On January 1 2023, Louise Bundgaard started her new position as assistant professor at the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (ANIVET) at Aarhus University. Louise will help create and establish the best possible framework for the new veterinary science degree programme at AU Viborg.

Not only ruminants emit the greenhouse gas methane. Horses do too, but there is sparse knowledge about how much. Therefore, researchers from the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Aarhus University will investigate this further in a project collaboration with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).

Following the decision that AU Viborg - Research Centre Foulum will be hosting the three new study programmes - Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science and Agrobiology - the Department of Animal Science at Aarhus University has been busy. The reason for this is that it plays a key role in the establishment of the new study programmes. The department has now also changed its name to the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (ANIVET) and implemented a reorganisation.

Researchers from Aarhus University suggest to develop protocols for assessing animal welfare in natural national parks with a focus on nutrition, environment, health and behaviour. The suggested approach is transparent and systematic and allow for documentation of the welfare of the animals over time. Implementation of the approach across countries can be a platform for international knowledge sharing between projects.

Are you passionate about horses and horse-related activities? Then don't miss this interesting interview with our researcher and expert on horse behaviour, Janne Winther Christensen done by Ampascachi Horse Riding Holidays.

Curiosity and learning ability go hand in hand. We know this from humans and non-human primates, but for the first time it has now also been scientifically demonstrated in horses in a new study conducted at Aarhus University.

From May 15th 2021 Gavin L. Simpson has been employed as assistant professor in applied biometrics at the Department of Animal Science, section of Health, Aarhus University in a four year position.

As of 1 March 2021, Margit Bak Jensen has been appointed professor in behavioural needs and stress biology at Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University. The department is already acknowledged internationally for its research in animal welfare, and with this professorship the department strengthens its position even further in this field of research.

A new study at Aarhus University shows that it is possible to identify fearful horses at a very early age by means of an objective fear test. This gives a better opportunity of ensuring that especially sensitive horses are placed in capable hands from the beginning. And this is good news both for the rider’s safety and the horse’s welfare.

It seems like the rider’s weight does not affect the horse’s welfare as much previously expected. Neither the horse’s stress hormone level, heart rate nor behaviour was affected during moderate work when the rider gained 25% weight in a project conducted by Aarhus University. However, the horses showed signs of discomfort and stress if the rider’s balance was poor.