Equine International Research Institute

Equine International Research Institute Research, Education, and Outreach in Equine Wellbeing and Equine-Human Interactions Please consider making a donation. We look forward to working with you!

Equine International is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit research institute dedicated to studies in equine behavior, wellbeing and welfare, and equine-human interactions in all areas of domestic and free-living equids, including those involved in equine-assisted services. We collaborate with a number of different institutions, universities, and organizations to observe and learn how horses choose to

live their lives, how we fit into their world, and how we can use this information to improve the wellbeing of horses in our care. We do research all over the world with feral, free-living, and domestic horses and often invite others to join us on amazing adventures to collect data and learn about wild equids. We also work with equine practitioners and trainers in a wide range of settings to create educational courses for anyone involved with horses for accessible online courses as well as in-person workshops. The goal, however, is to improve the lives of horses and humans so we’re always collaborating with individuals and organizations to help them build and improve their work in the field. Proceeds go towards funding research in all fields of equine wellbeing, equine-human interactions, and equine-assisted activities and therapies. With your help we can continue to do the research that can help improve the lives of horses, humans, and other equids all over the world. If you are a student and are interested in doing a research internship, please contact us.

08/20/2026

It’s always a pleasure for me to spend time with Dr Emily Kieson on our Learning Wild Experiences - her current focus on equine friendships and how horses create and maintain social bonds aligns so deeply with my fascination and constantly growing understanding of free-living and wild equids.

Its fair to say we both learn from each other, from the horses, and also from the participants every time we facilitate a Learnimg Wild Experience. Observing and questioning is key to getting the most out of this experience and with each shared thought we can all develop our knowledge and understanding just a little more.

To join myself, Emily and others on this journey, please visit: https://learningwilduk.wixsite.com/learningwild/test

Equine International Research Institute Learning Wild

08/20/2026

We bring veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent veteran su***de.

08/17/2026

I’m often referred to as a trainer of the “untrainable”, but if you start your relationships like I do, from a place of trust and knowledge of the horse in the ecological and social context from which It evolved, then no horse is “untrainable”. It all starts with immersing yourself in the living landscape of the horse.

Come and experience exactly this with Learning Wild West Highlands - a 3 day residential experience in the West Highlands with myself and Dr Emily Kieson. (Equine International Research Institute)

For more information, please visit:https://learningwilduk.wixsite.com/learningwild/test

Learning Wild

We had an amazing programming weekend at Project ComeBack with the Irreverent Warriors! Equine International has been p...
08/16/2026

We had an amazing programming weekend at Project ComeBack with the Irreverent Warriors! Equine International has been partnering with the Project Comeback north location in Holliston, MA for the last two years to provide equine experiences for veterans and we just had another amazing weekend!

This weekend we partnered with Irreverent Warriors to facilitate equine experiences for veterans and help people and horses engage in interactions that support both human and equine well-being. All of the Equine International programs are based on updated and emerging research in equine behavior and well-being and how horses and humans can build relationships that are meaningful to both. The foundations of these programs are based in One Health/One Welfare and veteran participants are encouraged to continue to be a part of the community through the Veteran Enrichment Team, a semi-structured program that continues to build on the relationships developed during the program weekend. Just like our weekend programs, all of the Enrichment Teams created with Equine International are based on research and build mutually-enriching experiences for both humans and horses while simultaneously developing skill sets for equids and people that they can use outside of the Enrichment Teams. We take our work very seriously...but it's also fun and rewarding!!

We're looking forward to seeing this weekend's participants at our regular Veteran Enrichment Team meetups!

A huge thanks to the Yale Appliance Foundation for providing some of the financial support and another huge thanks to The Muffin House in Medway for pastries and muffins to keep us going! Our ongoing partnership with The Warrior Within Yoga Project meant we also created time for a yoga and mindfulness session on Day 2. And, of course, a huge thanks to Breezy Hill Farm for continuing to provide us with the space we need to do this work.

08/14/2026

One of our previous participants of a Learning Wild experience described “finding her tribe” during the time we spent together. I would echo this sentiment - its not only something we experience from human to human, but also human to horse.

Learning Wild West Highlands is a three-day immersive experience of observing horses creating and maintaining social bonds but it doesn’t just stop there. We see how these can overlap with human affiliate behaviours to create authentic long-lasting friendships between horses and humans.

It may only be three days, but it will change your perspective of social behaviour completely!

For more information, please visit: https://learningwilduk.wixsite.com/learningwild/test

Equine International Research Institute Touching Wild with Bonny Mealand

08/13/2026
We are proud to be running another veterans program this weekend (Aug 15-16) in collaboration with Project ComeBack! We...
08/12/2026

We are proud to be running another veterans program this weekend (Aug 15-16) in collaboration with Project ComeBack! We still have some spots left for any veterans interested in coming. Please see the attached flyer if you think you'd like to come...we'd love to have you!!

08/10/2026

Don’t miss out on Learning Wild West Highlands! 🐴

Join me and Dr Emily Kieson (Equine International Research Institute) for a unique opportunity to slow down, observe and deepen your understanding of horses through science, ethology and time spent in their natural environment.

During the week, we will explore:

-Horse behaviour in ecological context
-Ethology: understanding the why behind behaviour
-Learning through observation
-Communication, social relationships and collective behaviour
-Movement, foraging and decision-making
-Choice, agency and positive welfare
-Horses as ecosystem engineers
-Conservation grazing and ecological restoration
-Translating lessons from free-living horses into domestic horse care

This is a chance to learn, reflect and see horses through a whole new lens.

Register now: https://learningwilduk.wixsite.com/learningwild/test

Address

Boston, MA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Equine International Research Institute posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Equine International Research Institute:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category