Nine Acres Equestrian

12/12/2024

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any cuter.

Baby bunny1, Hugo, Mummy Bunny and Baby Bunny 2.

Baby bunny’s available for new homes as of and of next week- ❤️

06/12/2024

05/12/2024

𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱-𝗡𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀

A recent study by K. Kienapfel et all (2024) investigated the relationship between head-neck positions (HNPs), conflict behaviour (CB), and judging scores in elite dressage horses. The study examined how these factors align with the animal welfare principles and competition rules established by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀:
• Conflict behaviour increases with lower nasal plane angles in elite dressage horses.
• Relationship found between head-neck positions and conflict behaviour.
• Surprising rule contradiction: tests with small poll angles received high scores.
• Urgent need to address animal welfare and enhance solutions in dressage sport.

𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆:
The study observed 49 horses participating in the Grand Prix Special (CDIO5*) at CHIO Aachen in 2018 and 2019. Researchers analysed video footage of warm-up and competition phases, measuring HNPs (angle at the vertical, poll angle, and shoulder angle) and recording instances of conflict behaviour. These were evaluated against judges' scores.

The results showed that:

▪️ The nasal plane was behind the vertical more frequently during warm-up than in competition (-11° vs. -5°).
▪️ Poll angles were larger in competition (28°) than in warm-up (24°).
▪️ No significant differences were found in shoulder angles between warm-up and competition phases.

Conflict behaviours, including unusual oral movements, occurred more often during warm-up than in competition. Tail swishing was not affected by the nasal plane’s angle.

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀' 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
The study authors concluded that the findings raise concerns about the welfare of elite dressage horses and the application of FEI rules. According to the authors, horses showing restrictive HNPs—such as nasal planes behind the vertical—exhibited more conflict behaviours, yet these positions were not penalised during scoring and, in some cases, correlated with higher scores.

The authors emphasised the importance of addressing these discrepancies to ensure that dressage practices align more closely with established rules and prioritise horse welfare.

05/12/2024

❤️❤️

04/12/2024

There is just waaaaaay too much cuteness surrounding is up here.

18/11/2024

Can’t get much better than this!

Sunny OPEN Champion
Champion OTT Thoroughbred

Halo 1 metre Champion

Huon Show- Thank you

I just love these 3 to the moon and back and back again!

❤️❤️

13/11/2024

I want to share one of the most beautiful moments owning this horse.

It’s not competing, its definitely not catching him in the paddock.

Ziggs is in his retirement paddock with a beautiful 28 y.o OTT, eventer named Heavy.

I took Ziggs feed to him and popped on a rain sheet, his ears were back and he bit my butt when I checked his rug.

As I was driving away, I looked down and witnessed the most divine sight- Ziggs and Heavy, Galloping and bucking up to the top end of the paddock, a few hundred metres easily, towards me.

It’s hard to explain how perfect this moment was. I got quite emotional. I’m emotional again thinking about it.

Free. Happy. Peace.

10/11/2024

So incredibly proud of Maya and our special boy Sunny- ‘Nine Acres Count Montague’.

Competing in their first official 1.10m class and riding it absolutely beautifully to bring home the blue ribbon-

Sunny also won his metre round and Halo her 90cm.

Thanks to Showjumping Tas - Sputh for running the comp- great day.

04/11/2024

…….. no comment-

This little one has eyes open but ears still flat- borderline viable but we’ll do everything we can!

It’s had its first feed with a syringe and teat- ❤️