The power of polework
Polework is a fun and different way to exercise both horse and rider. It involves setting out variations of poles on the ground to...
10 August 2022
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Home Helen Whitelegg
Redwings’ Policy and Research Manager Helen first joined Redwings in 2001 and has worked in the charity’s horse care, welfare, communications and campaigns teams. Now Policy and Research Manager, Helen draws on first-hand experience of horse health and welfare issues to develop campaigns and carry out research projects that support owners with evidence-based information that can have a positive impact on equine lives.
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Polework is a fun and different way to exercise both horse and rider. It involves setting out variations of poles on the ground to...
10 August 2022
Read MorePolework is a fun and different way to exercise both horse and rider. It involves setting out variations of poles on the ground to...
10 August 2022
Read MoreKeeping your horses on light sandy soil can mean less mud in the winter and easier paddock maintenance come the spring but with it...
13 July 2022
Read MoreThe fetlock is a hard-working, high motion hinge joint. It is the meeting point of the cannon bone, proximal sesamoid bones and th...
20 June 2022
Read MoreTransporting horses safely needs careful planning. Not only do you need a suitable trailer or horsebox but you also need the appro...
15 June 2022
Read MoreOK so it’s probably not on the top of your list of favourite horse-related jobs but don’t under-estimate the importanc...
18 April 2022
Read MoreThe horse’s knee which is also referred to as the carpus, is equivalent to the human wrist. With nine bones forming three jo...
15 April 2022
Read MoreIt can be distressing to see a severely lame horse and there are several reasons why your equine friend may not be placing weight ...
14 April 2022
Read MoreYour horse’s stifle is the equivalent of the human knee. It is a powerful joint enabling the limb to flex and extend to prop...
11 March 2022
Read MoreQuality of Life is an important consideration for any equine, whatever their age, health or circumstances.
20 December 2021
Read MoreRetraining a racehorse to become a leisure or competition horse can be very rewarding and enjoyable.
02 December 2021
Read MoreRetraining a racehorse to become a leisure or competition horse can be very rewarding and enjoyable.
02 December 2021
Read MoreSome of the most common reasons for box rest are musculoskeletal problems, laminitis or post-surgical recovery. The most important...
01 December 2021
Read MoreBuying a pony is a huge undertaking and getting it wrong can cause massive headaches. Over the years I have bought many ponies an...
01 December 2021
Read MoreAlongside the pleasures and rewards of horse ownership there are inevitably some hard times, and none more so than having to say g...
29 November 2021
Read MoreAbbie Burbidge explains why The Pony Club is so important to her life and her career with horses
23 November 2021
Read MoreThe word biosecurity may sound complicated but in fact it is simply a set of management practices to help keep horses safe from di...
22 November 2021
Read MoreHorse emergencies needing speedy first aid come in many forms but finding your horse with a bleeding, gaping wound has to be up th...
03 November 2021
Read MoreIn the 15th century the Spanish Conquistadors colonised the Americas taking with them a style of riding which evolved to suit the ...
08 October 2021
Read MoreChoke is the obstruction of oesophagus – usually by food. It can be frightening to witness but thankfully many cases of chok...
03 June 2021
Read MoreBuying a horse involves determination, dedication, and often a liberal helping of heartache.
06 May 2021
Read MoreGet to grips with some of the common terms used to explain worms and worm control with our HorseDialog jargon buster
25 September 2020
Read MoreCold damp weather, gloomy grey skies, restricted daylight and too much mud can make a typical winter in the UK a bit of a turn off...
25 September 2020
Read MoreSome respiratory diseases can be caused by parasites. Parasites are organisms that live on or within a host. Worms are the most co...
18 September 2020
Read MoreViral and bacterial respiratory diseases are highly contagious and can pass rapidly from horse to horse, especially in a yard envi...
18 September 2020
Read MoreWith the hay making season upon us, now is a good time to brush up on your knowledge of forage. Understanding the different types ...
15 July 2020
Read MoreGrass is the most natural feed for horses and our equine friends usually love nothing more than mooching about in the field with t...
29 June 2020
Read MoreIf you are planning to bring your horse back into work after time off during lockdown it pays to be prepared and to take things sl...
15 June 2020
Read MoreWhether animal or human, blood is essential. It’s an ingenious transport system, transferring oxygen from the lungs to all t...
23 April 2020
Read MoreEquine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a rare but serious neurological disease caused by a type of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV), ...
14 February 2020
Read MoreThick and lustrous, long and flowing, or fine and wispy and soft as silk, your horse’s tail is not just a spectacular fly sw...
14 February 2020
Read MoreYour horse’s kidneys do a phenomenal job, processing around 45 litres of blood twice each hour, to filter out waste and reta...
16 December 2019
Read MoreNow is the time to give your horse a short back and sides to remove that woolly winter coat and help keep him cool when he’s...
16 December 2019
Read MoreIt’s wet, it’s persistently muddy, your horse is permanently filthy, and you have forgotten what it’s like to be...
16 December 2019
Read MoreEquine Atypical Myopathy is a potentially fatal muscle disease in horses and mostly occurs in the autumn and spring.
15 October 2019
Read MoreEHV vaccination helps reduce the severity and spread of the respiratory disease and frequency of abortion disease. Reducing the sp...
02 August 2019
Read MoreListen to the second in our series of four essential-listening EHV awareness vlogs from Professor Josh Slater, European Veterinary...
02 August 2019
Read MoreIn the final of our series of four essential-listening EHV awareness vlogs Professor Josh Slater, European Veterinary Specialist i...
02 August 2019
Read MoreEquine Herpes Virus, commonly referred to as EHV, is a potentially serious contagious disease threat that every horse owner should...
22 July 2019
Read MoreOn average a horse’s brain is the size of a large orange but weighs significantly more at roughly 623g and it is around half...
19 July 2019
Read MoreBots can be irritating for your horse and the onset of winter is usually the best time for you to get these pesky parasites under ...
04 June 2019
Read MoreYour horse’s feet have a very tough job. Not only do they have to bear the weight of the horse over a relatively small surfa...
04 June 2019
Read MoreWe all love big-hearted horses – believing them to be kind, bold steadfast and willing to try their best with whatever the r...
04 June 2019
Read MoreYour horse’s liver is big and very clever: it is your horse’s largest internal organ, weighing around 5kg and is thoug...
04 June 2019
Read MoreSummer’s on its way, with the promise of warm weather, longer days, bright early mornings and balmy evening rides. We can tu...
16 May 2019
Read MoreThe recent outbreak of equine flu in the UK this winter is a stark reminder of the importance of good equine biosecurity to minimi...
05 March 2019
Read MoreThe bad news is that winter is fast approaching but the good news is that by following our six top tips you should be ready to tac...
20 November 2018
Read MoreWhether it's your first dressage test or you've been riding for a while these useful tips should help every rider. Hopefully, thes...
06 November 2018
Read MoreOur latest HorseDialog guest blogger Dr Aoife Byrne is an equine vet and an intrepid side saddle rider. Here she explains the hist...
06 November 2018
Read MoreSaddle up and learn about the history of the horse saddle. Several thousand years ago our ancestors worked out that a saddle of so...
06 November 2018
Read MoreHas your horse suddenly started behaving like a heavy metal music fan, shaking his head like a Deep Purple devotee whenever you ri...
13 July 2018
Read MoreThe term ‘Equine Asthma’ encompasses the conditions IAD (inflammatory airway disease), RAO (recurrent airway obstructi...
13 July 2018
Read MoreThe horse’s respiratory system is extremely efficient but also highly sensitive and susceptible to many diseases. Infectious...
13 July 2018
Read MoreThe top 5 places to ride your horse in the UK this summer.
05 June 2018
Read MoreWhy are some horses affected and not others if they are all living in the same environment? In this blog post, we take a look at t...
29 May 2018
Read MoreWhat should your horse's respiratory rate be? Your horse’s resting breathing rate should be around 8-12 breaths per minute
05 May 2018
Read MoreOur guest blogger Chris Pearce, who is a Recognised Veterinary Specialist in Equine Dentistry translates some common dental terms
01 May 2018
Read MoreOur guest blogger Chris Pearce, who is a Recognised Veterinary Specialist in Equine Dentistry translates some common dental terms
01 May 2018
Read MoreAs prey animals horses have evolved to be on the constant look out for danger. Their eyes are large and laterally positioned, prov
01 May 2018
Read MoreWe've come up with a list with six ways to prevent laminitis in horses. If your horse could write you a ‘to do’ list, ...
17 April 2018
Read MoreOur guest blogger Clare Barfoot, who is a registered nutritionist, member of the prestigious Laminitis Consortium and Research and
17 April 2018
Read MoreViral and bacterial respiratory infection can easily be spread by direct ‘nose to nose’ contact with infected horses. ...
17 April 2018
Read MoreA healthy immune system is the most important weapon in your horse’s armoury against disease and infection and as a responsi...
17 April 2018
Read MorePalpation of your horse's digital pulse in your horse’s lower leg can be useful to detect if there is inflammation in the feet,
06 April 2018
Read MoreWondering how to assess the colour of your horse’s mucous membranes? Your horse’s mucous membranes (gums) should be mo...
16 March 2018
Read MoreKnowing your horse’s ideal weight and being able to check it regularly to spot any loss or gain can help you keep an eye on ...
16 March 2018
Read MoreWhat should your horse's temperature be? Your horse’s resting temperature should be between 99-101°F / 37.2-38.3°C...
07 March 2018
Read MoreWhat should your horse’s heart rate be? Your horse’s resting pulse should be 28-44 beats per minute. As with humans so...
07 March 2018
Read MoreHow can I prevent mud fever? For the most part it’s all about keeping the legs clean and dry: Avoid muddy paddocks Try cr......
23 February 2018
Read MoreHow do I treat mud fever? If you think your horse may have mud fever it’s always best to speak to your vet. Every case is di...
23 February 2018
Read MoreWhat is mud fever you ask? Mud fever is enough to make any horse owner hot under the collar. It’s a persistent skin problem,...
19 February 2018
Read MoreOsteoarthritis (OA), also known as arthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is one of the most common causes of lameness in ...
20 December 2017
Read MoreTo make things easier for you and your horse we have 11 horse care hacks to help you through winter: Invest in a good set o...
20 December 2017
Read MoreDo you weigh a horse before worming? The answer is yes. A report from the British Riding Club has found that 44% of horse owners d...
18 October 2017
Read MoreWhat can you tell me about horse's teeth? The horse has a highly efficient grazing and grinding machine in the form of up to ...
08 September 2017
Read MoreDo all horses need an equine passport? All horses and ponies in the UK must have an equine passport, even if they never leave the...
31 August 2017
Read MoreWhen horses communicate, although they may not be able to speak, they are very capable communicators and if we take the time to ob...
31 August 2017
Read MoreTapeworms are the biggest worms to affect horses in this country. While the most common type can grow up to 20cm long, there is a ...
19 July 2017
Read MoreHow do I worm a horse? HorseDialog’s guest vlogger Ben Gaskell, a vet in North Yorkshire, shows us how to worm a horse prop...
13 July 2017
Read MoreSummer can be a lovely time for horse-riding, but high temperatures carry health risks for your horse. Hot weather can lead to deh...
06 July 2017
Read MorePerhaps you have bred a horse or bought an unnamed youngster. Or maybe you just want to give your new horse a nickname? Whatever y...
06 July 2017
Read MoreIt’s generally agreed that horses are good for your health and good for your soul, even if sometimes they are not so helpful...
05 June 2017
Read MoreSome horse owners choose to vaccinate their horses for other equine diseases as well as tetanus and equine influenza.
03 June 2017
Read MoreFlies are not only annoying they are also a health risk to our horses. While it’s bad news that they are inevitable during t...
02 June 2017
Read MoreIt’s surprisingly common, but easy to miss. Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) can cause your horse serious pain and can a...
09 May 2017
Read MorePhoto courtesy of Liz Knowler © Liz Knowler 2017 Keep it interesting and set exercises to improve you and your horse each ti...
05 May 2017
Read MorePhoto courtesy of Liz Knowler © Liz Knowler 2017 Doing fittening work on suitable grass tracks will replicate the conditio...
05 May 2017
Read MoreDo pregnant mares need special care? You will need to be extremely vigilant for signs of potential health problems throughout the...
01 May 2017
Read MoreCelebrating show jumping Show jumping has always had great spectator appeal. It reached a peak in the days of BBC Grandstand in...
01 May 2017
Read MoreBe black and white with your training so that your horse understands what you want as a rider. Always be methodica...
04 April 2017
Read MoreThe ultimate sporting test Eventing, which is also known as Horse Trials, combines dressage, show jumping and cross country in ...
04 April 2017
Read MoreYour horse’s feet have a very tough job. Not only do they have to bear the weight of the horse over a relatively small surfa...
03 April 2017
Read More6 Common Horse Hoof Care Ailments Thrush This is a bacterial infection most often caused by a consistently damp environme...
03 April 2017
Read MoreWhile the grass may be struggling to flourish in many parts of the country because of the hot arid conditions the reverse is true ...
14 March 2017
Read MorePreparing the Thoroughbred for yearling sales: what goes on behind the scenes?
14 March 2017
Read MoreBe Aware Of The Signs Of Equine Laminitis. If you believe equine laminitis only happens to fat little ‘Thelwell’ ponie...
14 March 2017
Read MoreWhile the grass may be struggling to flourish in many parts of the country because of the hot arid conditions the reverse is true ...
14 March 2017
Read MoreHorse tack is expensive, but caring for it properly means it will last you much longer, even if you’re spending long days in...
14 March 2017
Read MoreThe Three Main Causes of Equine Laminitis. Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). This is when laminitis occurs as a seco...
13 March 2017
Read MoreVaccinations are essential to help protect your horse from diseases. The vaccinations you are probably most familiar with are teta...
24 February 2017
Read MoreVaccinations are essential to help protect your horse from diseases such as equine influenza. The vaccinations you are probably mo...
15 February 2017
Read MoreCombating horse colic The horse’s digestive tract is very sensitive and it’s remarkably long, at more than 30 metres f...
13 February 2017
Read MoreHuman or animal, we all enjoy a treat once in a while, and we enjoy treating others too. It’s natural to want to share a tas...
07 February 2017
Read MoreThe longest living horse on record is thought to be Old Billy, a barge horse from Manchester who died in 1822 at the astonishing a...
07 February 2017
Read MoreWhat is dressage? Olympic gold medal winner Charlotte Dujardin’s exquisite partnership with the magnificent Valegro has capt...
20 January 2017
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