Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 537 i Your Horse

One of the five Household Cavalry horses that caused a stir by bolting through central London last year has retired to The Horse Trust. Quaker featured on newspaper front pages around the world when the 15-yearold and other horses were spooked by construction work in April 2024. The horses galloped through busy traffic, colliding with vehicles. Quaker suffered bleeding and a small break during the incident. MITES SPREAD TAPEWORM Exposure to tapeworm through mites can be disrupted by spring testing and poo-picking, research has shown. Researchers monitored horses on three yards to track the seasonal patterns of Anoplocephala perfoliata, the most common tapeworm. They found that oribatid mites that live in soil act as intermediate hosts and were most likely to test positive for tapeworm DNA between March and September.…

Sarah Clarkson “My four-year-old was afraid of any loud noises so I played a CD of sounds made for desensitising dogs and YouTube videos of noisy stuff — air brakes, trail bikes, trains — when he came into the stable for feeding and grooming. Initially, I played them at low volume, gradually increasing as he tolerated it.” Justine Waddington “I've found acoustic ear [covers] help, but my boy isn't super sensitive. We had a weird experience once when someone was firing a rifle. He reacted to the shot before we heard it.” Karri Nelle “When my green horse got anxious and it started escalating to panic, I would watch for the moment her darting eyes would glance at me. In that moment, I would click and treat her. Pretty soon,…

STANDING SUPREME On Saturday at 9.10am, new horses and their rider/handlers will enter the Your Horse Live Hall of Fame when the SEIB Search for a Star supreme and reserve champions are crowned. PROVING BIG IS BEAUTIFUL Swing by the SEIB Main Arena on Sunday at 9.10am to watch the Heavy Horse Parade, when the head-turning equines from our Heavy Horse Yard (see page 38) will be showcasing their large breeds. It's going to be magnificent. A MOMENT TO REMEMBER Join us at 11am on Sunday for two minutes’ silence for Remembrance Sunday. All the action will pause while we remember. Over in the How To Yard (see page 32), The Horse Barber will be unveiling a special Remembrance Sunday clip to mark this historic day.…

IN BETWEEN ALL that shopping and demo watching you'll be doing, step inside the Rescue Village. No visit to Your Horse Live is complete without meeting these horses and ponies, who, often having a sad start in life, love attention and enjoy a pat and a cuddle with as many spectators as possible. This year there will be equines from the Donkey Breed Association and Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society in the Rescue Village. Both charities do such important work to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses for a second chance at a happy life, so please do pop into the village and support their invaluable work. Some of the residents are looking for a new home and we have had many success stories with finding ponies their forever families…

Seating in the SEIB Main Arena is on a first-comefirst-served basis for standard ticket holders. To guarantee a seat, purchase a Standard Plus or VIP ticket. All standard ticket holders will need to vacate their seats at the end of each performance and rejoin the queue for the next demonstration if it's on their watch list. This is to give as many people as fair a chance of watching as possible. Once a performance has started, there is limited access to the seating area to avoid disruption, so please arrive in plenty of time.…

While Daffodil is working well off the leg, she's a little against the hand. Joanne gives Ceandice some pointers. “You tend to lock your elbows with your hands low and palms facing the ground,” she observes. “I was once told: you're riding a horse, not pushing a pram! “Put your thumbs on top, soften your elbows and make sure you allow a little with your hands. Try to enjoy the forwardness. If you go stiff, the horse can take the bit and run with it.”…

One area that is often overlooked as horses age, is the fit of their rugs. A horse's body, just like our own, changes with age and they can lose muscle mass and gain fat deposits in new places. This altering body shape can result in hair loss, rubbing and sores, especially over the withers, hips and sacrum (where the pelvis meets the spine). These sores can be tricky to treat as they don't drain well and frequently become infected, so it's best to prevent them happening in the first place. Ensuring the fit of any rug left on the horse for a long period is imperative to ensure good welfare — and that might mean replacing the turnout they've been wearing without issue for a few years. The same applies…

THE MEDICAL TERM for a blood test is venepuncture, and in a horse it is a simple, quick and generally safe procedure performed by a veterinarian or trained technician. It is paramount to keep the horse, the handler and the vet safe while allowing a quick, stress-free procedure. It's usually done while the horse is standing calmly and most tolerate it well. In appropriate situations, offering the horse food as a distraction can be beneficial and can provide positive conditioning, so that the horse associates needles with something pleasant. Some horses, like humans, are needle phobic and other methods of restraint may be needed when it is necessary to take a blood sample. Remaining calm, talking softly and gently stroking the horse should help. Often gentle control is more effective…

EMBRYO TRANSFER - DR MONICA MORGANTI says… Q My yard owner is setting up an embryo transfer for one of her horses. I'm intrigued, but afraid to ask! Could you explain the process and benefits? Julia Grant, Hertfordshire Dr Monica says: Embryo transfer (ET) is a breeding technique where a mare is inseminated, and about a week later her embryo is “flushed” out of the uterus. That embryo, when found, is examined under a microscope and is then placed into a carefully synchronised recipient mare. About a week later, the recipient is scanned hopefully to confirm a pregnancy. The recipient mare will carry the pregnancy to term and rear the foal until weaning. The pros ET was first performed successfully in the 1970s and is now the most popular advanced…

Q What does embryo transfer cost, and what is the success rate? Sam Dixon, Lincolnshire Dr Monica says: The cost depends on the route you take and whether your mare stays at stud, walks in for procedures, or uses transported embryos. There will also be additional expenses for scans, semen and recipient mare hire. Success rates are encouraging but not guaranteed. In a young, fertile mare, inseminated with good-quality semen, embryo recovery rates are around 50-80% per flush. Older mares and frozen semen can reduce those odds.…

In partnership with Q My friend says she doesn't need to worm as she poo-picks every day. Can this be right? Alice Wilson, Cheshire Claire says: Daily poo-picking is one of the best management tools for reducing worm challenge on a pasture. By removing droppings before worm eggs can hatch and spread, you break the lifecycle, significantly cutting down the number of infective larvae on the grazing. A yard that is scrupulous about poo-picking can have low worm burdens compared with one that isn't. However, it's not the full story. Even with excellent pasture hygiene, worms can't be eradicated entirely. Horses may pick up infection from the wider environment or when away competing. We can't tell by eye whether they are carrying a burden. So, while your friend is doing…

In partnership with Q My horse is stabled more in the winter. How can I increase her water intake so that she stays hydrated? Heidi Smith, Suffolk Lucy says: Consider using buckets rather than automatic drinkers to monitor water consumption if your horse isn't a good drinker. Adding warm water to buckets may encourage drinking, with studies showing that horses are likely to consume 41% less water if it's icy compared to warmer, tepid water. Offering an additional water bucket with a flavouring, such as fresh apple juice, apple cider vinegar or blackcurrant, or adding a handful of their normal chaff to the water bucket, can also tempt a fussy drinker. However, you should always ensure that there is clean, fresh, unflavoured water available at the same time. Moisture content…

For all the latest news from the horse world, visit yourhorse.co.uk RESEARCH Equestrianism delivers £1.2 billion in social value, latest figures show The horse world delivers £1.2 billion to the welfare and wellbeing of the UK each year — new statistics from British Equestrian have shown. This report into equestrianism's “social value” measures the sport's effect on physical and mental wellbeing and value to society, as well as its financial contribution to national coffers. Jim Eyre, CEO of British Equestrian, said: “This marks a significant milestone for the equestrian sector — the beginning of a new stage, where we are able to clearly demonstrate our contribution to public health and wellbeing. For the first time, we have solid, measurable evidence defining the true impact of equestrian activity for participants, volunteers…

The following horses and riders were crowned overall SEIB Search for a Star Supreme of Show at previous Your Horse Lives. Find out who the next victor will be on 7 November. 2024 SUPREME Spinway Colm, a 12-year-old Connemara pony, took the overall title for owner and rider Daisy Beards after winning the British Riding Club's Championship. 2023 SUPREME Suffolk Punch mare Holbeache Scarlet flew the flag for her critically endangered breed when standing supreme, while in-foal, for owner Andrea Hoskins, presented by Brad Auker. 2022 SUPREME The very first Your Horse Live supreme took place three years ago, when lead-rein pony Thistledown Elpaso took the title, ridden by Emily Hiscox, aged 7 — who stood up on top of the saddle at the end of her individual show —…

Over in Hall 3 is our Hobby Horse Zone, which was new for last year and proved so popular that we've brought it back again. Operated by the brilliant team behind Hobby Horse Adventures, there will be lots of fun to be had here. Highlights include: Free interactive Schleich and Crafty Pony Play Zone Hobby horse jumping competitions Free play — come and have a go at hobby horsing Best turned-out/fancy dress hobby horse competition There will also be a lucky dip, raffle and a treasure hunt to take part in. It's set to be a fun, friendly zone with just the right amount of chaos! ■ Tilly's Miniature Horses will be next to the Hobby Horse Zone. Come and say hello to these little cuties.…

Despite a forward, swinging trot, Ceandice is disappointed when Daffodil meets the poles incorrectly, blaming herself. Joanne advises it's Daffodil's lesson to learn. “You guided her through with good connection and an energetic pace; the poles are the horse's job,” she remarks. “Her feet are connected to her brain, not yours. You guided her to the problem perfectly. Solving it is her job.” Joanne encourages Ceandice to ride in the same way and this time she powers over the poles.…

Enrichment is a great way to extend a horse's chewing time, especially during longer periods in the stable. Simple methods such as double-netting haynets will slow intake and make the ration last longer. Hiding tasty succulents, such as carrots, which are naturally low in sugar and have a high water content, in the hay keeps horses occupied. Nikki also suggests dividing their hay allowance into several smaller nets and placing them in different areas of the stable — or in the field — to encourage movement and more natural foraging behaviour. They may also be given a hay pile on the floor, in a manger, as well as haynets in the stable for variety, alongside a suitable forage replacer in chaff form in a bucket. Hay balls with forage cubes…

It is really challenging to advise whether it is suitable for a laminitisprone individual to have access to grass at any time of year. The problem with grass is that changes in environmental conditions result in highly variable amounts of non-structural carbohydrates and digestible energy, and laminitis-prone equines have highly individual responses to the consumption of NSC. During the autumn, there are several reasons that susceptible horses may be at an increased risk of laminitis. These include: ■ MORE GRASS With a seasonal flush of grass, there can be more grass to eat and this can result in rapid weight gain. ■ SUNNY DAYS Sunny days can still result in higher levels of non-structural carbohydrates in the grass and because there is more of it to eat, your horse will…

Make sure a senior horse turned out during the winter with supplemental forage, such as hay, can access it. Horses have a behavioural hierarchy and as they age, seniors may find themselves slipping down the pecking order. Consequently, any supplemental hay needs to be separated out into multiple areas, at least one pile per horse plus one extra. Ensure the piles are well spaced out around the field so that each horse always has access to one pile. If they are too close together, there is a risk of disagreements and injury, and the more dominant horse may continually chase away the other horses. Spacing out forage is also a great way to introduce environmental enrichment and to encourage a senior equine to move.…

Taking blood should not be a frightening experience for a horse. For an equine that is needle shy or nervous about being handled by a vet, time and patience will be necessary for all parties, and the owner should spend time preparing the horse for a visit. The safety of everyone is paramount, so it may be necessary to use one of the following methods of restraint when a blood test is unavoidable: ■ Skin twitch: pinch the loose skin of the horse's neck or shoulder, creating a distraction. ■ Lip twitch: a short loop of thin rope applied to the upper lip and gently twisted. This releases endorphins and helps calm the horse for short procedures (2-5 minutes maximum). This should only be carried out quickly and only when…

WORMING - CLAIRE SHAND says… Q I'm moving to a new yard and I'm not sure how to monitor my gelding or what worm species to treat for as my old yard manager used to handle everything. How can I implement my own system? Ashleigh Price, Bedfordshire Claire says: Taking on responsibility for your horse's worm control might feel daunting at first, but once you've got a routine in place, with the support of your prescriber (your vet, pharmacist or testing lab), it's straightforward. The most important step is to risk assess, and you can use guidance online to help you find a method or framework — canterforhorses.org.uk or whatsyourwormrisk.com are great places to start. From there, you can build a test-led parasite control programme for the year ahead, covering…

WINTER HYDRATION - LUCY BASKEYFIELD says… Q My horse doesn't seem to drink as much in winter compared to summer. Why is this and should I be concerned? Liz Bennett, Devon Lucy says: Water is essential to life as it is found throughout the body, within and surrounding cells. It is necessary for major physiological processes that keep your horse alive, including temperature control, transportation of nutrients, digestion — and it is also a major constituent of blood. In fact, in a mature horse, water can make up to 61-72% of their bodyweight. Dehydration is typically thought of as an issue during the summer months when it is hot and humid, however, winter can also be a time for concern. Cold weather can reduce a horse's water intake by 6-14%,…

A lorry driver headed to Europe told Dover port authorities there was a dead horse on board and requested its removal before crossing. However, the young Thoroughbred mare was not dead, she was severely injured and in need of urgent treatment. That was in January 2024. Glorious, as she was renamed by Redwings, had been trampled by the other horses in an overloaded lorry. She had a large wound on her head, a fractured skull and cuts all over her body. Her prognosis was poor, but after many months of treatment from the vets, behaviourists and other veterinary experts, Glorious is unrecognisable. Nic de Brauwere, Redwings’ head of welfare and behaviour, said: “I'm not sure I have ever seen a horse suffering so much pain and distress. Glorious was incredibly…

■ HORSES HEAR THINGS WE CANNOT Horses hear sounds over a wider range of frequencies than us — 55 to 33,500 Hertz, whereas we can hear from 20-20,000 Hertz — but the decibel levels they respond to are similar to us. ■ THEY CANNOT DETECT WHERE SOUND COMES FROM VERY WELL Horses’ eyes and ears work together differently than a person's. Their view is panoramic, so their ears detect a sound, and they rely on their eyes to work out where it is. ■ BODY LANGUAGE IS MORE IMPORTANT Horses communicate through body language rather than vocalisation. ■ THEIR EARS CAN SWIVEL, INDEPENDENTLY Because they are not good at identifying direction of sound, a horse's ears can rotate 180 degrees independent of each other. ■ THEIR EARS ARE NOT JUST…

Sharing is caring This is me and Pansy. We're not very good at selfies, but we try our best! I share Pansy, five, with my 17-year-old daughter. She does the riding, and I do all the best jobs, like mucking out! Emma Artley, Yorkshire Who you calling Chicken? This is Mrs Hen, my lucky, one-legged stabled chicken. We call her Jolene… Becky Clare, South Staffs Star photo Bailey's big grin Bailey LOVES the public display of affection kind of selfies — particularly those that cause me to have all of my chins on display. It looks like he's telling me a terrible joke! Cerys Basher, Cornwall Monkeying around This is me and my two Connies. Monkey, 16, has asthma and is using his nebuliser. He has had melanomas operated on…

1 She loves listening to live music and is a fan of singer songwriters like Lewis Capaldi, Amy MacDonald and Lucy Spraggan. 2 Her favourite TV shows are Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The West Wing and Happy Valley. 3 She often listens to an audio book while driving. 4 Her favourite escape is via young adult fantasy fiction, including Harry Potter and Leigh Bardugo's novels. 5 Her favourite holiday to date has been in Guatemala, where her sister, Sarah, was based for a year doing VSO charity work.…

BEN ATKINSON He will be in the How To Yard every day talking about his Ben Atkinson Method (BAM) and how to build bulletproof communication with your horse for a beautiful relationship based on trust and understanding. EMMA MASSINGALE Join the renowned horse trainer, adventurer and free rider as she showcases the similarities of training dogs and horses. You'll leave armed with ideas that you can use at home to benefit your own team of equines and canines at home. Emma will be in the How To Yard daily, as well as appearing in the SEIB Main Arena (see page 30) and in the brand new Meet The Horse zone (see page 40) with her tribe. THE HORSE BARBER Famed for her show-stopping clipping patterns, you can get up close…

DON'T MISS! Brigadier and Balmoral are two of the horses appearing in the SEIB Main Arena on Friday afternoon for the Hook Norton Brewery Harness and Driving Masterclass (4pm). They will also be a part of the Heavy Horse Parade on Sunday morning (9.10am) EVERY VISITOR TO this year's show should make time for a stop at the Heavy Horse Yard, where you can give these Big Friendly Giants a pat, find out more about them, and learn why they are so much fun to be around. Most of the breeds you will see are on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust Watch List — there are fewer than 500 Suffolk Punches in the UK, for example — and we are very excited to be able to showcase these majestic equines.…

If a good halt transition is more nuanced than a simple rein aid, what should riders be aiming for? According to Joanne, a rider should sit tall and still their pelvis. “The leg should be lengthened so that there's no gripping with the heel. The shoulders should be lifted, and the rider should squeeze with the thighs,” she explains. “Meanwhile, you're having a conversation down the rein. This is my way of saying avoid taking a big pull, but use little squeezes, little half-halts, for preparation. I like to call it ‘a squeeze for please.’”…

HORSES’ REACTIONS CAN vary when being ridden indoors for the first time. Sometimes innocence is bliss and they're perfect, but then they clock on and become a little sharper. Other horses take a while to get used to the idea, then go from strength to strength. Either way, the rider should remain mindful of the intensity of the work when jumping indoors through the winter, as with any new exercise, especially if you're not in a position to keep your horse quite as fit as in the summer months. Incorporating plenty of short breaks during a session is invaluable. I like the analogy of gardening; every so often, you might stand up, put your hands on your hips and lean back to stretch the muscles you've been exerting. The equivalent…

WITH THE LONG days of summer now behind us, winter brings its own familiar rhythm. Horses find their days shaped once more by winter routines: rugs swapped, haynets filled and, for some, turnout hours shortened. After an unseasonably dry spring with rainfall 40% below the long-term average, many forage producers in the south and east have seen their yields fall short this year, leaving some horse owners facing tighter supplies than usual (see box, right). Forage becomes even more precious when supplies are short, and this winter many owners are having to think carefully about how to make it last. To stretch stocks without compromising horse health, there are plenty of practical steps that can help. Essential bulk fibre Forage is the foundation of a horse's digestive and overall health.…

Independent nutritionist Nikki Meggison advises: 1 Weigh your forage. Use a spring balance or hanging scale to ensure you're feeding the correct amount. 2 Check dry matter. Remember haylage contains more moisture than hay, so calculate rations on dry matter, not weight alone. 3 Feed little and often. Smaller nets given more frequently can help prolong eating time and support gut health. 4 Slow intake. Don't just add more forage if they don't need it; use double-netting, greedy feeder nets, hay balls or forage boxes to extend chewing time without overfeeding. 5 Add straw for good doers. Mix clean, good-quality straw with hay to bulk out rations without extra calories (but avoid in horses with gastric ulcers or poor teeth). 6 Store forage properly. Stack hay on pallets in a…

In partnership with Super Seniors’ Club WINTER CAN BE a difficult time for our golden oldies. There are numerous struggles that become more difficult to manage, but we can overcome a lot with good preparation and a bit of TLC. As our four-legged friends age, many start to struggle with their temperature control. The cold will feel colder and they are less likely to cope with overheating, leading to chilling on one end of the spectrum and dehydration (and potentially colic) on the other. It is important to find your horse's individual middle ground. Heavier and native breeds will need less cover compared to finer or more warmblooded breeds, who will generally need more protection in terms of rugging, stabling, etc. While chillier temperatures may help any overweight equines reduce…

Caring for senior horses is a journey filled with love, dedication and unique challenges. Spillers understands the special place older horses hold in equestrians’ hearts, which is why the company has created the Spillers’ Super Seniors’ Club — a supportive community for horse owners who share the same passion for keeping their senior horses happy and healthy. Whether that horse is thriving in retirement, remains active or is showing signs of ageing, the team is available to provide expert guidance, practical advice and a platform on which to celebrate a horse's golden years. Join today and connect with other horse owners. Visit the Facebook group Spillers’ Super Seniors’ Club to get started. Scan me…

Email your questions to yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk In partnership with Simple solutions for horse owners Meet this month's panel of experts EMBRYO TRANSFER Dr Monica Morganti DACT DECAR MRCVS is senior resident stud vet at Twemlows Stud Farm, where she's been for 13 years. Visit twemlows.co.uk WORMING Claire Shand is an equine registered animal medicines advisor and director of marketing at her family business, Westgate Labs, a veterinary laboratory that has specialised in targeted parasite control for horses since 1999. Visit westgatelabs.co.uk FEEDING Lucy Baskeyfield BSc (Hons) advises owners, including visiting in person to assess and formulate horses’ diets. She provides nutritional backup to Baileys’ sales and marketing teams, writes articles and gives educational talks. Visit baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk GROUNDWORK Jason Webb is a UK-based Australian trainer with a worldwide reputation for starting, training…

In partnership with Q Do mares have to meet certain criteria for embryo transfer? Fiona Asquith, North Yorkshire Dr Monica says: Almost any mare can be considered for ET, but results are best in young, healthy mares with no reproductive issues. While older mares or those with fertility problems can be tried, success rates may be lower. Your vet will usually carry out a breeding soundness exam to check your mare's reproductive health. As with all breeding, it is essential to select the correct stallion carefully to complement your mare's features. Recipient mares are equally important. They should be healthy, fertile and of a similar size to your mare, with a kind, steady temperament. Some studs, such as Twemlows, can provide recipient mares.…

Q Would my horse benefit from being given salt or electrolytes this winter? Amelie Moran, Essex Lucy says: Sodium is an essential mineral in thirst regulation and equine diets are typically deficient in sodium. Therefore, adding salt to the daily ration is advisable. Free access to salt, such as salt blocks, can be a helpful contribution to a horse's diet, but it is not possible to know if they are consuming enough as they are not good at self-regulating salt intake. Therefore, it's advisable to add 10-12g of table salt per 100kg of bodyweight to your horse's daily ration. If sweating a lot, travelling and working harder, swapping salt for an electrolyte to replace the minerals lost in sweat is advisable. To encourage drinking, give your horse time to acclimatise…

GROUNDWORK - JASON WEBB says… Q I don't feel as if my horse and I are ever on the same wavelength and he doesn't really engage with me on the ground. Do you have any tips to improve our communication and make groundwork more effective? Claire Williams, Monmouthshire Jason says: Self-awareness when you embark on groundwork is key. So, before you start working him, first consider what your manner is like around your horse when you are handling him. Do you remain calm, consistent and decisive? Or can you get frustrated, or perhaps even a little nervous of your horse? Also, think carefully about what you are asking for and how you are asking it, as well as how to recognise and mark correct movements from your horse. Then, take…

Q My loan horse is very reactive and I want to try and boost his confidence — and mine — with groundwork. What techniques can I use to desensitise him to stimuli? Lucy Heard, North London Jason says: If your horse is unsure about something, it is important for you to remain calm, consistent and decisive with your aids to teach him that it's not a threat. For example, if you ask your horse to move past a ‘scary’ bin, then you need to keep your forward aid consistent and take it away once he gives you a forward step, so your horse understands he has done the right thing. This will make him more confident in you, and less reactive to his environment. If you stop asking before you…

In partnership with Q I don't have a school, round pen or any equipment such as poles or blocks. Can I still do groundwork effectively and if so, how? Michelle Plumpton, Devon Jason says: Firstly, it's important to understand that the moment you walk near a horse, you are communicating with him, so you are literally training whenever you are near him. Aside from general handling and catching, I work on the 4Ls: Leading Lungeing Long reining Lateral work If all I had was a field to work in, I would work in the area where the horse is most relaxed. This is generally towards where they are fed or where the rest of the herd is. The most basic of the 4Ls is leading, but successful leading is all…