Located in Park Orchards on the north-eastern edge of the Melbourne metropolitan area, the owners of Helmast Park were looking to transform their recreational horse property into a dedicated agistment business.

We came across this research on equid shelter behaviour and were very intrigued by the apparent difference between horses and donkeys when it comes to their shelter usage.

This equine science highlight article is very thought-provoking from the horse welfare and facility design perspectives. Equine stereotypies, including crib-biting, are those repetitive behaviour patterns that seemingly have no function.

This week’s highlight article looks at the potential causes and prevention strategies relating to Lower Airway Inflammation (LAI) in horses. The importance of sharing this research is due to LAI’s prevalence in the horse community, reportedly “second only to musculoskeletal disease as a cause of wastage amongst performance horses.”

This environmental enrichment (EE) article is heavy on the science but it has some profound implications for horse facility design that are worthwhile highlighting. It defines EE “as a combination of complex inanimate and social stimuli.

This week’s post looks at the prevalence and risk factors contributing to gastric ulceration in TB race horses and how this potentially relates to horse facility design. This condition is an important health concern for all performance horses worldwide. Gastric ulceration in horses can reduce athletic performance, and cause weight loss and long term ill health which can have a negative impact on the lives of the horses, as well as the owners and trainers.

The article examines round-pens, that small but significant piece of infrastructure supporting many of our horse handling, training and exercising routines. Common practices including the benefits and welfare risks are discussed and it offers good food for thought in terms of facility design.