“When horses are over-trained they start to show a range of mental issues including switching off, response lowering, aggression etc.”

Research spurred by increasing interest in use of equine training equipment.

“By giving vets a clear understanding of pain associated behaviour markers they will be better able to recognise pain-related behaviour in ridden horses, which may reflect lameness.” 

Researchers in Hungary assess levels of the stress hormone cortisol and heart-rate variability.

Caprilli was an Italian cavalry officer whose pioneering techniques transformed the way horses were trained and ridden.

“No noseband may ever be so tightly fixed that it will harm the horse. It must be possible to place one finger comfortably between the noseband and the nasal planum (front of the nose).”

Blood ammonia testing device used in human medicine now being tried in horses.

A pain in the mouth can change the whole of a horse’s ‘body language.’ The behavioral changes are expressed in one or more parts of the body; head, neck, back, limbs and tail.

The reason treed saddles have been around for so long is because they serve a distinct purpose – to protect, support, and provide comfort to both horse and rider.

“The use of a flapless saddle that allowed closer contact of the rider’s legs with the sides of the horse’s ribcage significantly improved rider stability …”