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New Horse Science Articles for 2008 August

Using Tryptophan to Calm Horses Questioned

In their review of tryptophan research, Australian scientists find that it’s too early to conclude tryptophan is effective and safe for calming horses.

People-Friendly Horses Are Born That Way

Inborn temperament shapes how comfortable a horse is with being touched by people, recent research confirms.

At Times Horses Simply Can’t Remember

New understanding of what horses can remember offers insights for training horses.

Horses Inspired More With Tasty Rewards

Research by equine scientists in Japan has found that horses can get picky about their rewards.

Does Eye Contact Matter When Catching a Horse?

How horses respond to eye contact with someone who’s trying to catch them has piqued the curiosity of scientists.

Myler Bits Act Differently on Horses

A detailed comparison of how various bits sit in a horse’s mouth finds that Myler bits behave quite differently from other types of bits.

Young Horses Fair Better With a Friend

Horses undergo a lot of stress if they’re suddenly left alone in a stall, research confirms.

Dressage Riders Have Consistent Hands

Despite lots of upper body movement when they ride a sitting trot, skilled dressage riders maintain a surprisingly steady distance between their hands and their horse’s bit.

Matching Horse Feed to Energy Needs

Knowing how horses respond to different feeds might help in designing a horse’s diet to best meet their exercise needs.