Become a certified therapeutic riding instructor by studying a variety of academic areas, all vital to perform successful Equine Assisted Services and therapies. You can devote your time and energy to helping others through Equine Assisted Services at SUNY Cobleskill.
Bachelor of Technology (BT)
The practice of therapeutic horsemanship uses the horse as a motivational tool to help people with special needs improve listening skills, focus, sequencing, coordination, and develop greater self-confidence, patience, and control.
Equine-assisted services is a focus on mental health with patients caring for horses in a supervised setting. There are multiple segments to the mental health portion of our equine-assisted learning. Among these services is equine-facilitated psychotherapy, Psychotherapy incorporating horses involves a mental health professional working with a credentialed equine professional to address goals agreed upon by the mental health professional and client.
Therapeutic Horsemanship is an approach to physical therapy where the patient rides horses to improve their physical health.
The Bachelor of Technology Degree in Therapeutic Horsemanship is designed to provide in-depth study and practice in the foundations of equine-assisted services, drawing on the subjects of equine science, education, psychology, sociology, recreation, and sport.
Students enrolled in the Therapeutic Horsemanship program will receive coursework in therapeutic riding instruction and a hands-on, client-based setting every semester. The program offers the range and depth of course work to enter directly into the field of therapeutic horsemanship or to pursue graduate studies. Successful students may complete the teaching hours required to apply for instructor certification through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.
Sample courses include:
The Therapeutic Horsemanship program is conducted on campus at the SUNY Cobleskill. Our Therapeutic Horsemanship Program has stabling for 60 horses, a 100 x 200 indoor arena, and two 100 x 200 outdoor riding rings. Students enrolled in Therapeutic Horsemanship have the opportunity to enhance their horsemanship and riding therapy skills through a variety of training courses and participation in the Varsity Hunt Seat and Western IHSA Riding Teams.
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) is an international non-profit organization that promotes safety and optimal outcomes for people with special needs, Psychotherapy Incorporating Horses and Equine Mental Health Services are among these.
The Therapeutic Horsemanship program at SUNY Cobleskill provides the student a depth of knowledge vital to exceeding PATH standards for therapeutic riding instruction certification.