Innehållsförteckning för Issue 444 från Your Horse

SOMETIMES IT’S surprising the scenarios we at Your Horse find ourselves in when visiting riders. Talking on the yard or around the kitchen table is the norm. Every now and then we might be in the back of a horsebox or actually on a horse, but this month, acting online ed Julie’s note-taking while on a moving carriage was a first. Horse people have to be time savvy (hence our regular work/horse diary on p20), and stuntman Ben Atkinson — this month’s interviewee (p16) — is no different. Luckily, Julie has a steady hand. Regular readers of Your Horse will notice a new, fresher look in this issue, while still bringing you the great content you’ve come to love. We’re very excited to unveil the final result — I hope…

Another of our brilliant #hack1000miles challengers has passed through the finishing flags — well done Sarah Johnson! “I’ve loved every minute of this challenge with my beautiful, brave boy Rhino — and I think he’s enjoyed it too,” says Sarah. “It’s taken 16 months exactly. A bit longer than planned, but nevertheless we’re already looking forward to the next 1,000 miles.” Sarah credits all the posts, photos and conversations in our Facebook group (search for Hack 1000 Miles) with giving her lots of motivation.…

IT’S A SIGHT THAT truly defines horse power. As 80% of woodland in Britain is unmanaged, horses pulling logs still play a huge part in forestry care. Skillfully navigating their way around roots, stumps and crowded trees, horse loggers help to control bracken, brambles and other invasive weeds, as well as move timber, fencing materials and other tools used for forest maintenance. Loggers (people on foot) cut trails for the horses to pull the logs through. Days are long, and hardy horses suitable for the task aren’t always easy to come by. Horses are often broken to harness as youngsters, before they start logging. They then spend at least a couple of years with their handlers as it takes time to establish a bond. Gaining the horse’s respect before you…

NATIVE PONIES WILL descend on Stoneleigh Park for the SEIB Search for a Star Mountain and Moorland (M&M) final at Your Horse Live on Friday 9 November. (See show preview, p86.) There have been five qualifiers, with the top three in each securing a place in the final. So, what will the judges be looking for? Correct way of going Experienced native producers and judges Robin Avery and his partner Chris Patrick assessed the ponies in the first qualifier at Osbaldeston in April, with Robin inspecting conformation and Chris judging performance. “The way of going is very important,” says Robin. “We look for balanced, rhythmical, uphill paces and ponies not being pushed out of their natural stride. They should also show a good lengthening of stride. “We want something that…

Oodles of team spirit A real honour to represent GB in France at Haras Du Pin. The rollercoaster world of eventing was in full swing with falls and double clears. We’re all fine though, and looking forward to the next! Here’s Vinnie going double clear in the CICO3*. @simongrieve Silly sausage That one friend who can’t help but pull a silly face for the camera. We’re looking at you, Gulliver! #MidWeekPickMeUp @redwingsuk, Instagram Overachiever When your four-year-old sees a cross-country fence for the first time… @danievanseventing, Instagram Winging it Heading into the test on a wing and a prayer! @yourhorsemagazine practising our out of stirrups work! @hudson_lauramrs, Instagram Back on track I have zero complaints about the hot weather. However, with all the sunshine and my family visiting on holiday,…

❋ Think forwards Training should be a gradual progression and the first rung on the ladder is forwardness. You can’t ask your horse to work in a correct shape without this. Be clear and consistent with your aids and practise smooth, progressive transitions — lots of them. ❋ Have light hands Holding a schooling whip horizontally, with your thumbs on top, can help to correct your hand position. It keeps hands level, with the weight even in both reins, and helps stop your horse from leaning. ❋ Practise pole work Introduce pole work into your schooling sessions a couple of times a week. It benefits all horses, but is especially useful for helping a cob concentrate, improve his hock action and become more athletic.…

MEET THE EXPERT Legendary event rider LUCINDA GREEN MBE is a six-time winner of Badminton. The Petplan Equine Ambassador is also a former world champion, two-time European individual gold medallist and bagged team silver at the 1984 Olympic Games. MEET THE RIDER ALLISON KITE is a 59-year-old primary school supply teacher. She bought her 14.2hh Connemara, Preston Brooks, eight months ago, having previously partnered a 17.2hh horse for 10 years. “Brooks is green and we’re gaining confidence together. The jumps look a lot bigger when you are lower down,” says Allison. She is aiming Brooks at mountain & moorland showing classes and riding club activities. CROSS-COUNTRY RIDING is only good fun when you’re feeling confident. Nerves are natural and commonly creep in following a break from riding, a fall or…

AN EXTRA, NEW-LOOK day learning from the very best master coaches in the business is an essential date for your diary. Indulge on Friday and learn from the world’s finest as they unveil their top training tips — you’ll be super-motivated and brewing with confidence, ready to reach your goals in no time. Dressage: A SPANISH TWIST Florian Bacher is every inch a master of dressage. Born in Vienna in 1985, he began riding horses for the renowned Arthur Kottas Heldenberg at the age of 11. Four years later, Florian joined the Spanish Riding School, where he stayed for 18 years. There he led the art of riding to the utmost perfection, while training two of the world-famous horses on his own. Florian, who trains with Carl Hester and is…

Spook busting with top trainer Jason Webb A firm Your Horse Live favourite is back by popular demand. Jason Webb of Australian Horse Training will be sharing his simple spook-busting tips to make your riding experience more fun and enjoyable. Jason will also be bringing his best friend Diesel along — he’s sure to entertain and make you laugh. Jason has a real passion for solving equine problems and teaching riders of all abilities to improve their skills and develop the partnership they share with their horses. Retraining ex-racehorses for a new career The team from Retraining of Racehorses will show you that with the right training, ex-racehorses can go on to have a new career after leaving the racetrack. Their demonstration will show you some of the training techniques…

Buying and loaning Rebecca Stojak is a solicitor specialising in legal matters for horse owners. She’s been giving legal advice to horse owners for many years. For more details visit shma.co.uk. Farriery Simon Curtis FWCF, BSc (Hons), HonAssoc RCVS has been a farrier for 42 years. He's a former master of the Worshipful Company of Farriers and chair of the Farriers Registration Council. Dressage Lizzie Murray is an international dressage rider, BHSII and UKCC level three coach. She has trained many combinations who've gone on to compete at Olympic, European and World Championships. Bonding Sarah Clark BSc (Hons) SEBC PTC is a qualified and registered equine behaviour consultant. She is passionate about helping owners understand and improve their horse’s behaviour.…

Q My new horse has sheared heels and is easily unbalanced walking down slopes. I don’t know much about his past, but suspect the heels are the result of thrush. What can my farrier do to help him? Fran Herald, Buckinghamshire Simon says... The term sheared heels needs clarification. Sometimes, this term is used to describe a wry foot, where the heels are uneven and the hairline on one hoof is higher or shunted. The true meaning of sheared heels is where there is independent movement. Heels shear because of an unbalanced foot or limb, usually a front leg with an outward rotation or a slightly valgus (angled out) knee. This means loading is very uneven through the foot and with each step, one of your horse’s heel bulbs…

Vicky Taunton wants to know whether a ‘lite’ balancer can help her rather round cob mare Maddie. Despite the grass shortage this summer, Maddie has continued to pile on the pounds, not least because Vicky hasn’t been able to ride after breaking her wrist. Vicky is absolutely right to want to take control of Maddie’s weight, especially before any autumn flush of grass, but I’m afraid a ‘lite’ balancer isn’t a magic diet pill. If only it were that easy! Quite simply, if Maddie is continuing to gain weight, she is receiving more calories than she is burning. Vicky should restrict Maddie’s grazing time and could consider introducing a grazing muzzle if the grass sward is long enough to poke through the muzzle holes. Nutrition support in the form of…

SAVE YOUR ARMS No-one likes having to lug around a saddle and lots of other paraphernalia all at the same time, which is why the Stubbs Saddle Mate from Abbey England is the perfect solution for transporting your horse’s tack. Just put your arm through the Saddle Mate, instead of just the saddle, to carry your saddle, bridle and grooming kit all together. RRP £25.99 FOR STOCKISTS abbeyengland.com PATRIOTIC HAT COVER Celebrate Britain with this patriotic lycra skull cover for your riding hat. Great for fun rides, eventing and Pony Club goers, the hat is finished off with a royal blue pom-pom. One size fits all, so the whole family can take turns to wear it. RRP £14.95 FOR STOCKISTS elico.co.uk QUICK SOAK MASH Perfect for…

RAMBO MICKLEM DIAMANTE COMPETITION BRIDLE RRP £157 COLOURS Black, havana SIZES Pony, small horse, standard horse, large horse FOR STOCKISTS horseware.com This snazzy competition bridle is made from hand-finished leather with diamante effect studs in the browband. Designed to comfortably fit the shape of your horse’s skull, avoiding pressure on sensitive areas, this show-quality bridle has soft padding on the headpiece, browband, noseband and cheekpieces. It also comes with tongue protection bit clips and two sets of bit straps. FAIRFAX PERFORMANCE BRIDLE RRP £400  COLOURS Black, brown SIZES Variety of sizes available — consult your nearest Fairfax bridle fitter FOR STOCKISTS fairfaxsaddles.com Based on scientific testing and shown to improve the horse’s way of going, the Fairfax Performance Bridle reduces pressure at points on the horse’s head that Fairfax’s research…

Deputy editor Allison Lowther: Putting the Synchronicity System through its paces was great fun. This clever piece of technology could take your riding to another level. See page 120 Writer Stacey Carter: This issue’s Send A Selfie star photo made the whole team smile. We love this page as much as you, so keep all your great selfies coming in! See page 32 Acting online editor Julie Brown: Interviewing action rider Ben Atkinson was a pleasure. He’s an adrenalin junkie who’s also down to earth with a true passion for horses. Read it on page 16. Lucinda Green MBE: Having the correct framework of discipline in place is key for you and your horse to feel confidence across country. I explain what that means on page 52. Equine vet Katherine…

LED WHEELBARROW LIGHT This LED powerbank light has been created specifically for use on wheelbarrows. This waterproof light is attached to your barrow with the included magnetic fixings and could put an end to ‘seek the manure’ when poo-picking during winter. As well as being a fantastic portable light source, it can also be used to charge your mobile phone — handy for those long, dark nights at the yard. gizahand.co.uk THE FORAGER SLOW FEEDER This feeder provides a natural way to slow down your horse when he’s eating, which in turn reduces the risk of colic, gastric ulcers, obesity and laminitis. It imitates this natural grazing behaviour, so there’s always that all-important forage in the stomach. The grid style encourages smaller bites of forage and increased chewing, which helps…

❋ There’s no specific breed of logger horse, but breeds such as the Suffolk Punch, Ardennes, Belgian Draft and Norwegian Fjord tend to do well. Sometimes, Shires and Clydesdales are used, but loggers often choose horses that are small and agile so that they can handle slopes and move through dense woodland easily. ❋ The average working day for a logger horse is around six to eight hours, depending on the season. During this time, they can remove between eight and 10 tonnes of timber. ❋ A third of horse loggers are women. Many have a background in horses, rather than forestry. ❋ Those interested in becoming a horse logger can take a five-day intensive course to see if they’re up to the physically demanding job.…

SEIB Search for a Star is designed to give amateur riders — people who don’t earn a living through horses and whose ponies aren’t professionally produced — the chance to compete at a prestigious event like Your Horse Live. In the final, the judges will wear a microphone and share their thoughts as the judging process takes place: › First there is the go-round, where all ponies enter the ring and the judges watch them walk, trot, canter and gallop en masse. › Everyone lines up and each pony is presented for an individual show. The judges’ focus will be on that pony only and a performance (riding) mark will be given. › The ponies are stripped off (saddles removed) and each pony is trotted up in turn for the…

OUR EXPERT Essex-based KATIE JERRAM-HUNNABLE has won myriad supreme showing titles, including multiple Horse of the Year Show and Royal International championships. She produces and rides horses for The Queen, is an accredited trainer and co-author of two books. Visit katiejerram.co.uk. FAT, LAZY AND in need of a lot of chivvying doesn’t have to be a cob’s default setting. “There’s no reason why a cob shouldn’t be light and flexible, working in self-carriage. It’s all in the training,” explains leading British showing producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable. “Just like any horse, if he’s slow off the leg, then there are exercises you can do to help with this. Don’t accept your horse being lazy, no matter what his breed.” Six-year-old Bowadarrow Fred (Nigel), is a perfect stamp of a maxi cob, with good…

OUR EXPERT ALEX GINGELL is a British Dressage list four judge and trainer. He and his wife Jayne founded and run an award-winning bespoke supplement company for horses. Find out more at hackup.co.uk. ON PAPER, RIDING a loop may appear really easy to do, but there’s a lot more to riding this movement than meets the eye. You’re asked to ride loops in a number of British Dressage tests, but they’re also a really valuable schooling exercise you can incorporate into your training in walk, trot and canter. As with any schooling movement, the devil’s in the detail — it takes consistency, preparation and coordination to ride a good loop, whether it’s 5m or 10m. Loops are put in dressage tests so that riders can show their horse’s ability and…

ENJOY A DAY OUT at Your Horse Live with a friend in this exclusive competition. Your Horse Live takes place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire (9–11 November) and is brought to you by the team at Your Horse magazine. This year, the show is bigger and better than ever, running over three days. On Friday you’ll be treated to a day of exclusive masterclasses with some of the best equestrian trainers — including the British Eventing squad’s high performance coach Christopher Bartle and former Spanish Riding School star Florian Bacher. Over the weekend, there’s an array of practical demos to help and inspire you to improve your riding and horse care in the Country & Stable Arena. You’ll also be entertained by top equestrians, including Mary and Emily King, in…

SEPTEMBER GOES HAND in hand with more leaves to sweep, rapidly decreasing daylight hours and riding after work will soon be a distant memory. The changing season brings certain health warnings too, which you need to be aware of in order to aid a smooth and healthy transition for your horse. “During the autumn months most horse owners will be changing their management style,” says vet Katherine Hall. “This brings with it a few risks that everyone needs to factor in.” Acorn poisoning Acorn poisoning is a bigger threat at the end of a long, hot summer like this one. This is because when grass is scarce, horses are more likely to eat them. Like ragwort, acorns are toxic and horses don’t tend to consume them unless they’re hungry and…

“Horses have a gastrointestinal system that has evolved and adapted for constant movement and near constant trickle grazing,” explains Sara. “Our use of horses as working animals has resulted in a change of management that limits both of these. Attempting to mimic natural feeding and movement patterns is the key to keeping the digestive system functioning well.” Horses with access to ample pasture will spend up to 18 hours a day grazing, creating a steady supply of chewed grass, while slowly moving around the paddock, which helps to stimulate gastrointestinal motility. So, where possible, regular turnout is the ideal way to ensure good digestive health. Other management routines to keep your horse’s digestive system moving include: ■ Regular dental care to aid chewing. ■ Feeding food damp and cutting fruit…

Eventing secrets from the Kings Mary and Emily King, one of the most successful mother-daughter duos in eventing, are uniting to share their advice for training the event horse from novice to advanced. Mary has been to six Olympic Games and won championship medals of all colours, while Emily finished second at her first-ever CCI4* and has won multiple medals on the junior and young rider stage. If anyone knows how to train a horse at home to be the very best it can, it’s them. In the Kings’ engaging, easy-to-understand way, they will use a young horse and one with more experience to showcase their methods for improving flatwork, plus several showjumping and arena cross-country exercises that you can use at home. This demo will cover something for every…

How riders affect the way horses move WOW Saddles, one of the sponsors of Your Horse Live, will be sharing the results of its recent pressure test trials that prove the impact we have on our horses’ way of going. This is sure to be a thought-provoking talk and one not to miss. It will also highlight the importance of having a correctly fitted saddle that is comfortable for both you and your horse. An audience with… Throughout the weekend you’ll have the chance to quiz the celebrities starring at this year’s show. If you’ve always wanted to ask showjumper Geoff Billington a question, or maybe you’d like some advice from eventing legend Mary King, this is your opportunity to ask them. You could even ask Spanish Riding School supremo…

What are my rights? Q I’m on the hunt for a new horse. Do my rights vary if I buy a horse from a dealer or an individual? Mary Grant, Essex Rebecca says... If you buy a horse from an individual, then the horse must match any description given — ie, in the advert, written messages or orally before you buy the horse. If you buy a horse from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (the “Act”) will apply if you are what is classified by the Act as a “consumer” — ie, buying the horse is outside of your trade or business. Most amateur riders will fall into this category. If you buy a horse at an auction, you are not a consumer and you don’t have the…

Too much hand Q What does over-riding with the hand mean — and how can I stop doing it? Alison Cave, Bishop's Stortford Lizzie says... Too much hand or too strong a contact is uncomfortable for your horse and makes it hard for him to balance himself. To help, try the following exercise that aims to lighten your hands and make your horse more receptive to your aids. Raise his receptiveness First of all, you need to correct your rein contact. Make sure your wrists are straight and flexible, allowing your hands to close into gentle fists. If you tend to grip the reins tightly, imagine that you’re allowing more air into your gloves, which requires them to be loose and relaxed. This is a good way to soften your…

IF YOUR HORSE is prone to brushing, then wearing a pair of boots will help prevent him injuring himself. Your Horse magazine has put a selection through their paces to discover which, in our opinion, do the best job. Each set of boots has been tested over three months on three different horses doing hacking, jumping and flatwork. They were assessed for fit and shape, as well as how well they protected the lower leg from knocks. After taking into account their comments on fit and effectiveness, our testers considered whether they think the boots are value for money. Read on to discover which boots came out on top. How we score Each product is marked out of five for fit, effectiveness and value for money. This gives an overall…

IMAGINE BEING ABLE TO say the immortal words “I’ve ridden around Burghley” — and truly mean it. Now several #hack1000miles challengers can, after completing the SEIB Burghley Sponsored Ride, and they’ve got a shiny medal to prove it. While Kiwi Tim Price showjumped to his first-ever Burghley CCI4* victory in the main arena, nearly 400 riders descended on the cross-country course for a hack. Each one excitedly embraced the opportunity to explore the world-famous turf where some of the best event riders from around the globe had galloped the day before. “It was so much fun,” enthused #hack1000miles challenger Louise Horwood who steered her horse Spearmint around the course. “My favourite parts were going in the water and over the flyover.” Louise won a place on the ride courtesy of…

Australian challenger Candy Chester has already smashed the 100 miles marker on her Arabian mare Miss ZZ, all the more impressive when you consider that she is registered blind. “I can’t see the ground or my horses ears,” says Candy, who lives in Victoria. “Once in trot, I can’t see at all. I love cantering through the bush following the sounds of my guide rider Mat and his trusty trotter River. “We’ve had a lot of adventures so far, discovering new trails in the mighty Red Gum forests where we live. “Achieving 100 miles has been special; my dream is to compete in endurance.”…

■ Stands at least 15.1hh ■ Is a true cob type ■ Was historically bred for hunting and to carry the vicar to the pub ■ Should be able to carry any member of the family, including nervous riders ■ Is always shown in a double bridle, with a hogged mane and pulled tail ■ Is a weight carrier with bone and substance ■ Moves in a workmanlike fashion while covering the ground well ■ Should be mountable from the ground ■ Is responsive without pulling or being on the forehand ■ Can need work on his suppleness ■ Has sparkle…

OUR EXPERT MIA PALLES-CLARK is the British Showjumping lead coach for Suffolk academy and coach for Northamptonshire & Cambridgeshire academy. She’s a UKCC level three showjumping coach and coach educator, British Showjumping coach of the year and England Pony team chef d’equipe. IF YOU WANT to succeed at showjumping, a good forward canter rhythm is fundamental. Forwardness isn’t the length of the stride, or the speed of the pace, it’s a combination of balance and enthusiasm. Take time to warm up your horse before riding Mia’s exercises and allow him to stretch and cool off at the end of your session too. EXERCISE 1 The ‘castle exercise’ is a great one to start off with as it helps your horse to learn to accept the rein and listen to your…

OUR EXPERT NIKKI MEGGISON is an independent equine nutritionist and has a BSc (Hons) in equine science. Find out more at equinenutritionist.info. WE ALL KNOW that our horses are meant to eat just about constantly throughout the day, but for many this isn’t a reality. Your horse’s evening haynet lasts just a few hours, then he’s got nothing to munch on until the next day. This isn’t healthy, but there’s a workable alternative called cafeteria feeding, as nutritionist Nikki Meggison explains. Cafeteria system explained “Cafeteria-style feeding isn’t complicated,” explains Nikki. “It’s basically providing your horse with a selection of forage feeds to pick at, giving him some control over what he eats and when. It works equally well whether he’s in the stable or out in the field.” If your…

If you haven’t got your tickets already, this is what you need to know. When they’re gone, they’re gone! ■ VIP from £92 — access all areas, all-day BETA arena seat, access to VIP lounge with lunch and a glass of fizz, VIP parking, fast-track entry plus use of a cloakroom and Shop & Drop ■ Standard plus from £30 — access all areas, guaranteed BETA arena seat ■ Standard from £15 — access all areas, including celebrity signings ■ Saturday evening meet & greet Geoff Billington £35 ■ Standard evening ticket £25 ■ NB tickets for Saturday day and evening must be bought separately ■ Book now at yourhorselive.co.uk…

Wet weather worries Q What can I do to help prepare my horse’s feet for autumn's wetter weather? Nina Wolf, London Simon says... Hooves don't like sudden changes in hydration. Cracks appear during abrupt dry spells and wet periods increase shoe loss. The hoof is waterproof to some extent, with the outer hoof wall full of tightly packed horn tubules, which are water resistant. There’s also an outer varnish called the stratum externum, which descends about halfway down the hoof. However, hooves do appear to soften in continually wet weather and lose some of their strength. Maximising protection The best bedding for wet hooves is wood shavings, which dries the hooves quickly and seems to produce stronger hooves. Many topical treatments are not scientifically proven, but lanolin-based products appear to…

Attachment issues Q My four-year-old gelding is very attached to the horses he lives with. He cries when others leave the field or if I take him away. How can I make him less dependent? Fiona Chipping, Northampton Sarah says... When your gelding calls out, he could be showing confident, territorial behaviour, or anxiety about leaving a field buddy. As herd animals, horses are highly sociable, so his behaviour is quite natural. The good news is there's a lot you can do to help him and also deepen the bond you share with him at the same time. From what you’ve said, it sounds as though your horse is whinnying. This is a loud, long call that begins high and ends in a low frequency. All calls are social…