Hartpury University has installed additional high-resolution night vision cameras to a number of their stables, significantly boosting capacity to carry out and measure cutting-edge equine welfare research.
An additional 21 cameras have been added, bringing the current total to 37. Ten of the new cameras have been funded by a research grant from the Morris Animal Foundation to investigate the impact of social stabling partitions on cognitive flexibility and trainability of horses.
Initially, a range of cameras were installed through a previous Morris Animal Foundation research grant for use in a collaborative project by Dr Linda Greening (Senior Equine Lecturer at Hartpury) in collaboration with University College Dublin, to investigate the impact of lighting conditions on equine sleep and clock gene expression. These existing cameras are now being utilised by Isobel Bullement, a BSc (Hons) Equine Science graduate and current MRes Equestrian Science student, to study the effects of under-rug temperature on the onset of sleep and sleep quality in stabled horses.
The new cameras will support the wider ‘social stables project’, which is exploring the impact of social access (via removable stable partitions) on stabled horses’ sleep quality and quantity, social interactions, foraging behaviour and cognitive flexibility, an important factor in equine trainability. This project is being led by a team of researchers including Lorna Cameron (Senior Equine Lecturer at Hartpury), Professor Jane Williams (Head of Research at Hartpury), Dr Hieke Brown (Senior Equine Lecturer at Hartpury), Professor Meriel Moore-Colyer (Professor of Equine Science at Hartpury), Chelsea Jenkins (MSc Equitation Science student and Hartpury Yard Technician), and various equine undergraduate students. This funded project is also a collaboration with Dr David Marlin (AnimalWeb Ltd), Dr Tamzin Furtado (University of Liverpool), Dr Jo Hockenhull (University of Bristol) and Dr Marianne Freeman (University Centre Sparsholt).
Lorna Cameron, Senior Equine Lecturer at Hartpury University said: “The installation of these advanced cameras underscores Hartpury University’s commitment to advancing equine science and improving horse welfare through rigorous research. The insights gained from these studies will contribute to better knowledge of management practices for the “other 23 hours” of a horse’s day, to help inform us to enhance the overall well-being of horses, which has never been more important. I’d like to thank the Morris Animal Foundation for their funding support as well as Hartpury University who have funded even more cameras to support MAF’s funding and ultimately improve the quality of our research.”
Study Equine at Hartpury University
Both Hartpury University and Hartpury College have a range of courses for those seeking to promote a good life for horses and shape the industry at a vital time. These are in line with the institution’s commitment to improving the lives of horses. Students and staff sign a horse welfare charter, agreeing to a set of scientifically informed, practical principles that aim to prioritise equine well-being.
Hartpury University’s groundbreaking MSc Equitation Science is designed to improve the welfare of horse and rider through ethical decision-making underpinned by the latest scientific research. This course can be studied in module blocks, making it ideal for professionals, or via more traditional academic pathways. At the undergraduate level, the BSc (Hons) Equine Behaviour and Welfare offers students a chance to explore the horse-human relationship from an equine welfare perspective.
Students can get involved in equine welfare research at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, opening up opportunities to drive change, shape best practice and build industry contacts.
