Located at: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague: Kamýcká 129, Prague – Suchdol, 165 00, Czechia

ALL PRESENTATIONS WILL BE IN ENGLISH

LIVE STREAM TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE!

This symposium uniquely bridges international research, clinical practice, and equine welfare science. This day and a half symposium will bring together researchers, practitioners, educators, and professionals from across the equine-assisted services (EAS) community to explore current research, emerging ideas, and interdisciplinary perspectives on horse–human interactions and equine well-being.

Held at the University of Life Sciences in Prague - https://www.czu.cz/en the program will feature a dynamic mix of keynote presentations, lightning research rounds, expert panels, and open discussions designed to encourage collaboration across disciplines and countries. Topics will include the current state of EAS research, methodological considerations, equine welfare and well-being, therapeutic and educational practices, sport perspectives, and evolving terminology in the field.

The symposium will open with a keynote presentation and first short lightning-round research presentations highlighting emerging studies and innovative projects in equine-assisted services. Followed by a panel, discussions that will examine the quality and direction of current research, best practices, and pressing issues facing the field today.

A second lightning-round presentation will be in the afternoon on equine well-being followed by a panel discussion of researchers and practitioners.

The second day will focus on horse–human interaction research, bringing together perspectives from psychology, therapy, education, and equine science. The program will conclude with a collaborative panel discussion reflecting on key insights from the symposium and identifying priorities for future research and practice.

Designed to foster dialogue between researchers and practitioners, the symposium aims to strengthen the scientific foundation of equine-assisted services while promoting the well-being of horses across disciplines and contexts.

What Attendees will gain:

• Practical, research-informed approaches to equine-assisted services

• Insights into current evidence and emerging trends

• Opportunities to connect with an international, interdisciplinary community

Price Includes:

• 1.5 days of presentations

• Coffee/Tea breaks

• Saturday lunch

• Time-limited access to conference recordings

Early registration is encouraged as space is limited, with additional program and speaker details to be announced soon.

Click here to view accommodation choices and to purchase your tickets.

Click the graphics below for their PDFs.

2026 Conference - Kissimmee, FL

February 28 - March 1

Thanks for a great conference!

Pre Conference Horse Fair

Conference Schedule & Session Details

Conference Sponsors

2025 Annual Conference

February 21 - 25, 2025 San Antonio, TX

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

2021 Annual Conference

October 30-31,Isothermal Community College, NC

Presentations:

Comparing Therapeutic Riding to Mindfulness Interventions for the Purpose of Stress Management of Adolescents With Autism by Betsy Kemeny, PhD, CTRS & Stephanie Burk, PhD

Equine Assisted Service Research: Are We Making Progress? by Beth Lanning PhD

Equine Assisted Service Veteran Infographic 1 by Beth Lanning, PhD

Equine Assisted Service Veteran Infographic 2 by Beth Lanning, PhD

How to Use Other People’s Research to Increase Funding by Nancy Paschall

Man of War Research Project. Equine Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Clinical and Brain-Based Evidence. by Yuval Neria PhD

Implementing the Man O’ War Manualized Treatment Protocol by Debra G. Farber, LPC & Jody Jacob-McVey

The Horses and the People are the Magic: Building the Scientific Bases of Diverse Equine-assisted Services by Wendy Wood, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Understanding the Language and Logistics of Research Through the University Lens by Beth Lanning PhD