GlenOlive Equitation

11/09/2025

Pilot checks, horse agency and riding with compassion.

Imagine how much easier it would be if you could have a conversation with your horse before you got on his or her back.

Have you ever thought about what you might say?

Would you ask them if they felt like being ridden today?
Would you ask them what they felt like doing if they were to be ridden?
Would you ask for their permission or opinion?

We all like to feel like we have some control over our situation or environment and horses are no different. We all want some form of agency in our lives - to make choices, decisions and be individuals.

Imagine how your ride would be different if you did listen more closely to your horse. What sort of pilot checks would you make before you started? Would you ride differently, ask differently, expect less or more? Would you both enjoy it more?

Riding with compassion involves recognising that it’s a privilege to have horses in our lives, and that comes with a responsibility to ensure that they enjoy the relationship we have with them as much as we do. Horses are not machines- they are living, breathing, feeling individuals with their own needs, preferences and desires.

So- next time you interact with your horse, look closely into their beautiful eyes and ask them; ‘how do you feel’? and if you are prepared to listen carefully and act accordingly - you can consider yourself to be a compassionate equestrian.

30/08/2025

Had to share this!

19/08/2025

Not the be all..

F***l egg counts derived from f***l flotation tests🔬 - are a common method for determining parasite levels in horses, which can then influence how often a particular horse is wormed and what class of wormer to administer. As helpful as this information is - it unfortunately does not tell us the whole story. F***l tests will not identify Pin Worms, Bots or Neck Threadworms. These parasites either do not reside in and/or lay eggs in the digestive tract making it impossible to detect their presence from a f***l sample.

Adult Tapeworms and Ascarids, despite residing in the digestive tract, can go undetected if adult worms present are not actively shedding eggs🥚 at that point in their reproductive cycle🔄. In addition, a f***l egg count cannot reveal evidence of an existing population of Encysted Small Strongyles or Ascarid and Large Strongyle migrating larvae or immature adults within the horse.

Learn about common equine parasites not revealed by f***l tests & where they reside and/or reproduce 👉 https://www.thehaypillow.com/blogs/news/can-equine-f***l-egg-counts-reveal-accurate-parasite-burdens

13/08/2025

04/08/2025

We have space coming available for a new grazer at GlenOlive. Join the GGGs (GlenOlive Grazer Group) and enjoy our great facilities. Please message me for further information and feel free to share.

01/08/2025

Something we prepared earlier😀- enjoy!

This short, engaging video was created especially for New Zealand Pony Club members and their families, to show how the Five Domains model supports the physi...

30/07/2025

Very smart black Bates Innova 18inch dressage saddle for sale. Various gullet sizes available. I bought it second hand over a year ago- and it didn’t fit me or my horse. Time to clear out my tack room! I paid around $1000 but I’m happy to take sensible offers 😀

28/07/2025

Our grazers are looking for hay. Does anyone know of any available? Thanks!

24/06/2025

The thorny issue of over-rugging!

As the weather cools at this time of year and we start to feel the cold, there is an often misplaced perception among many horse owners that their animal must also be getting cold and will need to be rugged. But before dashing out to cover our horses up, it's worth considering if this is actually th

20/06/2025

A lovely Matariki morning ride- Mikki in a bitless bridle - quite different .. but if she can be happier then so can I!

14/06/2025

A thing happened 😀

🐴 Big Congratulations to Professor Nat Waran – Awarded an OBE! 🎉

We’re thrilled to celebrate Professor Natalie Waran, Director of our A Good Life for Animals Centre, who has just been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the UK King’s Birthday Honours! 🇬🇧👑

This incredible honour recognises Nat’s lifelong dedication to improving equine welfare, research and education across the globe — including right here at Companion Animals New Zealand 💙

Her leadership has shaped animal welfare science for decades, and her passion for horses and all companion animals is unmatched. As CANZ Chair Steven Thompson says:

“Nat’s OBE is a wonderful and well-deserved recognition of her dedication to science, advocacy and education in animal welfare.”

We’re so proud to have Nat advocating A Good Life for all animals. 🐶🐱🐴🐰

👉 Read more about her inspiring work and this prestigious recognition: https://www.companionanimals.nz/articles/professor-nat-waran-recognised-with-order-of-the-british-empire-for-services-to-equine-welfare-research-and-education

27/04/2025

Facebook friends- we are looking for the perfect horse to join our family. He or she needs to be 15.3 to 16.1 - used to being on farm, mustering and dogs, sure-footed, happy alone and well behaved in company and uncomplicated. To be used for farm riding, trekking, schooling, low level dressage and jumping, beach riding and generally having fun!
In return he or she will be cherished and given the best care by an experienced and committed owner.
Sensible but not huge budget!

If you know of a suitable horse please pm me.
Thankyou!
(Picture of Mikki for attention😀)