Using Technology to Better Teach Riding

Learning to ride horses takes time and is steeped in traditional methods of teaching. Instructors often stick to these traditional approaches because they are seen to be the main way students learn. However, these methods are not effective for all participants, and those with challenges in learning often struggle to understand and build their skills.…

Why do Horses Chew Wood?

Horses chew wood for a variety of reasons, but it’s most commonly a behavioural response born out of boredom or a coping mechanism to deal with stress. Research shows that wood chewing correlates strongly with the amount of time a horse is stabled and the amount of long-stem forage available. When horses are stabled or…

THE SCIENCE OF HORSE RACING: IT’S ALL ABOUT TIME

Of all of the data we collect for assessing a horse’s performance, time remains among the best metrics for measuring how well they ran at a particular racetrack at a specified distance on a given day. The methods for timing races have evolved with the sport, but like other sporting pursuits with a multitude of…

How do Horses Communicate?

While some of their body language is quite explosive, much of horse communication is expressed through subtler signals- slight changes in facial expressions, the flick of an ear, the barely perceptible shifting of weight, a tail swish, and so on. Being able to properly interpret their signals allows us to interact with horses in a…

Scientists Calculate Horses’ Carbon Hoofprint

Scientists have calculated a way of measuring the estimated carbon footprint of sport horses. The project was carried out by Wageningen University & Research in partnership with the European Equestrian Federation (EEF). The team worked with stables in Sweden and the Netherlands to understand the amount of greenhouse gas emissions for which horses at different…

Understanding the Genetics of Performance

Your horse has a unique genetic makeup – and it’s full of valuable information! This priceless knowledge can empower you in many ways, from being able to make the best decisions regarding health and performance, to better understanding their temperament and suitability to a particular discipline, climate, or feed. From just 30-40 pulled mane or…

Wild Horses and Ecosystem Restoration in Appalachia, USA

Deep within the hills of Eastern Kentucky, amidst reclaimed mine lands near the town of Lovely, Kentucky, ten remarkable horses now graze peacefully across a sprawling 1,000-acre expanse. Unbeknownst to these captivating companions, this land has been earmarked for restoration, with a mission to re-establish ecological balance from years gone by – and remarkably, these…

The Science to Support Cold Hosing

Our horses are not only our teammates, but our partners and friends. One high school student asked herself as she hosed-off her horse after a hard ride, “What is the best way to take care of my horse after a ride?” For a school science project she researched what product or method works best to…