Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 518 i Your Horse

Rehoming a rescue can bring endless joy for those equestrian enthusiasts who find themselves paired with the right equine. Having taken on three World Horse Welfare ponies over the years, I have experienced first hand how hard this charity — and, of course, others — work to matchmake in an attempt to ensure that the long-term result is a harmonious one for all parties. Myself and my children have had much fun and many character-building experiences thanks to ours, and they soon became a part of our family. In fact, I still have two of them. With the cost of living crisis impacting all charities, there has never been a better time to think about taking in a rescue, and in this issue we look at the process rehomers need…

“There was no grass, hay, or haylage; he wasn't being fed at all,” said Seema. “He was very underweight and had absolutely no muscle.” Seamus was taken to WHW's Lancashire rescue and rehoming centre where he underwent eight months of intensive care to safely return him to a healthy weight. Clydesdales are a heavy breed rated as ‘at risk’ by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST). They were traditionally bred in Scotland to work on farms, but the charity says that Seamus was so weak he could barely carry himself. “When I saw Seamus, I was shocked to see a giant skeleton, with bare patches of skin where there should have been a thick, brown coat,” said Seema. “I could see he had had to crane his neck through a…

1 Regular maintenance: A horse should be having his feet trimmed by the farrier every five to six weeks. 2 Small chips are normal in a barefoot horse, but larger cracks or chunks breaking off need to be investigated. 3 If you choose to shoe, ideally start with just fronts and then backs, and vice versa if you want to transition the horse to barefoot; ie, remove his hind shoes first and then his fronts. 4 Keep an eye on the horse's behaviour while hacking. If he is treading slowly over hard or rough surfaces, or trying to get onto grass verges at every opportunity, he might be uncomfortable and need more support. 5 Nutrition plays a role in good hoof care. When in doubt, seek advice from a qualified…

Electrolytes are essential minerals that carry an electrical charge. They regulate fluid balance, enabling muscle contractions and nerve impulses. During perimenopause electrolytes help to mitigate symptoms and balance hormones. A woman's water intake should be 1.5-2ltr daily and it is ideal to start the day with a glass of electrolytes. These can be sourced in the following ways… ■ Home-made—sea salt with a squeeze of lemon in water — or a sachet of electrolytes. ■ Potassium rich foods, such as bananas or avocados. ■ Green leafy vegetables that are rich in magnesium. How do electrolytes benefit a horse rider? 1 Electrolytes aid temperature regulation, lessening hot flashes. 2 They support brain function and reduce memory lapses and brain fog. 3 Excessive sweating depletes stores of water and electrolytes and so…

MISSED A PREVIOUS PART? Buy Your Horse back issues at shop.kelsey.co.uk/issue/YHR MY FIRST EVENTING pony was Sammie, a 14.2hh Welsh x Cob. He was quite a chunky chap and I remember having to bring him in off the grass, especially in the spring, to keep on top of his weight. I would also limit his hay in take and ride him five or six times a week. Thirty years ago we were less educated about managing overweight horses; there wasn't much information available and so we learnt through experience. Fortunately, knowledge has progressed and there is a lot we can do now to manage overweight horses and ponies more successfully. Injury prevention I run a busy yard in Northill, Bedfordshire, where there are three apprentices who keep their own horses,…

Ask The Experts SHOWJUMPING – LEANNE HESLOP says… Q My gelding always chips in a stride before a fence at the last minute, which I didn't find a problem when we were jumping 80cm courses, but now that we are moving up the levels he is knocking down a few during each round. What exercises can I try at home that will help? Ella Weatherford, Wiltshire Leanne says: There are a few things that need to be looked at in this situation, but it is all focused on one thing: the quality of the canter. A good showjumping canter needs to have a good rhythm and tempo, with a stride that is even and correct in length. I use three exercises to develop the canter at home. After warming up,…

Ask The Experts RIDING HOT HORSES – HELEN BELL says… Q I bought a 17hh horse five months ago with the intention of starting eventing this summer. We recently went to our first cross-country clinic and she kept tossing her head about and getting strong into a fence. Once she found her line, she was off. How can I handle her when she gets like this? Francesca Pine, Lincolnshire Helen says: Before you get on, you need to be able to control your horse's legs from the ground. Your horse needs to understand the ‘stop’ and ‘go’ signals clearly, as well as rein back. Rein back is great because the horse has to use her ‘slowing down’ muscles in her back legs when she steps backwards. This wakes up those…

Q My horse loves to have a bit of a buck when we're jumping at shows. He has been completely cleared by my vet—having had X-rays, scopes and scans. After so many investigations, a new saddle, having his teeth checked and regular physio appointments, I have come to the conclusion that he's just excited and loves his job. Even though I know all this, sometimes I find it hard mentally to ride through his behaviour. Do you have any exercises I could try? Jess Lewis, Warwickshire Helen says: As a rider, your horse needs to know how you can control his legs — just like the leader of the herd moves the other horses around where they want to. An exercise I use with a bucking horse is teaching the…

A COMPETITION SHIRT not only needs to look brilliant, it also needs to perform well and be comfortable to wear with or without a competition jacket. This means that the rider can focus on their performance, and nothing else, in the ring. Thanks to the use of modern fabrics, competition shirts are designed to fit and work with the competitor rather than against them. They are breathable to keep the wearer at a comfortable temperature when they are working hard. They also boast other practical features, such as a zip neck or popper fastening, for a neat and smart look. Some competition shirts even come with a little bit of bling for a touch of sparkle. Our team of testers has been reviewing a selection of competition shirts to suit…

WITH THE COMPETITION season in full swing, many riders will no doubt be on the lookout for a new competition jacket. With such a vast selection of jackets available it can be tricky to know which one will stand up to the rigours of riding in a ring. There are several elements to consider when buying a competition jacket, as both style and functionality are important. Get this right and it won't just be the overall look that is eye-catching, but the feel will be just the ticket, too, and looking and feeling good never fail to boost confidence in the saddle. The first step is to check what type of jacket is allowed under the rules. Various colours are permitted for different disciplines and competitions, so check the rule…

New ‘long and short format’ coursewalks are available for the first time at this year's Defender Burghley Horse Trials (5-8 September). Visitors to the famous eventing competition can book to join an expert guided walk of the cross-country course, choosing from the shorter walk of one-and-ahalf hours, or the three-hour walk which explores the whole track. Book at burghley-horse.co.uk WAR HORSE TO GO ON TOUR War Horse, the National Theatre's smash-hit production based on Michael Morpurgo's World War I novel, loads up its life-sized horse puppets to go on tour this autumn. Sixteen venues across the UK and Ireland will host the acclaimed show, which tells the story of farm boy Albert and his horse Joey as both go to war. The tour starts at the New Wimbledon Theatre, London,…

HACK 1000 MILES Want to win one of our regular prizes? Join the #Hack1000Miles Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/Hack1000Miles and share your photos or stories about taking part in the challenge for the chance towin a prize from Equisafety or Wintec Saddles. January Bright blue January skies Sacha Furlong captured this photo in the Peak District aboard her 12-year-old ex-racehorse, Lily, on a rare clear day in January. Sacha, 30, was piloting the mare on a seven-mile ride that they undertake regularly as part of their endurance training, which they are trying for the first time this year. The 14.3hh Thoroughbred mare had a difficult time before coming into Sacha's care, but is now flourishing and enjoying training for the season ahead. “I've owned Lily since June 2023. She had just lost…

1 Where possible, change the order in which you eat food. Start with vegetables or salad, followed by fat and protein and then carbs (starchy or sugary last). The fibre acts like a sieve and slows down the release of the glucose in the food and blocks some out entirely. 2 Flatten the breakfast curve to start the day. What is eaten for breakfast affects how glucose levels behave for the rest of the day. By starting with a savoury breakfast, including some protein, fibre, fat and optional starch or fruit, glucose levels are going to respond in a smooth fashion and are more likely to continue like this. Examples would be full fat Greek yoghurt with nut butter and a handful of berries, smoked salmon and avocado on a…

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. OR SEARCH SPILLERS SLIMMERS ON FACEBOOK…

Ask The Experts RIDING AFTER A BREAK – DR KRISSIE IVINGS says… Q I had a nasty fall last summer while competing and broke my shoulder. I had to have surgery and then time off for recovery. I focused on getting back to riding and the thought really motivated me, but once I was given the go-ahead to get back on board I got really nervous and found every excuse not to ride. Now I'm just too scared. What can I do? Alice Lowes, Northamptonshire Krissie says: Returning to riding after an accident is difficult, but it is really common and definitely something you can work to get past. Anxiety management is a big part of my work, and that includes helping people who are frightened after accidents and near…

Q My gelding gets really excited in the warm-up, especially at busy shows. He seems to want to focus on other horses and not listen to me. I try to use the same warm-up routine at competitions as I do at home so that it's familiar, and this has helped for a while, but now it's like he knows what he's doing so he doesn't have to pay attention. What can I do to help him tune into me without it turning into a battle? Sara Eades, Lancashire Helen says: I would recommend starting at home. Try to introduce stimulating surroundings to replicate a show environment, but then you have more control of the situation. Start by riding alone, and then add stimuli one by one to find out what…

Ask The Experts How to take the plunge Q I would love to try something new this year, and thought that maybe I would give side saddle lessons a go, but what should I expect? Stacey Benson, Staffordshire Robyn says: When they start lessons, riders are taught how to sit correctly in the saddle and are taken through the correct aids. You start in walk and trot, with plenty of transitions and changes of rein so that you can learn to use your seat as an aid. You will also need to get used to using a stick on the right side, rather than using your right leg aids. It can take a couple of sessions to get used to riding in a side saddle as it is obviously quite…

Leanne Jackson owns and runs Eastwell Equestrian in Cambridgeshire. She competes to Prix St Georges and intermediateI level. Holly Simpson is an apprentice at Eastwell Equestrian. She rides Leanne Jackson's horse, Leah, with whom she started competing in dressagea year ago. The pair has so far enjoyed success at prelim and novice level. Debbie Robinson and her horse, Bow, compete in all riding club disciplines. They have joined the competitive fray at riding club qualifiers and lined up at the British Riding Clubs Championships. Emma Windsor owns two horses and her great passion is dressage. As well as beinga regular competitor, she also takes part in clinics and enjoys hacking out. Katie Throup and her 19-year-old Irish Cob x Thoroughbred, Roger, love dressage and compete to elementary and medium level.…

To enter, visit yourhorse.co.uk/win/pivo518 YOUR HORSE HAS teamed up with the people at Pivo to offer two complete remote training bundles, worth £680 each, made up of a PRO subscription to The Dressage Coach app (worth £420) and a Pivo Pod Silver Equestrian Essential Pack (worth £260), giving the winners everything they need to train with professional dressage coaches wherever they are based. Pivo and The Dressage Coach combined are simply the perfect remote training partner. What is The Dressage Coach? Designed with the real rider in mind, The Dressage Coach app gives riders all the tools they need to develop and progress their horse and their riding. An affordable, easily accessible and sustainable way to train, riders simply share unlimited videos of themselves while in the saddle via the…

Lifelong friends This is me and my boy, Jacob, who I brought when he was a year old. He's now 14 so we have years of fun under our belts. Becky Taylor, Worcestershire Worth the wait Hugo is a 15-year-old Welsh Cob x Thoroughbred who I have owned for four years. I'm 60 and I had to wait 56 years for my dream horse to appear, and here he is. Hugo is my best friend, my life and my therapy. He is the kindest, most gentle boy I've ever met. He had to have life-saving emergency surgery after suffering from lipomas in October, but against all odds he made it. We enjoy hacking out mainly. Anne Aldred, Suffolk Bungee is all bounce Bungee here is a Holsteiner. I bought him…

SCHOOLING solutions WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: ● Expert tips to help you take control ● How to get to grips with lateral work ● Easy ways to up your accuracy and marks CHARLIE ZEHETMAYR AND Syd are an accomplished partnership and they compete successfully at medium level, appearing regularly on the dressage circuit. However, as their dressage trainer Sarah Payne is keen to stress, the basics still count. “Every turn, circle, transition and lateral move has to be spot on if they are to collect valuable points in a test,” says Sarah. “Syd is a big horse and riding accurate movements in the confines of a dressage arena can be a challenge, so today we are going to be concentrating on the basics.” MISSED A PREVIOUS PART? Buy Your Horse back…

“Unfortunately, farriers and vets do get injured due to stressed or unprepared horses. To keep them safe, owners need to ensure that they have practised as many simulations of the procedures as possible that their farrier or vet may perform,”advises Lucy. To prepare for the farrier, get the horse used to… ■ Having his feet held up for long periods. ■ Bringing his foot forward and resting it ona stand. ■ The rasping sensation by running a stiff brush across his hoof. ■ The shoeing experience by mimicking nails being hammered in. This can be achieved by tapping his foot with the bottom ofa hoof pick and bringing him in when the farrier is shoeing other horses to become accustomed to the smell of the forge, as well as the…

Bringing a new horse home can be nerve-racking, especially for anyone who has never taken on a horse before. However, it is much the same as buying a new equine — but the charity is there for support. Rachel Angell, head of Norfolk equine operations at Redwings’ Horse Sanctuary, offers her advice for those first few weeks with a new rescue… 1 Take your time — “Give your rescue horse time to settle and adjust to his new home and you, remembering that he may have had very different life experiences due to his background,” says Rachel. “Keep everything the same for the first few weeks with no big changes to his environment.” 2 Routine, routine, routine — “Establish a routine and stick to it. Horses thrive on familiarity and…

Email your questions to yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk Simple solutions for horse owners Meet this month's panel of experts SHOWJUMPING Leanne Heslop is a BHSII, BS and FEI accredited coach based in North Yorkshire who has been training horses and riders for over 25 years. She specialises in coaching showjumpers and training young performance horses. Visit facebook.com/LHEquestrianYork RIDING AFTER A BREAK Dr Krissie Ivings is a consultant clinical psychologist, cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist, and author. She owns Aspire Equestrian, and works with athletes from amateur to elite level, specialising in helping nervous riders. Visit aspireequestrian.co.uk RIDING HOT HORSES Helen Bell is a British Eventing accredited coach and former five-star eventer who represented Team GB at World and European Championships, all on homeproduced horses. She breeds and produces young event horses and is an event…

Q I rode as a child, but gave up in my teens. I would now like to pick up the reins again, but it's been 30 years since I last sat on a horse and I'm nervous. I'm thinking of finding a share, but what if the owner doesn't think I'm good enough? Imogen Cross, Lincolnshire Krissie says: Lots of people feel self conscious riding in front of others and when riding unfamiliar horses. Often people who are viewing horses don't have a regular horse to ride and so are rusty. Add these three things together and it's ` no wonder viewing a horse can be so fraught with anxiety. I think you need to have a perception shift. It sounds as though you're embarrassed about your ability and an…

Q I have owned my mare for a year and she gets excited when she hits grass on a hack. When I first got her she would lose her marbles, and while she has improved since, she still gets quite wound up. It has got to the point where no one on the yard will hack out with me anymore as she gets so fizzy that it winds up the other horses, too. What can I do to help her calm down in company? Louise Corbyn, Norfolk Helen says: You have done well so far, but it is good that you recognise there is still more work to do to improve. Try working through this checklist… 1 BREATHING Before you get on, spend some time focusing on your own breathing.…

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When and how did you discover triathlon? I was 20 and living in a flat share and working in a telesales job in London. I was partying a bit and one day I woke up and decided that I had had enough of that lifestyle and wanted to get fit. I didn't come from a sporting background, but I had done some cross-country running at school. I started swimming at a local pool and some guys I met at the pool suggested that I try triathlon, so I bought a bike and the rest is history. It was tough juggling my jobs in telesales and waitressing with training. I qualified for the World Triathlon Age-Group Championships, but I over-trained and got injured. I decided to move to Spain where I…