Ash Moon Equine

14/08/2025

14/08/2025

05/07/2025

27/06/2025

My lovely Magic Max 🥰❤️‍🔥🫶

21/06/2025

WHAT DOES THE PUBLIC THINK OF SPORT HORSE WELFARE?

A recent survey commissioned by World Horse Welfare has revealed widespread concern among the UK public about the welfare of horses used in sport.

Only 27% of adults surveyed believed that most sport horses live good lives. Among people who regularly interact with horses, that figure rose to 49% — but only a tiny 5% of the public (and 8% of horse people) believed that all sport horses live good lives.

It’s clear that certain aspects of equine welfare matter to the public. The majority said that sport horses should have social contact with other horses (62%), be given rest days after competition (64%), and be fit for the work they’re asked to do (55%). Many also emphasised the importance of well-fitting tack (51%) and regular turnout (45%).

The results also highlighted concern about some traditional training practices. Just 21% supported the use of whips, 11% approved of spurs, and only 7% felt strong rein or leg pressure was acceptable. Perhaps most tellingly, only 3% of respondents believed it was acceptable to use fear, pain or force in training. Interestingly, people with regular horse experience were more likely to find these methods acceptable than members of the general public.

When asked what might increase public trust that sport horses live good lives, the most popular responses were:
– Unannounced welfare inspections of training facilities (53%)
– Mandatory welfare education for all who work with sport horses (51%)
– Making welfare assessment results publicly available (46%)

The findings offer a clear message: the public has little confidence in how sport horses are treated, and the industry must work to earn public trust. While some people still support equestrian sport, they expect higher welfare standards, better training practices and more transparency.

While the industry may hold on to the belief that all sport horses live good lives, the public — and many informed equestrians — are increasingly questioning that view.

21/05/2025

Pain memory! By popular demand when I posted on my stories 😎🤓🙌

Pain memory and/or working out if/where/what the pain is, is unfortunately common for equestrians, as is pain being pushed aside (“he wouldn’t do it if he was in pain” “we checked for ulcers and didn’t find any”’ “she just has mare face” etc etc ).

But this knowledge I find helps make things clearer 🥰 it’s our job to respect that our horses know their bodies, & if they’ve been alienated from themselves then it’s a privilege to support them in coming home to their physical selves.

16/05/2025

An absolute joy to chat with Poppy Peach on her How To Speak Horse podcast 🥹🥰

12/05/2025

"Can I ride my horse?"

This very simple question is the most common question I get asked during an appointment.

Sadly, for most horses this simple question doesn't come with a simple answer.

It's also not just a one time question with a one time answer. This is a dynamic topic which presents through the lifetime of horse ownership through fluctuations in your horse's individual health and wellbeing.

It considers your horse's posture, their musculoskeletal development, their hoof health, their emotional association to being ridden, the environment they are kept in, how they are coping with it and much, much more.

It's often a huge source of worry and conflict for many people who want to make informed choices to support their horse's wellbeing whilst simultaneously being able to enjoy riding and training them.

But it doesn't have to be so big and scary - there are so many ways in which you can make informed decisions for your horse, beginning with training your eye.

Join Integrative Equine Podiatrist, Beccy Smith, from Holistic Equine and I as we discuss this topic through a variety of lenses: combining evidence-informed practice and research to give you practical skills to assess your own horse's wellbeing so you can answer the question for yourself.

26.05.2025 19:00 BST

Recording available if you can't make the live ❤️✨️

12/05/2025

Thank you to everyone who has reached out and listened to my interview with the lovely Lockie, I am so touched and have been completely overwhelmed!

Appreciate you all!🤍✨🪶

Podcast Episode · The Emotional Horsemanship Podcast with Lockie Phillips · 08/05/2025 · 1h 15m

07/05/2025

The science behind helping your horse feel safe 🤓😎