Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator Programme QQI Level 6

Equine Assisted Learning is a unique way of improving our social, emotional and behavioural competencies through working with horses.

This course is 18 full days onsite at Festina Lente over 6 modules with assignments/projects to be completed in between each module.

Horses are prey animals and as such, monitor their environment, and the people in it, 24/7. They rely on their keen flight instincts and strong social connections within a herd for survival. By observing and working with these natural behaviours, horses can help us become aware of our own behaviours, responses and actions and the need to modify them within the arena and in daily life. Equine Assisted Learning as a tool for growth and development often focuses on the following key areas: self and social awareness, self management, problem solving, decision making, communication and relationship skills.

EAL is suitable for people of all ages, all backgrounds and all learning abilities and interests – from school pupils to those in the profit and not for profit sector. Ultimately we all need to keep developing our social and emotional competencies.

Learner Profile

This course will be of interest to those who have experience in horsemanship and a background in social care, psychology and/or similar areas.  The course will also be of interest who have demonstrable experience of working with vulnerable groups of people and who have experience in horsemanship but do not have a formal qualification in social care, psychology and/or similar areas.

Ideally, course participants should:

Be over 23 years of age
Hold a third level qualification in a social and/or health care field or related area
Have a strong background and experience of working with horses in an empathetic and educated manner
Have a proven background in the advancement of one’s own professional development
Be up to date with best practice in horse care and welfare issues
Applicants must be willing and able to work effectively as part of a team. Teamwork is a key element of the course, as students are required to assist in other students’ sessions and and actively participate in a group research presentation.
Applicants must have basic IT word processing and email skills e.g. google document or Microsoft word to write and submit assignments
For those applicants who do not meet the above criteria but who have sufficient experiences in specific areas, an interview will be part of the application process.

For Further information and to apply : https://www.festinalente.ie/equestrian-learning-centre/equine-assissted-learning