Revelation Farm

04/23/2025

04/22/2025

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.

04/21/2025

Spring flowers at the barn

04/19/2025

Wow!

04/17/2025

The Dressage Foundation is proud to announce that it plans to award a record amount of grants in 2025. TDF’s Board of Directors has approved up to 150 grants totaling nearly $500,000 for this year.

These grants represent potential funding to approximately 100 individuals and 50 equestrian organizations/dressage clubs, in addition to the Dream Program trip to Aachen and the popular Century Club program. Included in these grants are exciting new increases, which include additional funding for FEI riders, youth/young adult riders, adult amateurs, judges, instructors/trainers, show managers, and Technical Delegates.

Beth Baumert, TDF’s President and CEO said, “TDF has been striving for this $500,000 milestone for some time, and thanks to our donors, it has been achieved! The next step is to award those funds. The TDF Board of Directors has authorized this amount, but we need worthy applicants. If you think you might be a worthy applicant, please apply, or if you know of a dressage person who could use help, please encourage them to apply.”

For more information about TDF and its grants and programs, please visit https://www.dressagefoundation.org/

04/13/2025

04/07/2025

Happy monday!

04/06/2025

** 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗦**

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘

𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗲-𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲, 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘁𝗼𝗻, 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀, 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿, 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘆

Open Access (read without subscription): https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/1058


We believe this is the first study to quantify rein forces and bridle pressures in high-level horses (PSG and above) when wearing a double bridle compared with a snaffle, a significant step forward in advancing our understanding of the use and application of a double bridle.

We appreciate that this is a polarised topic, with many opinions and thoughts on the use and application of a double bridle. Two previous studies have reported the possible effects of a double bridle, but these studies used naïve horses and/or could not differentiate whether the observed effects were due to the double bridle or other factors like a noseband, therefore, the current study adds to the knowledge base. As with all our research, we aim to deliver high-quality research that can advance our understanding and influence decision-making.

We welcome discussion, however before commenting, please read the below limitations, which we have acknowledged in the manuscript.

🐴We studied high-level horses ridden by highly skilled riders regularly ridden in professionally fitted bridles. Therefore, future work is needed to determine if the same results apply to less experienced riders.

🐴We have reported curb rein forces and appreciate that these forces do not represent the intra-oral forces. As discussed throughout the manuscript, we have not measured oral pressures. At present, there is no validated method to measure oral pressure. Whilst some groups have produced estimates, it remains to be seen experimentally if these are valid.

🐴Horse behavioural elements have not been included as they are under review elsewhere.

While this study has limitations, it is the first to compare the double with the snaffle bridle, and it is hoped that it will provide a springboard for future studies in this area.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆:
In this group of horses and riders very little differences were found in noseband forces between bridles. The greater weight of the double bridle applied higher minimal, maximal and mean occipital forces due to greater weight of bits and cheekpieces in the double bridle. Rein tension did not differ between the snaffle bit of the snaffle bridle and the summed forces of the bridoon and curb bits of the double bridle in walk/canter but were lower for the double bridle when in collected trot. The force applied to the curb was less than the bridoon, and forces on each bit of the double bridle were less than for the snaffle bridle.

All bridles should be professionally fitted. The double bridle should only be used by skilled riders and must not be used to cover up training issues. Riders need to take responsibility and discuss the use of a double bridle with experienced trainers and only use one if they are confident in how to use it, and the horse is appropriately trained and monitored throughout.

As always, a massive thank you to the research team, assistants, riders, owners and horses. And Hartpury University Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) for funding this project.


𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀:
The FEI did not fund this study.
The authors funded Open Access publication

04/06/2025

I was maybe 21 or 22 when I had a lesson that’s stayed with me ever since.

It was one of those early spring days when the arena was still cold, but the sun was shinning.

My horse, a spirited youngster, was tense, and so was I. We were both fighting each other, me trying to hold everything together, him trying to escape everything I was holding.

My trainer at the time was soft-spoken, but her feel in the saddle was sharper than any words. She called me into the middle with just a glance.

She didn’t say much. Just walked up, took the reins from my hands, and held them for a moment.

Then she looked at me and said,
"You’re holding your breath. And you’re holding the reins the same way."

I laughed awkwardly, because she wasn’t wrong.

“Okay,” I said. “Soften my hands. Try not to die. Breathe. Got it.”

But she shook her head.

“No, it’s more than that,” she said. “The reins are the breath of the ride. They should move like breath. Expand. Release. Flow.”

I don’t remember the rest of the ride. But I remember sitting in silence at the end of the day, thinking about what she said.

Back then, I didn’t fully get it. I was too focused on outline, on contact, on “getting it right.” But over time, the lesson kept echoing back to me. Especially in the harder rides, the ones where nothing seemed to click.

And I started to notice:

When I held my breath, I held the reins.
When I was soft and present, so were they.
And when the reins breathed, so did my horse.

The reins aren't tools of control.
They’re a shared inhale, a shared exhale.
A rhythm not made of sound, but of feel.

Now, years later, it’s one of the first things I feel for in every ride:

Are we breathing?
Are we listening?

Because that space, the space between pressure and release, between ask and allow,
that’s where the magic lives.

That’s the breath of dressage.