EAS services are different than going to soccer practice or getting therapy in an outpatient clinic.  When we miss a session in EAS, there are many assets still at stake-  volunteer time, scheduling time, getting the horse ready, allocating resources to different places to balance work loads etc. How do we give our participants grace while protecting our sustainability?  

Expect to hear:

• The importance of clear communication regarding policies
• HETRA Cancels vs. Participants Cancels vs. Not Scheduled
• Crediting participants who are billed up front 
• Differences in managing cancellations for therapy services vs. other programming

  Link to get our cancellation policy at Patreon:  patreon.com/notjustaponyride 

This episode is proudly sponsored by Freedom Rider:  https://freedomrider.com/

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks

Learn all about a unique program at HETRA and how it has grown and developed in this episode with Edye Godden, OTR/L, PATH Intl. CTRI and the CEO of HETRA.  We wanted a program for our participants that weren’t exactly ready to transition to adaptive riding, but wanted more independence.  It could be that the participant needs skilled intervention occasionally for things like the mount/dismount, posture, position, communication, behavior or mental health — but that they are ready to learn more horsemanship skills, wallah the Group Activity Program (or GAP Program) was born!  

This episode is proudly sponsored by Freedom Rider:  https://freedomrider.com/

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks

Seasoned psychotherapist Carol Odell's memoir “Girl, Groomed: A Therapist’s Memoir of Trauma” (She Writes Press, April 22, 2025) is an unflinching exploration of her journey to confront and heal from the complex trauma of childhood sexual abuse within the world of Virginia’s equestrian show-jumping circuit. Carol shares with us the impactful ways that horses helped her heal, including her unique experience in an equine-assisted therapy program.  

57. Polyvagal Theory: The Science of Feelings Safe & Equine Connection:  https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/sCq6DZecuSb

Connect with Carol Odell and get her book, “Girl Groomed:  A Therapist’s Memoir of Trauma” at www.carolodellmsw.com

This episode is proudly sponsored by Freedom Rider:  https://freedomrider.com/

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks

Part of managing our horses physical and mental health during lessons is making sure our participants are prepared for their next jump in horsemanship.  Let’s talk about when to introduce the bit and bridle!  How do we stay fair to our horses while helping our participants improve their independence? Expect to hear: 

• Reining in a Halter vs. Reining in a bridle 
• Why does HETRA only use snaffle bits in sessions? 
• Preparing horses for using bridles in lessons 
• Preparing participants for using bridles - including HETRA’s checklist.
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NEW Mini Course Launching May 1st! Equine Welfare: Sustainability & Success - learn more and register now here: https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/EASEquineWelfareMiniCourse

Get the Level 2 Participant Skill checklist with a subscription to Patreon, learn more here:  patreon.com/notjustaponyride

This episode is proudly sponsored by Freedom Rider:  https://freedomrider.com/

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks

In this episode, we dive into the world of fidgets — what they are, why people use them, and how they can support focus, regulation, and sensory needs.  Our current occupational therapy student, Abi Cross from Creighton University is here to chat with us about the special considerations to using fidgets in the world of equine-assisted services.   

Tune in to learn:

• Why fidgeting isn’t just a distraction
• Who benefits most from using fidgets
• How to choose the right fidget tool for your needs
• Special considerations for mounted work in EAS when it comes to fidgets. 

Get the educational handout, “Utilizing Fidgets in EAS” here:  patreon.com/notjustaponyride

Want more education on working with participants who are neurodivergent? Get up to 5 DE CEU’s with our mini course! Learn more here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/NeurodivergentEducation

This episode is proudly sponsored by Freedom Rider:  https://freedomrider.com/

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks

 We all have a Steady Eddy in our barn. We love them and hate to retire them, but what happens when we need to? What happens if we have a horse who just isn’t a great fit?  Shelby is here to talk to us about options and how to plan for success when we retire a herd member.

Register for the LIVE Webinar:  Evaluation and Intake of EAS Horses:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/offers/cKHMk8id

This episode is proudly sponsored by Jonathan Killian of Killian Insurance:  www.farmequineinsurance.com

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks

Amanda Bubb is on the show to talk with us about all things Interactive Vaulting! One of the things she loves is that vaulting is that it is a great way to diversify programming for EAS centers while being incredibly resource friendly!  Expect to hear all of the nuts and bolts about interactive vaulting including:

• What is vaulting - what does a session look like?
• What are the benefits or risks?
• How do you evaluate participants for vaulting programs.
• Managing Equine Welfare and selecting equines for vaulting
• Getting certified, and much more!

Amanda has worked in the EAS industry for over 20 years and holds many certifications. She is a PATH Intl. CTRI, ESMHL, Interactive Vaulting Instructor, and Therapeutic Driving Instructor Level 1 at Reins of Life Inc, a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center.  She is also an Equestrian Vaulting USA Coach, a PATH Intl. Mentor, PATH Intl. Interactive Vaulting Certification Faculty, and Associate Site Visitor. Additionally, she is a CHA Level 4 Equine Facility Manager and Assistant Certifier and serves as an Adjunct Instructor in the Equine Department at a College.

Connect with Amanda and learn more about Reins of Life at www.reinsoflife.org

Attend the vaulting workshop June 16-20, 2025  at Reins of Life! https://www.reinsoflife.org/path-intl-vaulting-workshop

This episode is proudly sponsored by Jonathan Killian of Killian Insurance:  www.farmequineinsurance.com

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks

We just got back from PATH Intl. Region 6 Conference in White Bear Lake, MN (shout out to the River Valley Riders for hosting a great event).  During Shelby Schult’s presentation on Equine Strategic Planning, there were a lot of questions around Equine Lease Agreements and how HETRA utilizes leases to bring horses into our programs.  It was such good discussion that we thought, let’s bring it to the show! 

Expect to hear today: 

• The pros/cons of taking horses on donation, purchasing or leasing
• What is an Equine ‘Care Lease’ Agreement?
• What percentages are right for what horse owners? 
• A review of the content in HETRA’s Equine Lease Agreement

Please note lease agreements are a legal document that should be edited to fit your needs and reviewed by your own personal legal team.  Specific state laws and regulations may apply.  Access to HETRA’s Equine Lease Agreement here: patreon.com/notjustaponyride

This episode is proudly sponsored by Jonathan Killian of Killian Insurance:  www.farmequineinsurance.com

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks

HETRA University was busy flying around the country for education this last weekend!  Shelby Schult took a team to Main Stay Therapeutic Riding in Richmond, Illinois for PATH Intl. Region 7 Conference and Kaiti Otte and Edye Godden took a team to San Antonio, Texas for the Horses and Humans Research Foundation. We  all took so much away from our time spent with these organizations and we’re talking about the themes today!

 Highlights from Region 7: Leadership in EAS

• Current climate of donor giving/relations and the shift of wealth from baby boomers to millennials and women driven donor interactions.
• Confidence and Self-Awareness in Leadership
• Performance based leadership and importance of reviews
• Enhancing Connection through Conversation - giving/receiving feedback.

Highlights from HHRF

• Importance of Terminology - OUR WORDS ARE IMPORTANT! 
• EAS research that was approachable and easy to understand
• Equine Well Being
• Setting weight limits and weighing participants continues to cause questions

Get all the details and to register for the Equine Welfare Workshop here:   https://hetra.org/education/pre-conference-hetra-university-live.html

This episode is proudly sponsored by Jonathan Killian of Killian Insurance:  www.farmequineinsurance.com

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks

So much great information we had to split it up! Don’t forget to listen to PART ONE #112 to get the first part of her valuable insight! In PART TWO of this two part episode, hear Amy Causey tell us all about therapeutic Carriage Driving.  Amy is such a WEALTH of knowledge for the EAS field- fun fact, she holds all the certifications that are currently offered by PATH Intl. including, Certified Master Instructor, Interactive Vaulting Instructor, Therapeutic Driving Instructor and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning!

In this episode expect to hear: 

• Becoming an ‘able bodied whip’ 
• What makes a good carriage driving horse?
• Adaptations to driving tack for success
• Wheelchair accessible carts
• Emergency dismount procedures 
• Precautions/Contraindications for Carriage Driving

Amy Causey is currently the Director of Program Quality & Development at Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship in Dallas, TX.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in Equine Science from Colorado State University and ran her own horse training business prior to entering the therapeutic riding industry.  Amy is a United States Equestrian Federation licensed judge in the Arabian, hunter, jumper, and hunt seat equitation divisions and enjoys officiating as well as coaching riders at horse shows. 

Get in touch with Amy and for more from Equest at www.equest.org

Get in on the FREE lunch and learn to learn more about Equine Welfare Programs here: https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/pl/2148644161

This episode is proudly sponsored by Jonathan Killian of Killian Insurance:  www.farmequineinsurance.com

Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks