Former international event rider William Fox-Pitt will provide the audience with training tips, ideas and advice for getting the best out of ex-racehorses when he leads a new Retraining of Racehorses Masterclass at the London International Horse Show on Sunday 20 December.The former Badminton and Burghley champion will be joined by TV presenter Rosie Turner (nee Tapner), and ex-racehorse owners Emily Ward and Robyn Gray for the Masterclass which will showcase the opportunities available to horses after racing. In the Masterclass, Rosie will ride an ex-racehorse source by the Retraining of Racehorses charity while Emily and Robyn will partner their own horses with whom they have both enjoyed success in eventing.Emily and her ex-racehorse, the 15-year-old bay mare Dream Big, were crowned RoR Elite Eventing Champion at the 2025 RoR Elite Awards after they triumphed in the open intermediate under 21 class at Farley Hall. Robyn Gray and Hundred Percent, a seven-year-old gelding, have also competed successfully on the British Eventing circuit, winning the open novice RoR class at Osberton in May.Passionate about ex-racehorsesI am passionate about ensuring former racehorses have opportunities to succeed and live full lives once they retire from the track, said William. Thoroughbreds are so versatile and trainable and they love learning. Events like this are so important to show people the potential of ex-racehorses and find what strengths individual horses have. Im looking forward to working with Rosie, Emily and Robyn and seeing how their horses perform.The masterclass will take place in the Thomas Family London Arena on Sunday 20 December. It is free to view from the standing viewing area or you can purchase a seat.Image William Fox-Pitt.Related contentIs an ex-racehorse the right choice for you? We investigateThinking about buying an ex-racehorse? Heres what you need to know abut where you can purchase oneTop tips for introducing hacking to an ex-racehorseHow to feed and retrain the gut of an ex-racehorseNew eventing initiatives for former racehorsesEx-racehorses shouldnt carry more than 17% of their bodyweight, says RoRThe post Former world No.1 eventer to host Retraining of Racehorses Masterclass at London International appeared first on Your Horse.

The RSPCA is calling on equestrians to consider rehoming a horse or pony after experiencing an unprecedented surge in multi-animal rescues.So far in 2026, RSPCA frontline officers are dealing with an average of 410 multi-animal incidents, an increase on 2025 which was a record breaking year.As a charity, weve seen a huge increase in multi-animal rescues of animals like dogs, cats and other small animals, said Milly Jones, Equine Clinical Animal Behaviourist for the RSPCA. But when it comes to equines, we see similar situations that have often arisen from unmanaged breeding, where unhandled mares, foals, and stallions live together without basic care or socialisation. These cases frequently result in extended stays in RSPCA care before a horse is rehomeable. Our teams manage pregnant mares through to the weaning of the foals, and supporting stallions through castration and socialisation work. Often, these horses need extra support in terms of behaviour, confidence and socialisation before they can be rehomed, and this takes a lot of time, funds and expertise from our amazing staff.Rehoming is vitalThe RSPCA rehomed 158 horses in 2025 and has already placed 135 in new homes this year, with additional horses transferred to partner charities for adoption. The charity has 430 horses currently in its care, so finding adopters is vital for freeing up space for the next rescue.Youngsters Ivar and Bertie (pictured top) are among recent rescues by the charity. The cheeky duo were paired together due to their similar ages and bonded over playful antics, including removing each others fly masks this summer. Ivar was born in RSPCA care after his dam was rescued alongside 70 other horses from an unmanaged breeding situation. Thanks to sympathetic handling and a tailored weaning plan, the Icelandic is now a confident, well-mannered yearling who is ready to continue his education in a loving home.Sensitive mare Betty and her foal Bertie arrived with the RSPCA requiring urgent medical attention and went straight into a specialist equine hospital. Once recovered, the team integrated them with young colt Ivar, his mum and two geldings, creating a mini-herd where the youngsters thrived through socialisation and play. Alongside Ivar, Bertie is now looking for a home where he can continue to progress, while Betty is ready for a peaceful home with an experienced handler to build a trusted bond.Meanwhile, nine-year-old Standardbred Newman is a rehoming success story. He was rescued from a traumatic situation involving nearly 100 horses, and as a mature stallion, his rehabilitation required expert veterinary care and patient groundwork to build his confidence. Having successfully recovered from being gelded and completed his journey in RSPCA care, Newman is now settling in at his new home with companion, Ben.Rehoming a horse from the RSPCA is a wonderfully rewarding journey, giving a beautiful, rehabilitated horse or pony a second chance at the loving forever home they deserve, added Milly. By choosing to adopt, you not only gain a wonderful new companion or ridden horse, but also help free up vital space for the next horse needing urgent care.To find out more, visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet.Further readingTop tips for introducing hacking to an ex-racehorseHorse field management: essential paddock careBeware sycamore seeds this autumn: important vet advice about atypical myopathyEssential horse worming schedule and management tips from a vetThe post Equestrians urged to consider rehoming after unprecedented surge in rescues appeared first on Your Horse.

A new free horse sales marketplace has been launched by a husband-and-wife team from Gloucestershire with the aim of helping buyers more easily find the right horse.Paddock Sales is the brainchild of Natalie King-Howdle and her husband Ben, who is a software developer. Natalie came up with the idea after experiencing a frustrating search to find a horse following the early retirement of her horse Benji due to kissing spines.When Benji retired, I was scrolling frustrating sales sites and trawling through hundreds of for sale Facebook groups, with no prices or filters, unclear descriptions, and horses that were never going to suit me, said Natalie. Meanwhile, the best match we ever made was Pumpkin, a field companion for my heart horse Domino, because someone at the Blue Cross took the time to understand what we needed. I wanted to build something that does that for everyone, which is honest when a horse might not be the one. I found looking for my next riding horse to be all consuming, and very emotional.How it worksPaddock Sales works by asking buyers to answer 10 questions about their riding experience, plans and budget before providing them with potential horses. Information about each horse comes with reasons why they are suitable and highlights where they might not. Any horses that are out of the buyers budget are shown but clearly flagged. Every listing has a three tap check before a buyer can make an enquiry with the seller. Listing a horse is free and sellers can paste details from an existing advert to be pulled through onto the website. Honest listings are encouraged and theres a section for the horses health and history.Sellers can view a list of buyer requests before they post so they can see what demand exists for the type of horse they are selling. There is also a checker that allows sellers to find out how many current buyers their horse matches. Rehoming optionsThe website works with rehoming charities such as Blue Cross, so loan and adoption horses are also available. Selling a horse is often heartbreaking. People part with them because of health, money or life changes, and they want to know their horse is going somewhere right, said Natalie. Buying a horse is equally as emotional; youre looking for a partner. We want Paddock Sales to be the place where sellers feel looked after, buyers find a horse that genuinely suits them, and it never costs anyone a penny to list.MatchmakersNatalie met Ben on the dating app, Tinder, and Paddock Sales works on a similar idea: matching people to the right horse, not every horse.Im the non-horsey half, so I built it the way Natalie thinks about horses, said Ben.The matching is based on what riders tell us really matters, like hacking alone and being good in traffic, and it explains its reasons in plain English. Every advert is checked before it goes live, and we keep it free because a sellers horse shouldnt be a revenue opportunity.To visit Paddock Sales, click here.Image Shutterstock.More from Your HorseHow to tell if a horse is happy: behaviourist reveals 13 key signsHow to provide a stabled horse with the three Fs (and why its so important that you do)Why are horses more prone to colic in the autumn? Vet answersDoes your horse really need to wear a rug when its wet? Equine vet advisesThe post New free UK marketplace matches people to the right horse, not every horse appeared first on Your Horse.

The London International Horse Show has named an impressive list of riders for its inaugural London International Eventing Challenge on Friday 18 December.Five-star winners Ros Canter, Tom McEwen and Gemma Stevens, who were part of this summers victorious British team at the FEI World Eventing Championships, are all taking part in the arena eventing competition. They will be joined by compatriots Zara Tindall, a former World and European champion, and Alex Bragg.Im really pleased that London is putting this class on and I am really looking forward to seeing how we all get on. Why should the show jumpers have all the fun at Christmas!? said Tom.Irelands Aoife Clark, New Zealands Jesse Campbell and USAs Hallie Coon have also been selected by British Equestrian Performance Manager, Dickie Waygood, to contest the class which will take place over a series of showjumping and cross-country fences in the International Arena and part of the collecting ring. A fun challengeFrances Gaspard Maksud, Swedens Sofia Sjosborg, Chinas Alex Hua Tian and Italys Giovanni Ugolotti complete the list of eventers while Britains Matt Sampson will fly the flag for the showjumpers.I think arena eventing is a great addition to London International. As a showjumper, I also really enjoy cross-country, so Im looking forward to giving it a go! Itll be something a bit different and a fun challenge, and I cant wait to get stuck in, said Matt.The course will be at three-star level and be designed by FEI level three course-designer Adrian Ditcham.We have got some truly brilliant riders coming to London and I cant wait to see what they can do. The event is going to be a lot of fun, but technical and challenging enough to make it very competitive, said Dickie.The confirmed list of entrants is:Tom McEwen GBRRos Canter GBRGemma Stevens GBRAlex Hua Tian CHNGaspard Maksud FRAHallie Coon USAAoife Clark IRLJesse Campbell NZLSofia Sjborg SWEAlex Bragg GBRZara Tindall GBRGiovanni UgolottiITAMatt Sampson GBREventing fans can also enjoy eventing-themed Masterclasses at the Show this year. Dickie Waygood will deliver a Masterclass to Ros Canter and Gemma Stevens on Friday 18 December while Pippa Funnell will host Pippas Pony Club Rally on Monday 21 December.The London International Horse Show will take place from Thursday 17 Monday 21 December at the Excel London. The London International Eventing Challenge will take place in the evening performance on Friday 18 December.For tickets, hospitality and further information, visit www.londonhorseshow.com.Image of Matt Sampson riding Latte Macchiato London International Horse Show/Peter Nixon.Related contentZara Tindall joins London International Eventing Challenge line-upFrom cancer patient to competitor: young boys inspiring London International Horse Show journeyLondon International Horse Show announces 2026 charity partnerLondon International Horse Show reveals new format as tickets launchThe post Stellar list of event riders and one showjumper named for London Internationals Arena Eventing competition appeared first on Your Horse.

A lavish 13-acre private equestrian centre in Hampshire is on the market for 6.5 million.Nodwood House near Farnham was built in 2020 with the aim of providing elite competition horses with world class facilities. From American barn stabling to an indoor arena, a salt/oxygen chamber to a veterinary treatment room, the property has been carefully designed and is well-equipped with purpose-built facilities ensuring any horse that lives here has access to everything it needs.Equine facilitiesThere is stabling for 20 horses 12 boxes in the American barn plus private turnout corrals and a secondary yard for visiting horses. Sixteen grass paddocks ensure all horses have ample space to stretch their legs while both an indoor and outdoor arena give options when it comes to schooling. The 20m x 40m indoor arena connects directly to the American barn and has mirrors, a judges box, spectator seating and an integrated sound system.Private turnout corrals are part of the stabling.The facilities also include bays for washing and grooming, multiple tack rooms and an office. A salt/oxygen therapy suite, solariums and advanced recovery and performance-monitoring equipment ensure the rehabilitation amenities are second to none and there are also on-site dedicated veterinary and treatment facilities and a pharmacy.A large lunge pen, five-horse horse walker, all weather turnout and cooling-down tracks provide alternative ways to exercise your horse. Stunning accommodation The house boasts extensive views of the grounds and the local countryside. There are five ensuite bedrooms, two of which have private balconies, an open plan kitchen dining room, drawing room and family room. There is also a separate one-bedroom annexe, landscaped gardens and an outdoor swimming pool with a retractable roof.Nodwood House is set over two floors and has stunning views.If you are looking for a property that combines competition, training and rehabilitation facilities with luxurious accommodation then Nodwood House ticks all the boxes. Nodwood House is for sale through Knight Frank. Images Knight Frank.Further readingBuying an equestrian property? Important things to consider before you exchangeHorse field management: essential paddock careProperty director and cheap ex-racehorse make their CCI5* debutEssential horse worming schedule and management tips from a vetThe post Luxuriousequestrian estate built for elite competition horses for sale appeared first on Your Horse.

Equine welfare charity World Horse Welfare is urging the UK Government to deliver on its promised enforcement measures two years after the introduction of the ban on live exports for slaughter.The charitys plea comes after a recent Europol operation exposed suspected horse trafficking networks across Europe.The Europol operation involved 1,000 horses and 200 officials across four countries.Investigators suspect the networks falsified documents and concealed horses identities to enable them to be sold under false pretences or be slaughtered for the human food chain. The Dover 26 and Trafficked 20 rescue cases have previously highlighted the suffering caused to horses by smuggling. More action requiredThe ban on live export for slaughter was mentioned in the Governments Animal Welfare Strategy which was announced in 2025, but World Horse Welfare says little progress has been made towards delivering the measures needed to enforce it.An agreement is currently being negotiated with the EU which involves making trade and movement of animals easier. The ban forms part of these negotiations and the UK Government has said that no action will be taken until this agreement is finalised.World Horse Welfare has been calling upon the government to establish a robust digital equine identification and traceability scheme, which would help to combat illegal horse smuggling by making it far harder to forge documents, disguise horses origins or conceal their movement histories, for a number of years. DismayedOnce again, we have more evidence that the horse meat scandal never really ended, said Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare.Horses continue to enter the food chain through criminal networks. World Horse Welfare is encouraged that coordinated action has been taken across several EU member states to confront the scourge of horse smuggling by one criminal network.However, we are dismayed that UK authorities do not appear to have chosen to take part in this operation, given how the UK land bridge is being exploited to perpetuate this trade. More than two years later, we have yet to see the promised legislation that would actually make the 2024 ban on live exports enforceable for horses.We recognise the potential implications of the current EU negotiations, but this should not be used as an excuse for inaction on enforcing the ban on live export. If anything, it should have ramped up the urgency to participate in the Europol investigation. In our view, horses are being let down by the lack of enforcement and action must be taken urgently to remedy that.The Europol operation shows that horse smuggling remains a significant and organised criminal enterprise across Europe. Better identification, stronger intelligence-sharing and effective enforcement are essential if we are to protect horses from exploitation and suffering.Image World Horse Welfare.Related contentDover 26 horses rescued from being smuggled last year are seeking new homesLatest vet advice about highly contagious stranglesUK bans live export of horses for slaughterThe post World Horse Welfare calls on UK Government to deliver promised live export ban appeared first on Your Horse.

International working animal charity, Brooke, has launched a limited-edition pin badge to remember the millions of animals who served in World War I.The badge has been created as part of Brookes Every Horse Remembered campaign whichtakes place every November and remembers the heroic bravery of working horses, donkeys and mules who went to war. All funds raised from sales of the badge will go towards supporting the millions of horses, donkeys and mules still working worldwide today.The design of the badge combines a gold horseshoe, which represents and honours the animals who carried supplies, pulled heavy loads and bore soldiers, with a calendula, the multi-petaled orange flower which denotes healing. The badge is crafted from gilded iron and filled enamel. Forgotten contributionMillions of horses, donkeys and mules served alongside people in wartime with the majority never returning home, yet their vital contribution is too often forgotten, said Klare Kennett, head of communications at Brooke.Their sacrifice is woven into our shared history, a reminder of both the deep resilience of humananimal partnership and the cost of conflict. Today, animals supporting people and communities around the world remain equally unseen. This new badge gives people a powerful way to honour them this remembrance season and directly help us support working animals that families continue to rely on. Brooke ambassador Angela Rippon will wear one of the badges when she lays a wreath at the Animals in War Memorial ceremony in Hyde Park on Friday 6 November.The limited-edition pin badge costs 3.50 and can be purchased here.Image Brooke.Further readingBrooke announce Scottish singer as music ambassador for the charityFamily poem about horse requisitioned for war features in Brooke remembrance campaignAngela Rippon to represent Brooke at remembrance service for animals lost in warOwners belief in horse emotion linked to animal wellbeing, Brooke study showsBrooke unveils online learning platform for vets in developing countriesThe post Charity launches pin badge to honour wartime animals ahead of Remembrance Day appeared first on Your Horse.

Equine welfare charity World Horse Welfare will be running their popular free webinars, which provide expert advice, information and guidance to horse owners on a wide range of horse-related topics, again this winter.The seventh series of World Horse Welfares Welfare Wednesday webinars will kick off on Wednesday 28 October at 7pm withHow to train your horse at liberty.Equine trainer Lucy Chester will share her experiences of training horses at liberty and provide information on how to get started for those who are interested in trying liberty with their own horse.The series will continue monthly over the winter and cover a variety of subjects including understanding separation anxiety, managing itchy skin and caring for hooves. The topics of coping with the effects of climate change and making responsible breeding decisions will also be explored. Experts who will feature include equine vet Adam Redpath, equine behaviourists and trainers Rosa Verwijs and Liane Preshaw, World Class Programme farrier Ben Benson and Jan Birch of the British Horse Foundation.Always more we can learnTheres always more we can learn about horses and what they need from us, said World Horse Welfares education officer, Rebecca Boulert.Our Welfare Wednesday webinars give owners and equine industry professionals free access to trusted specialists and evidence-based guidance that can be applied to the horses in their care.This series explores a wide range of subjects, but every session has the same aim: to leave viewers with useful ideas, a deeper understanding of their horses needs, and practical steps they can take to support the welfare of horses in their care.All the webinars are free to watch and recordings will be made available after the event so you can watch them back at any time on the World Horse Welfare website.For more information and to watch webinars from this, or past, series, click here. Image World Horse Welfare.How to tell if a horse is happy: behaviourist reveals 13 key signsHow to provide a stabled horse with the three Fs (and why its so important that you do)Why are horses more prone to colic in the autumn? Vet answersDoes your horse really need to wear a rug when its wet? Equine vet advisesThe post World Horse Welfares popular free webinars to return appeared first on Your Horse.

Equine dentistry and sinus disease is the focus of The Equine Veterinary Journals (EVJ) new Special Focus Issue, which brings together 18 papers designed to advance understanding, diagnosis and treatment of two closely linked conditions.With an estimated 93% prevalence of dental disease in horses worldwide, and dental disease reported to account for 2462% of all cases of equine sinus disease, the collection highlights the significant impact these conditions can have on equine health and quality of life.Dental disease has been shown to be difficult for owners to recognise, said guest editor Tim Barnett. Of 95% of horses examined in one study, more than half were classified with moderate to severe disease yet only 24% of owners had expressed concerns about the horses teeth or mouth. Importantly, dental disease can also contribute to sinus problems, which can be chronic and debilitating. The aim of this collection is to make current research and practical information readily available to clinicians to support and improve knowledge, treatment and outcomes for dental and sinus disease.With a guest editorial from Astrid Bienert-Zeit, Jennifer Rawlinson and Tim Barnett, the issue brings together the latest research across a broad spectrum of equine oromaxillofacial medicine. It is always exciting to see a new compilation of research into equine dentistry and sinus disease, added Mr Barnett. While mortality from these conditions is relatively low compared with diseases affecting other body systems, their incidence and impact on horses can be substantial leading to significant decreased quality of life, loss of performance and, in some cases, elective euthanasia. We hope this comprehensive, field-leading collection of research will help advance understanding, improve diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for horses with dental and sinus disease.The Special Focus Issue can be read here. Lead image by RossdalesRelated contentHow often should your horse see the dentist? Plus 10 signs of dental diseaseSeven common dental conditions in older horsesDental bridges and fillings: yes, we are still talking about horses teethWhy are horses more prone to colic in the autumn? Vet answersThe post Widespread yet often missed by owners: New research sheds light on dental and sinus disease in horses appeared first on Your Horse.

The Donkey Sanctuary recently hosted a popular North American television show at its Sidmouth headquarters to film an episode dedicated to donkeys.Animal Zone explores remarkable animal stories, wildlife conservation and rescue work, as well as the special bond between people and animals around the world.The show has been running since 2018 and is now into its 16th season with more than 200 episodes aired to date.Led by show host and executive producer Arthur von Wiesenberger (pictured, top) who has his own donkey named Watson the crew had the opportunity to meet a group of mini donkeys from one of the charitys largest scale rescues.Ive met some remarkable characters in my years of making television, but few have been quite as charming, thoughtful, or quietly intelligent as the residents of The Donkey Sanctuary, said Arthur.Our visit was one of the highlights of Animal Zones English adventure. What impressed me most wasnt simply the beautiful setting or the delightful donkeys, but the extraordinary dedication of the people who care for them.Donkeys are often misunderstood. We learned their cautious, contemplative nature is a sign of intelligence, not stubbornness. Theyve been carrying humanitys burdens for thousands of years. Its rather wonderful to find a place where, at last, were returning the favour.The crew interviewed experts from across the organisation to understand how the charity meets the often complex care needs of the sanctuarys resident herd. They learned about the rehabilitation and rehoming journeys of donkeys taken in, the role of specialist veterinary treatment, and saw first-hand the importance of enrichment activities. They also explored the charitys work with vulnerable people through its Donkey Assisted Activities Centre.It was a pleasure to host the Animal Zone team and share how the charity has grown from the vision of our founder, Elisabeth Svendsen over 50 years ago, into the complex, global international organisation it is today, added Ben Hart, Senior Behaviour and Human Behaviour Lead at The Donkey Sanctuary. We hope this episode will give viewers a greater understanding of the expert care and compassion needed to support donkeys throughout their lives.The Donkey Sanctuary Animal Zone episode is scheduled to air in February 2027.Related contentListen with your eyes: how to understand horse behaviourHorses and fireworks: advice to help equines cope on Bonfire NightWhy are horses more prone to colic in the autumn? Vet answersDoes your horse really need to wear a rug when its wet? Equine vet advisesThe post Theyve carried our burdens for years at last were returning the favour: Hit series films Donkey Sanctuary special appeared first on Your Horse.