Equine Specialist

An “equine specialist” (ES) is defined as an experienced horse handler who is aware of important issues within the fields of mental health and education services, e.g. confidentiality, duty to warn, transference, counter-transference, and projection. It is the equine specialist’s job to advocate for the equine and translate the equine’s behavior and feedback to the rest of the team.

The Equine Specialist helps organize and support Clinician-lead equine therapy sessions for individuals/groups with physical, emotional, or developmental challenges, tailoring activities to meet each participant’s needs.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience: Prior experience in horse care or a related field is required, along with a solid understanding of equine behavior and safety.

Physical Fitness: The role requires the ability to walk and talk and willingness to work indoors & outdoors in various weather conditions.

Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal skills are necessary for effectively communicating with horses, clinicians, and other volunteers.

Problem-Solving: Ability to assess horse health and behavior, making informed decisions regarding care and vulnerabilities when in a therapy session.

Environment

The Equine Specialist volunteers at the horse farm. Their work may involve both indoor and outdoor sessions and requires walking and standing for 1 to 4 hours.

This role is essential for ensuring that horses are comfortable within the therapy session contributing to the client's growth and learning.