This is a bit of a strange one and I am trying to work out a way of approaching it...

For a bit of background, I am predominantly researching the relationship between humans and horses for my PhD, and how that feeds into other areas (serious leisure, psychoanalytic theory) - I am in psychosocial studies. My supervisors, although very interested and supportive of what I am doing, know next to nothing about horses and the equestrian world, and so they aren't really able to make their own judgements, it's like I'm talking about some mystical place and they're just believing my interpretation.

I had my last supervision on Thursday and one of my supervisors suggested going on a field trip so that she and my other supervisor could experience the equestrian world and know what I was talking about a bit more. I was thinking of what I could suggest as I suppose it is a world that I would be inviting them into. Do you think it would be weird for them to come and see my horse? My friend is show jumping at quite a high-profile show that's only a 15 minute drive from uni at the end of June so I have just emailed to suggest that to them, I can get free passes and it's midweek so would be quite easy for them as it wouldn't take up their weekend or anything.

Has anyone else had to do this, or have any suggestions/opinions for me?

Natassia x

A show is a very particular context more of an entertainment or sporting event, so why not begin by inviting them to come and muck out, bed down, put up feeds etc, so that they can make some links with any of their own experiences of caring for an animal.

I thought about doing that Snowdrop, as then they could really experience what horse ownership is like, especially in terms of serious leisure (concept that challenges the boundary between work and leisure) which is a major theoretical aspect of my research. But then I wondered whether that would be too personal for the supervisor/student relationship, as it could be similar to inviting them to my house? Also the yard is an hour's drive from campus so it might not be right for that reason.

Given that they brought up the idea they must be willing to go a little out of their way, I'm sure.

I would suggest that you put forward to them 2-3 options and explain what you think they might get out of each. Then it's up to them to decide what's of use/convenient, and the responsibility is off your shoulders. :)

Thanks Jane, I think I'll give them the options of coming to see my horse and something else I'll think of as well - I could always take my horse down to Brighton for a lesson or something that they can come and watch. It just seems strange having to organise something like this - but I totally understand why they suggested it. In my department supervisors seem to be quite close to their students and regularly socialise with them so I guess this isn't out of the ordinary for them.