Adventure Neighground

04/06/2026

Interesting research paper has been published! Horse Welfare 12.
If, like me, you are looking for change within the equine industry to promote and embrace better equine welfare, you might feel frustrated by the lack of progress (although there IS progress, maybe just not at the rate we want).

This paper Horse Welfare 12 looks at all the elements within horsekeeping as parts of a system, which includes research into numbers (eg noseband tightness, rein tightness), culture, legislation, information flow and places them into 12 groups. The suthors then go on to discuss which levels are easiest to implement change in, and which are likely to bring about the biggest change.

They haven't gone into HOW or WHERE or WHO should be doing WHAT... I think that's a whole different conversation, but for me, sitting here in my livery yard, it's useful to view the whole welfare of horses issue from a different viewpoint. To see some of the challenges differently, to think hard about where I am best putting my energy, what I can do, and what I cannot do (so shouldn't waste my energy on).

In so many ways it links with Lisa Ashton's book Welfare Horse Sports, in that equine welfare and change is not about blaming individuals, or organisations, it's about seeing the wider and deeper level which influences, guides and creates how we interact with horses.

Its an interesting systems view of the world of horse-humans, and very worth reading.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/405122295_Horse_Welfare_12_A_Human_Behavior_Change_Framework_for_Improving_Horse_Welfare

Click on the link and if you can't download it all, on the downloaded abstract is another link to the full copy which the authors have made available outside the Journal.

If you aren't into reading, I believe there are several podcasts which include the authors in discussion about the research and the background, so look them up.

Enjoy!

PDF | To improve horse welfare do we need more science or a different scientific approach? For over 40 years researchers have called for change to... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate

30/05/2026

Stuff I have learned...
Random but VERY interesting stuff from the Equitation Science course

When your horse is down regulating from stress and getting calmer ...their right eye is hotter than their left...

And yes, I know why.... Do you want to know?

29/05/2026

Due to the current equine flu epidemic, we, as a yard, have decided not to have any visiting horses on site. All liveries are being mindful and avoiding coming to the yard directly from any shows, other yards with unknown biosecurity, auctions etc, and are following our procedure of shower, clean clothes, disinfected or clean boots.
We are also asking all visiting professionals to disinfect on arrival and departure with boot wash and spray available for use.
We don't have equine flu, and we don't intend to get it.

21/05/2026

I have 'done a thing'
Apart from the ongoing wait to get scaffolding all down, the remaining scheduled renovation and upgrade work finished, I have started the Equitation Science Diploma as CPD and to further my knowledge.

Why not continue with my BHS qualifications?

Admittedly it was many years ago when I did my Stages, but even back then I felt there was something missing for me. It felt as if it was about achieving an outcome with the horse rather than understanding how the horse learned first, then using that. It didn't feel up to date on the science. Or maybe that would come in on later Stages .....

Since starting my own learning journey into equine psychology, learning theory, biomechanics, I got super interested in other training methods which could explicitly demonstrate learning theory, and which are bang up to date with evidence, science and research based knowledge.

This led me to the International Society of Equitation Science, and then the Equitation Science Diploma.
It's not going to be easy, short or cheap.
18 months of full time study, combining theory, in hand and ridden work with a multitude of assessments. But it ticks SO many boxes for me.

Rather than train in dressage, or jumping, or xc, Equitation Science is about teaching the horse to do any discipline, so it won't matter which one I am training a horse for. It is firmly rooted in learning theory, with progression from in hand training through to lateral work, applicable for any sport from hacking to games, mounted archery, agility, racing, showjumping, even scentwork and beyond.

Does this mean I won't have any more lessons on site with Mark Fuller ? No! Far from it. His training is already in line with the core principles (maybe that's the secret as to how he is so effective!... He's already using the learning capability of the horse, the biomechanics etc). I will need to restart my lessons which will perfectly compliment the Diploma which has classical Equitation as part of its ethos.

The livery yard has already embraced the Ten Principles as their guiding ethos, with everyone on their own learning journey into a deeper understanding. This will be a truly rich experience which I know will stretch and empower me, and filter down to my liveries and my future clients as I will, once finished, start teaching and coaching but with a focus totally different to my equine colleagues in the area.

19/05/2026

Scentwork Showdown postponed due to an advanced equine trainer having had surgery (non horse related) and recovery taking longer than predicted.
We WILL rearrange it, it WILL happen, but we will wait on the trainers recovery as priority.
Apologies to anyone who was considering coming. Folk who had booked places have already been informed.

08/05/2026

What's the Scentwork Showdown going to be? Do I bring my dog or horse? Are you streaming or recording it?

Just a few of the questions I have been asked.

So, a few answers :-)

It's a morning where we, as a group, look at dogs and horses being trained. We discuss our training methods to explore common areas, and differences. We then rest our animals in challenges, so one area with 5 hidden objects for example, does the dog find them faster than the horse? And no doubt the discussion, where YOUR input and ideas will be valued, might direct us into other interesting avenues!

It's NOT a 'bring your dog or horse' event. It's an event for the curious trainers, equine, canine or both, (or any interested animal trainer interested in looking at methods which might apply cross-species) to come join discussions, explanations and demonstrations of both canine and equine training methods with the combined outcome goal of searching by scent.

It might appeal to any dog or horse owner, any animal behaviourist or student of veterinary sciences, equine management etc.

We haven't planned to record it, but perhaps we should....

Keep asking questions.... :-)

Once our overheads (insurance etc) have been covered, the remaining income will be donated to charity, with Dog Ways having their own selected charity, and ours being Veterans in Communities.
We are doing this for fun, because we don't think anyone has done a set of direct challenges to compare canine and equine, and because that's just the sort of curious minds we have.

So if you have a curiosity about the innovative, the psychology of training, want to support good causes and want to be part of something unique, please book your place!

Also, if we videoed it, would you want access to the event as a webinar style thing?

19/04/2026

Kapow!!!!
It's that aligned universe again.
This morning, a livery is trialling scentwork with a small herd, then BANG the ISES have posted about how horses smell and the effect it can have...

19/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14U2TzShM9j/ ISES post about horses smelling things and the equine brain

17/04/2026

When the horse isn't big enough, put it on a platform...
Livery horse using balance pads in the stable, trained to step onto the plank and pads by a very dedicated owner....