Choosing an ABRS+ Approved Equine Assisted Services (EAS) Provider offers clients a powerful blend of professionalism, safety, and ethical assurance in a sector that deeply impacts human wellbeing. Whether seeking therapeutic support, personal development, or inclusive learning experiences, clients benefit from a framework that prioritizes both human and equine welfare, backed by nationally recognised standards.
ABRS+ is the UK’s longest-established approval body for riding schools and equestrian centres, with a legacy of promoting safe, inclusive, and high-quality equestrian experiences. When a provider is ABRS+ approved, clients can be confident that the centre has undergone rigorous assessment and adheres to best practice in areas such as safeguarding, health and safety, and equine care. This is especially vital in Equine Assisted Services, where vulnerable individuals may be involved and where the therapeutic relationship between human and horse must be carefully managed.
Equine welfare is not an afterthought—it’s central. ABRS+ EAS Providers are supported by the Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR), which sets minimum standards for equine care and ethical practice. This means horses and ponies are not just well-treated—they are respected as active participants in the therapeutic process. Clients can trust that their experience is not only beneficial to them but also kind and sustainable for the animals involved.
ABRS+ centres have access to comprehensive resources including safeguarding policies, licensing guidance, and health and safety templates. This ensures that sessions are delivered in environments that are legally compliant, risk-aware, and professionally managed. For clients—especially commissioners, funders, or parents—this translates into peace of mind. They know that the provider is not operating in isolation but is part of a wider network committed to continuous improvement and accountability.
Providers listed on HEIR and affiliated with ABRS+ benefit from ongoing professional development, including access to statutory training, supervision, and sector-wide webinars. This means clients are working with practitioners who are not only qualified but actively engaged in refining their practice. The ABRS+ badge isn’t just a static credential—it’s a sign of dynamic, evolving excellence.
ABRS+ champions participation across all ages and abilities, including those with physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges. Their ethos is rooted in accessibility and empowerment, making EAS a tool for genuine transformation. Whether the goal is therapeutic healing, confidence building, or educational enrichment, clients are welcomed into a space that values dignity, diversity, and personal growth.
ABRS+ is a recognised partner of the Equine Assisted Services Partnership and maintains close ties with British Equestrian and other national bodies. This integration ensures that providers are not working in silos but are part of a coordinated effort to raise standards, influence policy, and expand access to equine-assisted interventions
