There were 16 papers and 8 peer-reviewed posters. A practical session was held at the Stable Rosenthal (Carpiano) to stress the strong link between ethology and equitation. The Symposium included a specific session that was dedicated to identifying immediate priorities of research.
The Symposium 2006 focused on the following topics that emerged during the first International Equitation Science Symposium in 2005, Australia.
- Examine the pros and cons of working juvenile and immature horses.
- How much is too much and how early is too soon?
- Assess the indicators and effects of learned helplessness.
- Analyse the various types of flexion, used in different training systems, and how to measure them effectively.
- Assess the benefits of adopting scientifically verified behaviour modification techniques.
| Speakers | Oral Presentations |
|---|---|
| Natalie Waran, New Zealand | Training from an earlier age |
| Paul McGreevy, Australia | Ethological challenges for the working horse and the limitations of ethological solutions in training |
| Amanda Warren-Smith, Australia | An audit of the application of the principles of equitation science by qualified equestrian instructors in Australia |
| Janne W. Christensen, Denmark | Training methods for modification of fear in horses |
| Andrew McLean, Australia | Reducing wastage in the trained horse: Training principles that arise from learning theory |
| E. Hartmann, Scotland | A preliminary investigation into verbal cue-colour association learning in horses |
| Hayley D. Randle, UK | Horse whisperers and horse ‘behaviourists’: Are we jeopardising our horses? |
| Jo Hockenhull, UK | Does punishment work? Rider responses and behaviour problems in ridden horses |
| Paolo Baragli, Italy | Assessment of the behaviour and haltering work time in young unhandled horses: Influence of three different training methods |
| Mari Zetterqvist Blokhuis, Sweden | HorseConnexion: Improving horse welfare through knowledge transfer to riders, riding teachers and horse owners |
| Alexandra Wells, Australia | Do horses exhibit motor bias when their balance is tested? |
| Jack Murphy, Ireland | Visuomotor influences on jump stride kinematics in showjumping horses |
| Machteld van Dierendonck, The Netherlands | Assessment of ethological methods as a diagnostic tool to determine early overtraining in horses |
| Adalberto Falaschini, Italy | An approach to stress induced by rider in show jumper horses |
| Uta von Borstel, Canada | Stronger fear reactions in Dressage versus Showjumping horses may be linked to genetics but not training |
| Aleksandra Górecka, Poland | Behaviour of horses during habituation to a novel object |
| Lead authors | Posters |
| Sandra Burr, Australia | Dancing with horse whisperers: What horse(wo)men want |
| Jan Ladewig, Denmark | Roll and rise: A Sign of Comfort in Horses? |
| Beth Bliss, USA | A preliminary 2-foal study on the use of Positive Reinforcement from birth |
| Alberto Minetti, Italy | General and individual biomechanics/energetics of locomotion in performing quadrupeds |
| A. Brunt, UK | Responses of school horses to a flat lesson |
| Cristina Cravana, Italy | Circulating ß-endorphin levels of trained Standardbred racehorses after competitive and not competitive races |
| Mari Zetterqvist Blokhuis, Sweden | EuroRide – an international education for riding instructors |
| Louise Roberts, UK | A Pilot Study: Can owners predict their horses’ behaviour? |
| A. Checchi, Italy | Safety compliances in equestrian centers |
| Antonio Fagiolo, Italy | Training, competition and transport in horses: Influence on physiological and biochemical parameters |
| Manuela Pauri, Italy | The use of an experienced horse in breaking of an untrained subject: Preliminary observations |
| Amanda Warren-Smith, Australia | Head lowering in horses |
| Amanda Warren-Smith, Australia | The timing of reinforcement when training foals (Equus caballus) |
| Amanda Warren-Smith, Australia | Rein contact between horse and handler |
| Amanda Warren-Smith, Australia | Use of positive and negative reinforcement in equitation |