Equine Assisted Learning Certification

by Catherine Howard-Lightstone
(Alexandria, Ontario)

Hi Elaine,
It was super to actually meet you and the horses last week. Thank you so much for your time and advice. I have been watching my Clicker Training DVD's...will be starting basic training in the next two weeks! Will keep you posted on that.

My question is have you heard of EAL (Equine Assisted Learning) and realized its connection to Natural Horsemanship, one of the reasons I was drawn to it. I have written to ask about training and certification as it will fit in with my plans for my rescue equines and my work with Intellectually Challenged young adults.

I would be interested in your opinion of said certification. Here's the site with the information:

http://www.thenaturalconnection.ca/index.html

Yours sincerely,
Kate

PS Will make a page about my rag taggle herd...so much to do, so little time..sigh!!!!!!





Hi Kate,

It was wonderful meeting you (and your friend) in person as well!

I am very familiar with Equine Assisted Learning and the many other things we call it that have been created around this idea. The list is never ending: Animal Assisted Intervention, Animal Assisted Therapy, Equine Assisted Therapy/Learning, Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL), Equine Assisted Personal Development (EAPD), EAP, EAL, EFP, EFEL, EAPD, EGE, etc, etc.

When I was first introduced to this equine idea, I was so excited to see that people were becoming aware that our horses finally have a new opportunity to engage with us in an evolutionary space. I started learning all I could around the subject and then became disillusioned. As I dug deeper and deeper into the actual tasks and philosophy surrounding some very popular clinicians (who do not have medical health backgrounds) I was bothered that the well being of the horse (and often the human) was not being met. It is not enough to say that Natural Horsemanship on its own is enough or is it well connected to this industry. This method is based upon negative reinforcement only and the definition and techniques get clouded more and more every day. Many who claim to be natural fall very short (in my standards) because they do not practice the whole natural picture which for me includes, no bits, no shoes, no competition, eliminating traditional methods of training and care, using positive reinforcement techniques, considering all their needs before our own etc. (And chasing or even moving a horse in a round pen, is not beneficial for the horses mental well fare, nor is asking a person to put on a halter without any knowledge of such a thing and have them use this as a means to learn how to problem solve, or having a group move a horse through an obstacle course without being able to touch them so that they are left with yelling and waving arms at the animal for compliance.)

To further cloud the industry it is noted that there is much confusion on the terms and titles of those practicing. There is no one governing body in Canada and the United States has their own confusion around the subject. The website you noted has the best review and stats on the subject to date.

http://www.thenaturalconnection.ca/_docs/CIZ-Zootherapie-2009-Eng.pdf

For me there seems to be two distinct areas. Those who are health care professionals with the recognized educational credentials and the others who have experience in different areas (i.e. energy work, shamanism, business degrees and/or horse trainers to name just a few). The code of ethics is different (and sometimes non- existent) for each group which is where my concerns are as well as what some are “doing” with the horses.


Here is the further discord within this industry (as stated in the review on that site):

Anyone can offer a “certification” program and there is little to no communication or collaboration between training/certification programs. There are no standards or guidelines for educational prerequisites to enter the field and the door is left open for anyone to hang out a shingle and partner with an animal to do “personal growth work” with clients.

I understand this part all too well doing the kind of work I do under horse trainer, horse behaviorist, clicker trainer etc. Anyone can claim to be one and there are very few programs offered. Does this make it confusing for people when looking for assistance? Sure it does. We are then left with buyer beware and hoping that the public will educate themselves by doing their own research. Gosh, that’s a lot to ask of them.

I also see us humans trying hard to make up unique, catchy terms to be more marketable. That is why constant definitions of titles and words require revisiting for clarity and disclosure. Furthermore I am convinced that many of these certificate programs are created because there is more financial gain in offering them than the original product of offering a session for the individual person looking for them.

Do I love the idea that the health care industry is utilizing our horses to help people overcome difficulties? You bet I do. And I would partner up with any health care professional with recognized credentials and education (such as a psychologist) to assist in their field of work. But this is how I would prefer to see this all go forward. The well being of the person and animal must be the highest priority by the use of positive reinforcement methods. This is empowering for all parties concerned.

Freedom, Growth and Joy is what all sentient beings desire. It explains why we don't want governing bodies to encompass new evolving work. It's based out of the fear that others with take away our ability to be free to choose. This particular industry is in a state of growth and the end result (I hope) is to seek joy and offer joy from the experience. Nothing wrong with that, I am a big supporter of JOY! Yet once again I wonder if we haven't created something for the mere financial gain of it than really helping people and horses.

I am conflicted at times regarding the need to be “certified” in these fields of work where the programs offered are so limited and unregulated to begin with. A person must decide for themselves if a certification is required in their chosen field of study.

In the end weather a person has a degree in psychology or tons of experience in horse training the goal should be the same which is have a horse and the human feel better after they have had a session with you! All of this is in the infant stages and providing those offering this setting sustain a code of ethics, morals and compassion at the highest level I trust it will unfold beautifully.

Bet you didn't know I had so much to say on this subject! LOL Looking forward for you to share your herd stories with us! They sound like such a great bunch of characters!

Elaine Polny
Training Horses Naturally