Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 477 i Your Horse

I CAN CLEARLY remember my first ever dressage test on my New Forest Pony, Prudence, nearly 30 years ago. I was the eldest of five cousins, and our main concern was how would we remember the test? Cue our grandmother writing arena letters on pieces of A4 paper and weighing them down with stones on the yard, and five under-10s walking and trotting around until we could remember it. It worked — we all came home with a rosette. Those were the days when an average dressage mark could become a winning one if you went on to jump a double clear — and mine and Pru’s skills were in the latter. Today, though, if you want to be competitive you can’t afford to waste marks on things like wonky…

THE ULTIMATE HORSEY BREAK Green Bank Farm in the Lake District offers luxury ‘stable stays’ where guests snuggle up in a bed right next to the stable of a Friesian or Shetland companion on an open top bunk for treat-feeding and round the clock pats. From £250 per night greenbankfarmholidays.co.uk/stablestays FUNKY CROSS-COUNTRY Fed up with boring cross-country colours? Amelo Equine has introduced a rainbow of exciting designs for horsey wardrobes, from rainbows and woodland animals to unicorns and leopards. From £22.99 ameloequine.co.uk MAGNIFICENT MASKS Redwings’ new spring range includes this gorgeous reusable mask featuring a dapple grey horse. Other designs include sheep, bumble bees, sausage dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits. All funds go straight to the charity. £10 redwings.org.uk/shop…

COMING IN APRIL DIGITAL LEADERBOARD We’re launching a brand-new website later this month and #Hack1000Miles is going to look amazing! Sign up to appear in our digital leaderboard - a great way to keep a tally of your miles and see how your total stacks up against everyone else’s. Our monthly e-newsletter, including the Wall of Fame, is back too — so remember to opt in if you’d like to receive that and offers from our sponsors. You’ll also be able to enter our monthly competitions, exclusive to #Hack1000Miles challengers, online. More details about this are on the right. PROGRESS TRACKER You’ll find the new-look 2021 tracker card included with this issue. It’s as important to have it as ever - pin it to the fridge or your tack room…

Cheryl Howard is a mother of two who works as boat crew on the Dartmouth to Kingswear Passenger Ferry, crossing the beautiful River Dart in Devon. My working hours… My job involves working 12-hour shifts over four days one week, and three days the next, meaning that one week I get four days off and another week I have three days off. My hours are officially 7am to 7.15pm, but I am on the pontoon for 6.45am ready to get the car ferry over to the other side of the river, as the boat commences service from the Dartmouth side at 7.30am. We have lots of checks to do and overnight ropes to remove before we begin. The daily juggle… On a working day I get up at 4am, do…

Keep your photos coming in to yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk And... Smile! My funny boy Brock - making us laugh as always. Emma Edwards, Surrey Battling through This is my daughter Alana with her pony Cel. They’ve been a team for the past three years. They’ve been through a lot together, from Alana puncturing her lung two weeks into owning Cel, to ulcers and a stifle injury. They have both come back stronger than ever. Alana has done all the rehab work herself. Jennie Laura, Cheshire Wakey, wakey Chloe having her afternoon nap until I rudely disturbed her! Jenna Grayling, Suffolk Birthday treat Breakfast banana with Murphy on his 17th birthday. Mike Herbert, Dorset My bestie This is me with my nosey mare Holly, who is 24 and loves a selfie. She’s my…

MEET THE TRAINER WILL FLETCHER is the son of legendary showjumpers Tina and Graham Fletcher. Will was under-21 national champion, has represented Great Britain on senior Nations Cup teams and is a former Young Rider European team medallist. WHEN TRAINING A horse over fences, his technique is one thing you are always looking to improve. A good technique consists of having a quick front end, with the horse snapping his front legs up neatly over the pole, and an active behind, which enables him to tuck his back legs up cleanly. Much of the shape a horse makes over a fence, especially the horse’s back end, comes down to the rider. Allowing the horse to move his body freely is important, and the best way to help the horse ‘let…

MEET THE EXPERT Northamptonshire based equine behaviourist KAY WILLOUGHBY has a lifetime of experience with horses, and is a registered, qualified and insured equine behaviour consultant and yard owner. She is a member of the Society of Equine Behaviour Consultants and enjoys helping owners develop a strong bond with their horses. Visit calmandcollected.co.uk. NOW THAT THE days are longer and the weather is warming up, owners are beginning to spend more time with their horses and are looking forward to getting back in the saddle more. However, one thing we sometimes notice, just as we’re beginning to get going again after a long, cold winter, is that our horses are more sprightly and likely to exhibit reactive and anxious behaviours. In some horses, bucking, spooking and being more spritely to…

What’s his vibe? Q Horses have such expressive faces. Do their expressions really denote the mood they look as though they denote? For example, a wrinkled nose looks like pure disgust, but is this possible? Gemma Stonehouse, Co. Durham Jenni says... Equine facial expressions is a new field of investigation, in which we are starting to see some published research. EquiFACS stands for Equine Facial Action Coding System and the first paper to come out on this mapped, in fine detail, all the horse’s facial muscles and what movements they could produce — many of the same as in primates, cats and dogs. This perhaps points to a common ancestral root, although a lot more research is needed to determine or discount that. Bittersweet Disgust is something that has barely…

Strike it right Q My horse always strikes off with the correct leg leading on the right rein, but not on the left. Why might this be happening and what am I doing wrong?Tilly March, Aberdeen Kate says... The first thing you need to address when a horse consistently strikes off on the wrong leg is why it is happening. Is there a physical issue that would affect straightness? His back and teeth need to be checked, and the saddle fit. There is no point trying to sort out the canter strike-off if there is a problem with any of these. Is it you? If there are no problems there, then you need to look to yourself and your riding position. The best way to do this is to have…

SPRING IS FINALLY here — hurrah! We’ve packed this 32-page special full of topical and practical advice to help support you and your horse at this time of year. I had great fun working out which of Baileys’ stereotypes match my horses. It turns out my stables have mostly been filled with ‘Hot Heads’ and ‘Skinny Ones’ over the years. Find out which your horse is — and what that means for the best way to feed them — on page 4. Obesity is a major problem in the equine world at the moment. Making wise feeding choices in order to prevent our horses piling on the pounds this spring is crucial, because it can affect digestive health — and not in a good way. Dodson & Horrell explain more…

Freelance gear editor Allison Lowther: If your riding kit is looking a little tired, now’s the perfect time to treat yourself to something new. We showcase a wide range of the latest spring/summer riding wear in our buyer’s guide. Page 106. Freelance horse care editor Stephanie Bateman: Spring signals new beginnings and hopefully more fun with our horses, but it can also bring new challenges such as weight gain, frisky behaviour and a list of yard chores as long as your arm! We cover all this in Care. Page 57. List One dressage judge Kirsty Mepham: I see many riders throwing away easy marks on things like halts not being square and rushed transitions. Find out what we as judges really want to see on page 44. Esteemed trainer John…

BONDING “I’m doing #Hack1000Miles to maintain the bond I have with my horse, Pixie. This last Covid year has been a challenge in itself. Even after four months off, Pixie has come back into work the same as she ever was.” Tess Watkins “I love a challenge and tracking my miles is fun. I love exploring with my best friend. Every ride is different, from the weather to the scenery and from the plod around the block through to exhilarating gallops in open fields. It’s great bonding time; you learn to trust each other as you experience different things.” Lisa Hayworth CONFIDENCE “My horse, Indy, has arthritis and so benefits hugely from hacking. This challenge, and support from everyone in the Facebook group, has given me the confidence to start…

EMAIL US AT yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk Unfortunately, we are currently unable to receive any letters by post. We reserve the right to edit letters when necessary. Such great healers I wanted to write and tell you about my friend Erin and Trigger. Trigger is a rescue pony and this picture shows the first time Erin sat on him bareback. It has been a long journey to get to this point, as it has taken a long time for Trigger to trust humans. Trigger was cruelly beaten as a foal and was taken away from his mother at only a few days old. He was rescued by people at our yard and Erin, who works on the yard, fell in love with him. She set out to build his trust, which was a…

Bean there, done that Q What exactly is a bean and what are the symptoms of a male horse having one? Jill Stanley, Devon Kat says… A bean is a hard mass of skin cells, fat cells, dust and urine that collects at the tip of the horse’s penis, in a small pocket just above the urethra (the horse’s urinary tract). If you suspect your horse has one, look out for symptoms including, but not limited to: ■ a swollen sheath ■ tail rubbing ■ kicking up at the sheath ■ bucking when ridden ■ feeling “stuffy” from behind ■ behavioural changes ■ seeming “girthy” Full of beans Q A sheath cleaner is due to come to my yard and a number of us had never even heard of one…

For a chance to get your hands on these goodies*, enter at yourhorse.co.uk/477 20 X1 BAG OF SPILLERS FIBRELITE MOLASSES FREE SPILLERS Fibre Lite Molasses Free is a low-calorie soft chopped fibre feed with the flavoursome additions of grass nuts and garlic but no added sugar. Used as a double handful at mealtimes, it bulks out your horse’s feed to extend eating time, which helps support digestive health and mental wellbeing. This soft fibre blend contains short chopped alfalfa and straw to help slow eating time, plus grass nuts and garlic for taste and texture. It’s molasses-free and with no added sugar it is also low in starch. Find out more at spillers-feeds.com 2 X 1 PACK OF CAVALOR LAMINAID AND PODOSENS Cavalor LaminAid is recommended for horses and ponies…

Waistcoats COVALLIERO Quilted waistcoat RRP £57 SIZES S-XXL FOR STOCKISTS zebraproducts.co.uk MOUNTAIN HORSE Unisex star vest RRP £70 SIZES XXS-XXL FOR STOCKISTS mountainhorse.co.uk YARIS Padded body warmer RRP £35 SIZES 8-18 BUY AT yarisequestrian.co.uk CAVALLO Sanna waistcoat RRP £80 SIZES 34-46 FOR STOCKISTS zebraproducts.co.uk CAVALLO Sera t-shirt RRP £29 SIZES 32-46 FOR STOCKISTS zebraproducts.co.uk DUBLIN Tatum ¼ z ip printed short sleeve tech event top RRP £36.99 SIZESXS-XXL BUY AT dublinclothing.co.uk STOCKINJUR Tech t-shirt RRP £25 SIZES XS-XL (UK size 4 - UK size 18) BUY AT www.stockinjur.com T-shirts CAVALLO Selva sleeveless polo shirt RRP £40 SIZES 32-46 FOR STOCKISTS zebraproducts.co.uk CAVALLO Selva sleeveless polo shirt RRP £40 SIZES 32-46 FOR STOCKISTS zebraproducts.co.uk DUBLIN Maddison short sleeve technical airflow ¼ zip top RRP £36.99 SIZES XS-XXL BUY AT dublinclothing.co.uk TOUCH OF TWEED…

The Fat One The Fat One is a lover of food who can’t help piling on the pounds and is frequently a trifle wide in the barrel. As The Fat One lives on fresh air, their frustrated owners often find it hard to control their weight while giving them the nutrients they need, particularly in the summer months. When their food is reduced, The Fat One is adept at making their despairing owners feel guilty and so are often given a token handful of a mix or cube, despite being on restricted grazing. Feeding solution Baileys No.14 Lo-Cal Balancer provides all the essential nutrients The Fat One needs, but without the calories that go with a traditional mix or cube. The low-starch, low-calorie pellet contains quality protein, for topline not…

WINTER IS OVER and spring is under way, bringing with it warmer days and the prospect of more turnout time. The winter to spring transition is an exciting time and important when it comes to nutrition; it’s time to take stock and review concentrate requirements, depending on exercise and body condition ready for the season ahead. Just like ourselves shedding the winter jumpers after months of lockdown overeating, every horse is going to be different when they step out from under their winter rugs. You may find that your horse has lost some condition from decreased nutrient availability or due to inactivity, while others may have put on weight. Whether the plan is hacking or competing, we all want to get our horses back in tip-top shape as soon as…

COVALLIERO HAS CREATED a spring/summer collection for the whole family! Does your daughter or niece look up to you and admire your clothing? Now is their chance to dress like you. The Covalliero riding tights sport are made from an extremely elasticated material which makes them fit like a second skin. The full seat is made from an anti-slip silicone fabric with a side mobile phone pocket. These riding tights feature an extra wide and comfortable waistband that maintains its shape while being soft and lightweight. The Covalliero quilted waistcoat is a staple piece for everyone’s wardrobes. The lightly padded waistcoat features a two-way metallic zipper. The side panels are elasticated to provide a sporty, feminine cut. The hoodie jacket from Covalliero is a jacket with sophisticated design and lots…

HOW MANY TIMES have you driven your horsebox in the last year? Most horseboxes will only have had light use since March 2020, when Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions triggered competitions to cancel, lessons and clinics to be called off and horses being generally unable to leave the yard in a lorry or trailer bar in an emergency. It’s essential to ensure your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition at all times, with an annual service the minimum recommended. This is especially important after such a long period of light use and after a cold, wet winter. If your service isn’t due until later in the year, a professional check now will help to ensure you and your horse’s safety — and give you piece of mind. General servicing Vantech Sussex…

‘I ride more now’ Some 19 months after hacking her first mile, Janene Hamilton recorded her 1,000th in March. “We finally did it - 1,000 miles, barefoot, in all weathers,” smiles Jane. “Thank you to my beautiful mare, Letty, for carrying me all that way. This challenge has certainly encouraged me to ride more. I am proud and super happy to hit the target.” ‘Not bad for OAPs!’ Pauline Dawson, who describes herself as an “older” rider, got to the finish line in less than a year. “Being an older rider and not knowing how long I will be able to keep riding for, I decided to take on this challenge with my two older horses. The vet says light hacking is the best thing,” says Pauline. “We’ve done 1,003.9…

MEET THE TRAINER International eventer SIMON GRIEVE runs a busy yard in Leicestershire. He’s sponsored by Allen & Page, Toggi, Omega Equine, Saddles Up, N.E.W., Bed-Down, Champion, PolyPads, Ruggles rugs and Flex-On stirrups. For all his latest news, follow him on Facebook. MEET THE HORSE Simon rides the talented six-year-old eventer, BALLYVONARE ALLEGRO (‘ALAN’), who has been based at his yard for the past year and competes at BE100 level. SCHOOLING solutions WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: • Easy ways to gauge your horse’s speed • How to develop and control his rhythm • Expert tips to achieve the optimum pace FEW SPORTS ARE as demanding as cross country riding, which tests not only your skill and nerve, but also your ability to judge how fast you’re going. Compete under British Eventing…

MEET THE EXPERT DR KIERAN O’BRIEN MA MVB(Hons) PhD MRCVS worked as a clinician and lecturer at the University of Bristol before joining Penbode Equine Vets in Devon 20 years ago. His special interests are respiratory and skin disorders, and pre-purchase examinations. He has been team vet for British and Irish endurance teams and officiated at many international events. WHEN YOUR VET gives you medication to put in your horse’s feed, he or she makes several assumptions. First, that you will mix it thoroughly with a feed you know your horse likes; second, that you will ensure the horse eats all of each dose in one sitting with little or no waste; third, that you will continue to monitor how well the horse eats the feed each time; and, finally,…

White withers Q My new horse has some white patches beneath his withers where a previous saddle has rubbed. Why does the hair turn white and will it grow out with his summer coat? Tabitha Williams, North Yorkshire Kay says... White patches under the saddle are due to excessive pressure in those areas. They might, or might not, have started with a traumatic injury such as an open saddle sore. If the hair is pure white, it is unlikely that you will ever get rid of them, as the pressure will have damaged the hair follicles and prevented the pigment that colours the hair from forming. The exception to this is where the white marks are not a solid colour, and have more of a roan look. This is a…

Stand up straight Q When we halt, my horse either fidgets and swings his quarters out, or rests a hindleg when he does finally stand still. How can I teach him not to do these things? Christian Jones, Cheshire Kate says… When asking for halt it is essential that your horse is straight and the hindlegs are engaged, and this applies whether you are in walk, trot or canter. Obviously, you will be asking initially for the halt from walk and, from any other pace, it will be a progressive transition. If your horse is straight and in front of your leg, he is less likely to leave a hindleg trailing, or to be unbalanced and feel the need to swing one way or the other in order to stay…

What do you love most about Hickstead? There is no other feeling in the world like on Derby day. It’s a magical travelling circus that comes together, and I love the feeling on the Sunday morning when the best is yet to come and history will be made, but 24 hours later everything’s gone. To honour this countryside and farmland most of the year and then provide this amazing sporting spectacle every year is wonderful. What’s it like working alongside your siblings? I love it. We were born and bred here [Daisy is a director along with her six siblings]. We grew up with all the riders and officials, and it really does feel like a big family. My nephew is the top groundsman and showground manager, and various other…