Vets are pondering the “complete mystery” as to how a smooth, rubber-coated 10cm metal hook managed to embed itself in the hindquarters of a former racehorse.

Mary Framptom-Price found what appeared to be a relatively minor wound on her 20-year-old thoroughbred Baz but Keesjan Cornelisse of VetPartners’ Penbode Equine Vets had a feeling from the photo Mary sent in that it might be deeper than it seemed.

On examination, Keesjan felt something hard under Baz’s skin and investigating further, found the chunk of metal. He gave Baz sedation and pain relief, then slightly enlarged the wound to remove the chunky hook.

“We are often sent images of wounds by horse owners, and a vet visit is usually recommended if the wound is large, bleeding profusely, very dirty, contains a foreign body or is near a joint or tendon sheath,” Kessjan said.

“Baz’s laceration didn’t seem that serious at first glance, but there were a few things worrying me about it, and I recommended it was best if I came out to look at it.

“Even though I had my suspicions, I couldn’t have imagined what was hiding inside the wound, and to say I was completely surprised to find the hook is an understatement. It goes to show how important it is that wounds are carefully checked, even seemingly minor ones.”

The hook was one of four attached to Baz’s field shelter and it is not known how it came to be embedded in his quarters. It is thought he may have been rubbing on it or was spooked or chased by one of his companions and backed on to it at some speed.

“What doesn’t make sense is that the hook is blunt-ended and coated with rubber, and it would have needed a lot of force to push it through the skin and deep into the muscle tissue,” Keesjan said. “Also, the position of the hook on the shelter wall was lower than the height of the wound entrance, so Baz would have had to push down onto it.

“I guess we’ll never know what happened, but I am very pleased that the wound has healed nicely, and five weeks after his accident Baz was able to be lightly ridden again, and is happy and sound.”

Mary, 78, has worked with author Jane Thomas to create Stories from a Cornish Stable, three books featuring Baz and his transition from racehorse to the hacking companion he is now.

Mary has now removed all the hooks from the shelter.

“The wound looked fairly minor and never in a million years could we have guessed that there was a hook inside Baz’s quarters,” she said. “The hooks have been here for years and I’ve never noticed Baz going near them before so what happened is a complete mystery.

“I’m so grateful to Keesjan for being so thorough and attentive and for recommending that the wound needed checking, or the hook could have remained there for a lot longer and caused all sorts of complications. He has been my vet for many years, and I know that I can trust him and he’ll always do the right thing for Baz and the ponies. Baz and I have a lot to thank him for.”

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The cost of filling up a horsebox or towing vehicle will leave a record-sized dint in riders’ pockets as the price of diesel hits new heights.

The RAC head of policy Simon Williams said this week (28 September) that the average price of a litre of diesel “has now reached the highest level in UK history at 199.18p”.

The RAC calculated that the average cost per litre of diesel in 2025 was 142.88p, which meant that topping up with 50 litres of fuel would have cost, on average, £71.44. To put the same amount in today will set equestrians back just shy of £100 (£99.59) – an increase of nearly £30.

When fuel prices increase, it means prices of other goods and services may also rise as they cost more to produce and deliver. The effect of the US/Iran war, which started in February, is one of the main reasons why fuel prices are so high.

Mr Williams said the record high is a “financial blow to households and businesses that use their vehicles regularly”.

“By eclipsing the previous highest price of 199.09p seen in June 2022, the diesel price has entered new uncharted territory. This spells pain not only at the pumps for drivers, but for everyone who buys goods or services that rely on diesel lorries and vans; undoubtedly these increased costs will be passed on to consumers,” he said, adding that petrol prices are also continuing to rise.

"These extraordinarily high prices are another reminder of just how exposed the UK is to events occurring far away from its shores. Only a sustained lower oil price – over several weeks, not days – will lead to cheaper prices at the pumps. Suggestions of a renewed deal to end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and get oil supplies moving freely again had offered a slight glimmer of hope for drivers.

"The UK might have limited leverage when it comes to ending the US/Iran war and ultimately bringing oil prices down, but the Government could take steps to ease the burden on drivers by lowering fuel duty further or reducing VAT.

“As things stand, another 5p a litre will be loaded on to pump prices by the spring if the current fuel duty cut is fully reversed as planned.”

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As a serial cob owner, I have been turning horses away for winter for years. I've turned young, old and horses in work away away during winter for various reasons and it’s been great for them and me – but what does it actually mean?

What is turning horses away for winter?

Turning away is a traditional equine management practice that, simply put, is a period of rest for horses in work. On the surface, it entails turning horses out into pasture for several weeks, frequently (but not always) over winter, for mental and physical rest – the horses are not worked or stabled (except in an emergency) during this period.

What type of horse is turned away?

Most horses who are healthy and in good condition can be turned away for a spell, but they typically sit in one of the following categories:

• Young horses might be turned away to grow and socialise, or at intervals over the early stages of their ridden education for a mental and physical rest
• Horses in work are sometimes turned away usually in the autumn or winter for rest or due to the season’s poor conditions for riding. Polo ponies often go out for winter grazing, while hunters have their rest over the summer
• Horses recovering from injury are sometimes turned away to rest, but this should only be done in line with veterinary advice
• Older or retired horses may be turned away for winter or some are turned away permanently on retirement livery

Essential care considerations when turning horses away

First and foremost, turning horses away for winter isn’t necessarily an easy option. While there will be fewer stables to muck out, horses at grass still require routine and thorough daily care from an knowledgable handler, whether that is you or someone trusted that you employ.

Paddocks also need to be property checked and maintained.

Here are the essentials for turning horses away for winter.

1. An appropriate paddock

Karen Coumbe, Horse & Hound’s vet consultant, advocates turnout with your horse’s usual companions on good grazing.

“Turnout on mud is no good; mud fever can be a huge issue for horses who are out all the time,” she says.

This means horses are best turned away in sizeable fields to reduce congestion and poaching. The fields should consist of good draining land – heavy clay is not ideal.

Intact, good quality horse-appropriate fencing is a must, and any bordering poisonous trees, such as sycamore or oak, should be fenced off to avoid ingestion of acorns or sycamore seeds, the latter of which can lead to atypical myopathy when eaten.

Karen adds that shelter – natural or man-made – is an important consideration, because horses need the option to stand somewhere dry out of the elements.

2. Make the change gradually

“Do not go from full work to turning away overnight,” says Karen. “Make any changes gradually.”

This means slowly decreasing work and increasing turnout, making changes to hard feed over weeks rather than days.

3. A programme of daily checks

Twice daily checks are the minimum standard for horses at grass.

“Every horse should be checked for wounds, lameness and more subtle signs, such as loss of appetite," says Karen, adding that an experienced caregiver is essential for spotting something amiss before illnesses such as colic become critical.

“The paddock must also be checked for hazards and broken fencing.”

She adds that supplementary forage is likely to be essential. It should be placed out of mud to maintain hygiene and reduce waste.

How much hay to feed your horse – and how much concentrate – is down to the individual horse and the nutritional value of their hay. Take into account your horse’s age, any underlying conditions and their body condition score, and seek a nutritionist’s advice.

Karen recommends rugging horses according to the degree of shelter available and their body condition. As a rough horse rugging guide, horses with less than ideal condition benefit from a warmer rug to conserve energy, while minimally rugging overweight horses or good doers in winter can aid weight loss.

“It is also essential to remove any rugs regularly to check underneath,” she adds.

4. Manage the feet

According to Master Farrier Ben Benson AWCF, transitioning to barefoot over the winter can be beneficial for some horses.

“Removing the shoes gives the hoof wall a period without further nail placement, allowing old nail holes and minor splits or defects to grow down. It also removes the possibility of a horse pulling a shoe off and damaging the hoof wall in the process,” he says.

Ben says the transition from shod to barefoot should ideally be planned with the farrier rather than simply allowing the horse to become overdue for shoeing.

“The trim we use when preparing a foot for a shoe can be quite different from the trim we want when a horse is going to remain unshod,” he explains. “If we know in advance that the shoes are coming off, we can manage the previous shoeing cycle with that in mind and preserve useful hoof wall, sole depth and overall foot strength.

“When the shoes come off, I want to retain as much functional foot as possible. We can round the hoof wall to reduce chipping, manage the toe appropriately and, importantly, avoid taking away unnecessary sole. The aim is to leave the horse with enough natural protection to remain comfortable.”

Ben adds that not every horse will cope equally well without shoes.

Horses that may require additional consideration include those with thin or sensitive soles, flatter feet, poor-quality hoof wall, a history of bruising or recurrent foot soreness, or horses that are uncomfortable on firm or stony surfaces.

Regular hoof care remains important throughout winter. Feet should be picked out and checked daily, and horses should remain on an appropriate trimming cycle with a qualified farrier.

“Barefoot doesn’t mean leaving the feet alone,” Ben adds. “They still need monitoring and managing.

“If a horse becomes uncomfortable, we also have plenty of options. Depending on the individual horse, we can use temporary hoof protection, hoof boots, composite materials, glue-on systems, pads or conventional shoeing where necessary.

“The important thing is that the horse remains comfortable and the foot remains functional.”

Ben says turnout conditions also matter. Ideally, horses should have access to:

• a reasonably dry standing area, particularly where gateways and feeding areas become heavily poached
• surfaces that the individual horse can comfortably negotiate
• well-maintained, horse-safe fencing without areas where feet or shoes could become trapped

5. Manage parasites

Karen says best practice for worms and deworming – regular poo picking and performing fecal worm egg counts – still applies while horses are turned away.

“It’s not simple to do with lots of horses out together, but it’s important,” she says.

“Regular dung removal is consistently associated with lower test results when checking for parasites.”

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As British breeders continue to feel the impact of soaring costs, what is the demand for top-level competition horses?

During the pandemic, demand for horses and sales prices rocketed across the board. Some buyers were priced out of the market, but there was a strong feeling from many producers and breeders that horses were finally being sold for what they were worth. H&H has taken a look at the current UK market in a new series, beginning with sport horses.

Kilan Dressage stud breeds around 20 foals a year and owner Eleri Jones told H&H the market is “pretty poor”.

“The demand for ridden horses is probably better than foals, I think because people can see what they’re getting. Livery has gone up, so people are thinking about how much it’s going to cost to keep a foal until it’s ridden,” she said.

Eleri started breeding for amateurs, but has evolved to the professional market. She keeps her foals to be sold as ridden young horses, produced by Luis Principe in Gloucestershire.

“Geographically, it’s much easier to sell them in Gloucestershire than in north Wales – people are more willing to go and see them there. It’s also good to have them out competing; if they win or score well at the nationals, it’s basically a free advertisement,” she said.

Prices for a newly backed Kilan three-year-old typically begin at £35,000.

“If they go to be ridden as four-years-old and they’re really good quality and have clean X-rays, the price will go up from there. Bearing in mind, it costs us as breeders around £20,000 to get them to three-year-olds. If you’re selling them for £15,000 you’re making a loss,” said Eleri, adding that prices have increased since Covid as the stud has become more established.

“That’s not to say that it’s not a tough market. Where we’re at is just trying to produce rideable, trainable horses with good brains. However, I believe there’s always going to be a market for good horses – the riders have to get them from somewhere.

“There are always ups and downs in the market; there are periods when too many horses are being produced, which is what happened during Covid. The minute people stop breeding, there will be a shortage, and then it will go up again.”

Producer and grand prix rider Anna Ross told H&H that advanced dressage horses continue to sell well.

“Our business model is different to what it was before; now I focus on a small number of horses. We keep them longer and sell them at a high level,” she said.

“The last grand prix horse I sold went abroad, and there’s a lot of interest from Asian countries at the moment. Right now people want trained horses, and a more cost-effective way is to buy a horse and put it in training, or have your trainer help you with it.”

John Chambers of Springfield Stud, breeders of event horse Safira who represented Brazil at the Paris Olympics, told H&H he has been struggling to sell youngstock this year.

“I have a nice four-year-old, his sire’s youngstock have done well in the showing field and there’s up to four-star eventing on the dam side, he’s £3,750 and I’ve not had one call. I had a nice three-year-old advertised for £5,000 and no calls,” he said.

“In the UK, the market’s always been slightly fragmented and everyone always thought they could go to Ireland to get a better horse. Brexit came along, but it hasn’t realised the improved sales that as a breeder I’d like to see.

“Looking at professionals, there’s a lot of riders out there that can produce horses but there’s not the depth of owners with £30,000, £40,000, £50,000 to buy those horses,” he said.

Showjumping breeder Danny Dunne of Dunne Sport Horses – whose success stories include five-star horse For Killy – told H&H he has found the market better this year than last.

“We found that last year the cheaper foals, especially in our auction, weren’t selling as well as the more expensive ones. We put that down to hay prices and people thinking that rather than take a chance on a cheaper foal, they’d rather buy from a stallion that they know,” Danny told H&H.

Dunne foals typically range from £5,000 to £15,000-plus. A quality six-year-old with experience can range from £50,000 to £100,000.

“Prices can really vary. Someone else that has done the Lanaken young horse championships might be asking up to £200,000 – and people will pay that,” he said.

“I suppose in showjumping there’s quite a strong correlation between the good stallions and mares and resulting offspring. You can’t guarantee you’re going to have a good horse at the end, but if you do everything right, there’s a strong chance.”

Demand has also remained high for EU and Irish imports. Mark Bosanko of Bosanko Sports Horses told H&H that on average, he sells a horse every day. The Bosankos import horses from Holland and Germany predominantly for the professional market, counting top riders among their client base. Prices can range from £6,000 for a “raw” uneducated horse, up to £50,000, with some exceptions.

“We’ve got a good base of returning clients and producers, and I think that gives us an edge as we’re not looking to produce the horses ourselves usually. Our prices stayed the same during Covid because we weren’t opportunistic. The biggest influence for us has been Brexit rather than Covid,” said Mark.

Mark says that supporting British breeders is important, but he would be unable to meet demand sourcing in the UK.

“Historically, we used to buy over here, but we just couldn’t find the numbers in the quality that we needed. If we could find this, we absolutely would and it would negate all of the complexity and expense that Brexit has brought us. I think the quality is definitely here, there’s no debate about that, but they’re just often not on the market.”

Ireland-based Monbeg Sport Horses, which caters for the professional eventing market, reports continued high demand.

“For the right animal, the top market is very strong and we have a lot of people enquiring. The demand from the UK is about the same as it's always been,” Monbeg co-owner Marti Rudd told H&H.

“I’d say it’s the middle market that’s not really there. I would expect a nice four-year-old that ticks the boxes should be £25,000-plus. I’ve had people in the UK find that too expensive, but the Americans are almost asking, ‘Why so cheap?’. We still get the same amount of enquiries from the UK, but the Americans are getting in there a little bit quicker and are prepared to pay a bit more.”

Tell us your thoughts on the horse sales market. Write to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

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Equine welfare centres are “running out of space”, the sector is at “breaking point” and vulnerable horses “will soon be left with nowhere to go”.

Those are the headline messages from a new survey into the picture facing the UK’s equine welfare sector this year.

The National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC), a not-for-profit membership organisation, surveyed rescue centres, rehoming organisations and sanctuaries in the UK. It received 38 complete responses, the majority of which came from managers of rescue organisations that operate at least one site in England.

The survey found that 50% of respondents are at or over capacity and the rest are nearly full. Collectively, they have around 4,500 equines in their care. It highlighted the fact more horses are coming into rescue centres and fewer are being rehomed, so those running the centres have difficult decisions to make.

“This survey makes it painfully clear that equine welfare organisations are doing everything they can to protect the horses in their care, but the system is under unsustainable strain,” said NEWC chair Carolyn Madgwick.

“Rising costs, fewer rehoming opportunities and increasing calls for help means we are being asked to do more with less. Without coordinated action and greater support, more horses could be left without the safety net they urgently need.

“Financial pressures and climatic conditions have made horse ownership and care increasingly challenging, with prices of hay more than doubling in the past five years, and rises in veterinary and energy costs. Wet winters have impacted pastures and grazing, while drought in summer has required owners and rescue centres to use hay stocks meant for winter. This all adds up to challenging conditions for everyone involved in keeping horses.”

More than 90% of respondents are concerned about costs, 81% reported an increase in requests to hand over equines, and 67% a rise in welfare concern calls.

Malcolm Morley, director of UK at World Horse Welfare, said: “The findings point to serious consequences for horses and owners if current trends continue. Ongoing financial and operational pressures could further reduce capacity, while extreme weather patterns and an ongoing cost-of-living crisis for struggling owners may increase the number of horses becoming welfare cases.”

Redwings chief executive Lynn Cutress told H&H it has been “an extremely difficult year for people who care for horses”.

"We have over 1,000 horses in our daily care here at Redwings, and 600 more out in guardian homes who may need to return at any time,” she said. “So we must be very careful about ensuring that we can meet the needs of the horses, ponies, donkeys and mules we are already responsible for while doing everything we can to help those beyond our paddock fences.

"It is an incredibly challenging balance at the moment, and we'd urge anyone who can afford to donate to us here at Redwings to please consider doing so in order to help us continue this vital work for the love of the horses."

Bransby Horses deputy CEO Emma Carter told H&H the charity is seeing more horses coming into its care “than ever before” and that its admissions increased by about 30% in the last year.

She said the charity’s biggest concern is not simply the number of horses needing help but the growing complexity of the welfare challenges they are facing when they arrive.

“As horse lovers, we all want the best for our horses, but we're seeing more owners facing challenges than ever before. That's why prevention and early support work are so important, because while charities provide a vital safety net, there is no safety net behind the welfare sector itself,” she said.

• Read the 2026 NEWC report

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Castration of horses and donkeys is the most common surgical procedure in equine veterinary practice performed worldwide. However, there is widespread variation in how the surgery is performed, and in which medications are given pre- and post-operatively.

Elise Rodden MRCVS, a surgical resident at Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic and B&W Equine Hospital, explains: “There is a vast variation used by vets in the methods to geld or castrate a horse, presumably because no one protocol is perfect.

“Certainly, different options are available depending on the clinician’s choice and the exact circumstances. For instance, castration can be performed standing or under general anaesthesia (GA), in a hospital setting or on yards, placing sutures or not, using local anaesthetic or not, or leaving the skin incisions open or closing them.”

What can go wrong during castration?

Although a routine procedure, castration is not risk-free and although most complications are mild, some are serious and can even be fatal. A review undertaken by Elise in 2025 found 17 different reported complications following castration procedures.

“Among the less concerning complications are those that cause no distress to the horse but are a concern for the owner, such as swelling or continued undesirable behaviour, and mild complications that resolve with minimal intervention (oedema or localised infection),” says Elise.

“More seriously, severe and life-threatening complications such as bleeding, prolapsed gut or abdominal infection/inflammation can occur.”

Despite castration being a routine surgical procedure, reported mortality rates are up to 1%.

“Perhaps unsurprisingly, scrotal swelling is the most common problem reported, followed by infection of the surgical site,” adds Elise. “The size at which the scrotal swelling changed from being a normal post-operative finding, which is expected after surgery, to being considered to be a complication varies tremendously.

“Although less common, some of the other observed complications can be more serious if they are severe. These included bleeding and evisceration (when intestine or some abdominal tissue comes out through the open skin incisions), which can be a non-survivable complication.”

The risk of evisceration is thought to be higher for certain breeds, such as draught breeds and standardbreds. A prior history of a scrotal or inguinal hernias would also increase this risk.

“The risk can be minimised by suturing the tunic (which surrounds the testicle and is continuous with the lining of the abdominal cavity) closed once the testicle is removed,” explains Elise. “This prevents any intestines from the abdominal cavity from escaping into the abdomen via the incision at the castration site.

“To place such sutures safely and in a sterile fashion, a GA is recommended, which obviously increases the cost of a routine castration. A more complex procedure in a hospital under GA is more appropriate in these cases.”

Talking in more general terms, Elise says risks can be reduced by “gelding young, and ensuring that the colt is well-handled and castrated in a clean environment.

“Ultimately, the surgical choice should be based on a risk analysis for the individual horse, alongside your vet’s preferred approach and the facilities available, as well as economic factors.”

Why do we castrate colts?

When colts are gelded they can no longer produce large quantities of testosterone, making them easier to handle.

“Testosterone is a driver for sexual behaviour and reproduction,” explains Dr James Crabtree, junior vice president of the British Equine Veterinary Association and an independent vet consultant in equine reproduction and stud medicine.

“Horses are very big animals; colts that are a bit lairy don’t have their minds on the job and can be unpredictable. If you remove that testosterone, you remove that hormonal driving force behind the unwanted behaviour and the potential barrier to onward training.”

After castration, testosterone levels drop very quickly.

“It can be within a few days,” says James. “The reason we talk about not putting a newly castrated colt in with mares isn’t because they are still producing sperm, it’s because they could still have sperm left in the reproductive tract and the behaviour may not change immediately.

“Behaviour isn’t just the hormones; it’s also learned. It will vary according to individuals and environment. If the environment is very stimulating, with a lot going on, the horse may take longer to calm down.”

A further complication is that testosterone isn’t produced only by the testes. Mares also have testosterone, produced by their ovaries and adrenal gland, and a gelding will continue to have very low levels of it.

Is a horse’s growth affected by castration?

As well as being androgenic (responsible for promoting male sexual characteristics), testosterone is also anabolic – that is, responsible for muscle growth. So castration inevitably has a physical impact as well as a behavioural one.

“You can look at lots of different species and see this. For example, bulls are stocky with lots of muscle and bullocks are leaner,” says James. “Of course, that doesn’t mean to say that, with training, you can’t put the muscle mass on a gelding.”

Testosterone also plays a role in bone development as it indirectly helps close the growth plates (the cartilage at the end of the long bone, which fuses upon maturity). If a colt is gelded relatively early, before the plates have closed, the plates can stay open for longer and the gelding may grow taller than if he had been left entire.

These and other factors are taken into account when deciding at what age to geld.

“In racing, some people don’t want to geld too early, as that testosterone might give the horse a competitive advantage,” explains James. “In contrast, some colts’ testicles aren’t fully descended until they’re three years old, which can present a comfort issue for them in training, and which can be resolved by castrating.”

Why can some “coltish” behaviours remain?

Despite the lack of testosterone, some geldings do continue to demonstrate sexual behaviour long-term after castration and James says the reason behind this isn’t fully understood: “It might be remembered, as some geldings were stallions for a time, or learnt or genetically programmed.”

In other cases, it may be because the horse has undescended testicles; that is, they are not in the scrotum.

“If a gelding is showing dominant behaviour – often colloquially described as being a bit ‘riggy’ – it can be because there is testicular tissue still there, which you can’t see. In those individuals, we have to do some diagnostics.”

Using a combination of physical examination, ultrasound and hormone tests, a vet will assess whether any testicular tissue is present. If so, it’s removed surgically.

What are the side effects of castration?

Testosterone is part of a “negative feedback loop”. When the testes produce a lot of testosterone, it signals to the brain and pituitary gland to slow down production of the LH and FSH hormones. Without testes, that feedback loop is interrupted and less inhibited.

Research in dogs reveals some interesting differences between entire males and castrated males.

“There’s good evidence that intact males [dogs] have a lower risk of several immune-mediated and autoimmune diseases, making canines one of the veterinary species in which testosterone appears to exert a genuine protective immunological effect, although testosterone also increases the risk of several androgen-dependent conditions, particularly those affecting the prostate and perianal region.

“However, there’s currently no evidence to suggest that testosterone has a protective role in the long-term health of male horses.”

There’s also some evidence with dogs that the drop in testosterone following castration can cause increased anxiety and fearfulness, but again James says this isn’t typically seen in horses.

“Clinically, I don’t see a lot of geldings who lack confidence – if anything, you could argue they are not burdened by testosterone or oestrogen.

“It could be because horses have reasonably good socialisation from a young age, with their dams and other horses, so they don’t need testosterone to feel confident. Whereas dogs are often raised in single dog households and lack confidence when taken to a park full of other dogs.”

An alternative to surgical castration

A vaccination that could be an alternative to surgical castration has been used with some success. However, it’s currently not available for use in horses, meaning that any use is “off licence”.

It acts on the GnRH, which signals to the pituitary gland to release the hormones that stimulate the ovaries and testes, essentially limiting testosterone production (and oestrogen production in mares) from further up the hormonal chain.

“The GnRH vaccine is really interesting,” says James. “Anecdotal evidence suggests that it may suppress more than surgical castration, as it acts on a greater number of hormones. Also, its use is not without some significant risks.

“In some cases, the vaccine could be used for a time and you could still breed from the horse in the future, but there are no guarantees and its effect should practically be considered irreversible.

“Most people, if they want the stallion to have a breeding career later, will collect semen and freeze it first and then castrate, either surgically or chemically.”

Imagine if you could take your horses’ poo and turn it into pumpkins – with pre-carved faces – eggs and cash (indirectly) and better grazing.

That’s what Laura Ashmore from East Sussex has been doing for years.

Her vet Reuben Whittaker and practice manager Sarah Whittaker from RW Equine were so amazed by this year’s pumpkin crop, which they spotted on a recent visit, they shared pictures of it. H&H spoke to Laura to find out more.

“They literally all grew on the muck heap, and that’s a small number as I didn’t get round to planting as many as usual!” she said. “Over the years, I’ve grown hundreds. And I carve the faces in them when they’re growing, as well.”

Laura said she has been using her muck heap to grow pumpkins and squash for about four years.

“Someone suggested it and I thought ‘That’s a good idea’, as they’re really heavy feeders, and that’s just pure food, isn’t it?” she said.

Laura said she uses fresh muck; she loads the heap until she can’t access it any more in the winter. She sows the seeds in February, in a greenhouse, then plants them out on the heap in May.

“Or you can put them in as seeds, in late May or June, just literally put seeds in the muck heap and they’ll go,” she said. “You have to water them and stop the slugs getting them, then let them do their thing. It’s amazing.”

Laura sells her pumpkins, and other produce, on a stall outside her property. And of course autumn is key pumpkin-selling time.

“They mature at the right time, which is convenient,” she said, going on to explain the Halloween carving.

“If you cut a pumpkin when it’s still growing, it will heal itself, it’s quite a fascinating thing,” she said. “So previous years, I’ve carved faces and ‘Happy Halloween’. This year, my daughter wanted a vampire cat, and there’s a Minecraft one for her best friend.”

Laura added that the pumpkins also produce “the most fabulous compost”, and she spreads the muck on her fields to benefit her grazing, in a great example of sustainability.

“Not only am I turning the poo into food, any food left goes to the chickens, so I turn it into eggs too,” she said. “It’s a nice little cycle.

“And it’s just fun. I’ve always loved pumpkins, I just think they’re so cool. These massive, great big leaves appear, then you start looking under them, and it’s so exciting to see all the little fruits start growing.

“Most of what I grow is edible but I also grow the funky-looking gourds, as people like them and they’re fun.”

Laura has grown the pumpkins – she says sweetcorn, peas and beans also thrive planted the same way – in heaps of pure poo, and mixed with bedding, and both are effective.

“It’s amazing what you can grow on a muck heap!” she said. “I’ve never done anything special with my muck heaps, and they’ve been in different places as we’ve moved around.

“People look at me when I plant the pumpkins out in May and say ‘Do you really think they’re going to need that much space?’ And I say ‘Oh yes’. Then they take over the world!”

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Grief for a horse can be taken less seriously than that for pets, it is feared, meaning many owners can feel “isolated and unsupported during their time of loss”.

The RSPCA’s “Not just a pet” campaign aims to raise awareness of grief for animals, and a recent survey conducted by the charity found that 70.5% of respodents feel a stigma exists; only 5.5% of respondents believe pet grief is taken as seriously as it should be.

“And there are concerns that many people misunderstand the role horses play in their owners’ lives, potentially further minimising society’s understanding of the impact losing these beloved companions can have,” an RSPCA spokesperson said.

Ashleigh Brown, the charity’s scientific and policy manager, equine welfare specialist and equestrian, pointed out that horses often fall into a grey area between livestock and pets.

“And as they live outside the home – those who don’t own horses might fail to appreciate the depth of the emotional bond shared between horses and their owners or carers,” she said.

“But they are often loved, cherished and viewed as a family member just as a live-in pet, like a dog or cat, would be.

“The connection many owners feel with their horses is equally strong, and typically developed over many years spent caring, riding, grooming, training and learning together, leading to close bonds.

“Losing an equine companion can be absolutely soul-destroying, and change your life overnight. Often, owners may also have been faced with difficult decisions over end-of-life care and euthanasia, grappling with what is the best option for their horse or pony’s welfare – even when this may be heartbreaking for them personally.

“Therefore, it’s so important we support our friends, family and colleagues going through this every bit as much as we would someone who has lost a cat, dog, or other beloved family pet.”

Grief for animals is real

Influencer Esme Higgs is backing the campaign. She has posted about the loss of her standardbred Mickey in 2024, saying he taught her about ponies’ “needs, their ways, how they think and how they see the world”.

“If you’ve ever loved an animal, you’ll know they were never just a pet,” she said. “They’re part of your family, part of your life, and when you lose them, the space they leave behind can feel enormous.

“Pet grief is real, and deserves to be seen, supported and heard about. And the challenges can be particularly profound for horse owners. Most importantly, nobody should have to go through it alone.”

The RSPCA has updated its online resources published to support people coping with loss of an animal, including support for children and those having to make end-of-life decisions.

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A standardbred found in a supermarket car park whose ridden career – and life – were in doubt aged three has qualified for the Cotswold Cup finals, with her “best friend”.

Katie Bird met Friday, named as this was the day she was found outside a Sainsbury’s, as a youngster, at a time she was considering giving up horses, and “felt a bit lost”.

“She’s my world,” Katie told H&H. “She saved me as much as I saved her.”

Katie had just graduated from the British Racing School but realised her “heart was in eventing”.

“I lost a lot of confidence doing the racing, I didn’t really want to go back to having lessons at a riding school and I didn’t have the money to buy my own horse,” she said. “I was at the age when you need to get a job anyway, and thought ‘Maybe this is it now’.

“But then my old riding school, Park Lane Stables, called to say this horse had been fly-grazed, got loose and into the car park; the police called them as they were local, and they ended up taking her as the owner was away. They said did I want to do some work with her to keep her ticking over, and that’s how I met Friday.”

Katie said she was scared of Friday at the start; she had not had much handling, and Katie thinks she was “quite shut down”.

“She’s got an abundance of personality now!” she said.

By the time the owner returned, Katie had become attached to the mare, so she bought her for £1,800. But a couple of months later, Friday was very lame. The vet diagnosed early arthritic changes.

“I was told I would never ride her and probably the best thing would be to put her to sleep,” she said. “But I couldn’t. She was three, hadn’t had much of a life and even if she was just going to be in the field, I couldn’t do it. We did loads of rehab and groundwork, just to get her field sound.”

Katie said she was offered steroid injections but declined owing to the negative effect this can have on the joint in the longer term. Friday had BozMerix for a while, shockwave therapy and extensive physio and groundwork.

“When the vet came back, she was a lot sounder than we thought she’d ever be,” he said. “He said ‘Try hacking; if she wants to trot or canter, let her; let her tell you what she’s comfortable with’, and she got stronger and stronger.”

Katie said the timing was good; it was during the Covid lockdown so she had plenty of time to dedicate to rehab, but she was told Friday would never jump.

The mare was in work but then became reluctant to go forward. She was diagnosed with gastric ulcers – and asthma.

“She was very poorly for a while,” she said. “When we went for the rescope, there were no ulcers but we scoped her lungs to see what the asthma was about and they were 95% blocked, with mucus and stuff. The vet said he didn’t know how she was still standing.”

Friday’s lungs were flushed and she was treated with steroids. She now has to have steamed hay and a nebuliser on every day but is doing well.

“She got so much stronger as we had to slow things down,” she said. “She had a lameness and asthma check-up and the vet said I could try to jump her, so we started and she loves it.

“She’s forward, not spooky, she’ll jump anything. It’s like she was bred for it.

“There’s a lot of maintenance; she’s on a good joint supplement, we know her limits, she has a lot of rest time, but it’s manageable.”

Katie and Friday started doing some small hunter trials, and Katie said the mare took to it like a duck to water.

“She learned her job so quick,” she said. “She knew to look for the jump, she was fluid, brave, through water, ditches, anything. If I said ‘We can do this’, there’s no hesitation.”

They started eventing in 2025 and Katie said she was aiming for a consistent season in the 70cm Cotswold Cup this year, to build Friday’s confidence.

“She’s been in the top 10 at every event, and qualified for the final [on 27 September]” Katie said. “It’s exciting as there’s going to be a long dressage arena and two judges and everything.

“It’s so cool but I hope by sharing her story, I can show that eventing is inclusive. We have had comments from other riders and judges as she’s a gaited horse; they’re not meant to canter! People think she’s lame or struggling, I think gaited horses aren’t as accepted in equestrian sports yet.

“Her jumping technique isn’t traditional in any sense and I’ve had people saying there’s something wrong with her but they don’t understand gaited horses exist in eventing. But I think it’s a lovely thing to show that you don’t have to have a lovely big warmblood to do everything, you can put the effort in and do what you want to do on a budget.”

Beating the odds

Katie added that Friday’s overcoming of all her issues may also inspire others.

“It’s mad as I later found out that where she used to be fly-grazed was on my way to school; I walked past her every day, and now she’s my best friend,” she said.

“She’s got such enthusiasm for life, she loves everyone, she’s always got a cheeky, happy face. She taught my mum to ride, she takes my boyfriend on hacks, she’s so emotionally intelligent. I feel I really have a partnership with her.

“My mum calls her my champagne horse on a lemonade budget! I was having a really bad time with my mental health when I got her so I always tell people she saved me as much as I did her.”

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Anyone who has sold and bought property knows that moving is one of the most stressful things a person can do – but what about equestrian property?

If moving once and landing in a horsey home for life is your aim, buying a forever home – or one to invest in and sell to fund retirement or future projects – takes more than just instincts. Forward planning will set you on the path to success.

From planning permission to budgeting and maintenance, here are the key factors to consider when trying to maximise the value of equestrian property.

Buying the right equestrian property

Buying a horsey home that'll set you and your horses up together forever, for many, is a dream come true. However, many of these sought-after forever homes return to the market.

How can people bear to let them go? Frequently, the situation is out of their hands.

Sometimes the sale of a late relative’s home puts equestrian property back on the market. Other times empty-nesters willingly downsize. Or, the home – though perfect when bought – simply isn’t futureproof.

“It’s about balancing domestic comfort with equine functionality,” says Abi Rhodes, director at Rural Scene. “The most common issue I hear from customers who are moving is that they simply don’t have enough grazing land.”

According to Sarah Lucas, land agent at Brown & Co, buyers should also consider evolving needs over the coming decades.

“That may mean accommodating retired horses, supporting younger family members entering the sport or creating additional income opportunities.”

Properties can fall short in their provision for the human occupants too.

“If the home needs to grow outwards or upwards to accommodate relatives in the future, structural and legal boundaries must be vetted immediately,” adds Abi.

While buying somewhere to live forever may secure the rest of your life, many properties become a nest egg that will facilitate retirement or future projects.

Adding to or extending equestrian facilities, or the home itself, is obvious for maximising values of equestrian property. Turning a ring-fenced agricultural smallholding into a bells and whistles “fully equestrianised” haven will, as Abi puts it, “always fetch a premium price”.

How much does equestrian property maintenance cost?

Let’s say you uncover an ideal-acreage equestrian home within budget in the kind of location that ticks all your boxes now and forever. Perfection in theory – but don't be caught out by maintenance.

Stunning equestrian properties don’t stay flawless on their own, so how can you chose a property that stands the test of time?

“When purchasing a long-term ‘forever home’, a multi-decade timeline shifts the financial focus from surface-level cosmetics to major structural life cycles,” warns Abi. “Over 20 to 40 years, every major component of a house will eventually reach its expiration date and require complete replacement.

“To plan accurately, buyers must break their long-term expenses into three distinct categories: fixed structural life cycles, preventative maintenance and rolling cosmetic updates.”

A buyer intending to remain in a property for several decades should budget for the full life cycle of key building components, says Brown & Co land agent Lulu Agnew. “Long-term ownership is often more affordable when these predictable costs are planned for gradually rather than dealt with reactively.”

In terms of maintenance, Lulu and Abi advise:

• Boilers, bathrooms and kitchens need periodic replacement
• Roofing, windows, drainage systems and external finishes may require significant investment over time
• Routine maintenance, such as gutter cleaning, fencing repairs, tree management and redecoration should also be anticipated
• Stable buildings require ongoing attention to roofing, timberwork, concrete floors and drainage
• Arenas need regular levelling, surface maintenance and drainage management to remain safe and functional, and surfaces will need topping up over time
• Exposed exterior wood requires staining or painting every three to five years to prevent rot
• Metal roofs on barns rust and standard shingles or metal sheets require full replacement on a 25-year cycle
• Timber post-and-rail lasts around 15 to 20 years; even pressure-treated wood posts rot at the ground line where moisture sits. Expect to replace individual rotted posts and snapped rails annually, with a complete fence-line replacement required every two decades

Maximising value of equestrian property with renovations that pay off

What if you plan to sell down the line? Smart investments will increase value.

“A well-maintained property will be worth more and look attractive to prospective purchasers,” says Sue Grant of Fox Grant. “A well-thought-out staged maintenance schedule can help to budget and spread the cost.”

Even totally undeveloped land can be transformed into a viable equestrian set-up.

“The cost of installing mains water to paddocks and field shelters generally pays dividends when you come to sell,” Sue adds. “Look on second-hand sale sites for materials; it’s amazing what people want to give away. Farm sales are also a good place to look for equipment.”

For larger-scale projects, a little research will help you spend wisely.

“Size is key,” says Abi, when offering tips for building an arena. “In this day and age, a 20x40m often isn’t large enough.

“Well-ventilated barns with internal stabling and wide aisle ways seem to be more sought after now compared to the old-fashioned timber looseboxes.”

Abi adds that high-quality, low-maintenance fencing is frequently overlooked.

“Fencing is the very first thing an equestrian buyer sees and poor fencing is a financial deterrent.”

Supporting your income with an equestrian property

Securing your future takes many forms – one of them could be capitalising on your property’s business potential.

Fox Grant managing director, chartered surveyor and horseman William Grant’s enterprising mindset helped him launch several business ventures from his equestrian smallholding in Wiltshire.

He purchased a five-acre parcel next to his own property for extra grazing, but started diversifying shortly after.

“We welcomed our first camper in 2009; they wanted somewhere to stay near Stonehenge, which is just a couple of miles from us,” he says. “Now we get around 15,000–20,000 campers a year.”

As well as the campsite – which has grown to include glamping units – William also facilitates storage and runs weddings and events, including Solstice Fest, a four-day music and wellbeing festival in June.

For William, anyone with land who is enterprising and open-minded enough can use it to earn a partly or completely passive income, and permitted development goes a long way.

Permitted development under class BC in England allows the use of any land as a recreational campsite for not more than 60 days in total in any calendar year – limited to 50 pitches.

In England, class BC is in addition to class B permitted development UK-wide, which allows you to use any land for any purpose for not more than 28 days.

William says demonstrating what’s commercially viable on your land through permitted development can also make resale more lucrative.

“If you do sell your property, then you’re also selling a business opportunity,” he remarks. “You’re adding equity by showing people there is cash flow right there waiting for them.”

Planning permission for equestrian homes

Off-the-peg equestrian homes are few and far between, and securing the finished article at purchase stage often requires an astronomical budget.

For Charlotte Roberts-Barr, senior consultant at Boatwrights, the best thing a purchaser can do is see the potential for long-term gains in an equestrian property.

“You can enlist the services of a planning consultant or put in a pre-application yourself,” says Charlotte.

You don’t have to own a property to submit a pre-application, but it can up to 10 weeks for a decision. Therefore, vendors can benefit from being able to demonstrate planning potential to prospective buyers via their own pre-app.

“I’d estimate it would cost around £1,000 for a consultant to submit it, but they understand the language and trigger points that the local authority may or may not look for,” Charlotte adds.

Maximising value with planning permission

Even if you don’t plan to make major changes to a property before you sell and capitalise, you can be shrewd with planning to secure development for potential buyers. If you have agricultural buildings standing empty, changing their classification – even without fully completing any works – can help boost your nest egg’s value.

“I would always apply for Class Q planning,” says Charlotte. “If it’s an agricultural building with a concrete base that’s been used for agricultural purposes in the last 10 years, you can apply for a 56-day notice to convert that building into a residential dwelling under Class Q planning.

“It’s the difference between a barn worth £100,000 and a barn worth £300,000, for instance.”

You can diversify your property to attract a future proprietor even if you don’t plan to run a business from home yourself.

“Let’s say for instance that you have a stable block and obtain planning to convert it to holiday lets,” says Charlotte.

“You would then undertake a material start to that conversion. This would constitute the most basics works as detailed by that scheme, such as clearing trees or moving fences.

“The key is also to ensure you register commencement of works with the council. That’s basically your stage one and it locks in the planning permission for that specific development – the planning cannot lapse.”

● Have you bought, renovated or diversified an equestrian property? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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The threat of exotic equine diseases emerging in the UK is increasing owing to climate change – but there are measures that can be taken.

During a session at the 2026 British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) congress titled “Changing climate, changing diseases?” experts considered conditions including West Nile virus (WNV) and African horse sickness (AHS), both of which are notifiable, so must be reported to the Government if diagnosed in this country.

Richard Newton, director of epidemiology and disease surveillance at the University of Cambridge vet medicine department, explained that WNV is maintained in birds and transmitted by mosquitoes, not directly between horses. Its effects range from mild to fatal.

“We are trying to raise awareness among UK vets in terms of this,” he said. “It’s in north Africa and across Europe; it is considered exotic to the UK, we don’t have it circulating as far as we know. But it has been reported at least twice in horses in the UK, first in 2013, then in 2022, and both involved recently imported horses from Europe.”

The second case was in a horse who had been competing in southern Spain, and had to be euthanised.

Dr Newton referred to the fact remnants of WNV genetic material were found in mosquitoes in Britain. No more has been found since “but it’s a warning sign that things could be changing”.

He added that surveillance of mosquitoes is key in planning for any emergence of WNV here, citing a recent case of two German airport workers who died of malaria transmitted by mosquitoes that arrived on a plane. He showed a map showing that WNV appears to be moving further north in Europe, adding: “I think we’re seeing climate change modifying these risks. It’s changing environmental conditions and, I think, changing the ability to sustain insect vectors and transplant disease. So I think we have to be open to that.”

Action that can be taken

He added: “I’m really just highlighting to UK vets, UK stakeholders, if you’re travelling horses to mainland Europe, there is a risk, but there are things that can be done. You can vaccinate these horses.”

The WNV vaccine is very successful, he said, and its use is strongly recommended for horses travelling to mainland, particularly southern, Europe. Other measures include insect-repelling action such as fly spray and rugs, and considering wetland areas favoured by mosquitoes.

Mike Hewetson of the Royal Veterinary College spoke about AHS, of which he has had experience, a “horrendous disease”.

The insects that transmit AHS are not indigenous to the UK and our temperate climate does not favour them.

“But unfortunately, and as Richard has already mentioned, climate change has altered the status quo,” he said. “You don’t need to look very far to appreciate the very real risk climate change brings.”

Bluetongue concerns

Dr Hewetson cited the recent UK spread of bluetongue virus, which is potentially fatal in sheep and cows. It is similar to AHS and is transmitted by the same midges, blown over from continental Europe.

“But what is unprecedented and extremely worrying is that there’s now evidence of local transmission within the UK, which means our indigenous [midges] are also now capable of transmission of the disease,” he said. “If bluetongue is able to be transmitted in the UK, it’s not hard to imagine that the same could happen if AHS was introduced. The welfare and economic implications of an outbreak of AHS on a naive UK horse population would be devastating, and I don’t think that’s an understatement.”

There is no treatment for AHS and the mortality rate would be 90-95%, he said, adding that there are no licensed vaccines in this country, although one is in development.

“Surveillance is going to be critical, and we as vets will play a really important role in that,” he said. “EIDS [equine infectious disease surveillance] is responsible for surveillance schemes, and will be critical in disseminating that information. So I would definitely encourage you to subscribe to that, and obviously educating horse owners about the clinical signs of AHS will be critical. I think this quote by Peter Tiffany sums it up perfectly: ‘It’s important for horse owners to become educated on transboundary diseases. Don’t expect someone else to be the sole source of your information’.”

BEVA has more information on AHS online, and there is more information about equine disease on the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance website.

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A rallying call has gone out to horse owners, to help in the fight against deadly antibiotic resistance.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and the University of Liverpool are inviting owners to take part in a study on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthy horses. H&H has reported on the need to tackle resistance, as the effects on human and animal health if antibiotics become ineffective could be catastrophic in future.

The HealthyHorseAMR project, led by the University of Liverpool and funded by the VMD, aims to identify the most effective methods for surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in horses.

“AMR is recognised as one of the world’s most significant public health threats,” a VMD spokesperson said. “It occurs when bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, which can make infections difficult, or even impossible, to treat. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can also be found in healthy animals without causing disease, meaning animals can act as reservoirs of resistance that may spread to other animals or people.”

Register to take part in the project

The UK has a 20-year plan to “contain, control and mitigate” AMR by 2040. There are surveillance programmes in some livestock sectors but “gaps in our surveillance of companion animals and horses”.

“Monitoring AMR in healthy horses presents different challenges, and effective surveillance will require tailoring methods specifically to the equine sector,” the spokesperson said.

“Latest estimates show that there are approximately 847,000 horses in the UK. This includes horses owned by around 374,000 households as well as those kept in professional settings such as racing yards. The close relationship between horses and the people who own, ride, and care for them creates opportunities for the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in either direction.”

Antibiotic resistance research: addressing the gap in horses

The research aims to address the gap by considering ways of collecting samples and identifying approaches to support future surveillance.

“This work will provide valuable evidence on AMR within the UK equine sector, helping researchers better understand how resistant bacteria circulate, and enabling the early identification of emerging resistance,” the spokesperson said.

Owners are invited to complete a questionnaire and provide faecal samples from their horses; those who register will be sent a postage-paid sampling kit.

Gina Pinchbeck, a professor in epidemiology at the University of Liverpool, said: “We are very excited to be working on this project.

“The HealthyHorseAMR project will provide much-needed up-to-date evidence and inform the best methods for horse recruitment and sampling for future surveillance efforts. This is an important step towards a one health AMR surveillance system in the UK, and we encourage everyone within the equine industry to get involved.”

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“Shades of grey and nuance are signs of intelligence – being black and white is a sign of stupidity”.

This was the opinion of one expert, discussed during a debate on the value of X-rays and other imaging techniques at the 2026 British Equine Veterinary Association congress.

In a session titled “Pre-purchase imaging: how much is too much?” veterinary experts considered the different types of imaging and the value they might have.

Jane Boswell of the Veterinary Defence Society, an insurance mutual for vets, covered pre-purchase examination (PPE) X-rays of leisure horses. She stressed, as did the other speakers, that PPEs are not about passing or failing, they are risk assessments considering a horse’s fitness for the intended purpose.

“We don’t have a crystal ball, we’re not going to be able to give a guarantee of future soundness, nor find them the perfect horse,” she said. “Nor should we embark on the PPE thinking it’s going to be a diagnostic investigation. It’s all about assessment of risk and how we contextualise that risk, considering different factors.”

These include details of the horse and intended purpose, but also the buyer’s attitude to risk, aims to resell and of course insurance, all of which should be discussed when deciding whether to X-ray or not.

Pre-purchase X-rays benefits and disadvantages

“The benefits of X-rays: we can perhaps get more information about any abnormalities detected during a clinical examination,” she said. “You find a horse with joint effusion, you may recommend imaging to investigate further. We’re also looking at whether we can identify pathology where we haven’t found any associated clinical signs, to reveal lesions that might be associated with increased future risk.

“Once we can advise purchasers about the risk, they may use that to consider whether they purchase the horse.”

A big disadvantage to X-rays is cost, but “the real challenge is the difficulty in determining the significance of the changes we identify”. She said X-rays must be reviewed carefully in an appropriate environment, rather than a quick look by the stable – but even then, vets can have very different opinions. And a vet reviewing an X-ray two years later, of a horse who has become lame, will have a very different viewpoint.

“Identifying a radiographic change does not necessarily mean it’s clinically relevant and the horse is not suitable for its intended use,” she said. “For many changes we see, particularly in a horse that is clinically asymptomatic and sound, it’s very difficult to give a robust idea of what the probability is of that becoming problematic in future.”

Ms Boswell also cited a study that found little evidence for the significance of neck X-rays in PPEs, pointing out that a thorough examination is likely to provide more information, and “certainly shouldn’t be a step omitted because you’ve got the comfort blanket of thinking, ‘I’m going to X-ray the neck anyway.’

“You’ve got to know, can you defend the decision not to take radiographs?” she said. “But probably most importantly, when you do, could you defend what you told the purchasers about the ones you did take at a future time?”

Changing international sales

Equine sports medicine specialist Jonathan McLellan covered international sales, in which “our reliance on radiography has changed the entire sales process”.

He explained that rather than buyers having the right to X-ray a horse bought at public auction, now sellers submit X-rays in advance, putting pressure, he said, on the vet who takes them and those who interpret them.

He added that there are still risks to the buyer. Not all joints are X-rayed and the assessing vet has to look at the images with no clinical context, not even seeing the horse move in a PPE.

“This quick summary is where we now are,” he said. “Dr [Larry] Bramlage, says it doesn’t matter if we say it’s not important. If there’s writing on the report, the industry doesn’t like it. Everybody wants clean radiographs.

“This becomes a new ethical problem, where we subject horses to multiple radiographs early in their career to make sure the radiographs are clean, so they can be sold. We’ve gone from no radiographs and everybody lining up to perform examinations, a welfare issue, to multiple radiographs to perform surgeries that maybe horses don’t need.

“The only way out of this situation is to try to continue to educate buyers and sellers. The radiograph is only part of this process, it shouldn’t be a massive hurdle to be cleared, and if we help clients understand that, it’ll take away our reliance on radiography.”

Pre-purchase MRI and CT scans

Equine imaging expert Filip Vandenberghe asked whether PPE MRI and CT scans were “worthwhile or a can of worms” – and concluded both options may well be the case. He cited horses who are sound, but may have been injected to make them so, or those who may not be entirely “sound”, but can be managed to be comfortable doing their job.

“An image tells you something, might help you look into the future,” he said, but he added: “Most athletes, including humans, need management. They occasionally go lame and have a gap in their career; does this make them not sustainable?

“But in a PPE, they want a sustainable, ever-healthy and sound horse. We can’t do that. What is the predictive value of these image findings? That’s the question but sometimes we can have a good idea of how they’re going to evolve, the question is when, and the severity of it, and how easy will it be to manage.

“In the real world, there’s more and more pathologies, so try not to use the exceptional as the standard.

“[A PPE] is not a pass or fail, just that risk assessment. Define clearly what is unclear. If things are not known, it’s OK to say we don’t know that, just make sure you’re not the only one who doesn’t know it. I invite you to introduce some grey into your interpretation because grey and nuance is a sign of intelligence. Being black and white is a sign of stupidity.”

● What are your thoughts on pre-purchase or routine X-rays? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

A premature foal born with deformities so severe her survival was in doubt, orphaned hours after her birth, is thriving thanks to the dedication of those caring for her.

Penelope Pitstop was unable to stand after she was born in March, as her tendons were so significantly contracted, her “front feet were pointing to heaven”. Her dam died within 12 hours, from complications unrelated to the birth.

Penelope was referred to the independent Little Rock Equine Vets in Staffordshire. The clinic’s founder Shelley Cook told H&H: “She was small – but very determined.”

Dr Cook added that the warmblood filly had a very traumatic start to life.

“Normally, when foals are born this premature, coupled with the severity of issues, their chances of survival are very slim,” she said. “Penelope was suffering from severe contraction of the extensor tendons and severe laxity of the superficial digital flexor tendon and deep digital flexor tendon at the back of the cannon in her front legs, coupled with incomplete ossification [the cartilage had not fully hardened into bone, in her knees, hocks and other areas].”

“The first challenge was simply keeping her alive,” Dr Cook added.

Penelope’s owner, Nick Cadman, found a foster mare and Twemlows Stud Farm helped the two bond. Once the pair had settled, the scale of her issues became clear.

“It’s not uncommon for foals to be born a little weak or wobbly, but this was unlike anything we had seen before,” Dr Cook said. “She couldn’t stand properly and her front feet were pointing to heaven.

“When we took X-rays, the picture was even worse than we had expected, and the advice was that euthanasia might be the kindest option because her chances of survival were so limited. But we knew we had to try.”

Dr Cook added that it was first thought Penelope had been born at 325 days’ gestation but when she was X-rayed again at six weeks old, they realised from her growth plates that she had been born at least two weeks “younger” than this.

“This was great from the perspective of having more time to aid her limb deformities, because it bought both myself and the farrier Henry Tracy more time to aid her recovery,” she said.

Little Rock worked with Nick and Henry on a treatment plan, creating bespoke extensions to support and reshape the filly’s feet, and giving her essentially round-the-clock physiotherapy.

“When I was presented with Penelope, I knew straight away it wasn’t going to be straightforward,” Henry said. “It was far from it. I knew that to correct the severe deformity was going to be a major undertaking with a very guarded prognosis.”

Penelope’s fetlocks had to be supported, while encouraging gradual correction of her leg position. Her team first tried plywood as it would take the weight but this only worked for 24 hours as it was too heavy. They developed a bespoke nylon extension that was light and strong enough to support Penelope as needed.

“The device effectively provided continuous physiotherapy, helping stretch the contracted structures at the front of the limb while supporting the lax structures behind it,” a Little Rock spokesperson said “At one stage, the team extended Penelope’s foot length by eight inches as part of the effort to gradually correct the deformity.

“The team used a combination of diagnostic imaging, bespoke supportive farriery and ongoing monitoring to manage the foal’s condition. The specially designed extensions altered foot placement and applied controlled support to the affected structures, with the aim of encouraging gradual correction while maintaining comfort and limb function.”

But because Penelope was growing, and at first had very soft newborn feet, the design had to be continually reviewed and changed.

“Weight, flexibility and durability were all factors, and we also had to take into account the softness of the foal’s feet and the risk of pressure-related complications,” Dr Cook said.

Henry added that this case shows the importance of vets and farriers working together.

“Working alongside a vet you get along with and can work extremely closely with is one of the most valuable things you can have,” he said. “This has been, to this day, one of the most satisfying cases I’ve done.”

Dr Cook agreed, adding: “We invest a lot of time in working closely with local farriers and in continuing their professional development, and this case really demonstrates the value of that. Penelope needed a tailored approach, and that was only possible because the right team was around her from the beginning.”

She added that Henry trimmed Penelope’s feet on Thursday (17 September), and “there is no noticeable deformity at all now either in front or behind – it looks like she now has good conformation”.

“Outstanding” care

Nick said both Shelley and Henry had been “outstanding”.

“They’ve been fully invested in Penelope from day one and their skill, persistence and attention to detail have made all the difference,” he said.

“Her front limbs are now very close to where they should be for her age, and to see her standing correctly on all four limbs after where she started is remarkable. We’re delighted with the progress she’s made.”

Henry added: “The outcome we have finished with is remarkable and I’m thrilled to see her happily running around the field. I can't wait to see how she turns out over the next few years.”

Dr Cook said the Little Rock team is looking forward to seeing Penelope grow up.

“We are keen to share Penelope’s story because it may encourage owners and professionals not to write these foals off too early,” she said. “Not every case will be manageable but there are many situations where a collaborative and carefully adapted approach can make a real difference. We can’t wait to see how Penelope progresses.”

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Where does a vet’s role start – and stop – when it comes to equine welfare, and what happens if a horse and a human’s best interests are not the same?

These were some of the questions discussed at the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) 2026 congress in the “moral maze” debate. The discussion, featuring panellists and “witnesses”, was on the topic “Is everyday welfare our constant endeavour?” Two vets argued that it is; two said they believe at this moment, it is not.

Issues brought up included whether vets should treat just the symptoms rather than also the cause of an issue, and cases in which what is best for the horse may not be what is best for the owner.

Outgoing BEVA president Imogen Burrows, one of those who believes welfare is the constant endeavour, said she believes all equine vets “start this profession with welfare as a real primary key driver”, adding: “We choose to undertake veterinary care as a profession. We have to accept that this is undertaken with the intention of protecting animal welfare at its heart.”

Malcolm Morley, World Horse Welfare head of UK, agreed that he is sure from his 30 years in practice that all vets care.

“I’ve also been standing in the yard with an owner, trainer, rider, who all want an answer, and I’m thinking, what’s right for the horse, and trying to manage their expectations,” he said. “Everyone’s under pressure. The horse has a competition coming up, it cost a fortune, somebody’s living is probably at stake; pressure has come right into my consultation.

“In that situation putting welfare first can threaten your relationship with your clients, your cash flow, your reputation and status as a vet. This is normal in equine practice, we face these really challenging conflicts. Pretending they don’t exist is where we get into trouble.”

Owners on side

BEVA trustee Phil Cramp said he believes vets are very good at ensuring the horse has the best treatment, its welfare protected, and that the owner has to be on side.

“We learn to do that, we get better at it through our career and I think we’re getting better and better at combining those things, and at providing good welfare for our patients,” he said. “I think there’s evidence that supports that. Look at this session, and this whole congress has everyday welfare at the heart and every year it’s come further and further up the list.”

Equine behaviour expert Gemma Pearson pointed out that the five domains welfare model has four physical domains feeding into the fifth and most important, the horse’s mental state. She gave the example of a vet treating a laminitic by keeping it in a bare area with weighed-out hay; it will lose weight but it has also lost out in terms of environment and probably social interactions.

“That’s where I see a lot of horses presented to me as they’ve become aggressive,” she said. “Now the owner is now thinking of selling them because vets are just thinking about physical health, not always thinking about welfare, which is mental state.”

Thinking from the horse’s perspective

Vet Ben Sykes said he was never taught to think from the horse’s perspective, citing as an example, yards not set up with welfare as the key focus, which “become normalised”.

“Every time you dispense omeprazole, do you recommend maybe social housing to improve the eating behaviour for that horse, make that horse’s welfare improve, make it feel safer and eat more constantly, more naturally, every single time?” he asked.

“Hay is the centre of ulcer prevention; free choice hay is one of the simplest, most powerful tools to improve the welfare of a stabled horse. We can’t suddenly get racehorses turned out or social stabling put in, but as a profession, we could advocate strongly that every single horse that is stabled, every racehorse, as a minimum industry standard, we require free choice hay.

Mr Sykes said regulation, rather than education, should be key, adding: “Why aren’t we, as a profession, BEVA, standing up and saying we expect this to be a minimum industry standard? Without that, welfare is not our constant endeavour.”

Dr Pearson cited a case of equine and human welfare in conflict, in a colic surgery in which euthanasia was recommended. The owner opted for a second surgery as the horse was owned by his father who had Alzheimer’s, and time with his horses was “the only thing that calms him down”.

“Does the constant endeavour phrase have the add-on ‘but you’re allowed to compromise it when you feel you should’?” she asked.

The ethical questions

Ethics were introduced; examples given were injecting a horse’s joints to improve performance, taking blood from one horse to benefit another, and whether advanced reproductive techniques benefit the mare involved.

The question over each vet’s role was also asked; can and should the vet be the one to recommend changing stable design or management as well as everything else they do – and are they advocates for or enablers of good welfare.

“I’d got to a point where I was probably enabling things,” Ms Burrows said. “I was happy with what I was doing but not really how I was doing it. The changes I’ve made, I think, have been hugely beneficial for me and for my patients. This is a journey, and no journey is perfect or linear.

“It’s obvious we’re provocative, emotive, passionate, but when we use extreme terms, we’re going to let perfect be the enemy of good, and we have to acknowledge we will fail, and we have to accept that. I can try again, and that doesn’t mean it wasn’t my constant endeavour.”

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A major appeal has been launched for funding to help in the ongoing battle against equine grass sickness (EGS) after a recent increase in cases – including the death of five ponies in a herd of eight.

The Equine Grass Sickness Fund, a charity that is part of the Moredun Foundation, had recorded 74 cases of EGS by 11 September 2026, compared to 67 in 2025. The condition, which causes degenerative changes to the central and autonomic (involuntary) nervous systems, is fatal in some 80% of cases.

Research scientist Beth Wells of the foundation told H&H it had been a “pretty bad year” for reported cases.

“But I think we only get the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “We think there are far more cases than are reported. But without that, we just don’t know where they’re occurring, what time of year, how many cases, what type of horses, whether they survive or not.”

Dr Wells said it is thought the increase is owing to the atypical weather conditions this year.

“Cases are springing up where we wouldn’t necessarily expect them,” she said. “We’re getting them on the usual east coast, Scotland, right down England to Kent, and quite a few further west.

“It’s not to say there’s never grass sickness in the west because there are sporadic cases. But we seem to be getting clusters of acute cases where the horses are all dying. A lady in the south-west of Scotland had a horrible experience. She’s a breeder, she’d never had it before and she lost five over a weekend.”

The foundation has, with a climatologist, modelled weather conditions that can increase the risk of EGS; high temperatures during the day followed by cold nights, and prolonged drought followed by a sudden change and flush of grass.

Dr Wells said owners can sign up to weather alerts on the Equine Grass Sickness Fund website, which means they will be sent a WhatsApp message if the conditions are risky, and if cases are reported in the area – another highlight of the importance of reporting.

The fundraising campaign is on now

She said she keeps her Highlands in a high-risk area so she keeps an eye on the weather but also feeds hay in the field all year round.

“Anything that keeps the microbiome stable,” she said. “The hypothesis is that the weather causes a flush of grass, which potentially upsets the microbiome. That could interfere with the tight junctions of the gut, potentially letting through anything into the ‘inner workings’ of the horse, where it has access to the nervous system, the neurons, circulatory system.

“That’s my gut feeling so the biggest thing the owner can do is keep the microbiome stable.”

Dr Wells gets as many ponies in as she can every day for a break from grass with hay. She feeds the minerals key to smooth muscle function and ensures her horses have a balanced diet, making no sudden changes. She said a link between ivermectin and EGS has been shown, so if worming with this is needed, as shown by testing, she advises delaying worming until high-risk conditions have settled.

All the 38 reported cases between April and June died, which Dr Wells said shows “the devastation of the disease”.

“And we can’t treat it,” she said. “That’s why research is so important.”

The fund set up a biobank, funded by the British Horse Society, of tissue samples from affected horses to be studied and compared with those from healthy horses. They also grow “organoids”, versions of equine organs grown in a lab from stem cells, which can be used to model the disease and carry out tests – but this is hugely expensive.

“The fund is a charity and relies on donations,” she said. “We’re really pushing the research and doing massive fundraising campaigns. We appreciate any support from horse owners, and it’s all about the funding; we need equine research properly funded but we are absolutely determined. We will get answers but it’s really not simple.”

The campaign, launched on 11 September, asks owners to donate anything they can.

“We hear regularly from owners whose lives have been changed forever by grass sickness,” a fund spokesperson said. “For those who have lost beloved horses and ponies, the impact can be devastating. We also celebrate the small number of chronic cases that survive through intensive nursing and dedicated veterinary care, offering hope that improved understanding and treatment can make a real difference.”

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More than one in nine checks on used horseboxes and trailers in 2026 revealed they were connected with a theft, fraud or other “financial irregularity”.

New analysis by The Equipment Register (TER), a database of plant, agricultural and stolen equipment records, found that 11% of checks on horseboxes and trailers (all types of trailers in the register) matched the above issues, compared to 10% flagged last year.

TER, which has details of more than 1.8 million items, is urging buyers to be vigilant.

“Many people are surprised when they hear that more than one in every nine checks conducted with TER identifies an outstanding finance agreement, theft record or other security interest,” said Treve Jenkyn, a manager at TER.

“The reality is that these are not isolated incidents. Our data shows that the problem has remained remarkably consistent for almost a decade.

“The increase we have seen during 2026 is particularly noteworthy because it follows several years in which match rates have remained persistently high. Buyers cannot afford to assume that the horsebox or trailer being offered for sale is free from finance or has a legitimate history simply because it appears genuine or is being sold through a familiar platform.”

Mr Jenkyn added that simple checks before buying can help avoid losing money, and help police and insurers trace stolen property.

“Taking a few minutes to check its history is essential due diligence before committing to a transaction,” he said.

Jodie Seddon, partner at Aria Grace Law CIC, told H&H that acting in good faith is not enough to protect genuine buyers.

“We would encourage people to check vehicle registration documents carefully for consistency, and to verify that the vehicle or machinery is not subject to any finance arrangement before committing to a purchase,” she said.

“This is particularly important when buying from private sellers, where less consumer law protections would apply. If you discover that a vehicle or machinery you have bought is stolen, you should seek legal advice as a matter of urgency.”

The TER figures were released at the start of the National Rural Crime Network’s (NRCN) National Rural Crime Action week (6–11 September). As part of the week, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) called for stronger collaboration between Government and police “that translates to on-the-ground support for rural communities impacted by rural crime”.

“We need a consistent and coordinated response from Government and police forces, with fairer funding for rural policing, a dedicated rural crime team in every police force and a cross-departmental rural crime task force,” said NFU vice-president Robyn Munt. “No one should have to live or work in fear.”

Data released this spring by insurance firm NFU Mutual calculated the cost of rural crime in the UK to be £41.5m in 2025, compared to £44.1m in 2024. The NFU Mutual report put this six per cent reduction down to “targeted investment in rural crime prevention, alongside industry collaboration with law enforcement”, but noted that the impact of rural crime “extends beyond financial loss” in terms of the effect it can have on people and communities.

The NRCN hosted a drop-in session at the House of Commons on 8 September, supported by the Countryside Alliance (CA), at which Government plans for police reform – that include rationalising forces – was a key talking point.

The CA is also encouraging people to report incidents through its rural crime map that launched in March, as an addition (not a replacement) to contacting the police.

• Visit: https://www.countryside-alliance.org/report-rural-crime

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Harnessing equine power has already proven useful in the fight against wildfires in the UK and Spain – and this may benefit horses, people and the environment.

An owner in Valencia realised that his dream of sport horses in a natural environment also has the benefit of reducing the risk of fires, and a project to boost the value of ponies on the Welsh hills has found similar.

Donna Oldbury-Thomas of Coventry University told H&H the Power Ponies project came about as the number of hill-bred Welsh section As has dwindled.

“We’ve always had the ponies but we’re down to about 300 wild-bred ponies left now,” she said. “They’re the ones with the genes and skills to survive in the wild, but you can buy a pen of Welsh mountain foals for £10. There’s no value people can subscribe to.”

Dr Oldbury-Thomas and Peter Morgan of Torcoed Stud came up with the idea of involving the ponies in “bashing bracken”. Bracken is a native but invasive species that increases fire and tick risk, and reduces biodiversity.

Through her research, Dr Oldbury-Thomas found out that bracken, when burned, produces highly toxic emissions.

“It’s nasty stuff and the only way to protect our landscapes, communities and firefighters is to put bracken breaks in, in the short term, and have far more committed conservation grazing in the long term,” she said. “You need a mixed grazing regime, and stock that knows what it’s doing. So that means cows, sheep, goats, horses, who are native and knowledgeable, and this comes back round to pony power.”

A “virtuous cycle”

The ponies do eat some young bracken but they also roll on and “nest” in it, crushing it, and will push through it to water, allowing other animals to reach it and helping create a “virtuous cycle of more accessible, eventually improved grazing and the bracken going back”.

Dr Oldbury-Thomas said it is not a quick process but if the ponies stay, the solution is permanent, rather than the fast but less effective – and far more toxic – method of poisoning the bracken.

The fire prevention was almost a secondary benefit, which has become the main one. There are 1.3m acres of bracken in England and Wales, and it prevents other plant species growing, emits greenhouse gases and is flammable. And if it does burn, not only is the fire itself a major risk, firefighters are also at risk of breathing in the toxic fumes.

In Spain, stud owner Rafael Peris wanted to have horses who live as naturally as possible, as many in his region spend more time inside than out in herds. He then realised that this not only benefited the horses’ welfare – as it meant more forage for them, for which he did not have to pay – but also that the horses’ grazing activity removed potential fuel for fires.

Virtual fencing

“During the big fires in Spain this summer, there were several cases where the fire did not go into areas where the animals were, as there was not the grass to propagate them,” he said. “It’s very interesting and some authorities are taking this example.”

Mr Peris uses “virtual fencing”; he can set boundaries electronically and the horses wear collars that pulse when they approach them. This means they are safe, well fed and removing potential fuel. The authorities agree; the Valencian government has increased funding to €500,000 (around £430,000) for grazing to help prevent fires in the region. And he believes the principles could also benefit the UK.

“Although wildfire conditions differ from those of Mediterranean Spain, the principle has a much wider application,” he said. “Extensive grazing with horses can be used as a complementary tool for wildfire prevention and a sustainable method of managing woodland edges, conservation areas, firebreaks and other vegetation-rich or difficult-to-access land.

“The principle is simple: rather than repeatedly removing all vegetation using brush cutters, tractors and other machinery, horses can perform part of this work naturally and continuously. The system combines land management, sustainability and animal welfare: the horses live year-round across large natural areas, move freely as a herd and simultaneously perform a practical environmental function.”

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The British equestrian and racing industries are supporting a new suicide prevention toolkit for people in sport, launched today by the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Retired Classic-winning jockey George Baker, now a jockey coach and broadcaster, appeared in a film released on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s social media channels this week to support the launch of the "On Your Side" toolkit.

George joined other leading sporting figures, including England football captain Harry Kane, to show the power of small, ordinary acts of care and that you do not have to be an expert to start that conversation.

The toolkit is designed to help people in sport spot warning signs, start conversations and connect individuals with support before a crisis happens. It has been created in partnership with the British Standards Institution and mental health charity Chasing The Stigma.

It has also been designed to be used across all sporting environments, from grassroots to elite level, and for everyone involved, including athletes, coaches, staff, volunteers, families and spectators.

British racing has committed to embed the toolkit’s principles across the industry at all levels. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is working with Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF), among others, to identify where best practice is already in place and where there is scope to enhance support.

British Equestrian (BEF) is also supporting the campaign and will be adding the toolkit to the mental wellbeing section of the BEF website, alongside a toolkit it has put together with Sport in Mind that addresses a number of wider mental health conditions.

BHA director of integrity John Burgess said the organisation is “proud to support the launch”.

“The racing community can be an immensely supportive environment, especially at times of challenge and tragedy. Our workforce faces some unique pressures and strains, and we have done a huge amount of work to ensure access to specialist health, wellbeing and welfare services,” he said.

“These services are something we are always looking to strengthen so that help is there whenever it is needed. The toolkit published today is an important resource that can make a positive difference within British racing. It will be adopted by the BHA and embedded in our day-to-day activities.”

Lucy Miller, director of welfare at Racing Welfare, added: "The wellbeing of racing's people is a collective responsibility, which is why Racing Welfare is proud to support this important initiative.

“Sport has a unique ability to create connection, purpose and belonging, and this toolkit provides practical guidance to help people recognise when someone may be struggling and support them to seek help.

“We welcome its use across horseracing as part of our shared commitment to suicide prevention and creating environments where people feel safe, supported and able to talk.”

IJF chief executive Lisa Hancock said the multiple pressures jockeys deal with daily “can have significant impact on their general wellbeing”.

“This toolkit is a great resource and can certainly help the horse racing world recognise risk, start conversations, and support those who need help,” she said.

• To access the toolkit, visit: https://hubofhope.co.uk/OnYourSide/

Support

• Samaritans: call 116 123
• Racing Welfare’s 24/7 support line: call 0800 6300 443
• Riders Minds: call 0800 088 2073 or text 07729774117
• Sporting Chance (for current and former Professional Jockeys Association members): 07780 008877

A major operation against a criminal network suspected of trafficking horses across Europe took place this week, involving nearly 200 officers across four countries.

A statement from Europol, which supports European Union member states in preventing and tackling serious international and organised crime, said the network is suspected of using falsified documents and manipulated microchips to conceal the horses’ true identities. Investigations are ongoing.

The operation took place on 8 to 9 September across Belgium, France, Ireland and the Netherlands, involving close to 200 officers and representatives of different authorities.

“At the centre of this investigation led by Belgium is a suspected large-scale trade in horses whose identities and histories were allegedly manipulated to allow them to be moved and resold across Europe. Some of the animals may ultimately have been diverted into the food chain without their true origin and history being known,” said the statement.

“This undermines the traceability systems designed to protect animal welfare and food safety and could result in horses not intended for human consumption being illegally sent for slaughter.”

It added: “Investigators suspect that forged horse passports and manipulated microchips were used to effectively give animals new identities. This allowed the suspects to obscure where the horses had come from, their previous history and whether they were eligible to enter the food chain.

“Investigators are now working to establish the final destination of the animals. Horses are suspected of having been fraudulently resold under falsified identities, while others may have been diverted into the food chain.”

According to Europol, a total of 24 searches were carried out: four in Belgium (East Flanders and Brabant), six in Ireland (counties of Galway, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Kildare, Dublin, Donegal), seven in France (Gard, Saône-et-Loire, Mayenne, Sarthe, Gironde, Haute-Saône), and seven in the Netherlands (Limburg, South Holland, North Brabant, Utrecht, Zeeland).

“The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities in the participating countries working to identify further individuals potentially involved in the criminal network,” added the statement.

In a statement, the Federal Judicial Police (PJF) of East Flanders in Belgium said more than 1,000 horses were checked for identity, origin and welfare and that “a considerable number of them were seized”.

“The investigation is ongoing to determine the whereabouts of the remaining horses,” added the PJF.

“Registers, invoices, and communication devices were also seized, as well as more than €100,000 in cash.”

The statement added that three suspects have been arrested in Belgium.

A spokesperson for Ireland’s Garda Síochána, which played a central role in the operation, said there have been eight searches in Ireland and evidence seized is “currently under analysis and investigations are ongoing”.

The spokesperson added that the investigation “centres on the alleged large-scale trade of horses whose identification details and histories were fraudulently altered, enabling their movement and resale throughout Europe”.

“The criminal network is suspected of forging horse passports and manipulating microchips to grant the animals new identities, obscuring their true background and eligibility for human consumption,” he added.

‘We hope investigators will also look further afield’

Jessica Stark, World Horse Welfare’s director of communications and public affairs, told H&H the charity is “very encouraged that coordinated action has been taken across several EU member states to confront the scourge of horse smuggling by a criminal network”.

“We believe this just scratches the surface of an extensive trade where horses are simply viewed as commodities and we hope investigators will also look further afield, including at the UK,” she added.

“Smuggling horses across borders, which can involve changing their identities to make them appear more valuable or even eligible for slaughter, is a welfare tragedy for every horse affected. Our cases of the Dover 26 and trafficked 20 over the past couple of years are a case in point, but they were lucky compared to the vast majority who are transported across borders undetected and where there is no protection for their welfare.

“Organised, coordinated smuggling networks deserve an organised, coordinated response from enforcers and this needs to be supported by full equine traceability through robust digital identification. We hope this encourages all countries in Europe to introduce a better system of equine ID as it cannot come soon enough.”

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The British Appaloosa Society (BApS) is introducing mandatory PSSM1 testing for its main studbook, a step that will “improve the long-term health and welfare of the breed”.

The decision to introduce the testing with immediate effect was made at the society’s AGM in May. All foals registered with the BApS main studbook must either test negative for PSSM1 – polysaccharide storage myopathy type one – or be proven negative by parentage.

“This landmark decision reflects the society’s long-term commitment to eradicating PSSM1 from the British appaloosa population,” a society spokesperson said.

PSSM1 is a genetic muscle disorder, caused by a gene mutation that causes a horse’s muscles to produce and store abnormal levels of glycogen, the form of sugar stored in muscle. Signs can be mild to severe and include “tying up”, undiagnosable lameness and muscle soreness. It is commonly associated with appaloosas, although it has been identified in more than 20 breeds and the society has been battling it for years.

PSSM1 testing for stallions first

Since 2010, only stallions who test negative for PSSM1 have been accepted for licensing.

“The introduction of mandatory testing for main studbook foals is the next logical step in this successful programme, ensuring future generations of British appaloosas are protected from this inherited condition,” said the society spokesperson.

Society registrar and chair Paula Moore noted that the mutation is dominant, so horses only need one copy of it to have the condition, unlike a recessive trait that needs a copy from each parent to be expressed.

“PSSM1 is a debilitating condition that can be inherited from either parent,” she told H&H.

“We sent letters to owners of aged stallions beyond 2011, asking them to do the right thing and test, and some did, some didn’t. We’ve asked mare owners to test breeding stock; a lot have complied and we’ve got a good relationship with breeders. But there are still people who choose to ignore it or pretend it doesn’t happen.

“We’re still getting animals testing positive for PSSM1. So we decided as it’s our 50th anniversary this year, it’s time we had a proper serious look at leading the way and future-proofing the breed.”

Ms Moore said she proposed the mandatory testing at the AGM and the vote was unanimous.

“It’s easy to do; test the foal when the vet comes to do the passport,” she said. “It has to be done by a vet as we need the integrity.”

“Such an awful disease”

Ms Moore added that as all BApS-licensed stallions are clear of PSSM1, the other option is for owners to test their mares. If both parents are clear, their foals will be too.

“I know some societies say they will lose bloodlines if they act too tightly on it, but I don’t think there’s a bloodline anywhere that would justify breeding PSSM-positive stock,” she said. “It’s such an awful disease and it’s time it stopped. I don’t care about any other society if they don’t want to do it. It’s time our society grasped the nettle and dealt with it.”

The BApS is offering 50% reductions on registration fees in this anniversary year, which Ms Moore said would help negate the cost of the testing.

British Veterinary Equine Association (BEVA) veterinary projects officer Lucy Grieve told H&H BEVA welcomes the society’s decision.

“PSSM1 is an inherited muscle disorder that can cause a range of clinical signs, including exercise intolerance, muscle stiffness, pain and episodes of tying up, with the potential to have a significant impact on equine welfare,” she said. “From a veterinary perspective, identifying affected horses through genetic testing supports informed breeding decisions and can help reduce the risk of passing this condition to future generations. The society’s proactive approach is, therefore, a positive step towards improving the long-term health and welfare of the breed.”

The Appaloosa Horse Club UK

A spokesperson for the Appaloosa Horse Club UK (ApHC UK) told H&H the society has “taken a proactive approach to managing PSSM1 for over 15 years”.

She explained that mandatory testing for current and new licensed stallions was introduced in 2011 after a unanimous AGM vote.

Following a unanimous vote by members at our AGM in November 2010, mandatory PSSM1 testing for all licensed stallions was introduced from 1 January 2011. The requirement applied to both new and existing licensed stallions, with the aim of protecting the health and future of the Appaloosa breed.

This was followed by testing breeding mares and new registrations from January 2012, with results recorded in horses’ passports. Alongside testing, the ApHC UK focuses on educating and supporting owners of horses testing positive, including sharing information about appropriate veterinary advice, management, diet and exercise.

Our approach is to address PSSM1 at the breeding-stock level, because PSSM1 is inherited, knowing the status of both sire and dam enables breeders to make informed decisions before a foal is conceived. Where both parents are verified negative, their offspring are considered ‘negative by parentage’.

Looking back over the past fifteen years, our breeders have embraced this approach, prioritising PSSM1-negative breeding stock while successfully maintaining important Appaloosa bloodlines in the UK. Our objective has been not simply to identify positive foals after birth that would face an uncertain future, but wherever possible to prevent the mutation being passed to the next generation.

The ApHC UK welcomes initiatives by other breed societies to strengthen PSSM1 controls. Horse welfare should transcend organisational boundaries, and we would welcome greater collaboration between breed societies to share knowledge, experience and best practice around PSSM1 and other hereditary conditions.

Ultimately, we all share the same goal: Protecting the health of our horses and preserving the future of the breeds we represent

● What do you think about the society’s decision? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

Meet the horse bought for £1 who went from throwing people off to kissing spines surgery to the LeMieux National Dressage Championships – having recovered from a broken leg along the way.

Heather Bennett’s 10-year-old Hawtins Figaro is due to compete at elementary and medium level with Craig Messenger this week (10-13 September), and had also qualified for the para finals with Heather.

The competition comes two years after Heather bought him.

“I got him from another para rider; he’d had her off and injured her quite badly, and he had her trainer off too,” she told H&H. “She told me what had happened and I said it sounded like kissing spines.”

Heather had to wait until her vet Tim Booth was available, and he confirmed her suspicions.

“He said ‘Yes, kissing spines but it’s fixable’,” she said.

“My history has been that I’ve taken everyone’s cast-offs. I’m not a rich person so I’ve got to make good of what I ride. My friend had said he had the nicest temperament and [asked] why was he suddenly exploding. You find horses like this can get pushed from pillar to post and no one actually looks at the horse and asks what’s happening with it.

“I’ve had a few with kissing spines; I rehabbed another one and won the winter championships with him. But with kissing spines, it’s not about the surgery, it’s all about the rehab, and many people don’t have the knowledge or the time or the inclination to do it properly.”

Heather took her time, and after initial box rest for “Fig”, followed by groundwork and a slow build-up with frequent physio treatment, started competing him last summer, and qualified for the 2025 nationals.

“I brought him home and it was a lovely day so I put him out in the field,” she said.

“When I brought him in, he was on three legs.”

Fig had managed to break his splint bone, by “messing about in the field”, as was confirmed when Heather took him straight to the vet.

“Luckily it didn’t need surgery, so it was just time – and rest again,” she said. “He’s quite sharp and likes to keep his brain occupied so box rest is a challenge. He’s such a sweet horse but his brain’s very reactive.”

Heather had also had some health issues so about six months ago, she asked Craig and Dan Watson at Aster Horses to take him on.

Craig told H&H Hawtins Figaro is “very sharp but very lovely”.

“He was strong enough, he’d had enough time, his back was fine, his leg was fine,” Craig said. “He’s always a bit cheeky but within six months,we’ve gone from nothing to medium, and now we’ve qualified for the nationals.”

Fig and Heather also won the grade IV at the Hickstead CDI in May, which Dan and Craig organised.

“He thinks he knows best but he’s a really nice horse with a lovely temperament,” Craig said. “He’s very quick-minded so we can do pirouettes and changes; he’d probably do prix st georges next year. We’re looking forward to the nationals.”

Heather added that she has been unable to travel to Somerford to compete but will be cheering Craig and Fig on.

“I’m not sure I’ll actually be able to watch!” she said. “But at least he’s still going, I’m glad Craig is taking him.

“He’s a character. He loves people, he loves his treats and he’s very vocal when he sees you; he’s a sweetheart and the best pound I’ve spent – plus the interest!”

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New equine welfare guidance is encouraging owners in Scotland to “take measures that will truly provide their horses, ponies and donkeys with a good life”.

The Scottish Government has published new guidelines, created with support from organisations including the National Equine Welfare Council, British Horse Society (BHS) and SSPCA, to replace the 2009 welfare of equids code of practice.

The in-depth guidance includes the need to consider equine mental wellbeing, providing positive experiences, the importance of social interaction and turnout, responsible breeding and buying and selling. The Scottish Government “recognises that animal welfare knowledge, management practices and science have moved on from previous management principles”.

Assessing welfare is another focus. The guidance discusses the five domains model and sets out indicators of good welfare, “behavioural signs needing further investigation” and pain-related behaviours – and provides advice around end-of-life decisions.

“Owners and keepers should not only be aiming to reduce negative experiences, but striving to provide opportunities to meet equid needs effectively and provide positive experiences,” states the guidance.

Scottish Government equine welfare guidance: giving horses choices

“Allowing equids to have choice/agency within their lives is crucial. When equids are denied the opportunity to meet their own needs or resolve stressors themselves at the time of their experience, these repeated negative experiences can become prolonged leading to chronic stress, ultimately compromising both mental and physical welfare.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said an animal’s quality of life can be classified as a life not worth living, a life worth living or a good life.

“This guidance is intended to help those responsible for equids to provide them with, as a minimum, a life worth living, as well as encouraging owners and keepers to take measures that will truly provide their horse, pony or donkey with a good life,” said the spokesperson.

BHS national manager for Scotland Georgina Charlton told H&H the guidance is an “important step towards ensuring equids and the people who care for them can thrive together”.

“Whether you own or care for horses, ponies or other equids, this guidance provides clear, practical advice to help them enjoy the best possible quality of life,” she said.

In March, the SSPCA launched a new manifesto calling for a review of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act, including embedding the five domains model into legislation. An SSPCA spokesperson said the charity welcomes this guidance, which “recognises how much our understanding of equine welfare has developed in recent years”.

“Good welfare is about far more than preventing cruelty or disease. It is about ensuring horses have the opportunity to experience positive outcomes, interact socially, express natural behaviours and enjoy a good quality of life,” the spokesperson said.

“The guidance is a positive step towards a more modern and holistic approach to equine welfare, and we hope it will help owners and those responsible for equines across Scotland understand and put these principles into practice.”

The spokesperson added that the SSPCA has “long supported the need for animal welfare policy and legislation to reflect the latest scientific evidence”.

“For horses in particular, this means looking beyond the absence of suffering and considering what is needed for them to genuinely thrive,” they said.

“We hope this guidance will help drive higher standards of welfare and provide a strong foundation for the continued improvement of welfare.”

H&H asked Defra if it has plans to create similar guidance for England and was told that Defra already has a code of practice for equines providing owners with information on how to meet their needs.

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Maximising turnout may reduce the risk of post-partum colic in broodmares – as researchers call for owners to use science-backed information over “old wives’ tales”.

In a study published in Animals, researchers from the University of Liverpool investigated risk factors for post-partum colic in thoroughbred broodmares in the UK and Ireland. The researchers analysed medical and management data for more than 1,000 mares from 29 studs during the 2021 and 2022 foaling seasons.

Lead researcher Elizabeth Cullen, an equine internal medicine specialist at Rainbow Equine Hospital, told H&H it is known anecdotally, that broodmares are “very prone to developing colic” and that they are “widely regarded to be at an increased risk compared to other horses”.

“From the mares we followed we gathered lots of information about the colic episodes and diagnosis, any changes in management, medications, whether they had had colic before – and then we compared the data with three control horses: mares that had foaled but hadn’t got colic,” said Dr Cullen.

“The vast number of colic episodes were within the first 10 days. The risk of colic decreased from the point of foaling until around 50 days after, then plateaued.”

The findings showed that days post-partum and hours stabled had the “strongest associations with colic risk”; the likelihood of post-partum colic “increased by around 16% for each additional hour that mares were stabled per day”. Broodmares who had been given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as bute) in the previous 28 days or had a history of colic may be at increased risk.

“There’s plenty of reasons why less turnout and more time in the stable might cause colic; they’re not active, they’re not grazing and they’re being fed in more intermittent large quantities, which is not their natural feeding behaviour,” said Dr Cullen.

“In terms of bute use, we would need to look at why they were having bute, for example was the mare in more pain after foaling and actually predisposed to colic. It’s important to take findings at face value and the message is certainly not: ‘Don’t give them bute’, but that maybe these mares might be the ones to watch.”

Dr Cullen added that the research highlighted a need for further colic education among horse owners. In May H&H reported a University of Nottingham study that showed misconceptions around colic were common and that many owners were reluctant to change their approach.

“There were management strategies employed by studs where they had the perception ‘this would stop their horses getting colic’ – and a lot of things that they thought were important had very little evidence behind them,” said Dr Cullen, giving the example of feeding bran mash.

“There’s no evidence that bran mash is beneficial and it’s such a widely used strategy. Old wives’ tales get passed down, we had farms that would let their mares roll after foaling in the paddock if they thought that would stop them getting a twisted gut, or they put them on a special diet and change their feed. Colic is a huge emotional and financial strain and it’s important to disseminate information based on science.”

British Equine Veterinary Association junior vice-president James Crabtree told H&H the paper is a “welcome addition” to literature on post-foaling colic.

“We now have some helpful numbers quantifying the risk of encountering colic at this time, and how days post-foaling and confinement to the mare’s box influence her risk,” said Dr Crabtree, an equine reproduction and stud medicine independent veterinary consultant.

“With this improved understanding, we veterinarians can better communicate these risks to our clients to develop appropriate strategies to minimise the risk of post-foaling colic. In addition, it reveals some additional risk factors such as administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in the preceding 28 days.”

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Veterinary research into osteoarthritis (OA) may lead to treatment that could slow or even reverse the disease, in humans and animals.

Research led by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), published in Bone Research, has identified an inhibitor, a protein that binds to an enzyme and slows or stops its activity, that may improve joint health as well as translating into new treatment.

“The findings provide a potential first-of-its-kind disease-modifying strategy that could improve how the disease is managed in both humans and animals,” an RVC spokesperson said.

In OA, the most common form of arthritis, cartilage mineralises and breaks down, underlying bone changes and inflammation develops within joints. It affects more than 527 million people globally and 50% of horses aged over 15. There are no approved treatments that can reverse or halt disease progression.

The team, led by Scott Roberts of the RVC, identified protein CDK8/19 as a drug target in OA disease cell models, and tested an inhibitor in arthritic mice.

Those who had the treatment showed improved gait, greater ability to complete treadmill exercise tests, reduced weight gain and lower levels of OA biomarkers in the blood, as well as improvements in cartilage composition in the knee joints.

Untreated osteoarthritic mice usually have tiny “bridges” of mineralised tissue in the growth plate area of the bone, associated with worsening joint damage. The treated mice had fewer bridges; those that did develop were less dense.

“While additional research is needed before these findings can be translated into treatments for patients, the findings suggest that the use of a CDK8/19 inhibitor may help slow or even reverse OA disease and improve whole joint health, which is a promising new avenue for OA therapy,” the spokesperson said.

Dr Roberts added that the study provides information on the way cells cause disease in OA, as well as an option for disease reversal.

“This is hugely exciting and impactful given the absence of any disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs,” he said. “The next stage is to transition the research into proof-of-concept studies to show disease-modifying efficacy in a patient population.”

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Reflecting on our own personality traits and tendencies could be a “valuable step toward more conscious, horse-centred decision-making”, a study suggests.

Research published in Taylor & Francis looked into the way owners’ attachment style and personality traits relate to their training choices and relationship with their horses, including frequency of riding, groundwork training and spending “quality time” with them, as well as their choices of equine headgear.

The study considered owners’ attachment style, how they relate to others emotionally, to their horses. People with high avoidant attachment tend to distance themselves emotionally and rely less on others; those with high anxious attachment tend to seek closeness and fear rejection.

“We were interested in whether these psychological tendencies, well studied in human relationships, would manifest in how people interact with their horses – and indeed they do,” said lead author Océane Liehrmann, of the University of Turku, Finland.

The study found that higher avoidant attachment was associated with less frequent interaction with horses, whether riding, groundwork or quality time. Higher anxious attachment was linked to more frequent quality time. Owners with traits such as conscientiousness and extraversion were likely to ride more, and being more open was associated with more frequent groundwork.

“The results showed a clear pattern: owners who spent more time with their horses, whether riding, training or simply being with them, tended to be more emotionally connected to their horses,” a spokesperson for the Turku university said. “In contrast, owners who kept more emotional distance to their horse also tended to interact with them less frequently, spending less time riding and engaging in hands-on activities.”

Bits or bitless – or no bridle?

The study found links with other personality traits; owners who rode more frequently tended to be slightly more organised, outgoing and emotionally stable. Those who practised groundwork more often tended to score higher in openness to new experiences, which “may reflect a greater curiosity and willingness to explore non-traditional, horse-centred training methods”.

Owners who used bitless bridles, or both bits and bitless, tended to score slightly lower in emotional distancing than those who just rode in bits, and those open to using both also tended to score higher in openness to new experiences.

“I think that was an interesting point,” Dr Liehrmann told H&H. “I integrated that because I know bitless or not is a very big thing in the equestrian world. People think they’re opposites, and it causes a lot of debate. So it was interesting to see if that had a link with human psychology and who tends to make which choices.

“But the biggest difference wasn’t people riding only bitless or with a bit, but people who do both are more open, suggesting a greater willingness to explore different approaches to riding.”

Dr Liehrmann said riders could consider how their personality traits might affect their perspective on their horses and that it could benefit equine welfare. An owner who realises they are more anxious, for example, may consider how this affects their interpretation of a horse’s behaviour.

“I think this is a really good step into really having a relationship with a horse,” she said. “It’s a horse and how they react to us, but then it comes a lot from us as well. I think we’ve been ignoring that part in the horse industry.”

Quality time

And the quality time aspect is key; Dr Liehrmann said interacting with horses only for training and riding gives one perspective; spending time with them with no pressure, in the field or just “hanging out”, gives another entirely.

“I think this is something that can shift if we work on it; maybe in future we could build tools to help people understand the way they’re attached to their horse and their personality profiles, and how it affects the relationship,” she said.

“Then if they think they need to fix something in their relationship with their horse, they can also work on themselves rather than just on the horse’s behaviour. People always dream of having an amazing relationship with their horses but that takes work, like any relationship.”

Horsemanship expert Lyla Cansfield, who had the final say on whether combinations were allowed to compete at the first British Bridleless Competition in May, told H&H she is seeing more openness in considering a different way of doing things than in the past.

“What’s really interesting about this study is that those using both bit and bitless headgear scored approximately 4% higher in openness,” she said. “In some of the discussions since the competition there have obviously been sceptics as well enthusiasts and what I find fascinating is for some there is the idea that it has to be an either/or thing; the assumption that just because you ride bitless and/or bridleless means that you disagree with having a bit.”

Ms Cansfield added that she has seen riders start going bridleless from a variety of routes.

“All these riders were open to the possibility, open to trying something different no matter what their background,” she said.

“Maybe the real lesson isn't about bits or bridles at all. It's about whether we're willing to stay curious, to accept that no single method holds all the answers and to choose what genuinely suits the horse and rider in front of us. If we can hold on to that openness, welfare stays exactly where it should be, at the centre of everything we do.”

● What do you think about these findings? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

A short time spent checking your lorry floor now could prevent catastrophic consequences for your horse.

This is the message after a much-loved thoroughbred was fatally injured when a horsebox floor failed this summer. H&H reported that Kevin’s owners wanted to share his story in the hope that it would prompt others to check.

H&H contacted the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA), a national trade body, which has guidance for best practice in this area.

The VBRA’s Gerry Braddock told H&H: “The VBRA would like to extend our sincere condolences to Emma and her family following the tragic loss of Kevin. We fully support Emma and Lilly’s decision to share their experience in the hope that other horse owners can learn from what happened and prevent another tragedy.

“Our VBRA commercial horsebox flooring best practice guide highlights that deterioration, rot and corrosion can remain hidden beneath rubber matting, floor coverings and, in some constructions, beneath the floor itself. Inspection therefore needs to go beyond what can be seen at first glance, including checking the underside of the floor and areas around wheel arches.”

Read the horsebox safety guidance

The guidance states that issues are often caused by “lack of experience when fitting floors, cutting corners to save money at the new build or conversion stage, or when refitting flooring, also from lack of inspection and maintenance”.

Mr Braddock said the VBRA “strongly encourages” frequent floor inspections, removing rubber matting to allow the floor to dry and checking seals, floor coverings and drain tubes, as well as feeling for any unusual softness or springiness in the floor.

“Where there is any doubt about the condition of a floor, particularly where damage, water ingress, corrosion, rot or deterioration is suspected, we recommend having it inspected by someone with the appropriate knowledge and experience,” he said. “A relatively short time spent checking the floor could prevent a catastrophic failure.

“As our guidance states, your priority is the safety and welfare of your horses. We hope that by sharing this guidance, other horsebox and trailer owners will take the opportunity to check their vehicles and ensure that any potential problems are identified and addressed before they become catastrophic.”

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Horse owners are urged to mow before they harrow, as this summer’s high temperatures have provided a “rare window” for effective worm control.

Parasitologist Diane Gilby, founder of Intelligent Worming, which creates individual equine parasite control programmes, has put together evidence-based guidance for owners. She said the critical step is mowing before the harrow goes in.

“Everyone knows you should harrow in hot, dry weather. What almost nobody talks about is the height of the grass,” she said.

“If the sward is above 15–20cm, the canopy creates shade and traps moisture at ground level, which is exactly where the larvae concentrate. You end up spreading viable parasites under a grass canopy where UV cannot reach them. You have made the problem worse, not better.”

Research has found that grass must be cut to below 10cm to ensure faeces broken up by the harrow is exposed to sunlight and air.

Having considered the findings from peer-reviewed studies, Ms Gilby recommends a specific procedure. When at least five consecutive days of hot, dry and sunny weather is forecast, fields should be topped so the grass is below 10cm in height, and all horses removed before the harrow goes in.

Paddocks should then be rested for at least a week before horses return, although a longer break is more effective. Fields should not be harrowed if rain is forecast within three days, the temperature is under 25°C or in overcast, humid conditions. If the grass is over 15cm tall and cannot be mowed first, these fields should also not be harrowed.

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Huge progress continues to be made in tackling equine obesity in the show ring – and key to future success must be “embedding” this thinking in judging.

Those behind the Weigh to Win awards – by which the horse or pony in the healthiest body condition in a participating class is given a special rosette – held a discussion at the Royal International Horse Show on 22 July.

The scheme is funded by The Horse Trust and supported by the University of Liverpool, has been running since 2019 and is expanding every year. In 2026, there was a 19% increase, to 60, in the number of events hosting the awards. Representatives have been invited to societies’ judge-training conferences and run training days, covering areas including body condition scoring and the risks associated with excess equine weight.

Scheme spokesperson Rachael Holdsworth reported on the first Weigh to Win awards championships last year; finalists who had won multiple awards were invited to the London International Horse Show and the winners presented with rosettes and sashes. The second championship will take place at this year’s show.

Ms Holdsworth added that the scheme’s social media posts are now being seen by thousands of people, including 70,000 views in three months on Facebook this year.

“It blows my mind to see all these people engaging with this; I think it’s a huge step forward,” she said. “Looking to the future, we’re going to talk about how we move the program forward. We’d like to work more with judges, to encourage winners to give us more feedback. We’ve had our judges’ WhatsApp group in operation for a couple of years, which works really well, and more involvement with that will help us cover more shows.

“Thank you all for being such supporters of this programme. We’re all in this together and making a difference.”

Body condition score data collected since 2021 show a “significant improvement”.

Weight to win awards’ “fantastic” progress

British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) president Imogen Burrows said it was “fantastic” to see the initiative’s progress, but asked if availability of people to judge body condition in participating classes may be a barrier.

“BEVA has tried to advertise for people who want to get involved,” she said. “It is quite daunting to stand alongside a judge but you do tend to get asked back, and I think at local shows, that’s good advertising for the practice.

“We get members saying, ‘We see all these fat ponies in showing’, what are you doing, and staying engaged with this gives the opportunity to see the change, and to go back to them and say ‘You can be part of the solution’.”

Ms Burrows suggested that vets champion clients who have won the healthy weight awards to help inspire others and spread the word of the scheme.

It was agreed that no award should be given out if no horses in a class are in a healthy condition.

“If there’s nothing [healthy], should we give a rosette?” said Jan Rogers of the Horse Trust.

“They may be the healthiest, but [the excess weight] is doing damage just by being there. If we’re giving it to horses who are not healthy, even if they are the healthiest looking, what message are we conveying to people watching?”

The wrong message?

One organiser said that in such a case, the show moved the body condition judge to another class rather than give the rosette to an overweight horse. A judge said she had walked out of classes as giving an award would give the wrong message.

It was suggested that in classes with several healthy horses, some could be given highly commended cards to show owners they are on the right track.

Ms Rogers said all the data from participating classes is collated by researcher Tamzin Furtado, who has been running the scheme with Ms Rogers from the start.

“There are some really positive changes,” she said. “Pony crests, for example – we’ve seen a nice downward line on the graph, and that’s fantastic. There are some classes that are quite resistant to change. Those would be the maxi cobs, but they have improved. They were off the scale, now they’re on it but there’s still far to go.

“Also Welsh section Cs and Ds and Highlands are the ones where we’re really trying to get changes. We need to think about what it is in those classes and communities that means people aren’t quite getting the message.”

Welfare at the forefront

It was agreed that welfare must be at the forefront in judging, and that societies must empower judges to work in this way.

“The whole thing about body condition should be more mainstream, embedded in the judging culture and in the judge,” Ms Rogers said. “Judges are saying they’re instructed to do it, and some do, to a greater or lesser extent.”

Producer Edward Young said that although things are improving, “there are still fat horses being rewarded” in class placings.

“I’d love one of these rosettes,” he said. “There are still classes where the horse who wins the weigh to win isn’t placed. Until judges start putting those horses higher; that’s going to be the biggest challenge.

“The biggest acid test will be when horses that condition-score correctly are making up the majority of the line, and that will be through the societies. It has to be embedded in the judging criteria, that’s the only way forward.”

What do you think about the progress made in tackling obesity? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

How to help fields recover from drought will be a question that resurfaces more and more frequently as climate change continues disturbing weather patterns and unleashing hotter, drier summers.

We have all witnessed the UK turn from a green and pleasant land to a consummate Sahara, with our horses’ fields withering away into hot, dry plains. Grass, unable to grow, has been in short supply. With the 2026 hay yield diminished, many of us have been putting out forage from our winter stocks and are now not only worrying about how to reduce the upcoming hay bills, but how to help our paddocks recover.

What happens to fields during a drought?

• Grass stops growing to conserve moisture.
• Soil becomes compacted, which prevents air, moisture and nutrients reaching the roots.
• Rain runs off the surface instead of being absorbed, which can contribute to flooding.
• Bare areas develop where grass is overgrazed (also weakening the roots) and in high-traffic areas.
• Opportunistic weeds grow before grass has chance to re-establish.

How to help fields recover from drought

Is there anything to be done to help fields recover from drought? Experts at Posh Pastures, suppliers of field maintenance equipment, say yes in many cases.

Rehabilitating your paddocks means waiting for moisture, assessing the damage and working the land appropriately. Here is Posh Pastures’ advice.

1. Wait for moisture

Helping fields recover hinges on moisture.

Before you do any paddock maintenance, the land must be workable to avoid damaging equipment. This means you do unfortunately need to wait for that long-awaited downpour before rescuing your field.

If you can push a spade or soil probe (like this one) into multiple areas across your field without excessive force, the land is ready to work.

2. Aerate or slit compact ground

This makes openings in the soil, helping moisture, air and nutrients reach grass roots. Concentrate on the most heavily compacted areas first, but expand if compaction is widespread.

3. Harrow to remove dead grass and improve the surface

This will also make more productive conditions for overseeding where necessary. You may need to harrow badly affected paddocks more than once.

4. Overseed bare or thin patches

Overseeding speeds up the recovery process where grass has died. You should seed after harrowing.

Ensure:

• You choose a seed specifically formulated for equestrian paddocks (like this one) and apply at the recommended rate.
• The seed makes firm contact with the soil – rolling can help with this, but only when conditions are suitable (i.e. not too wet).
• Moisture is sufficient for germination.
• Horses are kept off while the new grass establishes.

7. Apply fertiliser once the grass is growing

Adding fertiliser to dormant grass will not help, but when growth has restarted with sufficient moisture, a suitable fertiliser (testing your soil will help you find the right one) should improve recovery.

8. Allow the paddock to rest and recover

Before allowing horses to graze, you should ensure the grass is established well enough so that the roots of new seedlings are not pulled up by horses grazing.

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The aim of new kissing spines research is to build understanding of the condition, and help guide owners and horses dealing with it.

A team from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has already carried out research on the benefits of an exercise rehab programme for kissing spines, and now wants to follow horses from across the world through their rehab in real time.

The researchers are looking for owners of horses who have been diagnosed with kissing spines and/or thoracic facet joint arthritis within the last two months.

Tracy Bye, the main investigator and RAU senior lecturer in equine science, said: “The effects of kissing spines can range from mild, localised, inflammation through to changes to the bone itself. Understandably this can be painful for the horse and can affect both its ridden career and long-term quality of life.

“Last year we published a study looking at the outcomes for 260 horses in the UK that had been diagnosed with kissing spines and one of the most striking findings was that horses whose owners implemented an exercise rehabilitation programme with them were significantly more likely to have a successful outcome, regardless of what other treatments they used.

Kissing spines research could provide helpful information

“This has the potential to be really helpful information. If we can equip owners with the knowledge and support to rehabilitate their horses, we could greatly improve the outcomes and quality of life for horses diagnosed with this condition, for little to no additional cost to the owner.”

The team wants more information on rehab practices used and their success rates, as well as data from the owners.

The study is being led by RAU postgraduate student Becky Brassington, who said: “We are inviting owners from any country, whose horses have been diagnosed with kissing spines and/or thoracic facet joint arthritis within the last two months, to take part.

“By extending our research globally, we aim to gather a broad and wide-ranging data set which captures the experiences of horses and their owners around the world.”

Owners will be asked to complete an initial survey to give details of the diagnosis and treatment, then follow-up questionnaires after three and six months. The team also hopes to speak to each horse’s vet.

Ms Bye said: “We know that it can be stressful for owners when their horse has just been diagnosed with a condition like this, and taking part in research might be the furthest thing from their mind.

“But, in order to get the most accurate data, it’s really important that we gather information as soon as possible after the horse is diagnosed and the treatment plan developed, so that all of the details are fresh in the owner’s mind.

“The aim is that the data provided here will inform rehabilitation recommendations for horses diagnosed with back conditions in the future, which could help hundreds of horses have a better chance of recovery.”

Owners can register their interest online, or email Ms Brassington at rebecca.brassington@student.rau.ac.uk.

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Riders and bridleways should be part of the picture when councils are planning new routes – and shared country roads should have a 20mph speed limit.

Those are two of the headline recommendations from the new national rural design guide, which provides technical guidance on planning and designing routes and facilities in rural areas.

It was created by Government quango Active Travel England, and the British Horse Society (BHS) was among those to help shape it. Although local authorities are not legally bound to follow it, it sets out advice and “best practice” examples of “to help them provide high-quality active travel routes tailored to the unique requirements of villages, small market towns and the countryside”.

The first chapter of the 253-page guide states that although it is “not a comprehensive manual for designing equestrian routes, it recommends that, wherever possible, routes should be made accessible for horse riders, particularly where there are pre-existing equestrian routes”. In all, horses are referred to 84 times, and there are 36 mentions of bridleways.

It sets out when people should be separated from traffic, for example by having their own designated path, and also gives recommended maximum speed limits depending on how busy a shared road is.

The guide states that where pedestrians and cyclists share carriageways with motor vehicles, the volume of traffic should be no more than 1,000 vehicles per day (vpd), or 100 vehicles per hour (vph). On these roads, it adds that “actual traffic speeds should be no more than around 20mph, although speed limits are set by local highway authorities and should be based on local circumstances”.

“Similarly, low traffic speeds and volumes are desirable to create safe and comfortable conditions for equestrians sharing space with motor vehicles,” states the guide.

“Where separate provision for people to walk and wheel has been provided and cyclists and equestrians are mixing with motor vehicles travelling at up to around 20mph, traffic volumes may be up to 2,500vpd or 250vph, but should desirably be less.”

It even considers how the width of off-road paths may need to be considered if they are shared by horse riders and people walking, wheeling and cycling, and that highway verges need to be wide enough to be safe for riders.

BHS director of access Mark Weston told H&H the charity is “really pleased” to see the new guidance.

“For many years, we've been calling for horse riders to be considered as part of active travel rather than being overlooked so this is a positive step in the right direction,” said Mr Weston.

“By giving local authorities clear guidance on how to include equestrians when planning new active travel routes in rural areas, we hope to see more routes that are safer, more connected and accessible for everyone who uses them.”

He added: "We also welcome the recognition of the role that 20mph speed limits can play in improving road safety. Anything that helps reduce the number of horses, riders and carriage drivers being killed or injured on our roads is a step forward, and we look forward to continuing to work with partners to make Britain's roads and off-road networks safer for all."

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner raised concerns over the “huge impact” a “blanket 20mph limit on rural lanes” would have on rural communities.

“Given that every country lane will have someone walking or riding a bike (or horse) along it at some time or another the guidance is essentially recommending a 20mph limit on all country lanes,” he said.

“The guidance is run through with assumptions and ignorance and has a complete lack of any consideration of the interests of rural communities.”

• Read the Active Travel rural design guide in full (PDF)

What do you think? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

• To stay up to date with the latest equestrian news, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Meet the rider and trainer who combines competing with liberty work, and teaching chemistry – and who opened the World Championships in Aachen, the biggest stage in the world, without a bridle.

Lisa Röckener turned heads in the championships opening ceremony last week, as she jumped through the Welcome Home arch, pulled a golden flag from its ceiling and galloped around the ring – with the horse who helped change her life.

Lisa told H&H she has ridden since before she could walk; she grew up on a small farm surrounded by ponies, a donkey, dogs and chickens.

“It was an amazing childhood,” she said. “My father is a blacksmith so my whole life has been about horses.”

Lisa’s first competition was when she was two, her father leading. She went into eventing, representing her country, and was on an elite programme for up-and-coming riders.

“It was an amazing time,” she said. “But then I had a big accident with my horse, a week or two before the European Championships. We had a rotational fall, I broke my bones and my body wasn’t looking so good.

“I went to hospital, had a lot of operations, and after that my parents thought I would stop riding, I’d never get on a horse again. I was very lucky to survive – it was my second birthday – but although I tried and tried to ride cross-country again, I was scared.”

Lisa, who was 17 at the time of her fall, thought she would stop riding and concentrate on her studies. But then Valoo came along.

“He was three and a half years old, so he didn’t know anything,” she said. “It gave me a new project, a way to go back to riding. Every day I drove three to three and a half hours to study, then I rode the horse in the afternoon.

“Before him, I sometimes tried groundwork but trainers didn’t smile when I did it! I did a small show at our riding club at home, at Christmas, but I didn’t film it or tell anyone because I was a bit shy, I thought ‘I’m a rider, not a groundworker’. But I lost my fear of riding through the groundwork.”

Lisa Röckener: building relatinships

Having built the relationship with Valoo on the ground, she tried riding him with a neck rope.

“I felt the connection with the horse so much deeper than with a bridle,” she said. “I realised I could go left and right, do this and that without the bridle – it was amazing for me.”

Lisa rides both with and without a bridle, competing and giving displays, and as well as teaching chemistry – and PE – at school, she has built a reputation as a trainer.

“When I started with this, people would say ‘Oh it’s Lisa Röckener, she does fancy dress on the horse, she doesn’t do big competitions’,” she said. “Now, Ingrid Klimke and all the big riders ask me for training, and I train the Olympic riders in Germany. It’s so cool because they can help me with ‘normal’ riding, a flying change, jumping or cross-country, and I help them with the everyday work.”

Ingrid even rode Valoo at the Ball des Sports, a major German festival of all sports.

“She rang me, after a show I did, and said ‘Hi Lisa’, and I said ‘Oh, hey Ingrid Klimke’! As I only know her from TV, it was very special. We were there five days and at first I trained him over the jump, then she came and rode my horse. We’ve been friends since.”

The pair have put out educational videos as well as working and training together; Lisa said Ingrid’s horses have learned to lie down when asked.

“That’s a thing I do at the end of the training,” Lisa said. “People sometimes say they want to learn only that, and I said ‘Ok but for this you need a very strong connection with your horse, and the trust’, it’s not something for the beginning. But in every lesson, with every rider, there are moments of ‘Yes, I feel it, this works’. It’s like all riding, and you get another feeling and connection with the horse when you do the groundwork.”

Lisa said friends of hers sent video of her riding to the organisers of a “talent show” that led to her participating in the World Championships opening ceremony.

“It was amazing,” she said. “Before the show, I was so nervous; normally I’m not as I’ve been doing shows 10 years but in Aachen I was nervous. Because an hour before I got on the horse, they said ‘You’ll jump, then maybe 10 seconds later we’ll have fireworks’. I said ‘Ok, you know I’m on the horse without a bridle?’! But ‘Yes, ok, I can do this’.

“I did have one hand on the neck rope; normally I’d have both hands on the golden flag but my horse was fast!”

Lisa now has more shows planned, and hopes to go bigger, as she tries to spread the word of another way of riding.

“I have people who only do groundwork, Olympic riders, young people, old people, everyone in my lessons,” she said. “It’s amazing to see how much you can do with one lesson, for the feeling as the beginning, then the open mind for everything else. You don’t have to do 100 hours’ groundwork to feel something, you feel it in the first lesson. I often see open eyes of people, and I say ‘Yes, this is the feeling’.”

Lisa added that she heard and saw events at the first British Bridleless Competition in the UK this year, and thinks there is a change in the air.

“I feel it, after Aachen,” she said. “The internet is full of ‘To change the World Championships’. I say I’m not changing it – but maybe I’ve given a little kick towards the other side.”

To stay up to date with the latest news and reports for the rest of the Aachen World Championships, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

What is a luxury stable? That probably depends on who you ask.

From a rider or owner’s point of view, luxury might be in what you see: pristine paintwork, high-end finishes, a glossy nameplate, and features that take some of the effort out of daily chores, like smart storage that doesn’t clutter or catch cobwebs.

However, a luxury stable’s focus should be its primary occupant: the horse. Keeping stabled horses happy and healthy should be of upmost importance and they have an altogether different set of needs, from enrichment to hygiene.

If you want to treat your horse (and yourself) to a perfect stable, here is what you need to consider…

Ventilation

“Good ventilation is essential for maintaining a healthy environment for both horses and people,” says Victoria Webb, sales representative at Monarch Stables. “Fresh air helps remove moisture, dust and ammonia, reducing the risk of respiratory problems while creating a more comfortable stable environment.”

According to Prime Stables, a good ventilation system uses a combination of openings and sometimes mechanical stable fans to ensure airflow throughout the entire building.

“Moisture is an especially serious issue,” says a spokesman. “Just as a poorly ventilated bathroom accumulates steam and mould, horse stalls can fill with damp air as horses sweat, breathe, and generate heat.

“This dampness encourages mould spores, dust mites and ammonia, all of which are harmful irritants for horses and humans.”

Ways to improve your stable’s ventilation and hygiene include:

• Adding design elements such as stable vents or louvre windows, or larger windows that also allow natural light in
• Installing a ceiling or stable fan
• Choosing the right type of bedding to minimise dust
• Regular removal and cleaning of stable mats, or installing sealed matting

Feeding and enrichment

Installing gadgets and products makes watering and feeding horses fit more seamlessly into the daily routine. “The best stable extras can be the ones that make everyday jobs easier,” says Victoria.

“A wall-mounted hay feeder such as Ezehay can help keep hay off the floor, reduce mess and minimise waste, while providing a dedicated place for feeding,” she continues. “Its capacity of up to 13.5kg of dry hay can also make it useful for reducing the number of times hay needs to be replenished throughout the day.”

Victoria also recommends automatic drinkers. “Think about items that support both the horse and owner routine.”

Horse-focused enrichment upgrades include…

• Installing talk grilles that allow horses to touch. You can even go bespoke with designing your stable yard and lower the stall partition height to allow horses to groom one another from their stables
• Adding food-based enrichment to slow down chewing like hay pillows, slow feeders and small-holed haynets
• Using boredom busters, stable toys, treat balls or mirrors to entertain your horse

Aesthetics and storage

You can create the feel of a luxury stable with tidiness.

“Good storage is essential,” says Victoria. “Rug rails, tack storage and dedicated areas for feed and equipment help prevent items being left around the yard and improve the overall look.

“Small details make a big difference and giving everything a designated place makes the yard easier to keep clean and organised.”

Being smart at the construction stage will help you preserve the new stable look.

“A clean and attractive yard often comes down to choosing materials and accessories that are both practical and easy to maintain,” says Victoria.

“Durable stable finishes, well-designed doors and windows, and hard-wearing infill materials can all help a yard continue to look good with regular use. Powder-coated finishes can provide a consistent colour scheme, while hardwood or recycled plastic infills offer different aesthetic and maintenance options.”

Quick yard hacks to improve aesthetics include…

• Placing hooks strategically for your headcollars, fly masks, grooming kits and other things in use (you just might need to adapt them with a bit of baler twine to hang them with first), hats and coats. You could even add some shelves
• Pop up some wall-mounted broom grips (like these ones on Amazon) to keep your mucking out tools tidy
• Install a foldable wall-mounted saddle rack (I found this one on Amazon) to store your tack tidily before and after you tack up. No more chucking it on the floor or over the stable door!

Construction

You can build a luxury stable from scratch or add elements to existing stables to improve the feel.

Space is the most obvious luxury, and if you can size up from a standard stable (12ftx12ft), your horse will feel the benefits of freedom to move. That’s what Miri Hackett did on her yard, and she told us she noticed a big difference in her horses’ relaxation.

Other construction elements that elevate a box to luxury stable include:

• Adding a canopy. “A canopy provides shade and protection from rain, creating a sheltered area outside the stables where you and your horses can stand comfortably in all weathers,” says a spokesman for Chart Stables.
• Thoughtful consideration of access. “Planning wider walkways, positioning tack and feed rooms where they are easy to reach and ensuring stable doors don't clash when opened can make a significant difference,” says Victoria of Monarch Stables.
• Internal kickboarding. “Fitted around the interior walls, kickboarding absorbs impact and prevents splintering or structural wear,” says the Chart Stables spokesman. “It also creates a smoother, safer surface inside each stall.”

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Designing your own stable yard – and doing it well – means considering what your horses need and making that top of the list.

We know that the happiest horses have the three Fs – freedom, forage and friends – in abundance. But how do you replicate these welfare pillars in a traditional setting where horses have their own stables?

Working with Monarch, Hertfordshire-based holistic horse trainer Miri Hackett forged an innovative solution.

“Horses are herd animals, and it was very important to build spaces that enable herd dynamics while still offering a level of individuality,” she tells Horse & Hound.

“In an ideal world we wouldn’t have stables at all; we would have big barns where horses come and live in herds together.”

However, like many yards, Miri has a high turnover with horses coming in for training and rehab for short periods, so a large herd would be frequently disrupted.

“My reality is that horses often come in with injuries, or underdeveloped social skills,” Miri continues. “So, I needed to balance building a training facility that gave horses their own spaces with fulfilling their social needs.

“Monarch totally delivered my vision – it’s the first design they have done like this.”

Miri’s stables feature a curved partition that is low enough on one side to allow horses to touch noses and groom, then slopes up to full height gradually so horses have free choice to interact – or not – with their neighbours and form important horse friendships.

“When we moved the whole herd to the new place, they settled really quickly because they could all touch, mutually groom and stand with each other.”

Miri says the stable design has contributed to an oasis-like calm in her barn.

“The most of the stables are 14x14’, so they have plenty of room,” she explains. “I think that’s part of it. And I’ve never known horses sleep so much as they do here.

“At the moment, they stay out all night and come in during the day, and once they’ve been fed and done their training, they will often lie flat out snoring. It’s so unbelievably peaceful.”

How to design a stable yard: focus on facilities

The success of Miri’s design comes from thoughtful planning of her stable design ideas and lessons learned from experience.

“I’ve been on quite a few yards, so I know what works and what doesn’t,” she explains. “For example, one place had the tack room miles from the stables. It was nobody’s fault, it was just how it was set up, but it was awkward if you forgot anything.”

Miri’s tack and feed rooms are placed at the front of the barn (left in the image below) with the stables around the edge and in the middle, meaning feed and equipment are always close at hand, and the walkways are wide and inviting.

“I think this helps make it all feel very safe,” she says. “There isn’t anywhere that a horse might feel confined.”

Creating an open and inviting wash bay was another important point for Miri.

“Wash bays are often put in a dark corner out of the way,” she continues. “But I wanted it to feel like this big, lovely, open, safe space right at the front of the barn.

“I worked with Jelka who supplied a lot of rubber matting. We’ve put down this matting that’s grippy but porous, so you don’t get water sitting on top.

“The aim was make sure that horses feel able to rest while they have a bath, not just have to put up with it.”

Sustainability as a horse owner is another of Miri’s priorities, and her arena surface is plastic-free.

“This means we aren’t leeching microplastics into the environment and it is watered from the bottom, so the surface is really consistent.”

What are the challenges faced when designing your own yard?

In Miri’s project, the principal hurdles included:

Finances

“I didn’t want to just go for the cheapest option, and if you want to create something that meets your needs and is built to last, it is going to be expensive.”

The weather

“Building the arena was difficult. We were having to construct it in January and February, which is about as bad as it gets and the mud was terrible.

“As long as you have someone reliable, dedicated and ultra-professional to do your groundwork – we used Elmtree construction – they will get you through it and keep you on top of things.”

Hindsight

“There’s always something you wish you’d thought of, and for me that’s including a grass-free track turnout system. It’s something I want to build in the future, but I just wish I'd included it in the original project.”

Tips for designing your own yard

Miri says that it pays to dedicate a lot of time to planning the yard design.

“If you have an opportunity, really sit down and plan. For years, I hoped I would get the tenancy of this farm. I spent all of that time thinking, ‘OK, where would this go? That could go there, that would go here’.

“If you can, make the stables bigger than you would think. For me, there is no such thing as too big a stable, especially if your horse spends part of his day in there regularly. Making it so horses can touch and be social will make a difference, too.”

While she acknowledges that budgets can be restrictive, Miri says that the cheapest option isn’t always the right choice.

“Get multiple quotes, have conversations, and get people to come and visit and see the site to gain an accurate picture of what they can do. There are so many amazing people out there with a wealth of knowledge and ideas if you let them give their opinion.”

It also pays to be thorough – the right company will relish this.

“I spent a long time going backwards and forwards on things. Monarch went above and beyond when it came to showing me why they were worth what they were asking for.

“They let me go to their factory to see how things were made. They took me to a yard they had built that they thought I would like to see. Most importantly, they came out so many times and looked at the layout, and we played around with it; they were so open to every idea.”

Miri’s ultimate tip is having sight of a prospective company’s existing work.

“There are people out there who will do the work you want for a fair price to a high standard. Having proof of this before you proceed will fill you with confidence and set you up for success.”

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Advances in feeding and managing horses to reduce risk of laminitis are being shared following a significant body of recent research.

Scientists presented new findings, undertaken in collaboration with equine feed company Spillers, on laminitis risk, grazing management and the equine microbiome at the 13th European workshop on equine nutrition in Lisbon last month.

They gave eight presentations covering 11 studies, of which seven offered new insights into reducing the risk of laminitis and advancing understanding of the equine digestive system and microbiome.

This huge body of research has also resulted in valuable findings and practical advice for owners.

Most cases of laminitis are related to high levels of insulin in the blood. In many, it is triggered by an equine eating enough non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) or “starch and sugar” to raise insulin levels.

Spring grass was shown to contain consistently high levels of NSC through the day and overnight, resulting in high insulin levels in horses with insulin dysregulation (ID) and some non-ID horses.

In late summer, NSC levels in grass peaked at 7pm and were lowest early in the morning. Insulin responses in ID horses mirrored these changes.

Moving from grass to a grass-free dry lot and feeding low NSC hay significantly reduced insulin levels after 24 hours in five of the six ID horses studied.

Grazing muzzles may help reduce insulin response in some horses, although their effectiveness varies between individuals and may be influenced by grass NSC levels.

“In terms of practical advice for horse owners the studies show we mustn’t assume early morning turnout is always safe during periods when grass NSC levels remain high,” said Edd Knowles, science and nutrition director at Mars Horsecare, Spillers’ parent company.

“Even metabolically healthy horses can produce high amounts of insulin when grazing high-NSC pasture, while insulin-dysregulated horses may still require restricted grazing even when grass sugar levels are relatively low.

“Complete removal from pasture may be necessary for horses at greatest risk especially during high-risk periods such as spring and autumn, while veterinary guidance and individual testing remain essential, as horses can respond very differently to the same forage.”

H&H vet Karen Coumbe, who was not involved in the studies, told H&H research in this area is “so very important”.

“Weight control needs to be taken seriously in horses and it is excellent that research like this is under way to provide evidence as to what is the best course of action,” said Dr Coumbe.

Pat Harris, who co-authored all eight abstracts presented with Spillers, told H&H these are part of a series of studies undertaken at the University of Kentucky with Dr Amanda Adams that are trying to provide better advice on the level of NSCs that should be provided, especially in severely ID horses.

She said this work has enabled Spillers to give a guide starting point from which people can then work with the vet and nutritionist, but stressed that horses are all individuals.

“Using this research Spillers has put together good general advice, which is very valuable and gives some good starting points, but you may have to tailor it and consider monitoring for an individual animal, especially if you're concerned,” said Dr Harris.

She suggested that for owners concerned about the NSC levels of their pasture, 3-7pm would be a good time to test their animals for insulin. Dr Harris also noted that even if a horse is out on a low-NSC pasture, using a properly fitted grazing muzzle, may help reduce insulin even further and might help reduce the risk of obesity.

She also agreed with Dr Knowles that during periods when pasture NSC levels are high, there is “no real safe time” especially for a severely ID animal to be grazing and noted that it is not only overweight or obese animals that can be ID.

“Even some of the non-ID horses when turned out on that high-NSC pasture also ended up with high insulin values,” she said. “Just because you've tested your animal and found they are not insulin dysregulated, it does not mean there is not a laminitis risk when they're out on high-NSC pastures.”

● What do you think? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

• To stay up to date with the latest equestrian news, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Owners care deeply about their horses’ welfare – but more can be done to “empower” them with the best ways to put evidence-based guidance into real everyday routines.

New research from Hartpury, Swedish and Dutch universities and equestrian marketing company EQuerry looked into aspects of care and practice that owners consider essential for safeguarding equine welfare.

The study, titled “What is Welfare? A Qualitative Study into Perceptions of Equine Welfare of Horse Owners ” was published in the International Journal of Equine Science in June.

Co-author Victoria Lewis told H&H the idea behind the research was sparked by a study fellow author Inga Wolframm had done in the Netherlands. Dr Wolframm shared the initial survey she had used, which featured questions based around various scenarios, and the researchers adapted these for this project.

The study posed eight open-ended questions – the kind that might come up in the real world. For example, “A friend wants to stable her horse at a livery/boarding facility with welfare as a top priority. What advice would you give her?” Others included what someone – who has just started riding – should know or be able to do, what owners wish they had known when they started their journey with horses, their thoughts on traditional training methods and what the focus should be on to improve horse welfare in all areas of their lives.

“I think it allowed for maybe some more in-depth answers than potentially we would have got from just a standard survey,” said Dr Lewis.

The team had 341 responses and Dr Lewis said some interesting themes cropped up during the analysis. Welfare was a high priority, and people are particularly keen on ensuring that horses have regular turnout and access to other horses, but this can be a struggle, particularly at livery yards.

She said another point that “jumped out” is that people want to find coaches with good knowledge, but also with high ethics and welfare standards.

More education also came up as a key area, and that it needs to be focused on evidence-based scientific research into what welfare is and looks like.

Dr Lewis added that an overall “strong theme” from the research is that owners considered horse welfare as a “key priority”.

“I was impressed with the fact there was quite good knowledge of what they thought equine welfare should be, linked quite closely to some of the evidence base and research that's been done,” she said.

“I think the more we can learn how to do things better, and share that knowledge, the better it's going to be for the individual horses.”

Other interesting points included how welfare is not just about technical knowledge or management practices, it “is deeply affected by the cognitive and moral frameworks through which humans understand their role in the horse-human relationship”.

The study looked at how owners’ beliefs about sentience, emotional capacity and behavioural interpretation “profoundly shape the lived experience of horses”. It also highlighted that owners who “actively sought out new scientific knowledge... may be more equipped or willing to question traditional practices and implement humane alternatives”.

“Owner behaviour is not static but evolves through exposure to coaching, education and self-reflection,” states the study. “Programs aimed at welfare enhancement should therefore include not just practical skills, but also opportunities for critical engagement with ethical and scientific principles.

“By embedding personal development into equestrian education, the industry can better support the transition from outdated views of horsemanship towards practices rooted in empathy, evidence and ethical integrity.”

It concludes that the findings “affirm a widespread and genuine concern for horse welfare”, adding, “The next step lies in empowering individuals through evidence-based guidance and accessible education to embed welfare-focused practices into everyday routines.

“Strengthening this connection between intention and action is essential for ensuring a more ethical, informed and sustainable future for horses and the people who care for them.”

● Read the full study: https://rasayely-journals.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/219/154

● What do you think? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

• To stay up to date with the latest equestrian news, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

“Worms don’t go on holiday” is the message to equestrians this summer, and higher temperatures may mean more horses need treating than normal.

Parasite specialist Westgate Labs is urging people to stick to eight- to 12-week testing intervals as the high temperatures are replicating conditions in 2025, when “significantly more” horses needed treatment than usual.

“As 2026 has already brought record-breaking spring temperatures and repeated summer heatwaves, the laboratory is encouraging owners to keep to the recommended testing intervals, even for horses that have historically returned low worm egg counts,” a spokesperson for Westgate Labs said.

The company has analysed more than 50,000 egg count results from last autumn and winter and found that 27% of horses exceeded the treatment threshold, compared to 21% in 2024-2025 and 18% the previous year.

“After allowing for the normal seasonal rise in egg shedding through autumn and winter, the increase remained statistically significant,” the spokesperson said.

“The small redworm has a fast lifecycle of around four to six weeks. Experts have summarised that the warm weather accelerates the larval development phase of the parasites, allowing horses to become more readily infected as they graze. This, combined with burnt-off paddocks and low grass growth means reduced opportunity to rest and rotate grazing. With less forage available, horses have been cropping the grass closer to the soil and dung piles, further increasing infection potential.”

Misconceptions

Westgate Labs director Kristy Hodgson said a common misconception is that a horse “looks fine” so testing can be delayed.

“Last year’s data showed that isn’t always the case,” she said.

“Regular testing allows us to spot changes before they become a problem. If owners stretch the interval between tests, there’s a greater chance that horses shedding higher numbers of parasite eggs will contaminate the pasture for longer, increasing infection pressure for the whole group.

“Testing every eight to 12 weeks means you’re responding to what’s happening now, rather than what happened three or four months ago. This intervention could easily prevent a bigger problem down the line.”

Research suggests that warmer temperatures and milder winters are likely to favour parasite development. England has had its warmest spring on record this year, and there have been heatwaves and droughts across the country.

To encourage testing, Westgate Labs is offering a daily prize draw from 17 to 28 August. One customer, drawn at random, will get their next tests for free, to the value of the tests submitted. The draw will take place on social media, each day, Monday to Friday.

To stay up to date with the latest equestrian news, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Horses are highly social animals, often forming many strong bonds and friendships over the course of their lifetime. There are clear evolutionary reasons for this, as Dr Claire Ricci-Bonot, a postdoctoral researcher at INRAE (France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment), explains.

“It’s important to remember that horses are generally gregarious animals who live within complex social systems,” she says. “For them, the group means safety and survival, so their brains are adapted to seek out partners.”

Social interaction is so important for horses, it’s recognised within the five freedoms of equine welfare.

“We know that developing and maintaining social relationships and hierarchical positions are second only to getting food in what horses do all day, given the opportunity,” says equine behaviour consultant Dr Debbie Marsden.

“This is not surprising as for herd animals like horses, ‘fitting in’ and ‘getting along’ is vital for survival, and a network of established relationships is essential to minimise aggression and conserve energy.”

Given horses are hardwired to rely on social bonds for survival, it’s no wonder they’re picky about their friends.

“Horses living in a group tend to have one to three preferred partners; they often spend a lot of time together and synchronise their activities,” says Claire.

But, as anyone who’s ever tried to integrate a new horse into an existing group knows, predicting where horse friendships will blossom isn’t easy. It’s an area of equine behaviour in which Debbie would like to see more research.

“We don’t know which horses will get along or become friends until we put them together,” she says. “It would be really useful to be able to ‘profile’ or predict this.”

Becky Moody on matchmaking equine neighbours and forming horse friendships

For international dressage rider Becky Moody, giving the horses on her yard the opportunity to socialise is important but requires careful matchmaking.

“It can be difficult to manage on a yard like this, as you have a lot of strong characters in your competition horses!” she says. “So I 100% choose carefully. Some horses, when turned out, are relatively solitary, not bothered about the one that’s next to them, and then others spend the entire time playing with each other.”

When Becky put in round pens for winter turnout, socialising was an important factor in their design.

“The pens are in pairs and we have a low bit between them, so the horses can interact and they do spend a lot of time playing with each other. That was really important to me, that they had that opportunity.”

Lizzie Wray is the yard owner at Shadowmere Equine Retirement Livery, Lincs. Whenever a new horse arrives, she uses their 14-day biosecurity procedure to get to know the horse and their personality, before choosing which she thinks is the most suitable group for them to join.

“We then bring the group we think will be good to the next paddock, and let them get to know each other safely, over the fence,” she says. “Once we’re happy, we’ll introduce the newbie into the herd.”

Even then, she doesn’t take any chances.

“Say we’re introducing a fourth horse to an existing group of three, we always have four members of staff on hand in case it doesn’t work and we need to remove the newbie and rethink.

“We have come across ones that hate each other,” she continues. “We’ve got one mare who just doesn’t like this one gelding – she can’t even look at him, the poor boy is doing nothing to her!”

Lizzie says it can take two or three weeks for a group to settle, but if it’s not working, they’ll try something else.

“If they don’t get on, or it’s not meeting their needs, then we’ll try another group.”

Some horses seem to struggle more socially than others.

“It does seem to be a particular characteristic of the bullied animal, not the bullies, but we don’t know how to assess for it,” says Debbie.

“They may just not be giving out the ‘expected’ social signals, or giving out the wrong ones. And there may be as yet unknown pheromonal signs or some other communication we’re not aware of.”

It’s thought poor social skills stem from the horse’s upbringing and a lack of opportunity to interact at an early age, and Debbie says it’s unclear if this can be corrected in later life.

“We don’t know how to teach or improve these social skills, other than by offering varied social experiences in later years.”

A healthy, well-established equine bond is characterised as much by what we don’t see as what we do, which presents a challenge when trying to study it.

“Simple ‘acceptance’ and ‘tolerance’ is a huge part of equine social behaviour. It’s hard for scientists to measure or investigate ‘nothing happening’,” explains Debbie.

“There is probably a lot more communication and subtle social behaviour going on than we are aware of. One thing we do know is that, once established, these relationships last for a great many years.”

For Lizzie, running a retirement livery means facing the inevitable – having to manage a horse whose close companion has died.

“Horses absolutely grieve,” she confirms. “We had two geldings who were particularly drawn to each other and very happy, but the younger one was sadly riddled with arthritis and had to be put to sleep.

“For two weeks afterwards, the surviving gelding was completely off his food and lethargic. We thought he was going to die of a broken heart, but eventually he quietly slipped into the other herd and they seemed to support him.”

Lizzie is a big advocate of allowing horses to see what’s happening when a horse is euthanised, “So they can process it, and they don’t think, where’s he gone?”

Apart from the unavoidable end of life, Lizzie and her team try not to separate any of the horses on their yard.

“These horses are not out competing,” she points out. “They come in through the gates and don’t leave until it’s time for them to be put to sleep. We don’t turn out or bring in alone, and if a horse is on box rest for some reason, they always have a buddy.”

On a busy competition yard, where horses are constantly coming and going, managing attachments requires careful consideration, as five-star event rider Millie Dumas explains.

“You have to find the right groups of horses to take to a show, for example, and sometimes you have to separate horses so that an attachment doesn’t become a performance issue,” she says. “If you want to get the best out of them, they also have to be happy and content in their home environment. We don’t want stressed horses.”

Separation anxiety in horses – what we know

Separation anxiety is something many owners are aware of, but surprisingly little is actually known about it. In her previous role at the University of Lincoln, Claire undertook a study into owners’ experiences of separation anxiety. The results, based on 88 responses, were published earlier this year.

“More than 90% of the respondents believed they had a horse that had suffered with separation anxiety or knew someone owning a horse who they believed had suffered from separation anxiety,” she says. “However, in the scientific literature, little is known about separation anxiety despite it being commonly discussed in the popular press and by owners.

“Our research demonstrated that it’s more complicated than we might think.”

The research found that how separation anxiety manifests differs from horse to horse. It was observed in different contexts, as it depended on whether the horse was being left behind or was actively leaving, and occurred at different points during the process.

“This was separated into ‘during preparation’ for departure, when ‘actively leaving or being left’, when there is an ‘initial barrier to contact’ and finally when there is a ‘loss of contact’,” Claire explains.

“Moreover, we identified several signs potentially associated with separation anxiety, ranging from increased arousal – for example hypervigilance – to apathy.”

The research concluded that care needs to be taken not to overgeneralise.

Claire also points out that more research is needed on how to prevent separation anxiety occurring.

“There’s no scientific literature on the benefits of training horses through graduated periods of controlled isolation to cope with separation from a companion or group,” she says. “Until we get more data, our recommendations remain ‘best guess’.

“However, gradually training young horses to cope with separation as a preventative measure is advisable.”

For Millie, this training is an important part of a horse’s education. She’s seen first-hand the problems that can occur without it.

“We’ve had liveries in the past, often older horses that have perhaps lived their life with one other horse and gone everywhere together. Because they’ve never been taught to be independent, they’ve become insecure without their companion by their side,” she says.

“We’ve managed these types of horses by making sure that they have the right sort of company next door to them, ones who give off a calm demeanour.

“It’s important to teach horses from a young age gradually to be independent as well as have company, to be able to leave it and come back,” she explains.

“We have a lot of young horses and I think it’s really important they learn that, as well as having that downtime where they can socialise with other horses.”

Becky agrees, and adds that hacking can play a big part in this early training.

“We hack all our young ones a lot, they do always hack in pairs and getting each one to walk in front and be confident makes a big difference to how they are at a competition.”

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Water buffets for horses have gained popularity recently thanks to the hot weather – although hydration is also important in winter – but what are they and why do people use them?

Simply put, water buffets involve offering horses multiple water buckets with different extra ingredients in each. Various retailers sell starter kits with herbs and other additions you can put in clean water buckets.

Independent equine nutritionist Clare MacLeod tells us: “Some owners are interested in using them as a way to offer their horses variety and environment enrichment.”

Offering variety, however, does not mean a horse will self-select particular nutrients in accordance with their needs.

“We have to remember that a number of horses and ponies are harmed every year by eating poisonous plants like acorn and ragwort, and some by eating too much grass,” says Clare.

“Self-selection is a nice idea and it is a good thing to offer horses more choice, but we cannot rely on our horses to always know what is good for them, nor be able to select a balanced diet. Researchers have shown that horses will consistently select a sweetened feed over a balanced feed.”

That said, Clare adds that it can be useful for finding out the flavourings your horse likes.

“Knowing what tastes they like means you can replicate their preferences when you are away from home at riding camps, clinics or competitions, when some horses may be reluctant to drink different water.”

What to put in water buffets for horses

Herbs that are commonly added to water buffets include:

• Chamomile
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Peppermint
• Cleavers
• Fenugreek
• Rosehips
• Dandelions
• Aniseed
• Fennel
• Cinnamon
• Garlic 
• Spirulina
• Cider apple vinegar

Other common additions are clays and a variety of mineral salts, and sometimes fruit and vegetable pieces or fruit juice.

Golden rules of setting up a water buffet

Clare says that, at best, a water buffet adds variety and interest to your horse’s day-to-day. At worst, water buffets for horses can be a breeding ground for bacteria and potentially do more harm than good.

Clare’s rules of thumb to follow when setting up a water buffet are:

1. Keep buckets clean

“When I visit yards, I see a lot of water sources that are unclean,” says Clare. “While horses will happily drink from a puddle, there is a distinction to be made between a pool of natural rainwater and a dirty container of water that is stagnant and stale.

“Keeping buckets of water clean is especially important when you start mixing organic matter. You can create a lot of bacteria, which I’m not sure people always realise.”

According to Clare, horses are particularly susceptible to digestive disturbances, such as colic, due to their delicate digestive tracts.

“Therefore, we want to keep contact with preventable bacteria and potential pathogens to a minimum.”

2. Balance the diet

“Everything a horse ingests should be considered as part of a balanced diet,” says Clare.

“We always need to balance the diet first, considering any extras like what's added to water, then consider adding extras like herbs, which are generally added for their properties, and not essential nutrients.

“Speak to an independent nutritionist about what you plan to use if you aren’t sure.”

3. Plain water is essential

Clean, plain water should be offered at all times and as well as water with added ingredients.

Does a water buffet make horses drink more?

Some owners use water buffets to encourage their horses to drink more water, which could help support good hydration and prevent dehydration.

“We have research that tells us horses prefer things that taste sweet,” she says. “So, if you are in a situation where you really need your horse to drink, adding something sweet like apple juice will likely be the most attractive flavouring.

“Of course, you need to be guided by any underlying conditions your horse or pony might have. You wouldn't want to be tipping an unknown amount of sugar into the water of a horse with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), which now often described as insulin dysregulation (ID) or hyperinsulinaemia-associated laminitis (HAL), for example.

“If your main aim is to rehydrate your horse, for example after heavy sweating, then the quickest and most efficient way to do this is with an oral rehydration solution (ORS), which has a very specific electrolyte salt content, at 0.9%.”

While she is for anything that represents positive enrichment in a horse’s environment, Clare adds that owners would benefit from ensuring their time is spent doing so in the best possible way for their horses.

“In some cases, the time spent keeping multiple water buffet buckets clean and fresh every day might be better used taking your horse out for more exercise.”

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Most vets are welcoming the “biggest reforms to the veterinary sector” in 60 years after the Government shared plans to overhaul the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966).

The Defra white paper, published on 9 July, outlines major reforms to the veterinary sector and paves the way for regulating others working in animal care under one overarching system. This includes farriers, barefoot trimmers, chiropractors, equine dental technicians and more.

It includes proposals to regulate veterinary and animal healthcare businesses – not just individual vets – and protect the title “veterinary nurse” so it is only used by qualified professionals. Other titles could be added to the protected list in future.

It also sets out plans for a new licence-to-practise system for vets, vet nurses and allied veterinary professionals, a veterinary ombudsman for a clearer complaints process and a fitness-to-practise system focused on current risk and competence rather than only past misconduct. It proposes to abolish the Farriers Registration Council (FRC), as farriers would be regulated by the new system.

The white paper also considers the Competition and Marketing Authority (CMA) recommendations into pricing and transparency, following the CMA report (news, 2 April). It states that time to discuss it will be secured “as soon as parliamentary time allows”.

Tim Hutchinson, president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK, said these proposed reforms “are even more significant for the public interest and animal health and welfare” than the CMA recommendations.

“These changes are essential for protecting animal health and welfare and for maintaining public confidence in the veterinary professions,” he said.

H&H vet Karen Coumbe said she is “very positive” about the reforms, adding that this is a “crucially important topic for the wider veterinary world, not just equine vets”.

“Defra’s proposals are significant for the public interest and animal health and welfare, however as with everything, the devil will be in the detail,” she said.

“In recent years, many veterinary practices have changed from small mixed practice ‘James Herriot’ style surgeries to large, often single-species businesses, not necessarily owned by vets.

“Currently individual vets themselves and registered vet nurses are held accountable for their actions, but the veterinary practices where they work are not fully regulated, when they should be. This applies to every single veterinary business, all of which need to focus on their responsibilities to their staff and most importantly the animals under their care.

“This should apply for all animals, be they farm animals, domestic pets or horses or any other animal undergoing any form of care or treatment.”

She added that currently, the qualification of a veterinary nurse is not properly recognised and, and welcomed the proposal that this title be protected and reserved for those who “are properly trained and appropriately responsible for animals under their care”.

Dr Coumbe also said that anyone involved in looking after and treating any animal ought to be fully regulated.

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has set out an explainer on its website, breaking down what the proposed reforms mean for equine vets, nurses, students and allied professionals.

“For BEVA members, the key message is this: the white paper supports long-overdue reform, but the equine detail now matters enormously. BEVA will be working to make sure the final legislation and the rules that follow it are safe, proportionate and workable for equine practice,” said a BEVA spokesperson.

The FRC responded to the Defra consultation this year, saying that it disagrees with the reform as proposed in the consultation, but is “open to reform where it delivers better regulation for the benefit of animals and the public”. It stated that “what is proposed appears to fly in the face of Government’s own desire for better targeted, agile and proportionate regulation”.

On 17 July, a FRC spokesperson told H&H: “The observations made by the council in response to the Government consultation were valid and relevant to the issue of new veterinary legislation. That they have not been adopted in the white paper – for which no explanation has yet been offered – makes them no less valid and relevant now.”

● What do you think? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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Now is the time to make your voice heard on the impact fireworks can have on horses – as the Government has finally asked for the public’s opinion.

Today (16 July) the Government has launched a public fireworks consultation on “common-sense proposals” that would mean the loudest fireworks could be used only in professional displays.

– Take part in the public fireworks consultation.

The aim is to “crack down on anti-social behaviour and protect vulnerable people, pets and wildlife” and “target a small number of fireworks which have caused distress for residents across the country for too long”, but allow professional displays to continue as before.

This follows multiple debates in parliament sparked by hundreds of thousands of signatures on petitions calling for tougher firework laws, as well as sustained campaigning.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary, one of 19 charities in the Fireworks Impact Coalition highlighting the effect of fireworks can have on people, pets, horses, farm animals and wildlife, has been working for change for years.

Fireworks consultation welcomed

“Having campaigned for improved fireworks regulations after tragically losing three of our own rescued horses due to loud fireworks, Redwings knows the scale of distress, suffering and risk to life that fireworks cause every year, not only to horses, but to the people around them,” said Redwings campaigns manager Helen Whitelegg. “In our survey of more than 5,000 UK horse owners, over 95% told us they wanted to see tighter fireworks regulations; loud bangs cited as the most significant risk factor.

“We therefore warmly welcome the news today that the Government will be consulting with the public on this issue and would encourage animal lovers everywhere to participate and have their say on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. These proposals aim to tackle the biggest concerns raised by the public – particularly noise and antisocial behaviour – while protecting cherished traditions and organised displays that bring communities together.”

The consultation also includes proposals to review whether other high-risk products should be banned from public sale.

Ms Whitelegg said: “When our petition was discussed by 58 MPs in parliamentary debate in January, we heard several MPs echo the thoughts of Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley and Ilkley, when he said, ‘the time for talk is over and we need action now’. Petition debates have become an almost annual event, and we welcome the public consultation as a key step on the road to meaningful regulatory change that will help protect both animals and people.”

MP’s campaign

Luton MP Sarah Owen introduced a private member’s bill to restrict the noise and sale of fireworks, nearly two years ago. Ms Owen has told H&H she often hears of the “absolute distress” caused by fireworks.

She said today: “It has been over 20 years since our fireworks laws have been looked into, so this review is a major win for the campaign to finally deal with the problem of antisocial fireworks that affects so many across the country.

“Ever since I became an MP in 2019, I have been saying our out-of-date fireworks laws needed to change – it’s so good to see this become reality.

“Between the licensing loophole, high noise limits and lack of proper enforcement, our current laws mean misery for residents, often for months on end. It undermines trust that the council and police can act on things that make life worse for people and turns neighbour against neighbour.

“I look forward to engaging with the Government in its review and continuing to make the argument for change.”

The RSPCA’s head of public affairs David Bowles said the charity is “thrilled by this major step forward”.

“We now urge pet owners and animal lovers across England and Wales to act now and give their voice to this consultation and help ensure safer and more responsible use of fireworks,” he said.

“For too long now, pets, horses, wildlife and farm animals have been deeply affected by the impact of fireworks and the lack of regulation – including from DIY and impromptu displays.

“Animals such as dogs and horses can suffer from tinnitus, hearing loss and long-term hearing damage caused by fireworks, while all animals can experience stress and fear – which has in some instances lead to injury and even death. Similarly, livestock and other animals living outdoors often try to escape the bangs out of fear, sometimes injuring themselves in the process, and the consequences can be devastating.”

The RSPCA is also a member of the coalition, and has long called for tighter restrictions on fireworks.

“We’ve known for some time that the public support restrictions; 66% of pet owners found backyard fireworks displayed to be a major concern, but regulation has lagged behind for too long, so this is a really positive step forward,” Mr Bowles said.

“This campaign has never been about spoiling people’s fun, but only ever about protecting animals, together – and this new UK Government consultation has the potential to be a game-changer for animals..

“We now have an amazing opportunity to give animals a voice by rallying all those who care about animals to respond to the consultation and show their support for these long-awaited restrictions, and a better world for every kind.”

Fireworks consultation is your chance to make change

British Horse Society safety team manager Des Payne told H&H the charity welcomes and supports the consultation; the BHS has also campaigned with other coalition members for years for changes to the law.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant moment and a huge step forward in making vital changes to support the needs of vulnerable people and animals,” he said.

“We know that fireworks can have a devastating impact on horses and other animals, causing fear, distress and, in some cases, serious injury or death. That’s why it is so important that members of the public, horse owners and everyone affected take the time to respond to the consultation. The more evidence and lived experiences that are shared, the stronger the case for meaningful change.

“While we are encouraged to see this issue being considered, we also recognise that there is still a long way to go. This consultation is just the beginning, and we will continue working with Government and partners to ensure the needs of horses and the wider equestrian community are properly recognised in future fireworks legislation.

“We encourage everyone to make their voice heard and help ensure this opportunity leads to lasting improvements for horse safety and welfare.”

Take part in the consultation

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Owners have been reminded of the importance of using qualified and registered practitioners when seeking musculoskeletal therapy for their horse.

Industry professionals have reported a rise in people offering treatments, with little or no qualifications. In January Defra held a consultation on reforms to the Veterinary Services Act that could include regulation and protection of titles for allied professionals, including musculoskeletal therapists (news, 5 Feb).

Vet Lorna Brokenshire-Dyke is a qualified veterinary physiotherapist and president of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP). Dr Brokenshire-Dyke told H&H that she had seen clients “bypass” their vet in favour of practitioners such as bodyworkers, massage therapists or physios, some of whom operate without appropriate training and qualifications.

“Practitioners with the right training and qualifications will recognise when there’s a problem and refer back to the vet – but without that foundation, a horse can end up being treated repeatedly without the underlying issue ever being properly addressed,” said Dr Brokenshire-Dyke.

“I’ve seen what happens when treatment isn’t underpinned by appropriate training and qualifications: conditions are missed, problems are masked, horses are pushed on when they should have been rested, all at the expense of the animal’s welfare.”

Dr Brokenshire-Dyke had a case where a horse had been seen by a musculoskeletal therapist for lameness on multiple occasions – and only months later when the horse did not improve was she consulted in a veterinary capacity.

“Ultimately the horse was in pain for months because the root problem wasn’t being addressed, but the owner was being reassured by the therapist that they were doing the right thing,” said Dr Brokenshire-Dyke.

“The owner’s bank account suffered, but more importantly the horse didn’t receive the right treatment at the right time.”

Dr Brokenshire-Dyke added that any therapist should be open to being asked about their qualifications and insurance and whether they are a member of an association such as NAVP, the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) or the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT).

“As a veterinary physiotherapist, I understand exactly why that training and qualifications pathway has to be rigorous, not optional. It’s what gives a practitioner genuine professional standing, the knowledge, judgement and accountability that proper qualification actually represents,” said Dr Brokenshire-Dyke.

Veterinary physiotherapist Emma Green told H&H she has seen an increase in unqualified individuals advertising therapy services on social media.

“There’s been various different therapy machines used within the industry for years and they offer effective results – but we’re increasingly seeing unqualified people offering treatments, in cases where it’s not appropriate,” she said, adding she believes the industry is not regulated enough.

“It’s concerning. I don’t want to discredit anybody; there is a place for various therapy types within the industry, but if an owner wants a veterinary physiotherapist, they should visit a register where they know those on it are thoroughly checked. The main concern has got to be for the welfare of the horse”.

RAMP past president and chartered physiotherapist Jo Paul told H&H that by using someone on a professional register or member of an association, owners can be assured that person is qualified.

“RAMP is a voluntary register; it doesn’t mean that everybody who’s not a member isn’t qualified, but it does mean that we’ve done due diligence of who is on our register,” she said.

“Everybody is invested in doing the best for their horse, but owners need to take some responsibility.

“When somebody comes along with a new shiny machine or offering, owners need to consider whether the person providing that service has the anatomical, pathological and physiological knowledge to use the modality safely and effectively.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Small but mighty, miniature horse breeds pack a large punch in a diminutive body. In fact, the world’s smallest horse is a miniature horse breed.

But what is a miniature horse? Aren’t we just talking ponies here?

Is a miniature horse a pony?

Crucially, no. There’s a horse fact for you to break out at parties!

Miniature horses and ponies are two different classifications of equine – it’s all to do with conformation.

Hundreds of years of selective breeding give us the miniature horses we recognise today. Stand a miniature horse next to a pony of the same height, and you’ll soon see the difference.

In general, ponies have short, stocky legs and thicker necks. They usually have a wider barrel compared to horses and have proportionally shorter bodies, too.

In contrast, a miniature horse looks just like a scaled down sport or competition horse. They have proportionally longer bodies and legs, slender necks and elegant heads.

Can you ride miniature horses?

Miniature horse breeds are not commonly used for riding – only a very young child would be small and light enough to do so. They would still need to be backed, trained and selected for an appropriate career like a regular-sized horse.

Many minis are used in driving, showing, and agility, and are also bred as pets and used as therapy animals.

Miniature horse breeds

1. Falabella

Height: 24–28 inches

Weight: 50–80kg

Country of origin: Argentina

This tiny rare horse breed is the world’s smallest, and quite possibly the hardiest because they can withstand extreme temperatures and unforgiving landscapes.

Spanish horses brought to South America from the 16th century represent this breed’s origins. After some of them ended up getting loose and turning feral – even wild – they carved a path to some of the most hard-to-reach areas, such as isolated places outside Buenos Aires. Some of this equine population joined the indigenous Mapuche people.

How did the breed become so small? Generation upon generation was exposed to harsh climates, limited food and scarce water. The Falabella grew smaller and smaller to adapt to these conditions. And, because finding food and water was so tough, they became more intelligent over time in order to survive.

Falabellas were noticed by outsiders in 1845, when Irish settler Patrick Newell observed the remarkably small horses were kept alongside the Mapuche’s riding horses. He and his family took to keeping Falabellas and breeding them. His son-in-law, Juan Falabella, took up the mantle and gave the breed his name.

Juan brought Shetland pony and English thoroughbred blood into the breed to refine the Falabella into what we know today.

2. American Miniature

Height: Less than 34 inches

Weight: 68–136kg

Country of origin: USA

According to the American Miniature Horse Society, American Miniatures are the result of nearly 400 years of selective breeding, with the earliest record of a small horse arriving in the country from overseas appearing in 1888. However, mini horses didn’t land in the wider public consciousness until as late as 1960.

The breed is understood to have been cultivated from the blood of English and Dutch working horses, particularly those put to work in mines (no prizes for guessing why!). These horses arrived in the US in the 19th century and went into the Appalachian Mountains to mine.

There is some evidence that the Shetland pony was also introduced to help achieve the desired miniature stature.

3. Dutch Miniature

Height: 42 inches or less

Weight: 68–159kg

Country of origin: Netherlands

In Dutch, this tiny horse’s name is the Nederlands Minipaard.

With a studbook established in 1993, the original rules for registration with the breed society (Nederlandse Mini Paarden Registratie Stamboek) allowed any horse under 42 inches (106cm) to register. This allowed the inclusion of greater genetic diversity when establishing this miniature horse breed.

Today, foals hoping to enter the stud book must follow much more stringent criteria. This includes having registered parents.

The breed society hosts an annual summer show for all mini breeds in July. There are no ridden classes on the schedule, but participants compete in competitions like showing, jumping and driving.

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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As those living in the UK are in the midst of yet another heatwave, and some water companies have announced hosepipe bans, where does this leave horse owners who are trying to keep horses cool and prevent dehydration?

Currently, some customers of Southern Water, South East Water and Cambridge Water are facing water usage restrictions. Anglian Water customers will also be under restriction from 1am Saturday, 11 July.

Affinity Water has also put a hosepipe ban in place across its Central area, which covers parts of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey and parts of London – this will come into effect on Friday, 17 July.

Other areas are not currently affected, but some water companies, such as Severn Trent, have asked customers to be mindful of their usage and issued guidance on how to reuse water where possible.

Hosepipe ban exemptions?

The good news is that while the rules outlaw the use of hosepipes for washing cars and watering gardens, the use of a hosepipe for the cleaning, maintenance and general wellbeing of any kind of animal is exempt from hosepipe ban rules.

The Government requires that the welfare of animals must be protected at all times, including during a hosepipe ban – or as it is more correctly called a Temporary Use Ban (TUB).

What is allowed during a hosepipe ban?

Examples of what is allowed under the TUB restrictions include:

• Washing horses down with a hosepipe
• Filling up water troughs and buckets with a hosepipe
• Cleaning out lorries, trailers and stables with a hosepipe

As long as you are genuinely using a hosepipe for the welfare of your horse and not abusing the interpretation of these rules, you should have no concerns. Responsible use of water is encouraged at the stables, as it is in your homes, to avoid putting added pressure on the supply during this period of high temperatures with little no rain forecast.

If you’d like further reassurance or information, you can contact your local water company for clarification.

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Equestrians are being warned that artificial intelligence (AI) does not replace calling the vet, after new RSPCA research considered the way pet owners use chatbots.

New data from the RSPCA’s Animal Kindness Index, the charity’s annual UK survey into public attitudes towards animals that includes the views of almost 7,000 people, found that 10% of pet owners are routinely using AI for advice and support in looking after their animals.

The RSPCA is concerned that increased reliance on “conversations” with AI could lead to complacency from owners and untreated illnesses in animals.

The most common reasons people seek help from AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Grok are symptom checking for ill pets (62%), advice on behaviour and body language (49%) and dietary tips (30%).

Gemma Hope, RSPCA assistant director of policy, advocacy and evidence, warned that this could spell “an inadvertent ticking time bomb”.

“Whether we like it or not, AI is a game changer – including for animal welfare,” she said. “And it can be one of many helpful tools responsible pet owners use to understand their animals, or to get tips on things like enrichment, play time ideas and more.

“But we’re worried that, with so many pet owners now using large language models to check the symptoms of poorly pets, or query behavioural challenges, this could be an inadvertent ticking time bomb for animal welfare.

“AI chat bots cannot physically examine an animal, check their bloods or understand the fast-moving changes that occur when a pet is in pain.

“However good or clever AI may seem, if someone is in doubt about their pet’s health or notices rapid changes, it’s vital to reach out to a vet immediately.”

Lucy Grieve, veterinary projects officer at the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), told H&H artificial intelligence “can be a useful tool for accessing general information, but it cannot replace a veterinary examination”.

“Horses cannot tell us how they are feeling, and diagnosis often relies on physical assessment, diagnostic tests and professional clinical judgement. AI-generated advice may not always be accurate or recognise when an apparently minor problem is actually a sign of serious disease.

“We would encourage owners to seek advice from their veterinary practice whenever they have concerns about their horse’s health or welfare.

“Digital tools, including video consultations, can support veterinary care in some situations, but they work best when used as part of a professional veterinary service rather than as a substitute for it.”

CBBC presenter and small animal vet Rory Cowlam, who has backed the RSPCA’s call, highlighted that there is a “massive difference” between a vet using clinical AI tools to support an examination, and an owner using a chatbot to skip one entirely.

“AI can be a great tool for brainstorming general pet tips, like how to keep your pet entertained, or enrichment ideas. But when your animal is genuinely sick, a chatbot is not where you should be looking for advice. If in doubt, log out from AI and reach out to a professional,” he said.

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Horses’ and other animals’ vision is at risk from the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, researchers have warned – and prevention of eye issues is key.

A veterinary review published in Veterinary Ophthalmology found that sight-threatening antibiotic-resistant eye infections are “becoming a significant threat to vision in dogs, cats, and horses”.

The research, conducted by Lionel Sebbag and Oren Pe’er of the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, aimed to consider antibiotic resistance in veterinary ophthalmology, with a particular focus on bacterial corneal infections that can threaten vision within hours.

The team is calling for earlier diagnostic testing, more targeted antibiotic use, stronger infection-control measures and strategies to help preserve antibiotics for future patients.

“Antimicrobial resistance is no longer a theoretical concern in veterinary ophthalmology,” the authors note. “It is a clinically significant and evolving reality.”

Drs Sebbag and Pe’er told H&H horse owners may often think of antibiotic resistance as a problem in human medicine.

“But it’s increasingly becoming an equine one as well,” they said. “Every responsible antibiotic decision today helps preserve these sight-saving treatments for the horses that will need them tomorrow. For a horse, vision loss can be life-changing, so protecting the effectiveness of antibiotics isn’t just about combating resistance, it’s about safeguarding vision, welfare, performance and quality of life.”

Bacterial keratitis, a serious infection of the cornea, is among the most urgent emergencies in veterinary eye care. Antibiotics are still the “cornerstone of treatment” for the condition but the researchers found “mounting evidence that many of the bacteria responsible for these infections are becoming increasingly resistant to commonly used drugs”.

The researchers considered studies conducted across the world to identify Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Beta-hemolytic streptococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the most commonly isolated bacterial pathogens in companion animals.

Antibiotic resistance: common strains

“Particularly concerning is the rising prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains, especially in referral and speciality care settings where the most severe cases are concentrated,” the authors said.

“One of the most consistent findings across studies was the impact of previous antibiotic use. Animals that had recently received topical antimicrobial treatment were more likely to harbour resistant bacteria and less likely to yield positive culture results, making accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment more challenging.

“The review also highlights a surprising gap between laboratory testing and real-world clinical outcomes. Standard antimicrobial susceptibility tests are largely based on how antibiotics behave when administered systemically, yet eye drops achieve very different drug concentrations at the ocular surface. As a result, laboratory susceptibility reports may not always accurately predict whether a treatment will succeed or fail in clinical practice.”

The researchers said lab results should always be considered alongside vets’ clinical observations, the severity of the condition and the patient’s history. They said it is crucial to take microbiological samples when possible to help inform treatment decisions.

“Beyond the immediate clinical implications, the review places antibiotic-resistant eye infections within a broader one-health framework,” the researchers said.

“Some bacterial species commonly found in animal eye infections have recognised zoonotic potential; they can be transmitted between animals and humans. The authors note that veterinary clinics, equipment and even households can serve as environments where resistant organisms circulate, highlighting the importance of rigorous hygiene and infection-control practices.”

The review recommends treatment that avoids antibiotics, such as antiseptic and ultraviolet-based treatment.

Preserving the crucial drugs

“The goal is not simply to resolve the current infection,” the authors said, “but to preserve therapeutic reliability for future patients.”

H&H vet Karen Coumbe said horses are particularly prone to eye disease as their large eyes are exposed to dust, dirt and irritation from flies, especially in summer.

“Antibiotics should not be the first line of treatment for any sore eye, despite it being perceived by some as a quick fix,” she said. “Vets should examine a horse before prescribing antibiotic medication, including eye ointment and drops. Paradoxically some antibiotic eye ointments can still be bought over the counter without veterinary involvement.

“While I would not recommend over-the-counter eye antibiotics, it remains common practice and can certainly cause more serious problems in some cases. Eye disease should be taken seriously and consider other options instead of immediately trying antibiotics.

“Prevention is equally important; simple measures such as fly masks and avoiding haynets that allow debris to fall into the eyes help reduce the risk of disease.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A veterinary professional may want to see your horse trot up for a number of reasons, but what’s the best way to do it?

A good trot-up gives the observer a clear view of the horse moving in a straight line and in balance, so their gait can be assessed.

Primarily, vets use trot-ups to check for soundness. Because the trot is an even gait, with legs moving in diagonal pairs, it’s easier to spot lameness or uneven loading of the limbs than in walk or canter.

When are horses trotted up for vets?

Vets might wish to see horses trotted up as part of:

• a lameness examination, in which further tests, such as flexion tests, lungeing and a ridden exam might also be carried out
• a pre-purchase examination, in which a vet is employed to assess the horse’s physically suitablity for a buyer
• an FEI competition of any discipline to check the horses are fit to compete. At three-day events, there are two horse inspections: one before the dressage phase, and another following the cross-country phase. Horses have to pass both to be allowed to compete

The holding box

At an FEI event, the ground jury and veterinary delegate will pass a horse following a trot up or send him to a holding box for further examination.

The vet in the holding box performs a more thorough examination, including palpation and assessment of the horse’s limbs, to help identify any injuries — such as tendon injuries — that would prevent him from continuing in the competition.

A horse who has sustained a small overreach injury during the cross-country, for example, or who has pulled a shoe off, may appear slightly unlevel. After veterinary assessment, however, he may be deemed fit to complete a round of showjumping.

Some horses are then represented at the trot-up, while others might withdraw from competition at the holding box.

Equipment to use to trot your horse up for the vet

Be ready to trot your horse up with:

• a well-fitting bridle, headcollar or halter
• stout, appropriate footwear, such as yard boots
• a riding hat
• riding gloves
• a schooling whip, if needed

How to trot up a horse for the vet

Before considering how to trot up a horse, first select your surface. It should be level and not too loose, slippery or stony.

• Stand your horse square. This allows the vet to walk around and examine the horse’s posture from every angle. Hold the reins in your right hand as if you were riding one-handed.
• Trot the horse away as straight as you can, keeping an even rhythm and ensuring he has enough rein to move his head freely so the vet can see any abnormalities. Your horse should be active, but not too fast.
• The vet may signal when they want you to turn and trot towards them, or if you’re unsure you can ask them to call out.
• Ask your horse for a walk transition a few steps prior to turning. When you turn, your horse should always turn away from you to avoid being trodden on. Guide the horse towards you slightly before asking him to turn away. This will enable you to trot back on the same line.
• Keep the horse straight towards the vet, but ensure you have sufficient control so as not to run them over.

It is worth clarifying whether the vet wants to see your horse walk first. If so, use the steps above in walk.

Furthermore, it is good to clarify how to trot up for the vet in particular. Some want to see the transition from trot to walk in front of them. You should make this transition very obvious.

If you have a young or inexperienced horse, practise the routine of trotting up so that when you need to do so you can produce a good, straight trot for your vet without any hassle. If you’re preparing to trot up at a competition, it’s worth you and your horse learning to trot correctly as a horse who is poorly presented may look uneven, even if he isn’t.

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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A petition calling for a public register of animal abusers and automatic lifetime bans has been debated in parliament.

On 29 June, MPs discussed the petition started by cleaner and social media influencer Bea Elton, which almost 240,000 people have signed since its launch on 12 March. For petitions to be considered for debate, they must reach 100,000 signatures in six months. 

Burton and Uttoxeter MP Jacob Collier said the number of people who had signed Ms Elton’s petition in just three months illustrated “the depth of feeling across our country” around animal abuse. 

“That feeling, together with the expert opinion of organisations such as the RSPCA, indicates that the current provisions against animal abuse are not adequate,” he said. 

But Mr Burton added that automatic lifetime bans for all who abuse animals “appears to be a disproportionate response” and a public register is “similarly unsuitable”. H&H reported concerns from equine welfare charities around a public register owing to the risk of “vigilante behaviour” (news, 4 June).

Cambourne and Redruth MP Perran Moon called on the Government to close the loophole whereby a banned owner can give animals to their spouse. 

Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme MP Lee Pitcher agreed, adding: “there is no place for legal loopholes like that in our country”. 

“The Government has referred to the police national computer and to existing arrangements for information sharing. I recognise that there are important safeguards around personal information and data protection that we must be aware of, but a record held somewhere in the system is not the same as a practical safeguarding tool that can stop a banned person acquiring another animal,” he said.

“That is the point behind the petition and it is a point that we should take very seriously.”

Newly appointed Defra minister Stephen Morgan said the Government published its animal welfare strategy for England in December, which includes “practical action to promote sensible, responsible pet ownership”. This strategy also includes plans for a consultation on licensing rescue and rehoming centres, which is still to be actioned. 

“That matters, because many welfare problems begin long before prosecution is brought. They can start with poor breeding, poor socialisation, lack of knowledge or owners unable to meet an animal’s needs,” he said. “By addressing those causes earlier, we can reduce the risk of animal suffering and reduce pressure on enforcement bodies later on.” 

He said courts have the power to impose lifetime bans where appropriate – and “it is right that they retain the discretion to do so”.

“Although we recognise the good intention behind the calls for a public register, the risks outweigh the benefits. Targeted disclosure remains the most effective approach. We are continuing to strengthen enforcement by supporting local authorities on how to use the tools available to them more effectively,” he said. 

Blue Cross head of public affairs Becky Thwaites told H&H the debate had “some interesting and useful contributions” – and the charity supports a national register searchable by enforcement agencies and charities.

“Issues around animal welfare are not debated as often as we would like at Westminster so this was a welcome opportunity for MPs to put their views to the Defra minister,” she said. “The one disappointment was the minister provided no timeframe for the consultations promised in the Government’s animal welfare strategy – we need more clarity on that.”

Ms Thwaites added that as the 2006 Animal Welfare Act reaches its 20th anniversary, it is the “right moment for a comprehensive review”. 

“This should include strengthening how disqualification orders are monitored and enforced, alongside serious consideration of introducing an animal offenders register,” she said. 

RSPCA head of public affairs David Bowles told H&H the number of signatures the petition has had “demonstrates how passionate people feel about justice for animals”.

“We know many equine owners will be among those urging the UK Government to act,” he said.

“Sadly, despite the animal welfare laws the RSPCA helped to put into place, cruelty still happens too often, and our inspectors and rescuers see firsthand the reality of this on a daily basis.”

Mr Bowles said establishing an animal abuse register is an “emotive issue”.

“Details of convictions and disqualification orders under the Animal Welfare Act are stored on the Police National Computer, but this is not open to non-police personnel to see for data protection purposes, and to avoid vigilante action,” he said.

“The current framework poses a significant challenge; even though courts can disqualify individuals from ownership, there is currently no central system for rescue centres, charities or private individuals, including breeders, pet shops, or animal care companies, to check whether someone is banned from keeping animals before selling or rehoming an animal, or employing someone to care for animals.

“That’s why the RSPCA is working with governments and other stakeholders for a transparent system that enables identification by appropriate authorities of those previously convicted of an animal offence.

“Gaps also extend to local authorities who grant licenses to animal businesses. While legislation already states that people convicted of animal cruelty are ineligible to run certain animal-related businesses – knowledge to enforce these rules is key.”

Mr Bowles added that resourcing for local authorities will “need to remain a discussion point”, and said many are ”already under pressure” enforcing legislation such as the Control of Horses Act.

“We must find a system that helps everyone ensure that disqualified abusers cannot bypass the law and own, get access to or work with animals – while respecting that information is only provided appropriately to selected enforcers, to prevent vigilante and other anti-social actions,” he said.

“Individuals banned from keeping animals by courts are often publicised in the media and the current legal framework highlights why it is important that anyone suspecting an individual to be breaching or evading any imposed bans should report this to the police or other relevant authorities.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Owners are reminded of the need to be vigilant to prevent strangles, however healthy horses look, owing to a “concerning” increase in diagnosed cases.

Biosecurity and precautions are key, experts agree, as 274 cases had been recorded in 2026 by 23 June. The geographical spread covers Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and much of England.

Using data from the Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES), strangles vaccination manufacturer Dechra calculated that if strangles continues to be diagnosed in line with current rates, there will be 600 cases confirmed in 2026, a rise of nearly a quarter from 2025.

Helen Whitelegg, campaign manager of Redwings, which runs the annual strangles awareness week, told H&H: “Redwings is concerned about the current increase in both equine flu and strangles and is grateful to the vital surveillance work carried out by [Equine Infections Disease Surveillance] EIDS to help us all identify and address these trends.

“It’s notable that of the 274 strangles cases recorded, just over a third of those horses were clinically ill. This reinforces how important it is to use good biosecurity and sensible precautions regardless of how healthy a horse looks.

“We know an infectious disease diagnosis can cause real anxiety in horse owners and yard managers. In addition to concern for the health of the affected horses, people often face restrictions in their daily lives and plans for the coming weeks and uncertainty over how long the outbreak will last and how much time, effort and cost will be involved.”

Ms Whitelegg stressed the BEST protocols: boost immunity by vaccinating, engage with trusted information, separate unfamiliar horses and temperature check as routine.

“We also want to acknowledge all the yards who communicate openly when disease strikes and who work as a team with their vet to tackle an outbreak responsibly to eliminate the disease and take action to protect themselves from future risk,” she said.

Vet Mary Battersby of Dechra added: “Equine flu and strangles spread rapidly and can bring the equine community to a standstill.

“Good biosecurity and preventative measures are essential to help tackle both diseases, particularly in light of owners traditionally being out and about more with their horses over the summer.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now