Conversations in Equine Science

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a paper that investigated the effects of using an ice blanket for cooling stalled horses in hot temperatures.
Research Reference:
Ojima Y, Torii S, Maeda Y, Matsuura A.(2022). Effect of Cooling Blanket on the Heat Stress of Horses in Hot and Humid Environments. Animals. Volume 12(19): 2505.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/19/2505/htm

This week Nancy and Kate discuss a 2021 paper that found a positive correlation between pelvic/hip flexibility (while using a balance ball) and horse-rider interactions of quality and harmony.
Research Reference:
Uldahl M, Christensen JW, Clayton HM. Relationships between the Rider’s Pelvic Mobility and Balance on a Gymnastic Ball with Equestrian Skills and Effects on Horse Welfare. Animals. 2021; 11(2):453.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020453

Kate and Nancy discuss dietary iron and insulin resistance.
Research Reference:
McLean, N.L.; McGilchrist, N.; Nielsen, B.D. Dietary Iron Unlikely to Cause Insulin Resistance in Horses. Animals 2022, 12, 2510.
Open Access Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192510

Nancy and Kate discuss a review that breaks down horse to human interactions.
Research Reference: : Merkies, K.; Franzin, O. Enhanced Understanding of Horse–Human Interactions to Optimize Welfare. Animals 2021, 11, 1347
Research Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8151687/pdf/animals-11-01347.pdf
Links to past episodes that have references mentioned in the above listed paper.
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/vamR655qAtb Speech Patterns (Baby Talk and Horses)
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/OvwhkZcrAtb Attachment Bonds
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/xMQHSAmrAtb Human Odor
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/J0EjMYsrAtb Sensory Abilities of Horses

Kate and Nancy discuss a 2020 research article on rider weight and it's influence on equine salivary cortisol, heart rate, heart rate variability, conflict behaviors and gait symmetry.
Reference:
Christensen JW, Bathellier S, Rhodin M, Palme R, Uldahl M. Increased Rider Weight Did Not Induce Changes in Behavior and Physiological Parameters in Horses. Animals. 2020; 10(1):95.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani1001009

Nancy and Kate interview Ida Hammer of the Mackinaw Dells 2 Whole Horse Hoofcare Program. Ida talks about her journey into hoof care, equine nutrition and bodywork, and how it's all connected.
Website: https://mackinawdells2.com/index.html
Virtual Classes: https://mackinawdells2learning.thinkific.com/

Nancy discusses equine hoof nutrition in preparation for next week's hoof care practitioner interview on improving hoof quality.
Research: Burns, Teresa A. (2021). Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice
Volume 37, Issue 3, pp. 669-684.
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749073921000511#cebib0010

Brittany Davis joins Nancy as they discuss prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis in horses.
Reference:
Raquel Yvonne Arantes Baccarin, Sarah Raphaela Torquato Seidel, Yara Maria Michelacci, Paula Keiko Anadão Tokawa, Tiago Marcelo Oliveira, Osteoarthritis: a common disease that should be avoided in the athletic horse’s life, Animal Frontiers, Volume 12, Issue 3, June 2022, Pages 25–36.
https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfac026

While Kate is on hiatus, Nancy discusses horse owners and their perspectives on equine body shape and weight management. This week's research paper reveals owners thoughts, as well as, equine professionals viewpoints on helping owners see the metabolic health dangers of equine obesity.
Research reference: https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.13360

Kate and Nancy respond to an email from a listener who submitted a research paper for their review/discussion, on the reliability of the pinch test in determining dehydration in horses.
Research Reference:
PRITCHARD, J. C., BURN, C. C., BARR, A. R. S., & WHAY, H. R. (2008). Validity of indicators of dehydration in working horses: A longitudinal study of changes in skin tent duration, mucous membrane dryness and drinking behaviour. Equine Veterinary Journal, 40(6), pp. 558–564. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516408X297462