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MoniqueCSS

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I am currently studying a degree in equitation training and behaviour and a big assignment of mine is to do a research proposal that I will carry out and measure. I'm looking for ideas on what to do it on? It needs to be something fairly simple like a comparison or testing something to see if it really works? Is there anything that anyone doesn't know much about or is a constant problem in the horsey world? I would like it to be something where people would be interested in the results. Will throw out a few examples: certain bit/brow band/rug? Position of leg on rider? Something to do with therapy? Saddles? Youngsters?
Looking for your ideas and interests :)
Thanks in advance!
 
Efficacy of thrush treatments! Get a few options and test them for prevention/cure of thrush. Probably easier in winter though as I know my girl doesn't suffer from thrush when she's out in the summer.
 
SadKen said:
Efficacy of thrush treatments! Get a few options and test them for prevention/cure of thrush. Probably easier in winter though as I know my girl doesn't suffer from thrush when she's out in the summer.
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Feeding regime comes in to this ....... application of a potion is not a good solution.
Also if one person uses Crest toothpaste and another uses Colgate, and someone uses Vaseline, [for example]. Can one really say one brand or treatment is better than any other? Control experiments are complex and need many individuals.

Training and behaviour ... maybe a headshaking survey ......
 
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From the scientific point of view you need something that you can control, keep consistent across horses and that has a measurable result (i.e. something that can be scored, rather than 'I think he is going a bit better' or subjective responses).

Some of the things that spring to mind are:
Bitting (either which bit for a youngster, or for a strong horse, or for contact issues, etc)
Effectiveness of horse exercises like carrot stretches
How do horses travel best - forwards, backwards, sideways (probably been done but no reason not to redo it)
Use of supplements such as things to encourage hoof growth - do they work (might take a while to measure the response)
Use of calmers etc for competition - do they work or are they placebos?

Hope this helps...
 
I know nothing about it, but wonder why some bits are dressage legal, others illegal. Do competitors train in different bits.
Vet behaviour/ owner behaviour! .......... why so many of them seem not to have an open mind thinking about shoeing to reduce lameness.
 
God i wouldn't know where to start. I'm 27 and had horses since 12 and i still learn every day.
 
Most effective way if setting up large areas of interlocking paddocks of electric fencing without losing charge. Nothing worse than spending 4 days sorting fields for a horse to find the weak spot and pull the lot down...

I have my ideas of what works best but who knows
 
I like the idea of supplements. There are so many on the market with loads of different fancy marketing techniques/ 'scientific' proofs. Would be great to know what actually works in an unbiased study
 
There are so many variables with horses if you want to do a scientific study, if you studied bits for strong horses you'd have several types of horses, several reasons why they are strong (enthusiastic, evasive, sugary foods, young, interesting surroundings, in company or not, the list goes on and then again for the rider!).

I think a study on a supplement would be simple to do and provide good data, I have always wondered if megatek hair rebuilder really works. You would need to consider the horses diet etc as well though. The efficacy of fly repellents might be good although your background would be more about flies and chemicals than horses which may not interest you.

Something simple like rate of hoof growth would be very easy to measure, you could compare whether horses who are brought in at night and are fed hay, grow more or less hoof than horses who are out at grass 24/7.

Maybe even rate of hoof growth in shod vs unshod. Do hoof dressings affect growth, anything to do with feet!
 
I think supplement research is tricky as you don't have identical animals to compare results so you would need a large study group to identify trends. How about the safety and quality of imported saddlery vs English saddlery.
 
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