BOOK NOW FOR TRAINING
Learn how to work within an environment of presence based on the principle of deep listening while asking a wise and connected being – the horse – to transform your client experience.
Training takes place over 6 months. We start with 3 consecutive days in a group of four trainees at Earthhorse Aotearoa (situated between Hamilton and Raglan), followed by six months of online supervisions and written work. Places are strictly limited per intake but it is possible to go on a waiting list for a future date. Contact us for information.
If there is sufficient demand we will provide further dates January through to March.
DATES:
Oct 31 to Nov 2 (EAL)
November 21-23 (EAT)
December 6-7 (EAL)
December 19-21 (EAT)
How Equine-Assisted Services Works
Therapeutic and learning outcomes are achieved through the calm presence of horses who provide an external point of focus. As therapists we listen, give reflective feedback, observe clients’ interactions with horses, and lead clients through equine exercises to enable self-knowledge and wellbeing. By inviting a horse into therapy and learning processes, your clients will experience meaningful connection, respect, trust, collaboration, acceptance, confidence, and personal validation.
Three streams for certification
• Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL)
• Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT)
• Equine Whanau Support (EWS)
The application process
Relating to your qualifications and experience, your application may be accepted into one of the above three streams. Before applying you don’t need to decide which stream you should go into. We will guide you on that according to your written application. Make your application as full as we can so that we can advise appropriately. Please do not make your application in an email, but contact us and ask for further information (which includes pricing) and an application form.
Professional supervision
Ongoing supervision is essential for anyone working in therapy and learning fields. For equine assisted practitioners (whether trained through us or elsewhere) we offer confidential supervision over Zoom through discussion and the sharing of videos of practical work. We work with anyone who is already working in the field, regardless of where you did your training.
Internships
Non-residential internships are available for one student during the summer and autumn months. The commitment is for 80 hours total, taken as one or more days a week. An internship would suit a young person in a “gap year” to explore suitability for the modality before committing to training, or for a qualified therapist or teacher/coach for whom hours can go towards a certificate in Equine Assisted Learning or Equine Assisted Therapy. Contact us for an application form.
SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP: Advanced Certificate
If you have been working with horses in Equine Assisted Therapy or Learning capacities you will most likely have discovered that the work opens you to deeper experiences of being. By applying mindfulness and meditation practices, and experiencing spacious ways of being through simple and effective exercises, you will open to the wisdom of the horse and tap into your own inner teacher. If you are a practitioner wanting to experience the depth of what it means to be human through making soul-to-soul connections with horses, this advanced course is for you.
Hours: The teaching can be undertaken at the Earthhorse Aotearoa farm, or can be done online, and involves 12 hours contact time along with the submission of videos and written work.
Cost: $1700
Text book: Suzanne E. Court. Soul Connection with Horses: Healing the Mind and Awakening the Spirit through Equine Assisted Practices. UK, O Books (Publication date, early 2024)
HORSE LANGUAGE FOR PRACTITIONERS
This dynamic 12-hour course is delivered one-on-one over a number of weeks, or can be taken intensively over two days. The aim is to learn the finer points of communicating with horses through understanding their natural body language. Since this knowledge is essential for working in the Equine Assisted field the aim is to address gaps in a practitioner’s knowledge of subtle equine communication. Based on principles of natural horsemanship.
Cost: $1700.
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Accommodation
We can’t offer accommodation, but there is a very good and reasonably priced B & B next door, and several other within one or two kilometres. The B & B next door is called Flowering Bean Studio https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/41777302
