Emma Hobson Equestrian

Today is the hottest 🔥 day on record in May 🌞

Horse hydration idea: make ice lollies with chopped 🍎 apples , carrots 🥕 & diluted apple juice and pop in the freezer 😋

It's also a great boredom buster 🥵🥰

Get those poles out and have a read to see the mass of benefits 🐎😍

A recent study from the University of Tennessee provided strong support for something trainers, movement specialists, and bodyworkers have observed for years:

Ground poles significantly increase activation of important postural and core muscles in horses.

What the Study Found

Walking over ground poles increased activity in:

• Longissimus dorsi — a major topline and spinal support muscle
• Abdominal muscles — critical for core stability and support of the spine

Even at the walk, poles require the horse to:

• Lift the limbs higher
• Stabilize the trunk more actively
• Organize posture and balance with greater precision
• Continuously adjust limb placement and timing

At the trot, researchers also found increased activation of the abdominal muscles.

Trotting over poles requires greater dynamic stabilization, and the increased limb elevation demands more coordinated control of the trunk, pelvis, and spine.

What This Means

These findings support the long-standing use of cavaletti and ground poles as a low-impact way to:

• Strengthen the topline
• Improve abdominal engagement
• Support spinal stability
• Enhance proprioception and coordination
• Encourage improved posture and self-carriage
• Develop better movement organization through the whole body

One of the most important aspects of pole work is that it influences both sides of the postural system:

• The dorsal chain — including the longissimus muscles along the back
• The ventral chain — including the abdominal support system

This balance is essential for efficient movement, force transfer, and development of a healthy, functional topline.

But pole work is not only muscular.

It is neurological.

Each pole creates a movement problem the horse must solve in real time.

The horse has to:

• Judge distance
• Adjust stride length
• Control timing
• Stabilize the trunk
• Organize the limbs in space
• Adapt moment-to-moment to changing demands

That process requires attention, coordination, body awareness, and ongoing nervous system regulation.

In many horses, poles appear to improve focus not simply because the horse is “behaving,” but because the nervous system is becoming more engaged and organized around the task.

Pole work may also influence neurological tone — the background level of muscular and nervous system readiness that affects posture, movement quality, stiffness, and coordination.

For some horses, this can help reduce excessive bracing and improve adaptability through the body.
For others, it can help improve postural engagement and overall organization.

Why It Matters

Regular pole work can benefit many types of horses:

• Young horses developing coordination and posture
• Performance horses improving strength, agility, movement quality, and limb awareness
• Horses rebuilding core control and stability after periods of weakness or reduced work
• Older horses maintaining mobility, coordination, and movement confidence

Importantly, many of these benefits occur even at the walk, making poles accessible to horses across a wide range of ages, disciplines, and fitness levels.

Rather than simply “making horses pick up their feet,” poles appear to challenge the nervous system, postural system, sensory system, and muscular system together — encouraging the horse to organize movement with greater control, awareness, and adaptability.

https://koperequine.com/step-by-step-the-benefits-of-walk-poles-for-horses/

Suppling Exercise 🌟 🤩

Let's talk about the long rein walk or stretchy trot.

Stretching a horse on a long rein allows them to lower their head and neck forward-downward, engaging the back muscles and topline while maintaining a light, elastic connection. This technique helps evaluate the horse's straightness, suppleness, and willingness to work, making it an excellent exercise for warming up or relaxing the horse during training.

Recently I've had a lot of last minute cancellations so I just wanted to update everyone on my cancellation policy. (This message is going to all of my clients so it is not targeted at anyone in particular.)

If you need to cancel, I will always try to accommodate you or your child with another available time or slot that week. Should that not suit, full payment for your missed slot will be required. I hope you understand but I have other clients awaiting spaces. I am self employed and I have my own bills to pay. Hopefully this will make things clearer for everyone moving forward.

Many thanks

Emma

Get booked in. 🌟 This isn't just for judges but for anyone who wants to attend. As a rider, you'll learn loads about what the judge is looking for and how the marks are awarded. You'll also see some stunning horses riding through test movements at various levels 👌

Amber loving her Bemer sessions. See below the benefits of this amazing bit of kit! 🩷

Key Benefits of BEMER Therapy for Horses:

🔴 Improved Circulation & Metabolism: The primary benefit is stimulated blood flow in the microvessels, which enhances metabolic processes and oxygen supply to cells.

🟢 Accelerated Recovery: It accelerates the healing process after strenuous exercise, injury, or surgery.

🟡 Reduced Tension & Stiffness: Helps alleviate muscle tension, stiffness, and discomfort, improving overall flexibility.

🟣 Enhanced Performance: Promotes better, more consistent performance by ensuring muscles are well-nourished and relaxed.

🔵 Reduced Stress: Helps calm horses and lowers stress levels, beneficial during travel or competitions.

🟤 Breeding Support: Can help normalize sexual behavior in breeding stallions and improve s***m quality.

At the moment, I am loving feeding Bluegrass ReLite to my 'moody' mare. As spring arrives and daylight hours increase, mares start their oestrus cycle again and have regular cycles throughout the summer months. With an estimated 300,000 mares in the UK and 93% of mares in general showing undesirable ‘moody’ behaviour when in season, it’s easy to see why owning a mare can prove to be challenging to say the least!

ReLite is perfect for her as the use of super fibres and oils helps to provide a slow-release energy source that is high in fibre, whilst keeping starch levels low. High starch diets can be undesirable for individual horses such as mares in season.

Bluegrass Horse Feeds

When it's your birthday and you get a lovely photo with birthday wishes from the Equikleen crew! Love these guys! They not only do a terrific job but always have a smile on their faces no matter what the weather!

It's that time of year folks... 🪱 🐛 testing time. Blanket dosing your horses is no longer recommended. Instead, contact Ashley Ruth from EFEC to request sample pots. It's so easy, healthier for your horse and a lot cheaper than buying wormers! Ashley also sends out handy leaflets like this to help manage parasites in your yard. I've used Ashley's company for years and I cannot recommend her enough.. Quick, efficient and knowledgeable.