Treatment at the Newmarket Equine Hospital leaves an uncertain prognosis for para equestrian Sophie Wells' horse Valerius. The 16-year-old Flemmish gelding, may not compete again. Valarius, AKA Reece sustained a suspensory injury in both hind legs and had investigations at Newmarket in January.   He’s played a massive part in making me the rider and trainer I am today and will always…

I feel really heartened by how many of my clients want to embrace a way of training that is based on equine biomechanics but saddened when I hear that someone has opted for the quick fix and lunged their horse in side reins.  Side-reins are single straps which attach from bit to girth (or surcingle) and, so their fans claim,…

Research by forward thinking tack manufacturer Fairfax Saddles has shown that breastplates can adversely affect the way a horse jumps. Teaming up with Centaur Biomechanics  and ten elite eventers they proved that a breastplate attached to saddle and girth acts like a ‘cage’ restricting the horses shoulder, particularly at peak take-off when the shoulder is in its most forward position.  Analysis showed…

Here's something warming for the current cold spell! Ginkhana.  Launched as a “local spirit with an equestrian twist”, it is the lastest in Scottish Gins from Royal Deeside. Themed around the Horse Culture in the area, its ‘horsey’ inspiration doesn’t stop at the name - the gin is infused with Meadow Hay, Carrots, Apple and Mint. Ginkhana is described as a…

Pressure halters are just collections of webbing, buckles, brass fittings or plastic they are not inherently good or bad. That said people immediately leap to the conclusion that it is the hands that hold them that determine their label. I personally don’t think it is anything to with the hands that hold them that makes them good or bad. For…