Equine assisted activity register

EQUINE Assisted Ireland has announced the development of a national register of practitioners.

Jill Carey of Festina Lente in Bray is the chairperson of Equine Assisted Ireland.

‘I welcome this move towards a more professional and regulated approach to equine assisted activities in Ireland,’ she said.

The development of a national register is part of a pilot programme which has been initiated by Horses in Therapy and Education International (HETI). Ireland is one of the first countries to participate in the pilot programme.

In a statement, Equine Assisted Ireland said that there is a need to develop a national register which will be accessed by potential clients and which will outline the scope of services provided, credentials of practitioners, and will also provide information relating to areas of governance such as safeguarding policy and safety statement.

There will be a list of the names and contact details of individuals and organisations who provide equine assisted therapy, education and activities. It will be a resource for service users wishing to access provision for which verification must be supplied in order to commission and or fund the provision. The register would, for example, provide assurance that practitioners have appropriate up-to-date insurance cover or that they have relevant experience and training. It may also ultimately provide federation, business, institute and associate members with a more effective means of mutual support through greater emphasis on developing national networks and essential operational credentials.