Equestrian Sports Germany Animal Welfare Day 2026: From oral health to defensive behavior under the saddle. A discussion of theory and practice

Dressage, show jumping, eventing—from young horse training to the Grand Prix: Animal welfare and social acceptance are topics of debate across all disciplines of equestrian sports. The 2026 German Equestrian Sports Animal Welfare Day will provide insights on this topic—on Tuesday, November 24, starting at 10 a.m., all day at the Federal Training Center in Warendorf.

Theory, practice, and a shift in perspective

How can riders, trainers, and judges gain an even better understanding of horses? And how can scientific knowledge make its way from the lecture hall into everyday training and competition? That is exactly what this event is all about. Speakers will share their expertise on oral health, bit science, biomechanics, training, and behavioral expression.

An overview of the speakers:

• Dr. Henrike Lagershausen – Veterinarian and Head of the Veterinary Medicine and Animal Welfare Team at Pferdesport Deutschland.
  
  Topic: Focus on Oral Health – A Look Inside the Horse’s Mouth


• Heiko Schmidt-Sentek – Expert on bits and their mechanisms of action; has been speaking to professional audiences (clients, veterinarians, dental practitioners, sports associations, riding schools) for over 20 years.
  
  Topic: A Small Factor with a Big Impact on Horse Welfare: The Right Bit


• Stefan Stammer – Physical therapist, sports instructor, biomechanics expert, and author of “Das Pferd in positiver Spannung” (The Horse in Positive Tension).
  
  Topic: Horse-Centered Training for Performance and Health – What Unites Riders and Motivates Horses


• Martin Plewa – Master of Equestrian Arts, Master of Equine Management, former director of the Westphalian Riding and Driving School in Münster, and former national coach for eventing riders.
  
  Topic: Focus on Expressive Behavior and Horse Training – What Is the Horse Trying to Tell Us?


• Monica Theodorescu – National Dressage Coach. In the practical session, in dialogue with Martin Plewa and Markus Scharmann


• Markus Scharmann – Master of Equine Management, National Training Center Director. In the practical session, in dialogue with Martin Plewa and Monica Theodorescu

What is the horse trying to tell us?

The afternoon session in the seminar hall will focus on practical applications. Under the title “Expressive Behavior as an Indicator of Horse-Centered Training—When Theory Meets Everyday Training,” four rider-horse pairs at different stages of training will demonstrate typical challenges encountered during training. Martin Plewa will guide them and provide commentary, while national team coach Monica Theodorescu and Markus Scharmann will join the discussion.

The focus is on how to read and interpret a horse’s expressive behavior—and what solutions to existing problems can be derived from this. In addition, Stefanie Viehoff-Wolf will present a dressage horse competing at the advanced level. She will provide insights into challenges that have already been overcome as well as those that still remain.

Starting at 49 euros—and learning modules included

Tickets start at 49 euros. Equestrian instructors can have their participation counted toward license renewal by completing six training units (Profile 3). For more information and to register, click here.