Viv Pearson BHS Accredited Coach

Interesting 🤔
Love the bottom image, not so keen on the top one…

What do you see? 👇 This is what we see. Perhaps you see differently?

1. Mouth and Lip Seal

Top horse
* The lips parted, mouth open
* The tongue maybe blue from compression
* Excessive saliva dripped onto the chest
* The horse’s lip seal broken for correct breathing
* Nostrils tight, nose wrinkled

Bottom horse
* Lips and mouth closed
* No disruption of the mouth
* No saliva
* Natural appearance of muzzle

2. Head and Neck Posture

Top horse
* The neck has visible “break” or acute angle in the upper-to-mid cervical region
* Head behind the vertical
* Neck posture highly compressed
* The throat lash area compressed

Bottom horse
* Head in front of the vertical
* Poll is highest point
* Neck less compressed.
* Open angle through throat-latch

3. Rein Contact

Top horse
* Reins visibly taut
* Visible tension on the bits - the shank bit especially compressing the tongue and causing the mouth to open

Bottom horse
* No reins
* No bit
* Self-carriage
* No compression on the sensitive oral cavity so mouth closed

4. Forelimb Loading

Top horse
* One forelimb elevated dramatically, does not match hind leg elevation
* Supporting forelimb loading significant proportion of body mass, fetlock is severely distended

Bottom horse
* Forelimb and hind limb elevation match
* Loading on supporting forelimb is not severe

5. Facial Expression

Top horse
* Eye is tense.
* Muzzle is tight
* Mouth movement is visible

Bottom horse
* Eye is soft
* Muzzle is relaxed
* No mouth movement

Given the growing body of evidence that bits cause pain and that hyper flexion is a recognised welfare concern, why do governing bodies continue to require bitted competition while excluding modern ethical bit-free bridle alternatives? Is it because the top horse could not be ridden without force and pain due to inadequate and inappropriate training?

Running a livery yard is ‘emotional labour’ new study finds – and more support is needed. Read more below

100% This!

💩 The power of poo picking! It might not be glamorous, though it's one of the most effective ways to protect your horse’s health and it is backed by research.

📚 Studies have shown that managing your grazing land by regular poo picking significantly reduces the number of infective parasite larvae on pasture which reduces the risk of infection and helps break the worm lifecycle before it can impact your horse.

🌱 Parasite control can start on the ground, literally! Consistency matters more than perfection. Small, regular efforts have a real impact on paddock hygiene.

Read the evidence 👉 bit.ly/Poo-Picking-Power

Anyone needing some practice on a grass arena?

🐴🎉Calling all Eventers 🎉 🐴

We now have a 20x60 dressage arena set out on grass so you can get that final practice in before your next event 👍

To book send me a DM or text 07831131676

Whether you love or hate the Grand National, we know you all love horses, so we wish every horse and rider get home safely today
So while millions are watching the at Aintree please give a thought about our work and support us🏇
Today, names will be cheered, bets will be placed, and one horse will make history.

But here’s a name we don’t want the world to forget…Hallo Dandy 🐎❤️A Grand National winner in 1984, celebrated at the time but years later, found neglected and in need of urgent care. Dandy arrived into the care of the BTRC, and with our expertise and love he recovered well and lived to a fanastic age of 33 years. His story is a powerful reminder that for some horses, the biggest race begins after the finish line. Because when the crowds go home and the spotlight fades… what happens next?

While many Thoroughbreds go on to thrive in new careers, others find the transition much harder — especially those carrying injuries or needing extra support later in life. That’s why BTRC exists. And why our Vulnerable Horse Programme that is supported by Retraining of Racehorses is so important — providing a safety net when it’s needed most.

👉 If you’re watching the Grand National today, could you donate a small sum to the BTRC?

👉 If you’re having a bet today, could you donate a small part of your winnings?

And just as importantly by liking, sharing, and talking about BTRC, you’re helping us reach more people, raise awareness, and continue our work supporting thoroughbreds who need us most. Every share really does make a difference.

Hallo Dandy’s legacy has already helped hundreds of horses find safety, care, and a second chance. Let’s keep his name in the spotlight — where it belongs.
Please consider supporting us today: https://donate.justgiving.com/charity/thoroughbredrehabilitationcentre/donation-amount

Understanding Lateral Movements in Horses

Lateral movements are foundational to the art of dressage, developing balance, strength, and flexibility in both horse and rider. They are movements where the horse moves forward and sideways simultaneously. Here’s a breakdown of the key figures shown in the diagram:

🔄 Shoulder-in & Counter Shoulder-in

The Shoulder-in movement will present the horse’s shoulders slightly inward from the track while the haunches stay on the track. The horse bends around the rider’s inside leg. The Counter Shoulder-in is the same position but with the head and shoulders directed towards the outside of the ring.

🔄 Renvers & Haunches-in (Travers)

These movements involve the haunches being displaced from the line of travel.
Renvers (Tail-in) - The horse’s head and shoulders stay on the track while the haunches are brought inward. The horse bends towards the outside.
Haunches-in (Travers) - The head and shoulders are on the wall (outside rein) while the haunches are brought inward. The horse bends to the inside.

🔄 Half-Pass & Pirouette
These are more advanced lateral movements:
Half-Pass - A diagonal movement across the arena, with the horse parallel to the long side but bending and moving sideways in the direction of travel.
Pirouette - A 360-degree turn in a canter (or walk) where the horse turns around its hindquarters while moving slightly sideways. It demands great balance and control.

Mastering lateral movements improves coordination, engagement of the hindquarters, and responsiveness to the rider’s aids.

Had to share this, not my words but I totally agree 100%.

*** RIDER WEIGHT: RIDING HORSES IS A PRIVILEGE AND NOT A RIGHT ***

“I’m a bigger rider…..but I refuse to never sit on the back of a horse again”. A comment that appeared on a rider weight post on FB recently and an incredibly sad reflection of how many people view their horses; they will carry them, no matter what, because they own/feed/pay for them, so it’s their right.

It’s simple. You don’t have a right to sit on the back of a horse if you are too heavy for the horse. The horse should no longer be a beast of burden; we know that putting a heavy rider on an unsuitable horse can induce lameness and will cause discomfort and pain. You don’t see athletes saying that they will run over hurdles but they can’t jump that high, so the hurdles must be lowered as they have a right to get over them. You don’t see larger, unfit people saying that they have a right to run marathons, so marathons must now only be half a mile. So why do people feel they have a “right” to sit on a horse that they are clearly too heavy for?

No, a 16 stone rider can’t “ride light”. However you distribute that weight, it’s 16 stone sitting on the middle of the horse’s spine.

20% is an incredibly generous “rule” (the suggestion that the rider in full riding gear and holding the saddle must not exceed 20% of the horse’s ideal bodyweight). It should be much closer to 15%. If you have medical conditions that mean you can’t lose weight, that sadly still doesn’t mean you aren’t causing your horse pain if you are clearly too heavy to sit on him.

“My mental health will suffer if I don’t ride”. Again, sorry, but that’s not a reason to inflict pain and suffering on a horse. You can groom them/lead out in hand/just “be” with them.

I haven’t posted about rider weight for a while, but some of the comments on that post clearly demonstrate that we are still in the same place now as we were 5 years ago with respect to riders thinking they have the right to get on horses that they are obviously far too heavy for.

Unrelated photo of wonderful Johnnie storming clear around Barbury 4* a few years ago ❤️

Save the date!

Saturday 22nd November - here at Thirty Acre
Sam Champney-Warrener
BHS Stage 5 Performance Coach
BHSI - BE Acc Coach - UKCC Level 3 Coach - BHS Assessor

Group, shared or private sessions available

Dressage, Poles or Jumping - all levels catered for. Please PM or WhatsApp 07713062051 to book your place!