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• Successfully complete the Certified Equine-Assisted Learning Course, Level I©; 

• Maintain a current, the Province you live in, Horse Federation OR Equine Canada (or country of residence) membership; 

• Successfully complete First Aid Course with CPR;

• Adhere to Equine Canada’s (or their home country Association) Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct;

• Certification Retention/Certification Upgrades: EAL certification maintenance and applied upgrade requirements; 40 hrs hours required every year.

 

Active Equine Assisted Learning Insurance. 

This course is not a therapy program and should not be marketed or represented as such unless you are, or are working with, a licensed mental health practitioner.  

 

Equine-Assisted Learning Specialist’s Code of Conduct

 

Recognize that the facilitation process designed and instructed by the Academy of Equine Assisted Learning has the ability to positively influence and modify human behaviour. Recognize the responsibility associated with such affiliation therefore as an equine assisted learning specialist I will abide by and adhere to the Equine-Assisted Learning Specialist’s Code of Ethics as well as the Equine Canada’s (or your country's national Equine Association) Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct wherein outlined. 

 

The primary mission of the equine-assisted learning profession is to positively influence an individual’s well-being with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of those who participate through the positive influence of our equine partners. Fundamental to EAL is the attention given to individual development through group interactive exercises, acting as a stimulus to motivate individuals to make necessary changes in their lives to address their own needs.

 

Professional Ethics is at the Core of Equine Assisted Learning. 

The profession has an obligation to the participant and must adhere to the strictest ethical standards of practice. The EAL Code of Ethics sets forth these values, principles, and standards to guide EAL Specialist’ conduct. The Code is relevant to all EAL facilitators, EAL specialists, and EAL students regardless of their professional function.

 

The Equine Assisted Learning Code of Ethics and pledge: 

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As a certified professional, I pledge to make every effort to fully and completely respect the rights of those who participate in EAL activities directly under my control; I also pledge to continue my EAL education as well as share my knowledge and information associated with my profession in an effort to positively represent and promote the equine assisted learning profession; It is my promise to myself, my clients and the horses I facilitate with, to practice the art and science of equine assisted learning in a friendly, competent, patient and compassionate manner with the utmost of integrity. I will not deviate from the Foundations and Principals of the BuildingBlock™ Academy of Equine Assisted Learning Certification Course.
 

Horse Welfare

It is an essential piece of your certification and continuing education to ensure that the health and safety of your horses is a top priority. You must be working with your horses regularly to achieve a safe place for your equine teachers. It is essential for you to always monitor your horses during programs, and outside of programs, and ensure their wellbeing. All horse treatment and care must be in alignment with Equine Canada or the association in your country. 

 

Adhere to the National Code of Ethics

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Equine Canada Code of Ethics: "We look to sport to impart something of moral and social values and, in integrating us as individuals, to bring about a healthy, integrated society." The Honourable Chief Justice Charles L. Dubin
 

The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning supports and adopted Equine Canada’s Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct as part of their overall curriculum to provide a foundation of understanding for individual conduct.

 

Preamble: We believe that equestrian sport is based on a partnership between horse and human athlete; that it is the right and responsibility of Equine Canada to set standards in matters of ethics, sportsmanship, and the welfare of the horse and in all matters under its jurisdiction; that it is desirable to define ethical practices, to delineate unethical practices, to encourage good sportsmanship, fair play, and high ethical behaviour and to warn, censure, or bring to public attention and discipline those who commit acts detrimental to the best interests of stakeholders; that Equine Canada members should observe the spirit as well as the letter of this Code of Ethics; that membership is a privilege, not a right and that membership may be suspended, terminated or rejected following appropriate disciplinary procedures. This is applicable to all facilitators and their national code of ethics as well. 

 

Application and Structure of the Code of Ethics

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• All members of Equine Connection shall be bound by this Code of Ethics;

• All members of other National and Provincial Federations must agree to be bound by the rules of Equine Canada while competing or exhibiting at Equine Canada sanctioned competitions;

• The Code of Ethics consists of four parts: The Preamble, the Statement of Principle, the Code of Conduct, and Further Expectations of an Equine Canada member.

• The Statement of Principle is to be considered an interpretive guide in applying the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is mandatory in character and is enforceable. Statement of Principle The Equine Canada, the national equestrian federation of Canada, supports adherence to the humane treatment of horses in all competitions under its jurisdiction.

• Equine Canada is committed to: Upholding the welfare of horses, regardless of value, as a primary consideration in all activities; Requiring that horses be treated with kindness, respect, and the compassion that they deserve, and that they never be subjected to mistreatment; Ensuring that owners, trainers and exhibitors or their agents use responsible care in the handling, treatment and transportation of their horses as well as horses placed in their care for any purpose; Providing for the continuous well-being of horses by encouraging routine inspection and consultation with healthcare professionals and competition officials to achieve the highest possible standards of nutrition, health, comfort, sanitation and safety as a matter of standard operating procedure; Continuing to support scientific studies on equine health and welfare; Increasing education in training and horsemanship practices; Requiring owners, trainers and exhibitors to know and follow their sanctioning organization's rules, and to work within industry regulations in all equestrian competition; Reviewing, revising and developing competition rules and regulations that protect the welfare of horses. The standard by which conduct or treatment will be measured is that which a reasonable person, informed and experienced in generally accepted equine training and exhibition procedures, would determine to be neither cruel, abusive nor inhumane.

 

Equine Canada Code of Conduct

 

Equine Canada rules address the following general areas:

• the welfare of the horse;

• safety of horse and human athlete;

• administration of competitions;

• code of conduct for officials and competitors;

• drug and medication control;

• individual breed and discipline rules.
   

All Equine Canada members shall support the enforcement of the rules of the Federation by: personal knowledge and compliance agreeing to report any alleged infractions and occasions of alleged abuse The organizers of Equine Canada sanctioned competitions shall operate within the rules of the Federation. A member should be completely trustworthy, exhibit honesty, loyalty and discretion in all equestrian-related activities. A member should issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner The Equine Canada member should uphold issues of safety and fairness in all aspects of equestrian sport. No member shall act to the detriment of others or equestrian sport in a situation where the responsibility of their position places them in a conflict of interest. All members shall conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the values and ethics of Equine Canada. Any member who engages in or is party to conduct inappropriate to an Equine Canada member will be subject, after due process, to such sanctions as the Federation may impose.

 

Further Expectations of an Equine Canada Member Members are encouraged to continuously educate themselves and to take an active role in the activities of the Federation. The Equine Canada member should strive to preserve and enhance the image of the sport so that society's respect will be maintained.

 

We also adhere to all Ethical Codes from your country

American Association of Equine Practitioners

 

Equestrian Australia