Watching a great trainer explain something is useful.Watching the video, opening a workbook, figuring out where you are in the equation, and then taking an exercise to the barn? That is where things get very interesting.Many NF+ Masterclasses include detailed workbooks designed to be used alongside the video lessons. And we are not talking about three pages of write your thoughts here.Some of these are full training programs.There are readiness assessments, self-scoring exercises, ride plans, goal-setting worksheets, training journals, mental-performance exercises, troubleshooting guides and arena exercises you can print out and take straight to the barn.Basically, there may be a small stack of very good riding homework hiding inside your NF+ membership.Here are 10 we think are worth opening.1. Karl Cook: Strategic RidingUse this when: You have a goal, but you are not completely sure what needs to happen between here and there.Karl Cooks Strategic Riding workbook starts by asking you to examine the things you do with your horse because someone once told you that was how things were done. You identify traditions in your training, management, grooming or mental game where you may know the what without really understanding the why. Then you go find the answer and decide if that habit still belongs in your program.Then comes one of our favorite exercises: the prerequisite pyramid.You put your goal at the top and work backwards through everything you and your horse need to be able to do first. The workbook then asks you to identify the missing skills at the base of the pyramid, because that is where your training needs to start.Want to move up a level? Jump a bigger track? Improve your horses adjustability? Before you start attacking the end goal, Karl makes you figure out what it is sitting on top of.Slightly less glamorous than announcing your big goal.Potentially much more useful.2. Steffen Peters: Building Better Flying ChangesUse this when: You are working on flying changes, or you enjoy finding out that the thing you thought was a flying-change problem is really a canter problem.The workbook accompanying Steffen Peters Building Better Flying Changes Masterclass is essentially a diagnostic system for the flying change.Instead of giving you one exercise and sending you off to swap leads until everybody is annoyed, it starts with the quality of the canter. Steffens framework asks riders to look at self-carriage, balance, collection, straightness and lightness before worrying about the change itself.There is even a readiness audit covering walk-canter, canter-walk, forward-and-back work, response to the outside leg, travers, walk pirouettes, baby half-pass, straightening aids, self-carriage and the horses mental state. The point is to identify the piece that needs more work before repeatedly asking for the end result.That makes this workbook useful even before you have a horse doing flying changes.It teaches you how a top dressage rider works backwards from an advanced skill and asks, Does the foundation underneath this support what I am asking for?Very inconvenient when you wanted the answer to be buy a better flying-change button.3. Anne Kursinski: How to Bring Out the Best in Your HorseUse this when: You want to develop more feel instead of collecting more instructions.Anne Kursinskis workbook is one we would spend real time with because the course moves from understanding how horses think into partnership, connection, transitions, feel, jumping and putting all of those pieces together.This one is meant to be worked through over several weeks, with the workbook acting as a study guide while you take the exercises into your regular riding routine.One of the exercises asks riders to dedicate rides specifically to transitions and lateral work rather than treating flatwork as the bit you do before the fun stuff. The bigger goal is learning to notice the horses response to your aids and developing the elusive thing horse people call feel.That is hard to teach from a checklist.But you can train yourself to pay closer attention.Annes workbook gives you somewhere to start.4. Missy Clark: Recognizing and Riding the Distance to Every JumpUse this when: You would like to stop approaching every jump thinking, Please be there, please be there, please be there.Missy Clarks distance Masterclass is already extremely practical. The workbook makes it even more so.The program breaks seeing and riding distances into trainable skills: developing your eye, rider position, creating an adjustable canter, reactions and timing, line and track, and riding the short distance. Rather than treating a good eye like magical genetic material bestowed upon a lucky few, the course is designed around deliberate practice over several weeks.The workbook also gets you to assess where the problem is.Is it visually judging the distance? Your position? Adjustability? Timing? Track? The short distance?That distinction is pretty important.Because Im bad at distances gives you approximately zero useful information about what to practice tomorrow.Missys workbook turns one giant frustrating problem into skills you can work on one at a time.5. Ian and Amy Millar: The Millar Method Training SystemUse this when: Your rides could use a little more system and a little less lets see what happens today.The Millar Method resources are some of the newest additions to the NF+ toolbox, and they are designed to help you apply Ian and Amy Millars training system to your own horse.The system moves in stages, beginning with assessment and then working through flatwork, gridwork and coursework. The goal is a horse who can carry themselves, respond to the rider and maintain those qualities from schooling at home into competition.There is a companion exercise workbook too, which is where this gets especially fun.Exercises include cavaletti work that asks you to change the number of strides while preserving the horses rhythm and balance, grid exercises for rideability, and coursework used as a test of the training you have already done. The overall philosophy is wonderfully useful: each stage gives you information about what needs attention next.So instead of finishing a course and thinking, Well, that was kind of a mess, you learn to identify why.Lost balance through the turns? Back to the relevant flatwork.Horse got quick? Look at the canter.Straightness disappeared? There is information there.Your course becomes feedback rather than a personality test.Much healthier.6. Tik Maynard: Training the Anxious or Spooky HorseUse this when: Your horse has opinions about tarps, corners, shadows, cows, banners, flowers, leaves, invisible ghosts or life generally.Tik MaynardsTraining the Anxious or Spooky Horse workbook is particularly good because it forces you to get more specific about the behavior you are seeing.The workbook walks through identifying spookiness and anxiety, reading the horse, stress, relationship, groundwork, attention, pressure and release, managing spookiness and setting realistic goals. One exercise asks you to choose something that worries your horse, write down exactly what happens, then work through a problem-solving process: identify the issue, understand why it may be happening, examine the communication and decide how you can approach it.There is also an exercise around anthropomorphism, which challenges riders to replace stories about what a horse supposedly thinks with descriptions of the behavior they can actually observe.My horse is being dramatic becomes something useful like, My horse raises his head, speeds up and loses focus when we ride past that corner.Now you have something you can work with.Tiks broader approach combines groundwork, ridden training and equine behavior, which makes this workbook useful well beyond the particularly spooky horse.7. Mette Larsen: Dressage for All DisciplinesUse this when: You are not a dressage rider and have therefore decided dressage fundamentals could not possibly apply to you.We have some news.Mette Larsens Dressage for All Disciplines workbook is written for jumpers, hunters, eventers, equitation riders and dressage riders. The course uses dressage fundamentals to improve elasticity, balance, coordination, effectiveness of the aids and the horses ability to do whatever your particular sport asks of them.One of the early workbook exercises asks you to assess your horses strengths, identify the areas you would like to improve and then consider which of those areas could be influenced through dressage work. Another turns the focus onto communication, asking where the horse and rider are misunderstanding one another.That makes this a great workbook for the rider who says, I know our flatwork needs work, but has no idea where to begin.You do not have to develop a sudden passion for 20-meter circles.Although we cannot rule it out.8. Dr. Jenny Susser: Performing Under PressureUse this when: You ride beautifully at home and then your brain arrives at the horse show with its own agenda.Dr. Jenny Sussers Performing Under Pressure workbook treats mental performance like something you can train rather than something you either have or do not have.The course starts by helping riders understand their individual response to pressure. It then moves into tools for managing that response and performing more effectively when the stakes feel higher.The workbook is about creating true change. You identify internal and external sources of pressure, examine how they show up physically, choose coping tools, create process and outcome goals and practice mental rehearsal.There is also an exercise around recreating pieces of a high-pressure environment at home so the first time you encounter them is not when somebody rings a bell and starts judging you.Which feels obvious once someone says it.And yet.This is the kind of workbook worth doing before show season, not while sitting in the truck after a round wondering why you temporarily forgot everything you know.9. Tonya Johnston: How to Be a Consistent RiderUse this when: Tuesday-you and Saturday-you appear to be two completely unrelated equestrians.Tonya Johnstons How to Be a Consistent Rider workbook tackles one of ridings most annoying mysteries: why you can have an excellent ride one day and feel like you have misplaced all your skills the next.The course works through identifying your strengths, focusing on factors within your control, setting performance goals, breathing, visualization, personalized pre-ride routines, recovering after difficult rides and resetting between rides.One of the best sections helps you create your own pre-ride routine.Not a rigid lucky-socks situation.A repeatable group of physical and mental habits that help you arrive at the mounting block prepared to ride. That might include breathing, visualization, movement, nutrition, course preparation, music, grooming or another routine that helps you get into the state you want before getting on.The broader point of the workbook is that consistency starts before your foot goes in the stirrup.Which is mildly annoying information for those of us hoping our horse could take full responsibility.10. Boyd Martin: Building Bravery Through PreparationUse this when: You want to feel braver, but just be confident has proven to be spectacularly unhelpful advice.Boyd Martins Building Bravery Through Preparation workbook starts with a very useful premise: bravery comes from trusting your preparation.The course is designed as part of a progressive series, with each section adding skills to the riders toolkit instead of treating bravery as something you summon at the exact moment things get scary. The workbook asks you to examine your current routines and prepare for challenging situations at home. Boyds warm-up work, for example, uses familiar exercises, stride adjustment, flatwork and repetition so that the environment may change later, but the rider and horse already understand the job.That changes the conversation from How can I make myself feel brave? to What can I practice now so this feels more familiar later?Much better question.The secret is not downloading the workbook. It is using it.We know how this goes.You download a beautiful workbook.You think, I should print that.It enters the mysterious digital afterlife known as your Downloads folder.Fin.So pick one.Not ten. One.Choose the Masterclass that lines up with the horse or riding question you are working through right now. Watch the lesson, open the workbook and do the exercise. Take the relevant page to the barn. Come back afterwards and write down what happened.Many of these workbooks were specifically created to be used over several weeks rather than consumed in one sitting. Missys course, for example, recommends systematic work and repetition, while Annes workbook encourages riders to integrate the exercises into their regular riding over four to eight weeks.That is where these resources become much more than course notes.They give you a way to turn an idea from an Olympic rider, top trainer or sports psychologist into something you can test, practice, revisit and use with your own horse.And yes, there are more.These ten are only a starting point.There are also workbooks for Archie Coxs How to Win, Tik Maynards Training the Young Horse, Dr. Jenny Sussers Gaining Control of Fear and Anxiety and more across the NF+ Masterclass library. Archies workbook alone moves through flat performance, jumping, ring confidence, rider body type, strategy and mindset, while Tiks young-horse workbook includes exercises around prerequisites, voice cues, groundwork, transitions, lateral work and introducing jumping.So the next time you open NF+, do not only hit play.Check the resources attached to the course too.There may be an entire training plan sitting underneath the video you were about to watch.And with NF+ Member for Life, those are resources you can keep returning to as your horse, riding and goals evolve. The workbook you need right now might be about distances. The one you need a year from now might be about flying changes, confidence, young horses or riding under pressure.One payment. No renewals. A lot of very good horse homework.

The Grand Final for the 2026 Foal Championship and 3 Year Old Filly Loose Jumping, take place at the Grand Final in Emerald Equestrian Centre, Co Kildare on Thursday 15th October, from 12pm.All spectators, breeders and connections of competitors are welcome, and encouraged, to attend.The 2026 Foal Championship and Loose Jumping are funded under National Breeding Services with thanks to the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, and delivered by Horse Sport Ireland. 16 foals and 12 fillies will compete in their respective categories for the coveted champion titles. One foal in each section of the Horse and Pony qualifiers were selected to compete at the final in Emerald; while first and second place of each section of the 3YO Loose Jumping qualifiers earned a spot in the Grand Final.Start List for Foal Championship final: HEREStart List for Loose Jumping final: HEREThe post Start list for the 2026 Grand Final of the Foal Championship and 3YO Filly Loose Jumping appeared first on .

A boy from Bedfordshire who first visited the London International Horse Show (LIHS) as a seven-year-old cancer patient through a Willberry Wish, is returning to the event four years later as a competitor.Dylan Ward from Keysoe was diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 bone cancer in 2022 at the age of seven. A tumour the size of a small melon had developed in his pelvis and the cancer had spread to his lungs.After two years of intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, proton beam therapy and radiotherapy,Dylan rang the bell to mark the end of his treatment in April 2024.The cancer and the side effects of his treatment have left him without the use of his left leg.Throughout his treatment, Dylan continued to ride. There was a period when medical professionals advised he stopped, but they later recognised the positive physical and emotional benefits riding provided.A special treatIn December 2022 when he was undergoing treatment, Dylan attended LIHS as part of a Willberry Wish with the Willberry Wonder Pony charity. Together with his Mum, Dylan watched an afternoon performance, enjoyed a backstage tour and rode in Santas sleigh.This year, four years after that visit, 11-year-old Dylan is set to return to LIHS as a competitor. He and his pony McFlurry qualified at Ashby Show in July 2026 for the BSPS Performance Pony not exceeding 148cm class.Dylan and McFlurry, a nine-year-old Dutch New Forest Pony, have competed up to elementary level in dressage and turned to showing earlier this year while Dylan was rehabbing McFlurry following lifesaving colic surgery. Dylan rode in Santas Sleigh at LIHS in 2022.NIKON D850 f/2.8 1/500s 70mm ISO3200So proudWe are so excited that Dylan has qualified for the London International Horse Show, said Dylans mum Jessica Flack.He has shown so much courage and determination during his cancer treatment, and his commitment to the horses has never wavered. They have been a constant source of support throughout his journey and helped him through some incredibly difficult times. For him to have qualified for the London International Horse Show, just four years after he attended the Show in very different circumstances, makes me so proud. It is one of our favourite shows and we cant wait to be a part of it. Roll on December! Dylan and McFlurry have only recently started showing.f/0.02 1/45s 0.020423714378157mm ISO500Images Georgia Kendall.Related contentLondon International Horse Show announces 2026 charity partnerLondon International Horse Show reveals new format as tickets launchFeeling the pressure? Manage competition nerves with performance coach Annika McGivern *video*Nine course-walking tips from Olympic showjumping champion Ben MaherThe post From cancer patient to competitor: young boys inspiring London International Horse Show journey appeared first on Your Horse.

Ocala, FL World Equestrian Center Ocala (WEC) has earned four honors across two leading travel and meetings industry awards programs. The Equestrian Hotel was recognized in the 2026 Cond Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards and the Northstar 2026 Stella Awards, while The Equestrian Manor also earned recognition in the Stella Awards. To be recognized by Cond Nast Traveler and theSource

Horse Sport Ireland held 6 inspections in 6 different venues across the country in July, August & September, where over 160 Irish Draught and Irish Sport Horse mares were presented for inspection. A full list of all results from the Autumn 2026 Mare Inspections can be seen below. The mare inspections are funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, under the Equine Technical Support Fund.ISH & ISP ResultsID ResultsWendy is Back to Ballincash (IDC1), by Dernahatten Vision (IDC1), out of Satrissaun Star Farmer (IDC4), by Tors Gentleman Farmer (IDC1). Owned by Laura Lee Hatton, received Class 1 status at ID inspection. Photo: Laurence Dunne, Jump In Action.Urlanmore Vivant Cruise (ISH), by Vivant Van De Heffinck (BWP), out of Urlanmore Cruise (ISH), by Lux Z (HANN). Owned by Oliver Steele, received Select status at ISH inspection. Photo: Laurence Dunne, Jump In Action. Further information on the mare inspections can be found HEREThe mare inspections are funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, under the Equine Technical Support Fund.The post Autumn 2026 Mare Inspection Results appeared first on .

Premier Equine Turnout Boot buying guideThe right leg coverage for your horses turnout.Compare two PE boot designs by the area they cover, the fabric against the leg and the care they need. Make the choice around your horse and your field routine.Compare the PE boots In this guide Quick answer What to look for PE construction Compare boots Choose your option Fit and checks Care FAQWet, muddy fields are an unavoidable part of winter, but prolonged mud exposure can leave your horse's legs vulnerable to irritation. Here is a guide to help you find the best leg protection for your horse and your field conditions.Quick answer: which turnout boot should you choose?Choose PE Turnout Boots when extra security is needed around the fetlock. Choose PE Mud Fever Boots when you want additional coverage, an extended barrier against mud over the pastern. Both use Air-Tech ventilated neoprene. Remember to perform an individual fit check, clean and dry legs, regularly remove and inspect boots.Key takeawaysChoose coverage for expected mud exposure.Measure front and hind legs separately.Both styles come in pairs.Plan a refresh every 12 hours; check earlier when needed.Speak to your vet about affected skin before covering it.01 Start with the horseWhat should you look for in horse turnout boots?Think about the job you want the boot to do. General lower-leg coverage and a barrier over the pastern are different requirements. Boots should be chosen for an individual need, with a routine that allows you to check underneath them.CoverageLook at the lower edge.The fetlock is the joint above the pastern; the pastern lies between that joint and the hoof. Compare where each boot finishes, particularly if limiting mud contact near the hoof is your priority.MaterialCheck how the fabric is built.Look for the stated ventilation and lining construction. Perforated fabric offers air passage through the material. It still needs to be kept clean, and the leg beneath it needs regular inspection.FitAllow for the individual leg.Front and hind legs may need different sizes. A fit that looks tidy while the horse stands should also sit smoothly as the horse moves. Check for folding, gaps and edges pressing into the skin.RoutinePlan the checks and drying time.Consider who will remove the boots, inspect the legs and prepare a clean, dry pair for the next use. Dry standing and well-managed gateways remain part of caring for legs in wet conditions.02 PE constructionWhat makes PE boots perfect for turnout?Reinforced straps and the contoured lower section of a PE Mud Fever Boot.Ventilation through Air-Tech fabricBoth PE designs use Air-Tech ventilated neoprene. Perforations allow air to pass through the fabric, making its construction breathable for wearing on the leg during turnout.Contour fit around the fetlockThe anatomical shape follows the lower leg and fetlock. Check how this contour sits on your horse as it walks. Both boot options have microfibre leather binding, which finishes the edges of the wrap.Jersey layers and flexible strapsThe Mud Fever Boots and Turnout Boots have a piqu jersey outer and lining, along with strong, flexible straps. PE specifies moisture-wicking and fast-drying properties for the jersey fabric, and stretch and recovery in the boot construction. These are useful details to consider alongside the extended pastern coverage.Turnout boots are most effective when combined with sensible turnout management. Providing dry standing areas, reducing deep mud around gateways and regularly checking your horses skin can all help minimise the risk of problems.Regular checks, correctly fitted boots and early veterinary advice can help keep your horses legs healthy throughout the muddy season.03 Compare the optionsPE Turnout Boots or Turnout / Mud Fever Boots?The standard wrap covers the fetlock area.Fetlock-focused coverageTurnout BootsA wrap-around design for field use, with ventilated neoprene and anatomical shaping. Consider this option when your horse benefits from extra secure long straps with a close fit around the pastern. This is a great option for active horses.Before ordering: compare your horses front and hind measurements with this designs Size Guide.View Turnout Boots and the Size Guide The Mud Fever Boots extend over the pastern.Extended pastern and coronet band coverageTurnout / Mud Fever BootsA contoured design that extends over the lower leg, pastern and coronet band. Consider this option when you want a physical barrier over more of the skin close to the hoof. Perfect horse horses that need substantial mud protection.Before ordering: consider the skin beneath that extra coverage and the checks you can provide during wear.View Mud Fever Boots and the Size Guide Compare coverage and construction. Prices checked on 7 October 2026; check the product pages for current prices.Detail to compareTurnout BootsTurnout / Mud Fever BootsCoverageTurnoutWraps securely around the pastern and fetlock area.Mud FeverExtends over the pastern and the coronet band.Fabric and finishTurnoutAir-Tech neoprene; piqu jersey outer and lining.Mud FeverAir-Tech neoprene; piqu jersey outer and lining.LegsTurnoutFront or hind, subject to individual fit.Mud FeverFront or hind, subject to individual fit.Included bagsTurnoutReusable zip-fastened storage bag.Mud FeverReusable zip-fastened storage bag and separate wash bag.Price per pairTurnout42.Mud Fever48.04 Make the choiceWhich option is right for your horse?Choose fetlock-focused coverage.Start with the standard Turnout Boots if you want an anatomical wrap for the fetlock area. Check the coverage in the product photographs, then use the models measurements to assess the fit.Choose additional pastern coverage.Start with the Mud Fever Boots if limiting mud contact over the pastern is your main requirement. The extended cut, jersey layers and flexible straps are the details to compare. Healthy skin and regular checks remain part of that decision.Where does the price difference sit? At the prices checked, the Mud Fever Boots cost 6 more per pair. That option adds extended coverage, jersey layers and a separate wash bag. Choose around the area you need covered; both models already use Air-Tech ventilated neoprene.Before you order: a buying checklist.Coverage: decide whether the fetlock area or additional pastern coverage is your priority.Measurements: check front and hind legs separately against the selected models Size Guide.Quantity: one pair covers two legs; two pairs cover four. The sizes may differ.Skin and coat: inspect the legs. Ask PE for fitting advice if feathering makes the fit difficult to assess.Daily care: plan removal, leg checks and enough time for washing and drying between uses.05 Fit and field checksWhat does a healthy turnout routine include?Turnout boots can provide a useful barrier against wet mud, helping to keep the lower legs cleaner and reduce direct exposure to moisture. However, they should always be correctly fitted and used alongside good leg-care practices. Boots that are too tight or move excessively can cause rubbing and damage the skin, potentially making problems worse.Regular checks are essential. After turnout, remove the boots and inspect the legs carefully, paying particular attention to the pasterns, heels and areas covered by the boots. Look for scabbing, redness, hair loss, soreness, heat, swelling, moisture or discharge. If you notice any changes, avoid simply covering the area with a boot and seek veterinary advice where appropriate.Remember that not every scab or skin irritation is mud fever. Fungal infections, bacterial infections, mites and other skin conditions can cause similar symptoms. If a problem is spreading, recurring or failing to improve, your vet can help identify the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment.Clean turnout boots regularly and allow them to dry thoroughly before reuse. Avoid repeatedly washing muddy legs unless necessary; where possible, allow mud to dry before gently brushing it away. If legs do need washing, dry them thoroughly afterwards.Reduce prolonged standing in deep mud and review poached gateways and water troughs. For routine mud removal from healthy legs, let the mud dry and brush it away gently where practical. If washing is needed, dry the legs thoroughly.If the skin is sore: mud fever refers to lower-leg skin problems, often around the pastern. Boots can help limit contact with mud, but cannot guarantee prevention or treat an existing condition. If you find scabs, broken skin, soreness, heat or swelling, speak to your vet before deciding whether to cover the area.06 Care between usesHow should you wash and dry PE turnout boots?Premier Equine gives the same washing instructions for both styles:Brush away hair and dried sweat.Close all fastenings. PE recommends using a wash bag.Machine wash at 30C using non-bio liquid detergent.Dry naturally, away from direct heat.Ready for the next turnoutInspect the lining, edges and straps while the boots are off. Make sure the fastenings hold securely and allow the whole boot to dry before it is used again.The Mud Fever Boots include a separate wash bag. Both styles include a reusable storage bag for keeping the pair together. Store boots once they are clean and fully dry.07 FAQTurnout boot questions before you buy.Do I need two pairs to boot all four legs?Yes. Both PE styles are sold in pairs, so two pairs cover four legs. Each model can be used on front or hind legs, subject to fit. Check front and hind measurements separately because you may need different sizes.Should I choose turnout boot size by my horses height?Use the selected products Size Guide and your horses actual leg measurements. Height alone does not establish the fit. Check front and hind legs separately. If you are between sizes or cannot assess the fit through feathering, ask PE for sizing advice.How long can a horse wear PE turnout boots?PE advises swapping or refreshing both styles every 12 hours. The Mud Fever Boots are specified for up to 12 hours at a time. Remove them sooner if they are wet inside, displaced, rubbing or uncomfortable. Plan regular checks rather than treating the wear interval as a guarantee of suitable fit.Are PE Mud Fever Boots waterproof?PE specifies ventilated neoprene and mud-barrier coverage, without a sealed waterproof specification. Check beneath the boots in wet conditions and remove them if moisture collects inside.Can I use turnout boots for schooling?These PE models are intended for field turnout. Choose exercise boots around your horses needs and the work you are doing. Our guide to horse boots for schooling explains the options for ridden work.Final buying adviceChoose coverage. Confirm the fit.Start with the area you need covered, compare the two specifications and check the chosen Size Guide. Plan the care that will keep your horse and the boots ready for the next turnout.Always check the individual product page for the latest sizing, specification, materials, care guidance and availability.Explore PE turnout boots

Thunderbrook Ahiflower Oil is an oil supplement made from the seeds of the Ahiflower plant. It provides omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids in a plant-derived format for owners considering an addition to their horse's existing diet.Thunderbrook's training positions it as nutritional support for skin and coat condition, normal immune function, mobility and recovery. The practical starting point is to decide what the supplement is intended to add to the ration, then use the recommended amount consistently.What is Ahiflower Oil made from?Thunderbrook lists the composition as 99.9% refined Buglossoides arvensis seed oil, with 0.1% natural antioxidants. It is a vegan alternative for owners who prefer a plant-derived omega supplement. The supplier describes the crop as grown in the UK.The product is supplied in a one-litre bottle with a measuring aid. That is useful because feeding guidance is given in millilitres, rather than an approximate splash over the meal.What can an omega supplement contribute?Different oils have different fatty-acid profiles. Ahiflower's role in this range is to add omega fatty acids to the diet, with the manufacturer highlighting normal skin, coat and mobility support. It is not a high-starch energy feed.The amount of fat in a product alone does not explain its full nutritional role. When comparing oils, consider the source, the stated fatty acids, the recommended daily amount and how the rest of the ration is balanced.For an older horse with a change in movement, a persistent skin problem or respiratory symptoms, get veterinary advice about the cause. An oil supplement should not be presented as a treatment for arthritis, allergies or other disease, and a shinier coat would not establish that an underlying condition had improved.Is it the same as fish oil?Ahiflower is a plant-derived option for owners who do not want to feed fish oil. That is a useful distinction, but it does not establish that every plant oil and fish oil product has an identical fatty-acid profile or produces identical results.If a vet or nutritionist has recommended a particular fatty acid or daily amount, compare that recommendation with the product specification. Avoid choosing solely on a general omega oil claim.How much Thunderbrook Ahiflower Oil should you feed?The manufacturer's recommendation is 5ml per 100kg of bodyweight each day. These examples apply to this Thunderbrook product:BodyweightDaily amountApproximate duration of a 1L bottle300kg15ml67 days400kg20ml50 days500kg25ml40 days600kg30ml33 daysDurations are calculated from 1,000ml divided by the stated daily amount, rounded to the nearest day. Allow for measuring losses and check the current label before feeding.Measure carefully, introduce the oil gradually and follow the bottle's storage instructions. If your horse already receives oils or several supplements, review the combined ration before adding another.Will it help an underweight horse?Oil contributes energy, but the small recommended serving of an omega supplement should not be mistaken for a complete conditioning programme. First establish whether the horse is eating enough suitable forage and whether a health or dental problem is limiting intake.Where the ration needs a conditioning feed, Thunderbrook Gentle Gain has a different role: it supplies a combination of forage fibre, protein and energy. Neither product replaces a properly planned diet.Does it replace a vitamin and mineral supplement?No. A seed oil does not provide the same nutritional package as a balancer. Check that forage, bucket feed and any balancer together meet the horse's needs, and add an omega supplement only where it has a clear role.A practical way to assess whether it is usefulAgree what you are trying to support, record the feeding amount and avoid changing several products at once. Keep an eye on appetite, body condition and acceptance. For a specific health concern, your vet's assessment is more useful than relying on a marketing promise or a change in appearance alone.View Thunderbrook Ahiflower Oil 1L for the product details and current availability, or browse our horse supplements.

Thunderbrook Hay Flakes and Hay Cobs are both forage feeds made from grasses and herbs. Their main practical difference is preparation: Hay Flakes must be soaked and soften in around five minutes, while Hay Cobs offer a firmer cob that can be fed dry in specific circumstances or thoroughly soaked into a mash.If your horse is leaving hay, dropping partly chewed forage or finding meals difficult, the first question is whether they can comfortably eat enough fibre. Choosing the right texture can help, but a change in eating behaviour also needs a dental or veterinary check.Hay Flakes and Hay Cobs comparedFeatureThunderbrook Hay FlakesThunderbrook Hay CobsMain ingredientsMeadow grasses and herbsDried alpine grasses and herbageFormatLoose flakes that soften quicklyCompressed cobsDry feedingNo: always soak before feedingOnly where the horse can chew thoroughly; feed separately and never dry to a horse prone to chokePreparing a mashApproximately five minutes in cold water, checking that the feed is fully softenedAllow much longer. Thunderbrook's detailed guide recommends at least three hours, preferably overnight, and checking for hard centresUseful considerationConvenient when a quickly prepared, soft forage feed is neededA flexible forage option when the preparation method suits the horse and the yard routineFollow the current bag instructions. Soaking times can vary with water temperature and the amount prepared; the finished texture matters more than the clock.When might Hay Flakes be useful?Thunderbrook Hay Flakes 20kg can be useful for an older horse with worn teeth, a horse that finds long-stem hay difficult, or an owner who needs a soft fibre feed that is quick to prepare. They can also provide a palatable fibre base for an appropriately balanced bucket feed.The course describes a blend of more than 60 meadow grasses and herbs, without alfalfa or added molasses. The flakes soften into a short-fibre mash. This makes them worth considering when a horse struggles with the physical texture of hay, rather than simply needing a larger conventional bucket feed.For a horse with poor teeth, weigh what is actually eaten as well as what is offered. A full haynet does little for a horse that can no longer chew its contents effectively.How to prepare Thunderbrook Hay FlakesWeigh the required amount of dry feed.Measure one part flakes to two parts water by volume.Mix and leave for approximately five minutes.Check that the whole portion has softened before feeding.Hay Flakes must always be fed soaked. Introduce a new feed gradually and keep clean drinking water available alongside the soaked ration.How should Hay Cobs be fed?Thunderbrook Hay Cobs 20kg can be fed dry to a horse with suitable teeth that chews them thoroughly. The manufacturer's instructions say to offer dry cobs separately, rather than mixing them into a mash or sprinkling them on another feed. Do not feed them dry to a horse prone to choke.For poor dentition, prepare a fully softened mash. Allow ample soaking time and check for firm centres. If you are choosing mainly for speed of preparation, Hay Flakes have the clearer advantage.A 5kg Hay Cobs trial pack is also listed at Chestnut Mill for owners who want to assess acceptance before buying a larger bag.Can these feeds replace hay?Thunderbrook describes both products as options for partial or complete hay replacement. That means replacing the forage portion of an appropriately planned diet; it does not mean either product supplies every vitamin and mineral a horse needs.If your horse cannot eat enough hay or grass, ask an equine nutritionist to calculate the replacement ration. The amount must reflect bodyweight, condition, intake and the rest of the diet. Weigh feed dry before adding water, divide substantial amounts into several meals, and check how the horse manages the increased volume.What if the horse also needs to gain condition?Difficulty eating forage and needing extra calories can occur together, but they are separate feeding considerations. A softer forage source helps with intake. A conditioning feed may be useful where the total ration also needs more energy and protein.Thunderbrook Gentle Gain is designed for maintaining or improving condition and contains sainfoin and rice bran. It should be assessed alongside the forage ration, rather than treated as interchangeable with Hay Flakes or Hay Cobs.Does no added molasses mean suitable for every horse?No. Grass-based feeds contain naturally occurring sugars, and different products have different analyses. For a horse with insulin dysregulation, laminitis or another condition requiring dietary management, use the current label and professional ration advice rather than relying on a broad natural or low sugar description.Compare the current Hay Flakes and Hay Cobs listings for pack details and availability. For the wider reasons to consider soft forage, read our guide to soaked hay replacers.Further readingBritish Horse Society: feeding horsesBritish Horse Society: care of elderly horses