Event horses’ discomfort and other things the horse world is talking about

Eventing study

It has been found that many amateur riders blame themselves when a horse’s performance is below par, while others will be told to use more leg, longer spurs or a different bit. But it could be that the horse is trying to tell us he is not comfortable. A recent study of more than 1,000 starts in eventing up to novice level, using the ridden horse pain ethogram, found that the horses who showed the fewest signs of discomfort were placed the highest.

Find out how the research worked and why it is important

Thanks from Ukraine

The equestrian community has been praised for its instant kindness and support for its Ukrainian counterparts. H&H has reported on the huge efforts being made across Britain to get essential supplies to the country, to which lorries continue to deliver donations of vital supplies, medical equipment and horse feed.

Find out what the Ukrainian equestrian federation says is most needed

A record-breaking Badminton?

In his H&H column, Mark Phillips looks forward to what he believes will be a superb Badminton, with a stellar list of entries for its first running since 2019, adding: “Like Cheltenham, I’m sure Badminton will break all records.”

“I was also lucky enough to walk the course at Badminton last week with my course advisor hat on. I think this is Eric Winter’s best Badminton yet and it is definitely not a four-star! The trip from the Deer Park down around the Vicarage Ditch is still the stiffest two or three minutes of cross-country anywhere in the world.”

Read Mark Phillips’ thoughts on Badminton

You might also be interested in:

Mark Phillips: ‘Badminton will be a treat’

Discomfort affects performance of grassroots event horses, study finds

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Eleanor Jones

H&H news editor

Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.