Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 436 i Your Horse

Hello Welcome to this issue of Your Horse magazine — and the first with me in the editor’s chair! There has been a lot of change in my life over the last 10 weeks — a job change on top of relocating to a new part of the country — and inevitably this has had an impact on my horse, too. Bee is an ex-racehorse and while (thankfully) not a stressy type, I’ve noticed that he is, quite understandably, taking time to adjust to all the change. Hacking has been the best medicine and we’ve taken on Your Horse’s #hack1000mile challenge with gusto. We’re really enjoying it too — getting out exploring our new surroundings, working out where our favourite routes are and just generally spending time with each other.…

JACOB, A 14.2HH PIEBALD cob cross, was among a group of five horses rescued from South Wales in 2013 when he was just three years old. He had been severely neglected and was suffering from malnourishment and dental problems. He was also riddled with lice and mites. Thankfully Jacob and his friends were rescued by Redwings, who gave the herd a home at their sanctuary in Warwickshire. Under the watchful eye of the Redwings vets and care staff, Jacob flourished into a confident and happy pony. Early last year, he finally had enough confidence to be considered for rehoming and the team set out to find his forever home. With his sweet nature it didn’t take the centre long to find him a match, and in spring 2017 Jacob went…

Snowy escapades A snippet of the fun we had in the snow. Hayley Burson, Facebook Leap for joy This was Ted’s reaction when I mentioned a trip to the gallops. A good run up the gallops at 32mph helps him to blow off steam. Peter Robinson, Facebook Rescue wonder This is Teddy, who came from Redwings in Amersham. I’ve been his guardian for two years and we’ve done a little dressage, showing and TREC. He’s well mannered and responsive but can be anxious and needs time to get used to new situations. I’m trying to push his boundaries one small step at a time. Anna Hales, Facebook…

IF YOU LOVE the thought of watching top class riders tackling the cross-country fences at the Chatsworth International Horse Trials (11-13 May) then this competition is perfect for you. Five lucky winners will spend the day at Chatsworth picking up tips from the pros. You’ll have the opportunity to walk the course with a Dodson & Horrell Brand Ambassador - such as Jesse Campbell, Laura Collett, Piggy French, Richard Jones, Harry Meade, Willa Newton or Zara Tindall - and learn how to approach and jump each of the fences. Then watch all the top eventing stars in action as they compete in front of the iconic Chatsworth House in the beautiful Peak District. Each winner will also receive an event programme signed by the riders, a goody bag to take…

MEET THE EXPERT NIKKI CRISP is a dressage rider who’s been a member of several British Nation Cup teams. She was shortlisted for the London 2012 Olympics, where she was the guinea pig test rider with her mare, Pasoa. A HORSE WHO IS on a contact will be submissive to your aids and feel relaxed underneath you. However, achieving a contact can be difficult, especially if you have a younger horse whose mouth isn’t very receptive yet. If you achieve a contact correctly it will help to bring your horse off the forehand and balance himself, which is important if you really want to progress within your training. This workout is designed to help you develop a consistent contact by asking for flexion and softening your horse’s neck. If you…

MEET THE EXPERT SAM GRIFFITHS won Badminton in 2014 and led Australia to team bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing fourth individually. The Dorset-based rider suffered a serious neck injury in 2017, but will be back in action this season. WHEN YOUR HORSE is feeling well, you might expect him to be a bit of a handful. It’s all fun and games to have him excitable for a gallop on a hack, but not so good when you’re aiming for that perfect score at a competition. It can be frustrating riding a hot horse when you’re trying to focus, but getting angry at him won’t calm him down any quicker. If there’s one person who knows how to stay as cool as a cucumber with horses that are full…

Win a year’s worth of feed! Our fantastic prize includes £50 worth of feed vouchers for Dodson & Horrell’s Performance Range every month for a year — that’s worth a whopping £600 in total. Plus, you’ll get a visit from one of Dodson & Horrell’s equine nutritionists to help you tailor the ideal feeding plan for your horse. Designed specifically for competition horses whose demanding workload requires more energy for stamina and performance, Dodson & Horrell’s Performance Range was launched just last year. With both fast- and slow-release energy feeds in the range, including mueslis, cubes and fibre products, there are a variety of feeds to choose from, so your horse’s diet can be tailored to his needs — whether that be eventing, dressage, endurance, show jumping or riding club…

MEET THE EXPERT STEPHANIE GEORGE BSC (HONS) is a nutrition advisor at Saracen Horse Feeds, see www.saracenhorsefeeds.com WE HORSE OWNERS love our hairy beasts and want to do what’s right for them. Feeding is no exception, but with the abundance of choice on the market, selecting what to give him can get pretty complex. This cube or that chaff? This balancer or that supplement? The struggle is real. But while a big feed bill has its roots in good intentions, it could be that you’re doing neither your wallet nor your horse much good. Here to help you banish the myths and spend wisely is feed expert Stephanie George. Overfeed? Overspend You can’t dump a scoop of this and a scoop of that in a bucket and hope for the…

Treat time? Q I give my native pony a treat when I turn him out and another when I bring him in to encourage good behaviour. However, people at my yard say I shouldn’t be giving him all these treats because it might make him fat. How many treats should he get a day? Kayleigh Moore, Cumbria A Most of us like to reward and treat our horses and ponies for good behaviour, but do bear in mind how these daily treats can add up in terms of calories. How treats affect your pony will vary depending on how many are fed per day, your pony’s general weight and condition and whether he has any clinical issues, such as laminitis or Cushing’s Disease. Some equine breeds are predisposed to easy…

Check point Q What kind of checks will I need to pass in order to become a candidate for rehoming? Tina Banks, Dorking A At Redwings we try to find the very best fit for both horse and guardian. All applications for rehoming a Redwings Horse Sanctuary are initially made through our website: www.redwings.org.uk. A member of our rehoming team will then call to discuss your application and provide more details. This conversation is really useful for both parties to start the process of finding the right match. Following this, a home visit is arranged to ensure the environment meets our criteria. This also provides the opportunity for you to ask our team any questions you may have about management, such as grazing and shelter requirements. You will then be…

Flattering gilet with its own bag The Equetech Chalgrove Micro Packable Gilet is the perfect lightweight warmer. It has a sculptured neckline to keep you warm and vertical side quilting for a flattering look. It even comes with its own drawstring storage bag. PRICE £80.95 CONTACT www.equetech.com Safety and style The Champion Air-Tech Deluxe is available in a range of colours, finished with metallic or silk paint. Triple mesh venting provides superior airflow to keep you cool and comfortable and the lining is removable and washable. The hat is fully adjustable and has a four-point synthetic leather harness to ensure a secure fit. PRICE from £125 CONTACT www.championhats.co.uk Metallic touches These trendy BR Maggy Riding Breeches feature stylish metallic print on the pockets. You can choose from a microfibre seat,…

SAFETY To prevent you from being dragged if you fall off, some stirrups use an easy-release system. There are a number of options available, but most open at the side of the stirrup so that your foot can be freed quickly. WEIGHT With the use of modern materials such as plastic and aluminum, stirrups are now extremely lightweight. These are a popular choice with competition riders, but what you prefer will be a personal choice. TREAD A wide rubber tread is still a popular option for superior grip. Cheese-grater-style treads can offer better stability if the soles of your boots get wet.…

Associate editor Allison Lowther: You can’t help but be inspired by Charlotte Dujardin. Her exercises will improve your horse’s way of going whatever your level. I’m already seeing an improvement in my own horse. See page 30 Writer & online editor Amy Moore: Who’d have thought squeezing a foal could save lives? I chat to the professor who pioneered this technique. See page 24 Writer Stacey Carter: My expert workout for this issue is with dressage pro Nikki Crisp, who was a test rider for the Olympic games in 2012. It’s about developing your contact — something I’m always looking to improve on! See page 36 SUBSCRIBE  today and enjoy six months of Your Horse magazine for £23! Never miss an issue — they’re delivered straight to your door!…

A-level student Emily Richards from South Wales has used an art project to highlight the sadness of equine neglect. She created a horse from a wire frame to show what can happen when a horse is neglected. Speaking about her project, Emily said: “I created the project to show how a horse’s condition deteriorates when they are neglected. The dark colour gives it a depressing feel, but I included fairy lights to symbolise that the horse is still there, even in dark times.”…

French showjumper Simon Delestre got everyone talking when he posted a photo to Instagram of his horse wearing fluffy rein covers (that actually turned out to be noseband covers). The idea is to protect the horse’s skin from being rubbed — ideal if he has sensitive skin. But some people weren’t convinced. What happens in rain? Is there enough grip if you have to pull up quickly? Tell us whether you think it’s savvy or just bonkers at getinvolved@yourhorse.co.uk.…

MEET THE EXPERT VIKKI HAYTON is a British Dressage trainer, judge and rider who rescues hedgehogs when she’s not running College Farm EC. Find out more at www.collegefarm.com RIDING REGULARLY WITHOUT a trainer can make it easy to slip into bad habits. Small mistakes might not seem like a big deal at the time, but in the long run they can have a huge effect on your overall riding ability and how your horse reacts to you. Equally, if you’ve noticed that your horse is far from foot-perfect, it might be time to reflect on what’s going wrong. 1 Do you feel stiff? Fitness enthusiasts will know how important warming up is — so why not apply the same logic to your riding? “Horse riding is still a form of…

ABOUT THE EXPERTS DR PATRICK POLLOCK is a vet at Edinburgh University’s Dick Vet Equine Hospital, with a specialist interest in wounds. www.ed.ac.uk GEORGIE HOLLIS is the founder of the Veterinary Wound Library and Bandaging Angels, assisting vets and nurses with best practice for wounded horses and small animals.www.vetwoundlibrary.com IF YOU FIND A WOUND on your horse, you need to calmly assess it in order to understand how serious it is and what you need to do. Wound care expert Georgie Hollis, who founded the veterinary wound library, says that location — not size — is the best indicator of severity. “Anything from the stifle down and all leg wounds, however small, should be taken seriously — especially those over a joint or in the sole of the foot,” says…

MEET THE EXPERT RICHARD MAXWELL is an equine behaviourist who has combined conventional and natural training methods to develop his own style – ‘practical horsemanship’. BY THEIR VERY nature, horses are wary of things — the sheep appearing in the field next to them, the first time they encounter a motorbike, a flapping plastic bag next to the arena. Thankfully, many will take a quick look and simply get on with life. But for others, it’s a much bigger deal and their way of coping with the situation is to try to run away - we call this spooking, and it can be downright annoying and sap your confidence in no time. To banish the spooks, we’ve enlisted the help of Richard Maxwell to show us what we can do…

MEET THE EXPERT DENA SCHWARTZ is a holistic therapist to both animals and humans. She advocates using herbs and aromatherapy oils regularly to keep your horse balanced and healthy. HUMANS HAVE BEEN harnessing the medicinal power of herbs for centuries, and now it’s time to let our horses feel the benefit of these dynamos too. When they lived in the wild, horses would graze on all sorts of medicinal and nutritional plants and herbs every day. In these more modern times, your horse may no longer have access to hedgerows because of restricted turnout regimes and the use of post and rail or electric fences instead of natural boundaries. If this is the case for your horse, consider taking him for a walk to the nearest hedgerow once a week…

“I started my blog in October 2016 and now have 500,000 unique views per week across all platforms. Facebook sparked it off. I saw horsey people chatting (well, mostly moaning) about their horses and I felt left out. Most of my Facebook friends were not horsey and my husband wasn’t that interested in talking about it either. I’d just entered my first event with my horse Patrick and I was terrified — I thought I was going to die. I set up the Diary of a Wimpy Eventer Facebook page to see if I could get some reassurance, but the 300 people that followed the page initially were as terrified as I was so it didn’t help much. When Patrick and I were placed I entered another event further away…

Shattered confidence Q I was really shaken after a fall that resulted in a spinal injury. How can I regain my confidence? Ellie March, Stamford A It’s common to lose confidence after a fall. As humans we are born with an innate fear of falling, so dropping from your horse can trigger a fear response and make you reluctant to get back in the saddle. This is especailly likely if you’ve sustained an injury. It’s important to think of your recovery in three steps: Step 1 Make sure you feel physically strong enough to ride. Any doubt about physical fitness will impact your confidence, so you should treat your return to riding as a rehabilitation programme. Take small steps and work within your own physical capability. Progress doesn’t need to…

LOUISE TELLS ME that Bovary has had a recent vet check and that pain, illness or gastric ulcers have been ruled out. However, at age 25 the mare does have a couple of teeth missing and the remainder are very worn, making it difficult for her to chew hay or long-stemmed fibres effectively. Bovary currently receives a conditioning mix combined with alfalfa two times a day plus ad lib haylage when she is stabled overnight. There are signs of quidding every morning and more often than not she does not clear her bowl. It’s likely that Bovary struggles to chew her haylage and also the alfalfa, as the plant stems can sometimes be sharp in the mouth and more difficult to break down when teeth are worn. Louise should consider…

Shires Equestrian Products Lightweight Stirrups PRICE £21.99 CONTACT www.shiresequestrian.com With these versatile lightweight stirrups you have two tread options. You can choose the rubber grip for general purpose and use the metal cheese-grater-style tread for when you want extra grip and security. Tech Stirrups Venice PRICE £173.99 CONTACTwww.techstirrups.com An aluminium security stirrup that opens to release your foot if a certain load is exceeded —it is triggered if you fall off. The mobile part of the stirrup is hooked to the tread via a spring and joined at the top with two magnets, which keep the stirrup closed under normal circumstances. The patented tread allows a perfect grip in all conditions. Rambo EasyUp StirrUP PRICE £119.95 CONTACT www.horseware.com These lightweight stirrups have a drop-down mechanism designed to make mounting easier.…

How to prepare  To make poulticing as stress-free as possible, gather together all the items you’re going to use before you start. You’ll need: Gaffer or duct tape A piece of poultice cut to hoof size A self-adhesive bandage A bucket of water and a brush A pair of scissors 1 Make a square shape using gaffer or duct tape by laying strips in rows downwards and then across. Once complete you’ll have a robust and waterproof square. Put it somewhere you can reach it easily as you’ll need it as soon as you’ve bandaged your horse’s hoof. 2 It’s best to apply your poultice to a clean and dry foot. Thoroughly clean your horse’s hoof using water and a brush before applying the poultice. 3 Place the wet or…

A campaign helping horse owners recognise the signs of colic has won an award. The REACT campaign, a collaboration between the University of Nottingham and the British Horse Society and funded by World Horse Welfare, received the Veterinary Record Evidence Award. REACT was created after research found that 90% of owners didn’t feel confident that they could spot the life-threatening condition soon enough. Early veterinary assistance is key to survival. Dr John Burford, from the University of Nottingham’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science said: “The Veterinary Record Evidence Award recognises a major contribution to evidence-based medicine in veterinary practice. Winning this award acknowledges the science behind the campaigns and the way the British Horse Society, World Horse Welfare and the University of Nottingham have collaborated to bring great benefits…

A Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Fellow and senior RDA coach has been awarded the British Horse Society Helen Barton-Smith Silver Stirrup Award. Mike Butcher recieved the award for his work in support of young riders. He was winner of the UK FE Lecturer of the Year Award in 2016 and has been featured in the documentary ‘Britain’s Classroom Heroes’. Mike said: “It’s a great honour to receive this award. I’m fortunate that I’m able to do a job that I love on a daily basis that also enhances people’s lives.”…

MUSTO’S TEAM GBR CLOTHING Musto has teamed up with the British Equestrian Federation to create the official merchandise for team GBR. Check out the collection, which includes polos and waterproofs, at www.musto.com LITTLE ALF By Hannah Russell The true story of Alf, a plucky Shetland pony born with dwarfism, and how he found his forever home with the book’s author Hannah Russell. Now a social media star, Little Alf has come a long way from the muddy field Hannah rescued him from when she was just 16 years old. PODCAST: JENI GILBERT ON ENDURANCE AND BRIDLEWAY ACCESS Former Director of Endurance GB Jeni Gilbert chats to HorseHour’s Amy Frost about endurance riding and what it takes to be involved with the sport. They also discuss access routes for bridleways and…

Two years ago, when I was 14, my mum (who knew even less about horses than I did) bought my first pony, Jake. Everyone at my yard said he’d never make the grade for a show pony and told me I should have bought a schoolmaster to teach me the ropes. Jake was a little unpredictable, but I wanted to persevere with him. There were a lot of tears along the way, but it’s all been worth it for the good moments when we’ve found success. Just having the support from a select couple of people was enough to get me through when Jake was being challenging. For all those looking to get a new pony, I’d say go with your heart because if I hadn’t taken a chance on…

Leg-yield Try leg-yielding from the three-quarter line back to the track and then do this from the centre line too. Your horse must move away from your leg, but remember that leg-yield is a flexion at the poll, not a bend in the neck. It isn’t about how quickly you get back to the track; it needs to be controlled to ensure your horse doesn’t fall out through his shoulder. Shoulder-in When doing shoulder-in your horse must stay uphill and on three tracks. Ride from your inside leg to your outside rein, aiming for flexion at the poll. Stay in an even rhythm and remember you’re not aiming for a big angle – you’re only turning the shoulder in a little. A bad shoulder-in happens when there’s too much bend…

MEET THE EXPERT ALEX HARRISON is a UKCC3 qualified coach and British Dressage list four judge. In 2017 he had a hat-trick of wins at the Hickstead CDI and represented Great Britain at the Exloo and Aachen internationals. QUALITY STRETCH WORK is important for any horse. It keeps them supple and soft in their core work and, as Alex Harrison of Collective Equestrian explains, it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. In fact, a good stretching session can last just 10 minutes if it’s carefully timed and both rider and horse are well disciplined. “Before I begin any schooling session I give my horse a lap of the school to see if they’ll stretch,” says Alex. “Some horses won’t stretch before a session and that’s okay. In that case,…

WHEN MR BUCKLE was brought in from the field with a two-inch gash on the side of his hock, his owner Natalie Clark immediately called the vet. “It had obviously happened during the night because the blood had dried, but it was oozing pus and I knew that being on a joint meant the risk of infection was very serious,” says Natalie. “We don’t know for sure, but Buckle likes to jump out of his field and that’s possibly how he picked up the injury.” When the vet arrived, the wound was flushed to clean it thoroughly and a protective padding was placed on top. A self-adhesive bandage was used to keep it in place and the dressing was changed twice a day. The gelding was given intravenous antibiotics and…

The condition Cataracts is a condition found within the horse’s eye and can result in reduced vision. Horses both young and old can develop cataracts and it’s not confined to specific breeds. The condition may be congenital (present at birth), hereditary or, in some cases, the result of an inflammation, infection or trauma. Cataracts are opacities within the lens. If the condition is mild, then the cataract will form tiny dots over the horse’s central vision, making his sight cloudy. If the condition is severe his vision may turn opaque and surgery will be needed. The horse could go blind if a severe cataract is left untreated, but equine cataract surgery isn’t something to be undertaken lightly because it requires general anesthetic. It’s unknown how many horses are affected by…

OVER THE PAST few years blogging has become one of the most popular ways of communicating information and spreading news. There are millions of blogs online covering every topic you can think of. Starting one is a great way to express yourself and to share what’s going on in your equine life. Some people blog for pleasure and others do it for a living, with full—time blogging now a legitimate career choice for many. Five easy steps to starting your blog Setting up a blog from scratch can seem daunting but it really shouldn’t. Follow this simple advice and you’ll be up and running in no time. 1 KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE This first tip holds true for any type of writing. Who are you aiming at? Where are they? What…

Is your yard and field horse safe? Q What kind of maintenance checks should I be making around my yard and tack room? Sally Barnes, Edinburgh A Most yard owners will agree that maintenance of their facilities is always ongoing. Some yards have a system of routine maintenance checks based upon the differing seasons of the year and whether or not they have grazing land. An example of seasonal maintenance is checking all guttering and drains are clear before the winter to help reduce leaks or flooding, and making sure enough rock salt is readily available should areas of the yard become frozen. Treating wooden stables, repairing fencing and redecorating would normally be left to the spring and summer periods, because these tasks are easier when horses are not stabled…

HAS YOUR GROOMING KIT seen better days? Then Renwick & Sons’ premium collection of brushes is all you need to make light work of your daily task, and the more you use them, the easier your horse’s coat will be to manage. Since 1798 this family company has been producing brushware in the heart of the Northumberland countryside. Now, using the best craftsmanship and expertise, Renwick & Sons has produced a stunning new collection. The unique set is handcrafted here in the UK from sustainable hardwood and incorporates the latest technology such as innovative bristles. Each brush has been ergonomically designed and there are three size options to ensure it fits perfectly in your hand. Every brush has an adjustable leather strap and an arrow head etching to enhance stability…

Harry Hall Overstone Country Boots Price £139 WATERPROOF AND BREATHABLE These attractive leather and nubuck boots are fully waterproof and have a breathable inner membrane, a full length zip and a stylish side lace system. They also feature gel and foam inserts to improve comfort and enhance foot support. COLOUR Brown SIZES 3 - 11 CONTACT www.harryhall.com Toggi Rundle Long Country Boots Price £150 COMFORT AND SECURITY With a waterproof and breathable microporous membrane, these handmade Toggi Rundle boots will ensure that your feet remain dry and aired in all weather conditions. The microfibre lining enhances comfort while the rugged rubber outsole makes sure you have good grip in all weather conditions. COLOUR Bitter chocolate SIZES 36 - 46 CONTACT www.toggi.com MorettaLena Long Boots Price £179.99 PRACTICAL STYLING…

Dealing with a foot abscess IF YOUR HORSE doesn’t want to bear weight on one leg he could be suffering with a foot abscess. However, you should check him over for signs of injury and then call your vet rather than self-diagnose because it could easily be something different. If your vet confirms that it is an abscess, he’ll hand responsibility over to you and advise how long to poultice the foot for. The process may seem a little complicated and your vet is likely to make it look easier than it is, but follow our picture guide and soon you’ll be poulticing without any fuss. MEET THE EXPERT JESS SAUNDERS is an equine nursing assistant and has worked at Oakham Veterinary Hospital in Rutland for 11 years. It’s one…