More Than Riding at CKRH
Equine Assisted Activities (EAA)

CKRH is continually seeking to expand the services offered to our Community.  The following is a brief description of each activity CKRH offers and the proper definition of each.  In the interest of clarity and consistency, NARHA’s Health and Education Committee has adopted a glossary to describe the activities and participation within a NARHA Center. 

Equine Assisted Activities (EAA) is an umbrella term inclusive of all the various offerings of NARHA centers and all of the equine activities and therapies designed for people with disabilities or diverse needs.  This term will be used by CKRH to accurately make global statements about center activities. 

Therapeutic Riding (TR) is mounted activities including traditional riding disciplines or adaptive riding activities conducted by a NARHA certified instructor. At CKRH these activities are taught in private and group lessons during the day and evening.  Each mounted activity is designed to meet each participant’s individual needs and may focus on fine/gross motor skills, balance, strength, coordination, proprioception, tactile senses, team work and much more.

Hippotherapy (HPOT) is a physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. Services are provided by a licensed/credentialed PT, OT, SLP and are offered in partnership with Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital on Tuesday and Friday.
 
Therapeutic Driving is activities related to carriage driving conducted by a NARHA certified driving instructor.  The driving program at CKRH provides individuals who may not be able to ride, due to contraindications, the experience of equine movement. 

Therapeutic Horsemanship is mounted and non mounted equine activities taught by a NARHA certified instructor to people with disabilities or diverse needs who want to develop their skills in horse care, horse handling, and riding.  Students progress in riding and horse care skills while improving cognitive, emotional, social and behavioral skills.  CKRH activities that teach therapeutic horsemanship in depth are Horse-master lessons, Pony Club lessons and competitive events.

Competition is individual or team sports at the local, regional, national, or international level. This will be offered through Pony Club activities, Special Olympics and Paul Frazer Horse Show.  Participants must meet eligibility requirements prior to entry.

Equine Facilitated Mental Health (EFMH) is inclusive of equine assisted activities and therapies with a focus on mental health issues.  At CKRH these activities and therapies typically do not include riding or horsemanship skills.  They are lead by a licensed/credentialed mental health professional in conjunction with an appropriately credentialed equine professional.  Examples of therapies are psychotherapy, marriage and family counseling and grief counseling. 

Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) includes equine activities incorporating the experience of equine/human interaction in an environment of learning or self-discovery. EFL promotes personal exploration of feelings and behaviors in an educational format. Goals may be related to self-improvement, social interaction and/or education.  At CKRH these activities do not include riding and may be conducted by a NARHA certified instructor, an educator or a licensed therapist.

Examples of the EFL academic programming include the Equine-Assisted Elementary School Program designed for school age children and taught by a NARHA certified instructor.  The primary purpose of this unit is to integrate reading, writing, math and science skills with social and problem-solving skills, while at the same time empowering students to seek new learning through rich experiences.  The purpose of CKRH’s Equine-Assisted Preschool Program is to provide services to preschool-aged children that will develop and reinforce fine and gross motor, vocabulary (verbal and non-verbal communication), early literacy, integration of the tactile system and temporary separation from parents. 

A second example of an EFL program at CKRH is the Horse Power Life Skills Program.  This program is taught by a NARHA certified instructor and focuses on teaching daily life and social skills to school age children.  The weekly two hour sessions will focus on problem solving skills, respecting boundaries, team work exercises, positive interactions with others, communication and trust.

A third example of EFL programming at CKRH is Therapeutic Retreats.  These are single session, non-mounted, group activities.  They will be offered on assigned days as scheduled with the partnering organization.  All activities are overseen by a NARHA certified instructor.  Activities vary according to request and need.  Minis on the Move brings the minis to organizations such as Cardinal Hill’s Therapeutic Camp for children or to a school campus.  Senior Therapeutic Retreats provide services to senior citizens either at their location or at CKRH.  These activities promote wellness, social interaction and education.  We have also provided equine facilitated learning activities to Shriner’s Hospital and Fayette County Parks and Recreation.

Vocational Rehabilitation is equine related activities that may include work hardening, work re-entry or vocational exploration.  Participants are young adults or adults.  CKRH partners with high schools and other organizations to provide these services on a limited basis during the day.  This training is provided by a NARHA certified instructor.

Additional helpful terminology:

NARHA Premiere Accredited Center - A member center that has been successfully evaluated to be in compliance with NARHA Standards. 

NARHA Certified Instructor – An instructor of therapeutic horsemanship who is certified by NARHA at the Registered, Advanced or Master level.  At CKRH certified instructors have completed specialized educational training to ensure competency in the areas of disabilities, recreational therapeutic activities, instructional abilities, horsemanship and equine safety.

Educator - An educator/teacher licensed or sanctioned by the state, school district, department of education or equivalent designation.

NARHA Registered Therapist – A licensed therapist or therapist assistant (PT, OT, SLP, COTA, PTA) who has registered with NARHA upon completion of the AHA, Inc approved Hippotherapy coursework and the requisite number of hours of practice in hippotherapy.

Mental Health Professional – A licensed and/or credentialed medical professional who specializes in the treatment of individuals with psychiatric, psychological, emotional or behavioral diagnoses.

Horse handler, horse expert, equine professional, horse leader, equine specialist – Terms which may be used to indicate the person handling the equine during a session and/or training and conditioning the equine for participation in equine assisted activities. Usage may vary by discipline. The HPOT session where a horse is long lined might have a horse handler, whereas, the person leading the horse in a therapeutic riding lesson may be the horse leader.
Therapeutic - An activity is therapeutic if a participant derives benefit, shows improvement or feels better once engaged. An activity can be therapeutic without being considered as therapy. In general, EAAs may be described as therapeutic, but they are not therapy or is not considered treatment without fulfilling specific requirements. (See Therapy, defined below) 
Therapy – Claims of providing therapy or treatment, or billing for services with a third party may be done only by a licensed/credentialed professional such as a PT, OT, SLP, psychologist, social worker, MD, among others.