Stable Science from Dr David Marlin's Animalweb

What if the weeds, mud and struggling grass in your paddocks aren’t simply problems to eliminate—but signs that your land is trying to tell you something?

In this episode of the Animalweb Podcast, Izzy Taylor from the Animalweb team is joined by environmental consultant and equine land management expert Laura Hobbs to explore how horse owners can create healthier, more resilient land by working with nature rather than constantly fighting against it.

From managing grazing on limited acreage to dealing with mud, weeds, flooding and increasingly unpredictable weather, Laura explains why many of the challenges horse owners face above ground begin with what is happening beneath the surface.
But improving your paddocks doesn’t necessarily mean spending a fortune on fertiliser, reseeding or expensive machinery.

Laura shares a practical and refreshingly different approach to land management, helping horse owners understand what their soil and plants are revealing, make better use of the resources already available and introduce realistic changes that could benefit their horses, their land and their finances.

Throughout the episode, you’ll discover why traditional agricultural advice may not always be appropriate for equestrian land, how continuous grazing can affect soil health and why many plants commonly dismissed as weeds may actually be carrying out valuable work.
Whether you manage several acres or are trying to make the most of a small paddock, this episode offers practical ideas and a fascinating new perspective on one of your most valuable resources.

In this episode you’ll discover:
• What the plants growing in your paddock could be telling you
• Why traditional agricultural approaches may not always suit horses
• How overgrazing affects soil, forage production and land resilience
• Why mud, flooding and summer drought may be more closely connected than we realise
• Whether fertilising, reseeding and soil testing are always necessary
• How to manage grazing more effectively on limited acreage
• Why some weeds could be helping your land recover
• Simple and inexpensive ways to improve your paddocks
• How healthier land can support healthier horses and reduce long-term costs

Most importantly, you’ll hear how changing the way you look at your paddocks could help you move away from repeatedly reacting to problems and towards creating a more sustainable system for both your horses and your land.

If you own horses, manage a yard or are responsible for paddocks and pasture, this episode is packed with practical advice, fresh thinking and expert insight that could completely change the way you view the ground beneath your horses’ feet.

Listen now and discover what your paddock may have been trying to tell you all along.

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To find out more about becoming a member >>> AskAnimalweb.com

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.
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What happens when some of the equestrian industry's most experienced voices come together with one shared goal: helping yard owners build stronger, more sustainable businesses?

In this special episode of Stable Science, Helen Stock is joined by YardWise co-founders Amanda Watson and Cheryl Johns to lift the lid on YardWise 2026—the unique event designed specifically for livery yards, riding schools, equestrian centres, and yard managers.

Following the incredible success of last year's event, YardWise returns bigger than ever, expanding to two days packed with expert guidance, practical solutions, welfare-focused insights, business support, and invaluable networking opportunities.
But this isn't another conference where you're simply talked at.

YardWise is built around real conversations, real challenges, and real solutions. Throughout this episode, you'll discover why so many attendees described last year's event as transformative, how the expert roundtable sessions give direct access to leading specialists, and why collaboration and community are becoming essential tools for future-proofing equestrian businesses.
Whether you're struggling with rising costs, staff management, horse welfare, compliance, diversification, pasture management, marketing, contracts, risk management, or simply trying to make your business more sustainable, this episode provides a fascinating insight into the topics shaping the future of the industry.

In this episode you'll discover:
• Why YardWise has expanded to two days for 2026
• The biggest challenges currently facing equestrian businesses
• How welfare and business success go hand in hand
• Why networking with fellow yard owners can be game-changing
• What makes the YardWise expert roundtables so unique
• The industry-leading speakers and specialists attending this year
• Practical ways to improve efficiency, profitability, and long-term sustainability
• How one piece of advice could transform the way you run your yard

Most importantly, you'll hear why so many business owners left last year's event feeling inspired, supported, and armed with actionable ideas they could implement immediately.

If you're involved in running, managing, supporting, or developing an equestrian business, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and expert knowledge that could make a real difference to your future success.

Listen now and discover why YardWise is quickly becoming one of the most valuable events in the equestrian business calendar.

Find out about YardWise at https://yardwise.co.uk/
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To find out more about becoming a member >>> AskAnimalweb.com

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast brings together two of the most respected voices in equine respiratory science and performance, as Dr David Marlin sits down with Jim Chiapetta for a fascinating deep dive into equine breathing, performance, lung health and the science behind nasal strips.

From the origins of FLAIR® Nasal Strips in the late 1990s through to the latest research and real-world application across racing, eventing and barrel racing, this conversation explores how something as simple as supporting the horse’s nasal passages can have significant implications for breathing efficiency, recovery and respiratory welfare.

Listeners will hear exclusive insights into:
Why the horse’s upper airway is such a major source of resistance during exercise
The link between breathing efficiency and exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH)
How respiratory strain contributes to long-term lung damage in performance horses
Why even lower-level competition horses may benefit from respiratory support
The science and studies behind nasal strips, including research from leading universities and respiratory experts
Emerging ideas around breathing mechanics during recovery and even dressage performance
Why respiratory health is often overlooked despite being central to performance and welfare

The discussion also offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how scientific scepticism eventually gave way to widespread acceptance, with both David and Jim reflecting on the research, debates, and discoveries that helped establish nasal strips as a legitimate performance and welfare tool.

Whether you are involved in racing, eventing, endurance, dressage or simply want to better understand how horses breathe and perform, this podcast is packed with practical insights, fascinating science and thought-provoking discussion from two people who have spent decades at the forefront of equine respiratory research.

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To find out more about becoming a member >>> AskAnimalweb.com

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Animalweb podcast, Helen Stock speaks to veterinary surgeon and equine dentist Meisha Micklewright about the realities of equine dental care. Drawing on her dual qualification and hands-on experience, Meisha explains why dentistry is far more than a once-a-year routine.

They discuss how often horses really need dental checks, why many problems go unnoticed, and how issues such as sharp teeth, imbalances and hidden pathology can affect comfort and performance. The conversation also tackles the often-confusing question of who should carry out dental work, and what owners should look for when choosing a professional.

Packed with practical advice, this episode highlights the importance of regular, tailored dental care and gives owners the confidence to make informed decisions for their horse’s health.

Topics covered in this episode
Meisha Micklewright’s career journey into equine dentistry
The value of combining veterinary and dental qualifications
How often horses really need dental checks, and why it varies
Why a “one size fits all” approach doesn’t work for dental care
Understanding how horses’ teeth grow and wear
Common dental issues, including sharp edges, gaps (diastema) and “decay-like” problems
Why many horses show no obvious signs of dental pain
The impact of dental health on comfort, behaviour and ridden performance
Links between dental balance, muscle tension and performance in competition horses
When and how to schedule dental care around competition seasons
The difference between vets and equine dental technicians, and why qualifications matter
Why early checks in young horses and more frequent checks in older horses are important

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To find out more about becoming a member >>> AskAnimalweb.com

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Animalweb podcast, Dr David Marlin takes a deep dive into something every horse owner uses, but few truly scrutinise, bedding.
Drawing on extensive independent testing, owner surveys and even calibrated weight checks, David unpacks the science behind bedding quality, respiratory health, value for money and UK Trading Standards compliance.

This is not a brand-bashing discussion; it is evidence-based information designed to help you make informed decisions for your horse and your wallet.

Why You Should Listen
Many brands claim to be “dust free”. David explains why, in laboratory testing, no bedding has ever been completely dust-free.
What dust actually contains, including bacteria, mould spores, pollen and mites
Why this matters for equine respiratory health
Which products tested as genuinely low dust, and which performed poorly
If your horse spends up to 23 hours in the stable, air quality matters.

Beyond Dust – What Really Makes Good Bedding?
The podcast explains how Animalweb tests bedding scientifically, including:
Absorbency
Hygienic quality, measured through bacterial and fungal colony growth
Ammonia control
Resistance to scattering
Ease of mucking out
David also discusses why lab testing is only part of the picture, and how real-world owner experience adds valuable insight.

The Bale Weight Investigation
One of the most eye-opening sections of the episode looks at bale weights.
David explains how 10 bales of selected shavings brands were weighed on calibrated scales, and what they found:
Some products contained slightly more than stated
Four contained less than their advertised or widely sold weight
Two did not comply with UK Trading Standards labelling requirements
When you calculate the true price per kilogram based on actual weight, some “cheap” options do not look so economical after all.

The Bottom Line
This episode is about empowering owners with independent data.
It covers:
Respiratory risk
Hygiene and bacterial load
Real value for money
Lab testing versus marketing claims
How to interpret bedding choices intelligently

If you stable your horse, this is essential listening.
Whether you are concerned about dust, looking to reduce costs, or simply want to make evidence-based decisions, this podcast gives you the tools to do exactly that.

Head to the website for more details and to see the test, survey and investigation results for yourself! Animalweb Bedding

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To find out more about becoming a member >>> AskAnimalweb.com

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.