Alison Franklin Equestrian

27/06/2025

Great minds think alike...😆

Another brilliant Top Tip from Zephyr....

26/06/2025

We already knew this, but great to have Carleigh and co run the numbers!😍

Researchers found that the Thoroughbred’s proficiency in cross country makes up for faults in the dressage and show jumping phases. The reason for this proficiency, the researchers believe, is that the Thoroughbred has been purpose-bred for speed and stamina for several centuries.

Read the full story: https://tinyurl.com/2vh4697u

04/06/2025

Ten years ago, when Stephanie Simpson was just two years into her career as a professional groom for Dominic and Jimmie Schramm, she told the Chronicle she still felt a bit out of place in the big leagues, as a kid from a dairy farm in Vermont grooming at a competition like the Kentucky Three-Day Ev...

04/06/2025

Great read about a great groom! Sounds like she still has her feet on the ground (and what groom doesn't?)🙂

Ten years ago, when Stephanie Simpson was just two years into her career as a professional groom for Dominic and Jimmie Schramm, she told the Chronicle she still felt a bit out of place in the big leagues, as a kid from a dairy farm in Vermont grooming at a competition like the Kentucky Three-Day Ev...

03/06/2025

An interesting post, I enjoy following this page.😀

Well we think it is ok to say that our work with this big fellow is just about done. He will always have a slight "SI look" due to the consequences of racing in his early days when, given his size, he was not physically strong enough.

Standing a full up 17.2hh it has taken a while to get him into shape as apart from there being no real superficial muscle, there was no proper deep/core muscle development either. Super case to work with though as it really was a start-from-scratch exercise.

Sadly these days focus is so much on developing the top line, which is of course is very important, but the inner, deep structures have to be fired up to work too so that they can function as they are supposed to, giving a horse a sound posture, pelvic stability and so on. True, real, long lasting change comes from the inside out.

Too many horses are seen working in restrictive "aids" which hold their heads down resulting in a somewhat fixed outline so the horse is not truly soft and supple. And what is the theory behind using an aid that puts the horse's head down, with the concept that this will promote correct lift through the back, when there is then a piece of rope/leather/cord placed across the withers? Anyway this is a subject for another post sometime.

Of course appropriate feeding is very important with plenty of quality protein required to help build that all important muscle. What we think a horse should eat is not necessarily it likes so, as was the case with the fellow, it can take a bit of experimenting to see what works in terms of both the horse enjoying his feeds and fuelling the tack to achieve the required results. Remember too, that there is little point giving a nutrient-rich hard feed if your forage is lacking.

Baillie Haylage
Dengie Horse Feeds Dengie Horse Feeds - Dr. Katie Williams
Sharp Nutrition
Rachel Burton

26/05/2025

So this lady is my new hero!

15/05/2025

A horse and rider that didn't quite fit the usual type!

Today we are remembering Rise Against, the longtime upper-level horse partnered with California-based Bunnie Sexton who passed away recently. Rise Against carried the flag for the Thoroughbred sport horse, competing four times at the Kentucky CCI5* with Bunnie and finishing as well as top-25 (2015) in their rookie performance together.

Bunnie and “Ecko” inspired us all in this debut, saying “There are plenty of people who are older — just because you aren’t there showing doesn’t mean you aren’t putting in the work at home. Just because your horse is unconventional doesn’t mean he can’t make it.”

❤️ Read our tribute to "Ecko" and more news & food for thought in our Thursday round-up, brought to you by Virginia Horse Center Foundation ➡️ https://loom.ly/XAsJSfw

14/05/2025

Sounds like a young bloke who has done the hard yards!

In today’s world, it often feels like we’re viewing each other’s lives through the filter of a highlight reel. We see the perfect trips, the flawless jumps, and the moments polished enough for social media.