FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Freedom to do what you love. How does Equine Connection's certification course work ? Do you need to be a therapist? Why are you different? Is there a payment plan? Where are you located? And so much more!
Equine Connection FAQs
Equine assisted learning is an experiential method of developing life skills. Facilitated by a qualified professional to meet educational, professional, and personal needs (goals) through intentionally designed interactions with horses. More specifically, it is an effective approach to human development that encourages individual and team growth.
Participants engage in objectively driven exercises and learn valuable life skills that are effective, powerful, positive, educational, fun, safe, exciting and creative while working with horses. The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning’s program emphasizes its curriculum of objectively driven exercises and facilitating life skills through positively reinforced interaction with horses.
The designer of the curriculum program researched two components.
1. How do human beings learn?
2. How do wild horses communicate?
These two research components were married together to create objectives to bring about predictable outcomes with results each time. Each exercise in the curriculum has an objective interlaced with the following program so that your clients keep learning and building stronger skills each week.
As an Equine-Assisted facilitator, our job is to watch for our horses "speaking", and utilize that learning opportunity to empower participants to make a change in themselves through acquiring, applying, and retaining new life skills.
Our role includes:
- Understanding the Form of Delivery, specifically the Appropriate Application of who you are working with and how to facilitate for each group.
- Ensuring the safety of all horses and participants.
- Stepping in' to guide the participant's to understand what it is the horse is "saying" and understand how they can apply that learning to their own lives.
- Providing encouragement and support.
- Encouraging participants to think outside the box, take risks, or try on new roles.
- Resolving conflict.
- Empowering clients to find success!
Simply put - a love of people and horses!
- A want to help humans move forward through the power of your horses.
- A want to learn more about the horse in their culture and their language.
- A want to run your own equine-assisted business either casual, part-time, or full-time.
- You want your DREAM to become a reality!
First you would go to the country you are wanting to take the training in Certification options.
From there you will be able to choose from three different choices that fits your lifestyle the best.
- Certification Only - No Business Training
- In-Person Practical Certification
- Online Certification
OUR PROMISE TO YOU. THIS COURSE WILL CHANGE YOU, YOUR CLIENTS, AND YOUR HORSES LIVES.
YES! And, it's interest free! The payment plan options are 50% down and a five month payment plan.
We are a Canadian company, so we use Canadian currency. This means that all of our prices are in Canadian money. Check Today's Conversion Rate
We are a Canadian company that has global status. We have two Headquarters; Calgary, AB, CDN, and Terrey Hills, NSW, AUS, for our 3-day In-Person Practical Trainings.
Additional training locations for your convenience;
USA
Salisbury, Massachusetts USA
Canada
Woodstock, Ontario, CDN
Australia
Kholo, QLD, AUS
No Travel Training is also an option for those who cannot get away or just choose not to travel.
The horse is therapeutic and the healer to all exercises we run, however, we as facilitators do not dig to discover the participant's feelings. Nor do we try and figure out "how" or "why" the participants got to where they are at.
Instead, we work with the horse(s), who acts as a "barometer" for where the people are at - giving us, as facilitators, a window of opportunity to guide and assist our client's learning journey, of building foundational life skills.
This means that the horse(s) reacts simply off of the participant's stimulus - whether it be calm, confused, frustrated, or excited. The problems to ones life comes with the solution when working with these magnificent and generous beings and gives the humans their way to find their answers.
And, we as the facilitator, help the participant to understand what it is the horse is "saying" so that they can apply the lessons they've been taught by the horse back to their everyday life.
This is a very unique, interactive and FUN way of learning...
However, it typically pushes people outside of their comfort zone - causing that 'uncomfortable' feeling, which often leads to some form of conflict, chaos or disorder. It is entirely normal and expected that teams within this setting will experience this - however, our role is to guide them back to success where they take what they've learnt in this 'new, uncomfortable' zone, and make room for growth and creativity, empowering them to expand their skillset, mindset, their knowledge of self and expand their individual comfort zones.
We provide a safe, supportive, positive space for people so that they can be empowered to make changes in-the-moment AND adjustments to their lives, habits and behaviours. Our role is to ensure that they find success while they work through different objectively-driven tasks and exercises!
Although these programs are typically held in a group setting, the unique facilitation technique that we use in our programs recognizes the individuals' journey of learning.
We as the facilitators bring every circumstance, situation, accomplishment, etc. back to the horse and what the horse is teaching, to help people to see what they are capable of, and what skills they need in their lives to move forward! This certification is where the horse provides the therapeutic benefits and healing.
NO! This is a life skills development program - NOT a therapy program. We will train you during your course how to ensure you do not get into a therapy situation with your clients. Therefore, you don't need to become a therapist or counsellor to conduct these objectively-driven exercises. It is an excellent addition for therapists, counsellors, and psychiatrists who want to work with the horse to aid their customers in treatment, adding a different perspective to helping your clients advance in their own lives. We do know; however, that should you work with these magnificent animals, simply being in the presence of horses will be a therapeutic experience.
We totally believe the power of learning comes from the horses and experiencing the learning. It's the magic! You have a maximum of 12-months (however we recommend as soon as possible) to complete your 3-day in-person training where you will receive your tangible certificate in person.
The in-person portion is necessary is for a few reasons.
- To TRULY UNDERSTAND when the horse is speaking.
- To get you moving forward in your business and ensuring your facilitation is top-notch as soon as possible!
- You will have forgotten a lot of the theory training if you don't put it into practice in an appropriate amount of time.
- It is all about experiential learning and you need to experience it as well.
- You get the expertise of the Instructors and the hundreds of programs they have run over the years!
- You will build your network with other facilitators.
- And obviously, because it is awesome.
IF you cannot travel, no problem, we have the 'No Travel' option available so you don't miss out on the exceptional training PLUS anytime in the future you can join any of the in-person trainings globally.
Take a peek!
Nope, you can attend any of the in-person 3-day hands-on training at any location, whether it be one week after your initial online training or up to 12-months. You can choose the one that is the closest to you… or closest to warm weather.
Being accredited means, an organization has proven itself as a legitimate establishment in its field.
Accreditation is essential when looking for an organization certifying you in knowledge, theory, research to back your certification, hands-on programs, credentials, when they were established, reviews, and understanding of the horse's welfare as a living being.
Equine Connection maintains the highest of education and learning standards. We;
- Have been established in January 2009
- Globally accredited as an organization has proven itself as a legitimate establishment in its field, and is not restricted to being affiliated with a university or college.
- We have a University that supports our certification. Equine Guelph, The Horse Owner's Centre at the University of Guelph. Why? Because the welfare of the horse comes first. We always suggest finding the background of your certification company to understand their qualifications.
- A global company, which by definition means that we operate in at least one country other than the country where it originated.
- Operate under a Governing Body. This governing body ensures facilitators can maintain their mandated hours while continuing to learn their objectively driven programs and exercises with results for safety and competency.
- Partner with our horses as teachers for the results of the programs. We do not "use' horses, but rather ensure their true welfare at all times.
- Have insurance set up in Canada, Australia and the USA.
YES!! It sure does! We have helped hundreds of people to have their own successful equine business!
The Only Horse Certification Course With The "Instant Business Package"! Worth the Difference - No recreating the wheel, no stone unturned, outside the box business package, and a life time of support!
Instant Business Pack - Ready To Move Forward Immediately
Go farther than you thought possible! Start your dream career by having all of your business materials completed, designed and ready to go for you! All of the hard work and guesswork is done! This Instant ‘Essential Business Pack' will take weeks to go through!
Digitally designed and ready to print plus; lesson plans, research-based exercises, professionally designed materials, instructions, informational documents, tutorials, textbooks, supply lists, guides with step-by-step action plans, marketing, business setups, classroom preparations, horse knowledge, pricing, retaining clients, videos to use, pictures to use, PowerPoints, the resources available to you are unbeatable and so much more!
Understanding from a business perspective your ROI and write-off's. It doesn’t matter if you a not-for-profit, sole proprietor, or a for-profit business owner. No re-creating the wheel and doing it the right way, right out of the gate.
The horse’s welfare is at the foundation of this certification.
Using horses is no way to get results, but rather working with horses as the teachers and understanding what they are saying is how to instill long-lasting learning that is compelling for your clients and safe for your horses. It's about learning the horse's language versus expecting him to understand and adhere to yours. We must thoroughly know how the horse communicates in every way. The welfare of the horse is paramount! We are proud to be partnering with Equine Guelph, the horse owner’s Centre at the University of Guelph to promote the welfare of the horse in this well-established certification.
The horse is known as "the teller of truth" who desires to "do the right thing". It is believed that a horse's spirit will lead individuals in the "right direction" and will assist them in understanding their place in the circle of life. You’ll not only discover that your horse has way more to say, but you’ll also find yourself forming a new perspective on how brilliant they are at being the teacher. This will help you to better understand the “how-tos” for facilitating your clients with success!
As facilitators, if we are willing to listen to our horses, they can assist us with guiding humans to be all they can be in their lives. By including horses in specially designed educational experiences, equine-assisted specialists have significantly multiplied the participant’s rate of success to self-discovery. Through their intuitive nature and innate sensitivity, horses can provide facilitators with a window into the participant’s learning style.
We collaborate with global specialists to ensure the 'Welfare of the Horse' comes first.
In-Person Practical Certification is designed to get all the basics and foundations before you come. We prepare you so your practical training runs extra smoothly! This is the online preliminary work before you arrive. It is five days of front-row learning like an in-person course, but you can do it at your own pace, too, your choice. This will prepare you to apply to your 3-day in-person practical training. (Eight days in total PLUS forever training and support after your certification)
Certification Only - No Business Training, is designed for four days in the comfort of your own home, but can be at your own pace and no business day or business training or support after your course but they can always upgrade in the future if they choose to. PLUS your 3 day practical in-person training. (Seven days in total)
Online Certification gives you the flexibility you need to get certified. We don't do boring. That is no way to learn! Study from home for maximum learning and retaining through videos, quizzes, and interaction with your instructors to build the foundation of your equine-assisted education. The entire certification is completely online. It is designed for five days, but it is your choice to complete your training over a few days, a few weeks, or a few months. And It doesn't mean less information or lower quality. What it does mean is that you can stop, rewind, re-listen etc. Freeze-frame-pause-rewind-stop so you can go as fast or as slow as you like! This is not like an average online course. Plus includes your 'in-depth 'No Travel Training' so you can practice your programs working with horses on your own. (Your own pace to finish this course with forever training and support after your certification)
You bet there is! During the practical in-person training you will be facilitating our clients who come each week for their building of skills and you will be able to practice your new skills of facilitating because you will watch the horse for the step-ins to facilitate.
The number #1 thing a horse needs to feel is safe! When we can learn to facilitate by watching the horse only, not the humans. Safety will exist!
Well, let me ask you: Is there a difference between 1-ply and 3-ply toilet paper? It's all toilet paper, right? Wrong!
We can never speak on other certifications as we have not taken all the different certification courses. However, we have had many people attend our certification after taking other courses, saying they were still missing something and didn't know how to move forward.
Do your research. You want to make sure you are signing up for the certification that is right for you and going to get you where you want to be. Not only now but in 5, 10 or even 15 years down the line. We want to help you make a living doing what you love with horses in this life-changing career that will always include SAFETY!
At Equine Connection, we understand the confusion and fear of investing in the right certification for you and your horses. We aim to bring quality horse-assisted education, understanding the horse's culture and language with support to those we certify for a lifetime!
It's essential to understand the differences as we are not like any other equine assisted certification.
- The welfare of the horse comes first! SAFETY for horses and humans is number one in the building block of skills.
- A Governing Body - The EAL Network - This network aims to ensure the welfare of all horses who are teachers for Equine Connection Facilitators and provide safety standards for all participants. This Governing Body was developed to fill that gap in the equine assisted learning industry to ensure a checks and balances system for the Equine Connection Facilitators across the globe. Our primary goal is to maintain the safety of the horses, the clients and the integrity of EAL is held to the highest of standards and will also ensure the safest - and most ethical - learning experience possible.
- The extensive continuous training to support running your curriculum programs. Keeping up to date with the world and how the markets change is essential to meet the needs of those moving forward in their careers without the therapy portion.
- The professionalism is top-notch because you have the support to understand the power of running your curriculum programs with training videos', meetings, and the private Workplace where our global facilitators grow in getting results for their clients and organizations.
- We started this when EAL wasn't even "a thing," and people didn't understand it. This is an impressive credential alone, as we have been established since 2009. We held strong to develop the criteria for this unique certification.
- We originated the 'Outside the Box Business Package'! Business training in this field is 100% important to help you every step of the way because so many people get certifications but they don't know what to do with them or how to make money.
- We are the only certification that actively partners with a university - Equine Guelph, The Horse Owner's Centre at the University of Guelph. This credential is impressive as they have NEVER partnered with a certification of EAL EVER! We are the ONLY certification that matches their stringent ethics of working with horses. Why? Because the welfare of the horse comes first. We always suggest finding the background of your certification company to understand their ethics in how they work with horses.
- Kari trained in 2008 at a company that no longer exists when there was a six-person partnership. That included the designer of the programs and the certification school (Equine Connection still works with the designer). Kari was also the only instructor in the world certifying in the BuildingBlock™ course for one year, as the original organization had dissolved their business.
- We do the work. We don't just certify people; we also run the programs weekly with our clients and run women's workshops, corporate team building, and partner with many organizations to bring legitimacy to the EAL profession. This is what keeps us at the forefront of this field.
- We are not a therapy course - we are skills development. You also don't have to be a degreed therapist or counsellor to run these objectively driven programs because it's about developing skills-no equine therapy - no riding. However, we know that horse therapy exists whenever you work with these magnificent creatures, but running courses and calling them therapy when you are not a therapist or clinical professional is misleading and unethical.
So? 1-ply vs. 3-ply. Ensure you are getting the highest quality certification out there - Because nobody likes 1-ply toilet paper.
To understand how this process works, one must first realize how horses learn, understanding the rules of survival. In a horses world the rules are clear, easy to understand and dealt with swiftly if challenged. Team work is a necessity to the survival of the herd, it is not only expected but respected. Horses respond favourably to positive stimuli, gaining trust and respect through herd training. They don't judge but they don't forget. Participants must earn their relationship(s), they provide honest and instant feed back, never allowing participants to cheat. The number #1 thing a horse needs to feel is SAFE and when the participants understand this magnificent creature and what is required to move forward in life the parallels are amazing in how the client naturally brings what they've learned in the arena with the horse to their everyday life. The bonus is, it's experiential learning so each human retains that learning as they are with the horse and using all their senses to move through the exercises provided vs sitting in a classroom style. There is nothing like a 1200 pound teacher helping humans to be mindful, connected, and present in life as that is the only way they live.
Once you are completed your training you will be entered into our private 'Workplace' group to meet the international family of hundreds of facilitators who will help you and support you (along with your instructors) on the journey towards your dream career!
You can divorce us but we don't divorce you. You are with us for a lifetime with your one time investment. Support, Training And Aftercare - Essential For A Safe And Productive Learning Environment For All
Our support is second to none! Knowing that you have 24-hour availability to answer all of your ‘Now What?’ questions as they arise. The support goes on forever with this certification without additional costs, all from the comfort of your home. Unprecedented networking opportunities. Keeping you up to date with new findings, materials you can use, and your education in this industry is continuous.
You belong to a community that has travelled the road ‘before you’ and ‘with you.’ Accessing these resources will keep you focused on your business to get you to your success. This is the course that keeps on giving!
Getting certified is the first step, but “aftercare” is equally, if not more important. So much information is covered during the course, but you won’t discover what and where you need help until you start applying your knowledge and conducting programs. That’s where our aftercare comes in! To make sure that you aren’t left hanging or on your own! Knowing that you are always a part of an amazing team and being a part of the best family ever will give you continuous motivation for SUCCESS! PRICELESS! AND, The quality of our certification is outstanding! It’s a “living certification” that keeps improving, adapting, and delivering new resources to make us better facilitators for horses and humans.
This still works for those who are NOT technologically savvy.
Don't worry! We will give you step by step instructions on how to do your online portion of the course and how to participate. We have selected a platform that is a super easy to navigate and learn through.
You bet!! You will receive 'how to practice' tutorials videos after you've completed the training, for how to facilitate your objectives that are designed in the programs that you receive with your business package. PLUS, when do you step-ins to facilitate the objective with the horse teaching and calling you in when it's time to do just that.
It's a career with horses not a course. We invest back into you for the life of your career. We continually provide training you for the life of your certification and included how to build a sustainable business, find your success with help, and support 24/7. It's the investment that keeps on going with your one time investment. PLUS you have a Return On Investment!
Yes, you bet! We can give you a PDF of your certificate if needed for your insurance company.
Would you hire an electrician to wire your house with no training? Or a dentist to work on your teeth that was self-taught? It may seem like something that you can easily do, it is just working with horses and people, but it is also working in behaviour modification and change. Without training or certification, you are putting yourself in a liable situation where you could open yourself up to getting into therapy situations you are not trained for or "telling" people rather than facilitating. Also, for insurance or working with organizations, they want to know that there is a reason why you can do what you do. Not to mention the research studies, history and clout for sales by having an international certification behind you. We know we would not have business with our organizations and schools if we did not have training in what we do to help humans and understand how the horse is the teacher and how to parallel and move forward in life with these learnings.
To simplify this, writing off something on your taxes, deducting an amount to reduce your taxable income. These are beneficial to you as a taxpayer because they can save your money on your tax bill OR give you a refund back. plus anything related to creating your new business.
Horses helping your community to build life skills to move forward in their lives but how? The bread and butter of your business to be is the horses along with the objectively driven curriculum programs. The value in what you will provide to your clients will set your price. With our business training we give the know hows in what to charge, how to price your programs, and how to get to your success.
HORSES + CURRICULUM PROGRAMS + WRITE-OFF'S + BUSINESS TRAINING = MAKING A LIVING
Being nationally/globally recognized allows you to move and take your business anywhere in the world. This is not a stationary business. The certification course will enable you to run your business the same way wherever you go, as it is set up with a form of delivery that has predictable outcomes for the clients you are helping to move forward in their lives.
Being nationally/globally recognized allows you to get insurance to run your business. PLUS, we have created a governing body with your certification. This governing body ensures facilitators can maintain their mandated hours while continuing to learn their objectively driven programs and exercises with results for safety and competency.
Unfortunately we do not sell our curriculum programs to outside Equine Connection facilitators. However we do have some exciting items that are available. Take a looksky at these wonderful workshops and programs for your business. Shop Our Store
PLUS, we have some exciting Business Courses to help your business grow!
Your opportunities are endless! Whether you are working with another facilitator, or starting your own business, the certification allows you to be able to work your dream career with horses with whichever target market you choose.
What markets can you work with? The sky is the limit! From youth to adults to workshops or even corporate team building. If you can dream it, you can do it!
ONLINE is strictly online for those who cannot travel for an in-person practical training. We've created a 'no travel' training where we have loads of videos to learn from, and then you would implement that into practicing your programs at your own place.
You will send us a video of you doing a program, and then we connect with you afterward to review techniques, critiques, and understanding - always watching the horse to facilitate getting the clients to success.
The in-person practical training certification would be to learn the theory of equine assisted learning from the comfort of your home first.
Then come to the FUN and MAGICAL Three-Day In-Person Practical Training where you apply the theoretical learning that you learned online.
A Governing Body - The EAL Network - This network aims to ensure the welfare of all horses who are teachers for Equine Connection Facilitators and provide safety standards for all participants. This Governing Body was developed to fill that gap in the equine assisted learning industry to ensure a checks and balances system for the Equine Connection Facilitators across the globe. Our primary goal is to maintain the safety of the horses, the clients and the integrity of EAL is held to the highest of standards and will also ensure the safest - and most ethical - learning experience possible. To learn more, visit
https://www.ealnetwork.com/
With your one time investment there is NO ongoing fees.
WE HAVE LOADS!! - https://equineconnection.ca/reviews/
"Too much happiness and relief, I realized after day two of taking this certification course that Equine Connection was precisely the objective-based, social-emotional ground work curriculum that I had been looking for over 5 years. Even after all my research with other equine-assisted programs/certifications, I could not find a research-based program for life skills with horses where I would not have to reinvent the wheel or be able to ensure results and not just happy, fuzzy moments. This course exceeded my expectations, and honestly believe the hype when people say they left feeling more empowered than when they began and reaped more than they expected. While Carolyn and Kari's infectious and powerful presence via social media was very attractive in making the (gulp) initial investment of purchasing the course, I was pleasantly surprised (maybe I'm just a tad too speculative or cynical) that their energy and positive intent was actually authentic and made the 5 days a real joy and inspiration to experience...
Canada
Investing in yourself is an act of self-love, and one of the most rewarding things you can do. Make a profound difference by working with horses - with purpose while helping others!
Australia / New Zealand
Investing in yourself is an act of self-love, and one of the most rewarding things you can do. Make a profound difference by working with horses - with purpose while helping others!
Usa / International
Investing in yourself is an act of self-love, and one of the most rewarding things you can do. Make a profound difference by working with horses - with purpose while helping others!
"The Equine Connection Horse Certification is more than a certification, it's a turn key business well worth the cost of the investment!
Successfully passing other certifications left me with a feeling of accomplishment and a nice frameable certificate but that was it. This is the first certification course I have taken that actually gave me the answer to the "Now what?' question I typically have after completing a course.The course provides invaluable information and the business pack you receive at the end of the course has everything you need to get going on your business.
The Equine Connection Team is supportive and available every step of the way."
~ Karen Franco