Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 486 i Your Horse

Violet arrived at World Horse Welfare’s Hall Farm extremely thin, riddled with lice and heavily pregnant. “Every day you’d see a difference in Violet; she was gaining happiness and health, and trust in human interaction,” said Megan Jarvis, Violet’s groom. “She was putting on weight and condition. We were waiting for her to drop her foal.” Three weeks after Violet arrived, Megan noticed the mare’s unusual behaviour while watching her on camera, and was able to raise the alarm that she was struggling to foal. “Without the camera, I don’t think Rose would be here today,” said Megan of Violet’s foal, who received expert care from vets and grooms. Rose was checked throughout the night for several days. When her health improved, the pair were turned out together. It is…

Charlie Unwin said social media can have an impact on a rider’s competition performance. He advised managing online behaviour carefully, particularly before an important event. “In 2012 the world saw a huge spike in anxiety — that was the year social media platforms became integrated onto mobile phone technology,” he said. “We could carry social media around with us. Our mind is aware it’s in our pocket. “This noise is something I spend a lot of time helping athletes manage. Turning off social media three days before competition has had a profound effect on a lot of the riders I’ve worked with.”…

IT’S BEEN A busy few months at the Turner household. My husband Matt continues his work with Thor. They go further on their own and are building Thor’s fitness at the same time. In October, they complete their biggest achievement together so far: an 18-mile, seven-hour ride around the Peak District. The adventure presents many challenges for the daring duo, as although they have ridden each section of the long ride many times, tagging one route to another means Matt is continually asking Thor to go the opposite way to home. However, in true hero style Thor takes each turn in his stride, questioning Matt’s choice only once or twice when he is convinced Matt has lost the plot. In the meantime, Shoop is being kept ticking over by going…

GREEN LIGHT FROM THE GOVERNMENT This one is so simple, yet arguably the most special part of 2021: the freedom to attend our horses at our leisure, meet our riding friends and just generally get out and about enjoying our horses without having to worry about breaking government rules. We had to wait until June for all restrictions to be lifted, just in time for a summer of fun. Whether this meant being able to get out competing with your horse or simply enjoying hacking again, and everything in between, this summer we remembered that we should never take riding and horses for granted. IF 2020 WILL always be remembered as ‘The Covid Year’, then 2021 should be the golden one. It didn’t get off to a promising start, with…

MEET THE TRAINER ROBYN CHERRY is yard manager at Tyre Hill Equestrian in Worcestershire. She began working on a racing yard aged 14 and has gone on to run her own yard, and to manage others of all sizes. She holds the RDA equivalent of a BHSAI, and specialises in rehabilitating horses post-intensive care and post-injury. WITH LIMITED TIME to ride in the winter, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of going round and round the arena with no real aim or objective. But with a little thought and preplanning, there are ways to not only add some variety to your winter schooling, but also to increase your horse’s flexibility, range of motion, paces and proprioception. “This is a pole work exercise called the hot cross bun,” says…

SCHOOLING solutions WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: Ideas to boost your horse’s suppleness • Easy ways to up your balance and control • New ways to practice tight turns and circles MEET THE TRAINER NIKKI BARKER is an international dressage rider and trainer who is based near Newmarket. She’s sponsored by Knowles Equestrian and Spillers; find her on Facebook at ‘Nikki Barker Dressage’. MEET THE RIDER & HORSE JANE VON SEELEN HANSEN has owned 16-year-old Hanoverian Missy for nearly six years and the pair recently scored 67% in their first prix st georges class. MISSED PART 1? Nikki shared a number of interesting shapes you can ride on the flat, from pear drops to diamonds, in issue 485. Buy our December issue at shop.kelsey.co.uk/issue/YHR NEED A QUICK and easy suppling exercise to…

MEET THE EXPERT TRUDI DEMPSEY is an IAABC and ABTC certified equine behaviour consultant and contributor to online equine course platform understandhorses.com “Each horse will react differently, and some will not show outward signs of struggling with the loss of a companion” AS HUMANS, WE feel loss deeply, whether that is losing someone we love or an animal, but how do horses cope with being separated from a companion or witnessing the death of a herd member? A good place to start is looking at how horses cope with death in their natural environment, without human restrictions. “It appears that horses may spend some time processing the loss of a herd member, but the rhythm of life continues fairly quickly, and the need to keep safe from predators in the…

A well-designed girth is an essential piece of tack and in recent years there has been a lot of focus on the fit and design of them. Find the right one for your horse and it will not only hold your saddle securely in place, but it can also enhance his comfort and performance. There’s now a large choice of different girths available all with unique design features and produced with the horse’s comfort in mind. The Scharf Freedom Dressage Girth is something quite different and has a unique design that works with your horse’s various muscle groups, providing independent support for each area. Unlike some conventional girths which are designed to just hold your saddle in place, without considering which muscles they touch, the Scharf Freedom Dressage Girth is…

“If I had my time again, I wouldn’t necessarily want to come back able-bodied. I would love to hold the reins properly, but at least I can ride and live a normal life” SOPHIE WELLS was intent on hiding her hands at school. During lessons and playtime, the sleeves of uniform jumpers, blazers and shirts would provide welcome cover from prying eyes determined to stare at fists which lacked the expected four fingers and one thumb apiece. In a place where anything unconventional would initiate gapes, barbed observations and name-calling, the daughter of Lincolnshire farmers was never happier than when her three fingers (two little ones, and the ring finger on her left hand), as well as squat thumbs, were camouflaged by wool, cotton or polyester. Two decades later and…

MEET THE TRAINER TOM MCEWEN was a part of Britain’s gold medal-winning Olympic team in Tokyo, where he also netted individual silver. In 2018, he helped Britain to team gold at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon and he won the Pau CCI5* in France in 2019 — all riding Toledo de Kerser. Tom is an ambassador for Jump 4 Joy. Visit tommcewen.co.uk and showjumps.com. IF YOU WATCH a class of different horses jump the same course of showjumps, you’ll notice how each one has their own style and way of going. Effective training and riding are all about treating the horse as an individual and being able to work out their strengths and weaknesses. “With any horse I ride or train, I’m looking for straightness and rhythm,” says Tom…

MEET THE TRAINER CHARLOTTE SMITHWHITE is an under-25 grand prix rider based near Ledbury, Herefordshire. She offers on site competition, training and sales livery, alongside freelance riding and coaching. MEET THE RIDER SUE HURFORD BSc (Hons) PGCE is a BHS Level 4 senior yard manager and BHS Level 5 equine business manager. She is also senior lecturer at Bridgend College, Pencoed, and a City and Guilds equine moderator. Sue rides Paddy, an eight-year-old Connemara gelding who she has owned for nearly two years and enjoys hacking and schooling. WHILE THERE ARE speed demons who love nothing more than to race around at 100mph, there are also steady-neddies who prefer a slower pace of life. Connemara pony Paddy is one of the latter, and while his owner Sue Hurford is happy…

MEET THE EXPERT RUTH COURT is Horse Welfare Manager at Blue Cross. She has a BSc (Hons) degree in equine management and holds the BHSII. Ruth is also a director of the National Equine Welfare Council. OVER THE WINTER, our horse care routines change and traditionally horses are stabled for longer periods. This often involves a sudden change from living out 24/7 in company to being stabled for much of the day and night, in isolation. Also, some of us struggle for time to ride due to work or family commitments, and shorter days and restricted turnout is often common due to the need to maintain wet fields. Ideally horses would fulfil natural instincts by living out all winter, but in many cases it is necessary to bring them in,…

Email your question to yh.ed@yourhorse.co.uk Meet this month’s panel of experts Riding advice Gaye Nicholas is a BHS senior coach, British Eventing (BE) and British Dressage (BD) coach and a List 4 dressage judge. She is based in Gloucestershire. Finding the right horse Nikki Herbert BHSI (Level 5 Performance Coach) is an accredited BE coach, a List 2A BD judge and sits on the British Dressage Judges’ Committee. Equine dentistry Tom Grantham is a BAEDT and BVDA equine dental technician from Lincolnshire. Find him at facebook.com/Rase EquineDentalServices Feeding supplements Sarah Nelson is an equine nutritionist and product manager for SPILLERS, see spillers-feeds.com GOT A PROBLEM? Need an answer? We’ll know someone who can help Welcome to our Ask The Experts section. Over the next nine pages we help to solve…

To enter, visit yourhorse.co.uk/win/cavallo486 Worth £1,056 FIRST PRIZE*: ■ An Estoril MA ladies show jacket ■ A pair of Caja grip breeches ■ A pair of Linus slim leather riding boots ■ A pair of Simo C socks ■ A Hala saddlecloth IF YOU’RE A keen competitor, you’ll know how important it is to have comfortable and well-fitting competition gear. Wearing the right kit can make all the difference, boosting your confidence and allowing you to focus on you and your horse’s performance in the ring. German brand Cavallo knows just how important good quality, practical competition clothing is, and has produced a range of high-quality riding wear that perfectly combines function and fashion. To help kick off 2022, Cavallo and Zebra Products have put together this fantastic competition outfit…

ON THOSE COOLER days it can be difficult to know what to wear — we all know that doing daily chores at the yard may mean a coat is just too warm. This is where the versatile gilet comes into its own. Such a useful piece of clothing to have in your wardrobe, a gilet is great for adding a little bit of warmth but without you overheating. They can also look stylish for riding in, whether at home or out at a clinic. Over the past three months, five gilets have been used by our testers on a daily basis. Each one has been assessed for fit, performance and value for money. Read their reviews to find out which ones they recommend. How we score: ★ ★ ★ ★…

GROOMING DOESN’T JUST make your horse’s coat shine, it’s also a real health booster. A good grooming session promotes circulation, massages muscles, helps remove dead skin cells, and stimulates the production of beneficial oils. This is only possible if you have the right kit for effective grooming. There are many different brushes and kits available — here’s advice on what to look for. Grooming benefits As well as removing dirt, grooming is the perfect opportunity for you to spot any lumps, swellings, or skin issues so you can deal with them early. Also, most horses appreciate grooming time and it’s a great chance for you to bond with him. Each time you groom him, watch his reactions to see what he likes and what he doesn’t. He’ll soon let you…

For all the latest news from the horse world, visit yourhorse.co.uk SAFETY BETA launches campaign to collect accident and injury data The British Trade Association (BETA) has launched a new way of collecting information relating to accidents and injuries. The new Rider Accident and Equipment Reporting Form, released at Your Horse Live, is available to anyone who has experienced an accident or injury around horses. “A better understanding of what happens to our hats and body protectors during an accident is key to being able to design better and safer equipment, as well as feeding into the safety standards that determine how these garments perform,” said chief executive of BETA Claire Williams. “The data collected will provide invaluable insights contributing to this understanding, and help us, along with our trade…

THE POWER AND pitfalls of social media were highlighted at this year’s World Horse Welfare Conference #WhoseOpinionMatters (11 November). Attendees voted platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as the most influential in shaping opinions in equine matters, above more traditional means, such as the views of other horse owners at the yard or experienced people in the industry. Speakers gave insight into how social media can be used to improve equine welfare and enhance competition performance, as well as sharing tips on managing negativity online. Dressage rider and trainer Pammy Hutton said social media has been invaluable to her campaigning. She has used these platforms to raise awareness and promote change in many areas of horse sport, from battling against tight nosebands and rollkur, to raising funds for riding…

SOME THINGS TRULY deserve the ‘bucket list item’ tag, and this is one of them. A huge expanse of smooth sand, the wind whistling past you and the thunder of hoofbeats as you speed up the beach, plus the smiles and laughter of your friends… and all this without having to wonder if it will all go to your mount’s head, resulting in a bit more excitement than intended. It makes for the perfect hack. All this joy can be found in the Lake District, on a beach ride with Cumbrian Heavy Horses. It’s the first and only BHS-approved heavy horse riding centre, and is a cracking place. Owner Annie Rose has 18 heavy horses for riding, most of whom are Shires or Clydesdales. The day before heading to the…

Handbag maker Pippa Latimer-Harris runs Pippa Saddlebags, making handbags out of old saddles and bridles. She owns a grey mare, called Blue, and when Pippa’s not busy working on her latest creation, the duo enjoy hacking in the New Forest. About my job… I make handbags from old saddles and bridles, working from my studio in the New Forest. The first stage is to clean the saddle, and then take it apart with a sharp Stanley knife. I usually have two or three bags on the go at once, at various stages of the creative process, and I’m constantly choosing accessories to add to them from my vast array of girths, driving harnesses, brass buckles and bits. It’s all very organic and I design on the go — I never…

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: • How to use your seat and avoid resistance • What makes an ideal halt • How to improve your horse’s engagement MEET THE TRAINER GEORGIA DAVIS is a dressage rider based in Hampshire who spent her junior years riding for Great Britain all over Europe and at 16 became a working pupil for Gareth and Rebecca Hughes. She has won various national and regional titles, including the 2020 advanced medium title on her own Keystone Diego. The trouble with the centre line is the absence of support from the arena fence and, out in the open, there’s nowhere to hide. Here, it’s more important than ever to give your horse a helping hand. With tips and exercises to try at home, let dressage pro Georgia Davis…

VET notes WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: • What faecal water syndrome is • How it affects horses • What causes it MEET THE EXPERT LEONA BRAMALL MVB CertAVP(EM) MRCVS is an equine vet at Gillivervet Ltd, Lancashire. Leona holds an advanced veterinary practitioner certificate in equine medicine and her primary areas of interest lie in dermatology and gastrointestinal disease. Visit gillivervet.co.uk A FREQUENT TELEPHONE advice call that we vets receive is that a patient has developed free faecal liquid. The horse in question is normally otherwise well in itself but is ‘squirting’ faecal stained liquid before passing droppings, as they pass wind or at the same time as they are passing droppings. Faecal consistency may be normal to slightly soft. Affected horses frequently have faecal staining on the backs of their…

MEET THE EXPERTS DR LAURA WILSON BVM&S MRCVS is a Technical Advisor at Dodson & Horrell and a qualified vet. She graduated from Edinburgh University in 2013 and began her veterinary career in Newmarket, before spending time in New Zealand working with racehorses and Thoroughbreds. ROSIE DEARING CRAMPTON FLOOD is nutritional intern at Dodson & Horrell. Visit dodsonandhorrell.com TO UNDERSTAND A horse’s metabolism, it is first important to define the term. Metabolism is defined as all of the chemical processes in any living organism, especially those that cause food to be used for energy and growth. Although metabolism is involved in weight gain and loss in animals, it encompasses all processes required in sustaining life. Therefore, for your horse’s body to function optimally, it requires essential inputs like energy in…