Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 434 i Your Horse

Hello Hoorah for winter! Yes, I mean it - I really enjoy winter! Like many of you, and as the owner of two horses, I used to dread this season. It feels like the mud, rain, snow and lack of daylight hours all come along just to thwart your plans with your horse. In years gone by I’ve been determined not to let winter stop me doing what I want to do. To keep my horses fit enough to compete I’d be up at silly o’clock to ride and lead before work and then I’d lunge by car headlights in the horses’ field after work. But by spring I was done for - my enthusiasm was all but a distant memory and my horses were the same. Now I’m a…

Exciting future ahead This is my beautiful boy Bert. We’ve just started our adventure together as a team and we’re excited for the future. Sarah Higgens, Facebook The perfect rug I subscribed at Your Horse Live for my daughter and here’s our free rug! It’s a perfect fit and just what we needed! Laura Woollard Canine protection My dog, Lexie guarding Your Horse magazine. Samantha Baker, by email Let sleeping horses lie I don’t think my horse Star has any problems sleeping. Vanessa Poustie, Twitter…

TREDSTEP IRELAND is dedicated to tradition but ever receptive to innovation, making the pursuit of excellence an absolute imperative. Our collections offer riders a highly distilled range of boots and clothing designed to meet performance requirements both in and out of the competition ring. One lucky winner will be able to pick an outfit from the Tredstep range to the value of £1,000. You can choose from breeches, shirts, socks, gloves, riding and paddock boots and competition jackets. To whet your appetite, let’s take a closer look at their competition range, the Solo Collection. The Solo Volte breeches are perfect for the dressage arena. They have a high waist, full seat and stunning crystal accents to add a touch of bling. They’re made from the Tredstep Strategy four-way stretch fabric…

The trick to travers The lateral movement travers is a bit like shoulder-in, in reverse. Your horse has to bring his hindlegs off the track as his head, neck and front legs remain on the track. The aids for travers 1 Keep your inside leg at the girth. 2 Move your outside leg back, asking your horse to move his quarters in. 3 Turn your hips slightly to the outside. 4 Look down the track you’re travelling on. 5 Your inside rein creates flexion to the inside. 6 Your outside rein balances your horse and controls the amount of flexion. The cheat “A lot of the time, horses find it hard to bend in the way they’re going or bend around a rider’s leg,” says Alex. “So if you’re finding…

WHEN IRISH COB cross, Spearmint, was diagnosed with RAO in August 2017, his owner Louise Horwood dealt with his condition by making a few adjustments to his lifestyle. “Spearmint developed a hacking cough that flared up more when I rode – it reached the point where his cough was bad enough to physically pull me out of the saddle. I called my vet, who ended up doing a tracheal wash. The sample taken was cloudy and full of phlegm, so my vet began treatment straight away. “Spearmint was put on a high dose of Equisolon to help reduce inflammation and keep his airways open until we got the results back. When his test results did come back, he tested positive for RAO with non-sceptic inflammation. “To help relieve the symptoms…

A touch of frost Q Why is frosty grass a risk for horses prone to laminitis? Pamela Evans, Thetford A Laminitis is often considered a problem that affects horses and ponies who graze lush, spring grass, but it can also affect horses in the winter too – particularly when sunny days are combined with cold, frosty nights. Frosty grass is often implicated as a laminitis risk because, when temperatures drop to around 6°C or below, the grass is no longer able to grow and the sugars accumulate in the plant stems, making it highly unsuitable for horses and ponies who are prone to, or at risk of, laminitis. This includes those animals suffering from Equine Metabolic Syndrome, insulin resistance and Cushing’s. Keep your horse safe A helpful way to reduce…

Reporting a road incident Q If I’m involved in an incident while riding out on the road, who do I report it to? Laurie Carter, Liverpool A First of all, make sure that you report any incident to the police, who’ll investigate. Try and remember the registration number of the other vehicle involved, but if this isn’t possible, remembering the car make and colour might help the police track down the person responsible. If the other person has stopped, make sure you swap contact details with them. You should also report any incident to the BHS’s horse accidents website (horseaccidents.org.uk). Logging incidents, no matter how small, allows us to campaign to protect riders and horses. Roadwork in company Q Is it acceptable to ride two abreast on roads? Martha Elder,…

If you’re looking to invest in a new saddle, take a closer look at Black Country Saddles’ gorgeous Vinici Range before you make your decision. With more than 80 years of combined experience, the Master Saddlers have used their extensive knowledge and skills to develop this exciting collection of saddles. The Vinici range is designed for close-contact riding, maximising the feel between you and your horse. There are no outer flaps, which helps to achieve the feel of a narrower twist. This is particularly beneficial for wider-fitting horses and will also help you to maintain a correct position while riding. Additionally, the flexible overlay girthing system lies neatly above the cushioned sweat flap to avoid any discomfort. The Vinici Dressage saddle has a medium-deep seat and the positioning of the…

Wood fibre This is made from carefully selected recycled white wood fibre. ADVANTAGES • Environmentally friendly Fairly dust-free • Warm, comfortable and supportive • Free draining, so bedding stays dry on top • Doesn’t cling to manes, tails or rugs DISADVANTAGES • Bales are often small due to the heavier weight of the product Due to its high absorbency, bedding can be heavy to remove Chopped straw Available in two options – wheat and rape. Some products are treated to give extra benefits, such as being anti-viral, anti-bacterial and non-palatable. ADVANTAGES • Highly absorbent Easy to handle • Economical to use Easy to dispose of, and rots down quickly DISADVANTAGE • Some horses may try to eat it Wood pellets These are made from white wood fibre that’s been heat…

Cavallo Jaqueline functional shirt Price £75 SPORTY STYLING This luxurious shirt is made from a merino wool mix, making it soft and insulating but still breathable. It’s quick drying, odour neutralising and cut in a sporty style with a fashionable detail on the front. Colours Sand, mauve, silver, dark blue Sizes 34 - 46 Contact www.zebraproducts.co.uk Mountain Horse Heat Tech Polo Price £44 HIGH COLLAR FOR COMFORT A moisture wicking, practical and super comfortable top. The high collar with crossover detail looks great and will help to keep the cold out too, while the soft quick-drying fabric has a brushed inside for added warmth. Colours Black, foggy navy, tulip purple Sizes XS - XXL Contact Available from UK retailers Toggi Catton Price £55 A FLEECE WITH A DIFFERENCE A…

“I had tears in my eyes to have actually done it” JULIE SWINFIELD YEARNED to ride regularly when she was a child, but she rarely had the opportunity. Now, after a few false starts she’s finally entered her first dressage competition aged 46. She explains her story here. “I’ve always loved horses, but never really had the chance to pursue riding as a youngster. Years went by and it wasn’t until I started dating my now husband that horses re-entered the conversation. “I mentioned to him that I’d had a few riding lessons when I was little, but always wanted to do more. I thought nothing more of it, but then he surprised me with some lessons for my birthday. When I first sat in the saddle, I was hooked,…

IT’S FAIR TO say that winter brings challenges to even the most seasoned of horse riders. The shorter days, wetter weather and muddy bridleways can make it a challenge to find the balance (and the time) to have a good gallop through the countryside, while keeping your tack clean. The team at Wintec have developed a range of saddles with you in mind, meaning you can spend less time worrying about your tack and more time with your horse. Choosing a weatherproof and waterproof synthetic saddle from Wintec will take time out of cleaning your tack and make oiling your saddle a thing of the past. A simple wipe over once a month is enough for your Wintec saddle, meaning there’ll be less time tack cleaning and more spent riding.…

IF YOU’RE LOOKING for unbeatable prices on great technical riding clothing that’s warm, waterproof and able to cope with the unpredictable British winter weather, then the autumn/winter women’s textile range from Fouganza is for you. The team at Fouganza know the importance of staying warm and dry, whatever the weather throws at you. This year’s collection combines practicality with plenty of style, all at prices that won’t break the bank. This extensive collection of clothing is only available at Decathlon stores and online. A JACKET FOR RIDING AND ON THE YARD First things first, a jacket you can rely on is essential and will make the cold months that little bit more bearable. The Paddock Women’s Riding Jacket offers perfect protection against the cold and rain. The breathable fabric ensures…

A study has revealed that 70% of grooms report being bullied in the workplace, either by their employer or by colleagues. The research, conducted by the British Grooms Association (BGA), also revealed that 83% of grooms surveyed suffer from stress and mental wellbeing issues. A total of 1315 grooms were surveyed for the report, with one stating they were bullied ‘to the extent of a breakdown’. As a result, the BGA have launched a campaign called Grooms Minds, which hopes to address the issues associated with mental health. Lucy Katan, Executive Director of the BGA says: “The Grooms Minds project is very close to our hearts and is an issue we simply shouldn’t ignore. Following analysis of the results, we’re going to build an online portal that’ll support those affected…

MEET THE EXPERT Four-star eventer LIZZEL WINTER is a fellow of the BHS and is also responsible for the rider and coach development programme for British Eventing WE CAN’T GET away from it. The nights have drawn in and the temperatures are dropping. But before we all start groaning about frozen fingers and toes, let’s look at the small steps we can take to ensure the winter months are as productive as the summer. Our expert has lots of advice for staying motivated and keeping your horse fit and healthy too, even through the coldest of days. Read on! All in the mind “Managing winter and all it throws at us is all about the mindset” explains Lizzel. “I work with competition riders at all levels and rarely do I…

MEET THE EXPERT ANTHONY CLARK is an eventer. He’s competed at a number of three-star events including Blenheim, and was selected for the Nations Cup team in 2017. IF YOUR HORSE lacks accuracy when jumping, this can make the whole experience seem daunting. Whether he struggles to stay straight, lacks rhythm or knocks poles, it can all make for a bumpy ride and knock your confidence as a rider. Here, eventer Anthony Clark explains the exercises he uses to help his five-year-old horse, Baskins Wicked Game (known as Jimmy) jump with accuracy. Let him problem solve When it comes to jumping, we all strive for perfection but, as Anthony explains, letting your horse make mistakes is all part of the learning process. “When Jimmy first came to the yard he…

MEET THE EXPERT NICKY JARVIS is the head of veterinary care at Redwings Horse Sanctuary. See: www.redwings.org.uk. COLD WEATHER CAN take its toll on the older horse, so making sure he’s in tip-top condition is important. Regular vet and dental check-ups will help keep him in good nick, but as Nicky Jarvis explains, how you manage your veteran’s care routine will depend on his overall condition. “A horse’s age doesn’t decree a style of management” says Nicky. “Ask yourself if your horse is prone to putting on weight or losing it; that will determine how you manage him during the winter and beyond. There are always certain expectations that because your horse is older he has to have extra feeds in the winter, or he has to wear a heavy…

Clear those ditches Q My horse always stops before a ditch. How can I boost his confidence? Winnie Grange, Glos A Ditches are a problem fence for lots of people, so take comfort in the fact that you’re not alone. On your approach, make sure you don’t look down into the ditch. If you look down, you drop your shoulders forward and take your leg off. Look up and keep your shoulders back, put your heels down and kick on. Approaching in trot can let your horse see and work out the question without shocking him, but make sure he’s still in front of your leg. Having an experienced coach who can watch and help you from the ground will make sure you’re doing all the right things and give…

NIKKI SAYS THAT Sky has recently been given a clean bill of health by her vet, but even though she’s tried various types of hay and haylage, Sky simply won’t eat the quantities she needs to maintain her weight over the winter. Despite this, she grazes happily when she’s in the field. It isn’t common, but some horses just don’t enjoy hay or haylage – and Sky sounds like one of them. Nikki is already supplying a twice-daily ration of chopped fibre, mixed with high-fibre cubes, but Sky tends to eat this relatively quickly. To make sure Sky has access to fibre (that she’ll eat!) throughout the night, Nikki should consider a high-fibre, low-starch soaked feed as well. The added water will provide safe volume and the mash should tempt…

Equinola PRICE £7 for a 20kg bale BALES TO SET UP 4 to 6 TO TOP UP WEEKLY 1 to 2 This is made from high quality, precision chopped and dust extracted oilseed rape straw. It’s treated with a lemon scented tea tree oil for a fresh aroma combined with the benefits of this oil, which is a natural insect repellent. To help prevent your horse from tucking into his bedding, Equinola includes a natural, bitter-tasting herbal mix. CONTACT www.bedwellbedding.co.uk Verdo horse bedding PRICE From £4.69 for a 15kg bag BALES TO SET UP 6 to 10 TO TOP UP WEEKLY 1 bag These wood pellets are heat treated to eliminate pests and bacteria. Low in dust, once activated by adding a small amount of water, it creates a…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A cloth or a sponge and a small, soft bristled brush for any stubborn marks Wintec Saddle Cleaner (or a bucket of water with mild detergent) A bucket of clean water for rinsing A stand or fence rail to rest your saddle on Your favourite music to have a good singalong too (it’ll make cleaning fly by) STEP 1: WET YOUR SADDLE Spray your Wintec Saddle Cleaner onto your saddle, or apply mild detergent and water with a cloth or brush, and wipe your saddle over. STEP 2: SCRUB STUBBORN MARKS A good rub with a small, soft bristled brush can remove any stubborn marks, ingrained grease and dirt. If your saddle features Equi-Suede, the brush can also fluff up the material to make it look like…

THERE ARE MANY joint feed supplements and products on the market and often it can be hard to know what each of them could do for your horse or pony. Most importantly, it can be difficult to know which one is the most suitable for your horse’s type and workload. Blue Chip Feed has three very effective and palatable joint support options, which supply your horse with the essentials for great movement and performance. One liquid, one pelleted and one formulated into a feed balancer that all work to support healthy joints as part of a long-term maintenance regime. Blue Chip Liquid Joint RLF Blue Chip Liquid Joint RLF contains glucosamine, MSM, hyaluronic acid, yucca and manganese, which all help to nourish the joints, but also contains a rosehip extract.…

WINTER CAN BE quite a challenging time for both horses and owners. Not only do you have to contend with dark mornings and nights, miserable weather and wet and muddy fields, but maintaining your horse’s condition and fitness throughout the winter months can be difficult. Petplan Equine’s veterinary expert, Gil Riley, takes us through three common conditions for horses in winter. He explains the symptoms to look out for and the treatment to ensure your horse is kept healthy and happy this winter. MUD FEVER Despite its name, mud fever, or pastern dermatitis, is a range of skin reactions to bacterial infection, mite infestation and other skin irritants, which affect your horse’s lower limbs. A horse’s skin is amazingly delicate. Rubbing from boots or tack, or even being worked in…

IF YOU’RE THE owner of an older horse, you’ll know that keeping him at his ideal body weight can be a challenge during the winter months. It’s well recognised that the efficiency of your horse’s digestive system declines with age and, on top of this, a combination of cold weather and a decline in grazing quality can all lead to significant weight loss. It can be challenging to know what to do for the best, but the team at Allen & Page has developed feeds especially for veterans, taking the worry out of feeding once and for all. Here, nutritionist Joanna Palmer tells readers about Allen & Page’s Veteran Vitality feed. Optimised for older horses To compensate for the decline in the efficiency of your horse’s digestive system as he…

THE NAME MUD fever is given to a wide range of skin reactions caused by bacteria that thrive in wet muddy conditions. It can present itself as a mild skin irritation or, in severe cases, cause swelling and lameness. If your horse suffers from mud fever, it can make winter a miserable time for both of you. Keeping your horse stabled isn’t always the best choice because he needs to be out in the field to move around and graze. So what are your options for keeping this condition at bay? bulbs of the heel, which allows mud to easily seep up the leg. The Submarine hoof capsule used in the Woof Wear Mud Fever Boot, is articulated and ‘dives deep’ underneath the bulbs of the heel to prevent the…

Injecting DNA into the tendons and ligaments of injured horses can cure lameness, say scientists. The team, from the Kazan Federal University, Moscow State Academy and the University of Nottingham, used gene therapy on two horses who were suffering with severe injuries. One had an injury in its suspensory ligament, the other in its superior digital flexor tendon. After treatment, they were walking and trotting within three weeks. The therapy used a combination of genes, derived from horses, that are involved in the growth of blood vessels and development of bone and cartilage. Both horses were back to full health within two months. The study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, has been hailed as ground-breaking, with the treatment offering a much faster healing time than current therapies. Dr Catrin…

BLOG POST: THE IMPORTANCE OF THINKING LATERALLY Amateur show jumper Abi Rule has an interesting blog post on ‘The Importance of Thinking Laterally’, not just in your riding, but in everyday life. Thinking laterally, she says, is “the ability to look at a problem in a fresh way and come up with a new/different solution than perhaps the most obvious.” http://bit.ly/2zUI8xF EQUESTRIAN JOURNAL Get stuck into planning out your New Year riding goals with this stylish planner and notebook. A great way to keep track of your targets and the perfect Christmas stocking filler. http://etsy.me/2gNIhhO THE AGE OF THE HORSE: AN EQUINE JOURNEY THROUGH HUMAN HISTORY This book discusses the important role horses have played during revolution, war, social change and how they’re now used in the 21st century in…

Earlier in the year my 11-year-old daughter Jasmine went out on a hack down our local country lane (which she’d done several times before) except this time her pony uncharacteristically spooked at something, twisted round and collided with a car. Jasmine fell off and landed on her feet, but unfortunately her pony, King, broke his leg. Jasmine was kept at home with her Nanny while the vet was called. When the vet came he told me there was nothing we could do for King and that he would have to be put to sleep. Before the accident happened, Jasmine had been having the most amazing time on King and was going to start Elementary dressage tests. She’d also come first in the first round of the Prelim Area Festivals and…

AT THIS TIME of year it’s all too easy to hug the arena and ditch lengthy hacks, but a Saturday morning blast across a frost-covered field is the ultimate stress-reliever. And whether you’re 20 miles in to our #Hack 1000miles challenge or 200, what’s stopping you upping your game and trotting ever-nearer to your 1,000-mile goal? Nothing! You might even find you have more fun than you do in summer. Here’s how… Feel inspired to try a new route We all have our favourite hacks – the ones we ride time and again. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But just sometimes it’s exciting to wander away from the usual and try something new. Your horse will enjoy the change of scenery, and it can even help with any riding…

MEET THE EXPERT Lisa Eklund is an equestrian performance coach who’s based in New York in the US. She uses mindfulness with her pupils to tackle a wide range of issues. MINDFULNESS TEACHES us to live for the moment – not worrying about what has happened, or may be about to happen. It’s about appreciating our surroundings, noticing people, sights, smells and sounds and controlling our internal dialogue. Mindful riders focus on what’s happening right now, and don’t let their mind wander or become stressed, which helps their horses too. It’s a fantastic, hugely positive state of mind to be in, and here to help us all achieve it is expert Lisa Eklund. Why mindfulness matters “Habits are so automatic we often don’t notice them,” explains Lisa. “It’s easy to…

MEET THE EXPERT YAZMIN PINCHEN is an international show jumper and a brand ambassador for Dodson & Horrell, the horse feed specialists. She has represented GB worldwide and is aiming for the next Olympics.www.yazminpinchen.co.uk There’s a lot to think about in a jump-off. Do you play it safe, take the long route and go clear, even though you could risk losing out to a faster pair? or do you gamble, taking tight turns to make up time and chance a fallen pole here and there? Fear not, because international show jumper Yazmin Pinchen is here to take the guesswork out of it all. Practise her four exercises regularly and you could improve your jump-off score by suppling your horse, getting him to listen and enhancing your control. ADAPT HIS STRIDE…

MEET THE EXPERT DAVID DEPTFORD is one of the most well-known faces in Western riding. He’s at the forefront of promoting the Quarter Horse and Western riding in the UK and has taught Western to horses and riders from all disciplines.http://bit.ly/2xI5AQ6 TEACHING YOUR HORSE collection can help you in all areas of your riding. If you have a strong horse who gets a little onward bound at times, collection can help to slow him down. It can also help to encourage impulsion as your horse will learn to take his weight back onto his hindquarters rather than onto his forehand. “In the world of Western, collection makes it easier for our horses to make soft changes of direction, which is what we will be practising in this exercise,” says David.…

The condition RAO is a chronic condition that commonly affects horses who are stabled for prolonged periods of time and fed dry roughage. The condition’s caused by a repeated exposure to dust and mould spores found in bedding and hay. When your horse inhales these spores they trigger an allergic reaction in the small airways. This results in a muscle spasm (a bronchospasm), which causes the small airways to narrow and produce a thick, sticky mucus to trap the spores and stop them travelling any further. RAO is prevalent in the winter months as horses are stabled for longer periods of time. Older horses are also more prone to the condition because an ageing immune system means an increased sensitivity to the spores. It’s non-infectious and non-contagious and completely reversible…

ARTHRITIS Arthritis is a condition often claimed for with regard to horses. Similar to arthritis in humans, an ageing horse will become stiff over time and his flexibility will decrease. The condition is hard to prevent, but keep him moving and get your vet to assess how he trots on hard surfaces in order to assess joint weakness. Petplan Equine paid out £179,382 in claims for arthritis for horses 17 years and over in 2016. The majority of these claims were for horses aged 17. LAMINITIS Many elderly horses suffer from laminitis because the pituitary gland in the horse’s brain becomes more likely to develop into a tumour as age increases, causing first Cushing’s and then laminitis. Once a horse has suffered from laminitis, he will always be more susceptible,…

Alleviating stable boredom Q My horse has to be stabled for much of the winter. How can I keep him happy? John Matthews, Kent A Horses are designed to live outside and trickle graze, so to recreate this in the stable, feed hay and haylage in several small-holed haynets and hang them in different spots. This means your horse will have to move around to forage for his feed, and it will slow down his eating, too. Horses are herd animals so, if possible, ensure he has company and can see lots of yard activity from his stable. This will also help to keep him mentally occupied. Let him stretch his legs Stabled horses should get out at least a couple of times a day, even if it’s once in-hand…

IT CAN ALWAYS be a struggle to find the right outfit at this time of year, but don’t let the cold and wet weather stop you looking fantastic this winter. With Hy Equestrian’s stunning fashion accessories, you don’t need to sacrifice style to keep warm. Great for both the yard and everyday life, you’re sure to find that perfect winter essential to complement your look. HyFASHION MELROSE CABLE BOBBLE HAT Keep your head snug this winter with the Melrose Cable Bobble Hat. This stylish hat is designed with a fleece lining to ensure it’s both warm and comfortable to wear, a detachable bobble for a customisable look, and a beautifully woven finish that brings a sleek and elegant feel. With a choice of four different colours (navy, grey, raspberry and…

DEVELOP HIS LATERAL SUPPLENESS Card 2 Serpentines can help to improve your horse’s lateral suppleness and act as a stepping stone for teaching him to stretch. Essentially, a serpentine is a series of half 20m circles with a change of direction each time you cross the centre line. Stage 1 1 In trot, start riding a simple three-loop serpentine from A or C. 2 As you ride each loop, your horse should be bent around your inside leg, with your inside rein directing him. 3 He should step softly into your outside rein with your outside leg controlling his quarters. 4 As you change direction over the centre line, think of your horse being parallel to the short side for one horse’s length. 5 Then start to look in the…