Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator Certificate

EAQ's Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator Training Certificate Course has been independently accredited by the Open College Network, South West Region (OCNSWR) and has been designed to meet the needs of those of you who wish to set up your own Equine Assisted Learning Centre.  OCNSWR is a member of the National Open College Network (NOCN).

Details of the training are below, but if you would like more information about dates and costs, please complete the online application form.

This experiential training course uses a wide range of teaching and learning methods including

• contact time with horses to increase self awareness
• contact time with your peer group and experienced and qualified trainers
• individual tutorials
• Access to the online training programme

The training is divided into modules to allow time for you to practice some of the techniques in your own setting and reflect on them with other course members.  Residential training courses are held around the UK and in Ireland and Australia.

 Entry Requirements

• be over 18 years of age.
• have experience with horses and an understanding of 'natural horsemanship' (see below for more details).  
• hold a recognised qualification such as counselling, teaching, adult education or therapy qualification or
• have relevant life experience and skills
  

 To work within an EAQ centre, you need to have successfully completed a Criminal Records Bureau Check.  Students will not be able to work with children or vulnerable adults if they have not completed this process. 

 Who Could Apply?
The EAQ Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator Training Course is for you if

you would like to set up your own centre
you wish to work as a facilitator within another centre

Application Form

 Numbers
There are only a few places available on each course to enable you to gain as much as possible from the time available.

 Facilitator Training Course Aims
To provide information, support and guidance for those people who wish to offer equine assisted learning.

 Objectives

By the end of the training students will be able to put together a portfolio of evidence to show that they have successfully achieved the assessment criteria for the following units:

• Plan and Manage Equine Assisted Learning Activities
• Set up an Equine Assisted Learning Centre
• Finance and Market an Equine Assisted Learning Centre
  

 Accreditation

The three specially written units which form the Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator Certicate have been independently accredited by the Open College Network South West Region (OCNSWR).  OCNSWR is a member of the National Open College Network (NOCN). 

As well as the Facilitator units, EAQ is able to offer nationally recognised qualifications including

• NOCN Step-UP Units for 14-16 year olds at Entry Level and Level 1
  
• NOCN Progression Qualifications from Entry Level to Level 3
  

 Outcomes

EAQ Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator Certificate

 Topics covered will include:

• Horse welfare and meeting the requirements of the Five Freedoms
• Business Planning
• Marketing
• Activities with horses
• Providing feedback
• Counselling and negotiation
• Mentoring and Coaching
• Record Keeping
• Health and Safety

 Certification

A Record of Attendance is available for all students who attend.

To obtain the EAQ Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator Certificate, accredited by OCNSWR, you will be required to put together a portfolio of evidence and be assessed against specific criteria.  There is no guarantee that those who attend the training will successfully complete the certificate.

Your portfolio will be assessed by an independent, trained assessor and will be verified by an independent verifier.

 Training Cost
The training cost includes:

• registration with the awarding body
• training materials
• tutor contact time
• practical activities for you to use in your own setting between course sessions
• observation of your performance by a qualified assessor
• access to information and support through the EAQ network
• full access to the EAQ online training programme
• access to the EAQ forum
  
• support and guidance to build your portfolio
• assessment of your portfolio by a qualified assessor
• internal verification by a qualified internal verifier
• certification from the awarding body.

You will not be able to complete your certificate until the full payment has been received.

 Horsemanship Skills
EAQ's Equine Assisted Learning is based on helping learners to think about life from the horse's point of view and communicate with the horse in a way that the horse can understand.  We believe that 'natural horsemanship' skills and an understanding of horse behaviour is essential for anyone wishing to become a facilitator for equine assisted learning. 

We are able to offer additional training and assessment for the Silversand Horsemanship Foundation and Intermediate Skills (there is an additional cost for this.)  We use Silversand Horsemanship as a benchmark for facilitators and would expect all factilitators to have reached this level with their horsemanship before they work with their own learners.  You do not need to be at this level when you begin your training.  Find out how to join the Silversand Horsemanship Programme.

If you would like to apply for this course please contact us or call us on 01747 828150 for a chat about your skills and experience or complete the online Application Form.

Is it Equine Assisted or Equine Facilitated?

EAq Founder Tricia Day said "When something is called 'therapy' it needs to be conducted by a qualified therapist and those who take part need to buy into the fact that they need therapy.  There are many situations where horses can help people to learn new skills without the need for a therapist."

There can be confusion around what is being offered because of the way in which activites are described.  You may have heard all or some of the following titles to describe this way of helping people by enabling them to interact with horses.

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)
Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT)
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
Horse or Pony Therapy

and those who work within those places could be referred to as:

Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator (EAL Facilitator)
Equine Assisted Learning Trainer (EAL Trainer)
Equine Assisted Learning Tutor (EAL Tutor)
Equine Assisted Learning Assessor (EAL Assessor)
Equine Assisted Learning Therapist (EAL Therapist)
Equine Assisted Psychotherapist
Equine Facilitated Learning Trainer (EFL Trainer)
Equine Facilitated Learning Tutor (EFL Tutor)
Equine Facilitated Learning Assessor (EFL Assessor)
Equine Facilitated Learning Verifier (EFL Verifier)
Equine Facilitated Therapist

Whatever your title, you're welcome to attend the EAQ training and work towards being part of the EAQ Network.   However, if you want to train for professional qualifications such as those required to become a psychotherapist, psychologist, teacher, coach or counsellor, you need to contact the relevant professional organisation.  

 Facilitator Course Application Form