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Remote Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification
As the reach of With Horses grows around the globe, we are proud to say that we now have students in more than 18 countries! As part of our commitment to ensuring that people from all backgrounds and walks of life can access careers in the Equine Assisted Industry, we aim to make it possible for people from all over the world to gain therapeutic riding instructor certification. This year, for the very first time, we are offering the UKRS accredited Therapeutic Riding Instructor Course completely online, on-demand and payable in installments. That's right, we're taking down all the barriers! No matter where you live, what country you come from or what your financial situation is, you can now access high quality mentoring and training provided by specially trained and certified equine professionals experienced with a range of different client groups.
This is a multi-tiered training program designed to produce an all-round professional able to lead mounted and unmounted sessions, skilled in horsemanship coaching, equine assisted learning and therapeutic riding. Through four entirely online modules that gradually increase in depth and difficulty, 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 via an online exam, portfolio of session plans and assignments and video submission.
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. This module takes most students 6 weeks to complete and assessment is in the form of simple, mutliple choice quizzes.
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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. Assessment is via an online portfolio of practical and written assignments. This elements takes 8 weeks to complete on average.
Module 3: Horsemanship Coaching Skills
This module involves an online on-demand course and practical assignments about how to coach and plan ground-based Therapeutic Horsemanship and Equine Assisted Learning activities. You will learn the theory underpinning each modality, plan a portfolio of 5 sessions and practice delivering ground-based sessions with your own horses or those you work or volunteer alongside. You get dedicated feedback on your sessions from a distance learning mentor along the way and, when you are ready, you submit a 30 minute session for assessment. This element takes approximately 12-24 weeks, depending upon previous experience and level of access to equines.
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Module 4: Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification
Through the online learning element of this module, candidates gain a secure theoretical grounding in the science of why therapeutic riding is such a successful intervention for a range of client demographics. This will equip you with all the skills you need to practice therapeutic riding instruction in your own setting including lesson planning, safe mounting and dismounting procedures, adaptive tack, task analysis, contraindications and safety precautions. For assessment, you need to submit a portfolio of 10 riding lessons that you have planned and video of one 30 minute assessed mounted lesson. The process can take up to 18 months and our experienced mentor will guide and support you every step of the way.
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.
Pricing
The complete course including all online elements, course manuals, mentoring and education resources costs £1500. Click below to purchase your place today! Please drop us an email if you would prefer to pay in installments
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Who can take part?
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Our professional courses are for learners over the age of 18 who have experience of working with or caring for horses. A background as an equine professional or human services professional (teacher/social worker/therapist) is advantageous but not essential. You may already work with horses and want to add learning experiences or therapeutic value to your services.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.
03
Is this a quick, easy way to get certified?
Although this course makes access to high-quality training and mentoring easy, it is not a walk in the park! This is a professional, accredited course that is rigorously assessed and requires time, effort and commitment on the part of the learner.
02
What if I live in another country?
This course has been designed with our international learners in mind as well as those with caring responsibilities or disabilities that make travelling to an onsite course impossible.
You can take part from anywhere in the world, in any time-zone. All you need is access to a horse (your own or one you work or volunteer alongside) , a camera or phone and a laptop! You also need a few friends, family members, colleagues or volunteers who are happy to participate in your practice sessions.
04
What if I already registered for the onsite course?
If you already registered for the 2025 onsite course but think that the distance learning option would be a better fit for you, don't worry! You still have time to change your mind. Just drop us an email and we can change you over to the remote certification option at no extra cost.