BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS The tall birch trees were swaying in synchronised unity. above my head A million leaves being rattled by the wind had a sound not unlike a fast moving river moving over boulders. I admonished myself for having the stupidity to ride my horse through the large copse of trees on such a gusty day. But I had been ambling along oblivious … Continue reading Too Windy to Ride?
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS The majority of foals, certainly in my experience here in the UK, are spending their first few months alone with the mother. Although, I am well aware of reputable horse breeders that turn out a number of foals and mums together to live amiably as a herd, I have seen many individual horse owners segregate the mother and baby until weaning. … Continue reading Raising Foals Fairly
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS Those were the words the livery used to inform me that her horse could not be part of a herd. This horse could not have a field mate. There would be no swishing tail to turn and face during the summer to deter the flies from bothering her eyes, or a restful sleep while the other horses stood guard looking out … Continue reading The Individual Turnout Yarn
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS Darcey skipped across the yard with all the joys of a spring lamb and flicked up both heels as she jumped the narrow concrete drainage gutter. In her mind she was not a 9 year old child, nope, she was Ellen Whitaker competing on her grand 16.2 hh bay steed. The fence before her was over 4 feet high and as … Continue reading Training is Everything
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS There is only one good reason why my terrier would suddenly go from lounging on the carpet to suddenly leaping up and running under the sofa at break neck speed – the human sat on said sofa jumped up and ran fearfully to the living room door. For the past 20 years, this particular arachnophobe has made sure to train her … Continue reading The Spook
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS Every single one of the horses caught my attention, in terms of equine behaviour there was a lot to observe. Most of the behaviour was instigated by a human walking through the gate that led to the paddocks. All seven horses whinnied and most of them ran to their own fence-lines. Being early December the grass was almost depleted – snow … Continue reading Food is not the Answer
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS The deal was done, money was exchanged, hands were shaken and Charlie was loaded onto the trailer. The family had done their homework on finding an appropriate pony for their child, in size, temperament, training and experience. On the face of it, it was an ideal match. The dealer was well known, certainly in England, probably in Britain, maybe even overseas. … Continue reading Choosing Your Horse
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS The horse caught my eye simply by the way it was standing. There was something about its demeanour that seemed off. There was no back leg resting, the head wasn’t lowered and the ears were pinned. Furthermore the horse was tilting slightly backwards to remove the weight off its front legs. This wasn’t a horse at rest, no snoozing was occurring … Continue reading Heavyweight Not Overweight
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS When somebody is about to walk behind my horse and they ask, does your horse kick? I always feel a bit tongue-tied. Obviously I would like to say no, but in truth all horses kick. Although I am almost certain my mare won’t (this time) because I am aware she has seen the person approach her. If she’s not eating, stressed, frightened, … Continue reading Horse Kicks
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS Don’t look down, you’ll end up there….. Whoever came up with that line should be cold hosed on a winter morning, naked. Those that are fond of saying it should stop and think how those words may impact a child. I cringe when I hear an adult saying it to a group of children, it’s worse than cringing, I feel like someone has … Continue reading Don’t Look Down
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS Horses are complicated animals, very complicated. Less complicated to an expert perhaps, but only after years of dedication, observation, gaining knowledge and working around them does an expert understand equine behaviour and psychology. In this respect a novice has no clue to the complexities of the equine brain. To a person that has no knowledge of horses whatsoever they must seem … Continue reading Motorbikes & Horses
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS My perfect yard would contain no liveries, there I’ve said it. Let’s assume this impossible dream was to actually come true. I would own just a few acres that included a house, an indoor arena, great hacking – ideally located near a quaint English village for road work. Plus I like to peer through windows from my elevated position in the … Continue reading The Perfect Yard
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS I slowed my car and carefully drove onto the grass bank as there wasn’t a safe place to park on the narrow country lane. The moment I spotted the horse I could tell something was wrong. I wondered how many drivers had passed this location and either didn’t spot the problem, or didn’t care. I slowly approached the horse while uttering … Continue reading Overcoming Horse Ailments
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS Laura considers herself an experienced horse owner and rider. Laura is the person you go to if you require something from her extensive and always stocked first aid kit. She is the one with 27 rugs in her stable and every type of equine boot that was ever invented. The knee boots admittedly hang on a hook in the corner as … Continue reading Avoid Laura
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS My horse was very strong on a hack recently, and while we may have only been walking, it was still necessary to correct the speed. I hadn’t asked for this fast-paced walk, in fact I was looking for a nice amble across the English county-side. The walk she had chosen felt hurried and anxious, and when I applied pressure to my … Continue reading Beware The Strict Regime
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS It had been a great party with too much booze, lots of music, great company and karaoke. The next morning, when I visited the yard where the party had been held, a friend of mine said that was a great night, but oh my gosh you can’t sing! She’s wasn’t lying, I can’t hit a single note and am completely tone deaf. Does … Continue reading The Grammar Police
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS The stable had been prepared for the new livery with a thick bed of fresh straw and a hay net hung in the corner. The horse came off the lorry and walked into the barn filled with anxiety, he was head-high with flaring nostrils and eyes as round as dinner plates. Even after a good 45 minutes the horse was still … Continue reading The Equine Mind Map
BY DEBORAH JANE NICHOLAS When out hacking through the countryside or along roads my mare will display anxiety when approaching and passing horse paddocks. If these horses are just standing around grazing she will become head-high and attempt to focus on the herd. I can feel her attention has shifted from me and I’ve become a mere passenger. Horses in paddocks tend to do two … Continue reading The Bolt (Part 2)
