Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 417 i Your Horse

Hello I think I speak for everyone when I say that this month we lost a real hero of the horse world. Hannah Francis lost her battle with bone cancer on 1 August after a truly courageous fight. Her regular social media posts and positive attitude inspired us all and we were, and still are, in complete awe of her strength. In fact, Hannah’s incredible impact on the horse world is clear from the outpouring of love and tributes to her. From the equestrian world’s best riders like William Fox-Pitt all the way from Rio to the Met Police Taskforce and brands such as Harry Hall and Hiho Silver to name but a few. The heartfelt tributes have been non-stop. Throughout her struggle with cancer, Hannah was always thinking of…

Mill House Animal Sanctuary, a registered charity in Sheffield run by Pat Hartley and her twin sister Jane Wright, urgently requires funding to support its facilities and its work. The sanctuary, which looks after rescued farm animals and horses, needs £15,000 by September to pay for land rental to house 40 rescued equines. Pat has contacted various equine charities to try to organise the rehoming the horses, and is in the process of doing home inspections in case she is unable to find the necessary funding to keep them in the same location. The sanctuary, founded in 1948, currently cares for and is helping to rehome 100 horses and ponies. For more information or to help, visit www.animalsheltersheffield.co.uk…

HORSEPLAY by Deanna Cook and Katie Craig Read by: Your Horse reader Amelia Johnson Packed full of crafts and activities including building a barn, stickers, hairstyles and stencils, this book provides hours of fun. The door hanger keeps my brother out of my room and I’m planning a pony party with my friends! PAINTING WITH METRO by Ron Krajewski with Susy Flory Read by Your Horse reader Samantha Bailey This is a heartwarming story about an ex-racehorse named Metro and how he became a best-selling artist, raising money for ex-racehorses and funding his own life-saving veterinary treatment. This honest memoir is a book that anyone with a spirited horse can relate to. THE HORSE: A BIOGRAPHY OF OUR NOBLE COMPANION by Wendy Williams Read…

Rare Breeds of the Year DATE: 1 October WHERE: Houghton Hall Equestrian Centre, Cambridgeshire COST: Free for spectators This event offers a great chance to see the UK’s rarest horse and pony breeds in action being ridden, driven and in-hand, including high-stepping Hackneys. www.hackney-horse.org.uk British Reining Championship Show DATE: 1-2 October WHERE: Oakridge Arena, Newark, Nottinghamshire COST: Free for spectators Watch as talented riders and their amazing reining horses take on a series of challenges – including 3600 spins and sliding stops – all in the confines of a show ring. It’s an action-packed weekend you won’t want to miss a minute of. www.britishreining.co.uk Horse of the Year Show DATE: 5-9 October WHERE: NEC, Birmingham COST: Tickets start from £33. Concessions are available for children under 15 years and adults…

Owning a horse is a massive responsibility and one that shouldn’t be entered into lightly, which is why our competition is designed to help us find someone who’s ready to take that step. Split into four stages, the competition will test your knowledge and understanding of horses while indicating to us if you’re ready to be a horse owner. Here’s how it’s going to work. Step 1 Entries will open on 25 August. On this date you’ll be able to go online to www.winahorse.co.uk where you’ll be asked for some details and to fill out a short, multiple-choice questionnaire. There will be 10 questions in total on a variety of horse care topics – they’re not rocket science, but they have been set to test your general knowledge so think…

Jay ‘Tiger’ Halim, international show jumper based in Burford, West Oxfordshire, is one of Albion’s talented team of sponsored riders, and a firm advocate of the Albion Revelation show jumping saddle. “Albion saddles are great and I love the balance of them on my horses,” says Jay. “I’m proud to have been given the opportunity to work on the development of a new model, and Albion really strives to get the best results for both me and my horses.” It’s a Revelation! Jay chooses to ride his horses in the Albion Revelation jumping saddle. Albion proudly launched the Revelation Jump in August 2013, created purposely for the equestrian seeking exceptional comfort and a close-contact, lightly supportive seat. Combining this innovative design with luxury leather, industry expertise and technical excellence, the…

MEET THE EXPERT   SARAH RIDD is a dressage rider and trainer, working with horses to international Grand Prix level. She trains riders from her yard at Weymarsh Stud in Surrey. FLYING CHANGES ARE required in advanced-medium dressage tests, but they have plenty of benefits outside the dressage arena. They improve suppleness, will help you to balance him when jumping a course and are a really good test of your horse’s concentration. The aim of the game is to change from one canter lead to the other while your horse is suspended in the air. However, before attempting flying changes you should be able to collect your horse’s canter, ride a balanced counter-canter and ride simple changes. When you first start training your horse to do them, do so a…

MEET THE EXPERTS CAROl ANDREWS is the owner of Wimbledon Village Stables where Equicise is based JO FINCH is a yoga trainer and helps riders increase their flexibility in the saddle VANESSA STANFIEld is a fitness trainer and helped Carol develop the program for Equicise AMANDA HAll is a physio and trains riders who’ve been injured after falling off horses EQUICISE WAS STARTED by Carol Andrews at her yard in Wimbledon earlier this year as an exercise initiative tailored for riders. Using a series of yoga, Pilates and strength-based moves, Equicise aims to tone, supple and strengthen muscles and open tight areas of the body, improving ability, balance and mobility in the saddle. Classes now run regularly alongside normal riding lessons at the yard, with the aim that improving fitness…

There are several horse sales venues in Ireland, such as Goff’s, Goresbridge and Tattersalls. Hundreds of horses and ponies go through the sale ring every week and month, but the greatest sales growth area in the last few years is in sports horses. “Our main business is Sports Horse Performance sales, of which we hold seven a year, lasting from one day to our main sale in September which runs for 10 days,” says John Donohoe from Goresbridge Sales. “Although 70% of our clients are British, the sales at Goresbridge have attracted buyers all over the world.” Last November, Team GBR Nations Cup representative ISH Dougie Douglas, owned by Holly Gillott, was sold for a staggering €1.4 million to American rider Katie Dinan at Goresbridge’s Supreme Sale of Showjumpers.…

WE’VE TEAMED UP with Tredstep to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a fabulous top-to-toe competition outfit sure to give you the winning edge from Tredstep’s Solo Collection, a range of equestrian clothing, designed to meet competition riders’ exacting and high requirements. Jacket To stand out from the crowd, the stunning Solo Pro Jacket will give the winner a professional, tailored look for the competition ring, as this smart show jacket combines innovative materials with performance-enhancing features. It’s been expertly designed from Tredstep Ireland’s four-way-stretch, high performance fabric, which is breathable, matt and silent in motion. Machine washable, the jacket comes in classical navy or black. To change the look of the jacket in seconds, the existing collar can be zipped off and replaced with a coloured interchangeable…

Step 1 To make bathing quicker, brush off your horse to remove any loose mud or surface dandruff. Step 2 If you don’t have the luxury of a horse shower facility with warm water, boil a kettle and pour the water into a bucket, adding cold water so it’s tepid. It helps to put the kettle back on to boil while bathing your horse, so warm water is ready when you come to rinse him. Step 3 Using a large sponge, thoroughly soak your horse, starting at his neck and mane and then over his whole body. It’s best to wash his tail last, as you might find it requires several deep-cleansing washes to get all the dirt out. Step 4 When washing your horse’s face, use a smaller sponge…

BEHIND A VET practice door, charity cheque, in an arena or even on social media, there are many hardworking individuals who never ask for any award, thanks or acknowledgement for their work. But without them, the equine world would be a remarkably different place. Their work provides significant benefits in raising money for charity, helping someone achieve a dream, acts of kindness and offering a listening ear at a time of need. Now it’s time we find out who these special people are and take a look at what they’ve achieved. Hannah’s lasting legacy Despite being seriously ill with cancer, teenage eventer Hannah Francis was a strong, determined and inspirational individual who was determined to make the most of what life she had left by raising money to fund cancer…

Cut out sweet treats for better teeth Q I’ve heard stable and field licks can be bad for my horse’s teeth, is this true? Louise Barbour, Essex A Yes this is absolutely true. The licks you give your horse for treats are predominantly bound with sugar and sugar syrup. We’re seeing an increased number of horses with tooth decay, due to the fact they’re being fed more sugary treats and are spending less time grazing as they would do naturally. This unnatural dietary change causes an imbalance in the pH of your horse’s teeth, which can cause dental caries (tooth decay). Studies are currently being carried out at Edinburgh University on the effects of pH components fed to your horse, with sugar being one of the main influencers. I would…

Spotting lameness Q What signs should I be looking out for to spot lameness in my horse? Jennifer Hutton, Sussex A This depends on the severity of the lameness and varies massively. Symptoms can range from the horse not wanting to put weight on one of his legs at all in severe lameness, through to a horse that’s showing a shortened stride or doesn’t feel quite right. Some of the signs a horse that’s lame will show are: • A shortened stride • An obvious head movement down when the other (non-lame) leg touches the floor • Reluctance to move if severe • Reluctance to put any weight on the affected limb if severe Bear in mind that if your horse is suffering from pain in both front legs, there…

Baileys Ease & Excel is rich in super-fibres that release energy slowly and is ideal for promoting weight gain, maintaining condition and supporting performance in all horses and ponies that need a low starch diet. The fibre sources of soya hulls and beet pulp are rich sources of pectin, which, in acidic conditions like those in your horse’s stomach, alters its structure to one that’s similar to mucus and has been shown to bind to, and thicken, the stomach mucosa protecting it from acid attack. The feed contains no cereal flakes making it low in starch and ideal for stressy, excitable types, as well as those with clinical requirements for a low starch diet, like horses prone to gastric ulcers. Baileys Outshine high oil nugget supplement is included, to provide…

1 Shires Tempest Original Lite PRICE £44.99-£42.99 COLOURS Dog print, Petrol/turquoise (pictured) SIZES 4ft to 7ft 3in Rug spec • 600 denier, rip-stop, lightweight ShireTex outer fabric • Waterproof and breathable • Taped seams • No filling www.shiresequestrian.com 2 Bucas Smartex Rain PRICE £160 COLOURS Navy with stripe trim, Black with silver/black trim (pictured), Chocolate with silver/chocolate trim SIZES 5ft 6in to 7ft 2in Rug spec • 1000 denier ballistic nylon outer • No fill • Suitable for temperatures from 0-14°C • Stay-dry fleece lining that wicks away moisture • Click’n Go front closure system • Shoulder darts for a perfect fit www.bucas.com 3 Pessoa Light Turnout PRICE £45 COLOURS Navy, Chocolate (pictured) SIZES 5ft 6in to 7ft Rug spec • 600 denier outer material No filling • Taped seams…

1 Rhinegold Full Neck Arizona Rug PRICE £51.50 COLOURS Navy SIZES 4ft 6in to 7ft Rug spec • 600 denier, rip-stop outer • 100g filling • Combo style • Front shoulder gusset • Waterproof, breathable outer • Breathable nylon lining • Large pleated tail flap with reflective stripe • Quick-clip adjustable chest straps for easy fastening • No back seam (to stop wither pressure and leaks) www.rhinegold.eu 2 Bucas Smartex Medium PRICE £176 COLOUR Navy SIZES 5ft to 7ft 2in Rug spec • Ballistic nylon shell • 150g filling • Stay-dy lining Click’n Go front buckle • Shoulder darts • Waterproof, breathable coating • Combi Neck available separately www.bucas.com 3 Highlander Plus 200 Combo PRICE £91.99 COLOURS Navy/white/turquoise SIZES 4ft 6in to 7ft 3in Rug spec • 1200 denier rip-stop…

1 Bucas Celtic Stable Medium PRICE £125 COLOUR Navy, Tartan check SIZES 5ft to 7ft 2in Rug spec • Tough Polypropylene outer • Antibacterial Stay-dry lining • 150g filling • Bucas Click ’n’ Go closure system • Overlapping double padded comfort front • Shoulder darts for an excellent fit www.bucas.com 2 Norton Stable Rug PRICE £40.90 COLOUR Navy/light grey SIZES 4ft to 7ft Rug spec • 210 denier outer • 200g filling on upper two thirds • Ease gussets for freedom of movement • Non-chafing polyester lining www.ekkia.co.uk 3 JHL Mediumweight Stable Rug PRICE £61.99 COLOUR Black/red SIZES 5ft 6in to 7ft Rug spec • 280g quilted insulation • 600 denier outer • Nylon anti-rub lining • Standard neck www.wefi.co.uk 4 WeatherBeeta ComFiTec PP Stable Rug PRICE £74.99 COLOUR Black/purple…

The British Horse Society (BHS) is looking to encourage doctors to recommend horse riding as a form of exercise to battle obesity, depression and lessen the risk of diabetes. This comes in light of Public Health England (PHE) publishing its guidance on how to promote activity in adults, It’s been proven that horse-related activity carries health benefits not only in the form of riding, but also in stable work. The previous BHS study found that 30 minutes engaged in mucking-out was similar to average exercise, while trotting uses as much energy as the racket sport badminton. The BHS hope that more people take up horse riding or consider volunteering at their local yard or stable, not only for the growth of the sport, but to help people to meet exercise…

In June 2016 the first of a rare breed, the Boulonnais, was born in the UK. The foal, named Gideon Primus d’Angleterre (Noble Friend, First of England) is owned by Rachel Hossle from Gloucestershire. There are only 1,000 Boulannais in the world, but this mainly grey French breed is docile, workmanlike and often used in French police mounted units. It’s hoped that introducing this breed to the UK will increase their numbers, as people discover they are great confidence-giving and sturdy riding horses.…

LAST YEAR WE FOUND the lovely Lauren Butchart who became our 2015 Win a Horse champion. She won £5,000 to put towards her dream horse, along with a range of amazing prizes from our sponsors. Lauren was crowned our winner in February this year, and after much searching we’re so happy to announce that she’s finally bought Grouse, a four-year-old Highland pony gelding. “Grouse is a little younger than I was looking for but the second I rode him we just clicked. I rode him in the school first then hacked him out and absolutely nothing bothered him. Despite being young he takes everything in his stride and has such a great temperament,” says Lauren. “I think he has a lot of potential for the future. I can’t wait to…

MEET THE TRAINER JAY HALIM is an international show jumper. Based in Oxfordshire, Jay has a number of young horses who are working their way through the show jumping ranks, plus some more experienced ones competing at international level. You can follow Jay and his horses on Facebook @ jaytigerhalimrider IN THE SECOND part of our Training Academy, show jumper Jay Halim shows you the benefits of pole work, and gives you the confidence to work your horse over poles to improve his way of going. “Pole work isn’t just for horses who jump, it’s also great for dressage horses too,” says Jay. “It’s a good way to keep your horse fresh and keen to work, as well as encouraging him to flex his joints and engage his core. The…

MEET THE TRAINER KATIE JERRAM trains and shows hacks, hunters and riding horses and has a very plucky West-Highland White guarding her yard! Hardworking from an early age, she first competed at HOYS aged 10. Find out more at www.katiejerram.co.uk MEET THE RIDER HETTY KEYES has owned three-year-old ex-racehorse Rufus for three years. A new mum, she still finds time to compete in dressage, eventing and showing. Hetty wants Katie to help lighten her contact and make Rufus softer in his mouth. VERY OFTEN, the problem of a strong horse who leans on your hands (especially in a competition environment) is tackled with a stronger bit. But as Katie Jerram explains, the solution is more often than not in the rider’s contact. Here she helps rider Hetty Keyes to lighten…

MEET THE EXPERT SPENCER WILTON started his career as an eventer, but quickly turned to pure dressage when he realised that’s where he was most talented. He was selected to make his Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016, riding dressage star Super Nova 11. WHEN WE RIDE, we use our legs a lot. It’s one of the main ways we communicate with our horse and everything we do while in the saddle will need some form of leg aid, even halting. Although they are never used in total isolation from other aids, dressage rider Spencer Wilton explores the role of your leg aids in more detail, to help you understand how they affect your horse and how to make yours as subtle and effective as possible. Perfect your leg position…

MEET THE EXPERT JASON WEBB is one of the UK’s leading horse trainers, with a special interest in starting youngsters, solving common problems and helping owners to build partnerships with their horses. He’s the founder of Australian Horse Training and YourHorsemanship.com. To find out more visit www.australianhorsetraining.co.uk RUSHING AND BARGING out of the stable can be scary and difficult to manage, but it’s a common problem and one that often occurs if a horse panics or becomes anxious when a stablemate is turned out, or taken away from the others to be ridden. The tension and worry that builds up during this time can cause horses to rush and barge when you lead them out of their stables. But trainer Jason Webb says it’s easy to teach your horse to…

1 Grass and hay (forage or fibre) must form the basis of your horse’s diet, because its fermentation in the hindgut ensures that the live microbial (good bugs) population there are kept healthy. Fibre also takes longer to chew than hard feeds, helping to produce enough saliva (alkaline) that helps buffer the stomach lining against gastric acid. 2 Your horse only has a small stomach, so divide his daily hard feed ration into three or four smaller portions of about 2kg per feed. These sizes should resemble his natural grazing and eating pattern. Your horse’s stomach capacity is less than 10% of his total gut and is more effective when half or three-quarters full, rather than completely full. 3 Don’t make any sudden changes to your horse’s diet as this…

The condition Equine grass sickness is a condition that affects the nervous system, paralysing the gut. As its name suggests, it’s a disease that affects mainly grass-fed horses and was first reported in the 1920s when horses played a big role in agriculture. Farmers noticed that hundreds of horses seemed to be dying annually from a colic-like, wasting disease. There’s no definitive cause for grass sickness, but the theory with most evidence is that a toxin from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum is responsible. This bacteria is naturally found living in soil and inside the horse’s gut, but it’s thought that certain unknown conditions trigger the bacteria to overgrow and release a toxin in the gut, causing paralysis. When it strikes, grass sickness usually affects young horses between the age of…

Coping with competition nerves Q Competing fills me with dread and I never ride to my best when I’m at a competition – do you have any tips for coping in a competition environment? Philippa Jones, Cumbria A Try and remember that it’s the same arena as you practise in at home and you’re doing the same thing you do every day, it’s just in a different place. Imagine yourself in a bubble around that arena and think of it just being you and your horse doing what you do on a day to day basis. This is easier said than done but, with repetition, the message will eventually sink in and you’ll find you start to relax. Feel confident around other competitors Q I’m new to competing and feel…

The rising cost of horse insurance Q The price of my premium has increased over the last few years even though I’ve not made a claim. Why is this? Beverley Price, Lancashire A Vets can now do more for horses and ponies than ever before, but sophisticated diagnostics and medical developments come at a cost, which has had an impact on horse insurance premiums. In addition, your insurance premium reflects the likelihood of you needing to make a claim. If your situation has changed, for example as your horse gets older or if you have moved up a competition level, you may have seen an increase in premium. Petplan Equine is a specialist provider of horse insurance and offers a wide range of policies tailored to suit the needs of…

Keep a look out for worms Q How would I know if my horse has worms? Sally Owens, Bedford A It’s sometimes difficult to tell if your horse has worms as some may show signs of illness as a result of a high worm burden, but others may continue to look healthy. Even if your horse shows no clinical signs it’s important to control his worm burden to reduce the possibility of him becoming ill. This will also help to reduce the number of eggs in your horse’s faeces on the pasture. A faecal worm egg count (FWEC) is the best way to check if your horse has worms. Your vet or a specialist laboratory will do this for you if you supply a small, fresh sample of your horse’s…

Toggi Aylesbury £169 UP-TO-DATE DESIGN This sophisticated and luxurious British-made jacket is cut for a closer fit, which can be further enhanced by altering the waist adjusters. The curved shoulder panels and deep cuffs add to the Aylesbury’s sleek, elegant look, while the buckle fastener at the collar gives this wax jacket a cool, contemporary edge. COLOUR Tan SIZES XS to XXL CONTACT www.toggi.com Caldene Hardcastle £200 DOUBLE BREASTED FOR A TOUCH OF ELEGANCE This is a mid-length, double-breasted wax jacket, cut to give a stylish finish. Made in Great Britain, it has an adjustable waist to ensure the best fit. We love the scooped hem with back pleat, which is not only elegant but very useful when sitting on damp grandstands at autumn horse events! COLOUR Navy SIZES…

Turnout and stable rugs are available in different weights. Similar to a tog rating we look at when we’re buying a duvet, weight refers to the amount of filling inside a rug and how warm it’ll keep your horse. Consider how your horse copes in different temperatures to help you choose the best weight of rug for him. Lightweight rugs feature 0-80g of filling. Stable rugs may have up to 150g. Lightweight turnout rugs (or rain sheets) keep your horse clean and dry, making them a good option for damp spring and autumn days, or cool summer nights. Medium weight rugs tend to have between 100-250g of filling. For many horses this will be all they need to keep them warm and dry through the winter months. Heavyweight rugs are…

There are four styles of stable and turnout rug. Standard neck The neck of the rug stops at your horse’s withers, leaving his neck uncovered. High neck The neck extends beyond the withers, but doesn’t cover all of your horse’s neck. Combo style This style of rug has an integral neck cover that cannot be removed. Detachable neck This rug comes with (or sometimes has to be bought separately) a neck cover that can be removed, giving you the versatility of having two rugs in one.…

Riding horses requires us to have gear we can trust. From saddles and bridles, to rugs, horse feed and grooming products, our needs are endless! With this in mind we want to know what one horse product you think is simply the best – ever! Head to www.yourhorse.co.uk/gearawards to cast your vote and don’t forget to tweet a pic of your favourite product using our hashtag – see right for details. Post your pics and win! Use the hashtag #YHGearAwards Post a pic of the product you vote for on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and include the hastag #YHGearAwards and you could win a prize. We’ll be looking out for the best ones so get creative. The Your Horse team’s done theirs... MEET CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN AT YOUR HORSE LIVE! As…

Following a spate of dog attacks on horses in Scotland, the BHS Scotland has joined forces with Fife Council, Police Scotland and the Forestry Commission Scotland to hold an informative session on the 4 September at Tentsmuir Forest on dog familiarisation with horses (www.bhsscotland.org.uk). Scotland has had 10 recorded dog attacks in the last six months, with three incidents in Fife, the Borders and Aberdeenshire. These attacks have been terrifying for both horses and their owners, as some have involved several dogs attacking, horses bolting into traffic and serious injuries due to dogs gripping and biting the horse. Katie Misselbrook, who’s helping to organise the event and has experienced a dog attack while out hacking on her horse Bruno, says, “The event is an opportunity for people to bring their…

Horses Inside Out: Painted horses DATE: 4 October WHERE: Aintree International Equestrian Centre, Liverpool COST: Children £10; students £15; adults £20. www.horsesinsideout. com Horse Agility Training Day DATE: 23 October WHERE: The College of West Anglia, Cambridgeshire COST: Members £35, non-members £40, spectators £5 www.thehorseagilityclub. com Equine Eye Lecture: DATE: 5 October WHERE: Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire COST: £10 in advance only www.rvc.ac.uk/cpd Veteran Care: Old friends & Saying goodbye DATE: 5 October WHERE: Cliffe Equine Vets, Laughton, East Sussex COST: £40 booked in advance www.equineskills.co.uk…

A brand new hat For reliable protection, our winner can choose a new hat from Champion’s PAS 015 hat and helmet range which includes the: • Champion Ventair Deluxe skull cap, as worn by many of the world’s best riders • New Evolution Pro • Evolution Couture with sparkling Swarovski crystals and a mock-croc finish • X-Air Plus with its stylish ventilation system See the full Champion range at www.championhats.co.uk Rugs galore The team at Horseware will supply the winner’s new horse with an Ionic fleece, Ionic sheet and stable boots. The Rambo Ionic range incorporates negative ion therapy which can improve circulation, reduces blood pressure and aids the removal of toxins from the body. Visit www.horseware.com  to see the full Horseware range. Horse food plus…

Part 1 Contact (Issue 416 – for a back issue, call 01858 438884) Dressage rider Laura Tomlinson helps you get a perfect connection with your horse to improve his way of going. Part 2 Polework (This issue) Show jumper Jay Halim on how working your horse over poles on the ground can improve his rhythm and balance. Part 3 Lateral work (On sale 22 September) Dressage rider and trainer Matt Hicks explains why using lateral work will lead to greater suppleness and engagement. Part 4 Gridwork (On sale 20 October) Event rider Will Furlong is on hand to boost your horse’s jumping technique, as well as your confidence over fences. Part 5 Up your dressage scores (On sale 17 November) Dressage rider Bobby Hayler helps you improve your dressage scores,…

> In good hands You need to have good hands to retrain racehorses. Keep the contact soft. The more you fight with them and the more you put in their mouths, the more they will fight back. Lifting your hands will help lighten the contact. > Use your body Using your body correctly will help your horse as they’ll be prepared for what you’re asking. Having your body weight in the right place makes you less likely to block his movement. > Take your time Racehorses haven’t been trained to push from behind, and many other horses also struggle. Steadily introducing exercises to make them think uphill will help them lift off their front and push from behind.…

MEET THE EXPERT VIKKI HAYTON is a BHS Instructor and Examiner, a British Dressage (BD) judge, and a National Accredited Trainer for BD and British Eventing. Visit her website at www.collegefarm.com YOUR HORSE NATURALLY carries more weight on his shoulders, but having you on his back increases the pressure on his front, causing him to fall onto his forehand. Lifting from this requires him to re-establish the balance and move his weight onto his hindquarters. While this move would win you extra points in a dressage test, it can also improve your horse’s jump, as he’ll use more power from his back legs to propel him higher in the air. To help you do it, I’ve created this 30-minute workout – just combine the exercises as you like. Master the…

Yards all over the British Isles are stocked with Irish-bred horses as dealers and producers head to Ireland to bring quality horses and ponies back to resell. Joanne Holder from Penhills Irish Sport Horse Agent, near Cheltenham, says, “We try to buy traditional Irish lines as they prove to be very versatile, with great brains and talent. We go to Ireland once or twice a month and buy up to six horses in one go, although finding good types is getting harder.” Ireland has five types of horses and ponies that offer all-round ability – the Connemara, Irish Draught, Kerry Bog Pony, Gypsy Vanner, and Irish Sports Horse (ISH). The sixth, the Irish Hobby, is now extinct but is believed to be the foundation stock of the Connemara and Irish…

Racing Tours Ireland If you’re looking for a holiday that offers something a little bit different, then try a racing tour. Racing Tour Ireland offers the opportunity to experience both sides of the track from the stables to the racecourse. The tour takes you to top yards such as Michael Halford and Ado McGuinness to see horses in preparation for race days, and also to the Irish National Stud to see how prospective future winners are produced. Then it’s off to the races to see these equine athletes in action. While you’re there you’ll enjoy the best of hospitality before being taken back to Dublin. For more information www.racingtoursireland.com. Bel-Air Equestrian Centre Bel-Air Hotel and Equestrian Centre is based in County Wicklow, just 40 minutes south of Dublin. The riding…

MEET THE EXPERT CLAIRE OLIVER is a leading show rider who specialises in producing show hunters, riding horses, cobs, hacks, and show ponies. IT’S THE DAY before a big competition and you’ve just looked out across the field, to witness your grey horse standing caked in mud with a subtle hint of green adding to his camouflage. After a sigh of disbelief, and a mutter under your breath of ‘why didn’t I buy a bay?’, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and transform your horse from an ugly duckling into a beautiful white swan. “It’s best to bath your horse after exercise when he’s still warm,” says Claire. This is because he’ll probably be tired, so is less inclined to be fidgety, plus his pores will be open, which…

When Arty, a 15hh Arab gelding, was diagnosed with grass sickness in May 2014, vets thought his chances of survival were so slim that they advised to put him down straight away. But owner Samantha Moody wasn’t prepared to lose her four-year-old without a fight. “Arty was only given a 5% chance of lasting three days,” Samantha says. “But I chose to go with my horse and fight with him while he still had a light in his eyes.” Against the odds, Arty surpassed the vets’ expectations and made it through the first three days despite developing rhinitis, a condition that hindered his breathing and suppressed his appetite. “I was with him almost 24/7,” explains Samantha. “I’d be feeding and checking him every hour, night and day. We often slept…

Join in the sport Q I’ve been inspired by the Rio Paralympics to pursue my dreams of riding a horse. How can I get started in para riding? Lucy Smith, Derby A If you’ve never ridden before contact your local Riding for the Disabled (RDA) centre as a starting point. If you already ride and compete then come along to a para competition, on foot, and have a chat to any of the para riders to find out what it’s about. We’re always on hand to offer advice to anyone wishing to join the sport as we love seeing the industry grow. Everyone’s really friendly and will spare some time to talk and give advice to help you progress further. If you can’t make it down to a competition find…

Plait him up Q Which showing classes require me to plait my horse up and do any prefer a plaited tail over a pulled tail? Caroline Burton, Co. Durham A Foals tails are usually always plaited up as are all the classes listed below. As a rule you’ll plait your horse’s tail unless he’s a native breed or traditional coloured (although other world breeds and Arabs are left unplaited). The classes where you’ll need to plait your horse’s tail are: • Non-native coloureds • Show ponies • Show hunter ponies • Hacks • Riding horses • Hunters • Part breds Improve the look of your plaits Q When I plait my mare’s mane there are always wispy hairs sticking up around them – how can I make them look neater?…

Rip-stop This is the fabric’s ability to contain rips and tears. It doesn’t mean your rug won’t rip but the thread pattern runs in two directions that helps prevent a rip from spreading once it starts. Ballistic nylon Similar to rip-stop, ballistic nylon fabric is very strong, durable and more resistant to tearing. Denier This tells you how durable the rug is likely to be. The higher the denier, the tougher and heavier the fabric. away, passing through the fabric to the outside, to keep your horse dry and comfortable. For example, 1200 denier and above is very strong. 600 denier is an everyday strength. Waterproof This refers to the outer material’s ability to stop water passing through the rug and on to your horse. The outer fabric is treated…

1 Bucas Select Turnin PRICE £74 COLOUR Navy with navy/silver trim SIZES 5ft to 7ft Rug spec • 600 denier rip-stop outer • 50g filling • Shoulder darts • Detachable internal surcingles • Front strap with hook and loop closure • Can be used on its own or as a shell over the various Bucas Select Quilts • Attachment points for Select Combi Neck and Select Quilts www.bucas.com 2 Mark Todd Lightweight Stable Rug PRICE £56.99 COLOURS Navy, black SIZES 5ft 6in to 7ft Rug spec • 210 denier outer fabric • 150g insulation layer • Nylon anti-rub lining www.wefi.co.uk 3 Thermo Master Stable Rug with Fleece Lining PRICE £39.90 COLOURS Black, mulberry, chocolate, jade, magenta SIZES 4ft 6in to 7ft Rug spec • Shoulder gussets • Triplex double front…