Programme - Speakers
The Conference theme 'Horse welfare and human safety: Importance of learning, training and education' considereds the interdisciplinary approach of learning, training and education to improve horse welfare and human safety.
During day 1 and 3, recent scientific findings were presented focussing on:
- Comparative aspects in humans and horses: On the mental and physical capacity for training and learning
- Human safety and horse welfare
Plenary speaker - Dr Andrew McLean |
 |
Abstract title: Conflict theory – The missing link in equestrian culture? (Read abstract here) |
|
The first plenary speaker, Dr Andrew McLean from Australia will guide us through learning processes, particularly the application of negative reinforcement in horse training to help us understand the importance of its correct use to avoid behavioural problems in the ridden and led horse. Andrew is author and co-author of a number of highly cited academic journal papers and has written and co-authored a number of books. He regularly conducts international clinics, disseminating the application of learning theory to all disciplines of horse training, focusing on optimal welfare through a neo–classical approach to training grounded in science. Andrew has 30 years experience in professional retraining and foundation training and has developed the AEBC; the largest equine behaviour modification and training facility in Australia. |
|
Plenary Speaker - Dr Lars Roepstorff |
 |
Abstract title: Training for soundness and performance (Read abstract here) |
|
The second plenary speaker, Dr Lars Roepstorff will describe some basic functional anatomy and excercise physiology, give insight in reasons for orthopaedic injuries and higlight the connection between training and risk of injury. Lars Roepstorff is an active researcher in equine biomechanics, applied to both performance and health perspective. He is active in several collaborative projects both in Sweden and internationally. One of the ongoing main projects involves studies of saddle fitting and rider interaction in relation to locomotion with special focus on the horse's back. Another area of research is focused on training regimes and surface properties in relation to orthopaedic health. |
|
Plenary speaker - Dr Marie Rhodin |
 |
Abstract title: Terminology - from a biomechanical perspective (Read abstract here) |
|
The third plenary speaker is Dr Marie Rhodin who will talk about 'collection', a central and complex theme in equestrian dressage and how a biomechanical approach can shed light on the concept of collection. Marie Rhodin is a veterinarian, PhD, and dressage rider with special interest in horse and rider interaction. As a PhD-student she studied the effect of different head and neck positions on the kinematics of the horse. |
|
Plenary speaker - Prof Jan Ladewig |
|
Abstract title: Human Safety and Horse Welfare - Two Sides of the Same Coin (Read abstract here) |
|
Prof Jan Ladewig is the fourth plenary speaker. He will highlight the multifaceted approach of dealing with the improvement of human safety and how this is ultimately correlated with increased horse welfare. Jan Ladewig received a veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhagen, Denmark, and a PhD degree in animal behaviour at the University of California, Davis, USA. He is now professor in Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the Copenhagen vet school. Jan Ladewig has a broad interest in all aspects of horse behaviour, particularly those aspects that pertain to the welfare of the horses and the safety of people handling horses. The application of our knowledge of horse behaviour to practical aspects of horse husbandry plays a key role in his teaching and research. Apart from the scientific work in these areas, he has trained and retrained many horses and, thus, has lifelong personal experience with horse accidents! |
 |
During day 2, practical demonstrations focused on:
- Equitation in practice: Training horses and teaching riders
Demonstration 1:
Training and teaching: Flyinge demonstrates the education of the young horse (training) - Chair: Karin Engström
Karin Engström is a teacher, educated at Flyinge, and has the last 20 years worked with students and young horses. Since 2004, Karin has been teaching at Flyinge where she is responsible for courses on handling and riding young horses for the Equine study programme at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. A system for handling, longeing and horse breaking has been created. Security and to give the horses a fair treatment even if the students are not used to this category of horses are important parts. About 220 students and 120 young horses have passed through the system with good results.
Demonstration 2:
Strömsholm demonstrates the stepwise education of the rider (teaching) - Chair: Marianne Esseen Söderberg, Co-chair: Thies Kaspareit
Marianne Esseen Söderberg is the head instructor in dressage in Strömsholm. She has educated and competed with several horses in Grand Prix dressage. She has been a trainer for 20 years, the first six years in America and since 1991 she has worked in Strömsholm where she has educated a large number of riders and riding instructors. “We want to teach riders good basic skills and we think it is important that riders learn how to use a supple and balanced seat to be able to interact with the horse in an harmonious way. The best results are achieved when the rider has the welfare of the horse constantly in mind”.
Thies Kaspareit is a German equestrian that won a team gold medal in eventing at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Thies is an international riding teacher and since 1998, he is the leader of the „Deutsche Akademie des Pferdes“. The task for the Akademie situated in Warendorf is to forward scientific knowledge in horses and horsesport to professional riders and riding teachers in Germany.
Demonstration 3:
The rider’s seat - training and balance - how the seat affects the horse - Chair: Mari Zetterqvist Blokhuis, Marianne Essen Söderberg, Annika Starfelt, Co-Chair: Susanne von Dietze
Mari Zetterqvist Blokhuis is a riding instructor on international level 3 and has competed up to Medium level in dressage. She has been working as teacher in pedagogic and didactics in Strömsholm for many years. She has a BSc in social science and has studied ways to improve the seat of the rider.
Annika Stalfelt is an nutritionist and a Phd student working on a project that aims to develop objective measures of the interaction between rider and horse in Strömsholm. She also works as a teacher in horse management in Strömsholm.
Susanne von Dietze was born in Germany but lives in Israel with her family. She comes from a very horsy environment; her father was an ex cavallery officer who still rides daily at the age of 89. Her mother was a riding instructor and rode side saddle during all her active time! Susanne is a riding instructor, dressage rider at Grand Prix level (competing for Team Israel), dressage judge and moreover a physiotherapist. This background enables a unique opportunity to understand the complexity of the physical relationship between the horse and the rider. Susanne is often engaged internationally in clinics and courses and has also published the book Balance in Movement – How to Achieve the Perfect Seat.
Demonstration 4:
Demonstration of ongoing research in equitation - Chair: Lars Roepsdorff, Karin Morgan, Co-chair: René van Weeren
Professor René Van Weeren is one of the leading researchers in the world on equine biomechanics, joints and tendons. He has special interest in developmental aspects of musculoskeletal tissues in young horses. He is working at Utrecht University in the Netherlands and has a large international network. Prof Van Weeren has been involved in a lot of different projects concerning the performing horse, including research on saddle pressure and the biomechanical effect of different head and neck positions, a topic that has been heavily debated in dressage. He participated as one of the veterinary experts in the FEI Round Table Discussion on Rollkur / hyperflexion / low, deep and round (LDR) in February 2010.