Dr Andrew Hemmings

Research 

Research techniques 

• Homologous competition binding assays featuring radioligands for quantification of receptor density / affinity
• Tissue sectioning using cryotome and microtome devices
• Autoradiography of radioligands bound to frozen tissue sections
• Histological techniques applied to the brain
  • Nissl Satin
  • Weil’s stain for myelin sheaths
• Behavioural probes of brain function
  • Tolmans Maze
  •  Extinction Learning Paradigms
  • Contingency Manipulation
  • Spontaneous Eye Blink Rate
• Tooth-pit analysis of skeletal remnants to ascertain identity of predator species
• Use of camera traps to monitor wild / feral animal populations 

Commercial research collaborations: 

• Lesaffre Yeast Ltd (effect of yeast supplementation on behaviour and digestibility in horses)
• Nupafeed Ltd, (effects of magnesium supplementation on behaviour in horses)
• Natural Animal Feeds (effects of magnesium supplementation on behaviour in horses)
• Horse Licks (effects of lick provision on stereotypy frequency in horses)
• Likits (effects of lick provision on stereotypy frequency in horses)

Teaching 

Programme Manager

• BSc (Hons) Equine Management
• BSc (Hons) International Equine and Agricultural Business Management
• BSc (Hons) Equine Studies

Teaching areas

• Equine behaviour
• Equine genetics
• Animal welfare

Publications 

Journal articles and book chapters

• Hale, C.E. Warren, H. and Hemmings, A. (2012). The fermentation of hay and starch when incubated in vitro with faecal inoccula from either normal healthy horses or horses with a history of laminitis. In Forages and Grazing in Horse Nutrition. Wageningen Academic Publishers. 357 - 361
• Hale, C.E. Hemmings, A. and Bee, S. (2011).  The effects of a high starch, cereal-based diet compared to a low starch, fibre-based diet on reactivity in horses.  In Applied Equine Nutrition and Training.  Wageningen Academic Publishers. 227-231.
• Hale, C.E. Laycock, G. and Hemmings A. (2008). Stress responses of semi-feral foals at auction. Animal Welfare. 17 (supp) 100.
• Hale, C.E. Moore-Colyer, M.J.S and Hemmings, A. (2007). Feeding with Welfare in Mind: the role of alternative forages in meeting energy demands of domesticated horses. Animal Welfare. 16, (supp) 170.
• Hemmings, A. McBride, S.D. and Hale, C.E. (2007). Preservative responding and the aetiology of equine oral stereotypy.Applied Animal Behaviour Science. (104)143-150.
• Hemmings, A. McBride, S.D and Smith, N.C (2004). The putative reward function of equine stereotypic behaviour. InEmerging Equine Science. Nottingham University Press. 67-78.
• McBride, S.D and Hemmings, A. (2009). A neurologic perspective of equine stereotypy. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 29 (1) 10-16.
• McBride, S.D and Hemmings, A. (2005). Altered mesoaccumbens and nigro-striatal dopamine physiology is associated with stereotypy development in a non-rodent species. Behavioural Brain Research. 159, 113-118.
• McBride, S.D and Hemmings, A. (2004). Causal factors of equine stereotypy. In Emerging Equine Science. Nottingham University Press. 35-65.
• McBride, S.D Hemmings, A. and Robinson, K. (2004) A preliminary study on the effect of massage to reduce stress in the horse. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 24, 76-81

Conference presentations 

• Hemmings, A. (2013) Behavioural probes of altered brain function. Invited Keynote Speech. Myerscough Research Symposium. Myerscough College 
• Hemmings, A. (2013) Feeding and behaviour. Invited Plenary Address. Equine Behaviour Forum, Myerscough College.
• Hemmings, A. (2013) Neurologic perspectives on animal welfare. Invited Plenary Address. UFAW / Hartpury Animal Welfare Conference. Hartpury College.
• Hemmings, A. (2012) Equine behavioural neurobiology: research goals for the next decade and beyond. Invited Plenary Address. Annual Conference of the International Society for Equitation Science. University of Edinburgh.
• Hemmings, A. (2012). Brain function in relation to training and performance. Keynote Presentation. Alltech Equine Symposium. Hartpury College, Gloucestershire.
• Hemmings, A. (2012). Brain function in relation to training and performance. Keynote Presentation. Theatre Presentation.Horses Inside Out Annual Conference.  Royal Agricultural College, Gloucestershire.
• Hemmings, A. (2011).  Brain function in relation to training and performance. Theatre Presentation. Horses Inside Out Annual Conference.  Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire. 

Articles in technical press

• Hemmings, A. and Hale, C.E. (2013) A matter of survival. Equine Health 6 [3] 37-39 
• Hemmings, A. and Hale, C.E. (2013) From dawn horse to race horse. Equine Health 3 [2] 40-41
• Hemmings, A. (2013) Breeding in the feral state. Equine Health 3 [1] 38- 40
• Hemmings, A. (2012) The genetic basis of unwanted behaviour: a glimpse into the future of genetic screening. Equine Health. 2 [5] 20-21 

Articles in popular press 

• Hemmings, A. (2011) Fuelling bad habits. Horse and Hound, June 2011.
• Hemmings, A. (2009) Do crib-biters make better competition horses? Horse and Hound, August 2009.