Bluebonnet Equine Services

25/11/2025

New Horses Owners we were all there at one time yet often people judge rather than offer a helping hand
We all get things wrong, worry about not knowing, and often when we have been on a journey of learning we forget to give grace to those who are travelling the same path at a different time.

We often forget that there is always a whole new world that is opening to someone owning a horse for the first time, knowledge we take for granted is often new for someone else

I do not know about you but I can remember learning bandaging a tail for the first time and even struggling to wrap it up the correct way so the next time we used it, it unrolled correctly, I also learned at a time when we were still using needle and thread to put plaits in and elastic bands were frowned upon

And yes there are new things now but still having a basic knowledge of how to do things when all is calm is often knowledge that is remembered when an emergency hits, learning to apply a poultice to a foot is much easier when a horse is not in pain than trying to learn when a horse is reluctant to give you his foot due to a painful abscess

Learning the normal temperature, respiration and pulse of the horse is crucial as often you might have to check the temp if it is late at night and your vet may want to know as they cannot be there due to another emergency, but how many people may take temp without knowing to hold tight due to the action of a sphincter muscle or to place the probe slightly off centre as not to take the temp of faeces' rather than the body, or taking the pulse and knowing you can compress the artery against a bone to feel the beat and that will guide you as to where you can take it and a simple thing like do not place your thumb on the area or else you are feeling your own pulse and yes I know it may sound mudane to a more experienced person but we have all had to be corrected at some point

What brushes are used where and how, we all have raised our eyebrows at someone using a curry comb on the horses face yet who comes across and helps the new owner and show them their horse wincing at every stroke, we only know what we know and often new owners feel stupid or have worries about who do they ask but we all have been there at some point

Having the basic understanding of how tack fits is crucial for your horse's well-being, we often spend thousands on a saddle without considering how important girth and bridle fit is,

Having basic first aid knowledge for your horse is often the catalyst in how you react in an emergency or even to know whether it’s a vet call or can you handle it, I think there is not one horse owner that has seen their horse having choke and ringing the vet in a panic having a meltdown despite the vet reassuring you and only to find the horse is fine by the time the vet comes

Feed according to work, weight, age, etc

Behaviour and how to be safe in a situation where you once calm horse may be behaving out of character, complacency often leads to owner injury, so simple things like tying your horse up while applying a poultice may save you from getting knocked over if the horse moves, or having a competent handler who is aware of both you and your horses safety

Listen I am the most calm person you will meet if you and your horse needs help but as my vet will tell you I am an absolute neurotic mess when dealing with my own, apparently I thought I was talking to him normal but his version was probably a gibbering wreck on the end of the phone, so we all have those moments that is completely normal

The biggest issue is why people do not ask questions is because of fear of looking stupid or being judged but we were all there once and we are still there in the now, often when I do webinars I ask does anyone have a question and a wall of silence is reciprocated and I know people have questions because I always do but often hold back in case I get It wrong but no question is a stupid question and I love it when someone asks something and often if I don’t know it sends me on that learning curve

So, if you have a question ask it, go and do a first aid course so you learn in a calm environment to help you in a crisis moment remain calm and in control, know your horses normal and trust your gut and do not be dissuaded from what you feel

Learning the basics is not dumbing down its that first step into a whole new world

Learning should be just as enjoyable as achieving the goal, and those who are teaching must always remember they were once a student xx

And yes i wrote 7 bines Instead of 7 bones but just goes to show we all make mistakes 🤣

10/05/2025

A very good visual!

24/04/2025

Turnout is one of the most polarizing topics in modern horse keeping. So, let’s skip the debate. We’ve gathered some results from veterinary science, peer-reviewed journals, and international welfare assessments. These are real numbers, from real studies, so you can make strategic decisions rooted in evidence, not tradition.

-A 25% reduction in soft tissue injuries was found in adult horses turned out for at least 12 hours daily, compared to those kept in stalls greater than 12 hours daily. (Reilly & Bryk-Lucy, 2021)

-Comparing turnout duration, a study found that horses with only 2 hours of turnout exhibited significantly higher energy levels, anxiety, and behaviors such as rearing, bucking, and fence running, whereas horses receiving over 12 hours of turnout were more likely to walk, graze, and remain calm. (Hockenhull & Creighton, 2010)

-Foals receiving inconsistent turnout (9 to 23 hours per day) had 4.6 times more musculoskeletal injuries than those with 24/7 access to turnout. Furthermore, for every extra acre of turnout, there was a 24% reduction in injury risk. (Brown-Douglas et al., 2022)

-A study on 2-year-old horses found that those kept in individual stalls required more time to get used to training activities and showed more unwanted behaviors, like resistance or agitation, than horses kept on pasture. The stalled horses needed an average of 26 minutes of training time, while the pastured horses needed only 19 minutes, to complete the same task. Additionally, the stalled horses were more likely to show unwanted behaviors during training (8 instances on average compared to just 2 for pastured horses). (Rivera et al., 2002)

-Stall-kept livestock experience a higher incidence of hoof-related issues, including uneven hoof growth and lameness, while those with access to turnout demonstrated healthier, more balanced hoof development. (Black, R.A. et al., 2017)

-A European welfare study using the AWIN protocol assessed 315 horses in group-housing turnout systems. Only 2.3% of these horses exhibited signs of lameness, compared to lameness rates as high as 33% in stalled horses across various studies. (AWIN Welfare Assessment, 2023)

-Within just one day of moving from group turnout to individual stalling, equine cortisol levels spike, and their white blood cell count shows significant changes, including a 25% increase in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) and a decrease in infection-fighting cells like monocytes and T cells. Additionally, behaviors indicative of stress, such as oral manipulation, neighing, pawing, and apathy, became evident in most horses within a week. (Schmucker et al., 2022)

-Horses with regular turnout showed higher heart rate variability, indicating improved balance in their autonomic nervous system and greater stress resilience. (Rietmann et al., 2004)

-Welsh ponies who received daily pasture turnout in a herd exhibited fewer stress-related behaviors, were significantly calmer, less fearful, less reactive, more interactive with humans, and more adaptable in learning tasks compared to ponies housed in impoverished environments (stalls with limited turnout). Even three months after the study, ponies in the enriched group retained these positive behaviors and demonstrated higher curiosity and superior learning performance. (Lansade et al., 2014)

Can you find a single peer-reviewed study that shows horses kept stabled 24/7 are sounder, healthier, or happier than those with regular turnout? Even the most finely tuned, performance-focused horses are still horses. Just like any other, they require room to roam, stretch their legs, and engage in natural behaviors such as grazing and socializing.

It’s important to recognize that no horse truly dislikes turnout. If a horse resists going outside, it’s due to improper conditioning, previous negative experiences, or being overwhelmed by a sudden change in environment: what’s known as "flooding." Horses who’ve been confined for extended periods or who’ve never had proper exposure to outdoor spaces may react with anxiety or reluctance. These reactions stem from fear, not from an inherent dislike of turnout. With patience and gradual exposure, every horse can be reconditioned to embrace the outdoors. After all, instincts tell them to roam, graze, and move, it's in their nature.

Of course, there are times when limiting a horse's movement is necessary, such as during health issues or transportation. In these instances, it’s crucial to understand the physiological and psychological changes that occur so we can minimize stress and discomfort.

Turnout is a biological necessity. To support our horses’ overall health and well-being, we must prioritize their freedom to move. After all, a healthy, happy horse is one that has the opportunity to be just that: a horse.

18/03/2025

19/02/2025