Conversations in Equine Science

This week Kate and Nancy discuss the habit loop of cue-routine-reward and the benefits that horses derive from its formation.

Research Reference/Link:

White, J.; Sims, R. Improving Equine Welfare through Human Habit Formation. Animals 2021, 11, 2156. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082156

This week Nancy and Kate discuss a just published research paper on the complex cognitive abilities of horses.

Research Reference:

Louise Evans, Heather Cameron-Whytock, Carrie Ijichi,

Whoa, No-Go: Evidence consistent with model-based strategy use in horses during an inhibitory task,

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 277,

106339, SSN 0168-1591,

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124001874?via%3Dihub

Press Releases:

https://phys.org/news/2024-08-horses-intelligent-previously-thought.html

https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/aug/12/horses-can-plan-ahead-and-think-strategically-scientists-find

This week Nancy and Kate discuss this 2022 paper that demonstrates ponies are able to distinguish between facial expressions presented by a live human.

Research Reference/Link:

Merkies, Katrina, Yuliia Sudarenko, and Abigail J. Hodder. 2022. "Can Ponies (Equus Caballus) Distinguish Human Facial Expressions?" Animals 12, no. 18: 2331.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/18/2331

In this episode Kater and Nancy discuss a recently published paper correlating consistent high cortisol levels in horses with lower osteocalcinin levels.

Research Reference/Link:

Ayodele BA, Pagel CN, Mackie EJ, Armour F, Yamada S, Zahra P, et al. Differences in bone turnover markers and injury risks between local and international horses: A Victorian Spring Racing Carnival study. Equine Vet J. 2024. 

https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14098

This week Kate and Nancy review past research on Equine bone management.

Research Reference/Link:

Nielsen, Brian D. 2023. "A Review of Three Decades of Research Dedicated to Making Equine Bones Stronger: Implications for Horses and Humans" Animals 13, no. 5: 789. 

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/5/789

This episode we are joined by Nikki, a listener with a research request. Nikki owns a 2 year old filly that she wants to work with now, in lieu, of waiting until her 4th/5th year. Nancy and Kate found some evidence based research that hopefully will help Nikki in her training decisions.

Research Reference/Link:

Logan, Alyssa A., and Brian D. Nielsen. 2021. "Training Young Horses: The Science behind the Benefits" Animals 11, no. 2: 463.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/2/463

This week Nancy talks about Lis Hartel's equestrian challenges and accomplishments. Lis was the first woman to earn a medal in the Equestrian Olympics.

Link to the schedule for the 2024 Equestrian Olympic events:

https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/schedule/equestrian

This week Kate and Nancy discuss how important sleep is in equestrian performance and safety.

References:

Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, MD (2024). Sleep can give athletes an edge over competitors − but few recognize how fundamental sleep is to performance. The Conversation, University of Pittsburgh.

Link: https://theconversation.com/sleep-can-give-athletes-an-edge-over-competitors-but-few-recognize-how-fundamental-sleep-is-to-performance-221403

Dr. David Marlin Stable Science Podcast Link:

https://drdavidmarlin.com/podcast-dr-david-marlin-interviews-emma-davies-on-rider-sleeppodcast/

This week Nancy and Kate respond to a listener's email about limiting rider injuries and accidents by staying physically fit through diet and exercise protocols.

Research References:

Best, Russ, Jane M. Williams, and Jeni Pearce. (2023). "The Physiological Requirements of and Nutritional Recommendations for Equestrian Riders" Nutrients 15, no. 23: 4977.

Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234977

This week Nancy and Kate discuss the results of a 2024 study on the effectiveness of Kinesiology tape on horses to reduce pain.

Research reference:

Melissa R. King, Hope Pavsek, Katherine L. Ellis, Jodie Daglish (2024). Effects of elastic therapeutic tape on thoracolumbar epaxial muscle pain in horses, Journal of Equine Rehabilitation,, Volume 2, 100007, ISSN 2949-9054.

Here is the link to "Effects of elastic therapeutic tape on thoracolumbar epaxial muscle pain in horses": https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949905424000021