2026 6- MONTH COACHING AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR HORSE ASSISTED EDUCATORS

Our coaching and internship program is for anyone looking to integrate horses into human self-development, whether for personal growth or professional practice.

Along with our practitioner and facilitator internships, we encourage educators and therapists to seek CBEIP credentialing. www.cbeip.org
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PROGRAM DISTINCTIONS/ MHR INTERNSHIP 2026
 
Personal & Professional Development: A Horse-Partnered Approach

This program is dedicated to your personal growth and professional skill-building. Through the unique lens of equine partnership, you will develop the tools needed to improve your life, clarify your purpose, and enhance your contributions to the world.

  • What We Are: A skill-based development group focused on kinesthetic feedback, energy awareness, and 360-degree environmental consciousness.
  • What We Are Not: This is not a therapy or support group. If you require those services, we are happy to provide a referral.
  • The Partnership: Our facilitators set the purpose and direction, while the horses guide the emotional and psychosomatic domain. By practicing the balance between passive and active energy, you’ll master the growth formula: Event + Response = Outcome (E+R=O).

PRESENT/ PRESENCE Horses are naturally grounded in the present, constantly attuned to their herd and the environment. As prey animals, their survival depends on this heightened sensitivity to energetic cues. When we work with them, they require that same level of presence; if we are distracted, they may disengage or become anxious. A horse is an honest mirror, reflecting our true state of being regardless of our status or credentials.

In a world of constant multitasking, reconnecting with ourselves can be a challenge. Effective facilitation encourages us to look inward and notice how our thoughts influence the horse’s behavior—like why they approach or walk away. Real change begins when we stop focusing on external factors and start examining our own patterns of responding to life.
 
How to Practice Presence:
  • Focus on the "Now": Direct your curiosity to the immediate moment.
  • Self-Reflect: Ask yourself what you were thinking when the horse reacted to you.
  • Match Their Energy: Strive to be as present and responsive as the horse is.

Core Principle: Radical Presence & Non-Judgment

In this space, "right" and "wrong" do not exist—there are only varying levels of awareness and authenticity. True freedom is the ability to be exactly who you are in the present moment.

Horses are the ultimate teachers of this state. They offer no judgment; however, they will disengage the moment we drift into evaluation or internal stories. To reconnect, we simply return to full presence. Think of it like a GPS: when you take a wrong turn, the system doesn't criticize you; it simply redirects you.

Feedback as Data
Treat feedback as neutral information rather than a personal assessment. When communicating, use "I" statements to clarify:
  1. Your State: How you are feeling right now.
  2. Your Story: Your current perception of reality.
  3. Your Request: What you need to move forward or create new possibilities.

Understand that "what I see in you is in me." This is the mirror principle in action. By exploring the mechanisms of projection, transference, and counter-transference, we gain a deeper understanding of our internal landscape. We don’t learn in isolation; our insights are forged through our relationships with others, horses, places, and shifting situations.
 
Presence and Intention
Approach this work by paying attention with intention. We are in a shared learning process where self-monitoring consciousness serves as a metaphor for mastering life on its own terms. To truly grow, you must quiet the intellect and invite your instincts and intuition to lead your practice.
 
Authenticity in Practice
Seek and find a unique style that reflects your own rhythm, timing, and personality. While safety and core principles are non-negotiable, almost everything else is flexible. There is no single "right" way—there is only the way that is right for you. Be you.
 
The Learner’s Seat
Commit to being a perpetual student. Learn from the horses, from each other, and from yourself. Embrace Challenge by Choice: step out of your comfort zone to find your "hidden gears." We all have default behaviors under pressure, but true mastery requires pushing past those edges to re-examine what we accept as reality.
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Self-Responsibility and Safety
We honor the "Time Out." If you feel stressed, unheard, or uncertain, you have the responsibility to pause. Whether it’s for safety or a personal reset, a time out is a tool for self-care and group awareness. When someone calls it, take it seriously—it is a powerful exercise in being present for the horses, the group, and yourself.
 
© 2018-2026 Medicine Horse Ranch. All rights reserved.
6-Month Internship Program at Medicine Horse Ranch
Join an exclusive cohort of 10 practitioners for a deep dive into equine-guided coaching.  Located in Tomales, CA, this program meets one Saturday a month (10:00 am – 3:30 pm).

The Experience:
This internship follows a "do your own work first" philosophy. Over six months, you will transition from foundational safety and facilitation skills to participating in real-time client sessions alongside senior staff.

What You’ll Practice:
  • Facilitation: Energy work, reading the field, and managing group dynamics.
  • Presence: Developing authentic witnessing skills and navigating client reactivity.
  • Horsemanship: Learning the nuances of different horses and interpreting their honest feedback.
  • Support: Peer support and group supervision to refine your professional methods.

Tuition: $295 per session (6-month commitment required).
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Core Curriculum & Program Areas:
  • Program Design: Comprehensive planning, curriculum development, and HAE business strategy/marketing.
  • Equine Fundamentals: Deep dives into equine biology, psychology, and horsemanship with a focus on biomechanics.
  • The Horse-Human Bond: Partnering with horses as guides and mentors through somatic awareness.
  • Facilitation & Practice: AIA-based activities and techniques for integrating horses into coaching and therapy.
  • Clinical Skills: Client assessment, advanced facilitation, and personal/professional growth.
  • Standards & Safety: Risk management, industry ethics, and best practices (aligned with CBEIP exam preparation).

2026 Internship & Training Schedule

Note: The 2026 Internship Program is currently full. Please email us at [email protected] to be notified of future openings.

6-Month Internship Dates
  • Session 1: March 14 & March 28
  • Monthly Sessions: April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, & August 8
  • Second Series: Dates TBD
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Getting Started: Prerequisites
To qualify for the 6-month internship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
  1. Certificate Completion: Completion of the HorseDream® USA Train the Trainer and One to One Coaching programs (3 days / 24 total hours).
  2. Horse Access: Regular access to horses for practice hours between sessions.
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Prerequisite Training Dates ( 3- Day Train the Trainer)
All sessions run from 9:30 am – 5:00 pm daily: Application Process
The MHR Internship is an invitation-only program. Acceptance requires a formal application and a phone interview.
To request an application or schedule an introductory Zoom/phone call, please contact Alyssa at [email protected].

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