Innehållsförteckning för Issue 451 från Your Horse

I’VE BEEN particularly looking forward to getting this issue to you, because inside we’re celebrating the relaunch of #Hack1000Miles for the third year running (p10). There are a few exciting things to tell you about — including a brand new columnist (p15) and the unveiling of our official clothing (p14). We’ve tried them on in the office and they look AWESOME — I can’t wait to see images of you wearing yours in our Facebook group! We’ve used these pages many a time to highlight all the reasons why hacking is so great. That’s why, in this issue, we’ve gone straight to those whose proof is in their mileage and shared feedback from some of our #Hack1000Miles challengers (p12). With comments like “I owe it my life” and “it’s given…

❋ The first studbook for the Fjord horse was created in Norway in 1910. ❋ Evaluations include both a conformation and performance component. Horses are rated between 0 and 100 in conformation, movement, riding, driving and draught work. ❋ Njål is considered to be the father of all modern Fjord horses. ❋ On average, Fjords stand at between 13.2hh and 14.2hh. They weigh between 900 and 1,200 pounds. ❋ Some evaluators recognise three types of Fjords — athletic, draught and all-purpose.…

Anna Hales, 34, is a full-time emergency medical technician. She lives near Aylsham in Norfolk with her partner Dan and is based at Cromer ambulance station. She has a rescue cob called Teddy on loan from Redwings Horse Sanctuary. My job… “The 12-hour shifts are a mix of days and nights and can be tough. Working a 60- or 70-hour week is routine” I’ve been an emergency medical technician (EMT) on a frontline ambulance for the East of England Ambulance Service for four years. I’m part of a two-person crew alongside other ambulance clinicians, including paramedics, emergency care assistants and other EMTs. Our roles all vary slightly, but we attend the same kind of work. We do 12-hour shifts, attending emergency calls and providing pre-hospital care. This ranges from major…

Duck! I think it’s safe to say Duke is bombproof. At 17hh, he just fits underneath this bridge. Waiting on new shoes for him tomorrow so we can get back to hacking out. @emma_hayes.endurance, Instagram Jetsetter My favourite place is Iceland. I’ve been lucky enough to do three riding tours in recent years, covering between 150 and 200km in five or six days. Can’t wait to go back. Elaine Rannie, Facebook Rolling with laughter My 27-year-old Desi out for a play… I think he’s enjoying himself! Liz Leslie, Facebook Clip-clop cupcakes These little fondant toppers are so cute! @bloominlovelycupcakes, Instagram Vaulter in training Who says you can’t do gymnastics with your pony? @kennedysrayofsunshine, Instagram Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/yourhorse Tweet us on twitter.com/yourhorse Follow us on instagram.com/yourhorse…

THE ADRENALINE BUZZ of riding cross-country is what attracts many of us to the sport of eventing, but it’s not simply about galloping as fast as you can to make the time allowed. Cross-country riding is a skill in its own right and takes practice to perfect — essentially your aim is make it as easy as possible for your horse to jump the fences cleanly. To do this you need to have good posture, excellent balance and fast mental reactions in case of the unexpected. You need to be in the best possible position so that you can react quickly to any situation and stay in the saddle. Known for being one of the best trainers in the world, Christopher Bartle knows just what a good cross-country position is…

Since training with Charlie, Jodie’s test marks have soared. “I’ve been practising the exercises Charlie suggested and developing the collection in canter,” reports Jodie. “Philly’s scores went from 67% in November to over 71% last month, gaining 7.5s for her collected canters. The judge said she was ‘clearly on the aids’, which is hilarious given her temper tantrums back in October. “We’re well on our way to qualifying for the Petplan Equine Area Festivals and it proves that, with the right help, qualifying is achievable for any horse and rider.” Your Horse magazine says… The progress Jodie and Philly have made in just a matter of months is fantastic. It’s great to hear that with Charlie’s guidance Jodie is feeling much more confident in her own ability and this has…

1 The first is by a conscious decision — for example, the horse moves to another paddock because he realises that the gate to the next paddock has been opened. This is because the horse’s special senses have calmly sent messages to the prefrontal cortex (the reasoning portion of the brain). The horse may have seen the gate being opened, heard the sound of the gate fastener, or associate the gate with a certain time of day when it’s expected of him to venture into the feed area. 2 Movement may also occur when a horse is startled and believes he may be in danger. In this case, the relaxed horse picks up a scent, or hears and sees a perceived predator, such as a stray dog. This method of…

LEICESTERSHIRE-BASED TEACHER Andrea Beattie owns six-year-old Warmblood mare Indi, who was bought as an unbroken four-year-old. As Andrea explains, Indi has always been spooky. “She would notice as soon as anything was different in her surroundings,” says Andrea. “For this reason, I changed things around in the manège regularly so that she got used to spooky things and to objects moving position. She was much spookier than any other young horse I have ever ridden. “When faced with something spooky, most horses will stop, have a good look and then, with a bit of encouragement, go past. Indi, though, would either stop, stare from miles away and refuse to go forwards, or immediately rear, spin round and try to bolt home. There wasn’t any middle ground. “It was always difficult…

Some horses are frightened of needles and can react badly when presented with one. Not only does this make it difficult to treat them, but it also risks the safety of both vet and owner. ■ Tell your vet if your horse is needle shy so that they can take precautions. ■ Usually, horses become needle shy because they once reacted badly to a needle and their owner then creates a negative association. The horse inevitably picks up on the owner’s anxiety, and the whole thing escalates. ■ The best thing is to have a very calm person handling the horse for their vaccination, even if that’s not the owner. ■ Ensuring your horse is handled regularly by a variety of people will also help.…

Flatwork schooling Anne-Marie Perry-Cowan is a dressage rider and trainer based in north-east England. She’s trained with Carl Hester and acted as a demo rider for his northern masterclass. Spring nutrition Emma Short BSc (Hons) is an equine nutritionist at Baileys Horse Feeds. She advises owners on nutrition, oversees forage analysis and devises specialist feeding programmes. Boots and bandages Ali Felton is sales director at Woof Wear. She has worked for this equestrian brand, which specialises in equine leg protection, for over 14 years. Sheath cleaning Kat Seeman is founder of Southern Equine Sheath Cleaning. Kat was trained by an equine vet and has 30 years’ experience with horses. Her business went full time in 2017.…

Things that go bump on a hack Q Sometimes when we’re out hacking, specifically on soft grass, my mare’s feet make a strange noise that sounds a bit like flip-flops slapping against a human foot. Is she overreaching? If so, what type and material of boots would you recommend for hacking out? Lucy Providence, South Yorkshire Ali says... It sounds like you’re describing forging, which is when the toe of the hind foot hits the bottom of the front foot on the same side. Forging is a gait abnormality, but it’s normally fairly easy to rectify. It can be caused by a number of things, such as how the horse is shod, or if the horse is a bit immature and lacking in muscle tone, for example. In the first…

TESTER: Kate Lingwood-White from Gloucestershire HORSE: Summer, a 24-year-old New Forest pony TEST REPORT: “I really liked the easy-soak method. During the colder weather and snow, I made it into a warm mash, which has been perfect. “Summer really seems to love the flavour and finds it easy to eat. Her teeth are still in good order, but a respiratory problem has been causing her to not eat all her feed. It doesn’t take her long to polish off her SPILLERS® Senior Super-Mash though and she leaves the feed bowl really clean. I will certainly be continuing to use this great new senior feed. Thank you for allowing us to trial it.” Feed fact file: SPILLERS® Senior Super-Mash is the ultimate senior mash for condition and gut health. High in…

TANGLE FREE AND SILKY Small but mighty, It’s So Silky Serum from NAF packs a punch when it comes to untangling manes and tails. Leaves hair shiny and soft with no residue. RRP £10.99 for 100ml FOR STOCKISTS naf-equine.eu/uk STYLISH BAG The Adorabella from Albion England is compact in size, yet mighty in its features and finish. The zip enclosure offers a secure closing, the delicate feet ensure the structured bag is self-standing and the exquisitely crafted short handles with detachable adjustable shoulder strap exudes classic style. The spacious interior has an internal zip compartment and a separate pocket which, with the addition of the generous external zip pocket on the back of the bag, helps keep you well organised. RRP £495 BUY AT albionengland.co.uk SMALL AND MIGHTY Keep all…

SHOCK ABSORBER MULTI SPORT SUPPORT BRA RRP£38 COLOURS Asphalt print, black, dark grey, print logo, slate grey/grenadine, summer fun blue BUY AT boobydoo.co.uk A crop top-style bra made from moisture-wicking breathable materials and powermesh side panels to keep you dry and fresh. It’s designed with combination support to shape and control your breast movement, and the racer back fastening with padded straps offers extra support and comfort. EQUETECH ANTI-BOUNCE SPORTS BRA RRP £25.95 COLOURS White, black BUY AT equetech.com Designed for the larger bust, with full support panels for maximum comfort during riding and sports activities. Made from an advanced fabric that wicks away moisture, keeping you fresh all day. There’s also a half zip to the front for ease of use. FELIX BÜHLER HIGH ACTION SPORTS BRA RRP £21.90…

A HORSE IN GOOD condition has optimum levels of body fat and is well-muscled for his level of work and fitness. Where that muscle develops is dependent on his work and training but, if the diet is lacking in the right nutritional building blocks, the horse’s body will never quite achieve the condition and musculature required. Body fat Whether you consider your horse to be overweight or underweight, in order to improve topline and muscle tone, he requires a fully balanced diet to fuel his work and support the body condition you require. If you want him to gain weight, he will need to lay down some body fat and this is simply achieved by ensuring the diet supplies more calories than he requires for his work. Likewise, for him…

CHEVAL LIBERTÉ IS a leading manufacturer of equestrian products, including trailers, stables, and stable equipment. Established in France in 1995, Cheval Liberté is run by people who are just as passionate about horses as you are. They’re constantly striving to be at the forefront of manufacturing, including being the first to use anodised aluminium planking side walls for strength and durability over 10 years ago — just one of many design features that emphasise the innovation and practicality offered by Cheval Liberté. The team is continuously working on ways to improve and develop the trailer range even further in terms of strength, durability and comfort for both horse and driver. Here, Cheval Liberté showcases just a few of the features that keep it ahead of the competition. Style, safety and…

Deputy editor Allison Lowther: If your horse loves to spice up a hack or schooling session by throwing in the odd spook, you must read our feature about the limbic system. With a better understanding of why your horse spooks you can deal with it in a much better way. It’s fascinating! Page 70 Features editor Stephanie Anthony: Ever dreamed about turning your horsey passion into your profession? Find out why several riders decided to pack in the rat race, and what enticed them back to an equestrian career. Page 26 Leading British groom Alan Davies: Bandaging is an essential part of horse management, but if they’re not done correctly, they can do more harm than good. My step-by-step guide will help you get it right. Page 76 British Eventing…

GOING GREEN Hack Up Bespoke has scrapped plastic and pouches in favour of new paper pouches and reusable pail in an effort to go completely biodegradable. The paper rots in your muck heap at the same speed as your manure. Tinplate pail, £5 at hackup.co.uk ONE DOLLAR HORSE Lauren St John tells the tale of Casey Blue, who lives in a London tower block but dreams of winning Badminton Horse Trials. It’s a real life thriller that delves into the competitive and elite equestrian world. RRP £6.99, amazon.co.uk RADLEY GET RACY Radley London has launched an exclusive collection of bags for Royal Ascot. The collection is available on the website and will also be sold on-site in the flagship Ascot shop. Medium crossbody zip-around in truffle, RRP £189, radley.co.uk…

I’VE ALWAYS NEEDED the countryside. Trees, open fields, secret footpaths, hidden bridleways. Maybe that’s why I’m 25 and still refusi ng to move to London with my friends and colleagues. Instead, I live at the top of my family’s farmhouse, in a mini attic apartment. Once I’ve left the radio studio, I’m out among the greenery with my three horses — miniatures Diesel and Wilson, and my new five-year-old Irish cob, Winnie. I’ve spent years dashing to the gym after radio shows, cramming in my day’s exercise boxed in by four dull white walls, saying, “I’ll get a horse when things are more settled and organised”. After years of loaning horses, owning unbroken youngsters and miniatures, booking exciting riding holidays and jumping on friends’ horses at any opportunity, I realised…

Horses are definitely not a nine-to-five job. It takes a healthy helping of love and commitment to make it work. This is the main advice our converts want to share: Lucy Fletcher “The horses have to come first and the job isn’t well paid — if this bothers you, it isn’t the career for you. Anything horsey related is a physical job with no room for laziness.” Juliet Turrell “You must be committed to horses and hard work. There’s no time off, especially if you’re freelance, but it’s worth it.” Fi Boughton “Don’t stay in a job where you’re not appreciated and make sure you know your employment status and that you are employed legally.” Ros Dobson “The hours can be long and the work repetitive and tough, but the…

BAREFOOT Make sure you do your research carefully. It’s not easy, but once you’ve cracked it, it’s happy days. Viv Gray SHOES I bought boots for my barefoot boy. He pulled them off and was still unsure at times. Shoes on solved everything. Amy Wheeler SHOES My pony has four shoes and it’s the best thing I ever did. Jess Stoughton BAREFOOT It’s nice to be able to take boots off when not needed, rather than have shoes nailed on 24/7. Chris Kynaston SHOES I had fronts on my girl and recently put backs on too, as her back feet were bare. Four shoes and she is a different pony. Katy Brown BAREFOOT My horse Merry goes through deep mud, rivers, rocky ground and all sorts. I’ve never lost a…

WHEN IT COMES to improving your cross-country riding, there’s really no substitute for the real thing — galloping across the turf and jumping cross-country fences. However, between those valuable schooling sessions, there are ways to fine-tune your cross-country technique at home. Sometimes the focus is on simulating specific fences to build confidence, but two crucial skills to work on are having the ability to adjust your horse’s canter stride and being able to hold a line to a jump on a chosen angle. Practise these two fundamentals and you’ll soon find you improve both your approach to fences and your accuracy over them, as well as establishing good pace and tempo between jumps — all essential for effective cross-country riding. Who better to help you boost these skills than Olympic…

WHETHER YOU ARE applying a stable bandage to support your horse’s legs overnight, or are bandaging a wound, knowing how to apply an effective bandage is a vital part of ownership. Here, Carl Hester’s supergroom Alan Davies gives a step-by-step guide to bandaging the lower leg correctly, safely and securely. From keeping legs warm through cold winter nights, to supporting strained tendons and protecting a wound, there are a number of reasons why we bandage our horse’s legs. Some of the most common reasons for bandaging include: ■ Providing warmth and support to tired tendons and ligaments. ■ Preventing or reducing swelling after exercise or during box rest. ■ Protecting legs from injury during exercise or transport. ■ Covering wounds to prevent contamination and facilitate healing. The golden rule? There…

1 When bandaging over a wound, first ensure the leg is clean and dry and that the wound has been thoroughly cleaned. 2 Apply a sterile, non-adherent gauze or wound dressing and secure it loosely by wrapping roll gauze around the leg two or three times. 3 Wrap a sheet of combine cotton around the leg. Ensure you cover the wound and dressing completely, with the layer of padding at least one inch thick. 4 Apply the cohesive bandage, starting an inch below the top of the padding and wrapping down the leg in a spiral pattern, overlapping the previous layer by half. 5 Wrap the bandage down to within an inch of the bottom of the padding, then spiral up the leg again to finish near the top. 6…

WHEN KATE APPLEYARD went to bring in her Irish Sport Horse, Casper, she had no idea what she was about to witness. During a mad 10 minutes’ galloping, Casper had run too close to a gate and sliced his side open. The wound was from just behind his elbow to his quarters, caused by the metal gate hanger. “We found him in the field with the uninjured side towards us, so we didn’t realise what had happened until we got close to him and found this gaping wound,” says Kate, who has owned the 19-year-old gelding since he was three. Kate drove Casper straight to the vets and, once there, vet Katie Brickman checked him over. Luckily, he hadn’t penetrated his thoracic cavity. “The wound was clipped and cleaned and…

YOUR HORSE’S FORELIMBS and hindlimbs make up his appendicular skeleton — a critical part of every equine’s body. These bones, particularly in the forelimbs, are subjected to massive concussive forces every time they land after a fence, travel at speed or turn quickly. In fact, any movement takes its toll. The forelimbs alone, for example, support two-thirds of your horse’s bodyweight. Forelimbs Horses don’t have a collarbone to attach each limb to the thorax so, instead, the attachment is by muscles and tendons, forming a thoracic sling. This allows the forelimb and thorax more mobility and enables the forelimb to absorb concussion. ■ The scapula is the highest bone in the forelimb and it slopes forwards and downwards over the first six or seven ribs. The angle at which it…

YOU’LL LOOK AND feel great in this colour-coordinated outfit from the vibrant new clothing brand Covalliero. The entire range is designed with riders in mind and, as well as looking great, they’re comfortable to wear in and out of the saddle too. Each of our five lucky winners will receive the following gorgeous Covalliero riding outfit for the season ahead. The new Ariana Body Warmer is the ideal additional layer to keep you at the perfect temperature this spring. With its liberal sprinkling of additional details, such as the reflective zip tape and concealed pocket zip, it’s sure to become a staple item in your wardrobe. The stylish Norah Sweater offers a sporty drawstring collar and two seamless handwarmer pockets with zips. It’s both breathable and lightweight, making it an…

Powder keg! Q Our schooling at home is going quite well, but our actual tests are being ruined by tension. Our last test sheet commended me for riding an accurate test on a “powder keg of a mare”. Are there any exercises I can use to get my mare more relaxed and accepting? Billie Marsh, Anglesey Annie says... First, well done for controlling your ‘powder keg’ mare! It’s great she has so much energy, but it needs to be channelled and directed into positive energy that you can use to your advantage. Try to use your warm-up time to get her more focused on you and less so on her surroundings. To do this, ride lots of transitions. Start with transitions from pace to pace, then also go forwards and…

Feeling frisky Q Do horses, particularly stallions, ever become overexcited by the process of sheath cleaning? How are difficult horses managed to ensure safety? Pat Evans, County Antrim Kat says... Stallions are the easiest customers to clean and they are very quick to ‘drop’, which helps the process along. However, we find that nine out of 10 geldings relax very quickly once they realise we’re not hurting them. I’ve had many horses actually cocking their legs and lots of lips going as they enjoy their clean. That said, we do get some horses that are rather sensitive or bad tempered about being touched. In these cases, we work carefully and empathetically with the horse by doing the due-diligence and familiarising ourselves with them by having a more general feel all…

Ensuring your horse’s diet contains the necessary nutrients to build condition and topline, at levels to meet his requirements, need not be complicated or expensive. Rather than turning to “body-building” or conditioning supplements, a more holistic (and probably more cost-effective) approach is to take a look at your horse’s basic diet and get that right first. Check that your chosen feed and/or balancer are correctly formulated for your horse’s workload, then check you are feeding them at recommended levels. Cubes and mixes are designed to be fed by the scoopful to provide a fully balanced diet, alongside forage. Under-feeding — perhaps because you don’t want to feed all those calories — cuts back on the other essential nutrients too, so protein, vitamin and mineral levels are likely to be inadequate.…

It’s important to NAF that it only produces products that work and so all of its new or improved recipes are trialled before use. Depending on the product and what the company is looking to test, that may be anything from in-house testing on NAF’s horses, asking its supported riders their opinion, undergraduate university trials or full-blown clinical trials that may last more than 12 months. Under EU law, companies are legally prevented from making any medical claims about supplements (or feed, for that matter). This means the results of NAF’s trials are rarely published, but rest assured that they are going on behind the scenes.…

TRIED AND TRUSTED by leading names in equestrian sport, the Gatehouse range has long been at the forefront of rider safety. The brand was the first to introduce the American Snell standard to equestrian headwear and its HS1 Jockey Skull remains a favourite with many riders, from happy hackers to Olympic champions. Now, Gatehouse offers a choice of body protection alongside its respected headwear range. So, whether you compete at international level or ride for fun, Gatehouse has stylish riding hats, functional jockey skulls and the latest in body protectors and air jackets, all up to standard and designed to help you feel safe and secure in the saddle. Head first In a class of its own, the Gatehouse HS1 is a Snell-approved jockey skull with an Aegis antibacterial lining…

While we have high hopes for long sunny days spent on the yard, summer showers are all too common. But rain won’t stop play with the Cavallo staple range of jackets. ■ May jacket (above). For a perfect lightweight jacket, you need the May. This shaped, sporty jacket is ideal for everyday wear. RRP £157 ■ Keila Pro jacket Be prepared with the Keila Pro. This functional parka features a longer length, two-way zip and drawstring waist for a feminine touch. RRP £176 ■ Maggie quilted jacket Keep off the spring chill with the elegant Maggie quilted jacket. With a sporty wave stitch and slim fit, it looks smart on and off the yard. RRP £93 Beautiful breeches Cavallo offers a cutting edge range of breeches to make you feel…

Neil has been deeply aff ected by depression. If you suspect that you have clinical depression — or know someone else who ma y — he strongly advises booking a visit t o your GP asap. The signs include: PSYCHOLOGICAL ■ Low moods and feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness ■ Feeling tearful, guilt-ridden, irritable and intolerant, anxious or w orried ■ Low self-esteem ■ Lack of motivation ■ Inability to make decisions ■ A feeling that life is lacklustre and without joy ■ Having suicidal thoughts PHYSICAL ■ Poor sleep ■ Lack of energy ■ Slowness of speech and mo vement ■ Changes in appetit e or weight ■ Constipation ■ Unexplained aches and pains ■ Loss of libido and changes t o the menstrual cycle. ❋ For more…

Helpful husband My husband Jim takes all the strain in the winter — we really appreciate him. Doris loves him, although she isn’t always the most cooperative. Michele Milroy, Northamptonshire Brrrr Juno enjoyed playing in the recent snow. He used to live out on the Welsh mountains, but now prefers a nice cosy stable where the only mountain in sight is his hay. Jenny Savage, Bristol Double trouble Olly and miniature Shetland Hunny-bunny. Lucy Chapman, via email Extended family Me and my daughter Freya-Rose out with our new family member Mona. Amy Bergin, via email Photobomb! Here’s Taurus, photobombing 11-year-old Zara. Sarah Hunter, via email Handsome Hamish My handsome boy Hamish always makes me laugh. Melissa Hunter, Perth and Kinross The boys are back in town We’re the coolest! Dan…

When Katie and Juno are in the water, a dog runs in. Lucinda encourages Katie to let Juno stand and watch the dog play, even sniffing it when it comes close. “You never know when a loose dog might join you. They’ll always be around the arena or at the edge of a course and you never know when you’ll come across one out hacking,” says Lucinda. “So it’s important horses get used to them. It’s also good practice at keeping the focus when there are distractions.”…

■ Ensure legs are clean and dry to prevent rubbing and sores developing. ■ Apply the correct tension. The bandage should be tight enough to stay in place but not so tight as to restrict blood flow. ■ Make wraps smooth and even with no wrinkles or bunches. Leg bandages are wrapped in a spiral, and each wrap should overlap the previous layer by half to ensure even distribution of pressure. ■ As a general rule, the layer of padding should be at least one inch thick to cushion and protect the leg. Always make sure there is about an inch of padding showing above and below the bandage. ■ Wrap bandages from front to back, outside to inside (counter-clockwise on left legs, clockwise on right legs). This ensures tension…

The first phalanx, or long pastern bone, has a cylindrical shaft with roughened surfaces to accommodate ligament attachment. The upper end articulates with the large metacarpal (cannon) bone to form the fetlock joint. This should be at the same angle to the ground as the line of the hoof wall: 45-50 degrees in the forelimbs and 50-55 degrees in the hindlimb. If the long pastern is very upright, it will be more prone to concussive injuries, and if it slopes excessively, extra strain will be placed on the tendons, ligaments and fetlock joint. The anterior surface of the long pastern is smooth and rounded, while the posterior surface is flat and rough to facilitate attachment of the sesamoid ligament. At the rear of the fetlock joint is a pair of…

Time it right Q How much time on spring grass is advisable in order to avoid colic? Cerys Smith, Ripon Emma says... There are many factors that can increase the risk of colic and other nutrition-related problems such as laminitis. Dietary change seems to be the strongest and most consistently reported risk factor when it comes to colic. Changes in batch or type of forage/concentrate, management changes such as stabling and turnout time, and the quantity and frequency of feeding are all associated with an increased risk. Causes of risk The risk of colic is significantly higher two weeks after a change in concentrate feed or forage, and changing forage is generally found to be more harmful than a change in concentrate/grain, probably because forage represents the largest part of…

Your Horse magazine reader Natasha Blest first heard about the benefits of sheath cleaning on Facebook. “I’ve owned Goose for 18 months and he has a lovely personality. However, he can get tense when schooling and jumping and I was keen to make sure he was as comfortable as possible. I regularly get his teeth, back and saddle checked, so it seemed like a good idea to check his sheath too. “The treatment was straightforward and quick. I simply fed Goose a few treats to keep his mind off the business below. I thought it was just going to be a simple ‘willy wash’; I had no idea about the bean, or quite how thorough the process was. It turned out Goose was hiding a huge, solid bean, which must…

2 PAIRS OF LEATHER BOOTS FROM MOUNTAIN HORSE The Aurora Boot from Mountain Horse combines stunning looks and four layer vertical technology for superior comfort. Great for yard work and riding, the non-slip sole has a multi-directional grip pattern to provide excellent grip in all conditions. A unique Z-shaped steel shank increases both foot stability in the stirrup and comfort on the ground. In addition, the pressure-absorbing insole and memory foam footbed ensure your feet stay comfortable all day. Find out more at mountainhorse.se 2 SUMMER SKIN CARE KITS FROM BOTANICA When it comes to sweet itch, prevention is better than cure, so start your skin care regime early for the best results. Using Botanica Cleansing Wash and Botanica Anti-Itch cream in conjunction with each other gives an excellent line…

BAY HORSES look amazing in shades of brown, copper and taupe — especially if the saddlepad has a glossy or sheeny finish. GREY HORSES — “Pretty much anything goes, although I’d steer clear of taupe and beiges on a white-grey as it can make them look mucky if they’re not absolutely spotless,” says Hayley. PALOMINO horses look fantastic in shades of blue, teal and aqua. You can even try shades of richer colours, such as purple, if your horse has a deep richness to his coat. DARK BAY and BLACK horses look great in white, cream and pale pastel shades. CHESTNUTS can pull off almost any colour. Dark green looks superb. “Some people have strong opinions about pink on an orange coat, but if it’s a bright, jewel-like pink, that…

AT THE TIME of writing, spring hadn’t sprung, but by the time you read this I hope the answer to the above question is “yes”. At this time of year every owner’s attention turns to more riding and horsey fun during extended daylight hours. So it’s as good a time as any to be out with the old and in with the new. That means splashing some hard-earned cash on the best gear available — and this guide is well-equipped to help you make informed choices. Go quackers with duck print turnouts (p6), find out the simple recipe to building more muscle and topline (p4), check out the impressive trailer range with optional built-in saddle rooms (p20) and much more in the following 29 pages. Enjoy!…

COLLEGIATE SADDLES COMBINE modern materials and traditional techniques, providing a high level of quality and craftsmanship all at a great price. Made with the horse and rider in mind, for complete comfort and fit each saddle in the Collegiate range features a changeable gullet system to allow you to custom fit your saddle to your horse. The two-year warranty on the saddle and a 10-year warranty on the saddle tree provides you with peace of mind. Dressage dazzlers The Collegiate Dressage Saddle Range is terrific value and crafted from the finest quality leather that’s soft and supple for ultimate comfort from your very first ride. Unparalleled attention to detail with large knee blocks for extra stability and secure leg position, plus a generous channel for a comfortable fit with traditional…

The block foam construction of the Superflex Contour Air Flow Body Protector allows it to hug your body, offering maximum flexibility while allowing good airflow. The Gatehouse Air Jacket uses Helite’s unique airbag technology, which inflates in less than 100 milliseconds (0.1 second) to stabilise the upper body in the event of a fall. ■ Gatehouse riding hats are Kitemarked and approved to PAS015 (Gatehouse HS1 holds Snell certification). All are suitable for use under current equestrian sport competition rules. Gatehouse body protectors are approved to BETA Level 3.…