Alisa Herbst, PhD

A mature chestnut Thoroughbred gelding grazing on green grass next to a white board fence
Equine Muscle Mass: Detecting and Monitoring Changes
The muscle atrophy scoring system (MASS) was developed to help horse owners quickly and reliably detect reductions in muscle mass.
gray senior horse dressage
U.S. Senior Horse Survey: Focus on Competition
Ten percent of U.S. senior (15+ years) horses are used for competition according to their owners, and some appear to compete at the highest/international level.  
hores retirement
Reasons and Risk Factors for Horse Retirement
The reasons for retiring horses are diverse, but horse health problems appear to be the number one most common reason. This study found multiple risk factors for horse retirement, including female sex...
senior horse survey old horse and woman in barn
How Healthy Are U.S. Senior Horses?
A nation-wide survey study investigated the health status of U.S. senior horses and identified risk factors for common medical conditions.
READER FAVORITES
Horse owner touching her horse's hoof, potentially to monitor for signs of laminitis.
Understanding the Three Stages of Laminitis in Horses
White horse legs close up
Anatomy of the Equine Carpus and Metacarpus
aged gray donkey how long horse donkey mule live
How Long Can a Horse, Pony, Donkey, or Mule Live?
Horse teeth
Horse Teeth by Age
POLLS & QUIZZES
FUN STUFF
Glamourdale
Senior Horses Prove Their Mettle at the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen
horse grazing fall getty
Understanding Equine Fecal Egg Count and Reduction Tests
Horse Legs Getty
My Senior Horse Podcast: Joint Therapy Options for Senior Horses
A vet taking an x-ray of a horse hoof
Understanding Radiographs for Senior Horses
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