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  1. Prior to being accepted into the apprenticeship training program, all applicants are required to complete an introductory workshop offered by an Epona Approved Instructor. (Please see the Workshops section for qualifying programs.) Direct experience of this work gives applicants and Epona instructors and staff a clearer sense of whether or not the level of mutual commitment required by a program such as this is a viable undertaking for the interested parties. Introductory Level workshops offered by Epona Approved Instructors meet the pre-requisite standards.
  2. Requirements for application to the apprenticeship program may be met through one of the following three paths:
    • Path 1: Attending the Epona Advanced Study Experience (EASE) in the USA or the NOW program internationally. Attending an introductory workshop is a prerequisite for application to the apprenticeship program.
    • Path 2: The completion of three Epona workshops as follows:
      1. Option 1, Part A: An introductory workshop offered by an Epona Approved Instructor that covers the basic philosophy, skills, and activities of the Epona Approach™ to Equine Facilitated Experiential Learning. (See Introductory Workshops at Epona, Introductory Workshops in Arizona, or Introductory Workshops International.) For information on qualifying workshops, contact Mary-Louise Gould at ml@theeponacenter.com.
      2. Option 1, Part B: Two extended workshops of four or more days: one with Linda Kohanov as the primary facilitator, and another may be with an Epona Senior Faculty member, as listed below.
      3. Option 2: Two extended workshops of four or more days (one with with Linda Kohanov as the primary facilitator and another which may be with an Epona Senior Faculty Member, either one of which must qualify as an Introductory workshop) and, subsequently, an extended, individually-designed training program of four or more days, as approved by Linda Kohanov, with one or more Senior Faculty Members as listed below:
        1. Mary-Louise Gould, ml@theeponacenter.com
        2. Kathleen Barry Ingram, kathygram@cox.net
        3. Shelley Rosenberg, shelley@theeponacenter.com
        4. Carol Roush, carol@medicinehorseranch.com
    • Path 3: Attending the four-week program Developing Coaching Skils Through Horse Wisdom. Those students who want to begin the apprenticeship during the same year as the coach training program may join a scheduled apprenticeship program after completing three weeks of the coach training program.
  1. Apprentices must either own their own horse(s) or have routine access to a particular horse in order to practice with the horse throughout the training period.
  2. Due to the rise in equine-facilitated therapy and experiential learning industry standards, applicants must have at least five (5) years or 2,000 hours of horse experience. This experience can include owning horses, riding lessons, participation in show circuits, instructing, and/or training, etc. (Programs will soon be in place at Epona for those needing to develop their riding skills. The opportunity to enhance ground work skills, basic riding skills and authentic community building skills is currently available through the Epona Advanced Study Program (EASE). Additional programs will soon be in place at Epona for those needing to develop their riding skills.)
  3. Individuals applying to the Epona Apprenticeship Program and the Epona Advanced Study Experience (EASE) program are expected to have some experience with group dynamics. This could include support groups, work team building, as well as therapeutic groups. The key is for individuals to have some experience and an idea of how to interact supportively and successfully with other group members— in other words, how to support, give appropriate feedback, listen, and encourage other members. Much of the teaching and learning during the year will give individuals more experience and opportunity to hone their group dynamics skills. However, as in all endeavors, nothing can replace personal experience. We cannot expect others to share openly if we have not ourselves understood the vulnerability and risk this requires of each person. Facilitators cannot take anyone further then they themselves have gone. If a facilitator has blind spots, secrets or unconscious patterns, their unconscious behavior is likely to effect others and block them from reaching their full potential. During the course, participants will have opportunities to discover, uncover and reclaim lost parts of themselves. We expect this commitment from our apprentices and we commit to support them as they travel this path.
  4. Applicants must be mentally and emotionally stable and exhibit a level of personal maturity. The apprenticeship program is designed for people who have already started to move beyond a survival orientation to a creative, emotionally vital thriving lifestyle. Throughout the year, they will further integrate the gifts of "both worlds": learning to ground intuitive, empathic, and shamanic insights into everyday reality while also learning to relate to others in an authentic community. While this program is not appropriate for people with a history of serious mental health issues, those who’ve faced life challenges—such as divorce, family conflicts, low-level depression and milder forms of emotional abuse—and have worked through these issues with a counselor, may apply.
  5. The Epona apprenticeship training is a rigorous program, and working with horses can be physically demanding. It is important that applicants be physically fit and in good health.

Find out more about the program:

For more information contact Mary-Louise Gould at ml@theeponacenter.com or 520-975-6126.

 

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