Equine Management and Care – Quinta de Estevianas

QdE Equine Management and Care

We have a great deal of respect for so many equine specialists around the world. We know that there are a lot of different approaches to managing equines and our approach picks from what we admire.

We have chosen to keep our equines bare hoofed, which allows the hoof to naturally strengthen to the environment the horse lives in, improves shock absorption, and provides better grip on different terrain. This approach suits where our horses live, where and how they work, and aligns closer to our desire for a more natural and sustainable way of life.

Similarly, our herd is managed on rotational grazing, involving other pastoral animals like our goats, which we use to minimise parasite exposure, and adds to the biodiversity of the land and supports wildlife. The specific aim of improving the soil in its turn improves the quality of all that grows on it, providing a greater number and range of nutrients that our horses then eat. Constantly moving the horses to different pastures is also a little closer to horses’ natural grazing patterns of roaming across diverse terrains, meeting their need for mental stimulation. We are slowly developing a track system (known as “paddock paradise”) to complement this, as it is excellent for encouraging healthy movement that aids digestion and improves overall equine wellbeing

The overall ethos we follow is closer to a mix of natural and emotional horsemanship rather than traditional methods, though this differs according to the horse’s needs. In managing, training and teaching with our horses, we start with the fundamental basis of trust between human and animal, and this is developed by spending lots of time with each of them. We focus on the horse’s emotions and interpreting what the horse is trying to say, responding so that they recognise our understanding. On the other hand, we also believe horses are more relaxed, trusting and confident when handled with assertiveness, clarity and strong leadership. We listen respectfully to what they are communicating to us, but they might not always get what they want!

LInked to this, then, in riding, we use bitless reins. This is very much a personal choice, prompted by our desire to minimise damage that can be caused by inexperienced and sometimes experienced riders. We have found that bitless riding requires and results in strengthening of a communication between horse and rider on a more equal level. Rider and horse develop their communication differently which can be challenging and fun and we have also noticed that it allows a horse to move more freely and express enjoyment in riding.