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Not Just A Pony Ride: Daily Summaries Delivered
by HETRA
Ever wanted to know more about Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) and Therapies? Join us as we explore the industry. Hear valuable education for instructors & therapists, insight into business strategies, and all the reasons why horses are so impactful for our mental & physical health. This podcast is presented by Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA), with over 35 years of experience in the EAS industry.
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- 3 days ago46 min
164. The Balancing Act: Being a Part-Time CTRI
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 dayEarly Bird Rate: Under $60 (that’s less than $10 per session!)Date & Time: October 24th | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMLocation: Honey Bridge Ranch (Home of Horsepower Therapeutic Riding), St. Charles, ILSpots are limited, so don't wait, head to the link to lock in your early bird registration today! https://pci.jotform.com/form/252226497568166
- 1 weeks ago21 min
164. Replay- "Scheduled Ground Week"
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
- 2 weeks ago28 min
163. Do We Have to Say No? Contraindications vs. Precaution
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!
- Aug 14, 202624 min
162. What Exactly is Leader Practice? (and Why You Need It)
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!
- Jul 31, 202626 min
161. Bridging the Gap: Mental Health in the Arena
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 healthHow to spot when mental health support is needed and how to handle it responsiblyPractical approaches for managing mental health dynamics inside the arenaWhy our own mental health as instructors matters for our safety, focus, and sustainabilityKeep 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.comConnect 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!
- Jul 17, 202630 min
160. Real Talk: EAS Programming for Veterans & First Responders
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.
- Jul 3, 202620 min
159. Replay- Understanding Diagnoses: What is Stimming?
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
- Jun 20, 202636 min
158. Funding Dreams: A Look Inside Our Annual Fundraiser
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.
About Not Just A Pony Ride
Ever wanted to know more about Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) and Therapies? Join us as we explore the industry. Hear valuable education for instructors & therapists, insight into business strategies, and all the reasons why horses are so impactful for our mental & physical health. This podcast is presented by Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA), with over 35 years of experience in the EAS industry.
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