IQ Equine

06/09/2026

After 4 weeks in bed, I finally feel semi-human again 🎉🎉.
For those of you who have signed up to my horse agility course, let's do a deep dive for the rest of September on obstacle 6/7 of this month's course. All levels. We will look at what the judge is actually asking, lead rope handling, getting your horse to step over the pole without touching it (forwards and backing up) etc.
Head on over to the private FB group.
Link to my course in the comments.

24/08/2026

A reminder: My horse agility course is hosted on The Joyful Horse platform. It is aimed at Starter level through to Medium level, but having taken numerous horses right up to Advanced 2 Star, I can help you with those levels too. We look at some of the most common obstacles - the pole, the tarp, the curtain, the weave, the S-bend, the scary corridor and the ball, and discuss how to get started, what to do next and some inspiration from the higher levels.

I absolutely want you to send me short videos of your progress. I will provide you with feedback, give you some ideas on what to improve on and what to work on next. The videos can come through YouTube or through the FB group for members of the course. Think of it as private lessons.

You have access to the course throughout the lifetime of the platform, and I promise I won't spam you with emails or messages.

https://www.thejoyfulhorse.com/offers/fpjfUtX2/checkout

Have you thought about competing with the International Horse Agility Club but weren't sure how to get started?Here is the perfect opportunity to learn about horse agility  from one of the very best, Claire Perilli!  "Horse Agility is a great horse sport open to everyone.  This course aims to hel...

18/08/2026

I hate winter colds, and this cough is horrendous. I can feel the fitness that the ponies and I have built up, all slowly ebbing away 😭😭😭.
I was hoping to go to a carriage driving day at the end of August but I don't think Muffin will be fit enough to get the most out of it. So I am trying to be patient and rest and wait it out but 😖.

15/08/2026

This month's Ace Your Agility. Remember you are staying within the blue lines and your horse is doing the obstacles at a short distance from you.

* Obstacle 1 - a horse length is measured chest to tail. It is supposed to be a tight turn.
* Obstacle 2/10 - try to use a tarp as close to 2HL by 2HL as possible.
* Obstacle 3/9 - for those of you who need to use raised poles, the height hasn't been specified so as long as they are clearly raised off ground on both sides, you will be fine.
* Obstacle 4/8 - it has a sharp turn. Make sure that the inside side is a bit lower so that your lead rope doesn't get caught up on the obstacle.
* Obstacle 5/7 - photo in the comments of the horses knee.

PIVO POSITION: last time we had this shape, I built the course down one long side of the arena, and positioned the Pivo outside the course. I would position it opposite 3/9 so the judge can see the poles clearly and the Pivo only needs to track left and right.

Good luck everyone.

The International Horse Agility Club

08/08/2026

Muffin rescued a little lamb this afternoon 💖.
We went for a walk and a little bit down the road we heard bleating. Muffin was worried but I couldn't see anything so we continued, although Muffin was reluctant.
On the way back we heard it again, this time Muffin refused to move on. So I tied him to the fence and climbed up the bank and I could just about make out the tiny lamb stuck in the gorse.
I went to call a neighbour to help and he got the lamb out and took it to the correct neighbour. Muffin insisted on walking with Steve and the little lamb until we delivered it into the other neighbours care.
It was so tiny, I hope it makes it. What an awesome pony Muffin is.

06/08/2026

Another perfect score for Frenchie at The Mane Show - New in their July horse agility class in collaboration with the The International Horse Agility Club.
Little superstar 💓. Again, her video was posted a few days ago.

05/08/2026

Perfect score for little Frenchie in Medium level in July's horse agility course. Her round is a few posts back. She moves up to Advanced level now.

01/08/2026

There are still people using NSC to determine whether a hay or feed is suitable for their EMS/IR horse. ESC plus Starch are what matters.
Below is an article by Dr Kellon - the takeaway is 'For horses with EMS, the only dietary carbohydrate elements of concern are those that can be digested and cause an insulin spike. This includes simple sugars (ESC) and starch. That’s it. Fructan is also included in NSC but fructan is a fermentable fiber. It cannot cause an insulin spike.'

I have written at least 7 blogs and countless group posts on this subject but confusion continues to reign, in large part because of the persistence in using NSC to evaluate safety of forages for h…