Welfare

Tendon injuries recur in more than half of horses managed conventionally. A new randomized controlled trial tested a two-step approach — PRP followed by autologous muscle-derived stem cells — and found meaningful clinical and ultrasonographic improvements in horses that hadn't responded to PRP alone.

A 2026 survey of 919 horses aged 20 and older found significant age-related differences in feeding, grooming, and activity — with older horses receiving less frequent grooming, less long-fiber roughage, and fewer supplements. Most remained socially active. Here's what the data shows and what it means for how you care for your aging horse.

New research from 238 dressage horse-rider pairs found that stress behaviors increased as test difficulty rose — with mouth opening becoming the most common sign at higher levels. Critically, judges' scores did not reliably reflect how much stress a horse showed. Here's what it means for riders, trainers, and anyone thinking about tack choices.

A 2026 commentary by eight researchers argues that a proposed change to where noseband tightness is measured — from the bridge of the nose to the side of the cheek — could systematically underestimate how tight a noseband actually is. Here's what the science says and what it means for riders and horses.

An estimated 120 million equids live on earth, and 87% are working animals in low- and middle-income countries. A new scoping review of 84 studies documents what they contribute to the families who depend on them — and what kinds of welfare interventions actually change outcomes.

A new study followed 13 Quarter Horse weanlings through three months of foundational training, measuring stress hormones, oxytocin, and temperament at every stage. The result that stands out: the skill level of the handler showed up directly in the horses' biology — in cortisol levels, fearfulness scores, and confidence gains.

A 2025 study found that horses do react to human emotional voices — distinguishing between anger, fear, sadness, and happiness. But how strongly they respond depends on their welfare state and history with humans. Horses in poorer conditions showed stronger alarm responses. Here's what the research means for how you speak to, handle, and care for your horse.

This 2025 study compared rein tension and bit pressure in horses  to known human pressure pain thresholds . The key finding: most commonly reported rein pressures in equestrian sport exceed the level at which humans would perceive pain , and higher ranges could reach levels associated with severe pain or even tissue damage. Only the lowest rein tensions would likely be pain-free if applied to a human face or hand. Bit pressure and rein tension are increasingly discussed in

A 2025 proof-of-concept study demonstrated that full-body movement analysis of horses is possible using video cameras alone — no sensors, no markers required. The system calculated joint angles across walk, trot, and canter within 10 degrees of traditional methods for most joints. Here's what this technology could mean for the future of lameness detection and everyday horse welfare.

Can you accurately read your horse's emotions through their body language? A 2025 study from Oklahoma State University suggests most owners — including experienced ones — struggle more than they realize. Researchers found that a structured online course significantly improved horse owners' confidence in recognizing equine emotional states and their stated intention to change how they interact with and manage their horses. Understanding what your horse is feeling begins with

Ask ten horse owners whether their horse has good welfare and you will get ten different answers. A qualitative study from the University of Liverpool explores why — and what it means for the way we communicate about equine wellbeing.