A Social Enterprise with Horses at its Heart
Registered Community Interest Company number: SC748117
Certification and Training
Would you like to get started on the exciting journey of becoming an equine assisted professional or just find out more about the therapeutic and learning opportunities that horses have to offer?
You may already work with horses and want to add learning experiences or therapeutic value to your services. Or you could be a qualified human services professional like a teacher, social worker or therapist who wants to explore how to include horses in their work. If that's you, you can get started today!
Training Options
Our courses range from entry level online courses designed to help you find out more about Equine Assisted Services in general to our professional Therapeutic Riding Instructor training course. Click the images below to find out more.
Introductory Short Courses
Are you interested in the broad and fascinating field of Equine Assisted Services but confused by all the different terminology and unsure of which path to take? This range of easy-to-access courses is designed to help you find out more about Equine Assisted Services in general and introduce you to the modalities of Equine Assisted Learning and Therapeutic Riding. They can also point you in the direction of potential career paths.
UKRS Accredited Therapeutic Riding Instructor Course
The With Horses UKRS accredited Therapeutic Riding Instructor Course takes two to three years to complete and is designed to create an all-round equine assisted professional who is skilled at making equine assisted activities accessible for people with a diverse range of needs. This includes mounted or unmounted work ethically partnering with an equine to obtain therapeutic outcomes.
PATH International Mentoring
Do want to obtain an internationally-recognised therapeutic riding instructor certification? Do you already work or volunteer at a therapeutic riding centre? Are you a riding instructor who wants to ensure that your lessons are enjoyable and accessible for people with a range of needs and abilities? Are you confident in your ability to coach but time-poor and therefore unable to attend an onsite training course? If so, the PATH International Mentoring Option may be for you.
.jpg)
Therapeutic Riding Instructor Course
Therapeutic riding helps participants attain horsemanship skills and experience the many natural mental and physical health benefits of riding, horse care and groundwork. The With Horses UKRS accredited Therapeutic Riding Instructor Course is provided by specially trained and certified equine professionals experienced with a range of different client groups. Through five modules including two intensive onsite courses and accompanying online elements, candidates learn coaching, facilitation, horse handling and human behaviour modification techniques. To become certified, candidates must meet established criteria and standards of practice, demonstrating their knowledge of disabilities, equines, teaching and human-animal interactions.
Course Criteria
Outcomes, Objectives and Learning Outcomes
​
Learners will be able to:
-
Describe the main models used to involve equines in learning and therapy.
-
Compare the differences between adaptive riding, therapeutic riding and hippotherapy.
-
Explain the ethical and safety considerations involved when working with equines and vulnerable people.
-
Demonstrate awareness of the ethical and safety considerations involved when working with equines and vulnerable people.
-
Select an appropriate horse for a range of different participants.
-
Demonstrate a variety of regulation techniques and justify their use.
-
Select and fit various kinds of adaptive tack and equipment.
-
Critically evaluate different coaching strategies and techniques.
-
Demonstrate the various kinds of mounting and dismounting procedures.
-
Understand the importance of effective screening and assessment.
-
Identify key areas of legislation including Health and Safety, and animal welfare, and apply to own practice.
-
Plan safe and effective therapeutic riding lessons including rationale for choices, client type, modifications .
-
Deliver safe and effective therapeutic riding lessons.
-
Evaluate therapeutic riding lessons.
-
Reflect on own practice and create action plans for improvement.
​
Entry Requirements:
This course is for learners over the age of 18 who must have at least 3 years of experience of working with or caring for horses. A background as an equine professional or human services professional (teacher/social worker/therapist) can be advantageous. There are complex Health and Safety issues working with large animals, that require confidence, experience and maturity, and this course is aimed at the learner who is used to working with Equines and who requires minimal supervision in practice.
Continuing Professional Development
Following certification, With Horses CIC Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors can take our CPD courses or utilise our range of curricula to specialise in working with a specific client group such as survivors of trauma or young people who need help with life, work or social skills. Our range of Equine Assisted Learning and Therapeutic Riding programs are tried and tested. They are piloted with real clients, peer-reviewed and independently evaluated to ensure high levels of quality, consistency and safety. They give you everything you need to begin providing one of our award-winning programs, so that you can work alongside horses to help people.
TESTIMONIAL
"Lindsey is a trainer that I trust. I know that I can ask her anything and she won't judge or be harsh. She will be kind and give me a really balanced answer. I think that if we can create that atmosphere of trust and open conversation at our own centre, we'll be onto a winner!"
Sue Woods, EAL Practitioner Course Attendee
Course Syllabus
Module 1:Introduction to Equine Assisted Services
​This online course is intended to provide a general introduction to Equine Assisted Services and help candidates to find out about where therapeutic riding sits in the broader field of EAS as well as investigating the growth opportunities and therapeutic potential that horses offer.
​
Module 2: Equine Advocacy
This module is about ethical care and training, equine behaviour and communication, how to create an enriching environment and much more! Equine advocacy ensures that the horse's safety, welfare, basic needs and particular preferences are honoured. Instructors can advocate for the voiceless equine by interpreting their behaviour and paying attention to subtle equine communication signals. A skilled equine advocate can make the difference between an interaction that is based on partnership, mutual trust and clear communication or one that is unfulfilling and or even harmful to both parties.
Module 3: Onsite Horsemanship Coaching Intensive
This module involves hands-on learning about how to coach and plan ground-based Therapeutic Horsemanship and Equine Assisted Learning activities. You will work alongside our experienced herd of therapy horses and have the opportunity to meet and network with your fellow learners.
Module 4: Therapeutic Riding Instructor Online Prep Course
Through this online course, candidates gain a secure theoretical grounding in the science of why therapeutic riding is such a successful intervention for a range of client demographics.
Module 5 : Therapeutic Riding Instruction Onsite Intensive
This module includes hands-on coaching and practice in therapeutic riding instruction including lesson planning, safe mounting and dismounting procedures, adaptive tack, task analysis, contraindications and safety precautions.
Continuing Professional Development
Following certification, With Horses CIC Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors can access our range of Equine Assisted Learning and Therapeutic Riding Curricula. Our programs are tried and tested. They are piloted with real clients, peer-reviewed and independently evaluated to ensure high levels of quality, consistency and safety. They give you everything you need to begin providing one of our award-winning programs, so that you can work alongside horses to help people.
Sign up now for the 2025 Course
If you would like to begin your online modules now and attend the onsite elements in 2025, drop us an email. The course costs £1500 in total (which includes all of the onsite and online elements) and you can pay up front or in 4 installments of £375. If you book now, you'll also receive our full set of curricula for free!