Happy again thanks to trusty steed

Fauna had "a touch of post-baby blues", so she thought as she waited for baby-bliss to kick in.

But much as she loved her family, deep in post-natal depression Fauna forgot how to recognise the joy of life. Past traumatic stress and anxiety became knitted into the mix.

Fauna understood what was happening but it took a slightly grumpy, handsome and rock-solid friend called King Arthur to woo her back to happiness and personal strength.

He is one of the intuitive and personable stars of Healing for Horses which helps people with varying degrees of mental illness regain confidence and coping skills. "... I went from a post-natally depressed new mum who couldn't even cope with simple housework to being a working woman, and a healthy, happy mother. It helped me rediscover my can-do attitude," she said.

Early in what is now over a year with H4H, Fauna had to come to terms with unresolved issues about horses. "I lost a horse traumatically when I was 17. The first time I came here I had a massive panic attack. The girl who at 17 was cantering across paddocks and jumping creeks, where had she gone?

"I learned quickly the healing has to come from within and you've got to treat yourself kindly. With Arthur I need to be really clear in communicating what I want, so it's helped me identify what it is I do want. Being around Arthur helps me be realistic about expectations. You can't run before you walk. The feeling I have when I canter around the ring with him, it's freedom but it's happening because I'm asking him to. We're working together but I'm in control. It's such an interactive way of counselling yourself."

Another H4H client, Kylie, who works with pretty appaloosa Star, sought out H4H when she got "over the talking and counselling" about her depression and anxiety.

"With the horse you don't need to do the talking," Kylie said. "You just turn up and she'll mirror what you're presenting. When I first came she was showing me what my anxiety levels were and my body language. She gave me the tools to step back into the world. It's about the need for clear communication and the safety that provides for you. When you're asking an animal to do something you have to give concise instructions, have clear thinking and focus ... There's a relationship to be had based on trust and respect. Star has given me that, and taught me I must also trust and respect myself."