Working with horses to turn adversity into purpose with Sue Spence • Animals and Us E08

Sue grew up in New Zealand loving horses, always asking for a white pony and feeling happiest when spending time riding and caring for her first ponies and her horse, Lady.As a child with autism and ADHD, Sue felt awkward around humans but found peace and confidence with horses, using time in nature to manage  her feelings and emotions.Bullied at school and struggling with human interactions, Sue discovered that horses accept her, noticing how their calm and fair behaviour helps her feel understood and secure.Diagnosed with breast cancer at age forty, Sue moved to an acreage and surrounded herself with horses. She finds comfort from her pony Mindy, who has supported her through surgeries and recovery.After moving to Queensland and spending more time with horses, Sue attended horsemanship clinics, learning calm body language and breathing, which helps her overcome long-standing anxiety.Then she developed Horses Helping Humans, teaching young people and adults how to use horsemanship skills to build confidence, manage behaviour, and communicate better, especially for those with trauma or neurodiversity.As the program grew Sue received awards and recognition, and she became an author, creating a certified program that supports thousands through practical lessons in confidence, boundaries, emotional health, and horse care.https://www.horseshelpinghumansaustralia.com/*****We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Animals & Us (Kintsugi Heroes). Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contactWe hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!Warmly, The Kintsugi Heroes teamYouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || WebsiteTheme Song: "Follow the Sun" by Xavier Rudd