Jess Harkness, Back 2 Form

31/01/2026

I often think about how stressful travelling for horses must be. This is interesting new research on the impact of travel on cortisol levels https://www.facebook.com/share/1CV6i7Jvyt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Transdermal melatonin may be able to reduce physiological stress biomarkers in horses, specifically those induced by the stressors of transportation

Transportation acts as a serious physiological stressor for horses, triggering acute metabolic and hormonal changes that can compromise their welfare.

In a recent study, a team of researchers discovered that the application of transdermal melatonin successfully lowered cortisol levels, suggesting it is a viable, non-invasive tool to mitigate equine transport stress.

The primary impact of transport on horse welfare is the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which lead to a elevation in serum cortisol levels.

This hormonal surge is accompanied by metabolic disturbances, including increased glucose levels due to cortisol-driven gluconeogenesis and heightened markers of muscular strain like creatinine and bilirubin.

These changes reflect the physical toll of prolonged confinement and the effort required for horses to balance themselves during the ride.
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Transportation also leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, specifically causing lower potassium and higher sodium levels.

The study notes that the resulting sodium-to-potassium ratio in transported horses approaches levels seen in pharmacological diuresis, which raises significant concerns for post-transport health issues such as colic or metabolic disorders.
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The team explored transdermal melatonin as a potential welfare management tool, finding that it effectively reduces cortisol concentrations in horses.

While melatonin does not eliminate all transport-induced effects, its ability to attenuate HPA activity suggests it may help protect horses against the cumulative oxidative and hormonal stress associated with transit.

Full paper - Effect of transdermal melatonin on circulating cortisol and blood chemistry in horses exposed to transport stress. W.L. Crossland, E.O. Aviles-Rosa, E.B. Perry, C. Crowell, E. Webberson, J. Brown, J. Fassbender.

21/01/2026

Discounted tickets until end Jan. Please share with anyone you think might be interested! Thanks x

09/01/2026

If you find an equestrian on their side this winter, please turn them the right way up and power them with tea.
No, seriously. This is not a joke. This is a health and safety advisory.

Winter equestrians are a fragile species. We can usually be found frozen in gateways, wedged against stable doors, or lying horizontally in a muddy field questioning our life choices. If discovered, do not panic. Simply follow the steps below.

First, check for signs of life.
Are they muttering about mud, frozen taps, or why they didn’t take up knitting? Good. They’re still with us.

Next, carefully rotate them upright. Winter riders tend to tip over due to excess layers, stiff joints, and boots filled with mud that now weigh approximately the same as a small car. Use correct lifting technique. Bend your knees. Protect your back. This person has already ruined theirs.

Once upright, immediately administer tea.
Not lukewarm tea. Not herbal nonsense. Proper, builders’, strong-enough-to-stand-a-spoon-up tea. Bonus points if it’s delivered in a battered yard mug that smells faintly of hay and regret.

Do not ask how they are.
They will say “fine” while their eye twitches and their soul quietly leaves their body.
Expect them to be wearing:
• Seven layers, none of which are actually warm
• Gloves that are somehow both soaking wet and frozen solid
• An expression of pure regret

They may appear grumpy. This is normal. Winter equestrians have been up since dawn, defrosting buckets with kettles, chipping ice like they’re auditioning for a mining job, and explaining to non-horse people that no, the horse cannot “just stay inside today”.
They are tired.
They are cold.
They smell faintly of horse and despair.

Under no circumstances should you suggest:
• “At least it’s not raining”
• “You chose this life”
• “Horses are just pets”

If the equestrian starts laughing for no reason, crying into their tea, or talking about selling everything and moving to Spain, this is also normal. Continue tea application until coherence returns.

Once revived, they will stand up, pull their hat down, sigh deeply, and go straight back out into the cold to do it all again. Because despite everything — the mud, the ice, the numb toes, and the emotional damage — they love it.

And if you find them on their side again tomorrow?
Turn right ways up.
Apply tea.
Repeat until spring. ☕🐴

07/01/2026

Some days my job is even tougher than usual 😉

06/01/2026

Look at the eyelashes on this gorgeous boy I treated today! 😍

03/01/2026

How about putting this in your diary for this year? So many people are looking at ways to deepen their connection with their horse, but don't really know where to start. This is one way to find out more about what is possible! Cotswold venue. Make the most of the discounted earlybird tickets...