Blue is a seven year old ISH that Nicky has owned for three years.  She came to Nicky as a 5-year-old, being lightly started and having bred a foal.  She is kept with Nicky’s other horse Trio (see his story also) on livery where they are stabled and turned out onto managed pasture with ad lib hay.

With a young, green horse like Blue, most people would have put the problem down to weakness and insufficient training.  However, in our experience, pushing horses through these issues only works in the short term.  Eventually, the isssues return but by then the compromised horse has been worked in tightness that has put unecessary stress on its body.   In our view, the rise in conditions such as kissing spine, sacrio-iliac damage and ulcers are the result.  Making sure horses are able to start their work in softness rather than needing to work hard to make them soft enough to start the ride is key.

Comparing Blue and Trio’s case studies demonstrates how each horse reacts differently to the same environment and management.  This is why it can get so confusing for us owners as we tend to expect horses to have the same reactions to similar stimuli.

In principle’ the solution for all horses is basically the same: use of grass-free options, plenty of good hay, appropriate access to appropriate pasture, a simple bucket to provide the essential nutrition needed, and plenty of correct movement.

By adopting these principles and working out the best balance for the individual horse, we find that horses will be at their best,  that is calm, healthy and athletic animals that live long and injury-free lives.