Mad About Horses

This episode of the equine podcast provides an in-depth discussion on colic in horses. The host, Dr. Chris Mortensen, draws from his personal experience and academic expertise to provide insights on identifying signs of colic, understanding its causes, prevention strategies, and possible treatments. He describes how colic is the number one killer of horses under 20 years old and emphases the need...

In this podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine educator and scientist, discusses the five domains model of animal welfare, emphasizing their importance in the management and care of horses. The discussion unfolds with gratitude towards the listeners, a personal account of meeting renowned autistic animal welfare expert Temple Grandin, and an introduction to the five domains - nutrition, physical...

In this episode of 'Mad About Horses', equine reproductive physiologist Dr. Chris Mortensen talks about the exciting and incredible process of horse reproduction and birth. Using the example of a mare named Tari and her foal, Prairie Rose, he explains various stages of labor, the differences in horse pregnancy compared to other animals, and the importance of early bonding and colostrum for...

This episode focuses on the reproduction process in horses, telling the story of a mare named Tari. From the first signs of estrus, to the miraculous journey of the sperm cell, to the pregnancy paradox, where the mother's immune system tolerates the half-foreign DNA of the embryo, Dr. Chris Mortensen walks through the intricate process of equine pregnancy and childbirth. As part of the reprodu...

In this podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen discusses the fascinating evolution of horse feeding practices and equine nutrition over the years, from ancient civilizations to modern times. He remarks on his personal experiences feeding horses and the remarkable changes in the field within the past few decades. The podcast explores the ancient Greeks' sophisticated approach to feeding their horses, the...

In this episode of 'Mad About Horses', Dr. Chris Mortensen reflects on the emotional investment in horse ownership, and then delves into the financial side of owning and caring for horses. He talks about his personal experiences, the benefits of horse riding for health and mental wellbeing, and the various costs involved. Costs of ownership range from purchasing a horse, providing adequate...

Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine researcher and educator, discusses the profound benefits of horse riding and ownership in this episode of Mad About Horses. Beyond physical benefits such as improved posture, muscular strength, flexibility, and heart rate, Mortensen highlights psychological advantages like stress reduction, mood enhancement, increased self-esteem, and a heightened sense of control. H...

Dr. Chris Mortensen tells the history of draft horses and their considerable influence on many aspects of society like farming, transportation and industrialization. He talks about their manifestation following the prohibition era in the United States and their subsequent popularization through the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales. Dr. Mortensen introduces the term 'horsepower' and discusses its...

In this episode of 'Mad About Horses', Dr. Chris Mortensen delves into the important and complex topic of recognizing and understanding horse emotions. Dr. Mortensen shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how horses experience emotions like separation anxiety and happiness, emphasizing the value of observing their body language, facial expressions, and behavior. The episode emphasizes the...

Dr. Chris Mortensen, an experienced equine educator and researcher, takes listeners through the complexities and nuances of equine communication in this podcast episode of 'Mad About Horses'. He explores the fascinating research related to wild equines, specifically the Somali wild ass, and their means of communication including body language, olfactory responses, and signals encoded in ge...

What makes a champion Dressage horse? What makes a champion show jumping or eventing horse? How about what makes a good therapeutic riding horse? Listen for these answers and more in this week's Mad About Horses Podcast. Dr. Chris Mortensen starts off this podcast episode by delving into the incredible story of Lis Hartel, a Danish dressage rider who overcame polio to become a champion. He dis...

What makes a champion a champion? Which breeds are excelling in which disciplines? In this week's podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine science researcher and educator, discusses the key elements that make a horse a champion in Western disciplines like barrel racing, cutting, and reining. Special focus is given to the 'DM Sissy Hey Day' horse which set a world record in barrel racing...

What do horses do all day? What should they be doing all day compared to their wild counterparts? A critical topic for any horse owner or enthusiast. In this episode, Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine educator and researcher, discusses the experience of observing the behaviors of equids throughout the day. He notes the vital importance of understanding the natural behaviors of horses and other equids...

This episode of the Mad About Horses podcast delves into the history of various equestrian sports, tracing their origins and development over the years. Dr. Chris Mortensen, PhD. opens with the inspiring story of Pat Smith, a trailblazer in the field of show jumping. The discussion moves on to the birth and rise of various equestrian sports such as chariot racing, horse racing, show jumping, and d...

Dr. Chris Mortensen delves deep into the factors influencing horse performance including age, breed, gender, and behavior. Through detailed discussions and research study examples, he highlights the peak performance years in various disciplines, from racing to show jumping and eventing. The podcast also highlights the remarkable career of Zenyatta, an American mare who excelled in horse racing. Fu...

In this episode of the 'Mad About Horses' podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen discusses the factors that influence equine athletic performance, including conformation, stride rates, confirmation, and gait. He delves into stride length and frequency in thoroughbreds and quarter horses, explores how horses' basic anatomy enables their varied athletic abilities, and discusses how equine conforma...

In this episode of 'Mad About Horses', Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine science researcher and educator, discusses several popular horse breeds from around the world. A personal recount of his experience with horses opens the discussion, including famous racehorse Secretariat. The show explores breeds like Arabian, American Quarter Horse, and Thoroughbred - some of the most populous breeds g...

In this podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen elaborates in-depth about how horses perceive the world through their senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Human interactions with horses often rely on understanding these senses, which differ significantly from human sensory perceptions. Horses have strong monocular vision, wide hearing ranges, and a keen sense of smell. They also possess a sophi...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Chris Mortensen delves into the vast population of horses, donkeys, zebras - collectively known as equids - across the globe. He provides a snapshot of where these creatures live, their respective numbers, and the key roles they play in various societies. The episode also tracks their impressive journey from the wild plains of Africa to becoming domesticated animals ar...

In this compelling episode, Dr. Chris Mortensen delve into the rich history and intriguing theories behind the domestication of horses. He discusses ancient DNA studies, their impact on our understanding of horse and donkey evolution and domestication, and how language played a crucial role in tracing human migration patterns. The primary focus is on the domestication of the Equus ferus into moder...

In this episode of "Mad About Horses," we dive into the fascinating world of equine evolution. We embark on a journey that takes us from the distant past, over two and a half million years ago, to the present day, exploring the origins of the modern horse and its various relatives. Here's a summary of the key points covered in this episode: Introduction The episode begins by setting...

Horses have been humankind's constant companions for thousands of years, and their hoofprints have left an indelible mark on our world. In this thought-provoking introductory episode, we delve into the profound influence horses have had on human evolution and history. We start off by asking you to contemplate all the animals that have most significantly impacted human history. This thought exp...

Why are there so many horse breeds in the world? What are the different breeds of horses and what differentiates them? When did selective breeding for horses first begin?   Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine science researcher and educator with over 20 years of experience, tells us the fascinating story of why there are so many horse breeds. He starts off this episode by discussing the mysterious disa...

Dr. Chris Mortensen traces the evolutionary path of horses beginning about 65 million years ago during the age of dinosaurs, leading to the present day. He discusses how massive environmental and other changes influenced the physical development and nature of horses over the years. Dr. Mortensen describes how early horses went from a forest-dwelling, four-toed creature called Eohippus, to a single...