Change of Tack Podcast

18/02/2025

Filled with the latest science, this course will teach you the science behind equine training and behaviour, how to train your horse in a welfare and ethics-first manner and guide you through all the principles that underpin good horsemanship. Learn how to understand your horse better than ever befo...

18/02/2025

Episode 14 is finally here and I am so excited to bring you the amazing work from Tilefield Equestrian - Amanda Barton.

Based in Hampshire, UK, Tilefield Equestrian offer a variety of holistic events; with regular clinics, workshops and talks on everything from ridden training, bodywork, rehabilitation, behavioural issues, scent work, reiki, saddle fitting, human body work, SURE FOOT equine stability training.

With the help of Tallulah, her Racewood Riding Simulator, Amanda also offers indepth training to improve rider balance and proprioception.

During the episode Amanda mentions an upcoming event with Rachaël Draaisma looking at Scent work with horses. There are currently still spaces available so if you're keen to learn more please contact Amanda via her website, link in the comments below.

To listen to the episode search 'Change of Tack', or follow the link in the comments.

15/02/2025

Why should you learning the signs of pain in ridden horses?

This may seem an obvious question, I mean surely all horse lovers would want to know when their horse is in pain or discomfort... right?

Sadly that doesn't seem to be the case!!

The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram has been established since 2018!! Coming up for a decade later and I doubt even 1 in 5 riders genuinely know how to spot pain signs in their own horse. :(

So why is this? Have people not heard of the research? It has been very well circulated in the equestrian press, there are courses available, a published book and there is even a film dedicated to promoting the ethogram!!

So my only conclusion can be that people can't understand the benefits, which means this must not be such an obvious question after all :( !!!

So let me enlighten you.

1. UNMANAGED PAIN IS A SIGNIFICANT WELFARE ISSUE!!
There's no kind way to say it, if your horse is in pain and you are failing to recognise it, your horse is suffering in silence!!

2. Riding a horse who is suffering from Unmanaged pain is not only CRUEL, it can lead to further injury as the horse attempts to compensate and avoid using the area of discomfort.

3. Learning to recognise the signs of pain will help highlight when there is a issue with saddle or bridle fit, or your horse needs a body work session. It can also be useful if you are looking to buy a horse, i.e. If you can spot the subtle signs of pain, you have a greater chance of avoiding a failed vetting.

4. Continually riding a horse with unmanaged pain will lead to a loss of performance and the development of behavioural issues... these may escalate over time to become dangerous and once established, can be difficult to resolve even after the pain is removed.

5. Early diagnosis usually means treatment can be less invasive and has a better prognosis for recovery. It also reduces the risk of secondary issues developing, saving you a LOT of money and heart ache!!

6. Failure to recognise signs of pain will directly impact on equestrian social license to opperate!!

WE CAN'T ARGUE THAT OUR SPORT IS ETHICAL, IF HORSES ARE BEING RIDDEN AND COMPETED WHILE SHOWING SCIENTIFICALLY EVIDENCED SIGNS OF PAIN!!

Hopefully you now want to educate yourself on the 24 Behaviours of the Ridden Horse ethogram!! For some quick guides check out my video reels on the subject and please check the comments below for links to some amazing resources.

14/02/2025

Evaluating the Ridden Horse - Seeing Beyond the Surface

As horse enthusiasts, it’s our responsibility to educate ourselves about what true harmony between horse and rider looks like.

Sadly, it’s easy to mistake a tense, stressed horse performing forced technical movements for one that is truly calm, relaxed, and moving correctly.

Recognizing this difference is critical—not just for the horse’s well-being but for the integrity of our sport and practices.

Forced head and neck positions, pulling on the horse’s face, or using gadgets to create a "false outline" may look polished to the untrained eye, but they mask significant physical and emotional harm.

Horses trained this way often display stiffness, discomfort, and tension that compromise their long-term health.

A horse’s outline—the way it carries itself—isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a reflection of proper biomechanics: relaxation, balance, and engagement from back to front.

Our own International, passionate horse welfare advocate, author, trainer, Veterinarian and lecturer, Dr. Gerd Heuschmann, highlights the consequences of improper training methods in his works like Tug of War.

He explains how these techniques cause physical damage, leading to pain and behavioral issues.

True training emphasizes the horse’s natural biomechanics, fostering relaxation and correct muscle use.

For riders eager to deepen their understanding, our online courses and membership program promote valuable insights into ethical, evidence-based training methods.

Education is key to ensuring we aren’t unintentionally causing harm for the sake of appearance or competition.

By learning to recognize signs of stress, tension, and artificial postures, we can support our horses in reaching their full potential—calmly, correctly, and without force.

Let’s be the kind of riders who prioritize our horse’s welfare over ribbons or fleeting admiration. Together, we can inspire positive change in the equestrian world.

Learn more about our top rated courses, currently on sale, here:

https://equitopiacoursesonsale.com/

14/02/2025

29/01/2025

Episode 13 is finally here, and I am so excited to showcase Jenni Nellist and the amazing work she does to help horses and their owners throughout South Wales.

Jenni is a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist with 20 years experience. She offers consultations in handling issues, loading and travelling problems, aggressive behaviour, stress related behaviour, veterinary care, ridden problems and advise on weaning and socialisation.

I addition Jenni offers general training and coaching and has an online course focused on reducing stress for horses during veterinary treatment.

For more details on the amazing work she does, search Change of Tack on your favourite podcast provider. Or you can follow the link in the comments.

Massive thank you to all who listen and share the podcast, I hope you enjoy the episode.

26/01/2025

I'm sick and tired of seeing animal abuse referred to as 'an error of judgement'.

To Knowingly cause physical harm, pain or distress to an animal is NOT AN ERROR OF JUDGEMENT!!

And for the governing bodies to be so complicit that they think a 6 or 12month ban is enough to deter the abuse happening again is ridiculous!!

Isn't it time to stop making excuses and hold our industry and ourselves accountable!!?

We need to take a stand.
It is not acceptable to use excessive punishment or abusive force to achieve our goals, or to take your frustration out on the animal when things don't go to plan.

Find a better way to be with animals, or get out of the industry altogether.

CONVICTED | farrier Paul King, 54, from Betchworth near Dorking, Surrey – struck a young gelding on the head with a hammer.

Following a hearing on 15 January 2025, the Farriers Registration Council (FRC) found King guilty of serious misconduct and suspended him from shoeing for six months. The suspension came after King, who provides farrier services across Kent and Surrey, was caught on CCTV striking a horse called DJ with a hammer.

DJ’s owner told the publication Horse & Hound that King had shod the horse three or four times before the incident, which took place on 1 April 2024.

“I was there initially and he was fine and very well behaved, so Paul said I didn’t need to be there,” she said. “I always asked him after shoeing how they’d been and he said fine, really good.

“That day, he messaged to say I needed to come up as DJ had been playing up; when I got there, Paul said he’d been rearing and striking out and he couldn’t get the shoes on. I thought that was odd as he’s a laid-back Irish Draught but he said as soon as he walked towards DJ, he reared. He said his behaviour had been escalating, and I said ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ I’d have done some groundwork with him if I’d known.”

The owner decided to view CCTV footage of the private yard to better understand what had happened. This showed DJ moving away more than once, as King was trying to shoe a hind foot. King is then captured walking to the anima’s head and hitting him with the hammer.

“It was the way he walked to his box, walked back, held his head still and then hit him,” she said. “He was just shuffling, like baby horses do. And then he lied to me about his behaviour.”

The following day, a groom noticed that DJ was behaving unusually. When she checked him, she found a swelling on his head about 10cm in diameter.

The owner messaged King and told him his services were no longer required. They spoke on 5 April when King apologised and said he had reacted in the heat of the moment. He also agreed to cover DJ’s vet fees.

The FRC’s report includes King’s initial comments in relation to the incident. He stated: “…I am ashamed to say that I did hit DJ with my hammer, it was a spur of the moment out-of-character error of judgement”.

The committee suspended King for six months, during which time, under the Farriers Registration Act, he may not perform “any work in connection with the preparation or treatment of the foot of a horse for the immediate reception of a shoe thereon, the fitting by nailing or otherwise of a shoe to the foot or the finishing off of such work to the foot”.

The suspension doesn't apply to trimming hooves.

https://ukanimalcrueltyfiles.org/betchworth-surrey-paul-king/

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/suspension-farrier-paul-king-hit-horse-head-with-hammer-882897

25/01/2025

Offering barefoot herd living on a Track livery yard for all equines, with ethical training available

16/01/2025

Care vs. Welfare: Shifting the Conversation for the Horse's Sake

When we talk about horses, the terms "care" and "welfare" often come up interchangeably, but they’re not the same—especially from the horse’s perspective.

"Care" typically reflects what we as humans provide: feeding, grooming, and housing.

While these are undeniably important, they don’t address whether the horse is thriving.

In contrast, "welfare" goes deeper, encompassing not just what we do for the horse but how the horse feels and functions as a result, including when ridden.

The five domains of animal welfare—nutrition, environment, health, behavior, and mental state—provide a framework to assess welfare from the horse’s perspective.

For instance, good nutrition isn’t just about feeding enough hay; it’s about whether the diet meets the horse’s physiological needs without causing obesity or metabolic issues.

A clean, spacious stall might seem like excellent "care," but welfare asks: does the environment allow for natural behaviors like movement and social interaction?

Behavioral and mental domains are especially telling. A horse might look “cared for” with a shiny coat and trimmed hooves but might be experiencing frustration, loneliness, pain, discomfort or any other negative result from their care or training.

Welfare focuses on these underlying needs, which are often invisible in discussions limited to "care."

This distinction matters, especially in equestrian sport.

Without a shared understanding of these terms grounded in research and evidence, meaningful conversations about ethical practices become muddled.

This is why definitions of terms matter.

It empowers us to discuss, evaluate, and improve practices in ways that genuinely prioritize the horse's experience, not just human perceptions.

Slides from our September webinar, The Five Domains of Horse Welfare, presented by Cristina Wilkins.

Learn more about the benefits of being part of our community at www.equitopiacenter.com

10/01/2025

Love this riding centre so much, to find out more listen to episode 3 of the Change of Tack podcast.

WHAT WE OFFER

We've decided to compile a full list of activities and prices to make it easier to find the activities that would suit you or your child.

Please note:
Almost all our activities are available to clients with disabilities, confidence issues, ALN, mental illness, we are experienced working with many different people and everyone is welcome.

So here it is!

🐎🏇🏼 £45 Ridden Sessions
*Half groundwork/getting to know your horse and half ridden

🐎🍏 £40 Non-ridden sessions
*Therapeutic horsemanship
*Liberty lessons
*Clicker training sessions
*Theory
*AQA Qualification lessons

🐎🏞️Hacks
£45 lesson hack -30min prep 30min ride
£65 1hr hack -30min prep 1hr ride
£85 2hr hack -30min prep 2hr ride

🐎🚜Horse/Farm Experience :
2hr individual - £90
2hr 2 children - £120
2hr 3 children - £150
3hr individual - £130
3hr 2 children - £160
3hr 3 children - £200

🐎📸 Photo Shoot with the horses
£30 During lesson
£40 1hr shoot
2 high quality photos
5 social media quality photos
Additional high quality photos £7 each
Additional social media photos £4 each

🐎🌾Tuesday Club - ride every time
£45 per session
Approx £135 per term
5-6.45 every other Tuesday

🐎🐴Thursday club -ride at least once per term
5.45-6.45 every other Thursday
£60-80 per term
£20 per session

🐎🍎Breakfast Club -includes a little ride
9-10.30 selected Sundays
£28 per session

🐎🗓️School Holiday Activities
£60 Pony Day 10-3
£45 Horse Activity Session 2.5hrs
£28 Mini Pony Pamper 1.5hrs
£50 1hr Group Hack £1.5hrs (prep+ride)

🐎🎂 Birthday Parties

2-2.5hrs
£30 per child
Min 4 children
Max 12 children

🐎✨Lesson/session with your horse at Maggie's Voice
£40

🐎🚘 Session with your horse at your yard
£45+fuel

🐎📸 Photo shoot with your own horse
Starts at £40+fuel

🐎🏡Visits with ponies-
Contact us for a quote

🐎⭐Block booking discounts
10 sessions for the price of 9
6 sessions for the price of 5.5

Please feel free to message us for more information or with any questions ❤️

03/01/2025

Bodywork restores the horse to factory settings;

But that in isolation doesn't stick.

You can bodywork your horse over and over and over again, but unless the stimulus changes, their posture will revert.

Because muscles adapt to stimulus, irrespective of whether that stimulus is appropriate or not.

And that means that we can use the tensional patterns detected with bodywork to help us to work out whether our training has been doing what we intended it to do.

Sometimes this that highlights that, though we might be aiming for a specific training goal, maybe we are missing the mark.

Which in turn helps us to navigate our own training biases.

So for me, understanding posture opens up the possibilities;

For the horse who "has always been like that" to become the horse who could look a little more "like this".

And whilst I know that posture isn't everything - it's just a handful of flowers in the bouquet - I also believe that if people paid more attention to it, they'd see little arrows to point them in the direction of making better choices for their horse.

-

Interested in learning more?

The Fundamentals of Horse Posture is the course for you - available now - details below ❤️✨️

03/01/2025

Episode 12 is now available. And I am so excited to bring you the wonderful Kate Blackmore from Equischolars.
Equischolars is a unique, modular based training system for children and young adults. Designed to be accessible, fun and educational, Equischolars enables any Equine establishment (no matter the size) to bring equine behaviour, ethology and welfare to the forefront of their business.

If you provide education with horses, this is definitely one for you! The new membership structure makes Equischolars an affordable and highly profitable business investment, while enabling you to promote equine Welfare for generations to come.

Help me get the word out about this incredible opportunity by sharing the podcast and speaking to others about Equischolars!! I dream of a world where every riding school and pony club are bringing this information to their students!

The link is in the comments!