New webinar episode...join us live!

What does it mean for horses to be sentient individuals with their own experiences, feelings and perspectives? And how should this understanding shape the way we breed, train, manage and compete with them?

Join us on 23 October at 4:00 pm BST for an ISES webinar with Dr Marthe Kiley-Worthington, exploring equine sentience, subjectivity and the implications for equine welfare.

Posted 13.10.2026

Two new podcast episodes out now

Understanding Our Bond with Horses: Love, Work and Everything in Between. Explore the science of human–horse attachment and how our relationships with horses influence everything from daily care to difficult veterinary decisions.

If Horse Welfare Comes First, Where Do We Draw the Line on Pressure? Drawing on Cristina Wilkins’ ISES 2025 keynote, this episode challenges us to think critically about pressure, equipment and what horse welfare looks like in practice.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or our website.

Posted 11.10.26

ISES 2027 Conference Early Information

Early information about the ISES 2027 Conference, including initial details to help you plan ahead. Further updates will be shared as they become available.

Posted 01.10.2026

ISES 2026 Conference Talks Now Available to Purchase

The ISES Conference 2026 recordings are now available to purchase, either as the full conference package or as individual themed packages. This gives you the flexibility to access the full conference or choose the theme most relevant to your interests.

Posted 31.09.2026

ISES 2026 Conference Talk Summaries

Missed a presentation or want to revisit the key findings? Explore short, accessible summaries of research presented at the ISES 2026 Conference in Billund.

Posted 12.08.2026

Our first student webinar series episode is now on demand

"Developing robust experimental designs in equine research: in memory of Professor Frank Ödberg" in now available within our members' dashboard. 

Student Membership is free throughout 2026, giving students access to this webinar and all future Student Webinar Series recordings and live sessions.

Posted 30.07.2026

A New Standard for Equine Welfare: Why ISES has Adopted the IASP 2020 Definition of Pain

For over twenty years, the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) has championed evidence-based management and training methodologies to improve horse welfare. To maintain our commitment to scientific rigour we have formally updated our position statements to adopt the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) 2020 definition of pain:

Posted 29.07.2026

The Nature of Horses: Decoding the Equine Teleonome

A Pathway to doing the best for horses

The International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) believes we now have the scientific framework to help close this gap to help us transform good intentions into genuine understanding, and that understanding into better care for horses worldwide.  To that end, ISES is announcing its groundbreaking new project: The Nature of Horses: Decoding the Equine Teleonome

Posted 14.07.2026

New webinar episode...join us live!

Associate Professor Elodie Mandel-Briefer will explore how horses produce and perceive vocalisations, what these sounds reveal about emotion and social communication, and how this research is improving our understanding of horse behaviour and welfare.

Posted 13.07.2026

ISES 2026 Conference Virtual Registration Now Open 

Can't join us in person? Register as a virtual delegate to access the latest equitation science research live and on demand from anywhere in the world.

Posted 30.06.2026

Reminder and updated information: ISES Annual General Meeting 2026

You’re invited to the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the International Society for Equitation Science! Join us as we reflect on the past year, share exciting Society updates, announce new Council appointments, and hear inspiring member stories centred around this year’s theme, “Conversations That Changed Things”.

Posted 16.06.26

Two new podcast episodes out now

Episode 40 features Erica Cheung exploring horse welfare perceptions in equestrian sport, including the role of culture, tradition and cognitive dissonance in shaping attitudes and behaviour.

Episode 41 explores research on riding lesson horse welfare with Caleigh Copelin and Dr Katrina Merkies, discussing management practices, riding-related stress, and opportunities for positive change.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or our website.

Posted 03.06.26

Remember to keep updated with research on the ISES Research Highlights page

Want to stay up to date with the latest equitation and horse welfare research? Explore the ISES Research Highlights page for accessible summaries of recent studies and key findings shaping evidence-based practice.

Posted 01.06.26

ISES Annual General Meeting 2026

You’re invited to the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the International Society for Equitation Science! Join us as we reflect on the past year, share exciting Society updates, announce new Council appointments, and hear inspiring member stories centred around this year’s theme, “Conversations That Changed Things”.

Posted 18.05.26

New podcast episode

Can we use AI to understand how horses feel?

In this episode, we explore new research on using facial expressions and artificial intelligence to identify emotional states in horses, moving beyond pain detection to include states like anticipation, frustration, and disappointment.

Listen via Spotify, our website or Apple Podcasts.

Posted 26.04.26

Another Equine Welfare Research Grant

The Swedish-Norwegian Foundation for Equine Research (SHF) has opened its 2026 call for Equine Welfare Research Grant funding. 

Further details, including eligibility criteria and application guidelines, are available below.

Posted 25.04.26

Equine Behaviour/Welfare Research Grant

The Morris Animal Foundation’s Equine Behaviour/Welfare Research Grant will open in May, with pre-proposals accepted from 6 May to 10 June 2026.

Posted 08.04.26