FREE
June 2012
The UK’s No.1 Equine Health, Management and Training Magazine
BODY
BACK PAIN
in horses
PROTECTORS
an essential item of kit?
Grazing
FOR HORSES
FIT FOR PURPOSE?
WIN a Riding Lesson
SHOWING FOR
PERFECTION h Alex Hua Tian
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Contents Healthcare News Body Protectors Tack & Turnout Field & Stable Hidden Dangers Feeding Grazing Adding Condition Haylage Back Pain Surgical Colic Worming Physiotherapy Insurance Schooling Stud Horse Behaviour Page 62 Training Showing Feature Farnam Competition Win a lesson with Alex Hua Tian Fly Protection Personality Profile
Front Cover: Lesley McCourt riding Poppy at Strathearn Eventing. Image by Adrian Sinclair Photography - www.Sinclairphotography.co.uk
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Healthcare · News
1, 3, 10 – 32, 56 - 60 1 4–8 8, 40 – 48 9 9 11 - 28 12 - 16 22 24 26 – 28 29 29 32 33 – 37 34 37 38 38 - 39 40 - 47 53
54, 55 56
Astrid & Hayley Double Champions after signing up with Day, Son & Hewitt Day, Son & Hewitt sponsored rider, Blackpool’s Astrid Bolton and rider Hayley Colwell won The Blue Chip Novice Open Winter Championship with 73.68% riding six-year old Westfalian Stallion Furst Kiss and The Blue Chip Restricted Elementary Champions with 72.71% riding Zidaane( by Jazz).
international dressage riders, Peter Storr, Amy Stovold and Jane Green.
Astrid has sourced and produced horses for the likes of Whittakers Showjumpers, Ollie Townsend Eventers and some of the first young horses that Astrid sold as dressage prospects are now breaking through into small tour / grand prix with
Commenting on her success, Astrid said: ‘It was fantastic to take both Novice and Restricted Elementary Winter British Dressage Championship titles! Along with our Day, Son & Hewitt sponsorship, 2012 is proving to be an exciting year for us.’
Copy Deadline
Available on the 1st of the month Equi-Ads is published monthly by:
NFU Mutual insure
Equi-Ads Limited
TOPSPEC is once again supporting the Supreme Ridden Championship at the Great Yorkshire Show. The TopSpec Supreme Ridden Championship will see the overall champion taking home a £1,500 prize with the Reserve Supreme Ridden Champion receiving £250.
The Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday 10 – Thursday 12 July at Harrogate and the championship will be held in the Main Ring on the Wednesday afternoon.
Nicola Tyler horsebox of TopSpec said: “As a Your horse and Your company based in North Yorkshire,
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entertaining championship for the show which has always been one of the highlights of the summer in Yorkshire but is now also the premier agricultural show in England attracting more than 130,000 visitors each year.
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Astrid Bolton signed a sponsorship deal with Day, Son & Hewitt in March 2012.
TopSpec Support Supreme Ridden Championship at the Great Yorkshire Show
www.equestriancourier.co.uk 10th of the preceding month
Furst Kiss has already amassed over 30 first place wins in his short career to date.
Crematorium Horse & Pony Cremation
Genuine Individual Cremation. Leyland & Cheshire Pet Crematorium. Tel: 01772 622466
Horse Transport South Central Hoofmove
Brighton, Sussex. Tel: 0845 0620088. Mob: 07958 701651. www.hoofmove.co.uk
stand which once again is positioned overlooking the President’s Lawn.” Champions from the Novice Ridden Hunter, Ridden Hunter, Working Hunter, Ridden Coloured, Cob, Ridden WINTERRidden SPECIALS Mountain Moorland, Riding WALL&MATS, PROTECTION & ANTIHorse CAST and 2 +Side winners fromFROM the£7.49M Ladies VAT Saddle, Small Racehorse VAT STABLE Hunter, MATS ALL Retrained TYPES FROM ONLY £8.33M 2 +and Ridden QUATTRO Irish Draught classes will qualify. - 01768 864977
WEST COUNTRY HAYLAGE
New date and venue for Scottish Horse Show The Scottish Horse Show kicks off on 28th August with over 100 classes being run over the 2 days. New for 2012 are Veteran Horse Showing Olympia Qualifiers and many HOYS qualifiers. This show attracts over 1100 entries from about 400 exhibitors coming from all over Britain. Many of the top names in the equestrian judging world will be on duty at the two day event. Spectators are welcome with free admission and parking. For more information, please contact: Claire McDiarmid, Secretary, Tel: 07711 120130 Email: claire@scottishhorseshow.com
Produced Supplied & Delivered By NICK HILLIER Large & Small Bales of Quality Haylage, Hay, Straw & Alfalfa. We also supply Dust Extracted Shavings Please Call 07860 298330
Property Abroad Brittany & Normandy Cardyke Overseas Properties Properties suitable for horses at a fraction of UK prices. Tel: 01775 630 008
Saddlery South East Andrew Reilly Saddlers Spoods Farm, Tinkers Lane, Hadlow Down, East Sussex TN22 4ET.
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 1
A Generation of Success at Kelsall Hill It was certainly a case of ‘youth and experience’ in the EquestrianClearance BE80(T) sections at this year’s Kelsall Hill Horse Trials in Cheshire. While Section F went to 14-year-old Hamish Walker-Kerr, Section D and E went to galloping 64 year old Richard Dodds and 63 year old Janet Norton. Based in Staffordshire, horses have played a major part in Janet’s life after she started eventing when aged 18. Riding her homebred mare, Grumps, Janet finished on her dressage score of 25.5 penalties to head the 35 strong section. Said Janet: “I bred Grumps and also evented her dam and grand dam. I was very pleased with how she went at Kelsall Hill, she has come out a lot stronger this year and we will have a go at a BE90 on our next run.” Semi-retired chemical engineer, Richard Dodds captured Section D, with the 11 year old Carrowbaun ICU, completing on a dressage score of 30.5 penalties. Based at Little Budworth, Richard has owned Mylo, as he is known at home for three years and couldn’t have been more pleased with their success. “I rode as a child and then gave up, starting again in my 50s,” said Richard. “This is my first year competing in affiliated events but I have done a lot through Maelor Riding Club which has been brilliant. “The EquestrianClearance.com BE80(T) sections are just great and Kelsall Hill really helped with my confidence and also
Hamish Walker-Kerr and Griannagn Marcus in action.
getting the right speed and pace on the cross-country.” Rounding off a very successful day for the EquestrianClearance.com BE80(T) classes, Section F went to Hamish Walker-Kerr, from Leicestershire riding the 16-yearold, 15hh, gelding Griannagn Marcus. Said Hamish: “This was only my second event with Marcus and it was great to win. I have had Marcus for two years and have mainly done Pony Club activities with him. “It is a brilliant series and having an instructor on hand makes such a difference I can not praise it highly enough.”
Directory Crematorium
Horse & Pony Cremation Genuine Individual Cremation. Leyland & Cheshire Pet Crematorium. Tel: 01772 622466
Property Abroad
Brittany & Normandy Cardyke Overseas Properties Properties suitable for horses at a fraction of UK prices. Tel: 01775 630 008
Saddlery
South East Andrew Reilly Saddlers Spoods Farm, Tinkers Lane, Hadlow Down, East Sussex TN22 4ET. Tel: 01825 830484. 2 - Equi-Ads - June 2012
Worming
East Regular worm egg counts can save money! 6-8 weekly spring through autumn £5 each. Church Farm FEC churchfarmfec@hotmail.co.uk or 01728685638
FEEDING
The Haylage Co. A cost effective alternative to hay. Based South Hertfordshire, we deliver to locations nationwide. Telephone: 07836 514 435 or 07831 454 166 Email: guybrook@btinternet.com Website- www.poloforage.com
Competition - News
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 3
Body Protectors – Essential items of kit?
Body Protectors
Back matters Very few of us would ever now get on a horse without wearing a proper riding hat. An up-to-standard hat is an essential piece of riding equipment and we would feel vulnerable riding without one. However, far fewer horse riders wear a body protector on a daily basis, despite the fact that back injuries are an extremely common consequence of a fall from a horse. As horse riders, we are all aware that the activities that we do with our horses carry some risks, but it’s important to recognise that such risks can be minimised by choosing to wear proper safety equipment. Equi-Ads spoke to John Ayres from leading equestrian safety brand, Champion, about the protection that an up-to-standard body protector will offer a rider and why more riders should consider adding their body protector to their list of essential items of kit...
What protection does a body protector offer? Body protectors are made from a range of materials that are designed to absorb impact and the current safety standards ensure that a level 3 body protector offers impact protection to the rib cage, the shoulders and reduces soft tissue bruising. Well fitting shoulder protectors, such as the Champion Guardian Shoulder Protectors, can also help to prevent a broken clavicle and damage to the point of the shoulder, as well as assisting in dispersing the energy from a fall. It’s important to remember that some injuries cannot be entirely prevented by wearing a body protector, but as horse riders we should always look to minimise risk and such equipment can significantly reduce the severity of a prospective injury. Wearing a body protector is an absolute must for certain high risk activities such as cross country riding, racing or hunting and it is, of course, compulsory to wear one when riding under rules for many such sports. A body protector should also be considered to be an essential piece of equipment that less experienced riders should wear on a daily basis and
it would also be extremely wise to wear a body protector on the ground in certain situations such as dealing with mares and stallions at breeding time or when handling young stock. Material design Over the years body protectors have developed from hard foam protectors with limited flexibility to softer, more comfortable designs offering much greater freedom of movement, while still providing the high levels of protection required to achieve the rigorous safety standards imposed upon them. Such developments in material and design technology now mean that body protectors are lighter and more comfortable than ever before, so there’s really no excuse – it’s far better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your safety! As a case in point, Champion’s FlexAir and ZipAir body protectors are made from ultra lightweight, multi layered nitrile foam, which actively moulds to the contours of the riders’ body and makes them extremely light, flexible and comfortable to wear, whilst also offering excellent strength and protection. Breathability is also a key factor in making modern body protectors far more comfortable for day to day activities. Through the exclusive combination of foam ventilation holes and outer lining spacer fabric cover, Champion have designed the FlexAir and ZipAir to be two of the most breathable body protectors on the market today. Other new material advances are also bringing enhanced performance features to modern body protectors, such as the high-tech Polygiene treated inner lining used by Champion in the FlexAir and ZipAir. Through the use of environmentally friendly silver ions, Polygiene kills bacteria on contact. In fact Polygiene is currently being used in British hospitals to help prevent the spread of MRSA and the powerful anti-bacterial and anti-odour properties of Polygiene help to keep these body protectors cleaner and fresher 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Up to standard? The safety standard for body protector testing and certification in Europe is EN 13158, with many companies also complying with the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) standard. This standard is a UK certification scheme operated by BETA, with testing based on EN 13158, but with the addition of annual re-tests by a BETA approved laboratory. 2009 saw the introduction of a revised EN13158:2009 as well as a revised BETA safety standard - BETA:2009. These revised standards have superseded EN 13158:2000 and BETA:2000 and include several important changes to offer additional security to the wearer while riding. The tests imposed upon BETA approved body protectors involve several different procedures, such as impact
energy testing and the use of strikers and anvils to rigorously test materials, design and construction of each body protector to ensure that maximum protection is offered to the rider. There are 3 different categories of Body Protector indicated by the colour of the label, offering differing levels of protection and it’s vitally important to select the correct level for the riding activities that you undertake: Level 1: Black label - Offers the lowest level of protection and is only considered appropriate for licensed jockeys. Level 2: Brown label - Offers medium protection and is adequate for low risk general riding (i.e. excluding riding on roads or other hard surfaces, over jumps, riding young or excitable horses, etc). Level 3: Purple label - Offers the greatest level of protection and is appropriate for normal horse riding, competitive horse riding and working with horses. A BETA level 3 body protector is the most suitable for the majority of equestrian activities and is a worthwhile investment.
of the pelvis on an adult. The front of the protector should reach near the top of the sternum below the chin and at the back should cover the seventh cervical vertebra - that is the prominent bone at the base of the neck. Your local saddler will be able to advise you as to the correct fit. Champion has a tremendous safety heritage and the brand has been a driving force in the design and development of protective riding wear for nearly three decades. From the company’s factory in Cardiff, Champion has been producing riding hats, helmets and body protectors in the UK to the highest safety standards for over 30 years. The Champion range is available from leading equestrian retailers nationwide. For more information and to find your local stockist: www.championhats.co.uk; email info@fbi-ltd.co.uk or Tel: 0113 270 7000.
Fitting your body protector It’s important to remember that in order to provide you with the maximum level of protection, your body protector should be the correct size for your body and that it must be fitted correctly. The body protector should fit snugly to ensure maximum protection, whilst not restricting your movement and ability to react or becoming a hindrance to you whilst you are riding. It should cover the bottom ribs by at least 25mm (1 inch), at the sides it should reach the pelvis and at the back it should extend at least 15cm (6 inches) below the top June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 5
Feeding - Field & Stable
Aivly Country Store offers body protector fitting service Hampshire’s Aivly Country Store is supporting safety by offering a free fitting service for body protectors bought in store. Stockists of the latest designs and air jackets, Aivly can also help you achieve a made to measure body protector in bespoke colours. Sheila Lister says, “The latest body protectors for men and
women, boys and girls were modeled by a ballet dancer, demonstrating just how flexible and comfortable they now are – and we’re thrilled to be able to help people achieve a slimline fit.” Visit Aivly Country Store, Ringwood, BH24 3EA, www.aivly.com or call 01425 472341.
Harry Hall Zeus Body Protector Approved to BETA 2009 Level 3 and EN13158 standard, the Zeus Body Protector is great for riders looking for a piece of safety equipment that can be relied on. Designed to deliver on performance, the Zeus Body Protector features lightweight shock absorbing foam panels, which mould around the body to give a close fit. Air mesh outer with subtle contrast binding and reflective piping on the front and back. Red correct fitting
6 - Equi-Ads - June 2012
indicators to ensure correct fit and protection. Available in children sizes S – XL, colours Grey/Pink, Black/Green, Raspberry/Green/Grey and Navy/Apple. RRP £72.50. Available in adult sizes S – XL, colours Black, Grey/Maroon and Navy. RRP £91.50. For further information contact Harry Hall on 01274 711101 or visit www.harryhall.co.uk
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 7
Tack & Turnout
Providing a modern, fast, 21st century service without losing the values we have learnt from retailing over the last 50 years.
8 - Equi-Ads - June 2012
Field & Stable
Beware Hidden Dangers (In the paddock) Anne Wilson the hinges and so on. A gate which opens and fastens easily is a boon when bringing one horse through, leaving others in the field. Two rails are usually enough for most horses. Make sure that the rails are placed at a sensible height. You don’t want the bottom rail too near to the ground, enticing a horse or pony to try to step through. However, two rails may not be enough for small ponies who can become adept at shimmying under a bottom rail, in which case three or sometimes even four rails are needed. The height of the top rail needs to be considered for keen jumpers. Post and plain wire fencing (not barbed wire) – although not ideal, sound, well constructed post and plain wire fencing is better than poor post and rail. Make sure that all the wire has good tension, without any sagging or unstable posts (similar to post and rail).
What seems at first glance to be a perfect turn-out paddock can sometimes harbour hidden dangers to our horses. There are plenty of obvious dangers to any horse such as barbed wire fencing, particularly if it is old and sagging. Some sheep fencing (the square shaped metal fencing often fitted at the bottom of the fence line) can be a danger to horses, since they can put a foot through it. This often results in a nasty metal cut in the pastern area, and the horse may not be able to free himself. Whilst on my travels I always keep a pair of metal cutters in my car to enable me to cut any horse free who has become entwined in this way. Before turning your horse out in any new field/paddock a thorough search should be done for the following:-
FENCING– this is obviously the first thing to check.
grass. However, to use it on an outside boundary where horses are turned out 24/7 is risky. It must always be borne in mind that this type of fencing is only as secure as the electric current running through it. This could fail for a number of reasons:1. 2. 3.
A power cut if it is run from a mains electricity source. Battery failure if run off a battery. Part or even most of the fence may be rendered non-electrified if the circuit is shorted out by being touched by undergrowth. Where grass grows tall in the summer even a blade of grass can short it out. cont. on p.10
Electric fencing – This is perfectly acceptable as a between the paddock separation; to utilise the grazing more efficiently as it can be moved when required, or to create restricted grazing areas for horses at risk of too much
Post and rail fencing is preferable as a man-made boundary, but even this can be dangerous if old. If it has not been checked and repairs made, what may look like a good wooden fence could be about to fall over! Posts can become rotten over time and should be checked by giving them a good ‘waggle’ with your hand. There should be virtually no movement in a sound post; remember that if you can easily move it with your hand, then a horse with an itch rubbing against it could, without trying, push it over. Loose rails are often found, even in relatively new fencing, so check that all the nails are completely driven home into the posts. Particularly check gateway posts and rails, making sure there are no sharp protrusions around
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 9
Health Care cont. from p.9
Horses seem to have a sense of when there is no current through the wire or tape and can simply walk through it. Other horses seem to have scant regard for it even when electrified. When wearing a rug they possibly feel very little of the current and some horses will quite unashamedly barge through it to reach sweeter grass on the other side. Electric fencing can be a boon, but must be checked regularly, especially after strong wind, as this can weaken or loosen the tape. Old tape can even snap in a strong wind. Hedging – You can’t beat a good thick hedge as a boundary. It gives a certain amount of protection from wind (when blowing from the right direction), and creates a good habitat for wildlife. Birds, insects, and all manner of small mammals cannot survive without our hedgerows. They also provide a welcome variation in the horse’s diet, in the form of herbs which grow underneath the hedge. Horses will also browse the hedge itself and I’m sure derive much benefit from this change of diet and activity; providing of course there are no injurious plants growing there, and you need to check this before turning your horse out. POISONOUS PLANTS A well illustrated book on wild plants and herbs is invaluable – suggested
reading:‘A Guide to Plants Poisonous to Horses’ by Keith Allison & Christopher Day – J.A.Allen – ISBN 0 85131 698 0 ‘All About Poisonous Plants’ by Sonia Davidson – Allen Photographic Guides – ISBN 0 85131 804 5 Here are some examples of poisonous plants:Poisonous Plants (including trees and fungi):Aconite (monkshood), black bryony, bracken, deadly nightshade, death cap, dog’s mercury, dropworts (various), ryegrass infested with ergot (a type of fungus), fly agaric, foxglove, hellebore, hemlock, henbane, horsetails, jackin-the-pulpit, laburnum, laurel, lily of the valley, uncooked linseed, meadow saffron, mezereon, privet, ragwort, rhododendron, St. John’s wort, white bryony and the yew tree. Unfriendly plants and herbage (some examples):Buttercups, clematis, clover (especially white clover) if eaten in excess, elderflower, grass clippings, oak (the acorns), rape, non-organic sugar beet (because of the heavy chemical usage on non-organic crops) and woody nightshade. The two lists of examples of unwelcome plants above make it sound almost as though you don’t want anything other than grass, but as mentioned previously, there are many wild plants
or herbs which are very good for horses; below are a few:Valuable pasture herbs Comfrey, willow, goosegrass, selfheal, meadowsweet, burdock, rosehips and dandelions. In some areas even garlic or (more unlikely) seaweed would be an advantage. Even thistles and nettles can be good for horses, but you don’t want them to take over the pasture. Frequent cutting should prevent them from spreading. NEVER spray weedkiller or other pesticides on a horse paddock, as the poisonous chemicals can remain in the plant long after it has wilted. Ragwort should be pulled or dug up, making sure you have removed the whole root. GROUND HAZARDS There are many potential hazards underfoot for horses, here are some common ones to look for:1. Holes dug by rabbits, badgers and foxes (although these are normally in hedgerows). 2. Sharp stones, bricks or even glass debris. 3. Uneven, hard ground. Where a paddock has been heavily inhabited by horses in the winter and it then dries out in the summer, the ground can become dangerously riveted; uneven to the extent that a horse cannot put a foot down on an even surface. Tendon or ligament strain is an obvious possibility, but a fall causing possible broken limbs could even ensue. 4. Old lead ropes, headcollars, haynets, buckets, baler twine – all these ‘innocent’ items are a real hazard if left lying around. These are some common hazards which can be found above ground, but I have even heard of buried hazards which, under certain climatic conditions, can come to the surface.
INJURIOUS SPRAY Another hazard which comes to mind is that of the chemical spray from adjoining arable fields. It is wise to ask your neighbouring land owner if and when he is going to spray any adjoining crop with pesticides etc., so you may keep your horses out of the field on that day. WATER SOURCES Horses need fresh water whilst out at grass. How you provide this depends on how many horses in a paddock and how long they are to be there. If there are only two to four horses out for a day at a time; then one or two very large ‘tough tubs’ type buckets or a waste bin full of water which can be refreshed regularly is probably the easiest and can usually be supplied via a hosepipe or transported to the field in a container to be transferred to the receptacle. This water needs to be checked daily for debris, such as dead animals, birds, and so on, which regrettably sometimes seem to choose to drown themselves. It needs to be cleaned out and refreshed on a regular basis. If a larger amount of water is required then a water trough specifically for the purpose is best. Many people use old baths for this purpose. These can be quite dangerous, especially the toll-top type of bath. Horses can injure themselves on the sharp under-side of the roll-top. I have even seen some baths in use where the taps are not even removed, which is another obvious hazard. Natural ponds are not a safe source of water for horses, and even running streams are so frequently polluted these days that I would not be happy to use this form of watering. Blue-green algae can form even in running water in summer, and this can be fatal. HEADCOLLARS
A friend of mine was installing some new post and rail fencing. When digging a hole for a post he came upon a piece of old barbed wire sticking up out of the ground. He dug around it, thinking it would be one short strand, and found that he had to go on digging as it was attached to more and more wire. In the end he had to hire a digger to expose the whole area. This revealed a whole row of old barbed wire and post fencing which had obviously been buried by some lazy person when putting in a new fence in the past; probably with the view that what the eye can’t see, can’t hurt anyone. The trouble is that this wire was quite near the surface and could have ensnared a horse’s foot which may have sunk down in wet weather – a veritable death trap! If you think this may be a possibility in your field, you may consider acquiring or borrowing a metal detector; which hopefully may unearth nothing more than priceless coins! 10 - Equi-Ads - june 2012
If a headcollar is to be worn when out in the field, then it should be a ‘Fieldsafe’ type, which will break if it gets tangled up in a fence, gate or whatever. TO CONCLUDE There are so many potential dangers to your horse; you cannot protect them from absolutely everything in life, but you can limit their exposure to danger by being aware and vigilant to potential hazards; without becoming too paranoid, otherwise you would never take him or her out of the stable! Anne Wilson, freelance classical trainer based in Bedfordshire, trained with Sylvia Loch - 01234 772401 - email:annewilsondressage@hotmail.co.uk - website www.classicalridingannewilson.com
Feeding
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 11
Feeding - Health Care
Grazing for horses - fit for purpose? Dr Derek Cuddeford, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh the surface should be resilient to wear and yet, provide a cushion in the form of a “springy” turf! Whilst, on the face of it, grassland can provide everything the horse might need there are certain managemental problems that cannot be easily overcome.
Growing grass is the cheapest way of feeding a horse or pony yet often insufficient effort goes into looking after the grassland area that is available. It also provides the cheapest form of accommodation and ideally
In the UK, seasonality of grass growth means that although the horses’ energy requirement may remain constant, the grass energy supply does not. It is usually a case of feast or famine. Springtime brings a flush of grass that tails off towards the summer (that may even disappear during a drought) followed by another burst of growth in autumn and then minimal growth during the winter months. So for grazing to be an effective supplier of food energy to the horse it is essential to conserve
the spring/early summer excesses for winter feeding. For the one-horse owner this is not easy because firstly they will usually have only a small area of grassland and secondly, no equipment to harvest the excess. Good relations with a local farmer are essential and in fact, it is probably a good idea to marry one in order to guarantee the necessary help! Another problem facing the horse owner when it comes to managing grassland is their own horse. This is because horses are very effective at degrading pastures if left to their own devices. In as short a time as one season, a horse paddock can be ruined as a source of good grazing because of both the selective grazing and toilet habits of their horse. Horses defaecate and urinate in certain
areas of the grassland resource thereby heavily fertilising these areas and stimulating grass growth. Horses will not graze these contaminated areas, known as “roughs”, so they become overgrown and weed-infested. Thus, the useful grazing area is reduced and this can lead to it being overgrazed and the creation of a “lawn” where the grass is eaten right down. These overgrazed areas are ripe for weed incursion because weeds are hardier than the nutritious grasses and ignored by the horse. If this state of affairs is allowed to continue, the roughs will expand as horses are unable to accurately void their faeces and urine on old deposits (NB stallions are better shots and quite good at creating faecal piles). So, in an uncontrolled situation we have cont. on p.14
Feeding the grazing horse It is undoubtedly more natural for a horse to be grazing continuously, however grass alone may not provide the nutritional requirements equines need to remain in optimum health, however this is a simple problem to solve… Pasture often has deficiencies, so in order to balance the diet, sustain weight and provide enough energy to work, equines may also require a vitamin, mineral and trace element package. Feeding buckets of hard feed when your horse is out with a herd or group can be tricky, often resulting in arguments and increasing the risk of bites and kicks. Alternatively, providing free access to a nutrient rich lick such as Horslyx can provide a simple, quick and cost effective method of balancing the diet. Horslyx is extremely palatable and
12 - Equi-Ads - june 2012
provides an easy way to get all the vitamins, minerals, trace elements and extra oil into your horse’s diet with little additional cost. A good quality lick often negates the need for concentrate feed for the grass kept horse by providing a trickle feed system along with nutritional essentials such as anti-oxidants, biotin, methionine and zinc. However, there are many different types on the market and not all licks are the same! Manufacturing processes do vary. Pressed licks are recognizable as the traditional, brick shaped, salt and mineral licks. These are blended and compressed into a finished block. Most other licks are chemically hardened. These licks are made using chemical hardening or setting agents, which results in the product becoming firm and brittle. The moisture content of these licks can be quite high, often
over 20% water! Horslyx is manufactured by a unique cooking process. This is a patented method and is similar to making treacle toffee at home. The base ingredients – molasses and oil - are cooked to drive off moisture from the molasses, and when the product cools down, the other nutrients are added, it then sets and becomes hard. The benefit of using this unique process means the product is weatherproof, contains no chemical hardeners, and no artificial colours, preservatives or flavourings. By cooking and dehydrating the molasses, it means that the moisture content of Horslyx is lower than 5%, so customers can be sure they have a more nutrient rich product, which needn’t be consumed in such high amounts. This in turn results in a longer lasting lick that is palatable, easy to digest and kinder on the pocket.
Horslyx is available in four formulations, Original, Garlic, Respiratory and Mobility, in 5kg, 15kg and 80kg tubs, plus 650g Mini Horslyx. Horslyx costs from just 28p per day when feeding 80kg Original Horslyx to the average 500kg horse. For more information tel: (01697) 332 592 or visit www.horslyx.com.
Feeding
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 13
Feeding - Grazing cont. from p.12
expansion of roughs and a reduced lawn area where overgrazing becomes more serious day by day. When horses are selectively grazing and defaecating over a few thousand hectares on the Russian Steppe this does not become a problem but one horse on half a hectare of grazing can easily render it worthless. What about the weather? The UK climate is supposedly temperate but is very different east to west down the length of the country. Trying to manage horses at grass in Wales, the Lakes or the west of Scotland is very different from looking after those on the east of the country from Inverness down to Kent. This reflects the relative rainfall. Parts of the west coast of Scotland “enjoy” four metres of rain annually
compared to only 50cm on the east coast. It follows that if it is raining there will be no sunshine so, more rain less sun means keeping horses at grass is much more difficult. Free-draining soil helps tremendously at times of rain but of course they can be a problem in times of drought. For example, chalk downlands provide a wonderful springy turf which is free-draining but apt to dry out in summer. In contrast, a heavy clay soil whilst likely to “poach” in wet weather will keep growing grass when water is in short supply. Thus, the horse owner can be confronted with great difficulty in managing the grazing depending on the soil type. Of course, the real answer is to have an all-weather surface that animals can be moved to in times of drought (to avoid overgrazing) or heavy rainfall (to avoid pasture damage).
Green Grass Everywhere Don’t let it be a Problem! The high carbohydrate and calcium content of new fast growing grass can cause an array of problems, both behavioural and physiological. New grass is very high in calcium, and this can disrupt the delicate balance of ions required in the body to maintain normal control. Magnesium is used in the body to regulate a number of processes including the movement of calcium. Excesses of calcium overwhelm these control mechanisms and cause calcium loading in the cells, the result is an increase in stress hormones and nerve sensitivity. Understandably this can dramatically alter behaviour making a horse more reactive and less able to settle. Low levels of magnesium and the resulting increase in cortisol will also bring about various changes in the body that reduces insulin sensitivity, causes vasoconstriction (a reduction in the size of blood vessels), thickens the blood and increases inflammatory responses. These changes are clearly detrimental to overall health but more specifically, they will greatly increase risk of laminitis and the development of Equine Metabolic Syndrome. Insulin is the key hormone involved in the regulation of energy use and storage, insulin resistance results in an inability to use energy substrates effectively and excessive storage in the form of fatty deposits. Spring grass is particularly problematic for horses/ponies with reduced insulin 14 - Equi-Ads - june 2012
sensitivity because their body simply cannot process the increased levels of carbohydrates and this is why insulin resistance is a major factor associated with Laminitis and EMS. Nupafeed MAH® is a unique liquid magnesium supplement that uses pharmaceutical grade magnesium in the form of MAH®; by far the most bioavailable magnesium you can buy. Research in humans has shown MAH® to improve insulin sensitivity by 51% in people with previously inadequate magnesium intake (ponies with laminitis are normally seen to be low in magnesium) and 20% in people with adequate magnesium intake, demonstrating an extraordinary therapeutic potential. Feed Nupafeed MAH® not only to prevent behavioural problems that commonly result from grazing on lush pasture, but also to help protect against insulin resistance, laminitis and EMS even in ponies with quiet temperaments. Please visit our website for more information, or contact Nupafeed UK: Tel: 01738 861 900 Email: info@nupafeed.net Web: www.nupafeed.co.uk
Having discussed the major problems facing the horse owner in terms of utilising grazing let us look at some of the detail. Firstly, how much grazing does one horse need? It depends on the size of the animal, the geographical location and the productivity of the land. Clearly, it is a complicated issue but we need a rule of thumb. I think the absolute minimum would be one horse per acre but probably better to allow 1.5 acres per 500kg animal. The more land you have the better because it allows much greater flexibility in terms of management options. One such option would be to devote some of the land area to conservation every year and rotate this around the total land area, alternating grazing with conservation each year. This would mean that the ground could be “cleaned up” in terms of both parasite numbers and faecal deposits and the pasture itself would be rejuvenated by regular, even defoliation thereby eliminating roughs.
is just grazed and not cut and taken away because the horses will return potassium to the ground via their urine. However phosphorus is more likely to become in short supply under this system. Where regular conservation is practised potassium application will be essential. Less than 3mg/kg phosphorus or 75mg/kg potassium indicates a need for fertilisation. What about nitrogen? This seems to be a bogey word to many horse owners. Assuming you are not intending to keep obese ponies and laminitis-prone animals then reasonable applications of nitrogen (20units/acre/ application) are desirable to maintain soil fertility, pasture productivity and to support the growth of the better quality grasses. Traditionalists may prefer to use well-rotted farmyard manure at the rate of 10tonnes/acre. This allows a slower release of nutrients to the soil and tends to mask any areas that have suffered faecal contamination by horses.
Weed removal is an essential task and the methodology employed will depend on the size of the grazing area. It can range from hand removal (eg., ragwort), spot applications of herbicide using a knapsack sprayer (eg., docks/thistles/ nettles) or the full metal jacket using a tractor mounted sprayer (eg., broadleaved weeds). The info on herbicide packs is very good and will tell you when you can allow animals to graze the pasture following spraying. Advice should always be sought from a crop protection specialist as there are some very clever selective herbicides that you can use nowadays which kill certain weeds but do not damage valuable grasses. Good weed control prevents poisonous plants establishing and helps to maintain pasture quality and productivity.
Mechanical treatment of the grazing area can be very helpful. Topping using a tractor, ride-on mower etc is useful to cut grass that has “got away” and so goes some way to rejuvenating the pasture. Chain harrowing during a hot summer breaks up faecal deposits and allows rapid dessication leading to parasite death. Harrowing prior to grazing in the spring aerates the soil, pulls out dead material and allows fresh growth from the plant base. In contrast, harrowing after the animals are housed spreads faeces so rain/snow helps the material to disintegrate and disappear (NB the best approach is physical removal of faeces mechanically or “by hand”). Damaged areas of grass can be “repaired” by hiring in a contractor with a “slot-seeder” that sows grass seed into machine-cut slots that are then rolled in.
Fertiliser application is a must to ensure optimum soil conditions for grass growth and that entails the uptake of micronutrients from the soil into the plant material; this means that your horse gets the trace minerals it needs. Liming pasture to maintain a soil pH between 6 and 6.5 should maximise grass growth and soil pH should be regularly checked as after a while the best managed ground reverts to an acid pH. Both phosphorus and potassium levels should be checked. The latter is less likely to be deficient if the grass
For grazing to be fit for purpose it must act as a source of energy and nutrients and be a safe place in which to keep horses. Controlling the supply of grass is probably the greatest challenge facing any horse owner with grazing to hand. The above provides some guidelines but the key to success is knowing your grazing resource and retaining flexibility in its management in order to defoliate the pasture evenly to no less than a height of about 6cm.
Reader offer
Signed copies of Dr Derek Cuddeford’s book, Equine Nutrition on Special Offer! The book covers Digestion, Nutrients and their Absorption; Minerals, Vitamins Grassland, Ration Formulation, Clinical Nutrition and Food Related Problems; Ration Formulation and much more. The normal retail price of £12.99 has
been slashed to just £8.99 including post and packing for the first 13 lucky readers to send their name and address, together with a cheque for £8.99, made payable to Equi-Ads Ltd., Office 1, Tayview Estate, Friarton Road, Perth, PH2 8DG.
Joni Bentley
December 2010 - Equi-Ads - 15
Feeding - Grazing
Leave Nothing to Chance Waist away with NAF Slimline Over 80% of the horse population in the UK are overweight and equine obesity is becoming more and more of an issue. NAF have responded with the development of Slimline - a revolutionary new formula to provide vital nutritional support to horses and ponies who struggle to keep their weight down. Through necessity, horses and ponies prone to weight gain are fed a restricted diet and kept on restricted grazing. Because of this they can frequently lack in essential vitamins, minerals and micro nutrients. Slimline is designed to make up this shortfall, and more… Slimline is formulated from natural ingredients including a Seaweed species known to naturally boost metabolism and, hence, help burn fat; bio available Magnesium for targeted support of the insulin resistant (IR) horse - in that it helps maintain insulin sensitivity and a wide variety of naturally sourced, scientifically verified antioxidants essential to good health and vitality but which are so often lacking in a restricted diet. For best results NAF recommend that Slimline is fed with a ‘calorie controlled diet’, correct management and exercise. For qualified help and advice for your horse or pony please call the NAF Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373 106 or email info@naf-uk.com Slimline retails at £20.95 for 3kgs and is available from NAF stockists nationwide. For details of your nearest stockist please call the NAF Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373 106, email info@naf-uk.com or go to www.naf-uk.com
Baileys Performance Balancer has been formulated to supply all the nutrients required to support performance to the highest level but without the calories associated with a “traditional” competition mix or cube. This means that even good-doers, whose calorie-requirements are met by forage alone, can receive optimum nutritional support, whether in hard work, resting or recovering from injury. High Spec The high specification formula includes essential amino acids, from quality protein sources, to build and repair body tissue, from tendon and muscle to ligament and bone. Baileys have also used Alltech-developed Bioplex® chelated minerals and Sel-Plex® organic selenium to ensure optimum absorption and utilisation of these vital nutrients by the horse’s body.
Antioxidants With the stress of travelling, competition and hard work constantly resulting in free radical production within the horse’s body, the requirement for antioxidants can be high so Performance Balancer contains a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C and E, which have antioxidant properties. These nutrients also have other important roles within
Top Up Nutrients For this reason, where a horse’s energy-intake is controlled by feeding a leisure-type feed or reduced amounts of competition feed, Performance Balancer can be added to the diet to top up nutrient levels and ensure the competition horse does not go without. Performance Balancer can also be fed with straights, like oats, to provide those nutrients which may be lacking from a forage plus cereal diet. Attention to Detail Riders spend so much time on all areas of their and their horses’ performance that it makes sense to pay the same attention to detail to their horses’ diets. Supplying optimum nutrition at all levels of fitness, and whether competing or laid off, means nothing is left to chance and the horse’s body should have all the nutrients it needs to perform and be healthy. Baileys Performance Balancer is formulated to meet these requirements and help riders ensure their horse receives a fully balanced diet, whatever its energy intake. For information or advice, contact Baileys Horse Feeds on 01371 850247 or visit www. baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk
Dropping hard feed? Keep the minerals! When grass starts to grow, many people look at ways of cutting their horse’s calorie intake, and hard feed reduction or removal is one way to do this. However, calories aren’t the only thing a concentrated feed supplies as they contain essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements too. The Rockies range is one way to address this issue. The Field & Stable Block is a key example. It provides minerals, trace elements and vitamins to the horse in a convenient lick that costs from as little as 3p per day to feed. It’s produced under controlled pressure to help ensure longevity and contains
a light coating of molasses to ensure palatability, but should not be confused with highly molassed blocks, as the inbuilt hardness prevents excessive intake. In addition to general licks such as the Field & Stable Block, Rockies also produce specialist licks, including Magnacalm, a 1.8 kg lick containing bioavailable magnesium that can help to relax and calm nervous horses, and Bug:go! that contains garlic to help repel flies naturally. For more information, see www.rockies.co.uk, email info@rockies.co.uk or call 01606 595025.
Aivly Country Store a onestop for fencing to fertilizer Aivly Country Store can help your paddock management with fertilizer to fencing materials – wire, gates and fence posts and electric fencing systems. And you’ll also find paddock licks to grazing muzzles in store too.
16 - Equi-Ads - june 2012
the body, being involved in metabolism and hoof integrity and influencing general well-being.
Visit Aivly Country Store, Ringwood, BH24 3EA, www.aivly.com or call 01425 472341 with a home-delivery service available to visiting customers living within a 10mile radius.
Feeding - Health Care
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 17
Feeding - Health Care
Feeding made Alpha Easy Every horse owner wants to provide the best care for their horse but for some equines, providing a balanced, nutritious and palatable diet that promotes condition without ‘overheating’, can be tricky! However, the task can now be made that little bit simpler with the fresh approach to feeding taken by Chestnut Horse Feeds.
digestive transit and increases chewing time, which stimulates the production of saliva, helping to buffer stomach acid and reduce the risk of colic, gastric ulcers and digestive upset. This helps optimise the absorption of feed and ultimately leads to better value for money and a more effective feeding approach.
Alpha Easy provides a complete feeding solution for a wide range of horses, including those that can be challenging, and, as an added benefit the high quality feed is provided in a unique Bulk Bin Feeding System, at no extra cost.
Alpha Easy is a low energy feed that contains a palatable blend of high fibre pellets and quality alfalfa alongside a full range of high quality vitamins and minerals to maintain peak condition and performance. The low starch, low sugar and high fibre complete feed is ideal for a variety of horses, including those susceptible to laminitis and excitability. Alpha Easy provides additional slow release calories with a light coating of soya oil in order to promote healthy skin
One of the Chestnut Horse Feeds values is feeding naturally and this is reflected across their range of high fibre, complete, nutritional solutions. A diet that is high in fibre slows down
and coat condition whilst minimising health problems and over exuberant behaviour. With a strong “British’ ethos, Chestnut Horse Feeds pride themselves on sourcing top quality ingredients from UK based farms and production units which reduces food miles and ensures the best standard in raw materials. This ‘green’ approach to feeding is reinforced by a reduction in packaging through provision of the exclusive Chestnut Horse Feeds Bulk Bin Feeding System. This unique Bulk Bin is delivered containing the feed of choice and provided free of charge for the life-span of the chosen product, helping to keep yards tidy, rodents out and ensuring
feed stays fresh and contaminant-free. Once empty and re-ordered, Chestnut Horse Feeds simply replace the Bulk Bin, replenished and sealed, saving you time, effort and trips to suppliers. Used and favoured by amateur and professional riders, including show jumper Geoff Billington, Chestnut Horse Feeds is only available to order direct. Alpha Easy is available in 20kg bags, or in the exclusive Bulk Bin Feeding System, prices start at £12.25. For more information about Alpha Easy and the entire Chestnut Horse Feeds range visit: www. chestnuthorsefeeds.co.uk or tel: 01455 558 808 to speak to a member of the team.
Perfect for Paddocks The Paddock Likit is the easy way to provide essential nutrients for horses and ponies that are on a forageonly diet or which receive limited concentrate rations. Designed for use in the stable or field, the long-lasting formulation is a cost-effective means of providing quality minerals, plus garlic, oils, Biosprint Live Yeast and
18 - Equi-Ads - june 2012
the ‘Happy Hoof’ formula. Likit consultant nutritionist, Dr Derek Cuddeford, explains why the product is so versatile: “Horses naturally feed little and often over extended periods of time and the use of the Paddock Likit accords with this natural behaviour pattern as it is
available 24/7. Thus, the horse or pony can obtain its daily micronutrient requirements over the 24-hour period rather than all at once in a meal. Free choice also allows the animal to enjoy the Paddock Likit at any time, so reducing the risk of bullying taking place where horses are turned out together.”
The Paddock Likit is suitable for all types of horse or pony and is especially useful for good doers and equines whose nutrient intake is restricted. Contact Likit Products on 01655 750523 or visit www.likit.co.uk
Feeding
New Equilibra® 500 + Omega 3 – the ONLY feed balancer you will ever need Equilibra 500 + Omega 3 is designed to provide optimum vitamin and mineral content. GWF Nutrition first thought up the forage balancer concept more than 20 years ago. GWF believe all equines digest their feed in the same way and if the formulation is right, one feed balancer is all that’s required for all horses and ponies. The Omega 3 supports optimum health, fertility and
performance. Feeding Equilibra 500 + Omega 3 you will see your horse shine from the inside out; your horse or pony will enjoy a healthy gut and a healthy glow. A 20kg bag of Equilibra 500 + Omega 3 has an RRP of just £23.99 making this high quality complementary feed also highly economical. For more information, please contact your local stockist or GWF Nutrition: www.gwfnutrition.com / 01225 708482.
Sumo Muscle Builder Sumo Muscle Builder (MB) contains a unique blend of milk powders, breakfast cereals, highly digestible protein sources, glucose, oils, vitamins, minerals and trace elements to help achieve optimum development in show and working horses and for rapid improvement in horses that have lost condition. By using good quality protein sources that provide essential amino acids helps support the formation and repair of muscle tissue, encouraging overall
muscle tone and development and helping improve topline. Coconut oil is also included which helps improve stamina in working horses, as well as creating a great coat shine and helps make the Sumo MB very palatable. For more information on Sumo MB please contact Rowen Barbary Horse Feeds on 01948 880598 or visit www. rowenbarbary.co.uk
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 19
Feeding - Health Care
Gastric Ulcers and Loss of Condition 99.9% of all sport horses suffer from gastric problems and lose condition at some stage in their lives. This is because of the way nature has formed them. Evolved to move up to 30 kilometres a day and trickle feed for up to 16 hours, they need constant movement to circulate their lymph properly, and a steady supply of forage to keep their digestive systems continually employed. When they stand still for long periods not eating, then there’s nothing to soak up and employ their stomach acids. In this acidifying condition, when they are next exercised, their stomachs “clench” up and the acids are thrown into contact with the upper portion of their stomach which lacks the protection present in the form of squameous cells in the lower portion. This sets the scene for gastric problems and it is under these conditions that ulcers form.
To counter these, the Fine Fettle Feed Company have developed a speciality charcoal feed additive which adsorbs acidic toxins from the horse’s digestive system. Mixed in with the feed, this “Happy Tummy”TM charcoal transits the stomach slowly cleaning up toxins as it goes and in this way reduces the acidity. This reduction in acidity means that the stomach contents become more alkaline and can transmit more oxygen to the lymphatic system. It also means that the overall digestion improves because the digestive enzymes are more active in a naturally alkaline environment. Add to this the fact that the adsorptive activity of the “Happy Tummy”TM charcoal reduces the amount of free acid available, thus preventing this from splashing on to the upper stomach walls to the same degree during exercise. The result is a rapid reversal of any preulcerous conditions and the creation of an environment where the horse’s
immune system can rapidly work to clear up any existing ulcers. Meanwhile, the lymph, which now carries more oxygen, is better able to clean, nourish and oxygenate the cells throughout the entire body, so the horse’s overall condition improves.
commonsense answer to a perennial problem and is now used to very good effect as a preventative by a great many wise trainers. Please go to our website www.finefettlefeed.com to see the many brilliant testimonials this wonderful product has garnered.
“Happy Tummy”TM charcoal is the
Feeding for type and workload Horses nutritional needs vary immensely depending on their type and workload, they evolved to be trickle feeders and live on a diet of mainly fibre. The majority of horses can quite happily get everything they need from a high fibre diet combined with a feed balancer, to ensure daily requirements of vitamins, minerals and nutrients are met. Blue Chip feed balancers have a balancer to suit all horses and ponies with different workloads. Blue Chip Original is suitable for horse and ponies in light to medium work; Original provides the optimum levels of vitamins, minerals and nutrients required on a daily basis and, as with all the balancers in the Blue Chip range, Original combines a complete hoof supplement with a comprehensive respiratory package that includes garlic, eliminating the need to feed additional supplements. Original contains an EU approved probiotic which increases fibre digestion and enables the beneficial bacteria in the hindgut to thrive.
making them very low in sugar and starch and contain the revolutionary ingredient, Nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA and are essential for cell replication. Feeding a mainly fibre based diet will ensure optimum gut health and provide the most natural diet for your horse or pony. Monitoring your horse’s weight is an important factor when deciding what and how much to feed, depending on type and workload. Most horses should be kept at a body score of 3 out of 5, but if they are prone to laminitis they should be kept at a body score of 2.5 to reduce the chance of weight related laminitis attacks. There is no better way to ensure your horse or pony stays healthy and looks fantastic. For more information on how to feed your individual horse or pony please call 0114 266 6200 or visit www.bluechipfeed.com
Blue Chip Pro is the balancer to use when work becomes more demanding, or for veterans, whose digestive system becomes less efficient with age. Pro incorporates an elevated level of vitamins, minerals and nutrients and has the added benefit of a prebiotic which removes the pathogenic bacteria from the gut and aids the immune system. There is also a blood building formula included in Pro which aids oxygen transportation, fitness and stamina. Blue Chip Lami-light is the diet feed balancer that is perfect for over-weight or laminitic prone horses and ponies, as well as good doers. It includes the same high-quality vitamins, minerals and nutrients as the other balancers, as well as a probiotic and prebiotic, but these are included at a level to aid gut health and not encourage weight gain. All the balancers in the Blue Chip range are whole-cereal and molasses free, 20 - Equi-Ads - june 2012
“Thanks to Blue Chip, Miners Frolic feels so much stronger and more powerful”. Photo is accredited to Trevor Meeks.
Feeding
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 21
Feeding
Adding Condition the Healthy Way Clare MacLeod MSc RNutr, Independent Equine Nutritionist foundation for nutrition is to choose the forage carefully to fit the horse’s situation, and add other feed and/or supplements only to give the horse what it cannot get from the forage. If a horse needs condition, then choose a good quality (moderate to high energy) forage, and feed it ad lib (free choice). A healthy horse who needs to gain weight should get as much energy from forage as possible.
Horses evolved to thrive on a diet of the structural parts of plants, which are rich in fibre. Structural fibre helps to give plants the rigidity to stand up, and it’s more or less indigestible by non-herbivores, such as humans. Horses however are experts at digesting and utilising it, and they are dependent on adequate amounts of fibre for optimal health. For the healthiest horses, we need to give them as many nutrients as possible from fibrous feeds before we add other substances to their diets.
requirement for fibre because the bugs that break it down rely on a consistent food source to stay balanced. A wide variety of different types of fibre is available from horse diets: structural plant fibre (cellulose) is found in forages such hay and straw chaffs, more digestible fibre is found in plants like alfalfa, and other types of fibre that are even more digestible are found in wheatbran, soya hulls and sugar beet. These more digestible fibres are classed as ‘superfibres’, and they are good suppliers of energy to horses.
Traditionally, very low fibre feeds such as barley and conditioning compound mixes have been used to promote condition, but nowadays we have access to a wide range of much higher energy fibre feeds, allowing us to put condition on our horses in a more healthy way. Before we look at how we can add condition to our horses in the healthiest way, let’s delve quickly into how horses digest fibre, and understand why it’s a lot more than just bulk...
Adding condition
Fibre digestion Fibre is a type of carbohydrate, made up of the same units as found in carbs such as starch and sugar, but linked in a different way. These linkages mean that fibre needs bugs (microbes) to break it down, rather than enzymes produced by the gut. The horse has a hindgut full of such bugs, which break down structural fibre releasing useful nutrients that the horse can absorb. Both energy and vitamins are available to the horse from fibre breakdown. Horses actually have a dietary 22 - Equi-Ads - june 2012
By ‘adding condition’ we actually mean increasing stores of body fat, giving the horse a covering that rounds his body and reverses that ‘lean look’. Horses lay down this body fat due to taking in excess calories (energy), i.e. more than they require for living and moving that day. The extra energy is converted to and stored as fat, for future use as energy. Whether excess dietary energy comes from oats, barley, sugar beet, hay, grass or compound feed, the horse will get fatter. Some horses look more muscled when they are a little fatter, but muscle is built only via exercise and cannot be added simply by adding dietary energy or protein, in a healthy horse. Feeding fibre for condition It’s clear that different fibre sources have different potential energy supplies to the horse, but even a moderate energy hay full of structural fibre can have a condition-adding effect if it is fed in sufficient quantity. A good
After forage is ad lib, consider what goes into the feed bucket. Traditional concentrate feeds including barley and grain-rich conditioning mixes are fattening but also supply high levels of starch, which is unhealthy for the horse. Horses can digest small amounts of starch efficiently, but cannot cope with large amounts. With the ‘superfibres’ we have nowadays, and our knowledge of how well horses cope with high dietary oil levels, there is no need to feed large amounts of starchy grain or mixes for weight gain. High digestible ‘superfibre’ compound feeds are available, as are straight unmolassed sugar beet and blends of sugar beet and alfalfa. All of these provide more healthy ways of adding condition than piling in the barley or conditioning coarse mix. The key to using fibrous feeds for condition is the amount you feed. Even the highest energy fibre feeds aren’t as high in energy per kilo as cereal grains, and are often much less dense. So simply feeding by scoop volume won’t do. A scoopful needs to be weighed before soaking - if this is done and the feed given in appropriate quantities. One stubbs scoopful of soaked sugar beet is not enough to add condition to an average horse. You need to add at least 2 kg (before soaking) of a conditioning fibre feed to a typical 500 kg horse to make a difference to condition. For example: Fibre-Beet is a mixture of unmolassed
sugar beet and alfalfa (plus other ingredients), that has an energy content of 11MJ energy per kilo. Adding 2 kg of Fibre-Beet to a horse’s diet adds 22MJ, which is the equivalent energy from 1.75 kg of a conditioning compound feed or 1.6 kg of oats. The soaked mixture will be many times the volume of the other two feeds, hence the importance of weighing the feed to ensure you feed enough. Top up dietary energy from fibre with a mugful of vegetable oil per day to a horse who needs extra condition. Introduce and increase gradually to ensure efficient digestion. Finally, ensure a multi-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement is added if sugar beet and alfalfa are used in place of a compound feed. In conclusion the steps to healthy conditioning using fibrous feeds: • • • •
Feed a nutritious forage ad lib Use highly digestible fibre feeds in the bucket, and ensure you feed enough (especially of soaked feeds) Add vegetable oil for extra calories Balance for vitamins and minerals if necessary
Beware of over-fatness Excess body fat - from any source - is unhealthy so take care to avoid putting too much condition on your horse. You should always be able to feel your horse’s ribs, shoulders and pelvis easily. For more information please contact British Horse Feeds on 01765 680300 or visit www.britishhorsefeeds.com
Feeding - Health Care
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 23
Feeding
Haylage – the healthy option Horses have very delicate digestive systems and need a regular supply of roughage to keep it working properly and prevent intestinal upsets which can lead to all sorts of other problems. In winter this has traditionally been provided from hay but there is now a better option. Accessing good quality hay is not always easy but if it isn’t good it is likely to be rejected as horses are fussy feeders. It will also have a lower nutrient value which needs to be compensated for with more expensive concentrates. Poor quality hay may also be unhealthy for your horse; badly moulded hay should certainly never be offered to horses but even slight moulding can be a problem. The low moisture content of hay (about 10-15%) allows the mould spores to become airborne so they can be breathed in. This can cause an allergic response called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), also known as ‘broken wind’, ‘dust cough’, ‘heaves’, etc. Once the allergy is triggered the
horse has it for life and exposure to mould spores will always cause a reaction so hay will need to be soaked to reduce its dustiness. It is believed that one in five horses suffers from some kind of dust allergy. Many leading vets and equine nutritionists now recommend that horse owners feed haylage rather than hay to both healthy and afflicted horses. Haylage is much closer to the horse’s natural diet of grass, both in texture and nutritional value. Haylage is more palatable and digestible than hay, has a higher nutritional value and is considerably less dusty, so it is less threatening to horses with COPD and there is no need to soak it. It is also much less prone to moulding than hay so, if made properly, it will contain few, if any, mould spores. Any spores that might be present tend to stick to the wetter material so they are not breathed in. For haylage the grass is cut at a
younger stage of growth so it has a higher nutritional quality to start with. As with hay, it needs to be dried in the field but not for so long as it is baled wetter when the moisture content is around 35-50%. The biggest difference from hay is that the bales need to be wrapped in plastic film to prevent air access. This allows a limited fermentation to take place and prevents moulds from growing. The fermentation is brought about by lactic acid bacteria. Fresh grass already contains some of these but in relatively low numbers and not necessarily the best ones. There also tend to be a lot of variation between bales, resulting in differences in palatability so increased wastage. Although much less prone to moulding than hay, haylage will still go mouldy if exposed to air for long, as may happen if the plastic wrap gets damaged or if it takes a long time to feed the bale out after opening.
If you start with high quality grass and apply DoubleAction Ecobale you should end up with consistent, highly nutritious, dust-free haylage and a happy horse. For more information contact Ecosyl Products on FREEPHONE 0800 590440.
TopSpec Cool Balancer TopSpec Cool Balancer is designed for horses and ponies that need extra condition but no ‘fizz’ and that are in light to medium work. Cool Balancer forms the ideal introduction to feeding balancers for those horse owners who are attracted to the idea of giving their horse ad-lib forage balanced by smaller hard feeds. It provides a very palatable, safe and effective way to improve condition and topline without adding excess calories to the diet. Cool Balancer is a ‘Non-Heating,’ cereal-grain-free formula; with low levels of starch and sugar, plus good quality protein. It stimulates weight gain whilst delivering a formula that not only avoids exciting horses but also includes ingredients that may reduce anxiety and help horses relax. Feeding TopSpec Cool Balancer improves the amount of nutrients that a horse can extract from his feed and because the horse can utilise more nutrients
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Many professional haylage producers minimise these problems by treating the grass at baling. Forage expert, Dr Shirley Heron of Ecosyl Products, comments: “DoubleAction Ecobale contains natural bacteria which help to ensure a better fermentation and one that is the same in every bale, resulting in more stable, less variable haylage with reduced nutrient losses and improved palatability. It also contains potassium sorbate, the most commonly used food and feed approved preservative, to help reduce moulding during storage and after the bale is opened, extending the safe feeding period.
from forage the amount of concentrate that needs to be fed can be reduced. This benefits digestion and is a more natural way of feeding, leading to a more relaxed horse. The forage to concentrate ratio is also improved because Cool Balancer is very nutrient-dense. It is fed in very small quantities, for example just 500g (approximately two beakers) a day for a typical 16hh middleweight weighing 500kg. A small amount of hard feed obviously leaves more space in the digestive system for forage than a large hard feed. TopSpec Cool Balancer is available in15kg sacks, which last a 500kg horse for 30 days or a 250kg pony for 60 days. £22.50 - 15kg For further information please contact the Multiple Award-Winning Helpline on 01845 565030 or visit www.topspec.com
Health Care - Hoofcare
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 25
Back Pain - Feeding - Health Care
Back Pain in the Horse Peter Fenton BVM&S, MRCVS Back pain in the horse is a frequently talked about issue amongst horseowners. A horse may present a variety of often very subtle signs indicating there is a problem. It is essential to call your vet first to examine your horse if you ever suspect a problem. Vets will frequently work alongside paraprofessionals such as fully qualified equine physiotherapists to help in the treatment of many musculoskeletal conditions. Just think how good you feel after physiotherapy or remedial massage and stretching for a painful condition – your equine friend is no different! Unfortunately there are several unqualified people who will visit yards and ‘diagnose’ and treat horses presented to them. It is important to remember that any treatment of an animal is considered an act of veterinary surgery and thus it is illegal for people without the appropriate training to do this without having had a referral from the horse’s vet following an examination. You would not let an uninsured unqualified person manipulate your spine so it should be no different for your horse. Your vet will ask questions relating to your horse’s breeding, use, current problem etc and then proceed with a full clinical examination of the horse at rest. The horse will then be visually assessed for signs of muscle loss/ wastage, which can be evidence of a long standing problem. Whilst any horse or pony may present with back pain, many people also believe that high-level competition horses may be at greater risk long-term due to working
under greater physical demands. The conformation of the horse may also predispose to this condition with short-backed or very dipped-back horses frequently affected. Assessing the horse’s behaviour with the owners whilst rugs etc are being taken off is also important as the horse may tenseup or threaten to bite/ kick if they are ‘guarding’ their back because of pain. Palpation of the structures of the back is the next part of the exam likely to be performed. This may highlight areas of musculature along the neck, back and rump, which are painful and may pinpoint the problem further. The horse’s range of neck movement will then be assessed where the vet will look for reduced movement in any plane. The horse will then be observed moving in walk and trot and possibly on the lunge with or without a rider. Many horses presented for ‘back-pain’ will have no problems with their back, but may actually be lame or have behavioural issues and these later parts of the exam will help to try and identify this. Tack, teeth and bit should also be fully checked by suitably qualified personnel as problems in these areas can also present very similarly. In addition, there are times where the horse’s way of going is being hampered by an inexperienced or poorly schooled rider – always a tricky situation for the vet to report back! On occasion, the vet may not find anything clinically significant other than the horse showing problems when being ridden. There may be
bucking, evasion of the leg/rein aid, evidence of being disunited behind, an unwillingness to work properly ‘over the back’ or just a general reluctance to go forward into a suitable contact on the bit. All of these signs can be attributed to an underlying painful cause but are just as likely to present in a horse that has been poorly schooled. A good way of differentiating between the two is to place the horse on a course of antiinflammatory drugs and continue work. If the problem appears to get better or stop then there has been a painful cause and further investigation is then necessary. If there is no improvement, the problem is likely behavioural or a one-off painful injury/ incident that has now triggered a negative behavioural pattern. Once it is established that the horse has ‘back pain’, further diagnostic imaging can be a useful next step. Radiography, ultrasonography and gamma-scintigraphy (bone scan) are now widely available for imaging the horse’s back. Radiography of the area will confirm certain conditions but not always whether this is related to the pain. For example, up to 60%
of middle-aged thoroughbreds will have these radiographic findings of Over-Riding Dorsal Spinous Processes (‘Kissing spines’) but be otherwise clinically ‘normal’. Treatment for back pain depends on the specific diagnosis made and can involve anything from box rest to surgery. Inappropriate or delayed treatment can exacerbate problems so it is crucial to work with your vet to find a solution promptly.
For horses undergoing extreme exercise When using Endure you will find that your horse will be able to withstand the stress of hard exercise much more easily. Recovery after exercise will be easier and the heart will not be put under so much strain as was necessary before you fed the supplement. Directions for use Use at a rate of 2 blue 25ml scoops twice daily for 5 to 7 days before a race or exercise. 1kg - £23.60 5kg - £106.20 For more information please visit www.globalherbs.co.uk or call the free advice line on 0800 1694709.
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Mud Fever
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 27
Feeding - Health Care - Have Your Say
Have Your Say Dear Sir, Ride inside leg to outside hand by Susan McBane I read in absolute amazement that any instructor can claim not to understand or ride the horse from “inside leg to outside hand”. This is one of the clear principles of dressage and without this concept no rider could produce lateral work, build the foundations to give and retake of the reins or indeed ride the horse straight. The key to this concept is understanding the purpose of each aid and why it is given to the horse. To quote “this white noise method” is not part of riding from the inside leg to the outside hand. I agree with Ms McBane that to use any aid constantly will deaden the horse’s response. When applying an aid as a rider we must seek a response immediately to ensure the horse is not deadening. If this is the case then a correction must be made. We must explore deeper the purpose of each aid and why it is required. The inside hand is there as a guiding rein which indicates to the horse when he is about to turn and introducing bend. This rein acts by guiding the nose of the horse round the turn and defining the size of the circle being ridden. The inside rein also has a loosening effect on the jaw when there is tension and encourages the horse to mouth the bit. The outside rein is the more important of the two and controls the amount of bend which is created by the inside rein. The outside rein controls the length of neck and outline through careful adjustment of its length and is also responsible for the control of the speed. The final role of the outside rein is to turn or lift the shoulders on a circle, turn or pirouette. I would never refer to it (the outside rein) as the “master rein” but a rider should be able to ride a correct bend on a circle without the inside rein for example in the give and retake. This
is where the “inside leg to outside hand” concept becomes real. In order for the rider to maintain the bend he must use the inside leg which has two functions one being the creation of bend and the other the creation of forward impulsion. As a rider we must understand that the horse should move away from our inside leg to our outside rein and then the outside rein controls this energy and gives direction. This is particularly true when we reach Elementary Level dressage and we must perform leg yield. When riding a true leg yield on a school horse the inside rein should not be required once the movement has begun. The bend and crossing of the legs is created from the inside leg. The amount of lateral movement is then controlled by the outside rein and it also ensures the horse does not fall through his shoulder. The outside rein regulates the amount of bend through the horse’s neck which is often to excess where he falls onto his shoulder. It is imperative that as riders and trainers we explore this concept thoroughly to ensure we have an understanding of straightening the horse. Energy should flow from the inside leg to the outside hand and it is through balancing these aids that the horse can be taught to move laterally or straight. I must emphasise that all aids should be given in rhythm with the horse and that the inside leg and outside hand should not be applied at the same time as this is equivalent to accelerating with the handbrake ON! I hope this clarifies the concept of riding from inside leg to outside hand. Regards Richard Johnston-Smith B.Technol (Hons), BHSII British Horse Society Young Instructor of the Year 2009 If you would like to have your say, please e-mail your comments to mary@equiads.net
SPILLERS® Balancers are twice as nice for twin riders
Twin sisters Katie and Bethany Solomon from Market Rasen in Leicestershire are big fans of SPILLERS® Balancers. So much so that Katie was moved to write to the leading horse feed manufacturer recently to say how impressed she and her identical twin sister are with the effects that SPILLERS® Original and SPILLERS® Lite Balancer have had on their all rounder ponies Toby and Merlot. “Toby, our Connemara, is a very good doer and can sometimes lack energy,” explains Katie, “but feeding SPILLERS® Lite Balancer has helped him lose some weight and has even, with exercise, helped us on the way to reducing his laminitic crest, which has in turn given him more energy! “SPILLERS® Original Balancer meanwhile has helped our part-bred cob Merlot stay at a constant weight and given him the energy he needs for competing but without making him over-excited, especially when he’s show jumping,” continues Katie. “It has also helped to build up his top line, together with the right exercise. Both the feeds have given our horses lovely shiny coats as well.” Katie is also pleased with the cost and convenience of feeding a balancer. She says: “SPILLERS® Balancers are very easy to feed and they even work out cheaper. Only a little needs to be fed, so the feed lasts longer too. The horses have the same amount of Balancer all year round so we don’t have to keep
changing the quantities we feed and because the Balancers contain all the vitamins and minerals Merlot and Toby need they don’t require extra supplements. “We would definitely recommend contacting the SPILLERS® team for advice on feeding, as they were so friendly and helpful to us. They gave us all the information we needed including how to manage our horses’ weight and guidance about laminitis.” SPILLERS® has been a leader in research, innovation and development in equine nutrition and feeding for the past 50 years. SPILLERS® Balancers have been formulated using this considerable expertise to provide horses with the very best. SPILLERS® Lite Balancer is low in calories but dense in nutrients. It’s perfect for good doers or those on restricted diets, who all still need a properly balanced diet. SPILLERS® Original Balancer is the ultimate, nutrient dense feed balancer for most horses and ponies on the yard - from those on a forage only diet to those that would benefit from an additional nutritional boost to their compound feed. You can also choose from SPILLERS® Performance Balancer, SPILLERS® Senior Balancer and SPILLERS Grow ‘n’ Win® Stud Balancer. For friendly feeding advice on feeding a balancer call the SPILLERS® CareLine on + 44 (0)1908 226626, email careline@spillers-feeds.com or visit www.spillers-feeds.com.
Back Health Top Tips from Equissage... • Make sure you warm up and cool down properly at the beginning and end of all exercise sessions. • Always use a mounting block or ask for a leg up when mounting. • Check your saddle regularly when it is on and off the horse to make sure it is in good repair and fits correctly.
• Make sure you obtain permission from your vet before your horse receives treatment from a physiotherapist or chiropractor. • Make sure you remove mud and dirt from the saddle area before riding to avoid damaging the skin and creating uneven pressure. • Always wash horses off properly to
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remove sweat after riding and check the back daily for any signs of pain or visible trauma. • Always seek veterinary advice early on to avoid the possibility of causing irreversible damage. • If you have access to an Equissage system use daily for 20 minutes to improve back health and also when
required to target specific problems. • Remember back health is a team effort and requires input from rider, trainer, vet, physiotherapist/chiropractor and saddle fitter. For more information or to book a FREE demonstration please contact Equissage on 0800 072 6272 or visit www.equissage.co.uk
Health Care - Worming
Surgical Colic Ben Sturgeon, BSc, BVM&S, Cert EP, MRCVS
Clinical signs are variable and depend on the cause of the colic and horse’s personality. Horses may exhibit no pain, mild pain, moderate pain, severe pain or even depression. Generally, increases in heart rate reflect the severity of pain and disease. A normal resting adult heart rate is 28-40 beats/minute. Horses with mild obstructions may have heart rates of 50-60 beats/minute; whereas horses with strangulating (twisting) lesions may have heart rates in excess of 80-90 beats/minute.
• Pneumonia • Pleuritis (inflammation of the lining of the thoracic cavity) Musculoskeletal System • Laminitis • Tying up Cardiovascular System • Aortoiliac thrombosis (a blood clot in the iliac artery supplying blood to the intestines) • Aortic rupture/acute hemorrhage • Uterine artery rupture • Myocardial infarction • Pericarditis Nervous System • Tetanus • Botulism • Seizures • Equine motor neuron disease Clearly some of these conditions would not be common but careful questioning, consideration of any history and re-evaluations will often enable the differentials to be narrowed. Examination of the horse is vital in making an early decision as to whether a surgical lesion is present, delays in presenting rapidly significantly lower the prognosis, treatment and healing times and even cost. In making this decision (whether surgery is necessary or not) the vet will be assessing the physiology of the horse to clarify what type of lesion is likely to be present and hence the most appropriate treatment. Any colic can broadly be classified (pathologically) into one of three types: simple obstructions, strangulating obstructions, and non-strangulating infarctions. Understanding what happens in each allows us to make sense of any clinical signs and their relevance.
Flank watching, dog sitting, rolling, abnormal stretching are all features of colic
Whilst colic is an abdominal disease the symptoms can mimic other painful problems and should not be forgotten when evaluating or considering the possible underlying disease. Reproductive System • Uterine torsion (twisting of the uterus within the abdomen) • Dystocia (difficulty delivering a foal) • Retained placenta • Granulosa cell tumor (a tumor of the ovary) Urinary System • Bladder or kidney stones • Ruptured urinary bladder (foals) Respiratory System
‘Think twice before using wormers’ * * BVA advice
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Colic in horses is defined as abdominal pain, but it is a clinical sign rather than a diagnosis. The term colic can encompass all forms of gastrointestinal conditions which cause pain as well as other causes of abdominal pain not involving the gastrointestinal tract. The most common forms of colic are gastrointestinal in nature and are most often related to colonic or large intestine disturbance. There are a variety of different causes of colic, some of which can prove fatal without surgical intervention although the vast majority (over 90%) are defined as medical. The incidence of colic in the general horse population has been estimated between 10 and 11 percent on an annual basis so if you haven’t seen it you probably will.
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Simple obstruction This is characterised by a physical obstruction of the intestine, which can be due to impacted food material, strictures, or foreign bodies. The primary abnormality caused by an obstruction is related to the trapping of fluid within the intestine above the obstruction. This is due to the large amount of fluid produced in the upper gastro-intestinal tract (around 125l daily), and the fact that this is primarily re-absorbed in parts of the intestine “downstream” from the obstruction. The problem with this degree of fluid loss from the circulation is decreased plasma volume (effectively dehydration), leading to a reduced cardiac output, and acid-base disturbances. cont. on p.30
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 29
Health Care There also occur serious effects on the intestine itself, which becomes distended due to the trapped fluid, and by gas production from bacteria. It is this distension, and activation of stretch receptors within the intestinal wall, that leads to the pain. With progressive distension of the intestinal wall, there is occlusion of blood vessels, firstly veins, then arteries. The difference in time to onset of occlusion is due to the relatively more rigid walls of arteries compared with veins. This impairment of blood supply leads firstly to blood congestion, and ultimately to cellular death. The poor blood supply also has effects on the blood vessels themselves, leading to an increased permeability. This results initially in leakage of plasma, and eventually blood into the intestine. In the opposite fashion, bacteria and endotoxins can enter the bloodstream, leading to further systemic effects.
Non-strangulating infarction In a non-strangulating infarction, blood supply to a section of intestine is lost, without any obstruction to the food present within the intestine. The most common cause is infection with Strongylus vulgaris larvae, which develop within the cranial mesenteric artery, which supplies the majority of blood to the intestine hence affecting its vitality.
colic. However, it should be stressed that there is no single criterion that determines the need for surgery and it is often necessary to repeat the examination and assessment process of the horse over a period of time before concluding that surgery should be performed.
Having a pre-agreed strategy or plan of action in the event of a bad colic is the sensible, if not pessimistic, way to go. Educating yourself and your colleagues prior to any (hopefully none) episode can reduce the time delays and emotional turmoil.
A further sub-group of colic is recognised - neurologic which includes Grass Sickness, where the actual cause and definative treatments are as yet unknown.
Strangulating obstruction Strangulating obstructions have all the same pathological features as a simple obstruction, but the blood supply is immediately affected. Both arteries and veins may be affected immediately, or progressively as in simple obstruction. Common causes of strangulating obstruction are twists, intussusceptions, volvulus and displacement of intestine through a hole such as a hernia.
Dark (endotoxic) mucous membranes
Findings then such as dark mucous membranes, a high heart rate, pain unresponsive to simple analgesics, abnormal rectal findings, an enlarging abdomen, abnormal abdominal fluid or a positive nasogastric reflux are all definative indicators of a surgical
Abnormal and normal peritoneal fluid
Strangulating intestine - Tempus Fugit
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Whilst the veterinary findings may conclusively advocate surgery the immediacy of the situation, painful and emotional considerations as well as practical and financial implications often mean that difficult decisions need to be made without all the information or even understanding of the situation.
Prognostically, results are dependent on several factors; obviously the cause of the colic is foremost with typically non- strangulating lesions having a better prognosis than strangulating lesions. However you have little control over what is actually wrong with your horse. What you do have control over though is this - speed. Surgical success rates improve dramatically with earlier surgical intervention and hopefully emphasizes the importance of calling your vet early. Prevention is the next step and we’ll look at this next month.
Health Care - Bitting - Tack & Turnout
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 31
Health Care - Physio
Physiotherapy Problems Maeve Grant My daughter’s pony has recently begun to refuse jumps and has never done this before. The trainer at pony club has suggested I get his back checked. Can physiotherapy help with this? Ponies can refuse to jump for many different reasons. If this is out of character for your pony it is very wise to give him the benefit of the doubt and have him checked over. I would suggest that you call your vet to see him in the first instance. Pain in the limbs will certainly cause horses to refuse to jump and often it is hock pain in the hind limbs or lower limb or foot pain in the forelimbs that will cause performance problems in show jumpers. A bilateral lameness can be difficult to spot and often it presents initially as a performance problem. If your vet does a lameness exam on your pony and finds nothing wrong then it is time to call your local ACPAT registered physiotherapist. A chartered veterinary physiotherapist will look at your pony’s conformation and muscle bulk in standing, then do a full movement assessment including walk and trot, tight circles and possibly on the
lunge. After this they will do a full palpatory examination of muscle, joints and soft tissue and will look at your saddle. The most common reason I see in horses and ponies that have suddenly begun to refuse to jump is due to muscle pain and wasting around the shoulder blades which results in an incorrectly fitting saddle. Often the saddle is too wide for the horse and then sits too low in front, putting point pressure on the sensitive area of the horse’s shoulder blades. In order to jump, the horse must lift his front legs and his shoulder blades glide back at the top. To bascule over the jump he must be able to lift his ribcage between his shoulder blades. If the weight of the saddle and rider is putting direct pressure onto this area it will block this movement and be painful and the horse will, quite rightly, not want to do this, therefore he will begin to refuse or nap at jumps. Horses change shape regularly throughout their lives and often throughout the year. It is important to have your saddle checked every six months by a Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) registered saddle fitter and the best
time of year to do this is spring and autumn as this is when your horse will change shape the most. When horses lose weight or muscle they will change shape over their topline. This can cause a saddle which did fit well to become too wide in front and begin to cause point pressure over the shoulder blades. Pain will cause muscles to waste, and this happens very quickly. You can lose fifty percent of a muscle in 48 hours due to pain and swelling. If your horse loses more muscle over his topline then this makes the saddle sit even lower in front, compounding the problem. The muscles that waste are the thoracic portion of the long back muscle, longissimus, and the thoracic trapezius muscle, the muscle behind the withers. However lameness in the fore limbs can also cause this muscle wasting, therefore it is very important to get your vet to assess the pony in the first instance. When the horse moves correctly by using his abdominals, lifting his back and engaging his hind leg to push his weight forward, this allows him to come off his forehand and lift up through the withers. This action occurs by the recruitment of a group of muscles known as the thoracic sling. Remember the horse has no collar bone so the shoulder blades are attached to the ribcage by the thoracic sling muscles. When working correctly these muscles will lift the ribcage between the two shoulder blades, allowing the horse to appear to grow in height and work in an ‘uphill’ carriage. This allows the shoulder blades to glide freely over the ribcage, providing a nice free action in front. It also leaves the head and neck free to move, allowing the horse to balance himself and work in a true outline. Then the muscles on the top of the neck, splenius and semispinalis can work in a lightly stretched position to control the effects of gravity on the horse’s head and neck. If something blocks this movement such as an ill fitting saddle, pain or spasm, this causes the horse to drop his back, raise his head, flatten his croup and blocks the forward movement of the hind legs. This means he can’t engage the powerful hindquarter muscles properly and has to rely on other muscles in the hindquarters to push him forward. It also makes him tighten up through latissimus dorsi, the lateral muscles,
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pulling him further into a dipped posture, blocking lateral movement of the ribcage and spine, and reducing his ability to stride out with his front legs. This in turn blocks the action of the thoracic sling, causing him to use the muscles on the underside of his neck, brachiocephalicus, to pull his front legs forward and causing the head to be raised. The horse in the photo has marked wasting of his longissimus, the long back muscle, and thoracic trapezius, the muscle behind the withers. This makes saddle fitting very difficult as there is no muscle there to sit a saddle on. He has a build up of muscle mid way down the back of the scapula where latissimus dorsi disappears behind the scapula, in cervical trapezius in front of his withers and in brachiocephalicus, the muscle on the underside of his neck. This muscle imbalance restricts the movement of the shoulder blades on the ribcage and presents as a choppy stride length in front, a horse that is on his forehand, and in this case a horse that began to refuse to jump. Once the vet had ruled out a lameness issue, I worked closely with the owner and the SMS saddle fitter. The horse had an improved saddle fit and, through a series of physiotherapy treatments and exercises, we got him moving better and were able to give the owner a home exercise programme to build up the correct muscle. He is now much improved and happily jumping one metre tracks again with no issues. Maeve Grant, Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist. BSc Hons Physiotherapy, PgDip Veterinary Physiotherapy, MCSP, ACPAT Cat A. Tel: 07815839790 E-mail: maevegrant@yahoo.co.uk Web: www.animalphysioplus.com Based in Edinburgh, covering Central Scotland. For more information on Veterinary Physiotherapy or to find a Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist in your area go to www.acpat.org
Insurance
Equitation Science: ‘The Road Ahead’ The International Society for Equitation Science 8th annual conference will be hosted by The University of Edinburgh in Scotland from 18th - 20th July 2012 to provide an international forum in which scientists and professional practitioners can communicate and discuss the results of research relating to training, management and the performance of the horse. This premier event will gather together influential stakeholders in the global sport, horse performance and horse welfare industries. It will focus on ways of improving horse training as well as encouraging the development of science-based criteria to measure the welfare of the ridden horse. Audiences will include world leading academics and researchers, equine scientists, veterinarians, applied ethologists, advanced practitioners (horse-trainers, instructors & riders), tertiary students in equine science, equine studies and equine business management and policy makers involved in Equitation Science.
University of Edinburgh’s Veterinary School and Chair of the ISES organising committee states ‘We are extremely pleased to be able to welcome leading scientists and practitioners to participate in this unique opportunity to debate issues related to the appliance of science to equitation’. Professional trainer and co-author of the book entitled ‘ Equitation Science’ - Dr Andrew Mclean of the Australian equine behaviour centre says ‘ Being held in Olympic year in the UK is especially significant given that ISES strives to encourage the use of an evidence based approach to training and riding horses for performance at all levels’. ISESconference2012@ equitationscience.com http://www.ises-uk2012.com
Professor Natalie Waran of the
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 33
Insurance - Schooling
Golden Opportunities with William Fox-Pitt and Petplan Equine Leading specialist equine insurance provider, Petplan Equine, has joined forces with top international event rider William Fox-Pitt to give horse owners across the UK a range of golden opportunities including an exclusive ride with the Olympic star. Anyone who takes out a Petplan Equine horse insurance policy before 1st July 2012 will enter into a free prize draw to win a ride with William during The Festival of British Eventing which is held at Gatcombe Park, the home of HRH The Princess Royal between the dates of 13th – 15th July 2012, which is also the last major event before the Olympics.
Two lucky winners will have this oncein-a-lifetime chance to ride alongside William on their own horses and chat to him about his career which has seen him crowned British number one eight times and world number one on three occasions and, following a stellar start to the season he has already shot into the lead in this year’s FEI world rankings. Six runners up will each win a pair of hospitality tickets to the Festival to enjoy lunch with eventing legend and six-times Badminton winner, Lucinda Green MBE. There are also 10 pairs of tickets to the event and a course walk with Lucinda to be won. Commenting on this exciting initiative, Petplan Equine Head of Marketing, Isabella von Mesterhazy said: “We wanted to come up with a once-in-alifetime, money-can’t-buy opportunity for horse owners and we thought that a chance to ride with William somewhere
like Gatcombe Park before he sets off for Greenwich was just that opportunity. William hosted a similar ride around Blenheim Palace last year which was a huge success. His affable, easy manner coupled with his star quality makes him the perfect partner for us.“ As well as the chance to win a ride with William at Gatcombe, throughout the year, Petplan Equine will be working with him to provide web chats on Petplan Equine’s Facebook page, a prize draw to win the chance to visit his yard, discounts on the Fox-Pitt Eventing Club membership, course walks and much more.
been asked to work with them – and I’m looking forward to meeting the Petplan Equine winners at Gatcombe.” To take out a Petplan Equine horse insurance policy today and be automatically entered into this fabulous prize draw with our gold medal prospect William Fox-Pitt call 0800 197 0836 or visit www. petplanequine.co.uk/gatcombe
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Schooling Exercises - Jumping Rowan Tweddle BHSII (SM) B.Sc Hons Shortening and lengthening the canter. This is a good exercise to work on your ability to shorten and lengthen the canter, and work on your control of lines between fences. Put out two poles between wings on angles as shown in the diagram. The distance on the middle line (red) should be about 19 of your strides. In a good canter you should be able to get 4 canter strides between the poles. If you don’t have much experience in counting your strides, then ensure that you do the following:
• • •
When your horse “jumps” over the first pole, don’t count “one” as his front feet land! Wait until his back feet have landed, then the next stride is the first one you count. Count each subsequent canter stride The fourth stride should finish about 1m before the second pole, then your horse should be able to “jump” over the pole.
When you can do this consistently on both reins you can work on altering both the line between the poles, and the length of the canter stride. The deeper (outside) line, in blue, takes you closer to the arena wall.
This makes the distance between the poles slightly longer, and helps you to fit another stride in without having to over-shorten the canter. Frequently when people try to shorten the canter, they merely under-power it, altering the line helps you to keep riding forwards between the two poles. (Note that you have to slightly alter your line of approach too). On this blue line you are aiming to fit 5 canter strides in between the poles. If you are feeling pretty brave and ready to generate some power, you can try riding the straight (green) line between the poles. This means you have to go over the poles on an angle in a strong canter which is an excellent exercise to prepare you for cross country fences! You would like to get 3 strides between the poles on this line, but do be aware that in practice taking strides out within a distance is not a safe idea! Play around with your canter and the lines so you can set up a canter and approach that takes you down the line in 3, 4 or 5 strides as you please. Your horse should feel like a powerful car in 3rd gear – responsive and reactive.
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You will probably now want to put the poles up to jumps – go ahead! Make them straight bars rather than cross poles and make sure you have a ground line on both sides so you can do the exercise on both reins. Don’t do the 3 stride line with the jumps up until you are really good over the poles – nothing ruins your confidence more quickly than trying and failing to take a stride out!
Horseboxes - Property
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June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 35
Letters
Open Letter to Equi-Ads Anne Wilson and Susan McBane As most readers probably know, Susan McBane and I are close colleagues and friends. We both practice and teach classical riding and firmly believe in classical principles. However, there have always been certain minor differences of opinion between us; as indeed there are even amongst the Great Masters. After following Susan’s recent series on equestrian principles from the viewpoint of equine behaviour, I have been very impressed by the depth of analytical knowledge which has gone into it. I have also been a little confused on some points and it may be useful to give these an airing in case they have caused confusion to anyone else:• I gained the impression from the article in March issue that selfcarriage can be fairly easily obtained by correct riding and “contrary to general belief, does not take years”. Self carriage definitely does take years, since self carriage to my mind means collection, taking weight back onto the haunches, which cannot be done until he has built up the strength. Susan actually agrees with me on this point and freely admits that what she really meant was that ‘self-balance’ does not take years. I can certainly concur with this, since ‘self-balance’ to me means no more than good balance. A horse can be well balanced, with a fairly light feel on the reins, but still be very much on the forehand. So I guess that this confusion is just a matter of the perceived meaning of the phrases ‘self-carriage’ and ‘self-balance’ and we are in fact in agreement here. • Although I agree that horses should never be given unnecessary, and definitely not conflicting aids, I do not agree that horses become confused by more than one aid being applied at a time. A horse should never be asked to move forward whilst at the same time being held back; that is obvious, but when a horse is fairly advanced in his training, the aids should become a delicate and intricate conversation between rider and horse. For many advanced movements an amalgamation of tactfully applied aids is required at the same time, and the horse is well able to understand 36 - Equi-Ads - june 2012
this. Here’s what the great French master, Gueriniere says in his book ‘School of Horsemanship’: “…Furthermore, the legs must act in consonance with the hand, otherwise the effect thereof will never be correct; such consonance is called , in the terminology of the art, accord of hand and heel, which is the perfection of all aids. The hand should always begin the command, and the legs must accompany this movement.” • The article ‘Ride inside leg to outside hand’ in the April issue, I feel could also be much misunderstood. Susan maintains that this instruction is wrong and confusing to the horse. Here again, perhaps the confusion is in the lack of understanding or lack of explanation of the teacher giving these instructions. I fully agree that to push the horse from a too forceful inside leg, into an outside hand which is also pulling back, is detrimental. However, I believe that the principle of encouraging the horse to bend around the inside leg, whilst supporting the forehand with the outside hand, thus preventing the outside shoulder from ‘falling out’, is a vitally important one. One cannot encourage this inside bend without the use of the inside leg and without the outside hand at the same time, the horse would be bound to fall onto the forehand and overload the inside foreleg. Perhaps the difference here is in how the inside leg is used. Not all leg aids create forward impulsion or sideways movement; this is one of the intricacies that the horse (and rider) needs to learn. • Whilst I applaud Equitation Science in studying the horse’s reaction to different stimuli, and confirming in the most part, the correctness of classical training, I feel that it is possible to become too entrenched in science. Should strict scientific principles be applied to what is a high art form, consisting of communication between two sentient beings; horse and rider? I believe that in reality, the communication between horse and rider is much more intricate and complicated; that is what makes it so enthralling and rewarding. Anne Wilson
I’m grateful to Anne for pointing out some issues dealt with in my recent series which may have caused confusion, perhaps because I didn’t explain them as fully as I should have. That said, there are points on which we disagree probably due to our slightly differing backgrounds. So, to reply to her four points: • Self-carriage and what I call self-balance: I should have been more precise here. Horses at liberty can balance themselves perfectly well, of course, and only come to grief if the ground is tricky or they take a mis-step. Horses’ survival has depended on them staying on their feet and able to gallop away from predators, so balance develops from very early in life. Later, when we start training them we interfere with their natural balance by putting our moveable weight on their backs and maybe restricting their bodies with equipment. • I believe that we need to teach horses quickly to respond to light aids and then let them work without further intervention from our equipment or our riding techniques. Then, they develop the appropriate muscles for work and acquire self-balance under weight. The classical seat is a damage limitation one in that we can truly do nothing but go with the horse, or we can give requests without unbalancing the horse. Self-carriage, as Anne says, is more a matter of the weight being carried more on the hindquarters, which gradually produces the rounded posture with a lifted forehand and a head and neck stretched up and out on a light contact, as in correct collection. • On the point of more than one aid being given at the same moment causing confusion, we must agree to differ. Anne says, though, that a horse ‘should never be asked to move forward whilst at the same time being held back’ yet that is what happens to so many when they are driven up to the bit. I said many times during the series that horses do learn to respond to and accept aids being given in very quick succession but my opinion and training plus the recent research work confirm that the oneaid-at-a-time principle is best.
• I think that the way ‘inside leg to outside hand’ is normally taught, in my experience and not from truly classical trainers, is the cause of confusion. Many trainers tell students to ‘use your outside rein’ but don’t tell them that, crucially, in turns and curved shapes it is used sideways on the outside of the neck, never pulled backwards, to ‘push’ the horse over. Doing things the other way – with a backward pull on the outside and a firmly pressuring inside leg, often with spur – results in horses feeling trapped and browbeaten, and this is extremely common. I use the outside rein sideways/ inwards for turning all the time, or with a trained horse just a fingertip touch on the side of the wither, and it works like magic. The inside leg can be passively held in place to indicate bend, with most horses, and slightly weighted (‘described by Sylvia Loch of the Classical Riding Club as ‘stepping down into the stirrup’ – without leaning in, of course), or you can just put your inside seatbone forward and perhaps weight it a little, and the horse will turn. Weight aids seem rarely used outside classical circles yet are invaluable. • Classical riders have, for a few hundred years, produced excellent results using not only their training but their instincts and sensitivities. Riding can be a high art form, but because we are dealing with our own and our horses’ biology and biomechanics, with behaviour and psychology as well as physical movement, science should inevitably play a significant role in it. Riding, at any level, is, as Anne implies, a mixture of art and science and the best and most ethical results will, I feel, be obtained by considering both and applying them to each horse as an individual. May I say how wholeheartedly I agree with the articles by Derek Cuddeford and Sylvia Loch in the April issue of Equi-Ads? If everyone acted on them horses’ lives on this planet would be a thousand per cent better. Susan McBane
Insurance - Stud
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 37
Horse Behaviour - Training
Speaking the Language, Part 1 A new series by SUSAN McBANE explaining equestrian and scientific terminology in relation to equine behaviour and psychology, and its effects on horses and training IF THERE is one thing the horse world has plenty of it is jargon. It was several decades ago that I first realised this, having been brought up with horses and ponies and learned the ‘language’ naturally, plus reading every horse book I could get my nose into. My fiancé was standing around at the stables, looking helplessly out of place, whilst a few of us horse-owners were having a general conversation about our horses. At the end of it he asked me what it had all been about as he hadn’t understood a single word of it.
lesson, it can be counterproductive if the student is too embarrassed to admit that she doesn’t know what the teacher means.
We do use some ludicrous expressions, don’t we? How about ‘he isn’t going over his back’ (going where?), ‘he isn’t going forward’ (when he certainly isn’t going backwards), ‘behind the bit’ (well yes, there isn’t much of him in front of it), ‘behind the vertical’ (the vertical what?) and ‘in front of the leg’ (which leg, and isn’t he supposed to be between them, anyway?) to mention only some. Sometimes, even horse people may put different interpretations on terms, making for confusion all round. When jargon is used during a
The science-based speciality which produces the most confusion seems to be the field of behaviour. Professional ‘behaviourists’ and others trained in the science of behaviour and psychology use terminology which can leave the rest of us lost and irritated. For instance, how many non-scientists reading Equi-Ads can give a clear definition of the term ‘shaping’ or even have a good idea what it is?
Now that scientific terminology has entered the arena as well, it’s no wonder that even experienced horse people with little scientific background can be left feeling befuddled. Most vets seem to understand the need to explain issues to their clients in terms they understand, and so do most other scientifically-trained specialists such as physiotherapists.
Compounding the problem
When professionals in the horse world such as teachers and trainers try to bring scientific terms into their vocabulary, many of them who have no scientific training confuse the meaning of terms which originated in behavioural science. They naturally say what they think it means when, in fact, it means something else. This can cause serious misunderstandings about the behaviour of any horse being described and result in inappropriate training and slurs on the horse’s character. Many riders and trainers, also, blame horses for being ‘lazy’, ‘bad-tempered’, ‘bolshi’, ‘stubborn’ and so on when, as discussed in my article last month, they are in truth blameless participants in training and may well be confused (by poor training), frightened, in pain or not feeling well. Clearly, it would help us all, scientists and lay horse people alike (lay meaning a non-expert in some profession, art or science), not to mention our horses, if we had a comprehensive set of terms with agreed and accepted meanings, so that we are all speaking the same version of our common
language, scientific and equestrian. Clear communication between humans and also between horses and humans should be the result. This new series will expand upon a glossary of scientific and non-scientific terms and definitions which were presented at the First International Equitation Science Symposium in 2005, devised by a team comprising eminent equine behavioural scientists Natalie Waran, Amanda Warren-Smith and Debbie Goodwin. I’ll try to explain not only the meaning of the various terms and processes but also how they affect and apply to riding and training. As in any glossary, they will appear in alphabetical order. The first paragraph will give the term, and quote the word-by-word description from the glossary, followed by my own explanation and discussion. (For interest, the full glossary appeared in the Spring 2010 issue of ‘Equine Behaviour’, the members’ journal of the Equine Behaviour Forum (www. equinebehaviourforum.org.uk), and is given on pages 273 to 287 of the definitive book ‘Equitation Science’ written by Drs Paul McGreevy and Andrew McLean and published by Wiley-Blackwell - invaluable reading for anyone seriously interested in equine behaviour and psychology.) ABOVE THE BIT: ‘A posture characteristic of a hyper-reactive ridden horse exhibiting conflict behaviour in which the horse attempts to escape the aversive situation by raising its head, quickening its pace, shortening its neck and stride and bracing its back, which becomes dorsally concave. The horse thus assumes a posture appropriate for running and therefore does not show impulsion.’ In other words, the horse is ‘up-tight’ or worried about something and his posture or outline is the opposite of that needed for producing impulsion. His back is down rather than rounded upwards, which is why his hindquarters and hind legs cannot be engaged (tilted
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Training under, with the hindlegs reaching well under the body) so they can carry weight and produce thrust. The head and neck, likewise, are not rounded upwards and forwards in an arc extending from the raised back but are raised and shortened in a ‘flatter’ shape, probably with the nose poking and the eyes wide, showing a level of fear or anxiety. The horse may shorten his stride as he gathers himself together ready to run. The posture described is self-protective and typical of the preparation to run away, horses normally preferring to flee rather than fight (as in the flight-or-fight response to what they perceive as danger).
pitched sounds than humans, and their sense of smell is almost on a par with that of dogs. For instance, the smell of a pig farm a mile away can, if the wind is in the right direction, cause some horses to become upset. The same goes for a stallion detecting the smell of a mare in season.
Senses and perceptions
The horse in work
We have to ask ourselves why the horse is behaving like this and assess the whole situation. Just because we cannot see or hear anything potentially troublesome, it doesn’t mean that the horse has the same opinion. His eyesight is different from ours and he will have a less sharp but much widerranging image of the environment. Horses react to movement, which instinctively might be perceived as a possible predator, more than still objects, even if they are familiar, although they can flip at the sight of an unfamiliar object, or a familiar one in a different place from usual.
The other situation when a horse may go above the bit is when he is being made really uncomfortable, or being caused pain, by being worked either under saddle or from the ground. I used to own a gelding who adopted this exact posture if anyone walked towards him carrying a whip; he was clearly associating this with being whipped by a person on foot.
Horses’ hearing can pick up higher-
Because of the way horses naturally react to their surroundings, and the fact that their senses are capable of detecting things we could never pick up, a good deal of understanding and tact is required if a horse adopts the above-the-bit posture because of environmental circumstances.
Most of us use the expression ‘above the bit’ of a horse who is going in this posture when ridden, and in this case it is clearly the rider’s actions, the feel of the tack, painful or uncomfortable feet or shoes, a sore mouth due to injury or dental problems, a badly fitting saddle
The opportunity to train with Honza Blaha This is a rare opportunity to train and watch one of the great trainers and teachers in equestrianism today. Czech born Honza Blaha will be running a clinic at Fife in Scotland from 3rd to 5th September. The sessions will take place over
the 3 days and you can opt to book in for one, two or all three days with ridden or in hand sessions.
or girth, or pain due to some injury we have not detected. All these things can cause a defensive posture and way of going in the horse as he tries to avoid the pain. Also, they can all trigger the start of the flight-or-fight response and, when a horse is in the charge of people who are not taking in the meaning of his body language, he can endure discomfort or pain indefinitely. He might also be accused unjustly of spooky or otherwise bad behaviour. Sadly, ‘firm’ treatment is often the reaction of unskilled, insensitive or unknowledgeable riders to the abovethe-bit posture. Fiddling with the reins, ‘sawing’ with them or applying a heavy bit contact will be the first recourse of such people to try to get the horse’s head down, followed by fitting a ‘stronger’ bit, applying a tight, restrictive noseband, and equipment to strap down the head either when the horse is under saddle or worked from the ground. (In the worst cases, the rider might end up flogging the ‘bloody-minded’ horse out of anger and frustration.) The posture can appear to be improved by the above ‘remedies’ (not by the flogging, of course). In practice, it is only changed forcibly, and probably intensifies the horse’s discomfort or pain, as force does. He will still have his significant problem as is shown by the number of horses who revert to the posture when the gear is removed. Another salient point about the abovethe-bit posture, and about forcing a horse to go in a way he does not like or finds distressing, is that he will unavoidably be using inappropriate muscles and muscle groups to compensate for his discomfort or pain, trying to move in any way he can which does not hurt. Submissive horses may put up with it but others may react more or less violently.
What to do? The real answer, of course, is for the horse’s connections to recognise that the posture is not natural in a healthy, pain-free horse, and to be willing to get to the bottom of it so that it can be put right. Rider education may come high on the list of remedies, or simply a change to a better rider. The fit and adjustment of the horse’s tack needs to be checked minutely by someone who really knows how it should be. A ‘hollow’ posture like this is very often caused by an uncomfortable mouth or bit or by a painful back due to a badly-fitting saddle or girth. A saddle-fitter (not just a saddler, with respect) qualified by the Society of Master Saddlers should be a suitable person to call in. A vet and/or equine dental technician should be asked to check the teeth and mouth and treat any disorders found. A conscientious farrier should be able to put right problems with the feet and shoes and, of course, when an obvious cause cannot be found and tackled, there should be no hesitation in calling in the vet. SUSAN McBANE has an HNC in Equine Science and Management, the Classical Riding Club Gold Award and is an Associate (practitioner) Member of the International Society for Equitation Science as well as author of 44 books. She and Anne Wilson publish ‘Tracking-up’ magazine (see advert this issue). Contact her for lessons and clinics in Lancashire and surrounding areas by ringing 01254 705487, or emailing her on horses@ susanmcbane.com. Her website is at www.susanmcbane.com.
Spectators are also welcome to attend. To find out more about the sessions visit see http://www.mindbuzzler. com or www.honzablaha.cz/en
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 39
Tack & Turnout
Showing for Perfection In this issue leading showman Jerome Harforth from the Stanley Grange Show Team provides advice on preparing for a show, including turnout tips and way of going courtesy of Supreme Products.
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Tack & Turnout
hold the plaits firmly and neatly in place.
10 Most Important Tips For Showing 1) My most important tip for show ring success is organisation. Have a plan of shows you are aiming for throughout the season, this will give you something to aim for. Make sure you have a list of everything you will need on the lorry or in your trailer in the build up to the show and also of all the jobs you need to do before leaving for the show.
2) Make sure that your horse is entered in the correct class he is intended for. If you are not in the correct class the judge cannot assess you and your horse effectively as you will not be true to type and therefore
at a disadvantage before you even perform your show or the judge gets on. 3) Take your time on presentation. It is easy to catch the judge’s eye if your horse stands out from the crowd. Make sure his coat is fine and gleaming. This is achieved through good rugging up and correct brushing and bathing. The Supreme Products Body Wrap is a ‘must have’ when it comes to producing a good coat as it will lay the coat as well as add condition and shine and ‘bring the coat on.’ Ensure that your plaits are tidy and suit the style of your horse’s neck. If you want to make the neck look bigger sit your plaits well up along the crest of the neck, this will give the appearance of more top line. Fewer plaits on a neck will make it look shorter, more plaits will make it look longer. Supreme Products Easy Plait is a huge help when it comes to producing perfect plaits as it helps you get a good grip and also helps
Well presented quarter marks can also improve the appearance of the hind quarters, while shark’s teeth can make the horse’s rump appear more toned and round. To assist with making these truly perfect, Supreme Products de luxe Coat Gloss and Quarter Marking Spray help provide the top class finish you should aim for. Nicely painted hooves and a neatly pulled tail go without saying. 4) Good tack is a definite ‘must’ in showing. For hunters a nice plain saddle and bridle is perfect and Riding Horses and Hacks a bright velvet browband is needed. A saddle and bridle can hide a multitude of sins, a horse with a chunkier head may benefit from a wider noseband and brow band, as this will break it up. Make sure that your saddle fits correctly and is comfortable for the judge, and check that your stirrup irons are large enough to accommodate large men’s feet! This is a common complaint from judges on the county show circuit! 5) Another top tip for standing further up the line is to work on your horse’s manners. Nothing impresses a judge more than seeing a good moving horse performing in a gentle and mannerly way. Horses and ponies that appear to be pulling and leaning on the rider and charging round the arena is frowned upon and will leave you further down the line.
horse at his best whenever the judge is looking at you. As you enter the ring, try and place yourself between horses with less impact so that your horse looks better. 7) Another top tip is to keep your horse’s exercise regime at home as varied as possible. Constantly schooling and going round in circles can often sour some horses and this can reflect in their performance at a show. 8) If we have a young horse and we are unsure as to how they will perform in the ring we will take them to a local show for their first few outings. This gives them the chance to get used to the sights and sounds of shows and acts as a nice introduction to county shows. 9) All riders like to feel comfortable, and dressing to impress is important as it improves the overall image of both horse and rider, but it is also vital to remain comfortable as this will influence how you ride. Make sure your shirt fits correctly and your tie or stock is smart – you do see some riders with baggy collars and untidy ties and this does reduce the overall appearance 10) If you go home feeling deflated after a show, because you and your horse have not performed at your best - don’t worry! There will always be another show where you can do better, riding is meant to be fun! Tel: 01377 229050 www. supremeproducts.co.uk
6) I think to gain that red rosette you have to perfect your ring craft, the art of presenting and showing off your horse in the ring to allow the best possible chance of impressing the judge. It is crucial that you present your June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 41
Tack & Turnout
Aivly Supports Competition Show success with NAF Aivly Country Store supports a wealth of competitions, sponsoring the prestigious Ellingham & Ringwood Show, the New Forest Pony Breed Show, Kingston Maurward Show and Parley Equestrian Dresssage Series. And the store also offers a spacious
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Silky Mane & Tail D-Tangler is a deluxe, conditioning spray for smooth, tangle free manes and tails.
that doesn’t look or feel false. The citronella scent is a clever addition too for the hot, summer shows!”
Visit Aivly Country Store, Ringwood, BH24 3EA, www.aivly.com or call 01425 472341.
This high performance grooming gloss leaves clean hair with a smooth, non sticky coating which will not attract dust, therefore the mane and tail remain shiny, sleek and silky!
The 750ml Silky spray retails at £8.95 while the new 2.5 litre refill is £22.50. A 750ml Shiny spray retails at £9.95.
Supreme Products Leg & Body Whitener Sometimes no amount of scrubbing can brighten socks, so why not make life easier for yourself, with Supreme Products Leg & Body Whitener from the Professional Collection. For a brilliant bright white finish, Supreme Products Leg & Body Whitener is easy to apply and can be used wet or dry over the whole body or used to target specific areas. Non sticky, it can be added to final rinsing to whiten the body, mane and tail for a truly immaculate appearance. Alternatively it can be applied to the legs and bandaged creating the whitest socks around!
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The professional’s best kept secret, many top show producers mix the powder to a paste and then apply to the legs to create the whitest and brightest socks in the show ring. Supreme Products Professional Collection - The Choice of Champions. Supreme Leg and Body Whitener is available in 1kg, 2.5kg and 5kg tubs and priced at £11.99, £26.99 and £47.99. For further information on Supreme Products contact 01377 229050 or visit www.supremeproducts. co.uk, also available at stockists nationwide.
Top show producers Claire & Robert Oliver wholeheartedly endorse Silky… “We are really impressed with Silky. We had our favourite before using it, but after trying it, we now use nothing else. We recommend Silky to anyone who wants an effective, non sticky, detangling product that lasts!” Shiny is a NEW luxurious coat gloss with an added bonus… it contains the favoured, much trusted ingredient, Citronella. Low in silica, Shiny leaves the coat glossy, with a natural, silky sheen, and, because it helps to repel dust, the coat stays clean and shiny for longer! Says Claire Oliver “I have used new Shiny coat spray and I love it!... the coat is left with a really natural looking sheen
Available from your nearest NAF stockist. For more information, please call the NAF Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373 106 or email info@naf-uk.com
Health Care - Skin/FLies - Tack & Turnout
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 43
Health Care - Skin/FLies
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Health Care - Skin/FLies
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 45
Tack & Turnout
Show Ring Products Groomer Equimins’ Groomer is a simple to apply grooming product designed to help produce a gleaming coat with added lustre, perfect for the show ring. In addition to creating shine, Groomer helps to repel dust and dirt after use, and will also help to keep manes and tails tangle free. Groomer is available in 500 ml in 1 L trigger spray bottles, and prices start from £6.89.
Enhancing Gloss is available in 100 g tubs and has RRP £5.50. Showring Greasepaint Showring Greasepaint, from the Vanity range of show ring products, helps add glamour to the horse’s eyes, nose, and muzzle. This equine make up helps to add depth of colour, conceal any blemishes, and the three colours available can be blended to get the correct colour to match your horse’s coat.
Enhancing Gloss Enhancing Gloss, from the Vanity range of show ring products, is a light, clear gel that can be used to highlight the horse’s best features, making perfect for the show ring. It is supplied in convenient 100 g jars, and can be applied with a small sponge to enhance the areas around the horse’s eyes and nose. It can be also used on quarter marks, to help them really stand out.
Showring Greasepaint is available in 50 g jars, and comes in brown, black and white. It has a RRP £5.45. Professional Concentrated Detangler Lotion Designed to help keep manes and tails tangle free and flowing, Professional Concentrated Detangler Lotion is the perfect product for the show
horse, and is from the Vanity range. The concentrated conditioning product helps to repair and detangled hair. It’s free from water or alcohol, containing pure conditioners to help to detangle whilst creating a lasting sheen, and helping to repel dirt from the hair’s surface whilst restoring moisture. To use, just squeeze a small amount into the hands massage into the horse’s hair. Continue to apply and brush through until the mane and tail is tangle free. Professional Concentrated Detangler Lotion is available in 250 ml bottles, and has a RRP of £11.30. Leg & Body Whitener For those who own horses with white legs or white markings, you know that
The product can be applied on the day of the show to help the horse really stand out, but can also be made into a paste using water and then applied to the legs and bandaged over the day before the show to help achieve really white socks and stockings. This method can also be used to help whiten the horse’s body, as after the mixture has been applied, the horse can be covered with the summer sheet whilst the product dries into the coat. Leg & Body Whitener is available in 1 kg tabs, which have a RRP of £11.20. For more information see www. equimins.com, email sales@equimins. com or call 01548 531770.
New Grass & Stable Stain Remover Ready to use, Spray-on. Available in 400ml trigger spray Quick and easy to use as an aid to grooming or for last minute grooming, when bathing isn’t an option. No water required, no rinsing required, aids and reduces grooming time, great for winter use and to take to shows. Barrier Animal Healthcare prides itself on top quality, effective products that you can trust at affordable prices. ‘Grass & Stable Stain Remover’ Spray-on quickly breaks down, dissolves and removes
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sometimes, no matter how hard you scrub, they are still less than gleaming. Leg & Body Whitener helps to address this issue.
heavy soiling including mud, dirt, urine, manure, dried on sweat stains and grass stains with ease. Pure & concentrated Avocado Oil is included that is high in Vitamins A, D & E to deep condition hair and skin. A must for use on grey and coloured horses with white markings to lift green and yellow oxidation away from coats, tails and feathers with speed and ease. No Soap - No Bleach - No Peroxide No Detergent. Barrier Animal Healthcare 01953 456363 Visit www. flyrepel.com
Tack & Turnout
Show off with Ride-Away Whatever your budget, age or shape, it’s important to look your very best in the show ring, and with Ride-Away, there’s an exceptional range to help meet everyone’s requirements. Ride-Away handpick all its products from the best manufacturers, with the current showing range including lines from Shires, Equetech, Caldene, Mears, Fuller Fillies, Mountain Horse, Kingsland and many more. Each product has been chosen to meet the customer’s needs, and with a knowledgeable, dedicated team available to answer
questions through phone or via e-mail, there’s never been a better time to shop remotely, either online or through the catalogue. Also, as Ride-Away’s online store is so easy to use and provides detailed information including customer reviews, remote shoppers will get the full experience. So, whatever your size, age, budget or shape, there’s never been a better time to shop Ride-Away. Visit www. rideaway.co.uk, call 01347 810443, or order the new catalogue, packed full of summer clothing for horse and rider.
Gatehouse Conquest Riding Helmet Ideal for riders that really want to stand out from the crowd, the new, top-of-the-range Gatehouse Conquest Riding Helmet is Kite marked and tested to BSEN 1384. Combining good looks with safety, the Conquest is designed with comfort in mind and has a quick-drying, wicking, anti-microbial liner that can be removed for washing, plus stainless steel mesh-covered vents to maximise airflow. The suede-lined leather harness is padded and features hook and loop
adjustment and a Fastex buckle. The Gatehouse Conquest comes in a choice of finish, from matt black or iridescent navy, to black, navy or brown suede-effect with stylish co-ordinated leather trim. The Gatehouse Conquest matt finish retails at £175 while the leather/suede-effect is £185. Call 01303 872277 for stockists or visit www. gatehouserange.co.uk for information.
June 2012 - Equi-Ads - 47
Book Review - Tack & Turnout
Shoe secure won’t let you down! With the British weather being the way it is, being able to ride or compete when the weather is fine becomes even more important. Don’t miss your week end hack, training or competition because of lost shoes, fit ShoeSecure the revolutionary horse shoe shield. Many reviews from happy customers can be
New - for the 2012 season Solution Saddles are pleased to announce the introduction of the SMART™ SPORT saddle to their RigidFree™ performance saddle range. Available in Dressage and Jump styles, the SMART™ SPORT saddle has been scientifically developed and tested to meet the extra demands and precision required by high performance horses and riders. “This is clearly a very well thought out and thoroughly researched product…I love this saddle and so do both my very differently shaped horses. The real positives are the quality of the structure of the saddle, the obvious comfort it provides for both horse and rider, and the backup support that is always there if you need it…this is an excellent product sold by a company that cares about its customers.” Anya Thomas, Spinal Therapist – Central Horse News, Tried & Tested Feature Key features • Fully flexible RigidFree™ saddle design. Flexible base and unique self-tensioning girthing system enables saddle stability whilst maintaining complete freedom of movement of the horses’ back and shoulder. • Optimise fit for high withered horses. The new technology enables a deeper gullet to optimise fit for those horses with a leaner, fitter back shape and higher wither profile. • Reduced peak pressure. Flexible panels reduce peak pressures and incorporate impact absorbing materials to protect the horse and support the rider. • Rider security. The precision moulded, flexible UltraContact™ seat features a
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low profile, narrow twist and recessed thigh support, to ensure rider security and balance. The, shock absorbing properties also provide rider symmetry and comfort. • The Suprabloc™ knee flap system. Adjustable knee blocks positioned above the thigh easily customise individual fit. • Safety – The world’s first fully deformable jump saddle. A new level in safety design - the SMART™ SPORT saddle will not cause injury to either horse or rider in the event of a fall. Product details The SMART SPORT™ saddles will be launched at the Solution Saddles display stand in the World of the Horse Pavilion, Badminton Horse Trials from May 3rd – 7th, when Approved Advisors will be pleased to demonstrate the unique patented features to visitors. The full range of Solution Saddles will also be available to seeat other events throughout 2012 (visit www. solutionsaddles.co.uk for further details). The SMART™ RigidFree saddles are beautifully made from premium quality English leather in Derbyshire, UK. Available to order directly from Solution Saddles or through Solution Saddles global network of trained Approved Advisors. Leather: Black or Havana. Suede optional. Size: range from 3-6 Price: from £2550.00 inc VAT + shipping. Rental: All saddles are available for rental to enable extended trial periods. Finance: Our easy payment plan terms are available from 0% (UK only). To find out more: Visit: www.solution-saddles.co.uk E-mail: smart@solution-saddles.co.uk Phone: +44 (0) 7738 711 099
viewed on www. shoesecure.com. You can buy through the web site with prompt delivery UK and Europe. See the advert for more information.
Book Review Breathe Life into your Riding by Jenny Rolfe Jenny has been passionate about horses since childhood, spending much time observing herds of native ponies, learning about their nature and ways. Over years she developed a love for dressage but felt the methods taught could not bring about that all¬ important connection she felt with ponies as a child.
her Stallions, clear text and inspirational message. At £22.50 it would make a worthwhile present for a friend or even yourself! The author can be contacted through her website: www.spanishdressagehorses.com www.allenbooks.co.uk
As her riding progressed, Jenny became inspired by Iberian horses and classical teaching and travelled to Portugal with her Spanish stallions to train there. On her return to the UK, Jenny continued her path of discovery. Through listening to her first Spanish stallion, Delfin, she learned the amazing power of breathing as a profound connection with the horse. She believes that breathing and subtle changes in energy are the key to learning the language of the herd and harmony in riding. Reviewing this book was a pleasure, with its many beautiful photographs of
www.midkinleith.com Wide range of quality tack & clothing at bargain prices Spend over £50 for FREE Delivery
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All material submitted to Equi-Ads will be subject to the following conditions. The placing of an advertisement or editorial copy will be deemed to be an acceptance of these conditions. 1. Typewritten contributions accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope for return are invited, however, no responsibility will be taken for photographs, transparencies, illustrations or literary contributions. 2. The publishers cannot accept liability for any loss suffered directly or indirectly by any readers as a result of any advertisement or notice published in this magazine. Nor do they accept liability for loss arising from the non-inclusion or late publication of any advertisement. 3. All advertisements are accepted subject to our standard conditions of trading (a full copy of which is available by sending a stamped addressed envelope to the editorial offices.) 4. The publishers reserve the right to refuse, amend or withdraw any advertisement without explanation. 5. Cancellation must be received in writing 14 days prior to the publication date. 6. All copyright reserved by Equi-Ads. No part of this publication may be recorded, or reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers. Equi-Ads is a registered Trade Mark, which is the property of Stable Productions. 7. The opinions expressed in literary contributions are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. 8. The publishers reserve the right to revise advertisement copy to conform to the standards of Equi-Ads’ house style. 9. Advertisers should notify the publishers of any errors immediately after the appearance of the first insertion to allow subsequent insertions to be corrected. The publishers will not accept responsibility to correct all insertions ordered if the error is not reported immediately after the advertisement’s first appearance. Furthermore we trust that advertisements comply in all respects with obligations and duties to 3rd parties e.g. rights relating to Copyrights, Intellectual Property, Trade Marks and this list is not exhaustive. 10. The advertiser warrants that his advertisements comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice and do not contravene the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.
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Giveaway - Sweet Itch
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News - Stud
Make Your Own Mark! You can choose your own freeze mark to identify and protect your horse. We all know that freeze marking is the best way of stopping horse theft, because it can be seen. However, did you know that with Freezemark you can choose your own mark? How about STAR – 007 – 999 or TOM! Mary Awre of Freezemark is happy to let owners choose a mark if it has not already been used and registered with the company, as she says:- “It is so important to protect horses and ponies from theft and if owners want to choose a freeze mark rather than not have the horse marked at all, that is absolutely fine. In many respects
it gives the animal more protection as it is so obviously identifiable.” Freezemark continue to impress upon owners that whether they have a standard company mark or choose their own it is vital to have a visible mark. In particular at this time of year, when the lighter, longer days give thieves so much more opportunity of locating their prey. For further details and bookings go to www.freezemark.biz or telephone 01295 788226. There is a 10% discount on bookings available for Equi-Ads readers until 15 July 2012.
Put to the Test – Net-Tex Mini Range Net-Tex products are second to none and they want to make them available to everyone on every budget. Introducing Net-Tex ‘compact’ mini range that is unique in the equine market, this new, innovative range comprises 14 products from the top, fastest selling lines from Net-Tex - and each one is under a fiver!
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& Tail Conditioner made his tail silky smooth, the Quick Stain removed those grubby marks that only greys seem able to get and the tack cleaner brought my leather up superbly.
All in all a must have for any savvy shopper! The Net-Tex Mini’s include; Lynn Russell: Mane & Tail, Quick Shine, Quick Plait, Quick Brite and Quick Stain (all 200ml) I had the pleasure of trying out these mini Fly Repellents: Fly Spray, Fly Repellent products which arrived in perfect time for Shampoo (both 250ml) and Fly Wipes 25 my show. The products although small in pack. size offer BIG quality and value. I love the fact they offer you the chance to try out the Tack Cleaners: Tack Cleaner and Tack products at a great price before you invest in Conditioner (both 200ml) Summer Coat Care: Citronella Coat Spray a big bottle. I’ve lost count if the number of times I’ve swithered over what shampoo to and Citronella Wash, Revive Wash and Lavender Wash (all 250ml) buy in my local country store. I have to say RRP: From £2.99 - £4.99 I was delighted not only with the range but with the quality of the products - The Quick NET-TEX: www.net-tex.co.uk. Brite shampoo worked fantastically on my grey horse, a little goes a long way. The Main Stockist information 01634 257150
News - Tack & Turnout - Worming
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Healthcare · Personality Profile
Personality Profile Questionnaire with Nick Roland What is your proudest achievement to date? At age 15, I became the youngest player ever to win the coveted U.S. Open.
so unified, so humble and such amazing examples for me. I couldn’t do it with out them!
What is your next ambition in the equestrian world? I want to become the next American 10-goaler and win the U.S. Open again. I also strive to promote and grow the sport of polo as much as possible. It’s amazing to see how far the game has come even in the years that I’ve been playing professionally.
Can you see yourself being involved with horses indefinately? Absolutely!
Photo is credited to LILA PHOTO
When did you first get involved with horses? I was born into a polo family. My father played for the Sultan of Brunei’s team for many years, so I was swinging a mallet by 4-years-old! What is the funniest situation you have been in? Running down the field in a game, and losing both stirrups while attacking to go score a goal. Who was your first horse? China Those familiar (and not so familiar) with the sport of polo know Nacho Figueras as the face of the sport. But, there’s another star shooting up the polo ranks. Known as the American face of polo, Nic Roldan is everywhere. Equi-Ads take a bit of time out with Nic to find out more. At just 15 years old, Nic Roldan became the youngest player to ever win the U.S. Open Polo Championship. From that moment on, he has established himself as one of the world’s best polo players, playing alongside many polo greats
including Princes William and Harry. Dubbed the American face of polo, Nic’s amazing skills have gained him attention on and off the polo field as a top model for a variety of fashion magazines. This month, the polo star brings his talents across the pond for the U.S. vs. England St. Regis Test Match and will participate in other tournaments and charity matches through July. But aside from competing in the most infamous international tournaments, Nic’s passion for polo has made him one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors.
Why did you get involved in riding? My father was a polo player. What is the most fulfilling achievement in your equestrian career so far? I love being able to promote and educate the public about the sport. It’s nice to see the media paying attention more and more. How many horses do you have responsibility for? I care for about 30 horses on a daily basis. Who do you admire and why? I really look up to my father and mother. They are
Special offer ‘Sweet Itch Care Pack’ Sweet itch is an itchy issue often described as a life sentence It is an allergic reaction to the saliva in the bite of the Culicodes midge, much like many humans experience. Once bitten an allergic reaction will occur causing a horse or pony to itch, subsequently damaging the skin, particularly the mane and tail areas making it appear quite unsightly. Sweet Itch can be the mostly ghastly irritant to horses and ponies throughout the summer months. With the onset of an early spring more horses than ever are showing early symptoms of the dreaded itch. This is why Forest Farmacy have put together a Special ‘sweet itch’ care pack formulated to combat seasonal itching. Helping from the inside out - adding Forest Farmacys ‘skin power’ to feed once a day, stops the itch from the inside out. It boosts immunity and increases resistance to fly and midge bites and it quickly stops all itching, it’s a fast acting powerful antioxidant, which cleanses the blood, removes toxins and soothes irritations and allergic reactions. Save your 56 - Equi-Ads - June 2012
horses mane and tail this year naturally! By using ‘Quassia anti itch spray,’ you can see results in days, it stops itching and rubbing and best of all contains no DEET, only natural ingredients. Encourage rapid hair growth on any bald spots on coat, or manes and tails with Rapid Regrowth cream. There are 3 easy steps to maintaining an itch free horse this spring. ‘Sweet Itch Care Pack from Forest Farmacy is at a special price for Equi-Ads readers of £85. RRP is normally £107. It contains 100 days ‘Skin Power’ herbal supplement £65. Quassia Anti Itch spray £25 and Rapid Regrowth cream £17.
Day 1
Reported some happy customers; “I have started using the Skin Power on my mare and since using it she has been no where near as itchy, I will definitely be keeping her on it. The difference is amazing!” Janice Pegler “We use your sweet itch pack, she has been clear all year round” Sue Kelly For more information tel: 0800 970 9421 or visit: www.forestfarmacy.com
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What would you like to be doing in 5 years time? I see myself still riding and playing polo with my kids. If there was a horse past or present you wished you could own, what would it be? Cuartetera of Adolpho Cambiaso. She’s probably the best horse in the world right now. She is beautiful and amazing! If you were God for the day what one thing would you do? Hmmm, let’s see. Cure all the sick kids…feed all the starving people…create world peace. What is the best lesson you have learned through being involved with horses? They are a lot of work!
Photo is credited to Amipolophotography.com
What is the thing you like most about polo? The adrenaline, the intensity, and of course the horses! I love the lifestyle as well.
What is your biggest worry about the way the industry is developing? I have no worries. I think the sport is going to continue to grow immensely. I hope to see it become even more mainstream within the next 5 yrs.
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Events · Field & Stable · Healthcare
Click With Your Horse! Clicker training is taking the horse world by storm. It’s being used because it creates horses who want to work, to listen to you and to figure out what you’re asking them to do. You can use it to solve problems, overcome fears and improve performance. It’s also great fun and helps you build a super relationship with your horse. So, how does it work? It uses positive reinforcement, which means that you reward your horse when it does the right thing. This reward can be anything that the horse values and wants to work for: food treats work really well. It’s completely ingrained into every animal to repeat behaviours which earn them food, and food is associated with plenty of positive emotions, right from that first comforting suckle the foal experiences. You use a clicker sound to mark the exact moment the horse performs the correct behaviour. This means you have total precision in your communication with your horse. You want to tell your horse that
Think Itch is now also available in a 9kg size! We are very pleased to announce that due to the fantastic success of Think Itch from it’s launch back in February 2011 we have introduced a larger 9kg version for owners who wish to bulk buy Think Itch for the season ahead at a more economical rate. This size will offer a 2½ months supply for the average horse RRP £79.99, working out at a cost of £1.08 per day per horse which is a miniscule cost considering the results achieved by using this product. Itchy Problem?... Feed the Solution! Think Itch is a ground-breaking feed supplement recommended for horses
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prone to sweet itch. It incorporates the internationally renowned Think Fly formula together with ingredients for a balanced immune system, effectively combining the benefits of two products into one. The principle behind Think Itch is to deter midges from biting the horse, whilst at the same time helping to soothe the irritation. It therefore offers a unique dual approach to sweet itch. A 4kg container will last a horse for 33 days. RRP £39.95. For further information please contact Brinicombe Equine on Tel 08700 606206 or visit www.brinicombeequine.co.uk
you really like that stride of the back-up, which was balanced and soft? Now you can! And because you then reward your horse, he’ll offer that same high quality back-up again and again. Clicker Training is a tool for how you train, not what you train, so is applicable to absolutely everyone, whether you have high level competition horses and want to give them the edge, or have a specific problem such as loading or spooking with your happy hacker. It has a firm basis in science and anyone can learn it - you can become an amazing trainer for your horse and achieve your horsey ambitions. After all, if you can dream it, you can train it! Find out more at the Equine Clicker Conference 2012! www.HannahDawsonEquine.co.uk/ Conference Call 07813 778785 or visit www.HannahDawsonEquine.co.uk for more information.