What is the Difference between Eagala and Epona Therapies?

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What is the difference between Eagala and Epona Therapy applications with regards to horses? Is one better than the other and why? Hi Keith - Good question. I have been in this field since 1998 and met Eagala co-founder, Greg Kersten, before Eagala formed in July 1999. Kersten now has OK Corral Series and speaks more of an Equine Assisted Philosophy for EAP. I have attended a variety of trainings (you can see them on my profile), including Eagala and Kohanov's EponaQuest. Eagala is a solution focused team approach similar to a ropes course, only the 'ropes' (the horses)have an opinion. The EponaQuest approach has interactive round pen work and can be more shamanic in approach to emotional fitness. Both have different tools for this work, and I have used both depending on the goal with the client. You can read here about certifications (which needs to be updated with some additions to the field): http://equineassistedassets.com/faqs-certifications-in-the-equine-assisted-field/ and here about the history of the approaches and organizations: http://equineassistedassets.com/history-of-ea-orgs/ Depending on the population you are working with, different approaches are good to have in your tool kit. I helped to form the Equine Assisted Education Association (E3A) http://www.e3assoc.org (to hear an interview on the method http://e3assoc.net )which trains and prepares a team of people to facilitate in a coaching model where both members of the team are dually trained in horse knowledge and facilitation practice. I think all of the models have merit. You might really like Chris Irwin's EAPD training, too. I like the team approach because having eyes on the clients AND horses can be challenging. I also like the profound connection that can occur in the EponaQuest (largely based on Barbara Rector's AIA model http://www.adventuresinawareness.net/ and modified by Kohanov's own experiences. If you are working with wounded warriors, having some PATH training is also helpful in having knowledge of how to best facilitate physical disabilities. It is a great field, and who you are serving can help determine what tools you may want to have. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. By Pam Salem