Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 446 i Your Horse

IN THIS ISSUE we’re celebrating Your Horse hitting the grand age of 35 (p22). It’s astounding how much the horse world — and this magazine — has changed over the years, which made this a particularly fun one to research. I remember my family’s tack room was filled with all things leather: no synthetic or webbing materials to be seen. My first synthetic saddle (when I was about 10) was made from material that ripped easily. It was dressage shape but I still used it for all Pony Club activities, including gymkhana and cross-country. I’m not sure that would be allowed in 2018. There weren’t many professional saddle fitters. Instead, my sister and I relied on our grandmother’s wisdom to ensure we had happy ponies, and she didn’t fail us.…

“When it came to my first trip home, we lied about having wheelchair access in our historic cottage that had steps everywhere” JULIE TEW IS CRYING. Two narrow parallel streams course down her tanned cheeks. Sitting cross-legged on a worktop in the kitchen area of her tack room, she grabs a tea towel and pats her face dry. Temporarily. Still they flow. These aren’t the kind of tears shed by a (briefly) desolate Andy Murray on losing Wimbledon in 2012. Those were quickly dried and replaced 12 months later by beaming smiles. The event rider’s tears symbolise two decades of unseen and largely unknown (beyond her immediate family) pain, darkness, depression, anger, insecurity, frustration and disappointment — but, on the flip side, euphoria. Her completion of Burghley’s cross-country course in…

RECOGNISED BY ITS inward-turning ears, this beautiful rare breed comes from the Marwar region of India. It is thought to be descended from native Indian ponies crossed with Arabs, possibly with some Mongolian influence too. The history of the Marwari goes back to 1150 AD, with relics and paintings of them found peppering the walls of caves in western and central India, which then included Iran. It’s safe to say this horse is one of the oldest known breeds in the modern world. Traditional rulers of the Marwar region were the first to breed the Marwari and they were careful to breed for both purity and hardiness — essential as they were to eventually become cavalry horses. They were loyal and brave in the mayhem of battle, a good friend…

CAST YOUR MIND back to a time when shoulder pads were the norm and Culture Club topped the charts with Karma Chameleon. A time when Madonna had her first hit single and leg warmers and jelly shoes were on trend. The eventing world was dominated by two riders — Lucinda Green won Badminton riding Regal Realm and Ginny Holgate (now Elliot) won Burghley on Priceless. Earlier this same year, the Irish-bred, British-trained Derby winner Shergar was kidnapped — never to be seen again. The year? 1983. During this history-making 12 months, Your Horse magazine appeared on the newsstand. Over those 35 years, memorable trends have come and gone. In the 80s, Puffa jackets were all the rage, riding hats didn’t have a harness and cooler rugs didn’t exist. Instead, you’d…

❋ Strive to stretch An ex-racehorse will benefit from lots of long and low work. It helps build the correct muscles, teaches him to lower his head and is great for his mind too. If he’s not too fresh, start every session this way. ❋ Be creative A schooling session that is full of transitions, shapes and changes of pace will keep your ex-racer’s sharp mind occupied. Don’t do any one movement for too long. ❋ Be patient Re-training an ex-racehorse is massively rewarding, but it takes time. Rush it and your horse will be stressed in his mind and tired through his body. Take it slowly and correctly and you could very well have a superstar on your hands.…

Trauma The CNS is well protected, surrounded by multiple layers of tissue (the meninges), fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) and bones. “When damage does happen,” says Leticia, “it can trigger an inflammatory response, haemorrhage or lack of blood supply (ischemia), which can compromise the nervous function. “Clinical signs vary, depending on where the damage is. Abnormal behaviour, depression, sudden blindness, an abnormal position of the head, problems with balance, convulsions or asymmetries in the face are normally related to issues of the brain, stem cell or cranial nerves.” Generally, very severe lesions on the CNS will knock your horse to the floor. He will be unable to get up and may not survive. “Because of this, you should get your vet to check your horse after a severe trauma, especially if he’s…

■ Barrier creams can help prevent mud fever, but access to a clean, dry environment is vital. Do not apply barrier creams to damp legs. ■ Legs should be cleaned daily. ■ If legs are washed, dry them thoroughly. ■ Allowing mud to dry naturally, then brushing it off, is an acceptable management method, but ensure air is allowed to get to the legs each day. ■ Be especially vigilant with feathered or white-legged horses. ■ Consider removing feathers before mud fever has chance to occur.…

White line disease The white line is the area on the ground surface of the foot that appears as a narrow ring of horny tissue at the perimeter of the sole. Infection occurs when this area is weakened and a cavity develops, separating the outer hoof wall from the laminae, allowing bacteria to enter. ■ Clinical signs: Widening of the white line, discolouration, lameness, sensitivity to hoof testers and pus from the coronary band. ■ Causes: Excessively wet conditions, long spells of dry weather/being stabled, poor quality horn due to nutritional deficiency, bacterial infection and penetration of the white line by sharp objects. ■ Treatment: Rest, cleaning and trimming to restore correct balance, removal of diseased tissue, draining of any pus and improving diet. ■ Prevention: Keep feet clean. Avoid…

Behaviour p96 Catherine Bell is a qualified equine behaviourist who co-runs The Equine Behaviour and Training Association (EBTA) with fellow behaviourists Anna Haines and Jenni Nellist. Dentistry p98 James Sheppard is an equine dental technician (EDT) with 15 years’ experience. He has treated equines in 18 different countries, including top level performance horses from all disciplines. Go bitless p100 Jenni Nellist is a horse trainer and Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist. She has been riding and competing bitless for nearly 20 years. Vaccines p102 Donal Murphy is a veterinary surgeon and head of technical and regulatory affairs with the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH). He was previously a vet with the Animal Health Agency.…

Big bad wolf teeth Q Why do horses have wolf teeth if they cause so many problems? Amanda Cavanagh, Merseyside James says... Millions of years ago, wolf teeth were similar in size to the rest of the horse’s molars and functioned as grinding/ chewing teeth. Back then, horses were forest-dwelling bush eaters, with the cheek teeth being small and narrow, like those of goats and sheep. There were therefore seven functional cheek teeth in each ‘arcade’ of teeth, compared to six in today’s horses. As equines have evolved, the wolf teeth haven’t. They have no function now and are little more than a nuisance for any ridden horse, so I always advise removal. On the right path Q I’m at college and studying biology, maths and English. What steps do…

Family planning Q Does my mare need an equine herpes vaccination before I put her into foal? Peter Bright, Gloucestershire Donal says... The answer to this depends on numerous factors, including your mare’s previous vaccination status and your current husbandry procedures. To help answer though, it’s best that owners understand the equine herpes virus (EHV) and the problems and symptoms it can cause. The two main types, EHV-1 and EHV-4, are also the types we can vaccinate against. EHV-1 is the most significant viral cause of abortion in horses. However, it is more commonly known for the respiratory symptoms it can spark in young animals. In some cases, EHV-1 may even cause neurological signs, such as paralysis. The other type, EHV-4, usually causes mild respiratory disease. The disease is spread…

Safety in numbers Q What is herd immunity? Is it something I should raise with the yard owner when taking my horse to a new home? He’s only a baby and hasn’t had all his vaccinations yet. Charly Swales, Stirling Donal says... Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of a herd has been vaccinated. It allows for individuals who have not developed immunity to have a measure of protection against the disease(s) vaccinated against. This minimises the spread of some contagious diseases, such as equine flu. However, for other diseases, such as tetanus, vaccination of one or more horses in the herd has no effect on the susceptibility of an unvaccinated animal. If a majority of the horses are vaccinated against these contagious diseases, there will be a reduction…

THE ABILITY TO maintain a correct position in the saddle is something we’re all constantly working on, but it’s inevitable that from time to time your ability to maintain this perfectly balanced posture is compromised. Let’s face it, riding and looking after horses is hard work and often involves physical lifting and carrying. Add to this that if, like me, your full-time job involves sitting at a desk all day working on a computer, this will further challenge your posture when you’re in the saddle. I’m the first to admit my posture isn’t great and, as a result, I can suffer from muscular discomfort in my neck and shoulders. When I heard about the range of products from ActivePosture, I wanted to find out more. Mirroring your muscles The unique…

CHOOSING BETWEEN HAY and haylage is a decision often made simply on cost, but with so many products on the market these days, how can you be sure you’re making the right choice? Here are some factors that may help you decide: Hay Hay is normally the cheapest type of forage. Usually locally-produced, it can be inconsistent as quality and hygiene is dependent on the type of grass harvested and its dry matter at the time of baling, as well as the weather conditions during harvesting. A dust-free forage is more important than nutritional value, as hay with a low nutritional content can be supplemented with either a bagged forage and/or concentrates. It should have a clean, sweet smell and a greenish colour. Hay shouldn’t be fed if it’s musty…

Deputy editor Allison Lowther:  lt’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas... I’ve had a great time putting together a festive themed gear section, complete with our giveaway of the year. One lucky reader will win the whole lot — what a great Christmas that person will have! Page 114 Acting online editor Julie Brown: I’ve spent many a happy hour travelling through the archives for our 35th anniversary feature. How things have changed! What hasn’t is the passion for horses oozing from every page. Here’s to the next 35! Page 22 Action rider and stuntman Ben Atkinson: Horses love food, so I use it to help a horse who’s scared of traffic feel more comfortable. My tried and tested method, which you can do at home with your horse,…

GIZAHAND LED WHIP This handy device will help keep you safe on hacks all year round, but especially in dull weather. The Gizahand whip with LED light is highly visible to road users. It’s charged using a USB port and has the option of constant light mode (up to 10 hours per charge) or flash modes. It makes you so much easier to spot. RRP £39.99 gizahand.co.uk VOLUNTEERING AT OLYMPIA After being announced as the official charity of this year’s London International Horse Show, Brooke is on the lookout for volunteers to help it collect donations during the seven-day event, which starts on 17 December. If you’d like to be considered, email your request to hanna.sturman@thebrooke.org MANE ‘N TAIL HAIR CARE RANGE We love the fact that this range of…

“I was never the same on a horse and I became angry at the realisation that I would never be the same again” ■ ASH WALLACE — Team GB’s lead physio for athlete health. Julie met Ash and r eceived her first treatment at the Luhmühlen CCI4* this year. “She says she will never get me perfect, but she can get the muscles w orking. It’s a weird sensation, but each time she treats me, I can start to feel bits in my feet that I haven’t felt for years.” ■ PROF ROBERT BOR — A clinical and specialis t aviation psychologist, he told Julie “you are a normal person with abnormal pr oblems”. Julie says: “That day I realised I wasn’t going mad.” ■ B 12 INJECTIONS — “These…

❋ On average, Marwaris range between 14.2hh and 15.2hh, but can be different heights depending on where they are bred, with some up to 16hh. ❋ Colours include bay, grey, chestnut, palomino, piebald or skewbald, black or white. ❋ Grey horses tend to be the most valuable, with piebald and skewbald being the second most favoured. ❋ Black horses are considered unlucky, as the colour is a symbol of death and darkness. ❋ Marwaris that have a white blaze and four white socks are considered lucky. ❋ White horses are used for religious ceremonies only. ❋ Marwaris can rotate their ears 180 degrees. ❋ Hair whorls and their placement is important to breeders. Horses with long whorls down the neck are lucky, whorls below the eyes are unpopular, while whorls…

■ The first two issues were bi-monthly and it became a monthly with the third issue. The magazine is now published 13 times a year, with various specials, DVD and other goodies thrown in ■ Our tried and tested feature has been running since the first issue in 1983 and is still as popular as ever ■ It cost 80p back then — bargain! ■ It became a full-colour magazine in 1993 ■ In January 2007, the Horse Answers section hit a record 32 pages, with 50 questions answered. Phew!…

A Rey of sunshine The first day I met Afortunado, or Rey to his friends, he was an 18-month-old colt who had been rescued, along with his mother, from very unfortunate circumstances. The first thing I noticed wasn’t his glossy coat or athletic movement, it was his huge personality as he came striding up the field, fearless and inquisitive. That was the day I fell for my Spanish horse. I eventually took Rey home in 2010 as a two year old and started him the following spring, using the methods I learned from Buck Brannaman and Ricky Quinn. Rey embraced his education with enthusiasm and we had four fantastic years of fun together. Sadly, due to his bad start in life, his body was never as able as his huge…

Spanish swooner Me and my beautiful Spanish PRE gelding Rolo. Sarah Henderson, Hertfordshire Photobomb! This is my welshie Summer looking excited after I set the jumps up, as jumping is her favourite thing! Holly Fear, Bournemouth Pretty in pink My name’s Becky and I have two horses — this is Foxy. Becky Askew, via email Chill factor Hattie and I bracing ourselves for the colder weather. Tracey Dean, Lincolnshire Cuteness overload Here’s me with Bonnie, my Welsh section B foal. Rachael Bacon, Plymouth Kissing booth Dollar, my first horse, and I sharing a moment. Paul Duffy, Ireland Oldie but a goodie This is Kai. He’s a veteran now, but can still give the youngsters a run for their money cross-country. Fiona Vaughan, Northampton Jingle all the way My horse Keith…

IF YOU’RE A lover and collector of handbags, this competition is for you. English brand Grays 1922 is offering a gorgeous bundle of goodies, in the colour of your choice, from their luxury equestrian-inspired leather designer handbags, purses and wallets. Each of our lucky two winners will receive the following: The Barrington Holdall is perfect for overnight stays. This leather bag has a snaffle bit and saddle-inspired design. Each time you use this bag the leather softens, giving it more character while still being durable — the perfect excuse for more weekends away. The compact, equestrian-inspired Julia Side Bag is cleverly designed, despite its size, and will carry all your necessities with ease. There are internal card slots and a zipped coin pocket — so no need to take your…

A HI-VIS WATERPROOF and warm jacket is the perfect addition to your riding wardrobe for the winter ahead. Whether you’re hacking out, or going to and from the yard, you need to be visible and the Equisafety Yellow Aspey Jacket is made for the job. It has 360-degree reflection and fluorescent properties so you’re clearly visible from all angles. On the back of the jacket there’s a pull-down warning triangle. This fastens securely at the side and it can be rolled back into the collar when you don’t need it. The Aspey jacket is made using Equithermal technology — a revolutionary fabric designed in the UK by Equisafety. The jacket has a 100% waterproof outer shell to keep you dry. It’s made from two layers of fabric that trap in…

Sleepy time Q How can I create the perfect conditions for sleep when my horse is stabled? James King, Surrey Catherine says... Some horses spend so much time in their stables that if they don’t feel happy sleeping there, it can become a huge welfare concern. Sleep deprivation is a common problem, often causing owners to believe their horse has narcolepsy because of the way they may suddenly fall over. Changes in environment can sometimes be sufficient to resolve things quickly though. How much does he need? Horses typically need between three and four hours’ sleep in a 24-hour period, of which 15 minutes is deep Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, when the horse will lie on his side, fully recumbent. Older horses may need more. These hours of sleep…

Hole in the wall Q I want to try bitless riding but can’t imagine it going any other way than a horse and rider-shaped hole in the arena wall! How likely am I to not be able to stop? Faye Kent, Teesside Jenni says... This is a completely normal rider fear. Riding without a bit can at first seem like removing the brakes on your car and driving off anyway, so it’s a good idea to run through a checklist (see panel, right). If the answer to these three questions is ‘yes’, then transitioning to bitless is likely to go smoothly. How about no? However, if the answer to any of them (especially the first) is ‘no’, then you have some work to do and, in some cases, safe…

■ Isolate new animals ■ Monitor animals in quarantine for signs of clinical disease ■ Take care not to allow direct or indirect contact between horses (such as on people’s hands, clothing or equipment) ■ Disinfect food and water containers ■ Disinfect horseboxes before and after collecting new animals ■ Refrain from overcrowding the yard. Some horses infected with strangles can become carriers who don’t show any clinical signs. They can only be identified through testing and this should be carried out while the horse is in quarantine.…

Sarah Dyett is wondering if she needs a specialist senior feed for her elderly cob Mandy, who is starting to show her age. Sarah says that at a grand age of 31, Mandy is showing slight signs of stiffness and is finding it harder to hold her condition. Sarah takes Mandy for a short hack two or three times a week to maintain the mare’s muscle tone because, as Sarah explains, “they both love getting out and about”. Sarah says she has started feeding Mandy a scoop of basic cubes twice a day, but she’s a fussy eater and tends not to finish the bowl. She doesn’t usually finish her hay either. While Mandy is doing well for her age, it certainly sounds as if she would benefit from an…

A look at the latest gear from the equine world STYLISH PONCHO The gorgeous Equetech Reversible Snaffles Poncho gives you twice the love with its reversible design. Choose from classic navy with grey snaffle bit detail, or grey with a bit-design hem in navy — the choice is yours. RRP £37.50 BUY AT equetech.com BEAT THE MUD Equi-Chaps Close Contact Chaps fit like a second skin to keep your horse’s legs protected from the damaging effects of mud. These breathable turnout boots are made from perforated neoprene and with four-way stretch, they help to keep legs clean and dry. RRP £49.95 BUY AT equilibriumproducts.com STAY COOL AND COMFY For a unique look this season, check out the Gridwork 1/4 Zip Baselayer from Ariat. The grid pattern…

The Building Blocks of Training: A Step by Step Guide to the Gymnastic Development of the Equine Athlete by Debby Lush A comprehensive guide to training your horse, illustrated with photographs and diagrams to help you understand. Useful troubleshooting sections at the end of each chapter will help you tackle any issues you may have. Black Beauty Illustrated Classic by Anna Sewell A new, hardback edition of the classic story that includes beautiful, full-page illustrations by Chiara Fedele throughout. It is sure to be loved by adult and child alike. Cavalletti For Dressage And Jumping by Ingrid and Reiner Klimke (4th edition) This book is filled to the brim with exercises, all accompanied by a range of diagrams and photos. These make each aspect of the training…

I WAS SURPRISED TO find out from Spillers (p6) that grassroots competing is only classed as light work when it comes to feeding. All those years I assumed my riding club horse was in medium work (he was always ridden for several hours most days), but it turns out I was wrong. Luckily, he wasn’t the type to become overweight easily, but it just goes to show what a big topic feeding is — and that there’s always something new to learn or rediscover. That’s why Your Horse magazine has brought you this Feed Guide, in time for winter. In these 32 pages we tackle this massive topic head on, narrowing it down to the facts you really do need to know about. If you haven’t recited the feeding rules…

BALANCERS EXPLAINED Feeding a high-quality feed balancer is the ideal way to ensure your horse receives all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients he needs for all-round health and wellbeing. To ensure his head to hoof needs are taken care of, your balancer should ideally contain a probiotic digestive aid, a skin and coat supplement, a respiratory aid and a hoof supplement. There are also balancers specifically designed for the individual needs of horses and ponies with different problems. ONE FOR THE OLDIES More mature horses have specific needs that can be catered for by feeding a senior feed balancer. They require an elevated level of vitamins and minerals compared to their younger herdmates, and will benefit from a joint supplement to boost healthy joint function and support movement. Some even…

“Billy Connolly once said: ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing’ ” IF ANYONE’S GOING to know about staying motivated to hack in the winter, it’s an endurance rider. And we’ve tracked one down in the form of Caroline Cowley, fresh from the World Equestrian Games. Caroline has agreed to share her secrets to getting in the saddle every day, whatever the weather. “At the moment, my horse HS Bellini (stable name El Nino) is on holiday after flying back from America in September,” says Caroline. “But he’s only got another week or so to kick up his heels and then it’s back to work.” Once in work again, it’s full steam ahead as they’ve a 120-mile ride to complete in March. “I can’t let bad…

Linda Leonard isn’t going to let anything stop her from achieving her #Hack1000miles goal. “I’m nearly 66 and have had Ty, my Welsh section D, for seven years. I broke him myself and have spent time carefully training him. In March I had my first angina attack followed by a mini stroke two months ago. I worried I might have an issue when riding, but once I’m in the saddle I just get on with it. Ty is really good and looks after me when I need it, which is reassuring as I’ve suffered from confidence issues in the past. “This challenge has really helped me as I mostly ride on my own. It inspires me to keep going, knowing other riders are doing it too. “For me, being in…

Ben Leathers BHSI is a part-time firefighter at his local station in Partridge Green, West Sussex. He is also a professional riding coach, trainer and event rider based at Homelands Equestrian, a livery and competition training yard. My jobs… I event up to one-star level and run a livery, competition and training yard alongside my wife Jo, son Joshua and a great team of staff. We have horses in to train and compete, as well as riding and competing my own horses and looking after horses on livery. On top of the yard and eventing, I’m also on call 80 hours a week with the fire service. I’m on call usually from 1pm in the afternoon until 5am in the morning. I have an alerter (pager) on me, so if…

The picture chosen for the cover of the first issue (May/June 1983) is definitely not up to today’s standards as far as colour and style are concerned. But eventing trainer of the time, Ruth McMullen (who coached Pippa Funnell to fame), did a sterling job, wearing a headscarf The Queen would surely love to have in her wardrobe. This issue attracted thousands of readers, though the rest of the magazine was mostly printed in black and white. Hurtle forwards to 2018 and the covers are a different story. Colourful, more emphasis on the horse, more words and myriad celebrity riders. Over the years, lots of research has been done into what makes a pleasing cover — and it shows. Today’s Your Horse magazine is a riot of colour, filled with…

Cosy cuties Clean, snug and show ready! @looblee, Instagram Thank you, Goldie Some lovely moments at The Royal London Show. An apple for Goldie, along with kisses and cuddles for being a good pony. @summer_isabelle, Instagram History being made Oliver Tuff became the youngest person ever to win the Equitop Myoplast Senior Foxhunter final. #hoys2018 @hoysofficial, Instagram Strike a pose Oreo says cheeesseee! @l34nn3_ward, Instagram Well hellooo there! Hello Mulry! @benhoday, Instagram Flying high Cody and I in our first showjumping competition. @nettiewoo01, Instagram…

THE WINTER MONTHS ARE NO friend to skin. Not only are we nursing our own chaffed hands and chapped lips, but our horses become more susceptible to a range of skin-related complaints. The cold, damp weather makes your horse’s warm body an attractive breeding ground for bugs, while more regular rugging, stable time and clipping also take their toll on the largest organ of the body. ■ Lice What are they? Lice are an incredibly common skin parasite — the most prolific being Damalinia equi, a chewing louse, and Haematopinus, a sucking louse. If you weren’t feeling queasy enough already, equine lice will also bite people. However, they can’t survive off the horse for long. Lice are easily transmitted from horse to horse, preferring to lay eggs on long hair.…

To create the ideal conditions for sleep, owners should take into account the degree of stress in other areas of their horse’s life. Could any of the following be affecting your tired horse in some way? ■ Pain or illness ■ Parasites ■ Inappropriate diet ■ Harsh riding ■ Lack of movement All of these factors have the potential to increase stress and consequently reduce sleep. In some cases, the issue may only be resolved by a complete overhaul of the horse’s living conditions, even considering a new yard that offers full-time turnout.…

All bitless bridles should have the noseband two fingers below the projecting cheekbone and with at least two fingers between the noseband and the nasal bone. Fitting the noseband too low can impinge on the softer, cartilaginous portion of the nose. Try pinching the tip of your nose and wiggling it from side to side, then do the same at the bridge of your nose. This is how the pressure would differ for your horse when wearing a bitless bridle.…

Known for its expertise in senior horse nutrition, Spillers has launched two new senior feeds. The company has also introduced a ‘Senior Friendly’ logo to clearly signpost other senior-suitable products. For added piece of mind, all have been veterinary approved, giving Spillers the first independently veterinary approved senior range on the market. Spillers Senior Complete Care Mix supports joints and digestion. It includes glucosamine, MSM for joints and pro- and prebiotics to help support gut health, together with an appetising blend of real herbs to encourage fussy feeders to tuck in. Spillers Senior Super-Mash promotes condition and gut health, and is ideal for horses with dental issues — it soaks in less than two minutes. High in fibre and molasses free, it also contains gut support from live yeast, MOS…

Up to 15.2hh Top class pony 13hh, 16yo, chestnut, gelding Very sad sale of my daughter’s Welsh section B pony, who is totally outgrown. He has a great work ethic and represented The Pony Club in dressage and SJ at both area and championship level. Competed at county level in WHP. Not totally bombproof on the roads, but is kept opposite a tractor dealership, so he is perfectly used to them! Good to shoe, clip, load and travel. Must go to a forever home. £4,200 Contact: 01446 750409, Vale of Glamorgan Ad ref: DIY1121734 Talented all-rounder 14.2hh, 7yo, piebald, mare Easy, kind, willing mare. Working at elementary level and above at home, ready to move up. Correct uphill paces, good lateral work. Has a fantastic attitude. Done all riding club…

1 FREE ACCESS TO CLEAN, FRESH WATER Horses can drink around five to 10 gallons of water each day, so make sure it’s available constantly. Keeping your troughs/buckets scrubbed clean, free from algae and out of direct sunlight (ideally place their troughs in the shade) will encourage horses to continue drinking. 2 FORAGE — Horses should be provided with access to ad-lib forage (grass/hay/haylage) throughout the day, which will maintain a healthy digestive system. This will be particularly important during the winter as forage will fuel the fermentation process within the hind gut, helping to keep the horse warm. 3 LITTLE AND OFTEN In order to satisfy horses’ natural grazing behaviours, feeding little and often is good management practice, alongside feeding no more than 2kg (dry weight) of concentrates per…