Dr Gillian Tabor reviews a recently published paper on the effects of using balance pads.

In this paper, the research team measured the postural sway and multifidus cross-sectional area after standing a horse on pads for 5 minutes, 5 days a week for 4 weeks.

Cathcart, J., Ellis, K.L. and Moorman, V.J., 2024. Short term use of balance pads on postural sway and musculus multifidus cross sectional area in horses. Journal of Equine Rehabilitation, p.100006.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S294990542400001X

------------

To find out more about becoming a member >>> https://drdavidmarlin.com/join-now/

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Horse walkers - are they the devil or a gift from the gods?

Dr Gillian Tabor investigates

Views on using horse walkers to exercise horses are very polarised. But what does the research say? Dr Gillian Tabor, an equine physiotherapist, talks through a pragmatic approach to their use. 

Research papers discussed are:

• Freire, R., Buckley, P. and Cooper, J.J., 2009. Effects of different forms of exercise on post inhibitory rebound and unwanted behaviour in stabled horses. Equine Veterinary Journal, 41(5), pp.487-492.
• Walker, T.J., Collins, S.N. and Murray, R.C., 2012. Horse walker use in dressage horses. Comparative Exercise Physiology, 8(1), pp.63-70.
• Murray, R.C., Walters, J.M., Snart, H., Dyson, S.J. and Parkin, T.D., 2010. Identification of risk factors for lameness in dressage horses. The Veterinary Journal, 184(1), pp.27-36.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As 2024 begins Dr Gillian Tabor offers up some much-needed winter survival ideas and suggestions to support your horse if they are stabled for long periods.

Gillian focuses on the BIG 3 F's - Friends, Forage and Freedom, as well as giving suggestions to help manage your horse's physical health.

Please enjoy this podcast and Happy New Year!

------------

To find out more about becoming a member >>> https://drdavidmarlin.com/join-now/

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.

------------------------------

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr David Marlin discusses his recently published paper on comparative exercise physiology. With colleagues Dr David Marlin looked at the use of thermal imaging to assess how hot horses are during training, warm-up, during and after competition.

Marlin, D.J., Reynolds, H., Mukai, K., Neil, K., & Akerstrom, G. (2023). Estimating rectal temperature

in exercising horses in a competition environment using infrared thermal imaging. Comparative

Exercise Physiology (published online ahead of print 2023). https://doi.org/10.1163/17552559-

20230026

Sadly this is not open open-access paper, but Dr David Marlin shares the contents, and you can read the abstract by following the link to the website. CLICK HERE to read Dr DavidMarlin's article about it and follow links to the paper.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recognising pain in the ridden horse – use of the ridden horse pain ethogram (RHpE) with Sue Palmer (interviewed by Dr Gillian Tabor)

“All too often, pain in ridden horses is labelled as ‘bad’ behaviour. The apparently ‘sound’ horse is ‘naughty’, ‘lazy’, ‘difficult’, ‘explosive’, ‘spooky’, ‘nappy’, and more. These labels are wrong. Pain impacts all aspects of a horse’s performance, including its partnership with the rider, and its potential to progress. It does not always create lameness. Relieving pain can lead to improved performance, a deeper partnership, and greater potential.”

Sue and Gillian discuss the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE), developed by Dr Sue Dyson and colleagues. The RHpE is a checklist of 24 behaviours to check for musculoskeletal pain in the ridden horse. Horses can only demonstrate pain through their behaviour and performance. Only through first recognising pain can we then address it through accurate assessment, diagnosis and treatment. Sue Palmer and Dr Sue Dyson have recently published ‘Harmonious Horsemanship: Use of the Ridden Horse Ethogram to Optimise Potential, Partnership and Performance’.

Sue Palmer has worked in the equestrian industry for over 25 years, is an ACPAT and RAMP registered Chartered Physiotherapist, and based in Staffordshire, UK

https://www.harmonioushorsemanship.co.uk/

------------

To find out more about becoming a member >>> https://drdavidmarlin.com/join-now/

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.

------------------------------

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people seem to be feeding hoof supplements and or applying treatments to their horse's feet. But what are they made up of and do they actually do anything?

Dr David Marlin answers a few of your questions:

Where does the hoof strength come from?

What are the most commonly found ingredients in hoof supplements?

What does the research show us and are there any studies that we can learn from?

NOW check out these articles:

• We compare nine of the most common hoof supplements on the market – Feed Materials In Focus – Hoof Supplements Compared
• Follow this link to read Dr David Marlin's extensive article on Vitamin E
• Biotin – Common Equine Supplement Ingredients Explained

------------

To find out more about becoming a member >>> https://drdavidmarlin.com/join-now/

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Check out this interview with Dr Jo Hockenhull and Dr Lynda Birke as they embark on an exciting new study into Human-Horse Relationships.

The new study has just gone live and is looking for participants!

Why study this and what benefits could it bring to our own relationships with our horses?

Have you ever wondered:

• Why you bond with some horses and not others?
• Why you feel comfortable with some horses quicker than others?
• What your horse may be feeling when they move to a new yard or are sold?
• What can we learn from how our horses interact with us?

ALSO

• Do horses experience grief and loss?
• How can a horse express grief?

------------

To find out more about becoming a member >>> https://drdavidmarlin.com/join-now/

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.

This research is new and exciting - what can our horses teach us?

If you are keen to be involved in the study please head over to the website - www.horsehumanrelation.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Briony Witherow is a registered equine nutritionist and lecturer at Writtle University College with a deep understanding through research and teaching experience in the role of horse toys and feeding apparatus and techniques.

In this interview with Briony, we start to discuss the use of feeding techniques and toys to enrich the feeding routine of our horses. We discuss:

• What are horse toys and feeders – and why would we use them?
• Enrichment for horses – what do we mean
• The forage buffet
• Feeding devices or variations in forage – how is it equine entertainment
• The benefits of forage analysis 
• Straw the latest thoughts and research into it’s benefits and application as a forage
• Slow feeders – what to be aware of
• Frustration – should we be worried?
• 
  

Plus, Briony will be LIVE on the Dr David Marlin platform on Thursday, 7th December, to discuss her research in more depth. Head over to the website register and find out more.

------------

To find out more about becoming a member >>> https://drdavidmarlin.com/join-now/

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for horses, much like it is for humans and other animals. Vitamin E cannot be made and must be obtained from the diet. It plays a vital role in various bodily functions, including immune system support, muscle function, and the elimination of free radicals that can damage cells and tissue. Horses that have access to fresh, green pasture typically get an adequate amount of Vitamin E from their diet. However, those that are kept in stables/stalls or fed on a diet consisting mainly of hay might require supplementation.

Dr David Marlin explains the extensive importance of Vitamin E, with a discussion around:

• How much does a horse need?
• What are the different types of Vitamin E?
• What does it do for the horse?
• The importance of selenium
• Concerns around overdose of selenium and Vitamin E
• What supplements are available?
• How much should you supplement your horse (according to their circumstances)?

To see a full article on the subject, the supplement per horse table and learn more about the different supplements available head over to the website.

• Article - Vitamin E for Horses and Ponies
• Article - Feed Materials In Focus – Vitamin E Supplements for Horses Compared
• Article - Can vitamin C help my horse breathe?
• Article - Feed Materials In Focus – Vitamin E Supplements for Muscle Support Reviewed.

------------

To find out more about becoming a member >>> https://drdavidmarlin.com/join-now/

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.

------------------------------

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helen from the Dr David Marlin team interviews Dr Heather Cameron-Whytock - Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Central Lancashire and researcher into THREE of eventings key horse safety studies.

With colleagues, Heather has conducted three significant studies into Horse falls at events. Heather’s 2023 study on horse falls in British Eventing competition was the largest scientific study ever published, and her previous research with FEI data has led to significant safety discussions about fence types and their order during a cross-country course and a closer subjective look at what constitutes a risk factor.

Equestrian eventing is a dangerous Olympic sport, with 16 rider and 69 horse fatalities at competition in the last 10 years. Despite this, there is limited research that aims to improve safety within the sport.

To find out more about Heather and the research she has been involved with, head over to the website and learn more.

Plus, Heather will be LIVE on the Dr David Marlin platform on Thursday, 2nd November, to discuss her research in more depth with a closer look at the numbers and what we can learn from the findings.

Register for the webinar here - LIVE Webinar – Dr Heather Cameron-Whytock on Horse Falls, 3 studies, what have we learned?

------------

To find out more about becoming a member >>> https://drdavidmarlin.com/join-now/

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.