Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 443 i Your Horse

Hello Although it happened a little while ago, I can still clearly remember the day my sister’s horse, Comet, suddenly slammed on the brakes and whipped around while out hacking. Unusual behaviour for him and there was no prior warning — we still have no idea what he had seen or heard, but he stood, head bolt upright, looking into the distance for some time afterwards. Our anatomy feature about ears (p76) has solved the mystery. Horses can hear up to 4km away and have a far greater frequency range for sound compared to a person. Plus, a horse’s natural flight instinct means their reaction to turn and run is far quicker than ours — hence the sudden spooking when it appears nothing is there. I hope you’ll find the…

RAGWORT RUNS RIOT NATALIE MCGOLDRICK MRCVS owns South Coast Equine Vets and has a strong message for all owners. “Don’t assume your horse won’t eat the ragwort in his field. Use a specialist fork to remove all plants and their roots as soon as you spot any.” Natalie is concerned by how much of this poisonous weed she’s seen in paddocks this summer, and the seemingly unconcerned attitude of some of the horse owners she’s spoken to. “Ragwort’s natural habitat is sand dunes, but it also thrives on over-grazed pastures,” she explains. “The prolonged drought this summer has resulted in poor pastureland and over-grazing, and ragwort is thriving.” Mature plants taste bitter and horses usually avoid them, but they will eat them if they have to. “Horses will eat whatever…

PEARL SPARKLE HORSESHOE This collection from Pegasus Jewellery is perfect for anyone wanting to combine subtle horsey features with elegant silver, rose gold and bling. Great for any occasion — Your Horse particularly likes this bracelet. Prices from £40. bit.ly/2zjYR1f EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS Who needs fancy labels, dispensers or fancy retail displays? Surely, it’s better to have the best possible price on everyday goods? Enter the new Mastacare range from Harry Hall, which has 29 top-quality, well-priced products, many available in refill packs. harryhall.com FANCY BOOTS Grubs has revolutionalised its wellington boot range with the launch of the new Adventure Boot, designed to take on the countryside whatever the weather. The boots have a special lining for warmth and offer great support and grip in the wet, too. RRP £144.95. grubsboot.com…

“I went to the gym for the whole of my pregnancy, working with a personal trainer twice a week. Two weeks after having Otis I was back riding again. “I found it easier than I expected. I was a bit nervous as to how I would come back. You hear of women struggling to lose weight, but I carried on going to the gym and while it’s hard work, it is achievable. “Going back to riding is different for everyone. I can’t tell anyone else how they will feel. The key is to do what you feel confident and comfortable doing. “For me, I felt comfortable riding throughout my pregnancy and perhaps that was the reason I began riding again so quickly after having Otis.”…

“There are so many more horses needing homes than we can take in, and it’s quite upsetting” WHEN IAN DAILEY’S wife suddenly passed away six months ago, she left behind two dressage horses that he didn’t know how to care for. Not wanting to sell the horses, Ian looked for alternative options, and happened across Hopton Rehab and Homing Centre in Worcestershire. “The horses were my wife’s passion and I didn’t want to sell them to complete strangers and lose track of them, but I couldn’t keep them either,” explains Ian. “When I heard of Hopton Rehab and Homing, it sounded like the ideal situation because they follow the same ethos as my wife when it comes to the care of horses. They keep a lot of their horses barefoot…

YOU WOULDN’T LOOK at a Kiso horse and think, “Now there’s a war horse”, but charging into the foray of battle is exactly what these pint-sized mounts were once used for. Descendants of animals brought from mainland Asia from the 6th century, the Kiso horse originates from the Kiso region of Nagano Prefecture, home of the Kiso river. During the 12th century, Kiso horses were used during the Genpei War, a conflict between Japanese Taira and Minamoto clans, and then again for conflicts between 1600 and 1867, when the Kiso were actively bred to be the steeds of war. In the latter part of the 18th century, Kiso horses were also cross-bred with larger breeds so they could compete with the stronger, foreign breeds of horses used in battle. Today,…

MUSTO’S 3-LAYER SYSTEM, first developed in 1979, was an incredible feat of innovation that became a mainstay of the athletic industry. Once, sailors would wear thick knits to keep warm at sea, but these retained water, became heavy and cold and restricted movement. Following further development and some refinement, plus extensive testing to ensure they met the specific pressures of the country environment, Musto introduced its Equisynergy 3-Layer System in 2006. It works on the same premise as the company’s classic 3-Layer System, but with garments specifically geared towards performance in the saddle. The best technical brands Using Musto’s groundbreaking Equisynergy System, you’ll be able to achieve complete comfort and the performance that comes with it. It’s this insight into the benefits and applications of fabric technologies that ensure Musto…

HAVE YOU EVER been told your horse is not balanced? The signs are easy to spot. An unbalanced horse will have trouble staying straight on the centre line and falls out on a circle. To improve the situation, you’ll need to teach your horse to move his weight from his forehand to his hindquarters. By moving his weight back, it will lighten both his front end — which means his strides will flow — and his back, which in turn makes him more supple. The true mark of a balanced horse is when he can bend correctly on a curve. You’ll use the full arena for this exercise, so set out your dressage markers before you start. It’s important to warm up correctly and cool down properly to avoid injury…

“Being in the correct position over a fence will ensure you’re in balance with your horse” BEING IN THE correct position over a fence will ensure you’re in balance with your horse, allowing you both to glide over fences with ease and set you up for whatever’s coming next. If the unexpected happens — your horse spooks, loses balance, clips the fence or pecks on landing, for example — you’ll also be well positioned to sit tight and stay on board. However, there’s a lot more to think about with your jumping position than a simple fold of your body. Your hands, legs and even eyes all have essential roles to play. Your leg position One of the golden rules of riding is to have a straight line from your…

1 If your horse isn’t used to travelling, practise before moving day. 2 Say your goodbyes to staff, owners and other horses the day before, so you can stay emotion-free and calm. 3 Take hay and feed with you, so your horse can be transitioned onto anything new gradually. 4 Move your kit and tools after moving your horse, so you’re able to focus on him completely. 5 Provide your new yard owner with as much information as possible. 6 Ride, lunge or do some groundwork as soon as you arrive. 7 Spend lots of time with your horse at his new yard in the first week.…

SUMMER IS A DOUBLE-edged sword for horse owners. Mother Nature provides more daylight, but she also gives us flies. She lets us ride in T-shirts, and bestows us with ridiculous tan lines. This year, the heatwave has intensified these issues and brought with it a range of other, more serious concerns too — some of which we will probably feel the effects of in the months to come. Hotting up From pro riders to happy hackers, the heat has wreaked havoc with everyone’s riding patterns. Dressage rider Olivia Towers has been forced to give her horses some unplanned time off. “My horses seemed to cope to begin with, but then, when we were taking them competing and warming up in indoor arenas, I thought ‘this is ridiculous’. Warming up big…

How to buy a riding hat Q I’ve just started riding and now I’m taking it more seriously I feel I need to graduate from the riding school hats to one of my own. What kind of safety checks should I be looking for when buying and do I need to get it properly fitted? Jason Smith, Dorchester A You only have one head, so keep yourself as safe as you can and wear a well-fitting hat that’s securely fastened each and every time you wear it. There’s a wide variety of hats and helmets available to suit all tastes and budgets, all designed to keep you as comfortable as possible while making sure you’re protected to the recognised safety standards. It’s essential that a hat fits properly and, as…

Going it alone and having fun QI’m thinking of taking a riding holiday abroad by myself. Is this something that’s an option and do I need to take more precautions as a female travelling alone? Joyce Farthing, Northampton A We get lots of individual bookings at Ride World Wide and a riding holiday is a wonderful experience for single travellers. You’ll be joining a small group of like-minded people who all have a shared interest. They might never meet in the post office, but it’s amazing how you bond with people you might not usually speak to after a few exhilarating canters. Prices quoted are usually based on twin shared accommodation and if you book alone a supplement may be payable for a single room, although this is not always…

Used by athletes across the globe, graduated compression suits help improve performance and also assist in injury repair and recovery. Now, they’re available for equines too. Hidez compression suits offer performance enhancing and post-exercise recovery for horses. The suit works by applying gradual compression to different muscle groups, which forces the return of fluid from the limbs back into the bloodstream. The enhancement of blood flow and oxygen availability to the animal’s muscles speeds up the removal of waste products, such as lactic acids, and can play a major role in relief from pain, muscle fatigue and stiffness, while supporting the stabilisation of joints and reducing the risk of injury. Vibrations and standing for long periods of time can over-stretch muscles, but a compression suit can help to protect muscles…

Deputy editor Allison Lowther: I love everything about horsey products and gear, but I get especially excited when the new season’s clothing is launched. You’re going to love the autumn selection in this issue — I’ve already written my shopping list. See page 120. This month I was fortunate enough to have a chat with TV presenter Anthea Turner for our Take Five feature. She was so passionate about horses and I could tell she’d talk about them forever if she could. See page 130. We all know about the breeds native to Britain, but how well do you know your equine breeds around the world? I loved learning all about the stocky little Kiso horse this month, one of Japan’s indigenous horse breeds. See page 28.…

My 16-year-old more-white-than-black cob, Merlin, as you can see from the above photos, can turn his hoof to anything. I bought him when he was five, having not done a lot. He was a muddy, hairy, unfit cob and not at all the type I was looking for. However, my hard work paid off. Merlin now competes at elementary and FSM novice dressage, jumps like a stag and has done Le Trec as well. Our proudest moment was becoming a Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) pony. Merlin started at Chalkdown RDA in Staplehurst, Kent, last September and it was new to both of us. I knew he had the temperament for it, so the ladies at Chalkdown came to assess him. The assessment included being ridden by children, as…

Summer smooch Me and Lady just chillin’ together. Danielle Rowles, Leicestershire Human chin rest Far too many pics to pick from — Elvis just loves a selfie! Simone Prvs, Fife Sleepy head My horse Stella. Rebecca Pye, Herefordshire Cutie! This is my horse Samson. Amy Muggleton, Leicestershire Three’s company The first is me, the second is Cleo who is 19 and then Nova who is 26. Dawn Ann Langan, East Sussex 50 winks This is Rooster, my daughter’s pony. He just loves going to sleep on my husband’s head. Ellie Mae, South Yorkshire Pit stop Maisy and I having a pub break on our 13.7 mile ride. Laura Laing, Leicestershire What a hairdo Me and my little mini Badger. Rachel Hewart, North Yorkshire Harry Trotter Mick Mouse and his lightning…

Jonelle took on Trisha Rickards’ Classic Moet (stable name Molly) as a 10-year-old. The daughter of Classic has contested seven four-star CCIs back to back and by winning Badminton in May she was giving Trisha her first four-star winner in 30 years of event horse ownership. The mare likes to do everything at top speed, according to Jonelle, including hacking and dressage. The 16hh grey Faerie Dianimo (stable name Maggie May) is also owned by Trisha Rickards, who bred her by Keystone Dimaggio out of the former eventing mare Faerie Dazzler VII. Jonelle says Maggie is a real show-off and likes nothing better than to perform to an audience. She’s a bit of a fuss-pot when it comes to eating. “Faerie Dianimo is tougher than me and more determined. She…

1 You are giving a horse or pony a second chance at life. 2 Rehoming helps support a charity’s ongoing work. 3 Horses are fully vetted and rehabilitated before they’re rehomed so the charity knows everything about them and that they’re in good physical health. 4 Charities are honest about the horse and their capabilities and limitations. 5 You will have ongoing support from the charity. 6 If things don’t go to plan, the horse can be returned. 7 You can trial the horse and spend as much time with him as you like before making a decision.…

Raised in icy cold mountains, Kiso horses are far more robust than they look. ❋ Their sturdy, stable legs and robust feet mean they very rarely need to be shod. ❋ They live in cold, often barren, conditions and can survive on a very simple diet. ❋ They stand around 13hh at the withers. ❋ Kisos have large heads and thick, flowing manes, but their necks are short and chunky and have developed this way due to their use in agriculture. ❋ They might look small and stout but don’t be fooled — Kisos are known for their loving dispositions and good temperaments.…

Tammy Golstein has owned Pebbles since she was a five-year-old and has struggled with the mare napping. “Persistence and reassurance over a period of time got us through the problem,” says Tammy. “Before I knew it, we were hacking out alone all the time. Then I moved yards and met a lovely group of people who all like to hack out together. I love our happy hackers group, but it means we rarely venture out alone. “I was concerned the napping problem may return, so I decided to try hacking Pebbles alone again. I was nervous and she was reluctant to leave the yard but after that she was brilliant. “Pebbles was forward going and brave, even when passed by a combine harvester and when kids on scooters came up…

Layer one As water transmits heat up to 30 times faster than air, the layer closest to your skin, or your base layer, needs to be fast-wicking and fast-drying. Musto’s Women’s Performance Long Sleeve Stock Shirt, or the highly breathable Women’s Base Layer Turtle Neck, make excellent base layers, keeping you dry and warm in the saddle without restricting your movement. Layer two The second tier of the Equisynergy 3-Layer System relies on an insulating and highly breathable mid-layer. PrimaLoft®’s effective delivery of balanced warmth, combined with technical properties such as water resistance, fast drying and high breathability, make jackets like Women’s Action PrimaLoft® Gilet or Action PrimaLoft® Jacket the ideal choice. Layer three The third and final layer is a waterproof jacket, such as Musto’s Transition GORE-TEX® Jacket, which…

Keep the fences at a height you feel confident with. This exercise isn’t about how high you can jump, but about approaching your fences in a forward, active way and maintaining that energy between each jump. If you want to, you can work towards turning the upright fences into oxers. Only change them one fence at a time though, so that your horse becomes used to the change in pattern gradually. As oxers are wider and require a bigger jump, this will affect the distance between each fence and you and your horse will need to adapt accordingly, while remaining forward and active.…

Jessica has a particular favourite grid exercise that she uses at home to help improve the suppleness of all of her horses. She’s pictured riding the grid on NP Zelah (Zizi), a 10-year-old bay mare who is currently competing in 1.35m–1.40m internationals. Set up and ride the exercise as Jessica explains over the page. You’ll need to have a friend on hand to help you by adding more elements to the grid as you progress through the steps. What does it achieve? It’s a simple grid, yet it will help your horse use his body more effectively over fences. By the end of your jumping session he should feel lighter in the contact, more elastic in his body and more balanced in the carriage. The grid is also good for…

“Horses have acute hearing and are pre-dispositioned to get out of there quickly if they hear something suspicious” YOU KNOW THE feeling. You’re happily trotting along a familiar bridlepath when, out of the blue, your horse suddenly stops or spins, snorting as he does and leaving you clinging on tightly to avoid exiting through the front or side door. You scan the horizon and, frustratingly, there’s nothing there that could have caused him to spook like this. Naughty horse. But this probably isn’t the case at all. Horses have acute hearing and many are pre-dispositioned to get out of there quickly if they hear something suspicious. This is almost certainly what’s happened here — so he’s just being true to his nature. Your horse’s ears are important to him and,…

Squamous cell carcinoma “This is a type of skin cancer, which is usually locally invasive and can present serious problems,” explains Colin. “Cancers on ears also attract flies and the ensuing fly worry can be a significant factor in the irritation the horse suffers.” Early detection is key as treatment can be tricky. Aural plaques It’s not uncommon to find these inside horse’s ears. “They’re thin, white, irregular plaques of a material that looks like dry, flaky skin,” explains Colin. “The exact cause is unknown, though flies may be a factor.” Plaques are usually harmless and best ignored — they look worse than they are and any attempt to remove them can cause a lot of discomfort. Sarcoids The ears are a prime spot for these common skin tumours. They’re…

1 Try to travel in the coolest hours of the early morning or late evening. 2 Check the traffic before you leave. Delays in hot weather could cause prolonged discomfort to your horse. 3 Ensure you have plenty of water on board and your horse has regular access to it. 4 Soak hay to get fluid into your horse. Place it in a durable, plastic bag to ensure it stays wet without creating a slippery lorry floor. 5 Always travel with windows and roof vents open. Do not travel with the top front door of trailers open. 6 If possible, invest in a lorry fan.…

Bedding Lucy Ward is regional sales manager for Bedmax Shavings Ltd and has a BSc in Equine and Human Sports Science. Passionate about ensuring the health and wellbeing of horses, she’s responsible for delivering the company’s knowledge transfer programmes. Feeding Stephanie George BSc (Hons) is nutrition advisor at Saracen Horse Feeds. Having worked with horses for over 10 years on a variety of different yards, she has seen how important it is to have good feeding and management practices. Riding wear safety Alan Hiscox is the British Horse Society’s director of safety and implements the charity’s objectives regarding safety for riders. Alan served 26 years in the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch and 14 years as chief equitation officer at its training school. Riding holidays Rosie Ware joined Ride World Wide…

The BETA body protector standard sets the benchmark for safety and is recommended by all leading riding organisations and disciplines. Currently, body protectors must show a CE mark and comply with performance standard EN13158. This sets the level of shock absorption and controls the area of the body that must be covered by the protector. At present, the BETA Level 3 2009 body protector will meet the requirements for any equestrian discipline, but keep abreast of future changes at bhs.org.uk/bodyprotectors.…

SALAMANDER, A RETIRED Warmblood, hasn’t been managing as well as usual this summer. His owner Alison Lockhart is worried that he’s lost his usual healthy glow. Alison says that Salamander is holding his weight well and seems in good spirits but that he’s lost his characteristic bright bay shine and his hooves aren’t looking as good as they should. Although Alison says she has been feeding Salamander and his field companion ad-lib hay during the parched summer, the consistent lack of good grass and the rock-hard ground are probably taking their toll. Hay, haylage and grass usually lack important nutrients, such as copper, zinc and selenium, which means Salamander could benefit from some extra dietary support. A daily balancer would be ideal in these circumstances. It will supply the important…

Joint inflammation, also known as synovitis, is one of the main causes of lameness, especially among sport horses, and can lead to osteoarthritis and cartilage loss. Taking good care of your horse’s joints will help to keep them flexible and healthy. Lieselot Hamerlinck of Cavalor explains: “It’s more complicated than this but, a bit like a saddle pad, synovial fluid functions as a shock absorber, cushioning the impact from the horse’s movement. “If the synovial fluid is damaged, it thins and absorbs fewer shocks and this reduced shock absorption can lead to damaged cartilage and even damaged bone. A joint supplement for a performance horse needs to keep the synovial fluid healthy, and should also reduce the inflammation.” This is why ArtiTec contains a powerful combination of anti-inflammatory agents (Turmeric…

DAILY RIDING AND yard chores can really test your clothing to the limit. With this in mind, when you’re shopping for riding gear you need to find garments that are well-made and able to stand up to hard work. They must also fit well, feel comfortable, not restrict your movement, keep you warm and dry — and look good, too. Thankfully, you’re spoilt for choice — more and more equestrian clothing manufacturers are really considering the rider’s needs when designing and producing clothing. Many use technical fabrics to give them the edge. Fabric with a bit of stretch, but the ability to retain its shape, is essential, while breathability is a top consideration too. Once all the practical boxes are ticked, it’s time to add the ‘looking good’ factor. Colour…

“All I could think of was how I was going to die dressed in fluorescent — the irony!” Best known for presenting Blue Peter, GMTV, The National Lottery draws and Wish You Were Here, this household name talks Spanish horses, how a gun horse took control while on camera and why she knows so much about mugs How did you get into horses? To be honest, I’ve no idea. I wasn’t mad keen, but my sister was and when my parents finally gave in and bought her a pony, I somehow ended up with one too. Hacking was my thing. I hated gymkhanas — I just wasn’t competitive. Pepsi was too strong for me, though, and scared of motorbikes too, so we often ended up in ditches. He was eventually…

Your Horse has heard the news that Dressage New Zealand has introduced a rule that will prevent the over-tightening of horses’ nosebands at competitions. New Zealand follows in the footsteps of the Danish dressage authorities who have already adopted this rule. So, we’re curious about why this isn’t happening everywhere? It’s obviously been recognised that it’s not OK to use pain as a means of control — and particularly in dressage where the principles are based on harmony and lightness. The new rules state that it must be possible to place one finger comfortably between the noseband and the front of the nose and this has got the thumbs up from UK charity Blue Cross. We’d love to hear your views, so please head over to our Facebook page and…

Dream team It was a one-two for @carlhestermbe and myself today on Mount St John Freestyle and Hawtins Delicato! So pleased with the horses. @charlotte_ dujardincbe, Instagram Showing superstars Just on the way home from a fantastic day at Equifestival. It was Ronnie and Ozzie’s third show and they did fantastic. @michicks03, Instagram Kicking up the sand #YHChallengesYou! Liz Leslie, Facebook Hard work pays off Fantastic to see Amanda Harrison, one of our @YourHorse #YHGoalGetter winners, having a super time out competing after her lesson with brand ambassador@Annalross. They competed in an unaffiliated ODE as part of their riding club’s annual camp and came 4th overall. @Dodson & Horrell Ltd, Twitter Summer reading My holiday reading makes me want to head to the stables as soon as I get home!…

Natalie Sejnowicz, 25, works part-time in equine insurance sales and service for Petplan Equine. She’s also the yard manager at Ruislip Park Stables. Natalie says there’s no such thing as a nine-to-five job as she’s on the yard even on her one day off a week. My working day… I work part-time for Petplan Equine as a sales and service representative. The office is based in Brentford, West London, and I also run a yard called Ruislip Park Stables in Pinner, near Harrow. On a Petplan Equine day (Mondays and Wednesdays), our call centre is open from 8am to 8pm and I work a shift between these hours. I get up to feed my horse, Little Alf, at 5am and usually skip breakfast to save time. The office is a…

“The South Downs Way is magnificently signposted, even for three numpties like us” NAVIGATING A SWING BRIDGE while riding is a personal horsey first. Two days into a three-rider hack along the South Downs Way, we’re facing a swing bridge over River Ouse. “It looks OK,” I think, and my 24-year-old veteran Oscar steps on confidently. About half way across though, the wind picks up and railings start to clatter. Our three horses — Maria Standen on Angelina and Annie Rowland on Red — cannon to a halt and Oscar, understandably, suddenly doesn’t want to go forward any further. He and his pals promptly switch into reverse gear. Sensing this situation could become worse if we don’t act quickly, we dismount and proceed on foot, our steeds faithfully following behind.…

Rider issues HEAVY ON THE REINS “I see many riders leaning in and collapsing through their hips as they ride a serpentine,” Alex points out. “Also, a lot of people use too much rein to change direction.” This can result in holding on to the contact too much, which leads to your horse leaning on your hands and dropping onto his forehand. You need to ride each change of bend from your legs; your rein merely indicates the direction and creates flexion. POOR PREPARATION “Lack of preparation is another issue I often see when I’m judging,” says Alex. “This results in inaccurate changes of flexion, which impacts on the whole exercise. “It also shows up inconsistencies in tempo, bend and general suppleness of both horse and rider.” THE WRONG SHAPE…

> Get him listening from the off “Start as you mean to go on. Have an active warm up with lots of transitions, circles and changes of direction to ensure your horse is interested in the work and listening to your aids.” > Engage with poles “Poles encourage your horse to think for himself as he’ll have to think about the placement of his feet. This engages his brain and wakes him up.” > Challenge him “Exercises like jumping round the clock face continually presents your horse with a new challenge, so he can’t afford to switch off.”…

Jessica Mendoza is an ambassador for British heritage brand, Renwick & Sons, makers of fine grooming tools. Since 1798, each generation of this Northumberland-based family business has passed down the knowledge, passion and craftsmanship needed to create a stunning collection of equine brushes. The Renwick & Sons grooming kit combines traditional craftsmanship, ergonomic design and advanced bristle technology to bring you and your horse a grooming experience like no other. Visit renwickandsons.co.uk .…

There are a couple of ways in which you can boost the difficulty of bounce fences. The first is simply to increase the number of fences that you negotiate. Start by adding one more fence, so that you’re jumping three in a row, and then take it from there. “Keep everything small to help your horse feel confident,” says Simon, “and always build up gradually, staying positive in your riding.” The other thing you can do, once you’re feeling confident, is approach a bounce in canter, rather than trot. Before doing this, make sure that you can keep your horse straight. He mustn’t be allowed to rush through the bounce either.…

The condition Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is a condition caused by dust, fungal spores and pollen. When these foreign materials are inhaled they irritate the bronchi in the small upper airways of the lungs and cause inflammation. Your horse then coughs to expel the irritants, which is when owners realise something is wrong. IAD can develop at any time of year, in any age of horse (although it’s more usual in horses aged between eight and 10). It’s more common in horses who are stabled for long periods of time because the air quality flow in a barn will never be as good as that outside. It’s easy to confuse IAD with RAO (recurrent airway obstruction). While similar, with both instigated by dusty environments, the clinical signs of IAD are…

Your horse can detect sounds from as far as 4km away. The conical shape of the ear shields the sound your horse is trying to focus on, fading out everything else. The ear tells your horse which direction the sound is coming from. His super-effective near-360° vision is what picks out the exact location. The ear has 10 muscles, which is why your horse can turn his ears 180° and use them independently. Human ears only have three muscles. Constant motion, with the ears shifting backwards and forwards, is your horse’s default setting, helping him to keep tabs on his surroundings.…

ENTER ANY FEED store and you’ll be greeted by a diverse array of feed bags and bales of forage. Plus treats, of course. With the enormous choice available these days, it’s all a bit mind-boggling. But one rule holds true — feeding what your horse needs for his lifestage, condition and the work expected of him is essential, and it’s why understanding the role of calories and micronutrients in your horse’s diet will help you keep him in tip-top health. 1. Micronutrients explored A vital ingredient Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals your horse needs every day to keep him healthy. They maintain and support all his bodily functions, including supporting the immune system and bone and teeth structure. They’re also essential for nerve and muscle functioning and to help…

Gerald and Stephanie Towers own an arable farm and livery yard in north-east England. “We experienced a long, wet winter, so all surplus stocks of straw have been depleted in spring when it was still too wet to turn out,” explains Gerald. “Combine this with a summer where nothing’s grown, and a perfect storm for a shortage has been created. “Prices in the south of England have doubled already and the same could happen elsewhere. Fodder was depleted over winter for the same reasons and certainly here in the north east the first cut of grass for hay and haylage produced less than 70% of the mean average compared with other years. “The drought has had a drastic impact on the second cut. Many farmers have had less than half…

Time to go deep Q What are the pros and cons of a deep litter bed? Nora Wansworth, Fife A Deep littering is when the soiled areas of bedding are removed daily but the bed itself isn’t lifted. This allows for a deep bed with a dense base that develops over time. Many owners find this is an invaluable time saver when juggling horses, work and family life. It can also be more economical, with only a small quantity of clean bedding added on a regular basis to freshen the bed, rather than adding full bales after every muck out. A key consideration in the longevity of a deep litter bed is the type of bedding used — poor quality bedding that breaks down easily can introduce high levels of…

Turning back the clocks Q Autumn is approaching, so what adjustments should I make to my horse’s diet once turnout hours are limited? Robert Duff, Warwick A Limited turnout means an increase in time spent in the stable, so your horse’s intake of grass will need to be replaced with preserved forages, such as hay and haylage. Ideally this should be provided on an ad-lib basis to ensure digestive health is maintained and that correct weight maintenance is achieved. Tweaking his diet If your horse is being fed the recommended intake of a commercially available feed, adjustments to his diet shouldn’t be needed as it will be meeting all of his vitamin and mineral requirements. If he’s a poor doer in the winter but maintains a good weight in summer,…

Silver touches If you want to add a playful touch to your summer jewellery collection, this solid silver seahorse from Sylvia Kerr Jewellery does the job in style. Hung from an 18in chain and finished with the designer’s signature ring and toggle clasp fastening, this distinctive piece is lovingly handcrafted. Also available in 9ct gold. RRP £224 (silver) BUY AT sylviakerrjewellery.com Gut goodness Getting gut balance right can be tricky. EnteroZoo is a new, drug-free adsorbent gel designed to maintain your horse’s intestinal health. The oral gel is passed through your horse’s digestive tract and binds bacterial toxins together, making for a happy gut. It’s tasteless and odourless, so palatable for your horse too. RRP £34.99 for a 450g jar BUY AT enterozoo.co.uk Shock-absorbing boots These limited-edition boots…

Acavallo Just-Gel Lambskin Half Pad RRP £114.95 SECURE AND SHOCK ABSORBING This beautiful pad offers the best of both worlds — the shock absorption of a gel pad with the added security of excellent non-slip properties. This allows your saddle to adhere to the top side and the bottom to your saddlecloth (or your horse’s back if used on its own). Your saddle is then cradled in luxurious lambskin front and back, with a rolled edge for the ultimate in good looks. COLOURS Black, natural, brown, grey, white SIZES Large, medium, pony BUY AT horsehealth.co.uk Mark Todd Fleece Lined Gel Pad RRP £56.50 BREATHABLE AND ABSORBENT If you’re looking for a smart pad with plenty of breathability, then the Mark Todd Fleece Lined Gel Pad is the one for you.…