Bridles, Business & Big Ideas.
The beauty of equine assisted therapy is that it’s as diverse as the people (and horses) involved. Whether you’re dreaming of working with at-risk youth, corporate high-flyers, or families in need of a reset, there’s a place for you in this field.
What’s Next After Your Certification?
So, you’ve got your Equine Assisted Wellbeing Practitioner certification in hand, now what? Do you gallop straight into private sessions, or do you rein things in and explore your options? The beauty of equine assisted therapy is that it’s as diverse as the people (and horses) involved. Whether you’re dreaming of working with at-risk youth, corporate high-flyers, or families in need of a reset, there’s a place for you in this field.
Let’s dive into some exciting ways you can put your skills to work (I can promise your role as Chief Pooper Scooper will never be taken away).
Corporate Team Building: Swapping Boardrooms for Barns
Forget trust falls, let’s see how well those executives handle a 500 kg animal that won’t be bribed by coffee. Corporate team-building workshops with horses offer powerful insights into leadership, communication, and teamwork. Imagine business teams learning to lead, listen, and problem-solve, all while getting their designer boots a little dirty. It’s an unforgettable (and highly profitable) service that companies will pay for because, let’s face it, nothing says ‘team bonding’ like trying to convince a horse to move when it has other ideas.
Retreats & Workshops: Horses, Healing, and a Little R&R
People are searching for deeper connection, self-discovery, and a break from the chaos of everyday life. Enter: your equine-assisted retreats and workshops. You can design experiences around mindfulness, emotional well-being, or even create niche offerings for specific groups like women over 55 navigating life transitions or teen girls building confidence. Add in a cosy rural setting, some good food, and a little time spent with horses, and you’ve got a recipe for a sell-out event.
Community Outreach: Making a Difference Where It Matters
Not all heroes wear capes, some wear well-worn paddock boots. Equine assisted therapy has an incredible impact on marginalised groups, and with the right partnerships, you can tap into local council, government, and private enterprise grants. Whether it’s working with veterans, young people at risk, or individuals with disabilities, you can collaborate with not-for-profits and community groups to make your services accessible to those who need them most.
Family Dynamics & Relationship Building: The Herd Mentality
Unlike humans, horses don’t hold grudges or bring up that thing you did in 2006.That’s because horses don’t do drama, they do present moment and honesty. This makes equine assisted therapy an incredible tool for families, couples, and carers looking to strengthen their relationships. Imagine helping a parent and child rebuild trust, a couple improve their connection, or siblings find common ground, all by developing self-awareness and learning to communicate in a way that truly holds space within the herd.
Unique Collaborations: Getting Creative with Your Offerings
You don’t have to go it alone, pairing up with other wellness practitioners can open new doors. Think nature-based adventure groups, yoga instructors, art therapists, or mindfulness coaches. A ‘Horses & Yoga’ retreat? Genius. A ‘Paint Your Emotions’ workshop with an art therapist and a herd of horses? Yes, please. Cross-industry collaborations not only expand your audience but also enrich the experience for your clients.
Pop-Up Community Events: Bringing Horses to the People
Want to raise awareness and attract new clients? Host short-term or weekend experiences in high-traffic community spaces. School holidays? Perfect. Local festivals? Even better. Workplace well-being days? Why not! These mini-events give people a taste of equine-assisted therapy in an accessible way, sparking curiosity and leading to longer-term commitments. Bonus: you get to talk about your passion while hanging out with your horses. Win-win.
So, What’s Your Next Move?
The possibilities are endless, and the demand is growing. Whether you go all-in on private practice, partner with businesses, or create immersive retreats, there’s no ‘one way’ to do this work. The key is finding what excites you, what aligns with your skills, and what makes you feel like you’re making a real impact (while spending quality time with horses, of course). So, saddle up, get creative, and start shaping your equine assisted therapy career in a way that fits you. And don’t forget, when you need support along the way you know where to find me!