The nominated entries for the 2026 FEI World Championships taking place in Aachen (GER) next month have been published and can be found at the links below:Dressage: https://inside.fei.org/system/files/Dressage%20Nominated%20Entries%20Aachen%20%28GER%29.pdfEventing: https://inside.fei.org/system/files/EVENTING%20Nominated%20entries%20Aachen%202026%20landscape.pdfJumping: https://inside.fei.org/system/files/Nominated_Entries_CH-M_Aachen_2026_Jumping_V1.pdfPara Dressage: https://inside.fei.org/system/files/CH-M%20Aachen%20PED%20Nominated%20Entries%20-%20CoCs%20%28MER%29_20260707_V2.pdfThe post Nominated entries announced for FEI World Championships 2026 in Aachen (GER) appeared first on .

On July 2, a 13-year-old Quarter Horse mare in Allegan County, Michigan, tested positive for strangles. The mare developed clinical signs on June 22, including nasal and lymph node discharge. She is currently recovering.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About StranglesStranglesin horses is an infection caused byStreptococcus equisubspeciesequiand spread through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Horses that arent showing clinical signs can harbor and spread the bacteria, and recovered horses remain contagious for at least six weeks, with the potential to cause outbreaks long-term.Infected horses can exhibit a variety of clinical signs:FeverSwollen and/or abscessed lymph nodesNasal dischargeCoughing or wheezingMuscle swellingDifficulty swallowingVeterinarians diagnose horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with either a nasal swab, wash, or an abscess sample, and they treat most cases based on clinical signs, implementing antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can prevent an infected horse from developing immunity. Most horses make a full recovery in three to four weeks.A vaccine is available but not always effective. Biosecurity measures of quarantining new horses at a facility and maintaining high standards of hygiene and disinfecting surfaces can helplower the risk of outbreakorcontain one when it occurs.

This weeks sees the park here at Badminton host the very first Royal Horticultural Society Badminton Flower Show. It is an event not to be missed with so much to see and doAwe-inspiring gardensThe prestigious RHS Medals and Awards are handed out as the show opens.Take a tour of the gardens and see if you agree with the judges.The Peoples Choicevote opens at the beginning of the show, so you have a chance to vote for your favourites tooThere are several judged categories across the show, each with their own set of criteria.Show gardensrepresent the pinnacle of garden design, while theYoung Designergardenschallenge designers at the start of their careersBBC Radio 4 and RHS celebrate The Archers 75th anniversarywith a feature garden,designed by one of the UKs most celebrated garden designers, Jo ThompsonTheArtisan Gardensaimto highlight and celebrate beautiful country gardens, artisan makers and crafts people. Be inspired by traditional crafts that you could try at home in theArtisan StudiosThePocket Planting Gardensinvitenew horticulturiststo bring their firstgarden to an RHS Show. Thismentored category offers the first opportunity for budding designers to start their show careers, and to have their designs rated by RHS Judges.TomStuart-Smith brings the largest ever show garden to an RHS Show withThe Julia Rausing Garden, and be prepared for a scented heaven in thePerfume PavilionsFabulous floralsTake a tour of theFloral Marqueeand see which medals have been awarded to the incredible exhibits and exhibitors.Take advantage of their wealth of knowledgeTheMaster Growerfor 2026 is theKitchen Garden Plant Centreand takes pride of placeamong the many specialist growers offering their advice along with an array of beautiful plantsShow Installationsexploringhorticultural and fun horse themes are dotted all around the showground.Dont forget to grab a selfie in front of the famous RHS Letters and tag #RHSBadminton onInstagram@the_rhsto share your picHouseplants take centre stage in theHouseplant Terarriums, where you can talk to experts about your treasured plants and how to display themAsk the expertsLearn from the experts and influencers ontheTalks Stageas part of the jam-packed show programme. See the timetables for theMain Stageand theIn The Grow Stage.Visit thePlant Villageand theFloral Marqueewhere plantspeople are on hand to share their plant knowledge alongside an excitingrange of plants to buyMake the most of RHS horticultural knowledge at theRHS Advicehubwith experts on hand to answer all your gardening questionsFind out more from the Show Guide or have a chat with one of the manyShow VolunteersFood-lovers paradiseCalling all foodiesRHS Badminton hasplenty of deliciousfood options, from worldwide street foodto fine dining at the Lakeside Restaurant.Be inspired to growyour own food by visiting theGrow Your Ownarea, which willbe packed with handy tips, and visit theSchool and Community Allotments for even more food for thought.Make the most of your special day out with a glass ofRoebuck EstatesSparkling Wine, while listeningto music on theLive atthe Lake stage in true summer festival style.TheGreat Taste Market is a mecca for those who love to eat, with speciality cheeses, artisan bakes and homemade ingredients to take home or buy as gifts.The best day out for allTheres lots offamily-friendly activitiesto keep younger visitorshappy, enjoying nature and maybe even sparking a life-long love of gardening. Look out for the joyfulLive, Love, Local Wheelbarrows for schools and communities.See your favourite gardening stars on the stage sharing their experience and wisdom. Take part in demonstrations and learn how the experts do it in on theTalks StageNo matter the weather, there are things to keep everyone happy both inside and out, so plan your day using theShow Guideto make sure you dont miss a thing!Above all else, RHS Badminton Flower Show is a fun day out celebrating the summer, with a huge range oftradestandsready to provide all your shopping needs.For all the information about the show that opens on Wednesday 7th July please head to their dedicated website where you can also purchase tickets. Click here to find out more.

Veterinarians rely on a thorough history, physical examination, and gastroscopy to guide gastric ulcer diagnosis. Gastroscopy, which allows the veterinarian to visualize the horses stomach with an endoscope, remains the gold standard for confirming the presence, location, and severity of gastric ulcers. In this Ask TheHorse Live excerpt Laramie Winfield, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, cVA, cVMMP, of Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinic, in Salinas, California, explains how veterinarians use gastroscopy to diagnose equine gastric ulcer syndrome.ThispodcastisanexcerptfromourAskTheHorseLiveQ&A,WhatYouNeedtoKnowAboutEquineGastricUlcers.Listentothefullrecordinghere.About the Expert: Laramie Winfield, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, cVA, cVMMP Laramie Winfield, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, cVA, cVMMP, grew up in the Salinas Valley, riding horses with her mom and sisters. Winfields professional interests are equine internal medicine, emergency and critical care, neonatology, acupuncture, sports medicine, and ophthalmology. Winfield is certified in veterinary acupuncture and is also a veterinary medical manipulation practitioner, having completed her training at the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute in Reddick, Florida. In integrating her riding background with her training in internal medicine, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation Winfield strives to offer a comprehensive view of horse health and performance. Winfield is an equity partner at Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics, in Salinas, California. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Nick Carlson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, and their children. She loves horseback riding and three-day eventing with her horse Franky.

Consider your horses individual needs when helping him gain weight. | Alexandra Beckstett/The HorseHelping a horse gain weight might sound simple: Feed more. In practice, it is rarely that straightforward. Some horses need additional digestible calories. Others eat well but their bodies do not utilize nutrients efficiently. Still others appear thin because they lack topline and muscle, not because they simply need more body fat.That distinction matters, because the best supplement for one horse might not address the limiting factor in another.For many horses that primarily need additional dietary energy, Mad Barns W-3 Oil remains the best overall weight gain supplement. For horses that would benefit from different support, Optimum Digestive Health, Visceral+, and Three Amigos address feed efficiency, appetite and stomach comfort, or lean muscle development, respectively.When Does a Horse Need a Weight Gain Supplement?A weight gain supplement might help when a horse cannot maintain body condition on its current forage and feeding program. That can happen because the diet is short on calories, but it can also reflect poor forage quality, inadequate protein quality, dental problems, parasite burdens, stress, illness, or digestive inefficiency.Owners often notice the problem first as visible ribs, a sharper topline, loss of muscle, or difficulty holding weight during training. In some horses the change is gradual. In others, especially seniors, lactating mares, growing horses, or horses in heavy work, calorie demands can outpace intake more quickly.The first step is identifying why the horse might be losing condition and what its diet is lacking. Owners should use supplements only to fill a specific gap in that program, not to cover up an unresolved health or management problem.Looking Beyond the Feed ScoopWeight loss and poor condition can have several overlapping causes. Horses with higher energy requirements need a diet to match those. Hot-blooded breeds, highly active horses, and anxious horses can also expend more energy than expected, even when they are not in intense training.Mature or low-quality hay can fill the gut without providing enough digestible energy. Limited turnout, inconsistent forage meals, competition within a herd for resources, and long stretches without forage can reduce intake.Health concerns can complicate the picture. Dental disease can make it more difficult for a horse to chew hay thoroughly and obtain the nutrients it provides. Parasite burdens, gastric discomfort, hindgut imbalance, chronic pain, illness, and age-related changes can all affect how a horses ability to absorbs and use nutrients.Call your veterinarian if the horse has a reduced appetite, difficulty chewing, or is dropping feed, or if it has loose manure, recurrent digestive upset, lethargy, declining performance, muscle loss, or any other sign that suggests illness or pain.Three Common Nutritional LimitsTo determine why a horse appears thin, start by considering three broad categories, which can overlap: insufficient calories, poor nutrient utilization, and inadequate muscle development.The first group includes horses in a calorie deficit. They expend more energy than they consume, which is common among hard keepers, seniors, horses in work, growing horses, and horses exposed to temperature extremes or stress. These horses often need more digestible energy through improved forage, increased forage intake, or calorie-dense feeds and supplements.The second group includes horses that appear to eat enough but still struggle to hold their weight. For these horses, the problem might be digestive efficiency. Stress, abrupt diet changes, aging, illness, inconsistent forage intake, and shifts in hindgut microflora can interfere with fiber digestion and nutrient utilization. These horses might show inconsistent manure quality, reduced feed efficiency, or difficulty maintaining weight during travel or stress.The third group includes horses that are not truly lacking fat but lack topline or lean muscle. They might have an acceptable body condition score yet look narrow over the back or weak through the hindquarters. In these horses, amino acid intake, protein quality, vitamin and mineral balance, and the horses exercise program especially matter.What to Look for in a Weight Gain SupplementFor most horses primarily needing more calories, fat is one of the most useful tools. Fat supplies more energy per gram than carbohydrates or protein, allowing a horse to consume more calories without a large increase in feed volume. This can be especially helpful for hard keepers, senior horses, performance horses, and horses that do not tolerate large concentrate meals well.A useful weight gain supplement should provide add enough calories per serving to support weight gain, fit into a forage-based diet, and avoid unnecessary starch and sugar. Palatability matters, too, because a supplement not eaten consistently cannot help the horse gain weight.Fat-based calories are often called cool calories because they increase energy intake without relying on high-starch feeds, which some owners associate with reactive horse behavior. Common fat sources in equine diets include vegetable oils, stabilized rice bran, flax products, camelina oil, and high-fat commercial feeds or supplements.W-3 Oil: Best Overall Choice for Calorie SupportFor horses that simply need more dietary energy, W-3 Oil is the strongest overall choice. A 100-gram serving provides approximately 900 calories from fat, making it an efficient way to add energy without relying on larger grain meals or extra feed bulk.Unlike plain vegetable oil, W-3 Oil is formulated to supply fat-based energy from flax oil and soybean oil, along with added DHA and natural vitamin E. DHA is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that supports normal inflammatory balance, joint health, skin and coat quality, immune function, and overall wellness.The added natural vitamin E is also important. When unsaturated fat increases in the diet, antioxidant support becomes more important for cell membranes, muscle function, immune function, tissue health, and recovery from exercise. W-3 Oil pairs calorie density with these broader nutritional benefits, which is why it works well for hard keepers, senior horses, sport horses, and horses that need extra energy on a lower-starch program.Visceral+: Best Support When Appetite and Stomach Comfort Limit IntakeSome horses do not maintain weight because they do not eat enough to meet their energy needs. Reduced appetite, inconsistent feed intake, stress, and abdominal discomfort can all make healthy weight gain harder. Gastric discomfort, in particular, can contribute to picky eating and reduced calorie intake.Visceral+ is the best option for horses that need support for appetite, gastric function, and abdominal comfort. It is designed to help maintain a healthy stomach environment and support normal digestive function, which can encourage more consistent feed intake.Its ingredients include lecithin to help maintain the stomachs protective lining, nucleotides to support healthy gastric tissue, glutamine as an energy source for digestive tract cells, and mannan-oligosaccharides to support mucin production in the gut.Optimum Digestive Health: Best Support for Feed EfficiencyOther horses eat enough on paper but still fail to maintain weight. In those cases, the issue might not be feed volume. It might be how efficiently the horse digests fiber and extracts usable nutrients from the diet.Much of a horses usable energy comes from hindgut fermentation. Microbes in the cecum and colon break down fiber from hay and pasture into volatile fatty acids, which the horse absorbs and uses as energy. When the horse might not get as much benefit from the forage it consumes.Optimum Digestive Health is the best choice for horses that need support for feed efficiency and hindgut function. It does not primarily supply calories. Instead, it supports the digestive environment that helps a horse get more from the ration it consumes.The formula provides probiotics to help maintain beneficial hindgut microbes, prebiotics to support microbial activity, yeast and fermentation products to support fiber-digesting bacteria, digestive enzymes to aid feed breakdown, toxin binders, and ingredients that help maintain hindgut stability during stress, travel, dietary change, or inconsistent forage intake.Choose Optimum Digestive Health when a horse eats adequate energy but still struggles to maintain condition, has inconsistent manure quality, or needs added support for hindgut function.Three Amigos: Best Support for Topline and Lean MuscleSome horses look underdeveloped because they lack muscle rather than fat. They might have enough calories to maintain body condition but still look narrow through the back, weak over the topline, or poorly developed through the hindquarters.In those cases, adding more calories alone might not solve the problem. Muscle development depends on an appropriate training stimulus, enough energy to support tissue growth, and adequate protein quality. The horse also needs enough essential amino acids to build muscle protein.Three Amigos is the best option for horses that need targeted amino acid support. It provides lysine, methionine, and threonine, the three essential amino acids most commonly limiting in equine diets.Lysine is the primary limiting amino acid in many horse diets and key for muscle protein synthesis. Methionine supports protein synthesis, tissue development, hoof quality, and normal metabolic pathways. Threonine supports muscle protein synthesis, gut barrier function, immune function, and normal tissue maintenance.Choose Three Amigos when a horse lacks topline or muscle development, appears to be receiving enough calories but still struggles with muscle maintenance, eats mature hay or lower-quality forage, or needs added support for muscle recovery and lean tissue development. If the horse is truly underweight, calorie intake still needs to be addressed alongside amino acid supply.Final RecommendationsSupplements work best when they complement, rather than replace, good forage, adequate calories, balanced vitamins and minerals, consistent management, and veterinary care for unexplained weight loss. For personalized guidance, submit your horses diet for a free evaluation by Mad Barns equine nutritionists.

How to Take the Perfect Horse Photo: Pro Tips from Equestrian Photographer Lillie Ratcliffe07/07/2026 By Aaron EnglanderKey TakeawaysStand your horse square first. A horse resting a leg looks skewed get all four feet planted before you even lift the camera.Get the ears forward with sound. A beaded maraca, a hunt horn played off your phone, or a recording of a strange horse whinnying are Lillie's three go-to tricks.Bathe and groom beforehand. Especially for greys it makes the single biggest difference to the finished image and saves hours of editing.Motion is easier than stillness. A moving horse naturally holds a good shape; a stationary one has time to look bored or drop a leg.The camera helps, but editing wins. A dedicated camera captures light and detail better, but the real difference between photographers lives in post-production.Know your budget tier. A good UK equestrian portrait shoot starts around 500565 always check whether the images are included in that price.Authenticity beats polish. As AI imagery spreads, real horses and real moments are becoming more valuable, not less.Quick Answer: How Do You Take the Perfect Horse Photo?To take a great photo of your horse, first stand them square on all four feet so they don't look skewed, then use a sound a maraca, a hunt horn, or another horse whinnying to prick their ears forward. Bathe and groom them beforehand, shoot in good natural light, and remember that most of the "magic" happens in the editing afterwards.Meet Lillie Ratcliffe: Equestrian Photographer and Viral CreatorOn Episode 39 of the Just Horse Riders Podcast, host Aaron Englander sits down with Lillie Ratcliffe, the 22-year-old founder of Lillie Ratcliffe Photography and one of the UK's fastest-growing equestrian content creators. Lillie has run her equestrian and countryside brand photography business for six years she started it at 16 and now works with names across the horse world while pulling in 300k+ followers across platforms. Her tacking-up ASMR videos have racked up millions of views, including one clip that hit 13 million. In other words, she is exactly the person to answer the question every horse owner has muttered at least once: why does my horse never look good in photos?"How do I get a good photo of my horse? Because I always find I always mess it up," Aaron admits early on which, honestly, is the most relatable opening line we've had on the show. Lillie's answer turned into a genuine masterclass, so we've pulled the whole thing together below.How Do You Take the Perfect Horse Photo?Lillie's method is refreshingly simple, and it starts long before you worry about lenses or presets. It comes down to two things: shape and attention.Start by Standing Your Horse SquareAccording to Lillie Ratcliffe, the first step to a good horse photo is making sure the horse is stood square on all four feet and not resting a leg, because a resting leg makes the horse look skewed. "Make sure that your horse isn't resting a leg at the back because it can make them look really skew especially if they're a warm-blooded horse," she explains. "Make sure they're stood on all four feet like a horse should be. Chances are, if they're on their four feet, they're good for a photo."It sounds obvious, but this one adjustment fixes the majority of amateur shots. A horse propping a hind leg reads as awkward and unbalanced on camera, even if you can't quite say why. Plant all four feet and you're already most of the way there.Getting the Ears Forward: Lillie's Three TricksOnce the horse is square, the whole photo hinges on the ears. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, the most reliable tricks for getting a horse's ears forward are shaking a maraca, playing a hunt horn from your phone, or playing a recording of another horse whinnying. She rattled through them like a magician revealing the act and warned that not every trick works on every horse.The Maraca"Some of them are really they don't. Bugsy doesn't put his ears forward for photos. Maraca doesn't work," Lillie laughs. A little beaded shaker is the gentlest option and often the first thing she reaches for. Younger, curious horses tend to snap their ears straight to it. Seasoned old campaigners like her cob Bugsy? They've seen it all and couldn't care less.The Hunt HornThe second trick comes with a caveat. "If your horse has been hunting, don't do it," she warns you don't want to switch a hunting horse into work mode. But for a chilled horse, a hunt horn played off YouTube through your phone perks the ears up beautifully. Her Thoroughbred Reggie, an ex-racer who hunted at one point, "recognises it enough that he perks up, but he won't go through it, and he'll stay still with his ears forward."The Mystery HorseThe third is the cheekiest: play a recording of a different horse whinnying. "They'll think, who's that horse? I don't recognise that horse," Lillie says. Curiosity does the rest. And the much-mythologised trick of throwing sand in the air? "It's all very, very last resort," she admits a technique reserved for the truly unbothered subject.Preparing Your Horse and Rider Before the Camera Comes OutHalf the battle is won before the shoot even begins. Lillie sends every client a bit of pre-shoot guidance, and it makes a visible difference in the gallery.What Should I Do to Prepare My Horse Before a Photo Shoot?Bathe and groom your horse thoroughly, especially if they are grey. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, bathing and grooming before a shoot makes the biggest difference to the final images and saves significant editing time. She can edit out dirt and grass stains, but a clean horse means a sharper, more polished result with far less work in post.What Should I Wear for an Equestrian Portrait Photo Shoot?Bring three outfits: something smart, something casual, and your everyday yard attire. Lillie recommends variety so you have options on the day, but ultimately advises wearing what feels comfortable a relaxed rider always photographs better than a stiff one. If you're planning a shoot, decent, well-fitting riding jodhpurs and breeches and clean riding boots photograph far better than tired, muddy kit.One quick warning from Lillie: avoid tiny, busy patterns. "Close stripes, really tiny patterns the camera just doesn't look quite right on camera," she says. The lens picks up on fine prints and turns them into a distracting shimmer. A bold, simple pattern is fine; a fussy micro-print will fight the whole image.Is It Harder to Photograph a Horse Standing Still or In Motion?Here's the counter-intuitive one that surprised even Aaron.Is It Harder to Photograph a Horse Standing Still or In Motion?Standing still is harder. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, horses in motion naturally hold a good shape through their gait they can't overthink their ears or plant a leg wonkily, and a jumping horse has to travel in an arc. A stationary horse, by contrast, has all the time in the world to look grumpy, disengaged, or bored, which makes the still shot the trickier of the two to nail."If you know what you're looking for, motion is easier," Lillie explains. "It's the timings of the gait you've got to get just right." She likens it to photographing toddlers far easier to catch one mid-run than to make one sit still and smile on command. Whether it's a dressage extended trot, a show jumping round, or a relaxed hack, movement gives you shape for free.Do I Need a Professional Camera or Is a Phone Good Enough?Phone cameras have come a long way so where's the line?Do I Need a Professional Camera or Is a Phone Good Enough for Horse Photos?A phone can take a good horse photo, but a dedicated camera captures light and detail far better, particularly in tricky conditions like a sunset. The bigger difference, though, is editing: a proper camera file holds enough detail to push colours and presets without falling apart, which is where a professional image really pulls ahead of a phone snap.Why Editing Is Where the Magic HappensThis was one of Lillie's strongest opinions of the whole episode. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, the real skill lies in the editing rather than the moment of capture that's where one photographer's images pull ahead of another's. "Do you think there's more skill in the editing than actually taking the photo?" Aaron asks. "Yeah," Lillie replies, without hesitation.Give the same well-exposed image to two people and the one who understands colour, tone and presets will produce something in a completely different league. It's why "I've got a good camera" and "I take good photos" are two very different sentences.Brand Photography vs Portrait PhotographyLillie splits her work into two worlds, and she loves them for opposite reasons. Brand photography is her bread and butter polished, seasonal content produced across full-day shoots with sourced models and locations, delivered to equestrian businesses on a rolling basis. It's commercial, it's varied, and it keeps the lights on.The Emotional Value of PortraiturePortraiture, on the other hand, is where the heart is. "People just love photos with their horses," Lillie says. "When you give the images back, they're so overwhelmingly pleased with them and they treasure them forever." A portrait captures a bond that won't last forever the horse a rider has now, exactly as they are now. Years down the line, long after that horse is gone, those images are irreplaceable. It's the kind of thing that makes a professional shoot one of the most meaningful gifts a horse owner can give themselves or a loved one.What Does an Equestrian Photo Shoot Actually Cost?Lillie was refreshingly honest about money and about the hidden work behind that headline figure.How Much Does an Equestrian Photo Shoot Cost in the UK?A good UK equestrian portrait shoot typically starts around 500, and Lillie's own portraiture sits at roughly 565. Watch the small print, though: some photographers charge for the session and then charge again for the full gallery of edited images, so you might only receive a handful of photos within the base price. Always confirm exactly what's included before you book.And that day rate isn't pure profit. "When you break down the hours, take off the model fees, the location fees, travel time, the editing time, assistant fees, equipment maintenance it whittles down very quickly," Lillie points out. Aaron, who has run his own business in the equestrian trade for 15+ years, agreed instantly: "A lot of people think you just turn up with a camera and shoot." The editing alone can swallow days.The Cup of Tea That Got 13 Million ViewsNo episode with Lillie would be complete without the story behind her viral moment and it's a lovely reminder that great content often comes from tiny, human details. Her page blew up on the back of tacking-up ASMR: no talking, just the sounds of buckles, brushes and the odd snort from Bugsy. Then, on a whim, she added a mug of tea."I remember just before thinking, what would happen if I just added a mug in with a cup of tea?" she says. "It's the most impractical thing in the world, having a cup of tea in your hand. It stops the scroll. So I did that. It blew up 13 million views." That single video earned her around 40,000 followers in a week, and the tea has been part of the brand ever since. Proof that authenticity, not production budget, is what people actually connect with.AI Imagery vs Authentic Equestrian ContentAaron steered the conversation toward the elephant in every creative industry right now: AI. Lillie is clear-eyed about it. Some of her clients have already switched product shots from photography to AI, and "it kind of shocks you into that reality that maybe at some point photography isn't going to exist in the space it does at the moment."But she isn't panicking and she makes a compelling case for real work. Both she and Aaron believe there's a growing bias toward the authentic. Social platforms are said to favour genuine content over AI "slop," audiences increasingly value things done the harder way, and there's something a viewer can feel in a real horse, a real yard, a real cup of tea. As Lillie puts it, AI "is always too polished. It's not real. It's never going to be a person." The tools are useful for editing and planning; they're not a replacement for the connection that makes equestrian content land.Turning a Hobby Into a Business at 16Beyond the photography tips, Lillie's story is a genuinely inspiring one for any rider dreaming of going self-employed. She started with 25 portfolio-building shoots, worked long hours for little money for years, and slowly built the contacts, experience and confidence to charge what she's worth. Her advice to her 16-year-old self? "Worry less. It will work out."Her one hard-won warning for anyone juggling multiple ventures: don't spread yourself too thin. Scaling back to focus on brand photography, she says, is precisely what "opened doors." It's the kind of practical wisdom that applies whether you're building a photography business or just trying to fit riding around a full-time job and whether that means keeping your horse comfortable through winter with the right turnout rugs or keeping your own routine sustainable, the theme is the same: protect your energy and do a few things well.Watch and Listen to the Full EpisodeThere's far more in the full conversation from the trick pony that lay flat in an arena with its nose in a treat bag for a supplement brand shoot, to Lillie's dad dressing up as Santa (and a dinosaur) for her Christmas content, to the reality of dealing with online hate. It's warm, funny and genuinely useful whether you want a better photo of your own horse or you're thinking about turning your own equestrian passion into a living.Watch now on YouTube below, or listen on Spotify here: Just Horse Riders Podcast, Episode 39.Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do you get a horse's ears forward for a photo?Use sound to grab their attention: shake a beaded maraca, play a hunt horn from your phone, or play a recording of another horse whinnying. Different horses respond to different noises, so it's often trial and error and throwing a little sand is a genuine last resort.Should you bathe your horse before a photo shoot?Yes. Bathing and grooming beforehand makes the biggest difference to the final images, especially for grey horses, and it saves the photographer hours of editing out dirt and grass stains.Is a phone camera good enough for horse photos?A phone can take good horse photos, but a dedicated camera captures light and detail better and gives far more room in editing. The real difference between amateur and professional images usually shows up in post-production, not in the camera itself.How much does an equestrian photo shoot cost in the UK?A good equestrian portrait shoot typically starts around 500, with many photographers charging roughly 500565 for the session. Some charge extra for the full edited gallery, so always check what's included before booking.What's the difference between brand and portrait horse photography?Brand photography is polished, seasonal content produced for equestrian businesses, often across full days with sourced models and locations. Portraiture is more personal and emotional treasured images of an owner and their horse to keep for years.About the AuthorAaron Englander is the Founder of Just Horse Riders, with 15+ years in the equestrian industry and the creator of the Englander Equestrian product line. He hosts the Just Horse Riders Podcast, sitting down with riders, experts and creators from across the horse world.

The DAFM Studbook series returned on the 4th of July to Maryville stables. This series is funded under National Breeding Services by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with a total prize fund of 90,000.With the show calendar in full swing and many shows taking place over the weekend, the entries were down with just under 100 horses competing over the three age groups.Twenty-one of the thirty-eight starters jumped a double clear in the five-year-olds to divide the prize money on offer. One of the clear rounds in the section was Robyn Moran riding her own Fortside Exhibition (ISH) which has now put the combination comfortably at the top of the leaderboard.Robyn Moran riding Fortside Exhibition (ISH). Photo: Engage EditsA change in the competition format for this years series meant that the six-year-old horses did not jump off for placings at this leg, and instead, the double clears divided the prize fund. Half of the starters completed with a double clear, one of these being Harry Wood riding Boleybawn Alexa (ISH).Harry Wood riding Boleybawn Alexa (ISH). Photo: Engage EditsCoen Williams is certainly making his mark on the series with four horses in contention for the league title across the three age groups. He has now moved to the top of the leaderboard in both the six-year-old and seven-year-old leagues with Grand Amour KPCM (ISH) and Parc Violetta (ISH) respectively after both horses put in good performances in Maryville.The seven-year-old league has been tight at the top with Williams and Foley battling it out, but after adding three points to their tally, Williams and Parc Violetta (ISH) have now taken the lead. The winner on the day was Gemma Phelan riding Lance Corporal (ISH) which slots them into third place in the league.Gemma Phelan pictured on Sumas Lumen (ISH). Photo: Engage EditsThe next leg of the series takes place in Glenamaddy on the 11th of July.League tables for the series are available through the links below:Five-Year-Old LeagueSix-Year-Old LeagueSeven-Year-Old LeagueBreeding:Fortside Exhibition (ISH): 2021 gelding by Castlefield Kingston (OS), out of Fairfield Lucky (ISH), by Ars Vivendi (HOLST). Bred by Margaret Bergin, county Laois.Boleybawn Alexa (ISH): 2020 mare by Grandorado TN (KWPN), out of Arina (KWPN), by Crown Z (ZANG). Bred by Boleybawn Horses Ltd, county Wicklow.Grand Amour KPCM (ISH): 2020 mare by Grandorado TN (KWPN), out of Ellie May LVS Z (ZANG), by Emerald Vant Ruytershof (BWP). Bred by Karen Millar, county Down.Parc Violeta (ISH): 2019 mare by Kannan (KWPN), out of Ulanda D (KWPN), by Emilion (KWPN). Bred by Paula Williams, county Clare.Lance Corporal (ISH): 2019 gelding by Corporal VDL (WESTF), out of LV-Firefly (AES), by Jai-Ho (AES). Bred by Louise Thompson, county Fermanagh.The post DAFM Studbook Series leg 5: Maryville appeared first on .

Hanley also takes victory and podiums aplenty on international stageSpruce Meadows has been good to the Irish for many years and Amhrn na bhFiann got a couple of airings once more this week at the Calgary venues North American show, with Daniel Coyle in the winners enclosure once more and Tom Wachman also victorious at the five-star extravaganza.Cormac Hanley was a two-star winner in Ocala, while there were a plethora of podium finishes at four and three-star level for Irish athletes at international level in 1.45m classes and higher through the week.Wachman was the first five-star victor in Calgary, finishing first of 25 starters in the McNerney Cup on Friday night Irish time.Nine of the contestants survived the initial examination set by Santiago Varela (ESP) in the 1.45m class but it was Cashels Wachman (above) who produced the fastest fault-free definitive round with Hawaii (Gizmo Partners & Coolmore Showjumping), stopping the clock in 38.87 seconds to claim victory.Coyle was fourth with promising nine-year-old VDL Mourinho (Ariel Grange), who navigated the tiebreaker safely and accurately in 40.84.On Saturday, Coyle went really close to going back-to-back in the 1m ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Having won the it 12 months ago with Incredible, the Derry man saddled up Incredibles Lothlorien Farm stablemate Farrel (Ariel Grange) and they posted a super runner-up finish.The pair have been in fantastic form this year, including winning at Aachen and then on Canada Day at this venue, and they were only deprived the lucrative first prize by the sole double clear of the 40 protagonists, produced by Saudi Arabian Abdulrahman Alrajhi, with Ventago.The 1.60m Grand Prix test in the International Ring has a reputation for being amongst the most difficult in show jumping, and so it proved once more, with 14 obstacles and 17 jumping efforts around a 565m course and a time allowed of 85 seconds.Coyle and Farrel (above) stood up brilliantly to the questions asked, posting one of only six clear rounds from the 52 attempted, with the top 12 returning after the initial outing by a list of 40 pairs.Having recovered from an earlier stumble, Farrel knocked the first rail of the penultimate obstacle, a triple combination, in the opening excursion, but the natural speed of the 16-year-old placed him and his World No 18 navigator in third as best of the four-faulters on 79.35.In the second round, they ramped up the pressure on the remaining two athletes, both of which had gone clear, by recording a fantastic clear.Alrajhi and his 13-year-old gelding put Coyle and the other four-faulters out of their misery with a stunning clear of their own. When Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Corbie V.V. made one jumping error, victory was the Saudi riders, with Coyle earning the silver medal by virtue of his alacrity across the turf.Coyle is unaccustomed to leaving Calgary without winning a big class, however, and has enjoyed remarkable success there since crossing the Atlantic to join the Lothlorien team a decade ago.And he was on target once more on Sunday, guiding the 13-year-old mare Urville Z (Ariel Grange) to success in the Kubota Cup (above). Ten combinations advanced to the jump-off in the 1.50m competition and Coyle and Urville stopped the timers in 48.90 seconds to land the spoils. Conor Swail, who was first rider at Lothlorien when Ariel Granges late mother Sue was running the operation and served as a tremendous mentor to his young fellow Ulsterman, grabbed third with Casturano (Conall Murray) in a time of 50.82.Coyle concluded the top-flight competition at the North American with fourth on Calippo 57 (Ariel Grange) in the Sun Life Derby. There were only two clear rounds but Coyle and his talented 10-year-old had just one error, in a time of 137.23, to be fourth.The Ardmore man also guided the eight-year-old Nord Face VDL (Ariel Grange) to the silver medal in the two-star Grand Prix early in the morning, with a double clear.Meanwhile, the Longines Global Champions Tour moved to Monaco which like the Formula 1 Grand Prix that takes place on the streets of the city renowned for its superyachts, offers a tight track that is very technical.Denis Lynch has been plying his trade on the tour for a number of years now and the Tipperary native piloted Chicago (Parco Sport Horses) to a cool double clear to be fifth in a 1.50m jump-off class on Friday.Clearing 23 jumps in total, Lynch did not gun his 10-year-old in the tiebreaker, but with four combinations failing to replicate their opening blemish-free efforts, 39.03 got him into the top five. Victory went to Americas Kristen Vanderveen with Starbucks 27.There was agony for Mikey Pender, whose nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse that he bred, Madgeslane Louis (Pender Sport Horses), jumped magnificently but finished 0.38 outside the time allowed of 76 seconds and picked up one fault.Lynch improved by one position in the following days 1.45m speed cass on board Cordial (Onyx Consulting), going clear in 53.33, with victory going to Pieter Devos (BEL) and Jarina J.The Al Shiraaa Bolesworth International entered its second week with a four-star offering and another Derry native, David Simpson just missed out on winning Saturdays Grand Prix with his magnificent 11-year-old Pjotr van de Kruishoeve.The duo were recently runners-up in the Hickstead Derby, won in a jump-off by William Whitaker, and they were denied in this 1.55m class by the Englishmans first cousin, Jack Whitaker, who in conjunction with D&H Valmy de La Lande, went clear in the tiebreaker 41.64 compared to the Irish duos 42.55, to prevail.Billy Twomey and Ace Of Hearts Z also posted a double clear and finished fourth, in 43.56.It was the second strong result of the show for the Corkman and the 10-year-old he owns, having also performed well last week. They warmed up for the Grand Prix with a runner-up finish in Thursdays 1.50m Grand Prix Qualifier.With only four of the 47 partnerships progressing to the jump-off thanks to clear rounds, the Irish combo were quickest with a time of 39.43 in the tiebreaker but an little rub of a pole meant they had to settle for second, behind Holly Smith (GBR) and Nike van het Singraven and just ahead of Laura Kraut (USA) and Carquilara PS.Trevor Breen brought the week to a conclusion on Sunday when second in a 1.45m jump-off class, with his nine-year-old Crewmain Musachino (Drewmain Stud).Cormac Hanley guided Santiago Vh Netehof (Heathman Farm) to victory in a two-star Grand Prix qualifier (above) on Thursday night Irish time at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, on the fourth week of the Summer Series.Eight combinations that progressed to the jump-off under the Floridian sun went clear second time around but it was the Claremorris pilot and his exciting eight-year-old (below) that topped the poll with a time of 39.76.The duo almost completed a brilliant double, but just missed out on winning the Budweiser Grand Prix, placing second in the field of 26.There were plenty of podium finishes at three-star level in America. Traverse City Horse Shows put on the 12th edition of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in Williamsburg, and on Thursday night, another Cork athlete, Shane Sweetnam partnered Honey Heart to be third in the 1.45m Welcome Stake.They clocked 35.93 in the jump-off, which was won by World No 1 Kent Farrington (USA), with Diakatisa.On Friday, Kevin Gallagher bagged a bronze at Flintfields Horse Park. Francisco Goyoaga Mollet (ESP) and Queen Van Dorperheide set the winning time as first into the arena and though no one could match 67.45, not to mind better it, the Sligo rider and Casanova SP were quick enough to earn a major ribbon.At Tryon, Stephen Moore made the podium with a quick four faults in a jump-off for the three-star 1.50m Welcome Stake on Thursday, riding Pearl Gem VDM (Carol Sollak).And the Claregalway pilot returned with his consistent partner to claim the bronze rosette in the $120,000 Grand Prix. Only three combinations survived the initial test set by Andy Christiansen (USA) and only Jacueline Ruyle and H Cornetta DK were able to back that up. But the Irish duo, with four faults, still claimed a significant portion of the pot and maintained their recent positive form.On Wednesday, Galway man David OBriens faultless round with Coleccini (Andreas Kreuzer) earned him third in the two-phase class at Lake Placid. It was Christian Coyles turn to be third in the Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix Arena 24 hours later, the Derry athlete steering Chicago CM (Coyle & Round Hill Horses) to a double clear in a class where jumping proved the key, only 3 of 52 blemish free.Irish riders filled second and third on the podium in the Feldman Grand Prix at the I Love NY Horse Show on Saturday. Clares Philip McGuane was just over a half-second shy of the winning time set by Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) and Lorona, combining as he has done to good effect with Evergate Stables Paso Doble SCF to garner the $20,000 that went with being runner-up.New York-based Meath equestrian, Nicky Galligan and Jolly-Jessy (Blue Trim) were fastest of the four faulters to complete the podium.At the two-star show in Bonheiden, Tipperary rider, Max Wachman grabbed a third-place finish in a 1.45m speed class with Kannem J.A.Z. (Susan Magnier) on Thursday.BREEDINGMADGESLANE LOUIS (ISH) 2017 ch gelding by Luidam (KWPN) out of Madges Lane Karol (ISH) by Obos Quality 004 (OLDBG). Breeder: Michael Pender: Owner: Pender Sport Horses. Rider: Michael Pender (IRL)The post Coyle and Wachman thrive in Meadows appeared first on .

Television stars Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash have rehomed two miniature Shetland mares from Redwings Horse Sanctuary.The couple say they already adore their new four-legged friends, and are now helping Redwings promote rehoming a rescued horse or pony.Stacey and Joe reached out to the charity as they were looking to rehome some rescued ponies to join their family. The Redwings rehoming team carried out their usual home-checks and assessments, before inviting the couple to visit Redwings Ada Cole centre in Essex to find out more. Stacey and Joe visit Redwings Ada ColeNineteen-year-old skewbald miniature Shetland Thumbelina and six-year-old piebald miniature Shetland Mermaid were selected as the perfect fit for their family, due to their friendly natures. Thumbelina was one of 100 horses and donkeys rescued from Spindle Farm in Amersham in 2008. She was very nervous and underweight when she arrived at Redwings, with her spine and ribs visible even through her soiled and matted coat. Mermaid came to Redwings in 2024, after her owner reached out for help, as they were struggling to care for her. Thumbelina when she was first taken in by the charityWe are officially Pony Foster Parents, said Stacey on Instagram. Meet Thumbelina and Mermaid. They are two girls who were rescued by the incredible Redwings Horse Sanctuary.Thumbelina was seriously neglected when she was rescued by Redwings who saved her and Mermaids owner could no longer look after her. We are so grateful to be able to offer them a home in the hope that theyre happy and want to stay forever one day.Thumbelina todayWe have a grass area sectioned off for them and also a dry area. Redwings will check in and visit us and give us all of the guidance we need to be the best pony parents for Mermaid and Thumbelina. One of my dearest friends Lianne from the incredible Hopefield Animal sanctuary is going to be our pony-hand/extra pony Mumma, as we do not take rescuing animals lightly and want to be the absolute best foster parents we can be.We cant even describe how incredible it feels to be able to do this. I dreamed of rescuing animals growing up. Seven-year-old me would not believe where we are today. Welcome to the family girls. We love you so much already.Mermaid joins Thumbelina at Stacey and Joes homeMermaid and Thumbelina are now two of more than 500 horses and ponies rehomed under the Redwings Guardianship scheme. Although the charity always looks for long-term homes, the charity retains ownership, so Guardians have the security of knowing that the ponies always have a home at the sanctuary if they need it. Rehoming is a vital area of our work, helping us make capacity for more rescued horses and donkeys that need us, and easing the burden on our sanctuary care, and we are so pleased to support Stacey and Joe as they start the wonderful journey of rehoming a rescued horse! said Redwings Senior Field Officer Jo Franklin, who carries out our rehoming assessments.It was our pleasure to approve this home for Mermaid and Thumbelina as it is the perfect set-up for them. As with all our Guardians, we will carry out regular home-visits and support them all the way through, and we look forward to hearing more from Stacey and Joe as the ponies settle into their lovely new home! Redwings staff with Stacey, Joe, Mermaid and ThumbelinaRelated contentLearn to read your horses body language with this adviceSpot signs of anxiety in your horse using the traffic light system and improve your bondHow to tell if a horse is happy: behaviourist reveals 13 key signsHorses love getting muddy, experts say and heres whyThe post Welcome to the family girls: Stacey Solomon rehomes miniature Shetlands Thumbelina and Mermaid appeared first on Your Horse.

A 25-year-old pony mare in Wellington County, Ontario, recently tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The mare developed sudden neurologic signs on the evening of June 29. Her signs progressed the next day, and she was euthanized.The mare had attended a schooling show in the Regional Municipality of Peel on June 28. She was kept outside at all times, and the risk to other horses that competed at the show is considered low. However, owners are advised to monitor their horses health and rectal temperatures for 14 days.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.EHV 101Herpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can cause a variety of ailments in equids, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and EHM.In many horses, the first or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected.In addition to fever, other common signs of EHV-1 infection in young horses include cough, decreased appetite, depression, and a nasal discharge. Pregnant mares typically show no signs of infection before they abort, and abortions usually occur late in gestation (around eight months) but can be earlier. Abortions can occur anywhere from two weeks to several months following infection with EHV-1.Horses with EHM usually have a fever at the onset of the disease and might show signs of a respiratory infection. A few days later, neurologic signs such as ataxia (incoordination), weakness or paralysis of the fore- and hind limbs, urine retention and dribbling, loss of tail tone, and recumbency (inability to rise) develop.Herpesvirus is easily spread by nose-to-nose or close contact with an infectious horse; sharing contaminated equipment including bits, buckets, and towels; or clothing, hands, or equipment of people who have recently had contact with an infectious horse.Routine biosecurity measures, including hygiene and basic cleaning and disinfection practices, should be in place at all times to help prevent disease spread.Current EHV-1 vaccines might reduce viral shedding but are not protective against the neurologic form of the disease. Implementing routine biosecurity practices is the best way to minimize viral spread, and the best method of disease control is disease prevention.