Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 515 i Your Horse

IT IS ALL too easy to bury heads in the sand when the subject of social licensing rears its head. We make no apology for revisiting this subject frequently in Your Horse because the very future of riding, horse sports and lives and careers spent in equestrianism really could be under threat. Imagine a world without hacking, competitions, clinics, fun rides, the Grand National, Badminton and Hickstead. It sounds far-fetched, but should public opinion turn en masse against the people who ride horses then this is what will happen, and there will be noway back. Social media expert Rhea Freeman argues that now is the time for every equestrian to act, specifically thinking carefully about what they post on social channels, those windows to the rest of the world. Turn…

When Sal arrived at Cobh Rescue Horses in Co Cork, Ireland, she was in a bad state. She had been found wandering about the countryside with her four-month-old foal. Sal was suffering from photosensitivity and she had patches of sunburn all over her body, but particularly on her nose. Like all new arrivals at the rescue centre, Sal and her foal, who centre staff named Cody, needed to be quarantined for three weeks. “During this time she met our vet, Nicola, who gave her a health check, her vaccinations, a pregnancy check and marked her for her passport,” recalled the centre's Tara Murphy.“Sal had to be kept indoors, out of direct sunlight, and we made a mixture of aloe vera gel and Sudocrem to put on her sores.” Sal was…

September's best photo Fantastic Farndale Sheep farmer Pip Mead snapped this picture on the North York Moors. The ears belonging to Archie, her Dales pony, can be spotted as he takes in the views on their 11-mile ride. October's best photo Superb Shropshire This gorgeous view was taken by Amanda Barker when she was standing on a high point in Mortimer Forest, Shropshire, close to Ludlow Castle. This glorious spot forms a part of a six-mile route she rides regularly with her 27-year-old Welsh section D gelding, Ben. November's best photo Beautiful Balmedie Beach Jackie Corsie snapped this atmospheric shot in Aberdeenshire while aboard her 13-year-old Highland pony, Orchid. This stretch of beach is on Jackie'sdoorstep and makes up a section of a regular 10-mile ride for her. December's best…

The 27-year-old who works in human resources explains how she juggles a demanding role with competing her Cob x Irish Draught mare at prelim level in pure dressage. My job… Iam the group human resources (HR) manager of Techbuyer Ltd, a leading provider of sustainable IT solutions. I have worked for the company for over six years. I started shortly after I had graduated from Leeds Beckett University with a degree in business and HR management. I started as an HR officer and I now split my time between operational project improvement, coaching the HR team and supporting our HR director in strategic work. I love working in such a fast-paced environment and I enjoy the variation. I can confidently say that no two days are ever the same. How…

How should owners address biting? Initially, any causes of pain should be ruled out by a vet. Then try… Biting while being fed… “Don't give him treats when he's biting as you don't want to reinforce this behaviour,” says Melanie. “Instead, start feeding treats from the floor, and only do so when he's standing calmly away from you, not when he's trying to rifle through your pockets.” Biting in the stable… “Horses who bite in the stable or over the stable door are often defending themselves. They are doing it because they are trapped and feel vulnerable in a space and have no control,” explains Melanie. “They can stay in control by not letting you in.” To address this, Melanie recommends target training. 1 With a horse who bites over…

YOUR HORSE'S CARE PADDOCK ANTICS | PREVENTING ESCAPES WHO WAS THE ACTUAL HARRY HOUDINI? Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was a Hungarian-American escape artist whose daring feats saw him free himself from shackles, ropes and handcuffs, as well as from various locked containers ranging from milk cans and coffins to prison cells. ANYONE WHO OWNS a horse who is an escape artist will understand the total panic that sets in when he is discovered where he isn't supposed to be. From seeing whether the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, to becoming unsettled when his field mate leaves, there are plenty of reasons why a horse may put his Houdini skills into practice. And, while tales of greedy Shetlands sneaking under electric fencing and clever dressage horses undoing their…

Spillers is inviting owners of overweight horses and ponies to join its Spillers Slimmers’ Club for support, advice and encouragement to help keep their horse or pony at a healthy weight. The initiative is supported by Redwings Horse Sanctuary which hopes it will help people to recognise that an overweight horse can be as much of a welfare risk as an underweight one. Nicola Knight, head of communications and campaigns at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, says: “We have worked closely with Spillers for almost 22 years to help raise awareness and support horse owner: on a range of health and wellbeing issues. The Spillers Slimmers' campaign is just as close to Our hearts as we see ever more equines arrive at sanctuary requiring veterinary attention for conditions that couf have been…

Compare policies before signing on the dotted line Q I'm a first-time horse owner and I don't know where to start when it comes to insurance. How do I go about finding the right package and are there any basics that I need to be aware of? Cheryl Mills, East Sussex Lisa says: As a first-time horse owner, different policy types can be confusing. It is important to do your research and consider different types of cover and the benefits of each to ensure that it's the right policy cover for you and your horse. A specialist equestrian insurance provider will ask a first-time horse owner about their specific requirements when considering insurance, such as who is riding and handling in the family, how many horses are owned or loaned,…

YOUR HORSE'S GEAR WHAT'S NEW? | NEW PRODUCTS LET'S SNUGGLE UP A gorgeous casual knit, the Joules Jada Quarter Zip Jumper features an oversized zip neck and contrast tipping. It would be a great addition to any equestrian's everyday wardrobe. RRP £69.95 JOULES.COM A RAINBOW OF COLOURS Lightweight and reflective, the Mountain Horse Mimic Reflective Jacket (above and above left) is designed for spring and summer riding. Its reflective colours shift with the changing light, enhancing visibility and safety. The jacket also features mesh ventilation sections at the back yoke, sides and along the sleeves to keep the wearer cool and comfortable. RRP £139 MOUNTAINHORSE.SE MAGICAL GROOMING The Vanquish Unicorn Groomer is an all-in-one shedding tool and sweat scraper. Its blade removes loose hairs, while the rubber sweeps away any excess…

YOUR HORSE'S GEAR ON TREND | SPORTS BRAS FREYA ACTIVE SONIC MOULDED SPORTS BRA RRP From £44 COLOURS Storm, hot crimson, nude, carbon SIZES 28-40; cup B-H FREYALINGERIE.COM Made from Coolmax fabric and double lined for firm support, this sports bra also features padded straps for comfort and mesh panels to help keep the wearer cool. A firm, flat bottom band provides good anchorage, while a soft hook and eye offers extra comfort as well as a secure fastening. PANACHE WIRED SPORTS BRA RRP £45 COLOURS White, black, grey marl, grey, latte SIZES 28-40; cup B-J PANACHELINGERIE.COM Comfortable and supportive, the Panache Wired Sports Bra features moulded, seam-free inner cups and wide, cushioned shoulder straps with racer back ring detail for additional stability and support. The breathable outer performance fabric offers…

A word from our experts… Social media guru Rhea Freeman: The more work I do in this area, the more my eyes are opened to the way horsey people operate and how this can be perceived — and therefore the threat we are all under, page 24 Behaviourist Michael Peace: It is important to consider a horse's emotional and physical fitness before embarking on a ride in a new, open environment… An equine's emotional resilience will need to be built up, page 34 Dressage trainer Sarah Payne: Buying a horse who knows his job well can be an exciting prospect, but it takes time and effort to learn which buttons to press so that you can communicate effectively and unlock all that potential, page 36 Vet Lucinda Ticehurst: Large sums…

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR IS A SHOE-IN FOR SUCCESS A budding young entrepreneur is repurposing old horseshoes into unique gifts — and his business is booming. Horseshoe Hearts is the brainchild of 10-year-old William McGinley, who began by painting and decorating the shoes that were removed from his horse's feet. William set up his own Facebook page and Instagram account and started to sell the shoes. William explained: “Rather than simply throw away old shoes, I wanted to do something worthwhile with them, especially as horseshoes are a symbol of protection and good luck.” William also makes bespoke gifts from owner's own horseshoes. Find Horseshoe Hearts on Facebook and Instagram. YOUR HORSE LIVE RETURNS TO THE YOUR HORSE FOLD Your Horse Live (above) is back under the umbrella of the Your Horse…

Hacking is a great way to build up a partnership, but it is always best to start on the same page, explains BHS instructor and Centre10 Advanced Coach Lindsay Raistrick. “If you're looking to buy a new horse, write down what you want him to do. I suggest trying to work backwards,” advises Lindsay. “If your aim is to hack out, what does that comprise? What will you come across — busy roads, vast open spaces, a bit of both? Will you hack out alone, in company, or on busy pleasure rides? Do you want to ride at the front or at the back? The more specific you can be, the better.” Being honest with a seller about intentions will hopefully increase the chances of finding the right match and…

Keep your photos coming in to yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk Spangle really has sparkle My fluffy boy Spangle, a Gypsy Cob, is pictured at the British Horseback Archery Nationals last July. Despite acting like a two-year-old, he turns 16 this year and we love going on adventures together, including hacking, Western camps and archery training and competitions — he always has a squeal as he starts to run. I bought him when he was six months old, so he's been with me for most of his life and I love his trick repertoire that he will run through if I don't give him a treat. He's definitely the family dog in his head. Charlie Madeley, Lancashire Dream duo My PRE Quintero is a very cuddly horse. I imported him unseen during lockdown and…

“I started using the Cyclo-ssage in the hope that it would help my 27-year-old horse, Quincy, who has multiple health problems, including arthritis and an enlarged heart which beats too fast. It has been absolutely brilliant,” says equine bodyworker Nicola Bebb. The Russian Orlov Trotter, who Nicola has owned for 25 years, wears the Cyclo-ssage for an hour twice a day and it has made him noticeably less stiff, improved his demeanour and lowered his heart rate. Nicola also has first-hand experience of how it can help to alleviate colic. “Quincy recently showed symptoms of colic so I called the vet. When she arrived I put the Cyclo-ssage on him and within two 15-minute cycles Quincy passed droppings and was back to normal. I've never seen colic clear up so…

Acquiring a sponsor — the dos and don'ts Q My horse and I are doing pretty well in eventing at the lower levels and I'm starting to wonder if there is some way I can find a company to sponsor me. What do I need to know as I start my search and, if I'm lucky enough to secure one, how can I keep them? Kitty Hopkins, West Midlands April says: The first thing you need to do is research companies who could be potential sponsors. A good approach is this… ■ Looking at the products and services you use is always a good start. If you use them, then the company is most likely to be targeting people like you. ■ This helps you to quickly identify companies or…

YOUR HORSE'S GEAR BIG TEST | STAIN REMOVERS SOMETIMES GROOMING DOESN'T quite get rid of all those grubby stains that horses have a habit of collecting. During the colder months it isn't always practical to whip out the shampoo and give him a bath either, but a stain remover can be a great ally and will remove any unsightly stable stains that may spring up so that he is smart for competitions or clinics. Our testers have put a selection of products through their paces by using them on a variety of horses — mainly greys or coloureds, or those with white legs. Find out which ones saved our panel the most elbow grease. How we score: Each stain remover was given a mark out of five for how easy it…

4 EQUI-SENTIAL WATERPROOF FLYSHEETS With spring just around the corner, any horse would appreciate this prize from Mackey. We have four Equi-sential Waterproof Flysheets to give away. This clever flysheet forms an essential addition to any horse's wardrobe and it will see him through the changeable spring weather. It offers protection against nuisance flies and rain showers thanks to its water-repellent back insert combined with breathable highperformance mesh. Other features include a removable hood that has a soft lining to prevent mane rubbing and shoulder gussets that allow freedom of movement. gussets that allow freedom of movement. Find out more at mackey.ie 6 COPIES OF THE TRAINING SPIRAL BOOK The Training Spiral by Sue Grice is an invaluable and practical guide for trainers and riders of all levels. Sue's system provides a…

For all the latest news from the horse world, visit yourhorse.co.uk SOCIAL LICENCE ‘Work with your critics, not against them’, experts advise on social licence Openness, transparency and respecting different opinions are central to preserving equestrianism's social license and gaining public trust. This was the overriding message to emerge from a recent webinar organised by World Horse Welfare (WHW) entitled: ‘Maintaining public acceptance of equestrianism: What can we learn from other industries?’ Public acceptance of the involvement of horses in sport and even leisure is under growing scrutiny and horse sports’ social license to operate is increasingly being challenged. World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers, who chaired the webinar and introduced the speakers — all of whom had considerable and wide-ranging experience of changing opinions within their sectors — pointed…

1 Go for short outings. “Start with short hacks, maybe 20 minutes long,”says Lindsay Raistrick. 2 Choose the right route. “Go on a hack you're familiar with that isn't far from home.” 3 Spend time together on the ground. “Get to know the horse. What does he like? What doesn't he like? How does he react to things? You can learn lots from handling a horse,” says Lindsay. “This also helps you to build that partnership so that you start to enjoy hacking out together more.” 4 Set yourself up for success by going out in company if necessary. Would you feel happy hacking out alone? If not, could you get another rider to go with you, or have someone walking on foot?” 5 Work on your ‘emotional fitness’. “Things can go…

Hedge foraging on hacks can bring health benefits for horses Q In late spring and summer my horse can't resist trying to grab mouthfuls of the cow parsley that lines the bridle paths where we hack. I'm a bit worried that this might be bad for him, but my friend says not. Can you confirm whether this is fine for him to eat. Frances Scott, Devon Han says: Regardless of the height of your horse, my first observation is that, from the saddle, you must be able to tell the different delicate white umbellifers apart, as cow parsley is very similar in appearance to hemlock. They all have an umbrella of tiny flower heads on short flower stalks. Never use the leaves as a source of identification, but look at…

Crushed sunflower seeds provide protein, fibre and calories Q I have noticed that some horse feeds contain sunflower I seeds. I didn't even realise before I spotted that that horses can eat sunflower seeds and I can't even imagine what their nutritional benefits are. Can you explain? Teresa Biggs, Kent Emma says: The part of the sunflower seed that is used in horse feeds is what is left once the oil has been extracted. On labels it may be referred to as ‘meal’ or ‘extracted’ to describe this, and it is often termed ‘dehulled’, which means that the outer husks (hulls) of the seeds have been removed. This sunflower meal is a useful source of protein, and it also provides some fibre and calories and is generally included in feeds…

When and where did you learn to ride? I first learnt to ride when I was really young — too small to remember, in fact. I learnt at home as we were very lucky to have horses and I was brought up around them. What are your horsey childhood memories? I remember having a huge amount of fun on horses. A particularly fond memory is when my mum pulled me out of school to go hunting for the first time. I was absolutely terrified, but I loved it. I had a super pony called Solly who gave me all the confidence in the world. What part do horses play in your life today? We have a lovely horse called Lego who we bred so I ride him as much as…