Happy Father's Day!

It's not often that we see images like this - a tolerant stallion humouring his son Benny while he learns how to be a horse.

Justine Harrison | Equine Behaviourist21 June 2015Equine Management, Equine Socialisation, Equine Emotions, Stallion Welfare, Horse Welfare, Foals, Weaning

To rug or not to rug, that is the question...

It's that time of year again, many horse owners are watching the weather forecast to help decide which type of rug to put on their horse. But should we really rug them up at all?

Justine Harrison | Equine Behaviourist16 May 2015Equine Welfare, Equine Needs, Equine Behaviour, Rugs

Horses have thinner skin and may feel pain more than humans

For those who think horses don't feel pain as we do - you could be right. They may feel far more.

Justine Harrison | Equine Behaviourist23 March 2015Equine Welfare, Equine Pain, Catalyst, Equine Skin, Equine Science, Whipping Horses, Whip Debate

Why are some horses aggressive?

Equine scientists studying herds of wild horses rarely see any sign of aggressive behaviour. In fact, wild horses often go out of their way to avoid confrontation. So why do we see aggression in domestic horses?

Justine Harrison | Equine Behaviourist24 January 2015Equine Aggression, Biting, Horse-horse Aggression, Resource Guarding, Equine Stress, Equine Pain, Horse Behaviour Problems

Is your horse stressed?

Horse owners often think their equines have an easy life - but in fact, stress could be negatively impacting on their horse’s health and wellbeing far more than they realise.

Justine Harrison | Equine Behaviourist14 October 2014Equine Stress, Equine Behaviour, Equine Sleep, Equine Emotions, Equine Needs, Equine Welfare, Equine Physiology

How do horses feel about having their manes pulled?

A recent study by MSc student Louise Nicholls found that horses are unsurprisingly pretty stressed by the process. The results of her recent study are very interesting.

Justine Harrison | Equine Behaviourist23 September 2014Equine Welfare, Equine Management, Grooming, Equine Pain, Equine Science, Horse behaviour

A happy athlete or a welfare issue?

This performance scored 79.629% and took 4th place yesterday in the Grand Prix Special at the World Equestrian Games. Who is judging the judges?

Justine Harrison | Equine Behaviourist28 August 2014Equine Welfare, Dressage, Spurs, Equestrian Competition, Noseband Tightness