Absolute Horse - October 2017 by Absolute Horse Magazine

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E M K ’M C -I ! PI P EE U R

Absolute

OCTOBER 2017

s d e r d n HuOf

s r e d l i a c R o L - featured INSIDE

Tutorials with Mary King and Georgie Bennett

PLUS

Buyer’s Guide full of lovely stuff!

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OCTOBER

2017 7

ISSUE 316

43 16

Karen Walsh and Augustus, Supreme Champions at the Orsett Show, 2nd September 2017 Photo: Richard WellerPoley

REGULARS 4 News Your Comments 6 7 Sophie Callahan: Equine Blogger and Photographer 14 MetaFitness: Rider fitness 50 Reports 62 Classifieds 64 Vets Directory 65 Showdates COMPETITIONS & GIVEAWAYS 4 Olympia tickets

Though every attempt is made to ensure accuracy, PCD Media Ltd cannot be held responsible for the opinions expressed in the magazine. The opinions and technical information in the articles are those of the authors.

Liverpool International Horse Show tickets Aniwell bundle Phillips Brothers bedding Reader Giveaways

INSIDE

WHAT’S

FEATURES 8 Health & Welfare 12 16 Older Horses 31 27 Competition Stress 45 30 Bedding 34 Euthanasia Part 1 SPONSORSHIP 36 Ride Like... Mary King OPPORTUNITY/READER 38 Ride Like... Georgie Bennett OFFERS 40 Buyer’s Guide 12 EFECS 46 Saddlery & Tack 13 Stable Shield 48 Love Dogs 24 Equizyn 54 Photonews 25 TopSpec and Equerry

How to contact and connect with us...

01473 731220

office@ahmagazine.com

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facebook.com/Absolute-Horse

#abfabnagmag

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PCD Media ( East Anglia) Ltd, Home Barn, Grove Hill, Belstead, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3LS

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NEWS RARE EDITION OF BLACK BEAUTY TO BE AUCTIONED

A limited 1915 edition of Black Beauty is being auctioned to raise funds for Redwings Horse Sanctuary in honour of the classic novel’s 140th birthday. Anyone wishing to become the proud owner can view the book at the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell until 25th November or email fundraising@redwings.co.uk.

WIN!WIN! If you are a fan of top class show jumping, breath-taking dressage and great family entertainment what better way to end the year than a visit to the spectacular Liverpool International Horse Show running 29th-31st December 2017!

WE’VE TEAMED UP WITH THE ORGANISERS TO OFFER THREE LUCKY READERS THE CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS FOR THE AFTERNOON PERFORMANCE OF FRIDAY 29TH DECEMBER!

To be in with a chance of winning visit www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the Competition page before the deadline of 31st October 2017.

PETPLAN EQUINE ‘AREA FESTIVAL FINALS FEVER’

The new style Petplan Equine Area Festivals have involved more horse and rider combinations than ever with Festivals taking place from Aberdeenshire to the Channel Islands. This celebration of dressage is at all levels from Preliminary to Intermediate II. The eight Finals which run until 28th-30th October have a fantastic 1,520 rosettes up for grabs and 19 first place sashes for classes at each making a total of 152 in all! The next step on from the Finals is to the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships which take place at Hartpury, Gloucestershire in April 2018, so there is all to play for. www.petplanequine.co.uk/ area-festivals

AUGUST Competition Winners: TopSpec: Angela Fowler, Essex; Eleanor Jane Simmons, Essex; Joan Cleverley, Essex; Kirstin Tricker, Suffolk; Larissa Mayhew, Suffolk; Linda Pullen, Surrey, Pippa Corney, Cambs; Sue Westmore, Suffolk.

WIN!WIN! Ahead of Olympia, The London International Horse Show, taking place on 12th – 18th December, Frankie Dettori headed to Ascot Racecourse to give his son, Rocco, some important training tips as he prepares to take part in the Shetland Pony Grand National and he himself prepares for the Markel Champions Challenge.

WE’VE TEAMED UP WITH OLYMPIA TO OFFER ONE LUCKY READER THE CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS FOR THE TUESDAY AFTERNOON PERFORMANCE! To be in with a chance of winning visit www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the Competition page before the deadline of 31st October 2017.

REDWINGS HEARS THE PITTERPATTER OF TINY HOOVES Redwings reflects on a bumper summer of births of adorable foals to rescued horses brought into the safety of the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary’s vets and horse care teams are hailing a ‘baby boom’ after helping six newborn foals take their first teetering steps into the world, as well as caring for a donkey foal who arrived at the Sanctuary at just 10-days-old.

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YOUR COMMENT Every month we pose a question on the Absolute Horse Magazine Facebook page – for your chance to win the Ariat prize simply post ‘Your Comment’ in answer to our question, and the best answer wins!

Sponsored by

Ariat offer you the chance to win a pair of Olympia Full Seat or Knee Patch Breeches worth over £115!

Ariat’s Olympia Full Seat Breeches and Knee Patch Breeches feature four-way stretch Schoeller fabric for maximum comfort and mobility, stretch Clarino full seat, front zip and unique hand pocket design with piping effect. Ariat’s patented V3 System in the waist and Calf Fit System ensure these breeches not only perform in the saddle but look great too. Sizes: 22 – 36 (regular and long fit available). Colours: White, Beige, Navy or Black. Visit www.ariat.com or call 01367 242818.

We asked our acebook fans the following question... Jolie Darton: Fancy a pint?! Lacey Smith: How much does he love me? Kate Scorey: Why do you turn into an idiot for 2 weeks twice a year? Vanessa Etches: What do you think is IN the puddle? Karen Oughton: Is he happy with what I do for him? Hannah Price: Was it really necessary to throw the half full food bowl at my head as I walked along the stable isle. Could you have not at least waited until I was out of my work clothes? Lisa Spence: Do I look good in my new Ariat breeches I have just won! Zoie Woodcraft: Please tell me why you’re adamant to do something that means the vet comes every 3 months lol! Diana Boughton: How can I make you happy? Jenny Dorris Kidman: Is it time to say goodbye? With 2 oldies and 1 completely blind but happy I’d love to know when they have had enough. Xx Claire Coleman: Why is it when on a stubble field you think you are a race horse and are galloping for your life and don’t behave like a steady cob ever? Samantha Crowne-Spencer: Seriously...what are you so afraid of lol! Kate Gregory: Why did you eat that? Lynda Moules: Why do you keep ripping your field mates rugs ? Vivien Edwards: What is actually stopping you from getting onto

IF YOU COULD ASK YOUR HORSE A QUESTION, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

the trailer? Jo D'Vonne Ramey: Where does it hurt? Would help reduce any vets bills if only they could talk! Hannah Ellis: Why he insists on knocking my travel mug over no matter where I put it! Lizzie Meadows: What do you like doing best? Rachael Bryce: Do you do this to me on purpose? Joy Thorpe: Since when does a shadow eat horses? Seriously! Sharon Long: I chose you but would you of chosen me? Sarah Smith: Do invisible scary boogey men really exist and do they pop up in front of jumps you’ve been over hundreds of times? Sara McComb: My pony Patch is a rescue, he has issues, so I would ask him what happened to him in the past to make him so frightened, and how I can help him to be more confident. Kate Scorey: Why do you think it’s fun to remove the fence posts as I’m putting them in? Fleur Field: What would you like for supper gorgeous? Kelly Johnson: Am I your best friend as you are mine? Kate Oliver: In my quest to better understand you, if you (my horse) could ask me (your

human) a question, what would it be? Hayley Callow: Who do you invite into your room every night to trash the joint?! Karen King: Why are you so scared of the wheelbarrow you see me pushing everyday?! Debby Collins: Are you happy? Catherine Reynolds: Am I right, you do hate dressage, don’t you? Angela Bush: Who taught you how to pull electric fence posts out with your teeth! Clare Duncan: The horse I share and her field mate are hilarious together, they are like an old married couple! So I think I’d ask her ‘what's the secret to a happy marriage?’ Pauline Smith: Apart from grazing grass what is your most favourite moment? Kerry Wilson: Do you love me as much as I love you? Lisa Hill: Just how many carrots a day is dad giving you? Ali Gordon: Why do you have to pick your sister up by her rug? I really don’t think she likes being dragged around... although mine did it to me!

and the Star Winner is...

Katie Hull: Why are you such a doughnut?! It didn’t eat you when we hacked past it on the way out, it’s not going to eat you when we head home again!

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Hello! W

ith summer finally drawing to a close, I’ve been busy this month trying to fit as many shoots in as possible, before the weather turns. Although I feel like Autumn has definitely arrived early this year and I’m actually loving the change of season! I’ve had some stunning sessions lately, including a woodland shoot with SSADL Olympia Supreme Champion, Fell pony stallion, Guards Jester, who travelled down from Oxford to Thorndon Country Park in Brentwood to see me. What an absolute dreamboat! I also had a gorgeous shoot with an old friend Abbie and her chestnut mare, Annie, over in

s Jester Fell stallion Guard

Tiptree near where we used to have our horses on livery together ‘back in the day’. It's always nice to catch up with familiar faces. And then there was the beautiful Knabstrupper, Ace, who I went over to Suffolk to meet for a very special sunset shoot. As well as all of this, I announced the very exciting news that I have been selected as one of the first ever bloggers to be personally invited to HOYS, so I can’t wait to share my photos and report of the show with you! I'm actually really looking forward to Autumn and Winter. There's so much to be excited about, including HOYS, Olympia, gorgeous wintery shoots and of course, Christmas! Bring it on!

Old friends Abbie and Annie

BLOGS

www.sophiecallahanphotography.com Blog: www.sophiecallahanblog.com

Ace at sun set

This month I'm loving... My new Mackenzie and George tan Windsor clutch bag, with gold embossed personalised initials.

Dream b oat Gua rds

Jester

Sophie. x 7

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ISSUE

A WEIGHTY HEALTH & WELFARE

GOOD PASTURE MANAGEMENT AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY COMBINED WITH REGULAR WORM COUNTS AND TESTS CAN HELP MOST HORSE OWNERS TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF WORMING DOSES THEY GIVE THEIR HORSES. THIS REDUCED EXPOSURE HELPS TO SLOW RESISTANCE DEVELOPING TO THE CHEMICALS AS WELL AS BEING BETTER FOR OUR HORSES AND THE ENVIRONMENT. BUT IF YOU DO NEED TO TREAT THERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT TO ENSURE WORMING IS EFFECTIVE.

eing able to accurately assess the weight of an animal is important for calculating medication quantities such as wormers and in aiding dietary management. But unless you have ready access to a weighbridge this is sometimes easier said than done - research shows weight estimates by eye can vary as much as 30%. To test the theory Westgate Labs ran a ‘guess the weight’ competition on their Facebook page using a 6-year-old Highland Pony as the model. 14hh Bertie was weighed and photographed by Horse Logic Ltd. and condition scored at 3.5 using the Blue Cross scale. 436 people responded to guess Bertie’s weight in kilograms. Of these fewer than 5% correctly estimated the pony’s weight

BY CLAIRE SHAND, SQP

within the 3kg tolerance that was set. The average (mean) guess was 472kg but with significant variance, the highest estimate being 666kg and the lowest 310kg – more than 350kg

ESTIMATING BERTIE’S WEIGHT: Average by eye: Lowest by eye: Highest by eye: Weight tape:

472kg 310kg 666kg 518kg

difference! The correct answer? Bertie currently tips the scales at 525kg. He’s a solid wee chap and weighing him by eye underestimated his size by an average of 11%.

Weight Tapes – the next best thing Without ready access to a weighbridge Westgate took the opportunity to put a weight tape around him to see how this correlated. This reading came in only slightly under at 518kg. It’s worthwhile getting your horse weighed and using a tape at the same time to benchmark the results. The tape uses a defined formula to correlate equine girth size into estimated mass. Weight tapes are generally a useful tool to use regularly for weight guidance but as they only take in one measurement they don’t work for all horses. The biggest inequalities happen where fat distribution is uneven, so they may be slim on the girth but perhaps carry weight on their crest or bottom.

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Weight and Worming The Facebook experiment proved that Bertie would have been under-dosed if his wormer quantity had been calculated gauging weight by eye. One of the golden rules of worming is to give enough chemical for the weight of the animal. Not doing so gives insufficient amounts of the active ingredient to kill the worms effectively while still exposing them to the drug and is one of the fastest ways to increase resistance. Wormers are very safe drugs and so to overcome the challenges of estimating weight and giving sufficient dose, veterinary advice is to add 10% to a weight tape estimate when calculating wormer quantity.

also available in tablet or liquid form that can be added to the feed. Generally wormer syringes come in sizes to treat up to either a 600kg or 700kg horse while wormers in tablet form contain enough to treat a horse up to 800kg in weight.

Giving a syringe wormer Calculate the correct dose and adjust the dial accordingly, being aware that you might need more than one pack for a large horse. Hold the horse’s nose still with one hand and with the other slip the syringe into the corner of the mouth, pushing the plunger in and directing the paste to the back of the tongue. You might want to do some training first to Know your drugs ensure your horse is comfortable Not only is it important to know to be handled in this way. what the active ingredient is and Despite the best preparation why you’re choosing a particular sometimes not all of the wormer but it’s also useful to wormer hits the intended spot! understand the way the drug is A survey cited by the presented. The same active pharmaceutical company Virbac ingredient is often available in reported 70% of horse owners several different formats admit some difficulty in depending on the brand. worming their horse with only Most horse wormers come as a 30% claiming to be successful paste or gel to be syringed into every time. Try to estimate any the horse’s mouth, but some are spit out and compensate

accordingly, remembering that the actual wormer in most syringes only amounts to a heaped teaspoon full, so any spilt drops could be significant. Be careful to clean up any spillages afterwards. All wormers are essentially poisons, most are dangerous to aquatic life and all will have a negative effect on dung beetles and other microorganisms they come in contact with. Wherever possible bring the horse onto a surfaced area to administer the wormer so that it can be easily cleaned if necessary. Dispose of packaging carefully, preferably in a bin with a lid. Be especially careful using ivermectin which is toxic to dogs, particularly Collies, Old English Sheep Dogs and their related breeds and crosses.

Wormers in Feed Tablet and liquid wormers can be measured out into the feed. Just as we need to be aware of spit out in pastes we also need to ensure the horse eats the full dose of wormer. Fussy feeders might benefit from additional apples or carrots, a sprinkling of appetitive herbs like mint or a splash of molasses if they can tolerate the sugars or cider vinegar to help them eat up. Contact Westgate Labs’ friendly SQPs for free independent veterinary approved worming advice to help you decide what is best for your horse. www.westgatelabs.co.uk

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HEALTH & WELFARE

WORMING FOR

TAPEWORM SAVE WORMERS FOR WHEN THEY ARE REALLY NEEDED By Dr Corrine Austin, scientist and director of Austin Davis Biologics

orse tapeworm burdens are usually ‘silent’ infections. You can’t tell by looking at a horse whether they have a burden and, it is not until tapeworm numbers are high enough to cause significant gut inflammation and blockages, that the horse will suffer either acute or low grade recurring colic symptoms. The horse tapeworm, Anoplocephala perfoliata, predominantly attaches to the ileocaecal junction in the gut which is a narrow section between the small intestine and the caecum, so it is no surprise that large burdens can cause health problems. Diagnosing tapeworm infections in horses has been difficult until recently, as tapeworms are not reliably detected by standard worm egg counts (WEC) due to the way in which they release eggs. However, saliva or blood antibody tests have been shown to be reliable and accurate1.

Why not just worm for tapeworm? This is a common question as it is obviously easier to routinely worm horses. But it is increasingly important to avoid overuse of worming drugs. Horse worms are becoming resistant to several drugs used in this country which is a major problem because once resistance spreads, our drugs will no longer control worm infections and we will begin to see worm-related health problems emerging. EquiSal Tapeworm testing over the last three years has shown that only a quarter of horses in the UK required treatment. This is a big reduction in wormers being used to effectively control tapeworm burdens in horses. Research study recently published by Equine Veterinary Journal A worm control programme using the EquiSal Tapeworm saliva test has been proven to control tapeworm infections and reduce the use of tapeworm wormers at Bransby Horses, a horse welfare charity. The study reports the findings from 237 horses tested with EquiSal

CASE STUDY: Jack

1 Lightbody KL et al. (2017) Equine Vet J. DOI: 10.1111/evj.12742. 2 Lightbody, K. L. et al. (2016) Vet Clin Path, 45: 335–346.

Jack has been with his current owner for 13 years and in the past was routinely treated for tapeworm twice a year. After Jack’s first EquiSal Tapeworm test in 2014, it came as a shock to his owner when he was diagnosed with a moderate/high infection. Jack was wormed and 3 months later tested with EquiSal Tapeworm when he was again diagnosed with a moderate/high burden. He received a second worming dose and was tested after a further 3 months, using both the blood test and EquiSal Tapeworm. Both tests diagnosed a borderline result and Jack received another worming dose. EquiSal Tapeworm has since diagnosed Jack with a low burden for the last 18 months.

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Tapeworm over the course of a year2. Testing with EquiSal Tapeworm reduced the use of tapeworm wormers by 86% compared to 6 monthly routine worming strategies. The scientifically validated EquiSal Tapeworm saliva test accurately diagnoses horses with a tapeworm infection, providing a low, borderline or moderate/high diagnosis and treatment is recommended for horses with a borderline or moderate/high result1. In this latest study, most horses diagnosed with a tapeworm infection in the first EquiSal Tapeworm test reduced to low in the following two tests and 168 horses (71%) remained low throughout the study and didn’t require worming for tapeworm. Importantly, the number of horses with a tapeworm infection did not increase during the study period despite the reduced amount of wormer being administered to the herds around 15% of horses needed worming at each testing. Only seven horses needed treatment after all three EquiSal Tapeworm tests, suggesting that some horses are more susceptible to

tapeworm infections. The patterns of infection and reinfection seen during the study highlight how important it is to regularly test with EquiSal Tapeworm. Testing every six months will identify horses with new infections and allow worming at an early stage. This approach limits the number of eggs contaminating paddocks and reduces exposure of other horses, as well as identifying horses which are more prone to infection. By incorporating EquiSal Tapeworm testing into worming schedules, the frequency of tapeworm treatments are reduced which will, in turn, reduce the risk of tapeworm resistance in the future.

The EquiSal saliva test for tapeworm It is easy to integrate EquiSal Tapeworm testing into worm control programmes – simply test every six months at a time when routine worming for tapeworm is considered. Saliva samples can be easily collected by horse owners using the specially designed swab provided in the EquiSal saliva collection kit. Once

the swab has collected enough saliva, as indicated by a colour change, the swab is placed in the preservative solution and returned to the EquiSal testing laboratory using the freepost envelope. If a horse is diagnosed with a moderate/high burden a repeat test can be carried out 2-3 months after worming to determine if an additional treatment is required. Correct paddock maintenance helps prevent reinfection The horse tapeworm requires an additional host to complete its life cycle – the oribatid mite that lives on grassland. The mite ingests tapeworm eggs from dung piles and larvae grow within the mite until the horse

eats the mite while grazing. It is important to carry out routine paddock management, such as regular muck clearance, where muck is completely removed from grazing and adjacent areas, as well as field rotation and resting where possible. Routinely clearing muck from grazing areas will significantly reduce infected mite levels on paddocks and help prevent reinfection after worming. It is also important to restrict horses’ grazing while away from home, such as at show grounds. Lastly, ensure you know your horse’s accurate weight for correctly dosing wormers as under dosing can result in persistent burdens and continuous egg shedding. www.equisal.co.uk

Jack’s story suggests that he was likely to have been reinfected between his 6 monthly routine treatments, up until his first saliva test. The additional targeted treatment he received following his subsequent saliva tests ensured Jack’s tapeworm status was finally reduced to low. As well as testing/treating for tapeworm, Jack’s owner carried out good paddock maintenance. By continuing to routinely test with EquiSal Tapeworm, Jack’s owner is now able to monitor for new infections and only use worming drugs when they are needed. Interestingly, Jack has had a history of colic but since his low burden diagnosis, he has been well!

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WIN!

HEALTH & WELFARE

Portable microscope:

helps vets to treat parasites

New Forest Equine Vets are using the ioLight portable microscope to diagnose intestinal parasites in horses at the stable yard. The mobile service gives accurate measurement of the parasite burden and enables rapid treatment. ioLight has developed the world’s first professional quality pocket digital microscope. It unfolds quickly to record and share images and real time HD video on an iPad. Captured images have a resolution of 1 micron with a live magnification of x200 and x400 or more with digital zoom, making it ideal for counting parasite eggs in horses. Dr. Beth Robinson BVSc Cert AVP(EP) MRCVS, coowner of NFEV says, “The ioLight microscope is powerful enough to see the structure of plant and

WE HAVE TEAMED UP WITH ANIWELL TO OFFER 5 LUCKY READERS THE CHANCE TO WIN A SET OF THEIR POPULAR PRODUCTS FILTABAC, FILTACLEAR AND AMHVET. To be in with a chance of winning visit www.absolutehorse magazine.com and click on the Competition page before the deadline of 31st October 2017.

animal cells. It is particularly good for live samples, like parasite oocysts and it works anywhere, even without a WiFi or mobile phone network.”

&MORE

NEWS

Good luck! The campaign to bring the UK equine community together to proactively prevent disease went live on Facebook and Twitter recently.

@KeepingHorses

Essex-based Efecs Ltd (Equine Faecal Egg Count Solutions) was founded earlier this year. “As a horse owner myself, qualified SQP (Equine and Small Animal) and trained in how to carry out Equine

Faecal Egg Counts, I started up Efecs with the aim to design bespoke plans for the one-horse owner through to large livery and competition yards, with a simple reminder system when either your next wormer or worm count is due,” said founder Clare Hasler. “I wanted to also sponsor a local event rider, as this is where my passion for competing my own horses lies, so we now sponsor the Kizzy Smith Eventing Team.” Kizzy is based in Braintree, Essex. Having ridden for several owners and competed up to Intermediate level, Kizzy has

recently come back from a twoyear break after having her son Liam.

Absolute Horse reader offer:

There is a 10% discount offer on your first order online just enter coupon code: AH2017 when ordering. www.efecs.co.uk

The initiative will be running exciting online social competitions and campaigns centred around preventative healthcare and general wellbeing. Followers will have the chance to feature in the #RealRiders campaign.

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MASSAGE

How It Helps Your Horse

YOU?

By Karen Allott BSc(Hons) Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation and EMAP (Dist) Specialist Equine Massage Practitioner.

www.allottrtequestrian.wixsite.com

COULD IT BE Do you have a dream to be the next Scott Brash? Is Pippa Funnell your idol? Would you like to dance across the dressage arena in the style of Charlotte Dujardin or become the next showing superstar and follow in the footsteps of Jayne Ross? If you aspire to be one of these legends one day and are looking for a sponsor to start getting your name out there, Stable Shield wants to hear from you! Stable Shield is offering a wonderful host of prizes as sponsorship support. In return, all Stable Shield

ask is that the rider updates the team with monthly blogs for the website, and sends regular news for social media. The sponsorship is open to all levels, age and ability. To enter simply email Jacqueline.tsmltd@ btconnect.com in no more than 200 words about why you would be a good candidate to join the Stable Shield ambassador team. The closing date for entries is 30th November 2017. www.stableshield.co.uk

BRANSBY HORSES: Invests in Intensive Care Unit

There are a variety of massages available for your horse that can help essential fluids and blood circulate around the horse’s body. Which in turn helps vital nutrients and oxygen travel thoughout the musculoskeletal system, as well as help hydrate the skin, relieve tension and simulate the lymphatic system. Tension in the muscle is created when it is worked past its capability and becomes overloaded. When this happens, the body recruits other muscles in the area to help with the workload. This then causes more tension resulting in muscle spasms and restrictions causing the muscles to be less mobilised. The muscles then become weak and lose the normality in function leading to frustration and pain in the horse. When tension is released through the help of massage the muscle becomes supple aiding the horse to move in a more fluid manner. When we think of Massage we think mainly of relaxation but what we don’t tend to realise is that when the muscle is relaxed and the tension is released, we get a completely different body shape! Looking at the picture of the horse - the grey horse’s spine almost looks bent with the tension drawing it to one side and when massaged and tension is released the straightness of the spine is revealed as the muscles settle back into place when relaxed from a spasm. Which can only mean the horse is more comfortable in its way of going once the tension has been relieved.

One of the UK’s leading equine rescue and welfare charities, Bransby Horses, has invested in a new Intensive Care Unit, largely funded by legacies and donations. Bransby Horses rescues equines in desperate need of help, many of which require intensive medical care and help to stand as they are so weak. Before the ICU was built, those that were too weak to stand had to be lifted by hand; this required six or more people and carried substantial risk of injury or strain for the staff involved. The charity would like to thank supporters for making this development possible. www.bransbyhorses.co.uk

MY BIG

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HEALTH & WELFARE

ANNOUNCEMENT!

his year has been awesome with the most amazing opportunities and experiences. On top of having sell out nutrition and fitness online programs, September was an epic month as I rebranded as TheBodyMind.Coach and have embarked on the fantastic journey of working with the top sports psychologist and keynote speaker in the UK, Pete Cohen! An author of 18 best selling books, Pete has helped world class sporting stars and teams reach their peak performance, including Sally Gunnell, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Ellen MacArthur, Roger Black, the Kent Cricket Team, Arsenal Football Team and was the resident life coach on GMTV for 12 years. He is dedicated to impacting the lives of 100 million people and

Rescue Horse Wins Award

teaching them to reach their full potential. The last couple of months have been a whirlwind and as this last quarter of the year kicks in, the plans for next year are exciting to say the least! But what can Absolute Horse Magazine readers get from me at this moment in time and how can you join me on this epic journey? You can join my FREE group Love Natural Eating on Facebook where I post new recipes every week, and go live once a week on mindset and other health related topics.

My website thebodymind.coach has 40 FREE recipes for you to choose from and has a workout for you Monday Friday. You can download my latest ebook ‘How to Eliminate your cravings’ and join my newsletter

By Samantha Hardingham

where you’ll receive loads of health and mindset information to help you reach your goals. I look forward to continuing to write for Absolute Horse magazine and giving riders and competitors the best advice for health and nutrition in this column….

Emerald, a rescued resident at Bransby Horses has won a national award for her remarkable recovery from severe neglect. The Arab mare was formally recognised at the Animal Hero Awards 2017, hosted by Amanda Holden at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, winning the ‘Back from the Brink’ category. When Emerald was rescued by the RSPCA and Bransby Horses, it was touch and go as to whether or not she would survive. Emerald is now in good health and has started the backing process with the charity’s Rehoming Team. www.bransbyhorses.co.uk

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STORMS MAY CAUSE SURGE OF SEASONAL PASTURE MYOPATHY With the last big spike in cases of Seasonal Pasture Myopathy occurring after major storms in 2014, The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is urging horse owners to take precautions to keep their horses safe in the aftermath of a storm or potentially the tail end of transatlantic hurricanes. Sycamore seeds appear in the autumn. They are toxic and can cause the fatal disease Seasonal Pasture Myopathy (SPM) (also referred to as Atypical Myopathy). High winds may cause the seeds to fall earlier than usual this year so BEVA is advising horse owners to take immediate steps now. • Ideally move horses off pasture at times of risk. • Restrict access to seeds by using temporary fencing. • Ensure horses have access to good quality uncontaminated pasture. • Provide consistent access to clean, palatable hay or haylage to minimise the risk of horses being tempted to ingest seeds. • Do not fell trees, since doing so can lead to massive pasture contamination, further increasing the risks to horses. • Discuss the risks and how to identify early clinical signs of SPM with your veterinary surgeon. • Be aware that a field without sycamore trees can still contain seeds spread by high winds or flood water.

I do...!

New research reveals one in 10 Brits give their beloved pets a central role on their wedding day... and almost a quarter of these would choose their horse!

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NUTRITION: OLDER HORSES

Veteran Horse Feeding The

ike people, not only are horses living longer now, but they are enjoying an active lifestyle for far longer too. As a result, the age old rule of a horse becoming a ‘veteran’ at 16-years is perhaps no longer applicable. Of course, as with people, horses will age at different speeds, and whilst one may start to struggle in its mid-teens, another may be fit, healthy and remain very active well into their mid or late twenties. This can leave us as owners with a dilemma as to when we need to start feeding ‘veteran’ or ‘senior’ feeds. Whilst this is an impossible question to give a generic answer to, probably the best advice is to treat your horse as an individual, and so long as he is getting adequate vitamins and minerals, calories and fibre from his current diet, there is no rush to start feeding a specialist ‘veteran’ feed earlier than you need.

Dental Issues Teeth are probably one of the most common problems horse owners face with older horses, and whilst good, regular dental care throughout a horse’s life will undoubtedly help delay any serious issues, there is only so much that can be done about wear and tear over a lifetime. Once teeth become badly worn or if some are missing, chewing a long-stem forage may become increasingly difficult for many horses. If you notice bits of

Dougie (23) with his owner Mireille West

partially chewed hay/haylage dropping from your horse’s mouth or scattered round his net, this is a tellExamining the tale sign that horse's mouth. he is Photo courtesy: Lower struggling to House Equine Clinic cope. It is important to take action at this point to ensure that sufficient fibre is kept flowing through the digestive system, but also to avoid the risk of impaction colic occurring as a result of poorly chewed forage. A solution is to consider feeding a short chop product which is easier to chew but will still supply high levels of fibre without an increase in sugar and starch levels. Consider a product that can be used either as a chaff to add additional fibre to your bucket

feed, or as a partial hay replacer for those that are struggling with their hay or haylage. Even for those elderly horses that are still coping with a longstem forage, it is important to remember that it is unlikely they are chewing as efficiently as they once were. This, combined with the fact that their digestive system probably won’t be absorbing nutrients quite so well, makes it important to feed the best quality and most digestible forage possible. A good quality, bagged forage made from ryegrass, such as HorseHage, can be a good choice for individuals who need a little help with their weight as it will be easy to chew and will provide a consistent level of calories, fibre and nutrients. For those who are still doing well with their weight, choose a lower calorie bagged forage. The added advantage of feeding a bagged forage is that it will be dust-free. Continued overleaf...

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NUTRITION: OLDER HORSES

Continued from previous page... Older horses that may have been exposed to dusty forages over the years may be more sensitive to any form of dust in later life and poor quality forage is a known offender when it comes to high dust/mould spore levels. A lot of senior/veteran feeds are higher in calories than the maintenance or low energy feeds which many leisure horses are fed, and as a result of this, starch levels are often increased as well. This can have the potential to cause problems for the elderly horse’s digestive system. As discussed above, elderly horses often have a decreased fibre intake (whether due to loss of appetite, inability to chew, or poor digestive system efficiency); add onto this an increased starch intake, and suddenly the chances of disturbance to the bacteria in the hindgut is much higher. The

• Think carefully about your forage choices; ensure what you are providing is consistently clean, nutritious and palatable. result of this may result in symptoms such as • Try to keep cereal-based feeds to a loose droppings or colic. minimum and when required, Mollichaff Veteran is a high fibre forage mix designed to complement the forage ration provide additional calories through where necessary. It is highly palatable and is fibre and oil sources. ideal for horses and ponies that are unable • Ensure teeth are checked regularly. to consume long forage and require a partial • Ensure you stick to a good forage replacer. It contains linseed oil which worming routine as worm burden is a rich source of essential fatty acids and damage in older horses can including Omega 3. cause serious problems. • Don’t let your oldie get cold! Your horse burns huge amounts of calories trying to keep himself warm over the winter. • Consider feeding digestive enhancers to help him digest his feed as efficiently as possible.

Meet Venus, 26...

Venus, who is owned by Moireen Drury, is a retired 17hh mare who has in her younger days showjumped and bred 2 foals. She suffers from arthiritis and has a tendency to colic as the seasons change, so she has to be managed very carefully. She lives out 24hours during the summer and in the winter she goes out during the day and is in at night. She holds her weight well and always has a good appetite. Her teeth are good and providing that she is kept active during her retirement her arthiritis causes her few problems.

Veteran Top Tips...

www.horsehage.co.uk

Venus is fed on the Saracen Veteran Mix, as 2 years ago we felt that as the autumn approached she was starting to lose some condition, where previously she had not and decided that she was now ready for some specific Veteran feeding and management that would also help manage her colic risk during this time. The Veteran Mix has worked very well and she has maintained her condition well through the autumn and winter. The Veteran Mix is especially suitable for her due to its high digestible fibre and oil level and lower reliance on cereals, which helps to keep her digestive system healthy. The quality protein sources have helped her maintain her topline and condition over her back and quarters so although she is no longer in work she certainly doesn’t look her age! Through the winter we feed 3Kg of Veteran Mix and in the summer we reduce this to 1.5Kg but top up the vitamins and minerals with Saracen Essential Balancer. Veteran Mix is extremely palatable and she always whickers for her breakfast and supper! We mix the Veteran Mix with some alfalfa to help slow down her eating and make sure that she is able to digest and absorb all of the high quality nutrients that Veteran Mix can provide. www.saracenhorsefeeds.com

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NUTRITION: OLDER HORSES Product News...

SpeediBeet Pony Retires at Home

23-year-old Techon Diodey aka Dora, has returned home to retire with the I’Anson family, makers of British Horse Feeds, after 13 years away. Will I’Anson, Sales Director of British Horse Feeds, explained: “Dora was our first pony and through owning her, I came to understand a lot more about horse ownership. “Although we were manufacturing horse feed in a small way, this led me into a greater understanding of the equine feed market, principles of nutrition and ownership and development of the division British Horse Feeds as it is today. “Speedi-Beet and Fibre-Beet are two of our very successful products, and little Dora was the original face of Speedi-Beet!” www.britishhorsefeeds.com

TOP TIPS KELLY HORSPOLE’S

for Older Horses 20

Baileys Performance Balancer may not sound like the obvious option for older good-doers but, because of its higher specification and low starch and calorie content, it’s ideal for providing those nutrients likely to be lacking in a forage-only diet. Muscle tone can suffer in the veteran so Performance Balancer’s top-quality protein sources, supplying a full range of amino acids, will help support muscle build and maintenance, while its high levels of bioavailable vitamins and minerals support health and wellbeing. SRP around £28/20kg. www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Equerry Veteran Mix is specially designed for elderly horses and ponies that need to gain weight and condition. Formulated with high levels of protein to promote muscle tone and topline, Equerry Veteran Mix also contains oil and linseed to improve condition and ensure a shiny coat. Added vitamins and minerals including magnesium make this the ideal feed for your faithful equine friend this winter. 20kg size - £13.25. www.equerryhorsefeeds.com

TopChop Grass is a blend of specially selected, dried, British grasses - ideal for horses and ponies needing a soft, very palatable chop, and perfect for elderly horses. TopChop Grass is dustextracted and the grass has been hightemperature dried. These two procedures minimise potential mould, making the chop suitable for horses with respiratory problems. www.topspec.com

• Exercise is essential to keep them supple, although this may now be limited to turnout or light hacking rather than full ridden work; • Eating hay will become harder, so check out hay alternatives; • Older horses may start to feel the cold more than they used to, be careful to make sure they are rugged appropriately and not cold; • Cold weather can also play havoc with ailments like arthritis; • Mental stimulation is essential to maintain their well being, this can be anything from a treat ball or vegetables on a rope, to a walk round the village, or veteran class at a show; • Take notice of whats ‘normal’ for your horse so you notice minor changes which can be warning of major problems; • Regular vet checks can be useful to ensure the best of health is maintained. www.khequestrian.net www.facebook.com/petcarethatdoesntcompare

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UNDERSTANDING:

NUTRITION: OLDER HORSES

DentallyChallenged?

Many equines, particularly as they get older, have loose or missing teeth and cannot chew long stemmed forage. Said Helen Quirk: “I have a 32year-old coloured cob called Jo who became unable to eat hay last year due to deteriorating teeth. After trying various hay replacers we have settled upon Mollichaff Veteran. “Jo munches her way through a large bucket full every night instead of a hay net and has retained condition amazingly throughout the winter months when she is stabled at night. I think the fact that Mollichaff Veteran is cut shorter and that the chaff is very soft, allows her to be able to easily chew and swallow it. The addition of mint and nettles helps to make it more tempting and varied – it’s a fabulous product!” www.horse hage.co.uk

Cushing's Disease By Rebecca Hollows, Rowen Barbary Horse Feeds

ituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) is the correct term for the disease commonly known as Equine Cushing's Disease. Once considered a rare hormonal disease it is now thought to affect 20% of horses over the age of 15, with the risk of developing the disease increasing directly with age. The disease is caused by changes in the pituitary gland which is located at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland is regulated by a substance called dopamine and produces a variety of hormones which are distributed around the horses body via the bloodstream. These play an important role in maintaining and controlling a variety of body functions. Horses with Cushing's disease don’t produce enough dopamine which means that the pituitary gland is unregulated,

and produces too many hormones including Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

How is it diagnosed? Early diagnosis and treatment of Cushing’s is important to help deliver the best outcome, but early stages of the condition can be slow to appear making it difficult to detect. Specific diagnosis of Cushing’s requires measurement of hormones in the blood which will be carried out by your vet taking a basal or resting ACTH test. The results of this test can be compared to reference ranges (which will change with seasons) to confirm diagnosis. However, sometimes the results can be unclear with neither a clearly positive or negative result making a diagnosis difficult. If this is the case your vet may recommend re-testing after a 3 6 month period.

Signs to look out for: • Failure to shed a long curly hair coat, which may become thin and long. • Increased water intake and urination. • Chronic or relapsing laminitis. • Lethargy or a more docile temperament. • Excessive or inappropriate sweating. • Recurrent infections such as foot abscesses, tooth root infections and sinusitis. • Increased appetite. • Loss of muscle mass, especially over the hindquarters. • A pot-bellied appearance. • Abnormal fat distribution particularly above the eyes, the crest of the neck and above the tail head. • Infertility.

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How to deal with it

calories to a minimum. Choose stalkier hay that offers a lower Fortunately there is veterinary medicine available in the form of nutritional value and it is a good idea to consider soaking it pergolide which is licensed for before feeding as it has been the treatment of clinical signs found that soaking hay for up to associated with Cushingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. This an hour can eliminate 56% of its treatment, which is available water-soluble carbohydrates. from your vet, helps to normalise hormone secretion If a lot of grass is available strip from the pituitary gland into the grazing will help limit the horses bloodstream. The dose rate is total grass intake as will periods dependent upon each individual of turnout in a grazing muzzle. horse as it depends upon the A diet that contains nonACTH levels and the structural carbohydrates (NSC), improvement in clinical signs, which include the sugar and but it usually takes around 4 starch content in horse feeds, of 12 weeks to show any clinical less than 12% on average per benefit. feed is recommended to control the blood insulin levels and help Extra attention should also be prevent the risk of laminitis given to horses with Cushingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s developing. who will often require regular dental care, hoof care and Where fibre alone is not parasite control along with sufficient to meet the energy regular monitoring of basal requirements oils and fats hormone levels such as ACTH to should be added to the diet to ensure appropriate pergolide help encourage weight gain. treatment levels. Some horses When feeding oil in large may also require regular clipping quantities it is important to of unnecessary hair in warmer further supplement the horses months and may also require a diet with antioxidants to meet rug in the winter months, to the horses increased help maintain body condition. requirements. Cereal and molasses free with under 1% Can the diet help? sugar Rowen Barbary Solution Mash has been specifically As many horses with Cushingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s formulated for horses that need develop insulin resistance they a higher calorie diet for need to be managed in such a conditioning and controlled way as horses with Equine weight gain, whilst being Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). suitable for feeding to horses Easy keepers that gain, or prone to EMS. maintain weight with very little With good management horses feed require a low energy diet with Cushing's can go on to lead such as Rowen Barbary Forage 'n' a long and normal life and Fibre that will help supply all the continue in normal work. essential vitamins and minerals www.rowenbarbary.co.uk to balance the forage given, whilst keeping energy and

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NUTRITION: OLDER HORSES Product News... Ideal for veteran horses, FibreBeet is a soaked feed that is very palatable and easy to chew, even if teeth are poor or missing. Fibre-Beet has been carefully designed to help keep the digestive system healthy with a blend of fibre sources that provide gut fill and are easily digested when compared to forage fibre. Fibre-Beet can improve energy intake whilst keeping dietary fibre levels at an optimum. Fibre-Beet also provides a good range of minerals, trace elements and amino acids and it has a low RRP: £12.35 sugar content ideal for horses and £13.30 for a 20kg bag. ponies susceptible to laminitis. It has added biotin for hoof quality and can also be used as a forage replacer (up to 60% of the daily forage allowance). www.britishhorsefeeds.com

Older horses with clinical conditions dictating a low or reduced starch diet, yet who need additional calories to gain or maintain weight, can present a nutritional headache as most traditional conditioning feeds contain cereals, which should be avoided. Baileys Ease & Excel is formulated to be low in starch yet high in calories and other essential nutrients so is ideal for promoting weight gain when clinical issues dictate a reduced starch intake. Its quality protein content will help improve muscle tone and top line, something which is easily lost in the aging horse, while the full spectrum of vitamins and chelated minerals support health and well-being. SRP: around £16/20kg. www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Smart Zero feeds are ideal for horses and ponies with metabolic or endocrinal conditions such as laminitis and Cushing’s disease, excitable horses that need extra weight or those at risk from gastric ulcers. www.castlehorsefeeds.com

Reader offer...

Equitein is proud to announce the launch of a new nutritional horse supplement, Equizyn, which supports the natural recovery of your horse. Equizyn is the supplement choice of elite equestrians across a wide spectrum such as Zara Tindall MBE and Michael Scudamore Junior of Michael Scudamore Racing. Olympic Silver medallist and previous World and European Champion, Zara said, “The experience I’ve had using Equizyn on High Kingdom has been fantastic. Not only did we notice a difference in his recovery following cross country, but even the vet commented on his performance under tough conditions with his body temperature and heart rate back to normal very quickly.” Equizyn is specifically developed for healthy joints, injury prevention and rapid recovery. Equizyn is on special offer at £47 for 90 tablets. www.equizyn.com

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OFF! Quote:

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Special Offers... TopSpec Joint Feed Balancer combines the benefit of a top specification conditioning feed balancer and a joint supplement. It is a superb product for a wide variety of horses and is on special offer throughout October and November with £5.00 off a 15kg bag at participating retailers. TopSpec Joint Feed Balancer is a very palatable ‘Non-Heating’ feed which can be fed on its own or with additional feed where extra condition is required. www.topspec.com

Equerry Conditioning Mash is a quick-soaking mash for horses that need to gain weight and condition. And throughout October and November there is £2.00 off in participating retailers. It is a ‘Non-Heating’ formula with low levels of starch and has a good level of protein for muscle development and topline. Highly-digestible fibre sources include sugar beet; while oil and linseed promote condition and a shiny coat. Normal RRP £11.95. www.equerryhorsefeeds.com

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NUTRITION

HERBAL ANSWERS... Question: When I stable my horse through winter he develops a cough. I use dust free shavings and soak hay but he always seems to have a bit of a cough when he starts work or first goes out in the field; he is out all summer and rarely coughs when in the field. Are there any herbs I can use to help with this? “Yes there are several herbs that you can use to help with this problem, which is often caused by an allergy to dust,” explained Daisy Price, Herbalist. “Aniseed , Garlic and Thyme are all expectorants, which means they will help to get rid of the build up of mucus from the lungs. Aniseed and Thyme are also antispasmodic and therefore will ease a persistent cough. “Marshmallow leaf is also excellent as it has emollient and mucilaginous properties. This means that it will soothe the surface of the respiratory tract, it is also an expectorant. “Eyebright can be used to reduce mucus production and Buckwheat can be used as a

natural anti-histamine. It may also be beneficial to feed Echinacea for 4-6 weeks to boost the immune system. “It is important to start using herbs 3-4 weeks before you intend to bring your horse in to get them in to the system. “Good stable management is also very important, it’s good that you use dust free bedding and soak hay. Try to get your horse out in the field as much as possible, make sure you don't get a build up of old bedding that will produce mould spores or excess ammonia from urine and keep windows or vents open. “It is important to be sure of the cause and if you have any concerns to contact your vet,” concluded Daisy. Tel: 07758 610253 www.facebook.com/ Champerene-Herbs-For-Animals

TopSpec Calmer is designed to be fed to horses and ponies with anxious temperaments, particularly those that cannot cope with stressful situations such as travelling and competing. Not all horses are anxious for the same reason so TopSpec Calmer has been developed with much more than a ‘single ingredient’ approach. It contains a pure protected yeast, MOS, B vitamins, magnesium, tryptophan and sepiolite clay, which all act in different ways. TopSpec Calmer is a palatable, caramel-flavoured, additive to be mixed into the feed. It can be fed daily some ingredients start to work within two hours but maximum effect will be seen within three weeks. RRP: 3kg £24.95. www.topspec.com

Daisy Pric Herbalist e,

Mollichaff Calmer Complete is a complete fibre feed formulated for nervous or fizzy horses. It contains a balanced blend of fibre pellets, oat straw, dried grass, herbs, soya oil, limestone and trace elements, and it can be used as the sole bucket feed when fed at the recommended levels as it contains a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement. It includes elevated levels of magnesium along with camomile, lemon balm and mint, to help relax your horse, plus vitamins B1 and B12 which are known to help decrease anxiety by exerting a calming influence on the horse. It is suitable for all horses and ponies, including those prone to laminitis, as it is low in sugar and starch providing limited controlled energy from high quality, digestible fibre and oil-based ingredients. www.horsehage.co.uk

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STRESS

COPING WITH COMPETITION

Stress

anagement of all horses and ponies at competitions is very important down to the last detail and being organised. Planning your trip can make all the difference between a good day or a bad one.

Packing for a Competition When it comes to packing the lorry for a competition, everyone on the yard has certain responsibilities. Emma makes a list of tack and equipment we need for each horse, a list for our riding gear, including shirt, breeches, boots and jackets, and we also take spare clothes in case of bad weather. Our grooms load all tack and feed but if anything is forgotten it is our fault as we made the lists! When we return home after the competition it is quite amusing,

we go into ‘ant army’ mode everyone knows their job, the horses are unloaded first, undressed and put to bed, then the tack and all the huge amount of things we seem to take is put away – even when it is very late, as then it’s one less job in the morning.

Managing Horses at Competitions At day shows we like to arrive two hours before the test or our show jumping rounds, allowing the horses plenty of time to relax and work in. Ensuring plenty of time is available is the key – arriving late and getting in a flap will only transfer to your horse and by then you might as well throw your entry money down the drain! Coping with Nerves and Tension We try to relax the horses as much as possible in the run up

INTERNATIONAL EVENT RIDERS KEVIN AND EMMA MCNAB HAVE A STRING OF HORSES COMPETING REGULARLY WHICH REQUIRES A LOT OF PLANNING AND GOOD ORGANISATION, FROM DECIDING WHICH CLASSES TO ENTER TO THE ACTUAL DAY AT THE COMPETITION. HERE THE AVANT SPONSORED TEAM PROVIDE ADVICE ON BEING PREPARED AS THE WINTER DRESSAGE AND SHOW JUMPING SEASON APPROACHES.

to a competition and some of them benefit from being turned out the night before. Every horse is different with little quirks and preferences. We plan around the ‘times’ and decisions are made depending on the horses nature and how they are acting. On arrival at a competition, we try to get the horses out of the box to walk in-hand and graze as we find that this gives them a chance to stretch their legs and have a good look around without being asked to do anything. We also spend some time grooming and preparing them. You need to be organised, keep calm yourself and have a good team of positive people around you in order to keep the mood

relaxed. Remember that you are there to have fun and enjoy your horse – good luck! Kevin’s pick... Avant machinery plays a major part in the smooth running of the yard in Guildford, and Kevin is a huge fan. “The Avant is just fantastic and makes life so much easier. The machines are incredibly user-friendly and adaptable thanks to the many attachments available.” Avant manufactures a wide range of compact, 4-wheel drive machines, which can be fitted with a very comprehensive range of accessories to meet the many varied requirements to make yard work and general maintenance jobs easy and less labour intensive. www.avant.co.uk

Conquering that Daunting Debut at HOYS! Jo Bates’ tips...

In the run up to HOYS it is important to be as prepared as you can be without turning yourself into a nervous wreck! The main aim is to be confident in the ring and to know exactly where you need to be at the show, when you need to be there and what will be required from you. This is obviously where forward planning comes in and also having someone with you who has competed at HOYS before is great for confidence. Without doubt it is a big occasion. There is such a build up to the event and it can be very overwhelming for any rider, whatever their age and experience, and then it is over in a flash and can be very disappointing if you don’t come home with a rosette. The hype and atmosphere there is amazing

and you should be able to enjoy the buzz. I try to look at it as a celebration and ensure any riders we are helping thoroughly enjoy the day rather than worry about winning or not. As long as the horse or pony goes nicely and looks well we will all be pleased, hoping that it is a positive experience for everyone. In preparation we would always run through the day at home and visit an indoor arena but the horses and ponies keep to a variety of work including time in the field, ensuring the work load is as normal as possible. Once you hit the collecting ring you are then quickly into the ring so keeping yourself calm and relaxed is essential for ensuring your horse or pony is stress free and ready to show themselves off at their best.

Making the difference...

EIB Insurance Brokers will grant £50,000 to a charity early next year and is asking its clients to choose where the money should go. They have until 31st December 2017 to make their decision. SEIB Chief Executive Officer Barry Fehler explained: “We don’t want to dictate to our clients which charity they should

support; we want to find out about the good causes they actually believe in.” SEIB is an independent broker but is ultimately owned by a charity called the Allchurches Trust Limited and profits are used for good causes. The aim of SEIB’s immediate owner, the Ecclesiastical Insurance Office Plc, is to give £100million for good causes through the Allchurches Trust by 2020. The results from the 2017 poll of clients will be analysed to create a shortlist of charities with the most votes and fit the criteria of the award. The £50,000 will be donated to a small-tomedium size charity where it will truly make a difference. The shortlisted charities will be contacted by

SEIB so that they can describe their plans for the £50,000, should they be fortunate enough to be chosen for the award. Once the responses have been analysed and it is confirmed that the charities meet the remit, SEIB clients will be asked to vote again for the final winner. “SEIB is a national company that has insured numerous charities for a long time and we want our giving to reflect that,” said Mr Fehler. “This is an incredible opportunity for a good cause to have an amazing 2018 and we want our clients to share with us in the choice. The aim is to give the money to a charity that will use the sum for the major part of capital investment on just one project. “SEIB really wants to make a difference - for example,

£50,000 could fund a new sensory room at a children’s hospice, a kennel or stable block for an animal charity or for a homeless charity to purchase more facilities. The choices are endless and we want to hear from our clients on what, in their opinion, is the most worthy cause.” The chosen charity will be invited to come and accept their grant at an awards ceremony early in 2018 and there will be a draw for tickets to attend the event amongst those that voted for the winner. Mr Fehler hopes that this is just the beginning. SEIB is looking to increase the amount to £100,000 through 2018 and charities will once again have the opportunity to be a favoured cause.

Jo’s favourite saddle is the Classic Show Saddle from Black Country Saddles. www.blackcountry saddles.com

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Five minutes with...

Amy Tickle

STABLES & BEDDING

Photo: AJD Im

ages

AMY IS A 25-YEAR-OLD DRESSAGE RIDER AND FREELANCE TRAINER BASED IN KENT. AMY’S DANCING PARTNER FOR 12-YEARS HAS BEEN MAX, A 17YEAR-OLD ID CROSS. THEY ARE CURRENTLY COMPETING AT BD MEDIUM LEVEL. AMY IS A BED-DOWN BRAND AMBASSADOR.

e went to the Winter Championships at Hartpury this year and are hoping to qualify for the Winter or Summer Regionals in the next six months. Max brought me up through Pony Club regularly being on eventing, dressage and showjumping teams. This year ‘Team Tickle’ bought a KWPN called Carlos who is now 3years-old, gelded, and recently backed by me ready to start his riding education.

How do you prepare before an event? Work backwards on time so you aren’t rushing. So you go from the time you are due to compete and work backwards to fit in your warm up, prep and travel time so you give yourself plenty of time on the day.

What goes through your mind before, during and after a competition? Before I remind myself that I am on a horse that I know inside

out and I know I will come away with a smile on my face about something. During – just trying to remember those little tips and tricks to do or not do through the test. After – finding the positives in the day and being proud. What advice would you give to someone who wants to compete in your discipline? Don’t give yourself a hard time, our sport and particularly dressage has the never ending need to perfect. Remember you are there because you have worked hard with what you have!

What changes have you noticed since you started using Bed-Down products? As my horse is in more than out in the summer to help with his diet, I don’t go through more bedding than I would in say late winter/early spring when he’s out for longer. Do you use handy bales, classic bales or both and why? I use classic bales for everyday but have taken handy bales away to over night competitions as I can take a bit more bedding than I probably need without the extra weight in the lorry.

Excel bedding has been developed to utilise the natural draining, durability and cushioning properties of straw combined with the absorbency of softwood shavings, with an added citrus fragrance for stable freshness.

LEG UP FOR

TALENT

“Just over a year ago I applied to be a part of a programme called ‘Leg Up For Talent’ that helps riders who haven’t got the financial backing to achieve their dreams and goals. “I was very fortunate to be one of the 10 riders picked in my region. Thanks to the LUFT team I have the chance to pick 10 companies that I want to be a part of my team. “I have used Bed-Down for years, it is a range I believe in and really want to tell lots of people around the UK how good it is. “I absolutely love working with Bed-Down; they have massively helped out Team Tickle by providing us with the gorgeous lemon smelling Excel Bedding! Bed-Down’s products do exactly what they say on the bale and that is why I am so proud to be a Bed-Down Ambassador.” Amy collects her bedding from Speedgate Equestrian, Fawkham and Gillett Cook Country Store in Kent.

Excel Plus bedding has been developed for competition and performance horses or those that are at risk of or suffer from respiratory conditions. Excel Plus has the unique patented formula Microcote added to help reduce airborne dust particles. Also contains a natural hoof conditioning agent to help protect hooves. Both products available in ergonomic Classic and Handy Bale sizes.

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STABLES & BEDDING

ESSENTIAL POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN KEEPING HORSES IN AN

ISOLATION STABLE here could be multiple reasons why a horse may need to be isolated such as bringing a new horse onto a yard or if a horse becomes ill with a contagious agent. Below are some tips and advice to remember when developing an isolation stable. 1. The isolation premises should be a separate, enclosed building that can be easily cleansed and disinfected effectively. If you do not have a separate isolated stable, a designated stall at the end of the yard with only one entry and exit could be an alternative, however this

would not be as effective.

2. General cleanliness and disinfecting needs to be done to a high standard to prevent the spread of diseases and the growth of bacteria. It is beneficial to take some biosecurity measures outside of the stable as well as inside such as protecting the feed room and water area. Stable Shield AntiBacterial Paint will help to do this as it kills 99.8% of bacteria and lasts for three to five years depending on the product. 3. Wash all rugs and disinfect previously used brushes. 4. Dispose of manure in an isolated area.

5. The isolated horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s temperature should be checked daily to recognise any changes in their condition. 6. The same equipment such as grooming brushes, feed utensils and wheelbarrows should only

be used in the isolation premises and not shared; this includes the hose pipe for filling up the water in case it touches the sides of the bucket. 7. It is advisable to wear gloves and protective clothing while entering the isolation location; anything that touches an infected horse has the potential to transfer pathogens to other horses. For this reason it is also advisable that the same one

ISOLATION IN HORSES IS ESSENTIAL IF THERE IS A RISK OF DISEASE SPREADING TO OTHER HORSES, HUMANS OR THE ENVIRONMENT SO TAKING SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS IS ESSENTIAL. HERE DAVID JEFFREYS OF STABLE SHIELD ANTI-BACTERIAL PAINT PROVIDES ADVICE ON HELPING TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF DISEASE. person cares for the isolated horse. On the topic of the carer they should also make sure to wash their footwear thoroughly, disinfecting their shoes before entering and exiting the stable. 8. It is important to inform the other people who access the yard what is happening to the horse and why, so that they have an understanding of the situation and can keep an eye out on their own horses in case they spot any signs of the same disease occurring. 9. If the horse has travelled in a horse box recently, do not forget to disinfect and sterilise the horse box. 10. Isolate your horse to one confined space. If you turn your horse out it can contaminate the grazing and the land. www.stableshield.co.uk

WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN!

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COMPETITION

A DELIVERY OF 25 BALES OF PHILLIPS BROTHERS HORSE BEDDING!

This issue, we have teamed up with Phillips Brothers who are offering one lucky winner a delivery of 25 bales of horse bedding, within the East Anglian region! Phillips Brothers produce a range of premium quality wood shaving and straw bedding from their farm in Suffolk. This competition ties in with the launch of their new interactive website - www.phillipsbrothers.co.uk

! Good Luck

To enter go online at www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the competitions page. Deadline is 31st October 2017.

ote

Quote: ABSOLUTE HORSE when ordering - first order only

Dis

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STABLES & BEDDING

An innovative breakthrough in stable management, clean stables with ease using the lightweight, customisable Wave Fork, which comes with a five year guarantee. RRP: from £29.95. www.noble outfitters.co.uk

The new Ramilo boot offers a highly flexible yet supportive upper, ideal for when in the saddle or simply working on the yard. The Ramilo is totally waterproof in the wettest of weather and is insulating, helping to keep in the warmth on colder days. Available in Black in UK sizes 4-8. RRP: £154.95. www.grubsboot.com

utumn is here and the cold, wet weather has come early! Are you bringing your horses in at night? If so, we are sure that your muck heap is slowly growing. “We have a robust and versatile trailer that can help you keep your muck heap tidy and easily cleared with the addition of being able to collect hay, straw and bedding,” explained Vicky Ruffle of Agroco Trailers.

protect the rear lights from falling debris whilst tipping the trailer. It can be towed using a 4x4 and has a payload ranging from 2000kg to 2500kg depending on the model. It has a strengthened aluminium floor as standard and galvanized steel chassis and drawbar for longlasting corrosion protection.

How it can help: • Load muck into and transport to dispose of; Ifor Williams Tipper • Collect hay and straw; Trailer: The next • Transport quad bikes, small generation tipper tractors and plant equipment; “Take a look at any of our trailers • Transport sand or rubber for arena construction/top up. and you’ll find that safety, flexibility and ease of use are How much does it cost? built in. For example, the Ifor Williams “The tipper is no exception, providing a robust and versatile TT2515 (8’x5’) Tipper Trailer with Hydraulic solution for many industries including building, landscaping, tree surgery and agriculture. The tippers come in three sizes: TT2515 (8’x5ft’), TT3017 (10’x5’) and TT3621 (12’x6’6”) with either a Manual (TT2515 only) or Electric Hydraulic Tip. Optional extras are Mesh Sides or Solid Sides, Skids, Lashing Points and Rear Lamp Guards to

Electric Tip, Solid Side Extension Kit and Rear Lamp Guards would cost £3,900 including VAT. “Agroco Trailers is the official Ifor Williams Distributor for Suffolk. We have a wide range of trailers to suit many needs, large hire fleet, fully equipped workshop and extensive range of parts and accessories,” concluded Vicky. www.agroco trailers.co.uk

GENERAL

STABLES DUTIES

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EUTHANASIA: PART 1

Putting your horse to sleep H

aving considered all considering this option, but if the possibilities you’re unable to safeguard your available to you and horse’s future welfare, it is your horse, none may be certainly one of the kindest suitable, meaning you may be options. faced with the hardest The BHS Welfare team hears of decision of all: whether many cases of horses being reputting your horse to sleep is homed unwisely and then being the kindest option. sold on, abandoned or even Understandably, many of us euthanased. wish for this decision to be Putting your horse to sleep can taken out of our hands, such as be a treatment plan too and the finding your horse has passed BHS always advocates ‘better a away in the field. week too soon, than a day too The truth is that only nine late’. percent of horses in the UK die Euthanasia means ‘good death’ from natural causes (AESE, and as long as the act happens 2017) – but this doesn’t quickly and humanely, it is not guarantee a pain-free end. considered a welfare concern. The reality is that this could be In fact, ‘delayed death’ was from a bout of colic or a broken found to be one of the top four leg rather than the risk factors to UK peaceful scene we want ...only nine equine welfare in a to picture of them percent of recent study drifting off in their sleep. of Bristol, horses in (University The vast majority of 2016), which the UK die highlights the need to owners have to make the choice to put their plan in advance. from horse to sleep at some you’re having to natural Ifmake point during their life, the decision for causes... the first time, the whether they’re old, young, a happy hack, a unknown can be retiree or a top extremely daunting. competition horse. Understanding euthanasia Many people feel guilty even options early is essential, as

you’re able to make a clear decision without the added emotion of dealing with the situation at the same time. This can be done in advance by discussing options with your vet or by registering, there is no cost, with the National Fallen Stock Scheme. Quite often yard owners will help advise and support, so you don’t have to arrange everything if you’re feeling overwhelmed. There are two main methods for putting a horse to sleep: euthanasia by lethal injection or shooting. LETHAL INJECTION This is carried out by your vet. The injection is administered and the horse will gradually collapse experiencing a rapid loss of consciousness, followed by cardiovascular arrest. It is normal for the horse to take gasps of breath as internal muscles relax. Cost £200-£250 (including call out charge, injection and sedation).

SHOOTING Euthanasia by shooting can be carried out by a vet, knackerman, hunt kennel or slaughterman, who has a licence to use a firearm. The muzzle of the gun is placed against the horse’s forehead and the bullet discharged into their brain. Death happens instantly, so the horse falls to the ground. The horse’s limbs may make sudden twitches, these are normal reflexes after death. Cost £90-£120 for a vet. Costs £50 upwards for a knacker/hunt kennel to euthanase and collect. WHAT NEXT? What happens after this point can feel grotesque for some people to consider, however it is important that owners are aware of disposal options as this is a legal requirement for them to arrange. It also means they can make an informed choice as to which method they choose to euthanase their horse as this can affect the options afterwards.

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Next month Sophie discusses the important issue of passports and what you must do following the death of your horse.

Cost is not something to be ashamed of when choosing a euthanasia option – as long as the horse’s welfare is maintained at all times, owners are free to consider all options available, without prejudice from others. THE DELICATE QUESTION OF BODY DISPOSAL Disposal methods available for both post-injection/shooting: Burial – Must be at least 250m away from water course and you have to liaise with local authority to get their exact specifications and permission. Must get landowner’s permission too. Cost – Cost of equipment to dig earth. Knacker – Will dispatch and remove horse from site. Normally a cheaper option as they offer different services. Some will collect body after the vet has euthanased to the owner’s choice of disposal method. Cost - From £150. Cremation – Mass cremation is cheaper. But individual cremation is very popular.

Cost - £190-£600 depending on whether ashes are returned. Incineration – DEFRA approved centres only. Cost - Usually included in service provided by the Knacker man. Disposal methods only available post-shooting: Hunt Kennel – This used to be the cheapest option, but hunt kennels are less common now, so prices vary. Will normally be able to dispatch and remove body from site. Cost - From £50.

Photo courtesy Cubiq Design

The British Horse Society’s Welfare Co-ordinator Sophie Cookson advises.

Bill Phizacklea and his wife Margaret opened the Suffolk Pet and Horse Crematorium in 1999 after realising how important the loss of a pet can be. Bill has ridden all his life and as the owner of many family pets realises how important it is to deal with the loss of an animal sensitively. For this reason Bill is keen to offer his services directly to pet owners making the cremation more personal and tailored to individual needs. Bill Phizacklea, Suffolk Pet & Horse Crematorium, Lower Farm Great Saxham, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP29 5JT Telephone: 01284 810 981 | Fax: 01284 811 709 Email: bill@suffolkpetcrematorium.com www.suffolkpetcrematorium.com

Rendering Plant – By a DEFRA approved centre only. Cost - Usually included in service provided by the Knacker man. Landfill – DEFRA approved centres only. Cost - Usually included in service provided by the Knacker man. Zoo – Check whether your local zoo takes fallen stock. Cost - Check with the zoo, they may pay you for the carcass. Disclaimer – Typical costs shown, but final prices vary considerably. We recommend you speak to local service providers.

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Ride like... TUTORIAL

MARY KING

IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK TO HORSEHAGESPONSORED EVENTING ICON, MARY KING, WHO EXPLAINS HOW TO TACKLE DITCHES ON A CROSS-COUNTRY COURSE... stretch down to sniff, then I’ll turn towards it and ask him to jump it. I walk alongside it as walking straight up to it with the intention of stopping can encourage horses to refuse. I approach it in a strong, rhythmical trot – one with power but not speed – so that I have time to react should he stop. If he skids to a halt in front of it, I’ll encourage him to do it from a standstill as he must learn that turning around is not an option. Once he’s improving and becoming more confident over the ditch, I’ll gradually back off and become less forceful with my riding and by the end of the session at the stream we’ll jump the wider part, approaching it in rising trot and on a loose rein so that my horse can look as he jumps. A canter stride measures about four metres so a two metre-wide ditch is easily within a horse’s capabilities from a slower pace. I can tell when my horse is happy with it as he will maintain a popping over it until he does it steady, forward pace, even when quietly and confidently. my leg is soft and my rein is I am fortunate that when I start loose. my horses over ditches I can use Visiting a cross-country course a stream that runs through a for schooling is really beneficial friendly neighbouring farmer’s prior to competing. Most places field. It’s narrow at one end and will have several ditches of wider at the other so perfect for different sizes, so start with the jumping. Initially I will walk my smallest and gradually build up. young or inexperienced horse If you have an uncomfortable alongside the ditch, rather than jump, return to the smaller straight up to it, and let him ditch. Above all else, do

HOW TO DEAL WITH

DITCHES itches can be one of the most problematic fences on a crosscountry course, but with plenty of preparation and practice beforehand, you and your horse should be able to tackle them with confidence. It is possible to do a certain amount of preparation for jumping ditches at home. You need to be resourceful and

create a pretend ditch using empty feed bags or a tarpaulin. Anything like this will work as long as you can lay it flat on the ground and secure the edges with poles so it doesn’t move. Don’t make it too wide – something narrow to start with will be fine, as some horses take to jumping ditches easily while others may be spooky and petrified. Just keep your horse

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Photos: Bob Atkins

everything you can to keep your horse confident and as he relaxes, slow down your speed. Come in at a steadier trot and a softer rein so that he jumps calmly with little encouragement, but remember to have your leg there and keep some power in the trot, despite it being slow. Some horses are naturally fearful of ditches – possibly due to an accident in their earlier life, or one too many bad jumps or perhaps they have never been taught how to jump them properly. Your job, as your horse’s teacher, is to look after him, so only increase the difficulty of the ditch very gradually, and remember - this

Create a pretend ditch at home to practice over

advice can be applied to any type of fence. Never be tempted to jump the biggest one without doing the preparatory work because one bad experience could put your horse off for life. If your horse seems worried about jumping the ditch (or indeed, any fence), it can help to give him a lead from a more experienced horse. Remember that a calm, quiet word helps to reassure some horses that you are there supporting them and that you are pleased with what they’re doing. Ultimately this will help to improve your partnership. I would advise using overreach boots for young or

Jumping a stream for practice

inexperienced horses just in case they are spooky and jump awkwardly which could cause them to catch themselves. Having produced a lot of horses at top level, I have found that there is quite a big difference between the size of ditches at Novice level and those at Intermediate, so take your horse schooling at least a couple of times to different courses so that he meets new ditches and doesn’t become frightened with the move up to the next level. Even at top level, we sometimes have to recognise this and reinforce the basics. No two horses are the same and the relationship you form with them is key when riding across country. Some can be nervous

and others bossy and strongwilled. The brave ones want to do it, so your bond is established easily with this type of horse but the cautious ones need to be given more time at each level to really develop a strong trust in their rider.

For more information from Mary’s sponsor, HorseHage, on feeding your horse, pony or donkey, please call the HorseHage Helpline on 01803 527274 or visit www.horsehage.co.uk To purchase Mary’s book please visit http://kingeventing.com/ product/mary-king-way/

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Ride like... TUTORIAL

SIMPLE SCHOOLING EXERCISES GEORGIE BENNETT

Half 10 Metre Circles By the time you work on 10 metre circles or half circles your horse should be working in a rhythm and balance on 20 metre circles. The movements must be done without resistance or loss of balance or rhythm before the horse is ready to work on a small circle. The smaller the circle, the greater the demand for the horse to carry himself on his hind legs and engage the hindquarters. For this reason it is always better to work on 10 metre half circles before attempting a full circle. It is important that the horse does not lose his rhythm, shape or show resistance; better that the circle is a little larger until the horse is physically able to work correctly on a small circle. This is a good movement to practice to help improve your entry on to the centre line. 10 metre half circles can be performed anywhere in the school, but working from the centre line to the track ensures that the circle is not too big.

However if you work from the boards to the centre line you have the option to then ride straight down the centre line or ride diagonally across back to the boards. When you have practiced several half circles on their own you can progress to two half circles. This is best done at ‘E’ or ‘B’ making sure that you do several strides down the centre line over ‘X’, changing the diagonal and balancing the horse before the change of rein. The aids and the principle of riding the half circle will be exactly the same as for a 20 metre circle. However you will need to be more engaged with this slightly more complex movement. After completing several of these movements you can than progress to full 10 metre circles.

HERE DRESSAGE RIDER GEORGIE BENNETT TALKS US THROUGH A FEW SIMPLE FLATWORK EXERCISES. GEORGIE EXPLAINS HOW TO RIDE HALF 10 METRE CIRCLES AND TURNS UP THE CENTRE LINE.

Think ahead and prepare when turning up the centre line.

Turns up the Centre Line Turns up the centre are not only an integral part of the dressage test but they also play a part in the schooling and warm up of the horse.

Initially the turns on to the centre line can be incorporated with your 10 metre half circles. Make the turn smooth, and look to where you will be going to make sure that you are accurate. It is important to be exact about the turn so not to over shoot the centre line. The horse must then go absolutely straight up the centre line without

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Whether in walk or trot, rhythm and balance are key

Keeping your horse in a good shape throughout is important

Don't forget to let your horse stretch after working.

Staying accurate throughout the movement will ensure success.

Half-halt's are key to the exercise.

wandering. If the horse is pushed forwards between the rider’s hand and leg, he will be easier to steer and keep straight. When entering the centre line off the bend, the rider has to execute a half-halt to sit the horse on his hocks prior to the turn and so balance him, and then ride strongly forward with an even contact on reaching the centre line. In doing this, the rider creates enough push from behind to ensure straightness. This exercise encourages the horse to work more from behind, which is the ultimate aim when schooling. These turns onto a straight line

can also be practiced by turning right or left at ‘E’ or ‘B’. With these turns there is not so much time to ensure that the horse is absolutely straight so the rider must be clear and positive with the aids. When changing direction by this method, change the flexion at the poll over the centre line and do not allow the horse to swing his shoulders or hindquarters. When you have practiced this several times you can add halts to your exercise. It is often a good idea not to halt every time you proceed up the centre line as the horse will begin to anticipate the movement.

The Equerry Range The Equerry range of top-quality horse feeds contains something for every horse or pony, whether feeding a leisure horse or a competition horse, there is a product to meet their nutritional requirements. The range provides everything from High Fibre Cubes for horses and ponies at rest or in very light work to more conditioning options including Conditioning Cubes and Mix, a low starch 'Non-Heating' Conditioning Mash and a very palatable Veteran Mix. For more information contact Equerry Horse Feeds on 01845 565640 or visit www.equerryhorsefeeds.com

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BUYER’S GUIDE

These All Ladies Foxxy Shooting Socks & All Men’s Shooting Socks are built for comfort and strength and are ideal for tucking into wellies or fold longer style country boots. RRP: £36. www.timothyfoxx.co.uk

Shotgun Cartridge Earrings from £25. www.equestrianjewellers.co.uk

Catching our eye this month...

e l b a l i Ava ! Now The exclusive Long Chained Sterling Silver and 18ct Rose Gold Vermeil Cherry Roller Snaffle Necklace is 36” long and has a RRP of £145. www.hihosilver.co.uk

Lipizzan Ladies Sock Bottom Breeches Featuring a pull on waistband providing comfort and ease of use. Stretch panels in contrast space dyed fabric at the ankle provide comfortable fit under your boots or chaps. Silicone grip print at the knee provides more grip in the saddle. Colours: Midnight Blue Sizes: 24” – 36” SRP: £47.50 www.toggi.com

Colours: Pink, Cobalt. Sizes: 8 to 20. SRP: £100. The Allerton Ladies Waterproof Jacket is lightweight and breathable but at the same time fully waterpoof with taped seams and a durable water repellent finish. www.toggi.com

The Spanish Riding Polo Boot is not only popular with polo riders, but they also make a great training boot for style conscious riders and a fashion statement teamed with dark denim and a poncho for the ultimate in equestrian chic. RRP: £310. www.thespanishboot company.co.uk

Beautifully crafted in silver, the Windsor Earrings are inspired by a traditional snaffle bit. RRP: £132. www.sylviakerr jewellery.com

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The Trinity Jacket by British tweed designers Timothy Foxx combines exquisite attention to detailing, historical military influence with a stunning Amber tweed. RRP: £345. www.timothyfoxx.co.uk

The Mark Todd Deluxe Padded Coat has a close, fitted design plus a generous yet lightweight fill and a snug fleece collar to keep out the winter chills. Practical and stylish, the coat has a front zip fastening and storm flap with press-studs, zipped pockets, and decorative stitch detail on hemline and cuffs. RRP: £89.99. www.wefi.co.uk

These Union Jack Earwarmers are styled in beautiful coloured tweed and feature a super soft fleece lining. RRP: £28. www.timothyfoxx.co.uk

Continued overleaf...

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BUYER’S GUIDE Continued from previous page...

The Egality Hunt Scene Velvet Jacket features a strong military tailored silhouette with two parades of buttons to the front, a high neru collar, cut away front and shaped cuffs. RRP: £395. www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

The Tail Plait Snaffle Bracelet is made from a woven link that has gentle oxidisation running through it to add an extra dimension and depth of colour. A sterling silver snaffle provides part of the T-bar style fastening, with a delicately detailed whip forming the other part. RRP: £95. www.hihosilver.co.uk

The Balade Rucksack is the perfect accessory for stylish equestrians on the move, this bag is offered in a gorgeous putty colour, is shaped to wear comfortably on your shoulder or back with adjustable straps. RRP: £846. www.childericsaddles.co.uk

NEW SEASON - New RRP: £119.95.

RRP: £76.95.

NEW BRAND ALERT This autumn sees the launch of a new riding apparel line – Black Heart Equestrian. The brand is aimed at young female riders, who like to mix their favourite equestrian sport with their busy lifestyle. Created by dressage Team GB young rider, Erin Williams it features pieces that enable riders to move from the equestrian arena to the gym seamlessly. The brand has already gained a considerable following on Instagram. In-the-know bloggers from equestrian, fashion and fitness are already road testing pieces. Prices start at £25. www.blackheartequestrian.com

collection...

Equetech, the British equestrian fashion brand has autumn/winter all sewn up with their gorgeous new collection. From technical performance under and outer wear through to country inspired fashion pieces. The Equetech Tweed Poncho combines easy to wear with country fashion styling. A timeless, elegant tweed wrap, one size fits all. Perfect for country living and city life. Features a gold metal zip with tassel, plush sweeping velvet collar and gorgeous paisley lining. The Equetech Kingsley Gilet is the perfect piece to take you through autumn and into spring next year. This technical, shower proof gilet features a clever cosy pillow collar, and has a Bio-Down insulation inner which gives a mock duck down feel with machine washable qualities. www.equetech.com

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Dressing FOR YOUR SHAPE

FOLLOWING THEIR SUCCESSFUL #EQUETECHREALRIDER CAMPAIGN, LIZ HAYMAN, MD AND HEAD DESIGNER AT BRITISH EQUESTRIAN FASHION BRAND EQUETECH GIVES READERS HER TOP TIPS FOR DRESSING FOR YOUR SHAPEâ&#x20AC;Ś

ress for your body shape and dress to flatter your body type. Check out my guidelines below on pear, apple, inverted triangle, hourglass and rectangular shapes... Pears tend to carry their weight on their thigh and legs area. Often they have a very good upper body, which is why much of the emphasis in dressing is on the upper side of the body. Balance your shoulders with a broader shoulder jacket or thicker straps on vest tops and wear beige or champagne breeches, instead of white for the competition arena and

dark for casual. As a Rectangle, you will want to create more curves and a pleasing silhouette. You can do this by defining the waist and creating curves on the bottom or top. Any jacket tailored around the waist will look great for competition, and in general, higher waisted breeches, with a wider waistband will give you curves. The Apple is not the easiest body shape to dress as many women with this shape will be well aware of. Some women tend to cover it all up with loose garments, which in most cases just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work! Choose a good fitting bra and

select a patterned shirt, to break up the larger chest/tummy area. Avoid high waisted breeches, as these will just accentuate your stomach area. The Hourglass is seen by many as the ideal body shape, although it may be challenging if you have a larger bust. Choose a single-breasted jacket that is tailored at the waist. A pinstripe is also very flattering. Darker coloured jackets or tops will decrease the size of your bust, and a shirt or top in a stretch fabric will be easier to wear if you have a larger bust. The Inverted Triangle is quite a desirable shape, as many clothes will look great on you. Avoid horizontal stripes but

welcome vertical lines and pattern which draws the eye down and choose a jacket with narrower shoulders. A shorter jacket for competition with a tailored waistline will give you a flattering outline. Also, as a rule of thumb consider flattering tones: When it comes to your casual riding wardrobe, if you are on the curvy side, go for breeches with a darker insert on bottom and thighs, such as our Denim Breeches, which will flatter and at the same time offer extra stick in the saddle with their grip insert. www.equetech.com

These Equetech denim breeches flatter all shapes and sizes

For apple shapes: Choose a good fitting bra and select a patterned shirt, to break up the larger chest/tummy area.

Black can look harsh especially on pale winter skin but Navy is a flattering shade on most skin tones

Any jacket tailored around the waist will look great for competition

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BUYER’S GUIDE GET HORSEQUEST ADVANTAGE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS – FOR FREE! HorseQuest Advantage is the exciting new members club from equine sales website, HorseQuest. Members gain unlimited access to exclusive offers on leading brands, as well as the amazing competitions – including the chance to win an Equi-Trek trailer and a year’s supply of feed from Baileys Horse Feeds! Members also receive a 12% discount on advertising! www.horsequestadvantage.co.uk

Riding Boots Showing Boots & Gaiters Calf any width 13” to 19” Short leg height available Size 2 to 14 Mens & ladies Made-to-measure available

WARM IN WINTER - COOL IN SUMMER Special features: • Climate Control Technology • Waterproof leather • Hoof proof toe protection • Stirrup Balance System

MANUFACTURERS OF FINE RIDING BOOTS

www.equitector.com Telephone: 0208 090 4029

Made in UK

GIVEAWAYS

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der a e R

WIN THE PERFECT PARKER!

The Equetech Chartridge Waterproof Parker is inspired by the catwalk but also delivers rider’s needs this season with its mid length style, waterproof and windproof outer and’Bio-Down’ inner to help keep you stylish, warm and dry this winter! Two deep zipped handwarmer pockets, adjustable cuffs, detachable hood, storm flap, designer snaffles print lining with a machine washable care label means you’ll be covered whatever the weather decides to throw at you this season! RRP: £145.95. Sizes: XS – XXL. Colours: Mink. www.equetech.com

WIN A BUFFALO HIDE LEATHER HIP FLASK! Absolute Horse, in collaboration with luxury leather brand Life of Riley, are offering one lucky winner the chance to win a Buffalo Hide Leather Hip Flask. The hip flask is perfect for anyone who enjoys spending time in the countryside and makes a splendid gift or special treat to own. The flask fits neatly into a jacket pocket, so is ideal for an Autumnal ramble or out on a chilly day’s shoot – it has a curve that makes holding it feel very comfortable in the hand and the lid is attached, ensuring that it doesn’t get lost. Made from Leather and Stainless Steel, the hip flask is worth £39 and measures 13cm x 11cm. www.lifeofrileyonline.co.uk

2 PAIRS OF GRUB’S OUTLINE BOOTS TO BE WON! We have teamed up with leading footwear expert, Grub’s, to offer two lucky winners each the chance to win a pair of Grub’s Outline boots! These waterproof jodhpur riding boots have been specially designed to enable riders to easily place their toe into the stirrup and a cupped arch provides additional support. The Nitrocell footbed and Hexzorb technology act as shock absorbers whilst dismounting and the 5.0 Technology keeps riders’ feet cosy and warm in the cooler months. Safety is important when on the yard and the Outline boot has a unique Hard Toe toecap for protection during yard duties or in the saddle. www.grubsboot.com

UK sizes available 4 to 8 in Black. RRP: £57.

To enter go online at www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click the competitions page. Deadline is 31st October 2017.

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SADDLERY & TACK

SADDLE FITTING:

THE ESSENTIALS T oday most riders recognise the important part the saddle plays in terms of welfare, comfort and success. Whether your saddle is new or second-hand, it is important that it is fitted by a Qualified Saddle Fitter registered with the Society of Master Saddlers. Their first consideration will always be the horse. This may mean that you need to adjust any preconceived ideas you may have about your own preferences in relation to make and design. When thinking about a visit you must plan ahead and provide the best facilities you can to help the saddle fitter to give the best possible service. Location First on the list is a flat, hard surface where the horse can be

stood up and run up in-hand. Next is an area where the horse can be ridden. Saddle fitting can take a considerable time and the saddle fitter is likely to want the horse owner to ride in a number of short-listed saddles, an essentially important part of the fitting procedure.

Showjumping and Cross-Country If you are opting for a saddle designed specifically for dressage, polo or showing it is very unlikely you will be wanting to use the saddle for jumping! If you are considering purchasing a saddle that will involve jumping, it is essential to ride over a few fences. Rider Presence Although this will appear remarkably obvious to the vast majority of riders, it is a fact that

LOOKING TO CHANGE YOUR SADDLE? IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK TO THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF USING A SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS REGISTERED QUALIFIED SADDLE FITTER AND WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR THEIR VISIT.

Have your own stirrup leathers and girth available The saddle fitter will be carrying girths of various types and sizes but it is a good idea to have your own available. Using your Attire own stirrup leathers is generally Sometimes clients are more comfortable and avoids unsuitably dressed. Jeans and the possibility of the saddle trainers are always inadequate fitter's new leathers becoming and they certainly aren’t the marked and therefore difficult to most comfortable clothes in sell. which to try out short-listed The saddle fitter would saddles. obviously prefer to preserve the The Society of Master Saddlers condition of his new saddles generally cautions that the well- but, in addition, the marks left fitting saddle does not require on the well-groomed horse's the addition of anything under back after removal of the saddle it with the possible exception of are significant because they a thin saddle cloth. There are, indicate bearing surfaces and however, exceptions to every further identify unwanted rule. When there is a valid reason movement. for using a numnah or gel pad www.mastersaddlers.co.uk the saddle fitter will need to allow for the addition. some believe their presence isn't a necessary factor. Occasionally horses are ‘shared’ or ridden regularly by more than one person and, in this case, both riders should be present.

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LAURENCE PEARMAN IS A TWICE PRESIDENT OF SOCIETY MASTER SADDLERS, LECTURER/ASSESSOR ON SADDLE FITTING COURSES AND MASTER SADDLER.

A reader asks...

I’ve seen some saddles with air flocking instead of wool in my local saddlery. How does this work and what are the benefits? “If it is a flocked saddle then it has to be flocked so there are no lumps, smooth throughout, and forgiving, it then needs to be reflocked completely every two years to keep it working well with the horse, depending on use. With the air flocking there is the sealed air system used by Bates/Wintec to which shims can be added and sometimes flock behind. There is also the Flair air flocking, which is adjustable by adding and subtracting air. It is important to make sure the saddle is not over inflated as this would be like over flocking. “Also air bags require regular checking to adjust with more or less air according to horses shape as does wool flocking. Both correctly done can be of benefit to horse and rider,” explained Laurence.

RAYNE RIDING SCHOOL SADDLE TRAINING SESSION A SUCCESS...

Established as a British Horse Society approved riding school, livery and stud in 1982, Rayne Riding Centre features a beautiful indoor arena, two outdoor schools and on-site tack shop. Owner Carolyn Pewter and her daughter, Store Manager Charlotte Armstrong have long held a love for horses and are passionate about the importance of saddle fit for every horse’s comfort. This passion for horse comfort and welfare is so strong, that each of their 72 riding school ponies currently in work have their own well-fitted saddle. Recently Carolyn and Charlotte added high-performance Bates Saddles and easy-care Wintec Saddles to their tack shop range, and opened their doors to over 40 equine physiotherapists, trainers, instructors, lecturers and riders to share a saddle training session. “This session was very well attended by industry professionals and riders alike, who thoroughly enjoyed the training and were very interested in finding out more about the innovative systems for horse comfort in both Bates Saddles and Wintec Saddles,” said Carolyn. To get in touch with Carolyn or Charlotte call 01376 322231 or drop in Rayne Riding Centre, Fairy Hall Lane Braintree, Essex, CM77 6SZ.

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LOVE DOGS

Canine Treats DO’S AND DON’TS OF REWARDING YOUR DOG - BY JOE HALLIWELL

hen it comes to delicious dog treats, The Dog Treat Company have been spoiling dogs worldwide since 2015. Hand baked at their artisan bakery in Devon; The Dog Treat Company know a thing or two about giving treats to your dog. In this feature, Joe Halliwell, Founder gives the low down on the do’s and don’ts of treating your canine. “We created our brand because we felt there just wasn’t a healthy, quality treat out there that we were happy to feed our dogs. Many treats on the market place have artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, synthetic vitamins and minerals plus added sugar and salt. Our treats contain none of that but check the ingredients before giving to your dog, after all, would you like to eat bone or meat meal? “Feeding your dogs cheese for example can come with its own problems, some dogs can be

lactose intolerant and it is also very high in calories. “Also be wary of treating with processed meats or indeed preprepared foods such as sausages as these can also include high levels of salt and other chemicals which just aren’t good for your pooch. “Just like some humans, dogs can also suffer from a wheat allergy. Symptoms can include anything from an unsettled tummy, itchy skin through to ear problems amongst others. Our treats are wheat free, grain free and gluten free so they help look after your dog’s tummy. “If you are using treats as a reward for good behaviour, then feed in small amounts. Our treats can easily be broken into smaller titbits. You don’t want your dog feeling full before the end of your training session. “As a rough guideline we recommend up to 3 x treats a day from our range is fine, given we include human grade ingredients and they are all low

calorie. However, do check the manufacturers guidelines to ensure you are not increasing your dog’s waistline with high calorie treats. “As with any dry food, always provide water, especially when giving more than one treat if perhaps you are training your dog - after all, learning is thirsty work! “Our dogs get our treats simply for the joy of treating however, many of our customers buy our treats as a reward for good behaviour and training. It makes sense that if your dog is demonstrating behaviour which you don’t like that you don’t

then give him a treat ‘to keep him quiet’ as you are merely reinforcing the undesirable behaviour and your dog will think you want him to do it more often, especially as he is getting a reward! “Store your packet treats in an air tight container and check the shelf life of the treats once opened. Our tins and pouches both feature a re-sealable lid/zip that helps keep them fresh for longer, otherwise, keep them in an airtight container to ensure they don’t go stale. “They say variety is the spice of life and the same applies to your dog treats. We offer over 12 different varieties for your dog to enjoy, so he’ll always have something to wag his tail about when it comes to treat time.” www.thedogtreat company.co.uk

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Product News...

This clothing hook from Pink Whiskers brings the countryside into your home with a beautiful moss green tweed and the metal decorative snaffle horse bit detail pays homage to your equestrian passion. RRP: £25. www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk

The Hugo Rug is made from water-resistant and breathable black polyester fabric lined with Welltex. Easy hook and loop closures at the front and under the belly make dressing your dog very straightforward. RRP starting at £40. www.backontrack.com

Wide Eyed And Bushy Tailed is an appetising breakfast combination with goji berries, banana and pumpkin seeds to offer a great start to your dog’s busy day. Fine And Dandy cleverly incorporates charcoal and dandelion leaf for a healthy treat that celebrates vitality and well-being. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie is the ideal bedtime treat with a delightful blend of valerian root, lavender and chamomile. RRP: £5.99 110g tin. www.thedogtreatcompany.co.uk Dogrobes - makers of the original drying coat for dogs have launched an exclusive tartan fabric. Dogrobes come in all dog breed sizes from Chihuahua to Newfoundland, and are available in red, navy, green and tartan. www.dogrobes.co.uk

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REPORTS

REHOMED SUPERSTAR RESCUE PONY TAKES TOP ACCOLADE World Horse Welfare Nutkin was recently awarded the title of ‘Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials People’s Choice Rehomed Superstar’ after taking part in a finalists’ parade at the prestigious event. The competition was a closely fought contest between six rehomed World Horse Welfare horses and ponies who made it to the final and paraded at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, before the winner was announced by event rider, Piggy French. The public had been voting in their hundreds for which horse or pony should be chosen to

receive the Rehomed Superstar accolade and welsh pony Nutkin took the top spot. 12.3hh, 8-year-old Nutkin came into World Horse Welfare’s care in 2009 with a group of other horses and ponies. Nutkin was underweight, listless and suffering from a lice infestation. After undergoing rehabilitation, Nutkin was backed and rehomed to a family where he was ridden by two young children. He recently returned to World Horse Welfare and was rehomed earlier this year to Leah Fowler and her 5-year-old daughter, Darcy, who live in Mattishall near Dereham. Darcy has formed an inseparable partnership with him and

Homegrown Phoenix and Elliot Dowler receive the Black Country Saddles Show Hunter Championships from Wendy Hartley (left) and Tori Oakes.

L-R Piggy French, Darcy Fowler, Marcus Fairfax Fountaine of Fairfax & Favor and Leah Fowler

together the pair compete at all Pony Club activities. Nutkin’s rehomer, Leah Fowler, said: “He has his cheeky tendencies like any pony, but he is a superstar. “He is Darcy’s pony, that’s what I

love about him, when he’s with me or anyone else he gets pulled about and is a jitterbug, but when he’s with Darcy he is a completely different character. “They just love each other – that’s what makes it so special.”

HOMEGROWN PHOENIX TAKES SHOW HUNTER CHAMPIONSHIPS

An electric atmosphere greeted competitors in the TopSpec Arena for the Black Country Saddles Show Hunter Championship at this year’s Equifest. And having made the leap from dressage to showing just four months ago, Homegrown Phoenix ridden by Elliot Dowler claimed the championship spoils. The 12-year-old bay gelding started his winning ways when heading the Middleweight Hunters earlier in the day before moving into the TopSpec Arena for the evening performance. Brought over from Ireland in April by the Miller family, Phoenix as he is known at home is produced by their daughter-in-law Leona Sanders from Bury St Edmunds. Ridden by family friend, Elliot, Phoenix previously competed in dressage over in Ireland and started in the show ring in June this year. Said Leona: “It was fantastic to watch Elliot and Phoenix in the evening performance, the atmosphere was just fantastic but he behaved impeccably and never put a foot wrong. We are having great fun with him and have also qualified for HOYS which we are all very excited about. Phoenix has a wonderful temperament and has taken to showing brilliantly.”

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Pony Club Championships

“Hot Fuss (Charlie) has continued with his winning streak. He qualified for the 15+ Horse and Pony National Champions at The East Anglia Horse and Pony Show - at this show he was also awarded the Best Gelding Champion, which we are very proud of as this was against all ages. He is also the Champion of In-hand and Ridden Veterans for 2017 for this show. “We had never been to the 15+ Champs and decided to take him, he won his Hunter class championship and qualified for the Supreme, and then we were absolutely thrilled when he was made the 15+ National Supreme In-hand Champion, winning £100, a rug, sash, lovely rosettes and gets to be the holder of the society's shield for 1 year! He had also won the Veteran In-hand class at Equifest . “This season Charlie has been to seven shows and been the oldest at all of these, he has won nine sashes and a haul of lovely rosettes” - Karen Oughton.

AREA 8 MAKES ITS MARK Pony Club Area 8 Polocrosse have all safely arrived home following a hugely successful Pony Club Championships at Cholmondeley Castle recently. There were some remarkable displays of talent not to mention placings for every team in the tack and turn out. The teams and results were: Minis - Area 8 (1) - Fourth in the Open Minis Cup and third in the tack and turn out (Xanthe Goodman (Essex Hunt North), Sophie Barclay-Smith (East Essex Hunt), Lottie WilsonFitzgerald (kindly lent by the Grafton Hunt)). Area 8 (2) - Fourth in the Novice Minis Plate and first in the tack and turn out (Taryn Tinker (Essex and Suffolk Hunt), Lara Thompson (East Essex Hunt), Mollie Palmer (Enfield Chace Hunt)).

“

Photo: Chris Daniels

Well e! Don

Seniors - Area 8 (1) AKA Essex Harriers - First in the Novice Seniors and third in the tack and turn out (Jess Alderson (kindly lent by the Rockwood Harriers), Jack Page (Essex Farmers), Hollie Baker (Essex Hunt North)). Area 8 (2) - Second in the Novice Seniors and second in the tack and turn out (Jess Ciecora-Joslin (Essex and Suffolk Hunt), Stella Stearn (Mid Suffolk), Seona McCredie (Mid Suffolk)). In addition Emma Joslin from Essex and Suffolk Hunt PC was graded too high to take part in the Novice Seniors competition and so made a team with Russell Smith from North Warwickshire and Hannah Drew from Over Dalkeith and came fourth in the Open Seniors.

The Berkeley Group Pony Club Championships took place from 18th-22nd August at Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire. South Hertfordshire’s Katie Branley, 19, took the Elite Dressage win riding Buntino. Amy Esterhuizen, 18 finished second with 67.79% for the Suffolk Hunt riding Totem. PC90 (Novice) Team Eventing Strong performances in all three phases secured the NFU Mutual PC90 win for the Royal Artillery Hunt (S.P.) Runners-up were Essex Hunt North (Natasha Worsick, Imogen Pohl, Lily Beckley and Grace Parrish) who scored 115.6. Blue Cross Horse & Pony Care The hard work paid off for the team from the East Essex Hunt Branch who finished on top in the Junior Horse and Pony Care Competition. The team, consisting of Sophie Runnacles (13), Samantha Stacey (13), and Georgina Roe (11) finished on 461 just five points ahead of runners up, Chipping.

“Hollie Crowe from Braintree, Essex has just won her Royal International qualifier for 2018 on Stanley Grange Sea Shells. In pouring rain, thunder, lightening and hailstones the qualifying class had to be stopped twice as the weather was so bad! Hollie and Stanley Grange won the first Pretty Poly Show Pony Royal International qualifier and then took Pretty Poly Reserve Champion” - Leeanne Crowe.

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‘CINDERELLA’ RIDER WILL GO TO THE BALL AFTER ALL...

YOUNGSTERS EARN ELITE PREMIUMS

Photo: SMR Photos

East Anglia has hosted two venues for the 2017 Baileys Horse Feeds/ British Breeding/British Equestrian Federation (BEF) Futurity. The College Keysoe Futurity took place on the 18th August and then Writtle University College Pony and Cob Sales the previous An IT trainer from Hitchin, was Futurity host on the 19th October,” said Hayley. “She Herts, has received a August. didn’t realise the mare was in‘Cinderella’ call she never Several foals and young horses foal, but found Mickey in the expected - inviting her to from the area have attained elite field on a cold, snowy January compete at Horse of the Year premiums at the 2017 Futurity. morning.” Show (HOYS). This is the top premium Hayley Dolby, 50, and her Welsh Hayley and Mickey compete in a awarded by the Futurity and range of disciplines. They won cob Mickey Bricks took part in indicates that the horse has the their section C and D class at the SEIB Insurance Brokers potential and outlook to Search For a Star (SFAS) qualifier Suffolk Show this year and perform at international level. finished second at Herts County. at Keysoe, Beds, and finished An elite premium Futurity score “I just like to do different things second in the working show is between 9.00 and 10. with him and he is a lot of fun. pony class, just missing out on At the College Keysoe, Hannah He is also great at TREC and the qualifying ticket. Iddeson’s eventing colt foal, However, when the winner was showjumping, and he’s just Verona’s Buddy Be Good (Ramiro getting the hang of crosssubsequently disqualified on a B x Hamlet) currently leads the country - we have also been technicality, Hayley got the 2017 Futurity scores with an dream call and will now contest drag hunting with the elite premium of 9.42. At Cambridge University the glittering final. Writtle, Emma Mooney’s 2-yearDraghounds and will go again Hayley, a keen member of old endurance colt, ELM Avicii this year. Keysoe Riding Club, has owned (Khurli x Piechur) took an elite “I love hacking too, and took 8-year-old Mickey since he was premium of 9.21 for the highest four months old. “I bought him him to the beach at Holkham for score of the day. Emma from the first time recently.” from my friend, Tracie Caspall, Dereham said; “I am just thrilled who got his dam from the Welsh with ELM Avicii, we call him Cheeky at home and he will be aimed at some Arab racing and then go on to compete in Hayley Dolby and Mickey Bricks endurance.” Tammy Ruffles dressage yearling, Reminicse (Woodlander Rockstar x Dayano) achieved an elite premium of 9.05 at Keysoe. Tammy from Woodbridge said: “I am smiling from ear to ear. The whole Futurity experience has really added to my learning curve. I plan to keep Reminicse and produce her for dressage.” Also scoring an elite premium of 9.05 in the dressage section at Keysoe was Jo Gummer’s colt

foal Ricochet (Revolution x Michaelangelo). Jo from Huntingdon said: “Ricochet is only five weeks old and I am thrilled with his elite premium.” Katy Holder-Vale’s foal, Frankie Sinatra (Flammengold x Robespierre) earned an elite premium of 9.00 at Keysoe.

Verona’s Buddy B Good

ELM Avicii

Reminicse

Ricochet Frankie Sinatra Photo credit: Kevin Sparrow

REPORTS

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TRIUMPHANT FINALE

TO NEW SERIES broke her back doing gymnastics about 13 years ago. “I joined the RDA about three years ago and it’s worked really well,” she said. “I wish I’d done it before.” Her weakened left arm is due to a genetic condition that also affects her left shoulder. “It’s not helped by the fact that I keep falling off and landing on it,” she admitted. Kayla Pratt, from Guisborough, North Yorkshire, finished third with the smart coloured native pony Hunky Dory. Imogen Darke, 18, from Ashburton, Devon, was fourth. She has little peripheral vision but rode Chandaem My Guy, her family’s 14-year-old hunter, with great aplomb. Vicky Nurcombe and Fabrication, from Loughborough, Leics, finished fifth. Sixth place went to Gabby Blake and The Rose of Derry,

who won the 30starter qualifier at Hartpury. Gabby, 24, who lives in Whatton, Notts, but is from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, is a member of the South Notts RDA group. Seventh went to

Photos: Equinational

Kathryn Wheelock, from Glusburn, West Yorks, secured the top spot in the inaugural SEIB Insurance Brokers Riding for the Disabled (RDA) showing championship, held at Addington Manor, Bucks, on 7th September. All eight finalists made the trip from various parts of the country to compete in this ground-breaking finale, judged by former RDA national chairman Jane HoldernessRoddam, injured showing and hunting enthusiast Rob Walker, and Addington proprietor Tim Price. Kathryn, 42, has cerebral palsy and learning difficulties but delivered a polished performance with her family’s smart gelding, Westpoint First of Many. Second place went to Saffron Walden, Essex-based Lizzie Bennett, who rode the coloured horse Rolo side saddle with specially adapted reins. Lizzie, 27, used to have her own horse but had to sell him when she

Middlesbrough-based BrookeLeigh Johnson, 10, with the charming 15-year-old grey pony Wrentnall Snowman. Lee Lawrence, from Cotswold RDA group in Cheltenham, took eighth with the loaned Hanoverian mare Half a

Whisper. SEIB marketing manager Nicolina MacKenzie said: “As a company, SEIB couldn’t be more delighted with the way this first year has gone. It has been a tremendous success and the positive way in which the audience responded at this final was enough to gladden anyone’s heart. “SEIB always tries to put something back into the markets within which it operates and launching showing for RDA riders is one of those initiatives.”

HOYS BOUND: HANNAH DANIELL-BLACKBURN AND CAYBERRY PIMPERNELL

“Hannah Daniell-Blackburn, 8, is from Essex and is in her first season of HOYS qualifiers having only started in July this year. Dartmoor Novice pony Cayberry Pimpernell is 6-years-old and has not been under saddle for a year yet, and is owned by Nicola Shaw and lead by Lee Jones. “Their campaign included: Qualified for the NPS National Summer Championship at Malvern and took the Reserve National Novice Champion title; Won the Equifest Novice Lead rein small breeds title and into the Evening Championship to take Champion Equifest 2017 Novice Lead Rein Championship; at the North Yorkshire NPS Area 4 Show they gained their Golden Ticket and took the Colne M&M lead Rein HOYS Qualifier and went on to take Reserve Mini Champion” - mum Kelly.

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PHOTONEWS ❙ The Gosling Cup ❙ Trumpington Hall ❙ 27th August

Grace Parrish a member of the 3rd placed Essex Hunt North ‘A’ Team

Imogen Pohl a member of the 3rd placed Essex Hunt North ‘A’ Team

Hebe Willis a member of the 3rd placed Essex Hunt North ‘A’ Team

Emma Philpot a member of the 2nd placed Essex Union Hunt ‘A’ Team

Bea Andrews a member of the 1st placed Essex & Suffolk ‘A’ Team

Caspar Bowley a member of the 5th placed Puckeridge Hunt Western ‘A’ Team

Sophie Pettitt a member of the 4th placed Siffolk Hunt ‘A’ Team

Alexia Mackley a member of the 3rd placed Essex Hunt North ‘A’ Team

Sophie Philpot a member of the 2nd Essex Union Hunt ‘A’ Team

Florrie Grigg Pettitt a member of the 4th placed Suffolk Hunt ‘A’ Team

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Kitty Ashpole a member of the 5th placed Puckeridge Western Hunt ‘A’ Team

Zara Barber a member of the 4th placed Suffolk Hunt ‘A’ Team

Joseph Barber a member of the 4th placed Suffolk Hunt ‘A’ Team

Kitty Marlow a member of the 5th placed Puckeridge Western Hunt ‘A’ Team

Sophie Hughes a member of the2nd placed Essex Union Hunt ‘A’ Team

Gracie Tyte member of the 1st placed Essex & Suffolk ‘A’ Team

Aoifie Rew a member of the 1st placed Essex & Suffolk ‘A’ Team

Richard Weller-Poley

Phoebe Prideaux a member of the 1st placed Essex & Suffolk ‘A’ Team

Essex & Suffolk ‘A’ Team

55 53

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PHOTONEWS ❙ The Orsett Show ❙ Orsett Showground ❙ 2nd September

Tarras Sassy Lady ridden by Kirsty Tucky, Champion Ridden Welsh

Winneydene Carlos, exhibited by G D Deller, Winner of the Inhand Sec. A & B 4yrs & over

Fabino Louie exhibited by Ian Hawkins, Champion In-hand Welsh

Tremel What’s Up exhibited by Jay Archer, Winner of the Open Section D Driving Class

Horseman’s Momentem exhibited by Mandy Burdick, Winner of the Private Driving Class

Blue Note De L’Aurore ridden by Courtney Earl, winner of the Ridden Sec. A & B

Devawnya Glorious Bliss exhibited by Victoria Bunting, Winner of the In-hand Any-Breed 4yo or over

Joseph and Barrister exhibited by R Collins, Winner of the Open Pairs in a Trade Turnout

Kildangan Calypso ridden by Clare Dobie, Winner of the Novice Ridden Hunter Class

Chap ridden by Lacy Smith, Winner of the Ridden Coloured Class

Augustus ridden by Karen Walsh, Supreme Champion of the Orsett Championship Classes

Arlequine Reichter ridden by Lauren Bunker, Champion Orsett Hunter

Madam Firebird ridden by Dawn Knight, Champion Riding Horse

Rudy Valenti ridden by Kayla Philpot, Champion Orsett Foreign Breed

Richard Weller-Poley

Lakeside Misty ridden by Claire Collier, Rockyview Russett ridden by Casey Champion Orsett Ridden M&M Mclean, Champion Orsett Riding Pony

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❙ Unaffiliated Showjumping ❙ Codham Park EC ❙ 16th July

Issi Hinton riding The Hooligan, 4th place 70cm Open Pony

Daisy Hughes riding In A Daze, 1.05m Open Pony winners

Caitlin Faulkner riding Tornado Tilly, 50cm Novice Maddie Molley riding Pickles, 2nd place 60cm Pony winner Novice Pony

Spencer Moret Photography

Michelle Saunders riding Will I Am, 4th place 80cm Open Horse

Emma Mortimer riding Dun In A Jillion, 5th place 80cm Open Horse

Emily Garrett riding Templemartin Gold, 2nd place Open Horse

Annie Howland riding Mikker Spotted Glory, 5th place 90cm Open Horse

Freya Samuel-Smith riding Blue Cross Flanagan, 5th place 90cm Open Pony

Harriet Garrett riding Csc Indian Lakota, 1.05m Open Horse winners

Hayley Palmer riding Pie In The Skye, 3rd 70cm Open Horse

Jade Henderson riding Lordships Ambush, 3rd place 90cm Open Horse

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PHOTONEWS ❙ Senior British Showjumping ❙ Codham Park EC ❙ 8th August

Ronnie Jones riding Canelle Z, 2nd place Discovery Holly Garrett riding Boogie On Down, 90cm Open winners

Ronnie Jones riding Jb Ryans Daughter, British Novice winners

Lara Abraham riding Direina, 2nd place Newcomers

Jade Meekings riding Pauls Lass, 1.15m Open winners

Spencer Moret Photography

Lucy warren riding Alex Vd Molen, 2nd place 1.20m Open

❙ Newmarket Heath Sponsored Ride ❙ Newmarket ❙ 3rd September

Richard Weller-Poley

Anja Moret riding Gypsy Chip, 1.10m Open winners

Laura Renwick riding Bintang II, 1.30m Open winners

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❙ Unaffiliated Dressage ❙ Fletchers Farm ❙ 2nd September

Emily Reeve winner of the Juniors Intro C

Junior Points Champion Victoria Stratford and FFRS Johnie, with Reserve champion Kiera Payne and FFRS Bluechip

Kelly Foster and Clyde, winners of the Senior Intro C

Polly Sullivan and Colour Me Rueben, winners of the Junior Prelim 7

Kindly Supplied Prue Relland winner of the Seniors Prelim 7

Reserve Senior Points champion Ellie Cox and Freddie II

Senior Points Champion Adele Warnes and Bushfield Lucky Boy

❙ Unaffiliated Dressage ❙ Finchingfield EC ❙ 20th August

Anna Telford riding Spice, Elementary 44 winners

Ed Kragh riding Athos, PYO test winners

Zara Baily riding Lacy Monty, Intro C Junior winners

George Twyman riding Tuskerbister Norma, Prelim 12 winners

Tony Jarvis Event Photography

Sophie Heatley riding Potters Henrietta, Intro C Senior winners

Jane Hood riding Soprano, Novice 34 winners

Lisa Clark Spence riding Desert Fox, Prelim 18 winners

Sharron Walker riding Soldier Blue, Novice 27 winners

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PHOTONEWS ❙ Arena Eventing ❙ Codham Park EC ❙ 30th July

Ellie Forbes riding Whiz, 4th place 60cm Novice

Erin Mulligan riding Gem Roe Irish Flash, 2nd place 60cm Novice

Kim Mihalyhfi riding Ardloran Boy, 60cm Novice winners

Spencer Moret Photography

Erin Mulligan riding Gem Roe Irish Flash, 4th place 70cm Open

Tracey Nicholls riding Huxley, 3rd place 70cm Open

Toni Arlett-Johnson riding Theo, 2nd place 80cm Open

Rosie Stevens riding Alwyn, 1.05m Open winners

Beth Sen riding Meelickisland Cloud, 70cm Open winners

Neve Walker riding Buddy, 3rd place 80cm Open

Georgie Webster riding The Cow, 3rd place 1.05m Open

Katie Stockwell riding Lahinch PJ, 80cm Open winners

Annabel Stacey riding Pink Sands, 90cm Open winners

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Essex and Suffolk Hunt 2017 Adult Pony Camp On the 9th & 10th September Emma and Stephen Barr hosted their fifth successful Essex and Suffolk Hunt Adult Pony Camp at Hammonds Farm which is situated near Fordham village in beautiful rural North Essex, just a few yards from the Suffolk borders. The camp was held over two days and catered for all abilities, both in terms of horses (youngsters to experienced) and riders. Arriving on Friday afternoon, campers settled their horses and themselves into their temporary homes. A fantastic supper awaited all of the campers once the horses were bedded down for the night; with plenty of food, refreshments and fun making new friends. Next day the campers and their fellow steeds were put into groups based on the horse and riderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability with lessons split into two sessions, showjumping in the morning and cross country in the afternoon. Day two followed up on the lessons learnt from day one as the groups progressed through the jumps. Whilst the pony camp has a waiting list each year the fabulous course is available for hire to individuals and groups. It caters for novice to advanced level horses and riders with more than 30 obstacles ranging from 2' to 3'. There is plenty of room for warm up and flat work. The jumps are also set out so that combinations can be put together in groups and related distances. The course is open 7 days a week and is available to hire at ÂŁ20 per horse per session. For bookings please contact Emma Barr on 07801 659345 who will be happy to assist you and your friends.

Team Greyness Photography

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

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To advertise your business or service call:

01473 731222

Equine Crematoriums

Suffolk Pet & Equine Crematorium

PEACE OF MIND AT A TIME OF GRIEF 01284 810981

www.suffolkpetcrematorium.com

Pet Crematorium for large and small animals

Saddleries

Juddpurs Saddlery Specialists in saddle fitting by Society of Master Saddlers qualified saddle fitter. Most ranges of saddles in stock or we can order. 111 Bedingfield Crescent Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8ED

Tel: 01986 874800 Surfaces

KAY HOWARD

QUALIFIED MASTER SADDLER & SADDLE FITTER • Range of quality new, secondhand and synthetic saddles and accessories • Impartial, independent, saddle fitting and advice • Mobile workshop. • Re-flocking, top-ups and remedial flocking • Full saddle repair service. Please phone Kay on (07775) 850400

Based in Norfolk, but covering a wide area.

Registered member

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Stables

To advertise your business or service call:

01473 731222 Transport

MARK HOWES

C.V.S. (ANGLIA) LTD

BEDFORD • AWD • SPECIALISTS

HORSEBOX SPECIALISTS IN MOT PREPARATION, MOT TESTING FOR CLASS 4 & 7 VEHICLES, SERVICING, PARTS, SPECIALIST BODY (Aluminium & Wooden) ACCIDENT REPAIRS Welcome old and new customers to their premises at

HOLYWELLS ROAD, IPSWICH TEL: (01473) 216462

Horse Supplies

Fakenham (01328) 851351 Stockist for a wide range of Horse Feeds; Bedding; Supplements; Requisites. Horse wormers now available Delivery Service. Everyone welcome. Come and see us at our new larger premises Clipbush Business Park, Fakenham NR21 8SW

WIX

www.gjlaninmalfeeds.co.uk

EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

Battlesbridge Mills Horse & Country Shop

Everything for the Horse & Rider Huge range of tack, accessories, stable supplies

Tel: 01268 560008 The Mills, Chelmsford Road, Battlesbridge, Essex SS11 8TR www.horseandcountryshop.co.uk Dentist

PROFESSIONAL, QUALIFIED & CARING EQUINE DENTISTRY

Full range of Horse & Pet, Feed & Bedding Open 7 days a week Indoor schools for hire

01255 870744

07968 445509 WWW.BEDT.CO.UK

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Vets in the Spotlight

VETERINARY CONTACTS Ryder-Davies & Partners VETERINARY SURGEONS Our experienced equine team offer a range of services throughout Suffolk, South Norfolk & North Essex Services include: • Full lameness investigations • Teeth rasping & advanced dental work • Pre purchase examinations • Vaccinations, worming regimes • Equine reproductive stud work • BEVA accredited practice for chilled & frozen semen • Investigation of breeding problems in mares Facilities include: Inpatient and outpatient stabling with 24 hour care • Digital x-ray, In-house laboratory, endoscope & digital ultrasound. We offer: Visits on a round-reduced visit fee Yard visit days- no visit fee • Spread the cost health plans Regular client information evenings & newsletters. www.ryder-daviesvets.co.uk

24 Hour Emergency Support Tel: 01394 380083

01284 789428

Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP29 4NP

www.hawkedonvets.co.uk

Essex based mobile veterinary practice

Advanced dentistry, lameness evaluations, portable Xray, ultrasound, portable video gastroscopy/endoscopy all carried out in the comfort of your horses’s home. Pre purchase examinations. 24 hour local emergency cover.

01371 851755/ 01371 850532 www.fullerequine.co.uk www.facebook.com/fullerequine fullerequine@gmail.com

Wherry Veterinary Group Bungay, Suffolk

Working with you for the health and wellbeing of your equine companions. Take advantage of our experienced equine team and our modern, purpose built premises.

01986 892771 64

HAWKEDON VETS EQUINE PRACTICE

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Vets in the Spotlight

SHOWDATE DIARY VETERINARY CONTACTS