Horse and Participant Assessment in EAS

Do you think your horse might be ideal for a career in therapy and learning? Find out how to assess for suitability in a methodical, step by step way. Not sure how to make sure that equine assisted interventions are right for your clients or assess their potential support needs? Learn how to do an equine assisted assessment session for each new potential client.  We’ll also talk about how you can make sure that you are matching the right people to the right horses for the most successful equine assisted interactions. 

Before taking on new participants, it can be very useful to conduct a short assessment session with them. This session consists of a simple, supervised grooming activity where the practitioner can watch and evaluate how the client interacts with horses and other people. It can also give you great insight into the difficulties your client is facing, the kinds of horses that they might work well with and, most importantly, help you to assess their overall suitability for this type of intervention. Not all prospective clients will be able to take part safely in Therapeutic Horsemanship sessions.

Each practitioner needs to make a conscious, rational, fully risk-assessed decision as to whether they are capable of or willing to work with each individual client. Each client needs to give their specific, informed consent to take part in the intervention.

Whether working in Equine Assisted Learning or Horsemanship, the equine is a sentient being, partner and co-facilitator in the equine facilitated relationship and process. To support their equine partners in this field, it is incumbent upon human facilitators and coaches to be aware of the impact that this work may have on equines, and safeguard their physical, mental and emotional well-being at all times. They must ensure that their equine partners are treated respectfully and ethically, both within and outside of sessions. Where equine assisted learning sessions are concerned, the horse is an equal and respected member of the team. It is in fact the horse who takes on the role of therapist. The Practitioners simply facilitate the process. It is essential to be aware of the strengths, weaknesses and abilities of every horse in your program and to thoroughly assess any potential new therapy horses.

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