Biopharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim has announced that Great Britains first licensed treatment specifically targeting equine insulin dysregulation,a major riskfactor for endocrinopathiclaminitis, is now available.Scovella is the first licensed equine-specific SGLT-2 inhibitor for treating high insulin levels in horses and ponies with insulin dysregulation that have not responded to changes in diet, management and exercise. It is given as an oral liquid and works by lowering elevated insulin levels, which can help reduce the risk of laminitis.Boehringer Ingelheim estimates thatinsulin dysregulation is linked to more than 90% of laminitis cases.In a controlled preventative trial involving 49 high-risk ponies, none of those receiving the treatment developed laminitis, compared with 38% of untreated ponies. Laminitis was identified using expert video assessments and X-rays, and the study specifically examined whether the treatment could prevent diet-induced laminitis rather than treat existing disease.In-depth researchAccording to Boehringer Ingelheim, the treatments development follows more than 14 years of equine-specific research covering safety, dosing and long-term field trials.Laminitis is one of the most common and welfare-impacting conditions we face in equine practice, said Professor Andy Durham, European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine at Liphook Equine Hospital. Until recently, treatment and prevention options have been limited. The availability of a therapy specifically developed and approved for horses represents an important advance and provides vets with a powerful new option to directly target the primary cause behind the majority of laminitis cases. The treatment was authorised in April and will be available through veterinary practices across England, Scotland and Wales this month.Related contentBeware autumn laminitis: expert advice to keep your horse safe this seasonSpring laminitis: it is not the season itself that causes it, warns equine vetInsulin resistance in horses explainedSugar in grass: everything you need to knowThe impact of obesity on equine healthThe post New licensed treatmentfor equine insulindysregulation launchesin Great Britain appeared first on Your Horse.

Ocala, FL Competition continued Thursday at World Equestrian Center Ocala (WEC) during The Championship Show 2026, while the APHA Zone 9 Fall Cash Classic officially got underway, bringing Paint Horse competition to WEC Ocala through Sunday, September 20. Thursdays featured competition began with the WEC $4,000 Junior Hunter Under Saddle and WEC $4,000 Senior Hunter Under Saddle duringSource

Older horses do not automatically need a specialist veteran feed, but their ration deserves a closer look as chewing ability, body condition, workload and general health change. A senior that is holding weight, eating forage comfortably and looking well may need very little adjustment. A horse that is losing topline, taking longer to eat or struggling through winter needs a more careful review.Pure Feed Company Pure Veteran Mix is designed for older horses that need help maintaining condition or are still in regular work. It combines a soft chop with slow-release energy, protein and a fortified balancer in one feed.Start with the horse, not the age on the feed bagThere is no single birthday at which every horse should move onto veteran feed. Instead, look for practical changes: weight loss or ribs becoming easier to see and feel; loss of muscle along the topline or quarters; quidding, dropping forage or taking much longer to eat; a dull coat, reduced appetite or lower energy; difficulty maintaining condition through colder weather; or an older horse remaining in work whose ration no longer matches its workload.Unexplained weight loss should not simply be covered up with more feed. Dental problems, parasites, pain, PPID and other illness can all affect condition, so involve your vet and equine dental professional where appropriate. Our guide to identifying and managing poor condition in horses covers the wider checks to make.Keep forage at the centre of the rationForage remains the foundation of the diet. Check how much the horse is actually eating rather than relying only on what is offered. Older teeth may cope poorly with long-stem hay even when the horse still appears keen to eat.If chewing hay has become difficult, a soft forage replacer may be needed. Pure Feed Meadow Mash is a quick-soaking, high-fibre option that can help replace part of the forage ration. Read our guide to using a soaked hay replacer and ask a nutritionist to calculate a suitable total ration; a token bucket of mash will not replace a meaningful shortage of forage.What does Pure Veteran Mix provide?Pure Veteran Mix is a medium-calorie, high-fibre feed with a soft chop. According to the current Pure Feed specification, it provides 10MJ/kg digestible energy, 14% protein, 37% fibre, 7% oil, 4% starch and 6% naturally occurring sugar.It includes a vitamin and mineral package, added lysine and methionine, biotin, fructo-oligosaccharides and live yeast. It is made without molasses, wholegrain cereals, alfalfa, soya or nutritionally improved straw. These features make it a useful option for a senior that needs a straightforward fortified feed without relying on a high-starch cereal ration.When might Pure Veteran Mix suit? A senior losing condition: slow-release calories and oil can help increase energy intake when enough is fed. An older horse still working: protein and amino acids contribute to a ration designed to support muscle and topline alongside appropriate exercise. A horse finding coarse chop difficult: the softer chop may be easier to manage than a more fibrous mix, although dental assessment is still essential. A horse needing controlled sugar and starch: the combined figure is 10%, but suitability must be judged across the complete diet, especially for horses with PPID, insulin dysregulation or a history of laminitis.What about Pure Linseed?Pure Feed Pure Linseed is a separate, single-ingredient source of micronised linseed. It is energy dense at 20MJ/kg and 35% oil, so a small daily amount can add slow-release calories where required. The manufacturer recommends 100g per day for a pony and 200g per day for a horse.Linseed is not a substitute for a balanced ration and it is not automatically needed alongside Veteran Mix. Use it when the individual horse genuinely needs more energy, and introduce it gradually.How much Pure Veteran Mix should you feed?The current manufacturer feeding rate is 400600g per 100kg bodyweight per day, adjusted for condition and work. For a 500kg horse, that is 23kg daily, divided between meals. Dampen well before feeding and make changes gradually over at least a week.Feeding substantially less than the recommended amount also reduces the vitamins, minerals and protein supplied. If your horse needs only a small bucket feed, ask whether a concentrated balancer would meet its needs more accurately.A practical winter checklist for older horses Record bodyweight or weigh-tape measurements every one to two weeks. Use body condition scoring and assess muscle separately. Watch the horse eat forage and check for quidding. Provide shelter, suitable rugs and plenty of unfrozen drinking water. Split bucket feed into manageable meals. Review the ration after any change in forage, turnout, workload or health.Important: Older horses vary enormously. Seek veterinary advice for unexplained weight loss, appetite changes, signs of dental pain or suspected PPID. Product specifications and feeding rates can change, so check the current bag label before feeding.

What matters most when horse owners choose stable bedding? Bedmax's 2026 Equine Health & Bedding Survey offers a useful snapshot of the priorities, pressures and buying habits influencing bedding decisions across the UK.The survey was carried out during winter 2025 and received 1,243 responses from horse owners and carers. It covered stabling routines, horse and human respiratory health, bedding preferences, cost pressures and where people prefer to buy. The results do not prove that a particular bedding prevents or treats disease, but they do show which practical features owners value most.The headline findings 60.7% said their horses spend 12 to 18 hours stabled in a typical autumn or winter day. Absorbency was the highest-ranked bedding priority, followed by low dust, hygiene and dependable supply. 44.8% used purpose-made shavings, making this the most common bedding type reported. Cost saving was the main reason given by owners who had changed bedding during the previous year. 69.6% said they preferred to support retailers, while 5% said they currently bought bedding online.Long winter stabling raises the importance of the bedNearly two-thirds of respondents said their horses spend between 12 and 18 hours in the stable during autumn and winter. When a horse is indoors for that length of time, the bed has to do more than look tidy. It needs to absorb moisture, remain comfortable, support routine mucking out and help the owner maintain a clean, well-ventilated stable.The right choice will vary with the horse, flooring, ventilation, available storage, muck-heap arrangements and the amount of time the owner can spend on daily maintenance. This is why the cheapest price per bag does not always produce the lowest cost per week.Absorbency and low dust came before priceRespondents ranked absorbency first, low dust second, hygiene third and dependable supply fourth. Cost came seventh in the overall priority order. That does not mean price is unimportant. It suggests that owners judge value through performance as well as the ticket price. Horse bedding priorities reported in the Bedmax Equine Health & Bedding Survey 2026. Image supplied by Bedmax.These priorities are useful when comparing products in our horse bedding range. Look beyond broad claims and consider how the material is processed, how it manages wet patches, how much clean bedding is lost during mucking out and whether supply is reliable enough for your routine.Purpose-made shavings remained the most common choicePurpose-made shavings were used by 44.8% of respondents. Traditional straw accounted for 9.7%, straw pellets for 9.3%, small by-product shavings for 7.4% and wood pellets for 5.4%.Bedmax also reported a rise in owners combining bedding types, including shavings over a pellet base. A layered system can help some owners balance absorbency, surface comfort and waste reduction. It still needs to be set up and maintained according to the manufacturers' instructions, and it will not suit every horse or stable.For example, Bedmax Strawmax straw pellets can form an absorbent bed after they have been watered and allowed to expand. Bedmax large-flake pine shavings provide a purpose-made shavings option, while Littlemax fine pine shavings offer a lighter, smaller-flake alternative.Cost pressures are changing behaviourAmong respondents who had changed bedding in the previous 12 months, 31.2% identified cost saving as the main reason. Dust levels accounted for 19.7%, availability for 16.5% and quality problems for 8%.In a separate question about the economy, 23.5% said they had moved to a cheaper bedding and 24.2% said they bought less. Half said the economy had not changed their bedding-buying decisions.Before switching, compare the complete weekly system: initial quantity, top-up rate, clean bedding lost during mucking out, disposal volume, delivery cost and the labour involved. Our guide to reducing horse bedding costs explains how to assess value without relying on the bag price alone.Most respondents preferred to support retailersBedmax found that 69.6% of respondents preferred to support retailers. Only 5% said they currently bought bedding online. For a bulky, frequently purchased stable essential, owners may value dependable stock, local knowledge and the ability to discuss single-bale and bulk options. Bedding-buying preferences reported in the Bedmax Equine Health & Bedding Survey 2026. Image supplied by Bedmax.A practical bedding checklistWhen comparing bedding, ask: How well does it absorb urine and keep the surface dry? Is it purpose-made, dust-extracted or otherwise processed for equine use? Can it provide the depth and cushioning required for this horse? How easy is it to separate clean bedding from droppings and wet patches? How much bedding is likely to be used and discarded each week? Will the material suit the yard's muck-heap, composting and disposal arrangements? Can the chosen product be obtained consistently throughout the year?Good bedding still depends on good management. Remove droppings promptly, take out wet or contaminated material as needed, top up before the bed becomes thin and keep ventilation clear. See our horse bedding maintenance tips for a practical routine.Choosing Bedmax bedding at Chestnut MillChestnut Mill stocks several Bedmax bedding formats so owners can choose according to the horse and stable: Bedmax Shavings: purpose-made, dust-extracted large-flake pine shavings. Littlemax Shavings: a lighter, finer pine-shavings bed designed for quick handling and maintenance. Strawmax Pellets: absorbent, heat-treated and dust-extracted straw pellets made from British straw.You can also read our closer look at Bedmax shavings or browse the full horse bedding collection to compare brands and materials.Survey figures are taken from the Bedmax Equine Health & Bedding Survey 2026. Percentages are reported by Bedmax and may not total 100% where respondents could select more than one answer or figures were rounded. Bedding supports stable comfort and hygiene but does not diagnose, prevent or treat illness. Ask your vet for advice if your horse has respiratory, hoof, skin or mobility concerns.

Box rest can be a major change for a horse. Whether it follows an injury, surgery or illness, the horse may spend far longer in the stable than usual. A clean, dry and supportive bed will not heal the underlying problem, but it can make rest more comfortable while the horse follows a veterinary treatment and rehabilitation plan.Always follow your vet's instructions. The correct bed depth, movement restriction, bandage care, feeding plan and permitted activity will depend on the individual horse and condition. Contact the practice promptly if pain, swelling, lameness, appetite, droppings, temperature or behaviour worsens.Why the stable environment matters during box restA horse on box rest may stand and lie on the same surface for most of the day. Moisture, ammonia, airborne dust and an uncomfortable or unstable bed can therefore become more significant than they are during a normal routine with plenty of turnout.The aim is to give the horse a stable that is: dry underfoot and easy to keep clean; well ventilated without a direct draught; supportive and comfortable enough for rest; safe for the movement restrictions set by the vet; and managed consistently by everyone caring for the horse.Choose bedding for the horse and the treatment planThere is no single bedding material that is right for every horse on box rest. Discuss any special requirements with the vet, particularly after orthopaedic surgery, with tendon or ligament injuries, laminitis, wounds, casts or significant mobility problems.Useful factors to compare include:Low levels of airborne dustLook for purpose-made, dust-extracted bedding and keep forage, sweeping and mucking-out practices in mind too. Even a low-dust bed cannot compensate for poor ventilation or dusty hay. Remove the horse from the stable while sweeping or changing the bed whenever the veterinary plan allows.Absorbency and a dry surfaceAbsorbent bedding helps contain urine so wet material can be removed before moisture and odour spread. If you can smell ammonia, investigate the source, remove contaminated bedding and check ventilation rather than simply covering the area with clean material.Cushioning and secure footingThe bed should give comfortable coverage without creating unstable footing or interfering with the vet's instructions. More is not automatically better. Ask the vet about depth and banks if the horse's injury or mobility makes the set-up especially important.A manageable daily routineChoose a material that carers can maintain reliably. Bedding that makes it easy to separate droppings and wet patches from clean material can reduce unnecessary waste and help the stable remain consistent from one shift to the next.Bedmax options for a recovery stableChestnut Mill stocks three Bedmax formats for different stable routines: Bedmax Shavings are purpose-made, dust-extracted large-flake pine shavings designed to form a supportive, absorbent bed. Littlemax Shavings use a smaller, lighter flake for owners who prefer a finer bed that is quick to handle. Strawmax Pellets are heat-treated, dust-extracted straw pellets. They are watered when the bed is prepared so the pellets expand into an absorbent base.A combination system, such as expanded Strawmax beneath shavings, may suit some stables by pairing an absorbent base with a shavings surface. Follow the current Bedmax instructions, introduce a new system carefully and confirm that it is appropriate for the horse's veterinary plan.Browse all horse bedding if you want to compare Bedmax with other shavings, chopped-straw, pellet and fibre options.Keep the bed clean without over-disturbing the horse Remove droppings promptly. This reduces trampling and makes it easier to retain clean bedding. Remove wet material as required. Do not rely on a rigid timetable if the surface is damp, contaminated or smells of ammonia. Top up before the bed becomes thin. Keep the coverage agreed with the vet rather than waiting for bare patches. Keep tools and footwear clean. This is particularly important around wounds, surgical sites and vulnerable horses. Check water, ventilation and temperature. A bedding routine is only one part of the stable environment.Our guide to mucking out a horse's stable covers the general process in more detail. Adapt it to the horse's box-rest instructions and ask the vet before moving a horse that must remain strictly confined.Support routine and mental wellbeingSudden confinement can change a horse's behaviour. Keep feeding, medication, checks and permitted activity on a clear written schedule. Where the vet allows, safe visual contact with other horses, a predictable routine and suitable enrichment may help the horse cope with the change.Watch for altered appetite, withdrawn behaviour, agitation, repeated box walking, pawing or unusual aggression. These signs can have several causes, including pain, stress and frustration, so discuss new or worsening behaviour with the vet rather than assuming it is simply boredom. Our guide to changes in equine mood and behaviour provides further background.Review the ration during enforced restA horse's energy requirements can change sharply when work and turnout stop. Do not cut forage abruptly or make several feed changes at once. Ask the vet or an equine nutritionist how to maintain fibre intake, manage calories and support any medication or recovery needs.Read our separate guide to feeding adjustments for sudden stable rest for practical points to discuss with the professionals looking after your horse.A daily box-rest stable check Is the horse eating, drinking and passing normal droppings and urine? Is the bed dry, level and deep enough for the prescribed plan? Is there any ammonia smell, excessive dust or blocked ventilation? Are wounds, dressings, casts or affected limbs unchanged from the vet's expectations? Has the horse's demeanour, pain level or mobility changed? Have medication, temperature and other required observations been recorded?This article provides general stable-management information, not diagnosis or treatment. It was informed by Bedmax's guide to bedding and recovery from exercise-related injuries. Always follow the advice of the veterinary surgeon responsible for the horse.

When a horse returns to work after a quieter period, its fitness, muscle tone and nutritional needs should be rebuilt progressively. The answer is not always to increase hard feed immediately: a good doer may work harder while maintaining weight easily, whereas another horse may need more calories to hold condition.The Pure Feed Company range makes it possible to move between different energy levels while keeping a broadly fibre-led approach. The right choice depends on body condition, temperament, workload and foragenot the calendar alone.Increase work before you automatically increase caloriesBegin with a gradual exercise plan and monitor recovery, breathing, sweating, soreness and body condition. Our guide to bringing horses back into work covers the fitness side in more detail.Review the feed when: the horse begins to lose or gain unwanted weight; work changes from occasional hacking to regular schooling or competition; the horse lacks suitable energy for its work; topline is not improving despite appropriate training and health checks; or the current portion is too small to provide the intended vitamin and mineral intake.Pure Easy: for good doers and lighter workPure Feed Company Pure Easy is the lowest-energy bucket feed in this comparison at 8.5MJ/kg. It contains 33% fibre, 5% oil, 6% starch and 4% naturally occurring sugar.It suits horses that need a fortified, high-fibre feed but do not need many additional calories. That can include good doers, excitable horses and horses beginning light work. The current feeding rate is 400600g per 100kg bodyweight per day, adjusted for body condition and workload.Pure Working: for regular work and controlled conditionPure Feed Company Pure Working steps up to 10MJ/kg, with 34% fibre, 8% oil, 4% starch and 6% naturally occurring sugar. Its energy comes mainly from fibre and oil rather than wholegrain cereals.Pure Working is the logical middle option for horses in regular work, or for a horse that needs more help with condition and topline without moving straight to a cereal-based performance feed.Pure Condition Mix: when weight and condition are harder to maintainPure Feed Company Pure Condition Mix provides 11MJ/kg and 12.6% oil, with 23% fibre, 2% starch and 7% naturally occurring sugar. It is formulated to deliver more slow-release calories for horses that need to gain or maintain condition.This is not simply a feed for every horse doing more work. Choose it when the horses body condition and total ration show that extra calories are genuinely required.Pure Performance: for horses that need fast- and slow-release energyPure Feed Company Pure Performance is the highest-energy option here at 12MJ/kg. It combines oil with bruised oats and contains 23% starch, 21% fibre, 8% oil and 4% naturally occurring sugar.It is designed for horses needing greater power and stamina in more demanding work. Because it contains oats and considerably more starch than the other options, it should be selected for a clear performance need rather than used as a routine step up. Pure Feed does not position Pure Performance as suitable for laminitis-prone horses.Protein supports musclebut training creates the stimulusMuscle development requires an appropriate training programme, enough total energy and quality protein. The Pure Feed options above include lysine and methionine within their fortified formulations. More feed will not build topline if pain, poor saddle fit, dental disease, parasites or an unsuitable exercise plan are limiting the horse.Where Pure ReFuel fitsPure Feed ReFuel is a separate hydration and recovery mash rather than the horses base ration. It is fed in a 500g serving soaked with two parts water to one part feed and supplies electrolytes, the amino acids lysine, methionine and threonine, plus vitamins C and E and selenium.It may be useful after significant sweating, harder sessions, competition or travel. Read our guide to Pure ReFuel for hydration and recovery for a closer look.Quick comparison FeedDigestible energyBest starting point for Pure Easy8.5MJ/kgGood doers, lighter work and horses needing few extra calories Pure Working10MJ/kgRegular work and controlled support for condition Pure Condition Mix11MJ/kgHorses that need more slow-release calories Pure Performance12MJ/kgDemanding work requiring both fast- and slow-release energy Introduce any change over at least seven days, divide the daily ration between meals, keep forage at the centre of the diet and follow the current bag instructions. If the horse has a history of laminitis, ulcers, tying-up or another clinical condition, ask your vet or an independent equine nutritionist to assess the whole ration.

You need to do everything you can to encourage your horse to maintain good back posture, as poor horse posture will affect their movement, how comfortable they are to ride, and put more wear and tear on their body, thus increasing the risk of injury. A horse with good posture will generally stand square and be well balanced. Their cannon bones should be perpendicular to the ground with the centre of mass behind the elbows and aligned below where the rider sits. Rider influenceWhen they are being ridden, the riders posture is very influential.As soon as we sit on a horses back the spinous processes get that little bit closer together, explains equine sports and remedial therapist Gillian Higgins, who runs Horses Inside Out. We also compromise the horses posture, affecting their balance and movement, and increase the stress on their joints, tendons and ligaments all of which is quite depressing. So you may be thinking should I stop riding my horse?Of course not, but what you need to do is think of yourself as your horses personal trainer and use exercises to encourage them to be in the best possible posture.Which muscles affect horse posture?Its important to regularly do exercises to help promote good back posture in your horse. Below are the main muscle groups involved and what you can do to help keep them in tip-top shape.The head and neckThe nuchal ligament comes from the very back of the head and runs all the way along the neck to the withers. Its main function is to help hold the head and neck up.Think of it as a strong elasticated strap running from the back of the head to the withers, says Gillian. It continues along the back, but becomes the supraspinal ligament.A simple way to illustrate how the position of your horses head and neck can affect the position of their back is to take a curtain pole and carefully rest it along their back. As you move your horses head and neck into different positions, watch how the gap between their back and the curtain pole changes.When their head is up the ligament within the neck becomes slack: less force is going through it so their back drops, says Gillian. When the horses head comes down the ligament is pulled taut. This pulls into the supraspinous ligament and the back comes up.Position of the hindlegsThe second way your horse supports good back posture is all to do with their hindlegs and where they are in relation to their body.In-hand, ask your horse to halt, and look where their hindlegs are in relation to their pelvis.If they stand with their hindlegs out behind them, this will extend their spine and their hindlegs wont be able to support their back, explains Gillian. When your horses hindlegs are underneath their body, theyre more likely to be able to support their back, and be a little more flexible too.An exercise for youStand up and then bend at the waist, as though youre a horse (your arms can hang, you dont need to be on all fours).Extend your back by lifting your head in the air and tilting your pelvis so your bottom is sticking out.Walk on the spot.Now change to a good posture: recruit your abdominals and tilt your pelvis so your knees come forwards a bit as you round your back.Walk on the spot again.This should now feel easier to do, highlighting how the position of their hindlegs influences your horse.An exercise for your horseThis exercise connects the hindlegs and the body its like collection in reverse.In-hand, ask your horse to step backwards for around 10 steps with their head and neck lowered.To be effective, the backward steps need to be the same speed as walking forwards, advises Gillian. As your horse steps backwards youll see they bring their hindlegs underneath their body more, and youll see greater flexion through the lumbosacral junction and all their hindlimb joints.Try to incorporate this exercise into your daily routine, for example ask the horse to back up for a few steps on the way to the field when youre turning out.The thoracic slingTheres no direct bone connection between your horses forelegs and the rest of their body their front legs are like two bony pillars. Connecting the thorax (chest area) to the front legs are the thoracic sling muscles. These come from the underside of the shoulder blade and attach to the cervical vertebrae on the first eight ribs, a bit like a hammock.To support good back posture your horse should be well toned through their thoracic sling muscles. If theyre long and weak through this area youll often see a larger hollow just behind the withers, states Gillian.Exercise: canter polesWorking your horse over canter poles is great for strengthening their thoracic sling. The rocking forward and back motion of canter is like a sit-up for your horse.Set out your poles on the floor with three of your normal walk steps between each one. As you ride over the poles, the footfalls alter slightly; its technically not canter anymore as the hindlegs come through together.Once you and your horse are confident cantering over poles on the floor you can raise alternate ends, and then both ends.Back and abdominalsIts important to have a balance between well-toned abdominal muscles, as they support the back, and strong back muscles. Put simply, the muscles above the spine and behind the bony column of the hindlimb help to create extension. They extend the back, neck and hip joint, and push your horse forwards, extending their hindlegs out behind them.The muscles and ligaments under the spine, in front of the hip joint, underneath the pelvis and in front of the bony column of the hindleg help to create flexion, explains Gillian. This flexor chain of muscles are responsible for flexing the spine and hip joint, and bringing the hindlegs underneath the body.Exercise: walk polesWalking over poles, ridden or in-hand, is great for improving your horses hoof to brain coordination. It also encourages the horse to flex their joints as they lift their legs.Set out five poles, with three of your heel-to-toe steps between each.As you reach the first pole try not to interfere and instead leave your horse to work it out for themselves.If youre riding this exercise, ride on the buckle end as its your horses responsibility to sort out their legs out.Allow your horse to lower their head and neck as they walk over the poles.Resist the temptation to help them and simply give them time to work it out.Walk over the poles flat on the floor or raised at alternate ends.Exercise: trotting polesTrot is a completely different gait because essentially your horse is jumping from one diagonal pair of legs to another. Their whole body, front to back, stays virtually level and symmetrical.Working your horse over trotting poles encourages them to push equally off each hindleg. As you ride over the poles resist the temptation to push for a bigger trot wait for the pole to come to you, and let your horse change their posture.Why good horse posture is so importantYou know that your own posture can affect your performance, movement, symmetry, breathing, comfort and musculoskeletal health, and its exactly the same for your horse. To help improve your understanding, try this:Sit on the edge of a seat.Tilt your pelvis as far forward as you can, extending and hollowing your back.Look up at the ceiling and push your shoulders back so youre extending your back as far as you can.Now add some lateral flexion. Take your left armpit towards your left hip and then repeat on the right.Now look straight ahead and tilt your pelvis the other way.Straighten your spine and flex it a bit so you can feel your abdominals recruit.Now repeat number four. This should be much easier to do.This is exactly the same for your horse. If their back is in an extended position theyll have reduced lateral flexion and less ability to perform.How to achieve good horse postureTo encourage good horse posture, spend more time riding in walk. Vary between a longer walk and a shorter walk, as well as incorporating some lateral movements. This is a great way to warm up during a schooling session.Use lateral work to encourage your horse to relax if theyre tense. The action of stepping across and under their body is great for improving their posture, suggests Gillian. Also canter, as this gets your horses back really moving and the blood pumping, helping to warm their muscles up. All horses benefit from cantering early on in their training session; the trot always looks more forwards and expressive afterwards.it up straight, dont slouch, shoulders back we know the importance of good posture for ourselves, but what about our horses?In laymans terms, a horse with good posture will generally stand square and be well balanced. Their cannon bones should be perpendicular to the ground with the centre of mass behind the elbows and aligned below where the rider sits.6 ways to improve horse postureAs well as the exercises above, there are other things to check and do when it comes to supporting good horse posture.1 Book a physiotherapistNot only will a physio be able to spot muscular issues, but theyll also be able to alleviate soft tissue discomfort and associated compensations, helping to improve his posture. To find a qualified equine physiotherapist visit www.acpat.org.2 Do regular carrot stretchesCarrot stretches encourage your horse to stretch through their neck and back, developing balance, coordination and muscles. Make sure they are fully warmed up before you begin. Heres a simple carrot stretch from BHS instructor Vikki Hayton for you to try.3 Ride serpentinesWorking in walk and trot, incorporate three or four loop serpentines into your schooling sessions. The shape of the loops will increase the movement and bend through your horses body. Serpentines are simple and effective!4 Switch surfacesDifferent surfaces can impact on your horses movement and his posture. Too deep and they have to concentrate on their balance, as well as propelling themselves forward.Uneven ground means your horse will be unable to apply equal weight to their footfalls. Flat, non-shock absorbing surfaces, such as tarmac, can also compromise posture.The solution is to cross-train your horse on varied terrain, always making sure its safe terrain to ride on avoiding deep, rutted deep surfaces. Itll be beneficial as they will learn to cope with the changing footing.5 Check the fit of your tackIll-fitting tack can result in postural compensations, which can lead to lameness. For example, if a saddle pinches on one side, the horse wearing it wont work symmetrically, building up uneven muscle and applying strain on his legs.Bridles also have a part to play in this. Bridle fit is often overlooked despite the huge influence it can have on our horses performance and welfare, according to equine vet and researcher, Dr Rachel Murray. Read more about her research here.6 Consider your own postureHow you sit in the saddle influences your horses posture too. How aware are you of your position in the saddle? Performance analyst Russell Guire explains how tocheck your position here. It is really worth doing this, as the improvements youll make and the benefits your horse will have in their performance from carrying a balanced, symmetrical rider could be huge.Main image: Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser in action at Badminton Horse Trials 2023. The perfect image of good posture in both horse and rider! Image by Trevor HoltRelated articlesPoor topline: what it is, plus how to build and develop the correct musclesThis is why its so important to ride horses on varying terrainImprove your horses walk with this expert advice *Video*Why you should think about your posture when hacking, plus three exercises to improve itBridle fit and horse head anatomy: everything you need to know *VIDEO*The post Horse posture: why its so important and exercises to improve it appeared first on Your Horse.

A gut-friendly feed cannot compensate for long periods without forage, oversized meals or an unsettled routine. The whole ration and management system matter. Product labels are useful, but they need to be read alongside how often the horse eats, its workload, turnout, stress and veterinary history.The Pure Feed Companys current complete-feed range is fibre-led, contains a built-in balancer with prebiotics and live yeast, and is formulated without molasses, alfalfa, soya or nutritionally improved straw. Those features can be useful, but the following five principles are what make the ration genuinely gut-conscious.1. Prioritise forage and avoid long empty periodsForage encourages chewing and saliva production, supplies fermentable fibre and helps support the horses normal feeding behaviour. Check that enough suitable forage is available across the day and night; an apparently full net is not useful if the horse cannot or will not eat it.Horses with poor teeth or difficulty managing long-stem forage may benefit from a soaked alternative such as Pure Feed Meadow Mash. It is a partial hay replacer, not a token bucket feed, so the quantity has to be calculated as part of the full forage ration. See our soaked hay-replacer guide.2. Be mindful of starch and meal sizeIf a bucket feed is needed, choose its energy level to match the horse and divide the daily amount between manageable meals. Several Pure Feed products are low in starch: current specifications list Pure Condition Mix at 2%, Pure Working and Pure Veteran Mix at 4%, Pure ReFuel at 4.5%, Pure Easy at 6%, and Pure Balance and Fibre Balance at 7%.Pure Performance is different. It includes bruised oats for fast-release energy and contains 23% starch, so it is intended for horses with a genuine high-performance requirement rather than those needing a low-starch ration.3. Choose an energy source that suits the horseA horse needing more condition does not always need a high-cereal feed. Fibre and oil can provide slow-release energy. Pure Working supplies 10MJ/kg with 34% fibre and 8% oil, while Pure Condition Mix supplies 11MJ/kg with 12.6% oil for horses needing more calories.For good doers, the priority is often adequate vitamins, minerals and protein without unnecessary energy. Pure Balance, Pure Fibre Balance and Pure Easy offer three different ways to do that, depending on whether the horse needs a concentrated balancer, balancer-plus-chaff format or a larger high-fibre bucket feed.4. Support the hindgut microbiomebut keep expectations realisticThe complete Pure Feed range includes fructo-oligosaccharides and live yeast. These ingredients are included to support the hindgut environment, but they do not diagnose, treat or cure digestive disease. Consistent forage, gradual changes and sensible meal sizes remain fundamental.If you suspect gastric ulcers, speak to your vet. Signs such as poor appetite, recurrent mild colic, girthiness, weight loss or reduced performance are not specific to ulcers, and gastroscopy is required for a definitive diagnosis. Read our guide to Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome.5. Keep changes gradual and the routine consistentChange feed over at least seven days, and take longer for a sensitive horse. Try to keep forage access, turnout and meal times consistent around travel, competition or yard changes. When workload drops suddenly, review calories promptly while maintaining suitable fibre; our guide to feeding during sudden stable rest can help.Which Pure Feed format fits? Concentrated balancer: Pure Balance, fed at 100g per 100kg bodyweight per day. Balancer with fibre: Pure Fibre Balance, fed at 200g per 100kg bodyweight per day. Low-calorie, high-fibre feed: Pure Easy, fed at 400600g per 100kg bodyweight per day. More slow-release energy: Pure Working or Pure Condition Mix, selected according to calorie needs. Older horse: Pure Veteran Mix, with a soft chop and senior-focused fortification.Gut-friendly is not a medical claim and no bag suits every horse. Match the product to the individual, feed the correct amount and ask your vet or an equine nutritionist for advice if there is a history of ulcers, colic, weight loss or metabolic disease.

Spring grass can change a horses calorie and sugar intake quickly, but choosing a laminitis-friendly bag is only one part of risk management. Body condition, grazing, forage analysis, exercise, PPID or insulin dysregulation and the amount actually fed all matter.If laminitis is suspected, treat it as an emergency and contact your vet. This guide is for comparing three Pure Feed options once a suitable diet has been agreed; it is not a treatment plan.First control the total dietReview grazing and forage before concentrating only on bucket feed. Weigh forage, monitor body condition and use a weigh tape consistently. Restricted grazing, a correctly fitted grazing muzzle or a lower-calorie forage plan may be appropriate for some horses, but the approach should be individual and must still provide enough fibre.Read our guides to laminitis risk and grass changes and diet and Equine Metabolic Syndrome for the wider management picture.Pure Balance: the smallest daily portionPure Feed Pure Balance is a concentrated balancer fed at 100g per 100kg bodyweight per day. For a 500kg horse, that is 500g daily.The current specification lists 7% starch and 3% naturally occurring sugar. Per kilogram it provides 10.83MJ digestible energy, but the small feeding rate keeps the actual daily energy contribution lower than a much larger portion of a conventional compound feed.Choose Pure Balance when the horse needs vitamins, minerals, amino acids, prebiotics and live yeast in a compact portion and you are happy to supply any required chaff separately.Pure Fibre Balance: balancer and chaff in one bagPure Feed Company Pure Fibre Balance combines a concentrated balancer with grass and oat-straw chaffs. It is fed at 200g per 100kg bodyweight per day1kg daily for a 500kg horse.It provides 27% fibre, 7% starch, 4% naturally occurring sugar and 9MJ/kg digestible energy. It is useful when you want a larger, fibre-containing feed than a pellet balancer without moving to the full portion size of Pure Easy.Pure Easy: a larger high-fibre bucket feedPure Feed Company Pure Easy is fed at 400600g per 100kg bodyweight per day, according to workload and condition. For a 500kg horse, that is 23kg daily.It provides 33% fibre, 6% starch, 4% naturally occurring sugar and 8.5MJ/kg digestible energy. Pure Easy can suit a good doer that benefits from a substantial high-fibre bucket feed, or a horse in light work needing slow-release energy without a higher-calorie ration.Quick comparison ProductDaily rateFibreStarch + sugarFormat Pure Balance100g/100kg12.79%10%Concentrated pellet balancer Pure Fibre Balance200g/100kg27%11%Balancer with chopped fibre Pure Easy400600g/100kg33%10%High-fibre fortified feed The percentages do not tell the whole story: compare the quantity fed as well as the analysis. The best option is the one that supplies appropriate nutrients without pushing the horse above its calorie needs.Where Pure Linseed fitsand where it does notPure Feed Pure Linseed is rich in oil and energy. It can be useful for a horse that genuinely needs more condition while remaining on a low-starch ration, but it is not a low-calorie addition for a good doer. Add it only for a clear nutritional reason.Important feeding points Introduce any new feed gradually over at least seven days. Feed the manufacturers intended amount or have the ration professionally balanced. Divide larger daily amounts between meals and dampen feeds where directed. Keep fresh water available and base the diet on suitable forage. For horses with PPID, insulin dysregulation or previous laminitis, ask your vet or nutritionist to review the whole ration rather than relying on front-of-bag claims.Pure Feeds current formulations for these three products are made without molasses, wholegrain cereals, alfalfa, soya or nutritionally improved straw. Always check the current label because formulations and analyses can change.

A paddock can still look spacious while providing very little useful grazing. During a dry spell, horses may spend longer searching for grass but consume less fibre and less water from pasture. The right response is to assess what has changednot simply add a higher-calorie feed.Step one: check the forage gapEstimate how much grass is genuinely available and provide suitable hay or haylage where grazing no longer covers the horses needs. Fibre supports normal gut function, chewing time and a more natural feeding pattern.Weigh what you feed rather than estimating by the slice, and monitor leftovers. If hay is dusty, manage it appropriately for the individual horse and seek veterinary advice where there is respiratory disease.Step two: make hydration easyGrass contains much more water than dry forage, so water intake can change when pasture disappears. Keep troughs clean, check flow rates and provide more than one drinking point where herd dynamics may restrict access. Adding water to suitable feeds can increase the moisture in the ration, but it never replaces unrestricted access to fresh drinking water.Pure Meadow Mash: extra soaked fibrePure Feed Meadow Mash is a quick-soaking, high-fibre mash that can replace part of the forage ration. It contains no added vitamin and mineral premix, so it can be used alongside the horses existing balanced diet without automatically duplicating the balancer.It may be useful for horses that need: extra fibre when grazing is sparse; a soft, easy-to-chew alternative to some long-stem forage; more water added to a meal; or a palatable soaked fibre feed during travel or a change of routine.Read our full guide to Pure Meadow Mash as a soaked hay replacer before using it to replace a significant amount of forage.Then match the bucket feed to calorie needsFor a horse maintaining weight: Pure EasyPure Easy provides 8.5MJ/kg with 33% fibre. It is designed for good doers and horses in light work that need balanced nutrition without many extra calories.For a horse working regularly: Pure WorkingPure Working provides 10MJ/kg, 34% fibre and 8% oil. It supplies more slow-release energy for regular work or a horse needing controlled support for condition.For a horse starting to lose condition: Pure Condition MixPure Condition Mix provides 11MJ/kg and 12.6% oil. It is the higher-calorie option for horses that need additional energy to maintain or gain condition.Do not move up the range simply because the field is brown. A horse receiving enough replacement forage may still maintain or gain weight, particularly if workload is light.Monitor what changes Use a weigh tape and body condition score every one to two weeks. Watch droppings, appetite and water intake. Review workload and adjust calories in both directions. Check that forage is clean, suitable and stored well. Introduce new forage and bucket feed gradually.If a horse loses weight despite adequate feed, struggles to chew, develops loose droppings or shows signs of colic, speak to your vet. A dry paddock can expose an underlying problem rather than being the sole cause.