Program Overview
The America’s Horse Cares Equine Assisted Services (EAS) Grant Program, offered through the American Quarter Horse Foundation (AQHF), supports organizations that use American Quarter Horses in equine-assisted services for individuals with physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges. The grant program provides funding to facilitate educational workshops that improve EAS horsemanship skills, horse welfare practices, and the quality of equine-assisted services.
By focusing on education and responsible horse care, the grant program strengthens the foundational role that American Quarter Horses play in EAS and ensures our horses are treated with the respect and expertise they deserve.
Grant Purpose and Objectives
The grant program’s central goal is to enhance the use, care, and training of American Quarter Horses in therapeutic environments by funding multi-day workshops that elevate professional horsemanship standards within the EAS community. These workshops must be led by experienced instructors and open to staff and volunteers from both the hosting organization and neighboring centers.
Core focus areas of training should include:
- Horse selection for EAS suitability
- Health care, management, and overall welfare of the EAS horse
- Behavioral assessment and training of EAS horses
- Safe, effective handling and conditioning of EAS horses
- Volunteer and staff horsemanship skills development
Workshops must be held between March and September 2026, and organizations must actively promote them regionally to ensure broad participation.
Why These Workshops Are Essential
Educational workshops are vital for both improving human-horse interactions and ensuring the safety, well-being, and performance of horses utilized in EAS programs. Here’s why they matter:
1. Protecting the Horse’s Physical and Emotional Welfare
Horses utilized in EAS programs often work with individuals who have a range of physical and emotional needs, which can expose the animals to unfamiliar movements, behaviors, or equipment. Workshops that focus on horse behavior, stress management, and proper handling help caregivers:
- Recognize early signs of stress, fatigue, burnout, or injury
- Prevent overuse or improper use of horses in sessions
- Promote ethical treatment that aligns with best practices in equine welfare
2. Strengthening Human-Horse Partnerships
Success in EAS depends on a strong, responsive connection between humans and horses. American Quarter Horses, though well-suited to EAS due to their calm demeanor and versatility, require continued and thoughtful training. Workshops should provide evidence-based instruction in:
- Consistent, positive communication techniques
- How to build trust and reduce reactivity in therapy horses
- Methods to maintain calm and predictable horse behavior
- Conditioning methods to maintain physical fitness and injury prevention
- Humane training and behavior reinforcement strategies
These techniques increase the effectiveness and safety of sessions for both horse and participant.
3. Professional Development for Staff and Volunteers
The success of an EAS program heavily relies on the competence and consistency of those who work with the horses. Workshops should provide a platform to build technical proficiency among EAS professionals. Integrating professional standards into curriculum and training, contributes to the next generation of EAS practitioners. Workshops should:
- Standardize EAS horsemanship training across teams
- Empower staff and volunteers to handle various EAS equine-related challenges
- Build a shared language and framework for decision-making around EAS horse use and care
- Emphasize the integration of equine care and EAS welfare best practices
4. Enhancing EAS Horsemanship Program Quality, Impact and Credibility
High-quality horsemanship training improves program credibility and sustainability of EAS programs. Programs that prioritize and invest in continuous education demonstrate a commitment to:
- Safety and accountability
- Evidence-based care
- Ethical horse use
- Best practices in EAS services
This often translates to greater community trust, participant confidence, more effective outcomes, and increased funding or accreditation opportunities for programs.
Applicant Organization Requirements
National Snaffle Bit Association
AQHF has partnered with NSBA to promote added grant funding available to centers with an EWD program. The Coaches Summit is a workshop presented as a special project of the NSBA Foundation for equine industry professionals, therapeutic riding center coaches, staff, volunteers, or anyone interested in exploring opportunities for the engagement and expansion of current or new riding programs for Equestrians with Disabilities. The three-day program features instruction from industry professionals, post-secondary educators, therapeutic riding instructors, and business and industry professionals.
This is a unique opportunity for attendees to network with therapy centers, instructors, staff, as well as professional horsemen, show managers, and other industry stakeholders while exploring new avenues and possibilities created through competition. Visit the NSBA Foundation website for additional information on the 2026 workshop.
America's Horse Cares EAS Grant Program
Program Overview
The America’s Horse Cares Equine Assisted Services (EAS) Grant Program, offered through the American Quarter Horse Foundation (AQHF), supports organizations that use American Quarter Horses in equine-assisted services for individuals with physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges. The grant program provides funding to facilitate educational workshops that improve EAS horsemanship skills, horse welfare practices, and the quality of equine-assisted services.
By focusing on education and responsible horse care, the grant program strengthens the foundational role that American Quarter Horses play in EAS and ensures our horses are treated with the respect and expertise they deserve.
Grant Purpose and Objectives
The grant program’s central goal is to enhance the use, care, and training of American Quarter Horses in therapeutic environments by funding multi-day workshops that elevate professional horsemanship standards within the EAS community. These workshops must be led by experienced instructors and open to staff and volunteers from both the hosting organization and neighboring centers.
Core focus areas of training should include:
- Horse selection for EAS suitability
- Health care, management, and overall welfare of the EAS horse
- Behavioral assessment and training of EAS horses
- Safe, effective handling and conditioning of EAS horses
- Volunteer and staff horsemanship skills development
Workshops must be held between March and September 2026, and organizations must actively promote them regionally to ensure broad participation.
Why These Workshops Are Essential
Educational workshops are vital for both improving human-horse interactions and ensuring the safety, well-being, and performance of horses utilized in EAS programs. Here’s why they matter:
1. Protecting the Horse’s Physical and Emotional Welfare
Horses utilized in EAS programs often work with individuals who have a range of physical and emotional needs, which can expose the animals to unfamiliar movements, behaviors, or equipment. Workshops that focus on horse behavior, stress management, and proper handling help caregivers:
- Recognize early signs of stress, fatigue, burnout, or injury
- Prevent overuse or improper use of horses in sessions
- Promote ethical treatment that aligns with best practices in equine welfare
2. Strengthening Human-Horse Partnerships
Success in EAS depends on a strong, responsive connection between humans and horses. American Quarter Horses, though well-suited to EAS due to their calm demeanor and versatility, require continued and thoughtful training. Workshops should provide evidence-based instruction in:
- Consistent, positive communication techniques
- How to build trust and reduce reactivity in therapy horses
- Methods to maintain calm and predictable horse behavior
- Conditioning methods to maintain physical fitness and injury prevention
- Humane training and behavior reinforcement strategies
These techniques increase the effectiveness and safety of sessions for both horse and participant.
3. Professional Development for Staff and Volunteers
The success of an EAS program heavily relies on the competence and consistency of those who work with the horses. Workshops should provide a platform to build technical proficiency among EAS professionals. Integrating professional standards into curriculum and training, contributes to the next generation of EAS practitioners. Workshops should:
- Standardize EAS horsemanship training across teams
- Empower staff and volunteers to handle various EAS equine-related challenges
- Build a shared language and framework for decision-making around EAS horse use and care
- Emphasize the integration of equine care and EAS welfare best practices
4. Enhancing EAS Horsemanship Program Quality, Impact and Credibility
High-quality horsemanship training improves program credibility and sustainability of EAS programs. Programs that prioritize and invest in continuous education demonstrate a commitment to:
- Safety and accountability
- Evidence-based care
- Ethical horse use
- Best practices in EAS services
This often translates to greater community trust, participant confidence, more effective outcomes, and increased funding or accreditation opportunities for programs.
Applicant Organization Requirements
National Snaffle Bit Association
AQHF has partnered with NSBA to promote added grant funding available to centers with an EWD program. The Coaches Summit is a workshop presented as a special project of the NSBA Foundation for equine industry professionals, therapeutic riding center coaches, staff, volunteers, or anyone interested in exploring opportunities for the engagement and expansion of current or new riding programs for Equestrians with Disabilities. The three-day program features instruction from industry professionals, post-secondary educators, therapeutic riding instructors, and business and industry professionals.
This is a unique opportunity for attendees to network with therapy centers, instructors, staff, as well as professional horsemen, show managers, and other industry stakeholders while exploring new avenues and possibilities created through competition. Visit the NSBA Foundation website for additional information on the 2026 workshop.