Welfare & Performance of the Ridden Horse: The Future

The SRT 4th International Conference ‘Welfare & Performance of the Ridden Horse: The Future’, will be held virtually on Saturday 11th December 2021.

We are delighted to introduce our world renowned speakers who will be presenting the most up-to-date research in the field, leading fantastic discussions and allowing you to experience the advances in welfare and performance of the ridden horse. We are also pleased to have the support of our sponsors, without whose continued support this event could not take place. Full details will be featured across our website and social media platforms.

The defining feature of our conferences is the high quality of all the presentations, and this year is no exception, we are proud to introduce the following world-renowned researchers:

Chair: Prof. René Van Weeren

Opening address: Roly Owers – Vision for the future

Keynote speakers

Prof. Hilary Clayton – How the rider affects welfare and performance of the ridden horse

Dr Filipe Serra Bragança – Modern gait analysis and its applications in the quantification of welfare and performance

Dr Sue Dyson – Application of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to improve equine welfare and performance

Presentations

Prof. Heikki Handroos – Using robotics engineering to develop a next generation horseback riding simulator with multiple equestrian industry applications

Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire – Saddle fitting: is an objective approach useful or misleading

Dr Marie Dittmann – The prevalence of ill-fitting saddles in Swiss sports horses

Dr Rachel Murray – The importance of bridle fit for optimal equine welfare and performance

Dr Sue Dyson – What can we learn from the observation of horses’ behaviours during tacking-up and mounting?

Hot Topics

Dr Dee Pollard – Vehicles have got faster but the horse has stayed the same speed: equestrian road safety in current times

Dr Céleste Wilkins – Dynamic technique analysis of dressage riders

Sofia Forino – Self-perception of body image in female riders

Reflections: Richard Davison

With this years' move to a virtual format it is exciting to note that the viewing figures online for the previous conference in 2018 reached 52 countries worldwide, proving that there is a huge demand for scientific research, especially when it is presented in a way which is easily accessible and understandable for all. The livestreaming of the 2021 conference will be interactive and provide an excellent opportunity to acquire important CPD points for delegates whose professional bodies are registered with us.

The conference replay will be available for a two week period over Christmas - all those who register for the live event will receive free access to the replay. More information will be circulated after the live event, via Eventbrite.

To find out more about the Saddle Research Trust, this year's conference programme and our wonderful sponsors, please click here to visit our website.