Training

Training for horse and rider

Learn more about training for the horse and rider in our articles here. Articles look at dressage, showjumping and flatwork advice for young horses, and those who are experienced in their discipline.

 

Training

Lunging aids to build topline

If your horse is lacking topline and you’re hoping to use lunging aids to help them, then take a look below at our top suggestions. Lunging aids are a great way to improve your horse’s performance and topline, the area from the horse’s wither, along it’s back to the croup. There are many benefits to lunging when done the correct way. It’s an excellent way to help build back muscles without the rider being on board, helps the rider assess the horse’s way of going, and improves rhythm in each pace. Can lunging a horse help build topline? In short,

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Training

3 lunging exercises for your horse

Horse lungeing exercises can be very beneficial to incorporate into a routine and can make sure your horse is actually listening to YOU. Starting with the basics is key so your voice doesn’t get lost in translation when beginning more advanced work, which could cause stress and upset both you and your horse. To put you on track to success and get the most from your groundwork sessions, we’ve put together three essential horse lungeing exercises to master with your horse. Rein Back On the lunge, horses are told to move forward, either for education or just to get some

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Training

Tips for Showjumping with Jessica Mendoza

In this feature, top British showjumper Jessica Mendoza shares her three essential tips for success in the ring. Riding the talented bay mare ‘Zizi’ NP Zelah, Jessica demonstrates her advice over a 1.35m–1.40m course. Top Tip No.1: For horses that rush Build a small cavaletti size fence, with a six-meter distance to another fence, and include a pole five strides behind this (as below). This fence set up is really good for slowing down your horse’s pace after a fence and encouraging him or her to sit back on his/her haunches. It also makes the horse think and also encourages

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Training

Horse Straightness Exercises

Top, practical horse straightness exercises you can practice at home, in the arena or field. Horse straightness is one of the fundamental parts to get right when training a horse of any age. We asked British event rider Caroline Harris to demonstrate a few exercises to improve both horse and rider straightness while training at home. Benefits of Straightness in the Horse: Horse Straightness Exercises For straightness, focus on trotting on a straight line down the long side of the arena and then come back to walk before the corner. When riding the bend, walk a square and have the horse

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FeaturesTraining

Equestrian Education: Why Study Horse?

Undoubtedly, the most powerful tool for someone wanting to pursue a career with horses is equestrian education. Students get the chance to connect with the equine while also realising their own potential in the field. Equestrian education develops students’ knowledge, self-control, accountability, and keen empathy in addition to their riding skills. In this article, we’ll explore the world of equestrian education and examine how it aids in overall development. The Bond Between Horse and Rider The core of equestrian education revolves around equine welfare and the extraordinary bond that forms between the horse and rider. This bond goes beyond simple

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FeaturesTraining

Keryn Legg: From South Africa to UK Dressage Success

Written by Everything Horse Magazine guest author, Donna Harrison Stübben sponsored Dressage rider, Keryn Legg, has a long and rich history in the equestrian industry. Starting riding as a young child while living in South Africa, Keryn is now a well-respected coach and trainer here in the UK, earning her stripes over several years through the recognition of her natural ability in, and out of the saddle. Keryn regularly trains with a number of coaches, two being Levi Hunt and Sue Cottrell (BD List 5 judge and BD coach for over 20 years). She attends clinics with Dane Rawlins and

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FeaturesTraining

Stable Health Tips – Get Your Stable Ready for Winter

With the sunshine month’s coming to an end and half of us holding out for an Indian summer, we’ve decided to turn our thoughts to stable health. Here we’ve listed some great tips and products to help you get your stable ready for winter. Why clear out? Stables are dark, damp places that attract mould, fungi and other harmful organisms. Ammonia in particular can cause upper airway problems breathing problems in horses, as well as having an awful smell! Regular maintenance and a good overhaul a couple of times a year, often at the start and end of each winter, will

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FeaturesTraining

Considering Welfare for the Stabled Horse and Pony this Winter

With the winter fast approaching, we’ve already seen yard owners and landowners struggling with flooding and persistent rain. The current weather conditions are making it more difficult for yard managers to plan for safe and suitable grazing over the winter months to come. Many yards save specific grazing fields for certain times of the year. Unforeseen rain and weather can often affect these plans, leaving yard owners and horse owners reconsidering their options when it comes to the provision of turnout and grazing over the winter months. This may lead to making alternative plans which can often, unfortunately, mean prolonged

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FeaturesTraining

Stripy Horse Rugs: Bucas Explain

Here, we welcome popular equestrian brand Bucas to explain the phenomenon of stripy horse rugs, including why and how the zebra print came about. Zebras know best The evolution of the zebra’s striped coat has been a hot topic amongst scientists for over 150 years with many in-depth studies carried out by scientists on why Zebras have stripes and the connection with flies.   The Science One of the earlier studies to Bucas’ knowledge is that of scientists painting wooden pallets containing vegetable oil, in different patterns. There was one painted with black and white stripes to mimic a zebra,

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Training

Becoming A Confident Horse Rider

Becoming a confident horse rider is not easy. When it comes down to being a confidence in the saddle, two things can affect your outlook; your ability and your mindset. After time off riding, you might feel as though the reset button has been well and truly hit regarding your previous boldness in the saddle. So, what can we do to get back to our courageous riding ways? Tackling the Ability Barrier No matter how much time you have had away from the saddle, you horse knowledge is still in there, somewhere! However, if you’ve lost faith in your knowledge

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FeaturesTraining

Olympic Showjumping: A Deep Dive into Paris 2024

Get ready for the excitement of Olympic showjumping at the 2024 Paris Games. Explore the competition format, top riders, and thrilling team and individual events. The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will showcase the pinnacle of showjumping talent from around the globe. The event, scheduled from July 27 to August 11, will feature top riders and horses competing for individual and team honours. With the British equestrian team aiming for top spots, let’s trot straight into the details of the competition, the athletes, and what to expect. Competition Structure The Olympic showjumping event lasts several days and includes team and

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FeaturesTraining

Feeding Young Horses

Feeding Young Horses – Hints for Optimal Health and Growth Whether you’re rearing a foal to sell on or to produce at home, the aim of feeding young horses should be to achieve a sound, healthy and successful athlete for whatever level and type of equestrian use. Many factors influence the growth and development of foals. However, we are increasingly realising that how we feed and manage our pregnant and lactating mares, as well as their young stock, can have a profound effect on health and welfare. Some of the main issues affecting the growth of horses, which can be

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FeaturesTraining

Wendy Vaughan Part 1: An introduction to Wendy and Ori

This month we welcome founder of the Academy of Veterinary Physiotherapy to Everything Horse for a regular column about the journey of rehabilitating her new horse, Ori, who came along following the sad passing of her dog. Wendy’s column will not only be a journey for readers to enjoy, but it’ll offer invaluable advice on the rehabilitation process of horses. And so the story begins… Part 1: An introduction to Wendy and Ori I hadn’t planned on adopting a horse, let alone rehabilitating one, but when my precious pup Hank passed in the same week as the opportunity arose I

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Training

How To Hit The Centre Of A Fence Every Time

Struggling to hit the centre of your fence when jumping? It’s a common mistake riders encounter, putting crucial seconds on the clock, risking faults, and compromising the effectiveness of their jump. However, we’re here to make sure you’re always on target with advice on how to hit the centre of a fence every time! Straight From the Get Go… Focus on straightness from the outset! If you want a straight approach to the jump, make sure your horse has the foundations down first, including rhythm, balance and responsiveness to aids. Having a horse which is rhythmical and balanced on the

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Training

3 tips to riding a 20m circle

Riding a perfect 20m circle sounds fairly simple. However, it is a manoeuvre where a lot of riders lose crucial points in their dressage tests. Riding a perfect circle is the foundation of equitation. Present in dressage tests all the way up the levels and a vital move in showjumping, cracking the perfect circle could put you in favour of a podium position. So, to help, we’ve put together some pointers to get you on your way to circle perfection! Bend One of the most common errors riders make when riding a 20m circle is overbending their horse. A 20m

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FeaturesTraining

Summer Hoof Care Tips

**Sponsored Post** It has been a difficult winter and spring for horses’ hooves, with the nonstop rain creating fields that resemble mud baths. The knock-on effect of the muddy conditions has seen many horses developing a hoof abscess. With the summer months on the horizon, the warmer temperatures present a whole new set of issues for hoof health. Unlike the constant wet conditions, we have recently experienced, the challenge during the summer months is the sudden weather changes, with a typical UK summer consisting of a mixture of warmer temperatures and spells of rain. During periods of wet weather, which

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FeaturesTraining

What personality type is your horse?

What personality type is your horse? Here we take a comical look at some of the most typical horse-type personalities most yards have to offer. The Drama Queen, or King I see a leaf and jump in the air; a height equivalent to a four-story building. I hack out with my head higher than an HGV, with my tail swinging from side to side, ready to whinny my heart out at the sight of another horse as I suffer from extreme anxiety. Grids could very well end your life, and don’t get me started on that wheelbarrow that’s moved 1cm to

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FeaturesTraining

Spring Fever in Horses: an owners guide

Spring fever in horses is a term used to describe mood and behavioural changes in equines during … well, spring. Our equine companions are sensitive creatures, reacting to even the slightest adjustment to their diet, environment, or weather conditions. With the arrival of spring (finally), you might be noticing some changes in your horse’s energy levels. This is called spring fever and is entirely normal but, as it can present some challenges, you’ll be glad to know that there are some steps you can take to support your horse. The experts from Horse & Country share their 10 top tips for soothing

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FeaturesTraining

What is the most common cause of horse insurance claims?

Even with the best-laid plans, accidents, injuries and illnesses are all part and parcel of owning horses. It is possible to take precautions such as risk assessments, education and training. Still, we can’t prevent the unexpected from happening, so having suitable horse insurance is important to protect ourselves, our horses and others who may be affected by our actions. Taking out a horse insurance policy gives us peace of mind should our horses become ill or sustain an injury. While there is a huge range of advice available on avoiding certain equine illnesses and injuries that can lead to horse

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FeaturesTraining

Charlotte Dujardin: A Triple Gold Medalist and a Passionate Equestrian

Charlotte Dujardin is a name that has become synonymous with excellence in the equestrian world. Born on July 13, 1985, in Enfield, London, Dujardin has emerged as one of Britain’s most successful dressage riders. Her natural talent, unwavering determination, and deep connection with horses have allowed her to achieve unparalleled success throughout her career, as she is now regarded as the most decorated female olympian of all time. One of Dujardin’s most notable wins came at the 2012 London Olympics, where she won three gold medals in dressage. Paired with her exceptional mount, Valegro, she set a new Olympic record for the

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FeaturesTraining

New Product Alert! Arden Breeches from Toggi

New from Toggi for Summer 2024 are the Arden Ladies Breeches, available in dark green or grey. Designed for riders to stay comfortable and secure in the saddle no matter what the summer throws at us. After months of wet weather, horse owners across the British Isles are crossing their fingers for warm, sunny weather to enjoy summer competitions, long hacks and lazy yard days. But as we all know, British summer doesn’t always play by the rules. Luckily, Toggi has ridden to the rescue with a new riding legwear designed to cover every eventuality.  The new Arden Ladies Breeches

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FeaturesTraining

What’s new for equestrians this March

What’s new for equestrians this March? Here at Everything Horse Magazine, we love to discover what’s new in the world of equestrian goodies. From new supplements to hats, gloves and other types of riding accessories – we keep an eye on it all. So, without further ado, here’s a selection of new products and goods in the world of equestrianism this March. This article contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, we may earn a commission. With this in mind, we will only link to products that we believe are true

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FeaturesTraining

Sustainable Practices in Equine Housing: A Look at Eco-Friendly Stables

The rise of eco-friendly equine housing reflects a growing awareness among horse owners of the importance of sustainability in the care and management of their animals. As stewards of our horses and the environment, it’s crucial to consider how stable and shelter choices impact the world around us. Choosing eco-friendly options benefits your horses’ health and well-being and contributes to a healthier planet. Incorporating sustainable practices into equine housing involves more than just selecting the right materials; it’s about adopting a holistic approach that encompasses energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. Choosing an Eco-Friendly Field Shelter for Your Horse

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FeaturesTraining

How To Deal With Swollen Feet after Riding

Experiencing swollen feet can be uncomfortable and sometimes alarming. Whether it’s after a long day on your feet, in the saddle, during pregnancy, or a result of a health condition, swelling in the feet is a common issue many of us face. But fear not! We’re here to guide you through some simple and effective strategies to help reduce swelling and enhance your comfort. So, grab a cozy seat (and elevate those feet!), as we dive into the world of managing swollen feet. Understanding Swollen Feet First things first, let’s understand why our feet swell. Swelling, also known as edema,

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FeaturesTraining

Understanding and Responding to Your Horse’s Emotional Needs

Looking at the whole horse, with equal importance on their physical, mental and emotional well-being will help them to thrive. We can improve well-being and increase our horses’ sense of happiness by factoring in their emotions with a compassionate approach to horsemanship. In this article, Carey Khan from ‘One with the Horse’ looks at factors relating to equine well-being, while discussing how empowering the horse can help it deal with situations more effectively. The Five Domains of Assessment “The Five Domains of Assessment” is a phrase that refers to the different areas that need to be evaluated to gain a

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