In this episode of Equine Assisted World, Rupert Isaacson speaks with Suzie Latchford, founder of Heal With Horses in Ontario, Canada — a long‑running equine‑assisted program working with autistic children, families, and communities in a demanding four‑season climate.
Suzie shares how Heal With Horses grew organically over more than fifteen years, often without a clear roadmap, and what that growth revealed about sustainability, invisible structure, horse welfare, staff leadership, and practitioner wellbeing. What begins as a conversation about weather and logistics becomes a deeply honest exploration of burnout, menopause, identity, delegation, and the hidden costs of purpose‑driven work.
Rather than presenting easy answers, this episode offers lived experience from someone who has stayed in the work long enough to feel its strain — and to find ways through it. From following the child and respecting nature‑led limits, to building mobile animal programs and planning for succession, Suzie reflects on what it really takes to keep equine‑assisted work ethical, human, and sustainable over decades.
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🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- How following the child builds communication and trust before any therapeutic goals are imposed
- Why nature‑based limits — weather, seasons, and animals — can support regulation better than rigid schedules
- What invisible structure looks like in real equine‑assisted programs, and why it matters
- How long‑term practitioners experience burnout, including emotional, physical, and hormonal factors
- Why delegation, staff leadership, and succession planning are essential for program survival
- How mobile animal programs extend equine‑assisted work into seniors’ homes, schools, and community spaces
- What sustainable horse welfare looks like in cold climates through herd living and 24/7 turnout
🎤 Memorable Moments from the Episode
[00:01:40] Suzie reflects on the unplanned beginnings of Heal With Horses and how Horse Boy Method shaped her early direction
[00:06:53] Navigating winter cancellations, financial strain, and client expectations in extreme Canadian weather
[00:16:26] A clear, lived example of “following the child” through imagination, animals, and choice
[00:32:37] Suzie speaks candidly about burnout, depression, and losing joy in work she once loved
[00:40:00] An open discussion about menopause, identity loss, and rebuilding self‑trust
[00:50:00] How stepping back allowed younger staff to step up — and why delegation matters
[01:25:24] The mobile animal program: bringing pigs, goats, and bunnies into nursing homes and universities
[01:41:00] Redefining success beyond money, productivity, and traditional metrics
📚 Contact, Projects, and Resources Mentioned
Heal With Horses (Canada) https://healwithhorses.ca
Horse Boy Method, Movement Method & Takhin Equine Integration https://ntls.co
Long Ride Home / Rupert Isaacson https://rupertisaacson.com
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