International Affairs

ACPEA has a long history of international collaboration, fostering shared learning, professional connections and the development of equine-assisted practice across countries.

In its early years, ACPEA was involved in a partnership facilitated through Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in South Korea. In 2011–2012, the Leonardo da Vinci Project provided opportunities for shared learning and collaboration between Poland, Finland and the UK.

ACPEA members have also regularly attended the triennial HETI Congress, organised by the Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy Internationally (HETI). These international gatherings provide valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, share research and strengthen connections across the global equine-assisted community. The next HETI Congress is planned for May 2027 in Oslo, Norway. Find out more at heticongress.org.

Since its inception, ACPEA committee members have also played an active role in the European Equine Assisted Therapy Network (EEATN), which emerged from the wider HETI community. EEATN has been instrumental in encouraging collaboration across Europe and developing a shared language and greater understanding between countries, helping to bridge differences in terminology, professional approaches and practice.

The Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy Internationally

HETI

ACPEA is an Organisation member of HETI and this means that as ACPEA Committee we have:

  • Yearly Global Gallop Advertisement

  • Apply to host HETI Congress

  • Access HETI Promotional materials

  • Access to members area

  • Publish events via HETI calendar and social media

  • Submit articles to the Global Gallop (individual HETI members can also submit)

  • Stand for election to Executive committee

  • HETI promotion of research projects (incl. recruitment)

  • Can be part of Task forces (if also an individual HETI member)

  • Members only discussion groups

  • Members can convene special interest groups

HETI’s values are Connect, Communicate and Collaborate.

It is their mission to facilitate the worldwide collaboration between organisations and individuals whose objectives are philanthropic, scientific and educational in the field of Equine-Assisted Services. They do this through

  • Connecting members,

  • Educational webinars,

  • The annual HETI Journal with research articles,

  • The Global Gallop magazine with updates and stories from members worldwide,

  • The HETI store,

  • Ethical Guidelines

  • Publishing Events.

https://hetifederation.org/

For ACPEA members this also means:

  • HETI Congress discount for a number of members

  • Free access to the HETI Journal repository. - The HETI journal contains peer-reviewed scientific papers. Have a look here: https://store.hetifederation.org/product-category/journals/. Please, let us know what article you are looking for and we’ll send it to you. Contact secretary@acpea.org.

  • Free access to HETI webinars – see the ACPEA Members only Resources section

  • Free access to the Global Gallop magazine – see the ACPEA Members only Resources section

You can also become an individual member of HETI.