Does your horse struggle with sudden sounds? Whether its a car horn on the roads or a lawn mower starting up during your hack, there are many sounds that our horses need to become accustomed to.Eloise Mayhead, former stable manager at the City of Londons Mounted Branch, shares one exercise she used to prepare police horses for patrol.We played noise using speakers in the yard to desensitise our horses to different sounds, says Eloise. When it comes to noise sensitivity, we encouraged them to move towards the noise rather than away by enticing them with food first of all.The police desensitise their horses to loud sounds using instruments like drums, but you can just use bin lids. Have a friend or family member stand a few metres in front of your horse and make a soft sound on the lid to start with.How to ride itStand your horse in the middle of your arena.Keep your hands low, with a soft rein contact and your body relaxed in the saddle. Squeeze with your legs and walk towards the noise.Keep your leg pressure on your horse. If he shies away or hesitates, squeeze with your legs and use your voice to encourage him.Ask the person on the ground to increase the noise.Once hes standing calmly as close to the noise as possible, give him plenty of praise.You should keep doing this exercise until hes making no attempt to move away. If your horse doesnt want to move forwards you may need to ask your helper to stand with food to entice him. If he tries to back away from the noise, give him plenty of leg and circle him until hes facing the noise again.Meet the expert: Eloise Mayhead is a former stable manager at the City of Londons Mounted Branch, where she selected and trained police horses.Related contentBored of round the block? Four ways to find new hacking routesWhy wearing the colour red could play a part in safer hacking10 tips for training your horse to open gates out hacking8 benefits of flatwork for every horse, whether you compete or notThe post How to control your horses reaction to sudden noises appeared first on Your Horse.

Since the UK government scrapped the trailer test, more drivers than ever are towing trailers. For horse owners and riders, that means the freedom to take your horse where you want when you want but many equine events take place in fields located on narrow country lanes and if you meet a bigger vehiclecoming the other way, you might have to reverse back to a passing space.If theres one aspect of towing a trailer that brings many drivers out in a cold sweat its reversing, especially into a tight space, but dont panic with a bit of patience and practice, reversing a trailer isnt half as tricky as you think.Edd Cobley from Land Rover Experience East of England offers his tips to help you nail it every time.Tip 1: steer in the wrong directionWhat tends to flummox a lot of drivers is that you need to steer in what feels like the wrong direction at the start of the turn.For example, if you want to reverse your vehicle and trailer to the left, you need to move the steering wheel to the right to begin with.Why? Because the back of your car needs to move to the right to push the front of the trailer on the right, so that the back of the trailer swings to the left.Tip 2: use small movementsOnce your trailer is heading in the correct direction, dont continue to steer in the same direction otherwise youll jackknife your car at a right angle to your trailer.Instead, gradually turn the steering wheel back the other way. Only use small movements to fine-tune your direction.If things dont go to plan, pull forwards a short distance and try again. Remember that every movement of your steering wheel is the reverse of where youd normally turn.Steering right turns the trailer left; steering left turns the trailer right. Remember this!Once youve got the trailer going backwards on roughly the right arc, you need to start turning back the other way.Its easy to over-magnify any movement, so keep your wheel movements small where possible.More top tips:If you can drive through a space going forwards, you can reverse through it too.Dont do too much steering less is more.Be patient and take your time.Use your mirrors to gauge which way your trailer is going.Keep your vehicle speed low.Always return the steering to the centre once you have started to reverse.Dont be afraid to pull forward and try again.The type of terrain can change your trailers turning speed.Own it dont let the trailer and fear of reversing own you.Invest in some professional training.Your Horses top tip:If youre manoeuvring your trailer at home or at a competition, try to do this before your horse is loaded so that you can load up and then drive straight forwards and away.This is good practice whether you transport in a trailer or lorry, because it means a shorter, smoother journey for your horse if he or she is on board while youre reversing or getting into a certain position, it can be uncomfortable, jerky and risks knocking their confidence.It also means your trailer will be lighter, making it easier to manoeuvre for you too. Bonus!Related contentOn the move: Buyers guide to horseboxes and trailers4 things to consider when buying a trailer for your horse5 things to consider before travelling your horseThe post How to successfully reverse a horse trailer every time appeared first on Your Horse.

Lacking awareness while handling and riding our horses means missing their subtle cues and conversations. Mindfulnessis good for growing the bond you have with your horse, as well as tackling confidence issues. Itsabout appreciating your surroundings, noticing people, sights, smells and sounds, and controlling your internal dialogue.Equestrian performance coachLisa Eklund shares five techniques to help you achieve mindful riding:1. Just breatheFocusing on your breathing is the bedrock of mindfulness. It helps you to focus on the present and tackle wayward thoughts.Start as soon as you get to the yard, says Lisa. Take a moment before you leave the car to take a few deep breaths, focusing on the out breath, and make a mental note to stay in the here and now.You can continue this as you groom your horse or muck out around him to stop your mind from wandering to more stressful things.When you mount up, relax, lengthen your reins and breathe, and repeat this as you move off. Youll find your horse starts the session in a more relaxed attitude too. Next, choose a couple of markers in the school and, every time you get there, halt and inhale and exhale deeply.2. Be in the momentConnect physically, emotionally and mentally to each moment and, if other thoughts pop into your head, acknowledge them and then let them drift past.At the yard, recognise the details around you and your horse, says Lisa. Groom him, enjoying the touch, sight, smell and sounds, and recognise how he seems are there any changes physically? What is his state of mind?3. Use your headWhen something isnt working, a mindful rider uses thoughtful assessment to decide what needs changing without laying blame at them or their horses door, explains Lisa. Failures and mistakes become opportunities to grow and learn. So be open minded and free of judgement.Practise positive thinking: dont ask what went wrong, but what went right.Many riding sessions are full of positives, but riders focus on the one thing that isnt, adds Lisa.4. Choose to be happyThis doesnt mean youll walk through life blinkered, not seeing the bad things, says Lisa. But it does mean that youll choose to walk up each morning with a positive outlook, no matter what lies ahead. Make a mindful decision to handle everything with grace and dignity while experiencing all emotions.Happy people bring meaning to their riding with a clear vision of what they want. They understand there will be ups and downs and stay open to the lessons in front of them.5. Get creativeNot all mindfulness involves your horse. Take up a hobby that focuses your mind and requires concentration.Choose one that takes you to a quiet place, says Lisa. Knitting, embroidery, gardening or cooking are ideal theyre complicated enough to make you focus and analyse what youre doing. Let your mind wander and youll lose your place.This is what training yourself to be mindful looks like.Meet the expert: Lisa Eklund is an equestrian performance coach whos based in New York, USA. She uses mindfulness with her pupils to tackle a wide range of issues.Related contentStay confident and in control when riding a lively horseNervous out hacking? Hypnotic language you need to start usingHow to overcome fear when youre ridingHow to tell if a horse is happyThe post How mindfulness can help you be a happier and more confident rider appeared first on Your Horse.

Sports therapist Laura Payne explains the advantages of in-hand polework exercises and her golden rules for effective polework.Polework exercises are a simple and effective method of helping to strengthen and condition your horse without excessive concussion on joints and limbs.Its a great way to improve his natural balance and self-carriage. If your horse is happy in his body, he will be willing to move forward and be more confident in his stride.Problems arise when a horse is repetitively worked in the same way over a period of time, and instead of improving and strengthening, injuries occur due to repetitive strain and over-working tired, restricted muscles.I use polework as a means of identifying where a horse wants to naturally put himself. Thats to say, is he left or right-sided? Is he straight? What muscles does he struggle to engage, and is this because he doesnt know how to use them, or because he doesnt want to due to strain or pain?Alongside manual therapy I use polework on a daily basis for injury prevention, strength building and rehabilitation rebuilding neuromuscular pathways that have come into misuse for whatever reason.I predominantly do these polework exercises in-hand, in walk, as this is far more difficult and highlights where the horse is struggling basically, if he cant do them in walk, he wont do them well in trot.You want your horse to feel hes able to do the exercises yes, he may struggle at times to sort out his stride or where to put his feet but we dont want to set him up to fail. So less is more. Start with a few poles on the ground and once he can do these without touching them, either raise the height or add another pole, but never both at the same time.Lauras eight golden rules for poleworkAlways warm up your horse for 10 minutes before you start.Remember, walk is best.Introduce one exercise at a time for five minutes only, two or three times a week, then build up to 15 minutes.Start with just two or three poles and only add in more when your horse doesnt touch any of them.Repeat exercises equally on both reins and learn to lead from both sides.Allow a stretch between exercises.You dont need to use gadgets. Stick to simple exercises which make your horse use his body correctly.Dont forget to cool down afterwards.Related contentAndrew Hoys groundwork exercises to improve balance and core strengthGroundwork exercises for horses that build trustWhy hacking in hand has so many benefitsScales of Training in dressage explainedHone your jumping style with these grid exercises from John ThelwallThe post How in-hand polework can improve your horses balance and self-carriage appeared first on Your Horse.

From frosty mornings and muddy fields to dark evenings and unpredictable downpours, winter can throw plenty at horse owners. The good news? With the right kit, you can keep horses, riders and even yard dogs warm, dry and comfortable whatever the weather brings.**Sponsored Post**Whether youre refreshing your horses rug wardrobe, looking for extra layers or need something to make wet-weather riding a little more bearable, WeatherBeeta has winter covered. Here are five essentials worth adding to your seasonal shopping list.1. WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Ultra Turnout Detach-A-Neck 220GFor horses needing serious winter protection, the ComFiTec Ultra Turnout Detach-A-Neck 220G is WeatherBeetas most premium rug in the range.Designed to balance warmth, protection and comfort, its tough 1800 denier outer features a waterproof and breathable Teflon EcoElite coating, while 220g of polyfill provides plenty of insulation when temperatures start to drop.Comfort has been carefully considered too. Memory foam wither relief pads help lift the rug away from the wither to reduce rubbing, while a smooth 210T lining helps protect the coat. The removable Snug-Fit neck cover, Cozi Guard and full-wrap tail flap provide extra coverage from the elements.For horses who like to make the most of turnout, cupped shoulder darts and a forward gusset are designed to allow greater freedom of movement. Reflective detailing provides additional visibility on those darker winter days.Better still, the rug is compatible with the WeatherBeeta liner system, allowing you to add or remove warmth as conditions change.Shop the ComFiTec Ultra Turnout Detach-A-Neck 220G.2. WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Limited Edition Turnout Detach-A-Neck 220GWho says practical winter rugs cant look good too?The ComFiTec Limited Edition Turnout Detach-A-Neck combines dependable winter protection with a new-season limited edition print, making it an eye-catching addition to your horses wardrobe.Underneath the standout design is a durable 1200 denier ripstop outer with WeatherBeetas PFC-free Guard-Tec coating, offering waterproof and breathable protection. Meanwhile, 220g of polyfill helps provide warmth on colder days.A detachable neck gives you flexibility as the weather changes, while a fleece wither pad, large tail flap and adjustable leg straps are designed with comfort and security in mind. Reflective binding and branding also make your horse easier to spot in low light.Plus, compatibility with WeatherBeetas liner system means you can easily adapt the level of warmth throughout the season.Shop the ComFiTec Limited Edition Turnout Detach-A-Neck 220G.3. WeatherBeeta ComFiTec LinerBritish winter weather rarely makes its mind up, which is why a flexible layering system can be a useful addition to your horses wardrobe.The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Liner allows you to increase the warmth of a compatible outer rug without needing to invest in a completely different turnout rug every time the temperature changes.Available in a choice of weights including 50g, 100g, 200g and 300g, the liner can be selected to suit changing conditions and your individual horse.Touch-tape neck tabs and rear clips secure the liner to a compatible outer rug, while the straightforward front closure makes fitting quick and easy. Its a simple way to create a more versatile winter rugging system.50g, 100g, 200g & 300g | From 49.99Shop the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Liner.4. WeatherBeeta All Purpose Waterproof Insulated Longline Riding JacketOf course, horses arent the only ones who need protecting from the elements.For rainy hacks, winter yard duties and long days outdoors, the WeatherBeeta All Purpose Waterproof Insulated Longline Riding Jacket has been designed specifically with equestrians in mind.The waterproof, breathable and windproof construction helps keep the worst of the weather out, while insulation, a fleece-lined collar and fleece-lined pockets provide welcome comfort when the temperature drops.Its longer length offers additional coverage and equestrian-specific features help make it practical in the saddle too. A removable helmet-compatible hood, two-way front zip, magnetic back gusset, articulated sleeves and adjustable internal waist all help provide greater flexibility and freedom of movement.And because winter riding often means heading out in reduced daylight, reflective detailing provides an extra touch of visibility.Shop the WeatherBeeta All Purpose Waterproof Insulated Longline Riding Jacket.5. WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Deluxe Waterproof Dog CoatNo winter wardrobe would be complete without something for the four-legged yard companion.The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Deluxe Waterproof Dog Coat combines a waterproof and breathable 1200 denier ripstop outer with 150g insulation, helping keep dogs protected from rain, wind and chilly temperatures.The high collar gives additional coverage, while shaped front leg openings help allow freedom of movement. Elastic rear leg straps and an easy touch-tape belly closure help keep everything securely in place during walks and adventures.Theres also reflective trim for increased visibility and a waterproof zip leash portal designed to work with collars and harnesses, making it a practical choice for everything from early-morning yard trips to muddy winter walks.Shop the ComFiTec Premier Deluxe Waterproof Dog Coat.Get ready for winterWhatever the forecast has in store, a few carefully chosen winter essentials can make life easier for horses and their owners. From heavyweight turnout protection and adaptable liners to waterproof riding wear and cosy kit for the yard dog, WeatherBeetas latest collection is designed to help you embrace the season rather than hide from it.Discover more from WeatherBeeta at weatherbeeta.co.uk.The post Winter ready: 5 WeatherBeeta essentials for horses, riders and four-legged friends appeared first on Your Horse.

The mare stood patiently as I invaded the depths of her personal place with the probe of my ultrasound machine. Both Barbara and I looked anxiously at the small black screen but did not see the image we had hoped for. It could have been worsethere could have been twins, or extra fluidbut the black, quarter-sized circle indicative of a single, 14-day pregnancy was conspicuously absent.But the mare felt pregnant. I had learned to palpate mares 10 years before portable ultrasound had been invented, so I learned the feel long before I learned what they looked like on the very expensive 6-inch black-and-white TV screen. (My first one cost more than a new truck.) Without ultrasound, I would have called her pregnant, and that wouldve been the end of the story. But, as youve probably guessed by now, this is not the end of the story.Illustration by Madison Seamans, DVMMaking a BabyMrs. Barbara Goodrich had contacted me in the early spring, asking about the possibility of breeding her mare artificially. She had her eye on a real fancy, blue-blooded stallion in Colorado, but didnt want to take the mare on a long, expensive trip.I told her we could help her avoid the trailer ride by using shipped, fresh-cooled semen and artificial insemination, but it wasnt cheap, and timing was critical. They werent going to send a sample in a pickle jar that we could just use when we had time. The mare had to be in heat, the semen had to be placed in her uterus, and she had to ovulate within 48 hours.Fertility is not a function of how many times the mare is bred. One time is sufficient if it is the right time. Of course, if we didnt want the mare to conceive, she could get pregnant any timeespecially by the fence-jumping 2-year-old down the road that should have been gelded at birthbut thats a whole nother story.I went on to explain that the entire process could take several visits, and the synchronization of several factors was critical. We made an appointment for the following week.After examining the mare, I told Mrs. Goodrich that we were very lucky: if we could have a sample in 48 hours, I thought the mare would be ready. I stressed how fortunate we were, as it seldom happened so quickly. I thought to myself that it might be a sign that this case would be easy.I was wrong.Hiding OutThe next step is for you to call the stallion owner and have the semen shipped to you, I told her. If you can call me when it arrives, I can be here within a couple of hours.The sample arrived as scheduled, and the insemination was uneventful.Its always a good idea to recheck the mare in 48 hours to ensure ovulation, and this mare did so, exactly as predicted. Though the whole process started out dang near textbook perfect, it didnt stay that way.I recommend the first ultrasound on day 14 after ovulation. This will usuallyand the key word here is usuallytell us if she is pregnant or coming back into heat. An exam at this early date also helps us manage twin pregnancies more easily. Although twins sound like a cheap way to expand your herd, they almost always end in disaster.Before I place the ultrasound probe in the right location (this requires a long plastic sleeve, a lot of nerve, and a very cooperative patient), I feel the cervix and uterus. In a mare during early pregnancy, the cervix feels like a pencil and the uterus feels like a banana or large sausage.That is the way this mare felt, but the image on the screen suggested my fingers were either lying to me or they were thinking about something else. The embryo is about the size of a quarter by 14 days, and the uterus is about the size of a large banana, so there aint a lot of room to hide.However, these sneaky rascals have occasionally played hide and seek with me, and I just cant find em. In mares that really feel pregnant, I like to scan again in a couple of days. This often results in the good news that the mare is, indeed, pregnant. On this occasion, however, this was not going to happen.Storming OffMrs. Goodrich was beyond disappointedshe was livid.I cant believe I spent all this money (I think her bill totaled about $250 at that point, unbelievably cheap, even 25 years ago) and you cant see anything on this stupid machine!I told her again how fortunate we were that things had gone this smoothly, and that I was fairly confident we would see the embryo in two days.Nope.I cant believe I thought we could actually do this artificially in the first place, she fumed (the smoke alarm in the barn was just about to go off). I am going to take her to Colorado and let things happen naturally. Its what I should have done in the first place!So she did.The Maths Not MathingThree months later, I got a call from the farm manager at the blue-blood stallion station in Danglongwaysfromhere, Colorado.Mrs. Goodrich brought us a mare a few months back and listed you as the vet of record, he started, but she said she had already spent a FORTUNE with you and didnt want to spend another dime on unnecessary vet bills. We have been teasing this mare every other day for about three months, but she hasnt showed the slightest interest in our stallion. I thought Id find out if you did something to bring her in heat. Mrs. Goodrich was fairly adamant about no vets.I told him the condensed version of the story and that maybe another exam would be helpful. He called me back in a few hours with the news that his vet had examined her and said she was in foalabout 90 days!Sometimes just one more try will give us a victory. Its not like we had been breeding this mare for six cycles with no luck; we had been very fortunate with the timing of the whole process.But lets think about Mrs. Gs decision. One more ultrasound exam would have cost her about $50. Instead, she took a week off work, drove 1,200 miles to Coloradotwiceto deliver and retrieve her mare, paid for 90 days board, and eventually another vet exam anyway to determine the mare was pregnant all along.With that exercise in economics, Im sure she has a promising future in politics. This edition of The Village Horse Doctor appeared in the May/June 2025 issue of Horse Illustratedmagazine.Click here to subscribe!The post The Village Horse Doctor: Will She or Wont She? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Retraining an ex-racehorse can be challenging, but also hugely rewarding. You get to see them transform from a lean, highly tuned (and possibly highly strung) athlete into a calm-natured riding horse. Building trust, establishing ground rules and letting them take as much time as they need is vital.Event rider Victoria Bax shares her top tips for getting your ex-racehorse hacking out happily.1. Riding with other horsesWhen introducing hacking, Victoria recommends you use your ex-racers experience of being ridden in a string.Start the work in an arena or enclosed paddock, in case they become over-excited in open spaces. Once theyre settled in walk you can introduce trotting, then move on to acceptance of the leg and canter work. Conquer all of this before you attempt to actually go out for a hack. Even then, its best to start out with the more familiar.If you can, start in the school with other horses in there too, says Victoria. This reminds them about having other horses around.2. Building your bondA strong relationship with your ex-racehorse is important because when you go out they need to trust all is OK.If youve bought a horse who has always been the lead, the hacking out phase will be easier to master. If they were a follower it can be trickier, especially when hacking solo.3. Learning to leadHack around your yard and paddocks first, with an equine buddy to help.Let them take the lead for a few minutes at a time, increasing this as their confidence grows, and dont venture out of the yard until you have control. If in doubt, long-reining them around the paddocks and on short hacks builds confidence. It keeps you safe too.Meet the expert: Victoria Bax is an event rider and coach who specialises in retraining former racehorses. Shes owned mostly ex-racehorses during her career and uses her skills in retraining racehorses to help riders solve the issues theyre facing with their own horses.Related contentIs an ex-racehorse the right choice for you? We investigateThinking about buying an ex-racehorse? Heres what you need to know abut where you can purchase oneTop tips for introducing hacking to an ex-racehorseHow to feed and retrain the gut of an ex-racehorseNew eventing initiatives for former racehorsesEx-racehorses shouldnt carry more than 17% of their bodyweight, says RoRThe post Top tips for introducing hacking to an ex-racehorse appeared first on Your Horse.

Vets see a sharp rise in episodes of both impaction and spasmodic colic due to changes in diet, the weather and amount of stabling time.Katherine Hall MRCVS explains the signs of colic and what you can do to reduce the risk.When people start bringing their horses in to spend more time in their stable, the biggest risk is going from grass, which has a high water content, to hay, which is dry, explains Katherine. Impaction colic is caused by a blockage in the small intestine, so the increase in dry forage and absence of wetness can lead to obstructions forming.Stabling and lack of exercise can also slow gut mobility, leading to a higher risk of an impaction.Impaction isnt the only type of colic that horses are at risk of developing. Season changes increase the occurrence of spasmodic colic too.Spasmodic colic is caused by disordered movement of the gut and tends to happen when an owner swaps their horse onto hard feed and different forage, says Katherine. It takes a while for the bacteria in the gut to get use to processing the new feed, which is why you must always make changes gradually. Sudden changes increase the risk of colic considerably.Signs include:SweatingKicking or biting at the stomachLying down or rolling repeatedlyLooking uncomfortable and reluctance to eatPawing the groundReduced or no passing of droppingsThe best way to reduce the risk of autumn colic is to make management changes, particularly relating to diet, slowly. Any changes made to forage and stabling should be gradual too, ideally over three to four weeks, to give you and your horse the best chance of avoiding any hiccups along the way. Dampening hay helps ease a horses transition from grass. Grass is full of nutrients, so bear this in mind when adapting your horses diet.Meet the expert: Katherine Hall MRCVS is an equine vet who has been based at Minster Equine Veterinary Clinic in North Yorkshire.Related contentImpaction and gassy colic in horses explained by a vetInside a horses digestive system and how to keep it healthyAll about peritonitis in horsesWhy every horse will benefit from eating a soaked feedFeed 80% of forage during the day to reduce gastric ulcers risk, says vetAd lib forage and other fundamentals of a good horse dietThe post Why are horses more prone to colic in the autumn? appeared first on Your Horse.

Silhouette statues of a horse and donkey were unveiled in a ceremony in France to honour the horses, donkeys, mules, dogs and pigeons that lost their lives on the Somme in World War I. Animals played an important role in the Battle of the Somme. Horses and mules were used to move artillery guns and haul wagons containing supplies under enemy fire while donkeys were used to transport injured soldiers from the front line to safer areas. Dogs and pigeons carried messages when phone lines were cut by artillery.Over 200 people attended the unveiling ceremony at Le Memorial des Animaux, a memorialdedicated to animals that served and died in war, in Le Parc du Moulin in Pozieres on Saturday 12 September.The statues were funded byThe Donkey Breed Society (Northern Region), The War Horse Memorial CIC and the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO).Representatives from these charities were accompanied at the ceremony by members of the Moulin Coeur de Patrimoine Pozires and Association Digger-Cote 160 as well as military guests from Australia, France and the UK. Captain Harry Grantham RHA and Squadron Leader Helen Grantham. Credit: Sandra Taylor.Canon EOS 250D f/10 1/500s 18mm ISO400Animal involvementHorses, donkeys and dogs were also in attendance and there was a ceremonial release of homing pigeons at the end of the ceremony.Following the ceremony, a reception was hosted by the Mayor of Pozieres, Pascal Chalier. Chelsea Pensioner Roy Palmer, who is 87, read a poem. It is a total privilege to work alongside friends in our partner organisations to give due commemoration and respect to our beloved animals, said Sarah Booth from the Donkey Breed Society.We hope that people in the future will always remember what these brave animals went through as they experienced the most traumatic of situations. We hope that experiences of the past can be used to positively shape the roles of animals involved in warfare today and in the future. Main image Sarah Booth.Related contentEscapee donkeys rehomed by donkey charity6 fascinating facts about donkeys as we celebrate World Donkey DayStorm survivors: donkeys rescued from flooded fieldBrooke triumphs at charity film awardsThe post Equine memorials unveiled to honour animals killed in the Battle of the Somme appeared first on Your Horse.