Research

“Little is known about the physical activity-dependent changes of blood parameters in horses used for pleasure and in riding schools.”

The study results amount to the first evidence of mirror self-recognition at the group level in a non-primate species.

Communicating with your horse is likely to be easier if you use what researchers have dubbed pet-directed speech.

Genetic testing was carried out on 126 horses from five different breeds for the study.

The research demonstrated the basic capabilities of postural sway monitoring using a single inertial sensor. Postural sway forms part of the body’s ability to balance in any posture or activity.

The degree of access a horse has to food and space are important factors in its overall well-being.

“Ideas that once may have seemed unattainable – like a hand-held, stall-side testing device – are now coming into sight as real and tangible possibilities.”

“Bone fractures are a common problem in racing Thoroughbreds and this work has the potential to make a significant improvement to Thoroughbred health and welfare.”

“We now know that working on early reaction and pre-activation of the core muscles not only potentially increases riding performance, but also decreases the spinal loading of the rider.”

Computer-driven analysis could see differences in horses exposed to a load of 10% and 15% of their body weight.

Researchers in Finland examine 261 trotters after races to find risk factors for mouth lesions.

“Although horses can have long and successful careers after atrial fibrillation … the suitability of horses to continue their racing careers should be assessed on an individual basis.”

Interestingly, the time required by the horses to make the choice in each trial increased as the sessions proceeded.

“Reducing fearfulness so that the horse is responsive to human signalling is highly desirable in most training systems.”

“Finding a way to utilize these cells without stimulating immune response gives us better treatment options.”

Swabs were taken for DNA testing from 12 healthy horses – seven of them stabled and five at pasture.

Can the design of horse shoes help reduce osteoarthritis? A research team at the University of Kentucky is creating a testing device to find out.