Tuesday 14 July 2026

Three organisations come together to develop a Centre of Excellence for Equine Assisted Services

Hartpury University is proud to announce that it is working with Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and HorseBack UK to develop a world-leading Centre of Excellence for Equine Assisted Services (EAS) in the South West of England.

The announcement marks the beginning of a strategic relationship focused on advancing human and equine health and wellbeing through evidence-based practice, education, research, and innovation.

The three organisations share a vision of advancing Equine Assisted Services nationally and internationally, ensuring the highest standards of welfare, ethics, sustainability, and positive outcomes for both participants and horses.

Hartpury University’s expertise in higher education, research and equine science will come together with the national reach and scale of RDA, and the extensive practical experience of HorseBack UK in delivering life-changing equine-assisted programmes.

Key objectives of the collaboration include:

• Establishing a recognised Centre of Excellence for Equine Assisted Services
• Developing and delivering high-quality EAS programmes
• Conducting research into outcomes for both humans and horses
• Creating educational pathways and professional development opportunities for future practitioners
• Advancing equine welfare and ethical practice, including research into the role of former racehorses in EAS programmes
• Sharing knowledge and promoting best practice across the UK and internationally

Through the collaboration, the organisations aim to build a stronger evidence base for Equine Assisted Services while supporting workforce development and enhancing standards across the sector.

Rosie Scott-Ward, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Hartpury University said: “This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to bring together leading expertise in education, research and equine-assisted practice. By working alongside RDA and HorseBack UK, we can help strengthen the evidence base for Equine Assisted Services, develop future practitioners and ensure the highest standards of welfare and professionalism across the sector.”

Michael Bishop, Chief Executive of RDA said: “This marks an important milestone for the future of Equine Assisted Services. Together, the partners can expand opportunities for research, education and innovation while empowering RDA Groups across the UK to deliver meaningful outcomes for disabled people and ensuring the wellbeing of the horses at the heart of our work.”

Emma Hutchison, Chief Executive of HorseBack UK: “We are delighted to be part of this collaboration. By combining our expertise and resources, we can help shape the future of Equine Assisted Services, supporting both people and horses while developing new knowledge and best practice for the benefit of the wider sector.”

The collaboration is underpinned by shared principles of evidence-based practice, human and equine welfare, innovation, professionalism, and education. As the initiative develops, the organisations will work together to explore new opportunities for research, programme delivery and sector leadership.