Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 414 i Your Horse

Hello Growing up I was told that I wouldn’t be a ‘proper rider’ until I’d fallen off seven times, which means I’m now technically an absolute pro. Countless times I’ve hit the deck, felt fine and got back on only to feel completely broken the next day. Sound familiar? Yes, we’ve all been there. This month, during a visit to a London health clinic with show jumper Jay Halim, I discovered that after each of those falls a physio really should have checked me, but who does that? It would cost an absolute fortune during a lifetime of riding and if it’s just for a little bruising is it really necessary? Apparently so, say the experts. Turn to page 48 to find out why, and to see how Jay has…

I’m a horse owner and photographer, and am often contacted by owners who’d like their horse’s picture taken – only to then change their mind and decide to wait. They want to hang on until the weather’s better, or their horse’s summer coat is looking great, or they’ve lost weight… However, my message to other horse owners is please don’t wait – now’s the time to make memories. I know this better than anyone, having just lost my mare. When I got the terrible news about Maggie, who had an inoperable tumour, I went out with my camera and followed her having fun in the field with her friends. I now have some stunning shots of her when she was healthy, and some special memories were made in the field,…

MEET THE EXPERT MARY KING MBE is an international eventer who represented Britain six times at the Olympics between 1992 and 2012. WHILE A COUPLE of quieter days after a competition will give your horse chance to relax and unwind, his exercise regime needs to step back up by day three to ensure he’s fit and ready for his next outing. My 30-minute workout will help maintain your horse’s flexibility, suppleness and responsiveness. As you’re working through the exercises you should start to feel a softer, balanced and more connected feel between you and your horse. Stretch your horse’s muscles, working long and low Working your horse long and low is a great way to help him loosen off after a competition. It helps build topline by lengthening his neck…

Sophie Conway owns two horses – Dutch Warmblood Ermelo, and Edward, a retired gelding. With Ermelo, Sophie competes in unaffiliated eventing. She turned to Très Health after a fall and because she kept running out of breath on cross-country. “I injured my back in a fall last year,” says Sophie. “The recovery time was slow and I suffered with trapped nerves, which was painful and affected my confidence. I felt that if I wanted to avoid future injuries, I’d need to keep myself fitter and stronger.” As a result of working with the experts at Très Health, Sophie says she’s become more aware of how her work-life balance impacts her riding. “I spend a lot of time sat at my desk, hunched over, which is reflected in the way I…

MEET THE EXPERT MICHAEL PEACE is an equine behaviourist whose Think Equus theory focuses on establishing a 50/50 relationship with your horse. To find out more visit www.thinkequus.com FRUSTRATED OWNERS regularly ask for my help with horses who are pushy and difficult to handle. It’s a common problem that can escalate quickly if you don’t deal with it in the correct way immediately. I believe in having a 50/50 approach to my relationship with horses. This means that both you and your horse contribute to the relationship on equal terms to make it the best it can be. Here, I’ll explain some simple exercises you can use daily to help build your confidence when leading, grooming, picking your horse’s feet up and checking his teeth. First, prepare for success Making…

LIZ BURTON OWNS Angel, a 15.2hh warmblood x TB mare. Angel showed no signs of sweet itch when Liz bought her in April 2011, but just a month later symptoms started to appear. Liz invested in a fly rug, fly mask and various creams, but the itching continued. By the end of May Angel had rubbed the hair and skin off the top of her tail, mane, all along her crest, parts of her neck and her face until the areas bled. Liz phoned Loch Leven Equine Practice for advice and so began years of careful management to help keep the condition at bay. “Now, as soon as the temperature reaches 9°C, which means midges are a threat, Angel starts wearing her sweet itch rug and mask, even if that…

SHARP ENAMEL POINTS A horse’s teeth erupt at a rate of approximately 2-3mm each year. As they do, the tooth surface is gradually worn down as a result of the way the horse grinds his food. His upper jaw is wider than his lower jaw and, because of the way he chews (in a sideways, circular motion) the enamel of his teeth on the outside of the upper cheek teeth and inside of the lower teeth can become sharp if not naturally worn down. “Sharp edges are like sharks’ teeth and can cause quite profound soreness, lacerations and ulceration to the cheeks and tongue,” says Penny. “The pain from these sharp edges can cause breaks in concentration when we ask our horses to do something, and may lead to head…

GRACE FAIRBURN BSc (Hons) AdvCertVPhys, CertClinEd, MIRVAP is the owner of Fairburn Vetphysio, visit www.fairburnvetphysio.co.uk Keep your horse competition fit Q During the competition season, how often should I ask a physiotherapist to come and check my horse? Olivia Wright, Co. Durham A It’s a good idea to have your horse regularly checked by a veterinary physiotherapist. However, depending on the demands placed on him day to day, the frequency of these visits can vary. As a general rule, I always encourage my clients to have one check before, during and after the season, plus maintenance checks throughout the year. For riders who are competing at a high level or professionally, I may visit their yard every week for check-ups, routine work and to cast an eye over their horses…

Watch your speed This ‘Please Pass Wide & Slowly’ 15mph Air Waistcoat from Equisafety will ensure you’re clearly visible to other road users and advise drivers what speed is safe as they pass. You can quickly adjust the size for a perfect fit. PRICE £24.99 CONTACT www.equisafety.com Winning style These beautifully crafted, leather Felix Bühler Dressage Boots Centuria will give you that winning look. The long OPTI zips fasten at the front for ease of use, and the removable insoles are made of shock-absorbent material for comfort. PRICE £259 CONTACT www.kramer.co.uk Sweeten her up! Bring out the best in your mare with Simplymare from Equilibrium Products. This daily feed supplement will help to keep her on an even keel and promote great condition all year round. PRICE £19.95…

Harcour Strass Protect tendon boots £39.95 ADD A TOUCH OF SPARKLE These tough, practical boots are decorated with diamanté to twinkle in the sunlight. They have a neoprene lining and a tough outer to protect your horse from knocks, while their wide strap fastenings are quick and easy to use, helping the boots stay in place. COLOUR Black SIZES Cob, full CONTACT www.wefi.co.uk Woof Wear Smart tendon boots £60 DESIGNED TO ABSORB SHOCK Thanks to their D30 protective foam around the fetlock and along the back, these tendon boots offer protection on demand. The foam remains soft and flexible until impact. If it takes a knock it tightens to absorb shock. These boots also feature breathable neoprene and a vented shell to keep your horse’s legs cool. COLOURS White,…

THE PERILS & PITFALLS OF HORSE OWNERSHIP by Johanna Sharpe Read by: Your Horse reader Suzanne Bowdler A great book with lovely illustrations that takes a light-hearted look at what it’s really like to own a horse. It’s a reminder that you’re not the only one who suffers with horse ownership on occasion! RACING MANHATTAN by Terence Blacker Read by: Your Horse reader Heather Robertson This is a great read that younger, ambitious riders will be able to relate to. It’s about a girl, called Jay, who leads a lonely life and her only enjoyment comes from riding horses. She’ll do anything she can to win a race and this book details the journey she goes on to do that. IF WISHES WERE HORSES…

Join the firemen for a horse rescue demo DATE 22 June WHERE Warnham, Horsham COST £10 per person, which includes a fish and chip supper Email carolporte@aol.com  or call 01403 741355 Top tips on buying horses from BHS Cleveland DATE 12 July WHERE The Unicorn Centre, Hemlington COST £4 per person, including refreshments for this evening talk Email wendy.suddes@bhs.org.uk Gain focus and confidence with Karen Whiston BHSI DATE 26 July WHERE South Bristol Sports Centre, Bristol COST £20 per person (tickets must be bought in advance) Visit www.bhs.org.uk  or call Sarah Biggs on 07824 365033 Discover ICAT massage DATE 14 August WHERE Taunton, Devon COST £95 (includes a handbook and certificate of attendance) Visit www.theicat.co.uk…

NAME: TRINITY Stable name: Dude Height: 17.1hh Age: 8 Breed: Clydesdale Personality: He may not be the bravest, but he has a lovely nature and is a real hit on the yard. He’s always willing to please and is quickly learning to be a great police horse. NAME: JUBILEE Stable name: Hagrid Height: 17.3hh Age: 12 Breed: Shire x Personality: He reminds everyone of Eeyore, as he always looks sad! He’s a complete gentle giant and loves being at the front in troop rides. He was officially named by the Queen in 2012 as part of the Diamond Jubilee. NAME: CLIFTON Stable name: Clifford Height: 17hh Age: 17 Breed: Appaloosa (without a spot in sight) Personality: He’s a great all-rounder, but jumps like Tigger so his riders must always sit…

TIP 1 As part of your daily grooming routine, pour some boiling water into a bucket, adding colder water to ensure it’s luke-warm. Then add a dash of skin wash, such as NAF Love The Skin He’s In, and mix. Dip a cloth into the solution and squeeze out any excess. Glide the cloth over the direction of your horse’s hair to lift dirt and grease, leaving a glossy shine. TIP 2 Get into the habit of pampering your horse with a ‘polish’ every day. Use a fleecy wool mitt in short, firm flicks in the direction of his coat to remove any scurf or dust left behind once you’ve rinsed him with a cloth (see left). A fleecy mitt like this is also great at events for giving your…

LEE HACKETT is the director of equine policy at The British Horse Society and an experienced rider and competitor. Find out more at www.bhs.org.uk Enjoy every hack Q I love hacking, but my horse is spooky and so the whole experience is nerve-wracking. What steps can I take to help me feel safer? Alison Jackson, York A There are lots of little things you can do to make you feel more confident before you head out on a hack. If you fancy riding a new route, for example, try walking it on foot first. This way you can check where any gates, obstacles and hazards are, and plan how you’ll manage them safely and calmly. Also, try lungeing your horse before you head out to help release any excess energy…

FRED AND ROWENA COOK run Equine Management and Training, based in Cambridgeshire, and specialise in retraining racers. See www.equine training.co.uk Buying an ex-racer Q Where’s the best place to buy an ex-racehorse? I’m experienced with them as I got my last Thoroughbred straight from a racing trainer. Felicity Hammond, Bedford A If you’re looking for another horse straight from the track, contacting local trainers is the best way forward. If there’s nothing currently available, most will happily add you to their waiting list. However, if you’re experienced, you could consider buying from a sale (it’s always wise to take someone level-headed and knowledgeble with you for a second opinion). The downside is that you can’t ride a horse before you buy. There are an increasing number of rehoming centres around…

30 CHANCES TO WIN EQUERRY FEED Win one of 30 bags of Equerry Conditioning Mash, which is ideal if your horse has lost condition or needs to gain weight. A quick-soaking mash, it’s non-heating, with low levels of starch and a good level of protein for effective muscle development and topline. It contains highly digestible fibre, including sugar beet, and its oil and linseed content will help promote a shiny coat and good condition. To add to its nutritional benefits, Equerry Conditioning Mash has a high level of yeast, which promotes a healthy digestive system, with added vitamins and minerals, including magnesium. For more on the range visit www.equerryhorsefeeds.com 8 CHANCES TO WIN A BLUE CHIP BALANCER PLUS A £10 VOUCHER Eight readers will each win a tub…

For total comfort and protection while your horse is travelling, Premier Equine has developed its Knee Pro-Teque Travel Boots. They’re shaped to wrap securely around your horse’s legs for a close fit and are held in place with elasticated Velcro straps. To help your horse’s legs stay at a comfortable temperature while he’s travelling, the main body of the boots is made from Airtechnology fabric – a perforated, shockproof material that allows air to circulate and heat to escape. However, it’s the boots’ high-rise knee design that really makes them stand out. Designed to protect your horse’s delicate knee area from injury, this part of the boot’s made up of a number of shockproof layers. The boots also have microfibre leather guards for additional protection to the lower leg area.…

IMAGINE BEING FORCED to wear clothes that don’t fit. It wouldn’t be long before you’d start to feel uncomfortable and restricted. So imagine how your horse might feel if his tack pinches or rubs. If used continuously, poorly fitting tack can lead to bad behaviour, such as napping and bucking, and become a major welfare issue. So to ensure your horse is happy and comfortable, we’ve enlisted the help of top experts. Here, they offer quick and easy ways to check all’s well with your bridle, saddle, saddlecloth and boots – and explain when it’s time to seek professional help.…

Brushing boots CORRECTLY FITTING BRUSHING boots will help protect your horse’s lower legs from injury. If they’re too big they can slip down and cause your horse to trip. Dirt and grit could also get inside the boots, resulting in rubs and discomfort. Equally, if the boots are too small they won’t protect the key areas of your horse’s legs. To check you get the right fit, follow our simple step-by-step guide: 1 To start, place each brushing boot around your horse’s leg and slide it down into position. A well-designed boot will follow the shape of your horse’s leg and will naturally sit in the correct place. 2 The boot should sit just below your horse’s knee, or hock, so he can freely bend his legs. The inside of…

He’s allergic to grass! Dimby, my miniature Shetland who stands 33in, came to me when he was 14 months old. Soon after he began to itch badly, and tests showed he was allergic to all grasses. I’d never even heard of this before, but after a lot of trial and error he’s now able to go out on very short grass during the day in autumn and winter and then into a small paddock with his own stable at night. In spring and summer he goes out, again on very short grass, for a few hours. Dimby has an upside down trace clip, with his belly, legs and neck left to help protect the areas a rug can’t. In warmer weather he wears a thick fly rug that reaches up…

THE EQUINE ATHLETES may require lots of TLC in order to keep them healthy, fit and sound, but riders have to be at the peak of their fitness during the Olympic Games too – and it’s FEI Chief Medical Officer Peter Whitehead’s job to oversee their needs. “It’s all about preparation,” explains Peter (pictured above). “In the lead up to the Games I educate riders on nutrition, staying hydrated and healthy travel tips, such as how to avoid deep vein thrombosis. I also advise them on the vaccines they need before travelling to Brazil.” In addition to this, riders and support staff are given factsheets advising them on possible dangers to be aware of. “Ahead of the Games I’m in constant communication with the riders and we discuss everything on…

HE’S BEEN RIDING for years, but show jumping pro Jay Halim hasn’t yet reached his full potential. So two years ago he decided he needed to take action. “I’d put on a little weight and was starting to get tired when I rode,” says Jay. “My riding was getting sloppy and I realised I needed to up my game. I wanted to improve so I could be my best for my horses, so I started running for 20 minutes at a time and soon I found I was able to better myself each time.” At first Jay found his fitness plan tough, but soon noticed his energy levels improving. “Four months in, I joined a gym,” he says. “I felt intimidated and had never lifted a weight before, but I…

HUNTING FOR A NEW horse is one of the most exciting times for any equine enthusiast, but it can equally be the most challenging and eye-opening. As our 2015 Win a Horse champion Lauren Butchart has learned, from the outset you need to be honest about your abilities, budget and what you’re looking for. Later, once you’ve scanned the horses for sale adverts online, in magazines or in your local tack shop, write a list of questions to ask the owner and ask them to send a video. Only then, once you feel this horse could be the one, plan a viewing – taking someone with you as a second pair of eyes. Lauren’s spent the past month searching for her perfect horse, so we caught up with her to…

The condition Sweet itch, which is commonly referred to by vets as insect hypersensitivity, is a seasonal condition that stems from an allergic reaction to the saliva in the bite of the Culicoides midge. Affected horses react to the bite in a hypersensitive manner, causing histamine to be released by their immune system. This immune response to the bite results in inflammation and intolerable itching within 12 hours following exposure. In the UK, there are several species of Culicoides midges, which are active from March to October. They generally cause problems for susceptible horses between May and September, and it’s been reported that sweet itch can take a couple of seasons to fully develop. Research into the condition suggests there’s a hereditary link to the spread of the condition, which…

GUY ANSTEY has worked with racehorses for 27 years and has been transporting them domestically and internationally for almost 20 years. Easy loading Q How can I teach my youngster to load happily? Sarah Hatton, Oxford A As early as possible start teaching your horse the correct loading procedure as part of his general education. Practise and lots of positive experiences are vital to build your horse’s confidence. Most youngsters can learn to load happily with patience, repetition and, most importantly, understanding. So try loading your horse, letting him stand for a feed, then quietly unloading him again, and progress to taking him for short journeys. Vital checks Q What checks should I do on my horsebox before we head off? Fiona Smith, Cheshire A Every horsebox, whatever its size…

ALICIA’S QUESTION IS one we hear a lot on our Care-Line, especially at this time of year when riders need their horses to be fit and forward going, but controllable. When a naturally fizzy horse needs extra calories to maintain weight it’s important to choose the right sources. Feeding a diet containing higher levels of cereal starch and/or sugar is the most common cause of diet-related excitability. While compound feeds generally contribute very little sugar to the total diet, feeds high in cereals will contain high levels of starch. For this reason it would be best for Alicia to avoid mixes, even if they say ‘nonheating’ on the bag, as they are likely to have a higher cereal content. Instead she should opt for a high fibre and oil feed.…

“The Prolite Girth’s been scientifically proven to reduce pressure” If you’ve been itching to get your hands on the revolutionary Fairfax Performance Girth (developed in conjunction with the BEF World Class Programme), but struggle to justify the £200-plus price tag, you can now reap the benefits this unique girth has to offer for under £90. From the team that produced the Fairfax comes the Prolite Girth. It’s been scientifically proven to reduce pressure, increase fore leg extension and hock flexion, and improve your horse’s freedom of movement. In addition to this, your horse will show improved neatness as he jumps and have more power on take off. The girth has a high tech fabric covering to keep it cool and dry, plus it’s breathable, antibacterial and hypoallergenic, ideal if your…

Bridle fitting IN LIGHT OF RECENT research carried out by Fairfax Saddles during the development of its Fairfax Performance Bridle, it has been proven that a bridle’s fit has an influence on the way your horse moves. This is largely due to potential pressure points in the key areas of the poll, nose and checkbones. Pain or discomfort in any of these regions may affect your horse’s way of going. Here, Vanessa Fairfax, product designer at Fairfax Saddles, explains what you should be looking for. Cavesson If you’re using a standard cavesson, it should sit clear of the bottom ends of your horse’s cheekbones by two fingers’ width. There are a number of arteries where the cheekbones finish, so leaving this gap will help ensure your horse’s cavesson misses them.…