The following in-hand exercises are designed to improve a horses core strength. They are easy to do at home (all you need is a reasonably flat surface and a few poles) and great to do when your riding options are limited. Perhaps you havent got a lot of time to spend riding today, or youd like to spend time working on the ground with your horse in order to improve your bond and help build confidence in each other.The exercises explained below are done at walk and will help to improve your horses balance and strength. Walk is really useful for getting your horse to use their back correctly, while reducing stress placed on their joints.It is also easier to correct abnormal movement patterns and re-train muscle memory in walk, as the large limb muscles dont overpower the rest in this gait.Before you start working on the exercises, walk your horse around for about five minutes to get them warmed up.Exercise 1: work on the rhythmSet out eight poles in a straight line with 4ft between each pole.Walk your horse over the line of poles aiming for the middle of each one and making sure the walk is purposeful and that you keep them straight.Exercise 2: engage their corePlace four poles end to end in a straight line and serpentine your horse up and down over them, making little shallow serpentine patterns as you go.So, as you look at the vertical line of poles in front of you, curve from left to right over the first pole, and then curve right to left over the second pole, and so on. Its surprisingly harder than you might think! Begin with larger curves to start with, and make the curves shallower as your horse gets to know the exercise.To make this exercise a little harder for your horse, you can raise one end of your middle two poles onto jump blocks.Give it a go and remember to have fun!Main image Your Horse Library. For illustration purposes only; the exercise described above is not picturedRelated articlesAndrew Hoys groundwork exercises to improve your horses balance, mobility and core strengthGroundwork: bond with your horse, build trust and grow in confidenceHorse behaviour: 13 signs your horse is happyThe post Two in-hand exercises to improve a horses core strength appeared first on Your Horse.

Horse Sport Ireland, on behalf of the Irish Sport Horse studbook, is delighted to announce the Approval of the high-performance stallions As You Want Z (ZANG), Mr Connery B (ISH) and the winner of the Reitsport.ch Youngster Grand Prix at the 2026 CSIO5* in St Gallen; Boleybawn Alvaro (ISH)Boleybawn Alvaro and Niamh McEvoy in the 7-Year-Old final at the 2025 FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses; SportfotAside from their victory in the Young Horse Grand Prix in St Gallen (SUI), the 8-Year-Old stallion Boleybawn Alvaro (ISH), bred by Ronan Rothwell of Boleybawn Horses in Co. Wicklow has represented the Team Ireland Equestrian Young Horse Squad at the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Lanaken, Belgium in 2023 as a 5-year-old where he was the Reserve Champion, in 2024 as a 6-Year-Old and in 2025 as a 7-Year-Old where he finished 5th over all. The combination also were the winners of the 2024 6-Year-Old Cruising National Championship at the RDS Dublin Horse Show.Ive been lucky enough to ride Alvaro since he was a 5-year-old and hes always been a real favourite in my string!Alvaro has proven himself time and time again, from winning medals in Lanaken, to winning the 6-Year-Old championship in Dublin, to more recently winning the 7- & 8-year-old final at the CSIO5* show in St Gallen. He has really demonstrated that he is a horse for the highest level of the sport. He is a stallion of outstanding character and quality, and combines talent, athleticism and an exceptional temperament. Alvaro is definitely one of the most consistent horses Ive ridden and I really believe he has a huge future in the sport! Niamh McEvoyBoleybawn Alvaro was previously classified as Preliminary Approved in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook having passed his inspection in 2022 and descends from the same family as Boleybawn Aasha (ISH) -1.60m with Mira Olivia Hoeidal (NOR), Boleybawn Actor (ISH) 1.50m with Johanna Zander-Keil (GER), Boleybawn Cooley (ISH) 1.45m with Charlotte Jacobs (USA) and Global Karina (ISH) CCI3*-L with Yasmin Olsson Payne (NOR).Alvaro was born a beautiful type and when he was a young horse, he was, to me, the perfect specimen of a modern show jumper. His qualities: he possesses more all-around qualities than any other stallion that I know of on the circuit.Im delighted to have been the breeder of Boleybawn Alvaro and its been a joy to watch him go through all the different stages in life. Were very lucky to be able to collaborate on ownership with Greg Broderick and his career has been managed to perfection by the team at Ballypatrick since he was a five-year-old. Ronan Rothwell, breeder of Boleybawn Alvaro Mr Connery B & Constant van Paesschen (BEL) competing in Oliva Nova (ESP) in 2025; SportfotMr Connery B (ISH) bred and owned by Andrea Etter of Belmont House Stud in Co. Offaly has also become Approved in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook, having passed Stage 1 of the ISH Stallion Selection process in 2022.Sired by Ganesh Hero Z (ZANG), out of Lovestory B (ISH) by O-Piloth (KWPN), Mr Connery B is ridden by Belgian rider Constant van Paesschen, and were most recently seen at the CSIO3* EEF in Deauville (FRA) where they were double clear in the 1.40m Two Phase there. They were also successful in the 1.40m Two Phase at the CSI3* show in Borgo La Caccia Bedizzole (ITA) in March this year.They also won at 7-Year-Old 1.35m class at the Oliva Nova (ESP) CSIYH1* in September 2025. As You Want Z (ZANG) competing in the 7-Year-Old division of the 2024 FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses with Darragh Ryan(IRL); SportfotAlso after being fully Approved in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook is the 9-year-old stallion As You Want Z (ZANG) owned by Mary Ellen de Ruschi and ridden by Darragh Ryan of Tipperary Equestrian Centre.As You Want Z also passed Stage 1 of the ISH Stallion Selection process in 2022.In 2026, As You Want Z has been double clear in 1.40m Two Phase competitions at CSI2* level in Mullingar (IRL), and Lier (BEL) continuing his consistent performance at that level as seen by his double clear rounds nationally in Garranmore and Hollypark Stables in 2025.Horse Sport Ireland review stallion classifications and star rating criteria on an ongoing basis for the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Sports Pony Studbooks. Owners and agents of approved stallions may submit them for star rating review either through their own performance or that of their progeny by contactingstallions@horsesportireland.ie.The post Three new High-Performance Stallions approved in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook appeared first on .

Horse Sport Ireland notes recent commentary regarding Junior representation at the 2026 FEI European Dressage Championships.As the Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Body for equestrian sport in Ireland, and the FEIrecognised National Federation, Horse Sport Ireland is responsible for the selection of teams to represent Ireland at FEI Championships across youth and senior disciplines.Selection decisions are made within a longestablished, technically led High Performance framework, based on published criteria which assess performance, consistency and readiness for championship competition. These criteria have been applied consistently over a number of years, have been communicated in advance of the current season, and are designed to support the preparation of combinations for international championship level.FEI qualification establishes eligibility to be considered for competition; it does not, in itself, determine readiness for selection within a High Performance system. Selection decisions require a broader assessment based on objective performance standards.Horse Sport Ireland also has a duty to safeguard athlete and horse welfare. Selection decisions therefore include consideration of factors such as veterinary requirements, suitability for travel and the demands of championship competition, which are not always externally visible.Horse Sport Ireland remains committed to the development of youth dressage through a structured and progressive High Performance pathway, supporting athletes to achieve readiness for international championship participation.The full response issued to Dressage Ireland is available here.Please find the Athlete Selection Policy for the FEI European Children and Junior Dressage Championships here. The post Horse Sport Ireland Statement Youth Dressage Selection 2026 appeared first on .

According to the USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, one new vesicular stomatitis (VSV)-positive equine premises has been identified in Santa Fe County, New Mexico.Since October 2025, VSV has been identified at 15 equine premises in Arizona, one equine premises in Colorado, and three equine premises in New Mexico. All confirmed caseshave been vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus (VSNJV) serotype.The last outbreak of VSV in the U.S. occurred from May 2023 through January 2024, affecting 319 premises across California, Nevada, and Texas. VSV circulates annually between livestock and insect vectors in southern Mexico and only occasionally results in incursion to the U.S.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 Vesicular StomatitisVesicular stomatitis is a viral disease of horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, swine and New World camelids that occurs in the Western Hemisphere. It is named for the characteristic vesicular lesions it causes in the form of blisters, crusts and ulceration of the lips, muzzle, nose, tongue, ears, sheath, teats and/or coronary band. The virus is transmitted by biting midges and therefore is seasonal.Clinical Signs for vesicular stomatitis include:Vesicle formation leading to ulcerative lesions on the lips, muzzle, nostrils and tongue. The tongue is often the most severely affected area.Ulceration of the inner surface of the lips.Crusting of the muzzle, nostrils, and/or inside the ears.Excessive salivation secondary to the oral lesions.Difficulty picking up and chewing feed.Lameness due to painful erosions on the coronary band.Lesions can occur on the udder, sheath and inside of the ear.Lesions can develop secondary infections resulting in slow-to-heal wounds.Animals on pastures are at increased risk of vesicular stomatitis.Initial diagnosis is based on recognition of characteristic vesicular lesions. Infection is confirmed via laboratory testing for serum antibodies and/or virus identification in fluid samples from active lesions. Veterinarians are required to report suspected cases to state/federal animal health officials who will direct sample submission to an approved regulatory laboratory for diagnostic testing.There is no specific treatment for vesicular stomatitis. Best practices include implementing good biosecurity and treating affected horses with pain relievers, anti-inflammatories and supportive care as recommended by a veterinarian.Isolating all affected animals and placing the premise on immediate quarantine is required until all horses have fully recovered and no active lesions are present. The State Veterinarian will work with the local veterinarian to determine and implement necessary quarantine procedures.

One horse at a private facility in Snohomish County, Washington, recently tested positive for strangles. The horse is quarantined and recovering under 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.

Stephanie L. Church/The HorseAir is an often-overlooked part of biosecurity inequine hospitals and indoor specialty care facilities.Manual cleaningcanoften miss whatremainsin the air and what resettles on surfaces.These pathogens can drive the spread of infectiousdiseases,causing an increase incosts, as well as fatalities.Dan Dreyfuss, DVM, MA, will introduce the science behind patented DHP technology. Synexis DHP technology generates dry hydrogen peroxideatouchless, continuouspathogen controlmethod that treatsthe air and surfacesin occupied spaces, enhancing biosecurity protocols.Whatyoulllearn:The most often overlooked biosecurity threats and elementsEnhancing existing protocols with tested, practical technology. The layer that your current protocol may be missing.Howthetechnology works,whyitssafe for useinoccupiedenvironments including healthcare facilities, and why it should be included inbiosecurity practicesWho should attend:Equineveterinarians,technicians,rescues,quarantinefacilities,equinetransportcompaniesRegister NowThis webcast begins on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. EDT Days Hours MinutesAbout the Expert: Dan Dreyfuss, DVM, MADan Dreyfuss, DVM, is a veterinary medicine expert with more than 40 years of clinical, scientific, and industry experience. With a background in cell and developmental biology and a DVM from UC Davis, Dreyfusshas driven innovation across the animal health landscape. Dreyfuss'expertisespans equine and companion animal medicine and surgery, pharmaceutical development, technical sales, and scientific communications, complemented by his leadership in developing RACE-approved continuing education programs and pioneering technical content for veterinary professionals across industry and academia.

A tiny foal who was found abandoned at the age of just two weeks has blossomed into a happy, healthy youngster and is ready for a new home.Noodles, a dinky cob, required round the clock care from the World Horse Welfare team at Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre after he was found orphaned in July 2024. Vets at the charity believe he did not receive enough colostrum (the milk produced by a mare which is rich in antibodies and nutrients) when he was born which left him susceptible to infections and illness.So tinyNoodles was so tiny when he first arrived,saidyard supervisor,Viki.Its unbelievable that someone could abandon him without his mother at such a young age, but we were determined to nurse him back to health.Orphaned foals need a lot of intensive care and Noodles was reluctant to feed at first, so he needed attention 24/7 for weeks.Round the clock careThe team worked day and night giving Noodles bucket feeds and monitoring his progress to ensure he had the best possible chance of survival.His character really came out once he started to feel better, adds hisgroom, Leah.Noodles has grown into an inquisitive, playful little pony, which is great to see after his sorry start in life.Noodles is ready for a new home. Best friendWhen Noodles was strong enough to go out with the other ponies, he stuck up a strong bond with fellow youngster, Tintin, who was found abandoned with two empty food cans wedged over his hoof.Acting like an older brother, Tintin guided Noodles through the early stages of learning how to interact and socialise with other ponies, something he didnt know how to do as he didnt have a mother to teach him.Tintin has now been rehomed and it is hoped that Noodles will also soon find a forever home.Noodles is currently 11.3hh so he is the perfect pal for another small youngster and is looking for a home where he can continue his education, said Leah.Hes a quick learner and enjoys being with people hell come straight over to see you in the field. Id love to see him find another best friend like Tintin in his new home.Noodles (left) with his best friend Tintin.For more information or to regime Noodles, click here. Images World Horse Welfare. More from Your HorseHow to tell if a horse is happy: behaviourist reveals 13 key signsHow do horses sleep? Experts explainOur pick of fly masks and veils for horsesThe post Orphaned foal rescued at two weeks old looking for forever home appeared first on Your Horse.