Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship Program
PROGRAMS Lyons Legacy Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship
The objective of the Lyons Legacy Therapeutic Riding & Horsemanship Program is to prepare students for employment within the Equine Assisted Services workforce and to offer preparation for national certification as PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRI). Through a structured curriculum focused on EAS instruction and program management, the program aims to develop competent, ethical, and knowledgeable practitioners capable of delivering therapeutic riding services to an inclusive population of community members of varying abilities. The program aligns with industry standards and supports student readiness for national certification and workforce entry in therapeutic horsemanship and related equine-assisted fields.
2-week course – total of 80 clock hours (40 clock hours per week)
Instructors: Katie Oakland and Lori Nelson
Lyons Legacy Therapeutic Riding Program
Diamond J Equestrian Center
18550 Midway Ranch Road
Fountain, CO 80817
Date: May 18-29, 2026
Class Schedule: Monday-Friday-9am-5pm each day
Tuition – $10,000 USD
Contact our office for information about payment arrangements.
Week 1: Key Topics- Equine Industry Standards, Equine Assisted Modalities Similarities & Differentiations, Working with Various Populations within Equine Assisted Services.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of trauma and somatic experiences
- Understand equine senses & behavior
- Identify barn & stable management protocols
- Demonstrate use of tack and grooming materials
- Demonstrate basic lameness evaluations
- Demonstrate side walking and equine-leading best practices
- Demonstrate lesson plan management
- Demonstrate safety standards that align with PATH INTL Standards
- Demonstrate and understanding of Equine Assisted Services best practices
- Identify differences and scope of practice in EAS modalities
- Equine Assisted Learning
- Equine Assisted Coaching
- Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Mental Health
- Hippotherapy
- Adaptive Riding/ Therapeutic Riding
- Equine Assisted Life Skill Development
- Riding Lessons
- TF-EAL Trauma Focused Equine Assisted Learning
Week 2: Business Basics within Equine Assisted Services, Making Accommodations for All Abilities & Participants, Riding Theory Demonstrations, Riding Maneuvers Demonstrations, and Execution of Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor horsemanship skills.
- Understand basics of business planning for Equine Assisted Services setup
- Demonstrate tacking & instruction of tacking to various riding abilities
- Demonstrate, Instruct, and Demonstrate the use of Instruction on:
- walk—free walk and working walk
- canter or lope on correct lead
- trot sitting or jog
- rein-back
- rising trot—posting on correct diagonal
- change of diagonals at the trot
- Apply PATH INTL CTRI Criteria to safely and effectively instruct therapeutic riding lessons and related horsemanship activities
Required Equipment
Student must bring:
1 horse that can walk, trot, and canter safely with a beginner rider
o 2 Buckets for stall and any specialized products for program horse
o Hay/Feed for horse
- Basic grooming supplies (Curry comb, dandy brush, hoof pick)
- Halter & lead rope
- Saddle with adjustable stirrups
- Saddle Pad
- 2 Bridles – one with a snaffle and one with a curb bit
- ASTM/SEI Equestrian Helmet
Riding boots with ½ inch heel and long pants
*Riding boots with ½ inch heel and long pants are required during class.
Josh Lyons LLC. is approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational Schools Board. Our Programs are approved for the enrollment of those eligible to receive VA Education Benefits. The Lyons Legacy Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship Program is eligible for GI Bill® Benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill