Horses appear to have ability to smell human fear and happiness
“These results are leading the way for further studies on human–animal communication through emotional chemosignals.”
Read more
Training
Video course helps owners spot early signs of trouble in horses
12-part course “How to recognise the 24 behaviours indicating pain in the ridden horse” produced by lameness expert Sue Dyson and Equitopia.
Read more
Hot to trot: Equine heat issues researched for Tokyo 2020 Olympics
FEI-commissioned study looked into best practices and management of horses training and competing in hot and humid environments.
Read more
Heart responses of horses with equine metabolic syndrome probed
Horses with EMS have cardiovascular changes that affect resting heart rate and systemic blood pressure during insulin infusion.
Read more
Crucial factor pinpointed in soft-palate-related breathing problems in racehorses
Fatigue of the thyro-hyoid muscles plays a role in this debilitating condition, according to researchers.
Read more
Recovery from synovial infection: How do the numbers stack up?
“Return to full athletic function after synovial infection is possible,” researchers report.
Read more
A positive reinforcement rein: Rule-changer and game-changer for horsemanship?
Fridtjof Hanson proposes a new type of rein for equestrian activities, that he says is far safer and more humane than any bitted rein he has ever tried.
Read more
Hand-held equine blood testing device gives speedy results
StableLab can detect infections with 97% accuracy, and with 50 times greater sensitivity than a thermometer.
Read more
Guide to choosing a horse-riding helmet
Not all helmets are created equal, writes Filippo Pozza.
Read more
PRP and IRAP: Where nature meets science in horse injury treatment
Two methods that have become increasingly popular to treat equine injuries are Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP).
Read more
Science of saddle-fitting explored in equine veterinary journal
“Poor saddle-fit is a frequent contributor to sub-optimal performance but is often overlooked.”
Read more
Vets could be vital to communications should exotic horse diseases enter Britain – study
Survey findings suggest horse owners might be more likely to listen to veterinarians rather than government directives.
Read more
Rider-horse weight ratios put to the test in Danish study
Riders rode with no additional weight, or with an extra 15% or 25% of their body weight added to a vest. How did the horses fare?
Read more
Horse measuring goes high-tech with new laser device
HeightLight uses triangulation technology and mathematical theory to accurately measure the height of a horse or pony.
Read more
These hooves are made for walking: So what do biomechanists say?
Dressage horses perform their natural gaits through a wide speed range, thus over‐riding the natural trigger to make a transition. What does it all?
Read more
3D scanner successfully detects lower-leg swelling in showjumpers
Horse riders and trainers make training decisions based on visual observations of leg swelling, but these are potentially subjective and imprecise.
Read more
Rein tension in dressage transitions explored in study
“Large differences in rein tension between the horses and riders suggests that it is possible for some riders to make the horse perform transitions with a lighter contact, and that this is a feasible goal during training.”
Read more
Are goldfish an effective cleaner for horse troughs?
Nearly half the horse owners surveyed had used goldfish in their horses’ troughs, but do they really work?
Read more
Few horse welfare issues make it to Swiss sanctions commission, study finds
Inappropriate, aggressive behaviour of riders or drivers, and rough handling with artificial aids were the most common welfare issues seen.
Read more
Infrared imaging helpful in assessing saddle load and fit, researchers find
The testing picked up uneven weight distribution, as evidenced by temperature variation.
Read more