A COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT BY SPH-E (NL) AAIZOO AND ANNET GEERLING.

Research project The Netherlands

july 2011, Annet Geerling

Introduction

Annet Geerling: - Bachelor Applied Psychology - Teacher in Equine Expert Team at Bachelor of Stoas Equine Study’s Wageningen - Student Coach at Stoas Hogeschool - Owner Hyperion Coaching & Innovation in Education - Riding and driving instructor

Introduction

Why cooperation?

Questionnaire of SHP-E (NL) for the European qualification framework of the Leonardo project and the questionnaire of Aaizoo were more of less similar

To make sure that the population would not have to answer two similar questionnaires

What we didResearch of literature

Eight in-depth interviews with professionals who offer equine assisted interventions

An online poll, for which different means have been used to gather as many respondents as possible

What we gotMuch information through the Eight in-depth

interviews (also by observation)

Much information through the online poll which contained open questions as well as multiple choice

179 respondents joined the poll, of which 129 answered all questions

ResultsAbout 300 professionals who offer equine

assisted interventions in NL

ResultsEquine assisted interventions in NL kan be defined

in:

Therapists: equitherapy, hippotherapy, training on skills etc.

Coaches: personal growth, employability etc.

Trainers: training managementskills, communicationskills (for company’s)

etc.

Results

83,5% company 78,7% single person (ZZP)

6,3% organisations (non-profit)

1,6% offers education for equine assisted interventions

Results68% of the providers has been launched after

January 1, 20071st quarter 2011: 12 new providers87% of new providers after 1.1.2007 offers

coaching and / or training, 9% is equitherapist

ResultsEducation and training:33% is only qualified to “human area" (coach,

psychologist, trainer, HRM, etc.)25% is qualified to “human area" and “horse

related education”, independently26% has certification in “human area" and

followed also training for horse assisted interventions

6% have diplomas in “human area" and “horse related education” independently, supplemented by training for equine assisted interventions

3% has only “horse related education”1% has no relevant vocational training and / or

diplomas

ResultsOpleidingen

23 times : ORUN (Opleiding Ruiter Unie Nederland), this is education

for riding instructor or driving instructor 15 times : Education in Natural Horsemanship, like Parelli,

Monty Robertscentre and Hempfling 12 times : Education equi-therapist from SHP-E NL 12 times : Education Systemic Equine Coaching by bureau

Wind 9 times : NHB Deurne (Nederlandse Hippische

Beroepsopleidingen) Equine study at secondary vocational level 4 times : Education EAT (Equine Assisted Therapy) in Gent,

Belgium

ResultsRiding and/or driving:

64% does riding and/or driving39% has a qualification as instructor (riding,

driving or vaulting)6% has a Dutch certificate for safety

ResultsWelfare of the horse:All respondents regard their horses as their

trademark Therefore they have the intention of ensuring

their horses‘ well-beingThere are no specific legal regulations on how

this goal should be achieved Everyone works on the horse's well-being

based on their own vision and convictions

Conclusions

A concise answer to the research questions cannot be given

The field of providers of equine assisted interventions is currently in full swing

As a result of the rapid increase in the number of providers, a process of market positioning is triggered, in which providers are making efforts to make themselves stand out

ConclusionsThe work field becomes increasingly unclear to

care givers, care recipients, government and the professionals themselves

The lack of uniform terminology, protocols, and quality criteria, stand in the way of a good development of this field

Defining standards in different areas, for providers to cling to and which will eventually separate the wheat from the chaff is necessary

Questions?

Copies of the summary of the research are available