Horse&Rider Magazine - December 2023

26 WINTER HORSE CARE SPECIAL! PAGE FEEDING SOLUTIONS  PADDOCK TIPS  COAT CARE ADVICE

23 ways to have

MORE TIME

TO RIDE

WIN! A TACK LOCKER

VET

REFERRALS: EXPLAINED

Take your

to the next level!

WARM EXERCISE SHEETS

WHAT YOUR HORSE

is really thinking

2 Nov – 29 Nov 2023

flatwork

Issue 652 £4.75

Issue number 652 December 2023 n Meg Elphick’s guide to cavaletti n How cross-training can help keep your horse sound n The latest product news n All about sarcoids n Psychology tips to boost your riding

The UK’s best-selling equestrian monthly

DJMurphy

to December 2023 issue Louise Kittle, Editor-in-Chief

Louise was bitten by the horsey bug at age two, and has ridden and owned horses ever since, competing in eventing as well as enjoying training her horses – and herself: she’s a BHS Int SM.

With British Summer Time an increasingly distant memory, this issue we look at ways to help you ride out the less-fun months of horse ownership. Knowledge is power, and our winter special has loads of empowering ideas to save you time and help keep your horse, and your paddocks, looking as good as possible this winter.

Turn to p103 to get started.

And if all that winter positivity is still not enough, why not look ahead to the very best part of December. Of course I mean London International Horse Show. Head to p8 to find out what to expect at this year’s show, and for our highlights list of classes not to miss!

This issue we start a new series aimed to support everyone caring for horses in their senior years. Whatever you do with your veteran, finding ways to mix up your routine and help him feel good can be tricky – Fizz Marshall, though, is here to help. Turn to p96 to get started with some groundwork ideas that, as the team have found, are great for any horse.

Until next month!

Louise Kittle, Editor-in-Chief

DON’T MISS...

Our amazing subscription offer – a LeMieux Elite Grooming Tote. A super-smart addition to your kit, it’ll keep everything in order as well as clean and tidy. Turn to p48.

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

Meg Elphick

Alison Buttery

Heidi Woodhead

Jezz Palmer

Jess Campbell

Moses Brennan

Polework can help improve any horse’s way of going, and exercises needn’t be complicated to be effective. Meg shares her simple cavaletti layouts on p32.

Working on your mindset and becoming the best version of yourself could be the key to your riding success. On p50 Alison shares her advice to help you rediscover the joy of riding.

By improving your horse’s paces you’ll get the most out of him.

Heidi explains what to look for, how to improve the three basic gaits and the common problems you might encounter on p26.

Take your horse’s training to the next level with Jezz’s advice on tackling the more complex dressage moves. Head to p38 to have a go for yourself.

Providing your horse with a varied exercise routine will help you maximise his training.

On p20, vet and eventer Jess shares her ideas to help your horse become an all-round athlete.

Having your horse referred to an equine hospital due to illness or injury can be a worrying time, but vet Moses explains more about what’s involved to help give you peace of mind on p64.

HORSE&RIDER 3

WIN

A HAYBROOK & CO SKINNY TACK LOCKER WORTH

December 2023 issue IN THE SADDLE

26 WINTER HORSE CARE SPECIAL!

PAGE

her secrets to perfecting all the paces

104

32 Cavaletti: three ways Exercises to keep you inspired through the winter

38 Building on the basics Develop your dressage skills to tackle the higher levels

44 6 secrets to winning jump offs How to

26

move up to the ribbon placings

MIND MATTERS

57

50 Being your best self The difference ON THE COVER

57

between a good and a great ride Think outside the box Know what your horse is thinking

ASK THE EXPERTS

ON THE COVER

VET

64

REFERRALS:

TO RIDE

EXPLAINED

Take your

flatwork

128

WARM EXERCISE SHEETS

to the next level!

WHAT YOUR HORSE

is really thinking

DJMurphy

ON THE COVER

128 Tried & tested We’ve challenged warm exercise sheets in all weather conditions

with our charity Christmas cards 140 This month we love... Raincoats, turnout rugs, browbands and much more!

91 Share and share alike Find the perfect

someone to share your best friend with

REGULARS

96 Management 101: old horses A new ON THE COVER

ways to have

MORE TIME

138 Horsey post Time for some festive spirit

MANAGEMENT KNOW-HOW

series on how to manage golden oldies 104 More time to ride Enjoy more time in the saddle instead of doing yard chores!

111 Dietary dilemmas Your winter feeding questions answered by top nutritionists 116 Plan and protect How to care for and get the most out of your pasture in winter 120 Coat care Keep your horse’s coat in top condition as the seasons change

16

December 2023 This month, be inspired through the colder months with expert advice from top trainers.

Plus, the process of your horse’s vet referral explained, and all winter feeding queries answered.

equine hospital referral explained Skin deep Understand the challenges and nature of sarcoids and their treatment

78 Management know-how 80 Mind matters 82 Ask a vet 84 Horsey shopping 86 In the saddle 88 In brief

WIN! A TACK LOCKER

Photo by Jon Stroud

64 In specialist care The process behind an 70

23

Cover stories

ASK A VET ON THE COVER

103

2 Nov – 29 Nov 2023

26 Perfect paces Heidi Woodhead reveals

Issue number 652 December 2023 n Meg Elphick’s guide to cavaletti n How cross-training can help keep your horse sound n The latest product news n All about sarcoids n Psychology tips to boost your riding

cross-training can benefit your horse

ON THE COVER

FEEDING SOLUTIONS  PADDOCK TIPS  COAT CARE ADVICE

The UK’s best-selling equestrian monthly

Issue 652 £4.75

20 Cross the boundaries Find out how

£1,440

8 Festive favourite What to expect at this year’s LIHS!

12 Horseworld hub Keep up to date with the latest horsey news

ON THE COVER

16 Win! One lucky reader will win a Haybrook & Co Skinny tack locker!

48 Subscribe to H&R Get every issue delivered straight to your door

62 Perfect prizes! Amazing goodies up for grabs this month

HORSEY SHOPPING

142 Dream horsey homes A selection of

product picks from the BETA Awards 125 Buyer’s guide A selection of conditioning feeds for all horses and budgets

145 Next month What’s in January’s issue 146 My life with horses A week in the life of

18 A showcase for innovation Our top new

4 HORSE&RIDER

gorgeous equestrian properties

zoo vet Jen Quayle

128

TRIED AND TESTED

Cross the boundaries Vet and event rider Jess Campbell reveals how to maximise your horse’s training and reap the benefits

Photos: Jon Stroud

W

hatever you do in the saddle, a horse who’s sure-footed and fit will be safer and a more enjoyable ride.

Being quick on their feet is particularly important for event horses, who have a number of challenges to cope with out on the cross-country course. However, teaching any horse to be more aware of where he’s placing his feet is a good plan, and that’s where cross-training can help.

In this feature, I’ll be discussing the aspects of using cross-training and what’s involved, as well as suggesting schooling plans you can adapt for your own horse to turn him into a better all-round athlete.

➤

Our expert

Jess Campbell BHSI BVetMed MRCVS is an equine vet and professional event rider, competing and producing her own and other people’s horses from her Buckinghamshire farm.

Teaching any horse to be more aware of where he’s placing his feet is a good plan, and that’s where cross-training can help

20 HORSE&RIDER

In the saddle

HORSE&RIDER 21

Being

your best Managing your mindset and practising self-care could be your keys to better riding, says Alison Buttery

R

iding is so much more than having the practical skills – it’s about managing yourself as well as your horse. You’ll recall rides when everything just seemed to click but you’ll also remember days filled with doubt, disappointment and maybe even frustration.

The good news is that it’s completely normal to feel like this. Every rider, from the leisure rider to the seasoned pro, faces these moments, and you’re no different.

self

But what if the difference between a good ride and a great one lies not in how you handle your horse, but in how you handle yourself?

Personal growth and understanding can turn the inevitable challenges we experience as horse riders and owners into opportunities to learn and improve.

It’s possible to cultivate a mindset that ensures each ride brings you closer to being the best rider you can be, and there’s immense power in that.

The difference between a good ride and a great one lies not in how you handle your horse, but in how you handle yourself

Photos: Jon Stroud. Alison runs The Everyday Equestrian, theeverydayequestrian.co.uk

Who are you?

How well do you truly know yourself? How well do you know the habits and thinking patterns that have been the default setting in your mind? Are these ways of thinking helping or hindering you?

It’s very easy to find yourself stuck in how you experience your world, listening

The first step

Before you even tack up, take a moment. How are you feeling today? Are you excited, nervous or a mix of both?

Recognising your emotions can make a big difference to how you approach your ride.

Simply acknowledging that you feel a certain way or have particular thoughts is the first step to finding different experiences because we can’t change anything unless we know it’s happening.

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50 HORSE&RIDER

to and believing everything your mind suggests, and falling victim to your inner critic. In fact, your mind is trying to keep you safe from harm – physical or psychological – but that can create unhelpful thoughts and feelings that make it difficult to feel good about yourself as a rider. So, how can you change this?

Mind matters

Recognising your emotions can make a big difference to how you approach your ride

Our expert

Alison Buttery is a certified mindset and confidence coach, a BHS APC senior coach and an experienced rider, who specialises in helping riders overcome their nerves. She’s also the founder of The Everyday Equestrian.

HORSE&RIDER 51

Photos: Jon Stroud, Hanneke Wetzer/shutterstock.com

Winter management SPECIAL

Coat care

Keep your horse’s coat looking and feeling its best this winter with our skin-care tips

I

t’s natural for horses to grow thicker coats when the days get shorter and colder as they need extra hair to keep warm. Add in the challenges of mud and less time to attend to your horse’s grooming needs and you may find his coat loses its summer gloss.

However, we have good news – there are several things you can do to keep your horse’s skin in tip top condition this winter.

By considering the issues that cause the coat to lose its sparkle you can take action now and keep that healthy, showring shine all year round.

From the inside out

Paying attention to what you’re feeding your horse can go a long way towards creating a healthy, shiny coat. For the best advice, speak to a qualified equine nutritionist to ensure you’re giving your horse his daily essentials. As well as what goes into his bucket, remember to feed good quality forage to keep him looking and feeling great.

For an extra boost, consider adding a supplement to your horse’s diet. Those containing omega oils and biotin are designed to support skin health, but there are many other herbs and nutrients that can help, too. Shop around for which products might be best suited to your horse’s needs.

120 HORSE&RIDER

Winter special

DID YOU KNOW?

Using a curry comb in a circular motion all over your horse’s body is a great way to promote better circulation, massage his muscles and scratch his itchy places.

Brush up

There’s nothing like a bit of elbow grease to keep your horse’s skin looking great. Grooming has so many benefits, including…

• removing loose hair and dead skin • promoting better circulation by increasing blood flow to the skin • making your horse feel better • massaging the large muscle groups • improving your horse/human bond • creating a shiny coat • providing a good workout for you

Take off his rug

Choose a warmer sunny day and allow your horse a few hours outdoors without a rug on, to get some sun on his back.

Sunlight provides vitamin D, which is important for skin health and, because it won’t be too hot, your horse shouldn’t be affected by summer skin conditions, such as sunburn or fly bites. You can always use a mask or net to protect vulnerable areas, such as his eyes or muzzle.

Avoid unnecessary bathing

Your horse’s coat shines due to the natural oils his skin produces, and too much bathing will strip those oils and dry it out.

Of course, in winter you’re unlikely to bath your horse as much as you might in summer, but if you do need to wash before an event, remember to rinse off all the shampoo so you don’t cause irritation.

Consider using a leave-in conditioner after shampooing to create a better shine, too.

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