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NOVEMBER 2012 £3.80 Horsedeals.co.uk
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expert advice
BUYING A THOROUGHBRED? fo
Find out how to get it right
CONFoRMATION
What to look for when buying
ISSUE 140 NOVEMBER 2012
Horses don’t have to cost the earth to be good Olympic rider Peter Charles on his winning buys Over
1fo,0r sa0le0 transport special
Essential winter checks when buying a box or trailer
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Over 200
HUNTERS
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Over 250
SHOW JUMPERS
Over 270
Eventers
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DRESSAGE
Over 600
ALL-ROUNDERS
Over 400
XXX PONIES
Horse Deals January 2011
buying advice
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es 0s of hors ‌for 1,00, including for sale reds and b Thorough – visit more edeals. www.horsk co.u
NOVEMBER 2012 Horse Deals
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buying advice
Are you ready to take on an ex-racehorse? Expert advice to help you decide whether you’re up for the challenge
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hanks to the work of charities like Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), more riders are inspired to take on a Thoroughbred out of training, whether for competition or purely for pleasure. But if that’s your dream, how do you know you’re up to the challenge? Fred and Rowena Cook, who run Equine Management and Training near Stamford in Lincolnshire, take all types of horses for everything from backing to re-schooling. They have a particular fondness for and knowledge of ex-racehorses and run the RoR helpline. Here are their answers to questions every owner or would-be owner of an ex-racehorse needs to ask.
Q
I’m thinking of taking on a horse straight out of training. What should I think about first?
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Pic: NICO MORGAN – photography reproduced by kind permission of Crowood Press
Fred and Rowena Cook run Equine Management and Training, and take in all types of horses for everything from backing to re-schooling. They have a particular fondness for, and knowledge of, ex-racehorses and run the Retraining of Racehorses helpline – call 01780 740773
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Pic: Matthew Roberts
Meet our experts
If you’re thinking of re-homing a horse who has not been properly retrained, start by asking yourself why you want to do this. Reasons vary, but include: • I want to provide a home for a horse that may otherwise face an uncertain future. • I want the challenge and satisfaction of retraining. • The horse is already used to being ridden, unlike an unbacked youngster. However, please remember that while the horse is used to someone on its back, it isn’t used to being ridden in general riding horse terms. • TBs usually have wonderful natures. They are also very versatile and can turn their hooves to most things, even if not always to a high level.
Q
What questions should I ask about my own temperament, ability and experience – and will I need help?
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Retraining a racehorse can be a learning curve, but also satisfying and rewarding – most of the time! If you haven’t produced a young horse before, accept that you will need a lot of help. When working with the exracehorse you have to erase previous training and replace it with a new set of rules; in the early days, the horse will want to revert to what it knows, which can lead to stress and adverse behaviours. However, the main criteria are that you should want to learn, progress and improve your skills and are prepared to seek the right advice and put in the time and effort required. It’s difficult to define at what point a rider becomes experienced and competent, as this doesn’t necessarily relate to the length of time someone has been riding. Someone can have been riding for 10 years, but this doesn’t always mean that their skills are better than someone who has only been riding for a year. Examine your abilities as a rider; does certain behaviour make you nervous? You must be able to instil confidence into your horse, as a handler and a rider. If you are a nervous rider, then an ex-racehorse is not for you. Do you have the necessary patience? It can be a frustrating exercise at times and you can’t put a time limit on training a horse. Do you have the time? This is so important and many people do not realise the time investment required. There is no point trying to work with your horse if you are feeling tired or are in a rush to be somewhere else. Have you produced a young horse before? This doesn’t necessarily mean backing it, but being responsible for its education from that initial backing. Do you have the confidence in your ability to be train such a horse? If not, are you prepared to seek the right help – and can you afford it? Ex-racehorses might often be relatively cheap, but you need to have back-up finances. Some ex-racehorses have an underlying injury which may manifest as training progresses; can you cope financially if an issue comes to light that requires other than routine november 2012 Horse Deals
buying advice A trainable temperament is vital, whatever your discipline Pic: Matthew Roberts
buying advice
Does your new horse shape up? Whether you’re looking for an eventer, show jumper or dressage horse, good conformation is important, as Carolyn Henderson discovers
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hen you’re looking for a horse or pony, conformation is always a consideration. How high a priority it takes may depend on the work you’ll ask him to do, but a horse who shapes up stands a better chance of finding his work easier, and of staying sound. As vet John Killingbeck explains, good conformation isn’t just about looking good, it’s about a blueprint for biomechanical efficiency. “Correct conformation is the basis of soundness,” he says. “Good, basic anatomy will help avoid injuries and maintain soundness.”
Correct conformation is the basis of soundness… good, basic anatomy will help avoid injuries and maintain soundness Vet John Killingbeck John, who has wide international experience and was recently team vet to the Japanese Olympic team at Greenwich, is also an examiner for the Worshipful Company of Farriers. He says that a horse’s feet are perhaps the most important area of conformation. “The foot is still the most common site of lameness in horses of all types,” he points out. John is often called on to assess show horses as well as those intended for disciplines such as eventing. When he is vetting a horse, there are some faults which he will always take note of, whatever the horse’s future role – and a straight hindleg comes top of his hate list, particularly in a young horse. www.horsedeals.co.uk
Eventer Michael Jackson prefers a horse who is strong behind the saddle, with a good hind leg
This, he says, predisposes a horse to excessive flexion in the fetlock, which can accelerate wear and tear. For the same reason, he doesn’t like long pasterns. “A horse with long pasterns gives a comfortable ride, but this is because there is more movement and flexion,” he says.
On show
The principles of good conformation remain the same whatever a horse’s type, as showing proves. A show cob won’t necessarily float over the ground like an elegant show pony, but he still needs to be in proportion and give a comfortable ride. “Good feet and limbs are really important,” says show rider Vicky Myronidis. “Recently, I’ve noticed that judges have been making more comments about this.” Vicky, whose rides include the top native coloured mare, Moortown Frilly, has another essential. “When you look at a horse, you want to see somewhere for the saddle to go,” she says.
“You don’t want to get on and feel as if there’s nothing in front of you and nor do you want the back to be so short that it’s hard to fit a saddle.”
Moving pictures
Conformation isn’t just a static picture. “I make my observations, then watch how a horse moves,” says event rider Michael Jackson. “You can get horses who don’t have ideal conformation, but move amazingly, which changes the whole picture. They’ve got to be light on their feet and move easily across the ground.” Mike, who is based near Cheltenham, Gloucs, produces horses from novice to advanced level and says that while he isn’t looking for a show horse, he does assess conformation in terms of whether a horse will stand up to an eventing career. It takes a long time to produce one through the grades, so he’s looking for an animal that will hopefully stand up to years of work and cope with increasing demands as its career progresses. november 2012 Horse Deals
selling advice
Pic: mat thew ro berts
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Using the right photograph in an ad to sell your horse can make all the difference between the phone ringing off the hook with eager would-be buyers, or disappointing feedback, as professional equine photographer Leslie Bliss explains
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he adage ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ has never been truer than when you are advertising your horse for sale. Whether you are selling a ride-and-drive pony for £800 or a top young show jumper for £25,000, the photo you use is critical to a www.horsedeals.co.uk
successful sale. Flick through the classifieds and see what catches your eye. What are you drawn to? This one image you choose to use in your ad needs to impress, so the buyer is compelled to pick up the phone and dial your number. There is no need to panic though. You don’t
have to go and book a professional photographer for a photo shoot, although this is an option to consider, especially at the higher end of the market. What you do need to think about is how to show your horse at his best and make your picture stand out from all the others. november 2012 Horse Deals
WINTER TRAVEL ADVICE
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of horse …for 100s trailers for sale, lorries and u’re looking for a o whether y r or budget trailer 7.5-tonne www.horse – visit k deals.co.u
A few basic mechanical checks – lights, indicators and tyres, etc – will help ensure you stay safe on the roads
Check your lorry As winter draws in, Jane Carley gets some good advice on how to stay safe when travelling horses in the worst of the weather
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hile many of us are tempted to give our horses a break when the winter brings inclement weather, short days and long dark nights, it’s also a fun time to get out and about - to indoor shows, cross-country events and days out hunting. But it is vital to ensure that you are prepared for transporting horses through the winter months and that your lorry and trailer – and for that matter your towing vehicle – are in a safe condition. John Phillips of the Organisation of Horsebox and Trailer Owners provides a recovery service for the event of a breakdown, and also advises drivers on safe practice. He suggests that getting the mechanical aspects right is a priority, especially as cold weather can take its toll on lorries and towing vehicles, which tend to be older than the family car and used less often. Have a mechanic check your vehicle before the weather deteriorates, paying special attention to the battery, ignition system and oil levels all
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of which can cause problems in the winter. Regularly check lights and indicators are working – on a trailer this should be done every time you hitch up. It is essential that other road users can see you. John adds: “Make sure your tyres have adequate tread. All-weather radials (winter tyres) are adequate for most winter conditions and are worth fitting. Also maintain at least a half tank of fuel during the winter season – warm daytime temperatures will fill the empty space in the tank with moisture, which will condense during a cold night. This water will sink to the bottom and, sooner or later, rust out your tank or give running problems when the level gets low.” It’s worthwhile equipping your vehicle for the worst conditions – keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal in the cab or a handy place. A small shovel can also come in useful. Other handy items include a torch with extra batteries, blankets or a sleeping bag in case you are stuck for several hours in
freezing conditions, warm clothes and rain gear, jump leads and some food (high energy bars or similar are good) and water. If you are travelling with children, it may be worth having some games or puzzles stashed away in the event of a long wait for recovery! If you’ve qualified for a big championship, this may entail a longer journey than you are used to. John advises: “Plan long trips carefully, listen to the radio or check local media websites for the latest road conditions. Always travel during daylight and, if possible, take at least one other person.”
Driving sense
As road surfaces become wet, vehicle traction decreases by about half and on ice-covered roads, traction can be almost nil, John points out. “Avoid any abrupt manoeuvres. Some towing vehicles have anti-lock brakes (ABS) and you must use continual pressure; don’t lift up when these brakes pulsate. Drive smoothly and steadily. Slow down well before entering a bend. While applying brakes, use light and november 2012 Horse Deals
WIN A HORSEBOX
Win this horsebox! We’re bringing you the chance to win this incredible Equi-Trek horsebox, plus fabulous clothes from the Musto Autumn/Winter range worth over £500!
WORTH
£28,900
Drive away in an Equi-Trek Sonic horsebox
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his Sonic Horsebox is worth a cool £28,900 – 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 including:
november 2012 Horse Deals
• 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 2013 As well as the fantastic Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox, we’re giving you the chance to win prizes every month from our Win a Horsebox sponsors Petplan Equine, Musto, Animalife and Kent & Masters.
How to enter
For your chance to win… Go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and follow the instructions. Special terms and conditions apply. Closing date is midday on 2 January, 2013. Alternatively visit Your Horse Live at Stoneleigh Park on 10-11 November – the horsebox will be on show for you to have a look at and you can enter while you’re there. For more info about this fantastic event, go to www.yourhorselive.co.uk • F or more information on the Equi-Trek range of horseboxes, go to www.equi-trek.com or call 01484 852121 • Competition open to UK entrants only, who must be 18 or over and own a horse
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WIN A HORSEBOX
To take a sneaky video peek inside our prize horsebox, go to www. yourhorse.co.uk/ winahorsebox
Win a stylish prize package This month we’ve teamed up with Musto to offer one lucky reader a brand new outfit worth £500 – plus runners-up prizes
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usto’s new Autumn/ Winter 2012 collection is a must for riders and countryside lovers, with designs that feature a range of technical features to ensure you stay warm, dry and comfortable, both in the saddle and out of it – all with a stylish twist. The collection – entitled ZP176 – comprises of warm fleece-lined riding jackets, cosy fur-trimmed country coats and smart plaid
trimmed sweats. And you can rely on Musto’s technical and design excellence. The collection’s been designed in association with Olympic event rider Zara Phillips, and her expert input has ensured Musto’s new jackets, gilets and polo tops draw inspiration from her team eventing kit. Emblazoned with Zara’s key sponsors, these items will make you feel part of ‘Team ZP’.
Our prizes • Our first prize winner will receive a stylish outfit from the Musto range, including a smart Grooms Jacket as well as a Trials Jacket, a Winchfield Hoody Knit, Snug Shirt, Winter Plaid Shirt, Caledon Rugby Top and Sunrise Pants. • Our second prize winner will get the Musto Winchfield Hoody Knit and Winter Plaid Shirt; while third prize is the Winter Plaid Shirt.
Performance Nutraceuticals
when performance matters
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To enter, and for full terms and conditions, go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win – closing date is 26 November 2012. For more information about the full Musto range, visit www.musto.com november 2012 Horse Deals
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