2026 Annual conference

Click the graphic for the Early Bird Special!

Call for Abstracts

Form for Abstract Submissions

HHRF 2026 International Conference on Horses & Humans Research
📍 Kissimmee, Florida | 🗓 February 28 – March 1, 2026

The Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) invites researchers, professionals, and practitioners to submit presentation abstracts for the 2026 HHRF International Conference. This cross-disciplinary gathering focuses on advancing scientific understanding of horse-human interactions and equine well-being through evidence-based research and application.

Important Dates

Call Opens: July 1, 2025
Submission Deadline: August 16, 2025
Notification of Acceptance: September 2025
All slides and Presentation Materials Due to Office: January 7, 2026

Target Audiences

Please indicate the primary audience your session will serve:

Researchers & Academics
Equine and Equestrian Professionals
Therapists, Educators & Healthcare Providers
Students and Emerging Professionals

Suggested Topics Include:

Horse-human interaction research
Equine-assisted services outcomes and innovations
Equine wellbeing and communication
Program content for Horse-human interaction

📄 Submission Guidelines

Submit electronically using the official HHRF Abstract Template (available starting July 1 at www.horsesandhumans.org).
Abstracts must not exceed 300 words (excluding references).
Include:
- Title of presentation
- Presenter name(s), affiliation(s), and contact email
- 100–150 words per presenter bio
- High-resolution photo (300 dpi JPEG) for each presenter
Presentation format options:
- Oral Presentation (35 minutes and 10 minute Q&A)
- Poster Presentation (posters in hallways and 5 minute presentation along with other poster presentations)

Review Process

Submissions will be reviewed by the HHRF Education Committee and conference planning team. Selection will be based on:

Relevance to the HHRF mission
Scientific rigor or applied value with references
Clarity and innovation
Appeal to intended audience(s)

Additional Information

Presenters are responsible for their own travel and lodging. Conference registration will be waived for presenters. Please note all presentations are IN PERSON (whether it is an oral or poster presentation).
All accepted presenters must register by the early deadline Sept 15th.

Questions?

Please contact info@horsesandhumans.org with questions or accessibility needs.

2025 Annual Conference

February 21 - 25, 2025 San Antonio, TX

Interested in learning more about our sponsorship opportunities?

For recordings of past Conference recordings, please visit our YouTube channel.

2024 Annual Conference

February 24-25, San Diego, CA

Presentations:

Between Magic and the Mirror: the danger of deification or objectification when working with horses in Equine Assisted Services - Kathleen Choe, LPC-S, Certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapist. Link to abstract and sources

An Equine-Assisted Co-Treatment Model for Traumatized and At-Risk Youth: the Interprofessional Collaboration of Occupational Therapy and Mental Health. Sheryl Butler MA, OTD, OTR/L & Molly DePerkel MA, LP. Click Here

The current state of the science of EAS for veterans: Challenges and opportunities to move the field forward. William(Bill) Marchand MD, LFAPA. Click Here

Measuring Up: Quick and easy standardized assessment of functional abilities of children in physical, occupational, and speech therapy using hippotherapy. Matt Mitchell PT, DPT, HPCS, CTRI & Randi Shannahan, PT, DPT, HPCS, CTRI. Click Here

2023 Annual COnference

July 22-23, Centenary University, NJ

Presentations:

EAST: An explanatory theory of horses humans & psychotherapy. Noreen Esposito EdD, Associate Professor emerita, UNC-Chapel Hill, Angela Fournier PhD, Professor, Bemidji State University. Link to PDF

Eating Disorders & Rescue Horses. How They Heal Together. Jo Anne Miller, Brookhill Farm. Link to PDF.

Equine Sleep Requirements: Understanding the Restful Needs of Horses. C. Mike Tomlinson DVM MBA. Link to PDF

Evaluation of a Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Based Psychotherapy Incorporating Horses For Veterans Who Have Experienced Trauma. William (Bill) Marchand, MD, LFAPA, Lisa J. Finnell, Amy Hartquist. Link to PDF

Expanding the hoofprints of horses andhumans research through the Equine AssistedCollaborative for Health. Kimberly I. Tumlin, PhD, MS, MPH. Link to PDF

Home, from a Horse’s Perspective. How the horse feels and sees our world! Jo Anne Miller, Brookhill Farm. Link to PDF

TRAAC: Therapeutic Riding Assessment for Adults and Children. Cheryl H. Coughlin, OTD, OTR/L . Link to PowerPoint

Two Studies of a Psychotherapy Incorporating Horses For Healthcare Worker Wellbeing. William (Bill) Marchand, MD, LFAPA, Laurie Sullivan-Sakaeda, Ryan Lackner, Dylan Taplin, Elena Nazarenko. Link to PDF

What is the role of recreational therapists incorporating equines to benefit humans and how does it relate to other therapies? Betsy Kemeny, PhD, CTRS, Courtney Gramlich, CTRS, Whitney Angelini, DPT, CTRI. Link to PDF

2022 Annual COnference

August 13-14, Fieldstone Farm Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Presentations:

Investigating Equine Movement as a Mechanism of Change for Children with Autism. Beth Lanning Phd, MCHES. Link to PDF

Horses and Humans in Equine-Assisted Learning and Human-Animal Studies: Literature Review Findings and Recommendations. Elisabeth Farrell. Link to PDF

Mind Full or Mindful? A Cohort Study of Equine-Facilitated Therapy for Women Veterans. Aviva Vincent, PhD, LSW, Kathleen Farkas, PhD, LISW-S. Link to PDF

HETI –An Overview. Gisela H. Rhodes, M.Ed CTRI, Adv. Riding & IV Instructor. Link to PDF

Comparative Effectivenessof Recreational Therapy using Canines, Equines, and No-Animal Intervention. Betsy Kemeny, PhD, CTRSMegan HutchmanCoil, CTRS. Link to PDF

Reining in Anxiety: Cognitive-behavioral therapy & adaptive horseback riding. Aviva Vincent, PhD, LSW Veterinary Social Worker. Link to PDF

An equine-assisted services intervention for Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. William (Bill) Marchand, MD, LFAPA. Link to PDF

Considerations for Assessing Equine Well-Being and Stress. Ellen Rankins. Link to PDF

Temple Grandin Equine Center and Path Intl: Assessment Protocol Initiative. Kathy Alm, CEO, PATH Intl., B. Caitlin Peters, PH D ., OTR /l Assistant Professor Temple Grandin Equine Center C olorado State University. Link to PDF

Linking Practices and horse traits in secular and non-secular equine-assisted programs. Kimberly I. Tumlin, PhD, MS, MPH. Link to PDF

Does Heartrate Variability Contribute to Our Understanding of Stress? Interpreting the Horse and Human Response to Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. Dr. Laurie McDuffee and Dr. William Montelpare. Link to PDF

The Importance of a Biobehavioral Approach to Assessing Equine Well-Being during Equine Assisted Services. Kimberly Cole Phd, Nicole Lorig MS. Link to PDF