Touch is the primary interface through which horses interact with their environment, herd mates, handlers, riders, and therapists. Yet, despite its central role in equine behavior, locomotion, welfare, and rehabilitation, tactile sensation remains one of the least understood sensory systems in equine medicine. This webinar explores the anatomy, physiology, and neurobiology of touch, from cutaneous mechanoreceptors and hoof sensory structures to central nervous system integration and behavioral responses.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how tactile information influences posture, movement, emotional state, learning, pain perception, and human-horse interactions. The webinar will also examine the scientific evidence surrounding grooming, massage therapy, manual therapies, hoof mechanics, tactile reactivity, and objective assessment of sensory function. Practical implications for veterinarians,
rehabilitation professionals, trainers, farriers, and bodyworkers will be emphasized throughout.