The Mouth-Iron-Free Solution for Sudden Death in the Racehorse
In this final paper, the late Dr Robert Cook reviews decades of anatomical, physiological, and behavioural research showing how bits cause pain, breathing restriction, and performance loss in horses. He argues that allowing bit-free options across all disciplines would improve welfare, enhance safety, and restore public trust in equestrian sport.
Critique of the film Horses and the Science of Harmony
A critique of the Horses and the Science of Harmony film by Emeritus Professor Robert Cook, FRCVS, PhD. “Horses and the Science of Harmony” is, as stated in its introduction, a “Full length feature film, seen through the lens of cutting-edge science and groundbreaking...
A Bit-FREE, Pain-FREE Future for the FREE-Breathing Horse
Without food, a horse’s expectation of life is measured in weeks; without water, in days; without air, in seconds. The purpose of this article is to provide an illustrated sequel to a previous article "Horse Sports’ Option: Ban or be Banned” (Cook 2024). A series of...
The Evidence for Allowing a Bit-Free Option in Equestrian Sport
If equestrian sport remains in the grip of an Iron Age custom, and continues using the bit as the means of rider-horse communication, its social license to operate will be lost. It is time to relinquish the A.B.C. of Atrocity, Bit usage and Cruelty that stems from the...
Horse Sports’ Options: To ban, or be banned
Firstly, this article is about a basic need of the ridden and driven sport horse, the need to breathe. Secondly, it is about the role of veterinarians in drawing attention to this need to breathe. Thirdly, it is about the responsibility of horse sport administrators...
Equine Herpes Virus Outbreak: FEI World Cup Final Cancelled as Death Toll Rises
Equine herpesvirus outbreak spreads through Europe forcing cancellation of FEI World Cup Finals. An Equine Herpesvirus outbreak in the Spanish city of Valencia has locked down the equestrian sector and forced the cancellation of the FEI World Cup Finals. The first...
Horses Get Asthma Too!
We all know that asthma is a common respiratory disorder in people but, did you know that horses get asthma too? “Equine asthma” is a broad term that has recently been used to describe a spectrum of non-infectious respiratory diseases in horses, previously known...
Clearing the Air on the Bit-free Debate
Bit-free Despite overwhelming proof that horses can be ridden and driven bit-free, riders and drivers who enjoy competitive sports are widely prevented from making this choice for themselves and their horses because relatively few of the disciplines' equipment rules...
Tongue ties: Trying to see the whole picture
Tongue Ties. Whenever we want to get to the bottom of a question regarding equine performance, welfare, nutrition or disease, we must consider the science. Scientists make it their life’s work to drill down on their areas of interest in an effort to answer all the...
Diagnosing Mild Equine Asthma
Diagnosing Mild Equine Asthma. Veterinarians and engineers at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine have developed a tool help diagnose mild forms of horse asthma. Behind lameness, respiratory issues are the second-leading cause of poor performance in...
Respiratory Conditions in Horses
Respiratory Conditions - Many horses are expected to perform like elite athletes, where peak performance demands an optimally functioning respiratory system. In this article, Dr Deryck Tan from Valley Equine Veterinary Centre gives an overview of the anatomy of the...
Transport-related Pneumonia: Can we reduce the risk?
Transport-related Pneumonia. It is well-known transporting horses carries a significant risk - not just of injury, but also disease, such as colic and respiratory problems. Studies have shown transport is stressful, but does the level of stress experienced by the...
Upper Respiratory Disease and Equine Herpes Virus
Upper respiratory infections are a significant problem across all equine industries and within the racing industry, in particular. Studies have demonstrated considerable economic losses resulting from subclinical disease (when horses don’t look obviously sick, but are...
Exercise-induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (Bleeding)
History and presenting complaint Exercise-induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage: Poor athletic performance or expistaxis (bleeding from the nose) are the most common presenting complaints for horses with exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage or EIPH. Epistaxis (bleeding from...
Equine Herpes Virus
Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) causes horse owners and breeders a large amount of concern due to its potentially devastating effects. The virus is ever-present in the horse population worldwide and cases of Herpes virus infection are seen sporadically across Australia. It...
Choke
Choke: The material causing the blockage is normally foodstuff, but in isolated cases may consist of plastic, rocks, timber or other foreign materials. The blockage may be partial or complete. In most cases, choke is not an immediate emergency, but if the problem does...
Strangles
Strangles is a contagious disease of horses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi. Typical signs include fever, loss of appetite, soft cough, purulent nasal discharge and swollen lymph nodes of the face, which may often abscessate and burst. The swollen glands...
