June issue 361

Your Horse 361 JUNE 2012

UKs No.1 EQUINE MONTHLY MAGAZINE

DOn’t miss OUR NEW six-month TRAINING ACADEMY INSIDE uu

Be a better rider, get the best from your horse

www.yourhorse.co.uk

perfect partner

The sport that really is for all

with re-homing

Tried and tested fly care

The truth about headshaking

AD

NG

EMY

One born every minute Fuss-free foaling

T RAI N I

• TRAINING ACADEMY 2012 WITH SPENCER AND JAY • REHOMING • HEADSHAKING • FUSS-FREE FOALING • TREC • TRIED AND TESTED FLY CARE

TRECtastic

Find your

AC

Train with the stars

all for

free!

d online n a s n o ss le e v si u cl x e r u o Part one of alim H y a J d n a n to il W r e c training with Spen

June 2012

£3.80

this month 62

Regulars

6 In the spotlight

Tip top care advice

72 The truth about headshaking

Meet the camels who saved the day at a point-to-point

8 Hot topics

What’s happening in the world of horses

The latest research on just what does cause this worrying condition

10 Our horses

78 What makes him spook?

Is it nature or nurture? And is there a cure?

We reveal all, with some expert help

What the YH team have been getting up to

12 Get involved

84 Fuss-free foaling

Your views on the horse world

162 In the hot seat...

22 Subscribe today

with team GBR strength and conditioning consultant Carys Jackson

And get a pair of boots for your horse absolutely FREE

61 Win!

Features

A Harry Dabbs saddle

97 Win!

105 Win!

Standout Dublin boots and an amazing day out with a stunt team

119 Freebies

We’ve got loads of goodies to give away including brushes, overreach boots, horse care goodies and rugs

Cover stories

UKs No.1

JUNE 2012 Your Horse 361

EQUINE MONTHLY MAGAZINE

Be a better rider, get the

www.yourhorse.co.uk

best from your horse

• TRAINING ACADEMY

TRECtastic 42 The sport that

Find your

2012 WITH SPENCER

perfect partner

62

really is for all

Tried and tested fly care

with re-homing The truth about headshaking

AND JAY • REHOMING

EMY

AD

AND TESTED FLY CARE

T RAI N I

FOALING • TREC • TRIED

84

94

OnE BORn EvERY UtE min Fuss-free foaling

• HEADSHAKING • FUSS-FREE

72

DOn’t miss OUR NEW six-mOnth tRAinEinG ACADEmY INSID uu

Traintawrsith the s

frEE!

online AC lessons and y Halim our exclusive Part one of Spencer Wilton and Ja training with

NG

26

all For

June 2012

Robert Main cover pic: Matthew ness Inset cover pic: Kerry Bow

£3.80

s

90 Food for thought

Calorie counting is important for your horse if he’s going to stay fit and healthy

16 Celebrity Interview

94 Fly care

62 Take me home

Great gear

98 One step at a time

Which brushing boots will give your horse the protection he deserves?

The King’s Troop swap ceremonial duties for seaside fun and games

120 Army horses go on hols

Gear editor Allison Lowther takes apart a new ‘saddle for life’ – and puts it back together again!

The best riding advice

Great new products in the tack shops guaranteed to tempt you to spend

It’s back – six months of top flight training from Jay Halim and Spencer Wilton

Find the body protector that will keep you safe, whether jumping or hacking

Beccy Broughton – loving every second on endurance riding’s rollercoaster!

A place on a Parelli course

Surviving foaling and immediate aftercare for mum and new arrival

Could a rescue horse be the one for you?

Former eventer Claire Lomas talks about life in a wheelchair and her hopes to walk again

26 Training Academy 42 Star TREC

YH’s deputy editor Imogen’s top tips on keeping pesky pests away this summer

128 Big Test

136 First Look

138 What’s new

140 Buyers’ Guide

146 Bargain to blowout

Find out why this horsey sport is growing in popularity as YH’s Katy gives it a go

Hack out in style – and comfort – this summer whatever your budget

50 Private Lesson

148 Tack care

Trainer Tamsin Conyers helps two riders improve their show jumping

58 What judges really think

We pick the mind of a top dressage judge, so you can improve your test scores

Take care of your tack and it’ll take care of you – why this seemingly boring job is vital

152 Our kit

Three great products the YH team and readers can’t live without

Subscribe today see p22

Subscribe to Your Horse and get a pair of these great Equilibrium TriZone Airlite Allsports Boots worth over ÂŁ67 FREE

Essential know-how

New section

Find out (or remind yourself) how to... do professional looking quarter marks...use all the brushes in your kit... get your stirrups the right length first time... lunge correctly...stop locking your knees...clip correctly...tie your stock...spot lameness... quick guide to a knotty problem...loose shoes... wound action It all starts on page 107

115

Our exclusive lessons and online training with Spencer Wilton and Jay Halim starts here

T R AI N I

The YH Training Academy

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26

AD

108

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Endurance – it’s a rollercoaster ride Beccy Broughton

I

WORDS Larissa Chapman PHOTOGRAPHY Matthew Roberts

t’s a glorious and uncharacteristically hot March afternoon as we pull up to the yard where endurance rider, Beccy Broughton, keeps her horses. As we walk through the gate, Smooth FM plays out from the radio and the horses are snoozing in the sunshine. It’s an idyllic setting but there’s no sign of life – I’m just beginning to wonder if we’re on the right yard when Beccy and her dog, Ella, come bounding around the corner to greet us.

Beccy sets to making cups of tea, then with brew and notepad in hand, we return outside to make the most of the sunshine.

Compared to disciplines such as eventing and dressage which tend to dominate the equine limelight, endurance riding is

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somewhat in the shade. But despite a lack of media coverage, endurance remains one of the most diverse and accessible equestrian sports out there.

Beccy has been taking part in endurance since she was four. Since then, she’s competed some of the top horses both in the UK and overseas. Selected for the Young Rider Squad at just 14, she made her Championship and British Senior team debut a year later at the 2001 Europeans in Italy, gaining the best senior placing since 1993, and came first in the Dukeries Bahrain Cup in 2010.

Chatting with Beccy gives a fascinating insight into the sport and the talented people who excel in it...

The Yard Beccy Broughton

Turn over for Beccy’s answers to your questions

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Competition

Win

Y

a saddle from the Harry Dabbs collection

our Horse has teamed up with Harry Dabbs to offer one lucky reader the chance to win the saddle of their choice from the Harry Dabbs collection, as well as a leather girth and a set of stirrup leathers from the range.

Experienced saddle makers at Harry Dabbs have been designing and manufacturing saddles to suit all types of horses and riders for over 40 years.

The skills of Harry Dabbs’ craftsmen are second to none, ensuring saddles of exceptional quality and comfort.

Using modern technology, traditional methods and a flexible manufacturing

approach, they’ve produced an outstanding range of affordable saddles suitable for use in a range of disciplines.

Each saddle is designed to put you in the perfect position while helping to achieve optimum performance from both you and your horse.

The Meridian Dressage saddle is new to the collection and is very sleek and stylish. It features a long slender front gusset, open head and English wool filled panels. The seat, combined with the blocked knee rolls, enables you to find the perfect shoulder, hip and heel position with ease.

It’s available with a choice of girthing

options, flap lengths and leather types (Memel, full grain and Paris).

The AO Original Jumping saddle is a firm favourite with show jumping enthusiasts. It features a French style tree which offers a close contact feel and has a soft seat and knee pads for your comfort. This popular jumping saddle is available in a choice of leather types and colours.

Both saddles come in several different tree widths from narrow to extra wide and tree sizes 16in–18.5in.

For more information contact Harry Dabbs on 01922 612238 or email info@saddlery.co.uk

To enter visit www.yourhorse.co.uk and answer this question How many years has the team at Harry Dabbs been producing saddles? a) Over 25 b) Over 50 c) Over 40 Terms & conditions If the winner lives within two hours of Birmingham, Harry Dabbs will make one visit to fit the saddle.

Otherwise the team at Harry Dabbs will offer guidance in choosing the right saddle, but it will be the winner’s responsibility to ensure the saddle is fitted correctly. If the product is not available, a suitable alternative will be provided.

For full terms & conditions, visit www.yourhorse.co.uk. Closing date 15 June 2012

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Your Horse 361 JUNE 2012

UKs No.1 EQUINE MONTHLY MAGAZINE

DOn’t miss OUR NEW six-mOnth tRAininG ACADEmY INSIDE uu

Be a better rider, get the best from your horse

www.yourhorse.co.uk

The sport that really is for all

with re-homing

Tried and tested fly care

The truth about headshaking

AD

NG

EMY

OnE BORn EvERY minUtE Fuss-free foaling

T RAI N I

• TRAINING ACADEMY 2012 WITH SPENCER AND JAY • REHOMING • HEADSHAKING • FUSS-FREE FOALING • TREC • TRIED AND TESTED FLY CARE

TRECtastic

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June 2012

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Month one

Your Horse Training Academy Train with the experts for free

I

t’s back by popular demand – the 2012 Training Academy is now underway and over the next six months you’ll have access to advice and training from our brilliant Training Academy instructors.

Whether you’re keen to refresh the basics, have a young horse who needs developing or you’re ready to push on to the next level, we’ve got it covered here.

And the real clincher? It’s all absolutely free. Plus our training videos are free too and you don’t even need to register to see them, just head online and watch at your leisure!

Meet your expert trainers

Spencer Wilton In 2006 Spencer made his international debut riding Dolendo before representing Great Britain in the Nations Cup team at Hickstead CDI0. He won the Grand Prix Special at his first international competition in Saumur and was National Champion in 2007.

In 2011 he won the Winter Medium Open Championships with Zamboucca.

“I’m really thrilled to be part of the 2012 Your Horse Training Academy. I’ve made plenty of mistakes over the years, so the exercises I’m going to share with you are the ones I’ve discovered and found to be really helpful with my horses over time and I hope you’ll find them useful too.”

This year we’re delighted to introduce our Training Academy chief instructors: dressage star Spencer Wilton and international event rider and show jumper Jay Halim. Together they’ll cover everything from the basics to competing at a one-day event so if you’re a budding dressage rider, a keen eventer or a show jumper, our instructors are here to help you and your horse become the best you can possibly be.

We can’t wait to get going so, without further ado, we invite you to keep reading and enjoy the 2012 Training Academy.

Jay Halim Jay started out in his career as a show jumper working for Tina and Graham Fletcher for four years. Then he began producing event horses before setting up his own yard. In 2007 he won the Burghley Young Event Horse class on Eye Candy. He’s had top 10 placings at one-, two- and three-star events and continues to compete internationally as well as producing horses for both disciplines.

“It’s really nice to be involved with the Academy and to be able to share tips and ideas with the Your Horse readers. Of course so many riders and trainers have valuable things to say, but if I can offer even one new idea to help you with your horses that will be good enough for me!”

Win! 1-2-1 training from the instructors!

Over the next six months you’ll be able to read the Academy and watch your Academy instructors’ online videos – but that’s not all. You’ll also have plenty of time to enter our competition and win a lesson with one of your instructors, Spencer or Jay, and be featured in the magazine – simply head to www.yourhorse.co.uk/ta to enter.

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Jay (left) and Spencer are your instructors for the next six months

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Better riding Training Academy

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Coming up

This month your instructors help you get your position in check, develop rhythm and balance for dressage and jumping plus give you exercises that will get your horse working forwards and off your aids

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Star

Trec-ing Here at Your Horse we’re always up for a challenge, so when she got the chance, writer Katy Islip headed out to try the increasingly-popular sport of TREC. Read on for our beginner’s guide, tips for success and to find out how Katy got on

Meet the expert

WORDS Katy Islip PICTURES Martyn Barnwell

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Yvonne Duffy

Yvonne is a listed BHS and international TREC judge, registered with the sport’s international governing body FITE – Fédération Internationale de Tourisme Equestre. She competes in a range of disciplines, including TREC, with her 13-year-old cob Missed A Bit, aka Ben, who she kindly lent to Katy for our shoot.

Better riding We try TREC

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2

lessons with trainer

Your problems solved in our one-to-one sessions

Private Lesson

The all-new Your Horse Private Lesson follows two pupils each having a lesson with one instructor. The riders are both at different levels, one more novice and one more advanced and each have different issues.

This month’s pupils, Shelley Harwood and Nicola Stockton have come along for a jumping lesson with trainer Tamsin Conyers. Shelley wants to work on building her confidence while Nicola wants to up her game in the jumping phase of eventing

Meet the expert

Tamsin Conyers Tamsin is a British Showjumping accredited trainer and a UKCC level three coach.

She has competed horses from Novice to Grade A and owns and runs Weston Equestrian Centre with her family. Tamsin runs the centre as a livery yard and riding school with her competition yard running alongside it. For more information, visit the website www. westonequestrain.co.uk or contact Tamsin on 07776 137730 or e-mail: tamsin3973@yahoo.co.uk

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Lesson 1: Novice Meet the pupil

Shelley Harwood Shelley’s seven-year-old chestnut mare, Rose, is a 15.3hh, Irish sport horse who she bought as a four-year-old to bring on as a show jumper. Last year she was jumping up to 85cms until a bad stop and fall knocked Shelley’s confidence so much she made the decision to drop down a level and jump smaller to get it back. Shelley wants to work on this and riding positively.

Better riding Private lesson

In lesson 1: Build confidence and ride positively Steps to build up your confidence over different fences and around a course

Tips to riding more positively forwards towards a fence in a good rhythm

Riding distances and finding the right take off point without stress

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Take me

home Your perfect horse could be waiting for you at an equine charity and it’s easier than you think to take him home – read on to find out more WORDS Imogen Johnson PHOTOGRAPHY Matthew Roberts

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Rehoming rescue horses

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There are a wide variety of suspected causes of headshaking, but the trigeminal nerve is a common feature in nearly all of them. This nerve supplies sensation to your horse’s head and face through the three branches below: Opthalmic nerve Maxillary nerve Mandibular nerve

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Horse Care Headshaking

Headshaking explained If your horse tends to violently toss his head for no apparent reason, he could have a debilitating and painful neurological condition called headshaking – read on to find out more

Meet the expert

Professor Derek Knottenbelt Veterinary surgeon Professor Derek Knottenbelt is a professor of equine medicine at the University of Liverpool’s Division of Equine Sciences. He’s treated horses and ponies for more than 40 years and has been recognised for his pioneering work in developing effective treatments for a range of diseases. He’s written seven major equine medicine textbooks.

Illustration: Samantha J Elmhurst BA Hons, www.livingart.org.uk

Original pic: Mark J Barrett/Alamy

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On high alert What is it that makes some horses spook at the same thing 20 times, while others will sail past roadworks and flapping carrier bags without so much as a backwards glance? We tap into their psyche to find out‌ WORDS Helen Milbank

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Horse Care Spooky horses

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One born every minute When your mare’s in foal it’s so exciting, but after 11 nerve-wracking months (that were probably harder work for you than her) it’s important to keep your wits about you when approaching the finishing line. This month, we guide you through the foaling process and immediate aftercare of mum and baby WORDS Charlie Briggs

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Horse Care When a foal’s your goal

From the beginning

Meet the experts

In our May issue, we looked at helping your mare enjoy a successful journey from conception to birth.

If you missed it, call 0845 601 1356 for a back issue

James R Crabtree

James is an associate consultant at Equine Reproductive Services, near Malton, Yorkshire. He holds the RCVS certificate in Equine Stud Medicine and is an associate lecturer at Liverpool University.

Charlie Briggs

Charlie is an equine vet who works for the Hale Veterinary Group in Wiltshire. She’s also team vet for the GB Endurance Development Squad.

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Food for thought Meet the expert

With more and more top riders going back to basics and feeding their equine athletes a simple forage-based diet, are we over-complicating our horses’ meal times? We get some expert help to find out what the average leisure horse really needs in order to work and compete successfully

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Dr Teresa Hollands Dr Teresa Hollands is senior nutritionist at Dodson & Horrell Ltd

Horse Care Feeding advice

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Claire was joined on her marathon effort

by Olympic rower Matthew Pinsent

One step at a time Claire Lomas

Former event rider Claire Lomas hasn’t let the fact she’s paralysed stop her from leading an active life, from teaching and getting married to learning to ski and becoming a mum. This year she took on her biggest challenge yet – walking the course of the London Marathon in a robotic suit for charity. We meet this inspirational woman to find out how her life has changed since her accident and what the future holds WORDS Katy Islip

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Real life Claire Lomas

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Competition

Win an amazing day out D

plus fab footwear

ublin has teamed up with Your Horse to offer one lucky reader the chance win a day with The Blazing Saddles stunt team and also a pair of the new Dublin Intensity zip up jodhpur boots and matching gaiters in limited edition red patent leather.

Dublin has recently given its footwear range a daring new fashion overhaul and in the process is breaking the rules. Convention has been defied at

every seam – and red is the new black!

These boots will ensure you stand out from the crowd, on or off your horse. They’re stylish with absolutely no compromise on comfort, flexibility and stability. They’re designed with a breathable Ortholite insole which moulds to the shape of your foot for support and rebound pods to provide shock absorption for a comfortable dismount.

Boots of unquestionable quality, they have full grain leather uppers and industrial strength rubber soles – they’re built to last. With lateral and medial support, they ensure a correct

lower leg position in the saddle and cradle the foot to prevent rolling. They have positive stirrup traction on the soles to ensure a close contact feel in the stirrup and multidirectional grip on the yard. They also include flex grooves in the footbed to provide excellent movement for control. The Aqua Guard Zip stands up to rain and mud, which is essential. These unique boots are available in brown, black and the daring limited edition red.

The Blazing Saddles stunt team are based in Hertfordshire, and our winner and their friend will join a member of the YH team there for a truly memorable day out, as well as being the envy of their friends with these fab new boots. The YH team like them so much, they’re our Pick of the Products on page 138.

To see the full Dublin range visit www.dublin clothing.com

To enter visit www.yourhorse.co.uk and answer this question The winner will spend a day with which stunt team? a) The Speed Demons b) The Fire Starters c) The Blazing Saddles Terms & conditions Transport and accommodation will be your own responsibility and the prize must be taken by 30th September 2012. The boot and matching gaiter in limited edition patent red leather is subject to availability and size, if unavailable a suitable alternative to same value will be offered. For full t&c visit www.yourhorse.co.uk. Closing date 30 June 2012

114 108

116

NEW section

Essential

know-how

The only place to find everyday skills for every rider 108 Top marks

The finishing touch – quarter marks the professional way

114 Lock down

What happens to your horse when you lock your knees

116 Knot a problem

111 Brush over

plus Spruce up for

plus Tying a haynet

Just what are all those brushes and combs for?

plus The right

length

summer

It’s time for his summer trim – hints on using clippers

115 Take stock

Get your stirrup length right the first time

Give a great impression with a correctly-tied stock

112 The basics

plus It’s a lame

of lungeing

Get the most out of lungeing your horse by doing it right

excuse

It’s harder than you think to spot if your horse is lame!

Safety knots the easy way

Safe and secure nets

117 Shoe loose How to remove a shoe quickly and safely

plus Wound woes Don’t panic – follow our guide to what to do

For more top tips, help and advice go online to www.yourhorse.co.uk

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Horses on holiday

Oh we do like to be beside the

Every year the London-based horses and soldiers of the King’s Troop swap the rigours of city life for a well-earned seaside sojourn – we got the lowdown on what they get up to on holiday WORDS Katy Islip PICTURES Bob Langrish

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Gear guide Brushing boots

Big Test

Brushing boots An essential piece of kit for both competition and everyday use – find out which ones won our seal of approval

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e’ve probably all got a set of brushing boots lurking in our tack room. They're great all-round boots designed to protect your horse’s lower legs from injury, and can be used for everyday riding or competing.

There are many different styles available and knowing which one to choose can be tricky. So to help make picking the right boots quick and easy, we've put 15 pairs through their paces.

Our testers this month are the team at

Woodcroft Stud, in Cambridgeshire, who have used the boots on their horses for both flatwork and jumping.

Each pair of boots have been assessed under the following criteria: Fit Our testers commented on the overall fit of each pair of boots and how they fitted on different horses.

They also assessed how easy they were to fit and whether the fastenings were easy to use and adjust. The overall design and shape was also considered – how well did the boots cover the vulnerable areas of the lower leg?

Performance The team at Woodcroft considered whether the boots did a good job, living up to all the claims the manufacturer made. They also assessed how well the boots wore, how easy they were to care for and if they stayed securely in place.

Value for money Finally, taking their comments on fit and performance into account, they decided whether the boots were good value for money and if they'd recommend them to you.

Allison Lowther Gear test editor

Info

All prices are for a pair of boots

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Gear guide Body protectors

Buyers’ Guide

Body protectors New technology and fabrics mean body protectors are improving all the time – gear editor Allison Lowther looks at what’s available to today’s rider

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e all know that just being around horses, let alone riding them, can be high risk. Over the years I’ve had my fair share of knocks and falls – too many to mention and my body tells me on a daily basis I’ve been around horses for too long.

Since I started riding, body protectors have changed hugely from the very uncomfortable and extremely attractive (not) ones with a nappy strap – thank goodness the design has moved on a bit.

Body protectors are designed to absorb impact from a fall or a kick from a horse, and are now compulsory for many horsey sports. It’s increasingly the norm to wear them – whether you’re planning to go eventing, are about to back a young horse or just going out hacking, it can be a wise choice to wear a body protector. Nowadays it’s not an excuse to say they aren’t very comfortable – modern materials maan they’re flexible and lightweight, so when correctly fitted, you don’t know you’re wearing one.

Look out for the Beta standard

A good fit is the key to both comfort and safety. The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) trains retailers to fit body protectors so you can have a free, personalised fitting. To find your nearest BETA-trained retailer, call 01937 587062.

Meeting the standard

The BETA Standard sets criteria for shock-absorption, controls the area of the body that must be covered and ensures there are minimal gaps between the protective foam panels.

It encompasses three levels, each designed for different activities and denoted by a colour-coded label on the garment.

• Level 1 (black label) provides the lowest level of protection, only

considered appropriate for licensed jockeys for racing • Level 2 (brown label) offers a lower than normal level of protection, considered suitable for low risk situations – which don’t include jumping, riding on the roads, riding young or excitable horses or inexperienced riders • Level 3 (purple label) is considered appropriate for general riding, competitions including eventing and working with horses. Level 3 body protectors should prevent minor bruising that would have produced stiffness and pain, reduce soft tissue injuries and prevent a limited number of rib fractures The body protectors featured here all carry the BETA level 3 standard.

Modern materials make body protectors flexible and lightweight, so when correctly fitted, you don’t know you’re wearing one Take care of your body protector To make sure your body protector will help take care of you if you should have a fall, follow these simple care tips from BETA

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Check your body protector for dents immediately after a fall or kick as the foam should expand back into shape after 30 minutes. Any dents tell you that the area will no longer offer you the same protection as before

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BETA recommends replacing your body protector at least every three to five years – the impact absorption properties of the foam may start to decline and not offer as much protection if you fall off

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Hidden damage that a body protector may have sustained is a good reason not to buy second-hand

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Don’t leave your body protector lying around at the yard or in the lorry to be chewed or trodden on.

Storing it in a warm, dry place is best

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Hang your body protector on a clothes hanger. Doing up zips will ensure it keeps its shape and closing Velcro fastenings will help keep them clean

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Most body protectors are made from heat sensitive PVC nitrile foam, which is why they feel increasingly comfortable as they soften and mould to your body. Store in a warm (but not artificially hot) environment to ensure it’s nice and flexible when you wear it

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The muzzle explored – why this tiny area is so important Stop the strops – how to help your horse cope with separation anxiety

Gear

8-page buyers guide to

summer tops for riding and around the yard

Next month in On sale 14 June

Be a success this season with our

extensive guide to riding cross-country – the terrain, the different types of fences, ground conditions etc – we have it all

Celebrity interview with

Paralympic dressage star Natasha Baker

Real life – could social networking be

the answer to finding stolen horses?

Shine in the show ring this summer

with top tips for in-hand and ridden showing classes

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AD

T R AI N I

More exceptional training advice from your chief instructors – dressage rider Spencer Wilton helps you get your flatwork in first-class order with one, yes just one, incredible exercise while international eventer and show jumper Jay Halim tackles simple changes and improving the canter

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Training Academy part 2

AC

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extra First for buying and selling

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16 pages packed full of everything equine from horses to property Just a taste of what’s for sale every month in Horse Deals magazine or online at

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