Announcement of Chair Succession for the British Horse Foundation

Announcement of Chair Succession for the British Horse Foundation

We are delighted to announce the succession in the chair of The British Horse Foundation, marking an exciting new chapter for our organization.

Thanking the Outgoing Chair
First and foremost, we extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Jane Hastie (nee Nixon) for her exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication during her 6-year tenure.

Under her guidance, the BHF has achieved remarkable growth, significantly raised its profile, and strengthened its impact within the equestrian community. Key achievements have been pan UK equestrian collaboration, including becoming a Member Body of the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), the biannual Better Beginnings conferences, webinars and an e-book focussing on the latest, best-practice evidence for supporting breeding and development of the young horse. Her vision and commitment have been instrumental in advancing our mission, and we are profoundly grateful for her contributions.

The Trustees are delighted to announce that Jane is to continue her input to the BHF as our new President.

Welcoming the New Chair Duo
As we bid au revoir to Jane, we are thrilled to welcome Yogi Breisner MBE and Dr. Jan Birch as the new Co-Chairs of the BHF.

To those who know Jane, it will come as no surprise that the Trustees recognised the need for two successors to work together to begin to fill her shoes.

With their extensive experience, passion for equestrian causes, and innovative ideas, we are confident that they will build upon the strong foundation laid by their predecessor. Between Yogi and Jan, they combine years of extensive practical and theoretical knowledge and the ability to bring together broad partnerships from across the industry to focus on key areas relevant for best-practice breeding and development for the sustainable future of the young horse.

Together we look forward to embarking on ambitious plans for the future that will further enhance our ability to serve the welfare of the horse and support the equestrian community in its pursuit of better breeding and best-practice management of the
youngster as it matures.

Better Beginnings 2: Session Videos

Better Beginnings 2: Session Videos

Positive Mental Attitude - Ass. Professor Brad Hill - BHF

Ass. Prof. Brad Hill

Importance of positive mental attitude from the beginning for wellbeing, training, and long-term welfare.

Holistic Training - Yogi Breisner MBE

Yogi Breisner, MBE

Importance of positive mental attitude in early training for long-term wellbeing, performance, and social licence.

Saddling the Youngster - Di Fischer

Diana Fisher

The concept that discomfort or imbalance affect wellbeing, musculoskeletal development, and long-term sustainability.

Strength and Conditioning Training for the Young Horse - Dr Rachael Murray

Dr. Rachel Murray

How can we develop individually tailored training programmes with embedded monitoring to give our young horses a proactive anticipation of their work?

The Other 23 Hours for Youngstock Well being

Dr Jan Birch

Optimising management practices for youngstock wellbeing within the constraints of sustainability and climate change.

The impact of Climate Change - Dr Richard Newton

Dr Richard Newton

The concept that discomfort or imbalance affect wellbeing, musculoskeletal development, and long-term sustainability.

Collaboration & Sponsorship

We couldn't put on this event without the generous support from Weatherbys for use of their fabulous facilities and ClipMyHorse.TV for streaming the event live.

We would like to thank our Better Beginnings sponsors; Agria, British Equestrian and Sport England

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British Equestrian logo RWB (4)
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Better Beginnings 1: Sessions

Better Beginnings 1: Sessions

Sustainability in the Sports Horse - Jennie Loriston-Clarke

Jennie Loriston-Clarke

Sustainability in the Sports Horse

Rideability of the Sports Horse

Judy Harvey, British Dressage

Rideability of the Sports Horse

Getting it right from the start

Simon Cooper

Getting it right from the start, Research and technology in breeding decisions

The emerging importance of omics

Professor Celia Marr

The emerging importance of omics in Equine Youngstock

New technologies in equine assisted reproduction - Tullis Matson

Tullis Matson

New technologies in equine assisted reproduction

The influence of the mare - Edward Matson

Edward Matson

The influence of the mare

The multidisciplinary approach - Dr Michelle Dawson

Dr. Michelle Dawson

The Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Nutrition in Equine Reproduction - Emma Short

Emma Short

Nutrition in Equine Reproduction

Farriery Management of the Young Horse - Ben Benson

Ben Benson

Farriery Management of the Young Horse

Ventilation in Equine Youngstock Production - Prof Sidney Ricketts

Professor Sidney Ricketts

Ventilation in Equine Youngstock Production

Symmetry and Laterality

Dr Russell Mackechnie-Guire

Symmetry and Laterality

Welfare at Weaning - Dr Jan Birch

Dr. Jan Birch

Welfare at Weaning

The Equine Herd and Socialisation

Dr. Jenny Hall

The Equine Herd and Socialisation

The thoroughbred breeders approach

James Crowhurst MRCVS

The thoroughbred breeders approach

Collaborators and Sponsors

We couldn't put on this event without the generous support from Weatherbys for use of their fabulous facilities and ClipMyHorse.TV for streaming the event live.

We would like to thank our Better Beginnings sponsors; Agria, British Equestrian and Sport England.

We would also like to thank Zoetis, Baileys Horse Feeds, The British Horse Society and our key collaborator the Pony Club

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British Equestrian logo RWB (4)
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Better Beginnings Webinar Your Opinion Matters

Better Beginnings Webinar Your Opinion Matters

You Opinion Matters Webinar

6th December 2022

The BHF is inviting all those who are interested to a webinar entitled Better Beginnings – Your Opinion Matters, on 6 December at 7pm; a question and answer session during which expert panellists will share their opinions. The panel will answer questions posed in advance,  and the consensus will be used to create the guide. Registration is now open, and attendance is free.

BHF chair Jane Nixon, who will also be chairing the panel, said “The purpose of the whole project is to address and improve equine sustainable welfare with a new approach, by improving breeding and production practice, up to the age of two, when the growth plates fuse.

“Socrates said the secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new. Today we won’t look back, unless it’s to plan for the future. We must produce a content horse rather than chastise for an unhappy one.”

“We will address, using the most modern science and technology, and capitalising on age-old horsemanship experience, issues to ensure our horses and ponies are truly fit for purpose.

“I’m very much looking forward to the webinar, and to hearing your opinions and questions to our panellists, to assist the British Horse Foundation in producing the guide.” 

The panellists will be: 
- Di Lampard, British Show jumping performance manager
- Jennie Loriston-Clarke, four-time Olympian, and leading breeder and trainer
- Ben Benson, lead farrier at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics
- Jan Birch, whose doctoral studies and specialist research interests are in reproduction, lactation and growth
- Richard Davison, four-time Olympian
- Marcus Capel, Pony Club chief executive