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We’ve all heard about MRI scanning for humans but did you know it is proving hugely popular in the horse world. Here we find out more about the Hallmarq Standing Equine MRI Scanner. 1 – The MRI Scanner provides high quality images of bone and soft tissue.  It is the only technique that distinguishes between the many causes of palmar foot pain and there is no need for general anaesthesia in most cases, eliminating the risk of mortality and allowing day-patient scheduling....

Horsemart reader and blogger Melsi describes herself as a ‘forty-something back in the saddler’. In this post, she takes a look at advancements in plus size horse riding clothes. As you all know from my previous blog posts, I am a ‘larger, older boldie back to the saddle lady’, so that should give you a good idea as to why I am hesitating about going back in the Show Ring. However, I can’t always blame my lack of confidence on my ‘Size Ample’, or th...

  When someone mentions Lloyds TSB, all of us will think of the black horse as their unique trademark. As horse owners, this fact is even more poignant. No horse is more majestic than the huge, muscular black stallion that we see on their TV ads. In order to keep this image as striking and powerful as ever, Lloyd's will occasionally have to search for a new, equally attractive candidate for the job. This is the news this week as a new stallion has been chosen as the (long) face of t...

Horsemart reader and blogger, Jessica Johnston, gives her thoughts on the Pure Feed Company's range of horse feed. When it comes to the difficult horse to feed stakes, my horse comes out on top. Being a 20 year old poor doer thoroughbred with leaky gut syndrome, who is also prone to gastric colic, feeding can be an absolute nightmare for me. He struggles to put weight on yet is also very excitable the moment his calorie intake increases. I had been hearing a lot of buzz about the Pure F...

Horsemart reader and blogger Nicola Strong writes about the pros and cons to loaning a horse.   Loaning and part loaning horses has become more and more common in recent years, owing largely to people being stretched financially and for time. Both situations can potentially work very well for both parties - but there are plenty of factors to be considered.   The part loan situation suited me very well. It allowed me to keep my horses where they were, and we would decide...

Horsemart reader and blogger Nicola Strong writes about her favourite horse riding apps for smartphones.   We are rather lucky these days that there are plenty of things to help us with our busy lives, and smart phones are definitely the way forward as far as that's concerned. They give us access to most things you could ever need in the palm of your hand, and for many conceivable needs - there's an app for that! It's nice to see that the equestrian market has been catered for too. ...

There are many different horse boots to choose from and each is designed to do a specific job. Tendon Boots are commonly used for protecting and supporting your horse’s tendons and ligaments when show jumping. Horses do have a tendency (no pun intended!) to knock their front tendon with the hind hoof when jumping. The tendon boot can prevent injury and encourage him to clear the jump. Open fronted tendon boots are used for show jumping only. They are open fronted so that if your ...

The Sausage Boot is a protective leather ring that is filled with straw. When a horse lies down or gets up, the shoes on the horse’s hoofs may come in contact with the horse’s elbow, causing abrasions and pressure sores (capping).  The sausage boot of the stuffed leather ring variety is made to fit around the heel of the horse’s hooves, and is used to protect the horse from these abrasions and pressure sores. The stuffed leather boots are not made for training, they a...

There are three main types of martingales and each serves a specific purpose when it comes to the control of a horse or pony.    The standing martingale can be used in a variety of disciplines and it is an extremely good aid for riders whose mounts have a tendency to raise their heads too high. This is achieved through pressure on the nose.    A standing martingale is very simple to put on a horse. It has a neck strap, to which there is a front strap, ...

  Have you ever thought about changing your horse’s bedding material? We’ve taken a look at some of the choices of equine materials to help you choose a bedding material that will work best for you and your horse.       Straw Seen as an old fashioned bedding material, and is one of the cheapest beddings on the market. Straw can easily be brought from a local farmer, and produces a traditional, deep bed. There are many different type...

Searching on the Horsemart website for cheap horses for sale? One great way of saving money and taking on an exceptional horse is to consider ex-racehorses for sale.  After several years of competition, an ex racehorse deserves a good home to enjoy a richly deserved retirement – and it’s often cheaper than you might think to take ownership of an ex-racehorse; in fact many of these horses for sale for under £1000 are available on our website.   You can lear...

The Spanish walk is a trained movement that is carried out by a horse. With a little bit of work, you can train your horse to walk in this manner. The horse, when doing the Spanish walk, will raise each foreleg off the ground in an exaggerated upward and forward manner.    The Spanish walk is loosely affiliated with dressage, however, it is often seen as more of a trick or circus movement, and is not included in any modern dressage tests. It is often taught to horses of the And...

In this issue, Caldene sponsored rider and Horsemart columnist Ellen Whitaker gives advice on fitness training for your horse ready for the show jumping arena. So, in order to find out just how to improve your horse’s fitness and strength to make it perfect for show jumping, read our guide below...   Fitness training should always be planned for each individual horse and not just for your chosen discipline. With this in mind it is important to think about any previous problems...

No one wants to invest heavily in a delightful pair of boots just for them to become worn and tatty after a few months. There are a number of ways in which you will want to keep your boots clean and well maintained so that they last you a long period of time and you get your money’s worth. Abbey has provided us with a guide on how to clean riding boots. Abbey are experts when it comes to leather care; they have been supplying quality leather to saddlers and other equestrian manufacture...

Show jumping is one of the most popular horse events around the world and takes place in many different countries. It is just one member of a family of equestrian riding events including dressage, eventing, hunters and equitation. So, we have decided to fill you in on the history of show jumping whilst also giving you a number of great beginner’s tips to the sport. History of show jumping Show jumping was born in Paris in 1866 when the first class for show jumpers began and it it d...

Equine shin splints can be a problem that causes plenty of pain to the animal and also plenty of stress to you, the horse’s owner. You horse can be performing perfectly in training and outside of the paddock. However, if this crippling problem suddenly flares up - which it can do - then the pain can be debilitating for your horse.    Horse shin splints need to be treated quickly. If the problem is neglected then it can cause a horse major injury and even lameness. Here is...

The skin inside horse ears is one of the most sensitive parts of the horse’s body, even more so than the nose and the inside of the mouth. Horse skin is generally quite tough and has a protective coat but the ears lack this and consequently are a prime place for the horse to develop skin problems. Some of these horse skin problems can be caused by viruses, cancer or sometimes insects. They can have a major effect on a horse’s health and should be diagnosed as quickly as possible. Thi...

Arabians are fantastic horses; they are extremely sensitive to all of your movements. Arabians are extremely agile and strong and have unmatchable endurance. Horse riding with an Arabian horse is very exciting and you will love every second when you know how to make the most of it. Saddles Make sure that the saddle fits correctly. The back of an Arabian horse is usually shorter than other breeds, if your saddle is too large it can hurt and pinch your horse. Do not use a square...

                                        How to know when it is time To Affiliate – Are you ready to take the next step? Caldene-sponsored columnist Ellen Whitaker provides readers with advice on moving in to affiliated showjumping.  Read on to find out m...

Looking for a new job and struggling to update or write a new CV? The team at Equine Careers (www.equine-careers.co.uk) give us their top five tips to help you start writing and get noticed ahead of the competition. 1. Tailor your CV; Make sure your CV is tailored to the job you are applying for. There's no point writing about your office skills if you are applying for a job as a groom. It may sound like a time consuming process, but making the effort to tailor your CV to suit the re...