Ahimsa Equine

09/17/2025

being a responsible caretaker means preparing your learner physically and mentally to perform as the athlete you expect them to be

I see many riders who think they are being good horsewomen because they "love their horse." They pat him, tell him constantly "What a good boy!" he is, feed him treats, buy him all kinds of supplements, blankets, boots, and gear.

The way to be a really good horsewoman? Ride him systematically, 5-6 days a week, calmly, quietly, and turn him into a fit, sound, prepared athlete who is well prepared to handle the work he`s asked to perform.

Don`t just tell him you love him. Make him strong enough to deal with being ridden so that the things you ask him to do are not causing him stress and discomfort.

08/18/2025

The echoes are familiar.

💛 When she flinches, I remember.

A hand reaches for her mouth.
She tilts her head away —
but the bit is slid in anyway.
Her body is no longer hers.

I know that feeling.
The air shifts.
The body remembers before the mind can speak.

They call her willing when she obeys.
Difficult when she resists.
I have worn those words too.

They speak over her as though she isn’t there —
as though her breath doesn’t matter,
as though the tension in her body is just “resistance to be broken.”

“She just needs to learn who’s boss.”
“She has to respect you.”
I’ve heard those words,
with different nouns, in different rooms.

She has been taught that safety lies in compliance.
So have I.

When she freezes under a touch she cannot escape,
I feel the tightness in my own chest.
When she tests the rope and finds no slack,
I feel the limits I’ve been told not to push.

Her story and mine are not the same —
but the echoes are familiar.

And when I fight for her right to move without fear,
to speak without punishment,
I am also fighting for my own.

08/02/2025

A great opportunity for anyone looking for classical dressage training board in NC.

07/29/2025

07/10/2025

One of the strongest arguments for investing in management practices that prioritize the horse’s (and staff) wellbeing: it keeps riders safer.

Recent research published in the journal Animal shows a clear link between horse welfare and rider safety.

Horses in facilities with better welfare—characterised by fewer health problems, higher haemoglobin levels, and more positive behaviour towards humans—were associated with the lowest number of rider falls during lessons.

In contrast, horses showing signs of poor welfare, such as chronic pain, apathy, aggression, or anaemia, were associated with more rider accidents.

The study also found that positive, attentive human-horse interactions during care and riding improved welfare, while rushed or minimal interaction worsened it.

Management practices like the frequency of turnout or the teaching strategies employed by riding instructors—were also found to be highly influential.

For example, the facility with the best welfare outcomes provided more frequent turnout and riding instruction that emphasised horse comfort rather than strict control. This approach not only improved horse welfare but also resulted in safer riding environments and a reduced risk of accidents.

This study, though modest in scale, clearly demonstrates that investing in horse welfare brings tangible benefits beyond simply having healthier, happier animals.

Facilities that make even small improvements in management—such as increasing turnout and providing more attentive care—see direct enhancements in horse welfare, which in turn results in fewer rider accidents during lessons and lowers the risk of costly legal claims for riding centres.

Ultimately, prioritising horse welfare is both an ethical responsibility and a sound, practical strategy for creating safer, more sustainable riding operations.

Full Study: L. Gueguen, R. Palme, P. Jego, S. Henry, M. Hausberger,
Differences between facilities in horse welfare profiles: slight differences in management/working conditions may be enough,
animal, Volume 19, Issue 6, 2025

06/16/2025

02/02/2025

Learn from Susan & Ken — how to joyfully and eagerly disagree with your colleagues.

Disagreement is an opportunity for connection and learning among colleagues who share your values!

01/26/2025

Neoprene: “easy to clean, sticky and grippy, heat resistant, and shock-absorbing.” Translation: “rips your horse’s hair out, traps heat and non-wicking, if you need it to stop your saddle slipping…your saddle doesn’t fit.”

01/26/2025

“So again, why use force?”