Equine Assisted Services Day of Learning and Networking

Join fellow Equine Assisted Services professionals for a full day of presentations, discussion, peer learning, and the opportunity to earn CEUs. This professional learning day strengthens best practices, communication, and connection across EAS programs.

Online registration closes on March 13.

Event Details

Equine Assisted Services Day of Learning & Networking
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 9 AM – 4 PM
Main Stay Farm, 6919 Keystone Rd., Richmond, IL

Registration: $50 per person when registered online by March 13
On-site registration: $75 | Lunch included

Session Topics

Learn About Lameness

Speaker: Dr. Kelly Manion
Let’s learn together how to spot lameness, assess the severity of issues, and common causes. Dr. Kelly will discuss a wide variety of topics including arthritis, soft tissue injuries and emergencies. Come prepared with your questions. Meet Dr. Kelly Manion >

Six Riders, One Lesson: Teaching Group Therapeutic Riding Lessons

Speaker: Katie Luessenhop
This presentation provides practical strategies for managing large-group therapeutic/adaptive horseback riding lessons (up to six riders), focusing on safety, engagement, and individualized instruction. It will cover lesson planning, arena management, volunteer coordination, equine selection, and inclusive teaching techniques. Attendees will learn how to optimize space, minimize congestion, and accommodate diverse learning styles while fostering an accessible and engaging environment for all riders. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, this session will equip instructors with the tools to run effective and efficient group lessons. Meet Katie Luessenhop >

What Your Horse Sees: Reading & Leading with Confident Body Language

Speaker: Marie Hoffman
In this hands-on demonstration, you’ll learn how subtle changes in your body’s positioning and breathing influence horse behavior. Learn to decode the body language feedback your horse is giving you, discover how to support the horse through the horse’s innate herd roles, and walk away with tools to calm your nervous system and strengthen your horse- human communication. Meet Marie Hoffman >

Curiosity: The Key to Meaningful Conversations

Speaker: Cindy Schwarz
You may not think of curiosity as an important work skill, but it is! When we embrace a curious mindset, we learn more, discover more and it actually helps our organizations become more effective and perform better.  In this session, we’ll talk about ways to have more meaningful conversations which help us better serve each other and our clients. Come with examples of a situation or conversation you’d like to investigate by applying the concept of curiosity! Meet Cindy Schwarz >

Planning the Future: Why an Equine Strategic Plan and Committee Matter

Speaker: Katie Boss
Our 4-legged team members are the foundation of adaptive riding. Keeping a happy and healthy herd who like to do their job is essential and requires thoughtful planning. Let’s talk about all things horse – including how to find them, afford them and retire them when it’s time. Meet Katie Boss >

Let’s Talk about It! Enhancing Communication Skills on Horseback

Speaker: Mary DiLallo
In this session we will discuss minimally disruptive ways we can help our riders improve their understanding and use of language during their riding lessons. Topics will include the power of pause, prompting, and using the appropriate level of language to interact with our riders. Meet Mary DiLallo >

This day is designed to be interactive and collaborative. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas, resources, and real-world challenges to share and problem-solve together.

Questions?

Contact Jean Maraist, OTR/L, CTRI at [email protected]

Meet Our Guest Speakers

Dr. Kelly Manion
Dr. Kelly Manion grew up outside of Milwaukee, WI. She received both her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Following graduation, Dr. Kelly completed a one-year field-service internship at the esteemed Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. In 2021, she joined Northern Lakes Equine Practice. She enjoys all aspects of being an ambulatory equine vet and has built strong foundations in sports medicine, emergency care, and dentistry.

Katie Luessenhop
Katie Luessenhop is a PATH Intl. CTRI with over 12 years of instructional experience and a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. Her involvement in the equine-assisted services industry spans nearly two decades, including her time as a volunteer, and roles as a Volunteer Coordinator and Program Coordinator at SMILES, in Darien, Wisconsin. Katie is also a PATH Intl. Trained Mentor, dedicated to supporting the development of future instructors in the field.

Marie Hoffman
Marie Hoffman has over five decades of professional experience as a horse trainer and riding instructor. Throughout her career, she has successfully trained more than a thousand horses and empowered thousands of students to train and ride their own horses effectively. Her methodology is deeply informed by a multi-disciplinary approach. She has been a TTouch Equine Practitioner for over 25 years under founder Linda Tellington-Jones and is a founding member of Equine Balance First, specializing in equine fascia release developed by Dr. Mike Buskohl. Furthermore, her expertise is enhanced by training in Feldenkrais for riders with Wendy Murdoch, Centered Riding techniques, and certification as a coach for the Neurotraining Institute, focusing on human neuro-training for riders. She supports a “brain-based horsemanship” approach—a cutting-edge training philosophy that leverages the horse’s own brain systems to create calm, cooperative, and willing partners.

Cindy Schwarz
As a professional executive coach and facilitator, Cindy Schwarz possesses a core belief of “who you are is how you lead” (Dr. Brené Brown). This philosophy embraces the idea that great teamwork starts with self. Cindy brings 30 years of executive level experience in the construction and hospitality industries as well as working with family-owned businesses and non-profits. Her areas of expertise include performance-based feedback, coaching skills for leaders, social and emotional skill building, values, culture development, and helping people work better together. Cindy’s education includes a Master’s degree in Organizational Development, and Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration. Her certifications include, an ICF Professional Certified Coach, a Certified Equine Assisted Coach and Facilitator, Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, and a Certified TeachingHorse™ Facilitator.

Katie Boss
Katie Boss is the Equine Coordinator at SMILES Therapeutic Riding Program and a PATH Intl. CTRI and Certified Mentor. She began as a volunteer at SMILES at age 13 and has served in many roles including Volunteer Coordinator, Instructor, Program Coordinator and Mentor. She has a strong passion for horsemanship and therapeutic riding and is grateful to be a part of something so wonderful that improves the lives of everyone who comes through their doors including clients, volunteers and staff.

Mary DiLallo
Mary DiLallo is a retired speech/language pathologist who has spent her career working in the school system.  She also served as a trainer of educators in autism for the State of Illinois. Mary has over 20 years of volunteering at Easter Seals Ranch (formerly InStride Therapy), a hippotherapy program in Nokomis, FL and completed Level I and Level II training from the American Hippotherapy Association where she served as a speech therapist at the ranch for several years. Main Stay is fortunate to have Mary volunteer as a sidewalker when she’s in Illinois.