Providing Sessions in Equine Assisted Services (EAS) — OCN London Occupational Qualification Animal Care & Veterinary Revision

    This topic covers preparing, facilitating, and reflecting on Equine Assisted Services sessions. Learners must demonstrate practical skills in session plann

    Topic Synopsis

    This topic covers preparing, facilitating, and reflecting on Equine Assisted Services sessions. Learners must demonstrate practical skills in session planning, safe horse handling, and client interaction.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Providing Sessions in Equine Assisted Services (EAS)

    OCN LONDON
    vocational

    This topic covers preparing, facilitating, and reflecting on Equine Assisted Services sessions. Learners must demonstrate practical skills in session planning, safe horse handling, and client interaction.

    1
    Learning Outcomes
    3
    Assessment Guidance
    3
    Key Skills
    1
    Key Terms
    4
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    OCNLR Level 3 Diploma in Equine Assisted Services

    Topic Overview

    The OCNLR Level 3 Diploma in Equine Assisted Services provides a comprehensive foundation for understanding how horses can be used in therapeutic, educational, and personal development settings. This qualification covers the ethical, practical, and theoretical aspects of equine-assisted interventions, including the welfare of the horse, the role of the facilitator, and the design of structured sessions to support clients with physical, cognitive, or emotional needs. Students will explore how the unique nature of horses—as prey animals with heightened sensitivity—can create powerful opportunities for human growth and healing.

    This diploma is essential for anyone aspiring to work in the growing field of equine-assisted services, which includes equine-assisted therapy, learning, and coaching. It bridges animal care and human services, requiring students to understand both equine behaviour and welfare, as well as client-centred practice. By the end of the course, students will be able to plan, deliver, and evaluate safe and effective equine-assisted sessions, while maintaining high standards of horse care and ethical practice. This qualification is recognised by industry bodies and prepares students for roles in specialist centres, charities, or private practice.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Equine-assisted services (EAS): A broad term covering therapeutic, educational, and developmental interventions involving horses, distinct from riding instruction or recreational activities.
    • →Horse behaviour and communication: Understanding equine body language, herd dynamics, and stress signals is critical to ensuring both horse and client safety during sessions.
    • →Client-centred practice: Sessions must be tailored to individual client goals, abilities, and needs, with the horse acting as a partner in the process, not a tool.
    • →Ethical considerations: This includes informed consent, confidentiality, maintaining professional boundaries, and prioritising the welfare of the horse at all times.
    • →Session planning and risk management: Structuring activities that are safe, purposeful, and aligned with therapeutic or educational outcomes, including contingency plans for unexpected horse or client reactions.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • 1. Be able to prepare for EAS sessions.2. Be able to facilitate EAS sessions.3. Be able to reflect on EAS facilitation sessions.

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Prepare session plans with clear objectives and risk assessments.
    • Facilitate sessions ensuring horse welfare and client safety.
    • Use appropriate communication and handling techniques.
    • Reflect on own practice to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Practice writing session plans with SMART objectives.
    • 💡During practical assessments, verbalise your thought process.
    • 💡Use a reflective model (e.g., Gibbs) to structure your reflection.
    • 💡When answering questions about session planning, always include a clear rationale for each activity, linking it to specific client outcomes (e.g., improving focus, building trust). Examiners look for evidence that you understand the 'why' behind the 'what'.
    • 💡In questions about horse welfare, refer to the Five Freedoms and explain how each applies in an EAS context. For example, freedom from fear and distress is particularly relevant when introducing a horse to a new client or environment.
    • 💡Use real-world examples from your own experience or case studies to illustrate your points. This demonstrates application of theory and shows you can reflect on practice, which is highly valued in vocational qualifications.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Neglecting to assess environmental risks before sessions.
    • Failing to adapt activities to client needs in real time.
    • Overlooking the importance of debriefing and reflection.
    • Misconception: Equine-assisted services are the same as horse riding lessons. Correction: While riding may be part of some programmes, EAS focuses on ground-based activities and interactions that promote emotional regulation, communication, and trust, not riding skills.
    • Misconception: Any horse can be used for equine-assisted services. Correction: Horses used in EAS must be carefully selected, trained, and habituated to the unpredictable nature of client interactions. They need to be calm, responsive, and well-cared for to ensure safety and effectiveness.
    • Misconception: The facilitator's main role is to handle the horse. Correction: The facilitator's primary role is to guide the client's experience, observe interactions, and adapt activities to meet therapeutic goals. Horse handling is secondary to client engagement and safety.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •A basic understanding of horse care and handling, such as grooming, leading, and stable management, is recommended before starting this diploma.
    • •Familiarity with health and safety practices in an animal care setting, including risk assessment and infection control, will help students engage with the practical components of the course.
    • •Some knowledge of human psychology or counselling concepts (e.g., active listening, empathy, boundaries) is beneficial but not essential, as these will be taught within the qualification.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • 1. Be able to prepare for EAS sessions.2. Be able to facilitate EAS sessions.3. Be able to reflect on EAS facilitation sessions.

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