A Closer Look at the Impact of Riders on Horse Welfare
In the world of sports horse evaluations, rideability—the comfort and ease a rider feels while riding a horse—is often a key trait used to judge performance quality. But is rideability truly objective? A recent study, “Rider effects on horses’ conflict behaviour, rein tension, physiological measures and rideability scores” by Janne Winther Christensen, Rikke Munk, Lesley […]
Grooming for Good Horse Welfare: A Step-by-Step Guide
Grooming isn’t just about making your horse look clean and polished; it’s a vital part of their daily welfare. Through grooming, you can check for injuries, support coat health, and even strengthen your bond. Done regularly and correctly, grooming will keep your horse feeling comfortable and help you spot any changes in their health early […]
Bitting: A Tool for Communication, Not a Shortcut for Training
By Fiona Dearing, Bit Right Equine Bit Fitting*. People often book a bitting consult because they’ve come up against a training challenge, and they’re keen to see if a change in their bit will assist them through it. I’m always quick to let them know that a bit—or any other piece of equipment, for […]
How Much Weight Can Your Horse Carry?
At Pony Club, our horses participate in various activities, and it’s essential to consider their well-being. As responsible owners, we need to be mindful of how much work is suitable for our horses. Researchers have studied the ideal weight-carrying capacity of horses to help us make informed decisions. As outlined in Pony Club Australia’s horse […]
The Importance of Mental Stimulation for your Horse
When we think about horse welfare, we often focus on physical health—proper nutrition, veterinary care, and a suitable living environment. However, an equally important aspect of welfare is mental stimulation. Horses are intelligent, curious animals that thrive when given the opportunity to engage with their environment in varied and enriching ways. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 […]
Why Every Horse Owner Should Have an End-of-Life Care Plan
As horse owners, we dedicate ourselves to providing the best care for our equine companions throughout their lives. Yet, one of the most challenging but essential responsibilities we face is planning for their end-of-life care. A newly published study, ‘Experiences of End-of-Life Decision-Making in Equine Veterinary Teams’, highlights the complexities and emotional challenges faced by […]
Bit Advice: Is a Thicker Bit Really Kinder?
By Fiona Dearing, Bit Right Equine Bit Fitting Welcome to 2025! I’m looking forward to sharing more information about bitting with you this year. This month we’re going to look at a very commonly believed bitting myth. This is information we may have heard over a long period of time and have accepted as […]