Workshops
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) offers a variety of educational workshops to help members expand their knowledge, learn new skills, refine their instruction methods, stay up-to-date on industry practices and prepare for instructor certifications. These workshops, which are held at PATH Intl. Centers and facilitated by specially trained faculty, include the Registered Instructor Workshop, Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Workshop, Driving Workshop and Interactive Vaulting Workshop and Mentor Training Workshop.
The Registered Instructor Workshop is a two-and-a-half day workshop that provides an overview of best practices in therapeutic riding, allowing attendees to learn more about therapeutic riding concepts and PATH Intl. This workshop is designed to prepare individuals to provide safe, effective therapeutic riding lessons to individuals with disabilities. The workshop curriculum includes hands-on and classroom activities on developing lesson plans with measurable objectives and related activities; propr tack and equipment use; mounting and dismounting considerations; techniques for effectively instructing individuals with various disabilities; volunteer management; general teaching techniques and hands-on demo lessons. Attendance at this workshop is a prerequisite to attain PATH Intl. Registered Instructor Certification. Learn more by visiting the therapeutic riding instructor certification webpage.
The Equine Specialist Workshop is a three-day workshop designed to provide equine professionals and therapeutic riding instructors with tools for working with students with mental health and/or learning issues, and collaborate with mental health and/or educational professionals to provide a more comprehensive experience for clients. The faculty for each workshop includes an equine professional and a mental health professional. Workshops are most commonly delivered along with Horsemanship Skills Test event evaluated by trained evaluators. The workshop and skills test are the first two prerequisites toward obtaining Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning certification. Learn more by visiting the Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning certification webpage.
The Driving Workshop is an intensive three-day workshop designed to present the basics of becoming a driving instructor delivered by faculty with over 1,000 hours of experience driving and instructing individuals with disabilities. Practice driving, rein and whip handling, ground driving, harnessing and putting-to are all included via hands-on activities and/or demonstrations performed by the faculty. Attendees should be prepared to actively participate and be on their feet for much of the workshop. Attendees will also learn how to develop creative lesson plans with measurable objectives, progress student skills and choose appropriate activities for various populations. Training and selection of therapeutic driving horses will be discussed in addition to preferred conformation and temperament. Examples of various therapeutic driving equines and vehicles will be available. This workshop is a prerequisite to attain PATH Intl. Driving Instructor Certification. Learn more by visiting the Driving Certification webpage.
The Interactive Vaulting Workshop led by trained PATH Intl. interactive vaulting faculty guides attendees through the basics of interactive vaulting. Activities include proper lungeing technique and appropriate tack, ground exercises, barrel work and group oriented activities both on and off the horse. Daily interactive vaulting sessions led by the workshop faculty provide examples of therapeutic interactive vaulting lessons as well as an opportunity for the participants to experience interactive vaulting for themselves. Student groups may also be brought in for demonstration. Come prepared to be active as participants learn a variety of activities to promote interaction, creativity, awareness and memory, and incorporate these into lesson planning and development. Basic vaulting movements will be taught with an emphasis on safety, spotting and determining when a student is ready to attempt movements on a moving horse. Training and selection of the interactive vaulting horse will be discussed. Interactive activities occur on, around and off the horse and barrel, with opportunities for feedback during all practice. This workshop is a requirement for the PATH Intl. Interactive Vaulting Instructor Certification. Learn more by visiting the Interactive Vaulting Certification webpage.
The Mentor Training Workshop was created in response to the need for a more formalized education process to produce qualified mentors for instructor candidates working toward PATH Intl. certification. Through group activities and discussion of scenarios, attendees will enhance their personal observation, evaluation and feedback skills. This workshop can be used for continuing education hours for PATH Intl. Certified Instructors. See the mentor training page for more information.
As international interest in PATH Intl. continues to grow, and the numbers of requests for workshops to be held in countries outside of the United States are increasing, PATH Intl. feels it is important to assume a “proactive” position in regards to international expansion and use of PATH Intl.’s standards. PATH Intl. is excited about these new opportunities to share knowledge about the benefits of equine-assisted activities and therapies around the world, and would like to make sure PATH Intl.’s standards for safety and effectiveness are implemented in a positive and consistent manner around the world. To promote international expansion, PATH Intl. has developed a checklist to guide international centers in hosting PATH Intl. workshops and certifications. This international checklist outlines a step-by-step process and list of considerations for hosting PATH Intl. events, and the PATH Intl. staff is always available for assistance and support. The PATH Intl. staff is working hard to make sure that, as the organization and our programs grow, we maintain the same high standards you’ve come to expect from PATH Intl.. If you have any questions please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at extension 114.
Please visit the PATH Intl. Events Calendar for workshop dates.
Faculty
Click here for PATH Intl. Faculty