Training and Care: How to Improve Our Horses’ Welfare

Training and Care: How to Improve Our Horses’ Welfare

Author: The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care January 13, 2020 Duration: 1:00:37

Sometimes we as horse people get stuck in our traditions and habits or are influenced by mythology and marketing. But is there a better way? Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Dr. Camie Heleski of the University of Kentucky. You’ll learn about how equine welfare plays an important part in training and managing horses, how  equine welfare is measured, improvements we can make to our horses’ housing and lifestyles in order to improve their wellbeing, and much more.

Dr. Camie Heleski is an instructor and adviser in the University of Kentucky equine science and management program. Previously, she worked at Michigan State University, where she was the two-year horse management program coordinator for 25 years. Her applied research interests include equine behavior and welfare, horse-human interactions, and working equids in the world’s developing regions. She’s currently president of the International Society for Equitation Science and has served as scientific chair for the National Farm Animal Care Council’s Canadian equine welfare code committee. Her equine research and outreach efforts have taken her to Brazil, Mexico, Honduras, Egypt, and Mali. She enjoys dressage with her Arabian gelding, MSU Ducati.


Ever find yourself puzzling over a subtle change in your horse's behavior or wishing you had a clearer understanding of that latest veterinary study? Ask The Horse brings those conversations directly to you, transforming complex equine health topics into accessible, actionable knowledge. Each episode features recorded live sessions where seasoned horse owners pose their real-world questions to a rotating panel of top veterinarians and specialists. You'll hear discussions that range from everyday hoof care and nutrition management to explanations of emerging therapies and diagnostic techniques. The format captures the spontaneous, insightful dialogue that happens when curious minds meet expert experience, all without the filter of a script. This podcast, presented by The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care, serves as a trusted resource for anyone invested in the wellbeing of their horse, whether you're a weekend trail rider or a competitive professional. It’s like having a front-row seat to a continuous learning community, where the shared goal is simply better care. Tune in to gain a deeper confidence in your decisions and to hear the nuanced, practical advice that can make a tangible difference in your daily routine with horses.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Ask The Horse
Podcast Episodes
Managing Asthma in Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:45
Managing horses with asthma starts with controlling the horse’s exposure to airborne irritants, particularly dust and mold from hay and bedding. Modifying turnout schedules, improving barn ventilation, and adjusting feed…
The Horse Quick Takes - Signs of Hindgut Problems in Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:27
This is a special Ask TheHorse Live bonus episode, revisiting our conversation with Dr. Frank Andrews on the topic of equine hindgut health.Horses commonly experience digestive problems, which can present in a variety of…
Managing Senior Horse Expenses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:27
As horses age, their health care needs and associated costs often increase, making proactive management especially important. Having your veterinarian perform regular examinations, dental evaluations, and monitoring for…
Solving Common Equine Skin Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:31
Equine skin problems can stem from a wide range of causes, including parasites, bacterial or fungal infections, allergies, and prolonged exposure to moisture or irritants. Successfully managing horses with skin problems…
What You Need to Know About Gastric Ulcers in Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:45
Gastric ulcers are common in both performance and pleasure horses, but the clinical signs can be easily overlooked. Affected horses might show poor performance, changes in attitude, decreased appetite, or unexplained wei…
Equine Colic 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:10
Equine colic refers to abdominal pain rather than a single disease and can arise from many causes, ranging from gas buildup to intestinal impaction. Horses with colic might show subtle signs such as reduced appetite or l…
Keeping Horses Sound as They Age [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:15
As horses age, managing their soundness using a multimodal approach becomes increasingly important. Experts emphasize proactive joint care, appropriate exercise, and routine veterinary evaluations. Regular, low-impact wo…
Managing Horses With Metabolic Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:13
Managing a horse diagnosed with metabolic problems means understanding how conditions such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and insulin dysregulation increase the risk of serious complications, including laminitis. Hor…
Choosing the Right Supplement for Your Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:13
Horse owners often feed supplements to address gaps in their horses' diet that forage and concentrates might not meet, such as supporting joint comfort, hoof quality, or muscle recovery. Researchers suggest that suppleme…
Performance Horse Lameness Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:46
Lameness is the most common cause of poor performance in equine athletes, and researchers have shown that many behavioral issues under saddle are caused by physical pain. Proactive treatment strategies can help extend yo…