Email:
kmerkies@uoguelph.ca
Website links:
My research program revolves around horses - behaviour, welfare, equitation and management. Equitation in the broad sense refers to close interactions between horses and humans. Research outputs vary from decoding horse-human interaction, to the use of whips in horse racing, effects of various equipment used to ride and train horses, behavioural measures of stress, and human recognition of horse vocalizations.
We have a responsibility to advance and promote ethical and sustainable approaches to equine welfare through equitation, management, and behaviour.
This is the only lab in Canada specializing exclusively in equine behaviour and welfare.