Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 447 i Your Horse

WHEN I WAS in my teens, I had taken my pony for a hack and, after enjoying a gallop, thought we’d go for a paddle in the river to cool off. We’d been in there many times before, but on this occasion the bank gave way as she stepped on to it and she fell several feet into the water below. Luckily, I was thrown clear and the water broke her fall well enough that she wasn’t injured. I can still remember looking down at her, as she looked up at me, both wondering how she was going to get out. This was 20-odd years ago — before the days that carrying a mobile phone was the norm and, being in rural Devon, there was no one around to fetch…

BRITISH international showjumper Jessica Mendoza is a strong advocate of hacking for all horses as long as they are capable. She believes it has many benefits, particularly for those who regularly compete. “Hacking out not only gives us all a change of scene, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to further your horse’s education too,” explains Jessica. “For instance, you can easily incorporate aspects of his flatwork training, such as rein-back and lateral steps, and he won’t even know he’s doing it. When closing or opening a gate you can ride a turn-on-the-forehand, or ask him to halt square and wait calmly when you have to cross a road. It teaches him manners under saddle too and he’ll also learn to accept new sights — especially handy for younger horses whose…

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John Whitaker “Geoff is my son Robert’s godfather. At Robert’s 21st birthday, I did a speech and said that when I was looking for someone to be his godfather, I was looking for someone tall, dark and sensible. I couldn’t find anybody, so I asked Geoff.” David Bowen “Geoff started working for me when he was 17. He got this car which he loved and then he put it in a ditch. I don’t think he’s any better at driving now.” Peter Murphy “I’ve known Geoff 40 years. When I first saw him he had long, permed hair sticking out the back of his hat. He was dressed as a woman for fancy dress at Olympia, and then he did impersonations of other riders.” Peter Charles “Geoff had gone particularly…

King Jonjo The king of selfies Jonjo, doing what he does best! Kirsty Simpson, West Yorkshire Family affair It took a few attempts to capture, but here’s our pony family. Emma-Jane Dobson, Suffolk Comedy genius Here’s my Irish Draught mare Rosa being a total goon. Justine Bond, via email Blonde babes Bob and I pulling our best smiles for the camera. Henri Senn, Switzerland Spanish eyes With the beautiful Cholo, who I rode on my riding holiday in Spain. Susan Brewin, via email Winner off the track Here’s me and my loan horse Blue, just after we won ROR reserve champion at this year’s Scottish National Dressage Championships. Stacey Barr, via email He’s behind you! Is that a giraffe or a very tall hat? Ella Fickling, Leeds When…

Shoulder-in is the foundation of all lateral work and, when ridden correctly, it creates more suppleness, develops engagement and collection from behind. A correctly positioned shoulder-in is about 30 degrees from the track. There’s a uniform bend from poll to tail and it’s the rider’s responsibility to look after the energy, rhythm and ground cover of the trot. This means your horse has no alternative but to step further underneath his body with his inside hindleg, which is why this movement can help your horse become supple on both reins.…

A porky problem SUSAN DONALDSON The practice I work for provides care to a working farm that is open to the public. Its aim is to show people traditional farming methods, so it has a varied collection of animals, including a number of Clydesdales. One day I was called out to examine a Clydesdale who’d been suffering from a skin condition on her face. When I arrived, the lady who runs the farm told me she’d sensibly separated the mare from the other Clydesdales in case the skin problem was contagious. She asked if I wouldn’t mind looking at the mare in the field for the same reason. It seemed a reasonable request, especially as I’d met my patient before and knew she was pretty placid. Off we went to…

The unit currently has nine operational vehicles and a powered boat in its fleet. The key vehicles are: 4x4 Ford Ranger — for land rescue. The unit has two of these. One is used predominantly for animal rescue and carries a variety of equipment, including a mounted electric winch and various strops, headcollars, lead ropes and lunge lines. One strop is specifically designed to spread the weight of a horse. It’s used in conjunction with a spreader bar and quick-release system to ensure the safety of the horse while being lifted. 4x4 Ford Ranger — for water rescue. This vehicle carries some of the same gear as the other Ford Ranger, but also has apparatus specialised for inclement weather or water rescue, including inflatable rescue paths that can be used…

■ The amount of wormer you administer depends on the weight of your horse, so use a weightape or weighbridge to give an accurate weight of your horse before worming. Underworming risks the worms developing a resistance. ■ Remove droppings from grazing at least once a week. ■ Avoid overstocking paddocks with large numbers of horses and rotate pasture so it has time to recover. ■ Grazing cattle and sheep can also help reduce worm infestation. ■ If you are going to chain harrow, this should be done when the paddocks are dry and hot, because once exposed to the sun, the worms will shrivel up and die. If you do it in wet conditions, they are more likely to survive. ■ Not all wormers are effective against all types…

Glued to your seat Q I’m reasonably confident about jumping bigger fences, but when I watch videos back there’s too much air between me and the saddle. How can I keep a more secure seat over larger fences? Rachel Foster, Bridlington Caroline says... When horses jump larger fences, there is more push from behind. Riders who are not as used to the sensation of their horses basculing through the back may end up less secure in the saddle, folding more than is necessary, being thrown upwards or being tipped forwards. What to do about it To establish a more secure jumping position, first check the length of your stirrups. It’s imperative that your stirrup length allows you to get your weight into your heel. This allows a more ‘crouched’…

Bony pony Q My horse is given hard feed twice a day and has constant access to forage, but he still comes out of winter looking like I’ve starved him, which is really embarrassing. I’ve heard it’s good to let horses lose weight in winter, but surely not this much? Millie Dack, Orpington Katie says... Let’s start with your more general question. If a horse is a good doer, then yes, winter is the ideal time to try to get them to lose weight, as they use more energy keeping warm. Also, the nutritional value of grass declines, so it’s easier to control their calorie intake with what you give them. Weight loss in winter means these horses can afford to put on a bit of weight in spring,…

Clare Bradley’s elderly mare Misdemeanour has recently lost a couple of molars and struggles to chew hay. The mare is losing weight and Clare is worried about winter feeding. Clare says Missy was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease two years ago and had a mild bout of laminitis in the spring, so on her vet’s advice she makes sure the mare has a high-fibre, low-sugar and low-starch diet. Missy can still eat grass during the day, explains Clare, but she’s stabled at night. Since having dental problems, she has been quidding — spitting out partially chewed mouthfuls of hay. In the mornings, she’s desperate for her scoop of chopped fibre and balancer. Ideally, horses should go no more than six hours without eating. To ensure Missy has access to fibre she…

AND RELAX… Benefab equine therapy products combine ceramic nano-particles, which emit far-infrared therapy and carefully positioned magnets placed over key acupressure points to increase circulation and promote relaxation. The range includes a rug, poll pad and leg wraps. RRP from £32.50 (boot shown in picture, right, £129.47) BUY AT fmbs.co.uk SHAPED TO FIT BIG TYPES Porter Haken turnout rugs are designed to accommodate the slightly different body shape of cobs and native breeds. The cut allows enough room around the chest and shoulders, while also being deep enough to keep your horse warm and dry. This mediumweight combo turnout has a 1200-denier ripstop outer and 200g filling. RRP £95 BUY AT porterhaken.com A TWIST ON TRADITION Combining tradition with style — the Cavallo Flint II tweed…

HYFASHION AVORIAZ METALLIC HEADBAND RRP £11.99 COLOURS Silver, navy, pink FOR STOCKISTS hy-equestrian.com Keep your ears warm with this generously lined headband in a sparkly metallic yarn. The soft fleece inner wraps around the knitted outer for a stylish look that also offers an insulating touch — just what you need when it’s cold and windy. STIERNA STELLA BEANIE RRP £20 COLOUR Grey FOR STOCKISTS stierna.com A classic ribbed knit beanie-style hat, which will keep you snug and warm through the colder months. The fold-up edge gives this hat a stylish look and the soft grey colour will coordinate well with the rest of your riding wardrobe. EQUETECH REFLECT HEADBAND RRP £7.50 COLOURS Black BUY AT equetech.com The Equetech Reflect Soft-Shell Headband features a deep, cosy fleece-lined…

■ To make sure you’re sitting correctly in the saddle ■ To monitor whether your horse is working in a correct outline ■ To check whether movements are being ridden accurately ■ To check if your horse is straight ■ To check the accuracy of your lateral work ■ To see if your horse is working properly though his back ■ To check if the hindlegs are properly engaged ■ To ensure your rein contact is even…

Detach-a-necks are a great feature on rugs as they provide versatility through the autumn and winter. When the temperature drops, you can add the detach-a-neck onto the rug and it will shield your horse from becoming cold, wet or damp. A detach-a-neck with a longer-cut design, such as a Cozi Guard, offers unbeatable protection as it provides complete coverage of the neck and chest area. Depending on your horse’s needs, when choosing what type of rug he requires, you should take into consideration his age, type, weight, whether he’ll be living in or out, and will be clipped or unclipped. It’s therefore essential to select a rug in the correct weight to suit your horse’s individual needs. Rugs are offered in light, medium and heavy weights. They vary from no…

Don’t forget that energy and calories are the same thing. The energy content will appear on the feed label as digestible energy (DE) and is measured in megajoules per kilo (MJ/Kg). If weight gain is needed, increasing a horse’s energy consumption also means an increase in calories, so it’s important to do this gradually to avoid over-excitable behaviour. Feeds containing an energy value are classed as follows: ■ 7-8 MJ/Kg are low-energy ■ 9-11 MJ/Kg are mid-range ■ 12-13 MJ/Kg are high energy So, if your horse is currently eating a 9.5 MJ/Kg feed but still requires weight gain, move up to an 11 MJ/Kg feed, such as Veteran Vitality. This will considerably increase his calorie intake, therefore promoting weight gain and condition.…

EQUISAFETY, THE UK’S largest specialist manufacturer of equestrian technical performance, high-visibility apparel, enjoys bringing to the market innovative and exciting products that not only keep both rider and horse visible and safe, but does so in a way that proves equestrian hi-vis can be fashionable too. Equisafety’s range of products has something to suit all weather and all seasons. All of the products that feature a quilted lining are made using a synthetic, hypoallergenic wadding and offer excellent thermal properties — no down is used. Your winter wardrobe With winter upon us, below are the key items to have to hand for riding over the coming months. Each item is available in yellow, pink or orange. Aspey Unisex Jacket A must-have jacket, the Apsey combines 360° reflective and fluorescent properties…

Muddy Buddy Powder An innovative alternative to creams and ointments. While creams and ointments form an effective waterproof barrier, they can be messy to apply and remain tacky to the touch. This results in dirt, sand and bedding sticking to the product. Lincoln’s Muddy Buddy Powder provides antibacterial barrier protection in the form of a fine, silky powder, which covers and seals the area and creates an effective waterproof film, keeping the skin beneath dry. Straightforward to apply, the powder’s sleek silky coating means the mud simply slips off. It protects the heels and legs when working in sand arenas, avoiding any abrasion, and can also be applied underneath boots for extra protection and peace of mind. Muddy Buddy Ointment This waterproof ointment with antibacterial properties gently soothes skin, including…

Deputy editor Allison Lowther: Our feature with Gillian Higgins, which looks at your horse’s spine in detail, is fascinating. With a better understanding of this essential part of your horse’s anatomy, you can use it when riding your horse and really improve his way of going. Page 62 Event rider Barry Meningen: Time is precious at this time of year, so being able to give your horse a thorough workout in just 30 minutes is essential. The best bit is that it only requires three fences. Page 36 Scientist Dr David Marlin: Horses and humans react differently to cold weather. It’s important to understand this so that you don’t over-rug this winter, which can cause a number of problems. Page 66 TV presenter Clare Balding: I’ve always loved horses and…

Found locked in a dank, dark metal shed, yearling Second Chance was rescued by Hoofbeats Equine Rehabilitation Sanctuary in September 2013. Founder Sharon Vieira was thankfully able to negotiate with the farmer, who let her take the pony into the sanctuary’s care. As she was so petrified of people, Hoofbeats left Chance to recover from her ordeal before beginning to work with her the following year. Slowly, volunteers earned Chance’s trust and could eventually catch her, groom her and show her the love she deserved. Since the day she left to go to her approved loan home in 2017, Second Chance has gone from strength to strength with the help of her loving loanee Sarah Jane Pocock. They attended their first show this summer and proudly came home with a…

Sunday sunset Sundays are for skinny lattes and noble steeds. @pandorasboxblog, Instagram Quadrille champions Alberta’s Rose and Billericay Riding Club are the new 2018 National Riding Club Quadrille Champions. @victoriabax1964, Instagram Strike a pose Having a lot of fun at Your Horse Live, striking a pose under the @redgorilla_ tubs arch outside the @yourhorsemagazine stand! @christyfawcett, Instagram Winner, winner! Fab day to end our first season. Next year… ridden! @sheree_alexandra, Instagram Testing, testing Back home in Austria after demoing at Your Horse Live and all goodies are being thoroughly inspected. @florian.bacher, Instagram Champion cobs Our Nettex TGCA Prelim (purebreds) top three: 2018 champion Leanne Bailey and Fairytail III, Ruby Lewin with CNS Cob Marley and Caroline Snow with Fluff McDuff. Congrats! @britishdressage, Instagram…

■ 1 Leave scary (but safe) things in your horse’s stable to continue the desensitisation. ■ 2 If your horse is scared of dressage boards or water, leave a white board or blue tarpaulin outside his stable door so he has to pass by it or walk over it. ■ 3 Tie balloons to the arena fence when you ride. ■ 4 Ride with other people in the school with you, moving around and making noise. ■ 5 Do some gymkhana games — they’re great fun and a good way to help your horse get used to unusual objects, riding with other horses and so on.…

IF YOU’RE THE owner of a much-loved equine OAP, you’ll know that as he gets older, his needs change. Whether your senior horse is still in regular work or contentedly living out his retirement, you need to perhaps take a look at what you’re feeding him to ensure he remains happy, healthy and in good condition. To celebrate the launch of new Senior Super-Mash from SPILLERS®, the company is giving away 80 bags of this feed to lucky Your Horse magazine readers. Each winner will receive a voucher so they can claim a 20kg bag of SPILLERS® Senior Super-Mash with a recommended retail price of £12.49 from their local feed store. New SPILLERS® Senior Super-Mash is the ultimate senior mash for condition and gut health. It’s ideal for horses with…

Other common parasites found in horses include roundworms (Ascarids), pinworms (Oxyuris), threadworms and lungworms. It’s not best practice to routinely worm around the year for all the different types, though. Wormer resistance is similar to antibiotic resistance and describes where worms have evolved to be unaffected by a particular ingredient in wormers. This limits the number of effective drugs available to control infection and, if there are no replacement wormers to combat a worm burden, the results could be devastating. One such example is the ingredient benzimidazole, which encysted small redworm have become resistant to. Another is Equitape (a praziquantel-only wormer), which was discontinued due to tapeworm resistance, meaning there is no longer a product that targets only tapeworm. Over-worming is a major contributor to worm resistance. Because of this,…

Ex-racehorses p96 Gillian Carlisle is chief executive of the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre, a charity dedicated to the retraining and rehoming of retired British racehorses. Jump training p98 Caroline Moore is a Fellow of the BHS and a British Eventing coach. She’s produced and ridden horses up to CCI4* level, competing at Badminton, Burghley and overseas. Avoiding winter vet bills p100 Lis Watson MRCVS graduated from Cambridge Vet School in 2007. She gained her equine medicine certificate in advanced veterinary practice in early 2018. Winter nutrition p102 Katie Williams has worked as an equine nutritionist for 20 years. As technical and product development manager for Dengie, she’s responsible for creating new products.…

To avoid refusals or deal with them when they happen, follow Caroline’s golden rules: 1 Use a building block strategy to enhance challenges bit by bit. 2 Don’t have the fight. Some horses are unconfident or something hurts. Deal with these issues first. 3 Try guide poles to encourage your horse into fences he’s unsure of. 4 Use a shorter, more energetic canter to keep him ‘in the box’ between your leg and hand. Two thirds of the horse should be in front of you at all times. 5 Reward every positive effort, however small.…

THE SMELL OF a clean stable with a fresh bale of bedding down. You can’t beat it — what a pity it doesn’t stay that way for long! Bedding has changed considerably over the years and with such a huge choice available it can be difficult deciding which one is best. There are pros and cons for all the different types and on the whole it comes down to personal preference. This guide will help you narrow down your search, show you what to consider before you buy and how your choice might help you save time, effort and money, while keeping your horse healthy and comfortable.…

EASIBED RRP £6.99 — £7.99 FOR 20KG BALE BALES TO SET UP* 10 — 15 TO TOP UP WEEKLY 2 FOR STOCKISTS easibedding.co.uk/easibed/easibed-retailers Easibed is a white wood fibre bedding made from clean, recycled wood and provides a comfortable, free-draining bed. The consistency of easibed allows the wet to drain through to the base where it’s absorbed, leaving the top dry and supportive. You use less easibed than you would with traditional beddings, so you spend less time mucking out, which saves you time and money. NEDZ PRO RRP £8 FOR 20KG BALE BALES TO SET UP* 4 — 5 TO TOP UP WEEKLY 1 — 1.5 FOR STOCKISTS nedz.co.uk Made from oil seed rape straw, this bedding offers a super-absorbent alternative to other bedding materials and only needs a…

FROZEN WATER buckets, fluffy coats that need to be clipped and temperatures dipping below 0°C — yep, winter is upon us. There’s little doubt that it’s the toughest time of year to own a horse, which is why we at Your Horse magazine have brought you this guide to essential winter kit. Its aim is to help make your journey through winter that little bit easier. In the next 40 pages, you’ll find everything from weatherproof saddles through to feeding to keep your horse warm, healthy and happy; boots to keep your own feet toasty and dry, plus wardrobe ideas for your favourite four-legged friends; advice for battling every horse owner’s nemisis — mud fever — and plenty more. As fellow horse owners, team Your Horse is right here battling…

The WeatherBeeta winter range also offers stable rugs and coolers to ensure your horse is protected inside and outside his stable. The new WeatherBeeta ComFiTec 1000D Diamond Quilt Stable Rug detach-a-neck is one of the most luxurious stable rugs WeatherBeeta has ever produced. It offers strong 1000D polypropylene diamond quilt, memory foam wither relief and cozi-cuff around the main rug portion to keep your horse warm and cosy during cold winter nights. Available in heavy and medium weight. Prices start at £94.99 RRP. To help prevent chills after winter rides on cold days, the new WeatherBeeta Double Bonded Fleece standard neck is a thick, breathable, double-bonded fleece cooler that quickly wicks away moisture. This design is perfect for use in the stable, under rugs or while travelling. RRP £69.99. For more…

A GOOD PAIR OF country boots are essential for keeping your hard-working horsey feet warm, dry, comfortable and looking good. Dublin’s much-loved country boot range has been redeveloped and there are now nine great styles to choose from. Dublin Teddington Boots Lined with synthetic fleece for warmth and comfort, a breathable nylon lining and side zip for easy access, these are HBR® waterproof, breathable country boots. Full-grain leather with a stylish woven upper and adjustable lace top ensures the perfect fit. Positive traction grip rubber outer sole and RCS footbed system with heel, arch support and double cushioning layer for comfort. ■ Available in chocolate. Adult sizes 4—9. RRP £169.99 Dublin Calton Boots Breathable, full-grain leather country boots with a stylish side buckle for a sophisticated look. Breathable patterned nylon…

SMART GROOMING SUPER SHINE After seeing this product at Your Horse Live, when Katie Jerram-Hunnable turned a mud monster into a show star, we had to give it a go. It’s amazing, giving a soft feel and lots of shine. RRP £12.95 smartgrooming.co.uk GLOBAL HERBS SHEDS THE PLASTIC After feedback from customers about removing plastic from its packaging, Global Herbs has taken up the challenge and removed the inner plastic bags from all products. They will no longer include a scoop either, although you can still pick one up free of charge. Global Herbs reassures users that the quality of the products is unaffected. globalherbs.co.uk KEEP YOUR EARS WARM As the weather gets colder, grab a set of warmers to keep your ears toasty. The British-made Foxy Equestrian ear warmers…

Cassi Errington owned her ex-police and riding school horse Yeoman for five years before he sadly passed away aged 28. He loved hacking until they were hit by a speeding car, which rocked both his and Cassi’s confidence. “The road was straight with good visibility and we were wearing hi-vis, but the driver just ploughed into us. Her punishment was six points and a £250 fine. “I knew I needed to work on my confidence after the accident, so I bought an air jacket and head cam and moved yards to somewhere quieter, which really helped. The thing that made the biggest difference was perseverance.” Fighting back “Even though it was difficult for both of us, this was Yeo’s retirement, so it was important to get back out. Cars coming…

■ “All good riders miss sometimes. It was the perfect stride, but the fence was in the wrong place.” ■ “It’s alright, I’ll move the poles. Pffft, I bet that Elton John doesn’t have to build his own stage.” ■ As his arena party take several attempts to rebuild a wall. “Err, it’s a bit, um. I wouldn’t want you building my house.” ■ “I’ve done more homework for tonight than I’ve ever done in my life. Even at school. My report said, ‘Could do better; easily led’. I don’t know what they mean.” ■ “Graham Fletcher was like one of The Beatles in my early days — all the girls loved him.” ■ While he warms up to jump... “This isn’t dressage; it’s showjumping obedience.”…

Danielle Gilis, 41, is a full-time chef in London. She lives in Essex with her husband Laurent and two children, Jamie, aged 14, and Emilie, 12. She owns two horses, William and Ollie, and competes in showjumping and dressage. My job… I’m head chef for a contract caterer called The Good Eating Company, which is based in Oxford Street, London. My contract at the moment is Sports Direct’s head office where I feed all the staff. They have breakfast, lunch and evening food. I’m in charge of the staff and their training, creating the menus and ordering the food. There are three members of staff out the front and then myself and an assistant in the kitchen, which is tiny, like a broom cupboard. My horses… I’ve had William, a…

There are only 40 Skyrian horses in the UK and Kayleigh Burgen from Edinburgh has five of these, all mares. “Our youngest Adara was born here and we’ve been showing her in-hand,” explains Kayleigh. “She’s done an amazing job of getting the word out about these rare horses. At the moment, we can’t do any breeding because there are no eligible stallions in the UK and we would need to import to avoid inbreeding. Our long-term goal is to breed and import new bloodlines.” As well as Adara, Kayleigh has Loli, who was brought over from Greece, Anastasia, Bambouras and Bakiri. “They’re incredibly friendly, but won’t just roll over and do as they’re told. I love their movement and the challenge of trying to bring it out in the ring.…

1 Maintaining fluency is the key to training for this movement. There must be no blocking through the frame when changing the rein and bend. Riding serpentines, with varying sizes of loops, is a good exercise to practise. The aim is to maintain an even looseness at all times, as you move effortlessly from one loop to the other. 2 Ride complete 10m circles from E and B without a change of rein. Once you can do this easily, you will know how much bend you need in order to ride a 10m circle accurately. Now, with the feel of that full circle in your head, ride one and a half 10m circles at E. Ride straight up the centre line when you reach X for the second time —…

“Take advantage when things feel better. That’s your chance to ask a little bit more — there’s always more” ALL HORSES HAVE a stiffer side and will find the work you ask of them harder on one rein than on the other. We’re probably all guilty of spending a little more time on the rein that feels more comfortable and your horse finds easier. What we should be doing, though, is working on making the stiffer rein more supple. As dressage judge Stephen Clarke explains at a Centaur Biomechanics rider workshop, this is really important in order for your training to progress. If you’re keen to move through the levels in dressage you have to work on improving your horse’s suppleness so he becomes more even on both reins. Without…

Clipped horse in work A fit horse who’s clipped and in work will need rugging to replace the protection his natural coat would give him. Even if he’s stabled at night, he’ll require at least a mediumweight rug with a neck cover to prevent too much heat loss. Healthy cob/native A cob or native breed who is overweight but otherwise healthy, and has a full coat, doesn’t need a rug until temperatures reach 0°C overnight — or until it gets very wet and windy and the horse is living out with no shelter. Otherwise, ad-lib forage and shelter are adequate. Veteran/poorly horse An older or recovering horse with a low body condition score, who needs to gain weight, has a reduced appetite, isn’t eating huge amounts of forage, has some…

If you find yourself in an emergency situation where you need help to rescue your horse, bear in mind the following: Stay calm As hard as it may be, you need to stay as calm as possible in order to assess the situation and find help. Keeping calm will also help to stop your horse from becoming more stressed and potentially hurting himself or you. Stay out of danger As tempting as it may be to stroke your horse or physically try to help him, all you’re doing is putting yourself in harm’s way and a difficult situation can quickly become far worse. Stand back, stay calm and quietly talk to your horse to soothe him. Call the emergency services Be ready to pass on as much information as you…

“A major worm burden may cause damage to the gut, leading to colic and diarrhoea. In severe cases, it can be life threatening” CONTROLLING WORM BURDENS in equines is a vital part of every owner’s basic horse care routine. A major worm burden may cause damage to the gut, leading to colic and diarrhoea. In severe cases, it can be life threatening. As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure, and following a strict management routine this winter will help protect your horse from the worms’ damaging effects come spring and summer. Below, vet Sue Taylor discusses the three main types of worm that require treatment in the winter. Encysted small redworm (CYATHOSTOMES) This is one of the most common and damaging parasites found in horses. The larvae hibernate…

Autumn (Sept-Oct): Carry out a saliva test for tapeworm. If positive and your vet recommends treatment, target tapeworm with a wormer containing praziquantel or an elevated dose of pyrantel. Winter (Nov-Feb): Target encysted small redworm with a moxidectin product. This will also kill botfly larvae. Alternatively, use an elevated dose of fenbendazole (this will not target any botfly larvae). Spring (Mar-Apr): Test again for tapeworm. Do a faecal worm egg count for roundworm and, if your horse needs treating for roundworm too, use a combination wormer. Speak to your vet for advice. Summer (May-Aug): carry out a FWEC for roundworm and target treatment if it is necessary with fenbendazole or pyrantel.…

Career cut short Q My Thoroughbred was sold on before making it to the track. What reasons would there be for not giving a racehorse a shot at an actual race? Jackie Lilley, Southend Gillian says... This could be as simple as the horse being deemed not fast enough to continue in training or, possibly, that it has sustained an injury that the trainer felt didn’t justify the cost of keeping them in training any longer. Occasionally, a horse may be unraced because of financial or personal circumstances relating to the owner. Can’t make the transition? Q What happens to ex-racehorses who don’t find a new career? Eli Rose, Bournemouth Gillian says... The fate of retired racehorses depends largely on why they were unable to find a new…

Feeling SAD Q When the cold weather hit this year, my horse appeared lethargic. He seems otherwise normal. Why might this be? Andrew Mortimer, Market Rasen Lis says... There are a number of possibilities for explaining the seasonal lethargy your horse seems to be experiencing. The best way to assess this problem is to use the following checklist and, if necessary, make changes to your management, or ask your vet’s advice. ■ Is your horse suffering from low-grade arthritis? Pain and stiffness due to this condition can be worsened by cold weather and restricted turn out. ■ Does your horse have Cushing’s disease? Cushing’s in older horses may be more apparent due to the seasonal peak of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) from July/August to September/November, which can increase the severity…

Fussy with forage Q My mare gets so bored of hay and haylage in winter that most of it ends up on the floor. How can I make forage more interesting and keep her eating this year? Maggie Lee, Lancashire Katie says... It’s unusual for horses to get bored of forage. It may be that your mare doesn’t find it palatable, or perhaps it’s hard to chew, so get her teeth checked first to eliminate problems that may be preventing her from eating her regular forage. Otherwise, provide a variety of fibre types to try to maintain her interest and allow her to feed selectively, just as she would in a natural environment. All horses benefit from having multiple sources of fibre available to them. This enables them to…

AT FIRST GLANCE, you might think this rug looks just like any other fleece cooler — but as well as its dashing good looks, this new rug from WeatherBeeta is designed to increase your horse’s muscle function and reduce the risk of injury. It also helps to reduce the build-up of lactic acid in the muscles to aid recovery after exercise or injury. Sounds pretty impressive, doesn’t it? All of this is possible thanks to the use of Ceramic Fabric Technology. Ceramic materials have long been utilised for heat reflection — for example, on the exterior of space shuttles to reflect solar radiation. Thanks to advances in technology, this heat-reflective material has been blended within a fabric lining and incorporated into a stylish polar fleece your horse will love —…

Choosing the type of bedding most suitable for you and your horse depends largely on your individual circumstances, but it’s worth taking a moment to consider the following practical and health implications: ■ Price When you’re comparing prices, don’t just look at the price per bale, but also consider the cost of the bedding for your horse per week or month. What might appear to be a cheap price per bale may not be as cost effective as a more expensive product because you end up having to use twice as much. ■ Dust Dusty bedding can cause respiratory problems and allergies. Allergic reactions to stable dust, mites, mould and pollen can cause long-term irritable coughs that can be difficult to treat. Choosing dust-free bedding is just one way you…

AS A HORSE OWNER, you know you’ve signed up to being outside with your horse in all weathers. During the winter, your time in the saddle is at a premium, but it’s also when your tack is most likely to be subjected to heavy rain, snow and mud. The last thing you want is to be spending hours cleaning tack. The mere thought of taking a garden hose to a leather saddle is guaranteed to make us squirm. In fact, simply getting our saddle damp and dirty while hacking or competing is enough to hold us back from enjoying a nice winter ride when we think about the chore of cleaning and oiling tack afterwards. This thought can also impact on our quest to #Hack1000Miles as the poor weather sets…

There are so many horses who are feeling the benefits of Dengie. Here are just two success stories of horses who are reaping the rewards of a Dengie diet. Alfa-A Oil — for condition and shine at the top of the line! Graham Babes has had a fantastic season with big wins in Vilamoura, Bonheiden and Fontainebleau. Every time Graham (pictured, above) competes abroad he takes Dengie Alfa-A Oil with him. “My horses need serious energy to cope with the rigours of travelling and competing abroad. Alfa-A Oil gives them energy without making them too hot, so they stay focused on their work. They bounce back after competitions so much better now too. I don’t leave home without it.” Healthy Tummy — the complete feed, so it has the “balanced…

A SCIENTIFIC STUDY BY Dr Dauvillier and Dr van Erck-Westergren found that 84% of the 482 horses they examined suffered from inflammatory airway disease (IAD). Other studies have detected the presence of different types of fungi in the airways in 72% of horses. One of the main causes of IAD is respirable dust, which is plentiful in hay. The presence of IAD has a really negative impact on the athletic horse’s performance and is an issue that really needs addressing. Q What is IAD? A IAD is a respiratory disease that affects the horse, from as young as one year of age. Coughing, poor performance and mucus discharge are common symptoms, although may not always be prevalent. Horses can have serious problems with their respiratory system without showing obvious…

Submitting several claims on one policy for unrelated conditions, as Laura had to, may seem unnerving, but don’t worry, this is quite common and your policy provides a set amount of money per condition, so multiple conditions are not an issue. For each separate condition Laura claimed for, she had to pay an excess as outlined in her policy when she claimed under Veterinary Fees. Her excess will then be deducted from the initial treatment cost and the remaining balance will be reviewed for payment. The cost of Gemini’s treatment will then be subtracted from the total Veterinary Fees limit for that condition, as agreed on Laura’s policy. Petplan Equine offers a fixed excess with no additional percentage to add. This means that you know in advance how much you…