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our experts: laura renwick, spencer wilton, robert walker & clayton fredericks plus find out what John Whitaker & Pippa Funnell want for Christmas

HIGH PERFORMANCE/HOYS

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Horse of the Year Show The best of Birmingham

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Horse Deals spends a week at the NEC to watch the champions crowned: 1. Amateur ace: Aileen Craig and Quiberon D capture the amateur title for Scotland; 2. Laughing cavalier: Alex Hua Tian enjoys his Express Eventing experience on Grafenstolz; 3. Hurry scurry: winners Alison Millman, Scott Brash and Timmy Murphy; 4. Grey day: Amy Inglis and Cross Word win the Leading Junior Show Jumper of the Year; 5. Changing places: show jumper Derek Morton on the champion working hunter Keep Talking; 6. Perfectly formed: pony supremes Crystal Vision and Harriet Dennison; 7. Doubling up: Jayne Webber and Comberton Clancy add the supreme title to their Royal International equivalent; 8. Mexican wave: Jaime Guerra wins the Leading Show Jumper of the Year on Utopias; 9. Flying Frenchman: Julien Epaillard takes the Speed Horse of the Year on Commisario; 10. Magic show: Megali Delgano and Mandarin perform for the crowd; 11. Stand and deliver: the Household Cavalry’s musical ride; 12. Future stars: Lucy Guild and Titi d’Oase en route to the young riders championship; 13. Top guns: Nick Skelton and the eight-year-old Big Star, runners up in the grand prix; 14. We won the cup: the mounted games champions from the Oakley Hunt (West) Pony Club branch; 15. First timer: Pippa Funnell makes her maiden HOYS ride a winning one in the newcomers on the home-bred Billy Balou; 16. For the high jump: joint puissance winners Joe Clayton (Haddon House Leonardo) and Douglas Duffin (Volcano) Pictures by Suzanne Jones, Horse Deals and Roberto Cubbedo

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NOVEMBER 2011 Horse Deals 21

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november 2011 Horse Deals 31

FEED AND SUPPLEMENTS SPECIAL feeding for performance

Can what you feed him influence your horse’s results?

Carolyn Henderson asks those in the know

Performance diets FEED AND SUPPLEMENTS SPECIAL feeding for performance

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nfortunately, there are no feeds guaranteed to fuel dressage, show jumping or eventing success. Nor are there any supplements guaranteed to make your horse go faster, jump higher or perform a perfect piaffe.

But as nutritionists and those who look after some of the UK’s top equine athletes know, the right fuel and management regime help give a horse the power and stamina he needs - and can also help keep him mentally as well as physically at the top of his game.

Louise Jones, nutritionist for Dodson and Horrell, says it’s important to look at every horse as an individual, no matter what his job.

“When we’re advising people, we look at a horse’s body fat score, temperament and the quality of the forage being fed,” she says. “That applies whether it’s a grade A show jumper or a pony at grass. Then, provided it’s doing a higher level of work, it will need a high enough level of digestible energy.

“Other important things are good quality protein for muscle development and tissue repair. Some vitamins and minerals are important for muscle function and we’d also need to think about vitamin E, which is an anti-oxidant.”

Other pointers include: • Some companies now offer competition balancers, which provide everything the horse needs but are fed in small quantities - great for horses who lose appetite as they reach maximum fitness or for good doers, such as many dressage horses.

• Extra electrolytes are often essential. They may be included in competition feeds, but the levels might not be sufficient for all horses.

• Although salt alone may not be enough, it’s a good idea to add a tablespoon of salt twice a day to feed. Manufacturers can’t put salt in bagged feed because it attracts water.

• Never forget the importance of water and good quality forage. Independent nutritionist Clare MacLeod says that fresh water should be available at all times and horses competing in endurance sports - including eventing www.horsedeals.co.uk

should have access to water right up until they start the competition.

• Talk to your feed company nutritionist or a qualified independent nutritionist about the job your horse is doing and what he needs to do it. You could do him and your bank balance a favour.

Apart from going out in the field every day, all they get is top quality haylage Barrett Watson Show jumping surprise

Barrett Watson says that when fellow owners and competitors find out how he feeds his

show jumpers and event horses, they can’t believe it.

“Apart from going out in the field every day, all they get is top quality haylage,” he says.

“It’s the way I like to feed because it’s the way horses are designed to eat.”

Barrett points out that his horses, including the nine-year-old show jumping star Valentijn O, look and go well, as proved by his recent HOYS qualification with Tim Davies.

Valentijn O, whose latest successes with Tim include winning the first All-England Grand Prix at Hickstead – where two months previously, they finished third in the Queen Elizabeth Cup – came to Barrett as a four-yearold and has been fed this way from day one.

All the haylage Barrett uses comes from Baillie Haylage in Lincolnshire, which offers a choice of ryegrass, Timothy and ryegrass or meadow grass products.

“It’s always good quality and they analyse it regularly,” he says. “We’ve fed it for years and give it to literally everything, even advanced event horses. Feeding it ad lib means the horses get plenty of fibre – and, touch wood, nothing’s ever had colic or tied up.”

Valentijn O, Hickstead grand prix winner for Tim Davies, is fed on grass and haylage only

november 2011 Horse Deals 43

christmas special top 20 luxury gifts

Our luxury top gifts 20 What’s on your Christmas wish list? Imagine you have a limitless budget, so what would you treat yourself, your horse and your friends to?

66 november 2011 Horse Deals

Tel: 01733 468000

christmas special top 20 luxury gifts

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Rocking and rolling

Fulfil your childhood dream of owning a unique hand-carved hardwood rocking horse. The Rocking Horse Shop’s handsome large Garrowby horse features soft leather bridle and saddle, horsehair mane and tail, solid brass buckles, brackets and stirrups mounted on an ash safety stand with turned posts. RRP: from £2,050.40 (inc postage and packing). Restoration service also available. www.rocking horse.co.uk

Sitting comfortably

Time to upgrade your saddle?

Albion’s luxurious Platinum Royale features moulded knee rolls, interchangeable tree and switch panel system. It comes in calf leather and is also available with special patent features. RRP: from £2,299. www.albion saddlemakers.co.uk

Best tickets to War Horse

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Treat your loved ones to a great night out with tickets to see the smash hit War Horse, winner of five Tony Awards, at the New London Theatre in Drury Lane – take plenty of tissues! Premium stalls seats: £85. If money is really no object, you could even fly to the USA for the premiere of the Spielberg movie, which is tipped for Oscars glory. It’s intended for release there on Christmas Day! www.warhorse london.national theatre.org.uk

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Foot perfect

Step out in style at the yard in a pair of Ariat York boots, which combine ATS technology and a Duratread outsole with classic details, making them this season’s perfect accessory. Available in black or brown with contrast tops in ladies’ sizes 3-7.5 and 8.5. RRP: from £174.99. www. ariat-europe.com

He wears it well

Show off in the dressage arena with Amerigo’s stunning patent leather bridle as modelled by Carl Hester’s European Championships star Uthopia. Available in double or snaffle with an integrated headpiece, it features a patent leather noseband and browband.

RRP: from £259 (snaffle) or £279 (double). www. zebraproducts.co.uk

Get ahead

Look like a professional with the latest style in riding helmets.

Approved by British Showjumping and British Dressage, the Samshield hat features discreet vents to preventing overheating, while the inner linings are made from memory foam. RRP: from £450. www.classicdressage.com

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www.horsedeals.co.uk

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Dream lorry

The ultimate in travelling in style and comfort, bespoke luxury lorries offer all the creature comforts you would find at home - and more. If your pockets aren’t quite deep enough for new, there’s plenty of choice in previously owned vehicles, too, with prices from £15,000 upwards. www.oakleyhorse boxes.com

november 2011 Horse Deals 67

Win this horsebox worth £28,700!

On the move Are you legal?

If you passed your driving test before January 1, 1997 you’re entitled to pull a trailer and drive a horsebox weighing up to 7.5 tonnes. After this date, new drivers must take a trailer towing test and the C1 test before driving a lorry weighing more than 3.5 tonnes. Visit www.direct.gov.uk for more info. But should you be lucky enough to win this compact Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox you’ll be pleased to hear it weighs 3.5 tonnes fully laden, and can be driven by anyone with a standard car licence, whenever they took their test.

Looking for a new horsebox or trailer?

Here the experts at Equi-Trek help you hit the road safely

Ramp it up

Luxury travel The leaders in luxury horse transport, Equi-Trek manufactures horse trailers and horseboxes, both up to and over 7.5 tonnes. A family company, it’s run by horse lovers who’ve competed at international level and so understand what horse owners want and need in a trailer or horsebox – and its qualified

12 november 2011 Horse Deals

engineers and designers work hard to ensure the upmost priority is given to your horse’s wellbeing, safety and comfort.

With dealers across the UK, Equi-Trek can offer a personal, bespoke service.

Visit www.equi-trek.com for more information, call 01484 852121 or email info@equi-trek.com

If you’re buying a used trailer or horsebox, check for signs of rot in the floor and ramp – and make sure you can open and shut the ramp by yourself if you’re going to be boxing up on your own.

Lightweight and fitted with gas struts for easy lifting, the Sonic’s ramp is quick and easy to close and secure. Not all horseboxes are so well sprung so bear this in mind if you’re buying.

Tel: 01733 468000

Wor,7th 0! £28 0

In case of emergency

Full breakdown cover is vital whether you’re towing a trailer or driving a lorry, so look for a specialist company. New Equi-Trek trailers or horseboxes come with a year’s free membership to Equine Rescue Services’ emergency breakdown cover. See www.equine 0rescue.co.uk

Running costs

If you own a horsebox make sure you make (or get someone who is mechanically-minded to make) regular maintenance checks on the battery and its connections, the oil, radiator coolant and brake fluid levels. Keep all relevant moving parts well greased, check lights and indicators and your tyre pressures. Service your lorry regularly.

It could be yours!

T

his Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox is worth a cool £28,700 – and it could be yours if you enter our fantastic competition today! The Sonic is compact and easy to drive and carries two horses in total luxury. It has the added benefit of a tack/changing/sitting area, with two saddle racks, two bridle racks and two coat hooks so you can carry all your equipment with ease, totally separate from the horses’ area.

There’s also additional storage over the cab.

Equi-Trek has generously added a package of incredible extras to our Sonic, including: • Alloy wheels • Mud flaps • Head divider • Corner seat with storage • CCTV camera • Digital reversing camera • Padded partition • Padded walls • Extra height partition • Road tax until June 2012

The sonic is compact and carries two horses in luxury

How to enter

For your chance to win…

Hidden extras

Modern horseboxes and trailers come with a host of extras. Equi-Trek’s Sonic Horsebox has the option of a CCTV camera so you can keep an eye on your horses en route, as well as a nifty digital reversing camera. It also comes with lots of storage over the cab, as well as a tack, changing and sitting area.

www.horsedeals.co.uk

>> Go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and follow the instructions. Special terms and conditions apply. Closing date is midday on 2 January 2012. Alternatively visit Your Horse Live at Stoneleigh Park – the horsebox will be on show for you to have a look at and you can enter while you’re there.

Competition open to UK entrants only. >>For more information on the Equi-Trek range of horseboxes, go to www.equi-trek.com or call 01484 852121

november 2011 Horse Deals 13

STABLING SPECIAL UPDATING AND INNOVATION

Modern makeovers Want to update your stables and help you and your horse stay healthy? Carolyn Henderson investigates the latest technology

A

“Warm, moist air is a great way to move infectious agents around horses“ – Dr David Marlin 80 NOVEMBER 2011 Horse Deals

re your stables looking scruffy? Are you worried that they don’t provide a healthy environment? Then update them, because it’s easier and more effective than you might think.

At the top end of the scale, you could incorporate the latest in air conditioning systems or give your horse the equivalent of a Power Plates session with a specially engineered floor. But even if you’re on a tight budget, new doors or windows or a more horse-friendly way of feeding hay could make a difference.

As research into recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) continues, we now know that more horses than ever are affected by respiratory problems.

Research has shown that up to 80% of horses and ponies are affected by what is often called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and while some cases are so mild that owners do not realise their horse has a problem, others are so severe that the animal’s ability to work is compromised.

This makes it even more important to give all horses a healthy environment. The healthiest place for a horse to be from the respiratory point of view is outdoors, but most have to be stabled part of the time.

“The primary consideration with stables is air quality,” says scientist and equine consultant Dr David Marlin. “Even when stables are well managed, you get dust, poorer air circulation and ammonia, and it’s more likely that if one horse gets an infection, it will be passed on.”

But thanks to David’s work with Equus Environmental, a sister company of evaporative cooling systems specialist Cool-Tech, it’s now possible to provide air conditioning in stables and barns.

However, it isn’t the standard air conditioning we’re used to in cars and buildings, which makes the air feel “dry”, but a more healthy option.

“It’s continually pushing air into the stables at a very low pressure, so there are no draughts,” explains David. “It’s a

constant airflow, not re-circulated.”

Air is drawn in from outside, then filtered through a wet filter. As it passes over the filter pads, water evaporates and the air is cooled. Not only is dust filtered out, but water soluble pollutants such as ammonia are also absorbed, giving clean, cool air. As well as giving an ideal temperature in hot weather, it reduces odours.

You might think heat isn’t a problem for stabled horses – and we’re often advised to stable them in the daytime and turn them out at night in really hot weather to avoid irritation from insects.

But our climate is changing and your horse may not be as comfortable as you think.

David explains that the upper temperature limit for horses and people is about 25° C. For the past three years, the UK temperature has exceeded this by an average of more than 80 days a year. When this happens, horses are uncomfortable, more likely to become dehydrated and at increased risk of respiratory disease.

For competition horses in temporary stabling, there are extra risks.

“They get hot during the day, then when they cool down, get damp and create a perfect environment for moulds,” says David. “Warm, moist air is a great way to move infectious agents around horses.”

The Equus Environmental system, he believes, is a solution, because it can be put up on a temporary as well as a permanent basis. It can also be used in just about any scenario, from a single stable to a complex.

Another new idea available in the UK,

Tel: 01733 468000

STABLING SPECIAL UPDATING AND INNOVATION

“Racehorse trainer Jeremy Gask believes cold water on hot muscles can cause stiffening”

Quick fixes • F eeding from the floor gives a natural teethgrinding pattern and stretches the right muscles, but is wasteful. Ideas such as the Haybar, a strong Polyethylene container that is easy to fix into a stable, are the answer.

• I f your horse kicks the walls, minimise damage – to him as well as the stable – by fitting wall boards or mats. Examples include Equibord, made from recycled Polyethylene, and rubber wall mats.

•H orses who become stressed or show stereotypic behaviour when stabled often benefit from stable mirrors.

• I f your horse delights in kicking over water buckets, fit an extra corner manger and use it as a water container. Bucket holders that fix to the wall are even cheaper.

•N o electricity? Think about solar powered lighting, which can be installed remarkably cheaply.

Companies such as Ecofreak have units to suit from a single stable up to large buildings.

www.horsedeals.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2011 Horse Deals 81

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Fancy treating yourself? See page XXX

Newsdesk HORSE WORLD

CDI postponed

Dressage at Hickstead will not hold its international show in 2012 due to a clash with the Olympic Games. Organiser Dane Rawlins says the venue will still run affiliated and unaffiliated shows next year.

New BE champions crowned The new EquestrianClearance.com BE80(T) British Riding Clubs champions were crowned after two sections at Brooksby Melton College Horse Trials.

In Section K, Worcester vet Michelle Lawrence rode Chester XII to a narrow win. A member of

Solihull Riding Club, she shares the ride on the 16-year-old with her mother Pauline.

Section L winners were 16-year-old Kate Mould and Orion Heights, a five-year-old who has been with the Bristol-based rider for a year.

Vet Michelle Lawrence and Chester XII

US-bound

Nick Skelton, Scott Brash and Ben Maher are among a star-studded show jumping entry at this year’s Alltech National Horse Show (2-6 November). The British trio will cross the Atlantic to take part in the 127th running of the event at its new home in Kentucky

Brits on top

British eventers William Fox-Pitt and Mary King dominated the final of the HSBC FEI Classics in Pau, France. William won the event on Oslo, but Mary went home almost £95,000 richer after heading the Classics’ points table.

Reduced fee

To help new owners compete at affiliated level with an already registered horse or pony, British Showjumping has introduced a £10 ownership fee offer the remainder of the horse or pony’s registration period. • For information, phone 02476 698800 or visit www. britishshowjumping.co.uk

Society wedding

Show jumpers Jan Tops and Edwina Alexander were married in Monaco recently. Former Dutch Olympian Jan, founder of the Global Champions Tour, and Australian-born Edwina celebrated with family and friends at the Hotel de Paris.

Kate Mould and the five-year-old Orion Heights

Nominate your favourites The search has begun for the SEIB Retailer and Haygain Nutritional Helpline of the Year in the British Equestrian Trade Association’s annual business awards.

• To nominate a retailer, visit www.retaileroftheyear.org.uk and post your entry to BETA, Stockeld Park, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS22 4AW, e-mail tinar@beta-int.com or fax it to 01937 582778 by 6 December 2011.

The nutritional helpline entries close on 11 January 2012 and nomination forms are available from www.haygain.com.

Please provide the name of the person/company nominated, your reason for the nomination and your name and address.

Scottish show jumping academy Young show jumpers north of the Border now have the chance of free training with the new British Showjumping Scottish junior academy.

It is open to junior, junior associate and club members at all levels until the December after their 18th birthday.

Non-members can attend three sessions before joining BS. • For more info, visit www.britishshowjumping.co.uk

New riding clubs champions crowned More than 1,000 riders congregated at the Lincolnshire Showground for the NAF British Riding Clubs National Championships. It was a weekend to remember for Rochdale and District, which took four team titles. And the Cwmaman club, which has a membership of less than 50, won two championships.

Cropthorne and Evesham Vale won the junior intermediate show jumping for the third time in four years. www.horsedeals.co.uk

The South Essex Insurance Brokers Horse Trials Championships were also hotly contested. The senior open team title went to Lamberts Castle Riding Club, whose Emily Lawler took the individual honours. Other winners were Newlands Corner, Isle of Wight, Sevenoaks and Ingatestone and Blackmore.

The Connemara Elaphine Murphy took the NAF supreme showing title for Julia Woods of St Edmunds Riding Club. november 2011 Horse Deals 7

winning moves/on the market

OntheMarket Show homes

Family life W

hen you’re shopping for a home for a horsey family, there’s a lot to take into consideration.

You have to find somewhere that includes those all-important equestrian facilities, good local schools and somewhere nice to live for Mum and Dad, so ticking all the boxes can be extremely hard – and we haven’t even mentioned the budget yet!

But there are homes on the market at the

Ravens is a stunning Listed property in semi-rural north Essex

92 NOVEMBER 2011 Horse Deals

moment which have plenty to offer.

In the Norfolk village of Magdalen, located midway between the market towns of King’s Lynn and Downham Market – both of which have rail services to King’s Cross for the London-bound commuter – is Horseshoe Barn, which has been converted to the highest standards.

On the market for offers in excess of £550,000 through Rural and Equestrian (www.ruralandequestrian.com; 0845 127 9919), this charming, character six-bedroom property offers a substantial luxury home extending to 3,981sqft. Vaulted ceilings, exposed roof timbers, travertine tiled flooring and far-reaching views of the open countryside are great features, and a large games room and heated indoor swimming pool should appeal to every member of the family.

Suzanne Jones locates some family equestrian properties at different price ranges Downham Market has a highly regarded prep school, while there are many good senior schools in the area.

Sitting well back from the road and approached through electronic gates, Horseshoe Barn comes with gardens, a small wood and paddock land. The only thing that’s missing is a stableyard, but there is ample space and scope for this, subject to planning approval.

At the other end of the budget, also with Rural and Equestrian, is Harford Farm, in Holyport, near Maidenhead. Of course, the royal county of Berkshire isn’t cheap and this property is priced at £2,250,000, but you get an awful lot for your money – and an ideal location, too! With distant views of Windsor Castle and situated towards the end of a private road, this four-bed property with a one bed annexe over the double garage is

Tel: 01733 468000

winning moves/on the market

Ravens has direct access to East Anglian Farm Rides

The Granary would suit the competitive family

Harford Farm has distant views of Windsor Castle

Horseshoe Barn has been converted to the highest standard

The Granary in Bucks comes in two separate lots www.horsedeals.co.uk

beautifully landscaped gardens and two substantial outbuildings, including temperature-controlled garaging for classic/ prestige cars and sports equipment storage.

So that’s Dad sorted! There’s also a selfcontained first-floor au pair/teenager’s flat and a separate building used as an entertainment room. There’s a Harlow timber stableblock and areas suitable to fence off for grazing – although the perimeter boundary is already post-and-railed.

Excellent local and private schooling, such as at Felsted School, can be found nearby, and immediately opposite the property is part of East Anglian Farm Rides, offering miles of off-road hacking for an annual subscription. And for the commuter, there are frequent trains to London Liverpool Street from nearby Witham.

In Gawcott in Buckinghamshire, Fisher German’s Banbury office (www. fishergerman.co.uk; 01295 27155) has The Granary on at £900,000.

This attractive four-bed barn conversion is in a peaceful setting, with the original

farmstead and two other conversions.

It comes with an annexe and garaging, while the equestrian facilities would suit the competitive family well.

There is a stableblock of four loose boxes and tackroom, a 40x20m arena, access to a bridleway network and paddocks extending to 4.46 acres, with another block available as a separate lot.

This second block of pastureland is around 13.46 acres and has its own access, with planning permission for a steel-framed building, access track and parking facilities for equestrian use. The proposed building includes eight stables, a feed store, tackroom, office and open lean-to.

Competition opportunities abound in the area, with Addington Equestrian Centre, Quainton Stud and Milton Keynes Eventing Centre all within easy reach.

The thriving village has pre- and primary schools, while Buckingham is only a couple of miles away. The excellent Royal Latin School is also nearby, while trains to London from Milton Keynes take just 25min.

Main picture by Matthew Roberts/Copyright Bauer Active

ideal for the sporting family.

There are many good schools in the area and you can travel to London Paddington from Maidenhead in 25min.

A leisure complex of sauna, swimming pool, gym, shower and bar is complimented by the equestrian facilities, which comprise 18 stables, a wash-down area, horse solarium, all-weather arena, indoor school and horse-walker.

Zoe Napier (www.inthecountryside.com; 01621 840333) has the six-bed Ravens on her books. This stunning Listed property is situated in semi-rural north Essex, just outside the highly sought-after village of Wickham Bishops, and is on the market for £895,000.

Ravens has automatic gates, four acres of

NOVEMBER 2011 Horse Deals 93

hunters SPECIAL what makes a good hunter

Heavenly hunters What makes a good hunter?

Horse Deals asks the experts

Show jumper Keith Shore with two Cheshire Foxhounds horses

Good conformation is essential, as if horses are made properly they can stand the work – Richard Sumner MFH

hunters SPECIAL what makes a good hunter

F

or many riders, this is the most eagerly awaited time of the year, as 1 November heralds the start of the hunting season. Until March or beyond – weather permitting – they’ll be squeezing in as many days as they can, following hounds.

More than 200 packs of Beagles, Harriers, drag and Foxhounds cover the length and breadth of the British Isles, so whether you want hill or dale, moorland, vales, stone wall country, grassland or plough, a pack near you can hopefully give you that “red letter” day.

Naturally, to enjoy yourself with confidence, the prerequisite is a good horse. Despite the Hunting Act (2004) banning hunting with hounds in its traditional form, there’s been no sign of smaller fields and the demand for good hunting horses to buy or hire is as buoyant as ever.

Conformation comes first

While jumping ability is important, good conformation seems top of the wish list for most seasoned campaigners – after all, if working hunters are equal at the end of a showing class, the conformation mark takes precedence over performance.

Little wonder, then, that if hunts themselves find good horses, they stick with them. In fact, many hunt horses pre-date the masters, huntsmen and whippers-in.

It’s horses for courses, though, and before buying a hunter, the country you intend riding over must be considered carefully.

Richard Sumner, field master of the Heythrop for 30 years and master for 27 of those, considers himself to have been well mounted throughout his career.

“We have hills, vale and stone walls, and because our fields are 50-60 acres, we need a quality horse. We’re travelling longer distances at speed and the hills need a bit of oomph to get up,” he explains. “Most of our horses are bought from Ireland, simply

Despite the hunting act, more people than ever want to follow hounds

because they have more quality and limb. But Irish breeders are now introducing some warmblood and while the first cross is OK, the second crosses do look quite Continental.

Good conformation is essential, as if they’re made properly they can stand the work. If hunt horses are sound and do the job, we keep them. We have some who’ve hunted for 10 seasons.”

Among Richard’s best rides is JP, a now 16-year-old who was bought from renowned sport horse dealer Charlie Edwards. JP is by a French Thoroughbred out of an Irish mare and is now in his 10th season.

Second horses

Many hunts advocate the use of second horses, as changing halfway through the day helps horses last.

“We do tend to use second horses. If you bottom a horse on Wednesday, he’s not going to come out again fresh on Saturday,” explains Richard Sumner.

Further north, Evan Purser, senior master of the Morpeth, echoes Richard’s words.

“I’m a big believer in the best hunters coming from Ireland. Hunt staff need a horse with bone and as we hunt over 60% grass, 20% arable and 20% hill, the Irish Sport Horse and Draught/Thoroughbred’s ideal,” he says. “We cross some very trappy country and often need to jump wire and electric fences off the road. Our horses need a leg at each corner – and a fifth one helps, too – but similar to footballers who stay the distance by playing half a match, we bring out second horses for our hunt staff.”

Evan’s best hunter was a failed show jumper.

“Sam was given to me by my godmother.

He was pure Irish Draught and bred for show jumping. I hunted him for eight seasons.

I could take any line and he’d go all day and jump anything. But one joint-master hunted a former Grand National runner and pointto-pointers and she thinks we all should!” he laughs.

Different types

Guy Landau, who previously hunted with the South and West Wilts, took over the mastership of the West Somerset Vale last season. He also carries the horn and says everyone looks for something different in hunters.

“The priority is soundness and type, but we all have our own idea of a trusty steed – one you get on well with. I prefer quality, short-coupled horses, as they should stay sound longer. And because it’s easier to settle a horse down than wake one up, I like them forward thinking,” he says.

“We hunt two days a week over hill country that takes a bit of getting about, so we need blood in our horses. We’ll be using the same mounts as last year, the biggest being 16.1hh.

Heavier riders need bigger horses, but the traditional heavyweight hunter is becoming rare and costs a lot more.”

NOVEMBER 2011 Horse Deals 105

FEATURE/TRAVEL AND TOWING TIPS

Getting from A to B Horse Deals looks at all aspects of transporting your horse by lorry and trailer

T

hese days, most horses and ponies have to get used to travelling on a horsebox or trailer. Gone are the days when people hacked everywhere – and even took their horses by train to a show! – so you and your horse must learn to cope with the challenges of transportation.

Whether you use a lorry or trailer depends on personal preference and finances, but if you plan to do lots of long-distance travelling, a lorry could be the best bet.

Internal designs also depend on personal choice, taking into consideration the type and size of horse. There are options to transport your horse facing forwards, backwards or herringbone (on a slant). But whatever you choose, ensure there’s enough – but not too much – space to allow your horse to brace around corners and during braking.

The trailer or lorry should be light and airy, with plenty of headroom for your horse and allowing him to stand straight within the space.

Before you leave

When you’re travelling with your horse, plan your route in advance and try to stick to main roads if you can. It’s hard enough for your

XXX NOVEMBER 2011 Horse Deals

horse to balance on his four legs as it is and coping with narrow, winding lanes will only add to any stress.

Before you leave home, check your tow vehicle, trailer or horsebox, including the lights, indicators, water, oil, ramp, doors and floor. There’s nothing more frustrating than to get ready for an important show or event, only to find the engine won’t start or the lights don’t work when you need to leave.

Think about the way your horse is going to travel, too. Don’t just walk him out of the stable on to the lorry in a thick rug. He’s likely to get warm while travelling, so use a travel rug or summer sheet or even leave the rug off altogether.

Many people use travel boots to avoid any knocks or scrapes in transit. These are basically long, thick wraps that fasten with Velcro and are very easy to put on and take off.

However, you must ensure you do them up properly, otherwise you might arrive to find them round your horse’s ankles or trodden into a pile of droppings! Some horses find leg protectors odd to wear and walk in strange manner when you put them on. If your horse is to wear them for the first time, let him to get used to them before you travel. You don’t want him kicking in the lorry if protectors make

him worried or uncomfortable.

Travel your horse in a leather headcollar that fits well and add poll or tail guards if you think he might bump his head or rub his tail during the journey.

It’s amazing how many people arrive at a show, only to find they’ve forgotten to bring their tack. Some have even arrived without their horse! Make a checklist of what you need, including hay and water in case of delays, spare ropes and headcollars, a hole punch and extra rugs. Don’t forget your horse’s passport. It’s illegal to travel anywhere without it and if you get stopped in a roadside check, you could receive a hefty fine if you can’t produce passports for every horse on board.

On the road

Once you’re on the move, listen for any unusual noises from your horse. Some become more unsettled when the lorry or trailer isn’t moving, so bear this in mind when approaching traffic lights or queues.

If your normally settled horse starts to move around a lot while you’re travelling, there is probably a good reason. It may be that he’s too hot, is being bothered by flies, needs water or your driving hasn’t been smooth enough.

Tel: 01733 468000

FEATURE/TRAVEL AND TOWING TIPS

Safety first • Tyres: are among the most important safety features on horseboxes and trailers, yet are often neglected. The legal requirement is that tyres must have a minimum tread of 1.6mm. Regardless of the amount of use, they must also be replaced every six years because the rubber deteriorates over time. As part of your routine maintenance, look for cracks, splits or perishing (a crackled pattern on the side walls). Ensure the wheel nuts are tight and keep your spare tyre in working order and inflated fully.

• Brakes: Any trailer over 750kg (unladen weight) must have its own braking system in proper working order. If you can’t check it yourself, take your trailer to a dealer to check it once a year.

• Lights: When lights are fitted to a trailer they must be maintained in proper working order. It’s worth investing in a trailer board, which will have a complete set of lights. If you have a trailer board fitted, the lights on the trailer itself don’t have to work.

• Registration: Does the registration plate on your trailer match that of the towing vehicle? This is important, as it’s a traffic offence if they don’t.

• Before leaving: ensure the trailer brake is off, the jockey wheel is in the raised position and the safety chain is attached securely.

• Insurance: Although the law doesn’t require trailer insurance, if you cause damage or injury to another party you’ll be personally liable.

Some car policies provide third party cover for towing, but check before you leave.

• Speed limit: On single-carriageway derestricted roads, the speed limit for tow vehicles is 50mph and on dual carriageway and motorways it is 60mph. It is 30mph in urban areas.

Top towing tips • Before moving off, get into a routine of checking the left and right mirrors, looking over your right shoulder at the blind spot and checking your left mirror again for cyclists.

• Leave double the braking distance you would when driving a car to give your horse the smoothest possible ride.

• Consider other road users by leaving a large gap between you and the vehicle you’re following should they wish to overtake.

• Try to stay around the speed limit when it’s safe to do so, so you don’t slow the flow of traffic too much.

• Horses have problems coping with changes of direction, so take roundabouts very steadily. Stay in the correct lane and indicate clearly.

• You are not allowed to use the outside lane of the motorway or three-lane dual carriageway when towing. When lorries pass, their wind-stream may pull at your trailer, so hold it steady. Trailers can also be affected by side-winds.

Weight watching • You need a realistic idea of your horse’s weight to ensure your vehicle is safe and within the law. The most accurate way to find out a horse’s weight is to use a weighbridge. Some feed companies will bring a weighbridge to your premises or it may be possible to pay to use a weighbridge on a large yard.

• A weightape is around 90% accurate. Horses are stood square on a firm, level surface with the head in a normal position and the tape goes around them at the lowest part of the withers. The weight is calculated according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Some people use a girth/height formula. This is said to be more accurate than a weightape, but is a two-person job. The girth measurement in cm is taken with a weightape, then the horse is measured from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock.

Using a calculator, double the girth measurement and multiply it by the length. Divide this total by 11,877 and the resulting figure is the horse’s weight in kilograms.

Pictures by Matthew Roberts/Copyright Bauer Active

www.horsedeals.co.uk

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