Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 517 i Your Horse

HOW HACKING CHANGES LIVES

IT IS AN undisputed fact that hacking horses is good for a rider’s health and wellbeing. Add to that a goal, such as the #Hack1000Miles challenge, and an incentive to leave the yard is in the mix, making for a win, win situation. For some riders, though, battling through difficult times in their lives — such as the death of a loved one, contending with illness, or perhaps a confidence crisis — hacking a horse can also become a therapy that enables them to ride through the tough times and emerge stronger. It sounds far-fetched, but it really does happen… Anne McEwen and Bobby Joe ‘We won’t get to 1,000 miles in a year, but every time I get on it’s an achievement’ Six years ago Anne McEwen bought a…

12 min

Cameras for sale

CAMBOX V3+ RRP £325.70 (payment plan available) This is an ultra-light sports camera that fits around the bottom of a riding hat so that the lens sits below the peak of the silk. It is attached by Velcro and is compatible with 99% of hats. The Cambox has a 2,000-pixel resolution and a battery life of 70 min, with the option of plugging in an external battery if required. Made in France, the manufacturer also sells refurbished cameras at a discounted price. CAMBOX.EU TECHALOGIC HC-1 RRP £159.95 Specifically designed for horse riders, this camera boasts a 2.5-hour battery life and a 2,000p resolution. It is IP65 waterproof, and the strap is designed to fit any style of riding hat. It is lightweight (48g) and has an in-built microphone. It has…

Libby Seed

WORK HORSE balance Account manager for Boston Scientific The amateur event rider reveals how she juggles a full-time role in the medical devices industry with eventing at five-star level and preparing for her second Badminton run next month with Heartbreaker Star Quality. My job… As an account manager for Boston Scientific, a global medical devices company, I work in the sector of vascular interventional radiology for diseased arteries and veins. Despite living in the South West, I spend a lot of time in hospitals in the South East of England (which is my ‘patch’) as my role involves selling medical equipment, working with NHS procurement on tenders, and making sure that staff are trained in and happy with the equipment. If there are any developments in my product areas I…

Fix it… TACKLING ANGLED combinations

YOUR HORSE’S TRAINING EVENTING | ACCURACY TESTS MEET THE EXPERT Nations Cup team regular ALEX BRAGG made his five-star eventing debut at Burghley in 2016 aboard Redpath Ransom. He went on to complete Badminton, Pau and Luhmühlen with former five-star ride Zagreb, who he retired in 2021. Alex was a reserve for Britain’s European Championship squad in 2017 and was longlisted for the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018. COURSE-BUILDERS WHO CONSTRUCT cross-country courses include angled combinations of two or more fences as a test of straightness and accuracy. However, questions like these also assess the strength of a partnership — a horse needs to trust his rider enough to jump in knowing that his pilot will help him find his way out again. Jumping for me is all…

4 min

Hitting rock bottom

UPON ENTERING YOUR horse’s stable how does he react? Does he come to greet you, or does he exhibit a more disagreeable stance and instead turns his hindquarters towards you? With his head firmly lodged in the corner of his stable, no handler has much hope of putting on this horse’s headcollar and leading him out for whatever task is planned. This is frustrating, and not at all uncommon, as equine psychology specialist Annika O’Kane explains. “All behaviour is communication of how a horse is feeling. They display signs of comfort or discomfort,” she says. “In this context, this behaviour is a sign that the horse is feeling discomfort.” This discomfort can be physical, mental, emotional, social, or anticipated. The horse has made an association between this feeling and the…

5 min

WHY THOSE worms WILL TURN

VETS ARE WARNING that unless more horse owners and yard managers change their approach to parasite control, horses will be at a higher risk of dying from the wormrelated conditions that are currently treatable. New research into how horses are dewormed has uncovered worrying statistics about anthelmintic (dewormer) resistance and the danger this poses to equines in the future, especially younger horses. Worms are becoming resistant to the effects of dewormers, just like bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics (page 72). Resistance has been demonstrated in all the deworming drugs that are currently available and no new products are being developed to replace them. Resistance means that the dewormer doesn’t kill the worms as expected. One of the most significant causes of resistance is the overuse of dewormers, and many…

11 min

Perfect portions

MISSED A PREVIOUS PART? Buy Your Horse back issues at shop.kelsey.co.uk/ issue/YHR MEET THE EXPERT Spillers’ nutritionist SARAH NELSON is responsible for the technical management of all Spillers’ products, including feed formulation. Sarah has been a part of the Spillers’ team since 2009, and she has advised horse owners, riders and vets on all aspects of practical nutrition. Her current role involves translating key scientific messages into practical advice for owners, as well as providing nutritional consultations for clinical cases. Visit spillers-feeds.com THE SECRET TO weight loss is calorie restriction — for both horses and people. While many of us dream of discovering a miracle diet that allows us to eat whatever we like and lose weight at the same time, the simple truth is that all successful diets work…

Know the test well for enjoyment in the arena

DRESSAGE - ALISON KENWARD says… Q How can I make dressage tests feel more fun? I would love to enjoy competitions as much as my schooling sessions at home, but I just can’t. Caroline Lloyd, Herefordshire Alison says: When you school at home have you noticed that your horse feels confident and relaxed with certain exercises? Every combination has their strengths. We want to develop our ability to show our strengths in the test. Start by bringing the competition environment to your arena at home, so dress your arena with flowerpots and play music to lift the atmosphere. Try plaiting up your horse and wearing your competition clothes to add a sense of occasion. Also add more challenges to your schooling sessions. Pick some test requirements from the level above…

A balanced diet for pregnant mares is essential for foal health

FEEDING - EMMA SHORT says… Q My 16.2hh Irish Draught x Thoroughbred mare is due to foal in a few weeks. She is currently turned out during the day and is in at night and gets ad lib haylage in the stable. She holds her weight well so I’m only feeding her half a scoop of lowenergy mix twice a day, but what should I feed as her foaling date approaches? Kerry Turner, Somerset Emma says: Since the development of the foetus begins at conception a mare should ideally receive a fully balanced diet from then on and throughout pregnancy. Minerals in particular are essential in the mare’s diet as they are vital components of the cells and tissues of the developing foal. Research has also shown that the foetus…

5 min

BUYER’S GUIDE BODY armour

YOUR HORSE’S GEAR BUYER’S GUIDE | BODY PROTECTORS THERE ARE SEVERAL reasons why wearing a body protector when in the saddle or handling a horse is a good habit to get into. Riding horses is a high-risk activity, and a body protector is, just like a riding hat, an indispensable safety garment for any equestrian. No one knows when they might fall off, get kicked, or be injured in another way when dealing with horses. A well-fitting body protector is designed to absorb some of the impact from a fall or kick. Wearing one is compulsory for some competitions, such as eventing, but many riders opt to wear one every time their ride, whether when hacking, schooling or jumping, and also at home. The extra layer gives riders piece of mind…

Win

1 PAIR OF RID’UP STIRRUPS We have one pair of Rid’Up Stirrups to give away. These modern looking stirrups ensure rider security, safety, comfort and effectiveness. Cleverly designed, they feature a hinged junction with the stirrup leather that is based on proven ski-binding technology. This provides security in normal use, but in the event of a fall the stirrup releases instantly from the leather, reducing the chances of being dragged. The high-performance but lightweight composite stirrup features stainless steel spikes for grip in all conditions and a shock-absorbing sole for enhanced comfort while riding. Find out more at wowsaddles.com * Worth £230 4 SHANNON AIR COOLER RUGS Four winners will each receive a Shannon Air Cooler rug. This lightweight, multifunctional, high-performance cooler is made from a 3D air mesh material for enhanced…

2 min

Peter Egan

What made you choose acting as a career? I left my secondary modern school in 1961 at the age of 15 with no qualifications and no idea what I was going to do with the rest of my life. I had various jobs, including a porter for an auction house, a porter at Middlesex Hospital, a mortuary porter, and I worked in sales for a tailor in Connaught Street. I ended up acting by accident when I joined an amateur company with the intention of helping out with the set design because I was quite good at art. At some point they couldn’t cast the part of the mad uncle in Arsenic and Old Lace and so I took it on, found that I was good at it and got…

5 min

HORSE talk

For all the latest news from the horse world, visit yourhorse.co.uk FARRIERY Declining farrier numbers prove a cause for concern A farriery crisis could be on the horizon as numbers of farriers drop across the country. Farriers Registration Council (FRC) figures show that there were 2,686 registered farriers in the UK at the end of 2023, 162 fewer than in December 2019. The situation in Scotland is particularly dire, with around 160 covering the entire country. An FRC spokesman said: “Equine owners should be able to access farriery services throughout Great Britain. However, those in some areas of Scotland may experience difficulty due to geography and demographics.” He added that the Scottish situation is being made worse because there is no public funding for farriery students, making it expensive to…

Ready, steady, go!

Your Horse’s #Hack1000Miles is unique and over the years it has inspired thousands of riders to go beyond their comfort zones and ride further than they had ever dreamed possible. Therefore, is there a better challenge for horse and rider? The answer is definitely no, for #Hack1000Miles provides the impetus to head out, even on those blustery days, or for anyone who tends to find excuses not to saddle up. And for those still unsure about signing up, just take a look at our gallery of challengers for inspiration. They all have smiles on their faces! So don’t delay, head to yourhorse.co.uk/hacking/hack-1000-miles/ We can’t wait to welcome you.…

1 min

THE BIG TEST ON THE bright side

WEARING HIGH VIS clothing while riding a horse on the roads is crucial for several reasons. It significantly increases the visibility of both the rider and the horse to other road users, which is essential for safety. Good high vis gear helps drivers to see riders from a greater distance, too, giving them more time to react, slow down and pass safely. However, high vis isn’t just about being seen by drivers. Such bright clothing also alerts pedestrians, dog walkers and even low-flying aircraft to an equestrian’s presence. For anyone who falls off and becomes separated from their horse, high vis clothing makes it easier for them to be located, especially from the air in search and rescue operations. Not wearing high vis out hacking is a breach of The…

SEND a selfie

Keep your photos coming in to yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk Send in your pics! Shalamar is always on song In this picture me and a friend have just got back home from a fabulous hack out in the gorgeous North Wales countryside. My tri-coloured mare, Shalamar, is now 23 years young and I’m on the late side of my 50s. I can’t imagine life without Shalamar and I trust her 100% on our outings. She came into my life over 11 years ago and since then she’s been my rock. Riding out on her has also enabled me to meet some amazing hacking friends who always put a smile on my face. Sian Williams, Denbighshire Dressage dynamos My horse, Indie, is 14 and we have been a partnership for nearly five years. We…

THAT winning feeling

PART THREE WHATEVER LEVEL A rider competes to, entering an arena and working through a test can be daunting, but being prepared — as a Scout would say — and armed with a positive mindset helps to kick any pre-test nerves to the kerb. “It’s hugely important to gel with your instructor and feel that you can talk through every thought, fear and worry, especially in the run up to a contest,” says coach Sarah Payne. “Therefore, find a coach who is happy to chat things through, and be honest with them. “Some of the riders I teach struggle with pre-competition nerves, while others, like Charlie Zehetmayr here, find certain elements that they will be riding in a test the most significant challenge. It is vital that I know where…

THE TRACKS THAT ARE ON SONG FOR competition horses

YOUR HORSE’S CARE TURNOUT | TRACK SYSTEMS EQUESTRIANISM’S SOCIAL LICENCE to operate is increasingly in the spotlight, meaning that there is a clear responsibility for all owners and riders to meet recommended welfare guidelines. While this magnifying glass is often held over training techniques, tack and injuries, is there something missing? Horses spend most of their day not being ridden or trained, and how they spend that downtime is equally important to their welfare. Horses evolved as trickle feeders in herds with a social structure and yet stabling them away from their friends is the norm in many livery and competition yards. Is an individual stable with a few hours of turnout a day — perhaps alone, perhaps with a friend — really meeting a horse’s needs? And could letting horses…

10 min

ESSENCE OF wellness

BECCI MILLS credits aromatherapist Clare Davison with saving the life of her daughter’s pony, Belle, a 15-year-old Welsh section D x Trotter, who had become so dangerous that Becci was considering putting her to sleep. “Belle kicked me, reared up and broke my husband’s ribs, and she would tank off with my daughter. We struggled to get near her head to put on a headcollar or a bridle and she would frequently buck when being ridden. We had her back and saddle checked, scoped her for ulcers and sought veterinary advice, but nothing helped and we didn’t know what to do,” says Becci. Becci was introduced to Clare, who runs Sasha & George, an Essex-based holistic healing business specialising in aromatherapy products and services for humans, horses and dogs, by…

Have you joined yet?

Spillers is inviting owners of overweight horses and ponies to join its Spillers Slimmers’Club for support, advice and encouragement to help keep their horse or pony at a healthy weight. This motivating and friendly club provides practical support and camaraderie for owners of overweight horses and ponies to aid them on their weight loss journey. It provides information and advice, including weight loss tips, details of how to body condition score and how to use a weigh tape. Scan me OR SEARCH SPILLERS SUMMERS ON FACEBOOK…

1 min

Allow plenty of time for ‘acclimatisation’ at first event

EVENTING - SARAH GAIRDNER says… Q I’ve never evented before and don’t know where to start. I would really appreciate a few of your tips before I head off to compete at my first horse trials. Emily Stevens, Devon Sarah says: Congratulations on heading for your first event. A lot of work goes into reaching this stage. I usually give the people I coach the following tips… ■ Plan and have a packing list, remembering your number bib and horse’s passport. ■ Arrive at the venue in enough time to get a feel for the layout of the event and how long it will take to get to each warm up. Some venues are a lot more spread out than others. ■ Make friends with the stewards. Go and find…

ON TREND Cast in iron

YOUR HORSE’S GEAR ON TREND | STIRRUPS RID’UP STIRRUP RRP £230 COLOURS Black, black/brown, black/grey, black/red, black/blue WOWSADDLES.COM The Rid’Up stirrup has a patented hinged junction at the top for the stirrup leather to thread through. It is based on proven ski-binding technology and provides security in normal use, but in some falls the stirrup disengages from the leather to release the foot, reducing the risk of being dragged. There are stainless steel spikes for grip, plus a shock-absorbing sole. LEMIEUX VECTOR CONTROL STIRRUP RRP £159.95 COLOURS Navy, rose gold, auburn, black, carbon, carbon/silver, aluminium, black/aluminium LEMIEUX.COM These lightweight stirrups are made from aviation grade aluminium. The ergonomic footplate has a cross-track grip surface with embedded hardened steel pins so that boots stay securely in place. The footplate also has a…

COME ON! Let’s go hacking

THE EXCITING CHALLENGE loved by every equestrian who relishes being able to explore the countryside is back — yes, #Hack1000Miles 2024/25 is now live and ready for riders to sign up. To take part, visit yourhorse.co.uk where you will find the Digital Leaderboard on which miles can be logged and progress charted. Everyone is welcome — from those with aspirations to complete the great 1,000 milestone, or those with time constraints and far too much to juggle and who have rather more modest ambitions. This year, though, it is the Your Horse’s editorial team’s intention to unite even more riders from around the world and give them the confidence and drive to get out and enjoy big skies, woodland tracks, quiet country roads and wide, open fields that lend themselves…

Filming IN PROGRESS

IF YOU WERE involved in an incident while riding on the road, could you remember the vehicle registration number? What about its colour, make and model, and any other distinguishing features — bumper stickers, for example? Anyone confidently saying yes, might you also accurately recall the details of the driver, any witnesses, and the exact time it occurred? Even if you think that you could, your version of events may not be enough to trigger a police investigation. As part of Operation Snap, most forces will only accept an incident report if video footage is uploaded at the same time. It doesn’t matter how accurately you might be able to write or explain what happened: the investigating officer must be able to watch and come to their own conclusion of…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BADMINTON!

IN 1948 THE OLYMPIC Games came to Great Britain, and with it came the sport of horse trials. It was the first Games since Berlin in 1936 and that it took place at all in a time of post-war rationing was a triumph of human endeavour and a fillip to a country demoralised by war. For the fledgling sport of horse trials — or eventing as it would come to be known — it was to be pivotal, but not with the glorious result the British equestrian cognoscenti might perhaps have anticipated. However, this weekend in August 1948 was to prove the catalyst for a sport in which Britain would lead the world and a competition, Badminton Horse Trials, would inspire generations of riders from all corners of the globe.…

10 min

LET’S GET inquisitive

PART THREE DO YOU FEEL in control when you ride? Not knowing whether a horse will listen to you once you’re in the saddle is sure to give even the best riders a bit of a wobble. The solution is to establish yourself as the leader of your partnership, and the best place to start this is on the ground by replicating how horses communicate with each other (Your Horse, Spring, Training/Hacking Confidence Clinic). “Whoever controls the other’s feet is in charge,” says today’s trainer Emma Sharman, addressing the attendees at the BHS Suffolk Hacking Confidence Clinic at Boyton Hall Equestrian Centre. “You need to be your horse’s leader — you’re in charge of both your own and your horse’s safety — and to do this you need to control…

9 min

AN AGE OLD ISSUE

NEW SERIES MEET THE EXPERT Frankie Clutterbuck, a holistic health and fitness coach, is the founder of Pro Rider Fitness sports specific rider training and PowerNotPause for perimenopausal and menopausal women. Her ethos is to provide a holistic approach to help clients achieve optimum health and fitness. She is also an amateur event rider and mother of two who runs a fitness business and farms a smallholding. Following a tricky start to perimenopause herself, she made it her mission to devise a supportive coaching programme to help women in a holistic way. Visit proriderfitness.co.uk SALLY IS A career high flyer who is fazed by nothing in her working world, but for several months the once keen and regular rider could no longer bring herself to climb into the saddle. She…

14 min

LET’S RESIST THE temptation…

YOUR HORSE’S CARE VET NOTES | ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE MEET THE EXPERT LUCINDA TICEHURST BSc BVMED Sci Hons BVM BVS MRCVS founded LT Equine Veterinary Services in 2020 having graduated from Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in 2014. Based in Northamptonshire, LT Equine is a first-opinion, ambulatory equine veterinary practice. Lucinda is passionate about all things equestrian and currently owns five horses who she trains and competes in a variety of disciplines, including point-topoint racing and side saddle. For more information, visit LTequinevet.co.uk MISSED A PREVIOUS PART? Buy Your Horse back issues at shop.kelsey.co.uk/issue/YHR VET notes WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: • How antibiotics work • What resistance is and why it has become a global problem • The gold standard of antibiotic use WHAT IS AN antibiotic? It is a type of…

9 min

CASE STUDY

Both of Louise Old’s horses have benefited from aromatherapy. Gordon, Louise’s 17-year-old coloured Irish Cob, was suffering from skin allergies that were baffling her vets. “Initially the vet thought that it was a simple case of hives, but after treatment it didn’t clear up. Gordon then developed asthma, which originally only bothered him in summer but then started affecting him in the winter, too,” explains Louise. The vet prescribed an inhaler and Gordon had six pumps in the morning and six pumps in the evening which helped, but Louise still wasn’t completely happy. She started to look at other options and discovered Sasha & George. “Clare Davison and I communicated by email and she recommended Easy Breathy and posted out a bottle with the correct mixture for Gordon’s weight. I…

2 min

Ask The Experts

Simple solutions for horse owners Meet this month’s panel of experts Dressage Alison Kenward is a BHS APC Performance Centre Manager, UKCC Level 3 coach and she coaches riders via Equestrian Heroes. Alison also hacks and schools her horse, Salvation. Eventing Sarah Gairdner has produced and ridden event horses up to four-star level and she runs Danesmoor Eventing. She is a BE Youth Coach for the Central area, as well as a Centre 10 coach. Confidence Tracey Cole is a trainer and master coach of neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy, specialising in equestrianism. Visit traceycolenlp.com Feeding Emma Short BSc (Hons) works on specialist feeding programmes and provides feed advice and technical support for Baileys’ teams. Visit baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk GOT A PROBLEM? Need an answer? We’ll know someone who can help… Welcome…

1 min

‘Tiptoeing’ up to a feared jump height is the key to success

CONFIDENCE - TRACEY COLE says… Q have started to jump my horse over small obstacles, but would like to jump a bit higher. However, I seem to have a block about anything above 80cm. In fact, I measure the top of the pole and if it’s even 1cm over 80cm I lower it. I am perfectly able to jump 75cm — and my horse is calmly jumping 1 m with a friend — so I know that this doesn’t make any sense. How can I convince myself that I can do it? Debbie Gill, Derbyshire Tracey says: This is a really common problem. Sometimes it can be rectified with logic, such as watching a video of your horse jumping 75cm or being loose jumped over 75cm and realising that he…

7 min

WHAT’S NEW?

EQUINE COMFORT FOR THE CHANGING SEASONS The WeatherBeeta Hybrid Seasons Combo Neck fly rug is perfect for those warm, showery days as it offers the best of both worlds — a water-resistant 600 denier polyester fabric that also provides over 95% UV block. RRP £99.99 WEATHERBEETA.CO.UK FIVE-STAR COLLECTION LeMieux, in collaboration with Badminton Horse Trials, has launched an exclusive collection of Badmintonbranded saddle pads, fly hoods, grooming kits, headcollars and lead ropes. Designed in Badminton blue and gold, the range is the ultimate accessory for all equestrians, from budding eventers to elite riders. A range of base layers, socks and hat silks is on offer. Attendees at Badminton Horse Trials (8-12 May) will be able to purchase the collection from LeMieux’s official Badminton Equestrian Collection Stand. LEMIEUX.COM METALLIC MAGIC A…