Latest from Horse & Hound in Foals

Foal! Tiny colt born to rescued mare and named after Harry Kane has already won hearts

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:33:47 +0000

A newborn foal born to a rescued mare just before England’s World Cup opener has been named Kane after national football captain Harry.

The tiny colt’s name is also a nod to his dam Sugar, who was found aged two and in foal by welfare charity HAPPA, which took her in early this year.

Kane the colt arrived on 15 June, two days before his namesake scored twice in England’s first championship fixture against Croatia.

“With his wobbly legs, bright personality and early hints of a victory lap, Kane has quickly become the yard’s newest little star,” a HAPPA spokesperson said. “The football-inspired name was chosen as a cheerful tribute to his mum, Sugar, and to the excitement surrounding England’s summer on the world stage.”

Sugar arrived with another two-year-old who was also in foal, both had been abandoned unhandled and were wary of people.

“Her story makes his safe arrival even more special, marking a hopeful new chapter for both mare and foal after a difficult start,” the spokesperson said.

“Kane is already proving popular with visitors and supporters, who have been delighted by his timely arrival, his proud mum’s story, and the feel-good football connection. His name has brought smiles across the yard and added an extra reason to cheer during World Cup fever, although, for now, his main goal is staying upright.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

HAPPA head of equine operations Amanda Berry said the team wanted a name to reflect the national excitement during the World Cup, and having consulted supporters on social media, Kane was the choice, which “matched his mum perfectly”.

“After everything Sugar has been through, seeing her safely care for her foal is incredibly moving,” she added. “He is a strong, lively colt with lots of character, and while we cannot promise he will score any goals, he has certainly won everyone over already.”

The original Kane is joint third top scorer in the World Cup so far, having also scored against Panama in England’s final group game, and twice in the 2-1 round of 32 win against the Democratic Republic of Congo on 1 July.

The spokesperson added that equine Kane’s arrival is an opportunity to highlight the care and work that goes into supporting rescued mares and foals.

“Staff will continue to monitor Sugar and Kane closely as he grows, develops, and takes his first careful steps towards a healthy future, no offside decisions required,” she said.

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Under-25 national champion Alice Casburn recalls the rocky start of her home-bred superstar

Martha Terry — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:30:11 +0000

Topspin is a second-generation home-bred who fulfilled a grandmother’s dreams, most recently carrying Alice Casburn to take the under-25 national championship at Bramham.

Alice was six years old when Topspin arrived in the world, a giant fourth foal from his 15.3hh mother Capriati. He still lives in the stable where he was born.

“Mum’s room had a TV where we could watch the foaling,” Alice says. “I wasn’t that interested in horses then, but foals were exciting.”

Although Alice describes Spin as her mother Caroline’s “favourite child”, he lived up to his name from the outset.

“He was so sharp, I was forever falling off,” says Caroline. “Friends were always catching him and picking me up. But from the start, he felt like he could jump anything.”

Caroline produced Spin mainly for showjumping, handing over the reins to Alice to event – and credits her “short body and long legs” for enabling her to sit his spins.

“He can be vile,” Alice says, lovingly. “But I understand him; some of it is naughtiness, some is insecurity. I just laugh at him now – I’d either laugh or cry.”

From this rocky start, he’s fulfilled the family’s dreams.

“My granny helped Mum with the breeding and used to joke that Spin and I would get to Burghley one day – when he wasn’t even managing at novice.”

What canny foresight. Topspin and Alice not only made it to Burghley, but have finished in the top 10 in all of their four runs.

Alice and Topspin have multiple five-star completions on their record. (Image credit: Nico Morgan)

Topspin breeding information

Name: Topspin

Stable name: Spin

Height: 17hh

Year of birth: 2008

Breeding: by Zento (16.3½hh) out of Capriati xx (15.3hh) by El Conquistador xx

Breeder: Caroline Casburn

Best results: fifth twice at Burghley CCI5*, fifth at Luhmühlen CCI5*, 2026 under-25 national champion at Bramham, young rider European team gold and individual bronze

Topspin’s pedigree chart (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Meet the parents

Caroline laughs that her premise for breeding Topspin was not entirely rational. She’d evented his grandmother, Spangle, at advanced. But out of five foals, she produced only one filly, Capriati.

“Capriati wasn’t the best to breed from in hindsight; sharp with an ever-ready battery,” says Caroline. “We bred from her to keep the line, but also as she was so hot-headed we didn’t like riding her!”

Stallion AI recommended Zento, for his quiet temperament: “Although Spin’s sharp, he’s workable,” Caroline says. “If you can stay on, you can bring him back to walk and explain things to him. You’d ride Capriati for three hours and never wear her out.”

Other facts about Topspin’s breeding

1. Topsin’s great-grandsire (grandsire of Capriati) was Derby winner Mill Reef.

2. His sire’s half-brother Cento won Olympic team showjumping gold in 2000.

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Final farewell to orphaned foal who touched hearts with his giant teddy friend after a safe and happy life

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:02:15 +0000

An orphaned foal who touched hearts across the world – and shaped shape equine welfare practice – has died aged 13 after the “safest and happiest life possible”.

Dartmoor hill pony Breeze, who was rescued at a day old and became famous when pictures of him sleeping next to his giant teddy friend Buttons were shared online, had to be put down owing to a severe case of colic.

Breeze was taken in by the Mare and Foal Sanctuary.

The charity’s Yelverton rescue facility team leader Lucy Jewell said: “Everyone at Yelverton is truly sorry and devastated to hear the news that Breeze is no longer with us.

“During his time at Yelverton he was a firm favourite for us all and was the pony who always made you smile. We will cherish our memories of him and forever hold him in our hearts.”

Picture by The Mare and Foal Sanctuary (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Breeze was given Buttons by sanctuary staff for comfort and security during his early days, while he was being cared for round the clock. He was reunited with the teddy three years later.

“Despite the sanctuary’s work and more than a decade of skilled handling and training, Breeze’s early deprivation and hand-rearing meant he was never suitable for rehoming,” a spokesperson for the charity said. “He spent his life under the dedicated care of the sanctuary’s specialist teams, who adapted their facilities and approaches to give him the safest and happiest life possible.”

Nikki Anstey, equine training lead at the sanctuary, said Breeze had a major impact on how the charity works with complex ponies.

“He was somewhat of an icon of the sanctuary,” she said. “He came to us as an extremely poorly little pony. He was not able to be socialised with other horses for an extended period due to his lack of immunity and had to be hand-reared.

“There were many sleepless nights, bottle-feeding him every hour and having to lift him up and lay him down as he was so weak.

“His personality started shining through at a young age and he will always remain one of the most influential ponies that I have ever encountered in my career at the sanctuary. We always had an understanding, and he was incredibly loving and affectionate, despite his complex behavioural needs. I don’t think any horse, or person, could have ever taught me as much as he did.”

The charity’s head of equine expertise Sally Burton said the team adapted Breeze’s environment to suit his needs, studied the latest evidence on behaviour and welfare, and brought in external standards. His care “continues to inform the charity’s approach to equine welfare”.

Picture by The Mare and Foal Sanctuary (Image credit: Fiona Crawford)

“Breeze pushed us all to raise our standards, to think differently about how we support horses and ponies with complex needs, and to champion good practice across the wider equine sector,” she said.

“We are deeply saddened by his loss. Colic remains one of the most serious emergencies we see, and in Breeze’s case, despite prompt veterinary attention and intensive care, it was not possible to save him.”

The charity paid tribute to all those who cared for Breeze over the years, and to the “wonderful, patient, thoughtful attention he was given”. He has been described as “truly loved”, as shown in the way teams supported him every day of his life.

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‘He had the X factor’: Boston Black Tie’s breeder tells the story of how the champion came to be

Bethan Simons — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:41:42 +0000

Boston Black Tie (DJ) is the result of a careful breeding plan.

“It took me a long time to breed a hack,” says Stephen Howard. “I point-to-pointed his great-grandmother, Lovely Grange, and didn’t want to sell her. She had four foals, one of which – Boston Bellissima – I kept. In turn, she had DJ’s mother, Boston Boudicca.”

Stephen was instantly impressed by the newborn DJ.

“He had something – an X-factor or swag – that made you think he was special, though not necessarily a hack right away. They all develop differently.”

A young Boston Black Tie with dam Boston Boudicca. (Image credit: Stephen Howard)

Stephen’s friend Nicki Faulconbridge first saw DJ as a two-year-old and a year later, Stephen granted her her wish to purchase him.

“He’s never been to Nicki’s, though,” says Stephen, who remains a key DJ team member and fan. “He went straight to his producer Helen Baker and he’s lived there ever since; he’s a bit precious and they know exactly how to handle that.

“He’s very intelligent and quick to learn – as many of Kilvington Scoundrel’s progeny are. That can be to a hack’s detriment as they think they know best. But he’s right up there as a hack for me and has done far more than we could ever expect really. He keeps coming back out and we’re ultra-grateful for that.”

He adds with a wry smile, “I’ll not be letting go of his sister Boston Bed Of Roses.”

Boston Black Tie breeding information

Stable name: DJ

Height: 153cm

Year of birth: 2017

Breeding: by Kilvington Scoundrel out of Boston Boudicca

Breeder: Stephen Howard

Best results: Hickstead Derby Meeting hack champion on both his visits, and two-time Royal International hack champion.

Boston Black Tie’s pedigree chart (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Meet the parents

“DJ was his mother Boston Boudicca’s first foal,” says Stephen.

His sire, Kilvington Scoundrel is a decorated stock-getter of HOYS champions.

“Scoundrel is so prolific at breeding that quality type. At the time, if you were thinking of breeding a hack, you’d have to try him. He’d gone by that point, but there was semen available so it was worth a try.”

Kilvington Scoundrel’s semen is no longer available but, luckily, Stephen has a full yearling sister – Boston Bed Of Roses – waiting in the wings.

Other fact’s about Boston Black Tie’s breeding

1. The Boston prefix has been associated with Welsh ponies since 1968. Stephen inherited the stud, which is based five miles outside the village of Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, in 1996.

2. Boston Black Tie’s pedigree includes Dolphin Supreme and Yealand Nemesis, who have been responsible for numerous show pony and hack champions.

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Which top competition horse did this cute little foal grow up to be?

Martha Terry — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 15:12:18 +0000

The breeding of Lordships Graffalo has resulted in one of the greatest eventers to have graced the planet, but he was something of a “thug” in his foalhood. Still known for his habits of tugging his grooms to tastier grazing, chewing ropes and upending wheelbarrows, “he used to walk over everyone” as a curious, independent baby. So let’s learn more about his early life.

Originally called Hermes, his stable name was changed to Walter at four after a horse transporter his owners knew. He was raised in Essex, at Writtle College, as his dam – Cornish Queen – had been loaned to Lordships Stud by her owner Pennie Wallace, as part of a breeding programme.

“His mum was so fiery, they had to lead her in a bridle at Writtle or she’d dance on her hindlegs,” says Pennie. “None of her foals were straightforward, but it did Walter good to live out in a herd.”

Caroline Farr, Lordships Stud manager, remembers Walter as “a very friendly foal. He loved interacting with humans and other horses and was always inquisitive and up to something”.

Walter was a curious and independent foal. (Image credit: Caroline Farr/Lordships Stud)

At two, he returned to Pennie, who sent him to Ros Canter as she liked how Ros was producing his older half-sister Pencos Crown Jewel. It was shrewd foresight – Ros had yet to compete at five-star and there was no assurance of the megastar she would become.

“All the ducks aligned for Walter,” says Pennie. “I knew Cornish Queen had good bloodlines, but I never dreamt she’d produce what she has. Walter is out-and-out talented, but it also needed Ros to bring that out. You need the right rider with the experience and talent.”

Lordships Graffalo breeding information

Stable name: Walter

Height: 17hh

Year of birth: 2012

Breeding: by Grafenstolz out of Cornish Queen (by Rock King)

Breeder: Pennie Wallace and Lordships Stud

Owners: Michele and Archie Saul

Best results: three-time Badminton and two-time Burghley winner; European individual and team champion; Olympic team gold medallist

Lordships Graffalo’s pedigree chart (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Meet the parents

While Grafenstolz needs no introduction as a top-ranked eventing sire, Walter’s damline is equally illustrious. Cornish Queen was bred by Olympic gold medallist Bridget Parker – a niece of her Munich 1972 ride Cornish Gold – and sold to Pennie Wallace. Although Cornish Queen didn’t compete beyond pre-novice (BE100), her mother Cornish Faer (by Ben Faerie) contested Badminton and Burghley.

“They all had an amazing jump and a type,” says Bridget. “I hope people realise how much comes from the mare.”

Other facts about Lordships Graffalo’s breeding

1. Graffalo has a full sister, Pencos Sovereign, born 2023.

2. His part-Arab great-great-granddam (April The First, dam of Tregea) won a 7ft 2in puissance.

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‘We didn’t know if he would make it’: foal left to die at a day old beats the odds to survive

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 12 May 2026 14:20:34 +0000

A foal who was abandoned to die when he was less than a day old is thriving as he approaches his first birthday thanks to those who went to his rescue.

Biggles was thought to be less than 24 hours old when he was found lying in a field in County Durham, his umbilical cord still present. The horse owner who found him called Here4Horses, a charity based in the area.

“Severely dehydrated, weak and unable to stand, Biggles was in a critical condition and needed urgent veterinary treatment if he was to have any chance of survival,” a Here4Horses spokesperson said.

Charity trustee Wendy Suddes took Biggles to Clevedale Veterinary Practice in Upleatham, near Guisborough, where his treatment included IV fluids, antibiotics and feeding via a tube to prevent more dehydration.

Biggles in hospital (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“Once stable, he needed round-the-clock care and was bottle-fed every two hours, day and night, by Wendy and the other dedicated Here4Horses volunteers,” the spokesperson said.

“Thanks to the expertise of vets Alistair Love and Lis Watson, alongside Wendy’s unwavering dedication, Biggles beat the odds and is now thriving ahead of his first birthday in June.”

Wendy said the first 72 hours after Biggles’ rescue were critical.

“We genuinely didn’t know if he was going to make it,” she said.

“We can only assume he’d lost his mum and had been abandoned because he needed intensive care. We threw everything at him and just hoped it would be enough. Clevedale Vets were truly exceptional, and everyone showed incredible care and commitment throughout his recovery.

Biggles keeping warm at home (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“We always want to be in a position to help in situations like this one and young Biggles was so lucky because without public support we simply cannot continue.”

Clevedale Vets provides cares for all the Here4Horses residents and Mr Love has overseen Biggles’ treatment since his rescue.

“Biggles was in a very poor condition when he arrived, and there was a real risk we might lose him,” he said.

“Thanks to Wendy’s dedication and the intensive care he received, he’s made an incredible recovery. It’s fantastic to see him doing so well.

“It really was a team effort, but the credit has to go to Wendy – she was there around the clock, giving him the care he needed to survive.”

It is thought Biggles, a coloured cob, will mature at about 11hh.

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How much does it cost to breed a horse? H&H crunches the numbers

Oscar Williams — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:26:28 +0000

Breeding your own horse is, for many owners and riders, an appealing proposition – the chance to produce exactly the type of horse you want, from bloodlines you’ve chosen, with every stage of their development in your hands. But how much does it cost to breed a horse?

It’s certainly not a cheap way of getting your next horse, and the costs involved with breeding a horse are often significantly higher than buyers and breeders anticipate. It’s important to say upfront: most small-scale breeders don’t make money from breeding horses. “Making a bonfire out of banknotes would be a cheaper hobby,” as one hobby breeder puts it.

Caroline Ironside of MFS Stud Farm in Scotland, who has been breeding sport horses for 30 years, calculates that she needs around £9,000 per foal simply to break even – and that’s before accounting for the value of her own time, her land, or her stabling.

As Eva-Maria Livesey, executive director of British Breeding, points out: “Our foals are actually remarkably cheaply priced, given that there’s a lot that goes into them that breeders don’t even think about as a cost.”

Understanding what goes into producing a horse helps explain why good youngstock costs what it does – and why, more often than not, the breeder is subsidising your purchase.

It’s also worth knowing that British breeders operate at a structural disadvantage compared to their European counterparts. In Germany and the Netherlands, horse breeding is classified as agriculture, giving breeders access to subsidies, tax advantages and cheaper land and feed that British studs simply cannot access. In the UK, horse breeding is classified as a leisure industry – regardless of how professionally it is run. The result is that British-bred horses often cost more to produce than equivalent horses on the Continent, for reasons entirely outside the breeder’s control.

Costs involved with breeding a horse

I’m going to lay out the costs of breeding a horse. All prices quoted are approximate and based on prices at the time of publishing (April 2026). These costs will vary significantly depending on your location, whether you have your own land and facilities, and whether everything goes to plan, which, with horses, it often doesn’t.

I’ll cover the costs of:

Stud fee
Veterinary fees
Stud keep charges
Cost of foaling down
What can go wrong – and what it costs
Subsequent costs
What happens next

Importing semen from a top international stallion can cost more than £2,000. (Image credit: Alamy)

Stud fee

While natural covering is still used, artificial insemination (AI) with chilled or fresh semen is the most common method of breeding sport horses. Stud fees can vary from a few hundred to many thousands of pounds – importing semen from a top international stallion can cost £2,000 or more – but an average fee for a good, proven stallion is likely to be in the region of £1,000 plus VAT.

If you’re using a stallion standing abroad, be prepared for significant additional costs on top of the stud fee itself. Post-Brexit, a single semen shipment from Europe that once cost around £30 now costs in the region of £240, with mandatory veterinary documentation adding a further £25. Health papers, collection and delivery charges can add £150-200 or more to the bill. If your mare fails to hold on the first cycle – which is far from unusual – those shipping costs alone can exceed the price of the semen itself.

“Before we’ve even started, our costs are way up compared to European breeders,” as one breeder puts it.

Veterinary fees are an unavoidable cost of breeding, so make sure you understand what’s covered. (Image credit: Lucy Merrell)

Veterinary fees associated with breeding

Vet fees are unavoidable, but most studs offer all-in-one packages in conjunction with a veterinary practice. Prices vary from around £275–450 plus VAT for the first cycle using chilled or fresh semen, though costs have risen in recent years partly due to the consolidation of equine practices into large corporate groups.

Package components vary, so make sure you understand exactly what is and isn’t included. Packages for maiden mares and those over 18 can cost more. You can opt to pay vet fees in the usual way rather than via a package if you prefer.

If you’re using frozen semen or embryo transfer, costs increase considerably – a full embryo transfer package from a top-level mare can run to £4,500 or more, with recipient mare hire adding a further £1,000 on top.

Stud keep charges

If your mare is to be covered naturally, she’ll need to go to stud. The use of frozen semen requires a high level of veterinary attention, so sending your mare to a specialist stud is recommended. With fresh and chilled AI, it is possible to breed from an experienced broodmare at home.

The length of stay at stud will vary. If you live locally, your mare can travel to and from the stud between insemination and pregnancy confirmation. But a resident mare that doesn’t hold for two or three cycles could be away for three or four months.

Grass keep will lessen costs, but these will soon add up if you want your mare stabled.

There’ll also be routine costs to consider – teeth, feet, and worming – as well as specialist feed in the last trimester and booster vaccinations prior to birth.

If you send your mare to foal at stud, expect her to stay for around four weeks. (Image credit: Getty Images>)

Cost of foaling down

Experienced breeders can foal their mare at home, although the vet will need to attend afterwards to check the mare and foal. If you decide to send your mare to stud to foal, she will need to arrive in good time and stay until the foal is strong enough to travel home. As well as the foaling fee – typically around £400-500 – there’ll be around four weeks’ keep, some of which will be stabled.

What can go wrong – and what it costs

It’s worth remembering that complications occur all too often, no matter how much care is taken or expertise deployed.

A joint infection can add £4,000 or more to your costs. A retained placenta will require immediate veterinary treatment – typically around £250. A retained testicle in a colt can cost £750 to correct. A plasma transfusion for a foal that has not received adequate antibodies from its dam can run to £1,000. And that’s before accounting for the possibility of losing a foal or a mare entirely.

As one breeder who has experienced all of the above puts it: “Where there’s livestock, there’s dead stock.” When budgeting for breeding, build in a contingency – ideally of several thousand pounds – for complications you hope will never arise.

Subsequent costs of breeding a horse

Once the mare and foal are home, the ongoing costs begin. The foal will need a passport, microchipping, sometimes a DNA test, and registration with the relevant breed society. If he is a colt, there may also be the cost of castration, typically around £500.

If you chose to keep the foal, you’ll then likely need to keep the foal for at least three years before they are backed. Over this time, you’ll be paying the normal costs of keeping a horse, such as feed, worming, vaccinations, and foot trimming.

For those without land, field rent and livery charges must be factored in. Budget a minimum of £2,500 per year for basic keep, though the real figure is often considerably higher – one commercial operation estimates it costs an average of £15,000 to take a horse from conception to three years old when all costs are properly accounted for.

And this is before backing and production costs, which is where the value of a horse increases significantly – but where the expenses do too.

Breeding is just the first part of the process, then you’ve got the producing to think about. (Image credit: Andrew Sydenham)

What happens next

The table below covers costs up to the point of backing – but it’s worth understanding that this is where the significant value increases begin, and where the costs continue to climb.

A horse that goes from unbacked to backed sees a notable spike in value, simply because it can now be ridden. From there, value tends to plateau between the ages of four and six, while the horse is developing but unproven.

In dressage, for example, the movements that really move the market – flying changes, the beginnings of piaffe and passage – typically emerge at six or seven in a professionally produced horse.

Each additional year of keep, training, and competition entry fees adds to the total cost of production.

So how much does it cost to breed a horse?

The table below gives an approximate guide to the costs involved in breeding a horse from conception to three years old, assuming everything goes straightforwardly — which it often doesn’t. Travel costs are additional, and if your foal is a colt, castration costs will also apply.

Service	Cost	Total
EHV vaccinations (course of 3 injections, with call outs)	£200 + VAT	£240
CEM and EIA tests	£120 + VAT	£144
Stud fee	£1,000 + collection fee, delivery and VAT	£1,400
Stud livery (grass only)	£270 + VAT per month	£324
Veterinary package for AI (chilled or fresh semen)	£345 + VAT	£414
Mare’s keep for the year	£270 per month	£3,240
Autumn pregnancy diagnosis	£60 + VAT	£72
Flu and tetanus boosters	£75 + VAT	£90
Foaling fee	£400 + VAT	£480
Mare and foal vet check	£120 + VAT	£144
Passport, microchipping, breed registration, DNA test	£150	£150
Three years keep including routine care	£2,500 per year (minimum)	£7,500
Total approx. cost to breed a horse from birth to backing	£14,198

Is it worth it?

For most small-scale breeders, the honest answer is that it rarely makes financial sense. The costs are high, the risks are real, and the market for youngstock is currently challenging.

And yet the breeders who remain are, almost without exception, passionate advocates for what they do – producing horses with individual care and attention that, at its best, results in animals that are better prepared for long-term soundness and rideability than those raised in larger, more industrial operations.

If you’re considering breeding your own horse, go in with your eyes open, your budget stress-tested, and a healthy contingency fund. But if you do produce a horse that goes on to fulfil its potential – knowing you were there from the very beginning – there are few things in the equestrian world quite like it.

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‘We are so grateful’: double Olympic champion welcomes first foal

Becky Murray — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 13:33:34 +0000

Dressage superstar TSF Dalera BB, the multiple gold medal-winning ride of Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, has welcomed her first foal.

Jessica said the 19-year-old mare gave birth to “this magical little creature” – named Dolce Vita BB – at 1.40am on 9 March. The filly is by Vitalis.

“The BB in the name stands for Dalera’s owner Beatrice Bürchler-Keller,” said Jessica, adding that Beatrice was on her way to visit at the time.

“We are all so grateful, fulfilled, but also very tired.”

Jessica has been sharing videos of the mare and foal enjoying their time in the field and said the new arrival has been “keeping Dalera on her toes”.

Trakehner mare Dalera (Easy Game x Handryk) enjoyed a phenomenal career with Jessica von Bredow-Werndl; they won two team and two individual Olympic golds, two team and four individual European golds, team gold at the 2018 World Equestrian Games and two World Cup Final titles.

At the Paris Games in 2024 they successfully defended their Olympic title won in Tokyo, scoring +90% in the freestyle. They arrived in Paris as world number ones and reigning European champions, on an unbeaten streak of 35 international victories.

During a Paris press conference Jessica told media Dalera would soon retire, and the formal announcement was made on 27 August 2024. She retired sound, happy and at the top of her game aged 17.

“This journey has been something so special to me and fortunately it is not over yet. We can keep Dalera here in Aubenhausen until her last breath and I am already looking forward to many more wonderful years with her,” said Jessica at the time.

“Dalera has been so much more to me than just my sport partner over the last few years. I’ve never experienced anything before like connecting with a horse on such a soul level that we didn’t need words, which don’t even exist. We just understood each other and I always knew what she needed – and she always knew everything. She just understood me and still understands me today, and that is the beauty of it.”

Jessica revealed on 11 May last year, Mother’s Day in Germany, that Dalera was in foal – stating that she was sure Dalera would be a “wonderful mummy”.

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‘Heartbreaking to see him so afraid’ but foal dumped at six weeks old learns to trust thanks to positive reinforcement training

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:52:37 +0000

A tiny foal who was dumped at six weeks old has been taken on by a broody mare – and learned to trust people thanks to positive reinforcement training.

The colt, named Malcolm after one of his rescuers was found alone and terrified a few months ago, but has made huge progress, and is learning to “be a normal horse”.

A spokesperson for World Horse Welfare said: “Malcolm was utterly terrified of humans after being found in July in a large open field, with a railway line on one side and a busy road on the other. Staff from World Horse Welfare rushed to his aid, fearing the frightened foal could bolt into danger at any moment.”

The charity’s director of UK Malcolm Morley, an experienced equine vet who leads UK welfare operations, said staff knew they had to get Malcolm to safety as soon as possible.

“He was so terrified after what he’d gone through that he needed to be sedated before he could be caught and loaded safely. It was a huge relief when he was on his way to our centre and the compassionate care he so deserved.”

The colt arrived at World Horse Welfare’s Glenda Spooner Farm “absolutely petrified of humans”.

Centre manager Claire Dickie said even stepping into the crew yard, an area designed for working safely with unhandled horses, would “send him careering around in panic”.

“At six weeks old, he should have been playful and curious about the world around him, so it was heartbreaking to see him so afraid,” she said.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

It was far too early for Malcolm to have been weaned so the charity’s team has been hand-rearing him, which gave groom Amy McCormack the chance to build a relationship with him.

“Positive reinforcement is a vital training tool for us,” Amy said. “This means we’ve used feeding time to help Malcolm link people with good things. Wither scratches – a favourite friendly gesture for horses – have also helped to teach him that humans can be associated with comfort and safety.

“He’s now happy for me to touch him all over, which is huge progress. We’re taking it steady so as not to overwhelm him at any point, but I’m so proud of him already.”

The team also found a foster mother for Malcolm to help him learn to interact with other horses.

“We can’t tell you her story yet, as she’s part of a prosecution case,” said Claire. “But it’s amazing how she immediately took Malcolm under her wing. She’s had a foal of her own previously and got very broody when we had new foals born on the farm this summer, so we thought we’d try her with him.

“She adopted him straight away and is doing a wonderful job showing him how to be a normal horse.

“Given how his story began, it’s amazing to see how far he’s come. In time, we hope his tragic start will be just a distant memory and that he’ll go on to live a happy, healthy life in a loving home.”

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Hopes top event mares ‘sprinkle a little bit of stardust’ in British stud’s breeding programme

Becky Murray — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 13:03:06 +0000

Future Sport Horses has welcomed top event mares Classic Moet and Faerie Dianimo to its breeding programme – with hopes they will “sprinkle a little bit of their stardust on the next generation”.

The stud’s Julia Hodkin told H&H she was “absolutely thrilled” to have bought the superstar pair from Trisha Rickards a few months ago.

Both mares were campaigned by New Zealand’s Jonelle Price and enjoyed distinguished careers. Classic Moet (Molly) completed all 10 of her five-star starts, including seven top-10 finishes and victory at Badminton in 2018. Faerie Dianimo (Maggie) had five top-10 places at five-star, including winning Luhmühlen in 2018. The pair also represented New Zealand at championships; Molly at the 2014 and 2018 World Equestrian Games, and Faerie Dianimo at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Jonelle pictured on Faerie Dianimo at Luhmühlen Horse Trials 2022. (Image credit: Libby Law)

Molly, 22, and Maggie, 20, retired from the sport “at the top of their game” in November 2022 with the view of breeding. Molly already has successful offspring, including Faerie Usain and Faerie Good Golly, born in 2018 via embryo transfer.

Julia said it was a “dream come true to have two five-star winners in your breeding herd”.

“You have to pinch yourself when you go and say hello to them. I’m very, very lucky,” she said.

“I’m over the moon Trisha let me buy them to keep her breeding legacy going, she’s bred so many top horses. It feels a real responsibility as well when you have this sort of quality of horses to make good choices for them.”

Maggie is carrying a foal by event stallion Future Guilty Pleasure, who is competed by Alex Bragg. The stallion’s offspring include Lucy Nelson’s FLS Winchester, who was the 2024 champion foal at the Sport Horse Breeding of Great Britain’s annual grading, born by embryo transfer out of Laura Collett’s five-star ride Hester. Julia is still considering stallion choices for Molly, who will undergo ICSI this winter.

“A lot of thinking will be going into it and I’ll be visiting a lot of stallions,” she said.

“With Guilty Pleasure, I’ve known him all his life – I bred him, his mother and grandmother, and I owned his great-grandmother so I know the family inside out and I’m very confident in what he breeds. The biggest thing for both is not to detract from their star ability.”

Julia said both mares have settled in well and are “being spoiled in the way they deserve”.

“Maggie and Molly are very much a pair, they’ve known each other all their lives and love each other’s company. They’ve got their own field together and are stabled next door to each other,” she said.

“They’re very unassuming mares, they’re very easy – although Maggie is a little more opinionated. They’re just lovely horses and fitted straight in.

“It really is an honour and I don’t think 10-year-old Julia would have believed that one day this would happen. The key thing Trisha wanted was that they were looked after to the standard that they deserved, and that they had the opportunity to continue to leave a legacy on the sport through a breeding programme – and hopefully that’s what we’re going to deliver. We’ll give them the best life possible, and sprinkle a little bit of their stardust on the next generation, with a bit of luck.”

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‘Consistency is key’: how to handle your foal from untouched to show ready

Bethan Simons — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:10:54 +0000

Knowing how to handle a foal from an untouched state so they become a polite member of equine society is really important for their future. We’ve all handled poorly educated horses at some point, and frankly, it’s not always fun. Unhandled or poorly handled horses can be difficult to manage, and in some cases, even become dangerous.

As breeders and owners of foals, we have a responsibility to make sure our foals receive good quality handling. This early interaction with us establishes trust in humans, and a good foundation for training as young adults. Your vet and farrier will thank you, too!

When to start handling a foal

While this all makes sense, it’s not always clear how to progress. Some people suggest handling foals as soon as possible. I don’t show my mares and foals, however, so at the point of weaning the foals are unhandled. One of my mares can be very foal-proud and if left to it, she won’t let me near her foal for up to two weeks.

To mitigate against this, I feed her in the field every day from about a month before foaling. Even with a new baby, she can’t resist the rattle of a bucket! So my foals are used to hard feed before they are weaned, and personally, I find this so helpful when they are weaned.

Even before I was a mum myself, I hated hearing foals cry for their mums, and I find it even worse now. So I do the weaning slowly and in stages.

After speaking to in-hand showing buff Ian Boylan – handler and producer of Dakiora Royale, the reserve champion in the prestigious 2025 Price Family supreme in-hand championship at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) – who has seen countless foals and young animals come through his production yard, I was pleased to hear I’m not the only one who wants their foals to remain as relaxed and stress-free as possible.

“We actually have a stable block that I call ‘the nursery’, in which we keep the foals,” says Ian. “They can all see each other and we encourage them to pair up, and make friends with another foal so that they have as little stress as possible. Then they have three meals a day, and it’s important that they have a deep straw bed so that they are encouraged to lie down and relax.”

He adds: “We also allow them plenty of ‘play’ time together in the indoor school. It’s all really about their wellbeing.”

Even with the best of intentions, though, the reality is you’re left with an animal who has no idea how it’s expected to behave. So far this year alone, I have had two broken headcollars and just this morning, my now fairly civilised filly attempted to exit her stable over the door when I led her playmate out. So how do the pros do it?

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

How to handle a foal

“As well as our own foals, we have a number come into the yard for handling,” says Ian. “Some arrive untouched, and obviously, they are all different and they all move forwards in their own time, but we approach things in the same way.”

Ian stresses that it’s all about routine when approaching foal handling, and that each foal will progress differently.

“We just try to do everyday, normal things,” he says. “We teach them to lead, to stand still, to be groomed and to have their feet picked up. Everyone’s an individual, aren’t they? So, some come round really quick, and others take a little bit longer.”

How to teach a foal to lead

I always find teaching a foal to lead a sticking point. Given that putting pressure on even the most experienced of horses’ headcollars doesn’t necessarily work when leading them, it’s no wonder that it doesn’t work with an inexperienced foal whose instinct is to pull back against the pressure. So how does Ian do it?

“Horses don’t like pressure around their heads. So we use a lunge line with a loop at the wither. The rope goes then goes through the loop and round the foal’s bottom and back through the loop and the headcollar. That way, the pressure is increased around their bottom when you pull the rope, and the foal is encouraged to move forwards.

Diagram showing Ian’s method of using a lunge line (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“We teach everything to move like that,” Ian affirms. “Once they’ve had that experience maybe two or three times, they realise that there’s nothing to be scared of, and they just go forward. It’s pretty straightforward, really.”

To be show ready, you will need your foal to be able to trot up comfortably beside you. Sometimes, foals find a person running beside them unnerving, so make sure you factor in plenty of practice before the big day, and be ready to revert to using the lunge-line around their bottom to encourage them to trot for the first few attempts.

Foal handling tips

I’m often alone in the stable block and have no phone signal, so I’m mindful of safety. Ian agrees it’s important to remain safe at all times – and H&H recommends wearing protective gear, including a riding hat and gloves, when handling foals.

With this in mind, he says: “We just try to keep it really simple and progress sensibly. For example, when it comes to picking up feet, start with the front legs, and once the foal is comfortable, move on to the hindlegs.”

I approach grooming with a similar path; I start with the bottom half of the neck, and progress to the wither and shoulder. Then I move further forwards around the more sensitive ears and head, and then I move over their backs, hind quarters, the belly, and finally, their hindlegs.

Ian says: “The same applies if you want to introduce rugs and so on – take it slowly and sensibly.”

“We don’t push them too much so they’re not stressed, and just do the same thing every day. It’s just a process of creating a routine and then that routine then just becomes the norm. You have to do everything in the same way every day – the unknown or change is something that unnerves them.

“Consistency, is key; I’m a bit regimented in the way I do it, but I think it makes the foal more relaxed because they know what’s coming next and they know what to expect so they become comfortable with it all.”

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New levy on foals aims to help give thoroughbreds better lives

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:11:45 +0000

A new levy on thoroughbred foals will help “safeguard the health, welfare, and aftercare of all horses bred to race in Britain”.

The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) has announced that the £60 equine welfare levy, collected by Weatherbys at foal registration, will apply to all thoroughbreds born in Britain, and foals registered for racing by the Non-Thoroughbred Register (NTR). It replaces the voluntary donation of £25 split between the TBA and Retraining of Racehorses (RoR).

“The monies collected will help underpin a more sustainable funding model to secure essential lifetime services for all thoroughbreds bred to race as well as bringing breeders’ contributions into alignment with other industry stakeholders who already provide mandatory funding for aftercare,” a TBA spokesperson said.

From each £60, £25 will go to aftercare charity RoR and £35 to the TBA “to continue vital work around equine infectious disease control and prevention, biosecurity and border controls, vaccine and medication availability and stewardship, continued support and communication of veterinary research, lifetime traceability of the thoroughbred and genetic diversity”.

TBA deputy chair Kate Sigsworth said: “While many breeders already play an active role in the homing, paddock retirement or transitioning of their horses to the leisure sector, often for life, the new welfare levy ensures that all thoroughbreds bred to race, including those sold by breeders, will have access to the services and expertise of RoR throughout their lives.

“We are incredibly grateful to all those breeders who contribute already and we see this formalised process as a significant step forward, which will ensure that every horse bred to race in Britain is safeguarded both before and after their racing careers. It is a vital step in demonstrating the breeding sector’s responsibility for the lifelong welfare of our thoroughbreds.”

The TBA said feedback from breeders had been “very encouraging”.

RoR managing director David Catlow added: “With the support of these increased contributions from the breeding sector, alongside the wider industry, RoR can continue to lead the way in aftercare for British racing and deliver on the ambitious goals set out in our 2024–2026 strategy.

“We are extremely grateful to the TBA for facilitating this process and, in particular, to breeders, whose support helps us provide an important safety net for all thoroughbreds bred for racing.”

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Foals turned out more and weaned later go on to greater success, research finds

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 16:29:30 +0000

Thoroughbred foals who have more turnout and are weaned later are more successful in later life, research has found.

A Royal Veterinary College (RVC) study, published in the Equine Veterinary Journal, followed 129 racing-bred foals born in 2019 and 2020 from birth into training, and racing until the end of their four-year-old years. It found that those “given extensive turnout in larger pastures during their first six months of life, and those weaned later, are more likely to go on to race, compete more often, and earn more prize money”.

An RVC spokesperson said this is the first in-depth evaluation of the effect of such early experiences on thoroughbred performance.

“These novel findings can be directly applied at stud farms to help retain thoroughbreds within the industry and achieve their maximum athletic potential; outcomes that align with priorities of the Horse Welfare Board’s strategy to support the welfare of horses bred for racing,” he said.

Foals who spent more time out and were weaned later were more likely to race by the end of their fourth year, and the older they were at weaning, the more race starts they made. Those turned out in larger fields won more in prize money.

“These findings demonstrate that the first six months of life is a critical period of development in thoroughbreds, during which it is essential that turnout and weaning practices provide sufficient opportunity for positive tissue adaptation and optimal development,” the spokesperson said. “Breeders are therefore encouraged to maximise turnout whenever possible, and consider weaning after this critical period.”

Research team leader Rebecca Mouncey added: “This study is the first of its type to evaluate the effect of early-life experiences on later-life performance in thoroughbred racehorses, providing important novel findings that can be directly applied at the stud farm level to reduce wastage and improve performance in this population.”

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‘Adorable’ but tiny 15kg foal carries a message to would-be horse breeders

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 15:37:56 +0000

This tiny foal may be the smallest – and most adorable – you’ve ever seen.

Pint-sized Pam, who is 5.2hh or 22in tall and weighed 15kg at her birth in July, is likely to be hugely popular with visitors to her home, World Horse Welfare’s Glenda Spooner Farm in Somerset.

But although she and her mother Sophie have homes for life and a secure future, the charity said her arrival highlights the need for potential breeders to stop and think about whether any foal they breed will have the same.

“Adorable foals like Pam are – unsurprisingly! – very popular with our visitors,” said centre manager Claire Dickie.

“Thankfully, Pam arrived safely without needing veterinary intervention, but foals do present a huge cost to our charity, from initial vet visits – whether routine or emergency – to vaccinations, and microchipping and passporting them.”

Shetland Sophie was part of a group who were rescued last September, unhandled and nervous of people.

Picture by World Horse Welfare (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“Having been born in safety, tiny Pam has had good experiences from day one,” Ms Dickie said. “She’s already very confident and has taken meeting the vet in her stride.

“Both Pam and her mum have a safe future now, but I’d urge anyone considering breeding their own foal to stop and really think about whether they can guarantee them a good home for life. It’s very easy to think that if you’re only breeding a small number of foals – whether one a year or even one in your lifetime – that you’re not having a significant impact on the number of horses out there looking for homes. However, in reality there are thousands of people doing the same each year which adds up to a huge number of extra horses.”

The charity has launched a quiz on its website for people considering breeding. Nine foals have been born in World Horse Welfare centres this year, including one to a mare rescued from being smuggled out of the country.

“World Horse Welfare is incurring significant costs for those 11 alone,” a charity spokesperson said. “To support Pam’s ongoing care, as well as to help other vulnerable horses rescued by World Horse Welfare, visit out website.”

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‘No signs whatsoever’: mare scanned pregnant with one foal delivers ‘identical’ healthy twins

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:58:47 +0000

A pair of “identical” twin colts who were born at full term, in the field, are thriving and of good size – and their mother is “as happy as Larry”.

Caroline Holland told H&H that her daughter Abbie’s Irish mare Charlie, who has previously given birth successfully, carried the foals to term, was no bigger than expected for a single foetus – and had repeatedly been scanned early in her pregnancy.

“We always scan and would never continue with twins but the second one was undetected,” she said. “She went to 324 days, it’s amazing she went so long, but there were no signs whatsoever.”

Charlie arrived at the Hollands’ Central Horse Retirement Livery in Bedfordshire as a six-year-old, and was eventually given to them as a broodmare. She had one foal, and was this time pregnant by the family’s own stallion.

“My daughter was away when it happened; she’d gone as there were no signs of anything happening,” Caroline said. “The mare was out in the field as normal, I went to walk the dogs – and lo and behold! I was with our farm maintenance guy, and he spotted one; he said ‘Why has it walked away from its mum?’ I said ‘It hasn’t, it’s by its mum’, and he said ‘What about the other one?’ It was a very strange moment.”

One of the colts was a “dummy foal”, suffering from neonatal maladjustment syndrome, which often means the foal is slow to follow the expected patterns of behaviour, such as standing and drinking. Caroline performed the Madigan squeeze technique, twice, and “the second time, he was up and away”.

“He’s been the stronger one since,” she said. “We’ve called him Loreto, which means ‘miraculous’, and the other one is Darko, which means ‘gift’.”

Once she knew the colts were well, Caroline called Abbie, who had just arrived at the airport to fly home.

“She hates video calls, but I sent her a message saying I was going to video-call her, and she needed to answer,” she said. “I showed her the mare, managing to crop out the other foal asleep, and she was saying ‘Why does this always happen?’ and I said ‘It’s a bit complicated’, and showed her the other foal – and she went white!”

Caroline said both colts are a good size and their antibody levels were very good. One may need a foreleg splint for a while but the vet thinks both will be fine. She said vets also believe they are identical, which is very rare in horses, the result of one embryo splitting rather than two fertilised eggs.

The Hollands are keeping a close eye on all three, and ensuring all have the nutrition they need without overtaxing Charlie.

“She’s happy as Larry,” Caroline said. “She looks incredible.”

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Rewarding or hair-raising? 6 expert tips for preparing mares and foals to be a breeder’s shop window in the show ring

Alex Robinson — Fri, 30 May 2025 15:32:58 +0000

Preparing mares and foals for the show ring can be one of the most rewarding experiences for a breeder.

The judging process typically involves the mare and foal being judged separately, but the pairing of dam and youngster is also taken into consideration by the judges.

To show a mare and foal, both animals should have been trained correctly to walk, trot and stand in the ring on the go-round, in the line-up and in front of the judge. Alongside this, both horses will need to cope with the busy atmosphere of a show, and be confident to load, travel and stand on the horsebox.

There’s a lot to consider when showing a mare and foal, but if the right preparation is done the rewards can be plentiful. These top tips from two of the circuit’s most established breeders are sure to help you if you’re considering prepping your own combination for the ring this term.

Who are our experts?

Jerome Harforth is one of the showing world’s most respected and knowledgeable producers. He also founded the renowned Stanley Grange Stud. Jerome has produced countless Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Royal International (RIHS) winners under saddle, and he is also a highly regarded in-hand producer.

He has won the HOYS in-hand supreme final multiple times, with broodmares such as Pumphill Belladonna, Whalton Heavens Above, Rotherwood Take A Peep, Catwalk, and Crafton Blithe Spirit. In 2024, Jerome secured the title again, handling Evelyn Tate’s riding pony filly, Kirkwood Tabitha Twitchit.

Crafton Blythe Spirit and her foal stand supreme at HOYS in 2018. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Kitty Bodily and her mother, Jill Williams, have been breeding Welsh ponies and cobs for more than 40 years under the Glebedale prefix. The Glebedale Stud has produced several champions with impressive CVs, including 2018 HOYS M&M Pony of the Year Glebedale Mumbo Jumbo, 2016 HOYS M&M first ridden winner Glebedale Jubilee, and 2012 HOYS In-Hand Supreme Pony of the Year Glebedale Ding Dong.

M&M star Glebedale Mumbo Jumbo, bred by the Glebedale Stud (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Their stock has triumphed at major fixtures across the country, from the Royal Welsh to the BSPS and NPS championships. Other stars include in-hand show mare Glebedale Savannah, dual in-hand and ridden stallion Glebedale Jumanji, and mini contender Glebedale Sancerre.

Should I show my mare and foal?

During a class, both mare and foal will be judged and placed individually, although when weighing up whether a pair is suitable to show, the quality, condition and temperament of the mare are usually the priority for breeders.

You need to weigh up a number of factors before deciding whether your mare and foal are suitable for the show ring. (Image credit: Alamy)

“The mare needs to be of show standard, but a healthy-looking foal is very complementary to a mare,” says Jerome. “While the mare is the focus, the foal needs to have certain traits; it needs to look well, and the limbs need to be correct.

“You don’t want to travel and show a foal if it’s over at the knee or down on its pasterns. Wait until they are strong enough and see how he develops.”

Kitty adds: “When picking a prospect show mare, she’s got to have good conformation, movement, and limbs, and also a good amount of depth — all aspects any in-hand pony should have.

“Then, our decision about who to show comes down to the judges who will be judging throughout the year, and what types they prefer.”

Kitty says that the broodmare’s temperament is an important consideration.

“Some mares don’t like the job, and others love it,” she says. “Some of my best breeding mares aren’t always my best show mares, and often, a champion show mare isn’t the pony that breeds you the next champion! You can have the most tremendous mare, but she might not produce one as good as herself.

“It’s often about luck and the experience of knowing which mare to pair with which stallion. I often find that the older a mare is, the better she produces.

“What we all like as individuals, though, is very much down to preference — and breeders all have their own idea of the perfect pony that we’re striving to breed.”

6 expert tips for preparing mares and foals for the show ring

1. Preparing your mare

While foals usually don’t hit the ground until spring time, the Glebedale team begins planning their upcoming show season the winter before. If they like the look of an in-foal mare, they’ll keep her in from November through the colder months with the hope of showing her the following summer.

“We’d feed her so she can maintain her condition — but not excessively, as ponies should never be overdone with a foal,” says Kitty. “We preferably like our mares to foal outside, as it’s more natural for them.

“This year, we don’t have any senior mares to show, but that doesn’t mean we won’t pull one out of the field in July if she’s looking particularly well after a few months of grass.”

Some of your preparation will depend on the level you’re aiming for.

Jerome explains: “If you just want to take your mare and foal to a local agricultural show for a run out, you could likely just pull them out of the field, tidy them up, and go. But if you want to compete on the county circuit, the process requires a lot more attention to detail.”

Jerome agrees that the planning for preparing mares and foals for the show ring begins before the foal has even been born, around Christmas time: “Your mare needs to be stabled in the evening and likely fed two hard feeds per day well before foaling. Once she’s foaled, you won’t be able to ‘furnish and top’ her for the ring, but you can maintain her condition.

“I would never rug her before she foals, aside from putting her out on cold days with a turnout rug. I’d then rug her once the foal is two weeks old, being very careful with rugs that have leg straps and fillet strings, for safety reasons.”

If your mare has been shown under saddle in previous years, she may have an advantage over an unshown or unbroken mare.

“She’ll likely sit up in the bridle more if she’s been ridden,” Jerome says. “A good job for September or October could be working your mare in some tack — a bridle and roller — encouraging her to work in an outline and accept the contact.

“Long-reining and lunging can be very beneficial in helping her learn how to sit into the bridle while moving forwards.”

2. Preparing your foal

When a foal is born, Kitty allows time for it to bond naturally with its dam before introducing any handling.

“We’ll spend time getting them used to humans in the stable, and after a couple of weeks, we’ll pop a foal halter on them,” she says. “Once they’re happy with this, we gradually start walking them out beside the mare until they get used to it.

“I don’t feed my foals until they’re about a month old, as they get everything they need from the mare.”

For the first month, the foal will not need feeding as it gets all it needs from its mother. (Image credit: Alamy)

“Prior to a show, we’ll trim the head — and we’re ready to go. We keep everything basic.”

Jerome follows a similar routine. Within a few days of birth, he begins leading the foal to and from the paddock.

“I’d put a stable rubber around the lower part of the foal’s neck,” Jerome says. “Then I’d place my left hand on the rubber and my right on the foal’s rump and walk alongside the mare.

“I always lead the foal from the off-side of the mare initially. If you lead from the near side, the foal tends to lean into the mare and can trip you up or stand on your feet. From the off-side, the foal stays more upright and closer to the mare.”

Once the foal is confident walking beside the mare, it’s time to begin short periods of leading it independently.

The foal should learn to be led independently of its mother, but this takes practice. (Image credit: Alamy)

Jerome says: “It’s what will happen at a show, so do practise this at home. Around the same time, I’d begin picking the foal’s feet up. Get someone to gently hold or caress the foal while another person lifts the feet.

“If needed, you can also put them in a lightweight, secure rug. At about a month old, I’ll start letting the foal nibble on some foal creep feed.”

Jerome is not a fan of standard foal slips and instead prefers miniature horse headcollars.

“These smaller headcollars, made for miniature horses, are much more secure and substantial on a foal’s head, so I always prefer to use one when training and showing,” he says.

3. Travelling to shows

Preparing mares and foals for the show ring inevitably involves travelling. It’s important to give the pair plenty of room in the lorry or trailer with enough bedding on the floor.

“We’d only ever take the mare and foal, and perhaps one youngster, so there is plenty of space for them in the box,” Kitty says. “Our foals travel loose and when they get to the show the foal needs room to lie down and suckle.

“I’d always take a feed for them in the middle of the day, and I’d ensure that everything is kept as a calm and comfortable as possible.”

Kitty adds: “Showing a foal can stand them in good stead. It gets them used to travelling and standing on the lorry and gets them into the routine of going to a show.

“We never do many shows – perhaps four max per year – with our mares and foals. Some can get stale to it, while others can get cheeky and overly confident. Plus, doing too much puts strain on the mare.”

4. Tips for the ring

Your performance in the ring is directly correlated to the work you put in at home, like with any type or breed of show animal.

“Your foal is going to be more stressed at a show, naturally, so do ensure you’ve done enough leading practice,” Jerome advises.

“Turnout wise, I present plaited horse and pony foals differently. I don’t usually plait a pony foal’s mane until the coat he’s born with has completely grown out. Traditionally, you don’t plait a horse foal’s mare. I like to see foal’s tails plaited but never pulled.”

5. The foal handler

Not every handler is the right person to show a foal and only an experienced show person should be tasked with handling duties.

“It’s definitely not the easiest job and the foal handler is the person most likely to get kicked,” Kitty said. “I’d usually ask family or a very good friend to take my foal, and I’d ensure we’d done enough work at home beforehand.

“Showing a mare and foal is a team effort and the foal handler really needs to know what they’re doing, putting themselves in the right position and being quick on their feet – especially when showing a Welsh breed!”

Handling mares and foals in the ring is a team effort. (Image credit: Trevor Meeks Photography)

6. A shop window

Why might you choose to prepare mares and foals for the show ring? Aside from giving foals valuable early-life experience, Kitty explains her deeper motivation.

“It’s hugely rewarding — seeing your homebreds out there is a feeling I struggle to put into words,” she says. “We love showing as a family; it’s our hobby and the shows are a shop window for us to promote our stock.

“But breeding is our main passion — we’re obsessed. Foaling season is the most joyful and stressful time of the year, and when you see a foal that has that something extra, even after all these years, it’s so exciting. All foals are special, but sometimes you get that extra-special one who you know is going to be a star.

“Glebedale Jubilee is an example — as soon as she dropped onto the floor, I knew she was going to be incredible. But even if a foal isn’t destined to be a show ring superstar, they all have a job to do.”

Jerome equally enjoys showing mares and foals in the ring.

“A mare and foal is a complete package, and in an overall championship, they’re often a very strong contender — irrespective of type, size, or breed,” he concludes.

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