Testimonials

Testimonials from students past and present.

A selection of previous graduates were asked to describe their current employment, their view of the programme at the University and their impression of how it equipped them for their current careers.

I thoroughly enjoyed completing my MSc Equine Science Degree with Edinburgh University. The modules were always well-organised and the topics diverse and stimulating. The course being online and part-time meant that I could fit my learning around my other commitments. The lecturers and course organisers have all been so encouraging and supportive, helping me to achieve my potential and graduating with a Distinction. The course has boosted my confidence and has led me to become a Peer Tutor, as well as continuing my studies into a PhD with Hartpury University.

I would like to thank everyone involved with the MSc Equine Science programme at Edinburgh for providing such an enjoyable and interesting experience. I am looking forward to building on the skills and knowledge I developed during this course in future equine research projects.

I had a bit of a unique perspective on the programme as, despite being accepted to study at the RAC and Hartpury College, I could not attend any on campus programmes due to custody arrangements for my son at the time. I was extremely pleased that the University of Edinburgh Equine Science MSc programme became available at just the right time. I could continue to care for my son at home and work towards my MSc as well. It is a top class degree and the perfect solution for those (like me) that wish to further their education/knowledge whilst working from home. A truly wonderful opportunity that I highly recommend.

I found the MSc in Equine Science to be a wonderful experience. The online format allowed me to maintain full time employment while enhancing my academic qualifications. While this format may seem daunting at first, the support you receive from the Equine Science team is tremendous. The whole team contributes to a sense of community which makes asking questions and participating in discussions very easy. I would recommend this programme to anyone with an interest in horses or a desire to sharpen their scientific skills.

A super programme that allows you to continue your professional development in the equine field whilst carrying on in employment or with other commitments. This programme enhances your knowledge with up to date research underpinned and supported by the tutors, professors, students and all those involved in running the programme. I feel confident this qualification will enhance my current and future employment opportunities.

Online education is challenging, whilst it is convenient because you can maintain your current career track and not interrupt your children's education in the pursuit of your degree it adds a bit of difficulty to the learning environment as you work in your own space in your own time. You must be proactive in online education and reach out for help when you need it. The Equine Science team and particularly Sharon Boyd, were phenomenal. I wouldn't have got through without such brilliant assistance. They were always prompt in riding in to save me when I called for help. The technical support was first rate and the effort they put for the encouraged me to remain connected. I can't say enough about them, their support has been above and beyond the call of duty, and nothing ever seemed too daunting. I sometimes imagined them receiving the same questions, the same emails about problems with the website or a PDF that wouldn't open or a programme that wouldn't download, but they never relayed any impatience in their emails and this made it easy for us to communicate openly with them. Their professionalism, but at the same time, informal friendliness made the development of the relationship effortless. Do I think the effort/expense was worth it.....absolutely. My technical expertise has grown immensely and the content of the programme provides a deepened base of knowledge in my focus area. Both of these areas have enhanced my professional credentials and were the catalyst for pursuing this programme of study. My appreciation for the programme and the people who helped me in the pursuit of this degree have my deepest gratitude.

Current students

I have dreamt of attending the University of Edinburgh for many years and to experience the beauty and elegance of the graduation ceremony in November for a degree I'm so passionate about was extremely special.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the Nutrition class. It was tough since I hadn't had any kind of science class since my first year in University 20 years ago (being a BA student), but I put my nose to my books and ignored the brain fry and got through it, and I have already made changes in my barn management as a result. I loved the balance between the theoretical/science and the very practical. I also loved the assessment structure with the presentation and the ration calculation scenario and infographic. I learned so much for both, but the structure made it exciting work rather than "here-we-go-again" paper-writing. Thank you to you and your staff for how you have sculpted the courses and coursework.

It has been incredibly enjoyable (and life changing!) on many levels.  Thanks for an amazing experience :)

A big thank you for all your help and assistance throughout the years. 

It has been an amazing experience, I learned a lot with the programme. The dissertation research was also a lifetime opportunity, hard to describe how valuable it was, professionally and personally.

Video Testimonials

A Day in the Life of an Online Learning Postgraduate Student: MSc Equine Science

About Shirley Ferber UED

Vet School PG Graduation 2019 Nancy McLean

Kaitlin Knox

Shayne Mathieson - Graduation 2017 MSc Equine Science

Victoria Lyndsay - 2017 Graduation (MSc Equine Science)

Emily Stearns - 2017 Graduation MSc Equine Science

Maria Wilhelmsson - 2017 Graduation MSc Equine Science

Equine Science 2016

Dissertation project awards, publications and conference entries

Equine Science Dissertation Thesis Award Winners

NameTitleAcademic year
Lily Bensko Effect of rider-horse weight ratio on equine behaviour during mounting2024-2025
Mikaela Tapuska Why equestrians use auxiliary reins on horses: Biomechanical perceptions and barriers to human behaviour change2023-2024
Kristin Long Measurement of emotional valence in crib-biting horses using a go/no-go judgement bias test2022-2023
Kirsten Ruffoni Practitioner safety and the application of learning theory in equine physiotherapy: a worldwide survey2021-2022
Dawn Ianson Canadian horse owners use of Cannabidiol: a survey2020-2021
Sarah ReegaAnticipation of trotting: is there an effect on the horse and rider?2019-2020
Kate HoranThe effect of horseshoes and surfaces on horse and rider centre of mass displacements at gallop2019-2020
Daisy TaylorSeasonal variation of time budgets in domesticated male Icelandic horses at pasture2018-2019
Laura-Valentina SchiebelHow management factors can improve welfare and future performance of the growing horse2018-2019
Katy WelchA critical review of smart textiles or novel materials and polymers in saddlery:  A serious proposal or another fad?2017-2018
Paulette CullyAre thoroughbred horses left or right-handed? The motor laterality preferences of the gallop gain of UK thoroughbred flat racehorses2016-2017
Aurélie JolivaldThe effect of bridle design on stress and performance indicators in the ridden horse: A comparison between traditional English bridles and Rambo Micklem Multibridles.2015-2016

Scientific Journal Publications

TitleAuthor(s)Year
Prevalence and perceived effects of enrichment elements in outdoor areas on behavior and welfare of group-housed horsesMiggitsch, N., Naydani, C. & Lancaster, B.E. 2025
Time budgets in domesticated male Icelandic horses on pasture turnout in winter and springTaylor, D.E.F., Lancaster, B.E. & Ellis, A.D. 2025
The use of sound recorders to remotely measure grass intake behaviour in horsesTaylor, D.E.F., Lancaster, B.E. & Ellis, A.D2025
Why equestrians use auxiliary reins on horses, their biomechanical perceptions, and barriers to human behaviour changeTapuska M, Lindsay-McGee V & Wolframm I 2025
The effect of age on D20, D40 and live foal rates in the Clydesdale mareThomas, J.B., Davies Morel, M.C.G. & Lancaster, B.E2024
Horse owners’ knowledge of fundamental care and their perceptions on the implementation of a mandatory certificate of knowledgeWatney, M., Lancaster, B.E. & Randle, H. 2024
Development and preliminary validation of an equine brief pain inventory for owner assessment of chronic pain due to osteoarthritis in horsesHoward, D.L., Lancaster, B.E. & de Grauw, J. 2024
Practitioner safety and the application of learning theory related to injury risk in equine physiotherapy: A worldwide surveyRuffoni, K., Lancaster, B.E. & Tabor, G. 2024
Factors affecting weigh tape readings in the measurement of equine body weightGrimwood, K., Lancaster, B.E. & Handel, I. 2023
The effect of elastic reins on rein tension and performance in dressage horsesBohara, G., Lancaster, B.E. & Randle, H. 2023
Posture and pull pressure by horses when eating hay or haylage from a haynet hung at various positionsHodgson, S., Bennett-Skinner, P., Lancaster, B.E., Upton, S., Harris, P. & Ellis, A.D. 2022
Equine conflict behaviors in dressage and their relationship to performance evaluationHamilton, K.L., Lancaster, B.E. & Hall, C. 2022
The effect of horseshoes and surfaces on horse and rider centre of mass displacements at gallop.Horan, K., Kourdache, K., Coburn, J., Day, P.S., Brinkley, L., Carnall, H., Harborne, D., Hammond, L., Millard, S.W., Lancaster, B. & Pfau, T. 2021
Blink rate as a measure of stress and attention in the domestic horseMott, R. O., Hawthorne, S.J. & McBride, S.D.2020
Trainers' perceptions of the impact of different feeding and management practices on racehorses they identified displaying symptoms of recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysisWood, L.J., Lancaster., B.E., Breheny, M.R., and Rogers, C.W.2020
The feeding and management of thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses displaying clinical signs of recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysisWood, L.J., Lancaster, B.E., and Rogers, C.W.2019
Investigating the relationship between performance strategies, resilience qualities, riding experience and competitive performance of show jumping ridersIungano, H., Lancaster, B.E. & Wolfrmm, I.2018
Effect of a unilateral hind limb orthotic lift on upper body movement symmetry in the trotting horseVertz, J*, Deblanc, D., Rhodin, M. & Pfau, T.2018
The laterality of the gallop gait in thoroughbred racehorsesCully, P.*, Nielsen, B., Lancaster, B., Martin, J., & McGreevy, P.2018
Attitude and behavior of veterinarians surrounding the use of complementary and alternative veterinary medicine in the treatment of equine musculoskeletal painBergenstrahle, A. & Nielsen, B.D.2016
The influence of an 8-week rider core fitness program on the equine back at sitting trotHampson, A.*, and Randle, H.2015
Equine nutrition: A survey of perceptions and practices of horse owners undertaking a Massive Open Online Course in Equine NutritionMurray, J.A., Bloxham, C*., Kulifay, J., Anne Stevenson, A. & Roberts, J.2015
Clinical features and management of equine postoperative ileus (POI): Survey of Diplomats of the European Colleges of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) and Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS)Lefebvre, D*., Pirie, R.S., Handel, I.G., Tremaine, W.H. & Hudson N.P.H.2014
Effects of body condition score on the reproductive physiology of the brood mare: A reviewMorley, S.A*., & Murray, J.A.2014
Equine Nutrition in the United States: A review of perceptions and practices of horse owners and veterinariansRoberts, J.L*. & Murray, J.A.2014
Survey of Equine Nutrition: Perceptions and practices of veterinarians in Georgia, USARoberts, J.L*. & Murray, J.A.2013
Effect of a pessoa training aid on temporal, linear and angular variables of the working trotWalker, V.A*., Dyson, S.J. and Murray, R.C.2013

Presentations 

TitleConferenceYear
Development of a chronic pain monitoring instrument for owners recognition of osteoarthritis pain in horses through behavioural indicatorInternational Society for Equitation Science2021
Advancing equine practice to improve quality of lifeInternational Society for Equitation Science2021
The effect of elastic reins on rein tension and performance in dressage horsesInternational Society for Equitation Science2021
Anticipation of trotting: is there an effect on the horse and rider? Alltech Hartpury Virtual Conference2021
Arid Climates: The occurrence of equine colic in relation to management practicesInternational Equine Colic Virtual Symposium2021
Feeding management and health of horses in arid climatesEuropean Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition2020
The effect of horseshoes and surfaces on horse and rider centre of mass displacements at gallopUK Equine Student Conference2020
Rethinking reinforcement: Protected contact training to improve welfare in horse trainingUK Equine Student Conference2020
The feeding and management of thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses displaying clinical signs of recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysisNew Zealand Journal of Animal Science and Production Annual Conference2019 
Foal serum and mare colostrum IgG content according to time of collection and nutraceutical dietary supplement - posterCongress of the European Society of Veterinary & Comparative Nutrition2019
Observations on digestive and ingestive parameters in 6 performance horses when moved form a traditional, high concentrate diet (TD) to high forage (HF) diet - posterInternational Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology2018
Investigating the relationship between performance strategies, resilience qualities, riding experience and competitive performance of show jumping ridersEuropean Workshop on Equine Nutrition2018
Riders’ perceptions, understanding and theoretical application of learning theoryInternational Society of Equitation Science Conference2016
The effect of a high-starch or high-fibre diet on normal equine behaviourEquine Workshop on Equine Nutrition2014
Survey of Canadian certified coaches’ understanding and application of learning theory in horse training - posterInternational Society for Equitation Science Annual Conference2014
Techniques and indications of intraoperative ultrasonography in horsesAmerican College of Veterinary Surgeons Conference2014
The effect of live yeast culture supplementation on fibrolytic and saccharolytic bacterial populations in the faeces of horses fed a high-fibre or high-starch dietEuropean Equine Health and Nutrition Congress2012