By Jessica MasonMar 10th, 2021, 11:00 am
We’ve all looked at a pet or an animal and thought to ourselves, “What are they thinking?” Sure we can guess from purrs or bites or many other external indicators how an animal is doing, but we don’t really know for certain because we obviously can’t read their minds. Except now, thanks to science, we kind of can!
Scientists have developed a new mobile headband that allows them to detect brain waves in horses. Using this tool, they can look into the animal’s minds and know what they’re feeling. At least, that’s the idea. The technology isn’t exact but it is promising. The device is an electroencephalogram (EEG), which has been used on human brains for over a century, but only in recent decades have scientists used it to study how different feelings look in the brains of humans and in some animals. However, that previously took place in labs or with large machines; this new technology allows researchers to measure the brain
You might have believed horses were cherished and protected in Canada. Unfortunately, the truth is more complicated. These gentle giants can end up on dinner plates overseas. (Aislinn Brander/Pixabay)
Extra-large horses (like the beer commercial Clydesdales) are lovingly called gentle giants because they are calm, kind and co-operative. Yet those born into the meat trade are put in boxes and shipped across the ocean without food or water on a long, one-way flight to their unceremonious deaths. Then they are eaten by the wealthy.
Often three or four horses are crammed into crates that barely offer enough room for one. About 40,000 horses have been shipped to slaughter from Canada since 2013.
Covid-19 forces second biggest Kaimanawa muster in 20 years
8 Mar, 2021 07:06 AM
3 minutes to read
Kaimanawa horses need to be mustered following a Department of Conservation aerial survey. Photo / File
Rotorua Daily Post
By: Supplied content
More than 200 Kaimanawa wild horses need to be removed from the Kaimanawa Ranges and time is running out for people to apply.
With the cancellation of the 2020 muster due to Covid restrictions, the Kaimanawa wild herd has increased in size well beyond the level recommended by the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Advisory Group.
A target removal of 206 horses was settled on after the Department of Conservation annual aerial survey.
Sideswipe: Smiling scales
3 minutes to read
Maureen noticed this when she was about to stand n the bathroom scales. Was is smiling encouragement, or was it laughing?
Incompatible modes of transport In 1865, shortly after the first steam-powered horseless carriage appeared on English highways, Parliament ordered that a man must precede it on foot, carrying a red flag by day or a lantern by night, to warn others of the impending noise. At least three people were employed to drive or conduct such a locomotive if more than two wagons or carriages were attached an additional person was required. While any locomotive was in motion, one employee had to go ahead of the locomotive on foot carrying a red flag warning the riders and drivers of horses of the approach. They also were responsible for signalling to the driver when to stop and assist any horses or carriages that got spooked by the noise. Vermont passed a similar law in 1894, requiring the owner of a steam-pr
Embrace the freedom and fresh air of a horseriding holiday
Credit: Getty
‘No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle,” reflected Winston Churchill in his autobiography. Granted, this has ended up as one of his lesser-known quotes, but he was surely right. When it comes to a sense of liberation and adventure, nothing beats the thrill of a good canter through a glorious landscape. As the first signs of spring start to show and the vaccination programme gathers pace, now is surely the time to start dreaming of saddling up and heading to the hills, especially as so many have been deprived of the thrill of being on horseback for so long. It’s the perfect antidote to weeks of wintry lockdown. But, where to go?