The problems surrounding the recruitment, training and retention of stable staff in horseracing extend beyond the early starts. For at least half a century, the multi-billion-pound horseracing industry in the UK has had a hard time keeping staff on board. And that’s not because of the early morning hours orRead More →
I have previously written about biases and how they can skew our beliefs about what we consider right, correct and truthful. When it comes to how we defend those views, we might find ourselves using or being countered with a logical fallacy. Read about biases by following this link LogicalRead More →
So, horses are dangerous. Is that just the way things are? And does taking risks with horses make you look braver, more confident, or more of a leader? According to one equestrian safety scientist, there are better ways to deal with horse-related risks. And there are better ways to reduceRead More →
When human and equine athletes get separated for several weeks—such as during lockdown—physical and emotional strain can lead to anxiety, poor performance, and even reduced welfare, according to a new study. Elite three-day eventing riders isolated from their horses for eight weeks during Italy’s Covid-19 movement restrictions did not rideRead More →
Your horse probably recognizes your face and knows your voice—maybe even the sound of your car driving up to the stables. And while he or she may develop some level of attachment to you, it might not be the same kind of bond that grows between parents and children orRead More →
Depending on their connection with horse racing, different people have different views about what’s “natural.” And that, according to one researcher, is having a major impact on the future of the sport. While racing industry leaders might consider it “natural” for a horse to gape its mouth open under tightRead More →
There’s a sense of peace that comes with standing in a pasture of grazing horses. There’s something that feels incredibly safe about surrounding ourselves with dozens of animals each weighing 10 times our own weight and seeing that they have no intention of hurting us. There’s something compelling about theirRead More →
You know your horse best andthat’s why researchers need you to help advance horse welfare You read the articles about how scientists study horse behaviour, and you think, Why did they need to study that? I could have told them that. Or maybe it’s the opposite. Maybe the scientists foundRead More →
A fearful horse, in the wrong hands, is a dangerous horse. That’s why Danish researchers have set out to determine clues to identify the foals that are likely to become fearful adults. As a result, those horses could go to the right trainers with the skills necessary for dealing withRead More →
Whorl judging of horse temperament and personality may have found its scientific grounding. Ever notice that donkeys have very different temperaments compared to horses? Ever notice that donkeys have very different heads compared to horses? If you’re starting to think now that those differences could be linked, you might beRead More →
