PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning
Workshop & Skills Test (ESMHL)

Dates:  April 20- 23, 2023
Evaluators:   Martha Dubensky & Vera Remes
Deadline to register: March 24th

Must be a current PATH Intl. member, current First Aid/ CPR certified, and be over 21 to apply. 

Contact Sian Brown at [email protected] to register.

About the Workshop & Practical Horsemanship Skills Test

This 3 day educational workshop is offered to equine professionals and therapeutic riding instructors who work with or would like to work with students with mental health and/or learning issues. Those who work with mental health or education professionals will also benefit, helping to enhance cooperation and provide a complete experience. It will provide an overview of  Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) programs, hands-on experience, and detail the role of the Equine Specialist within the therapy and education teams- particularly in maintaining safety of all, including the equine partner. Candidates demonstrate their horse handling/ ground skills and ability to relate to the horse during the unmounted skills test on the 4th day. 

Both the workshop and skills test are prerequisites and the first step to becoming a certified Equine Specialist. It is beneficial to have prior horsemanship skills and experience while attending the workshop. Further requirements to obtaining certification include gaining 60 hours in mental health or learning and 20 hours of equine management. 

Click HERE for the PATH Intl. Certification page for a full list of criteria, resources, and information. Any questions you have about this process should be directed to PATH Intl.