Wild, Intuitive and Free

Tucked into the rolling hills of Gippsland, Lillico Nurture offers a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe deep, and reconnect – with nature, animals and yourself.

Founded by Lou Capp, this heart led sanctuary opens its gates to people of all ages and abilities to partake in equine and nature assisted learning experiences- with no prior requirements or experience necessary.

There’s no riding here, no pressure, no expectations. Just space to be, to listen, to quietly connect with the wisdom of horses and the gentle rhythm of the land.

Set on a 20-acre farm, Lillico-Nurture is home to Lou’s beloved herd of horses, dogs, cats, and cows. Lou knows just how lucky she is to call this land home, and it’s her joy to share it with others seeking stillness, healing, or simply a break from the noise of everyday life.

However, it wasn’t luck that brought her there. It was a purpose-driven life fostered by passion, years of hard work and pure determination. And maybe some manifestation, too.

Having grown up in Bairnsdale, Lou and her sister got their first pony Misty when Lou was just eight years old. Soon after, they also acquired a horse named Snowy. The girls loved taking care of their horses, but at the time, Lou filed the task under ‘just something you did’ while living in rural Victoria.

It wasn’t until she was a teen that Lou realised horses were more than a hobby for her. They had a deep impact on who she was and how she wanted to live her life.

‘I would be on the train travelling to boarding school in Melbourne and would dream of owning land where I can look out the house window and watch my horses gallop in the paddock,’ she said.

Lou went on to become an ICU nurse, and when the opportunity arose, switched to a corporate career selling equipment in the health care industry. The idea of owning her own property lingered, as did the burdens of worry and self-doubt.

‘I was scared to make the move by myself,’ she said. ‘(Owning a large property) is a lot for one person to manage. But when I turned fourty I thought, ‘fuck this, I am going to do it!’

Lou moved onto the Lillico property twenty years ago and has since transformed a relatively blank canvas into a little slice of heaven.

She continued to work in the cooperate sector until Covid came and shifted the way she thought about her future.

‘I was in a high-pressure job, meeting targets and pleasing shareholders. Everything was going well in terms of selling the products and making money, but in the background, people were dying from Covid,’ she said. ‘I felt like my brain was ready to explode. I was approaching sixty and knew I didn’t want to keep working in the corporate world forever.’

Lou enrolled herself in a Positive Intelligence Program and attended an Equine Therapy Intro Day in Romsey. Both events were transformative, opening the doors for Lou to retire from sales and begin her dream business- Lillico Nurture, which she began in September of last year.

She has since been helping people from Gippsland and surrounds shut off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to take a moment for themselves. To be still. To be aware. To learn. To feel alive.

‘People connect with the horse’s energy and learn from them how they regulate, communicate, create boundaries, play, and more,’ Lou said. ‘They are majestic animals, and connection with them can transform us.

Lou doesn’t follow a rule book at Lillico Nurture. Her style is laidback and organic, stating that different visitors will have different needs. While some may have health issues or suffer from anxiety or stress, others may not have anything pressing or imperative that they need to overcome. It’s about learning the tools and mindset to navigate life’s problems as they arise.

‘We usually start sessions with a grounding exercise. We tune in to all our senses opening ourselves to become aware. What we are doing is mirroring how the horses have natural awareness which keeps them safe. Meandering around the garden and immersing ourselves in nature supports us to connect to our senses,’ Lou said.

In fact, the entire process of creating Lillico Nurture has also had its positive effects on Lou. She now can watch seven horses gallop in her paddock, just as she had dreamed of doing as a young girl. And she’s continued her mission of helping others, just as she did in a corporate health care world. Now, she just does it on her own terms.

‘The world feels so much brighter now.’

Offerings at Lillico Nurture include Day Retreats, Adventures- A Return to Wilderness and Empowerment Pathways- a four-part progression.

Visit the website to stay up to date with events and services. www.lillico-nurture.com.au

Photos: Lauren Murphy Photography