$10,000 Equestrian Voices Creative Writing Contest

The Plaid Horse Equestrian Voices Creative Writing Contest is open for submissions. The theme is ‘A trainer who has made a significant impact on your life’, although this is a guide and all well-written articles will be eligible to win the $5,000 Grand Champion prize. The deadline for submissions is July 1st.

Wild Horse Fellowship Program

Wild horses are one of the most understudied large mammals in North America today. And this lack of understanding is resulting in what is arguably the current mismanagement of American wild horses by government agencies. Wild Horse Fire Brigade started its wild horse Fellowship program with students from California State University, Sacramento to meet this…

What’s New With Equine Cribbing Research?

Scientists are working to get to the root of equine cribbing as they explore brain anatomy, genetics, potential causes, health consequences, welfare, treatment, and more. With each decade they’re learning more about the whens, whys, and hows of this and other stereotypies in horses, humans, and other animals. Here’s what they’ve learned in their most…

Five Questions to Determine Horse Happiness

Historically, there has been emphasis on the absence of indicators of unhappiness or distress, with a focus on assuming that if the horse is not showing distress or displeasure, he must be happy. Now, there is increasing interest in looking for signs of happiness in horses.

Need Horse Help? New Advice Library Has You Covered

International charity World Horse Welfare has launched a new “one-stop shop” for horse advice and information. A range of horse health and management topics are covered in the new Advice Library, including well-being essentials, covering basic welfare fundamentals such as the 3Fs (friends, forage and freedom), and the 5 domains of animal welfare – which…

THE SCIENCE OF HORSE RACING: UNDERSTANDING THE EQUINE MIND

In the world of animal intelligence, few possess the fascinating intellect of the horse. Their ancient partnership with humans and intricate social dynamics within herds have intrigued scientists and equestrians alike with their seemingly profound understanding and emotional depth. Years of experiments and training have shown us that horses possess an intelligence greater than we…

Stable Vices: Are They The Horse’s Problem Or Ours?

For many decades, horses have developed habits that frustrate the people managing them. From cribbing to stall weaving to pawing, owners have swapped explanations, old wives’ tales, and supposed remedies for these behaviors, which are often lumped together in a category called “stable vices.” Dr. Katherine Houpt, professor emeritus in behavior medicine at the Cornell…