According to the assistant state veterinarian, a 23-year-old horse at a private facility in King County, Washington, has tested positive for strangles. The horse is quarantined and receiving veterinary care.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About StranglesStranglesin horses is an infection caused byStreptococcus equisubspeciesequiand spread through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Horses that arent showing clinical signs can harbor and spread the bacteria, and recovered horses remain contagious for at least six weeks, with the potential to cause outbreaks long-term.Infected horses can exhibit a variety of clinical signs:FeverSwollen and/or abscessed lymph nodesNasal dischargeCoughing or wheezingMuscle swellingDifficulty swallowingVeterinarians diagnose horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with either a nasal swab, wash, or an abscess sample, and they treat most cases based on clinical signs, implementing antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can prevent an infected horse from developing immunity. Most horses make a full recovery in three to four weeks.A vaccine is available but not always effective. Biosecurity measures of quarantining new horses at a facility and maintaining high standards of hygiene and disinfecting surfaces can helplower the risk of outbreakorcontain one when it occurs.

Horses have many ways to communicate their emotions and even preferences. | Adobe StockHorses have many ways to tell us how theyre feeling, such as swishing the tail, pricking ears, or pawing. But can they communicate on a deeper level? Can they directly express preferences, whether thats choosing one blanket over another or signaling theyd rather work with a particular handler?Researchers suggest they can, but understanding those preferences starts with knowing how horses learn, how they form associations, and how they naturally communicate through body language.How Do Horses Learn?Horses learn by creating associations with the things that theyre learning about, says Debbie Busby, PhD candidate, MSc, GMBPsS, MBACP, CEBC, CCAB, ABTC-CAB, a clinical animal behaviorist based in Tarporley, England. They can learn to associate something, which we call a stimulus, with a positive feeling on their part, such as pleasure, or a negative feeling such as fear or feeling threatened by something. For example, if your horse has a fear of the parked tractor, feeding him a treat or letting him graze near the tractor can help him associate the object with a pleasant feeling.Horses also learn by operant conditioning, where they act, then the consequences teach them whether to repeat the action. For instance, if a horse paws at feeding time, then gets fed, he recognizes a positive consequence of his pawing.Reinforcement training, such as when a rider puts their leg on to ask the horse to go forward or sideways, then removes the pressure when they get the response they wanta form of negative reinforcement, because youre taking the pressure awayis another way horses learn.Camie Heleski, PhD, MS, a senior lecturer in the University of Kentuckys Department of Animal and Food Sciences, in Lexington, says reinforcement training is often the best way for horses to learn. The horse, partly as a creature of prey, still does really, really well responding to well-timed negative reinforcement, she says. Thats probably the most consistent, and in some cases, quickest way to get them to learn a lot of the tasks that we expect and want from them.Positive reinforcement is the scientific term for rewarding a behavior by adding something horses enjoy, such as food or a scratch, especially on the withersan act thats been proven to reduce horses heart rates by up to 10%. Negative reinforcementis the term for rewarding behavior by removing something horses would rather avoid, such as pressure. It is not punishment or the addition of a negative experience.Habituation, a form of nonassociative learning, happens when horses grow accustomed to something, such as living in a stall or having a specific routine theyre comfortable with, says Busby. Horses also learn through other process, such as observing other equine behavior.How Do Horses Communicate With Humans?While people use types of reinforcement training with horses, Busby says most humans dont consider the horses preferences. Horses are always expressing preferences to us, and its through their body language, she explains. We dont know if they are consciously thinking, Oh, and now I need to tell this person that I want to do this. They are simply behaving, and that behavior reflects what matters to them in that moment. Its up to us to understand those signals and interpret them.Researchers have conducted several studies into horses communication and learning styles. In 2014 a research group led by M. Mejdell, PhD, of the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, developed a system allowing horses to communicate if they wanted a blanket on or not in the winter. Using symbols and positive reinforcement, they taught the horses to touch their muzzle to a board with symbols representing blanket on, blanket off, or no change. When horses chose an action, researchers immediately performed it, and then they tested their theory in different types of weather, where the horses decided what they wanted based on the conditions. The team reported this context-based decision making showed the horses understood the consequences of their choices and werent just performing a memorized trick.Horses have also been found to understand referential communication. In a 2016 study, researchers confirmed domestic horses engage in intentional referential communication with humans by alternating their gaze between a human and the object they desire, such as a feed bucket, to ask for help. If the human failed to respond, they used other behaviors such as head-nodding or nudging the human.This comes back to the important point about being able to interpret the behavior, because lots of people would think that a horse nudging them was a rude, pushy horse, and it isnt always the case, Busby says. It can be friendly behavior, or it could be, Hey, that buckets over there. I cant reach it. Can you reach it for me?While not everyone might train their horse to choose their own blanket, owners can perform their own straightforward preference tests at home, says Heleski. When I was in Michigan, we had this big barnyard that was all fenced in with a big pasture it attached to, she explains. Because the horses were so used to the routine, if there was a winter storm, I could open the door and give them the exact same hay in their stall as the hay out in the pasture. And probably three quarters of the time, most of my horses would still pick to go outside in the nasty winter storm versus stay in the stall. Now thats small numbers, but thats an example of semi-easy preference testing.Take-Home MessageWhile researchers have shown horses can be trained to communicate preferences, for the everyday horse owner, keeping a close eye on your horses body language and behavior can help you make safe and ethical decisions when training and handling your horse. The missing piece is that its often the humans who arent listening, or who are misinterpreting what the horse is doing, Busby says. Horses are constantly communicating with us. Theyre always telling us things theyd rather do and things theyd rather not do.

The revision of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 does not explicitly provide protection for horses being ridden or driven on public roads, bridleways or other public access routes, despite widespread belief within the equestrian community that it would.The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 was revised in March this year and a key area of change stated that the law had been extended to cover livestock worrying and attacks that take place on roads and paths.Many equestrians welcomed the change and common perception was that riders when riding or driving their horses would now fall under this act if they suffered an incident on roads and paths. However, Katie Smart, one of the campaigners behind Leash & Release, whose horse died as a result of injuries sustained during a dog attack in his field, sought clarification on the legislation and was told by a Defra representative that this is not the case.Regarding the recent amendment to the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, the Act now includes roads and paths when livestock are being moved between fields, in addition to agricultural land. The Act also includes horses within the definition of livestock. However, it does not extend to ridden horses on public roads, bridleways, or open-access land, said the representative.As a result, the protections afforded under this Act do not automatically apply to ridden horses in public spaces. In cases involving ridden horses, enforcement typically relies on the Dangerous Dogs Act or other relevant welfare or public order legislation. Prosecution decisions remain at the discretion of the CPS, with final determinations made by the courts.A matter for the courtsDefra told Your Horse that incidents involving ridden horses may still be considered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, depending on the circumstances.A spokesperson for Defra said:We recognise that dog attacks can have horrific consequences, and we take this issue very seriously. The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 protects livestock, and this term includes horses. If a horse is attacked by a dog whilst being ridden on a road or path, there may be sufficient evidence that the dog was dangerously out of control within the meaning of section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.The Crown Prosecution Service would assess whether to proceed with a prosecution under section 3 of the 1991 Act or the 1953 Act (or any other relevant legislation) on a case-by-case basis. It remains a matter for the courts to ultimately decide, whether on the facts of the case, an offence has been committed. We expect the courts to interpret road or path in line with their ordinary meanings, which are broad.Current legislationThe clarification means riders whose horses are attacked by dogs in public places cannot assume incidents will be dealt with under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. Instead, cases may be considered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 or other relevant legislation, depending on the circumstances of the case.Under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offence for the owner or person in charge of a dog to cause or permit it to be dangerously out of control in any place.Defra told Your Horse that a dog may be considered dangerously out of control if it injures a person or a horse, or causes a person to fear that it may injure them or their horse, and the person responsible for the dog does not have proper control of it.Leash & ReleaseLeash & Release is a campaign that aims to raise awareness of dog attacks on horses and promote responsible dog ownership around equines. It has been campaigning for stronger protections for horses, riders and carriage drivers, and greater clarity around the laws covering dog-related incidents. The campaign also extends to protect other animals, including livestock and dogs.Find out more about the campaign here.Main image Your Horse LibraryRelated contentMPs support campaign for better protection for horses from loose dogsOwner pays tribute to pony who died on the road after being spooked by loose dogPrioritising the freedom of dogs: concern as Defra responds to dangerous dogs petitionOwner of horse killed after dog attack in its field backs dangerous dogs petitionThe post Revised livestock worrying law does not extend protection to horses being ridden on public roads and paths appeared first on Your Horse.

The equestrian world is mourning the loss of Stephen Clarke, one of the most respected and influential figures in British and international dressage, who passed away on Saturday 13 June 2026.Stephens remarkable career saw him officiate at the very highest level of equestrian sport, including the Olympic Games, FEI World Equestrian Games, FEI World Cup Finals and FEI European Championships.Among his many prestigious appointments, he served as president of the ground jury at the London 2012 Olympic Games a role he described as one of the proudest moments of his life.In 2013, Stephen was appointed FEI Dressage Judge General, helping to shape the future of international dressage judging and education. He played a key role in developing the FEI Judges Handbook and evolving the FEI Dressage Rules.A lasting impressionBut his contribution to dressage extended far beyond the judges box. He was also a sought-after coach, mentor, educator and ambassador for the sport.For Your Horse writer and dressage rider Lauren Williamson, who trained with Stephen for 10 years, his passing marks the loss of a mentor, teacher and friend.Lauren described him as being one of those extraordinary people who left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.She added that he had a generous nature, sharp wit, and infectious smile and a remarkable ability to make those around him feel at ease and valued.Training sessions with Stephen brought clarity when everything else seemed chaotic. Despite leading an incredibly busy life, he never appeared hurried. He was measured in his approach, thoughtful in his guidance, and seemed to know exactly the right thing to say at exactly the right moment, said Lauren.No matter what horse you rode, Stephen could help you improve it. His deep love of horses shone through in every lesson, reflected in the positivity, patience, and encouragement he offered so freely.He had a gift for building confidence, helping riders believe in both themselves and their horses.The outpouring of tributes following his passing is testament to the countless lives he touched. His legacy of kindness, respect, and thoughtful guidance will live on in the countless people he inspired.Those of us who were fortunate enough to know him will carry his lessons, his encouragement, and his example with us always.Working with Your Horse While Stephen was respected worldwide for his achievements and expertise, many Your Horse readers will remember him for a different reason. Over the years, he worked closely with the magazine on multiple training features, generously sharing his wisdom, experience and unique insight into dressage.His ability to explain complex concepts with clarity and warmth made him hugely popular with readers, who valued his practical advice and approachable manner.A distinguished FEI 5* dressage judge, Stephen dedicated more than four decades of his life to the sport he loved, earning admiration and respect from riders, judges and officials around the globe.Renowned for his exceptional knowledge, fairness and unwavering commitment to dressage, he played a pivotal role in shaping generations of competitors and officials, leaving an enduring legacy that will be felt throughout the sport for many years to come.He helped shape our sportStephen was one of those rare individuals who made everyone around him better, and the extraordinary outpouring of tributes since his passing stands as a testament to both his deep love for the sport and his regard for those within it, said FEI Dressage Director Ronan Murphy.He was generous with his knowledge, consistent in his fairness, and always took the time to support and encourage others, from senior officials to those just beginning their journey.Stephen was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Fair, thoughtful and quietly wise, he never sought the spotlight, yet his presence and influence can be felt throughout our sport to this day.We have lost not only one of dressages greatest judges, but also one of its kindest and most respected figures.Everyone at Your Horse extends their heartfelt condolences to Stephens partner, Julian Sebire, his family, friends and colleagues.Main image by Julia Reinhart/Getty ImagesMore from Your HorseStephen Clarke: the Secret to Learning to Ride With an Even ContactDressage pro Emile Faurie explains how to stop a horse hollowing in transitionsThis is how to improve a horses poor toplineDressage judges explain how to improve your test scoreThe post He had a gift for building confidence: Dressage world mourns the passing of Stephen Clarke appeared first on Your Horse.

On June 5, a 12-year-old Quarter Horse gelding in San Luis Obispo County, California, tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The horse has an unknown vaccination history and began displaying neurologic signs on May 30. He is now recovering.This is Californias first confirmed equine WNV case of 2026.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.WNV 101West Nile virusis transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. Not all infected horses show clinical signs, but those that do can exhibit:Flulike signs, where the horse seems mildly anorexic and depressed;Fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculation (involuntary twitching);Hyperesthesia (hypersensitivity to touch and sound);Changes in mentation (mental activity), when horses look like theyre daydreaming or just not with it;Occasional drowsiness;Propulsive walking (driving or pushing forward, often without control); andSpinal signs, including asymmetrical weakness; andAsymmetrical or symmetrical ataxia.West Nile virus has no cure. However, some horses can recover with supportive care. Equine mortality rates can reach 30-40%.Studies have shown thatvaccines can be effective WNV prevention tools. Horses vaccinated in past years need an annual booster shot, but veterinarians might recommend two boosters annuallyone in the spring and another in the fallin areas with prolonged mosquito seasons. In contrast, previously unvaccinated horses require a two-shot vaccination series in a three- to six-week period. It takes several weeks for horses to develop protection against the disease following complete vaccination or booster administration.In addition to vaccinations, owners should work to reduce mosquito population and breeding areas and limit horses mosquito exposure by:Removing stagnant water sources;Dumping, cleaning, and refilling water buckets and troughs regularly;Keeping animals inside during insect feeding times (typically early in the morning and evening); andApplying mosquito repellents approved for equine use.

Several factors can affect your horses nutritional needs. | Photos.comHorse ownerswant the best fortheirequine companions. But the inevitable changes intheirhorsesage, activity levels,and health often leavethemscratchingtheirheads abouttheanimalsevolving needs.This is especially true when it comes to a horses diet. With so much confusing and conflicting information out there, how can you ensure yours is gettingoptimalnutrition?Your veterinarian can offer some guidance. However, your best bet might be to consult an equine nutritionist who is trained in this specialty.FactorsThatAffectEquineNutritionalNeedsSeveralfactors can affect your horses nutritional needs,saysKristyn Sturken,equineproductmanager atSentinel Horse Nutrition,includinglifestage, activity level,and health conditions.Physiological/LifeStageYoung, growing horsePregnant/lactating mareSenior horseStallionActivityLevelAmount of regular activity: maintenance, light, moderate,or heavyType and intensity of work: shorter sessions or longer, endurance-type activityHealthConditions/DiseaseMetabolic conditions such as insulin resistance,equinemetabolicsyndrome,orpolysaccharidestoragemyopathy (PSSM)/equinepolysaccharidestoragemyopathy (EPSM)Pituitaryparsintermediadysfunction(PPID, formerly equineCushings disease)LaminitisHistory ofcolicordigestiveupsetHistory ofchokeHistory ofgastriculcersSignsYourHorsesDietMightNeed anUpdateCommon signsa horses current diet is not working for him can sometimes be easy to overlook or dismiss. However,youllwantto take them into consideration when discussing your horse with any equine health professional.Perhaps heis either over or under his ideal weight, orhe has itchy or irritatedskin. His haircoat might bedullor his hoovescrumbly, soft,or prone to cracking.Has your horse been ill a lot lately, off hisfeed,or lacking his usual energy? Does he seem uncharacteristically on edge, even overreactive? Allthese signs might point to a dietary issue. The same goes for poor growth rates in young horses or reproductive problems in broodmares or stallions.When toConsult anEquineNutritionistSo,which nutritional issues can be managed with help from your veterinarian, and which couldbenefitfrom the input of an equine nutritionist?That really depends on the condition and health concern, saysSturken, cautioning, The veterinarian should always be involved when there is a specific health condition or disease, colic, etc.A nutritionist is the expert when it comes to specific nutrient needs and can make nutritional recommendations for life stages, activity levels,and many physiological things, she explains. Nutritionists can also help with looking at the total dietboth hay/pasture and concentrates or grain and/or supplements.In addition, if a horse has a specific health concern or condition, nutritionists can help identify the best nutrition to support or help with those particular challenges.In some cases,youllwant to take a team approach to your horses health. That means seeking input fromand encouraging communication betweenyour veterinarian, an equine nutritionist,and even yourfarrier, if needed.Information toProvideWhen selecting an equine nutritionist,Sturkenadviseschoosing a professional with a degree in nutrition who has worked closely with the equine species. A Master of Science or PhD in related nutrition would be best.Prior to your first appointment with your equine nutritionist,youllwant to gather the following pieces of information:The type of hayyourefeeding (and analysis, if available)Ingredient/nutritional content tags from the bags of feed and supplementsyourefeedingYour horses vet records and health historyYour horses age, sex, breed,and activity levelThe total amount of both hay and grain your horse is eating daily (in pounds), as well as the amounts of any supplementsWhat toExpectAn equine nutritionist can provide insights into various things that might be happening in your feeding program and your horses body.First and foremost, he or she can help you evaluate and test yourhay, review your current regimen,and make recommendations to improve your horses nutritional intake.What needs to be done to a feeding program may be major or minor, depending on the situation,Sturkensays. It could be as easy as feeding more or less of the current feed but could be changing the feed completely.A good review of feed management practices is always a good idea, too, she continues. That includes how you feed, when you feed, how often, individual feeding vs. group feeding, etc. Communication isKeyIt mightnot always be necessary for your equine nutritionist and your veterinarian to communicate regularly. But, asSturkenattests, It is always a good idea with more challenging conditions or disease.You canassistyour veterinarian byanticipatingwhatsneeded. It would be helpful for you to have a copy of the guaranteed analysis and feeding directions for the feed you are using, as well as the supplements,Sturkensuggests. Having a scale and weighing your feed are also helpful, she says,so when working with either your veterinarian and/or nutritionist, you know exactly what is being fed and canmake adjustments.This goes for hay, too, she adds. Know what type and how much you are feeding.Anequinenutritionist can help improve your horses health and attitude in ways you might never have considered.

Sponsored content in collaboration with DengieHelping an overweight or fat horse lose weight takes time, dedication and a lot of careful management, and it is easy for some of those early good habits to slip once progress starts to show.However, reaching a healthier weight is only part of the picture regular monitoring and small day-to-day checks are just as important when it comes to keeping your horse on the right track.Here are 10 practical tips to help you manage your horses weight long-term. 1 Weigh your horse regularlyUsing a weigh tape every two weeks will help to identify the trajectory of your horses weight. If it starts to creep up, then you will be aware and able to act sooner.If you have the opportunity to weigh your horse on a weighbridge, use the weigh tape at the same time to calibrate how much difference in weight there is between the two. Weight loss takes time and it has been suggested that losing between 0.5-1% of bodyweight per week is safe and realistic. That means, if a 500kg horse has 100kg to lose, based on a loss of 0.5% of bodyweight per week it will take almost a year to achieve your target. Plot your horses weight on a graph to see how far theyve come and how your hard work has paid off.2 Fat score monthlyFat scoring is the most practical tool we have to identify if your horse still needs to lose weight or whether they have reached a healthy weight. However, changes in fat score can be frustratingly slow, so dont be disheartened if it is taking time for a change in fat score to be apparent.On the five-point fat scoring scale, it takes around 40-60kg of weight to be lost to reduce the score by one point, but if your horse was a 5+ on this scale, then it could take much more. Taking photos from the side and from behind can also help you step back and see changes in your horses weight over time when reviewing the pictures. 3 Grazing muzzlesIf you are using one, check the grazing muzzle hole(s) regularly and the grass length in the paddock. Over time with regular use, the size of the hole(s) in your horses grazing muzzle can increase with wear. A bigger hole means more to eat, so replace as necessary.As the summer progresses, and particularly if we have drought conditions, check the grass remains long enough to poke through the muzzle hole(s). Its important your horse still has something to eat, so consider what alternative options you have available if there isnt enough grass. 4 Strip grazingIf you strip graze, keep an eye on the grass growth in your strip and compare to an ungrazed area outside of the strip. If your horses isnt losing weight, and the grass is actively growing in the ungrazed area, it may mean that the size of your horses strip needs to be reduced to continue to encourage weight loss.Equally, if the grass is very sparse in the strip, and not actively growing in the ungrazed area, then additional forage will need to be provided to maintain digestive health.Plan ahead so that, if extra forage is needed, you dont undo your hard work by introducing higher-calorie options. Soaked hay, straw, or low-calorie forage replacers such as Dengie Meadow Lite with Herbs can all help maintain forage intake while supporting digestive and behavioural health. 5 Count the droppingsCount the number of droppings you are picking up. This can give an idea of whether your horses food intake is increasing or decreasing over a period of time. Keeping an eye on the consistency of droppings and knowing whats normal for your horse can also give you a window into their digestive health. 6 Check their diet is balancedIf you have made significant changes to your horses diet then their essential nutrient intake will also be significantly reduced. Possible changes include restricted or no grazing, feeding soaked hay, using more straw in their diet, all of which means the horses essential nutrient intake will be significantly reduced. This may mean they need a higher feeding rate than usual of products (supplements or balancers) to maintain a balanced diet or require a higher specification product.Work with an ENFAR-registered equine nutritionist or feed adviser who will be able to help advise the most appropriate products to ensure that your horses diet remains balanced. Check out the BETA Equine Nutritionist and Feed Adviser Register (ENFAR). 7 Weigh all forageWeigh supplementary conserved forage not only whats offered, but also whats left over.If you are providing your horses minimum forage requirement of 1.5% of their bodyweight on a dry matter basis daily in a bid to manage their weight and they arent eating it all, then they wont be consuming sufficient forage.Soaking hay in the summer months when the weather is hotter can make it less palatable and a shorter soaking time may be necessary. When introducing straw to the diet it can also take some getting used to. 8 Get forage testedAt this time of year, you are likely to be moving on to a new supply of conserved forage post-harvest. If you have a consistent supply, getting it tested with a basic NIR package can be useful to give an overview of its nutritional quality, including an estimate of digestible energy (DE), which tells us how calorific the forage is.If you know the forage is likely to supply more energy than your horse needs to maintain weight, then you can take additional measures to reduce the calorie intake from forage by soaking the hay, or by mixing straw through the hay or haylage ration.Straw should only be considered if your horse has good teeth and must be introduced gradually to the diet to allow time for the digestive system to adapt. 9 Keep a record of the work theyre doingKeep a diary of your horses exercise. It can be really helpful to track how much and what exercise they are doing, plus any notes about the sessions. Doing this can give you some good insight into your progress. If you notice that your horse is getting fitter and finding the work easier, then its a good sign your hard work is paying off. 10 Monitor insulin levelsIf your horse is overweight and has been diagnosed with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), work with your vet to monitor insulin levels, as these can help to indicate how at risk of laminitis your horse is, and whether further dietary management changes are required. Main image ShutterstockRelated contentHow weight loss transformed my horse: four case studies you need to readFat horses: why the equine obesity epidemic matters now more than everHorse weight loss plan: 10 ways to lose those excess pounds *Sponsored*Dr David Marlin explains how to ride a horse so that they burn more caloriesThe post 10 top tips to help manage your horses weight *Ad feature* appeared first on Your Horse.

When the weather warms up, keeping horses cool and comfortable becomes a top priority. The right cooling products can make a big difference.

Football fever has taken hold at a Devon donkey charity, with residents practising their football skills ahead of Englands World Cup opening match this evening (Wednesday 17 June).Donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary have been showing off their agility, balance and fancy hoofwork through football-themed enrichment activities at the charitys site in Sidmouth.The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off last week and is being hosted by three countries: Mexico, Canada and USA. England mens team will play Croatia in their first group match at 9pm this evening in Dallas, Texas.Residents at The Donkey Charity have been enjoying football-based enrichment activities.Natural talentDonkeys are naturally alert, sure-footed and great communicators, they thrive as part of a team and stay calm under pressure all qualities any footballer would be proud of.Enrichment activities are a vital part of the donkeys lives. They prevents boredom, ensure physical and mental stimulation and encourage them to play and interact with different objects as well as their environment.The Donkey Sanctuary was founded in 1969 by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen who was appalled by the state of the donkeys she saw at a market in Exeter. She started buying the donkeys who were in the worst condition and The Donkey Sanctuary was registered as a charity in 1973. Since then the charity has transformed the lives of millions of donkeys around the world.Images The Donkey Sanctuary.Related content from Your HorseArsenal socks a game changer for horses and donkeys at RedwingsCharity asks Senegal totake a stand against the donkey skin tradeOur donkeys are suffering: Concerns raised for the UKs working equines as summer approachesEquine charity launches petition to urge Amazon UK to ban sale of donkey skin products6 fascinating facts about donkeys as we celebrate World Donkey DayThe post Match of the Bray: residents at donkey charity hone their football skills appeared first on Your Horse.