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Mad About Horses
Mad About Horses episodes
- How Much Do Equestrians Spend On Their Horses
In this episode of 'Mad About Horses', Dr. Chris Mortensen reflects on the emotional investment in horse ownership, and then delves into the financial side of owning and caring for horses. He talks about his personal experiences, the benefits of horse riding for health and mental wellbeing, and the various costs involved.
Costs of ownership range from purchasing a horse, providing adequate facilities, feeding, and medical care, including veterinary visits and equine insurance. Dr. Mortensen also discusses the expenses related to a horse's hoof care, bedding, equipment, and training expenses.
00:00 Introduction and Personal Story
00:58 The Value of Time and Life
02:16 The Cost of Owning Horses
03:44 Introduction to the Host and Podcast
04:24 The Specifics of Horse Ownership Costs
04:55 The Importance of Health and Nutrition in Horse Ownership
05:30 The Cost of Horse Ownership in Perspective
07:20 The Cost of Pet Ownership
08:38 The Reality of Horse Ownership Costs
09:12 The One-Time Costs of Horse Ownership
010:32 The Most Expensive Horses Ever Sold
11:43 The Average Horse Prices
16:48 The Day-to-Day Needs of a Horse
18:10 The Cost of Boarding a Horse
22:06 The Cost of Feeding a Horse
24:49 The Importance of Veterinary Care
25:07 The Importance of Hoof Care
28:05 The Cost of Bedding for Horses
34:09 One-Time Costs for Horse Equipment
39:16 Conclusion and Thank You
Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.
---------------------------------
Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.
Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.com
You can also find Mad Barn at:
Instagram @madbarnequine
Facebook @madbarnequineTikTok @madbarnequine
YouTube @madbarn
X @madbarnequine
We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to [email protected]
42 min - The Many Benefits of Horse Riding
Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine researcher and educator, discusses the profound benefits of horse riding and ownership in this episode of Mad About Horses.
Beyond physical benefits such as improved posture, muscular strength, flexibility, and heart rate, Mortensen highlights psychological advantages like stress reduction, mood enhancement, increased self-esteem, and a heightened sense of control. He combines personal insights and scientific research findings, acknowledging how interaction with horses doesn't just make individuals healthier but provides a greater quality of life.The benefits of horse riding encompass those dealing with mental or physical disabilities and can be impressive therapy, especially for the elderly. Mortensen urges listeners to encourage people in their circles to engage more with equine activities due to these benefits.Podcast Timeline00:00 Introduction to the Magic of Horses01:15 The Historical Connection Between Humans and Horses02:18 The Host's Personal Journey with Horses03:33 The Physical and Mental Benefits of Horse Riding04:04 The Science Behind the Benefits of Horse Riding07:16 The Role of Nature in Horse Riding14:42 The Physical Health Benefits of Horse Riding29:10 The Impact of Horse Riding on Different Age Groups31:30 The Psychological Benefits of Horse Riding40:30 Conclusion: The Overall Impact of Horse Riding on Quality of LifeVisit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.---------------------------------Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.comYou can also find Mad Barn at: Instagram @madbarnequineFacebook @madbarnequineTikTok @madbarnequineYouTube @madbarnX @madbarnequine
We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to [email protected]45 min - What We Owe Our Gentle Giants
Dr. Chris Mortensen tells the history of draft horses and their considerable influence on many aspects of society like farming, transportation and industrialization. He talks about their manifestation following the prohibition era in the United States and their subsequent popularization through the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales.
Dr. Mortensen introduces the term 'horsepower' and discusses its origin in relation to the strength of a draft horse. Details are given on draft horse breeds such as Percheron, Shire, and Belgian, highlighting their individual strengths and attributes. The significant decline of these species due to the invention of modern machinery like tractors and automobiles is lamented.
He concludes with a plea to the listeners to acknowledge the historical importance of these 'gentle giants' and the profound contributions they have made to human civilization.
00:00 Introduction to the History of Draft Horses
00:00 The Budweiser Clydesdales: A Symbol of Draft Horses
03:55 The Importance of Draft Horses in History
05:48 The Evolution and History of Draft Horse Breeds
06:20The Role of Draft Horses in Agriculture and Transportation
09:00 The Myth of Knights and Draft Horses
12:52 The Origin of Draft Horses: The Black Horse of Flanders
16:54 The Legacy of Draft Horses: From the Percheron to the
Shire21:07 The Decline of Draft Horses in the Modern World
31:52 The Power of Draft Horses: Understanding Horsepower
37:44 Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of Draft Horses
Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.
---------------------------------
Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.
Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.com
You can also find Mad Barn at:
Instagram @madbarnequine
Facebook @madbarnequineTikTok @madbarnequine
YouTube @madbarn
X/Twitter: @madbarnequine
We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to [email protected]
43 min - Signs Your Horses Are Happy
In this episode of 'Mad About Horses', Dr. Chris Mortensen delves into the important and complex topic of recognizing and understanding horse emotions. Dr. Mortensen shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how horses experience emotions like separation anxiety and happiness, emphasizing the value of observing their body language, facial expressions, and behavior.
The episode emphasizes the importance of a calm, relaxed demeanor when dealing with horses and how their interaction with humans and their environment affects their emotional well-being. Further, the episode delves into current research studies around equine perceptions of human emotions and owner perceptions of horse happiness.
The discussion stresses the importance of good horse management practices and the role of the owner in enhancing their horse's happiness.
00:00 Introduction: Do Animals Have Emotion?
00:29 Personal Story: The Emotional Bond Between Horses
04:07 Understanding Animal Emotions: A Scientific Perspective
04:38 The Complexity of Animal Emotions and Anthropomorphism
12:00 The Evolution of Social Bonds in Horses
15:45 Reading a Horse's Body Language
28:00 The Role of Vocalizations in Expressing Happiness
29:16 The Importance of Healthy Social Relationships for Horse Happiness
36:20 Owner Perception of Horse Happiness
43:20 Conclusion: Making Your Horse Happier
Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.
---------------------------------
Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.
Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.com
You can also find Mad Barn at:
Instagram @madbarnequine
Facebook @madbarnequine
TikTok @madbarnequine
YouTube @madbarn
We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to [email protected]
46 min - How Do Horses Communicate With Us?
Dr. Chris Mortensen, an experienced equine educator and researcher, takes listeners through the complexities and nuances of equine communication in this podcast episode of 'Mad About Horses'.
He explores the fascinating research related to wild equines, specifically the Somali wild ass, and their means of communication including body language, olfactory responses, and signals encoded in gene expression. He branches over to domestic horses and how they too communicate.
Dr. Mortensen further explains how horses can identify and respond to human emotions through vocal and physical expressions. He stresses the imperative need to understand
horses' communication tactics, not only for constructive training but also to ensure their well-being.Dr. Mortensen concludes by emphasizing the importance of gentle touch and positive vocal interactions in our engagements with horses, which he supports with compelling scientific studies.
Podcast Timeline
00:00 Introduction and Studying the Somali Wild Ass
00:40 Chemical Communication in Horses
01:41 The Role of Smell in Mate Choice
04:16 Introduction to the Host and Podcast Topic
05:47 Understanding Horse Communication
08:00 The Importance of Communication in Horse-Human Relationships
09:11 Recommended Reading for Understanding Horse Behavior
11:22 Understanding Horse Body Language
21:23 Facial Expressions in Horses
29:22 Vocalizations in Horses
29:50 Understanding Equine Vocalization
31:25 The Study of Horse Whinnies
32:38 Exploring Different Types of Horse Sounds
40:15 The Influence of Human Vocalizations on Horses
42:10 Understanding Aggressive and Affiliative Touch in Horses
44:50 Can Horses Indicate Choice to Humans
48:13 The Importance of Chemical Communication in Horses
53:50 The Future of Understanding Horse Communication
54:20 Final Thoughts
Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.---------------------------------
Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.
Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.com
You can also find Mad Barn at:
Instagram @madbarnequine
Facebook @madbarnequine
TikTok @madbarnequine
YouTube @madbarn
We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to [email protected]
57 min - Horses For Courses: English Riding Performance Breeds
What makes a champion Dressage horse? What makes a champion show jumping or eventing horse? How about what makes a good therapeutic riding horse? Listen for these answers and more in this week's Mad About Horses Podcast.
Dr. Chris Mortensen starts off this podcast episode by delving into the incredible story of Lis Hartel, a Danish dressage rider who overcame polio to become a champion. He discusses Lis's significant contributions to equestrian sports and therapeutic riding.
The episode explores different horse breeds used in various
English disciplines like dressage, show jumping, eventing, and the qualities that make a horse suitable for each discipline. Also, the importance of confirmation in horse performance and different horse breeds involved in racing and driving are discussed. The episode concludes with a look at therapeutic riding horses and their qualities, as well as how Lis Hartel's story continues to inspire the Paralympic equestrian sport and therapeutic riding.00:00 Introduction and Background
00:46 The Inspiring Story of Lis Hartel
03:56 Lis Hartel's Legacy and Impact
06:00 Transition to Discussion on Horse Breeds
08:51 Exploring the Characteristics of Dressage Horses
11:36 The Role of Warm Bloods in Dressage
17:52 Understanding Horse Confirmation for Dressage
24:08 Introduction to Show Jumping
26:54 Understanding the Vision of Horses
27:33 Breeds for Show Jumping
28:19 Olympic Show Jumping Champions and Their Breeds
29:50 The Role of Confirmation in Show Jumping
32:19 The Challenges of Cross-Country Course for Eventing
33:24 Breeds for Eventing
34:07 Olympic Eventing Champions and Their Breeds
35:16 The Diversity of Breeds in Eventing
36:00 Introduction to Horse Racing
37:51 Endurance Racing and Horse Welfare
39:51 Breeds for Endurance Racing
41:30 The Sport of Horse Driving
44:39 Therapeutic Riding and Suitable Breeds
48:02 Closing Remarks and Encouragement for Engagement
Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.
---------------------------------
Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.
Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.com
You can also find Mad Barn at:
Instagram @madbarnequine
Facebook @madbarnequine
TikTok @madbarnequine
YouTube @madbarn
We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to [email protected]
51 min - Horses For Courses: Western Riding Performance Breeds
What makes a champion a champion? Which breeds are excelling in which disciplines?
In this week's podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine science researcher and educator, discusses the key elements that make a horse a champion in Western disciplines like barrel racing, cutting, and reining. Special focus is given to the 'DM Sissy Hey Day' horse which set a world record in barrel racing, emphasizing the indispensable role of breed, conformation, and heart in horse championship.
Dr. Mortensen additionally highlights other successful racehorses and elaborates on desirable traits for respective disciplines. The podcast concludes with the unique characteristics of polo horses from different breeds such as thoroughbred, Argentinian polo ponies, appendix quarter horses, and the Manapuri Pony.
Podcast Timeline
00:01 Introduction to the Podcast
00:09 Imagining the World from a Horse's Perspective
00:55 The Thrill of Barrel Racing
01:09 The Role of the Rider in Guiding the Horse
01:30 The Intense Experience of Barrel Racing
02:53 The Excitement of Setting a New World Record
04:25 Introduction to the Host and the Podcast's Focus
05:00 The Incredible Athleticism of Horses
06:08 Champions in Different Disciplines
07:58 The Unique Characteristics of Different Horse Breeds
09:41 The Importance of Confirmation in Horse Breeds
10:20 The Differences Between Western and English Disciplines
13:06 The Characteristics of Barrel Racing Horses
17:05 The Characteristics of Reining Horses
26:00 The Importance of Pre-Purchase Exams
27:33 The Characteristics of Cutting Horses
36:29 The Characteristics of Polo Horses
44:41 What Makes a Horse a Champion?
45:45 Conclusion and Invitation to Subscribe
Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.---------------------------------
Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.
Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.com
You can also find Mad Barn at:
Instagram @madbarnequine
Facebook @madbarnequine
TikTok @madbarnequine
YouTube @madbarn
We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to [email protected]
49 min - A Day in the Life of a Horse
What do horses do all day? What should they be doing all day compared to their wild counterparts? A critical topic for any horse owner or enthusiast.
In this episode, Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine educator and researcher, discusses the experience of observing the behaviors of equids throughout the day. He notes the vital importance of understanding the natural behaviors of horses and other equids as it influences how they are managed, fed, and looked after.
Dr. Mortensen references multiple studies comparing behavior patterns - observing time spending habits, natural behaviors, and common stress behaviors particularly when horses are in confined spaces or too densely packed. He stresses on the importance of sufficient feeding, exercise, and turnout time
for the overall health and well-being of the horses.Podcast Timeline
00:01 Introduction to Equine Behavior Study
00:43 The Start of My First Behavioral Study
00:56 The Process of Recording Equine Behavior
02:25 Observations from the Behavioral Study
04:20 Introduction to the Speaker and the Topic
05:35 The Importance of Understanding Equine Behavior
06:03 The Impact of Behavior Research on Equine Management
06:45 The Natural Behavior of Horses
08:24 The Behavior of Wild Equids
10:40 The Behavior of Domestic Horses
14:55 The Importance of Turnout Time for Horses
17:40 Times of foraging for horses
24:42 The Impact of Pasture Density on Equine Behavior
29:12 The Behavior of Stalled Horses
38:15 The Importance of Proper Management for Horses
39:12 Conclusion and Call to Action
Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.---------------------------------
Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.
Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.com
You can also find Mad Barn at:
Instagram @madbarnequine
Facebook @madbarnequine
TikTok @madbarnequine
YouTube @madbarn
We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to [email protected]
41 min - The Emergence of Equestrian Sport
This episode of the Mad About Horses podcast delves into the history of various equestrian sports, tracing their origins and development over the years.
Dr. Chris Mortensen, PhD. opens with the inspiring story of Pat Smith, a trailblazer in the field of show jumping. The discussion moves on to the birth and rise of various equestrian sports such as chariot racing, horse racing, show jumping, and dressage.
The episode also highlights the role of certain organizations like the FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports) in promoting these sports and establishing rules and regulations. The podcast concludes by touching upon the future prospects of equestrian sports and their transformative impact on participants.
Podcast Timeline
00:00 Introduction to the Story of a Famous Rider
00:20 The Early Life and Challenges of the Rider
01:09 The Rider's Journey into Show Jumping
02:02 The Rider's Achievements and Legacy
04:44 Introduction to the Host and the Podcast's Theme
07:10 The Significance of Gender Equality in Equestrian
Sports09:00 The History of Equestrian Sports
12:20 The Role of Chariots in Ancient Equestrian Sports
13:40 The Emergence of Organized Equestrian Sports
18:20 The Influence of the Roman Empire on Equestrian Sports
22:26 The Evolution of Horse Racing
26:53 The Introduction of Endurance Racing
28:36 The Origins and History of Polo
31:12 The Introduction of Polo to Europe
32:35 The Rise of Show Jumping
40:20 The History and Growth of Dressage
44:10 The Western Disciplines: Cutting, Reining, and Barrel
Racing47:35 The Inclusion of Equestrian Sports in the Paralympics
49:05 The Future of Equestrian Sports
Visit https://madbarn.com/mad-about-horses/ to learn more about the Mad About Horses podcast.---------------------------------
Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.
Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.com
You can also find Mad Barn at:
Instagram @madbarnequine
Facebook @madbarnequine
TikTok @madbarnequine
YouTube @madbarn
We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to [email protected]
53 min - Unravelling the Factors of Equine Performance
Dr. Chris Mortensen delves deep into the factors influencing horse performance including
age, breed, gender, and behavior.Through detailed discussions and research study examples, he highlights the peak performance years in various disciplines, from racing to show jumping and eventing. The podcast also highlights the remarkable career of Zenyatta, an American mare who excelled in horse racing. Furthermore, it discusses the importance of diet in performance and potential links between temperament and
behavioral traits with a horse's capacity to perform.Additionally, Dr. Mortensen also shares fascinating information about the life span of horses in various conditions, from wild horses to cared-for domestic ones.
Podcast Timeline
00:00 Introduction and Favorite Horse Breeds
00:34 The Story of a Champion Horse
04:44 The Host's Background and Personal Experiences
05:50 Understanding Horse Performance
06:25 The Impact of Age on Horse Performance
06:42 Exploring Gender Differences in Horse Performance
07:12 Introduction to Equine Behavior
07:42 Understanding Horse Ages and Lifespan
13:00 Upper Age Limit of Horse Performance Horses
16:29 The Peak Performance Age for Different Horse Disciplines
20:50 Effects of Horse Age and Total Riders on Horse Performance
26:40 Horse Gender Impacts on Performance
29:45 Is There Gender Bias in Sport Horses
34:25 The Influence of Horse Behavior on Performance
43:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners, handlers and practitioners through research, training and education.
Visit us to learn more at https://madbarn.com
You can also find Mad Barn at:
Instagram @madbarnequine
Facebook @madbarnequine
TikTok @madbarnequine
YouTube @madbarn
We would love to hear from you! Please send any questions or comments to [email protected]
47 min
About Mad About Horses
From the publisher's feed
Mad About Horses is the definitive podcast from Mad Barn for all equine enthusiasts. Presented by Dr. Chris Mortensen, a renowned equine scientist and educator, this podcast delves deep into the multifaceted universe of horses.
Dr. Mortensen brings his wealth of knowledge to diverse topics ranging from the ancient history of horse domestication to the latest advances in equine health, training and management.
Whether you're a professional rider, a horse breeder, or someone who simply loves the sound of hooves on a morning trail, Mad About Horses is your weekly dose of all things equine.