The International Society for Equitation Science is a not-for-profit organisation with the primary function of facilitating research into the training and welfare of horses.
The idea of founding a Society devoted to equitation science had first been raised during discussions following the Havemeyer Foundation Workshop on Horse Behavior and Welfare in Iceland in 2002. Since then, equitation science has developed rapidly. The discipline combines learning theory, psychology and ethology in order to objectively examine the efficiency of different training methods.
The mission of ISES is to promote and encourage the application of objective research and advanced practice which will ultimately improve the welfare of horses in their associations with humans.
● to encourage and support basic and applied research into the training and welfare of horses
● to provide an international forum in which scientists can communicate and discuss the results of the above research. This can be achieved by organising scientific meetings and by encouraging scientific publications.
● to encourage links between applied animal behaviour science, veterinary science, psychology and other disciplines. This can be realised by encouraging presentations, discussions, publications and by maintaining contacts with appropriate scientific societies.
● to encourage and support the teaching of equitation science in research and academic institutions, especially veterinary schools, departments of animal science and animal production, agricultural colleges and departments concerned with laboratory, companion or captive animals.
● to provide a pool of expertise to national governments, international bodies, industry and to those equine welfare organisations which deal with problems involving equine behaviour, training and welfare.
● to encourage, where appropriate, the assimilation of scientific knowledge so as to facilitate its use in relation to practical problems concerning the way horses are trained, managed, housed and cared for.
Download the LEAFLET containing a summary of the Society's work