Need some help with your horse?

Need some help? find helpful and informative articles on all aspects of equine care.

Sadly each year a number of horses are stolen or go missing on loan with few being recovered and returned to their owners. There are a few simple steps you can take to help to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of horse theft.

Horse riders often enjoy hacking on roads and in the countryside and riders have a right to use the road but both riders and motorists have a responsibility for each others safety. Before you go out hacking it is important to know the laws and to be aware of the hazards both on and off the road. Even the most quiet and well-behaved horse may jump and fall into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

There are hundreds of thousands of horses in the UK and Ireland, the majority of which are well cared for in loving, knowledgeable homes. However, sadly each year a growing number are neglected, abused and abandoned. You can help to identify horses whose care is less than adequate for a healthy and happy existence.

Advertising your horse or pony online couldn't be simpler. Whilst your listing can be seen by thousands of potential buyers, you do need to ensure that your advert is clear, concise and contains all the essential information needed to attract the right buyer to enable you to sell your horse. Read more on how to get the best from your online advert.

Owning a horse can be a fantastic and rewarding experience but it is a time consuming hobby and caring for a horse is a huge financial commitment. Before owning a horse, you will need to be clear about where and how you will keep it and how its care will be financed.
To help you budget, we have listed some common costs associated with looking after a horse or pony.

Are you wearing your hi-viz? Be seen and be safe on the roads. Print our free poster to place in your stable, centre or yard to remind everyone and stay safe this winter.

Horse riders often enjoy hacking on roads and in the countryside and riders have a right to use the road but both riders and motorists have a responsibility for each others safety. Horses are powerful animals that can become frightened and panic easily. A collision with one poses considerable risk to the motor vehicle and its occupants, as well as to the horse and rider. read more.......

Every winter, we will be considering whether to clip our horses or not, which clip, when to do it and how best to go about it.

Horses are clipped during the winter months when a horse’s coat is much thicker. Clipping helps to reduce sweating making horses more comfortable, it allows them to dry quicker ultimately making them easier to manage. Clipping can also smarten the appearance of the horse removing the hairy mammoth look for winter competitions. read more........

After the August bank holiday the hunting season is fast approaches. Perhaps you are a seasoned hunter dusting down your attire or a newcomer who has listened to the tales of adventure and wants to give it a go.

We have put together a guide which we hope you will help you through the myriad of tradition, etiquette and good fun. read more.......

Halloween can be a fun time but for pets it can be stressful or even dangerous. If left alone they can become the victim of pranks or can be frightened by the noise of fireworks.

Consider where to leave your horse, a familiar environment within normal routine is generally best but if your horse is likely to be upset you may need to consider alternatives. read more.......

Do you know what this advert would mean? Horse and Pony advertisements often include abbreviations, read more.......

It is great to know that with improved care and medical treatment, horses are living longer. Sadly, the time will eventually come for us to say goodbye which sometimes means we are faced with making a difficult decision. We love our horses so much that is can be very difficult to let them go but the horse's welfare is paramount. It is important that you as a horse owner, understand the reasons for euthanasia and the options available to you so that when the time comes, you can say goodbye in a dignified and peaceful way. read more........

Unless you are fortunate enough to own your own land and stables, you will, like the majority of horse owners, keep your horse in a livery yard. Finding the right yard for you and your horse can be time consuming and facilities vary enormously.

There many different types of livery with the service provided varying from yard to yard. read more.......

Winter is a particularly trying time for horses and owners alike. Reduced daylight hours make riding difficult and cold spells can increase the workload for the average owner.

Rushing to look after your horse to get home into the warmth can leave both you and your horse feeling harassed, so don't forget to spend some quality time, a little relaxed grooming will be a better experience for you both than a rushed frenzy of cleaning and feeding. read more........

VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) have produced a fantastic guide for all horsebox and trailer owners.

The guide addresses some basic questions to assist owners and operators of horseboxes. It is intended to offer general help and isn't a legal document. read more.........

Sweet itch is a distressing condition suffered by many thousands of horses and ponies. It is thought that around 5% of the horse population in the UK is affected.

Sweet Itch is an allergic reaction to insect bites (Culicoides midge and, to a lesser extent, the larger, hump-backed Simulium Equinum, a member of the blackfly family) and results from an over-vigorous response by the animal's immune system. This results in severe itching (pruritis) which often leads to hair loss and in severe cases can lead to open sores. These can become infected creating new issues. read more.......

Common Ragwort (Senecio Jacobaea) is specified as a weed under the Weeds Act 1959, largely due to its toxicity to grazing animals, particularly horses and cattle. If eaten it can have debilitating or fatal consequences with young horses and ponies most at risk.

Despite this widely acknowledged fact, every year a number of animals die as a result of damage to their liver as a result of consuming ragwort. The number of deaths attributed to ragwort poisoning vary wildly from 13 to 500 to 6,500 per year. Most horses affected by ragwort poisoning die after suffering for periods varying from a week to several months. read more.......