TEAM GREEN HORSES

21/03/2025

Absolutely delighted to have finally convinced Ash to get back on a horse after 7 years away from it. A little rusty for a few minutes but very quickly things fell into place, just proving that once learnt you don’t forget. Very much looking forward to having Ash back to help produce horses again…. The Dream Team !

21/03/2025

Pole Clinic GL11
Saturday 23rd March 11am
Everyone Welcome
Call or text Sarah 07966243289 to book a place.

20/03/2025

A great saddle fitting clinic today. We were very lucky to have Julia and Sam from Garrett Saddlers with us for the day to check saddles and find some lucky horses new saddles.
Good saddle fit is such an important part of keeping horses happy and comfortable and optimising performance.

19/03/2025

FWEC samples off to the vets for testing. We try to do our bit to help prevent wormer resistance by sampling and testing our horses for worm eggs 4 times a year, we also saliva test once a year for tape worms and risk assess the necessity to treat for insisted red worm in the autumn and then only dose the horses with appropriate wormers as necessary.
We also have a very robust approach to poo picking which is done daily and very thoroughly.
This approach means that as a rule the horses have very low or undetectable levels of worm eggs and very rarely need worming,

19/03/2025

Thank you Stuart.

15/03/2025

Happy Birthday Pammy

Happy birthday to H&H columnist Pammy Hutton, best wishes from everyone here at H&H HQ!

12/03/2025

Everyone at TEAM GREEN HORSES would like to wish Chatlotte a very Happy Birthday.
🎈🎂🍾🥂🎉🎁

10/03/2025

Interesting reading. Thank you Dr David Marlin.

WHAT ARE THE FORCES ACTING ON THE CURB BIT IN A DOUBLE-BRIDLE?

I've noticed that there has been some speculation as to the forces acting on the curb bit based on the research we presented last year at BEVA https://askanimalweb.com/rein-forces-in-double-bridles-versus-snaffle-bridles/

In some cases, I have seen authors and "commentators" suggesting that the force on the curb bit will be 4-6x greater than measured on the curb rein. These estimates appear to be based on flawed physics. To date myself and my collaborators have avoided speculating on the exact forces on the curb bit in our studies as we have further research being considered for publication and other research ongoing.

But, just to start informed discussion and for your interest I have drawn up an illustration with some of the variables that need to be considered in estimating the force on the curb bit.

A = force applied by rider on the curb rein
B = force applied to the cheekpiece as a result of force at A
X = lower lever length
Y = upper lever length
Q = force applied to bit

The force applied to the bit (which acts as a pivot/fulcrum) is dependent on force vector A, force vector B, the angle between A and B and the ratio of X to Y. The curb bit is essentially acting as what is known as a "first class lever"

If the lengths X and Y in the illustration were the same and assuming A and B were pulling at 90° to the upper and lower bit rings, then 10kg of force at A would have to be matched by 10kg at B, otherwise the curb bit would rotate in the mouth. The force at Q would be 20kg. Of course there are times when the curb bit does rotate.

What the horse feels is not the force applied at Q but the pressure - which if force/area of contact. If the area of contact is small, the pressure will be high, if the area is high, the pressure will be low. Where the force acts will also determine the degree of comfort/discomfort experienced by the horse.

The force at Q can be estimated for a curb if all the dimensions of the bit, the force at A and B and the angle of application of force are known. Allowing for some uncertainties, I believe it's likely to be around 2-3 times greater than the force at A; not 4-6 times greater as I have seen being speculated.

Other complications in understanding what's happening in relation to the force on the curb bit include.....

1) Curb chain tightness
2) Curb bit movement
3) Curb bit rotation
3) Interaction of the Curb with the Bridoon

This really is quite complicated and I/we don't have all the answers but we do have ongoing research which will be available in the near future.

D.J. Marlin, R. Murray, M. Fisher, D. Fisher, V. Walker, J. Williams, H. Clayton and R. MacKechnie-Guire (2024) Is there a difference in mean rein forces for high-level dressage horses when ridden in a double bridle compared to a snaffle bridle? Equine Veterinary Journal. Volume 56, Issue S59, 32-33.

08/03/2025

A spot of pole work today for Pepi and Casper. Some good work Leah and Elle well done.

07/03/2025

We have several vacancies for staff.
1. Partime yard staff - non rider
Morning 5 days per week. 8am- 1pm
Some flexibility over days.
All usual yard duties. Some experience essential and must be prepared to work to a high professional standard.
More hours available for someone who rides.
Wages according to experience and skill set.
Reliability absolutely essential.

2. Trainee groom / rider
Full time. 5 day week. Will include some weekend work. Regular lessons and training. Lots of riding. Great opportunity to develope skills and knowledge. Possibility of competing for the right person.

3. Additional weekend / afternoon cover. Hours negotiable.

DM TEAM GREEN HORSES
Or text with details of which position you are interested in, your name, details of your experience and a contact telephone number. Thank you

06/03/2025

Happy Hacker looking for a new 🏠
Poppy is 16.2 hh bay mare. She is TB and has raced but is very good to hack both alone and in company and is excellent in traffic.
She has hunted and done some Cotswold Cups but would prefer a simpler life as a hack or broodmare.
She is well bred, has won and been placed P2P and is a half sister to a black type winner.
She is in good general health, vacs, teeth and wormers all up to date.
Genuine reason for needing to move 🏠 Home more important than money hense very low 4 figures. Would consider sensible offer but absolutely no LWVTB For more info DM TEAM GREEN HORSES OR Call Sarah 07966243289

05/03/2025

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Mandy Hutchings, Susan J Mattick, Michelle Leney, Toby Andrews, Catherine Thomas, Chris Ricciardi, Stuart Gardener

05/03/2025

Blase enjoying a bit of sun bathing after his trim and tidy this morning. Thank you Chris.
#

02/03/2025

01/03/2025

Poppy is looking for a new 🏠 preferably a hacking 🏠
She is a 16.2hh, 12 year old TB bay mare. She will go happily exploring alone or in company. She is well behaved with 🚘🚌🚜🏍️ and in open spaces.
She is up to date with vaccinations, teeth and wormers.
Home much more important than 💰so sensible offers will be considered.
Tack and rugs available.
Would also be a good brrodmare prospect. Has won and been placed Point to Point and is half sister to black type winner.

For more information please call Sarah 07966243289
DM TEAM GREEN HORSES

28/02/2025

This lovely kind honest chap is looking for a sharer/ part loaner to ride / hack 2 days per week. Days to be mutually agreed.
15.2 hh, dark bay cob gelding.
He is brilliant in traffic, happy to hack in company or alone. Forward but not strong. Loves attention and pampering.
He is kept on full livery so minimal stable duties allowing you to spend quality time with the horse. A financial contribution towards the livery costs will be required.
Kept GL11. Berkeley/ Dursley area. Brilliant hacking with lots of bridle paths and off road
For more information call or text Sarah or DM
TEAM GREEN HORSES.