What makes a champion a champion? Which breeds are excelling in which disciplines? In this week's podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine science researcher and educator, discusses the key elements that make a horse a champion in Western disciplines like barrel racing, cutting, and reining. Special focus is given to the 'DM Sissy Hey Day' horse which set a world record in barrel racing, emphasizing the indispensable role of breed, conformation, and heart in horse championship.  Dr. Mortensen additionally highlights other successful racehorses and elaborates on desirable traits for respect ..read more

This episode of the Mad About Horses podcast delves into the history of various equestrian sports, tracing their origins and development over the years. Dr. Chris Mortensen, PhD. opens with the inspiring story of Pat Smith, a trailblazer in the field of show jumping. The discussion moves on to the birth and rise of various equestrian sports such as chariot racing, horse racing, show jumping, and dressage. The episode also highlights the role of certain organizations like the FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports) in promoting these sports and establishing rules and regulations ..read more

Dr. Chris Mortensen delves deep into the factors influencing horse performance including age, breed, gender, and behavior. Through detailed discussions and research study examples, he highlights the peak performance years in various disciplines, from racing to show jumping and eventing. The podcast also highlights the remarkable career of Zenyatta, an American mare who excelled in horse racing. Furthermore, it discusses the importance of diet in performance and potential links between temperament and behavioral traits with a horse's capacity to perform. Additionally, Dr. Mortensen also shares ..read more

In this episode of 'Mad About Horses', Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine science researcher and educator, discusses several popular horse breeds from around the world. A personal recount of his experience with horses opens the discussion, including famous racehorse Secretariat. The show explores breeds like Arabian, American Quarter Horse, and Thoroughbred - some of the most populous breeds globally. Some of the unique pony and draft horses, such as Fallabella and Shire horse, are also highlighted. Interesting facts about the genetics and origins of these breeds are shared, amidst discussions abo ..read more

In this podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen elaborates in-depth about how horses perceive the world through their senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Human interactions with horses often rely on understanding these senses, which differ significantly from human sensory perceptions. Horses have strong monocular vision, wide hearing ranges, and a keen sense of smell. They also possess a sophisticated sense of touch, central to training and bonding, and dichromatic taste perception.  Understanding these sensory capabilities, which evolved over millions of years, is key to forging str ..read more

Dr. Chris Mortensen discusses abnormal horse behaviors, also known as 'stereotypic behaviors.’ Many of these behaviors, from cribbing, pacing, and weaving, can be linked to mental stress from confinement and dietary issues. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the causes of these behaviors, pointing out there's increased research and understanding which helps devise new strategies to alleviate these stresses. Dr. Mortensen underscores the significance of turnout time, social contact with other horses and species and diet balance. He advises horse owners to analyze their animals' diets ..read more

This episode of the equine podcast provides an in-depth discussion on colic in horses. The host, Dr. Chris Mortensen, draws from his personal experience and academic expertise to provide insights on identifying signs of colic, understanding its causes, prevention strategies, and possible treatments. He describes how colic is the number one killer of horses under 20 years old and emphases the need for horse owners to understand this issue as 1 in 10 horses will experience a bout of colic annually. Mortensen shares personal stories that demonstrate the severity of colic and provides valuable inf ..read more

In this episode of "Mad About Horses," we dive into the fascinating world of equine evolution. We embark on a journey that takes us from the distant past, over two and a half million years ago, to the present day, exploring the origins of the modern horse and its various relatives. Here's a summary of the key points covered in this episode: Introduction The episode begins by setting the stage, emphasizing the evolution of Equus and how it led to today's horse species inhabiting every continent except Antarctica. The Pleistocene Era The scene is set in the Pleistocene era, approximately two ..read more

In this podcast, Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine educator and scientist, discusses the five domains model of animal welfare, emphasizing their importance in the management and care of horses. The discussion unfolds with gratitude towards the listeners, a personal account of meeting renowned autistic animal welfare expert Temple Grandin, and an introduction to the five domains - nutrition, physical environment, health, behavioral interactions, and mental state. Using real-life examples, from personal experiences to historical instances, Dr. Mortensen highlights the importance of each domain and ..read more

Why are there so many horse breeds in the world? What are the different breeds of horses and what differentiates them? When did selective breeding for horses first begin?   Dr. Chris Mortensen, an equine science researcher and educator with over 20 years of experience, tells us the fascinating story of why there are so many horse breeds. He starts off this episode by discussing the mysterious disappearance of wild horses from the Americas 10,000 years ago. We jump into how horses made a comeback in the 1500s with the arrival of the Spanish and other Europeans to the Americas. We start wit ..read more