Absolute Horse April 2018

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F

E M K ’M C -I !

PI P EE U R

Absolute

APRIL 2018

Win

s e z i r P ! e r o l a G PLUS

...COUNTRY & EQUESTRIAN CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES INSIDE!

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Photo: Boots and Hooves Photography

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APRIL

2018 ISSUE 321

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38 22

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.

COMPETITIONS & GIVEAWAYS 11 Bolesworth International Horse Show Tickets 20 Equerry Horse Feeds 22 Silvermoor Swingers 33 Aerochill Boots from Treehouse 35 Equisafety Boots 43 Equitheme Bracelet Fly Mask FEATURES 8 Special Report: Pony Club Conference On The Market 9 10 Show Time

How to contact and connect with us...

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WHAT’S

INSIDE

REGULARS 4 News NEW Ariat Share Your Snaps 6 7 Sophie Callahan’s Shoot of the Month - Izabella Rogers 43 NEW Catch up with Gaby Lucas 58 Reports 60 Vets Directory 61 Classifieds 62 Showdates

Paddocks suffered in the recent weather? Read feature on page 36 for sound advice from Jonathan Cox from Suregrow UK.

Ride Like: Team Bates Nutrition: Ex-Racehorse Laminitis Health & Welfare including VetWatch: Twins Country and Equestrian Clothing & Accessories - Plus Meet the Bloggers Careers, Education & Training Tips From The Top Saddlery & Tack Love Dogs Ride Like: Emily King Ride Like: Team McNab

01473 731220

office@ahmagazine.com

www.issuu.com

facebook.com/Absolute-Horse

#abfabnagmag

www.absolutehorsemagazine.com

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

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NEWS

SAFETY WEEK

EIGHT CHARITIES SHORTLISTED FOR £50K GRANT

Visitors at Redwings Horse Sanctuary are being invited to give the gift of carrots and support rescued horses this International Carrot Day on 4th April. Supporters are welcome to leave a bag of carrots or make a donation towards funding nutritious meals for the 1,500 rescued Redwings residents nationwide.

PETPLAN EQUINE TEAM

The success of the Petplan Equine Ambassadors in 2017 led to the company deciding to continue with seven of their current Ambassadors and select three more riders for 2018 from its own customer base. These riders are all well known in their local equestrian community, advocates for responsible horse ownership and are passionate about competing.

Katie Preston, Heather Finlay and Laura Graham join the remaining seven Ambassadors who include Juliette Edmonds from Buntingford.

See page 46 to find out more about Juliette.

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The British Equestrian Trade Association have launchd a new annual initiative to highlight the importance of safety gear that is correctly fitted and fastened – and up to standard.

BETA Safety Week runs from 28th April to 6th May and is being supported by some of the sport’s leading equestrians, including event rider William Fox-Pitt.

Harry Hall and Holly

Tamsin Drew

Photo: Lorraine Porter

Five equine charities are among the eight shortlisted to gain a £50,000 grant from SEIB Insurance Brokers. The leading equestrian insurer announced last August that it was to award the sum to a charity voted for by SEIB clients.

“I was impressed with the response to this opportunity and I am delighted that it has highlighted how much we, as a company, do for charity and how committed we are to supporting good causes,” said SEIB chief executive Barry Fehler.

The shortlisted eight include Riding for the Disabled (RDA); the British Horse Society; Redwings Horse Sanctuary; Welsh Pony Rescue; World Horse Welfare; Fairly Beloved Rabbit Care; New Wildlife Rehabilitation Wing animal hospital; and Demelza Hospice Care for Children.

Last November the Absolute Horse Magazine ran a story about Harry Hall, and their quest to find riders to join their existing team of Ambassadors.

An amazing two of the seven lucky amateur riders chosen are from the Absolute Horse region! One is amateur event rider Tamsin Drew from Buntingford who says: "I cannot wait to wear and promote Harry Hall's new collections. I am a huge fan of HarryHall.com products and have been particularly impressed with their ProTech Masta range which is now an essential part of my horse’s management.”

Commented Harry Hall Editor Lucy Higginson, “The second is a young man we simply couldn’t resist because his name is Harry Hall too! We will be supporting Harry, 4, and his sister Holly, 7, as they get stuck into Pony Club activities with the Cambridgeshire and Enfield Chace and some showing.”

Harry and his pony Mooky will be joining Holly and her pony Freddie at Pony Club this year and he will hopefully be following in Holly's showing success.

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SADDLE SNAPS

SADDLE

SNAPS

Our new competition where each month an Absolute Horse reader will win a pair of

ARIAT BURFORD BOOTS

- Tegan White “Don’t worry mum, I will lead him for you”

- Hannika Coates-Melton “Belle I am taller than this snowman!” says Floyd

- Lisa Ardener “Still a bit more training to do!”

worth over £130!

- Katie Tompkins

Sponsored by

“Never eat yellow snow!”

- Catherine McNab

“Tits and Teeth!”

- Claire Gough

“Beast from the East has frozen my whiskers!”

Entry is easy, simply email a candid photo of your horse to

WINNER! “Quick! Act natural, mum’s looking”

snaps@ ahmagazine.com

Don't forget to include your contact details and a caption to your pic...best pic/caption wins the boots...

Good luck!

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- Clare Shrimpton-Wicks

“Spring you say...well I’m not impressed!”

- Emily Vine “..and he said, why the long face?!”

- Louise Reed

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Sohf othoet Month

Izabella Rogers with Whinney and Alfie

- Bernice Morley “Are we done yet?!”

- Ellie Goodwin

“Say cheeeeeeese!”

- Michelle Mayer

allelujah! It happened. It finally happened! If you’re one of my long time followers, you may remember a beautiful snow shoot I did, around five years ago, with a coloured pony and a little girl in a red dress. It’s worth repeating that that shoot was FIVE YEARS AGO. Because that is the only snow shoot I have ever done.

Every year I cross my fingers for a substantial snow fall, so that I can get out and take gorgeous snow photos. And every year, Essex gets diddly squat.

That is, until December 2017. We got a huge snow fall and everyone was all excited about it on social media… And there I was, in Devon! Can you believe it? I was gutted. I was in Devon, without so much as a single snowflake, and all the white stuff was back at home. By the time I got back, it’d gone. Devastated!

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“Spring you say?” www.sophiecallahanphotography.com Blog: www.sophiecallahanblog.com

So, when I saw that ‘The Beast From The East’ was due to hit, I had to remind myself not to get my hopes up. But boy did I get my hopes up!

The snow fell, the sun shone and my camera got to shoot it’s debut snow session. (Can we all please mentally insert some celebratory music here?!)

And what better models to do it with than these gorgeous girls. I have photographed Izabella before, so when her mum mentioned that they’d be up for booking a snow shoot, I was SO excited.

Izabella showjumps for GB and has a string of superstar showjumping ponies (pictured: Whinney and Alfie) - all of whom were fabulous models and fascinated by the snow.

Huge thank you to Izabella and all of her ponies, for braving the icy temperatures for the sake of gorgeous photos. You were absolute troopers!

Sophie x 7

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SPECIAL REPORT

PONY CLUB 2018 CO

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ast September myself, HELD AT EDGBASTON CRICKET GROUND, BIRMINGHAM, ON Victoria Hargreaves, MONDAY 5TH MARCH, A HOST OF GREAT SPEAKERS WERE AN Helena Bissex and ATTENDANCE TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE THE WHOLE PONY Georgia Stanton travelled to CLUB COMMUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER FOR A THRIVING Canada as The Great British FUTURE. TWO LOCAL FIGURES WERE INVITED TO ATTEND...

WAVENEY HARRIERS PONY CLUB DC

JUDY HAYTHORNTHWAITE

D

ecades of volunteering work for the Waveney Harriers Pony Club was recognised recently when Judy Haythornthwaite, the Waveney Harriers Pony Club District Commissioner, was invited to meet Princess Anne.

Princess Anne gave an inspirational speech and was then introduced to a few of the great and the good - including Judy.

She had asked to meet some of the outstanding volunteers from across the UK and Judy was an obvious choice. Judy first became involved in the Waveney Harriers over forty years ago when her own

daughters became young members and she soon started teaching. She is now the driving force behind this thriving branch, one of the most active in the country.

Judy’s energy and passion is renowned and she rarely misses a rally or competition whether it’s the mounted Easter Egg Hunt, team showjumping at Burghley, cross country training with David Merritt, jumping with Sharon Hunt or a beach ride with the lead rein groups. A stickler for high standards, Judy believes in teaching not just the very best in riding and horse care but in promoting the values of sportsmanship, loyalty,

friendship and self discipline to take out in to the wider world.

Thrilled though Judy was to meet the Princess Royal, she felt that the honour really should go to the army of parents and committee members who volunteer their help so generously and cheerfully.

“Without this teamwork our members wouldn’t have the opportunities and fun and friendship that make the Waveney Harriers such a special experience”. One of the hundreds of messages of congratulations from members and parents that flooded in after Judy had been presented to Princess Anne sums up the feeling within the Branch: “Wow, super well done Judy Haythornthwaite! We know you are an amazing DC but lovely that the Princess Royal knows it too!”

Pony Club International Quiz Team, and we were asked if we could be speakers at the Pony Club Conference. We all proudly accepted.

At the Conference we all had microphones on which made us a little nervous as we realised at this point that there were going to be people listening to us.

We were one of the first speakers of the day following Claire Lomas MBE. Claire was previously a Pony Club member and unfortunately experienced an accident at Osberton Horse Trials in 2007, which resulted in broken ribs puncturing her lungs and causing pneumonia; she had multiple fractures of her neck and a spinal cord injury causing paralysis from the chest down. In 2012 Claire participated in the London Marathon raising money for the charity, Spinal Research. Claire didn’t just stop there and has completed many other marathons and fantastic achievements using the Rewalk suit to fundraise. She is such an inspiration and left me fighting back the tears.

We were then interviewed by Aly Vance in front of about 500 people. This was very exciting due to Aly being a famous sports broadcaster and former international athlete. Whilst on stage, we reminisced our trip

Conf2018 #P #PCConf2018 #PCConf2018 #PCConf2018 #PC

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O

NFERENCE

ON THE MARKET

Stable Cottage Great Finborough, Near Stowmarket Guide Price £1,350,000

and explained what we did while we were in Canada.

After our interview with Aly, we had the absolute honour and privilege of meeting HRH Princess Anne as representatives of The Pony Club. When meeting Princess Anne, we were fortunate enough to talk with her, where we discovered how delightful and easy to talk to she was.

After lunch we spent the afternoon listening to more speakers such as Richard Waygood MBE, a performance coach, who spoke about how important team work was, as well as being entertained by Rory Bremner, who was hilarious when he spoke about being a

Pony Club father!

We were then put into groups for breakout sessions, where we discussed ways to improve The Pony Club. This was great because everyone was able to have their say and the topics were viewed from different angles, such as members, parents, DC’s, Area representatives and those from headquarters.

The International Exchange last year has opened so many doors for me and I am so grateful for being selected and supported by my family, friends and branch (East Essex Hunt) on team GB.

By Lucy Stammers

#PCConf2018 #PCConf2018

IMMACULATE AND EXTENSIVE EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY WITH DUAL ACCOMMODATION OF 4/5 BEDROOM MAIN HOUSE AND 3 BEDROOM ANNEXE, SET IN SUPERB LOCATION AWAY FROM NEIGHBOURS AT THE BOT TOM OF A LONG DRIVEWAY IN AROUND 14.62 ACRES ( STMS ).

WE SPOKE WITH EMILY COOPER- READE OF ECR PROPERTIES TO FIND OUT MORE...

“Stable Cottage is located at the bottom of a long driveway, away from neighbours, and offers two substantial detached properties.

The main house has flexible modern 4/5 bedroom accommodation of which two bedrooms are on the ground floor. The cottage annexe has three bedrooms making the property suitable for dual family living.

“Until recently the property was the home of the renowned and busy Klub Equest riding school. The owners took the hard decision to close the riding school as they wished to downsize the business in order to allow more time for their family. Klub Equest still offers riding tuition and events for people with their own horses and is run as a livery yard.

“The Stable Cottage mini estate would be an ideal opportunity for somebody looking to run an equestrian business and has great potential or other uses/income streams (subject to planning). It would equally make a superb property for private use as a competitor. The yard is well located and is not far from the A14 for access to road routes.”

Visit www.ecrproperties.com

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SHOW TIME REDWINGS HORSE SHOW 13TH MAY

ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW 9TH -13TH MAY With all eyes on Windsor ahead of the highly anticipated Royal wedding the following week, over 55,000 spectators are expected to attend the Show to enjoy the top-class sporting action, entertainment and shopping across the five days.

Having seen over 3,000 entries at the 2017 event, the Show remains the pinnacle of the equestrian

LYCET TS FESTIVAL OF HUNTING 18TH JULY The prestigious Lycetts Festival of Hunting will take place on Wednesday 18th July at the East of England Showground, Peterborough. For many, the day marks the highlight of the summer social calendar and includes the Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show which celebrates its 130th anniversary this year.

The Festival will play host to a variety of showing classes with in-hand and ridden equine classes and qualifiers for HOYS in many categories, as well as the inter-hunt relays.

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calendar, and the only Show in the UK to host four of the eight FEI disciplines; Show Jumping, Dressage, Carriage Driving and Endurance. The recently upgraded 5* status attracts the sports’ most prominent competitors to the illustrious setting. www.rwhs.co.uk

NEWMARKET TOURS 23RD MAY & 26TH JUNE Tourism hub for the Home of Horseracing, Discover Newmarket, has announced an exclusive partnership with Shadwell, one of the best-regarded bloodstock operations in the world. This partnership sees Discover Newmarket delivering two exclusive tours.

The tours will offer privileged access behind the scenes at Shadwell’s Nunnery Stud, and will include the Newmarket Gallops, Roger Varian’s Carlburg Stables, Palace House, The Kings Head, Dullingham for a three-course lunch and The Shadwell Estate.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary are hosting their annual show this year on Sunday 13th May at Topthorn Equestrian Centre, Suffolk.

The schedule offers classes for everyone, including Working Hunter, In-hand and Ridden Showing classes and the fun and friendly Novice and Just for Fun classes. Not forgetting, the Rescue Classes, open to any horse rehomed from a registered charity, and raising money for Redwings’ Amersham 10 campaign to mark the 10-year anniversary of the rescue of over 100 horses and donkeys from Spindle Farm in Amersham.

To find out more visit: www.redwings.org.uk

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D? ENT SPOTTE L A T E B U O LY

WIL THE SHOWING REGISTER CLINIC 15TH APRIL & 7TH MAY

Want to start Showing this year or simply improve your results?

Then visit the TSR Clinic on 15th April at Grey Fern Park Equestrian Centre, Cambsbridgeshire or the Training Classes at the TSR Spring Show on 7th May at Onley Equestrian Centre, Rugby for lots of top tips on how to improve your performance in the ring and find out what those Judges look for!

Exclusively for Amateurs is the TSR Training Pathway which leads to the TSR/HOYS Showing Master Class. Get talent spotted at a clinic for your chance to take part in the Master Class at HOYS. www.theshowingregister.co.uk

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW 3RD -7TH OCTOBER As one of the longest standing horse shows in the UK to have been running consecutively for 70 years, this year Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) is set to impress! #HOYS70YEARS

COMPETITION WIN TICKETS TO THE EQUERRY BOLESWORTH INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW! The 2018 Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show is taking place from 13th - 17th June in the stunning grounds of Bolesworth Castle near Tattenhall, Chester – and here four lucky winners will each win a pair of tickets for the Sunday to this fantastic event.

If you’re a fan of world-class showjumping, international dressage and high-end shopping and dining, you won’t want to miss out on this great competition - this spectacular day out promises to deliver in so many ways! www.bolesworthinternational.com

k!

Good Luc

To enter go online at www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the competitions page. Deadline is 30th April 2018.

WOODBRIDGE HORSE SHOW 7TH MAY The Woodbridge Horse Show will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 7th May. A charity in its own right, it started in 1871 as a breed show for Suffolk Horses and every year it donates to the Suffolk Horse Society breeding fund.

Deborah Willingale said, “It is held in Trinity Park, Ipswich from 8am.

We have affiliated and unaffiliated classes in showjumping, showing, side saddle, carriage driving, dressage plus more, and there’s a farriery competition and dog agility show.“ Adults £5, children free.

Free car parking.

Tradestands. Food and drink.

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SHOW TIME with the extreme fluctuations in temperature and strange weather sequences. However, as horses find it easier to heat up than cool down, being left over rugged can result in excess sweating and heat rash, and can even cause colic like symptoms.

Grooming is the number one way to speed up the shedding process and can help to boost your horse’s overall coat

By Marta Kotonska, condition. Using a good curry Director of Eqclusive comb and shedding blade will help to increase circulation whilst removing loose hair at the same time. The process will also help to stimulate the hair shedding as the hair becomes changes in daylight hours. The ith Spring just follicles, which in turn opens the shedding process can begin after loose. Loose hair also brings up around the corner dander and dirt that your horse pores and encourages the the winter solstice, when and the prospect of natural oils within the coat to may have accumulated sunnier days seeming slightly daylight hours increase. The come to the surface. This will subtle changes in daylight hours underneath the coat. This can more likely, horse and pet lead to excessive scratching and give an overall improved register with the horse’s brain owners around the country condition of the coat and will rolling, and in many cases, immediately, which results in will be preparing themselves leave your horse looking owners can find their horses the optic nerves sending for the dreaded shedding becoming particularly grumpy or healthier and shinier in the long messages to the pineal gland. season. run. ‘ratty’ at this time of year.

From there, the pineal gland With season changes comes secretes the correct hormones to It is possible to assist your horse Using a shedding blade such as confusing weather conditions, through this itchy time, and it is the SleekEZ is highly tell the body to prepare for temperature fluctuations and recommended at this time. It is changes in daylight hours, which warmer weather. As the hours of highly recommended that you do. The first point to consider is specifically designed to work daylight increase, a horse’s is the main contributor to the effectively on both short and winter coat begins to loosen and to avoid over rugging. This is a change in your horses’ coat. clipped coats, as well as the problem that is extremely During this time, horses can shed. common at this time of year, become quite itchy, and us How you can assist in owners are usually left covered the shedding process head to toe in horse hair, which Horses itch a lot during sometimes feels impossible to escape! Assisting in your horse’s shedding can help speed up this horribly hairy period of time, and can also help to boost your horses’ overall coat condition.

SPRING SHEDDING

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So… What is happening with your horse’s coat?

Many people presume that horse’s coat changes are triggered by the weather.

However, their spring shedding is actually triggered by the

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hairiest, too. The unique blade gets to the base of the coat, removing all compacted dirt and dander along with the loose hairs, which helps to relieve all itching and discomfort for the horse.

SleekEZ is essential during this time of the year. It does not only help with de-shedding, but removes hair from rugs, numnahs and household items too. The product is also great for cats and dogs too, coming in three sizes to cater for this.

How do horses in the wild manage moulting season?

Horses out in the wild do not have the luxury of daily grooming, however they do have each other, which is where mutual grooming takes place.

By using their teeth against each other, they remove shedding hair, enhance circulation and bring natural oils to the coat.

This is why we owners need to ensure that we take the time to ensure that this daily routine is still taken care of.

Using brushes made with horse hair is recommended for optimum results, which is why Marta Kotonska, owner and founder of Eqclusive Ltd, created the Eqclusive brush packs. The horse hair used in these brushes work with the hair and skin in a manner that improves the overall coat condition, and achieves a natural shine that would not be possible from plastic bristled brushes. www.eqclusive.com

SEIB IS NEW TITLE SPONSOR OF NATIONAL SHOWING AWARDS SEIB Insurance Brokers is the new title sponsor of the prestigious British Showing Awards.

This annual competition, organised by Showing World magazine, recognises and rewards leading figures - human and equine - in various branches of the discipline, culminating in a glittering evening awards ceremony on 20th October at the National Conference Centre, Hampton in Arden, near Solihull.

Nominations for the awards are now open and

will close on 1st May, when this year’s finalists will be chosen. Final voting begins on 1st June and closes on 7th September.

Categories include show horse, show pony, show rider and veteran horse or pony of the year, as well as similar accolades for the most popular junior, breeder, show handler, professional and amateur groom. www.showingworldonline.co.uk

Product News...

Golly Galoshes are ideal for use over travel bandages, helping to keep them free from bedding and droppings on route to the show.

RRP: from £26.99 - £35.99. www.gollygaloshes.com

Equetech Regency Breeches with silicone grip knees. RRP:£83.50. www.equetech.com

Eqclusive, is delighted to announce the sponsorship of Karen McConnell from KA Equestrian!

“I could not be more excited about this new sponsorship and the opportunity to become part of the Eqclusive family,” said Karen.

Catch Karen’s column on page 39.

Super Groom Whitening Shampoo - A whitening and colour enhancing shampoo with optical brighteners, moisturisers and conditioners that naturally highlight the coat, bringing out the brilliance in light coloured coats, leaving white socks whiter than white, and darker coats with a deep rich colour.

RRP: 473ml £10.99.

Super Groom Citronella Shampoo - A fragrant shampoo with Citronella oils which is gentle on the skin and will leave your horse with the aroma of lemon zest.

RRP: 1ltr £11.99 and 4ltr yard size £26.99.

Super Groom T-Tree Shampoo - With Melaleuca and Aloe to soothe, moisturise and cleanse, ideal for horses and ponies prone to sensitive skin.

RRP: 1ltr £10.99 and 4ltr yard size £29.99. www.equine-america.co.uk

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Ride like...

TUTORIAL

J

o and her daughter Holly Bates consistently produce horses to the top level for both showing and dressage.

Team Bates have around seven horses in their Banbury yard

2016 HOYS Hack of the Year, Elusive

including the 2016 HOYS Hack of the Year, Elusive and Yvonne Jacques HOYS qualified exracehorse, Grandeur. Dressage rider, Holly Bates competes her own horse, Cambridge, at Prix St George level.

Holly is always on hand to turn out Team Bates’ show horses, she plaits both the show horses and her own dressage horses.

Holly gave us some top tips for ensuring perfect plaits: With the young horses, we always take great care the first few times. I always ask someone to hold the horse if he is looking unsure as the last thing we want is a horse to pull back when tied up. I am also careful when I first stand up on my plaiting crate – it can unsettle some horses to have someone standing above them.

ABSORBINE SHOWING AMBASSADORS, TEAM BATES KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT ACHIEVING PERFECTION. JO BATES HAS WON SEVERAL MAJOR SHOWING TITLES, INCLUDING AT HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW AND THE ROYAL INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW.

THE ART OF

PLAITING 14

Photo: Kevin Sparrow

TEAM BATES

Holly Bates and Cambridge

We wash the horses’ manes in Absorbine 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner a couple of days before they are going to be plaited – this minimises the slippiness of the mane when plaiting.

I have an apron with pockets that I tie round my middle when plaiting so that everything I need is to hand. I don’t have to be climbing on and off my crate to pick up the scissors or thread.

My plaiting apron contains a body brush for wetting the mane, hair gel which helps hold the plaits in place, a big plastic claw hair clip which helps keep other sections of hair out of the way when plaiting, thread, a couple of needles, a decent pair of scissors and a fine mane comb.

Once I get underway, I divide the mane into sections as I go, starting from the poll and working my way down. I use the mane comb to measure out each segment to be plaited. To get a good finished look, each section of mane must be the right size, but you also need to

pay attention to having a good, crisp line between the plaits. The mane comb gets this set up and then the hair claw clip pins back the hair next to the plait to make it stay this way.

I wet the mane slightly before starting each plait – it is much cheaper than plaiting spray and just as effective! I then add a small bit of gel to the top of the hair and begin to plait down tightly. I always find it better to start off tight and then the plait can be loosened by sticking my fingers in it if necessary.

After I reach the end of the plait, I fold the end over and tightly wrap thread around the ends. I trim off any bits of hair that are sticking out. The plait is then folded over and stitched and

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then folded over for a second time before the final stitching.

If you want the plaits to stick up from the neck to accentuate it then this is the part that needs practise before perfection can be achieved!

I normally plait the forelock at the same time as the rest of the mane. If the horse has a coarse mane, I might do a French plait in the forelock – it depends on what will look best in the ring.

Great care is needed when trimming the bridlepath between the ears, start with a section an inch wide and then possibly increase it to one and a half inches – once it’s gone, it’s gone! Find the horse’s poll and cut the hair right behind that.

After the initial inch wide bridlepath has been cut, we put the bridle on to see what it looks like and then take a bit more off if necessary. There should never be a big empty gap between the

headpiece of the bridle and the top plait.

We prefer to plait on the day of the show as that way there is less time for the plaits to get rubbed or messed up. Once the plaits are completed, whether the day of the show or the day before, we put on a lycra hood to protect them.

If we plait the day before the show and the horse is prone to rubbing the plaits, we try to minimise the rubbing opportunities.

We always bring the plaiting gear to a show and make sure to arrive well before our class so if any plaits need to be redone at the last minute they can be. www.absorbine.co.uk

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NUTRITION

FEEDING YOUR

EX RACEHORSE

During these early stages from a feeding perspective you will probably still find that a low energy maintenance feed will be suitable to ensure that your horse remains temperamentally sound. However, the following tips should help you to make the right choice.

By Lizzie Drury Msc Rnutr Registered Nutritionist RECAP: Saracen Horse Feeds Allow your horse

H

aving been fortunate enough to own and re train several ex racehorses I can honestly say they are amazing horses!

Owning an ex racehorse can be a roller coaster of emotions, they give so much pleasure, joy, and happiness and make you feel proud of your relationship together, but the journey can also be challenging, frustrating, and sometimes filled with a feeling of hopelessness. For those of you who are first time ex racehorse owners the following article will

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hopefully help to guide you through the feeding solutions.

When you first get your new ex racehorse you will probably have given him some rest time to enable him to become accustomed to his new life and future career. Hopefully this will have been stress free and he will be happy to have chill time in the field and will feel comfortable in his new daily routine. By now you will probably be introducing him to his new training regime and he will be starting to learn that ridden work is not all about going in a straight line from A to B at the fastest possible speed!

time to settle.

Remember moving home for a horse will involve not just a change in scenery but a change in field mates, diet and routine.

The change in environment is likely to make your new horse feel on his toes, so it is a good idea to initially just allow him ad lib access to plenty of good quality forage. If you intend to keep him stabled for a few days, then offer him a variety of different fibre sources to help keep him occupied and feel more at ease (Hi Fi, Readi Grass, hay and / or haylage). A few days without a concentrate feed to provide additional vitamins, minerals and quality protein will not have any detrimental effects! The health of his tummy is far more important and plenty of long stem forage will be key to this.

THE WAY FORWARD Everything must start with

High fibre pencils, such as Saracen Super Fibre Cubes are a good starting point if your horse is lacking condition or a feed balancer such as Essential Balancer if he is carrying good body condition.

ensuring that forage forms the foundation of your ex racehorse’s ration. There are and can be no short cuts. If your ex racehorse is not eating at least 1.5% of his bodyweight as long stem forage, then seek advice on how to increase his fibre intake.

DO NOT try and make up this deficit by using a concentrate feed. Forage and fibre are essential to maintaining a healthy hindgut. Some horses may have compromised hindgut function and so in addition to feeding forage you may also need to consider using specific supplements that ‘target’ the hindgut. Feeding a yeast such as Yea Sacc, helps to support the gut ‘friendly’ bacteria and buffering supplements such as KER Equishure will help to maintain an optimum environment which will support the growth and stability of the microbial population.

Horses can behave very differently in new surroundings so as your ex racehorse would have previously been fed on a high-energy diet, I would always suggest that you start at the bottom until your horse is completely happy and settled in his new home. This will help to avoid any problems with excitability and inappropriate behaviour!

Once your horse is happy and relaxed in his new home and you can start to think about choosing the right feed that will suit his temperament, metabolic rate and the job that you are going to be asking him to do.

Continued overleaf...

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NUTRITION Continued from previous page...

Remember that if you are going to be feeding a different make of feed, that you introduce it gradually, over 10-14 days.

energy to give the lift and presence while digestible fibres and oils provide substantial amounts of slow release energy to support stamina based activity. I.e. Enduro Performance.

temperament but provide plenty of slow release energy to support high levels of work.

If you suspect that your ex racehorse has gastric ulcers, then I would advise that you have If you intend to focus on stamina If on the other hand, you have an these treated before you embark type work then choose feeds on the rest of your journey excitable ex racehorse that that use a variety of energy requires a higher energy intake together. sources such as digestible fibres Supplements such as KER Rite (soya hulls, beet pulp and alfalfa, but one that will also help to keep him calm then cereal free Trac can be fed daily or a high oil level and some performance feeds such as strategically at times of high risk micronized cereals). These (travelling, competing etc) to performance-based feeds have a Saracen Re-Leve would be help buffer excess stomach acid lower inclusion of oats compared suitable. This ration is low in and provide a protective layer to a typical performance feed but sugar and starch so will not over the squamous mucosa to provides just enough fast release exaggerate an excitable

Baileys En Premier OWNER’S NAME: Baileys Horse Feeds LOCATION: Essex COLOUR: Bay SEX: Gelding HEIGHT: 16.3hh AGE: 7 years BREED: TB by Exceed And Excel out of Numberonedance (Trempolino)

help protect against the acid.

Always make sure that you are feeding enough of your chosen diet. Start out by weighing your feed scoops. Not only is feeding the correct amount important for managing body condition score and performance but it ensures that adequate levels of quality protein for cell renewal, tissue and muscle repair are provided and vitamins and minerals to maintain health and well being. www.saracenhorsefeeds.com

AKA CRACKER

Cracker was born in France, where Baileys keep a number of Thoroughbred mares, and ran on the flat in France as a two and 3year-old then came over to the UK, where he was trained in Newmarket by Chris Dwyer to 4 wins on turf and all weather.

He then returned to France and ran over hurdles and fences before being retired from racing in July 2016.

Baileys Nutrition Director, Liz Bulbrook, whose own horse events,

always said Cracker should go eventing when he retired from racing. “He was a big strong yearling and seemed to have the stamp of an eventer from the beginning,” she says. Baileys

Marketing Manager, Jane Buchan, is a keen eventer – competing Liz’s horse as well as her own – and wanted first shot at him, when his career change was decided. “If Baileys were going to own their first event horse, I really didn’t want it going to anyone else!”

Cracker had nearly 9 months off to sort out some foot issues and has been back in work since April 2017.

He has been cross country schooing and showjumping and the plan is to try his first BE90 in about May.

Cracker lost a fair bit of condition on his journey from France so needed to chill out and gain weight. As such a huge percentage of racehorses are known to suffer with gastric ulcers, this assumption was also made about him, although he wasn’t scoped. He was therefore fed Baileys Ease & Excel, a low starch, low sugar, high calorie feed formulated for horses prone to gastric ulcers. The slow release energy it provides comes from digestible fibre sources and oil, while quality protein helps to build top line.

Cracker is still eating Ease & Excel, having been in work since April 2017. He has gained condition well and now he is happy and healthy he is able to focus on his new training.

“Like all ex-racehorses, it’s a long journey, completely changing their whole way of going. Cracker seems to have ability and a good attitude so we’re looking forward to seeing how he performs in his new career,” says Jane.

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NUTRITION

- Rebecca

REBECCA AND INDIE

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN!

R

WIN!

COMPETITION “Indie now not only looks great but performs at her best throughout demanding times”

ebecca Jago and her dun Appaloosa X Warmblood mare Rowesbrook Indiana are a match made in heaven competing in everything from Riding Club competitions to showing, dressage to music and British Eventing.

Fed on Equerry Conditioning Mash, Indie as she is known at home looks a picture of health all year round and has been fed on Equerry for more than 12 months.

Indie is a 10-year-old, 15.1hh homebred mare out of another of Rebecca’s homebred mare’s Sunspot Tia Maria.

Rebecca has always had a passion for horses since a young age and alongside her interest in breeding horses she trained as a riding instructor.

However, Rebecca went off to University to become a teacher and now

juggles being a full-time classroom teacher with taking part in as many competitions as she can fit in.

Rebecca competes in all disciplines from Riding Club Championships to The Royal International Horse Show and British Eventing, with Equerry Conditioning Mash keeping Indie performing at and looking her best.

Said Rebecca: “Indie is so willing and tries her hardest at everything, she is just a superstar and we have so much fun together.”

Before feeding Equerry Conditioning Mash, Indie was fed straights such as barley and has since seen a huge difference. The Equerry Conditioning Mash enables Indie to stay in excellent condition whilst having enough fuel to keep her competing. www.equerryhorsefeeds.com

WIN ONE OF 15 BAGS OF EQUERRY CONDITIONING MASH! Equerry Conditioning Mash is quick-soaking mash for horses that need to gain weight and condition.

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.

A high level of yeast promotes a healthy digestive system, with added vitamins and minerals including magnesium.

Normal RRP: £11.95 www.equerryhorsefeeds.com

ANAND PATEL...

Photo: Jason Bax

/Equuis Photog

raphy

Anand Patel is delighted to be joining Dengie Horse Feed’s stable of supported riders and ambassadors, and will now benefit from the support of Dengie’s expert nutritionists.

“I am absolutely thrilled - having the support of Dengie is an absolute honour and a privilege and one that we are very excited about.”

Anand’s yard of international dressage horses compete at Prix St George through to Novice.

20

k!

Good Luc

To enter go online at

www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the competitions page.

Deadline is 30th April 2018.

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:09 Page 21

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:09 Page 22

NUTRITION Official Forage Supplier at HOYS HorseHage is proud to continue the role of Official Forage Supplier at this year’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), which takes place on 3rd – 7th October at the NEC, Birmingham. HorseHage dust-free bagged forage will be available to all horses and ponies competing there. www.horsehage.co.uk

BRAND AMBASSADOR Equiglo Horse Feeds is giving enthusiastic amateur riders from across the UK the opportunity to become brand ambassadors.

Applications are invited from those who are passionate about equine nutrition and wellbeing, and have horses and ponies that are fed a healthy fibre diet, enjoying life to the max and regularly taking part in competitions.

Those interested in becoming a representative of the Equiglo brand should contact Deborah Hayward at Equiglo Horse Feeds for an application form, email deborah@profilespr.co.uk or telephone 01765 635314.

22

WIN! WIN! COMPETITION

WIN ONE OF 20 SILVERMOOR SWINGERS!

“I can not thank TopSpec enough” - Kate

FACE OF TOPSPEC 2018

After a nationwide search Hulabaloo owned by Kate Massey has been chosen as ‘The Face of TopSpec’.

Ten-year-old Hulabaloo, known in the stable as Blue Bear is a 15.2hh tricoloured sports horse, bred in the West Country by Wiscombe Challenger and Wiscombe Jenny-Wren.

Said Kate: “Since using TopSpec he looks so well in himself and his coat is always shiny. The TopSpec Lite Balancer works so well for us as he is a particularly good-doer and every calorie does count.

“If Blue gains too much weight, he very quickly becomes lethargic, however since feeding the TopSpec Lite Feed Balancer he is in a much better shape than ever before and is so much more energetic!”

Silvermoor Swingers are the only hanging forage block available on the market.

Made from pure dried grass and a natural binder with no added sugar the innovative design attaches to the rope (which can be bought separately) and is hung from a height in your stable. There are no corners so horses cannot get purchase on the block ensuring they are eaten slowly over time. www.silvermoor.com

k!

Good Luc

To enter go online at

www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the competitions page.

Deadline is 30th April 2018.

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ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:09 Page 24

LAMINITIS

IN THIS ISSUE, DR TOM SHURLOCK, NUTRITIONIST AT BRITISH HORSE FEEDS, GIVES HIS 10 TOP TIPS WHEN IT COMES TO LAMINITIS

LAMINITIS

s p i T p o T 1 CHECK Laminitis develops in a number of phases. Symptoms such as hot hooves, physical damage such as white line and bruising etc. can appear at any time, depending on the underlying cause. Regular checks will help keep on top of the condition.

2 RISK FACTORS There are known risk factors for laminitis and include predepositions – Cushings, IR, nutrition – high intake of sugars – and mechanical damage, but there are others. Increasing age, breed, obesity, lack of exercise and overfeeding are all factors that can lead to laminitis. As some factors are under our

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control, we can aim to avoid the condition.

3 EXERCISE One of the components of laminitis is vasoconstriction, caused by the absorption of endotoxins from the gut. This causes pooling of blood in the extremities and stops inflammatory factors being flushed away. Gentle exercise can improve the circulation and flush the hoof.

4 WEIGHT AND CONDITION Obesity can cause problems.

Obesity can contribute to EMS and IR, which are implicated in laminitis. High weight puts added pressure on the hoof,

whilst overfeeding will disrupt hindgut function, a primary cause of laminitis. Weight reduction is essential; a condition score of 3-4 to be aimed for.

5 FEEDING Generally, intake should not be more than 2% (dry matter) of a horse’s body weight, rising to 2.5% if undergoing heavy exercise. Within that as much of the feed should be forage, or a fibre feed, and cereal based feeds used to top up nutrients.

With active animals relatively high nutrient levels cause no problems but, with the laminitic, some nutrients can exacerbate or even cause the

problem.

6 CARBOHYDRATES Carbohydrates, including starch, are complexes of sugar molecules. They are digested in the small intestine, absorbed and metabolised. Malfunction of this metabolism can lead to laminitis and so, for Cushings etc., starch and sugar intake must be kept to a minimum.

Additionally, the horse has a limited capacity to absorb sugars and excess is fermented in the hindgut, leading to a microbial dysfunction. Keep the daily intake of sugar/starch below 10%. Avoid raw starch.

Bruising or crushing does not markedly improve digestibility,

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:09 Page 25

but micronizing/cooking does.

Be aware that some products claim to be low in sugar, or starch, but it is the total of the two that matters.

7 PROTEIN Overfeeding protein can be as damaging as overfeeding carbohydrates. Despite the belief that exercise requires large amounts of protein, except for extreme exercise like racing, for example – a dietary level of 12% protein is more than sufficient.

Undigested protein will be fermented by some hindgut bacteria releasing endotoxins and vasoconstrictors, both components in laminitis 8 FRUCTANS One of the major factors quoted to cause laminitis is high levels of fructans in grass. Although technically fibre, fructans is easily fermented releasing lactic acid which disrupts hindgut function and opens absorption to endotoxins. We know levels are high in spring and autumn grass but winter grass, if close cropped, can have higher levels as fructans, and are stored at the base of the grass stem, in preparation of spring. Consider

fertilising a pasture. Growth stimulation will deplete fructans and “dilute� protein levels per unit grown. Soak preserved grass to remove these sugars.

9 FIBRE Fibre is the main energy source for horses. Hind gut fermentation of fibre maintains the correct environment for the microbial fermentation and the integrity of the gut wall.

However, some fibre types are more suitable than others. Sugar beet, alfalfa, soya hulls and oat hay give good VFA proportions, with sugar beet giving the lowest lactic level, and good levels of butyric acid. Butyric improves tight junctions between the gut cells and reduces absorption of endotoxins.

10 FEED Feed a product recommended for laminitics. These have been researched to encompass the above points and will help maintain the correct hindgut environment, ensuring those bacteria that can cause harm will not be able to grow. www.britishhorsefeeds.com

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:09 Page 26

LAMINITIS

By Anna Welch BVSc, BSc, MRCVS. Veterinary Nutrition Director, TopSpec.

LAMINITIS Factors Contributing to

L

aminitis is the end result of multiple factors which can ultimately lead to the inflammation, disruption and failure of the laminae in the foot.

These factors include: Hormonal Dysfunction Hormonal dysfunction has been identified as one of the most important contributing factors and can help to explain why certain horses and ponies are more susceptible to laminitis

than others. Insulin Dysregulation (ID) or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Pars Pituitary Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) or Cushing’s, have been diagnosed by vets in up to 90% of laminitis cases.

However practical feeding advice remains unaltered.

Excessive sugar/starch intake Diet plays a significant role, in particular excessive intakes of sugar and starch. Grass that is

high in sugar (e.g. spring/ autumn/ frosted grass), hard feeds high in sugar/starch and the use of highly molassed feeds can cause a rise in insulin levels in the blood. This hormonal response can be exaggerated in certain horses and ponies due to underlying ID. It is thought that persistently high levels of blood insulin may precipitate laminitis.

The microbial balance of the hindgut can also be affected by excessive consumption of sugar and starch, causing the hindgut to become more acidic. This can allow ‘Laminitis Trigger Factors’ to leak into the bloodstream, ultimately contributing to laminitis.

Obesity Overfeeding of calories, as well as insufficient exercise, will cause a horse or pony to become overweight. Certain individuals will also be more susceptible to becoming obese due to a genetic predisposition.

Obesity is frequently associated with laminitis. Internal fat is hormonally active and can

initiate changes in the foot which may lead to laminitis, and obese horses and ponies may also have ID. Due to the excessive bodyweight carried, there is also a greater load on the structures of the hoof.

Trauma Excessive concussion from repeated exercise on hard, uneven ground and overload of one limb due to a non-weight bearing condition in the opposite limb (such as a fracture), can lead to laminitis. It is thought that this is due to pressure affecting the blood supply to the foot.

Sepsis Certain conditions, such as retained placenta, colitis and in some cases pneumonia, result in the release of toxins into the bloodstream by bacteria.

Laminitis can be seen as the end result of a cascade of inflammatory changes.

Feeding to minimise factors contributing to laminitis Correct nutrition plays a vital role

And from the Horsehage stable...

Mollichaff HoofKind Complete A complete feed that is low in starch and sugar, high in fibre and does not contain any cereals, providing a low level but high quality protein and restricted calories from high quality digestible fibre and oil-based ingredients.

RRP: Around £9.50 (15kg).

All www.horse hage.co.uk

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High Fibre HorseHage A dust-free bagged forage made from a selected mix of grasses that are high in fibre and low in protein and energy levels.

Contains no chemical additives, mould inhibitors or inoculants.

RRP: Around £8 per bale.

Mollichaff Calmer Complete A complete fibre feed formulated for nervous or fizzy horses. Low in sugar and starch and contains a balanced blend of fibre pellets, oat straw, dried grass, herbs, soya oil, vitamins, minerals, limestone and trace elements.

RRP: Around £9.50 (15kg).

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:09 Page 27

in avoiding laminitis. Obesity should be avoided but if your horse or pony has become overweight, an appropriate weight loss programme should be initiated.

Grazing will usually need to be restricted and options for doing this include mixed grazing (e.g. with sheep), using a grazing muzzle, use of a bare paddock/ ‘sacrifice paddock’ or fencing a small area.

When stabled, or in a ‘sacrifice paddock,’ it is best to offer a latecut meadow hay although this may require soaking for between 3 and 12 hours in ample, cool, fresh water to reduce its sugar and calorie content.

Using a haynet with small holes, or a ‘trickle net,’ can be very helpful for greedy horses and ponies. Some hay can be partially replaced by an

exceptionally low calorie, chopped straw to ensure that good-doers do not stand for too long without forage available.

Hard feeds, if needed at all, should be kept low in sugar and starch and cereal-grain-free.

Using a top specification, pelleted or powdered multisupplement is advisable to balance the diet for micronutrients. A broadspectrum supplement, hoof supplement, high levels of antioxidants and pre- and probiotics are all important for those prone to laminitis and on restricted diets.

It is often best to speak to an experienced nutritionist to come up with a plan to suit your horse or pony’s individual needs. www.topspec.com

TopSpec AntiLam is a pelleted multi-supplement designed to provide 5-way nutritional support for those prone to, being treated for, or recovering from laminitis.

AntiLam is used and recommended by nutritionists, vets and farriers.

AntiLam is a brilliant formulation combining several supplements with a high-fibre, very low-calorie carrier to make it palatable. The formula is very low in sugar and starch and cereal-grainfree, making it 'Non-Heating.' www.topspec.com

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LAMINITIS

Product News...

Made from 100% natural ingredients Silvermoor Swingers are low in sugar and low in starch. They provide a healthy addition to be used to compliment the horses’ diet and can help manage weight. They are safe to use for laminitics and good doers as well as insulin resistant horses and those suffering from EMS. www.silvermoor.com

oor Instagram images to the Silverm ur yo st po to er mb Reme account using the hash tag #silvermoors wingers This is Iggle Piggle aka Piggy.

He’s a 7-year-old Shetland pony and really lives up to his stable name! He’s plagued by laminitis throughout the year and he’s on a permanent diet. Swingers have been a revelation to him as his owner (Darcy, aged 2) can hang one in his stable which he loves; not only does it keep him occupied but it maintains his digestive system so he doesn’t stand for long periods without anything to eat.

Lamigard TRT is a highly effective supplement for horses and ponies and can be used at high levels in the short term, and at a maintenance level for long term health. Lamigard TRT will ensure your horse’s feet stay healthy all year round and will complement a careful feeding regime. Lamigard TRT can also be fed to the in-foal and lactating mare.

RRP: 454g £39.99, 908g £69.99, 1ltr £29.99 also in a 60ml paste £31.60. www.equine-america.co.uk

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PRODUCT

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Rowen Barbary

Forage ‘n’ Fibre

Spring can cause a significant problem for horses prone to laminitis when we see a flush of grass growth, and if a lot of grass is available strip grazing will help limit the horse’s total grass intake as will periods of turnout in a grazing muzzle.

For horses in low levels of work and good doers who are often put on restricted grazing Forage ‘n’ Fibre is ideal to use to balance the forage given, supplying all the essential vitamins and minerals whilst keeping energy and calories to a minimum.

Forage ‘n’ Fibre contains a natural blend of forages and fibres providing the horse with all the necessary nutrients required for overall health and vitality whilst keeping energy levels low. With high fibre levels this helps ensure slow rates of digestion throughout the hind gut and helps to maintain gut health. As it contains no cereals and is very low in starch and sugars it is well suited to horses and ponies that are prone to laminitis. www.rowenbarbary.co.uk

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t TWINS: DO h e tc Why scanning the pregnant mare V a W HEALTH & WELFARE

W

e are used to seeing multiple offspring in all the domesticated species which we deal with however horses are unique in as much as they are only designed to produce one foal at a time.

This is because there is only enough room in the mare’s uterus for one placenta so she By can only provide enough nutrients to support one foal.

Ben Ryder-Davies Whilst there are stories of BSc BVMS MRCVS healthy twin foals being born, this is extremely rare and if a mare carries twins this not only puts the foals at risk, it can also cause potentially serious problems for the mare.

Equine twins are not likely to be Ryder-Davies & identical as they are usually the result of multiple ovulations Partners VETERINARY SURGEONS resulting in more than one egg being fertilised rather than a www.ryder-daviesvets.co.uk single fertilised egg splitting in Tel: 01394 380083 two.

The frequency of twin conceptions varies between breeds and individual mares but it is considered that twinning can occur in approximately 10% of matings and if the mare has previously conceived twins then she may be at a higher risk in future of doing so again.

In many cases one or both twins Photos courtesy of may spontaneously reabsorb Saxtead Livestock Ltd and within the first six weeks of www.paulinefowler pregnancy however if twins photography.com. survive past forty days

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An ultra sound image of twins at 15 days gestation

approximately 80% will then abort both foals at about eight to nine months of pregnancy. If both foals reach full term it is unlikely that they will survive however if a twin foal is born alive it is likely to be small and weak.

Risks to the mare are as a result of late term abortions or difficulties arising from trying to foal twins which can result in problems such as trauma to the mare, illness, infection, retained placenta, laminitis and reduced fertility for future breeding.

There are also financial considerations such as the cost of treating complications in the mare, nursing sick foals and problems getting the mare pregnant in the future. In severe cases there is a risk of losing the mare.

The use of ultrasound scanning revolutionised the management of twins in mares. Up until then there was no accurate way of diagnosing twins and therefore it was the commonest cause of abortion in horses. By placing an ultrasound probe in the mare’s rectum it is possible to image the uterus and ovaries which lie just beneath the rectum.

If a mare is scanned at the time of covering by the stallion it is often possible to determine whether there has been more than one ovulation (more than one egg released from the ovaries) and it is therefore known if the mare has a higher than normal risk of twins.

Early pregnancy diagnosis is important to identify the presence of twins and it is advised that the first pregnancy

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:09 Page 31

O UBLE TROUBLE e

is so important scan is performed at 15 days of pregnancy. At this time the embryos are relatively easy to identify and still very mobile as they haven’t yet implanted into the lining of the uterus, which happens at about day 17. This is useful as if they are close together they can be separated and one of the embryos is then manually crushed. This can produce a reaction in the uterus putting the other embryo at risk of reabsorption so it would be normal to check the mare a couple of days later to make sure she is still carrying one pregnancy.

Whether or not twins are seen at day 15 it is always advisable to scan the mare again at about 28 days as in theory ovulations can occur up to five days apart so an embryo can be missed in the early stages.

It is always important to scan a mare before 35 days of

pregnancy as hormonal changes at this time mean that if she loses the pregnancy after 35 days she won’t come back in to season for a few months so may not be able to breed that year.

Twin pregnancies picked up after 28 days can be harder to deal with and it may be necessary to give injections of prostaglandin to abort both pregnancies after this time to prevent risk to the

mare. There are also surgical techniques available whereby the uterus is accessed through the mare’s flank to remove one of the embryos and good results are reported with these although they are not without risk.

In conclusion, ultrasound examination is a relatively straightforward and inexpensive procedure and should be carried

out at 15 days of pregnancy (this can be after the last covering or 15 days after the date of ovulation if that is known). If the mare is confirmed in foal then another scan should be performed at 28 days.

Although the incidence of twins is relatively low, the consequences of it happening can be potentially fatal.

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HEALTH & WELFARE

EFFECTS OF

RIDER WEIGHT

ON EQUINE PERFORMANCE

R

esults of a new pilot study on the effects of rider weight on equine performance, presented at the National Equine Forum on 8th March, show that high rider: horse bodyweight ratios can induce temporary lameness and discomfort. In simple terms, if the rider is excessively heavy for the horse in question it can have a negative impact on the performance of the horse.

Ultimately the study should help with the development of guidelines to help all riders assess if they are the right weight for the horse or pony they intend to ride, to enhance both equine welfare and rider comfort and enjoyment.

Dr Sue Dyson, Head of Clinical Orthopaedics at the Animal Health Trust’s Centre for Equine Studies, Newmarket, who led

the study said: “While all the horses finished the study moving as well as when they started, the results showed a substantial temporary effect of rider weight as a proportion of horse weight. The results do not mean that heavy riders should not ride but suggest that if they do they should ride a horse of appropriate size and fitness, with a saddle that is correctly fitted for both horse and rider.

“We must remember that this is a pilot study: further work is required to determine if horse

FREE EVENING

SEMINAR

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Preparing one of the horses

Moderate rider

fitness, adaptation to heavier weights and more ideal saddle fit will increase the weight an individual horse can carry. This should help us further in our quest to develop guidelines for optimum rider: horse bodyweight ratios.”

As the average weight and height of humans continues to increase there is growing debate about relative rider-horse sizes, with riding school horses epitomising the variety of weights of rider that a single horse may be exposed to.

Numerous inter-related aspects are involved with the horse and rider combination including the age of the horse, its fitness and muscle development, the length of its back and the presence or absence of lameness. The rider’s skill, fitness, balance and coordination are important factors, as is the fit of the saddle to both the horse and rider. The type, speed and duration of work and the terrain over which the horse is ridden must also be considered.

To date little research has been conducted on the effects of rider weight on equine welfare and performance. To address the shortfall World Horse Welfare, the Saddle Research Trust, the British Equestrian Federation and a number of other organisations helped to fund a pilot study last summer, the results of which have now been analysed.

A pilot study assessed gait and behavioural responses in six horses ridden by four riders of similar ability but different sizes.

The riders were all weighed in their riding kit and were subsequently categorised as

How to create rewarding training programmes for your horse is the topic of Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s latest evening of free expert talks and demonstrations.

All are welcome to book onto the To Treat or not to Treat seminar, which will take place at the charity’s Aylsham Visitor Centre, north of Norwich, on Wednesday 25th April from 6.30pm.

Redwings’ Equine Behaviour Manager Sarah Hallsworth will be sharing her top tips on how to use food effectively as part of a horse’s handling training. Using practical exercises and compelling case studies, Sarah aims to give owners the confidence to tackle specific behavioural issues and improve day-to-day interactions with their horse.

To book your free place call 01508 481032 or email education@redwings.co.uk

WIN! WIN!

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:09 Page 33

COMPETITION

being light, moderate, heavy and very heavy. Their body mass index (BMI) was also calculated.

The BMI calculation divides an adult's weight by their height squared and the score is used to assess healthy weight.

Each rider rode each horse in its usual tack and performed a set pattern of exercises comprising mainly trot and canter. Gait, horse behaviour, forces under the saddle, the response to palpation of the back, alterations in back dimensions in response to exercise, heart and respiratory rates, salivary cortisol levels and blink rate were assessed for each combination.

The riding tests for the heavy and very heavy riders were all abandoned, predominantly because of temporary horse lameness. This was likely to have been induced by bodyweight rather than BMI, given that the heavy and moderate riders had similar BMIs, both being

classified as overweight, yet only one of the moderate rider’s tests had to be abandoned. An ethogram, developed by Dr Dyson specifically to assess behavioural markers which may reflect pain in ridden horses, was applied. The scores which may reflect pain were significantly higher in the horses when ridden by the heavy and very heavy riders.

The study also raised the issue of rider height and saddle fit. The owner of one of the test horses had a similar bodyweight: horse bodyweight ratio to the heavy rider and was of similar weight, but significantly different in height (157.0 and 185.5 cm, respectively). This large difference in height has major potential implications for saddle fit for the rider and consequently the rider’s position and weight distribution.

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Aerochill Cooling Boots are also quilted which ensures that evaporation and therefore cooling occurs over a longer period of time.

• Aerochill evaporative cooling products use a non-toxic, super-absorbent polymer fibre, this evaporative cooling technology is used all over the world by elite clients including Formula One drivers, athletes and Military Special Forces to keep them cool.

• The Aerochill Cooling Boot is designed to the shape of a horses’s leg and fetlock so that it will help support and help reduce typical after-workout swelling. Suitable for front and hind legs.

• The Aerochill Cooling Boot can be re-activated over and over again by simply soaking in cold water.

The Bedfordshire-based BedKind team, who manufacture dustextracted cardboard bedding, recently donated pallets of bedding and their time to Ebony Horse Club.

A community riding centre based in Brixton, Ebony Horse Club’s mission is ‘to raise the education, life skills, well-being and aspirations of young people growing up in some of the most disadvantaged communities in south London’, and provides around 140 local young people with opportunities to learn life skills as well as learning to ride and care for horses.

RRP: £41.95/pair.

k!

Good Luc

To enter go online at www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the competitions page. Deadline is 30th April 2018.

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ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:09 Page 34

HEALTH & WELFARE

DAISY’S HERBAL ANSWERS...

Hi, My pony is has had laminitis in the past and has to be on a very restricted diet, are there any herbs that could supplement his diet, to give him vitamins and minerals and help improve hoof quality?

Feeding herbs can be beneficial in supporting horses and ponies that are prone to laminitis in many ways.

Feeding Sea Kelp along with Nettle, Hawthorn and Rosehip can give a great natural source of vitamins and minerals. This can be fed all year round or just at times when the diet is restricted. Kelp is an excellent source of vitamins, essential minerals and amino acids, therefore making it a great multi-vitamin and hoof supplement.

Nettle and Hawthorn are great for circulation and so will improve blood flow to the hoof and in turn improve hoof quality. Rosehip has also been seen to improve hoof quality and is a great source of vitamin C. During times of laminitis, herbs such as Devil's Claw,

FARRIER RECEIVES NEF AWARD

Boswellia or Turmeric could be used to help with inflammation. Hawthorn, Nettle and Cleavers will help with circulation and Comfrey can help to repair damaged tissue.

If drugs have been used for a long period to help with the laminitis, Milk Thistle will support liver function and Meadowsweet will support the digestive tract.

These herbs are often used to supplement diets to help the horses holistically over a period of time. It is important to remember that they take longer to get into the system than medication, therefore, if your horse/pony is suffering from an attack of laminitis needing immediate assistance you should contact your vet. www.champerene bespokehorseherbal.com

Dr Simon Curtis, a practicing farrier in Newmarket, Suffolk was announced as the winner of the Sir Colin Spedding Award at the recent National Equine Forum (NEF).

This special commendation was Dr Simon Curtis receiving the Sir Colin given in recognition of Simon’s Spedding Award, presented by HRH The exceptional practical and Princess Royal, President of the National Equine Forum educational contributions to farriery over 45 years. Runner up was the British Grooms Association (BGA).

Dr Simon Curtis FWCF has been a practicing farrier in Newmarket for 45 years. He has lectured and demonstrated farriery in 30 countries on six continents, published three textbooks on farriery and has been published in numerous journals. Simon is the only farrier awarded an Honorary Associate by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (2002). Simon continues to practice farriery, teach and write.

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Daisy Pric Herbalist e,

HORSE HEALTH IS NO JOKE...

You owe it to your horse to take equine health seriously and that’s why it’s so important to take part in the next National Equine Health Survey (NEHS), which is being held during 21st-28th May. You can do it online quickly and anonymously so there are no excuses! www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS The Racehorse Sanctuary needs our help. The charity relies entirely on public donations and is facing an uncertain future and potential closure and needs vital funds for survival.

Please TEXT your donation by simply texting HORS20 and an amount of £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070.

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:10 Page 35

STRONG, FLAT

OR BOTH? T he snow is still melting as I write this article but summer is just around the corner and suddenly we’ll be aware of exposing bits of our bodies that haven’t seen the light of day for quite some time.

The one thing everybody wants from their core is a flat tummy for their holidays and it’s easy to forget that summer bodies are made in winter.

Nutrition plays the biggest part in this modern day wish, eating a diet rich in sugar and processed foods isn’t going to get that wish granted anytime

See Facebook for The Body Mind Coach FREE Group

ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH...

soon. Spending time preparing healthy food to take to shows and have to hand on the yard will take you towards a flatter stomach, reducing bloating as well as increasing your energy levels.

But we also need a strong core to be able to ride to the best of our ability. When you’re fitter than your horse it’s so much more pleasurable to compete and you’ll notice the difference in your results. The one thing I hear regularly from all trainers is that their clients ‘need to be fitter to do their horse and riding justice plus their core strength especially needs to improve’.

Think of your core as the trunk of a tree, with your legs as the roots and arms as the branches. It’s the central link between the upper and lower body. A weak core will impair the strength, movement and function of your arms and

75%

OF FEMALE HORSE RIDERS WANT BRAS THAT BET TER SUPPORT THEM, FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR HEALTH AND TO AVOID EMBARRASSMENT.

BY SAMANTHA HARDINGHAM

legs. We need it to be strong to enhance balance and stability whilst riding as well supporting your back in the more mundane everyday tasks like mucking out and other yard duties.

The exercises (left) can be done on the yard whilst you’re waiting for the buckets to fill up, so there are no excuses!

30 seconds of each exercise five times!

WIN! A PAIR OF BRUSHING BOOTS FROM

EQUISAFETY!

WE HAVE TEAMED UP WITH EQUISAFETY TO OFFER 1 LUCKY READER THE CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF THEIR DIAMOND REFLECTIVE BRUSHING BOOTS! To be in with a chance of winning visit www.absolutehorse magazine.com and click on the Competition page before the deadline of 30th April 2018.

k!

Good Luc

Aniwell’s FiltaClear is a total reflective sunblocking cream with an SPF of 25+, rated superior protection for UVA/UVB. FiltaClear was specifically developed for animals with sensitive or delicate skins, protects all white or pink skin from sun or dew burn. It rubs into near clear, so is ideal for use at shows, providing maximum sun protection without an obvious appearance. Available at Veterinary clinics, Equine/Pet Supply stores, Pet Pharmacies, and on-line stores. www.aniwell-uk.com

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ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:12 Page 36

Who do you turn to for advice on the correct worming approach?

It is very likely to be your local SQP, a ‘Suitably Qualified Person’ who has undertaken extensive training to be legally entitled to prescribe and supply wormers.

So why not say thank you by nominating them for the Virbac 3D Worming Equine SQP of the Year Award! www.3dworming.co.uk

Spring

PADDOCK MAINTENANCE ADVICE...

Q

uestion: My paddocks have really suffered during the wet winter months – can you offer advice on how to get them ready for summer?

Answer: Jonathan Cox of Suregrow UK provides advice.

As we step into Spring, paddocks and fields will have suffered from their fair share of the unpredictable British weather including rainfall and snow making them nothing more than a muddy mess.

The wet weather will more than likely have made it harder to go about day to day tasks in the field such as getting stuck with the wheel barrow when poo picking and simply walking through gateways with your horse or pony will have become a more labour-intensive job.

Many paddocks will have been submerged in water which is a problem in itself where the growth of grass is concerned, but that mixed with horses trampling through muddy areas (which you may find particularly worse around gateways, jumps

36

or feeding areas) adds to the problem.

It is inevitable that once the ground begins to dry out there will still be an amount of work to be done before the grass is in plentiful supply.

Grassland tends to revert back to indigenous varieties over time which is what we more commonly call ‘weed grasses’.

The recent weather conditions we have experienced speeds up the rate at which reversion will take place, as the fertility in the ground will have seeped away due to continuous rainfall. This type of grass is not only invasive but is less palatable, less productive and less nutritious.

The best solution to resolve heavily poached areas such as gateways and around feeding troughs is to get them re-seeded using easily established, fast growing hard wearing grass such as Suregrow Fast Grass. This seed will germinate at lower temperatures than normal grass seed and can be spread by hand, making it an efficient and quick application process.

STOP

PRESS

HEALTH & WELFARE

Bandaging the

KNEE...

Before reseeding it is important to harrow the area and then after reseeding to roll the area, this should take place immediately after rainfall.

Ground conditions should be such that tractor wheels should just leave a mark which will then be removed by the roller.

For larger bare areas or for reseeding use Suregrow Paddock Grass. This seed will be quickly established and will provide a steady growth throughout the season. Containing a mixture of Timothy, Meadow Grass and Fescues in addition to Ryegrass, the mix can be also be spread by hand.

Suregrow products include Suregrow Fertiliser, CSM, Meadow and Laminitics Grass Mix and Traditional Wild Flower Meadow Mix. www.suregrowuk.com

Start by bandaging around the top of the knee joint a couple of turns and then go down and across the front of the knee to below the knee joint.

Then go around below the knee joint a couple of turns before crossing back up and across the knee to the top of the knee joint and again around the back of the knee itself. This is your basic figureof-eight method and can be repeated as necessary.

Always apply standard stable bandages below the knee on both legs for support and this also helps to prevent the knee bandage from slipping. www.robinsonhealthcare.com

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:12 Page 37

INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS FOR A

NEW TACK SHOP OWNER

By Angie Bailey of First Insurance Solutions

I

f you are a new Tack Shop owner, thinking about the complications of insurance cover can be very confusing.

However, this need not be the case as most insurers can offer you a Shop package policy which will cover everything under one roof.

Cover can include General Contents such as Computers, Stock, Business Interruption, Money, Employers’ Liability, Public Liability and Goods in Transit. You will also have the option of adding Buildings

cover and Legal Expenses.

The Contents insurance would cover fixtures and fittings, tills and phones etc.

Stock is self-explanatory, and if you sell second-hand items on behalf of clients you will need to inform insurers so the policy can be extended to cover Goods in Trust.

The Goods in Transit section provides cover for your Own Goods, such as picking up stock from a wholesaler. It will also cover your client’s goods if you are collecting and delivering

items.

The onus will be on you to set your Sums Insured for the Contents, Stock and Buildings cover, but other sections give standard cover limits depending on the insurer.

All insurers will require you to have a minimum standard of security, which is normally key operated window locks, if not bars on the windows, and 5 lever mortice deadlocks on all final-exit doors.

Depending on the Sum Insured, insurers may also want

you to have an alarm. The type of alarm will depend on the Sums Insured. Each insurer will have different thresholds, and will tell you what is required at quotation stage.

This should cover what would be considered a standard Tack Shop. If you are a Tack Shop owner but do saddle fittings, tack repair and rug washing as well, you may not fit onto the standard package. Insurers would instead offer you a Commercial Combined policy.

Under this policy type you can choose the sections that you require, unlike the Shop package where you cannot remove any of the standard sections.

It is vital that your business description is correct so insurers know exactly what you do. If they do not have a thorough understanding of your business activities, it may jeopardise a claim should an incident occur.

Hopefully this has shown that insurance does not need to be complicated, and any good insurer will understand what you require. www.firstequestrian insurance.co.uk

First Insurance Solutions provide tailor-made cover for your horse, riding school and livery yard, all at affordable premiums.

Horse & Rider Insurance Riding School Insurance We have 25 years’ experience in equine insurance and know what you require. We search the market for the most competitive quotes - at no extra cost to you.

We can guide you through your insurance requirements and provide you with the best possible quotes in the market, at no extra cost to you.

The policy provides the following covers: • Death, Theft and Straying of your horse – this is mandatory.

Covers that can then be added to the policy: •Vets Fees •Public Liability •Saddlery & Tack •Personal Accident •Loss of use

Covers we provide are extensive as shown below: •Riding Schools and Livery Yards •Stud Farms •Tack Shops •Horse Insurance •Race Yards •Freelance Instruction •Natural Horsemanship

CALL US FOR A NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION OR ADVICE - Angela Bailey on 01473 831056

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COUNTRY & EQUESTRIAN CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

MEET THE BLOGGERS WITH AN ARMY OF FANS AND FOLLOWERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, TWO OF THE UK’S LEADING EQUESTRIAN AND COUNTRY-STYLE BLOGGERS TELL US HOW THEY ARE UPDATING THEIR WARDROBES THIS SPRING...

Charlotte in England “I'm Charlotte in England, I live in the heart of England and I'm an outdoorsy welly wearing country bumpkin. As a designer 9 to 5 I wanted to grasp and hold onto the wonderful time I'm not sat behind a desk using technology and learn to explore, experiment and discover more about the world and myself! I’m a country fashion, nature and beauty lover.” www.charlotteinengland.com Instagram: @charlotte.in.england “With Spring right around the corner, I've updated my equestrian wardrobe with Toggi's gorgeous and always ever so practical new collection. I'm wearing some of my favourite pieces; Appaloosa full seat breeches in a lovely rich camel colour - they're super comfortable so I can wear them all day long. The added stretch at the calf and ankle make them even more comfortable to wear. They look really stylish and that's important to me. I love the colourway and I'm impressed with the fit.

“New season means new styles and I'm a little bit in love with Toggi's new shirts! These beauties are stunning.

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Shop the look...

CORA Ladies Printed Shirt, £60; ASHLYN Ladies Country Gilet, £80; APPALOOSA Breeches, £80; RUNDLE Long Country Boot, £155. www.toggi.com

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:12 Page 39

Karen McConnell Here I'm wearing the Cora shirt. The print is incredibly, 'Equestrian Chic' featuring horse bits and stirrups. The silky texture makes it a pleasure to wear and adds a sophisticated touch to your outfit. Did you know Toggi design their prints in-house?

“Worn with the Ashlyn gilet it creates a lovely feminine outfit. The gilet is the ideal transitional piece, lightly padded so suitable for those chilly Spring days where you can layer it up with a cosy jumper underneath but it's also great for those warmer days when all you need is something lightweight. It fits beautifully thanks to the smocked detailing at the back. I'm finishing my outfit off with my trusty Toggi Rundle boots perfect for country and equine lovers.”

Karen McConnell is an equestrian and lifestyle blogger based in Perthshire, Scotland. Karen runs a busy training and livery yard, KA Equestrian, rides, is a British Dressage Accredited Coach and mum to two young children.

“When I got a sneak peak of the Toggi Spring/Summer 2018 range, I instantly loved the colour of the Devin sweater. It’s a beautiful winey-red tone which looks great against the navy of the Percheron breeches (which you can’t see, but have an insert of the same red colour at the bottom of the leg), and the Brunswick gilet.

“I’ve added the Toggi horse print scarf to the outfit too for a little extra warmth on a Spring day and the Quartz boots which are both supportive and comfortable - perfect for a day on the yard.

“What I love about Toggi clothing is the quality, the great colours, how comfortable they are to wear and how well they wash - I still have Toggi items I must have had for over 10 years and they still look good.

Toggi breeches are all extremely comfortable and fit well - they’re the ones I always reach for and this new pair is exactly the same.” www.kaequestrian.com www.facebook.com/KAEquestrian

Shop the look...

DEVIN Ladies Classic V Neck Cable Knit Jumper, £50; PERCHERON Ladies Breeches, £50; BRUNSWICK Ladies Padded Gilet, £65; QUARTZ Riding Boot, £140. www.toggi.com

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ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:12 Page 40

COUNTRY & EQUESTRIAN CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES

Boots from The Spanish Boot Company RRP: £295.

Tassels RRP: £15. www.thespanish bootcompany.co.uk

Horse Silhouette Pendant RRP: £45. www.pegasus jewellery.net Equit’M Fine Pique Polo Shirt. Available in Royal Blue or Chine Grey. www.equitheme.co.uk

Equine ladies’ watch.

RRP: £99. www.sport-of-kings.com

Mackenzie & George feather pins.

RRP: £34.99 £49.99. Can be purchased alone or with a felt fedora. www.mackenzie andgeorge.com The Barbour Brimham Jacket offers reliable waterproof functionality.

RRP: £159.

Meet Abbie Dixon from

BEE STING A

bbie, 26, the brains behind Bee Sting Clothing, has created a brand to promote body positivity and to celebrate women no matter what size or shape.

Growing up on a farm but pursuing a career in fashion/costume for TV and film she thought it only natural to combine her two loves, her horse Makalu and fashion. Bee Sting Clothing is a small and up-and-coming British brand, with a simple yet effective design, it’s fun and a bit tongue in cheek. The design was inspired by her horse Makalu’s shoes and yes, it’s meant to look like a pair of boobs! The foil design is slightly distressed as though they’ve been branded on using Makalu’s horseshoes. Currently the range includes T-shirts and Sweatshirts but Abbie is working hard to expand the range, the latest additions are a sky blue sweatshirt with silver horseshoes and a raspberry pink sweatshirt with rose gold horseshoes- perfect for Spring/Summer wardrobes.

“I want women of all ages to love their ‘bee stings’ and wear their horseshoes with pride!” said Abbie. www.beestingclothing.co.uk

Main pic: Abbie in pink; Groom Sam in blue.

Makalu (aka Mak) and Michael Owen’s pooch Peanut play havoc on a recent Bee Sting photo shoot (right)!

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Barbour Moorfoot Shirt RRP: £69.95. www.barbour.com

Silk Auburn Tote Bag. RRP: £249. www.fourh.co.uk

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:12 Page 41

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:12 Page 42

COUNTRY & EQUESTRIAN CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES Tweed Scarf.

RRP: £52. www.emmabrown tweed.co.uk

Daisy Pearl Bracelet RRP: £210. www.sylviakerrjewellery.com

Timothy Foxx Fascinator www.timothyfoxx.co.uk

Wax Baker Boy hat with Barbour’s signature cotton tartan lining. RRP £32.95. www.barbour.com

Box quilted, pheasant printed Barbour Elsdon Gilet. RRP £129. www.barbour.com

Paragon Equestrian capsule collection includes PE Luxe Sweater. RRP: £35. www.paragon equestrian.co.uk

Dressage Print Scarf. RRP: £49. www.emmabrowntweed.co.uk

Le Chameau’s Andalou Ponti lined boot. RRP: £125 inc 2-year warranty.

Available through country clothing and lifestyle stores nationwide. lechameau.com

Barbour Moorfoot Sweat with all over Barbour floral print.

RRP £69.95. www.barbour.com

London Spice Tote Bag. RRP: £249. www.fourh.co.uk

The Equetech Tweed Poncho features a gold metal zip with tassel, plush sweeping velvet collar and paisley lining. RRP: £119.95. www.equetech.com

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Roceiro Boots are styled in buttery waxed leather with Goodyear welted leather sole.

RRP: £225. www.thespanish bootcompany.co.uk

Ebony & Ivory Tote Bag. RRP: £249. www.fourh.co.uk

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:12 Page 43

Catch up with...

Accessories

Wellies are essential kit all year round but to make them last a lifetime, even the very best boots need a bit of tender love and care. Here is a list of ten items that will help you get the most out of your wellies...

1. Cast iron scraper RRP: £29.99. www.blackcountry metalworks.co.uk

2. Aluminium jack RRP: £25. www.lechameau.com

3. Care spray RRP: £9.95. www.wellyware house.co.uk

5. Wall rack RRP from: £64.99. www.wellyracks.com

4. Rack carousel RRP: £39.99. www.amazon.co.uk 6. Socks RRP: £49.95. www.schoffel.co.uk

8. Insole RRP: £14. www.skellerup footwear.co.uk

7. Micro fleece liner RRP: £20. www.lechameau.com

9. Driers RRP: £26.95. www.warmandry.co.uk

10. Bag RRP: £35. www.lechameau.com

GABY LUCAS H

ello again! So it has been a very eventful month this time and we have kept very busy.

The action-packed month kicked off with a very exciting photoshoot for Equithème featuring Salo and Zante. We had lots of fun getting some riding shots and Salo and Zante are very good models to show off the Salo showing how a photo-shoot is done in his Equithème Bracelet Fly Mask.

Equithème gear.

I want to say a massive thank you to all the photographers and support team who turned up and as a result of all your hard work, the photos look amazing and I cannot wait to share a few of the snaps with you guys in the next coming months!

The decision has also been made to relocate to Suffolk with Zante where I will be continuing my clinics and demos at the new yard, but I will also still travel to Essex to teach three times a week.

Finishing off the month, Zante and I competed at the Regionals at Addington Manor Equestrian Centre in a strong class of 30.

With this being his first show in three months and being a little fresh, we managed a score of 67.02% which is a good start. On to the next!

Coming up I will tell you all how we are getting prepared for the big move and how training is going.

See you next month!

MONTHLY COMPETITION...

Gaby x

Because Salo looks so good in his Equithème Bracelet Fly Mask, we are giving one away to a lucky reader!

Made in crocheted cotton with stretch polyester ears, the elegant fly mask adds a touch of sparkle with the edging enhanced with a double braid and silver chain.

Available in size Full in colours Black, Navy or Grey*. RRP: £25.90. *Subject to stock availability

To enter go online at: www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the competitions page. Deadline is 30th April 2018.

Photo: Richard Neve.

Ten wellington boot

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:12 Page 44

CAREERS, EDUCATION & TRAINING

DO YOU EARN MORE THAN A

PROFESSIONAL JOCKEY?

G

iven the ludicrously high salaries of professional footballers, golfers, tennis players and boxers, you would assume that the skilled riders in the Sport of Kings would take home a decent pay cheque every month.

But according to the latest figures produced by myracing.com, the average UK jockey pockets just £26,193 per year.

That’s over one thousand pounds LESS than the average wage across the whole of the United Kingdom.

Jockeys earn their money primarily through riding fees, which equate to £120.66 per race entry (for flat riders).The more races they enter, the more they’ll earn.

In raw figures, over the course of a year, the total winning prize money for flat turf

jockeys amounts to just £9,648.54.

Myracing.com found the average jockey enters 167 races per year, roughly one race every 2 days. When you factor in the travel to and from racecourses the length and breadth of the country (which Great British Racing estimates to be over 70,000 miles per year), you can see how their salary will quickly be eaten up by costs.

MY DREAM JOB: Tara Punter

never really knew what I wanted to do career wise, I just knew I wanted to incorporate my love of equestrian and rural life so I chose to go to the Royal Agricultural University where I studied International Equine and Agricultural Business Management.

A couple of years after I graduated I started working as an equine journalist, my absolute dream job. The first event I covered was the Hickstead Derby in 2015. That was one of the happiest weekends of my life. I couldn’t believe I was being paid to watch horses jump at one of the best International shows and interviewing leading riders.

From here I started doing social media management as well as being a web editor for the magazine I wrote for. Before long, I was doing PR alongside it all. In October 2016 I officially launched my equestrian and rural PR business and haven’t looked back.

I

44

Every day is different but starts with me going to do my horse, Ollie. I always try to be back at my laptop by 8/9am, dependant on whether I’m riding or not. I use my morning Tara and Ollie ride as my quiet time.

It really is #PRFromTheSaddle!

Once back at my desk, I look over the plan for my day, which I would have made the night before. I’ll check all social media (for myself and the clients I manage it for) and deal with any emails.

The tasks I do each day vary massively - from planning PR campaigns, creating social content, writing blogs, feature articles and web copy for clients and even planning workshops or social media training sessions. I love the variety and every single aspect of what I do.

PR reporting is also very important, clients need to know there’s value from the investment they make with Tara Punter PR. I’ve invested in a reporting piece of software that pulls this information together, saving me valuable time and brain power!

I always try to take my little Jack Russell, Kiwi, for a walk after lunch (which I normally eat at my desk!) I find this refreshes my mind and allows me to re-focus. I go to tuck Ollie into bed at 5pm then come back and work for another 1-2 hours until my fiancé comes in from the farm. I understand the importance of actually switching off and spending quality time with him. www.tarapunterpr.co.uk

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:12 Page 45

INSPIRING EQUINE SHOWCASE LAUNCHES

£2MILLION

Chris House, from House and Jackson Veterinary Hospital, and Professor Tim Middleton, Vice-Chancellor of Writtle University College, officially open the new Stud facilities (below).

(Left) Integrated Masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy student Lauren Hunt (wearing red) and BSc (Hons) Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation student Sheena Nobili assessing ex-police horse Toffee on the equine water treadmill.

(Below) Caitlyn Cuthbert, BSc (Hons) Equine Behavioural Science third year. Caitlyn is working on desensitising one of our World Horse Welfare ponies to novel objects as part of her education as a young animal.

Photos: Boots and Hooves Photography

INVESTMENT

W

rittle University College unveiled its fantastic new equine facilities and resources at an Equine Showcase packed full of inspiring interactive workshops.

The event, on Wednesday 14th March, gave around 300 visitors a taster of the range of exciting equine work at Writtle, and the dynamic equine community on campus.

Following a £2million investment, all of Writtle’s equine facilities have been brought on to one site at it’s Cow Watering Campus, which is now a central hub for equine teaching and research, boasting the latest in scientific technologies.

The investment enhances the student experience by enabling all practical sessions to be carried out in one extended space, whether it is using breeding horses or youngstock, the therapy units or the riding facilities.

Professor Tim Middleton, ViceChancellor of Writtle University College, said: “Our Equine Showcase was a great way to

officially open our new horse breeding facilities and our specialist equine therapy and performance suites at our Cow Watering Campus. Our equine industry partners, students and staff presented a rich and varied programme of workshops and demonstrations for the hundreds of visitors to the event.

“Our professional resources, allied to an expert staff team and rich and varied industry networks, provide excellent opportunities for our equine students in both Further and Higher Education to develop the skills and knowledge that the industry needs.”

A Stud facility, extended outdoor menage, a second therapy barn, oval horsewalker, DIY stables and an indoor school have been added to the facilities already on the campus, which include an equine water treadmill, solarium and indoor riding arenas.

Caroline Flanagan, who heads up the Higher Education Equine and Veterinary Physiotherapy courses, said: “At Writtle, we strive to achieve a graduate who can put science into practice. Our facilities are vital to support this

very applied approach to education and this £2million investment brings all of our equine activities together onto one campus as an equine centre of excellence.”

Lauren Hunt, 22, from Rayleigh, who studied a Further Education course at Writtle before progressing onto the Integrated Masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy, said: “My course is designed to develop the key skills required to be an effective, self-employed veterinary physiotherapist. We’re always being offered work experience placements through the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists, which accredits my course, and established veterinary hydrotherapy or physiotherapy centres.

“The latest technology and facilities we have at Writtle are important as they enable us to carry out our research.”

Sian Murray, from Brentwood, was one of the students taking part. The 21-year-old BSc (Hons) Equine Behavioural Science

Kay Eastwood and Tye perform the ‘skeleton’ jump

student said: “The facilities at Writtle give us the opportunity to apply the behavioural theory we learn about. This not only helps us learn, but prepares us for industry life. By having lecturers with real-life experience, we really get the holistic view on all aspects of retraining and improving the welfare of horses.”

The workshops at the Showcase included behaviour displays to demonstrate how horses learn; painted horses to illustrate superficial and deep muscle layers; working horses on the water treadmill; breeding advice; biomechanical analysis of gait; rider 'MOTs’; massage, stretching and sports taping; feeding hints; the principles of training; and even a lower limb dissection. www.writtle.ac.uk/courses

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CAREERS, EDUCATION & TRAINING Martin riding Shubaat

RECYCLED RACEHORSE Meet Martin & the

M

artin Whitley has a career many of us can only dream of. He spends his days riding around the terrain of Dartmoor working with retired racehorses and birds of prey.

“I fell into this completely by accident. In 2001 I set up Dartmoor Hawking, doing Falconry commercially as a change of life after the death of my first wife. I had gone back to my parents where I kept my horse at the time. I was riding a Thoroughbred mare Toffee (Takethetopoff) and had a girl working for me at the time who was having problems with a young Peregrine Falcon.

Without really thinking I said, pass it up here, and suddenly I was on a horse, holding a falcon. At that moment, something in my mind just clicked.

“I contacted Dr Nick Fox (who now has an OBE for his services to Falconry) who gave me a huge amount of very good advice, I’m eternally thankful to him for his words of wisdom.

“I’ve been working with exracehorses on and off for

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twenty years now and have done falconry with several of them. It’s only in the last three years that I’ve been using purely retired racehorses for Falconry and no other breed compares.

“I currently work with four exracers; one ex-chaser and three ex-flat racers, one of whom only has one eye! Thoroughbreds often get a bad press, being called skatty, flighty and highly strung. This is only the case when they’re in the wrong hands. When retrained properly most will go on to do an excellent job in their new career.

“The reason they’re so good is that they’re so quick on their feet, they’re quick to think and to react to the changing terrain and can get themselves out of

Martin riding Weamm and doing a demo at RoR South West camp

trouble promptly, an essential characteristic on the challenging moors. They’re incredibly adaptable and learn quickly and well. Not only that, they’re bright enough to adapt to different situations and show a huge amount of love for it.

There’s no better feeling.”

All of the horses are used to give main arena displays at shows as well as Falconry from Horses days which are run at Martin’s base in Dartmoor.

Martin is passionate about what happens to racehorses when they retire and donates 10% of his earnings from these areas of his business to the Retraining of Racehorses charity. www.dartmoorhawking.co.uk www.recycledracehorse.co.uk

This is the first time Martin called an eagle when he was on Skippy

PETPLAN

EQUINE

AMBASSADOR Juliette Edmonds from Buntingford works as an equine vet for Tyrells Equine Clinic, and combines the job of a busy vet with competing two horses Guess Again, a 21year-old cob and Bubba Gump, a 10-year-old Warmblood-cross.

Juliette has been working with Petplan Equine since 2015. This year Juliette hopes to qualify Bubba Gump for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup 2019. Being an equine vet, she is perfectly positioned to give advice and share her experiences of having her horses insured through Petplan Equine to her clients.

Juliette adds “I insure my horses with Petplan Equine because of the reputation the company has especially the full veterinary fee cover for illness and injury up to 25 years of age as one of my horses Guess Again is still competing at the age of 21.

In my job I see so many horse owners and I can honestly share my experiences with Petplan Equine as a customer as well as the other support I have received from them.” www.petplanequine. co.uk/ambassadors

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TIPS FROM THE TOP

M.S.TEAM EVENTING GROOM TOP TIPS FROM THE

THE M.S.TEAM EVENTING GROOMS BRING TOGETHER THEIR TEN TOP TIPS FOR ENSURING THAT WE ARE ALL PREPPED AND READY FOR THE SEASON.

W

ith longer days, less mud in the field and not as much need to wear five layers of clothing, it can only mean one thing.

Spring is coming and with that brings the competition season.

For grooms and riders alike it is time; for early mornings, late finishes and the immense pride that comes with working as part of a team that soon becomes your family.

Packing and Checking Firstly, pack and check the lorry.

This may seem like a simple task but we have all forgotten a piece of tack or lunging equipment, even the pros!

During the winter cross country boots, ice boots and wraps all may have gotten slightly dusty so make sure they are back in the lorry, washed and in working order.

Bandages and pads will also be needed after the horse has finished cross country or in case of any injury that may occur. On

that note also check there is a first aid kit, for horses but also for the humans - grooms that get a bit carried away with the studs!

Practice Practice your plaiting. New grooms should be trained on how to plait to a high standard, whether that’s banding or threading. Use the weeks before the first event to check all the plaiting equipment is still there.

If anything has strangely disappeared and can’t be found in a groom’s pocket or the dog’s bed then it should be replaced.

A bit more checking Top tip number three - the stud kit should also be checked. This should include a pick cleaning tool, a magnetic stud tray, a stud tap, a spanner, cotton wool and most importantly the studs.

There should be studs for all weather conditions.

A shoeing plan should also be spoken about to ensure that the

Have a game plan The season can be a stressful time and to make the events and the daily running of the yard easier, plan with the whole team. Each groom should have a role, who’s going to ride the cheeky 5-year-olds, while the boss is at the competition with the more experienced horses?

Who’s going to groom at the events and who’s going to stay at home and look after the other fifteen horses? For the home Planning grooms, horses like to injure Planning fitness work. Each themselves in the field while the horse will need to be at a boss is away, so get the vet, different stage of fitness, farrier and physio’s number (just depending on their level within in case)! the sport. Help your rider Grooms will have a varying confirm a plan for the horses degree of responsibility but it is and discuss which grooms can important that we all do our job assist riding which horse. For any to the best of our ability. grooms, new to the eventing Clipping world, cantering horses for interval work for minutes on end The hairier residents of the yard may need to be clipped before may not be as fun as it sounds. their first event, so they look However, it will help with your core fitness so both you and the smart and do not get too warm. horses will have the perfect Continued overleaf... summer body! farrier knows which horses are needing stud holes and by which dates. As a groom, you need to consider that the horses may be needing studs a while before their first event, as they may be going to get some cross-country practice!

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TIPS FROM THE TOP Continued from previous page...

Ideally it is best to clip 1-2 weeks before their event, this then leaves enough time for them to have acclimatised to the weather so shouldn’t give out too many fresh bucks in public!

Make sure that the clippers are then serviced ready for autumn, and the blades are sharpened.

Feeding and Nutrition The horses should be in tip top condition and be on the correct feed for the work load they are in. Set a date to get the horses weighed and for feed to be discussed. With the season approaching it is important that each horse gets the right nutrition so they can perform to the best of their ability.

During the season, any horse could pick up an injury requiring medication prescribed by the vet. It is crucial that this medication is stored in a locked cupboard to minimise any chance of contamination.

A bit more checking At M.S.Team Eventing we have a yard of nineteen horses in full time work and the majority of these will be competing through the season, so it is important to know the tack needed for each horse.

A good way for everyone in the team to know what needs to be packed for each event, is to put up a board in the tack room. The board can give information on what tack and boots each horse needs.

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We love a white board A white board at the event is tip number eight. This can be used to give the times for each discipline and what time the rider wants to be on each horse.

It’s a great way to keep organised. The times for dressage, showjumping and cross-country should also be given to all members of the team. If you’re a home groom you don’t want to be calling just as the rider begins their dressage test!

Look after your rider A groom’s job is primarily to look after the horses but it is always look after the boss as well. Pack your rider some drinks and snacks for on the day. It can be a very long day, you and your rider will need to stay hydrated to keep up the concentration levels. Its’s a dangerous sport, staying focused is incredibly important.

Relax and Enjoy The most important tip - take time to relax before the season starts, or in our case throw a preseason party and enjoy spending time with the horse’s owners, home team and your crazy colleagues, on a social level before the hard work really starts!

WHAT’S

POLE WORK...

hether you do three in a row, fancy footwork, raised or a combination, pole work is one of the best ways to help your horse develop.

From a rehabilitation therapist point of view, I always like to leave my clients pole work to do until the next time I see them as part of a post-therapy routine. This is always individually targeted to the areas of the horse that will aid and benefit in the recovery process or in muscle sculpting.

Sometimes it will be one specific movement to repeat on days of a rehabilitation plan. For example, one side raised poles to help encourage muscle development of a horse which has muscle atrophy (aka asymmetry or

W

muscle imbalance), or raised pole to help with hind end and sacral movement and suppleness.

The premise of pole work is to aid in balance and rhythm; the way a therapist may look at pole work may be completely different to the way a ridden instructor views the pole work.

When introducing pole work in to a ‘therapy’ setting it is more about the horse than the rider. Making sure that in the pole work session we keep the key principles of straightness, control and lift to encourage the horse in self-carriage it becomes then beneficial to ground or ridden work.

For green horses, or young horses being backed, pole work is better done from the ground. Horses that are weak

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S THE DEAL? key. You can use cones, letters and markers around your poles to aim for and maintain straightness.

3. Work with your therapist to come up with exercises to improve your horses weaknesses.

and have young or recovering muscles and joints will struggle to perform the task correctly with a rider, as they need to learn to balance their bodies before taking into account a rider. For the older horses (conditioning the body regardless of discipline) pole work can then be used to help build muscle and aid flexibility.

I recently caught up with Alecs Farr, an up-and-coming event rider who is currently completing at CIC1* and progressing to CIC2** in eventing this year. Alecs said, “Working with a good qualified therapist is one of the important pieces to a complicated jigsaw, that keeps the event horse in top condition and gives you the results you require. Due to the demands placed upon the

horse’s body, working with your therapist to help you see the areas that may need that extra support is key to getting the most from your horse’s performance. A good therapist will also work with pictures and slo-motion video to help you pick up on any key biomechanical faults of the horse and rider combination.”

Pole work can also be added into a routine to keep the horse from becoming stale within schooling making the session more interactive. Alecs added, “Pole work can be great when you don’t have access to a lot of show jumps. Setting up a course of poles that can be ridden like a track of fences can help you become in tune with your horse, finding the striding, rhythm and consistency of your paces which

can really support you both when it comes to that allimportant competition.”

Here are Alecs’ top tips for pole work: 1.Do not be afraid to adjust pole work exercises if your horse struggles with the one you originally had in mind, when your horse is new to pole work they may be a little intimidated by lots of poles.

Start small and build.

2. Straightness is absolutely

Not only does pole work have good benefits for your horse, it can also aid you as a rider by helping develop your eye in looking out to the next pole, aiding concentration. It can also improve timing and can also help in aiding rhythmical breathing for the rider which will improve oxygen uptake.

For a rider that may need some help to tweak their core strength, to help with balanced pole work with your horse can help support you.

Although you need to take into account that if you are a very unbalanced rider, toning your core on the ground will be more beneficial to you and give you more support to move on to ridden pole work.

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

www.allottrtequestrian. wixsite.com/allottrtequestrian

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SADDLERY SADDLERY & TACK

Q&A Q

: What is the best way to preserve leather when it is exposed to wet weather?

It is advisable to wipe off dirt and any other matter with a damp cloth straight after use, for seams and more inaccessible places a toothbrush is very useful.

Always allow your leather to dry at room temperature. When it is dry the various leather foods and conditioners available can be applied with a cloth or sponge depending on each brands’ recommendation.

Make sure you do read the recommendations by each brand as some advise application while still damp, this is so the leather balm/crème is absorbed into the open leather pores.

In both cases, when dry the leather can then be buffed up with various leather care products to a fine show finish again.

Maintenance is key in

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MASTER SADDLER LAURENCE PEARMAN ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS ON SADDLERY

preserving your leather. A good leather food should be applied regularly to keep the leather supple and safe, use soaps to keep it serviced after each use.

Q

: How do I know when my saddle needs to be restuffed?

It is recommended that saddles require a complete reflock* after 18 months - two years depending on the amount of use. During that time, it can easily be rebalanced*, as the wool is still easily workable.

To have your saddle reflocked means it will be more comfortable for your horses back, thus avoiding any hard lumps to form, which can cause pressure points. *The term ‘reflock’ means all old wool is removed and replaced with new wool. *The term ‘rebalanced’ is either adding to or removing a little.

Q

: Do you have any recommendations for saddles which slip, even though they have been fitted by an approved saddle fitter?

If slippage occurs after a period of time after fitting this can be caused by various reasons such as; the horse’s conformation and gait, also rider influence, and settlement of flocking.

If your saddle slips call back

your saddle fitter to check the flocking to make sure it is still level.

Another option for a horse/rider that faces a constantly moving saddle would be to try one of the many anti slip pads or numnahs available.

An alternative option could be to have a balance strap added to the opposite side to which the saddle is slipping.

Q

: In order to ride comfortably I require an 18in saddle; my horse is short backed and my 18in saddle looks very long on her.

How do I overcome this problem?

If a rider requires a saddle which in effect is a little too long for the horse, one option can be to have a saddle slightly shorter 17.5” but with a wider seat and a lower cantle, this option gives the rider more room but without the additional length.

Another option is for the saddle to be made as an 18” but with a 17.5” panel fitted which can also work within the limitations of the horse.

It is always a compromise as the ideal situation is to have a horse of a suitable size for the rider. www.mastersaddlers.co.uk

Buying a saddle is always a big investment but buying a saddle for a child is even bigger as the child grows up, so they grow out of their saddle.

Childéric Saddles are now offering junior riders (under the age of 16-years) the opportunity to replace their Childéric saddle as they grow out of it for a brand new saddle at the cost of just £800. www.childeric saddles.co.uk For outstanding performance and good looks in the show ring, look no further than the Finesse Show Saddle from The Ideal Saddle Company.

With a tree crafted for horses of a larger stature, the Finesse is slightly bigger overall with more width to the seat. This helps to transfer the riders' weight evenly through a broader bearing area on the horse but ensures a close and slim lined feel. www.idealsaddle.com

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STIRRUPS ENHANCE

SAFETY, COMFORT & STABILITY ur sport can be challenging enough without poorly performing equipment which may cause, or increase the severity of a fall.

So the inventor of MDC Stirrups, Martin D. Cohen, set about creating forward facing stirrups with safety and comfort on top of the checklist. The adjustable top was born which means these stirrups can be placed flat, at 45°or 90°to the horse’s side. Martin is so passionate about these products that he personally handles and responds to consumer enquiries - something you rarely witness from a leading entrepreneur.

MDC Intelligent Stirrups are available with Multi-Pivot Point, shock absorbing sides so you can find which position suits you best, resulting in reduced stress on your hips, ankles, knees, and back.

Suitable for cross country, showjumping or hunting, they’re easy to get your stirrup back should you lose it. Their design also offers lower leg stability and positioning for dressage.

Glaze & Gordon are among the first in the UK to stock MDC Stirrups.

“We were driven to find them after my sister’s cheaper stirrups from a well known brand broke (the metal snapped). After that we committed to spending more on a pair of stirrups with safety and durability at their core,” founder Becs explains.

Glaze & Gordon stock the MDC Super Sport Stirrup RRP: £169; MDC ‘S’ Classic/Flex RRP: £155; and MDC 'Ultimate' Stirrup RRP: £169. www.glazeandgordon.com

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£20,000

LOVE DOGS

DONATION TO

THE DISTRESSING DISEASE EXPLAINED:

ALABAMA ROT

D

avid Walker, of Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists near Winchester, who is leading the national research into this killer disease, warmly welcomed the Animal Friends team to his surgery in February. Here Animal Friends share David’s findings.

What is Alabama Rot? Alabama Rot (Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy also known as CRGV) is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by damage to the blood vessels in the skin and kidneys of dogs. It causes blood clots to form and block the blood vessels, ultimately leading to tissue damage. This causes ulcers and lesions when it affects the skin, and in the kidneys it can lead to kidney failure.

How is Alabama Rot caused?

This disease started affecting dogs relatively recently and research is still ongoing. The cause is still a mystery at present, however it seems to be spread by wet, muddy conditions, and it affects

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particular regions. A research fund has been started to investigate this deadly disease, and donations are needed to keep the work going.

How do I prevent Alabama Rot? Until a definitive cause is discovered it’s difficult to give fool-proof advice for avoiding this disease. Keep an eye on any alerts you see which may point to the disease being prevalent in certain areas and give your dogs a good wash if they get wet or muddy on walks. It’s not certain whether this will definitely help, but it can’t hurt.

the first signs that something isn’t right. It’s most likely to affect the mouth, paws or legs, but could appear anywhere on the body or head. If you suspect Alabama Rot you should call your vet and ask for advice as soon as you can. They may ask you to come in for an appointment.

How is Alabama Rot treated?

If you’re concerned that your dog might have Alabama Rot it’s crucial to speak to your vet and to avoid administering any medication yourself. If it has only affected the skin this can be treated non-invasively but if it is What are the signs and affecting the kidney this is far symptoms? more serious and involves more It’s important to note that intensive, urgent treatment. incidences of this disease are low Your vet may need to refer you (around 94 confirmed cases to a specialist. between November 2012 and When can dogs catch April 2017), so symptoms that Alabama Rot? could arouse suspicion are Some data suggests that unlikely to turn out to be Alabama Rot is more prevalent Alabama Rot. However, if it is Alabama Rot it is very serious, so in winter and spring, but it’s important to stay informed and it’s important to stay vigilant. careful all year around.

Swelling, sores, redness or wounds that you can’t explain or connect to an injury could be

THE FIGHT

AGAINST

ALABAMA ROT

Animal Friends Pet Insurance have launched their new campaign #TheGreatOutpaws, which encourages people to step out into nature with their pets, with a £20,000 donation to the Alabama Rot Research Fund to help the fight against this deadly disease.

David Walker said: “While it is understandable that dog owners will be worried by this increase in confirmed cases, Alabama Rot is still a very rare disease and we’d encourage owners to continue exercising their pet.

“Any dog owners who are worried that their pet might have Alabama Rot should contact their veterinary practice immediately.

“This will help build knowledge about the disease and also give a dog the best chance of survival.”

Managing Director of AFI. Mr Westley Pearson, commented “Animal Friends Pet Insurance is extremely pleased to be able to donate to such a worthwhile cause. We know that Alabama Rot is a worry for many dog owners and we are committed to helping pets and their owners get out into nature through our new campaign #TheGreatOutpaws. Ensuring that pets have comprehensive insurance guards against times when illness and/or accident may prevent this from happening”. www.animalfriends.co.uk/ alabama-rot/

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:13 Page 53

Product News...

Jan Greene loves to walk her three dogs around the fields, but at this time of year it can be difficult because of the weather and ground conditions. However with the help of her Grub’s Frostline Boots, Jan now has no problems at all.

“Walking up and down the slippery hills there was no issue as I didn’t slip or fall over thanks to the sole having excellent grip. I really would recommend these boots!” www.grubsboot.com

Back on Track Rose Hip for Dogs is a pure and natural supplement that supports joint mobility. Rose Hip powder is rich in many vitamins, minerals and micronourishment ingredients that the body needs to function optimally. www.backontrack.com

Greyhound Bangle.

RRP: £85. www.equestrian jewellers.co.uk

International dressage rider and dog owner, Kate Cowell, who’s team of competition horses are all fed on the TopSpec range of equine feeds and balancers, now also feeds her four dogs on TopSpec’s range of complete dog food, VetSpec.

Said Kate: “My two chubby Patterdales, Smokey and Bacon, think VetSpec SuperLite Senior Formula is delicious and they've lost weight since I moved them onto it, which is brilliant!” www.vetspec.com

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:13 Page 54

Ride like...

TUTORIAL

EMILY KING

P

ole work is an important part of every horse’s education but particularly when they are young. Poles make horses think about where their feet are and teach them to be neat with their footwork.

The distance between trotting poles depends on the length of your horse’s stride. As a guide, one decent human stride is a good starting point. Canter poles, on the other hand, should be placed approximately three human strides apart. Begin by trotting over one

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or two poles focusing on keeping the rhythm consistent, in a straight line and crossing over each one in the middle.

Build it up to a line of 4 or 5 in a row.

Young and inexperienced horses have to be taught to maintain an even stride to a fence. Do this by placing up to five canter poles on the ground, in a row, three human strides apart. Start by insisting the horse canters quietly down the line of poles.

Then, add a small jump at the end of the line of canter poles three and a half strides behind

IN THIS ISSUE WE TALK TO HORSEHAGESPONSORED EVENT-RIDER, EMILY KING, ON WHY POLE WORK AND GRIDS PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN YOUR HORSE OR PONY’S TRAINING the final pole. The V poles help a horse back off a fence idea is to maintain the same rhythm... but some horses might spot the fence and try to rush. The poles encourage the horses to stay in a rhythm. You can then gradually increase the height of the upright, and then go on to converting it to an teaches your horse not to rush oxer. and helps create an effective Another good gymnastics canter, is grid work. exercise which also helps to keep your horse straight, The key to grid work is building

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GRID 1

GRID 2

GRID 3

a line of fences, one at a time, so that the horse has time to become familiar with the pattern. This will give him confidence and help him to learn. It means that you will need someone helping on the ground so that the fences can be added in stages. The aim is to teach your horse to think about his legs and body and to gradually become more athletic.

A young horse might initially be spooked about jumping more than one fence in a row, so be careful about the height of the fences so as not to over face him. Place poles on the ground first so that he has to cross over

them before gradually raising them into uprights. Then try the grids with the crossing with the cross pole being the first fence (see diagram). Add once fence at a time and only progress to the next grid when your horse has mastered each one confidently. When your horse is more experienced it is a good opportunity to concentrate on your own position because there are no distractions. Think whether your upper body is too forward and if your lower leg slips back - both of these are very common. Also consider where your hands are - they should be soft and still on takeoff, in the air and on landing.

the horse more to look at on the landing side of each jump and it helps him to keep the stride more under control. If he doesn’t do this, he will probably tread on the pole. When the horse is running on he tends to have his head high because the rider has a strong hold on the reins. The ground pole makes the horse lower his head and look while thinking about how he uses his body and legs.

Solution two Place the ends of two poles on a fence so that they form a V shape on the approach side. The V poles should touch at the top and rest in the middle of the fence. This is a good way to get Common problem a horse to back off because there - Too much speed is more for him to look at. But be careful because he might find The horse accelerates through it spooky at first. Using V poles the line of fences which causes like this is also a very good way him to gain ground between to get a horse up in the air to each one and to get closer and closer. After he has done it once make a better shape. or twice, the horse might settle For more information from down and work out that going Emily’s sponsor, HorseHage, on faster makes the exercise more feeding your horse, pony or difficult. However, some horses donkey, please call the need help to make it sink in.

HorseHage Helpline on 01803 Solution one 527274 or visit www.horsehage.co.uk Add a ground pole halfway between each fence. This gives

Marco and Hugo training at home

EXCITING LEAGUES

Competitors at this year’s TriStar Eventing fixtures have the chance to win some exciting prizes in a series of accumulator leagues.

The Tri-Star Saracen Intermediate League is for riders contesting all Tri-Star intermediate and Two Star classes. British Eventing points won at Tri-Star events will be added up and the most successful rider after the final event, Osberton, will be awarded not only a tonne of Saracen horse feed, a rug and clothing but, most notably, three days of training with a Saracen Horse Feeds brand ambassador.

Saracen Horse Feeds also sponsors the Tri-Star Saracen Grass Roots Bursary. This caters for riders at BE80, BE90 and BE100 level, with points awarded to competitors who have never ridden at intermediate level and who finish in the top 10 in each class.

Novice riders can target the Tri-Star Fairfax Saddles Novice League. Points for this can be won by the top 10 eligible horse and rider combinations at all Tri-Star novice and One Star classes throughout 2018, Local Tri-Star events include Oasby 1 (Lincs), Burnham Market 1 and 2 (Norfolk), Belton (Lincs) and Houghton (Norfolk). www.tristareventing.co.uk

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Ride like...

TUTORIAL

LEADING AUSTRALIAN EVENT RIDERS KEVIN AND EMMA MCNAB RELOCATED TO THE UK IN 2012 TO FURTHER THEIR CAREERS. KEVIN AND EMMA ARE BOTH REGULARLY LISTED ON THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL EVENTING SQUADS.

KEVIN & EMMA MCNAB

T

he cross-country phase is generally thought of as the adrenalin-inducing thrill that drives most riders to take up eventing, but for some, those big, solid fences are often a little imposing.

To have more confidence when riding cross-country it is important that your horse is able to think quickly and look after himself in order to help look after his rider.

“It is your responsibility, as the rider, to put the work in at home to help your horse learn, to build up his confidence and your partnership,” said Kevin.

The warm-up is a crucial part of training and encourages your horse to be switched on and listening to your aids. Work on his rhythm, balance and straightness; these are vital for a good, clear cross-country round.

Suppleness and flexibility are also key areas to work on, especially with the range of testing banks, ditches and water complexes that course designers incorporate to test the skill of both horse and rider.

“Right from the beginning train your horse to go straight - this will definitely help when it comes to those tricky, skinny fences that require a lot of accuracy on approach,” said Emma.

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CONFIDENT

CROSSCOUNTRY RIDING

To help your horse be bold, he needs to have confidence in your riding ability. Try to always finish your session on a positive note.

Lack of confidence or understanding can be one of the major factors in a horse stopping before a fence. Kevin recommends clarity as the best way to achieve this: “It is important to have an effective leg that is always ready to react to what your horse does at the

fence. Just riding defensively all the time often takes away your horse’s time to understand the question.”

When a rider is worried about a particular fence on a course you often see them galloping from 12 strides out and then the horse getting to the fence and being surprised and then stopping. This is an example of lack of clarity and not giving the horse time to understand.

Instead, if the rider makes an

adjustment so the horse knows there is something coming up and then the rider being strong with the leg at the fence but not too fast, this becomes a much more definite ride that sets the horse up with a chance to read and understand the question.

The size of the fence does not necessarily change your speed.

Quality of canter, rhythm and balance is always key when trying to jump any cross-country fence regardless of the size.

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NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR BRITISH EVENTING AT HORSEHEATH

T (Left) Skinny fences require a lot of accuracy on approach; (Above) The big solid crosscountry fences can be imposing for some riders.

Rushing at a fence is unsafe and could also lead to a loss of confidence of both horse and rider.

A balanced cross-country position is essential. This is achieved through a strong lower leg which will help to maintain your position in the saddle and allow you to keep your weight up out of the saddle and off the horse’s back when galloping.

As the horse takes off, your

upper body should stay central but move forwards allowing the horse some freedom to use his body to jump the fence.

Cross-country riding is supposed to be fun, and while we can’t predict unforeseen circumstances, we can try to achieve a clear round through maintaining a secure position in the saddle and keeping a good balanced rhythm.

Emma and Kevin recommend...

Animalintex Hoof Treatment from Robinson Animal Healthcare.

Suitable for rapid treatment of foot conditions, Animalintex Hoof Treatment is highly absorbent and extremely versatile. It is distributed in packs containing convenient hoof shaped dressings, ready for foot poulticing. www.robinsonanimalhealthcare.com

he organisers of Horseheath Horse Trials, Cambridgeshire, have developed the XC course for 2018 with a focus on natural fences using wood grown on the estate, in preparation for the first of two British Eventing affiliated Horse Trials taking place on 21st22nd April and the second on 12th-13th August. Principle sponsors PWC has confirmed ongoing support for the 2018 season.

Horseheath Horse Trials, situated on the Thurlow Estate just four miles west of Haverhill off the A1307, take place over two days and attract over 600 competitors from across the region who come to compete in classes from BE80 (T) to BE100 in all three disciplines including Dressage, Showjumping and Cross Country.

New for 2018, and in order to encourage newcomers to Horseheath Horse Trials, there will be prizes and rosettes for the highest place first-timer in each class. Additionally the highest place Wobbleberry will receive a video of their round courtesy of Eventful Life with a helpful critique voiceover from Wobbleberry Patron Andrew Hoy. The cross country course has been designed by BE Course Designer Tina Ure, a British Eventing Accredited coach and a member of the Eastern regional U18 Coaching team.

Commenting on 2018 she said: “The focus for winter development at Horseheath has been on building more fences, so there will be a significant number of new jumping questions.

We are very grateful to Thurlow Estates for providing a large quantity of timber from their woodlands for our course builder David Carpenter to work with. The track in April will follow a similar route to Horseheath 1 in 2017, allowing good use to be made of the open land within the racecourse and the undulating terrain. Changes will be made to both the water feature and the ditch fences for this year.”

Horseheath Horse Trials is unique in offering spectators excellent views across the whole XC course from a single vantage point.

Keep up to date with news and progress on the Horseheath Horse Trials Facebook page and on Twitter @horseheath_HT

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REPORTS

ESSEX’S ABIGAIL QUALIFIES FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

The British Dressage Winter Regionals third round qualifier held at Easton and Otley College in Norfolk on 13th -17th February had riders battling it out to qualify for the NAF Five Star Winter Championship in April.

Abigail Taylor, 14-years-old and from Arlesford, Colchester and Castaway Diamond (aka Wilson) were competing at Preliminary level on Friday 16th April. The partnership gained a solid score of 70.28%, winning the class and qualifying for the Championships.

Abi says, “I was bursting with pride during the test, Wilson felt so amazing, the best he has ever gone! He was trying his heart out, we just enjoyed every step!”

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Photo: Event To Event Photography

Photo: FL Photography

L-R: Maddie, Jane and Keighley enjoying a pleasure ride together in Harling Forest last year

EAST ANGLIAN FAMILY PROVING ENDURANCE RIDING IS A TRUE FAMILY SPORT By Rosie Marsh

G

randmother Jane Girling and her three granddaughters Keighley, Maddie and Ella Pomroy are already legendary within Iceni, the East Anglian Endurance riding group, as well as making national names for themselves.

Based near the Suffolk coast, Jane took up endurance riding ‘purely by chance’. Having bought herself a Welsh/Thoroughbred horse to hack and do a few pleasure rides, she thought she would try a competitive ride for fun. In 1995 she duly entered her first 32k ride at Kings Forest near Bury St Edmunds and become hooked.

Together with her horse Fenacre Harvestman she went on to become Regional Champion for three years running , proving that you do not need to have an Arabian horse to succeed.

Jane later went on to partner Zaferan, a tough little grey Arabian that she had bred

herself. She says her greatest achievements have been coming second in the Novice National Championship with Zaferan in 2007 and, in 2011, they were placed third overall in the Endurance Great Britain National Championship.

Now aged seventeen Zaferan is still going strong, currently ridden by 16-year-old Maddie, the middle one of Jane’s three endurance-mad granddaughters.

Maddie has already completed over 2,000 competitive kilometres and qualified to FEI 1* level. This means that this year she will be in a position to achieve her goal of entering an 80k international CER (first past the post, with a sound horse and a heart rate of under 64bpm).

Maddie’s ambition is to be selected to represent Great Britain on the Young Rider Team, and at some time in the future, she would like to be able to give something back by becoming a ride organiser.

All three Pomroy girls began their journey into endurance on an incredible little 13hh rescue pony called Redwings Milky Way, who has been successfully competed in over 2,655 km, and has been Junior National Champion twice, with many grade ones to his name - this is the coveted top award for a GER or graded ride, in which grades from 1-4 are awarded at the end of each ride, based on a combination of soundness, low heart rate and the correct speed parameters set for the level of the rider and/or horse (novice, open or advanced).

Maddie and Keighley used to take turns to ride Milky Way, until it became clear that they were getting rather tall for him and, as both were still keen and committed, it was time to move on to bigger steeds. Then Ella stepped in. At 12-years-old Ella is the youngest of the three girls and took over the ride on this indomitable pony in 2016. Thus

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far they have already achieved five grade 1s together. They also venture out to the odd hunter trial or showing competition.

Keighley, now 16, mainly partners Hathek, a 10-year-old Arabian. Hathek is still learning his job, having only started endurance in 2016 and is making good progress having come sixth in the national Novice Championship in 2016.

In 2017 Keighley qualified him to advanced level, which means this year he can do his first FEI 1*.

Maddie says that her greatest achievements have been becoming Junior Champion in 2015, completing her first 120k ride in 2017 and being Reserve Young Rider Champion at Kings Forest. She and Keighley were also members of the winning team at the Inter Regional Championships at Cranwich in 2015. Her favourite ride is the North Norfolk as it is such a lovely route. She also undertook her first competitive ride there last year and came second.

Although Endurance is her main sport Maddie also enjoys the occasional hunter trial on ‘Grandma’s Connie’.

Grandma Jane herself is still very much in the saddle and now competes on her beautiful 15hh Connemara, Earl of Kilmurray, spending much of her time accompanying Ella on her endurance rides, until Ella becomes old enough to ride without an escort.

In East Anglia we are blessed with several exceptionally pretty rides with excellent going. Jane particularly enjoys the Kings Forest ride, which follows grassy

tracks through heath and woodland near Bury St Edmunds.

She is keen to encourage more riders of all ages into the sport, especially children through organisations such as the Pony Club, and through more publicity about the sport. Jane acknowledges that there has been some recent negative publicity about endurance rides in a few countries where horse welfare has been compromised but she would like to reassure riders that ‘what happens there doesn’t happen here’.

Being a rider of more senior years Jane says that she is lucky to be naturally fit and that ‘keeping up with the girls’ certainly helps raise her fitness levels.

Whilst the girls are at school Jane and her husband Gerry take over most of the care and exercise of all the horses; this is no mean feat. To keep the horses fit, Jane believes that once their initial steady build up to full endurance fitness has been achieved, it just takes some consistent work, gradually building up speed and distance to reach this level fairly quickly again the following season, which runs from March to October.

All endurance riders need a reliable back up crew to meet and greet them at set intervals during a ride. Their role is to ensure the horses receive water to drink and keep them cool.

Grandad Gerry is the main member of the family to fulfil this vital role! www.endurancegb.co.uk www.egbiceni.co.uk

FIRST RIDE, FIRST WIN FOR 16-YEAR-OLD APPRENTICE JOCKEY

O

n Friday 2nd February Oliver Stammers, a 16-yearold from Essex, made his racecourse debut as an apprentice jockey at Wolverhampton racecourse.

Having only just received the license two days before, it was exciting news that he would be racing.

Oliver had previously done pony racing and Shetland racing, which meant he was fortunate enough to ride at events such as Badminton Horse Trials, on Ascot racecourse and at Windsor. However, this was a different ball game.

Oliver has been at Mr Johnston’s since July 2017 and has already gained incredible experience and training. He described everyone there as a real team and he said that the support from everyone is just amazing.

The big day arrived, and Oliver was the most excited he has ever been. He said how he couldn’t sleep the nights leading up to the race due to the excitement he had.

The race began and Oliver, who started in stall 12, led from very early on around the track. With his sister and mum screaming and cheering in the stand with excitement, Oliver flew down the home straight lengthening his lead to win by half a length.

The excitement did not end there. Not only was Oliver interviewed by the Wolverhampton Racecourse, but ‘At the Races’ called him for an interview after his race and he was live on Sky! The men who interviewed him on TV congratulated him and praised him a lot throughout the programme.

For Oliver, this was a dream come true, because he always watches that show and to be on it was fantastic.

Oliver thanked everyone at Mr Johnston’s and said how he couldn’t thank them enough!

Since his debut race, he has had a couple of other races and another win at Lingfield on his most recent run, which was also on Ravenhoe. The future is looking very good for this young, passionate jockey.

By Lucy Stammers

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VETS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

VETERINARY CONTACTS

60

HAWKEDON VETS EQUINE PRACTICE 01284 789428

Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP29 4NP

www.hawkedonvets.co.uk

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

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

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

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:13 Page 61 Paddocks

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

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

KAY HOWARD

QUALIFIED MASTER SADDLER & SADDLE • 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.

To advertise your business or service call:

Stables

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Surfaces

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 Transport

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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

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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

Suffolk Pet & Equine Crematorium

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DRESSAGE Cambs: Fenning Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage.

Tel: 01353 727109 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; Unaffiliated Dressage.

Tel: 07879 881755 JUMPCROSS Essex: Codham Park EC; JumpCross. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWING Essex: Barleylands Equestrian Centre; Showing Show.

Tel: 01268 904109 SHOWING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Showing Show with qualifiers. Tel: 07595 023325 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Barleylands Equestrian Centre; Easter Showjumping. Tel: 01268 904109 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Harolds Park Farm; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07775 516945 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Brampton EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07824 344072 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Easter Egg Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014

SUNDAY 1ST APRIL

ARENA TREC Beds: Twin Trees EC; Arena Trec. Tel: 01767 627414 DRESSAGE Essex: Barleylands Equestrian Centre; Dressage. Tel: 01268 904109 SHOW Suffolk: Trinity

MONDAY 2ND APRIL

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:13 Page 63

SPONSORED BY

SHOWDATE DIARY

Your Showdate listings for... April/May 2018 Park; Ipswich Horse Society Spring Show, in aid of The East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Tel: 01449 613923 or 01449 711427 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07595 023325 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Easter Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616

TUESDAY 3RD APRIL

DRESSAGE Norfolk: Brampton EC; Unaffiliated Evening Dressage. Tel: 07824 344072 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Evening Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01603 732316 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962

WEDNESDAY 4TH APRIL

SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07595 023325 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 07595 023325 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014 SHOWJUMPING Beds: Twin Trees EC; Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01767 627414 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Barleylands Equestrian Centre; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01268 904109 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755

THURSDAY 5TH APRIL

THE EAST ANGLIA HORSE SHOW 7th April, 27th May, 24th June

Emneth Showground, 175 Outwell Road, Emneth, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. PE14 8BG

Showing classes affiliated & unaffiliated for all levels. 50 classes & 11 championships.

THE EAST ANGLIA CHAMPIONSHIP HORSE SHOW 29th July

The Laurels Showground, Garden Lane, Wisbech St Mary, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. PE14 8BG

Showing classes affiliated & unaffiliated for all levels. Over 80 classes & 25 championships. The East Anglia Championship Finals Classes, Welsh Bronze Medal Classes, WHP, In Hand, Ridden, Breed, Training, In Hand & Ridden Showman, Lorry Dog, Fun Classes, Evening Performance.

SHOW SECRETARY, IVY HOUSE FARM, EUXIMOOR DROVE, CHRISTCHURCH, WISBECH, CAMBS PE14 9LT www.theeastangliahorseshow.org.uk Tel: 01354 638800

DRIVING Beds: The College EC; Indoor Driving. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Open Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962

FRIDAY 6TH APRIL

ARENA XC Essex: Barleylands Equestrian Centre; Arena Cross Country.

Tel: 01268 904109 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Dressage.

Tel: 07595 023325 DRESSAGE Essex: Fletchers Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01206 242210 www.flectchersfarm.co.uk DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01255 870744 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Brampton EC; British Dressage. Tel: 07824 344072 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Easton Park Stud; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07881 802129 DRIVING Beds: The College EC; Indoor Driving. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOW Cambs: Emneth Showground; The East

SATURDAY 7TH APRIL

Anglian Horse Show. Tel: 01354 638800 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Fenning Farm EC; Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01353 727109 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; NSEA Jumping with Style. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Showjumping with qualifiers.

Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014 COMBINED TRAINING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; Carlton RC Combined Training. Tel: 07879 881755 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07595 023325 DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01255 870744

SUNDAY 8TH APRIL

HADLEIGH SHOW Holbecks Park, Hadleigh IP7 5PE

Saturday 19th May 2018 Affiliated BSPA, P(UK), BSJ, BDS, DBS, Ridden & Working Hunters, Cobs and Local Hunt Class.

Schedules available from:

www.hadleighshow.co.uk or www.horsedates.co.uk or send C5 SAE to PO Box 1027, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 9XG Entries close - 24th April 2018

www.copdockmill.co.uk

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SPONSORED BY

SHOWDATE DIARY

Your Showdate listings for... April/May 2018

DRESSAGE Norfolk: Brampton EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07824 344072 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 DRIVING Beds: The College EC; Indoor Driving. Tel: 01234 708400 FUN SHOW Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Fun Show. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Barleylands Equestrian Centre; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01268 904109 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; NSEA Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Dressage.

Tel: 07595 023325

MONDAY 9TH APRIL

FUN SHOW Essex: Harolds Park Farm; Children’s Fun Show. Tel: 07775 516945 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Barleylands Equestrian Centre; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01268 904109 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755

TUESDAY 10TH APRIL

SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex:

WEDNESDAY 11TH APRIL

64

Brook Farm TC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07595 023325 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 07595 023325 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Very Novice Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014

DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Dressage, Intro - Ad Med. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Evening Clear Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755

THURSDAY 12TH APRIL

CAR BOOT Essex: Wix EC; Equestrian Car Boot Sale. Tel: 01255 870744 ICENI RIDE Norfolk: Wortwell Hall Barn; Kings Forest Iceni Ride, International and national competitive rides plus pleasure rides. www.egiceni.co.uk SHOWJUMPING Beds: Twin Trees EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01767 627414 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk:

FRIDAY 13TH APRIL

Topthorn Arena; Novice Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 ICENI RIDE Norfolk: Wortwell Hall Barn; Kings Forest Iceni Ride, International and national competitive rides plus pleasure rides. www.egiceni.co.uk SHOWING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; Showing Show. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWING Suffolk: The Jays; Showing Show. Tel: 01284 386014 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Barleylands Equestrian Centre; Crosspoles Showjumping. Tel: 01268 904109 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 07595 023325 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping.

Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Mini Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962

SATURDAY 14TH APRIL

DRESSAGE Essex: Harolds Park Farm; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07775 516945 ICENI RIDE Norfolk: Wortwell Hall Barn; Kings Forest Iceni Ride, International and national

SUNDAY 15TH APRIL

www.copdockmill.co.uk

competitive rides plus pleasure rides. www.egiceni.co.uk SHOWING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; Showing Show.

Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWING Suffolk: The Jays; Showing Show. Tel: 01284 386014 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07595 023325 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage.

Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076

TUESDAY 17TH APRIL

DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07595 023325 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 07595 023325 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Easton & Otley College;

WEDNESDAY 18TH APRIL

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:13 Page 65

Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01603 732316 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Beds: Twin Trees EC; Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01767 627414 SHOW: Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud; 19th-22nd April. Prize funds are from £130 for British Novice to £840 for the 1.30m. Para classes.

Schedule from British Showjumping website. Tel: 07879 881755

THURSDAY 19TH APRIL

DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Dressage.

Tel: 07595 023325 DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Evening Dressage. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755

FRIDAY 20TH APRIL

SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Open Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962

Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07881 802129 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 07769 SATURDAY 21ST APRIL 907076 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Easton SHOWJUMPING Essex: & Otley College; British Fletchers Farm EC; Dressage. Tel: 01603 732316 Unaffiliated Showjumping.

SHOWJUMPING Essex: Tel: 01206 242210 Brook Farm TC; Junior British www.flectchersfarm.co.uk Showjumping. Tel: 07595 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: 023325 Anvil Park Stud EC; Senior SHOWJUMPING Essex: British Showjumping. Tel: Barleylands Equestrian Centre; 07879 881755 Senior British Showjumping.

SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Tel: 01268 904109 Topthorn Arena; Showjumping SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: with Trailblazers. Tel: 01449 Anvil Park Stud EC; Senior 711962 British Showjumping. Tel: MONDAY 23RD APRIL 07879 881755 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Farm TC; Evening Dressage.

Topthorn Arena; Crosspole Tel: 07595 023325 Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Codham Park EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 07769 907076

TUESDAY 24TH APRIL

DRESSAGE Essex: Barleylands Equestrian Centre; Team Quest Dressage. Tel: 01268 904109 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01760 722616 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Centaur Trust; Affiliated and

SUNDAY 22ND APRIL

SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07595 023325

WEDNESDAY 25TH APRIL

SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 07595 023325 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014 DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Dressage Intro - Ad Med. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 07879 881755

THURSDAY 26TH APRIL

DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage.

Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; British Dressage. Tel: 07879 881755 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Novice Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962

FRIDAY 27TH APRIL

ARENA EVENTING Norfolk: Anvil Park Stud EC; Arena Eventing. Tel: 07879 881755

SATURDAY 28TH APRIL

THE SOUTH SUFFOLK SHOW Ampton, Ingham, Nr Bury St Edmunds

SUNDAY 29TH APRIL FROM 10AM

Sunday 13th May 2018

Schedule for British Showjumping (Snr), SSA, P(UK), Private Driving, Donkeys, Suffolk Punch Heavy Horses. RIHS Qualifiers for SHB(GB), BSHA, BSPS, P(UK) & BSPA. Entries close 25th April 2018

Schedule and E-Tickets are available via www.southsuffolkshow.co.uk or forward C5 SAE to Secretary: Geoff Bailles, 35 Dalham Road, Moulton, Newmarket CB8 8SB Tel: 01638 750879

At Easton Farm Park, Suffolk IP13 0EQ Horse Classes:- Showing & Fun Classes - All Levels Welcome

All schedules are on www.suffolkyfc.com More Information: Cherry Clements 07970 668558

www.copdockmill.co.uk

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Vets in the

SHOWDATE VETERINARYDIARY CONTACTS

SPONSORED BY

Ryder-Davies & Partners

HAWKEDON VETS EQUINE PRACTICE

SHOWJUMPING Essex: EVENTER CHALLENGE COMBINED TRAINING VETERINARY SURGEONS THURSDAY 3RD MAY Codham Park EC; British Essex: Harolds Park Farm; Essex: Brook Farm TC; SHOWJUMPING Beds: The Our experienced equine team offer a range of services Showjumping. Tel: 07769 Mini ODE / Eventer Challenge.

Combined Training. Tel: College EC; Evening Clear throughout Suffolk, South Norfolk & North Essex 907076 Tel: 07775 516945 07595 023325 01284 789428 Services include: Round Showjumping. Tel: investigations SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: EVENTER TRIAL Norfolk: DRESSAGE Beds: The • Full lameness 01234 708400 • Teeth rasping & advanced dental work Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Forest Edge Arena; Eventer College EC; British Dressage.

SHOWJUMPING Essex: • Pre purchase examinations Trial. worming Tel: 01760 722616 Tel: 01234 708400 • Vaccinations, regimes Barleylands Equestrian Centre; Showjumping. Tel: 01449 • EquineSHOWJUMPING reproductive stud work Essex: 711962 DRESSAGE Essex: Codham Senior British Showjumping.

• BEVA accredited practice chilled & frozen semen Brook Farm TC;forUnaffiliated Park EC; Unaffiliated Tel: 01268 904109 • Investigation of breeding problems in mares SUNDAY 6TH MAY Showjumping.

Tel: Dressage. Tel: 07769 907076 Facilities include: Inpatient and07595 outpatient stabling with SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: care • Digital x-ray, In-house laboratory, 023325 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook DRESSAGE Suffolk: Centaur24 hour Anvil Park Stud EC; Senior endoscope & digital Norfolk: ultrasound.

SHOWJUMPING Farm TC; British Dressage.

Trust; Affiliated and British Showjumping.

Tel: We offer: Visits on a round-reduced visit fee Park Tel: 07595 023325 Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: Yard visitAnvil days- no visitStud fee • EC; Spread the cost health07879 plans 881755 Bury St Edmunds Regular client information evenings & newsletters.

Unaffiliated Showjumping.

Tel: SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: DRESSAGE Norfolk: Anvil 07881 802129 Suffolk IP29 4NP www.ryder-daviesvets.co.uk 07879 881755 Park Stud EC; Unaffiliated JUMPCROSS Essex: The Jays; Senior British 24 Hour Emergency Support SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Dressage.

Tel: 07879 881755 Codham Park EC; JumpCross Showjumping. Tel: 01284 Tel: 01394 380083 www.hawkedonvets.co.uk Brampton EC; Senior British DRESSAGE Suffolk: Easton Training. Tel: 07769 907076 386014 Showjumping. Tel: 07824 Park Stud; Unaffiliated SHOWJUMPING Beds: 344072 Dressage. Tel: 07881 802129 Twin Trees EC; Clear Round FRIDAY 4TH MAY DRESSAGE Suffolk: Showjumping. Tel: 01767 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: MONDAY 30TH APRIL 627414 Topthorn Arena; Open Evening Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated SHOWING Beds: The College Showjumping. Tel: 01449 Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: EVENTING Beds: The Barleylands Equestrian Centre; EC; Showing. Tel: 01234 711962 708400 College EC; British Eventing.

Junior British Showjumping.

Tel: 01234 708400 Tel: 01268 904109 SATURDAY 5TH MAY TUESDAY 1ST MAY ICENI RIDE Suffolk: Poplar SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: COMBINED TRAINING EssexStud based veterinary practice SHOWJUMPING Essex: Park EC; Iceni Ride, The Jays; Senior British Norfolk: Anvil Park EC; mobile Advanced dentistry, lameness evaluations, portable XCodham Park EC; British competitive and pleasure rides.

Showjumping. Tel: 01284 Combined Training. Tel: 07879 ray, ultrasound, portable video gastroscopy/endoscopy Showjumping. Tel: 07769 www.egiceni.co.uk 386014 881755 all carried out in the SHOWING comfort of your horses’s home.

907076 Essex: Harolds SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: DRESSAGE Cambs: Fenning Pre purchase examinations.

Park Farm; Showing Show.

Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Farm EC; Unaffiliated 24 hour local emergency cover.

WEDNESDAY 2ND MAY Tel: 07775 516945 Showjumping. Tel: 01449 Dressage. Tel: 01353 727109 01371 851755/ 01371 850532 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Easton SHOWJUMPING Beds: Twin 711962 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook www.fullerequine.co.uk & Otley College; Evening Trees EC; Unaffiliated Farm TC; British Dressage. www.facebook.com/fullerequine SUNDAY 29TH APRIL Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: Showjumping. Tel: 01767 Tel: 07595 023325 fullerequine@gmail.com ARENA EVENTING 01603 732316 627414 DRESSAGE Essex: Fletchers Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; DRESSAGE Suffolk: SHOWJUMPING Essex: Farm EC; Unaffiliated Arena Eventing. Tel: 01449 Topthorn Arena; British Barleylands Equestrian Centre; Dressage. Tel: 01206 242210 711962 Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 Unaffiliated Showjumping. www.flectchersfarm.co.uk DRESSAGE Beds: The SHOWJUMPING Beds: The Tel: 01268 904109 EVENTING Beds: The College EC; British Dressage.

College EC; British SHOWJUMPING Essex: College EC; British Eventing.

Tel: 01234 708400 Showjumping. Tel: 01234 Codham Park EC; British Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Beds: Twin 708400 Showjumping. Tel: 07769 ICENI RIDE Suffolk: Poplar Trees EC; Unaffiliated SHOWJUMPING Essex: 907076 Park EC; Iceni Ride, Dressage. Tel: 01767 627414 Brook Farm TC; Senior British competitive and pleasure rides. SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: DRESSAGE Essex: Showjumping. Tel: 07595 Brampton EC; Unaffiliated www.egiceni.co.uk Barleylands Equestrian Centre; 023325 SHOWJUMPING Beds: Twin Showjumping. Tel: 07824 Dressage. Tel: 01268 904109 SHOWJUMPING Essex: 344072 Trees EC; Unaffiliated DRESSAGE Essex: Codham Brook Farm TC; Evening SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Showjumping. Tel: 01767 Park EC; British Dressage. Tel: Showjumping. Tel: 07595 The Jays; Senior British 627414 07769 907076 023325 Showjumping. Tel: 01284 SHOWJUMPING Essex: DRESSAGE Norfolk: Easton SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix Barleylands Equestrian Centre; 386014 & Otley College; British EC; Evening Showjumping.

Junior British Showjumping.

Dressage. Tel: 01603 732316 Tel: 01255 870744 Tel: 01268 904109

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ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:13 Page 67

ABH APR18 final.qxp_Ab Horse FEB18 21/03/2018 17:13 Page 68