Browse the biggest Community

The importation and exportation of horses and other equine animals happens on a daily basis across the world. As displayed by WorldAtlas.com, it can be a very profitable business. It may seem shocking that such a large number of live equine animals are traded each year, but being such a majestic and powerful animal, the horse is desired all over the world, as trainers search for the best horses they can get their hands on to compete with, or prestigious stables look for the perfect breeding part...

One of Japan’s most prolific universities has explored studies that suggest regular horse riding can promote intellectual performance and enhanced academic success for young people in education.   This comes after researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture (TUA) spent lengths of time studying the effects of vibrations sent through a riders body from the movement of the horse. It is suggested that these actions help to prime and stimulate the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS...

Check out how you can make your own fly spray with Horsemart's handy hints... It’s a common occurrence for any owner to spot their horse being bombarded by flies and other insects. They’re nothing but pests and the horse itself can become quite distressed by the constant crawling, biting and sucking going on somewhere on their body. Although it can be extremely difficult to eliminate them, you can take some level of action that can help to keep your horse comfortable and rel...

There is a certain dress code required for show jumping that is important to get to grips with before you plan to compete. The type of equestrian clothing required will vary depending on the level at which you are competing. Amateur, unaffiliated horse jumping contests are usually quite relaxed but professional contests require specific attire. Keep reading to find out more about everything you need to think of before testing yourself competitively.  - A riding hat that meets safety req...

Knowing where you stand is vital when entering into a livery yard agreement. An agreement can come in all different forms as a result of the different types of livery available (e.g. full, part, DIY etc), the facilities on offer, and the conditions of the yard. A livery agreement should always be in writing before the horse is placed in a livery yard. The proprietor of a livery yard should state the provisions made for the safety and security of a horse, while the owner should specify any person...

There are a number of horse health issues that are important to spot and treat early. Here at Horsemart we have a large number of advice articles and pages, which offer you plenty of information on a number of severe and not so severe conditions. And, in this article, we’re going to tell you all about the problem of ear mites in horses.   - Purchase any regular domestic flea treatment that you can access in a local supermarket or vets.   - Use a mineral ...

Ever wanted a career as a Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist and wondered what a typical day would include? Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist Kirsty Haines specialises in treating animals and equine clients make up about 75% of her caseload. She has been riding for more than 20 years and owns an Arab and a Shetland pony. She gives us an overview of what it’s like to be a Chartered Veterinary Physio below.   To qualify as a veterinary physio it’s strongly advised tha...

Maintaining a commendable quality of life for your horse can sometimes be tough, especially without any guidance. As a horse gets older they are far more vulnerable to disease and illness that could potentially threaten their later years. It’s daunting to think that keeping your horse in good health when they are much older depends on how you’ve treated them right from day one. Training routines are vital in preventing conditions like arthritis and diabetes, which can be very common ...

Arthritis is one of the most common ailments to affect horses, especially in later life. Therefore, it’s important to be in a position to spot the problem before it becomes a serious problem. With effective treatment, the problem can be controlled to an extent where a horse can still live a reasonable quality of life, so treating it quickly should be one of the top priorities of any caring horse owner, as this guide explains.   How to spot the signs There are many sy...

Horsemart reader and blogger Lucy Saxelby talks us through some of the tell tale signs of when a mare is getting ready to foal. *Warning* some of the descriptions in this article are quite graphic – this is nature after all!   So you have bitten the bullet and after weeks, months or years of deliberating, you have finally put your beloved mare into foal, probably to a stallion who took a similar level of hesitation for you to choose. Your mare is steadily getting rounder, ...

Horse riding clubs often have show jumping competitions which they organise themselves. For these smaller events you’ll find that rules can be altered to suit those competing. The official British Show Jumping Association competitions have to adhere to their BSJA conditions. The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) includes the rules for international competitions including the Olympics and many other championships with teams on an international level. Continue reading this article to ...

Horse sharing can be beneficial and rewarding for both the original owner and shared carer. Not only can it give an inexperienced horse the lover the chance to take responsibility, but it can help an owner give their horse the care they cannot provide themselves. This article takes a look at what sharing a horse means and what it can offer on both sides of an agreement. Limiting Factors to Think About The demand for horse sharing is ever increasing due to the expensive costs of ow...

  Ringworm is a frustrating condition that can affect any horse. It can potentially progress into illnesses much worse, so it’s important every horse owner knows how to identify and solve the problem. This guide aims to tell you a little more about what it is and highlighting the symptoms that indicate a case of ringworm, alongside some suggestions and tips as to how to take preventative steps.   What is Ringworm? Can sometimes be referred to as Dermatophytos...

Owning a horse can be more complicated than you might think, and the loaning of a horse is just one issue that has legal barriers to be overcome before it can occur.    The sample loan agreement below is a guide to the type of agreement that may be made between the horse owner and the person wanting to take the horse on loan. When amended, completed and signed by both parties it will form a legally binding agreement that both parties will have to stick to. However, if you h...

Comfort is one of the most important factors to think about whether you’re riding or your horse is in the stable, so choosing the right rug for you and your horse is essential. Sizes, weights and materials vary for every rug on the market so there’s certainly plenty to think about. We’ve compiled all the talking points into one guide, so that you no longer have such a pressing dilemma!   Check out Equine Superstores great range of rugs here, including Weatherbe...

Competing in dressage competitions is a fun and rewarding way to assess how the training of your horse is developing. British Dressage runs two types of competition; affiliated and unaffiliated. To compete in affiliated competitions riders must be members of British Dressage, unless they only want to compete at prelim level in the open section.     Unaffiliated competitions can be enjoyed by any horse and rider combination without having to join but the rules are the same. &nbs...

Diabetes is quite a common condition in horses both young and old. It can cause a number of problems for appearance, performance and wellbeing, so it’s important every horse owner knows how to identify and solve the problem. This guide highlights the symptoms that indicate a case of equine diabetes, and what to do if a horse contracts the issue. What Causes Diabetes and What Does it Mean? Just like in humans, equine diabetes is a result of the horse being resistant to i...

  Horses are one of the most popular pets in the world and it is very clear to see when an owner loves their horse, through the affection that they give them. In reverse however, it may not always be obvious what your horse really thinks of you, or if they are showing you any affection at all. What are the main pointers to look out for that indicate your horse is showing you affection, and what tendencies do they have to suggest that they love you just as much as you love them? Car...

A question that is regularly searched online by equine enthusiasts - why do horses yawn? It is unlikely that there is one specific answer to this and many will choose to ignore this habit as it’s something humans do on a daily basis, but is there more behind the yawing horse than we think? Here we describe the most commonly used explanations and highlight the things you should consider if you catch your horse baring his gnashers!   Do Horses Yawn For the Same Reasons a...

Have you always wondered what breed of horse would be the perfect fit for you? Whether you enjoy fast-paced competitive riding, or prefer a leisurely and laidback trot in the countryside, there's a breed out there to suit you! They say "your horse is a mirror to your soul", take the quiz to find out if you like what you see! Share it with your friends to see what breed their soulmate is... do you agree? powered by Typeform