Human Equine Interaction Register UK – HEIR
Seeking views about the proposed Human Equine Interaction Register
The creation of a register of practitioners offering equine-assisted/facilitated therapy and learning EA/FT&L is aimed at providing governance and protection for practitioners working in the area of human and equine interactions, funders, service users and the equines involved. A consultation exercise is underway during October to seek views from the sector.
The register will operate under the umbrella of the Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI), a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates collaborations between organisations and individuals offering equine-assisted activities and therapies.
Ed Bracher, RDA Chief Executive and Chair of the HEIR Steering Group said, “The number of Human-Equine Interaction programmes available in the UK have increased significantly over the past decade and there are now over 300 individual practitioners and organisations offering services. The scope, size and professional backgrounds of these services vary greatly, with little co-ordination as to standards of practice and welfare issues for service users, practitioners, or equines.
“For some time, the sector has considered introducing a set of minimum standards in order to promote best Human and Equine welfare, care and professional practice and provide greater clarity and credibility of services and programmes. I have been delighted to Chair the Steering Group and we have made good progress over the summer but we cannot do this alone, we need to hear the views of those who operate within this important field to make sure that we get it right for everyone.”
Ed added, “We don’t want anyone to see this as an attempt by RDA or any other organisation to try to control the sector. Part of the reason for doing this with HETI is to enforce the independent nature, it’s about us all coming together for the collective good. We want to provide a place where people such as clients, service commissioners or funders can get information and reassurance that the organisation offering EA/FT&L is credible and works to some minimum standards. This will not only help protect the welfare of therapy equines, but also reassure anyone using these invaluable services that they are working ethically and with the horse’s best interest at heart.”
Mr Bracher added that “currently, anyone can buy a horse and offer equine therapy. That’s bad for the industry, but more importantly it’s bad for the clients, some of whom could be vulnerable people and it could also be detrimental to the horses who have no choice in being involved. I’m not suggesting anyone is damaging horses, but we want to make sure there are protocols in place,”.
“We hope HEIR will provide a forum for organisations to work together to have a louder voice across the industry – for example, in government where there is a need for us to be able to influence. We’re a diverse industry and we don’t want to change that, but trying to find a way we can work together to promote what we’re all doing has got to be of value.”
A series of consultation events are taking place during October and an online survey is available for those who prefer to respond anonymously.
We want to make sure that everyone has sufficient information to make an informed response, so we have arranged a series of virtual and physical briefing sessions to explain the plans in more detail and offer an opportunity for questions.
If you would like to attend, please register for any of the following so that we can plan accordingly and in particular, make sure that the face–to–face event is Covid safe.
Wednesday 6th October
Online Webinar 2.30-4pm
Register to attend here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/human-equine-interaction…
Tuesday 12th October
Online webinar 6.30pm – 8pm
Register to attend here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/human-equine-interaction…
Friday 15th October
RDA HQ, Warwickshire 11am – 3pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/human-equine-interaction…
The online survey is available here