“By giving vets a clear understanding of pain associated behaviour markers they will be better able to recognise pain-related behaviour in ridden horses, which may reflect lameness.” 

Researchers in Hungary assess levels of the stress hormone cortisol and heart-rate variability.

Caprilli was an Italian cavalry officer whose pioneering techniques transformed the way horses were trained and ridden.

“No noseband may ever be so tightly fixed that it will harm the horse. It must be possible to place one finger comfortably between the noseband and the nasal planum (front of the nose).”

Blood ammonia testing device used in human medicine now being tried in horses.

A pain in the mouth can change the whole of a horse’s ‘body language.’ The behavioral changes are expressed in one or more parts of the body; head, neck, back, limbs and tail.

The reason treed saddles have been around for so long is because they serve a distinct purpose – to protect, support, and provide comfort to both horse and rider.

“The use of a flapless saddle that allowed closer contact of the rider’s legs with the sides of the horse’s ribcage significantly improved rider stability …”

“These videos should help riders, owners, trainers and vets understand what the horse is actually trying to say. We owe it to them to listen.”

Survey looks at air quality, conditions, arena footing and associated health outcomes in horses and humans.

“Our survey findings indicate that veterinary professionals frequently encounter queries about animal behaviour, but feel that their undergraduate training did not prepare them for dealing with these problems in practice.”

Sixty-six horses in study showed an 87% reduction in pain signals after being moved to bit-free riding.