Equine Specialists (ES) or Equine Professionals (EP) are the specialist on the EAP team that knows the most about the horses. I have seen folks use both terms, but I will use the term ES in my blog. ES's know a lot about horses. They should not only have not only worked in the equine industry for many years, have had horses themselves, and have participated in formal equine training, but also have studied equine behavior so they can be sure to include the horses in the EAP sessions. They should also become certified though EAGALA, as this process helps the ES become sensitive to mental and behavioral health issues. It is great if a therapist and ES team can go to the training together, so they are continually working on their team-building, and developing their own unique approach to the treatment.
ES's may develop unique activities for clients in EAP sessions, and overall, keep the horse a part of the session, and maintain physical safety of everyone involved. This means that the ES is keeping an eye on the horses, and if something seems to be escalating or getting problematic, they will know what to do to de-escalate the situation or keep the horses and humans separated until it is safe to resume. This does not mean that the horses are running wild and people are screaming, rather, things more subtle, like the horse has its ears pinned, and clients are circled up to talk about how the horse was feeling before it becomes a situation.
You really can't do without a good ES. A good ES is someone who can follow the therapist's train of thought (in terms of treatment and guiding clients through the session), and is comfortable with feelings. Inexperienced ES's can de-rail a session quickly if they become uncomfortable with what is being shared in the session. They can do things like cheer someone up when they are starting to have real feelings about something deeply hurtful, for example, or focus on a small cut on the horse's leg, or manure in the arena, instead of letting the clients have their experience, and forgetting about the little things that can wait.
EAGALA has as a part of its training, something called apostrophe S's, or 'S. This is about the things that bother you that interfere with your ability to create a safe, productive space for clients. If you find yourself thinking, "Geez, that sounds a lot like my life" and you begin to drift off into your own world - STOP! These are your 'S's, and they can be very harmful to your clients. A good ES knows how to check this 'stuff' at the barn door!
Finally, it is really important to have an ES that can help with activity development that is RELEVANT to the client's needs. What may not be helpful is someone who just 'goes through the book' and has clients experience all of the activities in the certification manual until they have exhausted the possibilities. Therefore, creativity is key!
Fresh Steps EAP is very fortunate to have Micah Lange as our ES. She is certified in EAGALA, and has a great deal of horse experience. She is also continuing her learning by studying the Parelli model of Natural Horsemanship. Thank you Micah!
ES's may develop unique activities for clients in EAP sessions, and overall, keep the horse a part of the session, and maintain physical safety of everyone involved. This means that the ES is keeping an eye on the horses, and if something seems to be escalating or getting problematic, they will know what to do to de-escalate the situation or keep the horses and humans separated until it is safe to resume. This does not mean that the horses are running wild and people are screaming, rather, things more subtle, like the horse has its ears pinned, and clients are circled up to talk about how the horse was feeling before it becomes a situation.
You really can't do without a good ES. A good ES is someone who can follow the therapist's train of thought (in terms of treatment and guiding clients through the session), and is comfortable with feelings. Inexperienced ES's can de-rail a session quickly if they become uncomfortable with what is being shared in the session. They can do things like cheer someone up when they are starting to have real feelings about something deeply hurtful, for example, or focus on a small cut on the horse's leg, or manure in the arena, instead of letting the clients have their experience, and forgetting about the little things that can wait.
EAGALA has as a part of its training, something called apostrophe S's, or 'S. This is about the things that bother you that interfere with your ability to create a safe, productive space for clients. If you find yourself thinking, "Geez, that sounds a lot like my life" and you begin to drift off into your own world - STOP! These are your 'S's, and they can be very harmful to your clients. A good ES knows how to check this 'stuff' at the barn door!
Finally, it is really important to have an ES that can help with activity development that is RELEVANT to the client's needs. What may not be helpful is someone who just 'goes through the book' and has clients experience all of the activities in the certification manual until they have exhausted the possibilities. Therefore, creativity is key!
Fresh Steps EAP is very fortunate to have Micah Lange as our ES. She is certified in EAGALA, and has a great deal of horse experience. She is also continuing her learning by studying the Parelli model of Natural Horsemanship. Thank you Micah!
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