How to become an equine assisted therapist

Keeping an equine therapy practice running year round can be quite an endeavor when you live in Canada, but it is possible. Learn what you need to think about to keep your animals – and your practice – healthy during cold weather.

Table of Contents Show

Clarifying the Experiential Requirements for Equine Therapy Certification in Canada
The Certification Conundrum – Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy
Getting Started in Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy: FAQs
Q1: What are Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy?
Q2: Do I Need to be a Counsellor to work in Equine or Animal Assisted Therapy?
Q3: Do I Need My Own Horses or Facility to Work in Equine Therapy?
Q4: What is the Role of the Horse in Equine Therapy?
Q5: Who Should I Certify With in Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy?
Q6: Equine Therapy – What’s the Typical Cost and Time to Certify?
Q7: Do Clients Always Ride Horses in Equine Therapy?
How do I become an equine therapist UK?
Is equine therapy regulated in Australia?
How do I become an equine therapist in Texas?
How long has equine therapy been around?

Clarifying the Experiential Requirements for Equine Therapy Certification in Canada

A common area of confusion for certification requirements is what hours are needed and where various hours of experience and training are recognised. This article aims to clarify some key questions in this area.

The Certification Conundrum – Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy

How do you find an equine or animal assisted therapy program that is physically and emotionally safe for all involved – two and four legged? In a largely unregulated field there are many different options and lots to think about – whether you are looking for a training or a treatment program. This article explores these questions including a case study and a list of key questions to ask potential service providers.

Getting Started in Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy: FAQs

Do you have questions about equine or animal assisted therapy? Wondering if it is the career for you? Not sure where to start, who to train with, or how to get certified? We have the answers to these and many other frequently asked questions within this series!

Q1: What are Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy?

Our first post in this series explains what we mean by equine and animal assisted therapy and some of the many other terms and acronyms used in these fields. We also provide links to some helpful organisations and professional bodies.

Q2: Do I Need to be a Counsellor to work in Equine or Animal Assisted Therapy?

The Quick Answer Only if you plan to offer counselling services! If you plan to work as a Learning Professional (LP) in the Equine Facilitated/ Assisted Learning field, or as an Equine Professional (EP) who partners with a Mental Health Professional (MHP), there is no...

Q3: Do I Need My Own Horses or Facility to Work in Equine Therapy?

Let’s face it, horses and all that come with them are expensive! So do you have to have everything in place to get started in this work? Absolutely not! This article explains the pros and cons of different ways of working in the Equine Therapy field (and barn).

Q4: What is the Role of the Horse in Equine Therapy?

This is quite possibly the most important question for all involved in the equine and animal assisted therapy fields. How we view our animal partners and their role in this work impacts how we treat and work with them, with significant consequences for the well being and safety of ALL involved, and for the potential benefits of this work.

Q5: Who Should I Certify With in Equine and Animal Assisted Therapy?

The Quick Answer There are many certification options in the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Equine Facilitated Wellness (EFW) fields, meaning this can be an overwhelming and confusing topic at first. For reasons I discuss in more depth below, the Canadian...

Q6: Equine Therapy – What’s the Typical Cost and Time to Certify?

An overview of the current cost and time commitments of training and certifying under the EFW Canada model, as well as some examples from non EFW Canada options in North America.

Q7: Do Clients Always Ride Horses in Equine Therapy?

To ride or not to ride? The answer to this question will depend upon your training, equine credentials, client base, facility and horses. As always there are options, flexibility and lots of different things to consider!

How do I become an equine therapist UK?

What qualifications can I get & how do I get them?.

Age 21 at commencement of course..

5 passes (A-C) at GCSE including English..

3 years experience of working in professional equine yards, supported by references..

A human massage qualification meeting ESMA's standards..

Is equine therapy regulated in Australia?

Equine-Assisted Therapy. Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) broadly covers any type of treatment or therapy that comprises equine activities, interactions, or treatment [22]. Practices must be delivered by appropriately trained and accredited healthcare professionals and are regulated by healthcare laws.

How do I become an equine therapist in Texas?

Education and Training Requirements To become an equine therapist, you must have at least a bachelor's degree in an animal science or counseling-related field, although some employers require a master's degree.

How long has equine therapy been around?

Equine therapy dates back to the times when horses were used for therapeutic riding in ancient Greek literature. Orbasis of ancient Lydia documented the therapeutic value of riding in 600 B.C. In 1946, Equine Therapy was introduced in Scandinavia after an outbreak of poliomyelitis.