CHAPTER 02 — LIVING ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH
Table of contents
Housing Diet & supplements Hooves & legs Rugs & temperature regulation Grooming Transport
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE
CHAPTER 01 — DAILY MANAGEMENT
A day at the stables Monitoring & health management First Aid
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6
CHAPTER 03 — TOGETHER IN MOTION The match Training takeaways Competitions
55 56 82 102 124 152 178
191 192 208 228
9 10 22 32
CHAPTER 04 — OUR EXPERTS
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CHAPTER 02 — LIVING ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH
Table of contents
Housing Diet & supplements Hooves & legs Rugs & temperature regulation Grooming Transport
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE
CHAPTER 01 — DAILY MANAGEMENT
A day at the stables Monitoring & health management First Aid
4
6
CHAPTER 03 — TOGETHER IN MOTION The match Training takeaways Competitions
55 56 82 102 124 152 178
191 192 208 228
9 10 22 32
CHAPTER 04 — OUR EXPERTS
247
5
BANDAGES AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Proper dressing material is often the first thing you need for wounds, swelling, or hoof problems. Make sure you have enough sterile compresses, cotton wool, bandages, elastic bandages, and strong tape. Products to temporarily protect a hoof, such as hoof tape, or to better hold a bandage in place, can also be very useful. A supportive sock or bandage and therapeutic wool can be helpful for care, protection, or pressure distribution. Check regularly that packaging is still clean and intact. CLEANING AND DISINFECTION
Being able to rinse a wound properly is often more important than immediately applying all kinds of products. Always ensure you have sterile rinsing fluid, physiological saline, and items for rinsing wounds, such as a large syringe without a needle. Also make sure there is a mild disinfectant. Disposable gloves are important for working hygienically and limiting contamination. Always working with clean materials is preferable to prevent dirt or dust getting into a wound. D A I LY C A R E M AT E R I A L S
Many first aid kits also contain products for skin care, mud fever, superficial irritations, minor abrasions, insect repellent, or support after exertion. This includes grooming sprays, ointments, cooling gels, zinc sprays or zinc paste, and products to protect skin and hooves. These products are not for real emergencies, but they are handy for quickly dealing with minor problems and preventing things from getting worse.
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BANDAGES AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Proper dressing material is often the first thing you need for wounds, swelling, or hoof problems. Make sure you have enough sterile compresses, cotton wool, bandages, elastic bandages, and strong tape. Products to temporarily protect a hoof, such as hoof tape, or to better hold a bandage in place, can also be very useful. A supportive sock or bandage and therapeutic wool can be helpful for care, protection, or pressure distribution. Check regularly that packaging is still clean and intact. CLEANING AND DISINFECTION
Being able to rinse a wound properly is often more important than immediately applying all kinds of products. Always ensure you have sterile rinsing fluid, physiological saline, and items for rinsing wounds, such as a large syringe without a needle. Also make sure there is a mild disinfectant. Disposable gloves are important for working hygienically and limiting contamination. Always working with clean materials is preferable to prevent dirt or dust getting into a wound. D A I LY C A R E M AT E R I A L S
Many first aid kits also contain products for skin care, mud fever, superficial irritations, minor abrasions, insect repellent, or support after exertion. This includes grooming sprays, ointments, cooling gels, zinc sprays or zinc paste, and products to protect skin and hooves. These products are not for real emergencies, but they are handy for quickly dealing with minor problems and preventing things from getting worse.
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0 4
Housing A PLACE THAT FEELS RIGHT
INDOORS
FOR YOU AND YOUR HORSE A FAMILIAR SPOT
Horses are meant to move, eat quietly throughout the day, have other horses around them, and feel safe in their living environment. Housing is not just about square metres, hatches, flooring, or grass quality but about the entire system in which your star rests, eats, watches, moves, socialises, and can be itself.
Housing is not about the perfect picture, far from it. Above all, it must be right for your particular horse and, at the same time, remain feasible for you. What foundation is already in place? How much space do you have? How much time do you have, and what is your budget? And what knowledge or outside help can you rely on?
A horse usually feels most at ease in a green pasture, with its nose in the wind and surrounded by its peers. However, many horses also like to seek out the peace of their familiar stall from time to time. There can be various reasons for this. The climate is well regulated, the environment is predictable, and a horse can seek shelter from insects, extreme weather, or the bustle of the herd. A stall also makes individual monitoring easier: it is easier to see how much a horse eats and drinks, administer adjusted feed or medication, and notice small changes sooner. A comfortable indoor space can be especially welcome during recovery and quarantine. A stall certainly does have its value, but only as one limited part of a much broader living environment. The more time a horse spends there, the higher the standards you must set for the layout and design.
We could easily write an entire book about housing, but in this chapter we intentionally focus on the choices that make the biggest difference in practice. We take a look at top stables that seek the best balance every single day: letting horses be horses as much as possible, without losing sight of safety, sport, and planning.
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0 4
Housing A PLACE THAT FEELS RIGHT
INDOORS
FOR YOU AND YOUR HORSE A FAMILIAR SPOT
Horses are meant to move, eat quietly throughout the day, have other horses around them, and feel safe in their living environment. Housing is not just about square metres, hatches, flooring, or grass quality but about the entire system in which your star rests, eats, watches, moves, socialises, and can be itself.
Housing is not about the perfect picture, far from it. Above all, it must be right for your particular horse and, at the same time, remain feasible for you. What foundation is already in place? How much space do you have? How much time do you have, and what is your budget? And what knowledge or outside help can you rely on?
A horse usually feels most at ease in a green pasture, with its nose in the wind and surrounded by its peers. However, many horses also like to seek out the peace of their familiar stall from time to time. There can be various reasons for this. The climate is well regulated, the environment is predictable, and a horse can seek shelter from insects, extreme weather, or the bustle of the herd. A stall also makes individual monitoring easier: it is easier to see how much a horse eats and drinks, administer adjusted feed or medication, and notice small changes sooner. A comfortable indoor space can be especially welcome during recovery and quarantine. A stall certainly does have its value, but only as one limited part of a much broader living environment. The more time a horse spends there, the higher the standards you must set for the layout and design.
We could easily write an entire book about housing, but in this chapter we intentionally focus on the choices that make the biggest difference in practice. We take a look at top stables that seek the best balance every single day: letting horses be horses as much as possible, without losing sight of safety, sport, and planning.
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Behaviour that demands attention If a horse spends a lot of time in the stall, tension or boredom can manifest in repetitive behaviour such as weaving, sucking air, crib biting, scraping, or kicking the wall. That is not only annoying for you and harmful to the housing but can also have physical consequences. Consider such behaviour as a clear sign to intervene. Do not simply try to make it impossible, because that only removes the visible symptom without addressing the root cause. Take a broader look at exercise, roughage, social interaction, pain, stress and boredom.
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Behaviour that demands attention If a horse spends a lot of time in the stall, tension or boredom can manifest in repetitive behaviour such as weaving, sucking air, crib biting, scraping, or kicking the wall. That is not only annoying for you and harmful to the housing but can also have physical consequences. Consider such behaviour as a clear sign to intervene. Do not simply try to make it impossible, because that only removes the visible symptom without addressing the root cause. Take a broader look at exercise, roughage, social interaction, pain, stress and boredom.
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Hooves & legs YOUR HORSE’S FOUNDATION
THE PRINCIPLES OF HOOF MANAGEMENT
‘No foot, no horse’, ‘Zonder hoef, geen paard’, ‘Pas de pied, pas de cheval’, ‘Kein Huf, kein Pferd’, ‘Utan hov, ingen häst’. It may sound like a cliché, but no matter where in the world the experts in this book come from, they all use this saying.
A horse’s health rests, literally and figuratively, on its feet. But the slender legs that must carry the heavy horse’s body are also particularly important. Together, they determine how the entire horse moves and is burdened. That is why the care for these two body parts deserves a separate chapter in this book. Here we give the floor to two experts who work constantly with hooves and legs in their daily practice: eventing rider Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and hoof specialist Didier Rondelez.
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THE HOOF MECHANISM
A hoof may seem hard and stationary, but it is not. With every step, it expands slightly on the ground and springs back when it is relieved. This classic hoof mechanism of expansion and contraction helps the foot absorb shock. In addition, lateral flexibility is the ability of the foot to adapt left and right to uneven surfaces, turns, and varying loads. The better the hoof can flex in response to the surface, the more contact the entire foot can make with the surface and the more grip the horse has.
DIDIER RONDELEZ
‘Good farriers or hoof trimmers stopped looking solely at the hoof a long time ago. Not because we can solve all the problems ourselves, but to gather more information, give the owner better advice, and bring in specialists, such as an osteopath or a vet, if necessary. If a horse reacts exceptionally to pressure, or if I detect tension or a difference in muscle mass, for example, I can optimise the feet, but that’s often not enough.’
CHECKING OUT THE ENTIRE HORSE
That movement affects the entire horse, just like the general health, stance, and shape of the hoof. Hoof specialist Didier Rondelez, who assists Olympic champion Peder Fredricson among others, therefore starts every routine check by examining the shoulders, pelvis, topline, and key pressure points in the horse’s body.
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Hooves & legs YOUR HORSE’S FOUNDATION
THE PRINCIPLES OF HOOF MANAGEMENT
‘No foot, no horse’, ‘Zonder hoef, geen paard’, ‘Pas de pied, pas de cheval’, ‘Kein Huf, kein Pferd’, ‘Utan hov, ingen häst’. It may sound like a cliché, but no matter where in the world the experts in this book come from, they all use this saying.
A horse’s health rests, literally and figuratively, on its feet. But the slender legs that must carry the heavy horse’s body are also particularly important. Together, they determine how the entire horse moves and is burdened. That is why the care for these two body parts deserves a separate chapter in this book. Here we give the floor to two experts who work constantly with hooves and legs in their daily practice: eventing rider Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and hoof specialist Didier Rondelez.
102
THE HOOF MECHANISM
A hoof may seem hard and stationary, but it is not. With every step, it expands slightly on the ground and springs back when it is relieved. This classic hoof mechanism of expansion and contraction helps the foot absorb shock. In addition, lateral flexibility is the ability of the foot to adapt left and right to uneven surfaces, turns, and varying loads. The better the hoof can flex in response to the surface, the more contact the entire foot can make with the surface and the more grip the horse has.
DIDIER RONDELEZ
‘Good farriers or hoof trimmers stopped looking solely at the hoof a long time ago. Not because we can solve all the problems ourselves, but to gather more information, give the owner better advice, and bring in specialists, such as an osteopath or a vet, if necessary. If a horse reacts exceptionally to pressure, or if I detect tension or a difference in muscle mass, for example, I can optimise the feet, but that’s often not enough.’
CHECKING OUT THE ENTIRE HORSE
That movement affects the entire horse, just like the general health, stance, and shape of the hoof. Hoof specialist Didier Rondelez, who assists Olympic champion Peder Fredricson among others, therefore starts every routine check by examining the shoulders, pelvis, topline, and key pressure points in the horse’s body.
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THERAPY AND RECOVERY RUGS
In recent years, several innovative rugs have come onto the market aimed at relaxation, recovery, blood circulation, and muscle comfort. These include heat-reflective rugs, magnetic rugs, and massage rugs. These types of rugs must always be used correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Battery-operated rugs or massage systems may usually only be used for a limited time. Other systems operate without a battery and, depending on the technology used, are designed to last longer, such as rugs where the actual material reflects heat or energy, for example. You often need to build up usage gradually.
TANJA WIESINGER
Cold back Some horses react sensitively when they are saddled. They tense their backs, step away, swish their tails, or need time to get comfortable under the saddle. In practice, this is sometimes referred to as a sensitive or ‘cold’ back. Keeping these horses’ backs warm can sometimes help, especially before saddling and during the first few minutes of work.
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Tanja has a horse where she pays extra attention to that. If his back stays warm, he has much less trouble accepting the saddle and setting off in a relaxed manner. A light sheet, a therapy rug, or some extra time to warm up slowly can really make a difference. Obviously, it is still customised work. A warm, well-prepared back can help, but it does not replace checking the saddle, training, and health.
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THERAPY AND RECOVERY RUGS
In recent years, several innovative rugs have come onto the market aimed at relaxation, recovery, blood circulation, and muscle comfort. These include heat-reflective rugs, magnetic rugs, and massage rugs. These types of rugs must always be used correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Battery-operated rugs or massage systems may usually only be used for a limited time. Other systems operate without a battery and, depending on the technology used, are designed to last longer, such as rugs where the actual material reflects heat or energy, for example. You often need to build up usage gradually.
TANJA WIESINGER
Cold back Some horses react sensitively when they are saddled. They tense their backs, step away, swish their tails, or need time to get comfortable under the saddle. In practice, this is sometimes referred to as a sensitive or ‘cold’ back. Keeping these horses’ backs warm can sometimes help, especially before saddling and during the first few minutes of work.
136
Tanja has a horse where she pays extra attention to that. If his back stays warm, he has much less trouble accepting the saddle and setting off in a relaxed manner. A light sheet, a therapy rug, or some extra time to warm up slowly can really make a difference. Obviously, it is still customised work. A warm, well-prepared back can help, but it does not replace checking the saddle, training, and health.
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The match THE DREAM HORSE
KNOW YOURSELF
Sunbeams pierce the heavy clouds as your dream horse gallops toward you, heralded by the faint sound of angelic song. Is this how your match makes their entrance? You never know!
A good match arises when the needs and abilities of horse and rider complement one another. Many riders not only overestimate their riding skills, but also their time, knowledge of horse management, and experience of caring for a horse. Don’t just look at what you expect from a horse, but also at what you can offer it right now. The more honest you are about yourself, the less chance there is that you will come home with the wrong dream horse. Here are three quick checks to help you do that.
A good combination is often found in smaller things. Horse and rider feel good together. Your horse suits your experience and ambitions, but also your lifestyle. Sometimes that is precisely the horse you always dreamed of. Sometimes the right match takes you completely by surprise. In this chapter, you will take some time to reflect on yourself, the type of horse that suits you, and how to approach a purchase thoughtfully. Top riders and other experienced horse people share their insights on sensing, making choices, and building connections.
CHECK 1 | WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO TOGETHER?
Do you really love riding outdoors and relaxing? In that case, reliability, staying calm in traffic, and a composed temperament are often very important. A cold-blooded horse might seem like a more logical choice than a sport horse, but breed is not everything. An experienced sport horse can be a fine recreational partner, while a typical recreational breed can pose quite a challenge on the road. Do you want to take lessons and compete occasionally? Look for a horse with which you can grow. Trust, clarity, and the ability to handle mistakes are often more important than exceptional talent or an impressive pedigree. Do you dream of progressing in the sport? In that case, talent and athletic ability may carry more weight. Nevertheless, character remains essential. For example, a sensitive horse is better suited to a calm, experienced rider with sufficient supervision than to someone who easily becomes unsure of themself.
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The match THE DREAM HORSE
KNOW YOURSELF
Sunbeams pierce the heavy clouds as your dream horse gallops toward you, heralded by the faint sound of angelic song. Is this how your match makes their entrance? You never know!
A good match arises when the needs and abilities of horse and rider complement one another. Many riders not only overestimate their riding skills, but also their time, knowledge of horse management, and experience of caring for a horse. Don’t just look at what you expect from a horse, but also at what you can offer it right now. The more honest you are about yourself, the less chance there is that you will come home with the wrong dream horse. Here are three quick checks to help you do that.
A good combination is often found in smaller things. Horse and rider feel good together. Your horse suits your experience and ambitions, but also your lifestyle. Sometimes that is precisely the horse you always dreamed of. Sometimes the right match takes you completely by surprise. In this chapter, you will take some time to reflect on yourself, the type of horse that suits you, and how to approach a purchase thoughtfully. Top riders and other experienced horse people share their insights on sensing, making choices, and building connections.
CHECK 1 | WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO TOGETHER?
Do you really love riding outdoors and relaxing? In that case, reliability, staying calm in traffic, and a composed temperament are often very important. A cold-blooded horse might seem like a more logical choice than a sport horse, but breed is not everything. An experienced sport horse can be a fine recreational partner, while a typical recreational breed can pose quite a challenge on the road. Do you want to take lessons and compete occasionally? Look for a horse with which you can grow. Trust, clarity, and the ability to handle mistakes are often more important than exceptional talent or an impressive pedigree. Do you dream of progressing in the sport? In that case, talent and athletic ability may carry more weight. Nevertheless, character remains essential. For example, a sensitive horse is better suited to a calm, experienced rider with sufficient supervision than to someone who easily becomes unsure of themself.
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At Nicola Philippaerts, the aquatrainer is used both for maintaining muscle and fitness and during rehabilitation. ‘Sharp turns are out of the question in many rehabilitation programmes,’ he says. In an aquatrainer, the horse moves continuously in a straight line, while the water resistance puts the muscles to work. ‘This means it can be a useful tool for rebuilding muscles and gradually getting a horse back to work after an injury.’ During rehabilitation, always coordinate the programme, water level, and duration with your vet. Obviously, not everyone has the luxury of an aquatrainer at the stable. However, you can also incorporate movement through water in other ways, such as walking through shallow water in the sea, a suitable pond, or a safe water trough.
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At Nicola Philippaerts, the aquatrainer is used both for maintaining muscle and fitness and during rehabilitation. ‘Sharp turns are out of the question in many rehabilitation programmes,’ he says. In an aquatrainer, the horse moves continuously in a straight line, while the water resistance puts the muscles to work. ‘This means it can be a useful tool for rebuilding muscles and gradually getting a horse back to work after an injury.’ During rehabilitation, always coordinate the programme, water level, and duration with your vet. Obviously, not everyone has the luxury of an aquatrainer at the stable. However, you can also incorporate movement through water in other ways, such as walking through shallow water in the sea, a suitable pond, or a safe water trough.
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Competitions THIS IS WHAT WE DO IT FOR
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
Early in the morning, the truck leaves the driveway. Your horse is gleaming, your competition clothes are in the back of the car, and you quickly check the start list once you get on the road. The familiar hustle and bustle reigns in the parking lot. You walk a first lap around the arena and feel the tension rising as your start draws closer. And then: into the arena, the bell rings and it’s you and your horse.
FROM CALENDAR TO SCHEDULE
Competing can be a great goal to work towards together with your horse. It gives direction to your training and shows how everything you have built up at home holds up in a different environment. Clearly, a horse does not have to wear a competition number to have a fantastic life, and you do not have to compete to be a good rider. For some, competition is a huge motivation; for others, not at all. Both are fine. If you are a competition fanatic, you will find plenty of tips and tricks from the pros in this chapter.
Anyone who opens the competition calendar can easily get carried away. Here a fun competition, there a great location, and a week later another one you really do not want to miss either. However, a good season does not necessarily have to be the season with the most starts. Just like the elite riders, you can view your season as a combination of: • learning opportunities, where experience is more important than the result • build-up competitions, with which you work towards a larger goal • main goals, where your horse is ideally fit and well prepared at the start • rest periods, in which deliberately no competitions are scheduled for a while That does not mean you have to set your entire year in stone at the start of the season. Even for ambitious showjumper Thibault Philippaerts, far from every competition is scheduled months in advance. ‘During the first half of the season, I see how my horses develop and which competitions come my way. Sometimes I only know where I can start a few weeks in advance. Next, I build my horses’ schedule further around that.’ Not every horse needs to be constantly competing. ‘Some horses can easily stay at home for a few weeks and then compete again as if nothing has changed. Other horses need that competition environment just a little more often.’
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Competitions THIS IS WHAT WE DO IT FOR
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
Early in the morning, the truck leaves the driveway. Your horse is gleaming, your competition clothes are in the back of the car, and you quickly check the start list once you get on the road. The familiar hustle and bustle reigns in the parking lot. You walk a first lap around the arena and feel the tension rising as your start draws closer. And then: into the arena, the bell rings and it’s you and your horse.
FROM CALENDAR TO SCHEDULE
Competing can be a great goal to work towards together with your horse. It gives direction to your training and shows how everything you have built up at home holds up in a different environment. Clearly, a horse does not have to wear a competition number to have a fantastic life, and you do not have to compete to be a good rider. For some, competition is a huge motivation; for others, not at all. Both are fine. If you are a competition fanatic, you will find plenty of tips and tricks from the pros in this chapter.
Anyone who opens the competition calendar can easily get carried away. Here a fun competition, there a great location, and a week later another one you really do not want to miss either. However, a good season does not necessarily have to be the season with the most starts. Just like the elite riders, you can view your season as a combination of: • learning opportunities, where experience is more important than the result • build-up competitions, with which you work towards a larger goal • main goals, where your horse is ideally fit and well prepared at the start • rest periods, in which deliberately no competitions are scheduled for a while That does not mean you have to set your entire year in stone at the start of the season. Even for ambitious showjumper Thibault Philippaerts, far from every competition is scheduled months in advance. ‘During the first half of the season, I see how my horses develop and which competitions come my way. Sometimes I only know where I can start a few weeks in advance. Next, I build my horses’ schedule further around that.’ Not every horse needs to be constantly competing. ‘Some horses can easily stay at home for a few weeks and then compete again as if nothing has changed. Other horses need that competition environment just a little more often.’
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THE WARM-UP ROUTINE OF:
EMILIE CONTER | JUMPING
Emilie first sets aside plenty of time to walk. After that, she warms up her horses for about ten to twelve minutes. She keeps that simple, playing with changes in pace, circles, trot and canter sequences, mainly to feel if her horse is supple and responsive. Next, she jumps a few low single straight jumps. The cups only go higher when it feels right. When she switches to oxers afterwards, she starts low again and limits the number of high jumps. She regularly incorporates periods of walking between the hurdles. Before entering the competition arena, she walks around with most horses for three to five minutes at a relaxed pace so they can catch their breath.
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THE WARM-UP ROUTINE OF:
EMILIE CONTER | JUMPING
Emilie first sets aside plenty of time to walk. After that, she warms up her horses for about ten to twelve minutes. She keeps that simple, playing with changes in pace, circles, trot and canter sequences, mainly to feel if her horse is supple and responsive. Next, she jumps a few low single straight jumps. The cups only go higher when it feels right. When she switches to oxers afterwards, she starts low again and limits the number of high jumps. She regularly incorporates periods of walking between the hurdles. Before entering the competition arena, she walks around with most horses for three to five minutes at a relaxed pace so they can catch their breath.
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Katrien Van Miert Kentucky Horsewear and images from the experts’ own archives PHOTOS pages xxxx: xxxxxxxx E N G L I S H T R A N S L A T I O N : Justine Sherwood (Taalbankier LCVB) G R A P H I C A L D E S I G N : Katrien Van De Steene Whitespray TEXT:
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© Kentucky Horsewear and Lannoo Publishers, Tielt-Belgium, 2026 D/2026/45/592 – NUR 431 ISBN 978 90 599 6830 1 All rights reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training and similar technologies. Nothing from this publication may be copied, stored in an automated database and/or be made public in any form or in any way, either electronic, mechanical or in any other manner without the prior written consent of the publisher.