Horse Show Welfare Matters

Are horses happy at competitions? Do the show rules always promote good practice? And are we, as competitors, always our best selves in terms of horsemanship? How can we make sure we maintain optimum welfare when we ask our horses to take part in events? 

This free webinar will share the experience of Great Yorkshire Agricultural Show organiser and award-winning welfare trailblazer Amanda Stoddart West, and her trusty sidekick Dr Tamzin Furtado (researcher and lecturer in human behaviour around animals) as they discuss their experiences exploring horse welfare at shows, introducing new rules and – most excitingly – the introduction of welfare stewards at equine events up and down the UK. Amanda and Tamzin will discuss what needs changing, why, and how – and importantly – how you can get involved in making sure our competing horses get the positive experience they deserve.

Key topics covered:

  • Common horse welfare issues at shows and events

  • Why horse wellbeing at shows is a social licence issue as well as a horse wellbeing issue

  • How we can tell whether our own horses are happy at events

  • What the role of ‘welfare steward’ is all about

  • How we can all be part of maximising horse wellbeing at shows

After the presentation, Tamzin and Amanda answered questions from the audience.

This free webinar is aimed at horse owners/carers, equestrian competitors and equine event organisers.

Once enrolled, you have 60 days to watch this recording.

Who is this course for?

  • HORSE OWNERS

  • EQUINE STUDENTS

  • EQUINE PROFESSIONALS

Continuing Professional Development (CPD/CEU)

  • Course Contents

    1 x webinar recording and 1 x CPD/CEU quiz

  • Course Duration

    1.5 Hours

  • Certificate of Completion

    You can download a personalised CPD/CEU certificate after watching the webinar and completing the quiz.

  • BHS

    This course has been approved for 1.5 CPD points for BHS Accredited Professional Coaches by the British Horse Society. Upon course completion APCs can log their points by completing the CPD Feedback form on the BHS website.

  • IAABC

    This course has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) by the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC). You will need to request an IAABC CEU certificate directly from us, so please get in touch once you have completed the course and quiz.

  • IAAT

    Understand Horses is a trusted partner of the International Association of Animal Therapists, offering external CPD courses for its members.

  • KPA

    This course has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) by the Karen Pryor Association (KPA). Once you have completed the course you can contact us for an event code, then email both code and CEU certificate to the KPA.

Horse Show Welfare Matters

FREE

Your Instructors

TAMZIN FURTADO

Tamzin is a social scientist with a background in global health, and has a specific interest in the interconnections between human and animal health and wellbeing. She completed a PhD at the University of Liverpool studying how we can improve the management of obesity in horses, particularly focusing on horse-human relationships and human behaviour change. She now works on projects covering a wide range of aspects of understanding human behaviour in order to improve companion animal welfare, and in using social sciences to find out more about how we can help people to change.

AMANDA STODDART-WEST

Amanda grew up around horses and was on her mum’s horse in a basket saddle before she could walk. Her first job was in a Showing yard in Worcestershire where she was lucky enough to be part of a very successful team, winning ‘Pony of the Year’ and ‘Lightweight Hunter of Year’ at HOYS amongst other prestigious titles. She later went on to work with eventers in Texas which gave her a good all-round experience of different disciplines. Amanda is a founding member of the Suitably Mounted Group that started following a conversation with Tamzin Furtado. Her aim is to see the 20% rider weight guideline introduced at all shows & events – a great starting place from a welfare perspective. In 2023, she attended 4 events as a welfare steward and since then the group has continued to flourish and with the support of the British Horse Society who have provided the training. They now have around 50 like-minded volunteers with the aim to provide cover shows & events across the country. They are very keen to provide support and guidance for exhibitors and show organisers alike whilst promoting and rewarding good horsemanship, and encouraging best practise when it comes to welfare.

COURSE PRICE

Archived webinar recording

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