Therapy Horse Welfare Standards Were Updated
New research suggests therapy providers must treat horses as active participants rather than mere tools.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Large Animals
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Researchers published a paper in the journal Animals highlighting the need for improved welfare standards in equine-assisted therapy. The study argues that current practices often overlook the horse's perspective, emphasizing that compliance should not be confused with consent.
Why it matters
Human health benefits in therapy sessions do not automatically imply a positive experience for the animals involved. Recognizing horses as active partners rather than passive equipment is essential for ethical care and session quality.
Professional standards for providers were established on 16 July 2026, while the Human Equine Interaction Register utilizes a kitemark system for approvals. Researchers recommend combining behavioral observations with physical data to assess equine welfare.
The players
Equine Assisted Services Partnership
This organization maintains and enforces professional standards for the treatment and care of therapy horses.
Human Equine Interaction Register
This entity manages a kitemark approval system for therapy providers to verify their compliance with animal welfare standards.
The details
The paper identifies an interpretative asymmetry in current therapy settings where humans dictate session parameters without regard for the animal. To improve welfare, experts suggest that providers should actively allow horses the ability to withdraw from interactions when needed.
Timeline
July 16, 2026: EASP launched new professional standards for therapy providers.
October 14, 2026: The research paper was published in Animals.
Culture Shift
This shift mirrors a broader societal transition toward viewing animal companions as sentient stakeholders rather than disposable assets. It marks a clear departure from historical models that treated animals solely as instruments for human psychological gain.
Readers seeking equine-assisted services should look for providers holding the Human Equine Interaction Register kitemark, which signifies adherence to professional standards. Clients should ask facilitators about how horses are allowed to express withdrawal during sessions.
The takeaway
Therapy sessions should prioritize the ability of the horse to choose its level of engagement throughout the process. Providers who offer horses freedom of movement and choice foster more ethical and effective therapeutic environments.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and standards in Large Animals.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Horse & Hound.
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