Stabling Horses is a Human Thing More Than a Horse Thing

It is now fairly widespread knowledge that horses are healthier (physically and mentally) when kept outdoors, so why are most still living in stables? Stabling horses is a human thing more than a horse thing; horses are obliging souls and will usually accept and adapt to less-than-ideal living situations, even if it negatively affects their…

The Importance of Equine Sensory Hairs

One horse sensory organ that’s often overlooked is vibrissae, better known as whiskers. These long hairs on the muzzle and around the eyes are useful sense elements for horses, but many riders trim them for a tidier appearance. While horses can survive without their vibrissae, the trimming of them is starting to be seen as…

9 Signs of Depression in Horses

Horses can develop forms of depression. In this article, equine vet Gil Riley explains some common signs of depression in horses that owners should keep an eye out for, some of which will be similar to symptoms of depression in humans.

Study Connects Piaffe’s Ground Force Reaction to Balance

To better understand the piaffe and its effects on a horse’s biomechanics, researchers teamed up to investigate the ground reaction forces of elite dressage horses performing the movement over pressure plates. Although forces varied from horse to horse—likely indicating different training techniques—and stride to stride, overall, the researchers found horses in piaffe adjust the ground…

Complex Spatial Dynamics Observed in Study of Wild Horses

Drones and computer modeling have been used to paint a surprisingly complex picture of societal dynamics among horses. When examining how horses synchronize their herd behaviors, computational modeling is a must. Much more is happening among the many mares, stallions, and foals than can be summarized by a few simple equations.

Horses Think Outside the Box

Whether it’s opening the gate, breaking into the feed-room, or finding ways to steal their friends’ food, horses certainly appear to find their own, often very creative, ways to solve their day-to-day problems. But do they come up with these ideas out of necessity, or do they become more creative when their needs are already…