Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 432 i Your Horse

Hello It’s amazing how much horses can tell us about ourselves and our emotions from the slightest of interactions. If you’ve seen it first-hand, or experienced it yourself, you’ll know exactly what I mean. This became very clear to me eight years ago during a photoshoot with an equine behaviour pro, Sarah Shearman. We stood in a field of horses watching how they interacted with each other and, after a little time, the horses started to investigate us – by us, I mean our photographer Matt and Sarah. None of them would come within a metre of me – apart from one brave (or naive?) foal who took pity and brought me a stick! At the time I was going through a difficult time in my personal life and, on…

Wadworth, one of the last remaining breweries to use working Shire horses for dray deliveries, has welcomed a new horse to its team – six-year-old, 18.2hh gelding, Sam. Sam has big shoes to fill as he’s taken over from one of the brewery’s favourite horses, Monty. After eight years (and countless awards for his work), Monty has started a much-deserved retirement in Cardigan, Wales, while new boy Sam gets stuck into his new role. “Sam settled in very well on his first day, and went out as a pair with another horse, Max, around town on that morning. He performed extremely well,” said Martin Whittle, Wadworth’s head horseman. With the other Shires, Sam will start his days at 6am when he’ll be fed, mucked out and groomed before starting deliveries…

RDA pony Paddy received a long service award for his 12 years with the Auchterader RDA group at Gleneagles Equestrian School. His award was presented by his number one fan, Daisy Dixon (pictured), who’s ridden Paddy since she started at the centre a year ago. “Daisy adores Paddy and could say his name from very early on when she wasn’t able to say very much else,” said Gleneagles Events Manager Jane Cepok. “Since starting, Daisy has seen a huge improvement in her riding and communication so it was absolutely right that she should present Paddy with his award!”…

1 Your horse is in a bad mood. Efforts to enter his stable result in his bottom being turned on you. Do you… a) Walk in carefully but speak to him in your normal manner to assess his response. b) Feel sad he’s not happier to see you, and worried something’s wrong. c) Walk straight in and warn him not to look so grumpy – if he carries on, he’ll be in trouble. d) Feel scared to go in for fear of being kicked by your horse. 2 You’re out hacking when a monster lorry appears up ahead. Do you... a) Worry for your horse, talking to him in a high-pitched singsong voice to keep him happy. b) Maintain a light contact and be ready to respond. You’re prepared to…

MEET THE EXPERT MARY KING is one of Britain’s most well-known equestrians, with two World Championship gold medals, silver and bronze Olympic medals. Her book, Mary King “My Way” is available now. Order online today at www.kingeventing.com IF YOU WANT to excel in competitions, keeping your horse’s fitness levels up is vital. Workouts like this one can help – all of the exercises should be done in canter, with trot periods in-between, rather than walk, to keep his heart rate up. If possible you should try to do this workout once a week. Don’t forget to spend time warming your horse up before you begin. Work on his responsiveness To begin this exercise (see diagram below), canter down the three-quarter line, then: Just before you reach the track, turn left…

MEET THE EXPERT PROFESSOR JOSH SLATER is the Professor of Equine Clinical Studies at the Royal Veterinary College WE ALL UNDERSTAND the importance of getting a good night’s sleep but have you ever considered how often your horse hits the hay? Without monitoring him 24/7 or setting up camp in his field, it can be difficult to know for certain, but a lack of decent shut eye can affect your horse’s health. Here, we’ve called upon Professor Josh Slater, from the Royal Veterinary College, to get the lowdown on equine sleep deprivation and help you put your worries to bed. What is equine sleep deprivation? Formerly thought of as the horsey equivalent to narcolepsy, equine sleep deprivation is a condition where horses suddenly fall asleep while standing up, causing them…

RACHEL WITHERS is an equine sports massage therapist and rehabilitation specialist. She also has an Equine Psychology diploma. www.equestrihab.co.uk The benefits of massage Q When would I use an Equine Sports Massage Therapist? Peter Lunt, Boston A Human athletes have regular bodywork sessions, so why shouldn’t horses? Equine sports massage therapy is suitable for horses in all levels of work. It can be used as a routine therapy to improve your horse’s muscle function, range of movement and lymphatic system as well as to enhance their muscle tone and increase circulation. Equine sports massage is important for horses who are going through rehabilitation or those who have strenuous exercise regimes, such as competition horses. Sports massage shouldn’t be underestimated and it’s recommended that horses in light to medium work have…

JANE HAS EXPLAINED that Pilot, a 15.2hh ex-flat racer, has not actually been long off the track and is still very much getting used to a non-racing life on a much smaller yard. She is eventually hoping to turn him into an eventer but is taking things slowly. From both physical and psychological perspectives, it’s important for Pilot to have ad-lib access to fibre but Jane says he’s really fussy about hay, generally unenthusiastic about food and is really quite easily distracted. Hopefully, Pilot will settle as he becomes more familiar with his new yard. Meanwhile, he may benefit from a highly palatable high fibre option, such as a mash. Often this can tempt fussy feeders to eat well and it’s a safe, non-heating option that can be fed several…

THE MAIN REASONS to use a rug are to keep your horse warm, dry and clean. Plus, you’ll be able to clip your horse, reducing the risk of him getting hot when you ride (and making it easier to keep him clean). The art of rugging can be very confusing but to help add a little clarity to the subject, we’ve enlisted the help of equine consultant Dr David Marlin. By understanding more about how your horse stays warm, you’ll be able to choose the appropriate rugs for him. Does your horse feel the cold? “First of all, just because you’re wearing a jacket to the yard on these chilly autumn mornings, doesn’t necessarily mean your horse is feeling the drop in temperature, too,” explains David. “Your horse’s coat and…

A COOLER RUG DOES just that, helps to cool your horse by slowly bringing his body temperature back to normal after work. This type of rug is also used to dry your horse if he’s been washed off as it wicks moisture from a wet coat while preventing him from catching a chill. If your horse is clipped, popping a cooler on before and after a ride will keep him warm while you groom and tack up. They’re also useful for travelling your horse in as they can help to keep him at a comfortable temperature while he’s on the move. Coolers come in a range of materials, such as a wool mix or synthetic fabrics, such as fleece. They all have good wicking and insulating properties. The type you…

A WELL-BALANCED SET of clippers makes the task of removing your horse’s winter coat quick and easy. With so many different types available, however, knowing which ones will do the best job for you may seem just a little daunting. To help you make an informed choice, if you’re looking to buy a set of clippers for the season ahead, we’ve used an online survey to ask Your Horse readers what clippers you use*. From the results, we’ve chosen the top four clippers and explained why they rate them and recommend them to other horse owners. Read on to find out which clippers were recommended. *Information collected via online and over the phone Liveryman Red Rocket  PRICE £275 CONTACT www.liveryman.co.uk USED BY: Charlotte, Leicestershire USED FOR Five years These clippers…

SHORTEN HIS STRIDE Part 1: How to ride it  In canter, ride through this grid a few times. The slightly shorter distance of 7 yards between the cross-pole and oxer will help your horse adjust his stride length so let the distance between these two fences do the work for you. You’re responsible for making sure your horse is in a good canter rhythm and straight. Once you’ve ridden it a few times, move onto part two. Part 2: How to ride it  Now add another oxer, 8 yards from the first, and ride the new grid a few times. Try not to do too much, let your horse work it out for himself. • 1 Next, shorten the distance between the oxers by a couple of feet and jump…

Associate editor Allison Lowther: Get the low-down on rugging and see the latest products in our 2017 Rug Guide. See page 119 Writer & online editor Amy Moore: Need inspiration for effective weekday training? We’ve got Jay Halim’s advice. See page 38 Writer Stacey Carter: Check out our brand new Western series – I’ve loved working on it with David Deptford! See page 48 SAY WHAT?! “He begged for a mini cheddar and then decided they weren’t for him after all” Weird and wonderful comments from our selfie senders (see page 18 ) 6 months for £18 - sign me up! Find the latest Your Horse subscription offer on page 50…

Dressage Paralympian Natasha Baker was the inspiration behind a new fashion range that launched at London Fashion Week last month. The team behind the Teatum Jones’ Spring Summer fashion range claims the collection is a ‘creative homage to Natasha’ who they say, despite her condition, Transverse Myelitis, rides with such effortless grace. The range comes as part of a 12-month long examination of people’s relationship with the human form and was inspired by Natasha’s bright personality, calmness when faced with a challenge and her intense connection with her horses. You can check out the full range and find out more at www.teatumjones.com…

Buy cheap, pay dear I wanted to highlight the dangers of cheap stirrup leathers after my incident with an unsafe pair I bought cheaply online. I’d only been sat in the saddle for five minutes and having just coaxed my horse into canter, I went to stand in my stirrups when my right one snapped clean off. I fell instantly. Luckily, I walked away with only a mild concussion, but it could have been much worse, especially if I hadn’t been on our grass arena and had been out on the road instead, or galloping alone out on a hack. Since this, I’ve made an effort to look for the safest products possible before I buy. I’ll always go for English leather and I don’t buy online unless from a…

MEET THE EXPERT JAY HALIM is an international show jumper. Based in Burford, Oxfordshire, Jay rides and trains horses of ranging ages and capabilities. He was named the National Grand Prix Champion in 2016. AS THE NIGHTS BEGIN to draw in, it can seem like there are never enough hours in the day, with riding falling to the bottom of the to-do list. If you’re struggling for riding time, fear not because we’ve teamed up with show jumping star Jay Halim, who’s a bit of an expert when it comes to maximising his time. With a yard full of horses, he knows how important it is to make the most of training, without spending hours cantering round and round in circles. Here, he explains a range of effective exercises that,…

MEET THE EXPERT DAVID DEPTFORD is one of the most well-known faces in Western riding. He’s at the forefront of promoting the Quarter Horse and Western riding in the UK and has taught Western to horses and riders from all disciplines. http://bit.ly/2xI5AQ6 THEY MIGHT SEEM like worlds apart but there are plenty of elements within Western that can be transferred into English riding. So, to help transfer some of those skills, add some variety to your training, and see what Western has to offer riders of different disciplines, we’ve asked Western pro David Deptford to share some simple Western exercises in this new, four-part series. Here, in part one, he shows us how to create a 20-minute warm up, designed to keep your horse supple and get him listening to…

NOT A WEEK goes by without the Your Horse office receiving news of a horse being rescued. While there are often stories of horses ending up where they shouldn’t be, there are also heart-breaking tales of animals being rescued from horrific conditions, neglect and violence. While these stories never get any easier to read, they’re also a reminder of the awesome people behind the scenes who save horses from suffering. With this in mind, we thought it was high time to hear from those who go out every day, putting our four-hoofed friends first. A serious case of neglect IF A HORSE needs rescuing, chances are that a field officer will be one of the first on the scene. This is the role that Chris Shaw, who works for World…

Cassie Flowers was mystified for years at how clumsy her horse, Chevy, was. Here she explains how they finally got him diagnosed with sleep deprivation. “I’ve had Chevy for nine years now. When he was two, he bumped his head and knocked himself unconscious. The vet diagnosed this at the time as a neurological disease (which we now know to be untrue). “Over the years, there were no other episodes like this but Chevy always had strange cuts that mysteriously appeared overnight, along with many broken water buckets in his stable. We thought he was just being clumsy but then we noticed he would fall asleep standing outside in the sun and collapse either to his knees or all the way down. As we got further into training, he began…

MEET THE EXPERTS DR SUE DYSON is the Head of Clinical Orthopaedics at the Animal Health Trust. She is an expert in equine orthopaedics, and is most interested in lameness and poor performance in sports horses. CAMILLA STRANG is a veterinary surgeon at the Animal Health Trust and is part of their Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance team, keeping an eye on any infectious disease that could threaten our equines. LISTEN TO THE news and it seems as though there’s a new disease or condition ready to threaten our horses everyday. On top of worming, farriery, and saddle checks, it can feel like there’s always something to worry about and do, with little time left to ride and enjoy our horses (which is why we have them in the first place!).…

SUE MART Is a UKCC level 3 coach in carriage driving and offers ‘Try Driving’ courses at the Bennington Carriages Academy. Visit www.bennington carriages.co.uk Advice for first-time drivers Q My daughter has outgrown her 14hh cob. I’m thinking about trying driving with him. How do I get started and is there a limit on the weight he can pull? Sorrel Dean, Reading A It’s great to hear you’re looking into training your cob for carriage driving. It’s a great way to keep your cob in work and in a past-time that you can all enjoy. The first stage is to seek professional help with training your cob and yourself. I’d take lessons from an accredited trainer and then put a plan together. With regards to what weight your cob can…

SAM HUTTON is a show jumper and among the top 40 British riders in the world. One of his biggest wins has been a five-star win for team GB at the Nations Cup in 2016. Wake him up Q My horse is a bit lazy and keeps knocking poles. How can I wake him up? David Payne, Warwickshire A It’s important to check your horse out physically first with your vet and a physiotherapist. Blood tests can be taken to find out if, and why, your horse might be feeling under the weather or if he’s lacking certain vitamins. Changing his feed may also be of help, so get in touch with a nutritionist. If your horse is consistently knocking poles and your vet can’t find anything wrong with him,…

TURNOUT RUGS ARE a key part of your horse’s wardrobe and having a few different weights of turnout will see you through the changeable seasons. Which turnout rugs your horse needs depends on a number of factors, including whether he’s clipped, how long he’s turned out, his condition and age. To make it easy for you, we’ve split them up into the five key categories: lightweight, medium lite, mediumweight, heavyweight and liner systems. Lightweight turnout rugs 1 Rambo Original turnout 0g www.horseware.com Price £231.95 Colour Green/red Sizes 5ft 6in-7ft 3in A standard neck style rug with a 1000 denier ballistic nylon waterproof and breathable outer. It has no filling and an anti-static, anti-bacterial polyester lining. 2 Thermo Master Florenz www.kramer.co.uk Price £54.90 Colour Navy Sizes 5ft-7ft A high neck-style rug…

Ariat Ariat’s pulling no punches with a bold injection of colour into its new autumn/winter items. Get set to stand out from the crowd. CONTACT www.ariat.com 1 Volt Jacket Available in Rush Blue (and Coastal Grey) this quilted jacket uses the best of Ariat’s latest technology to offer featherweight comfort and style. It’s wind and water resistant, features Ariat’s V3 Stretch technology, stretch fleece side panels and zip pockets that are lined for warmth. £109.99 2 Odyssey Seamless LS ¼ Zip Part of the AriatTEK Heat series, this top is designed to keep you cool even when the competition heats up. It’s equipped with SPF to protect you from harmful sun rays – ideal on sunny autumnal days. Available in navy and Barrier Teal. £89.99 Timothy Foxx The British…

Claridge House Breastplate X-treme Price £74.90 UNIQUE SHAPING This slightly different looking breastplate forms an ‘X’ shape across the front of your horse’s chest. The soft padding and elastic inserts on the sides helps to hold your saddle securely in place, even while jumping. It has a removable martingale attachment and snap hooks make it quick and easy to fasten. Colour Black Size Adjustable from cob to full Contact www.kramer.co.uk Mark Todd 5 Point Breastplate Price £134.50 ATTACHES IN FIVE PLACE This smart breastplate is manufactured in top quality leather and designed with a five-point fixing to maximise freedom of movement when your horse is galloping cross-county and jumping. It has sheepskin shoulder protection, elastic inserts and a removable/adjustable running martingale attachment. Colours Black, brown Sizes Cob, full, extra full…

VLOGGER MAX STAINTON If you haven’t heard of Max, where have you been?! Born with cerebral palsy, he’s trekking to Everest Base Camp next March on a horse to raise money for the RDA. We’ll be following his training and he’ll be speaking at Your Horse Live in the Equine Learning Zone.www.yourhorse.co.uk/riding-everest HORSE MASSAGE FOR HORSE OWNERS by Sue Palmer A lifelong horse lover, author Sue Palmer has dedicated her life to horses. Here, she explains how to massage your horse and how it will boost your bond in the process. SADDLE & BRIDLE ID TAGS FROM HOOBYNOO These cute little tags are customisable and either hang off your bridle or saddle. A sweet little decoration that also carries your details if you and your horse part company. What’s caught…

OUR LUCKY HORSEBOX winner will also walk away with a brand new saddle from Wintec – in fact, any saddle of their choice from the Wintec range*! Wintec incorporates the best of modern technology in saddles that are practical, ultra comfortable and, most importantly, embrace a sense of fun. The company’s philosophy has always been ‘if we can’t make it better then we won’t make it’, which means Wintec is responsible for pioneering many of the modern features in today’s saddles. Riders all around the world love their Wintecs for the performance advantages they offer horse and rider. After all, Wintec saddles are all about maximising the fun and minimising the worry and effort – rideable in all weather, scratch resistant, tough as nails, easy-care, lightweight and adjustable for the…

MEET THE EXPERT JESSICA MENDOZA is an international show jumper. At 21, she’s one of the youngest ever riders to represent Great Britain at senior international level. When she’s not jumping, you’ll find her helping out equine charity Brooke, Action for Working Horses and Donkeys, as their newest ambassador. Exercise 1: BUILD HIS CONFIDENCE Skinny fences can be daunting if you’ve never tried them before, so give this exercise a go first to build you and your horse’s confidence and to ensure you can control him. This exercise is ridden in trot to help you get used to the feel of approaching skinnies. SET IT UP Put your skinny fence down the long side of your arena or paddock, roughly on the ¾ line. If needed, place a trot pole…

AFTER HOURS OF training at home, you’ve taken the plunge and entered a dressage competition. Of course, you want it to go well but if, like many riders, your horse goes perfectly at home, only to fall apart on the big day, it’s time to take a step back and assess what you’re doing in a competition environment. Preparation and consistency are key – it can be all too easy to let nerves get the better of you, changing the way you ride your horse but this only confuses him. On hand to help is event rider Piggy French, follow her advice and you and your horse will soon be making all the right moves in the arena and your marks from the judges will go up. Turn the page…

IF YOU’RE A FAN of top-class show jumping, breath-taking dressage and great family entertainment, then make sure you visit the spectacular Liverpool International Horse Show, running 29, 30 and 31 December 2017. What better way to spend the last day of 2017 than watching some of the world’s best show jumpers? So, if you fancy a day out to remember, we have 25 pairs of tickets up for grabs for the afternoon performance of Sunday, December 31. Now in its third year at The Echo Arena on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront, the show’s electric atmosphere will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. The show makes a great day and evening out for the whole family. All ages are catered for, including little ones, teenagers, grandparents and groups of…

The condition Atypical myopathy is a muscle disease that develops when a horse ingests enough of the toxin hypoglycin, found in sycamore seeds. After ingestion, the hypoglycin toxin binds to the muscle cells and stops them from generating the energy that they need to function. As a result, these cells die, releasing a red pigment that gives them their colour into the horses circulation. This pigment is processed by the kidneys and can lead to further complications, including kidney failure. The amount of sycamore ingested doesn’t necessarily directly affect the severity of the condition when it strikes. Large amounts of hypoglycin can be found in small amounts of sycamore seed, so there’s not a specific amount that a horse has to eat for it to take effect. Symptoms Symptoms for…

MEET THE EXPERT XL Vet DR KEESJAN CORNELISSE has worked on a number of challenging equine medical cases over the years, from family ponies to the high performing equine athletes. “The larynx opens to expel the air to get rid of the foreign material, which is how your horse coughs” IF YOUR HORSE comes down with a cough and you’re not sure why, it’s a good idea to consult your vet for advice. As our expert Dr Keesjan Cornelisse explains, equine coughs fall into three categories – environmental, bacterial or viral bacterial infection. He says: “Environmental coughs are caused by spores from bedding, dusty or mouldy hay, or from a lack of clean air. Bacterial infection coughs can occur when these spores have settled in the airways and viral coughs…

ALICE THOMAS Is an equine nutritionist at Dodson & Horrell and is also a qualified vet. The pros and cons of coconut oil Q Is coconut oil safe to give to horses? Anna Fisher, Cambridge A Coconut oil has been rapidly gaining in popularity both in human and animal nutrition and feeding. Its main benefits are that it’s high in antioxidants and is very palatable with reports of even the fussiest eater taking to coconut. It hasn’t been widely used in animal feeds until recently because the processing meant that the end product had often gone off by the time it was used. It’s a good source of fats and particularly high in medium chain triglycerides, which are a form of saturated fat. These are often thought of as beneficial,…

REBECCA STOJAK is a solicitor working for Shakespeare Martineau. She advises on disputes arising from all aspects of horse ownership. Find out more at www.shma.co.uk Driver obligations Q Are there any rules on what a driver should do around a horse and rider? Karen Faint, Bedfordshire A The Highway Code gives guidance on how various road users should safely use highways and byways. Rule 214 and 215 say that drivers should pass horses slowly and give them plenty of room. The code says drivers shouldn’t scare animals by sounding the horn, revving or accelerating rapidly once they’ve passed. Drivers should look out for horse riders’ signals and follow requests from the rider to slow down or stop. The Highway Code states that drivers should take great care and treat all…

16 BAGS OF BAILEYS FEED TO GIVE AWAY Baileys Slow Release Condition & Competition Mix is proving popular as a high fibre, high oil mix, which delivers highly digestible, slow release calories. Containing Alfalfa Blend and Outshine high oil supplement, this tasty mix is ideal for stressy types and includes Yea-Sacc and Digest Plus to promote effective digestion. With performance levels of vitamins, Bioplex minerals and antioxidants, including Sel-Plex selenium and vitamin E, it’ll suit resting or hard-working horses alike. Find out more at www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk 1 WINTER OUTFIT UP FOR GRABS The Ladies collection from Horseware is both stylish and practical. The winner will receive some flattering denim breeches, which are perfect for riding and everyday wear. A technical top made from wicking material, a cosy ombre hat…

IF YOU’RE LOOKING for unbeatable prices on technical riding clothing that’ll provide you with warm, waterproof clothing designed to cope with the British winter weather, look no further than the autumn/winter women’s textile range from Fouganza, available only at Decathlon stores and online. With winter just around the corner, at Fouganza we know the importance of staying warm and dry whatever the weather. This year’s collection combines practicality with style, and all at incredible value. A jacket you can rely on is essential in making the cold months more bearable. The Paddock Women’s Riding Jacket offers perfect protection against the cold and rain. The hood is removable, while the side gussets and two-way zip offer excellent freedom of movement. Breathable fabric ensures moisture transfer for more energetic rides. It’s available…

Up to 14.2hh Sad sale of Whisper 12.1hh, 12yo, grey, gelding Competed in PC dressage/show jumping teams and attended rallies and camp. Has BS winnings and is an ideal competition pony. Can get keen when jumping so please no novice/nervous riders. However, if in a non-jumping home he’d be an ideal lead rein/first pony. Great to hack alone or in company, is easy to do in every way and is happy alone. He’s been hunting, attended pleasure rides and has always been very well behaved in company. He come with a complete wardrobe including a made to measure saddle £1,600 07972379856, Leeds Ad ref: DIY1042253 Loves XC! 13.3hh, 13 yo, chestnut, mare Not a novice ride as is forward going and responsive – she’d suit a small adult or confident…