Horsescene november by HRCS

FR E

November 2013

Your free NATIONAL magazine

Dressage dilemmas How to avoid making some common mistakes

Farriery treatment for an abscess

Jumping water jumps

Respiratory Products to help maintain healthy airways

•

WI N IN • •W

•

up fo grabs!

ice o deal wi n how to t season h three al prob lems

IN • W •W IN

Many ic fantast prizers

Winter worries Adv

• W I N • WI N

The eﬀects of feeding on temperament

IN • WI N • W

Christmas gift guide perfect products for the equine enthusiast

Inside this issue... Contact Horse Scene Post: 9 Maple Grove, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 1NQ Telephone: 01707 880170 Horse Scene Team kate@horsescenemagazine.co.uk charlotte@horsescenemagazine.co.uk info@horsescenemagazine.co.uk Subscriptions & Back Issues T: 01707 880170 E: subscribe@horsescenemagazine.co.uk Contributing writers Zoe Davies KK Equestrian Sarah Weston DWF Equine Craig D’Arcy Hilary Self Warren Lampert Published By Horse Scene Magazine is published by KCD 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 the practicalities of equine property

Winter worries advice on how to deal with three seasonal problems

Letter Scene your views & experiences in the equine world

Dressage dilemmas - how to avoid making some common mistakes

WIN A year’s worth of Verdo bedding!

WIN a Horseware outﬁt for you and your horse

New on the scene new products to the equine market

Tack talk posture management in the saddle

The eﬀects of feeding on temperament

Farriery treatment for an abscess

Token frenzy collect your 1st token

Respiratory products to help maintain healthy airways

Herb of the month

Jumping water jumps

WIN lots of giveaways up for grabs!

Christmas gift guide perfect products for the equine enthusiast

On trial read our product testing reviews

Tackroom break relax with our puzzles

Horsetalk

Petplan Equine launches new horse ownership survey

The UK’s leading equine insurance provider is asking horse owners to take part in an online survey to find out whether the current economic climate is having an impact on horse ownership. The survey focuses on issues including feeding, worming, vaccinations, veterinary treatment and road safety and aims to generate an accurate understanding of the average horse owner and how they manage their horse in 2013. “Petplan Equine celebrated its 25th birthday this year,” said Isabella von Mesterhazy, Petplan’s Head of Marketing, “and it is very important that we continue to understand our customers and the key issues that affect them, particularly the financial implications. We hope that this survey will help us to identify the ways in which horse ownership has evolved as a result of the economic climate and to offer the most effective service that we can to ensure owners can continue to provide the best care for their horses.” Everyone who takes part in the survey will be entered into a prize draw in which four people will win a Petplan goody bag, which includes a saddlecloth, first aid kit and Focus on Advice guides. The survey goes live on November 1st and horse owners can take part throughout November. To take part in the survey, go to www.petplanequine.co.uk/survey/

Horse rescued from shocking conditions is facing a bright future his sinus cavity, probably the result of a trauma. The vets ﬂushed out his sinus cavity and the wound began to heal.

A horse rescued from terrible conditions has now found a loving home with a well respected horse trainer and is facing a bright future. Along with eleven other horses, Mickey was found locked in a barn with no food or water, only rubble and litter. HorseWorld, a Bristol-based rescue charity was one of the charities that came to their aid. They discovered that not only were these horses all emaciated, but both strangles and salmonella had swept through the whole herd. Working alongside other charities to remove all twelve horses, HorseWorld brought home four of the poorly animals.

Mickey has now found a fantastic home with horse trainer, Bronwen Packham. Bronwen was trained by Kelly Marks (the prodigy of legendary horse whisperer, Monty Roberts) in the use of Intelligent Horsemanship techniques and is the holder of the Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate of Horsemanship. She has a thorough understanding of horse psychology and equine behaviour. “We feel that Mickey has well and truly settled in here at our farm, Harmony Fields and is very much part of the family - and a happy, cheeky addition at that.” Said Bronwen. “I think it’s fair to say that HorseWorld really do work miracles.” To find out more about rehoming a rescued horse, please visit www.horseworld.org.uk/rehome To find out more about Bronwen Packham’s courses and clinics, please visit www.equineharmony.co.uk

“It really was a shocking sight that greeted us on arrival at the scene.” Said HorseWorld’s Husbandry Manager, Joanne Vaughan. “The horses had been shut in the barn and simply left to die. They were all weak, barely able to stand, suffering with untreated open wounds, salmonella, strangles and worm burdens. To think that this suffering had been inflicted deliberately is sickening. Sadly the two mares had such extensive worm damage they didn’t make it, but the two young males now named Mickey and Einstein fought on.” With the help of vets, farriers, dentists and physiotherapists Einstein and Mickey began to pull though. Mickey was suffering a wound on his face and yellow discharge from his nose which was failing to heal. Further investigation showed that he had some fragments of bone floating around

Don’t miss out! Have you become a fan of Horse Scene’s facebook page yet? If not, you’re missing out on Competitions & giveaways • Up to date news • Gossip & discussions ...and much more! 4 HorseScene

Blue Cross inundated with young horses needing help Blue Cross has seen a 28% increase in the number of welfare cases involving young horses and ponies being admitted to its centres this year. The charity is urgently seeking experienced temporary homes for youngsters to free up space at centres for the further welfare intakes anticipated this winter. This year 55 of the 197 horses admitted to the leading animal charity’s horse centres in Oxfordshire and Staﬀordshire have been youngsters under the age of four – a 28% increase on last year. In addition the charity has witnessed a dramatic rise in the number of in-foal mares and mares with foals at foot being admitted to its centres. Blue Cross is urgently looking for experienced temporary homes for 23 youngsters, until they are old enough to be backed either in the home or at the centre, as well as eight mares with foals at foot. Emmett on arrival

Emmett was less than a year old when he rescued as part of a large welfare operation by the RSPCA in January 2012. He was severely malnourished and suﬀering from strangles as well as a lice infestation when he arrived at Blue Cross and needed veterinary care, a special feeding regime and intensive handling to prepare him for his future.

Emmett was clipped due to his lice infestation

With lots of patience and a tailor made training programme to help him bond with people and build his confidence Emmett turned a corner and became bolder and more content, and he has now been rehomed as a field-mate to another pony. He is progressing well and has settled happily into his new home. When Emmett is four years old, he will be assessed to see if he is suitable for training as a riding pony. Kath Urwin, manager of the Blue Cross Rehoming Centre at Rolleston in Staffordshire explains: “If you have the facilities and knowledge to help us you might also be interested in our foster care scheme that uses suitable volunteers to provide short term respite care for some of our horses and ponies. We will provide support, guidance and training and will reimburse for costs.” To find out more visit www.bluecross.org.uk

Emmett enjoying turnout

Chat WE ASKED Fireworks nig ht can often be a stressful time for our hor ses, especially now that it seems to go on for weeks. Do you have a routine to mak e sure your horse stays happy and as stress free as possible during this time?

We are lucky that we have an older pony who doesn't bother with much she used to live next door to an airport! So she gets put next to any young ones and we pop the radio on in the yard til the fireworks stop as the con stant sound seems to take the edg e off. Nicola Alexandria Hutchings Keep the same routine as normal suddenly bringing them in or chucking them out is likely to stress them out more then the fireworks. Charlotte Barker Our 4 boys live out 24/7, the y are youngsters and don't seem bothered at all. In fact, one year we cau ght 3 of them lying down and the 4th watching the fireworks on the opposit e hill! We have 2 new ones this year (ex racer and wpbr) so don't know what they will be like, but we have 12 acres nat urally divided into 4 paddocks but they have access to all. I feel they are safer being outside, unless their field was next to a big display or surrounded by houses. Becky Young Although I worry about the stubs and sparks, my mare likes to wat ch fireworks. If she can see the m she stays calm as she seems to know the bangs are associated with them. Plus she’s an old lady so she's had many years of displays to get used to the m! Naomi Stevens In her stable, rugged up wit h a haynet and her lick = happy pony Martika Chambers

legalscene

Our expert

DWF is a leading national law firm with an equine team committed to horses, with some owning and showing their own horses in their spare time. The team has For most equestrian enthusiasts, the dream of owning a horse goes hand in developed a breadth of expertise in hand with the dream of possessing an ideal home for themselves and their contentious and non-contentious equine equine friend. Whether this is the purchase of a piece of grazing land, matters spanning the full services that DWF building a stable yard, opening a livery business or taking on the lease of a provide from varied property transactions, holding; before plans are made you should be mindful of the practicalities business acquisitions and employment matters involved and to have a sound understanding of your legal position. to complex contractual disputes, rights of way issues and insurance related claims. We have Whether you plan to buy, rent or no guarantee that you would be the capability to assist a wide range of develop your property it is essential to entitled to renew at the end of the clientele consisting of, for example, owners/ recognise that where equestrian term, nor whether the owner would breeders, racing managers, racecourses, interests are involved, the still want to rent the property. corporate entities, charities and arrangements required will be much competitive bodies/organisations. DWF more complex compared to a simple Planning Considerations are the appointed solicitors to The residential property transaction, for If you are looking to develop land or example. Your first port of call should existing premises for equine use then it Pony Club and can be contacted be to seek advice from a specialist is imperative to seek advice from a on 0845 404 2293 property lawyer who is used to dealing specialist planning lawyer. Aside from with equine property related matters. usual planning constraints that apply where building or altering property is Prospective new Shelley Williams, a property lawyer and concerned, permissions for change of owners or tenants should check equine specialist at national law firm use (for example from agricultural to whether the erection of any stables, DWF sets out the points to consider equestrian, or residential to arena etc required planning permission when looking at making the dream of commercial) may be required. and whether this was obtained because possessing equine property a reality. the liability for breach of such can be There have been occasions when enforced against them as the stables and outbuildings have been Purchase or Rent? subsequent owner or tenant. built on land or within existing barns The decision on whether to buy or take without permission and the local a lease of a property is largely based authority has subsequently made an upon the amount of capital that an Thinking of renting your field, order for the buildings to be individual has available, whether they small holding or yard? demolished. Failure to comply with can borrow funds and whether they are such an order can result in heavy fines comfortable with taking on a more For those looking to rent their and/or committal to prison for the permanent commitment of legally unused stables, or to rent their field individuals involved. Retrospective owning a property. for grazing, you must be cautious consent to planning and change of use and ensure that however casual the is possible, however, there is no The purchase of a property will involve arrangement, a written agreement guarantee that the local authority will additional costs, such as surveyor's setting out the arrangement in grant this and they are not obliged to fees, search fees, stamp duty premiums detail is essential as it will set out do so. and perhaps a specialist mortgage, how those persons are permitted to particularly if the property will have a use the property and for how long Planning fees are expensive and the commercial use element, such as the this can mark the difference procedures involved can be running of a livery yard or a provider of between that tenant or licensee complicated. For example, it is other services, such as stud, race or vacating the property if requested important to consider that planning competition yards. to do so, or putting forward a case permission can be required for the for potentially claiming rights over erection of an indoor as well as an Taking a lease of a property is a good your property! outdoor arena and even for the option, as the length of the term can be installation of floodlights! negotiated and options built into the lease to exercise a break clause to bring an arrangement to an early end should you find the property unsuitable or your circumstances change. A lease could also be appropriate if you are unable to obtain a mortgage and/or do not have the capital available to purchase. It is important to consider however, that a bond is usually requested together with the payment of at least the first month's rent in advance. If the lease is taken on for a relatively short period, then depending on what is agreed at the outset, there is

The Practicalities of Equine Property

6 HorseScene

Winter worries

Our expert Sarah Weston is a Recommended Associate of Intelligent Horsemanship and is based in the New Forest. She covers Hampshire and the IOW, Wiltshire and Dorset. She can be contacted at sarah@logicalhorsemanship.co.uk for all kinds of horse help.

Dark nights, unpredictable weather and ﬁrework displays can all add up to make the winter diﬃcult for horses owners. Here, Recommended Associate of Intelligent Horsemanship, Sarah Weston gives advice about three winter worries and what you can do about them.

Fear of Fireworks Annoyingly for many horse owners, firework displays no longer seem to be limited to a few nights around November 5th. Not only do people celebrate big birthdays and New Year Eve with fireworks but they seem to be less considerate about where they let them off. While the Government considers changes to the law, there are things that you can do to lessen the risk of your horse being terrified and injured. The decision whether to keep your horse in or out, especially when he is normally out, is not an easy one especially if you are not sure when fireworks are likely to be let off. The safety of fencing is one consideration along with the proximity to the fireworks. The age, breed and temperament of your horse and his companions will all come into play too.

8 HorseScene

It is possible gradually to acclimatise horses to all sorts of whizzes and bangs to lessen their impact. There are even CDs available with firework noises on them. Whenever desensitising your horse to specific noises it is important to work in a safe place with good fencing and make sure that you are wearing a hard hat, sturdy boots, gloves and a body protector. Your horse needs to be in a headcollar with a long lead rein attached. Work incrementally, gradually building up the volume and frequency of the noise. Keep repeating the noise, gently at first and wait until your horse stands still. The instant he stands still switch the noise off and reward him with a lovely rub. Switching the noise on again continue in this way until your horse stands still and is really relaxed about it before increasing the volume or intensity of the noise. The key to success is to practice, practice, and practice until your horse is no longer worried about the noise at all.

repeating this until he is relaxed about the rug being next to him and eventually touching him. Then work step by step to ask him to accept the rug over his back, taking care not to unfold too much at once and only unfold it entirely when you are satisfied that he is ready for it. You might want to work over a number of sessions with a particularly nervous horse and to work on straps as a separate session. For some horses it can help them to accept straps more readily if you prepare them initially by attaching a Vetwrap bandage to a surcingle and extending it around their hindquarters to the other side. Allow them to get used to the feel of that by taking them for a walk with it in place. The same can be done around the back legs taking particular care when putting them on to ensure that you don’t get kicked. It is not unknown for a horse to panic completely when wearing a rug for the first time and then subsequently. Take care to turn your horse out into an area with really good fencing. Think carefully about the type of rug you use and perhaps try a ‘quiet’ rug first before one which makes more noise. Some rugs can carry a high amount of static which can be reduced by washing the rug with conditioner (taking care not to spoil its waterproof properties) and not sliding the rug along your horse’s back when taking it off and putting it on.

Rug-phobic Not every horse is happy to accept a rug. Even horses that live out all year round and are not rugged would benefit from being able to accept one so that if they could wear one in an emergency or if they were ill. The art is to introduce the rug in the right way in the first place and to make sure that your horse is relaxed about it before fastening it into place. Here a bit of advance and retreat works well – fold the rug up as small as possible and approach your horse with it. If he stands still and accepts it close to him move it away again to take the pressure off him and effectively say “thank-you”. If he moves away then you need to move calmly with him until he does come to a halt. As soon as he stands still move away with the rug. Keep

It was a rug that caused me to become interested in Intelligent Horsemanship in the first place. My own horse, Petra, had never had a rug on and when it had rained for almost a week non-stop, I tho ught that she should have one on. Passing the lead rein to my boyfriend I said “Can you just hold her a minute whi le I put this on?” Not even thinking twice, I put the rug on her and she completely panicked, dragging him alon g the floor and then running through an electric fence. For tunately neither of them was hurt but it took some careful training before Petra would have a rug on again. Nowada ys she is absolutely fine and loved her sweet itch rug whi ch protected her from being bitten by midges. Incidentally , my boyfriend did go on to marry me!

Scared of Stables Horses can be anxious about going into a stable for all sorts of reasons – a poor experience in the past, fear of being alone, of not being able to see or hear around them, or simple lack of experience. Whilst it is always possible for a horse to live out all the time, it helps if they can be brought in in an emergency, for box-rest or recovery and it also helps to prepare them for travelling in a horse box or trailer. Ideally horses would always have company when they are in a stable and it is even better if they can touch another horse at the same time as them being safe from injury. Short periods in the stable, with feed or good hay, can be followed by a little groundwork, simply moving the horse’s feet here and there. In time you can leave your horse in the stable, again with some food to

keep them occupied and preferably with a good companion close by. The time can be built up incrementally, keeping a distant eye to make sure that he is settled and safe. If he frets a little then, providing he is physically safe, it is best to wait for him to settle slightly before returning to him. Reward him with a lovely rub and turn him out. Never underestimate a horse’s ability to try to jump out of a stable if he is afraid or really doesn’t want to be there. If in doubt, full bars can help until you are sure that he won’t attempt to escape. Some horses are just afraid of going through the threshold of the doorway, having perhaps banged their hip on one occasion. Practice going in and out calmly.

HorseScene 9

LetterSscene tar WIN... a pair of

letter

Ariat Olympia Full Seat Breeches

A match made in

heaven

One for the bucket list? I'm sure when someone mentions team chase, it portrays mad riders, out of control horses and huge, barely jump able fences, well it did to me!! I was cajoled (peer pressured) by a couple of riding club friends to do the novice team. The course was mainly hedges and some ﬁxed xc fences. I felt physically sick the week leading up to it, couldn't sleep the night before and had to calm my nerves with a couple of glasses of sloe gin on the day, I couldn't believe I'd been talked into it. But it was fabulous!! The most fun I've had on a horse, not once did I feel out of my comfort zone. I am totally addicted and I think my horse is too. The best bit is you can relive the memories over and over again because you have three other people to share your round with. If you get the opportunity of having a go, your horse is up to it and you have good team mates I think it should be on your bucket list. Tiﬀ

Write to: Letter Scene, Horse Scene Magazine, 9 Maple Grove, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. AL7 1NQ or email:

letters@horsescenemagazine.co.uk

old mare 'Ruby Tuesday' who This is my super talented 5 year mum after been weaned from her life to t didn't have a brilliant star sequently con and ery surg colic ing at 8 weeks due to my mare hav mum. She has stayed strong was hand reared by myself & ss, brought us no end of happine has she ed thriv throughout and y at her 3rd show Rub is ure pict This day. y and I'm proud of her ever ive 3rd h Watson coming an impress ridden by my instructor Sara y out of 16. Sent in by Emma Kirb

Want to be next months HOT SHOT? Send your picture to hotshot@horsescenemagazine.co.uk

hotshot • hotshot • hotshot • hotshot

Recently my mum was out riding with some friends and her horse was bitten in the chest by a dog. My mum was unhurt but her horse needed stitches. This made me think of what First Aid we carry, if any, when out hacking. I ride a lot on tarmac roads and if I have an accident it is likely that I could scrape a lot of skin oﬀ and I would not have any dressings with me or anything to stop any bleeding. In a bad accident an ambulance and vet would always be called but quite often we ride in in-accessible places and I think in future I might carry some First Aid with me to patch up any large open wound and stop any bleeding until help arrives. I hope this letter might make other readers think about taking some First Aid with them, a mobile phone to call for help and telling people where they will be when out riding. Bryony

hotshot • hotshot • hotshot • hotshot

I am 16 years old The winner of the star letter will and I have been riding for two years. A year win these fantastic breeches, ago, a horse cam e to the yard which recent featuring four-way stretch ly came out of fla t racing. schoeller fabric for maximum She was 6 years old, 16hh with a bay coat with comfort and mobility, stretch a white star on he r face. She was go Clarino full seat, front zip and rgeous but was in need of a lot of tender unique hand pocket design with loving care I instantly fell in lov e with her. I went piping effect. Ariat’s patented V3 home and told my pare nts how beautiful system in the waist and CFS (Calf she was and I wouldn’t sh ut up about her. Fit System) ensure these breeches Unbeknown to me, my mum arranged for me not only perform in the saddle but to try her out. I rode her, an d we instantly cli look great too. Available in white, cked, even though nothing and was the horse knew very spooky. My beige, navy, black or truffle in riding instructor were a match m could see that we ad sizes 22-36. e ! in he av 9 en ; wh 9 ich isn’t found ve asked me if I wa 4. ry often. My mum www.ariat-europe.com nted to loan her, h £14 I said yes in excit following weeken ement. The Wort d when I was wo rking at the stable kept, my parents s where she is came up to me an d asked do I still and I said yes. Bu want to loan her, t they had actuall Road tax for safer hacking? y bought her for the yard was so me! Everyone on happy for me, an After attending a council meeting with regards to the d I felt like the luc world. Over the kiest girl in the pa st year, I have crea roads around our area being dangerous for horse and ted a very strong me and my horse bond between , as my riding ins riders, some of the attendees commented on the reaction tructor had advis step is to spend ed me the first of drivers being 'well you don’t pay road tax!!!' I for one as much time as possible with he been spending ev r. I have currently would be willing to pay a small yearly fee to ride on the ery single day wi th my horse. I ha myself, taught he roads if it gives us the respect of the drivers that drive at ve brought her on r to jump, she do es not spook as now and I’ve take speed, or with no respect for the safety of horse and rider. much as she did n her cross coun try schooling. Ad entered local com I am more concerned for road safety now as my 6 year old ditionally, I have petitions in ex-ra ce horse and show daughter is now hacking out with me and I am so much classes, in which jumping we pla ce d. My next move more aware of the dangers that face us. Kimberley Laycock the pony club. I sti is to get a trailer ll feel like I am th and join e luckiest girl in proud of my little the world, I’m so horse. Beth Austi Think first aid n

Dressage dilemmas Dressage dilemmas.... where do we start? There are so many dilemmas, most of which are avoidable and due to ill preparation. So follow the scouts motto and "be prepared". Make a list of all equipment needed at a show. If you have a lorry some of it can be kept on board. If not, have a plastic box or a big laundry bag and keep everything you need in it, with a check list. List all the things you need at a one day show. Have another list for an overnight show. When you enter a competition make sure you have a couple of routes to get there. Fill up with fuel the day before. Allow plenty of time, we always make sure we are there at least one hour before wanting to start warming up. That way both we and our horses can settle. Remember to declare. Then ﬁnd the café for a coﬀee and, of course, the compulsory cheesy chips!

Have you covered all eventualities in your training? Check your venue Is there anything scary? One venue we go to has flags hanging down the walls which billow in and out with the breeze. So we bought two BIG flags and put them up in our outdoor ménage. It took us three days to get our horses to put one foot in the arena! But by the time we went to the competition, where other people's horses had issues with these small flags, ours saw the flags flapping and thought, "Flags? They're not flags!" and promptly did a blinding test!

Conclusion

d work at home tition venues an pe m co ur yo Know tion. horse’s concentra to improve your

12 HorseScene

Forgetting tack is a common dilemma, hence the check list. Buying something at a shop on site, one size too big or small is not always the best thing to do, and usually expensive. Sometimes the dilemma is as simple as nerves getting the better of you and you just can’t remember your test so you may need to find a caller. There is usually someone there who takes pity on you and will call it. Alternatively, some venues make a small charge to call your test - not bad for peace of mind. If you're one of those people who start down the centre line and go brain dead, not knowing your left from right, simple solution - just write L and R on your gloves. Make sure it is the right way round though!!! Of course, there's the problem of bling or no bling or how much bling. If riding under British dressage rules, make sure you know what you’re allowed to wear. The rules change slightly each year so keep up to date with them. Everything matching always looks smart! Then there's the weather. What should you do if it’s raining or too hot? I know the expression is “ come rain or shine”, but if it’s raining and your horse isn't likely to plant its backside to the rain and go on strike, then you should go, as you might just achieve the qualifying score required. In hot weather, horses easily become dehydrated. We always electrolyte our horses 2 -3 days prior to and after competitions. High winds, especially the ones experienced recently, are best avoided as it can quite easily blow you off course. Always listen to the weather forecast and heed any warnings. Better safe than sorry. We also tend to take water with us as horses prefer their own brand. Waters have a different taste, would you believe! Make sure you have plenty if staying away for a few days. There are, of course, some dilemmas that you can’t avoid. For example: the elusive crisp packet that makes its escape as you're preparing to halt, and the small dog with Jack Russell syndrome that takes chase after said crisp packet barking frantically, and of course, the small child in the pushchair next to ring side, crying hysterically, as it's just lost the crisps to the dog, when a gust of wind wafts it your way. Say no more! Some dilemmas are unavoidable. C'est la vie!

Our experts KK Equestrian is run by Kate Rowland and Karen Bennett. Both are national level dressage riders and have many wins and a wealth of experience between them. Kate has also show-jumped for many years and is known for bringing on young and diﬃcult horses. One of her passions includes being an international dressage groom. Karen is very good with nervous riders, she loves judging and is a stickler for a riders position. KK Equestrian is based at East Herts Equestrian Centre and oﬀers competition, selling and training livery.

WIN...

f o h t r o w A year ’s ! g n i d d e Verdo b

palle for g t up rabs

One lucky winner will win a pallet of bedding – that could be enough bedding for a whole year!

All you have to do is answer this question: What are Verdo horse pellets sourced from? Worrying about the quality, supply and cost when it comes to your choice of horse bedding is enough to give you nightmares! Fortunately, Verdo Horse Bedding offers the perfect solution for you and your horse. Verdo Horse Bedding are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a *year’s worth of bedding! Verdo Horse Bedding is a clever heat-treated wood pellet product, created for equine use. When a small amount of water is added to the bag a regeneration process is activated and within 20 minutes, you are ready to empty the open bags out into the stable floor and create a soft fluffy and dry bed ready for

How to enter

your equine friend! Because the pellets are sourced from 100% virgin soft wood and heat treated to eliminate pests and bacteria, you can rest assured that your horse is sleeping on only the best and its good to know that it also contains less than 1% dust. When it comes to your pocket, compared to other products on the market, Verdo Horse Bedding can also save you as much as 40% on your yearly bill! Used by top professional riders including international show jumper Daniel Moseley, top eventer Gemma Tattersall and MBE and Multi Gold Medallist Para Dressage rider Natasha Baker to name just a few – Verdo is a name your can trust! www.verdohorsebedding.co.uk

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: 30th November 2013

Y A D O T E B I R C SUBS

Horsescene FR EE

November 2013

Your free NATIONAL magazine

• Never miss an issue

Dressage dilemmas How to avoid making some common mistakes

Farriery treatment for an abscess

Jumping water jumps

Respiratory Products to help maintain healthy airways

•

WI N IN • •W

•

up for grabs!

IN • W •W IN

Many fantastic prizes

Winter worries

Advice on how deal wi to th season three al proble ms

• W I N • WI N

The effects of feeding on temperament

• Enjoy delivery direct to your door

IN • WI N • W

Christmas gift guide perfect products for the equine enthusiast

• Only £25

Exciting launch of recession-busting schooling aid - the Pole Cone Cup • Bigger and more versatile • Aﬀordable, Safe, Colourful • British designed - British manufactured Looking for an inexpensive, versatile, robust training aid for your horse? The simple looking plastic jump ‘cup’, which is exclusive to JSW, can be used to create an almost endless variety of schooling aids from jumps to ground-training obstacles such as raised trotting poles, corridors, S and Z bends. Jumps can be created in a matter of seconds by placing the lightweight cup on top of a road cone - also available from JSW in 60cm and 75cm heights and in multiple colour ways. Poles can then be rested on the cups just as they would be if using traditional jump wings. The lightweight design of both cup and road cone

means riders of any age can easily build jumps and obstacles. The cups are also designed to withstand British weather oﬀering a longlasting, low maintenance and splinter-free alternative to some traditional training aids. The range of attractive bright colours also means they are easy to see and hard to lose currently available in white, purple, pink, yellow, blue and red with additional exciting fashionable colours set to arrive next year. The cone cups are an excellent Christmas gift and JSW is selling them at an introductory price of £19.99 a pair inclusive of VAT for a short time only.

(to cover 12 months p+p)

Tel: 01707 880170 or www.horsescenemagazine.co.uk

For more information - tel: 01609772449

www.jsw4jumps.co.uk

N I W

Horseware outﬁt for you and your horse - worth £500!

set up fo grabs! r

In this issue we have teamed up with Horseware to give one lucky winner the chance to win all these fabulous Horseware items including the full Rambo Grand Prix elite show set! Before and after competition every rider wants to keep their horse warm and dry, the GP Fleece is double bonded for warmth and has excellent wicking properties. The matching travel boots with reinforced ends prevent wear and tear. The Rambo GP fleece lined head collar is a perfect touch to your travel set, comfortable and strong for your horse. During competition you will look professional and stylish with the GP saddle pad and GP Earnet, and for those cold days you will have the GP competition sheet to keep your horse’s flanks and rump warm. For the rider Horseware are offering the Alana Jacket in navy, a classic piece that will compliment your horse when he is wearing the GP navy fleece. The Alana jacket is waterproof and breathable with a belted waist and phone pocket inside making this jacket perfect for riding, yet fashionable for every day wear. Finally, to keep you cosy over the winter is a pair of softie socks, every horsie girls must have in the wardrobe on those cold days at the yard or show.

The Horseware Story Horseware started with a sma ll team, in a small town in Irela nd in 1985. After months of prototype of the now icon research and hand-stitching ic Rambo Original was bor the n, setting the standard for grown to become the world’s modern rug design. Since most trusted producer of hor then we have se rugs. Today, our Rambo Ireland under Tom MacGui range is still made in the sam nness’s watchful eye and with e town in the same attention to detail ourselves on in 1985. We are and high quality material that constantly striving to produc we prided e the best we can and hav clothing for horses and ride e grown into a leading man rs. We never stop evolving; ufacturer of we’re always seeking out unt ﬁnding new challenges. rodden paths, pushing bou ndaries and

Enter online at: www.horsescenemagazine.co.uk 16

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

New

on the

scene

Kit Bag Vintage Canvas Satchel New for 2013 our Kit Bag Range! Robust cotton canvas vintage look with adjustable shoulder strap. Featuring a rear zippered pocket and magnetic closures with multiple pockets. Size 37 x 29 x 9cm and is available in the colours Chocolate or Sahara. RRP £28.99 For more information visit www.horseswithattitude.co.uk

Snuggle up to Ariat this season Ariat have made staying snug this season easy with the beautiful new Innsbruck Down Parka. For those that like a classic look – with a few touches of design elegance – the Innsbruck Down Parka is a winter wardrobe essential. Featuring a saddle vent, 2-way-zipper, adjustable waist and cargo hand pockets - turning this fashionable item into something functional as well. For ultimate warmth Ariat’s Down Insulation has been used, providing exceptional heat retention without the bulk. The premium down ﬁlling helps maintain the body’s optimal temperature to protect against the cold, whilst still allowing skin to breath and stay comfortable. In addition, a removable fur trimmed hood has been designed to ﬁt over a riding helmet for extra protection against the elements – making the Innsbruck Down Parka perfect for wearing in and out of the saddle. Available in smart coal grey, in ladies sizes XS – XXL. Priced at £189.99 For more information visit www.ariat-europe.com

Nettex – keeping mud fever away Nettex Muddy Marvel Barrier Cream is a waterproof product that inhibits the entry of mud, water and bacteria into susceptible skin. Its unique formula is ideal for horses that are prone to mud fever, helping to prevent the onset of this painful condition. While Muddy Marvel Barrier Cream keeps mud and wet out, it still allows the skin to breathe, keeping legs and other vulnerable areas healthy and mud fever free. If, however, mud fever has already taken a hold then this cream, which also contains a disinfectant, soothes the sores, helps to regenerate skin growth and speeds up the whole healing process. Easy to apply, Nettex Muddy Marvel Barrier Cream only needs to be used once or twice a week, making it a cost-eﬀective purchase for horse owners. It’s without doubt a product that every horse owner needs in their tack box all year round. RRP: £8.99 for 300ml, £16.99 for 600ml For more information visit www.nettexequine.com

Tatty Teddy has it in the bag! This beautiful blue themed design features the fun-loving character – Tatty Teddy – with a small scattering of subtle diamantes to brighten up all your luggage! Packed full of pockets to keep brushes and essentials in place, the Carrots Me To You grooming bag is wipe-clean and comes with a detachable shoulder strap and drawstring top to prevent spillages! - RRP £18. The Me To You Boot Bag features cute Tatty Teddy designs that are subtle enough to be smart, yet visible enough to make a statement! The practical, full height bag stores any riding boots, to protect them against wear and tear - RRP £20. Keeping your hat in good condition is vital to your safety and the Me To You hat bag allows you to protect it against dirt and damage. The robust Hat Bag features an adjustable shoulder strap and plenty of pockets to keep all your little essentials in one place! - RRP £18. For more information visit www.carrotsuk.com

Tacktalk

t n e m e g a n a m e r u Post e l d d a s e h in t performance in d n a e u iq n h c iety ve our te habits. The Soc oking to impro l lo ra s u y st a o lw p a d a re b a evelop As riders, we siotherapy can ll too easy to d y a h is p if it r, h e lis v e b a w o st h to e the saddle. H ied out researc rr a c le. s a h rs le d d nce in the sadd la a b d of Master Sa n a y tr e t rider asymm positively affec The Test A number of semi professional riders were assessed by BEF World Class Physio Andy Thomas for any imbalances and weaknesses in their posture, especially in the pelvic area. Each rider then sat on a Pliance seat mat on a saddle which was placed on a static wooden horse. Pressure readings were taken and biomechanical data was taken at four main areas; the head, shoulders, knees and toes. Russell Guire of Centaur Biomechanics explained that it is common to see riders who are crooked, riding over to one side or gripping up with their knee more on one side than the other. These small misalignments can have a significant effect on how your horse moves and can cause him to become crooked too. Half of the riders were then selected randomly and given simple exercises to do by Andy to help correct their imbalances. Following this the Pliance and biomechanics data were taken again to see if this had made any difference.

For more information on research carried out by the Society of Master Saddlers visit www.mastersaddlers.co.uk

The Results Those riders who received exercises from Andy signiﬁcantly improved their postural stability by reducing sideways movement. The control group, who did not do any exercises, did not improve their stability measure. At all four points of the biomechanics testing it was noted that those who had taken part in the exercises were sitting up straighter in the saddle. The Pliance testing correlated with this in terms of improvement measured in pressure. However, if a rider was sitting more to the right, the pressure mat recorded a larger contact area on the right but higher pressure on the left. This would imply that the rider is ‘hanging on’ with their left side. The riders who exercised were signiﬁcantly more symmetrical showing pressure readings that were much more even on both sides when tested again.

Tips for Perfect Posture core strength allows other muscles to 3 Improving work more eﬃciently, reduces fatigue, helps prevent injury and improves technique. Improving your overall ﬁtness and suppleness is 3 very important; it is not all about strength.

A strong pelvis helps riders to absorb the forces of their horses' movements without losing control of their arms and legs.

Try some hip and knee exercises with resistance bands to help strengthen the legs and pelvic area.

Upper body exercises such as ‘upper body’ press ups can help stretch and strengthen the lower back and core muscles.

Exercising two to three times a week can help signiﬁcantly to improve your posture in the saddle and hopefully help to improve your riding too.

Most importan tly you need to make sure you are exercising correctly and not encouragin a bad posture. g If in doubt mak e an appointment w ith a physiother apist for a personalised ex ercise program me.

Our expert

The eﬀects of feeding on temperament Some horses such as thoroughbreds are renowned for their sharp attitude and tendency to nervous or excitable behaviour. In performance horses this type of behaviour may be desirable in that many owners like to have horses ﬁt and on their toes, particularly before competing. However, some horses are very highly-strung and this often leads to energy being wasted prior to a

Excitable behaviour in performance horses can be desirable, however some horses are very highly-strung and this often leads to energy being wasted prior to a competition

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 manufacturers and their customers, she also undertakes veterinary referrals and diet and forage analysis.

competition, loss of/or diﬃculty in maintaining condition or the horse becoming unmanageable. Certainly a quiet temperament is most desirable, particularly when handling horses on the ground. Most leisure horses have a great advantage over working/competition horses, as they are generally turned

out every day often for 24 hours in the summer. Many performance horse owners now have turn out facilities and have found that even a short time in the paddock daily, will help to keep fit horses calmer and more manageable. There is no doubt that severe temperament problems may run in families and that changes in management may only have slight effects if any. However it is also a fact that some horses may have feeding programmes that are unsuitable for this type of temperament. Feeding horses with temperament problems should begin with assessing forage quality and quantity. Horses should have ad lib access to the best quality forage as the base for their feeding programme. All horses have evolved as trickle feeders taking in small amounts of herbage, often. Competition horses are no exception to this rule! Trickle feeding horses forage, including those in hard work will help to maintain a calm temperament. It is also essential for maintaining the health of the digestive tract, for example severely reduced forage rations are known to contribute to the increased incidence of gastric ulcers. Trickle feeding top quality forage will also contribute significantly to the energy requirements of horses, however, hard working horses and lactating mares require extra energy and this is mostly provided in the form of concentrates. Traditionally horses have been fed cereals as an energy source. Oats have been the cereal of choice. Cereals however, are not a natural feed for horses. Oats were traditionally thought to contribute to behaviour problems and there is no doubt that some horses cannot tolerate oats, but these horses may in fact be intolerant to most cereals.

22 HorseScene

A short time in the paddock daily, will help to keep ﬁt horses calmer and more manageable

These fluctuations in blood glucose are thought to be responsible for some excitable behaviour in some horses and ponies prone to nervousness or excitable behaviour. Certainly reducing the amount of starch or cereals in the diet of nervous horses does seem to help many of them. Horses needing higher amounts of energy may be fed other energy sources such as slow release digestible fibre feeds such as beet pulp and alfalfa and/or oil. There are alfalfa oil mixes now available. Excitable horses may benefit from low starch cubes instead of coarse mixes. Cubes use more quality fibre sources and tend to be much lower in starch than coarse mixes or straights. Most mixes, including the “non heating” varieties contain high levels of cereal, mostly barley. They may be “oat - free” but may still contain high levels of starch from barley.

The energy in cereals is supplied through starch. This is rapidly digested in the small intestine and therefore is considered a fast release energy source. The end product of starch digestion is sugar or glucose and this is rapidly absorbed into the horses’ bloodstream. The rise in blood sugar following a cereal “meal” causes release of the hormone insulin. Larger cereal meals will cause higher levels of blood glucose and therefore higher levels of insulin to be released. Insulin is responsible for maintaining blood sugar at a constant level by diverting the rising levels of blood glucose to the muscles and liver for storage for later use. Turn out very excitable horses as often as possible

Cool mixes may contain as high as 2530% starch, whereas a cube may be as low as 10-15%.

True magnesium deficiency for example, is rare in horses as horses are more tolerant to low magnesium than other farm livestock. Ask to see the scientific evidence from the manufacturers, how thorough is this research, is it peer reviewed or published within scientific journals? Long term use of supplements is not advisable particularly with herbal preparations as safety may be an issue.

To summarise, feeding a more natural diet and knowing the starch content of the feeds being used may help horse owners to make more appropriate choices when feeding the more highly-strung horse or pony. Natural feeding patterns and plenty of time out is important. • Feed the best quality forage available as the basis for the feeding programme and make sure the amount of forage is never less than the amount of concentrates fed. This includes ﬁt performance horses.

Feed companies will be able to supply starch levels in their feed when requested. This may help horse owners when assessing rations for their more excitable or nervous stock.

• If possible feed cubes or pellets as opposed to mixes. Most mixes, including many cool mixes tend to be high in starch.

The use of Probiotics or Pre-probiotics may also help excitable or nervous horses.

• Oat free may contain high levels of barley and/or maize and are therefore not “cool”.

Caution should be used with “calming supplements”. Many of these lack thorough research behind them and much evidence is anecdotal.

• Increase levels of quality digestible ﬁbre, such as alfalfa or unmolassed beet pulp • For horses needing more energy, such as those in hard work or mares in early lactation, add oil such as soya, linseed or corn oil to the feed. This can be introduced slowly and fed up to 400-450mls per day. A Vitamin E supplement should also be fed with oil, to maintain antioxidant status. • Feed little and often, trickle feeding food into the gut, this will help to maintain the horses calm temperament • Turn out very excitable horses as often as possible.

For advice on horse nutrition and feeding in formation, plea se visit Zoe Davies ’ website: www.horsefeedi ng.info

HorseScene 23

Farriery treatment for an Abscess Foot abscesses in horses and ponies are a common form of lameness. Lameness can be mild at ﬁrst but can develop quickly until the animal becomes non weight- bearing on the aﬀected limb. Abscesses can be due to a puncture of the solar surface or a foreign object that has penetrated the white line. Bruising of the solar surface can also can also lead to an abscess due to blood from the bruise becoming infected by bacteria. A large amount of pus can be expelled from the abscess tract therefore drainage is important.

This picture shows a sagital section of the hoof capsule and structures involved for the abscess to reach the coronary band. This picture shows solar bruising. As can be seen in the picture the hoof capsule has suﬀered severe bruising and has had an infection in the seat of corn.

The reason for the intense pain horses suffer due to an abscess is the pressure from pus that builds up within the hoof capsule. This places pressure on the sensitive structures of the foot. The hoof capsule does not expand to accommodate this infection and cannot be relieved naturally by the capsule unless the abscess tracks up to the coronary band. This tracking of the infection is intensely painful and if it can be prevented by timely intervention from the vet or farrier it will prevent your animal suffering. . Anyone who suggests nature should take its course should see the instant relief a horse experiences once an abscess has been opened up to relieve the pressure within the hoof capsule. Long term infection can also lead to the infection of other structures such as the pedal bone or the lateral cartilages therefore affecting the condition and performance of the hoof capsule.

Diagnosis and treatment of an abscess should be undertaken by a vet. In practice most vets prefer to work with the farrier as his level of dexterity with a hoof knife means he can dig the abscess out quickly and successfully. Most farriers if asked will look at an animal on a first aid basis but the owner should get the vet to look at the horse at the next suitable yard visit and check that it is currently up to date with tetanus injections. The horse will usually have an increased digital pulse and the hoof capsule may be warmer when compared to the other foot, although the main sign will be lameness in the offending limb. The abscess can be located with the use of hoof testers which most farriers and vets will carry. A foot search will be undertaken to find a potential puncture wound or tract of a foreign object. This area if found will be pared down normally by a small abscess knife until the signs of wetness appear which are the first signs of an abscess. If the horse is in severe pain some will be fractious but as soon as the abscess is relieved the horse will settle down.

Our expert Craig D’Arcy BSc Hons AWCF, is the President of the National Association of Farriers, Blacksmiths and Agricultural Engineers (NAFBAE) as well as an Approved Training Farrier (ATF). Established for 20 years, Red Rose Farriers specialise in quality hot and cold horse shoeing and therapeutic and remedial shoeing and trimming. www.rrfarriers.co.uk

24 HorseScene

The picture below shows a freshly excavated abscess. Pus is still ﬂowing from the hole that has been excavated.

Once the abscess has been drained it is standard practise to apply a poultice to draw any lingering infection. Most old horsemen traditionally had diﬀerent recipes for poultices but today an Animalintex poultice available from your vet or tack shop makes the job easier. It is always worth having a poultice as well as vetrap in your ﬁrst aid kit. Apply your poultice after it has been soaked in hot water and then apply to the foot. Vetrap should be placed over the poultice. Horses that have been severely lame may need some extra padding under the foot such as gamgee or even babies disposable nappies. Your vet will advise you on how frequently the poultice needs changing, but morning and evening changes for three days should show a vast improvement. If your horse is not improving please call your vet as probably the abscess is not drawing properly and will re infect the hoof capsule. Do not carry on poulticing the foot hoping for the best.

This foot had been left too long before treatment and the abscess had broken out at the coronary band. The hoof capsule had become unstable and a bar shoe was needed to help the foot support weight.

Once the horse is sound call your farrier who will access if he can get a shoe back on the foot and if any extra protection is needed for the area that was infected.

This picture shows a hoof where the abscess burst from the coronary band but has grown down. This took approximately 12months

Take home m ess

age

Do not give your horse a bit of Bute an best. Hoof ab d hope for th scesses can e be treated qu simply, but if ickly and left untreate d, can infect structures in other the foot caus ing long term Seek advice issues. from a farrie r/vet.

WIN

WIN • WIN • • WIN • WIN •

WIN • WIN

TOKEN

y z n e r f

ould ens and you c k to 3 ll a t c e s ll Co uuMed goodie N s u lo u b fa win these

sets up for grabs!

3 lucky winners will receive.... 1 x NM03 HiWither Lightweight wool numnah A very effective numnah giving excellent comfort levels, made using our Lightweight wool pile. A first class everyday wool numnah offering excellent value for money. Available in GP, dressage or working hunter; colour - black, brown, or white; size small, medium, large, or extra large.

1 x EA01 - British wool girth sleeve A very useful item for every rider in case of girth rubs or as a tool for preventing rubbing on a very sensitive horse or newly clipped horse. Very robust and easy to put on. Made using our Classic wool. Available in 28" & 40" lengths; colour - black, brown, or natural. Please state size and colour required with your entry.

www.nuumed.com

How to Enter: To be in with a chance of winning, collect the ''tokens'' from the November, December and January issues. Once all 3 tokens have been collected, send them along with your name, address and contact number to: Token Frenzy,

Horse Scene Magazine, 9 Maple Grove, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. AL7 1NQ Please visit our website for full terms and conditions.

Nov13

TOKEN 1

Spend in November and save in December with Leonard Coombe Saddlers! Spend £50 get a £5 voucher or spend £100 and get a £10 voucher Topping up on winter supplies or starting to think about Christmas? Leonard Coombe Master Saddlers stock a wide range of leading equestrian brands including: Barbour, Ariat, Dubarry, Horseware Clothing, Musto, Rambo, Amigo, Jeffries and Bridleway. Throughout November, we are running a great offer. If you spend £50 or more we will give you a £5 voucher that can be redeemed in December and if you spend £100 or more we will give you a £10 voucher to spend in December! Leonard Coombe Master saddlers is a family run business that has been established over 200 years and earlier this year we launched our online shop. We aim to offer the same excellent level of customer service through the website that we offer in store. If you need any product advice, you can email or telephone and it will be a member of our trained, knowledgeable shop team that be able to advise you. The website is linked to the store so you can see exactly what we have in stock. If we don’t have it, we are happy to order in for customers and let them know when an item is back in stock. Buying is easy, we except most major credit cards plus Paypal. Although we authorise a card at check out, we won’t actually take payment until the items have been picked and are ready to send. Orders are picked and packed as they come through to us and shipped next working day so you get your order as fast as possible.

www.leonardcoombe.co.uk Free UK mainland delivery on all orders over £75

Maintaining weight over winter LexveT Mineral Mix 22kg RRP£88.80 for an eleven month supply With the forecast of a hard winter it is imperative that owners are proactive in feeding their horses over the winter months. Ensuring adequate energy and protein is provided in the diet is commonly recognised, however many owners forget about ensuring their horse has adequate vitamins, minerals, salts and electrolytes over the cold months. Electrolytes and salts are critical to maintain hydration, dehydration can result in reduced feed intake, feeding electrolytes and salts will encourage proper hydration and prevent feed intake being reduced. Ensuring horses receive balanced ratios of macro minerals, trace minerals and vitamins to maintain normal digestion and metabolism is critical over the winter months. LexveT Mineral Mix contain balanced ratios of essential macro and trace minerals, vitamins and electrolytes but have no fillers, energy or protein. LexveT supplements are used by a variety of competition and performance horse homes including showing, dressage, eventing, polo, endurance and racehorses. For nervous and fizzy horses use LexveT B1 Cool Mix, it contains the same ingredients as LexveT Mineral Mix, the difference is it has higher levels of Magnesium and Vitamin B1. LexveT is not just another supplement – we get the results you really want!

www.lexvetsupplements.com

Products to help maintain healthy airways in the modern day equine

Respiratory ith Nettex w r a le c s y a w ir a p Kee atory irritation that soothes respir

g al purpose formula ove stamina durin tory Boost is a du en in order to impr yg ox of r e Air Power Respira Ai ak x int tte e a syringe, Ne works by aiding th ’s feed or through and congestion. It ed via your horse ter lping your horse to nis he mi , ad gs y lun sil e Ea hard exercise. seated muck in th ep de ns se loo t Boos Power Respiratory city sily. a limited lung capa rm much more ea rfo pe d an e th e horse will have ea th br ult, d, res ate a tre As un . t od lef cted and livered into the blo de be n ca If airways are restri at ly. th rk efficient amount of oxygen les are unable to wo which reduces the because the musc comes more and ed be uc e su red tis hly g hig lun performance is h as the delicate ug co a lop Liquorice, Ginger l, ve ho de n also calyptus, Ment Eu , int erm Affected horses ca rk pp Pe , Hester) gets to wo ntaining Echinacea ost (Formerly Carl Bo more irritated. Co rt of ry Pa to . ira on sp cti Re tri r x Air Powe t any airway res and Aniseed, Nette d in beautifully withou ge rm ka ac rfo pe rep y to wl rse ne ur ho t has been quickly, allowing yo r Respiratory Boos can make to n range, Air Powe tio e the difference it tri se Nu d x an tte up Ne ck e th sto to re su be so , season l purple for the 2013 P: £17.50 for 500m ance this year. RR rm rfo pe ’s rse ho your

tion visit For further informa m .co ine qu xe www.nette

HAYGAIN hay steamers More than 1 in 6 horses suffer from respiratory disease such as Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO/COPD), HAYGAIN hay steamers are scientifically proven to kill mould, fungal spores and bacteria that are naturally found in hay and haylage. The result is a sweet smelling-palatable forage that is completely clean and safe to feed. The HG-600 accommodates half a bale, hay nets or hay wedges up to 20kg and is ideal for smaller yards and for use at competitions. The unit is extremely durable as it is double skinned and thermally very efficient whilst easy to move around on wheels, whether in use at the stables or whilst travelling. The revolutionary concept has been researched, developed, tested and repeatedly proven at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. Findings show that one gram of untreated good quality hay will Exposure to dust from feed and bedding during the winter contain around 7,750,000 spore colonies: HAYGAIN months is inevitable, affecting the health of the horse’s airways reduces that number to virtually 0. The hay remains and increasing the risk of respiratory infections developing. One clean for up to 24 hours. Recent studies have shown of the ways in which you can help is by supporting your horse that haylage steamed in a HAYGAIN is not only nutritionally by feeding Brinicombe Equine’s, Think Clear. cleaner than a freshly opened bale but has an Think Clear from Brinicombe Equine is a fast acting formula increased shelf life too. combining natural ingredients which produce an extra-strong

Let your horse breathe easily this winter…..Think Clear

For further information visit www.haygain.com

formula that works in three distinct ways: antioxidants help to build the body's natural defences, specially selected herbs to clear the airways, while minerals and MSM help to support the sensitive lining of the respiratory tract. It is therefore not just masking the symptoms, but actually reaching the root cause to help your horse breathe more easily through the winter months. Think Clear starts to work straight away with results seen in as little as ﬁve days and is recommended for all sensitive horses who are exposed to a dusty, dry environment. Available in 1kg tubs priced RRP £32.99, which will last a horse for up to 33 days.

i 28 HorseScene

For further information visit www.brinicombe-equine.co.uk

of the month

Whilst trying to decide which herb I was going to focus on, I noticed that the November issue of Horse Scene was due to cover both respiration and “the effects of feeding on temperament”. This meant that my herb of choice just had to be Liquorice, not only because it is one of the best herbs for both the respiratory and digestive system, but because its many constituents offer multiple medicinal actions for both horses and people.

OUR EXPERT Hilary Self, BSc (Hons) MNIMH is co– founder of Hilton Herbs Ltd, a Somerset based company that for 22 years has been at the forefront of manufacturing and formulating herbal supplements for animals. Hilary is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, and also of the USA’s National Animal Supplements Councils ( NASC) Scientiﬁc Advisory Committee. She is the author of two books "A Modern Horse Herbal" now in its 8th reprint, and “A Veteran Horse Herbal”. Hilary has lectured frequently on the application of herbs for horses in the UK, Europe, Australia, America and Austria.

na Common

e Latin Nam Parts used Active nts constitue Actions

30 HorseScene

Most of us think of liquorice as a tasty sweet which we either love or hate, but did you know that at one time the UK was one of the world’s major growers of liquorice. It was introduced by the Dominican friars in the 15th Century to Pontefract in Yorkshire which became famous for Pontefract cakes (a liquorice lozenge). Liquorice is still used as a base for many pharmaceutical laxatives, and cough medicines, while its extracts are added to beer, soft drinks or used as a foaming agent, this is due to its saponin content.

Liquorice for the respiratory system So why should horse owners consider using liquorice? Well let’s start with its applications for the respiratory system. With winter approaching, many horses will be spending more time confined to the stable, where the air quality may be

Liquorice a glabra Glycyrrhiz lons Roots, sto

arides, Polysacch oumarins, C s, id o n Flavo Saponins, . il o le ti Vola soothing ti-tussive, n a t, n ra xpecto ucosa, matory, e odenal m Anti inflam ric and du st a topical) g ( l e a th g to , anti – vir e v ti a x and healin la d pport, mil adrenal su

less than perfect, and it is at times like these that respiratory conditions can develop. Hay, straw, dust and pollens in the environment can lead to allergic reactions such as wheezing, coughing, nasal discharge, increased respiratory rate, and swelling of the lymph glands in the throat lash area. In addition with more horses sharing the airspace, there is a greater risk of infections being passed from one horse to another. Liquorice is an excellent anti – inflammatory and has both a soothing and healing action on the airways which have become irritated and inflamed by exposure to airborne dust, pollen or hay spore allergens. When the respiratory system is inflamed more mucous is produced which can build up. This is where the herb‘s expectorant actions help by liquefying and loosening any sticky tough mucous present in the airways or lungs and encouraging its expulsion from the airways. If the horse is coughing the herbs anti-tussive action can help to reduce irritation and the severity of the cough. If infection is present the plants isoflavanoid component has been found to demonstrate strong antimicrobial activity, especially when administered orally. Whether used alone or in combination with other herbs for the respiratory system such as thyme, eyebright, or elecampane, liquorice can be relied upon to offer natural healing and support for respiratory conditions, such as coughing, COPD, nasal discharge, and respiratory infections.

Liquorice for the digestive system In past years it was generally believed that gastric and duodenal ulcers were confined to competition horses and in particular race horses, brought about by lack of access to grazing and long fibre, dependence on high protein feeds, higher stress levels and chronic use of medication. Unfortunately more recent research has shown that in fact up to 50% of foals and 1/3 of adult horses confined to stables may have mild ulceration, resulting in symptoms such as poor appetite, weight loss, changes in temperament, poor performance, mild colic and failure to thrive. Liquorice has been used traditionally for digestive disorders for thousands of years, dating back as far as the Egyptians, and in modern times the plant has been the subject of many clinical trials. One of the herb‘s constituents, Glycyrrhizin (GL), which is derived from the root, was found to have excellent anti-inflammatory actions, and have both a soothing and healing effect on inflamed gastric mucosa. In further trials it was discovered that GL not only reduced inflammation in the digestive tract but that a derivative of GL had the ability to heal ulcers, both gastric and duodenal, resulting in it becoming one of the major antiulcer drugs of the 1960’s. In more recent research the whole plant has been found to improve the protective qualities of the gastric mucosal barrier, promote mucus secretion and cell proliferation in the stomach which encourages healing of ulcers. In fact in recent clinical trials on people, a preparation made from the plants constituents, was shown to be as effective in healing gastric ulcers as the three main pharmaceutical drugs. In animal studies a derivative of liquorice has been found to prevent ulcer development and inhibit gastric acid secretion. In view of the fact that equine ulceration is directly linked to gastric acid building up in an empty stomach this would be a good enough reason to feed liquorice prophylactically to help prevent the development of ulcers. Just one of many reasons to include Liquorice, along with herbs such as Meadowsweet, Slippery elm, and Centella, in a herbal mix for a horse with digestive complaints such as ulceration, diarrhoea, irritable bowel, or constipation. These and other herbs will be covered in future “Herb of the Month” articles.

So just remember, when you next eat a stick of liquorice or a Pontefract cake, how much your horse would benefit from the inclusion of some tasty liquorice root in the feed!

Water jumps SHOW JUMPING Water jumps range in concept from water trays that can ﬁt under fences through to great wide expanses just short of 15 feet in width. If you’re looking at jumping a water jump that wide, then you probably don’t need me to help you with that.

Our expert 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.

32 HorseScene

The principles of jumping these obstacles follow what we have discussed in previous articles. Keep the horse's shoulders in front of the hindquarter so the horse can rock squarely back onto its hocks in the take-off. You would be surprised at the number of horses that move on to three or even four tracks in the last few strides before take off opening up the option of drifting over the fence. Your line is important; perpendicular to the take off, otherwise you are just making the jump wider. As a rider it is also important that you stay in balance and wait for the horse to jump. As the jumps get bigger or wider it is very easy to start trying to jump for the horse, getting in front of the movement and hindering rather than enhancing the jump. This is most embarrassing when the horse decides it isn’t coming with you and stops - leaving you sitting in the water!

A water jump is asking the horse to open up its stride and jump long and wide. You want the horses to take oﬀ from near the front edge with a good open canter or even gallop in order to let it clear the back of the water. It asks you to ride at a higher tempo than the rest of the course. When facing a water jump in a course you then have to see it in relation to the fences around it. How is the course designer using the water jump as a test of you and your horse? When you see them used at Grand Prix level you will often see the horses asked to open up for the water and then have to come back onto their hocks for a tall vertical or a holding stride in a related distance. These are all scenarios you have to simulate and practice if you are going to be jumping these fences, so that the horse learns to take instruction in such a test. Training a horse to jump water is like anything, start with it small, let the horse understand the question and then

build the size and complexity of the question over time. When you push the horse's boundary then take a step back and consolidate the horses' conﬁdence. It is the same process with riders and if you are new to water fences then consider this for yourself. Personally I like to keep it small but make it spooky, to the point that the horse could walk over it, so that the horse learns that it isn’t going to bite and starts to trust me more when I ask it to do something it isn’t sure about. If you are show jumping regularly you are already familiar with water trays but this would be the place to start. If the horse is conﬁdent over these then it is a case of building the width. I don’t think many people have a series of water fences of varying widths to train over so you have to think of the alternatives, what are you asking the horse to do? You have to train the horse to jump up and over the water. The best suggestion I have would be to go to a good cross-

country training venue and get used to jumping open ditches. The same principle applies, start small and move onto more open ditches. This is a great way for you to get used to the feel of jumping a water fence and the question is more obvious for the horse. You might even be able to put something blue in the bottom of the ditch, if you ask nicely, to get the colour right. You could even then organise some show jump fences around the ditch so you can practise the ditch in relation to other fences. In your arena you want to practice jumping something that asks the horse to jump wide without too much height and encourages you to come at an increased tempo. Waters often have a brush box at the front to give the horse a good take-oﬀ point. In the arena you could use two or three poles set low between wings as the front of the water. Ideally you have a heavy duty canvas water tray to practise jumping over that will handle a horse stepping in it if it makes a mistake. If you are using anything else to simulate the water be very careful that the horse isn’t going to get scared or hurt if it was to make a mistake and step on or through the material you are using. As you start to jump your wider question well , then build in a related question that asks you to bring the horse back to a shorter stride pattern.

Go to a good crosscountry training venue and get used to jumping open ditches

You might have to reassure your horse when it ﬁrst sees the jump If you are jumping regularly then you should run into these questions on the circuit. If you are selecting your classes well then the question will be appropriate for you and your horse. The horse will learn as it jumps, you just might have to reassure it when it ﬁrst sees the jump. In such a case let the horse go past the water jump so he has seen it without facing up to the fence.

u I hope that gives yood go d some ideas an luck.

HorseScene 33

Giveaways The Easyboot Transition

Elico Equine Decahedron

worth £18.00

up for grabs!

8 lucky winners will each receive a red Elico Equine Decahedron the stable toy with a persona of its own! Helps to prevent stable boredom and can also be used as a tricklefeeder to avoid overeating - proven in tests to reduce stereotypical stable vices. The Elico Equine Decahedron is a twenty-sided equine boredom-beater - ﬁll with treats and let the horse play - with tasty rewards!

worth £100.00

pair up for gra bs!

One lucky winner will receive a pair of hoof boots for barefoot horses. The technologically-advanced Easyboot Transition ﬁts many hoof shapes and sizes, including round, slightly longer than wide, and even slightly wider than long. The ideal hoofboot to provide shock absorption to hoof structures / limbs. Please see www.trelawneequine.co.uk for boot size charts.

LITOVET Equine Joint Supplement

worth £49.00 Bling up front belt

worth £50.00

up for ! grabs

This gorgeous 'Bling Up Front' Horseshoe Diamante Leather Belt from the Bling Equestrian range will make anyone stand out in the crowd in style! The beautiful, quality leather belt is surrounded by crystal horseshoes and features a snap on Diamante buckle, a must have for every Bling Diva! Available in sizes S/M or L.

LitoVet is a 100% natural and scientifically proven equine feed supplement developed to help maintain soundness, suppleness and mobility. Entirely plant-based, LitoVet does not contain glucosamine or chondroitin and is a rich, source of GOPO (glycoside of mono and diglycerol), a key component of the specially cultivated rose-hip Rosa Canina. High in antioxidants, particularly bioavailable vitamin C, essential to the formation and maintenance of joint cartilage, tendons and ligaments. LitoVet reduces the likelihood of loss of performance due to over-training and the effects of age and uniquely, is supported by clinical trials that substantiate its efficacy in horses.

agazine.co.u m e n e c s e rs o .h w w w Enter online at: T&C’s on our website. r 2013. See full

Closes: 30th Novembe

34 HorseScene

tubs u p fo grabs! r

Your

Christmas Gift Guide Starts here...

Gifts for the youngsters! The Carrots Kids Colouring Calendar allows creative equestrians to embrace their artistic side, while keeping them occupied for hours during the Christmas period! Comes complete with felt tips and is undated for a year-round gift! www.carrotsuk.com

This handy torch is also a photo Aroun d projector that projects horse and pony images up to one metre wide onto walls and ceilings of a darkened room. View the images of 22 breeds of horses and ponies including Shire Horse, Morgan, Andalusian, Friesian and more. The LED torch comes with three slide discs including 24 amazing, colour photographs. Also includes a key chain so it is great for hanging up and keeping safe. A perfect fun, yet educational gift for boys and girls who are interested in horses and ponies. www.brainstormltd.co.uk

£6.00

From

£150.00

Hugo Chatter Horse is a soft toy with a diﬀerence. He mimics up to 6 seconds and repeats everything you say with his funny voice. (He is not pre-recorded). His head moves back and forth, mocking everyone and everything - bringing a smile and laughter to everyone! Hugo stands 16cm tall and is battery operated 3 x AAA (AA) included. www.jenkinsonsequestrian.co.uk

Pony Cycles are a revolutionary plush toy which incorporates fun and ﬁtness, aimed at children up to 9years. No motor, no battery, and no power is required. Pony Cycles come in a variety of characters: ponies, zebras, unicorns and dalmatians. Children can touch, feel and experience the exhilaration of riding a real live pony. Pony Cycles encourage active, creative and imaginative play. www.pony-cycles.co.uk

£17.95

THE No.1 CHRISTMAS TOY IS HERE! !

% % %

" !

& % % !

# "

% %

% "

Pony Cycles have been reviewed, tested and recently credited 5 out of 5 for Fun Rating by the “Good Toy Guide”

www.pony-cycles.co.uk or call 02871864813 36

£5.99

0 0 . 7 1 £

These board games will guarantee your family a fun Christmas! The ‘Hackaway’ game offers a fun ride with obstacles, penalties and questions that require skill, luck and good fortune to complete the course. The ‘Burlington’ game offers a complete a cross country event like Burghley and Badminton; you will tackle various cross country obstacles with a good mix of general horsey questions. The winner with the least number of penalties wins and is awarded their very own champion certificate. www.ponygang.co.uk

The Yeeha Pajamas will ensure every pony-mad girl looks forward to bedtime. Made from soft cotton, the short sleeved bright pink T-shirt is adorned with a rearing horse design with matching three quarter length trousers and a drawstring waistband sporting a horse motif in pretty pink and blue. Available in small, age 7-8, medium, age 9-10 and large, age 11-12. www.carrotsuk.com

0 0 . 2 2 £

Gifts for your horse! Fun Christmas stocking for your horse! The stocking contains three packs of 150g tasty Lincoln Christmas Horse Bix that your horse will love! www.battles.co.uk/lincoln

£3.50

If you have fabulous fleece bandages or beautiful boots, then you’ll want to keep them clean and great condition, which is why Golly Galoshes the clever equine gaiters are the perfect present for the style conscious From rider! The waterproof, breathable and versatile leg gaiters help to keep bandages and boots clean and dry, so that your protective horse leg wear stays in great condition. Golly Galoshes are quick and easy to put on and take off and are designed and manufactured here in the UK, so you can be assured they are made to last! Available in a variety of colours, Golly Galoshes feature a secure hook and loop fastening and full length zip with protective fleece lapel for security and comfort. www.gollygaloshes.com

£25.99

Nettex have some great ideas for horsey habits this Christmas - grab some Nettex Mini’s and ﬁll up a stocking!

From

£20.0 0

U n d er

Girly Grooming Essentials Nettex Mane & Tail Detangler; Lavender No-Rinse wash; Coat Shine

£13.00

Lovin’ the leather for under a tenner Nettex Traditional Tack Cleaner; Traditional Tack Conditioner

U n d er

£10.00 U n d er

Muddy Marvellous Nettex Seven Day Mud Away; Muddy Marvel De Scab; Muddy Marvel Barrier Cream

£20.00

www.nettexequine.com

What better gift than a Bossy’s Bib for your best friend? Make rug rubs a thing of the past with this simple effective, anti rub bib. Silky and lightweight, it will give your horse maximum protection under all rugs. Bossy Bibs are a firm favourite in yards/stables around the world because they work well for all types of horses and ponies. A Bossy’s Bib makes the perfect stocking filler or Christmas gift. www.bossysbibs.com

From

Give your horse the pain free, natural look this Christmas with the ‘Solo Kit’. The kit includes the Solo Rake which gives a well-tailored professional ﬁnish, the Solo Brush which grooms and massages in one, and the Solo Comb which is an essential item for anyone who wants a tidy mane and tail. www.sologroom.com

£98.95

The Equi-Med stable boots are one of the Equi-med Ag wound boot range. All of the wound boot range contain a layer of activated carbon and silver, which has very eﬀective antibacterial properties. The boots are extremely eﬀective at treating and preventing skin and wound infections, reducing swelling and in trials have shown 100% success rate at treating and preventing mud fever. They are designed for indoor use only, are hard wearing, breathable and machine washable. They can be used as part of everyday stable management and with the unique seamless design, they allow for total comfort and freedom of movement. www.EquiMedAg.co.uk

9 £39.9

Make sure the HG-600, half bale hay steamer, is top of the Christmas List! The Haygain HG-600 is ideal for non-stop use in a yard or away at shows. Incorporating the unique HAYGAIN patented steam manifold, the HG-600 has ﬁve steam spikes enabling steam to penetrate the centre of the hay outwards at temperatures in excess of 100ºC to kill all fungal spores, bacteria and dust mites without nutritional loss. By rehydrating the hay, it also makes it more palatable and sweet smelling. Hygienically clean HAYGAIN treated hay can be fed immediately or within 24 hours. www.haygain.com

For price n please informatio aygain H ct ta n co

From

£84.99

The Easyboot Transition - the industry’s ultimate hoof boot? The technologically-advanced Transition ﬁts many hoof shapes and sizes, including round, slightly longer than wide, and even slightly wider than long. The ideal hoofboot to provide shock absorption to hoof structures / limbs. www.hoofboots.co.uk or www.trelawneequine.co.uk

Gifts for the rider! For those who love traditional equestrian style, the Ariat Women’s Wexford H20 boots provide the perfect classic design, combined with patented ATS technology to keep the wearer on their feet! The jodhpur boot style is made from a waterproof full-grain leather upper and waterproof membrane construction to keep feet dry in the unpredictable winter weather, meanwhile an elastic twin gore stretches to allow ease of wear. The Wexford H20 Boots are available in coﬀee, black or tan, in sizes 3 – 7.5 & 8.5. www.ariat-europe.com

£15.00

To help friends stay snug and look stunning, get them a pair of Hot Togs’ Fashion Leggings with Bamboo this festive season. These fun leggings can be used as a thermal layer under clothing and on their own, as an alternative to ‘normal’ leggings. They are made using a unique mix of yarns that include bamboo charcoal fibres to keep the wearer warm whilst being breathable and hypoallergenic. Fashion Leggings are comfortable to wear, offer the perfect fit thanks to the stretch included in the fabric and they won’t sag either. Fashion Leggings with Bamboo are available in diamond and flower designs in sizes S, M and L. www.hottogs.co.uk

£149.99

This stunning Glamour Watch from Horses with Attitude will make a fantastic present for any equine enthusiast. White ice style watch with a rotating bexel, silver dial and a beautiful Silver Glamour horse, featuring a rubber strap. www.horseswithattitude.co.uk

The Crosshaven Wax Trapper hat from Jack Murphy, is a classic trapper hat style in quilted wax with a cosy luxurious microﬂeece lining and faux fur trim. A winter must-have for all outdoor activities this season. Available in three colourways: Rich Brown, Port and True Black and comes in one size. www.jackmurphy.co.uk

£18.99

£34.99

Get the winning look with these beautifully crafted stylish HyCLASS Diamante Spur Straps. Choose your diamante design from either, hearts, stars, ﬂower, crown or 2 diamante studs. www.battles.co.uk/hy

£7.30

From

Made from brushed polyester fabric with a DWR coating and taped seams, the super stylish Shelly ladies country coat from Toggi, is fully waterproof and breathable to ensure you stay dry, whilst looking amazing. With a generous, detachable snug faux fur collar and zipped pockets at the side front seams, Shelly is an extremely versatile piece perfect for warmer days. With a pretty ﬂoral lining, mid-thigh length cut and studded back for a gorgeous feminine shape, Shelly is a must have for any country lady this Christmas. www.toggi.com

£135.00

Set the world alight in the brand new Sparkle Hoodies from Carrots. The stylish, cotton hoodies are available in classic black or fun pink to suit every taste. The comfy, practical and functional hoody dazzles with sparkles for any pony princess! Available in children’s From sizes ages 7-8, 9-11, 12-13 and adults sizes 10 or 12. www.carrotsuk.com

£28.00

Gifts for the rider! continued

£44.99

Give the gift of safety this Xmas - the perfect festive gift! The RS-tor was designed as a safety aid to help prevent falls, or allow the rider to fall in a more controlled manner. The strap has a ‘bungee’ element that helps prevents rider falls by ‘absorbing’ the velocity of being unseated. It fits easily to the stirrup bars. The RS-tor’s fall prevention aspect comes into effect when the horse spooks, bucks, rears, cat-leaps or stumbles, although its confidence-boosting benefits are always experienced. Available in Childs, S and M/L sizes. Typically, adult riders between 5ft 4" and 6ft select size M/L. www.rstor.co.uk

Blow the budget with the ultimate winter warmer – Ariat’s beautiful Women’s Cordova Down Coat has been designed to keep you cosy in the coldest of climates! The mid-length coat is made with duck down insulation and features a removable hood with funky fur trim and zippered hand pockets. The ﬂattering, tailored ﬁt looks fabulous with breeches, jeans or even smart work wear, making this a versatile coat perfect for the festive season! Available in espresso in sizes XS – XXL. www.ariat-europe.com

£199.99

e who anyon lite yarn r o f s t l gif ermo re idea ing 59% Th m without a s g o s war eu ot T from H cks are mad igned to be e time as s k c o s am se olite S side. The so ve been de g. The t th e s Therm able a quick dryin d ha r e out n u a d im t t r d s spend h and comfo dwearing an wicking and har rm t ure wet, o f r wa lk. They are able, moist s when too. ie h u t t r b a e e g r p rt ro ,b addin suppo rtable ir thermal p comfo e arch e being ks retain th gth and hav haki, ,k len soc in pink Per pair clever he full d up t are available -8 and 8-12. e b ib r are es 4 ocks olite S n, in siz Therm y and brow re blue/g ottogs.co.uk .h w w w

£9.50

From

£175.00 Toggi’s Waltham leather holdall is uber stylish yet oh so versatile making it the perfect gift for someone special this Christmas. Made from real leather, Waltham is large enough to be a weekend holdall or a smart sophisticated bag for everyday needs. Comes in fabulous Chocolate colour. www.toggi.com

£56.99

Fill more than just your stockings this Christmas with the gorgeous Shelburne ﬂeece welly boot liners from Toggi. Made from cosy anti-pill ﬂeece for superb comfort and featuring a fab faux fur trim be sure to add Shelburne to your Christmas wish list! Comes in small and medium. www.toggi.com

From

£17.50

The Ariat Tall Boot Bag keeps boots clean, away from the elements and protected, to prevent the leather from drying out and cracking. Smart and practical, the Ariat Tall Boot Bag is made from a durable poly canvas, which has a wipe clean outer and weather resistant ﬁnish. Features include a full-length zipper for side access, an inner boot divider to protect boots from knocking together and scuﬃng and extra room at the top for long-legged footwear! Comes in black/tan or navy/red. www.ariat-europe.com

The Horse Scene Team hope you fill your Christmas list up with these fabulous gift ideas www.carrotsuk.com www.brainstormltd.co.uk www.pony-cycles.co.uk www.jenkinsonsequestrian.co.uk www.ponygang.co.uk www.battles.co.uk/lincoln www.gollygaloshes.com www.nettexequine.com www.bossysbibs.com www.sologroom.com

www.haygain.com www.EquiMedAg.co.uk www.trelawneequine.co.uk www.ariat-europe.com www.hottogs.co.uk www.jackmurphy.co.uk www.horseswithattitude.co.uk www.battles.co.uk/hy www.toggi.com www.rstor.co.uk

We have put 5 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... Competition Jacket from Horseware Sallywood Wax Jacket

With it’s lightweight, stretchy softshell material, this jacket could easily pass The Sallywood Wax jacket from as a lot more expensive than it is! Jack Murphy is an extremely When I first received this show smart, fashionable and jacket I was amazed that practical jacket, which something of such good quality, has kept me both that looks just as stylish as the more expensive show jackets, warm and dry as the could be a fraction of the cold and wet winter price - this is priced at only weather has started £64.95. I found this jacket to descend upon us! was very good at keeping me cool if it got too It has a faux sherpa hot while I was riding, but was also was thin lining which helped enough to wear a coat over the top when I to keep me toasty got cold. I received many compliments whilst warm while at the wearing this jacket and I think it’s because of yard, it also has a the lovely fit and the colour of the jacket I tested was stunning. internal drawcord for keeping a nice For more information visit figure shape and I www.horseware.com have never known a coat to keep me warm while flattering my figure. I thought the wax would be difficult to clean as it says to ‘sponge clean’ the jacket, however I have worn the coat everyday and found that hair and dirt doesn’t stick to it in the same way as other material. At £150 I would highly recommend this coat as it can be worn to both horsey and non-horsey events.

For more information visit www.jackmurphy.co.uk

Horze Rovigo Tall bo

ots

are chunky, and excellent quality. They are t ots bo rze Ho ese Th t comfortable when ou and have kept my fee thetic fur which syn h extremely attractive wit d line are ng. The boots the walking and out hacki and they are some of mfortable and warm en co oft lly I rea es m scl the mu f kes ma ger cal I have worn. Having big e a double velcro strap nicest looking boots hav se the boots to fit but but find it difficult to find problem to get in to nd that they were no fou I e d Th an f le. cal tab the jus across they are ad ne with a slim leg as they would also fit someo ther and when cleaned lea ck bu nu g on str m en be y usl vio pre d boots are made fro ha new even when they ed came up looking brand is also very robust and even with continu e sol e Th nd these me om rec hly hig covered in mud! uld le sign of wear. I wo use they show very litt ney at £99.99. excellent value for mo are y the l fee boots and

44 HorseScene

For more information www.horze.co.uk

visit

Golly Galoshes Gaiters Anyone who rides through mud, sand or grime will know the feeling of complete annoyance when you have finished riding and dismount to see your once clean boots or bandages are wet, dirty and not going to dry out in time for their next use! When receiving the Golly Galoshes I was quite skeptical that something that seemed so simple could solve these problems. However, after using them for the first time out on a hack, I whipped them off and my horses legs and boots were clean and dry! I found with their funky design, the cars that met us on the roads slowed down or stopped earlier, and seemed to notice us from further away. Also, I noticed a massive improvement in my horses skin around the joints in his legs where previously the boots had got wet and rubbed which had caused small scabs - the skin was looking very healthy. I would definitely recommend these to anyone, with all the colours and designs to choose from, everyone could find a pair they like. They encourage drivers to slow down or stop, they keep your gear clean and dry and they’re benefical to the horses welfare! What more could you ask for?

For more information visit www.gollygaloshes.com

Cheltenham gold coat After wearing this jacket in both very heavy wind and rain, I can deﬁnitely vouch that it is both wind and rain proof! The jacket dealt very well with the awful conditions and I found the features on this jacket excelled where other jackets have failed. The coat has a two way zip system which was very useful for riding in, it also is very quiet which helped calm my spooky horse. Although it appears quite thin it is surprisingly very warm, and looking less bulky means I can wear it wherever I want and it isn’t heavy to walk around in at all. This jacket is priced at just £30.00 and is incredible value for money - highly recommended!

For more information visit www.resultclothing.com

Tackroombreak Wordsearch hunt

Fallen phrase

I I Q J N Hidden words L T M L T I T M O A M D A B N P B K F Z X U E U K I N G B O N E Z O G L G G Y K P R O A M M M N G B A L I R I POSTURE Q B B R W Y B L V Z Y C E Q K L C O L B F M T R I K Y F V F E R Q P X C E P M E T Z O N RESPIRATORY Z U T N E M A R Q N K X U L Q U F T I S S M P E A H B E T S J S I P V Q O V P Y C H R LIQUORICE S Q M D E K H L R O H I O Y I B Y Z H Z L U A I M H J O B D Q I T B E G S U K A N P G L S R P J P N M J P C TEMPERAMENT Y M E X J C X M S R N R T B J G Q O S L F T D X O R I I K X E X K H U F W K M Y U M O Y C H D I RING BONE E G I P C F M K O J F A O C E G Z O A J G J P B J Y O J S S B Z E O L I O G L P Y M N A F X N DILEMMA H O J C J V U I M K O I E T C F U S R E T R A U Q I H I Y V L I O ABSCESS G J O W A H I N D E D J G S F C C A Y P M R N H W O G U F D C M F S K A V H X U C M E I Y Z H V W G S A H H TRAINING O D R G I Q T Z M E Y J B A O U M G A W A L Z M X T M S O D H W P R O L G W N Y Q X P Y B CONCENTRATION H R N I S R O G H V A A R E T Q U O R I C E I H Z W Y Y R C L N N F D N I L E M M A A A O Z I R O S C D P D R M L F C N G BEDDING B D H S O U A O Q B M R X N S E Q Y O W N G P P V T E O Z P O U Y G I I S W SCHOOLING O H C I U N R B X M O I T L I B I T B T G A T C E P X T G B Q I H O E N I A R T X TRANSITIONS O P Y T A R H A R K W A N G N I K E V I S S E R G P J X H E Y H N P R O B K E J J A S A G G N S B C M F I Z Y Z GAIT F R H Y P X E X M X M Z V O Y N Y K X C K P Y G N P W G L A C N P PROGRESSIVE D D U R Y Z F S Q U K C Z J E F M W H T Y S L E B Z P K A J T C U U N V T I A G G P R E F N Q B N F W C E H P G T U MOVEMENT S Z J V R Z B P S O B V E C L N J Q T E K R F O W G F H C Z EXPECTATION K G Q D P O F T Y S H V M C T T X N D J D W G A I E K E K K S V P X N L J S O P F A T R U Z X E X J H D E E RS I Z Z A N D G X A H J HINDQUARTE U U B B A I X C L D S O X Q Q B L I F Z L H L F T B B M L M I D E P P P I WW S V FOREHAND N L U F F B N I I P H B L P L G H A N E C K T Z O F X O J R M F G S W H Z L Y D V V O H H Q Y L R

Sudoku challenge

O T

M O N D

O G

C M

C O M

O H

D A

46 HorseScene