Emma Hobson Equestrian

Spotlight on this super feed from Bluegrass that I use for EVERY equine iny yard: Turmash.

Reasons I love this product ➡️

🔴 I love it for my seniors & retired horses as it's easy for them to eat if their teeth are worn.

🟠 It contains weight gain without providing 'the fizz' & keeps the condition. 🌿

🟡 It's high fiber so perfect for digestive health (remember fiber is the basis of any horse's diet.) If you have a horse who is prone to ulcers, this is a must. 🐎

🟢 It is a mash which I make up really sloppy these days to ensure the horses are keeping really hydrated. 💧 It's also perfect after long journeys as horse's can dehydrated quickly when travelling.

🔵 It contains turmeric for natural anti-inflammatory benefits (again, perfect for the seniors in my yard.) 🩻 The omega fatty acids 3 & 6 in it also supports the joints.

🟣 It includes linseed oil to promote a shiny coat. All of my horse's coats are gleaming and this also saves the pennies as there is no need to buy and add in extra oil 💲💰

⚫️ It contains very low starch levels (around 4.3%) making it safe for horses susceptible to laminitis.

Craig Kileff

A great day examining the BHS Ride Safe exam today. Verbal examination, simulated road routes and then a real road route. These ladies know their stuff to now keep them & their horses safe out on the roads 🚗 🐎

If anyone needs to complete their BHS Ride Safe training, either Bronze or Silver levels, I am fully qualified to train and examine these awards. All successful candidates will be awarded with their certificates upon completion ⭐️

This is a super award for children (over 12 years) and adults. It is also necessary for anyone wanting to achieve their BHS Stage Two.

Anyone who is interested, please feel free to send me a DM.

Great advice from Pony Club to stay hydrated and healthy for horse & rider in this wonderful weather 🌤 💧

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.