Innehållsförteckning för Issue 435 från Your Horse

Hello Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great Christmas. Now with the festivities well and truly over, my thoughts have turned to my horsey hopes for 2018. I always try to have a few big goals for the year ahead, but I’m also a fan of setting myself monthly goals too. This can be anything from keeping the tack room tidy to cracking a schooling movement that I’m struggling with. It’s also a great way for me to focus my riding and training aspirations and ensure that I stay motivated. If you’re feeling the winter blues and need a gentle nudge to get yourself back on track, there’s plenty in this issue to motivate and inspire you to enjoy riding and caring for your horse. Event rider…

AT THE Royal Army Corp Saddle Club in Dorset, an unmistakable figure strides across the yard – and from that bright red Western neckerchief there’s only one spritely octogenarian cowboy it could be. At 82, Monty Roberts is a legend in the equestrian world. Not only is The Queen a loyal client and his number one fan, but his book, The Man Who Listens to Horses, written on her request, sold over 6.5 million copies. Nonetheless, it’s uncertain what today’s participants will make of Monty and his three-day course. Most of the seven British veterans taking part (all aged 28-69) have never even touched a horse, let alone heard the concept of Join-Up (see panel on page 27). They’re clearly sceptical, albeit curious, as to why a ‘horse whisperer’ thinks…

MEET THE EXPERT ELLEN CAMERON is the Head Girl at Nick Gauntlett Eventing, joining his team in September 2015. She is also a successful event rider and competed at Blenheim, Burgham and Barbury (to name but a few) in 2017. A SOFT AND SUPPLE horse will benefit all areas of your riding. Whether you’re an ambitious dressage beginner or a happy hacker, if your horse is soft and pliable, everything you ask him to do will become easier. Some horses are naturally suppler than others, but by working on his suppleness you can improve his overall strength and elasticity and his ability to carry himself for longer periods of time. The more balanced your horse is, the easier it will become for him to develop suppleness in his movement. This…

MEET THE EXPERTS RICHARD DAVISON has represented Britain four times at the Olympics, including at London 2012. Although a dressage rider, he enjoys teaching show jumping too. JOE DAVISON is an international show jumper and has represented Great Britain in Senior Nations Cup competitions. At the start of his career he was a stable rider for Ben Maher, but now competes and produces horses at the family yard in Staffordshire. WHEN IT COMES to jumping, a lot of attention’s paid to the approach to a fence and your position over it, but do you ever consider what happens once your horse’s hooves touch the other side? If you land in a heap on your horse’s neck, struggle to get to the second half of a double or scrabble for the…

MEET THE EXPERT NIKKI MEGGISON is an independent equine nutritionist. She has a BSc (Hons) in Equine Science. WITH THE HUGE array of feed available for your horse nowadays, it can be confusing to know what’s best. While his feed will have to reflect his individual needs and preferences, it’s worth knowing that there are some foods out there whose benefits really pack a punch. But where to start? Here to sort the wheat from the chaff is Nikki Meggison, an independent equine nutritionist. She reveals her top five feeding wonders and how to use them to make sure your horse is looking and feeling his best. Fabulous forage The number one thing to consider in your horse’s diet is forage. It’s essential for keeping his digestive system in good…

He calls to his friends Q My horse calls if he’s left out in the field by himself. Do you have any tips for keeping him calm? Gemma Plumb, Lincolnshire A As horses are prey animals they instinctively look to a herd for protection. They’re extremely sociable and they form strong bonds. Horses will tolerate ‘alone time’ differently depending on their character and life experience, but being alone, even for a very short time, can cause some to become fearful. Keeping him chilled If your horse calling is a recent thing it could be that he’s struck up a new bond with another horse, and is nervous about losing this ‘best friend’ status when the other horse leaves. Depending on the severity and nature of the calling, it may also…

Cutting winter feed bills Q I have a big horse who eats a lot. How can I save money on his feed during winter without compromising his health? Angie Marks, East Sussex A There are lots of practical things you can do to cut costs without compromising your horse’s health. First, bear in mind that while the price tag on non-branded feeds is attractive, this may not represent good value overall – so study the feed label and compare the nutrition it supplies, including its vitamin levels. 5 ways to cut your feed bill 1 Feed good quality forage Feeding poor quality hay or haylage may cause weight loss, respiratory or digestive problems, causing you to have to buy yet more feed, pricey supplements or call your vet out, so…

Aid recovery All-natural supplements designed to aid the recovery of competition horses following high-intensity work, Equizyn and Equizyn Pro combine the key ingredients valine (an amino acid), potassium ascorbate (a form of vitamin C) and turmeric to promote joint mobility and immune system support. They have anti-inflammatory properties too. PRICE £90 for 545g CONTACT www.equizyn.com Hats off The all-wool Bugsy hat from Annabel Brocks has traditional styling, a soft brim design, and is finished with a golden bangle. It’s available in navy and grey, the slightly softer brim is flattering for all face shapes and the golden trim makes it ideal for both town and country. PRICE £55 CONTACT www.annabelbrocks.com Stirrups away! Made from sterling silver, this Stirrups Bracelet from Hiho Silver is made up of dainty stirrups with silver…

Stella Winter Jacket Price £225 STRETCHY FABRIC This jacket from Stierna Equestrian Sportswear will protect you from snow, rain and wind, keeping you warm while wicking away sweat. It has shaped sleeves for full mobility, as well as asymmetrical sleeve ends with Velcro adjustment, and internal Lycra cuffs for comfort and fit. COLOURS Navy, black SIZES XS - XL CONTACT www.stierna.com Toggi Aberford Coat Price £155 LONGER LENGTH This three-quarter length coat is made from breathable, waterproof ripstop fabric. It’s ideal whether you’re in or out of the saddle, and has a stylish curved hem, complemented by a high gloss gold trim. Two clever zip back vents and a two-way zip at the front ensure freedom of movement and a comfortable fit over your saddle. COLOUR Midnight blue SIZES…

HOW TO RECOGNISE IF YOUR HORSE IS CAST  A horse is said to be cast if he lies too close to the wall in his stable and is unable to get up. A cast horse is often found on his back with his legs in the air, or against a wall towards a corner of his stable. If you find your horse in this position you’ll need to help him get back on his feet. Ways to prevent your horse from getting cast  Make deep, thick banks with your horse’s bedding; these can help prevent your horse lying too close to the wall and getting cast Use an anti-cast roller. This has a handle at the top of the surcingle that prevents your horse rolling over and getting cast. Try…

Heavy horse wonder It would be fair to say I’m horse-mad. I learnt to ride at the age of three, and since then have ridden in the Prince Philip Cup Team, the Triathlon A team, joined The Pony Club, taken part in point to points and raced. After I stopped competing, I went into training and breeding. One of the last horses I bred was a Clydesdale called Cantsfield Tia, who surprised us all with her jumping. I made the decision to sell her on shortly after backing her, but it wasn’t long before she had to be sent back to me for re-breaking. In her time away, she’d developed a bucking habit. But, once back in my care, I retrained her and started competing again. It was one of…

MEET THE EXPERT Four-star eventer NICK TURNER is a British Eventing Master Coach and an NLP practitioner. He teaches at all levels and led the Brazilian and Irish Teams at the Olympics in 2012 and 2016 respectively. “Perfecting your cross-country skills in winter is easier than you think” IN THE WINTER, when cross-country courses are closed and riding in your arena is just about the only option for you, it can be hard to imagine how you can perfect your cross-country skills. But as Nick Turner points out, it’s easier than you think - and you don’t even need that much equipment. He’s here to show you how, with a little creative thinking, you can train all year round. Giving your horse responsibilty “In an arena, it’s difficult to simulate…

MEET THE EXPERT DAVID DEPTFORD is one of the most well-known faces in Western riding. He’s at the forefront of promoting the Quarter Horse and Western riding in the UK and has taught Western to horses and riders from all disciplines.http://bit.ly/2xI5AQ6 YOU CAN USE rollback to turn your horse in canter and get your horse on the correct leg, but mastering this exercise can also help to improve his suppleness because he’ll need to soften his body to make the turn. A supple horse is ideal for disciplines such as dressage or show jumping, which require a horse to work fluidly, but you’ll find that all areas of your riding will benefit if your horse has agile and balanced movement. “This exercise will slow down any horse that likes to…

MARES CAN BE such lovely horses to work with, but when hormones get in the way, many turn into unhappy and grumpy little devils; sometimes sweetness and light, sometimes a teeth-baring monster… It’s important to remember that just like stallions, mares are entire and will be subject to hormonal fluctuations throughout the year. So if you’ve got a moody mare to manage, vet Keesjan Cornelisse is here to offer expert advice to help soothe her behaviour. MEET THE EXPERT KEESJAN CORNELISSE is an XLEquine vet who’s based at Calweton Vets in Cornwall. He has worked in the UK and abroad, and published studies in several vet journals. What lies beneath... Not all mares are affected by their hormones, and many live all their lives free of any mare-ish behaviour. For…

Turmeric While turmeric is becoming increasingly popular for horses, the jury’s still out on whether it’s a good idea. “There’s a lack of scientific evidence to support feeding it to horses,” says Nikki. “There hasn’t been research into the long-term effects, no effective dose has been established and there isn’t evidence to support the efficacy or safety of feeding it.” “It’s important to bear in mind that turmeric can be a mild anticoagulant, so it can’t be given 48 hours before or after surgery. It can also seriously interact with certain medications and there’s even been a suggestion that it might affect iron metabolism and contribute to anaemia.” Prebiotics and probiotics A lot of feed companies are now adding prebiotics and probiotics to feed, but as Nikki explains, they may…

Battling the chill Q I get painful, itchy chilblains as soon as winter really sets in. How can I help prevent them? Jenny Bell, Worcestershire A If you suffer from poor circulation, have a family history of getting chilblains, or don’t tend to wear gloves when you spend prolonged periods of time outside with your horse, prevention of chilblains is the best option. But as with any skin condition, always consult your doctor for advice if you’re worried. Preventing chilblains Step 1 Keeping your hands or feet moisturised is the first step in winning the chilblain battle. Moisture not only prevents the skin from drying out, but it gives it a supportive and protective layer. Step 2 Always try to keep your hands and feet as dry and warm as…

YOUR HORSE READER Lucy Simpson’s four-year-old Irish Sport Horse Tayto is still growing and she wants to make sure she feeds him well while he’s on his winter break. She’s turned Tayto away for the winter, having had him lightly backed. While he’s not thin, he has a big frame and still has plenty of filling out to do. Lucy currently gives Tayto ad lib haylage in the field plus a high specification balancer once a day that’s mixed with a handful of basic chaff. Lucy should consider giving Tayto two feeds a day and splitting the correct ration of balancer between the two. Instead of using ordinary chaff, she could add a couple of scoops of a conditioning fibre that contains oil. This will provide ‘safe’ additional calories to…

A report has found that wearing LED lights along with hi-vis is the most effective way for riders to be seen on the roads. The study, conducted by TRL Ltd for the British Horse Society (BHS), found wearing LED lights in a pattern that highlights your width, for example on your shoulders and horse’s flanks, together with hi-vis clothing is the most effective way to be seen by drivers. Riders without LED lights should use bright, reflective safety clothing wherever feasible, covering as much of them, and their horse, as possible. There’s no firm evidence to suggest which colour of hi-vis is most effective, but riders should consider colours that make them stand out against their environment. The report also concluded speed limits on roads with significant horse and rider…

Your Horse Live tickets for 2018 are now officially on sale, so shake off those post-Christmas blues with our early-bird offer. This year’s event will run from 10-11 November at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, with standard day tickets available from £20 and super-shopper tickets from £18. With a record-breaking 23,500 visitors and over 400 shopping stands, last year’s event was a horse-filled bonanza that even Valegro couldn’t resist… To book your place now and avoid disappointment, head to www.yourhorselive.co.uk…

PLANET FRAN: POPULATION ONE AND JUST A LITTLE UNSTABLE, by Josie King Horses are, in Fran’s words, ‘big, with a mind of their own’ and somewhat of a mystery to her. That is, until she’s thrust into equestrian life by the man willing to invest in her start-up company. He’ll give her the money on one condition: enter an event in a few months’ time and win. What could possibly go wrong? WIN We’ve got five copies of Josie’s book to give away: see www.yourhorse.co.uk/win PODCAST: TRAIN YOUR BRAIN FOR SUCCESS Psychology coach Jenni Winter joins the #HorseHour team to chat about preparing your mind for success in the saddle. Aimed at leisure riders, Jenni explains how changing your way of thinking can help you to…

I thought I’d send you a photograph of my beautiful Shire cross mare, Angel. Although she can sometimes be grumpy, this horse has managed to turn my life around. I regularly suffer from anxiety attacks and hyperventilate, but if Angel picks up on my tension, she’ll nudge me with her nose as if she knows that I’m feeling low. Angel’s had a tough few months herself recently. We were advised to have her put to sleep due to a severe injury to her pedal bone. However, after surgery, casts and box rest, my beautiful giant is back riding out with me and helping me get through the tough times. I owe her a lifetime of love for the support she’s given me. Karen Arthur, South Wales YH says: Angel by…

IF YOU’RE KEEN TO improve your riding skills and wardrobe, this competition offers all you’re looking for and more! We’ve teamed up with HorseHage and Equithème, sponsors of international para-dressage rider Roberta (Bert) Sheffield, to offer some amazing prizes to a lucky winner and one runner-up. At 15, Bert was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an auto-immune disease which affects her limb joints, neck, shoulders and jaw. But despite suffering permanent joint and ligament damage because of late diagnosis, Bert stays fit for competition with a strict exercise regime and manages her condition with anti-TNF medication, regular physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment. Keeping her horses fit and healthy is also one of her top priorities and she chooses to feed HorseHage dust-free bagged forage to her dressage horses. “I couldn’t manage…

Set it up “You need to build five fences, one in each corner of your arena. They should be angled slightly so you can jump them on a circle,” explains Nick. “Three of them should be uprights with one or two poles on the ground so they can be jumped on both reins. One is an oxer. Place them so you have enough room to get between them and the arena wall. They aren’t on a related distance - just put them where they will fit. The fifth fence is a skinny bounce at X, with just one pole on each fence. Make it as skinny as your horse can cope with, but a minimum of 6ft. The distance of a bounce is 12ft, but when training use whatever suits…

MEET THE EXPERTS SPENCER WILTON is a Berkshire-based international dressage rider currently ranked ninth in the world rankings. CAROLINE MOORE is a former four-star event rider who is the British Eventing National Under 18 Coach and Junior Team Coach. WHATEVER YOUR GOALS, having the right instructor makes all the difference when it comes to how well you and your horse work together and understand each other. We’ve asked two expert trainers for their advice on making your lessons really pay off, from preparing for success to continuing to learn long after the session ends. Get the right attitude so what makes a good pupil? “For me, a great student is someone who is open-minded, imaginative and willing to persevere,” says olympic dressage medallist spencer Wilton. “It’s also important to have…

Nicola Evan and Raincheck “I’ve had Raincheck since she was nine months old. She’s 10 now, and when I started riding her I noticed she could be a little quirky at certain times. Once we started competing this became more obvious. She then began to show signs of being in season all through the year – she was definitely cycling in the middle of December when she went for her first ovary scan. She’d go very flat for one day, then very over-reactive for two days, and then back to normal. “Raincheck was particularly tricky when competing. She would over-react to the other horses, and whip round and explode if they got too close. She was also very spooky to any sudden noises or movements, leaping about and bucking. She…

MEET THE EXPERTS AMANDA THOMPSON is an event groom and member of the British Grooms Association. She enjoys dressage and showing and competed in her first affiliated event earlier this year. GEMMA PORTERRAWLINGS, a BHS Stage 5 Performance Coach in Complete Horsemanship, runs GPR Equestrian Services, who offer tuition, BHS exam training, equine sports massage and livery. WE ALL ENJOY a little pamper from time to time, and your horse is no exception. It’s easy to let grooming slide a bit over the winter time, but with a few simple tips for trimming and taming, you can get him back to his best in a flash. Here, we catch up with groom Amanda Thompson and coach, Gemma Porter-Rawlings who reveal the tricks of the trade to give your horse a…

MEET THE EXPERT PROFESSOR DANNY MILLS is a recognised specialist in veterinary behavioural medicine and is based at the University of Lincoln. For the last 25 years he’s been specialising in problem behaviour management. He’s probably best known for his research on the use of stable mirrors to alleviate social stress in isolated horses. IT’S INEVITABLE THAT every now and again your horse will have to spend more time in his stable than you’d like - perhaps because his turnout is restricted over the winter months for instance, or because he has an injury that needs a period of box rest. Whatever the reason, if he’s going to be confined to barracks it’s important to put some thought into the environment you’re providing for him. Otherwise he may start to…

Welcome to our Ask the Experts section. Here, we find the answers to your questions by going to those in the industry who know best. Here are this month’s panel of experts, charged with answering all of your horsey dilemmas. This month we tackle yard hygiene, horse behaviour, rider health and feeding. MEET THIS MONTH’S EXPERTS Horse behaviour p88 Sarah Clark BSc (Hons) SEBC PTC is a professionally qualified and registered Equine Behaviour Consultant. She’s passionate about helping owners understand and improve their horse’s behaviour, see www.helpwithhorsebehaviour.co.uk Yard hygiene p92 Oonagh Meyer a BHS Stage 5 Performance Coach, is Head of Approvals at the British Horse Society, supporting more than 800 Approved Centres in the UK, ensuring they meet high standards of horse welfare and customer care. Find out more…

Stinky rubber matting Q My rubber matting gets really stinky during the winter. Is there a way of keeping it clean without pulling it all up? Abigail Martin, Hertfordshire A Reducing smells in any stable is helped if it’s well ventilated. Making sure you use absorbent bedding, muck out daily and sweep the floor well will all help to reduce the smell of ammonia. If your horse is out in the day, leave his bedding heaped up against the stable walls to allow the rubber matting to air. If you’ve chosen to use minimal bedding with your rubber matting, the same applies – sweep it clear of the matting while your horse is out. If you use a bedding that’s infused with a fresh fragrance, read the manufacturer’s guidelines before…

RIDING TIGHTS are the new trend in the world of riding leg wear, but what’s all the fuss about? In all honesty, they look more like a pair of tights you’d wear to go running or to your pilates class, so are they any good for riding and yard work? To find out, we’ve put a selection to the test to see if they’re all they’re cracked up to be. YH reader Vanessa Lowther has been testing the riding tights over the last three months. Whilst she’s worn each pair we’ve asked her to consider the fit of the tights and whether they’re comfortable to wear for riding and yard work. She’s also assessed whether they live up to the manufacturer’s claims, whether she considers them to be value for…

As the blood flows to all your horse’s vital organs this aids relaxation Increasing the level of oxygen to the muscles helps them prepare for work Improved circulation helps clear toxins from the body, boosting recovery after work The body’s natural healing mechanisms require good blood flow Boosting your horse’s blood flow helps reduce any swelling…

AFTER YEARS of spooky hacks aboard horse Murphy, Emily Richards decided that our #Hack1000miles campaign was the perfect way to improve her horse’s confidence. Here she explains how she’s helping the fifteen-year-old to conquer his fears. “I’ve had Murphy for nearly sixyears,” says Emily. “When the #Hack1000miles campaign came up, I decided it was a great chance to strengthen our bond. We’ve hacked a bit over the years, but Murphy has always been nervous. “It’s boosted my confidence knowing Murphy feels happier” “He would often get scared of things while out and about and I thought that #Hack1000miles was an opportunity to overcome this once and for all. To help him, I decided to try desensitisation training at the yard. The aim was to help him feel more confident and…