Study's findings on the online ‘experts'

Research indicates those who shout loudest on equestrian social media are those who have the least knowledge

- ELEANOR JONES

THE more horse “experts” declaim their wisdom on social media, the less they actually know, new research has found.

A comprehensive peerreviewed study into the psychological workings of equestrians’ online behaviour, published in journal Knowledge this month, found that those quickest to judge and most likely to slate other riders or owners for their supposed failings were those who had the least equine experience and knowledge.

Lead researcher John Phool, of the British Institute of Psychology, told H&H he had been inspired to look into the subject by his daughter April’s experiences on social media.