Equest Instructor Training

Have you ever considered a career in equine assisted therapy? Equest offers a NARHA approved instructor training course.
The course is designed for experienced horse people, with a variety of riding backgrounds, who wish to pursue careers as therapeutic riding instructors or current instructors seeking continuing education and/or preparation for certification.

Schedule:
The Equest Instructor Training Course is a 7.5 week program designed to follow a Tuesday through Saturday format with classes scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for the first four weeks and 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. the last three weeks. Classes meet additional Mondays and evenings as needed. Student instructors should plan for study and preparation time during the evening and weekend hours. A detailed course calendar will be provided on the first day of the course. Vacancies for the course are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. A maximum of ten students are accepted into the course.

Curriculum:

• Human Anatomy and Kinesiology

• Human Psychology

• Teaching Methodology

• Disabilities

• Mounting Techniques

• The Therapy Horse

• Adaptive Equipment

• Volunteer Recruitment and Management

• Hippotherapy

• Practical Teaching Experience

Requirements:
To accomplish the demands of this course and to qualify for certification upon completion, those candidates entering the course must meet certain competency requirements. To be accepted into the course, a candidate must pass two proficiency exams that are administered at Equest:

• Horse Management – The written exam will include questions on conformation, blemishes and unsoundness’s, general feeding requirements, ailments and diseases and their treatments, worming and vaccination requirements, stable maintenance, grooming, breeds, first-aid treatment and movement analysis

• Riding Skills – a mounted test of riding skills. Candidates of varying riding backgrounds are accepted into the course; however a solid knowledge of walk-trot-canter with correct leads and diagonals, simple lead changes, leg yielding, turns on the forehand and haunches and suppling exercises is needed. We welcome candidates with diverse riding experience. The riding skills test may be taken in either Engligh or Western tack, but all students must be familiar with the English discipline as this is the style most of our clients ride and will be the style you will be teaching. We will be happy to review a video of your riding skills prior to your application. The riding test may include walk, trot, canter, leg yielding, simple lead changes, turns on the forehand, turns on the haunches and cavalletti work.

• Entrance Test Suggested References:
  
  Horse , J. Warren Evans, Susan Harris
  The United States Pony Club Manual (level D, C, A/B)
  Horse, Gaits, Balance and Movement, Susan Harris
  101 Arena Exercises, Cherry Hil
  Becoming an Effective Rider, Cherry Hill

The entrance exams are conducted the first day of the course.

Certification:
Candidates who successfully complete all training course requirements will take the NARHA Registered exam at the end of the 6 weeks. Upon passing the exam, candidates will be granted NARHA Registered Instructor status. With approval of the course director, candidates will also have the option of taking the Advanced level exam at the end of the course as well. These candidates must meet the Advanced level criteria before taking the exam.

For more information on instructor training, contact our registrar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Fees:

Additional Fees:

Texas A&M students and alumni receive a 10% discount on tuition.

Housing information is included in the application (PDF Download) packet. (Note, application packet is currently being updated, please continue to check back for downloadable form.)

For more information, please contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .