Frequently Asked Questions
You want the freedom to do what you love with your horse.
How does Equine Connection’s certification course work? Do you need to be a therapist? Why are we different? Is there a payment plan? Where are we located?
All of that (and more) is answered right here.
About the Certification
Equine Assisted Learning is a hands on way to help people build life skills through guided, ground based experiences with horses. Sessions are objective driven, the horse is the teacher, and you are the facilitator who helps clients see what the horse is showing them and how it applies to their real life.
You set up the exercise, watch the horse for feedback, and step in at the right moment to guide the learning. You are not fixing people or “doing therapy” to them. You are translating what the horse is saying so that clients can see patterns, build skills, and make their own decisions about how to move forward.
No. You do not need to be a therapist or hold a degree to become certified. This is life skills and skills development, not therapy. Therapists and counsellors are very welcome and often add this model to their work, but it is not required to succeed.
No. There is no diagnosis, treatment, or digging into people’s past. This work focuses on building life skills like communication, leadership, boundaries, confidence, and trust. The horse teaches in the moment. You guide the learning safely and ethically.
You complete your online theory at your own pace, then attend a three day practical or complete your No Travel Training from home. Most students finish within a few weeks to a few months, depending on life, work, and family.
Yes. You get a bonus three day practical with real horses and real clients at one of our world class facilities in Canada, the USA, or Australia, or you can choose our No Travel option and learn from your own arena. Both paths give you full certification.
No. You can complete the certification without owning horses or property. Many graduates partner with barns, riding schools, or private owners once they are certified and ready to launch their programs.
Yes. Graduates work in multiple countries and secure insurance successfully. We are globally accredited, supported by a governing body, and partnered with Equine Guelph at the University of Guelph. This gives you credibility and professional backing when you speak with barns, schools, organizations, and insurers.
We put the welfare of the horse first, always. We give you real curriculum, real business training, and lifetime support, not just a weekend experience and a certificate. Many students come to us after other certifications saying they still did not know how to move forward. We are here to make sure you do.
No. You need to be able to move safely around horses, follow safety guidelines, and be willing to keep learning. This work is about communication, observation, and facilitation, not riding or performance training.
Horses and Welfare
It is everything. We work with horses, not use them. You learn their language, culture, and needs so that every session honours their well being physically, mentally, and emotionally. If it is not good for the horse, it does not belong in our programs.
The horse reacts honestly to human behaviour, intention, and energy. They show us when something is unclear, pushy, disconnected, or congruent. You learn to read those responses so that the horse can lead the learning and the client can see the truth without you ever having to “tell” them.
Yes. You dive into horse behaviour, herd dynamics, body language, stress signals, personality traits, and what makes a true lesson horse. You also learn when a lesson horse needs a break, re-schooling, or a different role.
Yes. Our governing body, The EAL Network, sets global standards for safety, ethics, and horse welfare. We also partner with Equine Guelph, The Horse Owner’s Centre at the University of Guelph, for ongoing education and welfare standards.
Business and Money
It is your ready to go business in a box. You get program materials, lesson plans, research based exercises, marketing templates, pricing guidance, website support, videos, graphics, and tools so you do not have to create everything from scratch.
Yes. You leave with a complete curriculum, a clear offer, pricing guidance, marketing tools, and a step by step plan to start working with real clients. You are not left staring at a blank page wondering, “Now what?”
Yes. Many graduates run paid programs for youth, adults, schools, non profits, and corporate teams. Your business training shows you how to price, package, market, and retain clients so that you have both impact and income.
That depends on your time, focus, and local connections, but many graduates begin running their first paid programs within months of certification. We help you start small, build momentum, and grow at a pace that fits your life.
Yes. We explain how your certification, supplies, and set up can be business expenses and what to ask your accountant. You learn about ROI, write offs, and simple ways to track the numbers so your business makes sense on paper and in your bank account.
Perfect. Most of our students are horse people who never saw themselves as entrepreneurs. That is why we built the Instant Business Pack and ongoing coaching. You do not have to figure it out alone or become a marketing guru overnight.
Payments and Logistics
It is your ready to go business in a box. You get program materials, lesson plans, research based exercises, marketing templates, pricing guidance, website support, videos, graphics, and tools so you do not have to create everything from scratch.
Yes. You leave with a complete curriculum, a clear offer, pricing guidance, marketing tools, and a step by step plan to start working with real clients. You are not left staring at a blank page wondering, “Now what?”
Yes. Many graduates run paid programs for youth, adults, schools, non profits, and corporate teams. Your business training shows you how to price, package, market, and retain clients so that you have both impact and income.
That depends on your time, focus, and local connections, but many graduates begin running their first paid programs within months of certification. We help you start small, build momentum, and grow at a pace that fits your life.
Yes. We explain how your certification, supplies, and set up can be business expenses and what to ask your accountant. You learn about ROI, write offs, and simple ways to track the numbers so your business makes sense on paper and in your bank account.
Perfect. Most of our students are horse people who never saw themselves as entrepreneurs. That is why we built the Instant Business Pack and ongoing coaching. You do not have to figure it out alone or become a marketing guru overnight.