Equine students visit Redwings Behaviour Centre

Final year students on the BSc (Hons) Equine Psychology and Sports Science course (BSc (Hons) Equine Behaviour, Health and Welfare for 2020 entry), travelled to Redwings Behaviour Centre.

Students met Sarah Hallsworth, Behaviour Manager, and Roxane Kirton MRCVS, Redwings Welfare Vet. During the trip they were shown how the sanctuary trains the horses at every step, from not having ever been handled by humans before, to being handled on a regular basis.

They also had the chance to see the equine hospital, and how the sanctuary treats medical conditions to ensure horse welfare is optimal.

The trip is currently run as part of the Assessment of Behaviour module on the course, which focuses on identifying, preventing and treating behavioural issues in the equine industry. It aims to give students the opportunity to see theory they have learnt in the classroom applied in practice at the UK’s largest horse sanctuary.

NTU Academic Associate Kym Griffin runs the trip. She said: “Redwings applies the science of behaviour and learning to ensure the best welfare outcome for some of the most vulnerable equines in our society.

“During this trip students get a snapshot of the scope of the equine welfare crisis in the UK and get to discuss the cause and possible solutions with staff members who work with these horses every day.

“Students really enjoy interacting with the horses and seeing what it’s like to work in the welfare industry.”