AAHEP - Association for Animals, Horticultural & Equine Practitioners

Registration means a commitment to the core AAHEP Ethos of Ethical Treatment of all animals and horses engaged.

The foundation of these standards is based upon levels of equine care that are established as Friends, Freedom and Forage, published in The Horse’s Manifesto (2012) by the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC), and the Five Domains model (2015). The Five Domains represent an update of the Five Freedoms (1965) produced by Professor David Mellor at Massey University in New Zealand, this means that there is a focus on positive experiences for animals, rather than just minimising their exposure to negative ones.

Engaging the Five Domains model provides a solid and important foundation for care of, and work with, all animals. As such the Register recognises its importance for application across all Animal Assisted Activities.

THE FIVE DOMAINS

1. Nutrition

• Constant access to fresh water.

• Diet that supports health and vitality.

• Minimising hunger and thirst, making eating a pleasurable experience.

2. Environment

• Shade, shelter, or suitable housing.

• Good air quality and comfortable resting areas.

• Minimising discomfort and promoting thermal, physical, and other comforts.

3. Health

• Prevent, diagnose, and treat disease or injury promptly.

• Support strong muscle tone, posture, and cardio-respiratory health.

• Minimise pain, breathlessness, and illness while promoting strength, vigour, and coordinated activity.

4. Behaviour

• Adequate space, proper facilities, and compatible company.

• Opportunities for species-appropriate behaviours and social interaction.

• Safe, rewarding activities with both other horses and humans.

5. Mental Health

• Safe and species-appropriate opportunities for pleasure, interest, confidence, and control.

• Recognises that good nutrition, environment, health, and behaviour support positive mental wellbeing.

Ethical care also applies during facilitated sessions with clients and service users. All sessions must respect the horse’s comfort, health, and choice, with safe equipment, reasonable workloads, and the ability to rejoin companions afterwards.

Practitioners must monitor and support the horse’s physical and mental wellbeing throughout interactions.

Standards include:

• Using appropriate and humane equipment (e.g., headcollars).

• Choosing exercises suitable for the horse’s age, health, and ability.

• Limiting the duration of sessions to prevent overwork.

• Allowing the horse freedom to express itself and, within safety limits, choose its level of participation.

• Ensuring the horse can return to its companions after sessions.

AAHEP is a Full Member of the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organisations and as such engages with, and promotes alignment to, their Animal Assisted Services Guidelines as outlined in their Definitions for Animal Assisted Intervention and Guidelines for Wellness of Animals Involved, (published in 2014 and revised in 2018). The Register expects practitioners, regardless of discipline, to engage and respect these. 

Practitioners must follow UK laws covering horse welfare, licensing, and identification, and seek written confirmation from local authorities on licensing requirements.

Practitioners must be fully aware of — and compliant with — UK animal welfare laws, including:

• Animal Welfare Act 2006

  Requires meeting the animal’s needs for:

  1. Suitable environment.

  2. Suitable diet.

  3. Normal behaviour patterns.

  4. Appropriate social housing or separation.

  5. Protection from pain, suffering, injury, and disease.

      

• Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018

  Requires licensing for certain animal-related activities. Some councils may exempt EAS centres — but practitioners must obtain written advice from their Local Authority.

• DEFRA Code of Practice: for the welfare of horses, ponies, donkeys, and hybrids.

• Scottish Code of Practice: Welfare of equidae.

• A useful guide to Assistance Dog Legislation in the UK.

• Equality and Human Rights Commission: Assistance dogs: A guide for businesses and service providers

• Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018

  Requires all horses in the UK to have a passport.