The EFLC Apprenticeship program is designed for individuals who wish to become facilitators of equine based learning sessions and workshops. The program consists of on-site trainings, tele-based learning, audio files of classes, coaching, research, and reading assignments.

Equine Facilitated Learning and Coaching melds aspects of nature and horse wisdom to create learning environments that support authentic expression and self-realization. Through coaching with horses, apprentices create new habits of thought and behavior that lead to positive results and ultimately new levels of success. Apprentices move beyond limitations, embrace their innate gifts and talents, and venture forward with a sense of purpose and passion in life.

Through becoming an EFLC Facilitator you gain:
• A deeper sense of self, purpose, and connection to others
• Emotional intelligence, agility, and savvy
• Key components for distinguishing between productive and self-sabotaging energy patterns, and how to instantly shift them to create partnerships
• Leadership development to increase your confidence and bring your work out in the world
• Increased heart centered power – the ‘feel’ required when asserting one’s power and the ability to handle stressful situations with strength and grace
• Finesse in using intention, focus, and body energy to create connection, movement, and communication
• A deep understanding of the nature of horses and why they are important in helping humans grow
• New partnerships as you belong to a community of like-minded individuals

Our program focuses on achieving personal and professional growth by building confidence, trust, and clear communication while engaging with horses. This ‘in the bones’ style of learning provides a platform for individuals to recognize unproductive patterns of communication and behavior and practice new ways to approach and partner with others.

Horses teach humans to trust gut feelings and intuition, gracefully assert yourself, integrate emotion as a tool for life direction, speak your truth, make powerful requests, align thoughts and feeling patterns to produce desired outcomes, and experience profound levels of spiritual connection. The Apprenticeship program teaches you how to facilitate powerful Equine Facilitated Learning and Coaching based on this philosophy.

You learn the methodology and tools to help others experience:
• The ability to access present moment wisdom through a highly integrated level of awareness
• The opportunity to explore and listen to intuition and gut feelings as a life skill
• Tools to expand confidence
• Key components needed to have trust in relationships
• Cohesive and collaborative relationships
• Connection with a horse as a teacher, mirror, and spiritual mentor
• Processes to master the art of in the moment leadership
• Practices to strengthen one’s ability to focus and hold intention
• Deeper levels of somatic and sensory awareness to increase self awareness
• Moments with horses that reveal, engage, and ignite what makes life meaningful and worthwhile

We are committed to providing the best training program to prepare you in your work with others. The apprenticeship program places a high emphasis on developing coaching and leadership skills, emotional intelligence, intuition, and feel with horses.

What will I learn?
The Facilitator Training program focuses on educating in four areas of competency:

–Equine Facilitated Learning and Coaching sessions
–Facilitator and Coaching skill development
–Natural and Intuitive methods for partnering with a horse
–Business and marketing development

Tools for EFLC Sessions
• Facilitation of reflective/contemplative and active/engaging learning sessions
• Additional equine-based sessions: energy/space requirements and energy fields, meditative processes, leading and following without traditional tools, creativity, horse painting, horse dancing, reflective grooming, releasing/reclaiming ceremony, team activities, and the seated session.
• Tools to increase emotional intelligence, congruence, centering, and intuition
• Non-verbal communications
• Charts and outlines to help you understand the mind body connection, intuitive messages, and energy systems/management
• Four Steps to the Present
• Mind Body Method Coaching Model (a 120-page manual with three complete models)

Facilitator and Coaching Skills Development
• Powerful inquiry that support your clients in finding their truth and insights
• Listening beyond words
• Reflective statements to create deeper awareness
• Creating a container that supports “in the moment” learning
• Manage your energy when working with others
• Manage projection, transference, and scattered energy from others
• Identifying and working through aggressive or charged behaviors from individuals, horses, or groups
• Holding empathy and compassion
• Pacing and engaging intuition
• Coaching processes to integrate your learning
• Facilitator skills (honoring, calling forth, highlighting, redirecting) through roll playing group dynamics
• Reading incongruence in individuals, groups, and environments
• Boundaries for EFLC sessions and business development
• Distinctions between therapy and coaching
• Emotional intelligence, timing, and leadership

Natural Horsemanship Components
• The nature of horses
• How horses manage energy and emotion
• Why prey/predator dynamics are important in EFLC work
• Care for horses to prevent burn-out
• Leading from behind versus coaxing, bribing, depending on tools, or controlling a horse
• Learning herd dynamics and the social structure of herd and how it provides insights for human to human relationships
• Body language as a form of communication
• Thoughts and intentions to create leadership
• Developing sensitivity to energy fields, emotion as energy, boundaries
• Considerations for horses (herd selection, care, handling)
• Safety

Business and Marketing Development
• Worksheets, Intake package, safety protocols, release forms, and much more
• Corporate Program outlines
• Personal Growth Workshop outlines
• Ethical considerations
• Marketing Samples
• Business Plan

How will my learning impact others?
One of our primary philosophies is that the more you invest in yourself, the more positive affect you have on others and the world. Becoming an EFLC facilitator is an ongoing journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance and self-advancement; a commitment to growth. Through the process you learn how to help others do the same.

Our teachings focus on the importance of developing the authentic self, trust, and congruency in relationships. As you demonstrate heart-based leadership your relationships will begin to transform and shift to new levels of co-operation and creativity. Life expands, and higher levels of potential are reached.

Who can apply for the EFLC apprenticeship program?
Individuals already in helping professions (coaches, consultants, therapists, healers, physical therapists, nurses, etc.) and individuals who work with horses (horse trainers and riding instructors) apply to this program. Individuals going through life transitions from all walks of life and who are seeking a new way to serve both horses and people also apply.

We suggest that you have experience in a profession that involves working with humans or one that works with horses. If you do not, we may recommend additional training in the areas of coaching or developing your horse skills. During the program you will increase your competencies in the area that you most need development. We also highly recommend that you work in partnership with others, who complement your expertise, when offering this work. If you are a life coach, you may find a horse expert to work with. If you are a riding instructor, you might select a coach or therapist to work with.

What if I don’t own a horse yet?
You may not own a horse yet, but have intentions to have one in the future. In the meanwhile, we highly suggest you lease or find a horse of your own to work with during the program. You will facilitate several individual EFLC sessions as part of the requirements to complete the program.

Why do I need training?
This fast emerging field is unique and complex in nature. Unlike many other learning environments, these programs have many fluctuating circumstances and can include dynamics from both the horse and human. To provide a client with the experience that honors both the horse and the human, there are many facilitation components that one must learn and that cannot be learned in any other format. We strongly recommend you obtain training before ever working with clients.

What else might I need to know when considering this program?
The apprenticeship program is transformational in nature. It will provide you the tools to work with others and at the same time you can anticipate changes in your life as you grow more fully into your heart-based power and authentic expression. We suggest you have a support system in place in addition to the community of people that you will meet at the ranch to help you through the program. Be ready to be on an adventure of learning and self-discovery and to allow more of ‘you’ to emerge in your life as you learn the way and wisdom of the horse!

We highly recommended you take all three Levels within the same year. However, if your schedule does not permit, you may take them at other times. Success rates are higher for those who commit to the full Apprenticeship Package Program.

Apprenticeship Program Package Includes:

Level One – Six days on site training focuses on teaching activities and sessions with horses that support individuals in learning energy awareness, emotional agility, and developing authenticity.
Level Two – Six days on site training teaches heart-based leadership through active learning sessions with horses. You also learn how to merge natural horsemanship into EFLC programs and additional client activities and sessions.
Level Three – The individual’s specific needs to become a proficient facilitator are focused on during Level Three. It is designed by the student and with Kathy’s guidance. Areas of focus may include: Facilitating Groups, The Seated Session, Leadership Programs, Natural Horsemanship skills, Chakra and Energy Systems, Niche Groups or additional Coaching skills. You may also be asked to assist a program.
Wild Herd Membership – monthly teleclass covering key concepts in EFLC, once a month for nine months (currently over 10 class recordings now available).
Group Coaching – Coaching with Kathy to excel in your business, communication, and life transitions while in the Apprenticeship program. Receive support with your client sessions, workshop planning, and ways to creatively work with clients. Once a month for nine months. Group setting so you can hear others being coached, too.
Mind Body Method Coaching Models and manual.
Additional work includes: practice sessions, reading assignments and reports, research, and developing of marketing materials.
EFLC Facilitator’s Manual – a complete EFLC facilitator’s manual with charts, sessions outlines, session guidelines, sample marketing materials, and much more.

Program begins:
February 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009
September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010
January 2010 through October 31, 2010

Tuition for Apprenticeship: $7400

View the calendar on the sidebar to the right for specific dates.
Email courses@horseconscious.com to apply