ways to keep you and your horse safe

UK EQUINE VETERINARY AID MAKING IMPACT IN UKRAINE

Veterinary aid, support and supplies coordinated and funded by members of British Equestrians for Ukraine have made a considerable difference to the horses caught up in the Russian conflict. Financial support and goods provided by the group has helped a great number of horses survive illness, wounds and trauma –and those involved are extremely grateful.

Anatoly Levitsky, retired Ukraine Equestrian Federation team vet and in-house vet at Kyiv Hippodrome, assembled a network of vets who could help treat horses in the wartorn country when many vets were called into military service. The need for medication, equipment and dressings became increasingly urgent and Anatoly reached out to his contact network, including the British Equestrian Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA). It was the collaboration between British Equestrians for Ukraine, in which BETA and BEVA are key players alongside British Equestrian, the British Horse Society and World Horse Welfare, plus the British Equestrian Veterinary Association Trust and the American Association of Equine Practitioners who answered the call for help. A team of veterinarians, including David Rendle, president-elect of BEVA and Dr Till Hörmann of Hörmann Equine, a mobile veterinary practice in Leicestershire, secured a number of aid donations and negotiated the purchase of drugs and equipment at trade or vastly reduced rates utilising the British Equestrians for Ukraine Fund. Their hard work secured goods worth over £190,000 – enough for two full lorry loads which were driven from Britain to Ukraine with the support of the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation. In a bid to keep the veterinary network functioning throughout Ukraine, Anatoly has overseen the distribution of the muchneeded medicines, dressings and equipment throughout the regions in need and stocks should last several months. In a letter thanking David Rendle for the assistance, Anatoly said; “I’m grateful to you David and all the organisations who made this possible, for not giving up when faced with the difficulties and for placing your trust in us. Also, for collaborating together, which can’t have been easy, to make a huge difference. It has been worth it, and you have not only brought relief to animals but given support to the people themselves by showing them that they are not alone and for as long as it takes. “Many international organisations took part in providing food and evacuation of horses from the war zone, but only you came to the help of Ukrainian vets in treating the wounded, burned and traumatised equines. The two big trucks you provided with drugs and equipment was brilliant – so much so it wasn’t easy to unload, to sort and to distribute between different regions of Ukraine – but we’re so grateful.” David Rendle added; “Without the generous support we’ve received from a number of individuals and companies, none of this would have been possible. As equine vets, we’re passionate about welfare and we knew we had to do something to help the horses as well as the people. It’s been a huge collaborative effort and the results speak for themselves with the number of lives saved and relief provided. “However, the situation in Ukraine is ongoing and while we may have bought some time for now, the need for help will continue.”

www.worldhorsewelfare.org /support-us/appeals/britishequestrians-for-ukraine-fund

RIDE FOR UKRAINE

FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN ‘RIDE FOR UKRAINE’, AIMING TO SAVE 5000 HORSES, HAS BEEN LAUNCHED

At the FEI Dressage European Championships for Juniors & Young Riders at Hartpury, the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation Charity Foundation (UEF-CF) launched a ‘Ride For Ukraine’ fundraising campaign.

This campaign is aimed to unite all equestrian riders, professionals, federations, organisations, goods producers and horse lovers to help feed around 5,000 horses during wintertime in Ukraine. The Ukrainian dressage team members became the first ambassadors of the campaign. The goal is simple, but ambitious - to raise about 500,000 euro and feed 5,000 horses during the wintertime, when fresh grass or hay and warm stables will not be that common as in summer. The idea of the ‘Ride For Ukraine’ campaign is that every show can support the campaign and help Ukrainian horses from simply placing info about the campaign on site or organising a special class or show dedicated to the campaign. Every rider at this show can donate by participating and every visitor can donate using a QR code or via the website. There are many partnership options for equestrian goods producers, publishers, media, educational and any other kind of organisations and people who love horses and are ready to help. Becoming an ambassador is easy. After donating a particular amount of money you will get a pin, cap and become part of the team that saves Ukrainian horses during the war with Russia. Inna Logutenkova, 2-time participant of the Olympic Games, 2-time participant of the World Equestrian Games WEG, 3-time participant of the European Championship, Finalist of the World Cup and the Chef d'equipe of the Ukrainian dressage team says: “I’m proud to become one of the first ambassadors of the campaign and help Ukrainian equestrians to save and feed their horses. I believe that after Ukraine wins, the country will recover and show the best result in the sports arena. Our team is defending Ukrainian sports honour while our army defends European freedom from Russian invasion.” Funds raised through the campaign will be used to maintain the health and welfare of the horses. First of all, this is the provision of feed and hay including coverage of the costs of transportation to all regions of Ukraine. Also, to support horses in a free evacuation shelter. At the moment, there are 37 horses, but the UEF-CF predicts an increase in the number of horses that temporarily cannot be supported by the owners and who may be in the war zone. These horses will need relocation and keeping, which the foundation also provides. For this, several more shelters are already being prepared in the west of Ukraine. If necessary, 100-120 horses will manage to survive difficult times there. “The situation on the frontline is very unpredictable and as the biggest foundation that focuses on helping horses and equestrians, we feel responsible for the horses that stay in Ukraine. We know that the biggest problem for Ukrainian horse owners is feeding and caring for their horses because of the lack of money. The economy collapsed; their normal income sources don't exist anymore. And we are keen to help them to save horses while they are recovering and looking for new jobs or rebuilding their businesses,” says Mykhaylo Parkhomchuk, founder of the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation Charity Foundation and the Secretary-General of the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation. “We believe that the equestrian community in the world will not stand aside and will help Ukraine to save their horses.”

www.rideforukraine.info www.helpukrainehorses.eu

PLAN YOUR WINTER HOOF CARE STRATEGY NOW!

Autumn is here, with winter just around the corner. It’s time to plan for your winter hoof care regime. Changeable conditions – one minute hard, the next minute wet - can cause hoof problems.

Natalie McGoldrick MA VetMB MRCVS is an Equine Vet and event rider. Natalie graduated as a Vet from the University of Cambridge and went on to set up her own practice. She is an advanced level event rider having represented GB on the team at 3* and has produced and evented horses up to 4*. Natalie says, “The winter months provide many challenges for horse owners and keeping feet in good condition is high up on the list. “One of the most common call outs for ambulatory vets during a wet winter, is to foot abscesses. These are normally caused by horses standing in mud for many hours a day, and obviously for a horse living out 24/7 with no access to hard standing, the risk of

Natalie McGoldrick MA VetMB MRCVS Equine vet, event rider and Absorbine Ambassador

developing pus in the foot is much higher than in a stabled horse.

“There is nothing you can paint on the foot to prevent abscesses, and no amount of

Natalie McGoldrick riding Tricky Johnnie at Houghton 4 star XC

daily foot care will help. The key to reducing the risk of your horse developing a foot abscess, alongside good farriery and foot care, is allowing the hooves to spend some proportion of the day out of the mud. “A common site in most fields now, is an area of hard standing on which horses can be fed their hay, or if they aren’t fed hay, then a dry loafing area. This will allow the horse’s hooves to dry out for at least some of the day. These dry areas don’t require planning in most areas, if they are constructed with temporary slabs or mats that can be lifted and moved. If constructed during the dry summer months, a small dry loafing area can last a wet winter without sinking and provide your horse with some respite from the mud. “Another issue we face with our horses’ hooves during the winter months, is when the ground turns from wet and boggy, to frozen and rutted. If you have a stable, this is the time to avoid turn out, as the risk of injury to your horse is high. Not only are tendons at risk, but bruised feet are a common occurrence; your horse’s soles will be soft due to the previously wet ground, and thus extremely prone to bruising if he then canters over rutted ground. “If you don’t have the luxury of a stable, then my tip for avoiding bruised soles during frozen periods in the winter, would yet again be to try and construct a flat, dry loafing area. For those unable to get their horses out of the mud, my advice would be to ensure your farrier still visits regularly, and to make sure your horse is receiving the correct balance of vitamins and minerals, especially biotin, throughout the year.” Both before and after turning out or exercising, pick out feet

Continued overleaf...

and where possible, allow feet to dry out after standing in muddy fields. As Natalie has said if your horse is living out 24/7, a field shelter with dry standing area will allow relief from wet conditions and likewise if stabled, regular skipping out will avoid wet patches from building up in a confined area. Hooflex Frog and Sole Care will help soothe the hoof and eliminate odours caused by bacteria and fungi. It is ideal for those in muddy conditions or spending increased time in their stables, it promotes normal hoof health without killing live tissues, whilst penetrating the frog and sole tissue without stinging, staining, or drying out the hoof. The winter is not all about wet weather! Cold, dry weather can cause feet to dry out, with the increased risk of damage or cracking. It is important to maintain the moisture balance of the hoof and Absorbine Hooflex Original Liquid Conditioner is just the ticket. It is designed to maintain the pliability of the entire hoof by providing essential conditioners, as well as encouraging health hoof growth. It will also discourage bacteria in areas where it can accumulate. So, planning a regular Autumn and Winter hoof care regime can prevent issues before they arise, and we all know that prevention is better than cure!

www.absorbine.co.uk The Exmoor Pony Society, guardian of the equine breed since 1921, has established a Scientific Advisory

Panel to lead on LAUNCH OF NEW genetic research SCIENTIFIC and innovation that will help ADVISORY PANEL

secure the future of the UK’s oldest native breed.

Nigel Hill, Chairman of Exmoor Pony Society, said: “The Exmoor pony is one of the most iconic native breeds in the UK. It’s still a ‘Priority’ breed according to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust – which means endangered. “It is our role to safeguard the future of such a vulnerable breed at a time when there are growing risks from the effects of global warming on habitat, disease and social change. Our new Scientific Advisory Panel will ensure we are at the forefront of equine genetics, helping Exmoor Pony Society members, breeders, stakeholders and the public to understand initiatives that may impact upon and support Exmoor ponies.” www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk

EQUESTRIAN SPORT COMES TOGETHER

TO DISCUSS PERCEPTION OF WELFARE IN SPORT

World Horse Welfare an international charity that strives to support and improve the horse human partnership in all its guises – offered support to equestrian disciplines recently as it challenged them to work together to ‘do more, faster’ to demonstrably prioritise equine welfare.

This challenge came at the end of an event hosted by the charity, with an aim to highlight the challenges and opportunities faced regarding public perceptions of welfare in equestrian sport – and explore how they can be addressed. World Horse Welfare supports the responsible use of horses in sport and for several years has been championing the concept that equestrianism can only flourish with public support – in other words – so long as it has a social licence to operate. The charity sought objective evidence of the public’s views by commissioning an independent survey through YouGov recently. The results revealed that 40% of the general public would only continue to support the use of horses in sport if their welfare was improved, while 20% would not support their use in any circumstances. Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare said: “This was a survey of a representative sample of the general public, and the vast majority of respondents (over 90%) had little or no recent contact with horses. This is a snapshot of what some may dismiss as ‘uninformed’ opinions about horses in sport.” A 40-minute discussion with panellists from across the horse sport world ranged across whether the survey results came as a surprise, how much each sport has considered their social licence to operate, where improvements have already been made and where others could be and whether attitudes and actions had changed with social media capturing fleeting good or bad moments. Dr Barry Johnson, Chair of British Racing’s Horse Welfare Board, pointed out that racing was ahead of some other sports with response to social licence. “Racing has researched these issues, and this is what precipitated our report, A Life Well Lived, and the setting up of an independent welfare body,” he said. “Trainers and racecourses have opened up their facilities and invited the public in to see what happens before and after racing. It’s a change of culture which has allowed things like the whip consultation to take place.” Christian Landolt, dressage rider and eventer, trainer and FEI ground jury member said, “There is a big discrepancy in how people manage their horses, of horsemanship at all levels and it worries me. There needs to be a push on education. “As a Judge I’m also aware that riders often don’t know the rules

of the sports they compete in - I sit a little exam each year for the FEI and I’d like the riders to do that too before they can compete.” Olympic eventer Pippa Funnell MBE shared her experiences with social media, saying that you have to be honest when things don’t go according to plan but she also said that: ”It’s a way of life and it’s important to get that across to the public. “Education is key. There could be a system where respected riders can be there with an armband and be open to approach by anyone wanting advice. And it puts them in a position to pick out someone doing something wrong by the horse and tactfully educating them.” Dr Madeleine Campbell, Senior Lecturer in human-animal interactions and ethics, RVC, has “What really is very worked extensively on the upsetting to me is that the rare horse-human relationship. She said: “A large part is around communication. Competitors wrongdoings of a very talking about their horses and small number of how they are managed is really people involved with helpful to those not familiar horses can tarnish the with horses. It’s important that we can explain to the public thatrest of us” we are including demonstrable - Pippa Funnell MBE welfare in policy making. When it’s well done there is a benefit to the horse as well. We need to explain that and communicate the horse’s positive lifetime experience.”

The full webinar is available to watch via the World Horse Welfare YouTube channel.

20 ways TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR HORSE SAFER!

As the British Equestrian Trade Association’s Summer of Safety for 2022 comes to an end, we wanted to share with you some of the highlights from the campaign in the form of 20 easy ways to help keep you and your horse safer… of course, this is NOT an exhaustive list, but it’s a good place to start!

1. Check your hat! When did you buy it? We all know that hats should be replaced if they sustain an impact, but they also need to be replaced between every three to five years depending on frequency of use as the foam used degrades over time.

2. Had a fall? Replace your hat. You might not see the damage as the outer shell often rebounds after impact, but the foam inside can’t reinflate and can’t offer the same level of protection after it’s been damaged. 3. Know the signs of concussion. The FEI has a great concussion guide which should be printed off and stuck up at the yard. 4. Get your air jacket serviced. If you use an air jacket, make sure you stick to the recommended service schedule. If you don’t and parts become damaged or aren’t maintained properly, it might not do the job intended, should you need it. 5. Check your label. Make sure your body protector is of the correct standard. You’re looking for a white with purple (2009 standard) or black with blue (2018 standard) label with level 3 displayed. This is suitable for all riding activities. 6. Footwear matters. Do NOT wear flip flops or similar footwear around horses. Even if it’s hot.

7. Look at apps that can call someone if you’re injured. Particularly useful if you ride on your own, you can get apps for phones and 8. What3Words might save your life. This free service gives a precise location (to a 3m square) which means people can find you, fast!

See our what3words feature on pages 32/33!

watches that alert people if you sustain an impact/stop moving and need help. 10. Check the temperature. Safety kit shouldn’t be stored in extreme temperatures as it can cause the foam in body protectors and hats to degrade, and can also compromise other safety equipment. Don’t store safety kit in the car, over direct sources of heat, or where it gets very cold or very hot. 11. Be honest. When it comes to working with professionals such as farriers, vets, physios, etc, be honest with them about your horse and its behaviour. This might mean they wear additional safety equipment or ask the horse to be sedated for specific procedures, but your ‘optimism’ about your horse’s behaviour could lead to serious injuries, which you don’t want. 12. Stirrup size. Make sure your stirrups are the correct size – not so tight a boot could become stuck, or so loose and big that a boot could slide through. 13. Safety stirrups might not be safer. There is currently no standard for

9. Safety kit isn’t just for riding. Many injuries happen when handling horses. A kick to the head from an exuberant horse during turn out can have disastrous consequences, so don’t be afraid to put you hat on!

safety stirrups, so if you want to use them, do the research on how they work and check that the one you choose does have a safety element. Don’t compromise on sizing because

15. Keep your chocolate to yourself! Did you know that chocolate, in addition to many other human food products, contains ingredients prohibited in equine competition? Read up on the rules, particularly if you compete. 14. Check your stitching. Regularly

check the stitching on your saddles and bridles. When you clean it or, if you don’t clean it regularly(!), make sure you check all the key stitching as part of your tacking up routine.

it’s a safety stirrup. The safety aspect should be an addition to correct fit, not instead of. 16. Keep medicines well away from your feed and supplements store. This is important for everyone, but for horses who compete it’s even more vital as some medicines can cause disqualification from competitions if they accidently end up in feed buckets. 17. Look for the NOPS logo when buying feed and supplements. Naturally occurring prohibited substances (NOPS) can occur naturally in some raw materials used in horse feed and can also accidentally enter these through the supply chain. The NOPS logo gives you peace of mind that the manufacturer has done everything they can to reduce the risk of unwanted substances entering your horse’s feed. 18. Only use horse wormers (anthelmintics) when absolutely necessary. Our horses are becoming resistant to the active ingredients used in horse wormers so like human antibiotics, we need to carefully use what we have otherwise we are putting the future health of our horses at risk. Use worm egg counts first to check whether using a medicine is really necessary, as well as other methods such as poo picking and resting fields where possible. 19. Fit for purpose. Having hats and body protectors of the correct standard is important, but if they don’t fit, they won’t be as effective or comfortable. If you go to a BETA approved fitter, they have been trained in how to fit hats and/or body protectors to ensure you get the best fit possible.

www.beta-uk.org, or shop where you see the BETA sign.

20. Report your accidents. BETA has an Accident Reporting Form that gathers data from accidents to help support the continued development of incredible safety equipment. It’s really easy to access and fill in and you could influence the future of safety.

UK’S FIRST: EQUINE LIFETIME INSURANCE POLICY

Swedish insurance expert, Agria, has been protecting horses and pets across Europe since 1890. Since coming to the UK in 2009, Agria has protected the nation’s pets with lifetime cover, and now that the specialist insurer has launched the UK’s very first equine Lifetime policy, horses can benefit from the same protection for life.

Bringing Lifetime horse insurance to the equine world allows horse owners the reassurance that vets’ bills can be covered year after year for recurring injuries or repetitive or chronic conditions, ensuring their horses’ lifelong welfare. A Lifetime policy, with up to £10,000 of vet fees cover every year, means that owners will no longer face the difficult decision of whether to ‘call the vet or wait and see.’ “We understand that every horse is an individual, which is why our policies offer owners a flexible range of options that are reliable and uncomplicated,” says Vicki Wentworth, Managing Director of Agria and herself a keen event rider. “As it is the horse that we are insuring for the course of it’s lifetime, the same policy can continue upon sale of the insured horse, giving the new owner further peace of mind.”

www.agriapet.co.uk/ equinelife

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 answers. This month’s question is… ‘WHAT BENEFITS HAVE YOU FELT FROM BEING IN THE SMALL AND SUPERCHARGED GROUP?’

Amanda Marshall, 3 Donkeys Clothing “Being a small business can be a very isolating and rather lonely place at times and being part of Small and Supercharged has been a real game changer. It is a ‘safe’ place to ask questions - without fear of ideas being stolen and there is always someone to bounce ideas off. Sometimes just a bit of support is all that’s needed and there is an abundance of it!”

www.3donkeys.co.uk

Katie Nicholl, The Horse Diva “The Small and Supercharged group is the perfect place for a small business owner to get support and ask any questions without being judged. Not only full of practical advice, it also provides a friendly virtual network during the most challenging times of running a business.”

www.thehorsediva.co.uk

Find out more about the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group: www.rheafreemanpr.co.uk

Sophie Sacco, Foxy Equestrian “The Small and Supercharged Mastermind group has provided me with a safe space of like-minded people to trust in the industry. There are heaps of learning opportunities at your fingertips and Rhea is always on hand to guide you if needed.”

www.foxyequestrian.com

Chelle Mullen, Storm & Grace

“The biggest benefit of being a part of Small and Supercharged is the wealth of knowledge and experience you have access to - not only from Rhea, but other group members too. You’re part of a community, there’s a feeling of ‘we’re all in this together.’”

www.stormandgrace.co.uk

Harriet Brown, HB Marketing Communications “By paying to be in it you are investing in yourself and/or your business. For me, it makes me show up to watch the training, read the posts and engage with the group - like I’m getting my money’s worth. “Mastermind is a smaller, more niche group of like-minded people. There are so many free Facebook groups out there which are often saturated with 1000’s of members. The groups are often irrelevant to where you are in your business, or they aren’t monitored and there’s a lot of spam or unhelpful, unsupported or rude comments/posts. “Rhea engages in the group very frequently, you don’t feel like another group member, you feel like an individual who is understood.“

www.hbmarketingcommunications.co.uk

Liz Shepherd, Yeoman Haylage “Small and Supercharged is a wonderful and supportive community. There is a huge range of knowledge and expertise and members are always eager to offer their advice. We have so much fantastic coaching on social media which has helped to increase our followers and therefore increase our presence in the equine industry.”

www.yeomanhaylage.uk