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…

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…

Colic remains the number one killer of horses, other than old age, but horse owners can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of colic by understanding the many factors that contribute to this serious condition.  February is Colic Prevention Month at Equine Guelph and in just 10 minutes you can complete the FREE interactive…

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…

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…

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…

Roaring in horses is not just a loud, raspy noise made during exercise; it is an issue in the upper airway that restricts airflow and can limit performance in large breed horses such as Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and warmbloods. Ontario Veterinary College associate professor of Large Animal Surgery, Taralyn McCarrel, is seeking to develop a surgical…

The short answer is not enough is known about this all-too-common veterinary emergency.  There are no clearly defined criteria to categorize acute colitis.  “Colitis in horses is very complex and can be affected by several factors,” says Ontario Veterinary College researcher, Dr. Luis Arroyo.  There is a need to improve diagnostic protocol. Together with newly recruited…

Equine Guelph is excited to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website, aimed at providing an enhanced user experience and easier access to its world-renowned equine education programs and research news. This new platform will be an invaluable resource for horse enthusiasts, equine industry professionals, and students worldwide. A Legacy of Excellence in Equine…

If you are a Black Beauty fan, you will recall the scene where Beauty is being led from a burning barn and he’s scared.  James puts the blindfold on to instantly calm him down, and then he’s able to be rescued.  Written in 1877 by Anna Sewell, the novel was based on how horse handling…

Equine Guelph has posted its annual report for May 2023 – April 2024.  All the success stories for the past fiscal year are showcased from launching new courses to responding to our readers with the resources you asked for. Have a look to see what we accomplished and what we have on offer for our…

Horses, like humans, can suffer from joint diseases such as Osteoarthritis (OA) and Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), which can lead to pain and lameness. Currently, diagnosing these conditions early is challenging, and there’s no treatment that can reverse the damage. In a pathfinding study, Ontario Veterinary College researchers are investigating tiny molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs) present…