Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 458 i Your Horse

WINTER DIET Weight management key to laminitis control Laminitis remains one of the most common conditions treated by vets. At the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) congress in September, experts stated that weight loss, diet and management changes designed to combat obesity are the best weapons in the fight to reduce laminitis. Around 90% of horses with the condition have endocrinopathic laminitis — stemming from hormonal conditions, such as equine Cushing’s (or PPID) or equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) — but, despite ongoing research, much about this link still remains unclear. Speaking at the conference, David Rendle, equine internal medicine specialist at Rainbow Equine Hospital, said this type of laminitis is best managed by “diet and management change, not pharmaceuticals”. Nicky Jarvis of Redwings Horse Sanctuary added: “Crash diets are not…

BADMINTON, BURGHLEY AND BLENHEIM — three of the biggest and best UK events in the equestrian calendar. Their famous cross-country courses have us hooked when we watch them on TV or find ourselves standing on the sidelines at the fixtures themselves, holding our collective breath as we watch the pros soar over obstacles so big they make your legs wobble. However, these courses — or rather the routes they take — are not solely the preserve of eventing’s stars. Anyone who loves to hack can ride them too. And before you ask, don’t worry as you won’t be required to jump any of the fences and no one will be timing you. These rides are all about one thing — fun. If you’ve dreamed of experiencing the massive fences first-hand…

“I started to explore ways for my horses to return to a more natural way of living” SOMETIMES IT TAKES just one thing to completely change the course of our lives. For Emma Ross that moment came when a run of bad luck forced her to take a long, hard look at the way she managed her horses. Emma started riding at the age of five and was hooked straight away. “After years of lessons and ponies on loan, I finally got my own at 14,” she says. “I was obsessed with showjumping, then I caught the teaching bug and became a BHSAI.” A stint working at a riding school followed, where Emma trained horses arriving from Ireland for selling on. Riding was a huge part of her life, but…

FOR THE CHOP I have this issue and I’m going to hog my mare’s mane in October when I clip her out. I took her feathers off recently too and we’ve both been much happier. Gemma Louise IN A SPIN I use a Spanish plait when it’s windy or hot, although I always threaten hogging when it’s really blowy. Sarah Johnson CONDITIONER I use plenty of mane/tail conditioner, but my Spaniard can give himself a wind knot just with a vigorous shake. I do find rubber reins worse for catching in manes, so I tend to use plain leather. Ann Sidwell LEATHER REINS I use leather reins instead of rubber. They cause much less trouble. Jackie Williams TAME IT I just use plaits to tame mine’s mane. Elaine Marie Williamson…

EXERCISE 1 In the warm up, work on getting your horse into a good rhythm in trot and canter, encouraging him to work in a soft outline and allowing him to stretch, with a low head and neck. Some horses naturally want to drop their head and neck and look at what they’re doing and it’s really important for them to do this as it helps them to make the correct shape over a fence. 1 To start, I always ask for a relaxed trot around the arena or field. While I’m doing this, I work on developing a good connection between leg and hand. You want your horse to drop his neck so that he comes up through his spine and uses his back correctly. 2 I then ask…

“Teddy’s legs are washed in a lime and sulphur solution to keep the mites at bay” Name: Teddy Age: 8 Breed: Shire x Irish Draught Owner: Gloucestershire Police, cared for by Joanna Wood Daily management: In the winter, Teddy is in at night and out during the day around his patrols. If he’s on patrol in the afternoon, he’s turned out in the morning for a few hours, and vice versa. He can be out on patrol up to four days a week — either one three-hour shift, or two two hours in a split shift. In between patrols he’s schooled, hacked, lunged, does polework and sometimes pops a fence to keep things varied. He works five or six days a week. Teddy is fully clipped all year round, which…

10 DENGIE HEALTHY HOOVES MOLASSES FREE FEED BALE DUOS Ten winners will each receive two bales of Dengie Healthy Hooves Molasses Free. This feed is a nutritionally balanced, low-calorie, high-fibre feed with no added sugar. Packed with important B vitamins, including biotin, which is essential for hoof health, it’s approved by The Laminitis Trust. Find out more at dengie.com 50 HARRY HALL ONE CLUB BRONZE MEMBERSHIPS The Harry Hall One Club is the fastest growing equestrian club in the UK — designed to make riding and owning a horse a little easier on the pocket. With a bronze membership you’ll get access to exclusive insurance products, savings of up to 30% on brands including Harry Hall, Caldene, Tottie and Masta, and additional discounts on magazines and events. Find out more…

JHL LIGHTWEIGHT TURNOUT RUG RRP £61.50 (NECK COVER £26.50) COLOUR Red/navy SIZES 5ft — 7ft FOR STOCKISTS wefi.co.uk Manufactured in 600-denier ripstop polyester, this eye-catching rug has a nylon lining with anti-rub panels at the shoulder. It features quick-release front fastenings, cross surcingles, leg straps and a tail flap. JHL LIGHTWEIGHT PLUS TURNOUT RUG RRP £93.99 (NECK COVER INCLUDED) COLOUR Navy/burgundy/white plaid SIZES 5ft — 7ft FOR STOCKISTS wefi.co.uk This waterproof rug has an 80g insulation layer and nylon lining which make it ideal for between seasons. It’s made from a 600-denier ripstop outer fabric and comes complete with a neck cover. The rug also has reflective piping, double quick-release chest fastenings, cross surcingles, leg straps and a generous tail flap. MARK TODD AUTUMNER RUG RRP £88.99 (NECK COVER £42.50)…

WEATHERBEETA COMFITEC CHANNEL QUILT WITH THERAPY TEC DETACH-A-NECK MEDIUM RRP £159.99 COLOUR Black/silver/red SIZES 5ft — 7ft 3in FOR STOCKISTS weatherbeeta.co.uk This rug is the perfect choice for your horse both pre- and post-workout, or while he’s resting in his stable. It has a 600-denier quilted outer and 220g polyfill, plus the added benefit of ceramic lining over the neck, shoulders, back and quarters to boost circulation and help to keep your horse’s muscles supple. It also has traditional side gussets to aid natural movement and memory foam wither relief that contours to your horse’s shape and lifts the rug off his withers. FELIX BÜHLER STABLE RUG PERFORMANCE RRP £89.90 COLOUR Aubergine SIZES 6ft — 6ft 9in BUY AT kramer.co.uk A sporty looking quilted rug in a shimmering colour that…

Yogi came into World Horse Welfare’s care as a two-year-old after he and his fieldmate were bought by someone with little knowledge of their background. Both ponies were unhandled, entire and being kept in an over-grazed paddock next to a field of mares. After contacting World Horse Welfare for advice, the owner agreed it was in the ponies’ best interests to be signed over to the charity. Yogi was extremely nervous of human contact, but with patient handling his confidence began to develop. In time, he was ready to be rehomed so that his education could continue. When Yogi was old enough to be broken to drive, his potential swiftly became apparent. Rehomer Amy Last started his training as a driving pony and soon realised that Yogi had some real…

1 LEARN TO LISTEN One of the core values to rewilding is to truly hear our horse — not what we want to hear, but what his needs are. This can be challenging as it asks you to face what you want from your horse versus his needs. To get started, consider how you’re listening to your horse. Do you assume you know what he’s saying, or do you actually take the time to notice his behaviour? Is your mind busy or focused on your horse in that moment? Think of a time when you’ve been stressed, then someone starts talking to you about something completely different. You can hear the words, but can’t take on board what they’re saying. You may even misunderstand them. It’s easy to be distracted…

APPROACH The most important thing to remember on the approach to a fence is balance and rhythm — get these two things right and your chances of success will soar. This is something that can easily be trained at home. TAKE OFF Getting a perfect take off is all about leaving the ground at the right spot and creating the power and impulsion to get up and over the fence. Your job is to get your horse to the fence correctly to give him the best possible chance of a powerful take off. IN FLIGHT Once your horse has left the ground, this is called the ‘in flight’ stage and he’s doing all the work now. Your job is to not get in the way and prepare yourself for landing,…

IF YOU’RE FEELING a bit rusty or have just lost some of your jumping mojo, it can feel as though you’ve hit a wall the next time you’re faced with a fence or even some polework. To help rebuild your jumping confidence and brush up on your technique, British Showjumping coach Mia Palles-Clark has put together a series of exercises. Pushing past the walls you meet in your training will do wonders for your self belief, as you can look back and think, “I did that, so I can do this”. Mia’s exercises start with flatwork — an essential foundation to work on for jumping — and then move on to canter poles before adding in jumps. Going back to basics like this, and working on fundamental techniques such as…

Stud owners Rik and Tammy Burge are clients of Natalie McGoldrick’s veterinary practice South Coast Equine Vets. They understand the importance of building a good vet-client relationship that works for both parties. “Natalie has been our vet for several years,” says Rik. “She has a fantastic work ethic and a caring attitude. She’s compassionate and because she’s a horse owner herself, she understands what real horse owners face. “We always make sure that our horses are on the yard and ready for her when she arrives, and if it’s raining we put them in a box so she can work in the dry. I make sure that our foals have had a headcollar on and have been handled well before she comes to microchip them, and the stallions are always…

FOUR YEARS AGO, Sue Alcock’s elderly homebred gelding Fred contracted atypical myopathy. Thankfully he pulled through and has made a good recovery. “Fred is a good doer and he’s kept in a paddock with very little grass,” says Sue. “During a storm, numerous sycamore seeds got blown into his paddock from trees over 100 yards away. Due to a lack of grass, he unfortunately ate them. “The next day, I found him in the field with colic-like symptoms. I called the vet who took a blood sample and diagnosed atypical myopathy. “Fred was in severe pain for three days, sweating, struggling to breathe and not able to move. It was touch and go whether he’d survive. Our only option was to keep him in his field where he received intravenous…

A PRACTICAL RUG TO have in your horse’s wardrobe, a well-fitting cooler rug will help to dry off your horse after his post-exercise wash down, but it can also be used as a lightweight travel rug to help him stay at a comfortable temperature. Cooler rugs come in a variety of styles and materials. We’ve put a selection to the test to find out which ones offer the best fit and are the most effective at helping to cool and dry off your horse and keep him comfy. Our tester has been trying this selection of coolers over the last four months. They’ve been used on horses who have being washed down after work and for travelling. Each rug was assessed for fit, how well it helped to dry a…

SHIRES TEMPEST ORIGINAL 200 COMBO RRP £79.99 COLOUR Black, flamingo print (limited edition) SIZES 4ft — 7ft 3in FOR STOCKISTS shiresequestrian.com Suitable for winter weather, the integrated neck is secured with double layer touch-close fastenings. This rug has a ShireTex 600-denier ripstop, waterproof and breathable outer with taped seams. It also features a 200g polyfill, adjustable buckle chest straps, adjustable cross surcingles, adjustable fillet strap and tail flap. FIELDMASTA 200G FIXED NECK TURNOUT RRP £156 COLOURS Navy/grey, blue, royal blue SIZES 5ft — 7ft 6in BUY AT harryhall.com The clever dome neck takes the pressure off your horse’s mane and increases air circulation to prevent the hair follicles becoming starved of oxygen and the hair falling out. The articulated full neck design offers complete coverage and relieves pressure on the…

THERE ARE CERTAIN performances that simply make your jaw drop and one such combination is, of course, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro and their stunning dressage to music routines. But riding to music doesn’t have to be just for competitive purposes — it’s a great way to improve your riding when schooling and even out on a hack. There’s plenty of research on the impact of music on a person’s mindset and physiology. Music can be great for relaxing, motivating you and making you feel more positive and confident. Listening to music can also be a great tool in the saddle, helping you to keep your rhythm consistent, particularly if your horse likes to rush. While he may be able to push his trot a little faster when you’re counting strides…

Emma Faulkner I did Badminton two years ago and absolutely loved it. The route is fantastic, with a fabulous range of jumps and very courteous riders. I was going to do it this year, but the weather put me off. Lesley Dellar I did the Burghley ride a couple of years ago. It was amazing to ride around some of the cross-country jumps (not over them!). It really showed the athleticism of the horses and riders. Yvonne Pember I don’t live far from Burghley, so I’d love to do it one day (not the jumps, though). Abi Einzig I’ve done Badminton for Avon RDA. It was fantastic to ride down the Avenue, even though we needed a lead just to stand in the Lake and my horse neighed all the…

Helen Haraldsen is a part-time English teacher based in the Lake District. She has three horses who live at her parents’ home. My job… I work at Keswick School and also run the school’s library. Both jobs are a perfect combination as I love teaching and enjoy working in the library, where I can promote reading and writing for pleasure. On top of this, I’ve just had my second children’s book The Second Best Pony published. How I got here… While I was at school, I didn’t really know what I wanted to be. I knew that I loved horses, but career advice back then was pretty limited and I didn’t know about jobs connected to equestrianism beyond being a groom or instructor. I did like school, though. I enjoyed…

WINTER IS JUST around the corner, so why not carry on with your horse’s education, add to his British Dressage points and maybe qualify for championships (or just have fun) with a spot of indoor dressage? Without a doubt, competing indoors has its challenges, particularly in the busy warm-up, but expert Emma Woolley has tips and advice to set you up for success. Stay in control There are things you can put in place right now to increase your chance of a successful — and stress-free — indoor season. “The first thing I advise is to hire an indoor school for a training session or two,” says Emma. “This will acclimatise your horse to the different sights and sounds involved in riding indoors. Also be sure that you’re comfortable with…

IF YOU’RE ONE of two lucky winners to bag this amazing bundle of prizes from Bucas, your horse will enjoy a new wardrobe of rugs and accessories to ensure that he looks great all year round. The fantastic Bucas 2000 Travel Boots will protect your horse’s legs while he’s travelling. With a tough nylon outer, the boots also have a Stay-dry inner lining that helps to dry wet legs fast. The unique front boots close in a different way to traditional travel boots. The straps fasten forward, which means that the boots close across the tendons, leaving the back of the knee open for ease of movement — but covering the front of the knee to protect the joint from any bangs or knocks. The Bucas Power Cooler is a…

WORKING AS A vet is a stressful job because, before anything else, we have the best interests of your horse at heart and can’t help but take things personally. We often go home at the end of the day and think about our patients. What could we have done better? And is our client about to recommend us to their horse-owing friends or slander us on social media? With suicide rates among the veterinary profession four times the national average (and twice that of human doctors), it’s vitally important that clients think about how they treat, and talk about, their vet. As with any type of association, the vet-client relationship is built on trust and good communication. Being able to talk to your vet and discuss your concerns and worries…

A TYPICAL MYOPATHY IS a potentially fatal disease caused by a toxin found in the seeds and seedlings of the common European sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus). When a horse eats sycamore seeds or seedlings, the toxin (Hypoglycin A) found in the plant can make its way to the horse’s muscles, causing the muscle cells to become inactive and even die. The condition is non-contagious and is usually seen in autumn when the sycamore seeds are on the ground, and in spring when the seedlings are growing. How it affects horses Horses eat the seedlings or seeds and can quickly become affected by the toxin. The disease has a sudden onset and the horse is usually found unable to move in the field. Muscle damage commonly affects muscles that are used during…

EVERY HORSE IS different and while some have no issue with being clipped, others can react negatively. “Clipping horses should be done to improve their welfare, but if clipping stresses them out so much that they become fearful and dangerous, you have to ask whether it’s really worth it,” says clipping expert Lisa Edmed. “Handled correctly, most horses can be desensitised to being clipped, and the key lies in ensuring good experiences. Whether your horse is fearful of clipping, has never been clipped before, or gets rashes from being clipped, there are things you can do to help.” So, what are the most common clipping problems and how do you deal with them? SENSITIVE SKIN Clipping problem: My horse has sensitive skin and clipping can cause itchy, sore hives. He…

Welcome to our Ask The Experts section. Over 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 about handling hot horses, winter nutrition, lungeing, long-reining and box rest. Email your question to getinvolved@yourhorse.co.uk. Proud sponsors of Ask The Experts, spillers-feeds.com…

WARMING UP AND cooling down are both important parts of every schooling session and, when done correctly, they can help to prevent injury and improve performance. A good warm up loosens stiff joints and increases circulation, warming up the muscles and tendons so that they become more supple. Increased circulation also means more oxygen gets into the muscles and more harmful waste products get out. The cool down is just as important. During exercise your horse’s muscles work hard, taking in oxygen as fuel and creating lactic acid as a waste product. This is removed in your horse’s blood, so it’s essential that you take the time to cool down your horse after work to avoid muscle stiffness and soreness. To help the warm up and cool down processes, you…

“Horses were my first love, but I’m glad I chose football” How did you get into horses? They’ve always been a massive part of my life as my parents have stables on the outskirts of Sheffield. I was first put on a horse by my mum when I was one, and they were a part of my daily life until I moved away from home and became a professional footballer with Chelsea in 2014. Who was your first pony? A pony called Fidget. I was three at the time. From a very young age I could ride on my own, trot, jump — you name it, I could do it. I don’t think I started kicking a ball until I was six or seven. Horses were my first love. How…