THE Evolving Role of Horses for Human Health Symposium, held at Clonshire Equestrian Centre and Fitzgerald Woodlands Hotel on Monday, marked a historic moment for the Equine Assisted Services (EAS) sector in Ireland. For the first time, all-Ireland organisations working within this diverse field came together to volunteer their time and collaborate on a shared mission – to promote and explore the therapeutic, educational and developmental potential of horses for human wellbeing.

Sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland, this groundbreaking event brought together over 230 attendees, including professionals, practitioners, academics, service users and stakeholders, united by a common goal: to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the unique role horses play in supporting human health.

Symposium committee member, Terri Brosnan of Stewartscare, Co Meath, told The Irish Field: “The aim of this event and what we have achieved is to come together to share our work with the wider equestrian sector and to encourage a friendly network of practitioners.”

Professional environment

Set against the pretty backdrop of Clonshire Equestrian Centre, the symposium utilised five dedicated arenas to host a wide-ranging programme, which showcased the breadth and depth of the EAS field. The choice of Clonshire as the venue greatly contributed to the success of the symposium; its well-equipped arenas and spacious grounds allowed for relaxed transitions between workshops and demonstrations. The venue also embodied the spirit of the event — a place where humans and horses can connect in a supportive, professional environment.

Simultaneous workshops, demonstrations and talks from EAGALA, Horseboy Method, Connected Equines and Horse Centred/Eponaquest, Festina Lente and Allied Health Professionals ran throughout the morning.

This unique format, which purposefully welcomed the horse into the traditional symposium schedule, allowed participants to engage actively with different modalities, from equine assisted learning (EAL) and equine assisted therapy (EAT) to innovative models of equine assisted education.

Throughout the morning, a wide array of presentations and discussions illuminated the many facets of EAS. These included workshops on Equine Assisted Learning, where facilitators demonstrated how horses can support personal growth, social skills, and emotional regulation for children, adolescents and adults. Attendees witnessed first-hand how horses, through their sensitivity and intuitive responses, can create profound learning experiences that foster resilience, confidence and communication.

Traditional therapy

Other sessions delved into Equine Assisted Therapy, exploring the therapeutic partnership between horse, client and therapist to address mental health challenges, trauma and physical disabilities. Leading practitioners shared insights into how working with horses in a therapeutic context can unlock healing processes, particularly for those who struggle to engage in traditional therapy settings. The live demonstrations in this area were especially impactful, offering participants the opportunity to see the deep and subtle interactions that form the basis of healing through connection with horses.

Allied Health Professionals at The Evolving Role of the Horse for Human Health Symposium \ Melanie Downes

Additionally, the symposium shone a spotlight on Equine Assisted Education, a growing modality that uses horse interactions to support alternative education pathways for young people, who may not thrive in mainstream educational environments.

Discussions focused on how EAS can contribute to inclusive education models, supporting learners with diverse needs through experiential learning in a non-judgmental, and often nature-based, setting.

Hosted by HSI’s John Bagnall, the afternoon sessions welcomed speakers from across Ireland, Britain and as far away as British Colombia. As well as hearing from the educating organisations, the audience also enjoyed presentations from practitioners, who are delivering services to children, young people and veterans and across many other demographics. These practitioners included HorseKnowing, Siúl Liom, Aiséirí and Equi-Motional and Groundwork EAS and Thoroughbred Assisted and Athena Herd.

What made this event particularly significant was the unprecedented collaboration between multiple organisations, spanning both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This cross-border effort reflects the growing recognition that working together as a unified sector strengthens the visibility, professionalism and credibility of EAS. The symposium served not only as a knowledge-sharing platform, but also as a symbol of unity and shared vision for the future of equine assisted work on the island of Ireland.

Integrate horses

The afternoon session opened with a presentation from researcher Kezia Sullivan, who emphasised the need for a collaborative professional identity for EAS, as well the importance of measuring programme impacts in order to build an evidence-based sector vital for long-term growth and sustainability.

A notable feature of the event was the emphasis on professional development and sector standards. Several speakers addressed the importance of developing ethical guidelines, qualifications and best practice models for EAS providers. This conversation is vital, as the field continues to grow in popularity and scope, with more individuals and organisations seeking to integrate horses into therapeutic, educational and developmental settings. Attendees agreed that building a robust framework to ensure quality, safety and effectiveness is essential for maintaining public trust and delivering meaningful outcomes for clients.

The symposium also provided a valuable networking opportunity. With so many key players in the EAS field gathered in one place, participants were able to forge new connections, exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations. Informal discussions around coffee and sandwiches often turned into passionate conversations about the future of equine assisted services in Ireland — from advocating for funding and accreditation to research collaborations and training initiatives. The symposium closed with a generous raffle, which included 30 Micklem Multi-purpose bridles, Red Mills, Foran Equine and Carr Day Martin hamper, Bluegrass hamper, ArkEquine hamper, a Monty Roberts hamper, €200 JustAskFinn voucher and a two-night stay in Castle Leslie.

Solid foundation

Looking ahead, the Evolving Role of Horses for Human Health Symposium has set a new standard for collaboration and professional dialogue in the field of EAS in Ireland. The shared knowledge, energy and commitment demonstrated throughout the day have laid a solid foundation for future cooperation, sector development and advocacy.

By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives under one roof, the symposium signified the growing maturity of the sector and its readiness to step confidently into a new era of professionalism, collaboration and impact. The horses, as always, stood quietly at the heart of this gathering, offering partnerships to help people of all ages and abilities a chance for learning, healing and growth. Organisers have announced the next event will be held in the autumn.

For more information on upcoming events, contact evolvingeas@gmail.com.