About A Good Life for Horses
Alongside the development of animal welfare science and more specifically equitation science, is an increasing appreciation of the need to justify the use of animals, whether for research, production, therapy, sport or leisure. Surveys of public and equestrian stakeholders such as those carried out by equine sport industry groups (e.g. the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission (EEWC) recently established by the FEI to address Social License to Operate related to horse involvement in sport and the Thoroughbred Racing Industry), alongside other surveys by animal welfare agencies, government advisory bodies, and equine researchers, highlight the growing unease of the public and equestrians alike, with questions regarding the ethics of horse use and concerns about equine welfare.
Evolving public views and increased knowledge about equine welfare suggest that to continue to justify equine involvement in sport and leisure and maintain a social license to operate, there is an urgent need to understand and address the changing views, equine welfare concerns, and to ensure horses involved in sport and leisure can live a Good Life.
ISES New Zealand 2024 will provide an opportunity for a gathering of equine researchers, veterinarians and practitioners involved in different disciplines including Thoroughbred Racing, Eventing, Show-jumping, Dressage, Pony Club coaching, Horse therapy and many others, to explore the concept of a Good Life for Horse specifically addressing questions such as:
Why a Good Life is necessary for horses, and whether it is possible?
What a Good life is for a horse involved in sport and leisure? – What do we know, what more do we need to know?
How a Good Life can be provided for horses in sport and leisure?
Getting to the conference
The Conference will take place in the Waikato region of New Zealand, the land of a group of Iwi (tribes) named the Waikato Tainui, who are the Kaitiaki (guardians) of the area. The conference venue will be based in the attractive town of Cambridge (Kemureti in Māori), the 'equine capital' of New Zealand, famous for its “Trees & Champions" and situated next to the mighty Waikato river in the heart of New Zealand’s world famous thoroughbred racing country. The thoroughbred studs around Cambridge have produced many champion horses, a number of which are celebrated in the Equine Stars ‘Walk of Fame’ on the main street through a series of mosaics in the town’s pavements. Not surprisingly, some of New Zealand’s premier equine veterinary practices are based in the Cambridge/Hamilton area, as well as being home to a number of New Zealand’s international equestrian stars
Extra information
Companion Animals Satellite meeting: An additional opportunity for delegates is to attend the satellite meeting being held by Companion Animals New Zealand with the theme– A Changing World for Companion Animals will take place the day before the ISES conference (13th March) nearby Hamilton providing another opportunity for delegates to present their companion animal research findings related to this theme, and/or to attend other talks. More information about this conference and the special package for ISES delegates will be provided on the website.
Please keep a look out for further information and first calls!
Nau Mai, Harae Mai !
We look forward to welcoming you to Aotearoa - "land of the long white cloud"
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