July 15, 2026 Webinar: Equine Journaling for Volunteer Training - Olga Surmacheva

Equine Journaling for Volunteer Training: Enhancing Equine Well-Being Through Structured Observation and Communication How can volunteers play a greater role in supporting equine well-being? In this HHRF webinar, Olga Surmacheva introduces Equine Journaling - a structured approach to observing, documenting, and communicating equine behavior within equine-assisted services (EAS) programs. Learn how journaling tools can help volunteers recognize equine body language, identify subtle signs of stress or discomfort, and improve communication across interdisciplinary teams. Discover how consistent documentation enhances volunteer confidence, accountability, and engagement while supporting ethical, evidence-informed care for equines. As equine-assisted services continue to grow, standardized volunteer training is becoming increasingly important. This webinar explores practical strategies that create a shared language among volunteers, therapists, instructors, and equine professionals, leading to better decision-making for horse welfare and session planning. About the Presenter Olga Surmacheva, PATH Intl. ESMHL, LAMP, is the founder of Ground Level Equine, an educational initiative focused on structured observation and documentation. She is certified as a PATH International Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) and as a Large Animal Massage Practitioner. Olga integrates equine biomechanics, behavior tracking, and reflective journaling to promote ethical equine care and interdisciplinary communication. Her work focuses on helping professionals and volunteers recognize and document equine behavior with clarity, consistency, and confidence. Learn more about the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF): https://www.horsesandhumans.org