The Progressive Equine Behavior & Training Forum gathered more than 40 experts in Orlando, Florida, to discuss advancements in equine behavior research. | Photo: Michelle N. Anderson/The Horse

Forty-two equine and animal behavior specialists and advocates from around the world circled the perimeter of an Orlando, Florida, hotel conference room. The U-shape table layout was purposeful, intended to encourage interaction, cross-talk, and debate among peers about horse learning and behavior. The Horse got an exclusive invitation to sit at the table at the inaugural Progressive Equine Behavior & Training Forum, held Feb. 23-26, and bring coverage back to our readers.

Equine researchers and behaviorists are constantly striving to better understand how horses learn and interact with humans, and vice versa. Their goals usually revolved around improved safety, welfare, and training outcomes. Because much of today’s mainstream horsemanship relies on tradition and anecdotal outcomes, some of these research results validate current methods, while others challenge convention. That’s where the conversation begins, and it’s one the behavior forum organizers wanted to facilitate.

The forum resulted from a shared desire to gain a greater understanding of equine ethology (the study of behavior characteristics of individuals and groups) to ultimately improve horse welfare and “create more trusting, joyful horse-human relationships,” said Sharon Madere, IAABC, of Equilightenment, who served on the organizing committee