Malgré Tout Media: Recent Episodes
Malgré Tout
Malgré Tout Media is Europe´s new digital equestrian media with 100 % FREE CONTENT for riders and people with a passion for horses recreationally, or professionally.
Malgré Tout Media is the place to find inspiration and professional knowledge as well as tips & advice and entertainment for any horse lover. No matter what kind horse person you are, our mission is to offer you quality content that you don´t have to pay for. In short, we have room for all parts of the equestrian sport and lifestyle.
Malgré Tout Media is independent of federations, horse breeds and equestrian disciplines
This series will shed light on some different disciplines. In the equestrian world, there are more than 50 different disciplines worldwide, each with even more sub-disciplines. Most of us do one, two or a maximum of three disciplines, but what do other equestrians do? We hope this series might help create awareness, show equalities or differences and maybe spark interests.
If Mountain Trail is a new discipline for you, it can be described quite briefly: It's about partnership and collaboration between you and your horse. Although this should naturally be the focus in all riding and handling of horses, it's particularly important in the discipline of Mountain Trail. In Mountain Trail, the goal is to create courage and ensure that both horse and rider are safe in all terrains - one obstacle at a time.
Jennifer Zonghetti, owner of Revitalizing Equine Services, LLC, is an equine massage therapist and rehabilitation practitioner based in the United States. She is dedicated to making educational resources accessible to backyard horse owners, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to support their horses' health and happiness. Through her work, she aims to empower horse owners with practical, easily digestible information that can be readily applied to benefit their equine companions. Horses have been a part of her life for more than 20 years.
Something that is receiving more and more attention is the welfare of our horses and how we keep them. Therefore, we have interviewed one of the most popular and innovative track livery owners, Bethan Thornicroft.
She will explain how she manages a track livery yard, what she finds important and what the benefits of having horses live on tracks can be.
This series will shed light on some different disciplines. In the equestrian world, there are more than 50 different disciplines worldwide, each with even more sub-disciplines. Most of us do one, two or a maximum of three disciplines, but what do other equestrians do? We hope this series might help create awareness, show equalities or differences and maybe spark interests.
As riders, horses occupy a significant portion of our daily lives. There is a lot of planning, coordination, and dealing with joys and concerns. But how do we care for ourselves as horse owners, and how does our mental well-being affect the horse? We have discussed this with mental coach Rasmus Bagger.
It is not easy, but it is such a useful skill for both you and your horse. Being able to correct the length of a canter stride is useful in any discipline and in many different situations.
Currently based in the Netherlands, Bianca Schönmakers, has competed at 1.60 meter events throughout Europe and has become a trainer and instructor for all types of riders in all disciplines. She assists us in explaining how to practise your canter stride on any type of horse.
Pilates and exercise balls are probably not something you immediately associate with the stable. However, in reality, these – and many other items from the gym – can also be used in the stable. Listen on and discover what and how!
The gorgeous grey gelding Calder is more than just a pretty face, as he has been part of securing the Ukranian team at the top of European showjumping.
Calder is a 14-year-old Holsteiner Warmblood after Casall and Coriano. With his 169 centimetres, he has previously competed at a five-star level with the Swiss Olympic rider Romain Duguet and also his French partner Maelle Martin. Calder is now in the trusted hands of Anastasia Bondarieva from Ukraine, and he continues to show his worth.
We wish to ensure that everyone feels welcome in the equestrian world – as well as in the stables. In this article, we will give you some tips on how to make the atmosphere pleasant and welcoming for everyone in the stable.
Many people have probably noticed the small Falabella horse because of their cute appearance. Their size and exterior make most people smile and go “aww”. But how has the breed actually evolved, and what do you do with such a small horse? These are some of the aspects this article will look into.
What does it look like when you reconcile a rescue facility with a drag queen career?
Malgré Tout was fortunate to have an interview with the inspiring Colin Brown, who manages a rescue facility for horses and other animals and performs as a drag queen in Southern Spain. Colin is known from the drag world in many countries, but once he saw Chato, his first rescue, who was tied to a tree at the grand age of 29, his love for horses was one of the reasons he started the rescue centre.
Nobody said equestrian sports are easy. But imagine working with horses and riding without your hands. It does not sound easy, but that is what para equestrian Glasten Krapels from the Netherlands does every day.
Glasten Krapels is a 33 year old para equestrian for the Netherlands, since he has no hands. He can do everything at the stable by himself – or almost.
“I cannot close my helmet or braid my horses – the rest I can do. I muck out stables, get on, ride my horses, wash my horses, drive the truck – basically everything around my horses. I want to do all the things myself. And that’s what makes me capable of doing what I want to.”
Weaning is one of the most stressful events for the foal and its dam. Initiated by humans, artificial weaning has numerous behavioural and physiological consequences. However, behavioural researchers have shown that weaning occurs much later for horses living in the wild and causes no stress. With the horse's welfare in mind, perhaps it is time to rethink this practice?
Breeding horses is not always easy. It takes a lot of knowledge and research, and you can’t always ensure the success. Whitin this article, Malgré Tout gives you a brief insight into what you need to consider, which health discussions are currently present, and how to avoid the biggest mistakes when breeding.
For as long as Tine Kristensen can remember, she has been in love with the big horse breeds. Horse breeds so big that they can do a lot of damage, if something goes wrong. But the trust and friendship between Goldstone Moss, the Shire horse, and Tine makes anything possible.
A topic that is anything but nice and that people don't particularly like to talk about. Nevertheless, harassment and coercion are demonstrably present in equestrian sports as well. The German Equestrian Federation has been committed to combating sexualized violence in equestrian sports for more than ten years. In other countries, too, there have already been court sentences against perpetrators. In Sweden Sophie Jahn has published a book about her childhood at an equestrian farm, marked by domestic violence, manipulation and sexual assaults by her father. We have had the chance to ask Sophie a couple of questions, in order to shine a light on this difficult topic. In order to do this, we have also collaborated with expert, Julia von Weiler, a graduate psychologist and the Executive Director of Innocence in Danger (Organisation for the Protection of Children from Abuse Worldwide). We have teamed up with her in order to answer some of the general concerns, such as; How do you face this danger, what can you do and where can you get help?
Earlier this year, Malgré Tout had the chance to talk to the exceptional athlete, Jack Whitaker, and asked as many questions as possible. Maybe these are questions you would have asked him yourself if you had the chance, and hopefully this article will give you a deeper insight into the everyday life of an equestrian family like the Whitakers.
According to Jens Fredricson, the national interest in equestrian sports in Sweden is already high and it is growing. There are now more riders at the top level than ever before. We spoke to Jens Fredricson about what it is about Swedish riders and their horses that makes them so successful, and how he would describe the Swedish showjumpers.
Line Hummel is a teacher and therefore she naturally think that lessons are an extremely important priority. But continue reading, anyway. Maybe you can learn something about how to stretch your economy to afford quality lessons, even if you would like to save money.
As a horse owner, how do you keep your horse as happy and comfortable as possible when the price of everything from feed to bedding keeps going up?
Connective tissue, muscle tissue, muscle membranes, fascia. Whatever you call it, the common denominator is that it’s a kind of tight, elastic band, which in short holds the body together. This tissue exists in both horses and humans, but for quite some time the veterinary science wasn’t aware of how important it is for the well-being of horses. But this has changed.
FIRST FEMALE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST IN EVENTING
Dreams do come true
At first glance, it seems as if year 2021 had been a dream come true for the 34-year-old German top athlete Julia Krajewski. When you look closer you see that it started with the worst time ever. First she had to cope with the death of her father, then Julia Krajewski had to retire her top horse Samurai du Thot. To get to the top in Tokyo required incredible discipline, strength, hard work and determination - and another very talented horse, Amande De B'Neville.
When we train and interact with our horses, our behavior triggers different reactions in the form of neurotransmitters in the horse's brain. Knowledge of these is of great importance to the understanding of why horses react the way they do. Here you can learn about the four most important neurotransmitters that come into play when horses interact and learn.
Horses can easily do pilates. Naturally it does not take place on a mat, as is often the case for us humans. The purpose of pilates, however, is the same whether the practitioner has two or four legs; to optimize strength, balance, coordination, and body awareness. Here you´ll find 5 excellent pilates exercises that you can do with your horse.
Equestrian equipment for horses as well as riders is expensive. Therefore, it must be taken care of well to last a long time and still look nice. Especially right now, with high inflation and prices moving up, the personal budget might be a little tight. Here is some advice on how to clean equipment properly and take diligent care of it.
Just like us humans, most horses love a good snack. But some horses are harder to please than others. Even if your horse is picky, we are sure that you can find something it will enjoy. We have found some ideas for horse treats that you can make yourself. Whether it is for training or just to spoil the greatest horse in the world.
Buying or selling a horse is often a difficult and emotional decision. The reason for selling is not always a bad economic situation. It can be the conclusion that there is certainly someone better suitable for the horse than oneself. Or life circumstances change. In the case of breeders and dealers, it is to secure the living. No matter what the reason is for parting with a horse or taking on a new partner, there are a few things to keep in mind to make the transaction a success in whatever direction it goes. We talked to the company that is the most important platform for horse trading in Germany and Europe.
Are you struggling with finding the right bedding for your horse? Choosing the right bedding can be quite difficult. There are several types of bedding, ranging from woodchips to manufactured pellets to traditional straw, as well as many other more sustainable options. There is no perfect solution, and selecting the bedding suitable for your horses, depends on several factors.
As soon as you arrive at the recently opened Hotel Gut Immenhof, you feel: this is a very special and magical place. The estate at Kellersee lake in Schleswig-Holstein has been well known since the 1950s. It was the setting for three of five "Immenhof" movies, in which the sisters Dick and Dalli and their ponies experienced all kinds of adventures on Grandma Jantzen's estate. Today guests are welcomed and taken care of in a first-class manner.
Boots and bandages are made to protect the horse’s limbs. Or so we are told. But have you ever asked yourself why or how these dressings protect a horse’s leg? In this article, we intend to investigate the specific purpose and function of equine boots and bandages based on existing research in the field.
Nutritional support for the horse's hooves.
The hoof of a horse plays a crucial role in its ability to survive and function. Horses are large, heavy animals and considering their athletic abilities, it is impressive to think of how much the relatively small hoof must support. The hoof is a biomechanical engineering miracle, and it takes a combination of many varied elements to function. Great hooves come from thriving horses with good management, well-maintained hooves, a good environment and plenty of movement.
EQUITANA is THE meeting place to be for the equestrian industry from March 9th to 13th 2023. Every two years, interesting new products are presented at the Essen fairgrounds, specialist knowledge is imparted in demonstrations and seminars, highlights of equestrian sports characterize the various theme days and there are almost inexhaustible shopping opportunities. And that's not all. Not only during the day, but also on the EQUITANA evenings, top-class entertainment and first-class education are provided.
What does it take to get on to the World Championships podium? We spoke to World Champion Charlotte Fry and World Championship bronze medallist Dinja van Liere about this. So, here you can get closer to the two dressage queens as we try to uncover the secrets behind their success at the World Championships.
As horse owners, we can easily spend all our money on products for our horse and the stable, but sometimes things can be done a little more simply. We have found some of the best lifehacks that can make your everyday life in the stable a little bit easier - and maybe even a little bit more fun.
Most equestrians have had some kind of bad experience with a horse. Whether it be a fall or just the loss of control over your horse. Sometimes – and actually quite often – this leads to riding anxiety. But what exactly is riding anxiety, and what can you do about it? That is exactly what we take a closer look at here.
Recognizing the behavioral signs of discomfort.
Have you ever wondered why your horse was challenging to ride on the bit, why he took an uneven contact on the rein or was reluctant to canter? Have you ever considered that this may be related to pain? These problems are often attributed to training problems, but could they be pain-induced?
Castration should not be taken lightly and requires careful consideration. When owning a colt, you come to a point where you will have to take the difficult decision of whether you want to keep him as a stallion or if he should be castrated. What will the future role be for your horse? Will he be used for performance or pleasure? How will the procedure affect him long-term and short-term, and what is the best choice for your horse? This article will discuss the reasons for castration and the welfare aspect, taking into account the complications that can arise due to castration.
Now that autumn is upon us for many horse people it also means that it's once again time to wrestle with scratches. For that reason, we've put together some quick tips and advice that we hope will help you and your horse to beat the scratches.
Being siblings is not always a walk in the park. Although there is a lot of joy associated with having siblings, it is almost impossible to avoid conflicts and challenges. So, it cannot be easy, when two siblings are competing against each other in the same sport? We have talked with the two sisters Antonia and Juliette Ramel about this issue. They know everything about what it means to compete against their sister - both for better and for worse.
Across different disciplines and approaches in horse training, you often run into the term “dominance” in different shapes and sizes. But how do horses actually relate to dominance and leadership? It is a subject that science has gotten a clearer picture of in the past 20 years, and it has great importance for our general understanding of the way our horses act, as well the motivation behind different types of behavior.
In the past, when horses were used in war, canter pirouettes were simply handy when riding fast. To be able to turn around on-site in both directions if the enemy came towards you. If you weren’t able to, you might get killed. It was also a good thing to be able to stand at a distance and move on-site, so it looked as if you were coming towards the enemy. That was how piaffe was invented. You had to be able to go backwards and sidewards. Ride with one hand. People spent hundreds of years fine-tuning that. The kind of dressage that we know today is called modern riding. Out of the 5,000 years that the horse has been domesticated, it is perhaps something that we have worked with in about 20 minutes. So, when you look at the big picture, modern dressage only takes up a little space.
Training stunt horses is based on four key words: Patience, trust, respect, and communication. These apply both from man to horse, but also from horse to man. If these four are in place, then a lot of other things can succeed. This is at least the philosophy of horse trainer and stuntman Ally McClelland, and with more than 25 years of experience in the stunt industry, he is certainly the right person to ask.
What would you do with the beautiful Friesian foal you just bought, I asked myself. There's
traditional dressage riding, show riding, and I could try show jumping. But then I went for a
Sunday drive - and I was sold
Many horse owners are familiar with talking to the horse, but also know the feeling that the horse speaks back. Actually, sometimes you can also get the feeling that the horse is trying to tell you something or send a message via nonverbal dialogue. But is it even possible?
Horses do not speak our language, yet research shows they can recognize our feelings and heal our traumas. Are we as caregivers good enough at understanding their feelings and needs, and how can we become better at listening to what horses are trying to tell us?
He has participated in the Olympics five times, has lived in many different countries, and is still
riding at a very high level. All of these statements fit Bruce Goodin. In this article, you will get
insights into his way to where he is now – and how he manages to stay there.
Purebred Spanish horses are one of the most beautiful horses in the world, but their most appreciated characteristics are intangible. This includes having a good nature, being very submissive and having a strong work ethic. This combination alone makes them excellent athletes.
In Northumberland, the northeast of England, four brothers grew up in the countryside with their parents, who owned a small training and breeding centre for Icelandic horses.
The two oldest brothers, Sandy Carson and Aidan Carson, grew a passion for the Icelandic breed, their character, and their incredible gaits. In Britain, the breed is not as popular as in other European countries, with a lack of teachers and trainers who specialize in the five gaits. In spite of that, the brothers kept developing as Icelandic horse riders. Both brothers have represented their country at the World Championship several times, and the youngest even has two silver medals. Now they both make a living training I celandic horses, not in Britain, but in Finland and Sweden
It's not always easy to make time for travel as a horse owner. There are always horses to look
after, competitions to attend or a lack of other horse people to look after your horses while you're away. But surely it can be done for a single extended weekend? This plan is almost impossible to say 'no' to.
Horses are highly social animals, and they depend on the herd for survival. But do we really know what that means? For most horseowners, a stable with long rows of cleaned stalls and fresh hay seems safe and welcoming, but how does it look from the horses' point of view? How does keeping horses in separate, individual stalls take the horses' basic need for companionship into consideration? How can we minimize aggression and facilitate an environment that gives the horses a chance to connect and create those all-important social and emotional bonds?
A job in a training stable is without a doubt hard physical work. That is what Nanna Lanzky Otto realized when her body started complaining after a month of mucking out, riding a large number of horses and cleaning the stable every day at a training stable for Icelandic horses. It is worth it though, because in return she learns a lot about riding young horses, and she also hopes to learn more about running a business with horses.
Becoming a parent is without a doubt one of the biggest upheavals one can face. But does that mean you have to give up your past life and throw away all interests because a little new one is coming into the world? Show jumper Nana Eskestad was very aware that it should not be the case. We have talked with Nana about being a young, new mother and at the same time sticking to the dream of being a show jumper on a national level.
The world is filled with many talented riders, and now you have the opportunity to get to know one of them. Dinja van Liere is a dressage rider, and she is currently number 18 on the world ranking. We have had a change to ask her about her road to the Olympics, her love for horses, and her hopes for the future.
Does your horse tend feel heavy on the forehand? Do you know the feeling of riding with what feels like many pounds in your hands, even though it really isn’t your intention? Maybe you have tried to solve the problem by riding forward livelier, making a lot of half halts, or letting go of the reins completely - without any effect. Here you can learn more about the horizontal imbalance from an anatomical and biomechanical perspective and find exercises you can use in your daily training.
There are many different horse breeds in the world. Some people assume that there are about 300 different breeds, while others believe that the estimated number is over 500. Each and every one of these breeds have their own unique characteristics, which can also be used to create new and interesting horse breeds
Horseback riding can be quite dangerous. In fact, riding accidents are placed on fourth place when it comes to number of accidents in sports. Maybe you have already tried falling off your horse, but it is also quite likely that you will experience someone else falling off their horse at some point. If an accident occurs it is quite important to know what to do and what not to do.
Pace is an exciting gait - with lots of speed. But how exactly do you achieve this energetic gait with the hovering moments? Icelandic rider Agnar Snorri Stefánsson will try to answer this question, as he takes us through the most essential elements when training the pace.
Does your horse spook in the daylight, when you ride in the arena, or when you ride in nature? Does it suddenly become frightened or nervous about minor things you have to pass, or look around for an invisible enemy? The horse does not spook out of the blue; it is just us humans who do not notice certain signs. The horse has the same senses as us, but it does not perceive the same as humans. Therefore, it is central in all our dealings with horses to understand their senses and how they perceive their surroundings.
In their own way, they win our hearts. One is a large, confident, and calm flight animal, who startles very quickly. The other is a small, wagging, and livelier creature who might suddenly bark neck and appear aggressive. Despite their differences as flight animal and predator, horses and dogs can give as much joy to each other as they give to us humans. But we need to careful when we put them together.
Summer is just around the corner, and that can mean wonderful beach trips and swimming for
both you and your horse. In this article, you get a number of good tips on how to get the best
possible experience in the water, and what you have to control of before jumping into the waves.
The world of Instagram is so impressive and inspiring. But, have you actually spotted all the horse-loving people worth following? We’ve picked out 4 profiles you will love to follow. They all create such motivating and beautiful content that they’re not only popular in their own countries but captivate Instagrammers across the world.
What is laminitis really? Does the word get you thinking about a fat little pony that has eaten far too much grass? That is often the scenario, but there are also other circumstances that can lead to the painful condition. In this article you will get seven truths about laminitis that can hopefully help you make sure that your horse steers clear of the feared disease.
How can the contact and training with horses develop social intelligence and improve the possibilities for resocializing prisoners and vulnerable people? In Arizona State Prison, the inmates have exchanged handcuffs for horses. Prisoners who have had no experience with horses learn to be gentle and train wild mustangs that humans have never touched. It’s part of a rehabilitation program developed by Randy Helm.
To give the horse a voice is not the same as handing over control. But rather that we should show the horse that we listen to its signals, pay attention and recognize it. Share a dialogue with it. This is the opinion of Ute Lehmann, who on a daily basis helps horse owners to develop a harmonious and problem free teamwork with their horses.
annonce
Do you dare lose control?LIBERTY TRAINING
By Bettina Stecher // Photo: Tifoto // Source: Christina Holmbæck, www.ridekunstmedlethed.dk
It is never too late to develop communication between you and your horse. And training without ropes or reins is a way to be together that can develop exactly that in several ways.
This way of training will reveal how much focus your horse has on you. If focus is not present, the horse will most likely turn away and walk away from you. Moreover, it is a way of coorporating with your horse on equal terms – a place where you can meet and be together in a new way. A place where intensity, respect, presence and communication is very much on the agenda.
Training with a common language
When training your horse loose, you will have to develop a common language with signals that both parties understand. The common language means that the horse understands you and your signals.
The signals can be both verbal and nonverbal. For example, you can have your horse perform specific gaits or exercises with the help of sounds or by using your body. The common language will contribute to your horse perceiving your company as a pleasant place to be. Simply because things become predictable and the horse understands what to do.
You can easily use some of the elements from ”normal” lunging and step by step test some of the elements while the horse is loose. Observe how the horse reacts. If it runs away or seems confused it is a sign for you to take a step back and train the basic signals again.
One of the things you can do without using ropes is lunging. Here you can train both speed, gaits, turns and stops.
In order to be able to lunge your horse loose, it has to have full focus on you the entire time. It also has to understand your signals. In addition, it makes the job easier if you are in control of the following:
LUNGING WITHOUT ROPES
Your position, so you can guide the horse with your body
Your horse understands the verbal signals for the different gaits. It is up to you what words or sounds to use
Your horse has a well installed stop signal
You can make your horse switch direction using your body or voice
”You are in your own little bubble of intense togetherness. A place where you have both chosen to be.”Endless variations
The ropeless way of training opens up for ndless ways to differentiate the training. There is both room for play and for focus. This kind of training can be used when lunging, jumping, environmental training or dressage. Basically, only your imagination sets the rules.
In addition, the ropeless training is an unique possibility to grow an even stronger bond and understanding between the horse and yourself. Besides the mental advantages there are also physical ones to gain. Training this way gives the horse the possibility to work freely throughout its body because the is no physical pressure to work against.
How do you get there?
Training you horse loose is something that everybody can learn. However, it takes time and dedicated training. For example, you horse will have to learn the basic signals for moving, stopping and changing direction.
When you give a signal, you gradually increase the pressure to get a reaction. How your horse reacts depends on its character and previous experiences.
In an optimal situation, your horse will be curious when you train. In this state it is attentive and creative and is able to move with energy without being tense. How much pressure you use depends on what your horse shows you with its reactions.
You will develop a common language with your horse
You will get an insight into your horse’s focus
You will get to know each other in new ways
Training is relaxed yet focused
Your horse can work without pressure
There are endless possibilities for varied training
ADVANTAGESNervous or calm?
If your horse stops blinking or stiffens up, it is a sign that it is in a place where it is not able to learn. Here you have to tone down the pressure and increase it very slowly. Give your horse time to breathe, so it can find the solution to the situation.
If your horse is very relaxed you can increase the pressure until you get a reaction. It is perfectly normal that the calm horse also can get tense when pressure builds and it finally reacts.
Think that your total energy must be in balance. If your horse is nervous, you have to tone down your energy. If your horse on the other hand lacks energy, you must increase your own energy.
”The is something cool and almost magical about training your horse loose”
Are you able to train your horse without the use of ropes or other equipment? Some may think ”why would you do that?” But the truth is that training the horse loose gives you an unique insight into your partnership and the horse’s focus on you.
"Holi Horses" has become a trademark for German horse photographer Andrea Zachrau. The images of horses with the coloured powder traditionally thrown into the air at the Indian Holi have fascinated horse owners and jury members of prestigious photography competitions around the world. Here you get a sneak peek at some of the beautiful photos.
Both poles and cones can be good, variety-creating tools in the daily training of your horse. And they only get even better when you use them together. Here you get three exercises that can help strengthen the muscles, joints, coordination and understanding of pace for your horse.
Making everyday life work as a horse person can be quite a puzzle. Planning is key if you want to optimize the many hours spent in the barn and in the saddle. These five wonderful apps can really make a difference when it comes to keeping track of your training, caring for your horse and managing daily routines in the stable.
Kevin Staut is one of France’s most prominent riders. In his already long and successful career he has won Individual European Gold, two World Championship Team Silvers and a European Team Silver. On top of that he was nr. 1 on the FEI jumping ranking list for 11 months straight during 2010-11. Here he talks about working his way back to the top, dealing with the challenges of the pandemic and why the respect for the horse must come before anything else in the equestrian sport.
The clydesdale breed is a large, friendly and versatile horse breed, but unfortunately there are not many of them left in the world. In order to get to know the breed, and what to do with these big horses, we have teamed up with Clydesdale Breeders Denmark, a group working on spreading the knowledge of this special horse breed.
A lifelong love of horses helped lead Camilla Church into a veterinary career. She was disappointed to find that many mixed practices treated their horse patients second rate compared to the cats and dogs. Determined to provide the sort of care and service for horses that she would want her own horses to receive, Camilla made the brave decision to create her own business in the midst of the pandemic. Meet this enthusiastic, talented young woman with an unrelenting passion for horses and their people.
As you probably already know, the Icelandic horse has some completely unique gaits. Tölt and pace has been a huge reason to why the breed has become a very well-known and much-loved breed. In this article, the talented rider Rasmus Møller Jensen provides you with inspiration on how to train tölt, and he gives advice on how to handle and deal with the most typical challenges.
Borrelia is a disease that can be difficult to identify. Often one cannot figure out what is wrong with the horse, but you can just see that something is wrong. There are in fact many different symptoms that may resemble the symptoms of other disorders besides Lyme disease.
Many riders have an unbalanced seat, which can make it close to impossible for the horse to move straight and balanced. To help you obtain a balanced seat, physiotherapist, and Master of sports, Lene Theill from Fit4you, offers you five exercises, which you can easily do at home.
As far back as she can remember 26-year-old Charlotte Fry has been in love with horses. From her first Shetland pony at the age of three to the most magnificent dressage horses with whom she has brought home medals from the European and World Championships as well as the Olympics. Here Charlotte tells the story of her journey to the top, her favourite moments with the horses and the very special bond with her trainer and mentor former Olympic medallist Anne van Olst.
The proud traditions of educating horses after classical methods are only maintained in a few places in the world. One place is the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. Here they still do levades and caprioles almost as it was done back in the 17th Century. We have met with António Borba Monteiro who educates both riders and horses in classical dressage. Join us for a look back into the history books, and forward into the future of modern dressage.
Endurance riding is a test of stamina, discipline, fitness and patience and has traditionally been known as the ultimate challenge in equestrian sports. The rider must know his mount well enough to bring them through a gruelling day of riding over long distances and with terrain that will test the hardest of hearts - all while keeping the horse’s heath and condition paramount. Endurance rider Tracey Parker takes you through this supreme test of horsemanship.
Can your horse find it hard to catch its breath? It actually has to be able to get that feeling, even if it’s in the shape of its life. If it can’t, it may mean that there are issues with the diaphragm. That can lead to a whole set of other challenges in your horse's body and psyche. We’ve talked to veterinarian and osteopath Bettina Købke about how everything is connected.
…or trying to. Having gone from being a boy who was bullied for riding ponies to becoming an extremely successful rider and public figure with a huge following on social media, it’s quite a balancing act being Swedish Carl Hedin. But he is doing a great job. Here he talks about all the different aspects of his life and career: From releasing his first book “Hästpojken” (Horseboy), and having his picture taken with any kid who asks, to focusing on his riding and most importantly staying 100 % true to who he is. A guy who loves horses.