Is Your Horse in Pain? There’s an App for That
Horse owners can use a science-based app to document body language and facial expressions and determine whether equids are in acute pain.
Using Body Language to Assess Fatigue in Working Horses
Horses communicate their physical state of tiredness and even soreness after work through their facial expressions and weight-shifting patterns.
Sensors Pinpoint Key Differences Between Advanced and Recreational Riders
Equestrian sports have been the focus of many studies in the last 20 years, but few have explored the biomechanical effects that the horse has on the rider. Researchers set about characterizing the motor output of a set of riders’ key muscles during horse riding. They used six recreational riders with an average age of…
Low-Stress Horse Husbandry
From reinforcing behaviors to reading facial expressions, adopting welfare-friendly handling practices can improve equine well-being and human safety. Here are some things to try.
Recognizing the Connection Between Dental Pain and Horse Behavior Problems
Could dental pain be the culprit for your horse’s behavioral problems? A recent study done published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science established a link between common horse behavior problems and dental pain caused by abscessed cheek teeth.
Mobile App Connects Equestrians with Support Staff
The ShowAssist app helps professional equestrians, riders, owners or parents find experienced grooms, braiders, clippers, bodyworkers and other support staff at rated US Equestrian and Equestrian Canada shows. It requires no subscription and is free to post jobs and free to apply for work.
How Susceptible are Horses to Cold or Heat Loss?
Norwegian researchers have found that horses’ susceptibility to cold is individualized. Breed, genetics, body condition, coat type, exercise level, diet, age, and health all contribute to how horses lose heat—and how humans should manage that heat loss through blanketing, shelter, and feeding.
Could Sleep Patterns of Horses be an Early Warning for Their Ill Health?
Scientists in England are monitoring night-time sleep in horses as part of a study that aims to see if equine rest patterns could provide early warnings about their ill health. They want to see if they can identify specific patterns of rest for individual horses, as well as the factors that might be influencing rest,…
Resources for Horse Owners
The University of Florida Veterinary Extension program offers information resources for horse owners everywhere.
Can Computers Analyze Horse’s Facial Expressions?
Researchers are training a computer to automatically identify and track equine facial features that have been shown to change in response to pain. The computer will analyse videos of horses who have had recent surgery or are recovering from illness, to determine how these features change as pain relief is administered, and the horses’ conditions…