In this episode of the Animalweb podcast, Helen Stock speaks to veterinary surgeon and equine dentist Meisha Micklewright about the realities of equine dental care. Drawing on her dual qualification and hands-on experience, Meisha explains why dentistry is far more than a once-a-year routine.

They discuss how often horses really need dental checks, why many problems go unnoticed, and how issues such as sharp teeth, imbalances and hidden pathology can affect comfort and performance. The conversation also tackles the often-confusing question of who should carry out dental work, and what owners should look for when choosing a professional.

Packed with practical advice, this episode highlights the importance of regular, tailored dental care and gives owners the confidence to make informed decisions for their horse’s health.

• Meisha Micklewright’s career journey into equine dentistry
• The value of combining veterinary and dental qualifications
• How often horses really need dental checks, and why it varies
• Why a “one size fits all” approach doesn’t work for dental care
• Understanding how horses’ teeth grow and wear
• Common dental issues, including sharp edges, gaps (diastema) and “decay-like” problems
• Why many horses show no obvious signs of dental pain
• The impact of dental health on comfort, behaviour and ridden performance
• Links between dental balance, muscle tension and performance in competition horses
• When and how to schedule dental care around competition seasons
• The difference between vets and equine dental technicians, and why qualifications matter
• Why early checks in young horses and more frequent checks in older horses are important

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In this episode of the Animalweb podcast, Dr David Marlin takes a deep dive into something every horse owner uses, but few truly scrutinise, bedding.

Drawing on extensive independent testing, owner surveys and even calibrated weight checks, David unpacks the science behind bedding quality, respiratory health, value for money and UK Trading Standards compliance.

This is not a brand-bashing discussion; it is evidence-based information designed to help you make informed decisions for your horse and your wallet.

Many brands claim to be “dust free”. David explains why, in laboratory testing, no bedding has ever been completely dust-free.

• What dust actually contains, including bacteria, mould spores, pollen and mites
• Why this matters for equine respiratory health
• Which products tested as genuinely low dust, and which performed poorly

If your horse spends up to 23 hours in the stable, air quality matters.

The podcast explains how Animalweb tests bedding scientifically, including:

• Absorbency
• Hygienic quality, measured through bacterial and fungal colony growth
• Ammonia control
• Resistance to scattering
• Ease of mucking out

David also discusses why lab testing is only part of the picture, and how real-world owner experience adds valuable insight.

One of the most eye-opening sections of the episode looks at bale weights.

David explains how 10 bales of selected shavings brands were weighed on calibrated scales, and what they found:

• Some products contained slightly more than stated
• Four contained less than their advertised or widely sold weight
• Two did not comply with UK Trading Standards labelling requirements

When you calculate the true price per kilogram based on actual weight, some “cheap” options do not look so economical after all.

This episode is about empowering owners with independent data.

It covers:

• Respiratory risk
• Hygiene and bacterial load
• Real value for money
• Lab testing versus marketing claims
• How to interpret bedding choices intelligently
• 
  

If you stable your horse, this is essential listening.

Whether you are concerned about dust, looking to reduce costs, or simply want to make evidence-based decisions, this podcast gives you the tools to do exactly that.

Head to the website for more details and to see the test, survey and investigation results for yourself! Animalweb Bedding

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To find out more about becoming a member >>> AskAnimalweb.com

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.

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What does a “good life” really look like for a showjumping horse, and how can coaching methods support both equine welfare and rider decision-making under pressure?

In this episode of the Animalweb podcast, Helen Stock is joined by British Showjumping coaches Natasha Andrews and Richard Seals, following their research presentations at the BSAS Equine Conference. Drawing directly on their Master’s-level research, the conversation bridges real-world coaching practice with emerging evidence on welfare, learning, and performance.

Natasha explores how showjumping coaches assess and promote a good life for the horse during training sessions, revealing strong welfare awareness but also gaps in formal education on equine learning theory, mental wellbeing, and ethical decision-making. Her findings raise important questions about social licence, duty of care and the emotional challenges coaches face when performance pressures clash with welfare values.

Richard’s research focuses on positive pedagogy and game-based coaching approaches, examining how supportive learning environments help riders develop confidence, adaptability and better decision-making in the arena. He explains why encouraging riders to think for themselves, reflect positively and problem-solve under pressure is not only vital for performance, but also for horse welfare and long-term partnership success.

Together, this episode offers valuable insights for coaches, riders and anyone interested in the future of equestrian sport. It challenges traditional coaching norms, highlights the importance of evidence-based practice, and shows how thoughtful coaching can improve outcomes for both horse and rider.

If you care about welfare, performance and developing confident, ethical equestrian partnerships, this is an episode well worth listening to.

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To find out more about becoming a member >>> AskAnimalweb.com

Not a Member? Join for as little as £6 a month or £8 on a month-by-month basis to access all the test results and have a say in what we test and investigate next. For this, you also get access to all past and future webinars, videos, podcasts, and articles, the opportunity to take part in testing and research and SOOOO much more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.