Following an exhilarating cross country phase at the World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses 2025, the Irish contingent of riders and young horses from the Irish Studbooks have delivered a commendable performance on the world stage with a number of combinations firmly in the hunt for top positions.Sitting within a pole of gold in the six-year-old division is Ian Cassells riding Rutland Flamenco (ISH) currently in fourth position. Also featuring in the top ten are both Aoife Clark with Lislee Honey (ISH) and Harry Horgan with HHE Fernhill McCoy (ISH) in eight and nineth respectively. All three combinations have remained on their dressage score heading into the final showjumping phase tomorrow.Ian Cassells is also best of the Irish in the seven-year-old division in seventh position riding Noah W (KWPN), adding nothing to their dressage score. Also featuring in the top ten is Sam Watson riding Ballybolger Goldman (ISH) in nineth, adding just 0.8 time penalties to his dressage. Other Irish combinations who delivered a clear round today were Patrick Byrne and Belline Castle ONR Candy (ISH), Noel Dunne and Kief Rhapsody of Belline (ISH), Robbie Kearns and Belline Thistle Bethelasttime (ISH), and Sian Coleman and Cairnview Crystal Springs (ISH), all sitting within the top thirty.It is all to play for tomorrow and we wish the Irish horses and riders well in the final phase!Debbie Byrne, Chef dEquipe, Eventing Young Horse Squad:What a day of sport!! Our 6yos made the course look easy & cruised around within the time. This age group amazes me how they have taken it all quite literally in their stride.The 7yo class was causing a lot of trouble, especially as the sunlight changed over some of the xc fences. Alyssa ONeill & DS Candescent were unlucky to have not adequately jumped the influential corner at 7 & were stopped later in the course. The remainder of the horses looked classy around a tough track & finished wellOur three six-year-olds are now lying in the top 10, which is an amazing achievement. The seven-year-olds have moved up the leader board, with 2 sitting nicely in the top 10.The horses are all looking fresh this evening which is promising for tomorrow. We are looking forward to another good dayBreeding:Rutland Flamenco (ISH). Mare by Casallco (HOLST) out of Red Flamenco (ISH), by Je TAime Flamenco (BWP). Bred by Eugene McEntee, Co. Down.Lislee Honey (ISH). Mare by Lagans OBOS Quality (ISH) out of Lislee Beauty (ISH), by Kasmayo (TB). Bred by Charles Dullea, Co. Cork.HHE Fernhill McCoy (ISH) (was JAG Lovestory). Gelding by Tyson (KWPN) out of CSF Salut Flamenco (ISH) by Je TAime Flamenco (BWP). Bred by Jag Equestrian, Co. Kildare.Noa W (KWPN). Gelding by Baltic VDL (KWPN) out of Gucretia (KWPN), by Indoctro (HOLST). Bred by G. Wierts, Netherlands.Ballybolger Goldman (ISH). Gelding by Tullabeg Fusion (ISH) out of Warcraft Kate (TB), by Warcraft (TB). Bred by Rosemary Ponsonby, Co. Tipperary.Belline Castle ONR Candy (ISH). Gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Castle Roller Coaster (ISH), by High Roller (ISH). Bred by Noel Ruane, Co. Sligo,Kief Rhapsody of Belline (ISH): Gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Lissangle Lux The Business (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Bred by Kieran Fahey, Co. Cork.Belline Thistle Bethelasttime (ISH). Mare by Grafenstolz (TRAK) out of Karmyn (ISH), by Kannan (KWPN). Bred by Johnston Brodie, Co. Wexford.Cairnview Crystal Springs (ISH). Mare by Tolan R (KWPN) out of Cairnview Clover Crystal (ISH)(TIH), by Clover Hill (ID). Bred and owned by Geraldine Quinn, Co. Longford.Irish studbooks participation in Le Lion DAngers is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services.The post Irish Riders Deliver Strong Cross Country Performances at 2025 World Breeding Championships appeared first on .

Wilmington, Ohio Exhibitors packed the stands of the Standlee Sanctuary Saturday evening at World Equestrian Center Wilmington (WEC) Fall Classic 4 as a field of 37 esteemed horse-and-athlete combinations competed in the $60,000 IDA Development Grand Prix. FEI level IV course designer, Alan Wade (IRL), set a track that proved technical for the group as only six riders advanced toSource

In a UK first, equine charity World Horse Welfare used technology to carry out a head count of the vulnerable ponies who live onGelligaer and Merthyr Commonin Southeast Wales.By using drones, six World Horse Welfare staff members with the help of volunteers from local organisation Hungry Herds, were able to determine the overall population size of the herd is 182.The headcount forms part of a major collaborative project between World Horse Welfare, the Gelligaer and Merthyr Commoners Association, Redwings Horse Sanctuary and RSPCAwho are working together to develop a long-term management plan for the semi-feral ponies.We had to cover an area of 3,000 hectares during daylight hours on a single day to ensure we could capture all the main herds as well as smaller satellite groups and not risk double counting, explains World Horse Welfares chief field officer Claire Gordon.On the day, where visibility and the terrain allowed, the team were able to use binoculars to see that some areas clearly had no ponies, so a total of 30 flights were carried out, rather than the 48 originally planned.Challenging taskGiven the scale of the common and how well the ponies blend into their environment, it is a truly challenging task to carry out an accurate headcount and were delighted with how it went.The team mapped the common and captured photographic records of all ponies seen on the day and then reviewed the data to ensure there was no double counting.Having worked to help the ponies of Gelligaer and Merthyr Common for over 20 years, we know how quickly the herds can move, how well they can hide in inclement weather, and how difficult it is to get to large areas on the common; and therefore how difficult it can be to get a true picture of the numbers, said Nic de Brauwere, Redwings head of welfare and behaviour.We are very grateful to Hungry Herds for their support with this operation, which is a key milestone in our work towards a long-term future for the ponies where they can have happy and healthy lives on the common.Unchecked breedingCommons like Gelligaer are put under increasing pressure each year due to the unchecked breeding of abandoned and unowned horses and ponies, and the sheer numbers in the herds, who are competing for food and water alongside other livestock.The drone count, the first of its kind on the commons, has enabled the organisations working on the project to get an accurate headcount,said RSPCA head vet (equine) Roxane Kirton.This is a crucial stage which will inform decisions on how to relieve population pressures in ways that best support the welfare needs of the ponies.The quality of the drone footage allows us not only to know overall numbers, but also the proportions of foals and youngsters in the group. Regular monitoring of population size and dynamics like this is incredibly important in order for us to make good decisions in population management and understand the impact of our interventions so far.For more information about the project, click here. Images World Horse Welfare.Further readingHow to tell if a horse is happyHow to stop a horse bitingHow to stop a horse buckingCan you read your horses body language?How to take care of a horseThe post Key milestone as drones used to assess population of semi-feral ponies on Welsh common appeared first on Your Horse.

Aspect Key Points Age-Related Changes Consider horses as seniors between 15-20 years. Monitor dental health and digestive efficiency. Nutrition High-fiber diets with low NSCs. Use high-quality hay (alfalfa, good grass hay) and avoid tough, stemmy hay. Supplements Incorporate fats and oils (flax, rice bran, plant/marine oils, beet pulp) to add calories safely. Processed Feeds Use complete or senior feeds for horses with dental issues. Aim for high-quality protein sources. Health Management Regularly check weight using the Henneke Body Condition Scoring system. Consult a vet for underlying conditions. Seasonal Adjustments Test hay regularly. Adjust calorie intake in colder months with energy-dense feeds. Activity Encourage regular activity to help with weight management. Activity leads to increased grazing and health benefits. Additional Tips Consider prebiotic and probiotic supplements for a healthy gut. Soak feeds to reduce choking risks. How to Maintain Optimal Weight for Your Aging Thoroughbred: Tips and RecommendationsAs your Thoroughbred matures, maintaining its optimal weight becomes increasingly important for its overall health and quality of life. The aging process brings about changes in physiological needs, dental health, and digestion, all of which can impact weight management. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you keep your aging Thoroughbred at a healthy weight.Understanding Age-Related ChangesHorses are considered seniors between 15 to 20 years old, but age itself is not as critical as the horse's physiological condition. As horses age, their digestive efficiency may decrease due to dental issues and tooth loss, which can lead to weight loss. Regular dental inspections, ideally every six months, are crucial to help manage these issues. [2]Nutrition for Aging ThoroughbredsAging Thoroughbreds require diets that are high in fiber and low in nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) to aid digestion and prevent metabolic disorders. Here are some key nutritional recommendations:High-Quality HayFeed alfalfa hay and good-quality grass hay. Avoid stemmy and mature hay with tougher fiber, as it's harder to ferment. [1]SupplementsUse fats, oils, and highly fermentable fibers to add calories safely. Consider incorporating flax, rice bran, and plant or marine-derived oils, along with beet pulp. [1]Processed FeedsUtilize complete or senior feeds that are easier to digest, especially for horses with dental issues. These feeds often have a higher protein percentage (around 12 to 14%) and utilize high-quality protein sources.[2]Managing Health ConditionsSenior horses may suffer from chronic conditions like arthritis, which can hinder their ability to eat or move around, leading to weight loss. Here are some strategies to manage these conditions:Monitor HealthRegularly check your horse's weight and body condition using the Henneke Body Condition Scoring system to identify any issues early. [3]Veterinary CareConsult your vet to diagnose and treat underlying conditions that may cause weight loss. Common issues include obesity, laminitis, and PPID. [4]Seasonal AdjustmentsSeasonal changes in forage can lead to calorie discrepancies, affecting your horse's weight. Here are tips to manage these fluctuations:Hay TestingRegularly test your hay to ensure it meets your horse's nutritional needs. The caloric content of hay can vary significantly based on plant maturity and harvest conditions. [5]Adjust Calorie IntakeIncrease calories modestly in colder months to offset greater energy needs. Consider adding energy-dense feeds like oils or fortified fat supplements. [5]Ensuring Adequate ActivityEncouraging your aging Thoroughbred to stay active can help with weight management. More activity often leads to increased grazing, which benefits both dietary intake and overall health. [4]Additional Tips for Weight ManagementConsider using prebiotic and probiotic supplements to promote a healthy gut environment, which aids in digestion and weight stability. Soak feeds to reduce the risk of choking, especially for horses with dental issues.[2]By following these guidelines and consulting with a veterinarian to tailor a diet and exercise plan specific to your horse's needs, you can help maintain your aging Thoroughbred's optimal weight and ensure it remains healthy and active.Explore Our CollectionFor equestrians interested in enhancing their riding experience, explore our exclusive Jodhpur Collection, delve into our elegant Horse Riding Boot Collection, and check out our Horse Riding Gloves Collection for added comfort. Complement your gear with our Horse Riding Socks Collection and embrace a stylish yet comfortable ride.Don't forget to pamper your horse with our Horse Treats And Gifts while ensuring their health with Everyday Horse Vitamins & Supplements. For colder months, you might also need Stable Rugs and Turnout Rugs to keep them cozy and protected.Lastly, ensure their safety and comfort with our range of Horse Fly Protection products. By pairing these essentials with the tips outlined above, maintaining your aging Thoroughbreds optimal weight, health, and happiness will be a rewarding journey.```html```