Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 493 i Your Horse

WHEN I STARTED rowing in my mid-twenties, the positive impact it had on my seat and general riding ability was immense. Until that point, I kept ‘riding fit’ by riding horses. However, after starting a full-time job in the media that involved lots of sitting behind a desk — and fewer hours to spend on the yard or on the back of the horse — it quickly became apparent that my approach to riding fitness was a poor one. Rowing got me into the gym, doing regular circuits and weight lifting which made me stronger, plus frequent cardio workouts on the water increased my stamina and endurance. The best part was that I enjoyed it so much, I didn’t even consider it exercise! I first noticed the difference while riding…

Master coach of NLP, Time Line Therapy Tracey Cole is an accredited trainer and master coach of NLP, Time Line Therapy and hypnotherapy. She owns two horses and thrives carrying out her in-demand work of helping other riders engage and focus their mindset so that they can be confident and effective in the saddle. My job… I specialise in helping, supporting, teaching and training equestrians in how to use mindset to overcome nerves, anxiety, depression, doubts, limiting beliefs and trauma. I also coach riders who just want to enhance their performance and achieve their goals more easily with the backing of their mind. My trainings begin with NLP (neurolinguistic programming). This is a blend of psychological and behavioural concepts and techniques that work at the subconscious (also known as the…

MEET THE TRAINER LARA EDWARDS is an international dressage rider, trainer and breeder. She has won over 30 regional titles, two national titles and numerous top-three international placings. Visit laraedwardsdressage.co.uk ONE OF THE greatest lessons I’ve been able to pass on, and especially to riders who are younger or lacking in confidence, is that you have as much right to be in the collecting ring as anyone else. Becoming more confident in your warm-up takes time and experience, but if you can go in armed with skills and knowledge to make every second count that you spend in the warm-up area count, then so much the better. PROBLEM: The collecting ring is busy FIX IT: You absolutely can still warm up properly in a busy warm-up area if you live…

A BIT IS the piece of tack that goes inside the horse’s mouth and sits in the space between their front and back teeth. They are usually made from types of metal such as stainless steel or copper, but they can also be made from synthetic materials such as rubber (see page 67). The bit attaches to a bridle and the reins and helps the rider control the horse’s speed and direction. Horse bits come in many styles, materials, shapes and sizes, which can make choosing the most suitable one for your horse confusing. It’s important to consider the size and shape of your horse’s mouth, how well-schooled your horse is, and the level of your riding before choosing a bit. The aim is to select the mildest bit that…

MEET THE EXPERT LOUISE BATES is a Stage 3 BHS Coach and LANTRA-certified bit fitter. She operates nationwide offering bitting consultations, and stocks a wide range of brands including Neue Schule, Bomber, Myler, Trust and Winderen. Visit her Facebook page Bit to Perfection. RIDING A STRONG horse isn’t exactly a picnic — it is tiring, and it can even be scary. It’s no surprise that the prevailing myth is that one way to control a strong horse is to use a stronger bit, but as BHS coach and certified bit fitter Louise Bates explains, how to tackle this problem depends on why your horse is strong — and what you mean by that. “It’s not about what my perception of a strong horse is, but what the owner’s perception is,”…

VET notes WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: • What the hock joint is • How it works • What can go wrong MEET THE EXPERT Veterinary surgeon TESSA HEUVER graduated in 2020 from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. During her studies, she went to Australia and New Zealand to obtain more experience. After graduating, she undertook a rotating internship at a large equine hospital in Germany. In March 2022, she joined Minster Equine Vets team as part of its new graduate programme. Tessa’s main interests lie in reproductive medicine, medical cases, neonatelogy and dentistry. THE HOCK IS is situated between the stifle and hoof on the horse’s hindlimbs. Its scientific term is tarsus, and in relation to humans it constitutes the ankle. The tarsus is a complicated joint and comprises several bones,…

Sweat it out Q I’m confused! Does my horse need an electrolyte supplement over summer when he’s competing most weekends and getting sweaty, or is a salt lick in the field all he needs? Becky Islip, Bedfordshire Jo says: As your horse is working hard and sweating routinely, adding an electrolyte supplement to his diet would be beneficial. Electrolytes are the minerals sodium, chloride, calcium, potassium and magnesium, which are lost in a horse’s faeces, urine and sweat. It is important to replenish these lost minerals to restore the correct balance within your horse’s body. Feeding a high-quality balanced feed at the recommended amount for your horse’s size and workload is usually sufficient to meet the electrolyte needs of most horses in light work. Get salt licked! A salt lick…

Sound advice Q A nasty tendon injury when he was three still plagues my Dales gelding eight or nine years on, and he’s prone to flare ups when the tendon goes quite puffy. What can I do? Elissa Hill, Cambridgeshire Alistair says: Icing it, using ice boots or cold hosing will help manage the acute inflammatory component of any flare up and help to settle it down, and using phenylbutazone or other oral antiinflammatories will also help. Further management suggestions depend entirely on the specifics of the case, as managing a tendon injury that has occurred within the tendon sheath can be very different to managing one that has occurred outside of the tendon sheath. Therefore, speaking to your vet about what else can be done to reduce or better…

Chartered physiotherapist Maeve Sheridan: Common problems that riders experience with their position, like collapsing a hip, unsteady hands and tipping forwards, can be resolved with on-the-ground strengthening exercises at home. Find out more on page 38. Event rider Caroline Harris: Gymnastic work helps horses learn the right technique over a fence and builds their ‘pushing’ strength with their hindleg, using power rather than speed. Try my grid exercises on page 30. Equine bitting specialist Angela Rudrum: Bit fitting is now recognised as a vitally important part of horse care — in fact, it’s just as important as correct saddle fit. I explain what a bitting consultation entails, and why it’s so beneficial, on page 58. Vet Karolina Kalka: Veterans I see tend to have a whole range of problems, and…

THE WAIT IS OVER A sequel to Caroline Akrill’s much loved Eventers series will be released on 16 June. Courses for Horses will pick up where the series left off in the 1980s, and readers will finally discover if heroine Elaine fulfilled her eventing dreams. RRP £8.99 janebadgerbooks.co.uk HORSEY HOLIDAY Give glamping a go with your horse or pony at Wigwam Holidays Orchard Stables near Newark-on-Trent in the East Midlands. These luxury ensuite cabins come with hot tubs and fire-pits for you, and are located alongside Collingham Horse Adventure Park so you’ll have plenty to do with your horse too. wigwamholidays.com GAME ON! Create your own showjumping course and canter round the correct sequence to win this brand-new game, Horse Academy. With 80 challenges from easy to difficult, this game…

Send in your pics! Posing for a photo This is me with my friend riding her horse, Amber, who looks like she’s posing! I love it. Kirsty Grant, Berks Jump to it This is me and Daisy on our way to the field following a brilliant lesson where Daisy had her first taste of jumping — she was brilliant, I was so proud of her. We were both feeling fantastic! Kerry Lea, Lancs Takes care of me This is the wonderful and dependable Oscar, whom I am lucky enough to ride at Bulby Equestrian Centre. He always takes care of me on every hack. Andrée Reynolds, Lincs Be serious… Trying to take a nice picture with the youngster, Fleur, before our ride. Beth Haley, Leics Say cheese! One of our…

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. UNDERSTANDING THE anatomy of your riding seat, the bones and muscles involved, is a crucial part to helping yourself become as secure, confident and effective in the saddle as possible. In the last issue of Your Horse, we looked at this in detail, and explored the three main issues with the rider’s seat that cause common positional faults. In the following pages, we are going to look at some simple off-horse exercises to help with…

MEET THE EXPERT ANGELA RUDRUM has worked in the equestrian industry for 30 years. She has an interest in classical dressage and training, emphasising working with the horse, not against it. She adopts a holistic approach towards bit fitting and training, assessing the horse and rider as a whole to help the horse offer his best performance. Based in Kent, she covers the south-east. Visit equinebittingsolutions.co.uk BIT FITTING IS a relatively new concept for some horse owners. Although the service has been available for many years, there are still many horse owners who are curious as to what a bitting consultation entails. Bit fitting is now recognised as a vitally important part of ridden horse care — in fact, it’s just as important as finding the correct saddle fit for…

MEET THE TRAINER SUE TAYLOR runs mixed animal veterinary hospital Connaught House in Wolverhampton. She is also a racecourse vet at Wolverhampton, Uttoxeter, Haydock and Aintree, is an examiner for the Worshipful Company of Farriers, and in her spare time she trains point to pointers and hunter chasers. connaughtvets.co.uk “It is believed that the hyoid apparatus plays an important role in a horse’s athletic performance” D ESPITE BEING A small and fragile bony structure at the back of the horse’s mouth, near the larynx and pharynx and between the two halves of the horse’s lower jaw, it is believed that the hyoid apparatus plays an important role in a horse’s athletic performance – and any dysfunction can often be linked back to their bit. A Y-shaped group of bones, the…

Check the smallprint Q Can you guide me as to the breakdown cover I should be investing in? I drive a 3.5-tonne horsebox and tend to make only short, local journeys. Emma Toombes, Leicestershire Chris says: You need to look for cover that will provide fresh horse transport for your horses if your lorry breaks down — and not tow the vehicle with your horses on board. Check too that they will take your vehicle (and your horses) to a destination of your choice. And finally, bear in mind that some companies restrict the recovery mileage for the vehicle and horses. Coping in an emergency Q I’m always nervous at the thought of breaking down with horses on board. Any tips for coping in an emergency? Ivy Smith, Edinburgh Chris…

For a chance to get your hands on these goodies*, enter at yourhorse.co.uk/win/493 1 MOUNTAIN HORSE OUTFIT One lucky reader will win an outfit from Mountain Horse. It includes a Daisy Parka (medium in black melange) – a stylish, functional water-and wind-proof feminine parka style jacket which is perfect for those unpredictable days; a Cleo Tech Top (medium in aqua blue) made from a quick-drying, stretch fabric that’s comfortable to wear all day long; a pair of Darcy Tech Tights (size 40/UK12 in black), which feature Mountain Horse grip technology at the seat and knee, and a supportive waistband for a flattering fit. A two-pack of Dime Socks (size 35-39) completes the look, with one pair in pink and one in black croc to team perfectly with the rest of…

MARK TODD DELUXE FLEECE LINED HALF PAD RRP £59.99 COLOURS Black, white, brown SIZE Full MARKTODDCOLLECTION.CO.UK The Mark Todd Deluxe fleece-lined half pad features super-soft fleece that looks and feels like real sheepskin. The fleece is machine washable and holds its shape even after washing. Made from 100% cotton twill fabric outer with durable padding inside, it offers comfort for your horse. EQUITEX GENERAL PURPOSE HALF PAD RRP £159-£169 COLOURS Onyx, champagne, chocolate, sapphire, emerald green, ruby SIZES One size EQUITEX.CO The cut of this pad provides your horse with maximum freedom of movement, protecting his back, wicking away sweat and securing your saddle. Equitex half pads are designed to sit in direct contact with your horse, but can be worn with a thin saddle pad on top and still…

LINCOLN ROLL-ON FLY REPELLENT RRP £4.50 for 50ml LINCOLNHORSECARE.COM This handy to use roll-on contains a combination of gentle yet highly effective fly repellents. Unlike a fly spray, the roll-on allows you to apply the water-based formula with accuracy for ultimate fly protection. It’s also an excellent choice for horses who dislike being sprayed. FARNAM TRI-TEC FLY SPRAY RRP From £36.95 for 600ml LEMIEUXPRODUCTS.COM A water-based formula that protects your horse against six types of biting and nuisance flies, plus gnats, mosquitoes, lice and deer ticks that may transmit Lyme disease. Tri-Tec 14 combines botanically derived pyrethrins with cypermethrin, which deliver long-lasting protection for up to 14 days. BITEBACK PRODUCTS SUPERFLY RRP £19.99 (500ml spray), £14.99 (250ml gel) BITEBACKPRODUCTS.CO.UK A potent, long-lasting fly repellent. Superfly contains 20% icaridin – a…

■ Celebrities, equestrians and equines from around the globe united at Royal Windsor Horse Show last month, for a special Platinum Jubilee Celebration in honour of Her Majesty The Queen. Elizabeth II was in situ to watch the performance, called ‘A Gallop Through History,’ alongside her youngest son, the Earl of Wessex. More than 500 horses and 1,000 performers took part in the 90-minute spectacle, which included actors — A lister Tom Cruise introduced the King’s Troop — and artists, musicians, international military displays from the Commonwealth, Europe and British Armed Forces, and dancers and global equestrian displays. Perhaps the biggest smile on Her Majesty’s face, though was when she watched her horses and ponies parade through the main arena. Her youngest granddaughter, Lady Louise Windsor, saluted to her grandmother…

1 She first met husband Andrew when he was a technical advisor at Bicton. “I thought he was dishy,” she says. “The week after, I was competing and I saw him again, but he hardly spoke to me and I thought that was that. Later I walked into a bar and saw two of him — Andrew and his identical twin brother, Peter — and I realised that earlier I had met the other one.” 2 She’s a “useless cook” and Andrew is the chef at home. Helen’s ineptitude in the kitchen is illustrated by a Christmas Day incident in which Andrew left his wife in charge of cooking the turkey. He returned to the smell of burning bacon. On checking the oven he found that she had roasted the…

Get in touch! When will ‘experienced’ owners learn? I read with interest your news story online about owners who claim to be experienced failing to care for laminitic-prone horses and ponies correctly. As a life-long owner of native ponies I like to think my laminitis radar, and preventative measures, are pretty good (none of my charges have suffered with this awful disease for years) but I am open-minded to the fact that I don’t know everything, and am always open to good advice. It amazes me how many horse owners and riders are not open-minded and take offence at even slight constructive feedback — which isn’t always a criticism! I have had many horses and ponies come through the doors of my livery yard and the trend of doing light…

MEET THE TRAINER CAROLINE HARRIS hit the senior eventing scene running, initially under the mentorship of Olympic medallist Sam Griffiths. Career highlights include top-10 finishes at three-star and seventh in Blenheim’s CCI4*S 8/9-year-old championship in 2019. In 2021, she took third at Hartpury CCI4* and represented Britain at Le Lion d’Angers. Visit ridgewayfarmstud.com MEET THE HORSE PEPPER DREAM is a six-year-old mare by Peppermill owned by Becky Stones. She is a full sister to Caroline’s successful event horse Miss Pepperpot. Dream won the five-year-old class at Wellington International last year and Caroline plans to aim her at the six-year-old championships, and possibly Le Lion d’Angers. GYMNASTIC WORK DEVELOPS a horse’s strength and proprioception — two essential ingredients for successful jumping. That’s why event rider Caroline Harris regularly trains her horses…

MEET THE TRAINER VIKKI HAYTON is based at College Farm Equestrian Centre and heads up Markham Dressage. She’s a BHS instructor and examiner, a UKCC Level 3 accredited dressage coach, a BD judge and Northern Region BD Chairman. Visit collegefarm.com MEET THE RIDER & HORSE SAM GORMAN BHSI has owned PORRIDGE since he was a youngster, and the 14.1hh, nine-year-old gypsy cob now competes at advanced medium level. CAN A GYPSY cob do dressage? And can they progress through the levels to advanced medium level? It’s true what they say — #ThisCobCan. In fact, so can any horse, providing you work on honing the basics and building good, accurate training up from there so that you can show off all your horse or pony’s assets between the whiteboards and earn…

MEET THE TRAINER ANGELA RUDRUM has worked in the equestrian industry for around 30 years. She has an interest in classical dressage and training, with an emphasis on working with the horse, not against it. She adopts a holistic approach towards bit fitting and training, assessing the horse and rider as a whole. Angela is based in Kent and covers the south-east of the country. Visit equinebittingsolutions.co.uk “Be mindful that the horse’s mouth hasn’t evolved to have room for a bit” HAVE YOU EVER had a really good look in your horse’s mouth? Probably not, as it’s not one of the common parts of the horse to inspect on a regular basis. But it is vital that you check your horse’s mouth regularly, and know how to assess the conformation…

On the up Q I’m hoping to go affiliated this year in British Showjumping (BS). Any tips for developing a warm-up plan that will help keep us both relaxed and focused when we get to a competition? Ann Hill, Devon Mia says: You’ve answered what you need to do! A plan is what you need — a routine that means even under the perceived pressure of a competition you can go into a routine that both you and your horse are familiar with. Now that we have start times for showjumping you can be even more organised with your timing. We also have a limit on eight horses in the jumping warm up, and some venues still have a jump steward, which makes the whole experience much calmer and more…

Tap into the benefits Q Is cold hosing the most effective way to help reduce inflammation in the legs, or is there a better way? My horse hates the feel of it so it’s always far from relaxing! Lily Jones, Pembrokeshire Alistair says: Cold hosing is an excellent way to reduce inflammation in the legs because the continuous stream ensures the water doesn’t warm up, so keeping the legs cool for the duration of the hosing. The other benefit to cold hosing is that it doesn’t matter how swollen the legs are (such as in cases of lymphangitis and cellulitis where the legs may become very swollen) and you can access higher parts of the leg, for example around and above the hocks, without too many issues. One final benefit of…

WARM AND DRY The Stallvärme Solarium is available in two models: the Premium and Warm & Dry. They are a totally new experience for you and your horse. Both solariums are silent, easy to clean and use much less electricity than a typical equine solarium. Their design features no glass or bulbs, making them much safer, with no need for bulb replacement. Stallvärme uses infrared technology to warm up your horse’s muscle tissue directly, and not the air surrounding it, helping to raise core body temperature from within. In preclinical studies, far-infrared radiation significantly reduced inflammation and increased cellular vitality. Warming up your horse before training helps to reduce the risk of injury and allows him to feel more supple from the very start. Another key function is to dry…

WE CAN ALL breathe a sigh of relief that the cold, wet days are behind us but as we start to enjoy longer and warmer summer days they bring with them an unwelcome nuisance – flies! These pesky bugs are irritating and annoying. They can also bring potential health issues for your horse, such as runny eyes and nasty bites. Using an effective fly repellent can help to make turnout more enjoyable for your horse, but with such a huge choice available it can be difficult to know which one will work best. This buyer’s guide will take you through what to look for – highlighting some key ingredients and which application will work for you. ■ Key ingredients There are a number of well-known, effective ingredients that are used…

On sale 21 July 2022 *PLEASE NOTE THAT CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE > Fly control > Leg care > Hoof health > Hydration advice ALSO IN THIS ISSUE ❋ Sharpen your horse’s reactions to the aids ❋ Euthanasia debate: when is putting to sleep better than selling or rehoming? ❋ Why the length of your stirrups might be impeding your performance ❋ How to feel calm and confident in the crosscountry startbox ❋ Why your horse might not be losing the weight you need him to ❋ Everything you need to know about the stifle joint…

Have you always ridden horses? I did ride as a child, and then took it up again when I was at university. I got back into it when I started treating horses – I’m a vet – and realised how much I missed it. I’ve had a couple of horses since then; right now I have the most beautiful exracehorse called Timi, and retired part-cob Dooley. The Great British Bake Off must have been an incredible experience – how did you find it? It was surreal and mad. It was a crazy time in my life. I was working as a horse vet at the time, so during nights I was on call and working full time, and then turning up [to film] having not practised at all. The poor…