The primary purpose of research is to test theories through the discipline of sustained sound inquiry and build authoritative scientific knowledge. Consistent methodology and robust objective measures underpin sustained sound scientific evaluation.

The emerging discipline of equitation science incorporates multi-disciplinary methodologies, including approaches taken from anatomy and physiology, ethology, physics, and psychology. The aim of equitation science is the scientific measurement, evaluation and interpretation of human-horse interactions that provide evidence that can improve the training, performance, and welfare of the ridden horse.

Inevitably, for a new discipline, various methodological issues have to be resolved. These include research design and methodology, reliable collection and standardised recording of behavioural and physiological data, and the use, limitations, and requirements of technological equipment. The standardisation of scientific evaluation will enable research results to be pooled, allowing comparisons between studies. This, in turn, means that findings can be applied across horses in various contexts and increases the quality and the impact of research involving horses, riders and the horse-human interface.

To advance these aims, researchers Uta König von Borstel, PhD; Marc Pierard, PhD; Kathalijne Visser, PhD; Carol Hall, PhD; Lesley Hawson, BSc, BVSc; Charlotte Nevison, PhD; Francis Burton, PhD; Andrew McLean, BSc, PhD, Dipl. Ed; Alison Averis, PhD; and Paul McGreevy, BVSc, PhD, MRCVS, MACVS (Animal Welfare), Cert CABC, have committed to developing robust objective measures and establishing standards for research techniques and evaluative inquiry that fulfil the criteria for sound scientific evaluation of equestrian activities