Equine Translation Team

17/11/2025

FEI DICHOTOMIES?

Pursuit of achievements, status, wealth and kudos aren’t always conducive to horse welfare.

Here is just one of many issues which seemingly fail to align with the FEI’s own rhetoric…
And not just
“A moment in time “
Or
“A well developed athletic crest”

FOOTNOTE
However , this picture does not appear to me, to be representative of the reality of this level of competition. Photo evidence in real time by objective observers shows even wider deviations from the FEI ‘rules’…

🐴HOW OFTEN IS THE POLL THE HIGHEST POINT OF THE NECK IN MODERN DRESSAGE COMPETITION?🐴

The 2025 FEI Dressage Judging Manual states (page 3, point 5) that...

"The head should remain in a steady position, as a rule with the nose line slightly in front of the vertical, with a supple poll as the highest point of the neck, and no resistance should be offered to the Athlete."

There are 11 further references that the poll should be the highest point.

🐴IS ANYONE ACTUALLY CONFUSED ABOUT WHERE THE POLL IS ON THE HORSE?🐴

The 26th edition (2025) of the FEI Dressage Rules (page 47, 2.1.2) states....

"The crownpiece of the bridle must lie immediately behind the poll and may extend forward onto the poll but must not be fitted to lie behind the skull."

Debbie Symes (Sports Science Graduate, Dressage Coach and Advanced Dressage Rider) and myself have written an article on this exploring this issue in greater detail which is OPEN ACCESS - https://askanimalweb.com/the-poll-or-not/

16/11/2025

Optimum Riding position?

There is so much said about the normalised riding position but not enough said about the correct riding position.

For a kinder, safer and more successful riding experience for you both, correct riding position is really non negotiable in terms of sustainability.
And the laws of physics.
Without a true
Ear, Shoulder, Hip and Heel position, you are negatively compromising both you and your horse’s physiology and psychology when riding.
The wrong position forces your horse to utilise compensatory muscles and movements in order to maintain a form of upright balance. The fact that your horse ‘complies’ isn’t a confirmation that all is well. It still leads to pain, discomfort and suffering for the whole horse, regardless of whether the human chooses to see it or not.
The rider also engages compensatory muscles and positions in an attempt to stay in the saddle, adding to the horse’s burden and making progress so much more difficult and slow.
The good news is that improving your riding position is really simple if you are given the correct knowledge, information and opportunity to do so.
If you are interested in learning how to dramatically improve your riding position in just one session drop us a message at
Equine Translation Team

This lady dropped 6 holes in her stirrups once she was in the correct position!!!

09/11/2025

Something to think about…

It’s not personal?

When a horse bucks, refuses, spooks or falls, it’s not personal.
They are not deliberately trying to disobey, frustrate or make a fool of you.
In those moments, your horse is only reacting and communicating, as a horse, in response to their perceptions and feelings, of the world around them.
It’s as simple as that.
Most horses know that when these things happen, they will be punished in some way. So it makes no sense as an equine, to just be bad, stubborn, or wind you up for the sake of it….
They don’t possess that mental capacity and intent.
Unfortunately, the same can’t always be said about humans…

30/10/2025

I think that all compassionate animal lovers will have witnessed the distress and trauma which firework noise causes to both domesticated and wild animals.
I feel that no noise is the more meaningful step but reduced noise is a start.
All change has to start somewhere….

28/10/2025

Another day, another workshop

What a great bunch of ladies we’ve just had at our 2 day workshop.
Lots of laughs, lots of enthusiasm and so much warmth and support for one another.
Thank you ladies for bringing your authentic selves to our gathering.

And most especially in your lightbulb moments…

12/09/2025

🐕🐕Scotland Moves Toward Banning Greyhound Racing🐕🐕

The Scottish government has endorsed a proposed ban on greyhound racing, supporting a member’s bill introduced by Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell. The bill has garnered cross-party backing, marking a significant shift from the government’s earlier stance, which leaned toward a licensing scheme with penalties for breaching animal welfare standards rather than an outright ban. In a letter to Ruskell, Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie confirmed the government’s support for the bill’s general principles.

Ruskell welcomed the decision, stating, “I’m thrilled the government is behind my bill. This is a major step toward protecting greyhounds and ending this cruel, gambling-driven sport for good.” He highlighted similar moves in Wales, where the government plans to ban the sport by 2030, and in New Zealand, which is also taking steps to phase it out. “As a nation of dog lovers, Scotland must keep pace with these changes and deliver real protections,” Ruskell said.

Ruskell shared a personal connection, noting that his dog, Bert, is a former racing greyhound rescued at age two after suffering a poorly treated broken leg. “Now 13, Bert is a loving family member, but he never should have endured the trauma of racing,” Ruskell said. “My bill will ensure dogs like him are no longer harmed and discarded. Forcing dogs to race at 40mph around curved tracks is inherently unsafe, and I’m eager to collaborate with the government and MSPs to end it.”

The Unbound the Greyhound coalition, comprising nine animal welfare groups, praised the government’s support. Eve Massie Bishop of OneKind, speaking for the coalition, said, “A country that prides itself on animal welfare cannot justify an industry that has killed 3,957 dogs since 2017. This isn’t entertainment—it’s cruelty. Scots have made it clear: cruelty doesn’t define us.”

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain, which regulates licensed racing, argued that the bill is unnecessary, as no licensed greyhound racing currently occurs in Scotland. A spokesperson called the focus on a ban a “waste of parliamentary time” ahead of elections, given other pressing issues. Thornton Stadium in Kirkcaldy, Scotland’s only recent greyhound racing venue, has been closed since March.

According to the RSPCA, commercial greyhound racing persists in just nine countries, including the UK’s four nations.

25/08/2025

It should be illegal as it demonstrates the polar opposite of how a horse should look and move…
Big licks provide
No positive benefits to the poor horse…

DISGUSTING!

No other word for this. Someone tagged me in this post. Look at the terror on that poor horses face!

"It has been a week of great performances and showmanship and tonight will be the icing on the cake. It’s a dream to show on Saturday night."

​"As wonderful as each class is on Stake Night, the finale always has been and always will be the pinnacle of the industry, the World’s Grand Champion Five-Gaited showdown."

​"Which contender will wear the blanket of roses tonight? Be sure to stay up-to-date with all of the action at "www.saddlehorsereport.com" and look for the wrap up issue of Saddle Horse Report for the most extensive coverage of the World’s Championship Horse Show."

24/08/2025

trot made easy

20/08/2025

🚨 Safeguarding in Equestrian Sport 🚨

As a father of a daughter who grew up spending her free time at the yard, competing and enjoying everything horses bring to our lives, it’s frightening to realise how much has been hidden in plain sight. Abuse, coercive control, intimidation and threats have affected far too many in our industry, and for too long, many of us haven’t asked the questions we should.

That’s why I want to show my full support, alongside the Animalweb team, for the launch of EQUISS UK (Equestrian Industries Safeguarding & Standards UK), an initiative spearheaded by groups including Keysoe International

EQUISS UK will soon unveil its dedicated helpline, staffed by qualified professionals, to provide a safe space for anyone wishing to report incidents or share their story. Their board of trustees will include survivors, international athletes, and safeguarding and human rights experts, ensuring that real voices and real experiences are at the centre of this work.

We cannot sit back and do nothing. Safeguarding must become central to every equestrian business, yard, and centre. As an industry and as individuals, we all can and must do more.

👉 Check in with the Keysoe social pages to be updated about EQUISS UK.
👉 News story 🔗 https://askanimalweb.com/new-safeguarding-initiative-launched-equiss-uk-to-tackle-abuse-in-the-equestrian-industry/

David

17/08/2025

Something to think about?

A stronger or different mechanical bit will never solve your ‘problems’. It will only disguise them by inflicting more pain and pressure onto your horse.
In addition to the alternative suggestions in the article, you could consider your horse’s management (friends, forage, freedom), groundwork, in hand training and education in body language to assist you in monitoring your horse's feedback and communications in an attempt to understand the true issues with your horse?
I know that it won’t be a popular notion but you could also try improving your own riding with a correct position and synchronisation which sadly isn’t a common sight in the horse industry.
This will minimise the standard labelling of horses like bad, lazy, stubborn, crazy, stupid and mareish. They are just trying to convey their pain, confusion or stress when they present with ‘problems’…
And we aren’t listening or seeing or believing…

Facebook is filled with posts asking for advice on which bit will solve a problem the rider is experiencing with their horse.  Now, I am the first to ask for advice when I am faced with a problem outside of my experience or expertise.  But I notice that many of these posts either are looking

13/08/2025

Hot horses?

There’s an ongoing debate raging as to whether we should scrape after hosing or not.
For me a really simple analogy would be this:

When you come out of the shower wet, the longer you take to dry yourself, the colder you get. But when you dry your body you start to feel warmer?
So if you don’t believe the science which has proven this, Dr David Marlin then maybe consider why you cool yourself down in the pool or sea in hot weather?
And that’s just when you’ve been on a lounger.
Not carrying someone around on your back?

12/08/2025

Right rein problem with a right rein solution