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 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

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