About Saddle & Soul Equine Centre
Horses are at the heart of everything we do at Saddle & Soul Equine Centre. Our goal is to create a space where horses thrive—physically, emotionally, and mentally. In creating an environment where their needs are valued and understood, we build a foundation of trust and connection that allows both horses and people to experience health, happiness and harmony alongside one another.
Our centre is a place where people come to learn, grow, and connect with horses in a meaningful, supportive way. Whether it’s through education, hands-on horse experiences, holistic care, or equine-assisted support, our approach is grounded in respect, kindness, and heart-centred horsemanship.
Our Values
Horse Wellbeing First
This is our highest priority. We believe in ethical, holistic, and natural approaches to horse care, training, and management.
Partnership & Understanding
We build relationships between horses and humans based on clear communication, trust, and mutual respect. Through patience and a willingness to listen, we create true partnerships where both horse and human feel safe, valued, and understood.
Education & Empowerment
We are passionate about teaching and sharing knowledge, from horse care basics to advanced horsemanship and equine-assisted support.
Connection & Healing
Horses thriving in a state of happiness, health, and harmony have the ability to heal, inspire, and transform lives. We create experiences that allow people to build confidence, find peace, and develop deep connections with these incredible animals.
A Supportive Community
We welcome riders, horse owners, and anyone who loves horses, fostering a space where people can learn, grow, and support one another.
Our Vision
We strive to create a centre where:
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Horses are cared for in a way that naturally supports their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
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People can learn from horses in an environment based on kindness, respect, and understanding.
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Connection and healing happen naturally as both horses and humans find balance, confidence, and trust.
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Education empowers horse owners and riders, equipping them with the knowledge they need to truly care for and understand their equine partner.
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Both people and horses experience peace, joy and happiness at our centre..
Our Mission
At Saddle & Soul Equine Centre, our mission is to:
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Provide a safe, nurturing home (or holiday) for horses, ensuring their physical, emotional, and mental well-being comes first.
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Educate and empower horse owners, helping them develop skills in horse care, handling, and ethical horsemanship.
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Offer transformative equine experiences that allow people to connect with horses for personal growth, confidence, and healing.
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Foster a supportive, heart-centred community where like-minded horse lovers can learn, share, and grow together.
Meet the Team
The passionate and dedicated people involved with Saddle & Soul Equine Centre are what helps make it such a special place. Our team is made up of compassionate equine professionals, educators, and horse lovers who are dedicated to creating an environment where both horses and humans can thrive.
Alana Robins
Founder & Director, Saddle & Soul Equine Centre
Alana Robins is the driving force behind Saddle & Soul Equine Centre as well as sister company The Equine Apothecary. With a lifelong love for animals and an innate ability to understand and support horses, Alana has created a centre that reflects her deep respect for equine wellbeing and her belief in the transformative power of the horse-human bond.
Her journey with horses began in childhood on her family’s 3,500-acre farm in Western Australia’s wheatbelt, where she spent her days riding across vast landscapes, mustering sheep, and caring for rescued animals. Growing up, being with horses and animals was her safe and happy place. This early connection with horses and animals shaped her philosophy of holistic horse care, which remains at the heart of Saddle & Soul Equine Centre today.
Beyond her work with horses, Alana has an extensive background in natural health, having studied and practiced a range of healing modalities for humans. Her knowledge of nervous system regulation, trauma-informed care, and holistic wellness influences the way horses and people are nurtured at the centre.
Alana’s leadership extends beyond the paddock. Her business career spans industries within Australia and internationally, she has coached individuals in C-Suite positions in heart-centric business practises and she has held volunteer positions on the Board of Directors for two Australian Steiner schools, reflecting her passion for children's education and wellbeing, community, and holistic learning. Alana is also the former President of a local Pony Club, where she helped shape positive and enriching experiences for young riders.
Alana has created more than just a horse facility at Saddle & Soul Equine Centre —it is a heart-centred community where horses and people are seen, heard, and supported to thrive physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Under her guidance, the centre offers a vast range of services that allow people to reconnect with themselves through the wisdom of horses.
Surrounded by a beloved herd including Valentina, Havana, Toffee, Ellie, Monte, Sterling and new miniature pony additions - Gracie, Peaches and Willow, Alana continues to advocate for holistic equine wellbeing, ethical horsemanship, and the incredible potential for healing and transformation when humans and horses come together with respect and understanding.
Cindy Atkinson
Trainer, Dedicated Horse Carer & Centre Helper Extraordinaire
Cindy’s lifelong passion for horses shines through in everything she does. Cindy was the Equine Manager at the Tweed Valley Equine Centre, before it became Saddle & Soul Equine Centre, and continues in her support role. With years of experience in horse care, riding, and training, Cindy holds a Diploma in Riding Instruction and a Certificate III in Performance Horse. Her dedication to the wellbeing of horses extends beyond just physical care - she believes in the importance of understanding each individual horse to foster their mental and emotional health.
Cindy is also an experienced horse trainer, specialising in John Chatterton’s method of horsemanship. Her journey into this style of horsemanship began in 2014 when she sought a solution for her daughter’s pony who was struggling with scrambling. Cindy found the results of the techniques implemented were nothing short of transformative. This experience led her to pursue John’s approach to horsemanship, which emphasises building a bond with the horse, becoming its comfort zone, rather than relying on traditional dominant methods.
Cindy uses John Chatterton’s Ten Steps to start, retrain, and help horses of all ages and backgrounds. Her gentle yet effective training method has helped countless horses overcome behavioural challenges and find their own confidence and peace.
Cindy fulfils multiple roles at Saddle & Soul Equine Centre and is an important member of our team.
If you’d like to book a session with Cindy or find more about the training techniques she uses, please contact us here.
Hayley (Hiddy) Fletcher
Equestrian Australia (EA) Accredited Coach
Hayley (Hiddy) Fletcher is an Equestrian Australia (EA) Accredited Coach with over 35 years of experience in riding, training, and competing. Hayley is currently schooling and competing horses up to 1.10m in show jumping, with plans to compete in both Eventing and Ameteurs show jumping (1.10m-1.20m) next season. Internationally recognised through IGEQ and affiliated with FEI, AOC, Sports Integrity and Sport Australia, Hayley brings a holistic and ethical approach to coaching. In 2023, she successfully coached her 15 yo daughter to Junior (1.20–1.30m) and Grand Prix level (1.30–1.40m) and maintains strong ties to her local equestrian community in Murwillumbah and Northern NSW.
With an embedded background in natural horsemanship, Hayley combines her passion for performance with her credentials in Tony Robbins Performance & Results Coaching, counselling (DipCouns, progressing to a Bachelor), and yoga (200hr Level 1 Teacher). Her qualifications also include BBUS (Mktg), EA Concussion Training, Australian Sports Commission Community Coaching, First Aid, Working With Children, National Police Check and insurance coverage. Hayley is a well-rounded and trusted professional in the equestrian and personal development arenas.
● Equestrian Australia (EA) Accredited Coach
○ Internationally Recognised Accreditation (IGEQ)
○ Affiliated with FEI, AOC, Sports Integrity & Sport Australia
○ EA Concussion Course
○ Australian Sports Commission - Community Coaching
○ First Aid, Working With Children Check, Insured.
● 35+ years of equestrian riding, training & competition experience.
● An embedded natural horsemanship background.
● Currently schooling & competing horses up to 1.10cm Show Jumping.
● 2023 - successfully coached junior to Grand Prix (1.30-1.40cm) Show Jumping.
● Local club affiliation.
● Tony Robbins Performance & Results Coaching since 2019.
● Counsellor (DipCouns). Furthering into Bachelor of Counselling.
● BBUS (Mktg).
● Level 1 Yoga Teacher (200 hours)
If you’d like to book a session with Hiddy or find more about the training techniques she uses, please contact us here.
Our Coaches
Specialist Instructors Supporting Our Riders
We have various dedicated riding coaches and instructors working with us at Saddle & Soul Equine Centre, all of whom are passionate about sharing their skills in their chosen disciplines.
Please contact us to book a lesson or for more information about who is currently instructing with us and their specialities.
Announcements are also made on our Facebook and Instagram pages regarding upcoming visiting instructors and their availability for lessons.
Why Saddle & Soul Equine Centre?
Saddle & Soul Equine Centre is more than just a place to agist your horse or come for a lesson, it’s a unique community, a learning space, and a sanctuary for horses and humans alike. Whether you are a horse owner, a beginner wanting to learn, or someone seeking the healing presence of horses, we invite you to be part of our journey.