Stable Science from Dr David Marlin's Animalweb

Your horse has been diagnosed with kissing spines - what next?  Firstly, don't panic or ask advice from the internet, which will definitely add to the confusion! Gillian talks about why sharing X-rays on social media are unlikely to help and some things you need to consider before committing to the veterinary intervention. Working on pre-hab and planning post-intervention management and indiv...

Dr Gillian Tabor chats with Jo Paul, Chartered Physiotherapist and President of The Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP). RAMP is a voluntary register of professionals who have signed up to take responsibility for attaining and maintaining gold standards of practice in animal musculoskeletal treatment. Professionals trained in Chiropractic, Osteopathic and Physiotherapy tec...

Dr Gillian Tabor reviews a recently published paper on the effects of using balance pads. In this paper, the research team measured the postural sway and multifidus cross-sectional area after standing a horse on pads for 5 minutes, 5 days a week for 4 weeks.   Cathcart, J., Ellis, K.L. and Moorman, V.J., 2024. Short term use of balance pads on postural sway and muscul...

Horse walkers - are they the devil or a gift from the gods? Dr Gillian Tabor investigates Views on using horse walkers to exercise horses are very polarised. But what does the research say? Dr Gillian Tabor, an equine physiotherapist, talks through a pragmatic approach to their use.  Research papers discussed are: Freire, R., Buckley, P. and Cooper, J.J., 2009. Effects of different forms of e...

As 2024 begins Dr Gillian Tabor offers up some much-needed winter survival ideas and suggestions to support your horse if they are stabled for long periods. Gillian focuses on the BIG 3 F's - Friends, Forage and Freedom, as well as giving suggestions to help manage your horse's physical health. Please enjoy this podcast and Happy New Year! ------------ To find out more about becoming a member >...

Dr David Marlin discusses his recently published paper on comparative exercise physiology. With colleagues Dr David Marlin looked at the use of thermal imaging to assess how hot horses are during training, warm-up, during and after competition. Marlin, D.J., Reynolds, H., Mukai, K., Neil, K., & Akerstrom, G. (2023). Estimating rectal temperature in exercising horses in a competition enviro...

Recognising pain in the ridden horse – use of the ridden horse pain ethogram (RHpE) with Sue Palmer (interviewed by Dr Gillian Tabor)   “All too often, pain in ridden horses is labelled as ‘bad’ behaviour. The apparently ‘sound’ horse is ‘naughty’, ‘lazy’, ‘difficult’, ‘explosive’, ‘spooky’, ‘nappy’, and more. These labels are wrong. Pain impacts all aspects of a horse’s performance, includin...

Most people seem to be feeding hoof supplements and or applying treatments to their horse's feet. But what are they made up of and do they actually do anything? Dr David Marlin answers a few of your questions: Where does the hoof strength come from? What are the most commonly found ingredients in hoof supplements? What does the research show us and are there any studies that we can learn from? NOW...

Check out this interview with Dr Jo Hockenhull and Dr Lynda Birke as they embark on an exciting new study into Human-Horse Relationships. The new study has just gone live and is looking for participants! Why study this and what benefits could it bring to our own relationships with our horses? Have you ever wondered: Why you bond with some horses and not others? Why you feel comfortable with some h...

Briony Witherow is a registered equine nutritionist and lecturer at Writtle University College with a deep understanding through research and teaching experience in the role of horse toys and feeding apparatus and techniques. In this interview with Briony, we start to discuss the use of feeding techniques and toys to enrich the feeding routine of our horses. We discuss: What are horse toys and fee...

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for horses, much like it is for humans and other animals. Vitamin E cannot be made and must be obtained from the diet. It plays a vital role in various bodily functions, including immune system support, muscle function, and the elimination of free radicals that can damage cells and tissue. Horses that have access to fresh, green pasture typically get an adequate...

Helen from the Dr David Marlin team interviews Dr Heather Cameron-Whytock - Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Central Lancashire and researcher into THREE of eventings key horse safety studies. With colleagues, Heather has conducted three significant studies into Horse falls at events. Heather’s 2023 study on horse falls in British Eventing competition was...

Dr Gillian Tabor and Alex Jolly from SupaStuds talk studs! Answering the questions: When to stud? When not to stud? How many stud holes are recommended? How to manage the stud holes? ...and how to choose studs? They also discussed problems with studding and how to avoid them. All your studding questions answered. You can also watch this as a video on the main part of the website here - -----------...

In this podcast Dr Gillian Tabor talks about the Thoroughbred Census and speaks to Helena Flynn – Programme Director and Stephen Wensley – Project Lead for Welfare Data, both from the Horse Welfare Board. This is an independently-chaired group and includes representatives from British Horseracing Authority, racecourses and horsemen. In 2020, they published a five-year strategy, ‘A live well lived’...

What is Sugar Beet ( Beta vulgaris ) Are all sugar beet products created equal? What is sugar beet, where does it come from, and why do we feed it to our horses? Dr David Marlin takes a closer look, examining why we have 'traditionally' fed it to our horses. But what is sugar beet made up of, what levels of minerals are included in most sugar beet feeds, and what do we need to be aware of? Check o...

In these podcasts, Dr Gillian Tabor reviews her highlights from the International Canine and Equine Locomotion Conference (ICEL9) held in Utrecht in August 2023.  All the recognisable names from biomechanics research were there, which makes for a very exciting meeting to be at. If you have ever written an essay or a dissertation that refers to equine movement, you will have referenced at...

In these podcasts, Dr Gillian Tabor reviews her highlights from the International Canine and Equine Locomotion Conference (ICEL9) held in Utrecht in August 2023.  All the recognisable names from biomechanics research were there, which makes for a very exciting meeting to be at. If you have ever written an essay or a dissertation that refers to equine movement, you will have referenced at...

Dr Gillian Tabor reports on a study investigating the effects of a device to improve lymphatic flow in the legs on healthy horses, which has the potential for use in horses with injury or chronic progressive lymphoedema (CPL).   Koch, D.W., Schnabel, L.V., Reynolds, J. and Berry, C.R., 2023. Pneumatic compression therapy using the EQ Press accelerates lymphatic flow in healthy equine forelimb...

At this time of year, many people are starting to use studs if they are eventing, show jumping on grass or concerned about their horse slipping in grass arenas etc. It is an often contested subject with lots of opinions and anecdotes, but sadly very little research. In this podcast, Dr Gillian Tabor will review one research article about using screw-in studs. The Dr David Marlin Team are currently...

Dr David Marlin looks at what is Headshaking, Head Flicking, Head Tossing, Trigeminal Mediated Headshaking In Spring and Summer the number of cases of headshaking appears to increase, so if this a real increase or potential misdiagnosis? In this podcast, David discusses …. What is headshaking What are the triggers What is the underlying cause What options are there for treatment and management We...

Following a succession of questions and interest in microcurrents in our Facebook Group Gillian has compiled this presentation to help us understand more about what it is and how it works. This was originally a webinar and the audio is used here as a podcast. To watch the webinar, head over to the website - https://drdavidmarlin.com/webinar-microcurrent-therapy-dr-gillian-tabor/ Dr Gillian Tabor d...

Dr David Marlin gave an impromptu talk at the prestigious Mayfield School in Kent in June at the request of one of our members and pupils at the school, Flo Burnop. Flo arranged for David to speak to her fellow classmates, their parents and staff at the school. David was delighted to chat and discuss his work, career, where his research has led him and how it has helped shape welfare guidelines fo...

What is core stability? What is the core considered to be, and what also could be included?               What is the anatomy of the core?               What do we mean by stability?             &nbsp...

When Alfalfa, Camelina, Canola Oil and Baking Soda are recommended for equine gastric ulcers - do they work? Why are social media and online "experts" recommending them, and is there ANY science to back up the claims?! Camelina oil and canola oil what is it and where does it come from? what is it good for? what are the drawbacks? what oils would be better? can oil have any positives for horses suf...

Dr David Marlin looks back at his research and work over the last 30 years for the FEI at the Olympic Games into helping horses deal with heat. What can you do to help your horse deal with the heat and rapid increases in heat that they are unprepared for? We must avoid horses getting too hot and overheating, which can happen during competition. Acclimatisation - when and how can you do this? BUT i...