ABOUT AQUILA ACRES
Philosophy
About Aquila Acres
Aquila Acres is a small, picturesque farm in Wandin North, in the Yarra Valley.
At Aquila Acres we provide a variety of programs and activities which help facilitate personal growth for people of all ages, abilities and needs.
The animals on the farm include horses, ponies, goats, chickens and small critters. Many of these animals made their way here through re-homing due to a difficult past or the previous owner's inability to continue the appropriate care. All of the animals are friendly, sociable and play a major role in most of the activities on offer.
The miniature ponies in particular offer interest, acceptance, fun and challenges for clients of all ages and sizes, as riding is only one component of the programs.
Equine Assisted Learning
At Aquila Acres clients can participate in Equine Assisted Learning [EAL], which just requires a willingness to interact with a pony. No prior experience or skills with horses are necessary.
By partnering with a mental health therapist we can also offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy [EAP].
People involved with EAL or EAP have the opportunity to develop many personal skills, including confidence, assertiveness, leadership, communication and self reflection. This occurs through the client's responses to the activities with the ponies, guided by the facilitator who may encourage, prompt ideas, ask questions and maintain a feeling of safety.
Those who include riding in their sessions have the added benefit of developing balance, improved muscle tone, coordination, increased core strength, focus and controlled breathing. All this and more, as well as the personal skills already mentioned!
Aquila Acres also offers:
Pony parties for children, held on site, with lead line riding available in the pony adventure playground. As well as riding, children can decorate a pony with bling and fancy hair styles and paint an actual pony. Parents can cater for the party using the indoor club room and cooking facilities.
Pony rides around the farm allow children to explore the area and enjoy encounters with a variety of friendly farm pets.
The Stable house B and B provides a cosy, comfortable cottage for guests to stay and absorb the relaxing country atmosphere. Guests are welcome to participate in feeding the animals, walk a pony, or help out with some farm duties. Bookings are made through Air B n B, under rustic Stable house in the Yarra Valley.
Aquila Acres is the hosting venue for wide range of activities. These include wedding photos, birthday parties, facility hire for equine and people training and use of the mini herd for visiting therapists and their clients.
Aquila Acres welcomes involvement from secondary school students needing work experience. We are lucky to have the enthusiastic, regular help from a number of young people as volunteers who help with the programs on offer, along with the never ending farm chores and needs of the animals.
Sharing the ponies and the property with a wide range of people is very rewarding.
We feel like we are living the dream, everyday.
