Changing Hearts and Minds in the Equestrian World One Behaviour at a Time

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Equestrianism is currently facing a range of pressing challenges. These challenges are largely based on evolving attitudes to ethics and equine wellbeing and affect the sport’s social licence to operate (i.e., its public acceptability). It is likely that trends within society, features specific to the equestrian sector, and aspects of human nature have all contributed to the current situation. If equestrianism is to flourish, it is evident that much needs to change, not the least, human behaviour. There are established frameworks for explaining and effecting human behaviour change that have been scientifically validated and are rooted in practice. These frameworks, such as the COM-B model and the Behaviour Change Wheel by Michie et al., could be of practical value for developing and implementing equine welfare strategies. The current review summarises the theory that underpins some behaviour change frameworks and provides a practical, step-by-step approach to designing an effective behaviour change intervention. A real-world example is also provided. This is based on retrospective analysis of an intervention strategy that aimed to increase the use of learning theory in (educational) veterinary practice. In our opinion, incorporating effective behaviour change interventions into any equine welfare improvement strategy may help to safeguard the future of equestrianism. ABSTRACT: Equestrianism is currently facing a range of pressing challenges. These challenges, which are largely based on evolving attitudes to ethics and equine wellbeing, have consequences for the sport’s social licence to operate. The factors that may have contributed to the current situation include overarching societal trends, specific aspects of the equestrian sector, and factors rooted in human nature. If equestrianism is to flourish, it is evident that much needs to change, not the least, human behaviour. To this end, using established behaviour change frameworks that have been scientifically validated and are rooted in practice—most notably, Michie et al.’s COM-B model and Behaviour Change Wheel—could be of practical value for developing and implementing equine welfare strategies. This review summarises the theoretical underpinnings of some behaviour change frameworks and provides a practical, step-by-step approach to designing an effective behaviour change intervention. A real-world example is provided through the retrospective analysis of an intervention strategy that aimed to increase the use of learning theory in (educational) veterinary practice. We contend that the incorporation of effective behaviour change interventions into any equine welfare improvement strategy may help to safeguard the future of equestrianism.