Horse&Rider Magazine - February 2024

WIN! MEGA BUNDLE! The secret to

At home with

Tim and Jonelle Price

A PERFECT CONTACT Exercises for everyone

BUYER’S GUIDE TO

JOINT SUPPLEMENTS

FERDI EILBERG’S

dressage essentials

Simple showjumping

exercises TO TRY!

STEP OUT OF YOUR

COMFORT

ZONE

DJMurphy

Issue number 654 February 2024 n Give your horse an MOT and help him stay healthy n Saving the USA’s wild horses n Inspirational riding holidays n All about the equine eye n Expert answers to your questions

The UK’s best-selling equestrian monthly

WEATHERPROOF Issue 654 £4.75

28 Dec 23 – 24 January 24

BREECHES

to February 2024 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.

Caring for a veteran horse is a privilege – and a huge responsibility. In our line of work, we meet all sorts of horses of every age, but it’s always a pleasure to chat to an owner – whether they’re a happy hacker or Olympian – about the horses with whom they have had years, sometimes decades-long relationships with. Whether your golden oldie is still enjoying an active ridden career, or is slowing down, keeping a closer eye on general health is a really important way to assess how your horse is feeling – Fizz Tickridge-Marshall shares some simple adjustments to make to your normal routine on p110.

If you’re ready for some warmer weather and longer days (that’s all of us, then), enjoy some escapism and join Editorial Assistant Megan as she explores the options for a horsey summer holiday in 2024, on p118. No matter your style, there’s something for everyone.

Until next month!

DON’T MISS...

the amazing competition on p18 this month – win a mega bundle, including products that won Best in Test and Best Value in the 2023 Tried and Tested features!

Louise Kittle, Editor-in-Chief

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

Tom Standing

Alison Buttery

Heidi Woodhead

Yazmin Pinchen

Dawn Trayhorn

Ferdi Eilberg

Flatwork is an essential part of developing and maintaining a rideable horse – even if you never intend to step foot inside dressage boards. On p32, Tom explains how to improve your horse’s contact with two easy exercises.

Stepping outside your comfort zone – or rather stretching its boundaries – needn’t be scary. In fact it can be empowering, helping you and your horse to achieve your goals. Alison explains how on p62.

You can’t guarantee a clear round, but there’s plenty you can do in training to teach your horse to be careful over showjumps, as Heidi explains on p26.

With some fun pole patterns Yazmin helps you develop your horse’s agility and adjustability, ready for success in the ring. Turn to p44 to get started.

Incredibly delicate, extremely sensitive, and the largest of any land mammal – how much do you know about your horse’s eyes? Vet Dawn is here to explain more about these fascinating structures on p68.

Patriarch of the Eilberg dressage family, trainer Ferdi and his children are well known for bringing on young horses – turn to p20 to find out more about one of the country’s most successful training yards.

HORSE&RIDER 3

WIN

A MEGA T&T BUNDLE WORTH

February 2024 issue

£759

IN THE SADDLE ON THE COVER

ON THE COVER

WIN!

his training ethos 26 Clear the way Teach your horse to be careful over jumps with Heidi Woodhead 32 Making the connection Tom BlazeyStanding helps you improve your contact

32

40 6 secrets to riding free walk on a long rein Check out our top tips 44 Bring your A game Spice up your jump 50

20

sessions with Yazmin’s exercise Spider web Check out this extract from the Inspire Dressage Polework Journal

62

62 Time to break free Alison Buttery helps

MEGA BUNDLE!

18

The UK’s best-selling equestrian monthly

The secret to

At home with

Tim and Jonelle Price

A PERFECT CONTACT Exercises for everyone

BUYER’S GUIDE TO

JOINT SUPPLEMENTS

56 124

FERDI EILBERG’S

dressage essentials

Simple showjumping

exercises TO TRY!

26

STEP OUT OF YOUR

COMFORT

ZONE

DJMurphy

MIND MATTERS ON THE COVER

Issue number 654 February 2024 n Give your horse an MOT and help him stay healthy n Saving the USA’s wild horses n Inspirational riding holidays n All about the equine eye n Expert answers to your questions

ON THE COVER

20 Five fundamentals Ferdi Eilberg shares

WEATHERPROOF Issue 654 £4.75

28 Dec 23 – 24 January 24

BREECHES

you step out of your comfort zone

Cover stories

ASK A VET

68 Clear vision All about horses’ eyes, and

Photo by Jon Stroud

ON THE COVER

dealing with common problems February 2024 This month, keep both you and your horse switched on with the experts’ great ideas.

Plus, push yourself out your comfort zone without feeling overwhelmed, and discover which bedding is best for your set-up.

ASK THE EXPERTS

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

MANAGEMENT KNOW-HOW 92 Time for bed Are you getting the most

14 Horseworld hub Keep up to date with

from your horse’s bedding?

the latest horsey news

98 Insurance matters How to tailor your

17 Horseworld science Discover the latest

policy to meet your needs

104 Perfect purchase All about finding the

ON THE COVER

right horse for you

110 Management 101: golden oldies Give your veteran his essential MOT

ON THE COVER

HORSEY SHOPPING

124 Buyer’s guide A selection of joint supplements

132 Tried & tested We put weatherproof breeches through their paces

134 This month we love... Body protectors, bedding, horse licks and so much more

REGULARS

8 Spirit of the West Discover a new film about America’s wild horses 4 HORSE&RIDER

ON THE COVER

research in the equine industry Win! A mega bundle of Best in Test and Best Value winners from 2023’s T&Ts 56 Cream rises to the top At home with Tim and Jonelle Price 90 Perfect prizes Amazing prizes up for grabs 116 Subscribe to H&R Get every issue delivered straight to your door 118 Out of office Horsey holidays to add to your bucket list 130 Next month A sneak peek at March’s issue 137 Dream horsey homes A selection of gorgeous equestrian properties 138 My life with horses A week in the life of website designer Danielle Holmes

18

132

TRIED AND TESTED

In this feature. . . ➤ The importance of contact ➤ Get the most

Making the

connection Working in a contact is vital not only for your horse’s training but for his wellbeing, too, says Tom Blazey-Standing Our expert

Photos: Jon Stroud. As told to Elizabeth McGregor

Tom Blazey-Standing BHS APC is a coach and runs a livery yard on the south coast. He uses an integrative, reflective approach to support rider progression and confidence.

32 HORSE&RIDER

In the saddle

from your warm-up ➤ Achieve acceptance and engagement

W

hatever you like to do with your horse, and whether or not you have aspirations to compete, developing correct basic training will make riding more enjoyable for you and your equine. In this new series, I’ll look at some of the most common flatwork issues I see when coaching, and give you a few helpful pointers to resolve them.

This issue, we’re looking at contact. If you struggle to establish or maintain a consistent contact with your horse it can feel like trying to navigate a wheelbarrow with a flat tyre – heavy, unbalanced and frustrating. Resolve the issues and, when your horse accepts the contact, he’ll be working correctly from the

hindleg, over his back and into your hand, giving you a responsive, refined ride whether you’re hacking, schooling or jumping. So, let’s explore why we aim to ride in a contact, reasons your horse may resist and what you can do to help.

Start the conversation

In essence, when your horse accepts the contact, his body becomes rounded, with his hindlegs underneath him and his face perpendicular to the ground, parallel to your body. This enables even development of topline muscles, which is crucial for long-term health because a horse who’s weak in his core and over his back will load parts of his body in a way that can make him more injury-prone.

➤

HORSE&RIDER 33

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

Time to break

free

Stretching your boundaries and stepping outside your comfort zone needn’t be overwhelming, says Alison Buttery

I

t’s easy to stick with what you know, especially when riding. It feels safe and secure, but there are so many adventures and experiences just waiting for you if you’re ready to challenge the limits of your comfort zone.

Over time, and step by step, you’ll find more trust in yourself and your horse, achieving a real, tangible boost in your riding confidence.

The new year symbolises a fresh start, a time for setting goals and embracing change. But in 2024, why not explore the other side of your comfort zone? You just never know where it might take you.

62 HORSE&RIDER

In the zone

The comfort zone is a behavioural space in which your activities and routines fit a pattern that minimises stress and risk. There’s a feeling of being in control and in a safe space.

When you’re in your comfort zone, you’re likely to feel happier and more confident. It’s familiar and easy to manage and it’s where habits are formed and the sense of safety is reinforced.

Unfortunately, it can also lead to the unconscious creation of limiting beliefs about yourself and your

horse, which then impact where, when and how you ride. When you don’t venture beyond what’s familiar and under your control, you might miss out on opportunities to learn and improve. It can also lead to the development of a fixed mindset, when you begin to believe that your abilities are set in stone and you create ever more detailed rules about what you can or can’t do.

With these limiting beliefs, we can become less inclined to challenge ourselves, so our comfort zones begin to shrink even further.

➤

Mind matters

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 63

In this feature. . . ➤ How to monitor physical changes Sponsored by

agriapet.co.uk

MANAGEMENT 101:

golden oldies Part three: equine MOTs

Photos: Jon Stroud

Keeping your horse feeling good means knowing what’s normal for him, as Fizz Tickridge-Marshall explains

110 HORSE&RIDER

A

s with any horse, a major part of looking after a golden oldie is keeping tabs on overall health and wellbeing. To do this, it’s important to know what’s normal for him on a day-to-day basis.

Developing an instinct for when something is different, be that in terms of your horse’s behaviour, appearance or reactions, is important for catching potential issues early, even if the appropriate response is simply to monitor the situation.

➤

Management know-how

➤ Catch health issues early ➤ Keep your veteran in good condition

Our expert

Fizz Tickridge-Marshall has worked with all types of horses in her six years as Centre Manager at the Equine Therapy Centre at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire. More recently she’s managed racehorses for Jonjo O’Neill and been Yard Manager for Carl Hester.

HORSE&RIDER 111