The Certificate Course Syllabus

Some of the following modules may be done as interest only for those not wishing to follow the whole program.
Each module provides a certificate of attendance.

The Diploma Course Format

Enrolments: Student enrolments are taken from April onwards. The enrolment fee is £100. This covers the home study pack, paperwork / marking by instructors, and the first practical module.

Length of the course: The course takes one year to complete, running from September each year. Students who miss a module may catch up if there is a repeat elsewhere in the country, or can complete during the following year.

Pre-course home study module: Once students have enrolled, they will be sent a home study module which covers basic horse care and knowledge. It will include questions which must be completed before the first practical day.

Practical modules: These are split in to Complementary therapy and Groundwork modules, and are both run throughout the year, culminating with an Integration module.

Complementary therapy section:

Module 1a: Healing Tools. (1 day) This introduces the student to a variety of non invasive healing tools which can be used safely in equine therapy. Colour, sound, smell, magnet and crystal therapy are explored.
Modules 2a and 3a: Touch for Health Kinesiology part one and two, which includes application to horses. (2 x 2 days). This course teaches students how to balance the human and equine body to improve posture, body awareness (in people), relieve pain, balance meridian energy, improve energy all round, balance the internal functions of the body, improve co-ordination, plus some nutritional testing in people. The second part brings in concepts from Traditional Chinese Medicine and basic nutritional testing skills. This is an internationally recognised course which we have adapted to suit horses. Its great for riders too as it improves balance, reduces stress, and improves muscle function and co-ordination.
Module 4a: An introduction to zoopharmacognosy. (1 day). This module provides the student with information on oils and plants for wellbeing, and their application.
Module 5a: Scanning and surrogate techniques. (2 days). This involves scanning for imbalances and finding corrections using Kinesiology and a variety of corrective techniques and tools. Day one involves learning the technique on each other, and day two involves application to animals.
Module 6a: Equine bio-mechanics, posture and gait analysis. (1 day) This module provides students with knowledge on structure and movement of the horse, and provides confidence in analysing physical imbalances.

Body language communication / groundwork training section:

Module 1b: Introduction to body language communication skills. (1 day). This teaches the student awareness of the needs of the horse and their sensitivity to body language.
Module 2b: (1 day). Safe handling and problem solving skills. Students are encouraged to analyse the reasons for problems and are taught desensitisation techniques for problems such as spooking and clipping fears.
Module 3b: (2 days). Long reining as a training aid, plus trust in joining up. This two day module teaches people to be effective at long-reining as a means of training and re-schooling the horse to improve performance. Trust in the relationship through joining up techniques are also taught in this module.
Module 4b: Understanding equine equipment and educating owners. (1 day). This will provide the student with an understanding of appropriate bitting, correctly fitting tack and use of other equipment in the equine environment. How to approach and educate owners will also be covered.
Module 5b: Further problem solving. (1 day). Students will use the skills they have learnt during the groundwork modules to problem solve some common problems. There will be the opportunity to learn further techniques for specific issues.
Module C: Integration and assessment days. (2 days). These two days provide the student with the opportunity to work through a series of equine issues using any applicable technique, knowledge or skill that they have learnt throughout the course. Day one will include guided sessions, and day two will include assessments.

Case studies / research projects and assessment:
Requirements of case studies:
Describe the horse, the horse/owner relationship, any problems, and how you came to a decision of how to help the owner with their horse. Include evidence of how you educated the owner to work with their horse's body language (this could be an explanation of exercises you have given them, a plan you have given them, photos, feedback, further support sessions etc). Plus, provide an explanation of the outcome. The write up must be 2-3 typed pages at font size 12, plus any photos. In total we would like 8 case studies, within which you have at least 3 demonstrating your grasp of the complementary health and well-being aspects, and 3 demonstrating your grasp of the ground work training, plus 2 more of any kind. You can include both in a case study.

In addition we require 2 research projects, one on an aspect of complementary therapy, plus its application to horses, and the same with groundwork / body language work. These need to be 6-10 pages in total. On the integration days we will be doing some verbal testing. Practical work is assessed throughout the training, and there will be some specific testing on the integration days.

Cost: Based on courses run in Oxfordshire, the cost is £75 per day (plus an extra £25 at enrolment for homestudy module, plus all marking), totalling £1300. Students may pay per module. Courses run in Somerset may have a small additional charge depending on numbers.

Completion of the Diploma enables the student to obtain insurance, and practice under the School of Horse Listening to educate owners in equine communication (and charge a fee). Horse Listening practitioners are able to help owners understand how their horse communicates his/her needs, and how the owner can work with this body language communication by providing appropriate training and natural choices to improve wellbeing, relationship and performance.

Further / additional recommended training in available, particularly if you wish to specialise and /or work towards the advanced Diploma:

Reiki for people, pets and horses (includes energy communication)
Further Touch for Health training, (to include application to horses)
Advanced Kinesiology training, (to include application to horses)
Equine massage (and canine massage)
Kinesiology for animals
Further groundwork training: For example, working with young horses, rescue horses, competition horses, further problem solving; e.g rearing, bolting etc
Preparation for British Horse Society exams (including the basic teaching exam, which allows you become registered as an instructor and have insurance to teach ridden work).
Application of ground work to ridden work through riding tuition.