American Equine Therapy Trainers Association: Official Trainers Guide pdf

The Foundational Training Manual of the American Equine Therapy Trainers Association (AETTA)

What transforms a well-trained horse into a truly therapeutic horse?

For decades, equine-assisted programs have focused on instructor qualifications, riding techniques, and facility standards. Yet the horse itself—the single most important participant in the therapeutic process—has remained largely undefined, unstandardized, and misunderstood.

Published by the American Equine Therapy Trainers Association (AETTA), The Official Trainer's Guide to Therapeutic Horse Development establishes the first comprehensive framework dedicated to the selection, development, evaluation, and certification of therapeutic horses.

Drawing upon principles of equine behavior, behavioral science, trauma-informed care, addiction recovery, psychology, and professional horsemanship, this guide introduces the AETTA Therapeutic Horse Development Model—a systematic approach designed to prepare horses for meaningful work in recovery, mental health, educational, and therapeutic environments.

Written by AETTA Founder Pat Potter, a behavioral health professional and horseman with more than three decades of experience in addiction recovery, crisis intervention, and human development, this book bridges the gap between traditional horse training and therapeutic application.

Inside you'll discover:

• The foundations of Therapeutic Horse Development
• The psychology of human-horse connection
• Emotional regulation and co-regulation theory
• Therapeutic horse selection and assessment criteria
• The AETTA 90-Day Therapeutic Horse Development Protocol
• Behavioral neutrality and resilience training
• Safety, ethics, and animal welfare standards
• Professional certification requirements and evaluation methods

Whether you are a trainer, clinician, equine specialist, recovery professional, veteran-services provider, ranch owner, or horse enthusiast, this guide provides a practical and evidence-informed roadmap for developing horses capable of serving individuals facing trauma, addiction, grief, anxiety, mental health challenges, and personal growth.

More than a training manual, this book introduces a new professional discipline.

Therapeutic Horse Development.

Because therapeutic horses are not merely found.

They are developed.

Published by the American Equine Therapy Trainers Association (AETTA)
Setting the Standard for Therapeutic Horsemanship.