Equine Partnership

01/08/2025

Teeth day today! A bit overdue but all good now. Thanks to Aidan for allowing me to have a good feel of their teeth, as always it was fascinating!

21/07/2025

🐴STILL LOOKING FOR ONE MORE HORSE AND RIDER FOR 7th AUGUST NEAR WISBECH!🐴

**𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗦 & 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗗**
𝗗𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗘 & 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗔 𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗟𝗘
We are looking for riders located near Wisbech who are interested in participating in the research trials ⤵️ on Thursday 7 August 2025 (Hartpury data collection day - full)

As part of our extensive bridle-horse interaction research, using state of the art measuring equipment, we are conducting a scientific study comparing behaviour, noseband and headpiece pressures, and rein tension for horses ridden in a bitless bridles and a snaffle bridle.

𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿:
🐴Horses and riders who compete in dressage with a snaffle bridle
🐴Horses and riders who regularly train in a bitless bridle (side pull or cross under. Not a hackamore)
🐴Both horse and rider must be accustomed to both the snaffle and bitless bridle, and will be required to carry out a short ridden test (walk, trot, canter, transitions and turns) to confirm suitability.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼?
🐴Ride in two types of bitless bridles, and a snaffle bridle
🐴Ride in walk, trot and canter in a straight line, and perform transitions

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀?
Thursday 7th August 2025 - ONE SPACE REMAINING
Wednesday 27th August 2025 - FULL

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴?
Woolcroft Saddlery, Wisbech
Hartpury University, Gloucester - FUL

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺?
Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire, Prof. Hilary Clayton, Dr Rachel Murray, Mark Fisher, Diana Fisher, Professor Jane Williams, Dr Victoria Walker, Dr David Marlin and Dr Janet Douglas

For further information and inclusion criteria, please email [email protected]

Thanks to World Horse Welfare, The Worshipful Company of Saddlers and Hartpury University for their suppourt.

20/07/2025

IT'S NOT A TICKLE 🙈🙉🙊
A rider recently told me they use a whip to "tickle" their horse when they drop their head to graze grass when our riding. In fact they said they wouldn't ride without it.

When I suggested that they would be better to train their horse rather than punish the horse with the whip they were mortally offended. They didn't believe they were punishing their horse.

So why did I see this as a punishment and not a tickle? Let's unpack this 🧳

WHY IT'S PUNISHMENT, NOT A TICKLE
Think about it from the horse's side: if you do something, and then something unpleasant happens that makes you stop doing that thing, is that a tickle? Nope. It's a consequence designed to make you stop.

When that whip touches them, even if the riders perspective is "lightly", it's a signal to stop. That’s called positive punishment in the world of training – adding something they don't like to make a behavior go away. Because if a 'light tickle' isn't enough then what is the next step? Make the tickle harder 🤔

Horses are smart. They learn by connecting their actions to what happens next.
✅ Good things happen? They'll do it again. (That's reinforcement!)
❌ Bad things happen? They'll try to avoid it. (That's punishment.)

It’s really that simple. They're always learning from what we do, whether we realize it or not.

EDIT: I can see the use of a stick in training to touch parts of the body in an effort to bring attention to it, not to reduce behavior as a training aid and not a punishment. That is not the scenario I am sharing in this post

THE PROBLEM WITH PUNISHMENT
So, what's wrong with using a 'tickle' to stop grazing? Loads....
🤯🐴Breaks Trust: Your horse learns to see you as the source of discomfort, not safety.
🤯🐴 Creates Fear, Not Understanding: They might stop grazing, but they don't learn why or what to do instead. They just learn to be scared of the whip, or you.
🤯🐴 Doesn't Teach: It just suppresses the behavior. The underlying reason for the grazing (boredom? distraction?) isn't addressed.
🤯🐴 Shuts Them Down: Over time, a horse constantly trying to avoid unpleasantness can become dull, anxious, or just give up trying.

SOLUTION
The answer isn't to stop bad behavior, it's to teach good behavior. That’s where ethical training comes in. It’s all about building a relationship where your horse wants to work with you, not because they have to, but because it feels good.

Instead of 'tickling' to stop grazing make holding their head up the better option.
💗🐴 Reward what you want: Teach your horse a clear cue for 'head up' or 'pay attention.' When they do it, even for a second, give them a reward – a treat.
💗🐴 Be Clear & Consistent: Help them understand exactly what you're asking.
💗🐴 Find the 'Why': Why are they grazing? Are they bored? Is the ride too long? Address the root cause, don't just whack the symptom.

When you focus on what you want your horse to do, and make it positive for them, you build a willing partner. It's not just about getting the job done; it's about building a bond that's strong and full of trust.

19/07/2025

Loving the leather version of the Union 😍

18/07/2025

Love these nets, an absolute game changer when it comes to regulating forage and reducing waste.

BACK IN STOCK 🐴 Trickle Net bound bale nets available for next day delivery.

✅ Save money
✅ Reduce waste
✅ Slow feeding
✅ Communal feeding station
✅ Perfect for yards, tracks and fields

👉 Buy now pay later with Klarna
🔗 Link in the comments

16/07/2025

I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be speaking at the Healthy Horse Conference 2025 this November!​

This hybrid event, hosted by NKC Equestrian Training is designed for equine professionals passionate about making a positive impact in the industry. Whether you’re a trainer, therapist, coach, or fitter, this conference offers a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.​

Event Details:
🗓️Dates: November 21–22, 2025
💻Format: Hybrid (In-person in the UK and Online)
💞Theme: Empowerment - equipping you to effect meaningful change for horses and the equestrian community​

Join me and many other wonderful speakers as we delve into topics including...
🐴Change for horses - realistic rehab, bringing science into real life
🐴Change for the industry- how to use your voice
🐴Change using technology - How AI can help the industry
🐴Changes in diagnostics - Updates from the vet world
🐴Changes in thinking - Gut Health & performance, behaviour and happiness

Whether you attend in person or online, you’ll gain valuable insights and practical tools to implement in your practice.​

👉 Secure your spot today & SAVE 25% with an Earlybird ticket available until 31st July with code: PHILLIPPA25
🔗 Book your ticket at https://bit.ly/4lYClgR

Let’s come together to empower ourselves and make a lasting difference for the horses we care for. I look forward to connecting with you at the conference!

15/07/2025

This is some great advice! How often is a problem perceived as horsemanship when it's actually husbandry.

You can't fix a management problem with a horsemanship solution.

Very often, part of what I end up counseling owners on falls into the category of horse husbandry. We discuss supplements, forage choice, turnout, herd dynamics and feed schedules. It's not all that infrequent that we get into the weeds a little bit about some of these things - not because there isn't plenty that might need tending toward from the horsemanship side but because training cannot overcome basic management issues.

I'm alright dying on this hill - 25+ years with horses has taught me that it is incredibly rare that a horse doesn't benefit from more turnout, friends and forage. I say "incredibly rare": I haven't come across a case yet.

This, by the way, doesn't mean indiscriminate turnout, friends and forage. We can put horses under tremendous stress by putting conflicting personalities in too small a space. We can create situations where resource guarding develops. We can cause horses to develop dangerous metabolic conditions and obesity. We can - despite our best intentions - manifest more problems than we're solving if we're not thoughtful and attentive to how we implement management solutions.

So when someone comes to me with a "training issue", one of the first things I'm checking on is how the horse is living.

How close I can keep a horse to how biology intended him to live is somewhat of an preoccupation of mine. I figure there are worse things to be come obsessed with. It's not always easy to get the formula right for each individual horse, but it is always - in my mind, at least - a worthy pursuit.

14/07/2025

🎖️ DOMINANCE THEORY- Is "Dominance" Really the Key to Your Equine Partnership? 🤔

For a long time, we've been told that we need to be the "alpha" or the "leader" to earn our horse's respect - e.g. like being a lead mare in the herd.

But what if we challenged that idea because we now know it was based on the observation of a small number of domesticated horses competing for limited resources in an unnatural environment?

There have been some eye opening studies and documented observations about wild horse herds. They questioned whether horse's spend all their time fighting for a top spot? And they found that it really not the case at all.

While there are certainly individual relationships and moments of who gets to a resource first, horses actually thrive on harmony and cooperation. They have incredibly complex social lives built on trust, friendship, and avoiding conflict whenever possible. They groom each other, rest together, and prefer to solve disagreements with subtle signals rather than big fights.

Unfortunately focusing on "dominance" has lead us down a path of force or trying to "make" our horses do something out of fear. Even small amounts of fear under the guise of "relief", which we have tolerated as it was equated it to those competitive moments between domesticated horses unnaturally competing for resources.

When we understand that horses are more about SOCIAL CONNECTION and FEELING SAFE, our whole approach changes.

Instead of being an "alpha," what if we aimed to be a trusted partner with positive associations? Someone who understands their horse's quiet signals, offers comfort, and makes them feel secure. 🤗 This approach isn't about being "soft" – it's about being incredibly effective and building a relationship based on mutual understanding, predictable behaviour and excellent communication, not fear.

When our horses feel safe and understood, they're not just happier; they're also much more able to learn and work with us. That's where the truly magical partnerships happen! Keep an eye out for my future posts in which I will share my tips for creating positive equine partnerships.

What are your thoughts on this? Have you noticed how much more your horse thrives when you focus on connection over control? Let's discuss in the comments! 👇



Image: AI generated to illustrate how a horse chasing another horse with a stick looks.

13/07/2025

🐴 Become a Certified Bitless Bridle Professional! 🐴
Exciting news for aspiring equine professionals! With a fresh wave of our students graduating this Summer, we're opening three new dates for our Advanced Certificate for Bitless Bridle Professionals!

This isn't just a course; it's a comprehensive 200-hour, 6-month journey that will transform your skills. You'll gain expert confidence in professional fitting through:
✨Engaging live lectures
✨Practical, in-depth assessments
✨Hands-on training, with the option to include a modular fitting kit!

We've also introduced convenient new enrollment options to fit your schedule. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your career!

👉 Learn more & enrol: https://equineacademy.org/course-step/bitless-pro

P.s This course can be taken from anywhere the world as training and assessment is delivered via video.

09/07/2025

HELP! My Horse Can't Go Bitless!

I hear it all the time and while it might feel that way, in almost every case, it's not the horse who can't go bitless – it's us, the riders, who need to learn how to adapt and communicate differently!

Let's tackle some of the common reasons people give for not being able to go bitless, and then explore some solutions:

1. "My horse is too strong!"
This is perhaps the most frequent concern. Many riders feel they need to use pain compliance from a "strong" bit to control a strong horse.

SOLUTION: Instead of relying on a device, focus on why your horse is strong to begin with. It could be for many reasons such as requiring more training, stressful living environment improper nutrition, pain or something we haven't even considered. Happy horses with good training don't tend to be "strong". A calm listening horse is a soft horse.

2. "I need a bit for brakes/steering!"
Bits are often seen as essential for precise control and stopping.

SOLUTION: Brakes and steering come from training, not tack. A well-trained horse understands rein cues (even bitless ones) in conjunction with leg and seat aids. Practice transitions, turns, and stops in a safe environment using a well fitted bitless bridle. Focus on teaching your horse to lighten to your aids, rather than relying on a harsh rein pull. Consider bitless options that offer clear communication, like a sidepull.

3. "My horse won't respect me without a bit!"
This often stems from a misunderstanding that horses have the capacity to respect in the same way humans interact with one another.

SOLUTION: True respect in horsemanship comes from the rider being equipt to deliver clear communication and consistency. Develop a bond built on trust and reward, not intimidation or coercion. When a horse understands what's being asked of them and feels there is a safe space to communicate, they are much more likely to cooperate and try for you. Work on your cues from the ground, ensuring your horse understands and responds to basic cues. This builds a foundation of understanding that carries over into ridden work.Aim for trust and boundaries. Forget about respect horses don't know or understand what that is.

4. "It's not safe without a bit!"
Safety is paramount, and some riders fear losing control without a bit.

SOLUTION: Safety comes from a well-trained horse and a knowledgeable rider. If your horse is truly green or you are new to bitless riding, start in a controlled environment like an arena. Ensure your horse understands basic cues with your chosen bitless bridle before venturing out. It's about training and communication, not the device itself. Many competitive disciplines are now embracing bitless riding, proving its safety and effectiveness.

The truth is, horses are incredibly adaptable and intelligent creatures. They want to understand us, and they learn best when they are comfortable and willing participants. If you're struggling, consider working with a trainer who specialises in positive reinforcement and classical riding. They can help you develop the skills to communicate effectively with your horse, bitless.

Going bitless isn't just about changing tack; it's about changing our mindset and our approach to riding. It's an opportunity to build a deeper, more trusting relationship with our equine partners.

What are your experiences with bitless riding? Share your tips below! 👇

P.s this post features the beautiful Hazel from Maggie's Voice Equestrian Center

06/07/2025

SOME BITLESS BRIDLES DELIVER POLL PRESSURE... AND? The article discusses as though pressure over the poll on a bitless bridle is surprising, however some bridle designs use it as an "advert* so I'm not sure why they were so surprised.

We already know from several studies that bridles deliver an element of poll pressure just from the weight of them being present on the horse's head. Some bitless bridles are designed to impose additional pressure via the rein contact giving the rider the control over how much pressure is exerted.

I'm not sure it's really news to the bitless community but I do think it's a topic that requires highlighting. Why?....

The more I understand about the anatomy of the horse the more I tend to cringe at the amount of pressure being used.Ive also come to learn that the placement of the pressure makes a huge difference to some horses.

I'm exploring this more on my new page The Bitless Bridle Lab and would like you to share this journey in to learning more with me :)

Original publication -->

Bit, bridle and bitless fitter Géraldine Vandevenne discusses her poll pressure measurement study on bridle fit and horse comfort.

05/07/2025

THE HAMSTER TEST 🐹 What a horse's stable size really means....

The British Horse Society recommends 12ft x 12ft (3.65m x 3.65m) minimum recommendation for an average horse. They also recommend larger sizes (e.g., 12ft x 14ft) for horses over 17 hands (hh) and smaller sizes for ponies.

It sounds reasonable, right?
But let's put that into perspective.
A hamster, averaging just 10cm (about 4 inches) in length, is recommended to have a spacious cage of 900 square inches with 6-8 inches of bedding allowing it to run, burrow, and play, reflecting its natural behaviours!

Now, let's consider our average horse with a total body length (nose to tail) of 9 feet (108 inches). If we apply a similar ratio of space to body length squared as that well-cared-for hamster, what would our horse truly need?

An average 9-foot horse, given the same proportional space as that hamster, would require a staggering 1,046,000 square inches of "stable" space!

To visualise that scale, it's equivalent to a square enclosure roughly 32.3 meters by 32.3 meters (or about 106ft x 106ft) which is only slightly smaller than an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Compare that to the standard 12ft x 12ft stable (approx. 144 sq ft or 13.4 sq m). The disparity is immense. While horses aren't hamsters, this striking comparison highlights how incredibly minimal a 12x12 stable truly is for an animal of their size, natural instincts, and fundamental need for movement.

Equines are intelligent, social animals designed to roam vast distances. Confining them to such small spaces, even for part of the day, can severely impact their well-being, potentially leading to...
😓 Boredom, frustration, and stress
The development of stereotypic behaviours (like weaving or crib-biting)
😓Joint and muscle issues from lack of movement
😓 Respiratory problems due to restricted air circulation
😓 Reduced opportunities for social interaction

As responsible carers we must advocate for more appropriate housing solutions.

Let's rethink what "adequate" space truly means for our horses. They deserve more than just enough room to stand up and lie down. They deserve space that genuinely supports their physical health, mental well-being, and innate desire to move. The answer may lie in natural boarding alternatives like track systems and Paddock Paradise. These offer the opportunity to create more species appropriate environments that encourage continuous movement with mental stimulation, and social interaction, promoting healthier and relaxed equine partners.

What are your thoughts on stable sizes and equine welfare? Share in the comments! 👇