Writtle College equine student Isabella Taylor joined the BSAS Conference last month, and her brilliant blog gives us a glimpse of everything we missed.
The BSAS Equine Conference 2025 proved to be an informative, inspiring and professionally organised two-day event. As a student, the experience broadened my understanding of many sectors that shape and influence the equine industry.
One of the standout moments for me was the insightful presentation on “unravelling the Genetic Basis of Fracture Risk in Thoroughbred Racehorse.” This talk challenged my assumption that injuries are simply influenced by training and freak accidents. Learning about a subject I am not so familiar with highlighted a fascinating area of research I had not considered before. It also really put into perspective how, as the equestrian industry evolves, we can continue to improve equine welfare right from the breeding of the animals.
On the second day, I was particularly inspired by Dr David Marlin’s thought-provoking talk on Social Licence in our industry. This discussion about current research and its implications for the equine industry reinforced my desire to become involved in research projects that will drive evidence-based change in our industry.
Day two explored the role of allied industry professionals in reinforcing current research and supporting the “front line” of the equine sector. I found this incredibly informative, particularly the session on equine dentistry. It is an area where my knowledge was limited, and I learned far more than I ever expected—much of which I may not have encountered within my university course. This day really helped to tie together the themes from earlier sessions, encouraging me to consider the horse as a whole and to connect scientific understanding with practical, real-world application. This day also highlighted to me that the future of the equine industry relies upon the communication and teamwork of all allied professionals and researchers to improve welfare for our horses.
Overall, the BSAS Conference was invaluable to my development as a student. It enhanced my learning, broadened my professional perspective, and provided an excellent networking platform where I could explore potential academic pathways and career opportunities. I left feeling motivated, informed, and excited about the future.
Isabella Taylor is a final-year BSc Equine Performance student who has ridden from the age of four, progressing through Pony Club and achieving her Pony Club AH test, before competing in British Eventing. Izzy has industry experience as a competition groom, developing strong practical skills in horse management and performance preparation. Her interests focus on equine performance, the horse–rider relationship, and equine nutrition, and she aims to pursue a career in performance-based research while continuing to compete and develop her own young horse.
