Scientists Refining the Horse Grimace Scale
Horses show facial expressions that express pain, and researchers have used those expressions to create the horse grimace scale (HGS).
Horses show facial expressions that express pain, and researchers have used those expressions to create the horse grimace scale (HGS).
Despite a longstanding belief that laminitis is a spring-time disease, this study has identified that there is no ‘safe’ season, and laminitis remains a threat across England, Scotland and Wales regardless of the time of year.
Researchers say these differing views have a lot to do with peoples’ personal beliefs and experiences. This indicates that horse welfare is still very subjective, which is why there’s a real need for reliable welfare evaluation tools with objective scoring.
The importance of low-intensity exercise for overweight horses on a diet has been shown in fresh research. The University of Melbourne study involved 24 horses and ponies, all of whom were assessed as overweight, with body condition scores of 7 or greater on a nine-point scale.
For decades—likely even longer—back pain has been causing poor performance, dangerous behavior, and compromised welfare in riding horses. Unfortunately, we haven’t always been so aware of that fact.
You know those sci-fi animals with bionics and cybernetic implants and stuff? This isn’t that, but it’s pretty cool. The FastTrack, with its high-grade metal, heat-formed pad and “golden dial” lets equine veterinarians choose the movement that’s right for a horse recovering from a soft-tissue injury.
In a recent study, researchers showed that horses appear fully capable of dividing their attention, and we can see that in the way they use their ears.
Of all the Programs of Distinction offered by Georgetown College, the Equine Scholars Program may be one of the most unique. Offering students the opportunity to learn about the equine-industry from industry professionals right in the heart of horse country, the program also allows students to major in other areas, a rarity amongst similar programs.
With the move to a new farm, Stephen Bradley Eventing has an opening for a working student to join the team immediately. Working students are immersed in the sport of eventing and can expect to travel to shows, assist in riding at the farm, and will be expected to help complete the day-to-day duties of…
Researchers recently studied the behaviour of horses sharing a pasture with sheep. They wanted to see how the animals interacted with each other and how they used the pasture resources (namely plants, water, and shade).