Absolute Horse - May 2020

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K ’M C - I E! PI UP RE F E

Absolute

MAY 2020

Inside...

34-PAGE SPECIAL

‘LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN’ TOP RIDERS SHARE HINTS & TIPS

PLUS

Also Inside: COUNTRY & EQUESTRIAN PRODUCT GUIDE

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2020 4

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ISSUE 344

42 Photo: Matthew Roberts

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FEATURES INCLUDE 4 Life During Lockdown including advice regarding the Coronavirus Pandemic from World Horse Welfare, the Blue Cross and BEVA; equine charity updates from Remus Horse Sanctuary, RSPCA, Redwings and Bransby Horses; feeding advice from Baileys; top rider training and coping tips from Lucy Struthers, Sharon Hunt, Richard Coney, Emma McNabb, Jo Bates, Andrew Gould, Char Lassetter and Julia Walker, Katie Jerram, Jodie Seddon, Lissa Green, Lisa Spence, Amy Stovold, Harriet Morris Baumber and Bert

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.

How to contact and connect with us...

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Sheffield; rider mindset advice from Jenni Winter-Leach, Tara Best, Samantha Hardingham and Rhea Freeman; our resident Masterminders discuss how equine businesses have adjusted to current restrictions; slow-living opportunities are discussed with Kate Chandler, our regular contributor Ashley Rossiter discusses rider sponsorship, and Anna Butler talks wardrobe decluttering Buyer’s Guide - supporting country and equestrian brands Special Report - Gaucho Derby

GIVEAWAYS & OFFERS 37 Bucas 39 Horseshoe Hearts 41 Ariat Saddle Snaps 46 Stable Shield offer 54 Equerry 55 Nettex offer

Baileys Horse Feeds share advice on feeding your horse during the lockdown and showjumping star Lucy Struthers shares her new routine - Page 12

WHAT’S

INSIDE

Photo: Richard Dunwoody

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Health & Welfare including First Aid Nutrition - including feeding the foal, digestive health and advice for laminitis sufferers Saddlery & Tack Classifieds

February Edition Competition Winners: Equetech Sarah Hamlett - Cambs.

Equisafety Katie Hull - Suffolk.

Aniwell Jenny Clark - Essex, Lucinda Beckett - Norfolk, Malcolm Poyser Essex, Michaela Fowles - Cambs, Shirley Newman - Essex.

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN

CORONA

KINDNESS

AT THE TIME OF GOING TO PRESS WITH THIS EDITION WE WERE OVER ONE MONTH INTO THE CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN. THESE HAVE BEEN TRULY UNPRECEDENTED TIMES, AND AS WE ALL FOLLOW THE GOVERNMENT’S REQUEST THAT WE STAY HOME TO PROTECT OUR WONDERFUL NHS, WE’RE ALL GETTING USED TO OUR ‘NEW NORMAL’.

WE HOPE THIS EDITION OF THE ABSOLUTE HORSE MAGAZINE WILL PROVIDE YOU, OUR LOYAL READERS, WITH MANY HOURS OF READING ENTERTAINMENT AND THAT YOU FIND INSPIRATION WITHIN THESE PAGES. WE’D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL THE READERS, STOCKISTS, ADVERTISERS AND MEDIA COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS BRILLIANT ISSUE. OUR THANKS MUST ALSO GO TO THE TOP RIDERS AND EQUESTRIAN PROFESSIONALS THAT YOU’LL FIND THROUGHOUT THESE PAGES, WHO HAVE SHARED THEIR HINTS, TIPS AND ADVICE WITH US TO HELP YOU DURING THE LOCKDOWN. STaY SaFE, STaY WELL - ENJOY THE REaD...

ADVICE FOR

HORSE OWNERS:

CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

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here is no current evidence that horses can be infected with the new virus or be carriers of it.

However, the Blue Cross advises always washing hands with soap and water after handling or stroking your horse for protection against other bacteria.

Following Blue Cross’ tips will help to keep your horse safe during within the confines of current Governmental restrictions: How can I look after my horse with the new stay at home measures?

Under the current restrictions of one form of outdoor exercise per day, many are now having to make changes to the day-to-day care for their horses.

Speak with your yard manager Ensure you are aware of your yard’s policy during the Coronavirus pandemic. Some yards may insist on no visitors or have strict rules on number of visitors – so it’s good to phone ahead and keep up to date on your yard rules.

Rough your horse off You may want to consider roughing your horse off and turning them out to grass 24/7 as this will make caring for them during these difficult times a lot simpler.

Beware of laminitis Your horse’s weight will need to be monitored carefully if you choose this approach. Spring grass is starting to come through and too much grass can lead to laminitis.

Visiting your horse The British public may only leave their homes for limited necessary reasons. One of these reasons is “for one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household”. This exercise does include checking in on your horse.

Buddy-up We recommend having another horse owner as an ‘in case of emergency’. You’ll be able to call this person if you become ill and you can act the same for them, like a buddy system.

Note: Your buddy will need to be insured if handling your horse.

Create a rota for yard visits to check on multiple horses at any one time This should increase the number of visits your horse receives to at least twice a day. Those selfisolating will need to ask a family member or friend to look after their horse for them.

WORLD HORSE WELFARE: CARING FOR YOUR HORSE

dvice for preventing the spread of Coronavirus is widely available. However, if you have horses you will inevitably have many questions around what Can I ride my horse as to do if you need to selfmy one form of isolate, or become ill. exercise?

Here are some Q&As to help you There is always a risk involved plan ahead for a number of with riding and, in the unfortunate event that you have situations. an accident on your horse, a What do I need to do at response to that accident may the moment? currently be a lot slower than Follow Government guidance usual. especially around maintaining It’s important that we all do our good hygiene – regular hand part for now and lessen the washing is such an important pressure on our NHS so we way of helping to prevent advise you not to ride during catching and spreading disease. this crisis.

Wash your hands frequently

Can a farrier visit my horse?

It’s best to contact your farrier to discuss your appointment. The British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association (BFBA) advise that unnecessary travel should be avoided and that registered farriers need to adhere to a new traffic light system which details which visits are essential depending on urgency of hoof care.

Will my vet still be able to visit my horse?

Vets are now working on an emergency care basis only, along with providing urgent prescriptions. www.bluecross.org.uk/ pet-advice/coronavirus

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transmitting the Coronavirus between people. If you have to with soap and water or use a hand sanitiser with at least 60% share any equipment, make sure it is cleaned and sanitised alcohol content if you can get regularly. hold of one, Whether your otherwise it’s a horse is kept at good idea to home or at a carry a container ...The horse yard, of water and community is a close- livery frequently soap to the yard knit one and pulling disinfect contact so that you can wash your together to help each points such as handles hands whatever other out will make door and gate the situation. all the difference in latches, and Avoid sharing keep your equipment as protecting our grooming kits far as possible wellbeing as well as and other to minimise the that of our horses... equipment chance of horses clean and transmitting disinfected. diseases such as ringworm and Plan ahead and be strangles to each other, or the prepared equipment potentially Planning ahead is essential and

should include a plan for if the situation changes – such as if you are unable to attend to your horse for any reason.

With equestrian gatherings cancelled or postponed this will inevitably impact how we manage our horses. Consider options for long-term turnout and roughing off your horse to reduce daily management needs.

The most important scenario to plan for is how your horse will be cared for if you become ill – look to arrange with your friends, family or fellow liveries to be able to look after your horse in your absence. A cooperative can work well especially on livery yards where a group of you pledge to help each other out when needed.

Continued overleaf...

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN Continued from previous page...

Have all your information and key contact details (including vet and farrier) written down in one place and accessible to anyone who may need to look after your horse.

If you are at a yard you should talk to the yard manager as an overall plan may already have been put in place but, if not, you should work together to create one before anyone is unable to get to their horse. This could include measures such as agreeing a timetable to make sure owners stagger their daily visits to the yard, as well as agreeing appropriate hygiene measures relating to shared areas and yard equipment.

Consider sharing your plans on how you would like any emergency with your horse dealt

with if you are absent.

I am self-isolating, but I feel OK. Can I go to my horse as normal?

If you develop any kind of symptoms such as a raised temperature or persistent cough current Government guidance is that you should self-isolate for a minimum of seven days. It is possible that during this time you will feel well enough to continue normal horse-related duties.

If you keep your horse at home you should be able to continue with your horse care routine, provided you will not come into close contact with anyone else.

But you should not ride your horse.

Any horses kept away from home will have to be looked after for your period of self-

DON’T GIVE YOUR VET CORONAVIRUS:

As part of your testing and diagnosis process you will be able to inform your local health protection team that there is a horse in your care and you will be able to tell them if you have made arrangements or if there is no-one else to help. In reality, however, the pressures will be such that local authorities are unlikely to be able to help, so it I have been diagnosed is vital that you try to find some with Covid-19 and am form of contingency as struggling to find described above. anyone who can come You must not be tempted to and help with my horse. continue looking after your What can I do? horse until after you have If you have been diagnosed with recovered. You will be given Covid-19 Government guidance information on recovery and at is that you must not leave your what stage you can restart house, unless you are being normal activities and you need moved to a hospital. So, to adhere to these. someone else will need to look www.worldhorsewelfare.org after your horse until you have recovered.

isolation by someone else. Try to ensure that you always have enough bedding, hay, food, supplements and medication to last at least a fortnight and ensure that you have left a list of what food, medications etc the horse needs each day. Check that your equine first aid kit is fully stocked.

BEVA PUBLISHES HORSE HEALTH GUIDANCE VIDEOS TO HELP

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he British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has produced a series of healthcare guidance videos for horse owners during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Aimed at helping horse owners to obtain the key information they may need to convey to their vet during a telephone consultation, the advice includes what information an owner should provide, how to check vital signs and how to spot early warning signs.

“We need to do our utmost for equine health and welfare while protecting veterinary practitioners, horse owners and handler,” said David Mountford, Chief Executive of BEVA. “Lockdown restrictions mean that horse owners will have telephone-based

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consultations with their vet to help minimise face to face contact.

“These short, informative videos, made by equine vets, should help owners be able to answer some of the questions their vet may ask over the phone and enable the horse to be triaged promptly and efficiently during this challenging time.”

The videos cover: How to help your vet triage your case; How to take a horse’s pulse; How to take a horse’s temperature; Checking your horse’s gums; How to measure breathing rate; Laminitis; Wounds and lameness; Eyes and breathing problems; Colic. www.beva.org.uk/dont-give-your-vet-the-virus

maintenance care - so they cannot be backed or even castrated – and, if the prosecution case is not successful, the animals must be returned to their owner. These cases can take a very long time to come to court – sometimes two or more years - and during that time the horses are effectively ‘bed-blocking’ the limited space at the centres.

“Now a combination of a large number of prosecution cases and a striking increase in sheer number of horses involved is leading to additional challenges, as well as reducing the numbers of horses who can be offered for rehoming, thus reducing spaces for further horses in need,” says Tony.

For instance, World Horse 2020, we took in 107 horses, of Welfare’s Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Norfolk which 53 were involved in (pictured above) currently has prosecution cases. World Horse Welfare works with other welfare 142 horses and over a third of these are associated with organisations to rescue horses prosecution cases. Some of and, where large group rescues these animals have been in the are made, animals are shared care of the farm for more than a around between the different organisations wherever space is year.

“Rehoming our horses is going available.” says Tony.

“Usually, horses coming into us to be more important than ever.

During the current Coronavirus will be signed over to the restrictions we are not able to charity, and can begin their journey of rehabilitation as soon rehome any of our horses, but as they have been checked over we have many that are ready to be rehomed and we are still by a team of specialists encouraging people to apply including a vet and farrier, with online for these so that as soon an ultimate goal of rehoming as restrictions are lifted, we can them, whilst remaining the quickly continue with the property of the charity for the process and make space in our rest of their lives. farms for more horses that are in “However, when the welfare need.” case is the subject of a www.rehoming.worldhorse prosecution, the horses are welfare.org often not signed over and by law these can only be given

CHARITY REPORTS:

REHOMING SUSPENDED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS ritain’s largest horse rescue and rehoming charity, World Horse Welfare, has announced that at 406, the number of horses in its care at its four Rescue and Rehoming Centres is the highest on record. The horses, many rescued in groups over the past twelve months, are being shared between the centres in Norfolk, Somerset, Lancashire and Aberdeenshire whose normal stocking level is usually around only 330 combined.

Caring for such a large number of animals is putting extra demands on staff, in addition to complying with the rules on social distancing and the suspension of rehoming activities in light of movement restrictions to prevent Coronavirus.

Tony Tyler, Director of UK Welfare at World Horse Welfare says: “While the welfare of these horses is assured, providing the care they need is stretching the resources and efforts of the staff and, as many of these animals are from large, unhandled groups and so are unused to human contact, it makes handling them even more of a

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challenge. We had expected that with the arrival of spring, we would be able to rehome a good bunch of them who were ready to leave us but, with the Government restrictions, we can’t undertake home checks or invite applicants to meet our horses. So, we will continue to care for all of them, while finding space where we can to take in emergency cases.”

All horses are receiving maintenance care by the teams, but rehabilitation activities such as physiotherapy, lunging, backing and riding have been temporarily suspended to enable the grooms to selfisolate if needed or adjust to staff members falling ill in the coming weeks. Avoiding any potentially higher-risk activities with horses – such as riding – was also a decision taken to reduce the chance of putting extra pressure on the emergency services and NHS at this challenging time.

The large number of horses currently at the charity is the result of a rising tide of large, complex welfare cases across the country and the laws around animals seized as part of welfare prosecutions.

“In the first three months of

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN Sue is pictured with rescued blind mares Holly and Grace

ESSEX HORSE CHARITY:

OUR ANIMALS NEED YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER

ue Burton, Founder of Remus Horse Sanctuary, the horse rescue charity located at Buttsbury, near Ingatestone in Essex, is delighted to receive a £500 donation from London-based Skyline Comms.

Despite the recent statement from the Government there was no olive branch for animal charities, and furloughing staff is not an option due to the wholly necessary care of the

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James Hockney and his wife

rescued animals.

Ms Burton said: “We need our staff to care for the 200 horses

EQUINE MATCHMAKING

f you are looking for your perfect equine partner now is the time to contact Blue Cross to set the wheels in motion.

While the charity is unable to take in or rehome horses during the Government’s Covid-19 lockdown, the horse rehoming team is on hand to look at applications and begin the matchmaking process.

This way horses and ponies in the charity’s care will be a step further towards their new homes when the lockdown is lifted. www.bluecross.org.uk/rehome/horse

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and donkeys at the Sanctuary and they still need paying and the animals still need feeding and caring for.

“Thank god for companies like Skyline Comms for recognising the important work that we do here and helping us to remain open without any prospect of fundraising or event activity.”

Managing Director James Hockney said, "We are delighted to be supporting the Remus Horse Sanctuary with this donation. Many charities have been hard hit - and especially smaller charities like Remus who rely on open days and fundraising events to cover their costs. When they are spending thousands of pounds a month just on medications - before you even consider feed, hay, staff, rent, repairs, utilities - we at Skyline Comms felt the need to step in and help right now."

Ms Burton concluded, “I can hardly express how thankful I am to James Hockney and Skyline Comms as I am even more concerned for the long term future. Clearly we’re going to be in this state for some months not weeks. Please do support Remus. Our animals rely on your support and need you now more than at any other time.” www.remussanctuary.org

RSPCA: EMERGENCY APPEAL he RSPCA has launched an emergency appeal supported by comedian Ricky Gervais to keep its rescue teams out on the frontline saving animals through the Coronavirus crisis.

Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated key workers by the Government but vital funding is needed to keep them out on the road, continuing to rescue animals.

The RSPCA is currently caring for 842 horses and the number is expected to grow as even more come into their care in the coming weeks as its rescue teams bring in more equines in need.

Staff at six centres are focusing on keeping the horses and ponies in their care happy and healthy throughout the crisis as rehoming and fostering has been paused in line with Government advice.

Animal lover Ricky said: “They are facing huge challenges through this crisis, but their amazing staff are committed to being there for animals and they can only do it with your help.”

RSPCA Inspectorate staff are providing an emergency-only service throughout the lockdown period. www.rspca.org.uk/covid

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN As the crisis began to unfold, the Sanctuary placed orders for contingency stocks of hay, feed and bedding, but members of the public have been incredibly generous in ensuring the charity has enough supplies. Local businesses, whose doors have closed due to the outbreak, have donated horse feed, hay and carrots – the latter especially appreciated by patients in the Horse Hospital who are enjoying them with their medication.

Vet nurses on bicycles Sadly, with an unabating horse crisis in this country, incidents of equine neglect will continue to occur and Redwings is doing its best to still be there for those horses and donkeys in need. The week Government restrictions were introduced, twenty-eight children. new arrivals were welcomed into In line with guidance from the the Sanctuary, who are now Baby Face Nelson Royal College of Veterinary receiving care at the charity’s supervising hand Surgeons (RCVS) and the British own specialist quarantine washing Equine Veterinary Association facility.

(BEVA), the vet team is now Being 100% funded by vehicles, PPE and shared spaces focussing on emergency cases donations from the public, only, allowing many to work “on having to close its visitor and avoiding sharing call” from home and cut back on centres, cafes and gift shops has equipment, on top of social distancing. They are even using travel. impacted Redwings’ ability to bicycles to travel to the horses to Yet, while they work hard fundraise for the care of its themselves, the teams have also horses, such as those recently avoid sharing vehicles! been finding ways to support Office staff, who are now brought into the safety of the key workers in our health and working from home where Sanctuary. To help ensure they care services. With all routine possible, have also been have the funds they need to face surgical procedures at its Horse deployed to help with basic the challenges of the coming tasks, such as filling haynets and Hospital suspended, Redwings months, please visit cleaning water tanks, to support has donated half of its oxygen www.redwings.org.uk/ the care teams if people need to tanks for use in NHS hospitals to donating help patients fighting Covid-19. self-isolate or care for young Redwings Honey with her carer Victoria

REDWINGS:

COPING WITH COVID-19

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ith over 1,500 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules relying on them, the staff at Redwings Horse Sanctuary have been continuing to work hard throughout the Coronavirus outbreak.

In light of the Government’s restrictions on movement, the charity has closed its five visitor centres across the UK and its teams have been adapting the ways they work to ensure they remain safe while still providing the specialist care their residents need during this challenging time.

Measures introduced have included restructuring the rotas of both the vet and equine care teams to reduce the number of people at the Sanctuary’s sites, regularly disinfecting farm

EQUISAFETY HELP WITH ‘SUPER HOSPITAL’

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quisafety Limited is extremely proud to have played a small but hugely important role in quickly sourcing further supplies of protective hand sanitiser for the workforce of one of the biggest NHS construction projects Wales has ever seen.

Managing Director, Nicky Fletcher, commented, “It is an honour and a privilege to be able to draw upon my business’ established safety network and dedicated, professional support staff, to assist.”

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HORSEY HAND WASH

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HARTPURY: TRUE IMPACT OF PANDEMIC

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study supported by Hartpury University into the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on horses and horse owners has provided a number of recommendations for the equine industry, to mitigate the potential impact.

Dr Jane Williams, Associate Professor and Head of Research at Hartpury, joined scientific and equine consultant Dr David Marlin and Louisa Taylor MRCVS, veterinary surgeon with equine nutrition specialists Science Supplements, in carrying out the study.

They found that approximately one-third of horse owners are worried they will suffer a financial impact as result of the pandemic that may affect horse management and welfare, as well as having implications for horse owners’ mental health and wellbeing.

Dr Williams said: “We thought it was key to try and understand what the impact of the pandemic could be on horses and their owners, including the negative effect on equine welfare as a result of financial issues that could arise through horse owners being furloughed or losing their jobs.

“Our study found that some people were missing the time that they’d spend with their horses, which seems to be having a negative impact on their own mental health and wellbeing.”

Attracting 6,000 responses, the study found that while horse owners in all types of establishments were being affected by the pandemic, the greatest impact had been felt by owners on part or full livery.

In response to their overall findings, Dr Williams, Dr David Marlin and Louisa Taylor MRCVS have recommended that more guidance should be issued to owners in relation to horse welfare.

They have also proposed more guidance for horse owners, equestrian businesses and coaches about how they can access support if their finances are being negatively affected by the pandemic.

Dr Marlin said: “We recommend that equine charities are supported in preparation for increased demand related to the potential financial impact of the pandemic on horse owners and subsequent challenges to equine welfare.”

ransby Horses has created a Horsey Hand Wash demonstration video to guide their dedicated staff and fosterers on how best to keep safe by keeping their hands clean.

The charity wants to share this video as it may help others remember those key steps to proper handwashing.

Bransby Horses felt that remembering each of the six steps was a challenge. In their usual ‘Bransby way’ the charity has made it their own.

Alex Kinnear-Mellor, Marketing Manager, says: “Although we’re closed to the

public, our vital care work for over 350 horses at our Bransby and Barlings sites can’t stop for a moment. Our dedicated staff are still coming into work to ensure these incredible animals are kept safe. We are following Government guidelines on keeping safe distances and as you’ll see from this video, washing our hands efficiently, and with a smile when possible!” www.bransbyhorses.co.uk/ bransby-horses-horseyhandwash

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LOCKDOWN: SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN

FEEDING ADVICE

By Baileys Horse Feeds

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part from the fact that there are no competitions and that none of us can travel away from home for training, everyone’s lockdown situation is different, ranging from no access to your horse at all to ‘business as usual’, at home.

From a feeding point of view, it’s a time of change anyway, as the ground has certainly dried up, grass is coming through and days are longer so many horses are enjoying more pasture time.

Good-Doers Whether still in work or not, spring grass is likely to go straight to the waistline so access may need to be

controlled to avoid excess weight gain. Be wary of ‘chucking’ these horses out

24/7, especially if they’ve got a history of laminitis, but even if they haven’t, allowing any horse

to become too fat can have long term health effects which are best avoided.

For example, to maintain a fully balanced diet for a 500kg horse in light tomoderate work.

Higher Calorie Diet

Medium Calorie Diet

Low Calorie Diet

3 - 4kg Mix or Cubes

1.5 – 2kg Mix or Cubes

No Mix or Cubes

+

+

+

No Balancer

250g Balancer

500g Balancer

This is a broad guideline and, for some horses, it’s probably worth checking amounts with a feed company nutritionist.

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To ensure these horses still get essential nutrients, like protein, vitamins and minerals, that are known to be lacking from even the best pasture, a balancer, with a small amount of low-calorie chaff, is an ideal option. Because it is fed in such small quantities, the recommended daily amount of a balancer can even be given as a single meal, if you are restricted to one visit to your horse, per day.

Providing a fully balanced diet, like this, will ensure that hoof growth, muscle tone and general good health get the support they need so that, when the workload is able to be picked up, your horse is physically in a better position to adapt to the change, as long as he’s not been allowed to gain too much weight.

For comprehensive advice and tips on encouraging weight loss and preventing weight gain, an informative workbook is available from the Baileys web site www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk/ equine-weight-loss

Skinnier Ones Despite the sunshine, some horses are still struggling to put back on the condition they may have lost during the cold wet weather but we may not be inclined to ‘feed them up’, as we endeavour to keep those who are handling and exercising horses as safe as possible. Low starch, higher calorie feeds are therefore a great option as they deliver the necessary boost, with slow release energy from fibre and oil, which shouldn’t go to horses’ heads.

Look for those which are wholecereal-free, with a starch content below 10% and, for significant

weight gain, a Digestible Energy (DE) level of 12-13MJ/kg or for moderate weight gain, a DE of around 11MJ/kg. There are cube, mix and soakable options to suit every palate!

Varying Calorie Levels If your horse’s workload varies or you simply need a way to gradually decrease his dietary calorie intake, as he has access to more grass, then combining a balancer with your normal mix or cube could be the way ahead, to help keep the overall diet balanced. Choose a balancer formulated for the most appropriate workload, eg Baileys Lo-Cal, for rest or light work, or Performance Balancer for moderate to hard work, and check the feeding recommendations for your horse, if it were to be the sole bucket feed.

Assuming you normally feed the full recommended amount of your mix/cube, when you start to cut it back, to reduce calorie intake, you are also cutting back on essential nutrients, which the balancer can replace, without unwanted calories. As a guide, if you cut back 25% of what you should be feeding of the mix/cube, you should top up with 25% of the full recommended daily amount of balancer, and so on.

Check out Baileys Horse Feeds’ social media channels for training and advice videos, from these and other riders, as well as feeding tips.

For friendly practical feeding advice, their helpline is still manned (from home) on 01371 850247 (option 2) or email nutrition@baileyshorse feeds.co.uk www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Lockdown Advice from Baileys Riders Lucy Struthers (Showjumping): Lucy’s horses are still in work but she has cut out competition mixes in favour of balancer so that she can maintain flexibility in their diets.

She is doing a lot of pole work, including shortening and lengthening strides to improve adjustability, and using cavaletti to keep the canter active.

Sharon Hunt (Eventing/Show jumping/Dressage): Sharon has been cleaning and painting, like so many, and has cut back on the amount of riding in favour of lunging and long-reining. Check out her comprehensive and ongoing series of training videos, on her Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, for advice on improving your training from the ground, with these techniques.

Richard Coney (Eventing): If you’ve got hills, use them, is Richard’s advice, as they’re invaluable for helping horses build and maintain strength. He’s keeping his horses’ work as varied as possible, with long slow hacks, including those hills, and working on grass as well as in the arena over lots of poles.

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN

HINTS & TIPS FOR Groundwork Training

THESE ARE STRANGE TIMES FOR US ALL AND, INSTEAD OF BEING OUT AT QUALIFIERS, EQUESTRIAN COMPETITORS FIND THEMSELVES WITH THE CHALLENGE OF KEEPING THEIR HORSES TICKING OVER AT HOME DURING LOCKDOWN. WE ASKED THREE EXPERTS HOW ALL OF US CAN BEST USE THIS EXTRA TIME, IN PARTICULAR, FOCUSING ON GROUNDWORK TRAINING.

EMMA MCNAB

“During this quieter period of lockdown, we have kept things like our normal end of the season training for the horses. They are all still in work, being ridden on the flat, hacking and occasionally jumping but we are doing a little less of this and a little more groundwork to keep them ticking over.

“We are lucky to have a treadmill which all of our horses use. Normally we would use this as a warming up exercise, but we have now incorporated it as part of the horse’s schedule once or twice a week. They only walk on it, but we are able to make it incline, so it is a fantastic full body workout and helps joint flexion and breathing.

“We sometimes lunge them in a Pessoa, but we don’t like to do lots of lunging because the twisting and turning on a circle when trotting and cantering is not great for their legs. It is, however, nice for them to be worked in a soft outline without the weight of a rider. It’s also a good variation to their everyday schooling. As long as you know how to use it the Pessoa is a nice tool to use as, while still being round, their heads are able to move and they don’t get the sharp tug on the bit that they can get when they have side reins on and are moving their heads around.”

JO BATES

Multiple HOYS Champion, Producer of Top Show and Dressage Horses 14

“My first piece of advice during lockdown is be extra careful and vigilant and not to take any unnecessary risks.

This is not the time to start experimenting with

groundwork or riding when there is no-one around to help you. Watching You Tube tutorials is no substitute for an experienced teacher!

“It is important when choosing

Emma McNab riding Fernhill Tabasco prior to lockdown. Above: With husband, Kevin.

the type of groundwork you are going to do, that you think about what stage of training your horse is at and what training it needs.”

Continued overleaf...

Photo: Victor Krijt

International Event Rider and Member of the Australian National Squad

SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN

“When it comes to schooling horses I like to intersperse the groundwork, so I might lunge along with pole work, light schooling, hacking out and loose schooling. We do some lunging but not every day because it isn’t good for horse’s joints and with the larger horses I only lunge for about 15-minutes on a decent length of rein and on a wide circle.

“My advice with long reining is that it can be a great training aid if you know what you are doing but can be quite dangerous if you have not done it before. If the horse were to react badly, now is not the time to be calling your vet out or having a trip to the hospital!

“When lunging, we may use side reins, a Pessoa or bungee – again whatever suits the horse and its stage of training. A Pessoa can be used in various different ways and I find that it helps the horse to engage from behind and lift up it’s core.

This encourages the horse to use all their muscles and work in different frames. If a horse doesn’t always go in the same frame

JAYNE ROSS

Jo Bates and daughter, Holly Armstrong, with Grandeur

it encourages them to use their back in different ways.

“When I have been out hacking at the moment, I have noticed that there are a great deal more people out walking and

Seven times HOYS Supreme Winner and Producer of Top Show Horses “Groundwork should be something you do as well as riding, not instead of. You should not ‘try this at home’ unless you have had a lesson or two first or know what you are doing.

You can get yourself in to all sorts of trouble if you are not experienced.

“I always think that groundwork is very much back to basics and it is nice to be able to put your horse into a long rein and move around your yard or grounds as it gives them something else to concentrate on and a change of scenery. It’s also a good idea to long rein a horse the first few times you take it out on the roads,

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those with dogs don’t always have them on leads or under control. This is another potential hazard as they may spook or even chase your horse, so again be careful and keep safe.”

Photo: Rose Lewis

Continued from previous page...

INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX DRESSAGE RIDER TIPS but it is best to have someone with you, and a lot of people don’t have that luxury, and of course at the moment with lockdown that isn’t going to be possible.

“We do lots of groundwork but not too much on the lunge with the medium and heavy weight hunters because they don’t adapt well on a small circle. If we do lunge them, we do it in the school because you need plenty of room.

“We use a Pessoa because it encourages the horse to engage it’s hocks and work over the back so that the right muscles are used. I also like using rubber bungees that encourage the horses to work long and low so they can use the muscles along

their back, engage their quarters correctly and it teaches them self-balance.

“At the moment it isn’t a good time to start doing unusual things if you are on your own because you don’t want to get yourself into a situation where you can’t succeed and you don’t have anyone to help you out.

Stick to what you know and things your horse is familiar with and you can’t go wrong.”

As you can see one thing all our experts agreed on was that it is important to be sensible and don’t do things you have never done before if you don’t have anyone on hand to help.

Stay safe! www.absorbine.co.uk

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LUNGING THE DRESSAGE HORSE

With Andrew Gould

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unging can be used as a great opportunity to see how your horse is moving on each rein, spot any imbalances and to add variation to their ridden work,” explains Andrew.

“Lunging is hard work for the horse, so keep sessions shorter than their ridden sessions, and where possible move them onto straight lines between circles – this is good fitness for you as a rider too!

“At the start of the session, we start the horses off without side reins. Walking large around the edge of the arena if you can for a circuit or two and then into the trot. This gives the horse’s muscles a chance to warm up and stretch before they are asked to collect up.

“After attaching the side reins quite loosely we start working the walk-trot transitions to help keep the horses focussed onto us and forward-thinking.

“We then start to work the transitions within the pace – here you can use ‘going large’ to encourage the forwards and circles to bring them back. Use the markers to your advantage – circle at them and go forwards between them. This can be in trot and canter – be expected to jog a bit yourself! This is a great way to get the horse working over their backs and to improve their suppleness.

“We then go on to work the direct trot to canter transitions to help improve the balance and suppleness in the canter. Work the circle size to add to their suppleness too.

“Finally finish the session by removing the side reins and allowing your horse to have a good stretch in canter, trot and walk.”

Andrew Gould, Priory Dressage Official Facebook Page @andrewgould.pd

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN

GROUND WORK

FOR THE NERVOUS HORSE

WITH CHAR LASSETTER AND JULIA WALKER FROM LASSETTER DRESSAGE n-hand work plays an important part of the weekly working routine for our dressage horses at Lassetter Dressage.

“Now is the perfect time to be putting in the ground work ready for when the competition

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season does reappear and the following exercise has proved invaluable for keeping our nervous horses calm and focussed, both at home and at shows.

“We start teaching this exercise at home in an arena where our

LOCKDOWN MINDSET: s 3 Simple Hack

horses feel confident. We use a rope halter and start initially by walking and halting the horse, ensuring they do not walk too far in front of us when we stop – if they do, reiterate their position by your side by asking them to rein back.

“Once this is established (and it may take a few sessions for your horse to ‘shadow’ you perfectly) we then start to encourage the horse to drop and lower their head. By adding gentle pressure when they put their head up and then instantly softening that pressure as they lower it, the horse begins to understand to walk with their head in the lower position.

“Think to when a horse is calm and relaxed, out grazing in the field – their head is much lower than their withers, and the opposite when they are startled.

ockdown is playing havoc with lots of people’s mindset either due to not being able to compete, train or even see their horses as well as being confined indoors.

“Firstly it’s ok to find it difficult to adjust - it is so far removed from our normal.

Here are my three top tips to help,” explained Jenni Winter-Leach.

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Learn something new “Consider teaching you or your horse something new, learn about horse care or horse behaviour. We will have lots of new courses running on our page www.horseycourses.com very soon.”

Jenni WinterLeach of Flying Changes Coaching

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Keep focused on the now “Spending time and energy wishing for something you can’t have will only keep you in a negative state of mind. What can you improve on yourself that will have you ready to hit the ground running? What fitness regime have you

Encouraging them into this position releases endorphins therefore causing them to relax.

“From here we progress to a small circle, with their head still low, we now encourage a leg yield type step around the circle – so the front legs are on a smaller circle than the hindlegs.

“You can gently encourage the quarters to step out by using your hand against their side where your leg would sit. Really encourage the hindlegs to cross and their body to soften. Release out onto a bigger circle, repeat in the opposite direction and then note how much calmer your horse is.

“We use this technique before getting on both at home and at shows as it really helps to settle our horses.” www.facebook.com/ lassetterdressage/

put off that you could now start? How about understanding your mindset around competing? Invest in yourself whilst you can’t invest in your training.”

Practice daily gratitude “List five things each day you are grateful for. These can be as simple as being grateful for owning your own horse, if you can see your horse be grateful for that, if you can’t – that you are grateful for them being well looked after. Be grateful for your health, that the sun is shining or that you’ve got good coffee.

Try it and see how your outlook changes for the day!”

The Flying Changes Coaching Mindset Reset online programme is designed for people who know exactly how to use this enforced break to their advantage and come out on top. www.flyingchangescoaching.co.uk /mindsetreset

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atie and her team are committed to following the guidelines to stay safe and protect as many people as possible.

“It’s a hard time because the horses aren’t able to get out and compete and we were just starting to get the season started, so there is nothing better than using our Horslyx to relieve the boredom, and make them feel happy on the outside and healthy on the inside,” Katie Jerram, Horslyx Brand Ambassador. www.horslyx.com

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Have a plan “Pick one thing to work on and improve during your lunging session – to improve responsiveness and forwardness, lots of quick transitions may help. If your horse is very onesided, use a corner of the arena to give you two clear edges, and then your horse will have better support for you to send it forwards and insist on inside bend both ways. If your horse struggles to maintain balance in canter, then keep the canter to half circles until that is easy, then go for full circles.”

Track your progress “Use a diary to note what you worked on, what was effective

LISSA GREEN

JODIE’S TOP TIPS

JODIE SEDDON IS A 4* EVENTER PRODUCING AND COMPETING HORSES IN EVENTING AND JUMPING AT ALL LEVELS WITH HER PARTNER, ATTE DE JONG, FROM THEIR BASE AT STONEHILL SPORT HORSES and what you’d like to improve on. This will also allow you to check in and ensure that you have variety in your work through the week. Chat to your regular trainer for ideas on specific exercises where you encounter issues.”

Use your eyes “If there is a bit or bridle set up you were thinking of trying, or a slightly different saddle pad arrangement – now is a great

RED MILLS RIDER LISSA IS SPENDING THIS ENFORCED QUIET PERIOD WITH HER YOUNG HORSES, TAKING THE TIME TO GIVE THEM CONFIDENCE IN THE NEW THINGS THEY’RE BEING ASKED TO DO. “Partnership with your horse is based on one main ingredient: T-R-U-S-T... and I LOVE to build this trust by asking them to do out of the ordinary tasks and proving to them they are safe in what I ask.

“Just because XC is ordinary to us, fences can come up that certainly don’t fit the standard in your horses eye, so I believe that if you have built up this rapport, you have a much higher chance of the horse swallowing his natural worries and trusting you everything will be ok.” www.redmills.co.uk

Photo: Lorraine Porter Photography for Stonehill Sport Horses

KATIE JERRAM

unging is part of the regular routine at Stonehill Sport Horses – it gives older horses a chance to stretch well, younger horses an opportunity to let off steam and improve their balance.

“To avoid lunging becoming repetitive, follow our tips.”

time to try it out on the lunge.

See what changes - is your horse more responsive in the contact, or is it moving more freely under saddle – and track your progress accordingly.”

Try new things “You can spend this time well, getting to know your horse on the ground and relating that to what you feel under saddle.

Good luck!” www.stonehillsporthorses.com

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ou can train your mind to be more positive - all it takes are some simple daily practices, explains Tara Best.

“Every second your mind takes in fourteenmillion pieces of information. Your mind then filters that down to just seven pieces, so if you can start to train your mind to always look for the positive in every situation, then those seven pieces will begin to be more positive.

“I start and finish every day with gratitudes and appreciating what went well, so that my focus is always on the good stuff! It works wonders!”

Follow @tarapunterpr for mindset inspo.

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN

EQUINE AMERICA BRAND AMBASSADOR

LISA SPENCE EXPLAINS...

LUNGING: WORKING YOUR HORSE FROM THE GROUND ith the pressure the Coronavirus has put upon the NHS, many horse owners have sensibly decided not to ride their horses during this time, to reduce the risk of potentially becoming a burden on an already stretched provision.

In this article I hope to guide you through some simple activities you can use, to maintain the bond and relationship you have with your horses.

Lunging is an activity I use regularly with all my horses, the event horses and the school horses. It helps to improve balance, rhythm and suppleness.

As a rider, I find it incredibly valuable to be able to watch my horses work from the ground.

Sometimes what we see is different from what we feel. I learn a lot watching how they move, which rein they work best on, which pace they find naturally the easiest, and I can use the time to help improve my horses’ way of going without him having to also carry the weight of a rider.

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I am going to start at the beginning and talk you through the equipment, technique and outcome.

a saddle, but you can easily use a lunge roller if you prefer. You should be able to adapt your riding tack to lunge if you don’t have a roller and side reins. I also Equipment like to put brushing boots on You will need a lunge line, lunge my horse, because they may whip, a pair of side reins, a bridle injure themselves, due to being and a lunge cavesson if you have on a continuous circle. You can, one. I like to lunge my horses in of course, use polo wrap style bandages if this is what you would normally ride your horse with.

The person lunging should wear a riding hat to the same standard as you would ride in, sensible comfortable boots that protect your feet and ankles, but you must be able to move easily

This photo illustrates how the lunge cavesson and bridle work together. You can see we have removed the noseband to allow the cavesson to sit comfortably and tight on the horse’s head. It is important it is fitted tightly, you do not want it to move or pull forward across the horse’s eye as you pull on the lunge rein. If you do not have a lunge cavesson you can put the lunge line through the bit and over the top of the horse’s head and attach it to the opposite ring.

in them, so probably best not to use your top show boots. You must wear gloves and clothes that are close fitting so you can move without tripping over baggy jeans or flappy coats.

You don’t need a school to lunge in. Obviously this is prefered, but I worked many horses for years in a field long before I ever had a school. If you are using a field, find the flattest best ground possible. Ideally use a corner of the field. If you think your horse may be difficult, use jumps to create a pen that is about 20m x 20m. Try not to lunge when the ground is particularly slippery. If the ground is firm, reduce the time and the speed at which you lunge, so more walk, halts and short trots, avoid the canter.

Here we can see the reins crossed at the withers and tucked behind the stirrups, if you don’t have side reins this is a good alternative.

This shows how to secure the stirrups so they don’t fall down and bang your horses sides while lunging. You can also see the side reins fitted on the saddle and secured to the d-ring at the top.

than the words. Sharper louder commands to go upwards and longer slower commands to go downwards. Your body bigger and more open in its frame to send the horse away and on, then still more closed posture to stop or slow down. If your horse is unwilling to halt move slowly towards him repeating the commands. Make sure you reel in the line as you move towards him.

Lunging When he is happy in all three Start with the horse in walk, paces on both reins (pic a, begin leading the horse round below), you can attach the side the circle you want to work on, reins. It is important that the gradually send the horse away horse loosens up without the from you. Do this by inviting the side reins to begin. On your first horse forward with an open attempt, this may be as far as leading arm, the rein holding the line. The other arm holds the you get. In the photo here you can see this horse cantering whip, you want to make a happily without side reins triangle between you, the finding her own balance. There horse, the lunge line and the is value to this, as it’s important lunge whip.

If your horse goes off a bit quick for the horse to have balance to start with don’t panic. Quietly independent of a rein, but the side reins will help you to let him settle. Just gently keep control the horse better and to him turning and use soothing improve its ability to work over voice commands to calm him.

Over time he will learn to begin the back. Long term this improves your dressage marks in walk, this doesn't always happen straight away. Gradually and your horse’s ability over a fence. begin to introduce transitions Here we can see the horse using your voice and body working in the trot (pic b, below) language. with the side reins attached. You Generally speaking it’s more will see they are tight enough to about the tone of your voice This photo shows the correct way to attach your side reins to the saddle.

This ensures they don’t slip down and rub the horse's shoulder.

Pic a

Pic b

have effect but the horse’s nose is still fractionally in front of the vertical. The horse is tracking up nicely and you can see the legs making two equal triangles. This is a young horse who previously raced. I have chosen her as she is still green at lunging and I want to show you how beneficial it can be for horses who’s natural way of going is not to be on the bit, and over the back. In the previous photo, you can see she naturally wants to be hollow and above the bridle. I hope you can see that with time and patience lunging can be beneficial for your horse’s way of going. This mare is also still weak, so this form of exercise is good at helping her to develop strength without me on board.

It is important to work the horse evenly both ways and to change rein frequently. I am not a fan of doing more on the weaker rein. I find changing from good to bad and back frequently helps even the horse up far quicker. I liken it to being right or left-handed. If I have you a pen and asked you to write with your non-preferred hand, soon it would be tired and struggle, persisting with this would make your hand ache and you would soon resent it. If you do a bit in your good hand and then some in your bad you will

be able to build up the amount your bad hand can do easily. I apply the same logic to working my horses.

Transitions are also very valuable. These take time to develop, and patience. Be consistent, stick to the same commands and practise will make perfect. Use all paces but be economical with the canter.

Do short periods and build it in slowly. The walk and the trot and indeed the halt are very helpful to the balance and rhythm.

Try to teach your horse to halt at the end of the lunge, and not turn in (pic c, below). Then you can halt and walk on easily.

When the horse moves forwards in any transitions make sure the hind leg begins the sequence.

Try to discourage him from hopping in the transition, this suggests he is on his forehand and not pushing from behind. If you gently swing the whip from behind you towards him as you ask him to trot, it will encourage the hind leg to come through.

When you get proficient you can go on to move about the school, doing some lengthening strides on the long side, you can increase and decrease the size of Continued overleaf...

Pic c

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN Continued from the previous page...

the circle, to help suppleness and balance. Try to watch what the horse is doing and encourage it to do work in a better way.

In the canter you want the horse to appear up hill. I this photo the horse is lower in the hindquarter and higher at the wither. I wouldn’t want her side rein any tighter for where she is

in her training, but for an older more experienced horse it could come shorter. If you look closely you can see she still appears to lean in on the circle. This is how you can tell she is not yet ready for a more restricted rein. This is also why the canter should be kept to a minimum when beginning.

When you have worked your horse in side reins each way, I

In this photo you can see the horse’s stride has opened and she is travelling more freely forward than in an earlier picture. You have to learn to see the detail.

like to walk them off on a long rein. You want to see the horse stretch forward and down with a good length of step and a decent length of neck.

Lunging requires patience and practice. While we are on lockdown, this is a perfect opportunity to work on your lunging skills. You can develop the bond with your horse and help him to go in a better way. If

Here you can see the horse reaching down in her neck and that lovely long step with the hind leg, she appears relaxed and is happy to walk out at the end of the line.

LISA’ S UPDATE:

you are worried about the lunge line you can practise with it tied to a fence, and you can practise holding the whip and rein, coiling it up and letting it out.

Most of all enjoy the time you have to work your horse from the floor, he will enjoy it, and you will both be a stage fitter than if he just has a holiday. www.equine-america.co.uk

I do several circles on each rein in the walk as a cool down.

If your horse doesn’t want to walk happily, you can lead him round the circle to help him get used to it.

LIFE WITH THE HORSES

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unning a business and employing staff is difficult at the best of times, now I have been forced to make decisions I never thought I would. My owners and clients have been unbelievably supportive, and it’s at times like this you really know who your supporters are. I am humbled by the number of offers of support I have received since Covid-19 restrictions.

As a result, two have gone to Kerry Lockwood’s Farm (she owned the giant coloured horse Moses I evented for her); lovely chestnut Heaven has gone to owners Richard and Trudy Bishop - they own Boketto and we have decided to keep her here and in work; three of my school horses have been turned out and are being looked after by their sharers; two others are turned out and are being looked after by myself and staff; China Dream is at home with his owner Paula Twinn and she is keeping him in light work.

So I am left with just five in - Fidget, Blue, Boketto, Chester and Lara.

These are being kept in light work. We have reduced the workload and the amount of external canter work we are doing. We have risk assessed and stopped all activities that appear to be of higher risk.

My days have been kept busy, the yard has been given the biggest

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spring clean ever. I have even painted my show jumps. I have taught Ellie how to long rein so that she can help me work the horses from the ground. My other staff can lunge well so the horses are getting plenty of work from the floor.

I engaged in the toilet roll challenge and my lovely Fidget was more than happy to canter about with me balancing toilet rolls. It brought some light-hearted relief to the day, and Ellie and I giggled at the number of times I dropped them in a bid to get to four!

Life has slowed down and I am appreciating my time with my horses which, when I am busy, I can sometimes begrudge, finding my self having to ride rather than wanting to. Now with time on my hands, I am working on Fidget’s flying change and I can report it’s coming along nicely. She and others are still on their Equine America supplements, they have been slightly reduced due to not working so hard. My local riding club is doing a virtual dressage competition that I plan to enter while we are on lockdown.

“I would recommend regular McTimoney treatments for anyone seeking to improve their horse’s way of going – after all, if the horse isn’t straight when he is stood still, he will struggle to achieve straightness when he is moving down a centre line” - Tyler Bradshaw

AMY STOVOLD’S

Hints & Tips

AMY IS A WORLD CLASS INTERNATIONAL DRESSAGE RIDER AND ONE OF GREAT BRITIAN’S LEADING LADY DRESSAGE RIDERS ’m lucky that we have a walker and good turnout so my horses are having a bit of downtime and they go on the walker every day.

“In addition to that I’m lunging - I use a Pessoa. Depending on the horse, I usually start after walking to warm up with it in between the front legs.

“I change rein every five minutes as it’s sometimes quite hard staying on a circle on one rein for longer. Mine are used to it but for horses that aren’t I would probably build up to twenty-five minutes.

“I also do a lot of in-hand work, relaxation work, and I encourage the horse to lower his head and stretch out before I bring them together for more lateral work in-hand (ie shoulder-in, travers halfpass). I do all exercises in walk first, then trot. I then work on piaffe and passage in-hand with the more trained ones.

“If you only have an hour to visit your horse I would recommend lunging three times a week as there is a lot you can do on the lunge; walk trot, trot walk trot canter and canter trot. Plus you can do a lot of work within the pace, ie collected trot all the way to showing lengthened strides, and same in the canter. Also, you can reduce the size of the circle and increase it too, in both trot and canter depending on how much balance and strength your horse has. I would start basic and build up to this over the coming weeks.

“If you don’t want to go lunging horses that are not used to it, you can do a lot more straight-line work - this also keeps you fit running up and down! Safety is paramount for both the horse and rider, so if this is not something you do regularly maybe talk to someone who could start your horse doing this for you. I offer guidance on this on my social feeds.” @teamstovold www.facebook.com/teamstovold

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“My staff have all been amazing. I keep in touch with them regularly, and make sure they have everything they need I’ve promised them a big get together when this is all over!

MCTIMONEY:

NEW APPLICATIONS

T

he McTimoney College of Chiropractic is now taking applications for places on their Pathway to HE Certificate in Health and Masters in Chiropractic (MChiro) programmes.

In normal times they hold open days at the college for prospective candidates to go along for a tour and to find out more about the programmes available. However, this year’s open days will not take place for the foreseeable future and so the College is inviting interested parties to contact them direct for information.

Tyler Bradshaw, pictured, works hard to produce her three dressage horses, with her top horse Gijsbert entering the world of Inter 1s this year, requiring full canter pirouettes, tempi changes in canter and half pass. It hasn’t always been plain sailing but these are very talented horses with huge movement and athleticism. McTimoney treatment has helped these wonderful equine gymnasts.

McTimoney therapists treat using their hands in a specific hand position, performing high velocity and low amplitude adjustments at specific anatomical landmarks along the

spine and pelvis, inducing a therapeutic response in joint structures, muscle function and nerve reflexes. Once applied, muscle tension dissipates, discomfort can be resolved, nerve impingement is released and optimal function restored.

The MSc in McTimoney Animal Manipulation is the highest-level qualification in animal chiropractic techniques in Europe. The programme is designed either for students who already have training in a handson therapy (this may include a trained chiropractor, physiotherapist, osteopath or any other fully qualified and suitably experienced practitioner), for those with a BSc degree in Equine or Animal Science or for those who are a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Students from a non-manipulative background will be expected to complete the Graduate Certificate in Animal Therapy.

Students who do not have formal training may submit a portfolio of certified experience for consideration. www.mctimoneycollege.ac.uk/postgraduatestudies/msc-animalmanipulation

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN

HARRIET MORRIS BAUMBER

IMPROVE YOUR

CORE STRENGTH

for Stability in the Saddle

iders are becoming increasingly aware of their own fitness and the impact it has on their ability and the performance of their horse. Overall fitness is important

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but having good core strength can transform your riding.

Your core muscles support your

spine and hips and are engaged when you carry out most everyday tasks. If you have ever pulled a muscle is this area you will know the pain at the slightest movement.

Core stability is vital for horse riders to be able to move more freely with the horse and not lose balance in the saddle, resulting in using the reins to steady yourself or your knees to grip.

A strong core will also help you stay in the centre of the saddle, so if your horse spooks, you are less likely to fall off and injure yourself.

Event rider and trainer, Harriet Morris-Baumber never misses an opportunity to work on her core strength, building simple exercises into her daily routine.

Said Harriet: “I make a conscious effort to engage my core muscles at any given opportunity. Standing waiting for the water bucket to fill, filling the kettle up, carrying water buckets, emptying the wheelbarrow, carrying a haynet, sat at my desk doing emails, every moment is a chance to engage my core and build strength and condition in the muscles. These are all things you don't have to make extra time for; you just need to start the habit.”

When Harriet is in the saddle she is always engaging her core muscles, whether she is having a leisurely stroll out hacking or riding cross-country. Harriet constantly corrects her position and thinks about how she is

sitting, and whether her weight is evenly distributed.

Improving your Core Strength To develop more dynamic core strength, Harriet uses a power hoop, which is a weighted, foam padded, hoola hoop.

Core exercises like the plank improve static strength but the power hoop helps improve the core muscles whilst moving. This simulates the ability to engage the muscles when on the move, just like when you are riding a horse.

Being able to engage your core and move is a key skill to develop to improve your riding performance.

With just three to four minutes a day, you will start to notice a real difference and it is fun!

Harriet also has her own ‘Rock on Ruby’; a see-sawlike, training device developed by her coach, Christopher Bartle, to demonstrate to riders exactly how their position can affect the horse. Even just looking down with your eyes has an effect on ‘Ruby’ and makes the front end start to tip forward.

“Just five minutes on ‘Rock on Ruby’ is enough to trigger the right muscles into action and this makes a huge difference to my riding,” added Harriet. www.harriet-morrisbaumber.co.uk

BERT SHEFFIELD: LIFE WITH MY HORSES

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hope everyone is managing to stay safe. I can’t possibly comprehend how terrifying this must be for our NHS workers. My groom for the Rio Paralympics 2016, Sophie Rowe, is just finishing her nursing degree and has been called up to fight on the frontline. I am so proud of her.

“In these times I feel even more privileged that I have my horses and my dog, Burghley. They are the guardians of my mental health.

“My horse, Wonky Horse (Fairuza) is very fit and well. We were just on the cusp of starting our international competition season and the fight for team selection to the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 when

For information on feeding your horse or pony from Bert’s sponsor, HorseHage, please visit the website shown.

I’m hopeful that it will be possible in 2021.

“In the meantime, I just keep going at home. Everything we do has to be risk-assessed even IN THIS ARTICLE SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE-BASED more carefully to avoid injury to either humans or horses. We are PARA-EQUESTRIAN RIDER, BERT SHEFFIELD, no longer allowed to jump at WHO RIDES FOR CANADA, TELLS US HER the yard, to reduce the chances THOUGHTS ON THE COVID-19 VIRUS AND HOW of injuries and thereby protecting the NHS. IT HAS AFFECTED HER LIFE WITH HER HORSES “I have lowered the intensity of Wonky’s work and she is having Sophie Rowe with Darcy more time out in the field with her friends. I am so pleased that I have a good sized stash of Timothy HorseHage available for my horses as it is perfect for them as we go into springtime.

They can eat all the high fibre/low calorie forage they need to maintain gut health Bert with Wonky while still getting to enjoy some of the new grass. We have to pear-shaped was the everything stopped. We had watch Wonky’s waistline as she’s cancellation of my all-time been out to dip our toe in the a very good doer and she hates favourite international show, water at able-bodied British being without something to the Mannheim MaimarktDressage Elementary level, nibble on.

Turnier CPEDI3*. Then others winning our tests with some “I have upped the amount of followed. Then came the rather nice percentages so we groundwork I do with my announcement that Sport were qualified for the Pet Plan horses. I am going through a Canada had withdrawn their next level and nearly qualified groundwork routine with them athletes from the both the for the Regional Champs. to make sure they are relaxed. I Olympics and Paralympics if “The first sign it was all going have made my groundwork into they were held in 2020. This was a really popular free course over an epic moment. on my Facebook page “It is impossible to express how ‘HeartHorse Dressage’, soon to grateful I am that the IOC and be followed by an unmounted IPC along with the Tokyo rider seat-strengthening course authorities have rescheduled the and a ‘how-to’ on long-reining.

Games for 2021. The Games are “I am incredibly lucky to have a about the very best athletes wonderful support team around (and their hugely important me, even if we are all social support teams) representing distancing. Some are near, some their countries and battling it are far but when this is beaten out at peak performance levels, and we can come back together, on a level playing field. This we will be ready, we will be wasn’t going to be possible in stronger.”

2020 with the pandemic, but www.horsehage.co.uk

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN

OVER £50K UP FOR GRABS FROM THE

SEIB GIVING VIRTUAL AWARDS

THE SEIB GIVING AWARDS WERE DUE TO BE HELD IN LONDON ON THE 20TH MARCH. WHEN THE AWARDS WERE CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 A QUICK DECISION WAS MADE BY SEIB TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE THEM ONLINE.

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wo charities shared the top spot in the SEIB Insurance Brokers Giving Virtual Awards held from the 30th March to 3rd April. It is hard to believe that following over 36,000 nominations for 1,300 charities, two remained neck and neck and ended on exactly the same number of votes.

The front runners in the 2020 SEIB Giving awards and were each granted £15,000. Bransby Horses Rescue and Welfare and Redwings Horse Sanctuary were announced as the leaders in the SEIB Giving Virtual Awards ceremony. During the virtual awards, two charities had their placings – and grant amounts announced each day through video posts on SEIB’s social media.

Eight other charities reached the final voting stage of the SEIB Charity Awards and shared a

further £20,500 from SEIB. All had their prizes announced and a video celebrating their brilliant work in the virtual awards.

SEIB’s Chief Executive Officer, Barry Fehler said: “I am immensely proud of my company and our team have seamlessly ensured that each of the ten shortlisted charities got their moment in the spotlight.

Helping others is what SEIB is all about and I am delighted that we have been able to grant this money to such wonderful causes at this moment in time when it is so desperately needed.”

The SEIB Charity Awards have strict entry criteria; only small and medium charities are eligible. In previous years the criteria required that the grants should be used for a specific capital project. However, in light of Covid-19 SEIB realised how difficult it will be for charities to operate

L-R: Henrieke Freeman, Emma the Donkey, and Charlotte Main from Flicka Foundation

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during pandemic

Redwings Lynn Cutress holding Apricot, Lucy Bent and Gemma Walpole

this year and on this occasion the money may be used for running costs to help keep the charities afloat.

Doris Banham Dog Rescue took

SEIB’s Chief Executive Officer, Barry Fehler

best small charity in the 2020 SEIB Giving awards with a grant of £7,000. Trustee and Founder of the charity, Trudie James said:

“This money is a real Godsend to us. I would have loved to buy some kennels but I will have to use it for running costs to keep our dogs safe during this virus period. I have worked out that this money will pay three months kennel, care and retraining for twenty-one of our dogs during our survival period.”

Hertfordshire based, Gaddesden Place Riding for the Disabled (RDA) received a grant of £5,000. Trustee and volunteer Karen Gosen said: “We are delighted with the money and grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the SEIB awards. The nomination stage in particular was very engaging for our riders and volunteers. It was one of our volunteers – who is an SEIB customer – that let us know about the awards.”

The UK’s oldest horse charity, The Horse Trust – founded in 1886 – earned a grant of £4,000. Once Upon A Smile, a Manchester based bereavement charity received a £2,000 grant from SEIB, and Hope Pastures and the Flicka Foundation were granted £1,000 apiece. Claire Turnbull from the Flicka Foundation said: “We really truly appreciate this support – now more than ever. Our rescued donkeys are blissfully unaware of the current global crisis, but they deserve only the very best second chance at life and we must find ways to continue to be here for them.”

The South Essex Wildlife Hospital and Hope Rescue each received a grant of £250.

SEIB’s Marketing Manager Nicolina MacKenzie said:

us by SEIB Insurance Brokers.

Working since the November 2019 floods has been tougher than usual and though the waters have finally subsided, the fallout from this devastation continues. The money we’ve L-R: Jess Hester, pony Miya and Stef been so kindly awarded will go Leversedge from Bransby Horses towards purchasing a Kabota “Charities are facing some tough vehicle which we can use at our Barlings site where over fifty times ahead and we have been horses and ponies have been determined to not only make moved as a result of our Bransby sure that our finalists receive land being ravaged by the their SEIB grants, but that they floods. Thank you so much SEIB also have the opportunity for from us all here at Bransby some publicity through our virtual awards. I am very grateful Horses.” for the magnificent support we The Charities Trust provided have received with staging these SEIB with their help to carry out due diligence ensuring that each awards. In particular to Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and of the finalists met all criteria of the grant and are above board. the Horse of the Year Show for SEIB works closely with the the efforts they have made to promote the SEIB Giving virtual charitable sector and insure many charities and non-forawards.” profit organisations. Whilst SEIB Lynn Cutress, Redwings’ Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted is an independent broker, the company is owned by the to have been awarded £15,000 Ecclesiastical Insurance Group in the SEIB Giving Awards. As a that is in turn owned by the charity 100% funded by charity Allchurches Trust. donations from the public, this Giving is embedded in the generous grant will go a long culture of SEIB. From supporting way towards caring for our grass roots competition that 1,500 horses, ponies, donkeys gives opportunities to amateur and mules. This news is also a riders that they could only very welcome boost for our otherwise dream about, right teams right now who are through to the company’s working hard in challenging unwavering loyalty to times to ensure our rescued promoting nationwide equine residents still receive all the welfare. specialist care they need, so The SEIB team does a huge thank you to everyone who amount for local charities and supported our application.”

SEIB has proudly supported the Sally Crawford, Bransby Horses Burghley Sponsored Ride for the Executive Director of past six-years by covering Engagement and Income expenses so all proceeds go to Generation, said: “We are charity, it has raised over absolutely delighted with the £250,000 during its history. incredible £15,000 awarded to

VIRTUAL WINDSOR

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he Organisers of Royal Windsor Horse Show have launched Virtual Windsor 2020, a new online hub, which is free to the equestrian community. This enterprising initiative aims to help fill the gap left by the cancellation of Royal Windsor Horse Show 2020.

Virtual Windsor 2020 will host exciting features, the Show’s 200 shops, virtual Showing competitions, training videos, social media feeds and the best of online content from previous Royal Windsor Horse Shows. www.virtual.rwhs.co.uk

EQUESTRIAN

EVENTS

Horse Monkey has launched a new Virtual Events feature, that allows any organisers to run virtual events, that requires no physical presence from horse or rider. www.virtualevents. horsemonkey.com

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN

LOCAL RETAILER UPDATES: DURING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS BROOMFIELDS FARM:

Coggeshall Road, Earls Colne, Essex, CO6 2JX. Tel: 01787 224358 Email: info@broomfields-farm.co.uk

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e are operating on an order-and-collect basis.

Customers can use our new click and collect website found via www.broomfields-farm.co.uk, or order over the phone or email in advance.

“We are also on Facebook and Instagram, and we are currently open for collections Monday – Saturday 10am-3pm and closed on Sunday. However this is of course subject to change.”

WIX EC:

Clacton Road, Wix, Essex CO11 2RU Tel: 01255 870744 www.facebook.com/wixequestriancentre

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xtensive feed shop now open 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday, closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Any queries or to check stock availability during opening hours. Collection service available.

KILN SADDLERY:

Layer Road, Kingsford, Colchester, Essex Tel: 01206 734695 / 07840 551945 Email: merrettlisa@yahoo.co.uk

K

iln Saddlery would like to wish their past and current customers good health and best wishes at this time.

“We will remain open to enable our customers to still buy essentials, medicaments and animal feed.

“Due to Covid-19, strict social distancing measures are in place in order to keep our customers and staff safe. Please use card not cash to pay. Strictly one customer at a time. Self service: you can preorder/pay by phone and come and collect the products from the car park.”

Open hours: 9.30am-5pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

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SEE DEE PETS:

1 Middleton Road, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2DB Tel: 01787 311122 www.facebook.com/SEEDEEPETS ee Dee Pets is a small family-run business that is based in Sudbury. “We have been trading since 1982. We are primarily animal feed but we do have a shop floor (currently not accessible) with a good selection of accessories and supplements.

“We stock a lot of wild bird, cat, dog, ferret, aviary birds and poultry feeds loose, as well as by the sack and half-sacks at competitive prices. We also stock feeds and bedding for larger animals like horses, pigs and sheep etc. If we don’t stock something we will always do our best to get products in for customers.

“To protect our staff and our customers we are currently not allowing customers in the shop. We are working on a ‘call and collect’ service basis. Customers can call or private message our Facebook page with an order and payment (if an order is messaged on Facebook a number will need to be left to contact for payment, or we will let you know when the invoice is ready and you can call to pay before collection). Each order will have an itemised invoice and card receipt.

“We have found this is the best way to continue trading at this current time, safest for us and our customers and it also means our customers know what they are coming in for is available. We have found this has been very well received.”

Open hours currently are not changed and continue to be Monday-Saturday 9am-5:30pm. Closed on Bank Holidays.

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BATTLESBRIDGE HORSE AND COUNTRY:

The Mills, Chelmsford Road, Wickford, Essex, SS118TR Tel: 01268 560008 www.horseandcountryshop.co.uk

“We stock all animal feed and bedding from bird feed,to rabbit, guinea pig, dog, cat, sheep, goats, pig, chicken, ducks, donkey and a large range of horse feeds.

“We are offering free delivery for any of our customer over the age of 70-years, or anyone in total isolation in a 10-mile radius.

“We also have a call-and-collect service if required, and our friendly and helpful team are ready to assist.”

Current opening hours: Monday- Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.

GLADWELLS PET & COUNTRY STORES:

Nine Gladwells Pet & Country Stores across East Anglia and the south-east of England Tel: 01473 730246 www.copdockmill.co.uk “During this period, one thing has remained clear, our pets still need their feed! Therefore at Gladwells Pet & Country Stores, we have remained open, and tried to continue as closely to business as usual as we can.

“Our stores have retained their usual opening hours, and where possible have offered delivery services. We have seen a phenomenal response to our delivery service, and would like to thank our

customers for their patience as we have endeavored to fit in as many deliveries as we can.

“In store, we are asking customers to only shop for the necessities as and when they need to, firstly to ensure that our staff and customers are safe, and secondly to ensure stock levels are maintained so there is enough stock for everybody.

“We also ask that customers adhere to the two meter social distancing restrictions, and in some of our smaller stores, we have had to limit the number of customers we can have in store at any one time.

“We have launched a ‘Call and Collect’ service, whereby customers can call ahead with an order to collect at an allocated time to help reduce contact in our stores as much as possible.”

Mildenhall Road, IP32 6ER

Hullbridge Road, SS6 9QG

Graveney Road, ME13 8UR

Old London Road, IP8 3LA

Lincoln Road Industrial Estate, PE1 2AZ

Harold Road, CT9 2HS

26 Finborough Road, IP14 1PR

Sanders Lodge Industrial Estate, NN10 6BQ

Felderland Lane, Eastry, CT14 0BX

For store opening times and more please visit www.copdockmill.co.uk/countrystores

SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN ife for ourselves, and therefore our horses, has obviously changed recently due to the Coronavirus restrictions. But, if we turn the word ‘restrictions’ into ‘opportunities’ the world looks much brighter. Right now we have the opportunity to use this time to slow everything down – to our horse’s pace.

Slow living was growing in popularity even before Coronavirus imposed it: slow travel; slow food; slow tv; and so on, built on the back of the mindfulness movement. It helps us to live in a connected and conscious way, rather than skimming the surface of life in the rush of modern living. It’s also fantastic for our relationship with our horses.

So, what can we do with our

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horses and for ourselves during this time that is socially responsible but also enriching?

Slow grooming: Take your time and use long strokes of the brush, noticing what your horse likes where: Stiff or soft brushes?

Scratches behind the ears?

Gentle mane brushing? Have a good check over his legs and areas that don’t get looked at so often, like between the front legs, the belly and under the tail.

Take time to assess his coat and condition and the way he stands and moves.

Walking and hand grazing: This is a very enriching activity to do with your horse. Still your mind and let it relax down into your body and just ‘be’ with your horse.

Wander where they wander, notice what they notice, look at what they like to eat (often

KATE CHANDLER IS AN EQUINE THERAPIST WORKING IN ESSEX, KENT AND SUFFOLK. THROUGH HER COMPANY, EQUIHEAL, KATE PROVIDES MASSAGE AND REIKI (ENERGY HEALING) TO HORSES AND SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF QUALIFYING AS AN EQUINE BEHAVIOURIST. KATE RUNS WORKSHOPS, WRITES A REGULAR BLOG THAT’S AVAILABLE THROUGH HER WEBSITE, AND WILL ALSO SOON BE PROVIDING ONLINE COURSES. 30

mind and you will notice more connection with them, which will build trust and deepen your relationship.

plants as well as grass), be aware of your environment and just enjoy the moment with them; it’s very bonding.

Mindfulness: Mindfulness is hugely beneficial to us, helping to keep our outlook relaxed and in perspective. Horses are naturally brilliant at it; they live in the moment and use their whole body, not just their head, to help them to see, hear, feel and stay in harmony with the energy around them and their environment. With regular practice your horse will sense your calmer

Learning: There are many free or discounted courses available online at the moment. Using this time to up-skill and learn more about horses can only benefit both you and your horse; as we all know, there is always more to learn about these wonderful companions of ours.

Above all, leave everything that’s going on in the world at the yard gate and enjoy your time with your horse! www.equiheal.co.uk

Kate with Eldorado at Athena Herd

EQUESTRIAN RELIEF RAISES £250,000 FOR NHS

questrian Relief and the team at Bolesworth are thrilled to be handing over £250,000 to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal. Leading Olympic riders from across the disciplines, as well as horse racing jockeys and celebrities showed their support for this major fundraising initiative launched by the team behind Bolesworth and Liverpool International Horse Shows.

Equestrian Relief culminated in an elaborate finale as the teams participated in a round of Dark Horse, sharing their hidden talent.

The teams went all out to impress the celebrity judges, TV presenter and Pop Idol judge Nicky Chapman and opera singer Russell Watson. This was combined with the public vote and the teams pulled out all the stops to win the final challenge and take the crown.

Going into the final in the lead, Team Eventing unleashed their secret weapon. A comical parody of Netfilx’s latest smash hit ‘The Tiger King’ performed by Ben Hobday. This put him at the top of the challenge leaderboard and sealed the overall win for the team. An outstanding rap performance by Team Polo’s Jack Richardson and Tom Morley put them just behind Ben boosting Team Polo into a runner up spot in the final rankings.

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BERRY FIELDS: A LOCKDOWN UPDATE

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his month has been our biggest challenge yet, as I know it has for many others locally and across the world. Having closed due to lockdown we have used this time to selfisolate with our animals and improve our yard as much as we can with the resources we have.

During this time of lockdown we are thankful to have the open space of our private yard and our beautiful animals that always lift our spirits.

We have continued to walk and exercise our animals under the strict lockdown guidelines

of one walk a day. They have enjoyed this change of scenery and a nibble on the way round.

The weather has been kind to us and the animals have enjoyed lazing about in the paddocks enjoying the sunshine. This good weather has also allowed us to keep up with maintenance and improvements around the yard. We have even learned new DIY skills and built nest boxes and bug hotels for our woodland area.

Our fantastic farrier Nathan Salter has also been out to visit the herd during this month.

Even though we are closed the care of our herd is paramount.

Said Nina Barbour, Bolesworth Managing Director: “We are delighted to be in a position to be donating over quarter of a millions pounds to the NHS Covid-19 Crisis Fund. I would just like to extend a massive thank you to everyone from the Equestrian World who has supported this fantastic cause in every way.”

Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together said: “We are massively grateful and inspired by all of the sports people, who are our idols, that are giving back and saying thank you. To hear the NHS are their heroes is fantastic and although the donations are important, as they’ll make a massive difference, it’s the morale and emotions that are involved which mean so much to all of our teams.”

Zara Tindall, Team Captain for the Eventers said: “It was a honour to be asked to get involved with Equestrian Relief, such an amazing group of people to be able to come together to try and support our NHS for the unbelievable job they are doing to fight this war against Corona and hoping that the money raised will help in the areas that it is really needed.”

To donate visit: www.equestrianrelief.com

By Rachel Hartopp In other news we have now been officially announced as an ambassador for the British Grooms Association and you can read all about us on their website page. www.berryfieldsanimal assistededucation.co.uk

HOLLAND COOPER:

SUPPORTS NHS Holland Cooper have pledged that 10% of online sales will go towards the NHS Charities Covid-19 Urgent appeal. www.hollandcooper.com

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN

ASK A Masterminder...

Small & Supercharged Mastermind is an online group supporting small equestrian and rural businesses and, as such, is bursting with amazingly knowledgeable people with lots to share.

Each month we’ll be asking them a question and members will be sharing their top tips.

This month we’re focusing on pivoting…

HOW HaVE YOU aDJUSTED YOUR BUSINESSES?

HOW WILL THIS SHAPE THEM ( POSITIVELY ) FOR THE FUTURE? Zoe Kiff, Honest Riders: “We’re one of the lucky ones. Our amazing, loyal customers have continued to support us throughout the Covid-19 crisis, buying online and commenting/liking on our social media.

“However, we’d be lying if this crisis hasn’t given us pause for thought. The world as we know it really has changed and we truly believe that there is going to be even more need for us to address sustainability in the equestrian world. It’s now more important than ever that the ingredients and materials we use are eco-friendly. It’s important that we keep air miles during production even lower than before. It’s important that the packaging we use is recyclable.

“If nothing else, this lockdown has given us the headspace to think about exactly how we’re going to get there. We’re pretty sure our customers will come out of this expecting us to be better. And be better we will.” www.honestriders.co.uk

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Victoria Bodey, Equiboodle: “We have closed our physical shop during Coronavirus but that’s allowed me to really focus online and on social media too. I’ve been doing a Live a day on Instagram and have loved getting to know my customers and followers better through this. It’s something I’m planning to keep doing too.” www.equiboodle.co.uk Kathryn Bell, Team Equestrian Shop: “I have mostly ceased production but have one item that I can easily make from home (messages from your horse personalised ear covers). Hopefully this will keep me ticking over until lockdown is over. I have taken my website down to save costs but have been meaning to rejuvenate it for a long time. I will use the opportunity to redesign the website and review some of my product range.” www.teamequestrianshop.co.uk

Sarah Johnstone, Apt Cavalier: “Since lockdown started I have used it as an opportunity to take the pressure off of myself. I am still very much working and packing orders but I’ve taken a small step back from my every day to-do list as now that our trade stands have been cancelled it does reduce my deadlines a bit.

“I’ve had a lot of fun with my coloured pens - getting busy brainstorming ideas and plans that have been trapped in my head for months. It feels amazing to ‘brain dump’ them onto paper as it helps me separate the good ideas from the bad and now I can take them forward and start implementing first steps.” www.aptcavalier.com Amanda Marshall, 3 Donkeys Clothing: “I have been treating every day as the ‘New Normal’, focusing on being consistent and not selling, and showing that we are a genuine small family brand.

Going forward, I believe that things will be different and we shall have to continue to evolve and adapt. I shall always be ready to tackle each new situation/demand as they arise.“ www.3donkeys.co.uk

Ruth Chappell, Dressage Anywhere: “My top tip is to adapt what you already do to benefit those in need.

National restrictions mean that less people are riding their horses, so at Dressage Anywhere we postponed our April competition and replaced it with a Hobby Horse Online Dressage Competition that people can take part in from home. With 80% of the entry fee going to the NHS Charities Urgent Appeal, we’ve enlisted some top name riders and Judges to get involved and inspire dressage riders across the world to have a go. It’s been great fun to build and watch it go viral on social media, what’s more the Judges have really embraced the spirit of it and their feedback on rider’s scoresheets is brilliant!” www.dressageanywhere.com Nicola KinnardComedie, NKC Equestrian Training: “During the Coronavirus crisis I really wanted to still be able to help owners to take better care of their horses, and at this time it is so important to have up to date horse first aid knowledge, and be clear on when you need to call the vet.

So I have taken my in person Horse First Aid Course, and the digital version of the course and combined these to offer a live online course. I decided to split the one day course into three sessions and provide exactly the same training via a video call. This way owners can still ask questions, can still interact with other owners and are receiving the same training as they would at a course, all whilst staying at home.

“This live course is supported by all of our self study first aid learning materials so those with more time can utilise these as well.

“The first session ran Saturday 11th April and it was fantastic. There was a great atmosphere, some fantastic questions and lots of brilliant feedback. I will certainly run an additional series of ‘live online’ courses again.” www.nkcequestrian.com

Emma Warren, Hiho Silver: “As a show brand, we're really used to having to pivot our focus really quickly - we've been through foot and mouth and various show cancellations over the years and although painful at the time, we’ve done it enough times to know that eventually the good times cycle back into focus.

“Being resilient as a brand and not panicking about things we can’t control is what we have found serves us best, as well as looking at how we need to change for the new circumstances.

“Covid-19 has moved many businesses much further online, so knowing yourself as a brand and being true to who we are is really important to us at the moment. We’re so lucky that we have very supportive customers, so we’re trying our best to support them and be there for them through these very strange times. We’re all in this together.” www.hihosilver.co.uk Zoe King, Performance Veterinary Physiotherapy and BungeeBand: “As a veterinary physiotherapist my work started to dry up before the official lockdown, then completely disappeared once it commenced. After 24-hours of worrying and stressing about bills and wondering what help I could get from the Government, I decided to take charge of my own finances and come up with a plan to sustain my business without help.

“I implemented a ‘treatment bank’ which allowed my clients to pay small amounts to me over the coming weeks/months which will then be used to pay for their horses/dogs treatments once we are allowed to work again. As a thank you to those taking part, I have reduced my usual treatment charge too. I’ve also been busy advising existing clients over the phone and via email on routine stretches/exercises they can be doing themselves.

“I’m lucky that I also run my second business, BungeeBand Saddlepad, alongside my Veterinary Physiotherapy Practice, and I have been busier than ever making and shipping products. I have altered the way we ship, combining the use of door to door courier services, with a weekly trip to our local post office which I use to send pre-paid parcels as well as stocking up on groceries, making this my only excursion off the farm each week.” www.bungeeband.co.uk To find out more about the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group, see www.rheafreemanpr.co.uk

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SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN

WHAT ELSE IS ON YOUR

WARDROBE DECLUTTER:

HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACH SAMANTHA HARDINGHAM IS QUALIFIED TO HELP HER CLIENTS BUILD A LEAN, STRONG, HEALTHY BODY AND MIND THROUGH BOTH EXERCISE AND NUTRITION. RUNNING ONLINE COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS ‘THE BODY MIND COACH GROUP’, AS WELL AS HER WEEKLY BOOT CAMPS, SPORTS MASSAGE, AND ONE-TO-ONE TRAINING/NUTRITION SESSIONS, SAMANTHA EDUCATES, TRAINS AND TEACHES HER MEMBERS TO FULFIL THEIR HEALTH AND FITNESS POTENTIAL BY OFFERING DAILY INSPIRATION, MOTIVATION AND SUPPORT TO ALL.

ry using the time in selfisolation to declutter, your wardrobe!

Anna Butler Stewart, Founder of heritage fashion label, Butler Stewart, shares her top tips for spring-cleaning your wardrobe.

Bucket List?

hoa! Well the world as we knew it has stopped since I sat down to write last month’s column. My thoughts go out to all those who have lost loved ones to Covid-19 and thanks to all the amazing NHS staff and other key workers on the front line during this time.

Frustrating as it is I’m sure our horses and our riding will all benefit from time off in the long run although it may not seem that way at the moment.

Talking of which, years ago a great friend of mine had a serious fall, injuring her neck

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and lower back in the process.

The result being that she couldn’t ride for at least a year whilst waiting for a back operation and then the subsequent recovery.

Devastated at not being able to ride or handle the horses, I asked her what else she’d got on her bucket list that she’d always put on the back burner because she didn’t have the time to do due to the tie of her horses. This led her to taking a second degree in Psychotherapy and she now has a fulfilling new career specialising in Equine Psychotherapy for children that have suffered domestic abuse. Similarly another friend with a neck injury learnt to speak fluent Spanish within a month using the free app Duolingo!

As I write we’re not sure how long the lockdown will be but it does give us all time to consider what else we can do in life.

“Boredom is one of our most

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CAN YOU MAKE THE MOST OF THE SITUATION? 34

TO BEAT SELFISOLATION BOREDOM!

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creative forces,” quotes Dr Sandi Mann, a researcher at the University of Central Lancashire who specialises in understanding the benefits of doing nothing. He believes that the Coronavirus could “unleash Britain’s most creative period since the Second World War as people find new ways to keep alive their leisure, careers and relationships.”

Hopefully we won’t experience another lockdown like this in our lifetime, but are we making the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity? It’s easy to say ‘stay positive’ but focusing on a project keeps your mind busy, distracts us in fearful, stressful times and is a great coping mechanism.

Open University has lots of free courses available in a wide variety of subjects and there’s always You Tube-versity to fall back on!

Until the next issue, stay safe everyone. www.facebook.com/ ItsTheBodyMindCoach/ www.instagram.com/ samanthahardingham

Be ruthless “Be prepared to be ruthless in sorting out what you want to keep and what you need to donate to charity or sell. If you haven’t worn it for longer than twelve months or it doesn’t fit you anymore, it needs to go in the ‘to review’ pile.”

Think about outfits “Put together an outfit laid out on the floor and take a photograph. You can create an album called ‘Outfit Inspo’ on your phone and this will keep a visual record of all the combinations you have, so you can simply look at a glance to decide what to wear.”

Stray items “Do you really need to keep these? Or could they be upcycled and give someone else the joy of wearing them? Again, add to your ‘review’ pile. You may have also spotted some gaps. These are the only items you now need to look to buy.

“I’m a passionate believer in slow fashion and heritage garments, our brand has been built upon designing garments that will become a staple of your

RHEa Asks...

IS IT TIME TO GET YOUR

POSITIVE PANTS ON?

I’M RHEa FREEMaN...I’M a PR, MaRkETINg aND SOCIaL MEDIa CONSULTaNT aND COaCH WITH a SPECIaLISM IN EqUESTRIaN aND RURaL BUSINESS. I WORk WITH a NUMBER OF THE BEST BRaNDS IN THE INDUSTRY aND MaNY THaT YOU’LL SEE IN THESE PagES...

D

A wardrobe staple the Antonia Skirt in Mulberry

wardrobe and stand the test of time in both quality and design. Choose to add in these ‘investment buys’ to upgrade your wardrobe instantly.”

Time to hang “Sort out all your broken hangers before hanging all your clothes up into colour palettes or garment sections (blouses/shirts, jackets/coats, skirts/trousers, etc). Store away winter clothes into moth-proof storage bags.”

Be disciplined.

“Now that you have a ‘review’ pile of clothes left it can be tempting to add some back into your wardrobe, but the likelihood is that you’ll never wear these items again.

Be disciplined and bag them up. Once you have donated or sold them, you won’t even notice that they are gone!” www.butlerstewart.co.uk

on’t worry- I haven’t been living under a rock for the last few weeks – and this chat all about underwear with a positive PMa comes from a place of awareness of what’s happening in the world. So don’t panic.

However, I feel like if there’s ever been a time to do your very, very best to think positively, now is the moment.

I know it’s not always easy to be positive, and I’m not saying you should be fake to your fans and followers on social media. If you’ve had the most horrific day in your living memory, don’t tell your fans that you’re living your best life at home because no one wins from that situation – they’re being lied to and you’ll know it.

As I write this, we are having the most glorious weather. It means that on my daily exercise I’m being bathed in sunshine. The flowers are coming out, blossom is on the trees, butterflies and bees are insanely busy, and the natural world is growing as it always does in spring. Now that’s something to be grateful for.

You can use the positive that

you’re seeing to inspire your following too. What flowers and blossoms are they seeing at the moment? What’s their favourite form of exercise? What are their fields like? And more.

If you have a product based business that you can do from home/online you might still be selling – and good for you if you can while maintaining Government guidelines. Please don’t feel bad about this. It’s important that if we can trade and we’re happy to trade, we do, OK? And if you’re trading in the guidelines then please, PLEASE tell people on your social media.

Please.

If you have closed, that doesn’t mean you should a) stop communicating with your fans and followers or b) complain every day. Use this time to share your world with your followers.

Use this time to ask questions and connect.

Use this time to send voicenotes to your new fans and followers. Talk

about what you’re noticing outside for the first time in forever. What you’re doing with your horse to help him stay supple/not look like a ball of hair at the moment. You can also use this time to try new things.

Victoria Bodey from Equiboodle (who’s featured in this magazine on the Ask A Masterminder section!) has started doing daily Instagram Lives for the first time with guests. Before this situation she didn’t have the time. Now she does and, through it, she’s already made some brilliant connections, got to know her customers better, and has learnt a new skill that’s helping get her business in front of more people and help her followers too.

This time we’ve been given, even though unscheduled and not wanted, is ours to make of it what we can. How are you going to use yours, positively?

Visit www.rheafreemanpr.co.uk • Twitter (@rheafreeman) • Instagram (@rheafreemanpr) • Facebook (/RheaFreemanPR) 35

SPECIAL FEATURE: LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN and look after them. If you can showcase your passion and love for your horses, that goes a long way too.”

WHAT BRANDS

By Ashley Rossiter

LOOK FOR IN A

Sponsored Rider ith lockdown putting a stop to the equestrian calendar, we thought we’d use these extra pages to cover some great new content. One area we get asked a lot by our readers is rider sponsorship, so we spoke with Ashley Rossiter, MD of MirrorMePR, an equestrian, country and lifestyle PR and Social Media Marketing Agency for her top tips and advice on brand sponsorship.

We asked Ashley for her thoughts on what they look for and how to get noticed for all the right reasons when life returns to normality.

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‘Look at me’ factor “Regardless of your level, the main credentials that brands are most likely to be looking for in their affiliated riders are;

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knowledge of the product and preferably, experience with the products. They will look for riders with a genuine and trustworthy reputation both within the equestrian community and across their online presence. Brands look for authentic riders who fit with their brand identity,” said Ashley.

“Before approaching a brand, ask yourself; which brand do I feel best aligned to me and what I do with my horse?

“Choosing a brand that you are passionate about is so essential.

After all, you’ll be expected to talk about their products with commitment. Of course, competition level and credentials are important at the higher levels of sponsorship

contracts, but not all. Some brands look for grass root riders to share the love for their brands, whilst others only work with elite professional riders. Do your research before approaching the company.

“Your relationship with your horses will also be reviewed by potential brands, not just under saddle but also how you care

Keep it personal “Please do not send a generic message on Facebook or Instagram that goes along the lines of: ‘Hey, I love your products, they are great. Do you want to sponsor me, I have XXXX followers.’

“We manage a large percentage of client’s social channels, and you would be surprised at the hundreds of ‘copy and paste’ jobs that we see (often the same person over multiple accounts) doing this on direct messaging.

Approaching a brand in this way will very rarely result in any kind of affiliation with the brand or company. You might get lucky and get a free product, but if your long-term approach is to have an ongoing relationship with a brand, this will not serve you well.

“Brands look for time and effort when reviewing possible brand champion relationships.”

For most brand champion entry level, companies are looking for the following: • Knowledge and genuine passion for the product/brand • Personal experience of the product.

• The effort made in reaching out to them So, broken down this simply means: • Do you love this product?

• Have you tried/used it before?

• Do you use it now?

• What is your experience of the

product?

• Why do you love it?

• What difference has it made to your riding, your horse, etc?

“When approaching a brand, you will want to put all these factors together and include them in your written approach.

It’s fine to reach out to the company and ask for a contact email for the best person to approach for sponsorship in the first instance. But only IF you are unable to find a number to call and ask who to address it to.

“Depending on the size of the company, they may not give out personal email addresses. Still, you can always ask if you can have a first name, so it makes your email stand out from the rest or apologise for an impersonal email approach, but no name was given out. Show you are keen and genuinely interested enough to make an effort and it can get you a long way.

“And, if the person at the brand and marketing agency takes the time to reply to your email, (even if it’s ‘sorry, but no thanks’ right now), always respond. We have had many a rider end up on the rejection pile when our clients are reviewing new rider relationships, simply because the rider just couldn’t be bothered to reply to us to thank us for taking time out of our busy day to investigate their enquiry and respond accordingly. It’s only a small effort to reply but can go a long way for future considerations.

“This a very brief overview (as I could write a short novel on the subject) but I hope you find it valuable if you are considering

Two-way relationship “Remember that any brand relationship you have is expected to be a two-way street. There will be a level of commitment you will be expected to fulfil, whether its social media posts or wearing a branded saddlecloth. The brand will give you a clear outline of their expectations and being chased up to deliver on these aspects will not see the relationship renewed next time!

“The more proactive you are, the better the chance of retaining that sponsor relationship and attracting more sponsors.

“Don’t get a reputation for being difficult, hard to get hold of or inability to deliver as these won’t help you in your quest for finding sponsorship.

“It’s also important to mention that just because a brand can only offer you a small package, it doesn’t mean you should pass it off. Is the brand the perfect fit for you? Do they have a great marketing team that is going to share and promote you too? Could it lead to raising your profile for more lucrative deals with different brands?

Think about the bigger picture.”

approaching companies for sponsorship in the future – Good Luck!” www.mirrormepr.co.uk @MirrorMePR

WIN! WIN! ONE LUCKY READER TO WIN A BUZZ- OFF X

RUg FROM

The Bucas Buzz-Off X fly rug is made from a special extra-deep lightweight mesh fabric that helps block out flies and helps protect against sun bleaching with UV protection.

The extra deep sides of the rug help to keep flies away and also help the air to circulate around the legs of the horse.

The rug wraps around the horse’s stomach, protecting this area from flies and the three surcingles keep it in place.

Other features include an integrated head/ear piece, silkfeel lining on the shoulders and neck, T-bar with magnetic Snap lock closure, shoulder darts, tail flap and leg straps.

Available in the colour Silver in sizes 5’0” – 7’0”, the Bucas Buzz-Off X is priced at around £105. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

To enter: Visit www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st May 2020 and close 31st May 2020.

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BUYER’S GUIDE 18K Gold Plated Silver Hoop Ring.

RRP: £198.19. www.carolinstone.com

Farlows Tiger Ladies Crew Neck Lambswool Knitted Jumper. RRP: £88.99. www.farlows.co.uk

Spectrum Citrine Studs. RRP: £90. www.emilymortimer.co.uk

Athena Linen Shirt in Sage.

RRP: £59.95. Salcombe shirt in Dark Olive. RRP: £49.95. www.schoffelcountry.com

The it d E y a M Contrast belt.

RRP: £65. www.annabel brocks.com

Monaco Wedge. RRP: £145. www.fairfaxandfavor.com

Photo Reverse Tinted (launching May) – brightening moisturiser with sun protection. RRP: £55. www.spacenk.com

Farlows Ladies Moleskin Stretch Jeans in Olive.

RRP: £94.99. www.farlows.co.uk

Sterling Silver and 18ct Gold Plated Fairfax & Favor Lapel Pin. RRP: £45. www.hiho silver.co.uk

Jasmine Snaffle Ring. RRP: £35; Olivia Torque Silver Stirrup Ring. RRP: £55. www.pegasusjewellery.net

Country Vibram Jersey lined boot. RRP: £130. www.lechameau.com

Ariat Fuse. RRP: £90. www.ariat.com

Ariat Cruiser Castaway. RRP: £80. www.ariat.com

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Echo Gold Initial Necklace. RRP: £95.

Additional pendant. RRP: £70. www.emilymortimer.co.uk

WIN! WIN!

A WEDDINg HORSESHOE aRCH WORTH £125!

18K Gold Plated Silver Hoop Earrings.

RRP: £234.60. www.carolinstone.com Ariat Prix 2.0 polo. RRP: £35. www.ariat.com

Morston T-Shirt. RRP: £32.95. www.whaleofa timeclothing.com

Athena Linen Shirt in Navy.

RRP: £59.95. www.schoffel country.com

Rainbow detail sweatshirt. RRP £45. www.annabel brocks.com

Giverny Jersey lined bottillon in Marine.

RRP: £100. www.lechameau.com

Assisi in Navy. RRP: £189.95. www.keithscarrott.co.uk

Hand forged and created from used horseshoes this makes a beautiful celebratory piece or table decor for any country or equestrian themed wedding.

You can personalise the heart with names or dates to make a souvenir of your special day that will last a lifetime.

Also available in Mr & Mr, and Mrs & Mrs. Winner to choose.

The dimensions may vary slightly due to the nature of using upcycled shoes, approximate measurements are 1m wide by 40cm tall. www.horseshoehearts.co.uk To enter: Visit www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st May 2020 and close 31st May 2020.

39

BUYER’S GUIDE

Fo r t h e

Lightweight summer sleeveless polo shirt.

RRP: £29.95. www.gingerand jardine.co.uk

Home

Waxed Canvas Log Carrier. RRP £49. www.lifeofriley online.co.uk

Sterling Silver and Tanzanite CZ Fairfax & Favor Roller Charm.

RRP: £35. www.hihosilver.co.uk Alassio boots. RRP: £249.95.

Assisi in Beige Suede.

RRP: £189.95. www.keithscarrott.co.uk

New Wool Throw.

RRP: £60. www.tomlane.co

Ariat Fuse. RRP: £90. www.ariat.com

Pigmentbio Daily Care SPF50+ helps to reduce melanin production and boosts cell renewal for a corrective and preventative brightening effect.

RRP: £18.50. www.escentual.com

Adaptasun Face Cream protects, optimises the natural tan, and maintains youthfulness of the skin in the sun.

RRP: £35.50. www.spacenk.com

Set of 4 Equine Place Mats. RRP: £34.50 www.gabriellashaw ceramics.com

Farlows Ladies Moleskin Stretch Jeans. RRP: £94.99. www.farlows.co.uk

Caspian Velvet Scatter Cushion.

RRP: £70. www.thelounging hound.com

New Relax & Pamper Box. RRP: £35. www.hoovesand love.co.uk Stirrup Bookends.

RRP: £55. www.ladidaandover.com Ariat Prix 2.0 polo. RRP: £35. www.ariat.com

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COMPETITION

WINNER! “Friends that sing together, stay together!”

- Taima Mathers

- Jodie Sillett

- Michele Rumsey

“Kisses for carrots!”

- Karen Lingley

“Wasn’t me!”

- Emma Chinnery

Love comes in all shapes and sizes!

SNAPS

EACH MONTH AN ABSOLUTE HORSE READER WILL WIN A PAIR OF

ARIAT BURFORD BOOTS

“Am I a unicorn now?!”

- Hannah Limes

SADDLE

- Adrienne Akers

“When you said it was a group lesson I thought you meant one pony each!”

- Sandra Chaplin

“Don’t look at me, I’m not listening!”

- Vicki Rudd

“Do I have anything in my teeth?!”

“So a horse walks into a bar...!”

- Louise Petchell

“Hey I got this mum, no horse is too big for me!”

- Mark Norman

“Say cheeeeeeese!”

worth £130!

Sponsored by

ENTRY IS EASY. SIMPLY EMAIL A CANDID PHOTO OF YOUR HORSE TO

snaps@ ahmagazine.com

DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS AND A CAPTION TO YOUR IMAGE. THE BEST PHOTO AND CAPTION WINS THE BOOTS!

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SPECIAL REPORT

BRIT CLAIMS SECOND SPOT:

GREATEST TEST OF HORSEMANSHIP AND SURVIVAL SKILL ON EARTH

No shortage of dramatic scenery

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but riders don’t change horses at every section (as they do in the Mongol Derby). The high mountains are a test of skill, not flat out speed, so the horses don’t run out of steam and can cover several legs at a time. On the flatter pampas sections however, where horses can eat up the miles quickly, riders swap to fresh horses regularly.

Riders also do large sections with pack horses, to carry extra kit into the mountains. As well as looking after and guiding a second animal, they have to switch mounts mid-leg to ensure the health of both animals by minimising the work.The Adventurists monitor the horses’ welfare at every

Sheltering from the storm

Photo: Richard Dunwoody

from around the Globe lined up at the start of the Pioneer Edition of the Gaucho Derby and, over the next ten days, the race certainly lived up to its billing.

The nine stage race crossed 500km of Patagonian wilderness, including high mountains and pampas lowlands, making the event not just a test of riders’ skills on a horse, but pushing their navigation skills to the limit and testing their physical endurance and ability to handle the wilderness.

Whilst The Gaucho Derby is a multi-horse race, it differs from the Mongol Derby. The race is broken down into 40km legs,

Navigation skills played a huge part in the race

Photo: Anya Campbell

A

Photo: Richard Dunwoody

fter running the Mongol Derby for a decade, renowned as the ‘world’s toughest horse race’, The Adventurists decided it was time to grow the sport of ultra-endurance horse racing and went in search of the next world beating adventure.

They didn’t just replicate The Mongol Derby with new scenery, but designed a new race from the ground up, based on the landscape, culture, history and horses of Patagonia and the Gauchos, and created, what they believe, is the ‘greatest test of horsemanship and wilderness skills on Earth’. And so, on the 5th of March, twenty-four riders

Horse welfare is all important Photo: Richard Dunwoody

Photo: Richard Dunwoody

IMAGINE YOURSELF THUNDERING DEEP INTO THE WILDS OF PATAGONIA ON HORSEBACK. YOU’VE GOT YOUR STEED UNDERNEATH YOU AND A PACK HORSE

BY YOUR SIDE. YOU’RE NAVIGATING ACROSS SOME OF THE WILDEST TERRAIN ON EARTH ATTEMPTING TO WIN ONE OF THE TOUGHEST AND MOST UNUSUAL EQUINE CHALLENGES IN HISTORY...

THIS IS THE GAUCHO DERBY

stage, with vet checks every 40km as well as race marshals and emergency and roaming vets to ensure that no rider puts their own competitiveness before the welfare of the animals. “We would rather

Photo: Richard Dunwoody Photo: Anya Campbell

Riders with pack horses coming down from the mountains

Riders in the morning light

Photo: Richard Dunwoody

horses, ensued and in the end, it was American Marie Griffis (a 2016 Mongol Derby veteran who runs an annual equestrian trip into the US mountains back home in Montana) who crossed the line first, having ‘weathered the storm well’ and ridden confidently ever since.

In hot pursuit, crossing the line in the second place was Clare King from Wiltshire, an experienced rider who finished third in the Mongol Derby in 2013.

Of the race she commented, “Every single decision affects your adventure and in turn your survival. There’s a battle between being competitive and ensuring your survival.”

But it was the Gaucho culture that left the biggest impression on her. “The gaucho culture, (was the best bit) staying in a puesto the last night and getting to experience it handson out of necessity.”

If you believe you have what it takes to ride in next year’s Gaucho Derby, visit www.theadventurists.com/ adventures/gaucho-derby

Riders celebrating at the end of a tough but exhilirating 10 days

Photo: Richard Dunwoody

nobody wins than someone wins by pushing too hard. Riders seen making bad decisions, riding too fast across difficult terrain or not presenting horses in great condition will get penalties or be disqualified.”

The first Gaucho Derby began with a fast valley ride for some.

Other riders took what they believed was a short cut through the mountains, only to have to turn back and lose any hopes of an early lead when they met unpassable terrain.

Temperatures were hot, with riders wondering why they’d bothered packing so many cold weather clothes, luring many riders into a false sense of security as to what was to come.

Over the next few days, navigation remained a key part of the race. Riders traversed some breath taking, ‘pretty gnarly’ countryside, with trails through passes, river valleys, dense forests, and bogs presenting challenges - all whilst individual riders tried to chivvy along a packhorse and keep their own horse on an even keel.

Then came the storm! Drama unveiled as the race headed through the mountains and a ferocious snow storm swept in.

Local Gauchos helped guide riders to safe passage and an emergency shelter was created in a forest, with some riders (most to re-join the race later) air lifted out as a precaution.

With further bad weather forecast, the race was reset on day six, with riders carrying forward their accumulated times from the previous stages, before the storm hit.

Some faster riding, without pack

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HEALTH & WELFARE: FIRST AID

THREE DECADES OF TRUST IN:

Animalintex

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illiam has been a part of Sue’s family for the past twelve years and although a little arthritic, the pair enjoy a gentler pace of life – happy hacking and occasionally competing in inhand arena TREC. In William’s younger days he participated in Pony Club eventing with Sue’s daughter.

Having owned horses since the age of eight, Sue has been around horses for most of her life and has worked on livery yards, a stud farm and a Point to Point yard, passing British Horse Society (BHS) exams and the BHS Groom Diploma.

With her years of experience, Sue ensures her first aid kit is always fully stocked with Animalintex for when an abscess flares up.

During the recent wet winter, Sue was once again reaching for her supplies to poultice William’s foot when the combination of standing in his muddy field and his flat feet resulted in an abscess forming.

After cleaning the sole of the foot with diluted Hibiscrub, Sue applied a hot wet poultice. The following morning when she went to change the dressing, it became clear that William also had an abscess brewing in the other foot.

When the second abscess had not burst through following three days of wet poulticing, Sue asked her farrier to take a look as she was concerned that it was deep and tracking upwards. But, just before the farrier arrived the abscess burst through so the

SUE GODDARD’S HORSE, WILLIAM, 19, IS PRONE TO ABSCESSES DUE TO FLAT FEET AND VERY THIN SOLES. HERE SHE EXPLAINS MORE farrier only needed to pare out the area around the white line to check for infection.

Following two further days of wet poulticing and two days of

FACTS ABOUT THE HOOF

dressing with a dry poultice, the dressing finally came off clean, indicating the abscess had gone.

With William now much more comfortable, Sue kept him in his

3 The hoof is made of keratin, the same structural protein as human fingernails.

3The frog is made up of 50% water and acts as a pump to help push blood back up the limb, working against gravity.

3 Hooves are designed to expand and contract to help absorb impact, especially when travelling at speed.

3 It takes nine to twelve months for a complete new hoof to grow.

3 When a foal is born it’s hooves are covered in a soft, sponge-like layer to protect the mare during the birth and this layer disappears quickly to allow the foal to take its first steps.

To maintain your horse’s hooves make sure you stick to a hoof care routine, picking out the hooves daily and removing any dirt and stones. It is important to ensure that your horse is fed a nutritionally balanced diet and that they receive regular attention from a farrier.

Suitable for rapid treatment of foot conditions, Animalintex Hoof Treatment is distributed in packs containing convenient hoof shaped dressings, ready for foot poulticing, so there is no need for cutting to shape, making Animalintex economic and convenient.

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stable, keeping his feet and bedding as clean as possible until the holes in his hooves had closed up.

Said Sue: “I have been using Animalintex for the past thirty years and before that I remember the days of the bran poultice! I wouldn’t consider using anything else and in my opinion it is the first product to be included in any first aid kit and I would highly recommend Animalintex to anyone that

owns a horse.”

Animalintex is the only VMD licensed multi-layered absorbent poultice available in the UK. It contains an antiseptic to clean and prevent re-infection and natural poulticing agent, Tragacanth, which, when it reacts with water, draws out any infection and creates a clean area for the wound to heal. www.robinsonanimal healthcare.com

HEALTH & WELFARE: FIRST AID DR GEOFF NEAL, BOARD CHAIRMAN AND HEAD VET FOR SPAW (SOUTH PACIFIC ANIMAL WELFARE), SHARED THIS MARES JOURNEY TO RECOVERY WITH ANIWELL.

AMHVET: SOLE TREATMENT: FORELEG WOUND n 13th July 2019 this 10-year-old bay standard-bred mare, living in Tonga in the South Pacific, went through a barbed wire fence, creating a deep laceration to the medial aspect of the upper right foreleg. She was also in foal at the time.

“These are a series of photos showing a horse that had to have a significant wound management solely with the use of Aniwell Active Manuka Honey Vet, showing how fantastically well it worked in a very unusual case.

“The owner got in touch through SPAW and we were able to get him a large tub of Aniwell AMHVet that we had stored in our supplies locker on the island along with 2-days worth of Bute sachets (all that was left on the

O

island).

“The instruction to the owner was to clip away the hair around the wound to stop it entering the site, use clean water to flush the wound daily to remove debris and then to apply the honey (AMHVet) cream.

“This was to be repeated every day and updates to be given as often as possible until I was up on the island in August 2019.

“Thankfully the mare had already had a tetanus vaccination course the year before.

“I was able to have a look at the wound in early August and again late October. I was impressed with the healing process that was happening.

“No bandaging, no antibiotics, just flushing and the Aniwell AMHVet.

May Special Offer...

Stable Shield, the leading name in equine bio-security, is offering 10% off their anti-Bacterial Paints and Disinfectant!

Offer ends 31st May 2020, simply use the code StableShield10 at the checkout on the Stable Shield website. www.stableshield.co.uk

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2 days post injury

6 weeks post injury

“The wound has taken three months to heal - considering the circumstances and what was available, the healing with just the Aniwell honey is really impressive.

“No proud flesh, no major infection and it has healed with minimal scarring.

Throughout all of it the mare has maintained her pregnancy.” www.aniwell-uk.com

16 days post injury

2 months post injury

Top left: Initial wound prior to treatment.

Above: 3 months post injury

Suggested Product...

SP Coolgel cools and aids in the relief of soreness caused by over exertion, minor cuts and abrasions. RRP: from £11.05. www.animal-health.co.uk

THE PODCASTING

L

Equine Vets

och Leven Equine Practice is a busy ambulatory and referral/surgical practice based in central Scotland. Owned by husband and wife team Hugh and Liz Somerville, Hugh is the senior veterinary surgeon and Liz has the official title of Practice Manager.

As a keen horse owner herself Liz said, “Client education and care has always been at the heart of the practice and is important to everyone in our amazing team.

We really believe in preventative equine care and giving our clients access to the correct information.

“We have always been proactive as a practice on social media and with regular magazine features, an extensive educational section on our website and lots of client education nights, but when the opportunity to explore podcasts came up I couldn’t wait to investigate.

“It was important to me that the podcasts were accessible to everyone and not just clients which is why the name The Podcasting Equine Vets was created. The podcasts are widely and freely available on iTunes, Spotify and all of the usual platforms as well as on our website.

“The first podcast we created was ‘A conversation about Laminitis’. Going into it I was a little nervous as we were going into unknown territory.

I had spent a lot of time researching how to set up a podcast as well as chatting to Rhea Freeman after she launched her own Small and Supercharged Podcast. Since then we have created twenty episodes and covered a huge range of veterinary related subjects from wound management, to colic, equine obesity and what happens to your horse when they go for surgery.

“We release a new one on average every two weeks and we love seeing the feedback we get from people all over the UK. We have also had people tuning in from the other side of the world which has been really exciting to see.

“The podcasts are aimed at all levels of horse owners and most episodes are a conversation about a subject, rather than a lecture! I am there to ask the vets all the things the owners really want to know and the questions they can often forget to ask in what can sometimes be a stressful situation. We have also recently launched a new series that is called ‘Tails of a Horse Owner’ and follows our clients’ journeys with their

horses through diagnosis and treatment. The plan is to do more of these episodes to share experiences and advice for other horse owners going through similar situations.

“We passionately believe that if owners have access to the correct information from a trusted source then many veterinary conditions we see could be prevented. This has a positive impact on the welfare of the equine population, it gives the owner the confidence that they are doing the correct thing and also reduces the number of preventable conditions that require treatment. We hope you enjoy The Equine Veterinary Podcasts.” www.lochlevenequine.co.uk

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NUTRITION Article supplied

by Sarah Stoneham BVSc, CertESM, MRCVS, Veterinary Nutritionist, TopSpec.

TOP THREE TIPS Feeding your foal

1

I recommend a low sugar and starch foragebased diet, balanced with optimum levels of micronutrients.

Gradually introduce your foal to its own feed at least 3-4 weeks before you intend to wean. This allows the foal’s digestive system to adapt to the change in diet gradually and helps to avoid a check in growth associated with weaning.

There are many products available for foals, look for a nutrient dense top specification stud feed balancer that is low in sugar and starch and cerealgrain-free. Top specification stud feed balancers will provide high quality protein and optimum levels of micronutrients, to support healthy skeletal development, superb muscle and avoid the risk of overtopping. Top specification feed balancers also contain specialised supplements that provide additional benefits.

These include pure, protected yeast products to improve fibre digestibility and a hoof supplement based on the scientifically proven levels of Biotin (15mg/500kg horse/day),

48

and associated nutrients, to improve hoof, coat, and skin quality.

Once your foal is happily eating stud feed balancer, I would advise gradually introducing an un-molassed alfalfa chop. Alfalfa contains 1.7% calcium, which aids bone development and is a much more palatable way of feeding this mineral than limestone.

2

Take care not to overfeed energy (calories) in proportion to protein.

Good quality protein is essential for healthy musculo-skeletal development. Bone is composed of 20% protein and is a key component of many other tissues and substances in the body including muscle, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Mare’s milk is rich in essential amino acids including lysine, threonine, and methionine which are vital for good growth. As the quality of mare’s milk declines through the second half of lactation it is important to ensure that your foal is receiving good quality protein from the rest of the diet, especially when the nutritional quality of grass drops in late

summer.

Overfeeding energy (calories) in proportion to protein should be avoided as this will maximise weight gain without providing the building blocks for healthy musculoskeletal development, a situation to be avoided. Conversely, underfeeding energy will slow growth which will inevitably be followed by an undesirable growth spurt.

Monitor growth. Aim for steady, even growth without overtopping to reduce the risks of problems such as developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD).

Healthy foals double their birth weight by a month of age, and birth weight will be trebled by three months of age. During this phase of rapid growth foals are reliant on mare’s milk as the principal source of nutrients; by three months of age they will increasingly rely on forage as a source of nutrients.

To support steady, even growth it is important to monitor

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condition, height and weight regularly and make adjustments to management and diet when appropriate. Although we only have a limited degree of control over the un-weaned foal’s diet, there are some adjustments that can be made. For example, if your mare isn’t producing enough milk and the foal’s growth rate is slowing, I recommend introducing the foal to its own feed of a top specification stud feed balancer from about three weeks of age. In this situation it is important to ensure that the mare and foal are on good grazing with access to excellent quality hay when they are stabled.

Sarah is available for advice on the TopSpec Multiple-AwardWinning-Helpline, free of charge, on 01845 565030.

Equerry Stud & Youngstock Cubes, and Equerry Stud & Yearling Mix help provide the correct nutrition which is so vital for all stages of reproduction, lactation and growth. With high levels of protein and highly digestible energy sources that promote condition and milk production, while raised levels of Vitamin E are an important anti-oxidant and assist with fertility www.equerry horsefeeds.com

Suggested Products...

Rowen Barbary Stud Mix A highly palatable, nutrient dense mix designed to meet the extra requirements of foals, youngstock, broodmares and stallions that is ideal to use as a multipurpose stud ration on any stud farm. Using highly digestible ingredients with the correct proportions of energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, it will help to deliver key nutritional support to all breeding and youngstock. www.rowenbarbary.co.uk

Foran Equine Friska Foal is a palatable multi-vitamin and prebiotic syrup specifically designed to support foal development. It provides essential vitamins to aid growth and development, and contains a prebiotic to support gut health - particularly beneficial during time of foal scour. www.foranequine.com/uk

s foals grow older they become more independent exploring the paddock and spending more time away from their mother’s side. The foal will tend to drink from the mother much less than they did previously as the mare’s milk becomes much more watery in consistency and the milk production drops.

The foal will now be receiving fewer nutrients from the mare although the foals’ nutritional needs keep rising. Although the foal will start to eat grass there will still be a nutrient gap, so at about 8 – 12 weeks of age a concentrate ration should be introduced. This will help supply a higher level of key nutrients such as energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium to help fill this gap.

Feeding the foal concentrates prior to weaning will help to

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By Becky Knight at Rowen Barbary

minimise the post weaning slump often seen, as a temporary loss of appetite and subsequent reduction in growth rate is frequently observed. This transition into the weaning phase needs to be smooth, and a consistent feeding pattern maintained by the foal as far as possible.

Several factors are very important when you are planning a feeding programme for a young horse. It is necessary to look at the nutrient requirements of your youngster, the feed nutrient content, the anatomical limitations of the young horses’ digestive system and the body changes involved with growth.

Nutrient requirements of the weanling At the time of weaning the foal should be receiving sufficient nutrients from a stud ration to maintain weight and consistent growth when the milk supply is removed. Weanlings cannot be fed low energy, bulky feed because their digestive tracts are not large enough, instead they need concentrated sources of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to meet their nutrient requirements.

The main concerns at this stage of the weanling’s

NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF Your Developing Foal

development are the need to provide a concentrate ration to balance the forage given, and to ensure that the nutrient intake is sufficient for individual growth. The protein requirements of the weanling are almost twice that of the mature horse at maintenance so it is important that they are fed a ration in order to grow properly and to help them achieve their full genetic potential.

Weaned foals should be fed good quality forage, have adlib access to good quality hay and also should be fed concentrates to help meet their energy requirements. Be careful however to feed the right quantity and quality concentrate as feeding them too high of a level of concentrate will encourage them to grow too quickly which may harm skeletal and tendon development.

Sustaining growth Not all youngsters grow at the same rate as breed, sex, body condition and genetics can influence growth rate and therefore the level of nutrients required. Managing growth during this time is very important because excessive weight gain may cause bone abnormalities and long-lasting skeletal problems.

Weight gain and development taper off as the horse matures.

As growth slows with increasing age fewer nutrients are required to support tissue growth, but it is important that the youngster is still receiving a balanced diet to help maintain growth and development. www.rowenbarbary.co.uk

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NUTRITION LOCATED IN NEWMARKET BUT WORKING BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY DONNA CASE BSC (HONS) IS THE HIGHLY EXPERIENCED EQUINE NUTRITIONIST WHO RUNS ‘THE HORSE FEED GURU’, AN EQUINE NUTRITION CONSULTANCY. FORMERLY A COMMERCIAL NUTRITIONIST ACROSS THREE BRANDS, NOW COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT, SHE HAS WORKED WITH HORSES AND RIDERS COMPETING AT AN OLYMPIC LEVEL THROUGH TO ONE-HORSE OWNERS WANTING THE VERY BEST. CLIENTS CAN TRUST THE INDEPENDENT ADVICE THEY RECEIVE COMES FROM EXTENSIVE INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE BUT IS ALSO TOTALLY IMPARTIAL OF ANY FEED BRAND. HER AIM IS TO DEMYSTIFY FEEDING FOR THE GOOD OF THE HORSE AND RIDER.

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oing your best to maintain optimum digestive health is something we should all be working towards with our horses. At the very heart of it, ensuring he receives enough fibre, is extremely important. Many owners start with their hard feed

and then consider the forage, but I would always advise to sort the forage regime first, followed by an appropriate hard feed as the secondary consideration.

Fibre helps to maintain a healthy digestive tract, reducing the risk of gastric ulcers and colic, but also

Digestive HEALTH 50

psychologically it helps meet his desire to chew. If fibre intake is compromised not only may the horse be at risk of digestive problems, but also behavioural issues.

The way in which we provide that fibre is critical. Horses have evolved to eat little and often as trickle grazers and so periods of fasting are not suitable. You want to ensure you give your horse the opportunity to chew for long periods throughout the day.

Looking for ways to extend eating times, for example in the case of good doers will be helpful. When the horse chews he produces saliva, which helps to buffer stomach acid. This in turn helps to reduce the risk of ulcers.

A good, consistent fibre supply will also help to support gut mobility, as well as being the main food source for the microbial population in the hindgut. These ‘good’ or ‘friendly’ microbes in the hindgut are responsible for fibre fermentation, but they do not cope well with sudden

changes to the diet. Many owners are great about gradually changing hard feeds, but with forage supply or turnout they will often make sudden, sharp changes. This can lead to severe disruption to this microbial population and in turn cause digestive health issues. As such introduce your horse to new turnout gradually, building up the amount of time he grazes a new field where possible, and make any changes to hay or haylage gradually too.

During periods of stress and change, such as a change in grazing, travel, competition etc, a good quality probiotic/prebiotic may be of particular benefit. Choose one that will supply high levels of protected live yeast which will support the microbial population in the hind gut and reduce the risk of disruption.

It also goes without saying to ensure you provide clean drinking water at all times.

This is another crucial part in supporting healthy digestion. www.thehorsefeed guru.com

NUTRITION Product In The Spotlight HorseHage... orseHage is a bagged forage containing no chemical additives, mould inhibitors, flavourings, molasses or inoculants. It is dust-free which is vital for maintaining a healthy respiratory system.

HorseHage is more digestible than other forages, allowing more efficient utilisation of the available nutrients and it is available in four different varieties with an option to suit all types of horses and ponies including those prone to laminitis.

It has FEMAS and BETA NOPS certification. Both these feed marks mean that the product is manufactured from premium ingredients which are fully traceable and that it has been produced under the highest industry standards.

Surprisingly, due to the particular fermentation process that HorseHage goes through, its sugar content is considerably lower than other types of forage – typically less than 5%. www.horsehage.co.uk

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GASTRIC ULCERS: SPILLERS INTRODUCES NEW ULCA FIBRE

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pillers has introduced a new gastric ulcer friendly feed. Spillers Ulca Fibre is an ultra-low starch, high oil fibre feed that is proven to support horses prone to gastric ulcers following veterinary treatment. For added reassurance it carries the prestigious BETA Equine Gastric Ulceration Syndrome (EGUS) Certification Mark.

Your horse’s stomach produces acid continuously, yet acidneutralising saliva can only be produced whilst chewing. In a domestic environment, opportunities to forage and chew can be limited, increasing

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the risk of gastric ulcers developing. Studies have shown that in some competition disciplines up to 60% of horses are affected by gastric ulcers.

New Spillers Ulca Fibre contains short-chopped alfalfa to extend eating and chewing time, encouraging saliva production and increasing the horse’s ability to buffer damaging stomach acid. The high oil content gives slow release energy for optimum condition and performance, and a full range of vitamins and minerals includes vitamin E for immune support and muscle health. High-quality protein includes lysine to support

muscle development and performance. Spillers Ulca Fibre can be fed on its own or in addition to a suitable low starch compound feed. www.spillers-feeds.com

Suggested Product...

TopSpec Digestive Aid is designed to optimise digestive health and stimulate appetite in horses.

TopSpec Digestive Aid contains vitamin B12 and high levels of a pure, protected probiotic yeast and a prebiotic MOS. It is particularly effective for horses that are working hard, on high concentrate/low forage diets, or stressed. It is ideal for use after antibiotic/worming treatments which can upset the hindgut microbial balance.

This proven formula, containing grass and mint leaves with added peppermint oil to make the whole meal smell delicious, works on appetite both externally (appetising smell) and internally (via a range of ingredients).

Effects on the digestive system and appetite will start to show within two days but maximum effects on appetite from the ingredients that work within the body will be seen within three weeks.

Using TopSpec Digestive Aid helps to maintain firm droppings in horses that have compromised hindgut function. This can be caused by insufficient fibre intake or stress. Both competition horses and elderly horses are examples of horses that can suffer from loose droppings. www.topspec.com

HOW TO AID DIGESTION

With TurmerAid

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he good digestive health of our horses is vital to prevent illness, disease and to ensure food is utilised efficiently.

By providing a forage-based diet which is balanced with vitamins and minerals you can meet your horse’s required dietary fibre intake and basic nutritional needs. Additional feedstuffs may be added to the diet to meet energy demands for horses that require extra nutritional support e.g. for performance or condition.

To further support good digestive health, many horse owners are using the natural turmeric supplement TurmerAid from The Golden Paste Company.

This complete turmeric pellet is carefully formulated to optimise the bio-availability of key functional ingredients which include turmeric (5.1% curcumin), linseed oil, black pepper, apple cider vinegar and yucca.

The yucca is added to aid digestion and have positive

effects on the microflora that occur naturally in the horse’s gut. Black pepper and apple cider vinegar both act to increase systemic longevity of turmeric, whilst yucca improves the absorbability of the active ingredients. Both the turmeric and beet pectin in TurmerAid help improve hindgut fermentation and absorption which is beneficial to digestive health.

In addition to aiding digestion, TurmerAid also supports the body’s natural inflammation processes and the linseed oil promotes a healthy skin and coat.

TurmerAid remains effective as the ingredients are evenly distributed in each pellet and are only released when the horse bites into them. There is no risk of individual ingredients dissipating inside the tub over time and the horse subsequently receiving an unbalanced measure.

RRP: £19.99/2kg. www.goldenpaste company.com

DAISY’S Herbal Answers CHAMPERENE BESPOKE HORSE HERBAL IS BASED IN SUFFOLK AND RUN BY DAISY BAYLISS, AN APPROVED HERBALIST, WHO HOLDS A BSC (HONS) IN EQUINE SCIENCE. QUESTION: “My horse has been known to suffer from gastric ulcers and although I am very careful and keep a close eye on him, I wondered if there were any herbs that could help to support his digestive system and prevent another flare up?”

ANSWER: As I am sure you are aware, gastric ulcers can be caused by various factors such as stress, long term medication, lack of grazing, low forage/high grain diets and intermittent feeding. Therefore it’s important to understand the cause of the problem and adjust their diet/routine accordingly. However there are also several herbs that can be very beneficial in the healing and prevention of ulcers.

Slippery Elm is used reduce gastric acid, ease inflammation and work internally as a poultice to soothe the digestive tract. Marshmallow Root used for soothing ulceration and inflammation of the digestive system.

Meadowsweet will protect the digestive system, soothe and reduce the build up of acid. It is an excellent all round herb for the digestive system. It is particularly effective for ulcers caused by drugs.

Comfrey Leaf is an excellent herb for healing and can aid in the healing of ulcers.If stress is the cause of the problem, herbs such as Chamomile, Valerian and Vervain can also be used to support the nervous system. www.champerene bespokehorseherbal.com

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NUTRITION Suggested Products...

Uls-Gard contains ingredients to soothe and coat the stomach, providing support against stresses. Uls-Gard should be added to each feed for all competition horses, and those on high concentrate diets. Uls-Gard can continue to be fed whilst the horse is in competition.

RRP: from £34.99/1Ltr. Pellets from £46.99/3kg.

Pro-Gut Balancer is a unique triple action pre and probiotic with MOS, on a palatable linseed and alfalfa base, which should be fed for 10 days before, and 10 days after any stressful activity such as travelling.

RRP: £14.99/450g.

All www.equine-america.co.uk

WIN! WIN!

TEN LUCKY READERS TO WIN A BAG OF

EqUERRY CONDITIONINg MaSH!

Equerry Conditioning Mash is a quick-soaking mash for horses that need to gain weight and condition.

And in this issue we have 10 bags to win.

It is a ‘Non-Heating’ formula with low levels of starch and has a good level of protein for muscle development and topline.

Highly-digestible fibre sources include sugar beet; while oil and linseed promote condition and a shiny coat.

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

Perfect for horses affected by varied eating times, changes in grazing conditions, changes in feed or changes in routine or workload, Comfort Gut is the highest quality Activated Charcoal available. Specifically produced from coconut shell and medicinal grade standards, Comfort Gut binds to toxins and acidic molecules throughout the horse’s digestive tract and eliminates them through the manure.

RRP: from £20/500g tub. www.equineproducts-ukltd.com Horslyx Pro Digest Balancer contains a combination of ingredients to support the digestive system from the stomach to the hindgut, while licking enhances saliva production which helps buffer stomach acidity. Slippery Elm and Seaweed Meal are included as a source of mucilage while a prebiotic supports beneficial gut bacteria and a live probiotic yeast helps provide a buffering action in the hindgut.

RRP: from £4.50/650g. www.horslyx.com

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Normal RRP £12.95.

To enter: Visit www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st May 2020 and close 31st May 2020.

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e always get told that horses need a near constant supply of fibre through their gut – but why? Well it’s not so much that the horse needs the fibre, but rather the billions of micro-organisms that reside in their gut require it to remain at healthy levels.

The bacteria, fungi, archaea and protozoa, living in the hind gut are directly responsible for around 70% of the horse’s energy metabolism, plus the microbial population make a massive contribution to the overall health of the horse.

These micro-organisms go about their vital work and break down fibre as it passes through the gut.

Good bacteria also make vitamins and allow minerals to be better absorbed, they mend the gut wall, help prevent ulcers and hind gut inflammation, defend against the invasion of bad bacteria, produce energy, prevent diarrhoea, produce heat within the gut and promote a

THE IMPORTANCE OF FIBRE FOR

Good Digestive Health

By Claire Burrow BSc (Hons), Devon Haylage good immune response.

If there is not enough fibre in the diet, these bacteria are at a disadvantage and imbalances can occur leading to digestive upset.

Fibre also acts a reservoir for water and electrolytes helping to prevent dehydration and colic.

Furthermore, a gut full of fibre is less likely to twist or impact and abdominal muscles are kept exercised as they squeeze and push fibrous material through the gut.

So, it is clear to see why it is dangerous to severely restrict a horse’s fibre intake and why putting a horse on a ‘diet’ shouldn’t mean cutting back on their fibre intake. If a horse

needs to lose weight, the amount of fibre shouldn’t be reduced but rather the type of fibre should be addressed so choose forage with a low carbohydrate content.

Our four types of Devon Haylage are perfect for keeping guts healthy. They are all high in fibre, high in dry matter, low in sugar and consistently high in quality throughout the year supplying your horse with great

gut friendly fibre. We can also deliver direct to you by the pallet, which makes life easier for you, keeps your horse happy and means their gut bacteria will never go hungry again! Along with ‘no hoof – no horse’ we should also be saying ‘no gut – no horse’!

For more information or to request a free sample contact claire@devonhaylage.co.uk www.devonhaylage.co.uk

Suggested Product...

V.I.P. In The Balance provides advanced nutritional support in one easy to feed, no added sugar supplement. Contains a concentrated package of vitamins, minerals and trace elements to improve the diet of both leisure and sport horses.

Nutritional support of the gut is fundamental for overall horse health. V.I.P. In The Balance supplies prebiotics and probiotics to help optimise gut function and healthy digestion. Also contains Diamond V XPls, a unique ingredient with a prebiotic function proven to to enhance THROUGHOUT MAY 2020 nutrient digestability.

RRP: £45/2kg. www.nettexequine.com

25% OFF

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NUTRITION

RESTORING THE GUT: Top he grass hasn’t stopped growing through another mild winter, leaving many native good doer ponies in danger of contracting laminitis. With the current environmental crisis, harsh winters may become a thing of the past, leaving some of us wondering how to shed weight from good doers.

There has been a steady increase in the number of horses that are overweight or obese, leading to health problems including Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Laminitis, Joint Disease and Cushings. Recent figures show 55% of horses are affected, and this number is expected to rise over the next few years as winters remain mild.

Obesity is seen as a disease of our time and the study of obesity in animals is an emerging science, revealing that adipose (fat) tissue produces harmful and inflammatory chemicals which predispose the horse to ill health and disease.

Colic and laminitis are the two biggest killers of horses, with diet cited as the main cause. The horse has a small stomach and a large hindgut designed to break down complex and diverse highfibre low energy fodder type foods.

The microbes of the hindgut break down the complex fibre to acetate, propionate and butyrate, otherwise known as short chain fatty acids, providing 75% of the horse’s energy requirements.

The microbes in the gut also

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require a wide variety of plant compounds containing phytochemicals which interact with the bacteria that promote and control metabolism, lack of these promotes metabolic imbalances and alters endocrine function.

You can’t change the size of the small stomach, so you can’t feed big meals; and you can’t change the fact that a certain amount of fibre is required to keep the hind gut microbiome happy.

If you are having long term metabolic problems the chances are the wrong diet has wrecked the gut and a state of low power and multiple symptoms are now manifesting. Repairing the gut will take time and thought: • Go back to what nature intended, lots of small meals of low quality forage, topped up with ‘straights’ for performance horses.

• Include a wide range of

Tips

nature’s anti-oxidants • Patience! Repairing the gut can take time and patience, sometimes it is one step forward and two steps back, especially for those horses with hindgut acidosis and gut wall permeability, these may take up to twelve months to two years to repair.

To know precisely what’s going on your horse’s gut and how to restore the gut without the guess work take the EquiBiome Test. The Test Kit is ordered online and once it arrives follow the instructions and return your horse’s faecal sample for testing.

You will then receive a detailed report with recommendations to improve your horse’s gut health.

With the right management, based on facts not guess work, your horse’s gut health can be improved. www.equibiome.org

Suggested Products...

TransVite Excel probiotic and prebiotic is the ideal supplement to aid with gut health. The high-grade probiotic is one of the strongest currently available on the market and works by balancing the good flora inside the gastrotestinal tract. This helps with increased appetite and condition – particularly important when workload increases.

RRP: from £63.69/1.5kg. www.equineproductsukltd.com

Nettex Gut Balancer is a prebiotic and probiotic supplement that can help maintain digestive health, promote healthy skin and coat condition, and maintain weight by supporting effective vitamin, mineral and nutrient absorption.

Containing the highestgrade ingredients including Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Brewer’s yeast, psyllium, FOS and MOS, plus Diamond V; a unique prebiotic which is a blend of multifunctional metabolite compounds that has been shown to have a positive effect on nutrient digestibility.

RRP: from £23.01. www.nettexequine.com

WHY COOKED LINSEED SO GOOD

FOR HORSE/PONY OWNERS

By Dr Tom Shurlock, consultant nutritionist for British Horse Feeds

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inseed has been a favourite amongst horse owners for many years; although, in the past, it was as a boiled product, to remove anti-nutritional factors and probably a fair amount of nutrients. New techniques mean there is a greater availability of nutrients and functional ingredients than ever before.

Whilst linseed has been used as a top dressing to add some protein to the ration, the value of Cooked Linseed is much more. The profile of the protein (its amino acid make-up) make an ideal complement to that

found in forage and is rich in those amino acids that help renew muscle protein during exercise.

Its oil contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, and help restore the omega-3:omega-6 ratio of the diet that, along with omega-9, is optimum to support central regulatory and vascular functions.

The fibre profile, and low natural levels of starch, also contributes to linseeds flexibility. The slow released energy supports exercise, maintains hindgut function and provides physical bulk to the gut contents, helping to support normal gut

motility.

As well as minerals and vitamins, including a rich source of the gamma- version of vitamin E, Linseed has many functional nutrients. These include a range of antioxidants and polyphenols that help support both the natural inflammation cycle, immune function, allergic response and metabolic efficiency, as well as supporting insulin sensitivity.

On the whole, Cooked Linseed is a perfect complement to any diet. A ration for an active horse can include it to support muscular activity and recovery, while for a hacking pony,

Cooked Linseed will provide general nutrition to improve wellbeing; there’s the prospect of a shiny coat and good skin condition, a positive for show animals. In short, any horse or pony can benefit from Cooked Linseed, as part of a good, foraged/fibre-based diet. www.britishhorse feeds.com RRP: £24.99/20kg.

HG ONE: ESSENTIAL BIT OF KIT

NUTRITION

WINNING SHINE:

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FOR GINGER BISCUITS

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e all want our horse or pony to stand out with a beautiful gleaming coat and looking his best, whether or not we are heading to a show. Mollichaff ShowShine from HorseHage could be the perfect choice.

MolliChaff ShowShine is a highoil chaff for ultimate coat shine and is cherry-flavoured, providing a delicious taste and smell to ensure it is highly palatable to even the fussiest of eaters. It is made from the highest quality oat straw that has been chopped and dust extracted, and it is naturally high in fibre.

To give extra bloom to the coat and added condition, it contains a unique coating which combines high levels of soya oil with a light coating of molasses.

Limestone is also added to

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provide additional calcium for healthy growth and strong bones.

Ginger Biscuits (or Percy, as he is known at home), an 8-year-old Thoroughbred owned by Anna Matthews was bred for racing but never actually raced. Anna has owned him for two years and has mainly shown him in lightweight hunter and working hunter classes.

Said Anna: “Percy has been on Mollichaff ShowShine for about three months now and I have noticed a real difference in his coat. He is glossier and his coat has a much deeper colour, and most importantly, he absolutely loves it and it smells amazing!”

Mollichaff ShowShine will add extra fibre to hard feeds, and can be mixed with concentrates to prolong feeding time and help maintain a healthy digestive

system by stimulating the production of saliva. The extra fibre helps prevent horses and ponies from bolting down their feed and reduces boredom while they are stabled. It can also be used in place of hard feed if fed alongside an all-purpose vitamin and mineral supplement or feed balancer. www.horsehage.co.uk

aygain want to remind everyone that now spring is here not to forget horses that suffer with respiratory conditions as their symptoms may start getting worse.

Haygain’s patented steaming technology is the only scientifically proven way to purify hay and haylage, eliminating up to 99% of the harmful particles that can cause respiratory diseases including dust, bacteria, fungi and mold spores. The Haygain purification process means that no essential nutrients in the hay are lost during steaming. Haygain hay steamers are used and recommended for respiratory health by world-class riders, trainers, veterinarians and scientists globally.

Sir Mark Todd has been a Haygain customer for many years and comments, “We all know that dry hay, even of the best quality contains dust that affects horses’ respiratory system. So to be sure my forage is clean, and free of any dust or spores, I use Haygain.”

The HG One takes a large haynet and is ideal for one horse. You can try before you buy so call to find out more.

Tel: 01488 854005

LAMINITIS

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LATEST RESEARCH:

STRIP GRAZING CAN HELP RESTRICT WEIGHT GAIN fence placed across the width of the paddock to allow fresh grass to be accessed each day by moving it 1/28th of the paddock length daily; strip grazed with both a lead and a back fence with the back fence being moved the same distance as the lead fence daily.

The ponies were weighed and body condition scored weekly.

Bodyweight gains were significantly higher for the ponies without any grazing restriction but there was no significant difference in weight gain for those with the lead fence and those with the lead fence and back fence.

“The ponies with gradual access to pasture via strip grazing had significantly lower bodyweight gains than their counterparts who were allowed free access to the entire 28-day herbage allocation,” said Clare Barfoot RNutr, Marketing and Research and Development Director at Spillers. “If you are planning on turning your horse out to grass during this current situation or at any other time it’s certainly worth considering installing a

Photo: Sarah Shephard

ates of obesity are considered to be as high as 70% in some populations of ponies. Quite simply horses usually get fat because they receive more calories/energy in their diet than they burn through activities such as exercise, keeping warm and just the daily energy required to keep them alive (basal metabolic rate). Excess weight increases the risk of laminitis so it’s crucial to try and keep grass intake under control.

The latest research shows that strip grazing could be a useful tool for restricting weight gain.

Comparison of three restricted grazing practices for equine bodyweight management during the UK grass growing season was conducted by Annette Longland in collaboration with Spillers via the Waltham Equine Studies Group which strives to enhance equine health and welfare worldwide.

The study compared three restricted grazing practices for equine bodyweight management during the UK grass growing season. Three groups of four ponies, that had been equally matched for weight, height and secondarily, body condition score, were placed in paddocks with a herbage yield equivalent to 1.5% (dry weight) of the ponies’ bodyweight per day for 28 days. They were assigned to one of three grazing practices: no other restriction; a lead

strip grazing fence and moving grazing muzzle can reduce it once a day.” intake by up to 80% but it The next stage of research must be properly fitted, includes looking at a number of allow for drinking and you other aspects of strip grazing must let the horse or pony such as pasture wear and tear get used to it before leaving and activity levels in order to be it on for long periods able to give further advice as to although they should never the choice of strip grazing be left on for 24-hours a method. day. Continue to monitor To help horse owners get bodyweight as some horses through these testing times and ponies can still gain safely, Clare has put together weight while wearing a the following tips: grazing muzzle.

1. Install a strip grazing system: 6. Feed an alternative safe smaller paddocks are best to source of forage: For horses limit grass availability, but the and ponies at very high risk fence should be moved daily. consider removing them 2. Turn out at night: Overnight from pasture altogether and typically grass will contain less feeding them a suitable sugar and fructan (Water forage/ short chopped fibre, Soluble Carbohydrate). preferably one that has been 3. Beware of restricting time at approved by the Laminitis grass: Ponies in particular Trust. learn quickly that they need 7. Up the exercise: Regular to maximise their time eating exercise will help keep a and can consume 40% of their horse’s waistline in check daily intake in just 3 hours! and support a healthy 4. Use fewer rugs: Fewer rugs or metabolism. no rugs at all will encourage a www.spillers-feeds.com horse to burn off a few extra pounds keeping warm!

5. Try a grazing muzzle: A

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LAMINITIS

FEEDING THE

Laminitic

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

suitable regime for a laminitic. If these factors can be managed, and/or treated prior to an attack, it may help to prevent laminitis from occurring in the first place.

1 - Hormonal Dysfunction has been identified as one of the most common contributing factors to laminitis. Insulin Dysregulation (ID) or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Pars Pituitary Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID or Cushing’s) have been diagnosed by vets in up to 90% of laminitis cases.

These conditions can help to explain why certain horses and Risk factors for laminitis ponies are more susceptible to Laminitis is multifactorial i.e. it laminitis than others. For those is rarely caused by one factor that suffer from (or are prone alone, and thinking about the to) these hormonal conditions, factors that can contribute will restricting sugar and starch help to establish the most intake is essential.

A different form of hormonal effect can come from certain medication (e.g. corticosteroids) which can increase the risk of laminitis, particularly in horses and ponies with PPID/ID. Stress is another factor with hormonal involvement that

iet is one of the most important things to consider when managing a laminitic; it is crucial in the recovery from laminitis and should help to reduce the risk of further episodes.

It is well-established that laminitic horses and ponies require a diet that is low in sugar and starch. Recent research is helping to improve our understanding as to why this is but also why correct dietary management alone may not eliminate laminitis permanently.

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can contribute.

2 - Carbohydrate Overload is caused by an excessive intake of sugar and starch. Grass that is high in water-soluble carbohydrates (e.g. spring/autumn/frosted grass), hard feeds high in starch (e.g. cereal-based feeds), and the use of highly molassed feeds can cause a rise in insulin levels in the blood. This response is exaggerated when ID is present and it is thought that persistently high levels of blood insulin may precipitate laminitis.

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

3 - Obesity certainly increases the risk of laminitis but it is not agreed how. There may be a link between obesity and hormonal dysfunction (EMS/ID). However, not all horses and ponies with EMS are obese. Increased

physical forces placed on the laminae, from carrying excessive weight, can also contribute.

The bottom line is that overfeeding calories and insufficient exercise play a big part. The inability to exercise until the laminae are stable, emphasises the importance of an effective weight loss regime for horses and ponies that are overweight.

4 - Toxin Release, which can occur as a consequence of sepsis following e.g. retained placenta, colic, colitis or pneumonia, has long been known to be associated with laminitis.

Although this type of laminitis can occur without a nutritionally-related cause, dietary management is still worthwhile to minimise other potential contributing factors.

5 - Traumatic and Supporting Limb Laminitis is not caused by incorrect diet. Pressure, blocking the capillary blood supply to the foot, is the issue that needs to be managed but controlling any other complicating factors is also important.

What to feed?

When a horse or pony first develops laminitis, the final trigger of the attack needs to be removed. This is often due to an excessive intake of sugar and/or starch from e.g. spring grass or large meals containing cereal grains. As a disturbance of the microbial balance in the hindgut can also be involved in this multifactorial problem, it is sensible to feed to re-establish the correct hindgut population where fibre-digesting bacteria dominate and sugar/starch digesting bacteria are minimised.

In most cases, low NonStructural Carbohydrate (NSC) hay (e.g. late-cut meadow hay) should initially be offered ad-lib, to help re-establish a normal hindgut microbial balance. This can continue for horses and ponies that are underweight.

However, for those that are overweight, hay should be gradually reduced after the first week to a maximum of 1.5% (as fed) of ideal bodyweight.

Hay can be analysed if its nutritional value is unknown

RELIEF FOR: but, in the meantime, soaking the hay in plenty of cool, fresh water for 3 to 12 hours is advisable to help reduce its sugar and calorie content. A low sugar/starch chop can be used as a hay replacer if appropriate hay cannot be sourced and/or soaking hay is not an option.

Hard feeds should also be kept low in sugar and starch and cereal-grain-free. Using a topspecification, pelleted or powdered multi-supplement is advisable to balance the diet for micronutrients. A broadspectrum supplement, hoof supplement, high levels of antioxidants and pre- and probiotics are all important.

These can all be found in one product that is widely available from feed stores.

I recommend speaking to an experienced nutritionist to help adapt these recommendations to meet the specific requirements of your horse or pony.

TopSpec can be contacted, free of charge, on their Multiple Award-Winning-Helpline Tel: 01845 565030

LAMINITIS SUFFERERS

TopSpec AntiLam is a palatable, pelleted multi-supplement designed to provide nutritional support for those susceptible to, being treated for, and recovering from laminitis. www.topspec.com

he recent warm weather suggests that spring is here – along with daffodils, rich spring grass and an increased concern about laminitis. Managing horses and ponies prone to or at risk of laminitis will be essential during this time.

Laminitic horses and ponies suffer from pain and lameness usually in all four limbs, but it often appears worse in the forelimbs. In acute laminitis the pain can be so crippling that the horse will stop moving but in milder chronic cases a shuffling, short gait which is worse on hard surfaces, and usually with an obvious head nod on turning, are typical signs.

When a horse or pony is suffering from laminitis it is important to make them as comfortable as possible and give them a soft bed to stand and lie down on.

Comfortstall’s orthopaedic flooring system is padded offering relief to horses suffering from sore feet and symptoms of laminitis. The comfortable and supportive cushioning encourages them to lie down more and take the weight off their feet. It is non-abrasive which also helps to avoid ‘bed sores’ or ‘hock sores’ from lying down for long periods or continual getting up and down off the floor.

Thanks to the therapeutic properties of ComfortStall’s level surface that springs back with every step, the joints, tendons and ligaments are also supported for improved joint health, movement, flexibility and hoof quality. The rebound from every step on ComfortStall’s cushioned flooring massages the horse’s frogs which can help stimulate blood circulation.

So if your horse of pony is prone to laminitis, invest in their comfort and keep them healthy and happy this season.

For a ComfortStall quotation, please fill out the online form at www.haygain.co.uk

Light Chaff is a high fibre, low calorie chaff that can be fed as a whole or partial forage replacer or as an additional source of fibre with a horse’s compound ration. For good-doers, those prone to laminitis and those on a caloriecontrolled diet, it is perfect for providing fibre without the calories. www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Timothy HorseHage is dust-free bagged forage made from timothy grass which is higher in fibre and lower in protein and energy.

Suitable for horses prone to laminitis. www.horsehage.co.uk

Suggested Products...

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SADDLERY & TACK

JUMPING SADDLES WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

IN THIS ISSUE THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS PROVIDE ADVICE ON WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A JUMPING SADDLE WHEN IT COMES TO FIT AND SECURITY. or showjumpers and event riders whether competing at grass roots level or aiming for one of the major Grand Prix competitions around the world security yet freedom in the saddle is a factor to consider.

Without doubt a saddle that fits both horse and rider correctly and helps both to perform at their very best is a valuable asset when it comes to success.

A jumping saddle has been specifically designed to provide

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a close contact fit to help the rider sit close to the horse and with their weight balanced.

It is important for a rider to feel their horse working underneath the saddle in order to get the best out of them. This level of communication is greatly enhanced by a single flap jumping saddle.

Showjumping requires the rider to be athletic and in balance with their horse at all times.

Jumping saddles are designed with knee and thigh blocks to

help support the rider’s leg position, and the forward cut flap helps assist balance in the saddle.

When deciding on which saddle to buy make sure it is one that is designed to allow maximum performance from the rider as well as the horse.

As ever, designs vary in style and colour and there are some saddles that are made using a single or mono flap system that allows the rider to have a closer feel around the horse.

As with all saddles we recommend that you use a Society of Master Saddlers’ registered qualified saddle fitter, so that you are guaranteed that they are fully qualified,

Express Service for Saddle Purchases...

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istributed in the United kingdom and Ireland by leading equestrian distributors, Zebra Products, amerigo and Equipe are offering an express turnaround service on all saddles for a small payment of just 5% of the total saddle purchase.

The express service takes the turnaround time down from the usual eight weeks to just four weeks. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

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professional and have over three years’ experience to get the best possible fit. Don’t forget to try out the saddle over a few fences as that is what you will be wanting it for!

Always pay great attention to the saddle’s flocking, it needs to provide cushioning to help reduce trauma to the back when jumping, also with the rubber composition panels likewise.

The forces involved with a big horse taking off, stretching over a fence and landing on the other side are tremendous, so the saddle must sit well and minimise the effect of jarring to the horse’s back.

If comfort, style and longevity are what you are looking for a saddle made from top quality leather is just what you need.

Remember cheaper leather can have a tendency to be slippery and not provide a secure seat with good grip.

Choosing to buy a bespoke saddle will help ensure it is fitted by trained experts who understand your horse’s needs.

Compromise should not be an option when deciding on your new showjumping saddle.

Ideally the saddle should maximise your partnership with the horse and balance comfort with style and performance. www.mastersaddlers.co.uk

Suggested Products...

The smart Equipe Emporio rubber reins are made from soft, Italian leather with solid stainless steel buckles and are finished with a printed Equipe logo. RRP: £43.

The Equipe Breast Check Breastplate is anatomically designed for added comfort around the horses’ shoulders.

Made from strong elastic with leather fastenings and solid, stainless steel buckles, The Equipe Breast Check Breastplate looks stylish, yet functional.

The elasticised dual straps enable the rider to adjust the breastplate for a perfect fit for extra security of the saddle. RRP: £84.

Emporio Flash Bridle with Stitching from Equipe.

RRP: £82.

The Equipe Emporio Grackle Bridle with Clincher Browband is made from Italian leather, covered in calfskin.

Featuring brass buckles as standard for a luxurious finish, the gentle bridle comes with a grackle noseband and sheepskin for added comfort.

The metal clincher detailing on the browband and grackle adds an extra touch of style and the anatomic headpiece ensures total comfort for your horse. RRP: £95.

All www.zebraproducts.co.uk

SADDLERY & TACK

DAY IN THE LIFE OF A...

Saddle Fitter

Stirrup leathers are long, so you can only get one strip from the hide; meaning the next leather comes from slightly lower on the ‘butt’. It’s still strong, it’s still the skin from the back, but it’s a little bit weaker and therefore a accommodate that growth. As little bit more stretchy. such, your stirrups leathers will So, how do you check they are stretch, and they don’t always even?

Take them off your stretch evenly. This can be for two saddle, keep your stirrups on, reasons - you could be placing and buckle done up. Standing more weight down one side or up, pop your feet in the stirrups, the leather is mismatched.

When we (saddlers) buy leather, it and your index finger in each of the leathers where the stirrup comes in a ‘butt’, which is bar would be and pull upwards. nowhere near as hilarious as it sounds. It is, in fact, one side of a Check to see if your fingers are cow. The leather at the top (across level with each other. If they are, give yourself a pat on the back… the cow’s back) is strong and if not, buy some new ones, thick; this leather is used for maybe even consider some ‘non things that require strength (girth stretch’ ones that have a nylon straps, reins and stirrup leathers). core to help prevent stretching.

The skin lower down, on the cow’s tummy is thinner; it needs And please, no matter how to have some stretch to allow for tempting the price tag is, don’t ever use synthetic leathers - in weight gain or pregnancy. This my opinion they will damage leather is utilised for things like your saddle flaps and won’t keepers and other little things. snap in case of an emergency. www.peeweesaddlery.co.uk

e Bits in th Spotlight BARRY DOUBLE MOUTHPIECE

BY POPPY WEBBER, QUALIFIED SADDLE FITTER FOR THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS, COVERING CAMBRIDGESHIRE, LINCOLNSHIRE, NORFOLK AND SURROUNDING AREAS. SHE ALSO WRITES REGULAR ADVICE POSTS ON PEEWEE SADDLERY’S SOCIAL MEDIA. SEARCH FOR #adayinthelifeofasaddlefitter

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t feels like decades since I have seen a saddle, let alone fitted one to a horse.

So I can’t share my saddle fitting adventures with you.

Instead here’s my top tip to improve your ridden life after ‘The Rona Lockdown’ is over.

Photo: Abbi Grief Photography

Check your stirrup leathers are even Wonky leathers are a huge contributing factor to saddle slippage, second only to an (often unseen) asymmetrical gait.

Your stirrup leathers are made from leather. Which is skin. Skin stretches, because little cows become big cows. Big cows have babies, or carry a few extra kilos (especially if, like me, they’ve taken to baking cakes to cure lockdown boredom) and their skin has to stretch to

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H

ere we take a closer look at the Barry Double Mouthpiece and the options available for this slightly more unusual bit.

Commonly used as a Polo bit or on strong horses, the Barry Double Mouthpiece is effective for horses that need to lighten up on the front end, pull on the bit, or need encouragement to adjust balance on to the hind quarters. In the wrong hands this could be a severe bit as the double mouthpiece could crush the horse’s tongue, for this reason it is advisable for use by skilled and experienced riders only.

Although the Barry Double Mouthpiece is mostly associated with polo as a 4” gag ring, it can also be placed on a 3” gag ring as well as a Full Cheek, Four Ring, Nelson Gag etc. The mouthpiece is available in the following: • stainless plain jointed • stainless twisted • stainless fast twisted • copper plain jointed • brass twisted • sweet metal jointed • stainless half plain half twisted. www.abbeyengland.com

Q&A DO YOU HAVE STEERING PROBLEMS?

MOST RIDERS AT SOME POINT IN THEIR CAREER WILL HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH HORSES THAT ARE PROBLEMATIC WHEN IT COMES TO STEERING. THIS IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE IN YOUNG, GREEN HORSES THAT ARE JUST STARTING TO BE RIDDEN OR EQUALLY UNRULY OLDER HORSES THAT MAY HAVE GOT INTO BAD HABITS. HERE IS WHAT BITTING EXPERT ABBEY ENGLAND HAS TO SAY ON THE SUBJECT.

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hilst bits should never mask schooling problems, a suitable bit can help horse and rider to work in harmony by making the line of communication clear and ensuring the horse is comfortable in his mouth.

If you are having problems with steering and have ruled out physical problems (i.e. you have had your horse’s teeth and back checked) and training issues (ask your instructor for advice as it may not be a bitting issue) then it could be time to

Suggested Product...

invest in a new bit.

A popular choice to assist with steering problems is the Nelson Gag. As this bit has full cheeks it provides leverage and poll pressure which encourages the horse in to a correct outline, making turning easier. All bits with cheeks will help with direction and stability. A complete range of mouthpieces is available on a range of full cheek bits from Abbey to ensure the desired action inside the mouth can be combined with the steering effect. www.abbeyengland.com

Equipe Stirrup Leathers ST01 The Equipe Stirrup Leathers are made from tear-proof, non-stretchable full-grain hide with a nylon anti-shock inner core. Available in colours New Market, Brown, Red Brown and Black. RRP: £140. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS’ QUALIFIED SADDLE FITTER, HELEN READER, ANSWERS YOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

QUESTION: ‘I have been competing at Riding Club level with my horse but now feel we are ready to progress to affiliated eventing, it will be a big jump up for us but I am excited to be making progress. I currently ride in a General Purpose saddle in all three phases can you give me some advice as to whether I need to buy both a dressage and jumping saddle?’

ANSWER: Although it can be an expensive process initially you would be best to purchase a jumping and dressage saddle if you are looking to move up to affiliated eventing, however this can be done in two stages.

I would suggest first for the jumping as the courses will be a little more technical. A jumping saddle will give you a more balanced, safer seat. The General Purpose saddle can still be used for dressage until funds allow as they can also generally be the more expensive ones, and you will already be using it for your flat work training and competing.

If your General Purpose saddle has Velcro knee blocks try moving them back a little as this will give more support and put you in a more dressage-like position. Once funds allow I would then suggest buying a dressage saddle which will enhance your riding and also give you more confidence in many ways to go out and compete at your best. www.mastersaddlers.co.uk

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CLASSIFIEDS

Suffolk

Pet & Horse Crematorium

BASED IN SUFFOLK AND CLOSE TO NORFOLK, ESSEX AND CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Tel: 01284 810 981

www.suffolkpetcrematorium.com

enquiries@suffolkpetcrematorium.com

KAY HOWARD

QUALIFIED MASTER SADDLER & SADDLE FITTER • Range of quality new, secondhand and synthetic saddles and accessories • Impartial, independent, saddle fitting and advice • Mobile workshop.

• Re-flocking, top-ups and remedial flocking • Full saddle repair service.

Please phone Kay on (07775) 850400

Based in Norfolk, but covering a wide area.

Registered member

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WIX

EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

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

01255 870744

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

ESSEX BASED MOBILE VETERINARY PRACTICE

Motorised dentistry, lameness evaluations and on-site treatments, including PRP and Arthramid, portable x-ray, ultrasound, portable video gastroscopy and endoscopy, all carried out in the comfort of your horses’s home.

Pre purchase examinations.

24 hour local emergency cover.

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