Research

horse with nose blood

Evolving Understanding in Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage

EIPH: More Than a Nosebleed Exercise‑induced pulmonary hemorrhage, EIPH or “bleeding”, has been recognized for centuries. The true cause of this disease was misunderstood until modern diagnostic tools revealed that bleeding actually comes from the lungs, not the nose. For much of its history, the condition was understood as the rare and dramatic episodes of…

Horse eating hay

What the Hay?

Chewing on Hay Research: Preparation, Delivery, and Horse Health Hay may look like the simplest part of a horse’s diet, but as University of Guelph professor Dr. Anna Kate Shoveller explains, it’s the foundation of equine health and far more complex than it appears. Horses are designed to graze for 14–18 hours a day, relying…

Horse drinking from stagnant pond

Understanding Potomac Horse Fever

What Every Horse Owner Should Know As summer arrives, veterinarians and horse owners across Canada grow increasingly concerned about Potomac Horse Fever (PHF). Once rare, the disease is appearing more often in regions north of the U.S.  Potomac is now considered endemic in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. What Is Potomac…

Anatomy of Horse illustration by Ruth Benns

Equine Guelph 2026 Research Annual

Equine Guelph 2026 Research Annual – Volume 23 Equine Guelph’s 23rd Research Annual recaps impactful research from 2025, showcasing studies that advance equine health and welfare. Our feature article explores nephrosplenic entrapment and evidence supporting preventative surgical techniques for horses at risk of recurrence. Included in this feature is a video interview with Dr. Nicola…

Diagram of horse organs by Ruth Benns

Study Supports Preventive Surgery to Reduce Recurring Entrapment Colic

Horse owners worry over recurring colic is justified When a horse suffers nephrosplenic entrapment, a specific type of displacement colic, the risk of it happening again can be elevated. For high-performance horses, that means more than pain and emergency bills; it can disrupt training schedules and competition plans. A preventative surgery called laparoscopic closure of…

Obese horse

The Overweight Horse – A New Year’s Resolution

Preventing Obesity Equine Guelph has made a New Year’s Resolution to empower horse owners to learn more about their horse’s nutrition and needs. January, dubbed by Equine Guelph as Nutrition Education Month, will be dedicated to learning more about the overweight horse – increasing awareness of what caregivers can do to prevent their horses from…

Obese equine

Survey Reveals Emotional and Practical Challenges in Managing Horse Weight

Research collected by University of Guelph post doctoral scholar Megan Ross as part of her recent PhD work from the Atlantic Veterinary College and in collaboration with Dr. Katrina Merkies shines a light on the complex decisions horse owners face when managing equine weight.  Previous research shows that nearly 29% of Canadian horses are overweight…

Caleigh Copelin with Polly

Lesson Horses in Canada: A Closer Look at Care, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

Lesson horses are the heart of equestrian education in Canada. They teach beginners how to ride, help build confidence, and often serve as the first connection between people and horses. For many riders, these horses are the gateway to a lifelong passion—and for researcher Caleigh Copelin, they were the reason she entered the field of…

a horse under anesthesia

Rate of Penicillin Administration Affects Arterial Blood Pressure

Veterinarians often give penicillin to horses during surgery to prevent infection, but the speed of injection may influence how the horse’s cardiovascular system reacts. In a study of 29 horses under general anesthesia, researchers compared two methods of giving penicillin: a fast injection over one minute and a slower one over ten minutes. Both methods caused…

Horse eating from a rubber feed tub

Can Whole Food Nutrition Combat Leaky Gut in Horses?

New University of Guelph study explores the gut-health potential of activated hemp seed powder Could a simple, nutrient-rich feed ingredient hold the key to managing one of the most elusive conditions in equine health?  A new research initiative at the University of Guelph aims to shed light on a little-understood and potentially widespread condition in…

Equine Guelph Annual Report

2024/25 Year in Review From international student engagement to groundbreaking research and career-building programs, it’s been a year of impact and innovation! Check out our Annual Report infographic for a snapshot of the highlights—including awards, 36 research projects supported, triple last year’s video views, and over 700 students taking our award-winning online courses around the globe. Explore…

Dr. Melissa McKee, Instructor, Racehorse Injury/Lameness Prevention & Care course

What Diagnostics are Available for Common and Complex Equine Lameness?

Dr. Taralyn McCarrel’s journey into equine lameness began with her early experiences riding and working at a hunter barn. Recognizing the critical importance of soundness for both horses and riders, she developed a keen eye and ear for detecting lameness issues. Her passion for veterinary medicine led her to graduate from the Ontario Veterinary College…