THE RIDDEN HORSE

Welfare and the precautionary principle A University of Guelph review argues that many long-accepted riding practices deserve closer scrutiny, even where definitive evidence of harm is still lacking. A review by Caleigh Copelin and Katrina Merkies, published in the March 2026 edition of the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, makes the case that modern equestrianism is…

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THE BIOMECHANICS OF COLLECTION

What really happens when a horse ‘engages’ Ask ten riders to define collection, and you may hear ten different answers: “The horse carries more weight behind,” “He lifts his shoulders,” “She sits more,” or “It’s self-carriage.” While these phrases capture aspects of the concept, true collection is rooted in biomechanics — and understanding what actually…

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KNOW YOUR NOSEBANDS

A guideline to finding the best fit Text: Charlotte Bastiaanse Photography: Tack ‘n Togs, Kreuz Galopp The noseband is a conventional piece of tack that we as riders often overlook. As with all tack pieces, the noseband you decide to use on your horse should be carefully chosen based on a sound understanding of what actions the different…

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