Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 415 i Your Horse

Hello Can it really be four years since we sat glued to our screens watching Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro perform that breath-taking Freestyle on the final day of the equestrian events at Greenwich Park? I’m sure for the riders it’s felt like a lifetime of waiting and preparation, but we’re not yet done dining out on the buzz of 2012 – and Rio’s already around the corner. You can really feel the excitement starting to build as 206 countries prepare to send their athletes into sporting battle. And these athletes are set for some real star treatment when they arrive at the Rio 2016 Olympic Village – which is said to be the largest athletes’ village in history. An army of staff and volunteers will be on site to ensure…

‘Fat boy slim’ equine lecture DATE 3 August WHERE The Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire COST £10 per person – tickets must be booked in advance www.rvc.ac.uk Thinking horsemanship DATE 13 August WHERE Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, Lewes COST £40 per day (£20 for under 18s). This includes course notes and refreshments www.learningabout  animals.co.uk Equine Podiatry Association UK conference DATE 6-7 August WHERE Hartpury College, Gloucestershire COST One day £85 (EPA members £70); both days £150 (EPA members £120). All prices include lunch www.equinepodiatry  conference2016.eventbrite.co.uk BHS Welfare Conference 2016: Stressed out? The causes, effects and prevention of stress in the horse and rider DATE 1 September WHERE Hartpury College, Gloucester COST £35 per person (price includes refreshments) www.bhs.org.uk…

My best friend has loved horses all of her life and is now in the enviable position of living in a house with a paddock attached. This means that, for the first time, she’s able to own her own horse. My friend decided she would rescue a couple of ponies and have them live together as companions to give them the kind of life every horse deserves. I had no idea of the work and commitment this would involve and the hours of care needed to help them recover, both physically and mentally. I’ve seen my friend sit up through the night when they’ve needed special care, and watched those ponies turn from nervous, frightened and abused animals into trusting, calm, healthy companions. My friend’s so protective of her ponies,…

• To help the horses stay calm and relaxed throughout their Olympic experience • Check they’re in peak health before travelling • Ensure the aircraft is well ventilated • Allow the horses to get their heads down every now and then during the flight to help clear any mucus build-up • Keep the horses hydrated during the flight and at the Games • Speed the horses’ recovery time when they arrive in Rio • Get them to Rio in the very best shape possible so they can perform to the best of their ability…

Laura Tomlinson competed at the 2012 London Olympics with her horse Alf. They scooped an individual bronze medal as well as helping the team to bag gold. She’s been riding since she was three years old and has some very special horses who are aiming for Rio 2016. “To be a part of the London 2012 Olympics was a wonderful experience,” says Laura, “and to be in front of our home crowd with Alf is something I will never forget. “One of the best things about the whole experience was being able to make friends with other athletes from different sports. It was really inspiring to find out about their lives and the sports they do.” Laura’s tip for success “One thing to remember when aiming for your riding dreams…

Problem area: YOUR FEET AND KNEES As we mentioned earlier, the way your foot rolls in when you walk or run will affect how you sit on your horse. If you have over-pronating feet when walking on the flat, your pelvis will drop to help balance you. This means you’ll start to develop incorrect muscles in this area that will affect your position in the saddle. Another problem often seen in riders is both knees turning inwards. This, again, links to your footfall and will also affect your pelvis and seat. Riders who suffer from this will often develop more inside leg strength because they’re using their knee to fix them to the saddle. How to correct it: If you suffer from over-pronating feet, or knees that turn in, you’ll…

STARS OFF THE TRACK Here’s a selection of just some of the ex-racers making w aves in second careers: EVENTING Clifton Lush Black Tie II Galley Light DRESSAGE The late Kauto Star Mad Moose The late Comply Or Die HUNTING Denman SHOWING Purple Moon Liverpool Monet’s Garden Midnight Chase Barber’s Shop POLO Costa Lotta SAILING ROUND THIS year’s Badminton to finish third with rider Gemma Tattersall, Arctic Soul looked every inch the advanced event horse. But the 16.3hh bay Thoroughbred wasn’t bred for this challenging sport. Instead his first competitive experiences were on the racetrack. Now, like 11,500 others in the UK, he’s thriving in his new discipline. His success is no surprise to Gillian Carlisle, chief executive of the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre (BTRC), a charity dedicated to the…

• 1. CRACKS Hoof cracks (also known as sand cracks) are common, but how they’re treated depends on whether they crack running up from the ground to the coronary band or from the coronary band down to the ground. “Cracks starting at the top of the hoof and running down are harder to treat,” says Stuart. “This is because they can involve the coronary band, which includes the cells that help to build hoof horn. This may bleed and be painful. What’s more, as the horse bears weight the hoof spreads, causing pinching and pain at the top.” COMMON CAUSES Excessive horn growth Underrun heels Poor shoeing or trimming Extreme wet and dry conditions TREATMENT Where cracks are causing pain and lameness the goal is to alleviate discomfort and give…

BEN MAHER is an international show jumper who was part of the gold medal winning show jumping team at the London Olympics in 2012. Follow his progress on Twitter at @BenMaher1 Improving a lazy horse’s jump Q Although my horse can jump the height, he sometimes has poles down because he doesn’t tuck his legs up properly. Is there anything I can do to help him be more careful? Catherine Odell, Hampshire A It sounds as though your horse is unbalanced, so concentrate on your flatwork to gain an even rhythm and make sure you remain soft in your hand. A good exercise to develop a nice rhythm is canter transitions. This gets your horse’s legs underneath him and works on developing his balance evenly on both sides. Another thing…

PROF DEREK KNOTTENBELT is a specialist whose career has been dedicated to advancements in sarcoids, headshaking and ragwort poisoning. Sarcoids explained Q What are the different types of sarcoid my horse could be affected by? Cheryle Jones, Lincolnshire A There are six different types of sarcoid that can be seen on horses: 1. Occult legion This shows itself on a hairless area and gradually becomes scaly over time. It is most commonly found on a horse’s veins. 2. Verrucose These have a scaly or warty appearance and range from covering small circular areas to large parts of the horse. 3. Nodular These can vary in size and are commonly found under the skin in the eyelid, armpit, inside thigh or groin regions. 4. Fibroblastic These are fleshy masses commonly found…

ON 15 APRIL, 2016, Tania* from Cambridgeshire won a court case after unwittingly buying equine semen that was poor quality. “I spent over a year researching the right Connemara stallion that I could put my KWPN mare in foal to,” says Tania. “I finally spoke to the stud owner at great length and felt I’d asked all the right questions.” An agreement was made and the £550 fee paid, so Tania assumed the process would be straightforward. “In July 2015, the stud collected the semen, assessed and graded it. Then the chilled semen was posted to my vet,” says Tania. However, alarm bells started to ring as the container arrived with two unlabelled test tubes and no paperwork or grading. “My vet, who’s an artificial insemination specialist, tested the semen…

Mask it Fly masks do more than stop pests buzzing around your horse’s eyes, nose and face – they also help protect him from eye infections and the sun’s harmful rays. Our pick of top quality fly masks will keep your horse well protected this summer. Masta Fly Mask £16 This covers your horse’s face, ears and nose. The fleece covered edges and seams provide comfort and help prevent rubbing. www.masta.co.uk Rambo Fly Mask Plus £40 Designed to stay away from your horse’s eyes, this has a detachable nose net and generous ears. www.horseware.com Shires Field Mask With Ears £16.99 A mesh fly mask with ‘air stream’ fabric on the ears and fleece padding along the seams. www.shires equestrian.com Equilibrium Field Relief Max £34.50 A full face mesh mask that blocks…

Champion X-Air Plus £68.50 - £82 STAY COOL AND COMFORTABLE This stylish looking hat offers effective ventilation that makes it ideal for hot summer rides. The X-Air Plus has a four-point padded synthetic suede harness, which combines comfort with security. STANDARD Kitemarked to PAS 015 and complies with VG1 01 040 2014-12 COLOURS Black, navy CONTACT www.championhats.co.uk Gatehouse Conquest MkII From £157.99 SLEEK AND STYLISH This helmet has a slim profile for a great appearance and is fully ventilated to keep you cool and comfortable. It has a washable, quick-drying and wicking padded liner, plus a flexible peak. STANDARD PAS 015 approved and kitemarked COLOURS Navy matt, black matt, metallic, soft finish, suede/glitter, suede/crystal CONTACT www.wefi.co.uk uvex Exxential Helmet £99.95 FULLY ADJUSTABLE FOR A GREAT FIT As well…

ANIMALS IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR by Peter Street Read by Your Horse reader Katie Peake It wasn’t only us humans who helped fight for our country in the war – animals did their fair share of the work as well, including horses and dogs. This easy-to-read book describes what the nation’s horses did during wartime, with insight into the contributions other animals brought too. THE COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORSE RACING by Bill Mooney and George Ennor Read by Your Horse reader Michelle Hutton I love horse racing so this was the perfect book for me. It’s packed with interesting facts from former jockeys, as well as information on the different racetracks around the world. I can dip in and out of it when I want…

FANCY HONING YOUR riding skills? We’ve teamed up with leading saddler Amerigo to offer one reader the chance to win a lesson with one of the UK’s best known eventers, Nicola Wilson, who won the CICO*** competition at Houghton International Horse Trials riding One Two Many earlier this year. While her CIC3* and CCI3* wins last season with top horses One Two Many, Annie Clover and Bulana mean all three horses are in the running for the Rio Olympics. Nicola is an ambassador for the Amerigo brand, which is renowned for its unbeatable quality and fit, and as well as a lesson with Nicola, our winner will also win a selection of tack and equipment from the range, including a breastplate and stirrups. The Amerigo V Check breastplate is fully…

MEET THE EXPERTS LUCY WALTON is a product specialist at Neue Schule, working closely with its research team to offer informed bitting advice. HEATHER HYDE is the founder of Neue Schule, and is involved with the design and development of its range of bits. THERE ARE HUNDREDS of bits on the market, each one designed to have a slightly different effect on your horse than the next. Some encourage a softer mouth or a better outline, while others will suit a stronger horse. As a result, choosing the right bit is about much more than just its size. Pick wisely and not only will you get the outcome you’re looking for in your horse’s ridden work, he’ll be much happier and more comfortable in himself too. Of course, it’s fair…

The condition Headshaking is, as its name suggests, a condition where the horse involuntarily shakes his head to varying degrees. In the past it was thought to be a behavioural problem, but new research has revealed there are endless possible causes, from a sensitivity to pollen to extreme pain across the face. This pain can occur as the result of a physical problem, such as a tooth abscess or trigeminal neuropathy (a severe chronic pain disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve in the face, termed trigeminal-mediated headshaking). Headshaking commonly affects horses and ponies between the ages of five and 10, and is more common in geldings. It can occur when the horse is at rest or during exercise, where it’s referred to as ‘glass wall syndrome’ as the horse reacts…

It’s not just laminitics and special cases who can benefit from plastic shoes – some top competition horses have gone plastic too. In 2015, farrier Andrew Poynton treated 16-year-old event horse Zulu (Out of Africa 2) who’s owned and was ridden by British rider Charlotte Agnew. “When Zulu was about five or six we realised he didn’t have great foot conformation and his heels didn’t grow well,” says Charlotte. “We’d regularly travel him for an hour to get him to a specialist farrier and it got increasingly difficult.” Aware of the Imprint foot care systems, Charlotte’s farrier at the time recommended she contact Andrew. “The results were amazing,” she says. “Zulu came sound in about a week.” Previously, Charlotte’s farrier had alternated between different types of shoe to help with…

IMOGEN MERCER is head groom for international eventer Sam Griffiths. In 2015 Imogen was runner-up in the FEI Groom Awards. Treating scabs on a horse’s legs Q My horse has little scabs on the bottom of his legs that he constantly tries to itch. Should I pull these off? Olivia Stevenson, Hertford A First, you need to find out what’s causing the scabs and the itching, so speak to your vet. If it’s nothing serious, and mud fever is ruled out, you don’t want to pull the scabs off as this will irritate the skin. Scabs are there to protect wounded skin from infection and help your horse’s body heal. To keep the area as clean as possible the best thing to do is gently wash his legs with warm…

KATE HORE is a registered nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition, and Head of Nutrition at NAF. She’s also a member of the BETA Feed Committee. Protecting a horse from the flies Q My horse hates flies and itches himself until he gets sore patches. What can I do to help him? Alison Hood, Cornwall A For some horses, the appearance of flies and insects goes far beyond just being annoying. A hypersensitive reaction, often to the bite of the Cullicoides midge, can cause sweet itch, where affected animals rub themselves raw. Even with the best fly rugs, a fly repellent, specifically designed for use on horses, is necessary. Under EU law, insect repellents for horses are registered by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Look for the HSE number…

LEANNE IS WISE to consider molasses-free options. It’s a by-product of the sugar processing industry and its sugar content is generally between 30-50%. In a healthy, well exercised horse, sugar should be easily digested and is unlikely to cause any issues. But in the case of overweight and laminitis-prone horses, such as Pagan, their water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) intake, which includes sugar, should be limited. Grass and forage are the largest contributors of WSC in the diet, so Leanne should consider restricting Pagan’s time at grass and could perhaps try a grazing muzzle. It’s great that Leanne is giving Pagan regular exercise to help burn calories. She should also opt for a low calorie, fibre based feed or forage replacer, coupled with a low calorie balancer to give Pagan her daily…

24 CHANCES TO WIN AN ELICO LITTLE PIGGY HAYNET If your horse over-indulges and tends to race through his hay, the Little Piggy haynet is perfect. Twenty-four winners will each receive a new standard haynet from Elico Equestrian, which restricts your horse’s forage intake to make his ration last longer, whether he’s in the stable or horsebox. The haynets have extra small 30mm holes to slow your horse down when he’s eating, helping to prevent boredom and give his digestive system a boost. Find out more at www.elico.co.uk 25 CHANCES TO WIN EQUERRY HORSE FEED From Equerry’s extensive feed range, 25 lucky winners will each receive a bag of Equerry Conditioning Mash. If your horse needs to put on weight, this quick-soaking mash is ideal. It’s non-heating with…

1 Cushioned noseband and headpiece for comfort 2 Touch tape fastenings will release if your horse gets caught up 3 A plastic ring can be used during turnout to ensure the headcollar will break under pressure Now summer’s here, and with it plenty of grass to eat, some horses can become reluctant to be caught. Turning your horse out in a headcollar can make the task of catching him a bit easier, but you may be worried about him getting caught up on fencing. The Hy Fieldsafe headcollar could be the solution. To ensure your horse is comfortable the nose and headpiece are cushioned 1 . The headcollar also features quick-release touch tape on the headpiece and noseband 2 . There’s another break point around the throatlash so the headcollar…

“Riding’s very sociable. I’ve made some wonderful friends” AT THE AGE of 48, Duncan Carthy decided to make a new year’s resolution to jump a horse over a 1m high fence by the time he was 50. This may not seem such a huge challenge to someone who’s been riding for a number of years – but Duncan had never even sat on a horse before. “I had no idea how difficult it would be, so on my first lesson I confidently approached my instructor and told her I wanted to jump a 1m fence by the age of 50,” says Duncan. “She smiled and said, ‘We’ll see what we can do’. At that point I realised the challenge may be tougher than I originally thought! “After a few lessons…

LONELY AND LOOKING FOR LOVE Earlier this summer, as part of its annual Rehome a Horse Month, World Horse Welfare boosted its campaign to find loving homes for its longest standing residents. The charity drive not only put the focus on finding homes, but also celebrated the success stories of the 1,700 World Horse Welfare horses and ponies who are currently living with caring new families. Unfortunately, despite its efforts, the eight loveable equines pictured on the left still haven’t found that special someone. Tony Tyler, Deputy Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, says: “All of these ponies are lonely through no fault of their own, and each would make an excellent addition to an experienced family. “We really hope members of the public will rehome them, or at the…

AS HE HEADS into his ninth Olympic Games, top vet John McEwen is on hand to ensure our equine athletes are at the top of their game from the moment they arrive at the airport. Now World Class Programme director of equine sports science and medicine, he’s been an FEI vet since the early 1980s and is currently Chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee, so the horses are in safe hands. “As Olympic horses have experienced flying before, there shouldn’t be many issues,” says John. “They’ll travel to an allocated airport, where they’ll have time to rest in a hub area before flying.” Flying in style The flight to Rio takes just under 12 hours and, as John explains, there’ll be a team of 11 people on board, made up…

MEET THE EXPERT JOCK PAGET is an eventer who’s represented New Zealand, winning bronze at the 2012 Olympics. Find out more at www.jockpaget eventing.com or follow @JockPaget on Twitter. WHEN COMBINED, THE exercises I’m going to explain here create a great warm up routine. They’ll help you identify any issues you need to work on and, after 30 minutes, your horse will feel balanced and supple through his body on both reins, as well as more responsive to your aids. If your horse is a forward-going type, simply start to ride this series of exercises as I’ve explained here. If he’s a little more laid-back, first spend time getting him to work off your leg by sending him forwards around your arena. Supple up with leg-yield Leg-yielding can tell you…

“When we’re born, one side of our body develops slightly differently to the other, meaning we’re never 100% symmetrical” MEET THE EXPERT MARIA TERESE ENGELL is a vet who’s studying for a PhD in postural control in riders and their effect on the horse’s locomotion system. She was a guest speaker at the 2016 Horses Inside Out Conference. DID YOU KNOW that when you walk you activate more than 600 muscles? With this in mind, just imagine how many it takes to ride a horse – and how any muscular imbalances in your body affect the way you sit in the saddle. Research has proven a link between the way you ride and your horse’s way of going, with long-term rider imbalances leading to a range of equine health issues…

TIP 1 It’s essential your horse has access to plenty of clean, fresh water. If he lives out with others, ensure there’s no competition for water by providing plenty of troughs at various locations around the field. This will also help to avoid the area around the trough getting poached, and means any less dominant horses will still be able to drink whenever they need to. TIP 2 When you move yards or stable overnight at a competition, your horse may refuse to drink ‘strange’ water. Take a supply of water from your own yard in a clean container, or add Horse Quencher to his water – a natural supplement that encourages him to drink. It’s generally safe to use if competing, but speak to your vet before giving it…

Dude, a 14-year-old Hanovarian cross, who’s owned by Amy Clarke, first began headshaking in September 2013. “Seeing my horse suffer was so difficult to watch,” says Amy. “When he first started displaying the symptoms I felt really alone, upset and useless, as I couldn’t do anything to alleviate his pain. “I decided to research the condition on the internet, but nothing offered any long-term results or a cure.” Amy then came across vet Veronica Roberts, a specialist in the condition. “Following diagnosis, Veronica elected to use the EquiPEN™ treatment,” explains Amy. “This was my last ditch attempt to save Dude, who’d changed from a cheeky, happy horse to a really miserable boy. Fortunately, he responded well to the EquiPEN therapy. After just two treatments I was able to ride him…

SALLY LISTER runs Brackenspa Stud in Lincolnshire with her husband, David. For more information on their horses, visit www.brackenspastud.co.uk The cost of having a foal Q How much should I expect it to cost to send my horse to stud, working on the basis that everything goes to plan? Poppy Leigh, Lancashire A It’s starting to become common practice for studs and vet practices to offer artificial insemination packages. These provide an all-inclusive price to cover livery and veterinary work and seem to range between £200 to £300 per cycle. A stud fee is payable (this can be anything from a couple of hundred pounds upwards), and on top of that cost are the potential shipping and collection charges (around £100). I always advise my clients to expect to pay…

LYNN RUSSELL Is a successful show horse producer and trainer who specialises in cobs. For more information visit her website www.topcobs.com Simple steps to quarter mark success Q How can I create a simple but stand out quarter mark? Trudi Smith, Dorset A A popular, effective quarter mark to do on your horse is shark’s teeth. When creating quarter marks at a show your horse’s coat should already be clean, so the equipment you need will consist of: • A nit comb or a small part of a normal comb that you’ve broken off • Body brush, ideally one with soft bristles that isn’t too big so you can control it on smaller areas • Plaiting spray • Finishing spray STEP ONE: Start by spraying the plaiting or finishing spray…

MEET THE EXPERT JACQUI FULTON is a solicitor advocate and founder of Equine Law, www.equinelawuk.co.uk A NUMBER OF EQUINE legal issues involving road traffic accidents, dog attacks, abandonment and welfare have hit the headlines over the past few years, and there are several common legal points all horse owners should be aware of. Here to explain what these are – and how they might affect you – is expert Jacqui Fulton. 1 Planning permission One controversial issue that’s affecting more and more riders involves the use of mirrors and floodlights in an outdoor arena. “What you may feel is not obtrusive to your neighbours could still pose a problem if you don’t have planning permission,” explains Jacqui Fulton. “For example, only if the arena mirrors are moveable do you not…

The days of bathing your horse with a bucket of cold water and a sponge could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a rise in portable hot water systems. Hippo Showers not only offer hot water whenever you need it at the yard, they also look great and are available in black, as well as a range of personalised colours, including pink. Cleverly designed, the boiler that heats the water only ignites when water passes through the unit, and when it does click into action there’s very little noise to startle your horse. Plus there’s no pilot light to be blown out by the wind. The whole unit is very safe and neat. It’s all mounted on a custom-made trolley, with the gas bottle hidden. The shower…

WITH WARMER WEATHER comes the nuisance of flies, bothering your horse and making his life a misery. Many owners use a fly rug to keep their horses more comfortable, and here we’ve put a selection to the test to find out which will make this summer as fly-free as possible. The eight rugs we’ve reviewed were used on three horses who normally wear 6ft 6in rugs. Each of the horses is slightly different in build and conformation – one’s a Thoroughbred, one’s a Hanoverian and the other is a Hanoverian x TB. As each rug was used, our two testers – Your Horse reader Vanessa Lowther and Your Horse Associate Editor Allison Lowther – considered how well each rug fitted, the amount of coverage it offered and, finally, how effectively…

Nettex Traditional Tack Cleaner PRICE £6.95 for 500ml This spray removes dirt, sweat and grease as well as preventing mould and mildew. It’s antibacterial and will weatherproof leather without rotting the stitching. Nettex Traditional Tack Conditioner PRICE £8.75 for 500ml A blend of glycerine and natural oils that penetrate the leather to leave it soft, supple and weather resistant. This easy to use spray is antibacterial and helps prevents mould. www.nettexequine.com NAF Sheer Luxe Leather Cleanse & Condition PRICE £9.99 This deep cleansing formula quickly and easily removes dirt and grease from your leather, leaving a supple and non-sticky finish. NAF Sheer Luxe Leather Balsam PRICE £9.99 An intensive conditioner designed to penetrate and nourish tack, keeping it soft and supple. It comes with a free sponge to make application…