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Online Videos Demystify Equine Behavior, Answer Common Questions

Three equine scientists have launched a new YouTube channel to debunk horse behavior myths and answer common questions from horse owners. The Equine Science Talk International team is comprised of Dr. Konstanze Krüger, Germany's first professor of equine science and a specialist in horse behavior and cognition, Isabell Marr, a horse trainer and instructor, and Dr. Laureen Esch, a veterinarian and equine dentist. Their combined expertise give the videos unique insight into equine science and its practical application.

Some of the topics the trio discuss include punishment and reinforcement; blanketing and clipping; and rollkur. Each topic is explained through a scientific lens and the researchers then explore what this mean in everyday context.

Though the videos were produced in German, journalist, horse trainer and equine behavior researcher Kate Farmer translates them.

UK Gluck Equine Research Center Launches National Survey On Older Horses

While horses aged 15 years and over make up a significant portion of the U.S. equine population, surprisingly little is currently known about their management and health status. In response, the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center is launching a survey to better understand the special needs of this age group.

Eligible survey participants should own one or more horses that currently reside(s) in the U.S. While the survey focuses on horses, including ponies, aged 15 years and older, owners of younger horses are also invited to participate in the survey. The survey takes between three and 25 minutes to complete. The survey can be accessed at https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bxAeIRSVM6gAOvb, and will be available through Nov. 20. Participants will also have the option to enter a raffle to win two bags of BUCKEYE Nutrition feed (1st prize), or four pounds of Reasons Joint Support Treats (2nd and 3rd prizes).

The survey project is coordinated by Alisa Herbst, a doctoral candidate at the Gluck Center in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, who is concentrating on the aging process of horses. She is being supervised by assistant professor Amanda Adams, a specialist working with geriatric horses.

“The main goal of this survey is to create a management and health profile of U.S. horses aged 15-plus years,” she said. “By applying the insights that we gather from the survey, and other work in my PhD, I hope that we can provide improved support for those managing horses of this age group.”

Herbst is collaborating on this project with an international and national research team that includes Adams; Patricia Harris, professor, veterinarian and director of science at MARS Horsecare and head of the equine studies group at WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute; Michelle Coleman, veterinarian and assistant professor at Texas A & M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; and Erica Macon, doctoral candidate at UK's Gluck Center. MARS Equestrian is providing sponsorship for this study.

“We're very excited about the information that this survey will provide. While much beloved by their owners, we still know very little about the specific needs of this population. I look forward to hearing more about the results from this survey, and I greatly appreciate the sponsorships provided by MARS Equestrian for this effort,” said David Horohov, chair of UK's Department of Veterinary Science and director of the Gluck Center.

The contribution of every horse owner, and especially those with any horse or pony over 15 years of age, will be vital for the success of this project and the continued improvement in the health of horses.

Flying High: New Study To Develop Guidelines For Horses Traveling By Air

Horses are one of the most frequently transported domestic species in the world; they are frequently moved by vans, ships and planes. Horses that travel between locations are at risk for disease, injury and welfare issues. Many studies have been done on how to alleviate the stresses caused by traveling by road, but little is known on how horses handle traveling by air.

A new study funded by Morris Animal Foundation and spearheaded by Dr. Barbara Padalino, an associate professor of animal science at Italy's Università di Bologna, will investigate what factors increase or decrease the risk of health and behavior issues.

The findings of the study, which involves both stakeholders and researchers, will be used to develop protocols for flight associations like the International Air Transportation Association (IATA). Currently, protocols focus on air safety and cargo requirements, not on equine welfare issues; they are based on experience, with little scientific backing.

It is estimated that nearly 30,000 horses are flown each year. A recent study used 81 flights to Hong Kong and found that for every 100 horses flown, about 11 percent got pneumonia from the flight and 60 percent of flights had at least one horse affected; horses flown in the spring were particularly at risk. That study concluded that flight duration and time of year were risk factors for horses getting sick.

Padalino and her research team hope to use 2,000 horses in their study; these horses will be flying between the United States, Europe, Japan, South Africa, Hong Kong, Australia and New. The study will involve asking questions regarding horse's welfare before, during and up to five days after the flight. This will include questions about heart rate, alertness and body condition scores, among others.

Padalino hypothesizes that horses with less transport experience and training will be more at risk of transport-related problems, as will those horses who have different temperaments. She is hopeful that the study will assist in the creation of protocol to increase the welfare of horses shipping by air, as well as provide an economic benefit to horse owners by reducing health complications.

Research Shows Horses More Susceptible To COVID-19 Than Other Species

New research shows that horses seem to be at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 than other species. Researchers believe their close relationship with humans may be to blame for a greater susceptibility.

Vanderbilt University utilized experts in virology, genetics, structural biology, chemistry, physiology, medicine, immunology and pharmacology worked together to create a tool that would predict animal susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. The scientists determined that horses and camels were most at risk and suggested that they be closely monitored and tested for infection.

The researchers identified five amino acid sites that indicate virus susceptibility or resistance; they then created an algorithm to predict susceptibility. Jacquelyn Brown, a staff scientist at the Vanderbilt Institute for Integrative Biosystems Research and Education, is an equestrian who initiated the project, noting that horses have a large respiratory system, and many are regularly have their mouths and nostrils touched by humans.

The research team is hopeful that their findings will help protect pets, food sources, wildlife and people. The algorithm the team created can be modified to predict susceptibility to other viruses; there is also hope that the research will be used to help develop drugs to inhibit virus transmission.

Drs. Matthew Alexander, Clara Schoeder, Jacquelyn Brown, Charles Smart, Chris Moth, John Wikswo, John Capra, Jens Meiler, Wenbiao Chen and Meena Madhur determined that there as an intermediate risk for COVID-19 susceptibility in cows, sheep and goats; the most susceptible animal is the rhesus macaque.

Read the full study here.