Animal-Balance

26/06/2025

It can be hard learning to take things at the pace your horse needs you to; but learning to slow down and enjoy the journey can build a much deeper connection.

25/06/2025

This is the reason I have not backed Idris this year. I may back him next year if he looks mature enough, but he won't be doing any significant ridden work until he is at least 6.

Many of us have been conditioned by industry that once a horse hits 4, they're an adult and should be ridden. Some industry practices dictate that horses should be started as young as 18 months - 2 years old and many breeds have been selectively bred to look more mature at a younger age.

But maturity on the outside doesn't indicate maturity on the inside -

A horse’s skeletal development depends on growth plates — areas of cartilage at the ends of bones that allow them to grow longer. Once a bone reaches its full length, the growth plate turns to bone and fuses. Until then, it remains a weak point within the bone.

We need to remember that not all bones mature at the same time -

The bones in the legs fuse earlier - between 6 months and 3.5 years. This gives your horse their height - a red herring that they've finished growing because "look how tall they are!"

But the spine - the bit we literally sit on - doesn't finish fusing until much later - between 5 and 6 years approximately, though depending on height and s*x, it can be as late at 7 or 8.

And equally, the pelvis - an area which receives the forces from the hindlimbs and transfers it to the spine, is formed of multiple pieces which don't finish fusing until the horse is approximately 4.

With all of this in mind, it’s worth asking:

Should we really be sitting on horses whose growth plates are still developing?

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"Should I be riding my horse right now?"

Join Integrative Equine Podiatrist, Beccy Smith, and I as we discuss this topic through a variety of lenses: combining evidence-informed practice and research to give you practical skills to assess your own horse's wellbeing so you can answer the question for yourself.

30.06.2025 19:00 BST

Recording available if you can't make the live ❤️✨️

https://www.yasminstuartequinephysio.com/webinar-should-i-be-riding-my-horse-right-now

20/06/2025

If you support animal rescues and believe they should be more closely regulated to prevent neglect and cruelty. Please read and sign.

Did you know that anyone can set up a dog rescue or rehoming centre – without any experience, training, or even a licence?

No, I didn’t either. And it turns out 79% of the public are just as shocked.

Right now, in England and Wales, there’s no legal requirement for rescue or rehoming centres to prove they’ve got suitable premises, adequate funding, or the basic know-how needed to care for vulnerable animals. It’s mind-blowing – and frankly, unacceptable.

We’ve seen too many heartbreaking stories recently, including one in Ess*x where 40 dogs were found dead at a so-called “rehoming” site. With no system of checks, there’s nothing stopping unqualified or unscrupulous people from running these places – and it’s the dogs who suffer.

As someone who runs a rescue and has worked with dogs most of my life – including in the police and now through our German shepherd rescue – I know how vital proper care, knowledge, and facilities are when it comes to rehoming. The brilliant rescues out there deserve better than to be lumped in with the bad ones, and the dogs? They deserve the very best.

So I’m adding my voice to the growing number calling on the Government to make licensing and inspections mandatory for all rescue and rehoming centres. Just like breeders and boarding kennels are regulated – it’s time rescues were too.

Please sign and share this petition. It’s a small step that could save lives and protect the future of rescue dogs across the UK.

👉 Sign here: https://bit.ly/44gOQy6

15/06/2025

We're all set up! Come & find us by the Main Ring at Newbury Showground today ❤️ Berkshire Country Fayre

13/06/2025

Watch the latest from ITV News - The University of Portsmouth believes the findings could lead to improvements in horse welfare

12/06/2025

This should be brilliant.

We’re delighted to announce a special live webinar hosted by:
Dr Sue Dyson MA Vet MB PhD – internationally recognised clinician and researcher in equine lameness and performance problems, and former Head of Clinical Orthopaedics at the Animal Health Trust.

Alex Le Grand BSc (Hons) FdSc CEBC ABTC-AAB ABTC-ATI IASF-A – Director of The NAC, ABTC Accredited Animal Behaviourist, Training Instructor & Saddle Fitter.

This webinar is designed specifically for equine behaviour and training professionals. Together, Dr Dyson and Alex will explore:

- Lameness assessment in behavioural cases

- Equine biomechanics and movement-related behaviour

- Ridden behaviour challenges associated with pain and discomfort

- Saddle fit and its impact on performance and welfare

Each topic will be approached from both veterinary and behavioural perspectives, offering practical insights for use in professional practice.

Get Your Ticket Now: https://the-nac.co.uk/buy-bridging-the-gap

Date: Tuesday 1st July
Time: 6:30pm (UK time)
Format: Live via Zoom
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Price: £45 +vat
NAC Students + Graduates can find a discount code in the community platform.

10/06/2025

08/06/2025

⭐1 SPACE LEFT⭐ -participant
Limited spectator spaces remaining too!

For anyone interested in learning about positive reinforcement with horses, or wanting to meet like minded people. I am excited to announce that Maggie's Voice Equestrian Center in South Wales, will be hosting a Positive Reinforcement Camp from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July 2025.

Arrive on the Friday after 3pm to allow time to settle your horse and set up camp. You have the option to bring electric fencing to build a 20x20m corral, or a stable can be available on request (hay and bedding can be provided at additional cost).

Basic camping facilities include:
- shared access to fridge and freezer space (we recommend bringing a cool box and ice packs),
- toilets and showers,
- shared kitchen facilites with microwave and kettle (camping stoves are welcome).

For those who prefer not to camp, local accommodation is available in the area and a £50 discount will be applied to your booking.

Friday evening there will be a meet and greet session, followed by a talk or demo.

On Saturday we have a full day of coaching provided by ABTC-ATI Aliyah Woodland. Handlers will be organised into small groups of similar experience, each group will receive a morning and afternoon session, working on ground work or ridden skills. Followed by an evening of talks and an enrichment workshop.

On Sunday we have another full day of coaching provided by ABTC-AAB Trudi Dempsey. We aim to keep the same groups where possible, providing a morning and afternoon session of coaching, before you pack up and head home.

Maggies voice have a selection of R+ ponies available to hire for the weekend, which are suitable for ridden or non ridden sessions.

A limited number of spectator spaces will also be available. You are welcome to camp with the group, take part in the evening talks and demos and have access to watch the group coaching sessions.

Our guest speakers include:
- ABTC-ATI/AAB and IASF-A Alex Le Grand from the NAC who will discuss saddle fit and the behavioural signs to look out for.
- ABTC-ATI Louise Napthine who is providing a mini workshop on enrichment.
- McTimoney Animal Therapist and MSFC Eiddwen Skellon with a talk on Equine posture and biomechanics
- Bitfree expert Elinor Brewer who will discuss all things bitless!!

We welcome professionals to bring a stand and promote their holistic Equine business.

I'm sure by now you are asking how much does this amazing event cost?

Bring your own horse - £400
Hire a horse (non ridden) - £450
Hire a horse (ridden) - £480
Spectator- £250

*£50 discount if you prefer to source external accommodation.

To book please contact Maggies Voice via their page, or WhatsApp El on 07578989159.

07/06/2025

Welfare PSA! After my "natural horsemanship" training, I promoted the use of rope halters. After years and years of rope halter use, a friend of mine showed me this article. There are two spots on the horse's neck and poll where the spinal cord is NOT protected by bone. This is the Myodural Bridge. Both of these spots are where halters and bridles commonly sit. Excessive pressure can cause irreversable damage. Upon learning this my heart sank for all the times I've yanked on a rope halter or saw someone else yank on this area or hard tie a horse. I'm throwing away all of my rope halters. They will be replaced with flat breakaway leather with fleece covers.

We are always growing and changing and that is the best we can offer the horse. We learn and we do better. Please share.

06/06/2025

For everyone who wants to learn to understand the horse’s smallest signals Would you love to not only learn more about calming signals, but also be able to recognize them? Then this is the online course for you! In over 50+ videos you will be able to observe the signals in detail and you will lear...

03/06/2025

Hi everyone,

Asking for help and support please.

I'm Alice. Pictured here with my horse Troy, the one who started it all and changed my life. Equine Elements is my dream, horses helping people heal. We are a therapeutic centre on the outskirts of Stroud, that provides healing work through horses for children and adults, as well as ethical horsemanship and riding. It is my passion, my lifelong ambition and it has huge positive impacts on people's lives. A recent quote from a young person: “you and the horses have helped me more than anyone else, thank you. I wish I could have more sessions”

We are currently putting in a planning application for our permanent site (office, toilet, horse shelter, drive and change of land use to equestrian business).
As some of you may know we have been having massive struggles with our planning application, which has led to huge costs and it taking a lot longer than anticipated.
We are now submitting all of the extra surveys and documents that the planning authority have requested, for the applications final review.

Please please can we try and have as many supportive comments as possible, if you have already done this thank you! But could you ask family, friends, neighbours, to submit a comment too? Anything that shows support, eg the vital need for mental health provisions, the growing number of children struggling at school, the need for nature based activities, the need for local rural businesses, and that we are environmentally aware and have done everything that has been asked for for the application. All the documents related to the application are viewable to anyone via the planning portal, if you have any questions please ask.

We won't be able to continue our life changing work with a refused planning application. We really value your support, thank you. ❤️🐴

The link is below, and the planning application ref is S.24/1822/FUL or search Yokehouse lane, please share far and wide.

You can submit a comment via the planning portal, or if that doesn't work, email to [email protected]

https://publicaccess.stroud.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SL1HQGPNKSB00

Please note that the screen will 'time-out' after 30mins and your comment will not be saved. If submitting lengthy comments, it is recommended that you compose your comments in another software package such as Notepad or Word and paste them into the Your Comment box.