What Equine Experiential Education Association does

The Equine Experiential Education Association (E3A) is a Reno, Nevada-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 2007. It certifies individual practitioners — not facilities — in Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), a non-therapeutic modality that uses horses as co-facilitators of personal, leadership, and organizational development. Its core technology is a structured facilitation methodology built on adult experiential learning theory (Kolb, Pfeiffer-Jones), centered on two proprietary frameworks: the 5-Question debriefing Model and the CHANGE Model of Learning.

E3A's product portfolio is curriculum-led. The Level 1 Certification pairs an Introduction webinar ($100), an 8-week online Foundations course, and a 5-day Capstone Arena Experience (combined $4,500+). The Level 2 Advanced Practicum ($2,650) requires practitioners to co-facilitate a live workshop with a client group. A separate enrichment track includes Personal Development & Wellbeing (PDW), CliftonStrengths integration, and Inner World of the Facilitator programs. Annual membership ($45) is the gating mechanism for higher-tier enrollment and includes a listing in the global practitioner directory. Distribution is community- and event-led: an annual international conference (2019 GA, 2020 AZ), regional in-person gatherings, monthly member meetings, and a partner-distributed Soleful Business Master Mind Group via Horse Business Whisperer.

Revenue is generated almost entirely from membership dues, certification fees, enrichment course fees, regional event admissions, and partner-delivered business development programming. The organization reports no outside funding, parent company, or M&A activity. Its certified practitioner base operates across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Thailand. In 2021, E3A co-authored a consensus terminology paper in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine that established EAL as distinct from therapeutic models (EAP, EAAT), giving the organization definitional authority in its niche.

Name

Equine Experiential Education Association

Legal name

Equine Experiential Education Association

Website

https://e3assoc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

E3A is a Reno, Nevada-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that certifies individual practitioners in Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) using its proprietary 5-Question and CHANGE facilitation models. It serves coaches, educators, mental health professionals, and corporate clients across at least seven countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification and Training Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Care & Stable Management (EDAOAOAE)

Keywords

• Equine assisted learning
• Experiential education certification
• Facilitator training programs
• Professional membership organization
• Equine experiential learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Reno

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: Annual membership at $45/year provides access to the practitioner directory, member-only website materials, networking meetings, and other member benefits. This is a recurring annual revenue stream.
2. Certification Programs (Level 1 and Level 2): E3A generates revenue through its multi-step certification curriculum: Introduction webinar ($100), Foundations of Facilitation including Capstone Arena Experience ($4,500), and Level 2 Advanced Practicum ($2,650). One-time fees per certification level.
3. Professional Development Courses: Enrichment classes including Personal Development and Wellbeing arena experience ($1,350), CliftonStrengths arena training ($950), Inner World of the Facilitator, and other webinars — one-time fees for ongoing skills development.
4. Business Development Training (via Horse Business Whisperer): The Soleful Business Master Mind Group offered through partner Horse Business Whisperer at $420 for 6 months (or $150 down + $45/month payment plan), generating revenue from E3A members seeking business growth support.
5. Regional Gathering Admissions: In-person regional events priced at $90 for new members (bundled with membership) and $45 for current members, providing hands-on EAL experiences and networking.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

E3A is a nonprofit professional membership organization that trains, certifies, and equips individuals to facilitate Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) programs using horses as co-facilitators of human transformation. It delivers a multi-step competency-based certification curriculum (Level 1 and Level 2), ongoing professional development tracks, a global practitioner directory, and an annual conference, plus regional in-person arena experiences held at host facilities in the US, UK, and Europe.

Product overview

E3A is a professional membership organization offering a structured certification program and professional development ecosystem for equine-assisted learning practitioners. The core offering is the Level 1 Certification program (Introduction webinar, 8-week online Foundations course, and 5-day Capstone Arena Experience), which feeds into the Level 2 Advanced Practicum certification. Additional offerings include specialized programs in Personal Development and Wellbeing (PDW), CliftonStrengths integration, and the Inner World of the Facilitator enrichment course. The organization also provides a business development mastermind program (Soleful Business Master Mind Group), maintains a global Practitioner Directory, and organizes Regional Gatherings for member networking and hands-on training. All offerings are delivered through in-person arena experiences and online/hybrid formats, supported by annual membership access to resources and the practitioner network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• E3A Annual Membership Annual subscription providing access to E3A's practitioner directory listing, member-only website resources, networking meetings, annual conference access, member spotlights, advance communications, and eligibility for certification programs. Priced at $45 per year.
• E3A Level 1 Certification Foundational competency-based certification program for equine-assisted learning practitioners, comprising an Introduction webinar ($100), an 8-week online Foundations course, and a 5-day Capstone Arena Experience ($4,500). Includes the E3A Advanced Corporate Certification launched in 2010. Audit option for already-certified practitioners priced at $500.
• E3A Level 2 Certification (Advanced Practicum) Advanced competency-based certification for experienced practitioners seeking specialization in corporate, education, or personal development facilitation. Includes 8+ hours of coaching teleconferences, pre-workshop logistics, a half-day preview, co-facilitation of a one-day workshop with a client group, a workshop summary report, and feedback. Priced at $2,650 with payment plans available.
• Personal Development and Wellbeing (PDW) Program Professional development track teaching facilitators how to design and deliver equine-assisted workshops addressing personal growth themes including boundaries, goal-setting, and relationship building. Includes a 3-day Arena Experience priced at $1,350 plus a bonus 4-week business development online course for arena participants.
• CliftonStrengths Integration Program Program incorporating Gallup's CliftonStrengths assessment into equine-assisted learning workshops to enhance self-awareness and leadership development. Includes an Introduction webinar ($100) and a 2-day Arena Experience ($950), with prerequisites of the CliftonStrengths Intro Webinar and the 'Strengths Based Leadership' book and assessment access code.
• Inner World of the Facilitator Arena Experience Two-day enrichment workshop focused on developing interdependence skills and deepening facilitator self-awareness through horse partnership. Targeted at certified E3A practitioners.
• Soleful Business Master Mind Group Six-month business development mastermind program for equine-assisted practitioners covering pricing, branding, marketing, and business growth strategies. Includes monthly 90-minute live mastermind sessions, a pre-recorded training library, templates, branding tools, and a private community forum. Priced at $420 for 6 months or $150 down plus $45/month.
• E3A Regional Gatherings In-person networking and hands-on equine-assisted learning events providing peer connection and business development insights for members. Priced at $90 for new members (bundled with annual membership) and $45 for current E3A members. Example event: Minnesota Regional Gathering with a 1 pm – 5 pm arena experience and networking/mastermind time.
• E3A Practitioner Directory Online searchable directory listing certified E3A practitioners by location (US states, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Thailand), enabling prospective clients worldwide to discover qualified equine-assisted learning facilitators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of human communication is non-verbal, explaining why experiential learning with horses — which provides immediate, honest feedback — is more effective than traditional classroom training for leadership development.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Horse Business Whisperer (Lora Newman)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHorse Business Whisperer, founded by E3A board president Lora Newman, operates as the primary business development partner for E3A. It markets the Soleful Business Master Mind Group exclusively to E3A members, providing pricing, packaging, branding, marketing, and business growth programs. The relationship is bidirectional: Horse Business Whisperer uses E3A's member community as a distribution channel, while E3A benefits from offering its members a recognized business development curriculum.
• Spirit Song Youth Equestrian AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpirit Song Youth Equestrian Academy is listed as an E3A sponsor. Based in Texas, the organization operates as an E3A-aligned facility, using E3A methodology for its programs and contributing content to the E3A blog (e.g., Ella Grace story on what makes a great EAL horse).
• EquiRiskminorOthersEquiRisk is listed as an E3A sponsor, providing risk management services potentially relevant to E3A members operating equine facilities and programs.
• McAlexander SoundminorOthersMcAlexander Sound is listed as an E3A sponsor, suggesting a financial or in-kind sponsorship relationship.
• NAI RobertLynnminorOthersNAI RobertLynn is listed as an E3A sponsor, likely providing commercial real estate or business services to E3A or its members.
• Allen Dyer Doppelt Gilchrist Intellectual Property LawminorOthersAllen Dyer Doppelt Gilchrist IP Law is listed as an E3A sponsor, potentially providing intellectual property legal services to the organization or its members.
• Eagle Vista Ranch & Wellness Center (Liz Letson)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEagle Vista Ranch & Wellness Center in Bemidji, MN serves as both a host facility for E3A Capstone training and a site for research collaboration. Liz Letson (E3A Advanced Certified practitioner and board member) partners with Bemidji State University to conduct research on human-animal interaction, with Eagle Vista as the equine services partner. E3A hosts regional gatherings at this location.
• David Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Studies, Champlain CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWilliam H., Director of Operations at the David Cooperrider Center for Appreciative Studies, uses E3A methodology to integrate appreciative inquiry and horses into college student development programs, bridging academic research with EAL practice.
• White Stallion Ranch (Tucson, AZ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for E3A's second international conference in 2020. The ranch provided facilities for conference programming, workshops, and networking among E3A practitioners.
• Calvin Center (Hampton, GA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for E3A's first international conference in 2019. The Calvin Center provided facilities for the inaugural conference themed 'Connect, Develop, and Grow — The Horse Leads the Way.'
• Wásábi Leadership (Anouk Lorie)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWásábi Leadership, led by E3A-certified practitioner Anouk Lorie, operates as a international leadership coaching firm requiring E3A certification for all four of its practitioners. The firm uses E3A methodology to serve corporate clients in Europe and North America, expanding E3A's international reach.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• American Hippotherapy Association: American Hippotherapy Association focuses on clinical/therapeutic equine methods (Hippotherapy) and overlaps with E3A's positioning debates around therapeutic vs. non-therapeutic equine services. Adjacent but distinct from E3A's learning-focused model.

Others

• IAHAIO (International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations): IAHAIO is an international umbrella organization coordinating human-animal interaction research and practice. E3A's terminology paper sits in this broader scientific/professional ecosystem, making IAHAIO a relevant ecosystem peer.
• Gallup (CliftonStrengths): Gallup's CliftonStrengths assessment is integrated into E3A's CliftonStrengths arena experience program. Gallup is a partner/ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor, anchoring E3A's offerings in an established psychometric framework.

Emerging players

• Eponaquest (Linda Kohanov): Eponaquest offers equine-facilitated experiential learning workshops and leadership programs based on Linda Kohanov's methodology. Overlaps with E3A's leadership and personal development use cases but is more workshop-led than certification-led.
• Center for Equus Coaching: Center for Equus Coaching is a small equine coaching certification body serving individual coaches and corporate clients. Overlaps with E3A's Level 1/Level 2 certification audience and is referenced by E3A board members as adjacent training.

Broad incumbents

• PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship): PATH Intl. is the largest equine-assisted services organization, primarily focused on therapeutic horsemanship but overlapping with E3A's practitioner training and certification ecosystem. Operates as a broader, more established incumbent in the equine-human services space.

Direct peers

• Natural Lifemanship: Natural Lifemanship is a smaller, methodology-driven EAL/EAP training organization with a comparable focus on experiential learning with horses. Competes with E3A for the same practitioner audience seeking structured certification.
• EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association): EAGALA is the largest and most established EAL/EAP certification body, offering a comparable model-based certification curriculum for equine-assisted practitioners. Most direct competitor to E3A in the certification and professional membership space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/e3a-equine-experiential-education-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Equine Experiential Education Association