The Horse Aunty

25/06/2024

A bit of a rant today in attempt to encourage riders to use their critical thinking skills and not do something because 'so-and-so told me' or 'big name rider' does it.

I have been meaning to voice my concern about nosebands for a very long time. Thanks to Becks Nairn who posted a great video on her public page about the anatomy of the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) today, with even deeper detail on her Patreon, to give me a reminder to voice my concerns. If you're squeamish it's a dissection video so beware.

I am literally gobsmacked at the number of educated and well meaning equestrians who still insist on tight nosebands and flashes on their horses. This is not limited to newbies to the sport, but encompasses those at the highest levels and education. In this day and age of easy access to evidence based, scientific documentation of virtually any topic you can imagine, how is it that equestrians fail to recognize the importance of a horses need to mobilize their jaw in order to have full proprioception of their legs, not to mention the strain created as they are trying to open their mouths against this forced closure. Read - Headache, TMJ pain amongst others.

If you ride with me, one of the first things I will do as a conscientious coach is check your tack. I will always remove flashes and loosen nose bands with the riders permission - educating them on why this is important. When I ask why the rider feels the need to have the noseband and/or flash too tight, the number one response is, 'my coach told me to have it this tight'. The second, 'my horse fusses with the bit and opens his mouth' or my favorite, 'to hold the bit in place'. Just think about that one for a moment.

A couple things. Bit fit and acceptance needs to be taught from the ground. Few are skilled enough to teach it from the saddle. If your horse chews softly on the bit it's not a bad thing. I would far rather have a mobile jaw than a clamped shut, tense jaw.
If you think tying the horses mouth shut is going to save you from a horse running off with you by getting the bit between his teeth - that is a huge training issue. A good stop is a must before we ever get in the saddle. We need to go back and train the halt from soft pressure from the ground and then add from our seat in the saddle.

Having taken a considerable amount of body work and energy work courses with horses over the years, I have developed the ability to 'feel' the horse. Call me woo-woo or a quack or whatever you like, but many more horses than we realize have headaches and jaw pain from trying to escape bit pressure with their mouth tied shut. The very least I can do, and I feel it is my responsibility as an ethical coach, to relieve the horse from that pressure and educate the rider as to why it's detrimental. Control comes from the seat not the hands, (except in emergencies, then all bets are off).

So, try this. Hook your thumbs under either side of your jaw and loop your fingers over the bridge of your nose. Clamp as tightly as you dare, then try to open your jaw. My guess is that you will let go of the fingers across your nose before very long. If you are able to hold it, your jaw will begin ache and you will very likely get a temporal headache from the strain. Not to mention the discomfort on the bridge of your nose.

The ability of humans to have cognitive dissonance when it comes to the equipment we use on our horses just boggles my mind. I know we love them. Why then can we subject them to such a cruel practice of tying their mouth shut??

Google 'hyoid', 'TMJ' in horses. Look at the images and read about their function. Education is power and education can make us more empathetic to the harm and ultimately dis-function we cause to our horses.

I was going to include one of the many horrific photos of dogs with their mouths tied shut for impact. I just can't do it. Think of these images when you're tightening that noseband or flash next ride. I highly doubt you'd do this to your dog.

Instead, I'm going to leave you with a lovely image of my friend and colleague who visited recently, Lauren Phelan-Rivard, owner/operator of Bellrock Stables in Kingston, Ontario on my mare Gracie. Note there is no noseband yet the horse looks relaxed and effortless. ❤️

24/06/2024

How do I know when my saddle needs to be adjusted?

We’re going to take a brief detour to help answer this commonly asked question and talk about the Circle of Influence and its effect on your horse’s three-dimensional back shape.

When we refer to the ‘Circle of Influence’, we are referring to the dynamic network of professionals and factors that directly affect your horse’s health and welfare. The ‘Circle of Influences’ encompasses you, as the owner or rider, your trainer, veterinarian, nutritionist, bodyworkers, the farrier, tack specialists, etc. Each of these professionals - I’m going to refer to them as ‘aspects’ from hereon out - plays a critical role in ensuring the overall physical health of your horse.

Like an integrated welfare network, the ‘Circle of Influence’ demands unity and coordination among the different aspects.

Any change in one aspect—whether it’s training methods, tack changes, a new housing situation, or nutritional adjustments — will ripple through the entire system and will affect the shape of your horse’s three-dimensional back, prompting the need for….

…you guessed it, a saddle assessment!

A saddle alone cannot create a healthy back, we need all aspects in the horse’s care to work together seamlessly to accomplish that. But, a saddle can certainly contribute to maintaining a healthy back or contribute to a painful one. Saddle fitting is not a one-time occurrence; it’s an ongoing, dynamic process. It falls upon you as the owner or rider to detect changes that signal the need for assessment, a responsibility that shouldn't be taken lightly.

By recognizing the synergy of the aspects within ‘The Circle of Influence’ and their effect on your horse physically, you can create a holistic approach to your horse’s care that prioritizes welfare at all times.

However, proactive care requires having the necessary knowledge to regularly assess your saddle’s fit—an indispensable skill for every rider and horse owner. It empowers you to identify and address issues promptly, ensuring your horse remains comfortable and healthy through all stages of life.

What’s holding you back from continuing your education? Let us know in the comment and let’s break down the barriers!

24/06/2024

It is generally accepted that once signalled to respond, the trained horse should ‘continue on its own’.

Hence, if the horse is signalled to trot, he/she should ideally keep on trotting until signalled to do something else. However, the horse is likely to slow down after a while and the rider may need to re-apply the light leg signal before the horse will speed up again.

It is important that riders do not maintain responses through constant cueing (e.g., ‘nagging’) with their legs, because this will lead to habituation and conflict behaviours.

The same is true for any constant use of signals where associated responses are not forthcoming.

From Equitation Science, Volume 2 by Andrew McLean, Paul McGreevy, Janne Whinther Christensen & Uta König von Borstel (available on our website for purchase).

23/06/2024

🐴 The Box Exercise

The Box Exercise is one of my absolute favorites for both Dressage and Jumping riders. This clever exercise will ensure that your horse is listening *precisely* to all of your turning aids, and you can use it to teach your horse to listen to the lightest of aids. It will also teach you how to ride truly accurate figures, and by doing so will naturally improve the balance and carriage of your horse's gaits. This one is suitable to riders at all levels because of the many different possible levels of difficulty.

Click on the link below to learn all about it! 👇👇👇

https://www.myvirtualeventingcoach.com/articles/the-box-exercise-horse-eventing-dressage-jumping

23/06/2024

🐴 Aquí hay 15 hechos interesantes sobre el cerebro de un caballo:

1. El cerebro de un caballo es relativamente pequeño comparado con el tamaño de su cuerpo, y representa sólo alrededor del 0,1 % de su peso total.

2. A pesar de su pequeño tamaño, los caballos tienen cerebros muy complejos, con una corteza cerebral altamente desarrollada, la parte del cerebro responsable del pensamiento consciente, la toma de decisiones y la memoria.

3. Los caballos pueden aprender y recordar tareas complejas, como navegar por un curso de salto o realizar una rutina de doma, a través de un proceso llamado aprendizaje asociado.

4. Como los humanos, los caballos tienen un hemisferio izquierdo y un hemisferios derecho en el cerebro, cada uno con funciones especializadas. El hemisferio izquierdo es responsable del procesamiento de la información lógica y analítica, mientras que el hemisferio derecho está más involucrado en el procesamiento emocional y el pensamiento creativo.

5. Los caballos tienen una gran memoria y pueden recordar personas, lugares y experiencias concretas durante muchos años.

6. Los caballos pueden aprender por observación, y a menudo pueden adquirir nuevos comportamientos y habilidades simplemente observando a otros caballos o humanos.

7. Los caballos tienen un sentido del tacto muy sensible y pueden detectar incluso la más mínima presión o movimiento en su piel. Esto les ayuda a responder a las sutiles señales de tu motorista o guía.

8. Los caballos pueden procesar información visual muy rápida y precisa, permitiéndoles evitar posibles peligros y navegar por su medio ambiente con facilidad.

9. Los caballos son animales sociales y dependen de la comunicación no verbal para interactuar con otros caballos de su manada. Esta comunicación es facilitada por el cerebro del caballo, que puede interpretar cambios sutiles en el lenguaje corporal, expresiones faciales y vocalizaciones.

10. En última instancia, como todos los animales, los caballos tienen una personalidad única y rasgos individuales que se moldean por sus experiencias, genética y entorno, todo lo cual se refleja en su función cerebral y comportamiento.

11. Los caballos tienen un fuerte sentido del olfato y su bulbo olor, que procesa los olores, es relativamente grande comparado con otras partes de su cerebro.

12. El cerebro, que es responsable de coordinar el movimiento y el equilibrio, también es relativamente grande en caballos. Esto se debe a que los caballos deben ser capaces de moverse rápida y eficientemente para escapar de los depredadores o navegar por terrenos difíciles.

13. Los caballos tienen un umbral de dolor muy alto, que se cree que está relacionado con cómo sus cerebros procesan las señales de dolor. Aunque esto puede ser beneficioso en algunas situaciones, también puede significar que los caballos no muestran signos obvios de dolor, lo que hace más difícil para sus cuidadores detectar y tratar los problemas de salud subyacentes.

14. El hipocampo, una parte del cerebro involucrado en el aprendizaje y la memoria, está particularmente bien desarrollado en caballos. Esto les permite recordar no sólo experiencias concretas, sino también conceptos y patrones generales que pueden aplicar a nuevas situaciones.

15. Finalmente, los estudios han demostrado que los caballos, como otros animales, son capaces de experimentar emociones como el miedo, la felicidad y la ira. Se cree que estas emociones están mediadas por el sistema límbico, un grupo de estructuras cerebrales interconectadas que juegan un papel clave en la regulación del estado de ánimo y el comportamiento .

22/06/2024

"Fare in modo che un animale ormai anziano possa trascorrere la parte finale della sua vita in serenità, curato e protetto, è il segno di un mutato rapporto nei confronti del mondo naturale che non potrà non avere benefici effetti anche sulla mente degli uomini.
Un cavallo anziano potrà essere il compagno saggio e equilibrato del nostro nuovo partner equino. Potrà consentire ai nostri figli un approccio più corretto con quell’universo complesso e ricco di sfumature che è la vita mentale degli animali. Potrà trasformarsi in un consigliere che silenziosamente ci indica la via per fare dell’atto del cavalcare un momento di comunicazione autentica non solo con la nostra cavalcatura, ma anche con la parte più profonda e autentica della nostra anima."

✒ Maria Lucia Galli

📖 Il cavallo e l'uomo: psicologia, simbolo e mito

21/06/2024

21/06/2024

NEW HAY COULD BE HIGH IN CALORIES & SUGAR!

As we go from last year's late-cut hay (a load of hay was cut in the UK in that sunny spell in September) to this year's hay cut in May/early June, this could deliver a significant increase in calories and in sugar and fructan (water soluble carbs / WSC) to our horses and ponies.

In order to feed enough of a moderate to high calorie/WSC hay, it may need to be soaked. If not, in order to maintain a healthy bodyweight (and healthy insulin levels in ID (insulin-dysregulated) affected horses and ponies) it would need to be restricted too much for gut and psychological health.

Soaking research studies have shown variable losses depending on the composition of the hay (including fibre, maturity, sugar, fructan), volume of water, temperature of water therefore my guidance is to:

SOAK FOR THE TIME THAT IT TAKES TO KEEP YOUR HORSE HEALTHY (AND SLIM) WITHOUT RESTRICTING TO AN UNHEALTHY AMOUNT

Rather than sticking to a set number of hours of soaking.

(Some tips for soaking are: max 12 hours, out of the sun, make sure it is not going off, fresh water each time, in as big a volume of water as poss).
🐴🍏

21/06/2024

“I don’t have much interest in competing, so why should I bother to struggle and practice to become a better rider?”

Good question, and maybe the answer is as simple as this---“It only matters if it matters to you.”

If you are content with the way you currently ride, and if it isn’t messing up your horse, go for it.

But if you feel that there are knowledge gaps or skill-set deficiencies that you’d like to improve upon, read more, study more, watch better riders more, think about what you are learning, take some lessons, broaden your horizons.

Competing is not the end-all reason why anyone might want to become a good rider. Some want to be good riders for the basic satisfaction of being good riders.

21/06/2024

“The bit is only as harsh as the rider’s hands.”

This is one of the biggest lies told by horse people, used to justify harsh equipment without honestly looking at the mechanics of it.

The entire purpose of “bitting up” is to select equipment that amplifies the effect of the hand.

Meaning that while the rider might be applying less pressure to the reins than they would in something softer, the mechanics of the bit make it feel sharper to the horse.

A twisted wire bit is rolled to create more pressure points and is abrasive so the horse is less likely to lean on it.

Pressure applied feels more uncomfortable in this type of mouthpiece than it does in a smooth one.

Gag bits are meant to add leverage to the mouth and poll area of the horse, making any pressure applied to the reins more aggressive than it would be with a direct action snaffle bit.

How the rider uses their hands can make the bits less aggressive than they COULD be with rougher hands but bits are as aggressive as their mechanics allow them to be.

No amount of soft hands will cancel out bits that have harsh mechanics.

Riders who truly seek to have soft hands will not want to weaponize them with harsh equipment that can be misused far more easily and that, even with “correct use,” are leveraging discomfort for increased control of the horse.

As riders, it’s our job to take accountability for the equipment we use and not downplay the effect of it.

Claiming the bit is only as harsh as the rider’s hands is a convenient excuse that results in a lot of equine discomfort in order to benefit human desires.

Ultimately, once you opt for harsher mechanics, you’ve made the decision to make your hands feel less soft to the horse.

Yes, you can still cause pain and manhandle horses even in the softest snaffles or bitless.

But, the amount of pressure needed to be applied is more than what it would be for mechanics that amplify the effect of the rider’s hands, meaning the margin for error is not as small.

All of that aside — there are solutions to managing horses who are strong and difficult to control that do not involve use of more aggressive equipment.

Sure, this might not result in the same instant gratification that helps the rider guarantee little to no deviation from their timelines and goals.

But, there is a reason why harsher equipment provides such quick fixes.

And the honest truth is that as soon as you using increasing levels of discomfort for control, the horse has no choice but to respond more quickly or be in more pain.

The bit is as harsh as its mechanics allow it to be.

Rough hands can make anything more harsh but certain equipment will be harsh at rest or with the smallest amount of pressure.

Take accountability for the equipment that you use and don’t use harsh equipment if you don’t want to deal with people noticing how the mechanics work and pointing it out to you.

The most polished of riders with the best results in training can sustain results without relying on harsh equipment for control.

The softest of hands will be accompanied by equally soft equipment because they don’t want to sharpen how the horse experiences rein aids.

Soft hands don’t seek weapons.

That is the simple truth.

19/06/2024

Take a look at our humorous list of things you should never say to your riding instructor if you want to stay one of their favourite clients…

17/06/2024

Operant conditioning, along with classical conditioning is part of the broad category of learning known as associative learning.

In horse training, associative learning is the major learning category that enables us to train horses to do anything that aligns with their behavioural repertoire and their biomechanics.

Operant conditioning is the most significant aspect of associative learning.

Operant conditioning relies on certain evolved tendencies of the horse's brain (telos) such as motivation and reinforcement and includes two forms of reinforcement and two forms of punishment.

These four elements are commonly known as quadrants, which are illustrated in the image below.

B.F. Skinner was very influential in the development of operant conditioning and wrote hundreds of papers on the characteristics of operant conditioning with regard to animal learning and the education of children.

He argued that internal needs and drives of individuals can be ignored because animals (and people) are more controlled by the
consequences of their behaviour.

This school of thought has been termed behaviourism, although nowadays this view is seen as radical behaviourism' because it is now recognised that many other elements such as arousal, affective state and attachment are highly influential in the outcomes of operant conditioning.

**Note: whilst negative and positive punishment are not uncommon practices in the horse industry, equestrians should consider the ethicality of such practices and learn about more effective and ethical approaches to training.

This excerpt is from the book Modern Horse Training: Equitation Science Principles & Practice, Volume 1 by Andrew Mclean which is available for purchase on our website.

16/06/2024

🐴 Exercise Prescription for your Horse

When your equine massage therapist asks you to do pole work to help strengthen and supple your horse, here is why:

Walking over raised poles helps keep your horse supple by encouraging it to stretch and use its muscles in different ways. Here's how it works:

1. Increased Flexibility

Stretching Muscles: When your horse steps over the poles, it has to lift its legs higher than usual. This action stretches the muscles in its legs, shoulders, and back, improving flexibility.

Joint Movement: The joints in the legs and back move through a greater range of motion, which helps keep them flexible and reduces stiffness.

2. Improved Balance and Coordination

Steady Steps: To walk over the poles without tripping, your horse needs to pay attention to its steps. This helps improve its balance.
Body Awareness: Your horse becomes more aware of where its feet are, which improves coordination and overall body control.

3. Strengthened Muscles

Engaging Core and Back Muscles: Lifting the legs higher engages the core and back muscles, making them stronger over time.
Building Leg Muscles: The muscles in the legs also get a workout, helping to build strength and endurance.

4. Enhanced Rhythm

Consistent Steps: Walking over poles helps your horse develop a consistent rhythm, which is important for smooth, controlled movements.

Even Strides: The poles encourage your horse to take even strides.

5. Mental Stimulation

Focusing on the Task: Navigating the poles requires concentration, which keeps your horse mentally engaged and alert.

Learning New Skills: It introduces a new challenge, helping your horse learn and adapt, which can be mentally stimulating.

Walking over raised poles is a simple yet effective way to help your horse stay supple, strong, and coordinated, contributing to overall health and well-being 🐴

www.equinemassagecareers.co.uk

15/06/2024

Leg yielding over a pole isn't just a fancy manoeuvre – it's a powerhouse exercise for your horse's body! Here's why:

As your horse navigates the leg yield over the pole, they're engaging a symphony of muscles from head to tail. From the powerful hindquarters driving the movement to the supple, coordinated bend through the body, every step is a workout for strength, flexibility, and precision.

Leg yielding over a pole encourages your horse to step under their body with the hind legs, activating the muscles of the hindquarters and engaging the core for stability and balance. The lateral movement also stretches and strengthens the muscles along the sides of the body through the ribs and along the back, promoting suppleness and flexibility in the spine.

But it's not just about physical fitness – leg yielding over a pole also challenges your horse's mental focus and coordination, sharpening their responsiveness and connection with you as their rider.

So, next time you're in the arena, set up a pole and give leg yielding a try. Your horse will thank you for the workout, and you'll both reap the rewards of a stronger, more supple partnership! 🌟

13/06/2024

Shop All 7 Colours Now!

11/06/2024

Morlais every morning.

Loving a horse is inherently risky. They'll never be here long enough. And so, far too often, I meet people who keep a little wall around their hearts, protecting themselves from falling "too in love" with their equine friends.

It's not done intentionally. It's not a conscious decision to shield themselves from the intense connection and intimacy that comes with the horse-human partnership.

But when we really stop in a moment of connection with a horse, our hearts start to swell. The emotions come flooding in. We feel, for a moment, that our entire soul exists outside of our bodies. And, for most of us, the innate response is to shy away. To change the subject. To pat their neck twice and then move on to the next thing.

When was the last time you stood next to a horse and simply rested your hand on their neck? Truly just stood there in a beautiful moment in time that exists only for the two of you?

When I ask people to do this, they typically last about 5 seconds and then they start moving their hand... or they turn away... or they look around. It's so hard for people to stay truly present in that moment because the emotions that come flooding to the surface are overwhelming. They're powerful.

It's this beautiful, soul-encompassing intensity that makes you realize just how much of yourself you've given to this fragile, yet powerful, animal standing before you.

It makes you feel things you haven't felt in years. Levels of love and connection that you didn't know existed. True, heartfelt, all-consuming intimacy.

Loving a horse is inherently risky. Yet, I've never met a single person who says, after their horse leaves his/her body, "Wow, I wish I would have loved him less."

Instead, they always say:

"I wish I would have spent more time just being there. Smelling her. Listening to her chew her hay. I wish I would have spent more time in those small moments."

So, my advice for you? Love them. Fully.

Let it happen. Let it all in. Get lost in those moments when your heart starts to swell and the tears start to fall. Choose to embrace the feeling.

This is what it's all about. This is the magical thing that exists between horses and humans. 🫶🏻

10/06/2024

Confidence grows when the work feels easy. If you keep trying to add new skills and tackle harder challenges before things feel easy, you’re not building confidence; you’re building a house of cards. Sooner or later, it will come tumbling down.

It's easy to get excited when things are going well and push forward. “If we can do that, how about this? And this?!” Everything seems wonderful until suddenly, it isn't. We can only stretch our comfort zone so far at one time.

While making visible progress is exciting, remember to take time to develop mastery. It's not enough to have done something successfully once or twice. That just shows you can do it.

Aim for mastery. Make it easy, effortless, even boring—not boring in the sense of being mentally checked out, but in the sense that it becomes a non-event. You should be so comfortable with the task that you could do it backwards in your sleep, making it a normal part of your routine.

Your goal should be to have no doubt in your mind about your horse’s ability to perform the task when you ask. It should be as reliable as a button on the dashboard.

As a general rule, spend at least 80% of your time practicing things your horse already knows. Dedicate 10-15% of your time to developing newer skills, and no more than 5% to introducing brand new concepts.

In that 80%, search for nuance. Aim for mastery. This is where confidence lives and grows. This is where the magic happens.

📷 Anouk Roorda Charchuk

10/06/2024

I always forget to take pictures as I work so here is Lola in progress today. Just needed to change the browbands and adjust to fit around her eyes, owner couldn't decide which one she liked better at the end so had both!

09/06/2024

Busy afternoon fitting bits for a gorgeous Welsh D, Ex Racer and Gypsy Cob. If you would like me to come and help you with Bits please do let me know.

08/06/2024

❤🐴

08/06/2024

Is it compulsory to Microchip my pet?

Dog's 🐕 - In 2016 it became a legal requirement for all dog's and puppies in the UK to be microchipped at no later than eight weeks old. You can be fined up to £500 if your dog is found not to be microchipped.

Cat's 🐈‍⬛ - As of the 10th of June 2024, it will be compulsory for all cat's and kittens over 20 weeks old to be microchipped. Failure to microchip your cat could result in a £500 fine.

Small Animals 🐇 - Rabbits, Tortoises and other smaller animals can also be microchipped and although this isn't required by law, it is highly recommended and gives you the best possible chance of reuniting should they escape, go missing or be stolen.

Horses 🐎 - In 2020 it became mandatory for all Horses, Ponies and Donkeys in the UK to be microchipped. You can be fined up to £200 if your animal is found without a microchip.

08/06/2024

Due to your horse's long neck and table-like body, when left to his own devices, your horse will use his head and neck for balance and carry the majority of your weight on his front legs and shoulders. This is known as your horse being "on the forehand" and is not desirable.

It is your job, as the rider, to teach your horse how to engage his hindquarters and lift and round his back so that he can carry your weight more on his stronger hindlegs. This brings your horse's balance back toward his center of gravity, taking his weight off his forehand, and allowing him to move in a more biomechanically friendly posture within a better balance.

The correct position (ear-shoulder-hip-heel) is correct for a reason; it allows you (the rider) to balance so that, in turn, you can improve the balance of your horse.

👉An unbalanced rider creates tension, which affects the communication between horse and rider because a tense horse cannot feel and respond to its rider, and a tense rider cannot feel and respond to their horse. This means that the aids can be misinterpreted or missed altogether.

👉A balanced rider creates enhanced communication. It allows the rider to use lighter and more accurate seat, leg, and rein aids, thereby promoting harmony and relaxation.

When horse and rider are both balanced together, their center of gravity is aligned.

Illustrations created and copyrighted by How To Dressage

Check out our latest book on Amazon
UK - https://amzn.to/4b7hwLf
US - https://amzn.to/3ybENgq