ZEBRA equine services

04/01/2024

27/12/2023

🎆 With a few days to go until New Year's Eve, can you share our poster on social media to help raise awareness amongst those planning to hold fireworks displays?

You can also visit our website for tips on how to make the occasion as safe as possible for you and your horse 👉 https://bit.ly/3NCVbLJ

04/12/2023

❄️ Keeping our horses safe in Frosty Weather ❄️

The Winter Chill has arrived, and danger may be lurking silently in the grass for our unsuspecting horses and ponies.

Although we all know the benefits of the Three Fs – Fibre, Friends & Freedom for our horses, the winter frost on the land and grass can have serious detrimental consequences for our equine friends, so we must be aware of changes to grass/plant content during a freeze/frost and cold weather.

Cases of laminitis are often reported after a frosty night or during very cold weather. It is not the frost itself which is the problem, but low temperature which prevents grass growth and causes sugar/fructans to accumulate within the plant.

It is commonly believed that when the sun comes out and melts the frost, it is safe for horses to graze, but this is not quite true as sunlight initiates photosynthesis and sugar is made and stored in the grass. Generally, the safest grazing times are during the night and early morning, and least safe when sugar content is highest during the afternoons. But during cold, frosty weather, the best grazing times are when night temperatures are above 5’C, which allows plant/grass growth to continue, and sugar disperse. Overcast days are also welcome as less photosynthesis occurs which means less sugar is produced and stored.

So as much as we love bright, crisp winter days, our beloved horses and ponies are healthier and happier when the weather is dull, overcast, and cool (not cold)! 🥶

27/11/2023

26/11/2023

IT DEPENDS

As owners, breeders, trainers or riders, we are usually looking for the 'ideal' horse type for what ever discipline we choose to pursue.

To be brutally honest, the ideal horse just doesn't always exist.

Some times I see horses with less than perfect conformation, heck, sometimes I see horses with down right eye twitchingly bad conformation! But that doesn't mean they aren't good at their job.

In comparison I often see horses built so nicely that outwardly look great but have terrible issues that make them not appropriate for their owners intended purpose.

It's lovely when some owners can still accommodate the horse’s needs even if there is a change of 'plan' from that intended purpose.

Our job, as the people involved in the horses life (no matter in which capacity) is to recognise what the horse is physically capable of whether that be because of actual physical limitations or if it be how the horse 'feels' that physical limitation.

Bodies are individuals. No two are the same.
Just because your horse presents with one ailment/injury/conformation abnormality etc, doesn't mean he 'feels' it like the next horse that presents the same.

Now for my absolute favourite phrase...
'It depends'.

Because, quite frankly, you can answer so many questions with these two words.

It depends on how the horse’s body responds.
It depends on what his diet is like.
It depends on his prior compensatory patterns.
It depends on how his feet are.
It depends on how consistent you can be.
It depends on how old he is.
And it absolutely depends on how his body 'feels' to him.

So lets try not to bunch horses into categories based on a diagnosis or a label but try and be guided by the horse and figure out why it depends for him and what he needs from us to feel his best or just be heard by us in a way that is accurate to how he feels.

15/11/2023

14/11/2023

I find a quick dunk in the water bucket does wonders to keep the bit clean in-between bridle cleans🦓

06/11/2023

To maintain your balance ...

Imagine that your upper body is like a broomstick and your horse is a hand trying to balance it. If your body (the broomstick) starts to tip, your hand (horse) will automatically move underneath to keep it up. You cannot lean right and expect your horse to go left.—Laura Tomlinson

Tomlinson (née Bechtolsheimer) represented Great Britain with great success aboard Mistral Højris. The pair earned several medals, including team gold and individual silver at the 2012 Olympic Games as well as silver in the team, special and freestyle at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

🎨: Sandy Rabinowitz

29/10/2023

28/10/2023

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28/10/2023

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28/10/2023

Clipped just in time to keep Bertie comfortable for their clinic today🦓

19/10/2023

Hoof Wall Separation Disease (HWSD) is a genetic condition that occurs in Connemara ponies (and potentially their part-breds, if there is Connemara breeding on both sides). Affected ponies will have more brittle hoof walls, resulting in cracks, shoeing difficulties, and in severe cases may end up bearing all of their weight on the soles of their feet only. HWSD differs from white line disease, as the fissures occur from outside of the white line, and is not affected by nutrition.

To be clinically affected, ponies must carry two copies of the defective HWSD gene; one inherited from each parent. Carriers (who have one 'normal' gene, and one HWSD gene) will not be clinically affected by HWSD, and therefore are only of concern if they are to be used for breeding.

Since 2017, Connemara foals registered in the UK must be tested for their HWSD genetic status, this is then recorded in the back page of their passport. Therefore, if you are considering purchasing a Connemara, it is worth checking their genetic status.

17/10/2023

Loving these videos🦓

14/10/2023

I have discussed this with vets and clients. This is especially needed if the horse is to be ridden direct from the stable, as they will have been standing rather than mooching in the field. Walk is an important pace and not one to be skipped through to get to the more exciting/ interesting paces.

There is a lot you can do at walk in 10 mins to supple your horse and prepare not just the tendons and ligaments but help relax, stretch and supple the muscles too. Would you get up from the sofa and launch straight into exercise without stretching or easing in gently? No and nor should our horses.

Everything we do with our horses has an impact physically and mentally, please try to make sure it’s all positive and helpful 😊🥰

13/10/2023

Rosco looking stunning with his hunter clip using Masterclip HD Roamer, Liveryman Harmony Plus clippers & Masterclip Showmate Trimmers 🦓

07/10/2023

Another super informative video from to help us make informed choices🦓

29/09/2023

Super information sharing🦓

24/09/2023

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁 - The Tongue 👅

The 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 is the most sensitive part of your horse's mouth and the most prone to injury.

This very large muscle extends from its tip, which you can see, to the hyoid apparatus and its attachment to the ramus of the mandible at the back.

The tongue is vital for swallowing and influencing the hyoid apparatus

Like any other muscle, restriction or tension within it can induce a muscular chain reaction.

The sensitivity of the tongue is a crucial consideration when fitting a bit. An ill-fitting or harsh bit or excessive pressure on the bit from your hands can cause pain and discomfort. In some cases it can result in tension throughout the body and poor performance.