Equine Behaviourist - Emily McDonald

31/01/2026

Voofla.com have used my information without my consent. I think the website is a scam as they are trying to take peoples data via a 'Contact the business' section, which does not contact the business. To remove the listing it wants me to login with my info which I won't do considering it's a scam 🤦‍♀️. Anyone had experience with this website before?

23/11/2025

This article has some great tips on encouraging horses to drink water during the colder weather.

Winter dehydration sneaks up slowly—but it is entirely preventable. Warm water, daily salt, added moisture in the diet, and clean, accessible water sources create a powerful foundation for cold-weather health. When you give water the same priority as forage and shelter, you can dramatically reduce...

07/08/2025

This is part 1 of 7 of a great series on Equine Permaculture:

Understanding the fundamental principles that govern natural systems is the key to becoming more sustainable and is the start of applying Permaculture.

09/07/2025

BIG NEWS. After almost a decade of searching we had our offer accepted on a field for the horses! Then after a 10 month sale it finally went through and on the Summer Solstice we went to our new field. This is truly a dream come true, but very overwhelming! So far we have:
* Spread seeds that I collected from our rented field.
* Planted a few plants.
*Pulled up ragwort.
* Removed the rusty chicken wire from the gate.
*Cut back the hedge so we can open the gate and access the water trough.
* Tried and failed to fix the trough 🫢. Although I did succeed in emptying the very old water and found no bones!
*Put up posts and tape to mark out our plans.
More to come!

27/05/2025

'Summer has arrived for most of us, and with it comes greater stability in the sugar and starch levels of pasture grasses. So why assume your pasture is unsafe? Without testing, any concern is purely speculative. In fact, in many cases, pasture grasses have tested lower in sugar and starch than the hay being fed.

The only way to know for sure is to have your pasture analyzed. Testing for sugar and starch gives you a clear picture of how your pasture is behaving. Specifically, measuring ESC (ethanol soluble carbohydrates) will tell you the sugar content — the primary factor influencing insulin levels. Starch breaks down into glucose and can raise insulin as well. Knowing these numbers takes the guesswork out of pasture management, especially for horses with metabolic concerns.'

Dr. Juliet Getty shows you how to test your pasture during the summer months to determine its safety for insulin resistant horses.

07/04/2025

Here is a great video by Hannah Weston explaining which treats to use for training horses with food. The key is to find the food that gives your horse a relaxed motivation :)

It can make a huge difference to the success of your training when you choose the RIGHT reward for your horse. Here, I talk you through 7 different treat opt...

07/03/2025

27/02/2025

Great video by The Willing Equine on what food she uses to train horses.

Curious what type of food reinforcers I train with? Here is a look! If you have any questions or future video suggestions, drop them in the comments. Thank y...

11/12/2024

https://thehorse.com/118825/20-things-your-horses-teeth-are-telling-you/?lid=vrhp4p8bm01k&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_content=TheHorse%20-%20Newsletter%20-%2020241210%20-%20Horse%20Health&uuid=66ed6dd55fda993087550edf

Brush up on your equine oral health knowledge with these facts about dental anatomy, issues, and exams.

10/12/2024

01/12/2024

Another great article by Juliet Getty!

A letter from Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. The issue is still free choice forage feeding. I respect and honor the way horses are made—they are different—unique, really. In a suitable, native environment, they are quite capable of taking care of themselves. They are free to eat and roam and, well, be h...