When it comes to training young horses, the work you do before they’re ever ridden is just as important, if not more so, than what comes later. Early education lays the foundation for a confident, well-adjusted horse who’s ready to cope with their ridden career.

In this article, let’s look at what happens at the end of your training – the cooldown. A proper cooldown helps your horse recover and is important for the health of the musculoskeletal system and is just as important as your warm-up.

When we think about the horses we ride, train or care for, soundness and symmetry often go hand in hand and they are something many of us, quite understandably, take for granted.

One of the most important parts of setting up for a successful training session is the warm-up phase. Sometimes, the importance of this phase can be overlooked or rushed.

Bringing a horse back into work after a period of time off can be a challenging and daunting prospect. Inevitably, the path to full fitness can be a winding one, and horses wouldn't be horses if they didn't give us a few bumps in the road on the way.

Lameness in horses is a common yet complex issue that can significantly impact a horse’s performance and overall well-being. Early detection and appropriate management are crucial to ensure long-term soundness. Understanding how to recognise lameness and take appropriate action are essential skills to have.

Starting a young horse's training is an exciting and rewarding journey, but it also comes with huge responsibility. The choices made in the early years will directly impact the horse’s future soundness, performance, and overall well-being.

Making a difference to Horses and contributing to equine science. Are you an equine professional working with horses on a regular basis?

Use of the terms ‘naughty, unwilling, evasive, resistant’ is removing human culpability, removing our responsibility, without asking 'why'?

In this article, we look at the benefits of stretching exercises for your horse and three stretches that all horses should do.