team

the equinox trust

Our Team Members

the equinox trust

Fiona Bromfield

the equinox trust

Soul Connections

Specialist Wellness Facilitator; Equine Assisted Facilitator

While we are more connected than ever these days, it is a very superficial connection. Depression and anxiety rates are soaring and people have never felt so alone. Soul Connections aims to help you reconnect - to yourself, to others and to the natural world.

Soul Connections was founded in 2024 by Fiona Beckingham (nee Bromfield), a Specialist Wellness Counsellor with almost 20 years’ experience in the field of Equine Assisted Therapy & Learning and 11 years running a non-profit organisation, with a focus on women’s trauma.

Soul Connections offers regular collaborations with other professionals, including energy healers, life coaches and nature-based facilitators. Fiona also offers one-on-one sessions - get in touch to find out more!

fionabromfield@gmail.com; 083 278 7382

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulconnections2024

Instagram: @soulconnections2024

Sarah Garland

the equinox trust

Hummingbird Visions

elevate your life, embrace your potential

Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning, Personal Dynamics Coaching

Sarah has been inspired by the hummingbird—a creature that symbolizes resilience, adaptability, and joy. The hummingbird moves gracefully through challenges, hovering in the present moment while maintaining the strength to migrate vast distances. It reminds us of the balance between stillness and motion, mindfulness and momentum. Sarah is focused on understanding your unique experiences and guiding you on a compassionate and empowering path. Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of a specific traumatic event or struggling with ongoing stress and anxiety, Sarah is here to support you. Sarah is offering Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning services and various workshops at EQuivalence.

www.equivalence.co.za 072 126 1096 sarah@equivalence.co.za

Sarah believes that every individual has the potential to create meaningful change in their lives. She offers a coaching philosophy that is rooted in the principles of self- awareness, resilience, and empowerment. By fostering a supportive and non-judgmental environment, Sarah encourages her clients to explore their strengths, confront their challenges, and develop actionable strategies for success. Sarah is offering individual coaching, group sessions, workshops, and online sessions with the wonderful opportunity to bring in horses and experiential processes with horses into the sessions

www.equivalence.co.za 072 126 1096 ; sarah047@gmail.com

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Anneke Gouws

Trustee and Board Member

the equinox trust

Anneke has been acting as an Equine Assisted Learning facilitator full time since October 2013. She was first involved with Equitots until she started her own Non-Profit Company, EQuivalence, in October 2016. She is certified with EAGALA and continuously works on areas of personal development and coaching, depending on the mental health professional she is collaborating with at the time.

She has learnt a lot about reading people and tapping into what they need. She has always been in a leadership/mentoring position from school and has had overseas opportunities developing those qualities. Her passion is to help children, as well as their families. She has a strong pull towards assisting children in foundation phase development and starting to incorporate horses to assist in the education process.”

Our Board Members

the equinox trust

Carol-Ann Brand

Board Member

the equinox trust

I am a fundraising professional working in the NGO environment for more than 14 years, as this is where my passion lies. I am a wife and mother and grandmother to 3 awesome grandchildren.

I consider it an honour to serve as a member of the Board of the Equinox Trust, because I can give, to those in need.

I hope to use my own experience as a fundraiser, and my passion for the Equinox Trust to assist where I can, and to be a part of the upward trajectory of this notable organisation.

Moriedah Dien

Board Member

the equinox trust

My name is Moriedah Dien and I am the Executive Director of Dews of Quietness, as well as a Board member of The Equinox Trust.

I have served at Steenberg SAPS in the capacity as a volunteer since 2003 and reservist for 12 years. I’ve always been available and for the last 4 years I've assisted in the VEP space, handling cases of domestic and gender-based violence as well as do referrals to relevant role-players and networking partners to assist the clients that came to the Police Station.

Dews of Quietness was founded and established by Moeriedah Dien in 2012 and is an organisation that provides a safe, supportive, and nurturing place for women, children and victims of domestic violence and abuse.

DoQ provides support and relief to women and children by providing victims with safe and secure shelter. There is a strong focus on equipping women with the tools and skills needed for them to develop and rebuild their human dignity and self-esteem so that they may improve their quality of life and make healthier life choices and decisions.

What people have to say

the equinox trust

“As a sixteen year old girl, coming from a house that doesn’t feel like home, I’ve never felt as content anywhere else but here. These past few weeks I’ve grown comfortable to the familiar feeling of safety and security. Now I have to slowly say goodbye, something I’ve resented my whole life. I always hated the thoughts of goodbyes yet somehow this one isn’t as sad, it’s a beautiful farewell that I’ll always treasure.”

Dews of Quietness teenage girl

“I, Franceline, started horse therapy 8 weeks ago and I did not know what to expect at first and I was nervous. My first two pictures I saw were, three horses standing on a hill and one wandered away and that was when I realized how far away I was from the people who loved me. Touching the horse for the first time in my life was a miracle and the fear I had in me was gone and I felt relieved and relaxed. I learned how to cope with a lot of things that happened around me. I became a better person and started interacting more with other people around me and it is good to speak up. One day I came across this horse and I called her Tracey. It is amazing how the horses can feel your pain. Attending this program made me a better person in many ways. I can cope with much more since I have been part of this program and I also realized over this past 8 weeks that there are certain things we know but could never see in reality and I got the opportunity to experience it now and I am more relieved and relaxed and coping with a lot. For me it was an amazing experience throughout this journey. I was more excited to see what is happening in the following weeks and could not wait for the next sessions. I am in a better space in my life now and know how to deal with a Iot more that I didn't know how to deal with in the past. The time I spent with Tracey was exciting, priceless and the team atmosphere was great. We could feel one another's pain and we could motivate each other. Thanks to the Nickalle, Fiona and the team who worked together in this program.
I salute you
GOD BLESS.”

Dews of Quietness woman

“Dear Fiona and Sarah,

As I started the program with you late in 2020, I was probably the biggest sceptic that you had ever had. My initial intention was to do the program to familiarise myself with the type of therapy. I wanted to familiarise myself with “horse therapy” to at least have an idea of what the therapy was about. I didn’t believe that there was much benefit to be had from this form of therapy and had serious doubts of its efficacy at the time.

As mentioned, I didn’t have high hopes and went through the motions just for the experience and enlightenment. What ensued was quite remarkable. As the program progressed, I found myself opening up more to this form of therapy and its efficacy. The inner peace that the horses and your guidance provided me with at a time in my life that was highly stressful, was nothing short of amazing. With your process, I became grounded, centred and balanced. This enabled me to return home feeling calm, energised and able to focus on the work that I was completing at the time.

I can with the greatest of certainty say that your program worked wonders for me and I will recommend it to anyone who can benefit from it. The program aided me in confronting many thoughts and emotions that were not always possible to verbalise and to make sense of. Because I had the time and space provided by you to work through them in the presence of the horses, it assisted me to become calm and positive about my end goal because I could see a way forward again.
Thank you so very much for providing the platform, your guidance and for your patience.”

Hope House carers programme

“It’s always interesting to see the various ladies’ reactions to being identified as candidates to benefit from the Equinox Trust. From anticipation and trepidation to confusion, fear and excitement. Yet by the time they attend the growth at first is quiet and subdued but then thereafter it erupts into a tangible enthusiasm by standing and waiting for the transport to arrive to get to the farm. The trip and journey that the programme takes them through from self-discovery and reassurance to letting go and facing forward is one that aids in firmly rooting a strong sense of self-awareness better propels further empowerment. It is a programme that we endorse and share widely about our partnership.”

Social Worker, Sisters Incorporated – 16 April 2021

“I will have a better relationship with my children now: I want to be there for them.”

Women Trauma Survivor testimonials

"I never knew how horses could have such a good effect on me. They helped me overcome my fear of going home."

Women Trauma Survivor testimonials

“I am so thankful for your wonderful programme and still shocked to see how the girls have grown and got out of their comfort zones. Thank you so much for all your hard work and patience with BRAVE.”
“The fact that the girls had no confidence when they came and didn’t know what to expect or what is expected from them, but the end result individually is mind blowing, the fact that they can speak so boldly with the group and encourage others to speak as well as the courage to say what they want in their last session and taking ownership of it. Teamwork and togetherness, creating a sisterhood and showing support.”

Brave/Rock Girl teen programme

“I found this type of therapy to be so gentle but super enlightening and powerful. I am in awe of the way the animals reflect the emotions toiling inside. A safe space to explore one’s life… I cannot recommend the Equinox Trust’s therapy modality enough!”

Private client May 2021

“I am grateful for the partnership that we, Sisters Incorporated, has with the Equinox Trust. Our ladies really look forward to the sessions! It has tremendous impact on their path of healing!”

Sisters Incorporated Manager

“Animals can offer an extraordinary amount of emotional support, and this is exactly what The Equinox Trust does. Fiona and Sarah, along with the horses, have left a lasting impression on those that have benefitted from this amazing experience. Thank you for all the work that you have done and that you are still doing – Dews of Quietness looks forward to walking many new journeys with you. We appreciate and salute you! Horses really are the best therapy!”

Dews of Quietness Founder

“We, the Nussbaum Foundation of which I am a Trustee, have been supporting Equinox for several years now. We have been super impressed by all their programmes and what they have achieved on so many levels. So much so that we have added them to our “annual donation list” as we truly believe in what they do. I have no hesitation in recommending that anyone support this worthy organization.

MOSA LE ROUX
Trustee of The Nussbaum Foundation
28 July 2020”

Donor testimonial