BUILD REAL-WORLD COMPETENCE IN EQUINE ASSISTED SERVICES
The ideal first professional qualification for those wishing to build a serious future in Equine Assisted Services.
Principles to Practice
in Equine Assisted Services
A practical two-part Level 3 Diploma pathway for those wishing to begin a professional journey in Equine Assisted Services and become competent staff members within an EAS setting.
Next Intake Opens September 2026
The Principles to Practice in Equine Assisted Services brings together essential theory, applied learning, practical skill development and assessed portfolio work. It is designed for learners who want a structured and realistic pathway into Equine Assisted Services, with a clear focus on safety, welfare, horsemanship, facilitation and professional responsibility. The full qualification leads to the OCN London Level 3 Diploma in Equine Assisted Services, a regulated qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework.
Open to learners from the age of 16 years.
Accredited Qualification
OCNLR Level 3 Diploma in Equine Assisted Services: 610/2272/X
Guided learning hours: 340
Credits: 34
Qualification guide
A Two-Part Pathway
This programme consists of two parts.
Part 1: Core Principles of Equine Assisted Services
This first course can also be taken as a standalone programme. It provides the essential orientation, language, equine knowledge, professional overview and key principles of Equine Assisted Services.
74 hours
Recommended completion: 5 weeks
€370
Part 2: Professional Practice and Assessment in Equine Assisted Services
This second part builds on Core Principles and completes the additional learning, practical tasks, portfolio evidence and assessed components required for the full Foundation pathway.
266 hours
Recommended completion: 6.5 months
€750
Together, Part 1 and Part 2 form the complete
Principles to Practice in Equine Assisted Services.
Total Qualification Hours: 340
Recommended completion: 8 months
Total Price: €1120
If you have already completed Core Principles of Equine Assisted Services, you do not need to repeat it. You may progress directly to Part 2.
REGISTER NOW
Next Intake Opens September 2026 - Places are limited to maintain personal tutor support.
Who This Course Is For
This course is designed for those wishing to begin a professional pathway in Equine Assisted Services and become competent staff members within an EAS setting.
It may suit those who are:
* Starting their journey in Equine Assisted Services
* Already assisting or volunteering in an EAS environment
* Wishing to work in support, facilitation or centre-based roles
* Looking for a structured and accredited entry-level professional qualification
* Equine professionals wishing to expand into the EAS field
* Career changers looking for a meaningful new direction
International & Multilingual Learning
This programme welcomes learners from different countries. Course materials, communication and learning support are designed with international access in mind.
Important Professional Scope
This course does not qualify learners as therapists, riding instructors, educators, or regulated healthcare professionals.
What This Qualification Can Lead To
Holders of this Level 3 Diploma in Equine Assisted Services can work competently in support, facilitation and centre-based EAS roles within their scope of practice.
Important Note for Therapists
Are you a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist or psychomotor therapist looking for clinical application?
You may be more interested in the OCNLR L5 Equine Assisted Therapy Clinical Specialist qualification pathway, which is designed for qualified therapists who wish to apply their professional expertise in Equine Assisted Therapy.
The Principles to Practice in Equine Assisted Services
is broader and more introductory. It is not a clinical therapy qualification.
Meet Your Lecturer
Vera Lantelme-Faisan, MSc
Physiotherapist, Equine Assisted Therapy Clinical Specialist, Lecturer
Czech Republic
Vera, the course creator and main lecturer, has extensive experience in rehabilitation since 1999 and has completed a number of specialised postgraduate training courses, including Hippotherapy through the Czech Equine Facilitated Therapy Association and the American Hippotherapy Association, the Vojta method, CranioSacral Therapy, and other professional approaches.
She specialises in Equine Assisted Physiotherapy (EAT) services for children from 3 months of age with a wide range of diagnoses, combining clinical expertise with practical experience in Equine Assisted Services.
As Chair of Svítání – Academy of Equine Assisted Services and President of HETI, Vera brings significant international experience and professional leadership to this course. Her long-standing involvement in Equine Assisted Therapy, education and standards development helps ensure that learners receive high-quality training informed by current practice, safety principles and global perspectives.
Vera combines international leadership with real hands-on experience, helping learners bridge theory into confident practice.
Read her blog, Vera´s EAS Lens.
What You Will Learn
The qualification is built around five important areas:
* participant safety and well-being
* equine welfare and well-being
* horsemanship skills
* basic facilitation and coaching skills
* foundation of business, compliance and professional standards
Through these areas, learners develop the knowledge, understanding and practical awareness needed to work competently within support, facilitation and centre-based Equine Assisted Services roles within their scope of practice.
Structure / Duration
Principles to Practice in Equine Assisted Services is a structured two-part Level 3 Diploma pathway designed to guide learners from essential theory into practical competence.
As this is a regulated qualification, learners enrol onto a defined course intake with clear milestones, staged submissions and a final completion deadline. This helps learners stay organised, progress steadily and complete the qualification within the required timeframe.
Part 1 starts on 28 September 2026: Core Principles of Equine Assisted Services
The first stage provides the theoretical foundation of the field and introduces key terminology, safety principles, equine knowledge, professional roles and the main areas of Equine Assisted Services.
74 hours
Recommended completion within 5 weeks
Fully online and flexible
Part 2 starts on 9 November 2026: Principles to Practice in Equine Assisted Services
The second stage builds on this foundation and focuses on practical application, professional responsibilities and assessed competence.
* online learning modules
* guided written tasks
* portfolio development
* practical video submissions
* tutor feedback
* live online support sessions
* final online multiple-choice assessment
Practical Submissions
Learners will be asked to submit practical evidence of competence, such as:
* safe handling and preparation of an equine
* observation of equine behaviour and body language
* preparing a safe session environment
* participant support during a practical activity
* safety awareness in practice
Total Programme
340 qualification hours
Recommended completion within 8 months by 31 May 2027 - see the L3 Diploma extension policy.
The course is designed to fit around work and personal commitments while maintaining clear deadlines and realistic expectations.
Explore the Field Before You Begin
Free PDF Guide: 10 Essential Insights into Equine Assisted Services
What You Will Need
To succeed in this programme, learners should feel comfortable with online learning and basic digital tasks, as much of the course is delivered through e-learning, written submissions, online forms and video evidence.
Learners are expected to have basic computer skills, including the ability to:
* use email confidently
* create, edit and save documents
* complete project assignments using Word or PowerPoint
* convert documents into PDF format for submission
* complete Google Forms used for quizzes, tasks and assessments
* record videos using a phone or camera
* download, save and organise files
* upload documents and videos to Google Drive
* access and use shared folders and links
* participate in live online sessions using Zoom or similar platforms
* learners should be comfortable using a browser and YouTube translation tools if needed
As the programme includes practical tasks with equines and session-based activities, learners should be physically able and personally prepared to participate safely and to manage the demands of an eight-month qualification pathway.
This course requires commitment, organisation and regular engagement.
Learners should be prepared to meet deadlines, complete practical evidence and remain motivated throughout the programme.
REGISTER NOW
Next Intake Opens September 2026 - Places are limited to maintain personal tutor support.
FAQ
Is this course open to everyone?
Do I need to be a therapist or healthcare professional to join?
Is the course available in different languages?
How long does the course take to complete?
What if I have already completed Core Principles of Equine Assisted Services?
What is the difference between Core Principles and Principles to Practice in EAS?
What qualification does this course lead to?
REGISTER NOW
Next Intake Opens September 2026 - Places are limited to maintain personal tutor support.
Svitani Academy is an accredited OCN London Centre delivering professional qualifications.
We collaborate with international experts and maintain strong links with HETI – The Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International AISBL, supporting quality and professional standards within the global EAS community.
BUILD REAL-WORLD COMPETENCE IN EQUINE ASSISTED SERVICES