Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 471 i Your Horse

IF I’VE LEARNED anything during the last 12 months of maternity leave, it’s that life has a habit of changing drastically, without notice, and throwing challenges your way when you need them least. This odd Covid-shaped year is a case in point. The knock-on effect it’s had on how we’re able to access our horses, when we can ride them and how we provide for/look after them, is huge. How lucky we are to have four-legged friends to rely on for comfort during such a stressful time. But what about their happiness? Horses have an uncanny ability to pick up on how we’re feeling, and it’s possible our stresses have filtered through. Add to this any sudden changes to their routine - or lack of time spent with you -…

PETPLAN AWARDS ‘Brave’ horse who policed riots and Olympics wins Hero title Finsbury, a Thoroughbred x draught who served in the mounted police, has been crowned Petplan Hero Pet of the Year. The gentle giant was deployed for a range of engagements, including policing football matches, state visits, Trooping the Colour, the London Olympics and the 2011 riots. “His service was exemplary, and his bravery shown during his years working for us deserves this accolade,” said PC Elizabeth Keyte, who nominated Fin. Fin entered situations that often involved violent disorder on a huge scale. When mounted officers were requested to clear an area of rival gangs fighting and attacking police at the 2017 Lambeth Country Show, Fin led the way and was hit by a large bottle. Unlike many horses,…

West Wales-based Karen Valls, a former flight supervisor with BMI, is training to be a dental nurse. She juggles caring for her five horses with working three days a week and studying. My job… I work part-time as a trainee dental nurse at a surgery in Rhydowen, West Wales, that’s just a four-minute walk from my home. My primary role involves assisting the dentist and helping with all procedures, such as fillings and extractions. I’m also responsible for the safety and cleanliness of the equipment and ensuring that the patients are looked after. I study online, and have a tutor come out periodically to assess my work. Every so often I travel to Swansea to sit exams (seven to date). I’m almost at the end of my two-year course and…

Distinguished gentleman Here’s Rooney showing off his whiskers. Gemma Allen, Facebook No photos please Smartie doesn’t like his picture taken, lol. Jill Parish, Facebook Always greener Sweetie untied herself and went off to find some better grass. Gemma Parry, Facebook Such a laugh My boy’s always the life and soul! Annie Cooper, Facebook Cider drinker Dave’s been scrumping in the orchard again. Lorna Chapman, Facebook Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/yourhorse Tweet us on twitter.com/yourhorse Follow us on instagram.com/yourhorse…

MEET THE EXPERT MELISSA CHAPMAN’s teenage passion was eventing, but she made the switch to dressage in 2009. She runs Team Chapman Equestrian near Richmond, North Yorkshire, and offers livery and training to horses and riders of all levels and disciplines. Find out more at teamchapmanequestrian.com. COLLECTION IS THE apex of the pyramid in the Scales of Training, the final piece of the puzzle. All the way through your horse’s training you are working towards collection - for example, a young horse who learns to balance with a rider on board without relying on the reins is a form of collection, as is his ability to take more weight onto his hindquarters and lift the forehand. The Scales of Training is a logical training programme for riders and trainers. Each…

OF ALL THE GAITS, the walk is the one most often overlooked in training. We use walk to get our horse warmed up and moving, but we’re usually keen to transition to trot as soon as possible, thinking that the faster paces are where all the magic happens. The walk is the most difficult gait to train, though, presenting all kinds of interesting problems. It’s also the gait that’s included at all levels of training and competing, from youngsters in-hand to grand prix level dressage. The walk, therefore, demands attention so that you don’t lose valuable marks in your dressage tests - especially given that, in some tests, the walk movements are awarded double marks. Schooling in walk can also help to develop and improve your horse’s way of going…

To enter, visit yourhorse.co.uk/covalliero471 FIRST PRIZE* SECOND PRIZE THIRD PRIZE YOU AND YOUR horse will really look the part if you’re one of the three lucky readers to win this month’s competition. Covalliero brings a fresh new approach to riding wear. Its rider clothing is stylish, practical and good value for money too. The range includes a lightweight Quilted Gilet and Quilted Jacket that are sure to see you through the varying temperatures of the UK seasons - they’re water repellent too. The elegant High Waist Breeches are made from extra-elastic material for a perfect fit. The attractive high waistband features three buttons for a stylish finish. The…

1 PHYSICAL/MENTAL WELLBEING ■ As much turnout as possible - grass intake needs to be regulated by type of field, size of field, number of horses grazing and use of grazing muzzles. ■ Turnout with other horses - interaction between horses increases the amount they move when turned out. ■ Use a track system - any field can be adapted to encourage greater movement. There are some fabulous guides to this available (see ‘Further reading’, below). ■ Ride as frequently as you can - consider sharing your horse if you struggle to find the time yourself. ■ Vary the type of exercise - schooling, jumping, hacking, in-hand. ■ Vary the terrain - arena, grass, road, hill work, water. ■ Avoid rugging or use the lightest rug possible - this will…

Understanding payloads Q Please can you explain what is meant by the payload? Karen Smith, West Yorkshire Alan says… The payload weight limit is the total weight limit allowable for everything that you carry with your particular vehicle. This includes the driver, passengers, horses, tack, water, feed and any other equipment you may have. The BHS recommends that you take your vehicle to a weighbridge (visit gov.uk/ find-weighbridge) with all the equipment that you would normally take with you for your day out or event - minus your horse - so that you know what weight of horse(s) you are able to transport. Knowing the exact weight of your horse (or horses) is therefore also important. Many feed companies or vets will come to yards with a portable weighbridge for…

Deputy editor Allison Lowther: Take a bit more time to ride exercises in walk and it will make a real difference to your horse’s way of going. I’ve tried Emma Woolley’s exercises and they really do work. Page 52 Production editor Gill Shaw: School anywhere and everywhere! That’s showingturned-dressage rider Louise Bell’s message and it’s great to discover how she incorporates the natural environment into her horses’ training. Page 40 BEVA president Lucy Grieve MRCVS: We all want to do the best by our horses, but the modern way we’ve come to look after them isn’t always helpful. My advice for keeping your horse healthy and happy is on page 58. Five-star eventer Richard Jones: Arriving at a competition feeling confident happens with focused schooling at home in the lead…

Anita Booth once doubted her horse Dillon’s ability to pull off multiple miles in one go. He proved her wrong, however, when he carried her to the top of Long Mynd - a steep, seven-mile journey in the Shropshire Hills up to 517m above sea level. “I’m so impressed with Dillon. I thought I could never do this sort of thing with him so I would go on trekking holidays to ride a ‘proper’ horse,” says Anita. “The path we took up Long Mynd is almost a vertical climb.” Dillon is an 18-year-old Irish Cob. Anita has owned the 15.1hh gelding for nine years and nursed him back to health after he fractured the c3 vertebrae in his neck. “It’s magic to ride your own horse on an adventure like…

CHRISTINE PATRICK’S ex-racer Otto never put a hoof wrong. He was winning red rosettes in walk and trot dressage and was about to progress to prelim. During hacks he would fly along the undulating South Downs, finding the sixth gear that had aided his haul of £62,000 while on the racetrack, where he ran under the name of Lesley’s Choice and made other flat machines look ordinary. Christine, vice chair of Hailsham Equestrian Club, had purchased the bay gelding for £600 for riding club activities after seeing him advertised in Horsemart, but Otto also turned out to be a super-safe hack, unfazed by tractors, motorbikes and the biggest lorries. So when, in April 2015, Christine and Otto were nearing the end of a lengthy ride in company, walking sedately down…

WINDY DAYS My beautiful girl always passes wind when you lift her back leg to pick out her feet. Lea Skyes BOW DOWN Electric fences are merely suggestions for grazing areas. This one-knee pose is well practised! Iona Paterson HATS OFF Roo tries to pull off my hat cover by the bobble. He also releases himself from a quick-release knot but doesn’t run away. Just stares at me as if to say, ‘you’re going to have to fasten that again’. Claire Williams OOH, AAAHHH My pony George likes to scratch his belly on his road cone — just not always at the best of times. Lucy Christian THREE LEGS My four-year-old, Dior, likes to eat standing on three legs. Kristin Tricker SQUEALER Archie will pull faces, grab and throw anything…

MEET THE EXPERT LOUISE BELL began her equestrian career in showing and switched to dressage in 2011. She made her international dressage debut in 2014 and rode her first grand prix test in 2017 on Into The Blue. Louise has represented Great Britain in a number of Nations Cups and trains with Carl Hester. EVERYONE DREAMS OF having a horse who is naturally flamboyant and, providing your horse is trainable and sound, his paces can be developed. The first thing you need to work on is improving his strength, including his core strength, and this is something that takes time. The following exercises will help to teach your horse to sit back, take the weight behind and lighten his front end, which, in turn, helps develop expression. EXPERT workout WHAT…

Five common issues with the walk: 1 Steps that are too short. 2 Pacing - when the legs on the same side move forward together in a two-beat rhythm. 3 Strides with too big an overreach, resulting in difficulties in collection. 4 A Spanish walk, which is caused by too much pushing into a restraining hand. It results in horses walking with stiff, constrained forelegs that are lifted far too high, and it’s a difficult thing to untrain. 5 Jogging - this is often seen in highly strung horses and needs patient handling.…

How many of these are in place at your yard? Have locks and cameras on gates at every access point. Locks, cameras and alarms are vital for tackrooms too. Check your locks and camera positions meet your insurer’s requirements. Snap up-to-date photos of your horse regularly, especially as the season (and therefore his coat) changes, for identification purposes. Ensure your horse is microchipped (this is required by law) and that ownership details are kept updated so he can be traced if he goes missing and is found. Install fire alarms — several if necessary. Have a clear fire and evacuation procedure in place. Ensure everyone is aware of it and practise drills regularly. Consider security lights so that thieves can’t work under the cover of darkness. Park lorries and trailers…

MEET THE EXPERT LEONA BRAMALL MVB CertAVP(EM) MRCVS, an equine vet at Oakhill Veterinary Centre in Lancashire, holds an advanced veterinary practitioner certificate in equine medicine. Her primary areas of interest lie in foal medicine, dermatology and gastrointestinal disease. Visit oakhill-vets.com/equine. VET notes WHAT YOU’LL LEARN • What thrush is • How it affects your horse • Ways it can be treated and managed THRUSH IS A bacterial dermatitis of the clefts of frog (frog sulci) and is characterised by a black, foul-smelling discharge. Generally a number of bacteria are present, including Fusobacterium necrophorum, and one or more of the three clefts of frog — medial, lateral and central — may be affected. The infection causes degeneration of the frog tissue and the frog tissue may be under-run. The affected tissues become soft…

Affiliated turnout Q I’m planning on going to my first affiliated show next month on a day ticket. What are the basic turnout ‘yes and nos’ for riders? Rachel Hewitt, Hampshire Justine says… If you are jumping on a day ticket you are still required to conform to the dress code for members. There is such a range of possibilities regarding dress and equipment these days that the details are best read under rule 101 in the British Showjumping member handbook. You can download this or read it online — see the ‘Membership’ section at britishshowjumping.co.uk. It will tell you all you need to know about clothing and tack requirements, from jacket types and colour of jodhpurs, right down to spurs, whips, and your horse’s martingale, boots and bit. Should…

Why lunge? Q What are the benefits of lungeing my horse, apart from allowing him to let off steam before I ride? Tammy Brown, Oxfordshire Melanie says… Lungeing horses has many benefits, as well as many downsides if it’s done incorrectly. Compassion and empathy are so important when working horses on the ground, so always be patient and go slowly so that your horse understands what is being asked of him. Learning to balance The basic idea of lungeing is to teach horses how to balance when they’re on a circle, with no rider weight to contend with. When it’s done correctly, your horse will learn how to flex, engage his core muscles and to move on three tracks. This means the inside hind places down behind the outside foreleg by…

For a chance to get your hands on these goodies*, enter at yourhorse.co.uk/471 1 MOUNTAIN HORSE OUTFIT One lucky reader will win this amazing collection from Mountain Horse. The waterproof Aurora Winter Zip Paddock Boots will keep your feet dry in all weathers. They’re made from full grain leather, lined with lambs’ fur for warmth, and feature VertyCore 4D shock impact technology to provide maximum shock absorption and comfort. The Tindra Tech Top is stylish enough to wear alone, or layer up as the temperature dips. The seamless four-way stretch material is moisture wicking and quick drying so it’s comfy to wear. The MH Comfort Socks are knitted in a wool mixture to keep your feet toasty, and the Comfy Gloves’ tech fleece will help you stay snug. The silicone…

SNUGGY HOODS TURNOUT HOOD RRP £84 COLOURS Black, navy, burgundy SIZES XS - XXL BUY AT snuggyhoods.com This hood will save you time and effort in the colder, wetter months. Made from a robust, breathable, showerproof stretch fabric, it’s lined with a silky shoulder and mane saver to prevent rubs. It has an adjustable nose for a better fit, self-fixing surcingle and elastic poll adjusters for added security. You can opt for a pull-on version, or one with a zip that runs from chin to chest. Ears come as standard and can be easily cut off if not required. WEATHERBEETA STRETCH HOOD WITH ZIP RRP £43.99 COLOURS Black, navy SIZES Pony, cob, full FOR STOCKISTS weatherbeeta.co.uk A full stretch hood that simply slips over the head and attaches in the…

ANI-MATE RUG STORAGE BOX RRP £118 BUY AT ani-matefeedbins.co.uk A vermin-proof and lockable storage box, great for storing all your horse’s rugs. It comes with side carry handles that make it easier to move should you need to. SHIRES RUG STORAGE BAG RRP £17.99 (small); £19.99 (large) SIZES Small (two rugs), large (five rugs) FOR STOCKISTS shiresequestrian.com Ideal for keeping unused rugs tidy and dust free. These generously sized bags feature a sturdy zip along three sides of the lid, strong carry handles and reinforced edges. ECODRI 2 BAR RUG DRIER RRP £649 BUY AT ecodriuk.com With low running costs, the Ecodri drier makes drying wet rugs a simple process. Manufactured in the UK, it will have your rugs dry in under five hours. The robust design means it will…

STUNNING SCULPTURES Immortalise your beloved equine with a fine art wire sculpture by Katy Dunne. You can choose the pose - moving, standing or jumping - and the sculpture will be completed with your own horse’s mane and tail. Facebook: In The Wired Wild Wood ARABIAN ADVENTURE Sandstorm is set in the Middle East, centred around the Arabian horse circuit. Whether Arabs are your thing or not, this book promises twists and turns as you become invested in each character’s journey towards championship glory and finding love. It’s the debut novel of Samantha Mattocks, who has been involved with these horses all her life. Find it at amazon.co.uk RUGS INTO CUSHIONS Turn your favourite saddlecloth or rug into a cushion or soft toy. You can even include your horse’s headcollar…

I WAS LUCKY during lockdown to still be able to go to the stables. Of course, we abide by the rules — using sanitisers, keeping our distance and limiting our time there — but it feels like my one bit of normality. I was furloughed from work in March and returned in July, so I have plenty of time on my hands and a lot of practice goes into my riding and improving Jester’s confidence. We start to clock up the miles out hacking. My favourite route includes riding in big open spaces with sheep who aren’t afraid to come and investigate. Jester is amazing the first few times and takes it all in his stride — it seems far too easy! However, another time we’re plodding along when we…

Is an ex-racehorse for you? While Christine is an experienced rider who was able to reschool Otto when his career on the track came to an end, former racehorses aren’t suitable for everyone. Ask yourself the following questions: ■ Will they suit my ability? While some ex-racehorses are calm and quiet, others only know fast and stop (hopefully!), so they are often only suitable for experienced riders. ■ Do I have the time? An ex-racehorse will be pretty institutionalised and may not ever have been tied up, schooled, asked to stand still while being mounted, and so on. He will need training in all of these things and more, which takes time and patience. ■ Do I have the right skillsets? Retraining an ex-racehorse isn’t always easy. A contact on…

Keep your photos coming in to yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk Big grin No matter what, my mare Tilly keeps me smiling every day. Abi Walker, East Yorkshire Boy wonder Me and Cooper - my Dark Knight! Lisa Speight, Leicestershire True gent Here’s the lovely Barney and I. Sue Legge, Herefordshire Lockdown buddies Me and my Covid companion, Frizzle. I couldn’t have got through these past few months without him. Jane Hall, South Yorkshire Tasty titfer This is my friend Shadow taking a shine to my hat. Kris Kirby, South Yorkshire Brolly good Me and my just-backed mare Cherie doing desensitisation at Tumpy Green Riding Club’s in-hand TREC session. Kelly Lessel, Gloucestershire Sooo sleepy My two-year-old Dales, Pennybrook Patrick, taking an afternoon nap. Katie Curwen, Lancashire Show stopper Sydney found something more interesting to…

If you ever find that your horse isn’t understanding what you’re asking, just come back to walk and do all the exercises in walk. If your horse is struggling, it’s worth checking that he’s OK. These are difficult exercises, but he shouldn’t struggle to do them. Ifthereisaphysical problem of some kind, your horse won’t be able to carry out the exercises, or will find it painful to do so. If you don’t have any decent hills nearby to hack up, consider hiring your local gallops for an hour and enjoy a spin with a friend.…

Winter is the time when training in walk comes into its own. Difficult conditions, cold muscles, ground that’s too hard or too soft, and a horse who might not be as fit as he normally is are all reasons to do as much work as you can at a slower pace. Here are Emma’s top tips for a winter walk workout with purpose: Always plan ahead so that you know the exercises you’re going to ride and in what order. Which ones are going to be most useful for your horse that particular day? Start every session in a long, low frame to create relaxation and ensure your horse is attentive. Make this walk as good as you can before moving on. Walk sessions can last for up to an…

When Clover’s new owners first brought their four-year-old Irish Sport Horse home, they struggled to get the mare to lift her legs and it became clear she wasn’t used to lifting her legs to have her feet picked out. All four hooves were impacted with dirt and droppings, and once the feet and frog area had been picked out they realised that she had thrush. The farrier came to trim Clover’s feet and tried various topical treatments over the next few months, including copper sulphate mixed with petroleum jelly, hydrogen peroxide and Stockholm tar, alongside regular trimming. However, after four months there was no improvement, so her owners called the vet. On examination it was confirmed that Clover had thrush affecting all four frogs. All clefts were very deep and…

Perfect circles Q My horse balloons out through his outside shoulder on circles, especially in trot. How do I correct this? Emma Kettley, Lincolnshire Kate says… You need to start by making sure that your horse is straight at all times, even on a turn or a circle. By this, I mean straight as opposed to crooked, rather than straight as opposed to bent — it’s important that your horse’s hindlegs follow the track of the front legs. Then consider carefully how you’re riding the circle. Think about the outside of your horse more than the inside. Too often, especially on turns and circles, riders think too much about the inside bend and how they are going to obtain it. It’s far better to think about controlling the outside of…

SPILLERS™ registered nutritionist Clare Barfoot answers your feeding questions The owner: Sarah Farmington The horse: Damsel, a 24-year-old cob The problem: Damsel is a good doer but she is starting to show her age Damsel is very active for her age. Sarah hacks her twice a week and she is also used in the riding school at the yard for lessons three times a week. She has good teeth, is turned out daily onto a shared paddock, enjoys her haynet overnight and has a scoop of high-fibre nuts once a day. Sarah has noticed that Damsel is a bit stiff in the mornings, though, and has lost a little of her usual vigour. She wants to make sure that she’s giving her mare the nutritional support she needs. Clare says:…

Are you an animal lover? I grew up touring India with my family — we were nomads. My mother rescued a Siamese cat and gave him to me on Christmas morning. This cat was extraordinary. We travelled mostly by train with him in a wicker basket. He’d live in the compartment for a day or two as we went across India — and even used the loo. We’d spend three weeks in Lahore, Bombay or Delhi or somewhere and when we were packing to leave the cat would come back. We never lost him. Tell us about riding in India… We used to go to hill stations where the mode of transport was a horse. It was like hiring a car. I’d say I need a horse to get to…