Generate and Grow Connection
Professional Equine Facilitated Wellness Training
With Deborah Marshall founder of Generation Farms
Professional Training in Equine Facilitated/Assisted Wellness
Equine Assisted Therapy Equine Assisted Services
In 2006 we were asked by an enthusiastic group of workshop participants to teach them how to do what we were doing at Generation Farms. That was the beginning of our training program. Many of those original students have gone on to create their own successful practices and to use this knowledge to enhance other aspects of their careers and lives. I was concerned about the welfare of horses in this work, and also in having guidelines for people working in the field.
Generation Farms has developed a safe and informed method of working with humans and horses together for healing and wellness. In all programs at Generation Farms we follow a consistent neuroscience and trauma sensitive philosophy, creating a tone of calm and flexibility for humans and horses. Our approach is drawn from principles of relational horsemanship, somatic psychology, mindfulness, nature based practice and trauma therapy, as well as the Eponaquest Approach. Sharing our knowledge is a way to expand the possibilities this wonderful work offers, and gives us many opportunities to deepen our own abilities. People have traveled from all across Canada, the USA and beyond to attend training workshops at Generation Farms.
In 2009 I was asked to join in with a Canadian group of practitioners to help create standards for the emerging equine work that has come to be called Equine Facilitated Wellness. This group became the Professional Association of Equine Facilitated Wellness (Pro-EFW). After the standards were developed I was asked to become a trainer, and the chance for our students to be certified became possible.
Training at Generation Farms is an opportunity to meet members of our qualified and experienced multi-disciplinary team. Since 2000 we have offered individual and group services to hundreds of children, youth, families and organizations, We love to share what we have learned.
For dates and details please go to the next tabs that reference Training Dates and the individual trainings offered.For student testimonials go to the bottom if this page.
Deborah Marshall MA; Registered Clinical Counsellor, Pro-EFW Trainer
Deborah is a recognized Trainer affiliated with the Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness. Pro-EFW is a Canadian organisation dedicated to quality EFW practices, where the horse is recognised as a sentient being. Certification is offered through Pro-EFW in two streams: Equine Specialist and Human Services Specialist, All students train together enriching the experience for all. Dual Certification options are available.
In addition to the programs at Generation Farms, Deborah has offered EFW workshops in locations including Mary’s Therapeutic Farm in Victoria, Hollyhock Centre on Cortes Island, Highlands Gate in Lanark County Ontario, Willaway Farm in Almonte Ontario and PRANCE in Port Elgin Ontario. She was part of the first full time private counselling practice in Nanaimo and developed a wide variety of therapeutic skills.
The Process Is About Connection
Horses create social engagement opportunities; the heart of well being. Connection and attunement. When people feel safe enough, their own internal healing process can be activated. We create a safe container to allow the possibility of co-regulation when we are well regulated ourselves and when we know ourselves deeply. This comes through experiences of social engagement as well as awareness of our senses and our body. Then we create this possibility for our horses and our clients. Horses naturally connect with people. Our job is simple when we are in alliance with our horses for healing.
Equine Professionals and Coaches
We have an interest in supporting coaches to integrate EFW principles into your work. We hear from many coaches that they are discouraged with the demands on the horses of riding programs. We have two EFW Equine Professionals on our team and welcome coaches to train alongside the Learning and Mental Health professionals to explore new ways of working with their horses. It is very gratifying to see what Generation Farms trained riding coaches and therapeutic riding coaches are bringing to their important work.
Certification
We concur with and follow Canadian and international best standards on certification – International Standard ISO/IEC 17024 – that certification should come from independent and nationally recognized professional associations – and not from the organizations or individuals providing the training. This greatly enhances the credibility of the certification earned and better protects the interests of the people and horses we work with.
We do not offer certification ourselves, but do give a letter of completion for all of our training programs that acknowledges attendance of the participant. Pro-EFW manages and makes final decisions on certification.
Our programs can be taken to enhance your professional or personal development. The certification is through Pro-EFW after all of the requirements have been met.
There are a number of professional bodies in North America that offer and/or are developing such certification processes which the Generation Farms training programs are recognized by and qualify towards. Among this is the Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness (Pro EFW). This is a collaborative non profit initiative involving a wide range of experienced professionals from all aspects of the field. www.equinefacilitatedwellness.com.
At the Level One Exploration Workshop we review the current status of the various certification options, including the Pro EFW model, and help participants determine the path which best fits their scope of practice and goals in the areas of an EFW practice or personal development. Foundations and Focus Trainings add skill and practice through learning core concepts of The Generation Farms Approach in a supportive small group situation. Integration is the final formal week of training. Other certification requirements are on the Pro EFW website.
While our trainings meet the Pro EFW core requirements, as per Canadian and International best standards for certification, Generation Farms and Deborah Marshall are independent of and separate from all professional associations developing and implementing certification programs.
In our opinion, the study of Equine Facilitated Wellness is not something that can be learned in one place or from one person. It is a deep journey of learning and discovery and students are best served by having varied learning experiences. EFW includes a body of knowledge and experience that can enhance anyone’s life. Our training workshops are open to people who want to learn more about EFW to enhance connection with themselves, their horses and their relationships. When embarked on as a profession, EFW is adjunctive to additional or pre-existing skills and training in the equine, education and learning, or mental health fields.
Our Approach
Our influences include Linda Kohanov, Daniel Siegel, Pat Ogden, Peter Levine, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Mark Rashid, Carolyn Resnick, Richard Louv, Eugene Gendlin, Babette Rothschild, Stephen Porges and more.
Deborah’s knowledge from her long history as a trauma counsellor, horsewoman and Eponaquest Advanced Facilitator has shaped the approach. Emily McClure’s relational approach to horses and the nature focus of Kate Burns have contributed greatly. The rest of the skilled and innovative Generation Farms team has evolved the approach to apply in all of our programs including:
- riding
- horsemanship
- youth counselling with children, youth and families
- parenting support
- group addiction treatment
- psychotherapy for adults
- short-term adjunct trauma therapy
- leadership
- restorative programs for workplace groups
Horses have a powerful role in healing trauma. They live in the present moment, highly aware of their surroundings, without the ability to ruminate about the past or worry about the future. They fully use all of their senses, including their ability to read the inner state of another. They are social and respond warmly to humans who are in touch with their emotions. Their attentiveness to the present state of a human has the capacity to heal old wounds through the bond of connection in the here and now. Not creatures of the cognitive, horses have the gift of intervening on an emotional and somatic (body) level. This makes them wonderful partners in the Generation Farms approach which focuses on the body and natural responses.
In our work we help people to regain their ability to experience these attributes that come so easily to horses. People then heal naturally. With guidance from a facilitator and a horse, in the natural environment, people can update old hurts and reconnect with the memory of how to function well and think clearly.
In our training workshops we teach basic neuroscience to give an informed base of understanding. Teaching includes:
- understand fight, flight and freeze
- how to work within a healing Window of Tolerance
- the principles of self regulation and its application to working with horses and people
- the concept of ‘safe enough’
- present moment body centred focus
- using all the senses
- knowing when, how and why to pause and allow time
- allow and align without force
- social engagement
- reflective and active approaches
- introduction to a nature based approach
- Relational Horsemanship and its application to EFW
- safe guarding the horse
- proximity boundaries and energetic boundaries
Teaching is done through theoretical information, PowerPoint presentations, hands on exercises with horses, demonstrations, reading and supportive practice with each other. Covid offered the challenge of new programming. We now use a combination of online and onsite learning that has ended up enhancing the learning. Programs are offered at Generation Farms on Vancouver Island and outside Ottawa at Highlands Gate.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
What a wonderful experience this has been. The training team were amazing, it felt very inclusive and I believe imparted the seed of cooperation that the whole class practiced. Role modeling has been very important to me and these guys are pros. The team role modeled the behavior they were trying to impart to us. It was a very rich sensory experience. I felt all involved were in a beautifully safe place.
Deb is so kind, considerate, thorough and clear. I have learned so much from her and feel safe to ask questions and explore my own learning in front of her. I am so glad I chose her as my training lead, even though it means flying out from xxxx. Totally worth it! The modelling of EFW work was inspiring and so clear. The horse were treated with such care and respect and adjustments were made if a horse felt uneasy or tired. Everyone well-being felt so valued, both horses and people. This created a safe learning environment.
I have taken many courses for university degrees, intellectual curiosity and personal growth. This EFW program is the best organized, comprehensive, respectful and responsive to student needs that I have ever encountered.
I enjoyed how supportive the environment was as it created a safe space for the students to share openly and ask questions during the training. I found the balance of theoretical and experiential learning to be helpful in keeping me engaged in the learning. I find experiential learning allows me to develop a better understanding and confidence in the material being presented. Seeing how EFW can be brought into client sessions and being able to practice some of these experiences myself first I found to be beneficial.
Explorations Level 1 2025
All Online with horse experiential experiences at home and an online Learning Portal
- Thursday April 3; exact start time TBD depending on location of students
- Thursday April 10
- Thursday April 17
- Thursday April 24
- Thursday May 1
GET IN TOUCH IF YOU ARE INTERESTED JOINING OR REGISTER ON THE EXPLORATIONS TAB
Foundations Level 2 2025
Generation Farms BC Vancouver Island
Online for BC:
- Thursday June 19 4 – 6:30 pm Pacific
- Thursday June 26 4 – 6:30 pm Pacific
- Thursday July 3 4 – 6:30 pm Pacific
- Thursday July 10 4 – 6:30 pm Pacific
- July 13 and 14 9:30 to 5 pm ONSITE
- Thursday July 17 4 – 6:30 pm Pacific
Highlands Gate Lanark County ON (outside Ottawa). We have contacted those who are on the waitlist. Get in touch if you haven’t heard!
- Online classes
- Monday June 16; 6 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern
- Monday June 23
- Monday June 30
- Onsite July 5 & 6; 9:00 to 5 pm
- Monday July 14
- Monday July 21
Focus BC Level 3 2025
Online:
- Tuesday August 5 4 – 6:30 Pacific (start time may change depending on student needs)
- Tuesday August 12
- Tuesday August 19
- Onsite August 23 & 24 9:30 to 5 pm; 25 morning only
- Tuesday September 2
Highlands Gate Lanark County ON (outside Ottawa) we are contacting those who are on the waitlist. Get in touch if you haven’t heard!
Integration BC 2025 Onsite at Generation Farms
Integration
Online
- Tuesday September 9; 4 – 6:30 pm (start time may change depending on student needs)
- Tuesday September 16
- Tuesday September 23
- Onsite September 26, 27, 28
- Tuesday October 7
SEE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRAINING IN PROGRAMS.
YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ ABOUT OUR PHILOSOPHY
Explorations in EFW with Deborah Marshall MA RCC; Pro-EFW Trainer
Explorations Level 1 2025
REGISTRATION BELOW
Online:
- Thursday April 3
- Thursday April 10
- Thursday April 17
- Thursday April 24
- Thursday May 1
- a distance education manual available on an online Learning Module
- assignment to be completed online
- readings, videos and extra materials
Online portion
- five Zoom based meetings of 2.5 hours each a break time
- will include teaching, discussions, experiential exercises, breakout groups, written materials and videos
Experiential Experiences
- experiential exercises and journaling to be done between sessions
- access to horses is required. No riding. Have one or ideally more horses available to be able to interact on the ground. If you are a novice make sure that you have support from a knowledgeable horse person and safe horses to be with.
- good internet access capable of meeting by Zoom is a requirement
Class Five
- a Zoom session dedicated to expanding Certification information and answer related questions
Completion of this program fulfills the Level One training requirement of the Pro EFW Certification and is a pre-requisite for Foundations Training Level Two.
Trainers: Deborah Marshall MA RCC; Pro-EFW Trainer and owner/founder of Generation Farms. Members of the Generation Farms staff will join.
This is an introduction into the field of Equine Facilitated Wellness and the role of the equine, safety issues when working with equines and humans and other core concepts of EFW.
Participants will complete with a general understanding of the EFW field and the next steps if they want to develop their skills further in this field.
Explorations in EFW is open to anyone 19 and over.
Learning Objectives of Explorations in EFW:
- General understanding of Equine Facilitated Wellness (EFW)
- Awareness of the history and foundation for EFW approaches
- Increased sensitivity to the horse, its needs and abilities
- Appreciation and understanding of the perspective of the horse as a ‘sentient being’
- Appreciation of the safety and risk management issues and considerations in EFW
- An introduction to how EFW can be applied with clients in individual, family and group environments
- An introduction to how EFW can be applied with different client populations and needs
- Understanding of the Pro-EFW training, mentoring and certification model and how this applies to candidates
- An appreciation of the importance of always working within your scope of practice
- The development of personal next steps in exploring the EFW field.
- Ideas of what people can do when they complete
Explorations in EFW with Deborah Marshall MA RCC; Pro-EFW Trainer
For more information please email generationfarms@shaw.ca
Explorations Online Reg
FOUNDATIONS (Level 2)with Deborah Marshall MA RCC; Pro-EFW TrainerThe Generation Farms Approach |
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- Foundations will be offered as a combination of online and onsite.
- There are online learning modules held on a Learning Portal associated with the online sessions
- Cost: $1750 plus 5% GST. This includes the online and onsite classes, access to the Learning Platform and materials. Snacks, drinks and lunch when onsite.Foundations requirements
- Registration and Foundations Requirements are down the page
This is a program for mental health/education and learning professionals, and equine professionals as well as others who want to explore EFW for their own personal interests. You will learn the fundamentals of the Generation Farms Approach to EFW. Previous exposure to equine facilitated work and/or Explorations in EFW is beneficial before attending this program.
The main focus of this program is to enhance awareness of the horse and its unique abilities to connect with humans in a deep and healing way. Participants will engage in experiential exercises with the horses and each other to deepen their connection with themselves, the horses and each other. They will learn about and experience the fundamental skills of the Generation Farms approach including:
- an introduction to neuroscience relevant to EFW and working people and animals
- understand fight, flight and freeze
- how to work within a healing Window of Tolerance
- present moment body centred focus
- using all the senses
- knowing when and why to pause and allow time
- reflective and active approaches
- introduction to a nature based approach
- Relational Horsemanship and its application
- safe guarding the horse
- proximity boundaries and energetic boundaries
Trainer: Deborah Marshall MA RCC and Generation Farms facilitators
Participants need to have sufficient resilience and stability to engage in the experiential components. Foundations is not intended as a therapy group.
For more information please email generationfarms@shaw.ca
Foundations BC 2025 Level 2
Generation Farms BC Vancouver Island
Foundations
Online classes
- Thursday June 13; 4 pm – 6:30 pm Pacific
- Thursday June 20
- Thursday June 27
- Onsite July 5 & 6; 9:30 to 5 pm
- Thursday July 11
- Thursday July 18
Highlands Gate outside Ottawa Ontario
- Online classes
- Monday June 16; 6 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern
- Monday June 23
- Monday June 30
- Onsite July 5 & 6; 9:00 to 5 pm
- Monday July 14
- Monday July 21
Focus (Level 3) 2025
with Deborah Marshall MA RCC; Pro-EFW Trainer
The Generation Farms Approach
$1750 plus GST
Generation Farms on Vancouver Island BC
Online:
- Tuesday August 5 4 – 6:30 Pacific (start time may change depending on student needs)
- Tuesday August 12
- Tuesday August 19
- Onsite August 23 & 24 9:30 to 5 pm; 25 morning only
- Tuesday September 2
Focus BC 2025 held at Highlands Gate outside Ottawa ON TBD
We are contacting the waitlist.
REGISTRATION AND FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL GENERATIONFARMS@SHAW.CA
Pre-requisites include Explorations (Level One); Foundations (Level Two) and EFW Personal Development workshops. Registration in the Pro-EFW certification is advised.
Students starting in 2024 may be required to join the Pro-EFW Certification before Focus Level 3.
The program will be offered as an online/onsite combination as seen in the schedule below. There are two locations; Highlands Gate in Ontario and Generation Farms in BC.
Expand your learning about Generation Farms Approach in this hybrid online/onsite program. This week will focus on helping others experience the world using the Generation Farms skills and approach. This week is suitable for people who are going into the EFW field. It will review the concepts of the GF Approach and put them into practice with each other and the horses including:
- review neurobiology and EFW concepts
- putting together an EFW session
- practice sessions with each other
- horse as co-therapist
- sensory healing and re-integration
- nature based experiential
- practical aspects of EFW including equipment, suitable horses and facilities, insurance
- create a personal Scope of Practice document which lays out your personal path for further development and guidelines for the work you will do
- plus hands on experiences and demonstrations, practice sessions and discussions
Participants need to have sufficient resilience and stability to engage in the experiential components. This is not intended as a therapy group.
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Integration (Level 4) 2025
with Deborah Marshall MA RCC; Pro-EFW Trainer
The Generation Farms Approach
Integration Week – this program is for students who have completed both Foundations and Focus Training and have enrolled in the Pro-EFW Certification.
This fulfills the Level Four training requirement in the Pro EFW certification program
Integration Week is a program for Pro EFW certification candidates who are ready to work with others and create your own programs. This is a chance to expand your skills and awareness in a safe learning environment. There are four classes online and three days onsite.
Pre-requisites:
- Certification Candidates in Pro-EFW with current membership
- A minimum of 15 hours of client practice
- Current Scope of Practice document
Trainer Deborah Marshall MA RCC plus Generation Farms facilitators
Integration BC at Generation Farms
Integration Level 4 – NEW DATES
4 online classes will be scheduled once the group is established. We really try to accommodate all that are ready for this stage!
Onsite September 26, 27, 28
Cost $1750 plus GST
For more information please email generationfarms@shaw.ca