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
Understanding Equine Insulin Resistance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:04
Horses with insulin issues need to be managed carefully to live good-quality lives. Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Dianne McFarlane, of the University of Florida, and Dr. Vern Dryden, of Bur Oak Ve…
Feeding Senior Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:01
Good nutrition and a balanced diet are important for all horses, but do senior horses have special requirements to consider? Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Shannon Pratt-Phillips, of North Carolina…
Managing Your Horse's Allergies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:43
Do you have an allergy-prone horse? Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Lara Tomich, of Dermatology for Animals. You'll learn about potential causes of allergic reactions, treatment and management optio…
Myths and Misconceptions About Equine Nutrition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:57
Does alfalfa make horses “hot”? Should they not eat before exercising? Many of our feeding practices are based on tradition, but what’s really best for our horses? Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews equi…
EPM: Help For Your Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:24
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is notoriously difficult for veterinarians to diagnose and equally tricky to treat. But there’s hope as researchers continue to investigate this neurologic disease. Join our host,…
Equine Gastric Issues and Digestive Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:52
An upset digestive system can lead to bigger problems, ranging from gastric ulcers to colitis to colic. Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Dr. Alicia Long of the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton C…
Treating Equine Lameness With Biologics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:56
Regenerative medicine is giving us new options for treating horses with joint disease and other injuries. Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Dr. Weston Warnock, of Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, and Dr.…
Laminitis: Prevention, Detection, and Treatment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:00
Laminitis is an extremely painful and often deadly hoof disease in horses with several causes. Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Dr. Vern Dryden, of Bur Oak Veterinary and Podiatry Services, and Dr. Nic…
Feeding Recreational Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:21
How do you feed recreational riding horses to meet their nutritional and digestive needs without causing weight gain? Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews equine nutritionists Abby Keegan, MS, PAS, of Carg…
Feeding Performance Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:04
Is your horse getting the nutrition he needs to reach his athletic potential? Are you looking to build his topline or increase his stamina? Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Dr. Marty Adams, of Cargill…