Viv Pearson BHS Accredited Coach

28/11/2025

🩸 *Strangles blood tests before moving yards*🩸

A common scenario we come across is clients or yard owners requesting a Strangles blood sample prior to their horse moving yard. The question is, is this a worthwhile test?! 🤔

The basic summary of this is that the Strangles blood test comes back with many false positive results. The blood test detects antibodies, which can be elevated in response to active or historic exposure.❗️A negative blood test also does not mean that the horse is not a carrier❗️This test is very likely to miss a ‘carrier’ horse, which is typically the biggest threat for bringing Strangles into a yard.

📚 To put it slightly into context, in a study published by Durham et al. in 2020, only 3% of horses who tested positive on a blood test were actually carriers - that’s a huge 97% that came back with false positives for being a carrier! In this same study, of the 9 horses who were actually true carriers diagnosed via a guttural pouch wash, only ONE was positive on a blood test.

Whilst the blood test does have its use in certain situations, as a pre-movement test we recommend a guttural pouch wash as gold standard ✨. This involves using an endoscope to enter the guttural pouches and rinsing them with saline. This is then tested by PCR for presence of Strangles bacteria DNA 🧬. This is the ONLY definitive way to confirm the horse is not a Strangles carrier.

At GEV we are able to run these guttural pouch samples using our in-house PCR machine for reliable same-day results ⭐️.

16/11/2025

💡 “40% of it is what you do. 60% is how you do it. The 10% imbalance? That’s the commitment to doing things the right way.”

Some might say, “Why not 80% how you do it?” Because the what still matters — especially when horses are involved.

🏆 Winning does matter. It’s a reflection of dedication, the mastery of craft, and the pursuit of excellence. It keeps us sharp, hungry, and striving for better. For many of us, it’s what gets us out of bed at 5am, back in the saddle after setbacks, and inspires us to keep improving.

But here’s the truth: winning alone isn’t enough. Not in this sport.

🏇 Horses are not machines. They are living, breathing, beautiful beings with personalities, emotions, and needs. That’s why the how — the 60% — carries more weight. It’s about respect. Kindness. Integrity. Patience. It’s about doing the hard work when no one’s watching — quietly building trust and mutual partnership.

So yes, the what you do matters — the results, the performance, the discipline. But the how you do it matters even more.

Because if you win without honouring the horse, without safeguarding its welfare and dignity, is it truly a victory?

29/10/2025

Save the date!

Saturday 22nd November - here at Thirty Acre
Sam Champney-Warrener
BHS Stage 5 Performance Coach
BHSI - BE Acc Coach - UKCC Level 3 Coach - BHS Assessor

Group, shared or private sessions available

Dressage, Poles or Jumping - all levels catered for. Please PM or WhatsApp 07713062051 to book your place!

28/10/2025

27/10/2025

This weekend!
Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd November

Pole-work or Jumping

Groups or private sessions
Suitable for all levels of horse & rider.

Please WhatsApp or message to book your space 😊

23/10/2025

How you can help us change the fireworks law

With fireworks season upon us, Redwings Horse Sanctuary has launched a petition calling on the Government to reduce the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels.

Please sign and share to show how important this issue is for so many people and animals.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/738192

Because we’ve seen the devastating impact fireworks can have. Despite every effort to keep them safe, beloved Redwings residents Cinders, Sprite and Percy all tragically lost their lives after fireworks were set off near the sanctuary 💔.

And they are not alone – horses, pets, livestock, wildlife, and even people with PTSD or sensory sensitivities are at risk.

At 10,000 signatures, the Government must respond.

At 100,000 signatures the issue will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Please help us achieve this important goal within the six months the petition will run for by signing and sharing as widely as you can!

Thank you so much !

15/10/2025

🐴 The Power of Horses: Equestrianism’s £1.2 Billion Social Value Revealed

On Friday 3 October, British Equestrian proudly unveiled groundbreaking new research that, for the first time, quantifies the social value of equestrian activity in the UK — a remarkable £1.2 billion every year.

Conducted in partnership with social value specialists State of Life, the study shows how riding, volunteering, and equestrian centres contribute significantly to physical health, mental wellbeing, and community connection across the nation.

From Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) to Ebony Horse Club , the research shines a light on the transformative impact horses have on people’s lives — and the vital role our centres play as hubs for wellbeing, inclusion, and opportunity.

📖 Read the full story and explore The Power of Horses: Equestrianism’s Social Value 👉 https://news.britisheventing.com/the-power-of-horses-equestrianism-generates-1-2-billion-in-social-value-each-year/

10/10/2025

Calf stretch to help your riding:
This is a great calf stretch to help horse riders to maintain a heels down position. Stand with your feet parallel and as wide as possible in ‘horse rider stance’. Lean your knees against the edge if the sofa and hold the stretch for a few seconds. Do not bounce in this position as this can cause micro tears in the calf muscles. Just take deep breaths and relax into the stretch with every exhale.