CHS, SMRI Highlight Rider Safety in International Equine Study Abroad Program

Collaboration with UniLaSalle brings global focus to human performance in horse industry

By Ryan Clark and Chris Carney
CHS Contributors

The University of Kentucky’s College of Health Sciences (CHS) and the Sports Medicine Research Institute (SMRI) recently played a key role in an international study abroad program that brought students from France’s UniLaSalle to Lexington for a two-week immersion in Kentucky’s horse industry.

The summer visit was part of a larger initiative led by the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Ag Equine Programs and Department of Animal and Food Sciences. Seven students enrolled in UniLaSalle’s Executive Master’s in Equine Science and Business (MESB), along with two professors and an innovation development engineer, spent 15 days visiting more than 30 equine organizations, farms, and research units across Central Kentucky, including a special focus on the work being done at SMRI.

The SMRI team led the group through a guided tour and presentation highlighting the Equestrian Athlete Program — a research program that advances the health, safety and performance of equestrian athletes across all levels of the sport.

“Events and partnerships like this help spread collaboration and show others the amazing work we do here at UK,” said Nick Heebner, PhD, ATC and director of SMRI. “This opportunity gave students a chance to see how Kentucky is not only leading the way in horse safety, but also in the safety and performance of riders, thanks to our Equestrian Athlete Program. It’s a unique capability and focus area not often seen across the globe.”

During the visit, SMRI researchers shared insights from the Equestrian Athlete Database, including data around injury, chronic pain and human performance within the equine industry. The session also included a conversation around social innovation and aspirations for improving rider care in occupational, professional and recreational contexts.

“This visit provided students a holistic view of the horse industry and how it goes beyond the horse itself,” said Michaela Keener, PhD, and a research faculty member in SMRI. “Many roles in the horse industry carry a high risk of injury but also require peak performance. We hope the students left with a deeper understanding of how human performance directly impacts equine performance — and why rider health matters.”

The tour was designed to translate years of research into a meaningful, hands-on learning experience for the visiting students.

“My role in this tour was to translate the last five years of our research into a consumable experience,” said Kimberly Tumlin, PhD, MS, MPH, founding director of the Equine-Assisted Collaborative for Health and research director for the Equestrian Athlete Program. “To me, tours like this emphasize the importance of recognizing equestrian sport as a legitimate and inclusive athletic endeavor — one that requires science-based approaches to injury recovery, chronic pain management and performance across the lifespan.”

Tumlin said she hopes sharing this work inspires others to consider equestrian sport within the broader conversation about human health and athletic performance.

“By actively engaging with the equestrian community, we contribute to a globally relevant understanding of human performance and safety,” she said. “Our research is shaping the future of athlete care systems — and tours like this help ensure that knowledge reaches clinicians, coaches and athletes around the world.”

The international program was originally developed and led by Laurie Lawrence, PhD, a professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, and returned this year following a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers are planning to expand participation in 2026, with possible inclusion of UK students in 2027.

In addition to CHS and SMRI, other partners included Keeneland, the Kentucky Derby, the Gluck Equine Research Center, the Kentucky Horse Park and dozens of horse farms, nonprofits and industry leaders.

Learn more about the Sports Medicine Research Institute and the Equestrian Athlete Initiative at https://smri.uky.edu.

Photos provided by Camille Eslan at UniLaSalle