Conversations in Equine Science

In this episode of Conversations in Equine Science, Kate and Nancy explore a compelling research paper titled "Retirement Risk Factors, Exercise Management, and Muscle Mass in U.S. Senior Horses" by Elisa Herbst. Published in May 2023, this paper dives into the intricacies of managing the health and exercise of senior horses in the U.S., examining factors such as retirement risk, exercise routines, and muscle mass preservation. The hosts discuss key insights from an extensive survey involving over 2,700 respondents, highlighting the distinctions between equine professionals and hobby horse owners. They delve into the challenges faced by senior horses, such as sarcopenia and exercise management, drawing parallels with aging in humans while emphasizing the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition for maintaining muscle mass and overall health. The episode sheds light on the significance of continued care and management as horses age, underscoring the role of dynamic mobilization exercises and hoof health in prolonging the vitality and quality of life of senior equines. Listeners are encouraged to consult with equine veterinarians and professionals before implementing changes based on this research.

This episode Kate and Nancy discuss a scoping review of 46 research papers on the effects of horseshoe type on equine gait. Open Access Research Reference/Link: Aoun, R., Takawira, C., & Lopez, M. J. (2025). Horseshoe effects on equine gait-A systematic scoping review. Veterinary surgery : VS, 54(1), 31–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.14162

This week Kate and Nancy discuss rider back pain and it's association with 3 different stirrup lengths and 2 rider positions. Research Reference: Keener, Michaela M.1; Critchley, Meghan L.1; Layer, Jacob S.1; Johnson, Evan C.1; Barrett, Steven F.2; Dai, Boyi1. The Effect of Stirrup Length on Impact Attenuation and Its Association With Muscle Strength. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 35(11):p 3056-3062, November 2021. | DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003278 Link: https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/fulltext/2021/11000/the_effect_of_stirrup_length_on_impact_attenuation.12.aspx --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy and Kate discuss the new movie produced by Sue Dyson. Watch the movie at the link below. https://youtu.be/3ulkLHqHZ3g?si=Xla9VAal6ilL85sm --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

Nancy and Kate discuss a research paper on adjusting human craniosacral therapy to horses. Reference: Kanik, W.; Augustyn, J.; Tombarkiewicz, B. Adapting Craniosacral Therapy to Treat Horses. Acta Vet. Brno 2017, 86, 75–84. https://actavet.vfu.cz/media/pdf/actavet_2017086010075.pdf Article Link: https://www.equinecraniosacral.com/articles/hands-on-light-touch.pdf --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy discuss the habit loop of cue-routine-reward and the benefits that horses derive from its formation. Research Reference/Link: White, J.; Sims, R. Improving Equine Welfare through Human Habit Formation. Animals 2021, 11, 2156. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082156 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy and Kate discuss a just published research paper on the complex cognitive abilities of horses. Research Reference: Louise Evans, Heather Cameron-Whytock, Carrie Ijichi, Whoa, No-Go: Evidence consistent with model-based strategy use in horses during an inhibitory task, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 277, 106339, SSN 0168-1591, Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124001874?via%3Dihub Press Releases: https://phys.org/news/2024-08-horses-intelligent-previously-thought.html https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/aug/12/horses-can-plan-ahead-and-think-strategically-scientists-find --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy and Kate discuss this 2022 paper that demonstrates ponies are able to distinguish between facial expressions presented by a live human. Research Reference/Link: Merkies, Katrina, Yuliia Sudarenko, and Abigail J. Hodder. 2022. "Can Ponies (Equus Caballus) Distinguish Human Facial Expressions?" Animals 12, no. 18: 2331. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/18/2331 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

In this episode Kater and Nancy discuss a recently published paper correlating consistent high cortisol levels in horses with lower osteocalcinin levels. Research Reference/Link: Ayodele BA, Pagel CN, Mackie EJ, Armour F, Yamada S, Zahra P, et al. Differences in bone turnover markers and injury risks between local and international horses: A Victorian Spring Racing Carnival study. Equine Vet J. 2024.  https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14098 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy review past research on Equine bone management. Research Reference/Link: Nielsen, Brian D. 2023. "A Review of Three Decades of Research Dedicated to Making Equine Bones Stronger: Implications for Horses and Humans" Animals 13, no. 5: 789.  https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/5/789 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This episode we are joined by Nikki, a listener with a research request. Nikki owns a 2 year old filly that she wants to work with now, in lieu, of waiting until her 4th/5th year. Nancy and Kate found some evidence based research that hopefully will help Nikki in her training decisions. Research Reference/Link: Logan, Alyssa A., and Brian D. Nielsen. 2021. "Training Young Horses: The Science behind the Benefits" Animals 11, no. 2: 463. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/2/463 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy talks about Lis Hartel's equestrian challenges and accomplishments. Lis was the first woman to earn a medal in the Equestrian Olympics. Link to the schedule for the 2024 Equestrian Olympic events: https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/schedule/equestrian --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy discuss how important sleep is in equestrian performance and safety. References: Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, MD (2024). Sleep can give athletes an edge over competitors − but few recognize how fundamental sleep is to performance. The Conversation, University of Pittsburgh. Link: https://theconversation.com/sleep-can-give-athletes-an-edge-over-competitors-but-few-recognize-how-fundamental-sleep-is-to-performance-221403 Dr. David Marlin Stable Science Podcast Link: https://drdavidmarlin.com/podcast-dr-david-marlin-interviews-emma-davies-on-rider-sleeppodcast/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy and Kate respond to a listener's email about limiting rider injuries and accidents by staying physically fit through diet and exercise protocols. Research References: Best, Russ, Jane M. Williams, and Jeni Pearce. (2023). "The Physiological Requirements of and Nutritional Recommendations for Equestrian Riders" Nutrients 15, no. 23: 4977. Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234977 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy and Kate discuss the results of a 2024 study on the effectiveness of Kinesiology tape on horses to reduce pain. Research reference: Melissa R. King, Hope Pavsek, Katherine L. Ellis, Jodie Daglish (2024). Effects of elastic therapeutic tape on thoracolumbar epaxial muscle pain in horses, Journal of Equine Rehabilitation,, Volume 2, 100007, ISSN 2949-9054. Here is the link to "Effects of elastic therapeutic tape on thoracolumbar epaxial muscle pain in horses": https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949905424000021 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy continues with the story of Lexington and his stallion career, the effects of the civil war and how his skeleton made the journey back to his birthplace of Kentucky 160 years after his birth. Reference: Wickens, Kim (2023). Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America's Legendary Racehorse. Ballantine Books, New York, USA. (416 pages.) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy goes back in history to talk about the antebellum era of racing and the impact the horse Lexington had on the nation during the turbulent pre-civil war days. Research References/Links: Wickens, Kim (2023). Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America's Legendary Racehorse. Ballantine Books, New York, USA. (416 pages.) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

In this episode Nancy and Kate discuss a 2023 paper on equine genomics and behavior traits. Research reference/link: Holtby, A.R., Hall, T.J., McGivney, B.A., Han, H., Murphy, K.J., MacHugh, D.E. et al. (2023) Integrative genomics analysis highlights functionally relevant genes for equine behaviour. Animal Genetics, 54, 457–469. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/age.13320#:~:text=t%20p%20s%3A%20//d%20o%20i.or%20g%20/10.1111/a%20g%20e.1332%200 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

Today's episode is about the variability of the Equine Gut Biome. Christine Sanchez has been researching the importance of biome health in all horses. For more information contact Christine at chrisiesanchez@gmail.com or Dr. Tom Schell @ secondvet.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy revisit the Donkey Skin Trade (ejiao) crisis and the African Union Ban of February 2024. Research Reference/Link: Shan Su, Ewan A. Macdonald, Nico Arcilla, Maurice Beseng, Felipe Thomaz, David W. Macdonald (2023). Characterising the links between the trade in donkey skins for traditional Chinese medicine and timber of conservation concern, Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 46. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989423002330 Link to 2021 Donkey hide episode: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/dj6qsbfiIIb Link to The Brooke: https://www.thebrooke.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This episode Nancy and Kate interview Scott Cieslar owner of MadBarn. Madbarn is a nutrition, and supplement company that also fuels equine research. Listen in and check out the website @ https://madbarn.com/ (USA) or https://madbarn.ca/ (Canada). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy discuss using smartphone apps to help in the recognition of emotions and pain in horses. Research Reference/Link Corujo, Luis A., Emily Kieson, Timo Schloesser, and Peter A. Gloor. (2021). "Emotion Recognition in Horses with Convolutional Neural Networks" Future Internet 13, no. 10: 250. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi13100250 Equine Pain and Welfare App: Apple: https://apps.apple.com/il/app/epwa/id1428507532  Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epwa&hl=en_US Link to Training Program for EPWA: https://training.epwa.nl/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

Nancy and Kate talk about Dr. Manfredi's equine metabolic research at Michigan State University. Reference/Link to article: Manfredi, J. (2023). Horse health research will help humans stay healthy, too, with insights on reining in diabetes and obesity, The Conversation; Michigan State University. https://theconversation.com/horse-health-research-will-help-humans-stay-healthy-too-with-insights-on-reining-in-diabetes-and-obesity-205185 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy takes a look at the use of Bell Mares during the 1800s up to WWII. Research References: L. Proops et al (2012).Social relations in a mixed group of mules, ponies and donkeys reflect differences in equid type, Behavioral Processes. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376635712000654 Górecka-Bruzda A, Jastrzębska E, Drewka M, Nadolna Z, Becker K, Lansade L (2022) Female Horses are more socially dependent than geldings kept in riding clubs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 254:105714.  Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105714 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This episode Kate and Nancy discuss a listeners' recently published research. This research is a 2024 update to our past episodes on Equine Assisted Therapy. Research Reference: Seery, Rita, and Deborah Wells. 2024. "An Exploratory Study into the Backgrounds and Perspectives of Equine-Assisted Service Practitioners" Animals 14, no. 2: 347. Link: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020347 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy and Kate discuss a listeners' email request via a recently published paper on the effects of weather on pastured horses. Research Reference and Link (not open access-snippets available.): Keller, G.A.; Nielsen, B.D.; Vergara-Hernandez, F.B.; Robison, C.I. Tracking the Impact of Weather on Equine Activity While Pastured. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2022, 116, 104052. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080622001903 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

Kate and Nancy discuss using the EBPI to manage osteoarthritis in horses. References and Link: Howard DL, Lancaster B, de Grauw J. Development and Preliminary Validation of an Equine Brief Pain Inventory for Owner Assessment of Chronic Pain Due to Osteoarthritis in Horses. Animals. 2024; 14(2):181. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani1402018 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

Nancy and Kate discuss the horses role in 1872 and how an equine flu epidemic shut down the US economy, but also led to improved horse welfare. Research Reference/Link: Freeberg, Ernest (2020). How a flu virus shut down the US economy in 1872 – by infecting horses. The Conversation US, Boston, MA. December Issue. https://theconversation.com/how-a-flu-virus-shut-down-the-us-economy-in-1872-by-infecting-horses-150052 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

Nancy and Kate review their favorite episodes and then reveal the favorite episodes of the listeners. Welcome Everyone to 2024 - Season 5 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

Kate and Nancy discuss their recently published research paper on the preliminary results of their Conversations in Equine Science listener survey. Reference and Link: Acton, K., McLean, N. & MacKay, J.R.D. (2023) Preliminary evidence supporting the use of equine science podcasts to bridge the gap between scientists and horse enthusiasts to improve horse welfare. Equine Veterinary Education, 00, 1–11. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.13926 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy and Kate discuss how horses are once again helping humans navigate the new frontier of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Research Reference and Link: Eakta Jain and Christina Gardner-McCune. 2023. Horse as Teacher: How human-horse interaction informs human-robot interaction. In Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '23). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 536, pp. 1–13. https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3544548.3581245 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy discusses two peer reviewed papers on how to assess arena surface safety and usefulness. Research References and Links: Holt, D., Northrop, A., Martin, J., Daggett, A. and Hobbs, S. (2014), What do Riders Want from an Arena Surface?. Equine Vet J, 46: 41-42.  https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12267_126 Northrop, A., Martin, J., Blundell, E., Owen, A. and Hobbs, S. (2014), Development of the Equestrian Arena Surfaces for the 2012 Olympic Games. Equine Vet J, 46: 45-46.  https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12267_137 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy gives a summary of her results with replicating the hind-end massage study using her own horses. Research Reference/Link: Mabbutt, C., Yarnell, K., and Ferro de Godoy, R. (2022). Comparative Exercise Physiology Vol. 18 (5), pp. 419-426 https://www.wageningenacademic.com/doi/epdf/10.3920/CEP220022?role=tab --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy discuss the recently published paper questioning the protests and disagreements that occurred at this years (2023) Grand National at Aintree. Research Reference and Link (Open Access): Pearson, G.; Douglas, J.; Wolframm, I.; Furtado, T. Used like Pawns or Treated like Kings? How Narratives around Racehorse Welfare in the 2023 Grand National May Affect Public Acceptance: An Informed Commentary. Animals 2023, 13, 3137. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13193137 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy discusses a research paper comparing pressures/forces in bareback riding with riding in a well fitted conventional saddle. Research Reference with Link: H.M. Clayton et al.(2013). Forces and pressures on the horse's back during bareback riding. The Veterinary Journal. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy and Kate discuss a paper that investigated a herd of 18 mares that were housed on a pasture since 1979 without a deworming program. Nancy also relates the lecture information from a seminar she attended about deworming horses to combat parasite resistance. Reference and Link to Research Paper: Steuer, A.E., Anderson, H.P., Shepherd, T. et al. (2022). Parasite dynamics in untreated horses through one calendar year. Parasites Vectors 15, 50. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05168-z Link to a Veterinary article describing the newest thoughts on deworming programs for adult horses: Deworming Programs- One Size Does Not Fit All. https://www.steinbeckpeninsulaequine.com/post/deworming-programs-one-size-does-not-fit-all --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This episode Kate and Nancy discuss a paper revealing updated research on the requirements of horses using the 5 domains model. This is a foundational start to assessing welfare. Research Reference: Harvey, A.M.; Ramp, D.; Mellor, D.J. Review of the Foundational Knowledge Required for Assessing Horse Welfare. Animals 2022, 12, 3385.  https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/23/3385 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy and Kate discuss welfare issues in equestrian sports and leisure riding. Research Reference/Link: Furtado, T.; Preshaw, L.; Hockenhull, J.; Wathan, J.; Douglas, J.; Horseman, S.; Smith, R.; Pollard, D.; Pinchbeck, G.; Rogers, J.; et al. How Happy Are Equine Athletes? Stakeholder Perceptions of Equine Welfare Issues Associated with Equestrian Sport. Animals 2021, 11, 3228. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3228#app1-animals-11-03228 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy discuss lightening strikes in animals and how to lessen the odds of having a horse struck by lightning. Research Reference: Gomes, C., (2012). Lightning safety of animals. International Journal of Biometeorology (56), pp. 1011–1023. Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-011-0515-5 Additional Information: https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy and Kate discuss the Equine Personality Test (EPT) and it's reliability scores. Research Reference: A. Jolivald, K. Yarnell, C. Hall, C. Ijichi (2022). Do you see what I see? Investigating the validity of an equine personality questionnaire. Applied Animal Behaviour Science., 248, Article 105567 Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159122000259 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a hindlimb massage routine that improved hindlimb gait flexibility and symmetry in a peer reviewed research study. Research Reference: Mabbutt, C., Yarnell, K., and Ferro de Godoy, R. (2022). Comparative Exercise Physiology Vol. 18 (5), pp. 419-426 Link: https://www.wageningenacademic.com/doi/epdf/10.3920/CEP220022?role=tab --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Nancy and Kate discuss an equine exercise program using Gymnastic Training coupled with Dynamic Mobilization Exercises to improve stride quality and strength. Epaxial muscles also were targeted for increased muscle strength and size. K. de Oliveira et al., (2015). Gymnastic training and dynamic mobilization exercises improve stride quality and increase epaxial muscle size in therapy horses⁠. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, Vol 35, pp. 883-893. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080615005067?via%3Dihub#preview-section-cited-by --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This episode Kate and Nancy discuss goniometry in horses and humans. They also have additional content from an orthopedic professional (for humans) talking about the practice of using goniometers. Research Reference: Liljebrink , Y. and Bergh , A. ( 2010 ). Goniometry: is it a reliable tool to monitor passive joint range of motion in horses? Equine Veterinary Journal 42 ( Suppl. 38 ): pp. 676 – 682 . https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00254.x App Store GoniMeter Plus (free) Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goniometer-plus/id1081939665 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

Nancy and Kate discuss static and dynamic stretching and how implementing a stretching program, in your routine, can help your horse's performance and also prevent injuries. Research Reference: A. Frick, (2010). Stretching Exercises for Horses: Are They Effective? Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, Volume 30 (1), pp. 50-59. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080609007072 Contact Information for Dr. Frick: e-mail: drfrick@lifeextendmethod.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a paper that evaluates the effects of chiropractic therapy on sport horses. Evaluations are done via static bioimpedence and dynamic acoustic myography. Research Reference: Acutt, E.V.; le Jeune, S.S.; Pypendop, B.H. Evaluation of the effects of chiropractic on static and dynamic muscle variables in sport horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2019, 73, 84–90. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080618304015 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a paper that proposes owners and riders can measure and categorize bit lesions to assist them in the management of bitted horses. These measurements can also assist in research across the board by offering measurable comparisons. Research Reference (Open Access): Tuomola K, Mäki-Kihniä N, Kujala-Wirth M, Mykkänen A and Valros A (2019) Oral Lesions in the Bit Area in Finnish Trotters After a Race: Lesion Evaluation, Scoring, and Occurrence. Front. Vet. Sci. 6:206. Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00206/full --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This episode Nancy and Kate discuss 2 papers; the first is a paper that gives an update on the current understanding of Equine Asthma and also gives the future direction of research goals for this devastating disease. The 2nd paper tracks a molecule, IL-8, which has been found to signal equine allergic immune responses. This may be a component as to how horses and humans develop allergic responses. Both papers are referenced below. Couetil, L., Cardwell, J. M., Leguillette, R., Mazan, M., Richard, E., Bienzle, D., Bullone, M., Gerber, V., Ivester, K., Lavoie, J. P., Martin, J., Moran, G., Niedźwiedź, A., Pusterla, N., & Swiderski, C. (2020). Equine Asthma: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Frontiers in veterinary science, 7, 450. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00450 Elisabeth M. Larson, Susanna Babasyan, Bettina Wagner; IgE-Binding Monocytes Have an Enhanced Ability to Produce IL-8 (CXCL8) in Animals with Naturally Occurring Allergy. J Immunol 15 May 2021; 206 (10): 2312–2321.  https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.2001354 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy discuss the equine vertebral column and how this research discovered breed differences in the anatomy of the vertebral column. Research Reference: Spoormakers, T.J.P., Veraa, S., Graat, E.A.M., van Weeren, P.R. and Brommer, H. (2021), A comparative study of breed differences in the anatomical configuration of the equine vertebral column. J Anat, 239: 829-838.  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joa.13456 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This episode Nancy and Kate discuss medical students gaining insight and empathy skills by working with horses. These medical students were also able to lessen their own stress levels by being around horses and learning about them. Research Reference and Link (Open Access): Chakales P A, Locklear J, Wharton T (2020). Medicine and Horsemanship: The Effects of Equine-assisted Activities and Therapies on Stress and Depression in Medical Students. Cureus 12(2): e6896. https://www.cureus.com/articles/23219-medicine-and-horsemanship-the-effects-of-equine-assisted-activities-and-therapies-on-stress-and-depression-in-medical-students#!/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support

This week Kate and Nancy discuss a paper detailing the negative effects that adiposity fat can have on the health and welfare of our horses. Research reference/link (open access): Pratt-Phillips, Shannon, and Ahmad Munjizun, (2023). "Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses" Animals 13, no. 4 https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040666 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nancy-mclean/support