Equine Behavior Certification

This program includes a certification manual and access to a 100 question open book exam. Students who successfully complete the exam with a 100 percent score will receive a certificate of academic knowledge. What You Will Learn This certification provides a strong foundation in equine behavior, helping you understand how horses think, respond, and communicate. You will explore the biological and evolutionary basis of behavior, including how instincts, survival mechanisms, and prey animal psychology influence everyday reactions, training, and handling. You will learn to recognize and interpret equine body language, including posture, facial expression, ear position, eye movement, and overall demeanor. The program also covers how horses learn through association, habituation, reinforcement, and pressure and release, with an emphasis on timing, consistency, and clarity. In addition, you will study common behavioral issues such as fear, anxiety, aggression, and avoidance, and learn to identify underlying causes rather than simply reacting to symptoms. The course also examines how human handling, training methods, management practices, housing, feeding, turnout, and social interaction can positively or negatively affect behavior and welfare. By the end of the program, you will have a clearer understanding of how to work with the horse’s natural instincts to improve safety, communication, and handling outcomes. Who Should Take This Certification This certification is ideal for trainers, instructors, handlers, barn staff, and other equine professionals who want a deeper understanding of horse behavior. It is also well suited for horse owners who want to better understand their horse, prevent common behavior issues, and build a stronger partnership. Students and equine enthusiasts looking for a solid introduction to equine behavior and psychology will also benefit.