Nature of warm-up affects showjumping performance, researchers find
More jumps and higher obstacles during the warm-up were found to decrease performance in competition, as measured by the final scores achieved.
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Training
Rubber shoes get sport horse foal on the home straight
High-tech hoof care helps young horse straighten up.
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Ulcer prevention the key to keeping your competitive horse happy
For the competitive equine, the stress of traveling and showing, as well as any change in environment or increased work, can increase the chances of ulcers forming.
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Signs of ivermectin resistance seen in small strongyles on large British stud
“Overt anthelmintic resistance will likely emerge in future, should the current regime of ivermectin administration continue.”
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Current training regimes may be too hard on the legs of racehorses, findings suggest
Horses might need more time off from intense training than is currently the case to minimise the risk of bone injury, according to the researchers.
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Video: Is your horse struggling with an ill-fitting bridle?
Experts explain the various areas that can cause pain and discomfort due to ill-fitting and overly tight head wear.
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From the horse’s mouth: Look out for my Umwelt
Chazot sees many of his species betrayed by their confidence in humans. “One major issue is genuine ignorance, which humans often label as ‘tradition’.”
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Spooky horse? Feeding more fat could be the answer
Gram for gram, fat provides more than double the calories than what carbohydrates (or protein) can offer. And it is well digested. But there’s an added bonus: Fat has a calming effect on horses’ behavior.
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Good training surfaces essential to a competition horse’s development
“It is likely that both the training and competition surface should have optimal cushioning and firmness to ensure proper development of the skeleton.”
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Spotting muscle atrophy in horses, and how to avoid it
Atrophy will occur under severe instances of constant pressure which will first damage the hair follicles (resulting in hair loss and/or white hair).
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The road to straightness: A horseman’s journey
Straightness enhancing speed responds to the same fundamental principles as straightness enhancing balance, control and collection.
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“Dressage” vs. classical training: An uphill battle for horses
The ability to connect through the back and engage the hindquarters is a fundamental requirement for any horse in any discipline.
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“Lifting” the horse’s back: Another meaningless equestrian phrase
The back epaxial muscles, which are the muscles situate on and around the upper half of the vertebrae as well as dorsal spines, create the “flexion”, “lifting’, “roundness”.
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Researchers wade in to examine water-treadmill workloads on horses
“There are currently no protocols available for conditioning horses on them,” the researchers noted.
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Vertical limits: British coaches speak out over equine neck position
The Association of Fellows of the British Horse Society has its say on this controversial subject.
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Walter Zettl’s classical training methods preserved for future generations
US dressage body to archive important work by classical trainer.
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Genetic research prompts launch of CoQ10 nutrigenomic supplement for distance horses
Launch of equine supplement follows research revealing staying horses have lower levels of CoQ10 in their muscle cells.
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Domestic life may not help your horse’s gut health, research suggests
The gut microbiomes of free-living Przewalski’s horses in Mongolia were compared with those of domestic horses living nearby.
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Checklist: The nine points of saddle fit to keep your horse (and you) happy
Jochen Schleese outlines his nine points for ensuring a correct saddle fit.
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Back to the gym: How gymnastic stretches can engage your horse’s back
Horse owners can get hands on with instructional video on equine biomechanics.
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