Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 427 i Your Horse

Hello I recently went on a photo shoot with our #Hack1000miles ambassador Tracey Sawyer, and it was a day that I wish I could have bottled up to keep for a rainy day. We met Tracey and five of her friends with their horses on the edge of Thetford Forest, where our journey for the day would begin. Our shoot took us to various different areas – grassy tracks, dense woodland, lanes, tracks and fields and as I pottered along behind them, I watched how they all interacted with each other, with their horses and even with the woodland surrounding them. At times Tracey veered off course to pop Mirrie over a log or to walk her over some undulating terrain. Her friend Rebecca would circle back every now and…

Six weeks ago, I went to ride my horse Coco but found he had a serious injury and needed immediate help. When I pulled his rug off to give him a groom and tack him up, I noticed a huge puncture wound and swelling on his abdomen. On further investigation, I found that the electric fencing in the field that I rent had been tampered with. A verdict from the vets revealed that he’d probably been stabbed with a screwdriver, though we could never prove that this was the case, the wound was thought to be too clean to have been a branch or part of the fencing. He was then hospitalised at the vets for two weeks and underwent extensive treatment before being allowed home to continue his care.…

If you and your friends love to hack together, we bet you like going to shows together, too. What better way to enjoy a horsey day out than to head to Your Horse Live? With that in mind, we think a #Hack1000miles competition is in order! Fancy winning four tickets to Your Horse Live on Sunday 12 November? Not only that, but you and your three friends will also get to meet Charlotte Dujardin at the show. How to enter Send a picture of your group, before, during (if it’s safe to take a pic) or after a group hack and send it to us at getinvolved@yourhorse.co.uk with the subject ‘Group Ride’. We’ll pick our favourite snap to win so be sure to slap on a smile and give it…

“I thought to myself, ‘I can’t be the only one having this problem’” WE ALL STRUGGLE with nerves at times but, if they’re getting in the way of you enjoying time with your horse, it’s time to tackle them. We’ve teamed up with confidence guru Helen Rennie for our brand-spanking new series to help you feel better than ever in the saddle. Learning from experience Struggling with confidence is tough but you’re not alone, even Helen’s been there. “I had a serious accident a few years ago. I fell off my horse and was knocked unconscious,” she explains. “I managed to get back on but my confidence had vanished.” Helen tried everything to get her mojo back but , after struggling to find the right solution, she decided to take…

Find it, fix it! Solve common schooling problems with advice from Bobby Hayler FIND THE PROBLEM Riding with a poor hand position (referred to as motorbike hands) means your thumbs point inwards, just like when riding a bike. This encourages your elbows to stick out, rather than being in line with your shoulders. Your arms can feel locked in position and you have less elasticity, so you’re unprepared if your horse tries to snatch the bit. WHAT TO AIM FOR When you’re riding with the correct hand position, your thumbs will be on top of the reins, with your elbows tucked into the side of your body and in line with your hips and shoulders. By doing this you’ll help yourself to feel more elastic through your arms and it’ll…

PART 1 Self-carriage (Issue 424 – for a back issue, call 01858 438884) Traditional coloured cob, Martini, and owner Kim work on lightening the forehand and engaging the hindquarters to help boost self-carriage PART 2 Lose the tension (Issue 425 – for a back issue, call 01858 438884) Simon and Patrick, the maxi cob, use exercises to aid relaxation and produce freer movement PART 3 Better balance and coordination (Issue 426 – for a back issue, call 01858 438884) Jackie and her horse, Malley, focus on improving rider coordination and working to a more correct contact PART 4 Channel his enthusiasm (This issue) Sarah and her native pony, Jack, work through containing his enthusiasm for work so he lifts the forehand to produce more elastic paces…

IF YOU’RE LOOKING for a great family day out where you can watch top event riders in beautiful surroundings, then you have to visit The Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park from 4-6 August. To make your visit one to remember, we’ve two prize packages up for grabs. Two lucky families will enjoy a course walk around the beautiful Gloucestershire cross-country course with a top rider or the course designer, Captain Mark Phillips. You’ll also receive a limited edition bottle of Pol Roger champagne, entry for two adults and two children for all three days and members tickets to the Hamptons International Garden Club for the duration of the event, allowing you ringside seating and hospitality. Presented by the British Equestrian Trade Association, the festival sees a weekend of…

MEET OUR EXPERTS ON LAMINITIS DR HELEN UDEN BVSc, MRCVS has worked as a vet in equine, farm and small animal practices in the UK and abroad for 10 years. She now provides expertise for a veterinary pharmaceutical company and co-ordinates the Talk About Laminitis campaign.www.talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk ANDREW POYNTON FWCF is a remedial farrier with more than 30 years’ experience in the business. He developed the Imprint hoof care system to help treat laminitic horses and ponies.www.imprintshoes.co.uk NOW THAT SUMMER ’ S here and the grass is rich and green, it’s natural for our thoughts to turn to laminitis. Traditionally linked with rich pasture, this is an extremely painful and potentially fatal condition affecting a horse’s hooves. However, research has begun to uncover a range of factors that can make a…

LIZ DANIELS has been grooming for more than 20 years in a range of disciplines, including show jumping and eventing. Liz also works for the British Grooms Association. Bandaging tips Q How do I put on an exercise bandage properly? William Murray, Surrey A If you haven’t bandaged legs before, it’s really important to get someone experienced to show you how to do it. If your horse’s bandages are put on incorrectly, they can cause some real issues, such as rubs, or even damage the soft tissue structures of the legs. Bandaging in simple steps Before you begin, your horse’s legs should be clean and dry, as should your pads and bandages. Always use a pad or foam and never apply the bandage straight onto the legs (unless you’re using…

STEPHANIE GEORGE Is a nutrition advisor for Saracen Horse Feeds and is currently undertaking an MSc in Equine Science. Benefits of turmeric Q I’ve heard people are adding turmeric to their horses’ feed? Why is this and should I consider doing it too? Erin Cornish, Liverpool A Turmeric is becoming more popular within the equine sector and it appears to be used for a very wide range of complaints and issues. While there are quite a few studies looking into its efficacy for certain complaints (such as joint issues) in humans, there’s very little research to support its use in horses. Dosage and curcumin content of turmeric are also issues that haven’t been researched fully and there’s no evidence as how much of each need to be fed to horses…

Once you’ve got your trailer, what are you going to tow with? Finding the right vehicle will ensure that your horse has a comfortable ride and that you have an easy job of towing. First things first, you need to check that your vehicle is capable of legally towing your trailer. To do this you’ll need to check the weight of your trailer and the weight of your horse on board doesn’t exceed the maximum towing capacity of your car. If you’re unsure what these are you should be able to find them in the car and trailer manual. Using a vehicle that has more than 2,000kg towing capacity is recommended. If you’re still not sure where to start, we asked Your Horse readers for their advice. Here are their…

Tickets for Your Horse magazine’s annual show, Your Horse Live, are now on sale and this year the stellar line-up features Charlotte Duajrdin and Valegro, Carl Hester and more top names. In addition, the show has introduced a new ticket type for visitors who only want to shop. The Super Shopper ticket option includes entry into the event, shopping in all halls, access* to the Country & Stable Arena, the Equine Learning Zone and Rescue Village. For a limited time only, you can buy two Super Shopper tickets for £32. The 2017 show will also play host to a new gala evening celebrating Carl Hester’s 50th birthday. See Carl and a whole host of surprise guests – two and four legged! Head to www.yourhorselive.co.uk to get your tickets today. *Super…

PAINTING HORSES Successful US ex-racehorse Metro had months of rehabilitation to try and heal his race injuries, but rather than turn him out to pasture, his owners Ron and Wendy let him pick up a paintbrush instead. Metro’s work was so good that they decided to put it on sale at a local gallery and his first four paintings sold out in a week! Visit bit.ly/2l7I0r7 HORSES OF THE WORLD by Teresa Lavender Fagan and illustrated by Elise Rousseau Reviewed by Your Horse writer Stacey Carter. A great one to keep on the shelf with beautiful illustrations, this is a brilliant book with 570 breeds organised by country and a concise fact file on each one. WHINNY AND WOOF NEEDLEFELT SCULPTURES These fuzzy sculptures are incredibly cute. Created from natural…

From a proud owner Yesterday my friend took this lovely head shot of my wonderful Mouse! I really wanted to share it with you. Billy Jo Howe Horses always help Alex got in touch after reading about a disabled carriage driver’s appeal to horse owners for help to find a pony on www.yourhorse.co.uk “I’ve seen kids and adults come out of their shell just by stroking, grooming and tacking up a pony. You learn how to balance yourself when riding. There are so many ways that horses can help. RDA is where I learned the most but you never stop learning. It’s amazing and when you see someone ride by themselves for the first time or after a long break, they have a smile lit across their face. Alex Srdarevic-Lewis,…

 Hacking in a group is the perfect way to enjoy your adventures in the saddle with friends and, with just a little forethought, you can do it without any hitches or drama. To help you make the most of your outings, the Your Horse team has some top tips for making sure you have a happy group hack. “ Before heading out, it’s worth having a chat to decide who’ll do what and to determine things like where you’ll go and at what speed” Set rules and roles Before heading out it’s worth having a chat to decide who’ll do what and to determine things like where you’ll go and at what speed. “As the saying goes, too many cooks spoil the broth, so knowing what you’re responsible for can…

WHO WOULD HAVE thought that just by using a simple square shape in your schooling routine you could make such a difference to your horse’s way of going? This easy to follow workout will really jazz up your schooling, as well as sharpen your horse up to your aids for a much more willing and responsive ride. For all of the following exercises, you’ll be working on a 20m x 20m square. It might help to mark out the corners using poles. Keep him straight Begin by riding around the outside of your square. Focus on riding a straight line along each side and an accurate 90° turn at each corner. Start in walk first and once your horse is balanced and working in a good rhythm, move up to…

“I HAVE A LESSON with Alison once or twice a month and after each session Alison puts together an audio download lesson for me so when I ride at home I have targeted exercises to use to keep our training on track. These downloads really help to transform your riding, it’s like having your trainer with you each time you ride. The audio lessons and one-to-one help have helped me improve my test riding. I’ve learned to use visualisation techniques, which has helped me ride more accurate tests and my scores reflect this. I used to go in the ring and go blank but thanks to the training I’ve had, I now have the tools to overcome this and compete successfully. The right training can help a person to change…

MEET THE EXPERT PROFESSOR JOSH SLATER is the professor of Equine Clinical Studies at the Royal Veterinary College. HORSES ARE CURIOUS CREATURES. One minute, they’re astounding us with their ability to dance through a dressage test, the next they’re spooking at their own shadow. While the latter can make us think that he has nothing between his ears but cotton wool, your horse’s brain is an incredibly complex system, boasting an impressive memory and ability to learn. Even though your horse’s brain is the driving force behind everything he does, we rarely consider its health on a day-to-day basis, let alone conditions that might affect it. With this in mind (pardon the pun), we decided to investigate the equine brain and its health, and we’ve enlisted Professor Josh Slater to…

JODIE AMOS is an eventer and ranked in the top 100 riders in the UK . She grew up in France and returned to the UK in 2002 to study History, French and Spanish at uni. Tips for cross-country first timers Q What advice do you have for taking my horse cross-country for his first time? Rachel Bryant, Oxford A Firstly, it’s vital that your horse trusts you – never put him in a situation that you haven’t prepared for properly at home so that he ends up doubting what you’re asking him to do. I take my time during these first cross-country sessions, approaching most fences out of trot. There have been times when I’ve spent ages with horses who take a dislike to water or ditches and always…

MARTIN COLLINS began developing innovative, synthetic surfaces for equestrian use more than 30 years ago. The company is the industry leader in synthetic surfaces. Creating an outdoor arena Q I have a small livery yard and I’m considering investing in my own outdoor arena for the liveries, as well as being able to hold some local shows and competitions. What would you advise? Richard Moore, Leicestershire A Presuming you’ve already put in a planning application (as you do need one for an outdoor arena), the next step would be to get a site visit from a reputable company to advise on the groundworks (the drainage layer underneath your surface). Getting the groundworks right is so important, as it can be expensive to rectify mistakes. It’s important to have your site…

WELSH COB FLYTE is on loan to Louisa Thomsett, who lives in Norfolk. Flyte’s had laminitis in the past and Louisa is keen to reduce the risk of it reoccurring in the future. Obesity and recent weight gain are the main risk factors for nutrition-related laminitis, so it’s best for Louisa to be prepared and keep Flyte slim all year round. She should restrict his time at grass and maybe use strip grazing too, to help manage his access to grass. She could also consider using a properly fitted grazing muzzle during turnout, which can reduce grass intake by up to 80%. If she’s feeding any hay at this time of year, she should soak it for at least three hours to reduce the water soluble carbohydrate content, which should…

Cavallo Gitty Show Shirt £79 HARNESS SOME FLOWER POWER This competition shirt features a laser cut amaryllis on the front and back to make this shirt really stand out. The breathable and quick-drying fabric is hardwearing, as well as comfortable to wear. COLOURS Hot red, sky blue , blue night, white SIZES 6 to 16 CONTACT www.zebraproducts.co.uk Equetech Peplum Competition Shirt £44.95 DRESS TO IMPRESS The Peplum shirt brings an exciting fresh new look to the dressage arena. Designed with the new British Dressage rules in mind (allowing you to ride without a jacket), this flattering shirt ensures you’ll look great in the arena with or without a jacket or waistcoat. COLOURS White, melange grey SIZES 8 to 20 CONTACT www.equetech.com Lauria Garrelli Basic Competition Shirt Price £43.95…

“So far he’s been lovely to do” EX-RACEHORSES ARE THOUGHT to be challenging rides, but with the right training they can make great all-rounders, as Katie Hawker found out when she rehomed Ed. “I wasn’t planning on getting another horse for a while after I’d had my previous gelding put to sleep because of kissing spines. I’d decided to put my horsebox up for sale. Two guys came to see the box and while they were test driving we discussed why I was selling. They encouraged me to keep the box because they knew of an ex-racer looking for a home!” “I got Ed (racing name Purple Lane) from Angmering Park Stables in Sussex. His last race was in August 2016 – he came second. He’d had a break since…

Researchers at the University of Liverpool are urging the owners of horses with suspected liver disease to support a new study into the impact of the parasite, Fasciola hepatica, also known as liver fluke. Some 250 horses are needed for the study into liver fluke, which can infect horses that graze on infected pasture and cause a lack of appetite, poor performance, weight loss, jaundice, neurological signs and in extreme cases, liver failure and death. It involves a diagnostic blood test (performed free of charge) to be carried out by the horse’s normal vet. Owners will also be asked to fill out a short questionnaire about their horse’s management. “Liver fluke in horses can be treated by your vet, but this relies on awareness and diagnosis,” says Professor Diana Williams,…

We bought one and got one for free I bought Pixie from a dealer as a four year old in October 2014. She was ideal for my children to learn to ride on because she was so quiet and good natured. After a few months of having her, we found out Pixie was in foal! Pixie had Puzzle in July 2015. We brought her back into work in March 2016 and, since then, my eldest daughter, Megan, has taught her everything. Pixie hadn’t done much ridden work as she used to be a driving pony and Megan could only just manage rising trot 12 months ago. They now compete in dressage, showing and show jumping, and they love hacking out together. They make a great team and have a brilliant…

Working back from the date of the competition and creating a plan can help you stay more focused during training. “Goal setting is vitally important, especially when moving up,” says Will. “The fitness of horse and rider are obviously really important but I’d suggest you practise above the level you’re competing at so that, come competition day, it doesn’t seem like such a big deal. On a smaller scale, do as much as you can the night before. Things like putting studs in can be stressful when your horse won’t stand still tied up. Tap the stud holes out and leave cotton wool in overnight so it’s less of a job on the day.” Part of your preparation should involve getting off the yard. “There are more venues that permit…

Julie Thompson Age: 52 Location: Essex Charlotte Wheeler Age: 33 Location: Surrey Caroline Baker Age: 26 Location: Durham Julie Thompson “They’re doing cross-country - I wish I was too” THROUGHOUT HER INITIAL application, we heard a lot about Julie’s relationship with her daughter Josie. In fact, it was spending time with Josie at the yard that drove Julie to enter the competition in the first place. She’d just got back into riding after a break and had been helping Josie with her own horse, Marvin. When we arrived at Great Barfield Equestrian Centre, in Essex (Josie’s yard and the yard Julie would aim to keep a new horse at), it was great to be able to finally put some faces to names. “Josie was under strict instructions to be here…

MEET THE EXPERT WILLA NEWTON is a professional rider from Lincolnshire. Since graduating from university in 2012, Willa has focused her career on eventing and has her sights set firmly on competing at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. MEET THE RIDER HANNAH HOBHOUSE is having a lesson with her horse, Charlie. The pair have competed up to Novice level and are aiming to head to a one-star event this year. WE’VE ALL BEEN there. One minute you’re in contention for a rosette; but one fence later, you haven’t quite nailed the landing and now the rest of the course has gone awry. Sound familiar? It could be you need to work on quickening your reactions. Here, we meet event rider Willa Newton, who’s giving a lesson to Hannah Hobhouse and…

MEET THE TRAINER ALISON SHORT is a British Dressage (BD) judge and freelance dressage coach. She’s worked with riders up to BD Championship level. She loves working with riders to help them achieve their goals, no matter what those goals are. Visit www.alisonshort.co.uk IN THE FOURTH and final part of our Hairy Hopefuls series, trainer Alison Short works with Sarah Oram and her Welsh Section D, Jack. These two make a fabulous partnership; Jack is very enthusiastic and always wants to please – the only drawback of this is that Jack is so keen to work he thinks he knows what Sarah’s going to ask, before she’s even asked him to do it! If your horse sounds like Jack, the exercises Alison suggests here will encourage your horse to wait…

MEET THE EXPERT RICHARD MAXWELL is an equestrian consultant and behavioural specialist, incorporating both natural and traditional methods of horsemanship “TO BOND WITH your horse, you have to be an emotionally reliable person,” says Richard. “A lot of this can be established by being part of their daily management and care. It’s a process that, much the same as human relationships, you have to work at. To help, here are 10 simple bonding exercises that you can do together. 1 Connect from the ground Groundwork exercises are a great way of connecting with your horse. “To bond with my horse, I need his attention and focus,” says Richard. “Groundwork needs to be calm and relaxed – try simple exercises such as bending and backing up.” Keep ground training to a…

The condition Strangles is the most commonly diagnosed respiratory disease and is caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi bacteria. It’s highly contagious and can be carried by a small number of horses without them showing any symptoms (known as carriers). The bacteria can lie dormant but be activated by stress (such as travel or mixing with new horses on a new yard), poor husbandry (like exposure to bad weather or inadequate nutrition) and other factors, including dental disease. All the horses on the yard can be affected in an outbreak, proving fatal in up to 10%, although it’s usually much less than this in adult populations. Symptoms & diagnosis Horses of all ages can be affected and the condition can vary in its symptoms. The symptoms of the ‘classic’ strangles…

LUCINDA TICEHURST is a vet at Town & Country Equine Veterinary Centre in Leicestershire. She’s also sponsored by SyncThermology as a point-to-point jockey. Does my horse have hay fever? Q My horse seems to cough when there’s lots of pollen about. Could he be allergic to something? Fiona Green, Brighton A Many horses have pollen-related allergies and, as well as coughing, symptoms can include: • An increased breathing rate • Nostril flaring • Slow and deep or more rapid shallow breaths • White, cream or clear nasal discharge • An abdominal heave line can be seen with abdominal effort when breathing In mild cases, signs can go unnoticed and may only manifest themselves as poor performance. If your horse’s breathing is obvious at rest, or a cough persists for more…

JULIA DUNGWORTH is an international event rider who’s competed up to CCI**** level. At her base in Leicestershire, she trains and brings on event horses. Box rest support Q My horse has just started a long stint of box rest and I’m not sure he’s coping well being alone. What can I do to give him some company? Billie Richardson, Hertfordshire A Box rest can be really tricky if your horse is used to going out and especially if it’s required in the height of summer when he’s fit and all of his friends are being turned out on a daily basis. However, the thing to remember is that being on box rest is often harder for you than it is for your horse. If your horse gets stressed when…