Dr. David Marlin has a background in equine exercise physiology. He was kind enough to take the time to answer some questions about what he does and how he got there.
How much of your day/week is related to horses?
Probably 75%. As well as my work, my son used to ride and my daughter still does and I sometimes go to watch friends compete, although avoid offering advice unless they specifically ask. I go racing at Newmarket as well. I enjoy photography and horse events make great opportunities for taking pictures.
What is it exactly that you do?
My background is in physiology, biochemistry and computing with some experience in electronics. I started off doing my degree at Stirling University and then spent a few years in different jobs before I saw that the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket was setting up a unit to study equine exercise physiology. I managed to get a PhD with David Snow and Roger Harris who were running the group and ran the first study in the UK on a high-speed treadmill.
Then I worked for Newmarket racehorse trainer Luca Cumani for 3 years before going back to the AHT. Around 18 years ago I setup Science Supplements and 15 years ago I setup my own consultancy business. I work or have worked for many different clients including:
- the IOC, FEI and DEFRA,
- charities such as the BHS, World Horse Welfare and Redwings,
- commercial companies such as Spillers, Polar, Arioneo, Haygain and Equilibrium Products
- as well as private owners, riders and trainers.
Essentially I either help design or conduct studies, evaluate studies, advise on products and services, help with marketing, get involved with new product development, and help sort out problems. I also have another working life separate from horses in human sport and healthcare involving physiological monitoring and respiratory diagnostics.
In this field of work, is it possible to be a full time professional and earning a liveable income?
Yes, it has been for me.
What are the general steps taken to be employed in such a role?
I think to some extent I was in the right place at the right time. Before university I was interested in fish farming. I learned to ride at University and then spent some time training with rider, coach and judge Judy Harvey. When I started at the AHT there were small computers around but no software. I wrote my own software and so that really helped me progress.
I also used to make a lot of my own kit for studies as you couldn’t buy it. The 1990’s was a great time for equine research – grant money was fairly easy to come by. I also had the opportunity to work with some great scientists; David Snow, Roger Harris, Eric Hultman, Birgitta Essen-Gustavsson, Bob Schroter, Frank Kelly, Ed Robinson, David Poole, Howard Erickson, Hal Schott, Petra Reinhold. Too many to name.
For me, collaboration with talented people who have a similar interest but perhaps complimentary skills has been something I strived for.
Favourite horse memory?
Just one? There are so many. There are two I can’t really separate. Working with Mary King and King William is one. I remember traveling with the British 3DE team to Rome in 1995 when they had to qualify for Atlanta. I took a weighbridge and discovered KW didn’t drink after cross-country. He had a reputation for being high up in the dressage and XC and then dropping 10-20 places in the SJ. We discovered once he was rehydrated that he jumped a lot better.
The other top moment was when the Queen asked to come and visit the AHT to hear about my research into heat and humidity for Atlanta 1996.
Future goals?
I’ve been involved in many aspects of horse welfare, including climate management of World Equestrian Games and Olympics and I’m keen to carry on in this area. I’m working on WEG 2018 in Tryon and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but I also have welfare related projects in endurance and eventing.
I’m also particularly interested in performance analysis. I have recently published work on endurance and show jumping with long-term collaborator Dr Jane Williams at Hartpury. Jane and I also share an interest in psychology and we’ve been investigating horse owner behaviour. First study to be presented in Rome in September which might cause a few raised eyebrows
Best thing about your sport/profession?
I like to think some of the things I do have an influence on horse welfare. Horses are phenomenal animals but can be so open to abuse by a small number of riders, owners or trainers, either for financial gain or ignorance. So education is very important to me.
I really enjoy working collaboratively with others and seeing some of the next generation of young equine scientists emerge. The past year I’ve been working with Lorna Cameron at Sparsholt on a very exciting project with one of her undergraduate students, Ella Bartlett. Ella has a real talent for research. Helping such people to develop as researchers gives me a lot of pleasure. It’s competitive being a scientist in the horse world but hard work, persistence and talent usually pay off eventually.
