Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 418 i Your Horse

Hello I’m one of those people who likes to be busy – too little going on at one time and I go stir-crazy. So it’s a good job I chose to work in a fast-paced industry full of deadlines. But, at this time of year, it’s as though time accelerates. We enjoy the lazy days of summer and then, as autumn hits, we go into overdrive and time seems to fly. Soon the clocks will go back and we’ll be paddling like mad to make the most of dwindling daylight hours, so we decided it was the perfect time to spice things up with a load of exciting ‘firsts’. We’re getting set to put on a first-time performance at our show, Your Horse Live, from one of the world’s most…

Don’t mind if I do! Sharing a snack after our dressage test. Orla Wheeler, Surrey Say cheese My Welsh pony April is still a bit camera shy. Leanne Cahill, via email Horsey holidays Myself, my husband and Robbie enjoying a few days away in Malvern. Glenys Norval, Warwickshire Loving this camera action Me and my boy Chaz, who loves a selfie. Sophie Fry, via email Two heads are better than one Me and my little lad Indie, who has bundles of character. Sophie Shine, via email Mirror image Mirror, mirror in the school tell me who’s the biggest fool? Patrick Carr, North Yorkshire Saddle up, cock! Welsh cob Lloyd with his friendly chicken who’s off for a ride. Sally Cluley, Rutland A tender moment Beautiful Connemara Blue enjoys a kiss.…

A new Champion hat For reliable protection, our winner can choose a new hat from Champion’s PAS 015 hat and helmet range, which includes: •The Champion Ventair Deluxe skull cap, as worn by many of the world’s best riders • The new Evolution Pro • The Evolution Couture with sparkling Swarovski crystals and a mock-croc finish • The X-Air Plus with its stylish ventilation system See the full Champion range at www.championhats.co.uk A range of Horseware rugs The team at Horseware will supply our winner’s new horse with an Ionic fleece, Ionic sheet and Ionic stable boots. The Rambo Ionic range incorporates negative ion therapy, which can improve circulation, reduce blood pressure and aid the removal of toxins from the body. Visit www.horseware.com  to see the…

EVER WODERED IF a change in your horse’s behaviour is due to pain? A low mood, aggression or reluctance to perform can signal that all is not well but it can be difficult to make the decision to launch into a full veterinary investigation, particularly in the absence of lameness. However, Syncequine’s imaging service can contribute objective information to assist your horse’s diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Specialising in clinical standard physiological imaging (more commonly known as thermography) Syncequine works in conjunction with vets to support investigation and to assist diagnosis. The service is used by many practices to identify pathology and localise areas of autonomic dysfunction, which could correlate with pain. As the technology doesn’t require sedation it can be a good place to start before further investigation. Spinal conditions,…

THE SOLUTION: “When Amy first tried adding a second fence, her contact was slack and she wasn’t in a strong position, so Polka ran out,” says Geoff. “The next time she came round, she sat up after the first fence and took the contact. Polka got his striding slightly wrong, but because Amy was there to support him, he had the confidence to take off and clear the jump. “The next time round, Polka understood what Amy was asking him to do and popped over both of the fences really well.” As Geoff is keen to stress, make sure you don’t completely lose the contact over the first fence, otherwise you won’t be ready for what’s coming after. Sit up tall when you land, and ride positively towards the next…

MEET THE EXPERT CAROL MAILER is an author and trainer who specialises in jumping and, in her spare time, loves nothing better than completing 3,000-piece cartoon jigsaws! PAT… Carol likes to think of the horse’s front legs ‘patting’ the ground in between the bounce jumps …AND PUSH Allow your horse’s head and neck to come up a bit steeper towards your chest so he can be snappier in the ‘push’ for take off YOU MIGHT NOT be likely to see this combination on a show jumping course, but you may come across it on cross-country. Training over a bounce fence will improve your accuracy and control, as well as your horse’s athletic ability. The aim of the bounce exercise, or pat ‘n’ push as I like to call it, is…

IT’S EXCITING SEARCHING for a new horse, whether it’s for your very first or fifth one, but it’s important you ask all the right questions, take your time to decide if this is the horse for you and ensure he’s all the seller, or loaner, claims him to be. Follow our common sense guide and we’ll help you make the right decision and avoid heartache and disappointment. Take the hassle out of buying a horse WE’VE ALL LOOKED through the horses for sale ads, circling the best ones. But, as legal expert Rebecca Stojak of Shakespeare Martineau explains (www.shma.co.uk), before you make any calls you should ask yourself the questions on the right. Only when you can answer them honestly should your search begin. As much as going to a…

WHEN CHERYL DENNETT arranged a routine dental appointment for her 14.2hh pony Toby, she could never have imagined what her vet, who specialises in equine dentistry, Chris Pearce, would find. “Toby had showed no signs of a problem, other than a few bits of food in his water bucket,” says Cheryl. “However, Chris found that dental caries had left Toby with a fractured tooth. You could feel it digging into his cheek from the outside. This needed to be extracted and he also had two cavities that needed filling.” Proceeding with the operation at his clinic, Chris extracted Toby’s tooth. Toby was then kept stabled at the clinic for five days to give him the best chance of recovery. “My daughter Lucy and I would visit daily to hand-graze him,”…

GRACE MUIR is the CEO and founder of HEROS, an ex-racer charity that gives horses a life after a career on the track. Find out more at www.heroscharity.org or call them on 01488 638820. Finding the right bit Q My Thoroughbred is strong and no bit seems to help, what can I do? Alice Porter, Oxon A Before you start looking for another bit, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself: 1. Has your horse had his teeth checked recently – and are there any issues in his mouth causing him pain? If he’s strong he may be trying to get away from discomfort. 2. Have you had his back checked? Back pain is another potential painful area that can cause horses to be stronger than usual.…

BEN HART is one of the UK’s leading equine trainers and works with horses, mules and donkeys all over the world. Find out more at www.hartshorse manship.com Boosting nerves on the road Q My horse is terrified of passing cars when we hack out. Sometimes I stop on a verge or rush into a gateway to stand and let the car pass – is this the right thing to do? Felicity Gardener, Suffolk A The potential danger to you and your horse should he react defensively around cars is huge, so you should ask yourself whether it’s safe to be out riding on the road while he acts like this. My advice to start with would be don’t ride out until his fear has been removed. In the short term,…

10 CHANCES TO WIN AN ICONIC AIR WAISTCOAT We have 10 Iconic Air Waistcoats to give away, made by Equisafety Ltd, in either yellow or pink. This ergonomically designed, high-visibility waistcoat will see you safely through all the seasons. It has cleverly designed touch and close (Velcro-style) side straps, which means it can be fully adjusted, enabling it to be worn over a thick winter jacket or body armour, or cinched in to give a flattering fit over lighter weight riding wear. The waistcoat has a strong front zip plus two front hidden zipped pockets that are large enough for your keys and phone. On the rear it states ‘Please Pass Wide & Slowly’. The garment is machine washable on a 30° wash using non-biological powder or liquid. Find out…

Shine bright Waterproof and breathable, the Harry Hall Cubeck Jacket has reflective fabric panels on the chest, back and hood that illuminate when light hits them. This jacket is perfect for the yard and riding, and is sure to earn its keep over the winter months. PRICE £80 CONTACT www.harryhall.co.uk Boot up These are sure to catch your eye with their walnut-coloured distressed finish. Crafted from leather and synthetic materials, the Caldene Casoria Long Riding Boots have a full-length rear zip and an elasticated panel to ensure a comfy fit. PRICE £195 CONTACT www.caldene.co.uk Time for a tidy up? The Jester Trimmers from Clipperman are easy to use for tidying legs and faces. The two rechargeable Ni-MH batteries will give you up to three-and-a-half hours’ running time – enough to…

Rider Kate West, who’s registered blind, has planned a 300-mile sponsored ride across Yorkshire in aid of Guide Dogs and the British Kidney Patient Association – the two charities that have helped her overcome her health problems. “It’s fair to say I’m a bit scared about the prospect of undertaking such a challenge, but I’m also really looking forward to it,” says Kate, who’ll be riding with a support crew. The ride will see her complete 10 to 15 miles a day for the month-long trek, which ends in mid-October. To sponsor Kate visit www.justgiving.com/Kate-West…

HUF Design – the creator of an innovative feed scoop that won the coveted BETA International 2015 Innovation Award – is among the 100 small businesses in the UK to be celebrated by Small Business Saturday (a campaign that culminates in the UK’s dedicated day for small businesses on 3 December). Emma Lawton, who founded HUF Design, came up with the idea for the SKUP Feed Scoop after struggling to get her horse’s feed out of the bag one freezing winter’s morning. Her scoop has trademark teeth that loosen compacted feed. It’s priced at around £9.50, and is available from www.derbyhouse.co.uk…

Sunday 25 September British Dressage Nationals, Horse & Country TV, 9pm Thursday 29 September FEI Nations Cup Final, Horse & Country TV, 9pm Saturday 1 October The All Star Diaries, Horse & Country TV, 8pm Friday 7 October HOYS, Horse & Country TV, from 6.30pm Monday 10 October Rudall Rides with Lucinda Green, Horse & Country TV, 9pm Thursday 20 October FEI World Cup Jumping, Horse & Country TV, 9pm…

First aid for your horse DATE: 9 November WHERE: Shropshire COST: £60 Learn the essentials of first aid, including how to effectively bandage a wound and deal with equine emergencies. www.equineskills.co.uk Posture and performance DATE: 16 November WHERE: Cottingham, Yorkshire COST: £25 in advance Understand the principles of training horses from an anatomical perspective with advice from Horses Inside Out expert Gillian Higgins. www.bhs.org.uk/yorkshire Linking lameness to stiffness DATE: 16 November WHERE: Centre for Equine Studies, Newmarket COST: Free (book in advance) Dr Sue Dyson gives an informative talk on whether hind leg lameness can cause back or neck stiffness. www.aht.org.uk/cpd…

Question whether an ex-racer is really for you I loved your feature about taking on an ex-racehorse, with the experts at the charity HEROS (issue 416) and can’t agree more that you need to have the time and experience to take on one of these amazing horses. It’s important people understand that buying a Thoroughbred straight off the track is definitely not the same as buying a schoolmaster, and ex-racers aren’t suitable for everyone. When I was looking for a new horse a few years ago (who was to be my fourth), I knew I had lots of experience and had ridden to British Eventing Pre-Novice level, so was a fairly capable rider. I chose to buy an ex-racer and have never looked back, as Alfie’s been a fantastic, friendly…

MEET THE TRAINER GEOFF LUCKETT is a show jumper who’s based in Warwickshire. When he’s not competing you can find him riding one of his many motorbikes. He even has two parked in his hall way! MEET THE RIDER AMY HARPER has owned six-year-old Polka for three years. Keen to try a bit of everything, the pair enjoy jumping, hunting and have even had a go at polo. IF, LIKE AMY HARPER, your horse sometimes struggles with his approach and is knocking fences, it could be that he’s not feeling confident enough to attempt the jump. Here, show jumper Geoff Luckett helps Amy and her horse Polka improve their approach, showing how even the smallest of adjustments can boost your horse’s confidence and help you go clear. Get straight to…

MEET THE EXPERT CHARLIE HUTTON has always been surrounded by horses, growing up at the Talland School of Equitation. As well as competing, Charlie teaches dressage clinics around the world. TOPLINE DESCRIBES THE muscle cover your horse has over his back, hindquarters and neck. Building muscle in these key areas is important whatever you do with your horse as it will improve his suppleness and all-round athleticism. As well as providing your horse with a balanced diet there are lots of ridden exercises you can do to help build topline, starting with my easy 30-minute workout. Warm up and stretch The first thing you want to encourage your horse to do is reach down through his neck for a few minutes. This will stretch out his muscles under the saddle…

GIL RILEY Is the managing equine vet at Pool House Equine Clinic. For more information on the practice, visit www.poolhousevets.com/equine Removing bot eggs Q Earlier this summer I found yellow flecks on my horse’s legs, but now they’ve gone. What could they have been? Gillian McCoy, Cumbria A These flecks sound like the yellow eggs of the bot fly. It lays its eggs mainly around a horse’s legs and, while he’s grooming himself, your horse may swallow them. Once ingested the larvae will eventually reach the stomach where they’ll attach to the lining and morph into the next stage of their life cycle. They can damage your horse’s stomach lining, so it’s important to stop them getting into his system. To remove the eggs from his coat, use a bot…

REBECCA STOJAK is a solicitor working for Shakespeare Martineau. She advises on disputes arising from all aspects of horse ownership. Find out more at www.shma.co.uk Equine passports Q Do I need to take my horse’s passport with me when I go to a show? Rebecca Storey, Essex A Your horse must be accompanied by his passport whenever he leaves the yard (unless he’s being moved on foot or hacked out). It should remain with your horse, for example if your horse is at livery the passport should be kept at the stables. A photocopy is not good enough. If you forget your horse’s passport by accident when you’re at a show, and a local authority representative or enforcement agent (for example a Trading Standards officer) asks to see it, you…

Jay Halim Social media butterfly Jay Halim’s Twitter account tells you all you need to know about this fun and witty show jumper. He’s sick of talking to us, so we’ll let his Twitter account talk for him (see right). On a serious note, Jay will be delivering an exhilarating and informative demo on improving rhythm, balance and way of going, and how this can achieve success in the show jumping ring. Don’t miss it. He may or may not have his top on! Gaynor Colbourn Tinkling the ivories in the Country & Stable Arena will be dressage to music guru, Gaynor ‘name that tune’ Colbourn. A trained classical musician, composer, session musician in the recording and TV and film world, and a passionate rider, Gaynor’s skills seemed destined to…

Can be attached to other Bucas rugs Steel mesh material boosts circulation and warms muscles Snap-lock magnetic front fastening is quick and easy to use Internal surcingles give the rug a smart appearance The Bucas Recuptex Therapy Rug may look like any other rug, but it’s made from a unique material – a very fine stainless steel mesh. This reflects the magnetic field created inside your horse’s body to help boost his circulation as well as the oxygen flow throughout his body and his back. This effect also helps to reduce any swelling and inflammation, as well as promoting faster healing. This smart-looking rug has numerous uses as it can help ease the symptoms of common problems, such as arthritis, and aid recovery from muscle soreness and soft tissue damage.…

Dr Cook Bitless Bridle PRICE FROM £65.50 This communicates by distributing mild pressure around the whole of your horse’s head – across the bridge of his nose, under his chin, along the side of his cheek and over his poll. Its action can best be described as a ‘whole head hug’ over a large area of relatively insensitive tissue. This bridle is available in webbing, leather-look synthetic material or leather versions to suit all budgets. www.bitlessbridle.co.uk The Original Matrix PRICE FROM £85 The design of this bridle enables you to adjust its setting to achieve a range of bitless possibilities. From bosul (a type of noseband used on the classic hackamore) to the English hackamore, the versatility of the Matrix means you can find a setting to suit you and…

“With Munchkin I feel safe and can conquer anything” MEGAN BERRY HAS been riding since she was a child, going for lessons whenever she could find the time as she was growing up. And, like many of us, she always dreamed of having her own horse. But in 2014, Megan and her family received the devastating news that her father had been diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. The riding lessons stopped and Megan devoted her time to caring for her dad. “When my dad was ill I stopped riding altogether. I didn’t go out much, fearing that there was little time left to spend with him,” says Megan. “My world fell apart and I had nothing to focus on. The next six months before we said goodbye to my…

A new chiropractic service for riders, called ‘Back in the Saddle’ has been launched by Laura Cunningham, a horse lover and owner of the Shropshire-based Shifnal Chiropractic Clinic. The Back in the Saddle initiative is aimed at helping riders of all abilities improve their performance. “I noticed more and more riders were coming to me with problems that weren’t necessarily causing them pain, but affecting their riding or causing issues with their horse or saddle,” says Laura. She uses a combination of massage, stretches and exercises to help riders overcome any difficulties they’re having’. Find out more at www.BackintheSaddle.org.uk…

SMOKE THE DONKEY by Cate Folsom Read by: Your Horse reader Abbi White This tells the true life tale of a donkey who stumbles across a US marine camp in Iraq and into the life of Colonel John Folsom. John and the rest of the camp soon take him under their wing and name him Smoke, after he eats one of their cigarettes. It’s a story of how one small donkey brought a ray of hope to a war zone. THE HORSES KNOW by Lynn Mann Read by: Your Horse reader Catherine Payne This mystical novel follows the story of Amarilla and her horse, Infinity. Far from being a normal horse and rider, the two can communicate with each other using the power of their thoughts…

Not long ago I decided that working as a buyer in a non-horse related industry was no longer for me. A work colleague had just handed in her notice to go back to full-time education in sports science, and it made me think about my career. I decided to look at distance learning courses, and spotted a diploma in equine psychology. I’m currently half way through the course, and it’s really opened my eyes to see how my own horse, and the horses around him, communicate. I can’t wait to finish this ‘taster’ course and go on to the equine science course. Reading your article ‘Is it time for a change?’ (issue 416) on horsey careers really struck a chord and came at just the right time, as now I’m…

Weatherbeeta, Horseware, Barbour, Le Chameau, Ariat, Toggi and Musto. These are just a handful of the brands stocked by Country & Stable of Olney, and we’re giving you the chance to win £500-worth of goodies from this shop’s awesome range. Country & Stable is an online business with a shop in Olney, Buckinghamshire. With its shop and warehouse within close proximity, it can now offer customer service on a new level via its free click and collect service. This means you can order online any time you like, then collect in-store at your convenience. Feel like a VIP In addition to the great customer service offered by Country & Stable you’ll also enjoy an impressive customer experience as a dedicated team help you get exactly what you want. And, with…

MEET THE TRAINER MATT HICKS is a dressage rider and trainer based in Hampshire. He’s won four National titles and produced a number of horses to Grand Prix level. Matt is also an accredited British Dressage trainer and UKCC Level 3 coach. To find out more visit www.matthicks equestrian.co.uk THE THIRD PART of this year’s Training Academy is all about lateral work, and with the help of dressage rider and trainer Matt Hicks you’ll soon have a more supple and responsive horse to work with. “Whether you’re a regular competitor or simply hack out, using lateral work is a great gymnastic exercise for your horse to stretch and strengthen muscles and improve the quality of his paces,” explains Matt. “Lateral work is the term used to describe movements where your…

> Sit up straight Remembering to sit up straight in your approach is really important as it allows you to push your horse from your seat and get him between your leg and hand. This contact lets him know that you want to go over the fence. Remember to lift your hands, too. Many riders carry their hands too low and their horse runs away from them. Lifting them will ensure you have the strength to hold him back if needs be. > Keep an even rhythm Maintaining an even, bouncy canter will help with your stride and approach to the jump. Remember to collect the canter and bring your horse underneath you, allowing his weight to shift into his quarters, giving him the power to jump. > Be definite…

MEET THE EXPERT MIA PALLES-CLARK is a show jumping trainer based in Suffolk. A talented lady, she can also coach in fluent German. She regularly teaches at Oakland Stud near Newmarket, visit www.oaklandstud.com DOES YOUR HORSE struggle to stay in a straight line when he’s not walking next to a fence rail? You might not have the facilities of Carl Hester, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work on your horse’s accuracy and balance. Here, show jumper Mia Palles-Clark explains how tramlines can help your horse get in line, using either two or four poles. EXERCISE 1: Make a simple tramline Tramlines are a simple way to develop your horse’s straightness. Whether you have access to an arena, or prefer to school in your paddock, try to place the poles…

The condition Tooth decay – known as dental caries to vets and qualified equine dental technicians – is a condition where dental tissues in the horse’s mouth have been eroded, which can lead to problems including infection and tooth fractures. The definitive cause of tooth decay is unknown, but it’s suspected that it’s a result of changes in the pH of the horse’s mouth. It’s thought bacteria ferments food in the mouth, which produces acid, lowering the pH balance. Normally, a horse’s saliva helps to slow down decay by neutralising acid and maintaining the correct pH. Horses that graze outside for most of the day produce saliva continuously, to help digest their food, and so are able to maintain a stable mouth pH. Horses stabled for long periods of time…

1 Getting to know every lump and bump on your horse’s legs is important, so make it a habit to check them once a day, as well as after strenuous exercise. This will help you to quickly identify any areas of heat, swelling or pain. The quicker you can identify and respond to injury or heat, the bigger the difference it can make to your horse’s recovery. 2 Try to vary your horse’s exercise programme as much as possible. Training across several disciplines, and incorporating a mix of flatwork, hacking and jumping, will help to improve his core strength and limb stability, and will also stop him getting bored. Remember to listen to your horse and don’t over-train as this may lead to the risk of injury. 3 Poor quality…

SOPHIE GENT Is the managing director of SyncThermology, which specalises in clinical veterinary thermology. Visit www.sync thermology.com An alternative way to diagnose Q I’m considering paying to use thermography to investigate my horse’s lameness. Will I receive a diagnosis and do I need to inform my vet? Stephanie Potter, Gloucestershire A The main reason why horse owners use thermography is to highlight areas of abnormality in their horse’s body so further examinations can be performed by their vet. It’s not a standalone diagnostic tool and therefore needs to be performed as part of your horse’s overall investigation. Only your veterinary surgeon can provide a diagnosis, so you need to be aware that imaging may lead to further investigation. As a result of this, it’s important your vet is involved throughout…

DREAMS WERE MADE, records were broken and medals won – the Rio Olympics, with its focus for us on the Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Centre – had it all. Following two weeks of gripping action, where the world’s best riders and horses vied for the ultimate prize, we celebrate the winners who took gold in dressage, eventing and show jumping and reveal what they really thought of the Rio Olympic experience. Team celebrations After Germany won team gold in the dressage, a jubilant Dorothee Schneider said: “My horse did an amazing job, I was delighted. Going into the Freestyle I’m 50 kilos lighter (with relief!).” Proud of Great Britain’s team silver medal winning dressage team, Carl Hester said: “The Olympics produces a lot of nerves, a different atmosphere and different rides…

YOUR HORSE LIVE is the UK’s largest equestrian shopping show. With four dedicated shopping halls, all under cover, you’ll find everything you need to kit you and your horse out for the seasons ahead. From rugs to boots, jackets to breeches, and everything inbetween, our retailers have got it covered. New stands to the show this year include Tail End Jewellery and Gold Form Supplements. Be sure to visit them all and don’t forget our amazing regulars – we know you love Annabel Brocks’ headbands (shown right), Joules, Bloomfields Horseboxes… there are too many to mention here, so check out where you can shop at www.yourhorselive.co.uk Don’t forget to pick up your free show guide on site, which will be packed with money-saving vouchers to use on the day. Take…

The British Equestrian Trade Association's new feed approval mark flags up products that are suitable for horses and ponies prone to equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). It is designed to help riders with the management and welfare of their horses, provide greater confidence when buying feeds – and raise awareness of this painful condition. Why did BETA decide to introduce the new mark? Although there is a feed mark for products suitable for horses and ponies prone to laminitis, up until now there has been nothing for those prone to or at risk from equine gastric ulcer syndrome, a condition that has been found in a variety of breeds, rather than just racehorses. Gastric ulcers – along with laminitis and other conditions such as tying-up and colic – have several…

Schöffel Women’s Lydon II Fleece Gilet PRICE £129.95 PERFECT FOR LAYERING Specially designed to suit a lady’s shape, this Polartec Thermal Pro 200 weight fleece is an ideal mid-layer, but also perfect as a body warmer to keep you warm on cooler days. COLOURS Aubergine, denim, fern, forest, kingfisher, navy, raspberry, ruby SIZES 6 to 22 CONTACT www.schoffel.co.uk Mark Todd Unisex Gilet PRICE £64.99 FOR MEN AND WOMEN This unisex body warmer has a natural goose down fill, making it cosy and lightweight. It’s ideal for wearing on the yard, when riding or as an extra layer on colder days, and has elastic side panels for a flattering, close fit. COLOURS Grey, navy, black SIZES Small to x-large CONTACT www.wefi.co.uk Timothy Foxx Matilda Gilet PRICE £165 IDEAL FOR…