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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(2); 183; doi: 10.3390/ani15020183

The Role of European Equestrian Institutions in Training Professionals: Outcomes from a Workshop on Horse Welfare in Equestrian Education.

Abstract: This paper highlights and summarizes the experiences and perceptions of European equestrian educational experts from a workshop held at the French National Riding School in Saumur. The workshop, which brought together fifty leading experts, aimed to address challenges in equestrian education, identify common ground, and share best practices. Using 'The World Café' method, the participants were divided into groups to discuss four key topics: the relationship between horses and humans, diversity of perspectives versus common ground, training philosophy, and social acceptability. A follow-up online focus group was conducted six months later, and the discussions were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results revealed the need for a universal cultural shift towards an evidence-based approach to riding and training horses, with equine welfare at its core. Key challenges, such as anthropomorphism, varying standards across disciplines and countries, and the evolving horse-human relationship, pose risks to the social license to operate. The findings suggest that educational institutions, with their shared values, are well-positioned to lead this change, although further research is needed to address pedagogical challenges. The study also emphasizes the importance of communicating 'good news stories' to promote evidence-based practices in training and competition.
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Publication Date: 2025-01-11 PubMed ID: 39858183PubMed Central: PMC11758323DOI: 10.3390/ani15020183Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article summarises key takeaways from a workshop among European equestrian experts about challenges in equestrian education and the need for an evidence-based approach centred on horse welfare.

Workshop Participation and Methodology

  • The workshop, held at the French National Riding School in Saumur, was attended by 50 top equestrian education experts from across Europe.
  • The study used the ‘World Café’ method to facilitate group discussions. This method fosters an interactive, inclusive process of dialogue.
  • Participants were divided into groups discussing four key topics: the horse-human relationship, diversity versus common ground, training philosophy, and social acceptability.

Follow-Up Study

  • An online focus group was conducted half a year after the workshop.
  • Discussions during both the workshop and follow-up study were recorded and analysed through qualitative content analysis for significant themes and concepts

Research Findings

  • The study found that there is a need for a universal shift towards an evidence-based approach in horse riding and training, with horse welfare at its core.
  • Challenges highlighted in the workshops include the practice of anthropomorphism (attributing human characteristics to animals), varying standards between disciplines and countries, and the changing nature of the relationship between people and horses.
  • Such challenges can undermine the equestrian sector’s social license to operate, which is society’s acceptance or approval of its activities.

Role of Educational Institutions

  • Given these findings, the study suggests that equestrian educational institutions are perfectly positioned to lead changes in the sector due to their shared values.
  • However, these institutions face pedagogical challenges that need further research.

Communication and Promotion of Best Practices

  • The study emphasizes the importance of communicating positive outcomes or “good news stories”.
  • These stories can promote the adoption of evidence-based practices in the training of horses and during competitions.

Cite This Article

APA
Torell Palmquist G, Känsälä Alveheim N, Huot-Marchand F, Ashton L, Lewis V. (2025). The Role of European Equestrian Institutions in Training Professionals: Outcomes from a Workshop on Horse Welfare in Equestrian Education. Animals (Basel), 15(2), 183. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15020183

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 2
PII: 183

Researcher Affiliations

Torell Palmquist, Gabriella
  • Department of Educational Studies, Karlstad University, 651 88 Karlstad, Sweden.
  • The Swedish National Equestrian School of Excellence, 734 94 Strömsholm, Sweden.
Känsälä Alveheim, Nina
  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Box 7023, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Huot-Marchand, François
  • L'Institut Français du Cheval et de L'équitation, 49400 Saumur, France.
Ashton, Lisa
  • Equestrian Performance Research Centre, Hartpury University, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.
Lewis, Victoria
  • Equestrian Performance Research Centre, Hartpury University, Gloucester GL19 3BE, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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