Conversations in Equine Science

This week Kate and Nancy revisit the Donkey Skin Trade (ejiao) crisis and the African Union Ban of February 2024.

Research Reference/Link:

Shan Su, Ewan A. Macdonald, Nico Arcilla, Maurice Beseng, Felipe Thomaz, David W. Macdonald (2023). Characterising the links between the trade in donkey skins for traditional Chinese medicine and timber of conservation concern, Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 46.

This week Kate and Nancy discuss using smartphone apps to help in the recognition of emotions and pain in horses.

Research Reference/Link

Corujo, Luis A., Emily Kieson, Timo Schloesser, and Peter A. Gloor. (2021). "Emotion Recognition in Horses with Convolutional Neural Networks" Future Internet 13, no. 10: 250.

Nancy and Kate talk about Dr. Manfredi's equine metabolic research at Michigan State University.

Reference/Link to article:

Manfredi, J. (2023). Horse health research will help humans stay healthy, too, with insights on reining in diabetes and obesity, The Conversation; Michigan State University.

This week Nancy takes a look at the use of Bell Mares during the 1800s up to WWII.

Research References:

This episode Kate and Nancy discuss a listeners' recently published research. This research is a 2024 update to our past episodes on Equine Assisted Therapy.

Research Reference:

Seery, Rita, and Deborah Wells. 2024. "An Exploratory Study into the Backgrounds and Perspectives of Equine-Assisted Service Practitioners" Animals 14, no. 2: 347.

This week Nancy and Kate discuss a listeners' email request via a recently published paper on the effects of weather on pastured horses.

Research Reference and Link (not open access-snippets available.):

Keller, G.A.; Nielsen, B.D.; Vergara-Hernandez, F.B.; Robison, C.I. Tracking the Impact of Weather on Equine Activity While Pastured. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2022, 116, 104052.

Kate and Nancy discuss using the EBPI to manage osteoarthritis in horses.

References and Link:

Howard DL, Lancaster B, de Grauw J. Development and Preliminary Validation of an Equine Brief Pain Inventory for Owner Assessment of Chronic Pain Due to Osteoarthritis in Horses. Animals. 2024; 14(2):181.

Nancy and Kate discuss the horses role in 1872 and how an equine flu epidemic shut down the US economy, but also led to improved horse welfare.

Research Reference/Link:

Freeberg, Ernest (2020). How a flu virus shut down the US economy in 1872 – by infecting horses. The Conversation US, Boston, MA. December Issue.

Kate and Nancy discuss their recently published research paper on the preliminary results of their Conversations in Equine Science listener survey.

This week Nancy and Kate discuss how horses are once again helping humans navigate the new frontier of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Research Reference and Link:

Eakta Jain and Christina Gardner-McCune. 2023. Horse as Teacher: How human-horse interaction informs human-robot interaction. In Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '23). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 536, pp. 1–13.

This week Nancy discusses two peer reviewed papers on how to assess arena surface safety and usefulness.

Research References and Links:

Holt, D., Northrop, A., Martin, J., Daggett, A. and Hobbs, S. (2014), What do Riders Want from an Arena Surface?. Equine Vet J, 46: 41-42. 

This week Nancy gives a summary of her results with replicating the hind-end massage study using her own horses.

Research Reference/Link:

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

This week Kate and Nancy discuss the recently published paper questioning the protests and disagreements that occurred at this years (2023) Grand National at Aintree.

Research Reference and Link (Open Access):

This week Nancy discusses a research paper comparing pressures/forces in bareback riding with riding in a well fitted conventional saddle.

This week Nancy and Kate discuss a paper that investigated a herd of 18 mares that were housed on a pasture since 1979 without a deworming program. Nancy also relates the lecture information from a seminar she attended about deworming horses to combat parasite resistance.

Reference and Link to Research Paper:

Steuer, A.E., Anderson, H.P., Shepherd, T. et al. (2022). Parasite dynamics in untreated horses through one calendar year. Parasites Vectors 15, 50.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

This episode Nancy and Kate discuss 2 papers; the first is a paper that gives an update on the current understanding of Equine Asthma and also gives the future direction of research goals for this devastating disease.

The 2nd paper tracks a molecule, IL-8, which has been found to signal equine allergic immune responses. This may be a component as to how horses and humans develop allergic responses.

Both papers are referenced below.

Couetil, L., Cardwell, J. M., Leguillette, R., Mazan, M., Richard, E., Bienzle, D., Bullone, M., Gerber, V., Ivester, K., Lavoie, J. P., Martin, J., Moran, G., Niedźwiedź, A., Pusterla, N., & Swiderski, C. (2020). Equine Asthma: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Frontiers in veterinary science, 7, 450.

This week Kate and Nancy discuss the equine vertebral column and how this research discovered breed differences in the anatomy of the vertebral column.

Research Reference:

Spoormakers, T.J.P., Veraa, S., Graat, E.A.M., van Weeren, P.R. and Brommer, H. (2021), A comparative study of breed differences in the anatomical configuration of the equine vertebral column. J Anat, 239: 829-838. 

This episode Nancy and Kate discuss medical students gaining insight and empathy skills by working with horses. These medical students were also able to lessen their own stress levels by being around horses and learning about them.

Research Reference and Link (Open Access):

Chakales P A, Locklear J, Wharton T (2020). Medicine and Horsemanship: The Effects of Equine-assisted Activities and Therapies on Stress and Depression in Medical Students. Cureus 12(2): e6896.

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a paper detailing the negative effects that adiposity fat can have on the health and welfare of our horses.

Research reference/link (open access):

Pratt-Phillips, Shannon, and Ahmad Munjizun, (2023). "Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses" Animals 13, no. 4

This week Nancy and Kate discuss the findings of a research paper comparing the electrocardiograms of the Televet ECG device with the Equimetre fitness tracker.

Research Reference:

Ter Woort, F., Dubois, G., Tansley, G., Didier, M., Verdegaal, E.L., Franklin, S. and Van Erck‐Westergren, E., 2023. Validation of an equine fitness tracker: ECG quality and arrhythmia detection. Equine Veterinary Journal, 55(2), pp.336-343.

This episode Kate and Nancy discuss Equine Cervical Pain, clinical signs and treatment.

Research Reference/Link (open access):

Story, Melinda R., Kevin K. Haussler, Yvette S. Nout-Lomas, Tawfik A. Aboellail, Christopher E. Kawcak, Myra F. Barrett, David D. Frisbie, and C. Wayne McIlwraith. (2021). "Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment" Animals 11, no. 2: 422.

This week Nancy and Kate discuss a study involving harness trotters and the rein tension that occurred in different gaits.

Research Reference/Link (open access):

Egenvall A, Byström A, Pökelmann M, Connysson M, Kienapfel-Henseleit K, Karlsteen M, McGreevy P and Hartmann E (2022) Rein tension in harness trotters during on-track exercise. Frontier Veterinary Science. 9:987852.

This week Kate and Nancy discuss the theory of "Flow" and is it possible to achieve/measure it in horses and other animals.

Research Reference and Link (open access):

Hintze, S. and Yee, J.R. (2023), Animals in flow – towards the scientific study of intrinsic reward in animals. Biological Reviews. 

In this episode Nancy and Kate discuss a paper on the effects of inactivity, moderate exercise and uncontrolled stress on the learning capability of horses.

Research Reference and Link (Open Access):

Henshall, C., Randle, H., Francis, N. et al (2022). The effect of stress and exercise on the learning performance of horses. Scientific Reports, 12, 1918.

This week Kate and Nancy discuss the newest research paper by Professor Brian Nielsen Of Michigan State University.

Research Reference and Link (Open Access):

Nielsen, B.D. A Review of Three Decades of Research Dedicated to Making Equine Bones Stronger: Implications for Horses and Humans. Animals 2023, 13, 789.

This week Nancy and Kate discuss Kate's research paper that was recently published in the Frontiers in Veterinary Science Journal.

Elte Y, Acton K, Martin J, Nielen M, van Weeren R and Wolframm I (2023) Engage and enjoy–investigating predictors of employee

engagement and work satisfaction in equine veterinary professionals. Front. Vet. Sci. 10:1036388. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1036388

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a paper by Hilary Clayton on force and pressures of two styles of dressage saddles; treeless and conventional.

Research Reference and Link (this paper is not open access):

Hilary M. Clayton, Katherine A. O’Connor, LeeAnn J. Kaiser, (2014).

Force and pressure distribution beneath a conventional dressage saddle and a treeless dressage saddle with panels,

The Veterinary Journal, Volume 199, Issue 1, pp. 44-48.

This episode Nancy looks into a recent research paper that analyzed interview responses from registered Equine Behaviorists on how well their clients detected fear and anxiety behavior in horses.

Research reference and link (Open Access):

Rogers, Suzanne, and Catherine Bell. 2022. "Perceptions of Fear and Anxiety in Horses as Reported in Interviews with Equine Behaviourists" Animals 12, no. 21: 2904. 

This week Kate and Nancy discuss pre-performance anxiety and how elite riders manage and control their anxiety during high pressure situations.

S. McGinn, D. Alcock, and L.J. Cameron (2018). "Straight from the horse’s mouth: understanding professional event riders’ mental preparation for maximising self-confidence prior to competition using thematic analysis."  Comparative Exercise Physiology Vol 14 Issue 4, pp. 261-270.

Link to research paper: 

This episode Nancy and Kate discuss a research paper that compares horse turnout systems to enhance horse health and ecosystem sustainability. 

Research Reference and Link (Open Access):

Furtado, T., King, M., Perkins, E., McGowan, C., Chubbock, S., Hannelly, E., Rogers, J. and Pinchbeck, G. (2022). An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Management System Use for Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules in the UK. Animals. 12(2), p.151.

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a research paper detailing the effects of the cessation of training that occurred among elite riders during the Covid 19 lockdowns.

Research Reference and Link (Open Access): 

Demarie, Sabrina, Christel Galvani, and Veronique Louise Billat. (2020). "Horse-Riding Competitions Pre and Post COVID-19: Effect of Anxiety, sRPE and HR on Performance in Eventing" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 22: 8648.

This week Nancy and Kate discuss a recent paper on the most current research findings in Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction.

Research Reference and Link:

 Kirkwood, NC., Hughes, KJ., Stewart, AJ (2022). Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in Horses.

Veterinary Science, 9(10), 556. 

This week Nancy and Kate revisit the episode with the most downloads of 2022. 

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.

Kate and Nancy wrap up their discussion of this interesting paper on the neurological exam of the horse.

Reference: 

Caroline Hahn, (2022). Neurological Examination of Horses, Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, Volume 38, Issue 2,

pp. 155-169.

On this week's episode, Nancy and Kate discuss a recent research article on the neurological exam of the horse.

Research Reference: 

Caroline Hahn, DVM, (2022). Neurological Examination of Horses, Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, Volume 38, Issue 2 pp. 155-169.