Equine Agency and Cooperative Care: The Science of Choice in Horse Training

What is equine agency? Equine agency is the capacity for a horse to engage in voluntary, goal-directed behaviour that allows them to influence their environment and social interactions. In modern horse training, agency is t...

Contrafreeloading is a term that I haven’t heard in the horse world for a while, but recently I have had a few conversations where it’s cropped up.

It is a fascinating behaviour observed across many animal species, where animals choose to ‘work’ for food or rewards even when the same reward is free...

Beyond the Basics: Creating Truly Enriched Environments for Horses

The "Friends, Forage, and Freedom" framework has long been the gold standard for equine welfare. While these pillars are essential, modern ethology suggests they represent a neutral welfare state—the absence of suffering—rather than...

It's been a month of learning for both me and the herd. Since I brought them back to the forest, they've been reluctant to stray far from their barn. The forest is dense in places, especially at the moment, and Pixie, in particular, has found it difficult to adapt.

I tried gradually stretching her ...

The topic of equine welfare has become increasingly important in recent years, and as horse lovers and caretakers, we must ensure our horses are thriving in every way. Let’s dive into three key aspects that can help us boost our horses’ welfare and happiness

Physical Health

First off, we often thi...