Thankfully, all horses and ponies have a natural ability to be round and on the bit; it is already within them. We see it when they are excited in the paddock, where the body can freely express its most athletic posture. This natural ability is accessible to us all, but not from the outside. It…
The Kentucky Derby Museum has come out with a Virtual Museum experience on their website. Each day they’ll bring you featured artifacts, fun facts, Oral History videos, Educational Lessons, activities you can do at home, and more!
With the need to isolate and distance ourselves prompted by the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, how can you keep learning about horses? As long as you have an internet connection and a willingness to learn, you’re set! Here’s a great list of online equine education resources.
Research has shown that people in the horse industry have preconceived ideas about horse behaviour, temperament and rideability based solely on the sex of the horse. This gender bias could be harming the prospects of mares, researchers found, with some horse owners potentially overlooking the merits of mares and fillies, considering them bossy.
Veterinarians use electrocardiogram recordings (ECGs) to diagnose arrythmias, or irregular heart rhythms, in horses. Because ECG equipment isn’t always available (or requires a laptop and Wi-Fi connection) when practitioners are examining horses on the farm, manufacturers have begun developing portable ECG devices vets can use and interpret simply using a smartphone app.
Currently, orange is used on hurdle frames and fence take-off boards and guard-rails. Although this makes the fences stand out to human eyes, it is unlikely that it makes the obstacle more visible to horses. What colours would be better for horses?
Hospitalized horses tend to “perk up” in the presence of people, according to researchers, which may have important implications in terms of assessing and managing their pain. Horses have evolved to show little indication of discomfort or disability when in the presence of potential predators, including humans.
Horses are known for their big hearts, both figuratively and functionally, but what makes the equine heart so special? Did you know a horse’s resting heart rate typically lies in the range of 30-40 beats/minute. When required, that rate can increase dramatically and rapidly to a maximal rate of about 250 beats/minute!
The creation of a new Scottish Racing Academy will offer equine students at Scotland’s Rural College the opportunity to specialize in race horse care as part of their course.