Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 412 i Your Horse

Hello If you ask me, having a royal family is really quite something – but having one like ours, with such a passion for horses, is truly amazing! I wouldn’t change it for the world. If you’ve been stuck down a well for the past few months you might have missed all the latest on Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle in May, but don’t worry because we’ll be telling you all about it on page 32. In addition, and in our own Your Horse style (minus Ant and Dec – the party’s presenters), we’re celebrating Her Majesty ahead of her 90th birthday do too. Starting on page 21, we take a look back through her incredible life with horses and see how she’s inspired the…

Oscar-winning actress Dame Judi Dench has an exciting new role – as principal patron of the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre (TRC), the UK’s biggest centre dedicated to the retraining and rehoming of retired racehorses. Dame Judi, who co-owned the 2008 Lincoln Handicap winner Smokey Oakey, takes over from the late Sir Peter O’Sullevan. “I am absolutely thrilled to be asked to become principal patron of the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre in succession to Sir Peter. He will be a very hard act to follow,” she says. “The centre does very important work finding homes and futures for retired racehorses,” she adds. “I hope there will be opportunities for me to attend some of the events as the centre celebrates its silver jubilee.” This year the centre celebrates its 25th anniversary…

Friday 8 April Argentine Open Polo 2015 Final, Horse & Country TV, 8pm Monday 11 April Rudall’s Round-Up: Avon Vale P2P, Horse & Country TV, 8.30pm Thursday 14 April Rudall’s Round-Up: Blue Chip SJ, Horse & Country TV, 8.30pm Badminton Horse Trials Coursewalk 2016, Horse & Country TV, 9pm Saturday 16 April Global Champions Tour 2016: Miami, Horse & Country TV, 9pm Sunday 17 April Rolex Grand Prix Wellington 2016, Horse & Country TV, 8pm * All dates/times correct at time of going to print…

1 day biomechanics course DATE 29 May WHERE Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire COST £110 (includes lunch) i www.centaurbiomechanics.com Stability in the saddle dismounted workshop DATE 31 May WHERE Bristol COST £20 per session (approximately two hours) i www.karenwhiston.co.uk Homestead rustic run around (cross-country) DATE 28 May WHERE Homestead Livery, Leeds COST £15 per class (non-members) i www.homestead-livery.co.uk JumpCross training day DATE 11 June WHERE Grange Farm, Peterborough COST £38 (non-members) for a group session – approximately two hours i www.jumpcross.com Two-day simulator course DATE 2-3 June WHERE Totnes, Devon COST £250 i www.enlightenedequitation.com…

Such a diva Jack loves a selfie more than I do! Charlotte Birch, Essex Remembering the best I recently lost my horse, Shammy, and miss him more than anything. He was the best horse ever! Faye Mallen, Scotland Nice look! We tried to take a nice picture of Max, and this is the best we could manage! Ellie Cannell, Isle of Man Smile for the camera A selfie with my friend, Katy’s, quirky pony, Dash. Helen, Co. Cork Playing doctor After cutting his eye, my daughter, Eleanor, has being tirelessly giving her pony, Shaun, his medicine. Gemma Cox, via email Superstar mare Sunny’s my amazing 15-year-old mare. Kate Green, Cheshire Early bird My daughter, Amy, and her best friend, Charlie Boy, waking up to start a fun-filled day together. Sarah…

WITHOUT DOUBT THE Queen has inspired other members of her family to love horses and many have gone on to achieve great things. Her daughter, Princess Anne, shot to eventing fame at just 21 after winning individual gold at the European Championships in 1971, held at Burghley Horse Trials. She was voted Sports Personality of the Year just a few months later. In 1976, Anne was also the first member of the royal family to compete at an Olympic Games, riding Goodwill at Montreal. In later years she showed her commitment to the equestrian sport when assuming the Presidency of the Federation Equestre International, a role she carried out with pride from 1986 until 1994. Her daughter Zara Phillips (now Tindall) is also an eventer and has an enormous fan…

ALTHOUGH THE QUEEN was born on 21 April, it has long been tradition to celebrate the Sovereign’s birthday in the summer when there’s more chance of the weather being fine. The Trooping the Colour dates back to the 17th Century and since 1748 it’s been the event that’s also marked The Queen’s official birthday. The colours of a regiment were used as a rallying point in battle and every day they were trooped in front of the soldiers to make sure they recognised those of their own regiment. Nowadays, Trooping the Colour, also known as the Queen’s Birthday Parade, is a celebration – with the horses of the Household Cavalry taking centre stage. Since 1987 The Queen has attended in a carriage rather than riding, which she did for 36…

TREDSTEP IRELAND IS a brand that’s synonymous with excellence in rider footwear, and we’re offering five lucky readers the chance to win a pair of its smart Donatello Field Boots. Tredstep Ireland has developed a stylish new range for the 2016 season, and the Donatello Field Boot is now available in a rich brown colour. The Donatello is loved by riders worldwide and is a fantastic boot for any discipline as it’s packed with features to ensure rider comfort. Thanks to a range of size options, a slim, contoured fit is always ensured and the boot comes complete with a rear stretch panel and top gusset. Each foot size is available in five calf options, so a custom fit feel is always possible. Another popular feature of the boot is…

WE’VE TEAMED UP with uvex to offer you the chance to win one of 20 pairs of high-tech Schwenkel i-performance 1 gloves, worth £49.95 each. For decades Schwenkel has been synonymous with top quality riding gloves, which use only the finest materials, based on the latest innovative designs. The well-known manufacturer is now part of the uvex sports group, which is keen to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Schwenkel brand this year. Nearly a century after its launch, the Schwenkel range continues to combine true craftsmanship with input from top riders to ensure its gloves are constantly evolving. For example, its i-performance 1 riding gloves are now touchscreen compatible thanks to the use of fine nappa leather and PU technical materials. High-tech and breathable, Schwenkel i-performance 1 gloves have…

Let it be said that never before have we been so back and forth with our final Win a Horse decision! All of our finalists were so different and so absolutely lovely. This was, without doubt, the hardest decision we’ve ever had to make. Jo Temple leapt into the final three on the assessment day – in fact we knew we wanted her in the final by the time we were in the car and ready to head home. Since our visit we were delighted to find out that Jo now has a new horse called Bertie. “If it wasn’t for the competition I probably wouldn’t have done this yet but it made me realise I couldn’t wait any longer,” she told us. Bertie will be going to live with…

To see how much I understand, Kirstie asks me if I know the different classes of drugs used to treat worms. While I know there are four, I can’t tell her the names or how the drugs all differ. Here, I realise, is the stumbling block. “When it comes to worming your horse, picking the right treatment depends on your ability to pick the right drug – not the right brand or wormer name,” says Kirstie. Here are the four classes of worming drug explained: 1. BENZIMDAZOLE In horses this drug’s called fenbendazole and there’s now widespread resistance to it. Approximately 75% of cyathostomins (that’s small red worms to you and I) are resistant to it. What’s more, I’m interested to learn resistance to this drug is worse in the…

IAN CAST is a dressage trainer with 15 years’ experience. Find out more at www.icdressage.com Making the most of limited facilities Q I don’t have my own arena and find it difficult to get to yards to hire one due to lack of transport. How can I school my horse and improve my riding with such limited facilities? Caroline Pendle, Norfolk A While life can seem tricky if you don’t have access to an arena, there are still lots of schooling exercises you can work on with your horse, either out on hacks or while riding in a section of his paddock. In fact, you can do excellent flatwork training in a field, virtually all year round. Try setting out an arena in your horse’s paddock. Lay a few fence…

MATTHEW EASTWOOD DipWCF is an experienced farrier who’s based in the Cambridgeshire area. Does he need shoes for roadwork? Q My horse is usually only shod in front, but I’ve increased the amount of roadwork he’s doing and he seems a bit sore behind. Should his back feet be shod as well, or is there anything I can use to harden them up? Sarah Charles, Yorkshire A There are products available to harden your horse’s hooves, including Keratex Hoof Hardener and Gold Label Hoof Hardener Cream. However, if you’re increasing his workload on harder ground, he’ll need shoes on his back feet with or without the additional use of a hoof product. The soreness he has behind could be due to tenderness, and his hooves may have been worn down…

Sparkle in the ring If you’re on the hunt for a great looking competition jacket, the new Just Togs Elegance Show Jacket fits the bill. As well as being made from a stretch fabric that’s breathable and water repellent, it also features crystal detailing on the back for the added bling. PRICE £119 CONTACT www.justtogs.co.uk High-tech fit The great looking PDS Entrada Dressage Saddle can be adjusted to fit almost any horse thanks to its unique GFS X-Change system. In the panels, AMS memory foam gives you a close feel to your horse, while added flock means your saddle fitter can make any necessary adjustments for the best fit. The Entrada also has anatomically designed knee blocks to support your leg in two lengths, large or short, to suit…

Riding hats aren’t cheap so make sure you take good care of yours and it’ll take good care of you. Here are our top care tips: 1 The protection your hat offers diminishes over time as the padding becomes compressed, so you should replace your hat every three to four years. 2 If your hat suffers a severe impact, such as knock in a fall or you drop it onto a hard surface, you should replace it, even if there’s no sign of damage, as it might not now provide the protection it should. 3 Remember not to leave your hat lying around at the yard where it can be easily damaged. 4 Buy a padded hat bag to store your helmet in and to keep it well protected when…

Ariat Volant Tall Front Zip £429.99 ALL-DAY COMFORT FOR YOUR FEET These innovative boots feature Ariat’s tried and trusted Cobalt Quantum technology to support and provide day-long comfort in and out of the saddle. Premium European calf leather is combined with a breathable stretch mesh for a close fit, plus a clever front zip design makes these boots a practical choice. COLOUR Black SIZES 3 to 8.5 CONTACT www.ariat-europe.com Brogini Lucca £370 BE A SNAPPY DRESSER AND STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD Crafted from the finest Italian leathers and designed with a full patent croc-effect leg. The Lucca, with its full length rear zip, is a stylish alternative to a traditional riding boot. It’s practical too, with a full-length elastic panel down the rear for a perfect fit. What’s…

16hh and under Stunning All-Rounder 14hh, 8yo, Chestnut, Gelding This super little chap has been part of our family for 3 years and is sadly outgrown. He’s competed successfully at ODE, SJ, HT and sponsored rides, and with a little more flat schooling would excel in dressage. We’d like him to go to a PC home as he has a lot to offer. He’s very laid back, never strong, silly or heavy in the hand – the perfect second pony to teach a child to jump. Good in traffic. He can take a little persuading to load, but nothing a bucket of food can’t sort. Good to shoe (fronts only). £2,700 ovno Contact: 07979 967143 (Norfolk) Ad ref: DIY966435 Super Show Jumper 15.2hh, 10yo, Bay, Mare Dora is a lovely…

A new study, published in the Veterinary Record Open and undertaken by researchers from the universities of Surrey and Nottingham, has revealed we’d rather seek advice from our friends and trainers before we invest in a supplement for our horses than seek the expert help of a vet. The study also showed that event and dressage riders typically feed two nutritional supplements a day – the vast majority to target mobility problems. However, of the 599 owners included in the study, behaviour, lameness and stamina were the issues that worried them most – not dodgy joints! “There are several possible reasons for the discrepancy between owners’ opinions of their horses’ main problems and their reasons for using supplements,” says Dr Teresa Hollands who’s a senior teaching fellow and joint programme…

FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH by Erik Herbermann • Read by: Associate editor Allison Lowther What a great book, and so easy to read and understand. It’s full of tips and advice to help you improve your riding, your horse’s way of going – and your ability to communicate with him. The author clearly explains commonly used horsey terms so you know exactly what you should be doing. HORSE MOVEMENT by Gail Williams • Read by: Your Horse reader Hilary Tordoff Having a knowledge of your horse’s anatomy and how he moves is useful, and this book uses lots of illustrations and pictures to help you understand this complicated subject. It also explains simple muscle stretches and in-hand exercises you can use at home to help your…

I’ve been inspired to compete! I’m getting back into riding after a long break by riding my friend’s horse, Rosa, who has a lot of attitude but provides endless amounts of fun. After losing my confidence I didn’t expect any more then a nice hack and plod around the school, but my husband bought me a subscription for Your Horse magazine as a Christmas present which has inspired me. The Better Riding section has great tips and exercises and has helped me come on in leaps and bounds – I’m now aiming for my first dressage test! Laura Whittaker, North Lincolnshire YH SAYS: We’re so pleased to hear how useful you’ve found our Better Riding section and it’s fantastic you’re taking part in your first dressage test, we wish you…

CROWNED THE INTERIM Para-Equestrian Dressage Performance Manager in 2015, it’s Sarah Armstrong’s job to oversee the squad’s preparation for this summer’s Paralympic Games. And with a wealth of experience behind her, our para-dressage riders are in great hands. “I’m really looking forward to it,” says Sarah. “The competition will start when we turn up at the airport, and the horses will stay in immaculate condition from that point forward. It’s going to be big, challenging and exciting.” The final squad of five riders will be announced in July and, as Sarah explains, once at the Games the stable area will be hectic. There are 164 countries taking part in the Paraympics, all with their own kit. And making sure tack and equipment doesn’t get mixed up will be imperative to…

Opening of Parliament The Queen travels from Buckingham Palace to Westminster in a horse-drawn coach, accompanied by the Household Cavalry. On state visits On special occasions a visiting Head of State may accompany The Queen in a carriage escorted by four mounted divisions (which can be 100 men or more) of the Household Cavalry. The Edinburgh Royal Tattoo On occasion, the regiment has also appeared at the Tattoo and demonstrated just how much noise and distraction their horses can deal with without batting an eyelid. The Lord Mayor’s Show A mounted division of 25 riders form part of the show’s procession. The Musical Ride This ride is world-famous and a daring and exhilarating spectacle.…

HER APPLICATION BROUGHT tears to our eyes, her fierce independence and drive to succeed made us look on in admiration, and her run of misfortune had us all on her side. Lauren entered the 2015 Win a Horse competition as a last resort and, while her application caught our eye from the start, this Scottish lass almost didn’t make the shortlist at all. Now 23, Lauren’s been the owner to Sir Todd, her 20-year-old cob, since she was 14. Together they climbed the levels in dressage, competed for Scotland twice and Lauren’s ultimate dream was that they’d reach the dizzy heights of Grand Prix level. Sadly, in 2015 Todd was diagnosed with arthritis in his stifles and, just like that, his dressage days were over. “Todd owes me nothing and…

After all the talk of FWECs I want to see what happens to the samples horse owners like me send in. Kirstie introduces me to the head of the Scarsdale Vet lab, Emma Davies, who walks me through the process and I’m surprised to learn how simple it is: STEP 1 First, 3g of faecal sample is weighed out and then diluted with 42ml of saturated salt solution. STEP 2 Using a pestle and mortar (that’s right people, a pestle and mortar!) the sample is ground up with the solution. Emma tells me the solution acts a ‘floatation medium’. Translation: something for the eggs to float to the top of! STEP 3 Next the solution is sieved using… a tea strainer. This removes all the debris leaving just the liquid…

TRACEY HAMMOND has an MSc in equine science and is a nutritionist at Dengie, visit www.dengie.com Working hard, but still piling on weight! Q My mare’s ridden every day for at least an hour, and I compete once a week. I recently switched to a competition feed, and despite only feeding half the recommended quantity, she has put on weight. What should I do? Alex Parker, Northumberland A As a good-doer type, your mare doesn’t need the calories provided by a competition feed. However, she does require a balanced diet that’s appropriate for her level of work. Feed balancers that are formulated specifically for working horses, such as Baileys Performance Balancer, TopSpec Comprehensive or Spillers Performance Balancer, are an ideal alternative to traditional competition feeds. They provide concentrated levels of…

CAROLINE PUTUS Is a confidence coach with over 20 years’ experience. Find out more at www.enjoy riding.com Getting my nerve back after a fall Q I fell off my horse in a freak accident that meant I had to take six months off to recover. I’m now ready to get back on but worried the same thing will happen again. Is this irrational? Fiona Parkes, Kent A I totally understand your worries, as I fell from my horse on the road and, after having two years off, brought her back into work. It was a struggle mentally, and it’s all about your mind and how you think about things. We can’t control outside events. However, what we can control is how we react to them. The following tips will help.…

TRIMMERS MAY BE smaller and less powerful than clippers, but they’re great for tidying up tricky or sensitive areas, such as your horse’s legs or chin. Your Horse associate editor Allison Lowther tested four sets of trimmers on her two horses. As she used each one she considered their shape, how easy they were to use and how well they reached fiddly areas around each horse’s head. She also assessed the overall job they did and how neat her horses looked afterwards. Read on to discover which set of trimmers will best suit you . Wahl Adelar PRICE £119.99 MANUFACTURER SAYS A powerful, rechargeable trimmer with an adjustable blade for variable cutting lengths. Offers 60 minutes’ trimming on a full charge. Comes with two quick-release battery packs for continuous trimming.…

Champion Ventair Deluxe Helmet PRICE From £92 COLOURS Black, pink, navy, silver STANDARDS Kitemarked and approved to PAS015 and complies with VG 1. 01 040 2014-12 Extremely lightweight and comfortable, while offering outstanding protection. It features a ventilated airflow system to help keep your head cool. www.championhats.co.uk Charles Owen 4Star PRICE From £136 COLOURS Black, silver STANDARDS Kitemarked to PAS015 2011 and VG1 01.040 2014-12. Certified by SEI to ASTM F1163. Certified to SNELL E2001 This provides a snug fit along with improved crush resistance. A frontal air channel, with front and rear ventilation slots, will keep your head cool. www.charlesowen.co.uk Harry Hall Legend Plus Skull Hat PRICE £80 COLOUR Black STANDARDS Kitemarked to PAS015-2011 The front ventilation feature on this skull hat will help to keep you cool. The…

HOW DO YOU buy your rugs, breeches, headcollars and wellies? Chances are you hit the internet first to browse prices – and this comparitively new way of shopping has had a huge knock-on effect on traditional tack shops. In a nutshell, it’s tough for them in the face of growing online ‘mega-retailers’. So what should they be doing to draw us in-store? To find out, I chatted to Geoff Fieldhouse. With more than 40 years’ experience in the equestrian trade, he’s seen first-hand the huge changes faced by retailers in recent years. “The whole retail industry’s changed over the past 10 years, and the equine industry’s no different,” says Geoff, who’s a Master Saddler by trade and the man behind popular brands such as GFS, Pessoa, Monarch and PDS, as…

1 If riding in a group discuss what pace you’re happy to ride at before you get going. Not everyone likes to gallop. 2 Keep your distance from others and be mindful that they might be riding young or inexperienced horses. 3 Always overtake horses slowly, warning other riders that you’re passing and thanking them as you do so. 4 Be willing to miss out the odd jump if there’s a big queue. This will help to prevent a build-up of horses and riders in one area. 5 Ride in company if you can, placing steadier horses on the outside of the group. 6 Stay alert for other riders that might come whizzing past and upset your horse, or set him off after them!…

“Thinking back to last September when I filled in all my application forms I never dreamed I’d make it to the semi-final, let alone actually win,” says Lauren. “I’m extremely grateful to the team at Your Horse and all the sponsors as they’re helping to make my dreams come true. “When the team called to say I’d won, I couldn’t believe what I was being told - it was blur! I had to pinch myself all afternoon to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Now it’s sunk in a little I’m looking forward to searching for my perfect horse that I can have years of fun with. I can’t wait to get him or her home and build up a relationship and I can’t wait to get back to riding properly.…

AT MOST DINNER events you’ll find tables dressed with flower arrangements, but at this year’s BETA International, the tables featured limited edition Breyer models of the one and only Valegro. The models (shown right) had such a likeness to lovely Valegro it got us wondering – how are Breyer models made and who decides which equine muse makes the cut? To find out, we went straight to the top, speaking to Stephanie Macejko, Breyer’s Vice President of Marketing. “The process is complex,” she says. “From the word go to the actual production it takes about a year to create a new Breyer model. Sculpting takes several months, the mould making and tooling process about twice as long, and production also takes a few months.” But first, they need to pick…

GIL RILEY is the managing equine vet at Pool House Equine Clinic. For more information visit www.poolhousevets.com/Equine Treating a sore eye Q My five-month-old foal has developed a sore patch around her eye area, which looks red, flaky and scabby. She lets me touch it but I’m worried what it might be. Is there anything I can use to soothe it? Hannah Robertson, Cheshire A Anything to do with your horse’s eye should be examined by your vet as soon as possible, so give them a call and book an appointment for them to come out. The root of your horse’s eye problem will depend on whether it’s the eyeball itself that’s involved or the skin around the eye. If the eyeball’s involved, this could be conjunctivitis or a blocked…

Tracey’s right to be concerned. In a healthy, exercised horse sugar should be easily digested and is unlikely to cause any issues. But in the case of overweight horses, such as Jenson, water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) intake, which includes sugar, should be limited. Managing grass and forage intake should be Tracey’s first port of call as these are the largest contributors of WSC in the diet. She should also consider a low calorie, fibre based feed or forage replacer, coupled with a low calorie balancer to give Jenson his daily vitamins and minerals, without the calories. New SPILLERS® HAPPY HOOF® Molasses Free with no added sugar is a palatable blend of straw, alfalfa, grass nuts, garlic and rapeseed oil with no added sugar. A high level of biotin (5mg per kilo)…

To boot or not to boot is a question frequently asked by horse owners. There can be concerns they may restrict movement, allow tendons to overheat or become heavy when wet. But now there’s a new name in the world of protective boots that addresses these concerns. The high-tech HUSK boots are extremely lightweight, and made of a clever material that regulates the temperature of your horse’s legs while he’s working so they don’t overheat. To boost cooling even further, there’s a space between the top and bottom layers to allow air to flow freely, helping to avoid sweaty skin. Then, between these layers is a special cushioned fabric to protect against knocks. Another big plus point is that the boots don’t retain water or get heavy when they’re wet.…

YOUR RIDING HAT is the most important piece of equestrian kit you’ll buy, so it’s crucial you choose wisely. Horses can be unpredictable and riding is never going to be risk-free, but by wearing a correctly fitting riding hat you’re protecting your head as much as you can from injury should you fall off or get kicked when handling your horse from the ground. While there’s no law saying you have to wear a hat (unless you’re under 14 years old), we would always advise that you do. From the beginning of this year there’s been a change in the permitted hat standards allowed when competing, or riding at an approved riding establishment. This guide will help you understand what standards are allowed, and also show you a selection of…

Boost your hat knowledge by recognising the following hat standards. EN1384 1996 / BSEN1384 1997/ BSEN1384 2012 (with or without Kitemark mark) This range of standards can still be worn for hacking and hunting but as of 2016, most riding bodies no longer allow you to compete wearing this standard of hat. VG1 (with or without Kitemark or IC Mark) Developed by Vertical Group 1, who test and certify hats around Europe, this testing specification is based on the EN1384, but with additional requirements and testing procedures to bring it up to a level similar to PAS015. PAS015 2011 (with or without Kitemark mark or IC Mark) This stands for Product Approval Specification (PAS) and was developed by the British Standards Institute (BSI). This standard was revised in 2011 to…