British Racing’s Disappointing Whip Report
The long awaited report from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on the use of the whip represents a lost opportunity for rebuilding trust and bringing back enthusiastic crowds to British racetracks.Despite its 95 pages, the report overlooks almost the entirety of...
New commission to advise on horse sports’ social license to operate
A commission to help horse sport maintain its social license to operate has been announced by the world governing body for equestrian disciplines. The Commission which includes external 'independent' equitation scientists will develop a practical framework to help the...
Sport Horse Welfare: Where are we at?
In a thorough review titled 'Champing at the Bit for Improvements: Equine Welfare in Equestrian Sports in the United Kingdom', independent researchers Tim Holmes and Ashleigh Brown, explore the effect of equestrian sports on the lifelong welfare of horses, highlight...
Swiss Guide to the Ethical Use of Horses
A guide to the ethical use of horses, with a focus on their welfare. Horse sports are struggling to successfully match the public's expectations of welfare. Competition demands are not always compatible with satisfying the horse's needs, and the tension...
Body Condition Scoring: A Practical Guide for all Body Types
Body condition scoring is one of the most important and useful skills an owner can have when it comes to monitoring the health and welfare of their horses. And while the way we ‘condition score’ horses is uniform no matter their breed, certain breed traits should...
Rewilding Horses: No Easy Enterprise
What are our moral obligations when managing the welfare of rewilded horses? Conservationists are reintroducing horses (and cattle) to areas they once roamed wild in, in an effort to restore lost ecosystems, help shape and regulate landscapes, and promote...
Perceptions of Sport Horse Welfare Issues: New Study
There are growing concerns about the welfare of horses from within and outside sport and these concerns are threatening horse sports' social license to operate. In early 2021, the Animal Welfare Research Network (AWRN) and National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) ran an...
Further evidence that weaning is stressful for foals
There is strong evidence to show that weaning (artificially removing foals from their mothers) causes foals considerable stress. A variety of factors can affect just how stressful weaning is for foals, including their age and management factors (e.g., feeding, social...
Open the Gates to Good Horse Welfare
When we picture scenes of animal cruelty, we generally imagine thin, malnourished horses in haphazard paddocks filled with abandoned cars, barbed wire fencing and empty gas cans. Less commonly associated with mistreatment are luxurious stabling facilities housing...
When in Doubt… Turn Them Out!
Going down in history as one of the best Melbourne Cup wins, a horse named Kiwi, originally purchased to round up sheep, dashed to victory in the 123rd Melbourne Cup of 1983. With only 100 metres to go, and at 10-to-one odds, the chestnut gelding upstaged the best...
Will You Know When It’s Time? Horse Euthanasia, the Hardest Decision by Far
This article will help all horse owners who are either grappling with an end-of-life decision or aiming to plan ahead. It covers when and how to take the decision and who to involve. It explains the difference between welfare state and quality-of-life, and how to...
The Impact of Birth Trauma on Horse Welfare and Performance
Help! My horse is girthy, crooked and has uneven front hooves… What can I do? This problematic trio is one of the most common reasons owners decide to seek some form of body therapy for their horse. After treating more than 10,000 horses and analysing related...
Can Bedding Improve your Horse’s Performance?
If you were asked how to optimise your horse’s performance, it is likely you will think about meeting his nutritional needs, following a strict conditioning regimen, or ensuring that he is in ‘good’ health... Would bedding even come into your mind? ‘Good’ sleep is...
Strengths and Weaknesses of a National Equine Database
French researchers investigate the strengths and weaknesses of a 45-year-old National Equine Database. Their findings can help all countries optimise the efficiency and management of horse traceability systems. A national equine database can help keep track of where...
Journal Opens Access to Heat and Humidity Research Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics
To help vets protect elite horses from the extreme conditions expected at the Tokyo Olympics, the Equine Veterinary Journal is providing free access to a Special Collection of eleven landmark papers covering the health and welfare of horses competing in hot and humid...
The Saddle Fit Guide
Here is some advice for fitting, using and maintaining your saddle, compiled by the Animal Health Trust, in collaboration with World Horse Welfare. Their research has highlighted some areas that should be carefully considered when fitting a new saddle, which will help...
Horses and Floods
Horses and floods Floods are one of the most frequent natural disasters that horse owners have to deal with because many of the properties horses are kept in are floodplains. Despite this, it is easy to become complacent. This helpful information has been compiled by...
How to Find the Right Bit for your Horse
What’s the best bit for my horse? Well, I am glad you ask! It is a very important question that directly affects your horse’s well-being, but finding the answer involves considering and balancing many aspects, from the horse’s history, individual anatomy, conformation...
Researchers say foals need their own pain ethogram
They’re all horses, yes. But that doesn’t mean that little horses act like big horses when they’re in pain. According to Dutch scientists, foals express pain differently from the way adult horses do. And because of that, they need their own pain-related facial...
Effective Horse Cooling – as Recommended by the FEI
Hot or hot and humid environmental conditions are a serious risk to health and performance unless properly managed. Research into the effects of heat and humidity on horses during competition has been ongoing since the Atlanta Olympic Games. Here is some practical...
Race-2-Ride: Retraining and Welfare Off The Track
There has been much in the press over the last year about the welfare of horses leaving the racing industry, raising questions about the sustainability and ethics of the current situation. In this article, Kate Fenner explains how we can all help to protect the...
Helping Ranchers Identify Fatigue
Five million horses live in Brazil. Nearly three-quarters of them work as ranch horses on beef cattle farms, spending long days driving, cutting, and transporting, sometimes across difficult terrains and in extreme weather. Researchers are helping ranchers recognise...
10 Reasons to Stop Whipping Racehorses
10 reasons to stop whipping racehorses, including new research revealing the likely pain it causes Pressure is increasing on the global horse-racing industry to reconsider the use of whips in the sport. Our research, published in the journal Animals, shows horses’...
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 2019 interview with Professor Emeritus David Mellor, the architect of the Five Domains...
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,...
Learning Theory to Improve Equine Veterinarian Safety and Retention
A new program to teach horse handling methods based on learning theory to equine vets will make treatments safer. Horses aren’t always the easiest of patients. They kick; they bite; they bolt. They rear; they stomp their feet; they raise their heads so high you need a...
How Many Foals End up Racing?
Only 66% of Thoroughbred foals entered training in Australia and 5% were exported to other countries. What happened to the other the other 28%? You see the ones that win. You even see the ones that lose. But if you’ve ever wondered where the rest of the racehorses...
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...
Improving the Welfare of Meat Horses Using Positive Reinforcement-Based Training for Self-Loading
That last truck ride. It’s like they know it’s their last. Horses loading into trucks headed for the slaughterhouse often rear, kick, paw, defecate, refuse to move, or charge abruptly the opposite direction, leading to injuries to themselves, to other horses, and to...
Tight Nosebands: A ‘Feel-good’ Shortcut to Nowhere
Tight Noseband? A poorly fitted bridle can give your horse as much discomfort as a poorly fitted bit. Even today, many riders are not fully aware that bridle fit can also influence the breathing and biomechanics of your horse, potentially changing the way they move...
Can Horse People Get Along? Tips from Six Blind Men and an Elephant
It is possible for horse people to get along? Horse people! We have a reputation for being a bit, well, crazy. But not just in the eccentric way. I mean in the way that we don’t get along very well with one another. It’s quite ironic that if anyone was going to...
An Agency Adventure: Equitation Welfare Workshop
Can sport horses be happy? The first ever Equitation Welfare Workshop took place on 1st & 2nd August and was attended by delegates from Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Canada, The Netherlands and Italy. Owing to COVID-19, this technology-driven, collaborative workshop...
Researchers Question Artificial Weaning
Weaning foals Six months old. That landmark age when your baby foal isn’t a baby anymore. Time to wean... As in, time to take him away from his dam, lock her up so she doesn’t injure anyone trying to get to her baby. And time to make him try to get past the anxiety of...
First Evidence-based Protocol for Wild Horse Welfare Assessment
Brumby welfare If people would just leave brumbies, mustangs, and other free-roaming horses alone, they’d be able to live peaceful, happy lives with good welfare. Right? Maybe. Or maybe not. Judging the welfare of wild, free-roaming animals actually isn’t something...
Here’s How to Make Eventing Safer
“There are known knowns, known unknowns and unknown unknowns” is a phrase US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld used in a news briefing in February 2002 when speaking about the lack of evidence linking the government of Iraq with the supply of ‘weapons of mass...
Horse Bit Fit: Comfort and Communication
We can’t change the world by helping one horse and rider but we can change the world for that horse and rider. Over recent years, Horse Bit Fit consultants have placed a spotlight on the notion that bit and bridle fit must be considered as a routine part of every...
Webinar: Tongue Ties and Tight Nosebands
Noseband tightness in competition is a hot topic that is high on Equestrian Canada's agenda. In the process of revising the rules, this equestrian federation invited Professor Paul McGreevy to explain the science. Scroll down to watch the webinar... A riding...
Equitation Welfare Workshop: Online Event
Equitation Science Equitation Welfare Workshops: An online event 'Agency and its effects on the sport horse' with Dr Andrew McLean (Equitation Science International) is an online event that will take place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August 2020. The workshop will...
Horse Weight Calculator
To instantly estimate the weight of your horse, scroll down to use our Horse Weight Calculator There are two ways to calculate the body weight of your horse. The first and most accurate way is to weigh your horse on an equine specific weighbridge, however, many of us...
A Bit More Choice: The Rise of Bit Fit Consulting
Bit fit. Trained bit fitting consultants now offer horse owners holistic and welfare-centric solutions. Choosing the correct bit for your horse is more challenging than most people might think and, particularly so when your horse is coping with ‘contact issues’ or...
Horses Travel Better in Wider Bays and Backwards
What's the best way for horses to travel? It’s not like you can buckle their seat belts. You can’t exactly give them those fuzzy little neck pillows for the long, overnight trip, either. Yet horses regularly take long trips, especially in Australia. So how can you...
Seven tips to manage your horse’s weight
These challenging times are affecting every aspect of our lives, including, for many of us, how we manage our horses. If you are turning your horse out daily or 24/7, check out these 7 tips to help you manage your horse's weight. Rates of obesity are considered to be...
COVID-19 Pandemic: Things You Can Do To Help
The Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic hails a looming disaster for horses, livestock and pets (especially small numbers that are personally owned), as unemployed or underemployed people will begin to run out of money and resources, and may not have banked enough hay,...
National Horse Register a Step Closer
The Agriculture Ministers’ Forum (AGMIN) met in Launceston last Friday to progress priority issues affecting the agriculture sector, with horse welfare and the development of a national horse register taking centre stage. The meeting was chaired by the Australian...
Racing Australia to ban stocking-style tongue ties
Tongue Ties In what looks like an effort to standardise the materials used for tying horses' tongues, Racing Australia have amended the rules, specifically banning nylon stockings and listing rubber bands and leather straps of a minimum 15mm, and lycra or neoprene...
Future Proofing Pony Club with an Evidence Base
Pony Club Australia (PCA) recently celebrated its 80th birthday, but with the release of a new and updated syllabus that incorporates the latest, evidence-based knowledge in equine welfare and equitation, the institution is in no danger of becoming old fashioned or...
How do Horses Sleep?
Whether you ride horses or just admire them from afar, at some point you might have wondered how they sleep. Maybe you saw a pony lying in a field and wondered if they sleep lying down or standing up. If you have pets, you probably already know that the sleep habits...
End-of-life Options and the Problems with Horse Slaughter
End-of-life and euthanasia options for horses This article focuses on what the end-of-life options are for horses, and the advantages and disadvantages of these options. It further discusses some of the welfare problems associated with slaughter and how some of these...
Gypsies and Travellers Understand Horse Welfare
Some people might think they know all too well how Gypsies and Travellers treat their horses… right? (Insert their eye roll, nodding, and even perhaps a judgmental smirk?) Actually, maybe they don’t. Despite popular belief, many Gypsies/Travellers have a good...
Whip Use in Equestrian Sports
Whip use in equestrian sports is currently a highly debated topic, not just within racing but across the entire industry, and a recent study into the use and perception of the whip in equestrian sports suggests there is an appetite for changes in regulation and...
Don’t box me in!
box stalls and welfare A gilded cage is still a cage. For horses, “gilded cages” come in the form of luxurious box stalls, clean and maintained, with modern sliding doors, windows to the outside, padded mats, wide aisles between the rows of stalls, and riding...
Early Playtime Builds a Foal’s Bones – For Life
Playtime Builds a Foal's Bones A playful foal hops, leaps, rears, attacks, threatens to bite and kick, and flees imaginary predators. But his behavior isn’t just a cute and charming show for his breeders (or seemingly a nuisance for his dam who gets caught in his line...
Whip Welts on Melbourne Cup Winner
Horse whips Vow And Declare’s post-race whip welts contradict racing’s official line that padded whips don’t hurt. The welts show up on a number of images we have obtained, as a series of blisters (raised skin lesions), grouped into almost parallel linear patterns...
Reviewed: ISES Position Statement on Noseband Use
In light of the findings of several recent noseband-related studies, this 2019 position statement by the International Society for Equitation Science replaces a previous version (2012) and reflects additional scientific evidence of potential adverse effects of...
AVA and EVA call for a national horse register
Call for National Horse Register. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has called upon the Australian government to implement a nationwide welfare standard and a register to protect the welfare of all horses, not just the racehorses. Their official statement...
Horse racing must change, or the court of public opinion will bury it
In the wake of a shocking ABC report on the dismal end of many racehorses’ lives in slaughterhouses, many Australians are questioning whether the horse racing industry can operate ethically. Some people will never agree that animals should be used for human...
New and Progressive: NZ Thoroughbred Welfare Guidelines
After two years of consultation with industry experts, welfare advocacy groups and animal welfare scientists, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) have released their comprehensive and progressive Thoroughbred Welfare Guidelines. They can be viewed and downloaded...
We could reduce the slaughter of racehorses if we breed them for longer racing careers
The slaughter of racehorses bred in Australia, as revealed in the ABC’s investigation, highlights the challenge of what to do with racehorses when their careers are over. The ABC has questioned the racing industry’s claim that fewer than 1% of horses retiring from...
It’s not just about your feelings, OK? The best end for a racehorse might be the knackery
Racehorse slaughter. In the varied responses to the ABC’s report into the fate of ex-racehorses, the consensus was that something should be done. Many have called for racehorse slaughter to be banned outright. This reaction differed significantly from that to footage...
Who’s responsible for the slaughtered ex-racehorses, and what can be done?
Slaughter of horses. This weekend saw protests at Caulfield racecourse, following a shocking report last week on the ABC’s 7:30 program on the fate of thousands of racehorses in Australia. It is a confronting wake-up call for an industry already struggling to maintain...
Letting go: Taking responsibility for end-of-life decisions
End-of-life decisions. Humane destruction is possibly the least discussed topic of horse ownership, and by far the most sensitive. Even so, every horse owner should give this issue considered thought so they will be prepared if the time comes. The large majority of...
Improving Rider Asymmetry
Rider balance. If you were an imbalanced rider, wouldn’t you notice that? Not necessarily, scientists say. People usually feel their own natural asymmetry as symmetrical. Their horses, however, would notice—managing uneven weight across their backs which might even...
Research into the Welfare of Wild Australian Brumbies
Wild brumbies. Dr Andrea Harvey is a veterinary specialist and animal welfare scientist, who is currently writing up her PhD research on the welfare and social dynamics of wild brumbies in New South Wales and Victoria. She grew up on the Island of Guernsey in the...
The Australian Capital Territory Recognises Animal Sentience in Law
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is the first jurisdiction in Australia to in law that animals are sentient and have intrinsic value. The Animal Sentience Act applies to all vertebrate species (including wildlife and fish) and cephalopods (octopus etc) and some...
In Search of the Equine Good Life
Once, there were the Five Freedoms—looking at what was available to the horse. Then came the Five Domains—looking at the state of the horse itself. Today, with ever-increasing public scrutiny of animal welfare and a greater understanding of their ethological needs,...
Vets Support Responsible Noseband Use
Vets support responsible noseband use. The Chilean Equine Veterinary Association (ACHVE) and the Chilean Veterinary College (COLMVET) have pledged support of the responsible use of nosebands in all equestrian disciplines. In their press release, they acknowledge the...
Tongue ties: Trying to see the whole picture
Tongue Ties. Whenever we want to get to the bottom of a question regarding equine performance, welfare, nutrition or disease, we must consider the science. Scientists make it their life’s work to drill down on their areas of interest in an effort to answer all the...
Why does my horse… Put the tongue over the bit?
Sometimes, horses get their tongues over the bit. When this happens, the tongue may loll out of the mouth in a very unsightly way, and all hope of achieving a good contact or communication line with the horse’s mouth will be lost. In horse racing, it is believed a...
Could your horse walker be causing your horse unnecessary stress?
You go to his stall, put his halter on him, lead him out away from his companions, and take him to that Great Contraption that he’s finally learned to accept. You guide him into the enclosure, tie him up, give him a friendly pat on the croup and tell him he’s a good...
The Equine Pain Face. How to tell if your horse is in pain
The equine pain face Horses may not be able to say how much it hurts with words, but researchers show their face tells all. Learn to recognise the signs of the equine pain face, also known as the equine grimace scale, with Karina Bech Gleerup. To download the FREE...
Young Riders’ Vision for Riding Schools
When it comes to horse (and rider) welfare, the “dreams of the youth” aren’t to be taken lightly. According to one Swedish researcher, professionals and scientists can learn a lot about developing more ideal riding schools tomorrow by listening to the young horse...
Learn to Recognise the Subtle Signs of Pain in Horses
Signs of Pain in Horses: Horses are instinctively ‘stoic’, they do their best to mask all signs of pain in an effort to keep-up and blend-in with the rest of their herd. By the time your horse shows clear signs of lameness or injury, it is likely a lot of damage has...
Transparency and Research for the Future of Horse Sports
The Future of Horse Sports: The first two weeks of the coronial inquest into the deaths of Olivia Inglis and Caitlyn Fischer, who died while competing at separate horse trials events in 2016, have been challenging and the process widely reported by mainstream media....
Don’t rug based on how cold you feel say researchers
When to rug your horse. If your horse is cold, rug him. The trick, though, is to know if he really is cold. Unfortunately, humans (and even equine scientists themselves) aren’t necessarily very good at picking up the signs that our horses are too hot, according to a...
The Science of Rugging Horses: What rug to use and when!
The Science of Rugging Horses: As we move towards winter and despite enjoying warm autumn days, the colder nights and mornings probably have most of us reaching for our body-warmers, fleeces and jackets when we go to see our horses. But, does this mean it's time to...
Snorting and chewing helps horses calm down when they are stressed
Snorting and chewing helps horses calm. He sees a tree stump, and you roll your eyes… because you know what’s coming next. This is the part where your horse plants his feet, perks up his ears, snorts, blows, and chews his own saliva. If you said he’s stressed at that...
A Paradigm Shift: From Care to Welfare
As horse owners, we aim to provide the best welfare for our horses, but, what is good horse welfare? And, how can you determine or measure if a domestic horse has good or bad welfare? These and many other questions have kept animal welfare scientists busy for many...
Can positive change be achieved on social media?
Can positive change be achieved on social media? It starts with a photo, a horse looking withdrawn and depressed, or scared out of his mind, or starving to death, or getting his head yanked against his throat, or getting his nose cranked together with a noseband so...
Main US racetracks to phase out race-day Lasix
Main US racetracks to phase out race-day Lasix. Race-day Lasix: Industry-led welfare and safety reforms are gaining momentum as several of the largest race tracks in the United States announce they will phase out the use of furosemide, commercially sold as Lasix,...
California’s horseracing welfare reform: The details
California's horseracing welfare reform. Racing resumed at Santa Anita Park last Friday, March 29, under rules which modernise the sport of horse racing and provide the strongest medication regulations in the United States. Approval for a complete revision of the...
Complete support within racing for Santa Anita Park reforms
Santa Anita Park reforms: The Stronach Group has received complete support for the welfare and safety reforms from a large number of horseracing governing bodies, including the Breeders' Cup, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and other...
California leading the way with whip reforms in racing
Whip reforms in racing. Whip-free race finishes may soon be a reality for California's Thoroughbreds. A complete ban on striking a horse with a whip for anything other than a safety reason, is one of the urgent welfare reforms that the California Horse Racing Board...
France bans the trimming of whiskers
France bans the trimming of whiskers. The French Equestrian Federation (FFE) has banned the removal of the horse's whiskers on welfare grounds. It joins Germany and Switzerland in bringing into effect a rule that would disqualify any horse from competition if the...
Tips for Exercising Horses Safely in Summer
With another hot Summer ahead in the Southern Hemisphere and last year’s record temperatures, it’s important to make sure you’re up to date on the latest, evidence-based advice on prevention of dehydration, heat stress and heat exhaustion. Exercise physiologist and...
The shocking use of ‘jiggers’ in horse racing
Jiggers in horse racing: Trainer Darren Weir will not contest three charges for alleged possession of electronic devices used to give shocks to horses, according to a statement released by Racing Victoria earlier today. The statement says assistant trainer Jarrod...
6 Ways to Improve Your Horse’s Resilience During Emergencies
In this article, you will find six basic principles you can incorporate into your daily interactions with your horses to help you prepare for extraordinary events and improve your horse’s survival and resilience during natural disasters and other extraordinary events....
Responsible Horse Breeding
Breeders large and small should be the first to assume the long-term responsibility for every foal produced. The first question to seriously consider is: Why do you want to breed a foal? This 12-point list helps to check if you are breeding responsibly. 1 Market: The...
The Cycle of Disaster Resilience
When it comes to extreme weather events or the possibility of an emergency animal disease outbreak, it’s not so much a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’. Understanding the lifecycle of disaster resilience helps us to know what to expect and how to be prepared, respond safely,...
Stereotypies
In this article, Dr Rachel O’Higgins examines the current understanding of stereotypies - a group of behaviours which are commonly referred to as ‘stable vices’. As Dr O’Higgins explains, horse owners must change the way they think about stereotypies; instead of...
Why the long face: just how risky is horse riding?
Eventing is a sport enjoyed by many Australians, but what are the risks? alan feebery/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND Kirrilly Thompson, CQUniversity Australia The death of 17-year-old horse rider Olivia Inglis in March 2016 rocked the global equestrian world. The hashtag...
How to Fit a Bit and Bridle Correctly
Horse Bit and Bridle - As horse owners, we have a responsibility to ensure the well being of our horses. Every time you ride, your position, posture and aids have a direct impact on your horse. But, how can you successfully communicate with your horse if your tack is...
The Saddle Fitter Visit
Horses and People speak with Hazel Morley of The Society of Master Saddlers, the most influential professional saddlery-related organisation in the world, about the importance of saddle fitting and why you should use a Society of Master Saddlers Registered Qualified...
When is it ethical to euthanize your pet?
In the 1960s, I knew people who, before going on vacation, would take their dogs to a shelter to be euthanized. They reasoned that it was cheaper to have a dog euthanized – and buy a new one upon returning – than pay a kennel fee. Two decades later, I was working at...
Weaning Strategy: The Best Time May Be Never
Weaning strategy. Whilst some will argue over the best timing or weaning method, the question horse owners are asking is why wean at all? Is it really necessary to intervene in what is a normally occurring and natural process? And, what might happen if you didn’t...
Managing Horses in Family Groups: Part 2
Breeding and weaning. Horses and People Editor Cristina Wilkins talks with veterinarian and pony breeder Tom Davis about his experiences managing a breeding herd as a single family group and his reasons for not weaning. A passionate advocate of welfare for both...
Flip the Lip: Bits and Bitting Demystified
Flip the Lip: Bits and Bitting Demystified If you want a topic to spark a conversation, generate some controversy or perhaps motivate someone to produce the collection of bits they’ve bought and tried over the years, then this is certainly it... Whilst I make no...
Science answers: Do whips hurt horses?
The racing industry insist that padded whips don't hurt horses. But two humans who volunteered to be struck by a padded whip on camera said it hurts bad - so, is there any anatomical reason to believe that horses don't feel pain in the same way we do? As part of an...
Managing Horses in Family Groups: Part 1
Managing horses in family groups. Horses and People Editor Cristina Wilkins talks with veterinarian and pony breeder Tom Davis about his experiences managing a breeding herd as a single family group. A passionate advocate of welfare for both horses and people, Tom...
Planning For Emergencies
Planning for Emergencies: Cyclones, floods and fires are an unfortunate part of Summer in Australia. Take some time to develop a safety plan and prepare a safety kit in case of emergency. Here are some tips to help: Safety plan Think about where to go and how to get...
