At Equine Connection - The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning, we always say that our certification is life-changing. But the truth is, it is not our words that matter most. It is the voices of our incredible facilitators in training who prove, time and again, that this course changes not only their relationship with horses, but with themselves, their clients, and their future.
And the best part? These testimonials come from people who have only completed the online theory portion of the course. Imagine what happens when they step into the arena for the BONUS in-person training with the horses.
Learning Online, Living the Change
We designed our online certification in Equine Assisted Learning to feel nothing like a boring course. Think of it more like watching a movie with us by your side, popcorn in hand, where we guide you step by step in a fun, engaging, and interactive way. You can finish the theory portion in just four days if you want, or move at your own pace. And because we are live and responsive, you are never just left with a computer screen, you are learning with us.
Cassandra: 40 Years with Horses, and Still Learning
Cassandra has been in the horse world for over 40 years, working in pro rodeo and training. She knows horses inside and out. And yet, after completing just one week of the course, she told us she learned more about her horses in those few days than she had in her entire career.
For Cassandra, the course shifted everything. It was no longer about using horses, but about partnering with them, feeling their energy, and understanding them in a deeper, more profound way. Even after decades in the industry, her perspective was transformed.
Polly: From Cowboy Habits to a New Partnership
Polly has been a rancher all her life, surrounded by cows, horses, and the old-school ways of working with them. She admitted that she used to pull on her horse's head out of habit, because that is just how she was taught.
But after going through the theory, she caught herself saying, "Oh my gosh, I didn't know I did that." She immediately began practicing what she learned, shifting from pressure and force to communication and body language. She was excited to take this knowledge back to a teaching horse that had challenged her for years. And most of all, she felt proud to finally be honouring her horses as true teachers.
Ebony: Changing the Way Kids Learn to Ride
In Australia, Ebony had already been teaching riding lessons for years. But she wanted to add something more, a credential that would allow her to truly help her students grow, not just in riding, but in life.
Just from the online portion, she began asking her students open-ended questions. Instead of simply instructing, she facilitated. "Where were the horse's ears when that happened?" she asked. "What could you do differently?"
Immediately, the kids lit up. They were engaged, empowered, and learning in a whole new way. Ebony saw firsthand how powerful it was to bring Equine Assisted Learning into her teaching.
Lorianne: Reinvigorated and Inspired
For Lorianne, the course came at the perfect time. From day one, she was messaging us with excitement: "I didn't know this!" and "Get out of here, this is how horses communicate?"
She said the course reignited her passion, gave her a new sense of purpose, and helped her see both her horses and herself in a different light. Now she catches herself thinking of the "Kari-isms" that are stuck in her head and that is without meeting you in person. Watching the videos and having you both in my home for a couple weeks. Y'all are in my head. Yeah. Your enthusiasm and passion are contagious. And this, for this, I am beyond grateful.. But most of all, she felt inspired to move forward, knowing that she was not alone and that she had joined a global herd of support.
Carol: 15 Years of Volunteering, and Still Blown Away
Carol from Missouri had volunteered with an equine-assisted program for 15 years. She thought she had seen it all. But after completing just the first chapter of our theory course, she said she could not believe how much she learned about horse behaviour and communication.
Carol had also worked in law enforcement, witnessing heartbreaking cases of abuse. She shared openly that she lived with PTSD from the experiences. For her, this course was not just professional growth, it was personal healing. It gave her a new way to process her past, connect with her horses, and prepare to help others on their own journeys.
Kathy: A Lifelong Learner Still Amazed
At 68, Kathy has taken countless courses throughout her life. She has invested thousands of dollars into her education. But this one, she says, is the most powerful.
She was shocked at how much she did not know about horses and grateful that the Equine Connection certification helped her bring together everything she had learned from other respected trainers into one solid foundation. For Kathy, the investment was not just in her business, but in herself and her lifelong relationship with her horses.
A Global Herd of Support
From military veterans in St. Louis to lifelong teachers in Canada, from ranchers in the United States to riding instructors in Australia, our facilitators are proof that the Equine Connection certification is more than just a course. It is a transformation.
The horse is never a tool. The horse is always the teacher. And when you learn to see the world through their language, everything changes.
Why These Stories Matter
These are not polished marketing lines. These are real words from real people who were forever changed, and this is before they even touched the in-person portion of the training.
Every testimonial reminds us why we do what we do. Because when humans learn to partner with horses, they step into their purpose, build confidence, and begin helping others in ways they never thought possible.
And that is what the Equine Connection Academy is all about: raising the welfare of the horse, empowering people, and creating a global herd of facilitators who are changing lives.
Final Thought
If this is stirring something inside of you, maybe it is your time. What if you could be the next Cassandra, Polly, Ebony, or Carol? What if you could wake up every day knowing you are not just living your life, but changing lives?
That is what Equine Assisted Learning is all about. And that is why our certification is not just a course, it is a life-changing journey.