Here’s what you need to know about this month
RESEARCH
What makes a horse and rider compatible? This is the question the authors of a new online survey are seeking to discover in a bid to support horse welfare.
The Suitably Mounted Group (SMG) was set up last year to tackle the issue of incompatible horse-rider combinations — a topic that has been widely debated across the industry in recent years. The survey, which looks at the factors that should be considered when matching riders with their mounts, aims to give a better understanding as to what constitutes a suitable match.
SMG co-founder, Dr Tamzin Furtado, has previously noted that although the focus often falls on rider weight, many other factors may need to be taken into account when determining rider suitability, including equine conformation, condition and fitness.
SMG’s Research Working Group, which is comprised of David Marlin, Jane Williams and Lorna Cameron, has devised the short survey to capture the views of equestrians about the most crucial factors to consider when aiming to match riders with horses.
“It’s important that we try to understand what riders, officials, vets and, in fact, anyone involved in equestrianism thinks about how to suitably match horses and riders in order to support horse welfare,” explained David Marlin.
The survey, which can be completed online until the end of January, is open to anyone over the age of 18.
■ To take part, visit surveymonkey.com/r/Suitably_Mounted_Survey-2023
