Horse & Hound Magazine - May 01, 2025

In this issue

Badminton preview ‘It’s going to be great’: Tina Cook reviews all 32 fences PLUS - How to watch and veterans to follow KENTUCKY FIVE-STAR How Harry Meade nailed the cross-country time to pilot two into the top four. VET ADVICE Everything you need to know before taking your horse barefoot.

Call for action on 'blue tongues and signs of pain in dressage

The group who sent images of potential welfare issues has given a presentation to the FEI

2 mins

Double bridles themselves are not the issue, research finds

A study that found double bridles exert similar or less pressure than snaffles shows more education is needed

2 mins

A mixed picture for Britain's rare native breeds

The annual rare breeds watchlist shows good news for Welsh Bs and Fells, but concerns for the Hackney

2 mins

'It's obvious why riders love Kentucky'

Pippa Roome reflects on the US five-star and her favourites for Badminton

2 mins

'Fail to prepare, prepare to fail'

Stuart Hollings on a show secretary's trials, novices and naming newcomers

2 mins

Nicola Naylor

This year, Nicola Naylor became the first blind rider to compete in grand prix dressage, having had to give up her competitive ambitions decades previously. Eleanor Jones finds out how she's done it

5 mins

Spanish Riding School rider

Helmut Oberhauser on the pride of being part of a 460-year-old cultural heritage, a rigorous training pathway and the tradition of the birch riding crop

4 mins

Going barefoot

The debate on the merits of shoeing versus barefoot horses is both longstanding and polarising. Richard Stephenson MRCYVS sifts through the noise

5 mins

'They know everything at this stage

With five horses aged 18 or over lining up for Badminton next week, veterans have never been more in fashion. Lucy Elder finds out about the old stars of the event, this year and through history

6 mins

Rules of engagement

Equestrians know how good horses are for the soul – but is the proliferation of equine-assisted psychotherapists safe for both horses and humans? Catherine Welton finds out how experts are working towards a gold standard

6 mins

'The greatest ever

Olympic champions Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH land their second Kentucky title on their first run since Paris, while Harry Meade and Tom McEwen claim three top-five places between them for Britain

3 mins

What a week

A new dressage record, two crosscountry clears in the time from one rider anda career-changing coach feature as the Kentucky action unfolds

6 mins

King is the Easter queen

A former five-star rider eyes up the big time again, while an exciting new partnership records their first international win

1 min

Sister act shines

Sisters stand out across the levels, pocket rockets punch above their weight and newcomers celebrate promising wins

1 min

Smith enjoys a victorious homecoming

Thrilling youngsters come to the fore and a broodmare is in flying form

2 mins

A little legend

An Exmoor beats the odds to secure his Hickstead return, a first ridden pair win with confidence, and a former racehorse gets the season off to a flying start

1 min

William Foxes the opposition

It's back-to-back scurry wins for William Fox Grant and Iona Lad, which confirms their GB Hunt Ride League triumph

4 mins

Honeysuckle

From a four-figure price tag to earning her place as one of the most exciting jump broodmares around, Honeysuckle had a near-perfect top-flight racing career. Tom Peacock charts her rise

6 mins

Read all stories from Horse & Hound

Horse & Hound Magazine Description:

The UK's leading weekly equestrian magazine
Published by Time Inc (UK). Every week Horse & Hound brings horse lovers up-to-date with the latest news and event reports and provides expert equestrian advice on subjects including training and horse care, the latest equine products and feed. The weekly features inform and entertain inspiring readers to go out and ride to improve their horsemanship in every discipline from eventing to show jumping, dressage to showing, polo and hunting. It is also the must read for anyone wanting to buy or sell a horse.