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“In moments of unity, the space between predator and prey is filled with something more divine.”
You know that feeling when you watch something that conjures up emotions so powerful you will remember it for the rest of your life? The film “Horses and the Science of Harmony” is one of those…
This full-length feature film examines the nature of harmony between horse and rider through the eyes of 3-day event rider Bubby Upton through the lens of cutting-edge science.
Horses and the Science of Harmony tells the emotional story of Bubby Upton, a rising star in British 3-day eventing, who suffered a catastrophic spinal injury yet bravely fought to get back to doing what she loves… riding. After a fall resulting in a crushed vertebra, seven hours of spinal surgery, the insertion of metal rods, and months of rehabilitation, Bubby defied all odds to get back in the saddle and compete. Bubby epitomises the quest for harmony between horse and rider while battling her physical limitations. Bubby’s story is woven alongside cutting-edge science to educate viewers about equine behaviour and optimal well-being while simultaneously asking, ‘What is it about horses that speaks so strongly to our hearts?’
“Horses & the Science of Harmony” features some of the “who’s who” of British Eventing, including Mary King, Lucinda Green and Piggy March, as well as some of the top equine veterinarians and researchers in the world – all weighing in on the concept of harmony between humans and horses.
I feel privileged to have co-authored the book “Harmonious Horsemanship: Using the Ridden Horse Ethogram to Optimise Potential, Partnership, and Performance” with Dr Sue Dyson, one of the driving forces behind the film “Horses and the Science of Harmony”.
All too often, when a horse acts out under saddle, it’s labelled as “naughty” or “difficult.” Terms like “lazy,” “explosive,” or “spooky” get thrown around, but what if these behaviours are a cry for help? Pain in horses doesn’t always show up as an obvious limp, yet it affects everything—from how they perform to how they connect with us. Once we recognise and relieve that pain, it can transform both the horse’s well-being and its partnership with the rider.
In “Harmonious Horsemanship“, Dr Sue Dyson and I, Chartered Physiotherapist Sue Palmer, aka The Horse Physio, share our combined expertise to help you understand the subtle signs of musculoskeletal pain in ridden horses. With a simple checklist of 24 behaviours and based on years of research, this book provides the tools you need to spot early signs of discomfort, even in horses that seem sound.
Packed with a blend of scientific studies, expert insights, and real-life case stories, “Harmonious Horsemanship” offers practical, science-backed solutions for anyone who loves and cares for horses. Whether you’re an amateur owner or a seasoned professional, this book will guide you in using your horse’s ridden behaviour as a clue to its comfort. When we understand the root of the behaviour, we can address the pain, leading to better performance, a stronger bond, and the potential for progress. I believe that together, we can make the world a better place for our horses.
If you love horses, then the documentary “The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain: Shifting the Paradigm of How We See Lameness”, produced by Dr Dyson and Kathryn Lauritzen of Padma Video, cannot fail to speak to your heart. “The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain” is a thought-provoking film that dares to challenge our perceptions of so-called “bad behaviour” in horses, emphasising the crucial idea that lameness doesn’t always begin with a head bob. Spanning three years and involving over 400 horses, Sue Dyson and her team developed a groundbreaking tool, the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE), the subject of our book, “Harmonious Horsemanship”. This tool identifies subtle yet significant behaviours that often indicate pain in ridden horses long before they exhibit more obvious signs like limping. The RHpE catalogues 24 specific behaviours, scientifically proven to be at least ten times more prevalent in lame horses than in their sound counterparts.
The documentary “The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain” follows the journey of show jumper Lauren McMahon and her mare, Galina. Despite not showing overt signs of lameness, Galina became increasingly resistant under saddle. Lauren, like so many dedicated horse owners, had “tried everything”—from ulcer treatments to joint injections and even specialised shoeing—yet nothing resolved Galina’s discomfort. Sadly, this story is all too familiar for horses whose pain is not immediately visible. Horses like Galina are often misinterpreted as “lazy,” “stubborn,” or even “explosive” if they buck or rear due to pain. Well-meaning trainers might advise riders to “push through it,” missing the critical signs that something is wrong.
This emotional journey offers a valuable lesson for horse lovers: recognise the early signs of pain before it escalates. Through Lauren’s love for Galina and her unyielding determination to find answers, viewers gain not only an understanding of the RHpE but also a deeper appreciation for the subtle language of the horse, where pain speaks long before the limp.
Soon, we will have the feature-length film “Horses and the Science of Harmony” to add to the growing body of support for the use of both art and science in improving the well-being of horses worldwide. You can watch the trailer here. With equestrianism’s social license at risk, it becomes ever more important that not only do we love our horses, but that we demonstrate that love to others. The care and attention that we give our horses must be grounded in robust science. In “Horses and the Science of Harmony”, there are contributions from experts throughout the equestrian world. Built around the inspirational story of Bubby Upton and her horses, the list of contributors includes:
Lucinda Green MBE. 1982 World Champion and twice European Champion, World Team Gold, three European Team Golds and an Olympic Silver medal (Team) 1984. Competed in the Montreal Olympics. Won Badminton 6x 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1984. Won Burghley 1981.
Mary King MBE. 6x Olympian. Team Silver 2004, 2012, Team Bronze 2018. Won Badminton 1992, 2000. Won Burghley 1996. World Equestrian Games Team Gold 1994, 2010, Team Silver 2006.
Piggy March (nee French). Won Badminton 2019. Won Burghley 2022. Individual Silver at the European Championships in 2009. 2011 Team Bronze, European Championships, Luhmuhlen. 2018 Team Gold World Equestrian Games, Tyron.
Gareth Hughes. Won European Dressage Championships 2019 Team Silver, 2021 Team Silver, 2023 Team Gold. World Equestrian Games Team Silver 2014. Australian Eventing Dressage Coach 2012-2019. Swiss Dressage Technical Advisor 2016 – 2019. Dressage Coach.
Ruby Hughes. Won Team Bronze at the 2023 European Junior Championships.
Sue Dyson is a world-renowned equine orthopaedic specialist and researcher who developed the “24 Behaviours of the Ridden Horse in Pain”. Co-author of “Harmonious Horsemanship”, co-editor of “Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse”, and co-author of “Clinical Radiology of the Horse“. Has published more than 370 papers in peer-reviewed journals concerning lameness and diagnostic imaging.
Roly Owers OBE is an equine veterinarian and chief executive of World Horse Welfare. Advises the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the ishttps://www.horsesport.org (IHSC) and the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) on horse welfare.
Janet Jones is a cognitive brain scientist who developed “Brain-Based Horsemanship” and the author of “Horse Brain, Human Brain.”
Chris Pearce is an equine veterinarian specialising in dentistry. Founder of the Equine Dental Clinic, the world’s largest specialist equine referral dental practice.
Gillian Higgins is a British Horse Society Coach and professional sports and remedial therapist. Founder of “Horses Inside Out” providing education in equine applied anatomy and biomechanics. Author of “How Your Horse Moves”, “Horse Anatomy For Performance”, and “Posture and Performance: Principles of Training Horses from the Anatomical Perspective”.
Nick Gauntlet is a fellow of the British Horse Society, British Eventing Master Coach, and event rider.
Mike Etherington-Smith is an international cross-country course designer, FEI Technical Delegate, former Chief Executive of British Eventing, and Equine Safety Advisor for the British Horse Racing Authority.
Gemma Pearson is an equine veterinarian. Director of Equine Behaviour at The Horse Trust, lecturer in Equine Behavioural Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.
Rachel Murray is an equine veterinarian, research scientist, dressage rider to Grand Prix, and trainer.
Christian Landolt is a former event rider and international 5* judge.
Sue Baxter is a former event rider and international 5* judge.
Charlie Unwin is a performance psychologist and the author of “Inside Out: Train Your Mind And Your Nerve Like A Champion.”
David Marlin is President of the UK National Equine Welfare Council, President of the Sport Horse Welfare Foundation, equine physiologist, research scientist. Founder of Animal Web, co-author of “Equine Exercise Physiology”.
Rosie Jones-McVey is a social anthropologist, Wellcome-Trust funded Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, PhD in horse/human interaction from Cambridge University, and Intelligent Horsemanship Coach. Author of “Human-Horse Relations And The Ethics of Knowing” and “Globetrotting: A Travelogue Of Horsemanship In Far Flung Places”.
Mary Wanless is the founder of Ride With Your Mind. Coach. Author of “Ride With Your Mind”, “Ride With Your Mind Essentials”, “Ride With Your Mind Masterclass”, “Ride With Your Mind Clinic”, “Rider Biomechanics”, “The New Anatomy Of Rider Connection”, “For The Good Of The Horse”, “For The Good Of The Rider”.
Monica Aleman is an equine veterinarian specialising in equine internal medicine and neurology.
Julia Erson, wildlife biologist.
The full-length feature film “Horses and the Science of Harmony” features experts who illustrate that true harmony can only be achieved when a horse is comfortable. This film explores:
In conclusion, “Horses and the Science of Harmony” is more than just a film. It’s an emotional journey that blends personal triumph with groundbreaking science, offering a profound exploration of the bond between horse and rider. Through Bubby Upton’s courageous story and the insights of leading equestrians and researchers, this film delves deep into the heart of what true harmony with horses looks like, both in the saddle and in life.
For those of us who care deeply about horses, the lessons from this film resonate on multiple levels. It reminds us of the resilience of both horse and rider and how, even in the face of adversity, harmony can be achieved through understanding, compassion, and perseverance. I am honoured to have been part of this journey through my work with Dr Sue Dyson on “Harmonious Horsemanship”, and I hope the film inspires you to look at your own relationship with horses through a lens of empathy, connection, and partnership.
This is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll—a powerful reminder of why horses hold such a special place in our hearts.
Sue Palmer, MCSP, The Horse Physio, is an award-winning author, educator, and Chartered Physiotherapist. Sue specialises in understanding the links between equine pain and behaviour, focusing on prevention, partnership and performance. She promotes the kind and fair treatment of horses through empathetic education, and is registered with the RAMP, the ACPAT, the IHA, the CSP and the HCPC.
Click here to arrange a phone call or online coaching session with Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio.
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Horse Health Check: The 10-Point Plan for Physical Wellness
Head to Hoof: An Introduction to Horse Massage
Horse Massage for Horse Owners
Stretching Your Horse: A Guide to Keeping Your Equine Friend Happy and Healthy
Kissing Spines In Horses: Preventive Measures and Long-Term Management Solutions
Harmonious Horsemanship, co-authored with Dr Sue Dyson
Understanding Horse Performance: Brain, Pain or Training?
Horse Massage for Horse Owners
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