Michelle Johnston Equine Services/Senior Coach BHS I I / SM

09/06/2026

Progress, now 13 and developing into a confident quiet rider

09/06/2026

When you give your client some homework and they send the result. Great work Annabelle

02/06/2026

If only they could tell us. As a coach and rider I am always listening to the horse, an uneven step on a turn, why? horse stops jumping, why? Im a firm believer that horses dont get up in the morning saying I'm going to be awkward, naughty, lazy today they are communicating. We have to listen

THE SYMPTOM IS IN THE FOOT. THE CAUSE IS OFTEN SOMEWHERE ELSE.

A horse becomes footsore.

The natural assumption is that the problem must be in the foot.

Sometimes that's exactly what's happened.

An abscess is in the foot.

A puncture wound is in the foot.

A crack is in the foot.

The problem and the symptom occupy the same place.

But not always.

A horse lands toe-first.

What you see is in the foot.

The cause may be hock arthritis.

A horse starts wearing one foot faster than the others.

The symptom is in the foot.

The cause may be a change in how the horse is loading its limbs.

A horse repeatedly loses a shoe from the same foot.

The symptom is in the foot.

The cause may be a movement pattern that has changed because the horse is uncomfortable elsewhere.

A horse develops bruising in the same area over and over again.

The symptom is in the foot.

The cause may be altered movement from joint disease higher up.

A horse develops contracted heels.

The symptom is in the foot.

The cause may be persistent avoidance of loading part of the limb because something else hurts.

A horse grows noticeably uneven feet.

The symptom is in the feet.

The cause may be asymmetry elsewhere in the body changing how those feet are loaded.

A horse struggles on hard ground.

The pain shows in the feet.

The cause may be endocrine disease affecting the lamellae.

A horse develops laminitis.

The pain is in the feet.

The damage is in the feet.

Yet the process often begins with insulin dysregulation or other hormonal disturbance long before the foot shows it.

A horse develops recurrent abscesses.

The symptom is in the foot.

The cause may be chronic lamellar damage that has been present for months or years.

A horse struggles to turn.

The symptom may look like foot pain.

The cause may be the hocks.

Or the stifles.

Or somewhere else entirely.

A horse doesn't want to go forward.

The feet may be blamed.

The cause could be orthopaedic pain.

It could be gastric disease.

It could be respiratory disease.

It could be something else altogether.

The point is not that the feet are unimportant.

Quite the opposite.

The feet are often the first place the horse reveals that something is wrong.

But they are not always telling us where the problem started.

One of the most valuable habits in equine healthcare is learning not to stop at the first thing you can see.

The foot matters.

But it is attached to a whole horse.

And sometimes the foot is not the problem.

It's the messenger.

31/05/2026

Ride your turns

26/05/2026

What a busy bank holiday weekend with some of my clients. From unaffiliated show jumping, Atticus 2 first places. NSEA Arena eventing champiobships 3 top 10 placings Chloe, Eddie, Claire, out of classes of over 150 and sj qualifications, 2 qualified, Effie, Jess through to BE105 with 3rd place, Maddi and the Wellington CSI 2☆ 2 cr. David, What a range of competition. Not forgetting first showing show last weekend with a 3rd, Annabelle.
Well done to all my clients.

24/05/2026

Being a winner isn't just about talent. Learning how to manage our thoughts is what often make a winner. Elite athletes use different methods to allow them to be in that moment and not drowning in thoughts

24/05/2026

Take a pause and learn

16/05/2026

They give so much.

15/05/2026

To all my clients please be vigilant. If you are on a yard keep a close monitor on your horses. If you have a bridleway passing your yard/fields or are going out to shows be extra aware and have good biosecurity. Equine flu and strangles are always about we are just in a raised time at the moment. Dont let horses touch noses. Dont pat other people's horses ( parents). At events try to keep in your own space as much as practical.

🚨 Equine Influenza Update – Stay Vigilant 🚨

As of 7 May, there have been 44 confirmed equine influenza outbreaks across 28 counties in the UK, with further cases pending. A significant number of these cases are linked to recent horse movement, highlighting the increased risk when travelling during periods of heightened disease activity.

While unvaccinated horses make up the majority of cases, it’s important to note that even vaccinated horses can be affected, and the virus can spread through the air over several kilometres — meaning no yard is completely risk-free.

🌍 What this means for you:
Take a risk-based approach when moving horses
Ensure vaccinations are up to date
Isolate new or returning horses for at least two weeks
Maintain strict biosecurity measures on the yard
Stay alert for symptoms: cough, fever, nasal discharge, loss of appetite

⚠️ There is also increased influenza activity in France, so extra caution is advised when travelling internationally or purchasing horses.

If your horse shows any signs, isolate immediately and contact your vet.

📖 Read the full update and guidance here: https://news.britisheventing.com/call-for-increased-vigilance-as-number-of-reported-equine-influenza-outbreaks-in-uk-continues-to-rise/

🎥 Plus, British Equestrian are sharing helpful videos across their social channels — well worth a watch for practical advice and updates.

13/05/2026

Understanding is key