Beginners’ Guide to Horse Showing in the UK Showing can be a bit of a minefield for the novice competitor, and it often seems intimidating from the outside. This comprehensive guide will tell you which class to go in, what to do when you’re in there and what to wear while you’re doing it! For […]
Abandoning an animal is an illegal offence, with offenders facing a fine of up to £20,000 and/ or a possible 51-week prison sentence. The last few years have seen a large increase in the number of abandoned animals reported, especially horses; which are often found abandoned at livery yards, on roads, and dumped on both […]
Essential information for anyone interested in having a go at endurance riding. What Is Endurance Riding? On its simplest level, endurance riding is a sport whereby the horse and rider take on a long-distance ride at a set speed, often in the grips of a highly competitive environment. In this respect, endurance riding requires mere […]
Essential information for anyone interested in learning more about driving horses. Man has been driving horses since the Romans harnessed them to chariots and, even earlier. But with the mechanisation of agriculture and the arrival of the motor car during the twentieth century, is the driving horse now firmly rooted in the past? Driving is […]
Horses are majestic creatures, but they are not known for their swimming prowess. While some breeds of horses can and do swim, most cannot. There are many factors that determine if a horse can swim or not; they include breed, age and health status. Some breeds have been bred specifically to be able to swim […]
Horses sleep standing up. It is not normal for them to lie down when they sleep, as this could be dangerous if they fell asleep while in that position. They will often sleep with their heads down or resting on their legs. The main reason horses prefer to sleep standing up is due to their […]
The wonder of woolies! Could an alpaca be a cuddle companion for your horsey? Why not choose a more unusual companion for your horse – Llamas and alpacas are ideal and have huge benefits too! llamas and alpacas are fast becoming the most popular companions for horses and there are many benefits to owning them. […]
Choosing Your Matchy Set Colours It’s the question most asked across equestrian internet forums all over the world, but is there a definitive answer to “what colour looks best on my horse?” Well, as it turns out, yes, there’s actually an art to colour matching. While you probably know that some colours look great together […]
I would like to have a go at reproofing my horse’s turnout rugs. How easy is this to do? There are several companies on the market offering products that can be used for washing and reproofing horse rugs at home i a domestic washing machine. Although this is fine to do occasionally, if you’re planning […]
Hacking out with your dog can be brilliant – or a bit of a ‘mare. You’re setting off for a hack on a beautiful morning. Your horse is striding happily, your dog running alongside, both excited but listening for you, too. It’s amazing, really – they are behavioural opposites – canine predator, equine prey. In […]
As children start to grow up and take in the world around them, experiencing nature and the great outdoors is a wonderful educational tool as well as a means of developing both their personality and imaginative spirit. There is a lot of literature available online about how horse-riding is beneficial to children with behavioural and […]
Ever wondered what is the best winter management option for your horse? For some owners, there is no choice in the matter – it is dictated by the livery yard owner or how much time they have to give to looking after their horse. But if you had the choice, what would it be? Here, […]