Animal Science

This comprehensive and clearly evidenced textbook covers how food is digested and nutrients are used in growing, working and breeding horses. It also explains the scientific basis for calculating nutrient and dietary requirements in an understandable manner, and shows you how to do these calculations. Special attention is also given to grassland and pasture, and to housing and diet-related diseases.

Describes the structure and function of the various body systems of the horse Explains the scientific rationale behind modern equine training practices Features new chapters on exercise physiology and the evolution of the horse Reflects the latest scientific advances and changes in the student curriculum Includes new information on circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, the immune system, and hindgut microbiology.

This essential textbook describes the basic genetics of the horse including coat colour, parentage, medical and population genetics, cytogenetics, performance, breeding systems and genetic conservation, and new advances such as micro-satellite testing. The authors have updated Dr. Ann T. Bowling's seminal work in light of the sequencing of the complete horse genome, and in addition to the basic genetic principles and their specific applications to the horse, new and revised topics include the development of genomics, gene expression, the relationship of the genome to physiological function, blood groups, transfusion medicine and haemolytic disease of newborn foals. It also includes a greater description of the diversity of breeds of horse in the world, and equid evolution. It is an essential book for students of equine studies, animal breeding and veterinary science, as well horse breeders and owners.

Provides the basic principles of pasture management for those involved in equine-related fields and study. It covers a variety of strategies for managing the behavior, grouping, environmental, and feeding needs of grazing horses to ensure high levels of welfare and health. It also includes information on environmental best practices, plant and soil assessment, and wildlife concerns and explains pasture-related diseases and toxic plants to be avoided.

This book presents topical research in the study of horses, including recent advances in equine herpes virus 4 genetics using BAC technology; selective breeding in horses; the sexual interference behaviour in a managed herd of Sorraia horses; the management of wild horses with porcine zona pellucida; pathogen inactivation during horse manure composting; horse and human personalities; as well as horse identification and parentage control.

There are several questions requiring attention for rearing horses. By providing appropriate care during early ages, important injuries such as lameness or musculoskeletal damage can be avoided, which becomes of capital importance especially among competition horses. In recent years, there has been an increasing body of evidence that the early rearing environment, in particular access to exercise, can have a positive effect on stimulating the musculoskeletal system and priming the tissue for the future demands it will face in the competition arena. Due to different reasons, such as their participation in competitions or exhibition, sales or pleasure, horses are transported from one location to another. Transportation could be a physical and psychological stressor for horses, contributing to the development of some diseases, thus the effects of transportation on performance and welfare should be appropriately taken into account.

Explains in accessible terms what equine dental care involves, why good dental care is important for the horse and how oral conditions can affect not only the way the horse eats but also its health, behaviour and movement. Topics covered include: Dental anatomy; Bits and bitting; Rasping; Pathologies and how to treat them; Nerve blocks and techniques for tooth extraction; Procedures such as filling horses' teeth.

Includes current information on normal horse behavior and problem behaviors, particularly those associated with medical conditions, changes in the nervous system, and the use of drug therapy. Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of the differences of the sensory systems and the concepts of learning that are helpful for successful treatments and safety. With the use of psychopharmacology becoming increasingly common by veterinarians, including for abnormal behaviors, is important to understand the rationale for the use of these medications.

A comprehensive overview of equine behavior and an outline of current advances in our understanding, as well as offering insights into contemporary and future challenges for improving horse welfare and safety. Completely updated and revised, a new, international, expert editorial team builds on Andrew Fraser's decades of work as an ethologist, veterinarian, historian, horseman, breeder, trainer, conservationist, and field scientist, sharing essential knowledge to improve horse behavior and welfare. A range of international experts and key opinion leaders have updated this edition to include the effects of noise on the horse's welfare; husbandry; and grazing management, including the identification of harmful plants and issues of climate change. New illustrations and examples bring the book to life and further help to explain equine behavior in a whole range of different situations, including road transport and horse safety during transport. The text covers key issues concerning equipment and the horse's mouth. It gives new insights into genetics, temperament and horse vocalizations and what these indicate. Welfare assessment models are outlined and the challenges presented in different equestrian sports debated. Difficult topics such as euthanasia are covered also.

This practical book helps you interpret and connect the physical signals that horses display in response to their environment. These signals are evident in the everyday actions, gestures and attitudes that horses communicate to each other, but are often so subtle that they can go unnoticed by humans. After reading this book, you will be more astute in spotting calming signals, displacement activities, stress signals and distance-increasing signals, and better able to see which stimuli your horse can handle and which he cannot.

Michel-Antoine Leblanc presents an encyclopedic synthesis of scientific knowledge about equine behavior and cognition. The Mind of the Horse provides experts and enthusiasts alike with an up-to-date understanding of how horses perceive, think about, and adapt to their physical and social worlds. Much of what we know--or think we know--about "the intelligence of the horse" derives from fragmentary reports and anecdotal evidence. Putting this accumulated wisdom to the test, Leblanc introduces readers to rigorous experimental investigations into how horses make sense of their world under varying conditions. He describes the anatomical and neurophysiological characteristics of the horse's brain, and offers an evolutionary perspective by comparing these features with those of other species. Leblanc also considers the opinions of renowned riding masters, as well as controversies surrounding the extraordinary powers of the horse's mind that have stirred in equestrian and scientific circles.

Human-horse relationships take the central place in this edited collection examining the horse's perspective by asking: How are human-equine relationships communicated, enacted, understood, encouraged, and restricted? The contributors apply varied disciplinary methods as they emphasize comprehending horses not solely in terms of their functional uses, but also as impactful participants in relationships, whether more--or less--equally. By exploring the "who" of horses, The Relational Horseoffers a better understanding of horses' lived experiences and interests within the worlds they share with humans, and a way forward for human-equine studies that more equitably represents the horse in those shared worlds.

The first book devoted specifically to equine laminitis. Discusses the current state of knowledge on all aspects of the disease, including its history, relevant anatomical considerations, pathophysiology, the diagnostic workup, and clinical treatment. Presents 50 chapters written by leading international experts, under the editorship of the foremost authority on equine laminitis. Offers a thorough understanding of this common affliction, grounded in the scientific literature. Describes effective prevention and treatment plans.

Fully updated third edition of the most comprehensive and current clinical resource for the diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmic disease in horses. Complete, authoritative information on the diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmic disease in horses. New chapters on advanced diagnostics, foal ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, national and international regulations, and an expanded chapter on inherited ocular disease Comprehensive coverage of clinical and reference information ideal for specialists, general equine practitioners, and veterinary students alike.

The authoritative resource for both theoretical and practical information on the care of wounds in horses. It is the most comprehensive resource on managing equine wounds, is organized by body region, and has over 750 color photographs. Summaries at the beginning of each chapter and highlighted key information aid readers to rapidly find relevant information.

A detailed step-by-step guide to clinical skills in equine practice. With information on techniques ranging from physical examination and blood sampling to lameness and neurologic exams and other specialized procedures, the book is an aid to confidently and effectively performing procedures used in daily equine practice. Each topic includes a summary of the purpose, potential complications, equipment and proper restraint for each procedure, with a detailed description of each action for the technique and the rationale behind it.

A concise, easy-to-comprehend text for equine veterinarians with questions about commonly encountered nutritional problems. Focuses on nutritional problems and impact on different body systems. Offers complete coverage of common diseases and problems helped by nutrition.

Veterinarians serve on the front lines working to prevent animal suffering and abuse. For centuries, their compassion and expertise have improved the quality of life and death for animals in their care. However, modern interest in animal rights has led more and more people to ask questions about the ethical considerations that lie behind common veterinary practices. This Common Threads volume, drawn from articles originally published in the Journal of Animal Ethics (JAE), offers veterinarians and other interested readers a primer on key issues in the field. Essays in the first section discuss aspects of veterinary oaths, how advances in animal cognition science factor into current ethical debates, and the rise of complementary and alternative veterinary medicine and its relationship to traditional veterinary medicine. The second section continues with an essay that addresses why veterinarians have an obligation to educate animal caregivers to look past "cuteness" in order to treat all animals with dignity. The collection closes with three short sections focusing on animals in farming, trade, and research "areas where veterinarians encounter conflicts between their job and their duty to advocate and care for animals.

As the world's population continues to increase, a major challenge for society is the maintenance of a strong and viable food system, which is linked to the well-being and comfort of food animals. Animal Welfare in Animal Agriculture: Husbandry, Stewardship, and Sustainability in Animal Production explores the pressing issue of farm animal welfare in animal production systems in the United States and globally. A framework for open discussion on animal welfare, this multidisciplinary book brings together the perspectives of 40 highly qualified and recognized experts in their respective fields. Written primarily for students, but also highly relevant for professionals in varying fields of academia and industry, this timely book reveals important insights into animal welfare and animal agriculture.

A rational exploration of the ethical and welfare issues in all areas of equine use. This book addresses controversial and emotive issues surrounding these iconic creatures, providing a reliable source of information to support informed debate. It will enable all those with an interest in horses and the uses they are put to gain an awareness of the problems and abuses that occur. The book draws on the expertise of a range of acknowledged leaders in equine health and welfare. The first part of the book explores general issues of the horse?s needs and nature. The second part contains chapters each covering a specific human use of horses and the abuses that arise as a result. This book is part of the UFAW/Wiley-Blackwell Animal Welfare Book Series. This major series of books produced in collaboration between UFAW (The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare), and Wiley-Blackwell provides an authoritative source of information on worldwide developments, current thinking and best practice in the field of animal welfare science and technology.

Describes the development of horse behavior, and the way in which the management of horses today affects their welfare. Horses for sport, companionship and work are considered and ways of improving their welfare by better training and management is described. The book assesses welfare, nutrition, and behavior problems with horses.