Equestrian Manifest Blog

Research Notes

What is this?

This section shares a brief disclaimer about the research presented here.

Where do sources come from?

All material and written content presented on this website has been researched and informed by peer-reviewed scholarly literature and published academic sources. The aim is to provide information that is current, topical, and grounded in an established body of evidence, ensuring that ideas and discussions are supported by credible research rather than opinion alone. To promote transparency and encourage further exploration, a full reference list has been included so readers can consult the original sources and engage more deeply with the research underpinning the content.

How are sources listed?

Sources are presented in a clear, organized list for easy reference and further reading.

Can I trust this?

While care is taken, always cross-check information with original sources or experts.

Christensen, J. W., Beekmans, M., van Dalum, M., & VanDierendonck, M. (2014). Effects of hyperflexion on acute stress responses in ridden dressage horses. Physiology & Behavior, 128, 39–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.01.024

Dujardin handed one-year ban for whipping horse. (2024, December 5). BBC Sport. https://www.bbc.com/sport/equestrian/articles/cy89n7343zdo

Fédération Équestre Internationale. (n.d.). FEI code of conduct for the welfare of the horse. https://inside.fei.org/sites/default/files/FEI%20Code%20of%20Conduct%20for%20the%20Welfare%20of%20the%20Horse.pdf

Fédération Équestre Internationale. (2009, November 16). FEI statement on horse welfare. https://inside.fei.org/media-updates/fei-statement-horse-welfare

Furtado, T., Preshaw, L., Hockenhull, J., Wathan, J., Douglas, J., Horseman, S., Smith, R., Pollard, D., Pinchbeck, G., Rogers, J., & Hall, C. (2021). How happy are equine athletes? Stakeholder perceptions of equine welfare issues associated with equestrian sport. Animals (Basel), 11(11), Article 3228. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113228

Kienapfel, K., Piccolo, L., Cockburn, M., Gmel, A., Rueß, D., & Bachmann, I. (2024). Comparison of head–neck positions and conflict behaviour in ridden elite dressage horses between warm-up and competition. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 272, Article 106202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106202

Luke, K. L., McAdie, T., Warren-Smith, A. K., & Smith, B. P. (2023). Bit use and its relevance for rider safety, rider satisfaction and horse welfare in equestrian sport. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 259, Article 105855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2023.105855

Mellor, D. J. (2020). Mouth Pain in Horses: Physiological Foundations, Behavioural Indices, Welfare Implications, and a Suggested Solution. Animals (Basel), 10(4), Article 572.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040572

Torell Palmquist, G., Känsälä Alveheim, N., Huot-Marchand, F., Ashton, L., & Lewis, V. (2025). The role of European equestrian institutions in training professionals: Outcomes from a workshop on horse welfare in equestrian education. Animals (Basel), 15(2), 183. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15020183

Williams, J. M., Berg, L. C., Clayton, H. M., Kirsch, K., Marlin, D., Randle, H., Roepstroff, L., Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, M. S. van, Weishaupt, M. A., & Munsters, C. (2023). A Delphi study to determine international and national equestrian expert opinions on domains and sub-domains essential to managing sporthorse health and welfare in the Olympic disciplines. Animals (Basel), 13(21), 3404. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213404