An Ancient Relationship Evolves Partners or Beast of Burden?

Attitudes toward horses continue to shift, as equines in many parts of the world are no longer “used” as “beasts of burden”, but are now viewed as partners in sport, therapeutic companions and personal pets. What powers this evolution, and what are the driving forces that prompt change?

A more evolved understanding of behavior and health, a greater awareness of horses’ needs and well-being, and shifting attitudes on the relationship raise conversations and debate, sometimes conflict, and always questions. Concepts such as “social license to operate”, giving horses choices, and a public that questions equestrian activities long accepted as mainstream fuel this debate. Be it horse racing, carriage driving, or equine assisted services, this is a timely and impactful international topic.

Join a panel of equine experts convened by the Horses and Humans Research Foundation on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at Noon (EST) to consider the scientific, economic, social, legal, and practical developments that compel the horse industry, equestrian sport and anyone who owns horses to question, evaluate and adapt. Consider the issues, hear varying perspectives, and participate in shaping the conversation.

Moderator for the Panel

Michael Kaufmann is Vice President of Nature-Based Programs, Director Sam and Myra Ross Institute ,Green Chimneys, Brewster, NY. He directs all aspects of the nature- based therapeutic/educational programs at Green Chimneys, a multi-faceted nonprofit organization helping young people to maximize their full potential by providing residential, educational, clinical and recreational services, in a safe and supportive environment that nurtures connections with their families, the community, animals and nature.

Kaufmann has previously held positions at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Humane Association and Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Intl. Today his focus is on Green Care, the integrative concept of working with animals, plants and nature to enhance the positive impact of human service settings.

Michael is an adviser to various organizations in the animal-assisted service field and serves as on the board of the International Association of Human Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO). He has published on nature-based interactions and lectures internationally.

Panelists

Julie M. Broadway was named President of the American Horse Council in 2016. She has over 40 years of leadership experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors. Since taking the helm of the American Horse Council, she has been a transformative force in the equine industry. Her leadership is defined by collaboration, strategic vision, and a deep passion for the industry, fostering open discussions among stakeholders, ensuring that industry concerns are well-represented in legislative and regulatory spaces, and championing initiatives that make the equine world more inclusive and sustainable.

Prior to joining the American Horse Council, Ms. Broadway was the Executive Director of the American Morgan Horse Association & Educational-Charitable Trust.

Julie earned her BS degrees from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and her MBA from the Weems Graduate School at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is also a graduate of the Duke University Advanced Nonprofit Leadership Program and a Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives since 2013.

Ms. Broadway is past Vice Chair of Triangle Family Services Board, past Board President for PATH Intl, and two-time PATH Intl President Award recipient. She is a member of the ASAE National Capitol Advisory Council, National Association of Female Executives, and has played an active role with the U.S. Equestrian Federation and EUHorseNet (a consortium of 18 countries addressed horse industry challenges). She is active speaker on numerous leadership topics including Emotional Intelligence, Business Practices & Frauditing, Mentoring, Innovation Transfer, Advocacy, and Strategic Planning. She is the 2025 recipient of the AHP Equine Industry Visionary Award

Graeme Green is a Director of Athena® Herd Foundation and provides facilitation support and training services for the Equine Assisted Services on-site at Athena®.

Graeme has worked in the profession since around 2010 which has included the provision of personal coaching, corporate training, wellbeing-based retreats and therapeutic support. Graeme is also a Mental Health First Aid trainer for MHFA England, a Senior Fellow Member of the ACCPH (Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists), a first aider and qualified safeguarding officer.

Graeme has provided Equine Facilitated Interactions with clients as diverse as Pupil Referral Units, fellows of Oxford University, and senior executive teams. He has provided Mindfulness training to clients of the UK Mental Health charity MIND and trains Mental Health First Aiders.

He has worked with Jennifer Geach and the Athena® team since 2018, and supported them in achieving accreditation with the Professional Standards Authority for the Accredited Practitioner Register. It is the first and only independently accredited register in the UK covering Equine (and Animal) Assisted Services.

Emily Marquez-Dulin is the Chief Executive Officer of Brooke USA Foundation, a nonprofit focused on providing aid to the Global South through economic development and sustainable programs that improve the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people they serve across vulnerable communities worldwide. Healthy working equines grant access to water, ensure food on the table, and provide a means to education. She has left her mark at Brooke USA as the organization’s first CEO, jumpstarting the organization into prominence over the last 10 years. Emily is an accomplished leader and nonprofit administrator with over 25 years of experience in management, strategic planning, operations, fundraising, marketing, public relations, and community outreach. She has served as consultant for many non-profits seeking to create a local presence, building a Board of Directors with a focus on expansion and governance, and/or developing a fundraising function to increase donor support. Emily is a graduate of the University of Miami with a bachelor’s in foreign languages and a master’s in public relations administration.

Mary Elena Moran of Goshen, NY has been professionally training horses for the last 22 years and specializes in relationship/connection based horsemanship practices, police horse training, and facilitating the transformation of rescued horses. Her program, Superhero Rescue Horses, facilitates the rescue and rehabilitation of former at-risk and slaughter bound horses with the intention to train these horses for police or therapy careers, making them ambassadors of the ultimate rescue transformation. Although she has an extensive history of traditional riding competition and instruction, she now mainly focuses on mounted police instruction, traveling and teaching hundreds of mounted officers in the last decade. She is passionate about sharing relationship and connection based horsemanship and problem solving practices with the mounted police as well as equine assisted services community to improve the wellbeing and success of horses in service. Mary Elena performs horsemanship workshops for veterans, first responders, therapeutic horsemanship program staff, and their volunteers. She is a practitioner of several equine body work modalities as well as equine assisted services modalities. Mary Elena is the two time winner of the North American Police Equestrian Council Championships and is the recipient of the 2024 Equus Foundation Humanitarian Award.

Dr. Mike Tomlinson has been an equine veterinarian specializing in performance horses and their wellbeing for over 40 years. He has worked with Teams from countries all over the world at Games and other major events everywhere on the globe. He also has been creating startup companies including ones like SmartPak Equine and Game Ready, along with other human medical and non-equine businesses and their corresponding patents.