The International Society for Equitation Science conference was held in southern Netherlands at the prestigious and well-known Academy Bartels in Hooge Mierde in conjunction with the Global Dressage Forum.

Pegasus demonstration at ISES 2011

The Dutch Pegasus team were delighted to get the opportunity to demonstrate the system at the Popular Equitation Science Day. Reg Mulder and John Voskamp first presented a little background on the system and then showed what it can do by measuring a horse and rider. The trial started with the horse walked and trotted up in hand and then continued with the horse ridden on the left and right rein. There were a number of very interesting findings, which are summarised on the Pegasus website.

At the ISES conference there were a number of presentations which described fascinating studies where Pegasus had been used to obtain the data. So if you would like to read more about the demonstration, see the results or read some of the presentations and posters again, please visit the Pegasus website: www.pegasus.uk.com.

ISES 2011 bridging the gap between science and practice

The 7th international Equitation Science conference was being hosted by the Academy Bartels, Hooge Mierde the Netherlands from 27th – 30th October 2011. Over 4 days, more than 285 individual delegates from 20 different countries came to together in a truly inspiring atmosphere to exchange and discuss scientific findings relating to equitation science including their relevance and application in practice. The programme was a real testament to the title of the conference: 'Principles and Practices – Science at Work'. Right from the start, delegates were encouraged to determine for themselves if science and practice were “two worlds apart, or two sides of the same coin”.

Photos www.arnd.nl

In his plenary lecture, Professor Daniel Mills, University Lincoln (UK), raised the issue of a growing demand for an ethical framework for Equitation Science and care for horses: “As equitation and Equitation Science grows, we can look forward to not only more considerate and ethical management of the horse, but the ability to develop a truly symbiotic relationship in our interactions with horses. At the very least, we owe them the benefits of our learning if we want to claim that we care for them, rather than simply care about them.”

In the afternoon of the first day, George de Jong, CEO Innosport (the Netherlands), illustrated how scientific innovations in sport have been instrumental in many different sports to help bring knowledge and applied sports closer together and induce a more sustainable application of science in sport. He appealed to the scientists, research institutes and businesses “to assist sporting disciplines, such as equestrianism, in pushing boundaries, thinking creatively and being open to innovative research.”

Professor Hilary Clayton, Michigan State University (USA), gave the delegates an insight into what actually happens in the horse’s mouth. In her marvellous lecture she used video fluoroscopy in order to show a horse’s response to different bits and the effect of rein tension. “Since the bit makes contact with sensitive structures within the horse’s oral cavity, it is important to select, fit and use the bit correctly.” Furthermore she showed some very interesting preliminary results of studies during which elastic side-reins were compared with those made from inflexible material.

Photos E. Hartmann

In the last plenary lecture Professor René van Weeren, Utrecht University (the Netherlands), discussed facts, figures and fiction relating to flexion in horses. In recent years, the issue of the head and neck carriage in dressage horses and presumed health and welfare consequences have been extensively discussed in recent years. Professor René van Weeren showed that to date studies in this field are very limited, especially with regards to behavioural expressions and physiological parameters of the horse. A lively debate between delegates concluded that scientists need to collaborate more on this topic in order to derive at a more complete picture.

Photos E. Hartmann

On the third day of the conference scientists were invited to meet practitioners in the riding hall. Workshops and clinics gave ample food for thought during the plenary panel discussions. During the workshops, delegates were shown how police horses are taught to cope with different types of obstacles and fireworks; how technological innovations make it possible to precisely monitor behaviour, heart rate, and tension of the horse all at the same time; and how it is possible to measure how leg pressure is applied by elite riders. In the afternoon, Rob and Robbert Ehrens demonstrated in their showjumping clinic how they train their horses step by step. During her dressage clinic, Kyra Kyrklund focused on how pressure should be applied most effectively in order to get the most out of training. While working with two very talented young Dutch riders (Lotje Schoots and Angela Krooswijk) she stressed “If you keep doing what you always did, you will keep getting what you always got” implying that riders should continuously strive to improve their riding skills by pushing boundaries and achieving better and more refined results. The panel discussion at the end summarised the key findings of the day and encouraged all delegates to continuously evaluate their own findings and try and look for practical applications of scientific principles.

Credits

The Local Organising Committee and the Scientific Committee of the International Society for Equitation Science sincerely thank all the Sponsors for their generous assistance in ensuring the success of ISES The Netherlands 2011.

• PAVO – www.pavo.nl
• Equus Research & Therapy – www.equusresearch.nl
• Wageningen UR Livestock Research: Partner in livestock innovations – www.asg.wur.nl
• Havens Horsefeeds – www.havens.nl 
• Arnd Bronkhorst Photography – www.arnd.nl
• Academy Bartels – www.academybartels.com 
• Noldus – www.noldus.com
• Nederlands Hippisch Kenniscentrum – www.nhk.nl
• Helicon NHB Deurne – www.helicon.nl
• KNHS – www.knhs.nl
• The Green Knowledge Cooperative: Cooperation platform – www.gkc.nl
• www.dierenwelzijnsweb.nl
• Merial – www.merial.com
• Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation – https://english.minlnv.nl
• The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences KNAW – www.knaw.nl
• Innosport – www.innosport.nl
• Samenwerking Regio Eindhoven – www.sre.nl
• Koninklijke Vereniging "Het Friesch Paarden-Stamboek – www.kfps.nl
• Australian Equine Behaviour Centre (AEBC) – www.aebc.com.au

Contributor sponsors

• Moxie sport – www.moxiesport.nl
• HAS Den Bosch University of applied sciences – www.hasdenbosch.nl
• Heart for horses – www.heartforhorses.nl