This episode Kate and Nancy discuss a paper revealing updated research on the requirements of horses using the 5 domains model. This is a foundational start to assessing welfare.

Research Reference:

Harvey, A.M.; Ramp, D.; Mellor, D.J. Review of the Foundational Knowledge Required for Assessing Horse Welfare. Animals 2022, 12, 3385. 

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/23/3385

This week Nancy and Kate discuss welfare issues in equestrian sports and leisure riding.

Research Reference/Link:

Furtado, T.; Preshaw, L.; Hockenhull, J.; Wathan, J.; Douglas, J.; Horseman, S.; Smith, R.; Pollard, D.; Pinchbeck, G.; Rogers, J.; et al. How Happy Are Equine Athletes? Stakeholder Perceptions of Equine Welfare Issues Associated with Equestrian Sport. Animals 2021, 11, 3228.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3228#app1-animals-11-03228

This week Kate and Nancy discuss lightening strikes in animals and how to lessen the odds of having a horse struck by lightning.

Research Reference:

Gomes, C., (2012). Lightning safety of animals. International Journal of Biometeorology (56), pp. 1011–1023.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-011-0515-5

Additional Information: https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning

This week Nancy and Kate discuss the Equine Personality Test (EPT) and it's reliability scores.

Research Reference: A. Jolivald, K. Yarnell, C. Hall, C. Ijichi (2022). Do you see what I see? Investigating the validity of an equine personality questionnaire. Applied Animal Behaviour Science., 248, Article 105567

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159122000259

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a hindlimb massage routine that improved hindlimb gait flexibility and symmetry in a peer reviewed research study.

Research Reference: Mabbutt, C., Yarnell, K., and Ferro de Godoy, R. (2022). Comparative Exercise Physiology Vol. 18 (5), pp. 419-426

Link: https://www.wageningenacademic.com/doi/epdf/10.3920/CEP220022?role=tab

This week Nancy and Kate discuss an equine exercise program using Gymnastic Training coupled with Dynamic Mobilization Exercises to improve stride quality and strength. Epaxial muscles also were targeted for increased muscle strength and size.

K. de Oliveira et al., (2015). Gymnastic training and dynamic mobilization exercises improve stride quality and increase epaxial muscle size in therapy horses⁠. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, Vol 35, pp. 883-893.

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080615005067?via%3Dihub#preview-section-cited-by

This episode Kate and Nancy discuss goniometry in horses and humans. They also have additional content from an orthopedic professional (for humans) talking about the practice of using goniometers.

Research Reference:

Liljebrink , Y. and Bergh , A. ( 2010 ). Goniometry: is it a reliable tool to monitor passive joint range of motion in horses? Equine Veterinary Journal 42 ( Suppl. 38 ): pp. 676 – 682 .

https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00254.x

App Store GoniMeter Plus (free) Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goniometer-plus/id1081939665

Nancy and Kate discuss static and dynamic stretching and how implementing a stretching program, in your routine, can help your horse's performance and also prevent injuries.

Research Reference: A. Frick, (2010). Stretching Exercises for Horses: Are They Effective? Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, Volume 30 (1),

pp. 50-59.

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080609007072

Contact Information for Dr. Frick: e-mail: [email protected]

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a paper that evaluates the effects of chiropractic therapy on sport horses. Evaluations are done via static bioimpedence and dynamic acoustic myography.

Research Reference:

Acutt, E.V.; le Jeune, S.S.; Pypendop, B.H. Evaluation of the effects of chiropractic on static and dynamic muscle variables in sport horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2019, 73, 84–90.

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080618304015

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a paper that proposes owners and riders can measure and categorize bit lesions to assist them in the management of bitted horses. These measurements can also assist in research across the board by offering measurable comparisons.

Research Reference (Open Access):

Tuomola K, Mäki-Kihniä N, Kujala-Wirth M, Mykkänen A and Valros A (2019) Oral Lesions in the Bit Area in Finnish Trotters After a Race: Lesion Evaluation, Scoring, and Occurrence. Front. Vet. Sci. 6:206.

Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00206/full