Curious Equestrian

• UK Hay Crisis: Expert Strategies to Reduce Waste and Stretch Your Supply

  The UK is facing its worst hay crisis in over a century. Spring 2025 brought the driest conditions in 50 years for the UK, and England's driest spring in more than 100 years. Hay yields have dropped by 50-75% in some regions. Prices have doubled or tripled. Horse owners fed hay through summer when they'd normally rest their budgets. And climate change projections suggest this is the new reality. In this first episode of our three-day Hay Crisis Special, we sit down with Emeline Hannaley, Horse Care and Welfare Education Manager at the British Horse Society, for practical, actionable advice on how to manage your horses through this shortage without compromising their welfare or breaking the bank. 📌 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: The Reality Check: How bad is the shortage really? Regional variations and what suppliers are experiencing on the ground. The Wastage Problem: Studies show 30% of hay fed to horses ends up on the muck heap. How to identify and eliminate waste in your feeding routine. Slow-Release Feeding: Hay nets, hay balls, hables, and other enrichment devices that extend eating time and reduce consumption (without frustrating your horse). Alternative Forages: Chaff, sugar beet, forage mashes, and even oat or barley straw—when to introduce them and how to do it safely. Weight Management Opportunity: Over 60% of horses the BHS assesses are overweight. This crisis is a chance to reassess your horse's diet and body condition. Storage Solutions: DIY weatherproofing, pallets, and maximizing small spaces when you don't have a barn. Financial Strategies: Payment plans, sharing delivery costs, and where to cut costs without compromising welfare. Climate Adaptation: What horse ownership might look like in five years and how we can prepare now. RESOURCES: British Horse Society Welfare Helpline: 02476 840517 Email: [email protected] Hay crisis advice & cost-cutting tips: bhs.org.uk Free nutritionist helplines available through major feed companies ABOUT CURIOUS EQUESTRIAN: We explore the questions horse owners are afraid to ask. From mental health to practical horse care, we bring you the experts. This episode is made possible by our Inquisitive Herd members. Join for bonus Q&As, behind-the-scenes planning calls, and a community of thoughtful horse people: https://www.patreon.com/cw/CuriousEquestrian#HayCrisis #HorseWelfare #ClimateChange #BHS #HorseCare #CuriousEquestrian #Equestrian #HayShortage #HorseNutrition

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• How Tiffany Learned to Speak: Equine Assisted Learning with Teal CIC

  When Lisa's daughter Tiffany was told she'd never walk or talk due to a rare chromosome disorder, horses proved the medical professionals wrong. Within a year at the yard, Tiffany spoke 100 words and could ride, though she still couldn't sit in a chair. That experience led Lucy and Lisa to found Teal CIC—now the UK's only ASDAN-accredited centre offering customized equine assisted learning courses.In this conversation, Lucy and Lisa explain why equine assisted learning succeeds where traditional approaches struggle. You'll discover the science behind how horses physically lower human heart rates, why their force-free training methods work with students who stim or use wheelchairs, and how young people who refuse maths in classrooms enthusiastically calculate feed ratios for horses. From rescue pony Sam's transformation to students now working in the equine industry, this is the story of how alternative education through horses creates pathways to success.Lucy retrained as a counselor with 30+ years in the equine industry. Lisa retrained as a cognitive behavioral therapist. Together they've run the multi-award-winning Teal CIC for 11 years, serving students aged 12-25 through alternative education and clients aged 2-85 through therapeutic sessions.Find Teal CIC:Website: www.tealcic.co.ukSocial: @teal.equine or @tealcic

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• When It's Time to Say Goodbye: Horse Euthanasia & Grief Support

  Losing a horse is one of life's most devastating experiences—yet it's often a loss society doesn't fully recognize. In this episode, we explore euthanasia options, what to expect, grieving, and where to find support when nobody around you understands.Sophie Cookson King from Blue Cross walks us through the difficult decisions horse owners face: When is it time? What are the methods? How do I prepare? And how do I cope with the grief afterwards?Topics covered:Lethal injection vs. gunshot euthanasiaWhat happens during the procedurePreparing in advance (the responsible thing to do)Disenfranchised grief: why horse loss feels so isolatingSupporting your remaining horsesTalking to children about lossThe rising cost of living crisis forcing tough rehoming decisionsGetting another horse after lossFree Blue Cross support servicesBlue Cross Pet Loss Support:If you or someone you know is struggling with horse loss, Blue Cross offers free, confidential support:📞 Helpline: 0800 096 6606 (8:30 AM - 8:30 PM, 365 days/year)💬 Web Chat: bluecross.org.uk/pls📧 Email: [email protected] episode is for anyone facing the loss of a horse, considering euthanasia, grieving a beloved companion, or supporting someone through this journey.Your loss is real. You're not alone.

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• Bonfire Season is Here - What Every Horse Owner Needs to Know

  In this episode, Ruth from Blue Cross breaks down everything you need to know about keeping your horse safe during firework season—from practical preparation to handling those tricky neighbor conversations.If fireworks stress you out, this episode is for you. Share your experiences in the comments—let's learn from each other.For more advice and resources, visit Blue Cross:https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/horse/horses-and-fireworks

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• Going Back to Basics to Become a Better Horse Person with Josie

  Horse trainer Josie joins us to explore why going back to basics isn't a step backward but a continuous spiral of deeper understanding. In this thoughtful conversation, we discuss how ego creates barriers to learning, why basics form the foundation even for Grand Prix movements, and how understanding the way horses learn transforms our approach to training.Josie shares her personal journey from authoritarian training to partnership, including honest reflections on having "obedient but dull horses" and learning to allow expression and joy. We explore the concept of horses as sentient beings rather than beasts of burden, the importance of reading body language, and why there truly are no shortcuts in good horsemanship.From her work with Willie the Cob to insights about learning theory and pressure and release, Josie emphasizes that returning to basics reveals new layers of understanding each time. We also touch on social media's impact on horsemanship, the historical context of training methods, and why balance - both physical and emotional - underlies everything.A conversation about humility, continuous learning, and making the world a better place for horses.Guest Bio — Josie Matthews is a professional horse trainer who breaks down horse training into simple, easy-to-understand steps, ensuring clarity and confidence for both riders and their horses.▶️ Watch More from Josie:    / @basichorsetraining  📘 Free Training Guide: https://www.basichorsetraining.com/f/...🌐 Website: BasicHorseTraining.com

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