Transition Up Horseback riding lessons

03/31/2025

Let’s!!

RECYCLE your horses winter coats ! Yep you heard that right ! If you take a bird feeder like this one, stuff it full of your horses shedded winter coats and hang it in a tree, the little birds who are building nests will come and steal the hair, it helps them make their nests super soft and warm ! Please do not use mane and tail hair as the babies can get tangled in it.

03/21/2025

𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛:
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Welcome to the very first Saturday Evening Club!

If you love horses, want to learn more about stable management, and enjoy discussing what’s best for our equine partners, then you’re in the right place.

Every Saturday evening, we’ll dig into a topic that matters whether it’s horse health, training, feeding, or the things people should be talking about but aren’t. This isn’t just about the basics, it’s about the details that make all the difference.

So, let’s start with a simple but crucial question:

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰?

There are plenty of things we could talk about. Some people still don’t realize how much forage a horse actually needs (hint: a lot). Others believe turnout is optional (it’s not, it’s a horse, not a house pet). And then there’s the great mystery of why so many horses are rugged like they’re heading for the Arctic… while standing in a mild spring drizzle.

But if I had to pick just one thing?

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲

It sounds obvious, right? But too many owners struggle to recognize when a horse is truly in good condition. And it’s not their fault. We’re surrounded by misinformation, outdated advice, and a tendency to see what’s “normal” instead of what’s actually healthy.

So, let’s look into what this means:

1. 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 & 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

A horse’s weight isn’t just about looks, it directly affects their joint health, metabolic function, and long-term soundness.

✅ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: A horse should have balance not too fat, not too thin.
✅ 𝗥𝗶𝗯 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸: You should be able to feel their ribs, but not see them sticking out.
✅ 𝗙𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Look at their neck, shoulders, and belly fat stores in these areas can indicate weight problems.

➡️ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀:
Many horses today are too fat, leading to issues like laminitis and insulin resistance. On the flip side, hard keepers need close monitoring to catch weight loss early.

2. 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞

Hydration is everything. A dehydrated horse is at risk of colic, poor digestion, and muscle fatigue, yet many owners overlook it.

✅ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝?
•On average, 5-10 gallons ( 10 gallons = 37 litres) per day, depending on the weather, diet, and workload.

•Horses on dry hay need more water than those on grass.

•In hot weather or during work, water needs can double.

✅ 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
• Gums: Should be moist and pink, not dry or sticky.

•Skin Pinch Test: Pinch the skin on their neck, if it doesn’t snap back quickly, they may be dehydrated.

•Dull Eyes & Lethargy: A horse that seems “off” or sluggish may just need more water.

✅ 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

•Keep water clean, horses will refuse dirty or icy water.

•Add electrolytes in hot weather or for horses in work.

•Offer soaked feeds (such as soaked hay, beet pulp, or mashes) to boost moisture intake.

➡️ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Even mild dehydration can increase colic risk, slow digestion, and impact performance. Monitoring water intake should be part of your daily routine.

3. 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡

You know that saying, “No hoof, no horse”? Well, it’s true.

✅ 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗲:
•Strong, with a tight white line (not stretched or crumbling).

•Free of deep cracks, thrush, or excessive flaring.

•Well-trimmed, whether barefoot or shod, with proper balance.

✅ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀:
•Thrush: A smelly, black infection, usually from standing in wet, dirty conditions.

•Flared walls & cracks: Often caused by improper trimming or poor diet.

•Stretched white line: A sign of metabolic issues or poor hoof mechanics.

➡️ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Hoof problems don’t just cause foot pain, they affect the entire body. A sore hoof can lead to compensatory lameness and long-term soundness issues.

4. 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐭 & 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

A horse’s coat is like a mirror of their internal health.

✅ 𝐀 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐞:
•Shiny, sleek, and smooth, even in winter, a well-fed horse will have a glossy coat.

•Free of dandruff, bald patches, or excessive rubbing.

✅ 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬:
•Dull, rough coat? Could indicate poor nutrition or parasites.

•Excessive rubbing? Often a sign of skin conditions or poor rug management.

➡️ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
A shiny coat isn’t just cosmetic,it’s a sign of good health. If a horse’s coat suddenly changes, something internally might be off.

5. 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁

Soundness isn’t just about whether a horse is limping.

✅ 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹:
•Move freely without stiffness, hesitation, or short strides.

•Be happy to go forward under saddle.

✅ 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭:
•Subtle lameness, a shorter stride, a slightly uneven step.

•Toe-dragging or reluctance to move forward.

➡️ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Too many horses are labeled as “lazy” when they’re actually sore. Catching small movement issues early can prevent long-term damage.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞

Take five minutes today to really look at your horse. Ask yourself:

✅ 𝙒𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 – Can I feel their ribs, or are they carrying too much on their neck or belly?

✅ 𝙃𝙮𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 – Are they drinking enough? Try the skin pinch test.

✅ 𝙃𝙤𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 – Are their hooves strong and healthy, or do I see cracks, chips, or flares creeping in?

✅ 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙩 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 – Is their coat sleek and healthy, or has it become dull, scurfy, or rubbed?

✅ 𝙈𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 – Are they moving freely and comfortably, or do they seem a little reluctant?

Small things add up. The more we notice, the better we can care for them.

𝑳𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌!

Since this is our first Saturday Evening Club post, let’s get a real conversation going.

What do you think is the most overlooked part of stable management? What’s something you wish more people understood?

Drop a comment below and share your thoughts. Because if even one person learns something new tonight, it might just make a difference for a horse.

Let’s make this a space for learning, sharing, and becoming better horse people, together.

See you next Saturday!

03/13/2025

This!!!!!! is a good start

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝: 𝐀 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞

The world is waking up. Across industries, sports, and daily life, conversations about animal welfare are becoming impossible to ignore. In equestrian sport, the debate has reached a critical moment one that demands real action, not just words. Leading the charge for change is Blue Horse, one of the most influential names in Danish and international dressage. In a bold and unprecedented move, Blue Horse has announced a temporary withdrawal from dressage competitions, choosing horse welfare over ribbons and rankings.

This is more than a pause. It is a statement of principles, a refusal to participate in a system that has yet to fully define what ethical training and competition should look like. It is a message to the entire equestrian world: change is coming, and we must all take responsibility.

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲: 𝗔 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

For years, Blue Horse has been at the heart of international dressage. Founded in Denmark, it is not only a competition powerhouse but also a world-class breeding operation, home to some of the most sought-after dressage stallions in the industry. Blue Horse stallions have shaped the modern dressage landscape, producing top-tier horses that have competed at the highest levels of the sport.

Beyond breeding, Blue Horse is a leader in training, education, and the promotion of dressage as an art form and sport. Their riders, horses, and trainers have set benchmarks for quality, but their commitment has always extended beyond competitive success. Now, they are demonstrating leadership in a different, more profound way by prioritizing the well-being of horses over immediate competitive goals.

𝗔 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆, 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

Dressage has long been celebrated as the pinnacle of harmony between horse and rider. But in recent years, concerns over training methods, competition pressures, and overall horse welfare have sparked fierce debate. Are horses being pushed too hard? Are the judging standards encouraging training methods that prioritize results over the well-being of the horse? Is the balance between sport and ethics shifting in the wrong direction?

The Danish Riding Association (DRF) has recognized these concerns and launched a new initiative: Sammen om Hestewelfærd (“Together for Horse Welfare”). This strategy aims to set clearer guidelines for the ethical treatment of horses in sport, improve education, and rethink competition scoring to ensure that horse welfare remains the top priority.

Blue Horse’s decision to step back from competition aligns directly with this movement. Rather than continuing in an uncertain environment, they have chosen to pause, reflect, and push for clearer, stronger ethical standards.

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲

But this is not just about elite dressage. Every rider whether professional, amateur, or leisure must take a moment to reflect. It is easy to point at top-level competition and demand change, but what about at home?

• 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜-𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙢 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨?

• 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙, 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙩, 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙪𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙜𝙤𝙖𝙡𝙨?

• 𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙, 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙝𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮?

Blue Horse is leading by example, but change must come from every corner of the equestrian world. The responsibility does not lie solely with professionals; it is a mindset that must be adopted by every horse owner, trainer, and rider, regardless of discipline or level.

Despite stepping back from dressage competitions, Blue Horse’s daily operations continue. Their renowned stallion shows, including the highly anticipated event on March 29, will go ahead as scheduled. The breeding, training, and education programs remain in full operation.

But make no mistake this pause in competition is not a passive decision. Blue Horse is using this time to push for meaningful change, to be part of the conversations that will shape the future of dressage. And when they return to competition, it will be with the confidence that the sport is moving in the right direction.

The next three months will be a test not just for Blue Horse, but for the entire dressage world. Will the sport embrace change? Will governing bodies, riders, and organizations step up and take responsibility? And, most importantly, will these conversations lead to real, lasting improvements for the horses at the heart of it all?

Blue Horse has made its stance clear. Now, it is time for the rest of the equestrian community at every level to prove that horse welfare is not just a trend or a talking point, but the foundation upon which the future of the sport must be built.

Blue Hors we applaud you ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A9SdkYjA4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/12/2025

So proud of these two. First ever ride alone. They have both come such a long way. I am proud Vicki and her young off the track thoroughbred Angel

03/01/2025

Let’s give the walk some credit!!

It's so much more than 'just a walk'... 🐎

Of all the paces, walk is the most overlooked — and many riders and coaches say it is the hardest of all the gaits to train in a horse.

Walk is a four-beat gait, without a moment of suspension, and at least two hooves will be on the ground at any point in the step sequence.

👉🏻 Free walk: the horse is relaxed and supple over their back. Their head and neck stretches out and down, and there is a clear over-track (this is where the hind hoof steps in front of the hoof print made by the foreleg, rather than in it.

👉 Extended walk: the horse is in a longer frame and showing maximum ground cover with a greater over-track than the other types of walk.

👉🏻 Collected walk: the horse has shorter steps and is showing more elevation and activity in hind leg. The rider has a shorter rein and the horse is working in a higher frame.

👉🏼 Medium walk: The horse should stride forward with purpose (think marching) and the rhythm should be regular and relaxed, but with energy.

If dressage is your thing, the walk is worth double marks in places, so it pays to get it right! 🏵

Read the full training article and watch a video showing the difference between each walk via the link below:

https://www.yourhorse.co.uk/horse-riding-training/schooling-dressage/horse-walk/

02/22/2025

The first two photographs feature my young protégé one day after his most recent racing competition. After displaying a lack of enthusiasm for racing initially, he was entrusted to my care. Witness his remarkable transformation now. I have taken a meticulous approach, dedicating substantial time to teaching him about the world. I have avoided applying pressure or accelerating his development. Every day is structured according to his needs, and as a born athlete, he displays a keen eagerness to acquire knowledge and engage in various activities. I am delighted with his progress, which has proven both rewarding and enjoyable.

02/22/2025

The equine hoof is a very complex structure!!

02/19/2025

Always a work in progress 💪

02/01/2025

This is how its done!

12/28/2024

You’ve got to get into their thoughts, right on.
THIS is where true horsemanship starts

12/11/2024

Once a year we hope to offer this learning opportunity to horse people in our area. Ive done the whole series twice and it’s absolutely with every minute

Schedule & Registration. To See our upcoming courses listed by state please click below

11/01/2024

Ready ?

10/24/2024

Please. Consider this clinic if you have anything at all to do with horses.