- Türkiye’s first "Adaptive Equestrian Coaching Program" to be launched at NEVU Vocational School of Equestrian Studies

- The program will train specialists in equine-assisted therapy, hippotherapy, and para-equestrian sports

- President of the Council of Higher Education Erol Özvar visited the Equestrian Practice and Research Center

June 19, 2026

The Vocational School of Equestrian Studies, which will be established at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University (NEVU), is preparing to break new ground in Türkiye. Through the Adaptive Equestrian Coaching Program, planned to be introduced within the vocational school, the university will train specialists who will work in equine-assisted education and therapy for individuals with disabilities, special needs, or diverse physical and emotional needs.

Scheduled to admit its first students in the 2028–2029 academic year, the vocational school will offer both the Equestrian Studies and Coaching Program and, for the first time in Türkiye, the Adaptive Equestrian Coaching Program. The curriculum is designed to provide hands-on training in areas such as para-equestrian sports, hippotherapy, equine-assisted therapy, and equine-assisted psychotherapy.

- Türkiye’s First Degree Program in Equine-Assisted Therapy

The vocational school will operate on the infrastructure of the NEVU Equestrian Practice and Research Center. With the launch of the Adaptive Equestrian Coaching Program, Türkiye will introduce its first higher education degree program dedicated to equine-assisted services.

The program is expected to contribute not only to the equestrian sector but also to health tourism, rehabilitation services, and support mechanisms for individuals with special needs.

Named after Cappadocia—historically known as the "Land of Beautiful Horses"—the vocational school aims to combine the region's rich equestrian heritage with academic education while helping to meet the equestrian industry's growing demand for qualified professionals.

In addition to basic and competitive riding instruction, the Center offers riding courses for children, elective horseback riding and horseback archery classes, equine-assisted therapy programs, and community engagement activities.

Working in cooperation with the Nevşehir Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, the Gendarmerie Horse and Dog Training Center, the Provincial Directorate of Social Services, rehabilitation centers, and various non-governmental organizations, the Center also provides para-equesestrian, para-equestrian vaulting, and adaptive riding programs for individuals with special needs.

These initiatives aim to support the physical, cognitive, and social development of individuals with special needs while promoting their greater participation in social life.

- Özvar Visits the Center

President of the Council of Higher Education Erol Özvar visited the NEVU Equestrian Practice and Research Center, where he received information about the center's education, research, international projects, and community engagement activities. 

Emphasizing that the Council of Higher Education continues to develop new academic programs in response to evolving societal needs, Özvar stated: "There is an increasing need for new areas of expertise in interdisciplinary fields such as healthcare, rehabilitation, special education, sports, and social support services. The Adaptive Equestrian Coaching Program represents an important step toward training the qualified professionals needed to meet this demand."