There’s something ironic about the fact that we’re putting our coats on – and getting ready to take our horses’ coats off.
Yes, it’s clipping time – a chance to marvel at how horse hair can find its way under the tightest clothing, even if you fast...
I can’t include a sound effect with this blog, so please imagine a cross between the theme from Jaws and the gloopy sound when you lose a wellie boot in wet ground.
Before your eyes, that smart, sleek summer pony will metamor...
Nothing with horses is ever simple. After the Masters I religiously hosed Chiara’s right fore three times a day for a week then took her to the vet to have the leg scanned. Even this didn’t go according to plan! After trotting up and down on a hard surface, lunging her on both reins and flexion t...
Recently, I went to one of my favourite showing championships of the year. I love it not just because you’re guaranteed to see top class horses and ponies, but because even though rivalry is keen, the atmosphere is always friendly.
There was plenty of showmanship from those who knew exactly how ...
The controversies of the World Equestrian Games were balanced with the news that Britain’s Ros Canter finished as individual as well as a team gold medallist.
Her story is an inspiration to every young rider – and a few not so young ones, too. Ros started, like so many, as a member of the Pony C...
Behind every great rider, there’s a great groom, whether that’s a paid member of a professional team or a parent/other half doing it for love.
So, congratulations to supergroom Georgia Pitcher. Georgia, who works for Feedmark-sponsored rider Will Furlong, has just won the Shapley’s best turned o...
Successful amateurs are the ones with professional standards, says Carolyn Henderson
The dictionary definition of an amateur participant in any sport or activity is someone who takes part without payment. So why do so many riders assume that “amateur” is synonymous with second-rate?
By defin...
I have now had my back operation and am back in the saddle albeit a little shakily. I did wait a week before attempting to clamber on but once on board things improved on a daily basis. I then decided to enter the Endurance Masters at Euston Park some four weeks after my operation which I know was...
When the excitement builds at big events such as Burghley Horse Trials, we see the tip of the iceberg. Years of hard work have gone into building horse and rider partnerships to that level and months of preparation have been targeted on specific goals.
When it goes right, it’s fairy tale stuff. ...
New research supports the theory that crib-biting relieves stress and should not be prevented. Instead, we must try to keep horses who practice the behaviour in ways which minimise their need to do so.
Researchers at the Royal Agricultural University and Aberystwyth University have found more ev...
I am on box rest again. This time, I have to stick to it, because my husband is seriously considering having me put down.
It isn’t the pain from damaged muscles that’s causing me the problems, but the fact that I can’t ride. It’s driving me crazy and him crazier, because he has to put up with my...
Teenagers. Just that one word is enough to make you sigh, roll your eyes and flounce out the room. And that’s if you’re a parent. However, horsey teenagers have many saving graces. Here are ten reasons to be cheerful – well, most of the time – if you have one in your household.
1. When you...
