Agnew Equine Ltd

31/05/2026

🐴 Equine Influenza Update – Important Reminder

Due to the current equine flu situation in the UK, governing bodies are tightening enforcement of vaccination and passport checks to help keep all horses as safe as possible.

Many organisations (including British Dressage and other affiliated bodies) are now carrying out strict passport checks before horses are unloaded from horseboxes, to confirm flu vaccination status. Please ensure you always bring your horse’s passport to competitions and have it readily available on arrival.

As a reminder, horses must be fully compliant with vaccination rules to compete, and passports must be correctly completed with all flu vaccinations recorded by a vet.

For horses travelling or competing regularly, if the most recent equine influenza booster was more than 6 months ago, it is strongly worth discussing a booster with your vet. While the official competition requirement is still typically within 12 months, a 6-month booster interval is currently recommended by vets and industry bodies during outbreak periods to improve protection.

Vaccination remains a key part of biosecurity. While vaccinated horses can still become infected, they are generally:

✅ Less likely to become severely ill
✅ Less likely to show clinical signs
✅ Less likely to shed large amounts of virus, therefore reducing spread

Alongside vaccination, good biosecurity is essential to reduce risk. Please continue to:

❌ Avoid nose-to-nose contact between horses
❌ Do not share tack, buckets, or feeding equipment
❌ Wash hands and change clothing between yards where possible
❌ Be cautious at busy events and minimise unnecessary contact

Everyone should continue enjoying training, competition, and outings as normal, but with sensible precautions in place to protect all horses on site.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our Saver Day appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays are a convenient and cost-effective way to keep vaccinations up to date, and we are happy to help you book in.

28/05/2026

Follow Agnew Equine's Sponsored Rider Sam and her young horse, Nessy, to their first competition!

27/05/2026

Important advice on pre-competition health checks during this equine flu outbreak 👇

⚠ Movement of horses is one of the biggest risk factors for spreading equine influenza.

With outbreak numbers currently very high, it's important to implement strict health checks if you're planning to travel your horse. Look for the following signs of equine influenza...
😷 Dry, harsh cough
🤒 Fever
🤧 Nasal discharge
😴 Lethargy
😖 Enlarged lymph nodes
🤐 Loss of appetite

🌡️ We advise checking your horse's temperature twice a day in the 72 hours leading up to your outing. Do not travel if they show a reading above 38.5˚C

🦠 If your horse has been in contact with another horse suspected of having flu, it's important not to travel them, even if they aren't showing symptoms themselves. Infected horses can spread flu before they appear ill, so not seeing signs doesn't necessarily mean your horse is safe to travel.

For more information about equine influenza, visit our website 👉 https://bit.ly/BEF_EquineInfluenza_Info

22/05/2026

☀ With hot weather forecast for at least the next 10 days, it’s important to remember many horses haven’t had time to properly acclimate to the sudden rise in temperatures. Even horses that normally cope well can struggle when the heat arrives quickly, so extra care and monitoring are essential.

1️⃣ Choose cooler turnout times - early mornings and overnight turnout are ideal. Avoid turnout during the hottest parts of the day where possible.

2️⃣ Keep your horse hydrated - provide constant access to fresh, cool water and consider adding electrolytes for horses sweating heavily.

3️⃣ Provide adequate shade - if your horse lives outside, make sure there is reliable shelter available throughout the day.

4️⃣ Keep air moving - use fans safely in stables to improve airflow and help horses cool more efficiently.

5️⃣ Cool horses down regularly - frequent rinsing with cool water can help lower body temperature effectively.

6️⃣ Adjust exercise routines - consider skipping ridden work during extreme heat, or work during cooler parts of the day only. Reduce intensity and allow plenty of breaks.

7️⃣ Prevent sunburn - pink-skinned and light-coloured horses are particularly vulnerable. Use fly masks with UV protection, sunscreen, or limit prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

8️⃣ Clip wisely - long, thick coats trap heat and make cooling difficult. Clipping can help, but avoid clipping too close.

9️⃣ Stick to routine where possible - sudden management changes alongside hot weather can increase the risk of stress and colic.

🔟 Watch closely for signs of heat stress or heat stroke - know your horse’s normal temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate so you can recognise when something isn’t right.

⚠️ Also be extra vigilant for laminitis during this hot weather spell - warm conditions, rich grass growth after rain, dehydration, and metabolic stress can all increase the risk.

Remember that flies, dehydration, heat stress, and dietary changes can also increase the risk of colic during prolonged hot spells.

If you are worried about heat stroke, dehydration, laminitis, or your horse simply seems “not quite right,” contact us promptly for advice!

22/05/2026

Training Reflection: When Life Gets Loud from Agnew Sponsored Rider Rachael Shubotham

Things have been pretty up and down recently — and very quiet on the surface — whilst trying to navigate life stresses, emotions, self‑critique, and horses. It can all feel difficult and overwhelming at times.

There is no weakness in admitting that. In fact, this felt like the right moment to pause and look at some wider thoughts.

When we reflect on training, we often focus solely on our horse’s technique, style, consistency, work ethic, and why things may or may not be going to plan. But there’s rarely a simple answer.

Horses — and staying active — are so important for the mind. Yet when you’re not feeling your best, even the things that usually help can feel like a hard task to juggle.

Think of your horse as a barometer.
They read you instantly. Not in a dramatic way — just in the tiny details:

• a slight hesitation when your mind is drifting
• tense moments when your breath shortens
• questioning your decisions when your confidence flickers

They often reflect the emotional static you didn’t realise you’d brought with you. That’s the thing about horses: they don’t judge your emotional landscape, but they do respond to it.

Three things stand out to me — and they’re worth carrying forward if any of this resonates with you:

1) Emotional load isn’t a weakness — it’s information.

Your body tells the truth long before your brain catches up.

2) You can ride well even when you’re not feeling your strongest.

Not by forcing it, but by acknowledging where you are and adjusting with compassion.

3) Your horse doesn’t need you to be perfect — just present.

They meet you where you are, as long as you meet them honestly.

🤍🤎

21/05/2026

Fly season is here… and effective fly control is about much more than comfort 🪰🐴

Flies can contribute to irritation, stress, rubbing, skin damage and increased risk of infection, particularly around wounds, eyes and sensitive areas. For some horses, they can also trigger significant reactions such as sweet itch.

A few simple management steps can make a big difference:

• Regular manure removal to reduce breeding areas
• Well-fitted fly rugs, masks and fringes
• Stable fans and good airflow where possible
• Fly repellents applied correctly and consistently
• Avoiding turnout during peak fly activity for sensitive horses
• Keeping wounds clean, protected and monitored closely

It’s also worth remembering that not every product works the same for every horse. Some horses need a combination approach, especially those prone to sweet itch or skin sensitivity.

If your horse is persistently uncomfortable, rubbing excessively, developing sores, or struggling with wound irritation during fly season, please contact us early before small issues become bigger problems.

What fly control products or routines work best for your horse?

20/05/2026

The Cover Star is such a lovely way for us to see our clients - both human and equine - at home doing what they love. Thanks for sharing your photos with us each and every time! We have our golden hour finalists - please like or comment on the individual photos to submit your vote. 🎴

1. Submitted by Eva Hargreaves
2. Submitted by Demi Lowe of Blue and Ash
3. Submitted by Christina Whitehurst - Our wildcard!
4. Submitted by Evie McManus

Good Luck! 🍀

19/05/2026

Golden Hour Highlights 🎴 In the depth of winter we need to remind ourselves that these are the moments to look forward to and live for! ✨ Can you spot any of your favourite four-legged friends?

17/05/2026

🌟 We are on the hunt for a new Cover Star! 🌟 With all the gorgeous sunsets we've had recently, we are looking for photos of your Golden Hour horses and ponies. 🎴 We know you've been taking the photos - so please share with us and you could be our next Cover Star. 🤩

We'll select a shortlist from which to choose our new Star! Good luck - make sure you share to get the most likes or comments - and we can't wait to see your photos!

Photo credit to Amelia Rose and her beautiful boy, Finley 🌈 xx