The “Footy” Horse

Much is discussed on the interweb – and as far as horses go, probably the most discussed is barefoot. Not surprising since so many people are realising that the “art” of shoeing has little to do with either welfare or the requirements of the modern equestrian age. All manner of advice gets bandied around by […]

Interesting read

I read this article several months ago and really should have linked to it then – a discussion on Facebook made me think of it again. An article by Linda Chamberlain about the founder of Thunderbrooks feed company and how illness in her horses appeared to be caused by weedkillers and other agricultural sprays. Although […]

Senior Horse???

Unbelievable but just two days after I republished an article about safe starting and the life expectancy of the horse, that wonderful dispensary of all knowledge equine, The Horse, publishes an article about “Vaccines, Dewormers, and Nutrition for Senior Horses“. Although the information presented is in itself very dubious (vaccines and dewormers) or just plain wrong (nutrition), […]

A Safe Start: the reality of training early…

This article was originally published in English by the author on the Equine Independent website in June 2013 There must be something in the air at the moment; I was recently expounding the virtues of delaying a horse’s training under the saddle only to come across an article last week on The Horse website talking […]

Ragwort &c.

Summer is upon us†, the lush fields of the spring are starting to become the dry dustbowls of summer – at least in those areas where there has not been much rain – and the first hay is being harvested. And horse owners are possibly starting to worry a little: they’ve just noticed some ragwort, […]

Glyphosate Poisoning

You might be interested in this article about glyphosate poisoning. Glyphosate is the main constituent of Monsanto’s product “RoundUp”™ 

Locking up your Children

This week, a study by Nottingham Trent University (UK) reached the mainstream British media. The study told us nothing new – but it did manage, with this media coverage, to suddenly reach a much wider audience. Essentially it was a study into the well-being of horses and the effects of stabling. The study showed that […]

Scaremongering…

This photo and a list of ten points was recently posted to a social media site: Essentially a praiseworthy action from a group that has a generally responsible if occasionally misguided approach to hoof care. As they state, the owner is responsible for his or her horse’s welfare – an area fraught with misunderstandings and […]

Trimming Course Level 2 (Porta, France)

Two day level 2 hoof trimming course (in French) in the beautiful Pyrenees. Day 1. Theory Distribution of educational material Morning – Objective: evaluation and revision of Level 1 Welcome and introduction. Collection of questions. Work terrain & the law. Equine physiology. The rules of kinetic damping. Afternoon – Objective: The pathologies Interpretation of radiography & lameness. Post deshoeing. Differentiation of lameness. […]