April 9 2026
Endurance GB is pleased to announce that Baileys Horse Feeds will be supporting the organisation’s Suitably Mounted welfare initiative throughout the 2026 endurance season.
As part of the partnership, Baileys will attend ten endurance rides across the UK, offering riders the opportunity to access free horse weighbridge services, body condition scoring and expert nutrition advice.
The initiative forms part of Endurance GB’s wider commitment to promoting horse welfare, education and informed decision-making within the sport.
At selected rides, riders will have the opportunity to:
• Weigh their horse on a professional weighbridge
• Have their horse’s body condition assessed
• Speak to Baileys nutrition specialists about feeding and management
Supporting Responsible Horsemanship
“Suitably mounted” means that horse and rider partnership are matched in size, weight, fitness, skill and experience – all factors contributing to protecting the horse’s long-term physical and mental wellbeing.
Understanding a horse’s bodyweight and condition helps owners make informed decisions about feeding, training and workload. Many owners estimate their horse’s weight visually, but these estimates can often be inaccurate. Using a weighbridge allows riders to monitor weight more accurately and track changes throughout the season.
Body condition scoring alongside weighing also provides valuable insight into a horse’s overall condition and fitness.
John Coldicott, Endurance GB Welfare Director:
“Horse welfare is central to everything we do in endurance riding. The Suitably Mounted initiative is about providing riders with information that helps them better understand their partnership with their horse. Most of our members are already well within the recommended guidelines, but initiatives like this allow riders to access accurate information about their horse’s weight and condition in a supportive environment. It’s not about judgement or enforcement – it’s about education and good horsemanship.”
A Shared Commitment to Horse Welfare
Baileys Horse Feeds are widely recognised for their expertise in equine nutrition and their commitment to supporting horse owners with practical, evidence-based advice.
Their involvement in the Suitably Mounted initiative reflects a shared commitment between Baileys and Endurance GB to support responsible horse management and horse welfare across the sport.
Jane Buchan, Marketing Manager for Baileys Horse Feeds, adds;
“We’re delighted to be supporting Endurance GB’s Suitably Mounted initiative this season. Understanding a horse’s bodyweight and condition is a fundamental part of responsible horse management, helping owners tailor their horses’ diets to achieve an optimum balance of condition and fitness. By bringing our weighbridge and nutrition team directly to rides, we hope to give riders easy access to practical information that can help support their horse’s health, performance and long-term wellbeing.”
A Supportive Approach
Guidelines established by the Suitably Mounted Group (SMG), a collaboration between welfare experts and other professionals in the equine industry, suggest that the rider and all tack should not exceed 20% of the horse’s healthy bodyweight.
Endurance GB recognises that conversations around weight and condition can be sensitive topics. The purpose of the Suitably Mounted initiative is not to judge riders, but to encourage education and awareness.
Recent Endurance GB member survey results highlight the strength of the endurance community’s welfare culture:
• 80% of members support the 20% horse–rider weight ratio guideline
• 90% of riders report they are already compliant
The initiative therefore focuses on providing riders with the opportunity to understand their horse–rider partnership better, rather than enforcing rules.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The Baileys team will attend selected endurance rides throughout the 2026 season, offering riders the chance to weigh their horses, discuss feeding and management, and learn more about maintaining healthy body condition.
Riders are welcome to visit the Baileys stand during the day to ask questions or take advantage of the free services available.
By helping riders understand their horses better, the initiative aims to support stronger partnerships, better management decisions and the long-term welfare of endurance horses.
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Julian Johansen and his Arab gelding CF Samuel won the two-day 80km class at the Golden Horseshoe Ride. (Julian Johansen)
Amelia Best leads Tracey Eastaughffe and Mark Liesegang out of the forest in the 320km ride. Photo: Sarah Sullivan Photography.
Image by Jo Arblaster - Animal Focus.
