Ailsa

Giving horses ‘the choice’ in life, training and therapy.

A difficult horse ‘Maybe keep this one on two ropes – he can be a little tricky’ (at least this is more honest than the admission that ‘ah yes he did bite and kick the last one’ or even ‘my goodness I’m amazed she went in with you after the awful trauma she had inContinue reading “Giving horses ‘the choice’ in life, training and therapy.”

The rectus abdominus muscle and how core training works

Careful tack and girth choices together with a little ground work can produce a big payoff in your horse’s performance! It doesn’t matter if your horse carries you for leisure rides in the forest, pulls a cart fast around a track, jumps puissance or is a dressage diva, they will benefit from exercises that improveContinue reading “The rectus abdominus muscle and how core training works”

Back pain in horses

Horses suffer back pain and this is well documented and recognised but quite difficult to diagnose as it often is hidden or accompanies other more obvious issues like hind leg lameness. The spine is the central mechanical structure holding the majority of the heavy internal organs and digestive system, while carrying the cranial nerves alongContinue reading “Back pain in horses”

“Horses as Mirrors”

We can use the fact that horses have mirror neurones to help build our horse’s confidence, body pattern and movement

The bottom line!

Let’s Dive Deep into some Important Riding Horse Muscles – The bottom line When someone mentions the bottom line in horse care you would be forgiven for thinking they are talking about your finances now that you have one of the most expensive possible pets but in fact I am talking about the flexor chainContinue reading “The bottom line!”

My horse just doesn’t seem quite ‘right’

– Equine lameness, a quick hop through some key points! (Yes pun intended- sorry) Seventeen quick points to think of about equine lameness – I know – I tried to make it ten or twenty as it would be so much neater but it came out at seventeen……so here we are! 1. A forelimb lamenessContinue reading “My horse just doesn’t seem quite ‘right’”

Clipping horses

Clipping your horse in winter Remember that if you clip your horse in any way a blanket will be necessary on those cold days and certainly at night. When blanketing any horse, clipped or not, never leave blanket on without checking every day. In checking your horses blanket every day you are carefully watching hisContinue reading “Clipping horses”

Winter warmers for horses?

Keeping your horse warm in winter All warm-blooded mammals – that includes horses and humans, can tolerate a range of temperatures. Each species has a natural comfort zone – this is known as the ‘energy-neutral range’. Horses cope best in dry temperatures between -9 and +15C. Essentially that’s when there are no bugs, no heatContinue reading “Winter warmers for horses?”

Osteo arthritis (OA) in our horses

Arthritis (osteoarthritis – OA) is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs, older humans, cats and, as working and performance horses are living longer it is a growing problem recognised among equine vets too. 50% of horses over 15 were seen to have arthritis in a US study. It is a disabling, non-curable,Continue reading “Osteo arthritis (OA) in our horses”

Feeding horses in winter

One of the difficult issues facing horse owners and trainers is maintaining horses in winter. A part of the picture is feeding and it is easy to make assumptions about how much more food and what types of food the horse may need without looking carefully both at what a horse in the wild wouldContinue reading “Feeding horses in winter”