Our 128th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast features an interview with leading working hunter specialist Kelly Ward. She talks about sourcing star ponies and rebuilding confidence in horses after a blip. Our news team then discuss calls for updated legislation from veterinary professionals and the ongoing work to promote better employment practice in the horse world. Finally, veterinary equine behaviourist Dr Gemma Pearson talks about why horses nap and what she finds to be a contributing factor in the majority of cases. We hope you will enjoy listening.
Episode 128 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our popular audio service, is available every Thursday morning, is now live.
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Our 128th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast features an interview with leading working hunter specialist Kelly Ward. She talks about sourcing star ponies and rebuilding confidence in horses after a blip.
“Don’t be afraid to drop back down, even if you’ve jumped bigger courses, because if your horse has lost confidence, it can affect the rider too” – Kelly Ward on regaining confidence after suffering a knock.
Our news team then discuss calls for updated legislation from veterinary professionals and the ongoing work to promote better employment practice in the horse world.
“The aim is to make our industry one where good employment is a given” – H&H’s Eleanor Jones on the work going into promoting better employment practice in the horse world.
Finally, veterinary equine behaviourist Dr Gemma Pearson talks about why horses nap and what she finds to be a contributing factor in the majority of cases.
“The first thing I want to try and understand is what motivates the behaviour in this horse – and about 80% of the cases that I see where napping is a problem, pain is the main contributor” – Dr Gemma Pearson
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Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 128
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
