Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 523 i Your Horse

MARES INVARIABLY RECEIVE a bad press and are described variously as ‘quirky’, ‘moody’, ‘difficult’ and ‘strong willed’. As the owner of two mares over my many decades with horses, I know what the detractors mean. Both of mine have been less straightforward than the geldings I’ve kept, and both truly tested me asarider — one denting my confidence to such an extent thatIhave never completely regained it. However, I do understand what Shauna, who was interviewed for our Hack article about mares (page 10), is getting at when she says: “When you get a good relationship with a mare, there’s nothing that she won’t do for you.” If you can gel with a mare as I did with both of mine, not least because I loved them despite their idiosyncrasies…

Orphan Buddy was just six weeks old when he was brought to Hope Pastures equine rescue centre in Weetwood, Leeds. He had been rescued by a kind-hearted person after his dam died, but was becoming lethargic. Upon arrival in June 2023 Buddy was given bottle feeds every few hours and he was looked after by Chip, one of the centre's gentle elderly geldings. "However, we knew that Buddy's development would be improved if we could find him a foster mum, and the very next day, after putting out an appeal, we found Twinkle, a mare who had lost her own foal the day before," said sanctuary manager Amanda Searle. Staff at the centre introduced Buddy and Twinkle, first keeping them in adjoining stables and then allowing them to interact over…

MOODY, MARDY, GRUMPY — mares are often cast in an unflattering light, but is this reputation rightly earned? I have had the pleasure of riding four mares across my equestrian life and their personalities have all been very different, from laid-back and unflappable to giving me the most exciting ride of my life. And yet they all had that little spark of something that geldings don’t have — an x-factor that made them special. However, the equestrian world seems keen to lump them together as ‘difficult’ and ‘quirky’ because they retain their natural hormonal cycle, unlike geldings. “Mares get a bad rap,” says equine behaviourist Catherine Wensley-Green. “People forget they are in season for so much of the time [see box, page 12], and when they are in season it…

WORK HORSE balance How I make it work: I have a passion for what I do, plus I'm between horses The creative handbag maker who reuses old horse tack explains how her popular business came about, and how Black Beauty and Follyfoot kick-started her passion for horses. My job… I convert saddles, boots, tack and rugs into handbags and household accessories. My day-to-day job is making commissions from customers' own special items that hold memories of a horse who has passed or from items that have been purchased by a special person. I have a website and I like the shop to be fully stocked with just about every size and shape of handbag. Not everyone has a saddle or tack they can send to me so I buy saddles…

HOW MANY TIMES have you had to dodge your horse’s front legs? For some owners it can beadaily occurrence — and not one to be taken at all lightly. It is also a problem for professionals, with 95% of vets reporting that they work with difficult horses on at least a monthly basis, with half of them encountering striking with a front foot just as frequently (Pearson et al, 2020). Given the risks it poses to handlers, it is a behaviour that needs to be addressed, so how can an owner go about doing so? How is striking out classified? “A strike is categorised as one or both forelegs rapidly lifting forwards while the back legs remain in place,” says certified equine training instructor Louise Napthine. “It can also occur…

Daisy Fuller's pony, Bella, suffered a bout of laminitis in 2021. She was recovering well, but one day was so lame that she couldn't even put one hoof in front of the other. "My mum called the vet and said that she thought Bella, who is in her late 20s, might have suffered such a serious injury that she would need to be put to sleep," says Daisy, 19. "When the vet came she checked Bella carefully and when she ran her hand around one of her coronet bands she felt pus. That pus saved Bella's life, and we still have her today!" Daisy's vet suggested calling in a remedial farrier, who came and cut out one abscess via the sole of the foot, while the other continued to drain…

As a horse owner, it is essential to ensure that horse’s wellbeing. Pain is a significant factor that can negatively impact your horse’s physical and mental health. To incorporate facial expressions as a valuable welfare tool for your own horses, I recommend that you first familiarise yourself with the expressions and features to assess, such as ear position, eye shape, nostril shape, face tension, lip retraction and mouth opening, revealing the teeth and the tongue. Then regularly observe your horse’s face, looking for signs of discomfort or pain in ridden and non-ridden work. Score your horse’s facial expressions based on the indicators provided to determine if he’s experiencing no pain, mild to moderate pain, or severe pain. This will help you to better assess and manage your horse and ensure…

Deciding whether to pull or trim a horse’s mane and tail depends on personal preferences and the look the owner is aiming for. While long manes and tails look fabulous in the summer, they can be high maintenance in winter. If the horse competes, consider plaiting the tail and using a tail bag to keep it clean. Hoods and neck covers can help to manage manes, but they can also cause rubs, so regular washing and detangling are necessary. For anyone who prefers a neat, trimmed appearance humane mane and tail tidying tools, such as rakes and levelling knives, offer a less painful alternative to traditional pulling. These tools thin and level hair without causing discomfort, ensuring a tidy finish without stress for the horse. These winter grooming and clipping…

Email your questions to yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk In partnership with Simple solutions for horse owners Meet this month's panel of experts DRESSAGE Alison Kenward is a qualified BHS APC Performance Centre Manager, UKCC Level 3 coach and she runs Equestrian Heroes, coaching riders from around the world. Alison enjoys hacking and schooling her horse, Salvation. EQUINE FIRST AID Nicola Kinnard-Comedie MSc, BHSAI Int SM is the founder of NKC Equestrian Training, which provides horse first aid courses to owners and equine professionals. She is also a lifelong rider and horse lover. Visit nkcequestrian.com MASSAGE Michelle Wood is an International Association of Animal Therapists (IAAT) registered equine sports massage practitioner and an equine exercise rehabilitation therapist. She is a graduate of Andrea Pole’s Equine Massage Training UK. FEEDING Emma Short BSc (Hons) provides…

In partnership with Q What’s the difference between a GP anda dressage saddle? I currently ride ina GP, but my friend at the yard says that I should buy a dressage saddle because it will help my performance. Is this true? Susan Cox, Leeds Alison says: A general purpose (GP) saddle is designed to allow a rider to ride on the flat and over fences. The stirrup bar is set in a different position to a dressage saddle. A good way to get a feel for the stirrup bar placement is to take your feet out of the stirrups and notice where your leg would lie when the stirrup leathers are hanging perpendicular to the ground. It is worth setting your stirrups at jumping length and dressage length to feel…

MASSAGE - MICHELLE WOOD says… Q I’ve become more interested in complementary therapies over the last couple of years and I’d like to know more about equine sports massage so that I can make a decision as to whether it will suit my mare, who I compete in dressage. Natalie Berry, Norfolk Michelle says: Equine sports massage (ESM) is the manual manipulation of soft tissue, muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments using various techniques designed to relieve muscle-related issues. It is carried out by manually working on the horse’s body using the following… PETRISSAGE — A compression movement that involves pressing, kneading and squeezing, so anything that presses one structure against another. EFFLEURAGE — This is a gliding movement using long strokes with one or both hands that massage therapists…

FEEDING - EMMA SHORT says… Q I realise that I should adjust my mare’s diet according to her workload, butI find it really difficult to decide how much work she’s actually doing. Can you help? Miranda Jones, Co Down Emma says: A horse’s requirements for nutrients, such as protein, vitamins and minerals, increase with workload, while calorie requirements can often depend on whether a horse is typicallya good-doer or not. It is important to ensure that the horse’s diet is fully balanced and meeting these nutritional requirements, whether your horse is at rest or in work, and feed manufacturers work to an industry standard set of workload definitions formulated by the National Research Council when formulating feeds and calculating recommended feeding rates. Most horses, even those competing quite regularly, would…

To enter, visit yourhorse.co.uk/win/bhf523 NEXT YEAR WILL get offtoa flying start for one lucky Your Horse reader when they win this fantastic prize from British Horse Feeds. Their horse’s feeding needs will be taken care of for 12 months and they will also have the chance to get their hands ona pair of members’ tickets to either Bramham International Horse Trials or Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials. Thanks to British Horse Feeds’ sponsorship of these two fantastic four-star level horse trials, the winner will enjoyasuper special trip to one of these prestigious competitions that grace the 2025 eventing calendar. If the winner chooses members’ tickets for Bramham International Horse Trials in June 2025 they will enjoy access to a large members’ area that is situated on two sides of the…

ROS CANTER ADDS NAME TO BURGHLEY TROPHY The on form Ros Canter and her wonder horse Lordships Graffalo won the Defender Burghley CCI5* in September, which came just six weeks after their team gold medal winning run at the Paris Olympics and 16 months after they secured the spoils at Badminton 2023. They also won dual European gold last year, and Ros said of 'Walter, "[He's] a legend in his own right. What other horse at the age of 12 has achieved what he has in recent years"? Popular Kiwi Tim Price took the runner-up spot with Vitali and Harry Meade and Cavalier Crystal were third. However, perhaps the loudest cheer was reserved for Jesse Campbell, who piloted Cooley Lafitte into 21st place just four months after the death of…

■ Mares are seasonally polyoestrous, which means that they come into season or heat regularly over a portion of the year - usually from May to October. ■ Some mares will cycle year-round, but most come into season in reaction to lengthening days and stop once day length wanes. ■ The average mare is in heat for six or seven days, out for 14 or 15 days, and back into heat again throughout the summer months. ■ A mare’s behaviour may be difficult when she’s in oestrus— telltale signs being a swishing tail, squirting urine, calling out and a lack of focus. However, for the fortnight between seasons behaviour generally returns to normal. ■ Some mares benefit from veterinary intervention to suppress their cycles with drugs like altrenogest (sold as…

The BHS offers guidance on how to approach dogs when mounted… ■ Always slow to a walk to pass dogs. ■ Make contact with the owner if they haven’t seen you, or call out for an owner if a dog is loose or unaccompanied. ■ If necessary, ask the owner to put the dog onalead. ■ Give the dog a wide berth. ■ Wear high vis clothing so that other people can see you and your horse approach. What to do if the dog attacks ■ Stay calm. ■ Distance yourself from the dog and walk your horse away if safe. ■ Keep the horse’s head away from the dog. ■ Allow the horse to defend himself. ■ Try to remember any identifying details of the dog and/or owner. ■…

While riders need a jumping horse to be forward going around a course, no one wants to feel as though they’re out of control. Rider Pippa here, though, finds her horse a tad enthusiastic, and she struggles to bring him back into trot after a fence, especially as the exercises build up. “After each fence I want you to really sit on your bottom, bring your shoulders back and tell your horse to slow down through your body. Don’t just let your reins get shorter and shorter because that translates as tension, which can make him nervous,”explains Liz.“Take a deep breath and relax through your elbows so that you don’t get into a pulling argument. Then take a stronger half halt if he ignores your body aids.” While this helps,…

BOOK EXTRACT | IS MY HORSE IN PAIN? HORSES, BY THEIR very nature, are prey animals. This means that they are biologically inclined to mask signs of pain or weakness to avoid appearing vulnerable to predators. Unfortunately, this natural instinct makes it challenging for their human carers to recognise when they are in discomfort. As a result, many horses continue to work through their pain, exacerbating their injuries and leading to chronic issues which can be career limiting for some of them. Even the most accomplished and seemingly healthy horses competing at grand prix and Olympic levels can be silently suffering, with their pain manifesting only in subtle ways that require a trained eye to detect. It is important to remember that horses were never naturally designed to be ridden.…

DRESSAGE - ALISON KENWARD says… Q I think I’m ready to compete and my horse understands what I’m asking. How do I care for him, though, in the build up to the competition and on the day itself? Lorraine Rowlingson, Suffolk Alison says: Your daily routine won’t change much in the build up to the competition. Make sure that your horse is up to date with his vaccinations and that his passport is filled out correctly and send in your entries ahead of time. Arrange his shoeing/trimming, dental checks, saddle fitting and any treatments around your planned show date. Enjoy riding your horse in the build up, including plenty of variety in your sessions. Make sure that he’s enjoying turnout time and socialising with his friends too. Is hea confident…

Q Can you suggest how to choose a competition outfit now that the rules have relaxed and become more inclusive. I’m terrified of turning up in the wrong gear. Bethany Lee, Co Durham Alison says: It’s an exciting time to be considering updating your competition wardrobe. The most important factors are that your clothes are comfortable and fit well. Riding clothes should help the wearer to feel confident and relaxed. The fun part is choosing what colours to wear. The greatest rule change is that you can now wear dark breeches in conservative colours. After your tack, I think that boots and jackets are likely to be your investment pieces. It’s good to match your hat and jacket and then consider your shirt and leg wear options. It is also…

In partnership with Q I’m going away on holiday soon and my friend has kindly offered to look after my horse. What information do I need to give her in the event that something unexpected happens? Linda Foster, Devon Nicola says: Creating an emergency plan and communicating this information to anyone looking after your horse as well as your vet practice will make coping with an emergency, such as colic, much easier in your absence. Here are some points to include in your plan… Contact numbers for you, plus an alternative, more local contact if you can’t be reached. It is easy to be out of phone signal, even in the UK, so include phone numbers for your hotel or accommodation, plus details for someone else who can make decisions…

Q I took on a mare recently froma rescue centre and whileI don’t ride her, she has come with a few issues, including a distrust of strangers. My livery yard manager mentioned that she may benefit from massage, but I can’t see how this could possibly be of use for behavioural problems. Louise Kay, West Midlands Michelle says: I treat a horse who has incredibly high tactile defences. He was abused in the past and, like your mare, he’s distrusting of people other than his loving and patient owner who has worked hard to gain his trust. When I first started treating him, he was suspicious and his reactions were at the extreme end of the behaviour scale. He would bite, pin back his ears, strike out with a front…

For all the latest news from the horse world, visit yourhorse.co.uk HORSE HEALTH Veterinary expert advises early action on melanoma The importance of acting on cancerous lumps on horses as early as possible was made by a leading vet at the British Equine Veterinary Association's (BEVA) Congress in September. Equine surgery specialist Dr Jessica Kidd said that in the past vets felt that melanomas were a benign condition of old age that were best left alone, but now that horses regularly live into their 30s it is important for the horse's welfare to treat them as early as possible. "You wouldn't think it was acceptable if you went to your doctor with a large mass on your backside and the doctor said don't worry about it, it's not going to…

Pony Club riders will have to prove that they are adept in the use of spurs before being allowed to wear them in club events from January next year. In the age of social licence, the Pony Club is restricting the use of spurs to those who have completed the updated C+ test or the spurs achievement badge. Previously all riders could use spurs, with any misuse reported to the district commissioner. The rules now state that spurs should only be worn by riders who have a stable lower leg and who are able to use - or not use - the spur intentionally.…

To enter, visit yourhorse.co.uk/win/yourhorselive523 * FIRST PRIZE* The six lucky winners will each receive… ■ A pair of standard plus tickets for the Sunday of the show (worth £46 each) YOUR HORSE LIVE is Britain’s favourite equestrian shopping show—byamile. When an event is so popular, tickets can sell like proverbial hot cakes, but Your Horse readers can try and bag themselves a pair of freebies by entering our competition. We have six — yes, six — pairs of standard plus tickets to give away for Sunday 10 November, so don’t delay: enter today and prepare to shop until you drop. However, Your Horse Live is way more than just a brilliant shopping experience, where everything from bridles to boots (for horse and rider) is on sale. On the Sunday, those…

YOUR HORSE’S TRAINING DRESSAGE | NON-TYPICAL BREEDS PART THREE ARAB HORSES ARE certainly not in the majority when it comes to dressage competitions. Look around the ring and there will probably be Hanoverians, Holsteiners, Lusitanos and Thoroughbreds, but far fewer, if any, Arabs. These diminutive horses (incidentally, they are always called Arabian or Arab ‘horses’, even if they are 14.2hh and under) are immediately recognisable due to their pretty dished faces, arched necks and high tail carriage, so they do pack a punch in the looks department. They are also renowned for their incredible courage, intelligence and endurance and their floating, expressive paces, in particular their trot. Equestrians might be interested to know that they have one fewer pairs of ribs and vertebrae than all other horse and pony breeds in…

Feeling for a horse’s digital pulse is an important way to assess hoof health and detect early signs of problems, especially for anyone suspecting issues like a hoof abscess, laminitis, or other foot-related problems. The digital pulse is found in the digital arteries that run down the sides of the horse’s leg near the fetlock and pastern and which supply blood to the foot. ■ POSITION THE HORSE — Make sure that the horse is standing on a flat surface and is calm. Be careful, as lameness or pain may make him sensitive. ■ LOCATE THE DIGITAL ARTERY — Stand next to the horse and gently lift the hoof or leg, or keep the hoof on the ground. Place your fingers on the back of the pastern, just above the…

Anyone new to clipping will benefit from the following advice… ■ Preparation— Ensure that clippers are serviced and that the blades are sharp. Choose a suitable blade grade based on the horse’s coat type. ■ Blade maintenance— Correct tensioning is crucial; too tight and the blades will overheat, too loose and they will chew the coat. Oiling every 10 minutes with a light clipper oil will keep the blades cool and efficient. ■ Safety first— Clip on a dry, non-slip surface with good lighting. Wear appropriate attire, such as cotton or nylon coveralls, and secure long hair. ■ Helper needed— Having someone to assist a handler during clipping can make the process smoother, especially if the person clipping is inexperienced. Anyone who hasn’t clipped before should watch and get help…

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 ata healthy weight. This motivating and friendly club provides practical support and camaraderie for owners of overweight horses and ponies to aid them on their weight loss journey. It provides information and advice, including weight loss tips, details of how to body condition score and how to useaweigh tape. OR SEARCH SPILLERS SLIMMERS ON FACEBOOK…

Q I consistently score 65% or thereabouts, but I would love to reach the magical 70% and beyond. What can I do with my mare that will makeadifference to the marksIearn? Dawn Smith, North Yorkshire Alison says: Test riding is a skill you can work on to present your horse at her best. Firstly, you need to analyse your past performances to work out your strengths. Look for the positive trends and feedback from the judges. Go through your score sheets and make a note of the movements where you regularly score 65% and above. Read the judges’ comments and consider what you would need to do to improve these scores by one mark. When you’re riding your test it’s natural to want to ride for every mark, but this…

EQUINE FIRST AID - NICOLA KINNARD-COMEDIE says… Q The other day I saw an owner at the yard using saline solution to clean a cut on her horse. Is she right to be using this rather than plain water? Ros Hawkins, Kent Nicola says: Saline solution is an excellent choice for wound cleaning as it is non toxic, and it has the same concentration as skin cells, meaning that the cells won’t swell or shrink when it is applied to a cut or a wound. This can delay healing. You can purchase prepared saline solution, or make up your own using a teaspoon of salt in 1l of freshly boiled water. A 50ml syringe filled with saline is useful to clean a cut, or use gauze swabs which won’t leave…

Q I seem to take out a lot of muck from of my mare’s stable. Is it possible that she passes more droppings than other horses and should this be a cause for concern? Rebecca Biggs, Northumberland Nicola says: As horse owners and riders we do seem to spend quite a lot of time clearing up after our horses, but mucking out can actually tell you some very useful information about your horse. Horses will typically pass eight to 12 piles of droppings a day, but this is dependent on your mare, her diet, the time of year and any environmental factors, such as changes to her routine or management. Some horses do pass more droppings than others. What is important is knowing what’s normal for your horse, and noticing…

In partnership with Q My horse keeps stopping when we’re jumping, both at home and at competitions. My trainer has been helping me with this and we’ve tried all sorts of things, although she recently suggested that massage may be able to help. Frankly, it sounds like an odd idea to me, and I’ve since been wondering how this technique could possibly make my mare more likely to jump than refuse. Debbie Coombes, Dorset Michelle says: This isa widespread problem and may be attributed to a number of things, such asa lack of confidence, a lack of training — horses do need to be taught to jump as it’s not a natural thing for them to do — pain attributed to an underlying injury, poor muscle development, ill-fitting tack, or…

In partnership with Q I’ve noticed that some feeds are described as ‘barley-free’. What are the benefits of barley and does it mean that I should try to avoid feeds that actually do contain barley? Jack Bates, Norfolk Emma says: Barley has traditionally been fed asauseful concentrated source of calories and is included in many cerealbased mixes, for which it is micronised (cooked) and flaked to make the starch content as digestible as possible. When cereals are cooked in this way, and feed is given in as many small meals as possible throughout the day, it helps to ensure that the starch is digested in the horse’s foregut, where it should be, and minimises the risk of any undigested starch reaching the hindgut, where it can cause problems. Because it…