Acceptable Weight / Horse Ratio

Master Saddler & Master Saddle Fitter Kay Hastilow has been working to develop a new formula that seeks to enable a more accurate assessment of the weight that an individual horse or pony can comfortably carry and the results of that study have just been published. Kay explains more about what the new formula is and the potential welfare benefits it offers ...

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Inspiring Owners To Keep Horses Trim And Reduce Health Risks

Bess with owner Lorna PurserNow that the grass is growing in abundance, the risk of weight gain and associated health problems for horses and ponies is significantly increased. Spillers hopes that by sharing two real life case studies, it can help highlight the importance of good weight management to minimise the risk of serious conditions such as laminitis.

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BETA Feed Awareness Week Flies The Flag For Equine Nutrition

BETA Feed Awareness Week 2021BETA Feed Awareness Week is back - running for a third time - earlier in the year than usual, but with the same mission, to dispel feeding myths and grow nutritional knowledge. This popular campaign will take place from 27 March to 4 April, just as spring arrives and the competition season begins to unfold.

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Carl Hester - In The Frame on H&C Tonight (Thur 18)

Carl Hester Insta LiveCarl Hester is the latest guest to feature in 'In the Frame', the new series from Horse & Country (H&C) where presenter Alice Plunkett asks an equestrian legend to select five photographs that define their career.
Carl’s selection spans his early days in Sark right through to the Olympics and beyond.
This evening (18th Feb) at 5pm GMT Carl will join H&C’s Jenny Rudall for an Instagram Live interview on the H&C Instagram page. Expect more great stories about Carl’s choices and his extraordinary career.

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Vet Advice: Mud Fever Management

Paragon Veterinary Group - EquineBritish weather means rainy days are a typical feature of winter and early spring, resulting in our horses and ponies spending more time standing in the mud when they are turned out. Mud fever is a common finding in these situations, so it is hardly surprising that a recent study by the Blue Cross Equine Charity found that mud fever accounted for 40% of skin disease in horses. Mud fever is a non-contagious (meaning it does not pass from horse to horse) skin condition that causes for irritation, pain, and scabs to form on the lower limbs of horses. In more severe cases, swelling and lameness of the affected limbs can occur. The most frequently affected areas are the back of the pastern, between the fetlock and the hoof. Understanding how to prevent and manage the condition can make a big difference.

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New Research Into Equestrian Body Protection Delivers Surprising Results

FOMO FAZE Body ProtectorFOMO, the company behind FAZE, one of the UK's newest body protectors, has just released the first findings in a study into body protection for the equestrian market.
FOMO was awarded an Innovate UK SMART Grant in October 2019 and spent 15 months completing a feasibility study on particular named technologies, working alongside thought leaders, including the University of Edinburgh, to determine ‘life-like’ test methods for assessing each technology.
The company was founded in 2016 by Carmen Cummiskey, an experienced equestrian and a graduate in Sports Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Throughout her development of FAZE, Carmen was always of the belief that the best balance of performance and comfort would not be achieved with the use of a single technology and that the combined characteristics of complementary technological solutions would be needed to achieve a step change.

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Blue Cross Call To Ditch New Year's Eve Fireworks

Blue Cross Call To Ditch New Year's Eve FireworksBlue Cross is urging people not to let off any fireworks on New Year's Eve, as horse owners reveal the extent of suffering they cause in a recent survey.
As a difficult year for everyone comes to a close, it is understandable the British public may be wanting to celebrate new hope for 2021 this winter and for some, that might include letting off fireworks in their garden or private fields.
However, the animal charity is asking people to think about horses and pets this New Year’s Eve and resist the temptation to use loud fireworks, which we know terrifies many of the animals we share our lives with.
Blue Cross surveyed horse owners in early December and found that there were high levels of concern in the equine community about the impact on their horses and the difficulty in predicting when the fireworks may be let off in order to try and plan ahead. (1)

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Give the Lasting Gift of Saddle Fitting Know HowFound It! The Perfect Horsey Gift

Saddle Fitting Know How - For Riders and Trainers is available as two videos for unlimited download or streaming from Master Saddler & Master Saddle Fitter Kay Hastilow’s own Vimeo On Demand page for a one-off charge of just £35 per video – the perfect equestrian Christmas Gift for less than the cost of a good quality saddlecloth!

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H&C and British Riding Clubs Announce Live Streaming Partnership

Lottie Gilderson 100pxhighInternational equestrian sports network Horse & Country (H&C) and British Riding Clubs (BRC) have announced a new partnership which will see selected BRC events live-streamed on H&C’s membership service, H&C+. BRC is dedicated to supporting and encouraging amateur riders at all levels and runs a wide range of championships and events throughout the year. The partnership will commence with the BRC TopSpec Dressage to Music Championships taking place at Bury Farm (2nd – 4th October) and further events will be announced in the near future.

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Introductory Course In Saddle Fitting

Society of Master Saddlers

The Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) is running an Introductory Course in Saddle Fitting this autumn, so if you've ever thought about a new career as a qualified saddle fitter, this could be for you! The theory lectures will be run as webinars over two afternoon and evening sessions on October 26 and 27, followed up with a one day practical next April.

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Search On To Find 2020's Top UK Veterinary Nurse

Paws For TeaBlue Cross has begun its annual search for the UK‘s 'Veterinary Nurse of the year' and is calling on pet owners and veterinary practices to nominate vet nurses who have gone the extra mile in 2020. The charity’s award recognises the dedication of the country’s vet nurses and their invaluable support to their veterinary teams, the nation’s pets and pet owners.

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The Donkey Sanctuary Supports Equine Microchipping Drive

A call by the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, for all donkey, horse and pony owners to microchip their animals ahead of an Autumn deadline has been backed by international animal welfare charity, The Donkey Sanctuary. From 1 October 2020 it will be mandatory for all equine owners to microchip their animals in England, so their details can be added to the Central Equine Database. The database will enable local authorities and the police to trace owners of abandon or stolen equines, while also helping to improve animal welfare standards.

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Safety awards presented in honour of Sefton

Outstanding contributions in the field of riding and road safety were recognised at The British Horse Society’s Sefton Awards, held at the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment's Barracks, Knightsbridge, London recently. Read about this year's worthy recipients.....

The awards were set up by the Society in 1990 as a legacy to Sefton, the Household Cavalry horse who survived the IRA bombings in London in 1982. Sefton was 19 years old at the time of the bombings. He underwent eight hours of surgery and became a household name..

This year there were three recipients of the honour. The first of these was Robbie Woolford, from Windsor, Berkshire. In December 2012 Robbie was out riding when an irate taxi driver drove straight at her and her horse, stopping just a yard away. The experience left Robbie traumatised and convinced that something had to be done. Already campaigning with her Parish Council for lower speed limits and horse signs on the roads, Robbie raised her game. She began addressing local drivers of the need for consideration when passing horses on the road and earlier this year the council erected the long awaited horse signs.

Speaking of her achievements she said: "This is only a small part of it, I'm not finished yet! I would like a Pegasus crossing [a specialised road crossing for horses and riders] and I would like the speed limit to come right down. I was amazed to be nominated for this award and today really has been very special. It's been a really wonderful day and I feel very undeserving."

The second recipient was Alison Harris from Harrogate, Yorkshire. Through her hard work and enthusiasm Alison was able to use the Tour de France starting in Yorkshire as a great opportunity to ensure that visiting cyclists were aware of how to act when they met horses on the winding Yorkshire lanes. By distributing guidance leaflets and organising trade stands at Festivals on the Tour route, Alison not only helped to keep horse riders and cyclists safe during the busy weeks of the Tour but also raised awareness of the wider need for cyclists and horses to work in harmony on the road.

“I feel very honoured to have been singled out to receive this award as someone who has done something for road safety,” said Alison. “As a horse rider myself I am acutely aware of the fact that educating all road users is extremely important in the interests of all our safety.”

The third recipient, Mary Lloyd from Crewe, Cheshire, was due to receive her award in 2013 but unfortunately this was not possible due to her mother’s ill health. Mary was recognised for her efforts to raise awareness amongst drivers of the need to take care around horses following a number of incidents involving horses and vehicles near her home. She worked tirelessly in her local community, distributing advice literature, talking to drivers, and even successfully erecting a roadside billboard which is seen by huge numbers of drivers on a daily basis.
“To receive the award today has been very special,” said Mary, who dedicated the award to her mum. “It's been very emotional but a wonderful experience and probably one that I will never get to repeat in my lifetime again.”

Click to find out about membership of the British Horse Society

Robbie Woolford - In an area with a high horse population, expectations would be for drivers to be aware of the need to give horses plenty of room. But in December 2012 Robbie Woolford was riding across the road when an irate taxi driver drove straight at her, stopping just a yard away. Horse and rider were fully equipped with hi-viz clothing. The event left Robbie traumatised and firmly believed the taxi driver did it just to scare her.

Robbie was also aware that three ridden horses had recently been involved in a dreadful accident, resulting in injuries to all riders and two horses being destroyed a short distance from where she faced the taxi.

Already campaigning with her Parish Council for lower speed limits and horse signs on the roads, Robbie raised her game. Armed with BHS posters and leaflets, she made the taxi office her first stop. She flooded the local area with literature and addressed many drivers in person, explaining the hazards of inconsiderate driving and public safety.

Garnering support from her local BHS committee, Robbie worked even harder to persuade the Parish Council to make changes. A large paragraph appeared in their newsletter regarding courtesy to equestrians and, in April 2014, Robbie was delighted when the council erected the long awaited horse signs. She continues her battle to reduce the 60 mph speed limit.


Alison Harris - When Alison Harris became aware of the Tour de France starting in Yorkshire, she decided to ensure that visiting cyclists were aware of how to act when they met horses on the winding Yorkshire lanes.

With limited time, Alison set to work distributing as many copies of the BHS Code of Conduct for Horse Riders & Cyclists as possible.

Supported by her county committee and BHS HQ, Alison organised leaflet distribution to cycle shops and cycling clubs. She attended events where she spoke to cyclists and organised trade stands at two of the cycling festivals on the Tour route.

Through her proactive promotion of the need for cyclists and horses to work in harmony on the road, Alison has not only raised the profile to a wider world of the BHS as an organisation, but also the need for cyclists to be particularly careful when meeting horses on the winding, twisty lanes of her beloved county.


Mary Lloyd - Mary Lloyd was so upset by the number of incidents involving horses and vehicles near her home that she felt compelled to take action. Determined to raise awareness amongst drivers of the need to take care around horses, Mary contacted the BHS Safety team to share her idea to erect a roadside billboard. Undeterred by planning regulations, problems with artwork for the 6ft x 4ft billboard and finding an appropriate roadside location, Mary forged ahead. She paid for the artwork conversion and printing costs herself, and enlisted the help of a farmer who erected the sign in an excellent spot, ensuring it was seen by a huge number of drivers on a daily basis.

Not content with this success, Mary’s pro-active work continues. She is regularly seen distributing BHS road safety literature, talking to drivers and promoting the dedicated BHS safety website, www.horseaccidents.org.uk, at farmers’ markets, veterinary practices, driving schools, agricultural shows and country events.

Click to find out about membership of the British Horse Society