July Group Riding Lessons Now Open for Booking. Weve been so lucky with these beautiful sunny summer days, and July is the perfect time to enjoy the brighter evenings, fresh air, and fun of riding with friends old and new.Whether youre building confidence, improving your skills, or simply coming along to enjoy time with the horses, our July group lessons are a wonderful way to learn, laugh, and make the most of summer. **Please note that Gransha will be closed from Saturday 11th to Friday 17th July, so there will be no lessons during this time.**Bookings can be made easily through the app or website. New riders are kindly reminded to complete the Rider Registration Form before attending.Lets make July a month of sunshine, smiles, and happy moments in the saddle!See you all soon!

A Worcestershire horse owner has been banned from keeping horses for five years after admitting welfare offences involving two neglected geldings who were later euthanised due to the severity of their health problems.Stacey Price, 39, of Cleobury Mortimer, appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court on 9 June, where she pleaded guilty to failing to meet the welfare needs of Doc and Ludo, who were found underweight, suffering from untreated health conditions and carrying heavy parasite burdens.The horses were rescued by authorities and placed in the care of the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare after welfare concerns were raised in November 2024. However, despite efforts by veterinary professionals and the charities equine teams, both geldings were later put to sleep because of their ongoing health issues.The court sentenced Price to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, pay 300 in costs and a victim surcharge of 154. In addition, she was disqualified from owning or keeping horses for five years.Emaciated conditionThe case followed concerns raised in November 2024, when both the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare received reports about the condition of the two geldings. It was alleged that the horses were not being attended to regularly and were showing signs of poor health, including weight loss and skin problems.RSPCA officers and World Horse Welfare representatives visited a farm near Kidderminster where the horses were being kept. According to evidence presented to the court, Doc was found in a stable in an emaciated condition.RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Rachel Ward described seeing visible ribs, hips and spine, along with severe rain scald covering much of the horses body. Some of the affected areas were reported to have scabs and green discharge.The second gelding, Ludo, was found in a nearby field and was also assessed as being underweight and in poor body condition.A specialist equine vet was called to examine both horses and certified that they were at risk. Worcestershire Police subsequently seized the animals and placed them into the care of the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.Veterinary examinations later revealed that both horses were carrying significant tapeworm burdens.No horse should have to endure thatEvidence presented to the court stated that Doc would have experienced hunger and pain associated with his untreated skin conditions, while his nutritional needs had likely not been met for several weeks. The vet also concluded that the widespread rain scald appeared long-standing and showed no signs of having received treatment.Ludo was found to be suffering from malnutrition and hunger, with evidence suggesting that his nutritional requirements had not been met and that parasite control measures had been inadequate.Charlotte Melvin, a field officer with World Horse Welfare, said the condition of the horses was absolutely heartbreaking.Doc especially was extremely thin and looked weak when he was walking, she said. The untreated rain scald on his back would have been very sore and could have been completely avoidable with proper care. No horse should have to endure that.Ongoing health complicationsDespite efforts by the RSPCAs equine teams and veterinary professionals, both Doc and Ludo were later euthanised because of ongoing health complications.In mitigation, the court heard that Price had not intended to harm the horses and had believed a third party was responsible for their care.Price admitted failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the horses welfare, including providing adequate nutrition, parasite control and veterinary treatment, as well as failing to make suitable arrangements for their care when left unattended.Images RSPCAMore from Your HorseCommon horse skin conditions shown in picturesRain scald in horses explainedEssential horse worming schedule and management tips from a vetEuthanasia: when is the right time to put a horse to sleep?The post Horse owner banned after neglect case ends in death of two geldings appeared first on Your Horse.

In this episode, host Stephanie Ruff continues the conversation about hay. This month the focus is on how to get the most out of your hay from the purchase to storage to reducing hay waste. And to help us with that, Stephanie talks to Dr. Bob Coleman, associate extension professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences in the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky, her alma mater. Dr. Colemans extension program covers the state and focuses on nutrition, management and facility design. This is a subject near and dear to his heart. Take a listen!Watch Feeding Horses on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The hosts and guests might discuss general nutrition concepts, research, and personal experiences. These discussions should not be interpreted as specific recommendations for individual horses.The creators of this podcast make no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the information discussed. They assume no responsibility for actions taken based on the content of this podcast. They also encourage listeners to seek professional guidance before making changes to their horses diet, supplements, or healthcare program.Meet the Nutritionist:Bob Coleman, PhDBob Coleman, PhD, PAS, Dip. ACAN, grew up in western Canada with a lifelong interest in horses. He earned his BS and MS in Animal Science from the University of Manitoba and later completed a PhD in equine nutrition while working as an extension horse specialist in Alberta. After early experience as a nutritionist in the Canadian feed industry, he joined the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, in 1998 as an equine extension specialist, where he also teaches courses in equine management and facility design. His extension and applied research programs focus on nutrition, grazing, hay use, and facility management. Coleman is active in the horse industry, serving in leadership roles with AQHA and AQHF, contributing to animal welfare initiatives, and supporting accreditation programs through the Certified Horsemanship Association.

Carefully monitor horse wounds for signs of screwworm larvae. | Erica Larson/The HorseNew World screwworm (NWS) remains a significant animal health concern because the fly larvae feed on living tissue and can quickly turn a minor wound into a painful and potentially life-threatening problem. During a June 18 webinar hosted by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Katie Flynn, DVM, USEFs senior veterinarian of equine health and biosecurity and Neil Gray, DVM, with the Equitarian Initiative, reviewed how NWS spreads, what horse owners should watch for, and the steps facilities can take to reduce risk.New World Screwworm Flies vs. Other BlowfliesWhile New World screwworm flies and other blowflies might appear similar at first glance, they behave very differently. Unlike typical blowfly larvae, which feed on dead or decaying tissue, NWS larvae feed on living tissue and require a live host to complete their development. Because NWS can infest any warm-blooded mammal and cause severe illness or death if left untreated, it poses a far greater animal (and human) health threat than the nuisance blowflies or bot flies horse owners commonly encounter.New World Screwworm Life CycleThe NWS fly is attracted to wounds. The adult fly smells the break in skin, which attracts the female to lay her eggs around the wound edge, said Flynn. These eggs hatch within 12-24 hours, and the larvae then eat the living flesh, burrowing deeper into the tissue. The larvae feed and grow over five to seven days, through multiple stages, and as they mature around seven days, they drop to the ground and pupate in the soil, said Flynn. The adult fly emerges from the soil seven to 54 days later, depending on the temperature and humidity.The adult female fly will only mate once, said Flynn. Once she mates, she will wait until she senses a wound to lay her eggs on. That wound can be any size, even as small as a tick bite.New World Screwworm Appearance and Clinical SignsScrewworm larvae differs from other blowfly larvae in appearance. They literally look like a screw, said Gray. They have a conical shape with bands around that allow them to screw their way into the tissue as they burrow in. The flies themselves can be difficult to differentiate from other flies. There are many flies that are green, metallic flies with red eyes, said Gray.When identifying affected wounds, Gray said, youre looking for a wound that is more irritated than youd expect with a foul smelling odor. He added that owners should be suspicious of wounds with maggots or a large presence of flies. If left untreated, cases can be fatal.Screwworm fly | USDAHistory of New World Screwworm in the U.S.Since its eradication from the U.S. in 1966, three distinct incursions of NWS have occurred, said Flynn. In 1976, there was an isolated outbreak in an animal in Texas, which was contained and eliminated. In 2016 to 2017, an outbreak happened in the Florida Keys, which was confirmed in Key deer in late September 2016 and affected some pets. Officials eradicated the pest by March 2017. In August 2025 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported one confirmed case in a human returning to the U.S. after travel to El Salvador. Flynn said this case was not evidence of local establishment in the U.S. because it was caught and addressed before the screwworm could go through its life cycle and become a fly.New World Screwworm Management for Horse FarmsFlynn recommended a six-step procedure for protecting your animals from NWS infestation:Check wounds, body openings, and recent surgical sites daily for pain, odor, swelling, or larvae.Promptly clean, cover, and monitor cuts, including surgical sites, tick bites, and foal umbilical areas.Reduce fly breeding areas by removing manure regularly, improving drainage on the property, and cleaning wet organic debris.Report suspicious cases immediately to your veterinarian and local animal health officials.Protect the facilitys environment by maintaining a clean and safe property to reduce injury and fly exposure.Use targeted fly control products labeled for use on horses and horse properties.Screwworm infestation can progress rapidly and can kill an animal if not promptly discovered and treated, said Flynn. Most animals recover fully when they are diagnosed and treated early.Regulatory Response and Horse Movement RestrictionsFlynn said general regulatory responses to NWS cases include:Identifying suspected casesReporting cases to state animal health officials and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) immediatelyConfirming the diagnosis through sample (in this case, larvae) collection and lab testingResponding to the case with quarantine and movement controls, surveillance and treatment of cases, wildlife coordination (monitoring because wildlife can also be affected), and sterile fly releaseThe only way to eradicate NWS is through sterile fly release to knock down generations, she said. It typically takes three generations to knock the numbers down to zero. The NWS sterile fly release is dependent upon identification of cases, which highlights the importance of reporting.Flynn said a common question among horse owners is How can I move my horses? She emphasized that because the situation is constantly changing, owners planning to transport horses should keep in contact with both the state of origin and the state of destination for their animal. Movement requirements can change rapidly as a new case of screwworm is confirmed, a quarantine issued and an infested zone with movement restrictions implemented by state animal health officials.Different states will have different requirements for moving horses who have been in infested zones, said Flynn. Infested zones are defined as a radius of 20 kilometers or about 12 miles around a confirmed case. Horses moving from these zones to another local area or to another state will likely be required to undergo inspections and certification that they do not appear to be carrying screwworm larvae. Depending upon the state of destination and state of origin, those inspections might need to take place before they leave the infested zone or after their arrival to their destination, said Flynn.Horse owners should expect that equine event and travel plans might be disrupted, and cross-border movement could be affected, said Flynn. As of the time of the webinar, horses couldnt travel to Mexico, and horses could only fly into the U.S. from Mexico. Flynn added that Canada had also placed restrictions on equine movement, allowing only horses that have been outside of an infested state for at least 21 days to cross the border. These restrictions are still applicable as of the time of publication.NWS Mitigation for Equine EventsFlynn said the current plan to mitigate the risk of NWS spread at USEF equine events includes requiring a health declaration at entry that discloses the animals recent travel and notes any wounds. On arrival at a USEF licensed event, competition management will inspect a horse coming from an infested state for wounds, odor, irritation, or maggots. If inspectors find a wound, a veterinarian will need to check the horse for larvae. If the veterinarian finds larvae on the horse, they will immediately isolate the animal and report a suspect case. Flynn said competition venues are also encouraged to proactively manage manure and enhance sanitation to improve insect control.Flynn said the USEF has been contacted by equine industry stakeholders outside of licensed competitions, and she has shared her suggested protocols with them in hopes of reducing the flys spread. While the fly can expand its geographic range under its own power, the concern for Flynn and other animal health officials is also that an animal could be transported well outside the flys current range while carrying larvae, leading to a new population center for the screwworm fly. Take-Home MessageNew World screwworm infestations can develop rapidly, making early detection and prompt reporting critical for protecting horses and preventing spread. As response efforts continue, horse owners should expect movement requirements to change as officials work to limit further spread.

Photo: iStockAs horses age, their health care needs and associated costs often increase, making proactive management especially important.Havingyour veterinarian perform regularexaminations, dental evaluations, andmonitoring forcommon senior conditionscan help youcatch problems early and potentially reduce long-term expenses. Senior horses might alsorequirespecialized feeds, medications, oradditionalsupportive care, which can increase monthly costs. Developing a preventive care plan and budgeting for age-related health needs can help owners support their horses comfort and longevity.Register for this AskTheHorseLive event where two veterinarians will answer your senior horse expense questions.Register NowAsk The Horse Live begins on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. EDT Days Hours MinutesAbout the Experts: Alex Bianco, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM Alex Bianco, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, is a Minneapolis native and graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, in St. Paul. After completing a rotating equine internship at Kansas State University, in Manhattan, she completed a large animal internal medicine residency at Purdue University, in Lafayette, Indiana. Following her residency, Bianco remained at Purdue for an additional year working as an equine ambulatory veterinarian, before returning to the University of Minnesota as clinical faculty in 2016. Jonathan Yardley, DVMJonathan Yardley, DVM, is a graduate of Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine. He began his career with a private practice internship, before joining a prominent racetrack practice, Teigland, Franklin and Brokken, where he specialized in caring for an elite clientele of Thoroughbred racehorses. In 2014 Yardley shifted from private practice to academia as an ambulatory, clinical-track veterinarian in the Equine Field Service department at The Ohio State Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine, where he currently serves as an associate professor. As the equine rotating internship director, Yardley is committed to fostering an enriching learning environment that empowers interns to develop their clinical and critical thinking skills throughout their yearlong internships. Dedicated to veterinary wellness, Yardley serves as co-chair of the College of Veterinary Medicine Health & Wellbeing Committee, championing evidence-based strategies for health care improvement. He hosts the podcast Horse Talk with Doc, where he shares valuable insights into equine health and well-being. Outside of his professional pursuits, Yardley is an avid curler who enjoys traveling with his wife. They share their home with three beloved four-legged Doodles.

According to the assistant state veterinarian, five horses at a private facility in Pierce County, Washington, have tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). There are reportedly 13 horses at the facility.Epidemiology and bush track exposure investigations are ongoing. The horses are currently quarantined.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 EIAEquine infectious anemiais a viral disease that attacks horses immune systems. The virus is transmitted through the exchange of body fluids from an infected to an uninfected animal, often by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies. It can also be transmitted through the use of blood-contaminated instruments or needles.ACoggins test screens horses blood for antibodiesthat are indicative of the presence of the EIA virus. Most U.S. states require horses to have proof of a negative Coggins test to travel across state lines.Once an animal is infected with EIA, it is infected for life and can be a reservoir for the spread of disease. Not all horses show signs of disease,but those that do can exhibit:Progressive body condition loss;Muscle weakness;Poor stamina;Fever;Depression; andAnemia.EIA has no vaccine and no cure. A horse diagnosed with the disease dies, is euthanized, or must be placed under extremely strict quarantine conditions (at least 200 yards away from unaffected equids) for the rest of his life.

When did you last trot to a fence? Canter is usually the preferred choice for finding the perfect take-off spot, but according to Burghley 2022 winner Piggy March, it is useful to regularly try jumping out of trot too and be prepared for it to feel untidy.This is a training exercise that Piggy regularly uses at home with her own horses. It tests rider balance and helps achieve an agile, rideable horse.Piggy demonstrated the training exercise at Your Horse Live. It requires five poles, five sets of jump wings and your imagination, because there are dozens of lines to ride as you work on honing you and your horses skills and youll benefit hugely from doing it in trot.Jumping out of trotThis is a brilliant exercise that I use at home. I do it with horses of all levels, says Piggy.Some days Ill be brave with how high the fences are that I trot at. I do it to push me; trying to keep in balance over that extra bit of height. Ive done this exercise for years and its one I keep doing in order to work on myself.Every time I do it on a new horse I feel all over the place because theyre not used to it. So dont panic if something goes wrong or its not quite feeling how its meant to just keep going, adds Piggy.With all disciplines being so technical these days, basic training all rolls into one, whether youre on the flat, jumping or riding across country. I want a nicely trained and happy horse who is rideable.This exercise works on the riders balance and the horses, as well as mobility and trainability all the things you need to have for a confident, rideable horse.Exercise 1: snaking in and outDiagram shows exercises 1 and 2Set up five uprights without ground lines down the middle of your training field or arena with each fence on a one-stride distance.After warming up, start trotting your horse between the obstacles, varying the direction that you ride in, changing the rein and alternating which fences you ride between.Turn one way and then the other, so that you start to feel like the horse is working with you and like youre getting bend around their ribcage, explains Piggy, who says that you shouldnt worry about your horse working in a perfect outline while doing this.You wont be looking like youre about to go into a dressage test, because youre doing lots of bending and youve got longer reins.This is just an exercise to get the horse really loosened up, on the aids and working with you, explains Piggy, but you can also make it what you want it to be. When your horse feels ready, you can get your reins together a bit more and vary the outline theyre working in.Exercise 2: transitions between fencesNext start asking for transitions between the fences. Start with trot-walk and walk-trot.Imagine there is a centre line up the middle of the fences and do a trot-walk transition every time you cross over the centre line, says Piggy.Think about your balance and preparation. Around the corner you should already be thinking about slightly bringing your upper body back and looking for your straight line.Even though its a downward transition, it still needs to be forward. Youre preparing it early and through body-seat language.If you can get your horse to respond to you rather than going to the bridle [that is, pulling on the reins] it will be a forward transition, which is what you want, continues Piggy.A bad transition stops the forward momentum. It happens when its left to the last minute rather than being prepared for and is an afterthought of walk.Introduce canter transitionsMove on to riding trot-canter and canter-trot transitions every time you cross the centre line.Depending on the level you and your horse are working at, you could do walk-canter and canter-walk transitions too. Advanced horses can do flying changes instead.Some horses anticipate. If Im on one like that I just quietly keep doing the exercise until he relaxes and stays on an aid for me, says Piggy.Make sure your horse is straight in their body and has enough room for the transition too. A few extra steps of the pace youve changed into is better than doing only two or three and rushing the transition, for example.Also dont let the horse get in front of you they must wait for the aid.Youre doing this because you want the horse to become sensitive to your body language [so that they start to slow down and wait when they feel your upper body sit up], explains Piggy.Exercise 3: trot to a fenceDiagram shows exercise 3Approach one of the fences in your line of five in trot and jump it at an angle.I dont particularly like jumping out of trot because its not as comfortable [as canter] and it can get ugly, confesses Piggy.Thats why I make myself do it; it works on the riders own balance and builds trust between you and your horse that they can stay on a line at this pace. Its slow but the horse is in front of your leg; youre trusting that your horse will stay on a line and youre learning to stay with it.Trotting to a fence can be ugly if they get in too close; its not an obvious stride like you get with canter. They can pick up [to jump] early and so you have to slip the reins and try not to fall off the back, or sometimes you get in front of them and then they dont go.Even on a horse who has done this before, it doesnt mean theyre going to do it very well the next time you try, continues Piggy.I dont mind if they knock it down; its about learning patience, having balance and staying in a rhythm.If your horse lands in canter, quietly ask them to trot again before approaching the next fence. Piggy says the aim is for you as the rider to stay in neutral, putting your horse on a line in the best rhythm and then trusting them to jump the fence.Next stepsMove on to jumping more than one fence but continuing to jump at an angle. Fence two to fence four for example.The fences can be as small as you like but try to stay in trot. It doesnt matter which way you do which fence vary the lines, advises Piggy.Exercise 4: try it in canterDiagram shows exercise 4When youre ready, repeat the previous exercise in canter and try three fences in a row, for example fences one to three and then five.If your horse can make a flying change each time you change direction, great. If not, give yourself time to make a change through trot.You can also indicate which leg you want to land with leading by pushing your weight down into that stirrup over the previous fence.With a horse who has a weak canter I sometimes jump the first fence and then circle, so that I get a bit of bend through their body, and then do the same before the last fence.It encourages them to try and find their balance. After a couple of times, they start picking up whats happening.The final stage is to jump down the grid in a straight line.You can go as big or small as you like with the fences, but dont put them all at the same height. Vary them, even if its only a little difference, so the horse has to look and gauge what height is where.Jump it in the other direction too and approach off both reins.Theres no rules for this exercise, make it up as you go, as long as youre in your comfort zone, adds Piggy.It really is such a good exercise to set up at home because theres so much you can do with it. You can work on yourself and your horse in so many ways.How high are Piggys fences?The key to this exercise is that you can adapt it to suit you and your horse. Lacking confidence or on a green or young horse? Then ride wider lines to each fence and dont try to link together too many that are close together.Choose a height that is best for you both: whether its poles on the floor or 23, its better to start small and build up the height and technicality as you become more confident.Start small even if the exercise isnt new to you too, and remember that horses learn through repetition, so making this exercise a regular part of your routine will benefit you both hugely.Trainings not about how high you can jump or how fast you can go, its knowing whats right for you, reasons Piggy. Even smaller ones out of trot can feel quite big.This is why doesnt Piggy use a ground polePiggy chooses to set this exercise up without ground lines on any of the fences.I dont really know why I dont have them; it doesnt feel as inviting and is a little upright but cross-country fences these days are more upright so this is good practice. And you know what? Horses generally jump very well without a ground rail being there.Yogi Breisner did this exercise with me probably 10 years ago and he didnt use ground rails; I found it interesting and I havent used them myself.However, if she were riding a particularly young or inexperienced horse, Piggy would consider adding in ground lines.If its a real baby and I want them to get used to the exercise then I probably will put a ground rail in to start because I want to keep them confident. Otherwise its really personal preference of ground rail or no ground rail.Find out more about Piggy March hereMain image & diagrams Your Horse Library/Sally Newcomb/Geoff Johnson Design. NB: Piggy March is not pictured riding.Related contentPiggy Marchs routine for a confident and clear showjumping roundOliver Townends training tactics for a horse who is very tense or freshJoe Stockdales tips for success when competing a horse indoorsPoor topline: what it is, plus how to build and develop the correct muscles in your horseThe post Jump out of trot to test rider balance and build trust with this exercise from Piggy March appeared first on Your Horse.