Innehållsförteckning för Issue 510 från Your Horse

THERE HAVE BEEN days recently when it has definitely felt as though winter is encroaching. Anyone already dreading the long, dark evenings, super short days, squelching through mud for seemingly endless weeks and despairing that their horse's grazing is getting ever more spartan, will find plenty of advice on feeding for health and wellbeing in our Feed & Supplement Guide that is FREE with this issue! Subjects tackled include the pros and cons of hay and haylage, forage replacements, feeding the ulcer prone horse, as well as the golden oldie with dental problems, plusmuchmore. Additionally, in our regular Fit not Fat section (page 68), nutritionist Sarah Nelson investigates how to use the winter months to shrink equine waistlines that have expanded perhaps not surprisingly (but definitely frustratingly) during a summer that…

A new scheme, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme, will be offering expert tuition and training to riders of former racehorses at the point between the horse leaving racing and transitioning to being a riding horse. The programme intends to encompass areas from caring for ex-racers in terms of their nutrition, routine and welfare needs, through to their ridden training. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Programme is part of British Eventing's The Howden Way, and coaching will be delivered by BE Level 3 and above coaches. ■ Visit britisheventing.com…

HOW DO MOST people get around London? Black taxi. Red double decker bus. The Underground. On foot. By bicycle. These are the first methods that spring to mind. However, it turns out that even in 2023 there are also still horses… Hidden away in a London mews are several stables which house horses who love their lives in the city — and I went to pay them a visit. Turning onto a little cobbled street, nestled beneath flats, behind an art studio and adjacent to a pub — aptly named The Stablehand — is Hyde Park Stables. The yard, consisting of 11 hodgepodge stables, a reception area and a tackroom, looks out onto this quiet cobbled street. Upon arrival I am greeted and pointed in the direction of my steed,…

YOUR HORSE'S TRAINING INASSOCIATIONWITH CONFIDENCE | CONTACT THE WESTERN WAY ANYONE PICTURING WESTERN riding in their mind no doubt sees an image of a cowboy or cowgirl sitting deep into a saddle, their horse's head long and low and with little in the way of how an English rider would interpret the term‘contact’. “One of the main differences between English and Western is that you want an English horse to come up into the contact, whereas in Western we want to pick up the reins and the horse should soften,” explains Western rider and trainer Emma Chapman. “It should feel like a hot knife gliding through butter.” Riding on a long, loose rein can feel like letting go of a safety blanket for anyone experiencing a crisis of confidence, but when…

A horse's feet can also suffer in the winter, with mud and sodden bedding providing the perfect medium for bacteria to thrive in the hoof. This can lead to an infection of the frog and crevice of the heel known as thrush. The first indication is a bad smell when you pick out your horse's hooves, which if not tackled swiftly can lead to a black, smelly discharge. A horse isn't likely to be in pain initially, but if untreated the infection can penetrate into the foot and make him lame. The best ways to guard against thrush are regular visits from the farrier, as well as picking out the horse's hooves once a day, or twice if possible, says vet Ben Curnow, even when the horse lives out. “If…

Avoiding long periods without forage is an important way to support a horse's digestive health and mental wellbeing. However, even horses with constant access to forage don't spend 100% of their time eating. ■ Try dividing a restricted horse's ration into multiple servings. If he is turned out for part of the time and his field doesn't resemble a mud bath, consider whether it is possible to delay the first serving for a few hours until after he comes in. ■ Try splitting the horse's ration into several, double-layered, small-holed nets. Feeding 6kg of hay in three double layered, small holed haylage nets could extend eating time by two hours per night compared to feeding the same amount of hay in a single net.…

Email your questions to yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk Simple solutions for horse owners Meet this month's panel of experts Dentistry Dr Mike Barton BVSc Cert AVP (ED) MRCVS is a vet and clinical director at Fellowes Farm Equine Clinic. He is an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in equine dentistry. Hunting Mark Cramb is a coach and producer who specialises in rider confidence. He has trained horses for many disciplines, and particularly enjoys retraining racehorses. Photography Beth Hicks is an award-winning professional equine photographer based in Cambridgeshire. She especially loves capturing fine art images. Competition turnout Tabby Oliver is a show groom and rider. She has worked for producers like Craig Elenor Equestrian and Sharn Linney. Read her blog at yourhorse.co.uk/features GOT A PROBLEM? Need an answer? We'll know some one who can help… Welcome…

Ask The Experts Say ‘cheese’! Q My horse seems to hate having his photo taken and always looks grumpy. How can I get him to stand nicely and ‘smile’? Bethany Dunn, Rutland Beth says: Some horses seem to know when a photo is being taken and they like to pose, while others want to investigate the camera, and a few aren't fussed at all. It sounds as though your horse belongs to the latter group, but there are lots of ways to get him to look more interested in photos. Every horse is different, so try a few methods and see what works best for him. Some horses will be easily tempted by treats. Shaking a bucket or a scoop of feed may therefore grab his attention. I have an…

HARRY HALL SHOWERPROOF BREECHES RRP £69.95 COLOUR Navy SIZES 24in – 34in HARRYHALL.COM These shower-resistant breeches feature subtle silicone knees and a brushed-back fleece lining to ensure that the wearer stays warm and dry in the saddle. MACKEY EQUISENTIAL JODHPURS RRP £30.70 COLOURS Black, navy, white, beige SIZES 24in – 34in MACKEY.IE Highly breathable and hardwearing, these jodhpurs are Black, designed for everyday riding. PREMIER EQUINE COCO II LADIES GEL FULL SEAT RIDING BREECHES RRP £80 COLOURS Navy, walnut, anthracite SIZES 22in – 34in PREMIEREQUINE.CO.UK Smart and functional, these breeches use a technically advanced four-way stretch material for optimum comfort and flexibility both in and out of the saddle. The high waistband offers support, while a full gel seat aids grip. FETLOX DENIM BREECHES RRP £85 COLOURS Black, blue SIZES…

Western rider Emma Chapman: One of the main differences between English and Western is that you want an English horse to come up into the contact, whereas in Western we want to pick up the reins and the horse should soften, page 26 Showjumper Pippa Allen: If a rider pulls on the reins too much when jumping they are relying on their hands and not on using their leg, which will make the horse not listen to their aids. Consequently, the horse won't have a forward canter, making it more difficult to get a correct stride, page 32 Dressage rider Abi Lyle: Hot-headed horses have lots of energy which never seems to run out and so it is best to create structure for them from the get-go. Don't insist that…

UNATTENDED HORSES WILL BE SAFER THANKS TO EQUIWATCH Any owners who worry about leaving their horses unattended in a field will be keen to hear about a new solution. Equiwatch's subscription service uses signage at the horse's location which details a national helpline and a code unique to that horse's owner. If something goes wrong, a passer-by can call the number, relay the code and Equiwatch will immediately call, SMS and email the owner to notify them. It also negates the need to give out personal numbers. Co-founder Oliver Smith said: “We've all seen the posts on social media looking for the owner when a horse is in danger or distress, and all too often it takes a very long time to track them down.” ■ Visit equi-watch.co.uk…

The key for safe urban hacking is in the horses who will carry us, so how can an equine become accustomed to city life? 1. SELECTING THE RIGHT STEED Hyde Park Stables carefully select the horses who work in the riding school. They spend time at Hyde Park Stable's sister yard in Borehamwood where they are ridden to test them for suitability and they are introduced to the herd of horses. 2. PASSING THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD Once in London, the horses are introduced to Hyde Park by senior staff. During this time they are exposed to all the sights and sounds they may come across on a hack; they are given schooling in the Hyde Park arena to help with their education; and they are taught to ride and lead.…

Huddersfield-based side saddle instructor Lisa Lane visited the National Horseracing College (NHC) to use its dressage simulator in January. “I wanted to find a way to let people have a go on a side saddle without having to have a real horse there. Side saddle is a real Marmite thing. Sometimes people get on a side saddle and say ‘get me off now’. That can be a bit difficult with a real horse. I hoped that it would be a bit easier on a mechanised horse. “Some simulators have been adapted for use with a side saddle, but this one hadn't, so the pressure pad wasn't in the correct place to use a cane [instead of the right leg]. However, although it was missing this vital element, it still gave…

STRAWMAX STRAW PELLETS are fast becoming a leading bedding choice for a growing number of horse owners in the UK. They are healthy for horses, easy and economical for owners, and unlike traditional straw they come in convenient 15kg bags from equine retailers. They are also made by leading equine bedding manufacturer Bedmax, and the company is offering equestrians the chance to win a full pallet of 65 bags of Strawmax for their horse this winter. To enter, scan the QR code or visit the Strawmax website competition page. Visit strawmax.co.uk/win or scan this QR code Terms & conditions apply. Please see the competition entry page for details.…

“During this session we have helped Brownie to reactmore to his rider's leg in a positively forwardway,” Alex reveals. “For a horse who likes to sit behind the contact it is important that the rider gives them a reason to seek it. Encouraging Brownie forward into an unfamiliar balance has caused him to look for the rider to help through the contact. When the horse accepts the bit and doesn't feel blocked by it, the energy from his hindleg can travel over his back and this creates more swing and suppleness.” 4. The next step would be to take out the walk transition and substitute it with a normal trot/slow trot/normal trot transition. This will help the horse to think about his own balance while giving the rider more speed…

‘It's like Lavender is performing her own therapy’ Gemma Little has seen a remarkable transformation in Lavender, her daughter's 12.2hh pony, since using magnetic products. In the past the 20-year-old Welsh section B, who was bought as a Pony Club pony, has been diagnosed with laminitis, ulcers and, more recently, arthritis, and in addition to treatment from the vet Gemma has tried a range of alternative therapies to help improve Lavender's health and wellbeing. “We tried Reiki, osteopathy and acupuncture among other alternative therapies, and all had positive effects, but none as much as the magnetic products. I first bought her some magnetic boots and they made such a difference — her leg swelling really reduced — that I decided to also purchase a magnetic rug,” says Gemma. From the…

Ask The Experts Worrisome wolf teeth Q I have started lightly backing my youngster and I'mconcerned that herwolf teeth maybegetting in the way. Do I need to bookher in for surgery? Grace Newton, Shropshire Mike says: Removing wolf teeth is a quick and relatively straightforward surgery that can be done on the yard as part of a routine dental check. The horse does have to be sedated for this and local anaesthetic is used—general anaesthetic isn't required. The gums are highly vascularised, which means that they have lots of blood vessels, and so bleeding is normal. If you are worried about that then let your vet know and consider asking your yard manager or a friend to hold your horse for you—nobody wants two patients! Usually, if they have been…

Ask The Experts Make up should be used sparingly Q I've seen a few videos of people putting make up on their horses before a showing class. What is the reason and is this allowed? Paige Wilson, Cumbria Tabby says: Putting make up on a horse is a bit like humans wearing make up to look our best when we go out. It can be used to enhance their features, such as the shape of their eyes, or to make their white markings stand out, and it is permitted in the show ring. Personally, I like to see a horse wearing a little bit of make up. Sometimes, when they don't have any on, they don't look quite as polished and it feels as though something is missing. Basically, it's…

Fortunately for him, the charity Equine Market Watch Sanctuaries (UK), which steps in at auctions, horse fairs and markets to rehome unwanted or abused horses and ponies, bid on him and took him under its wing at its dedicated sanctuary in Herefordshire. The charity's trustee, Ann, named him Conker, as his lovely bay colour was reminiscent of a new, shiny conker. The gelding spent the first weeks in isolation, while a visit from a vet confirmed that he was almost certainly in his 20s, blind in his near side eye and with next to no vision in his off side eye. The sanctuary's Elaine Tasker said: “We started by giving him five small feeds a day. All the time he was rugged, turned out during the day and in at…

June's top story ‘I was advised to put Kobi down’ Hannah Leslie took part in the Man v Horse race for the second time this year with her 15-year-old Knabstrupper cross, Kobi, and she reflects that he is lucky to be here. “He was labelled as dangerous and I was told to put him down after I bought him. His previous owner was scared of him because he napped a lot,” says Northamptonshire-based Hannah. “I thought that if I could just hack him, it would work.” It took her a year to get Kobi hacking out confidently, however, as Hannah broke her ankle and was restricted to taking him out in-hand for the first six months. Fast forward seven years, and the pair has completed one of the trickiest long-distance…

How I make it work: Both my partner and my mum assist with the childcare The physiotherapist, who treats horses, dogs and humans, runs her own business and confesses to being motivated by making a difference to how her patients feel My job… I'm a self-employed physiotherapist, specialising in equine physiotherapy, although I do treat some dogs and humans. In the past, I've also worked on a rabbit, a goat and a cow. I'm based in Gloucestershire and work with a range of horses, from racehorses and dressage and event horses to happy hackers and non-ridden family pets. In the last 12 months the smallest horse I've treated was a miniature who was 26in tall and the largest an 18.3hh Shire. They all have very different issues, which I love.…

No couch potato My five-year-old pony, Spud, and my husband, Donal, check out the internet while enjoying a beer in the sunshine. Spud and I started doing intro dressage in May and we're loving it. Jo O'Hanlon, West Yorkshire Belle of the ball This is me with my beautiful Belle. I took her on as a one year old when she was rescued by the RSPCA. She is now six and living her best life. Katie Burton, Derbyshire Black beauty This is Pepa, a Dartmoor Hill Pony who has just turned two. Colette Lloyd, Devon Cheers! I'm enjoying a birthday treat with Sprout, my rehomed former racehorse. Diane Thomas, Bedfordshire House guest This is Fidget, a five-year-old miniature Shetland who came to my family from the RSPCA when he was…

YOUR HORSE'S TRAINING FIZZYHORSES | PRODUCTIVE SESSIONS WHAT YOU'LL LEARN ● How to structure a session so that it is productive ●How to put on your leg ●Go-to exercises to help the rider take control AHOT-HEADED horse will be very reactive to lots of different stimuli. He won't only be reactive to his rider's leg, and he will tend to react immediately rather than thinking about something and then reacting. Hot-headed horses have lots of energy which never seems to run out and so it is best to create structure for them from the get-go. Don't insist that he needs to be in a frame straight away; instead engage his brain by riding shapes and transitions. I use the mantra ‘request, reward and repeat’. Before starting a flatwork session have a…

■ Pick out the horse's hooves every day, ideally twice if possible. ■ Wash his legs as often as considered necessary, or leave mud to dry and then brush off if this is a more effective solution for a particular horse. ■ Spray a 50:50 solution of baby oil and vinegar onto the legs after washing and drying as a preventative against pastern dermatitis. ■ Try not to share rugs and grooming equipment between horses. ■ Never leave a turnout rug on a horse in the stable to dry the rug off. ■ Ensure that turnouts are waterproof and not too warm for the conditions.…

‘Management changes transformed my mare’ Bethan Earby purchased her mare, Maisie, two years ago knowing that she had suffered from a few respiratory issues in the past. “Her problems weren't that bad when I bought her, but in the summer of 2022 she started getting serious flare ups that involved wheezy, noisy breathing and severe heaving of her abdomen. At those times she couldn't be ridden,” says Bethan. Vet Lucinda Ticehurst put Maisie on meds to open up her airways, as well as oral steroids, although these were only seen as a temporary fix, and Lucinda and Bethan discussed the potential side effects, such as laminitis. Eventually, Bethan movedMaisie to a new yard, where she had an outdoor stable —her previous one had been in a barn; her previous straw…

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 healthy weight. 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 use a weigh tape. scan me OR SEARCH SPILLERS SLIMMERS ON FACEBOOK…

Ask The Experts Make sure that you mind your Ps and Qs Q I'mkeen to go hunting and I've heard that there are certain etiquette rules to followwhen out hunting, such as not overtaking members of the hunt. What are the most important rules that I should knowabout before I venture out? Pippa Mason, Herefordshire Mark says: There are a few rules to follow out hunting—both to stay safe, but also to show respect to other hunt members. 1 ARRIVE ON TIME Always find out the time of the meet and be ready for it. The master of the hunt will welcome everyone and run through the dos and don'ts of the day, which you will need to know. This briefing can include important things such as all horses walking…

Tell us about your life with horses My amazing mum, Linda, had lined up a rescue pony for me before I was born. I've therefore had horses my entire life. Every one I've ever had has been a heart horse, and all were stepping stones to the rider I am today. The standout one was the 12hh, eight-year-old Welsh gelding Shadow, who was my sixth Christmas present. Together we did dressage and showjumping, and in four years he only had one pole down. What has been your most memorable equestrian moment? Being selected for the Sport England-funded National Academy with Golden Girl (Ella) was a highlight. She was only competing to medium level at the time and had also been through so much, including suffering from uveitis and losing an…