Our sport of three-day eventing requires a lot of skills to be successful and competitive, but theres one thats pretty easy to guess: you (and your horse) have to be brave.The idea of being brave can be interpreted a lot of different ways, and not all of them mean the same thing. Youll notice I referred to bravery at the beginning of this article as a skill, and truthfully thats what I believe it is.Throughout my career as an Olympic eventing rider, Ive been called a lot of things: gung-ho, bold, crazy, wild, and yes, brave. But, while I may always love the adrenaline pumping, I also wouldnt say I was born brave.At the end of the day, bravery isnt just some wild concept that were somehow either born with or were not. Thats really not true. Bravery is something you can learn to create over time. .Now, its good to remember that I grew up in Australia, and I didnt begin riding at a fancy farm or at a million-dollar facility. My very first pony, a good old boy named Willy Do It or Willy at home, learned how to jump cross country in my own backyard over random debris and fallen logs I would ask my parents not to clean up after big storms. I was an adventurous kid, sure, but a lot of my confidence in the saddle came from the time I spent making mistakes and learning from them. I realized pretty quickly if I could have a good, solid relationship with Willy, where he trusted me and my judgment, hed do just about anything I asked him to do.When you have a horse willing to do what youre asking, it gives you a lot of confidence, and ultimately, that turns into bravery for both you and your horse.So this is where it begins. Yes, some of us seem to be more enthusiastic about taking on risks and participating in more dangerous activities, which truthfully is something that runs in my family on all sides, while others approach life more cautiously. Both of these types of people, and every type in between, can still be brave and build confidence in their skills.My new Equestrian Masterclass, now available on Noelle Floyd, is all about the idea of building bravery.This is an important topic to me for a lot of reasons. In my travels teaching clinics all over the world, I meet many riders who feel like they will never be brave enough to tackle a demanding cross country course, whether thats at Beginner Novice or Advanced. I wanted to provide some tools that would help any rider create their own sense of bravery in the saddle, and the result is the information in this Masterclass.Personally, when Im at my bravest as a rider and a competitor, I feel these three things, no matter the level Im competing:I am Competent in my skills. I have practiced and repeated the exercises I need to in order to feel strong and confident in my position, which in turn allows me to communicate better with my horse.I am Prepared for competition and the challenges it may present. Theres not much that can give you more confidence than going out to walk a cross country course and realizing youve practiced harder things at home with success. Confidence and bravery go hand-in-hand with the preparation.I have encouraged my horse to think for himself. One of the greatest and most rewarding parts of being horsemen is the amount of time you get to spend with your animals. You come to understand their quirks and what makes them feel confident in themselves and in you as the rider. We always want our horses to enjoy their jobs and to understand what we are asking. If we have a horse that can think for himself, it reduces the amount of micromanagement that happens during our ride.The riders I always want to emulate look like they are doing nothing in the saddle. This quiet style of riding is something that gives me a lot of confidence, because it means Ive done my homework and I can just be one with my horse out there. Riding shouldnt be a yank and pull effort, it should be smooth and polished. The less managing you have to do, the better prepared you will be to react in the moment if things dont go according to your plan.All of these skills, in my opinion, build bravery. Of course, bravery also isnt a magical wand that you can suddenly wave and you have no fear. That actually isnt a great way of thinking, if you ask me.Im not fearless by any means. I have tremendous respect for the risks I am taking, and the risks my horses are taking when we step out on a course.Out of that respect, I always go back to the three pillars of bravery for me - competence, preparation, and knowing Im on a horse who knows how to think.These tools give me the best chance to go out there and not only be competitive, but also be safe and brave, which is what everyone should be aiming for every time they get a leg up.Want to dive deeper into Boyd Martins training philosophy and program?Then check out his latest 3-part Equestrian Masterclass Series.Access 3 in-depth Masterclasses taught by Boyd Martin & learn his systematic process for developing bravery through competence, preparation and creating a thinking horse.In this series, youll learn How to develop bravery and confidence in the saddle while jumping What are the core the elements of bravery What the difference is between being scared vs reckless and finding that happy medium How to visualize what a correct galloping position looks like and what doesnt Why security and stability is important to feeling secure on your horse How to practice different cross-country and show jumping exercises to prepare yourself for competition How to introduce young horses to cross-country fences and elements Why you should be making more mistakes Why its important to teach the horse to still get the job doneSince releasing this Masterclass, eventing riders (and even riders from other disciplines) have been raving about the impact its had on their riding.CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BOYD MARTINS MASTERCLASS SERIES.

When it comes to communication, horses have a subtle yet very effective way of communicating with each other and us, their human friends. They cant talk of course, and so its our job as good owners to identify the language they are speaking by learning to read and understand their behaviour.Only by learning our horses language can we begin to understand them. They tell us a lot every day, but many of us need to improve our listening skills by learning what to look and listen out for.Here are six things you need to know about how your horse communicates with you:1 Horse communication is subtleWhile it is one of the horses best ways of communicating with us, a horses body language can be very subtle and is often missed by humans.One reason for their subtlety is that horses are naturally stoic, as they wouldnt have wanted to draw attention to themselves in the wild by being loud or overtly displaying illness that could attract predators. Prey animals that appear sick or injured are particularly vulnerable to attack; essentially, they are easy targets.We can also train our horses to look calm and collected, even when they are not. For example, police horses are taught to stand and not move when a rioting crowd comes towards them.While they may look as though they are holding it together, their heart rate is high, indicating that they are stressed.2 Important signs to pay attention toIf a horse is uncomfortable, they will show subtle signs that are enough to get a reaction from other horses, but this line of communication can be missed by humans.These include:Tail swishingMoving their ears (both flat back, for eg)Shaking their bodyHaving a triangular eyeTense muzzleOpen mouthBlinkingIf we miss these signs, then the horses communication will become louder. These behaviours can include:BuckingBitingKickingStriking out with a front legBoltingRearingNappingNone of these are pleasant to experience as a horse owner/rider. Rather than dismissing them as naughty or bad behaviours, we need to stop and consider what is causing the horse to act in this way especially when it is out of character.You need to know your horseThe better you know your horse, the easier, I think, it becomes to understand their channels of communication because you get to know their character, what they do and dont like, and what is normal behaviour for them.I remember being out hacking with my sister and Dad, all of us on ex-racehorses. Dad was in front on Arnie, when out of nowhere the 17.2hh bay gelding leapt into the air and did a massive buck. We laughed, and carried on, thinking something had spooked him in the hedge.Maybe a minute later, if that, Arnie did it again. This time, realising that something was wrong, my sister got off her horse and went to look at him.She found a leaf caught in his sheath area and pulled it out. Nothing else seemed amiss, so she remounted and we carried on. Arnie didnt buck again, so she must have solved the problem.Had we missed signs of discomfort before that? Looking back I dont think so. We owned Arnie for over 10 years and knew him well. So when he bucked so abruptly Arnie did buck from time to time out of excitement, but this scenario was unusual we knew he was trying to tell us something.3 Facial expressions in horse communicationA horses facial expression is a key part of communication and it can reveal more than you might think about how they are feeling.The Horse Grimace Scale is a pain assessment tool which identifies six facial expressions of a horse and scores them on a scale of 0 (not present), 1 (moderately present) and 2 (obviously present).The actions are:Stiffly backwards earsThe horses ears are held stiffly and turned backwards causing the space between the ears to appear wider at the top compared to the base line.Orbital tighteningThe horses eyelid is partially or completely closed. Any closure that reduces eye size by more than half is coded 2 (obviously present).Tension above the eye areaContractions of the muscles in the area above the eye causes underlying bone surfaces to appear more prominent.Prominent strained chewing musclesThis is increased tension above the mouth.Mouth strained and pronounced chinA strained mouth is clearly visible when the upper lip is drawn back and the chin appears more pronounced.Strained nostrils and flattening of the muzzles profileThe horses nostrils look strained and slightly dilated, and the profile of the nose flattens with elongated lips.4 Watch out for learned helplessnessSome negative behaviours that horses show are labelled as naughty ones, and instead of working out what is causing it, we punish the behaviour.In the end, the horse gives up and does what is asked because it is better than being punished. When this happens, they haveto continue working through their discomfort or confusion and the only way to deal with that is to shut down, also known as learned helplessness.A horse with this condition may have a sad demeanour or be non-responsive. They may present with a lowered head, little interest in their surroundings and it looks like they have given up.5 Your horse may talk to youHorses arent hugely vocal animals, but they can use their voices for communication when they need to. A loud neigh may be used when your horse is on their own and trying to locate their friends.If they whinny as you pull into the yard, they might have learnt what your car sounds like and are trying to work out where you are.Your horse might whicker at you as a greeting in anticipation of what you may offer in way of care and food. If they squeal, it is usually social excitement, whilst a nicker is used to attract the attention of other horses.Snorting, particularly if short, can be a sign of fear or excitement. This is different to a nose blow, which is when they clear their nose.6 Learn their languageLearning your horses body language is key to understanding what they are trying to communicate with you. Negative behaviour doesnt mean that the horse is being naughty and pain should always be ruled out first.Other reasons could be that they are depressed, or dont understand what you are asking them to do.If in doubt, seeking the advice of a behaviour consultant can be a good start to understanding horse communication and what they are trying to tell you.As you practise, you will find it easier to pick up on the subtle signs they are making to show you how theyre feeling.Main image: ShutterstockRelated contentHow to stop a horse bitingWhat is a cold-backed horse?Why an in-season mare shouldnt be dismissed as moodyHorse ear positions and what they tell you about their moodCan you read your horses body language?The post 6 things you need to know about horse communication appeared first on Your Horse.

Learn how horses can be exposed to and affected by these toxic compounds.The post Ergopeptine Alkaloid Toxicosis in Horses appeared first on The Horse.

Mary Bess Davis and Imperio Magic. Photo by Tilly Berendt.US Equestrian is pleased to announce The Dutta Corp./USEF Eventing High Performance Flight Grant recipients for 2024. This years recipients are the U.S.-based athletes selected to represent the U.S. at the 2024 Eventing Nations Cup Netherlands CCIO4*-NC-L at Boekelo, Oct. 9-13.These grants provide a $5,000 horse flight credit from The Dutta Corp. to transport team horses to Europe for Boekelo for each of the three recipients: Mary Bess Davis (Mansfield, Ga.) and Imperio Magic, Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Possante, and Cassie Sanger (Wilmington, Del.) and Redfield Fyre.Davis and Imperio Magic earned strong results this year including at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4*-S and a top-ten finish at the Tryon International Three-Day Event CCI4*-L, finishing both events with no jumping penalties. Dutton and Possante recently finished third in the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final at the American Eventing Championships after moving up to the CCI4* level this spring. Sanger and Redfield Fyre earned successful completions at the four-star level this spring at Kentucky and in Great Britain at Bicton and Bramham before returning to North America to post a top-ten finish at the Bromont CCI4*-S in Canada.The Dutta Corps support is invaluable in bringing our U.S. athletes to compete on equestrian sports biggest stages, said US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney. In addition to the financial support these grants provide to our eventing athletes, The Dutta Corps expertise in safely and reliably transporting horses around the world offers priceless peace of mind for the athletes and their teams as they embark on their journey to the podium at Boekelo and beyond. The Dutta Corp. is proud to support the U.S. Eventing Team as they represent our country overseas, said Tim Dutta, founder and CEO of The Dutta Corp. Were thrilled to be a part of their journey and look forward to cheering them on at Boekelo.

The gelding lived in Kent County. The post Michigan Gelding Euthanized After Contracting WNV appeared first on The Horse.

Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hermione dArville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.We are incredibly sad to report that Hermione dArville, Lara de Liedekerke Meiers Pratoni and European Championships partner who also finished seventh individually at CHIO Aachen this summer, has passed away at Lignieres (France). The event reported that the 11-year-old mare passed suddenly in the stables and despite immediate intervention of the on-site veterinary team could not be saved. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Lara de Liedekerke (@laradeliedekerke)We are sending Lara and her team all of our love and support in the wake of this devastating loss. Fly high, Hermione.

Like many things, expenses around horse ownership continues to increase. Take a look at what it costs to own a horse in 2024 and beyond. Sponsored by CareCredit.The post How Much Does it Cost to Own a Horse? appeared first on The Horse.

Welcome to Horse Illustrateds weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the ASPCAs Right Horse program. This weeks adoptable horse is A Lot of Heat! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.Photo courtesy Horse and Hound Rescue FoundationAdoptable Horse: A Lot of Heat, a 6-year-old, 16.3hh Thoroughbred geldingOrganization: Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation, Guthrie, Okla.Get to Know Adoptable Horse A Lot of HeatIntroducing A Lot of Heat, a striking dark bay Thoroughbred gelding with a heart of gold and a promising future ahead. Having been responsibly retired and deemed sound, Heat is now embarking on a new chapter of his life filled with love, care, and endless possibilities.With a handsome, athletic exterior matched only by his good brain, Heat is a horse who possesses both beauty and intelligence in equal measure. As he enjoys some well-deserved downtime at the rescue, hes been soaking up the attention and affection from the volunteers, showing a fondness for grooming sessions and human interaction.A Lot of Heat had a successful racing career, earning over $20,000 in winnings. Heat is ready to leave his racing days behind and embrace the opportunities that await him in his second career. With his athletic build, hes poised to excel in a variety of disciplines, whether its exploring the trails, honing his skills in the arena, or simply enjoying the companionship of his new family.If youre drawn to Heats captivating presence and are interested in making him a part of your life, the first step is to fill out an application and begin the journey toward adoption. With your love and support, Heat is sure to thrive in his new forever home, bringing joy and companionship to all who have the privilege of knowing him.Hear more about Heat in episode 23 of Barn Banter.Contact Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, A Lot of Heat!Photo courtesy Horse and Hound Rescue FoundationCould this weeks adoptable horse be the Right Horse you have been waiting for? Click here for more information about A Lot of Heat,the ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week.ASPCA Right HorseASPCA Right Horse is the online adoption platform of The Right Horse Initiative, a collection of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition. A program of the ASPCA, their goal is to massively increase horse adoption in the United States. To find more adoptable horses and foster horses, visit www.myrighthorse.org. To learn more about The Right Horse, a program of the ASPCA, visit www.aspcarighthorse.org.The post ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: A Lot of Heat appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The mare lives in Canyon County. The post Idaho Mare Positive for WNV appeared first on The Horse.