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Welcome to the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) podcast, where we delve into matters related to horse welfare, training, and the horse-rider relationship. As a not-for-profit organisation, ISES is dedicated to promoting research in equitation science to improve the lives of horses. Our podcast engages with diverse members of the equine community, including academics, practitioners and students.
Become a member of ISES today: https://www.equitationscience.com/membership.
Become a member of ISES today: https://www.equitationscience.com/membership.
39 Episodes
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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 ContaminationVirginie 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.
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
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