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Have you made an involuntary dismount recently? If so, have you posted pictures of your bruises all over social media, or laughed it off?

 

 

Falls are never a laughing matter, even if you manage to raise a smile – as did showjumping legend John Whitaker. It’s great that John could joke...

Hands up if you spend half your time enjoying your horse and the other half feeling guilty, writes Carolyn Henderson.

Maybe it’s because you seem to only see your other half/family in the gaps between getting home and rushing off to ride. As for non-horsey friends – well, you might see them on so...

Schoolmasters (and mistresses) are worth their weight in gold – as long as you get the real deal, writes Carolyn Henderson.

The Mum who posted online looking for a jumping pony schoolmaster doesn’t stand a chance. She wanted a “kick, point and shoot” pony that was guaranteed to take her daughter ...

Yippee! It’s holiday time, writes Carolyn Henderson. No work, no pressure and – because there’s a downside to everything – no horses. Here’s how you know that you’re a certified horse addict:

1. Before you started looking at holiday destinations, you negotiated the length of your stay with your n...

They say that you should tell a gelding, ask a mare and discuss it with a stallion, writes Carolyn Henderson.

But as anyone who’s benefited from the horse equivalent of girlpower will appreciate, a good mare will give you everything she’s got. Why are so many riders prejudiced against them? If a ...

Are you an adult rider tempted by the adverts featuring native ponies for sale? If so, adjust your brain before you buy, writes Carolyn Henderson.

A friend who events her 14.1hh Connemara - and regularly beats the big boys and girls -  says the first thing to decide is whether you think like a po...

Are you blinded by science, or are you having the wool pulled over your eyes in the name of pseudo-science? Reputable companies give good, free advice, writes Carolyn Henderson.

While they’ll obviously give their own products as examples, they should be able to explain their recommendations in pl...

Other nations reckon we Brits are obsessed by the weather, writes Carolyn Henderson.

They could be right, but horse owners have a special take on it. Long summer evenings? Some people might be dreaming of relaxing in the garden with an equally long, cool glass of something. But as a member of the...

The Hickstead Derby has a roll call of equine legends, writes CAROLYN HENDERSON.  If you had to pick one of those illustrious names to be the champion of champions, who would it be?

For many, the title would go to a one-eyed horse called Adventure De Kannan. When he powered round with rider Trevor ...

The current heat wave is a godsend for most of us, but for your horses, excessively warm weather can be detrimental, leading to dehydration and even heat stroke if not managed well. By following a few simple rules while the weather is hot, you can significantly reduce the risk of your horse suffe...

Schooling your horse is only the start, writes CAROLYN HENDERSON. Unless you have an endless supply of horsey helpers, you must also train your nearest and dearest. That way, you get the help you need, avoid arguments about the time and/or money you devote to your horse and keep everyone happy. I...

Traditionally, it’s bad luck to change a horse’s name. If you really can’t stand it, you can always give him a stable name.