Level 4 Diploma
Therapeutic Riding Instruction
for Mental Health
Feel confident in your skills. Diversify your income. Embrace new opportunities.
Small cohorts for a personalised training experience
OFQUAL registered
and accredited by Crossfields Institute
Placement opportunities with us for hands-on experience with full support
Are you passionate about horses and helping others? Our Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Riding Instruction equips you with the theory, framework and practical skills to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals with mental health difficulties.
Join us to learn how to facilitate therapeutic riding sessions and promote emotional healing through the bond between horse and rider. Book a free chat with one of the course team, or download our application form to get started!
Modules
1
Ethical Practice
Terminology, horse welfare, risk management and duty of care.
2
Working with Difference & Diversity
How difference, diversity, and power can impact therapeutic riding.
3
Mental Health & Therapeutic Relationships
Common mental health concerns and how to support them.
4
Introduction to Riding Instruction
All you need to know to safely run a riding session
5
Creating a Therapeutic Environment
Explore the environments you create and the impact this has.
6
The Therapeutic Riding Horse
Matching horses to riders psychologically, allowing the horse to be authentic, and managing a therapeutic herd.
7
Physical Experiences
The usefulness of touch, movement, energy and body language in relation to mental health and riding.
8
Assessment, Intervention & Evaluation
How to set therapeutic goals and achieve them
Click play for a short video of therapeutic riding at Hope Meadows
Entry Requirements
General Entry Requirements
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At least 21yrs old
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Clean DBS check (can be completed through us if required)
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Safeguarding training within last 2yrs (or commitment to complete by end of course)
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First aid training within last 2yrs (or commitment to complete by end of course)
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Have the ability to begin delivering therapeutic riding sessions throughout the course of the qualification.
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Professional Entry Requirements
This qualification is open to both riding instructors and therapists. The following criteria apply.
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Riding instructors:
Minimum CIEC Level 2/BHS Stage 2, or be able to evidence equivalent experience via a reference.​
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OR
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Therapists:
Hold an appropriate qualification in counselling or psychotherapy, and have current registration with regulating body (e.g. BACP, UKCP, HCPC).
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2025 Dates:
7th & 8th June - Module 1
5th & 6th July - Module 2
2nd & 3rd August - Module 3
13th & 14th September - Module 4
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October - Mid-point reflective portfolio submission
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8th & 9th November - Module 5
6th & 7th December - Module 6
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January 2026 - Break
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14th & 15th February - Practical assessment (modules 1 - 6)
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14th & 15th March - Module 7
11th & 12th April - Module 8
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9th & 10th May - Practical assessment (modules 7 & 8)
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End of May - Final portfolio submission
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Days will be 9.30am - 4pm, onsite at Hope Meadows in Lincoln, UK.​​​​​​
Applying
Pricing
Currently £2500 for our first cohort, starting June 2025.
One payment of £2500
or
12 payments of £220
Discounts for multiple places booked.
Discounts available for staff from not-for-profit organisations (e.g. CICs)
Ready to Apply?
Click the word document button to download an application form.
Email it to us training@hopemeadows.co.uk
Course Team
