# What to Expect in a 1:1 Somatic Session With Horses > Arrival, meeting the free-roaming herd, the 60-minute session with Soo, pacing, what to wear and aftercare — so you can arrive at Eureka Pines feeling ready. URL: https://equineassistedtherapy.net.au/guide/what-to-expect-1-1-somatic-session/ Last-Modified: 2026-07-17 Guide # What to Expect in a 1:1 Somatic Session With Horses Arrival, meeting the free-roaming herd, the 60-minute session with Soo, pacing, what to wear and aftercare — so you can arrive at Eureka Pines feeling ready. Published 17 July 2026 ![Woman resting a hand on a brown and white horse in an open paddock, calm and unposed, morning light](/images/misc/woman-resting-a-hand-on-a-brown-and-white-horse-in.webp) ## Why we wrote this We know how common burnout has become for local business owners and busy homeowners. This constant pressure leaves many people feeling entirely disconnected from their own physical presence. Our team wrote this guide so your hesitation drops before you even arrive at the farm. A 1:1 Somatic Energy Healing session with the herd [/somatic-energy-healing/ →](/somatic-energy-healing/) is 60 minutes, $395, and completely ground-based. We shape the experience entirely around what your body is ready for on the day. Finding out exactly what happens in an equine therapy session can feel a bit mysterious from the outside, so let us walk through the science of co-regulation and the exact flow of a visit. ![Close, quiet moment, a person breathing slowly while a horse stands nearby in a misty paddock](/images/misc/close-quiet-moment-a-person-breathing-slowly-while.webp) ## Arrival and settling Your session begins the moment you turn off the main road and leave the busy world behind. We allow plenty of time for you to decompress and let your nervous system catch up. You will drive down a long track through the gum trees to park at Eureka Pines in the Southern Highlands. Moss Vale is just a 90-minute drive from Sydney and about two hours from Canberra. Our practitioner, Soo, will meet you right at the fence or on the deck. There is no reception desk and no clipboard waiting for you. We take a few minutes together just to arrive. This transition period is vital because the physiological shift of stopping your car after a long drive takes real time. You might use this initial time to: - Take a slow walk down to the paddock. - Look out over the land and take a deep breath. - Simply notice that you have finally stopped moving. Nothing has begun yet, but everything is already softer than the road. ## Meeting the free-roaming herd Meeting the herd involves stepping into the paddock and letting the horses decide how to interact. We let the horses set the terms of contact because that honesty makes this work reach places a standard treatment room cannot. The herd of fifteen lives completely at liberty on the property. When you walk up to the paddock, they might already be standing nearby. They may drift over to inspect you. Other times, they might stay well back for a while and quietly graze. Whatever they do is perfectly fine. Our approach relies on the measurable science of co-regulation and heart-rate synchronization. The HeartMath Institute has conducted extensive research showing that a horse’s electromagnetic heart field is up to five times larger than a human’s field. This massive energy field can directly influence your own heart rhythm. ### The Science of Connection When you stand near a calm horse, your body naturally begins to match their baseline. This physiological response creates a profound sense of safety. Here is how a horse’s presence physically impacts your body during a somatic session with horses: - **Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Coherence:** Your heart rhythms synchronize with the horse, promoting a deep state of calm. - **Lowered Blood Pressure:** The physical proximity helps reduce the cardiovascular markers of daily stress. - **Decreased Cortisol:** Interacting with the herd lowers the stress hormones that keep busy professionals stuck in a “fight or flight” loop. - **Increased Beta-Endorphins:** Your brain releases these natural neurotransmitters to help suppress emotional pain and physical tension. ## The sixty minutes of body-led work The main portion of your visit is a full hour dedicated to whatever your nervous system is asking for in that exact moment. We focus entirely on physical presence rather than traditional talk therapy. Once you are in the paddock, Soo will gently invite you to notice how you are standing, breathing, and holding yourself. This practice connects back to Polyvagal Theory, pioneered by Dr. Stephen Porges, which explains how our autonomic nervous system constantly scans the environment for safety. We create a secure space where your body can finally stop searching for threats. ### What to Expect in the Paddock Some sessions look like a lot of stillness. You might find yourself standing at the fence, sitting on the grass, or walking slowly beside Soo without much talking. Other times, a horse might drop their heavy head near your shoulder and stay there for ten minutes. We often see tears arrive without a specific story or memory attached to them. There is absolutely no correct experience. Soo listens closely for the physical shift, honouring whatever your body needs next. This shift might be a soft moment when the shoulders drop, the breath deepens, or a tight jaw finally releases. Our role is simply to facilitate that space and let the horse’s natural regulation guide your healing. ## What to wear If you are wondering what to wear equine session visits require practical, layered clothing that can handle unpredictable weather. We highly recommend closed-toe boots and warm jackets, even during the warmer months. The Southern Highlands is cool-climate country. According to Bureau of Meteorology climate data, winter mornings often wake to thick frost, and local temperatures can easily drop below freezing. Summer mornings remain incredibly crisp and cool. We suggest wearing items that are entirely functional for farm terrain. Here is a quick checklist to help you prepare for the paddock: - **Warm, peelable layers:** A fleece jumper under a windproof jacket works perfectly. - **Closed-toe boots:** Sturdy shoes like Blundstones or R.M. Williams are ideal, as the paddocks are uneven and often damp. - **Durable trousers:** Wear something you do not mind getting a bit of grass, dirt, or horse hair on. - **Sun protection:** Bring a hat and sunglasses for the bright afternoon glare. Please leave the perfume and strong artificial fragrances at home if you can. Horses have highly delicate noses, and strong scents can disrupt their ability to settle. ## Aftercare and how people feel afterwards Most guests feel a deep sense of quiet and fatigue immediately following their time with the herd. We strongly advise leaving the rest of your day completely open to allow your nervous system to process the changes. Some visitors cry gently in the paddock or in the car park before they leave. Other people experience the best, deepest sleep they have had in months that very same night. We sometimes hear from guests who felt little at the time, only to notice a massive shift in their stress levels over the next 48 hours. ### Integrating the Experience If you can, do not schedule any demanding meetings or business calls straight after your booking. You need a buffer before driving straight back into a busy afternoon. We recommend stopping in nearby Moss Vale for a gentle transition. A slow lunch at The Post Office Cafe, a quiet coffee at Flour Bar, or a walk along the town’s tree-lined streets provides a much softer landing than rushing home. ## What next Taking the next step is as simple as reaching out for a brief chat to see if this approach aligns with your needs. We are always happy to answer questions before you commit to a booking. If you would like to book, or you would like to have a short conversation before deciding, get in touch with Soo [/contact/ →](/contact/) . Our team understands that trying something new takes careful consideration. If you are still weighing it up, our guide on whether a session with the herd is right for you [/guide/is-a-session-with-the-herd-right-for-me/ →](/guide/is-a-session-with-the-herd-right-for-me/) may help you decide. Good to know ## Frequently asked questions How long is a session and what does it cost? Sixty minutes, $395, one-to-one with Soo and the herd on 106 private acres. What should I wear? Warm layers for cool-climate country and closed-toe boots. The paddocks are uneven and often damp underfoot. Will the horses definitely come to me? Maybe, maybe not — they are free to choose, and simply being near the herd is part of the work. Related guides ## More from this cluster ### Is a Session With the Herd Right for Me? Who our ground-based sessions with horses suit — and who they don't. For carers and women carrying grief, burnout or a life transition near Moss Vale NSW. Read guide → [Is a Session With the Herd Right for Me? →](/guide/is-a-session-with-the-herd-right-for-me/) ### What Equine Assisted Therapy With Us Actually Is (and Isn't) A plain-language look at our non-clinical, at-liberty equine assisted work near Moss Vale NSW — and how it differs from clinical equine therapy models. Read guide → [What Equine Assisted Therapy With Us Actually Is (and Isn't) →](/guide/what-equine-assisted-therapy-with-us-is/) ### When Talk Therapy Hasn't Reached the Body Why burnout and body-held stress can resist talk, and how ground-based work with horses reaches the nervous system — in plain language, near Moss Vale NSW. Read guide → [When Talk Therapy Hasn't Reached the Body →](/guide/when-talk-therapy-hasnt-reached-the-body/) Begin gently ## Learn more about guides No pressure and no fixing. If any of this is speaking to you, reach out and Soo will talk you through what feels right. Explore Guides [/guide/ →](/guide/) Talk to Soo [/contact/ →](/contact/)