CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS
LICENSING PROGRAMS

Equine Experience, unlike many other Associations of Recognition and Certification, is a "Hands On" program, always active in support and assistance for it's instructors. Equine Experience does not simply train and certify instructors and then leave them to find their own way to put that knowledge to use, we help our instructors find students and promote their programs.

We work to promote "Shared Communication" with our students, and it is only appropriate that we share information and communication among those in our own community. Therefore, as a Certified Instructor, you will find that not only do we do the typical facility inspections and review of programs, as many Licensing Programs do, and the review of lesson plans, we are also very active on the positive side.

• We provide material to help you promote your programs.
• We do press releases and emails to let the people in your community know what you are doing. Increased awareness of your program makes your job much easier. There is nothing more demoralizing than doing training to become licensed in a field and then not being able to recruit clients or students. What we are doing is a great benefit to many, but they must be aware that the programs exist before they can partake.
• We can help you decide on an advertising budget and provide you with professional ad copy and layouts.
• We can provide you with flyers and advice on what to do with them, and we can help you with advertising and promotion that will be low cost.
• We can help you recruit volunteers. Many people like working with children and horses, and you will be able to rely heavily on volunteers to help you as your program grows. Our Associate members are often looking for programs and we pair up volunteers with programs.
• Local students are readily available and part of our support provides evaluation of what types of programs best fit your facilities and how to reach potential students.
• Through our regular newsletters, we continuously circulate ideas and lessons that have worked for other programs. By keeping in touch, we can share our successes and support each other in a wide network that is invaluable.
• We can help you identify groups of at-risk children where funding is available. Such funding will not require a 501(c)3 status.
• We have great systems for fundraising in your community. These funds will pay the way for those children who cannot afford to take part, but who would benefit from it. Equine Experience can help you develop and co-ordinate regular fund raising programs.
• Since 501(c)3 status is difficult, time consuming and expensive to obtain, grant funding and funding requiring such status can be either provided, or run through Equine Experience.
• Equine Experience continues to do grant writing, sponsor and corporate supporter solicitation. Funds raised go directly to programs at the local level to pay for your services, offset your horse costs and costs of operation.
• When funding is available through Equine Experience, we identify groups of students who could benefit from the programs and co-ordinate with your program.
• We promote Equine Experience on a local and National level. Public awareness of our programs makes your job easier.

What is a Certified Instructor, and a Licensed Program?

A Certified Instructor is any person, over 18 years of age, who has completed the Training Course and met all the requirements of Certification. The requirements include filing a monthly report on not only the programs under way, but also preparations and plans for upcoming programs. This allows Equine-Experience to evaluate your progress and to prepare to meet your upcoming needs.

Certification includes a study guide and interactive evaluation of your comprehension of our programs and your ability to implement those programs to the best possible benefit to students. The study guide includes wide and in-depth information on such varied topics as Lesson Plans, Goals and Objectives, Pre and Post testing, Selecting horses, Liability, Safety, and much more.

Certified Instructors do not need to own horses. They may work with horse facilities to provide programs. They may work with more than one facility, but they must be present on premises for each session of each program.

Cost for Certification is $350 for the initial application fee, which includes study materials. Unlike many certification programs, we do not require you to attend seminars. Instead, we have believe interactive training at your own pace, is more effective. Some of our instructors work full time jobs, some have other family committments. Since they can work their programs around those committments, we believe training should also be flexible.

When you sign up to become a Certified Instructor, your training begins immediately. You don't have to wait for a seminar date. You will immediately be sent Part I of your training material, an a notebook to keep it in. You will also be sent your first assignment, which is the opening of two way communication which is the basis for Equine-Experience.

After studing the first part of the material, you will respond and send the feedback form to us, whereupon, we will send you the second part and so on. By the time your training is complete, one unit built upon another, we will be assured you will be successful in setting up, recruiting, and running your program.

Evaluation feedback from you will also help us determine what programs will best suit you. This allows us to begin planning and soliciting students for your program, putting together work plans, and all the support you need to start a successful program.

But certification is an ongoing process. Each year, there is more material and updats on programs, and you will need to file plans for the coming year.

Yearly Certification, which includes ongoing education material ~ $75 - $125, depending on the activity level and number of programs run in the previous year.

Program Licensing is required for each program using the Equine Experience name. Program Licensing fees depend on the size and frequency of the program. When funding originates with Equine Experience, Licensing fees are deducted before dispersement of funds. When funding is provided through the program, Licensing fees must be paid before program is authorized. Program Licensing fees are minimal~ from $10 for a single school visit to $25 for complete sessions. Fee schedules shall be provided with Certification training and support materials. Licensing fees are set to insure that Equine Experience has knowledge of those programs carrying it's name.

Why Become a Certified Instructor?

• This is a recognized program which gives your efforts credibility
• We are all part of a program to share the benefits we have been lucky enough to enjoy with those who would otherwise not have the chance. There is pride in being part of such a network
• Certification allows your local supporters to feel comfortable with your qualifications and credentials, making your job of funding your program easier.
• By sharing information, you don't have to "re-invent the wheel." From lesson plans to fundraising, this is a turn-key operation that puts you in the business of helping at-risk individuals through your love of horses.
• The network supplies easy recognition of what you are doing and saves you time and expense of promoting your individual program.
• Equine Experience sets standards and your certification is not only assurance to your students that there is value in your programs, but it assures you that other programs bearing that name will be up to your standards.

Who Can Become a Certified Instructor?

As mentioned, anyone over 18 years of age can become Certified. Though many of our Instructors own horses and horse facilities, others do not. If your facility is too small to have even a few students at a time join you, you can become part of the school visitation team, bringing horses and horse programs to inner city schools. We help you fit the programs to your time, personality, horses and facilities. If you don't own a horse, but want to become a Certified Instructor, you can work with local horse facilities to provide the programs.

When Should You Join? Join now and help us grow!!!

Funding is dispersed on a senior priority basis. Be the first in your area to develop the name and become a leading name in your community. As the program grows, those who have started in the area will continue to be the spokesperson.

Contact us for more information: Be sure to tell us a little about yourself, where you are located, how much horse experience you have, what kind of facility you have, how many horses, what you wish to accomplish by working with us.

How Can I become a Certified Instructor?

SIGN UP TODAY To make it easier for you, you can either mail a check, or use your Visa/MC. If you are using a credit card, you can either pay the full amount at one time, or be billed in $100 initial payment and three additional payments of $85 each.

Once you sign up to become an instructor, we will send you the first part of the training material and workpages for you to complete as you are working your way through the material. When you have completed it, we will send you our comments to help you develop your own program, and the next section of the material.

Training is an ongoing interactive learning process at all stages. We will not only send training material, but we will find out more about you, your environment, your background, and your community, to help us maximize your success.

SIGN UP TODAY