JigsawEquine

Feed a Rescued Horse 💕 ⭐️ 20,000+ Happy Horse Lovers!

Its good to bust through BS people tell you

Fact or fiction ?

The idea of the Alpha mare/stallion and asserting dominance is the pillar of some training ideologies. But does this hold any water ?

"Feral horses have no dominance hierarchies within bands, nor any need for them.The alpha leader mare is a myth. No single character initiates or leads marches or changes of activity. What provokes others to follow is determined, purposeful leaving. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that horses have a concept of authority. It is an entirely human concept" - Lucy Rees

Most of the social interactions within a herd is friendly and based on unity, it is a network of bonds based on family relationships and friendship. Expressing aggression is very rare and limited to specific instances including in**st avoidance and the rejection of inappropriate courtship.

Because of the widespread misconception of what "dominance" means, we should refrain from using it when working with out horses.
"The confusion between dominance, aggression and authority has occasioned more illtreatment of horses, to the point of sending them to slaughter, and more injury to people, than any other single point in equestrianism" - Lucy Rees

Resource:
Horses in company by Lucy Rees

Pros and Cons of Using Hay Nets: New Information - Kentucky Equine Research Haynets can be beneficial for some horses, yet a new study suggests they may increase a horse’s risk of neck or back injury.

Check if an animal medicine is licensed

If you worry about medicinal products and which ones are legit, try this link and search alphabetically.

Product Information Database - Currently authorised products

Stay safe in this heat!

Given our unusual heat spell here are some tips to keep ourselves out of the dangers of heat stroke!

How to avoid heat stroke...

SOME EARLY WARNING SIGNS:

Headaches, Dizziness or confusion
Feeling sick or loss of appetite
Cramps in arms, legs, stomach
Fast breathing or pulse
High temp (above 38 degreesC)
Very thirsty
Children can become floppy

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT...

Move to a cool place
→
Lie down with feet raised slightly
→
Drink plenty of water (electrolyte drinks may also help)
→
Cool skin with sponge and fan or cold packs around armpits or neck
→

CONTACT 999 IF...

√Still feel unwell after 30 min of resting in cool place & drinking water
√Not sweating though feeling too hot
√High temp (40 degrees C or above)
√Feel confused

HEAT STROKE
Can be dangerous.
It can result in seizures and loss of consciousness.
Call 999 don't delay!

Roll up and Sign up with Lucinda Green for a summer XC special! Don't delay, I can't recommend this programme enough for budding XC fans, re-starts, and those already in the know!

https://www.lucindagreenxcacademy.com/Lucinda-Green-XC-WEEK?fbclid=IwAR1lch0cxOwsdRiHTrw1rC0eo1NnXLGW3hvgcSAHL2z_o8tJlaxBGehIg7A

Lucinda Green XC WEEK Lucinda Green, 6 times Badminton winner, World, Olympic and European Champion has been coaching XC for more than 40 years around the world.

Rewarding horses...

For many this is all about horses for courses, meaning reward each horse individually according to what motivates him/her..

How do we do that?

By finding out what does your horse finds desireable and want to worl for?

Once we know that rewardss are about getting more of the desired behavioura and having a happier horse! Awesome...

Slapping/patting our horse on the neck isnt especially enjoyable for the horse, no matter who the rider is!. A well trained horse ie. trained with consistency will learn that when Chsrlotte Dujardin finishes a DR test and slaps her horse on the neck as a well done - the horse learns its the thing that happens before he is back in his stable eating his hay!! the slap is a communication cue.

In training asnimals we call it bridging.

To find out more I recommenmd reading the work of sea lion trainer Jennifer Zeligs.

Cycles!

My posting goes in cycles. At times I worry that im not doing enough by not posting and should be doing more.... There we have it the anxt created by worry and 'should-itis'. Instead of worrying ive come to accept that life ebbs and flows. Our training progress with our horses often ebs and flows and so let's rejoice in flows and all things natural.

Welcome back!

Heads up Employers at Liveries, Studs etc, the minimum wage increase time is here again. New rates are:

For workers aged 23 and over will rise from £8.91 to £9.50.

Rates for other age groups are:

21 – 22 years old: £9.18.
18 – 20 years old: £6.83.
16 – 17 years old: £4.81.
Apprentice rate: £4.81.
Accommodation offset: £8.70.

From 6 April 2022, NICs will rise by 1.25% for most workers in order to increase funding for the NHS and the social care sector.

Horse and Hound this week raised again the call to action for all horse owners and carers to egg count and only wormed if necessary versus the blanket approach of worming for wormings sake. Good advice.