World Horse Welfare Webinar: Is Your Horse Happy?

Wednesday 15th December at 7pm London time (2:00 EST) sees the final World Horse Welfare webinar of the year, and looks at the important topic of how to assess if your horse is happy. Run in conjunction with the University of Nottingham, this will round off a year of highly successful webinars, and 2022 will see a return with a programme of more eye-opening and thought-provoking webinars on a huge range of equestrian topics.

This time we will be joined by Professor Natalie Waran who has been investigating equine welfare, ‘happiness’, and quality of life for many years. Nat will talk about the factors that have the greatest impact on horses’ quality of life, how we can meet horses’ most important needs, and what can go wrong when those needs are not met.

Following her presentation, Nat will be joined for a panel discussion by Christa Lesté-Lasserre, a scientific writer with a passion for horses whose work brings to life the stories generated by equine science, and Lizzie Bird, Assistant Centre Manager at World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm, who has many years of experience rehabilitating horses and watching their quality of life change as they journey from rescue to rehoming.

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The panel discussion will be followed by a Q & A session in which you will have the chance to ‘ask the experts’ any questions you may have.

By registering for the webinar through Zoom, you will be able to take part in the various polls, ask questions during the Q&A and enjoy an interactive experience. If you are keen to be part of the conversation, then please join HERE.

The webinars are free to attend and if you are unable to attend via Zoom they can be viewed as a Facebook Live session. Don’t worry of you have missed any of the previous webinars – which have tackled subjects as fascinating and diverse as keeping horses fit, weight management, euthanasia, biosecurity, horse mental wellbeing and travelling – they are all available to watch on the World Horse Welfare YouTube channel.

More about the presenters

Professor Natalie (Nat) Waran is currently Executive Dean and Professor of One Welfare at the Eastern Institute of Technology in New Zealand. Prior to taking up her position in New Zealand, Nat was the Inaugural Director of the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Describing herself as ‘an applied scientist by training and an educationalist at heart’, Nat works with colleagues internationally on research and educational projects that address animals’ quality of life, promoting the concept of One Welfare while working with governments, veterinary organisations, universities, and international non-governmental organisations in low- and middle-income countries. Nat has a specific interest in equine behaviour and welfare, having published widely on various topics over the past 30 years.

Christa Lesté-Lasserre is a writer who has studied science, journalism, literature, and creative writing. She focusses primarily on horses and science and is a regular contributor to The Horse, Cheval magazine, and Horses and People – publications that originate in the United States, France, and Australia. Her original work appears in both French and English and is frequently reprinted after translation into multiple languages. By presenting the results of scientific research on horses to audiences all over the world, Christa uses her writing to contribute to a better understanding of all equids.

Lizzie Bird started her time with World Horse Welfare in 2006 as a groom at Hall Farm in Norfolk. Since then, Lizzie has progressed to her current position as Hall Farm’s Assistant Centre Manager. In this role, Lizzie assists the Centre Manager with the day-to-day running and organisation of the farm. She also oversees the rehabilitation and rehoming of the horses. Lizzie previously studied at Writtle College and has a BSc (Hons) in Equine Studies.

University of Nottingham’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, based in the UK, offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in veterinary medicine, science, and research. A fundamental aspect of undergraduate teaching is an evidence-based approach to equine care and management, with a particular emphasis on handling techniques that promote good equine mental wellbeing in a veterinary environment.

About World Horse Welfare

World Horse Welfare (Registered charity no: 206658 and SC038384), is an international horse charity that improves the lives of horses in the UK and worldwide through education, campaigning and hands-on care of horses. Since we were founded in 1927, our whole approach has been practical, based on scientific evidence and our extensive experience, and focused on delivering lasting change across the full spectrum of the horse world.

In the UK our dedicated network of Field Officers investigate and resolve welfare problems, and we run four Rescue and Rehoming Centres where horses in need can receive specialist care, undergo rehabilitation and find loving new homes through our rehoming scheme – the largest of its kind in the UK. Our international programmes alleviate the suffering of thousands of working horses by providing essential knowledge for horse owning communities in the developing world. We also work tirelessly to change legislation and attitudes to horse welfare through campaigns and education, including our founding campaign to end the suffering endured by the tens of thousands of horses transported long-distance across Europe to slaughter each year.

We support the responsible use of horses in sport, and are independent welfare advisers to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) and British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

World Horse Welfare relies on voluntary donations. Our supporters are our lifeblood and we always aim to fundraise in a caring and responsible way. Our fundraising activity is governed by the Fundraising Regulator but we also go much further to ensure our supporters feel valued and protected.

Visit our website here.