2 answers
Kealia
Student
Cheyenne, Wyoming
1
Question
Asked
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Equine Therapy Degrees?
I'm planning on going back to get my bachelor's degree upon completing my associate's degree. What equine therapy degrees would be good? I want to be a therapeutic horseback riding instructor.
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Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1942
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
EDUCATION REQUIRED
Kealia a Associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field, such as PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL WORK, or ANIMAL SCIENCE, is recommended..To become a certified therapeutic riding instructor (CTRI) you must go through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) application process. The process includes becoming certified in adult and child CPR and first aid.
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR
A four-year undergraduate program in psychology focuses on the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. It provides a broad understanding of psychology. The degree typically covers topics like perception, cognition, emotion, motivation, personality, and social interactions.
SOCIAL WORK MAJOR
A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is an undergraduate degree that prepares individuals for entry-level positions in the field of social work. It will provide you a foundation in social work principles, ethics, and practice, allowing graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities to address social issues and promote well-being.
ANIMAL SCIENCE MAJOR
Bachelor of Science in Animal Science provides a broad foundation in the science and management of animals, encompassing animal biology, health, nutrition, and behavior. This degree can lead to a variety of career paths, including veterinary medicine, animal research, livestock management, and wildlife conservation.
HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC RIDING INSTRUCTOR (CTRI)
In order to become an instructor in a therapeutic/adaptive riding program, there are a number of requirements that must be met to ensure safe and effective teaching for riders with disabilities. The process can take up to two years. Kealia do you have a strong foundation in riding and horsemanship skills already.
Hope this was helpful Kealia
Kealia a Associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field, such as PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL WORK, or ANIMAL SCIENCE, is recommended..To become a certified therapeutic riding instructor (CTRI) you must go through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) application process. The process includes becoming certified in adult and child CPR and first aid.
PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR
A four-year undergraduate program in psychology focuses on the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. It provides a broad understanding of psychology. The degree typically covers topics like perception, cognition, emotion, motivation, personality, and social interactions.
SOCIAL WORK MAJOR
A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is an undergraduate degree that prepares individuals for entry-level positions in the field of social work. It will provide you a foundation in social work principles, ethics, and practice, allowing graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, and communities to address social issues and promote well-being.
ANIMAL SCIENCE MAJOR
Bachelor of Science in Animal Science provides a broad foundation in the science and management of animals, encompassing animal biology, health, nutrition, and behavior. This degree can lead to a variety of career paths, including veterinary medicine, animal research, livestock management, and wildlife conservation.
HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC RIDING INSTRUCTOR (CTRI)
In order to become an instructor in a therapeutic/adaptive riding program, there are a number of requirements that must be met to ensure safe and effective teaching for riders with disabilities. The process can take up to two years. Kealia do you have a strong foundation in riding and horsemanship skills already.
Hope this was helpful Kealia
Thank You Michelle. A candle loses nothing of its light when lighting another.
Doc Frick
Chrisanne M
engineer
10
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Chrisanne’s Answer
Hi Kealia.
Being a therapeutic riding instructor is a wonderful career that will be filled with bringing goodness to the world. I have had horses that I own participate in therapeutic riding, and I myself have been a volunteer at a therapeutic riding farm for over 20 years.
You will need to be a PATH Therapeutic riding instructor certified. It is a phased approached where you are an apprentice for a time and then test out to become a full instructor. You'll need CPR and First Aid certifications from your local fire department or Red Cross organization. In each of the phases there are both in person testing of your skills, and written exams to test your knowledge. The requirements change so feel free to track the from the PATH website here: https://pathintl.org/certification/ctri/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=907851012&gclid=CjwKCAjwmenCBhA4EiwAtVjzmishoomSOcTHP5Xx2uCacH8H9GOa06i4N-sasRSxd3dZlFyV04e_FhoCQq0QAvD_BwE
If you are local to a therapeutic riding farm, you are best to go volunteer there and gain experience and work with a certified instructor. The Therapeutic Riding instructors I know have a variety of degrees ranging from business degree (you'll need to understand how the business world works to effectively run your business), to biology (to help you understand the human conditions you'll be working with) to counseling/psychology (helps you understand the human inner workings), but others don't have a degree at all.
There's also Equine Assisted therapy (EAT), which is a little different, it's no riding, but using horses in therapy sessions to help the humans form a bond. You'll need a degree in counseling, or psychology to become part of EAT. EAT deals with more emotional or mental issues whereas therapeutic riding deals with physical and developmental issues in addition to emotional and mental issues
Both routes are rewarding. Make sure you take care of yourself in either route you go, both routes are emotionally draining to the instructor but also emotionally rewarding knowing you are helping families.
You will do great!
Being a therapeutic riding instructor is a wonderful career that will be filled with bringing goodness to the world. I have had horses that I own participate in therapeutic riding, and I myself have been a volunteer at a therapeutic riding farm for over 20 years.
You will need to be a PATH Therapeutic riding instructor certified. It is a phased approached where you are an apprentice for a time and then test out to become a full instructor. You'll need CPR and First Aid certifications from your local fire department or Red Cross organization. In each of the phases there are both in person testing of your skills, and written exams to test your knowledge. The requirements change so feel free to track the from the PATH website here: https://pathintl.org/certification/ctri/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=907851012&gclid=CjwKCAjwmenCBhA4EiwAtVjzmishoomSOcTHP5Xx2uCacH8H9GOa06i4N-sasRSxd3dZlFyV04e_FhoCQq0QAvD_BwE
If you are local to a therapeutic riding farm, you are best to go volunteer there and gain experience and work with a certified instructor. The Therapeutic Riding instructors I know have a variety of degrees ranging from business degree (you'll need to understand how the business world works to effectively run your business), to biology (to help you understand the human conditions you'll be working with) to counseling/psychology (helps you understand the human inner workings), but others don't have a degree at all.
There's also Equine Assisted therapy (EAT), which is a little different, it's no riding, but using horses in therapy sessions to help the humans form a bond. You'll need a degree in counseling, or psychology to become part of EAT. EAT deals with more emotional or mental issues whereas therapeutic riding deals with physical and developmental issues in addition to emotional and mental issues
Both routes are rewarding. Make sure you take care of yourself in either route you go, both routes are emotionally draining to the instructor but also emotionally rewarding knowing you are helping families.
You will do great!