Horse feed manufacturer Blue Chip has launched the UK’s first dedicated feed balancer for hormonal mares as part of its established range of super-concentrated balancers. While there are many supplements targeted specifically at “moody mares”, this is the first feed balancer of its kind. The Happy Mare balancer is formulated specifically to support the nutritional […]

Always wear sturdy boots, a riding hat and gloves for groundwork.Teaching your horse cues from the ground shows the horse exactly what you expect, as well as improving suppleness, core strength and coordination. This groundwork exercise is useful for helping the horse understand how to engage the hindleg, or for developing suppleness. Aims step the inside hindleg under and through lift the core…

Helping a horse lose slim down can be challenging, but it’s absolutely essential if they’re overweight.Having an overweight horse can be incredibly stressful and you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time thinking about how you can help them to lose weight. Obesity in horses increases the risk of of many health problems, including laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome and joint pain, which makes…

Following record-breaking temperatures in some areas of Britain yesterday (25 May, 2026), amber warnings for heat remain in place as experts predict it could climb even higher. If you’re planning to stable your horse during the high temperatures, you’ll need to think about how you can keep your horse cool. To help you out, we’ve […]

Understanding the equine breeding season will help maximise your mare’s chance of pregnancy.Equine breeding season occurs in the spring and summer. It is during this time that mares go into recurring cycles of oestrus, giving a window of approximately five to seven days in roughly every 21 days in which a mare is “in season”. Breeding a mare takes careful preparation and precision, with plenty to…

Ascot is a venue like no other.Thinking about attending Royal Ascot but not got your tickets yet? Here’s a full guide to your options for Royal Ascot week (16–20 June), including each of the public enclosures. Some options are sold out already, while others are showing as limited availability, so we recommend purchasing as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. […]

Equestrian fashion brand LeMieux has launched its first-ever riding helmet collection today (6 May) at Mars Badminton Horse Trials. Designed by riders and safety experts, these award-winning helmets combine advanced safety technology with refined, customisable style. LeMieux’s CEO Dan Mahoney said LeMieux’s entry into rider safety products marks a significant milestone for the company, which […]

Hickstead is a world-famous showground and well worth a visit. Finding a hotel near Hickstead will help you make the most of your visit to the venue, whether you’re there to spectate, support or compete. The All England Jumping Course at Hickstead in West Sussex hosts a number of prestigious shows including the Hickstead Derby, the Royal International Horse Show and the All England Jumping […]

The best way to measure a horse is with a height stick incorporating a spirit level. Ever wondered how to measure a horse? It’s not as straightforward as standing them with their back to a door and marking at the top of their head as you might do with a child. While historically horse height was always recorded in hands, now centimetres is also used, particularly for competition ponies. But does…

Radio Badminton brings you insight from top riders throughout the event. I have great memories of listening to Radio Badminton in the car while queuing to get into Mars Badminton Horse Trials on the morning of cross-country day. This year, you’ll be able to listen to Radio Badminton in a variety of ways – here’s everything you need to know and how to make the most […]

Dressing at Badminton is all about being prepared for the weather. The question on everyone’s lips? What to wear at Badminton. Well, that’s an exaggeration, but it’s certainly worth thinking about your Badminton Horse Trials outfits now. There isn’t long to go after all – this year Badminton Horse Trials is running 6–10 May – so make sure you’ve got your Badminton tickets. For the seasoned […]

Equestrian safety specialist Charles Owen has added a new children’s body protector to its range, the EQx Hexa. It is the first product launch from the company since it announced it was closing its UK manufacturing facility. The EQx Hexa body protector is designed for young riders to wear out hacking, during riding lessons, and […]

If you can find a hotel near Royal Windsor Horse Show then I think it’s worth extending your stay to visit the Berkshire town, too. I say this because I grew up in the town next door to Windsor – and stayed there for 28 years – and my grandma lived a stone’s throw from […]

Some horses travel more frequently throughout their life than others, but a bad journey can have serious consequences, so we’ve put together some tips for transporting horses to ensure both you and your horse have as stress-free a journey as possible. Between the team at Horse & Hound, we have decades of experience transporting horses […]

2NGJ670 Secretariat, with jockey Ron Turcotte up, passes the twin spires of Churchill Downs during the running of the 99th Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky. on May 5, 1973. (AP Photo)

**America’s first Triple Crown winner for quarter of a century, Secretariat’s speed records from 1973 still stand today. Jamie Haase tracks the enduring significance of the bright chestnut who reset racing’s…

We’ve put together a list of hotels near Addington Equestrian and other accommodation options at a range of price points to help you make the most of your visit to the Buckinghamshire venue. This year, Addington Equestrian is playing host to the Blue Chip Showjumping Finals (8–12 April), and the Winter Dressage Championships (15–19 April), […]

The Queen and Princess Elizabeth watch Devon Loch parade in the paddock.One can imagine that a huge win would be the defining moment of any sportsperson’s life… it’s an unfortunate athlete for whom a high-profile failure becomes that moment. But, according to his son, so it was for jockey Dick Francis, who was champion jockey in 1953-1954 before becoming the best-selling author of equestrian…

Whether you’ve been travelling your horse for “donkey’s years” or it’s your first solo trip, having a travel kit checklist will help put your mind at rest and ensure you have everything you need for your journey. This travel kit checklist covers everything your need for your horse, including what he should wear for protection, […]

Jojo Moyes during the Cheltenham Literature Festival in October 2025.Jojo Moyes, bestselling author of Me Before You, has revealed that she had a “horse obsession” as a child, on a recent episode of Desert Island Discs. Jojo’s love of horses extended to asking her mother to fill her room with straw and buying a horse without telling her parents – and she even chose […]

Mark Todd with Wilton Fair and Charisma (right) at Burghley 1987. Happy 70th birthday, Sir Mark Todd! Mark’s achievements in eventing are legendary, from his two Olympic golds to riding round Badminton with just one stirrup – and winning it on a catch ride. To celebrate this milestone birthday for Mark Todd, we’re taking a look back at three of the greatest moments of the New […]

I learnt how to clean tack as a child – at the time it was not my favourite job at the stables where I spent my weekends, but looking back I’m glad we were drilled in it because I’m not sure where else I would have learnt how to do it in the pre-internet days. […]

Not only are body protectors required by some governing bodies, they must meet a particular standard to be accepted.Body protectors are designed to absorb impact from a fall, a kick or being stepped on by a horse, and certain body protector standards are compulsory for competitions under the rules of governing bodies. The body protector standards were originally developed by the British…

LeMieux has announced the new colours for its SS26 collection. This new seasonal drop is defined by performance and Parisian-inspired colour, bringing a fresh wave of styles and colours for the season ahead. It is inspired by the elegant, blooming streets of Paris and the pastel-drenched windows of its iconic pâtisseries. These new LeMieux colours […]

Forage plays an important role on helping a horse gain weight.Need to know how to help a horse to gain weight? Whether it’s through age, type, illness or fussiness, some horses struggle to gain and keep on the pounds – and feeding horses like this can feel like an uphill battle. Concerned owners should call their vet first to determine any underlying medical issues. It’s […]

Every horse owner and stable yard should have an equine first-aid kit that contains the items most likely to be needed to treat a minor injury or deal with a major accident while waiting for your vet to arrive. If you’re underprepared in the first-aid kit department, something fairly routine, such as the need to […]

British safety brand Racesafe has launched its first lightweight, slimline inflating gilet – the VeloAir air jacket. “Protection shouldn’t be something you constantly notice – it should simply be there when it’s needed,” said Racesafe managing director James How. “We’ve gone to great lengths to develop an air jacket that meets the Racesafe standard that […]

If you’re planning a day at the races, finding a hotel near Epsom Racecourse will help you make the most of your visit to the Surrey venue. Epsom Downs Racecourse is home to a number of big race meetings throughout the year, most notably The Epsom Derby. Due to the popularity of the bigger race […]

A weighbridge is just one way to monitor your horse’s weight. Weighing a horse accurately isn’t usually that easy; most yards aren’t equipped with an equine equivalent to bathroom scales, which would make things much easier. Nevertheless, knowing how to weigh a horse – or how to work out if they sit within their ideal weight range – is an important equine management skill. There are […]

Tickets for the Epsom Derby Festival are now on sale – and this year there are some exciting changes in place for 2026. The Betfred Derby Festival will take place on 5–6 June if watching the Epsom Derby on TV is not enough for you, then here’s everything you need to know about getting tickets […]

Extended time in isn’t ideal, but there are things you can do to help prevent stabled horses from becoming bored. Occupying stabled horses is always important, but especially if they can’t be in their field as much as usual. Box rest or weather-related reasons are common culprits for restricted turnout, leaving owners seeking out boredom busters for horses. An extended time in the stable can be…