Welcome everyone to this week's (slightly late) weekly news blog post which this week doesn't just consider horse science, but looks at riders' fitness too, and also takes two looks at equine crib-biting.

However, first we have some news about a veterinary fund-raising appeal that horse owners should try and get involved in. Equine Recurrent Uveitis (ERU) is a painful inflammation of the inside of the eye and is the most common cause of blindness in horses. There is currently no simple treatment for ERU but the Animal Health Trust (AHT) in Newmarket, UK, is trying to raise enough money to afford a new machine which can restore the sight of horses affected by ERU.

According to Horse & Hound Online, the phaco-emulsification machine works by removing the clouded fluid from inside the horse's eyes using a technique known as vitrectomy in a procedure which usually takes about 2 hours. Staff from the AHT have already used the machine to successfully restore the sight of moon bears rescued in China and a lioness in Romania.

The AHT have already received the machine from the German company Acrivet, but it has not yet been paid for. As a result they have launched the "Sight for Sore Eyes" campaign and are currently seeking donations in order to raise the £35,000 needed to pay for the equipment.

If you're interested in helping restore the sight of horses affected by ERU, visit the Sight for Sore Eyes website.

Crib-biting is a vice which many horses suffer with, but now a study in the United States has looked at whether a horse's breed or surrounding neighbours can have an effect n the likelihood of them developing the vice.

The American study, published in the Equine Veterinary Journal, carried our surveys with horse owners and found that 4.4% of horses crib-bite, but that 13% of thoroughbreds were affected with the vice - making them the breed most likely to crib.

Around 50% of owners believed that environmental factors determined whether their horse started cribbing - 48.8% believed that horses picked up the vice from watching other horses crib. However, the researchers found that only 1% of horses started cribbing after being exposed to a crib-biter.

The scientists thus believe that genetics may be a factor in determining whether a horse starts crib-biting, although further research is required. Their work suggests that there is little evidence that horses pick up the behaviour from other horses.

Crib-biting has also been in the news this week when it was announced on Horsetalk.co.nz that a company is trying to develop a chemical that may help horse owners manage crib-biting and weaving in their horses.

The aim is to develop a synthetic version of an equine pheromone, a chemical which is naturally released by animals.

CEVA Animal Health, who are backing the research, have already produced pheromones for other pets in order to help reduce stress-related behaviour - the product is used in dogs to reduce their fear of fireworks. They are now aiming to produce a chemical to reduce cribbing, weaving, box-walking and wind-sucking - behaviours which can cause lead to physical damage.

Some owners resort to using grazing muzzles on their horses if they continue to crib-bite fences whilst turned out in the field

However, before the product can be manufactured, the pharmaceutical company involved are carrying out research with the University of Nottingham in the UK. They are asking owners of horses that have any such vices to complete a short online survey to assist their research. The survey is not currently available on the University's website, but any horse owners interested should check the website regularly.

Finally, many riders are increasingly becoming interested in their fitness and how they can improve their physical presence on a horse. Last week Horse & Hound carried out an online discussion with the two founders of a new radical exercise programme designed to help improve riders fitness and reduce riding-related injuries.

Danny Warrington (a four-star eventer) and Mile Pilato (an athletic coach) realised that there was no structured fitness or injury management programme designed for equestrian athletes although such programmes exist for other sportspersons.

The discussion lasted two hours and they advised riders on useful equipment and exercises to help them improve their physical strength and prevent regular riding injuries.

To see the discussion, visit the Horse & Hound website where you can replay the discussion here. Visitors to Burghley Three-Day Event in September should also visit the Horse and Hound trade stand where they can speak to Danny and Mike in person.

Finally, this week's trivia question for you all:

What is a 'Galvayne's Groove'?
1. A dark groove in the upper corner incisor teeth of horses
2. An indent in the sole of the horse's foot to the side of the frog
3. An indentation on the lower part of the horses neck just above the windpipe
4. The region of mane trimmed to give a bridlepath

The answer can be found on my profile page by clicking here.