Study: Horses Chew Efficiently, Combat ‘Dust and Grit’
Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA
May 21, 2018
These findings help us better understand how and why horses’ teeth wear as they do, researchers said.
These findings help us better understand how and why horses’ teeth wear as they do, researchers said.
Once the biomarkers identified in this study are confirmed through more tests and larger samples, scientists might be able to develop treatments to prevent chronic pain, researchers said.
Colic incidence is relatively low, affecting only about 3% of the Kenyan equine population each year. But researchers say that figure doesn’t include many cases not reported to vets and treated with home remedies.
Horseback riding requires healthy backs–not just for horses but also humans. In fact, human back health can have direct implications on equine back health, as well as the horse’s welfare and performance.
Collaborative efforts among horse health researchers, the racing industry, and governments could lead to effective measures that will improve safety for both horses and jockeys, one equitation scientist says.
Salivary cortisol (“stress hormone”) concentrations weren’t associated with scores in dressage and show jumping horses during three national events in Denmark, researchers found.
Boots and wraps protect the horse’s limbs. But have you ever asked yourself why or how these dressings protect a horse’s leg–or if they even do?
U.S. Olympic show jumper Kent Farrington discusses horsemanship, training, recognizing each horse’s individuality, his “ponies,” and more.
Foals from mares undernourished in late gestation had modified bone growth and slowed testicular development, while foals from overnourished mares had a higher osteochondrosis rate.
Recent study results suggest that horses’ nods allow them to use energy more efficiently to carry their heavy heads.
This approach, featuring animal-based indicators, could help well-meaning owners detect equine welfare issues they might accidentally be overlooking at their own farms, researchers say.
Researchers determined that, in one study, Western curb bits caused less rein tension than did English snaffles.
The researchers said owners shouldn’t stop using verbal praise, but they recommended adding a treat or food reward to help motivate horses to learn.
At this stage researchers can’t say whether one position is better or worse, however. That’s especially true when it comes to training, they said.
“Optimized” grooming led to as many as 177 times more positive behaviors on average per horse per 10-minute grooming session than standard grooming, researchers found.
To make a sustainable difference to horse welfare, owners must apply the findings of research into human behavior change, one researcher says.
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