Stutteri Nord

16/07/2025

Virkelig god øvelse for heste der er bange for ting bagfra, og/eller er meget følsomme for berøring på bagparten. Husk at arbejde dig forfra og bagud stille og forsigtigt, så du ikke kommer tilskade fordi hesten bliver bange

16/07/2025

Ny undersøgelse peger på en sammenhæng mellem hestevelfærd og sikkerhed for rytteren.

Recent research published in the journal Animal shows a clear link between horse welfare and rider safety.

Horses in facilities with better welfare—characterised by fewer health problems, higher haemoglobin levels, and more positive behaviour towards humans—were associated with the lowest number of rider falls during lessons.

In contrast, horses showing signs of poor welfare, such as chronic pain, apathy, aggression, or anaemia, were associated with more rider accidents.

The study also found that positive, attentive human-horse interactions during care and riding improved welfare, while rushed or minimal interaction worsened it.

Management practices like the frequency of turnout or the teaching strategies employed by riding instructors—were also found to be highly influential.

For example, the facility with the best welfare outcomes provided more frequent turnout and riding instruction that emphasised horse comfort rather than strict control. This approach not only improved horse welfare but also resulted in safer riding environments and a reduced risk of accidents.

This study, though modest in scale, clearly demonstrates that investing in horse welfare brings tangible benefits beyond simply having healthier, happier animals.

Facilities that make even small improvements in management—such as increasing turnout and providing more attentive care—see direct enhancements in horse welfare, which in turn results in fewer rider accidents during lessons and lowers the risk of costly legal claims for riding centres.

Ultimately, prioritising horse welfare is both an ethical responsibility and a sound, practical strategy for creating safer, more sustainable riding operations.

Full Study: L. Gueguen, R. Palme, P. Jego, S. Henry, M. Hausberger,
Differences between facilities in horse welfare profiles: slight differences in management/working conditions may be enough,
animal, Volume 19, Issue 6, 2025

05/01/2025

Super ide med en ridesti fra Galopbanen til café Victor👍 🥳

05/01/2025

Interessant resultat om hestes alder og mental parathed i forhold til træning!

The age at which horses are mentally fit for training is a subject of ongoing research and debate among equine professionals.

While most agree that formal training under saddle should not begin until the horse is physically mature enough to carry a rider, opinions on the mental readiness of youngsters for non-ridden training vary widely.

A recent study examined a group of Warmblood colts undertaking a pretraining programme for stallion licensing.

The researchers examined 18-, 24-, and 30-month-old stallions over a 12-week period, measuring salivary cortisol, heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV) in response to various pretraining events that included free movement in an indoor arena, exercise in a horse walker, lunging, and free jumping.

The results showed that all pretraining events induced a stress response in the young stallions, indicated by increased salivary cortisol and heart rate, as well as decreased HRV. However, the degree of stress response decreased with repetition of the same event, suggesting rapid adaptation to these challenges.

The most pronounced cortisol release was observed in response to free movement and lunging in the early weeks of pretraining, and particularly during first exposure to the automated horse walker.

The study found no major differences in stress response between ages groups, contrary to the researchers' hypothesis. This suggests that even eighteen month old colts are mentally capable of coping with the demands of pretraining.

Heart rates during pretraining events peaked at 150-160 beats per minute, which is considered moderate compared to competing horses, with researchers noting that the observed physiological changes may actually enhance learning in horses, representing a eustress (positive stress)response rather than harmful stress.

The full study can be found at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731124003100

27/11/2024

03/11/2024

Hvis du er podcast-fan og heste-nørd, kan disse absolut anbefales! Der er 6 afsnit i alt med forskelligt fokus hver gang

Pets & Animals Podcast · 6 Episodes · Updated weekly

27/09/2024

A horse cannot be expected to know the intentions of its rider. It makes sense to recognise that confusion can also occur when a single signal has more than one response associated with it.

For example, in equitation the stimulus of the single rein is the fundamental signal for the turn response.

When riders attempt to bend the horse's neck laterally using the single rein, the horse can easily become confused between the dual response of either turning (changing direction) or lateral flexing of the neck: two responses from one signal.

A similar confusion may result when both reins are used for altering the horse's head-carriage, because use of both reins together has an earlier fundamental association with slowing.

Such confusions lead to conflict behaviours in the ridden horse and thereby add to behavioural waste statistics.

Equitation Science, 2nd Edition - Andrew McLean, Paul McGreevy, Janne Whinther Christensen & Uta König von Borstel.

21/09/2024

Fact…🤣🤣🤣

23/08/2024

Ny gratis mini masterclass serie fra den svenske etolog Karolina Westlund. Starter i dag og er kun tilgængelig i en begrænset periode.

13/08/2024

Her er kort og præcist forklaret, hvordan du kan bruge, det at klø din hest, som positiv forstærkning i træningen og i samværet med din hest🐴♥️

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

Positive reinforcement is essential in effective horse training, and understanding what truly motivates your horse can make all the difference. While many trainers use praise and pats as rewards, scratching offers a more meaningful and beneficial alternative for your horse.

𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴
Horses have unique preferences when it comes to rewards. A simple pat on the neck or enthusiastic praise might not resonate with them in the way we expect. Instead, scratching mimics the natural behaviours horses use to interact with each other. In the wild, horses use their teeth to scratch each other’s necks, which is both a social interaction and a practical behaviour that helps alleviate discomfort.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨
Scratching has a calming effect on horses. Studies have shown that when horses scratch each other at the base of the withers, their heart rate lowers by about 10 beats per minute. This is a clear indicator that scratching is more than just a pleasant gesture; it’s a stress-relieving action that horses find highly rewarding.

𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨
At Pony Club, we emphasise the use of scratching as part of our reward-based training techniques. Here’s why it’s effective:

▪️ Immediate Gratification: For positive reinforcement to work, the reward needs to be given immediately after the desired behaviour. Scratching provides instant, tangible gratification for your horse.

▪️ Meaningful Reward: Unlike loud praise or pats, scratching is something horses naturally enjoy. It directly addresses their physical comfort and mimics the social grooming they experience with other horses.

▪️ Stress Relief: The calming effect of scratching can help reduce stress and anxiety, making it an ideal reward during training sessions.

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘜𝘴𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺
When incorporating scratching into your training routine, keep the following tips in mind:

1️⃣ Be Consistent: Use scratching as a reward consistently to help your horse associate it with positive behaviours.

2️⃣ Observe Preferences: Pay attention to where your horse likes to be scratched the most—some might prefer the neck, while others might enjoy it on their withers or back.

3️⃣ Combine with Other Rewards: While scratching is highly effective, you can also combine it with other forms of positive reinforcement, like treats, to enhance the reward.

In conclusion, scratching is a powerful and beneficial form of positive reinforcement that aligns with your horse’s natural behaviours and needs. By incorporating scratching into your training, you’re not only rewarding your horse effectively but also fostering a deeper bond built on understanding and respect.

Happy training, and remember to keep those scratches coming! 🐴✨

11/08/2024

Masser af vigtig viden om hestehold, sundhed, træning og meget meget mere om vores islandske heste. Online og GRATIS. Fra Dansk Islandshesteforening

15/05/2024