Horses and humans - a sports science perspective

Our Research

There are approximately 355,000 horses in Sweden, which is among the most horse-dense (horses per capita) countries in Europe. Estimates show that the horse industry has a turnover of approximately SEK 32 billion per year. A large part of this is gambling, but it also includes boarding, feed and bedding, goods and equipment, services (such as riding lessons and farriery).

The industry creates around 18,500 full-time jobs and generates leisure activities for many people of all ages. In Sweden, there are over 400 riding schools offering horse-riding for people of all ages and many people engage in equestrian activities in their spare time. Equestrian sport is one of the major sports for children and young people and one of the largest sports for people with disabilities.

Our research group works in a multidisciplinary way with researchers in sports science, sociology, history, gender studies, pedagogy, philosophy, media science and law.

In our research we have been interested in how:

• the role of the horse in society has changed over time.
• equestrian sport has gone from being an upper class and military sport for men, to becoming one of the major children's and youth sports populated mainly by girls and women.
• gender constructions in equestrian sport have been made and changed.
• ability and disability has been constructed in equestrian sports.
• riding schools have dealt with migration and integration.
• riding schools have managed increased costs for children and young people.
• horse tourism has developed.
• the role of riding instructors has changed.
• the increasing use of social media has affected the relationship between humans and horses and between people in the horse industry.
• how equestrian sport (as well as other sports) has increased among pre-school children.
• the culture surrounding equestrian sports can be a risk of injury.
• equestrian sport can be a safe environment.
• the impact of equestrian sport and how it has addressed environmental issues.
• our understanding of the horse's needs affects how we handle the horse.