July 11, 2025 marks the inaugural International Day of the Horse, proclaimed by the United Nations to recognize the horse’s profound and lasting contribution to human history — and to raise global awareness of equine welfare and cultural heritage. As noted by a UN spokesperson: “Few animals have contributed to human progress as profoundly — and as quietly — as the horse. From nomads on the Eurasian steppes to modern Olympic arenas and backyard barns, horses have carried goods, ploughed fields, won wars, and comforted hearts.” The Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation is proud to highlight this milestone. We invite the equestrian community to pause on July 11th, reflect on the enduring bond between horse and human — and take this opportunity to reaffirm our shared responsibility to honor, protect, and advocate for the welfare of these extraordinary animals.
The Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation recognizes this milestone as an opportunity to highlight our mission: preserving the horse's cultural significance while advancing equestrian sport on the horse's terms. Through our scholarship program, we support groundbreaking research in equine biomechanics and welfare — research that directly improves how horses are trained, cared for, and valued in sport and beyond.
This International Day of the Horse invites us all to reflect on what we owe these remarkable animals. Whether you are a competitor, trainer, scientist, or simply someone who loves horses, you play a role in honoring their legacy and ensuring their wellbeing. Join us in recommitting to that responsibility.
At Flyinge’s Horse Welfare Summit, the Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation awarded its 2026 scholarship to Dr Andrew McLean, recognising his pioneering work in equitation science and his longstanding contribution to equine welfare.
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Two days. One shared goal: advancing horse welfare through science, education and practice. Join leading international experts at the Horse Welfare Summit 2026, where Dr Andrew McLean will deliver two keynote lectures and receive the Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation Scholarship.
A new review examines how smartphones are becoming genuine tools for monitoring a horse's soundness, heart rate and recovery, and even for meeting international competition requirements. Among the systems it highlights is Sleip, co-founded by Dr. Elin Hernlund, one of the Foundation's own scholarship recipients, whose work builds on decades of Swedish equine biomechanics research going back to Professor Ingvar Fredricson himself.
On November 2, visitors gathered in Hall B at the Jönköping Horse Show for the Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation’s 2025 scholarship ceremony, celebrating groundbreaking Swedish research in equine biomechanics. From the pioneering efforts of the 1970s—when high‑speed cameras and manual measurements were the researcher’s tools—to today’s AI‑powered motion analysis and robotic hoof simulators, the audience was taken on a journey through decades of innovation. Professors Lars Roepstorff and Marie Rhodin, together with Associate Professor Elin Hernlund, shared their latest breakthroughs, followed by live demonstrations showing how AI and high‑precision sensors are transforming the understanding of horse–rider interaction. Moderator Jens Fredricson guided the dialogue and inspired exchange between researchers, while post‑event discussions with attendees helped build valuable bridges between research and practice.