Innehållsförteckning för Issue 507 från Your Horse

WHO DOESN'T LOOK forward to summer? The longer days, brighter weather and the prospect of maybe a week or two on holiday do plenty to raise the spirits. However, for horse riders the warmer months also bring flies, the risk of laminitis (which vets have reported to have spiked recently due to renewed grass growth after the period of drought) and, for sweet itch prone equines, misery in the form of biting midges. Having kept two sweet itch sufferers for the last 10 years, I can vouch for the anguish they go through and the myriad methods all of us owners have tried with various levels of success. Laminitis comes under the spotlight in our Horse Health & Care Guide supplement, which is free with this issue, as does foot…

Owner: Emily Barrington Horse: Pepper Age: 27 Breed: Unknown Years owned: Seven Emily Barrington first encountered Pepper at the riding school where she worked. She was 15 and he was 10. It was love at first sight. “I used to tell him that I loved him, but that I couldn't buy him,” recalls Emily. “I went travelling and to university, but I'd always pop back to the riding school to see Pepper whenever I could. I honestly never thought he'd come up for sale.” However, when the riding school shut down, they offered the 14hh gelding to Emily. “I initially said no because I was sharing a horse with a friend and going to Australia for three weeks, but somewhere between home and Australia I decided that I had to…

1 She is the eldest of three children, and has a sister, Rachael, and a brother, Steven. 2 Her first pony was called Tom. “He was ridden by three of us in succession. I'd wake up at 5am wanting to ride poor Tom.” 3 She has a degree in sports studies and business management, and for her dissertations she wrote about how event riders cope with anxiety, plus how to net sponsors in sport. 4 She met Alastair in 1999 and they married in 2006. No horses attended. “That day was just about Alastair and me.” 5 She tends to copy people and narrowly avoided a faux pas on the podium at the London Olympics when the Princess Royal presented the team medals. “William [Fox-Pitt] took off his hat. I…

To enter, visit yourhorse.co.uk/win/blenheim507 FIRST PRIZE Two readers will each receiver:* ■ 4 season ticket passes each (for general admission for all four days) ■ Forward parking for one car ■ A cross-country course-walk with a well-known rider TWO LUCKY READERS and their families will be treated to a VIP weekend at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (14-17 September), arguably the most prestigious CCI4* competition in the eventing calendar. The three-day event, set in the spectacular grounds of Blenheim Palace, attracts many of the best riders in the world for the CCI4*-L, while the prestigious eight- and nine-year-old class is the one that every rider with an up-and-coming star of the future wants to win. With the Paris Olympics just around the corner, many riders will be using Blenheim as a preparation…

‘Solly was like a deer in headlights’ When Lu Gardiner took on her eight-yearold mare, Solly (right), 18 months ago, she knew that she had homework to do. “She'd not been in regular work and was stabled for a lot of the time, so she had very weak muscles, and mentally she was like a deer in headlights,” says Lu, a driving instructor who hopes to compete in all three disciplines. A yard move in the spring resulted in Lu being introduced to equine massage therapist Rebecca Waterfield, who assessed Solly. “The mare was very tense and generally weak, particularly in her hind end. When I touched her neck and back I got an instant pain response, which told me that there were a few chronic and underlying issues going…

COLIN — AN 18-YEAR-OLD COB ■ Neck: 6.5 ■ Withers: 7 ■ Shoulder: 7 ■ Ribs: 8 ■ Loins: 6.5 ■ Tailhead: 6.5 Overall score: 7/9 Colin is a very good doer and isn't ridden as much as his owner would like due to intermittent lameness. He has obvious fat deposited along his neck (but no crest) and a large fat pad behind his shoulder. There is a thick covering of fat over Colin's withers and a crease has started to form along his back. His ribs are very difficult to feel and there is an obvious bulge of fat above his tailhead.…

Licensed to impart a skill Q I would like to have some riding lessons, although my horse isn't broken in yet. However, I have found a new instructor who has said that I can ride her horse. Should I just say yes? Hattie Frost, Edinburgh Jennifer says: In order to deliver lessons on their own horses, the coach or establishment will need to be a licensed riding school — even if they only have one horse. By law the licencemust be on display, so do make sure that you see it. Operating an unlicensed riding school is illegal and risks the safety and welfare of everyone involved, including you and the horse(s). You can find a list of BHS and ABRS-approved centres on the respective websites, and/or contact the council…

Ask The Experts Ditch the fear and make cantering a breeze Q I would like to canter my horse in the school, but I dread the feeling of speed and that first canter stride. How can I overcome my fear of cantering? Ami Billington, Wiltshire Tracey says: First of all, use the word ‘until’ in your mind to relieve the pressure that you are possibly putting on yourself. For example, “I don't have to canter until I can achieve a balanced, rhythmical trot”, or “I don't have to canter until I'm ready”. You could also say, “I don't have to canter more than two strides until I feel good about it”. Next consider your position as you go into canter because a confident, correct position influences the mind-body connection. If…

JHL ULTRA FLY RELIEF COMBO RUG RRP £59.98 COLOUR White&Sky SIZES 5ft 6in–7ft MARKTODDCOLLECTION.CO.UK Made with a lightweight, breathable and sturdy mesh outer, this rug features a high stretch shoulder stress relief design for freedom of movement. It also has adjustable double front buckles, three hook and loop fastening strips on the belly band and adjustable and removable leg straps. DOMINICK FLY RUG RRP £95 COLOUR White SIZES XS(5ft 9in),S(6ft),M(6ft 3in), L(6ft 6in),XL(6ft 9in),XXL(7ft) THECENTRELINE.CO.UK A comfortable and breathable rug, the Dominick Fly Rug features a long neck to keep the horse covered even when he has his head down while grazing. Dominick rugs feature an exclusive ‘Liberty System'which shapes the rug to the contours of the horse's body to keep it straight and prevent it slipping backwards. WEATHERBEETA COMFITEC…

Nicola Wilson, former event rider turned coach: I can't ride, but I can be a part of other people's dreams. I'm lucky to have done what I've done and to have had my accident in my 40s and not in my 20s. I'm lucky to still be involved with horses, page 74 Trainer Kim Ratdiffe: This Andalusian has a false cadence in front. We want him to wait in front and encourage his neck and shoulders to relax, which will let his hindlegs step under more consistently rather than faster. We want him to slow down but stay forward, page 30 Bev Walton, behavioural trainer: Introverted horses are the most difficult to read and can be the most dangerous. Look out for a few things — are they holding their…

Owners can consider several key points when planning for an emergency and can… ■ Decide how they feel about their horse undergoing surgery in the case of a colic emergency, or whether euthanasia is likely to be more appropriate. “The decision will depend on individual circumstances, but it is something you should think about in advance,” said Katie Lightfoot. “Money is often a major factor, with colic surgery costing on average £6,500, with some cases being significantly more.” ■ Organise transport—know that you have a safe means of getting the horse to the vet in a hurry. ■ Appoint a ‘colic buddy’ — someone you can call on to help with the practicalities and provide emotional support. ■ Have your paperwork ready — know where to find your insurance documents…

Eleven riders completed the #Hack1000Miles challenge in 2022/23 and from this group a winner was randomly selected to take home a brand new saddle from Wintec Saddles. Jane Outterson (below), who completed the challenge on her 13.2hh Dales cross pony, Joey, was the delighted recipient. “The #Hack1000Miles challenge gave me a goal and the motivation to see just how far we could go,” says Jane. “The change in Joey was amazing.” However, it wasn't an easy journey as Jane had a nasty fall in 2020, just six weeks after buying Joey, which resulted in a broken pelvis and a smashed kneecap. She was bedbound for six months, but once she was given the all-clear from her doctors, she was determined to ride again. “In the beginning I used to have…

YOUR HORSE'S TRAINING CONFIDENCE | EQUIPILATES MISSED A PREVIOUS PART? Buy Your Horse back issues at shop.kelsey.co.uk/issue/YHR EQUIPILATES IS MULTIFACETED and can help horse riders in so many different ways — from alleviating tension and the subconscious physical response to fear, while also offering exercises to improve rider position and strength so that there is a feeling of greater security in the saddle (see previous issues of Your Horse for all of these). However, riding isn't a one-sided relationship — and now is the time to think about the role the horse plays in rider confidence. If nerves stem from something the horse is doing — such as bucking or rearing, putting in a stop at a fence, constantly spooking, or being difficult to steer — and the rider has made…

Horses Inside Out is offering one lucky reader the chance towin a place on its online massage course for horse owners. The course is self-paced and comprises easy-to-followmodules delivered via video and backed up with a workbook. It is designed to give a thorough understanding of the principles of massage, the different massage techniques and its benefits. The prize is worth £160. It doesn't, however, give a qualification to practise massage on other people's horses. ■ Formore information, visit horses insideout.com ■ For a chance to win this prize (UK only), enter at yourhorse.co.uk/win/massage…

Spillers is inviting owners of overweight horses and ponies to join its Spillers Slimmers'Club for support, advice and encouragement to help keep their horse or pony at a healthyweight. This motivating and friendly club provides practical support and camaraderie for owners of overweight horses and ponies to aid them on their weight loss journey. It provides information and advice, including weight loss tips, details of how to body condition score and how to useaweigh tape. Scan me OR SEARCH SPILLERS SLIMMERS ON FACEBOOK…

Ask The Experts Why human motivators don't work for horses Q I just don't seem to be getting anywhere with my horse's training. He doesn't seem to have any motivation when we are in the arena. What could be going wrong? Sarah Shuttleworth, Powys Sean says: When discussing a horse's motivation, the first thing we have to establish is that horses are different from us. You can motivate a person through praise, recognition, gifts and act of service, all of which are low on a horse's priority list. Horses care more about feeling safe, comfortable and synchronised with something. This is because they are prey animals. The second thing we have to establish is what we are trying tomotivate them to change. After years of training, I have decided that…

Ask The Experts Nerves seem to be contagious Q I would love to have the freedom to hack my horse on my own, but she can become spooky. I know that she's responding to my nerves and it becomes a vicious circle — the more nervous I am, the more likely she is to spook. How can I get rid of my nerves and help my horse to stay calm too? Karen Pickett, Derbyshire Tracey says: It is best to start with an unmounted outing and build up to your hacks slowly. You only need to hack for 50m at first, and then 100m, and increase little by little. If you need to stay at a certain length of hack to feel confident, stay there until you feel more at…

YOUR HORSE'S GEAR ON TREND | FLY MASKS ON TREND MARK TODD FLY MASK WITHOUT EARS RRP £14.98 COLOUR Grey SIZES Pony, cob, full MARKTODDCOLLECTION.CO.UK This mask is made from a fine mesh material that offers a horse's face protection from flies. It doesn't cover the ears, but it does have a fleece binding for extra comfort. It is held in place with two touch and close fastenings that are secured on the underside of the mask. HY EQUESTRIAN LYCRA FLEX FLY MASK RRP £13.99 COLOUR Navy SIZES Pony–full HY-EQUESTRIAN.COM This is the perfect mask for horses who need a high level of protection from flies and bugs. The Lycra Flex Fly Mask is made from a breathable stretch material for a custom fit and to ensure that no unwanted intruders…

4 VEREDUS BIOCARE BUNDLES Four lucky readers will be able to get their hands on a fantastic bundle of products from the Veredus Biocare Protective Line. Each bundle will include a Veredus Bio Repel Gel, a non-toxic, hypoallergenic fly repellent that is made of citronella, geranium and cinnamon. The gel is specially formulated for use on delicate and sensitive areas, such as the horse's eyes and muzzle, and is safe for use on skin abrasions. Veredus Bio Repel Spray, which includes citronella, geranium and cinnamon, all of which have well known fly repelling properties, will create a protective shield over the horse's coat. Veredus Bio Repel Shampoo combines cleaning and nourishing agents with the same fly repelling properties as the products above. Find out more at zebraproducts.co.uk Worth £63 each 2 THELWELL…

When severe wounds on Shasho's body became infected, Mersha, a 45-year-old father of five, felt that he had no choice but to release Shasho because his weak physical condition and recent weight loss meant that he was in no position to pull a gharry (a horse-drawn carriage). Gharry horses are a crucial source of income for Mersha's community, but severe annual droughts in Ethiopia have caused animal feed prices to skyrocket, meaning that owners can't afford to nourish their equines properly. Despite his deep affection for Shasho, Mersha said: “Abandoning him is a cruel thing to do, but I couldn't save him either. I love him so much. Shasho has been the reason for the daily bread for my family. There are very limited [clinics] with adequate capacity for Shasho…

Owner: Angela Jones-Moore Horse: Baz Age: 32 Breed: Thoroughbred Years owned: 12 After a bout of lymphangitis, vets told Baz's owner, Angela Jones-Moore, that she needed to keep the gelding moving to help his circulatory and lymphatic system, so she signed up for the #Hack1000Miles challenge. “We did our first 1,000 miles in 18 months, and the second in just over 12 months,” says Angela, 47. “We're now onto our third attempt. Baz defies his age — he's a bit of a unicorn.” Since starting the challenge, Baz has been diagnosed with arthritis in his neck and PPID, so keeping him moving is more important than ever. Angela has found that taking him out for regular hacks, both in-hand and ridden, keeps him ticking over. “We can do a mile…

Animal mad Here I am doing my morning checks in my onesie standing next to my wonky eared boy, Chester. I'm well known for appearing on the yard dressed as an animal. That day I was a cat, but people never know what Imay appear as next. One morning I appeared as a zebra and neither of my two horses wanted anything to do with me. Sammi Wenn, Bedfordshire From sick list to star turn My amazing six-year-old Nemo and I are competing at our first ever Quest event. Nemo has actually made an incredible comeback after years battling complex injuries. It all began in 2021 when I brought him back into work after backing him myself while on maternity leave and then turning him away for the winter. After…

Many riders think to themselves, “why can't I just do it”? This often happens if something seems simple or they haven't had a problem with it in the past. While it is frustrating to suddenly feel nervous about something that didn't bother you last week, riders need to remember that nerves or anxiety are there for a reason — this is your brain trying to protect you. “I've had riders come to me and say that they're scared of something; for example, a canter transition, but that they say they ‘have to get over it’,” says Emma. “However, there's usually a reason why they feel like that. Have they had a bad experience in the past with that particular movement? Has the horse nearly bucked them off, or have they…

JIGSAW — A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD SPORTS HORSE ■ Neck: 6 ■ Withers: 5 ■ Shoulder: 6 ■ Ribs: 7 ■ Loins: 5 ■ Tailhead: 6 Overall score: 6/9 Although Jigsaw's neck blends smoothly into his body with no visual signs of fat, some fat deposits can be felt. Jigsawhas a small fat pocket behind his shoulder which is only evident by touch, but a thick layer of fat over his ribs, although individual ribs can still be felt. He has some soft, fatty deposits around his tailhead which, again, are only noticeable by touch.…

Ask The Experts Equipment investment not essential for newcomers Q My friend and I are planning to take up polo, but we don't have a clue what tack and equipment we will need to buy. What does a beginner require? Jeff Cooper, Derbyshire Giles says: If you are attending an introductory lesson it will be necessary to bring along your own safety helmet if you have one, plus a whip. It will be acceptable to turn up in breeches or jeans, with white jeans being ideal. Generally, the club or training establishment will provide the mallet. If you get into polo and want to continue playing beyond the introductory lessons, only then will you need to purchase a short foot mallet and then a stick to use on the horse,…

WAX WORKS The Alchemist's Garden Hoof Wax is designed to promote the healthy growth of hooves by filling in old nail holes and cracks to prevent damage from bacteria and dirt. This hoof wax contains a powerful blend of essential oils that work to promote healthy hoof growth without damaging existing healthy tissue. RRP £11.95 THEALCHEMISTSGARDEN.CO.UK TURN HEADS IN THE RING The new Competition Range from Coldstream Equestrian comprises two different styles of competition jacket, show shirt and breeches. Each piece combines modern style with performance technology and has been created using innovative, sustainable textiles crafted from recycled plastic bottles. The range offers 50+ UV protection, while each piece boasts carefully placed perforated detailing which ensures good ventilation and maximum breathability when the rider is in the saddle. The garments…