For Professionals
Welcome to a community of Equine Assisted Physiotherapists promoting best practice and support for Equine Activities.
Membership overview
Membership benefits offer development and connections with other professionals in the field of Equine Assisted Therapy and Hippotherapy.
Summary of benefits of being an ACPEA member:
The opportunity for peer support and networking with others working in equine activities.
Access to courses, study days and webinars at subsidised rates.
Regular CPD evening webinars.
Access to member specific content on the website with valuable resources to support your practice.
Eligibility to publish a listing in the online Directory of Practitioners.
The opportunity to join the members only Facebook group.
Access to a local regional network with a named ACPEA regional officer who facilitates networking, Continuing Professional Development activities and peer support in the region.
Notifications of events and items of news via website, Facebook and emails.
Opportunities to run events or join committees to influence the current and future provision of Equine Assisted Physiotherapy.
Opportunities to be involved in research and development.
Support and advice in setting up Equine Assisted Therapy practice.
Membership requirements
-
Practising chartered physiotherapists with a special interest in equine activities.
Opportunities for peer support and networking with others working in equine activities.
Access to courses, study days and webinars at subsidised rates.
Access to member specific content on the website with valuable resources to support your practice.
Eligibility to publish a listing in the online Directory of Practitioners.
The opportunity to join the members only Facebook group.
Access to a local regional network with a named ACPEA regional officer who facilitates networking, CPD activities and peer support in the region.
Monthly bulletins with notification of events and items of news.
Opportunities to run events or join committees to influence the current and future provision of Equine Facilitated Physiotherapy.
Opportunities to be involved in research and development.
Support and Advice in setting up EFT practice.
Requirements
Chartered Physiotherapist
CSP membership
UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man resident (special consideration for overseas membership).
Members must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
-
Associate membership is open to HCPC registered physiotherapists who are not CSP members, non-practising and retired physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists (SLT), therapy support workers and members of other professional bodies involved with equine activities.
Opportunities for peer support and networking with others working in equine activities.
Access to courses, study days and webinars at subsidised rates.
Access to member specific content on the website with valuable resources to support your practice.
Eligibility to publish a listing in the online Directory of Practitioners.
The opportunity to join the members only Facebook group.
Access to a local regional network with a named ACPEA regional officer who facilitates networking, CPD activities and peer support in the region.
Monthly bulletins with notification of events and items of news.
Opportunities to run events or join committees to influence the current and future provision of Equine Facilitated Physiotherapy.
Opportunities to be involved in research and development.
Support and Advice in setting up EFT practice.
Associate Membership is suitable for:
Physiotherapists who are not CSP members.
Retired Physiotherapists
Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists with an interest in Equine Facilitated Therapy.
Overseas therapists registered with their own professional body.
Other professionals working in the field of equine activities.
Therapeutic support workers who are working in association with full members of ACPEA.
-
Become a student member of ACPEA to gain access to a wide range of exclusive benefits including member-only networking events, the latest library resources and professional support.
This type of membership is suitable for student Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists.
As a student member, you are a future leader of this exciting and rewarding profession. We will be with you every step of your student journey and beyond.
Benefits of being a student member:
Connecting wih the wider professional community
Qualified support from practising members
Peer support
Access to learning resources
Opportunities for work experience and placements during your training
Updates on what is happening in your area via our regional pages
Monthly news bulletins
CPD
Clinical shadowing
Professional Development Reviews
Non CSP and Retired Physiotherapists; O.T and S.L.T with an interest in Equine Assisted Therapy, Overseas Therapists, Other professionals in the field of equine activities and therapy support workers in association with ACPEA full members.
Benefits to your ACPEA membership
Directory Listing
You can choose to appear on our Find an ACPEA Therapist online directory so that patients and professionals alike can find you and the services you offer.
Exclusive Resources
Monthly bulletins and newsletters with research reports and items of interest. There is also a members handbook and a members only Facebook group.
Student Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists.
Conferences, Courses & AGM
Attend our annual conferences, AGM and courses as well as additional study days and practical workshops.
JOIN ACPEA
Being an ACPEA Member
Chartered Physiotherapists with HCPC registration, resident in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
Regional Networks
Access a regional network with a named ACPEA regional officer who facilitates networking and study in the region in our Member Login area.
Education
The Executive Committee continue to work hard to organise regular Continuing Professional Development opportunities (CPD) including regional events and centrally organised events or online courses and presentations.
In order to work within your scope of practice it is important to continue your education as a Chartered Physiotherapist. If you wish to practice in Hippotherapy or Equine Assisted Physiotherapy, post graduate study is required. ACPEA have been pioneers of education in this field across the UK, delivering high quality hippotherapy training for over 40 years. The hippotherapy training course adapted and evolved over the years to reflect the changing nature of education and evolving scope of clinical practice.
For those wishing to find out more or to see if this field is right for them, look out for upcoming Introduction to Equine Assisted Physiotherapy training days on our events page or contact ACPEA - all questions and enquiries are welcome.
For formal qualification, Ulster University offer a Post Graduate Certificate in Equine Facilitated Therapy (open to allied health professionals including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists). This is part of their Advancing Practice MSc, with the option to complete additional modules for a full Masters level qualification. We are proud that several ACPEA members are involved delivering in depth teaching for the students. Find out more here.
In the past we have also run sessions on “Working within the RDA”, “Setting up in Practice” and “Manual Handling in the Equine Environment” all of which were face to face sessions which we hope will be scheduled to run again in the future. Please let us know by emailing secretary@acpea.org to register your interest or highlight any further areas of training or learning you are interested in, so we can do our best to deliver the training most useful to you as an ACPEA member.
To discover more of the Courses, Conferences, Events and online lectures available please visit our events page.
How do I become an Equine Assisted Physiotherapist or Hippotherapist?
Watch this video to hear more about the training available in Equine Facilitated Therapy at Ulster University
To become an Equine Assisted Therapist or Hippotherapist, further qualification is required beyond your Physiotherapy degree.
For formal qualification, Ulster University offer a Post Graduate Certificate in Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT/EAT). This course is open to Allied Health Professionals including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists.
This is part of their Advancing Practice MSc, with the option to complete additional modules for a full Masters level qualification. We are proud that several ACPEA members are involved delivering in depth teaching for the students. Find out more here.
(Please note: After discussion with the international community, in early 2024 HETI recommended moving to using the term Equine Assisted Therapy, rather than Equine Facilitated Therapy to help streamline the terms used within the field and within research. It’s taking a little time to update everything, so please bear with us).
Current modules offered:
Equine Facilitated Therapy: The Equine and the Therapeutic Environment
This module will enable Allied Health Professionals to select, assess and evaluate the suitability of a horse in preparation for delivering an effective EFT programme in a safe environment. Clinicians will develop an understanding and be able to use EFT in the management of patients/clients with diverse clinical needs.
Clinical Practice in Equine Facilitated Therapy for Allied Health Professionals
This module will enable Allied Health Professional (AHP) students to:
assess clients for the appropriate use of EFT
plan and deliver safe and evidence-based EFT
evaluate the effectiveness of EFT
The Application of Equine Groundwork in Clinical Practice
On completion of this module students will be able to:
assess clients for the appropriate use of equine groundwork
plan and deliver safe and evidence-based equine groundwork
evaluate the effectiveness of equine groundwork
To find out more or register your interest, please contact:
Orlagh Daly, Module Coordinator
Email: o.daly@ulster.ac.uk
Phone: 028 90 366 267
She will gladly answer any questions you might have.
THE LATEST FROM ACPEA
News & Events
Contact us
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