Conversations in Equine Science

Herd Dynamics

Listener Survey: https://edinburgh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/listener-survey-conversations-in-equine-science
This week Kate and Nancy discuss a research paper that reveals the significance of herd composition in turnout situations.
Research Reference:
Sigurjónsdóttir, H. & Haraldsson, H. (2019) Significance of Group Composition for the Welfare of Pastured Horses. Animals. Vol 9 (1), pp. 14.
Open Access Link: https://www.mdpi.com/390204

Equine Laterality and Cognitive Bias.

Listener Survey: https://edinburgh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/listener-survey-conversations-in-equine-science - Thank you!
Nancy and Kate discuss equine laterality and how it may reflect a horse having a positive or negative cognitive bias.
Research Reference:
Marr, I. et al. (2018) Evidence for Right-Sided Horses Being More Optimistic than Left-Sided Horses. Animals. [Online] 8 (12), 219. [online].
Research Paper Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/12/219/htm

Spaced Training Method versus Massed (continuous) Training.

Listener Survey Link: https://edinburgh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/listener-survey-conversations-in-equine-science
This week Kate and Nancy discuss a research paper comparing performance results using both training methods.
Research:
Holcomb, F., Multhaup, K., Erwin, S., Daniels, S. (2021). Spaced training enhances equine learning performance. Animal Cognition, (Springer) December 3 issue. pp. 1-8.
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10071-021-01580-7.pdf

Tetanus in horses.

The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts. Amazon Link: Book Link to The Ride of Her Life
Listener Survey Link: https://edinburgh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/listener-survey-conversations-in-equine-science
Research Links:
Kendall A., Anagrius K., Gånheim A., Rosanowski S.M. & Bergström K. (2016). Duration of tetanus immunoglobulin G titres following basic immunisation of horses. Equine Veterinary Journal. 48(6) pp. 710-713. https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/evj.12502
Ribeiro, Márcio G. et al (2018). Tetanus in horses: an overview of 70 cases. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira [online], v. 38, n. 02 [Accessed 28 March 2022] , pp. 285-293. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-PVB-5441

Can you engineer the perfect racehorse?

Listener Survey Link: https://edinburgh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/listener-survey-conversations-in-equine-science
Today's episode Kate and Nancy discuss what makes a racehorse...genetics, environment and a healthy equine mental state.
References:
Emmeline W. Hill, Rita G. Fonseca, Beatrice A. McGivney, Jingjing Gu, David E. MacHugh, and Lisa M. Katz (2012). MSTN genotype (g.66493737C/T) association with speed indices in Thoroughbred racehorses, Journal of Applied Physiology 112:1, pp. 86-90.
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00793.2011
RTE article:
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/0302/1283856-tiger-roll-racehorses-genetics-environment-equine-psychology-arkle-galileo/#

Journey Together: Horses and Humans in Partnership.

Listener Survey Link: https://edinburgh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/listener-survey-conversations-in-equine-science
Nancy and Kate discuss the horse-human dyad and how bonding and familiarity make a difference in equine behavior.
Research References:
Birke, L.; Hockenhull, J. (2015). Journeys together: Horses and humans in partnership. Society and Animals, Volume 23, pp. 81–100.
https://brill.com/view/journals/soan/23/1/article-p81_6.xml?ebody=citedby-49894
Research that states horse-human bonds may take years:
S.M. Keaveney (2008). Equines and their human companions. Journal of Business Research, 61 (5) (2008), pp. 444-454
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296307002196

An update/discussion on the horses in the Ukraine.

Nancy and Kate discuss the equine conditions in the Ukraine and where donations can be sent securely.
References:
de Hemptinne, J. (2020). Challenges Regarding the Protection of Animals During Warfare (Chapter 14). Studies in Global Animal Law. Edited by Anne Peters, Springer Open Publishing, Max-Planck-Institut für ausländisches öffentliches Recht und Völkerrecht.
https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/37712/2020_Book_StudiesInGlobalAnimalLaw.pdf?sequence=1#page=170
World Horse Welfare Link: https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/support-us/appeals/british-equestrians-for-ukraine-fund
Listener Survey Link: https://edinburgh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/listener-survey-conversations-in-equine-science

The Equine Gut-Brain Connection.

Kate and Nancy discuss how equine environment and training influence intestinal microbial populations.
Reference:
Mach, N., Ruet, A., Clark, A. et al (2020). Priming for welfare: gut microbiota is associated with equitation conditions and behavior in horse athletes. Scientific Reports 10, 8311.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-65444-9

A Look at Bit Related Lesions.

Nancy and Kate discuss a research paper that analyzed bit related lesions that occurred in 52% of the 208 event horses examined. Join in the discussion and comment or leave us a voice message here on Anchor.
Read the research: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.651160/full
Tuomola Kati, Mäki-Kihniä Nina, Valros Anna, Mykkänen Anna, Kujala-Wirth Minna (2021). Bit-Related Lesions in Event Horses After a Cross-Country Test. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Vol. 8.
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Thanks to all our listeners!

Equine Asthma

Kate and Nancy discuss the causes and impacts of Equine Asthma.
References: https://thehorse.com/1107810/equine-asthma-causes-and-impacts/ (Conference Proceedings from the 2021 AAEP Conference.)
Laurent Couetil , Jacqueline M. Cardwell , Renaud Leguillette , Melissa Mazan , Eric Richard , Dorothee Bienzle , Michela Bullone , Vinzenz Gerber , Kathleen Ivester , Jean-Pierre Lavoie , James Martin , Gabriel Moran , Artur Niedźwiedź , Nicola Pusterla and Cyprianna Swiderski,(2020). Equine Asthma: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 30 (7).
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00450/full
Listener Survey Link: https://edinburgh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/listener-survey-conversations-in-equine-science