In a departure from the previous themes of injury, treatment and rehabilitation, Dr Gillian Tabor speaks to Marianne Davies about her research paper ‘Can’t jump, won’t jump. The conversation covers topics such as ecological dynamics, complexity theory, the constraints-led approach and solving movement puzzles and how this applies to horses. The names and definitions of the theory may not be familiar but the underlying understanding of a holistic view of an amazing biological system – the...

Tracy Bye interview - The pressures under bitless bridles Dr Gillian Tabor interviewed Tracy Bye, a lecturer in animal science at the Royal Agricultural Society. Tracy researched and co-authored a paper called Noseband and poll pressures underneath bitted and bitless bridles and the effects on equine locomotion. The paper is about pressures under bitted and bitless bridles. Tracy talks through the rationale for the study, how it was conducted and the conclusions drawn from their...

Emma Busk interview – independent bit & bridle fitter Dr Gillian Tabor interviews Animalweb’s newest expert – Emma Busk a highly-qualified, LANTRA-accredited independent bit & bridle fitter. Gillian learns about Emma and her work, they go on to discuss: Why is getting bridle and bit fitting important?What areas can an owner check?If an owner wants to get their horse’s bridle/bit fitted what are your recommendations for finding a suitably qualified person to do this?What happens...

Helen chats with Emma Dyer about Equine Careers. We interviewed Emma to learn why she is one of Animalweb's new experts and what she can help our members with. Emma has already written us an article on how to write a job advert – Read it on the website here – How to write a job posting that brings in awesome candidates by Emma Dyer.   ------------ To find out more about becoming a member >>> AskAnimalweb.com Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month...

Dr Gillian Tabor chats with Diane Howard, lead author of a research study developing a pain scoring system for owners to use for horses with osteoarthritis. The article and the scoring system – the Equine Brief Pain Inventory (EBPI) – is openly available for anyone to access and use. Diane and her team used a reliable methodology to design a questionnaire to help owners assess the posture, facial expression, movement and behaviour of their horse. The resulting tool is undergoing further...

Your horse has been diagnosed with kissing spines - what next?  Firstly, don't panic or ask advice from the internet, which will definitely add to the confusion! Gillian talks about why sharing X-rays on social media are unlikely to help and some things you need to consider before committing to the veterinary intervention. Working on pre-hab and planning post-intervention management and individual care are discussed, which are critical to a successful outcome. ------------ There is more...

Dr Gillian Tabor chats with Jo Paul, Chartered Physiotherapist and President of The Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP). RAMP is a voluntary register of professionals who have signed up to take responsibility for attaining and maintaining gold standards of practice in animal musculoskeletal treatment. Professionals trained in Chiropractic, Osteopathic and Physiotherapy techniques are regarded by RAMP as one occupation - i.e. animal musculoskeletal practitioners. The...

Dr Gillian Tabor reviews a recently published paper on the effects of using balance pads. In this paper, the research team measured the postural sway and multifidus cross-sectional area after standing a horse on pads for 5 minutes, 5 days a week for 4 weeks.   Cathcart, J., Ellis, K.L. and Moorman, V.J., 2024. Short term use of balance pads on postural sway and musculus multifidus cross sectional area in horses. Journal of Equine Rehabilitation,...

Horse walkers - are they the devil or a gift from the gods? Dr Gillian Tabor investigates Views on using horse walkers to exercise horses are very polarised. But what does the research say? Dr Gillian Tabor, an equine physiotherapist, talks through a pragmatic approach to their use.  Research papers discussed are: Freire, R., Buckley, P. and Cooper, J.J., 2009. Effects of different forms of exercise on post inhibitory rebound and unwanted behaviour in stabled horses. Equine Veterinary...

As 2024 begins Dr Gillian Tabor offers up some much-needed winter survival ideas and suggestions to support your horse if they are stabled for long periods. Gillian focuses on the BIG 3 F's - Friends, Forage and Freedom, as well as giving suggestions to help manage your horse's physical health. Please enjoy this podcast and Happy New Year! ------------ To find out more about becoming a member >>> https://drdavidmarlin.com/join-now/ Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8...

Dr David Marlin discusses his recently published paper on comparative exercise physiology. With colleagues Dr David Marlin looked at the use of thermal imaging to assess how hot horses are during training, warm-up, during and after competition. Marlin, D.J., Reynolds, H., Mukai, K., Neil, K., & Akerstrom, G. (2023). Estimating rectal temperature in exercising horses in a competition environment using infrared thermal imaging. Comparative Exercise Physiology (published online ahead of...

Recognising pain in the ridden horse – use of the ridden horse pain ethogram (RHpE) with Sue Palmer (interviewed by Dr Gillian Tabor)   “All too often, pain in ridden horses is labelled as ‘bad’ behaviour. The apparently ‘sound’ horse is ‘naughty’, ‘lazy’, ‘difficult’, ‘explosive’, ‘spooky’, ‘nappy’, and more. These labels are wrong. Pain impacts all aspects of a horse’s performance, including its partnership with the rider, and its potential to progress. It does not always create lameness....

Most people seem to be feeding hoof supplements and or applying treatments to their horse's feet. But what are they made up of and do they actually do anything? Dr David Marlin answers a few of your questions: Where does the hoof strength come from? What are the most commonly found ingredients in hoof supplements? What does the research show us and are there any studies that we can learn from? NOW check out these articles: We compare nine of the most common hoof supplements on the market...

Check out this interview with Dr Jo Hockenhull and Dr Lynda Birke as they embark on an exciting new study into Human-Horse Relationships. The new study has just gone live and is looking for participants! Why study this and what benefits could it bring to our own relationships with our horses? Have you ever wondered: Why you bond with some horses and not others?Why you feel comfortable with some horses quicker than others?What your horse may be feeling when they move to a new yard or are...

Briony Witherow is a registered equine nutritionist and lecturer at Writtle University College with a deep understanding through research and teaching experience in the role of horse toys and feeding apparatus and techniques. In this interview with Briony, we start to discuss the use of feeding techniques and toys to enrich the feeding routine of our horses. We discuss: What are horse toys and feeders – and why would we use them?Enrichment for horses – what do we meanThe forage buffetFeeding...

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient for horses, much like it is for humans and other animals. Vitamin E cannot be made and must be obtained from the diet. It plays a vital role in various bodily functions, including immune system support, muscle function, and the elimination of free radicals that can damage cells and tissue. Horses that have access to fresh, green pasture typically get an adequate amount of Vitamin E from their diet. However, those that are kept in stables/stalls or fed on a...

Helen from the Dr David Marlin team interviews Dr Heather Cameron-Whytock - Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Central Lancashire and researcher into THREE of eventings key horse safety studies. With colleagues, Heather has conducted three significant studies into Horse falls at events. Heather’s 2023 study on horse falls in British Eventing competition was the largest scientific study ever published, and her previous research with FEI data has led to...

Dr Gillian Tabor and Alex Jolly from SupaStuds talk studs! Answering the questions: When to stud?When not to stud?How many stud holes are recommended?How to manage the stud holes?...and how to choose studs? They also discussed problems with studding and how to avoid them. All your studding questions answered. You can also watch this as a video on the main part of the website here - ------------ To find out more about becoming a member >>> https://drdavidmarlin.com/join-now/ Not a...

In this podcast Dr Gillian Tabor talks about the Thoroughbred Census and speaks to Helena Flynn – Programme Director and Stephen Wensley – Project Lead for Welfare Data, both from the Horse Welfare Board. This is an independently-chaired group and includes representatives from British Horseracing Authority, racecourses and horsemen. In 2020, they published a five-year strategy, ‘A live well lived’, with focuses on aspects such as safety and wellbeing, as well as traceability for horses bred...

What is Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris)Are all sugar beet products created equal? What is sugar beet, where does it come from, and why do we feed it to our horses? Dr David Marlin takes a closer look, examining why we have 'traditionally' fed it to our horses. But what is sugar beet made up of, what levels of minerals are included in most sugar beet feeds, and what do we need to be aware of? Check our the website - we have an extensive article on sugar beet here >>>...

In these podcasts, Dr Gillian Tabor reviews her highlights from the International Canine and Equine Locomotion Conference (ICEL9) held in Utrecht in August 2023.  All the recognisable names from biomechanics research were there, which makes for a very exciting meeting to be at. If you have ever written an essay or a dissertation that refers to equine movement, you will have referenced at least one of these experts - Hilary Clayton, Rene van Weeren, Filipe Serra Braganza, Lars Roepstorff,...

In these podcasts, Dr Gillian Tabor reviews her highlights from the International Canine and Equine Locomotion Conference (ICEL9) held in Utrecht in August 2023.  All the recognisable names from biomechanics research were there, which makes for a very exciting meeting to be at. If you have ever written an essay or a dissertation that refers to equine movement, you will have referenced at least one of these experts - Hilary Clayton, Rene van Weeren, Filipe Serra Braganza, Lars Roepstorff,...

Dr Gillian Tabor reports on a study investigating the effects of a device to improve lymphatic flow in the legs on healthy horses, which has the potential for use in horses with injury or chronic progressive lymphoedema (CPL).   Koch, D.W., Schnabel, L.V., Reynolds, J. and Berry, C.R., 2023. Pneumatic compression therapy using the EQ Press accelerates lymphatic flow in healthy equine forelimbs as determined by lymphoscintigraphy. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 84(4). Head to the...

At this time of year, many people are starting to use studs if they are eventing, show jumping on grass or concerned about their horse slipping in grass arenas etc. It is an often contested subject with lots of opinions and anecdotes, but sadly very little research. In this podcast, Dr Gillian Tabor will review one research article about using screw-in studs. The Dr David Marlin Team are currently running a survey - Use of Screw-in Studs for Competition Horses – What do you think? In this...