Caring for horses with philosophy
Research
I'm passionate about philosophy, horses and books. Besides being a horsey philosopher, I am also a professional philosopher. This breed does not spend their time gazing at the sky under blooming trees (sadly), but we do spend a ton of time reading, writing and editing. We do research.
Here you can find out more about my research in equine ethics and equine philosophy.
Published
WHAT ARE GOOD MULTISPECIES RELATIONS?
This is a chapter in the volume Feminist Animal Studies. It analyses four kinds of equine–human relations: asymmetrical relations, relations of utility, work relations, and friendship. It argues that only asymmetrical, work and friendship relations can provide good care.
You can access the Pdf of the chapter here.
You can purchase the volume here.
In progress
Equine ethics: a philosophical introduction
With Friederike Zenker, we are working on a book manuscript on equine ethics. This book first aims to situate "equine questions" within contemporary debates in animal ethics. It then proceeds to argue for a specifically equine ethics by discussing angles of care, education, institutions and work. It ends with a chapter attending to ethical questions specific to wild horses.
In progress
Equine euthanasia decision making
How are we to think about the decision of euthanasia for equines ? This research argues that a close analysis of contemporary equine euthanasia decision-making research shows that there are power asymmetry problems at the heart of this decision-making process. Following these asymmetries of decisional power, the owner is often overtaxed or distressed, the veterinarian is required to take on too much moral responsibility, and the equine individual is erased altogether within the decision. This paper thus focuses, not on the reasons justifying equine euthanasia, but on ethical tensions that arise within the different dyads underlying this decision. The question addressed is: who should decide?
In progress
Equine friendship
This paper is being written for the Research Topic "Promoting the 3Fs (freedom, forage, and friends) in Equine Welfare" organised by the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
This paper provides an analysis of the concept of friendship. It then draws from this analysis implications for the implementation of the 3Fs (freedom, forage, friendship) as a strategy for promoting equine welfare. By drawing on ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle’s robust notion of philia as true friendship, it is argued:
1) that building and maintaining friendship between equines demands control over their environment (which includes ample opportunities to forage together);
2) that equines must be able to share the life of specific individuals over time;
3) that forming friendship between equines and humans present serious difficulties (while also acknowledging instances when this interpersonal bond does form);
4) that equine-human friendship can never fully substitute for equine-equine friendship.
The aim of the paper is to reveal the depth of this specific kind of social relation and to improve our understanding of the meaning of friendship for the life of social creatures like equines.
