Hoofbeats Magazine

Archived Backcopies AUG/SEPT 16 Vol 48 No 2 When the horse relaxes... really give the rein, and make it abundantly clear that its relaxation corresponds with the total relaxation of the rider! “Make it a habit to praise when the horse yields.” N.Oliveira (1998, 17). And when yielding always remember it is better to reward too much than not enough.

Play behaviour in horses is an area that has, until relatively recently, received little attention from the scientific community compared with the study of other behaviours, such as aggression and feeding habits. Perhaps this is because play was historically considered not ‘serious’ enough to warrant thorough investigation – as opposed to other behaviours that may directly affect body condition/survival rates or breeding success (in feral horses at least).

Lateral work involves a range of exercises for the horse and rider that are used to increase the horse’s suppleness, strength and obedience to the aids and provide an essential piece of the jigsaw to help create the ultimate equine athlete for any sport or discipline.The horse has been a means of transport, equine companion and friend to man since time began. With good horsemanship and a managed diet horses have thrived, yet are still susceptible to a range of common conditions and ailments.

Archived Backcopies June July 2019 Having the luxury of keeping much-loved horses through their retirement years is an honour many of us happily perform for our equines. But their needs do change as they age, and keeping condition on older horses through winter can be a worrying problem for many horse owners.