Absolute Horse February 2017

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F

E M K ’M C -I !

PI P EE U R

Absolute

FEBRUARY 2017

g n i t n Eve East!

In The

- Full roundup inside

Guide - Page 41

Getting ready for the Season ahead with Louisa Milne Home - Page 12

Coach and Pupil relationships with Sharon Hunt - Page 14

PLUS

Love is in he air! tValentines Gift

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Ab Horse FEBRUARY 2017 pages 1 to 27 final_Layout 1 23/01/2017 18:44 Page 3

FEBRUARY

2017 25

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4

ISSUE 308

26 12

Will Furlong and Livingstone II Photo: Adam Fanthorpe

COMPETITIONS & GIVEAWAYS 31 TopSpec Competition 40 Parelli Competition FEATURES 6 Eventing Roundup 12 Ride Like: Louisa Milne Home

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.

14 18 20 24 26 30 36 38 41

Ride Like: Sharon Hunt Equestrian Insurance Health & Welfare including Vetwatch: Pregnancy Failure Equine Dentistry Stables & Yards Nutrition Love Dogs Saddlery & Tack Buyer’s Guide

01473 731220

How to contact us...

PHOTONEWS 42 Area 14 Dressage: Broads EC 43: Beccles & Bungay RC Dressage: Humberstone Farm 44 Affiliated Dressage: Topthorn Arena 45 East Essex Hunt: Castle Hedingham 46 Unaffil. Dressage: Finchingfield EC

InsIde

WHAT’s

REGULARS 4 News Your Comments 5 23 Meta Fitness 46 Vets In The Spotlight 48 Classifieds 50 Showdates Diary

emma@ahmagazine.com

www.absolutehorsemagazine.com www.issuu.com

PCD Media (East Anglia) Ltd Home Barn, Grove Hill, Belstead, Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3LS. Find us on facebook 3

Ab Horse FEBRUARY 2017 pages 1 to 27 final_Layout 1 23/01/2017 18:44 Page 4

NEWS DATES ANNOUNcED

ESSEX: DEAD HORSE DUMPED The RSPCA is appealing for information after a dead horse was found dumped by the side of the road in Chelmsford, Essex.

The body was found next to Lower Stock Road in West Hanningfield on Saturday 7th January in an extremely poor condition with rope tied around his neck.

A witness said they saw a white pick-up truck pull up and leave the body there around 5.30pm.

Anyone with any information is urged to call 0300 1234 8018.

SEIB Trailblazers Championships are delighted to announce the dates for the 2017 prestigious championship finals which will be held at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire from the 28th July - 5th August.

Classes at the Championship include; showing and working hunter, dressage, show jumping and combined training and take place across the week. www.trailblazers championships.com

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! In their sixth year, All The Queen’s Horses captivated the 500,000 strong crowd at the annual London New Year’s Day Parade on 1st January.

A huge variety of riders and horses of all ages took to the capital’s streets with the youngest rider being just 5 and the youngest horse just 4-yearsof-age, up to a 70-year-old rider and 27-year-old horse.

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#AccESS DAY Accessibility Mark has joined forces with Disabled Access Day to encourage more disabled people to attend their participating riding centre to find out about the opportunities on offer.

Businesses can hold their Disabled Access Day on March 10th, 11th or 12th 2017 and this event encourages venues to showcase their facilities and the services they provide.

RDA Chief Executive Ed Bracher said: “We want as many people as possible to get involved and go along to their local Accessibility Mark accredited riding centre to take part in the activities they are running.” www.rda.org.uk

GoFundMe A heart-felt GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Laura Barry, 24, former apprentice to Racehorse trainer Richard Fahey, who is seriously ill after being diagnosed with a rare form of nerve cancer for the second time.

The GoFundMe appeal went live recently, with jump jockey Brian Hughes pledging £1,000 to start the fund and after just 24 hours over £23,000 had been raised.

To support this campaign, please visit www.gofundme.com/laurabarry

Competition winners HiHo Silver Necklace - Jessica Zampi, Suffolk Equisafety Jacket - Grace Coppola, Herts

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

Sponsored by

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

We asked our acebook fans the following question...

Victoria Barton Was Duce: Spending time with my best friend Trilogy and he lets me warm my hands under his rug x Kerri Skelton: Knowing my boys are happy and looking forward to reaching some goals this season.

Gemma Cox: The look on their faces when they see me every morning, sure makes getting out of bed worth it on these cold dark mornings!

Jenny Welham: The thought that summer is only a few months away!

Adrienne Albon: Just thinking about how all of our hard work is going to pay off come showing season. My boy is 25years-old and never fails to work hard even when I go to catch him to ride and he's yawning his head off and as soon as I step into the school he lets out a big huffy sigh. As he’d much rather be chomping on his haynet.

Ariat’s olympia Full Seat Breeches and Knee Patch Breeches feature four-way stretch Schoeller fabric for maximum comfort and mobility, stretch Clarino full seat, front zip and unique hand pocket design with piping effect. Ariat’s patented v3 System in the waist and Calf Fit System ensure these breeches not only perform in the saddle but look great too. Sizes: 22 – 36 (regular and long fit available).

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Visit www.ariat.com or call 01367 242818.

Jodie Sillett: Watching youngsters mature over the winter months is just the best, not to mention watching the mares bloom in foal.

Emma Tiley-Nunn: Knowing that the ponies are loving their winter holidays resting coming back fully restored for the season ahead ready

to go get those rosettes!

WIth WINtEr WEAthEr FIrmLy hErE, WhAt IS It thAt drIvES your PASSIoN For horSES?

Hannah Bradley: Knowing that we are on the final leg to the countdown for eventing, evenings start pulling out, no more clipping, horses breath in the air on frosty mornings, roaring up the gallops as we rev up for the season ahead that's what keeps me going.

Donna Bowen: Knowing that it’s still winter but we still manage to get out and overcome so many issues my boy has... (mainly cars that aren’t moving! And we passed 3 in a row the other day) to know that come rain or shine he tries so hard to please me as I do with him! God I love him! Roll on long summer rides (we’ve only ever known bad weather).

Lily Morton: Just my boy’s face... even though his stable looks like a poo bombs gone off in it, even though when I want to ride I go to get him in and he’s been wallowing in wettest, muddiest puddle despite the cold. Just a look from his eye and gentle nuzzle... all is forgiven that's enough to keep me going as long as he’s happy.

Elisa Thomas: Watching my horses and pony get muddy, hairy and long manes and not worry until March... it is after all

their winter holiday!

Rosie Barwick: My little mare saved my life so I owe it to her to look after her the best I can for as long as I can.

Kerry Hallam: With 20 horses and ponies I’m out in this weather all day. I love each and everyone of them and they make me laugh every day. Just being able to spend time with them and kiss their noses makes it all worth it.

Kayleigh Murphles Hedley: The nice nuzzles I get from them, not to mention the time away from having to be an adult.

Carrie Munro: The feeling of success! In the million times it goes wrong, it's so worth it when you go across the finish line with your best friend.

Becky Burns: That face at 6am!

No matter how tired/ cold/soaking wet I am seeing her face, ears pricked every morning makes it all worthwhile.

Marian Gooderham: Having those "moustache kisses" all over my face before work!

and the Star Winner is...Ellie James “That's just it - passion! Looking towards a new year and reaching new goals, and improving through the winter months...also horses in the frost and snow are just downright gorgeous!”

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EvENtING rouNduP

Photo: Adam Fanthorpe

BE: New Training Opportunities

N

ew for 2017, British Eventing introduces the 12–21 Training Programme, developed to increase the opportunities for riders up to the age of 21 with access to high quality, tailored training.

Expanding on the existing BE under 18 Programme, the 12– 21 Training Programme is open to both BE members and non-

members and is for riders who have never experienced a BE event through to those competing at Novice level. The goal of the training programme dedicated to riders of this age is to boost confidence through supportive training and help them to achieve future goals.

Sessions are carefully grouped based on age and ability to ensure riders get the most out

of their training; courses range from unmounted talks to camps, discipline specific days and taster days with highly experienced regional BE Accredited Coaches throughout the year, including the winter months.

The 12–21 Training Programme is for all riders aged 12 to 21 years but it is also hoped that it will develop potential

competitors for the Under 18 Regional Team Championships which sees riders from BE’s regions come together to compete as a team at BE100 and international CCI1* level at Frickley Park Horse Trials in July.

Training can be booked at www.britisheventing.com/ training

Key rule changes...

Previously only compulsory below Novice level ‘Protective Headwear’ is now mandatory for all three phases, including dressage, at all levels.

Protective headwear that meets the required standard must be worn whenever mounted anywhere at a BE event; this means that for Novice level and above hunting caps or beagle hats, and for Advanced Intermediate level and above top hats, are no longer permitted.

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Stop watches are now permitted in all classes for cross country at one day events, including BE80(T), BE90, BE100, BE105 and BE100Plus. No receiving, recording, transmitting or monitoring device other than a watch may be used by a competitor during any phase of an event except with the permission of the Chief Executive.

A complete list of rule changes are published on www.britisheventing.com

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Venue Profile

Box office NOw OpEN

STRATFORD HILLS HORSE TRIALS 17th and 18th June 2017 Stratford Hills, Stratford St. Mary, Colchester, Essex CO7 6PA. Title sponsors: Carriagehouse Insurance.

BE Organiser: Gillie Cranfield. Tel: 01473 827596/07768 708637 or email gillie@waterhousefarm.com.

Entries Secretary: Mrs Wendy Evans, 2 Netherstead Court, Morton Bagot, Studley, Warwickshire, B80 7FG. Mobile: 0775888546, Email wendy@bdwp.co.uk

Tickets are now available online for the Barefoot Estates Burnham Market International which runs on Easter weekend, from Thursday 13th-Saturday 15th April 2017.

Also enjoying a Bank Holiday weekend, Houghton International takes place from 25th-28th May 2017.

Daily hospitality packages and picnic parking are available at both events, with on-site camping a popular option at Houghton. www.musketeer.co.uk

Isleham One Day Event This popular Cambridgeshire event is a well established date on the fixture list of BE, and this year takes place on 4th-5th March.

The event runs for charity and over the last 25 years Isleham ODE has presented £179,750 to various charities. This year the event will be raising funds for EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices).

YOUNG EVENTER HAVING A WHALE OF A TIME! Retro and surf inspired fashion brand, Whale Of A Time Clothing are delighted to announce their first ever equestrian ambassador, eventer Sam Ecroyd.

Young Rider team member in 2016 and leading Under 21 rider, Ecroyd has won four European medals and has a string of horses he plans to compete in 2017, along with a number of youngsters which he plans to bring on, making him an exciting name for the youthful clothing company. www.whaleofatimeclothing.com

Classes: Saturday - N, ON, IN, NRF, ONU18 Qualifier, BE100, BE100 open, BE100U18 Qualifier.

Sunday: BE80 (T), BE90, BE90 Open.

Dressage facts: Very flat grassland which will be aerovated if necessary. All classes will do test in short arenas.

Showjumping facts: Large well covered showjumping arena which will be aerovated if necessary.

SJ Course Designer Designer: Sue Peasley.

XC Course facts: With a new course designer and builder we plan to vary the four tracks and have some re-designed and additional fences. The excellent grass cover is now wellestablished and the courses will make use of this beautiful undulating countryside. Course will be aerovated if necessary.

XC Designer: David Carpenter.

Spectators: Cars £10 each. Those displaying current BE membership FREE for all occupants. Dressage starts 8.00am, Show Jumping 9.00am and XC 10.00am. There will be a good selection of tradestands, food stalls and a licensed bar.

Location: Grid Reference: TM056358. Stratford Hills is 200m west of the A12 between Ipswich and Colchester. From the South turn left on B1068 to Higham. From the North turn off the A12 to Dedham, take first right to rejoin A12 to Ipswich.

After rejoining the A12 turn left on the B1068 to Higham. The event will be signed. Dual carriageway all the way from the A1 north and Dartford Tunnel - south.

Stratford Hills Horse Trials will be run in aid of Marie Curie UK (Essex and Suffolk Nurses) www.mariecurie.org.uk

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EVENTING ROUNDUP Venue Profile solidly built, inviting fences making good use of the natural terrain and each course has two natural water obstacles. Further 11th - 12th March; 20th-21st May 2017 groundwork improvements have been carried out to ensure the best possible going for 2017 as well as alterations to all courses.

Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 3NA. XC Designers: Joe Weller and Jim Hardwick.

Title sponsors: Equitrek, Shadwell, ECR Properties.

Spectators: Each car displaying a current BE membership card will BE Organiser: Jim and Bo Hardwick. Tel: 07767887815 / be admitted free unless there are non member passengers when 07879063822. Email: poplarpark@googlemail.com. the charge will be ÂŁ5 per car. General public charged ÂŁ15 per car. All Entries Secretary: Sarah Robinson, C/O Penlands, Pond Hall profits go to Woodbridge Injured Soldiers Fund, Riding for the Road, Hadleigh, Suffolk, IP7 5PW. Tel: 01438 940790. Email: Disabled, East Anglian Air Ambulance. eventingentries@outlook.com.

Location: Poplar Park EC is situated in Hollesley 7 miles east of Classes: March - BE80(T), BE90, BE90Open, BE100, BE100Open, Woodbridge on the Heritage Coast. From the A12 take the A1152 BE100u18, N, ON, ONu18, AI, I, OI. signposted to Melton, Woodbridge, Rendlesham and Orford, then May - BE80(T), BE90, BE90Open, BE100, BE100Open, BE105. the B1083 and follow signs left to Hollesley. Pass Rock Barracks on Dressage facts: Level arenas on good free draining grassland. your left before taking the righthand fork in the road uphill to Plenty of space to warm up and for lunging.

Hollesley village. Poplar Park is on the righthand side at the start of Showjumping facts: Large arena on good free draining grassland the village. For map see www.poplarparkevent.co. ensuring good going in all weathers. uk/#!directions/c7os Despite being almost on the East All weather surface warm up arena that is levelled at Coast, there are excellent dual carriageways from regular intervals throughout the M25 and from A1/M1 to within 7 miles of the competition ensuring good going event. Grid reference TM348453. Postcode IP12 for the duration of the event.

3NA. Do not follow Sat Nav through Coddenham or Ipswich Town Centre but stay SJ Course Designer: Lisa Kelly. on the A14/A12 over XC Course facts: Poplar Park the Orwell Bridge. courses are run over undulating grassland and semi heath, and the light sandy soil gives fantastic going in all weathers. All courses comprise

POPLAR PARK HORSE TRIALS

4th-5th March Isleham, Cambs; 11th-12th March Poplar Park, Suffolk; 24th26th March Great Witchingham International, Norfolk; 13th-15th April Burnham Market International, Norfolk; 22nd-23rd April Horseheath, Cambs; 20th-21st May Poplar Park, Suffolk; 25th-28th May Houghton International, Norfolk; 2nd-4th June Little Downham, Cambs; 17th-18th June Stratford Hills, Essex; 30th June-2nd July Great Witchingham International, Norfolk; 22nd23rd July Little Downham, Cambs; 12th-13th August Horseheath, Cambs; 10th September Burnham Market, Norfolk; 30th September2nd Ocotber Little Downham, Cambs.

ep...

On our doorst

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IaN wIlls: Dreams, Drive anD ambitiOn

F

or as long as I can remember, my dreams, drive and ambition have been entwined with horses.

At 6-years-old a local farmer’s daughter put me on a wayward piebald in an open field which promptly bolted. I stayed on and the experience planted the seed for careering around on horseback.

Coming into my teenage years I met Shirley Washer who ran the local riding school. Shirley marked a turning point for me investing time and patience into my wild child style and introducing me to the local Pony Club.

I was an enthusiastic member of the South Devon Hunt West Pony Club. Competing individually and as a team member we qualified for the National Championships five years in a row.

At 18 I was Team Captain representing the South West UK PC Tetrathlon Team at the Home International. By 20 I had achieved all PC tests up to the A test and also exercised point to pointers for Graham and Mary Doige.

I’d originally gone to Talland for a three day intensive course as part of the A test training but following a cross-country lesson with Pammy Hutton I didn’t go home. Working under Pammy, Gerry Sinnot and Adam Kemp I went on to become a BHSll.

Ambition and the need to always get to the next goal prompted a move to Buckingham. I took a job riding for Helen Jarman where we produced her homebred horses including Buggley’s Boy from nothing to Advanced level and competing at Burghley in 2001.

In 1997 I moved to Northamptonshire where I set up my business renting a yard from Mrs Saxby who already had me riding one of her home bred horses, a chestnut mare of the memorable name O’Fer. I started riding for another yard in Shropshire commuting between both yards with great

success. Here I produced Pembridge Minstrel to Advanced CCI3* who came sixth at Blenheim in 2000.

From 1999-2002 I was listed in the top 100 riders for the first time. During the same time a major sponsorship contract fell through and I lost vital capital.

Undeterred I started again and returning to Buckingham I commenced a breeding programme. Early successes included breeding the Champion Colt foal for British Westphalian sold to a top overseas dressage rider and a Champion Filly Foal ‘Fallulah’.

Continued overleaf...

WE CATCH UP WITH LEADING EVENT RIDER, IAN WILLS COURTESY OF HIS SPONSOR BLACK COUNTRY SADDLES TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HIS LIFELONG LOVE OF HORSES AND PASSION TO REMAIN AT THE TOP OF HIS CHOSEN SPORT.

Ian in action on the cross country

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EvENtING rouNduP HERE WE CATCH UP WITH GRUB’S SPONSORED EVENT RIDER INGRID KLIMKE AS SHE PROVIDES ADVICE ON HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR HORSE, THROUGH KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE AND MAKING A PLAN.

learn More with

INgrId KlIMKE

E

ven though I have both event and dressage horses on the yard the weekly fitness routine is the same with a mixture of flatwork, hill work, hacking, lungeing and cavaletti jumping.

For cavaletti training I use two sets of five raised poles on the

opposite sides of a 20m circle.

As the poles are on a curve they are extremely versatile, you can trot or canter over them and aim for different angles to vary the work for each horse.

Keeping fit Rider fitness is just as important as the horses’ fitness. I used to

Continued from previous page...

But the best was yet to be.

In the dark depths of winter 2011 a scared, unruly, ‘unrideable’, stunning, talented 16.3hh, 4-year-old grey gelding was brought to my attention. Literally dodging a bullet on his behalf I bought Marli III from an owner who had had enough. Four years later, Marli and I have reached an understanding that has since taken us to the 5, 6, 7, and 8-year-old championships at Blenheim and placed at Advanced.

Alongside Marli, my homebred and produced Champion filly and now 7-yearold, 16.2hh mare Fallulah is a very exciting prospect.

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do a lot of running and swimming to keep fit, but I find it hard to find the time with two children, so I incorporate my own fitness into my riding.

I shorten my stirrups higher than I would for cross country for hill work and cantering, to work on my core and balance, this also means my legs get a good workout. I also ride without stirrups for cavaletti jumping so I can work on myself as well as the horse.

Planning ahead Have a clear plan for your horse and what you would like it to achieve. This can change

At the beginning of 2016 the aim for her season was to have qualified to compete at CCI**. After a few learning curves at Intermediate and a solid run at Houghton CCI* and Gatcombe CIC** we were successful in selection for Le Lion, The World Breed Championships in France.

Although we didn’t end up in the money for this first world class event, for young Fallulah she was a machine over the very demanding cross country course and returned home fit, well and more experienced. We will now aim for the 8/9year-old classes, ending at Blenheim 2017.

Having been selected for the BE World Class Equine Pathway last year with Hartpury Sky Is The Limit my current goal

throughout the season, but make sure you still have something to focus on.

I bring my youngsters on slowly and give them time. I usually back and lightly ride horses at 3years-old, then by four they become more settled and comfortable with what is expected. At five and 6-yearsold the rest of the basics are put into place. After six the focus then turns to conditioning and strengthening. I only ever decide on the discipline of a horse at the end of its sixth year.

Stay simple When it comes to tack, keep it simple. I look at each horse

Ian and Fallulah in France

is to aim for Tokyo 2020. Being part of Team GB is a dream I intend to make a reality.

If you want to be involved or support any aspect of the next chapter on this exciting journey please contact Emma Courtney on 07968 166789 to discuss opportunities.

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individually and see what works best. I tend to avoid big knee rolls as I like to feel the horse and be in control of my position.

Like my father, Dr Reiner Klimke, I often prefer to use old fashioned string girths, as they are comfortable for the horse, they do not hold heat or water and they cannot be over tightened like with elasticated girths.

Enjoy the experience When competing sit, smile and enjoy the experience. It is common to see riders working too hard in the dressage phrase, as their horses have not learnt how to respond to light aids.

You must create energy with your legs, then give with your hands, not pull back. A horse must be light and carry themselves, not be strong and pull back.

Follow Ingrid Klimke on the Grub’s boots facebook page or visit www.grubswarehouse.com

“Equus overreach boots are the best.

Mine and Emily's horses always wear them when we ride cross-country”

eventing Checklist...

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Sizes: 6 – 6 * 6 – 7 SRP from £140.

Champion Hat Bag Featuring an adjustable strap with Champion branding.

Ventilation holes provide breathability whilst contrast diamond quilted lining offers cushioning. Also features several pockets, plastic cosmetic mirror and identity slot. Colours: Black/Silver. SRP: £20.

Ti22 Body Protector Unisex flexible segmented style body protector. Cutting edge comfort and flexibility achieved through revolutionary SegTek construction, complete with heavy duty YKK zips, military grade outer mesh, ultra lightweight foam.

Available in short, regular and tall.

SRP: Adult from £145; Child from £95.

Plumpton Baselayer This stylish long sleeved cross country top is made from a breathable fabric that allows heat and perspiration to escape, helping you maintain a consistent temperature.

Sizes: XXS-XXL Colour: White, Black SRP: £25

- Top event rider, Mary King. www.abbeyengland.com

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EvENtING: tutorIAL

Ride like...

LouISA mILNE homE

Getting Your Horse Fit For The

SEaSon ahEad T

he right preparation can make all the difference to a successful season. To keep ahead of the game and with the unpredictable British weather Louisa Milne Home tries to keep her horses in work all through winter, this way if the horses are forced into a few days off, their basic level of fitness is not affected.

For those horses that have experienced a complete break from work Louisa recommends

introducing gentle hacking to begin regaining fitness, and incorporating roadwork in walk to help strengthen the legs.

Hacking also introduces the horse to different ground conditions, helping to improve their surefootedness ready for riding the cross country phase, after all in eventing the competition is not held solely on a perfect flat surface.

“It is always important to build

things up gradually, so take a couple of weeks just concentrating on steady hacking if they have had a proper break, two weeks walking and then gradually picking up the amount of trotting.

Ideally I just trot up hills or on the level as it puts less strain on their legs,” advised Louisa.

Once you have built the hacks up to about 45 minutes it is time to start thinking about returning to the school for two to three days a week to begin flatwork training,

Hacking out in winter can be a challenge but is a great way to begin regaining fitness after a break

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concentrating on large circles and lots of transitions, with each session lasting no longer than 20 minutes.

“Around this time you can start introducing some flat work lessons, I don't like to be in a rush to get back jumping. I like them to be back working at a reasonable level of fitness on the flat in the school before thinking about starting to jump once a week.

“Once you are feeling confident that you are back to where you

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LOUISA MILNE HOME IS ONE OF SCOTLAND’S LEADING EVENT RIDERS AND IS WELL KNOWN FOR HER FANTASTIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WONDERFUL GREY – KING EIDER. SOME OF HER GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE IMPRESSIVE FINISHES AT BADMINTON, BURGHLEY AND LUHMUHLEN. THESE ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE COME THANKS TO HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. THE RIGHT PREPARATION AHEAD OF THE START OF THE NEW SEASON IS ESSENTIAL. were before their time off and you have been to some schooling and training events, I would look for some competitions that will help prepare you for the season ahead,” said Louisa.

With the trend for grid work rapidly growing in show jumping training, Louisa feels, while useful in improving technique it doesn’t contribute towards the fitness required to jump a whole course.

For those with limited space, show jumping training at a proper

Product Showcase

venue would be of great value to your fitness programme.

fitness; a good massage can help ease any stiffness.

Cross Country Schooling is a good way of improving stamina in canter, with Louisa recommending two or three sessions prior to their first event depending on their age and level.

“One of the most important things to do when getting your horse fit again is just to keep varying things. If the weather and ground are good and you can work in the field one day or hack off the roads another, this will help keep your horse interested and it will hopefully pay off when you go to your first competition on grass!”

After the excesses of Christmas, riders should pay particular attention to their own fitness ahead of the start of the new season, concentrating on core strength as well as cardiovascular

Activ Scrub is an antibacterial cleansing wash ideal for the management of common winter skin problems. mild and gentle, Activ Scrub is perfect for removing scabs and debris caused by mud fever and rain scald.

Available in a convenient 500ml sized bottle for easy use.

For further information contact robinson Animal healthcare on 01909 735000 or visit www.robinsonanimal healthcare.com

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EvENtING: tutorIAL

Ride like...

ShAroN huNt

dEvEloPing:

cOAcH & PUPiL relationship

I

was actually asked to write this article by a client’s mother, who was a little forlorn with friends going to a multitude of coaches and wondering why their children weren't progressing as well as they'd hoped. So it got me thinking about how many

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coaches we need and is there an optimum?

I personally always welcome the chance for new approaches to training, especially now I am a more experienced rider. It can be easy to fall into a comfort zone and not push yourself enough, however there is also some truth

behind ‘if ain't broke don’t fix it’!

The problem is that there is so much coaching available and now most trainers are easily accessible, so who do we choose?

Trainers come in and out of fashion - people are often

followers and will go to the same as their friends even though this trainer maybe not the best for them. Then of course how far we travel to the sessions makes a huge difference; personally I would travel the length and breadth of the country for excellent training that will really bring me along (in fact I do, four hours each way to Emile Faurie’s every month!).

But the impact he has on the way I ride, train my horses and improve my coaching in every session outweighs any inconvenience of travelling.

Cost is a massive factor for most, simply in choosing the trainer and how frequently they are visited. Don’t be fooled by a cheap lesson being the best affordable plan however, as you may need five sessions to learn as much as one more expensive session! Equally just because a lesson is pricey it doesn’t automatically guarantee top quality coaching.

Clinics can be a good ‘value for money’ way to sample new

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coaching styles, it’s also a chance to learn with others of similar abilities and often a more enjoyable way to learn. You must be honest though with your capabilities and experience as groups can be matched incorrectly due to a little over embellishment!

Honesty is absolutely paramount between coach and pupil, it goes both ways. It’s not fair if the coach doesn’t tell you (with compassion!) if your horse is not sound or your goals are probably not achievable just yet.

Equally the rider must say when they are feeling out of their depth as it’s easy for a coach to be a little keen if they have a good horse for example, but limited in their own experience.

It’s surprising how people like to cover things up, coaches want to help, not necessarily to be impressed. Because after all, sadly you are the person who could get hurt if something goes wrong, the coach will walk away.

learning and am not keen on trainers asking me what I think all the time, however, I do expect it to be a joint decision in how much to challenge the horses or the quantity of work they do in the session. However we all have different learning styles and likewise varying coaching styles and it is your responsibility to find a suitable match. I would also recommend that you find out a little about your future coach, but don’t Some areas to think forget that some people simply about... don’t get on and everyone is There is so much training on entitled to a bad day, so maybe offer now to coaches there is no have a few references just to be excuse for not having up to date sure! etiquette; our job is to highlight It is important that people learn areas to improve and give their ‘own systems’ as it were, exercises and homework for this is scientifically proven. You pupils accordingly and to be really should spend some time more self aware of how to on your own and work things improve themselves. The days of out a little. Of course we all need fully instructional lessons should guidelines to help us, but you have gone, it’s more of a coach shouldn’t need a lesson every rider and empowerment session week just to keep going, or even now, as evidence suggests to keep improving, as there is so pupils learn much better that much you can self teach (e.g. way. I think this largely depends One’s position.) I believe you on the level of training - I have need to learn how to work with grown up with instructional your horse by a little trial and

Product News...

error to learn feel and empathy.

Of course carefully, small changes to systems not big ones. After all, horses learn with consistent, repetitive training, I also believe the same is true for people.

So give your trainer a chance to impart their knowledge and if one session doesn’t work quite as well as you’d hoped, or you didn’t jump as big fences as you’d planned, or even if your trainer has told you a few honest truths, maybe they are looking towards the bigger picture that may take a little longer with time and patience. Changing systems every week surely has the potential to lead to confusion and possibly unhappy horse and rider combinations. It takes a long time to build true relationships between coach and rider, depending upon your personalities of course; quieter, more reserved people possibly even longer. But my advice is if you can afford it, really take the necessary time to allow the relationship to develop, your patience is likely to be rewarded.

Back on Track Royal Tendon Boots offer essential protection for the horse’s forelegs during training and competition whilst also providing the therapeutic benefit of Back on Track. These robust boots combine a hardwearing, nylon laminated TPU outer casing with a thick, soft neoprene inner (perforated for extra ventilation and air flow) and are lined with the revolutionary Welltex ceramic infused fabric.

RRP: £75.50. www.backontrack.com

“With a busy season ahead, Aloeride has so many associated health benefits, its ideal for all the horses regardless of age and temperament” victoria Bax, top eventer and ex-racehorse trainer. www.aloeride.com

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EvENtING rouNduP

looking after YOu A

s the eventing season fast approaches the ‘to do’ list can become never ending; registrations to complete, competitions to plan, physio and farriery appointments to schedule, ballot dates to diary… and that’s before fitting in any riding. So it is no wonder, that as a rider, you are often the last consideration. But ensuring you are covered whilst riding should never be overlooked, which is why KBIS and British Eventing have been working together to bring BE members a new bespoke personal accident insurance policy.

Specifically designed for BE members, the policy is intended to both enhance the existing personal accident cover received by full BE members as part of their membership benefits. And yet be comprehensive enough for day members or supporters who require a personal accident policy to cover their riding activities but do not receive any complimentary cover with their membership.

Whilst BE continue to create

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innovations in technology and everyone involved in delivering events across the country do all they can to reduce the risk in the sport as much as possible, accidents can still happen, so it is essential to ensure that as a rider you have appropriate cover in place.

One rider who knows all too well of the importance of having cover in place is BE member Sophie McCormack, who, after a rotational fall at Rockingham International in May 2015, sustained a diffuse axonal brain injury, multiple broken bones and lung contusions, sending her in to respiratory arrest.

Having to learn to walk, talk, eat and think again has been a long and painful process for Sophie, but thankfully she is now on the road to recovery, though it has come at a price. “It has been an extremely hard and long road but I am mostly recovered and hope to get back eventing this season.”

Sophie said of her experience.

“My family and I have, and continue to have, financial issues post-accident as I had no form of self insurance. You never think it’s

going to happen to you, but we as riders need to protect ourselves. You wouldn’t drive a car without insurance in case of damage to your vehicle – it shouldn’t be any different for yourself.”

Designed for both amateur and professional riders the KBIS BE Personal Accident policy offers three levels of cover to choose from, plus a specific level for junior riders, 16 years and under.

Providing comprehensive cover at exclusive rates for BE members, the policy includes catastrophe payouts as well as other valuable cover benefits.

One such cover benefit is temporary total disability, which provides a weekly pay out should you suffer an injury leaving you temporarily unable to carry out your normal occupation/business. “Temporary total disability is the most claimed upon benefit on a personal accident policy and is essential cover to have in place,” advised Dan Parry, Operations Director for KBIS. “The weekly benefit will help towards your daily living costs and, for anyone

who is self-employed, the running costs of your business, whilst you are unable to work.”

Adding, “On this policy the temporary total disablement benefit pays out exactly as stated for the level of cover taken out so you do not need to evidence your weekly earnings, which can be difficult for a self employed rider.”

In addition there is cover for loss of equipment, should any clothing or protective equipment get damaged whilst being removed following an accident, such as your riding boots having to be cut off. Increased travel expenses, if you sustain an injury whilst competing abroad and incur additional costs to get home and up to £2,500 towards dental treatment.

Importantly as well as covering you for an accident sustained at a BE event, the policy also provides cover for all of your riding activities, whether that is hacking or schooling at home, handling horses on the ground or competing in another discipline.

Policies start at just £139, including IPT, based on level one cover for group one activities (normal terms and conditions apply).

For further information on the policy visit kbis.co.uk/ bepersonalaccident and to purchase, visit the members’ area on the BE website britisheventing.com/kbispa.

Don’t forget BE members are also entitled to exclusive savings across a number of KBIS’ other products, including 7.5% off their competition horse insurance, 10% off Horsebox Insurance and up to 15% off Liability and Property Insurance.

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INSurANCE

a reader asks...

‘WhY

ShoUld i inSURE MY hoRSE?’ answer by Nicolina Mackenzie, sEIB

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here are three main reasons to insure a horse, one is for liability and the others are for veterinary fees and mortality.

There are other considerations such as tack and saddlery and loss of entry fees but the equipment may be covered elsewhere, for example on a household policy and entry fees are probably less of a consideration.

We will concentrate on liability, vets fees and mortality insurance because if cover isn’t in place they could represent a significant and sometimes life changing cost to the owner.

Horses escaping onto a road and causing life changing damage is

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regularly publicised these days and the cost of damage accrued by one of the horses could go into millions, while the legal defence hundreds of thousands of pounds. A claim against a horse owner will be particularly high if there are life changing injuries involved following the incident or someone sadly dies.

There are several ways to acquire this cover. Possibly the most simple is to become a Gold member of the British Horse Society or a Champion Plus member of World Horse Welfare but please remember that these policies only come into effect if there is no other cover elsewhere Cover can be extended with the horse or pony policy and or the limit of indemnity is not sometimes it is present on high enough. household insurance but this

must be carefully checked, because even if it is present, the limit of indemnity may not be high enough to provide protection for the home owner against a major claim.

Mortality insurance is important because when purchasing a new horse the last thing anyone wants to think about is what would happen if they die.

However, it should be a very important consideration unless the owner has enough money to just go out and buy another.

Often the purchase of a horse is a significant investment, sometimes the most expensive purchase after a home or even a car. This investment should be protected and insurance is the

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obvious solution.

Veterinary fees should be an equally important consideration.

So many conditions that a horse can suffer from can now be treated, even some that were fatal a few years ago, however treatment can be very expensive.

The average cost of a claim has risen by over 68% over the last ten years from £1135 to £1917 at the start of 2017. Veterinary costs vary from practice to practice and across the country, for example, an MRI scan can cost anywhere from £950 to £1,800.

The cost of the veterinary treatment is the main indicator for premium so by increasing the excess payable during each and every claim up to £250 or maybe £500 the cost of insurance can be considerably reduced but will ensure that protection is in place should a serious accident, injury or sickness occur.

It is advisable to insure a horse from purchase. Some owners may be able to afford the cost of medical treatment and even replacement but is the same true for a £10 million claim for personal injury? Insurance is not a needless expense but a priceless choice. www.seib.co.uk

always keep your horse insurance details to hand

K

eeping a copy of your horse’s insurance certificate to hand can help you to make informed decisions in the event of your horse needing veterinary treatment, and your vet can quickly check the extent of your veterinary cover, even in the middle of the night, advises the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA).

A serious accident or a severe bout of colic may require expensive emergency surgery and it is important to be able to make swift decisions on how best to proceed and to notify your insurance company accordingly.

BEVA and KBIS have put together some tips to help you be prepared for a veterinary

emergency: · Read your policy very carefully and make sure you understand exactly what you are covered for and the steps you must follow to ensure any claim is valid. · Keep an up-to-date copy of your horse’s insurance certificate with your horse’s passport and keep these readily available in a safe place at your yard. · Check your insurance policy every time it is renewed and note your excess, vets fee incident limit and exclusions. · Discuss the proposed veterinary procedure and projected costs with your vet in line with your maximum cover limit and any contribution you are prepared to make if your incident limit

is exceeded. · Discuss with your vet whether referral to an equine hospital might be necessary before any of the more expensive diagnostic tests have been carried out. This may avoid duplication of the tests and help your insurance cover go further. · Contact your insurance company as promptly as possible to make them aware of your potential claim. In some cases your vet may do this for you. · Your Insurance Company must be informed before euthanasia is carried out unless emergency euthanasia is required. Failure to do so may invalidate a claim for mortality.

“Most insurance companies have a variety of veterinary fee options so that you can choose a policy to suit your personal circumstances,” said Guy Prest, Managing Director of KBIS British Equestrian Insurance.

“You should pay particular attention to the excess payable in the event of a claim, the vets fee incident limit and any exclusions on your policy due to pre-existing illness, injury or disease. In some instances you may be able to have certain exclusions removed; your insurance provider will be able to advise you how to get an exclusion reviewed.”

It’s important to remember that although your vet may be able to indicate whether a claim is likely to be accepted, the final decision rests with the Insurer. www.beva.org.uk

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hEALth & WELFArE

PREGNANcY t h e c t v Wa

By Hattie Sparks MA VetMB MRCVS

he normal gestation period of the mare is an average of 340 days.

Miscarriage (abortion) is defined as the expulsion or resorption of a fetus before it is able to survive independently, and disappointingly in the horse, the equine fetus is very unlikely to survive if born before 300 days.

Miscarriage is also relatively common in the horse, and there are critical points at which the fetus is more susceptible, particularly in the early stages.

Early pregnancy loss has a variety of factors including the presence of twins, abnormal development of the embryo and

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Presented by

ROSSDALES EQUINE PRACTICE Beaufort Cottage Stables, High Street, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 8JS Tel: 01638 663150 email: practice@rossdales.com

an insufficient nutrition from the uterus or placenta. Prior to 5 months, the fetus is small and will be resorbed by the uterus, so miscarriage will outwardly go unnoticed.

Later in gestation, as the fetus is bigger, the whole placenta and fetus will be expelled from the mare. This may be preceded by milk running from the teats and discharge from the vulva. Causes of miscarriage later in gestation are either physical (for example, a long, twisted and strangulating umbilical cord), the presence of twins, from stress of surgery or colic, or from an infection – either bacterial or viral.

A complication with the cord is the cause of abortion in the majority of cases. On examination of the expelled placenta, the attached cord will appear engorged with excessive and tight twisting, suggesting impaired blood flow. We see fewer cases of twins now due to scanning in early pregnancy but if twins are conceived, the mare is usually unable to support the development of both twins so either one or both will not survive.

Bacterial infection most commonly gains entry via the cervix and is called an ascending placentitis, but it may also enter from the bloodstream from any

www.rossdales.com

Excessive twisting and length of the umbilical cord in a late term abortion. Photo courtesy of Ian Cameron

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FailURE These cases will often not show any warning signs and the fetus may be expelled within the intact placenta with the red ‘velvet’ side of the placenta outermost. diagnosis Sadly it is often too late by the Infection around the cervical star of the time the mare is showing signs placenta (arrow). of impending abortion to treat Photo courtesy of Dr Alastair Foote. the mare and save the fetus. systemic infection. The placenta However, with ascending becomes inflamed and separates placentitis, treatment with antifrom the uterus, reducing inflammatories and antibiotics exchange of essential nutrients. may be sufficient if started early The expelled placenta will be enough. Monitoring the live foal discoloured and may be covered throughout pregnancy is with pus. important, particularly if the Viral abortion is most commonly mare has had previous due to equine herpesvirus type 1 complications or is prone to which is extremely contagious, twinning. sometimes causing ‘abortion Diagnosis of the cause of storms’ in herds of pregnant abortion is difficult in the early mares, usually later in stages of pregnancy without the pregnancy. All abortions should presentation of the fetus and be treated as EHV1 until proven membranes for post mortem otherwise with strict isolation of examination. Even with the the mare and aborted fetus. fetus, the cause of death in over 30% of cases is undiagnosed.

The most important reason for a Signs post mortem is to rule out EHVRunning milk from the udder 1, which is done by gross Vulva discharge examination and laboratory Mild colic or straining testing.

Causes Long or twisted cord Infection Viral (EHV-1) Bacterial Twins Stress - surgery/colic

Treatment Treatment of the mare after an abortion will depend on the cause and timing. If the embryo has been resorbed early in gestation then this will often go unnoticed, and although it may help with preparation for the

next attempt at conception, examination is often unrewarding.

If the fetus is expelled, it is likely that the fetus will have been dead in the uterus for some time and the mare may benefit from routine flushing of the uterus with sterile saline. This will also allow the veterinarian to be sure that the entire placenta has been removed, as retained fetal membranes can induce an endotoxic response in the mare that can prove fatal, and treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories may be indicated.

Prognosis If the embryo is lost before 35 days, it may be possible for the mare to conceive again the same season. However, after this date, adaptations of the placenta and uterus will stop the mare from cycling normally. This situation can last up to 5 months and extend beyond the normal breeding season for the mare.

If there is no physical damage to the mare’s internal or external genital tract during expulsion of the fetus, then the prognosis for future conception is not necessarily diminished, but it is important to consider the mare at a higher risk for next year and monitor her closely. If the mare has excessive bruising or wounds during the abnormal foaling process, then she may

VET PROFILE

Hattie Sparks MA VetMB MRCVS Hattie is a member of our stud farm team and, out of the stud season, she also provides support for our horses in training team of vets.

Hattie qualified from the University of Cambridge in 2012 after intercalating in Physiology, Development and Neuroscience in 2009.

She joined Rossdales after graduation and completed an internship in imaging based in the hospital and diagnostic centre. Heading to the Southern Hemisphere for the 2013 stud season, Hattie returned from Australia to join the stud team in 2014 with another secondment to Newgate Farm, Australia the following autumn.

Hattie works in all aspects of stud medicine and has a particular interest in foal care and yearling management. She is currently working towards the stud medicine Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice through the University of Liverpool.

Continued over page

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hEALth & WELFArE Continued from previous page require more time to recover.

If EHV-1 is the cause of abortion, all other pregnant mares that have been in contact with the aborted mare should be managed as infected and isolated as a group.

Prevention Prevention of abortion is difficult, but careful, calm management of the mare is paramount. The mare should be kept in a clean environment and kept up to date with routine flu and tetanus vaccinations and worming protocols. It is sensible to keep in-foal mares together if possible and reduce exposure to horses that are frequently mixing and travelling to competitions and sales. The uterus is protected by the seals created by the cervix, vagina and the external vulval lips. The conformation of the vulval lips may be impaired with age and multiple pregnancies, or from tearing at foaling, and a Caslick procedure to tighten the vulval seal may be necessary to reduce contamination with faeces and aspiration of air.

The early scanning for twins on at least two occasions before 35 days of pregnancy is important.

After this date, removal of only one twin becomes more difficult and often both will die.

Vaccination against EHV-1 at 5, 7 and 9 months of gestation will reduce shedding of infectious virus in the herd of mares and individual risk of abortion.

Reducing stress in mares throughout pregnancy will help prevent re-activation of latent herpes infections.

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WHAT’S NEW: IN THE WORLD OF ANIMAL BACK CARE

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recent study, by McTimoney Animal Practitioner Jan Selfridge, used African safari elephants to look at whether carrying a rider - or multiple riders - effected the weight bearing on joint and limb segment angles in fore and hind limbs of ridden elephants.

The results showed that the presence of riders significantly influenced a greater number of limb segments and joint angles in mid-stance than the presence of just a saddle. This study therefore concluded that the presence of rider weight influences limb kinematics in elephants indicating compensation for weight bearing and the potential for musculoskeletal compromise. The use of a saddle may modify the potential for musculoskeletal compromise. So we already knew that rider weight affected a horse’s back and limb movement, but even an animal as large as an elephant is affected too.

Rebecca Stroud, a fellow McTimoney Animal Practitioner conducted her research into the prevalence and progression of pelvic axial rotations among neonate foals. The importance of symmetry and musculoskeletal well-being in the ridden horse is widely acknowledged, hence the importance of McTimoney treatment to reestablish symmetry and balance in mature ridden

Eulalia Speaight Amanda Purchas Lucy Bounden

horses across all equestrian disciplines.

However, there is little research to ascertain the incidence of pelvic asymmetry and factors which may predispose to this occurring. This study found that pelvic asymmetries may be present in new born foals, or certainly develop very early in life and found positive evidence of pelvic axial asymmetry from birth to 8-9 weeks of age in foals.

Another preliminary study, by Eulalia Speaight, McTimoney Animal Practitioner, investigated the effects of head and neck position during feeding on the alignment of the cervical vertebrae in horses. The method of feeding hay to horses (floor, haynet, Haybar) affects the head and neck position on a daily basis. Results from this study suggested an effect on the musculoskeletal system, with notable differences in areas of muscle tension which may imply a link between how horses are fed and their musculoskeletal health, particularly in the neck area.

Research always throws up more questions than those it answers and it is important to carry out ongoing studies of all possible factors which affect or influence our animal’s health and wellbeing – it is only by pushing the frontiers of knowledge, that we can help our animals be as healthy and perform as successfully as possible. www.mctimoney-animal.org.uk

January was a busy month for Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons, who have launched their brand new, fully responsive website, which has been built

by Cambridge-based marketing agency, Honest. rossdales marketing manager, helen Gale, said: “It’s been an interesting challenge to design and build a website that satisfies the needs of all our different client groups, making information that’s relevant to those groups easy to access across a variety of platforms. I hope that people will be pleased with the result – of course we welcome feedback”.

January also saw the beginning of a new chapter in rossdales' long history, with the opening of their new Lambourn practice. the practice will be managed by partner robert dallas (pictured) and will offer veterinary services in all areas of the bloodstock industry including both thoroughbred trainers and stud farm owners, in Lambourn and in the surrounding Wiltshire, oxfordshire and Berkshire countryside.

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By Samantha Hardingham

How stretching can help your performance... way you feel and ride.

Here are my top eight benefits of stretching:• It increases your flexibility; • Improves range of movement; • Helps to prevent injury; • Relaxes your muscles; • Increases blood flow; • Helps to deliver more nutrients to your cartilage and muscles; • Reduces muscle soreness; • Makes you feel more alert.

If you’ve driven in the lorry for a couple of hours or more it’s

the tellington touch Equine Awareness method (ttEAm)

Top Tip by Carolyn Watson, Cleveland House Stud

TELLiNGTON TTOUcH BodY WRaPS

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he Tellington Touch Equine Awareness Method (TTEAM) encompasses three components – TTouches, Ground Exercises and Ridden Work. In previous months we have looked at a small selection of TTouches and some basic ground exercises.

Another integral part of the

method is the use of ‘Body Wraps’. The wraps can be used in many configurations and help address postural habits, change tension patterns and improve functionality. They can be used by both horse and rider and appear to have long lasting effects even when taken off the body. The temptation is to apply the wraps with a similar amount

great to have a stretch when you arrive to waken up the body and give yourself an energy boost.

Rather than getting into the saddle cold it’s good to do a quick dynamic (moving stretches - warm up) stretch.

You’d lunge your horse to give it a warm up before you get on and stretching is the same principle for the rider.

Static stretches (cool down) take the muscle that you’ve shortened whilst exercising or riding back to the original length

of tension as you would use to support a sprain, however the wraps are not meant to create physical support through pressure, they are used to improve self awareness in the body and increase proprioception through a LIGHT pressure.

One of my favourite body wraps for horses is the promise wrap which is used to encourage greater engagement from the horses hindquarters. It is best to introduce the wrap while performing ground exercises.

Once the horse is used to the sensation you can then try the promise wrap while riding. The wrap is attached to the girth on one side then taken round the horse’s hindquarters and

and take place after the event.

I’ve done a couple of facebook live videos of dynamic and static stretches that you can save to help you increase your flexibility and help to prevent injury during this season - here’s the link I hope you enjoy them and notice the difference! https://www.facebook.com/me tafitnesszone/?ref=bookmarks Tel: 07740 047279 http://meta.fitness/ home

attached to the girth on the other side. Remember the wrap shouldn't be pulled tight but should only have a light pressure on the horse’s body.

To find our more about the benefits of this TTouch or to discuss any problems you may be facing with your horse visit www.clevelandhousestud.co.uk For more information about TTouch and TTEAM visit the UK TTouch website at www.ttouchtteam.co.uk

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Whilst TTEAM benefits animals suffering from illness, injury and behaviours it is a complimentary therapy and should not be used instead of veterinary care. If you are worried that your horse has a medical condition you must consult your veterinarian.

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es it’s true stretching can help your riding performance and is equally as important as exercise.

As soon as you shorten your stirrup length your hamstrings tighten up which can lead to lower back pain and eventually a trip to the osteopath. A daily stretch can make a big impact and it’s the small increments that add up to big change and just five minutes a day can make a remarkable difference in the

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hEALth & WELFArE: dENtIStry

The Importance of regular Equine dental Checks IN THIS ARTICLE WE TALK TO DR SIMON WOODS BVSC MRCVS, PARTNER AND SENIOR VETERINARY SURGEON AT LOWER HOUSE EQUINE CLINIC, ASSISTANT VET FOR THE BRITISH SHOW JUMPING TEAM AS WELL AS BEING AN FEI VET, AND CASSIE WOODS BSC (HONS), REGULAR WEBSITE COLUMNIST FOR HORSEHAGE, ABOUT EQUINE DENTAL CHECK-UPS AND WHAT THE DENTIST LOOKS FOR. quine dentistry is continually advancing and has progressed rapidly over the last decade.

The emphasis over recent years has turned to preventative dentistry.

By the time horses are showing visible external signs of dental disease, such as balling up food (quidding), losing weight or swellings around the head, then often this can represent advanced dental disease with conditions in their end-stage.

This means that conditions may not be able to be reversed and more radical treatment such as tooth removal might be needed.

Routine examination of the equine mouth as well as routine dental work is essential to pick-

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up and to try and prevent dental conditions in the mouth.

How to tell if your horse has a dental problem?

Signs of end-stage advanced dental disease can be much easier to recognise than more subtle early disease. Horses have adapted not to show dental pain, and as a general rule by the time they are showing signs it is quite advanced.

Some of the signs to look out for are: • Losing weight; • Quidding forage (balling up forage and leaving balls of undigested forage on floor); • Dropping food; • Bad smell from the mouth; • One sided nasal discharge;

(could be a sign of sinusitis caused from a tooth root); • Swelling of the face; • Enlargement of the lymph nodes under the jaw, particularly on one side.

The more subtle signs can include: • Taking longer to eat than normal; • Reluctance to eat; • Slight change in grazing habits such as standing around not eating in the field etc; • Change in social hierarchy with other horses such as last to eat or being more submissive; • Change in ridden behaviour and performance; • Evading a contact; • Leaning on the bit; • Throwing the head;

Photos: Lower House Equine Clinic

The mouth should be rinsed to remove any food material prior to examination

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Examining the horse's mouth

A good dental examination using a dental gag, light, mirror and probes as a minimum are essential

• Rearing; • Stopping at jumps; • Reluctance to go forward.

The Oral Examination Examination of the horse’s mouth comprises one of the main parts of equine dentistry.

The mouth is rinsed to remove any excess feed material left in the mouth. The mouth is then examined using a combination of manually examining the dental arcades by hand, visual inspection using dental lights and mirrors, and using probes to examine the mouth.

Some of the conditions that may be picked up on a routine dental examination include infundibular caries, peripheral caries, diastemata, fractured teeth, displaced teeth, extra teeth, missing teeth, exposure of pulp cavity, focal overgrowths and excessive transverse ridges.

Caries – This is a condition causing decay of the tooth enamel and dentin, causing a cavity in the tooth. It can either occur on top of the tooth on the occlusal surface (infundibular caries) or occur on the outside edges of the tooth (peripheral caries). There are different grades of caries. Caries itself may not cause pain but will lead to weakening of the tooth which will eventually cause to tooth to fracture or become rotten. Caries are often explored with a probe. diastemata – These are little gaps in between the teeth where feed material gets stuck.

The food can then become impacted in this gap and cause infection and pocketing of food around the tooth, called

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spotlight on… burton equine Dental team

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A giant tooth! A large rotated and dysplastic 110 tooth that was removed from a horse. The tooth is larger than normal and also misshapen as well as being rotated within the mouth.

periodontal pocketing. This can cause infection and inflammation to track down the tooth causing irritation to the periodontal nerve and may cause infection of the tooth.

similarly some horses can lose teeth and have missing teeth.

This can cause a misalignment to the normal grinding surfaces of the teeth.

Focal overgrowths – Horses’ teeth are continually erupting within the mouth, and wearing against their opposite tooth keeps the height maintained. When the teeth do not quite line up with each other, some parts of the teeth may not meet their opposite tooth. As a result that part of displaced teeth – the tooth can become The teeth should normally sit overgrown, and if left can together in a line, but eventually cause a large sometimes as the teeth erupt overgrowth in the mouth. into the mouth, one of the teeth www.lowerhouseequineclinic. is displaced into a different co.uk position. This causes an uneven For information about feeding wearing pattern with the other your horse, pony or donkey, teeth, and can cause visit www.horsehage.co.uk overgrowths in the mouth.

Fractured teeth – Either as a result of trauma or from weakening of the tooth from a condition such as caries, a tooth can become fractured and even split in two. This then allows pocketing of food around the tooth, causing further infection and pain.

achel Burton is a fully qualified Equine Dental Technician, having passed the joint British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and British Veterinary Dental Association (BVDA) exams.

“I am very involved in the British Association Equine Dental Technicians where I was a council member for six years and have worked tirelessly on promoting Equine Dentistry and their regulation with Defra in the UK. I also set up the Equine Dental Journal for the BAEDT and continue to support the current council with their dedication to the industry.”

Rachel welcomed son, Monty, in 2015 and enjoys juggling motherhood with her servicing her clients. Based in the picturesque Waveney Valley on the Suffolk/Norfolk border, Rachel regularly works throughout the whole of East Anglia and happily travels to other areas by appointment.

“As a horse owner myself, I have a very calm and caring manner and work without sedation wherever possible, however I operate closely with several vet practices throughout the Absolute Horse region who are happy to sedate for me as I’m a fully qualified BAEDT registered member.

“I provide a fully insured service and have the full range of both hand and powered equipment to ensure that whatever the treatment, whether it be a routine check up or advanced work, the horse receives the best possible care. I even provide a full evaluation of your equine and advice on future dental plans.”

Visit www.bedt.co.uk to find out more about Rachel, and www.baedt.com for a list of qualified Dental Technicians.

Extra and missing teeth – It is not unusual for some horses to have extra teeth,

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StABLES & yArdS

g n i n n n i P From : to Planning

S

cotts of Thrapston has been on Pinterest for quite some time. As a company we love this social media channel.

The reason we love it so much, is because we know it’s a great tool to build a visual specification of a dream stable yard. This is great for customers who are designing their yards but also for future customers, as all horsey people dream of having their own stables.

If you have read any selfdevelopment books, you will know that to make a dream a reality is to set yourself goals. A popular way of doing this is to create a vision board.

Traditionally this was done by cutting out pictures from magazines and catalogues.

However, Pinterest has now brought this to a whole new

26

level. Pinterest gives you access to millions of photos at your fingertips. Plus the added advantage that they are all searchable. Users can scan through images and then pin

the ones that appeal to them on their own personal board(s).

At Scotts we have spent time uploading some beautiful images of our stables. We have also included a variety of closeups showing the extras you can specify on our buildings. This

enables ‘Pinners’ to get really specific as they work through their needs and desires. Pinners can specify the timber colours, the layout and extras such as a clock tower or weathervanes.

Some of our stable images have been repinned over 3,000 times on to other people’s boards. This is one of our most popular images:

Ab Horse FEBRUARY 2017 pages 1 to 27 final_Layout 1 23/01/2017 18:45 Page 27

So, if you dream of your own stable yard, get one step closer and create a vision board on Pinterest: • Searching specific images on Pinterest helps you get a clear idea of what you really want.

It’s like shopping without spending the money, yet!

• Pinterest stores your research in one place. This frees up more brain space to focus on how you are going to reach your vision.

• Building a bold, bright and beautiful collage you’ll start to find ways to make it a reality.

• Saving your ideas gives you time to consider the products merits before making the purchase.

• Sorting through images helps you decide what it is you really

like and what it is you don’t like.

• It’s dynamic and visual so you can glance at it quickly.

• It’s more fun than writing out goals and never looking at them again or losing the bit of paper.

• Helps you “see” what it is that you are working hard towards.

• Make it a practice to revisit your board daily by installing the app on your phone.

• Look at it when you are feeling down or depressed to remind you of your dreams and aspirations.

• Spend time going deeper and build in more detail when you have doubts and challenges to reignite the spark inside of you.

• This exercise will force you to think about the details including long-range and short-term goals.

• Get clear designs ideas and ask yourself how much you want to be earning to make this happen.

• Use Pinterest for when you are employing staff in your yard. Post images and quotes of the traits of people you want to hire.

• It can be used for researching breeds of horses.

• Use it for specifying

equipment for the yard, your horse or clothing for yourself.

This will help you build your overall dream picture and lifestyle goals.

Check out Scotts of Thrapston on Pinterest: www.pinterest. com/scottsthrapston Happy Pinning!

If you would like some more information on specifying your yard speak to Zoe on 01832 732366 or email equestrian@scottsofthrapston. co.uk

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QUALITY STABLING DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER

Pantile effect Onduvilla tiles for a truly stunning look

Product News...

As well as being light, wellbalanced and easy to tip, the Stubby Barrow from Abbey England is an immensely strong, high capacity stable barrow with a modern twist.

The tough Stubbythene body in Blue, Green or Baby Pink has stepped sides to increase strength and capacity and a steel reinforced front with a galvanised steel frame for lifelong durability. The colossal top size allows high peaked loads whilst retaining full manoeuvrability.

RRP: Around ÂŁ290. www.abbeyengland.com

Perfect for chores around the yard...

See us at leading shows and events throughout 2017!

WWW.FJLUCAS.COM TEL: 01366 500502 FAX: 01366 501005 Horseshoe Farm, West Dereham, Norfolk PE33 9RH

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Anyone with a passion for horses will know that spending time exposed to the elements is par for the course for an equestrian lifestyle.

However, scarves can be a nuisance, especially when they start unravelling during mucking out, so a snugly Heat Holders Neckwarmer is a great alternative. The soft knitted tube shape is easily pulled on or off, even over a helmet, and prevents chills from reaching the delicate chest, neck and lower face areas that are so frequently forgotten about.

Heat Holders also offer a Microfleece Base Layer range for both men and women, which has been developed with activity in mind.

Heat Holders products are also fully machine washable, so are easy to look after regardless of how muddy they get. www.heatholders.co.uk

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Agroco Trailers’ Tips for: Storing your trailer when not in use f you are lucky enough to be able to then storing your trailer in a barn is by far the best way to keep it out of the elements.

I

If outdoor storage is your only option then try to park it on a cement hardstanding in a sheltered position out of direct sunlight.

If in direct sunlight, keep the wheels covered to prevent the tyres from perishing.

Try not to park your trailer under trees with low hanging branches as wet leaves can stain your roof and also collect bird droppings.

Security: We always advise to invest in a Sold Secure Hitchlock and Wheel Clamp.

Park your trailer out of sight away from view of the road.

Paint your postcode on the roof and ensure your trailer is registered with the manufacturer under your name.

If you are being extra cautious you can cement a U clamp into the ground with a chain attached to it then feed a heavy chain from that around the axle.

It is a bit time consuming but much more difficult for thieves to get their hands on your

trailer.

Condition: Once you have finished using your trailer remove all droppings, hay or any damp shavings and ideally give it a good hose down to remove any urine that has built up. Before you wash out, wind up the jockey wheel to tilt the trailer which will help drain the water out as much as possible.

If storing outdoors, use a good quality trailer cover to keep your trailer dry and out of the sun.

Leave the handbrake off! This is to stop the brakes sticking on

and if you reverse into your space then be sure to pull forwards to release the auto reverse.

It is a good idea to keep the tyre pressures at the right level to prolong the life of the tyres.

When you want to start using your trailer again why not book it in for a service with Agroco Trailers to make sure your horse is travelling in a safe environment! A horse trailer service costs just ÂŁ144 inc. VAT plus parts. www.agrocotrailers.co.uk

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NUTRITION

What is... quality protein?

Don’t be afraid of protein

By Lizzie Drury Senior Nutritionist at Saracen Horse Feeds

P

roteins are made up of many building blocks called amino acids.

There are 22 amino acids and some of these are known as essential amino acids (must be provided in the diet), or non essential amino acids (these can be made by the horse itself). In the horse essential amino acids include Lysine and Methionine. Essential amino acids must be present in the horse’s diet in order for optimum muscle function, cell renewal and tissue repair and growth.

The amino acid most likely to be deficient in the diets of growing horses is Lysine. Various researchers have done a great deal of work to determine the

requirement for lysine in growing horses. This research has shown that horses fed diets deficient in lysine will grow more slowly than horses fed a diet high in lysine, even if the crude protein percentages of the diets are identical.

Studies at the University of Florida suggested that the second limiting amino acid for growing horses may be threonine. Yearlings fed maize, oats, and soyabean meal diets along with the local coastal bermudagrass hay grew faster with additional muscle gain when threonine was added to the concentrate feed at a level of 0.1% of the cereal mix.

Breeding stock including mare,

Exceeding horse’s protein intake will not build twice

stallion and youngstock rations must contain sources of quality protein for optimum colostrum quality and milk production, normal sperm production and conformation and to support the continued development of the foal once it’s been born and through to maturity.

To ensure an adequate supply of essential amino acids to provide optimum muscle function, health and development you need to look for feeds that contain good levels of quality protein sources and you can identify these by looking at the feed label. Quality protein sources contain the essential amino acids. Raw materials that are high in quality protein include Soya bean meal, alfalfa, linseed and peas.

Typically stud and youngstock feeds e.g. Level Grow Mix, convalescing e.g. Re-Coup 11 and conditioning feeds e.g.

Show Improver Mix would have higher inclusion levels of quality protein sources than a feed used for maintenance.

Very often horse owners tend to be more concerned about the protein % inclusion, which is wrong as a high protein % maybe made up of poor quality sources of protein! Feeds containing quality protein sources will also need to be fed at lower intakes.

Cereal grains are lacking in lysine and therefore are considered to be a poor quality protein and if you were to feed your horse a diet containing predominantly cereals and restricted quality

as much muscle...

or make a young horse grow twice its size

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protein sources you would find that no matter how much work you put in to your horse, the development of muscle tone and topline would be very difficult and growth rates reduced. It is also likely that your working horses would also experience increased muscle soreness and become more prone to infections etc. In extreme cases you may even start to observe muscle wastage.

In Summary Quality protein intake in conjunction with exercise is known to cause a muscle building effect by stimulating the release of hormones that are concerned with the uptake of amino acids by the body’s cells. Potentially, the more amino acids that are taken up the more protein is produced and the more muscle is laid down.

Caution Exceeding horse’s protein intake will not build twice as much muscle or make a young horse grow twice its size and excessively high protein intakes can have a detrimental effect on your horse’s respiratory health and hydration status. Horses cannot store excess protein and have to break it down by a process called deamination, which produces ammonia or urea which is excreted.

However, high protein intakes are not a factor in developmental orthopaedic disease. www.saracenhorsefeeds. com

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COMPETITION Product News...

TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer is a very palatable ‘Non-Heating’ pelleted feed that is formulated without cereal grains and is low in sugar and starch. It contains many supplements combined with good quality protein to promote muscle development and topline. The supplements include a top-specificaion broad-spectrum supplement and specialised supplements including a superb hoof supplement, generous levels of anti-oxidants and sophisticated digestive aids. www.topspec.com

Mask the taste of medication Rich in amino acids, Speedi-Beet provides quality protein sources to aid muscle development and function. It is also starch free and unmolassed, making it 95% sugar free and ideal for horses and ponies prone to laminitis. Its palatability will also help mask the taste of any medication or as a carrier for a multivitamin and mineral supplement. www.britishhorsefeeds.com

NEW aLERt! PRODUCt

Nettex is launching its new, vet approved V.I.P. supplement range in Spring 2017.

V.I.P. represents the Nettex core values of Visibility, Integrity and Performance. Nettex has developed a high quality, performance range of supplements in conjunction with an equine vet and is endorsed by world leading equestrians from a range of disciplines. www.nettexequine.com

TopSpec Stud Lite Feed Balancer

10 BagS To BE WoN!

20kg bag PRiCE £27.95

TopSpec Stud Lite Feed Balancer has been designed for breeding stock that are such great-doers that they would become overweight if fed the recommended amount of a good Stud Feed Balancer. TopSpec Stud Lite Feed Balancer will not promote weight-gain when fed as part of a calorie-controlled diet. It is of great use in avoiding over-topped youngsters and overweight broodmares and stallions.

New TopSpec Stud Lite Feed Balancer is a very palatable ‘Non-Heating’ low calorie feed that contains a multisupplement including the levels of micronutrients and digestive aids normally only found in high quality specialised supplements.

When TopSpec Stud Lite Feed Balancer is fed there is therefore usually no need to add any further supplements. It can be fed alone or mixed with a little chop e.g. TopChop Alfalfa.

TopSpec Stud Lite Feed Balancer is formulated to the best possible specifications, using the highest quality ingredients, and contains optimum amounts of all the nutrients needed to complement forage and allow broodmares and youngstock that are good-doers to reach their maximum potential without becoming over-topped.

Using TopSpec Stud Lite Feed Balancer will not promote weight gain. It will facilitate muscle and bone development, greatly improve hoof quality and produce a supple skin with an exceptionally shiny coat. It will also support fertility and milk yield in mares, and good, even growth rates in youngstock.

TopSpec Stud Lite Feed Balancer helps to maintain a healthy immune system.

For further information please contact the Multiple AwardWinning Helpline on 01845 565030 or www.topspec.com To enter go online at www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click the competitions page. Deadline is 28th February 2017.

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NUTRITION

VitamiNs & miNERaLs:

to phosphorous ratio, so should not comprise the main portion of the diet.

Potassium is required for muscle activity and cell function. The horse can lose a significant

By Baileys Horse Feeds amount of potassium via sweat so horses on a limited forage intake that sweat regularly may become deficient in potassium.

Signs of a deficiency include muscle weakness, fatigue and exercise intolerance. Forage typically will provide good levels of potassium alongside the concentrate ration, but for those sweating regularly an electrolyte supplement is recommended.

Sodium is another of the major electrolytes (salts) which are lost in sweat. For light work, the provision of a salt lick is utilised by the body. support eyesight, with night hilst much of the normally suitable to meet blindness and runny eyes being Dietary minerals should be emphasis of equine demands, however, it can be regarded as a group rather than indicative of a potential feeding is often difficult to monitor intake this individually due to their deficiency. placed on fibre, calories, way so another option is to add interactions: an excess of one Vitamin D plays a crucial role in protein, starch or sugar, the ½ -2 tablespoons of salt to the may cause a deficiency of calcium regulation and importance of a correctly feed. For horses in harder levels another. Calcium and balanced diet for vitamins and absorption, and vitamin E is an of work, a good quality antioxidant, supporting muscle phosphorus are the major minerals should not be electrolyte supplement will minerals in bone and are often and cell function. B vitamins, underestimated. A fully contain levels of sodium, balanced diet is important for like thiamine, biotin, niacin and considered in ratio to one potassium, chloride and other riboflavin, are essential for another. Calcium is also required strong healthy hooves, good electrolytes in a balance for muscle contraction and chemical reactions in the body energy levels, good designed to restore levels and phosphorous is essential for and are primarily produced by bodyweight, a shiny coat, support recovery. bacteria in the hindgut as a energy production. great muscle tone and top Copper is often present in low result of fibre digestion, but are Horses require a calcium: line, as well as internal levels in forage, and a copper phosphorous ratio in their daily also provided in concentrate nutrient reserves. deficiency could cause a number diet in the region of 1.5-2:1. An The primary vitamins which are feed. of conditions, due to the effect Minerals can be divided into two excessively high level of calcium of importance for the horse are on copper dependent enzymes vitamins A, D and E. In contrast broad categories: macrominerals, can result in brittle bones, involved in many metabolic which are present in larger levels phosphorous deficiency and to human nutrition, vitamin C functions within the body. Zinc’s decreased absorbance of zinc. holds much lesser prominence in in the body, and microminerals, major function in the body is as Diets that contain an equine diets as, unlike humans, which are typically required in a component of enzymes imbalanced ratio can result in the horse possesses the specific smaller amounts. The term involved in carbohydrate and abnormal bone physiology, enzyme to produce vitamin C in ‘chelated’ refers to minerals protein metabolism. The horse is which have been combined with particularly in growing the liver so supplemental quite resistant to a high zinc vitamin C in the healthy horse is other molecules, such as amino youngstock. Feeds, such as intake but, at high levels, zinc wheat bran, or cereals, like maize acids, to improve the way in often of no additional benefit. can inhibit the uptake of copper, Vitamin A is important to which minerals are absorbed and and barley, have a poor calcium

Finding the Balance

W

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which is not ideal, especially in growing youngstock.

So how can I make sure my horse is getting suitable levels of everything he needs? Here at Baileys we undertake numerous forage analyses each year and find that even the best quality forage is often lacking in certain nutrients, especially minerals.

For this reason, we always advocate feeding the manufacturer’s full recommended amount of a mix, cube or balancer to provide a fully balanced diet supplying all the nutrients your horse needs,

particularly those which may be lacking in forage.

Under feeding a mix or cube, to control calorie intake, will mean your horse is going short of vitamins and minerals so balancers are ideal for providing essential nutrients without unwanted calories. Be wary of adding extra supplements, which may contain further vitamins and minerals, as they may affect the overall balance of the diet. If you are at all unsure, contact the supplement or feed manufacturer. www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Product News...

Mollichaff Extra is a high quality, dust-free chaff combining wheat straw with a unique low sugar dressing and a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals. It contains limestone and a specially formulated mineral and vitamin supplement.

The added minerals and trace elements are selenium, copper, magnesium, manganese, iodine and iron. The vitamins are A, B1, B2, B6, B12, D3, E, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid and biotin. www.horsehage.co.uk

TopSpec All-in-One is a caramel flavoured, granular supplement that contains a top specification, broadspectrum supplement plus many specialised supplements, for example, a superb hoof supplement, generous levels of anti-oxidants and sophisticated digestive aids. www.topspec.com

Q

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NUTRITION

How can I make sure my horse is the correct weight and in good condition during Winter?

The Equerry Horse Feeds Nutrition Team answer...

S

o what is the ideal weight for your horse or pony? That depends! It depends what you are asking that horse to do - a horse’s ideal weight for racing would be much lighter than that if he was doing RC activities perhaps including showing.

But both should be fit enough to do their job comfortably and in good condition with a healthy shiny coat.

The first step is to consider a suitable forage, feeding goodquality hay or haylage is important as this makes up the majority of the diet for most horses today. Forage should normally be fed ad-lib, meaning that your horse still has some left in the morning. There are many ways to slow the rate of intake including trickle-nets

which are very useful for gooddoers.

The second step is to make sure that your horse has had an MOT! Teeth should be checked at least once a year, together with appropriate worming and flu/tetanus boosters are basic things your vet will be happy to advise on to keep your horse fit and healthy.

The third step is to assess how much feed, and how much energy from the feed that your horse will require. If your horse is carrying enough weight i.e. his calorie (energy) requirements are predominantly met by his grazing and forage, Equerry High Fibre Cubes will be ideal. These cubes are 'Non-Heating' and will provide all his basic vitamins and minerals for rest/light work.

It is important to feed any

compound feed at the recommended rate to ensure that your horses daily requirements are met in order to keep him in good condition. If feeding less than the recommended levels you should add a vitamin and mineral supplement or a feed balancer to ensure a healthy balanced diet which will help to keep your horse in good condition.

Horses doing more work will need more calories (energy) to hold condition and provide the energy for work. Depending on the horse, the amount of work he is in, his temperament etc a 'Non-Heating', low starch product like Equerry Conditioning Mash may be ideal or you might need a higher energy mix like Equerry Sports Mix.

Older horses often struggle in the winter when easy to chew grass is limited (especially for those stabled overnight). A forage replacer will be vital if your horse struggles to chew his hay or haylage.

Look out for chewed bits of forage that he has spat out (quidding) or a reduced intake both of which indicate feeding a forage replacer is necessary and a dental check is advised.

Feeding a high calorie mix like Equerry Veteran Mix will help to provide plenty of calories to keep your horse in ideal weight, good quality to maintain muscle tone and high levels of yeast to support his digestive system. www.equerryhorsefeeds.com

Coat shine from the inside Out...

A healthy horse, and therefore a healthy coat shine comes from the inside out. The quality of your horse’s coat is a good indicator of your horse’s overall health and the suitability of your horse’s diet. While regular grooming will enhance your horse’s coat for an awe-inspiring shine, you need correct nutrition and Condition & Performance from Rowen Barbary aims to do just that.

Containing a blend of Linseed and Soya Oil, supported by key antioxidants, Condition & Performance helps encourage weight gain and an improvement in topline while helping to perfect a great coat bloom.

With a high oil formula it is designed to provide a balance of energy sources, while supplying a high

34

specification of nutrients to promote overall health.

To help promote overall well-being Condition & Performance contains Calcareous Marine Algae designed to act as a buffer to help reduce acidity, benefiting gut health. Brewers Yeast is also added to help assist the digestive system supplying a natural source of B Vitamins and Amino Acids, helping to maintain hoof, coat, skin and eye condition. Also containing Seaweed and Garlic to help benefit overall health and vitality. Spearmint is added to help tempt fussy feeders and it is well balanced in essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements. www.rowenbarbary.co.uk

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LOVE DOGS

All about...

CaNiNE hydrotherapy

Andrew pictured with Kora

By Andrew Keeble

H

ydrotherapy for small animals was started after the benefits found in equines. From providing a safe environment for dogs to learn to swim to aiding the rehabilitation of orthopaedic or neurological conditions, hydrotherapy provides many unique benefits.

Centres typically offer a pool, hydro treadmill or both. Where the pool environment provides complete buoyancy the treadmill allows the therapist greater control and the ability to

36

select the level of load bearing required to target certain joints.

Hydrotherapy offers weight and impact free exercise for dogs suffering with a variety of conditions such as; hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, patella luxation, international vertebral disc disease and obesity.

Hydrotherapy benefits for your dog include: • Reduced weight bearing and limb loading; • Improved cardiovascular fitness;

• Strengthened muscles and improved joint mobilisation; • Slows the progression of degenerative conditions; • Relieves swelling pain and stiffness; • Enhances mental wellbeing.

Sessions typically last up to half an hour with exercise time built up gradually so not to stress healing tissues. The number and frequency of treatments required will vary for each dog and the progress made will be continually monitored, post surgical recovery may only require short term treatment

where as the conservative management of conditions such as hip dysplasia typically see the benefits from long term treatment.

For more complex cases Hydrotherapists will work alongside a veterinary Physiotherapist as a part of a multi-disciplinary team.

There are two governing bodies regulating the industry Narch and the CHA ensuring their members have had the necessary training and continue to develop their skills. All members will ensure a trained hydrotherapist will be in the pool with your dog at all times.

To see if Hydrotherapy would be a suitable treatment for your dog have a chat with your Vet as all patients are seen only after referral from a veterinarian, this is to ensure there are no contraindications to treatment in the dogs medical history. www.caninehydrocare.co.uk

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Product News...

Odor Kill is a very powerful deodoriser. Mop it, spray it in the house, outside, in kennels, stables, cat litter tray, carpets, in your car, even on AstroTurf. This concentrated liquid can be diluted up to 50:1, so a little goes a long way. Prices start at ÂŁ6. www.animal-health.co.uk

Cani-flex is a liquid herbal infusion of Devils Claw, used to help support the joints of older dogs. Cani-flex also contains glucosamine Sulphate, MSM and Vitamin C. Use 1ml/kg body weight to a max of 25ml. www.animal-health.co.uk

This designer dog bed from Pink Whiskers pays homage to dachshund doggies with its cute linen print detail. Marl Grey leather envelops the sturdy bed with a fully machine washable bed cover as standard.

Price on Application. www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk

New Alpha Training Treats include chicken liver and they are suitable for all dogs over eight weeks old.

These healthy bites are free from artificial additives and are a tasty treat for dogs that deserve a reward whether on a puppy training routine, as encouragement for good behaviour or when working, sporting dogs are learning a new activity.

RRP ÂŁ1.00 for 150g. www.alphafeeds.com

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SADDLERY & TACK THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS PROVIDE ADVICE ON HOW TO CORRECTLY FIT A BRIDLE AND DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING NOTHING IS TOO TIGHT OR TOO LOOSE!

The Importance of...

Fitting a Bridle

CorrECTLy he fit of your horse or pony’s bridle is so much more than simply how it looks and there are many points to consider in order that it fits and works correctly.

T

Without doubt a correctly fitting bridle is essential for your horse’s comfort and performance.

Here we will explain the process that should be undertaken to ensure your horse’s bridle is suitably fitted and also describe the correct way to put it on.

Firstly, we will go through the steps to correctly fit a snaffle bridle on your horse. It is advisable to have the horse tied up and then unfasten the noseband of the headcollar, whilst leaving the headpiece slightly pushed back whilst you put on the bridle.

The noseband and throat lash should be undone and the reins should be put over the horses head and back to the end of his

38

neck. Make sure you are stood on the left hand side of your horse and take the bridle in your right hand with your right arm positioned under the horse’s jaw. The bridle should be held just under the brow band with both cheek pieces held together.

sits in the correct position and fits properly. The bit should sit in the corners of the mouth

The bit should be held in the left hand and then press gently on the horse’s gums in the gap between his teeth until he opens his mouth. Then pull the bridle gently up the horse’s head, sliding the bit over the horse’s tongue.

bones, except if it is a grackle which fits differently (in a

Keep the bit in the mouth whilst you use both hands to slide the headpiece over the horse’s ears and secure it behind them. Then pull the forelock over the brow band. Check that the bit, noseband and brow band are all straight. Fasten the throat lash and noseband (and the flash if there is one). The noseband should sit on the inside of the cheek pieces.

You must ensure that the bridle

and produce one crease in the lips.

The noseband should sit 1-2 cm below the cheek

figure of eight around the face). It can be adjusted but the long strap must not sit too high as this can cause the horse pain.

For a plain cavesson noseband, or one with a flash attachment, you should be able to slide two fingers underneath it. The buckle should be fastened at the back of the jaw, between the jaw bones. If it is a drop noseband, it should be fitted very carefully so that it does not interfere with the horse’s airway. It should be lower down than a plain noseband but still resting on the horse’s facial bones rather than the soft fleshy area around his nostrils. The strap should fasten

in the groove of the chin. You should be able to fit one to two fingers under it when fastened.

The brow band should sit in the natural groove below the horse’s ears and lie flat against his head.

Make sure the brow band is not too tight as this will pull the headpiece forward onto the horse’s ears.

The throat lash should be fastened so that it can fit a fist between the leather and the horse’s jaw. It should not be too tight as this can interfere with the horse’s breathing and ability to flex at the poll. The buckles of the cheek pieces, noseband strap and ideally the throat lash should sit parallel when fastened. www.mastersaddlers.co.uk

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Kate Vickery and Roscoe enjoying their dressage.

Roscoe’s a Perfect Fit for Kate

H

aving ridden big warmblood horses for many years, Gloucester-based Kate Vickery wanted to down-size and ride out with her children as they became more confident in the saddle.

With this in mind, at the end of May, Kate bought Roscoe a 148cm Connemara to produce and educate ready for her children to progress on to in a few years’ time.

Wanting to make sure his saddlery fitted correctly, Kate decided to do some research on the internet and in doing so she repeatedly came across really positive reviews for Black Country Saddles.

Said Kate: “Roscoe is quite wide and rides like a horse with a big stride and as he is still maturing and changing shape I wanted to make sure the saddle was the perfect fit.

“Eventually I will pass him down to the children but for now we have started Roscoe with flatwork and dressage, recently trying some show jumping before we move on to eventing next year.

“I contacted Terri Webb Saddles

in Herefordshire who came to the yard to carry out a saddle fit and she recommended the Eden Dressage Saddle from Black Country Saddles.

“The fit is brilliant, I couldn’t be more pleased. In fact the saddle doesn’t move at all and when I had Roscoe’s back checked, the physiotherapist was also really pleased with the good shape he is in and with how good he felt overall.

“Not only does the saddle fit Roscoe well, I also absolutely love riding in it! The saddle is so comfortable and well-made that I am now riding far better given the support it offers.”

Kate was that impressed with the Eden Dressage Saddle that she has now also purchased the Ricochet jumping saddle as she is starting to show jump him through the winter months.

“Roscoe just seems to move well and freely whether on the flat or over jumps. It was so brilliant to find both a saddle fitter and a manufacturer who knew what they were doing which resulted in a first class service and a first class product!”

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COMPETITION CaTCh up WiTh paT parELLi iN ThE uK ThiS SpriNg For aN ENLighTENiNg maSTEr CLaSS SET To BE ThoughT provoKiNg, EduCaTioNaL aNd TruLy iNSpiriNg! iN ThiS iSSuE oNE LuCKy WiNNEr WiLL gET ThE ChaNCE To aTTENd ThE maSTEr CLaSS – WorTh £200!

Interesting Facts About Pat Parelli...

Parelli method teaches the human and not the horse.

For more than 30 years, Pat Parelli has been helping students and • Parelli’s work is completely non-denominational, embracing horses across the world with his unique understanding of the both English and Western, from dressage to jumping or for psychology of horses. Here we look at several facts you may not leisure riding. know about Pat, his philosophy and his determination to make the • Pat lists his dislikes as negativity, dysfunction and mechanicalworld a better place for horses and humans. forceful attitudes with horses and inhumane treatment of • Pat was born in California’s Bay Area, but his wife, Linda, was animals. born in Singapore and moved with her family to Australia, • If he was given one wish, Pat says it would be that humans aged 12. would not default to being chauvinistic, autocratic, • Pat started riding in 1957 and his first pony was called Brownie. anthropomorphic and such direct-line thinkers especially when it comes to horses.

• Aged 17, Pat took part in rodeos. He was coached by John Hawkins and won the 1972 Bareback Rookie of the Year title, Pat is holding a Master Class at Oakridge Arena, Newark, but soon changed direction to a career in training horses, Nottinghamshire, on 17th to 19th March 2017. Tickets for this concentrating in starting youngsters. amazing event can be found at www.parelli.com or contact • At one point Pat suffered from both equine and financial the Parelli UK office on 0800 0234 813. frustrations and he actually considered leaving the horse world.

He knew that he didn’t want to train by processing horses.

• The Parelli foundation got underway in 1981 combining common sense psychology with communication. However, the

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To enter this compeition go online and click the competitions page: www.absolutehorsemagazine.com Deadline is 28th February 2017.

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BUYER’S GUIDE Hiho Silver’s range of shooting jewellery based around 12 bore and 20 shotgun cartridges.

RRP: from £65. www.hihosilver.co.uk

Snaffle Bit and Pearl Necklace RRP: £95. www.equestrianjewellers.co.uk

Valentines Timothy Foxx Limited Edition Hearts Ear Warmers. RRP:£28. www.timothyfoxx.co.uk

Gift Ideas

The Reversible Micro Gilet features pop of Hot Pink!

RRP: £62.50. www.equetech.com

Large Snaffle Bit Bracelet RRP: £150. www.equestrianjewellers.co.uk Ariat Caldo H20 RRP: £209.99. www.ariat.com

Horse Shoe Stone Set Earrings RRP: £30. www.equestrianjewellers.co.uk

Part of the brand new ‘La Caballeria Collection’ RRP: £265. www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

Equetech Bespoke Cross Country Shirt RRP: £42.95. www.equetech.com

Otto Schumacher Crystal Flower Stock Pin from Dressage Deluxe. RRP: £30. www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk

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PHOTONEWS ❙ Area 14 Dressage ❙ Broads EC ❙ 14th January

Lauren Hassan, Finn Valley RC

Issobelle Green, Carleton RC

Lauren Jenner, Halesworth & Disctric RC

Lily Hill, Deben RC

Harriet Atchison, Finn Valley RC

Cheryl Turner, Deben RC

Jenny James, Finn Valley RC

Stephanie Johnson, Deben RC

Joanna Dedross, Colne Valley RC

Catherine Raffe, Colne Valley RC

Jacquie Aarons, Halesworth & Disctric RC

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Lucy Gooderham, Gipping RC

Michelle Lowe, Carleton RC

Chris Doyle Photography

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❙ Beccles & Bungay RC Dressage ❙ Humberstone Farm ❙ 15th January

Kelly Chaston riding Harry’s Lad

Bianca Moller riding Bally Varogue Pewter

Joanne Mcdonnell riding Chance

Rose Carter riding Rachel

Jo Nutbeam riding Reg

Helen Bishop riding Finding Nemo

Chris Doyle Photography

Shamara Hammonds riding Wheelers Cadenza

Jane Salmon riding Rocky

Donna Stevenson riding Jinsky

Catherine Mace riding Almeida

Olivia Futter riding Honor Breeze

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PHOTONEWS ❙ Unaffiliated Dressage ❙ Topthorn Arena ❙ 5th January

Julie Barnes riding May

Georgia Moore riding Bromley Wild Spirit

Pauline Wilton riding Roisin

Lucy Jane Photography

Joe Mace riding Smartie

Hannah Everett riding Muffin

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Sarah Williamson riding Bart

Mary Spencer riding Carrie

?????????

Barbie Hurrell riding Silverbriqdge Hoki

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❙ East Essex Hunt ❙ Castle Hedingham ❙ 26th December

Team Greyness Snapper

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❙ Unaff Dressage ❙ Finchingfield EC ❙ 11th December 2016 Class 1 1 Ellie Forbes – Howfenners Cracker Jack; 2 Emma Flin – Brookfield Hugo; 3 Camila Jarvis – Rosco Gentleman; =4 Carol Cundy – Lizzie; =4 Valerie Chapman – One Way. Class 2 1 Ellie Forbes – Ginger Ninja; 2 Ellie Forbes – Whizz; 3 Emily Marriage – Tilly; 4 Emma Flin – Brookfield Hugo. Class 3 1 Lucy Webb – Roo; 2 Hope Archer – Woody; 3 Lin Bradbrook – Stambrook Camelot; 4 Jane Hood – Corky. Class 4 1 Jane Hood – Corcy; 2 Maisie Grover – Fernhill Star Vision; 3 Lin Bradbrook – Stambrook Camelot; 4 Katie Turnbull – Serendipity Star. Class 5 1 Tessa Vesty – Shonie; 2 Jo Beetlestone – Fergus; =3 Sue Newbury – Ida; =3 Hannah Everett – Muffin. Class 6 1 Tessa Vesty – Shonie; 2 Jo Beetlestone – Fergus; 3 Hannah Everett – Muffin; 4 Katie Billings – Handy Hero.

Ellie Forbes riding Ginger Ninja

Ellie forbes riding Howfenners cracker Jack

Tony Jarvis Event Photography

Lucy Webb riding Roo

Jane Hood riding Corky

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Tessa Vesty riding Shonie

vets in the Spotlight

VETERINARY CONTACTS

PHOTONEWS

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

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HAWKEDON VETS EQUINE PRACTICE 01284 789428

Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP29 4NP www.hawkedonvets.co.uk

Essex based mobile veterinary practice Advanced dentistry, lameness evaluations, portable Xray, ultrasound, portable video gastroscopy/endoscopy all carried out in the comfort of your horses’s home.

Pre purchase examinations.

24 hour local emergency cover.

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

Practice in the

Spotlight

Wherry veterinary group Wherry Veterinary Group has been caring for the Equine community of South Norfolk and North Suffolk for over 100 years.

We provide both ambulatory and Practice based services to all types of horses from Shetlands to Suffolk Punches.

Our seven vet team prides itself in delivering a friendly, economic and common sense personal service.

Our modern, purpose built premises are easily accessible providing stabling, stocks, a lameness work up area and a farriers forge. The Practice is well equipped with ultrasound, e.c.g., digital X-ray, A.I. facilities, in-house laboratory and motorized dentistry and we have special interests in the fields of dentistry, reproduction and lameness. However, we are always prepared to refer cases to genuine specialists when necessary.

Wherry Veterinary Group Veterinary Surgery, Hillside Road East, Bungay, Suffolk NR35 1RX Tel: 01986 892771 24 hour emergency service.

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Classified

AdverTISINg Equine Crematoriums

Stables

Suffolk Pet & Equine Crematorium

PEACE OF MIND AT A TIME OF GRIEF 01284 810981 www.suffolkpetcrematorium.com dentist

PROFESSIONAL, QUALIFIED & CARING EQUINE DENTISTRY

Peaceful Pets Equine Cremation East Anglia based Prompt 24 hour service

01485 528141 www.peacefulpets.org.uk instructor

gilly knight bhs ai Reg’d

Freelance instructor.

Flat and Jumping Lessons available in Essex area. Over 15 years teaching experience.

First lesson half price.

07968 445509 WWW.BEDT.CO.UK

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07973 760803

gillian.knight@gmail.com

Surfaces

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horse Supplies

Call:

01473 731222 Transport @4x4HireNorfolk

4x4VehicleHireNorfolkAndSuffolk

LEADING 4X4 VEHICLE HIRE PROVIDER, SPECIALISING IN RANGE ROVER AND LAND ROVER HIRE ACROSS NORFOLK, SUFFOLK AND CAMBRIDGESHIRE. TEL: 07584 195958 WWW.4X4VEHICLEHIRE.CO.UK

MARK HOWES

C.V.S. (ANGLIA) LTD BEDFORD • AWD • SPECIALISTS

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

HOLYWELLS ROAD, IPSWICH TEL: (01473) 216462 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

Fakenham (01328) 851351

WIX

EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

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

01255 870744

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

www.gjlaninmalfeeds.co.uk

Battlesbridge Mills RUG WA S RE-PRO HING OF & REPA ING IRS

KAY HOWARD

QUALIFIED MASTER SADDLER & SADDLE FITTER • Range of quality new, secondhand and synthetic saddles and accessories.

• Impartial, independent, saddle fitting and advice.

• Mobile workshop.

• Re-flocking, top-ups and remedial flocking.

• Full saddle repair service.

Based in Norfolk, but covering a wide area.

Please phone Kay on (07775) 850400 Registered member

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

Call:

01473 731222 49

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SHOWDATE DIARY Your Showdate listings for... Feb/march 2017 WEDNESDAY 1st FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 THURSDAY 2nd FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Dressage.

Tel: 01255 870744 FRIDAY 3RD FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Open Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01449 711962 SATURDAY 4TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage Winter Regionals. Tel: 01480 700236 DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; THRC Dressage. Tel: 01206 250651 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; X Pole Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SUNDAY 5TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage Winter Regionals. Tel: 01480 700236 DRESSAGE Essex: Harolds Park Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01279 414310 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel:

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01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01603 731577 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping.

Tel: 01328 878282 MONDAY 6TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage Winter Regionals. Tel: 01480 700236 TUESDAY 7TH FEBRUARY COMBINED TRAINING Beds: The College EC; Combined Training. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage Winter Regionals. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 WEDNESDAY 8TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage Winter Regionals. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 THURSDAY 9TH FEBRUARY SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Senior Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 FRIDAY 10TH FEBRUARY SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Senior British Showjumping.

Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Novice Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01328 878282 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Novice Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962

SATURDAY 11TH FEBRUARY ARENA EVENTING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Indoor Arena Eventing. Tel: 01449 711962 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312 DRIVING Essex: Wix EC; Driving. Tel: 01473 735732 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Easton Park Stud; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07881 802129 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Senior British Showjumping.

Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Senior British Showjumping.

Tel: 01760 722616 SUNDAY 12TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01328 878282 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Boyton Hall EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage.

Tel: 07881 802129 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Beds: Twin Trees EC; Showjumping inc Sunshine Tour Qualifiers. Tel: 01767 627414 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Cambridge & District RC Showjumping. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Valentine Fun Showjumping.

Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Finn Valley RC Showjumping.

Tel: 01449 711962 MONDAY 13TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312

TUESDAY 14TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 FUN SHOW Essex: Harolds Park Farm EC; Children’s Fun Show. Tel: 01279 414310 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Very Novice Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 WEDNESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; NSEA Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Suffolk Hunt PC Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 THURSDAY 16TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Pony Club Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312 DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Dressage.

Tel: 01255 870744 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWING Beds: The College EC; Showing. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Senior British Showjumping.

Tel: 01480 700236 FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312 DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; NSEA Dressage. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Open Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01449 711962 SATURDAY 18TH FEBRUARY CAR BOOT SALE Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Huge Indoor Equestrian Car Boot Sale. Tel: 01328 878282 DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm

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TC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Norfolk Showjumping Club. peasley@somertonhall.net SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; NSEA Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Showjumping.

Tel: 01449 711962 SUNDAY 19TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; High Fen RC Dressage. Tel: 01255 870744 DRESSAGE Suffolk: The Centaur Trust; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07881 802129 EVENTER TRIAL Beds: The College EC; Eventer Trial. Tel: 01234 708400 EVENTER TRIAL Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Eventer Trial. Tel: 01760 722616 FUN DAY Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Showing and Showjumping. Tel: 01328 878282 SHOWING Essex: Brook Farm TC; BSPS Showing. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Norfolk Showjumping Club. peasley@somertonhall.net SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; NSEA Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014 WEDNESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014 THURSDAY 23RD FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 FRIDAY 24TH FEBRUARY SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Novice Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962

SATURDAY 25TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01603 731577 SHOW Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Working Hunter Show.

Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Junior British Showjumping.

Tel: 01760 722616 SUNDAY 26TH FEBRUARY ARENA DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Indoor Arena Dressage. Tel: 01255 870744 DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; RC Area 7 Dressage Qualifiers. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Beds: Twin Trees EC; Dressage inc Sunshine Tour Qualifiers. Tel: 01767 627414 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Easton Park Stud; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 07881 802129 DRIVING Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Indoor Carriage Driving. Tel: 01986 798756 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Harolds Park Farm EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping.

Tel: 01279 414310 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Junior British Showjumping.

Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping.

Tel: 01328 878282 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Showjumping.

Tel: 01449 711962 MONDAY 27TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312 TUESDAY 28TH FEBRUARY DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 WEDNESDAY 1ST MARCH DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm

TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: The Jays; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01284 386014 THURSDAY 2ND MARCH DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Dressage.

Tel: 01255 870744 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Senior British Showjumping.

Tel: 01480 700236 FRIDAY 3RD MARCH SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Open Evening Showjumping.

Tel: 01449 711962 SATURDAY 4TH MARCH DRESSAGE Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; British Dressage. Tel: 01603 731577 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01760 722616 EVENTER TRIAL Beds: The College EC; Eventer Trial. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Senior British Showjumping.

Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; NSEA Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SUNDAY 5TH MARCH DRESSAGE Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01760 722616 EVENTER TRIAL Beds: Twin Trees EC; Arena Eventer Trial. Tel: 01767 627414 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Area 31 British Showjumping.

Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Senior British Showjumping.

Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping.

Tel: 01328 878282

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