● 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.