HOW GUT HEALTH AFFECTS TOPLINE AND MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT 🇭🇺
Every rider wants to see their horse develop a strong, supple topline. In dressage, it is one of the clearest visible signs of a correct training programme and longevity. Yet when progress is slower than expected, the focus often turns immediately to training methods, fitness programs or saddle fit. In my practice, I have found […]
2026 FEEDING TRENDS: SUSTAINABILITY, SOURCING, AND SMARTER NUTRITION🇺🇸
As a new year gets underway, I’m hearing more horse owners pause and ask questions like, “Where does my feed come from?” “Who actually makes this supplement?” and “Is what I’m feeding my horse helping—or hurting—the bigger picture?” Honestly, I’m glad those questions are being asked. That said, as consumers, we also need to understand […]
THE FIRST BASIC OF HORSE TRAINING 🇿🇦
Horses are taught or trained by a simple conditioned reflex. A simple conditioned reflex is the automatic response to a specific stimulus. If a bell is rung every time before a dog is fed food, at the sound of a bell, the dog will begin to salivate anticipating the reward of food even if food […]
UPCOMING EQUINE AUCTIONS AND SALES
Following is a chronological listing of links to websites for upcoming horse auctions and sales from around the world. We will supplement this listing as we learn of additional events. If you are planning an auction or sale and would like to be listed here, please respond below with details and a link to a […]
WHAT “FUNCTIONAL FITNESS” MEANS FOR THE EQUESTRIAN ATHLETE
Training the Rider When You Can’t Ride—and Why It Matters For riders living in cold climates, winter presents a familiar challenge. When windchills drop below zero, footing becomes unsafe, indoor arenas are unavailable, or daylight disappears, riding time shrinks—sometimes for weeks at a time. In places like the northern United States, Canada, and Scandinavia, this […]
UNDERSTANDING LOW ENERGY IN DRESSAGE HORSES: A DETAILED GUIDE
Low energy is a common problem in many horses. When your horse seems tired, dull, or unmotivated, it’s crucial to uncover the root cause. This can be overwhelming at times, and today we will discuss everything with no hype, just science. Low energy can stem from nutritional imbalances, boredom, health concerns, or even their natural […]
LIST OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN QUALIFIER AND CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS in 2026
This article lists, in chronolgical order, top level Classical Dressage, Western Dressage and Eventing competitions. Each listing is preceded by a flag emoji depicting the country in which the event will be held and the discipline involved. A sample of these emojis follows, showing an event to be held in Poland. The date and name […]
SITE SELECTION FOR BUILDING AN EQUESTRIAN ARENA
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WHEN DRESSAGE BREAKS HORSES: HOW GOOD INTENTIONS GO WRONG & HOW TO DO BETTER
Dressage is supposed to make horses better. Stronger. More balanced. More rideable. Sounder for longer. That’s the whole point. Classical dressage, at its best, was designed to help horses carry themselves—and their riders—with less wear and tear over time. And yet, more and more, I see horses that are sore, mentally dull, resistant, or quietly […]
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN LUNGING YOUR HORSE—TIPS FROM AN EQUINE BODYWORKER
Controlled exercise is the foundation of any good training and rehabilitation programme (Gillis, 2014). When done correctly, lunging can be a great tool to gymnasticise your horse. What is the best equipment to use for lunging? 1. Cavesson Avoid lunging in a bridle or headcollar as these tend to twist the poll instead of correctly […]
