Emma’s Equine services

25/09/2023

The countdown is on! One week today...

15/08/2023

12/08/2023

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘆 on 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟬 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 is promising to be a great fun day out for all!

As well as a chance to see backstage at the Blackmore Practice, and meeting some of the stars - human and animal, there will food and drink stalls, face painting, a bouncy castle, dog show, craft stalls and much more! There will also be some amazing prizes to be had!

Blackmore is only 20 minutes from Billericay, and about 10 minutes from our Writtle branch. Make sure you save the date and we'll see you there!

Betty's Bubbles Michelle's Magic Mirror-Face & Body Painting Ding Inflatables

05/08/2023

𝐑𝐚𝐠𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭

It's that time of year again, Ragwort is out in bloom and this pesky w**d can be potentially fatal!

Ragwort, (Senecio jacobea) is a specified w**d under
the Weeds Act 1959 that invades paddocks and is
dangerous to horses. Toxic compounds known as
pyrrolidizine alkaloids cause liver damage if eaten.

Most of the time ragwort is unpalatable, but in certain conditions horses may find it more appetising. If grazing is limited, horses may be more inclined to consume ragwort and, in some cases, hay may contain dry ragwort, which is more palatable.

Horses affected by pyrrolidizine alkaloid intoxication
show signs of liver failure, which can include weight
loss, changes in behaviour, inappetence, icterus
(yellow mucous membranes), photosensitisation of
non-pigmented areas of skin and death. Due to the way in which the toxins affect the liver, clinical signs of disease may not become apparent for weeks to months following ingestion.

Ragwort is a biennial plant, which means that it flowers every two years. The bright yellow flowers make the plant easily identifiable. Removing ragwort from the pasture is recommended to reduce the risk to horses and to prevent spread to neighbouring land. Further information about the safe disposal of ragwort can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/stop-ragwort-and-other-harmful-w**ds-from-spreading

If you have any concerns that about your horse
ingesting ragwort, please call the hospital.

27/07/2023

Your horse does not love his stable. Sorry.

A few weeks ago I shared this post and it went viral. It reached 1572985 people.

Due to this reach, unsurprisingly I saw alot of comments along these lines

"My horse loves his stable"
"He waits at the gate to come in"
"You don't know my horse, he hated living out"
"My horse would be dead if i didn't stable him"

For some of you, stabling is likely your only option. I understand how hard it is when you are on a livery with certain rules and management practices, and I also understand if you are doing it for welfare reasons. No horse should be stood in knee high mud, or subjected to lush grass when they are lami prone and a stable is a good way of preventing this.

However. Have you ever thought there might be a better way?

For me, shutting my horse in a stable without free choice is just not something I am ever willing to consider again.

This started when I was lucky enough to have my horses at home for the first time, around 2012.

I remember one night I decided to go out and see my horses in their comfy beds at around 10.30/11pm. I strolled over in my pajamas, opened the barn gate and was shocked to be greeted by neighs and empty haynets.

I didn't turn out till 6-7am the next day... That meant another 7-8 hours of standing in a square with nothing to eat. Horses only sleep for a few hours a day, so the time they spend in a stable is mostly stood still, staring at four walls.

Yes we can improve this by adding enrichment, slow feeder haynets, multiple haynets spread around the stall, a window to touch the horse next door etc, but is this really all enough?

No, its not.

There is no other large companion animal we subject to this kind of imprisonment too. Yes some of you might crate our dogs overnight, but dogs need even more sleep than us and sleep through the night. They aren't designed to move miles a day or eat constantly.

It's no wonder we have horses exhibiting so many stress behaviors in a stable. Weaving, cribbing, box walking or losing their minds completely and thrashing around. Arguably one of the worst coping mechanisms is shutting down, which is exactly what my horse used to do. He would stand, facing the back wall completely still and silent. Giving off the impression that he was fine, when he was far from it.

The humanizing part of me LOVED my horses in stables. They were clean, they had their comfy beds, and when I first brought them in they seemed happy to be there. Munching on their hay and standing quietly while I brushed them and changed rugs. They even waited at the gate to come in.

Ever thought why your horse waits at the gate?
Ever thought its because their field is lacking something? Or because they are very easy to get into a routine? Or because they are positively reinforced by food when they do come in?

Try putting the things your stable offers outside... Make sure there is ample forage, friends (other horses!!), shelter and give them their feeds outside. Leave the stable door open and give them the choice WHEN to be in, and how long for.

Often horses wait at the gate as there paddock lacks these things. They know they will get a feed and hay in their stable, but this does not mean they want shutting in there for hours on end. Horses don't think into the future, so they don't think 'if i come into that stable now it means I'll be in there for hours, better not'.

My mission is to educate people so they learn that stables are not enough and there is a better way. We are depriving these animals from how they are designed to live. Constantly moving and foraging and being with other horses.

Anthropomorphism is so dangerous. This means the apply human values onto an animal, and its exactly what people where doing in most of the comments on that post.

I don't want to hear your excuses for why your horse loves his stable or how its your only option, I want to challenge you to ask yourself why you feel the need to defend yourself? And challenge you to consider another way.

As I state in my book:

"For all the horses that suffer from being confined to stables, without adequate forage, freedom or friends"

Shameless plug: buy my best selling book and learn how to make your horse an enriching environment that fullfills them both mentally and physically. TURNOUT INTO A BIG FIELD IS NOT THE ANSWER.

Horse Track Systems: A 'How To' Guide to a Healthier Horse in Body and Mind https://amzn.eu/d/13hSSMr

Follow my page to keep learning. Your horse will thank you 🙏

Artist of drawing (shared with permission)
https://instagram.com/trailtrotterdesign?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

05/04/2023

‘A picture that speaks a thousand words’

The connection between Elaine and her boy Thomas, is an incredible story of a lady that decided she’d dedicate her whole life to helping animals… and a horse that needed someone to understand him.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HectorsGate/?ref=share

10/01/2023

Contact link: https://www.facebook.com/steveyounghorsemanship

03/01/2023

Really like this man 😊

09/09/2022

Rest in peace your Majesty, Thankyou for everything you have done for us all.
1926 - 2022

22/08/2022

I'll be at the yard

When people have come to visit over the years they commonly hear from me "I'll be at the yard”,

When life gets hard I'll be at the yard.

When things are just right I'll be at the yard.

When the sun shines
The rain falls
Or snow covers the ground
I'll be at the yard.

If things seem to be falling apart or if I'm celebrating the simple things, I'll be at the yard.

When I'm looking for answers or trying to clear my mind, I'll be at the yard.

When I'm looking for myself, I'll be at the yard.

If I'm working or trying to relax, I'll be at the yard.

Even when I'm not in the barn my mind drifts there, I find myself thinking about being at the yard.....

It's where I keep my riches
All my wins and my failures
Every one of my hopes, dreams, hardships and memories.

You can find them all at the yard… buried in the hay, hiding under a halter, spilling out of the feed bins, or glimmering with dust in the evening light.

I may be covered in dust, dirt, feed, hair, and hay, smell of sweat and manure, and sometimes there may be blood or tears but I'll be there. I'll be at the yard.

So if your wondering where to find me, I'll be at the yard. If I'm not there I promise I'm on my way.

-Author Unknown

21/08/2022

How much weight can a horse carry?

In my experience, a horse can carry an infinite amount.

They can carry the weight of broken hearts, broken homes, and broken bodies. Countless tears sometimes comb their tangled manes. Moments when parents and friends cannot be there to help and hold a person, horses embrace and empower. They carry physical, mental, and emotional handicaps. They carry hopes and dreams; and they will carry the stress from your day when you can't carry it anymore.

They carry graduations, they carry new careers, they carry moves away from everything familiar, they carry marriages, they carry divorces, they carry funerals, they carry babys before they are born, and sometimes they carry the mothers who cannot carry their own baby. They carry mistakes, they carry joy, they carry the good and they carry the bad. They carry drugs and addictions, but they also carry the celebrations.

They will carry you to success when all you have felt is failure. They will carry you, never knowing the weight of your burdens and triumphs.

If you let them, they will carry you through life, and life is hard, life is heavy. But a horse will make you feel weightless under it all.

15/08/2022

Trusted & Professional Equine services.
If you’re going away or need regular help looking after your horse/s, I am offering this service.
Based in Billercay Essex

With over 35 years of experience around horses and extensive qualifications, I offer a rare service where your horse will receive much love and attention as if they were my own.
Your horse will receive a trusted high standard of care.
I work in and around Billericay.
I can accommodate further Distances for block holiday dates.

Insurance:
- Public liability Insurance with British Grooms Association - KBIS
- Personal liability insurance, Bronze plus with British Grooms Association - KBIS

Please Contact for any questions and price enquiries.

Qualifications and experience below. References can be provided.

I can provide the following care for your horse/s:

Holiday cover- for blocks of dates.
~
Morning/ evening high standard stable care - mucking out (accommodating all varieties of bedding)/hay/ water/feed.
~
Varied/ more frequent times catered to care for older/ rehab horses.
~
Turning out & bringing in.
~
Light Maintenance of grazing area, including fill /clean water troughs, check fencing is in tack, check field for debris.
~
Empty/ clean/ top up bedding.
~
Monitor for issues and changes in the condition of horses and report problems.
~
Treat minor wounds, change dressings and give certain medications.
~
Follow instructions from vet/farrier/ dentist when treatment is needed.
~
Regular updates & Photos,
See exactly how your horse is doing with detailed updates including videos and photos.
~
Extra pets,
I’m happy to care for extra yard pets!
~
Any extra requirements can be discussed & arranged.

Fed and watered
I can feed your horse at the time specified/they’re used to and ensure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times.

Morning and evening stables
I am happy to keep to your horse's usual routine of morning and evening stables/ grazing. I will follow yard rules.

Medication given if needed
I can administer medication and treat any minor wounds/ change dressings if needed.
I can be there for Farrier/ vet/ dentist visits

Extra pets:
I’m happy to care for extra yard pets.

What happens next?
1- Contact me and tell me about your horse/s and what you’re looking for.
2- I’ll arrange a visit so we can meet and to meet your horse/s to check the fit is just right!
3-Once you’re happy, we can arrange dates and You’re all set!

QUALIFICATIONS :
(Proof can be provided if required)

•BHS1 - NVQ1 : HORSE CARE , 2009
British Horse Society - Billericay, Essex
•BHS2 - NVQ2: Horse Care, 2010
British Horse Society - Billericay, Essex
•BHS3 - NVQ3: Horse Care & Management , 2011
British Horse Society - Kenilworth, Warwickshire
•NVQ3: Horse Care & Management- Exercising, 2011 British Horse Society - Kenilworth, Warwickshire
•NVQ3 : Horse Care & Management- Coaching , 2011 British Horse Society - Kenilworth, Warwickshire
•BHS4 - NVQ4 : Advanced Horse care & Knowledge
•Intermediate Dog Behaviour & Safety : Dog Behaviour & Safety , 2011 Dogs Trust - Battersea Dogs Home - Battersea, London
•Advanced Dog Behaviour & Safety: Dog Behaviour & Safety , 2011 Dogs Trust - Battersea Dogs Home - Battersea, London
•Canine Microchip Inplantation : Canine •Microchip Inplantation, 2014 Dogs Trust - Kent
•Level 1 Reiki & Reiki for Animals : Reiki, 2013 Sara - Grays, Essex

Experience:
I currently own 4 horses and have had horses for over 35 years.
Extensive experience including full livery services on private yards and riding schools, teaching & volunteer work over the past 10 years at Hectors Gate Animal Sanctuary Charity no.1105874 – Orsett, Essex
Founder: Elaine Wood.