“Champing at the bit,” when used figuratively rather than literally—forget the actual horses—means to be eager to start or to be anxious to get moving. “Chomping” also deals with biting down, but it usually has to do with eating. The Read more…
Horses that do not perform well on the track are sent to slaughter. What most people do not see is what happens to the horses who lose or are too old to race. There are multiple rescue groups throughout the Read more…
Green has always been considered unlucky in Great Britain with the history books showing superstitions surrounding this colour dating right back to the 1700’s where the colour green upon someone’s clothes was a mark of impending death! Why is green Read more…
Jockeys strike their horses to encourage them to run, and hitting them with the whip creates a popping sound that makes a horse focus. The modern whip is designed to create noise, not pain. Does it hurt the horse when Read more…
It’s important to note that if a horse does not want to race, it won’t, and very occasionally we see a horse plant its feet and refuse to move. No horse can be made to race against its will. In Read more…
Don’t make direct eye contact. Don’t approach head-on (or tail on). Use your peripheral vision and approach at the neck or shoulder. If the horse allows you to get near enough to catch it, spend a little time doing something Read more…
Studies of equine colour perception indicate that horses possess dichromatic vision, which allows perception of greens and yellows, and blues and greys. They do not see reds — this colour will appear to them grey or neutral. What colour do Read more…
Its not that they are scared of mice but rather they are startled by them and as a fleeting shadow or a scratching noise the horse takes evasive action if it can !! What are horses scared of the most? Read more…
Grip the horse with your legs to cue it to go forward. While riding a horse, squeezing it with your legs is the signal that it should move forward. A well-trained horse will respond to this movement immediately. How can Read more…
Horses have an innate preference for salty food and seem to like sweet things, too. They don’t like bitter or sour food. Can horses taste sour things? Researchers don’t know a lot about what horses taste, but it’s assumed that Read more…