Introduction
In a groundbreaking initiative called HorseVoice, equine students in Norway and Sweden are teaching horses to use symbols to indicate whether they want a blanket after exercise. The project aims to give horses a voice about their comfort and to spark discussions about how riders treat animals.
At a Glance
- Horses can now signal blanket preferences using symbols.
- Students from Sweden’s Strömsholm National Equestrian Center and Norway’s Skjetlein Upper Secondary School are leading the training.
- The effort follows scandals in elite equestrian sport, including a 15-year suspension of Olympic rider Cesar Parra.
- Why it matters: It may reshape rider attitudes toward equine agency and welfare.
Project Overview
The initiative, officially titled Giving the Horse a Voice – Horse Welfare and Owner Awareness, builds on a previously developed symbol method that allows horses to communicate wants and needs. Researchers at the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, led by Grete H.M. Jørgensen, are coordinating the effort.
Students train their horses to use a set of visual symbols after exercise, enabling the animal to choose whether it wants to wear a blanket. The goal is twofold: improve horse welfare by respecting individual preferences and to broaden awareness among riders and trainers.
How the Symbol Method Works
The symbol method uses a simple set of icons that horses learn to associate with specific actions. For example:
- A circle may represent a blanket.
- A square could mean no blanket.
- A triangle might indicate a different piece of equipment.
During training, the student presents the symbols to the horse and waits for a clear response. The horse then selects the symbol that best matches its desire. Over time, the horse becomes proficient at communicating its needs.
Ethical Implications
Jørgensen noted that the project opens “tricky ethical questions-what if horses one day communicate that they don’t want to be ridden?” She added:
> “Many young people are strongly influenced by role models in the equestrian world. When it is revealed that a former hero has treated horses poorly, it creates confusion and reflection. This project provides space for exactly those kinds of discussions.”
The research team is also studying whether exposure to the symbol method changes students’ perceptions of horses. They want to see if students begin to view horses as unique beings with specific inclinations rather than mere “sports performers.”
Impact on Students and the Equestrian Community
Students from both Sweden and Norway report that teaching their horses to communicate has shifted their own attitudes. The project includes a handbook for trainers, owners, and educational institutions. Jørgensen hopes that widespread adoption of the method will:
- Increase empathy toward equine needs.
- Encourage riders to listen more closely to their animals’ signals.
- Lead to lasting changes in attitudes and practices across the equestrian sector.
The initiative also addresses a broader cultural shift. With rising public scrutiny over animal welfare, equestrian communities are under pressure to demonstrate responsible care.
A Rider’s Perspective
A rider from Davis Acres in Massachusetts shares a practical view on horse preferences:
> “In principle, there are no limits to what we can ask horses about-their preference for equipment, training methods, feed, or housing,” Jørgensen said. “At the same time, this forces us to reflect on ethical questions. What do we do if the horse’s choice differs from what we want-or if it chooses not to be ridden at all?”
The rider emphasizes that while blanket preference is a clear example, horses have many other individual needs. For instance, a lesson horse named Freckles requires sunscreen on his nose during summer, and a gentle giant named Ruby is sensitive to tick bites. These examples illustrate the variety of preferences horses can express.
Balancing Human Judgment and Equine Choice
The project raises a practical dilemma: what should a rider do when a horse refuses a blanket that is objectively necessary? The rider argues that, similar to children, adults must act in the horse’s best interest even if the animal does not want it. He stresses that health concerns-such as preventing sunburn or managing heat-can outweigh a horse’s short-term preference.
Future Outlook
While the current research focuses on blanket preferences, the team envisions broader applications. They hope the symbol method could eventually help horses communicate medical symptoms, offering a new tool for early detection of health issues.
At this stage, researchers still need to determine how consistent and reliable the symbols are across different horses and contexts. The project’s long-term success will depend on how well the method can be integrated into everyday training and care routines.
Key Takeaways
- HorseVoice empowers horses in Norway and Sweden to express blanket preferences.
- The symbol method offers a practical way for riders to listen to equine signals.
- Ethical questions arise about respecting horse choices versus ensuring their welfare.
- The initiative may shift equestrian attitudes toward greater empathy and responsibility.
- Future research could expand the method to detect health concerns.
