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The Scales of Training are a system of six points – or building blocks – that are used by trainers and riders in the schooling of a horse. In this article, I would like to explain in more detail what the Scales of Training are and why it is important to follow them. I often feel that riders lack a long-term plan of how to school their horse. Pupils might have a lesson because they want to work on their position, or learn how to get their horse in a better outline or simply master ...

Most of us are fully aware that equestrianism is hugely dependent on a sound mindset. How else would we be able to ride several hundred kilos of semi-wild animal?? It’s that X-factor that can be the difference between succeeding, progressing, feeling happy with your riding or even having the edge over a competitor. Does riding follow the 80-20 rule: 80% mental and 20% physical effort? Sometimes it seems so! I’d say it was at least 60% mental and 40% physical, depending on your ...

‘Making the Butterflies Fly in Formation’ is the title of a research study published in The Sport Psychologist in 1999. Although a small study looking at the experiences of both elite and non-elite athletes, in this case swimmers, it demonstrated an interesting phenomenon. Both types of athlete experienced anxiety in some form or other, but the elite athletes viewed the effect of this anxiety differently to the non-elite athletes. In essence, the elite athletes believed their anxiety...

Finding the right fly repellent for your horse can be a bit of a minefield, and is often a case of trial and error. The wide range of options available can be overwhelming, with active ingredients, application methods, and effectiveness all playing a part in the buying decision. So, we’ve put together this guide to help you make an informed decision, without the stress! Each product has been personally recommended by one of our brand ambassadors or a member of our inhouse team, having b...

You’ve sent your horse or pony away to be backed, and today they’re home. Now what? If you’ve had your horse or pony backed at Little Hesteyri, we will have had them for about a month, and aimed to have them walking, trotting and cantering out on a hack before coming home to you. The reason we do everything out hacking at this stage is because doing everything in straight lines is best for the horse’s body. Even if your horse isn’t young, their muscles will still...

As my horse Rock is an overheight Connemara, standing 15.3hh with a leg in each corner and a depth of girth a 6 foot giant wouldn't look long legged on, keeping him trim and fit is an on-going battle! He is just as challenging to look after as a type that struggles to keep weight on and needs to be double rugged almost all year round, but in a completely different way. I was experienced with turnout boots, conditioning feed, double rugging from a 7/8 TB and an old boy... but who knew about...

Almost as exciting as buying a new horse is… buying a horsebox. But it’s an expensive purchase and you should do your research. Time spent browsing horsey websites isn’t a chore after all… What should you choose? Well if it’s a horsebox you want, rather than a horse trailer, for the average horse owner it basically boils down to a choice between a 3.5 and a 7.5 ton.

Thank god we’re finally out of the winter, and happily enjoying some sunshine. It has been a horrible time for the world, but people have been pulling together in a beautiful way. The horse world has been devastated to face losing a large amount of the show season, but on the bright side it gives us all a chance to breathe, and just enjoy our horses, with no pressure.

Considered the home of national hunt racing, Cheltenham Racecourse, located in the beautiful surroundings of the Gloucestershire countryside, comes alive in March when thousands descend on one of the finest British Racecourses, to witness the pinnacle of the National Hunt season, the Cheltenham Festival. The annual affair attracts top jockeys and trainers from all four corners of the globe, competing in what is by far the most competitive four days of jump racing in Britain, culminating with the...

Often, on wanted adverts, people restrict the age of the horses they’re willing to look at, overlooking older horses. A ‘veteran’ is considered to be any horse or pony that’s 15 or older, but it’s often not as clear cut as that and comes down to the condition of the horse at that age. Veteran horses and ponies have so many wonderful qualities – they tend to have seen and done more than younger horses, making them a little more experienced and usually more s...

Regardless of discipline, polework is an important part of horse riding. When completed regularly as part of your horse’s training schedule, polework builds your horse's strength and flexibility, engages their hindquarters and creates expressive, elevated paces. This exercise, which uses eight poles, utilises walk, trot and canter along various routes (meaning you do not have to keep getting off to move the poles – bonus). Some routes over this pole layout are detailed below, all of ...

Most of us know that we should have an extensive first aid kit on the yard at all times, but there is a huge difference between having an idea of what is actually useful for many occasions, and staring at the First Aid section in your tack store, without knowing what to spend money on! So, what should we have in our first aid kits? A clean bowl – This can be used for mixing up a solution of Hibiscrub and water; very important for cleaning any wounds. You can also use a water bucket if car...

No matter what you’re doing, it’s pretty well known that friends make everything that little bit more enjoyable. After all, why do something alone when you can share the experience with those close to you and make memories that you can look back on in the future? What’s more, if you add a horse or two into the mix, you can double the fun! With a shared knowledge and, most of all, a passion for horses, equestrians often tend to gravitate towards one another (shout out to everyon...

Are you fighting a daily battle, trying to jump on your horse before they run away? This doesn’t have to be the case! I’ve owned my horse for 10 years now and I didn’t realise it was so simple to change – in fact, I didn’t really realise it was even possible for it to change permanently. Results will vary from horse to horse and you will need to be consistent, but after 20 minutes of ground work, I was able to get on from the mounting block… on my own…...

I’m often asked to help people feel good when cantering and to be confident in the knowledge that they can enjoy this beautiful pace. Cantering has to be one of the most popular issues I deal with and here, I’d like to consider what hypnosis can do to help. Let’s take a look at what hypnosis is, what it isn’t and how it could get you cantering (or any other form of riding) with ease. Hypnosis is just one way to reach the part of the mind that stores memories, habits and...

So we’ve all heard the saying that bad luck comes in threes. When my 17hh horse Jack – crazed through lack of turnout – accidentally kicked me in the horsebox, breaking my leg and elbow, I knew it was the start of another period of drama in my life. Something we’re all used to with horses! One surgery, a sling and a metal-pinned leg later, I was discharged and set up at home to sleep in the lounge (stairs were definitely a step too far). Books, remote control and indus...

It all starts with that sinking feeling as you bring your horse in from the field and notice the swollen leg or gaping cut (insert raft of possibilities here…). On further investigation, the vet is called and the depressing verdict given – box rest. Invariably, any form of equine rehabilitation will start with a period of box rest following injury or operation and can be anything from a few days to several months, depending on the trigger. How you and your horse cope with this can h...

Hello everyone! I’m new to the Horsemart writing team and would like to introduce myself. I’m an event rider and freelance advertising copywriter, working in sunny South Manchester whilst escaping to the Cheshire countryside to ride as often as possible. By day, I come up with promotional ideas and write creative copy for press ads, websites, email campaigns, films, social posts – whatever my clients want to promote their brand. By night I speed over to the stables to ride f...

The more supple I can get my horse – so that it is willing and able to bend/turn/move-off and has improved balance – the more likely it is that I will have a nice and safe ride. Endless circling in the school is boring for anybody, but we can make schooling a lot more fun. In my previous article, I wrote about riding circles and related exercises. Today, I would like to look at loops and serpentines. You can find both exercises in various forms in dressage tests. They are fantasti...

Have you ever wanted to ride down the centre line on your beloved horse to show the judge what you’re capable of, but have felt intimidated by the flashy warmbloods in the warm-up? Do you ever think ‘what’s the point’ competing my genuine all-rounder against the horses bred to impress in the dressage arena? I know I have. So to find out if it’s really possible to realise our dressage dreams on our ‘ordinary’ horses, I met up with Irish international dres...