Property & Pasture
Seven tips to manage your horse’s weight
These challenging times are affecting every aspect of our lives, including, for many of us, how
War on Waste: Horse Feedbags
War on waste horse feedbags. Material: Feedbags are (generally) made from woven polypropylene. Abbreviated as PP,
War on Waste for Horse Owners: A Circular Economy
War on Waste for horse owners. The planet is drowning in plastic and, while a lot
Horse Health & Well-being
Your Horse’s Vital Signs Part 2: Emergencies
How to help your horse in an emergency. Horse emergencies can be frightening but here’s how you should respond to ensure the best outcome for your horse. This article is the second of a 2-part series. In the first part, Dr Rachel O’Higgins explained the vital signs and why it’s
Horse Training
Growing Your Horse’s Window of Tolerance
In an earlier article, I wrote about the window of tolerance, which is kind of like the horse’s emotional comfort zone. In this article, I discuss how you can grow your horse’s individual window of tolerance so they can become more resilient to the demands we impose. I also introduce
Horse People & Culture
Riding Out 2020
Having access to horses is helping this young Victorian ride out the lockdown and ongoing challenges of 2020. On the front cover of the September-October 2020 edition of Horses and People Magazine we have a portrait by Louise Sedgman of Ashelee Capizzi and her first pony Mary. A veteran in
News & Science
New Framework for Assessing the Welfare of Working Equids
The new framework aims to improve the lives of working equids in Nepalese brick kilns and beyond. Horses, donkeys, and mules working in the brick-building factories of Nepal have generally good body condition, and most are sound. But more than half have scars, wounds, and other skin issues, and many
Sponsored Content
Protect Your Horse During Travel
HEALTH REPORT SPONSORED BY Fitton HorseInsure Top tips supported by recent research to help protect your horse during travel. Transporting horses might be part of the daily routine for many owners and trainers, but for horses, it is stressful, exhausting and carries a significant risk. There is a large amount of
Pre-purchase Exams
HEALTH REPORT SPONSORED BY Fitton HorseInsure Why you should invest in a pre-purchase vet exam when buying your next horse Looking for a horse to buy? Whether you are buying your first horse or looking for another one to add to your collection, finding your ‘unicorn’ is the stuff dreams are
Equus Nexus: Giving Thoroughbreds the Best Chance – For Life
I recently had an opportunity to catch up with Mike Lawrence, founder of Equus Nexus, while he was starting a young racehorse of mine. Equus Nexus has several beautiful retired Thoroughbred racehorses and warmblood horses, in various stages of training. My interest was the retraining of Thoroughbred racehorse project that
Fast Referral Gives Horses The Best Chance For Surviving Colic
HEALTH REPORT SPONSORED BY Fitton HorseInsure Surviving Colic He’s down. He’s rolling. He’s up! … And, down again. Oh no, and now he’s got that look. The one that tells you, yeah, this seems pretty bad. For horse owners, few situations create more anxiety than finding your horse in the throes
Horse Welfare
The 2020 Five Domains Model for Welfare Assessment
A new, updated version of the Five Domains Model, the gold standard in animal welfare assessment and monitoring, has just been published in the Open Access journal Animals. Read a
New Framework for Assessing the Welfare of Working Equids
The new framework aims to improve the lives of working equids in Nepalese brick kilns and beyond. Horses, donkeys, and mules working in the brick-building factories of Nepal have generally
Human Mindset
It’s Time to Change the Culture
I want to comment on a recent article in Eurodressage by Adriane Alvord, “The Pain that Lives Behind the Barn
The Equestrian Coach Challenge
The coronavirus crisis is creating huge problems, but it’s also opening opportunities for us to focus on connecting with what
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Equitation Science
Research to Lift the Veil on Bridles
Research on horse owners’ use of bitted and unbitted bridles, believed to be first of its kind, could change the
On-board Technology Helps Avoid Hyperflexion
When a horse is moving straight forward, it can be difficult for a rider to evaluate the horse’s head position.
Horses and People in Art
Little Riders and Cute Ponies: The World of Horse Book Illustration
Today we’re exploring pony stories and humorous cartoons. Pony stories feed our obsessions and provide
Dressed for the Ride: The history of rider wear
Rider wear is an area of sports clothing where history, function and symbolism are uniquely
3 Beneficial Stretches and Core Strengthening For Your Horse
3 beneficial stretches and core strengthening for your horse. As we learn more about the horse’s body and how things are connected, therapists are finding better ways of keeping our fur-kids safe, healthy and, most importantly, happy. There are many new fads that promise quick cures for imbalances, whether they
Hairy Caterpillars: A Foal’s Life Saved
Abortions and premature births can happen when pregnant mares are accidentally exposed to some types of hairy caterpillar. In this article, Equine Reproduction Specialist Dr John Chopin shares a case that could have ended in tragedy but resulted in a healthy foal thanks to their early intervention. Take home message:
Mycotoxins in Horse Feeds
Mycotoxins are poisonous compounds that are naturally produced by certain types of moulds (fungi) which can contaminate horse feed and pasture plants. Although contamination of commercial horse feeds is not very common in Australia, it can occur, particularly under warm and rainy conditions. At the Fuelling Wellness Global Animal Nutrition
Researchers Compare the Welfare of Competition vs Leisure Horses
Tough question time. Which horses have better health and welfare: leisure-riding horses? Or competition horses? A recent Swiss study has just shown that competition horses generally face greater limitations on their movement freedom. But leisure horses tend to be more obese and have slightly poorer-fitting saddles. And meanwhile, both groups
