Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 498 i Your Horse

IT SEEMS LIKE yesterday that I was looking out on my horses grazing in beige, sunburnt fields, found myself grappling with fly masks every morning (Apollo, the chestnut pictured right, has a deep dislike of such things!) as well as contending with endless horsefly bites. Now, however, the clocks have gone back and we are rolling rapidly towards Christmas. I'm not a fan of winter, but I do love the build up to the festive season and then the dawning of Christmas day, on which it has long been a tradition in our family to bedeck our horses (and previously the ponies when our children were small) in tinsel and ride around our local village before rugging up, turning out and then turning our own attentions to lunch and presents.…

Vets have seen a spike in cases of horses requiring urgent veterinary intervention this autumn after they have eaten toxic tree seeds. It has prompted the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) to put out a warning to owners to ensure that their horses are kept safe from the seasonal risks of grazing around oak and sycamore trees. Seeds from the common sycamore tree produce the toxin hypoglycin A, and these can be present in high concentrations in seedlings. When horses eat these, either by accident or because they are lacking other forage options, some will develop severe and often fatal muscle damage, called atypical myopathy, whose signs may be muscle soreness and/or trembling, stiffness, weakness, lethargy, breathing difficulties, colic symptoms and brown or dark red urine. Around three-quarters of affected…

Seven months into her #Hack1000Miles challenge, Lee Turk underwent a major operation. “I needed a full hysterectomy, which took me out of the saddle for seven weeks,” says Lee. “It should have been 12 weeks, but I just had to get back to riding.” Back on board her 15.2hh piebald cob Shadz, the pair continued to notch up the miles until Lee became sick again a year later. She could barely ride, becoming uncomfortable within 10 minutes of starting out on a hack, and she was subsequently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Despite this second setback, she was still determined to keep riding. But Lee wasn't the only one on the sick list. After hitting the 400-mile mark, she noticed that Shadz wasn't quite right. After an investigation by her vet,…

WORK HORSE balance How I make it work: By being motivated and organised, while my husband, Will, is a tower of strength Farmer's daughter Justine Parker juggles a demanding role at the eventing member body with competing a small string of young event horses My job… Earlier this year I left British Showjumping (BS) and joined British Eventing (BE) as head of Training and Development, a role I juggle with my horses. The job is varied, but primarily involves overseeing the investment BE received this year from David Howden, founder of Howden. This investment is earmarked for several areas, including a comprehensive regional training syllabus, young horse development and talent pathway. British Eventing is going through a period of change and my role as part of the senior leadership team…

Simple solutions for horse owners Meet this month's panel of experts Riding advice Abi Irvine is a BHS accredited senior coach and manager of Wilsden Equestrian Centre in West Yorkshire. Visit wilsdenequestrian centre.co.uk Vet care Robin Densem is a Royal College certificate holder in equine medicine and a director at Agnew Equine Ltd. Visit horsevets.co.uk Buying a saddle Jade Holly Smith is director of The Saddle Bank and a Master Saddle Fitting consultant. Find out more at thesaddlebank.com Feeding Jo Palmer has a BSc (Hons) in agriculture with animal science and is a member of the Allen & Page nutrition team, helping to guide owners on feeds and feeding. GOT A PROBLEM? Need an answer? We'll know someone who can help… Welcome to our Ask The Experts section. Over the…

Buying power Q I need a new saddle. Any tips on buying one online? Debbie Marsh, Isle of Wight Jade Holly says: Buying a saddle online can be a daunting prospect for some. However, it shouldn't be. In today's world we buy clothes, electricals, holidays and even cars online, so why should buying a saddle be any different? Once you've decided on the brand, model and size of saddle you're looking for, there are a few possible places to buy one from. Indeed, deciding where to shop is a really important factor in ensuring a suitable saddle for you and your horse — or having the option to return it if it isn't suitable. Time to shop You can buy saddles on eBay, Facebook Marketplace and other sites, such as…

Gifts for your horse…

WINTER ESSENTIALS PREPARING YOUR STABLE and your horse for winter is crucial in order to maintain a healthy, happy equine. We all want to continue to feed the right balance of nutrients, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals to match our horse's specific needs. Vitamins and minerals tend to be largely taken care of by carefully formulated commercial feeds. However, depending on your horse's age, workload and general health, additional supplementation may be needed to support his gut health, respiratory and immune systems, as well as joints, hoof and skin condition. Whether your horse lives out all year, lives in, or is simply changing onto his winter diet, you need to think about how to help your horse deal best with this disruption to his routine. Transitioning your horse or…

I WANT A joint supplement for my horse, but it's a minefield. How do I know which one to choose? This is a common question from horse owners, but when choosing a joint supplement for your horse there are many factors that come into play… Ask yourself why your horse needs ajointsupplement Ishecomingoutof his stable stiff? Ishegettingonin life and needs a little help with mobility? Isheinstrenuoustraining, or competing at a high level, and therefore you want to give him the best joint protection while he's in work? Ordoyoujustwant to make sure that you give him joint protection because you feel that it's the best thing for him? Once you Know why you require a joint supplement you will then be able to determine what ingredients you…

Social media guru Rhea Freeman: If you want your social media presence to work as hard as possible for you, try batching — which will also help you at home and at work, page20 Showjumper Mia PallesClark: If you take control of your mind as much as your horse and teach yourself to think positively, your jumping will come on in leaps and bounds, page 28 Grand prix rider Sara-Jane Lanning: Getting a good stretch from your horse may sound simple, but it can go awry. It's valuable not only for dressage tests, though, but also as a cooling exercise after schooling. For how to get it right, see page 34 NPL coach Tracey Cole: Nerves can manifest in many ways to do with riding, and can frustrate your enjoyment…

Laura Jayne Callow couldn't resist the 12.2hh Smudge when a dealer posted a picture of the yearling on social media. However, far from sleek and stunning, the mini cob was in a terrible state. “I knew that he had burns on his skin from the pictures the dealer posted, but I immediately offered him a home as I've rescued and rehabilitated others in the past. Within 24 hours he was mine. However, I was completely taken aback when I saw him in the flesh. How he was alive was beyond me.” Laura Jayne worked with her vet, Charlie Winchester of Four Shires Veterinary Practice, and blood tests confirmed that Smudge had liver damage, probably from ragwort poisoning, which had caused his severe photosensitivity and burned skin. “Because of how weak…

THE BEST THINGS COME IN THREES We feature three gifts from one company this month. Innovative location technology What3Words has already revolutionised how people and places are pinpointed, not least riders who have taken a tumble while out on isolated hacks. That makes these hand-crafted gifts made by a talented community of independent craftspeople all the more fabulous for Your Horse readers. Gifts that can be personalised with yourWhat3Words location — your yard, your home, or your horse' field perhaps — include house signs, sweatshirts, phone cases, doormats, etched ceramic mugs, customised keyrings, silver rings, planters and pet tags. what3words.com/shop COLOURING FUN A Pony Club mum who started to share line drawings for children during lockdown has seen her subsequent Pony Fun Colouring Book sell out as fast as it…

IF YOU POST regularly to any social media platform, whether that's Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, or anything else for that matter, you will understand how much time it can all take. Whether you're posting images or videos, the minutes and hours that are taken up creating good quality content are often underestimated. However, there are ways to cut down the time spent without any loss of this essential quality factor. It probably sounds too good to be true, but it isn't and a lot of brands and influencers use this method when it comes to content creation, and it works well for other social media users too. In addition, it can really take the pressure off you, the creator, as you will rest easy in the knowledge that you have…

YOUR HORSE'S TRAINING LIBERTY IN-HAND MOVES ONCE YOU HAVE covered the basics of liberty and the beginnings of some of the movements with your horse, you can introduce him to some simple tricks. “Liberty and tricks don't live in the same house, but they live on the same street,” says Ben Atkinson. “Trick work can be a fantastic way to enrich a horse's working life because it is something a bit different from his normal exercise routine, and it's a brilliant way to help a horse respond better to your cues, therefore developing your communication and bond.” Ben explains that the Spanish walk and the bow are two basic tricks that are good to start with. “These two tricks are yin and yang movements,” says Ben. “Tricks are split into two…

Rein supreme Q My instructor is always telling me to shorten my reins, but I really struggle to hold a steady contact and, without realising it, they slip through my hands again. I tend to hack out on a long rein and I think this habit has stuck. Isobel Keen, via email Abi says: Firstly, try not to worry. The hardest part is sussing out what the problem is and you have done that; now we need to think of ways to help you achieve a better rein contact: HELP, PLESE! To find a supportive, fully qualified local instructor visit bhs. org.uk/go-riding/find-a-coach-or-groom Prepping for winter Q Yard rules dictate that my horse will have to be stabled most of the time this winter. I ride six days a week in…

Keep calm! How supplements actually work Q Do calming supplements really work — and, if so, how? Eve Foster, Lancashire Jo says: The use of calmers is an area of equine science that would benefit from further research. That said, anecdotally many owners report improvements in their horse's behaviour when fed one. Before looking to add a calmer to your horse's diet, though, check that the feed you are already giving him isn't fuelling the unwanted behaviour. If you are giving him a high-energy feed, your horse may simply have too much energy, so try reducing the energy level of his diet to see if there is an improvement. If your horse needs a high-energy feed to fuel an active workload, or help him put on or maintain weight, choose…

5 ABSORBINE TACK CLEANING BUNDLES Absorbine is offering five lucky winners this great prize. Each winner will receive: Horseman's One Step — this all-in-one unique cream formula cleans and conditions your tack to keep it beautifully soft and pliable. It banishes ground-in dirt and sweat, while its lanolin-rich formula conditions and preserves the leather. Leather Therapy Wash — shifts tough dirt and grime, helping leather to stay strong and supple.The formula is pHbalanced with micro suds to lift out embedded dirt, sweat and grime. Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner — this blend of rich replenishing oils is formulated to transform dry, hard leather to its original flexibility. Ideal for restoring old, dried out leather and helping it to last longer so that it regains its suppleness and strength. Plus, it inhibits…

ANYONE WHO KEEPS horses secretly dreads the winter months, but the anticipation can often be worse than the actual season. However, when I think of winter I remember that devilish Beast from the East, when I woke some nights worrying about my horses who live out (but, of course, they were toasty in their rugs), or I cast my mind back further to 2010 when every day brought trudges through the snow armed with a hammer to break the thick ice on troughs. Not much fun. However, winter does bring some pleasures, in the form of new items to shop for, and we feature a plethora here in our jam-packed Winter Essentials Guide. For anyone looking for clothing, horse gear, clippers and so much more, read on. Enjoy! yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk…

The Elico Crofton Jute Haynet is a retro product that beats plastic equivalents hands down with its eco credentials THE JENKINSON NAME has been associated with the equestrian market since 1835. Established by William Jenkinson, the company manufactured and supplied horse clothing, driving harnesses and accessories for horses used both in transport and on farms. Fast forward 187 years and today Jenkinsons is a family-run equestrian wholesaler which stocks a wide range of brands, from Absorbine to Wahl. Also among its portfolio is its own Elico range. We take a look in a little more detail at two Elico products that Your Horse readers will simply love… Elico Crofton Jute Haynet This natural haynet is robust enough for the most enthusiastic equine eater and yet it is biodegradable at the…

Approaching the end of year two, and following the successful launch of the Equine Diary, Megan has expanded the range of products available on Marieli Equestrian's online store. Focusing on her experiences of breaking in a young horse, Project: Equine book was born. Focusing on the mental and physical development of a young or inexperienced horse, it encourages owners to positively evaluate the progress they and their horse are making throughout their early stages together, with useful pages to record all those milestones. For casual or more serious competitive riders, Megan has created a place for them to keep all their results, accompanied by their favourite photo of the day. The Competition Log, stamped with Marieli's signature quote, ‘You earn your trophies at practice, you just pick them up at…

Badminton Horse Trials will start a day later next year to avoid a cross-country clash with the coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consort on Saturday 6 May. The dressage phase will now be held on Friday 5 May and Saturday 6 May, the crosscountry on Sunday 7 May and the showjumping finale on Monday 8 May. The box office for this Mars-supported event opens in early January 2023.…

Around 130,000 people are thought to have MS in the UK, and every week 130 more are diagnosed with this lifelong condition which isn't a terminal illness. Its cause is unknown, but it is thought in part to be linked to genetic make up. The majority of suffers are women, because MS affects three times more women than men, and the most likely age range to be hit will be those in their 20s or 30s. In terms of semantics,‘sclerosis’ means scarring and refers to the damage the condition causes to the nerves in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).‘Multiple’ refers to the fact that this can happen in more than one place. In someone with MS, their immune system mistakenly attacks their central nervous system, targeting the…

Star photo Hope springs eternal Me and Hope, who is 26 years young and an Irish Cob, share a selfie. She's a very kind mare who understands my autism and anxiety issues. Sometimes she likes to show me who's boss, while at other times she's just keen to have a Polo. Billy Jo Howe, North Somerset Long-term friends Izzy is my beautiful loan horse. We have been best mates for seven years now and we enjoy long hacks in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside. Anneliese Meissner, Berkshire A true survivor Here's Lola, 12, who I've had since she was six months old. I've brought heron myself over the years and we compete in local showjumping competitions. In October 2021 she suffered from impaction colic and needed an emergency operation, after which…

Bad blood: all about nosebleeds Q My 26-year-old part-Percheron has started having nose bleeds for no apparent reason. He's happy and looks well, and the bleeds seem to occur at random, with a small trickle of blood appearing. What causes nose bleeds in horses? Bridget O'Hara, Cambridgeshire Robert says: Nose bleeds, or epistaxis, are fairly common in horses, and unless heavy and resulting in large amounts of blood loss, they are generally not something to panic about. Nasal passages hold a lot of blood vessels and so can be prone to bleeding, but most should be a small trickle which stops within 15 minutes. This sort of bleed is likely to be caused by a bump or a knock to your horse's face or head, which is the most common…

Joint support Q How can I best protect my horse's joints as he gets older? Kirsty Stubbs, Suffolk Jo says: It's great that you're thinking about the health and longevity of your horse's joints, so consider the following four key points: 1. Watch his weight Keeping your horse at an ideal body condition and preventing excess weight gain can help to prevent leg and joint problems. Carrying around excess weight puts more stress and strain on the joints and — along with the natural decline in joint health that comes with age — can cause lameness issues. Keep a close eye on your horse's weight and condition so that you can spot the earliest signs of weight gain. 2. Check the going Be cautious of the ground conditions whenever you…

FIRST PRIZE* Prize worth over £1,000 CHRISTMAS WILL COME early for one lucky reader and their horse thanks to Zebra Products. Our winner will receive a fantastic selection of prizes from the UK and Ireland's leading distributor of premium equestrian brands, including Uvex, Sprenger, Mattes and many more. This bumper prize bundle includes a pair of EG07 Orion boots — these stylish boots are made from high quality leather and have a full-length zip at the back. Other features include a leather footbed with double anti-shock insole that is breathable and antibacterial, a padded heel guard for comfort, a sleek adjustable spur rest and stitched toe cap. The Uvex Perfexxion II helmet combines sportiness, climate control and safety. The outer…

YOU DON'T NEED to be a money-saving expert to save those precious pounds. If you've had enough of paying over the odds for horse insurance, why not switch your insurance supplier? For just £3.75 per month, Harry Hall One Club membership provides affordable horse and personal accident rider insurance. Additionally, don't get caught out by unexpected vets’ bills. Simple protection for accidental external injuries at a claim limit that suits your needs is available from £78.50* per year, or £19.62* per quarter. You can add to your policy, too, with cover for colic surgery, tack loss and horse disposal. You can also shop online and save. This reduces your carbon footprint in terms of not needing to leave your desk chair, and the products are often cheaper. Harry Hall One…

DRYTEX WATERPROOF BREECHES Waterproof and windproof, these breeches are ideal for riding in all weathers. The generous stretch allows for unrestricted movement, while a soft fleece lining retains warmth on cold winter days. RRP £109.95 Sizes 6 - 16 DRYTEX STORMWEAR WATERPROOF CHAPS These fully waterproof chaps are packed full of practical and stylish features and are perfect for wet days at the yard — the rain beads and runs off. Also available in a junior version. RRP £54.95 Size XS - XXL ARIKA EXERCISE SHEET Developed to protect your horse's coat from the elements and to prevent chills during warm up or hacking, this sheet is cut to wrap around the saddle and under the saddle flap to provide space for uninterrupted movement of the rider's leg. The waterproof…

Marieli Equestrian founder and product designer Megan Warne began riding at the age of five and had numerous ponies on loan until the age of 15, when she became the owner of a three-year-old mare to break in and produce. The process, through ups and downs, became a huge learning curve for them both, and this would later be behind the inspiration and passion to develop the Marieli Equestrian brand, which launched in November 2020. “As I grew older and became more responsible for my own horses, I began to realise the importance of documenting their care routine, noticeable changes in behaviour and any hints and tips given to me by professionals. Experiences over the last 10 years have driven me to create a product that not only I needed,…