A Day That Felt Like Home: Our First International EAS Day

On July 29, 2026, something special happened. For the first time ever, people and horses around the world came together to celebrate International Equine Assisted Services Day (#EASDay). Organized by HETI the Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International, this day was created to honor the incredible work happening where horses and humans meet: in therapy sessions, classrooms, stables, and quiet paddocks where healing begins.

For us, as a charity focused on former racehorses in EAS, this day wasn't just another item on the calendar. It felt like a moment of recognition, for the horses who've carried jockeys at full gallop and now carry hope for people rebuilding their lives, and for the practitioners who see what these horses can do when given a second chance.

Why July 29? A Story of Courage

The date itself tells a story. July 29 marks the birthday of Lis Hartel, a Danish rider who, in 1952, became the first woman, and the first person with a significant physical disability, to win an Olympic medal in dressage. She had survived polio, which left her paralyzed from the waist down, but she returned to riding and claimed silver at the Helsinki Games.

HETI chose this date deliberately. As they put it, gold represents a finish line, but silver represents the journey, the small steps, the setbacks, the quiet victories. That's what EAS is about. It's not about perfection; it's about progress. And for many of the horses we work with this message resonates deeply. They, too, are learning that life after racing isn't an ending; it's a new kind of beginning.

What This Day Means for Former Racehorses

If you've ever stood beside a retired racehorse in a therapy session, you know there's something unique about them. They're sensitive. They're reactive. They notice everything. Research presented at the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) has started to explain why: thoroughbreds often have heightened awareness of human emotion, making them exceptional partners for people processing trauma, anxiety, or grief.

Through our partnerships, we've seen this firsthand. A horse who once raced at Chantilly now stands quietly beside a teenager learning to regulate their breathing. A former point-to-pointer carries a child with cerebral palsy, matching their rhythm step by step. Horses that ran on US tracks, now go to partners for many children with Autism at Square Peg Foundation delivering HorseBoy ridden modalities and more.   These aren't just  activities" they're transformations, for both horse and human.

Voices from Around the World

What made #EASDay so powerful was seeing how many people joined in. From France to the UK, from the USA to Australia, practitioners, researchers, and horse lovers shared their stories. Here are a few that stood out to us:

All Ireland: A Thriving Community

Across the island of Ireland, #EASDay was marked by a vibrant, collaborative community of practitioners, trainers, and organizations working in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

In the Republic of Ireland:

• One Equine joined the conversation, highlighting their work as a hub for EAS professionals and their commitment to supporting practitioners across the island.

• Festina Lente in Bray, Co. Wicklow—a pioneering Irish charity and social enterprise—celebrated their 30th year of delivering equine-assisted learning (EAL), therapeutic riding, and accredited training programs. They recently welcomed teams from St James's Hospital Dublin for EAL sessions, demonstrating how horses can support healthcare professionals and people of all abilities.

• St Joseph's Foundation in Charleville, Co. Cork, which provides services for children and adults with special needs (including autism), joined the conversation, emphasizing the role of inclusive, therapeutic activities in their work.

• Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Ireland shared posts celebrating the day and highlighting their use of the EAGALA model—a team-based approach where a licensed mental health professional works alongside a qualified equine specialist. They've been offering training in counties like Meath and Wexford, and host monthly groups focused on women's well-being, addiction recovery, and personal development.

In Northern Ireland:

• Groundwork EAS, co-founded by Dr. Helen Sharp, marked the day by highlighting their work with former racehorses in County Fermanagh. Set in 1,000 acres of peace and quiet on the Irish border, Groundwork offers well-being sessions for veterans, trauma survivors, and neurodivergent individuals—many of whom work with thoroughbreds retired from racing.

• The Athena Herd foundation announced an EAS Foundation Certificate course starting in October 2026 at The Meadows Equestrian Centre in Lurgan, Co. Armagh. This internationally recognized training (with CPD and CEU accreditation) is designed for practitioners looking to establish sustainable EAS practices.

  
  

What stands out about Ireland is the collaborative spirit—practitioners from different models (EAGALA, Athena Herd, PATH Intl., Festina Lente) coming together to share knowledge, support each other, and grow the sector. As one Irish practitioner put it: "We're all working toward the same goal—helping people and horses thrive together."

EAGALA: Setting Standards in Psychotherapy

EAGALA (the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) joined the global celebration by highlighting their role in training licensed mental health professionals and equine specialists to deliver equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development. Their model—ground-based, solution-focused, and team-led—is used worldwide, including in Ireland, the USA, and beyond.

On #EASDay, EAGALA shared posts celebrating the impact of their approach, particularly for veterans, families, and individuals dealing with PTSD, addiction, and trauma. For us, this matters: EAGALA's emphasis on standards, certification, and evidence aligns with what we're trying to build for former racehorses in EAS roles.

A Centre of Excellence: UK News from Emma Hutchison and HorseBack UK

Just days before #EASDay, exciting news broke in the UK: Hartpury University, the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), and HorseBack UK announced plans to create a Centre of Excellence for Equine Assisted Services in the South West of England.

This collaboration aims to advance both human and equine health and wellbeing through evidence-based practice, education, and research. Key objectives include:

• Establishing a recognized Centre of Excellence for EAS

• Developing high-quality EAS programs

• Conducting research into outcomes for both humans and horses

• Creating educational pathways for future practitioners

• Advancing equine welfare and ethical practice including research into the role of former racehorses in EAS programs

• 
  

Emma Hutchison, CEO of HorseBack UK, put it simply: "By combining our expertise and resources, we can help shape the future of Equine Assisted Services, supporting both people and horses while developing new knowledge and best practice for the benefit of the wider sector."

For charities like ours, this is significant. A Centre of Excellence means more than training—it means legitimacy, research, and a voice in shaping policy. And the explicit mention of former racehorses? That's a door opening for thoroughbreds to be recognized as valuable partners in EAS.

Godolphin: Global Community Work with Ex-Racehorses

On a global scale, Godolphin has been a major supporter of aftercare initiatives, including programs that place former racehorses in equine-assisted services. Through their Lifetime Care and Treo Eile initiatives (in Ireland), Godolphin connects thoroughbred owners with retrainers, promotes second careers for racehorses, and supports education and therapy programs where retired thoroughbreds are the core component.

This matters for our sector because it shows that the racing industry is investing in the long-term welfare of these horses—and recognising their potential as partners in human healing.

Research and Evidence: HHRF's Contribution

The Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) used the day to highlight ongoing research into how equine interactions support mental health. In a webinar earlier this year, they discussed studies showing that time with horses can reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem, and create a sense of calm even for people who've never ridden before.

For us, this matters. It's not enough to say "horses help." We need evidence—so we can secure funding, train practitioners properly, and ensure these horses are valued for the professionals they are.

Clarity and Standards: EASP's Infographic

In the UK, the Equine Assisted Services Partnership (EASP) launched a simple but powerful infographic explaining the three types of EAS: Therapy, Learning, and Horsemanship. It's a tool we've been waiting for—something that helps families, commissioners, and even practitioners understand the difference between licensed therapy and adaptive riding or life skills programs.

Why does this matter? Because language matters. Calling something "equine therapy" when it's actually adaptive riding can confuse funders, mislead families, and even put horses and people at risk. The EASP infographic gives us a shared vocabulary—and that's a step toward professionalism and safety.

France: "Médiation Équine" in the Spotlight

In France, where the term "médiation équine" is deeply rooted, the day was celebrated with workshops, articles, and social media posts. Cheval Magazine reminded readers that France has been a leader in this field since the 1970s, with pioneers like Hubert Lallery and Renée de Lubersac laying the groundwork.

One practitioner, Sonia Jelsch in Haute-Saône, used #EASDay to open her doors for discovery workshops. She explained that "the horse is a sensitive being, attentive to body language and emotions"—a truth we all recognize, but one that's worth repeating.

USA: From Therapeutic Riding to Mental Health

Across the Atlantic, organizations like PATH Intl. and US Equestrian shared stories of adaptive riding programs, mental health initiatives, and the role of former racehorses in therapeutic settings. The EQUUS Foundation, a national charity dedicated to horse welfare, highlighted how retired thoroughbreds are finding purpose in second careers—supporting veterans, children with disabilities, and survivors of trauma.

Asia: Growing Connections

While posts from Japan and Hong Kong were less visible in English, the global reach of #EASDay was clear. Researchers collaborating with HHRF have begun exploring equine-assisted interventions for psychiatric conditions, with findings presented at international symposia that included delegates from Asia. It's a reminder that this work transcends borders—and that horses, in their own way, speak a universal language.

Our Place in This Movement

For Racing To Relate, #EASDay reinforced why we do what we do. We don't rehome horses directly. Instead, we focus on research, advocacy, training, and creating pathways for former racehorses to enter EAS roles through partner organisations. Every project we support, every practitioner we train, every piece of evidence we gather—it all comes back to this: horses and humans healing together.

Our work with the University of Bristol on the Thoroughbred Assisted project is building evidence for how best to select and train former racehorses for EAS roles. We're not just finding them "jobs"—we're creating pathways where their unique qualities can shine.

And we're not alone. From EAGALA setting standards in psychotherapy, to HHRF pushing for better research, to EASP clarifying terminology, to a pioneering a Centre of Excellence, to the vibrant Irish community growing across the island, to Godolphin supporting aftercare globally—this is a global movement. One that recognizes that horses aren't just animals; they're partners in recovery, education, and growth.

Looking Ahead

As the dust settles on the first #EASDay, we're already thinking about next year. How can we make it bigger? How can we bring more voices into the conversation—especially from countries where this work is growing but less visible?

For now, we're grateful. Grateful to the horses who show up, day after day. Grateful to the practitioners who see their potential. And grateful to the global community that came together to say: this work matters.

If you've been touched by a horse (especially a Thoroughbred !) —in therapy, in learning, or simply in a quiet moment in the field—share your story. Tag it #EASDay. Let's keep this conversation going.

With thanks to HETI and everyone who made this day possible. For more on our work with former racehorses, stay tuned to Racing To Relate and our socials where we will be sharing #EASday highlights on social media.