Fred & Rowena Cook: Equine Management & Training, Rehabilitation & Therapy

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Fred & Rowena Cook: Equine Management & Training, Rehabilitation & Therapy

Our training philosophy is based on years of extensive experience & knowledge. Training and schooling of horses for all disciplines.

The highest standards of equine welfare coupled with our ethical training style produces horses which not only are content and enthusiastic but also present correct posture. Racehorse retraining is something we are very passionate about and work with many client horses and when space allows, we have a "project horse" or two on the go. We have just written a book on the subject of retraining racehorses and are about to embark on another book very soon on ground training.

02/06/2025

Well we think it is ok to say that our work with this big fellow is just about done. He will always have a slight "SI look" due to the consequences of racing in his early days when, given his size, he was not physically strong enough.

Standing a full up 17.2hh it has taken a while to get him into shape as apart from there being no real superficial muscle, there was no proper deep/core muscle development either. Super case to work with though as it really was a start-from-scratch exercise.

Sadly these days focus is so much on developing the top line, which is of course is very important, but the inner, deep structures have to be fired up to work too so that they can function as they are supposed to, giving a horse a sound posture, pelvic stability and so on. True, real, long lasting change comes from the inside out.

Too many horses are seen working in restrictive "aids" which hold their heads down resulting in a somewhat fixed outline so the horse is not truly soft and supple. And what is the theory behind using an aid that puts the horse's head down, with the concept that this will promote correct lift through the back, when there is then a piece of rope/leather/cord placed across the withers? Anyway this is a subject for another post sometime.

Of course appropriate feeding is very important with plenty of quality protein required to help build that all important muscle. What we think a horse should eat is not necessarily it likes so, as was the case with the fellow, it can take a bit of experimenting to see what works in terms of both the horse enjoying his feeds and fuelling the tack to achieve the required results. Remember too, that there is little point giving a nutrient-rich hard feed if your forage is lacking.

Baillie Haylage
Dengie Horse Feeds Dengie Horse Feeds - Dr. Katie Williams
Sharp Nutrition
Rachel Burton

28/05/2025

Well that’s our summer haylage supply sorted.
Great service as always from Baillie Haylage.
Knowing we have a guaranteed year-round supply of top-notch quality assured haylage is one less thing to worry about.
Baillie have an assortment of forages to suit all needs available in various bale sizes so you don’t have to have the huge bale size we need.
The Baillie Haylage website is really informative but if you can’t find what you need to know then do give the friendly team a call.

22/05/2025

Some of you may recall this 18 months old filly arriving at the end of November last year.
By birth date, she is now 2 years of age.
Whilst we have allowed her to grow and develop more as nature intended, being such an active minded filly [so makes mischief in the field] and also of a very bold and opinionated disposition, rather than allowing her to go "full-on" native until she turns 3 years, we have been undertaking a little subtle groundwork every now and again to keep her on track.
Looking at her current appearance this combination is proving to be successful and also allows us to monitor for any lurking compensatory issues kicking in which can so easily happen due to field antics but are not picked up on so the youngster carries this through to its racing days
..... and to think that ordinarily she would be in training by now and possibly even had a run.
We like our approach to producing young racehorses.

Baillie Haylage
Sharp Nutrition
Dengie Horse Feeds Dengie Horse Feeds - Dr. Katie Williams Claire Ward

01/04/2025

One of our new arrivals:
This 4 year old mare has had a let down period from racing and is now with us for retraining.
She has come out of training in not too bad shape .... just niggles.
Once muscled up properly she is going to look a picture.

16/03/2025

3 new arrivals this week:

This lovely 4 yo mare arrived yesterday.
From Ireland, she had a p2p run before coming across the water to be sold.
We'll attend to the physical issues presenting, these being typical of the horse in training, then she will have a break before we prep her to back into training in the Autumn by which time she will be an overall stronger mare. There is plenty of scope for development.

10/03/2025

Looking a bit different to the weak. despite already being worked on the gallops 3 year old that arrived 3 months ago. Really pleased with how this gelding is shaping up.

We've been producing him quietly and he's starting to come together nicely. By the time he leaves us for his trainer he will have changed again and obviously be more muscled and much stronger.

As well as working with the body, we have to work with the minds; this fellow was quite nervy and although he is growing in confidence, he needs a bit more yet to enable him to adjust to a life in racing.

Baillie Haylage Dengie Horse Feeds Sharp Nutrition

14/02/2025

It's time to talk Thinline especially if you wish to keep your horse as comfortable as possible when being ridden.

CLIENTS OF EQUINE MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING WHO PURCHASE THINLINE PRODUCTS FROM US CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR 15% CLIENT DISCOUNT.

A number of you are already familiar with the benefits to both horse and rider of using a Thinline pad underneath the saddle but if you are not, then please take time to read the following:

The success of Thinline lies in the manufacturing technology which gives the most incredible concussion absorbing properties and its slimline fit. Thinline actually starts its life as a liquid; microscopic cells are poured into a mould then polarized so each cell lies end to end creating a tunnel. Another layer is the poured into the mould but polarised in a different direction. The process is repeated many hundreds of times producing a open honeycomb matrix, an open cell foam which is not only extremely lightweight, durable and supple but also breathable and non-slip with the ability to absorb concussion and the effects of rider movement in the saddle which the horse’s back has to endure thus providing unparalleled comfort.

Thinline pads have been our number one choice for many years [we use them under rollers as well as saddles] and we are confident to recommend their use to anyone for any sporting discipline as well as hacking and hunting whether or not their horse has a known issue/issues of the lumbar spine, but they are an absolute must for horses with , and similar - the perfect equipment for rehabilitation programmes, It is a well-known fact amongst those of us who undertake rehabilitation work, that just about every racehorse has soreness in its back, thus our r racing owners now have these pads for their horses in training.

The “Basic Thinline Pad” of old was just sheer simplicity but so effective is no longer but has been replaced by 2 new pads which retain the trademark Thinline qualities but have a modern design with added comfort enhancements as well as overall better visual appearance without losing any of the wonderful benefits.

For those with horses that have a tendency to change shape a little at different times of year, there are shimmable pads available with or without sheepskin rolls or lining However the 2 pads we wish to introduce you to fulfil most day-to-day needs:

The Perfect Fit English Pad: provides exceptional support for both horse and rider. Of a sleek design, it offers shock absorption without bulk, ensuring close contact and precise communication. It has a contoured spine with reinforced wither relief. It fits discreetly under the saddle, providing a more comfortable ride for horses of all shapes and sizes.

The Perfect Fit Max Pad: as above but has a longer front drop which gives greater Thinline coverage under the stirrup bars and the rider’s leg. It provides even more stability and comfort, making it ideal for dressage and jumping saddles alike. These pads are designed for well-fitting saddles, but will not alter a custom fit providing unparalleled protection for both horse and rider.

For more information about the Thinline range please visit https://www.kmeliteproducts.co.uk/thinline

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KM Elite Products ThinLine Global ThinLine Europe

27/01/2025

We love nothing more than a challenge and one was certainly presented to us last month!

This horse was in training and not far off having a run when it suddenly went lame. Initially thought an abscess was the problem this ruled out when MRI scans were undertaken.
Wading through the "techno-speak" the horse effectively had bruising to both navicular bones, not just in the limb it was not sound on. Of course other little niggles were brought to attention but nothing that the scans of many a horse in training would not present.
Having previously had this horse in the yard with a tendon injury we were of course very relieved that investigations did not reveal any issues in that department but obviously disappointed for the owner who had already given this horse so much time.
As a horse that naturally tended to dive down a little in front and so needing riding up to the bridle, we suspected that the bruising was in part due to over-loading in front but also associated with something going on behind.
The horse duly arrived on 19th December and we were given a month to get it back on the road [it had already by this time had a month off so was very nearly sound]; any longer and it would be too late in the season for a run.
As suspected the horse presented significant discomfort issues within the lumbar area and right hind quarter plus a pelvic rotation.
A consultation with Rachel Burton [ Sports Therapy] confirmed our findings and between us we concluded that the horse had also had a recent trauma which accounted for the right hind quarter issues. The horse moved in such a way that indicated the hocks were a further source of discomfort and following a veterinary assessment the hocks were medicated. Pads [and DIM] were fitted in front with shoes that provided more heel support and 3 weeks the hind shoes were replaced by shoes that had lateral extension to them.
We gave the horse virtually 24/7 therapy and it also had 2 treatments and Hofmag sessions with Rachel Burton. Of course rehabilitative exercises were also carried out, topped off with conditioning work.
5 weeks to the day [we eked a further week] the horse was returned to its trainer looking a little different to the day it arrived.
Now everything is crossed for that run ...... hopefully in March.

12/01/2025

The health and welfare of our equine friends is absolutely paramount so that it why we use Equine Bio Genie products.
Not just for use in the stables or horsebox as a disinfectant or, for keeping water-troughs free from algae and nasties = did you know that Strangles can live in water for up to 6 weeks?!], EBG has so many applications
- in the stable - add to drinking water .
- in the tackroom for keeping your environment clean and for tack-cleaning
- in the washing machine for rugs, numnahs, bandages
- in the feedroom for keeping scoops, feed bins and water buckets "bug" free
- safe to use for the dogs and their bedding
- safe for use with chickens cleaning their housing and associated feeders and waterers
and not forgetting foot health for treating/managing thrush etc as well as being an excellent application for mudfever and all similar conditions.

EBG products have no smell to them; not all animals appreciate the smell of disinfectants and assorted aroma even if we humans like to have a sniff of some form of disinfectant in the belief that smell equates to clean.

Equine Bio Genie products are 100% non-toxic so perfectly safe for your horses and animals as well as the environment.

If you are not already using these products then you should be!

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas from Equine Management and Training.

We wish all our Clients, Colleagues, Sponsors and Associates a very Happy Christmas.

Thank you for your kind support throughout 2024 and may 2025 bring you what you seek.

03/12/2024

One very tired yearling filly.
Arriving here at 5.00am this morning having travelled from County Galloway, she’s had quite a journey so has slept most of the day.

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+447714958505

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https://www.equinetraining.co.uk/

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