A story we are building together.

One area. Different paths. One common purpose.

There are dates that mark events. Others celebrate achievements. And some remind us of the importance of looking at the history we are building together.

International Equine-Assisted Services Day , celebrated on July 29th , is one of those dates. More than a celebration, it represents the recognition of a field that, for decades, has transformed the lives of those assisted, families, professionals, companies, and volunteers, in partnership with horses, and which continues to grow thanks to the work of thousands of people around the world.

A tribute that spans generations.

The date was established by Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI) in honor of the Danish equestrian Lis Hartel , whose journey alongside her mare Jubilee continues to inspire professionals to this day.

After contracting polio, Lis was paralyzed from the knees down and had little strength and poor sensibility in her hands, arms, and legs. And yet, she defied expectations and won two Olympic silver medals in dressage, becoming a symbol of determination and the partnership between people and horses.

Her career transcended the world of sports. She inspired professionals and institutions in different countries and helped strengthen a field that continues to grow, driven by research, training, and the commitment of thousands of people. In the 1950s, together with her physiotherapist, she helped establish the first therapeutic riding center in Europe.

One area. Different paths.

Far beyond being just a commemorative date, July 29th also invites us to reflect on the times we are living in.

Equine-Assisted Services are constantly evolving and are, by nature, an interdisciplinary field.

New research is published. New professionals arrive in the field. New methodologies and approaches emerge to serve diverse audiences.

More and more institutions are recognizing the potential of this approach in the contexts of health, education, human development, sports, social inclusion, and well-being.

This growth brings opportunities, but also responsibilities.

Strengthening an area means investing in training, producing knowledge, and acting ethically, responsibly, and with respect for people and horses.

The greatest challenge of our generation

For a long time, one of the biggest challenges was showing society that partnering with horses could contribute to human development. Today, that recognition grows every year.

The challenge now is different.

It's about strengthening the quality of our performance.

It is about training professionals capable of making informed decisions.

It is about producing scientific knowledge.

It's about developing best practices.

It's about evaluating results.

It aims to promote the welfare of intervention horses at all stages of the process.

More than advocating for specific methods, the future of Equine-Assisted Services will be built on the ability to integrate science, professional experience, and collaboration across different fields of knowledge.

A shared responsibility

No area strengthens itself.

No profession establishes itself in isolation.

No field grows solely through the efforts of a single institution.

Equine-Assisted Services are the result of the work of thousands of people who, over the years, have decided to dedicate their careers to building this movement.

Celebrating July 29th is about recognizing every person who has contributed and continues to contribute to the continued evolution of this field.

This year, ABRE invites the entire community to celebrate this date in a free online meeting open to professionals, students, institutions, and anyone interested in Equine-Assisted Services.

📅 July 29th 🕖 From 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM 💻 Free online event

To participate, click HERE and register.

We look forward to celebrating this journey together with you and strengthening, once again, our commitment to the future of Equine Assisted Services.

Because a strong field isn't built solely on knowledge.

It is also built on a sense of belonging.