GUELPH – The 15th annual International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) Conference is being held at the University of Guelph, Canada’s largest agricultural university from Aug. 19 to 21.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Bringing Science to the Stable,” highlighting our past relationship with horses and examining where we are headed.
Both conference registration and abstract submissions opened in January.
Participants will join a line-up of thought-provoking speakers journeying through history and into the present, supporting and challenging the way humans interact with horses through scientific research.
Dr. Sandra Olsen (Curator-in-Charge, Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum, University of Kansas) will trace how the relationship with horses began.
Dr. Camie Heleski (senior lecturer, University of Kentucky) will describe the field of equitation science and what has been learned about horse-human relationships.
Dr. Nic de Brauwere (head of Welfare, Rehabilitation and Education, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, UK) will discuss how human behaviour changes and can improve equine welfare.
Dr. Andrew McLean (Equine Science International, Australia) will present similarities and differences in the application of learning theory across species.
The ever-popular Clever Hans talk will be hosted on Monday evening with guest speaker Dr. Jonaki Bhattacharyya, Ethnoecologist and senior researcher with Firelight Group.
Bhattacharyya has spent time in the interior of British Columbia, observing the wild horses and their impact on the land and interactions with the indigenous peoples. She will highlight how modern research can fit into other ways of knowing and approaches to managing both wild and domestic horses.
The third day of the conference will include a short course on large animal rescue training (additional fee applies).
Demonstrations and seminars from equine behaviourists, technology entrepreneurs and saddle fitting experts will fill the remainder of the day.
Registered delegates can also attend two free pre-conference workshops on Aug 18.
Cristina Wilkins and Kate Fenner (Australia) will workshop on how to communicate scientific information to equestrian communities.
Dr. Marc Pierard (Belgium) will lead a discussion in describing equine behaviours for the equine ethogram.
Early bird conference registration pricing is available until June 1. After that date regular conference fees apply.
Check the ISES website https://equitationscience.com/conferences/ or the Horse Portal https://thehorseportal.ca/ISES-2019/ to learn more.
Check back regularly to the Horse Portal for updates, sneak peaks, and local information.
About the International Society for Equitation Science
The International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) is a not-for-profit organization that aims to facilitate research into the training of horses to enhance horse welfare and improve the horse-rider relationship.
For more information visit www.equitationscience.com.
