David Marlin studied physiology and computing at Stirling University in Scotland (UK) from 1978 to 1981. He then trained with dressage rider and coach Judy Harvey (Fellow of the British Horse Society (FBHS) and Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) International dressage judge. He obtained his PhD from Loughborough University in 1989 after 4 years studying the responses of Thoroughbred racehorses to exercise and training at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket. He then worked for 3 years in Newmarket as equine exercise physiologist for racehorse trainer Luca Cumani. From 1993–1996 he undertook studies on thermoregulation and transport of horses in the build-up to the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games in conjunction with the FEI. He was also involved in advising The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), the Hong Kong Jockey Club, International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the FEI on air-conditioning and cooling for horses at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. From 1990 until 2005 David held the position of Senior Scientist and Head of Physiology at the Animal Health Trust.
His main areas of professional interest are exercise physiology, including nutrition, fitness training, thermoregulation, competition strategy, transport and respiratory disease.
He has worked as a consultant to the British Equestrian Teams since 1994 and was a member of the World Class Performance Scientific Advisory Group chaired by John McEwen when it was created in 2006. David’s recent projects have included a review of the effects of temperature on horses during transport for the British Government, an investigation of welfare in Endurance racing for the FEI, development of testing methods for equine protective leg boots, investigation of welfare in horses transported for slaughter in Europe, scientific study of the training methods of Monty Roberts and investigations into factors associated with elite equine performance. He is currently working on projects related to nutrition, performance analysis, rider biomechanics, equestrian psychology and horse related smart technology.
He holds the academic position of Professor in Physiology at Oklahoma State University. He is the author of over 200 scientific papers and book chapters. David’s other affiliations and positions include past Chair of the International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology (ICEEP) and editor of Comparative Exercise Physiology. He is also the author of Equine Exercise Physiology (Blackwell) and author of the Pony Club book All Systems Go.
