Therapeutic Riding Instructor Refresher/Update

Three Levels of Certification  Registered 2014: 400+; 68% passed, 32% failed; 25% failed both riding/teaching  Advanced 2014: 8 passed, 10 failed  Master 2014: 1 passed, 1 failed

Certification Process Options  PATH Approved Training Course  PATH Instructor Workshop and Onsite Certification  College Programs

Does my practice as an instructor match up with PATH Intl published criteria?

How are my Equine Skills? “Equine Management Skills Checklist”

An instructor is expected to be able to ride a variety of horses at all gaits showing...  Control of the horse  Posture and body alignment  Balance  Bending & Straightness  Diagonals/Leads  An effective warm-up How is my riding?

Am I teaching riding skills? “The Registered Instructor is able to conduct an effective, safe and basic lesson to include teaching a riding skill to individuals with disabilities.”

RI 3.0 Position Instruct... o Correct position at the halt; free or working walk; sitting/posting/2-point trot or jog; reinback; canter/lope o Shortening/lengthening reins

RI 4.0 Gaits Instruct… o Walk – free & working o Trot/jog – sitting, posting on correct diagonal, change of diagonal o Canter/lope on correct lead o Light contact at all gaits o Straightness of horse at all gaits o Transitions

RI 5.0 Aids  Natural aids – hands, legs, seat, voice  Artificial aids – crop  Rein aids – opening/neck/direct  Leg aids – both at same time, alternating leg aids, at/behind girth

RI 6.0 Ring Figures  Change of rein  Figure eight  Circles  Half circles

RI 7.0 Exercises and Games  At walk and trot/jog  Riding without stirrups at the walk  Riding over ground poles  Riding through an obstacle course

RT 4.1 Teaching Skills Applicable to Registered Instructor  Teaching to level of student’s ability  Progressing in skills or towards independence  Appropriate praise  WHATS, HOWS, WHYS  Postural corrections

20 Continuing Ed Hours for Certification Renewal To Include at Minimum:  6 Hours “Disability Education”  2 Hours “Relevant to Each Certification Held”: Receiving Lessons or Coaching, Attending a Clinic with “Emphasis on Instruction/Teaching Techniques”

Continuing Ed Hours Can Now Include:  Webinars, Videos, Online Courses  Volunteering for PATH Intl, Special Olympics, Paralympics; attending center volunteer training  Academic/Outcomes-based EAAT Research, writing for publication  Receiving lessons or evaluation for skill mastery  Providing or receiving coaching

Continuing Ed Hours Cannot Include:  CPR/1 st Aid Training  Recreational Riding  Exercise Classes or Personal Training  Non-EAAT judging, competing, volunteering  Day-to-Day Job Activities  Observation/Providing of Therapeutic Sessions/Lessons  General Horse Expo/Fair Attendance

2015 Field Test Standards  Online Webinar & Voting  *FTS 1 Re: Equine Workload Change to Mandatory Written policy with written records for type/day/session of each equine  *FTS 2 Re: Equine Workload, Vaulting  FTS 6 Re: Minimum age for mounted participant, 4 years

MYTHS?  Horse or rider to the block/ramp 1 st ?  Both feet out of stirrups when dismounting?  Never dismount to ramp?  Must have leaders/sidewalkers for all students?  Always lead/mount/dismount from left/near side? MORE….?

Questions? Mandy Branton (404)