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
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.
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.
HETI(UK) Forum
In spring and autumn HETI(UK) Forum organises meetings in the UK. These are open to HETI members as well as the wider EAS community and provide opportunities to network, learn and shape best practice in the UK.
Register on their mailing list to receive dates of future meetings.
European Equine Assisted Therapy Network (EEATN)
EEATN is part of HETI and brings together practitioners in Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) from across Europe.
The primary focus is promoting cooperation, finding common links in education, competencies, practice, principles and research. It does not promote the only way of EAT education and practice but respects individual approaches and equine handling based on each country's culture and history.
The network was established in April 2019 and is open exclusively to EAT practitioners – qualified therapists. It consists of 60 members from 21 countries. ACPEA is represented by a few members. For more information see:
Horses & Humans Research Foundation (HHRF)
In their words HHRF serves as a catalyst to advance global knowledge of horse-human interactions and their impact on the health and well-being of people, horses and other equines. They do this through sustained investment in rigorous ethical research and educational initiatives.
On their website you’ll find a great number of free resources such as webinars and equine well-being handouts. They also organise regular international conferences.