The Happy Horse Hub

10/01/2025

Our poster below, has been designed to illustrate the Five Domains and help all owners and carers consider the overall needs of their animals, in order to ensure their best life.

For greater insight into the Five Domains and where you can download a print quality poster, please follow this link: https://here4horses.org.uk/for-owners/the-five-domains/

09/01/2025

Omg. Our thoughts and prayers are with L.A and all the animals and people fighting this right now.

I hope those horses and all the others managed to get out and are safe.

21/12/2024

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21/12/2024

Winter Solstice: We made it! 🐴

Today marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and a reminder that brighter days are ahead!

🌟 From this point forward, daylight hours will slowly increase, making those early morning feeds and late-night checks just a little bit easier.

The solstice has been celebrated for centuries as a time of renewal and reflection. For horse lovers, it’s also a chance to appreciate the quiet beauty of winter with our equine partners. Whether it’s a frosty morning hack or a cosy grooming session, take a moment to embrace this special season.

Did you know? The Winter Solstice happens because the Earth's axis is tilted the furthest from the sun. It’s a time to rest, recharge, and look forward to a fresh start—just like nature does.

Here’s to the return of longer days, more light, and more time to spend with our horses! 🌅🐎

21/12/2024

Did you know once hay is cut and dried it loses its vitamins?

Some great science based advice here from Clare MacLeod MSc RNutr Independent Equine Nutritionist

21/12/2024

Good luck to all who are out and about competing today, remember to have fun 🐎💚

20/12/2024

Do you look after your horses over Christmas or does the yard/groom look after them Christmas day.

Whatever you do, there is no judgment. Everyone is different.

Some of our team have their horses on full livery and some at home so we have a mix here at the Happy Horse Hub Headquarters 💚

20/12/2024

New rules from BSJA with effect 1st January 2025.

Only competition legal tack will be allowed in the warm up now.

20/12/2024

The power of enrichment blog live on the website.

Well worth a read by Animal Behaviour and Trauma Animal Behaviour and Trauma Recovery Service UK

20/12/2024

www.thehappyhorsehub.com

20/12/2024

These will make great stocking fillers for your horsey relative.

How great do these look 👀 for stocking fillers 🎁 or even to put under the tree!🎄
Gift Pack available online https://neighturesgraze.co.uk/product/gift-pack and at Jenkins Equine and Farm Feeds

19/12/2024

More rain on the way this week 😬

Have you stocked up on your Silva Bed in preparation?

19/12/2024

Some great tips here for you this winter.

🐎❄️ 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 ❄️🐎

🥳Get ready to kick off 2025 and boost your motivation with my epic new 5-Day Riding Bootcamp! I don't know about you, but winter can be very discouraging for riding and with horses. 🌨 In fact, I can recall several winters when I seriously considered quitting! With frozen arenas, limited daylight, and unpredictable weather, staying consistent in your riding routine may feel daunting.🥶 But consistency is key to maintaining your horse’s fitness, your confidence, and your connection with your horse. 🐴 Here are five strategies to keep riding on track this winter 👇:

𝟏. 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

When conditions prevent you from riding, groundwork can be a lifesaver. 💯 Spend time working on leading your horse, practicing halts, backing up, and encouraging relaxation through lowering their head. 🤩 These simple exercises keep your horse engaged, tuned into you, and mentally active. Groundwork is also a great way to maintain your horse’s fitness and your own sense of purpose during those unrideable days. 🦄

𝟐. 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟

⛄️ Winter is the perfect time to prioritize your physical fitness. 💪 The stronger and more flexible you are, the better your riding will be. 🏋️‍♀️ Going to the gym, working with a trainer, or even practicing yoga for a few minutes each day can make a noticeable difference in your balance, strength, and coordination in the saddle...𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒑𝒔! 🫣 𝑰 𝒎𝒂𝒙𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕! 🗣 Comment "winter" below and I'll send you the link to read all five tips and watch the video. 📸

Happy Riding! 🐴
Amelia

🙋‍♀️ P.S. Have you heard about my Free Riding Bootcamp starting January 1st? 🔥This program will guide you through goal setting, planning your training, and improving your riding position. 📈 You'll learn my proven system for progressing both riders and horses to higher levels. 📅 It’s the perfect way to set yourself up for success in 2025. ⏰Don't miss out! Check out the link in the comments to join today. 👇

19/12/2024

Our launch business directory offer has now ended and we have some absolutely fantastic businesses now live on our website.

So don't forget to and

Go and check them out now on the website.

Whether you need a new haynet, farrier, bedding, something fun for yourself, our small business partners have you covered 💚

19/12/2024

This is just beautiful!

How gorgeous is this fleece 😍😍😍?!

18/12/2024

🎉 New Year Giveaway! 🎉

We’re spreading some festive cheer with a giveaway that’s all about YOU! Most equestrian giveaways focus on your horse—and while that’s great, this time we’re treating you to something special.

We’re giving away £100 in total to three lucky winners:

✨ 1st Prize: £50 cash
✨ 2 Runners-Up: £25 each
Whether it’s for a drink, a takeout, or just a little treat, we’ve got you covered!

Here’s how to enter:

1️⃣ Share a picture of your favourite horse in the comments—it doesn’t have to be your own horse, just one you admire or love! 🐎

2️⃣ Make sure you’re following our page so you don’t miss out on future giveaways and updates.

3️⃣ Share & Tag someone who’d be too busy laughing at you to help if you got stuck in the mud, chased by a rogue Shetland, or had a classic horsey mishap! 😂

💡 For a bonus entry, share a funny story in the comments to spread some joy and laughter this season.

Let’s brighten everyone’s day and end the year on a high note! 😊

📅 Deadline: Entries close at 6pm on Monday, 30th December. Winners will be announced on our page at 8pm that evening.

Terms & Conditions:

• Winners will be drawn on Monday, 30th December, and the money will be transferred via PayPal within 24 hours.
• You must have PayPal to receive the prize. It will not be sent via any other method.
• Winners must contact us with their PayPal details by midday on Tuesday, 31st December. If we don’t hear from you, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be drawn.
• This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in any way.
• We will announce the winners only on our page. We will not message you, contact you privately, or post anywhere else.
• Only entries on this post that have done all 3 steps count—please ensure your comment is on the original post.

Good luck, and we can’t wait to see your entries! 🐴✨

18/12/2024

The Weight of Judgment: A Reflection on Kindness in the Equestrian world.

Recently, we shared a post about rug weights and which rugs to use in different temperatures—a simple guide designed to help horse owners, particularly those newer to the journey. We prefaced the post with a disclaimer: every horse is an individual, and rugging choices depend on many factors like age, health, breed, and living conditions.

Despite this, the post sparked comments along the lines of, "Isn't this obvious?" and, "Surely, it's just common sense."

Let’s take a moment to unpack this.

"Obvious" is Relative

What seems obvious to one person might not be to another. Knowledge comes from experience, and everyone’s experience is different. A seasoned horse owner with years of care under their belt might know the ins and outs of rugging without hesitation. But imagine a young person loaning their first pony, or an adult finally fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning a horse. For them, the question of which rug to use might feel like an insurmountable decision, and they’re already doing their best to get it right.

When someone is brave enough to ask a question, it’s often because they’re unsure. Meeting that uncertainty with judgment can make people feel small, inferior, or even like they don’t belong.

Social Media vs. Real life

Social media has a strange way of amplifying judgment. Would you say to someone’s face, "That’s just common sense"? Likely not. In person, we tend to be more empathetic, more willing to share knowledge without condescension. But behind a screen, some forget the power of their words.

Comments that aim to belittle rather than uplift rarely serve any purpose other than making the commenter feel superior. And that’s not what this community is about.

The Ripple Effect of Words

Think about the impact your words might have. A young person new to horses could read dismissive comments and feel discouraged. Someone who’s already second-guessing their choices might feel even more unworthy. This isn’t just about rugging; it’s about the culture we create as a community.

Equestrianism is hard enough without the weight of judgment. Horse owners face countless decisions every day, from feed to farriery to rugging and beyond. These choices often come with a heap of self-doubt and worry—am I doing enough? Am I doing it right?

Let’s not add to that burden.

A Guiding Philosophy: Is it Necessary, Kind, and Helpful?
Before you comment—on social media or in life—ask yourself:

Is it necessary? Does what I’m about to say genuinely add value to the conversation?
Is it kind? Will my words uplift, educate, or support the person who asked for help?
Is it helpful? Am I sharing knowledge in a way that is constructive and considerate?

If the answer to these questions is no, then perhaps it’s better left unsaid.

Look Inward

If you feel compelled to belittle someone’s question, take a moment to ask yourself why. Often, judgment stems from insecurity or a need to assert one’s own knowledge or experience. Instead of tearing others down, reflect on how you can contribute positively.

Building a Better community

At The Happy Horse Hub, we’re committed to creating a safe, supportive space where everyone—from lifelong horse owners to first-time riders—feels welcome. That’s why we removed the rugging post. Not because it wasn’t valuable, but because we refuse to host conversations that might make someone feel less-than.

Our community thrives when we lift each other up, when we share knowledge with kindness, and when we remind each other that no one has all the answers.

So, next time you come across a question that seems "obvious," remember: it might not be obvious to someone else. And that’s okay. We all started somewhere.

Let’s be the kind of community where questions are met with support, not judgment. Because at the end of the day, we all share the same goal: happy, healthy horses and confident, capable horse owners.

Together, we can make that happen. 💚

18/12/2024

Aldi cheap veg has started so go and stock up for your horses Christmas dinner 😆💚