November Issue 353

o.1 N EQUINE

WORTH £28,700

HORSEBOX

MONTHLY

B e a b e t t e r r i d e r , g e t t h e b e s t f r o m yo u r h o r s e

Easiest winter ever

2011

EVENTW PREVIDEE INSI

● Calm your fresh horse ● Embrace the weather ● Be inspired to ride ● Keep him fit in body &

mind plus lots more

Older horses How to keep your OAP happy and healthy

IMPROVE YOUR BOND

Readers reveal their secrets to a lasting relationship £3.80

• WINTER advice • win a horsebox • keep your oap happy • improve your bond • mark kyle • coping with mud fever & cushing’s

Ha ve your

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Riding CARE The latest research on Cushing’s Develop your horse’s balance plus improve your jumping with eventer Mark Kyle

plus coping with mud fever and keeping his hooves healthy

November 2011

Your Horse 353 november 2011

WIN A

UK’S

Contents Great advice to help you be a better rider from the horse world’s top experts, all the latest gear, must-enter competitions and loads more

Survive

This month Your best winter ever!

We’ve got all the expert help and advice you’ll need to make this winter the most inspirational you’ve ever had!

Riding ON th e cove r

26 Get motivated this winter

Our fantastic A-Z of winter riding advice is crammed full of ideas and inspiration that will keep you and your horse going, whatever the weather ON th e cove r

32 Your Horse Clinic

Dressage trainer Amanda Blundell helps one reader improve her horse’s balance and response to her aids

PLUS you r hor se

ON th e cove r

36 Calming down your fresh horse

Expert advice on beating that back-to-work fizz

42 Riding Q&A

Advice on motivating your horse, sitting to a bouncy trot, stopping a bolter and more

48 Private Lesson with Mark Kyle

International eventer Mark Kyle helps one reader control her zesty

horse and improve their jumping

56 Three steps to cross-country success Eventer Christie Wright’s three top tips to get your preparation right

58 Four exercises to improve your jumping British Showjumping coach Mia Korenika shares four simple steps to improve your position over fences

Win A Horsebox Our fantastic competition is back for a second year – you could win an Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox, worth £28,700 – turn to page 22 for details

FANTASTIC OFFER FOR READERS OF YOUR HORSE We’ve got a great offer for you this issue – turn to page 20 to find out more

Cover image Gaby Cooke on Saunders Lady

Care ON th e cove r

94 Coping with Cushing’s disease

Vet Jo Ireland looks at how your can help your horse have a long and happy life ON th e cove r

ON th e cove r

Se e page 20

108 Wage war on mud fever

Five steps to help you recognise, treat and prevent mud fever

114 Care Q&A 100 Does your Feeding for condition, passport horse need a break? rules and more

Is a winter break good for your horse – or will it just cause him (and you) problems?

We investigate

120 Looking after a veteran horse

Follow our experts’ advice and your OAP can enjoy a long and healthy life ON th e cove r

129 Feeding for behaviour

14 Celebrity interview with Jay Halim

The top eventer talks about his new role producing horses – and his hopes for an exciting foal, Candy Zest ON th e cove r

66 Get ready for winter

A little preparation now, and you’ll be laughing at the cold and mud this winter ON th e cove r

144 Improve your bond

Find out how important food is to ensuring your horse is on his best behaviour

Celebs, professionals and ‘ordinary’ riders tell us the secrets behind their winning relationship with their horses

136 Essential guide to winter hoof care

Regulars

Top tips for sound feet ON th e cove r

Features

Your Horse Live

73-91 Find out what’s happening at our fantastic event

Top stars, great demos, shop ’til you drop – it’s all at this year’s Your Horse Live – take a look at our preview to see what’s in store

142 Get your tickets now

Winter Gear and rug guides

All the latest gear for you and your horse– it’s all in our guides FREE with this issue of Your Horse*

6 Favourite ride Share a reader’s top ride 8 The yard YH team news, a show jumpi ng star and more 12 Letters Your views on the horse world 20 Subscribe Great gift when you subscribe 65 WIN Vetrofen and Vetroflex to help your horse’s joints 140 WIN A Parelli Horsenality and Humanality match report 151 Freebies We’ve got leather care, feed balancer and more to give away 162 Anna Ross-Davies Anna entertains the crowds at Blenheim Horse Trials *Ifyou have bought this copy as part of the

value pack the Winter gear guide is unfortunately unavailable with those copies

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The yard

JAY HALIM

She’s the one Words Larissa Chapman Photography Lloyd Rodgers

W

ith an abundance of top 10 placings at one-, two- and threestar events under his belt, it’s fair to say that Jay Halim’s international eventing career has already been a resounding success.

He’s come a long way from the six-year-old boy who helped at the local riding school to earn his lessons and has defied all the sceptics who thought he should get a ‘proper job.’

As we arrive at the Gloucestershire yard Jay shares with his partner Spencer Wilton, a lesson is underway in the indoor school, the horse walker is occupied and the dismal grey rain clouds are threatening to clear.

We head over to the stable block to find Jay in the kitchen area, kettle boiled and

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flapjacks ready and waiting for us.

We grab a seat as Jay makes the tea and finishes his lunch – no pictures allowed of him tucking into a cheese toasty. “It’s a well-known fact that I love my food, we don’t need to document this any further,” he says.

Jay has already competed in international show jumping, started up his own yard and made a name for himself on the eventing circuit.

Now he has a new venture – breeding and producing his own horses with Spencer – and he happily chats about it. In particular he waxes lyrical about one young foal, Candy Zest (pictured here with Jay).

“She’s the one to look out for in the future,” he says.

Turn over for xxxx’s Jay’s answers to your questions

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Your

HORSE Subscription offer JWAA

EVERY ISSUE GIVES YOU

YES! I want to subscribe to Your Horse for 1 year (13 issues) and receive 13 issues for free (total package worth over £95)

Annual Direct Debit – 13 issues £49.40

Inspiring rides and features

Best riding know how

Best care know how

Julie Brown, editor, says

Terms and conditions Subscriptions will start with the next available issue. The minimum term is 13 issues. This offer is open until 3 November 2011 and is only available on UK subscriptions. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and the gift is only available to subscribers paying by direct debit only. Calls from a BT landline will cost no more than 4p a minute. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Order lines open 8am-9.30pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-4pm (Sat). UK orders only.

Overseas? Phone +44 1858 438824. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training purposes.

“This has to be one of our best offers ever.

Subscribe today and not only will you get Britain’s best-selling monthly equestrian magazine delivered straight to your door, you’ll get another year’s worth for absolutely nothing. Something for nothing – now that sounds like my kind of bargain.

You won’t be disappointed.”

GET YOUR HORSE FOR A YEAR

FREE Subscribe today, pay for 13 issues, and get 13 more FREE! Yes, that’s right, a whole year’s worth of your favourite magazine free. We couldn’t believe it either. So, go on, what are you waiting for?

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ONLINE www.greatmagazines.co.uk/your horse CALL +44 1858 438824 (QUOTE REF: JWAA) POST COMPLETE THE COUPON ATTACHED

Win this horsebox worth £28,700!

On the move Looking for a new horsebox or trailer?

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

Are you legal?

If you passed your driving test before January 1, 1997 you’re entitled to pull a trailer and drive a horsebox weighing up to 7.5 tonnes. After this date, new drivers must take a trailer towing test and the C1 test before driving a lorry weighing more than 3.5 tonnes.

Visit www.direct.gov.uk for more info.

But should you be lucky enough to win this compact Equi-Trek Sonic Horsebox you’ll be pleased to hear it weighs 3.5 tonnes fully laden, and can be driven by anyone with a standard car licence, whenever they took their test.

Ramp it up

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

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

With dealers across the UK, Equi-Trek can offer a personal, bespoke service – visit www.equi-trek.com for more information, call 01484 852121 or email info@equi-trek.com

If you’re buying a used trailer or horsebox, check for signs of rot in the floor and ramp – and make sure you can open and shut the ramp by yourself if you’re going to be boxing up on your own. Lightweight and fitted with gas struts for easy lifting, the Sonic’s ramp is quick and easy to close and secure. Not all horseboxes are so well sprung so bear this in mind if you’re buying.

WO £ 2 8 RT H ,700 !

In case of emergency

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

It could be yours!

Running costs

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

T

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

There’s also additional storage over the cab.

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

The sonic is compact and carries two horses in luxury Hidden extras

Modern horseboxes and trailers come with a host of extras.

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

How to enter

For your chance to win…

>>

Go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and follow the instructions. Special terms and conditions apply. Closing date is midday on 2 January 2012. Alternatively visit Your Horse Live at Stoneleigh Park – the horsebox will be on show for you to have a look at and you can enter while you’re there For more information on the Equi-Trek range of horseboxes, go to www. equi-trek.com or call 01484 852121

>>

•Competition open to UK entrants only.

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Riding

e g r a h c r e p u S your winter

Find it hard to motivate yourself off the sofa and into the saddle when it’s cold out? Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a fantastic A-to-Z guide guaranteed to inspire you to get going Words Andrea Oakes

A

B

alance your horse’s food and exercise

im for the top

A bit of luck, a lot of talent and an endless amount of sheer hard work – any top rider will tell you that there are no shortcuts to success. What better reason to tack up and ride this winter than the knowledge that your efforts could be taking you one step nearer your goals?

International dressage star Anna Ross-Davies admits this was what propelled her through difficult times riding dangerous horses and feeling cold and miserable. “For every Christmas morning you don’t train, someone out there does – and will end up being better than you,” she says.

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If his high-jinks leave you wary of stepping aboard your horse in winter, it may be time to re-assess his diet and exercise. Independent equine nutritionist Clare Macleod busts some popular winter feeding myths.

FACT Time standing in the stable has more impact on your horse’s excitability than feed. “As soon as you limit his movement by stabling your horse for longer, you need to take care what you feed (almost underfeed him) to keep him calm,” says Clare. “He may be saner and healthier with several nets of hay a night and just a vitamin and mineral supplement or balancer, with some sugar beet.”

FACT Haylage, unmolassed sugar beet and alfalfa chaff are not ‘heating’ foods. “People think they are because they only feed them in winter, when their horse tends to be livelier due to many more hours of stabling which restricts movement.”

FACT A stabled horse doesn’t necessarily need extra compound food just because it’s cold.

“People underfeed forage and add too much compound food,” says Clare. “Instead, pile in the forage (but be careful with good doers).”

C

Survive

ircuit training for a change

Circuit training makes a fun alternative to schooling on wintry evenings, according to freelance dressage trainer Alison Short. “Ride around the arena in a jumping position, off the horse’s back, at a forward pace,” she says. “Complete three circuits of trot, three of canter, with breaks at walk in between. Don’t worry about your horse’s outline – the idea is to build fitness and keep it interesting.”

D

on’t PANIC! Forced to halt your training programme because of bad weather? “Don’t panic if you have to put training on hold for a while,” says top trainer Tessa Thorne. “Horses don’t forget what they’ve learned.”

For every Christmas morning you don’t train, someone out there does – and will end up better than you!

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Riding

Feeling

Survive

Fresh?

Find out how to beat that back-to-work fizz with expert advice from Melanie Watson, Tina Sederholm and top tips from Lucy Killingbeck

Y

ou know the feeling – you’re excited to bring your horse back into work after a break but dreading him being fresh and full of fizz, yes we’ve all been there. Here our experts tell you how to avoid creating a fresh horse during time off work and how to ensure that your first rides are successful, calm and above all safe.

Meet the expert

Meet the expert

Melanie runs Instinctive Horsemanship in East Yorkshire. She specialises in training problem horses, breaking young horses, retraining racehorses as well as teaching others

Tina Sederholm is an advanced rider and trainer with over 20 years experience training horses and riders from novice to Olympic standard. She looks at two ways of dealing with fresh horses.

Melanie Watson

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Melanie Watson advises on how you can help prevent your horse getting fresh because he’s bored when confined, while Tina Sederholm looks at exercises to help deal with a horse returning from injury and also after time off. Top showing guru Lucy Killingbeck gives some commonsense safety tips.

Tina Sederholm

www.you r hor se .c o.u k

Riding

privaTe lesson with top international Irish event rider Mark Kyle

Allowing a zesty horse to use excess energy rather than containing it to boiling point is the best way to stay in control, in rhythm and on track when it comes to jumping experienced horse Mark Kyle’s yard is a Fact file with bags of talent, hive of activity – Name: Mark Kyle Claire explains, but he’s fresh from the Experience: Finished she doesn’t quite Burghley Horse 21st in the 2004 Athens Olympics. know how to handle Trials and only Won the Indoor Holly’s enthusiasm a day away Cross-Country Championships in when jumping. from 2006, 2008 and 2010 She says Holly can travelling riding Drunken Disorderly. be quick to take to compete Represented Ireland at advantage of her in the The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian own lack of CCI*** at Games in Kentucky. knowledge and Blenheim experience. She Palace struggles to keep Holly in when Claire a rhythm and this usually Kilbourn arrives with causes her to rush and launch her horse, Holly. over fences.

A busy yard is nothing Mark tells Claire to have a unusual as Mark and his walk and trot round so Holly wife, British can adjust to her surroundings international event rider, and everything that’s going Tanya Kyle are always on on around them in the arena. the go competing and “It’s great for the horses running their base and riders to get used to Queenholme Eventing in riding in a busier than Leicestershire. normal atmosphere, then There’s little time to when you do get to a show waste, so Mark gets and there’s people and horses straight to business, everywhere, it’s less likely to leading Claire and be a problem,” explains Mark.

Holly to the outdoor “Let’s just give Holly chance arena. to settle, before starting.”

Holly is an

It’s great for the horses and riders to get used to riding in a busier than normal atmosphere you r hor se

For more riding advice go to www.yourhorse.co.uk

Meet the pupil

Find out how Mark helps Claire control Holly’s pace and enthusiasm, over the page

See the celebs Come to Your Ho rse Live and get great tips fro m top riders For more details see pages 73-9 2

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Riding

4 exercises to

improve your

jumping position Four simple exercises to give you a stronger seat over fences

Having a secure and balanced jumping position is important for both you and your horse

Practising this position frequently, both on the ground and during flatwork sessions, will help improve your jumping, as well as highlight any issues you may have before you tackle a jump.

It’s imperative to be the ‘perfect passenger’ for your horse while he’s in the air over a fence, allowing him to do his job. It’s also crucial to be able to maintain and regain balance, and therefore control of your horse, on landing and on the approach to the next fence.

You can only do this if you have a good, solid jumping position which will also make your horse feel secure and balanced, helping you both achieve a comfortable and correct shape over the fence.

Our expert, show jumper Mia Korenika, explains four easy warm-up exercises to work the muscles that will help you over fences.

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Meet the expert Mia Korenika British Showjumping accredited coach Mia Korenika provides tuition for all levels of horse and rider. Based in Northamptonshire, she competes at national level and is lead coach for the British Showjumping West Welsh academy and the Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire academies.

She has used this experience to help develop her own coaching methods so she can pass this knowledge on to horse and riders of all levels and ages.

To contact Mia call: 07710791095 or 01933 663124 or visit www.miakorenika.co.uk or e-mail: mia@miakorenika.co.uk

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Winter Survival Guide

Bring on the cold!

Knee-deep mud, frozen pipes, nightfall at 3.30 in the afternoon… there’s no denying winter can be tough on horses and horse owners, but here’s how to embrace all it throws at us and learn to love the colder months Words: Helen Milbank Cartoon: Patrick Latham

Survive

Competition

Win VETROFEN

WIN

180 sa c pack het of vetrofe a nd 4 n k g s of vetroflex

& VETROFLEX Your Horse has teamed up with Animalife to offer four lucky readers the chance to win a 180 sachet pack of Vetrofen and 4kgs of Vetroflex.

Vetrofen gives horses the nutrition they need to promote joint comfort. This approach doesn’t just mask the symptoms, it actively helps to prevent discomfort. Vetrofen can be used in acute cases and can also be fed long-term.

Perfect for older and active horses, Vetroflex supports strong, flexible and healthy joints while helping Joint cartilage to regenerate in areas of weakness or damage. It’s clinically proven to stimulate the growth of new joint cartilage cells - counteracting wear and tear on joints.

Vetroflex works by protecting cartilage and synovial fluid against deterioration, whilst stimulating the cartilage cells to produce more collagen and proteoglycans.

Both products contain 100% natural, pure active ingredients for maximum effectiveness with no fillers, no banned substances and no side effects.

Vetroflex has had such a positive response from vets it is now stocked by specialist vet wholesaler National Veterinary Services and is also available for horse owners from equine retailers, Trilanco and Battles.

Buy from your local equine retailer today or with FREE nationwide delivery and 10% off * using voucher code: YH10C New consumer and trade support line 0845 365 0050. *Valid until 31 October 2011, while stocks last, subject to terms and conditions.

• For further information visit www.animalife.co.uk or call on 0845 365 0050

To enter visit www.yourhorse.co.uk and answer this question Vetroflex helps horses what? a) Joints b) Mane c) Hooves Closing date is 3 November 2011 For full terms and conditions please see www.yourhorse.couk

Se e e re mo onliabnou t

For more info ve, Your Horse Li les etab including tim ckets ti g in ok bo and go to w w w. e. yourhorseliv k .u co

Inside this preview

76 Meet the main arena demonstrators 80 What’s on in the Dodson & Horrell Arena 82 Visit the Your Horse Village 85 Win an Equi-Trek horsebox 87 Expert advice to improve your riding 89 Celebrity Q&A panels 90 The Breeds Village and shopping w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k

Care

Hypothalamus

This acts as the ‘hub’ through which the horse’s brain communicates with his endocrine system, including the pituitary gland

Anterior pituitary gland

This causes Cushing’s disease as it controls the secretion of hormones – which are over-active in affected horses

U KNOW? DID YO also known as Pituitary Cushing’s is D) Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPI

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VETADVICE

Feeling hormonal?

With its trademark symptom of a long, often curly coat, Cushing’s disease is a common hormonal disorder among older horses – but with the right approach they can go on to enjoy a long and happy life, as vet Jo Ireland explains

C

ushing’s disease is the most common endocrine (or hormonal) disorder to affect the equine brigade’s older generation.

But despite the fact there’s no cure,

and the condition can have major welfare implications – including recurring bouts of laminitis – there’s hope for the many horses and ponies who are affected.

With the right care they can go on to lead a full and happy life. Here we dismiss the myths, explain the latest research and answer your questions about the disease.

A long, curly coat is one of the condition’s most distinctive features

Jo Ireland BVMS, CertAVP (Equine Medicine), MRCVS, is a vet at the Animal Health Trust (AHT)

What causes Cushing’s?

Cushing’s disease is the result of a dysfunction in the middle part of the pituitary gland – a small gland located near the base of the horse’s brain that’s responsible for regulating many of his hormonal systems.

In horses with Cushing’s we see age-related degeneration of the neurons (nerves) and this, in turn, leads to the reduced production of a chemical called dopamine, which is important in controlling hormone secretions from the pituitary gland.

With this reduction in dopamine the normal inhibition of the pituitary gland is lost, resulting in the excessive secretion of several hormones – and it’s these hormones that result in the clinical signs.

How common is it?

Recent studies show that around 15% of horses over 15 years of age, and up to 40% of horses over 25, are affected. However, there is limited information about the prevalence of the condition in the general equine population.

The average age at diagnosis tends to be about 19 to 20, though it’s not unheard of, but much less common, in horses under the age of 15.

Studies have shown that for every

year of age above 15, the risk of Cushing’s disease increases by 21%.

There is no difference in risk between mares, geldings and stallions and all breeds can be affected.

While it was previously considered to be more common in ponies, recent studies have shown that horses are just as likely to suffer from the disease – the apparent incidence in ponies probably reflects the fact that ponies live longer.

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Pic: Bob Langrish

Meet the expert Jo Ireland

Care Survive

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For more care Q&A go to www.yourhorse.co.uk

break?

Time for a

Is a winter holiday the key to a happy, healthy horse who’s raring to go come spring or the recipe for training disaster? Here to debate the pros and cons are some of the UK’s top riders, trainers and equine behaviour experts Words Andrea Oakes

D

oes your horse need a winter holiday? Maybe you feel he deserves some rest and relaxation after a busy season – or perhaps the prospect of another big freeze is enough to make you want to hang up your riding boots until the spring.

Whatever your reasons, proper planning and preparation will help ensure that he emerges from the colder months feeling refreshed and raring to go. Here, our expert guide will help you decide whether, when and how to give your horse a winter break.

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Care

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For more care Q&A go to www.yourhorse.co.uk

Respect your

Elders

There’s no getting away from the odd creaky joint and dodgy tooth as our horses get older, but with the right approach our veterans can enjoy a healthy life in retirement. Here to help you keep your horse fit and well for longer are experts from the worlds of vet care, farriery, nutrition, behaviour, physio and equine dentistry Words Larissa Chapman

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IMPROVEYOURBOND

Understand your horse Ever wondered what makes some horse-and-rider combinations just click? We chat to the celebs, professionals and ‘ordinary’ riders who all share a winning relationship with their horses to discover the secrets of their success Words Helen Milbank

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NEXT MONTH in Your Horse On Save time and money this winter

Sale 3

Expert advice to make the most of your time in the saddle • Discover the art of stretching from the saddle • Improve your horse on the lunge • Give your horse a winter MoT • Balancing your horse and home life

PLUS

•H ow to feed your ex-racehorse • What you should know about equine neurology • Taking on an ex-competition horse

money saver!

We’ve got a great money-saving offer for you See page 20

Y AS E e d a m Xmas nd your horse Gift ideas for you a

NOV