Hófring in the Heart - The Hoof Fairy

25/09/2026

“Ride the horse, not the X-ray.”

But what if the horse continues to cooperate despite being in pain?

Horses don’t always buck, rear or refuse. Some whisper. Some compensate. Some continue doing exactly what we ask of them.

This article looks at kissing spine, the limits of pain assessment, what radiographs can tell us, treatment options, multifidus rehabilitation and why compliance should never be mistaken for comfort.

Featuring scientific research and the real story of Even Keel, whose catastrophic Grade 4 kissing spine remained hidden despite being cleared for full work.

Just because a horse can doesn’t necessarily mean it should.

Head over to Dressage Atlas or Read the full article here:

https://dressageatlas.com/2026/09/23/kissing-spine-in-horses/

23/09/2026

It’s always when you’re in a hurry too or the horse is fidgeting.

15/09/2026

My handsome boy demonstrating a lovely Forward, Down and Out position on the lunge.

No peanut rolling. No llama 🦙

Working over his back and building his body in balance.

QUICK TIP: What does correct Forward, Down & Out actually look like?

Getting the head down is easy. Getting the whole horse to stretch correctly is the important bit.

When your horse reaches Forward, Down & Out, look beyond the neck:

🐴 Nose stays above knee level; down doesn’t mean nose in the dirt.
🐴 Nose remains in front of the vertical; the horse reaches out, rather than curling back.
🐴 Diagonal pairs match; the legs should show similar angles, maintaining rhythm and balance.
🐴 Wither stays lifted; the horse stretches over the topline rather than collapsing onto the forehand.

The goal isn’t a low head. It’s a horse stretching forward, down AND out while keeping its balance.

Save this one for the next time you’re wondering whether your horse is really stretching.

14/09/2026

The fact both of us do better, feel better and work better with a noise cancelling apparatus on speaks volumes.

Pun intended 🤨

The irony is not lost on me.

12/09/2026

Ok guys, what’s one training or horse care concept that you’ve heard explained a hundred times, but still doesn’t make sense?

What’s the thing you wish someone would just explain properly?

12/09/2026

In your opinion; when does a “baby horse” become a “grown up” horse?

When do we stop making exceptions for their behaviour because they’re a “baby horse”?
When do we start expecting more from them?
What’s the age? What’s the criteria? Do some horses never “grow up” and if so, why?

Would love to hear your thoughts! Comment below 👇 let me know what you think.

10/09/2026

Riddle me this 😑

03/09/2026

The traditional Training Scale gives us rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness and collection—but where does balance fit?

This article explores why balance isn’t merely the end result of correct training. It influences every stage of the process.

Have a read, and give the Dressage Atlas page a follow if this is your kind of thing 👇

What if the Training Scale is missing something?

Rhythm. Suppleness. Contact. Impulsion. Straightness. Collection.

But what about balance?

Without it, rhythm can become rushing, impulsion can become speed, and collection simply can’t happen.

So where does balance belong?

Maybe it isn’t another step.

Maybe it’s the thing holding the whole staircase up.

👉 Read: Balance — The Missing Level of the Training Scale

https://dressageatlas.com/2026/08/28/balance-in-dressage/

02/09/2026

The whiskers are wired directly into facial nerves.

I will post a video in the comments from I dissection that I did that shows this.