Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 456 i Your Horse

THE RELAXING SOUND of your horse munching hay, or hooves gently clopping down the road… There’s something about these sounds that makes me happy. Who’d have thought that this feeling has a name and many riders are using it to build confidence? Find out about the ASMR trend with a huge following on YouTube (p22). One area of your horsey life that may need a confidence boost is hacking out. I’ve had my fair share of nightmare hacks when the usually quiet roads become busy with all manner of vehicles, and cyclists and wildlife (usually pigeons and pheasants) join in the fun. Children on a trampoline, dogs off-lead — the list goes on. You and your horse are a pair of nervous wrecks and it’s a relief to get back…

OLYMPIAN STEPS DOWN Two-times Olympic Champion Sir Mark Todd announces his retirement Sir Mark Todd bowed out from eventing on a high when forming part of New Zealand’s winning Nations’ Cup team at Camphire International Horse Trials. “[Retirement] has not been an easy decision and it came down to when, and not if, I would finish,” said Mark. “Having been persuaded back into training racehorses earlier this year, I also found I wanted to spend more time on that and was not as focused on eventing.” The FEI Rider of the 20th Century can lay claim to a huge haul of victories, including two individual gold medals from the Olympic Games, four Badminton titles, five Burghley crowns and many more. He has competed at seven Olympic Games for New Zealand,…

1 The night before a competition to help you sleep well and wake refreshed, ready to go. 2 With any situation that causes fear or stress — having a lesson or hacking alone, for instance. Just watch a video an hour or two before you need to be in action. You’ll feel relaxed and your stress levels will drop. 3 Try playing a video while just being with your horse — perhaps when you’re grooming him. He will appreciate your calmness and the stillness of the moment. However, this might be best done when you’re on your own at the yard! 4 If you suffer with confidence issues, regular experiences of ASMR will help with your mindset and negative self-talk. 5 If things haven’t quite gone to plan with your…

Our star letter from Laura means she wins a bag of Blue Chip Original Feed Balancer for maintaining topline, condition and a healthy coat. Correct daily requirements of vitamins and minerals; whole cereal and molasses free.Visit bluechipfeed.com. ‘I thought my career was over’ I’m a para showjumper from Oswestry in Shropshire and I suffer from relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. I’ve been competing with British Showjumping since I was 12, riding in competitions every weekend all over the country, with many wins, including championship classes. I was diagnosed with MS in 2015. Among other symptoms, it caused a severe weakness to one side of my body and got so bad I was unable to ride or compete. In the last year, with the help of various treatments, I’ve managed to build…

It takes two My best friend and partner in crime, Tally Ho. Emma Lawrie, Scotland Radiant rays Sharing a moment with my beautiful boy Eclipse. Lee-Ann Meitiner, Yorkshire Where’s your head? My daughter, Charlotte Starke, with Zeus. Scharrowne Farmer, Essex And relax Just chillin’ with Bae. Ais Ní HAodha, Ireland The Sopranos Me and my cheeky little Welsh mare Seren. She’s always happy to share a joke and a song. Jennifer Lee, Kent Pucker up Synchronised pouting. Lindsay Harris, Worcestershire Three’s company Here’s me and my friend Kate with my favourite school pony Echo. She can be a madam at times, but she loves what she does. Her fave things are eating, sleeping and being with her horse friends. Rose Mackay, Scotland Be my baby My partner Michael with our…

1 Gentle exercise, such as walking in-hand or on a horse walker, can increase circulation and help to reduce swelling, as can turning your horse out. 2 Cold hosing for 20 minutes a few times a day will help. You can also apply ice boots for 15-20 minutes if running water isn’t available. Cooling the area increases circulation and helps to reduce inflammation and swelling. 3 Stable bandaging will support the limbs while the horse is standing in his stable for longer periods. 4 For mild cases of filling, your vet may recommend a more regular turnout regime or in-hand walking to increase circulation and encourage the swelling to dissipate. 5 In cases of lymphangitis or cellulitis, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. He may also prescribe…

These two pictures show that by simply lowering her head, Farina doesn’t lift her thoracic spine (behind the withers). In the second picture, her head and neck are out and down, together with a sternal lift (pressure applied with fingertips in the girth area) and this brings about a change in posture. Note the marked difference in the curvature of the spine from the highest point of the withers. NOTABLE FEATURES ■ Croup high ■ Long in the thoracic spine (rib space), but not in the lumbar spine (loins) ■ Overdeveloped brachiocephalicus (underside of the neck) ■ Low heels in hind feet ■ Toe out right hind ■ Hock instability (wobbly hocks) ■ Mild front foot asymmetry ■ Restricted range of movement in lumbosacral junction…

■ Sinusitis Sinus infection, known as sinusitis, can be primary or secondary and refers to infection of one or more of the paranasal sinuses. Primary sinusitis is defined as infection in the sinus as a result of a bacterial infection invading the lining of the sinus, causing a build up of pus within the sinus. This leads to bloody or pus-like discharge from the nostril on the same side as the affected sinus. It’s often accompanied by an unpleasant smell. Secondary sinusitis is more common and is defined as infection as a result of another primary cause, such as tooth root infection, bone fracture or sinus cyst. The last four cheek teeth are most likely to cause secondary sinusitis as these are contained within the maxillary sinuses. ■ Empyema This…

Injury occurs to ligaments when the amount of force applied exceeds the elastic capacity of the collagen fibres. This results in tearing of the fibres and may occur due to direct trauma, or abnormal forces placed on joints — for example, when turning at speed. Ligament injuries should be considered on a spectrum, with some injuries being mild (just a few fibres disrupted), to severe (complete rupture of the ligament). The degree of damage will influence both the horse’s treatment plan and the prognosis for return to the previous level of exercise.…

Taking a good look Q Out hacking my horse keeps stopping suddenly when he sees an object he’s unsure of. I’ve had conflicting advice on how to deal with this issue. Do I let him look then ask him to walk on, or is this teaching him that stopping when he’s unsure is OK? I don’t want sudden stops on a cross-country course! Katy Ellis, Cheshire Ben says... What you do depends on the kind of relationship you want with your horse and what are realistic expectations of your horse’s behaviour. If he’s stopping and looking, he’s communicating concern about what he sees and you need to listen to him. Allow him to look and then calmly move on. That way he will learn there is nothing to worry about.…

Home comforts Q My horse is turned out for the summer, but I’m thinking of overhauling the way he will be kept this winter when he’s brought in. What kind of things should I consider to give him the best possible stable environment? Karen Collins, Exeter Debbie says... Horses, like people, have a hierarchy of needs. This hierarchy takes the form of a pyramid, with the most important need at the base of the pyramid and higher-level needs at the top. Higher-level needs cannot be fully addressed until the fundamental needs have been met. The equine hierarchy of needs has safety at its base. As a prey animal, safety is the horse’s most basic requirement and it’s the reason why horses have such highly developed reactions to threat and such…

Set up three raised poles in your arena at A, X and C on the centre line. Work on both reins, circling at either end and changing direction at X. Look for the next pole as you go over the one before, riding forwards positively on the first stride. You can work on making tighter turns by using a slight leading rein to the inside. Achieve this by opening the inside hand to the direction you want your horse to turn. Troubleshooting Sometimes horses lean in and lose balance, so slow down and increase the size of the circle until your horse’s balance is better developed. The fastest horse and rider combinations are ultimately the ones who have balance and connection.…

8 BAGS OF LAMI-LIGHT FEED BALANCER Blue Chip Lami-Light Feed Balancer is the ultimate diet balancer, providing all the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients your horse needs to maintain optimum health and wellbeing, alongside comprehensive hoof and respiratory supplements. The whole cereal and molasses-free formula is low in starches and sugars, making it perfect for all types. This quadruple-action digestive supplement also contains prebiotics, probiotics, MOS, nucleotides and sepiolite clay to help balance the pH levels in the gut. Find out more at bluechipfeed.com 1 AZTEC DIAMOND RIDING OUTFIT Aztec Diamond Equestrian is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a fresh new look in cutting edge style. One reader will win an amazing outfit from the new collection, comprising a pair of Technical Stretch Riding Leggings, a Technical Stretch Base, a…

Features editor Stephanie Anthony: If you tend to be scratching your head after a course walk, don’t fret — Zara Tindall and Mark Phillips explain how to solve the puzzle. Page 58 Freelance features writer Julie Brown: Cavaletti are making a return to many training arenas. Richard Waygood, performance manager to the British eventing team, believes all horses can benefit from working over them. He shares six cavaletti exercises to give your horse a full body workout. Page 34 Dressage rider and trainer Dan Greenwood: It’s all too easy to just ride endless circles when you’re schooling. However, this can affect your horse’s way of going, so you need to ride exercises on straight lines too. My suggestions will make you a more effective rider and will improve your horse’s…

#10FORTIM SMASHES FUNDRAISING TARGET The relay race held at Hickstead in July in memory of Tim Stockdale raised £51,894 for the Tim Stockdale Foundation. The charity helps support young people’s aspirations in the three sports Tim loved best — golf, cricket and, of course, showjumping. MONGOLIAN MAGIC The Mongol Derby is the world’s longest, toughest horse race. Rough Magic tells the story of 19-year-old Lara Prior-Palmer, who was the youngest-ever champion and the first woman to win the endurance event. RRP £16.99 (hardback) amazon.co.uk SADDLE UP IN NEWMARKET The Saddle Up Art Trail, which runs until 22 September, sees the Animal Health Trust team up with artists and local communities to bring 17 works of art to Newmarket. Find out more at aht.org.uk…

ELYSSA FAGAN, A keen rider and communications consultant, uses ASMR to relax and get a refreshing night’s sleep. “I think I’ve always used ASMR, but I didn’t know what it was. It was 2012 before I was able to give it a name. I remember getting ‘tingles’ when I was younger when my mum put me to bed and softly stroked the side of my head until I drifted off. “I didn’t really know what it was then, but the best way to describe it is like getting goosebumps. It’s a soothing, calming sensation that makes you feel particularly relaxed. The feeling can stay around your head or it may travel down your arms and legs. It’s hard to explain unless you experience it, but ASMR makes your head feel…

Number 10 This is my gorgeous mare Tilly. She’s just moved to a new yard, box no. 10 — it seems like she approves. Abi Walker, via email Start them young My beautiful little niece Paige Sienna (eight months) reading the latest Your Horse. She loves stroking all the horse pictures! @jade_and_henry_ equestrian, Instagram High-vis masterpiece Scare crows NOT horses — our entry in the village scarecrow festival. Jayne Smith, via Facebook Every day’s a school day This foal is only seven days old. He’s learning something new every day, thanks to Simon. Sally Madden, via email Now we see you Maura and her pal Gracie playing peek-a-boo. Jennifer Kidd, via email Join us on facebook at facebook.com/yourhorse Tweet us on twitter.com/yourhorse Follow us on instagram.com/yourhorse…

■ Use safety stirrups, which will free your foot quickly in a fall. ■ Wear boots designed for riding — a narrow, smooth sole with a small heel. Chunkier styles of boot can easily get lodged in the stirrup. ■ Clean your tack regularly so that the stirrups leathers are supple, enabling them to be pulled from the saddle easily. If the stirrup bar is too tight, ask your saddler to adjust it. ■ Make sure that your stirrups are wide enough so that your foot slips out easily. ■ Don’t use equipment for the sake of it. Know why you are choosing it. ■ Always wear a riding hat and ideally a body protector. Air jackets may be worth considering too.…

When you’re riding a circle or making a turn it’s all too easy to pull your horse around the corner using your inside rein. All this does is place your horse’s head and neck around the corner while his outside shoulder drifts in the opposite direction. To ride a turn correctly you need to use your outside aids. Move your outside rein so that it’s against your horse’s neck and apply gentle pressure, then use your outside leg to steer your horse around the corner. Your inside leg is there to keep the impulsion, while your inside rein guides and creates the bend to the inside, but it doesn’t pull. Learn to ride corners from your outside aids and you’ll have much more control over the position of your horse’s…

■ Have appropriate breakdown cover. There are companies that offer specialist cover for horseboxes and trailers. ■ Service the vehicle annually and include in that a thorough check of the brakes. ■ Check that the lights are working. ■ Regularly check floors for signs of rotting, wear or damage. ■ Ensure that the tyres are correctly inflated, are free from cracks and wear and tear, and that the wheel nuts are tight. ■ Check the spare tyre is in good working order and ensure that you have equipment to change a tyre if necessary. ■ Check all oil and water levels, including brake fluid, power steering fluid and the windscreen washer fluid. ■ Check that the breakaway cable on the trailer is in good working order and is fitted to…

ALTHOUGH EQUINE INFLUENZA is endemic in the UK (which means it is always circulating at low levels), there has been a huge rise in cases this year. In 2018, there were two confirmed outbreaks, compared to more than 200 so far this year. The way flu has spread through the UK in 2019 has highlighted the suboptimal vaccination rates within the UK — only about 50% of UK horses are vaccinated against flu. In other countries in Europe with higher vaccination rates, the spread has been considerably less. In Germany, for example, where the vaccination rate is nearly 80%, outbreaks have been far better contained. Flu outbreaks this year are showing no signs of slowing down: in fact, there were 64 outbreaks in June, compared with 35 in February. While…

GOT A PROBLEM? Need an answer? We’ll know someone who can help Welcome to our Ask The Experts section. In the next nine pages, we solve your horsey dilemmas by taking them to those in the industry who know best. This month’s panel (left) answers your questions on hacking issues, saddle fitting, jump offs, and stable behaviour. Email your question to getinvolved@yourhorse.co.uk. Proud sponsors of Ask The Experts, spillers-feeds.com…

White patches Q What are the white patches some horses have on their backs? Do they ever grow out? Danielle MacLeod, Renfrewshire Kay says... White patches appear under the saddle due to excessive pressure in those areas. They might (or might not) have started with an injury such as an open saddle sore, but if the hair is pure white, it’s unlikely you’ll ever get rid of them. The pressure will have damaged the hair follicles, preventing the pigment that colours the hair from forming. The exception to this is where the white marks are not a solid colour, but more of a roan effect. This indicates that there is high pressure in an area that would lead to a saddle sore if not corrected. Fade out Once the fit…

There are a number of things you can do to enrich your horse’s stable environment: ■ Scatter hay or haylage in piles on the floor to mimic natural ‘eating-on-the-move’ behaviours. ■ Scatter hard feed on top of hay or haylage so it takes longer to eat. ■ Hide carrots, swedes and apples in hay to encourage foraging. ■ Hang suitable fruit and veg at different levels from stable beams. ■ Add logs and branches to encourage browsing — check the BHS website for what to avoid. Oak branches are preferred, but make sure you remove the leaves and acorns. Willow is suitable too. ■ Fix textured mats to the stable wall to enable self-grooming. ■ Open the stable door and hook a rubber barrier across the doorway. ■ Put hay…

Place two slightly raised poles 18 yards apart and practise getting four non-jumping horse strides in between them. This will give you an idea of the speed you need to get the correct number of strides between jumps. Once established over 18 yards (a normal four strides), open the distance to 19 yards and practise the same exercise. To achieve the same four strides, you’ll now need a more open stride. When your horse is working well over poles, swap the poles for fences in a similar arrangement, but with 20, then 21 yards in between. Again, work on your ability to lengthen for four strides over the longer distance between the jumps. Troubleshooting ■ 1 Unresponsive horse Don’t nag at your horse with your leg, just apply a forward…

CLOTHING CLASSIC The Mara t-shirt from Cavallo is a traditionally cut, round neck t-shirt — the staple summer top. The on-trend colours available include thyme green, silver melange and neon orange — perfect for brightening up your outfit and complementing your existing riding wardrobe. RRP £30 FOR STOCKISTS zebraproducts.co.uk PRACTICAL AND STYLISH The Carl Hester Collection from Equisafety combines quality, practicality and reflective properties. These are items of clothing you’ll reach for every day. Each piece uses high-tech materials for comfort and protection while you’re out with your horse, combined with stylish reflective chevrons to help keep you safe. Pictured is the Azar Quilted Gilet and Vincenzo Quilted Jacket. RRP £139.95 (gilet), £169.95 (jacket) BUY AT equisafety.com REPLENISH AND RESTORE Vetrolytes PLUS from Animalife is a liquid electrolyte formula that’s…

AUBRION SIRETTA RIDING TIGHTS RRP £39.99 COLOURS Black, grey SIZES XXS — XL FOR STOCKISTS shiresequestrian.com Supportive and sporty, these riding tights feature a bold stripe design. They have a deep waistband, flatlock seams for comfort and silicone knee grips for added security in the saddle. These great-looking tights also have a handy rear zip pocket for your phone. DUBLIN PERFORMANCE COOL-IT GEL RIDING TIGHTS RRP £49.99 COLOURS Beige, black, charcoal, pink, white, grey/powder pink, navy, navy poseidon/powder blue SIZES 8 — 16 FOR STOCKISTS dublinclothing.co.uk The ultimate performance riding tights that can be worn all day long. They’re made with super-stretch performance fabric, providing four-way stretch comfort, plus maximum freedom of movement. The PU silicone gel print design improves grip and stability in the saddle, making them a great…

■ 1 Choose (dressage the , jump right , GP size ) of and shape saddlecloth to suit your saddle. Using the wrong shape and size may result in the saddle sitting on the binding, causing pressure points and rubbing. ■ 2 For comfort the saddlecloth should follow the contours of your horse’s back and sit up into the gullet of the saddle. If it’s cut in a straight line, it will press down on his withers and back and potentially cause discomfort. ■ 3 Once fitted, there should be approximately one inch visible around the whole of the saddle. ■ 4 Fasten the straps to the saddle to hold the saddlecloth in place. ■ 5 If you’re not sure which pad is the right one to use, ask your…

DANIELLE ROWLES, 38, has been riding since she was a child. She is based in Leicestershire and is a self-confessed happy hacker who owns two horses: Blackie, a 12-year-old Irish cob, and Lady, who is her main #Hack1000Miles partner. “ W HEN I MADE the decision to ride from Leicestershire to Lake Windermere along the Pennine Bridleway, I didn’t anticipate the numerous challenges, or how tough the riding would be. I’m in awe of how amazing my horse Lady has been, as has my friend and fellow #Hack1000Miles challenger Tracy Clarke’s mount Diesel. When you last heard from me (Your Horse issue 453, July 2019), we’d managed to complete parts one, three and four. We’ve cracked on since then and now only have six more rides to do. In April…

It’s rare to find completely blind riders competing at top level in pure or para dressage, although Nicky Greenhill and Verity Smith are two such competitors. It was Verity, who now competes in France, who instigated the Beat the Blindfold campaign, which succeeded in having the unpopular blindfold used on visually impaired (VI) riders in para competitions removed. The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) doesn’t keep statistics on the numbers of blind riders among its ranks, although two years ago it ran a joint project with British Blind Sports designed to support VI people who take part in equestrian sport and activities (https:// bit.ly/32uRPBs). VI riders also contest the RDA National Championships every year, with 20 competing in the Countryside Challenge, 29 in dressage and a couple in the…

If you want to experience ASMR, but are unsure what triggers will work for you, there are videos on YouTube to help you find out. Called ASMR Tests, the videos play a variety of trigger noises so that participants can work out which produce the best result for them. Everyone is different, and you may be surprised at which ones you gravitate towards. The best effect is usually felt when the videos are watched while using headphones. CAUTION Do not participate in any ASMR activity while driving or operating machinery!…

FEED TIPS I feed garlic year-round and use a natural citronella, lemongrass and lavender mix that I wipe over my mare and myself. When I can, I also ride early or late in the day. Jennifer Maddock Rowland NATURAL REPELLENT I make my own fly spray with natural ingredients that deter flies. If you do go down the essential oils route, please buy quality though. I’ve discovered over the years that they’re not all the same. Wilma Wallace EARLY RISERS I ride with fly rugs and masks and put repellent on my horses’ muzzles, although I’m considering full face masks. I also spray repellent inside the tops of their legs and down their legs. I’m located on a mountainside where the sun sets, so it’s best to go out early…

❋ For safety reasons, cavaletti should never be used stacked on top of each other. ❋ The poles used should be heavy enough that they don’t get kicked along. ❋ Use cavaletti only for the purpose they were designed for. ❋ If your horse gets bored, he may start to trip, so go away and do something different, such as jumping a small fence, then come back to them. ❋ Think outside the box and you’ll be able to adapt these exercises to suit your needs and goals. ❋ Remember that cavaletti are only a useful piece of training equipment when used correctly.…

“There’s a definite position to take as you bale out or fall off,” explains Karl Greenwood. “Even if you don’t have a lot of time to think about what’s going on, just getting your arms in the right place will really help.” ■ Cross your arms over your chest, with hands on opposite shoulders. It should feel like you’re giving yourself a hug. Hold tight. ■ Keep your hands flat — making a fist could lead to broken knuckles as they hit the ground. ■ Get your feet out of the stirrups, point your toes and straighten your knees. ■ Drop the reins — don’t hang on to your horse as the risk of being dragged or trampled is too great. Your aim is to get as clear as you…

To challenge yourself further, try increasing the strides between the fences even more, fitting in six, seven, eight, even nine strides. “When you get to the point where you’re choosing how many strides you do between jumps, it puts the ball back in your court,” says Mark. “It means that you have to plan.” If getting nine strides in between the fences seems impossible, don’t worry, you can cheat. Putting a bend into the approach to the second fence means that you can fit in more strides. So, if you need this extra space to approach a fence, or to stop your horse rushing at a competition, don’t be afraid to add in some curves.…

SWOLLEN OR FILLED legs in horses can be worrying, but there is usually no pain involved and it can be easily rectified. Swelling generally affects the lower part of the leg below the knee and, in most cases, doesn’t cause lameness. There are two common types of swelling. Filled legs are caused by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues. This is called oedema and it generally goes down with gentle exercise or when the horse is turned out. The other type of swelling is caused by infection or injury. This tends to be painful to touch and often causes lameness. Common causes Swelling can happen for a number of reasons, but filled legs commonly occur when fluid accumulates in the lower limb, usually due to a horse having…

DR KATHRYN NANKERVIS set up the Equine Therapy Centre at Hartpury University in 1999. She oversees all the commercial, teaching and research activity within the centre as well as in the Margaret Giffen Centre for Rider Performance. Osteopath LIZ LAUNDER has been involved in the investigation and treatment of injury in horses for almost 30 years. She treats many of the Equine Therapy Centre’s inpatients and outpatients on a referral basis. For more information, visit hartpury.ac.uk/commercial/equine/ the-equine-therapy-centre .…

Hacking p98 Ben Hart is an IAABC-certified horse behaviour consultant and ABTC-registered accredited animal behaviourist. He’s passionate about helping people help their horses. Saddle fitting p100 Kay Hastilow is a Master Saddler and former president of the Society of Master Saddlers. With over 50 years’ experience, Kay regularly lectures around the world. Stable behaviour p102 Debbie Busby is a clinical animal behaviourist, secretary of the Equine Behaviour and Training Association and an international speaker and author in her field. Jump offs p104 Philippa McKeever is a British Showjumping Level 4 and international showjumping coach. She was named BS coach of the year in 2013. Philippa’s business, Will2Win, is based in North East England.…

In the past, it was expected that horses would have white saddle marks. When breaking in a young horse, the back was considered to be ‘soft’ and using a saddle w as expected to cause sores. Once these had healed and the white hair came thr ough, this showed the horse’s back was ‘made’. Many establishments where horses were broken in kept a felt numnah in which the y cut a hole to sit over the sore until it healed. If y ou look at paintings of f amous horses, such as those by Stubbs, they show this clearly. At the time, it wasn’t something t o be ashamed of; mor e a mark of a horse tha t had been ridden.…

Faster, better, stronger Q When jumping a course of fences against the clock, what’s the best way to teach my horse to go faster without panicking, or going flat and knocking down fences? Amy Harrison, Chichester Philippa says... First, it’s important to work on establishing the correct rhythm for your horse’s natural stride length when working over standard distances used by course builders. The following two exercises will help. Optimum time Q When it’s an optimum time situation, rather than a speed round, what tips do you have for knowing whether your horse is going at the right pace? Jake Partridge, Worcestershire Philippa says... The first thing to do is find out what speed you will be required to ride at in the competition in metres per minute. Then, measure…

The owner: Dawn Jenkins The horse: Teasel, a 13-year-old, 15.3hh New Forest x Thoroughbred mare The problem: Teasel is overweight! Dawn has owned Teasel for 10 years and it’s always been a battle to keep her weight down. Teasel lives out and has been piling on the pounds even more than usual this year, despite restricted grazing, no supplementary feeding and at least an hour of exercise every other day. Clare says: If Teasel is still gaining weight, she’s still taking in too many calories for the amount of work she’s doing. Dawn will need to increase her mare’s exercise and restrict her grazing further. Perhaps try a grazing muzzle if the grass is long enough to poke through the muzzle holes, or a track system to raise Teasel’s activity…

Finding the best possible jumping saddle to suit you and your horse will make achieving those clear rounds easier and more comfortable for both of you. There’s a new kid on the block in the world of jumping saddles that is lightweight, compact and sure to put you one step ahead of the competition. The ultra-close contact Bates Victrix saddle offers your horse complete comfort and freedom of movement. Made from beautiful Luxe leather with an ultra-soft feel, it also provides an excellent level of grip for added security while riding. The saddle’s Flexibloc system is adjustable front and rear to allow you to customise the support just where you need it to enhance your riding position. For your horse’s comfort and a close-contact feel, the SynergyPanel has protective air…

AS WELL AS having your saddle correctly fitted, it’s just as important to consider the fit of your saddlecloth. A poorly fitting saddle pad can have a big impact on your horse, potentially rubbing and causing discomfort. Imagine being forced to wear clothes that don’t fit you. It wouldn’t be long before you’d start to feel uncomfortable, restricted and probably quite irritable. This could be just how your horse feels if his tack doesn’t fit properly, particularly an item that’s used continuously. A saddlecloth is one of those day-to-day essentials — for some owners, in fact, it can be a bit of an obsession, buying the latest colour or design. It’s placed under the saddle to offer protection to the underside of the saddle, and some pads, depending on their…

CARBON MESH CLOSE CONTACT PAD RRP £48.50 COLOURS Black, navy, anthracite, white SIZE Large BUY AT horsehealth. co.uk Combining cutting-edge style with the latest in lightweight technical mesh fabrics. The unique blast foam core has been through a process where hot air is forced through the memory foam under pressure to create a breathable yet supportive and lightweight material. The 3D mesh construction lets air flow freely in all directions. HUSK BREATHE SADDLE CLOTH RRP £69.99 COLOURS Burgundy, steel, Oxford blue, titan, white SIZE One size BUY AT thehusk.co.uk A contoured saddlecloth that cuts away from your horse’s shoulder and withers. It is fully breathable and flexible with soft, breathable material on the top, underside and within. The 3D material allows for natural airflow between the layers to aid thermoregulation,…