Hartpury University welcomed almost 300 attendees to its annual public Christmas lecture, Equine Science Unwrapped: A Festive Evening of Research and Discovery, on Thursday 4 December at the Hartpury Arena. The 90-minute live demonstration combined cutting-edge research with festive fun, offering an accessible and engaging educational experience for riders, staff, students, families, and members of the local community.
Set against a seasonal backdrop, Hartpury’s equine experts delivered a series of interactive demonstrations showing how science and research support horse health, welfare, and performance. Painted horses helped the audience visualise anatomy, biomechanics, and muscular function during movement, while advanced technology provided real-time performance analysis to show how gait, symmetry, and athletic ability are measured to support training and management.
A rider biomechanics demonstration revealed the influence of posture, balance, and asymmetry on the horse-rider partnership, supported by live equipment readings. Polework exercises showcased the role of simple training tools in developing proprioception, coordination, and physical conditioning.
Throughout the evening, equine welfare remained central. Hartpury researchers shared insights from current studies into equine emotions, behaviour, and how horses respond to human cues. Their work reflects the university’s multidisciplinary approach, integrating behaviour science, biomechanics, training research, and welfare assessment to improve both equine quality of life and rider practices.
Rosie Scott-Ward, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Hartpury University said: “This annual lecture event is all about making science enjoyable and accessible to members of the public. By demonstrating how research translates directly into the everyday care and training of horses, we hope to have inspired our community and highlighted the incredible potential of evidence-based practice to support both horses and riders. The event is a fun way to showcase what we do here at Hartpury University and it’s great to see it growing each year.”
Festive touches including themed commentary, prizes, seasonal surprises and refreshments added to the atmosphere, ensuring the evening was both educational and entertaining.
Hartpury University continues to lead innovation in equine education and research, strengthening its global reputation as a centre for excellence in equine science and welfare.
