Conversations in Equine Science

This week Nancy and Kate discuss Kate's research paper that was recently published in the Frontiers in Veterinary Science Journal. Elte Y, Acton K, Martin J, Nielen M, van Weeren R and Wolframm I (2023) Engage and enjoy–investigating predictors of employee engagement and work satisfaction in equine veterinary professionals. Front. Vet. Sci. 10:1036388. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1036388 Link (open ac...

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a paper by Hilary Clayton on force and pressures of two styles of dressage saddles; treeless and conventional. Research Reference and Link (this paper is not open access): Hilary M. Clayton, Katherine A. O’Connor, LeeAnn J. Kaiser, (2014). Force and pressure distribution beneath a conventional dressage saddle and a treeless dressage saddle with panels, The Veterina...

This episode Nancy looks into a recent research paper that analyzed interview responses from registered Equine Behaviorists on how well their clients detected fear and anxiety behavior in horses. Research reference and link (Open Access): Rogers, Suzanne, and Catherine Bell. 2022. "Perceptions of Fear and Anxiety in Horses as Reported in Interviews with Equine Behaviourists" Animals 12, no. 21: 29...

This week Kate and Nancy discuss pre-performance anxiety and how elite riders manage and control their anxiety during high pressure situations. S. McGinn, D. Alcock, and L.J. Cameron (2018). "Straight from the horse’s mouth: understanding professional event riders’ mental preparation for maximising self-confidence prior to competition using thematic analysis." Comparative Exercise Physiology Vol 1...

This episode Nancy and Kate discuss a research paper that compares horse turnout systems to enhance horse health and ecosystem sustainability. Research Reference and Link (Open Access): Furtado, T., King, M., Perkins, E., McGowan, C., Chubbock, S., Hannelly, E., Rogers, J. and Pinchbeck, G. (2022). An Exploration of Environmentally Sustainable Practices Associated with Alternative Grazing Manageme...

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a research paper detailing the effects of the cessation of training that occurred among elite riders during the Covid 19 lockdowns. Research Reference and Link (Open Access): Demarie, Sabrina, Christel Galvani, and Veronique Louise Billat. (2020). "Horse-Riding Competitions Pre and Post COVID-19: Effect of Anxiety, sRPE and HR on Performance in Eventing" Internatio...

This week Nancy and Kate discuss a recent paper on the most current research findings in Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction. Research Reference and Link: Kirkwood, NC., Hughes, KJ., Stewart, AJ (2022). Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in Horses. Veterinary Science, 9(10), 556. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9100556

This week Kate and Nancy discuss their favorite episodes of 2022. We also reveal the most popular episodes as determined by our listeners. Thank you for your support and listenership. We appreciate each and every one of you! Happy and Healthy 2023, Kate and Nancy

This week Nancy and Kate revisit the episode with the most downloads of 2022. Reference: Mach, N., Ruet, A., Clark, A. et al (2020). Priming for welfare: gut microbiota is associated with equitation conditions and behavior in horse athletes. Scientific Reports 10, 8311. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-65444-9

This week Nancy and Kate continue their discussion with Dr. Sheryl King. Dr. King is an expert on "myth-busting" horse information that occurs frequently within the horse industry. Make sure to listen to Part 1 to get her explanation on how these myths become a part of the equine management industry. This episode will discuss fact checking skills and nutrition fallacies.

This week Nancy and Kate welcome Dr. Sheryl King to the podcast. Dr. King is an expert on misinformation in the horse industry. Please direct any questions to Kate on the Conversations in Equine Science Instagram account or Nancy on the Conversations in Equine Science Facebook page. We'll pass them onto Dr. Sheree or send her a friendship request via Sheree King at her Facebook page. We'll continu...

Kate and Nancy wrap up their discussion of this interesting paper on the neurological exam of the horse. Reference: Caroline Hahn, (2022). Neurological Examination of Horses, Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, Volume 38, Issue 2, pp. 155-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2022.05.001

On this week's episode, Nancy and Kate discuss a recent research article on the neurological exam of the horse. Research Reference: Caroline Hahn, DVM, (2022). Neurological Examination of Horses, Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, Volume 38, Issue 2 pp. 155-169. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749073922000219

This week Kate and Nancy discuss equestrian safety and what a survey of 1,718 respondents reveals. Research reference: Chapman, Meredith, Matthew Thomas, and Kirrilly Thompson. (2020). "What People Really Think About Safety around Horses: The Relationship between Risk Perception, Values and Safety Behaviours" Animals 10, no. 12: 2222. Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122222

This week Nancy and Kate discuss the tying up syndrome (RER) that appears to affect 8.4% of racehorses. Research Reference: https://www.nzsap.org/system/files/proceedings/trainers-perceptions-impact-different-feeding-and-management-practices-racehorses-they-identified.pdf Wood , LJ, Lancaster, B, Breheny, MR & Rogers, CW 2020, 'Trainers perceptions of the impact of different feeding and manage...

This week Kate and Nancy delve into the research of Dr. Valberg at Michigan State University. She runs the Equine Neuromuscular Diagnostics Laboratory and is a fervent researcher of equine muscular diseases. You can access her informative webpages here. Research Reference (Open Access): Valberg, SJ, Williams, ZJ, Finno, CJ, Schultz, A, Velez-Irizarry, D, Henry, ML, et al (2022). Type 2 polysacchar...

This week Nancy and Kate discuss the latest research in equine hair whorls, reactivity and laterality. Research Reference: Mark J. Deesing, Temple Grandin, (2022). Chapter 10 - Behavior genetics of the horse (Equus caballus), Editor(s): Temple Grandin, Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals (Third Edition), Academic Press, pp. 377-433 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B97803...

This episode Kate and Nancy discuss the genetics of behavior and how the environment may also play a role. Research Reference: Mark J. Deesing, Temple Grandin, (2022). Chapter 10 - Behavior genetics of the horse (Equus caballus), Editor(s): Temple Grandin, Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals (Third Edition), Academic Press, pp. 377-433 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9...

This episode Nancy and Kate discuss saddle, girth, bridle and bit fit. Research Reference (Open Access until November 15th, 2022) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749073922000529?dgcid=author Facebook Link: **NEW RESEARCH REVIEW PUBLISHED** TACK FIT AND USE HILARY CLAYTON AND RUSSELL MACKECHNIE-GUIRE Published in Vet Clinic Equine - Open Access (via Desktop/Laptop) with download...

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a paper that investigated the effects of using an ice blanket for cooling stalled horses in hot temperatures. Research Reference: Ojima Y, Torii S, Maeda Y, Matsuura A.(2022). Effect of Cooling Blanket on the Heat Stress of Horses in Hot and Humid Environments. Animals. Volume 12(19): 2505. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/19/2505/htm

This week Nancy and Kate discuss a 2021 paper that found a positive correlation between pelvic/hip flexibility (while using a balance ball) and horse-rider interactions of quality and harmony. Research Reference: Uldahl M, Christensen JW, Clayton HM. Relationships between the Rider’s Pelvic Mobility and Balance on a Gymnastic Ball with Equestrian Skills and Effects on Horse Welfare. Animals. 2021;...

Kate and Nancy discuss dietary iron and insulin resistance. Research Reference: McLean, N.L.; McGilchrist, N.; Nielsen, B.D. Dietary Iron Unlikely to Cause Insulin Resistance in Horses. Animals 2022, 12, 2510. Open Access Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192510

Nancy and Kate discuss a review that breaks down horse to human interactions. Research Reference: : Merkies, K.; Franzin, O. Enhanced Understanding of Horse–Human Interactions to Optimize Welfare. Animals 2021, 11, 1347 Research Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8151687/pdf/animals-11-01347.pdf Links to past episodes that have references mentioned in the above listed paper. https:...

Kate and Nancy discuss a 2020 research article on rider weight and it's influence on equine salivary cortisol, heart rate, heart rate variability, conflict behaviors and gait symmetry. Reference: Christensen JW, Bathellier S, Rhodin M, Palme R, Uldahl M. Increased Rider Weight Did Not Induce Changes in Behavior and Physiological Parameters in Horses. Animals. 2020; 10(1):95. https://doi.org/10.339...

Nancy and Kate interview Ida Hammer of the Mackinaw Dells 2 Whole Horse Hoofcare Program. Ida talks about her journey into hoof care, equine nutrition and bodywork, and how it's all connected. Website: https://mackinawdells2.com/index.html Virtual Classes: https://mackinawdells2learning.thinkific.com/