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.
Chloe Campbell speaks with Joann Benjamin and Ruth Dismuke-Blakely about the Hippotherapy Conceptual Framework (HCF), developed by the American Hippotherapy Association and presented at the ISES Conference 2025.We discuss how this framework integrates equine movement, neurophysiology, and therapy sciences to support occupational, physical, and speech-language therapy, and how the 2024 update strengthens the evidence base for hippotherapy practice and research.
Chloe Campbell speaks with Dr Sophie Côté at the ISES Conference 2025 about her research on Equine Memory Rewriting (EMR©), a neuroscience-based method that aims to resolve lack of impulsion in horses without conditioning or pressure.We explore how memory reconsolidation techniques may offer new ways to improve equine welfare and performance, with case studies showing long-term results.At ISES, we remain open to exploring new ideas and innovative approaches that spark discussion and encourage progress in equitation science.
Chloe Campbell speaks with Professor Inga Wolframm at the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) Conference 2025 about her research into how dressage judges use visual search strategies when assessing riders. Using advanced eye tracking technology, her work explores how judges focus, process information, and make decisions in real time.We discuss what this means for judging accuracy, fairness in equestrian sport, and how eye tracking research can inform judge training and rider feedback.
Chloe Campbell speaks with Caleigh Copelin at the ISES Conference 2025 about her research on horse rider level, heart rate variability, and under-saddle behaviour in lesson horses.
Chloe Campbell speaks with Aveil Oberhammer at the ISES Conference 2025 about her research using EquiFACS — the Equine Facial Action Coding System — to identify subtle changes in horse behaviour before and after riding.We discuss how EquiFACS can help riders, trainers, and researchers better understand equine emotional states, improve welfare, and refine training approaches.
Rick Hester from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo presents the Clever Hans Lecture from the ISES Colorado Conference. He explores how zoo environments can be designed to encourage not just activity, but meaningful outcomes for animals. While he occasionally refers to slides, the talk works well in audio — and the full video is available on our YouTube channel.
In this special conference edition, we bring you conversations with three leading voices in equitation science and animal welfare. Prof Paul McGreevy, Dr Gemma Pearson, and Dr Temple Grandin share their perspectives from the 2025 International Conference in Colorado, reflecting on key themes in horse–human interaction, training practices, welfare, and the future of equestrian sport.
In this episode, we’re joined by renowned veterinary behaviourist Dr. Katherine Houpt, with host Chloe Campbell, to explore the complex relationship between diet and behaviour in horses. Drawing on her chapter from Equine Welfare in Clinical Practice, Dr. Houpt discusses the role of the microbiome, the importance of natural foraging behaviour, and findings from both observational and intervention studies.
We cover how different feeding practices can influence behaviour — including the development and management of stereotypies — and how aligning diet with a horse’s natural needs can support better welfare and emotional balance.
Whether you're a practitioner, student, or simply passionate about equine welfare, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the most overlooked areas in horse management.
In this episode, Chloe Campbell, ISES Media Manager, sits down with Dr. Miriam Baumgartner to explore how affiliative behaviours can serve as valid, reliable, and feasible indicators of positive welfare in horse husbandry.
What behaviours truly signal contentment in horses? How can we use them to improve management and training practices? Join us as we delve into the latest research and discuss practical applications for ensuring the well-being of equines in various settings.
Tune in for expert insights and evidence-based approaches to better understanding horse welfare!
Join host Chloe Campbell, ISES Media Manager, as she chats with the members of ISES for the exciting launch of the ISES Webinar featuring Dr. Andrew McLean. In this video, we dive into the fascinating world of equitation science, exploring the latest research, insights, and practical applications in the training and care of horses. More information: www.equitationscience.com/webinars Become a member for discounts and free exclusive access: www.equitationscience.com/membership
In this episode, Dr. Carol Hall discusses her PhD research with Dr. Rachel Kay on horse welfare, focusing on how horse-human interactions affect quality of life. She shares findings from her systematic review, which explores pain recognition, emotional reactivity, and handling, highlighting the importance of fulfilling horses' physical and social needs. Dr. Hall emphasises how positive interactions with humans can improve welfare, offering valuable insights into enhancing the lives of horses in sport and leisure activities.
In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Ella Bartlett, Dr Jo Hockenhull, Lorna Cameron about Ella's very large PhD research "Exploring the relationship between horse-owner attributes and their approach to horse training". Dr Emily Blackwell was also part of this research. This research focuses on gathering valuable insights from horse owners about their approach to horse training. In this episode, the researchers will delve into the various factors that may influence a person's training decisions, offering you a deeper understanding of what may be shaping their methods and strategies. From age and personal beliefs to training goals and experience, we'll explore how these elements come together to possibly influence the way horse owners train and interact with their horses.
Leonie Lee is an individual deeply committed to enhancing equine welfare through innovative design. With a wealth of experience in both the equine and architecture sectors, Leonie founded Equined with the vision of optimizing the lives of horses through thoughtful planning and construction.
Her dedication to this cause is exemplified by her work on the development of "Markdel" Rye for Freedman Brothers Racing. Despite traditional facility design practices in the racing industry, Leonie prioritized equine welfare, creating a seventy-horse Thoroughbred complex that served as a model for others. The carefully designed courtyard environment at Markdel led to thriving horses, a testament to Leonie's passion for creating spaces where equines can flourish.
Through Equined, Leonie continues to champion the idea that a good life for horses begins with thoughtful design, ensuring that equine welfare remains at the forefront of architectural considerations.
Dr. Gabriel Lencioni is a veterinarian and PhD student in Animal Welfare at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ) of the University of São Paulo (USP). His passion for the study of animal behavior and welfare ignited during his college years, prompting him to actively engage in organizing seminars, symposiums, courses, and other educational activities on the topic. Under the guidance of Professor Adroaldo José Zanella, Gabriel had the privilege to develop scientific projects and interact with esteemed professionals in the field.
His research focuses on various aspects of animal welfare, with a particular emphasis on pain assessment in horses using artificial intelligence, learning theory, ethical training for solving unwanted behaviors, and fear-free methodologies for veterinary interventions.
In 2020, Gabriel initiated a scientific dissemination project aimed at providing easy access to reliable and validated information on the behavior and welfare of dogs and horses. Through his Instagram account (@vet.gabriel.lencioni), he shares valuable insights and resources, aspiring to enhance the quality of life for these animals and those around them.
Lindsay has worked in several countries since obtaining her undergraduate in animal behaviour and welfare and PhD in primate welfare nearly 20 years ago. Her longest employment was as an academic staff member running an animal management programme for 12 years but a year ago, she changed roles to take on the challenging task of being an Animal Welfare Officer at Charles Sturt University in NSW Australia. She is an ex-horse rider who after not owning a horse for about 7 years, has found them to sneak back into her life as she is now involved in maintaining the welfare of the horses at the university. It was fitting that she presented in the CANZ sponsored session as she worked for CANZ back in 2019 developing their accreditation for people working in the field of animal behaviour and training.