By Desiree Dahn / Holst Photography: Holsteiner Verband The foal inspection season is drawing to a close, and this summer one Holsteiner Verband stallion in particular has attracted attention with his impressive sons and daughters at registration sites: Dinken (Diarado - Inken I x Cassini I) No fewer than 91% of his offspring have been []The post Dinken: A modern sport horse perfomance sire appeared first on Breeding News for Sport Horses.

SPILLERS has revealed that it will be dividing a 10,000 donation between five equine charities, but what proportion of the money each charity receives is up to you.The feed manufacturer has compiled a shortlist of five equine charities and is asking the public to vote for who they would like to receive the money.Voting is open until Friday 8 November and the results will be revealed soon after.The money will be divided between all five charities with a percentage donation based on the votes received going to each one.This initiative is part of SPILLERS commitment to supporting the welfare an wellbeing of horses, ponies and those who look after them.Choose your charityThe five equine charities who have been shortlisted are:Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys, an international charity dedicated to protecting the lives of working equines.Injured Jockeys Fund which has provided vital support to injured jockeys and their families for nearly six decades.The Riding for the Disabled Association which supports over 22,500 disabled adults and children each year with riding, carriage driving and non-ridden experiences.Redwings Horse Sanctuary, a charity committed to rescuing abandoned, mistreated and neglected equines across the UK.Riders Minds, a vital online resource dedicated to supporting the mental health of equestrians in the UK.At SPILLERS we believe in the importance of giving back to the equine community that inspires us every day, said Claire Dyett, marketing manager at Mars Horsecare, home of theSPILLERSbrand.We want you, our valued community, to help decide how our 10,000 donation should be allocated.We have shortlisted five charities that support and enrich the lives of equines and those who care for them. Please help us by casting your vote for the one you believe to be the most deserving.To cast your vote, click here.Further readingRDA features in latest Peoples Postcode Lottery campaign with popstar Ellie GouldingRory Bremner and Annette Badland to attend Brookes Christmas carolsThe Your Horse Live countdown: prizes and offers revealed every dayThe post Spillers donates 10,000 to be split between charities of your choice appeared first on Your Horse.

Key Points Details Research Importance Thorough research is crucial before choosing a stable, going beyond casual visits and word-of-mouth. Reputation Investigate the stables reputation through firsthand experiences and online reviews. Facility Condition A well-maintained barn with clean aisles and equipment reflects good care. Horse Care Look for well-fed, stress-free horses indicating solid welfare practices. Red Flags Watch out for chaotic management, poor horse care, and inadequate instruction. Social Environment Offerings like open stall windows or group turnout help reduce stress. Enrichment Activities Look for foraging, sensory engagement, or play to maintain health. Turnout and Exercise Ensure adequate turnout and exercise opportunities, adapted to seasonal changes. Knowledgeable Staff Well-informed staff can answer equine care queries, showing quality service. Initial Trials Consider trial lessons to evaluate the stable's suitability for your needs. Personal Recommendations Smaller stables might offer more personalized experiences; use personal accounts carefully. Conclusion Choosing the right stable affects riding enjoyment and horse happiness. Prioritize thorough research and alignment with needs. Choosing the Right Stables for Your Needs: Avoiding Negative Experiences When embarking on a journey to find the perfect stable for your horse or to take riding lessons, its crucial to make an informed decision to ensure a positive experience for both you and your equine friend. This guide is designed to help you navigate the potential challenges and identify the right environment where your horse can thrive, and you can enjoy learning and riding safely. The Importance of Research Thorough research is indispensable before committing to a stable. This involves more than just a casual visit or relying on word-of-mouth recommendations. Check the Reputation Investigating the stables reputation is a key step. Engage with individuals with firsthand experience with the facility or check online reviews to ensure you're investing your time and resources wisely. Facility Condition Pay attention to the condition during a visit. A well-maintained barn with clean aisles, stalls, and equipment indicates the staff's attention to detail and commitment to horse care. Horse Care and Well-being Inspect the horses physical and emotional well-being. Well-fed horses that look stress-free indicate a stable with a solid foundation in horse welfare. Red Flags to Watch Out For Not all stables are created equal. Be cautious of specific issues that might affect your experience. Chaotic Operations Some lesson barns may seem chaotically managed, with inefficiencies in schedules or horse training. A high-quality stable will strive for clear communication and organization in its operations. Poor Horse Care Neglect or mismanagement can be seen where horses are overworked or unattended. Consistent care routines should be observed to ensure horses are not mistreated. Inadequate Instruction Effective instruction requires matching rider abilities with suitable horse partners and providing a supportive learning environment that meets individualized needs. What to Look For in a Stable When assessing potential stables, consider these significant elements that contribute to a good experience. Social Environment Horses thrive in social settings. Features like open stall windows or group turnout can help reduce stress and promote healthy behaviors. Enrichment Activities Seek stables that provide enrichment opportunities, such as foraging, sensory engagement, or play to maintain horses' physical and mental health. Turnout and Exercise Sufficient turnout and exercise are necessary for horse well-being. Evaluate how the stable manages these elements, especially during changing seasons. Knowledgeable Staff The presence of well-informed staff who can address questions about equine care is a marker of a quality stable that values its clients and horses. Trying It Out Before committing to a long-term engagement, consider trying a few lessons or a trial period to ensure the stable meets your expectations. This preliminary step can speak volumes about the adaptation and comfort for you and your horse. Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned Many advise that smaller stables may offer more organized, personalized experiences, where each horse and rider combination receives the necessary attention. Take personal accounts with a grain of salt, but use them to inform your decision. Conclusion Ultimately, choosing the right stable directly influences your riding pleasure and your horse's happiness. Prioritize thorough research, be cautious of red flags, and ensure that the environment aligns with your needs. For more on horse riding gear and to start off with all the jodhpurs, boots, gloves, and socks essentials, visit Just Horse Riders.

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Major Tom — winners of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League - Washington (USA) © FEI/Shawn McMillen Photography   Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) has always known that Major Tom had every quality he could want in an equine partner. But channeling the horse's brimming talent was a work in process. His patience with the 11-year-old...

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 Narrows Bridge! Check back weekly for a new featured horse so you can find your Right Horse.Photo courtesy Second StrideAdoptable Horse: Narrows Bridge, an 8-year-old, 15.2hh Thoroughbred mareOrganization:Second Stride, Prospect, Ky.Get to Know Adoptable Horse Narrows BridgeMeet Narrows Bridge, an 8-year-old Thoroughbred mare by Verrazano (by More Than Ready) and out of Parchisi (by Street Cry).Standing at 15.2-plus hands high, Bridge last raced in 2023 and retired sound. She was unable to get in foal in 2024.Bridge does have a history of fractured withers, but this is no longer a problem when under tack.Bridge is a very petite, very sweet lady with a quiet disposition and kind eye. She is sensible and behaves for her handlers. She enjoys being groomed and interacting with people. She turned out well with others on her first day on the farm, and she seems to get along with everyone in her field.Her first ride under saddle in many years went well and she seemed to enjoy being back to work. She listened well and did what was asked of her. She is forward at the trot and canter and seems to be a nice little athlete.Contact Second Stride today about ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, Narrows Bridge!Photo courtesy Second StrideCould this weeks adoptable horse be the Right Horse you have been waiting for? Click here for more information about Narrows Bridge,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: Narrows Bridge appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

The following is written by Kate Hore RNutr(Animal) R.Anim.Technol (Cert). Head Nutritionist at NAFDark days, cold weather and winter is upon us. Inevitably this means changes for our horses, both in terms of diet and often routine too. As any change can disrupt the balance of the digestive tract microbiome, it is worth being aware and ensuring we take the right steps to keep our horses gut happy.Forage Changes Know What Youre FeedingThroughout the year, forage as long fibres should be the basis of the diet. For any horse, general advice is to not drop below 1% of bodyweight (BW) as forage, as a minimum for gut health. Remember that guide is for dry matter (DM) forage, so it is important to weigh your forage and take into account its moisture content.For example, a 500kg horse should have a minimum of 5kg DM forage, but that might mean up to 10kg of haylage in the net for a relatively wet haylage (50% moisture). Increasingly, we see much drier haylages produced, so check with your supplier and make sure you know what you are feeding. If feeding hay, around 90% DM is typical, so that 5kg DM relates to 5.5kg as fed.What winter forage lacks, whether stabled at night or wintering out, is much input from the grass. Grass growth stops when the soil temperature drops below 5oC, so very little nutrition is coming from their grazing, this results in a greater reliance on preserved forages. Grazing conditions may influence gut health through winter too. In very wet conditions, we find the intake of wet grass can disrupt gut balance, which may be seen as a change in the consistency or number of your horses droppings, or water passed alongside normal faeces.Winter StablingFor many, winter means longer time spent in the stable for our horses. Stabling can be an essential and practical part of winter management for some, but it does bring its own digestive challenges. The horses gut evolved to work most efficiently when grazing for around 16-18 hours per day eating, walking, eating, walking repeat. Therefore, even for horses on ad lib forage the stable still challenges gut health by hugely reducing step count. We need to encourage horses to continue to move in the box. Think about splitting forage, positioning feeders or nets across the box from each other, with water and salt lick in the other corners to encourage natural movement. Try to maintain turnout as much as possible where fields are in good condition, or if access to a turnout paddock is possible.GastriAid for Gut MaintenanceWinter sees increasing challenges for the gut. Therefore, whether tucked up in a stable or wintering out, feeding NAF Five Star GastriAid daily is advised to help maintain a healthy digestive tract in all horses and ponies. NAF Five Star GastriAid combines herbs for mucosal health and natural rate of passage, with digestive mopper-uppers like bentonite clay, and NAF BioG our unique combination of prebiotics, probiotic yeast and new postbiotics, working in synergy for total tract health.NAF GastriAid for Total Gut HealthSaliva supportMaintain a healthy pH balanceMuscoal integrityPromote nutrient uptakeDigestive binderRemember, digestion is a continual process in horses and their gut is always designed to be working actively. Particularly true during the day, as they and their gut do rest more at night. Therefore, it is recommended to split NAF Five Star GastriAid into multiple feeds through the day, as practical.Explore NAFs complete range of supplements and grooming products on our website, in our app, and at our Totnes Store. Regularly feeding NAF Supplements to your horse? Sign up to ourStride Membershipfor free premium delivery on all orders over 20*!The post Get your Horse Gut Ready for Winter first appeared on Redpost Equestrian Blog.

Key Points Details Importance of Vitamin E Acts as an antioxidant, protects cell membranes from oxidative damage, essential for muscle recovery and reducing soreness. Natural Sources Fresh grass is the richest source (30 to 100 IU/kg), but not always available. Hay Limitations Contains significantly less Vitamin E due to drying/storage; risk of deficiency without access to fresh grass. Recommended Intake NRC advises 500 IU/day for an average horse in light work, doubles for heavy exercise or breeding. Bioavailability D-alpha-tocopherol (natural) is better absorbed than dl-alpha-tocopherol (synthetic). Synthetic vs. Natural Natural Vitamin E is absorbed better; 1 IU natural = 0.67 mg vs. 1 IU synthetic = 0.45 mg. Vitamin E Status Evaluation Assess dietary adequacy; consult a veterinarian or nutritionist. Deficiency Effects Exercise recovery issues, muscle soreness, immune weakness, potential neurological disorders. Supplementation Strategies Increase pasture access, use high-quality natural supplements, seek expert advice. Choosing Supplements Opt for natural Vitamin E in oil-based formulations for better absorption. Understanding Vitamin E Supplementation in Low/No Grass Diets for HorsesAt Just Horse Riders, we are committed to helping you ensure that your horses live their healthiest lives. In this article, we delve into the importance of Vitamin E supplementation for horses, particularly those with limited access to fresh grass pastures.Why Vitamin E is Essential for HorsesVitamin E is a critical nutrient that acts as an antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, and it's particularly pronounced in horses undergoing heavy exercise (source). Without adequate Vitamin E, horses are more susceptible to muscle soreness and slower exercise recovery.Natural Sources of Vitamin EThe most abundant natural source of Vitamin E is fresh grass, which contains between 30 to 100 IU per kilogram of dry matter (source). However, not all horses have access to lush pasture year-round, especially in the winter months or when confined to stables. This necessitates understanding alternative ways to maintain and supplement their diet effectively.The Problem with HayWhile hay is a staple in horse diets when pasture is unavailable, its Vitamin E content is significantly reduced during drying and storage. Up to 80% of the vitamin can be lost, leaving hay-fed horses at risk for Vitamin E deficiency (source). This nutrient deficiency can have serious health consequences, particularly for horses without access to fresh grass.Recommended Vitamin E IntakeThe National Research Council (NRC) provides Vitamin E dietary recommendations based on a horses body weight and workload. For an average horse weighing about 1,100 pounds in light work, a daily intake of 500 IU of Vitamin E is recommended. This requirement doubles for horses in heavy exercise or those involved in active breeding (source).The Importance of BioavailabilityWhen choosing a Vitamin E supplement, bioavailability is key. Natural Vitamin E, known as d-alpha-tocopherol, is more readily absorbed by the horses body than its synthetic counterpart, dl-alpha-tocopherol. Choosing the right form can significantly impact the efficacy and health benefits of the supplementation.Synthetic vs. Natural Vitamin ENatural Vitamin E is more effective than synthetic varieties. It is absorbed at a higher rate, meaning less is required to meet dietary needs (source). The formula to remember is that 1 IU of natural Vitamin E equals 0.67 mg of -tocopherol, whereas 1 IU of synthetic equals merely 0.45 mg. The clear advantage is using supplements that contain natural forms for better health outcomes.Evaluating Your Horses Vitamin E StatusTo determine whether your horse requires Vitamin E supplementation, consider their diet and vitamin status. This includes evaluating the quality of their hay and any feed concentrates. Consult with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian who can assist in determining if your horse's dietary needs are being met.Health Implications of Vitamin E DeficiencyA lack of Vitamin E can lead to several health issues. Exercise recovery problems, muscle soreness, a weakened immune system, and even neurological disorders such as vitamin E muscle myopathy or equine motor neuron disease can occur. Young, developing horses are particularly at risk due to their high nutritional requirements.How to Supplement Vitamin EIf supplementation is required, consider these strategies: Increase Access to Fresh Grass: Where feasible, allow your horse more time in the pasture. High-Quality Supplements: Opt for formulations containing natural Vitamin E blended in oil for enhanced absorption. Professional Consultation: Seek guidance from experts to tailor a supplementation plan, and consider serum tests to assess status accurately.Choosing the Right SupplementsThe choice of supplement plays a crucial role in their effectiveness. Select products fortified with natural Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol). These should ideally include additional components that aid absorption, such as oil bases. This ensures your horse gets the most out of each dose.ConclusionVitamin E is a pivotal part of a horses diet, especially for those without pasture access. By recognizing the limitations of hay and choosing effective natural supplements, you can effectively prevent deficiencies that could negatively impact your horse's health and performance. For detailed guidelines and resources on supplementing Vitamin E, consult recognized sources or speak with an equine healthcare professional.Explore our Everyday Horse Vitamins & Supplements to find appropriate solutions for your equine needs, ensuring your horse is primed for a healthy and vibrant life. Whether you're investing in supplements, stable rugs, or fly protection, Just Horse Riders has you covered.```html```

Discover how your horse's diet plays an important role in optimizing his performance and recovery.The post Feed Your Horse For Optimal Performance appeared first on The Horse.

Splint bone injuries are common in both working and pastured horses. Here's what you should know.The post Diagnosing and Treating Splints appeared first on The Horse.