Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 492 i Your Horse

COMPETITION SEASON IS upon us and in this issue we’re asking the question, how do you prepare yourself and your horse for a show? According to the experts we have spoken to (p42), how well you are prepared - physically, mentally and literally - is often the difference between having a good day or a bad one. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the show itself and what you want to achieve, but focusing on the process to get there and how you’re actually going to achieve it is more likely to produce the result you want. So says performance manager Charlie Unwin, who has worked with some of the best riders in the business. It reminds me of a dressage competition I groomed at for my sister last…

A true legend This is Voodoo; smiling is one of his favourite tricks. He was diagnosed with mild kissing spines and back arthritis last September and I fell pregnant shortly after, so we have been doing a lot of walking out together in-hand and playing around on the ground using clicker training. He is a legend and such a funny horse. Caroline Hughes, Worcestershire What a poser This is my granddaughter Lacey with my 10-year-old cob Red. He is a right poser. Wendy Kelly, North Wales Loves a selfie My princess Annie and I enjoying the sunshine. This mare really does love a selfie and I have to admit, she always takes a good one! Zoe Ferris, Cambs Living the dream This is Tommy, my daughter’s horse who I have…

There are a number of ways that riders can help look after their horse’s fetlock joints to prevent injuries. These include: 1 Riding on multiple surfaces and multiple types of exercise. 2 Avoid uneven, deep ground. 3 Warm up and cool down properly. 4 Work to your horse’s fitness levels and avoid repetitive work. 5 Maintain proper balance of your horse’s feet. 6 Take poor conformation — long, sloping pasterns or short, upright pasterns — into account when working horses. 7 Watch your horse’s weight as excess weight on joints can have a negative effect.…

Feeding Sarah Day BSc (Hons) is a member of the Allen & Page nutrition team. Her experience as an equine nutritionist helps guide owners on feeds and feeding. Shoeing Dale Beecham Dip WCF is an experienced farrier, based in south Lincolnshire, who specialises in young and farrier-phobic horses. Building a bond Jennifer Green is an accredited Professional BHS Senior Coach offering training and coaching to horse owners. See Facebook.com/TheEquineConsultant Riding Cathy Lammie is a BHS Accredited Senior Coach and equine lecturer based on the Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire border.…

A winning start Q Any tips to help me bond with my new horse? I plan to compete over the summer at local shows, but would like to spend a bit of time just getting to know him first. Heidi Parkes, Notts Jennifer says: It’s great that you’re taking the time to build a bond with your new horse. It’s important for us to remember that everything changes for a horse when he gets new owners, and some take longer to adjust than others. Horses thrive on routine, so getting your new horse settled into one straight away is important. Make sure any changes to his diet are done gradually, and that he meets his new field mates at a safe distance before being put into the herd. He may take…

HEADBAND WITH A DIFFERENCE The DVR Headband has been created to not only look great, but they are made from yarn that’s sourced from ‘end of life’ knitwear from charity shops. Carefully selected knitwear in dated designs that are likely to end up in landfill are purchased from the charities to be used for the headbands. DVR has paired up in collaboration with a Sussex-based crochet designer to offer a stunning new headband design with a difference. The crochet design means the headbands have a natural stretch, perfect for fitting a range of head sizes. RRP £23.99 DVREQUESTRIAN.COM TRIM AND TIDY The Ultimate Trimming and Tidying Wallet Set contains four of Smart Grooming’s most prized humane grooming tools, all contained within a branded wallet. Also, within the wallet are dedicated…

Chartered physiotherapist Maeve Sheridan: Almost every fault I assess with a rider’s position can be related back to one of three main issues with their seat. I explain how to be more secure and effective in the saddle on page 34. Event rider JP Sheffield: Passing through the finish flags on a cross-country course happens as a result of correct training. I explain how to tackle some of the trickiest fences with confidence on page 54. Equine behaviour consultant Abigail Allen: The best way to strengthen our relationship with our horse is to think of interactions as deposits and withdrawals into an account. This encourages us to keep the trust account topped up. Page 62 Vet Matthew Swarbrick MRCVS: The fetlock joint is like the knuckle of your middle finger;…

MEET THE TRAINER MAEVE SHERIDAN is a chartered physiotherapist with over 20 years’ experience with riders. She has found similar patterns of weaknesses and asymmetries relating to pain and poor riding performance, and has developed the Activate Your Seat online exercise programme. Visit activateyourseat.com and follow Activate Your Seat on Facebook and @activateyourseat on Instagram. “We need a full range of movement of the pelvis, and full control of that range, to follow, absorb and enhance the horse’s movement ” ‘THE RIDER’S SEAT’ is an umbrella term used by trainers and coaches to describe any part of your body that has contact with the saddle and therefore can influence the horse. It is not an anatomical term. Your seat includes your pelvis, hips and inner thighs. Your ‘seat bones’ are…

ARE OUR HORSES truly capable of loving us? It’s certainly an emotive question we ask ourselves, especially as many of us have a close attachment to our horses no matter the level of participation in riding. To help us understand how horses perceive our relationship with us, we should first explore how feral horses interact with and experience relationships between conspecifics (other horses), to gain insight as to what they value when forming emotional connections and their motivations for forming strong social bonds. Attachment theory Attachment theory is a psychological theory that explores how mammals form bonds with one another. Research has shown that mammals are born with an innate drive to form attachments to caregivers and that the attachment style they develop is as a result of whether their…

Time to fill up Q Left to graze naturally, how much grass will a horse eat in a day? Emma Parkes, Leicestershire Sarah says: Research suggests horses at grass will spend around 16 hours a day grazing, and while it’s difficult to estimate exactly how much grass they’ll eat, on average they’re expected to consume between 1.5 and 2% of their bodyweight in forage a day. It is important to monitor the grass quality and abundance throughout the year to ensure your horse is getting sufficient amounts of forage, for example during the winter months when cooler temperatures and wetter weather mean grass growth is diminished. During these periods the grass should be supplemented with another forage source, such as hay or haylage. Ensuring good access to forage throughout the…

Poles apart Q I’ve read that pole work exercises are great for increasing suppleness, but I’ve no idea what to do! Any tips to help me get started? Eva Smith, via email Cathy says: With pole work, the basic rule is to keep it simple. Start in walk and trot, then gradually increase the number of poles, finishing with some raised poles once your horse is balanced and confident. Bear in mind that canter poles need a good rhythm, or your horse will lose balance and fall back to trot or go faster. Steps to success 1 Start with one pole on the ground and maintain a steady rhythm around the school and over the pole. 2 Once you’ve achieved this, add a second pole with one whole stride in…

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PARAMEDIC SETS OFF ON MAMMOTH TREK Claire Alldritt has set off on a 1,000-mile route around the Scottish Highlands in aid of The Ambulance Staff Charity. Claire carries a corral system for her horses and will camp overnight. justgiving.com/fundraising/claire-alldritt ON HIS HEAD The Equilibrium Stellar Headcollar is designed to prevent your horse from headcollar-related injuries. It has been scientifically tested to release when an average of 83kg of downward force is applied. Available in a variety of colours. equilibriumproducts.com RRP £49.99 EARS’ A THOUGHT Add a splash of colour to your horse’s wardrobe with fully customisable Mattes Bespoke Luxury Horse Ears. Their bespoke design software lets you visualise the finished product before you place your order. Pinkequine.co.uk RRP £64.99…

Founder and designer at 3 Donkeys Amanda Marshall founded her company 3 Donkeys after being inspired to design women’s two-in-one coveralls while lambing at 3am, with her day-old baby by her side. My job... I’m the founder and designer at 3 Donkeys, a clothing brand founded on the unique two-into-one coveralls which help ladies in the equestrian and agricultural industries stay clean when dealing with animals. I do pretty much everything, from dealing with UK manufacturers and answering emails, to packing and despatching orders, designing the next season’s apparel releases and the next coverall, speaking to customers and organising photoshoots and attending events with our tradestand — one of my favourite parts of the job. I also handle all of our social media channels. I launched 3 Donkeys in December…

The Queen has been an advocate of Monty Roberts’ natural horsemanship since she invited him to Windsor Castle to demonstrate his training methods in 1989, in the days when many of her connections were extremely sceptical. The monarch, however, was an almost instant convert to his gentle ways of breaking in horses, which are often in stark contrast to age-old breaking techniques. Monty told Horse & Hound in 2012 of his first visit: “They introduced me to 23 horses straight from the fields for me to have for one week and I had saddles and bridles on them in five days.” The American has subsequently crossed the Atlantic numerous times to start Her Majesty’s young horses, and he also trains her staff in his methods.…

For many equestrians who use social media, working with brands is a dream. It might not be the focus of the account, or the reason it started life in the first place, but getting recognition for what you do from the brands you love is always nice. But how do you do this? And how could you (potentially) grow this into something else? In truth, the way that long-term associations start is usually the same way but all we can really control is how we signpost our content and give people the best chance of finding it. So, make sure that you: ✽ Tag the brand, don’t just mention them in the caption. ✽ Tag the image on Instagram too. This makes it easy for brands to find in a…

MEET THE TRAINER SARAH HIGGINS is an international dressage rider and UKCC Level 3 coach. Based at Pinfold Stables in Cheshire, she enjoys training a yard full of exciting horses from grassroots level to grand prix. AN EFFECTIVE GIVE and retake of the reins demonstrates that your horse is in good self-carriage — in other words, he’s able to hold himself upright and maintain his outline without relying on you to prop him up. Like all movements, it’s something you need to practise at home for best marks. Here’s how you can train give and retake at home while avoiding common pitfalls along the way. PROBLEM: I don’t know what to do with my hands FIX IT When releasing the contact, I see a lot of riders panic and thrust…

MEET THE EXPERT MATTHEW SWARBRICK MRCVS graduated as a vet from the University of Liverpool in 2010 He worked in equine hospitals in Newmarket for five years, then spent a year in Australia working as a vet on racing yards. In 2016, he returned to the UK and joined The Minster Equine Veterinary Practice, North Yorkshire, where he is now a manager. Most of his time is spent dealing with racehorses. “Bones within the joint are covered by cartilage. It is so smooth, it has up to 100 times less friction than ice” THE FETLOCK REGION of the horse is situated on each leg at the base of the cannon and above the pastern. It is the cavity between the cannon (third metacarpal) bone, the long pastern bone (the first…

To help ensure your horse doesn’t suffer from bruised soles, you can do the following: 1 Avoid working them excessively if the ground is hard. 2 Always pick out their feet before and after work. 3 Manage your paddocks correctly by harrowing and rolling when suitable, to flatten uneven ground. Large stones should be removed. 4 Speak to your farrier if you are concerned about your horse’s foot balance, and if bruised soles are caused by laminitis, contact your vet. 5 Protective hoof pads are sometimes used for thin-soled horses to prevent bruising, although they should be used with care and after consulting your farrier and/or vet. 6 Hoof hardeners can help ‘harden’ soft soles but again, care should be exercised, and they should be used only on the advice…

DALE SAYS... “If you’re concerned your horse may have had laminitis in the past, speak to your farrier. He or she will be able to tell you a lot about the current and past health of your horse’s hooves, judging by some of the subtle signs we’re trained to look for.” Spotting the signs Q What does laminitis actually look like in the hoof — can you spot early signs when you’re shoeing a horse? Justine Mastin, Cornwall Dale says: Early laminitis can sometimes be seen in the horse’s foot and shows as bruising in the sole, which may be spotted after the farrier has trimmed this area. The bruising normally looks like a semi lunar (or crescent-shaped) line in the toe area, and it can be an indicator that…

Wet, wet, wet? Q My horse hates putting his feet near any water or mud. How can I make him braver? Willow Young, Norfolk Cathy says: Horses being reluctant to walk though a puddle is not uncommon. They like to see what’s in the water and how deep it is to know they’re not going to be jumped on by a predator or lose their footing. There are lots of techniques and situations you can use to help your horse gain confidence. First, you need to stay calm at all times, which shows him there’s nothing to worry about. Remember he is probably scared and is a fight or flight animal and will react this way if he’s pushed. Keep your heart rate at its base level, and no matter what…

EQUETECH VENTI JERSEY COMPETITION JACKET RRP £143.95 COLOUR Navy SIZES 32-48 EQUETECH.COM This sporty competition jacket is designed for riders who want added ventilation while riding. This innovative breathable jacket has mesh panels allowing airflow. Other features include a double-vented back and hidden front zip fastening, with Equetech engraved buttons. Low maintenance and flattering, this jacket is styled with a durable knitted Ponte fabric with Lycra for stretch and shape retention. FELIX BÜHLER COMPETITION JACKET KENDRA RRP £64.90 COLOUR Black, navy SIZES XS-XL kramer.co.uk A chic tailored competition jacket with black rhinestones on the collar and the belt at the back. The breathable, easy-care material has four-way stretch for a comfortable fit. It also features anthracite buttons and zips, two zipped front pockets and two rear riding slits. MARK TODD…

THE BRIDLE YOU use is a key line of communication between you and your horse, and ensuring it fits well and he’s comfortable is crucial. Buying an off-the-peg bridle is the option for most and this brings some potential limitations on fit, as all horses are unique in their head shape — and many aren’t symmetrical. These factors all add to the potential issues of getting a good and comfortable fit. We’ve tested a selection of off-the-peg bridles over the past three months and assessed them for fit, performance and value for money. Each bridle has been used on three horses — two Thoroughbreds and a Warmblood. Find out how each bridle fared, and which one comes out as best in test. How we score: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★…

On sale 23 June 2022 Is your horse wearing the right bit? ■ All about mouth conformation ■ What a bitting consultation Can tell you ■ How to fit a bit correctly Plus much more! Win a hat and gloves bundle from Uvex! ALSO IN THIS ISSUE ❋ Three exercises to help get your eye in over a fence ❋ How to count your horse’s calories and ensure he’s burning enough ❋ What is cooperative care — and why it can do wonders for your partnership ❋ How to apply the scales of training to your dressage at every level ❋ Lowdown on electrolytes — plus encouraging horses to drink when it’s hot ❋ Fly control: top tips for keeping pesky bugs at bay *PLEASE NOTE THAT CONTENT IS SUBJECT…

Have you always wanted to be an author? Writing a children’s picture book wasn’t something I had thought about until having my daughter, Romy. I couldn’t sleep one night; I was awake at 3am and I had an image of a pony and a farm and a few of the words popped into my head. I wrote it down on my phone and over the following weeks I thought about the message behind it. How was the writing process? It was easy in some ways, in that the story came to me quite easily, but it was more challenging putting it together with a beginning, middle and end. Matching the right language, words and imagery to the illustrations was tricky, and making sure it was appropriate for both ends of…