Some horses seem to gleam as if they have just stepped out of a salon. Look a little closer and there are a few key reasons why. A shiny coat starts with a healthy horse, and that comes back to the foundations often called the “3 Fs”: friends, forage and freedom. Horses need time to socialise, to play, groom and simply switch off with others. They need a consistent supply of good forage to support digestive health, and regular turnout to allow for natural movement. Get these

With those classic spring showers rolling through, it is tempting to reach for a rug. But is it always necessary? Leaving rugs off at this time of year can bring some real benefits. Horses are far better at regulating their body temperature than we often give them credit for. Just because we feel cold does not mean they do. In fact, most horses are more comfortable slightly on the cooler side. If a horse does feel a bit chilly, they will naturally burn more energy to keep war

Spring grass is nutritious, we all know that. But just how rich is it? At peak growth, spring grass can rival a high-calorie conditioning feed in every mouthful. Protein levels are almost double what they are at other times of year, while water content climbs to around 75–85% compared to a more typical 60–70%. That means horses have to eat a much larger volume to meet their dry matter needs. It is a bit of a double-edged sword. Vitamins and minerals also surge, sometimes reac

Discover why water is the most important nutrient in your horse’s diet. Learn how much your horse should drink daily, how seasonal changes affect hydration, and simple tips to keep water troughs clean and inviting all year round.

We hear a lot about gut health these days, for both humans and horses, but what exactly are these mysterious gut microbes everyone’s talking about? And more importantly, why do we need to keep them happy? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of your horse’s hind gut — where billions of tiny superheroes are working hard every single day. Meet the Gut Microbes Gut microbes (or microbiota) are microscopic organisms that live in your horse’s large intestine. Horses are what we

If you’ve been out and about this autumn, you’ve probably noticed the trees showing off. 2025 has been what’s known as a mast year , basically, nature’s version of a bumper crop. Trees everywhere are laden with fruit, berries, and seeds. Lovely for wildlife… not so lovely for horse owners. Because with a mast year comes a whole lot of sycamore seeds , or as we like to call them, those mischievous little “helicopters” that seem to spin their way into every corner of the field.

If you've got a good doer who seems to live on fresh air and put on weight just glancing at grass, then winter is actually your friend....

I’ll admit it — I get a little thrill when I spot dung beetles while poo-picking (I should probably get out more!). To most people...