Our People and Our History…
The ACPEA Committee
Nona Danes - Chair
I joined the ACPTR committee in 2013 while studying for the Hippotherapy course. After qualifying in 2014, I began offering hippotherapy sessions from my farm with two ponies, alongside my work as a Highly Specialised Paediatric Physiotherapist. I retired from the NHS in 2015 and later served as Professional Network Representative and Professional Affairs Officer for CPTRH.
After nine years on the executive committee, I took a short break before rejoining in 2023. In June that year, I was elected Chairperson of ACPEA. I am also an active member of the European Equine Assisted Therapy Network (EEATN), HETI and EASP.
I coach weekly at a local RDA group and travel across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties as ACPEA RDA Regional Physiotherapist, providing training and advice. I continue to offer a small number of Equine Assisted Physiotherapy sessions from my farm, alongside caring for the ponies.
Elspeth O’Donnell - Secretary
After 10 years, she thought her committee days were over, particularly as the new website seemed complete, but she was soon persuaded to return!
Qualified in 1966, she has worked in a variety of roles in the UK and overseas, with an additional connection to racehorses through her marriage to a trainer. While working with people with learning disabilities in East Lothian, she established the group that eventually evolved into Muirfield.
She continued to promote and support the RDA while working as a Community Paediatric Physiotherapist in Oxfordshire for 25 years, later becoming RDA Regional Physiotherapist for the South, a role now shared with Nona, our Chair. Although she retired from active practice in 2020, she continues to maintain her HCPC registration and enjoys supporting fellow therapists in her role as ACPEA Secretary.
Helen Forbes - Treasurer
Helen is a Paediatric Physiotherapist with nearly 2 decades of NHS experience, specialising in developmental and neurological disorders, as well as paediatric musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions. A qualified Hippotherapist, she joined ACPEA in 2021 to combine her clinical skills with her lifelong passion for horses. Helen runs H.O.P.E (Horses Offering Physical Enrichment) Hippotherapy in Hampshire and volunteers with Wellington and Dummer RDA. She is also a former horse owner.
Jo Parsons - Education Officer
Jo is a highly experienced Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist with over 12 years’ experience supporting children and young people, underpinned by a strong foundation in holistic, family-centred care.
She has practised hippotherapy for over a decade across private and charitable settings and currently works with a North East charity delivering hippotherapy, rebound therapy, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. Working closely with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), Jo is passionate about championing the benefits of hippotherapy and supporting other physiotherapists to develop in this field.
A strong advocate for inclusive sport, Jo also works as a wheelchair rugby classifier, helping disabled people access fair and inclusive recreational and competitive opportunities.
Outside work, Jo enjoys paddle boarding, hiking in the Lake District and hacking out on Dakota, her cob.
Irma Prins - International Representative
During my CPTRH Hippotherapy training in 2010 I started being involved internationally through the Leonardo da Vinci Project between UK, Finland and Poland looking at education in hippotherapy. Since then, I have attended HETI conferences (Horses in Education and Therapy International and been part in the first meetings of the European Equine Assisted Therapy Network (EEATN). I became involved in the committee very quickly and have had the role of Treasurer and International Officer.
I had a break for 6 years while I concentrated on my business and business training, and I am currently relaunching as Freedom Equine-Assisted Therapy in the West Midlands/ Wales Border.
I enjoy being back and I am looking forward to learning from our colleagues internationally and supporting our members in developing their businesses.
Jo Smith - Website Support
Jo is a Chartered Physiotherapist with over 23 years’ experience in respiratory and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. She is a Level 3 Pilates instructor, Equipilates™ Biomechanics Trainer and Level 2 BradCliff breathing practitioner.
Following a Postgraduate Certificate in Advancing Practice at Ulster University, specialising in Equine Assisted Therapy, Jo’s interests include adult musculoskeletal rehabilitation, persistent pain, breathing pattern disorders and horse and rider biomechanics.
Within ACPEA, Jo supports the website and social media, raising awareness of the organisation and promoting the work of its members.
Outside work, she enjoys spending time with her horses and raising money for charity through ultra-challenge walks.
A little bit of history
ACPEA has evolved over fifty years, having been instigated in 1970 by Miss Stella Saywell (FCSP) as “The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Special Interest Section, Riding for the Disabled” (CSPSISRD). This group was established to provide support and training for physiotherapists working within this area whilst also recognising the relationship with RDA.
In 1989, the group became a Clinical Interest Group (CIG) of the CSP and had a change of name to “The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Riding for the Disabled” (ACPRD).
In 1998, the name was changed to “The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Therapeutic Riding” (ACPTR). The change was a reflection of the increased use of the horse as a therapeutic modality and also to encourage physiotherapists not working within RDA to join the CIG.
In 2012, ACPTR gained Conditional Recognition as a Professional Network (PN) of the CSP and in 2016, our name changed again to Chartered Physiotherapists in Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy (CPTRH).
In 2021, we realised there was need for CPTRH to evolve to include professionals involved in all areas of work with equines that was neither therapeutic riding nor hippotherapy. This includes, but is not exclusive to, equine and human biomechanics, equi-pilates, neuromusculoskeleletal treatment of riders, involvement with para dressage riders and other equestrian sport athletes, and groundwork.
We welcome all physiotherapists and other Allied Health Professionals (AHP’s) who have an interest in using equines as an adjunct to their treatment or who are involved with equine activities.
We wanted a name that was all-encompassing but also reflected our history and links with the CSP. A name that tripped of the tongue more easily than CPTRH and was therefore easily recognized and found readily on searches. We wanted a name that would last and still be appropriate for changes in future membership or practice.
Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Equine Activities (ACPEA).
Today, ACPEA continues to build on this history as we look towards the future. Our five-year strategic plan for 2026–2031 sets out our commitment to strengthening member support, expanding education and professional development, increasing the number of practising Equine Assisted Physiotherapists, and raising the profile and influence of our profession. Through research, innovation and collaboration with national and international partners, we aim to develop a stronger, more connected professional community and ensure that ACPEA continues to evolve in response to the needs of our members and the wider equine-assisted services sector.