Dawn Britnell BHSII Senior Accredited Professional Coach

19/09/2026

🔬 For everyone who asked to see the research in more detail, the full pre-publication paper is now available to read on Animalweb.❗

The preliminary study by Dr David Marlin, Russell MacKechnie-Guire, Graham Cross and Rachel Murray investigated the complex forces acting through the curb rein, cheekpiece and curb chain when a horse was ridden in a double bridle. 🐴

The full paper includes:
📊 Detailed tension measurements
📡 The sensor and data-collection setup
🖼️ Illustrations of how forces act through the bridle
⚙️ Estimates of the forces transmitted inside the horse’s mouth
🔎 A full discussion of the findings and limitations

If you wanted to explore the methods, mechanics and results behind the research, you can now read the complete paper here:

👉 https://askanimalweb.com/a-preliminary-investigation-quantifying-curb-rein-curb-cheekpiece-and-curb-chain-tensions-in-a-horse-ridden-in-a-double-bridle-with-estimates-for-intra-oral-forces/

David J. Marlin, Russell MacKechnie-Guire, Graham H. Cross, Rachel Murray (2026). A preliminary investigation quantifying curb rein, curb cheekpiece and curb chain tensions in a horse ridden in a double bridle with estimates for intra-oral forces. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology.

18/09/2026

The correct respect for a groom.
Peter James Carr Photography

18/09/2026

Such a wonderful photographer
Peter James Carr Photography

18/09/2026

Longer than she is tall🤣

18/09/2026

Well Carl Hester could not have put it better
"Lottie's story is one of resilience and strength of character. To win double gold four years ago, then after a dip in performance over the last two seasons come back with improved piaffe and pirouettes - and style of riding - goes to show what a great partnership can do to get better. That's impressive"
Absolute hat's off to Lottie from us all!👏👏👏
And if you're wondering ... her hat is the KASK Anima II Origin

17/09/2026

A lovely thought provoking post. I no longer ride but the smell, touch, sound, expression, inquisitiveness and breath of horses is enough for me.
How about you?

A little question for the horsey people...

We spend an awful lot of time talking about what we want to achieve with our horses.

The next competition.
Improving our dressage score.
Jumping bigger.
Getting fitter.
Overcoming nerves.
Learning something new.

But sometimes I think we forget to ask ourselves a rather important question...

What are you actually enjoying about your horses at the moment?

Not what you should be enjoying.
Not what you think you ought to be achieving.
Not what everyone else on social media seems to be doing.

What genuinely makes you smile?

Perhaps it's a quiet hack.

Perhaps it's finally getting that transition you've been working on.

Perhaps it's simply grooming your horse after a long day and feeling the world slow down for half an hour.

Perhaps, at the moment, you're just trying to get through a challenging patch of training and there isn't much enjoyment to be found.

And that's okay too.

Our horses are allowed to be part of our lives without always having to be a project.

So, I'm curious...

What is your favourite thing about having horses in your life right now?

I'd love to hear your answers.

17/09/2026

Have you been there too?🤯🤣

CAPTION THIS…😳

We’ll go first…

When you just want to quietly unload horses and end up flying a 600kg kite… 🪁🐴

Definitely one of the more enthusiastic arrivals this week! 😳😳

Definitely a jumper !

14/09/2026