From innovative materials and equipment designed to improve the performance of both horse and rider performance to cutting-edge data analysis tools that provide unprecedented insights into racing strategies, technology has revolutionized horse racing in countless ways.
A fresh study has improved our understanding of what degree of poll flexion may be appropriate from a welfare standpoint in dressage and showjumping horses, with a difference of just 15 degrees having a major effect.
Horses’ physiques, from the top of their ears to the tips of their hooves, are designed to make them agile and quick in flight. Their hearing is a significant component of that. Understanding the language of a horse’s ears as well as the impact of what they hear on their behavior can help us gain…
The effects of stirrup length and saddle tilt have been highlighted in a recent study, with a significant influence found on rider kinetics.
The team at Equine Science Talk International has looked into the types of horses that are most likely to show innovative behaviour, and the types of behaviour they show. Includes a 5 minute video.
In the wild, horses must be alert for predators that might attack them. This means that even domesticated horses are hardwired to be aware of danger and can scare easily. Unfortunately, this so-called “startle response” or “spooking” is reflexive, and horses often cannot distinguish between the danger a Florida panther might present versus a plastic bag…
University of Minnesota researchers have discovered that horses have opinions about the color of their grain. To test whether the horses had a color preference, scientists used six adult horses that had not been fed oats before. The horses were repeatedly offered white or yellow oats from identical feed tubs.
In most pasture systems, resources such as water, shelter and supplemental feed are not spread out. As a result, horses may spend more time foraging near these resources, which can contribute to nonuniform or over grazing. Researchers at Clemson University evaluated the effect of resource placement in pastures on horse grazing behavior and time spent…
Sport horses are required to perform without distraction by external, irrelevant sounds. To help achieve this, noise-damping ear covers have been developed. However, their effectiveness has not been established. A study team set out investigate the responses of horses to different sounds commonly present in a competition environment and compare these responses in the presence…
In most pasture systems, resources such as water, shelter and supplemental feed are not spread out. As a result, horses may spend more time foraging near these resources, which can contribute to nonuniform or over grazing. Researchers at Clemson University evaluated the effect of resource placement in pastures on horse grazing behavior and time spent…