Dr. David Marlin, co-author of Equine Exercise Physiology (2002), has over 20 years experience in physiology and biochemistry. His areas of specialty include exercise physiology, respiratory and cardiovascular physiology and disease, thermoregulation, physiological measurement, as well as imaging and diagnostic devices. While he specializes in equine studies, he has worked with a variety of species including horses, dogs, cats and human subjects. One of David's highest profile projects was the research into the effects of heat and humidity in the lead up to the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Among other things, his work is at the forefront of understanding how to make the rigors of equine competition and shipping, as well as stabling facilities, increasingly humane in proportion to our scientific understanding of how the equine body works. Dr. Marlin is an engaging lecturer and a consultant to the elite sector of equine sport, from racing to dressage. In 2009 Dr. Marlin conducted studies with Monty Roberts comparing the effect on horses of natural horsemanship versus traditional methods. Other projects have included studies on exercise boots, endurance, treadmills and heart monitors, among other things. He travels internationally for his work with World Horse Welfare, which was formerly known as ILPH. He is currently Chair of the National Organizing Committee of ICEEP, the International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology, which holds its 8th Conference in South Africa in November 2010. http://www.iceep.org/default.htm
You can learn more from Dr. Marlin online by visiting his website, http://www.davidmarlin.co.uk/ which has an archive of downloadable articles on practical and scientific subjects. You can also catch up with him on his blog and video diary on http://www.horsehero.com/ which also offers a wealth of information about training, competing, and all things related to equine sport. He is based in Newmarket, UK.
Background and Current Posts
David Marlin obtained his PhD from Loughborough University in 1989 based on work undertaken at the Animal Health Trust on the metabolic response to high-intensity exercise and training in the Thoroughbred racehorse. He then worked for three years with racehorse trainer Luca Cumani in Newmarket. From 1993-1996 he undertook studies on thermoregulation and transport of horses relating to the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Until the end of 2005 he held the position of Head of Physiology at the Animal Health Trust and the position of Senior Scientist for over 10 years.
He is the author of over 140 scientific papers and a number of book chapters and holds the following posts:
Visiting Professor in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology, University of Bristol, UK
Visiting Professor in Equine Science, Nottingham Trent University, UK
Adjunct Professor, Department of Physiology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
Associate Dean for Research, Hartpury College, Gloucester, UK
Head of Higher Education, Open College of Equine Studies, UK
Lecturer, Equinology, INC teaching Equine Exercise Physiology and related subjects
Books Published: (For a complete list of publications, visit Dr. Marlin’s website)
Equine Exercise Physiology (2002) Marlin and Nankervis, Blackwell Publishing
PROJECTS:
Consulting for the Government on the further development of the Horse Industry within the UK following the publication of the DEFRA report on the industry in 2004.
Working with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics advising on climate considerations for the Equestrian Disciplines which will be held in Hong Kong.
Jointly leading the FEI Initiative for Welfare in Endurance with Prof Leo Jeffcott and is consulting for the International League for the Protection of Horses on welfare issues related to transport of horses in Europe.
• A project to develop farm-based screening for tuberculosis in cattle using exhaled breath and other body fluids. This project is currently being funded by DEFRA.
• Development of two different non-invasive breath collection systems, which can be used in rodents and other small animals and for paediatric applications. I have also had a system for non-invasive breath collection patented by a former employer.
• Looking for novel methods of diagnosis of respiratory disease using techniques such as electronic nose, dedicated NO/CO analysers, respiratory mass spectrometers and SIFT-MS.
• Evaluation of a novel breath collector and patient-side portable analyser for detecting airway inflammation
• Development of a method of non-invasive testing for illegal use of prohibited substances in horseracing.
• Contract research as part of pharmaceutical registration and evaluation of nutraceuticals.
• Development and testing of devices for delivering inhaled medication to animals, including radiolabel deposition studies.
• Diagnostic use of sound analysis for upper and lower airway disease in horse, cats and dogs.
• Development of an approach to correct for errors due to low frequency response of medical or analytical equipment.
• Estimation of errors in attenuation of radioisotopes in large mammals.
• Project to construct a large animal split-ring PET (positron emission tomography) scanner
• Thermal environmental monitoring in Hong Kong in advance of the Equestrian competitions in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
• Working with a major veterinary capital equipment supplier to evaluate the suitability of new products to add to their range
• Consultant on transport for the International League for the Protection of horses
• Design and placement of a study, evaluation of results and production of a report for a manufacturer of horsewalkers
• Evaluation of capability and trends in equine science and equine education in the UK
• Advising a company marketing portable and fixed cooling systems on applications in horses
• Working with a medical device company on equine applications for their product range
• Project management of registration of a new veterinary medication
• Advising a large Newmarket stud on purchase, installation and siting of environmental stations in order to relate growth rates to thermal conditions and optimise management
• Co-inventor of a novel imaging technique to track the movement of solid structures beneath an elastic outer layer
• Evaluation of the accuracy of a portable system for measuring ventilation and gas exchange in horses during ridden over ground and treadmill exercise