Ridesum’s AI Horse Analytics acts as a ‘high-tech mirror’ to help riders better understand horses’ head and neck positions during training. Artificial intelligence (AI) may not ever replace human judges – but products incorporating the technology may help them, and horses and riders. Two such creations on the market are aimed at improving equine training and performance; Ridesum’s AI Horse Analytics and the TeleRein C IT. The former is designed to benefit performance and welfare, by acting as an objective measure of a horse’s head and neck position – with data fed to a smartphone app. Karin Li ..read more

Happier, healthier horses across the board was the aim of a session held as part of efforts to combat equine obesity in the UK The Horse Trust hosted the training on 16 April as an extension of the Weigh to Win initiative, which involves giving awards to the horse or pony of the healthiest weight in showing classes across the country. Attendees took part in interactive sessions, during which they assessed horses’ body condition scores and looked at ultrasound imaging to see where fat was deposited. The charity’s head of research and policy Jan Rogers told H&H the event went very well, wit ..read more

Tributes have been paid to a police horse with “distinctive big ears and loveable personality”, who has died in retirement aged 22. Part-bred Irish draught Loxley began his police career with Nottinghamshire Constabulary mounted unit. When the unit disbanded in 2012, the 16.2hh “courageous” gelding was bought by Greater Manchester Police (GMP). During his time with GMP Loxley worked in all aspects of the mounted unit, including at Manchester derby football matches, parades and demonstrations, and community events. Loxley developed arthritis in his hocks and was unable to continue in patrol wo ..read more

Tamie Smith and Mai Baum at Badminton 2022. 1. Mai Baum to miss Kentucky The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event will be getting under way on Thursday (25 April) without the home side’s favourite in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S. Last year’s five-star winner Tamie Smith and Mai Baum were planning to contest the CCI4*-S this time, but an incident at home has led to “Lexus” missing the event. Tamie said: “While I was away competing some of my other horses last weekend, Lexus was a bit wild and feeling exuberant and pulled away from his handler and tweaked himself.” Another horse crowds won’t be s ..read more

Tom Jackson will be the Badminton 2024 pathfinder. Tom Jackson will be the pathfinder, as the Mars Badminton Horse Trials draw is revealed for the event next month (8-12 May). Tom will start as number one on Farndon, with his British squad horse from last year, Capels Hollow Drift, near the end of the draw as number 80. The favourites, Ros Canter and Izilot DHI, are number 53 so – with 82 horses drawn – are likely to do their dressage on Friday morning. Oliver Townend still has three horses in the Badminton Horse Trials draw, but he double-entered so only two can start. Cooley Rosalent has la ..read more

Rotterdam, pictured during the 2019 European Championships, is among the shows to have withdrawn from the 2024 FEI Nations Cup dressage series. Two further fixtures have followed Aachen in withdrawing from the FEI Dressage Nations Cup series this year, in favour of running their own team competitions. The news means that the 2024 FEI series is down to three legs, from its original six. The remaining legs are Wellington in the US, which took place in February, Compiegne in France (2 to 4 May) and Pilisjászfalu in Hungary (8 to 12 May). Aachen, Falsterbø and Rotterdam will all go ahead with thei ..read more

This West Wales property might just be the perfect horsey family home. Manor Farm is just outside the village of Wiston in Pembrokeshire. Wiston is a quiet location with a rich medieval history. It is home to a castle and church that first appeared in documents dating back to 1147. Both are said to probably have been built by an early Flemish settler named Wizo. The property is seven miles from Haverfordwest, a popular and ancient country town with another castle at its centre. Haverfordwest has much to offer in the way of schools, shopping and sports clubs. To the east, Carmarthen is 28 mil ..read more

1. Rescued horses and ponies on road to recovery Nine horses and ponies who were “slowly starving in pure agony” have begun their recovery. H&H previously reported on the prosecution relating to an equine therapy centre, from which three ponies were rescued and taken to the Mare and Foal Sanctuary and nine to the Horse Trust. A spokesperson for The Horse Trust said: “Sven, Olaf and seven other Shetlands and horses were owned by a small family business run as a community interest company, hosting pony parties and claiming to provide equine-assisted therapy sessions for v ..read more

Jordan Coyle and Costa Diam. The future of British showjumping looks brighter than ever judging by the wealth of talent on show from the victorious Nations Cup pony team in France at the weekend. At the other end of the scale, we were left in awe after global superstars Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward made showjumping news headlines by producing a swathe of faultless performances to be crowned World Cup winners for the second year in a row. It’s all happening in this week’s round-up of international showjumping news and results. Showjumping news: British pony team first-timers strike gol ..read more

Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF at the 2022 World Championships. Boyd Martin has confirmed his ride for the Mars Badminton Horse Trials (8-12 May) next month and will bid to become the second rider to complete all the world’s five-stars there. The US rider – who was born in Australia and initially represented that nation – has already started at all seven five-stars, but he fell across country on his only attempt at Badminton, in 2016. Boyd Martin had entered world team silver medallist Tsetserleg TSF and On Cue for both Badminton Horse Trials and this week’s Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event ..read more