A ban on coaching younger horses, farewell to an Olympic medallist, and different issues the horse world is speaking about

Germany’s ban on coaching younger horses

German federal animal welfare regulation means horses underneath 30 months are not allowed to start out coaching or competing. Two-year-old racehorses are presently exempt, so long as they endure two veterinary assessments. This information has sparked issues, together with whether or not it’s possible for a vet to make a judgement on an unfamiliar horse in a brief time period, in addition to the shortage of proof for this transfer.

In gentle of resistance, Germany’s ministry for agriculture has fee a welfare research (Projekt Horsewatch) to establish the age at which horses have achieved the psychological and bodily maturity to allow coaching and competitors. The report is to be submitted to federal parliament in 2027 or 2028.

The change prompted a convention in Newmarket (24 Could), that includes world-leading vets, titled “Equine cognizance and psychological maturity – what do we all know?”. One key take-home message was that educating horses to deal with the world round them from a younger age is essential to set them up for a cheerful life.

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The loss of life of an Olympic medallist

The Netherlands’ Olympic medal-winning dressage rider Arjen Teeuwissen has died, aged 53, on 29 March. He lived within the Netherlands till 1998 earlier than transferring to Belgium. Arjen was a former Dutch nationwide champion and in 1999 he and Dutch-bred gelding Goliath T had been a part of the silver medal-winning group on the European Dressage Championships in Arnhem. Arjen and Goliath gained particular person bronze and went on to compete on the Sydney Olympic Video games, the place they gained group silver.

Obituary: Arjen Teeuwissen

A tiny foal, no greater than your common canine

A tiny foal weighing a mere 12kg, making him smaller than the typical household canine, has been born to a rescued Shetland pony, Polly, who pulled via life-threatening sickness throughout her being pregnant. Pika, who’s about 4hh excessive, is one in all “if not the smallest” equines welfare charity Bransby Horses has ever had in its care. Each the mare and foal are doing nicely.

“We are able to’t recover from how pretty they each are. We have now needed to modify the fencing because it’s too excessive and wouldn’t preserve Pika secure,” stated Bransby Horses senior press officer Maria Thompson.

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H&H editor-in-chief

Sarah has greater than 20 years expertise as an equestrian journalist and editor. She has reported from main championships together with the Europeans and the World Equestrian Video games. She has co-written books on equestrianism together with The Full Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Sarah has ridden since childhood, owned horses and ponies for over 25 years, and labored for and skilled with Olympic gold medallist occasion rider Leslie Regulation previous to going to school.