Welfare is lifelong. Early experiences, such as
abrupt weaning before seven months, are associated with increased stereotypies
and reduced cognitive resilience. These horses may struggle with
problem-solving and social interactions later in life.
Small adjustments in daily management – relaxation techniques, social contact, adequate rest, and understanding learning theory – can unlock better performance, safety, and long-term happiness. Ask yourself: is your horse comfortable, understood, and set up for success across all 24 hours of their day?
BE Prepared Checklist – Willing Learner:
✅ Apply clear, consistent timing in training with negative reinforcement
✅ Promote relaxation through grooming, neck scratches, and calm handling
✅ Ensure access to friends, forage, and freedom where possible
✅ Provide safe opportunities for REM sleep (lying down)
✅ Replicate social connections during travel or competitions
✅ Reflect on early-life experiences when assessing behaviour
✅ Monitor comfort and emotional wellbeing daily
Small adjustments in daily management – relaxation techniques, social contact, adequate rest, and understanding learning theory – can unlock better performance, safety, and long-term happiness. Ask yourself: is your horse comfortable, understood, and set up for success across all 24 hours of their day?
BE Prepared Checklist – Willing Learner:
✅ Apply clear, consistent timing in training with negative reinforcement
✅ Promote relaxation through grooming, neck scratches, and calm handling
✅ Ensure access to friends, forage, and freedom where possible
✅ Provide safe opportunities for REM sleep (lying down)
✅ Replicate social connections during travel or competitions
✅ Reflect on early-life experiences when assessing behaviour
✅ Monitor comfort and emotional wellbeing daily
Meet the Professionals
Janet is an equine vet with a background in clinical practice, research, and education. She works for the charity, World Horse Welfare, where she is primarily involved in their work with equestrian sport. She is a member of BE’s Equine Welfare Committee and is also on the Pony Club’s Horsemanship Committee. Janet has published scientific papers and organised conferences that focus on the public acceptance of equestrianism, and on strategies that may facilitate behaviour change within the equestrian community – change that is vital if equestrian sport is to rise to the challenges currently posed by its detractors.
Janet DOuglas
Brad is an equine vet who has spent most of his career in first opinion practice before joining the equine teaching team at Nottingham Vet School. During his time in practice, he realised the importance of understanding equine behaviour coupled with horse handling and restraint. He has embedded the teaching of equine behaviour including equine learning theory into the curriculum at Nottingham and continues to champion a greater understanding of positive equine welfare in the wider equine industry. He has published research, notably looking at weaning and what the effect of weaning related stress may have on the emotional health of horses.
Brad Hill
After being a very busy freelance coach, much of Sam’s additional consultation work involves working hard in protecting the equestrian industry from the current challenges it is seeing. Her work includes encouraging a great deal of strategies and support to help to positively evolve equestrian organisations and their individual’s social attitudes, behaviours and especially their coaching techniques and use of language. This is all leading to a united effort to improve equestrian sustainability, futureproofing and safeguarding, firstly for the horse but also for all stakeholders involved around the horse and all equestrian sport.
Sam York FBHS
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