Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Horses Given Choice on Blankets
There is a special project called HorseVoice in Norway and Sweden.
It helps horses communicate with humans using symbols.
The horses can now choose if they want to wear a blanket or not.
Students who study horses are teaching them this method.
The project wants to make sure horses are happy and well taken care of.
It also helps people understand that horses have feelings and needs, not just for sports.
This is important because sometimes horses are not treated well.
The project is a way to have discussions about how to treat horses better.
It also makes people think about what happens if horses say no to being ridden.
HorseVoice project in Norway and Sweden lets horses choose if they want blankets.
Horses use symbols to communicate their preference to trainers.
Students from Strömsholm National Equestrian Center and Skjetlein Upper Secondary School participate.
Project aims to understand horses' cognitive and emotional needs.
Raises ethical questions about horses declining to be ridden.
- Who
- Horses and students from Strömsholm National Equestrian Center and Skjetlein Upper Secondary School
- What
- A project allowing horses to choose whether they want to be covered with a blanket
- When
- Ongoing
- Where
- Norway and Sweden
- Why
- To improve horse welfare and understand their emotional needs
- Project Name
- HorseVoice
- Countries Involved
- Norway and Sweden
- Institutions Involved
- Strömsholm National Equestrian Center, Skjetlein Upper Secondary School
- Researcher
- Grete HM Jørgensen
- Method Used
- Symbol method for communication
- Objective
- Understand horses' cognitive and emotional needs