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Equine Assisted Therapist
An Equine Assisted Therapist is a licensed professional who offers equine assisted therapy to riding students with disabilities. This method of riding may also be called Therapeutic Horseback Riding or Adaptive Riding. Therapeutic Horseback Riding teaches people with a variety of disabilities, riding techniques, and practices. The equine assisted therapist is the person who leads the lesson and guides both the horse and the rider through his or her exercises (both physical and emotional).

History
Both therapeutic horseback riding and the equine assisted therapist position are relatively new to the medical scope. This practice began in the 1950’s in Denmark Germany, and then later developed popularity in the United States. Lis Hartel is generally recognized as the founder of the equine therapy movement. Hartel competed in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics even after after polio paralyzed her from the knees down. Even with these physical disadvantages, Hartel went on to win her dressage title. She was a significant frontrunner in displaying the possibilities of human-horse interaction even with physical deformities or disadvantages. In the 1969 NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) was founded in Middleburg, Virginia. In 1970 NARHA held its first organizational meeting; popularity continued to grow through the 1980’s and 1990’s. In 1975 NARHA began to develop examinations required to be an equine assisted therapist. By 1979 three instructor certification examination classifications were established: Non-Orthopedic Handicapped, Orthopedic Handicapped, or Combined Orthopedic and Non-Orthopedic Handicapped. These accreditations paved the way for the position of equine assisted therapist. In 1992 the position of Certified Instructor became part of NARHA’s accreditation. It required a video tape of teaching skills to be submitted along with a written exam. In 1994 the minimalist level of accreditation was offered, with the title “Registered Instructor”. By 1995 to pass accreditation all NARHA member instructors had to achieve at least one level of: Registered, Certified, or Mastered, to be officially an instructor.

Education
NARHA sets the standards required for an American or Canadian citizen to become a registered equine assisted therapist. The organizations that offer equine assisted therapy across the country have to be NARHA approved and meet their standards to be official. NARHA provides criteria for accreditation for riding, vaulting, and driving instructors. There are three levels in which an instructor can be accredited: Registered, Advanced, and Mastered. All three categories have specific requirements, Mastered being the most rigorous to attain.

Registered Level requirements

 * 1.Instructor must be able to provide basic equestrian lesson to individuals with disabilities that are a safe to the teacher and rider.
 * 2.NARHA Center Accreditation Training on-line course.
 * 3.NARHA Instructor Self-Study on-line course.
 * 4.Registered Instructor Open Book Exam.
 * 5.Current CPR and First Aid certification.
 * 6.Completion of 25 teaching hours under the guidance or direct supervision of a NARHA Certified Instructor.
 * 7.Attend and successfully complete an On-Site Workshop which includes two days of classroom and hands-on learning.
 * 8.Attend and successfully complete an On-Site Certification in which candidates can complete their certification by demonstrating their riding ability and instruction to a class of at least two students with disabilities.

Advanced Level Requirements

 * 1.Instructor must be knowledgeable in horsemanship and understand all disabilities as they relate to respective rider, and then in turn what the rider is capable of doing during therapeutic riding session.
 * 2.Lessons must be safe.
 * 3.Lessons must be challenging.
 * 4.There is a hands on evaluation provided by NARHA member.
 * 5.Written examinations at a NARHA Advanced On-Site Certified location must be completed.
 * 6.Instructors must evaluate their performance and whether they completed criteria correctly and thoroughly.

Mastered Level Requirements

 * 1. Instructor must have a strong background both in equestrian studies and equestrian teachings.
 * 2. Must have a strong knowledge of disabilities and how they then relate to therapeutic riding.
 * 3. Must be able to take charge and assert knowledge correctly during lesson.
 * 4. Instructor must be able to train OTHER therapeutic instructors.
 * 5. Must have support from operating center board.
 * 6. This level is designed for those interested in a full time career in therapeutic riding.

Fields of Focus
An Equine Assisted Therapist can have several focuses to their work.NAHRA focuses mainly with riding students with physical deformities or handicaps. A therapist might practice hippotherapy which focuses mainly in the benefits of physically riding the horse, and how the mechanics of the horse’s movement can help people with hip problems, or other physical ailments or handicaps. A smaller sector of NAHRA is EFMHA (Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association) which deals directly with the psychological benefits of therapeutic riding. EFL (Equine Faciliated Learning) and EFP (Equine Faciliated Psychotherapy) are two methods used by equine assisted therapists that target the mental health benefits of riding. The psychological aspect of equine assisted therapy can cover a variety of skills, from team work, better communication, to confidence builders.

Established Therapists
Some established therapists in this field are Linda Kohanov author of The Tao of Equus: A Woman's Journey of Healing and Transformation through the Way of the Horse (2001) and Riding between the Worlds: Expanding Our Potential through the Way of the Horse (2003). She is also one of the founders and operators of Epona Equestrian Services, a facility that deals directly with equine assited psychotherapy. Susan M Taylor, an equine scholar who dedicated research to the field of equine assisted therapy as it continues to grow. Brandon Burr who founded Aspen Ranch, which operates to primarily serve troubled teenagers in Loa, Utah. With equine assistance, students are counseled on behavioral issues (including mood disorders, substance abuse problems, and low self-esteem).