Five-star Mexican triumph headlines another strong week for Irish athletes Richard Howley is excited about what the future might hold and admits to harbouring Olympic dreams after combining with the ultra-talented Zodiak du Buisson Z to deliver a stunning victory in the $339,500 five-star Grand Prix in Mexico on Monday morning Irish time. It was an outstanding result for Howley and in particular, for his nine-year-old gelding son of Vdl Zirocco Blue. This is a horse that is close to the heart of the Sligo native, having been produced along with his wife Morgan Kent, and the team at HK Horses since his purchase as a foal. Howley took over the ride from Kent last year and Zodiak has continued to progress. They were victorious three times earlier this year, most notably in a five-star Longines League Of Nations Grand Prix Qualifier in Abu Dhabi last November. Producing the goods []

Jessica Wächter (GER) and Gucci FST at the FEI Driving World Championship for Young Horses 2024 - Lamotte Beuvron (FRA).  Copyright ©FEI/FFE/PSV. Germany’s Jessica Wächter sealed her supremacy in producing young horses at world level as she won both the five and seven-year-old categories, narrowly beating Poland’s Weronika Kwiatek in the older class – but...

US Equestrian has confirmed some additional changes to a forthcoming update to GR838, which deals with the reporting and handling of horse abuse incidents. Until December 1, 2024, the rule is written to cover reports of horse abuse at USEF-licensed or endorsed competitions only. This means that reports of abuse, or in the updated language provided for this rule, unethical treatment of horses that occur on private property do not currently fall under the USEFs jurisdiction.Related to recent reports of abusive behavior on the part of riders such as Cesar Parra in dressage and, later, Andrew McConnon in eventing, US Equestrian undertook an update to the rule that will expand its abilities to enforce this rule on private property. The update will not, however, apply retroactively, which means that reports of unethical behavior that are filed prior to December 1 will not qualify under this jurisdiction. Individuals who engage in unethical treatment of horsesregardless of locationare compromising the integrity of our sport and endangering its viability, sustainability, and public perception at a time when all equestrian sport, including USEF-governed breeds and disciplines, is under increasing scrutiny, US Equestrian wrote in a press release. Situations such as those that have come to light recently via social media are unacceptable. US Equestrian has heard your concerns and appreciates the courage it takes to report alleged incidents of cruelty to and abuse of our equine partners. We understand and share your frustration that, in many instances, we could not act on incidents that occurred outside of the competition environment.The current revisions to GR838 include replacing cruelty to and abuse of a horse with unethical treatment of a horse to more accurately reflect US Equestrians role as guardian of both sport and our horses.This revision will also see the rule applied anywhere unethical treatment is reported, regardless of whether it occurred at a USEF-licensed or endorsed competition. The rule does not give US Equestrian free rein to enter a persons property unannounced. Rather, we will continue to rely on you to report incidents of unethical treatment of the horse, the press release states. Once a report is received, US Equestrian will work diligently to interview witnesses with personal knowledge and authenticate any photographs, videos, or other physical evidence related to the alleged incident. This takes time. All allegations are taken seriously. While we are eager to hold wrongdoers accountable, fairness and the integrity of the process dictate that they have the opportunity to be heard and offer evidence in response.The time has come for the US Equestrian community to strengthen our existing leadership on this issue for the betterment of horses and equestrian sport. This also means that each of us must model exemplary behavior at all times. We believe the revisions to GR838, coupled with the existing process and procedures, protect both our horses and our members.

The cases are located in Dauphin, Northumberland, and Lackawanna counties. The post WNV and EEE Cases Confirmed in Pennsylvania appeared first on The Horse.

I know how it feels when my horse Joey, a 20-years-young warmblood gelding, gives me what I need: He is quiet in the crossties and accepts the bit without complaint. He remains steady and still at the mounting block and waits until Ive picked up my stirrups. He relaxes into contact and responds to my aids. He approaches a jump with a steady pace and pricked ears.These and other behaviorsmany overt and some more subtle let me know Ive connected with Joey and successfully conveyed what I need from him. But what does my horse need from me?In a recent NF+ Masterclass with renowned trainer Josh Nichol, I learned some ways to form a stronger, more intuitive bond with Joey by meeting his needs and forming a richer relationship based on his core desires. By meeting those needs and desires, Josh emphasizes, we avoid the behaviors we dont need or want, like pawing in the crossties or avoiding the bit, being tense under saddle, spooking in the arena, or refusing at a jump.In this course, Josh introduces the idea of three essential horse needs, guides us in how to recognize which need(s) are most important to our own horse, and offers practical techniques of how to meet those needs whatever the training situation. Short videos illustrating the exercises he uses are included. Here are my takeaways from this important Masterclass:1. Mind, Space, and Pressure are the three primary needs that horses have. Every horse has all of them, Josh emphasizes, but they come in different intensities. Understanding which needs your horse has, and which are most intense, can transform your connection with your horse that will make your training sessions infinitely easier.2. The Mind Horse is scanning the world all the time, Josh explains. They are the one whos out in the pasture, and when something changes, theyre seeing it and looking at it, he points out. They are very curious and busy-minded. They want to be involved and they often become very engaged in training. They are also the horses that could very well become herd-bound; they struggle when they dont know where their friends are. The challenge with the Mind Horse is that their mind will divide from its body, Josh explains. You have to understand how to connect with their mind to bring peace to that need.Training Techniques: Make sure that when you apply an aid, their mind engages and connects with that request before they act. Feel and see the mind shift, Josh emphasizes, by paying close attention to the movement of their ears and eyes.3. The Space Horse wants to be close to you all the time, Josh shares, and while they usually are not fazed by their environment, they can also be a horse that struggles to go forward. They love trail riding, and getting out and doing things, but they hate going in circles, Josh explains. The Space Horse needs constant reassurance that we are close to them, so we to show up in a way they can feel so they dont have to reach for us. The challenge, he says, is to balance repetitive arena work with getting out and having adventures.Training Techniques: A Space Horse may seem to be disobedient when they get too close to you or rub on you, but they are simply vocalizing that they cannot connect with you. Show up energized, so your horse can feel it, which will make them feel comfortable to respond to you in a receiving state, rather than seeking that connection by getting in your space. 4. The Pressure Horse is very sensitive and responsive to the world around them from the perspective of self-preservation, Josh explains. Unlike a Mind Horse, who is curious about things and wants to see everything, the Pressure Horse is worried about the things they see. The interesting thing about Pressure Horses, Josh shares, is that although they can be spooky, they are also extremely sensitive to the aids. The challenge in our training is that the responses can happen in anxiety . . . the goal is to meet that need and [for the horse to] think through pressure rather than react to it. Training Techniques: The Pressure Horse needs to feel in control of the pressure by submitting to us, not running away. Its very important, John asserts, to release just as they connect and soften or and move toward you; they need to feel relief by staying, not leaving. Figuring out and prioritizing what your horses needs are brings an intense level of peace to your horse, Josh says. When our horses know we connect with their needs, they feel safe to work. Knowing which need is most dominant for your horse can help you understand why they might be struggling, whether on the ground, in the arena, or on the trail. From that foundation of connection and understanding your horses needs, Josh emphasizes, you can improve the outcomes of your training. If our questions in training do not connect the mind and the body of our horse, our release points must shift so that the mind connection occurs before the action of their body. The mind and the body must be aligned; speak to the mind [of the horse] and set a stage where the mind feels safe, and the body starts to follow. This is truly where training begins, Josh says.Watching Josh Nichols course has made me keenly aware that my Joey is a Mind Horse. He is the first to notice a change in his environmentwhether its a cat in the barn aisle, a car pulling up outside the arena, or a tree limb down in the pasture. By seeing his behavior through this lens and aiming to keep his mind and body connected, I am confident I will have more success when interacting with him on the ground and from the saddle. Visit the NF+ MasterClass course collection to view all nine videos of Understanding Your Horses Needs with Josh Nichol.About the AuthorHelen Townes is a writer and editor based in Portland, OR, and holds a masters degree in journalism. She rides her Hanoverian Joey at Silver Winds Farms, a hunter-jumper barn in Banks, OR, and enjoys spending time with her family, watching soccer, and reading.

From a three-year-old youngster to an athlete who was successful at the Federal Championships the collection of the Holsteiner Elite Riding Horse Auction on October 26th will meet all requirements in the search for a new sports partner. The Holsteiner marketing and auction team has selected around 30 young horses that have a promising []The post Holsteiner happiness: Elite Riding Horse Auction October 26 appeared first on Breeding News for Sport Horses.

The filly lived in San Diego County and was euthanized. The post California Thoroughbred Confirmed Positive for EHM appeared first on The Horse.

Learn how to craft a diet for the horse with painful lesions in his stomach.The post Feeding the Ulcer-Prone Horse appeared first on The Horse.

The horse lived in Menominee County and was euthanized. The post Michigan Quarter Horse Positive for EEE appeared first on The Horse.