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In this episode of the Not Just A Pony Ride Podcast, we dive into the strategy and importance behind Session Break Weeks in adaptive riding and equine-assisted service programs. Taking an intentional pause isn't just about taking time off, it's a critical tool for maintaining high standards of care, preventing team burnout, and ensuring long-term sustainability for both staff and our hard-working therapy horses. In this episode, we cover: Preventing Burnout: Why scheduled breaks are essential for instructors, therapists, and volunteers to rest and recharge. Equine Welfare: Giving our therapy herd dedicated downtime to rest, undergo routine care, and stay mentally fresh. Program Strategy: Using break weeks for team meetings, continuing education, and administrative catch-up. Maintaining Quality: How intentional pauses directly improve rider outcomes and session consistency. 🚨HETRA University Live: October 24th, 2026 8:00am-5:00pm St. Charles Illinois Register Here: https://pci.jotform.com/form/252226497568166 Resources & Links: 🎧 Subscribe & Listen: Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! 🌐 Learn More: Check out our website and full resource libraryhttps://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversity

Curious about HETRA University Live? Join us in this quick episode of the Not Just A Pony Ride Podcast as we explain what HETRA University Live is and why it's a valuable resource for all EAS professionals!Register Now for our upcoming HETRA University Live!📍 Where: Honey Bridge Ranch- Home of HorsePower Therapeutic Riding in St. Charles, Illinois 📅 Date: October 24th⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM🎟️ Early Bird Registration: $60https://pci.jotform.com/form/252226497568166

Wearing multiple hats is a challenge familiar to so many in the Equine Assisted Services community, yet it’s something that isn’t talked about enough. Whether you’re full-time, part-time, or a dedicated volunteer, balancing your roles takes heart and intentionality. In this episode of the Not Just A Pony Ride Podcast, we dive into the real world experiences, strategies, and unique rewards of serving as a part-time Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI). Whether you are juggling a separate full-time career, managing family commitments, or stepping into adaptive riding instruction on a flexible schedule, balancing your passion for equine-assisted activities with personal boundaries is key. Key Topics Covered •The Part-Time Perspective: Why many instructors choose a part-time path in therapeutic riding and the unique advantages it brings to both instructors and centers. •Balancing Work & Life: Tactical tips for managing your schedule, avoiding burnout, and maintaining energy for every lesson. •Continuing Education & Growth: How to keep your CTRI credentials current and continually develop teaching skills on a part-time schedule. •Building Strong Connections: Effective ways to stay integrated with your center's team, volunteers, and riders when you aren't on-site full-time. Looking for continuing education units (CEUs) to keep your knowledge fresh and your certification up to date? This one day event is an incredible opportunity you won’t want to miss! While HETRA has hosted many conferences at our main site in Nebraska and traveled across the country to present for PATH Int'l, AHA, and HHRF, we are now taking our education on the road to you! This full-day workshop focuses entirely on Equine Welfare because our programs simply cannot thrive if our horses aren't happy, healthy, sane, and sound. Earn 7 CEUs in just 1 single day Early Bird Rate: Under $60 (that’s less than $10 per session!) Date & Time: October 24th | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Location: Honey Bridge Ranch (Home of Horsepower Therapeutic Riding), St. Charles, IL Spots are limited, so don't wait, head to the link to lock in your early bird registration today! https://pci.jotform.com/form/252226497568166

Don't be afraid to try new things!  This week on the podcast we are talking about a new policy we implemented at HETRA - scheduled "ground weeks".  During this week, all participants who participate in a mounted program move to ground based activities for the week. This gives our horses a break and our participants new opportunities to grow in their skills.   Listen in to hear how we implemented this new routine and what fun, different things our instructors and therapists were up to during this week!  Follow us on social and plug in here:  ⁠https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks⁠

In this episode of the Not Just A Pony Ride Podcast, we dive into navigating complex participant needs in equine-assisted services. We explore the critical distinction between a true contraindication and a precaution, examining how to evaluate safety without unnecessarily turning participants away.Key Topics Covered:•Contraindication vs. Precaution: Understanding the fundamental differences and why confusing the two can lead to unnecessary turn-aways.•Evaluating Risk & Safety: How to conduct thorough screenings and assess whether adaptions can make an activity safe.•Navigating Difficult Conversations: Practical strategies for communicating with families, riders, and medical professionals when an activity isn't suitable.•Participant-Centered Adaptations: Creative ways to modify sessions and equipment while prioritizing safety and participant well-being.Resources & Links: Keep an eye out for our webinar The Power of Partnership: Integrating Equine Partnership in Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy coming out Tuesday 9/8/2026! This webinar explores how licensed physical, occupational, and speech-language therapists integrate equine movement and ground-based activities into clinical treatment. Participants will learn to distinguish clinical therapy from adaptive riding, review critical safety protocols, contraindications, and equipment modifications, and gain practical insights into building successful clinical partnerships and referral networks.Medical History & Physician's Statement: https://www.patreon.com/notjustaponyride/posts/medical-history-168548504?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Learn more about HETRA and equine-assisted services: https://hetra.org/education/hetra-university/overview.html Follow us on social media for updates, resources, and behind-the-scenes content!

In this episode of Not Just A Pony Ride, we dive deep into What Exactly is Leader Practice, what it looks like, why it’s a game changer for your team and horses, and how implementing structured practice sessions elevates safety, skill, and confidence across your equine-assisted service program. Whether you're looking to refine horse handling consistency, boost volunteer retention, or deepen the bond and communication between horse and leader, dedicated Leader Practice is the foundational tool you might be missing. Key Takeaways from This Episode: Defining "Leader Practice": What sets dedicated leader practice apart from routine warm-ups or basic volunteer training. Benefits for the Equine Partner: How consistent practice reduces equine burnout, improves responsiveness, and keeps your program horses happy healthy sane and sound. Empowering Your Volunteers: Why providing regular, low pressure skill practice builds volunteer confidence and long-term commitment.Safety & Consistency: Creating standard handling practices across your entire program to ensure smoother sessions for instructors, participants, and sidewalkers.Actionable Tips to Get Started: Simple ways to structure and implement leader practice sessions at your facility without overwhelming your schedule. Resources & Links 🐴 See All Our On-Demand Webinars: hetrauniversity.org 🎧 Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

In this episode of Not Just A Pony Ride, we sit down with Rebecca Nichols, LMHP, to discuss an essential topic for equine-assisted service providers: navigating mental health in the arena. Rebecca breaks down the boundaries of practice, offering clear guidance on what adaptive riding instructors can and cannot do when addressing mental health concerns in participants. We explore practical strategies for managing mental health in the arena, creating safe environments, supporting participants while maintaining professional boundaries, and recognizing why an instructor's own mental well-being is critical to a safe, effective program. In this episode, we cover: The role and boundaries of adaptive riding instructors regarding mental health How to spot when mental health support is needed and how to handle it responsibly Practical approaches for managing mental health dynamics inside the arena Why our own mental health as instructors matters for our safety, focus, and sustainability Keep an eye out for Rebecca's Webinar that is coming out next week! 🚨 Need Help or Support? If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. • Call or Text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US & Canada, 24/7, free, confidential) • Text HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line • International: Find support in your country at findahelpline.com Connect with HETRA:Website: https://hetra.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HETRAnebraska/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hetranebraska/If you found these strategies helpful, please leave us a review, subscribe, and share this episode with fellow EAS instructors and professionals!

Welcome back to another episode of Not Just A Pony Ride, a podcast by HETRA (Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy). In this episode, we continue our powerful conversation with Brittany and Emma, diving deeper into how equine-assisted services support our Veteran community. Tune in to hear about the unique bond between veterans and horses, the profound impact of these programs on mental health and recovery, and what the future holds for veteran services at HETRA.Key Takeaways from This Episode•The Power of Connection: How horses provide a non-judgmental space that helps Veterans process trauma and build trust.•Navigating the Veteran Experience: An open discussion on the transition from military life and how our equine partners can act as a catalyst for emotional healing.•Community & Support: The vital importance of creating dedicated spaces for Veterans to connect with peers who share similar experiences.

We are adding tools to our instructor toolbox today with another installation of Understanding Diagnoses. This episode is a little different, we aren’t going to talk about a specific diagnosis but rather something that we see most commonly as part of neurodivergent diagnoses. Stimming. Stimming is short hand for “self-stimulating” – it’s a natural and instinctive behavior that people engage in to regulate their sensory experience. Things like hand flapping, rocking, repetitive vocalizations. Stimming is a normal thing, but what happens when it interferes with our ability to participate safely in mounted sessions? I’m hoping this episode will help normalize stimming and help folks to understand exactly what it is and when it should or shouldn’t be addressed.Get a whole lot more tools for your toolbox with this on-demand webinar: Unbridled Potential: Support for Neurodivergent Participants in EAS.Click here: https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/offers/VvA4ezUS

In this episode of Not Just A Pony Ride, we are pulling back the curtain on our biggest and most anticipated event of the year! We sit down with Noah and Kalynn for an exclusive, inside look at everything Blue Jeans & Dreams. Whether you are a HETRA supporter or a fellow therapeutic riding center looking for ideas for your own event, this episode is packed with value. Join us as we talk about what it takes to bring this incredible fundraiser to life, why it is so vital to our mission, and how the community's support directly impacts our participants and therapy herd. From the heart behind the event to our actual run of show and practical tips and tricks for putting on a successful fundraiser, Noah and Kalynn break down how we are working together to fund dreams. Pull up a chair and let's talk Blue Jeans & Dreams! 🐴 What We Cover in This Episode: The Magic of Blue Jeans & Dreams: A look at the history, energy, and mission behind HETRA's premier annual fundraiser. Behind the Scenes with Noah & Kalynn: Inside stories, prep work, and what makes this event so special. Fundraising Tips & Tricks: Actionable insights and takeaways for other centers looking to design and execute their own large scale events. The Run of Show: How we structure the fundraiser to maximize impact, keep engagement high, and successfully fund dreams.

Change is in the air, and we couldn't be more excited! In this episode, we are pulling back the curtain to introduce the newest voice behind the mic. Join us as we officially welcome Emma to the team as our new podcast host!We sit down with Emma to talk about her background, her passion for Equine-Assisted Services (EAS), and what she is most looking forward to bringing to the show. Whether you are an industry professional, a dedicated volunteer, or a long-time listener, tune in to help us give Emma a warm welcome to the community!Follow us on social and plug in here: https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/...

In this episode we sit down with a powerhouse panel of researchers and practitioners to talk about a groundbreaking, high risk study breaking down the silos in Equine-Assisted Services (EAS). Funded by the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF), this study is the very first to measure real time neurophysiological brain activity in children with autism while on horseback, while simultaneously tracking the physiology of both the horse and the horse leader. Our guests discuss the incredible value of participatory research, how data driven outcomes are reshaping everyday center programming, and why "humble curiosity" is the secret sauce to successful academic and practitioner partnerships. 🎙️ Meet the Guests Tamara Merritt – Director of Program Innovation and Research at Hearts and Horses (Loveland, CO) Dr. Corey Smith – Associate Professor at Baylor University specializing in neurophysiological monitoring Dr. Claire Thomas-Pino – Senior Lecturer at Hartpury University (UK), Chair of the HHRF Scientific Advisory Council, and HHRF Board Director In this Episode We Cover: - Overcoming Funding Barriers for "High Risk" Innovative Science - From the Lab to the Arena: What Sparks a Researcher's Passion for EAS? - Building a Cross Disciplinary "Dream Team" - Why Having a Dedicated Research Coordinator Matters - Global Research Guidelines & Validating Practitioner Experience -When Research is a Gamble: Staying Open to Unexpected Data - Advice for Centers and Researchers Looking to Connect and Collaborate -Research Informed Programming - Translating Academic Data into Functional Center Resources - Why You Don't Need a Medical Degree to Stay Curious 🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned HETRA Website: https://hetra.org HETRA Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/notjustaponyride Funding & Support: https://www.horsesandhumans.org Hearts and Horses Programming & Manuals: Check out the Education tab on https://www.heartsandhorses.org

Waitlists are common in EAS programs—but are they always being defined and managed effectively? In this episode, we dive into one of the most important (and often frustrating) operational topics for centers: the waitlist. At HETRA, someone is not considered officially on the waitlist until all required paperwork is complete and they have been evaluated by staff. That means they are truly ready to begin programming as soon as an appropriate opening becomes available. We discuss why this distinction matters and how separating general inquiries from those ready to get on the schedule can create a more accurate picture of demand. We also cover practical strategies for keeping your waitlist organized, including systems for tracking readiness, participant needs, scheduling preferences, and priority placement.  Learn how to think creatively about offering meaningful opportunities while participants wait for their ideal program opening. Whether it’s alternate services, short-term options, or different program formats, there are ways to continue serving participants instead of letting them sit stagnant on a list. In This Episode, We Answer: What truly constitutes being “on the waitlist”?How does HETRA define waitlist status?What is the difference between an inquiry and a “ready to be scheduled” participant?How can you provide value while someone waits for a program opening?What systems help keep a waitlist organized and actionable?Who should take priority when openings become available? HETRA Participant Inquiry Form:  https://form.jotform.com/242865356075161 More on Our Evaluation Process at HETRA:  Episode #153 - What Goes Into a Thorough Participant Evaluation? https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/notjustaponyride/episodes/153---Replay--What-Goes-Into-Thorough-Participant-Evaluation-e3h30jd/a-acibs2v Get help with organizing your waitlist - www.equi-force.com Learn more about Killian Insurance Agency and what Jon can do for you here: https://farmequineinsurance.com/

Don't be afraid to try new things!  This week on the podcast we are talking about a new policy we implemented at HETRA - scheduled "ground weeks".  During this week, all participants who participate in a mounted program move to ground based activities for the week. This gives our horses a break and our participants new opportunities to grow in their skills.   Listen in to hear how we implemented this new routine and what fun, different things our instructors and therapists were up to during this week!  Follow us on social and plug in here:  https://hetrauniversity.mykajabi.com/HETRAUniversityLinks Learn more about Killian Insurance Agency and what Jon can do for you here: https://farmequineinsurance.com/

We’re bringing back one of our favorite “oldie but goodie” episodes—because the topic is that important. Thoughtful, thorough evaluation of incoming participants is a cornerstone of success in equine-assisted services, not only for the individuals we serve, but for our instructors, volunteers, and horses, too.  In this replay, Edye Godden, OTR/L, HPCS, PATH Intl. CTRI and CEO of HETRA, shares her perspective on why evaluations are such a critical piece of the puzzle and breaks down the most common barriers that prevent programs from doing them well. From time constraints to uncertainty about what to look for, we explore what might be getting in the way—and how improving this process can lead to safer, more effective, and more impactful sessions for everyone involved. Check out all of education HETRA University here, including our disability education offerings! www.HETRAUniversity.org Learn more about Killian Insurance Agency and what Jon can do for you here: https://farmequineinsurance.com/