Advertise on podcast: International Society for Equitation Science

In this episode, we explore Cristina Wilkins’ ISES 2025 keynote, Seeing Pressure: Evidence and Responsibility in Modern Equitation. Drawing on research into elite dressage, the Five Domains Model and the One Welfare framework, Cristina examines the physical impacts of equestrian equipment, including bridles and nosebands, and the signs of discomfort and pressure that can go unnoticed. The discussion challenges us to reconsider what has become normal in equestrian sport, how we recognise equine discomfort, and the responsibility of riders, trainers and judges to put horse welfare first. Members can access last year’s conference talks for free and enjoy discounted access to this year’s! Non-members can purchase both via our website at the standard rate for this year and a discounted rate for last year. Become a member today to enjoy these benefits! Become a member: https://www.equitationscience.com/membership Purchase the talks: https://www.equitationscience.com/csu-2025

In this episode, Professor Jane Williams, Dr Richard Corrigan and Dr Marc Pierard explore the development of the Human–Equine Attachment Scale (HEAS), examining six dimensions of the human–horse bond, from companionship and personal wellbeing to status and sacrifice. Discover how our relationships with horses can influence horse care, veterinary decisions and equine welfare, whether we own, ride, compete, train or work with horses. You can read this paper here: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/evj.70141

In this episode, Erica Cheung explores her PhD research discovering how equestrians perceive and navigate horse welfare, drawing on interviews that reveal the complex role of culture, tradition, authority and cognitive dissonance in shaping everyday decisions. From normalised practices to moments that challenge long-held beliefs, this conversation examines both the barriers to change and where opportunities for progress may lie. We also discuss Erica’s ongoing PhD research, including quantitative work and analysis of public responses to high-profile equestrian incidents. You can view this paper here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12304784/

This episode explores a research paper surveying Canadian riding lesson facilities to understand how lesson horses are managed and the challenges of maintaining welfare. Caleigh Copelin and Dr Katrina Merkies discuss findings showing that while horse welfare was generally positive outside of riding, riding sessions themselves were associated with increased stress due to factors such as inconsistent rider techniques and demanding workloads. The conversation highlights gaps in regulation and oversight, industry perceptions of welfare, and practical ways to support lesson horse wellbeing through education, improved management, and wider industry standards. You can view this paper here: https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/cjas-2025-0008

In this episode, we explore new research on using facial expressions and artificial intelligence to identify emotional states in horses, moving beyond pain detection to include states like anticipation, frustration, and disappointment with Dr Claire Ricci-Bonot. With models reaching around 76% accuracy, the findings highlight both the potential and the limitations of using technology to assess equine emotion and welfare. Dr Claire Ricci-Bonot is an academic researcher specialising in animal behaviour, cognition, and welfare, with a primary focus on horses at the University of Lincoln. Her work explores equine emotions, social relationships, and stress, including topics such as social buffering, separation issues, and the use of AI to identify emotional states in horses. You can read this paper here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0302893

In this episode, Dr. Barbara Murphy discusses equine chronobiology and the role of light in regulating the horse’s circadian rhythms and biological clock. We explore how light exposure influences sleep, behaviour, reproduction, and overall horse welfare, and how modern horse management can disrupt natural light cycles. Barbara also explains how research into photoperiod and circadian biology has led to practical applications in equine management and breeding, including the development of lighting technologies used within the global horse industry. This conversation highlights why understanding the relationship between light, physiology, and behaviour is important for improving horse welfare and evidence-based management. Dr. Barbara Anne Murphy is Programme Director of the BAgrSc Animal Science – Equine programme and Head of Equine Science at University College Dublin. Her research focuses on equine chronobiology and how light regulates biological rhythms that influence horse health, reproduction, and performance. Her work led to the development of the award-winning Equilume Light Mask, and she also serves as Chief Scientific Officer at Equilume Ltd. Read the paper here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0326567

In this episode, Professor Christine Aurich discusses her review paper on the welfare of breeding stallions, exploring how social and emotional needs can be balanced alongside reproductive performance. The conversation challenges traditional management practices (particularly routine isolation) and examines how limited social contact can impact behaviour, health, and long-term wellbeing. We discuss the importance of early socialisation, life-stage development, group dynamics, and practical housing solutions such as bachelor systems and social contact through adjacent turnout. The episode also covers semen collection training, highlighting how calm, choice-based handling and consistent routines can improve both welfare and breeding outcomes. Overall, the discussion reinforces that reproductive success does not automatically equal good welfare and that with informed, evidence-based management, stallions can thrive both behaviourally and reproductively. Based on: Górecka-Bruzda, A., & Aurich, C. (2025). Importance of the social environment for reproductive and general welfare of domestic horse (Equus caballus) stallions. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 292, 106827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106827

In this episode, we explore how simple sensory checks (sight, touch, and smell) can help predict when hay may pose a respiratory risk for horses. We discuss how abnormal odour emerged as a strong indicator of harmful dust levels, how visible impurities relate to microbial contamination, and what this means for practical, low-cost screening tools in everyday stable management. In this episode, we are joined by Dr Virginie Bouverat and Professor Vinzenz Gerber discussing their paper titled: Sensory Assessment of Hay Samples: Abnormal Odor Predicts Increased Dust Levels and Impurities Suggest Microbiological Contamination Virginie is a Swiss equine veterinarian and researcher at ISME, focusing on how forage and bedding quality influence horse respiratory health. Vinzenz is a Swiss equine internal medicine specialist at ISME and the University of Bern, known for his work on equine asthma, genetics, and performance physiology. A link to their paper: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/18/2688

This podcast focused on discussing research findings about the behaviour of off-the-track thoroughbreds, with Annie and Kate sharing insights from their study using the E-BARQ behavioural assessment tool. The discussion highlighted how racing experiences may influence a horse's behaviour in second careers, challenging common assumptions about boldness and training responsiveness. Key findings included that off-the-track thoroughbreds showed greater exposure-related boldness but lower compliance to deceleration cues compared to other breeds. The conversation emphasised the importance of understanding each horse's individual history and implementing evidence-based training principles, particularly for 'basic' behaviours. Both speakers agreed that more research is needed to better support off-the-track horses and their new owners, with Kate suggesting that future studies could benefit from longitudinal tracking of the same horses over time. Read the paper here: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2046

Join host Chloe Campbell as she sits down with Alessia to chat about student life, navigating different academic paths, and finding your way into equine welfare and behavioural science. From early riding lessons to research on the Five Domains and rider laterality, Alessia shares honest insights, challenges, and what she’s learned along the way. A great listen for students, early-career researchers, and anyone passionate about evidence-based equine welfare.

Prof. Inga Wolframm discusses new research, with host Chloe Campbell, on how horses interact with natural landscapes and what this means for welfare and biodiversity. The study tracked Swedish Warmblood mares using HoofStep® sensors, revealing how weather, environment, and individual preferences shape behaviour.

Join Chloe Campbell speaking with Dr Gabriel Lencioni on Identifying the Starting Point for Using Computer Vision Methods Accurately to Enhance Standards in Equine Sports.We discuss groundbreaking research on using AI and computer vision to analyse horse movements in dressage, with the goal of enhancing welfare standards in equestrian sport. From tracking subtle body signals to training algorithms, this work highlights how technology could transform the way we understand and safeguard equine welfare in competition.

Chloe Campbell speaks with Dr Ellen Rankins about her research into how weight limits are applied in equine-assisted services across the U.S, presented at the ISES Conference 2025 We discuss survey findings on current practices — including the common use of the 20% bodyweight guideline — and the need for further research to establish evidence-based standards that best support equine welfare in these settings.

Chloe Campbell speaks with Dr Sarah King about how findings from wild equid research can inform management, training, and welfare practices for domestic horses and donkeys, presented at the ISES Conference 2025 We explore what studying free-ranging behaviour, social structures, and environmental adaptation can teach us about improving the lives of domestic equids in human care.

Chloe Campbell speaks with Professor Jörg Aurich about his research on the effects of starting horses at a young age, comparing behavioural responses in Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds, presented at the ISES Conference 2025.We discuss how training onset and breed differences influence learning, stress responses, and long-term welfare — and what this means for evidence-based approaches to starting horses under saddle.