Improve Horse & Participant Interactions by Recognizing Eye Movement Patterns

Format: Online, via Zoom

Dates: June 25, 2026

Times: 6:00 – 8:00, Central Time

Overview: In this unique course you will learn how to recognize horse and participant eye movement patterns, and use that information to plan activities that improve interactions during equine-assisted services.

This course demonstrates how nonverbal communication in eye movements can be understood in order to determine the participant’s readiness for activities during treatment.

Eye movement, in terms of the willingness to make eye contact, and behaviors such as gazing and blinking, can inform the treatment team of the participant’s internal experience of stress. All therapeutic encounters rely on the relationship between the participant and the treatment team, and the relationship factors that make any treatment successful are rooted in the physiology humans share with mammals, where these eye contact movements originate. The horse’s eye movements along with the participant’s can be observed to determine the best opportunity for interactive activities to be successful.

In order to provide attendees with foundational information that goes beyond technique, an overview of the mammalian nervous systems will be presented, and how behavior displays inform treatment will be discussed. In this course attendees will learn skills to recognize eye movement patterns in order to plan activities during treatment that are timely and effective.

Participants:

This program is designed for Equine-assisted Services professionals and is intended to be a collaborative environment for all levels of education, certification, and licensure. There are no pre-requisites.

• PATH Intl. has approved this course for a total of 2 hours:
  • 2 Disability or Mental Health Education (DE) credits,
  • OR 2 General Education (CE) credits,
  • OR 1 DE and 1 CE
• PATH Intl. members receive a 25% discount; use the coupon code: PATH2CONNECT at check-out.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will be able to recognize eye movement patterns made by horses and participants, in order to:

• Assess at least two eye contact behaviors and understand their significance for equine-assisted services activities
• Determine when activities can be completed during equine-assisted services for best chance of effectiveness
• Add at least two activities to equine-assisted services that improve horse and participant interactions

Additional Notes:

• Course will be conducted on Zoom. Links and access details will be provided upon registration.
• A reliable internet connection, and a device with video and audio capabilities are required