Horse health, horse riding tips, horse care and finding good quality horse stuff easily. It’s about local equestrian facilities, about showing off your horse and letting other equestrians know what you’re doing and how you do it.
Unlike dogs, our horses can’t tell us when they are hurt. Dogs will whine or whimper to show distress, but your horse is a prey animal and prey animals don’t make any sounds to show they are weak or hurt. Just in case those nasty wolves & lions find out. So, it’s up to you, the horse owner, to check for signs of lameness in your horse.
Studies by the Tufts University of Veterinary Medicine suggest that horses kept in stables or dirt paddocks are more likely to sample anything green and ingest plants toxic to horses’. Your horse can also accidentally ingest toxic plants and they can acquire a taste for some, such as acorns and ragwort dried in hay. Know what you need to keep away from you horse
Looking to buy a horse and need information on the various breeds of horse. Then surf through our horse breed pages for information on the multitude of horse and pony breeds from around the world. Including relevant information on horse breed characteristics and the breed suitability for ridden disciplines
Equine laminitis doesn’t just affect fat ponies, it can be found in any horse prone to the condition. Spotting laminitis symptoms and knowing the difference between chronic laminitis and acute laminitis is important as by the time your horse adopts the classical laminitis stance, some damage has already been done to the sensitive laminae …
The standard dressage arena is marked using large printed letters placed at pre-designated intervals around the perimeter. This helps the dressage rider or the dressage instructor, to follow the correct path during tests
Bred for more than 3000 years in Turkmenistan, the Akhal Teke Horse Breed was bred to withstand extreme desert conditions. It is a tough hardy horse breed ideal for endurance riding
A UK vet has quite possibly linked common face flies to the spread of sarcoids, but it is commonly thought that a papilloma virus (wart) is probably what causes horse sarcoids
The equine dentist will float your horses teeth (rasp or file the teeth) to even the surface of the teeth and ensure they are at the proper angle for comfortable eating and efficient digestion. This prevents unseen horse health problems developing
Several common sense measures can be taken to prevent strangles affecting horses at a livery yard or riding school. Prevention is better than cure and horse owners themselves should always be aware of strangles outbreaks in their area. You are responsible for your horse’s welfare and you should insist your livery yard or riding school take preventive measures
French equine breeders have created the extraordinary horse breed called the Selle Francais. They have selectively crossed their sturdy native horses with Thoroughbred stallions and introduced French Anglo-Arab and French Trotter bloodlines to add brilliance, agility and energy to the Selle Francais breed
Should you buy a horse with equine sarcoids? Before you decide you need to understand what horse sarcoids are, the different types of sarcoids and how they can affect what you want to do with your horse. Buying a horse with sarcoids is also a major consideration …
Horsey people talk about horse bodies the way mechanics talk about cars, which is why knowing the correct equine terminology and equestrian terms is important. Learn to recognise the difference between a snip and a stripe or a sock and a stocking
Just as with people, horses get tired of doing the same old thing over and over. Some bored horses will anticipate your aids if they are schooled too much in the same pattern. I’ve seen horses in the show ring that learn the pattern of gaits and then simply go through the motions without the riders help
If you can ride down the centre line, halt at X, proceed to C, turn left or right, ride the corner and receive 10 marks for the movement, then your horse is ready for Grand Prix dressage and you certainly don’t need our advice. Losing marks on basic dressage movements is silly when you can use our dressage tips to make sure you don’t
Dressage tests can be nerve racking and every little bit helps where competition nerves are concerned. A simple check list of dressage competition tips that you can work through before each competition is a must have
Very few of us consider the practicalities of owning and using a horsebox or trailer before we buy one and if we are honest quite a few of us expect that our horse will instantly recognise a horsebox
The Thoroughbred horse breed is one of the fastest horses in the world. They make the perfect racehorse. The Thoroughbred was developed in England in the 17th century by crossing the fastest English native breeds with imported Arabian stallions
Whether your intention is to simply hack out, compete at riding club shows or to progress up to advanced equine eventing, it is important that your horses’ fitness is increased in a gradual and consistent way. Slow and steady is the key to getting your horse fit for the job you want it to do.
The horses skeleton provides support for its muscles; protection for the horse’s internal organs; and has enough mobility built into its various parts that the horse can move smoothly at differing speeds and still lie down, graze or do both at the same time.
There are a wide range of commercial horse wormers on the market, all of which are available from both online and offline sources. But don’t just automatically choose the cheapest product. Instead use a little knowledge and put together a more effective de-worming program that will improve the health of your horse
It doesn’t matter were they’re placed or how well they do, competing in horse shows is an excellent way for young riders to develop confidence and improve their horse riding abilities. Equestrian competitions are were they learn good sportsmanship and how to cope well with success and failure
You may indulge your horse in couture inspired pink rugs or decadent diamante bridles, but grooming is the way your horse wants you to repay the effort and affection your horse gives you. Good grooming is a basic horse care essential
The Selle Francais Horse Breed is one of the worlds most successful competition horses. It shines above all others at show jumping and thanks to the Thoroughbred blood in there veins Selle Francais horses have the speed and the stamina to succeed in three day eventing
Useful horse riding tips and equestrian advice including homemade horse treat recipes and different ways to think while riding. Plus resources to help you and your horse become a better partnership, and hopefully some that will save you a little money
Lunge lining is a method of horse training that involves driving your horse in a circle on a 20-meter rope called a lunge line, while using your voice and body language to control the horses movement and direction. It is an essential part of all good horse training programs.
The Arab horse is one of the oldest and most beautiful horse breeds, its original breed make-up is unknown but it appears to have lived on the Arabian Peninsula since 3000 years BC
Horse hoof conformation is the result of 50 million years of the evolution of the horse and both wild and domesticated horses share a similar hoof shape even though they live in quite different conditions
The quarter horse breed made its name during the great days of cattle herding in the American west, when settlers required a totally dependable mount. Today the quarter horse is immensely popular in western riding competitions such as barrel racing, rodeos and roping
A guide on using the appropriate horse saddles in your preferred equestrian discipline. The uses and differences in saddles ranging from the general purpose saddle to the specialist dressage, racing and side saddles
Properly grooming a horse is essential particularly when your horse is stabled. Grooming not only picks up immediate problems that might become serious if left undetected, but also strengthens the bond between you and your horse
