Welcome to
ACPEA
The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Equine Activities
Supporting therapists and promoting best practice in
Equine Assisted Therapies and Equine Activities
What Does ACPEA do?
The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Equine Activities (ACPEA) is a specialist interest group of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
ACPEA brings together physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals working across a broad range of equine-assisted therapies and equestrian activities.
Our members bring their professional expertise to a broad range of equine-assisted therapies and equestrian activities, supporting health, rehabilitation, participation and performance.
What is Equine Assisted Therapy?
Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) is an umbrella term for therapeutic approaches that involve the horse in supporting an individual's health, rehabilitation, development or wellbeing.
Different approaches involve the horse in different ways, depending on the individual's needs, goals and the professional providing the intervention.
Where does physiotherapy fit?
Equine Assisted Physiotherapy (EAP) incorporates the horse and equine environment into physiotherapy assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, through movement, interaction and mounted or unmounted activities.
Physiotherapists working in equine-assisted practice combine their professional expertise with specialist training and experience to tailor interventions to each individual's needs and goals.
Where ACPEA Members Work
ACPEA members bring their physiotherapy expertise to a wide range of equine-related settings, supporting people across therapy, rehabilitation, participation and performance.
Members work with people of all ages and with a wide range of health conditions, as well as riders seeking to maintain or enhance their performance.
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Incorporating the horse and equine environment into physiotherapy assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, including approaches such as hippotherapy, therapeutic riding and therapeutic groundwork.
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A physiotherapy approach in which the individual is mounted on the horse. The movement of the equine is incorporated into treatment to support the individual's physical, functional and movement goals.
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Incorporating riding and equestrian activities into an individual's therapeutic programme to support physical, functional, sensory, cognitive or emotional goals.
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Structured, unmounted activities and interactions with the equine environment and the horse, incorporated into physiotherapy to support physical, functional, sensory, cognitive or emotional goals.
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Supporting riders with disabilities to participate in and develop their equestrian activity, including physiotherapy input around para-equestrian sport and rider classification.
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Supporting amateur and elite riders to optimise their movement and performance, informed by rider biomechanics and an understanding of the interaction between horse and rider.
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Working alongside equestrian organisations, charities and other professionals to share knowledge, develop practice and support education and training. ACPEA collaborates with groups in the UK and internationally, partnering with professionals across the field to promote and support best practice in equine-assisted therapies and equestrian activities worldwide. ACPEA members also have a longstanding relationship with organisations such as the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).
Join ACPEA
Join a professional community committed to sharing knowledge, supporting one another and
promoting best practice in equine-assisted therapies and equestrian activities.
Chartered Physiotherapists with HCPC registration, resident in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
For non-CSP and retired physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists, overseas physiotherapists, and other professionals working in equine activities and therapy.
Student Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists.
Benefits of ACPEA Membership
CPD, Courses & Conferences,
Access our free CPD programme, conferences, AGM, courses, study days and practical workshops, with opportunities to continue learning and developing your practice.
ACPEA Directory
Choose to be listed in the ACPEA therapist directory, helping patients, clients and other professionals find you and learn about the services you offer.
Member Resources
Access member-only resources, newsletters, research updates, the members' handbook and our private members' Facebook group.
Member Networks
Connect with colleagues through our regional networks, WhatsApp groups and private members' Facebook group, providing opportunities to share ideas, ask questions and support one another.
Become part of ACPEA
Whether you're already working in equine-assisted practice or are developing your interest in this area, ACPEA offers opportunities to connect, learn, collaborate and contribute to best practice.
Call for Research Collaborators
We are in the early stages of developing a research proposal for submission to the Scoliosis Support & Research (SSR) Research Grants Programme.
The proposed study aims to investigate the relationship between scoliosis, rider biomechanics and weight distribution on the horse, with the longer-term goal of improving understanding of horse–rider interaction and informing future assessment and rehabilitation strategies.
We are currently bringing together a multidisciplinary team and would welcome expressions of interest from ACPEA members who may be interested in contributing to the development of the project.
In particular, we would be keen to hear from physiotherapists with experience or expertise in:
Clinical management of scoliosis
Rider biomechanics and equestrian performance
Research design and methodology
Grant writing
Statistics and data analysis
Academic or university research collaborations
To strengthen the proposed research we would welcome collaboration with a university research department to provide support with research governance, ethics and grant development. If you have experience of working within a university setting or would be interested in exploring a collaborative role, we would be delighted to hear from you.
This is an exciting opportunity to develop a clinically relevant research project within equine assissted physiotherapy, and we would welcome anyone who feels they could contribute their expertise during the planning and application stages.
THE LATEST FROM ACPEA
News & Events
Please use the form below if you wish to contact ACPEA. Please provide a concise message and direct your email to the most appropriate contact for your message.
secretary@acpea.org