HR Amateur Showjumper

22/02/2026

Had the nicest day today in a long time... 3 horses ridden all felt great.... blue skies and no stress....

Determined to get back doing what i love the most

08/02/2026

Short answer: distances are the backbone of show jumping.

Longer answer (the fun one): distances decide how a horse gets from one fence to the next—balanced, powerful, or totally scrambled.

Here’s why they matter so much 👇

1. They control the number of strides
Every line on course is built for a “normal” stride (roughly 12 feet / 3.6 m).
If you hit the correct distance:

The horse stays rhythmic

You arrive at the fence in balance

The jump comes up out of stride instead of feeling rushed or dead

Miss the distance and you’re either:

Chipping (too close)

Leaving long (too far away)

Neither is ideal—especially at height.

2. They affect takeoff and bascule
Good distance =
✔️ Horse can rock back
✔️ Push evenly off the hind end
✔️ Round over the fence (nice bascule)

Bad distance =
❌ Flat jump
❌ Dangling legs
❌ Increased rail risk

Rails don’t fall because the horse “can’t jump”—they fall because the distance was wrong.

3. They test the rider’s adjustability
Modern courses aren’t built to be metronome-easy. Designers use:

Short related distances

Long bending lines

Forward vs. collected approaches

This forces riders to:

See a distance early

Adjust stride length

Keep the canter quality without killing impulsion

It’s not just jumping—it’s rideability.

4. They keep the horse confident
Horses learn patterns fast. When distances are consistent:

The horse trusts the rider

Stays relaxed and forward

Jumps more honestly

Repeated bad distances = tension, hesitation, or rushing. Confidence is fragile.

5. At higher levels, distances = time + strategy
Top riders don’t just “make” distances—they choose them:

Add a stride to stay careful

Leave one out to make the time

Ride inside lines with precision

That’s where show jumping becomes chess at 400 kg and 60 km/h 🐎♟️

25/01/2026

What a horse he is.... 3rd in the silver tour GP...

Making 1.40/1.45 look easy peasy

Miss his cheeky little face in my barn

30/08/2025

Worth reading with so many horses out on fields with little to no grass

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EFZVyvaAF/

Sand colic is a common concern for horses kept on sandy soils, as ingestion of sand can lead to irritation or impaction of the large colon. One of the most frequently recommended preventative measures is the use of psyllium husk, but just how effective is it? How Psyllium Works When eaten, psyllium....

29/08/2025

It's Okay to Ride Less When Life Gets Busy

Sometimes life gets hectic—work piles up, family needs you, or you just need a break. And during those times, it’s okay if your horse isn’t getting ridden as much.

Your worth as a rider doesn’t depend on how many hours you spend in the saddle each week. Horses don’t forget you if you take a few days—or even weeks—off. They live in the moment and are usually just happy to see you, even if all you have time for is a groom, a treat, or a quick check-in.

Riding is meant to bring joy, not guilt. So if you’re going through a busy season, give yourself some grace. Your horse will be there when things settle down—and you’ll both be better off if you take care of yourself, too.

Be kind to yourself. Progress doesn’t disappear overnight, and sometimes rest is part of the journey.

26/05/2025

Really pleased with Gio today ... might be little fences(but its more about the bits between the fences for him) but he behaved perfectly and did some really nice things (landing on the corect canter lead, better balance round the corners, canter rhythem and more resposive off the leg... oh yeah and jumping clear obviously)

Definitely felt like progress and i will take that!
Added bonus my confidence and love of showjumping is returning!

04/05/2025

Going barefoot takes patience!

While more horse owners are choosing to keep their horses barefoot, many still struggle to achieve a full and successful transition. A common misconception is that “barefoot” simply means removing the shoes, without considering the critical role that diet and daily management play in supporting a horse's overall health and soundness.

Anyone who has transitioned a horse to barefoot will likely have heard comments like, “My horse is crippled without shoes,” “He wears down his feet,” or “He’s ridden, so he needs shoes.” Despite a growing number of riders successfully competing, jumping, hacking, and eventing barefoot, many still believe barefoot horses can’t perform at the same level as shod ones.

When barefoot transitions fail, it's typically due to underlying issues in diet, management, or trimming. One of the most common—and often overlooked—culprits is low-grade laminitis. Early signs include soreness on hard surfaces, which can be masked by shoes but point to inflammation that, if left unaddressed, leads to more serious health problems. We often say shoes are like "putting a plaster on it"—they cover the symptoms without solving the root cause. In the UK especially, excessive and unsuitable grass is a major contributor to these issues, yet the idea of limiting grass intake is often dismissed because “horses eat grass”—with little regard to the type or quality.

There's also a persistent fear around hooves wearing down without shoes. But again, most wear issues trace back to three key areas:

1. Diet: Poor nutrition affects hoof horn quality, white line strength, and growth. If your horse’s hooves are cracking or chipping, it’s time to reassess their diet. While shoeing may create the illusion of strong hooves, it doesn't solve the underlying nutritional imbalance.

2. Movement: Regular, natural movement promotes healthy hoof growth. Without it, hooves grow slowly—leading to the belief that ridden horses can’t stay barefoot. If your trimmer is removing minimal growth at each visit, your horse likely needs more consistent exercise.

3. Shoeing: Shoes can negatively affect circulation and cause upper body imbalances. By limiting hoof-to-ground contact, they reduce blood flow and may contribute to issues like tight hamstrings or sacroiliac pain—often stemming from contracted heels or thrush, conditions that shoes (and poor diets) can exacerbate.

Whatever the reason for shoeing—thin soles, flares, heel pain, or arthritis—it’s important to remember that horses are living beings, not machines. If your horse can’t go barefoot today, the question shouldn’t be if they can, but why not? Identifying and addressing the root issue gives your horse the best chance of being truly sound—not just ridable, but healthy and thriving.

A gentle reminder: If your horse isn’t sound without shoes, then they’re not truly sound at all.

04/05/2025

So pleased with Cal today. He hasnt been to a show since May 2023 (due to my lack of confidence) and today he reminded me why i never gave up with him....

Jumped a lovely chilled DC over some trip hazards.... most importantly i really enjoyed him... cant wait to get him out again

02/05/2025

Gave Cal his first proper jump in 15 months today.... forgot how forward he is and electric off the floor ... not to mention the very cheeky bucking!

Felt amazing but sticky breeches required!

25/04/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AdPh6xEFd/

Turnout is one of the most polarizing topics in modern horse keeping. So, let’s skip the debate. We’ve gathered some results from veterinary science, peer-reviewed journals, and international welfare assessments. These are real numbers, from real studies, so you can make strategic decisions rooted in evidence, not tradition.

-A 25% reduction in soft tissue injuries was found in adult horses turned out for at least 12 hours daily, compared to those kept in stalls greater than 12 hours daily. (Reilly & Bryk-Lucy, 2021)

-Comparing turnout duration, a study found that horses with only 2 hours of turnout exhibited significantly higher energy levels, anxiety, and behaviors such as rearing, bucking, and fence running, whereas horses receiving over 12 hours of turnout were more likely to walk, graze, and remain calm. (Hockenhull & Creighton, 2010)

-Foals receiving inconsistent turnout (9 to 23 hours per day) had 4.6 times more musculoskeletal injuries than those with 24/7 access to turnout. Furthermore, for every extra acre of turnout, there was a 24% reduction in injury risk. (Brown-Douglas et al., 2022)

-A study on 2-year-old horses found that those kept in individual stalls required more time to get used to training activities and showed more unwanted behaviors, like resistance or agitation, than horses kept on pasture. The stalled horses needed an average of 26 minutes of training time, while the pastured horses needed only 19 minutes, to complete the same task. Additionally, the stalled horses were more likely to show unwanted behaviors during training (8 instances on average compared to just 2 for pastured horses). (Rivera et al., 2002)

-Stall-kept livestock experience a higher incidence of hoof-related issues, including uneven hoof growth and lameness, while those with access to turnout demonstrated healthier, more balanced hoof development. (Black, R.A. et al., 2017)

-A European welfare study using the AWIN protocol assessed 315 horses in group-housing turnout systems. Only 2.3% of these horses exhibited signs of lameness, compared to lameness rates as high as 33% in stalled horses across various studies. (AWIN Welfare Assessment, 2023)

-Within just one day of moving from group turnout to individual stalling, equine cortisol levels spike, and their white blood cell count shows significant changes, including a 25% increase in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) and a decrease in infection-fighting cells like monocytes and T cells. Additionally, behaviors indicative of stress, such as oral manipulation, neighing, pawing, and apathy, became evident in most horses within a week. (Schmucker et al., 2022)

-Horses with regular turnout showed higher heart rate variability, indicating improved balance in their autonomic nervous system and greater stress resilience. (Rietmann et al., 2004)

-Welsh ponies who received daily pasture turnout in a herd exhibited fewer stress-related behaviors, were significantly calmer, less fearful, less reactive, more interactive with humans, and more adaptable in learning tasks compared to ponies housed in impoverished environments (stalls with limited turnout). Even three months after the study, ponies in the enriched group retained these positive behaviors and demonstrated higher curiosity and superior learning performance. (Lansade et al., 2014)

Can you find a single peer-reviewed study that shows horses kept stabled 24/7 are sounder, healthier, or happier than those with regular turnout? Even the most finely tuned, performance-focused horses are still horses. Just like any other, they require room to roam, stretch their legs, and engage in natural behaviors such as grazing and socializing.

It’s important to recognize that no horse truly dislikes turnout. If a horse resists going outside, it’s due to improper conditioning, previous negative experiences, or being overwhelmed by a sudden change in environment: what’s known as "flooding." Horses who’ve been confined for extended periods or who’ve never had proper exposure to outdoor spaces may react with anxiety or reluctance. These reactions stem from fear, not from an inherent dislike of turnout. With patience and gradual exposure, every horse can be reconditioned to embrace the outdoors. After all, instincts tell them to roam, graze, and move, it's in their nature.

Of course, there are times when limiting a horse's movement is necessary, such as during health issues or transportation. In these instances, it’s crucial to understand the physiological and psychological changes that occur so we can minimize stress and discomfort.

Turnout is a biological necessity. To support our horses’ overall health and well-being, we must prioritize their freedom to move. After all, a healthy, happy horse is one that has the opportunity to be just that: a horse.

18/04/2025

🙌 couldnt agree more!

Do people actually school their horses anymore?

Genuinely starting to wonder. I saw a post on Facebook recently, someone jumping 60cm in a Pelham, and now looking for something stronger because the horse is “too strong to the fence.”

Let’s just pause for a second.

The horse? A dressage horse. Supposedly well-schooled, able to collect, extend, work laterally yet apparently can’t be ridden over a tiny fence without throwing more metal at the issue? That’s not a bitting problem. That’s a training problem. And if you’re needing that much hardware to get over a crosspole, it’s time to ask the hard question, Is the rider ready to be jumping at all?

If your horse is rushing, ignoring your aids, and crashing through fences at this height, a harsher bit isn’t going to solve it. It might mask the problem, temporarily, but it’s still there, simmering underneath. And it’s only going to surface again, at a worse time, with bigger consequences.

Stronger bits are not a substitute for education. The work doesn’t begin at the fence. It begins before the first pole is even set up: with flatwork, groundwork, polework, transitions, adjustability, all the building blocks that make a horse rideable, responsive, and safe. You don’t just jump in and pull when it gets fast. That’s not training, that’s damage control.

Schooling and going back to basics is and always has been, the foundation of proper showjumping. Any top-level rider worth listening to will tell you that (though, yes, a few could use the reminder themselves). You don’t get control from a bit. You get it from balance, discipline, and respect, built from the ground up, over time.

And if your horse already has a dressage foundation? Then all the more reason to expect more, not less, in terms of responsiveness and communication. That training should carry over not get thrown out the window the minute there’s a pole on the ground.

And let’s not ignore the other side of this: If a horse is acting out, there are other questions that need asking too about fitness, pain, saddle fit, ulcers, or just plain overload. But none of those are solved with more leverage either. They’re solved by listening, observing, and doing the proper legwork.

Bits are tools not solutions. If you’re maxed out already at 60cm in a Pelham and reaching for something harsher, the problem isn’t in your tack box. It’s in your training plan or lack of one.

Do the work. Train the horse. Respect the process. Or ask yourself if you’re really being fair to the animal you’re sitting on.