Equestrian

Equestrian Dressage rider enjoys new pastures

By Jade Leahy

Dressage rider Yasmin Dadkahar and her fiancé farrier Sam Wilkes are enjoying a change of rein –running an award-winning glamping site. The pair offer the chance to be at one with nature in luxurious accommodation that won a hattrick of Visit England awards last year. Their glamping site, Loose

Small bale hay & small bale wheat straw. Collect or delivered. 07980147019 01747870360 Reins in Shillingstone, is tucked away in a coombe, with a backdrop slightly reminiscent of Canada. There are three ranch-style cabins that sleep four, with kitchen, bathroom and log burner, and log burner, and three luxury canvas lodges that sleep six. Guests have a chance to experience farm life and children join in The Buckaroo Club, caring for resident sheep and chickens. Competitive rider Yasmin began her career in saddle with The Pony Club before a

degree in psychology. Through joining a stallion station in Germany, as a show jumper and flat work rider, she soon discovered working with high calibre dressage horses more than equalled the buzz of a jump off. Yasmin has a track record of bringing on high quality horses, having trained her horse Dragunov to Grand Prix level. Her horse NikNak

By Gibbs Marsh Equine A small independent equine practice based just outside Stalbridge Here are our top tips to support your horses general health and immune system at this time of year. Vaccinations – influenza and tetanus vaccines are important to support the immune system and avoid unwanted challenges. The influenza vaccination was intermediate and came third at the nationals in the Bronze section aged 23. Her focus now is on DS Foenix, her aspiring international dressage horse, who boasts multiple Grand Prix bloodlines, that she hopes to compete when she is rising 10. Not content with bringing on high quality horses for the competition market, Yasmin intends to shape bloodlines of the future with her Hanoverian colt Don Weltraum standing at stud next year. We are also likely to see Yasmin producing a dressage star with embryos from Don Foenix next year. Yasmin and Sam also plan to develop an equine rehabilitation centre at Loose Reins, with veterinary and

Dorset Showground

What’s on...

Sun 8th Nov Sat 21st Nov Sat 22nd Nov

Eventers Challenge Unaffiliated Dressage SWW Pony Club Show

Sat 14th Nov Arena Eventing Clinic with Sam Griffiths Sun 15th Nov Clear Round Arena Event Jumping Jumping Sat 29th Nov BS Senior & UnaffiliSat 21st Nov ated Show Jumping

Sun 15th Nov Assisted Gridwork with Charlotte Williams Show Jumping Improvement Lesson with level 2 UKCC Sun 6th Dec Arena Eventing Coach

Show Jump & Arena Eventing Course Hire www.dorsetshowground.co.uk for info, entries & Covid protocols Tel: 01747 83888838 888

Top tips for keeping horses

farriery clinics. schedule starts with two injections around a month apart, followed by a booster six months after that. Some competitions require six-monthly vaccinations and your vet can advise on this. It is just as important to vaccinate horses who live alone and companions. Tetanus is often a life threatening and is easy to protect against.

Lockdown rules for horse owners

STABLE RELATIONSHIP: Andrea with Archie Surprise gold made me so proud

Every year British Breeding hold their Futurity headings, where a panel of international judges assess breeding stock in the UK. They are looking for potential competition animals, suitable for dressage, showjumping, eventing or endurance. The horses and ponies are examined head to toe, and given points for veterinary, conformation, and movement. There are 50 different aspects that are scored, and owners are given really detailed feedback. We are very small breeders, one or two a year, and would never have thought to enter anything, as all the big studs enter their beautiful stock. examinations and rasps are vital. Good teeth mean good mastication, good absorption and less risk of complications such as choke or colic. Worming: A worming programme is essential. Worm egg counts during the year will help identify the right wormer. Tapeworm and encysted red worms do not show up on routine egg counts, and can cause By Andrea Nicholson of Larkhaven Stud, Caundle Marsh

Because of covid, the evaluations had to be done via video this year. With most of the shows cancelled, I decided it would be fun to teach my yearling colt Archie all the things he would need to do if he were to be entered. Arche is very special to us as his dam, Lannibob, was given to us when his breeder, Babette Cole passed away. She proved to be a wonderful mum, and her boy is as fabulous as she is! Having made the two videos, just for fun, I decided to enter them. internal damage or be fatal. Encysted red worms should be treated with Moxidectin and tape worms with Praziquantel. Environmental management: Clean, dry and dust-free bedding is necessary, particularly if they have airway disease. Rugs should be waterproof and well fitting, correct weight can help older horses or those who struggle to I cannot begin to tell you how I felt when I received an email to say Archie had been awarded a Gold premium, and was also the highest placed yearling Sport Pony! As a breeder I strongly believe it is my responsibility to do all I can to secure a future for the ponies I breed. With this behind him, Archie has made a good start. The process ended with a fun Webinar hosted by Dr. Eva Maria Broomer. It was lovely to hear other breeders talking about their horses and to realise that whether you breed one pony or a yard of dressage horses, we all have the same pride in our youngsters. maintain weight. Beware of over-rugging. Check rugs daily to check for any rubs. Nutrition: Feed good quality feed and hay or haylage. Adding corn oil (50mls for a 500kg horse) to feed twice daily can help with ulcers, coat and skin health. Rapeseed oil offers extra calories for weight and condition. Adding salt or electrolytes helps hydration. Ensure there is always access Stables and riding centres will once again be closed for leisure but what does that mean for you? Can I leave my house to look after my horse? Clearly, the welfare of your horse is critical and if you are the sole carer, then yes. If your horse is kept in livery then you must respect the guidelines put in place by the yard owner or manager. You must respect social distancing and wash your hands regularly. Avoid using shared tools. If this is unavoidable then wear gloves and disinfect your hands before and after use. If your horse is on full livery, visits must be essential. What should I do if I have to self-isolate? You must have an emergency care plan as you should not be leaving your home under any circumstance. Can I go for a ride? Guidelines allow people to exercise however, there are no specific guidelines for horse riding. The BHS is asking riders to consider the pressure on emergency services. It is advised not take part in high risk activities, such as jumping or ride a particularly young,

well this winter – here is our equine MoT checklist!

Teeth: Regular dental green or spooky horse. to clean water. A top tip, in very cold weather, add a kettle of warm water to make coled water tepid and more palatable to drink. When issues arise contact your vet. Treating minor issues such as mud fever, rain scald, conjunctivitis etc. quickly will prevent escalation and protect the immune system If you wash legs, give them time to dry or manually dry them. 79