publications
The science we stand on.
Our work rests on published, peer-reviewed research — not opinion. Everything below is open access or free to download as an author’s copy, so anyone in the industry can read the evidence for themselves.
Most welfare thinking tackles problems one at a time. This paper shows why that doesn’t work — and what does. It sets out twelve connected elements that together shape a horse’s welfare, and a systems-based way of seeing how they pull on one another. It’s the framework beneath everything we do.
featured - Peer-reviewed
Horse Welfare 12: A Human Behavior Change Framework for Improving Horse Welfare
Luke, K., Hockenhull, J., Furtado, T., Ainley, N., & Osborne, M. (2026). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 1–22.
Paper 1
A new approach to horse welfare based on systems thinking.
Luke, K., Rawluk, A., & McAdie, T. (2022). Animal Welfare, 31(1), Article 1.
View at the journal → https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.31.1.004
Paper 2
New insights into ridden horse behaviour, horse welfare and horse-related safety.
Luke, K., McAdie, T., Smith, B. P., & Warren-Smith, A. K. (2022). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 246, 105539.
View at the journal → https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105539
Paper 3
Does a Working Knowledge of Learning Theory Relate to Improved Horse Welfare and Rider Safety?
Luke, K., McAdie, T., Warren-Smith, A. K., Rawluk, A., & Smith, B. P. (2023). Anthrozoös, 1–17.
View at the journal (free download) → https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2023.2166713
Paper 4
Untangling the Complex Relationships between Horse Welfare, Rider Safety, and Rider Satisfaction.
Luke, K., McAdie, T., Warren-Smith, A. K., & Smith, B. P. (2023). Anthrozoös, 1–16.
View at the journal (free download) → https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2023.2176589
doctoral research
Horses and Humans: The Role of Horse Welfare and Human Motivation in Rider Safety and Rider Satisfaction.
Luke, K. (2024). Doctoral thesis, Central Queensland University.
talks & presentations
A scientific framework for navigating horse welfare science for the next 100 years?
Luke, K., Hockenhull, J., Furtado, T., Ainley, N., & Osborne, M. (2026). Science for Animal Welfare, Centenary Conference, London.
Download the abstract (free) →SciFAW Centenary Conference Programme (see page 70).
Are we doing right by our horses? Meta Osborne on welfare and social licence.
Osborne, M. (2026) Eventing Ireland, Punchestown.
Accountability for equine welfare in sport - looking beyond the obvious.
Osborne, M. (2025) World Horse Welfare, Punchestown.
articles
July 2026
Meta Osborne: The horse has no seat at the table
Osborn, M. (2026) The Thoroughbred Report
April 2026
Gold Dancer and what we owe the horse
Osborne, M. (2026) The Irish Field
March 2023
A horse died on the set of The Rings of Power: more needs to be done to ensure the welfare of horses used in entertainment.
Luke, K. (2023) The Conversation