Coaching With Purpose: Research Insights on Horse Welfare and Decision-Making in Showjumping

About this episode

This episode discusses the intersection of coaching methods, horse welfare, and decision-making in showjumping.

What does a “good life” really look like for a showjumping horse, and how can coaching methods support both equine welfare and rider decision-making under pressure? In this episode of the Animalweb podcast, Helen Stock is joined by British Showjumping coaches Natasha Andrews and Richard Seals , following their research presentations at the BSAS Equine Conference. Drawing directly on their Master’s-level research, the conversation bridges real-world coaching practice with emerging evidence on welfare, learning, and performance. Natasha explores how showjumping coaches assess and promote a good life for the horse during training sessions, revealing strong welfare awareness but also gaps in formal education on equine learning theory, mental wellbeing, and ethical decision-making. Her findings raise important questions about social licence, duty of care and the emotional challenges coaches face when performance pressures clash with welfare values. Richard’s research focuses on positive pedagogy and game-based coaching approaches, examining how supportive learning environments help riders develop confidence, adaptability and better decision-making in the arena. He explains why…

People in this episode

Host: Helen Stock

Guests: Natasha Andrews, Richard Seals

Topics covered

• horse welfare
• coaching methods
• decision-making
• showjumping
• equine learning theory
• performance under pressure

Keywords

• showjumping
• horse welfare
• coaching
• decision-making
• equine learning
• performance
• mental wellbeing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: British Showjumping, BSAS Equine Conference

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