Learn About The Therapeutic Horsemanship Program

 

Become a certified therapeutic riding instructor by studying a variety of academic areas, all vital to perform successful Equine Assisted Services and therapies. You can devote your time and energy to helping others through Equine Assisted Services at SUNY Cobleskill.

 

 

Therapeutic Horsemanship Program Highlights

• Learn equine care, equine selection, training, equine behavior, fitness/conditioning, management, riding instruction, and riding skills.
• Prepare for certification by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International for both the Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) and the Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL).  
• Work with carefully selected horses while interacting with college students, community volunteers, parents, teachers, and therapists in an enriching environment.
• Make a difference in the lives of a wide range of clients, including young children, at-risk adolescents, adults, and Veterans.
• Learn to select, manage and train horses for use in therapeutic horsemanship.
• Work in collaboration with pre-schools for children with special needs, Lexington ARC, Veteran Hospital, pre-schools, Head Start, and community participants. 

 

Degree Background

Bachelor of Technology (BT)

• 122 Credit Hours (4 Years)
• Prepares students for certification by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.
• Coursework includes a unique mix of animal science, psychology, early childhood education, physical education, and recreation classes.
• Read more details in the College Catalog >>

 

Therapeutic Horsemanship Overview

The practice of therapeutic horsemanship uses the horse as a motivational tool to help people with special needs improve listening skills, focus, sequencing, coordination, and develop greater self-confidence, patience, and control.

Equine-assisted services is a focus on mental health with patients caring for horses in a supervised setting. There are multiple segments to the mental health portion of our equine-assisted learning. Among these services is equine-facilitated psychotherapy,  Psychotherapy incorporating horses involves a mental health professional working with a credentialed equine professional to address goals agreed upon by the mental health professional and client.

Therapeutic Horsemanship is an approach to physical therapy where the patient rides horses to improve their physical health.

The Bachelor of Technology Degree in Therapeutic Horsemanship is designed to provide in-depth study and practice in the foundations of equine-assisted services, drawing on the subjects of equine science, education, psychology, sociology, recreation, and sport.

Students enrolled in the Therapeutic Horsemanship program will receive coursework in therapeutic riding instruction and a hands-on, client-based setting every semester. The program offers the range and depth of course work to enter directly into the field of therapeutic horsemanship or to pursue graduate studies. Successful students may complete the teaching hours required to apply for instructor certification through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.

 

Course Offerings

Sample courses include:

Facilities

The Therapeutic Horsemanship program is conducted on campus at the SUNY Cobleskill. Our Therapeutic Horsemanship Program has stabling for 40 horses, a 100 x 200 indoor arena, and a 100 x 200 outdoor riding ring. Students enrolled in Therapeutic Horsemanship have the opportunity to enhance their horsemanship and riding therapy skills through a variety of training courses and participation in the Varsity Hunt Seat IHSA Riding Team.

 

PATH Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification.

The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) is an international non-profit organization that promotes safety and optimal outcomes for people with special needs, Psychotherapy Incorporating Horses and Equine Mental Health Services are among these.

The Therapeutic Horsemanship program at SUNY Cobleskill provides the student a depth of knowledge vital to exceeding PATH standards for therapeutic riding instruction certification.