Miniature Horses, In-Hand Showing and Loving Horses Without the Saddle: Inside Tilly's Miniature Horse Tails (Ep.41)Published 17 September 2026 Just Horse Riders Podcast, Episode 41Quick answer: You do not have to ride to be part of the horse world. Miniature horses let children and adults show, train and bond with horses entirely from the ground and, according to 13-year-old handler Tilly Norris, showing miniatures in-hand can take you all the way to the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS). The catch? Minis are surprisingly hard to keep healthy, because their biggest risk is being loved a little too generously at the hay bag.Key TakeawaysMinis are not Shetlands. Miniature horses descend from American miniature breeding lines and, scaled up, have the proportions of a full-size riding horse not a pony.Weight is the number one welfare risk. Turned out on grass with no management, a mini will "balloon" and risk laminitis.Exercise looks different. Instead of riding, Vicky and Tilly keep their minis fit with daily walks and in-hand jumping their mare Sapphire has cleared 85cm.Care is otherwise identical to a full-size horse: farrier every 68 weeks (no shoes), back checks and physiotherapy.You can compete at the top without riding. Tilly shows in-hand at RIHS against adults, after a fall knocked her ridden confidence.Consistency is the real secret. No professional producer just daily work at home, every single day.Horses build people. Home education, a rescued Shetland and a charity book all grew out of one family's love of minis.Meet Tilly's Miniature Horse TailsIn Episode 41 of the Just Horse Riders Podcast, host Aaron Englander sits down with one of the most quietly inspiring duos in the equestrian world: Vicky Norris and her daughter Tilly. Vicky has shown and bred miniature horses for the best part of two decades. Tilly, just 13, has become a genuine young in-hand handler featured in Horse & Hound, followed by around 25,000 people, and, remarkably, one of the only children in the country showing miniatures at RIHS level against grown adults.Their account, Tilly's Miniature Horse Tails, has become a home for a refreshing idea: that leading a pony can mean every bit as much as riding one. It is a conversation about welfare, family, resilience and a foal small enough to sit on your knee. Watch now below, or read on for the highlights.Why You Don't Have to Ride to Love HorsesThe heart of this episode is a message many horse-mad families need to hear. According to Tilly Norris, you do not have to ride to be part of the horse world showing miniatures in-hand let her stay in the sport, and reach the biggest shows in the country, after a fall knocked her riding confidence.As Vicky puts it, insisting a child must ride to enjoy horses is a bit like insisting you must do agility to enjoy a dog. "Some people are scared of riding," she says, "but they just want to look after them they just want to play horses. And there is nothing wrong with that."Tilly's Story: From a Confidence Knock to the Show RingIn 2020, Tilly had what she calls "a huge confidence knock." A few falls including coming off the lead rein on a Dartmoor pony left her not wanting to ride at all. Rather than push her back into the saddle, the family found another way in. "I still wanted to be around horses," Tilly explains, "so this is when we found the miniatures, and that's when I got into showing them because you didn't have to ride them, but you could still be around them."The clever part is that miniature horses have their own in-hand classes at the very shows the family wanted to reach, including the Royal International. So a confidence setback became a door into a whole discipline and, as Aaron reflects in the episode, exactly the kind of setback that "builds you as a person" when it is handled with care rather than pressure.Miniature Horses vs Shetland Ponies: Clearing Up the ConfusionIf you take one fact from this episode, make it this one. According to Vicky Norris, miniature horses are not Shetland ponies. Miniatures descend from American miniature horse breeding lines, and the type dates back to the 1800s, when small horses were kept as pets for royal children. "If you scaled them up," Vicky explains, "there would be a big riding horse like a hack or a hunter." In other words, a mini has the proportions and mindset of a full-size horse, just in miniature.The other great myth? That they are babies. "Everybody always thinks they're babies," Tilly laughs but a nine-year-old stallion is a fully grown adult, no matter how cute he looks stood next to an ice-cream van on the beach.Keeping a Miniature Horse HealthyAaron opens the interview with the question most people never think to ask: miniature horses have a reputation for being among the trickiest horses to actually keep healthy so how on earth do you do it?The Laminitis Problem Nobody Warns You AboutThe honest answer is that minis are "easy keepers" to a fault. Left on a big field of grass, they pile on weight fast, and that brings a serious risk of laminitis. According to Tilly Norris, minis will "balloon" if you simply turn them out and hope for the best which is why management, not grass, is the name of the game.How Vicky and Tilly Keep the Weight OffTheir approach is refreshingly practical: small, fenced-off paddocks, a hay bag that lasts around 24 hours rather than unlimited grazing, and crucially real daily exercise. Because you cannot simply hop on and ride them, exercise means walking them like dogs down the country lanes, and jumping them in-hand. Tilly runs alongside them over fences; her mare Sapphire has jumped an eye-watering 85cm. As Vicky notes, keeping a clipped mini comfortable and out year-round also means sensible rug management you can browse turnout rugs if your own herd lives out through winter.For owners focused on condition and everyday wellbeing, it is worth speaking to your vet about diet first and, where appropriate, our range of everyday horse supplements can support a carefully managed routine. The golden rule from this episode stands, though: with minis, it is what you take away from the field that matters most.Showing Miniatures In-Hand at RIHSShowing in-hand is deceptively simple to watch and genuinely demanding to do well. There is no tack to fuss over, no warm-up in the saddle you bring the horse out on a headcollar, walk it round, and present it to the judge. "We just get them out of the trailer, have a walk round and into the ring," Vicky says. That lower-pressure format is a big part of what kept Tilly in the sport.Competing Against AdultsHere is where it gets seriously impressive. Because so few children show miniatures at this level, Tilly competes against adults and wins. She was champion at her first RIHS qualifier and has taken multiple classes since, beating experienced handlers whose horses had already qualified. According to Vicky Norris, they have done it all themselves, with no professional producer doing the work behind the scenes. Aaron pinpoints the reason in the episode: consistency. "You're there every day, you're doing it every day that's what gives you the success."Life With Nine Miniature HorsesThe Norris family shares their Lancashire farm and their lives with nine horses, a cattery, a grandma who still rides at 72, and a dad, Kyle, who insists he is "not really into horses" while quietly making sure they all look immaculate for the ring. The whole family competes, and yes, they bet money on who wins.William, the Escape-Artist StallionEvery yard has a character, and theirs is William: a tiny 80cm stallion with an enormous personality. He has bolted at shows, snapped his headcollar in the middle of the RIHS Supreme (on live TV, naturally), and once needed four people to catch him. The family's hard-won lesson, shared in the episode as genuine ringcraft advice, is to always keep a bridle on outside the ring and a spare headcollar waiting at the collecting ring because there is always one who ruins it for everyone.The Secret to That Famous White TailWilliam is also famous for a pure-white tail that other exhibitors envy. The trick, Vicky reveals, is counter-intuitive: don't brush it. "The more you brush it, the more you break the hair," she explains. Instead they wrap and plait it, keep it clean, and leave it completely alone until show day. It is exactly the kind of tiny, hard-earned detail you only get from people who genuinely live the sport.The Rescue Shetland That Went ViralPerhaps the most moving thread is the rescued Shetland the family took on in poor condition scarred, with teeth that had grown through his cheeks and badly neglected feet. Two and a half years on, he is the gentle pony who stands rock-still at children's meet-and-greets, has been to the beach, and even features in a clip that has racked up 2.4 million views. His transformation, Vicky says, comes down to one thing: "he just appreciates that he's got a good home."Home Education Around a Full Show SeasonTilly is home educated, and the setup is wonderfully joined-up: her tutor is also the family's riding instructor, so lessons flow straight from the desk to the arena. Travel to shows becomes geography; riding becomes PE. GCSEs are taken one subject at a time when Tilly is ready, rather than in one stressful block, at around 60 an exam.Vicky is quick to knock down the biggest misconception that home-educated children are not socialised. "I think she's the most socialised child ever," she says. Tilly's closest friends are scattered across the country, met through Instagram and gathered at shows where families camp together, share paddling pools, and turn a week of competing into a holiday. It is a community, not a curriculum gap.Handling Online Criticism When Your Child Is the StarPutting a child on social media invites opinions, and the Norrises have heard them. Vicky is candid about one critic who accused them of "treating your children like slaves." Her response is a masterclass in calm, managed parenting: every account is run by her, she stands beside Tilly at every meet-and-greet, they vet the (largely lovely) regulars who follow along, and nothing is done for money. "It's managed by me," she says simply. As Aaron notes, the antidote to most online criticism is education when a comment comes from genuine ignorance rather than malice, a friendly explanation usually does the trick.The Hobby Horsing Book and Supporting HAPPAA few years ago the family embraced hobby horsing less about the hobby horses themselves, Vicky admits, and more about kids competing to clear the highest jump (and, inevitably, betting on it). Tilly has since moved on from it, but the book they created lives on: Hobby Horsing Around, an activity book full of puzzles, wordsearches, crosswords and a hobby-horse jump-height colouring section. It sells on Amazon and internationally, and the part they are proudest of it supports the horse welfare charity HAPPA (the Horses and Ponies Protection Association), which stocks it in their shop. Welfare runs through everything this family does, right down to rescuing an injured barn owl on the roadside.Getting a Horse-Mad Child StartedFor parents whose child is desperate to get into horses but does not have their own pony, Tilly and Vicky's advice is grounded and affordable. Start with a good riding school or a charity pony day organisations like HAPPA, World Horse Welfare and their local Penny Farm run holiday sessions that provide hats and back protectors, so you are not buying expensive kit before you even know your child will love it.Once they are hooked, comfortable basics make all the difference a well-fitting pair of jodhpurs and sensible riding boots will keep a keen beginner far happier in the saddle (or on the ground). And if your budget is tight, a part-loan is a brilliant halfway house. The message throughout is that access does not have to mean ownership.Frequently Asked Questions About Miniature HorsesAre miniature horses the same as Shetland ponies?No. Miniature horses are a distinct type bred from American miniature horse lines, whereas Shetlands are a native pony breed. Scaled up, a miniature horse has the proportions of a full-size riding horse rather than a stocky pony.Can you ride a miniature horse?Generally, no adults and older children are far too heavy for them. Miniature horses are shown and enjoyed through in-hand showing, groundwork, tricks and sometimes driving in carts, which is exactly why they suit people who want horses without riding.Do miniature horses need the same care as full-size horses?Yes. According to Vicky Norris, minis need farrier visits every 68 weeks, back checks and physiotherapy just like any horse. The single biggest difference is diet: they gain weight extremely easily and must be managed carefully to avoid laminitis.Do miniature horses need shoes?Usually not. Miniature horses are typically kept barefoot, but their feet still need trimming by a farrier every six to eight weeks to stay healthy and correctly balanced.How tall is a fully grown miniature horse?Miniature horses are so small they are measured in centimetres rather than hands, and many stand well under 90cm. Newborn foals can be as tiny as 50cm small enough, as the Norrises put it, to sit on your knee.The Future for Tilly and the MinisWhat is next? More silverware, for a start the family's aim is to win at RIHS and the International again. Tilly, now with her confidence back, is keen to return to ridden showing too. And there is a modelling thread emerging, with a JD Sports photographer and a London magazine both in touch about featuring Tilly, all off the back of what she has built with her horses. As Aaron says in the episode, it looks like she has "an absolute massive career ahead."Watch and Listen to Episode 41This is one of those conversations that leaves you smiling warm, funny and full of genuinely useful horse-keeping wisdom. Watch now on YouTube, or listen now on Spotify. And if you have a horse-mad child of your own, you can shop now across the Just Horse Riders range to get them started the right way.About the authorAaron Englander is the Founder of Just Horse Riders and host of the Just Horse Riders Podcast, with 15+ years in the equestrian industry building one of the UK's largest online equestrian retailers. Learn more about Just Horse Riders.

Rider Fitness Without the Nonsense: Katie Bleekman on Hip Mobility, Core Strength and Why Mucking Out Isn't TrainingJust Horse Riders Podcast Episode 40 | Published 14 August 2026Key TakeawaysYard work is activity, not training. Mucking out keeps you fit for the yard it does not make you fit for the specific demands of riding.Hip mobility comes first. Restricted hips force the lower back to create movement it was never designed for, which is why so many riders live with back pain.Two to three full-body strength sessions a week is the sweet spot plus one aerobic session. Full-body beats "chest day" every time for riders.Your glutes are the most underrated muscle group in the saddle, and they're part of your core not a separate project.You need roughly 15 of kit to start: a pack of mini resistance bands, one long loop band, and your own bodyweight.Progressive overload is the missing piece. A little more each week beats random workouts thrown at the wall.Sleep is free and it's the biggest lever you have bigger than ice baths, gadgets or any 60 recovery session.Quick Answer: Do Horse Riders Really Need to Train Off the Horse?Yes. Riding and yard work build a general base of fitness, but they don't build the hip mobility, lower-body stability and core strength that riding actually demands. Two to three full-body strength sessions a week starting with bodyweight and resistance bands is enough for most riders to feel a genuine difference in the saddle within four to six weeks.That's the short version. The long version, courtesy of Episode 40 of the Just Horse Riders Podcast, is a lot more useful and a lot funnier.Meet Katie Bleekman: The Coach Who Actually Understands Yard LifeKatie Bleekman is the founder of Event Rider Fitness, an online coaching business built specifically for equestrian athletes with a particular focus on female riders. She's a qualified personal trainer, but her credibility is horse-world first: she competed to 3* level eventing, spent three years freelance grooming across showjumping and eventing (including the Asian Games in Jakarta), and represented Team GB at the European Pony Eventing Championships, where the British team took silver.She's also a multiple-time finalist in Britain's Fittest Farmer, has four marathons behind her, and coaches everyone from happy hackers to a rider who's been to Tokyo. She runs the business solo from her family farm just outside Cullompton in Devon which is to say, she's fitting her own riding and training around the exact same chaos you are.From Pony Europeans to Personal TrainingKatie's route into fitness wasn't a masterplan. After growing up in a seriously horsey family her mum a professional event rider, her dad Dutch and raised on a showjumping stud she went through the pony circuits, competed to intermediate, and then, at around 18, quietly realised she'd had enough."I remember going across country and thinking, I'm not enjoying this," she told Aaron. "I wasn't nervous, I wasn't scared. I just didn't enjoy it anymore."Cue an office job in Newmarket, six unhappy months in equestrian e-commerce, three years of freelance grooming, and then a throwaway comment from a colleague in Portugal while she was training for the Manchester Marathon: have you ever thought about doing fitness for work? She qualified as a PT alongside grooming, built a client base in a small-group gym near Cirencester, and then Covid forced her hand. Event Rider Fitness has been going six years.The Biggest Misconception in Rider Fitness: "I'm On the Yard All Day"This is the one that gets everybody, and Aaron walked straight into it describing doing his wife Shan's yard duties for a weekend and being absolutely floored, despite being able to run six kilometres without blinking.Katie's distinction is the single most useful idea in the whole episode. Activity is not training. Dragging a wheelbarrow up a hill in February is genuinely cardiovascular nobody's arguing otherwise. But it's unstructured, repetitive, and it isn't progressing toward anything."Training is called training for a reason," Katie said. "A workout in my head is where you go and jump around for half an hour, you get sweaty, you finish. But there was no principle behind it. Training is a process you start somewhere, you want to get to an outcome."Is mucking out actually enough exercise for horse riders?No. Mucking out and yard work build a solid general fitness base and count as day-to-day activity, but they don't develop the specific strength, mobility and stability that riding requires. Riders typically have decent aerobic fitness already what's usually missing is structured strength training and hip mobility work.According to Katie Bleekman, most riders would out-walk a non-horsey friend on a four-hour hike without breaking a sweat. The fitness is already there. It's the strength and mobility side that's been quietly neglected and, as she points out, muscle mass and bone density both decline with age, so it's the side that matters more the older you get.Start Here: Hip Mobility Is the Gateway to EverythingEvery rider on Katie's top-tier programme goes through a movement screen around ten bodyweight movements, filmed and uploaded, which she then watches twice: once at full speed, then again at half speed. That second pass is where the truth comes out."I had somebody, and I watched it first and thought, God, she moves really well," Katie said. "And then when we slowed it right down, you could see tiny little things she collapses a little bit into the left hip at the bottom of a squat. It's minimal, but it's there."And the finding that comes up almost every single time? Hip mobility.Why do riders get lower back pain when they ride?Very often it traces back to restricted hips rather than a weak back. According to Katie Bleekman, mobility is the gateway to everything if you're immobile in one place, the lower back tries to create movement it was never designed to produce. Riders are also commonly stiff through the thoracic spine, which compounds the problem.She gave a textbook example of a client who kept getting a sore back after hard flatwork sessions. The screen showed her feet rolling inward, which meant instability through the knees and hips, which meant her legs weren't doing their job so her back stepped in to cover. Fix the foundation, and the symptom stops shouting.Katie's One Exercise: The 90/90Asked for a single movement to pick if she could only have one, Katie chose hip mobility drills specifically the 90/90. Sit on the floor, bum down, feet out in front with knees up. Let both knees drop to the right, then to the left, keeping your torso tall and your backside on the floor. Both knees should reach the ground reasonably easily.If they don't, you've just diagnosed yourself: you need work on both internal and external hip rotation. Her instruction is 510 slow reps each side, deep breaths, and importantly do not force your knee to the floor. Work within your range and let it open up over weeks, not minutes.It's also a much nicer thing to do in something that actually stretches with you, which is a decent argument for owning at least one pair of properly stretchy riding jodhpurs and breeches that don't fight you when you're trying to get low.Core Strength: You've Been Sold the Wrong VersionKatie is refreshingly annoyed about this one. "I don't really even know why core strength has become such a thing in rider fitness," she said not because it doesn't matter, but because of what people do about it.Twenty-minute ab workouts. Endless sit-ups. Three weeks of enthusiasm followed by a sore back and total abandonment. Her framing is much simpler: your core's job is to support the spine. So you train the muscles around the spine and around the hips front, back, all of it rather than hunting for one magic exercise.What is the most underrated muscle group for horse riders?Your glutes. They're the powerhouse of the position you actually sit in, and they're already part of your core anything from mid-thigh, front and back, up to just below the chest counts. Training glutes properly means you're training your core, not choosing between the two.She also makes a point that lands uncomfortably well: a lot of riders genuinely cannot engage their core or fire a specific glute on command. "When you're having a lesson and your coach says engage your left glute how do I do that? I can't teach you how to do it when you're riding if you can't do it on the floor first."Katie's Home Core Pick: The Dead BugLie on your back, feet off the floor, knees and hips at 90 degrees, arms up above your chest, ribcage pressed down. Extend your left arm and right leg out together, keeping your ribcage in contact with the floor. Return, swap sides.Why it's her pick: it trains opposite limbs working together, which is precisely what your body does every stride you ride. No kit, no gym, no excuses.How Often Should You Actually Train?Here's where a lot of riders self-sabotage before they've started. Katie described the classic onboarding questionnaire answer: ideal training week six sessions. Then she reads the rest of the form. Office until 5:30. Yard by six. Riding till seven. Wednesdays till 7:30."How the hell do you think you're going to fit in six sessions a week?" she asked, entirely fairly. "But it comes from a place of good intentions."How many days a week should a rider strength train?Two to three full-body strength sessions per week, plus one aerobic session, is what Katie recommends for most riders. Full-body training is more time-effective than split routines, and three sessions gives you more weekly volume which is what actually drives progress.According to Katie Bleekman, riders should aim for full-body sessions rather than "chest day" or "back day" because if you smash your pecs and shoulders on Monday, Tuesday's mucking out becomes a genuine problem. That's what functional training actually means: can you still do your life tomorrow?A workable session, in her words, is one core exercise, one lower-body exercise, one single-leg exercise and one upper-body exercise. That's it. Do that two or three times a week for four to six weeks and you'll feel the difference.Progressive Overload: The Bit Everyone SkipsIf there's one piece of gym jargon worth learning, this is it. Progressive overload simply means doing slightly more each week a little lower in the squat, one more rep, a fraction more resistance.What it is not is a different set of random exercises every session. "That's literally just what I call throwing spaghetti at the wall," Katie said. "Doing random stuff, hoping it's going to stick. And then three months down the line you're like, oh, it's not worked."She draws the parallel a rider will feel in their bones: you wouldn't school a horse by doing something completely different every session and then wonder why the simple changes aren't improving. Repetition with small progressions is how horses learn. Funnily enough, it's how we do too.Her rule on adding load: nothing gets heavier until the movement is right. If your hips can't get below your knees in a squat and she reckons most riders' can't the answer isn't more weight, it's more depth.Riders Aren't Lazy. They're Overwhelmed.This was the line of the episode. According to Katie Bleekman, she has never met a rider who doesn't work hard and yet riders routinely describe themselves as lazy."They're not lazy," she said. "They're either completely overwhelmed, completely burnt out, or they just don't have a clue where to start."The typical intake call, she explained, sounds like this: three kids, part-time job, husband working away, three horses, two dogs, running the whole place solo but I'd really like to work on my fitness, and also I'm knackered all the time. No wonder it feels stuck.Does going to the gym actually improve your riding?Yes when the training is specific and consistent. Off-horse strength and mobility work improves body awareness, corrects asymmetries like collapsing into one hip, and builds the stability that stops you tiring in the last third of a course or lesson. The gym isn't the only venue, though: around 70% of Katie's clients train at home.One of her clients described exactly this transfer: after twelve weeks she could feel herself dropping her left hip while riding, and knew instantly what to do about it engage the glute, lift the foot, use the core. That's the whole point.You Need 15 of Kit, Not a PelotonAaron asked the obvious practical question: what do you actually need at home? The answer is gloriously unglamorous.A pack of mini resistance bands (around a fiver, five resistance levels) and one long loop band (roughly 11). Katie rates Core Balance, though she's quick to note other brands exist. Add your own bodyweight and that's a complete starter kit."If you're completely new to training, that and your bodyweight to start with that's enough," she said. "You don't need anything else."Later, if you've found your feet, a kettlebell or a pair of dumbbells is a sensible next purchase. What isn't sensible, in her view, is a Peloton bought to solve a motivation problem: "Unless you're a millionaire, I wouldn't say a Peloton bike is a particularly great use of money. I'd say you'd be better buying a push bike and going outside."And if you're stocking up for a horsey friend who keeps saying they'll start in January, resistance bands make an excellent stocking filler alongside anything from the equestrian gifts collection. Cheaper than a guilt-inducing gym membership, too.Bin the Bosu BallAsked for the biggest myth in rider fitness, Katie didn't hesitate."That you need to stand on a bosu ball all the time," she said. "They have their place I did an ankle ligament injury two years ago and it was part of my recovery. But as soon as I was done? Most riders, they're expensive, and they're a pretty useless bit of kit. On the whole, throw them in the bin."Her wider point is the good one. Look at how every other sport trains. World-class hurdlers aren't doing shoulder presses mid-hurdle. Long-distance runners are in the gym doing strength work, mobility, foam rolling and recovery. Nobody in athletics is balancing on a wobbly dome and calling it sport-specific."I don't really know how we got so lost," she said. "This is where sport-specific can get a bit messy because you don't need to be doing crazy exercises."Sleep Is the Cheapest Performance Gain You'll Ever GetAaron raised the three pillars sleep, diet, exercise and Katie immediately picked her favourite."Sleep is the biggest thing in the world and it's free," she said. "All these people go and pay physios 50, 60 a session, they go and do cold baths, sit in the freezing chamber, do all this crazy recovery stuff that isn't free. Let's just remember you can sleep for eight hours a night. And I don't know any equestrian who wouldn't want to go to sleep at the end of a long day."She's blunt about the pattern she sees: riders under-fuelling all day, hitting a wall at four o'clock, grabbing a Mars bar and a Red Bull from the garage, going to bed at midnight, up at five. It works right up until it very suddenly doesn't.The same logic applies to your horses, incidentally nobody expects performance out of an underfed, overworked animal, which is why we're all so diligent about everyday supplements and feed support for them and so cheerfully negligent about ourselves.The Glass Balls, the Rubber Balls and the Young HorseTwo analogies from this episode are worth stealing.The first came via Jake Humphrey's High Performance podcast: you're juggling a lot of balls, and most of them are rubber. Drop them and they bounce a work task, a dented car, the tack room you haven't tidied. A few are glass: your health, your relationships, time with your kids and parents. Drop those and they don't bounce.The second is entirely Katie's, and it's the one that'll stick with riders. One of her clients realised mid-programme that she'd been applying two completely different standards. "When you produce a young horse, you look at the big picture," Katie explained. "He's three, he's unbroken what's the next ten years going to look like? You're not expecting flying changes by the end of his four-year-old year."We give horses years. We give ourselves about a fortnight before declaring the whole thing a failure. As Katie put it: "When it comes to us, we're not very good at being realistic."What About Injuries?A quick but important one, because it stops a lot of riders from starting. Katie currently coaches a client three months post-ACL surgery and another who broke her collarbone in October. Both trained through, both from home with a couple of weights and some bands upper body for one, legs for the other, gentle mobility throughout.She also asks every new client about injuries "regardless of how minor," because the answer is almost always oh, nothing major followed by a broken ankle at twelve and a fractured elbow at nineteen which, nine times out of ten, you can still see in how they move today.Where Is Rider Fitness Heading?Katie's honest answer: exciting, but slightly worrying. She's enthusiastic about performance centres like the Performance Hub in Gloucestershire, where riders can access trainers, physios and sports psychologists in one place provided the model becomes affordable enough for ordinary riders rather than the top end only.Her concern is data. Stats and tech are genuinely useful for tracking margins and progress, but she's wary of a culture where riders feel judged against numbers they can't realistically access. "Data is something that gives us information to assess and move forwards and make changes with," she said. "It shouldn't be, this is the top score and you're below it."Katie's Final Three: Where to Actually StartFollow a full-body programme, three days a week. If you've no serious injury history and you move reasonably well, you don't need bespoke personalisation to begin you need consistency.Warm up before you ride. Five minutes. Arm circles, roll downs, leg swings, hip circles. You'd warm up for any other sport; riders just get on and go.Stop trying so hard. Her answer to "what should riders stop doing immediately?" One bad schooling session or missed gym session is not a verdict on you.And her closing line is the one to pin above the tack room: "The cost of entry is embarrassment." You will look daft learning something new. Everybody does. Katie spent last year landing on her backside in front of the strongman lot while learning to snatch, and now she can do it. That's just what the beginning looks like.Watch, Listen and FollowThis one runs long because it's genuinely worth it grab a coffee and watch now:Prefer it in your ears while you're mucking out? Listen now on the Just Horse Riders Podcast on Spotify, where you'll find every previous episode too.You can find Katie at Event Rider Fitness, on Instagram and on YouTube. She's offered to share video demos of any of the movements described in the episode her inbox is open.About the AuthorAaron Englander Founder, Just Horse Riders. Aaron has spent more than 15 years in the equestrian industry, building Just Horse Riders from the ground up into a multi-channel retailer stocking over 60,000 products, and is the creator of the Englander Equestrian own-brand range. He hosts the Just Horse Riders Podcast, where he talks to riders, coaches, vets and industry figures about the realities of life with horses. Read more about Just Horse Riders.Published 14 August 2026 | Just Horse Riders Podcast, Episode 40

How to Take the Perfect Horse Photo: Pro Tips from Equestrian Photographer Lillie Ratcliffe07/07/2026 By Aaron EnglanderKey TakeawaysStand your horse square first. A horse resting a leg looks skewed get all four feet planted before you even lift the camera.Get the ears forward with sound. A beaded maraca, a hunt horn played off your phone, or a recording of a strange horse whinnying are Lillie's three go-to tricks.Bathe and groom beforehand. Especially for greys it makes the single biggest difference to the finished image and saves hours of editing.Motion is easier than stillness. A moving horse naturally holds a good shape; a stationary one has time to look bored or drop a leg.The camera helps, but editing wins. A dedicated camera captures light and detail better, but the real difference between photographers lives in post-production.Know your budget tier. A good UK equestrian portrait shoot starts around 500565 always check whether the images are included in that price.Authenticity beats polish. As AI imagery spreads, real horses and real moments are becoming more valuable, not less.Quick Answer: How Do You Take the Perfect Horse Photo?To take a great photo of your horse, first stand them square on all four feet so they don't look skewed, then use a sound a maraca, a hunt horn, or another horse whinnying to prick their ears forward. Bathe and groom them beforehand, shoot in good natural light, and remember that most of the "magic" happens in the editing afterwards.Meet Lillie Ratcliffe: Equestrian Photographer and Viral CreatorOn Episode 39 of the Just Horse Riders Podcast, host Aaron Englander sits down with Lillie Ratcliffe, the 22-year-old founder of Lillie Ratcliffe Photography and one of the UK's fastest-growing equestrian content creators. Lillie has run her equestrian and countryside brand photography business for six years she started it at 16 and now works with names across the horse world while pulling in 300k+ followers across platforms. Her tacking-up ASMR videos have racked up millions of views, including one clip that hit 13 million. In other words, she is exactly the person to answer the question every horse owner has muttered at least once: why does my horse never look good in photos?"How do I get a good photo of my horse? Because I always find I always mess it up," Aaron admits early on which, honestly, is the most relatable opening line we've had on the show. Lillie's answer turned into a genuine masterclass, so we've pulled the whole thing together below.How Do You Take the Perfect Horse Photo?Lillie's method is refreshingly simple, and it starts long before you worry about lenses or presets. It comes down to two things: shape and attention.Start by Standing Your Horse SquareAccording to Lillie Ratcliffe, the first step to a good horse photo is making sure the horse is stood square on all four feet and not resting a leg, because a resting leg makes the horse look skewed. "Make sure that your horse isn't resting a leg at the back because it can make them look really skew especially if they're a warm-blooded horse," she explains. "Make sure they're stood on all four feet like a horse should be. Chances are, if they're on their four feet, they're good for a photo."It sounds obvious, but this one adjustment fixes the majority of amateur shots. A horse propping a hind leg reads as awkward and unbalanced on camera, even if you can't quite say why. Plant all four feet and you're already most of the way there.Getting the Ears Forward: Lillie's Three TricksOnce the horse is square, the whole photo hinges on the ears. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, the most reliable tricks for getting a horse's ears forward are shaking a maraca, playing a hunt horn from your phone, or playing a recording of another horse whinnying. She rattled through them like a magician revealing the act and warned that not every trick works on every horse.The Maraca"Some of them are really they don't. Bugsy doesn't put his ears forward for photos. Maraca doesn't work," Lillie laughs. A little beaded shaker is the gentlest option and often the first thing she reaches for. Younger, curious horses tend to snap their ears straight to it. Seasoned old campaigners like her cob Bugsy? They've seen it all and couldn't care less.The Hunt HornThe second trick comes with a caveat. "If your horse has been hunting, don't do it," she warns you don't want to switch a hunting horse into work mode. But for a chilled horse, a hunt horn played off YouTube through your phone perks the ears up beautifully. Her Thoroughbred Reggie, an ex-racer who hunted at one point, "recognises it enough that he perks up, but he won't go through it, and he'll stay still with his ears forward."The Mystery HorseThe third is the cheekiest: play a recording of a different horse whinnying. "They'll think, who's that horse? I don't recognise that horse," Lillie says. Curiosity does the rest. And the much-mythologised trick of throwing sand in the air? "It's all very, very last resort," she admits a technique reserved for the truly unbothered subject.Preparing Your Horse and Rider Before the Camera Comes OutHalf the battle is won before the shoot even begins. Lillie sends every client a bit of pre-shoot guidance, and it makes a visible difference in the gallery.What Should I Do to Prepare My Horse Before a Photo Shoot?Bathe and groom your horse thoroughly, especially if they are grey. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, bathing and grooming before a shoot makes the biggest difference to the final images and saves significant editing time. She can edit out dirt and grass stains, but a clean horse means a sharper, more polished result with far less work in post.What Should I Wear for an Equestrian Portrait Photo Shoot?Bring three outfits: something smart, something casual, and your everyday yard attire. Lillie recommends variety so you have options on the day, but ultimately advises wearing what feels comfortable a relaxed rider always photographs better than a stiff one. If you're planning a shoot, decent, well-fitting riding jodhpurs and breeches and clean riding boots photograph far better than tired, muddy kit.One quick warning from Lillie: avoid tiny, busy patterns. "Close stripes, really tiny patterns the camera just doesn't look quite right on camera," she says. The lens picks up on fine prints and turns them into a distracting shimmer. A bold, simple pattern is fine; a fussy micro-print will fight the whole image.Is It Harder to Photograph a Horse Standing Still or In Motion?Here's the counter-intuitive one that surprised even Aaron.Is It Harder to Photograph a Horse Standing Still or In Motion?Standing still is harder. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, horses in motion naturally hold a good shape through their gait they can't overthink their ears or plant a leg wonkily, and a jumping horse has to travel in an arc. A stationary horse, by contrast, has all the time in the world to look grumpy, disengaged, or bored, which makes the still shot the trickier of the two to nail."If you know what you're looking for, motion is easier," Lillie explains. "It's the timings of the gait you've got to get just right." She likens it to photographing toddlers far easier to catch one mid-run than to make one sit still and smile on command. Whether it's a dressage extended trot, a show jumping round, or a relaxed hack, movement gives you shape for free.Do I Need a Professional Camera or Is a Phone Good Enough?Phone cameras have come a long way so where's the line?Do I Need a Professional Camera or Is a Phone Good Enough for Horse Photos?A phone can take a good horse photo, but a dedicated camera captures light and detail far better, particularly in tricky conditions like a sunset. The bigger difference, though, is editing: a proper camera file holds enough detail to push colours and presets without falling apart, which is where a professional image really pulls ahead of a phone snap.Why Editing Is Where the Magic HappensThis was one of Lillie's strongest opinions of the whole episode. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, the real skill lies in the editing rather than the moment of capture that's where one photographer's images pull ahead of another's. "Do you think there's more skill in the editing than actually taking the photo?" Aaron asks. "Yeah," Lillie replies, without hesitation.Give the same well-exposed image to two people and the one who understands colour, tone and presets will produce something in a completely different league. It's why "I've got a good camera" and "I take good photos" are two very different sentences.Brand Photography vs Portrait PhotographyLillie splits her work into two worlds, and she loves them for opposite reasons. Brand photography is her bread and butter polished, seasonal content produced across full-day shoots with sourced models and locations, delivered to equestrian businesses on a rolling basis. It's commercial, it's varied, and it keeps the lights on.The Emotional Value of PortraiturePortraiture, on the other hand, is where the heart is. "People just love photos with their horses," Lillie says. "When you give the images back, they're so overwhelmingly pleased with them and they treasure them forever." A portrait captures a bond that won't last forever the horse a rider has now, exactly as they are now. Years down the line, long after that horse is gone, those images are irreplaceable. It's the kind of thing that makes a professional shoot one of the most meaningful gifts a horse owner can give themselves or a loved one.What Does an Equestrian Photo Shoot Actually Cost?Lillie was refreshingly honest about money and about the hidden work behind that headline figure.How Much Does an Equestrian Photo Shoot Cost in the UK?A good UK equestrian portrait shoot typically starts around 500, and Lillie's own portraiture sits at roughly 565. Watch the small print, though: some photographers charge for the session and then charge again for the full gallery of edited images, so you might only receive a handful of photos within the base price. Always confirm exactly what's included before you book.And that day rate isn't pure profit. "When you break down the hours, take off the model fees, the location fees, travel time, the editing time, assistant fees, equipment maintenance it whittles down very quickly," Lillie points out. Aaron, who has run his own business in the equestrian trade for 15+ years, agreed instantly: "A lot of people think you just turn up with a camera and shoot." The editing alone can swallow days.The Cup of Tea That Got 13 Million ViewsNo episode with Lillie would be complete without the story behind her viral moment and it's a lovely reminder that great content often comes from tiny, human details. Her page blew up on the back of tacking-up ASMR: no talking, just the sounds of buckles, brushes and the odd snort from Bugsy. Then, on a whim, she added a mug of tea."I remember just before thinking, what would happen if I just added a mug in with a cup of tea?" she says. "It's the most impractical thing in the world, having a cup of tea in your hand. It stops the scroll. So I did that. It blew up 13 million views." That single video earned her around 40,000 followers in a week, and the tea has been part of the brand ever since. Proof that authenticity, not production budget, is what people actually connect with.AI Imagery vs Authentic Equestrian ContentAaron steered the conversation toward the elephant in every creative industry right now: AI. Lillie is clear-eyed about it. Some of her clients have already switched product shots from photography to AI, and "it kind of shocks you into that reality that maybe at some point photography isn't going to exist in the space it does at the moment."But she isn't panicking and she makes a compelling case for real work. Both she and Aaron believe there's a growing bias toward the authentic. Social platforms are said to favour genuine content over AI "slop," audiences increasingly value things done the harder way, and there's something a viewer can feel in a real horse, a real yard, a real cup of tea. As Lillie puts it, AI "is always too polished. It's not real. It's never going to be a person." The tools are useful for editing and planning; they're not a replacement for the connection that makes equestrian content land.Turning a Hobby Into a Business at 16Beyond the photography tips, Lillie's story is a genuinely inspiring one for any rider dreaming of going self-employed. She started with 25 portfolio-building shoots, worked long hours for little money for years, and slowly built the contacts, experience and confidence to charge what she's worth. Her advice to her 16-year-old self? "Worry less. It will work out."Her one hard-won warning for anyone juggling multiple ventures: don't spread yourself too thin. Scaling back to focus on brand photography, she says, is precisely what "opened doors." It's the kind of practical wisdom that applies whether you're building a photography business or just trying to fit riding around a full-time job and whether that means keeping your horse comfortable through winter with the right turnout rugs or keeping your own routine sustainable, the theme is the same: protect your energy and do a few things well.Watch and Listen to the Full EpisodeThere's far more in the full conversation from the trick pony that lay flat in an arena with its nose in a treat bag for a supplement brand shoot, to Lillie's dad dressing up as Santa (and a dinosaur) for her Christmas content, to the reality of dealing with online hate. It's warm, funny and genuinely useful whether you want a better photo of your own horse or you're thinking about turning your own equestrian passion into a living.Watch now on YouTube below, or listen on Spotify here: Just Horse Riders Podcast, Episode 39.Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do you get a horse's ears forward for a photo?Use sound to grab their attention: shake a beaded maraca, play a hunt horn from your phone, or play a recording of another horse whinnying. Different horses respond to different noises, so it's often trial and error and throwing a little sand is a genuine last resort.Should you bathe your horse before a photo shoot?Yes. Bathing and grooming beforehand makes the biggest difference to the final images, especially for grey horses, and it saves the photographer hours of editing out dirt and grass stains.Is a phone camera good enough for horse photos?A phone can take good horse photos, but a dedicated camera captures light and detail better and gives far more room in editing. The real difference between amateur and professional images usually shows up in post-production, not in the camera itself.How much does an equestrian photo shoot cost in the UK?A good equestrian portrait shoot typically starts around 500, with many photographers charging roughly 500565 for the session. Some charge extra for the full edited gallery, so always check what's included before booking.What's the difference between brand and portrait horse photography?Brand photography is polished, seasonal content produced for equestrian businesses, often across full days with sourced models and locations. Portraiture is more personal and emotional treasured images of an owner and their horse to keep for years.About the AuthorAaron Englander is the Founder of Just Horse Riders, with 15+ years in the equestrian industry and the creator of the Englander Equestrian product line. He hosts the Just Horse Riders Podcast, sitting down with riders, experts and creators from across the horse world.

How to Become an Equestrian Model: Inside the UK's First Equestrian Modelling AgencyPublished 10 June 2026 Just Horse Riders Podcast, Episode 38The Short AnswerTo become an equestrian model in the UK, you don't need to be a certain height, a certain dress size, or have tens of thousands of followers. You need genuine riding ability, a horse-friendly attitude, and the confidence to be in front of a camera. As Charliee Seymour founder of CS Equine Models, the UK's first dedicated equestrian modelling agency explains in this episode, brands hire on the rider, horse and skill-set combination, then build everything else around it.Key TakeawaysHorsemanship beats looks. Equestrian models are signed for genuine riding ability and a calm presence around horses not for fitting a runway template.You don't need a huge following. Charliee and several of her working models have under 10,000 followers. Social acts as a "digital portfolio," not a numbers game.The minimum rate is 250 a day, and the horse is charged for separately its time, prep, plaiting and travel are never expected for free.It's 18 and over only, for insurance and safeguarding reasons, with no upper age limit.Following instructions is the first test. The fastest way to get an application binned is ignoring the brief on the application form.Authenticity sells. UGC (user-generated content) and real campaigns build trust in a way AI imagery and hard-sell influencer posts often don't.AI is unlikely to take over. A computer can't ride, compete, or care for a horse and that physical reality may keep the equestrian industry human.Who Is Charliee Seymour?Charliee Seymour is the founder and director of CS Equine Models, which she launched on Valentine's Day 2022 as the first modelling agency in the UK built exclusively for equestrians. A lifelong rider who has competed across Pony Club, eventing, dressage and showjumping, she still campaigns her own grey gelding, Pinko, and rides freelance for other professionals. In just four years she has grown the agency to more than 50 models, placed talent everywhere from Horse & Hound campaigns to a prestigious Arabian beauty horse event in Abu Dhabi, and put one of her riders in a global Range Rover advert. In other words: she has done the thing most riders are told isn't possible turned horsemanship itself into a career path. Host Aaron Englander sat down with her to map exactly how it works.What follows is the honest, behind-the-scenes version the bit nobody usually explains.From a Naughty Pony to a Business IdeaCharliee's story doesn't start with a glossy portfolio. It starts with a 12.2hh coloured pony called Dennis who, by her own account, bucked her off almost daily.The Pony Called Dennis"He used to buck me off every time he went into canter. He'd bolt across an open field. But I loved him," Charliee told Aaron. The lesson wasn't about staying on it was about earning trust. "I had to become competent to earn his respect," she said. That early grit became the through-line of everything after it. As Aaron put it, the children who get the difficult ponies tend to develop "this resilience and this grit," and Charliee agreed falling off, crying out of frustration rather than fear, and getting straight back on.Why Mainstream Modelling Didn't FitCharliee had always had a parallel interest in modelling, but the traditional route closed quickly. At seventeen she travelled alone to a Ted Baker casting in London, only to be labelled a size she wasn't. "This agency labelled me in a size that I'm not. I'm never going to get work because I'm clearly not right for the size that I am," she remembered thinking. Years of riding had given her an athletic, in-between build that mainstream fittings agencies simply couldn't slot into a box. Rather than shrink herself to fit, she walked away and that decision quietly planted the idea for everything that came next.Building the UK's First Equestrian Modelling AgencyThe light-bulb moment came from her own audience. After posting equestrian content through the Covid period, riders kept asking how they could do the same. "I can teach these people as long as they're confident and want to do it," Charliee realised. "They don't have to have modelling experience, but they have to have the equestrian skill set and they have to want to do it." Setting up a niche agency, she said, "was kind of like a no-brainer."Doing It Properly From Day OneWhat separates Charliee's story from a hundred Instagram side-hustles is that she treated it as a real business from the start. She spent four to five months on logistics before launch sorting model contracts, client contracts, and a proper website. "I'm so particular with how things are done that I didn't want to start it half-heartedly. I was like, I'm going to do this properly," she said. She funded it entirely herself, using money from selling a young horse she'd produced. As Aaron noted, "everybody always wants to know what you've got. Nobody wants to know how you got it" and the unglamorous groundwork is exactly how she got it.The Cost of Getting It RightCharliee was blunt about money: she had a fixed budget from one horse sale and no outside help. "This is the money that I have to use, and I need to use it in the most productive way," she explained. "I don't care if it does cost me a little bit more, but it has to be right from the start." Notably, before CS Equine she'd already failed at around five small ventures network-marketing schemes that taught her, in her words, exactly what wasn't for her. Those failures weren't wasted; they sharpened her instinct for what to ignore.What Makes an Equestrian Model DifferentSo how is an equestrian model actually different from a commercial or runway model? According to Charliee Seymour, equestrian models are "just built differently mentally" they've grown up around horses, so the skill set itself sets them apart before a camera is ever involved. Crucially, the pressure is different too. Modelling is usually a bonus alongside their real lives, not the whole of it.Do equestrian models have to be a certain height or size?No. CS Equine Models does not sign riders on physical measurements the way mainstream agencies do. The roster includes naturally slim riders and curvier riders alike, because the priority is horsemanship and camera presence. As Charliee puts it, a model being booked at a size 8 or 10 won't be derailed by enjoying a dessert the night before the realism is the point.Getting Signed: How the Application Process WorksIt is not a phone call and a vibe check. Everything runs through the "Become a Model" application form on the CS Equine website. A first submission is reviewed, then a second stage asks for more detail on equestrian background, any modelling experience, and additional imagery. Only then does Charliee move to a one-to-one video call. "I will always have a video call with every single one of my models before I sign them," she said a Zoom to ask questions, explain how the agency works, and take notes before making a final decision.How old do you have to be to join an equestrian modelling agency?You must be 18 or over to join CS Equine Models. Charliee is strict on this for insurance and safeguarding reasons, even though she's regularly emailed about younger riders. There is no upper age cap her books include models in their late thirties.What's the biggest mistake people make when pitching to a brand or agency?Not following the brief. The application clearly asks for an up-to-date headshot against a plain wall, in dark fitted clothing, in your most natural state and people send cropped Instagram selfies or photos from three years ago instead. "As soon as I see anything that's not abiding by that, I won't even entertain it," Charliee said. "First of all, you can't follow instructions. Therefore, you're not going to be easy to work with." Harsh, maybe but on a shoot day where briefs matter, it's a fair filter.The Money: What Equestrian Models Actually EarnRates vary with experience and what's being asked riding and modelling together commands more than modelling alone. But there's a floor. According to Charliee Seymour, the agency's absolute minimum is 250 per day, with horses charged for on top. "We don't expect models to bring their horses for free," she said, "because that's a horse's day, time, washing the horses, plaiting the horses, getting the horses ready, plus themselves." She also makes brands cover travel, and a helper when a horse comes along because many shoots don't provide hair and makeup, so models arrive camera-ready on their own steam.Can you be an equestrian model without your own horse?Yes. Some signed riders don't currently own a suitable horse, and Charliee can pair them with one through her industry contacts. When model Polly's horse went lame two weeks before a Woof Wear shoot, Charliee sourced "almost like the perfect replica" for her to ride though she's quick to note that not every rider is confident enough to jump an unfamiliar horse on a live campaign.Why the Horse Matters as Much as the ModelOne of Aaron's sharpest questions cut to the reality of pairing: "Has a brand ever gone to you and said, we'd really like the horse to come, but not the model?" Charliee laughed yes, it's happened, and as a self-described "proud mum" to Pinko, she's entirely fine taking the horse along regardless. But the deeper point is temperament. A stunning horse that won't stand still is useless on set. "People will say, oh, my horse is so pretty, but wouldn't stand still for a picture. So it's just not going to work," she said.Welfare on SetCharliee is firm about looking after the horses on shoot days. They're never ridden for too long, always have a stable to retreat to, and get downtime to settle into a strange, busy environment. "You don't want to set the horse up for failure," she said pre-shoot fitness, scheduled rest, and a willingness to step in and call time on a hot day are all part of the job. It's a reminder that an equestrian shoot is far more than "rocking up, taking some pictures and leaving."UGC vs Influencer Marketing: Why Authenticity WinsAaron admitted what a lot of us feel: the moment a post obviously tries to sell him something, he scrolls past. Charliee shares the instinct, which is why the agency leans into UGC user-generated content rather than the influencer market. The distinction matters: UGC is content built around the product, shown in a natural, real-life way, so viewers absorb it without feeling sold to. A polished campaign, she argues, also signals quality. "They know that the brand's worked hard at creating that," she said whereas wall-to-wall influencer posts can strip away a product's premium feel.Does social media following matter for getting booked by equestrian brands?Not much. According to Charliee, campaign work is about the rider's skill set, not their follower count she doesn't pressure models to chase numbers. She does encourage activity, because a current feed acts like a living portfolio that shows brands you're competing and working. As she put it, "the numbers don't really matter. They're looking at you, your horse, your skill set as a rider combination."Is AI Coming for Equestrian Models?This was the conversation's most interesting tangent. Aaron, a heavy AI user himself, raised the flood of "AI slop" appearing in feeds. Charliee has noticed it too some brands that won't pay for content creators are now quietly running AI-generated "people" in their campaigns, with commenters none the wiser. Her favourite paradox: "your campaign's good when someone thinks it's AI and it's not."Will AI replace real models in equestrian advertising?Probably not, in Charliee's view. According to Charliee Seymour, "AI isn't riding these horses or competing these horses" and "AI is never going to take over looking after a horse because it's a physical job." The bigger risk, she argues, is trust: if a buyer suspects a product shot is AI, they may not believe it would look that good in real life, and won't buy it at all.It's a genuinely optimistic take for riders. Where AI threatens to hollow out other creative industries, the equestrian world's stubborn physicality the mud, the mucking out, the actual partnership between human and animal may be its protection. Aaron's half-joking prediction that the horse world might even grow in an AI-saturated future, the way horse prices spiked during Covid, isn't as far-fetched as it sounds.Where the Agency Goes NextCharliee isn't standing still. This year she reshot every model portfolio in studio settings and non-equestrian clothing to prove versatility, and she's repositioning CS Equine from a pure modelling agency toward broader equestrian casting and talent. She's signed two female stunt riders and recently placed model Andrea cantering a horse in the latest Range Rover advert featuring Theo James a global campaign she now sees on cinema screens. The ambition is explicit: equestrian talent on Herms-scale campaigns, TV and film, not just horse brands. "Just because we're an equestrian niche agency doesn't mean we're limited to equestrian companies," she said.The Bigger Lesson: Grit, Horses and BalanceBeneath the business talk runs a thread any rider will recognise. Charliee still rides five or six horses back-to-back as a freelance, partly to stay sharp and partly because it drags her away from a never-ending to-do list. "Burnout is massive," she said, and the horses force the break her brain needs. There's real wisdom in it: "once you become a horse person, I don't think you ever unbecome a horse person." The naughty pony, the failed businesses, the size-ten label that didn't fit every setback became fuel. On rejection, her advice to models is the same lesson Dennis taught her at seven: "It's not that you're not pretty enough or good enough. It's just at that moment in time, you are not what that person is looking for." You need thick skin, and you just get back on.Watch or Listen to the Full EpisodeThere's a lot more in the full conversation the Abu Dhabi trip in front of 6,000 people and the royal family, the difficult conversations behind every model who doesn't get picked, and Charliee's quick-fire myth-busting round. One viral clip that helped start it all, by the way, featured a pair of equestrian boots proof that the right kit photographs as well as it performs. You can browse our boots collection here if it sparks ideas for your own content.Watch the full episode on YouTube, or listen now on Spotify wherever you get your podcasts.Watch Episode 38 on YouTubeAbout the AuthorAaron Englander is the Founder of Just Horse Riders and host of the Just Horse Riders Podcast, with more than 15 years' experience in the equestrian industry. He created the Englander Equestrian product line and works daily with riders, brands and horse owners across the UK and beyond. Learn more about Just Horse Riders.

10 min read Last updated: January 2026 Struggling to balance a winter break with keeping your 17yearold mare supple and sane? This guide shows how to use active rest812 weeks off paired with daily 2030 minute inhand walksplus smart rugging and a gentle rebuild, so she stays comfortable now and returns fitter, not frazzled. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Individualised Winter Break What To Do: Base the break on your mares soundness, workload, temperament, and condition. Reduce intensity rather than stopping completely. Why It Matters: Tailoring prevents stiffness and deconditioning while supporting recovery. Common Mistake: Following a fixed calendar or age rule instead of the horse in front of you. Area: Active Rest Routine What To Do: Give daily turnout plus 2030 minutes of brisk inhand walking most days; add poles, gentle lateral work, and occasional easy hacks when footing allows. Why It Matters: Regular lowintensity movement keeps joints lubricated, muscles supple, and the mind settled. Common Mistake: Boxing up for days due to weather, then overdoing a single long session. Area: Duration & Restart What To Do: Plan 812 weeks off with movement, then schedule a gradual restart that suits winter daylight and footing. Why It Matters: Enough downtime aids recovery while structure limits fitness loss and setbacks. Common Mistake: Total inactivity for weeks followed by a jump straight back into schooling or fast work. Area: Senior Health Monitoring What To Do: Score body condition weekly under rugs, track topline, check teeth, and discuss arthritis/PPID signs with your vet; provide tepid water and adequate forage. Why It Matters: Older horses lose weight and stiffen faster in winter, so early tweaks prevent bigger problems. Common Mistake: Trusting a fluffy coat and missing weight loss, quidding, or reduced drinking. Area: Safe Surfaces & Turnout What To Do: Use nonslip, welldrained routes and arenas; avoid ice and deep mud, manage gateways, and use hivis and lights in low light. Why It Matters: Sound footing reduces slips and strain, especially for stiff or arthritic seniors. Common Mistake: Its only a walk on icy, deep, or slick going. Area: Gradual Fitness Rebuild What To Do: Start with 2 weeks of marching walk, then add short trot sets and light canter over 46 weeks; check saddle fit before restarting and again at 34 weeks. Why It Matters: Aerobic capacity drops quickly and takes longer to regain, so a slow ramp protects tendons and joints. Common Mistake: Increasing duration and intensity together or skipping the walk foundation. Area: Rugging & Warmth What To Do: Match rug weight to wet, wind, and temperature; use waterproof turnouts outside and snug stable rugs inside; check fit and rubs daily. Why It Matters: Seniors feel cold more and burn calories to stay warm, affecting comfort and condition. Common Mistake: Choosing rugs by grams alone and ignoring windrain chill or daily fit changes. Area: Daily Winter Checks What To Do: Keep a simple diary of work, footing, and nextday feel; pick out feet, rinse/dry legs after mud, and groom to spot issues early. Why It Matters: Consistent small habits catch problems early and keep active rest on track. Common Mistake: Skipping checks on foul days and letting minor rubs, thrush, or stiffness escalate. In This Guide Should your 17-year-old mare have a winter break? How long is long enough and is two months off too much? What does active rest look like in a UK winter? Why winter is tougher for seniors Pre-break checklist: what to assess before you down tools Rebuilding fitness safely after time off Rugging and comfort: keeping a senior warm without overheating Daily winter routine: small habits that make a big difference Cold, wet days and shrinking daylight make UK winters a tough ask for any horse especially a seasoned 17yearold mare. The right kind of time off can be a gift, but the wrong kind can leave you with a stiff, deconditioned horse come spring.Key takeaway: Most horses do benefit from some winter downtime, but for a senior mare the break should be individualised and ideally active rest rather than total inactivity.Should your 17-year-old mare have a winter break?Yes most horses benefit from winter downtime, but how much and what type depends on your mares health, workload, and temperament. A customised plan supports both her body and brain through the cold months.The core principle is simple: fit the rest to the horse, not the calendar. As EquiPepper summarises, the decision depends on the individual horse age is one factor, but so are soundness, workload history, and mental freshness (EquiPepper).It depends on the individual horse. EquiPepper on deciding whether to give winter time offFor a 17yearold, the aim is usually to preserve mobility and comfort while dialling down intensity. Seniors often need more movement, not less, to stay comfortable when temperatures drop; the British Horse Society (BHS) specifically encourages increased turnout and safe, outofstable movement for older or retired horses in winter (BHS).How long is long enough and is two months off too much?Eight to twelve weeks is a commonly recommended break for many horses; two months sits comfortably within that window. For seniors, prioritise active rest to avoid losing too much fitness and suppleness.A prolonged holiday allows microinjuries to heal and reduces wear and tear. As Agria Pet Insurance puts it, a large block of time off of at least eight to 12 weeks can be physically beneficial for many horses (Agria Pet Insurance).A large block of time off of at least eight to 12 weeks can aid healing and recovery. Agria Pet InsuranceHowever, complete inactivity has a cost. Aerobic capacity can decline quickly; one performance guide cites around a 10% drop in aerobic fitness after roughly two weeks of nonstrenuous activity, and regaining that capacity can take twice as long (Eventing Nation). For a 17yearold, that argues for movement throughout the break, even if you pause schooling and competition work.In the UK, winter breaks often align with quieter competition calendars and short daylight windows. Thats fine just plan the restart carefully and account for footing, visibility, and reduced hacking options when the weather turns.What does active rest look like in a UK winter?Active rest means lowintensity movement turnout, handwalking, or light inhand work instead of box rest. The goal is to keep joints lubricated, muscles flexible, and the mind content without training strain.The BHS advises increasing turnout and using safe, enclosed spaces such as arenas or lunge pens when fields are waterlogged or time is tight (BHS). In practice, that can look like:Daily turnout (even if short), with careful management of wet, muddy gateways and frozen patches.2030 minutes of brisk inhand walking on good footing (arena, track, or yard lanes) most days.Inhand poles, gentle lateral mobilisation, and backingup to maintain coordination and core strength.Occasional light hacks at walk on safe routes, wearing hivis for riders and using lights when appropriate.Regular pickout and hoseoff of legs postturnout to protect against skin issues, supported by a tidy daily grooming kit to stimulate circulation.Choose surfaces with care: hard, icy or slippery going raises risk for horses with stiffness, agerelated joint changes, or reduced coordination (Horse&Rider). Keep sessions short, consistent, and calm.Why winter is tougher for seniorsAgeing affects metabolism, teeth, and joints, so older horses are more likely to lose weight, feel the cold, and stiffen up in winter. Plan for closer monitoring and quicker adjustments.Senior horses can struggle to maintain body condition because ageing impacts gut function and calorie efficiency (Mad Barn). Dental disease common in older horses reduces chewing efficiency, hindering hay intake and digestion (Keyflow Feeds). Endocrine issues such as PPID (Cushings) can further complicate weight, coat, and muscle maintenance (Keyflow Feeds).Cold, damp weather tends to exacerbate joint discomfort and stiffness; keeping older horses moving, providing shelter, and considering joint support or pain relief where appropriate are widely recommended (Horse&Rider). Thin or less active seniors also feel the cold more readily and can burn extra energy just to stay warm (Petplan Equine).Because appetite, water intake, and condition can change quickly in winter, more frequent body condition checks make a difference for seniors (Signature Equine Hospital). Use your hands as much as your eyes fluffy coats can hide weight loss.Pre-break checklist: what to assess before you down toolsBase your decision on current health and condition, not age alone: assess body condition, workload history, stiffness, dental status, and any topline or weight loss. Adjust the plan full break, active rest, or light work to what you find.Run through this quick, practical checklist before you commit:Body condition and topline: Score her (19) and feel along ribs, spine, hips, and neck. Seniors who are borderlinethin are better kept moving and wellrugged than put on total holiday.Workload history: Has she had a busy season? A structured 812week recovery can be ideal (Agria Pet Insurance).Stiffness or arthritis: Cold may worsen discomfort; plan daily lowintensity movement and discuss joint support or analgesia with your vet if needed (Horse&Rider).Dental status: If quidding, weight loss, or slow eating are present, book a dental check and consider soaked or senior rations on vet/nutritionist advice (Keyflow Feeds).Hormonal health: If you suspect PPID (delayed coat shedding, muscle loss, lethargy), speak to your vet before changing workload.Water intake: Icecold water reduces drinking; ensure tepid water where possible and monitor consumption daily (Signature Equine Hospital).Footing and facilities: Do you have safe, nonslip options for turnout or inhand walking when fields are muddy or frozen?Tack fit: Muscles reshape during time off; check saddle fit now and again before you restart work.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend combining veterinary input with a practical comfort plan: warmth, movement, and appropriate nutrition. Many owners also add joint and condition supplements to support seniors over winter especially those with known stiffness.Rebuilding fitness safely after time offExpect some fitness loss after a break; start back with lowintensity work and build gradually. A slower, structured rampup reduces the risk of strains and setbacks.After roughly two weeks of light or no work, horses can lose around 10% of aerobic capacity, and regaining it often takes twice as long (Eventing Nation). Thats why a measured return is key. A conservative sixweek template for a 17yearold might look like this:Weeks 12: 2030 minutes of marching walk five to six days per week (inhand or under saddle). Add 10 minutes of inhand poles once or twice a week.Weeks 34: Introduce short trot sets (e.g., 3 x 2 minutes) within 3040 minutes total. Keep one hill walk per week if footing allows.Weeks 56: Build to 4050 minutes with longer trot sets (e.g., 4 x 3 minutes) and add a couple of controlled canters if she stays loose and willing.Throughout, monitor for muscle soreness, filling, heat, changes in stride, or reluctance to move forward. If anything looks off, dial back for a few days. Check and adjust saddle fit before the restart and again at three to four weeks as her shape changes. For schooling support, consider protective supportive boots and bandages and keep schooling surfaces consistent. Cascadia Equines guidance aligns with this approach: begin with lowintensity exercise and increase slowly (Cascadia Equine).Pro tip: Keep a simple training diary. Note duration, gait sets, footing, and how she feels the next day; its the fastest way to spot when to push on or ease off.Rugging and comfort: keeping a senior warm without overheatingThin, clipped, or less active seniors usually need rugs more often in a UK winter. Choose weight for temperature and wet, and check daily for rubs and fit.Older horses can feel the cold more readily, especially if theyre underweight or not moving much (Petplan Equine). In the UK, wet and wind chill matter as much as the thermometer. As a rule of thumb:Out in the field: choose waterproof, breathable winter turnout rugs matched to conditions lighter on milder, dry days and heavier when its cold, wet, and windy.Stabled: use snug stable rugs that maintain warmth without bulk; layer intelligently for quick adjustments.Check straps, shoulders, and withers daily; senior shapes change faster, and minor rubs become big problems in winter. Many owners favour WeatherBeeta rugs for robust weatherproofing and consistent sizing.Quick tip: Warmth is not only about grams. A good clip plan, regular movement, adlib forage (where diet allows), and dry shelter combine with rugging to keep a senior truly comfortable.Daily winter routine: small habits that make a big differenceMonitor body condition, water intake, and movement every day to catch issues early. Little, consistent checks prevent most winter wobblies.Build these quick wins into your routine:Handson body check every few days under the rug: feel along ribs, topline, and quarters.Water watch: seniors can drink less when its cold; tepid water encourages intake (Signature Equine Hospital).Movement minutes: even on foul days, aim for 20 minutes of inhand walking or arena mooching.Hoof and skin: pick out daily, rinse and dry legs after mud, and keep a tidy grooming routine to spot issues early.Visibility and safety: short daylight means more twilight work wear hivis and choose safe, nonslip surfaces.At Just Horse Riders, our customers often say winter is won with consistency, not heroics. Do the small things well and your senior will thank you in spring.The bottom lineTwo months off can be exactly right for a 17yearold mare provided you keep her moving, keep her warm, and restart work gradually. Use individual health and condition to choose between full holiday and active rest, lean on BHSstyle daily movement, and plan a slow, steady fitness rebuild. If in doubt, ask your vet for a winter management checkin, particularly for arthritis, dental disease, or PPID.FAQsIs two months off too long for my 17yearold mare?No. Many horses do well with 812 weeks off, but seniors often benefit most from active rest turnout and lowintensity movement rather than total stoppage (Agria Pet Insurance; BHS).Will a winter break make her lose fitness?Yes. Aerobic capacity can drop by about 10% after roughly two weeks of light or no work, and rebuilding typically takes twice as long. Thats why a slow, structured restart is safest (Eventing Nation).How should I restart work after time off?Begin with lowintensity, short sessions and increase gradually. Focus on weeks of marching walk, then add trot sets, then light canter, monitoring for soreness or swelling (Cascadia Equine).Are older horses more likely to struggle in winter?Yes. Ageing affects metabolism, teeth, joints, and endocrine health (e.g., PPID), so seniors commonly face weight loss and stiffness in cold, wet weather (Mad Barn; Keyflow Feeds).Should I keep a senior moving even if shes on a break?Yes. Regular, gentle movement reduces stiffness and preserves mobility; the BHS advocates increased turnout and safe, daily inhand walking for older horses (BHS).What signs tell me the break isnt suiting her?Watch for stiffness, swelling, reluctance to move forward, weight or topline loss, dull coat, reduced appetite, or changes in drinking. Reassess the plan or speak to your vet if you see these (Signature Equine Hospital).What kit will help me manage a senior through winter?Weatherproof field rugs and warm stable rugs, plus joint support, safe inhand gear and visibility. Start with winter turnout rugs, stable rugs, and visibility and comfort basics, adding supplements and protective gear as needed. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop Turnout RugsShop Stable RugsShop SupplementsShop Hi-Vis GearShop Grooming Kit

9 min read Last updated: January 2026 Four seasons in a day and a cob living out 24/7 can make rugging feel like guesswork. This friendly guide shows you exactly how to pick a waterproof, breathable lightweight turnouttypically 50100g with a 600D1200D ripstop outer and a detachable neckso your horse stays dry, comfy, and not overheated. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Choose Fill Weight What To Do: Use 50g100g for most 24/7 UK cobs; drop to 0g on warm days or well-covered types, and choose 100g if clipped or chilly. Why It Matters: Keeps your horse dry and comfortable without overheating in changeable weather. Common Mistake: Choosing by forecast alone instead of checking warmth at the shoulder and behind the elbow. Area: Pick Rug Denier What To Do: Choose 600D for sensible horses; upgrade to 1200D ripstop for rough play, hedges or constant turnout. Why It Matters: Higher denier resists tears and keeps the rug working longer. Common Mistake: Rebuying cheap 600D after repeated damage. Area: Select Neck Style What To Do: Pick a detachable neck for versatility; use standard for hardy types and full combo for persistent rain or clipped coats. Why It Matters: Lets you add or remove coverage fast as the weather shifts. Common Mistake: Buying a fixed combo that is too warm when the sun appears. Area: Measure For Fit What To Do: Measure point of shoulder to point of buttock in feet/inches and favour broader-cut brands for cobs. Why It Matters: Accurate sizing prevents rubbing, slipping and pressure points. Common Mistake: Guessing size or upsizing instead of choosing the right pattern. Area: Check Fit After What To Do: After the first turnout, check withers, shoulders and chest for rubs; adjust chest, set surcingles a hand's breadth from the belly. Why It Matters: Early adjustments stop sores and extend rug life. Common Mistake: Leaving straps loose or tight because the horse will get used to it. Area: Layer With Liners What To Do: Build around one waterproof outer (050g) and add or remove liners as temperatures swing; go to 100g or add a liner for wet, chilly spells. Why It Matters: Delivers year-round flexibility with fewer rugs. Common Mistake: Buying multiple near-identical rugs instead of a liner system. Area: Maintain Waterproofing What To Do: Brush off mud daily, wash with rug-safe detergent, and reproof periodically to maintain DWR. Why It Matters: Maintains waterproofing and breathability in UK rain. Common Mistake: Machine-washing with standard laundry products that strip coatings. Area: Do Pre-Buy Check What To Do: Before buying, confirm size, denier, fill, neck type, liner compatibility and returns policy in a 60-second check. Why It Matters: Avoids returns and ensures the rug does the job on arrival. Common Mistake: Ignoring neck/liner options or fit policies at checkout. In This Guide What makes a good UK lightweight turnout rug? Which fill weight should I choose for 24/7 turnout? 600D vs 1200D: how tough should the outer be? Standard, combo or detachable neck: which is best in UK weather? Fit and measuring a cob correctly Build a flexible rug system, not a mountain of rugs Recommended specs and a quick shopping checklist Conclusion: get your cob weather-ready Four seasons in a day is standard British fare and the right lightweight turnout is your cobs first defence against wind and rain without overheating. Heres how to choose one thats waterproof, tough, and comfortable for 24/7 life on UK pasture.Key takeaway: For most UK cobs living out 24/7, choose a waterproof 600D1200D lightweight turnout with 50g100g fill and a detachable neck for the most versatile protection in wet, changeable weather.What makes a good UK lightweight turnout rug?A good UK lightweight turnout rug has a waterproof, breathable ripstop outer of 600D1200D and a 0g100g fill to handle wet, changeable weather. Look for a secure fit with robust fastenings, a tail flap, and the option of a detachable neck for flexibility.UK lightweight turnouts are built to deal with rain first and foremost. As Naylors editorial on WeatherBeeta puts it, turnout rugs are waterproof and have strong ripstop outers to withstand the elements. That ripstop weave (commonly 600D1200D) resists tearing, while breathable membranes and coatings stop your horse getting clammy when conditions swing from drizzle to bright spells.WeatherBeetas ComFiTec Essential Turnout is a good example of the right spec for UK shoulders seasons: it uses a 1200D ripstop outer with waterproof, breathable protection and a repel coating, plus a standard neck and tail flap for weather coverage (WeatherBeeta/YouTube). Across the UK market, youll see lightweight fills at 0g, 50g and 100g ideal for mild, damp weather and for layering when temperatures yo-yo (Country & Stable; Horse & Hound).At Just Horse Riders, we recommend starting your shortlist with proven, waterproof lightweight options and then fine-tuning by denier, neck style, and fit. You can browse a range of UK-ready options here: lightweight turnout rugs.How to choose the right turnout blanket: climate and weather conditions, horse size and fit, activity level and budget. WeatherBeeta product guidanceWhich fill weight should I choose for 24/7 turnout?For most UK cobs living out 24/7, a 50g100g fill is the sweet spot in mild-to-cool wet conditions; use 0g for warmer days or well-covered horses. Choose 100g if your cob runs a little lean, is clipped, or feels the cold.The UK lightweight category typically offers 0g, 50g and 100g fills (Country & Stable; Horse & Hound). Many cobs do best in the middle: a 50g adds a light thermal buffer without over-rugging, while 100g gives a touch more warmth for breezy, wet days and clipped coats. If your horse is already well-covered or works up a sweat even in drizzle, 0g keeps the rain out without extra insulation.If your horse is between fills, a 50g turnout can provide a light buffer between the horse and the cold outer; a rug liner can add warmth. Shires EquestrianQuick tip: Judge the fill by your horse, not just the forecast. If theyre warm and dry under the rug at the shoulder and behind the elbow, youre on target. If theyre damp or you feel chill on the skin, step the warmth up; if theyre sweaty or coat is flat and hot, step it down.600D vs 1200D: how tough should the outer be?600D is adequate for many horses, but 1200D ripstop offers better durability for rough play, hedgerow browsing and constant turnout. For a robust 24/7 cob in a busy field, 1200D is often the smarter long-term buy.UK lightweight turnouts often start at 600D a spec highlighted in Horse & Hounds lightweight rug guide and this can be perfectly serviceable for sensible horses and shorter turnout periods. If your cob tests kit to destruction, look to 1200D ripstop outers with a proven waterproof/breathable membrane. The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Essential (1200D) is a good benchmark for toughness, with a repel coating to shed rain.Expect premium waterproof turnouts (midi to heavy fills) to retail around 169.99199.99 in the UK (Naylors), with lightweights often a little less depending on features. If your horse is hard on rugs, paying for higher denier once usually beats replacing a cheaper 600D multiple times.Standard, combo or detachable neck: which is best in UK weather?A detachable neck is the most versatile choice for UK shoulder seasons, because it adds coverage on wet, windy days and strips back quickly when the sun appears. Standard necks suit hardy types and zero-fill days; full combo necks suit persistent rain and clipped coats.Neck options are typically sold as standard, combo (fixed full neck) or detachable neck across UK brands (Equus). A detachable neck pays for itself in spring and autumn: you can prevent rain running behind the wither in downpours, then remove it for ventilation when the weather breaks without changing the whole rug.Pro tip: If you buy one rug to do most jobs, choose the detachable neck version. Its one decision that meaningfully extends your rugs usable range.Fit and measuring a cob correctlyMeasure in feet and inches along the body (point of shoulder to point of buttock), and prioritise generous shoulder room so the rug sits without pulling or rubbing on a broad-chested cob. The rug should lie smoothly at the withers and chest, not slip back, twist, or dig in.UK turnout rugs are sized by length (e.g., 60, 63, 66) and shaped differently by brand. Cobs often benefit from patterns designed for broader builds, with deeper neck openings and more shoulder freedom. WeatherBeetas fitting advice emphasises choosing by climate, size/fit and activity a sound framework for cobs who move and graze low for long periods.Look for:Secure chest fastenings that dont strain when grazingCross surcingles set to a hands breadth from the bellyTail flap and good drop for coverage without trippingOptional shoulder gussets if your cob has a big strideAfter the first wear, check common rub sites withers, shoulders, chest and reassess if you see hair loss, pressure points, or if the rug creeps back. A better-fitting pattern usually costs less than repeated rub remedies.Build a flexible rug system, not a mountain of rugsUse one waterproof turnout as your foundation and add/remove liners to track temperature changes, rather than buying multiple separate rugs. A detachable neck further extends range without extra spend.Shires note that liners can add warmth to a light rug when your horse sits between fills (Shires Equestrian). Pairing a quality 0g or 50g outer with a liner gives you a nimble system for those 10C mornings and 16C afternoons that define UK spring and autumn. On consistently wet spells with chill winds, go straight to a 100g outer or add your liner earlier.For days your horse is stabled, keep a dedicated indoor layer that wont wick muck and moisture into bedded areas: see our selection of stable rugs. When rain gives way to midges and bright, close weather, switch the outer for a mesh shield from our fly rugs and sheets theyre built for airflow rather than waterproofing.Pro tip: Keep performance high with regular cleaning. Brush off dried mud daily and wash with rug-safe products only; over time, reproofing maintains the DWR (durable water repellent) so rain keeps beading and rolling. A simple post-hack brush-down is easier with the right kit explore yard essentials in grooming.If budget is tight, prioritise the best waterproof outer you can afford and add warmth with liners later. Our Secret Tack Room often has last-season colours at smart prices: check the clearance for deals.Recommended specs and a quick shopping checklistChoose 600D1200D waterproof ripstop with secure chest fastenings, cross surcingles, a tail flap and an optional detachable neck; target 50g100g fill for most 24/7 cobs in mild-to-cool, wet conditions. Measure carefully in feet/inches and recheck fit after the first turnout.At Just Horse Riders, our customers who need one do-it-all UK lightweight usually start with this spec:Outer: Waterproof, breathable ripstop; 600D for sensible horses, 1200D for rough field play or hedgerowsFill: 50g for a light thermal buffer; 100g for clipped horses or cooler spells; 0g for warm days and naturally well-covered cobsNeck: Detachable neck for shoulder-season versatility; full combo for persistent rain on clipped coatsCut and fit: Generous shoulder room, smooth wither contour, deep drop, and secure, adjustable chest fasteningsFeatures: Cross surcingles, tail flap, repairable/replaceable neck cover, liner compatibilityBudget: Expect quality waterproof turnouts around 169.99199.99 for midweights, with lightweights varying by spec (Naylors)Shortlist proven brands with UK-focused patterns and hardware. Explore WeatherBeeta rugs for 1200D options with repel coatings, and compare shapes and features in the Shires turnout range to find the best cut for broader cob shoulders.Quick tip: Before you click buy, run a 60-second check size (feet/inches), denier, fill, neck type, liner compatibility, returns policy. A minute now beats weeks of wrestling a poor fit in a muddy gateway.Conclusion: get your cob weather-readyLightweight doesnt mean delicate it means smart, waterproof protection with the right warmth for British changeability. For a 24/7 cob, a 50g100g, 600D1200D turnout with a detachable neck covers most wet, mild-to-cool days. Build around one good outer, add liners when needed, and check fit early. If youre upgrading your kit, start with our curated turnout rugs and compare shapes from trusted brands to keep your horse dry, comfortable and ready for whatever the forecast serves.FAQsWhat fill weight is best for a 24/7 cob turnout in the UK?Most cobs do well in the 50g100g range for mild-to-cool, wet British weather. Choose 50g as a light buffer, 100g if your horse is clipped or feels the cold, and 0g for warm days or naturally well-covered types (Horse & Hound).Is a 600D rug durable enough for turnout?Often, yes 600D is common in lightweights and can be durable for sensible horses. For rough play, hedges, or constant 24/7 use, a 1200D ripstop outer resists damage better (Horse & Hound; WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Essential).Why choose a detachable neck over a fixed combo?A detachable neck lets you adapt to changeable UK weather clip it on for wind and rain, take it off when the sun appears without swapping rugs. Its the most versatile single-rug setup for spring and autumn (Equus).How do I know if the rug fits my cob properly?It should sit smoothly at withers and chest without pulling forward, twisting or rubbing, and allow free shoulder movement. Cobs often need broader patterns and generous shoulder room (WeatherBeeta fitting guidance). Check for rubs at the wither, shoulder and chest after the first day out.Are turnout liners worth it?Yes. Liners extend one waterproof rug across a wider temperature range, especially through UK spring and autumn. As Shires note, a 50g outer plus liner is ideal when your horse sits between fills.How should I care for my lightweight turnout to keep it waterproof?Brush off mud daily, wash with rug-safe detergents when needed, and periodically reproof to maintain the durable water repellent finish. Good daily yard tools make it quick see grooming essentials for handy brushes and care kit.When should I switch from a turnout to other rug types?Use your waterproof turnout in wet, windy conditions; change to a breathable mesh cover in midgey, warm weather from our fly rugs selection, and choose an indoor layer from our stable rugs when your horse is in overnight. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop Turnout RugsShop WeatherBeetaShop ShiresShop Fly RugsShop Stable Rugs

10 min read Last updated: January 2026 Sharp in the wind, bright on restricted turnout, or craving nutrients without the fizz? This guide shows how Blue Chips natural, non-drowsy Calming Balancerfed at just 100g/daycan top up vitamins and minerals while adding targeted support for calm focus, so your horse stays rideable and relaxed without extra calories. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Choose Calming Balancer What To Do: Use Blue Chip Super Concentrated Calming Balancer for horses needing vitamins/minerals plus calming support without extra calories; ensure its lowcalorie, molassesfree, nondrowsy profile suits your horse. Why It Matters: Provides nutrients with magnesium, Ltryptophan, chamomile and probiotics to support calm focus. Common Mistake: Expecting sedation or choosing it when your horse actually needs more calories. Area: Set Feeding Rate What To Do: Feed 100 g/day for a 500 kg horse; scale to bodyweight, weigh once with kitchen scales and mark a scoop for all yard hands. Why It Matters: Consistent dosing makes results reliable and fair to assess. Common Mistake: Guessing amounts or letting different people feed different measures. Area: Introduce Gradually What To Do: Add over 47 days, building to full rate while keeping adlib fibre and normal routine. Why It Matters: A slow start supports gut comfort and feed acceptance. Common Mistake: Starting at full dose on day one or changing multiple things at once. Area: Monitor and Record What To Do: Log manure, appetite, reactivity, focus and body condition weekly; note weather, turnout and clip status. Why It Matters: Tracking shows whats working and separates feed effects from environmental triggers. Common Mistake: Judging results after a single ride or feed. Area: Prioritise Management What To Do: Maximise turnout, keep routines steady, maintain regular work, and check saddle fit and rugging for the season. Why It Matters: Good management underpins calmer behaviour as much as nutrition. Common Mistake: Using a calmer to compensate for limited turnout or inconsistent routines. Area: Keep Starch Low What To Do: Use a molassesfree, lowstarch chaff as a small carrier if needed and base the diet on forage. Why It Matters: Low sugar/starch feeding helps prevent fizz, especially in gooddoers. Common Mistake: Pairing the balancer with cereal mixes or added sugars. Area: Avoid Supplement Overlap What To Do: Audit current products and drop duplicates the balancer covers (hoof, coat, digestive, general vits/mins). Why It Matters: Prevents oversupplying nutrients and saves money. Common Mistake: Stacking extra calmers or probiotics without checking labels. Area: Plan Seasons and Budget What To Do: Start before autumnwinter changes; buy enough for 3060 days and compare costperday against separate supplements. Why It Matters: Forward planning smooths behaviour through weather shifts and controls costs. Common Mistake: Waiting for a cold snap to start or running out midtrial. In This Guide What is Blue Chip Super Concentrated Calming Balancer? Who is it for and when should you use it? How does it work? Calming ingredients and the gutstress link Feeding rate, bag life and budgeting How to introduce it and what to monitor Common mistakes to avoid How it compares with other options Sharp in the wind, bright on restricted turnout, or just needing nutrients without the fizz? Many UK owners look for a calmer that supports focus without making a horse feel sleepy.Key takeaway: Blue Chip Super Concentrated Calming Balancer is a 100% natural, non-drowsy, pelleted feed balancer fed at 100g/day for a 500kg horse. It tops up daily vitamins and minerals while adding magnesium, L-tryptophan, chamomile and probiotics to support calmness without extra calories.What is Blue Chip Super Concentrated Calming Balancer?Its a low-calorie, molasses-free feed balancer that combines core vitamins/minerals with calming-focused ingredients: magnesium, L-tryptophan, chamomile and probiotics. Blue Chip positions the formula as 100% natural, non-drowsy and free from whole cereal and molasses, designed to be fed in tiny daily amounts to balance a forage-based diet.In Blue Chips own words:A feed balancer is a nutrient dense pellet that contains a carefully formulated blend of vital vitamins, minerals and protein that all horses and ponies need daily to balance their forage based diet. Source: Blue Chip FeedAnd critically for good-doers or sharp types:All Blue Chip balancers are low in calories and molasses free containing extremely low levels of starch with no added sugar. Source: Blue Chip FeedBeyond the headline calming trio, independent ingredient listings also note supporting components such as calcium carbonate, linseed/flax, garlic and sodium alongside magnesium and L-tryptophan. That helps explain why this product functions as a complete balancer, not just a calmer in disguise. Source: Mad BarnBlue Chip also highlights that its balancers bundle in multiple extras you might otherwise buy separately hoof, respiratory, digestive, skin and coat support, plus immune support and nucleotides to streamline the supplement cupboard. Source: Blue Chip FeedWho is it for and when should you use it?Use it for horses and ponies needing daily vitamins and minerals without extra energy, especially good-doers, sharp or stress-prone horses, and those on low-concentrate, forage-first diets. Its particularly useful through UK autumnwinter when grass quality drops, stabling increases and routines change.Because its a balancer first, the product suits horses who dont need a bucketful of mix or cubes but still require micronutrients. For many UK yards, thats native types, restricted-calorie horses, and those that get too bright on cereal feeds. The 100% natural, non-drowsy positioning also fits common welfare expectations for hacking, riding club and competition work where you want relaxation, not sedation. Source: Blue Chip FeedConsider it when weather-related excitability creeps in: cold snaps, blustery days, clipped coats, or turnout reductions. Shore up management first (consistent turnout, ad-lib fibre, steady routines), then add a calming balancer to cover nutrient bases while supporting the gutmind connection. For winter comfort that can also influence behaviour, review your horses rugging strategy, from lighter sheets to deeper fills and reliable, waterproof winter turnout rugs and cosy stable rugs.How does it work? Calming ingredients and the gutstress linkIt combines magnesium, L-tryptophan and chamomile plus probiotics to support relaxation pathways and digestive comfort; its a nutritional calmer, not a sedative. Blue Chip frames the calming as coming from targeted nutrients within a balanced, low-calorie pellet.Blue Chips own guidance is clear on the actives:Key calming ingredients: chamomile, L-tryptophan and magnesium. Source: Blue Chip FeedRetailers echo the digestive angle, noting probiotics restore the natural balance of gut flora and help maintain digestive well-being a relevant link, as horses with gut discomfort can appear tense or excitable and vice versa.The probiotics in the balancer restore the natural balance of the gut flora and help to maintain the natural well-being of the digestive system. Source: Equi-BoxEqui-Box also highlights the two-way street between stress and digestion stress can upset the gut, and gut discomfort can heighten stress so a balancer with probiotics plus fibre-first feeding can be a smart foundation. Source: Equi-BoxBlue Chip and retailers consistently describe the formula as non-drowsy, aiming for relaxation and focus rather than dullness ideal for hacking on UK roads where reactivity and alertness must stay safe. Source: Blue Chip FeedFeeding rate, bag life and budgetingFeed 100g/day for a 500kg horse; a bag lasts around 30 days for an average horse and 60 days for a small pony. This low daily rate makes it straightforward to compare cost-per-day against stacking separate supplements. Source: Blue Chip Feed Source: Blue Chip FeedBecause it functions as a full balancer, you may be able to retire multiple pots (e.g., hoof, coat, digestive and general vits/mins) and run with one pellet. Blue Chip emphasises that balancers are designed as concentrated vitamin/mineral/protein support within a tiny ration, and specifically notes its products are low in calories, molasses free, and very low in starch with no added sugar addressing common concerns for good-doers or horses sharp on cereals. Source: Blue Chip FeedQuick tip: Measure the daily 100g with a small scoop or kitchen scale to be consistent across yard hands. Consistent dosing improves the fairness of any behavioural assessment over time.While not a clinical trial, independent customer feedback for Blue Chip products on Feefo trends positive, with remarks such as Good all-round balancer and My mare has never looked or felt better. Treat this as anecdotal context when weighing up value and results for your horse. Source: FeefoHow to introduce it and what to monitorIntroduce any balancer gradually over several days and judge calmness and comfort over time, not after a single feed. Watch manure consistency, appetite, behaviour under saddle and on the ground, and overall body condition.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend you start by stabilising the basics ad-lib fibre, regular turnout, routine exercise then add the balancer and keep notes. Is your horse less reactive to wind, more settled to tack up, or more focused in lessons? Is coat and hoof quality holding on winter rations? Pair with steady groundwork or long-reining if ridden work is limited; protective horse boots and bandages help for frequent lunge or polework sessions.Pro tip: If behaviour seems linked to weather or environment, plan sessions around conditions (e.g., calmer days for schooling, breezier days for hacking with steady company). Keep you and your horse visible and safe with quality rider hi-vis and a correctly fitted riding helmet, especially during shorter UK daylight hours.Common mistakes to avoidDont expect sedation or an instant behavioural fix; a calming balancer supports nutrition and gut comfort but cant replace training, turnout and good management. Avoid doubling up on similar supplements and check labels to prevent overlap.Skipping management first: Before adding a calmer, close forage gaps, maximise turnout where possible, and keep a consistent routine. UK horses often become buzzy with restricted turnout, sudden grass-to-hay transitions, or box rest.Overlooking digestive comfort: Tension and tummy go hand in hand. A balancer with probiotics helps, but keep fibre levels high and use a low-starch, molasses-free carrier if you feed a bucket. Retailers describe the Blue Chip formula as non-drowsy and very low in starch with no added sugar ideal for good-doers. Source: Blue Chip FeedStacking too many products: Blue Chip notes its balancers can include hoof, respiratory, digestive, skin and coat support plus immune support and nucleotides. Check whether you can simplify your cupboard and save.Inconsistent dosing: The feeding rate is 100g/day for a 500kg horse. If several people feed, weigh once, then mark a scoop that reliably delivers your horses allowance.Ignoring seasonal triggers: Cold, windy and wet days, rug changes and less turnout can all spike energy. Plan ahead with appropriate turnout rugs and regular grooming to keep skin and coat comfortable when clipped or rugged.Remember: A calmer should support safe, attentive work, not make a horse sleepy a point Blue Chip emphasises by calling the formula non-drowsy. Source: Blue Chip FeedHow it compares with other optionsCompared to standard balancers, this is a low-calorie balancer with extra calming ingredients; compared to standalone calmers, it still covers your horses core vitamins, minerals and protein. That makes it efficient for horses needing nutrient support without extra energy.Other routes you might consider depending on your horse and current ration:A regular low-calorie balancer if you want micronutrients only and prefer to test calmer ingredients separately.A standalone magnesium supplement or L-tryptophan product if you want to isolate one nutrient but always check your existing ration first to avoid duplication. Explore options in our curated horse supplements and balancers range, including trusted brands such as NAF.A targeted digestive support (yeasts/probiotics) if behaviour seems closely tied to forage changes or gut sensitivity again, check what your balancer already provides so you dont double up.A molasses-free chaff or fibre feed as a low-starch carrier for small rations, especially in winter or with box rest. Keep sugar and starch low to support steady behaviour.Blue Chips own guidance notes the calming balancer is fed at a low rate (100g/day for a 500kg horse) and positions it as non-drowsy, so it sits squarely as balancer plus calming support, not a sedative. Source: Blue Chip Feed Source: Blue Chip FeedIf your horses sharpness is driven by weather, routine or tack issues, pair nutrition with management: fit-check saddles, plan varied work, and ride out safely in quality competition layers or everyday kit. For heavy-weather hacks, consider the security of proper horse riding boots with grip and waterproofing.Conclusion: Start simple. Balance the diet first, keep starch low, and run one product consistently before adding extras. If you later want to fine-tune magnesium or digestion further, you can but you may find the balancer alone covers the bases you needed.FAQsDo calming balancers actually calm horses?They can help some horses by supporting diet, gut function and key nutrients like magnesium and L-tryptophan, but theyre not sedatives and wont fix management or training gaps by themselves. Blue Chip frames its product as a non-drowsy, natural formula supporting relaxation within a balanced ration. Source SourceAre calming balancers just regular balancers with a new label?Theyre balancers with added calming-oriented ingredients; in this case, magnesium, chamomile and L-tryptophan are the headline actives, with probiotics to support digestion. You still get the full vitamin/mineral/protein top-up of a balancer. SourceWill Blue Chips Calming Balancer make my horse sleepy?No Blue Chip and retailers describe it as non-drowsy. The aim is calm focus and comfort, not sedation, which aligns with UK owners needs for safe hacking, schooling and competition. SourceWhats the feeding rate and how long will a bag last?Blue Chip advises 100g/day for a 500kg horse; a bag lasts around 30 days for an average horse and 60 days for a small pony. That low feeding rate makes budget comparisons straightforward. Source SourceIs it suitable for good-doers and restricted diets?Yes. Blue Chip says its balancers are low in calories, molasses free, very low in starch and contain no added sugar ideal where you want nutrients without extra energy. SourceShould I use it instead of training or turnout management?No. Nutrition helps, but behaviour is also shaped by turnout, routine, exercise, tack fit and handling. Address management first, then add a balancer to support calmness nutritionally. Keep your plan safe and practical with the right seasonal gear, from turnout rugs to rider hi-vis for shorter days.Can I feed it alongside other supplements?Yes, but check labels to avoid duplication. Blue Chip states its balancers include multiple areas of support (hoof, digestive, skin/coat, immune), so you may be able to simplify. If you need to add a targeted product later, browse our supplements and balancers range for focused options. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop SupplementsShop Turnout RugsShop Stable RugsShop Boots & BandagesShop Hi-Vis Gear

9 min read Last updated: January 2026 Worried kissing spines or navicular means the end of your horses ridden career? Youll get a UKstyle 12week, stepbystep rehab plan, rider and saddle-fit pointers, and navicular care with 46week shoeing intervalsso you can rebuild strength, reduce pain, and return to comfortable work with confidence. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Early diagnosis & team What To Do: Book assessment early and set a coordinated plan with your vet, farrier and physio; review together every 46 weeks. Why It Matters: Aligned care prevents compensations and speeds a safe return to work. Common Mistake: Treating issues in isolation or delaying the initial workup. Area: 12week graded rehab What To Do: Follow a 1012week programme: handwalk/mobilise (wks 02), controlled lunge (wks 34), short ridden sets (wks 56), build strength (wks 78), then condition and add canter only when stable (wks 912). Why It Matters: Gradual loading rebuilds back strength without flareups. Common Mistake: Skipping phases or increasing duration and intensity at the same time. Area: Core & posture What To Do: Do daily carrot stretches, wither/belly lifts and raised pole lines; ride in a round, lifted frame with frequent transitions and large, soft circles. Why It Matters: Correct activation unloads the forehand and protects spine and navicular structures. Common Mistake: Allowing a hollow outline or tight circles that tip weight onto the forelimbs. Area: Farriery for navicular What To Do: Shoe every 46 weeks; use heel support and bring breakover back as advised; reassess after workload or surface changes. Why It Matters: Balanced mechanics reduce deep digital flexor and navicular loading. Common Mistake: Letting cycles run long or applying one-size-fits-all shoes. Area: Footing & yard routine What To Do: Favour soft, consistent arenas; avoid hard, rutted or icy ground; adjust turnout and hacking to limit concussion. Why It Matters: Suitable surfaces protect feet and backs during rehab. Common Mistake: Long road trots or schooling on poor winter footing. Area: Rider & saddle What To Do: Add offhorse core and symmetry work; book regular saddle fitting after body changes; use pressurerelieving pads only if your fitter agrees. Why It Matters: A balanced rider and even pressure help the horse lift and engage correctly. Common Mistake: Masking poor fit with pads or riding crooked while blaming the horse. Area: Monitoring & red flags What To Do: Keep a diary of shoeing, surfaces and niggles; film monthly trotups and schooling; pause fast work and call the vet at first signs of stride shortening or resistance. Why It Matters: Early intervention prevents minor compensations becoming new injuries. Common Mistake: Waiting for obvious lameness before seeking help. Area: Smart kit, used wisely What To Do: Use protective boots, therapy rugs and shockabsorbing pads to support comfort around sessions, but prioritise the prescribed exercises and consistency. Why It Matters: Kit can aid comfort, yet quality rehab drives lasting results. Common Mistake: Relying on gadgets while skipping daily core work and correct frames. In This Guide Can horses with kissing spines return to work? Do kissing spines and navicular go hand in hand? A 12week UKstyle rehab plan that actually works Farriery and footwear for navicularprone horses Rider fitness and saddle fit: nonnegotiables Daytoday management in UK conditions Warning signs and when to call the vet Smart kit to support your plan (used wisely) Kissing spines and navicular pain can feel like career-ending diagnoses but with the right plan, many UK horses return to comfortable work and even competition. The key is smart rehab, skilled farriery, and rider fitness working together.Key takeaway: With early diagnosis, a 1012-week graded rehabilitation plan, and coordinated farriervetphysio care, many kissing spine cases ride again, while navicular-prone horses often stay comfortable at lower levels with strict management.Can horses with kissing spines return to work?Yes. With early diagnosis and a structured rehabilitation plan, many horses with kissing spines return to ridden work and even competition according to the British Horse Society (BHS).Conservative management meaning targeted physiotherapy, core activation, careful rider retraining, and adjunctive therapies sees a substantial proportion of horses back in work when programmes are followed consistently. For surgical cases (e.g. interspinous ligament desmotomy/ISLD), UK and European caseloads commonly report return-to-training as early as 46 weeks post-op when strict protocols are observed (SmartPak Equine clinical commentary). The headline: kissing spines is manageable when you commit to rehab principles.Kissing spines is not automatically a death sentence. With early diagnosis, smart management and targeted rehabilitation, many horses with overriding dorsal spinous processes return to full, happy, and even highperformance lives. Dr Barbara Parks, equine sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist (source)Expect your vet and physiotherapist to emphasise posture, correct muscle activation, and a careful reintroduction of load. UK-based rehab centres frequently follow 68 weeks of progressive work, peaking around 1012 weeks, before normal training volumes resume (Rehab.Vet).Do kissing spines and navicular go hand in hand?No. Kissing spines doesnt directly cause navicular disease, but poor posture and compensation patterns can overload the forelimbs and raise stress on the navicular apparatus over time (Animal Osteopathy College).When a horse avoids lifting through the core and thoracic sling, it tends to go on the forehand, shifting weight to the front feet exactly where the navicular region lives. Chartered physiotherapists in the UK consistently report that weak core engagement increases distal limb loading, including the navicular area (Horses Inside Out).Navicular pain is common: studies suggest it accounts for at least a third of chronic forelimb lameness in popular sport breeds like Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods (UK Veterinary Equine). Prognosis is guarded; retrospective analyses havent shown a clear advantage of medical versus surgical therapy overall, and only a minority of horses return fully to prelameness capacity (Mad Barn summary of The Veterinary Record). Thats why whole-horse management back, feet, rider, footing matters from day one.A 12week UKstyle rehab plan that actually worksThe most successful programmes build gradually for 68 weeks and reach peak load by 1012 weeks, prioritising core activation, posture, and consistency (Rehab.Vet; Horses Inside Out).Use this evidence-aligned framework with your vet/physios sign-off and tweak for your horses stage (post-diagnosis or post-surgery) and the British weather underfoot:Weeks 02: Rest and reset. Hand-walk daily (1020 minutes), introduce carrot stretches, wither lifts, belly lifts, and in-hand straight lines. If your physio agrees, add a few steps over slightly raised poles to encourage thoracic sling activation (Horses Inside Out).Weeks 34: Controlled mobilisation. Increase hand-walking to 2530 minutes including raised pole lines; start large-circle lunging (no tight circles) 23 times/week focusing on a soft, round outline. Keep sessions short and symmetrical left/right.Weeks 56: Ridden return. With veterinary clearance, begin 1520 minutes ridden at walk and short trot sets in a balanced, rounded frame avoid on the forehand. Prioritise transitions, serpentines, shallow loops, and correct bend.Weeks 78: Strength and coordination. Build to 2530 minutes; add more transitions, gentle lateral work (leg-yield at walk), raised pole lines in-hand or under saddle. Include in-hand hill work if ground is safe and not rutted or frozen.Weeks 912: Conditioning. Extend to 3040 minutes; introduce canter when the horse maintains posture and core stability. Add small grids or low cross-poles only with professional clearance.Pro tip: Consistency beats intensity. Aim for 56 low-intensity sessions per week, keeping the frame round and the back lifting, not hollow. If winter footing is hard or icy, swap to indoor work or well-prepared arenas to avoid concussion spikes.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend using well-fitted protective boots during early schooling to support confidence and reduce knocks over poles browse our curated horse boots and bandages for everyday rehab work.When we address kissing spines, we are not just dealing with the bone; we are dealing with how the horse uses its whole body. The key is to retrain movement patterns through rehab so the horse doesnt overload other structures such as the forelimbs and joints. Gillian Higgins BSc, Chartered Equine Physiotherapist (source)Farriery and footwear for navicularprone horsesSchedule corrective shoeing every 46 weeks and use heel support plus breakover adjustments to reduce deep digital flexor tendon and navicular strain (American Farriers Journal).Common options your farrier may consider include raised heels, eggbar or heartbar shoes, and modifications to bring the breakover back. The right choice is individual to each hoof capsule; the principle is to unload the podotrochlear apparatus and even out forces. Coordinate shoeing with your vet and physio, and reassess after any work changes or if you notice subtle stride shortening on one forelimb.Hoof support works best alongside pain management, soft footing, and correct back use. Supplements can support overall comfort and hoof quality as part of a complete plan explore our targeted supplements range, including options from veterinary-trusted brands.Quick tip: Keep a simple yard diary of shoeing dates, surfaces worked on, and any not quite right moments. Its gold dust for your farriervetphysio team when fine-tuning the plan.Rider fitness and saddle fit: nonnegotiablesA balanced rider and a pressuredistributing, wellfitted saddle reduce back strain and prevent forelimb overload that can aggravate navicular discomfort.British Equestrianaligned coaches increasingly include rider core and symmetry work because rider posture directly influences the horses thoracolumbar loading and hindlimb engagement (British Equestrian). Simple offhorse routines (Pilatesstyle core, hip mobility, scapular control) pay off in straighter lines, softer hands, and less bracing through the seat.Pair your fitness with thoughtful tack choices. Pressurerelieving, anatomically contoured pads help spread load when your saddle fitter approves their use. Our riders love the technical designs in the LeMieux collection for everyday schooling comfort. And dont overlook your own stability: a supportive lower half reduces gripping and hollowing. Try wellfitting womens jodhpurs and breeches with good waistband support and grippy knees, and invest in quality riding boots for consistent lowerleg contact.Have a qualified saddle fitter reassess regularly especially after body changes during rehab. A saddle that was fine prerehab can create focal pressure once your horse starts lifting through the back again.Daytoday management in UK conditionsPrioritise softer footing, adjust turnout when ground is hard or frozen, and book seasonal vet checks around spring and late autumn to preempt flareups.In the UK, winter brings freezethaw cycles and heavy rain. Many yards switch to indoor schools or wellmaintained arenas when the ground is concussive, which helps both navicularprone and backsore horses (Animal Osteopathy College). British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) practice summaries also highlight the value of preseason and postseason lameness/back reviews because presentations tend to rise after training volume spikes (Horse & Hound coverage).Comfortable rugging supports softtissue suppleness in cold snaps when muscles are more prone to tightness. Choose breathable layers and adjust to temperature and coat. Browse our durable, weatherready turnout rugs for wet days and cosy stable rugs for recovery time on the yard.Pro tip: Keep hacks controlled and on forgiving surfaces through late autumn and early spring. Add gentle hills for strength, but avoid long road trots that drive up concussion.Warning signs and when to call the vetShorter stride on one forelimb, reluctance to bend or collect, back sensitivity under the saddle, or resistance to transitions all warrant early reassessment by your vet and physio.These subtle changes often arrive before overt lameness. Other red flags include tail swishing during girthing, difficulty striking off on a particular canter lead, toedragging on one side, headnodding in transitions, or tripping on familiar surfaces. Stop fast work, switch to softer footing, and call your BEVAassociated vet to avoid a minor compensation pattern snowballing into a secondary injury.Quick tip: Film a 60second trot-up and a short schooling clip monthly. Sidebyside comparisons reveal movement drift you wont spot day-to-day.Smart kit to support your plan (used wisely)Therapy rugs, supportive pads, and rider-core tools can ease comfort and consistency, but they must sit behind a vetapproved rehab programme not replace it.Use magnetic or farinfrared therapy rugs for additional back comfort before and after work, alongside the groundwork and stretching your physio prescribes. Our customers rate the fit and durability of the WeatherBeeta range for everyday practicality. Under saddle, anatomically shaped pads from brands like LeMieux can help distribute pressure when used with a correctly fitted saddle.For horses with naviculartype pain, consider shockabsorbing pads (as advised by your farrier) and keep lowerlimb protection consistent during rehab schooling. If your vet recommends nutritional support, explore joint and hoof comfort options from trusted names in our NAF and wider supplements collections.As UK rehabcentred trainers remind us, gadgets are adjuncts. Consistent core work and correct movement patterns make the lasting difference (Harry Hall rehab guidance).FAQsCan the Xray changes in kissing spines actually reverse with rehab?Sometimes, yes. Individual cases have shown increased space between dorsal spinous processes after 8+ months of targeted rehab, suggesting bony remodelling can occur but its not guaranteed and most horses are managed longterm through movement retraining and pain control (case example).How long should a horse with kissing spines be rested before starting rehab?Many UK protocols start with 23 weeks of stall rest and handwalking, then move into a 6week graded programme; adjust for surgical vs nonsurgical cases and your vets guidance (Equus Magazine on ISLD protocols).Can a horse with kissing spine safely carry a child or lighter rider?Often yes, once the horse rebuilds core strength and posture and your vet/physio approves. A balanced, quiet rider and carefully monitored workload are essential (BHS).Is navicular disease always a careerending condition?No, but the prognosis is guarded. Many horses remain comfortable at lower levels with strict management, corrective shoeing, and reduced concussion; relatively few return fully to prelameness performance (The Veterinary Record data via Mad Barn).What shoeing interval is best for naviculartype issues?Every 46 weeks is typical in UK practices to maintain heel support and optimal breakover, reducing deep digital flexor tendon and navicular stress (American Farriers Journal).When is it safe to canter or jump after kissing spine diagnosis or surgery?Only when your horse can maintain a rounded, lifted posture through walk and trot, typically after 812 weeks of progressive rehab, and with explicit veterinary/physio clearance (SmartPak; Rehab.Vet).Ready to map out your horses next 12 weeks? Build your plan with your vet, keep sessions short and consistent, and support comfort with thoughtful gear and surfaces. If youd like help choosing practical kit for daytoday rehab, the Just Horse Riders team is here to help. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop Boots & BandagesShop SupplementsShop Turnout RugsShop Stable RugsShop WeatherBeeta

10 min read Last updated: January 2026 Battling 4pm sunsets and mud while trying to sell your pony? This warm, stepbystep guide shows you how to set a clear price, capture trustbuilding video (walk, trot, canter, small fence), and run one daylight viewing with 5 prescreening questionsso you attract serious buyers and clinch a fair winter sale. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Time Your Sale What To Do: Aim to market from late spring to early autumn; if selling in winter, line up media early and plan around daylight. Prep ads in late winter to catch spring interest. Why It Matters: Better light and ground boost viewings and buyer turnout, while prep offsets winter slow-down. Common Mistake: Listing during a dark, wet spell without media or a daylight plan. Area: Clear Priced Advert What To Do: Write a detailed, honest ad with height, age, breeding, schooling, hacking, loading, behaviour, management, farrier/dentist dates and quirks. Include a clear price and state whats included. Why It Matters: Specifics and a price filter time-wasters and build trust. Common Mistake: Using POA or vague claims that invite endless messages and mismatched viewings. Area: Shoot Honest Media What To Do: Film conformation, walk, trot, canter on both reins, a small fence if relevant, and handling (feet, tacking, mounting); add short hack clips if a selling point. Shoot in daylight with clean presentation and sharp photos. Why It Matters: Quality, truthful media lets buyers assess suitability before travelling. Common Mistake: Misleading angles or dim, windy footage that deters serious buyers. Area: Pre-screen Buyers What To Do: Before booking, ask intended use, rider age/size/experience, facilities, budget and references; require they watch the full video. Follow with a phone call to confirm fit. Why It Matters: Early filtering saves wasted trips and protects the pony. Common Mistake: Offering viewings to anyone who messages first. Area: Manage Winter Viewings What To Do: Limit to one daylight viewing per day on footing you trust; avoid back-to-back slots. Share the video in advance and rearrange for safer weather if hacking is to be assessed. Why It Matters: Calm, safe assessments show the pony at its best and reduce risk. Common Mistake: Cramming multiple appointments into fading light or poor ground. Area: Choose Sales Route What To Do: Pick private sale, a professional introduction, or auction based on timescale and type; review recent results and set clear expectations. Be transparent on viewing order and hold price until vetting is booked. Why It Matters: The right channel speeds the process and reaches suitable buyers. Common Mistake: Choosing a route on hearsay without benchmarking or clarity on fees and process. Area: Trials & Vetting What To Do: Offer trials only with written terms covering deposit, refunds, daily care, insurance, and buyer-arranged transport approved by you. Agree vetting stage, location and buyer payment before proceeding. Why It Matters: Clear terms protect welfare, money and relationships. Common Mistake: Letting the pony leave without a signed agreement and approved transport. Area: Prepare Pony & Yard What To Do: Keep the pony clean and calm with smart rugs, regular grooming, tidy legs and hooves, and clean, well-fitting tack; stage a safe, well-lit area and a short, known hacking loop. Keep a spotless spare saddlecloth, matching boots and a clean headcollar ready. Why It Matters: Professional presentation signals good management and reassures buyers in winter. Common Mistake: Turning up muddy, disorganised or riding on heavy ground that undermines confidence. In This Guide When is the best time to sell a pony in the UK? What should go in your advert to attract serious buyers? What photos and videos actually sell ponies in the UK? How should you prescreen buyers and manage winter viewings? How should you price your pony and choose where to sell? Whats the safest way to handle trials, deposits and transport? How do you prepare your pony and yard for winter viewings? What should you do next to progress a winter sale? Trying to sell a pony when the UK is dark by 4pm and the fields are boggy can feel like swimming upstream. The good news is you can still find the right home this winter with smart timing, honest media and firm, friendly processes.Key takeaway: Late spring to early autumn is the easiest time to sell in the UK, but a clear, priced advert plus strong photos/video and proper buyer screening will still secure a good winter sale.When is the best time to sell a pony in the UK?Late spring to early autumn is the easiest time to sell a pony in the UK, while winter sales are harder due to short daylight, wet ground and fewer buyers travelling. Thats the consistent view on UK forums and in features: longer days and better ground in summer simply make viewings more attractive and practical for buyers and sellers alike (Horse & Hound forum).In winter, plan for fewer casual shoppers but more serious ones. Youll need to be organised: schedule viewings around daylight, keep your pony clean and dry, and have video ready so a buyer can decide if a visit is worth travelling for. If your timescale is flexible, consider lining up your marketing in late winter so you can capture spring interest as days lengthen and buyers are keener to travel.Quick tip: If hacking is a selling point, arrange second viewings for a brighter day so the buyer can assess safely.What should go in your advert to attract serious buyers?A clear, detailed advert with an actual price attracts serious enquiries and filters out timewasters. List height, age, breeding, schooling level, hacking, loading, clipping, shoeing, and turnout behaviour, plus a realistic price instead of POA (Horsemart).Buyers also want to know what the pony has done (PC, RC, unaffiliated events), what its currently doing (schooling, hacking, jumping), and any quirks. Be upfront about management, feed, supplements, and whether the pony needs a competent rider or could suit a novice. Honesty reduces wasted miles and builds trust. At Just Horse Riders, we recommend including a line on recent farriery and dentist dates; it signals good management.Pro tip: Include a short best home statement (e.g., PC home with regular lessons) to set expectations from the outset. And if you need quick, credible polish before photos or viewings, a tidy-up groom and a clean rug go a long wayour grooming kits and brushes help you present a gleaming, well-cared-for pony without hours of effort.For winter adverts, dont underestimate the value of clean, weather-appropriate presentation. A mud-fever-friendly management note, plus the right rug weight, reassures buyers youre practical and welfare-minded. If you need to smarten up in a hurry, have a dry, fitted turnout ready; our range of winter turnout rugs and cosy stable rugs from trusted brands like WeatherBeeta helps you keep your pony sale-ready despite the mud.What photos and videos actually sell ponies in the UK?UK buyers now expect a proper sales video plus quality photos that show conformation, work and manners. Horse & Hound emphasises that clear, honest media lets buyers assess suitability before travelling, saving everyone time and stress (Horse & Hound).Your baseline sales video should include: Standing up square for conformation, both sides and front/rear views Walk, trot and canter with transitions on both reins A small fence if relevant, from both directions Handling: tied on the yard, picking up feet, tacking up, mountingPhotos should be sharp, well-lit and recent, with the pony clean and plaited or neatly presented. Avoid odd angles or stretched shots that distort conformation. As H&H notes, quality pictures inspire trustpoor presentation or misleading angles do the opposite (Horse & Hound). Quality pictures and videos are essential; misleading conformation shots or poor presentation can create mistrust and attract the wrong buyers.Quick tip: Film in daylight and avoid windy arenas that distort audio. If winter light is limited, prioritise video first and top up with tidy photos when the sun breaks through. A clean headcollar, smart saddlecloth and neat rider turnout look professionalconsider freshening your hat and outerwear too; a well-fitted riding helmet and subtle hivis for hacking clips make a good impression. And yes, sparkle sells: a coordinated pad/ear set from brands like LeMieux photographs brilliantly without hiding reality.How should you prescreen buyers and manage winter viewings?Screen every enquiry before offering a viewing and limit yourself to one daylight viewing per day. Ask intended use, rider experience, facilities and budget up front to save wasted trips (Horsemart).Use a simple, structured message or phone script: What will you use the pony for in the next 612 months? What rider will be on board (age, height, weight, experience)? Whats your setup (arena access, hacking, coaching)? Are you comfortable with the advertised price and ongoing costs? Do you have references (instructor, yard owner, vet) if needed? Ask the right questions of anyone enquiring about your horse before viewings, including intended use, rider experience and facilities, to establish suitability early and reduce wasted time.Follow with a phone call for all serious enquiries; this usually separates genuine buyers from casual browsers. Schedule viewings in daylight on footing youre comfortable riding on, and avoid backtoback appointmentsHorsemart notes that more than one viewing per day can stress the horse and compromise the assessment (Horsemart).Presentation still matters in mud season. Keep the ponys legs and tail clean, hooves picked, and tack fitted and wiped down. A pair of breathable stable wraps or brushing boots can keep legs clean previewing; for travel or hacking demos, pack travel boots and bandages so everyone sees a safe, well-prepared operation.Pro tip: Ask buyers to watch the full sales video before booking. If they wont, theyre unlikely to be serious.How should you price your pony and choose where to sell?List a realistic fixed price and choose your routeprivate sale, professional introduction (around 250) or auctionbased on your pony and timeline. Clear pricing outperforms POA because buyers need a budget reference point (Horsemart).Pricing principles: Benchmark against similar UK adverts with comparable age, record and type. Be realistic in winter; fewer buyers are travelling, so testing the market too high can stall momentum. State whether tack is included and whats negotiable (e.g., rugs) to avoid haggling surprises.Routes to market: Private sale: You control the process, but expect more admin. Strong media and tight screening are essential. Professional introduction: Some UK services charge roughly 250 to connect you with vetted buyersa useful middle ground if time is short (Golden Ponies). Auction: Still a valid route, with Brightwells in the UK and benchmark Irish sales like Cavan/Clifden informing seasonality and type. Watch recent results and talk to people whove sold via these routes (useful overview in this YouTube vlog).Pro tip: If multiple serious buyers emerge, be transparent about order of viewings and hold firm to your stated price until vetting is booked.Whats the safest way to handle trials, deposits and transport?Only offer a trial with written terms: buyer pays and arranges transport (subject to your approval), daily care responsibilities are clear, and deposits are agreed. Put everything in writing before the pony leaves the yard.Bestpractice terms to cover: Deposit amount, refund conditions and time limits Who arranges and pays for transport both ways if the sale doesnt complete Daily care, insurance, and what happens in the event of illness or injury Prepurchase vetting timing and by whom (many buyers use BEVAmember equine vets) Transportation is on the buyer and the seller should choose/approve the shipper if a trial does not lead to a sale, to protect the ponys welfare and avoid poor handling in transit.That guidance aligns with common UK expectations around welfare and journey fitness. Always approve the transporter, ensure the pony is fit to travel, and use appropriate protectiontail guard and travel bootsfrom yard to yard. If you need to kit up, our protective travel boots and tail guards are designed for safe, stressfree trips.For the vetting, be courteous but firm: agree the stage of vetting in advance, who pays (the buyer), and where it happens. Keep your own diary clear so the ponys routine remains consistent through the process.For extra reassurance, some sellers offer a short return if unsuitable window instead of an away-from-home trial. Whatever you choose, keep the agreement simple, specific and signed. As The Plaid Horse notes, clarity around transport and responsibility protects the pony and keeps relationships professional (The Plaid Horse).How do you prepare your pony and yard for winter viewings?Present a clean, calm pony in safe footing and good light, with rugs and grooming keeping them viewready through winter. A tidy yard, working lights and a swept tieup area show good management even when the fields are mud baths.Winter preparation checklist: Rug strategy: keep the body clean and dry with the right weight; rotate a smart rug for viewing days. Explore our durable turnout rugs for wet weather and warming stable rugs to keep coats presentable. Grooming: a weekly deepgroom and previewing sparkle. Stock up on shampoos, stain removers and brushes from our grooming collection. Feet and legs: pick hooves, dab mud off cannon bones, and consider light boots for presentation. Tack and rider: clean, fitted tack and a neat rider. If youre hacking out for a demo, wear subtle hivis for road safety. Facilities: mark a viewing route with the best footing; if the arena is heavy, keep work short and focused to show rideability without risk.Buyers notice calm handling as much as movement. Walk the pony in hand, stand up square, and show polite tying, tacking and mounting. If the buyer wants to hack, choose a short loop you know is safe and consider clipped helmetcam snippets in your video; if you need to refresh kit, our selection of certified riding helmets keeps you compliant and smart.Pro tip: Keep a spare, spotless saddlecloth, matching brushing boots and a clean headcollar on a separate hookready to go whenever a viewing lands on a rare bright afternoon.What should you do next to progress a winter sale?Pull your media together this week and publish a priced, honest advert, then prescreen enquiries by phone. With clear terms, organised viewing slots and steady presentation, genuine buyers will comeoften faster than you think.At Just Horse Riders, we see winter sales succeed when sellers combine transparency with tidy presentation and boundaries. As one seller put it: The right person will come along eventually patient, honest communication with enquiries helps separate genuine buyers from casual browsers. (Eventing Nation)If you need to upgrade a few essentials to keep your pony immaculate and safe through the process, our curated rangesfrom weatherproof WeatherBeeta rugs to protective travel and brushing boots and daytoday grooming toolsare in stock and ready to ship.FAQsIs winter a bad time to sell a pony in the UK?Its harder, not impossible. Short daylight, wet ground and fewer buyers travelling mean you must lean on strong photos/video, a clear, priced advert and tightly managed viewings to attract serious enquiries (Horse & Hound forum).What should I include in my sales video?Show the pony standing, walking, trotting, cantering (both reins), plus relevant work such as a small fence or a short hack, and basic handling/stable manners. Clear, honest media is now expected by UK buyers (Horse & Hound).How do I avoid timewasters?Prescreen every enquiry by asking intended use, rider experience, facilities and budget, and request a phone call or complete video view before arranging a visit. This early filter saves everyone time (Horsemart).Should I put POA on my advert?Usually no. Listing a clear price helps buyers decide quickly whether they are in budget and reduces pointless messages (Horsemart).How many viewings should I do in one day?Ideally one. Multiple viewings can stress the pony and reduce the quality of each assessment, especially in winter when light and footing are limited (Horsemart).Should I offer a trial?Some sellers do, but only with written terms that state who pays and arranges transport (buyer), who is responsible for daily care, and what happens if the trial ends without a sale. Approve the transporter to protect welfare (The Plaid Horse). 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8 min read Last updated: January 2026 Wondering if your horse can share a Brussels sprout this winter without risking colic? This UK-focused guide shows when to skip them and, if you must, how to limit to a pea-sized piece and wait 24 hoursplus safer treats (carrots, celery, green beans) to keep your horse comfy and gas-free. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Sprout policy What To Do: Treat Brussels sprouts as a rare, optional novelty; if unsure, skip them. Follow the most conservative advice for your yard. Why It Matters: Reduces gas build-up and colic risk from cruciferous veg. Common Mistake: Making sprouts a regular part of the ration. Area: Portion control What To Do: Start with a pea-sized piece or thin slice and wait 24 hours before offering another tiny piece. Keep it to very small amounts, very occasionally. Why It Matters: Limits hindgut fermentation spikes that cause discomfort. Common Mistake: Giving a handful because the horse liked them. Area: Safe serving What To Do: Feed in-hand, chopped or sliced, and never mix with kitchen scraps or cooked leftovers. Keep them separate from the daily feed. Why It Matters: Minimises choking risk and avoids additives while gas risk remains. Common Mistake: Bringing cooked, seasoned sprouts to the yard. Area: Skip for sensitivities What To Do: Avoid sprouts for horses prone to gas, colic, ulcers, or diarrhoea, and during routine changes, box rest, or winter stabling. Why It Matters: Sensitive or stressed guts react more strongly to gas-producing foods. Common Mistake: Trialling sprouts during turnout or forage changes. Area: Introduce and monitor What To Do: Introduce any new treat slowly and check droppings, appetite, and behaviour for 24 hours. Keep a simple treat log to track reactions. Why It Matters: Early spotting of changes prevents minor upsets becoming colic. Common Mistake: Increasing quantity quickly after one OK trial. Area: Safer treat options What To Do: Choose carrots, celery, green beans, lettuce, and purpose-made low-sugar treats. Offer small portions and rotate infrequently. Why It Matters: These are gentler on the equine gut than crucifers. Common Mistake: Assuming all veg are safe because theyre healthy for humans. Area: Winter gut care What To Do: Keep forage consistent, maintain regular movement, and make any diet change gradual. Use slow feeders and enrichment instead of novel veg. Why It Matters: Stable time and lower activity raise colic risk; routine supports gut motility. Common Mistake: Adding new snacks abruptly during cold snaps. Area: Yard etiquette What To Do: Never feed someone elses horse and always get permission first. Use a Please do not feed me sign during holidays to prevent surprise snacks. Why It Matters: Prevents tummy upsets and yard disputes from ad hoc feeding. Common Mistake: Sharing festive leftovers around the stables. In This Guide Can horses eat Brussels sprouts? Why sprouts can cause trouble in horses How much and how often? A safe approach When to avoid sprouts altogether Safer winter treat ideas for UK horses How to introduce any new treat and what to watch for Christmas leftovers and yard etiquette Sprouts on your plate, sprouts on the yard when winter rolls in, this question always crops up: can your horse have a Brussels sprout or two? Heres the straight-talking, UK-focused guidance you need to keep your horse comfortable and colic-free this season.Key takeaway: Treat Brussels sprouts as a rare, tiny treat (if at all) cruciferous veg can cause excess gas and may contribute to colic. Safer alternatives like carrots, celery, green beans and lettuce are a better bet.Can horses eat Brussels sprouts?Yes but only in very small amounts as an occasional treat, and many UK advice sources recommend avoiding them altogether because cruciferous vegetables can cause gas and colic. Several practical references allow a couple infrequently, while veterinary-facing guidance is more conservative.In UK resources, youll see two consistent themes. First, Brussels sprouts sit in the cabbage family (cruciferous veg), which are regularly flagged as problematic for horses because they increase intestinal gas. Animal Friends advises that cabbage-family vegetables should not be fed to horses due to the gas production associated with ingesting these foods (source). Second, some equine nutrition articles acknowledge owners may still want to offer the odd sprout as a novelty but only sparingly and never as a regular feed (source). That balance reflects real-world yard practice paired with sensible risk management.Yes, you can feed sprouts to horses, but as a rare treat and in moderation. Just Horse Riders article guidanceWhy sprouts can cause trouble in horsesBrussels sprouts are cruciferous; in horses these vegetables can ferment in the hindgut and produce excess gas, which may lead to discomfort or gas colic. The concern is about gas production, not a unique sprout toxin.Multiple equine references connect cabbage-family veg (sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, kale) with gas build-up in the equine gut, and the resulting pressure can trigger abdominal pain or colic signs in some horses. Thats why many UK lists place these foods in the do not feed or only with caution category (Animal Friends; Horsix). Its also why forum contributors whove dabbled with sprouts typically advise keeping it to a couple at most, and closely watching the horse afterwards (Horse & Hound forum).Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts should not be fed to horses due to the gas production associated with ingesting these foods. Animal Friends equine advice pageHow much and how often? A safe approachTreat sprouts as a non-essential, optional treat only; if you choose to feed any, offer a very small amount infrequently and never add them to the daily ration. Introduce slowly and monitor for any digestive changes.Across sources, theres no evidence-based safe number, so the most responsible stance is conservative:Offer a tiny piece first think a single thin slice or a small chunk and wait 24 hours before considering any more.Do not give large handfuls, mixed kitchen scraps, or cooked leftovers. Cooking doesnt remove the gas-related concern (source).Never make sprouts part of the routine. They shouldnt replace forage or a balanced feed.Chop or slice to reduce any choking risk, and feed in-hand so you can control the portion.Skip entirely for horses with a sensitive gut (more on that below).Vegetables from the cabbage family can be fed in small quantities Be careful not to give too much at once and try it out first. Ask HeltieGenerally cruciferous vegetables are best avoided with horses, but a couple sprouts usually wont cause any problems. Horse & Hound forum contributorQuick tip: If you want the fun without the fuss, purpose-made, low-sugar treats are easier to portion and far safer than kitchen veg. Browse our low-sugar horse treats for simple, yard-safe rewards.When to avoid sprouts altogetherAvoid Brussels sprouts for any horse prone to colic or gas, or if your horse has a history of digestive sensitivity. Also avoid during periods of significant routine change, box rest, or winter stabling when gut upsets are more likely.In colder UK months, horses are often stabled more and may move less. Sudden diet changes even just a few unusual veg can tip a delicate gut into discomfort. If your horse is on a careful management plan for ulcers, diarrhoea, or recurrent colic, stick to a predictable diet and skip sprouts entirely. The same goes if your yard has recently changed forage, turnout time, or workload.Pro tip: Support steady gut function in winter by keeping movement up and forage consistent. If your horse is spending more nights in, ensure theyre comfortable and settled with appropriate stable rugs for the season, and consider forage-based enrichment rather than novel veg. If youre actively managing a sensitive gut, talk to your vet and explore targeted digestive support supplements.Safer winter treat ideas for UK horsesChoose carrots, celery, green beans and lettuce as safer food treats, and pair them with purpose-made low-sugar treats and enrichment toys. These options are generally easier on the equine gut than cabbage-family vegetables.Veterinary and practical sources frequently list carrots, celery, green beans and lettuce as sensible alternatives to crucifers (source). Alongside these simple veg, consider:Commercial low-sugar treats for predictable calories and simple portion control see our treats collection.Treat balls and stable toys to slow intake and add enrichment browse ideas in our gifts for horses and seasonal Christmas gifts for horses.Forage-based boredom busters: double-netted or slow-feed hay nets, small-holed haylage nets, or scatter-feeding chaff in a treat ball for mentally engaging nibbling.More movement: a leg-stretch hack, in-hand walk, or groundwork session can all help gut motility. If youre heading out on grey afternoons, kit up with hi-vis for riders so you stay seen.Remember, even safe treats should be fed in moderation and introduced gradually. If your horse is on a specific diet or weight plan, check with your vet or nutritionist before adding extras.How to introduce any new treat and what to watch forIntroduce any new food slowly, in tiny amounts, and monitor for signs of digestive upset such as reduced appetite, pawing, looking at the flank, restlessness, bloating, or other colic signs. If youre concerned, stop the treat and call your vet promptly.A sensible step-by-step for any novel treat (sprouts included):Offer a pea-sized piece first time and observe for 24 hours.Check droppings, appetite, and demeanour. Any change? Stop and speak to your vet.If no issues, you can occasionally repeat a small piece but dont escalate quantity or frequency.Never give a large portion because they liked it last time thats when gas-related issues can bite.The colic indicators to know include reduced appetite, pawing, flank-watching, bloating, restlessness, or lying down and getting up repeatedly. These are highlighted across UK advice pages warning against gas-producing foods (source). Trust your instincts: if something looks off, remove feed, keep the horse calm, and ring your vet.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend keeping a simple new treat log in winter so you can quickly correlate any tummy grumbles with changes to the snack menu. Its a small habit that can save a lot of second-guessing.Christmas leftovers and yard etiquetteDo not bring cooked Brussels sprouts, mixed vegetable scraps, or handfuls of leftovers down to the yard; sharing human food ad hoc is a common cause of upset tummies and yard disagreements. Stick to horse-safe treats and always get the yard owners permission before offering food to anyone elses horse.UK yards get especially festive, but kitchen sharing shouldnt become normal practice. Cooked sprouts are still cruciferous and remain a gassy choice for horses; adding butter, seasoning, bacon, or gravy only makes them less suitable. If you want to spread cheer, brighten the stable with a toy or stock up a friends grooming kit instead. Our Christmas gifts for horses and gifts for equestrians collections have yard-safe ideas that wont upset equine stomachs.Quick tip: Put a friendly sign on your stable door during the holidays: Please do not feed me Im on a special diet. Its a polite, effective way to keep surprise snacks out of your horses feed intake.Bottom line: If in doubt, dont feed it. Choose proven, horse-friendly treats and enrichment, and keep your horses gut routine steady through the winter.FAQsCan horses eat Brussels sprouts?Some equine sources say yes, but only in very small amounts and very occasionally; others recommend avoiding them entirely because cruciferous vegetables can cause gas and increase colic risk. See our overview and the balanced position in our earlier guide (source).Do Brussels sprouts cause colic?They can contribute to gas build-up, which may lead to abdominal discomfort or gas colic, especially if a horse eats too many at once. Thats why many UK lists put cabbage-family veg in the avoid category (source).Are raw Brussels sprouts safer than cooked?No. The main concern is the cruciferous veg gas effect, and cooking doesnt remove that reason for caution (source). Avoid cooked leftovers and mixed kitchen scraps entirely.How many Brussels sprouts can a horse have?Theres no evidence-based safe number. The practical consensus is very small amounts only, very occasionally or avoid them altogether to minimise risk (source).What signs should I watch for after feeding sprouts?Watch for reduced appetite, pawing, looking at the flank, restlessness, bloating, or other signs of colic. If you see any of these, stop the treat and call your vet (source).What are safer alternatives to Brussels sprouts?Carrots, celery, green beans and lettuce are widely listed as safer options than cruciferous veg (source). For simplicity and consistency, choose purpose-made, low-sugar treats from our treats collection.What else can I do to beat stable boredom without risky snacks?Try treat balls, forage-based slow feeding, in-hand walks, and short hacks to keep your horse occupied and gut motility ticking over. Browse yard-safe ideas in our gifts for horses, keep festive and practical with Christmas gifts for horses, and if your horse is stabled more, check theyre comfortable in the right stable rug. For sensitive tummies, consider targeted digestive support supplements and discuss options with your vet. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop Horse TreatsShop SupplementsShop Stable RugsShop Gifts & TreatsShop Hi-Vis Gear