Our Professional Partnerships

ACPEA values its relationships with professional organisations and partners who share our commitment to advancing Equine-Assisted Physiotherapy. These connections help us raise awareness of our specialism, share knowledge, create opportunities for professional development and strengthen the contribution of physiotherapists within the wider equine-assisted services community.

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

ACPEA are proud to be a   recognised professional network of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)  This provides us with access to specialised clinical guidance, funding and research opportunities, peer mentoring, and career-mapping support through more than 30 clinical and non-clinical special interest groups.

Key Clinical and Career Benefits

  • Specialised Guidance: Access up-to-date clinical updates, emerging technologies, and best-practice standards tailored to your specific field of physiotherapy.

  • Project Funding: Gain eligibility to apply for dedicated CSP funding streams earmarked for network-led projects and research. 

  • Mentorship & Peer Support: Connect with experienced colleagues, find or become a mentor, and exchange ideas via specialised forums.

  • Global & National Platforms: Engage with sub-groups linked to World Physiotherapy and contribute to national or international working groups.

We can liaise easily with other Networks such as APCP, and it enables us to be seen by a much wider professional audience.

Recently two of our members were granted free tickets for the CSP Annual Conference to allow ACPEA to promote our specialism and network with other CSP members. 

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)

ACPEA has a longstanding relationship with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), working to support the contribution of physiotherapists within equine-assisted activities and therapeutic riding.

Key Areas of Connection

  • Therapy and Training: ACPEA and RDA share knowledge and clinical expertise to support the delivery of therapeutic activities. This includes RDA Therapy Medical Module training, helping those involved in therapeutic riding to understand relevant clinical considerations.

  • Events and Professional Development: RDA groups provide opportunities for professional learning and collaboration. North Midlands RDA has hosted the ACPEA Physio Conference, bringing physiotherapists together to share knowledge and develop their practice.

  • Raising Awareness: ACPEA supports and promotes events such as the RDA National Championships, helping to highlight the opportunities available to disabled riders and the wider contribution of equine-assisted activities.

  • Specialist Physiotherapy: ACPEA members contribute clinical expertise in areas including hippotherapy, para-equestrian rider classification and therapeutic riding, supporting the development of evidence-informed practice and participant-centred care.

Through this relationship, ACPEA aims to strengthen links between physiotherapy and the RDA community, promote professional development and support the continued development of equine-assisted practice across the UK.

Find out more about the Riding for the Disabled Association.

Equine Assisted Services Partnership (EASP)

ACPEA is proud to be an Associate Member of the Equine Assisted Services Partnership (EASP), connecting our network with the wider equine-assisted services community. One of the benefits of joining ACPEA is free EASP Associate Membership for your first year, giving you the opportunity to build connections and stay engaged with this developing sector.

Benefits for ACPEA Members

  • Free First-Year Membership: ACPEA members can access their first year of EASP Associate Membership free of charge. After the first year, the standard annual fee is £50, subject to EASP's current membership terms.

  • Connect with the Wider Sector: Build relationships with individuals and organisations working across equine-assisted services and discover opportunities to share knowledge and experience.

  • Stay Informed: Keep in touch with developments, initiatives and opportunities across the equine-assisted services community.

  • EASP Associate Member Logo: You can use the designated EASP Associate Member logo on your website, emails and promotional materials, in line with EASP's guidelines.

What about the HEIR Register?

EASP hosts the Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR), which supports safety and good practice across equine-assisted services.

EASP Associate Membership is a great way to stay connected with the wider community, but it doesn't include listing on the HEIR Register or use of the HEIR Approved kitemark. Associate Members can use the designated EASP Associate Member logo to show their connection with the organisation.

Find out more about the Equine Assisted Services Partnership (EASP).

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.