ON-SITE AND HANDS-ON COURSE, FOCUSED ON EARLY PEDIATRIC CARE IN EAT

Equine Assisted Physiotherapy for Toddlers and Infants

Advanced hands-on training in Equine Assisted Early Intervention

This advanced professional training is designed for experienced therapists seeking to develop specialised clinical competence in Equine-Assisted Physiotherapy for infants and toddlers.

What will you learn?

  • Assessment Skills: Learn how to assess psychomotor development and identify pathophysiological conditions in young children.

  • Client Evaluation: Develop proficiency in evaluating children for Equine Assisted Physiotherapy to ensure a personalised, effective therapeutic approach.

  • Progress Monitoring: Gain the skills to effectively monitor the child's progress throughout the therapy process.

  • Therapy Planning and Execution: Master the ability to plan and conduct professional, safe, and engaging therapy sessions. This includes:

    • Thoughtfully matching the child with the most suitable equine movement to optimise therapeutic outcomes.

    • Applying various positions for the child on the equine, incorporating necessary adjustments and using specialised aids to ensure safety and effectiveness.

    • Strategically determining the duration and intensity of each session to meet the specific needs of each child.

    • Selecting appropriate terrain to support therapeutic goals and enhance the overall experience.

  • Impactful Therapy Delivery: Learn to deliver tailored Equine Assisted Physiotherapy that supports the psychomotor development of infants and toddlers, laying a strong foundation for future growth.

Course lecturer

Vera Lantelme-Faisan, MSc

Physiotherapist, Equine Assisted Therapy Clinical Specialist, Lecturer

Vera has extensive experience in paediatric rehabilitation (since 1999). She has completed several specialised courses, including Hippotherapy (under the Czech Equine Facilitated Therapy Association - CEFTA and the American Hippotherapy Association), the Vojta method, CranioSacral Therapy, etc.

She focuses on Equine Assisted Physiotherapy (EAPT) services for children from 3 months of age with a wide range of diagnoses.

Vera, Chair of Svitani and President of HETI, brings unparalleled expertise and leadership to this course. Her extensive experience in Equine Assisted Therapy, combined with her influential roles, ensures that participants receive top-tier training grounded in global standards and best practices.

Vera has been teaching this unique course since 2016, drawing on over 25 years of hands-on experience in Equine Assisted Early Intervention in the Czech Republic. Her deep knowledge and practical expertise in this specialised therapy approach have contributed to outstanding outcomes for children with various health conditions.

What sets this course apart is its foundation in decades of successful practice, combined with a commitment to early intervention and tailored therapeutic strategies. Vera's approach is rooted in real-world practice, ensuring participants gain not only theoretical insights but also practical skills they can apply immediately.

This course offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from a seasoned professional who has dedicated her career to advancing Equine Assisted Physiotherapy, making it an invaluable experience for anyone looking to specialise in this area.

Testimonials

A fantastic course combining interesting theory with very useful practical learning. The tutors were clearly highly experienced and explained everything in an understandable way, patiently answering our questions. Seeing how much the children progressed during the course was remarkable. The experience is already changing my practice.
IrmaPhysical Therapist, UK
I joined the course to deepen my understanding and skills and to enhance my clinical practice. The practical insights and new approaches broadened my perspective and encouraged me to incorporate new ideas into my therapeutic sessions.
Maria LigaNDT paediatric physiotherapist, 42 years of experience, Greece
It was a really good four days and I learnt a lot. I have already started applying what I learnt in my practice, with good results.
NonaPhysical Therapist, UK

This course is meticulously designed to provide participants with both the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills essential for performing Equine Assisted Physiotherapy with children aged 3 months to 3 years.

Your gained competency

  • Assessment Skills: Ability to evaluate psycho-motor development and identify pathophysiological conditions in infants and toddlers.
  • Client Evaluation: Proficiency in assessing infants and toddlers for suitability in Equine Assisted Physiotherapy.
  • Therapy Planning: Competence in designing tailored Equine Assisted Physiotherapy sessions, including selecting the appropriate equine partner, positioning techniques, and session structure.
  • Safety and Adjustment Techniques: Expertise in ensuring the child's safety and therapy efficiency by making necessary adjustments, utilising various aids, and maintaining proper positioning on the equine.
  • Session Management: Skill in determining the appropriate duration, intensity, and terrain for each therapy session to meet individual therapeutic goals.
  • Equine Selection: Knowledge in selecting and matching the most suitable equine for each child based on therapeutic needs.
  • Ethical Practice: Understanding of ethical considerations and best practices in providing Equine Assisted Physiotherapy to young children.
  • Communication: Ability to effectively communicate with children, caregivers, and the therapy team to enhance the therapeutic process.

How does the course work?

Our Equine Assisted Physiotherapy course for toddlers and infants is an intensive on-site, hands-on training programme delivered over five consecutive days (40 educational hours, each lasting 45 minutes). The course blends comprehensive theoretical instruction with extensive practical experience under expert supervision.

In addition, participants are required to complete 10 hours of e-learning prior to the on-site training, followed by 10 hours dedicated to independent practice and case study preparation.

Course Structure:

  • Entry Requirements: Participants must be qualified physical or occupational therapists, or speech-language pathologists, with a recognised hippotherapy/EAT course and a minimum of 200 hours of EAT practice. Experience in pediatric rehabilitation or training in Baby Bobath, Vojta method, or NDT is beneficial.
  • Theoretical Learning: Engage in comprehensive sessions covering psycho-motor development, pathophysiology, and the specific therapeutic needs of infants and toddlers.
  • Practical Training: Apply your knowledge through hands-on practice with equines and children, guided by experienced professionals.
  • Certification: Complete the course by submitting a case study and passing an online review test to earn your certification.

Where can I train in Equine Assisted Physiotherapy for infants and toddlers?

Svítání Academy offers an advanced 60-hour Equine Assisted Physiotherapy programme for experienced professionals working with infants and toddlers aged approximately 3 months to 3 years. The programme combines e-learning, intensive hands-on training with children and equines, supervised clinical reasoning and independent case-based work. It is organised internationally on demand and can be hosted by suitable professional organisations and Equine Assisted Services centres.

If you’re interested in hosting, please contact us at vera@hipoterapie-kurzy.com for the budget and requirements.

FAQ

What is the primary focus of the Equine Assisted Physiotherapy course for toddlers and infants?

Successful completion leads to a Certificate of Completion confirming advanced specialist training in Equine Assisted Physiotherapy for infants and toddlers. Participants remain responsible for practising within their professional scope and applicable national requirements.

Who is eligible to enrol in this course?

To enrol, you must be a qualified physical or occupational therapist, or a speech-language pathologist, with prior completion of a recognised hippotherapy/EAT course and at least 200 hours of EAT practice. Experience in pediatric rehabilitation or training in Baby Bobath, Vojta method, or NDT is recommended but not required.

How is the course delivered?

The course is delivered on-site over 5 consecutive days, providing 40 educational hours of immersive learning. It includes a combination of classroom-based theoretical sessions and practical, hands-on training with equines and young children.

What materials and resources will I receive during the course?

During the course, you will receive in-depth theory, explanations, and case studies to enhance your understanding. Additionally, you will be provided with a handout containing key information for future reference, ensuring you have valuable resources to support your practice after the course.

What do I need to do to receive certification?

To receive your certification, you must complete the on-site portion of the course, submit a case study, and pass an online review test. This certification recognises your ability to perform Equine Assisted Physiotherapy for infants and toddlers.

Can this course be organised in different locations?

Yes, this course is organised on demand in various countries. If you are interested in hosting the course, please contact us via the form below or at vera@hipoterapie-kurzy.com. We will provide you with the budget and specific requirements for hosting the course.

ENHANCE YOUR CREDENTIALS AND EXPAND YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAPABILITIES IN PEDIATRIC REHABILITATION