CONFERENCES		3rd International Equitation Science Symposium  hosted by Michigan State University, USA, 13-14 August 2007
There were 17 peer reviewed research papers and 6 posters, as listed below.
A tour and demonstration of equine biomechanics was held at the Mary Anne McPhail Center with Dr. Hilary Clayton who demonstrated e.g. the use of pressure assessment to gauge rein tension. A practical session was conducted at the MSU Horse Teaching & Research Center (HTRC), demonstrating the correct application of learning theory in horse training. The symposium closed with a seminar where video tapes from natural horsemanship workshops were evaluated and the pros and cons of round pen work discussed .
PROCEEDINGS
Speakers		Oral Presentations
Carol Hall, UK		Is there evidence of 'learned helplessness' in horses?
Andrew McLean, Australia		Overshadowing – a silver lining to a dark cloud in horse training?
		Summary ...
Natalie Waran, New Zealand		How can we use learning theory for aiding the training of horses: habituation and positive reinforcement
Laura Bauson, USA		Addition of positive reinforcement enhances learning a frightening task
		Summary ...
Frank Ödberg, Belgium		Poll-flexion does not induce hypoxia in unridden ponies while trotting
Jack Murphy, Ireland		An innovative approach to equitation foundation training (backing the horse) within an automated horse walker may reduce conflict behavior in the horse
Katherine Houpt, USA		Welfare implications for the competition horse outside of the training arena
Carissa Wickens, USA		Investigating cribbing and weaving behavior in horses in Michigan
		Summary ...
M. van Dierondonck, The Netherlands		Group housing with automatic feeding systems: implications for behavior and horse welfare
		Summary ...
Uta von Borstel, Canada		Transfer of nervousness from rider to horse
Elke Hartmann, Sweden		Assessing the rider’s seat and horse’s behavior: difficulties and perspectives
Kathalijne Visser, The Netherlands		Horse personalities and riding performances.
Karen Hennessy, Ireland		Different expectations between producers and purchasers may lead to wastage and welfare concerns for the horse
Deborah Goodwin, UK		Paedomorphosis: a novel explanation of physical and behavioral differences in horses?
		Summary ...
Jack Murphy, Ireland		Tight tendon/brushing booths: lower limb protection or innovative lower limb sensitization technique for the show jumping horse?
Amanda Warren-Smith, Australia		Preliminary investigations into the ethological relevance of round-yard training with horses
		Summary ...
Uta von Borstel, Canada		Impact of riding in Rollkur-posture on welfare and fear of 24 performance horses
Lead authors		Posters
Jack Murphy, Ireland		Weight distribution of the rider and anatomical variation of the equine thoracolumbar dorsal surface make effective saddle fitting far from simple
Jack Murphy, Ireland		Trailers for horses: Some transport systems may be less problematic for the naïve horse during loading
Mary Longden, Australia		Obedient or confused – the influence of teaching Para Equestrian Dressage on a coach’s understanding of training horses
Christine Skelly, USA		An update on two new on-line educational opportunities for equine enthusiasts through eXtension and My Horse University
David Browning, Browning Biotech, Rhode Island		'Barn talk': Possible expression in equine vocalization
		Summary ...
Lisa Beard, UK		Embedding equine learning theory into equitation curriculum