British Horse Foundation launch Better Beginnings Best Practice Guide: ‘From Inception to 2-year-old’
Monday 09 October 2023
The British Horse Foundation (BHF) are very excited to launch their first guide "Better Beginnings: From Inception to 2 Years Old" on the October 9th. This is a free resource that is a PDF presented as a Flip Book on our website at https://www.britishhorsefoundation.org.uk/from-inception-to-2-years-old.
The British Horse Foundation Better Beginnings programme was born from an awareness gained over decades in the industry that young horse production has not developed at the same rate as other areas of equestrianism. This has been brought into sharp focus recently. Equestrianism is at a pivotal point. The importance of the public perception of equestrian activities and the social licence to operate has never been higher. The BHF believes that the production of the young horse, from inception to 2 years old, is of vital importance in safeguarding their wellbeing throughout their lives. A happy, healthy, and well-educated horse promotes equestrianism in a positive way to all.
The guide covers material “From Inception to 2 Years Old” and is full of expert advice and the latest research to enhance your breeding plans. The Better Beginnings programme conference and webinar in 2022 pulled together a wealth of industry leaders and has culminated in this free resource aimed at anyone planning on breeding and wanting the best outcome for their mare and foal.
BHF Chair and Equine Vet Dr Jane Nixon said: “Improved education and teamwork are crucial to providing young horses with a start that will set them up for happy, healthy, and sound lives long into the future.”
The guide is split into 8 Advice Notes, which break the information down into bite size chunks adding valuable new information that can be consumed by anyone, whether you are just interested in breeding, are a first-time breeder or a stud owner. The Advice Notes and their accompanying links will direct you to several carefully curated outside sources, which include the recordings of the experts from the roundtable event as well as Pony Club webinars which give an overview of the basics of breeding. Each Advice Note focuses on specific action points that may challenge accepted thinking and long held beliefs.
Jane Nixon encourages this approach, commenting: “Changing long held practices and beliefs and even changing the way we look at what we do is difficult but, where we can make small changes that will improve the lives and wellbeing of our equine partners, it’s up to us do everything we can.”
The BHF believes that those working through the programme will find the Advice Notes helpful in guiding them through the first step in this process. By acquiring the skills that will enable them to critically assess their own current individual beliefs and practices they will then be able to assess the current research and understanding in the field and apply it to their own breeding and youngstock development programme and thus improve the quality of breeding and youngstock development nationwide.
.jpg "British Showjumping’s Youth Teams announced for Nations Cup in Linz-Ebelsberg, Austria")
.JPG "Sophia Rogers makes a winning return and Rachel Proudley claims a championship double at Pony of the Year Show")
