Mamba, the stallion, a horse being a horse

08/04/2025

Nick Rockett, the Grand National winner.
Again the usual human happiness and triumph in evident contrast with the sad defeated horse expression...
The simple truth of the equestrian industry: human ego and greed at the expense of animals 💔

08/04/2025

To me the perfect image about horses peace and serenity 💚

08/04/2025

"Unless you ride at this level, you don't know what you are talking about..."
This is the level.
And they also say Rollkur not to be used anymore.
Sickening 💔

08/04/2025

08/04/2025

He can always eat his grass, even if I'm riding, as there's really no problem about it at all: he doesn't get distracted, he doesn't feel dominant and I never lose his attention anyway, with just a simple nod being more than enough for me to have him immediately with me.
In fact in nature horses in a herd eat continuously and yet they all remain extremely attentive about communicating with everyone, simply because they are interested in doing so, because their herd is important to them...
Well, it's just the same about our horses being with us, as it's all about how they truly value us: it is not the rules being imposed that ever create problems or not, while it is always the presence or lack of a right relationship being based on mutual trust and affection 🧡

08/04/2025

His name was Celebre d'Allen.
He was 13 years old.
He was pushed beyond his limits during the Grand National.
He died.
Again. And again. And again 💔

08/04/2025

The FEI World Cup Dressage winners...
Yes, the horse face is partly cut out...most likely on purpose.
Anyhow his expression is absolutely visible all the same and it surely isn't the one of a proud happy athlete enjoying his success at all.
And it has been so throughout their test, with Glamourdale who constantly showed his evident distress and pain.
Until this last celebration picture, as always with the human happiness being so strongly in contrast with the horse defeat.
This is not sport, this is just vile exploitation 💔

08/04/2025

Disgraceful....

07/04/2025

Yes...and only the ones truly living this can really understand ❣️

Picture credit: Saddle N Stuff

07/04/2025

Let's always listen to our horses ❤️🙏🏻

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝

For too long, we’ve told ourselves that certain horses are just “difficult.” That some are lazy. That others are hot, quirky, or stubborn. That when they pin their ears, swish their tails, or refuse a jump, they’re being naughty.

But what if we’ve been wrong?

What if every pinned ear, every tail swish, every moment of resistance wasn’t defiance, but pain?

Dr. Sue Dyson has spent her life proving exactly that. And her findings are shaking the horse world to its core.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐞’𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

Dyson is no ordinary ex-vet. She is a globally recognized authority in equine orthopedics, specializing in lameness and performance issues in sport horses. Her extensive career encompasses clinical practice, research, and education, significantly advancing the understanding and management of equine lameness. She didn’t just observe horses, she listened to them. And what she discovered was heartbreaking: countless horses, across disciplines, were suffering in silence.

They weren’t refusing to move because they were lazy. They weren’t resisting the bit because they were stubborn. They weren’t stopping at jumps because they were disobedient.

They were hurting.

And no one was listening.

So, Dyson set out to change everything.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 24 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧: 𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩

Her breakthrough came in the form of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE), a revolutionary tool that identifies 24 behaviors scientifically linked to musculoskeletal pain. Through years of research, she proved that horses exhibiting multiple of these behaviors were overwhelmingly more likely to have underlying pain issues. Behaviors we once dismissed, like an open mouth while being ridden, ears pinned back for extended periods, tail swishing in transitions, became undeniable red flags.

The implications of Dyson’s work are massive. If widely adopted, her research could transform equestrian sports, improving welfare standards across disciplines. It challenges trainers to rethink traditional methods, urging them to recognize pain before resorting to harsher equipment or stricter training regimens. It empowers riders to listen truly listen to their horses, to recognize when something is wrong before it escalates to a full-blown lameness diagnosis.

But Dyson’s research proved one undeniable fact: horses showing eight or more of these signs were almost always in pain.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 24 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐁𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧

1. Ears pinned back for much of the ride

2. Regularly opening the mouth (with or without contact)


3. Holding the bit tightly or grinding teeth

4. Head tossing

5. Unsteady head carriage (constantly moving up/down or side to side)

6. Reluctance to move forward

7. Hurrying forward in an anxious way

8. Sudden stopping (without rider cue)

9. Reluctance or difficulty in transitions (walk to trot, trot to canter, etc.)


10. Rearing (lifting front legs off the ground)

11. Buckling at the knees or stumbling

12. Repeated changes in canter lead (unasked for)

13. Cantering with an irregular rhythm

14. Disuniting in canter (hind legs on a different lead than front legs)

15. Short, stilted steps instead of fluid movement

16. Hind legs not stepping fully underneath the body

17. Dragging toes or uneven steps behind

18. Difficulty turning smoothly

19. Excessive tail swishing (especially in transitions or changes of pace)

20. One hind limb more active than the other (one pushes, the other drags)

21. Rigid or hollow through the back

22. Gait looks mechanical, robotic, or stiff

23. Sudden kicking out (without clear reason)

24. Reluctance to jump, or jumping awkwardly

If a horse shows eight or more of these signs, it’s not bad behavior. It’s pain.

𝐀 𝐖𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐔𝐩 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝

Dyson’s findings force us to face a painful truth: we’ve been ignoring our horses.

We’ve blamed them instead of listening. We’ve used bigger bits instead of softer hands. We’ve demanded more when what they really needed was help.

Think about it, when a horse refuses a jump, do we immediately check for back pain? Or do we change the bit and push them harder?

When a horse swishes its tail in the canter, do we check for lameness? Or do we tighten the noseband and insist they “behave”?

For too long, we’ve asked, “How do I make my horse comply?” instead of “Why is my horse resisting?”

Dyson is challenging us to ask the right questions.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠

This isn’t guesswork. Dyson’s research proves that these behaviors are 10 times more likely to appear in lame horses. She’s tested, analyzed, and documented case after case, showing how subtle pain signs lead to serious issues if left untreated.

She’s given us the knowledge. Now, it’s up to us to use it.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠

Dyson’s work isn’t just about diagnosing pain. It’s about changing an entire mindset.

It’s about rejecting the outdated belief that horses must be made to perform. Instead, it’s about creating a world where performance comes from comfort, trust, and understanding.

It means:
✔️ Checking for physical pain before blaming behavior
✔️ Getting thorough veterinary evaluations
✔️ Ensuring proper saddle fit and rider balance
✔️ Prioritizing physiotherapy, bodywork, and hoof care
✔️ Allowing rest and recovery, instead of forcing through pain

Because the best riders aren’t the ones who dominate. They’re the ones who listen.

𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲

For years, people said these behaviors were just attitude. They said it was all in the horse’s head.

But Dyson has proven the truth. It’s not in their head,it’s in their body.

And now that we know?

We have a choice.

We can keep ignoring the signs, keep blaming the horse, keep tightening the tack, keep looking the other way.

Or we can finally listen.

For every horse that has ever suffered in silence, the question is no longer: Why won’t my horse do what I ask?

It’s this:

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞?

Just bought this for a good read.

Also makes me question some of these TikTok influencers what their horses are trying to tell them, hmmm🤔👀

https://www.harmonioushorsemanship.co.uk

07/04/2025

Perfect debunking of many common lies of the racing industry 💞🙏🏻

"THOROUGHBREDS ARE BORN TO RACE"

No, they have been selectively bred to race, because humans chose racing for them. This selective breeding has left them more susceptible to illness and injury. So many young horses collapse and die during or post race and in training. Many bleed from the lungs or finish races lame. Their fragile legs snap in two or shatter just clipping a fence or another horses hoof. They don't have a natural desire to race.

"HORSES LOVE TO JUMP"

Then why do so many horses avoid the jumps once they lose their jockey? Why aren't they constantly jumping out of their paddocks?

"HORSES LOVE TO RUN"

There is a huge difference between horses running and playing in the wild or open fields to horses racing. Horses might enjoy running when they want, where they want, at a speed they want, for as long as they want, but that doesn't mean running at high speeds over long distances is natural, normal or fun for them. The only time a horse would naturally do this is if they were scared or in danger.

"HORSES CAN JUST AS EASILY DIE IN A PADDOCK OR STABLE"

You cannot compare a horse having an unavoidable accident, or getting an unpreventable illness, to a horse purposefully being entered into a dangerous high risk race that everyone, except the horse, knows has a very real chance of injuring and killing themselves.

"RACEHORSES ARE TREATED LIKE ROYALTY"

Firstly, they want to be treated like HORSES, not humans and not royalty.
Keeping a herd animal alone in a stable, no matter how clean that stable is, for 23 hours a day is cruel.
Feeding racehorses an unnatural diet to fuel them for racing, leaving them more prone to colic and gastric ulcers is not treating them well.
93% of racehorses have gastric ulcers due to their unnatural diet and stress.

"HORSE WELFARE COMES FIRST IN RACING"

Forcing horses to flat race from 2 and jump from 3, even though they are not mature mentally or physically until they are at least 6 years old, their bones not even fully fused until this time, isn't them being treated well. It is putting the sport before their wellbeing.
Using invasive, painful and damaging equipment on them to dominate and control them, risking their lives on a course you know is dangerous and gruelling, is not putting the horse first.

"THE WHIP DOESN'T HURT"

If the whip doesn't hurt, why are there rules restricting it's use? Why do some horses have welt marks after the race?
A horses skin is just as sensitive as ours. Have you seen them twitch when a fly lands on them? The whole point of the whip is to cause pain, to push the horse into running faster, usually at the end of a race when the horse is already exhausted.
The whip DOES hurt, and the rules are just for show. If jockeys break the rules, they get a few days suspension and no fine. Jockeys have even admitted they wouldn't break the rules if punishments were harsher.

"YOU CAN'T FORCE HORSES TO DO ANYTHING THEY DON'T WANT TO DO"

Sadly, yes, you can. Remember seeing them jump through fire in circuses? Seeing them used in bullfighting? Being forced to 'dance'? Many horses in racing have learned helplessness, they are smart and work out it's easier to obey than suffer pain. What do you think all the invasive and painful equipment used on them is for? You have seen eight handlers literally drag horses into starting gates right? Using blindfolds, pulling their tails, mane and ears.

"IF HORSES DON'T LOVE RACING WHY DO THEY CONTINUE RUNNING WHEN THE JOCKEY FALLS OFF"

Because they are herd animals. When one horse runs, they all run! They feel safer in a group. Even when a horse is injured, they will often desperately try to stay with the herd to feel safe.

"YOU SHOULD VISIT A RACING YARD"

You mean when they have open days, so they can give a false, shiny, happy, controlled representation of how the horses are treated?

"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HORSES OR RACING"

Thousands of people who have horses oppose racing. Many of those who oppose racing used to work in the industry, but had to leave after they saw how horses are really treated. Many also work in rescue or have ex racehorses themselves, so they have had to try and put these broken horses back together. Stop assuming we have no experience or knowledge of horses, equine behaviour or horse racing.

"WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO RACEHORSES IF RACING GOT BANNED, DO YOU WANT TO SEE THEM ALL CULLED AND EXTINCT?"

What about all the horses who die every year while racing (at least 735 in the UK and Ireland in the last two years! )
What about the thousands of foals from the 13,000 bred by the UK and Irish racing industry every year that don't 'make the grade' and never see a racecourse?
What about the 7,000 that retire from racing just in the UK every year?
What about the racehorses that end up in slaughterhouses every year? (Around 4,000 between 2019 and 2021, 1,165 in 2022 and 1,603 racehorses in 2023 )
What about the racehorses left to rot on trainers land or that just 'disappear'?
If the racing industry breed them, they should be responsible for them for life. But if racing ended it wouldn't happen overnight. They would just stop breeding them.
Racing ending would be good for horses, not bad. The overbreeding would end, the thousands looking for homes every year would end, the slaughters would end and the suffering and deaths in racing would end. There might be less thoroughbreds in the world, but the ones still here wouldn't be subjected to the misery of racing.

07/04/2025

Yes...they feel it all 💗

Horses don’t speak human. They don't read minds. But - they DO read YOU.

They respond to your body language, your tone of voice, your muscle tension... even your breathing patterns and heart rate. Studies show that horses can synchronize their heartbeats and breath with yours, that they can smell your hormones, and feel every breath you take and muscle twitch you make.
That’s not magic - it’s biology, psychology, and survival instinct. It's not fluffy, or 'woo' - it's very REAL science.

You can’t fake your way through it. You could be smiling on the outside, but if your muscles are tight and your breathing is shallow, a horse knows. You could speak softly, but if you’re anxious underneath, they feel it. That’s why your vibe and “energy” matters - not because it’s spiritual, but because it’s SENSORY. Horses feel the truth of who you are in any given moment.

So if a horse is anxious with you, reactive, or seems withdrawn… ask yourself: What am I bringing into this space? You might be surprised how powerful it is when you start looking inward instead of blaming the horse. I've found that being a horse trainer in any context - whether you're a professional, or just a horse owner working with your horse at home - success is not about dominating or “fixing” the horse - it’s actually about regulating yourself.
Because when you show up calm, clear, and connected, the horse meets you there.

07/04/2025

An afternoon of clouds and rain was the perfect occasion for them to feel like playing...what a beautiful life 😛🤎

07/04/2025

Learn to always look at the eyes...that's just where the truth can never be hidden 💔

07/04/2025

If we really look for the truth, then we will unavoidably end by discovering so many things that truly cannot match with what we’ve always believed, with what they have taught us since the beginning...
So at the end it will be just our own choice if to disregard or not these new truths in order to keep fitting the crowd, as it will surely be quite uncomfortable to finally see things differently.
Yes, it's never easy being alone, being different, but the truths we found out about the way to live our horses away from that "sporting tool status" they have always had, will surely create much happier and healthier horses and consequently a so much better relationship together with us too, a relationship that can finally become a real friendship for life 🤎