Innehållsförteckning för Issue 421 från Your Horse

Hello We’re still buzzing from our time at Your Horse Live last month! Thousands of you came along to watch our demonstrators and a highlight for many was seeing Charlotte Dujardin ride in the BETA Arena. Charlotte talked in detail about her relationship with her horses as being like the type you might have with a dance partner – harmonious and working as one. It’s this special type of partnership we all strive to achieve. I’ve been lucky enough to own a few horses in my time and all of them were special to me in different ways. Snake, my retired mare, means the world to me. She’s a quiet little soul who never misbehaves or complains and is always happy with her lot. Other horses I’ve owned remain favourites…

A host of equestrian royalty and musicians joined World Horse Welfare’s annual conference to shine a light on the issue of invisible horses. One of the speakers who delivered a moving speech was singer Will Young, who’s worked with the charity, Shires Holt, on Bodmin Moor, which raised his awareness of invisible horses in the UK. The pop singer was joined by the World Horse Welfare President HRH The Princess Royal, His Highness Seikh Sultan Bin Zaved Al Nahyan and Chris Riggs of the Hong Kong Jockey Club to promote the future of horses who are suffering out of sight. To watch the conference, visit www.youtube.com/horsecharity…

“Your goals need to be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely” THERE’S AN ART to setting goals, and achieving them too. ‘I will increase my competition success’ is a goal but it lacks focus. Instead, try being more specific and saying ‘I will be in the top three at every event’. Upscale your goals – if you’ve got a dream, make it a big one! This will get your heart pounding, your excitement up and give you the motivation to achieve it. The next step is to chunk it down into do-able steps and make a plan. Make yourself accountable by telling someone else about them and promising a progress report every week. Let your ‘someone else’ be your cheerleader, the one who encourages and helps you re-think the plan…

MEET THE EXPERT JULIE FRIZZELL founded and runs Dressage Coaching UK, where she specialises in coaching riders from Intro to Elementary level. Julie is also a Grade IV Para Rider and holds the 2016 Para Restricted Winter Championship title. To find out more visit www.dressagecoaching.co.uk HOW TO RIDE IT When you first start out teaching your horse to rein-back, your aids will need to be exaggerated – but eventually you want him to respond to a small aid. Think of it as starting with the music really loud and gradually fading to a faint background tune. Having someone to help you out on the ground when you start is very helpful, as is having taught your horse what the word ‘back’ means when you’re handling him. However, before you even…

MEET THE EXPERT Australian event rider ANDREW HOY has successfully won four Olympic medals. Having not only exceeded at the top of equestrianism, he’s driven in the Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne. THERE’S NOTHING BETTER than heading off to a local bridle path or nearby field in the winter sun to exercise your horse. Riding in the countryside is a nice break from the norm and will encourage him to be more active if he’s lazy in the school. Working on shoulder-in and travers will improve suppleness through his shoulders, engagement of his hindquarters, and help you coordinate your hand and leg aids. Make sure he’s warmed-up – first walk on a long rein, encouraging him to stretch his head and neck forwards and down to loosen through his…

MEET THE EXPERT NIKI SENIOR is a reiki practitioner of 20 years. She became convinced by its healing powers when she suffered a stroke at 25 years old. She used reiki during her recovery and has been passionate about it ever since. Find out more: www.ukanimalhealer.co.uk WHEN YOUR HORSE isn’t himself, it can be tempting to turn to all sorts of lotions and potions to get him right again. While there’s no doubt that modern medicine offers relief and healing for many conditions, alternative therapies are becoming increasingly popular. One example of this is reiki, which many horse owners are now using to help their equines. While many find it an effective treatment for emotional and behavioural issues, reiki practitioners also say that it can treat physical problems, too, by…

1 Many of us stable our horses in winter, so it’s vital they’re kept in regular work or exercise to keep them active and prevent them becoming stiff. Daily exercise doesn’t have to be a physical workout, simple in-hand exercise can keep his joints supple. Exercise also mentally stimulates, which is important if he suffers from Equine Seasonal Effective Disorder. 2 Horses can be more prone to developing respiratory problems when stabled for longer. Opening air vents or a stable window will improve air circulation, removing dusty air. Look for beddings that are dust-free. He should also have access to good quality or soaked hay that has less dust pores. Letting him eat off the floor will help drain a mucus build-up. 3 Make sure your horse has access to…

REBECCA STOJAK Is a solicitor working for Shakespeare Martineau. She advises on disputes arising from all aspects of horse ownership. Find out more at www.shma.co.uk Dealing with an abusive yard owner Q I’ve recently discovered that the owner of my yard has been hitting the horses when the owners aren’t there. Do we stand anywhere legally? Rebecca Jolly, Devon A If you feel unable to talk with the yard owner, you can report any neglect, cruelty or harm to organisations such as World Horse Welfare or the British Horse Society, who have a dedicated network of volunteers who can offer you initial advice and possibly visit the yard. Regardless of whether you have a written or implied contract with the yard, certain things are implied into your contract, one such…

JANINA KUTSCHA Is an RCVCS advanced practitioner in equine medicine and works at Ardene House Vet Practice, Aberdeen. Clicking joints Q My horse is 19 and has really clicky joints in her legs. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain and isn’t lame. Is there anything I can do or is this just part of her getting older? Holly Sumpter, Barnsley A Clicking joints can be quite common in some individuals and may be of no concern (for example, some people can click their knuckles). Clicking joints are often caused by small vacuums or bubbles being formed within the joint, or sometimes by the movement from tendons or ligaments near joints. However, it may also occur due to wear and tear of the joints or soft tissue surrounding them.…

SPILLERS® Alfalfa-Pro is a high quality conditioning alfalfa blend with oil, supporting horses prone to gastric ulceration. It’s also one of just four products in the UK to carry the prestigious BETA Equine Gastric Ulceration Syndrome (EGUS) Certification Mark. It can be fed alongside a balancer or traditional compound feed and can help build condition and slow eating time to support gastric and digestive health. The fibres in Alfalfa-Pro are of a softer texture than many alfalfa-based feeds, without sharp stalks that may damage the stomach. They have been specifically blended for slow, moderate and rapid fermentation, which help to maintain complete digestive health.…

Putting up haynets is just one of those daily tasks that you probably do without thinking, but what if you could make this process super quick and easy? Well, now you can with the new HAYM8. It’s a clever piece of kit that’ll transform the way you fasten your haynets and means no more tying fiddly knots to hold your haynet securely and safely in place. The Haym8 is based on the MAGLOC dog lead connector, which featured on BBC’s Dragons‘ Den in September 2015 and received £100,000 investment from dragon, Nick Jenkins. Using the same principle as their dog lead connector, the HAYM8 is made up of two parts that join magnetically and lock together, saving you time and effort when you’re putting up a haynet in your stable…

HORSE BEHAVIOUR by Barbara Schoning Read by Your Horse reader Carol Black An easy reference book for equine students and horse owners on equine behaviour. The book discusses how to understand your horse’s body language and its importance in building a bond with your horse. It also looks at specific behaviours and provides different methods on how to deal with them. HORSES DIVORCES & HISSY FITS by Tina Cryer Read by Your Horse Reader Susie Wakeman A light, funny and so-true-to-life read, this book is about a non-horsey teenager who befriends an abandoned pony and learns about everything horsey. The tone is very youthful with snippets of slang text messages thrown in for good measure – it’s a fun read. THE HORSE ENCYCLOPEDIA Read by Your Horse Reader Amanda Blyth…

Trying to save Sammy We’re a horse rescue charity called Wealdon Horse Rescue Centre, in West Sussex, run and primarily funded by me and my father. We’re recognised as a charity by HMRC. We rescued a cob named Samson, who has a large Trichoblastoma tumour on one of his front legs, which is ulcerated, bleeding, sore, and vulnerable to repeated secondary infections. We’ve been working closely with our vets and they’ve said we have two options: surgically remove the tumour and carry out ongoing aggressive treatment, or have Samson put to sleep. Samson is kind and gentle, with a super personality who has spent many years teaching disabled children and adults to ride. Samson is a kind, gentle, horse with a super personality who has spent years teaching disabled children…

IT SEEMS LIKE only yesterday that we were all watching with bated breath as Michael Jung took the title at Badminton, kicking off the 2016 eventing season and presenting a spectacular warm-up before the Olympics. Then, of course, as we basked in tropical temperatures in the UK, our top British riders Charlotte Dujardin and Nick Skelton later took gold, making history in Rio. This truly remarkable year has certainly been packed with plenty of thrills, spills, developments and sad farewells, but most definitely none that we’ll forget. Now as we fast approach the end of 2016, when Valegro will have a send-off to remember at Olympia, we take a look back over the year that was. Real rider success The pros have done us proud this year but there are…

A new Champion hat For reliable protection, our winner can choose a hat from Champion’s PAS 015 hat and helmet range, which includes: •The Champion Ventair Deluxe skull cap, as worn by many of the world’s best riders • The new Evolution Pro • The Evolution Couture with Swarovski crystals and a mock-croc finish • The X-Air Plus See the full Champion range at www.championhats.co.uk A range of Rambo goodies The team at Horseware will supply our winner’s lucky new horse with a range of awesome goodies including; a Rambo Duo turnout rug (pictured), a Rambo Air Max Cooler, a Rambo Fly Buster with Vamoose, Rambo travel boots and a Rambo head collar. Visit www.horseware.com  to see the full Horseware range. Horse food and expert nutrition…

MEET THE TRAINER WILLIAM FOX-PITT needs little introduction. He’s been eventing since he was 15 and has represented GB for two decades. He’s won numerous Olympic team medals and seven team golds at the European Championships. William was also the first rider to win a record six Burghley titles. IN THE FINAL part of our 2016 Training Academy series, eventer William Fox-Pitt explains there’s so much more to cross-country riding than simply jumping the fences. He believes the ability to maintain a correct riding position with an independent seat and rider fitness are all essential skills if you want to stay safe when you’re galloping across country. You might not be out competing right now but this is the time to hone these skills so you and your horse are…

MEET THE EXPERT MIA PALLES-CLARK is a show jumper and coach who’s based in Suffolk. A talented lady, she can teach in fluent German, and regularly rides and trains at Oakland Stud. Visit www.oaklandstud.com AIMING TO RIDE over four poles may not sound very challenging, but it’ll help to prove whether or not your horse keeps his rhythm. “This exercise is great for pointing out rhythm issues. If your horse adds in an extra stride, it will upset your rhythm over all of the other poles,” says Mia. The poles in this exercise are placed at 30° angles to each other, helping you stay straight and highlight when you’re not. If your horse drifts, he’ll have to add or miss a step and your ride over the poles will be…

TWO LUCKY READERS WILL WIN: ✶ An equestrian themed floor feature FANCY PERSONALISING YOUR yard with a stylish inlay? Two lucky readers are in with a chance of winning a bespoke My Floor Feature. This casted aluminium product has just been launched so you could be one of the first people to have it on show on your yard. The equestrian themed inlay stands out wherever it’s placed – at your doorstep, in amongst your garden border or in front of your stable block. Alternatively, the feature could be designed to commemorate a special horse’s life as a lasting memory. The inlay is produced to the highest standard by a team of craftsmen and is made of hard-wearing aluminium (25mm depth / 770mm length / 390mm width). It’s also embossed…

MEET THE EXPERT GARRY BOSWORTH is an Intelligent Horsemanship trainer working with horses who struggle with loading, leading and trust. Another claim to fame is that he was voted Britain’s most gorgeous gardener in 1998.www.equineempathy.com WHEN SEARCHING FOR a new horse, one question that’s always at the top of the checklist is, does he load? But it’s not usually until you buy a horse and begin to load him that the real answer to this question becomes apparent. So what do you do if you find yourself stuck with a horse you’re desperate to go out and about with, but one that simply won’t step a foot on the ramp? First, as our expert Garry Bosworth explains, it’s important to understand why your horse won’t load. Here are a few…

The condition An episode of choke in your horse can be alarming and stressful, however, in the majority of cases the condition will resolve and have no serious consequences. Unlike humans, choke in horses is not immediately life threatening. This is because it isn’t the trachea (wind pipe) that’s blocked, but the oesophagus. This means a horse can breathe normally, but they may be stressed and uncomfortable. The oesophagus is the muscular tube that takes food from the mouth to the stomach. Along the tube are a series of muscles, which contract in a wave-like fashion, known as peristalsis, to push food down the tube. When food or a foreign object becomes stuck in the oesophagus these muscles may contract and spasm around the blockage, further preventing it from moving…

While you need to be taught by a reiki master to be able to practise, you can learn to develop a healing connection with your horse. Follow Niki’s steps: STEP 1 Stand beside your horse’s shoulder in a quiet, safe place, with your palms facing outwards and legs slightly apart. Breathe deeply to help yourself feel calm and watch the rise and fall of your horse’s body, allowing your breathing to become synchronised. STEP 2 Gently place one hand under your horse’s jaw, allowing him to connect to you by sniffing. Your palm should be fully open. With your other hand, stroke his chest and shoulder. STEP 3 Move both hands together at his shoulder. Maintain contact with him and enjoy this connection. If you wish, place your hand over…

JENNY WARD Is a dressage coach and competitor to Grand Prix level. She trains riders and horses at any level and is passionate about getting the basics right. Working in an outline Q No matter what I do my horse pokes her nose out and I can never get her working in an outline. Why is this and what can I do? Lisa Edmunds, Plymouth A It sounds as though she’s stiff over her back and doesn’t yet know how to use her abdominal muscles and hindquarters properly. To achieve an outline, she has to learn to lift her abdominal muscles in order to round her back and stretch down to the bit. First off, to rule out anything untoward, check her bit, bridle, teeth, back and saddle. Once you’re…

EMILY SLATER Has worked as the travelling head groom for Olympic event rider Kitty King for two years. Before this, she worked for event rider Tom Crisp. Getting show ready Q I’m going to my first dressage competition soon and I want to make a good impression with my grooming. What would you recommend? Polly Grange, Bedford A Make sure you arrive in plenty of time so you’re not rushing about and pack what you need the night before. Plait on the day, so your horse doesn’t rub the plaits overnight and so they don’t pull on his mane and make him sore. Use a bit of baby oil on his muzzle then wipe a bit on the noseband and browband for extra shine. A washed, clean horse will always…

WELL-KNOWN HI-VIS company Equisafety signed a sponsorship deal with dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin earlier this year. This unique partnership has led to the development of an innovative collection that truly makes hi-vis clothing bang up-to-date in the fashion stakes. We’ve been taking a closer look at the Mercury jacket – just one of the super-stylish items in the new collection – and chatting to Nicky Fletcher, managing director of Equisafety, to find out what goes into designing and launching a new product. Shining bright The Charlotte Dujardin range includes waistcoats and jackets, but it’s the Mercury jacket that we’ve opted to inspect more closely. It has a close-fitting style and it’s cut to flatter your body shape. The material is lightweight and, thanks to the four-way stretch fabric, it’s waterproof…

AS A HORSE OWNER, you’re more than likely to have a few key products that make your day-to-day life around horses a pleasure. Maybe your riding hat or boots spring to mind? Or is it a feed you’ve been using that’s transformed your horse for the better? At Your Horse we love all things horse-related and always like to know what products you use and rate. That’s why we asked you to help us find the UK’s top product. To kick things off, the Your Horse team cast their votes (seen here) and then it was over to you to get voting. Now all the votes have been counted and verified, and we can reveal the top 10. Our list features some well-known brand names that you’d probably expect to…

More famous for his blogging than careering cross-country, the Clydesdale Hovis has set himself a new challenge – to tackle a British Eventing 80cm (BE80) course for the Wobbleberries Challenge, which aims to raise money for bone cancer research. His owner Karen Thompson took up the challenge on his behalf because the cause is close to her heart, having lost several family members to cancer. She adds: “It’s also a good excuse to dust off Hovis’s cross-country colours.” The Wobbleberries Challenge began when Sally Barr planned to raise money for Hannah Francis’s Wilberry Wonder Pony Charity, by taking on the personal challenge of completing a BE80. After asking friends for sponsorship, people started to ask if they could join in. Within weeks, the idea had become so popular that more…

ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN: ✶ A lesson with Georgie Spence ✶ Bespoke Spanish Boot Company boots FANCY SOME EXPERT tuition under the careful eye of a top eventer? Well, we’re working with The Spanish Boots Company to offer one reader the chance to win an individual lesson on your own horse with none other than Georgie Spence! This is a fantastic opportunity for any rider keen to get ahead for next season, as The Spanish Boot Company sponsored rider Georgie will be able to pass on some top tips and advice during the lesson. The winner will have the opportunity to concentrate on flatwork, show jumping techniques or practise fences with cross-country in mind at Georgie’s yard in Chippenham, Wiltshire*. As well as a lesson, our winner will also…

LIKE PEOPLE, all horses are different. Some are young and green, others bossy, lazy, scared or hot headed – the list’s as long as your arm. To win their trust, we have to react to them in different ways, such as being extra patient with youngsters to give them the time they need to develop. Or, with the older horse, the key can be to try new things to keep them from becoming bored – or playing up! It can take weeks, months or even years to get to know each other inside out and to really know what makes the other tick. We’ve spoken to people who’ve made exceptional bonds with all kinds of horses to discover the secret to a connection that lasts. The Young Horse SOPHIE CHRISTIANSEN…

IT WAS EARLY early October when Sam Richmond popped his head over Alfie’s door to see if the 16-year-old skewbald cob had finished his feed of chaff, sugar beet and carrots. Sam noticed that he was unusually quiet and starting to dribble his food from his mouth. “I didn’t think too much about it and I led Alfie out to the field for the day,” says Sam. Half an hour later, Sam decided to check up on Alfie, but found him coughing, dribbling his food and in distress. Sam immediately called the vet. “It was very frightening and I was panicking,” says Sam. “The vets said it was the worst case of choke they’d seen in a long time and referred him to Minster Equine Veterinary Clinic in York, because…

TRACEY HAMMOND MSC Is a nutritionist at Dengie Horse Feeds. She has an MSc in equine science and, when not working, loves hacking out with her horse, Polo. Tricky thoroughbred QI recently took on a new Thoroughbred mare. She’s been turned out with no hard feed for the past two years. She has no muscle and her hooves are in a terrible state. Where do I start with her feed? Abbi Lawrence, Leicestershire A Though grazing and forage in the UK can supply many horses with plenty of energy or calories to maintain their weight, it lacks certain trace minerals, including zinc, copper and selenium. For hoof condition, zinc is one trace mineral that’s particularly important. Research has also shown that supplementing the horse’s diet with the B vitamin, biotin,…

JILL BUTTERWORTH Is a registered equine behaviour consultant and small animal vet. She’s also a safety campaigner, visit www.thinkahead campaign.org Catch me if you can Q I’ve had my horse for over a year and she’s always been as good as gold, but she’s recently become impossible to catch. The only thing I can think of that has changed recently is that a new horse moved in next door. What can I do? Tina Henshaw, Christchurch A A horse’s social life is very important. Alterations in field and stable arrangements can really upset them because in the wild they rarely change companions, but as we know, horses usually accept changes after a while. As you’re unlikely to be able to move your neighbour’s horse away, as a short-term management solution,…

Thermatex quarter rug £59.56 WICKS AWAY MOISTURE This smart-looking quarter rug is made from a high performance quilted, wicking fabric to keep your horse warm and moisture free. Each rug is individually hand cut for the perfect fit, plus it’s lightweight and attaches easily to your saddle. SIZES 4ft to 5ft COLOURS 23 different colour and binding options CONTACT www.thermatex.co.uk Bucas riding rug £60 WATERPROOF AND BREATHABLE A lightweight, all-weather exercise rug. It’s waterproof with a tough rip stop outer that’s breathable. The anti-bacterial lining helps to protect your horse and keep the rug fresh. It can be fitted under the saddle flaps or over your legs to keep them toasty, plus it’s easy to take off after warm-up thanks to a special hook and loop attachment system. SIZES S…