Erin Kerby

I am the Veterinary Medicine & Life Sciences Librarian at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I support faculty, students, and researchers in veterinary medicine and animal sciences. I am interested in the Information Manager position because I am passionate about improving the welfare of horses and, as an information professional, I can contribute to supporting the ISES mission in unique ways. My years of experience in supporting evidence-based practice, data management, and evidence synthesis research, as well as my own research on the information seeking behavior of stakeholders in the horse-world, give me a strong foundation for advising the society on its information needs. In my personal life, I study classical dressage with my Lusitano gelding. Since spring 2026, I have acted as the interim Information Manager for ISES, a position created based on my proposal and project ideas, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute in a more official capacity!

Alessia Masini

During my undergraduate studies, I learned about the welfare challenges horses often face, particularly through traditional training and management practices. Recognizing how normalized these issues were inspired me to pursue a path focused on understanding equine behaviour, as well as other often misunderstood animals. When I discovered ISES, I was excited to find a community of like-minded individuals working to improve horse welfare through science. I hope to be elected as student representative to serve as a kind, approachable advocate for student voices. I am open-minded and committed to representing diverse perspectives, which I believe is essential for bridging the gap between research and practice to improve horse welfare. With 18 years in the equestrian world, I have experienced both the deep connection people have with horses and the welfare challenges they can face. I am also completing my master's at the Ontario Veterinary College, where my research explores veterinary perspectives on how illness and injury affect horses' mental states. I am currently serving as interim Student Representative on the ISES council. I believe my combined experience as a graduate student and equestrian positions me to engage and encourage students and young horse enthusiasts to get involved in equitation science.

Kaitlyn Maclin

Kaitlyn Maclin is a master's student in Animal Science at Colorado State University, focusing on equine behavior and welfare. Her current research is on horse-human interactions, cooperative care, and stress reduction during handling and husbandry, but she has additional interests in equitation science and improving equine welfare in sport. She brings a combination of academic and industry experience as an equine science student, horse owner, professional trainer, aspiring equine behaviorist, and researcher. In her professional life, she runs a small training program where she combines her horse experience with equitation science principles and science-based approaches. Kaitlyn is interested in serving as a student representative for ISES because she wants to play an active role in the field of equitation science and advocate for horses and the students working to improve their lives. As a student representative, she would aim to support student engagement, encourage discussion, and represent the perspectives of students who are working to improve the lives of horses through equitation science. She is excited to contribute to ISES's mission of advancing equitation science through discussion, research, and education to improve the welfare of horses in their relationships with humans.

Lluc Pedrero

I am an independent equine behavior and welfare practitioner with a strong interest in applying evidence-based approaches to improve horses' lives. My work includes supporting welfare campaigns such as Redwings UK's Keep Horse in Mind campaign, contributing to evidence-based articles, and focusing on equine behavior, environmental enrichment, stereotypic behaviors, pain recognition, and the application of the Five Domains Model. I also collaborate with FAADA as an equine ethologist, conducting welfare assessments to help improve the situation of horses in Spain. Currently, I serve as a volunteer reviewer for the FY27 Annual Equid Scientific Advisory Board at Morris Animal Foundation and continue my professional development in equine behavior, welfare, and pain science. I am seeking this position because I believe I can help strengthen the connection between scientific research and practical application. I would like to support ISES's mission by promoting knowledge exchange among researchers, practitioners, and horse owners. My goal is to promote ethical, welfare-focused practices and help ensure that advances in equine science translate into meaningful improvements for horses and the people who work with them.

Anders Eriksson

Anders Eriksson is a highly experienced horse trainer and educator whose work strongly aligns with the principles of the International Society for Equitation Science. His training approach emphasizes clear communication, promoting welfare-centered methods and tack use, and an understanding and respect for every horse. Through his extensive practical experience across a range of horses, from young horses to complex behavioral cases, he has demonstrated an ability to apply evidence-based techniques in diverse real-world situations. In training young horses, he prioritizes gradual habituation and clear reinforcement, resulting in confident, relaxed animals prepared for long-term soundness. As an educator, Anders is committed to helping horse owners understand the underlying principles of horse behavior and training, thereby improving both horse welfare as well as human and horse safety. His ability to translate complex concepts into practical application makes him particularly valuable as a bridge between scientific research and the wider equestrian community. During the last 25 years, Anders has collaborated with veterinarians, animal physiotherapists, equine dentists, scientists, and animal welfare specialists in both research and educational projects.

Gillian Allan

My name is Gillian Allan and I am from Nova Scotia, Canada. I am interested in joining the ISES team as the Practitioner Representative. Social License to Operate is shaping the direction of the equine industry. The window to the human/horse relationship is seen through the actions of the practitioners; the entry level lesson barn, coaches, trainers, elite equestrians and competitions at all levels. Research supported by ISES provides the source of information that can be shared and understood by practitioners while the lived experiences of the practitioners can be an influence on research. I am a coach, trainer and Drive representative on the Equestrian Nova Scotia Multi-Disciplinary Coach Advisory Committee. I attend Provincial Coaching symposiums and National Coach Development Seminars. I bred Haflinger horses and currently have 14 equines I care for. My formal training is a BSc in biology, BEd in senior sciences, MA in Curriculum Design and a Diploma in Counselling. I have completed the Equine Science Diploma and Equine Welfare Certificate from Equine Guelph and I am currently studying ES at Purdue University. My primary equestrian discipline is Driving: Pleasure Driving and Combined Driving. Although driving is not a major equestrian sport, ES does not change with disciplines. I am currently introducing ES to the driving community, one clinic, one lesson at a time! I understand the challenges of change, and it takes space, time and empathy to allow practitioners to accept a paradigm shift that improves horse welfare. It would be wonderful to be part of the team that brings ES and its principles to the equestrian community.

Nancy McLean

Nancy is a 2019 graduate of the University of Edinburgh MSc Equine Science degree. She has been active in U.S. Thoroughbred Racing for 30 years in various capacities: groom, exercise rider, trainer and owner. In 2020, Nancy spoke to the U.S. Congress in support of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. In 2021 she became the producer and host of Conversations in Equine Science, a podcast where research and horse enthusiasts can connect to learn the science behind horse welfare. Even though Nancy is now pursuing her PhD in Exercise and Sports Science as it pertains to Equestrian Sports, she still puts out two podcast episodes a month. "At the foundation of everything I do with my horses...is their welfare."

The International Society for Equitation Science Annual Report 25-26 Draft