Well, since the season is winding down a little until the spring I thought I would start up my new Equine Science series. While studying my degree I get a lot of exposure to an incredible range of modules and therefore studies and journal articles on horses. I am currently taking Equine Nutrition for the Performance horse, Contemporary Issues of Equestrian sport, Applied Research Project, and Postgraduate Independent study. Last year I took Equine Exercise Physiology, Equine Nutrition, Advanced Equitation, New Venture Creation, Equine Diagnostics and Therapy, Equine Biomechanics, and Undergraduate Research process. In my first year I took Animal Nutrition, Equitation, Veterinary Science, Equine Industry, Equine Functional Anatomy, and Fundamental Skills for the Equine Scientist. I will do a series of blog posts and write ups about interesting equine topics, as well as current problems or issues that arise in the equine industry. These will include:

• Overblanketing horses
• Overconditioning/ overtraining horses
• Introduction to Equine Nutrition
• Soaking Hay, Steaming Hay and Rinsing Hay
• Supplements
• PSSM disorder/ tying up
• Colic
• Different Therapies for preventative maintenance as well as treatment
• Ulcers
• How to cool down a horse after cross country
• Warming up and cooling down after heavy workouts or conditioning
• Leg care after cross country schooling/ competition
• Icing
• Diagnostic tests: what are they and what they do?
• Fun facts about the anatomy of the horse
• Key muscles of the horse
• Rider injury
• Rider Psychology

The topics will not be limited to these, I will be writing about a variety of different topics and these are just a few examples. Please feel free to contact me or message me if there is a particular subject or topic area you are interested in hearing about! I hope you enjoy the series and my aim is to do at least a post a month!

Until Next time!

Sophie, Annabelle, Fintan, Feyre, Ainle and Diarmid.