Workshops
NARHA offers a variety of educational workshops to help members expand their knowledge, learn new skills, stay up-to-date on industry practices and prepare for instructor certifications. These workshops, which are held at NARHA Centers specially trained to host such events, include the On-Site Instructor Workshop, Equine Specialist Workshop, Driving Workshop and Vaulting Workshop.
The On-Site Instructor Workshop is a great workshop to attend to learn more about therapeutic riding and NARHA. It will give an overview on how to be a good therapeutic riding instructor, how to develop lesson plans, tack and equipment use, information on disabilities and therapeutic approaches, volunteer management, teaching techniques and hands-on demo lessons. Attendance is also a prerequisite to becoming a NARHA Certified Instructor. See the certification page for more information.
The Equine Specialist Workshop is a three-day workshop offered for equine professionals and therapeutic riding instructors who work or would like to work with students with mental health and/or learning issues, and who wish to enhance their ability to work with mental health or educational professionals to provide a more complete experience. This is a prerequisite to getting certified as an Equine Specialist, though the certification details are still under development and will be released at a future date.
The Driving Workshop is where the NARHA driving faculty will walk you through the basics of becoming a Driving Instructor. Driving practice (either hands-on or through demonstrations performed by the faculty), rein and whip handling, ground driving, harnessing and putting-to demonstrations and practice are all included, so come prepared to be an active participant. Participants will also be actively learning how to develop creative lesson plans, progress student skills and choose appropriate activities for various populations. Training and selection of the driving horse will be discussed in addition to conformation and temperament, and examples of various therapeutic driving animals will be available. This workshop is a requirement for the NARHA Driving Instructor Certification.
The Vaulting Workshop will allow the NARHA faculty will walk, trot and canter you 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 NARHA Interactive Vaulting Instructor Certification.
As international interest in NARHA continues to grow, and the numbers of requests for workshops to be held in countries outside of the United States are increasing, NARHA feels it is important to assume a “proactive” position in regards to international expansion and use of NARHA’s standards. NARHA 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 NARHA’s standards for safety and effectiveness are implemented in a positive and consistent manner around the world. To promote international expansion, NARHA has developed a checklist to guide international centers in hosting NARHA workshops and certifications. This International Checklist outlines a step-by-step process and list of considerations for hosting NARHA events, and the NARHA staff is always available for assistance and support. The NARHA 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 NARHA.If you have any questions please contact Sandy Artichoker at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or extension 112.
Please visit the NARHA Events Calendar for workshop dates.
