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The Official Blog of 24HorseBehaviors.org
Hosted by The Train with Trust Project
Video Q&A: Social License to Ride - What It Is & Why It Matters
How do people outside the horse world feel about what we do, and why does it matter?
“Social license” refers to an unwritten agreement between the public and those who ride horses, that what we do is okay.
In order for riding to be socially acceptable, the majority of people need to agree that we make right and ethical decisions for horses. Maintaining this trust is important to the future of horse riding in its many forms.
In this conversation with Dr. Dyson, we examine current issues within this debate and discuss ways we can find common ground by looking at what the evidence tells us are the best practices to ensure the wellbeing of our equine partners.
Canter dysfunction & lumbosacroiliac joint region pain
“Management of lumbosacroiliac joint region pain includes local medication, manual therapy and groundwork to strengthen the supporting muscles, and appropriate modification of the training and management programme. This is often a long-term project rather than a ‘one-off’ treatment.” Dr. Sue Dyson
Video Q&A: Canter Dysfunction
Beginning with a detailed description of the biomechanical complexity of the canter, Dr. Dyson explains how problems with the gait, which are commonly considered a training issue, are very often related to underlying musculoskeletal pain or other physical variables.
Video Q&A: The Science of Saddle fit
“The aim of the saddle is to facilitate you riding in balance such that you are as close to the horse’s center of gravity as possible, and so that it will facilitate you being in rhythm with the horse’s movement as far as is possible.” - Dr. Sue Dyson
In our ongoing conversation with Dr. Sue Dyson about the well-being of ridden horses, learn how many elements of saddle fit for both horse and rider, are underestimated factors affecting soundness as well as performance.
Video Q&A: Bits vs Bitless - What Does the Evidence Say?
“much of the scientific evidence comparing bits with bitless bridles is based on small studies some of which were poorly designed and so do not provide robust evidence.” - Dr. Sue Dyson
Q&A: The Moody Mare - Is There Any Truth to the Stereotype?
“Owners often say my mare is difficult when in season or my mare is always in season and is therefore difficult. This does not fit with the behaviours which are shown by a mare in season.” - Sue Dyson
Video Q&A - Moodiness in Mares: sorting fact from fiction with Dr. Sue Dyson
A conversation about the stereotype of the Moody Mare - is “mareish” behavior really attributable to hormones, or "the way mares are"? We spoke with with Dr. Sue Dyson to find out what's really going on.
Q&A: Does it still hurt, or is my horse just worried it will?
Dr. Dyson answers two questions from the live Q&A.
Q: How can tell whether a horse is experiencing discomfort or if resistance during riding is simply due to a pain memory?
Q: Is there any significance to frequency or duration of any of the 24 behaviors during the 10 minute observation period?
Image: Courtesy of Sue Dyson
Video: Live with Dr. Dyson - Q&A about the 24 behaviors
The Train with Trust Project opens the door for Dr. Dyson's audience to directly engage in the on-going discourse about the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) which is influencing horse riders, veterinarians, trainers and other horse professionals as well as providing an evidence-based focus within conversations pertaining to the well-being of ridden horses everywhere.
shifting the paradigm
Get ready to forever change the way you see horse lameness, take a step up on behalf of our equine better halves, and truly start training with trust.
Image: Kathryn Lauritzen/Padma Video