Equine Exercise Physiology » (1st Edition)

Dr David Marlin is the leading expert on equine exercise physiology in the UK, and is well known internationally. He has published over 100 scientific papers and is best known for his work on heat and humidity leading up to the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Throughout his career he has also worked with top racehorse trainer Luca Cumani and the British Eventing, Dressage, Show-jumping and Endurance teams. He is currently Head of Physiology at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket and a Visiting Professor in Cardio-Respiratory Physiology at the University of Bristol.

Kathryn Nankervis has taught equine exercise physiology on a range of programmes from National Diploma to MSc level. Her current job is Equine Science Centre Manager at Hartpury College. This unique centre is one of the best in Europe and combines an Equine Veterinary and Therapy Centre. Kathryn designs individually tailored exercise programmes using a wide range of techniques in order to rehabilitate competition horses with musculoskeletal dysfunction.

Equine exercise physiology is an area that has been subject to major scientific advances over the last 30 years, largely due to the increased availability of high-speed treadmills and techniques for recording physiological function during exercise. Despite the scientific advances, many riders and trainers are still using little more than experience and intuition to train their horses.

The aim of this book is to sort the fact from the fiction for the benefit of those involved in training, managing or working with horses, and to provide an up-to-date summary of the state of play in equine exercise physiology. Scientific theories are explained from first principles, with the assumption that the reader has no previous scientific background. The book is designed to save competitors and trainers a lot of time and effort trying to extract information in piecemeal fashion from a host of reference sources. For the first time, everything you need to know about exercising and training horses is here in one text.

Key features:

• The first book to be aimed specifically at equine science/studies degree students

• Will also be useful to veterinary students

• A manual-type approach makes this book portable and easy to use

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Jonathan Hale Foreman, DVM, MS(University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine)
Description:This introductory level textbook on equine exercise physiology consists of three parts covering basic exercise physiology, responses to exercise and training, and applications of exercise physiology, each of which is subdivided into 6-to-8 chapters.
Purpose:The purpose is "to sort the fact from the fiction for the benefit of those involved in training, managing, or working with horses, and to provide an up-to-date summary of the state of play in exercise physiology." While the book may meet these goals, they may be somewhat lofty for the typical horse owner, and the book is geared more toward the student of equine or veterinary science.
Audience:The intended audience is primarily one of students of equine science and secondarily of veterinary science. Veterinary practitioners will also find it helpful in understanding the basics of equine exercise physiology. The book "explains the scientific reasoning behind the training of horses for competition in a manner that those working with horses will comprehend." The authors are experienced in the field of equine exercise physiology and are certainly credible authors in their field.
Features:The first section is a review of the basics of exercise physiology. The second section may be the most useful to most horse owners as it helps to answer many commonly-asked questions regarding horses' responses to exercise and to training. Finally, the third section will further aid in answering questions regarding training differently than the typical or classical methodologies, exercise or fitness testing, feeding, and transport. The book contains mathematical formulae which may not be of interest to the typical horse owner but may be important for the student of equine or veterinary science.
Assessment:This is perhaps the first detailed preveterinary or lay-oriented book on equine exercise physiology. Veterinary practitioners will also find it a useful addition to their library and more readable than some other current books on equine exercise physiology. Anyone interested in equine exercise should have it in their arsenal of references for explanation of commonly-asked exercise-related questions. It is "a readable, up-to-date account of how to achieve the highest standards in ... competition horses. It will suit all horse enthusiasts and students, as well as experienced trainers."