Absolute Horse March 2016 by Absolute Horse Magazine

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E M K â&#x20AC;&#x2122;M C -I ! PI P EE U R

Absolute

MARCH 2016

Training news Page 8

Control your nerves with Sharon Hunt Page 42

A Musto jAcket!

PLUS

WIN!

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MARCH

2016 21

ISSUE 297

Dickie Collinson on Galros Lady, winners of 'Race 7 Club Members'. Waveney Harriers Point to Point at Higham Racecourse, 21st February. Photo: Richard Weller-Poley

REGULARS News 4 Your Comment 6 27 Metafitness 47 EAST: Parelli Q & A 48 On The Market 50 Saddlery & Tack 60 Classifieds 62 Vets In The Spotlight 64 Showdate Directory

Win a Musto Kempton BR1 jacket

FEATURES 8 BHS Eastern Region News 10 Show Time! 16 Ride Like: Robert Walker training for the Show Ring 18 Horse Welfare: Including Vetwatch and Symptoms of Gastric Ulcers 28 Paddocks, Pastures & Yards 30 Nutrition COMPETITIONS & GIVEAWAYS 34 Nutrition & Laminitis 44 Win family tickets to East 40 Ride Like: Lara Edwards - Leg Anglian Game & Country Fair Yielding 45 Reader Giveaways 42 Ride Like: Sharon Hunt - how to control your nerves

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.

01473 731220

How to contact us...

Reports: Annual Race Day at Higham Focus on The Carleton Riding Club

InSIde

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

PHOTONEWS 56 Senior British Showjumping: Norton Heath EC 57 Essex & Suffolk Hunt: Tollemache Hall 58 Junior British Showjumping: Norton Heath EC

info@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

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NEWS

WIN £1000! Would you like to win £1000 and help raise funds for injured riders at the same time? Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund has launched a ticket draw to win an amazing cash prize of £1000. To enter all you have to do is buy a ticket costing £5, from the Mark Davies Injures Riders Fund website. Every penny generated from the sale of the tickets will go towards helping the Fund to support more injured riders. http://mdirf.co.uk/winagranddraw/

GAby SuMNER

shinEs!

BE annOUncE NEW RDOs British Eventing are delighted to introduce the eight new Regional Development Officers (RDOs) who will be joining the Training & Education (T&E) department. Representing British Eventing (BE) T&E in their region, the RDO will work closely with the members of their Regional Committee and BE head office to develop, promote and support BE training activities. RDOs will facilitate the development of a suitable training offering within their region. Suffolk’s Serena Greenwell has been appointed as RDO for the East having previously been the region’s voluntary BE Regional Training Organiser.

ENTRIES OPEN FOR THE rEDWinGs shOW Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s annual show will be held on Sunday 15th May at Topthorn Equestrian Centre in Suffolk and offers classes for all ages, abilities and horses! The charity’s annual show aims to provide something for everyone; from those competing at their first event and those wanting to try their hoof at jumping, to those looking to showcase a handsome heavy horse and those eager to show just what a rescued pony can achieve when given a second chance.

The NAF Shining Star for January 2016 has been awarded to 14 year-old Gaby Sumner from Ipswich, Suffolk. Gaby is a committed and supportive member of the Suffolk Academy and she was nominated for the award by Academy Lead Coach Mia Palles-Clark. As a result of winning the NAF Shining Star Award, Gaby will kindly receive some NAF equine products.

THE Main EVENT! Childéric Saddles UK is proud to announce that they are sponsoring Little Downham Horse Trials at the Ely Eventing Centre in Cambridgeshire. The sponsorship for Little Downham Horse Trials is now in it’s fifth term and will see the French saddlery brand return as key sponsors for all three events (3rd-5th June, 23rd-24th July and1st-3rd October).

VIOLET NEEDS YOU Redwings Horse Sanctuary is providing care for an injured foal named Violet, who was found flygrazing in Tilbury, Essex. She was suffering from an untreated wound on her leg. Just £6 could fund a vet nurse to change the dressings on her injured leg. Simply text HORS30 £6 to 70070.

FOals BOrn in UK:

IMpOSSIbLE TO QuANTIfy World Horse Welfare research to find the number of foals born in the UK has revealed that it is almost impossible to quantify just how many join our horse population each year. Whilst EU legislation requires all horses and ponies to have a valid passport and corresponding microchip by the time they reach six months of age or by 31st December in the year of birth, thousands of foals and youngsters may slip through the net every year as owners may not have them identified and a passport issued.

World Horse Welfare has attracted more than 10 million unique views of its videos on its youTube channel.

www.youtube.com/horsecharity

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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!

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We asked our acebook fans the following question... Rachael Franks: I can’t wait to canter across the stubble fields on hot summers evenings... something only a horsey person would understand... The tingly goose bump feeling it gives you as you race across the crispy golden strands. Jo Cullen: Not having to wear a head torch to muck the paddocks out! They're great for finding poo but also attracting mosquitos and moths! Liz Reid: The Olympics! Go Team GBR! Debby Collins: Seeing ponies in proper daylight and lovely summer coats! Amanda Millard: Spending lots of quality time with my horses in the warmth. Christy Seaman: Hacking! Xx Marie Filby: I can't wait for my paddocks to dry up, no mud. Pia Summers: I will love it when the weather breaks and to see my five retired ponies with no mud on their legs and not have lots of rugs on and the sun on their backs and enjoying themselves, grazing in the sun on all the lovely new green grass. Bex Cross: Being able to ride after work to get them fit to go out and enjoy ourselves! Carrie Munro: I can't wait for those amazing days of endless sunshine and gallops across the beach! I can't wait for the smell of fly spray and fresh grass! I can't wait

With the nights slowly drawing out, what are you most looking forward to about spring/summer this year?

for my grey pony not to be brown from mud. I can't wait till I can turn out my pony with no rugs natural as possible. I can't wait for the summer! Katie Newport: Can’t wait to be able to walk across my fields without getting stuck in mud! And hopefully stay dry but we are in the UK so can't expect miracles. Jessie Cook: The beautiful scenery while hacking out. Bright yellow rape, snow drops, bluebells, blossom in our beautiful countryside. Jane Salmon: Evening rides along the beach, you can’t beat the smell of the sea and the spray of the waves as you canter along where the waves break. Dawn Ingram: No more dreadlock fetlocks. White tails and happy snoozy ponies in the sun. Sue Greenhalgh: Just can't wait to hack out in the safety of daylight and be able to spend more precious time with the horses xx Claire Stewart: Spending much more precious time with my gorgeous pony. Sarah Crosbie: Endless hacking, clean ponies and no stables to muck out when they are out 24/7 xx which will probably mean I get a lame pony on box rest! Rebecca Ogden: In the spring we

are planting a sapling in remembrance of our beautiful old mare Holly who we lost just before Christmas aged 29. Holly Steel: I look forward to the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine. Nicola Denley: I'm looking forward to being able to get home from college and go on a lovely late evening hack and not have to worry about the wind/ sleet/ snow/ cold rain and how quickly it gets dark as well as spending quality time with the horses lazing around in their fields. Gina Bruce: Tinkering on the yard without freezing to death... never enough horsey hours in the summer. Charlotte Wood: Getting back in the saddle after over a year off to have a baby! Cat Wood: I am looking forward to the arrival of our 2016 foals at Adiva Stud. Melly Dolittle: I can't wait to not having to keep charging up head torches and playing hunt the poo in my horses mud baths. Jodie Sillett: My horse is finally sound after a battle with lameness. So bringing her back into work is what I am really looking forward to.

and the star Winner is...

Rachel White: The money I will save when they can live out 24/7 haha x

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BHS EASTERN REGION NEWS

So which BHS exam

is right for you?

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British Horse Society qualifications are amongst the most widely respected throughout the world. The BHS education system is designed to progress riders from grassroots level all the way up to world class, and there is something for everyone. All exams are held at BHS Approved establishments and candidates can receive the highest level of training and coaching by completing their course at a BHS Approved Training Centre. So which BHS exam is right for you? Here is a guide to just a few of the many courses offered by The British Horse Society. If you don’t yet own your own horse or are new to riding then the BHS Essential Horse Knowledge Certificate will get the ball rolling. This course covers the basic building blocks of knowledge for caring for a horse in the stable and at grass and will give the candidate a sound understanding of the basic principles of looking after a horse. So, if you want to know what it takes to look after your own horse, or perhaps you’re the parents of a horse mad child, then this course could be the one for you! If you are looking to give yourself a solid foundation of knowledge for a professional career in equestrianism then BHS Stage One is the best place to start. The qualification is the first step to becoming a professional in the equine industry. By achieving BHS Stage One you will have the basic knowledge and skills to care for a well-mannered horse both in the stable and at grass. You will also be capable of riding an

experienced horse within an enclosed space. Once you have completed Stage One you can go on and build your knowledge and skills to complete Stages Two and Three. If it is your dream to be able to teach others how to ride then you should look at taking the BHS Preliminary Teaching Test (PTT). On achieving this qualification you will be eligible to join the BHS Register of Instructors allowing you to coach clients in both riding and horse care. The PTT is a component of the BHS Assistant Instructor qualification and could get you well on your way to becoming a successful instructor within the equestrian community. The BHS Instructors qualifications are internationally recognised, so if you dream of working abroad then these will certainly help. Someone with a BHS PTT qualification will be able to coach a rider to improve their horsemanship skills, through a progressive plan. They will also have the knowledge necessary to understand and implement health and safety involved in organising a lesson and be able to modify lessons to suit the ability of the rider. A PTT qualification allows you to coach novice riders up to BHS Stage Two Level. This is just an insight into what British Horse Society exams have to offer. There is a wide range of courses and exams to suit all riders. Whether you just want to learn more about horses or you aspire to be the next Yogi Breisner or Ian Stark – we will help you get there. www.bhs.org.uk

SPRING TRAINING DATES 7 Mar: Stable Managers Training, with Carole Broad FBHS, at Shuttleworth College Equine Unit, near Biggleswade, SG18 9HF. 8 Mar: Any Horse Any Rider Clinic with Carole Broad FBHS, at Forest Edge Arena, Drymere, Swaffham, PE37 8AS. 9 Mar: Lunging & Long Lining Training Day (CPD), with Carole Broad FBHS, Newton Hall EC, Swilland, Suffolk. 10 Mar: PTT Training Day with Carole Broad FBHS: at Easton College, Norwich. 15 Mar: PTT Training Day; at Newton Hall, Suffolk. Free funded places for Suffolk and Essex BHS Members. 19 Mar: Access Rights of Way Training at Wood Green Animal Charity, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NH. A great way of learning about the laws and issues surrounding your rights to ride on public rights of way. 19 Mar: Trailer Reversing Training, The British Horse Society Norfolk Committee are pleased to be working in partnership with Martin’s Driver Training, Norwich to provide you with the opportunity to have one to one tuition on trailer reversing or to get answers to your towing queries. 21 Mar: Essential Horse Knowledge Certificate, Train the Trainer, 1pm-3pm, At Newton Hall EC, only open to Instructors on the BHS register, £30. To book phone the Education dept on 02476 840 508. 6 april: IT Training Day with Jo Winfield FBHS, 9:30am until 4pm, at the College of West Anglia, Milton Campus, Landbeach Road, Cambridgeshire, CB24 6DB. A Primary Teacher Training Day (PTT) is being held at Newton Hall on the 15th of March with free funded places for BHS members living in Suffolk or Essex. The training day is aimed at anyone working towards taking their PTT exam. The coaches taking the day are BHS Exam Assessor and BHSI Simon Somers and BHSI Rossie Theobald. The booking form can be found on the BHS website. At the end of the training day a bursary to cover the exam costs may be awarded to an outstanding student. For more details please contact: Janet Holmes, BHS Regional Manager on 07808 141076 or janet.holmes@bhs.org.uk www.bhs.org.uk

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SHOW TIME!

GETTING HIM A neatly pulled mane and tail gives a smart appearance and is often required for competition horses. A pulled mane is essential for creating even, attractive plaits and for native breeds, slight pulling can reduce thickness and create a smarter look. However, it can be a challenging process, especially if the horse is sensitive. In this feature we look at the technique behind correct pulling and give top tips for making it as stress free as possible for you and your horse. Always pull a mane or tail after exercise as the horse will be warm which opens the pores and makes the hair come out more easily. Research has shown that it is better for the horse to pull the mane from the withers upwards, but this can make it harder to get the evenness correct. Whichever way you decide to pull in, follow these simple steps to achieve a tidy and professional looking mane. A metal mane comb, preferably with a handle, is ideal. 1. Take a small section of the mane and comb it downwards, using your other hand to hold down the hairs which sit below the comb. 2. Keep hold of the longest hairs and back comb the rest of the section of mane. 3. Pull down on the long strands to remove them. Make sure

! y d a e R w Sho

3. Some hairs should be removed from the top but more should be pulled from the sides to give the appearance of an evenly covered dock. The tail should be neat and thin at the top and gradually widen to meet the thickness of the tail. 4. When finished, brush the tail with a water brush and bandage to encourage the tails to lay flat (don’t leave the bandage on overnight).

that you remove the hairs from underneath as this lays the mane flat. 4. Brush flat to check the length and thickness. 5. Continue this process down the rest of the mane until the desired finish is achieved. 6. Use your finger tips to remove any stray unwanted hairs at the end. For the tail, a similar process is used and small strands are pulled from the sides and top. It is unadvisable to stand directly behind your horse when pulling the tail. To achieve a well presented tail that also helps to show off your horse’s hind quarters follow these steps: 1. Starting at the top of the dock, comb a small section of the tail from the sides and

whilst holding the longest hairs back comb the rest of the section and pull the long hairs out. 2. Repeat this until you reach half way down the dock.

Many horses understandably don’t like having their mane and tail pulled and it can make them quite sore. An alternative method to achieve a neat look is to use a thinning comb which helps to create the same appearance but is very humane and doesn’t make the horse stressed. www.equestrian.com

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Get the look!

With Jennie Gallaher fromAnimal Health Company

After

Before “Patrick was washed in Super Black and Super White on his feathers. These two shampoos are very concentrated. They are both designed to highlight the specific coat colours of the horses. The Super White has optical brighteners to make the white shine and stand out. Being concentrated, you dilute the shampoo down making it easier to use, as well as being able to use it concentrated on a stubborn stable stains,” said Jennie.

Before

After

“Thai was washed in Super Body Wash, our non-rinse TeaTree and peppermint shampoo. It is very easy to use and helps to relax and muscles and refresh the horse after exercise. As its non-rinse the horse stays smelling fresh and minty as well as being super clean.”

Nicola Crowther and Woody After

Before ‘Nicola used Super White Shampoo on Woody’

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SHOW TIME!

Q&A: WHAT IS THE bEST ADVICE fOR Novice show cobs for competition are ridden in Snaffles but quite quickly have to progress to a Pelham or Double. Your considerations when choosing one of these bits should be the following: Do I have enough room for two bits? If not choose a Pelham. Is my show cob still in the mouth, with good head carriage? If yes, choose double bits. Is my horse quite strong? If yes, a longer shank (part of the cheek below the mouthpiece) on your Pelham or Weymouth will encourage a quicker yield to the bit and therefore you can use a lighter hand. Large substantial cob heads need a larger heavier Bradoon ring and a heavier and longer cheek on a Weymouth or Pelham to flatter the head. The reason to consider two bits is to improve what the horse can already do. The right double bridle bits should promote refinement, communication, definition, elegance and lead towards collection. General observations: Slim bits with a forward curve and some sort of port in the centre of the mouthpiece as a space for the tongue are always going to be more comfortable than heavy thick bits with jointed or straight bar mouthpieces. If you choose a Rugby Pelham cheek this should always be used with a Double Bridle as the

bitting show cobs? floating Bradoon ring should be attached upwards onto the Bradoon Slip Head. Jointed mouthpieces do not work well on a Pelham cheek. When you use your reins the mouthpiece collapses around the horses lower jaw and the chain is then loose and of little use.

Fitting: Pelhams: The bit should fit comfortably into the corner of the lips with just a curve upwards. If you buckle the bit too high it will continuously stretch the corners of the lips. If you put your fingers onto each cheek and pull gently down the bit should not leave a gap at the corners. The top purchase (the part of the cheek just above the mouthpiece) on a well made Pelham or Weymouth should bend outwards to stop the top of the cheek sticking into the horse’s face. There should be approximately ¼” of bit sticking out of each side of the horse’s mouth. Double Bits: On the outside of the face the Bradoon should fit neatly into the corner of the lips with the Weymouth just below, with the Bradoon ring sitting behind the cheek of the Weymouth. Spend some time adjusting the height of the bits so that the lips look natural and are not pulled out of shape. You will find that when you look inside the mouth the horse will push the Bradoon over the top of the Weymouth so that the

Weymouth is sitting against the tongue. This seems to be the most comfortable way of carrying them. The Bradoon should be ¼” bigger than the Weymouth because the Bradoon has a joint or two joints in the middle and will bend downwards inside the mouth. This way of sizing allows for there to be approximately ¼” of both bits out of the horse’s mouth on both sides.

The Curb Chain: It is very important to get the set of the curb chain just right. Too loose, and the bit creates too much downward mouth pressure and too much poll pressure. Too tight and the horse gets no release or reward from the pressure. Twist your chain so that it is flat on the jaw, (using a lipstrap makes it look neater and is more correct for turnout) and then hook your chain up on the near side of the bit, you should gently get hold of your Weymouth reins or your bottom reins if you are using a Pelham and pull backwards towards the horses chest. The Cheek of your Weymouth or Pelham should only go to 45 degrees and then the chain should touch the back of the jaw and stop the cheek rotating any more. If your horse or pony is sensitive then you could use a leather or elastic curb instead of a chain, make sure you buy one small enough as they seem to be made quite large and there is little adjustment as you only have three chain links each side.

Preparation: Allowing time to get accustomed to a new bit or bits before you have to really use them or compete in them is sensible. So as you are competing in Novice classes towards the end of the season when the horse or pony is going well and has a little more experience, do a little light schooling at home in the bit or bits that you will use at the very end of the season or the beginning of the next season. Visit www.abbeyengland.com

Tips for Turnout Make sure you know what the show ring turnout requirements are in advance, so that you can comply. Poor turnout shows a lack of respect for the sport and the Judge. Also make sure you study your rulebook closely to ensure your tack is ‘legal’. Correctly fitting, clean tack is essential. Abbey’s extensive bit range offers excellent quality and bits can be made to measure. With over 200 different bit patterns in stock and the ability to meet demand, Abbey are also able to capture and follow bit trends, supplying specialist bits in a wide variety of sizes. The vast range includes Snaffles, Gags, Pelhams, Double Bridles, Driving Bits, Hackamores, Sweet Irons and a variety of rubber and vulcanite bits.

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product news: Tek Grip Gloves feature articulated fingers for a smooth, enhanced fit which prevents rubbing and promotes freedom of movement when riding. £21 www.ariat.com The Coat Shine Mitt can be used to remove dust for coat shine, but can also be used on more stubborn stains and dirt. £2.99. www.moorlandrider.co.uk

These Olympia Breeches offers multi-directional stretch to accommodate riders’ varying hip angles and ensure total freedom of movement when riding. £129.99 and £144.99 for the full seat design. www.ariat.com

These Challenge Contour Square Toe Field Zip Tall Boots are beautifully tailored with a high Spanish cut topline and contoured fit through the ankle to flatter the female leg. £320 www.ariat.com

Dressage Deluxe offer a bit hire service which focuses on selected Sprenger and Neue Schule bit designs with prices starting at just £15 for a 21 day hire. The ergonomically shaped mouthpiece of Sprenger’s Dynamic RS loose ring snaffle lies perfectly in the horses mouth, resulting in soft and even pressure on the entire tongue area encouraging the horse to chew. £125 www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk The Eskadron Grooming Bag is perfect for collecting boots and bandages and carrying everything needed for a quick spruce up before going into the competition arena. £30. HorseShave is a safe and efficient way to remove unwanted hair from any horse, without causing them discomfort or distress. £2 www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk

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SHOW TIME!

HINTS • SHOppING • CAMpING • upDATES SHOWING OnlinE How do you fancy competing your horse without actually leaving the yard? The Mane Show is an online show, accessible to absolutely everyone with classes to suit all, photo classes and video classes judged by professional equestrians and sponsored by some of the best companies in the business. The schedule of classes varies each month and includes traditional type showing classes, fun classes, video classes, championship classes, and a supreme champion class. www.themaneshow.co.uk

Equifest – The Festival for Horse Lovers - provides a spectacular five days of competition and also a brilliant shopping occasion. Held at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, 17th to 21st August, Equifest has more than 100 stands and endless goodies for both you and your horse, there is an abundance of opportunities to enjoy yourself and splash out. www.equifest.org.uk

Essential Shopping!

pOLOCROSSE WEEkEND! To be held on the weekend of 7th-8th May at Marks Tey Racecourse by very kind permission of the Easthorpe Estate. Further information call Caro Goodman 07802 325466.

This Grooming Towel is super absorbent and although it moves like a towel, it absorbs water like a sponge – it’s even wrung out between wipes! The reusable towel can be used all over the horse and is perfect for awkward areas like heels too. Prices from£12. www.easidri.com

Katie Hudson, The Mane Show

The exhilarating four-star level show jumping extravaganza takes place at Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall, Cheshire from 16th to 19th June. There is brilliant camping on site so take a break at Bolesworth and don’t miss out on anything! With nearly 200 brilliant trade stands in the shopping village, there is something for everyone. www.bolesworthinternational.com

r u o Y k Boo mping! Ca

Detangler & Shine restores the sheen to horses’ coats while conditioning the mane and tail. It can be used on wet or dry hair and works instantly no matter how tangled or matted. £16.99 www.abbeyengland.com

Gala Day Grandstand challenge… If you dream of being the next frankie Dettori or Hayley Turner and would like the chance to fly past the winning post on one of the most iconic racetracks in the uk, then the Animal Health Trust Gala Day Grandstand challenge for you! Tempted? Visit ‘What you can do’ at www.aht.org.uk

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a shininG EXaMPlE

pRODuCTS • SpONSORSHIpS • HOYS welcomes back Horseware as the official sponsors of the Bronze League Showjumping Championship NuuMed’s Grooming Mitt puts a real sheen on the horse’s coat without the need for additional lotions and sprays. £14.50. www.nuumed.com

The Bronze league starts from 90cm and goes up to 1.10m with the Championships final being held in the prestigious main arena at HOYS. With 8 qualifiers taking place all over the country it gives an exciting opportunity for amateurs in the sport to compete at one of the most esteemed horse events in the world.

Alltech is delighted to continue their support of a number of showing classes at The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting 23rd – 26th June.

Golly Galoshes are a showing essential for keeping show horses clean and white socks bright whilst on the move! They are quick and easy to put on/take off and also help prevent mud, sand or grit getting underneath your horses’ protective leg wear and unlike your horses’ legs, Golly Galoshes are also machine washable! From £26.99 per pair to £35.99. www.gollygaloshes.com Each Childéric Saddle is specifically crafted to accommodate horse and rider. From construction through to finish, this ‘Childéric Showmanship Saddle’ offers both horse and rider comfort and class with it’s butter soft calfskin leather finish in master. From £3,600. www.childericsaddles.co.uk

When it comes to dazzling the Judges, show rider and producer Loraine Homer certainly knows how to impress. Loraine has plenty of insider knowledge when it comes to preparing her horses for those early spring shows and when it comes to coat shine, natural aloe vera supplement Aloeride ensures her horses shine under the spotlight: “My horse’s coats and topline are fantastic and I attribute much of this to feeding Aloeride. It’s great not to have to worry about the horse’s coats losing luster over the winter months or them dropping condition. Aloeride is easy to feed and palatable and a feed room essential for all my horses!” Aloeride is an easy to administer alternative to feeding fresh aloe vera and is available in one-a-day sachets. Aloeride is taste-free, has a long shelf life, requires no refrigeration and with 30 sachets (1 month’s worth) containing 12 litres of aloe vera juice – you can be reassured that your horse or pony is getting the best each and every day. Aloeride aloe vera has also been tested by an accredited Newmarket laboratory and does not contain any synthetic compounds. RRP: £55.20 per carton (month’s supply) with discounts available on multi-purchases. www.aloeride.co.uk

The Egality Jacket by Liberty Freedom and available through The Spanish Boot Company is beautifully tailored and has been designed to be worn open or buttoned up as a fitted tailored double breasted jacket. Egality Flag Print Jacket RRP: £395. Sizes: 8 -16 www.thespanishbootcompany.co.uk

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RIDE LIKE

Ride like...

ROBERT WALKER

IN ORDER TO STAND AT THE TOP OF THE LINE AND IN THE ROSETTES, SOME FORM OF PREPARATION AND TRAINING AT HOME IS VITAL. HERE TOP SHOWMAN ROBERT WALKER OFFERS SOME VALUABLE ADVICE ON

Training for the

shOW

n order for your horse to perform as close to foot perfect as possible in the ring I think it is important to establish what the Judge looks for in a show horse and which of theses points we can work on at home. Apart from a show horse needing to be conformationally correct, I think it is important to work on improving your horse’s manners, responsiveness to aids, flashy rhythmic paces and suppleness and straightness. All the above points can be improved and established not only in a school but whilst out hacking. I think going round and round in circles and drilling the horse can often bore and sour him, depending on his temperament.

rinG By constructing an interesting and variable exercise regime, especially for young horses, they are more likely to perform well at shows because they are generally happy and willing to please! Hacking Out Whilst out hacking horses should not be allowed to plod along but should be made to work, plenty of half-halts and transitions can help make the horse more responsive and quicker off the rider’s aids. Shoulder in and leg yielding are also an effective exercise to do whilst schooling on a hack, they are a great way of suppling the horse up. This is also a beneficial exercise to perfect so that when your horse shy’s or is startled in the show ring you can use this

method to get the horse past the problem. Whilst out on a hack I think it is very important to practice halting. As a rider you should be able to ask for a square halt any time and place. If you can halt any where on a hack and stand for a while then I am almost positive that if practised enough, your horse will stand correctly in even the buzziest of rings. When in the ring I do not expect the horse to move and perform as if in a dressage test but I do expect the horse to behave with manners, which can be worked on whilst out riding. Getting it right in the school I do not believe in drilling the horse whilst schooling as this brings on too many problems

especially with young horses. I use the school at home to break youngsters, perfect the horse’s way of going, see how they behave in an enclosed area and resolve any problems which I may encounter. When schooling I like to differentiate regimes for different horses. My schooling approach to the hacks is different to the hunters, because they are required to perform differently in the ring. However in my experience most show horses need to improve in the same areas. In order for horses to lengthen in all three paces and appear to glide and flick a toe, it is important for the horse to be supple. We as riders can not expect our horses to perform at their best when

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Product showcase

transitions can also be used to loosen horses up and as a way of sharpening the horse up and making him more responsive. This is particularly useful when you need the horse to lengthen his paces in front of the Judge in order to catch the Judgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye and create that wow factor! they are stiff and tight through their spines, shoulders and necks. I also think great attention needs to be paid to the horses balance. When schooling I personally like When the judge rides your horse to incorporate plenty of circles in the ring he or she are wanting and serpentines, which can be to feel something which covers made smaller and larger in size, the ground well but not strong, the more the horse loosens up. and something that is balanced This not only makes the horse more supple, but makes the horse with equal contact in both hands. I see it time and time again at more responsive to my aids. shows, in the ride section Judges Upward and downward

fighting with the horse to slow down or physically having to pull and kick to gain some kind of the reaction from the horse. This is not what the Judge is there for. The whole idea of the ride section is for the judge to gauge how good a horse performs. Ease of movement, balance and responsiveness is what you will be marked on. Therefore it is your job as a rider to ensure that when the Judge comes to ride your horse all he or she has to do is sit there and enjoy the ride! I think that in order for your horse to get used to different Judges riding him at shows, you should let different people at home have a sit on him so that you know that with a different jockey on board he will behave.

TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer promotes muscle development and topline. It contains a broadspectrum supplement and many specialised supplements including a hoof supplement, antioxidants and digestive aids. It is formulated without cereal grains, is low in sugar/starch and 'NonHeating.' TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer is designed to balance the rations of most horses and ponies, whatever their workload, simply by adjusting the rate at which it is fed and the products it is fed with. www.topspec.com

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HEALTH & WELFARE

t SYMPTOMS OF h e c t V a W By

www.fullerequine.co.uk 01371 851755 or 850532

THIS ARTICLE WILL HELP YOU TO RECOGNISE POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF GASTRIC ULCERS, THE METHOD A VET WILL USE TO CLEARLY IDENTIFY ULCERS USING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY ON YOUR YARD, TREATMENT AND HOW TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF YOUR HORSE GETTING THEM FOR THE FIRST OR MULTIPLE TIMES. 18

Gastric Ulcer Syndrome can be extremely difficult to recognise as there are no definitive symptoms to look for. Horses with diagnosed ulcers can show mild abdominal discomfort, colic, poor coat, weight loss, depression, poor appetite, aggression and soft manure, however we often discover these horses because of poor performance or discomfort when ridden particularly during canter.

WHY DO HORSES DEVELOP ULCERS Ulcers develop because the lining of the stomach is over exposed to stomach acid (Hydrochloric acid). The stomach lining is divided into two sections: the glandular; and the non glandular (squamous). The glandular, on the lower half of the stomach lining, secretes the stomach acid and has therefore developed many mechanisms to

protect itself from its corrosive action. This includes an alkaline mucosa that neutralises the acid. The non glandular or upper section of the stomach has very little inherent protective mechanisms and is therefore where we most regularly (7580%) see stomach ulceration. NB: non glandular ulcers are almost exclusively seen in foals and are generally caused by the use of anti inflammatory drugs

risK FacTOrs FEED The equine stomach continually secretes stomach acid. This secretion is stimulated by a hormone called gastrin produced by the stomach itself as a response to feed. The acidity of a horse's stomach is at its highest when a horse is not eating because saliva plays a big role in neutralising the acid. Concentrates require less chewing which means less saliva is produced and therefore less neutralising effect. They also stimulate more gastrin production which in turn leads to more stomach acid production. EXERCISE AND TRAINING Some have attributed the increase in prevalence of ulcers during exercise to stress but it is far more likely to be because exercise causes the stomach contents (including acid) to be pushed upwards to the non glandular,

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GASTRIC ULCERS more sensitive portion of the stomach. EXCESSIVE USE OF ANTI INFLAMMATORY DRUGS These drugs (bute, flunixin etc) can inhibit the protective mechanisms of the glandular portion of the stomach and therefore, particularly in younger animals, lead to ulceration in the lower portion of the stomach. STRESS The specific mechanism for this risk factor is currently unknown but certainly horses in stressful environments or ones that are moved on a regular basis have a higher chance of developing ulcers. DIAGNOSIS The only defintive way of diagnosing gastric ulcers is to fast the horse for 12 hours then directly examine the stomach with an endoscope â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a long flexible camera (gastroscope). Following administration of a sedative, the camera is passed up the nose, down the oesophagus (food pipe) and into the stomach. The glandular and non glandular portions are examined from the cardia (entrance) to the pylorus (exit). The scope can then be passed into the initial portion of the small intestine. Ordinarily this procedure is limited to clinics but at Fuller Equine, we have a portable gastroscope that

can be brought out to your yard. This is more convenient for you and much less stressful for your horse. TREATMENT Although several treatments exist for gastric ulcers, the most reliable and commonly used is Omeprazole (Gastroguard, Peptizole etc). This drug blocks the secretion of acid and therefore is highly effective at controlling and reversing progression of the problem. Treatment involves 1 month at 4mg.kg (a syringe a day) followed by 1 month at 2mg.kg (half a syringe a day). This regime will resolve most cases of ulcers but

some horses need to be maintained on a much lower dose for longer periods of time. HOW CAN I PREVENT MY HORSE GETTING STOMACH ULCERS? 24 hour access to food 24 hour turn out is the best way to prevent stomach ulceration allowing horses to graze, triggering the production of large amounts of saliva to neutralise the acid. Although when stabled with ad lib feed, horses have been demonstrated to not feed for as long as if they were turned out, it is still a far better situation than long periods of time without any

feed. Also, as mentioned earlier, avoiding concentrate feeds and sticking to hay and chaffs reduces gastrin production and therefore lower acid levels. Routine Sticking to a regular routine and avoiding situations where your horse is not comfortable will reduce stress levels. Because of the reported link between stress and ulcers, this should reduce incidence. If your horse has to be kept in a stable for long periods of time, make sure they can see field mates or give them ways to occupy themselves whilst in.

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HEALTH & WELFARE

NOTHING sWEET AbOuT ME! Sweet itch is a delayed hypersensitivity to insect bites resulting in an over-vigorous response by the horse’s immune system and can cause misery as soon as the warmer weather arrives along with the midges. Aloeride is a pure organic aloe vera supplement, which has not only been found to help improve the horses’ negative reaction to midges’ bites, but also has a positive effect on skin condition and helps to accelerate the healing process. Alongside feeding Aloeride, Han Van Braak, MD of Aloeride also has some valuable advice to give on managing the condition…. Take action If you know you own a sweet itch sufferer, it makes sense to be prepared before the warmer weather arrives. I would suggest feeding Aloeride at least one month before the sweet itch season kicks in, but most of the time you wouldn’t be able to predict this! Unfortunately it often takes just one warm day for the midges to come out in force and just one bite to set the whole itch cycle to start. Therefore I would recommend that you keep a midge/fly rug to hand to put on instantly to avoid any bites. All areas covered Whilst many of our customers report back that by using Aloeride they no longer require rug protection, I always recommend that you should hang onto your rug, as I believe a multi-pronged approach to tackling the condition

is always more beneficial be it a rug or fly/midge spray used in conjunction with our supplement. There are quite a few sweet itch rugs on the market now, as well as a variety of topical products, which have been designed to help repel midges and soothe the irritations. Aloeride can also be mixed up with a little water and applied as a paste to help soothe irritation, so as well as working internally, it can also be applied externally! Management Good management is vital and there are lots of things that you can do to help your horse. For example you could try turning your horse out during the middle of the day, rather than at night or early morning when midges are more likely to be more active, especially in fields that are marshy or near rivers or lakes (which midges love). Midges also do not fly in strong wind, heavy rain or bright, clear sunshine, so under these weather conditions your horse shouldn’t be under such strong attack.

Insecticide treated nets

Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) can offer valuable protection to horses from Culicoides biting midges, which can transmit the devastating African horse sickness virus (AHSV), a new study by scientists at The Pirbright Institute has shown. Although AHSV is currently restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, it has a history of Keeping your horse stabled at emergence into southern ‘high risk’ times will help keep Europe, and the cost of a them at bay and you could try major European outbreak to using fly strips with citronella in the UK equine industry, has the stable (making sure of course been estimated at up to £3.5 that they cannot be reached) is billion. Hypersensitivity another option. reactions to the bites of If you can turn out your horse on Culicoides are also the primary grazing that is well drained and cause of equine summer also avoid fields that are next to seasonal recurrent allergic rotting vegetation, such as leaves dermatitis in the UK, or muck heaps this will also help commonly known as ‘sweetavoid the midges. itch’, which affects up to 12% Action is key with sweet itch of horses. sufferers and I hope with planning Dr Lara Harrup, a member of and preparation you can win in the the research team said: “This battle against the big itch. study means we have evidence www.aloeride.co.uk that screening horses during transportation and in stables with ITNs would offer significant protection in the event of an outbreak of To be in w AHSV in the UK; 2 month ith a chance of w particularly if inning a supply o f Aloerid www.ab combined with other e sim soluteho rsemaga ply visit control measures zine.com such as topical repellents and insecticide treatment in stables.”

GIVeAW AY!

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By Carolyn Watson, Cleveland House Stud

CHANGE yOuR MIND...

e s r o H r u o y e ang

The Tellington Touch Equine Awareness Method (TTEAM) TTEAM was developed by Linda Tellington-Jones over 30 years ago. It is a teaching method for horses that incorporates body work (TTOUCH), ground exercises and riding exercises. I was drawn to learn more about this method as it appeared to offer a respectful and forward thinking approach to training, handling and the rehabilitation of horses. Having been involved with horses all my life I value any opportunity to learn new skills and methods. With my interest fuelled I signed up for my first training in 2013. Trainings in the UK are organised by Sarah Fisher at Tilley Farm near Bath. I wasn't sure what to expect but by the end of the six days I felt both inspired and uplifted. I left feeling eager to try my new skills on a recently purchased 5-year-old mare who already had the nickname 'Nervous Nellie'. My first action was to ditch the nickname as that automatically gave her a label and created a picture in my mind and the mind of others. TTEAM places great

emphasis on holding an open mind and observing what is in front of you at the time without second guessing the whys and wherefores of behaviours. My main difficulty with Nellie was handling her around her head. She is a very kind mare but was difficult to get a headcollar on. Once the headcollar was on she was fine, but having her rear and run around me in the stable before I could catch her was dangerous for both of us and not a behaviour I wanted to continue. To help build our relationship I used various TTouches to her body in the stable without a headcollar. TTouches are specific movements on and with the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body which help release tension and give the nervous system a new experience. Nellie particularly liked having TTouches on her tail and showed a noticeable relaxation. Her confidence quickly grew and she became more trusting with each session, it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take long before I could use TTouches to her ears and around her head. She really enjoyed the ear work and touches

I used on her forelock. Her nose however was a different story and the sensation of being touched on the muzzle sent her head in the air and off she would go around the stable. The TTouch work had enabled me to isolate the main problem so now I could get to work on finding a solution that would work for Nellie. I continued with the TTouch work and gradually started to work around her nose and muzzle, progressing to mouth work. Nellie improved with each session and now I can get the headcollar on without a fuss which is so much nicer for both of us. The TTouch/TTEAM method changed my mind about the relationship I wanted to have with horses and how I wanted to handle them. I went on to complete my trainings to become a TTouch Practitioner for Equines and now use the method to help owners and horses build better relationships and overcome difficulties they may be experiencing.

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.

If you would like to discuss any problems you may be facing with your horse please contact me on 07986278181. To find our more about my work and to access special offers please visit www.clevelandhousestud.co.uk or visit the UK TTouch website at www.ttouchtteam.co.uk

WEARAbLE TECHNOLOGy Luminosity offers a stylish range of jackets, gilets, backpacks, backpack covers and belts that sport reflective strips and flashing waterproof LED lights, red on the back, white on the front. www.luminosityonline.co.uk

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HEALTH & WELFARE

chOOsinG a sTalliOn CHARLOTTE TAYLOR OWNS AND MANAGES BURY ST EDMUNDS BASED STUD, CLEMENTS EQUINE, ALONGSIDE HER HUSBAND ROBERT, AND FAMILY. THEY BREED SHOW-JUMPERS, STAND STALLIONS AT STUD AND OWN HORSES COMPETING AT LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS. CLEMENTS EQUINE OFFER A FULL RANGE OF BREEDING SERVICES FOR BOTH MARE AND STALLION OWNERS, INCLUDING FOALING DOWN MARES, AI PACKAGES WITH FRESH, CHILLED AND FROZEN SEMEN, DUMMY TRAINING, WALK IN COLLECTIONS AND SEMEN FREEZING FOR STALLIONS, WITH ALL VETERINARY WORK PROVIDED BY NEWMARKET’S ROSSDALES LLP.

e r a M r Your

If you’re keen on a UK based stallion it would be worth organising to visit the stud and meet him directly. We welcome visitors throughout the season, who are able to look at our stallions up close in the stable and assess their temperaments and conformation firsthand. You should also check any stallion you’d like to use has been licensed with a reputable society, which will mean they will have been approved by expert Judges, and should also have had a Choosing a stallion for your mare can be a and ensure when selecting a stallion any cons full set of x-rays assessed. minefield these days. With the widespread she has matches up with his pros. The majority of sport horse stallions will only be availability of chilled and frozen semen We breed show jumpers, so besides correct from both the UK and overseas, gone are conformation for lasting soundness, we are also available by AI so it’s important to look at the types of semen available for your short-listed the days when visiting the local stallion is looking at jumping ability. We want to breed the only option available. So how do you careful, athletic and scopey horses, but it’s also stallions. If you’re sending your mare to stud ensure you make the best choice for your important to think about temperament too, if they should be equipped to deal with all types mare? the talent you’re aiming for doesn’t materialise, of semen, but if you’re inseminating your mare at home the visit fees could become costly, Before looking at stallions the first thing to do is the horse won’t be snapped up by take a good look at the mare you’d like to breed professionals, so you need to ensure he will be especially if you are using frozen semen and your mare may need scanning in the middle of with. Is she a good breeding option in terms of rideable enough for the amateur market. the night! If you have an older maiden, an her conformation and temperament? If the To choose a stallion from scratch, there are answer is yes, think about what you’re aiming several sites available to browse through, such unknown mare, or one who has proved difficult in the past, it may be sensible to look at to breed? Will the foal remain in the family or is as www.stallionsonline.co.uk which features stallion’s available either fresh or chilled, when this decision commercial? If you’re breeding to numerous stallions, and you can refine your early success may be easier to achieve. sell you will need to be extra critical of your search by factors such as breed and discipline. mare. Once you have a shortlist, look at their offspring The stallion’s semen fertility is a key factor to It’s important to choose a stallion to suit your as well as the sire himself, are there desirable (or consider although not always the easiest to assess. It’s worth asking about semen quality mare, rather than just because you like him. not so desirable!) traits he stamps his stock and pregnancy rates when you contact the Stand her up and honestly assess her, it can with? Speak to the stallion owner too, and help to make a list of her good and bad points - other breeders who have used him themselves. stallion owner or agent. The price of the stallion is also a factor but in reality this is a very small part of what it costs to Renkum Radetzky has breed and produce a horse, and once on the a careful technique over a fence ground it costs the same to produce a bad one as a good one! To conclude, do your homework and whilst you need to make decisions with your head, your heart must be in agreement - or where would Shannondale Delta the fun be in that! look at where a stallion's conformation can improve on your mare

Charlotte can be contacted via www.clementsequine.com, and is happy to assist with any breeding queries you may have.

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Legs and feathers that are constantly wet and muddy can cause skin to soften and allow some areas, and especially heels and lower legs, to become susceptible to mud fever. One way to help to prevent the onset of mud-related problems is to make sure that legs have the chance to regularly dry out. New MEGA Spread wood shavings from Metsä Wood are large soft white flakes that are exceptionally absorbent. Giving your horse a good bed of super absorbent MEGA Spread shavings can help draw moisture from feathers and skin, allowing legs to dry naturally and give skin the chance to recover from the wet which makes the tissue soft and susceptible to mud fever. The MEGA Spread large soft flakes take longer to break down under foot and the smaller flakes make their way to the bottom of the bed creating maximum absorbency, maintaining a drier top layer for greater comfort, meaning your horse can enjoy a dry and mud free environment. MEGA Spread is extracted and dried at sterilising temperatures to reduce bacteria and fungi, so has an extremely low dust and fungal spore count, which also supports the health of your horses respiratory system. “We have had fantastic results from Tried and Tested features and users in general,” said Jackie Blundell, Sales Manager for Metsä Wood. “One owner with particularly wet and muddy fields brings her ponies in each night to a nice fluffy MEGA Spread bed so they can dry out, and has reported that she has had no winter related problems to date.” For more details on MEGA Spread please contact Jackie on 07710 998742 or visit www.megaspreadwoodshavings.com for a list of stockists in your area.

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Prevention is better than cure...

For the first time horses have been shown to be able to distinguish between angry and happy human facial expressions. Amy Smith, a doctoral student in the Mammal Vocal Communication and Cognition Research Group at the University of Sussex who co-led the research, said: “We have known for a long time that horses are a socially sophisticated species but this is the first time we have seen that they can distinguish between positive and negative facial expressions.”

Cyden Dressage, based in North East Lincolnshire, is holding an Open Day for anyone interested in seeing the stars of the yard up close. The Open Day will take place on 19th March between 10am and 1pm. Lara Edwards and her team will be on hand to answer any questions about her stallions, their pedigree and current offspring, as well as the service offered at Stallion AI Services. Visit www.cydendressage.com

helmet bounty Scheme The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) and British Eventing have teamed up to develop a new initiative known as the BETA Helmet Bounty Scheme, which will see riders who are concussed while competing at BEaffiliated events provided with a £100 retail voucher that can be redeemed towards the cost of replacing their old hat. The Scheme caters for riders diagnosed with concussion by an event’s medical officer during the cross-country phase of competition. To be included, riders must first agree to their hat being returned to BETA and BE passing on details of their injury.

HOOf HEALTH ADVANCES The Liberty Cu (patent pending) Horseshoe Nail is the first nail to successfully utilise an antimicrobial copper coating to inhibit and restrict the entrance and proliferation of bacteria in the equine hoof wall. The control of bacteria from entering the hoof walls through the nail holes reduces the risk of infections and helps to maintain a strong, healthy hoof wall.

Nigel Brown AWCF has used the new nails in a white footed horse, prone to flaking and brittleness and noticed a noticed a “marked decrease in black marking in both the walls and whiteline within the first six week period”

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HEALTH & WELFARE

Your horse, his passport food chain By Gillian Booth, Westgate Labs

Have you legally opted out of eating your horse? It’s maybe a strange question, but as Miranda would say, ‘bear with’. While you probably aren’t electing to eat your horse yourself, under EU law horses, ponies, donkeys, zebras and Przewalski’s horses are all defined as foodproducing animals. Like it or not this is their default status unless they have been specifically signed out of the food chain in section IX of their passport. As owners we have a responsibility to make an informed decision about our horse’s status that could affect medical treatment, including administration of wormers, the records we are required to keep as well as our horse’s future welfare.

Substances” List, will be recorded in Part III of Section IX by your vet. Other medicine use, including wormers, does not necessarily need to be listed in the passport, but must be recorded somewhere. A copy of these records must be kept for at least 5 years following administration, even if the horse has since been sold Default status – The horse or has died and you no longer as a food producing animal have the passport. The Records of all veterinary following information must be medicines given to food logged: producing horses must be kept • Name of the veterinary to prevent harmful drug and surgeon who administered chemical residues getting in to the medicine (if applicable) the food chain. • Identification of the animal Any substance which is treated administered and is listed in • Name of the product European Council Regulation (including the batch 122/2013, the “Essential 24

number) • Date of purchase for each medicine • Quantity purchased • Name and address of the supplier • Date of administration • Quantity administered • The withdrawal period Owners or keepers of food producing animals must also keep a proof of purchase, such as a receipt or invoice, for all medicines. The requirement is onerous, but understandable if there is to be any chance of the animal reaching the food chain. A food chain animal is also limited as to which veterinary medicines can be prescribed to keep this status intact. For example the wormers:

Signed out Excluding the horse from human consumption Section nine IX of a horse passport allows the owner to declare whether the horse is intended for the food chain or not. The horse may also be signed out by necessity if a veterinary medicine is administered which is not authorised for foodproducing animals – as is the case in our pictorial example below.

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ATTENTION!

status and your worming Embotape, Telmin Granules, Panacur and Pyratape are all designated as ‘not to be used in horses and ponies intended for human consumption’. For this reason, whoever prescribes your horse’s wormer – vet, pharmacist or SQP, must always enquire as to the animal’s food chain status. Horses opted out of the food chain can be prescribed all licenced veterinary medicines authorised for both food and non-food producing horses, including all wormers. The details of all vaccines administered must still be recorded in Sections V and VI of the passport by the prescribing vet, but there are no other record keeping requirements for the vet or you as the animal owner/keeper. DEFRA encourages owners to think carefully before they sign their animal out of the food chain. Once signed this declaration can never be reversed and they warn ‘this may limit the disposal options when the horse reaches the end of its life’. Something which may or may not be an additional consideration for us all.

Are you going to opt out? There is much we could say to malign the passport scheme, as anyone who remembers the Findus lasagne saga will know, but for all the system isn’t perfect, it is law. Offences under the Horse Passport Regulations attract fines of up to £5,000. What we are urging you to do is to know your options and to make informed decisions for the horses in your care to ensure you comply with the law. She says rushing off to sign section IX for a recent acquisition!

(classified category 3) - they have to be fit for human consumption even if they are not intended so and therefore a horse signed out of section IX (9) cannot be used in the petfood industry either. In addition there is also a current policy in the UK not to use horse meat for pet food. This is a commercial decision by the manufacturers and so is subject to change at their discretion. www.westgatelabs.co.uk

If you haven’t yet treated your horse for encysted small redworm you should do so as soon as possible, to help prevent potentially fatal disease, advises Zoetis. Encysted small redworm (ESRW) are the larval stages of the small redworm. They hibernate in the lining of the horse’s gut. They usually emerge in the early spring and may cause a condition known as larval cyathostominosis, resulting in diarrhoea and colic, with a high death rate.

Addendum 5/2/16 A query was raised on the Westgate Labs Facebook page about whether signing section IX would also prevent the horse going into the pet food chain. This opened up a really interesting line of enquiry. It is not the VMD but the Food Standard's Agency who are responsible where pet food is concerned. By law animal products intended for pet food are subject to the same requirements as human food

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HEALTH & WELFARE

16 Virbac 0 2 e th r fo n e e op Nominations ar Year e h t f o p Q S equine 3D wor ming Do you know how important it is that wormers are used correctly to protect your horses and reduce the constant threat of resistance? Do you get great advice and help from your local SQP? Do you know how hard he or she works to make sure they can bring you up to date information on the correct worming approach? Your local SQP is a ‘Suitably Qualified Person’ who has undertaken extensive training to

be legally entitled to prescribe and supply wormers. Every SQP has to maintain a programme of further education to make sure they keep up to date with current developments to enable them to give accurate information when it comes to the best worming approach for your horse. With their knowledge of all the key facts about different aspects of worming such as a faecal egg counts, pasture maintenance, how your horse is kept, making

sure you use the correct wormer drug and the right dose for the weight of your horse, your SQP works with you to make sure your horse is kept healthy and happy throughout his life. So how do you say thank you to someone that helps you care for your most treasured equine friend? Take the time to nominate them for the Virbac 3D Worming Equine SQP of the Year Award! The Virbac 3D Worming Equine

SQP of the Year is a prestigious industry award that recognises the hard work put in by SQP’s to be able to offer support and advice to horse owners. Winning this award gives your SQP real recognition for a job well done, and they get a well deserved night out at the Horse of the Year Show as well as a certificate and trophy which can be proudly displayed. www.3dworming.co.uk

SponSorShip newS... Virbac 3D Worming will once again be supporting the equestrian community through sponsorship of leading events within the equestrian calendar. With the ethos of training, education and fair play, The Pony Club is a natural partner for Virbac who will support the Pony Club through a series of activities in 2016, starting with sponsorship of the Novice, Intermediate, Open and Elite Show Jumping competitions at The Pony Club Championships held at Cholmondeley Castle in August. Virbac is also involved with the Pony Club through education, advising on the correct worming approach and providing the Pony Club with training aids such as the new Pony Club Achievement Badge

Buddies Worm Control booklet. Virbac 3D Worming will also be supporting the ever popular Pony Club Mounted Games whose finals are staged at the Horse of the Year Show held each year at the NEC Birmingham in October. The games, which take place every day during HOYS, are a real favourite of spectators who enjoy the amazing skill and courage displayed. Riders and their ponies tackle a series of challenging games which are designed to showcase the rider’s dexterity, accuracy and sportsmanship. Watch out for the now famous ‘worm’ game which always raises the roof at HOYS! In the world of showing Virbac 3D Worming will support the prestigious Showing Council/Showing World Show Personality of the Year Awards,

sponsoring the Virbac 3D Worming Show Pony Personality of the Year for the seventh consecutive year. Nominations can be made for this category now and from all nominations received six finalists are selected to go forward to a public vote that will decide the winner. Finalists are represented at the Gala Dinner

that takes place in the impressive Atrium at the East of England Showground at the end of October.

The winning 2015 Monmouthshire team with Virbac UK MD David Ellerton. Photo: ES Photography

Inset: Virbac's Davina Godwin with the winners of the 2015 Virbac 3D Worming Show Pony Personality of the Year Award

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Horse with Spring is here and the showing season is upon us, but does your jacket fit or are the buttons about to fly off as soon as you breathe? I recently saw an interview with Adelinde Cornelissen explaining how seriously she takes her training and nutrition. I’m guessing that she’s not queuing at the burger van after her test! It’s a shame that in this day and age there isn’t anything on offer at shows that is of nutritional value given that most competitors are active and interested in being the best they can be. Preparation for a well balanced nutritional intake is key, but with minimal effort we can produce something in the kitchen pretty damn quick to take to an event or show without having to break the nutritional plan with a trip to the burger van. Whilst prepping dinner the night before it’s easy to peel a couple of sweet potatoes, slice up a leek and chuck them in a saucepan with some butter, put the lid on and sweat them for 10 mins. Add ½ pint of chicken or vegetable stock, simmer until the potato is soft, add a table spoon of creme fraiche full fat and then blend with a hand held blender, add some chilli flakes, a sprinkle of cheese of your choice. Just reheat when you need it and put it into a flask to take with you in the morning. A great balance of protein, fat and carbohydrate in a few easy steps. It’s not rocket science but as Jeff Olson says in his book ‘The Slight Edge’, just strive to do something everyday to improve your health, riding or business, and eventually you’ll get there.

Five hooves Following a call from the Environment Agency the Horse Rescue Fund on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, was asked to take in an abandoned coloured colt. He was eventually found in an isolated area between a railway and a river, this being his only access to water - not the yearling colt we expected, but a stallion about 8-yearsold! As it was just prior to Remembrance Sunday it was decided to call him Trooper. Although his bodily condition was good, what could be seen of his hooves were in bad condition, particularly his off fore, and his mane, tail and feathers were so matted with burrs that it was clear he had been neglected for some time. Otherwise he appeared to be healthy. Shy and wary at first, he was placed in isolation for assessment where the staff were shocked to discover, on removal of his feathers, the most amazing thing of all, he had an extra hoof! Sometimes referred to as an extra digit, it is situated on the inside of his foreleg, coming off at the fetlock joint, and although not unheard of it is very rare. Clinical examinations and X-rays by Wherry Vets, Bungay and Rossdales, Newmarket followed to evaluate his bone abnormalities. These showed that he has a duplicate lower limb originating just below the knee with a well developed second cannon bone followed by the other bones which are not completely normal in size or development. When an animal is born with this disorder it

Tel: 07740 047279 http://meta.fitness/home

by Sue Albone

is known as a polydactyl or polydactylism, meaning “many digits’’ the cause being unclear as to whether it is either an isolated case or inherited. Where Trooper’s extra digit had been allowed to grow and strike the ground repeatedly the pressure had created a large split in the skin which had become infected with maggots. His main hoof, although somewhat shortened, should in time improve with regular trimming. The Farrier’s first job was to carefully reduce the extra hoof in length by some 4cm, avoiding the sensitive tissues within, thus reducing the risk of injury to his other leg. An extra digit can be removed for cosmetic purposes or to prevent further injury to itself or the opposite leg, but as Trooper can manage sufficiently, it has been decided not to operate for the foreseeable future. Currently Trooper is adjusting to life on the yard with the other rescue equines and is a firm favourite with the staff due to his placid and sweet nature. Trooper will continue to receive the regular handling needed as part of his rehabilitation, with the aim being to find a suitable companion loan home for this individual and unique horse to safeguard his future. Anyone wishing to make a donation towards Trooper’s ongoing care and others at risk may do so via www.horserescuefund.org.uk

Photo supplied by Wherry Vets, Bungay

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PAddockS, PASTuRES & YARdS

ENsuriNg your Paddock is

SaFe For TurnouT IN THIS ISSUE THE TEAM AT EQUESTRIAN.COM PROVIDE ADVICE ON ENSURING YOUR PADDOCKS ARE SAFE FOR TURNOUT ESPECIALLY WITH SPRING AROUND THE CORNER. The long winter is finally behind us and the joys of spring are certainly a welcome arrival. Horses that have been cooped up for longer periods of time will now be able to be turned out more and enjoy the freedom and grass. Those who have wintered out may be moving to fresh pasture, leaving their current field to rest and re-grow. The changes in routine that are likely to occur in the spring involve turnout and it

is important to ensure that your paddock is safe and well equipped for your horse or pony. In this feature we look at the key points to watch out for and how to achieve a pleasant environment for your equine friend. First, check all of the fencing and ensure that any damaged sections are fixed appropriately. The gate should be able to swing freely and be in good condition. If electric fencing is used, ensure that the

battery is charged and all elements of the electric kit, such as the energiser, are in good working order. Paddocks should be securely locked with a chain and padlock. There are many different types available but try and get one that is robust and more difficult to cut. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to put one around the hinged end of the gate or even better reverse the hinges to prevent the gate being taken off the hinges. Assess gateways and if they tend to get churned up consider putting some woodchip, stones or rubber down to reduce the impact and the mud that is created here. This may also be worth doing around water troughs and in front of field shelters. Make sure the water supply is in good working order and not leaking. Troughs

should be cleaned regularly to prevent dirt and algae build up. Check the paddock thoroughly for any unwanted objects or weeds that need to be removed. Weed control is important and any poisonous plants such as ragwort should be dug up by the roots and burned. The spring is an ideal time to apply fertiliser to the land to promote good growth. Ideally, this should be done after topping which will also help the grass to grow. Depending on the type of fertiliser used, horses may have to be kept of the land for a few weeks so be sure to plan in advance and check the packaging. Paddock maintenance is an allyear round job and regular poo picking is especially important. www.equestrian.com

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Month by Month paddock maintenance by agrigem.co.uk MARCH APRIL

it’s not just what’s on the surface....

MAY

Agrigem’s Do’s: • Find out what nutrients are available in your soil by using a DIY soil analysis kit. • Try to graze one horse per acre, even if you need to strip graze. • Treat weeds in April/May. • Remove or ‘harrow in’ manure.

Agrigem’s Don’ts: • Don’t apply chemicals or fertiliser during frosty or drought conditions. • Don’t overgraze areas as this can damage grass and cause poaching. • Don’t apply chemicals or fertiliser before having specialist advice.

Chapelstone Equestrian Construction recently installed their popular Chapel-Fibre at Valley Farm Equestrian Centre in Suffolk. The blended fibres are added to the top layer of sand to create the perfect riding surface, providing greater stability and superb energy return for the horse. The fibres themselves are cut rather than shredded which means a more fibrous consistency is achieved. It also means that the surface benefits from good moisture retention which eliminates riding

loose and deep and cushions impact, which will greatly reduce joint and tendon injuries in the horse. Sarah Robertson, proprietor of Valley Farm, says that the new surface is proving to be a great success. “We’ve installed Chapel-Fibre in the indoor arena,” she says. “The team from Chapelstone were incredibly helpful and completed the job with the minimum of fuss, making sure we were completely happy with everything before they left the site.” www.chapelstone.co.uk

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NuTRITIoN IN THIS ISSUE EQUERRY HORSE FEEDS SENIOR NUTRITIONIST, LOUISE JONES LOOKS AT INCREASING CONDITION AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR. Conditioning Cubes/Mix is yeast. Feeding yeast has been shown to improve overall digestive efficiency; meaning that your horse will gain much more benefit from both their forage and hard feed. Meal size is another important aspect to consider when feeding for condition. Large feeds are counterproductive and will reduce digestive efficiency and increase the risk of hind-gut acidosis. To prevent this, meal size should not exceed 400g/ 100kg bodyweight (i.e. no more than 1 Stubbs scoop of Equerry Conditioning Cubes for a 500kg horse). Depending on the quantity of feed your horse needs this may mean that you will need to feed two or more meals per day. Gaining weight and developing topline on your horse won’t cut hay or haylage is ideal. Other happen overnight. However, a useful fiber-based sources of calories and quality protein include well-balanced diet, coupled with an appropriate exercise regime, alfalfa and grass chops. The next thing to consider is your should mean that you start to see a difference within 2-4 weeks. horse’s bucket feed. Specialist conditioning feeds such as Equerry www.equerryhorsefeeds.com Conditioning Cubes/Mix have been specifically formulated to provide a rich source of calories and high quality protein to SpEcIAl promote weight gain and muscle OffEr! development. Equerry Throughout March Equerry Conditioning Cubes/Mix contain a Veteran Mix has £2 off, blend of highly digestible cereals, priced at just £11.25*. plus high levels of oil to promote Normal RRP £13.25. condition. They are also packed full of essential vitamins and minerals, including B-vitamins, which are needed for energy metabolism and appetite stimulation. Another useful ingredient included in Equerry

Increasing condition – what to feed and why?

Before changing your horse’s feeding regime it’s important to assess whether they are underweight or have poorly developed muscle tone, or a combination of both. If your horse is the correct weight you should be able to feel, but not see, their ribs, spine and pelvis. When evaluating your horse’s topline it’s essential to differentiate between fat and muscle. Fat will feel soft and spongy, whereas toned muscles will feel firm. The one exception to this is when fat builds up and hardens (e.g. on the crest of the neck) giving the illusion of a well-muscled topline. If your horse is underweight it’s crucial to first rule out any underlying issues such as dental problems or a high internal parasite burden, both of which can

lead to ill-thrift. It’s also a good idea to eliminate musculoskeletal problems and/or ill-fitting tack as the root cause of poor or uneven muscle development. Provided your horse is healthy and in appropriate work, the most likely explanation for their condition is that their diet simply isn’t providing the correct levels of calories and/or high-quality protein necessary to support weight gain and muscle development. Good quality grazing can certainly help a horse to gain condition. However, if your pastures have become over-grazed then you will need to provide a source of supplementary forage. In these cases, or if your horse is stabled, feeding a highly digestible preserved forage such as an early-

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NuTRITIoN Wouldn’t it be fabulous if all we had to do was to buy a bag of ‘Muscle and Topline Builder’ to get that amazing toned and fit outline on our horses without even having to put in any regular exercise or schooling! Unfortunately, we all should know that no such feed exists but certainly feeding a correctly balanced diet in CONJUNCTION with the correct fittening and schooling routine will achieve the muscle tone and topline required for that perfect picture. Before talking about the types of feed that are suitable for supporting muscle and topline development a quick recap on what muscle actually is! All horses, regardless of breed, fitness and age, have the same arrangement of skeletal muscles, but some muscles may be better developed in particular horses due to their specialist training. There are however, three types of muscle found in the body, each of which has its own characteristics and functions: Cardiac Muscle Is only found in the heart, does not tire and enables the heart to work as a unit. Smooth Muscle Spread throughout body’s organs, especially the gut, not under conscious control. Skeletal Muscle Can be influenced by work and under conscious control. As horsemen we are most interested in skeletal muscle, as we can see these muscles under the skin and can influence them through work. Each muscle is made up of many millions of

Building muscle & topline by Saracen Horse Feeds Senior Nutritionist Lizzie Drury specialised elongated cells called muscle fibres and each muscle fibre itself is composed of thread like myofibrils, which are the contractile elements of muscle. Each myofibril is composed of sarcomeres, which are crossed by regular bands of contractile protein called actin and myosin. These are one of the main classes of protein in the horse. Muscle contraction is brought about when the thin filaments of actin slide over the thicker filament of myosin. So how can feeding help to influence the increase in muscle tone and topline with a regular work? Proteins 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 are Lysine and Methionine. These must be present in the horse’s diet in order for optimum muscle function, cell renewal and tissue repair and growth. Muscles are almost constantly working, even at rest there will be

muscle tone so that they are always ready for action for the possible flight response. This means that muscle cells need to be repaired and renewed so require a good source of nutrients including a supply of available protein and amino acids. Protein obtained from food cannot function in the horse’s body until it is broken down into its constituent parts the amino acids. To ensure an adequate supply of essential amino acids to ensure optimum muscle function and health you need to look for feeds that contain good levels of quality protein sources. Quality protein sources contain the essential amino acids. Very often horse owners tend to be more concerned about the protein % inclusion, which is wrong as a high protein % may be 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 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. It is also likely that your horse would also experience increased muscle soreness and become more prone to infections etc. In extreme cases you may even start to observe muscle wastage. Raw materials that are high in quality protein include Soya bean meal, alfalfa, linseed and peas and these will be listed on ingredient labels, so giving you an idea of the quality of the protein included in the ration. Typically stud feeds e.g. Level Grow Mix, convalescing e.g. Re-Coup 11 and conditioning feeds e.g. Show Improver Mix; Conditioning Mix would have higher inclusion levels of quality protein sources than a feed used for maintenance. 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 and 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. www.saracenhorsefeeds.com

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Testimonial:

“In this photo we

did

Natasha Goody now works at our winning dressage.” The British Racing School, Newmaket after leaving HackUp and Fizz Equine Marketing 4 years ago, on the best of terms. “I made an impromptu visit back to see HackUp and collect my bespoke supplement for Jakk. Seeing the difference in the business from a few short years ago was incredible - the team, systems, operation and professionalism is impressive. “Jakk my Belgium Warmblood, is my horse of a lifetime, I bought him two years ago and train regulary. His sire is grand prix show jumper Cicero Z. It is great because he is kept at the Racing School so when I am at work I am also with my horse! “Being young and in his first season last year, I felt I was losing marks in a silly way on dressage, as he was just a little fresh. Alex Gingell worked out a calming formulation but also advised me to have a prophylactic joint support product too. Well, the difference I could feel with in a week. The following week we were competing at Keysoe, so I was hopeful that the extra support of the supplements would enable us to not throw points away - what I did not dare hope for was that we would win the event, but we did!” said Natasha.

!x h a w M Alex Gingell's love for horses is very apparent to his many thousands of HackUp Bespoke customers. He really puts his heart and soul into creating bespoke formulations, using his knowledge and experience. He treats every horse as if it were his own. Here he is with Angel, his 9-year-old, 17.2hh KWPN by Riverman. “Her temperament and willingness is something that is very rare. Having ridden thousands of horses, she is one who puts a smile on my face every time I ask for anything from her, she gives 110%. She is ridden by my wife and was in H&H after her first outing with two wins at 68% plus.” Alex will be out judging at Bluegate Equestrian (Essex) and Hougton Hall EC (Cambs) this year as he also hopes to upgrade to a level 3 dressage Judge soon. “This is the year that we are going to get out to be with our horses more, as the systems and team at HackUp have become so well developed,” concluded Alex.

OPENATTEND A N DAY AND G

50% EXTR

A FR

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NuTRITIoN: LAMINITIS

Speedi-Beet before and after soaking

cAN dIET hElp? Laminitis: We all know it is inflammation that can lead to the supporting tissue between the hoof and the bone failing, causing irreparable damage. There are three phases. Low key inflammation with few clinical signs, acute laminitis when the characteristic stance shows itself and chronic where permanent damage can occur. This is a set of symptoms rather than a condition and there are underlying factors that act as triggers. Mechanical damage – bruising from standing on a sharp stone, for example – will not be directly affected by nutrition, whereas clinical conditions such as Cushings will benefit from correct diet. And then there is the nutritional induced laminitis (spring grass, obesity and overfeeding) where correct feeding can avoid the triggers. The key symptom is inflammation; surprisingly inflammation is a constructive response to a problem. It is the first line of defence against infection, oxidation and toxins, and this indicates why there can be several different causes. Where the problem takes off is when the pro-inflammatory cues are not switched off and inflammation persists. Why does this happen? One of the reasons is down to where the hooves are. Being the furthest point from the heart, hooves have relatively poor circulation and any additional factors, such as vaso-constriction, or low blood oxygen levels can cause a build-up of inflammatory factors with little chance of blood flow removing them from the area. Antiinflammatory factors will not impact on this build-up which further constricts the area. Discomfort stops the horse moving which further restricts blood flow and so the cycle degenerates. So, laminitis can be caused by a number of issues, with the result of increasing

DR TOM SHURLOCK OF BRITISH HORSE FEEDS EXPLAINS THE CAUSES OF LAMINITIS AND WHAT WE CAN DO WHEN IT COMES TO NUTRITION…

inflammation in the soft tissue of the hooves. What role does diet have? To treat laminitis we need anti-inflammatories; to avoid laminitis a correct diet will help. This is because an incorrect diet is a trigger, especially in those horses that are prone (Cushings, IR, native breeds etc.). In these categories there is a common thread which is carbohydrate metabolism and carbohydrates come from the diet. For laminitics there is a need to reduce dietary starch and simple sugars. These products are easily digested and absorbed. In physiologically compromised animals (Cushings, IR) metabolism of glucose is impaired which can lead to a reduction in the hooves. This has a direct effect on cytokine stimulation of inflammation through a mechanism called reperfusion. Another pathway is also present. The small intestine can only handle so much starch (between 10 and 20% of the daily diet); any extra passes into the hindgut, as does excess protein. Alongside these are populations of microbes that can ferment them. The starch and sugars are fermented producing large amounts of lactic acid (in the small intestine this is broken down by lactic utilising bacteria, but they do not flourish in the hindgut); lactic acid has one major fault – it opens the gut wall to the absorption of larger molecules in the hindgut. Excess protein is broken down to amine and nitrites that can now be more easily absorbed and these constrict blood vessels. In areas of poor circulation (hooves!) this leads to congestion, lowering of oxygen and glucose, and inflammation. These end products also change the hindgut environment, killing native populations, releasing endotoxins which, thanks to lactic acid, are readily absorbed. Endotoxins, in

particular one known as MMP which also increases arterial blood flow, are powerful inflammatory agents. As these are taken to the hooves by the increase in flow, but restricted from removal by vaso-constriction, a build-up of inflammation occurs. So it is easy to see why reducing starch and protein is a sensible move, but does that mean fibre is good only by default? No. Fibre has a number of properties that have a positive effect on gut condition. It provides the correct ‘nutrition’ for the native hindgut bacteria. They prefer a less acidic environment and breakdown the fibre to produce slow release energy. One component – butyric acid – helps maintain the cells of the gut and their role in absorption. Other components can enter the energy pathway, and in physiologically compromised horses, reduces the incidence of reperfusion. Some fibre sources, such as beet pulp and alfalfa lead to the production of good levels of butyric and slow release components and so may be preferable in feeding the potential laminitic. High fibre diets provide energy through hindgut fermentation without the generation of high levels of lactic acid and the associated problems of overfeeding. We are now becoming aware that many fibre sources such as pectins (beet pulp), glucans (oat fibre) and others also act at the gut level as immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agents in their own right, although more research is needed before we can be sure why. Certainly beet, alfalfa and oat fibre products, such as Speedi-Beet and Fibre-Beet may have even more to contribute to the laminitis debate than known at the moment. www.britishhorsefeeds.com

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Balancing the diet... If your horse suffers from, or is prone to laminitis then springtime can be a nightmare. With the brown fields turning to green, Spring can bring a whole new set of management problems caused by warm, damp weather and lush new grass. The combination of the above weather conditions, can cause the grass to grow rapidly. During daylight hours with plenty of sunshine grass produces and stores a lot of sugar (often referred to as ‘nonstructural carbohydrate’). For some horses this may not pose a problem to their metabolism, however for those prone to weight gain and laminitis this excess sugar can increase the risk of laminitis. Often laminitics will have to endure a diet, which minimises the calories they receive and avoids turnout on lush pasture. However it is important not to forget that the laminitis prone equine still requires the vital vitamins and minerals in their diet to maintain health and well being. Horslyx offers an ideal method of controlling calorie intake in horses and ponies prone to laminitis without

compromising on valuable vitamins and minerals. The carefully chosen ingredients offer a balanced and palatable method of feeding the required nutrients to help with hooves, coat and skin and general wellbeing. The rate of consumption of food is the key to safe feeding for overweight equines and those suffering from or prone to laminitis, and Horslyx is perfect as licking takes time and patience. Allowing them restricted access to Horslyx will give you peace of mind that they are still receiving a balanced diet without the risk of adding extra calories through concentrate feed. Introduce Horslyx gradually and provide a laminitis prone equine with access to the nutrient rich lick for 1-2 hours per day or use the 5Kg Holder with the restrictor bars which will allow restricted access 24 hours s a day, to ensure he maintains optimum health whilst on a restricted diet. Horslyx is available in 5kg and 15kg tubs in Original, Garlic, Respiratory and Mobility formulations. Prices start at £10.75 (RRP). www.horslyx.co.uk

Be wise to Laminitis Are you keen to learn more about laminitis? Do you need expert advice regarding the correct and effective management of your horse or pony to minimise their susceptibility to laminitis? If so, Equine Education is offering an excellent online course, ‘Nutritional Management of Laminitis’ which offers plentiful information and will help to enhance your knowledge of this equine disease and the practices required for correct management. The course, which costs £99, will start on 4th April. www.equine-education.com

Product News... Rockies’ 2kg LaminShield has had a makeover for the 2016 season, but don’t worry, the product inside the striking new packaging is the same tried and trusted version that customers know and love. www.rockies.co.uk

Speedi-Beet is a highly nutritious micronized (cooked) beet pulp feed which provides an excellent source of digestible fibre and is safe for laminitics. £10.95-£11.90. www.britishhorsefeeds.com

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NuTRITIoN: LAMINITIS

y e n r a B

gets in shape!

Gelded late in life and with a tendency to carry a bit too much weight, New Forest Pony, Barney was in need of a make-over! Owned by Louise Joel and her daughter Rebecca, a veterinary nurse, they enjoyed riding Barney but felt he needed to trim-up after too many years on the wrong side of good condition. Said Louise: “Barney is now 14years-old and we bought him when he was nine. He had just come off the New Forest and had only just been gelded so looked rather too well. “In the first few years of owning him we really wanted to get some weight off him but whatever we

Top Tips on Feeding the Laminitic ✔ Always avoid high starch concentrate feeds, use calorie sources such as fibre and oil if extra condition is needed. ✔ Ensure your forage is as clean yet low sugar as possible. Either have your hay analysed, or use a quality bagged forage. ✔ Keep a close eye on your horse’s weight - an overweight or obese horse is much more likely to suffer from an attack. ✔ Be vigilant with your grazing. Try not to use very rich, fertilised grazing and always restrict access at high risk times. ✔ Remember that any horse or pony can get laminitis, it is not a condition limited only to small native ponies!

tried just didn’t seem to work and we were at a bit of a crossroads not really knowing what to do. “Fortunately Rebecca really enjoys horse magazines and she came across TopSpec AntiLam in a feature and decided to look further into the product to see if it would help. “Magic – it did and Barney is so much healthier and fitter thanks to his change in diet. He went from being 650kgs to 390kgs and we can now take him to shows again. “Rebecca enjoys in-hand and ridden showing classes thanks to his weight loss and fantastic shiny coat. “The problem wasn’t helped as Barney used to suffer from bouts of laminitis and we struggled to get him to lose weight as he also has Equine Metabolic Syndrome. “Thankfully TopSpec AntiLam provided the answer to weight loss and he is now back in the field and back to showing, his coat looks great and his hooves are growing nicely too.”

Mollichaff HoofKind is a complete fibre feed designed for the nutritional support of horses and ponies prone to laminitis. www.horsehage.co.uk

TopSpec AntiLam is a pelleted multi-supplement designed to provide 5-way nutritional support for those prone to, being treated for, or recovering from laminitis. AntiLam is used and recommended by nutritionists, vets and farriers. Most overweight ponies, and some overweight horses, are susceptible to laminitis. AntiLam is a brilliant formulation combining several supplements with a high-fibre, very low-calorie carrier to make it palatable. The formula is very low in sugar and starch and cereal-grain-free, making it 'Non-Heating.' Long-term trials at Middle Park Laminitis Research Unit have shown that horses and ponies on restricted/poor grazing do not gain any weight when fed AntiLam. It can also be used very successfully as part of a caloriecontrolled diet when weight loss is required. www.topspec.com

oNEs to waTCh... Lintbells, the innovative equine and pet care company based in Hertfordshire has made ‘The Sunday Times Fast Track ones to watch’ list. The company takes a unique approach to researching and formulating its health enhancing supplements, working with independent experts such as the Royal Veterinary College to verify the benefits. www.lintbellsequine.com Lintbells Directors John Howie, John Davies and Nigel Pittham

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NuTRITIoN

! s s e c c u s g n show ri

5 top tips for feeding your horse for... condition If your horse needs to gain or lose weight before his first show, the earlier you alter his diet to achieve this, the better. Use a weightape and Body Condition Scoring to monitor progress and aim for a horse who is fit and moderately conditioned, not fat. Weight loss is probably harder to achieve than weight gain so allow extra time for this and use the tail-end of the winter to your advantage by only using lightweight rugs so the horse has to burn some body fat to keep warm. top line To build muscle and top line, your horse’s diet must contain the right nutritional building blocks, primarily good quality protein. Look for soya and alfalfa as protein sources and buy the best quality feed or balancer you

can afford. You must then feed it at the recommended levels to ensure the overall diet is supplying all that your horse needs, including the essential amino acids to build and repair muscle and other tissue. This is likely to give you more cost effective results than adding an expensive specialist supplement to an existing deficient diet. coat shine True healthy coat shine comes from within not from a bottle! Before adding oil or linseed to your horse’s, however, check that the overall diet is fully balanced by ensuring you are feeding an appropriate feed or balancer at recommended levels. Vitamins and minerals play lots of key roles in the body, not least in promoting healthy supple skin. To gain that extra head-turning gloss, consider a specially formulated high oil supplement, which contains a blend of Omega oils as well as supporting antioxidants to help the body utilise the oils effectively. Fibre Maintenance If the stress of travelling and

competing starts to put your horse off his feed or forage, it’s particularly important to maintain fibre intake to support gut health. Offer damp hay or haylage while travelling and consider alternative fibre sources in the stable, especially if staying away from home. Soaked beet pulp, beet and alfalfa combinations or alfalfa and other chaffs can be offered in separate buckets, alongside hay and/or haylage, to encourage the horse’s natural foraging behaviour. Consider adding a prebiotic to the feed too, to support the fibre-digesting bacteria in the hind gut.

Hydration A horse loses electrolyte salts whenever it sweats and these need replacing in order to help the body rehydrate and recover from exertion. Giving a good quality electrolyte supplement in water or wet, sloppy feed, each time a horse sweats, is advisable, whether at home or at a show. To encourage a horse to take electrolytes and drink at a show, mix them with a handful or two of soaked beet or an alfalfa chaff and add enough water to make a soup-like, drinkable consistency. Always offer fresh clean drinking water as well as electrolyte water/feed and ensure fibre intake is maintained as this acts as a reservoir for water and electrolytes in the horse’s hindgut. www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

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HorseHage: How our different varieties offer an option for all horses and ponies...

FroM sHEtLaNd to

Product News...

Show horSe! Whatever type of horse or pony you own, the most important part of his feeding regime should be excellent quality forage. As well as providing essential nutrients, the digestion of forage produces heat, so it is a vital tool to help keep your horse or pony warm during the winter months. HorseHage bagged forage is consistent and reliable and comes with a 100% quality guarantee. Our three main varieties – Rygrass, High Fibre and Timothy contain just grass and we also produce Alfalfa HorseHage. The four varieties of HorseHage, each with differing nutritional values, offer a choice to suit every type of horse or pony, including laminitics. When fed as the main forage source, HorseHage can often enable you to reduce your

horse’s hard feed by up to a third, which can mean a considerable saving on your feed bills. HorseHage is dust-free, which is vital to avoid causing respiratory problems especially when your horse has to be stabled for extended periods of time, and essential for any horse or pony that is competing. It does not contain any chemical additives, mould inhibitors, flavourings, molasses or inoculants. It is more digestible than other forages, allowing more efficient utilisation of the available nutrients, and because it retains much of the value of fresh grass, it improves condition and adds a natural bloom to the coat. There are many articles out there that say haylage is not a suitable forage for laminitics, however this advice does not apply to HorseHage. All the varieties of HorseHage are suitable for laminitics as, due to the unique fermentation process that occurs within each bale, the sugar level is guaranteed to be lower than 5%.

Although relatively unusual, for a laminitic who needs a little extra weight, Ryegrass HorseHage is ideal as it is soft, palatable and easy to chew and has a good calorie level as the grasses have been cut earlier whilst at its most nutritious. Ryegrass HorseHage is also ideal for those horses that tend to lose weight over the winter months or those in hard work that need a little extra from their forage. Most laminitics however, tend to be good doers or overweight, so for these, either High Fibre or Timothy HorseHage is most suitable as it is lower in calories. Timothy HorseHage is made from timothy grass which has a different ‘nose’ to ryegrass and makes it very palatable so ideal for fussy feeders too. Both these varieties are also suitable for leisure horses and ponies, natives and those that are resting or convalescing Alfalfa HorseHage has higher levels of protein, digestible fibre, energy, calcium and vitamins than the grass varieties. The protein content has the optimum balance of amino acids and lysine, which are especially important for growth, pregnancy and milk production. These higher nutrient levels make it suitable for horses in hard work, poor doers, veterans and show horses although advice should be sought from our helpline for further information before feeding Alfalfa HorseHage. www.horsehage.co.uk

TopSpec Cool Balancer is designed for horses and ponies that need extra condition but no ‘fizz’ and that are in light to medium work, and throughout March it is half price at £11.50 at participating stores! www.topspec.com

Hannah and Dylan in action

Dylan, a 6-year-old dark bay gelding owned by Hannah Scully from Lincoln has been chosen as ‘The Face of TopSpec 2016’ in a nationwide competition. For Hannah, who runs a busy livery yard and rides full time, Dylan, also known as Rebel’s Dylan in the eventing world, is very special and although their partnership is relatively new they have had a fantastic season.

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RIdE LIkE

Ride like...

LARA EdWARdS

LeG yiELdiNg L

eg yielding is a fantastic exercise to use during a schooling session for horses

working at all levels. It can be introduced to young horses to help them to develop their lateral

A FoRMER MEMbER oF THE bRITISH YouNg RIdERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dRESSAgE ScHEME, LARA EdWARdS ( dYSoN ) joINEd THE SENIoR RANkS IN 2009. HoLdER oF SEvEN bRITISH dRESSAgE REgIoNAL TITLES ANd TWo NATIoNAL TITLES, LARA SEcuREd HER TEAM gb FLAg IN 2015 AFTER bEINg SELEcTEd To RIdE IN LE MANS, FRANcE oN HER kWPN - APPRovEd STALLIoN, cYdEN bodYguARd MooRLANd.

suppleness and ability to move away from the leg effectively. It is also great for helping

young horses to understand the correct canter lead, so I start incorporating leg yield once the horse has established

Leg yielding can be used at the walk, trot and canter and at different tempos depending on how familiar your horse is with the exercise. it is great for improving suppleness and flexibility and ensuring that your horse is off the leg, before moving on to other lateral exercises.

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basic walk and trot. When introducing leg yield to a young horse, I always work from the three quarter line. At first, ride down the three quarter line, with the feeling that your horse is straight. Repeat this a few times on each rein. It is also a good idea to do this with a more established horse, so they don’t learn to anticipate the sideways movement every time they turn off the short side. You don’t want them going sideways when you’re trying to ride a perfect centre line in your test! The next step for a young horse learning leg yielding is to ride a few straight steps down the three quarter line and then turn onto a straight diagonal line heading for the corner. Make sure you turn the correct way so that when you get back to the track you are travelling the opposite way to when you turned down the three quarter line. Once the horse is comfortable with this on both reins, I start to encourage the horse to step sideways, away from the three quarter line whilst still travelling forwards. To do this, point your horse’s shoulders onto a diagonal line from the three quarter line so that his shoulders are correctly positioned. Then encourage him to fall towards the outside shoulder whilst learning to

move away from an inside leg aid. Once he understands this, the exercise can be developed into a true leg yield. A true leg yield involves the horse’s front legs crossing slightly ahead of the hind legs whilst still travelling forwards. The horse should exhibit a slight flexion at the poll, away from the direction he is travelling, so the rider should be able to just see the inside nostril and eyebrow. To achieve this, the correct aids must be applied and should be clear for the horse to understand whilst remaining discrete. The inside leg should be positioned slightly behind the girth and you should shift your weight to your inside seat bone away from the direction of travel, to allow your horse to move freely away from the leg. The outside rein guides the direction of travel and prevents the shoulders ‘running away.’ The outside leg should be positioned behind the girth, slightly further back than the inside one to stop the horse leading with his quarters which is a common error when performing the leg yield. The inside rein aid should be applied lightly and as the last aid, to ask for the slight flexion. When the young horse is happy accepting the leg yield off a straight line, I move the

exercise onto a circle. To start, ride your horse on an eight metre circle and then push out in leg yield onto a 20 metre circle, before spiralling back down to the small circle. This helps to move the ribcage away from the inside leg and once established, you can ask your horse to pick up canter on the circle after a few steps of leg yield which helps to

achieve the correct lead. Leg yielding can be used at the walk, trot and canter and at different tempos depending on how familiar your horse is with the exercise. It is great for improving suppleness and flexibility and ensuring that your horse is off the leg, before moving on to other lateral exercises.

CYDen STaLLionS Cyden Bodyguard Moorland and Cyden Oostings Amigo will be available to see at Stallion AI Services open day on 23rd April, where Bodyguard will be standing for a limited period in April and June for fresh and chilled semen. Frozen semen is available all year round from Cyden Bodyguard Moorland, Cyden Oostings Amigo and Cyden Cadans M. For further information contact Lara Dyson on 07920 452739, visit www.cydendressage.com or ‘Like’ the Cyden Dressage Facebook page for news of all three Cyden Stallions and other horses and ponies for sale.

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TuToRIAL

Ride like...

SHARoN HuNT

How to coNtroL your

nerVeS

fter a busy weekend coaching, I have realised that the most important topic I could write about, especially with the imminent eventing season, is how to control your nerves. We all have the same thoughts and reservations, it's just how we learn to deal with them. This is something we must overcome in order to fulfill ones dreams and career expectations, if this is your chosen path. Even if you are an amateur rider wishing to compete at a lower level and these doubts are prohibiting your progress, it will certainly be detrimental to your level of enjoyment if the demons start to beat you! So a plan of action needs to be in place whatever level you are at. I have been lucky enough to work with sports psychologist Charlie Unwin, who helped me for a few years just after Badminton 2009, when my horse Tankers Town famously refused to go out of the start box. My whole positive mental attitude was gone and I had to retrieve it. I think this disaster coupled with a genuine naivety on my way up to top level,

meant I had no idea how to cope now that things had gone wrong. My motto had always been to make the best and enjoy every situation, which is fine, until you experience incredible results and try to recreate them not having a clue how you did it! So with Charlie's help I started to build a plan of action from daily to annual plans. He taught me that if

you start to control all the small things, then you will be able to control all the large, discouraging thoughts. There is no worse feeling than the thought that it will all go horribly wrong! So he firstly taught me at competitions to write out all my timings and plan the whole day from start to finish. This may sound obvious, but at three day events with only

one horse you have so much time to spare, which is unlike the usual hectic day at home! So by planning everything, it made me feel more in control. This routine is something I have brought into my daily life and now plan as much as I can. I spend endless hours with pen to paper (but still could plan my time management better in order to move all this

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forward again!). The brain works in an amazing way, we are able to channel our thoughts onto other ones, thus distracting negative to more positive ones (for example ‘look up' not ‘don’t look down’). By simply focusing on two positive things we can block out the worries, so to speak. So I have trained myself to concentrate on the two biggest things that affect a jumping round (or dressage test). For example, make sure I am straight and ride forwards through the turns. I also constantly work on my shoulders as they could always be further back! Everything else then seems to fall into place as I am not worrying about 10 things at once, which is not only confusing me, but my horse also! If your horse rushes at the fences, you may wish to focus purely on keeping rhythm and the canter pattern needed. Or, if he is slow, riding away from each fence to make him move positive from each one, thus taking you more quickly into the next. Too many times I train riders and they are unhappy with a fence as not being quite straight or a bit too quick, but I would also judge it by how the horse has jumped the fence. If he has given it feet

and throws a beautiful shape, then does it matter that we weren't quite straight or a little too forward? Being over critical can be so detrimental. Knowing how to judge yourself is a very important skill I have learnt. I now (much the same as my jumping round) only judge myself on a couple of things, for example on my daily training plans (with Charlie's help) are upper body position and horses self carriage, so I genuinely let go, soften to and train the horses to this rather than holding them together. So even if my transitions haven't been perfect or the trot lacked a little energy, if I sat well and they were soft, I would deem that as a very successful session! I would work on these daily, weekly, until they became natural or vastly improved, then move onto two new things and so the process goes on. Mostly, if you set goals that link to one another over a reasonable period of time (upper body, elbows by side, still soft hands etc) then the horses end up

going very well anyway and if you are happy, so are they! Breaking things down into easier, more achievable aims makes a large issue become much more manageable. For example, if a stride distance without having to add or take off an extra stride is a problem, (i.e. you have to use 6 strides to make the 5 stride distance, or indeed 4 in a 5 stride distance), then use poles at home. If you simply make them poles on the floor, at a slightly shorter distance, then it should allow you to ride more forwards and train a bigger canter until you are getting the right number of strides. Poles allow us to make mistakes without upsetting horse or rider, they make us aware of stride length, how to turn to them, how much leg to use, how soft the hand needs to be etc, in order for us to achieve this distance. You will then find, putting them up to small fences, will make the distance as the original intention is suddenly very doable. When I go to competitions and

struggle with a turn or find a line very difficult, I recreate it firstly with poles on the floor to get the feeling, then move on with the fences. I have spent endless hours practicing seeing a stride over poles and I still do now! No harm can be done with poles, only improvements. They are under used and underrated, but are very much a key to moving onto bigger things. Everything has a possibility of being broken down into simpler form, it's just a case of giving yourself the best opportunity by allowing yourself time to work out a plan of action. Then often the best way to learn is by making mistakes, so don't be afraid of making them, we then know how not to do it again! The riders who are making it look very easy have made just as many mistakes, they've just learnt millions of ways how not to do it! The proof is that Tankers Town and I ended up winning Luhmuhlen after putting all Charlie's advice into practice!

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COMPETITION

10 FaMiLY

TiCKeTS

MUST BE WON!

The East Anglian Game & Country Fair will take place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April at The Norfolk Showground, Norwich. There are excellent equestrian displays and workshops including Arena Boarding “somewhere between scurry racing and wake boarding.” Horse behaviourist Richard Maxwell will be demonstrating techniques that he uses to help horses overcome some of their fears. There are also over 300 shopping stands with a wide variety of products from fashion and footwear to gun makers, eco products, fishing products and home improvements. Plus craft halls and gift marquees.

Children of all ages will be able to take part in countryside activities and meet several animals, including alpacas and enjoy donkey rides. Join in and 'have a go' at a range of country activities from clay shooting with John Bidwell’s High Lodge instructors. There’s fly fishing, ferret racing and archery to paintballing and crossbows. Take a helicopter pleasure flight over the showground, try the air rifle range, hold a bird of prey or take a ride in a Landrover on the off road 4x4 course - there is so much to do and see! Book online at www.ukgamefair.co.uk or call 01263 735828 for more information.

To enter go online at

www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click the competitions page. deadline is 31st March 2016.

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r e d a e R GiVeawaYS WIN A FREDDIE PARKER NEWMARKET SHIRT - WORTH £79! One lucky reader will win one of these gorgeous Freddie Parker Newmarket Shirts. This beautiful pink long sleeve shirt is styled in 100% Oxford cotton and features a classic cut and some gorgeous design details. Proudly displaying the Freddie Parker signature embroidered motif on the chest, the Freddie Parker Newmarket Shirt features a retro short button down collar with both the placket inner collar and inside of the cuffs featuring the Freddie Parker graphic contrast print. Also available in Light Blue, Grey, Claret and White. www.freddieparker.com

WE HAVE TWO BAGS OF MOLLICHAFF SHOWSHINE TO GIVEAWAY TO 11 WINNERS! MolliChaff ShowShine is a cherry-flavoured, high-oil chaff for ultimate show condition. It provides a delicious taste and smell to ensure it is highly palatable for even the fussiest of eaters and will add extra fibre to hard feeds. Made from the highest quality oat straw that has been chopped and dust extracted, it is naturally high in fibre, and contains a unique coating combining high levels of soya oil with low sugar molasses to give extra bloom to the coat and the added condition required for show horses and ponies. RRP: £6.80. www.horsehage.co.uk

ONE LUCKY READER TO WIN A SNUGGY HOODS SWEETITCH HOOD AND RUG SET The Snuggy Hoods Sweet Itch Set is the best at stopping biting insects. It has been designed specifically to cover all majorly attacked areas on your equine - leaving less gaps for unwanted visitors. The Sweet Itch Hood and Rug set is lined through the mane and self-fixing. It has ears and a fly fringe. There is an attached wrap around tail guard to prevent any creepy crawlies attacking the tail. Whilst a repair kit is included with every hood and rug, Snuggy Hoods is the only company to offer a full repair and alteration service. This is available on all Snuggy Hoods products at a nominal cost – resulting in years of fly free use. RRP £185 – nose to tail coverage. www.snuggyhoods.com To enter go online at www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click the competitions page. deadline is 31st March 2016

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COMPETITION

Win a Musto Kempton BR1 Jacket! WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE TEAMED UP WITH MUSTO AND HAVE 4 KEMPTON BR1 JACKETS (ONE OF EACH COLOUR) UP FOR GRABS! The Kempton BR1 Jacket is a best seller for MUSTO and now comes in Kingfisher Blue, Vivid Pink, Green Flash and True Navy. Part of the new summer brights range. This jacket is waterproof, windproof and breathable. The innovative ergonomic arm panelling provides freedom of movement, whilst the two rear riding vents ensure comfort in the saddle. The roll-away hood is adjustable and can fit over a riding hat; additional features include fleece lined pockets and an elasticated waistband. To enter go online at www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click the competitions page. Deadline is 31st March 2016.

www.musto.com 46

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NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP In this monthly column, EAST will be answering your questions on Natural Horsemanship...

EAST is a group of Parelli Professionals based in East Anglia who teach the Parelli Programme to individuals in the area, either with one to one tuition or group lessons. You can ﬁnd more information or locate your local instructor at: www.parelliinstructors-eastanglia.co.uk

Q: How do I improve problems at feeding time? A: There is a savvy way to do everything with horses. The more you learn about horse problems - being able to read situations before anything goes wrong and knowing what to do about it -the more safety and success you will have. Feeding time can stir up emotional and dominance-based behaviors in horses. In the herd environment some of the biggest pecking order battles occur over who gets to drink or eat first. Even though your horse may not be kept with other horses, this behavior is still a strong part of his instincts. You may find your horse performing these same behaviours with you. Here are some of the most common behaviours: • Ears back • Charging or kicking at you • Pacing, head tossing, pawing and other demonstrations of impatience • Aggressive behaviour towards other horses • Anxiety Most of these behaviours are actually caused by people scheduling regular feeding times and allowing horses to rush to

You want the gate to be a sweet spot, and not only the place they see you when you come to get them for other reasons. Provide plenty of room between horses if you are feeding a group in one place.

their feed before being invited. The following information is meant to teach you how to change these patterns and thus reshape your horse’s behaviour… not to mention keep you safe. General Feeding Principles Don’t feed at exactly the same time every day. Allow a two-hour window for feeding (for instance, anywhere between 5pm and 7pm). Horses learn habits very quickly. If you are regimented in your feeding times, you will teach horses to become demanding, impatient and emotional if you are late. Create a sweet spot Feed at the place you want your horses to draw toward, like the gate. Some people establish feeding places in pastures that are a long way from the gate.

Avoid battles between horses It is natural for horses to play dominance games over things like feed and water. Help avoid wars by feeding the dominant horse first and by allowing lots of space between feed buckets - a minimum of three horse lengths. Make sure a horse is never fed in a corner where he can be trapped.

a Horse Training Article by

Linda Parelli

them to wait until you invite them to feed by smiling and walking away. Because you are aiming to become the “dominant horse”, you should adopt the same behaviour that dominant horses do at feeding time: “Stand back until I give you permission to eat!”

Don’t cause your horse to get crabby In the early stages of learning the Parelli Method and feeding your horse, don’t mess with your Create a conditioned response horse after he starts eating. Eating and drinking times are Establish a call or whistle for when horses are most inclined to every time you arrive to feed or assert their dominance, so you to get your horse to play. This is don’t want to invite potential called a “conditioned response”. problems right now. You want to program a habit in Once you allow your horse to your horses of having them come to his feed, smile and come when you call. Don’t let leave. It’s important that your horses push on you. Don’t get horse understands the ritual and caught in between two horses to realize that he is not dominant involved in a dominance over you, which is especially competition at feeding time. tested at feeding time. Only then Give horses permission to eat will it be safe to stroke or pet him At first you might want to carry a while he’s eating. Carrot Stick so you can drive horses away from you. Then ask

JOIN NOW: to ﬁnd out more about the many beneﬁts and discounts available to Savvy Club Members simply visit www.parellisavvyclub.com 47

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ON THE MARKET

Wheatlands

Stratford St Mary, Essex, incorporating Coral’s Barn

New to the market with ECR Properties, this delightful three bedroom period country cottage is in an outstanding setting without close neighbours and in addition to equestrian facilities, it has a four bedroom barn converted to a holiday cottage with established business. The grounds include two natural wildlife ponds, woodlands and around 5.5 acres (stms). Located within the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within easy reach of the A12, Wheatlands and Coral’s Barn are set at the end of a driveway in undulating countryside.

Emily can you tell us more about the property: “The property is approached by a private lane with access provided to the principle residence and barn which are both set within the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, access to Wheatlands and Coral’s Barn is provided by a private drive. The principle residence is flanked on all sides by ornate gardens, primarilt set to lawn with attractive borders of plants, shrubs, flowers and mature trees. To the west of the gardens is an attractive area of fruit bushes and vegetable garden with greenhouse, interspersed with a range of walkways and a brick wall border. Beyond this are two natural ponds which are bordered by woodland.” What facilities are available outside the property? “There’s a stable block, 3 internal boxes, hay store/or internal box 4, tack room, field shelter, workshop, lawnmower

shed/garage, paddocks, 40m x 20m manège, gardens, vegetable garden, greenhouse, two natural ponds, woodland, 5.5 acres (stms).” Can you please tell us more about the area? “Stratford St Mary is situated in the heart of the Dedham Vale. Amenities include a village shop, petrol station, post office, public houses, primary school and parish church. The A12 provides good access to Ipswich, Manningtree and Colchester which all in turn provide commuter rail links to London’s Liverpool Street Station. “ Visit www.ecrproperties.com

Wheatlands has been sympathetically extended over the years to include a new kitchen and bedroom above, a further extended kitchen with a utility and garden room with lovely views across the gardens, ponds and grounds beyond.

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“This property has an established holiday let business so is ideal ‘lifestyle’ choice but has great facilities for an equestrian buyer. Really accessible too as not far from A12 for getting off and away to shows.” 49

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SADDLERY & TACK POLO IS A SPORT WHICH REQUIRES SPECIALIST SADDLERY THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED OVER YEARS TO ENHANCE PERFORMANCE. HERE THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS LOOKS AT THE...

Prepare for success with NuuMed’s new Competition Package!

With the start of the competition season NuuMed has launched the NuuMed Competition Package containing four of its popular products for a special price of just £99 including UK delivery! The Competition Package contains a HiWither Half Wool Saddlepad and HiWither Everyday Saddlepad in general purpose, dressage or close contact cut. It also includes a pair of Stirrup Slippers to help protect expensive saddles from marks and dirt, and a Wool Comb to help keep NuuMed wool products in top condition. If bought individually, these four items come to over £120. “We’re excited to be able to offer NuuMed fans this package, to essential and those made of metal help them prepare for the season Polo is a niche, high-calibre are more robust and durable. The ahead,” says Rosie Pocock from sport which is popular with saddle should have a relatively flat NuuMed. “We’ve selected the both competitors and products carefully to give riders seat to allow for quick supporters alike. adjustments by the rider. Its flaps Members of the Royal family should be shaped quite flat to have been seen on the polo pitch numerous times and the allow the horse to move freely and make agile turns. Knee rolls prestige that comes with the should be minimal or not present sport attracts far reaching to allow the rider to move and spectators. turn in the saddle when necessary. Adrenaline fuelled, highly The panels should be filled with technical and high speed, polo requires the utmost precision and high quality material and pure skill from both horse and rider. An wool provides the ultimate luxury. essential element in the ability to Some more advanced saddle do this is high quality, well-fitting designs can be adjusted to custom fit an individual horse by tack. Here we take a closer look at polo altering the flocking in the panels. Polo saddles are usually available saddles and the attributes required to ensure it optimises the in either full leather, suede, buffalo leather or a combination performance of the polo player of these materials. and his pony. www.mastersaddlers.co.uk A strong, well-fitting tree is

Polo Saddle

two excellent saddlepads to use at home and at competition. We’ve included three different styles in the promotion too, so riders from all disciplines can take advantage of this superb offer and help maximise their horse’s comfort this season and beyond!” Both saddlepads are made to NuuMed’s HiWither design that sits up inside the saddle’s gullet to offer an exceptional fit at the same time as preventing pressure across the withers. The HiWither Half Wool Saddlepad also includes a half wool lining that sits over key pressure points and doesn’t reduce lower leg contact. The NuuMed Competition Package is available for £99 until 31st March. The two saddlepads are available in sizes medium, large or extra large, in black, brown, white, navy or grey. www.nuumed.com

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Martin Wilkinson’s

MONTHLY TIP Any piece of leather equipment needs to be carefully looked after but none more so than leather girths. These absorb sweat directly from your horse so should be cleaned and treated with a good quality leather balm after each use. Failure to do this will result in hard dry leather which will crack resulting in it being unuseable so protect your investment!

Product news... These Dressage Sport saddlecloths feature an innovative cut-away design which are ideal for short-coupled horses. With their softly padded premium fabric with a honeycomb internal component, they also offer excellent wicking properties. Matching fly veils are also available, and come in a variety of colour co-ordinated braiding with Swarovski crystals. RRP: From £57 www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk The Dante Vinici Dressage saddle has been developed utilising the very best in technological advances combining the closeness of the Vinici Dressage saddle with the new Dante design optimising rider position. Price £2430. www.blackcountrysaddles.com

The Poppy Show Saddle is crafted on a bespoke tree with a slimmer profile to enhance the overall picture when in the competition arena. This saddle is ideal for smaller children just starting out in the world of showing and provides a closer contact to the pony and so aids confidence in the saddle for those younger riders. www.blackcountrysaddles.com

The Entrada saddle is built on a lightweight, unbreakable synthetic polymer tree which is able to be adjusted with the unique GFS X-Change system. This allows the saddle to be fitted or refitted at any point with narrow to extra wide options. £1950. PDS: 01922 638094.

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REPORTS

Annual Race Day at Higham The weather was kind to the Waveney Harriers for the running of their annual race day at Higham on Sunday 21st February. Drawing a crowd of over 2,000 the day was full of the thrills and spills of Point to Point racing. Jockey Dickie Collinson won himself a pair of Sandown Jockey Exercise Boots from Tuffa by completing a hat trick of wins. Highlight for many including the Waveney Harriers Hunt was the presence of Olympic Cyclist Victoria Pendleton for the Ladies Open race. Victoria shows a true love and passion for her challenge to go from zero riding experience to the Cheltenham Foxhunters in one year, which was devised and sponsored by Betfair. She is not only a good ambassador for the sport but also a terrific role model for our younger riders which comes across when you speak to her. She took the time not only to sign numerous race cards but to talk to all the race goers she came in contact with. Her ability to carry her ups and downs with a smile shows what a lovely person she is.

Winner of Race 3 Jo Hill on Broken Eagle

Winner of Race 1 Charlie Buckle on Nightscape

Winner of Race 2 Dickie Collinson on Play the Ace Winner of the 128cms Pony Race Will Featherstone on Silaz Charlie Buckle

Winner of Race 7 Dickie Collinson on Galros Lady

Mr Bowles being presented with the Sir Thomas Gooch Challenge Cup

Racing Photos: Richard Weller-Poley

Winner of the 148cms Pony Race Noah Brazg Carrell on Penny Lane

Sophie Whyte winner of Geoffery West Memorial Trophy (first under 21 past post) in Members Race

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Pony racing is becoming more and more popular

Team Saint Felix supporting racecard sales and end of day collection

Some children just enjoy the thrill of riding in a race (although it is not for everyone) and some also see it is a stepping stone to riding professionally as a jockey. We all know of Ruby Walsh and he rode in pony races in Ireland from where a lot of our top class jockeys come. Tom Marquand who won the apprentice jockey’s championship (flat) and Sean Bowen who was top conditional jockey (jumps) both started in pony racing. There are numerous professional jockeys who started in pony racing as did the Andrews sisters who come from the East Anglian area - Bridget now riding as a professional jockey over the jumps and Gina having won the point-to-point ladies championship on two occasions. There are nine point-to-point meetings in East Anglia holding pony races this year but there are races all over the country. If you want to have a go look at the PRA web site www.ponyracingauthority.co.uk. It gives you lots of information and tips on how to get your pony fit, etc. One innovation this year is that as long as the rider is registered for insurance purposes you don’t need to register your pony if you are riding in the area in which you live. The web site also gives you information on taster days and training days so if you are interested do have a look.

Five minutes with Pony race jockey...

Bradley Kent

The two farmers and a butcher winning owners of Galros Lady with Mrs May from TBA presenting trophy for Mares and Fillies race

Michelle Girling with daughter Stella of Tuffa Boots presenting Richard Collinson with a fantastic pair of Tuffa Sandown bots for winning a hat trick

Location: White Notley, Essex. When did you start riding? I started riding age 8 after watching mum compete at HOYS. What was the name of your first horse? Jasper. What is your favourite piece of kit? My Tuffa Sandown boots. What’s been your biggest achievement to

“I've done a fair bit of training at the British Racing School and Phil McEntee helps me week in week out.” Victoria Pendleton with Michelle Girling of Tuffa Boots.

date? Point to point National 138cm Champion Rider. What events are on your ‘to-do’ list? The Dubai World Cup and the Guineas. What has been your biggest achievement to date? Race past the finish and never stop pushing also keep your head down and work hard. If you could take a spin on any horse, past or present, who would it be? Wocket Woy, or maybe Legatissimo if Woy isn't available! If you could train with anyone who would it be? At the moment I ride for Phil McEntee which I love and he's really helped me, but my dream would be to one day live the dream for Aiden O'Brien. What is your daily routine? Do my ponies in the morning at 6.30am before a day at school, followed by riding after school then homework, my school work is really important as you never know when you might need your education.

Michelle Girling of Tuffa Boots proud sponsors of a £50 voucher to the winning jockey of each Point-to-Point race and full sponsors of the Pony Racing held at Higham. Shown are the Sandown Jockey Exercise Boots, designed for exercise. Malton Race Boots have been designed with pony racers in mind. www.tuffaboots.com Talia Francis and Will Talbot of Waveney Harriers

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REPORTS

LAURA TOMLINSON MEETS JAGUAR LAND ROVER ACADEMY OF SPORT NEXT GENERATION TALENT London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Laura Tomlinson recently gave Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport athletes a unique insight into what it takes to be the best. Two equestrian rising stars, Ruth Hole of Bury St Edmunds and Phoebe Peters of Moreton in Marsh, spent the day at Laura’s training facility

in Cirencester in a personal mentoring session. Through their involvement with the Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport programme, the 15-year-olds spent the morning being put through their paces in the manége and receiving advice from Laura to help them both progress into the next level of competition. Ruth Hole said: “Opportunities like these from

Laura Tomlinson, Ruth Hole and Phoebe Peters

the Jaguar Land Rover Academy of Sport are so beneficial, they give myself and many others the chance to see behind the scenes and the commitment of high performing athletes that you wouldn’t necessarily see otherwise. Having this amazing opportunity means that we can see and learn from the best.”

Focus on: carleton Riding club Carleton Riding Club was 30years-old last year. Its 100 odd members enjoyed what has been their most successful year ever and already this year the membership is rocketing. So how can Carleton keep up the pace of success and what are the ingredients that make it such a popular and accomplished Club? Carleton names Easton College near Norwich as their jewel in the crown. It is the venue for its six summer shows and everyone agrees that all the riders and their horses benefit from the great Andrews Bowen surface. Rain or shine, members and their families can get in the cafe while they are waiting or watch the action from the gallery. BD Judges for the mornings dressage competitions are kept busy with classes in both the indoor and outdoor arenas with entries from beginners walk and trot to long arena medium tests. The flatwork is followed in the afternoon by BS Course Builders devising courses from 50cm to 1m. All jumping is indoors with the outdoor arena remaining a

spacious warm up. The Club say they have marvellous support from all of their sponsors. There is a points league during the year for members, with some wonderful prizes presented annually at the AGM by the Treif Food Company. Also each show has its own sponsor and this season kicks off with Expressequine.co.uk sponsoring the April Show. Carleton place a big emphasis on helping all their members to improve on their rider/horse partnerships by putting on lots of training sessions for different levels with various trainers and at a variety of venues. There is something for everyone, hopefully not too far away and the Club subsidise these sessions where possible so they remain very affordable. The growing success of the Club at National level has definately been a focus for everyone. Carleton encourage all their members to ride for the Club when they are ready. They back them up with good training and once at an area or championship

event there is a great network of mums, dads and helpers cooking bbq’s or helping with horses, making it a really memorable experience. Shows for 2016 are at Easton College on 24th April, 22nd May, 19th June, 21st August, 18th September, 23rd October. www.carletonridingclub.co.uk Find us on facebook

Carleton say their big new thing for 20 16 is to run a summer ca mp at Easton College, ne ver done before it is already proving a popular idea an d likely to be a sell out!

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‘My time at the AIEC Student Riding Nations' Cup World Final’ By Alicia Wilkinson The team all met up on the Sunday, the day before we flew, at Sarah MacDonald’s to practice our test. She was kind enough to lend some of her horses and gave us a few pointers. The team was made up of Jess Campbell, whose house we stayed at that night, Beatle Payne and me (Alicia Wilkinson). We were all supplied with a t-shirt, cap and riding jackets from the BEF, which was very exciting and we felt very proud to be wearing this fabulous kit. At the airport the next morning we met up with Lauren Innes, another member of GB Student Riders who was coming as our Chef d’Equipe. The competition venue was a sports hall near Marburg with everyone sleeping in the gym on blow up mattresses. That night we caught up with everyone and had a welcoming party. In the morning we had the welcoming ceremony followed by the silver league dressage, then the gold league (which we were in) dressage and Great Britain was drawn against Spain and Germany! I know...! Luckily we were last on the horses and we knew that if we did the test we had practiced then we could be in with a chance. Beatle led, Jess was in the middle and I brought up the rear. We did a great test and were really tight and unified. Over lunch we were told that Beatle and I had got through but sadly Jess just missed out by a fraction.

We then did our semi-final tests and we both rode respectable tests. That night we had great fun as we walked all through the quaint village of Marburg, lapping up some culture whilst getting to know the other riders. Wednesday we had our showjumping. Jess and I did fabulous clears and Beatle had two unfortunate poles. Jess sadly missed out on getting through to semi finals by 0.2 style penalties! I got through to the semis but sadly had a fence down. The two boys that were against me both went clear and unfortunately that round was judged on faults. That night everyone was pretty exhausted, but apparently sleeping is cheating at the AIEC World Finals! At the party we were told the results of the semi-finals, which to our great surprise I found myself through to the finals for the dressage! When we got to the venue on the Thursday we had to wait an extremely long time as they had the silver and gold jumping final Alicia pictured second left

I had a fantastic few days, meeting great people from all over the world, ending in a brilliant result!

and the silver dressage final before parading the gold dressage horses. These two stunning horses entered and floated across the arena. I was mesmerised by the way these two horses moved and couldn’t wait to sit on them. I drew second, so Ian Cassells from Ireland did his test first followed by my freestyle. When I got on I was shaking like a leaf! I’m not usually affected by nerves and thankfully once I was In the arena I trotted around and felt on top of the world. I started my test and in the first movement I went wrong... Oops! I then had to improvise but managed to catch up with the music and thoroughly enjoyed myself for those few minutes. We then had the ‘kissing

ceremony’ where the finalists (girl sits on the boy’s knee) have to take a shot of something potent, kiss, and roll across the arena. It was great fun besides getting covered in sand for the next test! I was straight on next but this test could be called out, so Jess kindly did the honours. In my counter canter the horse decided to change, I changed him back and so on. We had a fantastic closing ceremony. The team ended up with bronze medals in the dressage and bronze overall. Beatle was individually fifth in the dressage and I just missed out, taking home silver. However, I was also fifth in showjumping and so my combined score resulted in me becoming overall AIEC World Champion 2015! That night (New Year’s Eve) we had the gala dinner, which is always entertaining with great music and dancing. Safe to say we had a great night! Overall, the horses were of very high quality and were fabulous to ride. The venue was perfection with exquisite facilities and it was a pleasure to spend the week there.

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PHOTONEWS ❙ Senior British Showjumping ❙ Norton Heath EC ❙ 17th January

Corrina Meads riding Tayfun II, 2nd place 85cm

Megan White riding Young Loula, 85cm winners

Jake Ward riding Denver S, British Novice winners

Jade Wood riding Westford Lenny, Discovery winners

Ronnie JOnes riding Lisnamarra, Newcomers class winners

Megan White riding Young Loula, 95cm winners

Matthew Phelps riding Reﬂex Diamond Clover, 1.05m winners

Spencer Moret Photography

Anja Moret riding Eliseco B, 1.10m winners

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❙ Essex & Suffolk Hunt ❙ Tollemache Hall, Offton ❙ 30th January

Mark Rendall - Team Greyness Snapper

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PHOTONEWS ❙ Junior British Showjumping ❙ Norton Heath EC ❙ 3rd January

India Piper-Dadswell riding Millersford Grace and Favour, 2nd place 70cm Open

Tia Squibb riding Martlets Masters Madam, 128cms/138cms joint class winners

Ellie Burnell-Squibb riding Mini Mouse, 70cm Open winners

Elysia Heagren Bond riding My Little Lucy, 128cms/138cms joint class winners

Charlotte Young riding Archers Delight, Newcomers class winners

Lauren Venables riding Pondhead Freespirit, British Novice winners

Spencer Moret Photography

Above: Henry Squibb riding Birchill Harmony, 80cm Open winners Right: Ella Dalton riding Stockham Secret Envoy Henry Squinn riding Pussy Cat Doll

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LOCAL SHOW RESULTS

13th January

21st January

Wix EC: Evening Showjumping

Wix EC: Dressage

18” 1 Lucia Carty – HRA Lady B; 2 Lauren Mallett – HRA Griffos Basil; 3 Grace Pearl – HRA Don Deigo; 4 Lucy Vowles – HRA Connie. 2’ 1 Acacia Coombe – Spiderman; 2 Lucy Vowles – HRA Connie; 3 Grace Pearl – HRA Don Deigo; 4 Lauren Mallett – HRA Griffos Basil. 2’3 1 Summer Green – Spirit’s Destiny; 2 Emma Parker – Shona. 2’6 1 Summer Green – Spirit’s Destiny; 2 Beth Mason – Finn. 2’9 1 Jasmine Hawkins – Paddy; 2 Imogen Milner-Moore – Spikeman; 3 Amy Brownlee – Twilight. 3’ 1 Jasmine Hawkins – Paddy; 2 Amy Bownlee – Twilight; 3 Alice Hallows – Fizz; 4 Eleanor Callaghan – Qui. 3’3 1 Eleanor Callaghan – Qui.

Intro B 1 R Hilton – Banksey; 2 A Beach – Tom; 3 T Irons – Starmaker; 4 Z Jones – High Town Grace. Prelim 12 1 S Reason – Desert Fox; =2 L Spence – Mosses; =2 S Reason – Buddy; 4 A Jacobs – Pascoe. Prelim 18 1 A Black – Rocky; 2 K Hansen – Billy. Novice 28 1 A Jacobs – Barney; 1 M Hallows – Swallow; 3 S Hallows – Cute. % Class 1 A Jacobs – Barney; 2 J Zampi – Nemisis. % Music 1 S Parlour – Bonus.

6th February Wix EC: Tendring Hundred Riding Club Dressage The Club Held Their First Show Of The Season At Wix Equestrian Centre And Saw Each Class Oversubscribed With A Waiting List And A Record Number Of Entries For The Elementary Class.

Intro A Seniors 1 Jayne Hutley - Glennons Mill; 2 Deborah Chisnell – Eyes; 3 Becky Robinson – Coulant; 4 Jane Simpson – Determinada. Intro A Juniors 1 Danielle Rose - Thellwellie Wonder; 2 Lucy Hinde - Fairview Penny; 3 Felicity Coulson - Gold Dust; 4 Megan Biggs - Just William. Prelim 1 Seniors 1 Julia O’brien - Bantry Bay; 2 Nicky Robinson – Florisina; 3 Clare Limond - Glen South Blues; 4 Jayne Hutley - Glennons Mill. Prelim 1 Juniors 13th January 1 Danielle Rose - Thellwellie Wonder. Prelim 7 Seniors 1 Sameena Rush – 4th February Lily; 2 Mandy Hooper – Danny; 3 Sue Eagle – Herbie; 4 Lorraine Green A fantastic day for the East Anglian Side saddle hunt day kindly hosted by Chief Of Command. Prelim 7 Juniors 1 James Foxon - Tambourine Man Ii; Wix EC: Dressage the Dunston Harriers Hunt. A good field of over 50 riders out and a 2 Gracie Tyte - Danny Boy; 3 Chloe Mason - Greenfinch’s Freddy Fly; 4 Lucy Intro A 1 R Howie – Valiant; 2 K Quested – fantastic group of ladies riding side saddle too. A real up on last year’s Hinde – Molly. Novice 27 Restricted 1 James Foxon - Tambourine Manii; Newmile Manhattan; 3 T Pedersen – meet, the weather was kind and hounds worked well. Madaline. Prelim 1 1 J Stevens – Gi Gi; =2 2 Danielle Bennett – Jack; 3 Hazel Maclennan - Pik Carbonado; 4 Sandra Moving off a little after 11.30am and hacking back to lorries at 4pm, T Kidd – Bill; =2 J O’Brien – Tyler; 4 R Elliott Watts - Samuel Whiskers. Novice 27 Open 1 Rachel Chisnell – Murphy; 2 good day enjoyed by all. – Flossie. Prelim 12 1 S Reason – Finguls Frankie Power - Tweet All; 3 Amy Butler – Chuffy; 4 Megan Nielson-Britton Tailsman; 2 C Akers – Blue; 3 J Mason – - Don’t You Dare. Novice 30 1 Danielle Bennett – Jack; 2 Rachel Chisnell – Mionty; 4 T Kidd – Bill. Novice 24 1 S Murphy; 3 Hazel Maclennan - Pik Carbonado; 4 Frankie Power - Tweet All. Reason – Finguls Tailsman; 2 S Reason – Buddy; 3 G Williamson – Cruiser; 4 V Boys Elementary 42 1 Jenna Greyson - Desert Kingdom; 2 Helen Kinsella – – Cafin. % Class 1 I Whiting – Zidane; 2 I Aristokat; 3 Becky Sestak – Barbie; 4 Hannah Everitt – Muffin. Whiting – Zidane; 3 T Halsall – Hawksbay.

Jayne Hutley

7th February Wix EC: Showjumping

Sam Arbon

17th January Brook Farm TC: Dressage W&T Intro B 1 Gloria Coles – Maximillian; 2 Sophie Wills – For You Van Bria; 3 Pippa Howie – Kestrol. Juniors 1 Sophie Hampton – Ronnie; 2 Ella Jones – Whitley Village Vincent; 3 Caitlin Clark – Bellissimo Bess. W&T Intro C 1 Laura Mansfield – Smartie Boy; 2 Pippa Howie – Kestrol; 3 Laura Wickham – Kiedis; 4 Abby Partridge – Darcy. Juniors 1 Ella Jones - Whitley Village Vincent; 2 Alexa Theinert – Nellie; 3 Caitlin Clark – Bellissimo Bess. Prelim 12 Sec A 1 Hannah Williamson – Alashanti; 2 Linda Ginty – Lotus; 3 Catherine Ferris – Kiedis; 4 Laura Mansfield – Smartie Boy. Prelim 12 Sec B 1 Peter Rhodes – Patch Ali; 2 Emily Wakeling – Castaway Diamond; 3 Chloe Saunders – Blackhill Lady; 4 Emma Roe – Simply Red. Juniors 1 Daisy Watson – Barnaby; 2 Sophie O’Keefee – Ellie Louise; 3 Gracie Johnson – Seamus; 4 Alexa Theinert – Nellie. Prelim 18 Sec A 1 Hannah Williamson – Alashanti; 2 Teresa Langley – Toy Boy; 3 Sarah Jane Smith – Master Solitair; 4 Linda Ginty – Lotus. Prelim 18 Sec B 1 Peter Rhodes – Patch Ali; 2 Emily Wakeling – Castaway Diamond; 3 Emma Leader – Whitley; 4 Gemma Pye – Millwood Mozart. Juniors 1 Sophie O’Keefee – Ellie Louise; 2 Chloe Ansell – Mister Ned; 3 Ella Jones – Whitley Village Vincent; 4 Daisy Watson – Barnaby. Novice 24 1 Gemma Pye – Millwood Mozart; 2 Carla Herd – Wolfgang Willy; 3 Emma leader – Whitley; 4 Sally Sales – Louis Springer. Novice 30 1 Selena Cramer – Camilla. Elementary 42 1 Annette Scott – Dutch Clogs Vicaro; 2 Lyndsey Abercromby – Talebolion Rocky; 3 Olga Stamatakis – Maddie; 4 Debbie Macgregor – Wyvern. Juniors 1 Charlotte Pegrum – Snow Goose. Elementary 44 1 Annett Scott – Dutch Clogs Vicaro; 2 Lyndsey Abercromby – Talebolion Rocky; 3 Olga Stamatakis – Maddie; 4 Debbie Macgregor – Wyvern. Juniors 1 Charlotte Pegrum – Snow Goose.

2’6 1 Josie Brosnan – Harley; 2 Tamsin Malone – Dixie; 3 Kim Phillips – Tiggs; 4 Gail Jefferies – Billy Ruwanda. 2’9 1 Sarah Endean – Bunmow Magpie; 2 Josie Brosnan – Harley; 3 Rachel Chisnell – Maggie; 4 Michelle Saunders – Jimmy’s Surprise. 3’ 1 Sarah Endean – Bunnow Magpie; 2 Leilia Paske – Tommy; 3 Leilia Paske – Yam; 4 Eliza Tribe – Gin. 3’3 1 Rachel Chisnell – Murphy; 2 Leilia Paske – Yam; 3 Sam Rush – Lily; 4 Becky Debree – Billy. 3’6 1 Lizzie Thornton – Oscar; 2 Rachel Chisnell – Murphy. 2’ Ponies 1 Saffron Sutherland – Archie; 2 Alfie Bennett – Mickey; 3 Lucy Hinde – Parkview Penny; 4 Alanna Brosnan – Jimmy. 2’3 Ponies 1 Liberty Sutherland – Archie; 2 Lily Cane – Max; 3 Alanna Brosnan – Jimmy; 4 Carrie Munrow – Misty Olaf. 2’6 Ponies 1 Jess Simpson – Splash; 2 Phoebe Agar – Rosie. 2’9 Ponies 1 Phoebe Agar – Rosie.

10th February Wix EC: Evening SJ 18” 1 Lucy Vowles – HRA Connie; 2 Molly Nichols – Teddy; 3 Grace Pearl – HRA Don Deigo; 4 Emily Leggett – Roxy. 2’ 1 Lucy Vowles – HRA Connie; 2 Lucy Hinde – Fairview Penny; 3 Lauren Johnson – Rocky; 4 Samantha Tidy – Just Trouble. 2’3 1 Hanna Sillitoe – Handy Manny. 2’6 1 Elspeth Martin – Sony. 2’9 1 Jasmine Hawkins – Paddy; 2 Alison Turner – Marley; 3 Beth Mason – Finn. 3’ 1 Mel Howard – Frostie.

Danielle Bennett Jenna Greyson

James Foxon Rachel Chisnell

Sameena Rush MWI Photography

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Stables

Classified

AdverTising Horse Supplies

Battlesbridge Mills Horse & Country Shop

Everything for the Horse & Rider Huge range of tack, accessories, stable supplies Tel: 01268 560008 The Mills, Chelmsford Road, Battlesbridge, Essex SS11 8TR www.horseandcountryshop.co.uk

Fakenham (01328) 851351

Telephone

01473 731222

WIX

EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

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

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

01255 870744 Equine Dentist

Equine Crematoriums

Suffolk Pet & Equine Crematorium

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

RACHEL BURTON EQUINE DENTAL TECHNICIAN COVERING NORFOLK & SUFFOLK British Equine Veterinary Association qualified and approved member of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians.

Tel : 07968 445509 www.bedt.co.uk

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Country Stores

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

Surfaces

Transport

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

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 Bedding

ORDER ONLINE

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Vets in the Spotlight

VETERINARY CONTACTS

Essex based mobile veterinary practice Advanced dentistry, lameness, vettings, reproduction and routine work carried out in the comfort of your horse's home. Digital X-ray, ultrasound, power tools. Local ambulatory and out of hours cover.

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

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

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Practice in the

Spotlight

Rossdales Equine Veterinary Surgeons Newmarket & Hetfordshire

At Rossdales, our large team of experienced equine vets is committed to providing high quality, competitively priced veterinary services to all our equine patients. Our Newmarket ambulatory vets cover a wide area across East Anglia, visiting our clients at their yards. Additionally, we have a branch practice, Rossdales Hertfordshire, which provides comprehensive veterinary services across Hertfordshire and a wide surrounding area. All our ambulatory vets have access to a wide range of portable diagnostic equipment, enabling them to carry out a variety of diagnostic examinations, procedures and treatments at your yard. They also offer Zone Visits and Annual Health Checks, which are designed to save you money â&#x20AC;&#x201C; see our websites for more details. Should your horse or pony require specialist diagnosis, surgery or medical care, our vets or yours can quickly arrange a referral to our Equine Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in Exning, Newmarket. Here we have the most sophisticated diagnostic equipment available (inc. MRI, Scintigraphy (bone scanning) and CT), expert diagnostic, medical and surgical teams and novel treatment techniques. For our latest news, upcoming client events and more information about our services, visit www.rossdales.com or www.rossdaleshertscom. Follow us on Facebook (Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons.

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.

Important Telephone Numbers Cambridge Equine Hospital Tel: 01223 760535 ChapelďŹ eld Equine Clinic Tel: 01508 558228 Fuller Equine Tel: 01371 850532 Hawkedon Equine Clinic Tel: 01284 789428 Isle Veterinary Group Tel: 01353 658241 Newmarket Equine Hospital Tel: 01638 782000 Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons Tel: 01638 663150 (Newmarket) Tel: 01462 790221 (Hertfordshire) Ryder-Davies & Partners Tel: 01394 380083 Wherry Veterinary Group Tel: 01986 892771

01986 892771 63

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SHOWDATE DIARY Your showdate listings for... March/April 2016 TUESDAY 1ST MARCH DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage - Winter Regionals. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 WEDNESDAY 2ND MARCH DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage - Winter Regionals. Tel: 01480 700236 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 THURSDAY 3RD MARCH DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage - Winter Regionals. Tel: 01480 700236 DRESSAGE Essex: Wix EC; Dressage, Intro - Ad Med & Music. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 FRIDAY 4TH MARCH DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage - Winter Regionals. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Unaffiliated Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Open Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SATURDAY 5TH MARCH DRESSAGE Beds: Twin Trees EC; Spring Dressage. Tel: 01767 627414 DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC;

British Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312 EVENTING Cambs: Whitehall Farm; British Eventing Isleham Horse Trials. Tel: 01438 940790 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; NSEA Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01760 722616 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SUNDAY 6TH MARCH ARENA EVENTING Suffolk: The Jays; Arena Eventing. Tel: 01284 386014 DRESSAGE Suffolk: The Broads EC; British Dressage. Tel: 07798 626075 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 EVENTING Cambs: Whitehall Farm; British Eventing Isleham Horse Trials. Tel: 01438 940790 SHOWING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Unaffiliated Showing. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01328 878282 TUESDAY 8TH MARCH DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; KRC Evening Dressage. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Clear Round

Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 WEDNESDAY 9TH MARCH SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC; Evening Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 THURSDAY 10TH MARCH SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01480 700236 SHOWJUMPING Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01480 700236 FRIDAY 11TH MARCH SHOWJUMPING Essex: Norton Heath EC; Evening Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01277 824860 SHOWJUMPING Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Novice Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01328 878282 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Novice Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 SATURDAY 12TH MARCH ARENA EVENTING Suffolk: The Jays; NSEA Arena Eventing. Tel: 01284 386014 DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage High Profile U25 Show. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Cambs: Fenning Farm EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. www.optimumeventmanagement.co.uk DRESSAGE Essex: Brook Farm TC; British Dressage. Tel: 01708 687312 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Quest Dressage. Tel: 01603 731577 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Forest Edge Arena; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01760 722616 DRESSAGE Norfolk: Lime Kiln Farm EC; Novice Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01328 878282 EVENTING Suffolk: Poplar Park EC; British Evening Horse Trials. SHOWJUMPING Essex: Wix EC;

www.equitector.com

Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01255 870744 SUNDAY 13TH MARCH DRESSAGE Beds: The College EC; British Dressage High Profile U25 Show. Tel: 01234 708400 DRESSAGE Essex: Harolds Park Farm; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01279 414310 DRESSAGE Essex: Norton Heath EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01277 824860 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Boyton Hall EC; Affiliated and Unaffiliated Dressage. www.optimumevent.co.uk DRESSAGE Suffolk: GWC EC; Dressage. Tel: 01379 388743 DRIVING Essex: Wix EC; Indoor Driving. Tel: 01473 735732 DRIVING Norfolk: Easton & Otley College; Indoor Carriage Driving. Tel: 01986 798756 EVENTING Suffolk: Poplar Park EC; British Evening Horse Trials. SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Junior British Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Finchingfield EC; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01371 811881 SHOWJUMPING Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; Unaffiliated Showjumping. Tel: 01449 711962 TUESDAY 15TH MARCH SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Clear Round Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 WEDNESDAY 16TH MARCH DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; British Dressage. Tel: 01480 700236 DRESSAGE Suffolk: Topthorn Arena; British Dressage. Tel: 01449 711962 SHOWJUMPING Beds: The College EC; Senior British Showjumping. Tel: 01234 708400 SHOWJUMPING Essex: Brook Farm TC; Evening Showjumping. Tel: 01708 687312 THURSDAY 17TH MARCH DRESSAGE Cambs: Houghton Hall EC; Unaffiliated Dressage. Tel: 01480 700236

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