The Program

Scott’s program was borne of the belief that the treatment of veterans suffering anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder needs more work and new ideas.  Having heard about an ‘equine therapy’ program in the UK successfully treating traumatised veterans, Adrian reached out to Scott to design something similar in Australia. 

An ex-mounted policeman, Scott has dedicated his life to retraining and rehoming ex-racehorses, who are often discarded and face misery and death when their racing careers are over. Excited by the opportunity to combine his passion for horse welfare with helping veterans, Scott volunteers his time and self-funds the program.

Whereas traditional ‘equine therapy’ uses well-adjusted horses to help people, Scott’s program exclusively use traumatised thoroughbreds, so that the healing works both ways – both groups are taught to fight against anxiety and fear, and learn to trust and communicate with each other.

Scott is also creating more trainers capable of retraining thoroughbreds, so that a better life exists for all ex-racehorses.

In 2021, a not-for-profit, Horse Aid was formed to help continue to support these programs for veterans and first responders. 1-day programs are regularly run at Helensburgh and Sutton Forest, NSW and 4-day residential programs in country NSW run by Scott Brodie. A graduate of the program, Isaac Adams, runs his own program in Queensland called Healing with Horsemanship.

For more information on Horse Aid and its programs go to: https://horseaid.org.au