Associate Professor Dr Jane Williams, Head of Research at Hartpury University, is among the expert speakers at a showpiece event promoting equine health and wellbeing to a global audience.
The CAFRE Equine Welfare Conference 2021 on 11 March, hosted virtually this year in line with Covid-19 guidance, is open to industry representatives and students looking to enhance their knowledge of horse care based on modern research.
Dr Williams will share her extensive research about how equine sports science studies examining the training, injury and management of horses can better inform industry practice relating to issues around equine health and wellbeing.
Dr Williams said: “Horse riders, owners and trainers are responsible for the management of their horses and have a duty of care to engage in practices which optimise equine health and welfare, and that promote ethical equitation practices.
“Equestrian sport and practice is steeped in tradition and many existing training and management practices are based on anecdotal and historic methods rather than scientific evaluation of their effectiveness.
“Evidence-based practice should be the cornerstone of an approach that encourages individuals to use the best evidence possible when making decisions about the methods, treatments and actions employed to achieve their goals and to enable them to judge the quality of their decision making.
“At the conference, I will be exploring how the results of research evaluating the application of sports science in equestrian research can be used to support horse owners, riders and trainers when making decisions to enable them to optimise the performance and welfare of the horses in their care.”
Dr Williams’ most recent work has included putting forward recommendations to the equine industry, as part of an international research team, to support horse owners affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
She will be joined at the conference by Dr Matilde Valenchon (Bristol Veterinary School) who will discuss ongoing research in racehorse welfare; Dr Orla Doherty (University College Dublin), equine welfare in equitation; Dr Katrina Merkies (University of Guelph), equine-assisted learning and horse-human interaction; and Dr Roly Owers (CEO of World Horse Welfare), equine welfare in changing times.
Dr Williams added: “I’m delighted that CAFRE have kindly opened attendance to other equine students in the UK, including our own Hartpury students, but also as far afield as students in Australia.
“It is always rewarding to present your work to an audience who actively demonstrate a practical interest and enthusiasm for how research can inform horse management and training.
“This was certainly the case on my last visit when the students, delegates and staff were very welcoming and asked some really insightful and challenging questions. I am looking forward to an enjoyable and thought-provoking day.”
Picture: Associate Professor Dr Jane Williams, Head of Research at Hartpury University
