FAQ's & Testimonials

Questions

Why is exemplary horsemanship required? Katrina has attended several trainings where the lack of horsemanship, coupled with inappropriate horse selection, compromised both the physical and emotional safety of trainees and clients.
How is exemplary horsemanship assessed? Simply message footage of yourself working 1 or more horses on the ground, carrying out simple tasks such as leading, halting and backing plus free lunging a horse/pony with a change of rein, halt and join up.
What will I get for my money? Your 4 days of face to face contact will give you all the hard and soft skills required to start your own Equine Therapy business. From setting up your business to understanding and facilitating each lesson plan.
Do I get any support material? You will receive a manual to guide you on your new venture and you will have a 12 week program of lessons ready to deliver.
Is there any support after I've completed the EASD Certificate? There is a great group of facilitators who meet regularly to discuss and practice delivering lesson plans, dealing with tricky client behaviour, staying abreast of changing politics/funding, etc.
Is there just the EASD Communication Program? No, this program is an introductory program that teaches all the foundation concepts for additional programs. It can be delivered as an individual facilitator and there is no requirement or pressure to continue to more advanced programs. If you wish to continue, EASD Numeracy and EASD Wellness programs are available.
What if I would like to do the training as a Mental Health Worker but don't have exemplary horsemanship? You can do the training and qualify as a co-facilitator who must then partner with an EASD Equine Specialist.

Testimonials

The positive impact that Katrina has had & continues to have on my journey is a sound testament to her character & ability in all aspects of training. Of her many outstanding skills I highlight the tremendous clarity, confidence & direction that she has imparted on me & continues to do so............. I have been extremely privileged to be a student of Katrina’s where she has displayed her outstanding creative ability & delivered training programs. Katrina has great attention to detail in providing valuable & relative text material as well as critical practical applications, processing & debriefing............... I have witnessed Katrina use her technical skills to keep the training group engaged as a whole & impart a comfortable atmosphere where even the quietest student is confident to ask questions............. Jo

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In the Equine Assisted Learning space there are a number of training and philosophical frameworks. I have completed Horses Helping Humans and the Equine Psychotherapy Institute’s course along with the EAGALA training. Katrina’s program Equine Assisted Skills Development (EASD) rivals any of them….and surpasses most on the market.

EASD is first rate training program with material that could only have been built from vast experience and knowledge.

Some of the things I loved about the training include:

Extremely well structured, yet simple to follow
The program is hands on and is suitable for many levels of learning
Supported by a comprehensive manual for ongoing reference
Safety aspects are well explained…and safety for participants and horses is exemplary (Katrina expects her trainees’ to have exemplary Horsemanship skills)
Program outcomes are very clear and the scope of practise is also very clear
In the EASD Communication Program the ‘General Capabilities’ embedded within the Australian Curriculum are well covered
The tasks in the program are unlikely to cause ‘burn out’ in the horses – and Katrina stipulates the maximum amount of hours the horses are expected to work
The program is fun and interactive. ..................Lisa