Equi-Ads October 2010 by Equi-Ads Ltd

FREE July 2009October 2010

The UK’s No.1 Equine Health, Management and Training Magazine In this issue

WIN …

An amazing winter wardrobe for your horse from Masta, worth over £300

Coping with coughing horses

Conflict behaviours part 2

Canter transitions

Mud fever Dealing with setbacks

10 bags of Baileys Performance Balancer are up for grabs! 16

and more...

Healthcare

‘Winter Worries Solved’

Contents ENGLAND & WALES Healthcare

1, 5-7,

31-45

Holly Davis

Competition

Snooperstar

Tack & Turnout

4, 50-52,

60-62

News

8, 60

Grazing Horse

Feeding

9-25

Reader Giveaway

NLP

Horse Behaviour

Bone Spavin

Mud Fever

36-38

Worming

39-44

Starting too Young

Insurance

45-48

Joni Bentley

Horses for Sale

Transport

48-49

Classical Riding

Winter Care

52-56

Field & Stable

52-58

What’s On

62-64

Directory

Choose these great thinking products from Brinicombe Equine which have been specially formulated to help tackle the most common health issues which occur during the autumn and winter. Think Mud – nutritional support for wet muddy skin Think Mud is a unique feed supplement which includes antioxidants, trace elements and MSM to help support your horse’s natural defences from the inside so that he is more resistant to the bacteria in mud and maintains healthy skin and hair throughout the winter. Think Clear – helping your horse to breathe more easily Think Clear is a powerful natural formula to help support the respiratory system, soothe and relax the breathing and maintain a clear airway. Contains antioxidants and herbs to help maintain a healthy immune system and support the lungs when exposed to stable dust and dried forage.

Think Pink – put your horse in the pink Think Pink provides broad spectrum vitamins and minerals, probiotics for a healthy digestive system and pure linseed oil for coat condition and bloom. Fed daily throughout the winter, Think Pink is an extremely economic feed balancer and will ensure that your horse is getting maximum benefit from his feed. HerbiLIX – healthy low sugar licks HerbiLIX nutritional licks offer a totally unique free access mineral lick for horses which contain less than 10% sugar. The low molasses formula is non sticky and low calorie but still extremely palatable. HerbiLIX may be used in the field, or can help reduce boredom for stabled horses during the winter. Choose between Original with a delicious herbal blend, or Airways with added menthol and eucalyptus to help keep the airways clear. For further information and nutritional advice on these and other products in our range please call Tel 08700 606206 or visit www.brinicombe–equine.co.uk

Copy Deadline

10th of the preceding month Available on the 1st of the month Equi-Ads is published monthly by:

Equi-Ads Limited Office 1, Tay View Estate, Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DG To advertise, please call

01738 567700 Fax: 01738 567776

www.equiads.net Please send editorial to: Office 1, Tay View Estate, Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DG Fax: 01738 567776 Email: info@equiads.net October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 1

Holly Davis

Riding the medicine trail Many of us take riding our horse for granted, health permitted. Rarely do we stop to question if our horse would like to be ridden, today. We just take it as read that our horse will be willing to oblige. As an Animal Communicator my Arabian horse Alfie has the added bonus of being asked if he feels he would like to be ridden. One day back in the spring he informed me that I could sit on him and take him out but we weren’t going for a ride as such….interesting! Once we got to the bottom of the driveway I asked Alfie to turn left, just like I always had before. Not today, Alfie decided to take charge. We were going right instead.

Holly Davis

Don’t get me wrong I’m no push over with horses, but Alfie is very different from the average horse. If he were human he would most likely be labelled as ‘Aspergers’. For those of you that know what this entails you will know that he is the type of horse you don’t bother arguing with as he would rather die than give in. Also the type of horse that never gets it wrong due to his heightened sense of awareness and sensitivity but as grounded as they come until someone frustrates them. So that was it, we were going right! Today Alfie seemed different. Usually he would be forward going and would stride out along the lane with confidence not in the least bit bothered by any bags in the hedge or other distractions. Instead, he was standing on the road, turning his head about, sniffing and not too sure for the moment whether he was going back up the hill or down it. Then all of a sudden he strode off down the lane with me very deliberately. Intrigued as he had never done this before I just made sure he had plenty of rein and allowed him to go where he wanted. In the space of an hour and a half we probably didn’t even cover more than a mile and were stationary more often

than moving. We went backwards and forwards up the lane, going up little side tracks and back down them. Stopping in the lane for a ‘think’ whilst Alfie cocked his hoof, making up his mind where we were going next. Over that hour and a half Alfie must have searched out and consumed 15-20 different herbs and other plants from the hedgerows. Sitting on his back I had a prime view of what he was choosing and just how particular he was being. When we came across what looked like a very small bush about two feet high he gently but deliberately nipped off almost every new bud that was not yet open, before moving on again. He chose many of the obvious plants that most of us recognise such as, dandelion, cow parsley and clovers, as well as many that I didn’t recognise, though he obviously did. Once Alfie had decided he had searched out enough of his herbal medicine he turned back to face up the hill and took me the few hundred yards back home. For me this had been a fascinating ride. I have always ridden my horses hoping that it is as enjoyable for them as it is for me as I wish the time we spend together to work for both of us. This medicine trail ride as I now call it is probably one of the most enjoyable rides that I have ever experienced. I left my agenda (to ride out as I usually do) at the field gate and allowed my horse to show me another way that we could go out together and enjoy, in this case that was literally good for health! So many horses do not have the opportunity to access the much needed herbs and other plants that they need in their field in order to help them maintain a healthy balance. The only time many of our horses have is when out being ridden. Don’t get me wrong as I know what a

hindrance it could be to have your horse constantly snacking at the roadside whilst you are trying to ride in a straight line! So if you don’t already, then why not give your horse the chance to experience this freedom of choice to help themselves another way. This might be through walking your horse out in hand and allowing it to graze the hedgerows so that your horse doesn’t mistake riding time with dinner time. Alternatively another thing I do when I am pushed for time and I’m not riding is to grab a few buckets and go out hunting for the plants I have seen my horses choose. I then bring them back and empty them into the field before they have time to wilt. So next time your well mannered horse tries to grab a mouthful of something from the hedge whilst you are riding, maybe this time this is their way of showing you they are needing it to maintain their health. Take note of what they have chosen and if you are able to identify it you will then be able to do a quick search on the internet to find out what it is for. Who knows it could turn into an interest in equine natural medicine just like it has for me. Allowing horses to use their innate wisdom to heal themselves, who are we to argue or stand in their way because ‘horses shouldn’t eat from hedges when out as it causes bad habits’. As this will certainly not be the case if you create an understanding for your horse that there are times when you need their full attention and in return you will enable them to give their full attention to what they need too. That’s partnership with the added bonus of being good for health! If you have any medical concerns regarding your horses health, please contact your local vet.

To contact Holly please email her on centaur-therapies@hotmail.co.uk or telephone 01994 241 255 2 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

Insert Category

H T I W WIN

! A T MAS TWO G N I R E F F O MASTA ARE HANCE C E H T S R E D LUCKY REA NTER I W G N I Z A AM TO WIN AN ORSE, H R I E H T R FO WARDROBE RE A Y E H T T A H ENSURING T M THIS R A W D N A ISH BOTH STYL CH. A E 0 0 3 £ H RT WINTER WO d this rse will nee o h r u o y ll a ering an Aztex Masta are off cky readers will receive full lu winter. Two turnout rug1, a PP 340g ce rug3, e k 340 zip-nec g2, a full neck suede fle4 a PP , ru neck stable et with a light attached h neck e a quarter sh ble rug5, and a Zing hig each. ta check light s t rug6 worth over £300 u o (220g) turn

ze all ic winter pri st ta n fa is th winning a chance of elow. e question b To be in with th r e sw n a do is you need to g? ede fleece ru su k c e n ll sta fu ur is the Ma please Q: What colo quiads.net, e @ fo in to r e please ith your answ PETITION. Alternatively w y tr n e r u o Send y STA COM d address bject line MA card with your name an mark the su , Tayview ost , Office One nswer on a p a td L r u s o d y A d in u se N, Eq OMPETITIO , PH2 8DG to MASTA C P , Road erth n o rt a ri F , te competition Esta entering the size of rugs to tell us the Don’t forget t is If the produc

not available

ears when your horse w

vided e will be pro le alternativ

a suitab

on information For further ir e or any of th s g ru ta s a M cts contact other produ 74 711101 or Masta on 012 sta.co.uk a visit www.m

June 2010 - Equi-Ads - 3

Snooperstar – Tack & Turnout

From the Horse’s Mouth – Ramblings of a Delinquent Twenty-Something... - All good things... I am what you would call a party animal. I love nothing more than strutting my stuff for my admiring fans, charming the One Who Decides Who’s Best and winning red rosettes for Mum. This season I have been exceptionally clever and brilliant and have won lots of red rosettes for Mum. So when Mum announced that my days of partying were over, I was in shock to say the least. Mum explained to me that at my age, I should be putting my hooves up a bit more and taking it easy. But I’m only 21 I protested. I have years and years of partying left in me. I blame the Vet Man. Everything was fine before he came along with his needles and teeth-cleaning contraptions. Apparently when he was rooting about in my mouth, he found a little lump on the inside of my cheek. It’s been there for a wee while and it only really bothers me sometimes when I am out hacking with Mum. It kind of rubs on the bit a little. Anyway, Mum seemed to be very upset at the news and was talking quietly with Vet Man so that I couldn’t hear. The next week, she produced a funny kind of bit for my bridle. Except it wasn’t really a bit. Well nothing went into my mouth anyway. This was way too exciting and when Mum hopped on, I popped off at a flat out trot, head up in the air, snorting at my new found freedom. Mum held on whilst I set my neck and charged off up the track as she tried to convince me that I should listen to the thing that was pressing on my nose. I think the last straw may have been when I leapt a wall into the neighbouring field and took Mum for a gallop. By the time we had been round the field three times, Mum was starting to sound a bit stressed, hysterical even. Feeling sorry for her, I eventually pulled up and stood, nostrils blowing and steam rising from my body whilst Mum slipped off and stood shaking beside me.

Mum confided in Nice New Yard Owner that the new contraption ‘didn’t work’. Personally I thought it worked very well. So Mum decided that after our final parties this year, I would bow out gracefully to become a very handsome lawnmower and of course, baby-sitter to Maurice. I decided that if I was going out, it would be with a bang! So at our next party I pulled out all the stops and strutted my socks off. The Ones Who Decide Who’s Best decided that I was the best riding horse, then the champion riding horse and then the overall champion! Mum and Nice New Yard Owner were sniffling outside the ring, which I couldn’t quite understand. I mean, why were they crying when I had been on my very, very best behaviour? So I went into the veteran class and tried even harder. And The One Who Decides Who’s Best said I was not only the best, but the champion and she added that I was very handsome and clever indeed. Mum was still crying as buried under a mountain of red rosettes, she picked up our third trophy of the day. I don’t understand her sometimes. At our next party, my little pal Chester the Shetland came along to keep me company. Chester the Shetland is very, very small and has to stretch up to reach my hay net. Mum makes sure that she ties me high up so that I can’t reach down to bite him when I am tied up in the lorry. Spoilsport. Anyway, again I tried my very best for Mum, and again The One Who Decides Who’s Best gave me a red rosette and said I must be an old pro. Huh, less of the old I said. She made up for her faux pas by saying that I was the Champion Hunter and giving Mum a lovely trophy to dust. Mum cried again. The whole crying thing was becoming a little tedious by this time. So I decided on a different tactic for our very last show. My Blair party! I enjoy going to Blair. It’s

always lots of fun with plenty of my fans turning out to cheer me on. Plus I am convinced that one of these days, I will get to gallop round the jumping course, like the other horses do. My new tactic for Blair was to bring Bounceypants out of retirement. Bounceypants had been quiet of late – well at parties anyway – and I thought that if this was going to be our final fling, it was only fair that he came along for the ride. So after lulling Mum into a false sense of security in the warm up ring, Bounceypants appeared, just as we made our way into the arena. Bounceypants did what he does best and bounced. All the way round the ring. Mum muttered to me that I should behave myself and walk properly. But I chose to ignore her. I was having way too much fun. I was almost beside myself with excitement when the One In Charge instructed us to gallop. I dropped my head and charged up the side of the ring as fast as my legs could carry us. Bounceypants was on top form! Grandad was grooming for me and seemed very impressed with my exploits when he came into the ring with all my brushes and lotions. Mum seemed a bit red in the face and sweating and not as impressed. There’s no pleasing her sometimes. Anyway, I behaved impeccably for the One Who Decides Who’s Best and she gave me an orange rosette for my trouble. My fan club clapped and cheered as I galloped past on the lap of honour, giving them a huge grin. Mum gave me big cuddles and lots of sweets and said she was very proud of me, despite as she put it, the appearance of my troublesome alter ego. Mum decided that our last hack together before my retirement should be a special one. So one lovely sunny day, Mum loaded me into my lorry and we set off to go to my very favourite place, the beach. It was a glorious day, the sun was shining and the wind blew through my mane as we trotted along the sand. Apart from the odd human with a One Who Barks, Mum and I had the whole beach to ourselves. I happily paddled in the water as Mum

4 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

chattered away to me, telling me how much she loved me and how I was one in a million. And I will let you into a secret. I am actually quite fond of her too. Mum and I have been together for most of my life and we have been through lots of adventures, good and bad. For example Mum stayed with me when I had a really bad tummy ache and the Vet Man told her he couldn’t do anything more to help me. She sat with me in my stable all night stroking my head and telling me that I had to get better. I did get better and the following year we had the most amazing time at Olympia, partying with the posh showjumpers. Mum and I always have a whole lot of fun, whether it’s partying and winning rosettes or galloping round the fields on a hack. I will miss our special times together, away from Maurice and The One With Money. Mum was starting to cry again so I told her to hang on tight as I took off along the beach at flat out gallop, screaming yeeehaaa at the top of my voice. Mum clung on but this time she was laughing and shouting yeeehaaa too! We stopped at the end of the beach and stood for a bit, so both of us could catch our breath again. This was our special time. Mum patted my neck as we trundled back to the lorry again, to go back to the yard to take up my new role as gentleman of leisure, Protector of the Herd and mentor to my young replacement Maurice. He has big horseshoes to fill that one. Thanks Mum, it’s been a blast! Translated from horse-speak by Gayle Culross

Insert Category

June 2010 - Equi-Ads - 5

Healthcare

Breathing - an all-round solution - Airways Plus Breathing problems can be very complicated as explained in Global Herbs’ new Guide: ‘Breathing Made Easy’. This booklet clarifies why finding the right approach for any given horse is so difficult. In this respect AirwayPlus is a general product that can be used in all situations – whether your horse has a runny nose, a cough or a serious wheeze. In more specific situations where you know that for example mouldy hay has caused the problem you could use products like Dust-X. After studying the new booklet and referring to Global Herbs’ veterinary advice team and your own vet you will be well placed to leave all those breathing concerns behind.

CALMING FOR THE MOST SEVERE SITUATIONS - FIRWORX Global Herbs is again introducing the concept of a double strength calming approach with it’s FireworX formula. This product is particularly useful for loud noises and sudden startling events. It can be used throughout the year for very troublesome horses or just when you know a very difficult time is around the corner. FireworX comes in a powder or liquid form. Call Global Herbs for more info on 01243 773363 or see www.globalherbs.co.uk

AirwayPlus helps with mucus, clear airways and minor irritations in the throat. Thousands of people now rely on this sophisticated formula. Powder is good for routine use and liquid best for ultra quick action and for enhanced palatability.

Horses in Mustique enjoy HorseHage Mustique has suffered from the driest ‘dry season’ for over thirty years, which has caused several problems on the island including lack of food and water for the wildlife and a shortage of grass for the horses. To supplement the feeding, The Mustique Equestrian Centre also use HorseHage which is shipped in from Hampshire in the UK.” HorseHage dust-free bagged forage contains no chemical additives, mould inhibitors, flavourings, molasses or inoculants, and is more digestible than other forages, allowing more efficient utilisation of the available nutrients. For further information call the HorseHage Helpline on 01803 527257 or visit www.horsehage.co.uk

For more information call Global Herbs on 01243 773363 or visit www.globalherbs.co.uk

Equipilates Could you benefit from expert advice to help you improve your riding?

Lindsay Wilcox Reid will be teaching both mounted and dismounted sessions to improve spinal alignment, increase core stability and give you greater flexibility and balance whilst riding. Your position has a huge impact on the way your horse moves underneath you and affects all aspects of your riding. It is £30 for one session, mounted or dismounted, or £55 for both. For more information on Lindsay and how she works visit www.equipilates.com

6 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

For those wanting advice before switching to winter feeding we are also offering free consultations with Isabel Harker, Spillers nutritionist. These include weigh bridge session, nutritional advice and vouchers for all horses weighed.

Enjoy free refreshments and the oppurtunity to view our 5 star livery facilities and discuss your coaching requirements. Both these clinics will be held by Jump For It at Abbotsholme Stud, Marston Bank, Rocester, Uttoxeter, ST14 5BP Call 07910 839442 to book or visit www.jumpforittraining.co.uk for more information, including directions.

Competition - Healthcare

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 7

HORSE BEDDING

Regrettably the Scottish Sports Horse surplus funds available to invest in has chosen to postpone the stallion producing and presenting a colt in News grading until the autumn of 2010 due light of the economic crisis at present. to a lack of entries. The 2010 stallion Harsh winter weather conditions has grading will now be held at the same also had an adverse affect, setting back time as the mare and young stock the training of many young colts for gradings in September as opposed to a those with only outdoors facilities. stand-alone event this spring and may For further information please ring Norman Phillips on 07967 783813. well do so in future years until such In addition fewer colts have been Email: normanphillips@btconnect.com www.dustfreehorsebedding.com The Horse Rescue Fund [Registered money to be able to fund the admission times as the economy improves. purchased as potential stallion Charity No.275428] is an independent of more horses and ponies and those in prospects in 2008 and 2009 and it equine rescue charity dedicated to the permanent care. British Breeders and stallion owners appears that a number of stallion rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing have in fact welcomed the SSH’s owners have made the decision to of any equines found to be in distress. decision, feedback from which geld many border line candidates Established for sixty years its future now confirms that there simply aren’t the rather than taking the financial risk of looks uncertain due to the rapidly rising running costs caused by the effects of the For a competitive quotation from a leading Equine Insurer recession and a shortage hay this Call of Rachel oryear. Ruth on 01296 436142 Poor summer growing NFU conditions haveOffice in Aylesbury Mutual to start feeding You led mayowners not own a horse like hay much And to enter, all you need is three • Tailor-made insurance for or pony earlier asPrince, there has been a lack of your good horse Granntevka last year’s winner ‘qualifying results’ of double clears grazing, the hay Horse crop is Trials down as choose of Blenheim International at BE100 within 65 miles of • Take whilst out mortality cover, then fromvenues a much as 50 cent.rider Asincluding: recorded under British superstar Lucy by the Blenheim Palace between July 31st range ofper options, national media, arecompete expected to 2009 and August 1st 2010. Wiegersma, but youfeed toobills could Vets fees, Loss of Use, Personal Liability, rise steeply whichthe could result in many at the Palace during international Personal Horse Trailers. more animals Accident, needing helpTack, from Equine event. Mandy says, “Our Riding Club and • Limited cover also available for veteran horses. Welfare Organisations such as the Horse Pony Club Eventer Challenges have Rescue asof owners are unable to At present the Horse Rescue Fund has If you are a Fund, regular the BE100 been so popular that we wanted to give Stollery and Parker Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited cope withyes, additional financial costs. In horses and ponies to goto out circuit then, you could compete more amateur riderswaiting the chance turn the charity to raise more into long approved at Blenheim Palace needs in an exciting compete at term Blenheim in a foster similarhomes. format. These include ridden equines and also competition being launched this year. Additionally as the qualification is based horsesonly, and ponies. Our much The brainchild of Event Director, Mandy on companion jumping results even if you publicised pony Morris, who was Hervieu, the competition aims to give have a horseblind whose dressage is not the rescued had his sight restored thanks to local amateur combinations a thrilling best you can still qualify “ RENT OR BUY the huge generosity from members of the experience inWARRANTY terms of venue and TEN YEARS public manufacturer who funded hisofoperations. He is MAINTENANCE FREE competition. Leading horse FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE now looking far a special person to foster products, Buckinghamshire’s PRICES FROM £15 PER WK and care for him andjumped secure his future. Imagine, in front of an Equilibrium Products at the NATIONriding WIDE DELIVERY enthusiastic Sunday crowdIN ofMOST the AREAS chance to sponsor the Eventers’ NO PLANNING REQUIRED MONEY BACK GUARANTEE bidding IF YOUR to NOT Details ofand all the ponies will can be September three-day-event Challenge thehorses prizesand awarded no 100% SATISFIED ON DELIVERY OF GOODS found on the their web site be crowned inaugural winner of the Tridoubt include acclaimed Tri-Zone TEL: 0161 7234545 07958magnetic 700240 01204 888867 by all www.horserescuefund.org.uk Zone BE 100 Eventers’ Challenge. back pads and bootsorwhile www.uniquefieldshelters.co.uk contacting the direct on voucher 01502 679191. qualifiers receiveyard a discount on Up to 120 competitors can be products and all competitors will receive accommodated to compete over a a rosette and coveted commemorative mixed course of 1m-1.05m show plaque. jumping and cross-country fences in the Bladon Arena with the winner being the Felicity Norrie, Marketing Manager round with the fewest jumping penalties of Equilibrium Products says, “As a closest to the optimum time. company we are always looking to offer

• No Frills • Cheap Bedding • Plain Bags • Direct Deliveries • Ring 07967 783813

investing further. This can only giving horses a beorseen veterinary practices as a positive step forwards for British FOR INFORMATION secure future Sports Horse breeding. 01432 851001

www.ronfieldsnutrition.co.uk Classifi ed - Directory - What’s On

The Cliff, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5EW

Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited

“Loving homes wanted” FREEZE MARK Directory horse insurance

Whilst the Scottish Sports Horse Equine DNA Testing recognise that the costs borne on stallion owners to present a stallion for grading are exceedingly high, (in ltd freeze the region of £500 for a full set of Where Experience Counts 22 x-rays and an entry fee of £240 including vetting and DNA testing) the Unwanted intruders can be anywhere! Crematorium Property Abroad Worming SSH stand by the decision that the Horse &get Pony & Normandy Eastdeter theft introduction of x-rays was theBrittany right one So your horse freeze marked to Cardyke Overseas Church Farm Faecal to Cremation make if they are to maintain high he Blue Cross isand one ofgive Britain’s leading positive identification Genuine Individual Properties Egg Counting standards stud book. animal within welfarethecharities, providing suitable for Cremation. Properties The Spring grass is Freezemark Ltdatoffer standard marks Leyland & Cheshire horses a fraction of growing and it is time to practical support, information and advice or can choose your own - e.g. BEN - GEM - 007. UKthe prices. consider your worming forPet petCrematorium. andyou horse owners across UK. markServices include testing for Tel: 01772 622466 Tel: 01775 630 008 strategy. Worm egg Give your horse the protection it deserves. certain inherited diseases and It takes in and finds new homes for horses £5 each colour coatcount prediction grass roots to elite riders access to the Details / Bookings telephone 01295 690090 andHorse poniesTransport that are in need orRetirement suffering churchfarmfec@ &Current tests include: or visit our and website best products, thewhose best training hotmail.co.uk South East or from neglect, owners canthe no www.freezemark.biz Resting best competition and, in supporting the 01728 685638 Chiltern and Thames • Lethal White Overo (LWO) longer cope. Don’t delay Retirement & Resting - tomorrow may be too late… • -Tobiano Horse BE Transport Tri-Zone 100 Eventers’ Challenge Livery for Ponies The Blue Cross’s goal for as many an• Red Factor CV47 (chestnut) Fullyis Freezemark Ltd. Oxbow Farm, Dassett, Southam,Warks 2AQ weDefra hopeApproved. to further such ambitions andAvon Donkeys - Goats • Agouti (Black/Bay) imals as possible to be second Fax:given 01295 a 690080 e-mail:mary@freezemark.biz Licenced. Fully Insured. offer these competitors an unforgettable 20 years experience, • Cream dilution London Immission chance in worthwhile,fulfilling new homes. family home experience.” • Hyper Kalemic Periodic Compliant. Fitted References on webParalysis site It Zone rehabilitates and rehomes over 100 (HYPP) with CCTV Monitors Relaxed & caring, horses andtoponies every from its In for addition this great newyear competition horses safety. 24hr Grass livery (stableAll if tests charged at £16. Emergency Call Out. spectators attending the event on equine centres at Burford in Oxfordshire required) Mane hair collection kits For more Sunday 12thinformation will be able enjoy and Rolleston-on-Dove in to Staffordshire. A Nr. Bath/Bristol/Wells supplied free of charge. please call watching some of the upEast andSussex, coming Tel: Julia third facility in Northiam, pro-01761 419190 07711 1700 01 For more information www.pony-donkeyyoungrest event horses at three level go vides retirement forstar Blue Cross or email:and donna@ cross country over the CIC***goat-retirement.co.uk course – cthorsetransport.co.uk. equines. Tel: 01872 262 737 The charity is appealing for people who www.horserescuefund.org.uk incorporating many of Blenheim’s most info@horsedna.co.uk Inwww.cthorsetransport. the current can offer theseeconomic equines aclimate, homeSaddlery ordemand help Tel: 01502 679191 formidable co.uk fences and the famous river South East with its fundraising efforts. Donations www.horsedna.co.uk for The Blue Cross’s services has never South Central crossings plus see many greatAndrew displays,Reilly Saddlers are always through web been greater.welcome In addition to thethe horses Hoofmove demonstrations and attractions, shopand till Spoods Farm, site or sent direct to Woodstock Farm, Brighton, Sussex. ponies presently in thethe charity’s care, there they drop and watch show Tinkers jumping Lane, Toft Monks, Beccles, Suffolk, whilst 0845 0620088. HadlowreDown, is aTel: steady ofcompetition animals seeking finale of 07958 thestream CCI*** Mob: 701651. some of the permanent residents canSussex East featuring most of the world’s leading habilitation, guardianship and rehoming. www.hoofmove.co.uk be sponsored on an annual basis for as TN22 4ET. professional riders. The Blue Cross needs in pay find- 830484. little as £10. A gift of £5your will help help Tel:to01825 ing forofthese horses and forhomes one bale hay, deserving and with the average Advanced discounted price tickets for ponies. If you can up offer an experienced, large horse eating to five bales a week the Blenheim Palace International long-term animal in need, during thehome winterfor andan a set of shoes Horse Trials, full details of the Established 1990 – South Hertfordshire based which cantolast upfrom to seven weeks costing they want hear you. programme, and the Tri-Zone BE 100 £65 itcharity gives has an idea of how much money The horses and ponies to suit Eventer Challenge competition rules, islevels, required to riding keep the doorsand open for any all both horses companqualifying venues and dates and all needy horses thisthe Are toponies launch 20kg small bale 25/30 bales to the pallet delivered. ions. Forpleased more or information onwinter. the rehomfurther information is available at Aseecost effective alternative to hay! ing process and to some of the horses www.blenheim-horse.co.uk • Big bale size: 1.25m x 0.90m x 0.90m rectangular • Weight: 220kg • Protein: 9-11% • Moisture Content: 27-30%

AND STOP THEFT!

mark

Blenheim Palace is not just for Princes!

UNIQUE FIELD SHELTERS

PREMIUM BESPOKE STABLES AND FIELD SHELTERS Handbuilt to last! Please call for a quotation

Stephen Williams EQUINE DENTAL TECHNICIAN

Equine Dental Care At Its Best BEVA Qualified, Fully Insured Member of BAETD Devon/Cornwall Areas Covered Tel: 07831 359 299

The Haylage Co.

• Delivered: 2 bales to the pallet; Off The loaded by driver/forklift; Fully wrapped on delivery; that are available for adoption, visit Open bales last 10-14 days before spoilage occurs; Prices on application 21/5/09 12:21 Blue Cross website EQUJun09-E.qxd at POLO FORAGE www.bluecross.org.uk/horses or contact guy@thehaylagecompany.co.uk your nearestTelephone centre. 01923 268609 Mobile 07836 514 435 Order/Fax 01923 268380 Mobile 07775 736 376 The Blue Cross receives no government It’s easy to www.thehaylagecompany.co.uk funding so it relies on the support of the Classified • Directory join Team public to continue its vital work. You can SPILLERS® 62 • June -2009 • Equi-Ads help by taking just sign up part in a fundraising event, Ron Fields Nutrition on the page. making a donation or volunteering at an equine centre. Contact your nearest Blue WALLorMATS, PROTECTION & ANTI CAST SEE THE DIFERENCE,TRY Cross see www.bluecross.org.uk

Join Team SPILLERS® on Facebook SPILLERS® have joined the Facebook revolution. The trusted horse feed manufacturer has set up Team SPILLERS® to help keep you in the know on all those important horsey things in life. Team SPILLERS® is buzzing with news, tips and gossip. You can find Page 63 out about the latest special product offers, get the inside track on roving nutritionist Isabel Harker’s travels with her weighbridge – straight from the horse’s mouth, bounce ideas in the

Please visit our New Website

discussion forums and enter some www.gdtimberdesigns.co.uk great competitions. for more information

on all our buildings

WINTER SPECIALS

Rachel Austin, brand assistant at SPILLERS®T says: “If you love horses ELEPHONE as much as we do, Team SPILLERS® is definitely the place to be! You can chat to us about your favourite FROM £7.49M2 + VAT four legged friend, share photos and memories and have a good old natter. STABLE MATS ALL TYPES FROM ONLY THE PROVEN PRODUCT In return we’ll give you all the inside HORSES gossip on the office, our horses and £8.33M2 + VAT QUALITY HAND BUILTFOR STABLES / FIELD SHELTERS what we really get up to behind the AT LOW PRICES, ALSO HAY STORES, TACK ROOMS etc - 01768•864977 VISIT OUR WEBSITE 'You name it, I’ve tried it. scenes at shows and events.” Classified QUATTRO • Healthcare What’s On

01798 869919

www.equestriancourier.co.uk

REMOUNT

STABLES/FIELD SHELTERS

All Your Equestrian Needs… Delivered!

01452 88 63 98 The Haylage Co.

Until 7 weeks ago 12'x12' FIELD SHELTERS

Cent

Cre

REGULA

Hor

Tues Ev Cre Manor F SeeGen ww 2ndCrem Sat RCLeyla Open Pet Yew TreC Tel:Tel: 0160 Every D Dean Va Tel: 016 Sou Every S Hoo Milton K

Brigh Tel: 0 Nort Mob REGULA www

Every W Sou Ponies, ChiE Barton Hor Every W Defr Rossend Accring Licen Every Th Lond Hollingw Com Tel: 017 Mon Every Fr 24hr Rossend more Accring Tel: Every Fr0 Milldonn Lan ww Tel:. 017 Every 3r Rossend Rawtens Every M Intens Mill Lan Small Tel: 017 RE-FL Every D Establ Dean Va You62 ne Page Tel: 016 Ring ( Every 2n email: inorChest fin See ww

www

Sout

REGULA

Monday Contess Tuesday class, Contess Tuesday Hopland Wednes class, Contess Page 62 Winches S/J Clin eve & T Farm Eq

EQUJun09-E.qxd 21/5/09 12:21 I discovered Remount – Seven Acres Park, Bolton. Established Tel: 012041990 – Hertfordshire based Horse Retirement 21/10/09 Livery FROM £680results' inc VAT 362584 or see Thurs 4th June ALI QUATTRO 42X44.indd 1 13:53:28 ONLY amazing DELIVERIES TO ALL PARTS OF UK www.boltonandistrictridingclub.co.uk. Dressage Clinic, Trickley Coppice nd Tanya Andrews Monshall Equine Rest And Retirement Livery Farm, Coppice Lane, Middleton. 24' X 12' STABLES FROM £1,770 INC VAT set in 400 acres of beautiful Devon countryside 20kg packs palletised Tel30/72 Fionapacks on 07968 059434 or see CENTRAL 033. where your equine can rest and relax in •a stress www.fionafoy.co.uk. Regulars Can be•obtained from Classified Directory A cost effective alternative to hay! free environment with others for company. Tues Eve, S/J Knebworth SJ, Fri 5th June gton. • Rectangular bales from 270kg-500kg • Protein: 6-8% • Moisture Content: 27-30% most stockists and many We specialise only in long term All Day Residential Dressage, Manor Field, Park Lane. • Delivered: 2 bales to theSee pallet; Off loaded by driver/forklift; Fully wrapped on delievry; rest and retirement. veterinary practices or•- 61 April • 2010 - Equi-Ads 69 www.knebworthsj.co.uk. TelonFiona on 07968 059434 Equi-Ads April 2009 Open bales last 10 days before spoilageTodmorden. occurs; Prices application FOR INFORMATION or see www.fionafoy.co.uk. 2nd Saturday of each month Antrobus Ron Fields Nutrition , Tel: POLO FORAGE Tel: 01805 804 275 RC Open Dressage, Sat 6th June 01432 851001 guybrook@btinternet.com All Day Residential Dressage, Yew Tree www.horseretirementlivery.co.uk QUApr10-E.indd 69 Farm, Nr Northwich. Tel: 01606 24/3/10 16:52:19 www.ronfieldsnutrition.co.uk Mobile 07836 514 435 Mobile 07831 454 166 SEE THE DIFERENCE,TRY 891033. Todmorden. Tel Fiona on 07968 059434 gton. info@horseretirementlivery.co.uk www.poloforage.com or see www.fionafoy.co.uk. Every Day Dean Valley Farm Ride, Dean Valley Farm, Cheshire. Tel: 0161 Joni Bentley Workshop, Brooksby. oor, 62Riding - Equi-Ads 2009 & Road- November Safety Programme, Brooksby Campus. Tel: 01442 402756 / 84391945. - Equi-Ads - October 2010 Hall Place EC, See www.hall-place.com 07771 811561. Every Saturday, Heavy Horse Club, THE PROVEN PRODUCT Gala Eve, Wellington Riding, Hook.

01794 367770 www.field-shelters.co.uk

REMOUNT

FREEZE MARK

Feeding

How much to feed a grazing horse? Dr Derek Cuddeford, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh but the grass never has the same value as spring grass. Thus, when buying hay or haylage for your horse you should try to obtain that made from the “first cut” of the grass growing season providing you are buying it to supply nutrients and energy rather than just bulk. If your horse or pony has a low requirement for energy then the conserved, generally poorer quality, late season grass would be best. This would provide more “bulk” in the way of indigestible fibre.

In some cases nothing and in other cases, lots! A horse can be kept in a field that is “green” but, what is there that is green. Is it quality grass or quality weeds? Granted, some herbs and weeds (eg nettles) may be particularly good sources of certain nutrients, for example magnesium or, possess some chemical substances (phytochemicals) credited with having therapeutic activity. However, the major daily requirement for any horse is energy and it will not get enough from weeds alone! Winter grazings are often “green” but the grass itself will most likely be in very short supply and what is there will be of very low quality. This is because there is very little grass growth when soil temperatures fall below 6C. During the winter the day length is short and usually, there is little or no sun. The net result is that what grass there is has very high water and very low sugar contents. Thus, green grazings during the wintertime can be very deceptive in terms of what they might provide to your horse. During spring and summer when the days lengthen, there is more sunlight so more photosynthesis can take place. We see the result in terms of increased grass yield; there is usually a spring peak of grass growth followed by a dip in mid-summer when drought may occur. Often, there is another peak in autumn

As the grazing season progresses through late summer into autumn you could adopt a practice successfully used by farmers to ensure their animals get sufficient forage in the face of a declining grass supply. The method requires using covered (to avoid spoilage) big bale feeders that can be placed in the field to provide a complementary ad libitum supply of forage. This can be bales of hay or straw or, a mixture of both. If you wish to use haylage then it must be eaten up fairly quickly. The theory being that the animals will make up any shortfall

in grazing by consuming the conserved forage. You can adjust the quality of the forage by either using hays of different quality or, if you have real fatties, use straw and of course, you can always “mix and match” forages. The benefits of this approach are obvious. It is not labour intensive, horses/ponies help themselves, no counting/measuring necessary and the animals can adapt to their winter diet slowly. It is essential that the feeder/feeders are placed on hard standings so the ground around the feeder remains dry and thus hoof condition is not compromised during periods of inclement weather. Horses very much like to drink when they are eating dry forage so make sure the feeder is a long way from a water supply so the animals have to walk backwards and forwards to the drinker, exercising themselves as they do. When grass is actively growing the quantity and quality available to the horse will depend on how well it is cont. on p.10

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 9

Feeding cont. from p.09

managed. Unfortunately many horse pastures are characterised by the quantity and variety of weeds, bare patches of earth, the odd bath or sink and an unsightly tangle of white tape designed for use as electric fencing rather than rural decoration. It is worth considering that the maintenance of a grass lawn is a sign of an owner’s responsibility to the overall appearance of a neighbourhood. Interestingly, several suburban organisations in the US require lawns to be maintained to a certain standard; those who fail to maintain the standards get into trouble. It is time that some enforcement occurred in the UK because in some cases, horse ownership leads to disgraceful “grazing” situations developing in peri-urban and rural areas. This brings our industry generally into disrepute and we do not wish for this. Assuming a reasonable level of grass management and a large enough paddock area it is easily possible for the grass to supply all of the energy and nutrient needs of any horse during the summer. Of course, in some cases there is oversupply and the problem then is of limiting grass access. The traditional type of endurance horse (average speed ~17km/hour during an event) is/was worked off grass and fed around 2kg concentrate per day. The assumption being that it got the rest of its needs from the grass. Pregnant Thoroughbred mares that are out during the day and in during the night will be fed some concentrate (quantity adjusted to stage of pregnancy) probably to a maximum of 50% of the ration at term. The provision of forage ad libitum together with grass will meet remaining needs. Thus, there is no need to calculate/know grass intake as, additional to the concentrate fed, and the horse can compensate any grass shortage by filling up on hay/haylage. During the spring and early summer when mares are lactating they will require to be fed concentrate until the grass really starts to grow. It can mean that Thoroughbred mares that foal early may have to be fed up to 70% of their daily ration as concentrate. This can

10 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

be reduced as more grass becomes available. At the height of grass growth rapidly growing foals may be given a low volume feed that really just makes sure they have enough minerals and vitamins to support adequate bone development. This does not necessitate knowing grass intakes. Grass which is technically known as a graminoid, has been grown as a food for domesticated animals for the last 6,000 years and more recently for pleasure purposes. A game of golf is very dependent on the quality of the grass surface and a grazing horse shares that dependency for different reasons. The grass surface upon which it grazes can affect its well being and in some cases, its ability to survive. Grass on golf courses is kept in three distinct conditions: that of the rough, the fairways and the greens. Grass on horse paddocks is usually kept in two distinct conditions but not by design: that of the rough and the “lawn”. The former representing undergrazing and the latter, overgrazing! Good management can reduce these two conditions to one, a uniform grass sward. In answer to the question, “How much to feed a grazing horse” we just have to follow the protocols outlined above. In other words, ignore how much grass the horse will eat but just feed it predetermined amounts of concentrate according to the purpose for which it is kept. Knowledge gathered over the years allows us to know/calculate these predetermined amounts. For those horses that require just to be maintained, provide additional forage ad libitum to allow any shortfalls to be made up when grass growth slows/ ceases. The cardinal rule as always is to monitor condition/fatness to check for any over- or undersupply of energy. The major conundrum facing most owners with horses out at grazing is not how much to feed but rather, how to limit grass intake without compromising welfare?

Feeding

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 11

Feeding

HorseHage launches national competition to celebrate its new look! To celebrate its new look, HorseHage has launched an exciting new national competition where one lucky person will win an Ifor Williams horse trailer filled with HorseHage! • The competition will run for twelve months and can be entered in three different ways: • By filling in an entry form on the HorseHage tradestand at various shows and events. • By picking up an entry form from your local HorseHage/Mollichaff stockist. Online at www.horsehage.co.uk (where full Terms and Conditions can also be found) The brand has kept its traditional white compressed bales but has brought it bang up to date with a new colourful, modern design which makes each of

the four varieties easily identifiable. HorseHage can be stored outside on a pallet and the packaging is doubleskinned to avoid punctures. Each bale is highly compressed into a size that is easy to handle, but holds a lot more than you think! So you can store it more easily, as well as fitting more bales into your car boot or trailer. It’s also great for travelling with your horse. With the possibility of forage shortages this winter, stock up with HorseHage now and don’t forget – Mollichaff Veteran can also be used as a total hay replacer if necessary. For further information and advice on feeding your horse, pony or donkey, please ring the HorseHage Helpline on 01803 527257 or visit www.horsehage.co.uk

Stormhill Mink heading for HOYS At 17 years old, Stormhill Mink really has nothing left to prove and fed Blue Chip Dynamic, the prolific champion has had his busiest and most successful stud season ever, standing with Jerome Harforth at Stanley Grange Stud in Middlesborough, Cleveland. Contact Blue Chip on 0114 266 6200 or visit www.bluechipfeed.com

TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer is a very palatable ‘nonheating’ pelleted concentrate that contains no cereal grains and only low levels of sugar and starch. It does contain several supplements combined with a feed designed to promote muscle development and function. A top-specification broad-spectrum supplement is backed up by others including a superb hoof supplement, generous levels of anti-oxidants and sophisticated digestive aids. This superb specification allows horses to utilise far more nutrients from the forage and straights in their diet, which usually means that their hard 12 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

feed intake can be reduced with many resulting benefits. TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer is a very flexible, nutrient-rich feed designed to balance the rations of most horses and ponies simply by adjusting the rate at which it is fed and the products it is fed with. For further information please contact the Multiple Award-Winning Helpline on 01845 565030 or visit www.topspec.com

Feeding

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 13

Feeding

“Emily was the horse for me” When Emma Moulding from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire was looking for her first horse, “a large sensible cob to plod around the village with”, she saw an advertisement for Emily and bought her despite obvious neglect, just knowing she had found the horse she always wanted. Turning immediately to Blue Chip for help with Emily’s diet, Emma tells the heart-warming story in her own words …..

in terrible condition; the man I bought her from had hunter clipped her due to her having lice, she was covered in old scars and her main and tail were a mess, as she has sweet itch.

“Emily looked underweight in the advert, but when I went to see her, nothing could have prepared me for how shocking her condition really was. She had been bought from a meat market and then under fed by the dealer who was selling her. She turned out to be an Ardennes horse and should have weighed 600-700kg, but when I weighed her a week after getting her home, she was 524kg.

“After I got her home in March, I started her on her new routine; she is turned out each day and stabled at night, gets as much hay as she can eat and two hard feeds a day, including Blue Chip Original. Her progress has been amazing, both inside and out. Her summer coat came through smashing and with help from various ‘lotions and potions’ her sweet itch calmed down and her mane and tail grew out nicely. “The real shocker was her feet – you could actually see how far the good

“Her teeth, feet, skin and coat were

Emily before

14 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

“Her temperament is amazing though and after everything she’s been through, she still loves people. That made me believe she was the horse for me…..

Emily after

Irish Rescue Case Transformed by Blue Chip

growth had travelled down the hoof and was quickly at the heels. She’s had a few lameness problems that turned out to be bony growths on her pedal bone and uneven bone growth in her lower legs, so as recommended, I started to feed her Blue Chip Dynamic in addition to Original and along with corrective trimming and shoeing, she is now as sound as a pound! “Emily is a wonderful horse with a cracking character and I would like to thank Blue Chip for creating such brilliant products, without which I would have struggled to get her back to her full potential. I am very proud of her – thank you so much Blue Chip!”

transformation has been just amazing, as Wendy explains. “When Domino arrived he was quite emaciated and suffering from terrible rain scald, which was so bad he was covered in scabs. A friend of mine had recommended Blue Chip feed balancer to me as she has also rescued horses in the past and swore by this feed balancer for a quick recovery and transformation. “When Domino had been on Blue Chip Original for just a few weeks, the transformation was unbelievable and people who hadn’t seen him for a short while could not believe he’s the same horse!

In her own words, Cheshire rider Wendy Kingston “took a risk” when she agreed to rehome a horse rescued from potential slaughter due to the economic downturn in Ireland by a charity called Equine Rescue and Rehome, but the

“I am extremely pleased with Domino now; he’s such a beautiful horse both inside and out and I am genuinely thankful to have found Blue Chip Original to help with his recovery.”

Domino when he arrived at Wendy Kingston’s Cheshire home in January

Domino after just a few weeks on Blue Chip Original – an amazing transformation

Joni Bentley

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 15

Feeding

Reader Giveaway 10 prizes are up for grabs! Just send us your name and address to be in with a chance of winning a voucher for a bag of Baileys Performance Balancer worth £26.99. Baileys’ new Performance Balancer is designed to help riders ensure their horses can always benefit from the optimum nutrition provided by a fully balanced diet. It supplies a complete range of essential nutrients, carefully balanced to support performance, good health and well-being and thereby helps address, and ultimately avoid, common nutrition-related problems, without the need for expensive supplementation. The high specification formula includes essential amino acids plus Alltech’s Bioplex® chelated minerals and Sel-Plex® organic selenium, which have increased bioavailibility. To support performance, there is also a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals, including those with antioxidant properties, along with Digest Plus prebiotic and Yea-Sacc®1026 to promote gut health. The beauty of new Performance Balancer is that it allows riders to feed their horse a fully balanced diet, whatever its workload and energy intake. Those

who require no hard feed can be fed Performance Balancer to provide all the essential nutrients they need, alongside forage, whilst those on straights, like oats, reduced amounts of hard feed or lower energy feeds, can also have nutrients topped up to optimum levels. International event rider, Sharon Hunt, says, “I find Performance Balancer really useful as I can feed non-heating, high fibre Working Horse & Pony Cubes to the sharper horses but adding the balancer means I can be confident their diets will still meet the increased demands of a hard working event horse.” Baileys Performance Balancer is competitively priced at £26.99 for 20kg and is part of Baileys’ ongoing Cashback Bonanza promotion. So don’t delay... Either email your name and address including postcode to info@equiads.net (subject Baileys Giveaway) or send your details to Equi-Ads Ltd, Baileys Giveaway, Office 1, Tayview Estate, Friarton Road, Perth, PH2 8DG For information, advice or a sample, contact Baileys Horse Feeds on 01371 850247 or visit www.baileyshorsefeeds. co.uk

Maintaining fibre levels throughout winter Forage should be at the forefront of any horses diet but the poor weather we have experienced this summer has resulted in a hay shortage, putting a premium on the prices. As a horse owner there are many options available to you to increase the fibre content of the horses diet if hay is limited including haylage, chaffs and high fibre feeds. Forage ‘n’ Fibre contains a natural blend of forages and fibres that is ideal to use as a partial hay replacer. As it contains no cereals and is very low in starch and sugars it is an ideal feed to use to help maintain fibre levels in the horses diet. With many people on reduced turnout over the winter months it will also help provide a low energy non-heating diet. Containing all the essential vitamins and minerals Forage ‘n’ Fibre will also help ensure your horse is receiving a fully balanced diet, with added Soya Oil for a great coat bloom.

With very high fibre levels ReadyFibre Mash also helps to encourage slow rates of digestion throughout the hindgut and is particularly valuable to use on anxious horses that have difficulty settling, which can lead to weight loss. For more information contact Rowen Barbary on 01948 880 598 or visit www.rowenbarbary.co.uk

Big bale angst? You need a Balemate! New hay and haylage handling solution from the same stable as HayMate. Do you look at big bales and think about £££’s saved on hay and haylage costs, but then dread having to squeeze them into a tight corner and fight to get round the back to ‘unroll’ them? Well now you can enjoy the savings and forget the hassle, as the new BaleMate will easily solve all your big bale handling problems. Like all the greatest ideas, the BaleMate concept is simple; a cleverly constructed, robust turntable that is incredibly easy to use. Pop it right in a corner of your barn or in any dry space, place a big round bale onto the turntable and then you can easily turn it – with one hand - as you unroll your hay or haylage right at your feet. No more wasted space or struggling

16 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

If you have a veteran with poor dentition that does struggle to chew and digest, or simply like to indulge your horse then ReadyFibre Mash is the fibre replacer of choice. Made up of 100% high digestible fibre ReadyFibre Mash takes just 5 minutes to soak to expand into a very soft palatable mash.

to get at your forage and there’s much less mess, making a difficult job so much easier! The new BaleMate, from the same stable as the highly acclaimed Haymate, costs just £45.00 and will literally ‘revolutionise’ the way you use big bale hay or haylage. Delivery is directly from the manufacturer, so to find out more, contact 01670 772214 or if you would like to see just how quick and easy the BaleMate is to use, visit www.haymate. net and watch the video – you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one!

Joni Bentley

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 17

Respiratory Support

Coping with coughing horses: a nutritionist’s perspective It’s the season for cold, flu and coughs….. Human coughs and colds seem to co-incide with the colder winter months. However influenza is not seasonal in horses in the same way winter seems to be “flu season” for humans. But there are similarities between human and equine flu: • Both are highly contagious. • Clinical signs are similar: coughing, nasal shedding, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. • The risk increases with exposure to other animals or people. • Vaccinations for horses as well as humans are an important part of preventing disease. • Rest is an important component of recovery for both species. Supporting the immune system You should minimise your horse’s risk of getting flu with immunisation. However just like ourselves if you support your

horse’s immune system through diet, then if he does get flu it is likely to be less severe and he’ll get over it more quickly. Nutrients shown to positively support the immune system include the anti-oxidants, omega 3s and of course a balanced diet. Through the summer, our horses will eat veritable amounts of anti-oxidants from their grass. However hay and preserved forages are deficient in all the anti-oxidant vitamins and many of the minerals. Credit crunch costings Don’t overfeed your horse calories, if you can’t feel your horse’s ribs you are putting a strain on his heart and lungs; he will certainly puff more compared to his slimmer stable mates. Also please be aware that comfortably cuddly means chronically inflamed , again putting your horse at a greater risk of being more susceptible to viruses etc and reducing his survival changes if, heaven forbid, he has to

Hay Bar helps the COPD sufferer If your horse or pony has a respiratory problem such as a cough, he wheezes or is short of breath he could be suffering from Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), formerly known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is a common respiratory problem. It is associated with dust and mould spores commonly found in sun-dried forages, such as hay and straw. Horses and ponies suffering from these conditions need special care and management to allow them to live a comfortable and active life. Dust and spores are the enemy and so a dust free stable is very important. Soaked hay helps and the feeding position is very important. Feeding from the floor is essential as this helps the airways to drain down. Hay

Bar will contain the forage and help to stop cross contamination with the bedding. Feeding position and keeping the environment clean is paramount. Hay Bar is widely recommended by the veterinary profession to help alleviate some of the problems found in caring for a horse with RAO (COPD). For more information Tel. 01723 882434 or visit www.haybar.co.uk

Dr Teresa Hollands R.Nutr, Dodson & Horrell Ltd

have surgery. Adjusting the calories, (but still maintaining the bulk) will save you pennies and result in a healthier horse. BUT don’t compromise on the micronutrient intakes; it is vital that your horse has optimum intakes of those vitamins and minerals and protein. Ultimate Balancer (there are other balancers available) whilst more expensive/bag will actually work out less expensive compared to a cheaper mix plus a vitamin and mineral supplement!! Dusty hay/straw This year has been really good for hay quality not so good for hay quantity. If you find yourself in the dilemma of

Oxygen is life, without adequate air and healthy lungs; your horse can be severely compromised in his performance & well being. If you think about it, forage should be making up the largest proportion of your horse’s diet. It is fairly well established that 90% of hay made in this country is not of sufficient hygienic quality to be fed to horses (Professor Bruce McGorum, Edinburgh Veterinary School, personal communication), so the potential for inadequate oxygen reaching the horse’s lungs is big!! cont. on p.20

Helping Respiratory problems More than 1 in 6 horses and ponies suffer from breathing problems, severely affecting their health and performance. Additionally, 80% of horses stabled part of the time have a degree of airway inflammation, even if they are asymptomatic; this undoubtedly has a detrimental effect on their performance.

HAYGAIN is currently available in three models: the HG-1000, the NEW HG-600 and HG-GO. Complete nutritional value and goodness are maintained with improved palatability and digestibility. For further information please contact HAYGAIN on 0333 200 5233 or visit www.haygain.co.uk

HAYGAIN is the hay steamer that enables you to feed dust-free palatable hay, helping maintain a healthy respiratory system to enhance performance.

Nostrilvet a natural solution to equine allergies Nostrilvet is a natural equine allergy blocker; the product is fast acting, clinically proven and drug free and developed in conjunction with veterinary surgeons. It can help in the prevention of equine hay fever, head shaking, heaves (COPD), coughing and dust allergy, forming a natural barrier within the nasal tract to stop indoor and outdoor allergies before they start. Allergies and their symptoms are a year round problem – seasonal allergic rhinitis – occurs during the autumn/ winter months with the stabled horse combating the effects of dust mite and mould spores from hay and straw and in the spring and summer an allergy to pollen of various types. Nostrilvet is simple and easy to administer by the horse owner, helping

18 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

dusty hay or no hay, it’s not an easy decision. Dusty hay provides you and your horse with respiratory problems!

to maintain good respiratory health and the horse’s ability to work. Nostrilvet is a fine powder, sent gently up into the nasal tract in a plume when the bottle is squeezed, it reacts with the moisture within the airway, forming a mucus like fine gel lining that acts as a filter for allergens, pollutants and dust offering relief in minutes, and it can be administered daily as required. One pack of Nostrilvet - 30 day supply RRP £32.00 Nostrilvet Tel: 01274518290 www.nostrilvet.com

RB_winter_halfA4_10:Respirator A4_RHS

8/9/10

09:21

Feeding Page 1

Respirator BOOST

The ONLY Winter Boost with a 48 hour guarantee 48 Hours Clear Guarantee* Buy in complete confidence... 48 hour money back guarantee if you fail to see a difference in your horse's breathing - you've nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Let’s be clear about it... Respirator Boost delivers fast, effective nutritional support to lungs and airways prone to congestion and weakness. This powerful liquid supplement combines readily assimilated tinctures with Echinacea, antioxidants and essential oils. Our promise to you… You’ll see a clear difference within 48 hours. If not, we’ll give you your money back. *should you not see a clear difference within 48 hours simply return your product, together with proof of purchase, for your money back.

www.naf-uk.com

www.naf-uk.com Official suppliers to the British Equestrian Teams For toto your local NAFNAF stockist Formore moredetails detailsplease pleasegogo your local stockist, or call our Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373 106 or call our Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373 106, email info@naf-uk.com

email info@naf-uk.com or visit www.naf-uk.com

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 19

Respiratory Support - Feeding cont. from p.18 A horse affected by dust from forage may show some of the following signs:

• cough, • flared nostrils, • mucus production, • forced abdominal breathing, • characteristic heave line, It is worth re-iterating that horses do not cough naturally, so a cough is a serious sign of probable lung damage. ALL hay for ALL horses should be soaked. Even when it is -5c!! If your horse is coughing or has been diagnosed with recurrent airway obstruction then you must remove the source of dust.

to meet your horse’s fibre requirements, usually 1.5-2X the weight of hay) 2. If your horse gets fat on haylage then don’t compromise his fibre intake, reduce the haylage and use other fibre sources lower in calories such as Fibergy or Hi-Fi Lite 3. Use a low calorie feed balancer to ensure he is getting optimum levels of his vitamins and minerals to support his health and immune system 4. Remember soaking hay is a preventative measure but doesn’t remove all the dust 5. The longer you soak the hay the more nutrition you remove from the hay; you might want to remove the calories as well as the dust, but remember to replace the protein, vitamins and minerals.

• Dietary support for horses with respiratory problems

• Management support

1. Feed haylage instead of hay (be aware that haylage contains water and therefore you must feed enough

1. Remember dust and allergens are airborne – soaking hay for just your horse will not be enough. All horses

Winter feed Q&A with Dr Tom Shurlock of British Horse Feeds Q – I own a 15.3hh cob that is very prone to putting on weight. Over the summer I had to cut out all hard feed and limit his grazing to avoid excessive weight gain and laminitis. Now winter is approaching I am worried about giving him hard feed as he is now in good shape. I usually feed hay and coarse mix but he is often over exuberant, what would you recommend? A – Apart from the obvious differences of winter over the rest of the year, a major change is in the activity of the horse itself. Activity is usually reduced – short days do not make good riding – but the need to generate heat is increased. All warm blooded creatures have a Zone of Thermoneutrality. Within this zone an animal can maintain body temperature by metabolic processes. Hotter than this and the animal actively tries to lose heat (sweating, panting etc.) and too cold and the animal shivers. A stabled horse should remain within the zone, perhaps with a rug during the coldest weather, and so feeding can reflect the need to generate internal heat. Feeding a mix that has high levels of starch will fuel muscle activity (although, if your horse is shivering, this will help fuel the fast twitch muscles and generate a lot of heat!) at a time when activity is generally low. It is better to feed a highly fermentable 20 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

fibre source such as Speedi-Beet or Fibre-Beet. These are fermented quickly in the hindgut releasing nutrients that enter the biochemical energy generator, the Kreb’s Cycle. In addition the act of fermentation releases heat in the hindgut and this will help to warm the horse. Furthermore, if soaked in warm water the food will also warm the animal through a physical effect. In an inactive animal 80% of energy released goes to maintain body temperature and so using techniques to supply heat beyond that, which is generated by the horse’s metabolism, will conserve that energy.

To soak or not to soak that is the question! If your horse is allergic to dust or fungal spores then the researchers will argue that even a small amount of dust in the hay will continue to precipitate the problem as soaking does not remove all the allergens. The best option available to you is feeding haylage. Haylage is considered to have made one of the greatest contributions to improving the hygienic quality of forage for horses.

on the yard should have their hay soaked. 2. Take susceptible horses out of their stables when sweeping yard and mucking out. 3. Keep all muck heaps and hay storage away from stables and preferably sited so the prevailing wind doesn’t blow all the dust etc. back into the yard. 4. Even though hay appears to be ‘good quality’, you should soak it for ½ hour. 5. Consider feeding in a container at floor level, rather than in a hay net. 6. Remember if your horse is coughing or you are feeding dusty hay, your lungs are at risk too. 7. Use ‘dust free’ bedding 8. Muck out regularly, ammonia is an irritant to the lungs

Bearing in mind that we feed forage to provide our horses with fibre, it is important to remember that some haylages might be low in fibre unless we feed them correctly. Many people erroneously feed less haylage compared to hay, which compromises the digestive system as the horse doesn’t get enough fibre. Potential side effects are diarrhoea, hyper activity, colic, stereotypies.

Intake of different forages fed ad lib to ponies Intake

Hay

Big bale silage

Red clover silage

Dry matter kg /day (fibre)

6.0

7.5k

Actual amount eaten kg (includes water content)

6.7

Results from Hale,C.E and Moore-Colyer,M.J.S (2001) Voluntary food intakes and apparent digestibilites of hay, big bale silage and red clover silage by ponies .Equine nutrition and Physiology Soc, Kentucky As you can see in the above table, the amount of fibre (dry matter) the ponies ate was very similar but the amount that you would need to give them is very variable and depends upon the water content of the haylage you feed But what do you do if you have a laminitic that is a good doer and has a breathing issue; which is the most

important to address? You should discuss both these clinical issues with your vet and they will advise as to which they feel is the most threat to your horse; however laminitis kills, whereas respiratory problems dehabilitate!

Look at the table below:

Horses lose condition during the winter as the energy derived from their feed is insufficient to combat the drop in temperature, especially when they cannot generate extra heart through exercise. They mobilise their fat reserves, generate extra heat, and lose condition. By feeding a super fibre, higher energy intakes are achieved and, with the aid of a rug, or warm stable, and a warm mash the heat generated by the fibre will be sufficient to cover its needs. Speedi-Beet and Fibre-Beet are both approved by The Laminitis Trust. For more information please contact British Horse Feeds on 01765 680300 or visit www.britishhorsefeeds.com

The first row shows how much energy or calories (they are the same thing) 4kg of forage provides to your horse. If we were only considering the calories then the wet or small bale haylage would certainly be preferable for the laminitic

which puts weight on easily. BUT look at the third row which shows the dry matter provided by the forage. A 350kg pony needs 8.75kg of dry matter a day; 4kg of hay provides 45% cont. on p.22

Feeding - Health Care

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 21

Respiratory Support - Feeding cont. from p.20

of this, whereas 4kg of small bale haylage only provides 20% of his dry matter requirement. Another way of thinking of dry matter is to rename it bulk……so using small bale haylage will seriously compromise the bulk intake of your horse. You could of course feed 1.8 times the weight of

Have you had more respiratory problems this summer compared to other years? If the answer is yes, it maybe that your horse is suffering because we have had such a hot dry and dusty summer SPAOPD Most of us are well aware of the potential problems of dusty hay but we often forget about “summer pasture associated obstructive pulmonary disease” or SPAOPD, because hot dry summers aren’t that common!! Some of the symptoms are similar to RAO, but horses which are affected are not always exposed to hay or straw. In addition it is seasonal, horses are usually affected between spring and early autumn and the symptoms go away in

Reminding ourselves Over a period of years, different terms have been used world wide to describe the signs of a cough and mucus in the horse. In addition because of the increasing use of comparative medicine (mostly human), it has become most important that both the vets and the medics use the same definitions when comparing research results. COPD is no more!!! COPD is a disease of people, predominantly old people who have smoked through their lives. They have a reduced response to bronchodilators and corticosteroids; Horses on the other hand that suffer from a respiratory syndrome, are all ages, and have a good response to both bronchodilators and corticosteroids. We should think of their syndrome as being similar to environmentally induced asthma. All horses suffering from an airway inflammation show similar signs:1. airway obstruction from mucus or broncospasm due to a thickening of the airway wall

• Conclusion The majority of breathing problems in horses share a commonality with hay fever in ourselves; an allergic reaction to dust or pollen in the atmosphere. That is why some of the food allergy tests available come back that your horse is allergic to ryegrass, meadow grasses or grass in general. It is not the consumption per se of these ingredients 22 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

haylage compared to the hay to meet his bulk requirements but he will get fatter on the haylage compared to the hay as it is more easily digested; he will get up to 23% more calories from the haylage, (2nd International Conference on Feeding Horses), and that is a danger for laminitics.

the winter unless they are allergic to hay/ straw dust. Keep an eye on the ponies and older cobs as they seem to be more susceptible. Professor Bruce McGorum who has researched the subject, perceives that the horses are likely to have hypersensitivity to inhaled pollens or outdoor moulds but their bodies do not react in a typical allergic manner. On the other hand, he also thinks that the horses have a long term airway hyper-responsiveness, so they have continuous inflammation and will react to both specific (e.g. mould or pollen), or non-specific (dry air, exercise, dust), triggers. If you have a horse, which performs less well during dry, hot weather or after a field nearby has been harvested, then why not ask your vet to check his lungs.

2. cough 3. hyper responsiveness of the airways Heaves or recurrent airways obstruction, (RAO), is the most severe form; horses showing less severe signs are described as having inflammatory airway disease, (IAD). The degree to which your horse might suffer from RAO or IAD will depend on a number of factors, but the one that you should be able to control the most is his environment. The longer that he is exposed to dust or spores from hay the greater his response is likely to be. Professor Bruce McGorum from Edinburgh Vet School is adamant that 95% of hay made in this country is not of sufficient hygienic quality to be fed to horses. Thus all hay for all horses should be soaked. Consider too the environment around your stable and in the school or arena in which you work. A horse suffering from RAO or IAD will be hyperresponsive to other dusts in the air.

that is causing an allergic response in your horse it is the inhalation. The problem is that the lab tests can’t differentiate. Removing these airbourne allergens from the environment is the best chance you can give your horse; that and a properly balanced diet which supports both his immune system and his overall health.

Respiratory issues Equimins have a range of products designed for horses with respiratory issues- here are just three…

works with ascorbic acid to support the circulation of blood to the capillaries and helps to maintain clear airways.

Air Power Booster Air Power Booster is an equine cough mixture that contains honey, Apple Cider Vinegar, Aloe Vera, Menthol, Eucalyptus Oil and concentrated lemon juice to help soothe the respiratory tract.

Clear Breather is available in 700g and 1.4kg tubs and prices start from £22.85.

Air Power Booster should be administered through an oral dose syringe and is available in 500ml and 1 litre bottles, prices start from £7.85. Clear Breather Equimins’ Clear Breather is an equine supplement designed to support lung function. The product contains MSM, a bio available source of sulphur important to lung tissue and Hesperadin, which

Air-Way Herbs For the herbal approach, Equimins’ AirWay Herbs contains a blend of Liquorice, Marshmallow, Aniseed, Garlic Flakes, Ginkgo, Boneset, Nettle, Golden Rod and Peppermint; all selected for properties in respect of the respiratory system. Air-Way Herbs is available in 1kg tubs, 1kg bags and 5kg bags. Prices start from £15.75. For more information see www.equimins.com, email sales@ equimins.com or call 01548 531770

Winter forage from HorseHage and Mollichaff Following one of the driest summers on record, many farmers and forage producers are down on their yields this year as the lack of rain has meant poor grass growth. Many hay producers have been unable to take a second cut at all as there has been very little re-growth. Combined with last year’s cold winter and late spring where more forage was used over the winter than normal, stocks of hay are already running out in some areas. So sourcing a supply of forage for your horse or pony could prove to be a challenge over the coming winter months. HorseHage dust-free bagged forage can offer an alternative to traditional hay or haylage and because it is such good quality, you may even find you are able to reduce your horse’s hard feed ration by up to a third. It is more digestible than other forages, allowing more efficient utilisation of the available nutrients. There are four different varieties – Ryegrass, High Fibre, Timothy and Alfalfa – offering a choice for all types of horses and ponies including laminitics. HorseHage is packed into doubleskinned, highly compressed bales and as long as it is unopened, it will last for up to 18 months and can be stored

outside. Once a bag is opened, it should be consumed within a week. Another option is to replace hay with Mollichaff Veteran. Although formulated for elderly horses and ponies that cannot consume long forage, Mollichaff Veteran is a high fibre forage mix that can be used to replace the entire forage ration where necessary. It contains a balanced blend of dried grass, dried alfalfa and oat straw and is topped with a unique dressing combining linseed and soya oil with a very light, low sugar coating, plus added vitamins, minerals, plant-based antioxidants, mint, nettle, salt and biotin. It is very palatable and so is ideal for fussy feeders too. As with any feed and forage, always make any changes to your horse’s diet gradually over a minimum of five to seven days to allow the gut microflora to adjust. For further information or advice on feeding your horse, pony or donkey, call the HorseHage Helpline on O1803 527257 or visit www.horsehage.co.uk

Feeding - Health Care

Graze-On helps respiratory problems The natural alternative to horses grazing in a field, Graze-On from Northern Crop Driers is a highly nutritious dried cut grass feed containing essential minerals and vitamins. Ideal for stabled horses and ponies Graze-On helps bring the field to the stable. The high temperature drying process

and comprehensive dust extraction programme kills any moulds and fungal spores and assists in the maintenance of a healthy respiratory system. It contains Perennial ryegrasses, Tall Fescue and Timothy grasses with natural anti-oxidants to help maintain and enhance the immune system. Available all year round it provides an excellent source of digestible fibre and

the necessary forage intake required to keep horses satisfied. It is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;flashâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dried at high temperatures which seals all the goodness into the end product and makes the feed value virtually identical to that of high quality fresh grass. Suitable for stabled horses or for those with limited grazing, Graze-On is sealed in compact easy to handle 15kg bags making it ideal for use around the yard or travelling to shows. RRP is around ÂŁ7.50. For more information contact Northern Crop Driers on 01759 318396 or visit www.northerncropdriers.co.uk

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 23

Respiratory Support - Feeding

Discover the perfect Balancer with the new SPILLERS® range SPILLERS® have used their worldleading scientific knowledge and experience in equine nutrition to create an exciting new range of cereal-free Balancers. SPILLERS® Original Balancer, SPILLERS® Lite Balancer, SPILLERS® Senior Balancer and SPILLERS® Performance Balancer join SPILLERS® Gro ‘N’ Win® to make it blissfully simple for every owner to find the perfect balance for their horse or pony’s diet. We all know that feeding a properly balanced diet is important for optimum health and performance but horses and ponies are individuals, with individual requirements. Sometimes they don’t need to be fed the quantity of compound feed recommended on the bag or in some cases any compound feed at all. However, feeding less than the recommended amount can lead to long term deficiencies and health issues, particularly if horses and ponies are on a grass or forage-only diet.

New SPILLERS® Balancers take away all the worry. Each Balancer has been designed to provide enhanced daily balanced nutrition and can be used alone or in addition to your compound feed without the concern of oversupplementation. The Balancers are all cereal-free and have been carefully formulated to provide individual nutrition, which includes essential amino acids, oils, vitamins, minerals and organic trace elements to support overall wellbeing. SPILLERS® Original Balancer is suitable for all horses and ponies and gives the flexibility to feed a variety of horses and ponies across a yard. SPILLERS® Lite Balancer is for the specialist needs of all ‘good doers’ and overweight horses and ponies, providing a truly balanced diet without unwanted calories. It is also suitable for horses and ponies prone to laminitis.

SPILLERS® Senior Balancer offers unrivalled nutrition and joint support for the older horse or pony to help keep them in optimal condition. SPILLERS® Performance Balancer delivers additional essential vitamins and minerals necessary to support the equine athlete. SPILLERS® Gro ‘N’ Win® Stud Balancer meets the increased nutritional needs of foals, youngstock and pregnant or lactating mares. Clare Barfoot BSc (Hons) RNutr, registered nutritionist and Research and Development Manager for SPILLERS® who developed the new Balancers, explains: “SPILLERS® has been a leader in research, innovation and development in equine nutrition and feeding for the past 50 years. Our new Balancers have been formulated using this considerable expertise to provide your horse with the very best. They are

the easy way to make sure your horse receives the right nutrition every single day.” New SPILLERS® Balancers will be coming to a retailer near you soon. For friendly feeding advice please telephone the SPILLERS® Care-Line on 01908 226626 or send an email to careline@ spillers-feeds.com. For further information visit the SPILLERS® website at www.spillersfeeds.com. To stay in the know with daily updates, discussions, competitions, blogs and much much more join Team SPILLERS® on Facebook.

Respiratory problems Respiratory Horslyx is a nutrient rich lick containing menthol, eucalyptus and aniseed to assist in keeping airways clear of mucus, help horses to breathe more easily, reduce respiratory irritation and dramatically reduce stress caused by respiratory compromise. The Horslyx high specification vitamin, mineral and trace element package, including generous levels of the powerful antioxidants selenium, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, together with chelated

copper and zinc, helps to support and maintain a strong immune system, maximising the ability to fight any infectious challenges and aid healthy lung function. Ideal for horses and ponies who suffer from COPD, dry coughs, dust or hay fever type allergies, as well as those needing support when competing and doing fast work. The palatable formula is unique to Horslyx and does not contain any artificial colours or preservatives.

Winter Feeding Rockies- Field & Stable Block For horses that live out or don’t have hard feed during the winter months, Rockies’ Field & Stable Block is a great way to provide them with the elements they need. The Field & Stable Block has been designed to help top up essential micro nutrients in a simple and effective way. The block itself is 10kg in size and contains essential minerals to help balance the deficiencies created by feeding solely grass, hay and chaff. The block is produced under controlled pressure to ensure longevity and moderation of intake, and has a very 24 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

light coating of molasses to ensure palatability- it should not be compared to highly molassed licks that have to be fed under supervision. The Field & Stable Block is weather resistant for inside and outside use and is available from any Rockies stockist. It retails at £13.52. For more information Tel: 01606 595025 or visit www.rockies.co.uk

When fed alongside good quality, dustfree forage, Respiratory Horslyx offers the necessary nutrients to encourage a well balanced diet and a healthy, happy horse. The palatable, weatherproof lick is a cost effective method of administering specific ingredients to help support the respiratory system, plus help reduce boredom in the stable by encouraging natural, trickle feeding. Available in 5kg (approximately 20 days’ supply*) or 15kg (approximately 60 days’ supply*) priced around £11.75 and £22.50 respectively.

For further information tel: 01697 332 592 or visit www.horslyx.com

*based on the recommended daily intake for the average 500kg horse.

Feeding

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 25

NLP

Dealing with setbacks ‘There is no failure….only feedback’ - Danielle Olding Whether you compete professionally or just for fun it is likely that you will have experienced a number of ups and downs within your sport. There are any number of things that can set us back in equestrian sports, however one of the most common cause of disappointment that affects riders is that of poor performance. Dealing with Poor Performance Despite our best efforts, most of us have experienced occasions when we do not perform as well as we expected. Whilst no rider is immune to this, some of us are better at handling poor performance than others. Some riders get upset or angry by their mistakes whilst others are much more successful at identifying positive learning points from the experience in order to move on and focus on the next competition. Here are some tips for dealing with disappointing performances: 1. Acknowledge your mistakes If we treat each mistake as ‘information’ or feedback, we can usually recognise that mistakes do not mean we are bad riders, they just mean that we did not choose the best option to achieve our desired outcomes on that occasion. Hence there are nearly always some positive learning points to be had in every error….. should we choose to notice and benefit from them. Think about a recent poor performance you have experienced. Consider where specifically the disappointment comes from: . The outcome or result itself . Your ‘memory’ of the event . The emotions attached to your memory It is not always the results themselves that cause us the most angst, but the way we remember the event. Sometimes it is what success or ‘defeat’ represents to us that causes the problem rather than the event itself. Our memories of a specific occasion are not factual accounts, they are an interpretation of the event which is then stored as ‘memories’ in our heads. Our memories are usually consistent with what is most important to us so we automatically attach emotion to them, which is why riders react very differently to setbacks. Those 26 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

riders who react very strongly to poor performance are often not able to identify any positive learning points at the time because they have allowed their emotions around the event to take over.

3. Repeat (1)

Exercise: Next time you experience a disappointing performance try the following exercise

2 . Just ‘let it go’ Some riders find it quite easy just to ‘let go’ of a disappointing result whilst others need a more structured approach to help them. Holding on to past memories that contain negative emotions is neither helpful nor effective. Often riders dwell on the past mistake and take it with them into the next competition which means they are focusing on the very thing they do not wish to happen!

Part 1 1. Remind yourself that every bad performance is in fact a learning opportunity (should you choose to take it). 2. Imagine you are watching a black and white re-run of the event on a TV screen so that you can see yourself having ridden a ‘bad round’. 3. Now step back so that you imagine you are watching yourself, watching the black and white film of the round. 4. See the ‘you’ in the chair advising the ‘you’ on the TV as if you were talking to someone else who had just ridden this round (still in black and white). 5. Now watch the ‘you’ in the chair step back into the ‘you’ on the TV and take on this advice after the round. 6. Watch yourself move on when there is no emotion on the event using your new learnings of what to do differently. 7. Repeat this process several times until you can imagine having a disappointing competition and responding to it more positively. Part 2 Think of a behaviour that you would like to change in this situation and decide how you would like to behave instead. 1. See yourself doing this behaviour on a full colour cinema screen in your head. See yourself doing this new behaviour in different situations. Repeat this several times. 2. Repeat as above but this time do it as if you were actually IN the movie, on the horse looking through your own eyes rather than watching it on the screen so you recognise what you would see, hear and feel if you were doing this new behaviour.

4. Think about a time in the future where previously you might have adopted the old habit, notice what happens now.

It is therefore very important to take out the learning points and then ‘let go’ of the old memory so that the disappointing event can then become a useful resource rather than a repeated mistake. Exercise 1: • Take a mental image of the event • Take out the positive learnings first • Let the image float up into the air and out into the distance getting further and further away, getting smaller and darker as it does so until it disappears completely. Exercise 2: Roll the clock forward in time and as you look back, just notice how unimportant that small mistake was in the grand scheme of things. Maybe you have other bigger, more important things to invest your energy in. If you are still not finding it easy to let go, just accept what has happened and move on to concentrate on the new things in your life at this future point in time. 3. Focus on what you do want Remember, your brain organises your thoughts, decisions and actions according to what you are thinking about at the time….’we get what we focus on’. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you are now thinking about what you want to happen in your next competition rather than what you don’t!. • Pull up a full colour movie on your screen of you riding at your best.

• Replay this movie in a number of different scenarios (e.g ground conditions, different types of fences or a different dressage judge), each time with you riding at your very best, achieving exactly what you want to happen. • Now ‘step in’ to the movie as if you are actually on the horse. Replay the performance so you can recognise what good looks, feels and sounds like. • Turn up the intensity of any colours, sounds or feelings that are significant to you in this movie. • Replay the movie until you are feeling really positive and feel ready to go out and ride as you want to. Sporthorse NLP is led by Danielle Olding NLP Trainer, Master Sports Practitioner and Coach who works extensively with a range of equestrian sports, coaching both amateur and professional riders. Danielle spends time delivering workshops and seminars throughout the UK for Equestrian Centres, and Clubs and works on a one to one basis with both professional and amateur riders to improve confidence and develop consistent levels of performance. She will be doing a monthly series of seminars and coaching days at Park End Equestrian Centre, Hexham, throughout 2010. To book, please contact Park End Equestrian directly. To book a workshop or seminar at your Centre or Club please contact Danielle directly. danielle.olding@sporthorsenlp.co.uk www.sporthorsenlp.co.uk tel: 07884 110735

Health Care - Sweet Itch

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 27

Horse Behaviour

Conflict behaviours Causes, effects and remedies Part 2 in a short series by SUSAN McBANE This month I want to continue from the first article in this series in which I talked about the effects on our horses and, therefore, on ourselves, of the current fall in standards from previous times of handling, training and riding horses, and the hardening of attitudes towards horses, particularly in competition. I want, this month, to go into how horses think, learn and, consequently, behave. I’ll also give some examples of using not only classical principles of riding but also equitation science and learning theory in practice, using horses and riders I have schooled and taught. It is a basic fact of life that, when most people become desperate to achieve a goal and what they are doing is not working, they often get frustrated – and then they get tough. Not everyone does this, of course, but many do. Whether we’re banging in nails, trying to assemble a furniture kit, dealing with children or animals, get our own way, win a discussion or argument or find ourselves in any situation where tact, gentleness and diplomacy aren’t working, we get a bit frustrated. Then the thought of using a bit of brute force (psychological or physical) comes into our heads – and perhaps we use it, at a seemingly appropriate level. Brute force often works in some situations but only after a fashion. At the time, we perhaps rarely think of the long-term consequences of using brute force, so anxious are we to achieve our goal of Winning, and many people don’t care about them. If it doesn’t work, though, the question is, where do we go from here? Some people give up (‘what’s the point?), hand over to someone else (‘you do it, then, if you’re so clever’), try crying (‘you’ve really upset me now!’) or guilt trips (‘think of everything I’ve done for you’) or retaliate (‘it’s you, you always blah, blah, blah’). Others get rough (‘you will do it’) and use threats (the mental/psychological approach) or physical violence (usually, with horses, abuses such as hitting, punching, kicking, whipping, tying up and down, harsh bit contact and use, and so on). Of course, none of these desperation tactics works with horses. They don’t understand English, only simple 28 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

sounds. They also don’t understand that because we pay the bills they have a ‘duty’ to ‘behave’ and ‘perform’. They are extremely strong so you can be in danger if they fight back. They are also sensitive animals who respond poorly, mentally and physically, to physical force and pain. It’s nothing new It was realised by the earliest civilisations that horses learn by association of ideas: if they do something and it has a pleasurable consequence they will be happy to do it again and even seek to do it but if they do something, either of their own volition or because we ask/tell them to do it, and it is frightening, uncomfortable or painful, they will naturally try to avoid doing it in future. We can understand this because we behave in the same way. Why, then, do so many people, when faced with a horse who is clearly reluctant to do something, resort to force and make the problem worse? It’s as offensive as shouting at a foreigner in English even though we know he doesn’t speak it. Going down the road of force and violence is one of the things which triggers conflict behaviours, although confusion and frustration in the horse trigger them, as well. Another thing early civilizations understood was that the horse was what they thought of as ‘simple minded’. Nowadays, science has confirmed that horses have amazing memories and perceive the most minute details of their environment with all their senses, including that of feel (used to sense aids and so on). They have some, but limited, reasoning power, though, and do not know right from wrong in the way we do. We often create conflict behaviours ourselves unintentionally by using pressures (aids or general movements) incorrectly. The most confusing movements we make with horses are (1) using two aids (hands and legs) at the same moment, (2) getting our timing wrong when applying or releasing (stopping) aids and (3) being inconsistent so that aids do not always feel the same to the horse.

The horse can’t help it … Anything which distracts or upsets a horse – from a sudden noise to an uncomfortable bit or saddle or an unbalanced, busy rider using confusing, inconsistent aids – can cause conflict behaviours. It is horses’ nature, as prey animals, to be disconcerted by anything that could threaten their comfort and safety. Anything which even mildly alerts them grasps their attention and takes it away from what we are doing with them and, because this survival state of mind is ‘hard-wired’ into horses, it can escalate like lightning to dangerous reactions like bucking, rearing, napping, shying, bolting and so on. We all have to remember that horses, being the kind of animal they are, can explode, whiz round and fly away from something in a split second. They don’t have a choice. Their brains make them do it. But the more accustomed they are to HABITUALLY responding correctly to our aids, the less likely this is to happen and the quicker we are likely to regain control if it does. (Another major aid to our security is giving the time, trouble and mental application to acquiring a firm, deep, adhesive, independent seat, which does not, in my experience, appear to be taught today. Because of its tremendous beneficial effect on equine behaviour, I have included it in my forthcoming articles in Equi-Ads.) … but we can Sometimes, our riding or handling techniques are so inappropriate to the way horses process sensations (think about aids and try to work out what we want) that it doesn’t take any outside interruption to bring about ‘bad behaviour’ like bucking, getting ‘strong’ or whatever. Regular readers of Equi-Ads will know that I am a fan of equitation science, incorporating equine learning theory, and I use these with classical riding techniques in my teaching and riding. The very word ‘science’ puts off a lot of people but you have to hand it to science and scientists sometimes, at least! Where would we be without vets, dentists and doctors, for

instance? Scientists who concentrate on psychology, behaviour and other ‘mental’ aspects of science also have their place, and these branches of science have, over the past few decades, been used to develop and are continuing to refine, equitation science and equine learning theory. These are simply logical principles set out in a way which is appropriate to how a horse thinks – they ‘speak his language’, if you like and, therefore, don’t create confusion and frustration – the main cause of conflict behaviours. The first and most basic principle is to apply one aid at a time: this means do not give a leg aid and a rein aid at precisely the same moment. The old classical tenet is ‘legs without hands, hands without legs’ and this is a foundation principle of equitation science as well. The horse gets one aid and can cope with that but if he gets two instantaneously he starts to have a problem. Experienced horses can cope with aids being given a second apart but green ones cannot and need two or three seconds. Remember the saying: KISS - Keep it simple, Stupid. In equitation science, horses are also taught in hand to reliably obey aids to go forward, to slow/stop/back, to raise and lower the head and to turn (yield) the hindquarters and forehand. Once these have become virtually habitual (just a few lessons for most horses), they easily transfer to work under saddle and mounted work becomes so much easier and safer. These skills go a long way towards quashing problem behaviour before it starts because the horse gets one easy-to-understand aid (which he habitually obeys) at a time. In nonscientific terms, obeying becomes almost automatic with him – unless something really terrifying happens and then his hard-wired survival instinct kicks in. Learning in this way keeps horses confident, relaxed, calm and amenable – just what a good riding horse should be. cont. on p.30

Insurance

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 29

Horse Behaviour cont. from p.28

At the end of this article, I’ll give details of some book titles and a home-study pack which give precise details of the discipline of equitation science as it is not possible to explain it sufficiently here. For interest and information, I’ll give below four case studies of horses and riders I have encountered over the past 18 months during which time I have been using equitation science and learning theory along with classical riding. These horses and riders were all experiencing conflict behaviours from the horse, and ‘frustration behaviours’ from the rider. As you’ll see, two changed their mindsets and the way they rode and handled their horses and achieved rewarding results. The other two didn’t, and continued to have problems. CASE STUDY 1: Elkie was a beautiful and sensitive Danish Warmblood mare who had been bought from a wellknown competition rider and producer of dressage horses as a ‘press-button schoolmistress’ but was anything but. The owner, Angela, was kind and gentle, could ride well enough so long as the mare ‘behaved herself’ but became frightened when she didn’t. They had been together four months. Elkie had no confidence at all in Angela when ridden. She had carted her several times in the manège, leaned on the bit, would not tolerate leg aids and was very spooky. On the lunge, she careered round at high speed like clockwork. She had clearly been taught to go fast in the mistaken belief (of the dressage producer) that this meant ‘forward’ and ‘impulsion’ – a very common and damaging error. She had obviously been ridden with a rigid, very firm contact and pulled up and in rather than being worked correctly from the hindquarters. As lungeing is a ‘chasing’ technique which some horses, as prey animals, find worrying or frightening, I recommended no more of it. I began teaching her in hand the go forward and slow/stop/back techniques, the head up and down and the turning, all of which she picked up well in her first lesson, at the end of which she was noticeably calmer. Angela learned how to do these things, too, but had problems being consistent in their application. In equitation science, there is a ‘shaping scale’ (progression) which ultimately, if correctly followed, results in a horse who is reliably obedient to 30 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

light aids and governs his own balance by going in self-carriage – standard requirements of a pleasant, safe riding horse. It is also important to keep applying the aid until you get a response and to stop the aid the instant you do. As in all schooling, you progress gradually and Angela found all this difficult to do. In the saddle, she did improve somewhat and Elkie became lighter in hand and stopped kicking out when Angela applied a leg aid. We worked on keeping Elkie slow and calm and the mare became much quieter, compliant and relaxed. I worked also on Angela’s seat and position so that she was more secure and, I hoped, to stop her grabbing the reins which she regarded as her ‘comfort blanket’. Unfortunately, a bird flew into Elkie’s face in the school one day and she spooked badly, unseating Angela. She stopped having lessons and I heard that she had reverted to lungeing Elkie fast to ‘get the itch out of her heels’ before riding. The mare once again became hard to manage on the lunge and under saddle, and even when leading to and from the field, and Angela retired her (at six years old). CASE STUDY 2: A three-quarter Thoroughbred Irish gelding, Barney, aged 15, who had evented and was now required for low-level showjumping, owned by Sandra, an experienced rider who was self-taught. Their problems were that Barney had ‘a mouth like iron’ (not unusual in ex-eventers), was too excitable to showjump well, was stiff and clumsy. Sandra only had four lessons (she said from the start that this was her plan as she liked working on her own) and picked up the classical seat and equine learning theory amazingly well. She bought two books I recommended to study (not mine!), read them intelligently and clearly put her new knowledge into practice between lessons. We worked on her seat and did the equitation science groundwork in hand, as with Elkie, and Barney calmed down like magic and stopped pulling. Sandra transferred her new knowledge well to their ridden work and Barney gained self-carriage and agility. Also, with the help of a good joint supplement and correct work, he became much more supple and manoeuvrable. I understand that they are enjoying their showjumping. CASE STUDY 3: Caspar was an Arab x cob gelding, aged 6, who learned to buck hard early in life. His owner, a brave, young girl called Holly, was determined to reform him. She had

amazing stickability and had not parted company with Caspar. She was actually managing to minimize his bucking by not doing any long-and-low work with him (when he would usually buck) and by keeping his head in a normal riding position other than when standing still, when he was allowed to stretch. This was not ideal and she wanted more effective techniques as she felt that the bucking was always just under the surface. Caspar had had his back, saddle and girth checked and I also checked them, and there did not appear to be a problem there. As usual, we started with the groundwork in hand and repeated it very thoroughly at the start of every lesson, Holly also repeating it daily between my visits. I explained about the shaping scale (progression) and exactly how to apply the aids both in hand and under saddle. Unfortunately, she could not grasp the connection between forming reliable, good habits with the groundwork and achieving good behaviour under saddle. She carried out the work but I always had the feeling that she was not convinced that it would work, even though it was working. Because she wanted to jump, she started also having lessons with a specialist jumping trainer as well as flatwork lessons with me. I explained very clearly that the different schooling principles involved (which she had described to me) would confuse Caspar, a state of mind which is known to produce conflict behaviours. He started bucking again and her jumping trainer told her to whip him every time he did so, so that he would connect bucking with pain and stop doing it. Of course, it became worse and I heard that she eventually sold him on as a driving pony. CASE STUDY 4: Aldo was a Dutch warmblood aged 14, gelded and backed at seven and used as a stallion before that. He had had a quick course in ‘behaving himself’, progressing to an equally quick course in ‘dressage’ in order to sell him to England as soon as possible. He was terrified of whips and thought that being ridden meant going with his chin on his knees as fast as possible. Like Elkie, he was frightened of being lunged and very on the forehand. Presumably because he was always hyped up, he was slow to learn, defensive, bit and kicked, wiped his rider along fences, trees and buildings but did not buck, shy or rear. His owner had bought him as a novice dressage horse and, not surprisingly,

they were getting nowhere. Where to begin? Well, at the beginning again. I explained to his owner how he must have been ‘trained’, or rather treated, and how this had affected his mind as well as his behaviour. His defensive and unwanted habits would have to be ‘over-shadowed’ and a new set installed. I suggested he should not be ridden for a few days until he was safer to responses in-hand which relieved his owner! She did her homework beautifully. In brief, I went right back to the forward, slow/stop/back, head up/ down and turn in-hand work until it was utterly reliable. Then I introduced voice commands, giving the command immediately before the physical aid to help the riding process. When the time came to ride again a week after I met Aldo and Pat, I first did the in-hand work and commands with Pat sitting passively in the saddle. Then she took over using clear, consistent aids preceded by Aldo’s familiar voice commands – and they went easily from strength to strength. I worked on her seat and position and they are now competing in Novice dressage competitions, and that is as far as Pat wants to go. Recommended reading ‘The Classical seat’ by Sylvia Loch, followed by any other books or DVDs by this author. ‘Equitation Science’ by Paul McGreevy and Andrew McLean. ‘Understanding Horse Behaviour’ by Lesley Skipper. Visit the website of the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre (www.aebc. com.au), click on Shop and consider the complete study pack ‘Academic Horse Training’ comprising a book, three DVDs and a copy of the book ‘The Truth About Horses’. The latter book is available separately and is also highly recommended as an introduction to equitation science and equine learning theory. SUSAN McBANE has an HNC in Equine Science and Management and holds the Classical Riding Club’s Gold Award. She is a classical rider, teacher and trainer, author of 44 equestrian books and co-publisher with Anne Wilson of Tracking-up magazine (see advert this issue). She can be contacted for lessons on 01254 705487 or by email on horses@ susanmcbane.com. Her website address is www.susanmcbane.com

Health Care - Sweet Itch

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 31

Health Care - Joints

Bone Spavin The hock joints (or tarsal joints) are said to be the most complex joints in the horsesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; body, and for the performance horse are arguably the most crucial. But whether horses are hacking or jumping Grand Prix tracks their hocks are put under stress. What do the hocks actually do? The hock is a complicated structure which is designed to weight bear, absorb shock and move without friction. Hocks are liable to certain kinds of stress related injuries which can cause major problems for the horse. Certain injuries can have an acute effect resulting in sudden lameness, whilst others can be more chronic and insidious in onset.

Loch Leven Practice explains

How are hock joints made up? The hock is made up of seven bones, arranged to form one flexing joint, 3 shock-absorbing low motion joints and a final rigid joint between two of the bones that are held together by very tight ligaments. As well as large supportive collateral ligaments, there are also smaller ligaments between the various joints, attachments for external ligaments and tendons and gliding and leverage surfaces for the main flexor tendons. Synovial joints consist of two bone ends covered by cartilage. The lubricated cartilage allows smooth movement of the joint. The cartilage is constantly being broken down by everyday activities, but the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body has the ability to repair the damage. Joints, of course, are not just two floating pieces of bone with smooth covered ends - they need something to stabilise the bones. This is where the fibrous joint capsules come in. The joint capsules are attached to both bones and also to the collateral ligaments, which can be found on either side of most joints, it is these that hold the joints together.

normal

32 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

Inside the joint capsule is an inner lining

called the synovial membrane, which secretes synovial fluid. This fluid is responsible for lubricating the joint. An important part of this fluid is hyaluronic acid and a protein called lubricin which are responsible for lubricating the cartilage. The synovial fluid and cartilage are there to act as a shock absorber.

mild spavin

What happens when it all goes wrong? There are numerous injuries that can occur in the hock, but the most common problem we see is tarsometatarsal and distal intertarsal oestoarthritis,

commonly known as bone spavin. This can also be called Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). These two joints are closest to the cannon bone and in some horses have been proven to connect with each other. Although osteoarthritis can be found in any joint it is often seen in the fetlocks and coffin joints of the forelegs and hocks in the hind legs. Bone spavin may occur following injury, abnormal growth pattern, inherited factors or general wear and tear over a period of time. Bone spavin develops when the cartilage is destroyed and can not be repaired naturally by the horse, causing a lack of cushioning, resulting in lameness of varying degrees. Signs Owners may notice anything from poor performance with poor engagement or a difficulty jumping, a gradual deterioration in stiffness, back pain or even a low grade lameness of one or both hindlegs. Occasionally there can be a more pronounced sudden onset lameness. The farrier might have commented on uneven wearing of the shoes, or a difficulty holding the hindlegs to be shod. cont. on p.34

Insurance

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 33

Health Care - Joints cont. from p.32

Diagnosis Hock pain does not always result in a change in the gait under normal conditions, but flexion of the leg will often produce increased lameness. This may be an excellent starting point for your vet, however it must be remembered when flexing the hock you will automatically flex the stifle. In some cases subtle back pain may be the only clinical sign. In most cases a thorough lameness work up, including nerve and joint blocks may be needed to diagnose

severe spavin

the site of pain. It is particularly important to try and differentiate between painful lower hock joints and injury to the proximal suspensory ligament.

be gained with this procedure, which can be performed under a standing sedation and using x-ray guidance. In addition to treatment your vet may advise working alongside your farrier to provide remedial shoeing. Joint supplements are often advocated to support the diseased joint.

Once nerve and joint blocks have been undertaken, radiography will be required to confirm the pathology and also assess the severity. Sometimes a bone scan (scintigraphy) can help in determining the sites of active bony remodelling. Treatment 1. Historically the main treatment for bone spavin involved non steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), such as ‘bute’. The reasoning was that continual pain free movement of these joints could stimulate the joints to fuse. Importantly, this is a very uncommon situation to occur naturally. Many horses with low grade spavin can be maintained on small doses of anti-inflammatory medication, however competitive performance may still be compromised and is not allowed under Doping regulations.

Prognosis In most cases bone spavin is a chronic disease with slow onset which can be managed with little reduction in performance, but as arthritic changes progress performance can be severely affected as medication becomes less effective.

Concurrently your vet may advise the use of ‘Tildren’ – a drug which slows down abnormal bone metabolism.

2. Medication of the joints is the most commonly used treatment for competitive horses with bone spavin. Long acting corticosteroid and artificial joint fluid can be directly placed into the diseased joint. This steroid will have a potent effect on reduction in inflammation (the cause of the pain), while the artificial joint fluid is used to assist in lubricating and protecting the joint. Each horse responds differently to medication depending upon the severity of disease present.

3. In the failure of response to steroids surgical fusion of the lower hock joints is the last resort if the use of NSAIDS is either ineffective or unwanted. This is usually undertaken under general anaesthesia using a drill guided by x-rays to remove the cartridge of the joint. The thought being that the process of arthritis and fusion is accelerated. Recently new techniques have been undertaken which involve injecting the joints with alcohol. Early research shows a far more effective fusion can

narrowing of both distal joints

Loch Leven Equine Practice, covering Kinross-shire, Perthshire and Fife. Tel: 01577 840022 www.lochlevenequine.co.uk

fusion of the Distal joint

Mobility Horslyx improves stride length... An independent research study was recently conducted at Myerscough College, using gait analysis technology, proving that Mobility Horslyx improves stride length in stiff horses. Mobility Horslyx is a nutrient rich lick containing optimum levels of Glucosamine HCI, MSM and Omega Oils, all vital to promote optimum joint function. The high specification vitamin, mineral and trace element package which incorporates Vitamin C, Vitamin E and selenium - supports the body’s ability to absorb the vital nutrients, helping maintain a strong immune system and promote overall health and vitality. Simple and easy to use, Mobility Horslyx offers horse owners a unique method of feeding for healthy joints, plus the opportunity to balance any deficiencies in their forage, grazing and hard feed. Particularly beneficial for older horses 34 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

requiring easily digested nutritional support, Mobility Horslyx is a highly palatable choice for all equines - even those on a restricted diet - providing owners with a fuss-free, healthy feed containing no artificial colours or preservatives. Mobility Horslyx is available in 5kg and 15kg, weatherproof tubs, priced around £11.75 and £22.50 respectively. For further information tel: 01697 332 592 or visit www.horslyx.com

Health Care - Flies - Summer Care - Worming

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 35

Health Care - Mud Fever

Mud Fever Jenny Clements BVSc, MSc, Cert EM (IntMed), MRCVS Dick Vet Practice, Edinburgh Mud fever is a common skin infection of the lower limbs of horses and is principally caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis. It usually occurs in winter in horses that are exposed to muddy or wet conditions, which compromise the integrity of the skin and allow infection to take hold. The same condition can affect the back of the horse, where it is referred to as “rain scald”. Non-pigmented skin is often more severely affected although mud fever can affect horses of all colours. Examination of an affected horse reveals exudation, scabs and matted hair (Figure 1). The condition can be painful with marked reddening of the surrounding skin and swelling of the limb. In severe cases, mud fever can make the horse lame. Mud fever can usually be diagnosed on clinical signs alone. Treatment of the condition involves keeping the horse out of the mud and removal of the exudates and scabs (Figure 2.). This may require clipping of the hair

and soaking the skin in an antibacterial solution (dilute hibiscrub for example), followed by thorough drying. In mild cases, the owner may be able to manage without veterinary intervention. However, this procedure will take some time as you need to gently tease off the scabs, otherwise the skin will bleed. Additionally it may be necessary to have your horse sedated as the condition can be painful. A number of cases will also require topical creams or systemic antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medications to be prescribed by your veterinary surgeon. Bandaging is often detrimental as it can create a moist environment. Prevention is always better than cure. Paddock management by means of paddock rotation or use of electric fencing may prevent horses congregating in the deep mud around gateways. The thick winter coat on the limbs can mask the onset of the condition so regular grooming and palpation of your horse’s legs can detect the formation of scabs. Some horse owners find the use of

barrier creams (emollients) helpful in prevention of mud fever. However, if these are applied onto moist skin, an environment where bacteria thrive can be created. Some owners wash the mud off their horse when they come in at night but again this can moisten the

skin further. Any potential benefits of these protocols need to be considered on a case by case basis. In general, regular grooming and care should detect mud fever and if veterinary advice is sought early, the condition can be readily treated.

Figure 1. Exudation, matting and scabs in a case of mud fever

Figure 2. The scabs have been removed from the horse shown in figure 1

Gard against the Mud NAF’s unique approach to guarding horses and ponies against the ravages of the winter mud encompasses three steps: Attack, Defend, and Protect…. The battle is approached from the inside and out. Attack from the inside by feeding Mud Gard, and defend and protect externally using Teatree Oil Shampoo and Mud Gard Ointment. Attack: Feed Mud Gard. This advanced formula, rich in antioxidants, works from within offering a nutritional approach in helping to address seasonal mud reactions. Key ingredients of this complex formula include MSM and Zinc which are important for skin health and integrity, combined with a natural antioxidant complex – which helps to mop up harmful excess toxins from within the system - these proliferate as a result of the damaging reaction to the bacteria in the mud. Defend: Cleanse with Teatree Oil Shampoo, a mild cleanser which will naturally disinfect the area, without stripping the skin of its natural defences. Sensitive skin becomes more susceptible to bacterial invasion when weakened by exposure to wet mud. Great care must be taken to dry the area thoroughly after use. 36 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

Protect with Mud Gard Ointment. – a rich barrier cream Mud Gard Ointment is designed to be applied to clean dry heels and legs prior to turning your horse or pony out in the mud. It provides a mud and moisture repellent barrier to help protect the skin from the chaffing effects of prolonged exposure to the mud. This unique Ointment contains MSM and Rosemary for their inherent natural benefits to skin integrity and Teatree Oil for it’s natural disinfecting properties. Carefully apply to areas exposed to wet mud, paying particular attention to any sore, broken areas of skin. For more information on NAF’s mud care products please go to your nearest NAF stockist, call the Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373 106 or visit www.naf-uk.com

Tack & Turnout

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 37

Health Care - Mud Fever

Preventing and treating Mud Fever Robinson Animal Healthcare continues to lead the way amongst equine healthcare specialists. A successful manufacturer of a wide range of quality, innovative wound care and first aid products, the company’s wealth of knowledge stems from more than 170 years experience, since the founding company Robinson and Sons first started in 1839. Here they offer readers top tips for preventing and treating mud fever... PREVENTION . Protect the skin – for horses that are prone to mud fever, limit exposure to muddy or wet conditions if possible, if not then use a barrier cream or protective leg wear. . Hygiene – keep legs as clean and dry as possible, a dirty damp coat provides the ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. Horses prone to mud fever may benefit from regular treatments with an anti-bacterial cleansing wash such as Activ Wash. . Washing – continually washing and bathing horses can weaken the skin

structure removing essential oils. This can lead to the skin becoming chapped and sore and irritated by particles of soil, leaving it more susceptible to infection. Avoid excessive bathing during winter; grooming will remove dirt and scurf without stripping the coat of its natural oils. . Nutritional Support – poor diets, especially those lacking in essential vitamins and minerals, can have dire effects on the skin health making horses more susceptible to bacterial invasion. Consult an equine nutritionist if you suspect current dietary intake is not aiding a healthy skin and coat. . Vigilance – check horses daily for signs that mud fever may be imminent. Any trauma to the skin (e.g. a small cut) will provide an easy route for bacteria to enter putting horses at a greater risk. . Clipping and Trimming – Clipping or trimming excessive feathers on the legs may help to prevent a build up of mud around that area. However it is not advisable to clip the legs out completely as there will be no hair to provide protection.

TREATMENT . Identification – a skin condition must be correctly identified in order for treatment to be as effective as possible. If in any doubt as to whether a horse has mud fever or not, or if the condition has appeared for the first time, always seek advice from a veterinary surgeon. . Products - anti-bacterial washes such as Activ Wash can be used to treat existing skin conditions caused by bacteria e.g. mud fever. They will help to remove any encrusted debris and scabs, thus removing any existing bacteria and dirt held in the scabs. This will then allow new clean scabs to form and the healing process to begin. . It is very important that any sponges that are used in the washing process are clean and that the area washed is rinsed well with clean water and then dried thoroughly.

. In more severe cases, particularly where there is inflammation, horses will need to be treated under the direction of a veterinary surgeon. They may recommend initially poulticing with Animalintex to help remove the scabs and may also prescribe a course of antibiotics. For more information on the Robinson Animal Health Care range, which includes a Seasonal Mud Kit containing Activ Wash, Equiwrap and Veterinary Gamgee, please contact them on 01909 735000 or visit www. robinsonhealthcare.com

. Drying - For best results bandage the legs with Gamgee as this will absorb any excess moisture and provide warmth and insulation. . Healing – Once scabs have been

Win the war on Mud Fever with a Seasonal Mud Kit The Seasonal Mud Kit from Robinson Animal Healthcare contains an essential selection of high quality products to help prevent and to treat mud fever. Activ Wash, Veterinary Gamgee and Equiwrap are all hygienically stored in a handy kit bag.

For best results, Veterinary Gamgee should be applied after the area has been washed and dried to absorb any excess moisture and keep legs warm and dry.

Activ Wash is a mild, antibacterial cleanser which gently removes scabs and debris caused by mud fever or rain scald. Available in a 500 ml bottle, it can be easily applied with a damp sponge.

Seasonal Mud Kits from Robinson Animal Healthcare retail at around £22.

A wonderful Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Fungal product to help protect vulnerable areas. Loosens scabs naturally and helps to soothe weakened, pink, scabby areas. Use regularly as a barrier.

www.flyrepel.com

38 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

removed and the causative bacterium eradicated with an anti-bacterial product (this make take several treatments depending on severity) the area must be kept clean and dry so the skin can heal.

Equiwrap self-adhering bandages secures the Gamgee in place and provides extra support. Available in many different colours, this strong elasticated crepe bandage is easy to use and breathable, so will not cause sweating.

For more information contact Robinson Animal Healthcare on 01909 735000 or visit www.robinsonhealthcare.com

Field & Stable

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 39

Health Care - Mud Fever - Worming

How to get rid of mites Of all the parasites that infest horses, mites can be the most difficult to get rid of. Broadly speaking, mites fall into two categories: skin surface mites and burrowing mites. These pests are usually too small to be seen with the naked eye but the host damage and reaction is easily recognised. They cause irritation which usually means that the horses stamp their hind limbs, chew at their fore limbs, rub their legs on each other or on the stable or on fence posts. Badly affected horses frequently have thickened skin and scabs, particularly around the pasterns, and some horses develop bleeding sores and secondary bacterial infection which can cause lameness and swollen legs. However, it’s not only the legs that are affected since other species of mite can cause itchiness and skin lesions on other parts of the body such as the face and neck. Itch or mange mites burrow just beneath the skin making slender winding tunnels up to an inch long. The fluid discharge at the tunnel opening dries to form dry nodules and these mites secrete an extremely irritating toxin that, when combined with the tunnelling, cause extreme host reactions and itching often with the skin scuffing off in the infested area. The female mite dies after laying about 20 eggs in the tunnel and these hatch in 3 to 10 days to become microscopic 6-legged nymphs. These become 8-legged after one moult and in two more moults they reach maturity. The males die after mating and the females begin new tunnels 10 to 30 days after hatching from eggs. Infested animals rub and scratch continuously in areas of the head, back or base of the tail and become inflamed and scurfy with only a scatter

40 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

of hairs remaining. The other type of mite which can cause chorioptic mange are very similar to itch mites except they don’t burrow into the skin. Chorioptic mites live on the skin’s surface where they feed and have a similar life cycle to the itch mite often producing lesions and mange in the areas of the hocks, knees and pasterns. Infested horses are restless and often seen biting or licking the lower legs where severe infestation can cause lameness. There are basically 3 reasons why mites are so difficult to get rid of:The first is that they tend to infest mainly horses that are heavily feathered and are therefore very difficult to get at in the deep hair. The second is that at least one kind of mite burrows beneath the horse’s skin which once again makes them difficult to reach, and the third (probably the most significant reason) is that they have quite a rapid life cycle. This means that even if you can kill the mature mites, within a week or two they’re back again because their eggs (laid under the skin or in the deep hair) hatch out and reinfest the horse. In pioneering a new approach to mite infestation, we have developed a naturally occurring and powerful antifeedant which fundamentally prevents insects from biting. Fine Fettle TM “Fly Gon” combines with the natural oils of a horse’s skin to form a mildly alkaline compound which performs two functions:1. It helps any bites or stings to heal more rapidly, acting in this way as a mild antiseptic and 2. Most importantly, being strongly alkaline, it interferes with the biting mechanism by which the mites cause damage.

The biting mechanism of these parasitic species is essentially an aciddriven reaction, acid being extruded in the biting apparatus of the mite. When this comes into contact with an alkaline, it is neutralised and this function prevents the mite from biting. In the absence of an ability to feed, the parent mites die off and if Fine Fettle TM “Fly Gon” is continuously applied or at least regularly applied over a two week period, this kills off all the new moults which are produced when the eggs hatch out.

this by offering Fine Fettle TM “Fly Gon” with a very handy and powerful pump spray so that by parting the feathering and directing the spray on to the skin, the mites can be got at! However, several applications are necessary in order that the alkaline compound which results from the mixing of the “Fly Gon” with the natural oils in the horse’s skin, be allowed to build up on the skin to the extent where it can inhibit mite feeding and we recommend a daily dose for the first fortnight.

Thus by breaking the cycle of infestation it is now possible to rid a horse of mites and by regular application to keep them free of these parasites.

Getting rid of mites is never easy but Fine Fettle TM “Fly Gon” really works as our many satisfied customers (and their horses) can confirm.

This still leaves the problem of being able to get at the mites in order to dose them and we’ve sought to overcome

For more information Tel: 01600 712496 or www.finefettlefeed.com

Winter Ailments Equimins produce a range of products to help the treatment of mud fever. Here are just three… Mud Block Cream Mud Block Cream contains a bactericide with Aloe Vera, Zinc, Castor Oil and Tea Tree Oil and helps to protect against infection from the bacteria in the mud. Mud Block Cream is designed for application to the lower part of the leg and can be washed off and reapplied each day. It is available in 500g and 1kg tubs and prices start from £7.30. Mud Block Lotion Mud Block Lotion helps to protect against infection from the bacteria in the mud through an easy to apply lotion that is ideal for horses with heavy feathering around the base of the leg.

Mud Block Lotion contains colloidal silver that is held in suspension in this lotion and is very effective at fighting bacterial infection. Mud Block Lotion is available in 500ml bottles which retail at £10.45. Winter Leg Scrub Winter Leg Scrub is a concentrated cleansing antibacterial and anti-fungal leg wash and is ideal for use in the winter months when the skin is exposed to mud. It’s great for washing the horse’s legs at the end of the day when he is brought in from the field, and doesn’t need to be washed off when diluted to the correct quantities. Winter Leg Scrub is available in 500ml and 1 litre quantities. Prices start from £8.65. For more information see www. equimins.com, email sales@equimins. com or call 01548 531770

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 41

Health Care - Mud Fever - Worming

Banish those winter skin problems naturally! Skin problems can strike your horse whatever the season but with winter just around the corner, bringing more damp and wet weather, mud-related issues can be one of the most common problems affecting our horses and ponies. Mud Fever is caused by the bacteria, Dermatophilis Congolensis, which is also found in Rain Scald and can be

easily recognised by the crusty scabs that form in matted areas of hair. The mud provides a home for the bacteria but when horses’ legs are persistantly very damp or wet and/or are damaged by mites, the skin is more susceptible to injury and so even just a small scratch can allow the bacteria to enter the skin and breed there. Of course prevention is always better than a cure, as once established, mud-

related issues can take some time to get rid of, but if your horse is affected, it is important to get the affected area dry and clean and apply preparations to get rid of the bacteria. If possible, try not to clip the hair in the affected areas as Mother Nature put it there as a layer of protection, especially for the heavily feathered – you may need to work harder by retaining them but in the long run it will be better for your horse. Then bathe in a gentle, low lather, hypoallergenic shampoo, preferably one that does not contain any harsh chemicals such as Parabens, Lauryl Sulphate, or even Tea Tree, as these can cause further irritation. This will clean the area gently and will also help to sooth, soften and lift the scabs. NEVER pick off scabs…this will delay healing and leave the skin much more vulnerable to additional attack….we know this when we can’t resist picking off our own scabs…it not only scars more but slows the healing. Make sure you rinse well and dry carefully with a clean towel – never rub the area. A hair drier can even be used on a very low setting to dry the area but use extreme caution using heat and electrical items around animals…remember animal skin is much more sensitive than human skin so heat can cause damage without us realising. However, there are products that now don’t need you to dry the skin at all…so if in doubt, seek these out. Your healing preparation of choice should then be applied and ideally should be antibacterial and antifungal, to kill off the bacteria. Depending on the product, you may be forced to keep the area dry for it to work…which can be challenging in a British winter!. One product that we’ve seen some outstanding results with and which is not fussed if the skin is wet or dry let alone even needing to keep the area that clean after its first application, is Ruggle-it from Ruggles & Stopitall. The oil and shampoo combination are natural and gentle and seem to work with the animal in its natural yet challenging winter environment rather than making high demands such as keeping the skin dry ….the web testimonials are impressive. With careful management and a suitable product plus lots of patience, your horse or pony should soon be back to health. For further information call 01823 259952 or visit www.karenruggles.co.uk

42 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 43

Health Care - Training - Worming

Starting Too Young – It’s The Law Ben Sturgeon, BSc, BVMS, Cert EP, MRCVS Ever argued with your husband, wife, daughter, dog about money, about the universe, about money, electric bills, recycling, anything? Must be an old charter or a law or something. Some would call it the chaos theory; I go for the anti-gaia hypothesis. Gaia is the “controversial” ecological hypothesises which proposes that the biosphere and physical components of the earth are integrated to form a complex interacting system that maintains the climatic and biochemical conditions on Earth in a preferred homeorhesis. You could think of the Earth as one big living organism not unlike any creature where instead of the term homeorhesis (Greek for “similar flow”) we use the physiological term homeostasis (equally Greek for “standing still” or in balance). There is another old charter or law or something which states that “your parents, they politely mess you up” or Gaia may state “Mankind, they mess with the multiple dynamic equilibrium adjustment of the whole cosmos duuude”. Horses, young horses specifically, are a growing living organism which we nurture, encourage and then bugger up. Fact / Law / charter / saying number one – “money makes the world go round”. Whilst yearling sales have been relatively flat historically speaking it is every breeders dream to achieve top price – not unreasonable. To achieve this horses are “pushed” – mainly through diet. High protein and high energy diets are one of the main predisposing factors in Developmental Orthopaedic Disease or more specifically Osteochondral Disease

44 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

(OCD) with the peak age of presentation being as yearlings. It is further not uncommon for these youngsters to have been box rested or have had limited exercise in an attempt to reduce injury – a negative factor in OCD prevention. From the sales these yearlings will invariably enter some form of training. A few lucky ones will be assessed for growth plate closure (an indication of bone maturity), limb conformation, foot balance (both predisposing to athletic injury) and addressed or monitored periodically. For the others the aim is to compete. Fact/law/charter/ saying number two – “haste makes waste” whilst the actual number of horses being removed (or wasted) from training or racing is unknown some studies have shown a 40% reduction over a 2 year period, a huge potential loss and an ethical can of worms. The simple explanation of this is the horses in training are required and trained to get stronger. To achieve this muscle and bone is firstly broken down (by exercise) and then rebuilt larger and hopefully stronger. This is akin to a bodybuilder working out, resting to allow growth and then working out again. The difference in a young horse is growth, in order to grow a horse must also breakdown bone and muscle and tendon to simply mature. The picture then emerges that with growth and exercise weaknesses occur, and weaknesses predispose to injury or worse. To circumvent this problem the horses are supplemented, training regimes modified, and a number of treatments, orthodox and unorthodox used. Law number 3 as made up by Mr B

P R Sturgeon circa 2010 states that “Women, they like a new hat.” Next step for any trainer is the owner wants to see the horse run, jump compete. They pay huge training fees, the sun is out, they’ve got the hamper and the misses has a new frock. “why isn’t my horse running?” Pressure makes us all do odd things, sometimes to no detriment, sometimes hindsight is a wonderful thing when the horse breaks down.

ossification of bones, maximal heart rates, weight changes all should be monitored and either training amended, increased or the horse even withdrawn as necessary. But and it is a big but, there are no guidelines or rules as to what is even normal, so a programme designed or moderated to ameliorate bony injury may in fact predispose to tendon injury or prevent a horse reaching any form of cardiovascular fitness, it is not easy.

So what is the answer – no racing or competing for horses under 2? or 3? or 4 even? In fact the British Equine Veterinary Association even released a statement regarding this very issue stating that “a programme, sensibly designed, will reduce the incidence of orthopaedic injury” and further highlight that “sore shins” seen in two year olds, also occur in four year olds commencing National Hunt training, reflecting skeletal naivety rather than chronological age.” So it is a clearly unreasonable consideration and there is no simple panacea. Each animal must be individually judged for maturity or training suitability backed up by veterinary assessment. Diets should be modified according to owner wishes but acceptance made if either missed sales or lower profit are made.

Perhaps the most important piece of information to add in any training programme no matter what age and goal is variation. Ultimately the majority of the injuries seen are as a result of repetitive strain, in other words exercise that is the same every day. Stress fractures and tendon lesions in racehorses, suspensory desmitis in dressage horses, all are significantly influenced by exercise type. Whilst the horses must train for their planned career adding variations to exercise level, speeds, terrain, disciplines even are all beneficial long term.

Importantly, response to training needs to be more scientific, changes in tendon size and tendon fibre alignment,

So although you may presume these guidelines apply only to Thoroughbreds, problems are equally seen in all types from a child’s pony to huge Warmbloods. Back pain, predisposition to arthritis, tendon failure, can all be avoided or at least their likelihood of occurrence reduced by a little bit of calm planning.

Health Care - Insurance

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 45

Joni Bentley

Correction through motion When Michelangelo was asked how he created his sculpture out of a lump of stone, he said he just chipped away until the beauty within revealed itself.

corrected, but I would have hoped and expected to see more of what is correct rather than what is wrong.”

Before Christian bought her, Annie had very little schooling. Because of this, she never developed a top line to protect her back from the weight of the rider. She’s very twisted and asymmetrical, and as you can see in the photo, her quarters are a long way out behind – notice how the saddle tilts backwards.

And then they could see how chipping away at the problems and dissolving them allows the beautiful, perfect organisation of the body to reveal itself – just like Michelangelo’s sculpture. Feldenkrais and Alexander became experts in biomechanics because they let go of trying to be perfect. This is the opposite of our teaching culture that focuses only on getting it right – and defines “right” according to a one-size-fits-all model of pictureperfect position.

Because she has a very high wither and an undeveloped top line, Annie’s back has a huge dip. This makes the platform the rider is sitting on even more challenging. Attempting to ride her with so-called “perfect position” during this stage of her training would be a lot like trying to have perfect posture on a deck chair at the beach. Not only is it virtually impossible for Christian to sit upright in the technically correct position my email correspondent hoped to see, but when you try to have a “perfect” seat on a foundation like Annie’s, you only put more strain on her back. At this point in her training, a horse like Annie needs the rider to sit lightly and softly so she can stretch her head and neck out of her shoulders, letting the back muscles under the rider’s seat begin to work and strengthen. It’s only as she develops her upper suspension – the top line – that the rider can begin to work in a more advanced outline without damaging the horse. Of course it’s important to have correct

Horses were not designed to be sat on!

46 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

We tend to describe and prescribe positions rather than movement. Positions are easier to talk about and to comprehend — they have shapes, they’re visual, they stay still. The trouble is, they also have nothing to do with life. They’re dead, unyielding, and often cruel. The nature of life is to grow, flow, and change like the seasons or the turn of the tide. Nature is alive and vibrant. Positions are static ideas in our mind that have little to do with reality. If my email correspondent had watched the dismounted work and Christian’s progression through the lesson, she would have noticed the constant change of movement as it flows through his body and improves his posture. Go beyond the mind and listen to the body’s reality To make real, lasting improvements in

our riding posture and the way we apply our aids, we need strategies that will help us reach beyond the mind, into the parts of our being that are actually in control of movement. We need to work with our bodies and our horses’ bodies in the natural ways that Feldenkrais and Alexander discovered. We need to go beyond manipulating our outline to conform with an accepted ideal position, and instead discover the organic flow of good posture.

I received an email last week from someone who had bought my new DVD training program. She wrote, “I haven’t watched all the disks, but have seen enough to know it is not what I expected. The main problem I have is that, for what is supposed to be a course on correct riding position, I was very unhappy to see the position of the man (Christian I think) on the chestnut horse. He was slumped in a very pronounced chair seat, and I don’t feel I can watch this to improve my own riding given his position is so bad. I have no problem with having less than perfect riders on instructional DVDs, and I understand it is helpful to see examples of normal people with riding faults and how they are

riders have unresolved spinal twists and one-sidedness.) Good posture is not a position.

Christian, the rider on the DVD, loves his 17-year-old horse Annie, and came to me because he wanted to keep her sound for hunting.

In creating their revolutionary therapeutic bodywork practices, Feldenkrais and F M Alexander chipped away at discovering what interferes with the sound, natural use of the body. They recognized that trying to be perfect only brings more tension. It was far more fruitful to notice what was actually happening – what they and their patients were doing. Then they could see how everyone has habitual ways of using their bodies that make them one-sided and asymmetrical.

by Joni Bentley

riding posture. And it’s even more important to realize that “correct posture” will vary depending on the situation. Until you understand how your biomechanics interact with and affect your horse’s biomechanics, and vice versa, you’re missing key variables – the biggest pieces of the riding puzzle. (And I’m grateful to my email correspondent for showing me the importance of including an advanced rider in my DVD which I have now done to demonstrate that even advanced

In short, we need strategies that are in an alignment with real bodies, not imagined ones. “I attended your clinic last week in Scotland – and I learned so much about being squint! You may not remember, but I said at one point that when I rode up the centre line in a dressage test I always expected the judges to comment on my terrible squint, uneven legs. I used to push and shove my right leg down causing chronic pain in the

left side of my back. I’ve concentrated on your Bentleysize diagonal stretches every day, combining these with your side bending exercise. Sometimes I even feel my right intercostals popping and crunching. And I did a dressage test on Sunday, and I rode straight up the centre line feeling even, my horse got a much better left bend, and I finished up the centreline at the end feeling straight! Thank you! I will continue to keep up and improve on the work and I hope that I can attend your next Scottish clinic.” Sandra Lamb Traditional suggestions for improving your riding position try to impose a set of man-made rules on your individual, unique body. But when you begin to understand how the body and mind work as a whole, you see that your trainer’s instructions don’t, can’t, and never will penetrate beyond your mind. And the mind isn’t actually in charge. It can enforce temporary changes, but the part of you that’s in charge of your movement isn’t intellectual – in fact, it isn’t even conscious. That’s why it usually feels awkward and uncomfortable when you try to consciously push yourself into a particular position. When you notice and pay attention to dissolving your one-sidedness, you enter into the realm where posture is determined – your natural posture and the natural movement that arises instinctively and intuitively. This is very different from forcing your body into an ideal position. Ultimately, that supposed “ideal” works against rather than with the body. When there’s no regard for the rider’s or horse’s individuality, both the rider’s and the horse’s bodies are stiff and awkward. How, then, can you begin to develop awareness of posture – and let go of enforcing position? Breathe! All riders I’ve come into contact with hold their breath when they ride. We require many kinds of nourishment from the world around us — food, love, shelter, fun, challenge – but breathing is the most urgent of these. We run out of breath before we run out of anything else. So whatever we’re doing must permit breathing at the same time. The way we

Insurance

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 47

Joni Bentley - Horses for Sale - Transport - Insurance breathe must be allowed to be versatile, accommodating itself to our changes of action, posture, and shape. Breathing is also in an odd relationship with our will. Most of our breathing is automatic, yet at the same time, it’s easy to for us to change it just by deciding to — though it quickly and naturally falls back into unconscious control. So noticing your breathing opens a doorway between the conscious and the unconscious. Bones do it better Most exercise suggestions talk about what to do with your muscles. But your bones do it better. Bones hold us up, not muscles. When you walk, you push downward through your legs and into the floor. This force goes through the bone. When the body works well, it’s held effortlessly in balance by your bones. When you’re well balanced, you use almost no muscle. And when you direct your bones clearly, your muscles will

take care of themselves, in the most efficient manner possible.

guided by eyes and ears, motivated by the ideas and emotions of who you are.

Balance: less is more

Balance is a property that pertains to the whole in relation to the centre. Parts don’t balance. Every action you take requires accommodation and participation from all parts of yourself. To take action, each part of you requires support, a connection to your source of power: your centre. You may have an intellectual concept of “the centre,” but to be truly effective you need a clear, intuitive, felt sense of it.

Most of your life is spent upright — sitting, standing, walking, and riding. For all of these, balance is necessary. But balance is a subtle thing to notice because it’s neutral. By working with the body’s energy, making smaller and slower movements, you discover a finer discrimination. Playing with your body in this way brings you into closer relationship with your bones, helping you rely less on tension and force. And from this also comes the real possibility of natural effortlessness, even in the midst of dynamic riding. Moving from the center Every movement is an action of the whole person. You use your hands to hold the reins, but hands are moved by arms, and arms are supported by a torso with the aid of legs and feet,

As you enlarge your attention, you’ll begin to experience the ways that movement flows through the whole of your being, the whole of your self. And then you’ll discover the natural interaction of your body with your horse’s body, moving into alignment with each other – and discovering the difference between the flow of good posture versus the rigidity of “ideal” position.

Joni’s Diary 1st October - Horsemans Evening event Scunthorpe. 2nd October - Training day to be help at Normanby Riding School, Scunthorpe. 9th October - Willow Farm, Faversham, Kent 16th 17th October - 2 day workshop Duchy College, Camborne, Cornwall 23rd October - Cotswold RDA, Prestbury Park Racecourse, Cheltenham 30th October - Writtle College, Chelmsford, Essex 13th 14th November - New barn farm, Ollerton, Cheshire Now, no matter where you live, you have the opportunity to try Schooling naturally for yourself with my new DVD. This is unlike any other home-study program you may have looked at or tried. You get 2 DVDs and 2 CDs packed full of clearlydemonstrated, easy-to-follow exercises for you and your horse. The first DVD shows how you can straighten and re-align yourself. The second DVD illustrates mounted work you’ll use to bring yourself and your horse into alignment together. You can buy the program with a one-on-one consultation with me. Based on a videotape feedback we’ll talk on Skype or by phone. You get a personal assessment of your specific challenges and how to customise the exercises to get the results you want. Total cost £55. You can also buy it without video assessment for £45. It’s up to you how quickly you progress and it works well if you already have a teacher. They will be delighted by your progress!! I will be assessing each rider personally and therefore places will be limited. For more details go to www.jonibentley.co.uk. No internet, phone me for a chat on 07771 811561

Trailer Vision Saves Merlin Below is a letter received by Trailer Vision from a grateful customer.

I just wanted to let you know how glad we are that we purchased a Trailer Vision unit from you. Not only does it relieve the tedium for the passenger on a long journey, but it has definitely prevented serious injuries to one of our youngsters, possibly even worse. We had loaded two of our two year olds (both good travellers) and had only gone half a mile when the trailer started banging and rocking. Without Trailer Vision, we would probably have kept going for a while to see if they settled. Fortunately, we could see on the monitor (Merlin) one of them had caught his head collar on the partition, and in trying to pull free, had jammed the corner of the partition into his gullet and was choking! We were able to cut his head collar and free him. Thanks to Trailer Vision, he has suffered no ill effects; and we have peace of mind when travelling.. Vivienne Prior 48 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

www.trailervision.co.uk

Horseboxes - Transport

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 49

Tack & Turnout

Treeless Saddles - For all seasons and all sizes by Birgit Michaux, MD of Dream Team Products easy if only the coat changed but most of our horses have put on weight over the summer making their saddles a tight fit. We hope that this excess weight will drop off over the winter, so that the saddle fits again. What if that doesn’t happen…will you buy a new saddle or have yours altered?

Birgit with high withered mare

The summer is over and most of our horses are now changing their coats into thicker winter coats. It would be

If your horse loses too much condition over the winter is the saddle still going to fit? A constant worry which you don’t need to have if you change to a treeless saddle. Wouldn’t it be much nicer to

have a saddle that continuously adapts to your horses change in shape? The size of the saddle is not selected by the horses size but by the size of the rider due to it’s flexible nature of a treeless saddle. So, a small rider would buy a small saddle even if a Shire Horse is ridden. A bigger rider would need to ensure that the saddles’ seat is long enough providing enough space. Bigger riders on shorter horses can be a problem, although Italian Freeform has designed a larger seat to fit onto their shorter base saddle models. Given this flexibility most treeless saddles are ideal to be used on multiple horses. All you need to ensure is that each horse has its own treeless saddle pad and girths, unless they are all of the same shape. The team at Dream Team Products is well experienced in advising clients of what saddle and pad combination would be suitable. Having now over 25 different models of Torsion, Freeform, the Dream Saddle

and a new traditional Felt pad for children provides a huge choice for all breeds and disciplines. For more information telephone Dream Team Products on 08450 725 765

The horse with the green saddle is wearing the treeless moulding and the other horse is wearing the pink treed saddle, illutrating the saddle fit in summer and winter.

www.midkinleith.com Wide range of quality tack & clothing at bargain prices Spend over £50 for FREE Delivery

Rugged and ready for winter? New treeless saddle range for Dream Team Products Dream Team Products, the specialists in treeless saddles are now the official UK Importer of Italian made Freeform Saddles. This high quality range of saddles includes new English style models for hacking and dressage. They provide a choice of seat shapes and

sizes to ensure comfort for the rider, even on wider horses. For more information please contact Dream Team Products on 08450 725765 or have a look at our Website on www.dreamteamproducts.com

If you haven’t got around to cleaning your winter rugs and have stashed them away (out of sight/out of mind eh?!) the very stench and state of them when you come to reuse them is the very reason to drag them out now for some TLC before the bad weather sets in! The `Net-Tex Rug Care Collection’ is a range of products created to wash and care for your rugs.

The Net-Tex Rug Proofer helps restore waterproof qualities and gives added protection against oil based stains, grass and stable stains, without compromising the rugs’ breathable properties. Available in 5 or 25 Litres

The Net-Tex Low Foaming Rug Wash contains a higher level of cleaning actives which are tough on mud, grass and poo stains yet has a PH level of 8, which means it is kinder on your horses skin. Contains powerful sanitizing agents which help repel germs, bacteria and fungi and softening agents that help to combat hard water and is detergent free!! Available 5 Litre,

50 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

25 Litre, 200 and 1,000 Litre The Net-Tex Standard Detergent has the same impact on stains but is detergent based.

For more information Tel: 01474 813999 or visit www.net-tex.co.uk

Tack & Turnout

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 51

Classical Riding - Winter Care

Canter transitions Anne Wilson Many people misunderstand the canter pace and misinterpret the problems associated with it. A Three-Time Skipping Motion Most people know that it consists of three hoof beats – outside hind striking off first, then outside fore and inside hind together, followed by the inside foreleg. It is this inside fore which reaches farther forward in front of the horse with each stride and is termed ‘the leading leg’. When cantering on a bend or in an arena, the horse should always lead with the inside fore, therefore striking off with the outside hind. The only exception to this rule would be during counter canter, but because the horse would be flexed to the outside, it can still be said that he is leading with his inside fore (that is the inside of the horse’s bend). It is this three-time beat which makes canter so very different from the other three paces (including gallop). It is in fact a series of skipping type bounds, and has a definite left or right feel to the experienced rider. This is why the quality of the transition into the pace is so important and has a definite influence on the canter itself.

Cantering in an enclosed spa e requires strength and balance First of all, as I have said many times before, cantering under saddle, especially in an enclosed space such as an arena, should not be undertaken until the horse is sufficiently strong and balanced in walk and trot. This applies to young and older horses. To begin canter work too soon is a big mistake. Often the young horse, say four or five years old, will have no trouble cantering under saddle when out hacking, on a straight line, but as soon as he is asked to canter in the arena, things can go awry. This is when it is best to leave canter work alone until later in his training, when he is stronger and better balanced; which he needs to be in order to negotiate the many bends in an arena. It is, of course, a totally different matter for a young horse to canter when at liberty in the field. He may then be able to canter on a circle, but this is without a rider who needs to not only be carried, but balanced over his back. So we must never rush to introduce canter to an unfit or

unbalanced horse of any age. Problems with the canter strike-off Having established that the horse is ready for canter in an arena, it is time for the rider to appraise their position and aids. Many horses rush into canter from a fast trot, because they are too unbalanced to make a good canter strike off from a more sedate trot. The transition may be made from a faster than ideal trot in the very beginning (providing the horse has been suitably prepared as referred to above), but to allow, or even encourage, a horse into canter from a very fast downhill trot, can be detrimental or even dangerous. The Rider’s Position Many horses fail to make the transition because the rider has not placed themselves in the canter position. Because of the one-sided skipping action of the canter, it is imperative that the rider is also in the ‘skipping’ position, as follows:1. Outside leg slightly behind the girth, including the thigh.

2. Inside leg supporting the horse at the ‘on the girth’ position, which is usually very slightly behind where the girth lies. 3. Inside hip forward, outside hip slightly back (together with the outside leg). 4. The upper torso, as usual, should be tall and erect, with expanded chest, shoulders relaxed back and down, with elbows gently at the side. 5. The shoulders should be very slightly turned in the direction of the canter (i.e. on a right canter circle, the rider’s right shoulder should be turned in the direction of the circle). 6. At the moment of strike-off the rider should lighten the seat by growing tall in the upper body, with a feeling of lifting the inside seatbone to encourage the horse’s back and inside hip to lift; being careful not to lean or tip forwards towards the withers. In a right lead canter, say cont. on p.54

Save time and money with Aubiose Times are hard – so it’s good to know that Aubiose can save you both time and money. Aubiose is made from 100% natural high quality Hemp. The climate in France ensures a consistent quality and quantity so you can be assured that the most absorbent bed money can buy will be readily available for you and your horse this winter. The bedding works by soaking up liquids in a small area, at the base of the bed. The capped layer that forms over this saturated material reduces the chance of wet bedding being mixed in with the dry. The top layer of the bed remains warm, soft and dry for the horse. Aubiose is 4 times more absorbent than wood shavings. This means less topping

up, less waste and your muck heap will be smaller. Aubiose is extremely cost effective in both the time it takes to manage the bed and the amount that you use. Furthermore, Aubiose is an annually renewable resource, which can be traced back to the field in which it was grown. It completes is own ‘life cycle loop’ naturally, by breaking down rapidly, without the need for composting agents, to form a valuable compost. As well as being good for the environment Aubiose is low dust and has no nasty smelll, making it better for you and your horse. For more information about Aubiose please call 0800 389 1703 or visit www.aubiose.co.uk

Winter rugging Moorland Rider- Horsewear Wash Bag If you want to wash your horse’s stable rugs, numnahs or exercise sheets but don’t want your machine to become full of horse hair, you need to pay to get it washed don’t you? Not necessarily, thanks to Moorland Rider’s Horsewear Wash Bag. The Horsewear Wash Bag is ideal for most types of horsewear. The bag itself acts as a filtration system which allows the machine to do its work whilst keeping the horse hair inside the bag, ready to be shaken out at the end of the cycle. The bag is fastened with a zip and products can be placed inside, zipped in and loaded into the machine. 52 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

The Horsewear Wash Bag can be used for a whole range of horsewear, from stable rugs to brushing boots, fleeces to vests and everything else in between. It’s available in three different sizes to suit different sizes of drum and prices start from just £8.50. To find your nearest stockist or to learn more about Moorland Rider, see www.moorlandrider.co.uk or call 01782 397796

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 53

Classical Riding - Field & Stable - Winter Care cont. from p.52

on a circle or in an arena, the horse’s inside hip is required to be definitely in advance of his outside hip. Try skipping on foot, with your hands on your hips on a right circle, and you will feel how impossible it is to stay in skipping mode without a very definite advancement of the right hip. With the rider in the position as described above the horse and rider are adhering to the classical principle of ‘hip to hip and shoulder to shoulder’. In other words, if the horse’s hip needs to advance, then so does the rider’s. It is the inability of many riders to keep the inside and outside hip in place in canter which stops many horses from striking off. It is even more common for the horse to break back into trot before the rider requests, because the rider has failed to keep their hips in the skipping, canter position. In fact, with a trained horse, the only aid needed to request a downward transition from canter, is that of returning the outside leg to the on the girth position, thus returning the outside hip nearer to that

of the inside one. Many riders, when requesting the canter strike off from trot, find it extremely difficult to keep the canter position of hips and legs. This is because of the diagonal two-time beat of the trot. Therefore, many horses (sometimes quite inexperienced ones) find it easier to make a correct canter strike off from walk. It is because the rider finds it easier to keep their position requesting the canter, from walk rather than trot. So if you are having difficulty with the strike off, just try it from walk; being prepared to accept two or three trot strides before the canter. Rein Contact at the Strike-off As the horse begins to lift the forehand into the canter it is important that he should not be hampered by too strong a hold on his mouth. This can easily happen subconsciously by a slightly nervous rider. On the other hand it is equally important that the reins should not be ‘given away’ at this important moment. If the horse is inexperienced he needs to feel the support of the

This is a very pleasing shot of horse and rider in canter, just about to leave the track. The rider’s position is good, looking where she is about to go, and the horse looks happy, balanced and round. (Abbie Nelson with Dino: photo by Lesley Skipper, Black Tent Equestrian and Animal Photography - www.black-tent.co.uk)

rider’s hands, which will not only give him confidence, but help to stop him from ‘running on’ in a downhill position, putting too much weight onto the forehand.

The importance of transitions in and out of canter. It is the transitions in and out of canter which improve the pace; far more so than staying in canter for any length of time. cont. on p.56

Excel Turnout 170 Zip Neck from Caldene The Excel turnout 170 zip neck rug from Caldene is perfect for the Autumn months. Waterproof and breathable, this turnout rug will keep your horses dry and snug as Autumn pulls in. This quality rug is made with 1680 denier super strong Nylon outer material and has a zip-neck design supplied with integral neck-cover. With 170g thermal insulating filling. Easy to fit, the lightweight turnout rug features a one-click fastening, tail flap, surcingle patches and removable leg straps for a secure fit.

54 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

Available in Navy, Anthracite and Brick, in sizes 5’6 to 7’3. For further information please contact Caldene on 01274 711101 or visit www.caldene.co.uk

Field & Stable - Winter Care

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 55

Classical Riding - Field & Stable - Training cont. from p.54

Many riders complain of the quality of their horse’s canter. In their attempt to improve it, they are actually making it worse by continuing to canter round and round, with the horse going faster and faster in an attempt to retain his balance; whilst more and more weight is falling onto the forehand. What would really help is to calm everything down, returning to walk; perhaps practice a little trot work. When both horse and rider are in a calm frame of mind, a canter strike-off can then be requested. If the horse begins to rush, he should be brought back to trot, or preferably walk, and the request made again, calmly and decisively as described above. When a successful canter depart has been made, then no more than six or seven strides should be ridden, before requesting a downward transition to trot.

In the downward transition the rider should sit in a similar manner to the strike-off. It is extremely important that the rider does not collapse at the waist, nor tip forward. He should sit very tall with advanced hips and tummy. The outside leg is returned to the on the girth position and the horse brought back to trot with a gentle closing of the fingers on the reins. Once back in trot, the rider should resume a gentle rising trot before requesting a transition back to walk. The horse should then be praised and given a short break on a free rein. If this is practiced only once during the early schooling sessions, without rushing or hassling the horse, the quality of both upward and downward transitions will improve (providing the rider’s position and aids are correct). This in turn will improve the quality of the canter itself, which will become

much rounder, more balanced and more comfortable to sit.

you to that stage, rather than continual canter practice.

Over time, the number of canter strides can be decreased, before a downward transition is requested. When the horse becomes more advanced the transitions may be requested more often – but don’t get carried away and over-do it. Always try to end on a good note, before the horse tires of the exercise.

It is important not to over-practice these transitions, as they are strenuous, especially in the early stages of training. Moderation and patience in all things should be every rider/trainer’s motto.

Also as the horse’s canter transitions improve, his ability to continue the canter in a balanced frame will increase; so eventually you will be able to canter all around the school without any rushing or falling onto the forehand – but it will be the transitions that get

Anne can be contacted on 01234 772401 www.classicalridingannewilson.com

Riding revelations Many people think of classical riding as ‘elitist’, ‘posh’ or much too difficult or advanced for them. Anne Wilson’s book shows that none of these ideas is true, and that classical riding, in a practical sense, is nothing more or less than correct riding. Riding Revelations provides a very basic, clear, concise guide for any rider to understand the first principles of classical riding. It offers a simple step by step way of riding and training which can be understood by the novice rider on the threshold of their riding career. Complex subjects are broken down into easily-digested bite size pieces, while numerous sub headings make it easier for the reader to find the answers to so many things that can confuse and mystify. Riding Revelations will benefit riders of all ages, levels of experience and abilities. It offers the thinking rider a true ‘riding revelation’. You can order Riding Revelations from Black Tent Publications (www.blacktent.co.uk/revelations.aspx) at £22.99 plus p.&p.

56 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

Anne Wilson, Classical Trainer, Author and co-publisher of quarterly equestrian magazine ‘Tracking-up’ – see advert – see also her book ‘Riding Revelations’ for more in-depth advice on aids etc. – www.black-tent.co.uk

Field & Stable

Win a one-to-one lessson with an “All Star” equestrian Martin Collins Equine Surfaces, in conjunction with Addington Manor Equestrian Centre, is offering every ticket holder for the All Star Equine Forum, on October 24th, the chance to win one of our fantastic ‘money-can’t-buy’ prizes, including a one-to-one lesson with Ben Maher, Mark Phillips or Emile Faurie. As a ticket holder for this unique event, you could also win one of our other exciting prizes, such as a tour of the Animal Health Trust, or a horse/rider gait/video analysis and consultation, as the stub from every ticket presented on arrival at the Forum will be entered into the prize draw which will take place during the day. The full list of prizes will be on display at Addington Manor throughout the Forum. The forum commences at 10 a.m. Tickets cost £10 plus 75p P&P, available from www.mceltd.com/ arenas or by phoning 01488 71100. Terms & conditions: 1. Entry to the prize draw is by attendance at the event only: no postal entries will be accepted. 2.Attendees have the right not to be

entered in to the draw, in which case they should notify staff at the point of entry. 3. All prizes must be taken as offered, at a date/time agreed by the guest rider/presenter but no later than 23rd October 2011. 4. Once the prizes are accepted, Martin Collins Equine Surfaces (MCES) /Addington Manor EC (AMEC), shall have no further liability to the winners. Furthermore, MCES/ AMEC cannot accept any responsibility for damage, loss or injury suffered by any prize-winner as a result of entering the draw or accepting any prize. 4. WINNERS OF LESSONS/ CONSULTATIONS MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN HORSE. 5. Transportation and all costs associated with travelling to the prize lessons/consultations/visits will be the responsibility of the winner. 6. There can be no alternative awards, cash or otherwise. 7. All prize details are correct at the time of going to press, and while all efforts are made to be correct, MCES/ AMEC reserve the right to alter prizes offered by guest riders/presenters. 8. Winners will be required to co-operate with publicity opportunities arising as a result of winning said prizes. 9. Entry implies acceptance of these rules.

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 57

Field & Stable

Save Time • Save Effort • Save Money Equimat - the original interlocking Stable Mat used and recommended by Tim Stockdale

“Worth Every Penny”

www.theblackmat.co.uk

The Black Mat Warm, Comfortable, Easy-clean, Budget Priced Stable Matting www.equimat.co.uk

For your nearest stockist: t: 01536 513456 e: sales@davieskett.co.uk

“I wished I had Equimat in my life sooner” I have always wanted stable matting but never seemed to get round to it. When the summer comes mucking out everyday seems like such a distant memory, but before you know it winter has arrived again and the chance is missed to clear out the stable to lay matting down. This year however, has been far from the stable free summer I was hoping for. My 16hh cob developed laminitis and had to be stable bound for up to 6 weeks. This was my opportunity to try stable matting and the best product I could have hoped for was Equimat. The matting arrived promptly, it was with me within 3 days, and was placed right outside my stable door. I was concerned that it was going to be a task to lay down and put together but I was completely wrong, it was

so easy that my 10 year old son read the instructions and understood how to lay it, and hey presto I had the most perfectly laid stable matting for my horse! It was light and easy to manoeuvre and slotted perfectly into my 12 x 12 stable. It is easy to muck out and maintain tidiness. The muck just sweeps right off the top. I can see that my horse enjoys the comfortable soft floor, which his sore feet are on all day, it really has made a difference. The time and money I have saved on shavings is amazing, I just wished I had Equimat in my life sooner, I recommend it to everyone! For further information on Equimat visit www.equimat.co.uk or telephone 01536 513456 for further information.

Belvoir Bed is well equipped this season! Not only does Belvoir Bed start at the exceptionally low price of just £4.90 per bale, but the traditional bedding company have secured sufficient supplies of raw material to ensure new and existing customers can keep stocked up over the coming season. The cost effective, easy-to-muck-out chopped straw bedding is already used in professional yards across the country, including Sharon Hunt’s stables and both Rebecca and Gareth Hughes’ set-ups, and thanks to the team at Belvoir Bed, customers needn’t worry about supplies this season. Said to ‘speed up mucking out, reduce muck heap size and ultimately save valuable time,’ Belvoir Bed contains an exclusive natural formulation to provide bedding that is not only ultra absorbent but packed full of health benefits as well. The principal ingredient in Belvoir Bed, other than chopped wheat and rape straw, is Lemongrass which is a non toxic and non irritant plant that gives off a pleasant, subtle, lemon smell without the potency of citronella. In addition, Lemongrass 58 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

has powerful anti-fungal properties to help reduce moulds and spores and antiseptic benefits to help protect against contagious diseases and viruses. Belvoir Bed is quick and easy to muck out and is only available to buy direct. Prices start at £4.90 per bale. For more information tel: 01772 877 897 or visit: www.belvoirbed.co.uk

Competition - Field & Stable - Transport

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 59

News – Tack & Turnout

The Blue Cross provides bright future for three neglected ponies Three pitifully neglected ponies, taken in by The Blue Cross equine centre in Rolleston twenty-three-months ago, have been rehabilitated by the charity and successfully transformed into beautiful riding ponies. All three ponies have now settled into loving homes but were re-united once again at the centre’s open day this summer. Bertie, Boris and Benji were admitted to the Rolleston centre having been found in Derbyshire by the RSPCA together with three other ponies in a terrible state of neglect. They were suffering from severe malnutrition and were infected with lice and worms. Some had been confined to a stable with little or no bedding and stood in a thick layer of faeces that was so high it caused them to bang their heads on the beams above. The ponies all had overgrown hooves and no access to adequate food or water. One of them was in such a poor state that it collapsed and died shortly after being found; another had to be euthanased to prevent further suffering, and one was rehomed directly by the RSPCA and is now being ridden. The owner was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering. She received a 12 month community order and has been disqualified from keeping large animals for life. Becky Smith, deputy centre manager at The Blue Cross in Rolleston said: “It was hearbreaking to see the awful neglect that these ponies had suffered. It’s hard to imagine how anyone could allow them to reach such a poor state. We are so glad to have been able to take them in and give them a second chance in life.” Bertie, Boris and Benji, who are all chestnut and look remarkably similar, were very nervous on arrival but with intensive handling, they soon gained confidence and quickly put on weight and condition. Despite looking so alike the ponies are all very different in character and have progressed at different rates under their individually tailored rehabilitation programmes.

60 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

Boris, aged nine, took to his training very well and was rehomed last summer as a riding pony to the Scott family in Shropshire. His tenyear-old rider Georgina is having a wonderful time with him. She has regular lessons to keep them both on track, has started some jumping and has even been to some shows. Pony Club activities and hopefully some exciting Polo Crosse are next in the pipeline. Bertie, aged six, was rehomed last November as a first pony for seven-year-old Mollie Weir-Smith in Warwickshire. Mollie’s mother Sarah Weir-Smith reports: “Bertie is fantastic – his placid nature makes him an ideal first pony for Mollie. He has settled well, is great to handle and gets along brilliantly with Mollie. She is having regular lessons with him and doing plenty of hacking and we hope they will be able to join the Pony Club later this year.” Eight-year old Benji, who is 12.1hh, needed a little longer with his training. He became nine-year old Mya Hamilton Petijean’s first pony in March 2010. Mya, who lives in Staffordshire, explains: “I visited Benji every week for six weeks to make sure we were right for each other. When he finally arrived at my grandparents’ farm where we keep him it was a dream come true. We are progressing really well with our lessons and have even started doing some ground pole work and small jumps. Next year I hope to enter some competitions. Giving Benji a home has made me so happy.” The Blue Cross does not receive any government funding so it relies on fundraising and public donations to continue its vital work. The Blue Cross equine centre at Rolleston holds regular open days, fun days, competitions and pony care days. For further information call 0845 260 5505, email rolleston@bluecross.org.uk or visit www.bluecross.org.uk/events. Or you can drop into the centre on Dovecliffe Road. Please check the website for opening hours - www.bluecross.org.uk

Tack & Turnout

Gotta love vacuum grooming The Backpack Groom/n/vac launched with an eye-catching stand in the World of the Horse Burghley Horse Trials. The stand attracted lots of visitors keen to learn about vacuum grooming and to view the demo video. Many remembered vacuum groomers from years ago. For others, the whole concept was totally new. In fact, vacuum grooming

is common throughout the States and continental Europe. Worn on the back like a rucksack, the Backpack Groom/n/vac is a great way to vacuum groom. Most horses take to it easily but it comes with a 3 week trial. For a chance to win one, visit www.backpackgroomer.co.uk

The Gaiter for Horses and Ponies This quality product made in Britain has to be seen and touched to be appreciated. It originated to keep horses legs dry and clean whilst ensuring comfort on long rides. With waxed surfaces – it is a dual purpose product that once used, you will wonder how you lived without it Golly Galoshes are - fully zipped with a fleece lappel, hook and loop and an additional 2” reflective strip for added safety on the roads and trails. They are available in black, yellow, orange, and fluorescent pink. All certified reflective.

rural Scotland. I am in an area of low flying jets and helicopters and I can be seen for up to 2 miles. After I go out for a long hack through forestry trials, when I take the Gaiters off I am left with clean, dry boots and bandages and a happy safe and comfortable horse – which is absolutely paramount to any responsible owner. To find out more about Gaitors Tel: 01465 861274

In addition these gaiters have been helpful for horses with leg injuries and there is a need to keep everything clean and dry.

The Gaiters are fully reflective, made with certified materials and to BE SEEN and STAY CLEAN. The creator of Golly Galloshes gaiters Jean Hammond said “My horses do not go out without their gaiters and I live in

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 61

Tack & Turnout – What’s On

Bitting Q & A from Horse Bit Hire Help! My horse is currently in a plastic Happy Mouth type bit but has recently started chewing it. He chewed one so badly that it became sharp - I replaced it with a new one but have this morning discovered that he has started chewing this one too - his teeth have recently been checked by the dentist and everything is fine. I do not know what to use next as I cannot afford to keep replacing his bits all the time Some horses are happy in plastic throughout their career and like everything, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. However, once a horse has started to chew, you tend to find that they carry on doing so therefore the only real option is to move them out of a plastic bit. When moving from plastic after the circumstances described above, mouthpiece material is an important factor to consider. Here are a few examples of alternative mouthpiece materials. Neue Schule Salox Gold is a warmer, sweeter metal which heats up almost instantly when placed in the mouth and stays at blood temperature whilst in use. This encourages the horse to relax and aids acceptance. It also has a sweet taste and encourages salivation. The horse is then able to focus on what the rider is saying through the rein rather than simply what is in the mouth.

Sweet Iron is also good for encouraging acceptance and gives off a sweet taste. It does oxidise when in use which gives a rust like appearance - this is perfectly normal and acceptable to the horse, some owners just don’t like the look of it!

What’s On Central

Regulars Tues Eve, S/J Knebworth SJ, Manor Field, Park Lane. 2nd Saturday of each month Antrobus RC Open Dressage, Yew Tree Farm, Nr Northwich. Tel: 01606 891033. Every Day Dean Valley Farm Ride, Dean Valley Farm, Cheshire. Tel: 0161 4391945. Every Saturday, Heavy Horse Club, Milton Keynes Museum, 07889 339551

North

Stainless Steel is a very common metal for bits. It is what has been used traditionally and although some horses do go well in it, we find that the bulk of them prefer something tasty which encourages salivation and acceptance. The next factor to consider after mouthpiece material, is the mouthpiece design and this varies based on mouth conformation, what the horse is currently in and how he goes in it, and what type and level of work the partnership are doing. For further information and advice for you and your horse, please contact Gail on the Horse Bit Hire Advice Line 07789 587 302

REGULARS Every Weds Evening, S/J Horses and Ponies, Barton EC, Preston. Tel: 01995 640033. Every Weds Dressage Unaff Rossendale & Hyndburn EC, Accrington. Tel: 01706 213635. Every Thursday Senior BSJA, Hollingworth Leisure Park, Milnrow, Tel: 01706 644484 Every Friday SJ Unaff Rossendale & Hyndburn EC, Accrington. Tel: 01706 213635. Every Friday Evening SJ Unaff Indoor, Mill Lane Stables, Selby. Tel: 01757 702940. Every 3rd Sunday in March - Sept, Rossendale Valley RC Show, Rawtenstall, Lancs. Tel: 07976 056677. Every Month Dressage Camp, Mill Lane Stables, Selby. Tel: 01757 702940. Every Day Dean Valley Farm Ride, Dean Valley Farm, Cheshire. Tel: 0161 4391945. Every 2nd Monday, Virtual RC meets in Chester.

Regulars Monday evening class, Contessa EC. Tel: 01920 821792. Tuesday Evening Advanced Dressage class, Contessa EC. Tel: 01920 821792 Tuesday 12-8pm, Clear Round SJ, Hoplands EC. Tel: 01794 388838 Wednesday Evening Novice Dressage class, Contessa EC. Tel: 01920 821792 Winchester RC, weekly dressage and S/J Clinics for all abilities on Tuesday eve & Thursday mornings, Woodhams Farm Equestrian, Kings Worthy. Thursday Evening Jumping class, Contessa EC. Tel: 01920 821792 Friday Evening Kids Club, Contessa EC. Tel: 01920 821792 Saturday - Heavy Horse Club, Milton Keynes Museum, Tel: 07889 339551 SJ Clear Round 10am-2pm, West Wilts EC, Trowbridge. Tel: 01225 783220 Wylye Valley PC Evening Rally 6pm, West Wilts EC, Trowbridge. Tel: 01225 783220

South West

Regulars Monday – Dressage Clinic with Julia Buckle, Shannonleigh Stables. Every Monday - Bournemouth Horse Ball Club Training, Stocks Farm EC. Tel: 01202 57028 Every 2nd Wed, Dressage, St Leonards EC. Tel: 01566 775543. Wednesday - Jumping (Lwr/Higher), Badgworth Arena, Nr Axbridge, Tel: 01934 732543 Wednesday – S/J Clinic with Sarah Scott, Shannonleigh Stables.

Gain horsepower with Monty Roberts! Monty Roberts author of the world best selling autobiography, ‘The Man Who Listens to Horses’, recently appeared with Martin Clunes on his top rated documentary ‘Horsepower’. Martin’s love of horses, and particularly his own horse Chester, was very evident during the programme and he was visibly moved when Monty talked him through how to communicate with Chester in the horse’s own language through the process Monty calls ‘Join Up’. It has often been a source of humour that the British expect any foreigner to understand them if they just speak at the subject slowly or loudly enough. Of course this is no more the case with horses than it is with Hungarians and the more we can do to learn their language the less frustration for both of us.

62 - Equi-Ads - October 2010

South Central

In his forthcoming demonstrations Monty will attempt to give his audience as many ideas as possible on how to create win win situations with their horses and the Intelligent Horsemanship office which runs his UK tours is currently looking for owners and horses who might like help through one of these demonstrations. There is no cost to the owner and if you know of a horse and owner who could be helped do get in touch through www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk or ring 01488 71300

What’s On

Win tickets to Your Horse Live 2010 This month we have teamed up with Your Horse Live to offer one lucky winner a pair of tickets to this year’s event. Held on November 13 and 14 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, the event promises to be a great two days.

Whether it is a new English leather bridle you are after or fancy treating yourself to a finest quality handmade necklace, Your Horse Live is definitely the place to be.

13-14 November 2010 • Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire

Your Horse Live is an equestrian extravaganza not to be missed.

With leading riders from a wide range of disciplines offering advice and problem solving techniques throughout the demonstrations, don’t miss out on this fun filled and educational event. Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks are highly regarded across the world for their teaching and training skills and this year’s Your Horse Live will provide a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the training methods and beliefs of this hard working pair – who are also known for their great sense of humour and fun. The shopping is second to none, with a vast array of stands for all your horse’s and your needs.

Book your tickets in advance and save 20%.

Horse & Pony Cremation Genuine Individual Cremation. Leyland & Cheshire Pet Crematorium. Tel: 01772 622466

Horse Transport South East Chiltern and Thames Horse Transport

Maria & Michael Eilberg

Geoff Luckett

Karen Dixon

Richard Maxwell

Rockin’ Horse

Advance bookings hotline closes on Wednesday 10th November 2010 at midday. To book your tickets in advance and save money visit www.yourhorselive. co.uk or call 0844 581 0770 and quote YHL-TSM . For bookings of 10 or more, call 0800 358 0058, quote TSMGRP and save a further 10%.

Directory Crematorium

Lucinda & Clayton Fredericks

www.cthorsetransport. co.uk South Central Hoofmove Horse Transport Theault horsebox 2x17.2hh. Very low ramp. Fully insured. Defra approved. Established 2001. Monty Roberts schooled driver. 24/7. www.hoofmove.co.uk enquiries@hoofmove. co.uk 0845 0620088 or 07958 701651

All inclusive ticket price! All under one roof! Saddlery South East Andrew Reilly Saddlers Spoods Farm, Tinkers Lane, Hadlow Down, East Sussex TN22 4ET. Tel: 01825 830484.

Worming

• Celebrity and expert demonstrations • Extensive shopping • Rare Breeds Village • Live Arena entertainment • Your Horse Village • Questions and Answers Live

Book in advance & save 20%

Call 0844 581 0770 www.yourhorselive.co.uk quote YHL-EQ

East Defra Approved. Fully Licenced. Fully Insured. London Immission Zone Compliant. Fitted with CCTV Monitors for horses safety. 24hr Emergency Call Out. For more information please call 07711 1700 01 or email: donna@cthorsetransport. co.uk.

Property Abroad Brittany & Normandy Cardyke Overseas Properties Properties suitable for horses at a fraction of UK prices. Tel: 01775 630 008

Regular worm egg counts can save money! 6-8 weekly spring through autumn £5 each. Church Farm FEC churchfarmfec@hotmail. co.uk or 01728685638

All bookings are subject to a £1 transaction fee. Terms and conditions apply. See website for full details

October 2010 - Equi-Ads - 63

Insert Category What’s On

East

Regulars Monday Evening Class, Contessa RC, Colliers End, Tel: 01920 821792 Tuesday Evening Dressage Class, Contessa RC, Colliers End, Tel: 01920 821792 Thursday – Contessa Club Night, Contessa RC, Colliers End, Tel: 01920 821792 Friday – Kids Club 5.30pm, Young Riders Club 6pm, Contessa RC, Colliers End, Tel: 01920 821792 Saturday / Sunday – Kids Club, Contessa RC, Colliers End, Tel: 01920 821792

South East

Regulars Tuesday to Thursday, Vicki Thompson Dressage Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield, Tel: 01293 822414 2nd Tuesdays + Last Saturdays Clear Round SJ, Ingleden Park EC, Tenterden, Tel: 01580 765160 Wednesday, Clear Round SJ, Blue Barn EC, Tel: 01233 622933. Thursday evening SJ Unaff, Duckhurst Farm. Tel: 01580 891057. Thursday evening, Sam Ray SJ Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield, Tel: 07787 575475 Every 2nd Thursday (starting 19th July), Beginners S/J Evenings, Newthorpe EC, Newthorpe. Tel: 07917 303000. Tues-Sun, Group&Private lessons for adults&children, Badshot Lea EC, Kiln Cottage. Tel: 01252 312 838. Fri 1st Oct Aff Dressage, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 07943 391224 -3rd Endurance GB, Red Dragon Festival of Endurance Ride, Powys Tel: 01398 332089 L. McAlpine Intuitive Riding Demo, Fellbridge SG, Tel: 01342 825453 Sat 2nd Oct Unaff SJ, Barraclough Show, Tel: 07980 758817 Lucinda McAlpine Intuitive Riding, Fellbridge SG, Tel: 01342 825453 Fiona Foy Dressage Clinic, Teffont Magna, Tel: 01373 832088 Colette’s Dressage, Willow Farm, Faversham Tel: 07949 096086 Great Chart Showing Show, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933

64 - Equi-Ads - June 2010

Sun 3rd Oct Fun Jumping Show, Hillside Farm Coolham Tel: 01403 740041 Hunter Trials, Castle Farm, Wickwar Tel: 01454 299866 Unaff Dressage, Barraclough Show, Tel: 07980 758817 Vicky Thomson Dressage Clinic, OEC Lingfield Tel: 07774 211640 Endurance GB, Marriott’s Way Ride Norwich Tel: 01362 696998 Hunter Trials, Eland Lodge, Ashbourne Tel: 01283 575856 Eventers Challenge, Sevenoaks RC Kent Tel: 01732 461462 Colette’s Outdoor Show, Barville Farm, Nr Dover Tel: 07949 096086 Hunter Trials, Ingleden Park EC Tenterden Tel: 01580 764450 Unaff Dressage, Yorkshire RC, Tel: 07715 115164 Unaff SJ Black Horse, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Mon 4th Oct Jump Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 01342 837581 Tues 5th Oct Wed 6th Oct Vicky Thomson Dressage Clinic, OEC Lingfield Tel: 07774 211640 Clear Round Jumping 5pm, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Thur 7th Oct Flatwork Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 01342 837581 SJ Course to Hire, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Fri 8th Oct Fiona Foy Dressage Clinic, Ipley Manor, Marchwood, Tel: 01373 832088 Unaff Dressage, Ingleden Park EC Tenterden Tel: 01580 764450 BHS Grampian AGM Talk, Cabin EC Aberdeen Sat 9th Oct Unaff Dressage, Eland Lodge, Ashbourne Tel: 01283 575856 Dressage Series, Honnington RC, Tel:01892 681229 S&E BHS Kent Therapy Day, Cobbes Meadow Tel: 01227 830191 Unaff / Aff Dressage, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 07943 391224 Endurance GB, Carsington Water Ride, Hopton Tel: 01335 330208 Sun 10th Oct British Dressage, Eland Lodge, Ashbourne Tel: 01283 575856 Dressage & SJ, Bookham RC, Leatherhead Tel: 01344 420028 Unaff Trailblazer, Ingleden Park EC Tenterden Tel: 01580 764450 Vicky Thomson Dressage Clinic, OEC Lingfield Tel: 07774 211640 Endurance GB, Devils Dyke Ride, Pyecombe Tel: 01273 844202 Mon 11th Oct Evening Dressage, Hall Place EC, Reading Tel: 0118 9426938 Jump Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 01342 837581

Tues 12th Oct Fiona Foy Dressage Clinic, Wokingham EC, Tel: 01373 832088 Wed 13th Oct Vicky Thomson Dressage Clinic, OEC Lingfield Tel: 07774 211640 Clear Round Jumping 5pm, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Thur 14th Oct Flatwork Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 01342 837581 SJ Course to Hire, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Fri 15th Oct Aff Dressage, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 07943 391224 Sat 16th Oct -17th Endurance GB, Royalties Ride, Carrington Tel: 01205 480160 Endurance GB, North Norfolk Ride Hunstanton Tel: 01328 700650 Unaff Dressage, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Sun 17th Oct HP TREC, Hall Place EC, Reading Tel: 0118 9426938 Bigger Fun Jumping Show, Hillside Farm, Coolham Tel: 01403 740041 P(UK), Ingleden Park EC Tenterden Tel: 01580 764450 Vicky Thomson Dressage Clinic, OEC Lingfield Tel: 07774 211640 Mon 18th Oct Jump Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 01342 837581 Tues 19th Oct Wed 20th Oct Vicky Thomson Dressage Clinic, OEC Lingfield Tel: 07774 211640 Clear Round Jumping 5pm, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Thur 21st Oct Aff Dressage, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 07943 391224 Flatwork Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 01342 837581 SJ Course to Hire, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Fri 22nd Oct Unaff Dressage, Ingleden Park EC Tenterden Tel: 01580 764450 -23rd BHS Grampian Erik McKechnie Dressage Clinic, Aberdeen Sat 23rd Oct Colette’s Team SJ, Blue Barn Tel: 07949 096086 Sun 24th Oct Hunter Trials, Bath RC, Bushey Norwood Tel: 07092 012784 Unaff Dressage Championship, Ingleden Park EC Tenterden Tel: 01580 764450 Vicky Thomson Dressage Clinic, OEC Lingfield Tel: 07774 211640 Mon 25th Oct SJ, Hall Place EC, Reading Tel: 0118 9426938 Fiona Foy Dressage Clinic,

Wokingham EC, Tel: 01373 832088 Jump Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 01342 837581 Unaff Dressage, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Tues 26th Oct Wed 27th Oct Vicky Thomson Dressage Clinic, OEC Lingfield Tel: 07774 211640 Clear Round Jumping 5pm, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Thur 28th Oct Flatwork Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 01342 837581 SJ Course to Hire, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Fri 29th Oct Autumn Novice Show, Hall Place EC, Reading Tel: 0118 9426938 Fiona Foy Dressage Clinic, Ipley Manor. Tel: 01373832088 Aff Dressage, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 07943 391224 Sat 30th Oct Natural Horsemanship Clinic, East Chiltington Tel: 01342 825453 Unaff SJ, Barraclough Show, Tel: 07980 758817 Fiona Foy Dressage Clinic, Teffont Magna, Tel: 01373 832088 Sun 31st Oct Hunter Trials, Castle Farm, Wickwar Tel: 01454 299866 Unaff Dressage, Barraclough Show, Tel: 07980 758817 Open SJ, Honnington RC, Tel:01892 681229 Vicky Thomson Dressage Clinic, OEC Lingfield Tel: 07774 211640 Unaff Dressage, Yorkshire RC, Tel: 07715 115164 Mon 1st Nov Jump Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 01342 837581 Wed 3rd Nov Vicky Thomson Dressage Clinic, OEC Lingfield Tel: 07774 211640 Clear Round Jumping 5pm, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Thur 4th Nov Flatwork Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 01342 837581 SJ Course to Hire, Blue Barn EC, Tel : 01233 622933 Fri 5th Nov Aff Dressage, Oldencraig EC, Lingfield Tel: 07943 391224 Sat 6th Nov Unaff Dressage, Eland Lodge, Ashbourne Tel: 01283 575856 Colette’s Dressage, Willow Farm, Faversham Tel: 07949 096086 Sun 7th Nov British Dressage, Eland Lodge, Ashbourne Tel: 01283 575856 Vicky Thomson Dressage Clinic, OEC Lingfield Tel: 07774 211640