Margie Mitchell - Rider Biomechanics Coach

19/05/2026

Great explanation of how to ride canter correctly.

The importance of keeping your seat bones plugged in.
How the outside hind leg 'upward' step is the first beat of the canter rather than the 3rd phase (the inside foreleg) which would drive the horse forward and down.
And how the seat bone placement needs to adjust slightly to the outside hind by moving back.

Enjoy the video explanation then check out your own technique.

RWYM coaching will guide you to this plugged in place where it's created thru correct rider balance and muscle tone, keeping the flow.

Get in touch if you need help

Leif explains briefly how to ride the canter that allows the horse to be more uphill by putting emphasis on the 1st beat of the canter, the outside hide leg....

08/05/2026

Want to be a more effective rider?
Mary Wanless explains how.

08/05/2026

Nature's treats

08/05/2026

Waiting for the hoof trimmer. Perfect opportunity for a flowery snack

07/05/2026

05/05/2026

Good post about the power of words and how they can affect perception of behaviour.

"If the words we use make us more likely to punish, less likely to investigate, and less likely to consider pain or fear, then they are shaping outcomes in ways that matter"

02/05/2026

HAY SOAKING TRUTHS 🟨💧

If I had a pound for every time I get asked about this, I'd be rich!

There always seems to be nutribaloney circulating about soaking hay - for example whether or not it should actually be soaked.

(I'll post about length of soak time tomorrow - there's a simple method to work that out - keep your eyes peeled!).

Some Q&As to help...
__________
Q: Does soaking hay strip it of nutrients?
A: Yes - that's the whole point (unless you're soaking for 10-15 mins for respiratory health) - we're long- soaking to reduce BOTH calories (energy) & water soluble carbs (sugar & fructan)
___________
Q: Can we replace the useful nutrients lost e.g. minerals?
A: Yes - that's why we add a balancer or vitamin & mineral supplement to the diet, because soaking may reduce some mineral levels
___________
Q: Do we soak for just sugar reduction?
A: No No No No!!!! For overweight horses & ponies or those with insulin dysregulation we soak hay to reduce calories (energy) as well as water soluble carbs (WSC) = sugar AND fructan!!

(Fructan is not sugar. It's made up of sugar units joined by bonds that are not broken by digestive enzymes, but fermented by gut microbes.
The reason some may get confused about fructan is they either think it's a sugar or they think it doesn't affect insulin response... both are incorrect).
________
Q: Is it safe to test hay for just sugar & starch and then feed it to laminitis / ID / EMS horses & ponies if it's under 12%?
A: Absolutely, categorically NO!! This is really important. Both calories and fructan (WSC) can be highly variable in hay and you could cause laminitis by feeding unsoaked hay of unknown energy (calorie) and WSC content. Furthermore, analysing hay is only an estimation of what that particular sample contained and results should be used with care.

To focus solely on sugar and starch and insulin response and forget calories (dietary energy) and body fat level for all horses and ponies - especially laminitics - is plain bad advice and shows a complete lack of nutrition knowledge and understanding.
______
Q: Do I need to be worried about soaking hay, about mineral losses??
A: Absolutely not. We just need to balance soaked hay with suitable products. Soaking hay is sometimes the only way we can get unhealthy overweight, laminitis-prone, EMS/ID horses & ponies to lose weight without half-starving them.

I hope this helps to calm the worry about soaking hay and clarify some nutribaloney.

Feel free to share 🐴🍏🟨💧

02/05/2026

Happiness is ... taking flowers to my pony 😍

02/05/2026

Free treats 😍