Horse Scene Magazine by Horse Scene

FR E

June 2013

Your free NATIONAL magazine

Taking part in your 1st 3 day event Everything you need to know

Legal advice I think my vet has been negligent what can I do?

Quarter style Achieving the perfect quarter marks

e h t g n i p Jum nce e f e c i t c pra re classes a IN

IN • W •W IN

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worth prizes u of p fo grabs! r IN

IN • W •W IN

Walk this way Master your medium, working, collected and free rein walk

WIN IN • •W

£4,000

Over

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IN • WI N • W

any where m st won or lo

Inside this issue... Contact Horse Scene Post: The Old Tannery, 224 Spen Lane, Gomersal, West Yorkshire BD19 4PJ Telephone: 01274 878755 Editor: Pascale Armitage pascale@horsescenemagazine.co.uk Advertising: Caroline Ludkin caroline@horsescenemagazine.co.uk Subscriptions & Back Issues T: 01274 878734 E: subscribe@horsescenemagazine.co.uk Contributing writers Zoe Davies Dr. Hans Delaunois-Vanderperren Cathy Burrell Laura Sanders Joanna Baxter Warren Lamperd DWF Equine Published By Horse Scene Magazine is published by MCL Publishing. All contents are copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, stored or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Whilst every eﬀort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted however caused. Contributed material does not necessarily reﬂect the opinion of the publishers. The Editorial policy and general layout of this publication are at the discretion of the publisher. No responsibility can be accepted for articles, photographs or illustrations whilst in transmission with the publishers.

Horse talk news, gossip and updates

Legal scene I think my vet has been negligent – what can I do?

Feeding the horse with gastric ulcers what you need to know

Letter Scene your views & experiences in the equine world

Taking part in your ﬁrst 3 day event all you need to know!

Joint solutions supplements to protect, alleviate pain and maintain joints

Jumping the practice fence where many classes are won or lost!

WIN your chance to win a Tottie outﬁt for you & your horse

New on the scene new products to the equine market

Quarter style achieve the perfect quarter marks

Token frenzy collect your 3rd token

Walk this way master your medium, working, collected and free rein walk

Which arena surface? Pro’s and con’s for common surfaces

Tack talk a closer look at the dressage saddle

Vet on the scene look out for grass sickness

WIN lots of giveaways up for grabs!

Hats on your guide to discipline speciﬁc riding hats

WIN a tub of MaxaFlex

On trial read our product testing reviews

Tackroom break relax with our puzzles

Horsetalk

Enter the Eventing video competition to win £1000 worth of photographic gear

New research shows equine lameness can be measured For many years, opinions on the value of flexion tests in assessing equine lameness have been divided but now new research looks set to turn what has always been regarded as a subjective process into a wholly objective one. The comprehensive study, recently published in Equine Veterinary Journal’s (EVJ) in partnership with the American Association of Equine Practitioners, has shown that a wireless, inertial sensor-based system can effectively measure the horse’s response to a flexion test. Flexion tests are used routinely in horses with subtle or imperceptible lameness, to exacerbate the problem and make it apparent to the observer. The test involves applying a short period of pressure to the joints of the limb before re-examination, and evaluating any change in gait. However, flexion tests rely on the ability of the observer to identify and interpret changes in the horse’s gait and in that respect these tests are subjective and not necessarily consistent between observers. The research study was conducted by orthopaedic surgeons based at the University of Glasgow's School of Veterinary Medicine1. A total of 17 healthy adult horses, all in work, were fitted with sensors before being trotted in a straight line. The sensors measured vertical pelvic movement asymmetry for both right and left hind limb strides and the average difference in maximum and minimum pelvic height between right and left hind limb strides. A hind limb was randomly selected for 60 seconds of proximal flexion, after which the horse was trotted for a minimum of 10 strides. Response to the flexion was blindly assessed as negative or positive by an experienced observer. John Marshall, lecturer in equine surgery at the University of Glasgow, who led the study, concluded: “A positive response to flexion resulted in significant changes to objective measurements of pelvic symmetry, supporting the use of inertial sensor systems to objectively assess response to flexion tests.” Professor Jim Moore, North American Editor of the EVJ, continued: “The introduction of an objective approach to documenting lameness examination will not only help vets and trainers to investigate equine lameness more accurately. It will also serve as an unbiased method of communicating lameness examination findings among vets, trainers, farriers and other professionals.” The next phase of research will be to establish cut-off values for objective assessment of other equine lameness diagnostic procedures, such as nerve blocks.

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Eventing groupies, get your cameras out. A video competition is under way with £1000 worth of photographic gear to be won. The object of the competition is for fans of the sport to capture the spirit of Eventing, be it with cross-country action, behind the scenes footage, or savouring the elegance of the dressage phase. It is the second year the competition has been oﬀered by British Eventing, and this year the contest is in association with Horsehub, which is providing the prizes. Rising British star Laura Collett is new to the panel of judges this year, joining former Badminton winner and HorseHub representative Paul Tapner and BE’s Chief Executive and International Course Designer, Mike Etherington-Smith plus Liam Killen from the ESMAs and the Equestrian Creative Network. Entries close on September 16th 2013. Full competition details can be found on www.britisheventing.com/eventingcinema

Protect yourself and th e horses you love for just 15p per day World Horse Welfare’s new improved membership scheme offers horse and rider a competitively priced ins urance deal for just 15p per day, this one price covers all hor ses owned. It is highly likely that you will need to file a claim at some point during your lifetime, but do you have the right ins urance for you, your family and you r horse? World Horse We lfare wants to help you and you r horse so that if the une xpected should happen, you’re not left to face hefty payme nts that you simply cannot afford - and so offers insurance that covers all members of the family. Of course, you wil l gain the peace of mind that you 're helping to improve the welfare of neglected horses at the same time. To ensure tha t you are prepared with an insura nce that you can truly rely on, there are three types of memb ership: Champion, ‘Cham pionPlus’ and Junior ChampionPl us. To enquire about the types of membership available visi t www.worldhorsewelfare.o rg/member The benefits are just so exciting: • Public Liability Insura nce for up to £10million * for any horse you own or look afte r and ride, regardless of his/her age. • Personal Accident Ins urance for up to £15,00 0*. • Discounts from the aw ard winning South Essex Insurance Brokers in respect of Ho rseboxes and Horse Tra iler policies. • FREE expert equestrian advice and helpline whene ver you need it. • A personalised welco me pack with lapel bad ge and car stickers. • World Horse Welfare colour newsletters packed with interesting equine article s three times a year, so you can keep up to date with wh at we are doing to help the neglected horses of the world. • Fantastic behind the scenes Members’ days at one of our four Rescue and Rehom ing Centres.

It’s time to stamp out the myths on laminitis According to Redwings Horse Sanctuary, around 90% of laminitis cases are actually caused by one of two underlying conditions; and now the Sanctuary has produced a new set of laminitis leaflets to try and bust the myths surrounding this often-misunderstood and painful disease. Research has shown that over 90% of cases of laminitis are actually caused by an already-present condition; either Equine Cushing’s Disease or Equine Metabolic Syndrome. Spring grass is simply one trigger for laminitis in horses that already have one of these conditions. While Equine Cushing’s Disease is sadly neither preventable nor curable, affected horses can be carefully managed to prevent episodes of laminitis. However good weight management can help to prevent Equine Metabolic Syndrome as it is directly linked with obesity. Redwings Vet Roxane Kirton says, “The pain of laminitis has been likened to ripping off your toenail. It must always be treated as an emergency, and any episodes that are not treated properly can lead to permanent changes in the hoof. Laminitis itself is shrouded in myths and confusion. ‘Walk it off’; ‘Feel for a pulse’; ‘Are the feet hot?’; ‘It only affects small fat native ponies’; ‘Just a few days in a stable will fix it’. It’s time to bust the myths. None of these things are foolproof ways of detecting the disease and in fact some of these ‘treatments’ could actually cause more damage to your horse’s feet in the long term. Research is ongoing but recent research suggests most cases of laminitis are a sign of either Equine Cushing’s Disease or Equine Metabolic Syndrome. We have produced a set of free leaflets to help horse owners understand these two conditions, as well as what to do if laminitis strikes and how to spot its oftensubtle symptoms. Contact us for your free copy of the set today.” Order your free copy of the laminitis pack at welfare@redwings.co.uk

Chat WE ASKED What are you r views on twitch

ing? A twitch is a good thing. Use d properly it releases endorphins which calm the horse without the need for sedatives. It is not for distraction, although people often thin k that's what it's about. The uneducated will always tell you it's "cruel" because they don't underst and how it works. It doesn't hurt and it isn't cru el. Caroline Bermingham

A touchy subject for some! I agree to a certain extent for things such as inje ctions etc; however this is still inflicting a small amount of pain to the horse so it shouldn't be don e for long periods of time. Heather Brannan No excuse for twitching – ever! I don't think purposely inflicting pain on a horse is ever excusable. Personally I am very scared of needles and if every time I needed an injection the doctor brought in another person to ‘make’ me keep still, and yet another person to pinch and twist either my upper lip or my ear the n I am pretty sure I wouldn't go back to that doc tor! I have the freedom to be able to do that - horses don't. I prefer to work with my hor ses to overcome their fears gradually in their tim e, so that they trust me enough when I tell them tha t the vet is a nice person and whatever he doe s to them, they will be safe. How can anyone thin k that twitching a horse is acceptable? Philippa Ellis If used correctly I think a twit ch is a great tool to use in stressful or awkwar d situations. I would rather twitch my horse and get the job done as quickly and easily as possibl e, than cause stress and potential injury to me or my equine friend. Leah Grange Time and a place for a nec k and a nose but never an ear! Hanna Clifford

New online championship for dressage riders ‘British Dressage’ has teamed up with online dressage provider ‘Dressage Anywhere’ to create a new championship — without riders having to leave their own yard. Qualiﬁcation for the BD Online Associate Championships will run along the Dressage Anywhere format, where riders ﬁlm their tests at home, which are then marked externally by BD judges. Monthly qualifying classes run until the end of August, from introductory to elementary level. Riders must produce two scores of at least 62% in two classes of the same level to qualify. All riders must be BD associate members (paid members are not eligible) and registered with Dressage Anywhere, both of which are free. BD chief executive Amanda Bond said: “This is a great opportunity and growing in popularity who wouldn’t want to be judged by some of the top names in the comfort of your own arena. We’d love to see as many of you as possible taking part from all over the world.”

Twitching is a short cut. Cor rect handling and preparation should take pre cedence over this form of control. Try TTouch or gra dual desensitization over time instead and do you r horse a favour. Louise Arlt I'd sooner twitch than bea t a horse into submission, or prolong its distress. In my opinion, horses don’t seem to mind very much if it’s done properly. Barbara Cook To a certain extent I agree with twitching the nose if it means that something can be done safely and calmly rather than the hor se being stressed and possibly causing injury to its self or others. Twitching is a good idea in my opinion as long as it is done carefully and cor rectly. Emily Dalton

legalscene

Our expert

Equine Professional Negligence

DWF is a leading national law firm, with an equine team is committed to providing commercial, proactive and practical advice on all types of equestrian law, including equestrian property transactions, sale Whether you own, loan or wish to buy or sell a horse, it is inevitable that you will and purchase disputes, health and safety require the services of a vet at some point. As professionals, vets are trusted by regulatory issues, tenancies, personal their clients to give correct advice and treatment. Unfortunately, this does not injury, professional negligence, equestrian always happen and horse lovers can suffer as a result of a vet’s negligence. contracts, employment law advice, business, family and matrimonial. DWF Vets, like doctors, are classed as It is important to is the appointed solicitor to The Pony professionals and therefore owe emphasise that the Club and can be contacted on 0845 a duty of care to their clients vet is not expected to 4042523 or visit www.dwf.co.uk and patients. When providing perform what is referred for more information. their services, vets are to as “best practice”, just required to exercise to undertake a reasonable reasonable skill and care. approach. However, a vet may fail to perform its duties in a In considering whether a vet has breached his number of ways, or her duty of care, the Court will take a number of factors such as failing to into account, for example: diagnose or providing a The vet’s level of expertise i.e. if the vet holds himself out misdiagnosis, as being a specialist in a particular area of practice. In this failing to case, the vet must comply with the standard of care of a administer proper reasonably competent specialist vet. treatment, failing to keep up to date with the latest The standards of the profession at the time of the alleged techniques or negligence. performing a poor prepurchase examination. Whether there is more than one accepted approach to a particular area of veterinary practice. If you find a vet has failed to perform its Taking Action duties and you or your In addressing these factors, it is important to acquire a written horse has suffered as a opinion from an independent vet on whether the vet in result, you may have a question acted below a reasonable standard of care and professional negligence claim whether a reasonable body of similar veterinary professionals against them. You may have a claim against your vet where: would have arrived at the same conclusion.

“I think my vet has been negligent – what can I do?”

The vet owes you a duty of care not to cause the type of harm suﬀered; The duty of care has been breached; and The breach has caused harm. This criterion is twofold as you must prove that (1) but for the vet’s negligence, you would not have suﬀered loss; and (2) your loss or damage was reasonably foreseeable. A vet can be negligent even if they are not directly administering treatment to your horse. Vets who have merely observed treatment administered to a horse by another vet have been held to be negligent as in the circumstances they had a duty to observe the treatment administered and intervene if the proposed or actual treatment was inappropriate, but failed to do so. Duty of Care A vet is expected to exercise a reasonable degree of skill and care in his or her practice and owes such duty to all clients, patients and sometimes third parties. A vet will breach this duty of care if he or she fails to maintain the standard expected of a reasonably competent vet.

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If the expert vet concludes that the vet in question acted below a reasonable standard of care and the body of veterinary professionals would not have arrived at the same conclusion, then you may have reasonable prospects of successfully pursuing the vet through his professional indemnity insurers. As well as being negligent, your vet’s actions may be classed as serious professional misconduct. This may result in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) becoming involved. Vets and veterinary nurses who practise in the UK are registered with the RCVS, which regulates the standards of the veterinary profession and investigates all complaints made against such individuals. The RCVS has the power to strike an individual oﬀ the appropriate register or suspend an individual from practising.

Other Professions Although this article mainly focuses on veterinary negligence, the same principles apply to any equine professional that you may encounter, for example, farriers, trainers, livery yards and even riding instructors. If you suspect that your vet or other equine professional has been negligent, it is recommended that you contact a solicitor immediately to discuss your options.

Our expert

Feeding to prevent

Zoe Davies Msc.,R.Nutr.

A qualified and highly experienced Equine Nutritionist, Zoe is one of only a handful of Registered Equine Nutritionists in the UK today. Zoe is able to offer independent advice across the full range of feeds and feed supplements available commercially. She has over 25 years of experience in equine nutrition and offers advice to feed companies, supplement Gastric Ulcers are extremely common in performance horses, manufacturers and their customers, particularly those in training. Ulcers at the very least may result she also undertakes veterinary referrals and diet and forage in many lost days working and competing and at worst may result analysis.

Gastric Ulcers

in death. Gastric ulcers or to give the technical name “Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome” (EGUS) are a serious health problem in both adult horses and foals. Research suggests as many as 90% of horses in training may have gastric lesions at any one time. EGUS is caused by over production of acid in the stomach or general changes to the natural protective lining of the stomach. Reduced production of saliva from less chewing which naturally buﬀers the stomach acid may also play a part. It is caused by prolonged periods without feed, reduced forage rations, high cereal based concentrate rations and stress. Due to the high incidence rate of EGUS, a system of numerical classiﬁcation from Grade 0 - Grade 3 has been applied according to age, management, medical symptoms and site of the primary lesion or ulcer. Ulceration may be so severe as to cause perforation, resulting in release of stomach contents into the abdomen usually causing peritonitis and possible death of the horse.

The stomach of the horse is relatively small and is designed in such a way as to allow small quantities of forage type material to pass through little and often. This suits the natural, tricklefeeding pattern of horses and naturally the stomach of the horse is rarely empty of ﬁbrous type material. Interestingly, the grazing horse does not completely ﬁll the stomach either. Food trickles in and out. Some fermentation also takes place in the stomach unlike humans. The main problem area seems to be the glandular mucosa in the upper part of the stomach known as the cardiac region. Both large amounts of cereal based feeds and periods of fasting result in elevated levels of acid. Horses eating forage based diets chew far more and produce greater amounts of saliva. This saliva helps to naturally

buffer or neutralize the acid in the stomach. Chaffs are already short in length and require less chewing than long stem fibre, resulting in less saliva buffering stomach acid. Long fibre is therefore really important encouraging horses to chew particularly those that are stabled and unable to graze for 16 hours per day. Cereal feeds including some cool mixes, may also increase production of the hormone gastrin, which stimulates the release of gastric acid further. Some medications such as NSAID’s (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which include phenylbutazone and flunixine meglumine, may if given in excess, cause EGUS.

Symptoms of EGUS

ort and ld to great discomf ch may result in mi ma horses sto Of e n. th eo in rg id su ac ry by the veterina lining caused by y ch op sc ma do sto en e ns th es sig to uir ky oped. Colic The damage diagnosis req ulcers when endosc rformance. Deﬁnite ic pe str ed ga uc ve red ha nt to ue conseq were found al signs, the majority showing some clinic rk are signiﬁcant. wo ing low fol ain meal or following a high gr

ADULT HORSES

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Intermittent nursing

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Intermittent colic

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e Pot belly appearanc

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Lying on back

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Diarrhoea

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Excess salivation

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Teeth grinding

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feed failure to ﬁnish grain

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Reduced appetite,

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Weight loss

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ance Decreased perform

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n Lethargy, depressio ent colic symptoms Low grade, but frequ

Treatment of EGUS Treatment involves a range of approaches including drug therapy and management changes. It is well known that horses at pasture, in general do not suffer from ulcers. Ulcers mostly heal when horses are turned out to pasture, although this is neither possible nor ideal in many instances for competition horses. However for horses with recurrent problems this is one of the long term options. Drug treatments are aimed at one of the following: • Reducing acid secretion e.g. Gastrogard (omeprazole paste) and Zantac (ranitidine) • Coating the ulcer • Supplementing endogenous prostaglandins Treatments can be expensive, particularly if used for longterm treatment. The presence of a high fibre food in the stomach may help to neutralise stomach acid. High fibre foods will also encourage chewing and the production of increased amounts of acid buffering saliva. Feeding very acidic haylage may also be contraindicated to horses with EGUS. Researchers in Tennessee have shown that alfalfa may actually have a more protective effect than other forages because of its high protein and calcium content that have good buffering properties. Feeding a bowl of alfalfa prior to exercise may be helpful as this will help to reduce the splashing effect of acid on an empty stomach. There are numerous supplements for the nutritional management of EGUS, but these are not treatments and many have little efficacy. Ask your supplier for evidence of research concerning efficacy of the product before using. Supplements containing ingredients such as dried apple pectin pulp and lecithin, both compounds that are thought to help prevent EGUS, may be helpful. However, those that contain sodium and/or calcium bicarbonate, may cause a problem for drug compliance. Trials with a new equine supplement undertaken by vets and ADAS used 60 racehorses with EGUS Grade 2 minimum which were scoped before and after the trial. The supplement contains a completely natural product, namely Phymatolithon calcareum. The results were very promising indeed. Phymatolithon has a unique honeycomb structure which gives an enormous surface area for absorption of acid and a long lasting buffering action. The horses on the trial that were fed this supplement all improved. For more details check my website www.horsefeeding.info

To summari se, horses should not be allowed to go for longer than 4 hours wit h out any foo trickling thro d ugh their d ig e stive system Horse owne s. rs therefore should not stabled hors leave es with insu fficient fora Use of top ge overnigh quality long t. fibre forage quality dige , high in stible fibre and alfalfa beneficial. T may be he use of h ig h st arch feeds some cool including mixes shou ld be avoid allowing ho e d . F inally rses’ as mu ch time at p possible is a st ure as to be recom mended, pa rticularly fo horses with r recurrent p roblems.

LetterSscene tar WIN... a pair of

Ariat Olympia Full Seat Breeches

the rubbish

Wednesday the The winner of the star letter will 29th 0f May 2013 was like any other day at Popla win these fantastic breeches, r Farm, nr Maids tone, Kent. Sa m wa s using the last lig featuring four-way stretch ht of the day, to exercise her youn schoeller fabric for maximum g horse, Woody, when a distressed neigh comfort and mobility, stretch bour approached her about a dying horse. Sam Clarino full seat, front zip and being a real horse lover quickly jumped unique hand pocket design with in to action to try and save the poor creature. Th piping effect. Ariat’s patented V3 e quiet country ro ad to nowhere must ha system in the waist and CFS (Calf ve seemed ideal for a little fly Fit System) ensure these breeches tipping, but am ongst the waste and debris a youn not only perform in the saddle but bad way. Whe g colt was in a ve n checked by th ry e vet he confirm look great too. Available in white, from severe infec ed he was sufferin tio n, cu ts, g br uising, liver dam beige, navy, black or truffle in was starved – jus age and of course t skin and bone! he sizes 22-36. He was also show murmur which m ing signs of a he ea nt th at th art e www.ariat-europe.com RS PC A we in helping the litt re completely disinterested le Chap, as it may be that he would and therefore ha never be ridden rd to re-home. Sa m and her mother convinced that no Sue were totally matter what, the lad deserved at life. Being a dete least a chance of rmined characte r, Sam convinced the first nights ve the RSPCA to pa ts bill and then Sa y m and her Mum horse, calling him took on the youn Poppet, because g he is one. Sam pu her Facebook pa t Poppet on to ge which then ch anged everythin post really took g. Her Facebook off and by the ne xt morning, frien alike had pledged ds and strangers money to pay fo r vet bills. People yard bringing ru also arrived at th gs, food and offer e ed their time to Sam and Sue ca help out, so now n offer this little colt a real future be. He is not out , whatever that m of the woods ye ight t, it might be that too much and it the liver damage may be that steps is wi ll need to be taken suffering. Whate ver happens, he to end his is now in a loving will be cared for home, where he and loved. Sent In by Suki St okes who has do nated her prize to Sam

I am writing to warn other readers of a mistake I made recently at a show and that there are more important things to take to a show than show shine, plaiting bands, hoof oil etc. I was recently attending my 1st show of the season, and like most I was busy getting everything ready to take. I made myself a check list, but the one thing I missed off was the first aid kit! My lorry was full of spare breeches, bottles of show shine and tons of grooming equipment, but I was silly enough to miss the most important thing off and unfortunately for me I needed it at my first show! My horse suffered quite a nasty cut and I did not have anything to treat it with - I felt terrible as it was my responsibility to be prepared. Fortunately a friend came to my aid and helped me out, she had all the correct first aid equipment in her lorry. I have learnt a valuable lesson and I now have an up to date first aid kit in my lorry that will be kept there for future shows. I do have one on the yard, but I never thought to take it with me - I was that busy making sure I had everything else that I overlooked the most important thing! Sally Carter

One big happy family I had always ridden as a small child and teenager, but I gave up when my boyfriend did not really show any interest. I started to spend all my time with him and I eventually loaned my lovely young cob Max out for the foreseeable future. I married and had two children who quickly showed a huge interest in horses, so imagine my surprise when the lady I loaned the horse to ten years ago called to know if I would take him back as she was moving abroad with work. I jumped at the chance of taking him back and the children absolutely adore him. I feel I have a new lease of life again and realised that my interest is still very much alive. My children are now learning to ride on Max and I get to ride him too. We also have a dog and my husband comes along for long walks with us - I feel like we are one big happy family now. Clare Slinger

Write to: Letter Scene, Horse Scene Magazine, The Old Tannery, 224 Spen Lane, Gomersal, Cleckheaton BD19 4PJ or email: letters@horsescenemagazine.co.uk

ugh the water splashing thro k' ric at 'P e rs My ho Graham Sent in by Liv

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letter

Our expert

Take part in your ﬁrst

Joanna Bax ter is Head of the Equi Departmen ne t at Craven College. Joanna hers elf came up through the Pony Club, and has co mpeted nationally as a Junior an d Senior in many discip lines, includ ing British Dressage, B ritish Show Jumping, British Even ting, and Sh owing. She has her BSc (Hons) in Eq uine Scienc and BHSII, e BHS SM.

3 day event

This month’s article aims to help you with taking part in your first event. Before the event you must ensure your horse is prepared in relation to fitness and obedience, this is to ensure they have completed their necessary fast work, schooling at home and practise events, obviously qualifications will play a part in the run up to competing at a three day event.

Preparation There are many factors to consider when preparing a horse for a three day event whether it be your first British Eventing 100 three day class or a CCI star event, the same principles will apply: Tack Horses tend to change shape when they get fitter, so always keep a good eye on the tack to ensure it is still fitting in the run up to the event, this has particular importance for the saddle. Shoes The last thing you want is loose shoes or sore feet in the run up to the event, so ideally have your horse shod about ten days beforehand to allow for any

12 HorseScene

issues and ensure stud holes are put in where required. Travelling Remember horses like routine, so don’t have a mad dash in the run up to the event by going cross country schooling or to lessons which involve transporting everywhere. Give the horse some down time in the stable or ﬁeld; obviously some journeys are necessary, but just try to plan ahead. Feeding Horses get more picky the ﬁtter they get, so smaller feeds may be necessary to ensure the nutrient demands are met, but in smaller qualities. Try to stick to feed times of

the other horses on the yard as this will encourage the horse to eat. Remember the rules of feeding in relation to work before and after feeding and try to leave a space of four hours between feeding. Water Some horses are reluctant to drink away from home, so bear this is mind when packing as you may need to take a water container from home, or something to taint the water with such as lemon/garlic/mint - obviously ensure the additive is competition legal and the horse has been used to the tainted taste at home in the run up to the event.

Groundwork

Dressage Phase Within the dressage phase judges want to see the horse and rider in harmony, with smooth transitions, straight lines, rounded turns and circles, and variation within pace when required. As with any dressage competition your test will need to be performed on the relevant sized arena, so ensure you practise within the size. Have a run through your test beforehand and ensure you can remember it, as you can’t have a reader on the day. In relation to the rules whilst spurs are permitted, the use of the whip isn’t within the actual test and the horse cannot wear boots in the test, so you may need an assistant on the day to gather all your things. Another point is that many event dressage tests run on grass, so it is good idea to practise on grass or attend a dressage competition on grass beforehand to check out whether studs are needed or how the horse is when asked for harmony out in the open. Also three day event horses are generally much ﬁtter, so a longer warm up may be required particularly as you are away from home to get your horse listening and harmony. Usually three day events have more spectators hence noise, so this also needs taking into consideration.

Cross Country Phase In addition to the cross country seen at one day events there can be the added excitement of steeplechase and roads and tracks within a three day. Not many events still have a steeplechase phase, which was commonly seen the longer format approach to eventing, so this is an area which competitors and horses find difficult due to the un-familiarity of the phase. Steeplechases do have their advantages as they promote forwardness, athleticism and fitness within the horse and an event that does have this element is the British Eventing 100 three day event. The horse is expected to gallop at 550 metres per minute for up to 3 minutes in-between two roads and track sections, before a ten minute halt, after which the horse is expected to gallop around up to 30 cross country fences. The steeplechase in this competition involves four to six jumps with a height of up to 1.10m brush. So, with that in mind preparation for this phase is important. Activities such as point to point are a good idea or even getting some advice from a point-to-point jockey. Obviously the fitness element of the horse is essential and that the horse has jumped brush fences, so these activities will need to be incorporated into the fitness plan and training to ensure the horse’s stamina can cope and they are confident over brush fences.

Show Jumping Phase Before the event show jumping will need practising at the relevant height so both horse and rider are conﬁdent, at home work with grids can be done to help the horse remain supple and athletic. Grids are also good exercises to undertake when away at the event to get your horse listening in the run up to the show jumping phase for example on the day of the trot up or possibly after the dressage phase. Remember that show jumping is the last section in the three day event, so your horse may be more tired and stiﬀ than at a one day event and the crowd may also impact on the horse’s performance.

So, with all your ground work done at home, it is time to consider your ﬁrst event. I would choose one that is relatively near to home so the travel will not stress you or the horse too much; obviously this is not always possible due the limited

frequency of the events. You will know in advance the programme of the event; a few days before the times will be posted which allows you to plan your set oﬀ and arrival time. Always allow a plenty of time to get organised and work in.

HorseScene 13

Be organised The main tip for your ﬁrst event is to be organised and have everything you need. The equipment list below should help you remember what equipment you will need to take. It is also very important to check your equipment beforehand to make sure it is safe and up to standard. As well as being organised you also need to be prepared; know your test

and course plans, and don’t be afraid to have your test to hand to read over before going in. When walking the course taking a video, photos or taking notes is a great idea to help you remember where to ride more positively or obtain more balance. Also, don’t forget your organised friend to help or just calm the nerves!

Horse

Rider

General

Bridle (s)

Hat (up to standard, tagged)

Water container and bucket

Saddle(s)

Stock tie/pin

Sponges and bucket

Girth (s)

Shirt

Feed and bucket

Irons and Leathers (plus spare leathers)

Breeches/jodphurs

Hay/haylage and net

Breast plate/Martingale

Boots

Skip and tools

Numnah (s)

Spurs

Food and drink

Boots

Whip

Map book/sat nav/directions

Studs and stud tap

XC Colours

Rule book

Head collar and lead rope

Jacket

Wet weather gear/sun cream

Grooming Kit

Body protector/Air Jacket

Money

Cooler rug

Medical card and arm band

Note pad and pen

Travelling equipment

Stop watch (if needed)

Mobile phone & charger

Night rugs if staying away

Spare clothes and boots

Plaiting kit

First aid kit

Vaccination certiﬁcate Passport First aid kit The main diﬀerence with preparing for a three day event is that you will probably be away from home, so ensure your horse is happy to stay away and take more haylage/hay, feed and rugs. You will also need to take equipment such as sleeping and cooking equipment, food, drinks and extra clothes.

At the event Ensure you try to consider the horse’s routine as much as possible, so for example if the horse is turned out try to ensure that they get hand walked. When you arrive at the competition you will visit the secretary’s tent to get the paperwork sorted such as passport check, box parking, stabling and collecting numbers etc. This ﬁrstly allows yourself to get accustomed to surroundings and get your horse settled in. Also located at the secretary’s tent or oﬃce are the trot up places, working in arena’s, exercise area’s and course plans, so you can assess your show jumping and cross country routes. This allows you to plan when you want to walk the routes; as always I would advise to fully walk both routes so you can plan your actual route when riding and to check the distances between related fences. Obviously the cross country course will take a while to walk around, so you can take a bicycle

14 HorseScene

When walking the course plan your route and check the ground conditions or quad to go around on. I personally prefer to walk so I can actually plan the route of my riding and I can also see what the ground conditions are like. If possible, it is good idea to walk the cross country course at the time of day you are going to be riding around, for example the day before at the similar time to get an understanding of the light on the fences and any shadows that may be cast. Remember, on the cross country there may be various options at a fence, so plan the route you and your horse will prefer, but account for the time taken to do the longer routes to ensure you meet the time allocated. As with one day events, when walking the cross country there may be many sizes of fences or routes to allow for the diﬀerent

classes, so ensure you know which route you are following; these will be displayed on the course plan at the secretary’s tent.

To a s lo sum m a r is pr ng as yo ise, e ﬁtne pared in ur horse ss an r d ob elation t you are f ed ie nce a o ully p orga nd r n e ise pa shou ld go d, your ﬁ red and rst e sm oo make ven th stres it more e ly which t s fre njoy w ill e ab hors for you a le and e–e nd y n good joy and our luck !

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Looking after your horses joints is important, so investing in a good joint supplement will optimise function and mobility in your performance horse or help your elderly/arthritic horse stay more comfortable. Here are some supplements on the market that can help protect, alleviate and maintain joints.

scle Nettex Joint & Mu Maintenance Formulated to protect joints and muscles before damage occurs, or d to assist in joint an ce an en int muscle ma in older equines. It ine contains Glucosam w ne ild bu lp HCL to he in oit dr on ch e, lag carti d amino isolates an ules lec mo le ab bio-avail od blo e th o int sorption to allow higher ab o performance, it als ize tim op To m. strea ors to lat mu sti d ergisers an includes muscle en and y cit sti ela le sc ain mu support and maint e toxins oxidants to remov tian d an y ilit xib ﬂe to rse ho e th s . This allow from the muscles d helps an ise erc ex er aft ly recover more quick It can be related problems. to prevent muscled an es ag all of ponies fed to horses and disciplines.

tion visit For more informa .com ine qu www.nettexe

Mobility Horslyx This nutrient rich lick contains optimum levels of Glucosamine HCl, 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, it’s weatherproof, contains no colours or preservatives and 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.

For more information visit www.horslyx.com

16 HorseScene

Vetroflex Clinically proven to improve joint function and joint mobility, Vetroflex contains the optimum ratio of specially optimised collagen peptides and amino acids needed to protect, strengthen and rejuvenate healthy cartilage in the joints. Ideal for horses of all ages, breeds and of varying workloads, it offers ingredients to help prevent future mobility issues as well as help ease the discomfort in horses already suffering from joint conditions. Vetroflex provides natural, side-effect-free maintenance of healthy joints and long-lasting protection from destruction related to physical activity and old age. It contains no banned substances and is gentle on the stomach.

For more information visit www.animalife.co.uk

Premier Flex Plus A next generation joint supplement with a formulation that is unsurpassed on the market today. This fantastic, high spec formulation contains high levels of Glucosamine HCL, Chondroitin Sulphate, MSM, Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and Omega 3. Many products do not include Chondroitin or HA because of the cost of these ingredients (or if they do they are present in tiny quantities), but Premier Flex HA includes high levels of both. Premier Flex HA is now the joint supplement of choice for many horse owners in the UK and across Europe, so make the switch to this high-spec joint supplement that gets results!

For more information visit www.equineanswers.co.uk

MoveTec 2-KE Scientifically researched and analysed, this easy to use and good value supplement is designed to help maintain healthy joints and muscles, and is ideal for those horses which are athletic and/or elderly and suffering from arthritis. The blended formulation contains curcumin and resveratrol shown to possess antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-catabolic properties to help address lameness and the clinical signs of arthritis while improving joint health. Trailed on equines with arthritis and swollen/painful joints and remarkable results were seen in 4–6 weeks of use.

For more information visit www.battles.co.uk

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e c n e f e c i t c a r p

t! s o l r o n o w e r a s e s s a cl y n a m e Our expert r e wh Warren Lamperd is Aussie through-and-through, but has been in UK for about ﬁfteen years – arriving as a rider for World and Olympic champion, Sir Mark Todd. Warren has competed in high level dressage, show jumping and eventing on a worldwide scale including Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia, jumping at the Australian Showjumping Championships and various World Cup Shows. He also competed at the Australian Dressage Championships, winning his classes. Warren runs White Hart Stables along with his wife, together combining almost forty years coaching experience. Visit www.warrenlamperd.com for information on clinics and coaching.

In order to get the most out of the warm up area there are a couple of questions you should ask yourself before you start - what has my horse been doing and what am I warming up for? The warm up primarily is exactly what it says - you need to warm up the horses’ body. In order for the horse to perform in the arena it has to increase the circulation of blood and increase the respiration rate to provide more oxygen to the muscles and vital organs. You are warming up the muscles that the horse is going to need to jump, turn and work at a higher pace.

What am I warming up for?

You also need to remember yourself in this process. You need to get your body functioning and your ‘eye in’ before you go into the arena. If you don’t you are risking injury and poor performance yourself.

Let’s get warm...

What has your horse been doing? This is a very important question. If you are at a show it is likely that your horse has been stood in a stable or on the horsebox for a reasonable amount of time. If you have travelled to the show the journey is hard on horses and he will probably feel like he has already had a reasonable exercise, so give him time to just loosen up and get ready to start working. This might involve going for a walk or lunging your horse before you start to speciﬁcally warm up for the class.

18 HorseScene

This again is another important question and it depends on several factors; what type of class is it, are you trying to win it or is it a class where you want a nice round as a prelude to a later class? The answer to these questions gives you an idea about what you need to get your horse thinking about and how to structure your warm up.

The ﬁrst part of your warm up involves getting your horse listening and responding to your aids. Remember that the majority of your time in the arena is on the ground and it is your ability to ride between fences that dictate how you get to the fence and the quality of your jump. You want your horse to wait when you ask and move when you ask. When you are in the arena you work at a higher tempo than you would normally school, so replicate this as best you can to prepare for the questions you will ask in the arena. Many people have diﬀerent approaches to jumping fences in a warm up. I like to use a small cross and approach it from trot before the horse has done too much. For me this is a good way of getting the horse thinking about the poles and its’ stride pattern before I do too much with it. Other riders feel better jumping from canter all the time. How you

approach this will be a reflection of your own philosophy and how you school at home. I would then jump the cross fence from canter several times practising getting the horse to wait on the approach and moving the horse up to the fence as well as giving it instruction on the landing side of the fence. You will see a lot of riders jump a warm up fence and just canter away. The landing is as important as the approach as it sets up your next fence, so get your horse listening to you here too. The usual then is to move on to a small vertical fence and build this up to the height you are going to jump. Then move on to the oxer, starting smaller and building it up. This is where it is important you know your horse and what works for him. If he needs to be given confidence, then the warm up fences want to be forgiving with good ground lines away from the base and ascending oxers to encourage him - I think this is a good way to start in any warm up. When you have your horses’ attention you can move the ground pole in under the front rail and square up the oxer to get him jumping up over the fence. You also need to practise the sorts of turns you will be making in the arena. Approach the fences from the left and the right rein. With most warm up areas this isn’t easy as one rein is more obvious than another. The shorter turn needs to be ridden through and can be used to help engage the horses’ hind leg. You will often find you get a better jump off a shorter turn as long as you keep the quality of the canter. Equally practise your turn away from the fence or jumping on angles if you anticipate having to do that. Allow your horse to have a breather before you go in; you want your horse with as much energy in the tank as possible for the class and the rest of the show. A lot of riders will then jump a tall vertical just before they go into the class. It can be a dilemma for many riders who feel they need to jump lots of fences for their confidence whereas the horse only really needs a handful.

The warm up area Warm up areas can be intimidating places for both the horse and rider. Some are quite small and can end up crowded making it difficult to do your job properly. Some riders and their helpers are good at dominating these environments too. Be clear about what you are doing and be prepared to state what fence you are jumping by calling `vertical’ or òxer’ as you approach. Be aware of other horses when you are working, you don’t want to cross someone’s line as they approach a fence or upset another horse. If your horse kicks then a red ribbon in its tail isn’t a bad idea either, a least you can say it was there and you give the responsibility to someone else if they get kicked. When you are at a show take the time to watch the warm up. It is often more interesting than the jumping arena. Watch the professional riders and really have a look at what they do on different horses. Everyone has their own process, so get ideas from several people.

At the end of the day when you consider how much time an d eﬀort you put into g etting to the show and what it costs, you owe it to yourself and your hors e to warm up well, as your perform ance in the cl ass will only be as go od as your war m up. Good luck!

N I W

Tottie outfit for you & your horse

The two lucky readers will each win themselves this new, Tottie outﬁt which includes the Hayley Polo Top, Adele Rugby Top, Leigh Gilet, Emma Jeans and for their horse, a Hollywood Fleece Show Rug and Paris Headcollar and lead rope pack.

s et s u p fo grabs! r

Emma Skinny Jeans

You will win... Hayley Polo Top This short sleeved polo shirt is ideal for those sunny days down the yard. Featuring a diagonal stripe across the middle and an appliquéd ‘No 1’ on the sleeve, it has a simple yet stylish design. Available in Cranberry, Mint or White, and in sizes XS to XL.

Adele Rugby Top This stylish long sleeved rugby top will be a must wear all season long. The simple design features a pretty detail in the form of star, shirt fabric on the collar, placket and side vents. Available in colours Fuchsia or Airforce, and in sizes XS to XL.

These coloured jeans are a must for this season and are cutting edge on the high street. Oﬀering total comfort while riding, they are available in colours Pink, Smoke Blue or Sand, in sizes 8 to 14.

The Hollywood Fleece Show Rug Now your horse can look just as fashionable as you in this show stopper rug. Ideal to keep your horse warm, clean and comfortable at a show or whilst travelling, the attractive ﬂeece rug has tri-coloured rolled piping and a large funky print on the back of the rug. Featuring cross surcingles, ﬁllet string and double front fastening straps. Available in colours Navy or Pink, and in sizes 4ft6 to 7ft3.

Paris Headcollar and Lead rope

Leigh Gilet This padded quilted gilet looks great over any outﬁt. Traditionally designed with a lovely detachable jersey hood, it is available in Navy and in sizes XS to XL.

Made from high quality webbing with soft fleece padding on the noseband and headpiece, it will ensure your horse is comfortable. Designed with a sparkly heart motif on the shaped noseband and headpiece for extra glamour, it has durable satin finish fittings and comes complete with a tri-coloured lead rope. Available in Black, Blue, Purple, Dark Navy and Pink, and in sizes Pony, Cob and Full.

Enter online at: www.horsescenemagazine.co.uk 20

Closes: 30th June 2013. See full T&C’s on our website.

New

on the

scene

Wound care covered

Nettex’s new wound care range includes products for every situation. Surgical washes and topical preparations such as sprays and creams, dressings, bandages and maintenance products will all be on offer so that horse owners can be fully prepared if their horse becomes injured. The new wound care range is just what every caring owner needs in their first aid kit, allowing wounds to be treated quickly and effectively. For more information check out www.nettexequine.com

Fresh summer style New to the Townened Label is the ‘Unsteelable Ladies Polo Shirt’, a pretty, classic polo shirt that is a summer must have. Made from 100% cotton for total comfort and breathability, and the ﬂower detailing under the collar and placket oﬀers a fresh summer style. Designed with ‘OT’ branding and is available in colours navy or peach, in sizes 8 to 16. Priced around £35.00 it’s a great buy this season. For more information check out www.townenddirect.com

Competition clothing from British Eventing The new, high performance competition clothing from British Eventing provides riders with sophistication and cutting edge fashion. Making sure you are ready for action whether competing in the dressage arena or going across country, the range includes; the British Eventing Ladies Pull on Breech, British Eventing Ladies Coolmax® Breeches, British Eventing Men’s Coolmax Breeches, British Eventing Base Layer and British Eventing Nylon Competition Socks. Prices start from £12.99 to £89.99 and are available in men’s, ladies and child’s sizes. To view and buy this exciting range visit www.equestrian.com or www.britisheventing.com

A rug that performs and flies hate! New to the Rambo range is the ‘Rambo Sweetitch Hoody with Vamoose’ that is treated with Permethrin, a naturally occurring biocide found in the Chrysanthemum flower. It's a very strong fly repellent, so as well as the tough 1000D polyester fabric of the rug that keeps your horse protected against flies, Vamoose helps to keep the flies at bay. It has a silky mane, tail and shoulder lining to minimize the horse’s ability and need to rub, extra deep sides and leg arches to allow the rug to wrap around the horse for added coverage and a fully integrated neck cover and a super-size tail flap to offer complete head to tail protection. Available in sizes 5’6” to 7’3” (£129.99) and in pony sizes 4’3” to 5’3” (£114.99) it is sure to keep your sweet itch horse or pony fly free For more information check out www.horseware.com

High performance riding hats hit the UK The demand across disciplines for sharp looking, high performance, premium riding hats has led German Safety products manufacturer ‘uvex’ to the UK market. The new range meets the highest levels of safety, comfort, quality and style and their superb adjustable fit, courtesy of their IAS 3D fitting system, provides a millimetre by millimetre fit enabling the helmets to fit any shape of head. All the helmets in the range are lightweight and have a soft and stable polyurethane peak, high ventilation performance provided by the air channelling system and a soft fully adjustable harness with a synthetic leather chin strap cover which does not sweat, stain or rot. They also feature a removable, machine washable high tech lining made from an anti-bacterial, anti-allergy and moisture wicking material which is interwoven with silver fibres to prevent bacterial growth and odours. The surface of the helmets can also be wiped clean to maintain a sleek appearance, so there is no possibility of fading, staining or ripping. All the helmets come with a choice of inner liners and winter ear pads. The helmets are Kitemarked by BSI to EN1384:1996/BSEN1384:1997 and SEI Certified to ASTM F1163:04. The helmets are also available in a wide variety of colours and finishes. Prices start from £59.95 to £599.95. ‘Perfexxion Range’ includes 9 helmet styles: Classic, Active, Active CC, Active Plus, Elegance CC, Paisley, Team, Glamour and the RS. ‘Suxxeed Range’ includes 6 helmet styles: Art, Paisley, Glamour, Luxury, Suxxeed and Suxxeed Active. ‘Exxential Range’ includes 2 helmet styles: Exxential and the Exxential Elegance Plus. ‘Super Sonic Range’ includes 2 helmet styles: the Super Sonic Elegance and the Supersonic which are designed especially for children. To view the full range check out www.zebraproducts.co.uk and www.uvex.de

Beat the showers Whether you are caught in a spring shower out hacking, schooling in drizzle or desperately trying to keep your show gear clean when warming up at a competition, the lightweight ‘Ariat Team Waterproof Jacket’ is an essential piece of kit. Available in both men and women’s designs, it has been designed to give a ﬂattering appearance and features a wind and water resistant fabric, a breathable lining and stylish colour blocking in red and navy. Other features include a twoway zipper for ease of wear, zipper pockets to keep your belongings safe and a detachable hood which has been designed to ﬁt over a helmet, so no more rain down the back of your neck, or soggy riding hats after a downpour! Available in ladies (XS-XXL £129.99) and mens (S-XXL £139.99) For more information check out www.ariat-europe.com

Achieving the perfect quarter marks does not have to be difficult and there are plenty of traditional and fun styles that will compliment your horse. Here, our expert Laura Sanders (BHSAI INT SM Reg’d) shows you how to quickly achieve professional quarter marks... Quarter marks are a style of decoration brushed into a horses coat and are seen in certain types of competition. Typically, these marks are found on the croup and hindquarters of the horse and are created by combing the hair in different directions, creating areas of contrasting hair. The classic checker board design was created by hand marking each square with a small brush or comb, but many variations of style now exist. Quarter marks are typically used to highlight the shine and health of the horse's coat, enhance the conformation of a well-muscled hip and hind quarter and give correct turnout a finishing touch. They can also reflect personal style and add some fun for special occasions.

orses Hunter h Hunter horses are traditionally seen with a few ﬂashes. These are wide stripes that originate at the spine and come down over the top of the croup.

orse Riding h r o k c a H For a hack or riding horse, a checker board pattern on the croup is correct

Rectangles are po pular as they can ma ke a horse’s rump look rounder

stencil Using a The easiest and most common way to apply quarter marks is to use a stencil. These can be bought in most tack shops and can be reused time and time again.

rses

ho ressage D & g in t

Even

For eventing or dressage horses, ﬂags, checks, diamonds and custom patterns are commonly seen. On the horses ﬂank you can use a shark’s teeth style below the main croup design, or they may stand alone.

24 HorseScene

Always start with a very clean horse. It also helps if they stand very still so ask somebody to hold your horse for you while you practice. Use a clean, damp body brush to brush the hair on the horse’s rump flat towards the tail. Holding your stencil firmly in position and using a stiff body brush, brush all the hair within the stencil in the opposite direction, against the hair growth.

Allow to dry naturally and then set with a good, strong hairspray from around 8 to 10 inches away. Practice well before your competition placing the stencil in slightly different places on your horse’s quarters to achieve different looks. You don't want it set so high that no one will see it or it may be that you also want sharks teeth running downwards from your design and you need more space. Each horse has a different conformation and some designs suit more than others. If you prefer to use a stencil, but you want to create your own design, you can create your own on a piece of laminated card with your design cut out.

Freestyle With a little practice and imagination you can come up with your own designs to suit your horses shape and the look you are aiming for. Have a go freestyle with a damp brush. Start by laying the hair ﬂat towards the tail and brush strokes in diﬀerent directions to complement your horses shape.

eeth Sharks t For shark’s teeth, dampen your nice stiﬀ body brush and brush all the hair below your design downward. Then brush one strip upwards in a slight curve. To get the point of the tooth, go to the edge of the line you have just brushed and brush a line diagonally downwards. Repeat this 3 or 4 times. At the end, brush in one sweeping movement from the top of the tail down his rump to tidy everything up.

Quarter marks tend to go in and out of style in the show ring and are seen more in certain regions than others. This doesn’t mean however that they can’t be used on any horse, just for fun. They are an excellent way of spending time grooming and bonding with your horse. All images courtesy of Supreme Products

• WIN • WIN IN • WIN • WIN

• WIN • WIN

N E K O T

y z n e fr

and you s n e k o t 3 ll a t Collec T Boots C A P IM y H e s e could win th You will win.... HyIMPACT Pro Tendon & Fetlock Boots The Pro Tendon and Fetlock Boots are flexible yet very protective. The outer is made using a tough moulded plastic and they are lined with cushioned neoprene for comfort. The anatomic design ensures a secure comfortable fit and free movement for your horse. They have double hook and loop fastenings to keep the boots firmly in place.

HyIMPACT Pro Over Reach Boots - Black Ideal for all activities, the boots are very hardwearing and tough, with an anti-spin heel knob minimising movement whilst in action. www.battles.co.uk/hyimpact

for sets up grabs! How to Enter: To be in with a chance of winning, collect the ''tokens'' from the April, May and June issues. Once all 3 tokens have been collected, send them along with your name, address and contact number to: Token Frenzy,

Horse Scene Magazine, The Old Tannery, 224 Spen Lane, Gomersal, West Yorkshire, BD19 4PJ

‘End of Line Stock’ at ‘Heavily Discounted Prices’ If you aspire to wear the latest equestrian fashion and want to kit out your horses with the best quality products, but you don’t want to pay £££ then Xclusively Equine will become your firm favourite. Financing top brand equestrian wear can often be difficult especially in the current economic climate, but Xclusively Equine brings you previous season’s stock at prices you just won’t believe. Top brands stocked include; Gersemi, Cavallo, Konigs, Martha Ridewear, Amerigo, Equipe, GPA, Bucas, You won't believe Veredus and a brand new the prices - but range; Cavalleria Toscana which has been featured in they’re real! the British Show Jumping magazine as the top brand to watch! Worn by riders such as Joe Clayton, Yasmin Pinchen and George Whitaker, it is receiving huge admiration. George Whitaker is a big fan of the range and comments: "I couldn't live without my clothing from Cavalleria Toscana, after wearing my new jacket I won the Grand Prix on the Arezzo tour and can definitely say it's the most comfortable jacket I have worn."

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Flower Power This gorgeous ‘Samshield Crystal Flower Helmet’ available through online retailer Dressage Deluxe is exactly what you need to add some sparkle to your performance and say it with flowers! Featuring a delicate embroidered floral pattern, which weaves its way down across the centre of the helmet with Swarovski crystals incorporated into the design, the helmet is certified to EN1384, ASTM and SEI standards. Available in Black, Brown and Navy. Black and Navy are available with either Silver or Black chrome trim and Brown is available with Gold chrome. Dressage Deluxe stock this hat in Navy with Silver or Black chrome, but other colours are available to order.

Please visit our website for full terms and conditions.

JUN13

TOKEN 3

Prices start at £575 for sizes 52cm to 55cm and £690.00 for sizes 56cm to 59cm. For more information visit www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk

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L SPECIAR E F F O

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ÂŁ64.99!! The jacket pictured is by Cavalleria Toscana and is available at a 60% discount from RRP.

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Jewellery, clothing, accessories and gifts.

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Walk this way Our expert Cathy Burrell is an International dressage rider at both Young Rider and Senior level, and competed at all levels including Grand Prix. Cathy is the northern para representative for British Dressage and a member of the Pony Club dressage committee, while also playing a major part in www.burrelldressage.co.uk. She has trained at all levels from Pony Club up to Advanced dressage, and enjoys teaching all levels of riders and horses to reach their goals and ambitions. Cathy is a B.H.S Registered Instructor and has also achieved the UKCC Level 3.

The walk is often overlooked in training as it is seen as the ‘boring’ gait. However, it is an important pace as the mark for the walk is usually x2 in dressage tests. Therefore a lack of training in this pace can mean the diﬀerence between winning and losing at competitions. The walk can also be used to teach your horse new movements; being slower than the other paces it gives the horse and rider more time to think what they are doing.

m walk Theemedium walk h mediu T pes of Different ty walk There are four different walks that can be judged in a dressage test. The ‘normal’ or ‘working’ walk is the medium walk. The walk has four beats to one stride. The stride starts with the near hind, near fore, off hind then off fore. There is no moment of suspension in the walk sequence. The other three walks are collected walk, extended walk and free walk on a long rein.

28 HorseScene

The medium walk is allowed to, and preferred to be seen over tracking. This means the hind foot goes in front of where the fore foot was. If the hind foot only goes into the print of the front foot it is called ‘tracking up’. If the horse has a poor or spoilt walk then it can under track, i.e. the hind foot doesn’t reach the print of the fore foot. This can also apply if the horse is tense and so may not always be a true reﬂection of the horse’s ability to walk. When trying to improve the medium walk you can use your legs in time with the hind legs to encourage a longer stride, for example use the right leg with the oﬀ hind and the left leg with the near hind.

d walk The collecte The collected walk is the ‘shortest’ walk. As a rider you must not think of shortening the stride though as that will encourage you to pull and not keep the stride active enough. In the collected walk the horse takes more weight on the hindlegs and should noticeably bend the joints more than in the medium walk. The collected walk will usually track up but not over track. There is more cadence to each stride in the collected walk but there is still no moment of suspension. The collected walk doesn’t appear in dressage tests until medium level and that is because you would not expect a young or novice horse to perform the collected walk. In some elementary tests there are quarter large pirouettes and these are intentionally kept large, so that you teach the younger horse to take more weight behind, but not to such a degree that you stop the forward movement. It also means the horse can walk more forward in them and they don’t need to be kept as much to the spot. In a half pirouette that is performed in some tests from medium onwards, this should be done from a collected walk. Ideally the hind legs should mark time and move no bigger than the size of a dustbin lid up to Prix St. George and from P.S.G. upwards they shouldn’t move bigger than a dinner plate. This shows the biggest degree of collection in the walk that is ever needed by a dressage horse.

e walk frewalk hefree TThe

ults Common fa

Free walk on a long rein is when the horse is encouraged to take his head and neck forward and down, and gain as much ground as possible with each step. The horse should take as much rein as possible, but in a balanced way and not by yanking the rein out of the riders hand and then throwing his head up straight after! The horse should maintain balance and rhythm in the walk and not fall on his head as soon as the rein is allowed forward. In training, the free walk on a long rein is used as a reward and also during rest periods. The rider should remember it is a long rein though and not a loose rein, so there should never be loops in the contact between the riders hand and the bit. If there are loops then the judge will mark you down even if the horse has a good walk. Remember, the walk mark is usually worth double, so don’t throw marks away! When you are trying to teach your horse to take the rein forward you need to think of your arm as an extension of the rein. To teach the horse to lower its head, put you’re hands down and forward even if you have to lean forward slightly to achieve this. Then you will show the horse that you want him to take his head down and forward, so he will be more encouraged to do this. The free walk on a long rein will only be successful if the horse has been working correctly over his back and therefore wants to stretch his muscles when he is allowed to.

The most common faults found in the walk are irregular rhythm. This means that the clarity of the four beats should never be lost. If the clarity is lost the horse is often said to be pacing. This means the front and back foot on the same side appear to move together and so the horse moves in a two beat gait. This is mostly caused by tension and stiﬀness and drawing back against the contact. If this is the case then the rider needs to look at the quality of their contact. To help the horse go back into a better rhythm you need to stop and start walking again or ask the horse for a step or two of rein back, the walk then will usually start in a better rhythm.

ed wa The extendwalk heextended

The last walk is the extended walk. This is very similar to free walk on a long rein, but without the reins as long! The neck and stride should be lengthened but he should remain in the bit on more of a contact with the rider’s hand. The horse should really march forward without losing balance or rhythm. The horse should never appear to hurry through the extended walk.

“

The other most common fault is the walk becoming slow and losing impulsion. This is usually because the rider confuses collection for slow. As we said before the collected walk needs to maintain impulsion and not slow down. If you want to teach your horse to have a longer stride in the walk you can use poles to help. Encouraging a horse to stride out over poles can give them the confidence to stretch their shoulders more forward, however walk is a natural pace and it is very difficult to change. This is why when you are looking to buy a horse you look at its ability to over-track in walk as one of the main considerations before you buy. Above all let the horse walk in a natural un-hurried rhythm and have a soft forward thinking hand. This will help you maintain your horse’s natural walk, as the walk is the easiest pace to wreck and the hardest pace to fix.

“

The walk is the easiest pace to wreck and the hardest pace to ﬁx

”

The walk mark is usually worth double, so don’t throw marks away!

”

HorseScene 29

Which arena surface? Choosing the right arena surface is vital, so here we look at the pro’s and con’s for some common surface to help you make the right choice. The surface should be deep enough to minimize the concussion to the horses feet/legs, but not so deep it causes muscle and tendon strains. Sand, Rubber, Wood products and a variety of combinations are commonly used as riding surface materials. Wood Fibre

Rubber Chip

Sand & Sand Mixes

Produced especially for equestrian surface, wood ﬁbre is made of small wood particles and is eco-friendly if not treated with chemicals or colourings. Don’t mistake wood chip for wood ﬁbre, wood chip has probably come out of a timber merchants chipper and the particle sizes maybe too big to use as an arena surface.

Rubber chip is a longer lasting alternative to wood ﬁbre and it is made from small pieces of rubber chip.

Sand was traditionally very popular, but nowadays more people are using a combination such as sand with a topping of rubber chips. Silica sand is generally used which is natural and more durable.

Best for... Wood ﬁbre is suitable for all disciplines and can be used for indoor or outdoor areans as well as gallops and horse walkers.

Pro’s... A wood based surface is less prone to freezing, depending on the quality of wood and bark content. A surface that doesn’t contain bark will last longer and will not absorb as much water.

Con’s... Wood ﬁbre is the least durable and has the shortest life span.

Life expectancy... A good quality wood ﬁbre outdoor arena, if maintained correctly should have a life expectancy or between 4-10 years, depending on usage.

30 HorseScene

Best for... Outdoor arenas, particularly for jumping as it is less likely to result in skidding when the horse lands.

Best for...

Pro’s...

Requires less maintenance. It is less likely to become water logged or dry out. Does not freeze over. Dust free and is unlikely to blow around the yard.

Con’s... Not generally recommended for indoor use. In hot weather the surface can become warm and produce an unwelcome odour. Rubber cannot be used on its own, it needs a base and ideally silica sand is best for this. If you decide to change your arena surface, a rubber surface may be expensive to dispose of as it is not biodegradable.

Life expectancy... Rubber is pretty much an indestructible surface if maintained correctly and kept levelled.

Indoor or outdoor arena.

Capable of handling all disciplines. Highly absorbent. Soft surface.

Con’s... Through the action of the hooves it gradually gets ﬁner, becoming progressively deeper. Sand alone is not an all–weather surface and it can freeze in winter. It can have a drying eﬀect on the horse’s hooves.

Life expectancy... Usually a minimum of 5 years.

Waxed surfaces & coatings Surfaces that have been treated with a wax coating, usually sand mixed with synthetic ﬁbres need less maintenance and there is less surface movement due to the particles that bind together more eﬀectively.

Tacktalk

’ le d d a S e g a s s re ‘D e h t t a k o lo r A close The design A dressage saddle is designed with a long and straight saddle ﬂap, which mirrors the leg of the dressage rider. They also have a deep seat and knee blocks that are usually pronounced, this helps prevent the riders’ leg from coming too far forward. The dressage saddle is also designed with a longer stirrup, stirrup bars that are set further back to encourage a longer, straighter position and a higher cantle and pommel to help encourage the rider to have a deeper seat. By placing the rider in the centre of gravity, the dressage saddle allows the very best of communication. It should provide a suﬃciently deep seat to feel

secure, but still able to absorb the horse’s movement and enable the appliance of minimum aids. The dressage saddle should encourage a good position without being restrictive.

“

A dressage saddle places the rider in the centre of gravity

When fitting a dressage saddle they are often easier to fit than jumping or general purpose saddles due to the panel and flaps generally sitting behind the shoulder and not impeding the movement.

In dressage for the rider to achieve the correct balance and elegant position the right saddle is vital. Today the riding public has far greater awareness of the important part the saddle plays in terms of welfare, comfort and success. A well-designed, well-made and well fitting saddle is an excellent tool. It is important that the dressage saddle fits the horse and rider perfectly. If the saddle rolls to one side or pinches the horse’s back, the horse will never be able to work or move well, however skilled his training. If the saddle is uncomfortable, there are times when a horse will simply stop working altogether and in the long run a saddle that does not fit will lead to soreness and injury.

“

To achieve the correct balance and elegant position the right saddle is vital

”

It is important th at the dressage sadd le ﬁts the horse and the rider perfectly

For more information or to ﬁnd your nearest Registered Qualiﬁed Saddle Fitter visit www.mastersaddlers.co.uk

”

Most dressage saddles have long girth straps and a short girth; this allows the rider to maintain a closer contact with their legs and give clear but minimal signals. The stuﬃng of the panels of a dressage saddle is often also kept to a minimum to allow a closer feel to the horse.

vetscene

NORFOLK

EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES

Dr. Hans Delaunois-Vanderperren, DVM, CertEM(StudMed), DipEqSc, GespPD, MRCVS

Grass sickness Grass sickness aﬀects the horse’s nervous system and is often fatal. The disease occurs almost exclusively in horses with access to grass, but the cause is unknown. Until the cause is known, it is diﬃcult to give sound advice regarding prevention, however the more you know about the disease, the better your chances of preventing it occurring are.

What is grass sickness? Grass sickness, also known as Equine Dysautonomia, is disease of horses, ponies and donkeys in which there is damage to parts of the nervous system which controls involuntary functions, causing gut paralysis and often colic. Unfortunately it is often fatal, but it should be remembered that it is much less common than other causes of colic from which it must be distinguished. Grass sickness is associated with cool, dry weather and more cases are seen between April-July, but it can also occur in autumn or winter.

The disease was ﬁrst recognised in 1907 in Dundee, Scotland and now occurs in all parts of Great Britain. The disease is found in Europe and has been reported in Ireland and North America. A very similar disease occurs in Chile, Argentina and the Falklands. In the UK, the disease is more prevalent in eastern countries and the incidence rate in certain regions is as high as 1 in 200 horses.

What causes grass sickness? Despite a large amount of research over the last century the cause of the disease has not been identified. The type of damage caused to the nervous system indicates that some sort of toxin is involved and poisonous plants, chemicals, different bacterial species and viruses are amongst the possible causes that have been investigated. A common suggestion by horse owners is that mineral or vitamin deficiencies may be the causes. None have any proven link with the disease, although selenium deficiency which results in reduced levels of protective antioxidants in the body may have some role to play. Grass sickness does not appear to be contagious and the cause of the disease is likely to be multi-factorial i.e. caused by a combination of conditions and/or agents. Current research includes investigation of the association of the

bacterium Chlostrdium Botulinum with the disease and into the cyanide producing properties of white clover. It has been discovered that the concentration of Clostridium Botulinum type C toxin is high in the intestine of acute cases and that horses with low levels of antibody to the bacteria and its toxin are at increased risk from the disease. Grass sickness occurs at all ages from young foals to over 20 years, but most commonly at 2-7 years of age with a peak at 3-4 years. The reason for the age distribution is uncertain although young foals are very rarely aﬀected. The lower incidence in older horses and surviving horses in a group in which a case has occurred, suggest that animals exposed to the casual agent may develop a resistance to the disease.

What makes my horse prone to grass sickness? Grass sickness, as its name suggests, is strongly associated with grazing, but occasionally there is no recent history of access to pasture. In these rare cases, hay has been implicated as the source of the casual agent. Most cases have been at grass full-time or during the day, but the disease can affect horses that only have a few minutes of access to grass daily. Giving concentrate feeds at grass does not have a protective effect. Certain fields may be ‘bad’ for grass sickness. Animals that have been on affected properties for less than 2 months are more likely to develop the disease. Commonly, only one horse is affected at a time but ‘outbreaks’ with several cases in a period of a few weeks are not infrequent. In my own experience I had at least 2 cases where the owner reported a previous case on the same premises/field. There is no clear association with type of pasture (permanent pasture, hill grazing, clean or horse sick pasture) but recent evidence suggests that high nitrogen content in soil and soil disturbance may be risk factors. While it was previously thought grass sickness was more common in pastures with a high clover content, recent studies indicate it can occur on pastures with no clover.

Recent studies have shown that increased numbers of horses on the pasture, certain methods of mechanical droppings removal and the presence of domesticated birds on fields may also be factors. In those studies, the authors did not differentiate between types of mechanical droppings removal, but they thought that paddock sweepers specifically increase the risk of reoccurrence of grass sickness on previously affected paddocks. This was thought to be due to soil disturbance and contamination of grass and possibly spreading of casual factors or agents over the pasture. They also considered that if the soil remains undisturbed, vacuum droppings removal or manual removal might actually be protective against the reoccurrence of grass sickness. Stress appears to be a factor in predisposing to the disease and a significant number of animals have a history of recent stress including recent purchase and mixing with strange horses. Animals in good fat condition also appear predisposed. In one survey of weather conditions in the 2 weeks preceding multiple-case outbreaks, it was found that cool, dry weather with a temperature between 7-11oc was recorded in a statistically significant number of instances. This may partly explain the higher incidence of the disease in the eastern side of Britain where such conditions are more prevalent.

How do I know if my horse has grass sickness? There are three forms of grass sickness: acute, sub-acute and chronic, but there is considerable overlap in the symptoms in the three forms. The major symptoms relate to partial or complete paralysis of the digestive tract from the oesophagus downwards. In acute cases the symptoms are severe, appear suddenly and the horse will die or require to be euthanized within 48 hours of the onset. Severe gut paralysis leads to signs of colic including rolling, pawing the ground and looking at the flanks, difficulty in swallowing and drooling saliva. The stomach may become grossly distended with foul smelling fluid that may start to pour down the nose. Further down the gut, constipation may occur. If any faeces are passed, the pellets are small, hard and may show a ‘cheesy’ coating of mucus. Fine muscle tremors and patchy sweating may occur and the eyelids droop.

How can my vet tell if my horse has grass sickness? If your horse shows suspicious symptoms, it is very important to call the vet out straight away. It can be very diﬃcult for a veterinary surgeon to distinguish the early stages of grass sickness from other conditions that cause similar symptoms. There is no non-invasive test for diagnosing the disease in the live animal. A deﬁnite diagnosis can only be made by microscopic examination of the nerve ganglia after death or by surgical removal of a piece of small intestine by opening the abdomen. A test involving application of the phenylephrine eye drops in one eye can also be useful. The images below show before and after the use of the phenlephrine eye drop test.

RE FO E B

Notice the droopy eyelids with the eyelashes angled downwards before the test

R TE F A

30 minutes after applying the eye drops to the left eye (right eye on the photo) a clear diﬀerence is seen in the angulation of the eyelashes between the treated and untreated eye.

Treatment In acute and sub-acute cases, treatment should not be considered. However, in chronic cases, treatment may be attempted, but keep in mind that not all chronic cases will respond to treatment.

The stomach may become grossly distended with foul-smelling ﬂuid that may start to pour down the nose.

The survival rate for selected chronic cases has increased to approximately 70%. The mainstay of the treatment is good nursing care i.e. constant human contact and the feeding of palatable, easily chewed, high energy food. If the horse is going to improve, appetite should start to increase within 2-3 weeks from the onset and weight gain from 3-5 weeks, although complete recovery may take months. Contrary to commonly held views, in a recent survey none of the survivors were described as being of no use. Instead, these horses were back to work (including racing and eventing) or breeding. This represents a major improvement in the outlook for chronic cases compared with the situation before the late 1980’s

Prevention Until the cause is known it is diﬃcult to give sound advice regarding prevention. In the areas where the disease is prevalent, stabling the animals during spring and early summer will reduce the likelihood of disease. Following the discovery of an association with weather, some owners living in aﬀected areas now stable there horses when the weather is dry and temperatures of 7-11oc have persisted for 10 consecutive days.

Images courtesy of Prof D Knottenbelt

Gastic reﬂux

Stabling is particularly advisable for a new horse that has been moved into a property where the disease is known to occur. If certain ﬁelds are ‘bad’ for the disease, they can be grazed by other stock, especially in spring and summer. If a case occurs amongst a group of horses, it is probably best to move the others out of that ﬁeld provided this does not involve too much stress associated with transportation or mixing with strange horses. Avoidance of other risk factors should also help prevent cases occurring.

What about other an im

One of the major symptoms is rapid and severe weight loss that may lead to emaciation.

als? In the early 1990’s, a disease almost identi cal to grass sickness hares, some of which was discovered in occurred on pastures where there had been the equine disease. recent cases of Soon after, it was dis cov ered that the diseas wild and domestic rab e also aﬀects bits. However, there is no evidence that har horses can pass the es, rabbits and disease to each other. Dogs and cats also disease, but it is not develop a similar associated with eating grass. Thankfully, the human equivalent of re is no grass sickness!

HorseScene 35

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36 HorseScene

Hats on

Your guide to discipline speciﬁc riding hats

Whichever your chosen riding discipline it is paramount to protect your head with an up to standard helmet. Riding hat manufacturers have lots of styles to choose from with exciting new features to make you cool, comfortable and stylish within your chosen discipline. Here are a some of the best on the market...

JUMPING Champion

Air-Tech

3 Lightweight and stylish design 3 High-tech ventilation system 3 Injection moulded outer shell 3 Finished with a soft feel paint coating 3 Moulded high density polystyrene inner liner to absorb impact in the event of a fall 3 Moisture wicking removable head lining 3 Innovative adjustable head sizing ring ensures a comfortable and secure fit and allows the helmet to accommodate a comprehensive range of head sizes and shapes in just three models Protection standard: BSI Kite marked, meeting BS EN 1384 2012 and CE marked through British Standards Notified Body ID No. 0086 Colours: Black Sizes: Small (fits 6 1/4 to 6 5/8), Medium (fits 6 3/4 to7) or Large (fits 7 1/8 to 7 1/2) Price: from £89 to £105 More info: www.championhats.co.uk

Uvex Sux

e xeed Activ

3 Made from high quality engineered materials 3 Lightweight 3 True ‘through’ active ventilation system 3 3D IAS (Individual Adaptation system) ﬁtting 3 Breathable and washable Coolmax lining 3 X Fit Memory foam inside the lining to reduce pressure points 3 Sleek smooth wipe-able ﬁnish 3 FAS Chin Strap system (The harness can be fastened and undone one-handed) 3 High quality synthetic leather harness – no staining 3 Suitable for spectacle wearers Protection standard: BSI Kitemarked to BSEN1384 Colours: Black Matt/Silver Sizes: XXS to XL Price: £269.95 More info: www.zebraproducts.co.uk

38 HorseScene

PROtector International 3 Designer style 3 Aircool vents 3 High comfort zone 3 Strength to wi thstand impact giving unrivalled protec tion 3 Worn by man y International rid ers 3 Available with diamante detail 3 Comes with a lycra cover and padded zip up bag

Protection stan dard: SNELL E2 001 the highest man ufactured eque strian standard in the world Colours: unlimite d colour choice Sizes: 54cm to 61cm Price: from £375 .00 More info: www.parkgateeq uestrian.co.uk

IP LAS XT V

Eco Pelle

Protection standard: British Safety Standard BSEN 1384 Colours: Black or Navy Sizes: 51cm to 62cm Price: £347.00 More info: www.lesliesutcliﬀe.com

HorseScene 39

DRESSAGE Evolution n io p m a h C

xxion Uvex Perfe

3 Low profile, modern and lightweight 3 Glass fibre shell for maximum impact protection 3 Covered in a soft and durable synthetic nubuck for a look of pure class 3 Stylish ventilated airflow system that helps to keep the head cool 3 Soft, padded synthetic nubuck harness Protection standard: Kitemarked to BS EN1384.2012 and PAS015:2011 Colours: Black or Navy Sizes: 6 1/4 to 7 3/4 Price: from £109 - £135 More info: www.championhats.co.uk

Active

3 Made from high quality engineered materials 3 Stamped aluminium ventilation covers 3 Injection moulded shell and EPS inner shell with integrated ‘true through’ air channels 3 Extremely lightweight 3 True ‘through’ active ventilation system 3 3D IAS (Individual Adaptation system) 3 Flexible peak 3 Breathable and washable inner lining 3 X Fit Memory foam inside the lining to reduce pressure points 3 FAS Chin Strap system (The harness can be fastened and undone one-handed) 3 Flocked outer shell for a classical look 3 Suitable for spectacle wearers

Protection standard: BSI Kitemarked to BSEN1384 Colours: Black Matt, Brown Matt, Anthracite Matt or Blue Matt Sizes: XXS to XL Price: £179.95 More info: www.zebraproducts.co.uk

LAS XT VIP Eco Pelle Swarovski

r Ultimate PROtecto 3 Ultimate elegant style 3 Pittard's soft leather harness 3 Available with diamante detail 3 Air-cool vents 3 Strength to withstand impact giving unrivalled protection 3 Comes with a lycra cover and padded zip up bag Protection standard: SNELL E2001 - the highest manufactured equestrian standard in the world Colours: Black, Navy, Brown or Grey Sizes: 54cm to 61cm Price: from £325.00 More info: www.parkgateequestrian.co.uk

40 HorseScene

3 Stunning design combined with stylish detailing 3 Ultra lightweight while also offering very strong protection 3 Moulded and injected shell to dissipate shock in the event of a fall 3 Stainless steel front and side vents allow maximum airflow to ensure the head is kept cool 3 Flexible peak 3 Soft, internal liner made from technical material to wick away sweat 3 High quality, soft Coolmax harness for extra comfort 3 Contoured anchoring action strap to flatter all face shapes and keep the helmet secure. 3 Simulated leather feature running through the top panel 3 Soft touch matt finish for a truly impressive finish 3 Two rows of Swarovski crystals for the ultimate subtle, dazzling look. Additional crystals on the front ‘V’ are also available 3 Comes with a luxury LAS carry bag Protection standard: British Safety Standard BSEN 1384 Colours: Black or Navy Sizes: 51cm to 62cm Price: £377.00 More info: www.lesliesutcliffe.com

EVENTING Champion

Ventair

3 Extremely lightweight 3 Ventilated airﬂow system to help keep your head cool. 3 Unique, tailored harness for complete stability and security

Protection standard: Certiﬁed to PAS 015 and BSEN1384 and BSI Kitemarked Colours: Pink, Navy, Black or Silver Sizes: 6 1/4 to 7 3/4 Price: from £89 to £110 More info: www.championhats.co.uk

xxion Uvex Perfe

Active

3 Made from high quality engineered materials 3 Extremely Lightweight 3 True ‘through’ active ventilation system 3 EPS inner liner with integrated air channels 3 Perforated aluminium ventilation covers 3 Flexible peak 3 3D IAS (Individual Adaptation system) fitting untry o C s 3 Inner lining made from washable, breathable material s o r C r PROtectokull 3 X Fit Memory foam inside the lining to reduce pressure points Jockey S 3 Sleek smooth wipe-able finish 3 High carbon fibre reinforced shell 3 Nylon harness 3 Neat looking and lightweight, with enormous strength 3 FAS Chin Strap system (The harness can be fastened 3 Quality Pittards leather 5 point harness and undone one-handed) 3 Fantastic results from severe falls 3 Suitable for spectacle wearers 3 Worn by top international riders Protection standard: BSI Kitemarked to BSEN1384 Protection standard: SNELL E2001 - the highest Colours: Black Matt, Brown Matt, Blue Matt, manufactured equestrian standard in the world Anthracite Matt Colours: Dark Navy Sizes: XXS to XL Sizes: 54cm to 61cm Price: £179.95 Price: from £140.00 More info: www.zebraproducts.co.uk More info: www.parkgateequestrian.co.uk

LAS JC 3 Modern design and interior Italian styling 3 High level of safety and comfort 3 Very lightweight 3 ABS High Density shell with front logo 3 Ultra-absorbent ‘Coolmax’ lining 3 Soft, padded harness to support the head and neck 3 Also worn by top race jockeys 3 Comes with a LAS carry bag Protection standard: British Safety Standard BSEN 1384 Colours: Black Sizes: 51cm to 61cm Price: £142.99 More info: www.lesliesutcliﬀe.com

SHOWING CPX Champion

xe 3000 Delu

xeed Uvex Sux

3 Traditionally styled for a truly professional look 3 Lightweight, injection moulded shell 3 Flexible peak 3 Luxurious velvet ﬁnish 3 Easily adjustable, strong leather padded harness

Protection standard: Certiﬁed to PAS015 and BS EN1384 and carries the BSI Kitemark. Colours: Black or Navy Sizes: 6 1/4 to 7 3/4 Price: from £93 to £110 More info: www.championhats.co.uk

3 Injection moulded shell 3 Flocked ﬁnish 3 Lightweight 3 True ‘through’ active ventilation system 3 EPS inner liner with integrated air channels 3 3D IAS Fitting system 3 Cool Max inner lining 3 High quality synthetic leather harness – no staining 3 FAS Chin Strap system (The harness can be fastened and undone one-handed) 3 Suitable for spectacle wearers

Protection standard: BSI Kitemarked to BSEN1384 Colours: Black or Dark Blue Sizes: XXS to XL Price: £359.95 More info: www.zebraproducts.co.uk

LAS XT VIP Eco Pelle

r PROtecto

Hunter

3 Covered with suede material which is smart and durable. 3 Classic Quality Pittard's Leather 5 point Harness 3 Suitable for Working Hunter Classes 3 Comes with a lycra cover and padded zip up bag

Protection standard: SNELL E2001, the highest manufactured equestrian standard in the world Colours: Black, Navy or Brown Sizes: 54cm to 61cm Price: from £240.00 More info: www.parkgateequestrian.co.uk

3 Stunning design combined with stylish detailing 3 Ultra lightweight while also offering very strong protection 3 Moulded and injected shell to dissipate shock in the event of a fall 3 Stainless steel front and side vents allow maximum airflow to ensure the head is kept cool 3 Flexible peak 3 Soft, internal liner made from technical material to wick away sweat 3 High quality, soft Coolmax harness for extra comfort 3 Contoured anchoring action strap to flatter all face shapes and keep the helmet secure. 3 High-Tech, soft touch, matt finish for a truly impressive look 3 Comes with a luxury LAS carry bag Protection standard: British Safety Standard BSEN 1384 Colours: Black or Navy Sizes: 51cm to 62cm Price: £347.00 More info: www.lesliesutcliffe.com

HorseScene 43

LEISURE ir unior X A J n io p m Cha

entia Uvex Exx

3 Combines safety, security and peace of mind 3 Faux suede covered exterior for striking good looks 3 Integrated ventilation system for exceptional comfort 3 Exceptional value for money

Protection standard: Certiﬁed to BSEN1384 2012 Colours: Black, Navy, Navy/Hot Pink or Black/Slate Sizes: 6 1/4 to 7 3/4 Price: from £63.00 More info: www.championhats.co.uk

3 In mould technology 3 Smooth, sleek and anti-scratch finish 3 Extremely lightweight 3 Easily wiped clean 3 Excellent ventilation 3 Closeable fin shaped vents 3 Monomatic 3 IAS 3D fitting system 3 FAS Chin Strap system (The harness can be fastened and undone one-handed) 3 Optional winter ear pads

Protection standard: BSI Kitemarked to BSEN1384 Colours: Black Degrade Matt, Silver Degrade, Titan Degrade, Fern Anthracite Matt, Fern Pink Matt, Black Matt, Dark Blue Matt or Brown Matt. Sizes: XXS to XL Price: £99.95 to £109.95 More info: www.zebraproducts.co.uk

LAS Hi-Tek Anvil

ito r Compet PROtecto

r Matt

3 Fantastic results from severe falls including on road 3 Quality Pittard's leather 5 point harness 3 Comes with a lycra cover and padded zip up bag

Protection standard: SNELL E2001 - the highest manufactured equestrian standard in the world Colours: unlimited colour choice Sizes: 54cm to 61cm Price: from £240.00 More info: www.parkgateequestrian.co.uk

3 Total comfort with ultimate safety 3 Ultra lightweight 3 Also worn by endurance riders 3 Advanced shock absorbing foam 3 Soft, adjustable and removable strap with 4 crossed points at the back and a quick release buckle. 3 Easy daisy-wheel fitting at back allows one size fits all with this versatile helmet 3 Excellent ventilation provided by numerous slots in the Hi-Tek shell. 3 Removable and washable Airtek filter fabric lining which has been treated with sanitized fungus prevention and antibacterial processes, giving greater hygiene. 3 Flexible ‘anti-shock’ visor 3 Comes with a LAS carry bag Protection standard: British Safety Standard BSEN 1384 Colours: Solid white or mixed colours; Silver/Black, Blue/Silver/Black, Red/Silver/Black/White or Black/Silver/White Sizes: 51cm to 62cm Price: £163.00 More info: www.lesliesutcliffe.com

44 HorseScene

’ x e l F a x a M ‘ f A tu b o

WIN...

Ten winners will each win themselves a 900g/30 day supply of MaxaFlex, a unique supplement which combines the soothing power of Green Lipped Mussel with Glucosamine, MSM and HA to help maintain long and short term joint health and to support mobility. The key active ingredient, a patented Green Lipped Mussel extract called SuPerna, contains high levels of Omega-3 ETA fatty acids which are known for their natural antiinﬂammatory properties. Green Lipped Mussel works quickly to soothe stiﬀ, aching joints while Glucosamine, MSM and HA help with the long term maintenance of connective tissue. MaxaFlex is fast acting, with results often visible in as little as 7-10 days. MaxaFlex contains no listed banned substances and is veterinary approved. For more info visit www.maxavita.com

up f o grab r s!

r How to ente

This competition can only be entered on the ‘’Horse Scene Magazine Facebook Page’’. Come and join us and be in with a chance to win this fantastic prize. Closes: June 30th 2013

AY D O T E B I R C S SUB

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June 2013

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A revolution in infection control Every horse owner will experience the many traumas and injuries that horses pick up through being in the stable, in the field or while being ridden. Wounds, soft tissue injuries and infections are part and parcel of keeping a horse, so a good first aid kit is an essential part of any stable yard and a good anti-bacterial spray a crucial part of it. In recent years hypochlorous acid, a substance that occurs as part of the immune system’s response to trauma, has been synthesised and stabilised in the form of Hypocare, a stable anti-bacterial spray that mirrors the body’s immune system. Working naturally with the body, Hypocare rapidly destroys the DNA and RNA of pathogens associated with bacterial, viral and fungal infections and it can be used to clean and flush wounds, sweet itch, ringworm, mud fever and thrush. Hypocare is up to 300 times more effective at destroying pathogens than bleach and yet is kind to healthy tissue and has a naturally non-sensitising skin neutral pH. It’s safe to use on any mammal and is safe if ingested, so you don’t need to worry about them licking the affected area. Because it doesn’t sting it’s perfect for sensitive, nervous or young animals. Hypocare is a real breakthrough in wound care and infection management for horse owners everywhere. For more information visit www.hypocare.com

UNIQUE ANTIBACTERIAL WOUND BOOTS

Contains activated carbon with silver Treat and prevent Bacterial skin conditions and treat minor wounds 100 % success rate against Mud Fever and Pastern Dermatitis Recommended by Vets Enhance wound healing rates Can be washed and reused Indoor use only

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For more information

www.equimedag.co.uk 07775577165 info@equimedag.co.uk

We have put 7 products to the test this month, check out what our testing panel think to them, their honest opinions may help you to make a good choice... Masta Lycra Bodysuit

Ariat Denim Breeches

Keeping my grey horse clean before a show has been a nightmare, so I was hoping this would keep him a little cleaner. The rug combines a rug and hood in one full piece and it is very easy to put on and take off as it has a zip running from under the chin to the chest. It also has elasticated binding which offers flexibility in movement, rear leg straps which helped to keep the rug in place, an adjustable nose with hook and loop fastening and a belly wrap cover which not only helps to keep the rug more securely in place, it also keeps the belly area spotlessly clean. The rug fitted true to size and it did not slip or move; the large eye holes are also perfectly positioned which is very important and it did keep my horse super clean and promote a shine on his coat! I love the matching Lycra tail bag that comes with the rug as it also helped to keep his tail dust free too. I personally think it is slightly pricey at £105.99, but it does do its job well and it’s very versatile as it can also be used as an under rug.

I found these breeches really comfortable to wear as they are made from stretch denim which also allowed me freedom of movement in and out of the saddle. They are also highly fashionable as they have a low rise design, decorative back patch pockets and they have a ‘worn’ wash denim look to them which I really like. The suede knee patches offer a really good grip too and the two hand pockets which have a piping effect really finish them off in style. Another great feature is the ‘calf fit system’ which keeps the breeches stretchy and provides support and alleviates pressure points when wearing tall boots. I highly recommend if you like the ‘jean style’ look with ultimate comfort – priced at £69.99 they are also an amazing price!

For more information visit www.masta.co.uk

For more information visit www.ariat-europe.com

ta Jacket Mountain Horse Sona

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48 HorseScene

Cavallo Wendy Waistcoat I love the fact this soft-shell waistcoat is extremely lightweight to wear while also being water-repellent, windproof and breathable perfect for the typical British summer weather! I do not like to wear ‘bulky’ clothes when riding as I feel it hinders my movement, so this is the perfect waistcoat for me as you don’t even feel you are wearing it as it’s so lightweight. A great little feature is the hood which is hidden in the collar and the front zipped pockets are great for keeping your phone and money safe etc. The comfort factor is also great and the shape and design is very ﬂattering.

For more information visit www.zebraproducts.co.uk

Farmcare Electric Fencing Kit Farmcare oﬀered fantastic advice on the best kit I needed and they were highly knowledgeable and there to answer any questions I had. The kit I was advised was best for my needs was the master kit which included 20 x 4ft fence posts, 200metres of 20mm fencing tape, a high power HC850 energiser which powers up to 6km of fence, 4 insulators, a gate handle and a warning sign. The kit is also available in either green or white so you can also choose which will look best in your paddocks too. The kit is by no means set in stone, I choose to add a leisure battery on to the kit, so you can add/upgrade certain elements within the kit which is a great idea. The kit was very easy to set up and it has kept my unruly colts in their paddocks. All the contents in the kit are made to a very high quality and perform very well. Farmcare do lots of diﬀerent kits to suit everyone’s needs and I would highly recommend them as a company to buy your kits from – you won’t be disappointed with their service, products and prices! 100% recommend.

Jeﬀries Traditional Bridle

Firstly, I love the fact Jeffries offer a very flexible approach to buying a bridle with the perfect fit in mind. My horse takes a cob size noseband and head piece, pony cheeks and a full size brow band, so having the facility to order the right size components to make the perfect bridle is absolutely fantastic. This facility also allows you to buy an individual component if it becomes For more information visit www.farmcareuk.com damaged instead of having to buy the whole bridle again. After choosing a bridle from the traditional range, the right size components, the width of components and style choice, the bridle arrived looking perfect with its own little pot of Jeffries cleaning wax. The bridle fitted perfectly and it is made to a very high standard with soft, supple leather and distinctive white stitching to finish the traditional look. The bridle also came with matching reins and again they are made Tredstep very well. In my opinion you have a saddle Raphael Boots fitted to the shape and size of the horse, so why should bridles be any I am very impressed with these different? Jeffries offer this made to boots as perform very well and have a measure service at brilliant priceslook of pure class. They are made from highly rated! luxury Italian leather with a polished, high shine finish and the design and fit offers a For more beautiful, clean silhouette look which is perfect information visit for the show ring. The comfort and performance www.ejeffries.co.uk of the boot is also amazing as the design features a soft leather panel fitted snugly in the instep which moves with the ankle, creating a superior, streamlined fit that eliminates ‘break in’ time – no more waiting for your boots to break in, these boots are ultra comfortable to wear straight away! The boots are suitable for all disciplines and in my opinion your feet will thank you as they are just so comfortable to wear in and out of the saddle. If you are looking for a very smart tall boot then I would most certainly recommend these boots – priced at £299.99 they are worth every penny!

For more information visit www.tredstep.com

HorseScene 49

Tackroombreak Wordsearch hunt

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