Category: Knowledge Hub
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Owning your first horse is exciting — but it is also one of the most significant financial, emotional, and time commitments you can make. Horses depend entirely on consistent, informed management. Preparation determines whether ownership feels rewarding or overwhelming. Buying a horse is the easy part. Providing stable, long-term care is the responsibility. This guide…
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A Practical, Welfare-Focused Approach to Choosing the Right Rug Choosing the correct rug weight in the UK is not as simple as reading the temperature forecast. Wind, rain, humidity, clipping status, age, body condition and shelter access all influence how a horse regulates body temperature. Incorrect rugging is one of the most common welfare missteps…
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Preventing Breakage, Thinning and Damage A horse’s mane and tail are more than aesthetic features. They provide natural protection against insects, weather and skin irritation. However, improper care can lead to thinning, breakage, slow regrowth and even discomfort. In the UK climate — with frequent wet weather, rug use and muddy turnout — mane and…
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Horses are biologically designed for predictability. In the wild, their days revolve around grazing, movement, herd interaction, and rest — all within a stable rhythm. Domestic management disrupts that natural flow, so it is the owner’s responsibility to recreate consistency wherever possible. A well-structured daily routine supports: Digestive health Emotional stability Immune function Behavioural balance…
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A Practical Guide to Thermoregulation, Welfare and Smart Rugging Decisions Clipping fundamentally changes how a horse regulates body temperature. A natural winter coat is designed to trap air and repel moisture. Once clipped, that insulation system is partially or completely removed. Rugging a clipped horse requires deliberate planning. Rugging an unclipped horse requires restraint and…
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Grooming should be a bonding experience. However, for nervous, sensitive or previously mishandled horses, grooming can trigger tension, defensive behaviour or avoidance. A horse that reacts negatively to grooming is not being difficult — it is communicating discomfort, fear or confusion. Handling nervous horses requires patience, body awareness and structured desensitisation. This guide explains how…
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Stables are controlled environments — but they are not risk-free. Many injuries occur not in the field or during riding, but inside the stable itself. Confined spaces, solid structures, equipment storage, and human activity create potential hazards that must be actively managed. Safe stable management is not about eliminating risk entirely — it is about…
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How to Read Your Horse — Not Just the Weather Forecast Horses cannot tell us when they are uncomfortable — but they communicate clearly through behaviour, posture and physical signs. Incorrect rugging is one of the most common management errors on UK yards, and many owners rely on temperature charts instead of direct observation. Learning…
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Winter grooming in the UK presents a constant balancing act. Horses accumulate mud, sweat under rugs and dampness around legs — yet frequent bathing in cold conditions can strip protective oils, chill muscles and compromise skin health. Effective winter grooming is about maintaining cleanliness and skin integrity without disrupting the coat’s natural insulation system. This…
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Horse transport is one of the highest-risk routine activities in equine management. Travel introduces confinement, vibration, noise, temperature fluctuation, and stress — all of which affect physiology and behaviour. Preparation reduces injury risk, minimises stress, and protects both horse and handler. Transport safety begins long before the ramp is lowered. Why Transport Preparation Matters Poor…