Raising the Bar for Equine Welfare with Amber Wells

Amber Wells joins the Amplify podcast to discuss social license to operate as it relates to horses' emotional well-being, also known as their affective state. Amber's passion for horses began in her childhood when she participated in rodeo and 4-H, where her interest in both horses and extension education were sparked. Amber is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in animal science with a specialization in equine behavior and extension at Oklahoma State University and discusses the opportunities she embraced to deepen her understanding of equine affective states, particularly through her involvement in her research project, RAiSE (Recognizing Affective State in Equine). Amber discusses her research focusing on the factors that influence horses' moods, considering both human emotions and environmental factors. She also shares her journey from being an undergraduate student aspiring to be a veterinarian to pursuing a master’s degree and eventually a PhD, all driven by her commitment to public education on equine welfare. Amber’s dedication to raising awareness and fostering positive change within the equine community is evident throughout this episode. Any horse lover or enthusiast will walk away with a fresh perspective on horses and their well-being.
Learn more about how you can participate in the RAiSE research project! Please note that participants need to be 18 years or older. bit.ly/4bglX5X