Are you passionate about horses and horse-related activities? Then don't miss this interesting interview with our researcher and expert on horse behaviour, Janne Winther Christensen done by Ampascachi Horse Riding Holidays.

Curiosity and learning ability go hand in hand. We know this from humans and non-human primates, but for the first time it has now also been scientifically demonstrated in horses in a new study conducted at Aarhus University.

From May 15th 2021 Gavin L. Simpson has been employed as assistant professor in applied biometrics at the Department of Animal Science, section of Health, Aarhus University in a four year position.

As of 1 March 2021, Margit Bak Jensen has been appointed professor in behavioural needs and stress biology at Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University. The department is already acknowledged internationally for its research in animal welfare, and with this professorship the department strengthens its position even further in this field of research.

A new study at Aarhus University shows that it is possible to identify fearful horses at a very early age by means of an objective fear test. This gives a better opportunity of ensuring that especially sensitive horses are placed in capable hands from the beginning. And this is good news both for the rider’s safety and the horse’s welfare.

It seems like the rider’s weight does not affect the horse’s welfare as much previously expected. Neither the horse’s stress hormone level, heart rate nor behaviour was affected during moderate work when the rider gained 25% weight in a project conducted by Aarhus University. However, the horses showed signs of discomfort and stress if the rider’s balance was poor.

Yes, it looks like it. Researchers at Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, have studied what it means to young horses to be exposed to a frightening situation when one of the horses in the group is already habituated to the situation – and the results seem promising.

Horses benefit from grazing – both in terms of their physical and psychological well-being. However, insects and summer heat can affect and may be a threat to the horses’ welfare. A new project at AU Foulum investigates the occurrence of insects and the importance of shade.

The PhD course provides a solid background of the theory and research in stress biology via lecture by leading researchers within the field.

Rikke Munk researched how being in a stressful competition environment influences the salivary cortisol concentration in young competition horses. The new research findings contribute to the understanding of the influence of a competition environment on salivary cortisol concentration in young sport horses.