Karin Gracey Equine Success

07/09/2025

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💫 Vibrissae—the horse’s whiskers—are unlike any other type of hair, serving a crucial sensory function.

They are the only hairs on a horse that are not moulted or shed, and are rich with nerves that signal directly to specific areas of the brain for interpretation.

These specialised hairs are the very first to develop in the horse embryo and, compared to regular coat hair, are embedded much deeper in the skin.

Each vibrissa is housed in a small blood capsule that amplifies pressure, so even the slightest movement is perceived by sensory receptors. This allows the horse to process detailed information about size, texture, shape, and location.

Classified as low-threshold (high sensitivity) receptors, vibrissae respond to the smallest of stimuli.

At present, there’s no scientific data on whether horses prioritise vision, hearing, touch, or smell, unlike research available in other species such as rats and pigeons.

Gaining this knowledge would be invaluable in understanding what signals are most effective in horse training, such as comparing the speed of uptake between voice, visual, or tactile cues.

📚An excerpt from Modern Horse Training: Equitation Science Principles & Practice, Volume 2 by Andrew McLean

🛍️ Available to purchase at our website: https://www.esi-education.com/

07/09/2025

One of my clients called recently, concerned that her horse was still girthy, even after a his recent saddle fitting.

Of course, we scheduled a follow-up to double-check, but the saddle fit both horse and rider beautifully. So what was going on?

This is something we see from time to time, and it’s worth talking about.

As equine professionals, it’s our responsibility to look beyond the saddle.

Has the horse been checked for gastrointestinal issues?
Any signs of lameness or other physical concerns?
Has anything else in the environment or routine changed?

In this case, everything had been ruled out. The horse had a clean bill of health, but he was girthy. Unfortunately, just because the pain is gone doesn’t mean the memory of pain is.

Horses are prey animals with highly developed survival responses.
They learn quickly through association, especially when it comes to avoiding pain.

If a particular experience (like tightening the girth, asking for a stretch, or mounting) used to hurt, it doesn’t take many repetitions for the horse to link that action with discomfort or fear.

Even once the source of pain has been removed, the anticipation of pain remains. This is a form of learned trauma and it's deeply rooted in the horse’s nervous system and protective behaviours.

Pain doesn’t just affect the body, it affects the brain’s wiring, altering how the animal responds to touch, pressure, and even routine tasks.

Let’s keep the example of the girthy horse. If the saddle once pinched the back or placed pressure on sensitive structures when the girth was tightened, the horse may have developed a defensive reaction to girthing.

Even if the saddle fit has since been corrected, the memory of pain can remain, prompting the same behaviour.

The same applies to horses who can’t stretch, move hollow, bolt or buck.
These aren’t acts of stubbornness or bad training, they’re coping mechanisms.

So what can you do?

The most important thing is to stay patient. Behaviour takes time to re-pattern.

If you can, retrain the association by using positive reinforcement and calm, consistent handling to help your horse form new, pain-free connections with old routines.

If the behaviour persists for weeks or worsens, it’s worth re-checking saddle fit and ruling out additional health concerns with your horse’s wellness team.

Unfortunately, healing doesn’t stop at fixing the physical issue, sometimes the horse just needs a little bit more time.

07/09/2025

05/09/2025

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MY TOMMY💓💓🐎💔

Upon the hill where soft winds roam,
I sit in silence, all alone.
The grass still bends where you once lay,
Your spirit lingers, night and day.

Your gallop sang, your breath was fire,
A living dream, my one desire.
Now only whispers touch the skies,
A glowing shadow in my eyes.

“I miss you,” falls from lips so low,
And through the night, you whisper, “I know.”
Though earth has claimed your fleeting stride,
Your soul still stands here by my side.

No reins, no saddle, just the light,
A faithful bond beyond the night.
My dearest friend, though you are gone,
Within my heart, you still live on.

03/09/2025

Thankyou all for the kind and supportive comments on my previous post in regards to my beautiful Tommy growing his Angel Wings. 🙏💓💕💛🐎.
Below Is a snippet where Tommy and Bear get to know each other with their first meet.

2 very beautiful off the track thoroughbreds! 🐎🐎

01/09/2025

TOMMY ( GINGER TOM )🐎💓💓💓💓

I lost my No1 Horse on Friday. I rode Tommy trackwork back 15 years ago when he was in racing. Tommy’s racename was ‘Ginger Tom’.
I took Tommy on straight after he retired from racing. For close to 15 years Tommy has been my No1 boy, he has always been the head of the herd, he was the matriarch of my team of horses. The most gentle, intuitive and big beautiful red horse, at 17h he was a magnificent looking chestnut! On Friday I found Tommy in the paddock with what looked like a broken hip. I got my vet out immediately. Tommy had broken his right femur and was euthanised. I am still in shock and don’t really know how to process the loss. His herd haven’t been themselves since Friday, though other than one horse ‘Nina’ most had brightened up yesterday. Truly one huge hole in my heart and in my herd of horses. 💔💔💔💔🐎

29/08/2025

I came back home tonight to these beautiful flowers from Milahn. I have been helping Milahn with her Ottb ‘Amigo’. My stepfather passed away last week and his memorial service was yesterday, this afternoon I had to euthanise my precious horse Tommy due to a broken femur. I am still in shock and totally heartbroken. Seeing these beautiful flowers at my doorstep after coming back from losing Tommy meant a lot to me💕🥰💐💔🐎💔

27/08/2025

I am getting a bit frustrated lately with social media influencers saying how broken physically and mentally off the track horses are.

I have worked with thoroughbred racehorses in the industry for over 2 decades. They are incredible horses. Yes they will have their unique issues. If you get an off the track horse, be prepared to learn about them so you know how to bring out the best in your retired racehorse. Don’t blame the horse, don’t blame the industry, blame yourself for your lack of knowledge unique to these incredible equine athletes and do something about it by increasing these skills. That’s what I am here for! Off the track thoroughbreds aren’t for everyone and that’s ok, they don’t suit every person and their situation.

Off the track horses are cheap and often free. You get a cheap horse. Don’t be expecting they are ready to go for your equestrian dreams without hard work and unique skills to learn.

Below is an example of how successful and joyful these horses can be..

25/08/2025

(SOLD) AVAILABLE ‘AMIGO’ 🐎🐎🐎🐎

Posting for a lovely client of mine who can no longer keep her beautiful Ottb ‘Amigo’
To the best of homes only. ‘Amigo’ goes with all his gear as well as ongoing aftersale support from myself, including access to my Online Course ‘The Kickstart Roadmap to Ottb Success’

Serious enquiries only, where you can contact me through private message on this page or contact Milahn on her phone no below:

“ Hi everyone , I’m selling my beautiful OTTB 15.3HH bay gelding 9 years old , 10 in September. His name is Amigo I bought him in November last year. Unfortunately I don’t have the time for him anymore/ my health. He has lots of potential, done trails , jumping with team thoroughbred
lots of flat work with me and he easy to float, catch, rug , fine for farrier, worming & wash located mandalong NSW. NEEDS CONFIDENT RIDER

Just would like him to go to a loving forever home. $1,000 ONO please pm or call 0448955991“