Innehållsförteckning för Issue 450 från Your Horse

WHEN I SAT down to write this comment, the UK equine industry was on the brink of an equine influenza epidemic. I don’t use the word epidemic lightly: as Your Horse went to press, we weren’t at that stage, but with the startlingly low number of UK horses being vaccinated against flu, it could happen. Is that what it will take to prompt the horse world into action? This is a topic I feel particularly strongly about. If all horses were vaccinated, it would lower the risk of outbreaks to tiny numbers — and if it did happen, symptoms would be less painful. Don’t get me wrong; flu is endemic to the UK and there are cases every year, but the numbers affected this time — and the fact that…

THE SUN IS shining, your steed’s ears are pricked and you’re exploring the British countryside on horseback — three ingredients sure to put a huge smile on your face. Add a family member or two to the equation and the fun factor is even higher. One of the great things about hacking is that there’s no age limit. Anyone and everyone can do it, meaning the whole family can get involved — the only requirement is a suitable horse. Next time you pass a group of riders on the road, look closely. It’s common to see family members covering two, three or even four generations out together — perhaps with the youngest on a lead-rein. “I have lots of fond memories of hacking out with my sister, dad and gran…

Although having an unusual companion animal sounds a lot of fun, it’s important to bear in mind how they will fit into your circumstances and what their particular requirements are. Different animals have varying needs to keep them healthy and happy — from diet to shelter to exercise and outside time. Your Horse magazine always recommends you consider all of this before taking in an animal. Seek advice from your vet or another trusted expert before making any commitments.…

Practice perfect Here’s a little present I made for the boy: training drills — cards cut out and laminated on a lanyard for J to practise with. @KjbPony, Twitter I do crew Charlie all dressed up for his loan mummy’s wedding! Anne Annie Chives, Facebook Pleased as punch Very proud of my mare, Mouse. Last year we won two of our showjumping classes at ESUK championships at Arena UK and also got leading rider at Equifest. Anne Smith, Facebook New tricks Old Billy Minstrel teaching young Molly the ropes. Pagane Magnus, Facebook Glorious mud As you can tell from the photo, most of my weekend will be taken up with grooming! Melanie Riley, Facebook Join us on facebook at facebook.com/yourhorse Tweet us on twitter.com/yourhorse Follow us on instagram.com/yourhorse…

Victoria advises always using a neckstrap on a tense horse. Not only can it be used to hang on to if things get a little hairy without you having to grab at his mouth, but it also helps with contact. If you hold the reins and neckstrap together, it keeps your hands still, which is useful for teaching your horse about consistency in the mouth. Riding an ex-racehorse? Remember he’ll have spent very little time in trot, so this pace will need lots of work. Don’t expect too much of him too soon. If your horse is the tense type, don’t resort to a strong bit, even if he pulls. This will only make things worse. Instead, try a loose ring snaffle or lozenge. If you’re struggling with steering, a…

■ Lameness, mild to severe, affecting one, two or all four feet. Often worse when turning in circles. ■ ‘Footy’ or pottery when walking. ■ Stiff or stilted gait, especially when going from soft to hard ground. ■ Increased time spent lying down. ■ Resents picking up feet. ■ Reluctance to move round stable/field. ■ Pain during or following farriery (a horse shouldn’t be uncomfortable after a visit from the farrier). ■ Increased heat within the foot. ■ Increased pulse in the digital artery (download the checklist to find out how to look for this. See panel, p81). ■ Divergent hoof rings (spacing between growth rings is wider at the heel than at the toe), hoof cracks, bruising or blood in the white line.…

Hunter trial help Q I’d like to start eventing but my horse is only young and still lacking in confidence. Would pairs classes at hunter trials help? Morgan Baxter, Somerset Will says... Hunter trials are a fantastic way to start off a horse’s education on the way to going eventing. It’s often a much less stressful, lower-key environment that’s ideal for younger horses, and you can gain that all-important cross-country experience without also needing to worry about a dressage test or course of showjumps. Pairing off If you’re going to do a pairs class, first make sure your partner is experienced and will jump round confidently — the last thing you want is for your youngster to pick up any bad habits, such as nappiness at certain types of…

A change of noseband can help in the case of a horse who is strong, but be careful not to change too much at once. As the horse (see question above) is currently in a cavesson, any other noseband will increase the bit pressure through it closing the mouth, so this is something to be aware of. It’s important not to fit any kind of noseband too tightly or you risk squashing the inner flesh into the teeth. This applies to the cavesson part of a noseband, as well as the drop, flash or grakle components. Common sense should prevail when fitting so that there is support from the noseband, but no squashing.…

Test drive Q I don’t have my own transport but have been offered the use of a friend’s trailer or small lorry. I haven’t taken tests in either. What are the rules regarding licences and insurance for each form of transport? Margaret O’Keeffe, Suffolk Colin says... The answer to this will depend on your age and when you initially obtained your standard UK driving licence. If you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997, you will only be licensed to drive vehicles up to 3500kg maximum allowable mass (gross weight). This is identified as category B on your licence. Given the weight involved in towing horses, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to do this legally, as the gross weight of the towing vehicle and trailer combined…

Does your laminitic pony need a safe alternative forage? Have you noticed your older horse is struggling with long fibre? Or maybe there’s a hay shortage in your area? Whatever the case, there are some high-fibre, highly palatable alternatives to choose from, such as chopped fibres, high-fibre cubes, sugar beet or a soakable fibre feed. SPILLERS Speedy-Mash Fibre and SPILLERS Senior Super-Mash are both suitable to be used as partial or full hay replacers; choose SPILLERS® SPEEDY-MASH Fibre for a horse or pony that maintains their weight well and new SPILLERS® Senior Super-Mash for one that needs some help to build or maintain their weight. ■ Hear feedback straight from the horse’s mouth next month* in our SPILLERS® Taste Test report. For free, friendly advice on feeding your horse or…

Magnetic Therapy has been recognised for thousands of years as an effective and safe way of easing pain and boosting the healing process. It’s thought the magnets work by realigning the body’s natural magnetism and improving blood flow to any damaged areas. This boosts the body’s ability to heal itself as the magnets help to improve circulation, which in turn helps the body eliminate excess fluid and toxins and also reduces inflammation. The latest innovation to join the Equilibrium Therapy range from Equilibrium Products are Hind & Hock Magnetic Chaps. These soft, magnetic stable chaps have been specifically designed to help your horse if he’s suffering from stiffness and arthritis, particularly in the hock joint. The chaps are ergonomically shaped to fit your horse’s hindlegs and the four clinical grade…

WELL, YOU’VE MADE it through another winter and spring is almost here. As daylight hours increase and temperatures start to rise, it’s time to start stripping off those winter layers — yay! If your riding wardrobe is looking a little tired, then feast your eyes on this great selection of clothing from some of your favourite equestrian brands. There’s sure to be something that catches your eye — so go on, treat yourself! SHIRES For stockists: shiresequestrian.com Aubrion Foresta Softshell Jacket RRP £69.99 COLOURS Blue, black SIZES XXS — XXL Flexible, breathable and windproof, this jacket is a wardrobe must-have. Stretch softshell gives you freedom to move, while the fleecy inner and removable adjustable hood will help to keep you warm. Other practical features include touch-close wrist adjusters and thumbhole…

Deputy editor Allison Lowther: Achieving that sometimes elusive consistent contact isn’t easy, but dressage rider Charlie Hutton has some exercises to help. Each is straightforward and I guarantee you’ll feel the benefits. I’ve been using them as part of my schooling sessions and can definitely feel an improvement. Page 52 Features editor Stephanie Anthony: There’s light at the end of the tunnel — spring is springing! Now’s a great time to give your horse a health MOT to ensure he’s in tip-top condition from head to hoof. We’ve gathered the latest advice from industry experts on page 66. Olympic showjumper Ben Maher: The showjumping warm-up arena can be daunting and it’s easy to underestimate the importance of a course walk. My structured approach will help you feel confident. Page 36…

PLEASANT PHEASANT CO Seeking a personalised gift for a fellow horse lover or perhaps a little treat for yourself? This papercut outline of a galloping horse from the Pleasant Pheasant Co is backed with cock pheasant feathers and topped with your horse’s name for £25. thepleasantpheasant.net DEMI DRESSAGE Building on the growing trend for online competition, Demi Dressage is entirely focused on young riders, from tots to teens, with tests designed and written to be suitable for this age group. facebook.com/demidressage FINDING HOPE AT HILLSIDE FARM Hillside Farm is a safe haven for Ella. Working with her aunt Bron, she runs her own business sharing her love of horses to help those in emotional need. As the cover states, it’s “a heart-warming tale of loss, love and new beginnings”. Author…

THINK OF A film you’ve watched, set in the mid-1940s, that includes a scene of a field being ploughed somewhere in America. There’s every chance the horses pulling that plough are American Cream Drafts. The American Cream is notable for being the only breed of draught horse native to the United States that’s still in existence. This rare breed’s origins can be traced back to Iowa in the early-1900s and a draught mare called Old Granny. She had a cream coat, pink skin and amber eyes, and passed on these characteristics to her offspring, who were much sought after for their beauty. One particular colt, Nelson’s Buck No 2, impressed so much that his owners were asked not to geld him and he went on to sire several cream-coloured foals.…

■ 3am-5am: Wakes up to take meds and feed via a permanently attached tube. “I take 14 pills a day, some of them four times a day, and that’s not counting the painkillers. I’m a walking pharmacy.” ■ 5.30am: Unplugs the meds and feed and does the first of five 20-minute rounds of physio. “When I was younger, I didn’t stick to the schedule and I paid the price. My legs go blue and I seize up if I miss sessions, but I keep on top of them now.” ■ 8am: Catheterises (which she does every three hours) and mixes her morning meds. ■ 9am: Catches up on emails or studies for her psychology and English A levels (she takes part in a private online schooling system that’s more flexible…

Gary the goat has formed a very close relationship with one of Claire Chambers’ showjumping mares, Lulu. When she did some digging into Lulu’s background, Claire discovered that Lulu used to have a companion nanny goat when she was a foal. “They have a special bond. He is often found lying outside her stable and sleeps in there with her at night,” says Claire. “Lulu is 17.2hh and really solid, so they do look funny next to each other. If she’s tied up outside, he’ll go and lie down underneath her.”…

■ Eventing power couple Tim and Jonelle Price have a sheep, Milo, who helps bring horses in from the field. ■ Carl Hester has a collection of feathery friends, including a number of guinea fowl who act as a good intruder alarm and a cockatoo who loves to chat. ■ Native pony showing producer Sarah Parker, who won the supreme pony title at Horse of the Year Show in 2015, has a pig called Percy roaming her Shropshire yard. He was bought as a micro pig, but grew… ■ Dressage rider and trainer Stef Eardley has a flock of ducks that come into the house. ■ Top-level event rider Beanie Sturgis once had a full-sized yard pig who liked to visit the kitchen, roam the yard and accompany the dogs…

‘WHO YOU CALLING OLD?’ My lovely horse Toddy is 29 years old and still in work. We mainly do hacking, but also some dressage and showing. He doesn’t regard himself as old in any way and is proud, strong and very wise. He spent most of his life at Myerscough College with students riding him, but has been with me for seven years in his retirement home. Shirley Bridge TAKING IT EASY My gorgeous girlie Holly is 27 years young. I have had the pleasure of being her ‘mum’ for 14 years and we still enjoy some light schooling and hacking. Paula Hill BEST HOOF FORWARD Tufty is 25 in April and has been part of our family since he was five months old. He has done all sorts —…

1 Study the course plan and get an idea of the jump off as well. Take a few moments to examine this before you venture into the arena and start walking. 2 Make sure you get to the competition venue early enough so you can walk the course. Be there at the ringside, so that the moment the course is ready for walking, you can start. This gives you the maximum amount of time to prepare. 3 When you first walk into the arena, get a feel for where the entry/exit gate is and take a general look at the whole course. Spot where the potential spooky things are — both in and out of the ring — and look where you might want to take your horse when you…

Francesca goes large around the arena and rides some medium trot strides on each long side. “This opens up the horse’s back after all the concentrated flexing and bending you’ve been doing on the serpentine,” explains Charlie. “It also tests suppleness.” ■ When Francesca asks for the medium trot steps, Ruby breaks into canter. ■ Charlie suggests riding a 10m circle to re-establish trot. ■ To help Ruby understand what Francesca is asking for, she asks for the medium trot steps on a 20m circle instead. ■ Once Ruby is accepting the leg aids and producing a better trot, Francesca asks for the medium strides on a straight line again. Charlie explains that this issue is due to Ruby not accepting the leg. Francesca needs to keep practising, making sure…

■ Use strip grazing to gradually introduce horses to new grass and avoid them gorging. ■ A grazing muzzle will limit the amount your horse can eat and mean he can be turned out in a larger area. ■ Increase in-hand/ridden exercise levels to burn off some calories. ■ Swapping haylage for hay or even soaked hay will reduce the number of calories consumed. ■ Avoid treats — carrots, apples and mints — which all contain calories. Give your horse a hug instead! ❋ For further information about laminitis, Cushing’s disease and EMS, and to download the helpful laminitis and Cushing’s disease checklists, please visit: talkaboutlaminitis.co.uk careaboutcushings.co.uk…

You may have heard the expression “having a fifth leg”. This refers to your horse developing that extra something in terms of his bodily awareness and positioning to help keep him upright and safe. It’s called ‘proprioception’. Practise riding up and down slopes to improve your horse’s balance on uneven ground. Polework is also good for developing basic proprioception and drawing your horse’s eyeline towards where he’s putting his feet. Start off with a single pole, then gradually build up the numbers. Be realistic and take your time. You need to develop trust in each other before moving on to solid fences.…

An apple a day? Q What human foods can and can’t be given to horses as treats? Some people at our yard give bananas and celery, but my gelding won’t entertain them. Charlotte Jeffreys, Derbyshire Telissa says... We all like to have a treat occasionally, but the saying “everything in moderation” really does apply, especially for any equines requiring a low sugar diet, such as those prone to laminitis. Human foodstuffs that should be avoided include anything which contains animal by-products, along with bread, uncooked potatoes, too many mints or sugar cubes, and anything containing caffeine or chocolate. Although they are not a human food, grass cuttings should never be fed to horses either. Unadventurous eaters If your gelding doesn’t like bananas or celery as a treat, try low-sugar…

Payload, what load? Q I have a 16hh Thoroughbred and regularly travel with another horse of the same size. I’m looking to buy my own transport but don’t know anything about ‘payloads’, the difference having living space makes, or vehicles with appropriate engine sizes if I opt for a trailer. Please help! Maddy Burns, Ely Colin says... ‘Payload’ is the weight available for the safe transport of your horses. You need to consider the empty weight of your vehicle and its gross weight. The difference, effectively, is the payload. To work out the gross weight, you have to consider not just the weight of the horses you intend to transport, but also the weight of yourself, any passengers, and all the tack and equipment you may be taking. A…

WintecLite Dressage D’Lux RRP £649 www.wintec-saddles.com Field Relief Max Fly Mask RRP £34.50 www.equilibriumproducts.com Wintec Chafeless Elastic Girth RRP £37.99 www.wintec-saddles.com Bossy’s Bibs Clean Cuffs RRP £18.00 www.bossysbibs.com Coopers Gut Support Prices start from £35 Contact your local vet or stockist www.coopers-range.co.uk MDC Super Sport Stirrups RRP £175 www.comfyhorse.co.uk O Mega Shine - 87% Omega Oils in just 15ml a day On Offer at 1 lt £25.00 www.animal-health.co.uk My LeMieux Sleeveless Polo Shirt RRP £29.95 Colours: Khaki/Sorbet & Lavender/Grey Sizes: XS-L www.horsehealth.co.uk Cush X ‘For Endocrine Support’ RRP from £30.00 for 1kg www.hiltonherbs.com FlyFree – anti-fly feed supplement 500g RRP £14.42 1kg RRP £26.27 www.globalherbs.co.uk LeMieux Isola Gilet RRP £64.95 Colours: Grey, Khaki and Navy Sizes: XS-XL www.horsehealth.co.uk TLC Lotion ‘Tendon and Ligament support’ RRP from £7.75 for 250ml www.hiltonherbs.com…

Sarah Ambridge Sarah and her horse Mr P loved hacking out to boost fitness for the hunting season. Sarah particularly likes taking Mr P for a sprint on the stubble fields. Lu Crawford Winter hacking proved no problem for Lu and her four horses, including two Icelandics, Merkur and Bjort. They give her plenty of reason to get out, boosting her confidence to tackle busy roads and even pop over jumps. Pamela Bartrip Pamela and Nutmeg were lucky enough to have company along their miles, and welcomed a new arrival too — grandson Asher! Now Pamela plans to start clocking her miles all over again. ❋ Have you finished too? Let us know at getinvolved@yourhorse.co.uk.…

❋ Mares stand between 15hh and 16hh and geldings between 16hh and 16.3hh ❋ Colours are light, medium or dark cream with pink skin ❋ Manes and tails are white ❋ Eyes are amber or hazel ❋ Foals are born with white eyes, which change during their first year ❋ They weigh between 680 and 730kg ❋ A free and easy gait is a renowned characteristic of the breed ❋ They have a refined head with a flat face ❋ Legs are well proportioned and hooves are strong ❋ American Cream Drafts are a popular attraction at the living history museum Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia…

Amy Lammas is a full-time primary school headteacher in Devon. She’s a married mother-of-one, with one horse to event and a second child on the way. My job… I’m head of school at Bridestowe Primary in Devon. The majority of my time is spent teaching year one and year two pupils, but I’m also responsible for overseeing health and safety of the school, ensuring risk assessments are complete and things like that. Mainly I’m in charge of the quality of teaching and learning. This includes lesson observations, learning walks, book scrutinies and creating action plans to ensure we are always striving for the best outcomes for our pupils. My school is quite small — I have 12 colleagues and we teach less than 100 students. It’s part of the Dartmoor…

1 Desensitises horses to other animals, particularly helpful if you come across cows, pigs, goats and other livestock when you’re riding or competing. 2 Encourages horses to accept and deal with distractions when they’re working. 3 Horses are herd animals and companionship is important. A different type of animal may be a more affordable alternative, providing you do your homework carefully. 4 Sharing grazing with certain animals, such as cattle and sheep, can help with worm control. 5 Horsey time can become a whole family affair, even if you’re the only one interested in horses. 6 Companion animals often prove to have stronger instincts than humans. When their equine friend is stressed, they will seek them out to reassure them.…

‘Coco taught me to never give up’ I have a very rare brain condition; one in 100,000 people have it. I had to stop riding due to being so unwell and I didn’t think I’d ever be able to ride again, but I’ve just bought a new horse — the first horse since I was diagnosed — after finding her at a riding school and falling in love with her. I didn’t think I would ever have the confidence and ability to ride again. My condition affects my vision, among other things, but Coco is my dream girl. She’s an Irish draught, 16.3hh like my first mare and a fleabitten grey. She is 11 years old and is also known as Lady Yeats. As an ex-hunter, Coco is well versed…

Best buds Me and my old boy Mavrick. Cat Sherwood, via Facebook Mwah! Badger giving me a sloppy smooch. Rachel Hewart, North Yorkshire Wild and windswept A spot of wet and windy weather never stops our selfies. Helen Hustings, Dorset “Now, where’s my apple?” Alto Rouge loves his apples, but also loves his photos. Leana Boshoff, by email Lemme take a selfie I’ve had my horse Max for 15 years and he’s always loved a good selfie. Zoe Ferris, Cambridgeshire Cheeeeese I think me and Ginge take the best selfies! Katie Lianne, West Yorkshire Stable sisters My real daughter Lissi and ‘yard daughter’ Olivia. Julie Harvey, via Facebook Hot to trot My handsome boy. Marilyn Roberts, Rutland Young at heart Here’s me and my 30-year-old AQHA gelding, Joe. Allison May,…

USING WEIGHT AIDS correctly is a skill that’s not always taught, but it’s fundamental to effective riding — and a happy, healthy horse. We can’t expect our horse to work in balance, with the correct posture, if we’re not doing the same. Plus, if he works regularly with bad posture, he’s at risk of lameness or back issues. Every horse and rider combination is different. You may have the most willing and athletic horse, but if your aids are not clear, or you’re doing too much, your horse can lose his natural balance and may become unhappy about being ridden too. If you watch your horse cantering at liberty, he’s naturally on his hocks, with his front end lightened, but add a rider and things get trickier. It’s our responsibility…

Eventing season prep p98 Will Furlong is one of Britain’s top young eventers, achieving CCI4* qualification in 2017 as under-25 British National Champion. He’s part of the BEF World Class Programme. Bitting p100 Gail Johnson is a bitting specialist, providing advice to all levels of riders. She’s part of the support team at Mount St John stud and one of only 11 NS Academy Lantra bit & bridle fitters. Visit horsebithire.com Feeding p102 Telissa Blowers BSc (Hons) is an equine nutritionist for Allen & Page Quality Horse Feed. Transport p104 Colin Herapath is senior engineer and director at Equi-Trek, one of Britain’s leading providers of horse trailers and horseboxes.…

Fit bit Q How can I check my Highland pony’s bit fits OK, and where in the mouth should it sit? Marianne Welsh, Berkshire Gail says... A bit sits slightly differently on each horse depending on the elasticity of the horse’s lips. You don’t want it so low that it rattles near any canine teeth or risks the horse getting his tongue over it. Equally, you don’t want it so high there’s a chance of the lips splitting when you take up a contact. So fit the bit, take up some rein tension and check that there is some movement in the corners of the lips. Bit width A loose ring bit needs around an eighth of an inch gap either side, between the mouth and the bit rings,…

■ When adding a source of oil to the diet, do it gradually and increase amounts to the manufacturer’s guidelines slowly to avoid digestive upsets. ■ Always store oil in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight to prevent it going rancid. ■ When providing your horse with a diet high in oil, sufficient antioxidants must be given to support correct oil digestion. Any concentrate feed or ready-made oil supplement should contain appropriate antioxidants already, but when adding straight oil to the diet, an additional vitamin E supplement is highly beneficial.…

The first thing to consider is the maximum weight the vehicle can legally tow, and then the gross combination weight to check the situation is safe and you are covered by your licence. See your vehicle’s handbook or contact the manufacturer. With modern vehicles, engine size isn’t as important as it once was. Whatever the allowable towing weight, the vehicle will have performed hill starts towing a trailer and had its braking performance tested as part of its approval process. Ideally, opt for an engine with higher torque values, rather than higher power, as this will aid you more when setting off or approaching hills.…

BRIGHTEN UP YOUR RIDE The Reflex Neon Whip from Fleck is available as a riding crop or dressage whip and is sure to brighten your day. Designed with an ultra-soft grip handle, plastic cap and wrist loop for comfort and security. RRP £15 FOR STOCKISTS zebraproducts.co.uk A TOUCH OF SPARKLE These Eliza T Glitter exercise boots will bring a smile to your face. The boots feature a tough strike pad to prevent brushing, faux fur lining for comfort and elastic straps for ease of fitting. They are durable and washable. RRP From £35 BUY AT elizat.co.uk HAPPY FEET These Aurora Boots from Mountain Horse not only look great, but also feature all-new Four Layer Vertical Technology for superior comfort. The non-slip durable rubber outsole has a…

TECH STIRRUPS VENICE RRP FROM £179 FOR STOCKISTS techstirrups.com This aluminium security stirrup opens to release your foot if a certain load is exceeded — such as falling off. The mobile part of the stirrup is hooked to the tread via a spring and joined at the top with two magnets that don’t allow the stirrup to open under normal circumstances. The patented tread allows a perfect grip in all conditions. BOSTOCK SAFETY STIRRUPS RRP FROM £119.95  BUY AT treehouseonline.co.uk With safety in mind, these stirrups will break away if there’s a shift in weight and you’re past the point of no return. The bottom part of the stirrup comes away from the top, reducing the possibility of you being dragged. The wide foot plate provides grip and helps…

Blow away winter cobwebs with three of the best trainers: LUCINDA GREEN Refresh your course-riding skills MARY KING Use your gears effectively CHRISTOPHER BARTLE Ingredients for a safe position PLUS ❋ HACK 1000 MILES The relaunch — bigger and better for 2019 ❋ VETTING FACTS What happens — and what it really means ❋ SHOWJUMPING Slow down a rusher BANDAGING SPECIAL ALAN DAVIES Carl Hester’s groom’s guide to protecting legs, hocks & knees On sale 4 April 2019…