Equine Assisted Wellbeing is the practice of facilitating connection, awareness, and stillness between humans and horses to enhance wellbeing in people’s lives. The need for therapeutic options in mental health treatment, PTSD recovery, and disability and neurodiversity support has never been greater. However, the applications for Equine Assisted Wellbeing are limitless and include corporate and team building, mindfulness, meditation, coaching and workshops, just to name a few. The good news is you don’t need a background in mental health or even to own a horse to enrol.

• Building the Therapeutic Alliance: Trust and safety in the relationship with your client is key to how much they will benefit from their sessions and how likely they are to return. You will develop an understanding of the client’s needs and how you can support them to get the most out of their sessions with you and the horse.

• Presenting conditions: It is important to have an understanding of the conditions most likely to present within your clientele and what you need to know in order to tailor your sessions appropriately.

• Understanding and managing challenging behaviours: In your role as a practitioner you will encounter individuals from a vast array of backgrounds, presenting with a variety of different mental, physical and emotional challenges. We will teach you how to effectively identify, prevent and manage challenging situations as they arise.

Communication and connection with your incredible colleague, the horse, is critical. Before sessions with clients can be effectively and safely facilitated, attunement to the horse’s language, personality and predisposition is a must. This foundation allows for an authentic and collaborative therapeutic union with the horse as together you engage in meaningful work and deepen your partnership as a result.

Starting and setting up your own business can be an overwhelming process, not to mention putting yourself out there to connect with potential clients. In this module we will take you through what’s required and strategies you can implement to get the ball rolling and have clients walking through the door (or into the paddock!).

Understanding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) compliance is a must when providing services to NDIS participants. The NDIS is a government body that oversees the management and use of funding for individuals who qualify for assistance, including those with physical disabilities, neurological impairment, type A medical illnesses and psychosocial disability.

You will receive NDIS service agreements and report form templates - exclusively for use by Equine Assisted Wellbeing Endorsed Practitioners.

This is important not just because we know how amazing it is to get outside and be with the horses, but because hands-on experience offers an invaluable opportunity. With mock sessions and real clients you will develop your learnt skills and feel ready to put your knowledge into practice.

*Applicable to in-person training only

We believe that it is vital for any person working in a therapeutic setting to be trauma informed. This module gives you a more thorough understanding of trauma, helping you to feel equipped to better understand and support your clients, and your horse.

We take a deep dive into what neurodivergence is and how it is likely to present. Building on this knowledge we will equip you with the tools and insights to enable you to facilitate sessions that provide a truly authentic and empowering experience for your clients.