Abstract
This exploratory paper examines equine tack and equipment as relational interfaces between horses, humans and their wider surroundings. It unpacks the notion of relational design within a posthuman view on design, and the long-term relationships and wordless dialogues with an Arabian horse. It frames equestrian tack as relational interfaces for horse-human intra-action. These interfaces are documented in use through ongoing photographic exploration and documentation of horses in a leisure riding context in a Norway. The hours spent in the saddle and in companionship with these horses form a situated knowledge basis from which the relationship between horse, human, tack, and technology is analysed as material articulations of relational design.
Keywords
pluriverse, horse, intra-action, equestrianism, equipment
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/nordes.2025.63
Citation
Skjulstad, S.(2025) Equine equipment and relational design in horse-human intra-action, in Brandt, E., Markussen, T., Berglund, E., Julier, G., Linde, P. (eds.), Nordes 2025: Relational Design, 6-8 August, Oslo, Norway. https://doi.org/10.21606/nordes.2025.63
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Equine equipment and relational design in horse-human intra-action
This exploratory paper examines equine tack and equipment as relational interfaces between horses, humans and their wider surroundings. It unpacks the notion of relational design within a posthuman view on design, and the long-term relationships and wordless dialogues with an Arabian horse. It frames equestrian tack as relational interfaces for horse-human intra-action. These interfaces are documented in use through ongoing photographic exploration and documentation of horses in a leisure riding context in a Norway. The hours spent in the saddle and in companionship with these horses form a situated knowledge basis from which the relationship between horse, human, tack, and technology is analysed as material articulations of relational design.