News
Monday 6 November 2006
Nottingham Trent University student scoops research award
Nottingham Trent University student Rachel Kay has won the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s ‘Eqvalan Duo Equine Thesis of the Year Award’ for research proving that giving horses a mirror reduces stress during travel.
Rachel showed transporting horses with a mirror reduces behaviour - such as neighing, head tossing, turning round and refusing food - caused by stress more effectively than if the horse is travelling alone.
Rachel said: “My recommendations from the study are to travel horses with surrogate companionship – such as a mirror - as they seemed much calmer, although a live companion is best. The positive effect on eating behaviour was also interesting; It would be interesting to study the effect of mirrors in the stable on poor feeders or horses in rehabilitation.”
Her winning thesis: ‘The effect of creating surrogate companionship on physiology and behaviour of horses during transportation’, was selected from research projects submitted by universities around the country. Rachel beat off four other finalists in a presentation of her study which judges Prof Graham Suggett, Claire Thomas (Chief Executive BETA) and Dr Emma Batson (Merial Animal Health) described as ‘fascinating’.
Dr Batson congratulated all the finalists and said: “We’re pleased that the award has gone to a project that has both commercial relevance and welfare benefits, but congratulations must go to all the finalists for producing such innovative and valuable work in a range of equine subjects. Recognising excellence among students is one way of fostering a solid base for innovation in the UK.”
Carol Hall, Senior Lecturer for Equine Science at Nottingham Trent University, said: “We are absolutely delighted with Rachel’s success. She has been an outstanding student throughout her time at the university and we are looking forward to her return to study a PhD here. Having won the Eqvalan competition three times now is obviously a great achievement and it is very rewarding to have the work of our students recognised in this way.”
Also in the final were studies into the use of MRI with equines, the effects of the Myler snaffle, the mechanical properties of arena surfaces under different preparation techniques, and research into the occurrence of clostridium perfringens in the intestines of horses with grass sickness.
The finalists gathered at a champagne reception at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on Saturday 4th November, to see Nottingham Trent University claim the award for the second year running.
Ends
For further information please contact Therese Easom or Dave Rogers on 0115 848 8774/8782/ therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk / dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk
The Eqvalan Duo Equine Thesis of the Year Award, now in its 12th year, is presented by the Royal Agricultural Society of England, with sponsorship from Merial, to recognise academic achievement in the equestrian field and to highlight excellent research to the industry. The winner gets £500, a piece of silverware, a 5 year membership of the RASE, a certificate, and the opportunity to present their thesis at the National Equine Forum. The 2006 finalists were:
• WINNER: Rachel Kay (Nottingham Trent University) ‘The effect of creating surrogate companionship on physiology and behaviour of horses during transportation.’
• RUNNER UP: Emily Ross Browne (Harper Adams University College) ‘The use of MRI to identify the anatomy and symmetry of the equine carpus.’
• FINALIST: Rosie Howard (Warwickshire College) ‘An investigation into the effects of a Myler Comfort Snaffle on equine locomotion.’
• FINALIST: Katherine Fidler (Myerscough College) ‘An assessment of the mechanical properties displayed by the international arena surface under a variety of preparation techniques.’
• FINALIST: Bryony Waggett (Hartpury College) ‘The occurrence of clostridium perfringens in the intestines of horses with grass sickness, healthy co-grazing and control horses and horses with ileus.’
