Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 538 i Your Horse

Military fixed-wing aircraft are assessed to be low-flying when operating below 2,000 feet above ground level; helicopters and light propeller-driven aircraft are assessed to be low-flying when below 500 feet. ■ Contact the Ministry of Defence for information about low flying military aircraft in your area: SWK-lowflying@mod.gov.uk or 01780 417558. ■ You can apply to have low-flying stopped temporarily in your area, for example if you’re holding an agricultural or horse show. Call the low-level advisory service on 0800 515544. ■ Monthly timetables of low-flying taking place in the UK can be found on the MOD website. ■ To make a complaint about military aircraft, email SWK-lowflying@mod.gov.uk or phone 01780 417558. You should get a response within 20 days. ■ To complain about civil aircraft, contact the Civil Aviation Authority…

■ TONY THE PONY — He was purchased from Appleby Horse Fair and transported back to Ravenseat Farm in the back of the family Land Rover. “We don’t know how old Tony is, what breed he is, or his history, but we know he’s a kind-hearted and sweet soul,” says Amanda. ■ MAPLE THE CLYDESDALE — A three-year-old home-bred (right, as a youngster), who is out of Hazel. Amanda says: “Maybe I should have had her measured, and I’m guessing that she’s about 17hh, but it’s a case of ‘jeez, that’s a big arse’! That’s the level we’re at around here.” Tony is “small and submissive and totally in love” with Maple, according to Amanda, but the mare “abuses her position and uses him to wipe her face on, and…

Horses with a body condition score of seven or above out of nine are considered obese and should have an appropriate weight-loss plan put in place. As grass and forage usually provide most calories in a horse’s diet, this plan could include: Restricting grazing time. Using grazing muzzles. Utilising strip grazing or track systems. Soaking hay to reduce its water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) or sugar and calorie content. Feeding some straw as a low-calorie fibre source. You may also need to restrict intake in those with a body condition score of six to stop them becoming a seven, especially when grass is plentiful. The key is to reduce overall calorie intake rather than compromise forage consumption, which should never fall below 1.5% of bodyweight in dry matter without specialist advice. Adequate…

Email your questions to yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk In partnership with Simple solutions for horse owners Meet this month's panel of experts HORSEBALL Jenny Hughes is a horseball player and coach with 21 years of experience in the sport. One of her many current roles in the British Horseball Association is Team GB coordinator. She has represented Derby Horseball Club on the European stage four times. Visit britishhorseball.co.uk SEPARATION ANXIETY Dr Debbie Marsden BsC PhD is an equine behaviour consultant and internationally recognised as one of the world’s leaders in her field. Her work is based on academic and professional qualifications, plus a lifetime’s experience of living and working with horses. Visit debbiemarsden.co.uk GIRTHING Helen Reader is a member of The Society of Master Saddlers (SMS). Her many qualifications include being a master…

In partnership with Q What are the rules of the game? Leslie Glass, Shropshire Jenny says: Horseball is a fast-paced team sport played on horseback, combining elements of basketball and rugby. Each team has four players on the pitch, with up to two substitutes. They play with a football enclosed in a harness with leather handles. The aim is to score by throwing the ball through a hoop suspended 3.5m high at each end of the pitch. Game structure Matches consist of two 10-minute halves, each of which begin with a ‘canter pick-up’, where the ball must be picked up cleanly from the floor in canter. The clock stops for fouls or rule infringements. Scoring To score, a team must complete at least three passes between three different players before shooting…

Q My horse is aggressive towards others and is happily turned out alone with other horses in adjacent fields. Despite seeming to dislike horse-to-horse interaction, he still whinnies and frets if a neighbour is taken in. Why is this? Jennifer Brown, Wiltshire Debbie says: Healthy horses who have not had a broad social experience at an early age can fail to read others’ social signals and their signals may be rushed, exaggerated or just unclear. They are often considered troublemakers and kept on their own to avoid injury or rug damage. Unfortunately, while necessary, this does not give them any opportunity to develop their social skills. Like any horse, they form attachments but are not very good at showing that in appropriate ways. Some want to boss others around but…

Q I’m looking to buy my first mono flap saddle on a fairly modest budget. I’ve been told I should set aside hundreds for a well-fitting girth. I hadn’t even considered that. Isn’t the saddle fit the important part? Michelle Plumpton, Devon Helen says: The fit of the girth is as important as the fit of the saddle and should be chosen with professional guidance. However, it doesn’t have to be an expensive purchase. A good girth that fits well can improve the stability of the saddle and shouldn’t need to be done up excessively tightly. If the wrong girth is used, it can cause issues with the saddle, such as saddle slippage. Shop around, you’ll find there is plenty of choice.…

A well-made girth is composed of good quality materials and fittings that are soft without any sharp edges. It is worth trying a range of anatomical girths on your horse to find the best fit. When selecting an anatomical girth, make sure you look for evidence of any claims that the advertising makes. If the girth has been scientifically researched, said research should be available to read. If the girth has no associated scientific research, it doesn’t mean the girth is bad, but you may wish to read reviews on the girth to gain more insight into its benefits.…

In partnership with Q How soon can I ride after an acupuncture appointment? Mia Clark, West Sussex Kayleigh says: It depends on the condition being treated, but the most frequent advice is 24 hours of non-ridden work. The horse can still be turned out and go on a walker, but the biggest benefit comes with having 24 hours off. The time might be extended to 48 hours if acupuncture has been used on a particularly painful muscle or one that’s suffered from a large degree of spasm. If the vet has treated a site of chronic injury or pain, clinical signs may temporarily intensify, but as the treatment stimulates the body’s own repair systems, you then get an improvement. However, this represents a stark minority of cases. Acupuncture can activate…

When the charity was called to a group of cobs in a field in South Yorkshire earlier this year, there were particular concerns for a piebald filly, aged between one and two, who was lethargic and had severe diarrhoea. The little pony, whom they named Dove, was signed over to Bransby by the owner and taken to the charity’s animal reception centre. Staff soon discovered her liver was inflamed or damaged, she had difficulty eating anything other than grass, overgrown hooves, a matted coat and a severe lice infestation. “It was touch and go whether she would make it due to how poorly she was when she first arrived,” said equine welfare deputy team leader Mia Miller. Dove was clipped, allowing the team to treat her lice infestation and remove…

“Military helicopters will divert if they spot horses and riders, but you need to be wearing lots of hi-vis. They train around the forest where I ride and the horses do get used to it.” Amanda Barker “I live right near the bombing range, so jets and helicopters are on the go day and night. My horses soon get used to the noise and the sight of them. It’s the microlights that freak them out, as they swoop down really low.” Lynda Addison “We get Chinooks, air ambulances, the Red Arrows, hot air balloon flights all summer and microlights and paramotors. The horses are bored with the lot of them and unlikely to even look up when grazing.” Elisabeth Searle “I had a helicopter from RAF Shawbury hover over me…

Eee-yawn Are donkeys allowed? (Of course! — Ed) Charlotte Kitchen Standing proud Chester and I pose a few days after attending the BBC Three Counties Radio The Make A Difference Awards. We came home with a highly commended for our charity work around the local area for Keech Hospice. Sammi Wenn Star photo Gazing into the distance We love a selfie. Here is Tosca and I ready for a pleasure ride. To infinity and beyond! Fiona Long, Lancashire Snapped! As I forget, the closest I get to a selfie is when we get back from a hack. Liz Roskell Nibble, nibble… This is Blue being his cheeky self. Barbara Maguire, Ireland We love receiving your photos and in each issue we print a selection. This month our favourite wins a…

■ Ensure a nutritionally balanced diet. ■ Feed ad-lib forage wherever possible. ■ Feed appropriate calories for their body condition. ■ Choose feeds suitable for any clinical conditions. ■ Ensure their minimum forage intake — this includes grazing and hay, haylage and straw — is no less than 1.5% of your horse’s bodyweight in dry matter. ■ Use a forage replacer if required. ■ Implement management strategies for the individual’s needs. ■ Always provide access to clean, fresh water.…

An important consideration when it comes to the bucket feed is ensuring the horse’s diet is balanced. Dieting horses that have restricted access to grass, who are fed soaked hay or if a significant proportion of their forage is straw, will be missing out on several key nutrients. UK pasture and conserved forage commonly lack the following trace minerals: Copper Selenium Zinc Although these are only required in small amounts, their importance shouldn’t be underestimated as they are vital for many functions in the body. Those equines eating a greater proportion of straw in addition to soaked hay and restricted grazing will also lack the essential amino acid lysine in their ration as well. While the consequences of deficiency may not always be obvious immediately, poor skin, coat and hoof…

To reduce the risk of impaction colic, I would advise the following: Regular dental check-ups to ensure your horse can chew their food effectively. Constant access to fresh water, including checking regularly that troughs aren’t freezing over and making water more appealing when it is cold, for example, by warming it slightly or adding a flavoured juice. Including a mash in the diet is a useful way to increase a horse’s water intake, but it must be introduced gradually. Make any changes to their diet, stabling or exercise gradually.  Keeping a close watch on your horse’s droppings is never a bad idea, even if it seems a bit odd. The first sign of a problem may be a reduction in dropping output or change in dropping consistency to become small…

HORSEBALL – JENNY HUGHES says… Q Are all horses suitable for horseball? I have a cob I hack and compete at novice dressage, would I be able to try? Lucy Grant, Leicestershire Jenny says: Absolutely! Any horse can give horseball a go and your cob sounds perfect. One of the great things about horseball is that it can fit alongside whatever else you’re doing, whether that’s hacking, dressage or even competing at a high level. You don’t need to give up your other disciplines. In fact, most people find horseball actually improves their horse’s responsiveness, balance and confidence, which can naturally lend itself to the other disciplines you take part in.…

Jenny explains that you don’t need to be super fit to give horseball a go. “There are many different levels, from complete beginners and novice sessions right up to the fast-paced elite competitions, so you can take things at your own pace,” she says. “The main thing is just being willing to try something new and have fun with your horse. Most people find that their fitness naturally improves the more they play, and it’s a great way to build balance and confidence while doing something a bit different.”…

In partnership with Q My mares are so attached that it’s a nightmare to bring one in at a time. One starts whinnying and sets the other off. What can I do to help keep the mare left in her field calm? Laura Wain, Norfolk Debbie says: The best and safest way to deal with this is to train them to tolerate being separated using the horse-centred, progressive and humane technique of systematic desensitisation. To do it, have both horses in a safe, enclosed area, wear your riding hat, gloves and stout boots, and have someone on standby to help guide you. Here is a framework to follow: ■ The key to success is to take whichever mare frets the most away initially and only until the other starts to…

In partnership with Q I need a stud girth for my mare. What do I need to know about fitting one? Claire Harris, Lancashire Helen says: A stud girth is fitted in much the same way as other girths. The main difference is the large, padded area under the horse, covering their sternum. This padded section must not stick out beyond the side of the horse’s undercarriage and should not be too narrow in order to be of benefit. The length of the stud girth will depend on how the horse picks up their front hooves when jumping. The padded section needs to be long enough to cover the area that the horse snaps their legs up to. Rider beware Be aware that there is a possibility of the horse…

ACUPUNCTURE – DR KAYLEIGH BARKER says… Q I’d like to book an acupuncturist, but I’ve never done it before. What should I be looking for in an equine practitioner? Lottie Dunne, Surrey Kayleigh says: The first distinction to make is that, unlike in human medicine, to do acupuncture on animals in the UK, you have be a licensed vet, registered with the Royal Veterinary College. Vets can undergo further training in acupuncture and there are various bodies where they can gain qualifications, such as with the Association of British Veterinarian Acupuncturists and The British Medical Acupuncturist Society, but it is not essential. In terms of finding a vet to perform acupuncture, going via your own vet is your best bet. Even if they don’t do acupuncture or no one else…

Q I want to organise an acupuncture treatment for my horse, but he’s needle phobic. How can I desensitise him? Janice Mills, Nottinghamshire Kayleigh says: Because acupuncture needles are solid and very, very fine, they don’t give the same sensation as hypodermic needles used for vaccinations. Such needles are hollow to inject a drug or vaccine, so have a very slight apple-coring affect as they cut through tissue. Acupuncture needles, on the other hand, go between the tissue, so I would say that if your horse is needle phobic, it doesn’t necessarily rule out acupuncture. Of course, we wouldn’t start a session in the jugular area where there is a phobic association. A good place to start with a newbie or worried horse is near the sacrum. In fact, it…

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The inaugural in-hand rescue horse or pony championship was headed by Minnie, a traditional coloured cob handled by Clare Castle. Clare and her mother, Lynda, rehomed the mare eight years ago. Minnie was rescued by the RSPCA after being found in a field with a stallion that had caused her a nasty neck injury. “When we first got her, we went to the place where she was, there were two ponies there and they ran to the back of the stable,” said Lynda. “I turned my back to avoid eye contact and not be a threat to the ponies. Minnie was the one that came and sniffed my hand, so we knew she was the one coming back with us.” Clare added that competing at Your Horse Live was “a…

BOXING DAY ARRIVES with a sprinkling of snow, reminding me of my youth at the annual riding school treasure hunt. I smile wistfully as I begin the post-Christmas tidy of the living room — my new, dull, annual thing. “Are you busy?” texts my friend Jack, whom I share a field with. “Just clearing up after yesterday,” I reply. “Leave that ’til later! Let’s go for a ride!” My stomach ties itself in a knot and then my phone rings. It’s Jack. “I know you’re worried about riding again, but today’s a good day to get over those nerves. The roads are quiet and there won’t be any tractors dragging noisy machinery.” “Hmm,” I reply. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous after that. She only cantered for a bit…

Caring for senior horses is a journey filled with love, dedication and unique challenges. Spillers understands the special place older horses hold in equestrians’ hearts, which is why the company has created the Spillers’ Super Seniors’ Club — a supportive community for horse owners who share the same passion for keeping their senior horses happy and healthy. Whether that horse is thriving in retirement, remains active or is showing signs of ageing, the team is available to provide expert guidance, practical advice and a platform on which to celebrate a horse’s golden years. Join today and connect with other horse owners. Visit the Facebook group Spillers’ Super Seniors’ Club to get started.…

Cold therapy, including ice boots or cold hosing, can be beneficial not only for pain management, but also for healing. ■ When an injury occurs, blood vessels widen and fluid rushes into the area, causing swelling. Applying cold therapy causes the blood vessels to narrow (vasoconstriction), which slows the flow of blood and reduces the amount of swelling and inflammation. ■ Less swelling results in less pressure on tissues and, therefore, less pain. ■ Cold also slows down the nerves that send pain signals to the brain. It creates a numbing effect, which reduces the horse’s perception of pain. ■ By lowering the temperature around an injury, cold slows the body’s metabolic and inflammatory processes and reduces tissue damage. This helps prevent the injury from worsening in the first 24-48…

To compensate for nutritional deficiencies in forage or from dietary restriction, we can add the essential nutrients a horse is lacking (see box, left) via their bucket feed. A pelleted feed balancer will supply lysine in addition to a broad-spectrum of vitamins and minerals for a balanced diet and can be fed alongside a low-calorie fibre feed for added chew time. If your horse is on an extremely restricted diet, they may need a higher specification or more than the typical recommended amount of balancer to provide them with a balanced diet. Low-calorie fibre feeds that contain alfalfa as part of their formulation can also be useful for supplying extra lysine.…

■ Have your horse’s teeth checked every 6-12 months by a veterinary surgeon or a member of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT). ■ Make sure your horse has a consistent routine of feeding, water access, exercise and turnout. ■ If you do need to make a change to feed, exercise or turnout, try to do this gradually over a period of one to two weeks. ■ The better you know a horse, the more likely you are to spot subtle changes in their eating habits, droppings, behaviour, etc, early. Different horses show signs of pain in different ways. ■ Monitor your horse’s normal amount and consistency of droppings, so you are alert to any early sign of change. ■ Follow a parasite management plan (speak to your…

Q Do I need to invest in any specialist kit for horseball? What would I need? Chris Jarvis, North Yorks Jenny says: You don’t need to worry about buying loads of new kit to get started. If you attend a have-a-go session, the club or coach will lend you a pick-up strap, which attaches from stirrup to stirrup underneath the horse and makes it possible to collect the ball without pulling on the horse. This is really the only specialist bit of kit you need to have to try horseball as you can use normal English tack. There are just a few extra requirements for competitions, such as: A standing martingale or breastplate. Bandages on all four legs. Overreach boots for protection. There are also some simple rules about bits,…

SEPARATION ANXIETY – DR DEBBIE MARSDEN says… Q I have a horse breeder friend who’s telling me it’s time to wean my seven-month-old filly, and that I’m in danger of leaving things too late and causing problems. However, I’m worried that splitting them up quickly would be worse. What advice can you give? Melissa Moss, Kent Debbie says: As with most social behaviour issues, a lot depends on the characters of the individuals involved. Left to their own devices, most mares will begin to dissuade a foal from suckling around eight months. By 10 months, feral foals are usually weaned, often abruptly just before the birth of the next foal. Considerations If the foal is persistent, there is the risk of injury from the mare. Conversely, some mares will continue…

GIRTHING – HELEN READER says… Q I’ve always used synthetic girths, but most of my friends have leather girths. They’re more expensive, but are there any standout benefits? Claire Williams, Monmouthshire Helen says: There are pros and cons of leather versus synthetic girths. They include: ■ Price Synthetic girths have a cheaper price point. ■ Ease of cleaning While leather girths must be wiped and conditioned, synthetic girths can either be put in the washing machine or dunked in a bucket of water. Plus, they have good wicking properties. ■ Longevity Synthetic girths can cause rubbing. Material ones can fray while plastic ones can crack or split, which might cause rubbing and discomfort for the horse. Leather girths are more supple, as long as they are kept clean and fed…

Q There are so many equine therapies out there these days. How do I know acupuncture is right for my horse? Sandra Burton, Bedfordshire Kayleigh says: The first and foremost advantage of acupuncture is that it has to be done by a vet. This means that during treatment, the vet examines your horse thoroughly, more so than they would during a routine appointment. There is also a bank of good evidence to say that acupuncture works. Another benefit of acupuncture is that, while being a scientifically-backed treatment in its own right, it works well with other manual therapies, especially physiotherapy and chiropractic. This is because acupuncture can ease muscle spasm as well as provide some pain relief and muscle relaxation, which helps boost the efficacy of other therapies. The reduction…

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on a horse's body to stimulate nerves and release pain-relieving chemicals. It is often used for musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and neurological issues and as a complementary therapy for lameness, back pain, arthritis and other conditions by reducing muscle tension, improving circulation and enhancing the body's natural healing processes. Acupuncture includes a diagnostic evaluation and is typically part of a series of treatments, with most horses tolerating it well.…