ISES recognises that research should be positioned in the context of the needs of both horse and human.  ISES has developed a coherent strategic vision for research that links with its strategic plan, identifies priorities and expectations (primarily the conduct of applied research that serves the needs of equine industry stakeholders as well as the wider equine community) and is underpinned by an ‘excellence with impact’ theme. ISES embraces the diverse ways in which research-related knowledge and skills have a beneficial impact on individuals, organisations and general equestrian practice, which include:  

• Increasing the effectiveness of education and policy in relation to equine welfare;
• Enhancing equine quality of life in relation to associations with humans; and
• Fostering the development of enhanced awareness of ethical training methods. 

ISES recognises the need to encourage and support future generations of researchers for the development of objective, evidence-based practice across the global equestrian community.  Each year, two student awards are presented at the ISES International Equitation Science Conference: the Best Student Oral Presentation Award and the Best Student Poster Award

Research Strategy

ISES recognises that research should be positioned in the context of the needs of both horse and human. This document outlines a coherent strategic vision for research that links with the strategic plan of ISES and clearly signals its priorities and expectations. ISES is well placed to encourage and promote applied research that serves the needs of equine industry stakeholders as well as the wider equine community. The underpinning theme for research within the ISES strategy framework is ‘excellence with impact’. ISES embraces the diverse ways in which research-related knowledge and skills have a beneficial impact on individuals, organisations and general equestrian practice, which include:

• Increasing the effectiveness of education and policy in relation to equine welfare;
• Enhancing equine quality of life in relation to associations with humans; and
• Fostering the development of enhanced awareness of ethical training methods.

The ISES Research Strategy has the following objectives:

• To create and nurture an academic environment that supports and promotes cutting edge applied research within the field of equitation science;
• To ultimately be in the position to fund larger research projects in future years, and to support small applied research projects within equitation science in the short term. (see ISES student research grant.);
• To encourage the development of research networks within the field of Equitation Science;
• To foster and extend research partnerships within and between private and public institutions and organisations to strengthen global research capacity in the field; and
• To raise the profile of ISES internationally through celebrating the excellence of existing research in the area.

Projects contributing to the following goals will be given priority:

• Ethical equine training
• Improved equine behaviour and welfare
• Improved understanding of human–equine interaction
• Facilitating equitation science education
• Development of equine research methods and techniques.

All projects will be conducted in accordance with the Ethical guidelines laid out by the International Society of Applied Ethology (https://www.applied-ethology.org/ethicalguidelines.htm).