In mid-2013, according to Statistics South Africa, there were 5.26 million people living with HIV. In 2009, the Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, revealed the shocking statistics that from 1997-2008, the death rate due to AIDS-related illnesses had doubled (http://www.hokisa.co.za). The negative impact of HIV and AIDS on our society reaches all communities and people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. One of the worst consequences of HIV/AIDS is that the majority of deaths occur among adults aged 25-45 years. These are the people who work to support families; hence their deaths actually alter the very structure and dynamics of our economy (http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ad696e/ad696e04.htm#fn4). As a result of deaths in this age group, there are a large number of child-headed households and orphans in South Africa. According to a UNICEF report, there are “an estimated 3.7 million orphans in South Africa, about half of whom have lost one or both parents to AIDS; and 150,000 children are believed to be living in child-headed households” (http://www.unicef.org/southafrica/protection_6633.html). “There is nothing more traumatic for a child than to see a parent die. Children without proper adult care are more likely to be abused and exploited” (http://www.unicef.org/southafrica/protection_6631.html). As a result of the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in South Africa, there are various populations in need of emotional support, from those directly affected by HIV/AIDS to others who are indirectly affected, such as family and community members. With enough support, people living with HIV/AIDS and those affected by it can learn to manage the emotional impact that this epidemic continues to have on millions of people worldwide. The Equinox programmes are an integral part of this support network.

• To provide those affected by HIV/AIDS with an opportunity to improve on their life skills and coping strategies
• To promote emotional growth and learning opportunities through interactions with horses in an emotionally safe and supportive environment
• To empower participants to become self-reliant in order to make informed decisions about their choices, evaluate their choices, and take responsibility for their choices
• To assist the participants to shift their outlook towards themselves and others

• Increase self-awareness
• Improve verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Improve problem solving and goal-setting skills
• Improve self-management skills (for example, setting boundaries, learning to say no and dealing with conflict and anger)
• Improve self-esteem by helping them to feel good about themselves, develop their self-worth and increase their level of self-confidence
• Development of personal insights

• Twelve weekly 1-hour sessions
• 6 participants

• Cost per session: R5 112 (6 beneficiaries)
• Cost per person/programme: R10 224
• Cost per programme: R61 342 (12 sessions)