Dr. Katrina Merkies' study explores how touch affects horses during human interactions, focusing on behavioral and physiological responses. The research examines horses' reactions to consensual versus non-consensual touch, and touches on preferred versus non-preferred areas. It also considers how human experience with horses influences these responses, offering insights into improving human-horse relationships and horse welfare.

Dr Merkies is the faculty advisor for the Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management degree program in Equine Management. She also teaches courses in equine management, event management, equine reproduction and integrated projects. She manages a small research program involving equine behaviour, welfare, management mainly focused on the horse-human relationship especially in equine-assisted activities.