Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 409 i Your Horse

IF MONEY WERE no object, I had a string of fabulous horses and a support crew of 10, I’d pack as much into this year as I possibly could to ensure I don’t miss out on anything. I’d be booking riding holidays, jetting off to Rio to catch the Olympic action, and attending clinics, shows and competitions every week. In a nutshell I’d be one very happy lady! There’s so much going on this year, now’s the time to make well thought out plans. We’ve created our ultimate event guide (starting on page 22) and carefully cherry-picked the events we know you’ll love. There’s something for everyone, so get your diary out and start planning. We’re almost one month into the year already, let’s get going! SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Save up…

When an American police horse was killed in a road accident, a photo of her being cradled by one of the officers on the scene as she died went viral. The tragedy unfolded on December 3, when six-year-old Charlotte, who worked for the Houston Police Force (HPF), was hit by a cement truck after she was spooked. She was patrolling downtown Houston with Officer Damien Herrejon when the accident happened and had to be put down at the scene by a vet. Officer Herrejon suffered several broken bones, ribs and torn ligaments and was taken away by ambulance, while his partner, Officer Ronald Curry, lay by Charlotte’s side until the vet arrived. Several officers had been assigned to Charlotte during her career and she was much loved. “She was one…

Clear round jumping DATE 3 March WHERE The College Equestrian Centre, Keysoe COST £7 for one round or two for £10 i www.keysoe.com Dressage clinic with Kim Ratcliffe DATE 14 March WHERE Brook Farm Training Centre, Essex COST £40 i Call Kim on 07702 023288 Gallops hire DATE 22 February WHERE Dean Valley Livery and Competition Yard, Cheshire COST £5 i www.deanvalley.co.uk Five-day equestrian stunt holiday DATE From 11 March WHERE Riders of the Storm, Perthshire COST £515.50 i www.ridersofthestorm.co.uk…

Badminton Horse Trials 4-8 May Kicking off the UK’s world-class calendar of four-star three-day events, Badminton is renowned as a test for the best. Form here will be important for riders aiming for the Olympics, while up-and-coming eventers will strive to make their mark at top level. Catch all the action, check out the shopping village and arena displays and consider the 2016 season officially open for business. www.badminton-horse.co.uk Royal Windsor Horse Show 11-15 May With international show jumping, driving, dressage and endurance, plus showing, mounted games, the Shetland Grand National and shopping galore, a visit to Royal Windsor has something for everyone. Classes for Andalusians, Appaloosas and Lusitanos bring a global flavour to the proceedings in the show ring – grab a glass of fizz, sit back and enjoy!…

MEET THE EXPERT ANDREW HOY is an Australian eventer who has competed at seven Olympic Games. Andrew still competes to a high level as well as training from his base in Rutland, helping riders at an amateur level to those at top international level. MEET THE EXPERT RUTH ORRELL rides Millie, her homebred eight-year-old mare. Ruth is currently competing at BE100 level eventing with Millie and Elementary level British Dressage. AS I WATCH Millie while Ruth warms her up I note that the horse has lovely movement, but isn’t quite using her hindquarters as well as she could. This sometimes happens with mares because of the rotation of their pelvis. They are created to give birth so their pelvis is slightly rotated backwards making it harder for them to swing…

SInce London 2012 the past four years have been monumental for British dressage, winning gold at the europeans, the World equestrian Games and at the dressage World cup to name a few – and we have one particular horse to thank for that. Ridden by charlotte dujardin, Valegro helped us Brits storm the dressage world by scooping up every gold medal going. It’s a fairytale story for charlotte, but there’s one very important man who’s been working tirelessly for over 20 years, and who’s the driving force behind this partnership. carl Hester’s been dubbed the master of dressage and has been watching on, as his aims were finally fulfilled. Heading to what could be his last olympic games he plans to allow himself a slower pace of life in 2017,…

MEET THE EXPERT KATIE JERRAM owns some of the best show horses in the country – including a few belonging to the Queen – so this lady knows good equine management. Here, she shares her tips for general management and smart turnout. DURING WINTER IT can be a struggle to keep your horse content and looking his best, whether he’s clipped or has a long coat and muddy legs. To help with your stable management routine, I’ve put together some of my key cold season tips, plus a few all-year-round ones too – from feeding to knowing when to clip – to make life a whole lot easier for you and your horse. “Never be shy to speak to your feed company about the amount that you should be feeding…

The condition Exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER), commonly known as tying up, azoturia or Monday morning disease, is a term used to describe muscle pain associated with exercise. It can affect horses of different breeds and disciplines, and in some cases will occur infrequently when it’s known as sporadic ER. Sporadic ER is most commonly seen in horses performing strenuous exercise – particularly if they’ve been training above their current level of training or fitness – as well as those only ridden occasionally but fed a high carbohydrate feed ration. Other possible causes of tying up include dehydration or a lack of selenium, vitamin E or electrolytes in the diet. Some viral infections could trigger it too. Horses who have repeated episodes are termed chronic ER sufferers. Again, this could be caused…

CAROLINE MOORE FBHS has ridden and produced horses up to four-star level. She’s the British Eventing national U18 coach, and the junior team coach. Get him listening Q My horse ignores my leg, but doesn’t like it when I wear spurs. How can I get him moving forwards? Hannah Wilson, Hampshire A First, I’d recommend taking your spurs off. It’s important to remember that it isn’t your horse who’s lazy – it’s often the use of incorrect aids over a period of time that eventually means he simply switches off. If your horse is naturally a laid back type, it’s best to have a sharper, more effective leg to wake him up. Once he’s going forwards keep your legs quiet and loose on his sides so you’re not constantly kicking…

ELEANOR FROST is an experienced equine sports massage therapist. Pulling faces Q My horse had a massage recently but seemed to hate it – she pulled faces and constantly tried to bite the therapist. Why is this? Catherine Jones, Ipswich A An initial massage session may well produce mixed reactions. Some horses feel the therapeutic effect and relax and enjoy it, whereas others take three or four sessions to understand that it’s not something to hate. At times, qualified massage therapists may need to work deep into the muscle if a horse is experiencing particular tightness or soreness in that area. Some horses may openly show their discomfort, and this could have been the objection your mare was showing. The benefits of massage Q I’m a happy hacker who doesn’t…

“It promotes good posture while you’re sweeping up so no more post-sweep back pain!” Looks can be deceptive, but don’t be put off by this futuristic looking device. If you’re a fan of corn brooms to help keep your yard looking spick and span, the new Fynalite Sweepster Broom has all the benefits of a traditional broom, but with a few added extras. Its unique green flexible polypropylene bristles will brighten up your yard and make light work of sweeping, even when it’s wet. Cleverly, moving the plastic ring up or down can alter the stiffness of the bristles and with its strong, long aluminium handle and Softex grip, it promotes good posture while you’re sweeping up - no more post-sweep back pain! This modern-looking tool’s lightweight and easy to…

YOU CAN’T BEAT cold, crisp, frosty morning hacks, but only if you have the right gear to keep you warm. Investing in good quality thermal clothing will make being out and about with your horse that bit more comfortable as the temperatures drop. A base layer – which refers to both tops and bottoms – will help regulate your body temperature and is made from a breathable material that’s designed to wick moisture away. Worn next to your skin, they create and then trap a thin layer of warm air against your body. Comfort is the most important thing to mull over while buying any clothing – and thermals are no exception. Thermals must be as light and thin as possible, as they’re usually worn under other clothing. While many…

Musto Active Base Layer Trousers Price £45 Designed for comfort, these trousers have no seams to help reduce chafing and improve the feel of the material against your skin. Wicking fabric helps to keep you warm and dry, while variable knits are employed to protect your joints, muscles and kidneys. Colours Black, platinum Sizes XS/S, M/L, XL/2XLwww.musto.com Hot Togs Nude Thermal Leggings Price £15 Great for wearing under your competition breeches, as they won’t show through, these breathable leggings move with you, trapping warm air next to your skin to keep you warm. Colour Nude Sizes S to L www.hottogs.co.uk Equetech Arctic Thermal Under Breeches Price £14.50 These unisex under breeches have a plush, cosy lining, a wide waistband and stirrup foot to stop them riding up. A soft seam-free…

A NEW GUIDE released by BETA highlights the exciting range of opportunities available for people wanting to work in the equine industry. So if you thought the only jobs available were as a groom or rider, think again! As this guide goes to show, there are countless opportunities, whether you fancy retraining as a massage therapist or racing secretary. Included in the guide are descriptions of what it takes to become an equine nutritionist or saddler, plus advice on entering the racehorse sector, and even tips on becoming an equestrian product designer. “There’s a misapprehension that equestrian careers tend to consist of riding, grooming jobs or professions such as farriers, equine dentists or physiotherapists,” says Claire Williams, BETA executive director. “I hope that colleges, universities and those offering careers advice…

All dates/times correct at time of going to print Sat 16th January Olympia 2015: Grand Prix, Horse & Country TV, 9pm Sun January 17th Masterclass Xtra: Ludwig Svennerstal, Horse & Country TV, 9pm Sun 24th January FEI World Cup Driving: Leipzig, Horse & Country TV, 9pm Sun 31st January World Dressage Masters: Mechelen, H&C TV, 9pm Fri 5th February Argentine Open Polo 2015, Horse & Country TV, 8pm Mon 8th February Rudall’s Round-Up: Eventing Forum, Horse & Country TV, 8.30pm…

As well as an analgesia (pain relief), devil’s claw is an anti-inflammatory so has the same effect as some synthetic drugs such as phenylbutazone (bute). For the FEI to have banned devil’s claw means it’s taking a consistent approach to the drugs it’s banning, which is great because it keeps the equine sport industry ‘clean’. There’s been a loophole for several years now where owners have been able to keep competition horses comfortable, but this loophole is now closed to maintain a level playing field. I have never seen a horse have negative side effects to devil’s claw, so if you’re using it as pain relief and not competing then carry on using it to keep your horse comfortable.…

A rare breed success I loved the feature on rare breeds in your December issue as I own a stunning and fairly unique part-bred! Sired by a Cleveland Bay stallion, Son Supreme (Musgrave Supreme x Manningford Hera), 16.2hh Mead is out of a Suffolk Punch mare. She is 22 now and living proof of the incredible versatility of our native breeds and just what excellent crosses they can make. We’ve competed in show jumping, cross-country and dressage and she’s a fantastic hack. Despite her advanced years she is still in work and still turning heads wherever she goes! Sue White, North Yorkshire YH SAYS: Mead looks gorgeous and it sounds like youÕve had so much fun with her! Find out more about rare equine breeds at www.rbst.org.uk.We love hearing about…

WE’VE TEAMED UP with HAYGAIN and dressage rider Hannah Biggs to offer one lucky winner a flatwork lesson*, plus a HAYGAIN hay steamer, a branded gilet and a baseball cap. Based in Dorset, Hannah is one of Britain’s leading dressage riders, and is also a motivational and inspiring trainer. She teaches riders of all levels, combining traditional and classic values with modern training ideals. Hannah has represented Great Britain on Junior, Young Rider and Senior Teams at the European Championships and in Nations Cup classes. Our lucky winner will take their horse, as well as a friend or relative, to Hannah’s yard, where they’ll receive expert tuition. They will also win a HAYGAIN HG-ONE hay steamer, or £500 towards one of the larger steamers in the range. The HG-ONE incorporates…

“Knowing about safe road riding is vital for hacking confidence” Learn and improve Trainer Leonie Smith uses exercises based on the scales of training to help solve most issues and promote harmony. She’ll be helping riders of all levels at Turbury Equisport in West Yorkshire, from 12 February. Cost £50 for 45 minutes. www.turburyequisport.co.uk UKCC Level 2 coach Faye Low is a performance coach and confidence expert who uses techniques including NLP to help nervous riders overcome their issues. On 13 February she’s giving a Confidence for Riders talk at Moulton College, Northamptonshire, and can also be booked for lessons. Talk £15, lessons from £45. www.horseconfidence4u.co.uk BHSI Andrew Lovell is running a series of confidence-building cross-country clinics at Pontispool Equestrian Sports Centre in Somerset (£50 for a 90-minute group session…

MEET THE EXPERT JULIE FRIZZELL is a dressage coach who offers a personalised approach to training. Find out more about her, and the clinics she runs around the country, at www.dressage coaching.co.uk AS ATHLETES, BOTH you and your horse need to be correctly warmed up before asking for more demanding work. With less daylight hours and time in the saddle at a premium, it can be tempting to cut your warm-up short. Skimp on this phase of your schooling session at your peril though, as your horse will be much more prone to injury if you ask too much of him before his muscles are correctly warmed up. My six-point plan will help to ensure you both stay fit and healthy through the colder months ahead. 1 Before you hop…

I’M FULLY AWARE of the confusion surrounding the options available when taking out equine insurance. It can seem as if you’re negotiating a minefield and, as insurance companies only give you facts, not advice, it can feel like a bit of a gamble if you decide not to take out a certain option. In order to understand how insurance cover differs, and discover how best to ask for what you want, I called a number of the big names for quotes to compare their offerings. I wanted to see which companies would be happy to explain what I needed in order to give my horse the best type of cover. I also asked insurance experts from KBIS, SEIB and Petplan for their advice on making buying insurance easy. Friend or…

IMOGEN BURROWS is a vet at Cliffe Equine, part of the XLEquine veterinary group, visit www.cliffeequine.co.uk Stop the cough! Q Now she’s stabled, my mare’s developed a cough and I often spot blobs of mucus-gunk on the floor. She doesn’t get this in the field. Should I be worried? Katy Johnson, Bedfordshire A This is a common problem when horses are stabled more frequently, as their environment tends not to be particularly well ventilated. In a stable yard, the odours of faeces and urine tend to mix with the dust to stimulate an inflammatory response in the airways. Your horse’s bodily response to this is to narrow the airways to reduce the amount of contaminants passing into the lungs, and increase the production of inflammatory cells to protect the respiratory…

NICOLINA MACKENZIE is the marketing manager at SEIB Insurance Brokers, visit www.seib.co.uk Choosing the right insurance Q Should I insure my horse for his purchase price? Michelle Wright, Herefordshire A It’s important to insure for ‘market value’, which usually means the price you paid. Following the loss of a horse or pony the insurance policy will only pay what he’s worth to a maximum of the sum insured, minus any agreed excess. Over-insuring is a waste of money as the insurer won’t pay out more than the animal’s worth, and under-insuring is a risky business as if the horse dies there may not be enough money to buy a replacement of a similar type or standard. The actual market value of a horse or pony is more difficult to arrive…

Go for breathable fabrics, so if you have a sweaty schooling session they’ll help you cool off without getting a chill A top you can tuck into your breeches is great for keeping out draughts Choose a material that has some stretch in it, so it moves with you and doesn’t restrict you in the saddle A base layer should be tight fitting so it traps air next to your skin, insulating your body from the cold…

Mountain Horse Performance Gloves £27.99 IDEAL WHETHER YOU’RE IN THE SADDLE OR AT THE YARD These high performance, four-layer, waterproof winter riding gloves are perfect for yard work and riding. They have a stretchy outer and lightweight padding, making them thin enough to ride in, yet warm enough for cold winter days. COLOUR Black SIZES XS to XXL CONTACT www.mountainhorse.co.uk Back on Track Riding Gloves £56 HELP BOOST CIRCULATION AND EASE JOINT TENSION The colder weather can mean achy joints, but thanks to the clever Welltex fabric used in these gloves this could be a thing of the past. The unique fabric reflects body heat as an infrared wave, helping to relieve joint pain and boost your circulation and well-being. COLOUR Black SIZES 6 to 11.5 CONTACT www.backontrack.com/uk/home/ Noble Outfitters…

A NEW SCHEME IS helping more disabled riders learn to ride in a bid to reverse the current shortage of suitable riding centres. The initiative, which has been set up in partnership with Hoof, is now available for all equestrian centres approved by the British Horse Society (BHS), the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) and the Pony Club (PC) who want to obtain training to allow more disabled riders the opportunity to ride. The initiative is called the accessibility mark scheme, and has been given the go-ahead to launch across the country. It gives centres the guidance they need to allow them to set up the necessary facilities. They’ll also have a training day arranged so they have help from the start in setting up disabled riding tuition. Once…

HEADLEY BRITANNIA MAKES HALL OF FAME The late Headley Britannia has been awarded a plaque through the British Horse Society’s hall of fame which can be seen on the wall of the Household Calvary’s barracks in Knighstbridge. Lucinda Fredericks – Brit’s former rider – is pictured above (centre) with the plaque and her grooms, Jackie Hoon and Emily Young-Jamieson. RESCUED FROM THE FLOODS An uplifting story to come from the floods during Storm Desmond in December included the rescue of a donkey named Mike, after he escaped from his field. He was saved from the water by the Animal Heaven Animal Rescue centre in Ireland and will remain there until the vet gives him the all clear. He’s doing really well and has even made friends with a three-legged goat…

MASTER DRESSAGE BY PETER DOVE • Read by: Associate editor Allison Lowther An easy to read book that’s full of hints and tips on how to improve your marks in the dressage arena. There’s lots of great how-to advice, plus useful diagrams and checklists. All riders will learn something from this book whatever your level, and the author has a great way of explaining what he’s talking about. What it lacks in pictures is made up for by the in-depth information. FAREWELL TO THE HORSES: DIARY OF A BRITISH TOMMY 1915 – 1919 BY ROBERT ELVERSTONE • Read by: Senior writer Becky Statham This book takes you on a journey through World War I with a young man who joined the army and developed a relationship with the horses he…

Get to know Horses Inside Out HORSES INSIDE OUT 2016 DATE 20-21 February WHERE The Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester COST £195 per day BROUGHT TO YOU by Gillian Higgins – founder of Horses Inside Out and the woman who’s famous for drawing horses’ skeleton and muscular systems on their coat – the 2016 Horses Inside Out conference will encompass and explore the hottest topics in the world of horse care. These include the importance of good dentistry, asymmetry, the value of diagnostic imaging and the effect of rider balance, together with a variety of related topics. All of this will be covered in the wider context of the horse’s welfare, posture and performance. Guest speakers include Gillian herself, who’ll be sharing her expertise on horses’ backs, balance and biomechanics –…

Train to win Four-star international eventer and British Eventing (BE) trainer Paul Tapner is running one-hour group show jumping and cross-country clinics for riders jumping at 80cm and above at Wickstead HorsePlay in Wiltshire on 17 February. Choose your discipline then tap into Paul’s experience as he helps you establish a winning rhythm over a course of British Showjumping fences, or HorsePlay’s cross-country loop, which includes ditches and water. Sessions cost £55. www.horse-events.co.uk Whether you jump competitively or for fun, pole and gridwork boosts confidence, technique and fitness for horse and rider. Improve your balance, straightness and control with the help of BE-accredited coach Beatrice Stocks’ clinics (£25) at Moorhouse Equestrian Centre in Doncaster on 23 March. www.beatricestocks.co.uk Compete and improve If you want to get more than a rosette…

MEET THE EXPERT HANNAH BIGGS is an international dressage rider and motivational trainer. Visit www.hannahbiggsdressage.co.uk for more information. Here’s what’s coming up... PART 1 Stay in control International dressage rider Hannah Biggs helps you calm difficult behaviour (issue 409) PART 2 Spooking and napping Behaviourist Richard Maxwell helps you reduce spooking and napping (issue 410 - on sale February 11) PART 3 Hacking in open spaces Eventer Izzy Taylor helps you tackle your fear of open spaces (issue 411) PART 4 Feeling safe in the saddle Show jumper Mia Palles-Clark helps you gain confidence and security in the saddle (issue 412) PART 5 Hacking in heavy traffic NLP practitioner Caroline Putus helps you enjoy hacking (issue 413) PART 6 Handling from the ground Behaviourist Michael Peace helps you handle your…

TAKE A TRIP to your local feed store and you’re met with a vast array of feeds – the choice is huge, so is it any wonder it can be difficult and confusing to get it right? Knowing what to feed your horse can be a minefield, there seems to be a cube, mix, balancer or chaff for almost every eventuality. Whether you’re after a feed that’s low in calories, something for your elderly horse, or maybe a feed low in starch and sugar you’ll find more than one option, making your decision a tricky one. If you’re struggling to know what feed would be best for your horse the first place to start can be to chat through your concerns with the staff at your usual feed shop. Alternatively,…

GRACE FAIRBURN BSc (Hons), AdvCertVPhys, CertClinEd, MIRVAP is the owner of Fairburn Vetphysio, visit www.fairburnvetphysio.co.uk The role of a physiotherapist Q Do animal physiotherapists only work on injured horses, or can it be beneficial for healthy horses too? Hannah Mills, Derbyshire A An animal or veterinary physiotherapist (A/VP) works under veterinary referral in line with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962. This means any physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor must have a vet’s consent to treat an animal with a diagnosed condition. VPs can help with many conditions and injuries, and improve performance in the healthy competition horse. They have numerous skills to call upon, including massage, thermotherapy, trigger point therapy and many more. Using these tools, a veterinary physiotherapist’s aim is to help with pain…

LEE PEARSON MBE, OBE is a dressage rider who’s a 10-times Paralympic Games gold medallist. Putting an end to competition nerves Q I get really nervous before a dressage test and suffer from confidence issues. How can I get in a better mindset so this doesn’t affect my results? Harriett Islington, Derby A I also suffer competition nerves and always have done, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. If you can use the energy from your nerves and channel them into your riding this can be beneficial. To help, I recommend: Do your homework before the test – this may be training at a higher level at home than you plan to compete in so you know in your head that you’re more than capable Don’t look at…

Harry Hall Lisset Top Price £24 This has wicking and anti-bacterial properties, but is also smart enough to be worn on its own. Colour Grey Sizes S/M, M/L, L/XLwww.harryhall.co.uk Mountain Horse Juliet Tech Top Price £39.95 This technical top is made from a soft wicking fabric that’s comfortable to wear. It also has knitted sections at the ribs to give extra support and prevent rubbing. Colour Black Sizes XS to XL www.mountainhorse.co.uk Cavallo Flame Top Price £69 A flattering zip-collar top that’s breathable and helps regulate your temperature. Made from wool , it’s highly insulating, but also helps prevent overheating and odours. Colours Granite, quicksilver, jazzy pink Sizes 10-16 www.zebraproducts.co.uk Equetech Cozy Zip Top Price £41.95 A breathable, knitted zip top with a brushed soft lining to help keep you…