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In the spotlight
Police horses become history Nottinghamshire residents will bid farewell to their police horses later this year after the mounted section is axed to save money
Pic: NottiNgham Post
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he sight of police horses on patrol in Nottinghamshire will become a thing of the past after funding cuts saw the county’s police authority decide to disband its mounted unit. Nottinghamshire Police has to save more than £42m over four years, and will save £93,000 a year by scrapping the section, which has seven horses and officers. The mounted unit’s final deployment will be to London this summer to help police the Olympic Games, after which Eros, Maximus, King, Lionheart, Lord Byron, Loxley and Trojan will be sold, possibly to other forces, and their officers deployed to other duties.
your horse september 2012
Acting Chief Constable Chris Eyre said: “I acknowledge the affection many of our residents have for the police horses. I fully recognise the history of the mounted section and the contribution it has made over many decades to policing the city and county. But I have to deliver a policing service that makes the very best use of very limited resources and to that end make some difficult choices.”
GET in Touch!
If you know of an eyecatching event you’d like to see featured here, email getinvolved@yourhorse.co.uk, visit www.facebook.com/yourhorse or follow us on Twitter @YourHorse
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Lionheart, Trojan and King lead a march through nottingham
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september 2012 your horse
Win a horsebox
Ride in style
Here’s your chance to win this Equi-Trek horsebox, plus a complete performance pack from Animalife worth over £300!
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Win an equi-trek sonic horsebox
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his Sonic Horsebox is worth a cool £28,900 – and it could be yours if you enter our fantastic competition today! The Sonic is compact and easy to drive and carries two horses in total luxury. It has the added benefit of a tack/changing/sitting area, with two saddle racks, two bridle racks and two coat hooks so you can carry all your equipment with ease, totally separate from the horses’ area. There’s also additional storage over the cab. Equi-Trek has generously added a package of incredible extras including:
your horse september 2012
• Alloy wheels • Mud flaps • Head divider • Corner seat with storage • CCTV camera • Digital reversing camera • Padded partition • Padded walls • Extra height partition • Road tax until June 2013 As well as the fantastic EquiTrek Sonic Horsebox, we’re giving you the chance to win prizes every month from our Win a Horsebox sponsors Petplan Equine, Musto, Animalife and Kent & Masters.
How to enter
For your chance to win… Go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and follow the instructions. special terms and conditions apply. closing date is midday on 2 January, 2013. alternatively visit Your horse Live at stoneleigh Park on 10-11 november – the horsebox will be on show for you to have a look at and you can enter while you’re there (turn to page 88 for more info about this fantastic event). • 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, who must be 18 or over and own a horse
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Win a comPLete PErFOrmanCE PaCK
This month we’ve teamed up with Animalife to offer two lucky winners a complete performance pack for their horse worth over £300
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nimalife is the No.1 provider of performance nutraceuticals – food products that provide health or medical benefits. It has developed a complete range of scientifically advanced health, wellbeing and performance nutraceuticals for your horse that are vet approved, 100% natural and contain no banned substances. It has an equine supplement for every situation encountered during training and performance, from anxiety and nervousness to reduced stamina. Products include Vetrofen, a natural bute alternative for the ongoing maintenance of your horse’s natural inflammatory response
and antioxidant activities, to maintain comfort and flexibility of joints and muscles, and Vetroflex, which helps joint health and rejuvenation. It works by regenerating cartilage at a faster rate than is normally possible. Equine Oxyshot is a fast-acting calmer, while Vetrocalm is a maintenance calmer, counteracting nervousness and aggression. Vetroneuro helps maintain behaviour, memory, coordination, mood and concentration, and Vetrocell is a fast-acting, iron-rich formulation. Vetroimmune supports your horse’s immune system, while VetroCPH12 helps muscle tone and function.
our prize includeS • Vetrofen (21 sachets) • Vetroflex (1kg) • Equine Oxyshot (3 calms) • Vetrocalm (42-day supply)
Performance Nutraceuticals
when performance matters
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• Vetroneuro (7-day supply) • Vetroimmune (30-day supply) • VetroCPH12 (14-day supply) • Vetrocell (14-day supply)
to enter, and for full terms and conditions, go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win – closing date is 24 September, 2012. For more information about the full product range visit www.animalife.co.uk
september 2012 your horse
Train with our experts for free
Training Academy PART FOUR
Meet your expert trainers dressage
Spencer Wilton
Riding for: 35 years Current rides: Zamboucca, Doogie and Super Nova Career highlights: Winning the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special in 2006 in Saumur with Dolendo; winning the National Championships in 2007 with Dolendo; winning the Winter Medium Open Championships in 2011 with Zamboucca Spencer says: “I hope you’re enjoying the Academy so far and that you’re having fun with your horse working your way through the exercises. This month my section will cover the preparation you’ll need to progress onto half-pass next month – good luck!”
your horse september 2012
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Dressage and jumping key skills this month
Ride travers
Ride renvers
Tackle skinnies
Clear corners
Simulate coffins
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Ask for inside bend
jumping
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jumping
Jay Halim
Riding for: 24 years Current rides: VIP II, Who Boy and Master Eli Career highlights: Winning the 2007 Burghley Young Event Horse class on Eye Candy; top five placings at 1, 2, and 3 star; Foxhunter winner at the 2011 Blue Chip Winter Showjumping Championships; 3rd in the 2011 Grand Prix at Hickstead Jay says: “This is an exciting month for all of you who enjoy jumping as I’m tackling technical elements in the school ahead of crosscountry schooling, which I’ll cover next month. Don’t forget, if you have a question about anything we’ve covered so far just ask – turn to p41 to find out how.”
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september 2012 your horse
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Easy-to-follow expert advice for beginners to advanced riders
Better riding
This month
êê
page 42
Cross-country timing tips
Leanne and Annie need help to improve their flatwork
your horse september 2012
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page 55
Exercises for hill work
page 48
Make sure you’re in control
Inside Better Riding 32 private lessons One trainer helps two riders with ex-racehorses 42 Cross-Country timing Top tips on how to get your times and speed right 48 riding Bigger horses Expert advice to help make sure you’re in control 55 hill work Six great exercises to help your horse improve his way of going
Private Lessons
The Your Horse Private Lessons follow two pupils having lessons with one trainer. Each has an ex-racer and wants help with different issues
MEET THE TRAINER KATh PinningTon is a four-star eventer, head trainer and yard manager at the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre in Lancaster. This registered charity takes in ex-racehorses and retrains them before finding them new long-term homes. For more information about this work, visit www.thoroughbred rehabilitationcentre.co.uk
LEssoN 1: NovIcE LEAnnE SEddon and her four-year-old ex-racehorse, Anathena (or Annie), have been getting to know each other and allowing Annie to adjust to her new environment and lifestyle. One of Leanne’s priorities is to get Annie to put weight on. She wants to establish good flat paces with a view to doing some dressage and showing classes.
LEssoN 2: AdvANcEd LiSA niCKSon and her 18-year-old ex-hurdler and endurance horse, Mally, are currently competing at Prelim level dressage and 85/90cm show jumping and cross-country. They need help with their flatwork as dressage is their weakest phase in eventing due to both Lisa and Mally’s previous background and experience.
Lesson 1: novice – Leanne and annie
The warm-up
“Don’t make everything too perfect, just warm up as you normally would so I can have a look at you both,” says Kath. “Can you feel that she’s weaker on one diagonal? She’s not pushing you out of the saddle and seems to drive more off her left hind than her right, so keep changing your diagonal to get her used to both. Now go into canter and let me see her rhythm. That’s lovely, she has a super rhythm which is probably why she wasn’t the best racehorse, most don’t have such a lovely canter. Her hindlegs come nicely under and she really lifts her forehand. “I know you say that she backs off from the whip but it would be really useful to use one, just to back up your legs.”
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Lesson focus l Getting Annie to use her back end properly l Teaching her to bend around the leg l Slowing the speed and increasing the power
september 2012 your horse
Better Riding Cross-country timing
Stop the clock If, like me, you’re fairly green when it comes to the whole cross-country scene, but you’re keen to get started, here’s all you need to know about speeds and distances Words Larissa Chapman
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alking your distances, working out your minute markers, setting your watch and trying to reach your optimum time, never mind negotiating fixed fences – there’s a lot to take in when you’re
going cross-country, so be in the know with our guide to timing and distances. We’ve enlisted the help of top event rider Julia Crowson and course builder Adrian Ditchman to find out how you can achieve a round timed to perfection!
The British Eventing (BE) info you need to know Before you don your stopwatch and colours and tear off into the distance, you need to understand the facts First up, the levels In Britain there are six levels of affiliated eventing which cater for all levels of horse and rider. They range from 80cm training classes (T) through to 1.20m advanced classes as follows ● BE80(T) ● BE90 ● BE100 ● Novice ● Intermediate ● Advanced Here we’re focusing on the lower levels, from BE80 up to Novice. The basic speeds Before you head out on the course you need to know what speed, measured in metres per minute (mpm), is expected at each level. ● BE80 requires you to ride at 435mpm ● BE90 = 450mpm ● BE100 = 475mpm ● Novice = 520mpm How time penalties work The aim of the game is to finish the course (clear!) within a certain time limit, or ‘optimum time’ which is announced on the day of the competition for that particular course – Be in the know before you tackle cross-country
courses may vary depending on their terrain, how many twists and turns they have and the fences they encompass. For example, at a BE80 (T) competition, you and your horse need to be travelling at 435mpm, to finish within the optimum time. Crossing the finish line outside the optimum time clocks up time penalties for each second over. Time penalties are scored as follows: ● Exceeding the optimum time: 0.4 penalties per second ● Coming in under the optimum time: 0.4 penalties per second ● Exceeding the time limit (twice the optimum time): Elimination For BE Novice competitions and above you will incur 0.4 penalties for every second you’re over the optimum time (ie for every second you’re slower than the optimum time). However, you can be up to 15 seconds quicker than the optimum time without incurring a penalty, but any more than 15 seconds quicker and you’ll incur the usual 0.4 penalty. For lower level events, you’ll also incur penalties (the usual 0.4 for every second slower than the optimum time applies) but you need to read up on the rules to understand how the penalties are allocated for being too fast – these will be calculated on the day by the judges and will be dictated by the distance of each course and the time taken to ride it. For all BE rules visit: www.britisheventing.com Note: the rules above are for BE run events, other riding club rules may vary so always check the appropriate rule book before you attend your event.
your horse september 2012
Being able to get your timing right is essential for cross-country success
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september 2012 your horse
Better Riding Riding bigger horses
Size no object Whether you’re stepping up from ponies to horses or looking for a bigger horse to suit your riding ambitions, discover the key to the perfect riding partnership with advice from Anna Brown Words Allison Lowther Photography Matthew Roberts
F OUR ExpERt ANNA BROWN is a dressage rider who specialises in producing and selling dressage ponies. She trained for eight years in Germany before returning to the UK. She trains with Stephen Clarke, Isobel Wessels and Joyce Benson
or some the sight of a big, powerful horse can be quite daunting and as for owning one, well that’s out of the question. But for 5ft 2in dressage rider Anna Brown and her competition horse 16.2hh gelding Damascus, carefully considered training means size has never been an issue. This year they’ve won their first Prix St Georges test and been placed at two others. We join Anna at Kingswood Equestrian Centre as she lets us follow her and Damascus on a typical schooling routine.
your horse september 2012
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september 2012 your horse
Celebrity interview
Alex gets animated talking about his riding
Alex Hua Tian International event rider Alex Hua Tian talks about his time in China and the UK, his highs and lows in the eventing world and why he’s finally decided a career in aeronautical engineering can’t compare to one with horses Words Larissa Chapman Photography Matthew Roberts
your horse september 2012
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Turn over for more of Alex’s answers to your questions
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hina’s first Olympic event rider at just 18 years old, resounding success in the equestrian world, celebrity status in China, an education at Eton, a place on an aeronautical engineering course and to top it all off, chiselled good looks – the list is endless. It’s easy to assume all this success before he even left school might have gone to Alex’s head, but as we pull up at his beautiful Buckinghamshire yard complete with picture postcard views, we’re greeted by a polite, charming and down-to-earth young man who welcomes w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
us in and shows us around. In short, Alex encompasses everything a gentleman should be. Going through the yard, we pass pictures and plaques of his achievements which had been put up especially for a tour for Chinese visitors the day before. It’s an interesting and eclectic mix, from familiar competition shots to artistic and quirky ones that capture Alex’s mischievous side. He quickly skims through the pictures before introducing us to his horses – the intrinsic bond he has with them is easy to see. This international star has a hectic schedule, riding his horses, entertaining
the press from China and the UK, showing people around the yard, and of course trying to find some time to see his friends and family. When we arrive at the yard, his brother is over from China and it seems that sporting talent runs in the family as we find out that he’s a gifted cricketer. However, Alex has other plans for his brother. “I’m hoping he might dabble in buying a few horses for me in the future,” he says with a cheeky grin. Feeling completely at home, we head into Alex’s office for a chat about early riding memories, Olympic dreams and embarrassing moments. september 2012 your horse
WIN
a dream riding holiday
Ride the War Horse Trail! Win the opportunity to ride the War Horse Trail with three friends on an amazing holiday worth £3,000 courtesy of Liberty Trails and Your Horse
T
he stunning locations used on Dartmoor while filming the box office smash War Horse form the backdrop for an incredible two-day ride and you and your horse could experience it with our amazing competition.
Adventure Across dArtmoor
Win this incredible prize – you plus three friends will enjoy a three-night stay at
the Arundell Arms Hotel with all meals included and two days of riding across the incredible Dartmoor trail featured in Steven Spielberg’s epic film War Horse, inspired by Michael Morpurgo’s book. Over the two days you and your friends will be guided across the many magical places featured in the film – over varying terrain including tors, rocky outcrops and passing stone circles and standing stones. Enjoy long gallops as well as the chance to take in the scenery at a steady pace!
stAble your horse in style At the end of each day your horse can settle down in a privately-owned, purpose-built stable yard on Dartmoor (after a stretch and roll in a paddock if required), before settling into a large airy stable under the watchful eye of the owners who live on site. Each yard is small and exclusive, catering for a maximum of five horses
Visit www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and Who wrote the book War Horse?
a) Michael Moreover b) Michael Morengo c) Michael Morpurgo your horse september 2012
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Accommodation for you...
...and for your horse
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at a time and providing quiet, safe and secure overnight stabling. Each yard is also fully equipped to help you travel lighter with a luggage transfer service for feed, rugs and your grooming essentials!
relAx At the Arundell Arms
Once your horses are settled in their accommodation, you’ll be taken back to yours – The Arundell Arms Hotel! Just a
stone’s throw from Dartmoor, The Arundell Arms is the perfect place to unwind after a long day in the saddle. It has beautifully decorated rooms and an award-winning chef to prepare a delicious dinner before a great night’s sleep in your room. Each morning, after a full Devon breakfast you’ll be taken back to the yard where your horse will be relaxed and ready to ride out for another amazing day on Dartmoor.
£3,000 So, if you love the great outdoors and fancy an adventure with your horse, you’d be mad not to enter! For more information visit www.libertytrails.co.uk
answer this question to enter... closing date: 6 September 2012 terms & conditions: The prize includes three nights at The Arundell Arms Hotel with dinner, bed and breakfast for four people plus stabling and feed for four horses for three nights. The War Horse Trail prize is non transferable for cash. Winners must organise their own travel to the location. For full terms and conditions go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
september 2012 your horse
Gin the orphan foal is flourishing thanks to Redwings
00 your horse july 2012
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Happily
ever after With equine welfare cases rising, we take a look at just what charities such as Redwings are doing to help horses in need Words Katy Islip Photography Matthew Roberts
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rriving at the Norfolk headquarters of Redwings, the UK’s largest equine sanctuary, the first thing photographer Matthew and I see as we drive up the snaking drive is acres of well-fenced fields, dotted with equines of all sizes happily grazing away with their buddies. More than 1,200 horses, ponies and
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donkeys have found a home for life with Redwings, either here at Hapton or at the charity’s four visitor centres, with hundreds more in caring guardian homes thanks to the charity’s rehabilitation and rehoming programme. With the financial climate still gloomy, the charity is working harder than ever to make every donation it receives count, while the rising tide of
abandonment and ill-treatment sees more and more animals arriving in desperate need of veterinary care and a bit of TLC – which the team here supplies in spades. We spent two days watching them go about their vital work and met some of their inspirational and adorable charges who, having come through hell, really do deserve the happy ever after they’ve finally found.
july 2012 your horse 00
YH tries carriage driving
In the
driving seat
Carriage driving is an increasingly accessible sport, open to anyone regardless of age, ability or horsey knowledge. Your Horse writer Katy Islip found herself hooked when she gave this elegant and exciting activity a go Words Katy Islip Photography Simon Hipperson
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’ve always found something terribly glamorous about the idea of being whisked off in horsedrawn carriage, a mode of transport which combines style with horsepower and evokes a bygone era. After interviewing driving legend Boyd Exell I realised how exciting the modern incarnation of driving can be, and I’ve been hankering to have a go ever since. So when the chance arose to have a lesson with driving expert Minta Winn, I grabbed it with both hands. It was only when I asked what I should bring and Minta told me hat, gloves and a sense of humour that I began to wonder what I’d let myself in for! Turn the page to find out how I got on…
your horse september 2012
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Ten things you never knew about driving and harness to carriage, driver and on where you’re from, 1 Depending attendants. ‘Whip’ is the term for the blinkers have different names, from
blinkers to winkers to blinders! coupling reins used on a 2 The four-in-hand date back to ancient Egypt – a chariot using this set up was found in the tomb of the boy king Tutankhamun. The term outsider, to denote a 3 stranger or loner, comes from the time of stagecoach travel – anyone who couldn’t quite pay their way, or was a bit scruffy or unpleasant, would be given the less-comfortable outside seat on the coach roof, giving rise to the term. is the name for the 4 ‘Turnout’ complete driving set up, from horse
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driver, as well as the whip. ‘Putting to’ is the term for attaching the harnessed horse to a vehicle. The world record for the most 5 horses pulling a carriage is a staggering 141, set in France in 2005 – the total length of the turnout was nearly 410m. it’s warm, drivers of pairs or 6 When teams have to be vigilant as hot horses can rub on each other and easily pull off their bridles! Until 2003, eight Friesian horses 7 were based at Harrods, the famous London store, pulling its historic vehicles around the capital. Now the team’s
owned by Westways Carriage Horses in Surrey, but still makes deliveries for the iconic store. 2011 a team of wounded service 8 In personnel from Horses Help Heroes, a charity initiative raising money for Help for Heroes, spent nine days driving a horse–drawn replica First World War ambulance 1,004 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats to create a new world record. The largest recorded parade of 9 horse-drawn carriages featured 265 vehicles and took place at Tipperary racecourse in Ireland in 2008. is the oldest competitive 10 Driving equestrian sport, and became an FEI discipline in 1970.
september 2012 your horse
horse care
Keep your horse healthy and happy page 97
Retiring options
This month
ĂŞĂŞ
Frontal sinus
guttural pouch Pharynx Larynx
Caudal maxillary sinus
Bronchus
rostral maxillary sinus
ALL iLLustrAtions : sAmAnthA J ELmhurst BA hons www.LivingArt.org.uk
nasal cavity (open to pharynx)
trachea
Lungs
heart
Alveolus
your horse september 2012
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page 112
Spook-free hacking
page 106
Distance healing for your horse
Inside Horse Care 90 InsIde hIs lungs how your horse’s respiratory system works 97 TIme To reTIre the options open to you when it’s time for your horse to slow down 102 handlIng hIs legs top tips on how to get your horse to lift his legs 106 radIonIcs explaIned we look at how this holistic healing method works 112 hackIng spooky horses Follow our advice and help your horse stay calm
Lung power the equine respiratory system is the fuel line supplying the engine of the heart. we explain its anatomy and how it works, common respiratory complaints and the surgical options Words katy islip Photography matthew roberts
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s natural athletes, horses require huge amounts of oxygen to perform at their physical best, all supplied by their complex respiratory system. Running from the nostrils down to the lungs and back up again, it fills your horse’s bloodstream with oxygen, which his heart pumps around his body, keeping his muscles and organs working at their peak. Problems with respiratory health are second only to musculoskeletal disorders when it comes to performance problems, so keeping your horse’s breathing apparatus in top condition is key, whatever your riding aims. Join our expert vet Dr Debbie Archer for the grand tour of this fascinating system, so you can understand how everything works, spot and prevent common problems, and find out how respiratory surgeries can help improve performance issues.
The upper respiratory tract (URT) NOSTRiLS OR NAReS
These are flexible structures which can expand greatly during exercise. Supporting the outer edge of each nostril is a ring of cartilage (the alar cartilage), which holds them open as your horse breathes in.
NASAL PASSAGeS
The nostrils lead into the nasal passages, which are kept separate from each other by the septum, which is made of cartilage. Each nasal passage runs to around eye level and is filled with bony ridges and folds called nasal turbinates, which help cool air. They’re separated from the mouth by the hard palate, which is made of bone and forms the roof of the mouth. Air is filtered and cleaned in the nasal passages by the mucous membrane lining and tiny hairs called cilia, which push germs, dust and debris up into the pharynx, where it can be swallowed or coughed out.
our experT DR Debbie ARcheR is senior lecturer in equine soft tissue surgery at the university of Liverpool’s equine hospital. she’s a keen rider who works as a treating vet at several three-day events, a role she’s also filling at the London olympics.
PARANASAL SiNUSeS
Bronchiole
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There are seven paired sinuses in the horse’s head, which are air-filled cavities, similar to those in humans. Most sinuses communicate with each other, but two only communicate between themselves – this is important when investigating diseases of the paranasal sinuses. The sinuses september 2012 your horse
Horse care Handle your horse’s legs
your horse september 2012
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leg up!
If your horse is adamant he doesn’t want his legs handling, read on to find out why he might be objecting and what you can do to get him lifting those legs with ease
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hen farrier appointments or simple tasks such as picking out your horse’s feet start to leave him (and you) in a sweat, it’s time to go back to basics with some easy exercises for leg handling. Here Australian horse trainer Jason Webb explains why some horses simply won’t lift their legs and what you can do to make the process stress-free.
Problems handling your horse’s feet?
Horses’ feet provide their means of survival – whether they’re running away from danger or kicking out at it. When you handle their legs or pick up their feet, you’re taking away their ability to protect themselves. It’s therefore vital to develop a high level of trust and respect so you can handle your horse’s feet and legs successfully. One of the main reasons why people have problems handling their horses’ legs and feet is because the horse doesn’t understand what’s required of him and is fearful. He might have made a bad association from injuring his foot or been scared by the smoke used in hot shoeing for example. Of course, some horses do understand what’s being asked but a lack of leadership from their handler means they find it easier to evade the request. Solving this all comes down to being calm, consistent and decisive when handling your horse and making sure it’s you moving his feet, rather than him moving yours.
when to work on handling your horse’s legs
See Jason and learn more about his training methods when he appears at this year’s Your Horse Live, taking place on November 10 and 11 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Full details and tickets are available at www. yourhorselive.co.uk – see you there!
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Handling foals correctly is a good way to teach them not to fear humans and make them easier to handle in the long run. This is called ‘imprinting’ and is particularly successful because, at a young age, the foal lacks the size and strength of a grown horse. I recommend foals experience enough handling to be caught, led and have their feet trimmed by the farrier. Some basic desensitising work, such as being able to touch your foal all over with your hands and perhaps a bag, will help with all of this. However, foals who become too familiar with humans have a tendency to become bolshy and lack respect for their handlers – so only do
OUR EXPERT jason webb runs Australian Horse Training in Kent where he specialises in training young and problem horses using a calm and sensitive approach. Visit www.australianhorsetraining.co.uk for more info
what’s necessary and for the rest of the time let them grow up with their peers without interference. All ground handling work, including working with their legs and feet, is an important part of your horse’s education as he grows older and is started under saddle. You need to work on it throughout his life for him to become, and remain, easy to handle in all aspects.
simPle stePs to successful leg handling
Before addressing his legs and feet specifically, there are two important exercises to do with your horse that will help in all aspects of his handling.
1 desensitise him
Desensitising is all about teaching your horse to deal with fear rather than run from it. It’s done by exposing him to something he might fear and taking it away once he stops trying to flee from it. A schooling whip is a useful piece of equipment for a lot of groundwork. If your horse tries to run away when you raise your whip near him, keep it at the same distance from him that provoked the reaction while keeping his head
raise the whip near him
september 2012 your horse
Horse care Boosting body and mind
Radionics explained
We explore the peculiar and fascinating world of radionics, a form of remote healing believed by many to hold the key to good health and happiness in both horses and humans Words Helen Milbank
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adionics is a healing technique that’s been used on horses and humans since the 1920s and challenges the world of conventional human senses as it taps into our natural intuition. As with all complementary therapies, it has its ardent followers and its sceptics, but those who trust in, and practise, radionics believe firmly it can help to balance the life, and boost the health of horse and rider, improving their relationship by opening previously untapped lines of communication. Read on for our beginners’ guide to radionics as we explore what this therapy has to offer you and your horse.
The therapy explained WhaT is Radionics?
Put simply, radionics is a form of distant energy healing. All that’s needed initially is a sample of hair or something else unique to the patient, together with written ‘case history’ information, for a radionic analysis to take place. The analysis is followed by on-going treatment, which can take several months, depending on the nature of the problem, as a ‘to and fro’ relationship builds between practitioner and patient, or the patient’s owner if it’s an animal who’s being treated. The Radionic Association says that at
the heart of the therapy is a belief that every living body has a subtle energy field. Should this field be weakened, for example by stress, the physical body also becomes weak, leaving it susceptible to illness. Radionics aims to identify any weaknesses and re-balance them, treating the animal or person holistically to promote self-healing, boost performance and wellbeing, aid recovery from illness or injury and support the immune system.
hoW can iT benefiT my hoRse?
Advocates of the therapy claim it can be used to help identify, support and resolve a myriad of physical and behavioural problems in horses, such as lameness, sore joints, sweet itch and wounds, as well as stress, inability to load, a change of environment and preparation for competitions. The therapy can be applied to people as well as animals. Students undergo a three-year professional training programme to qualify as a human practitioner before taking a shorter equine course. As with all complementary therapies, vets are usually accepting of radionic treatment when it’s being used alongside conventional veterinary care, and common sense must prevail – radionics is no substitute for proper vet care.
Tools of The TRade
Radionics can be used to identify a myriad of problems
your horse september 2012
In addition to their conventional human senses, radionic practitioners use dowsing techniques to ‘augment’ their intuition and identify sources of weakness in the body’s energy field. Dowsing with a pendulum to pick up vibrations from the patient, as well as asking carefully focused questions, enables them to select treatments to help overcome these weaknesses. Patients and practitioners never need meet. Instead, a signature, hair sample or similar acts as a proxy or witness, due to the belief that each of us is linked via a ‘universal’ mind.
At the heart of the therapy is the belief that every living body has a subtle energy field w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
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september 2012 your horse
Horse care From spooky horse to happy hacker
your horse september 2012
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Keep calm and hack out Use practical horseman Richard Maxwell’s top training tips for eliminating spooking so you can escape the arena and hack with confidence Words Katy Islip Photography Matthew Roberts
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njoying a hack is one of the privileges of horse ownership, but if your horse is the sort who spooks even in the school the idea of taking him out on the open road can be daunting. “People feel really isolated when they don’t feel safe to hack out, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” says our expert, Richard Maxwell. “By using the simple tools of lateral flexion and teaching your horse to lower his head on command you can help him be calm in stressful situations, and show him he can cope with surprises when you’re out hacking. It’s about team-building – you have to work together to overcome something difficult, and this training puts you in a position where if your horse gets surprised he doesn’t over react.” Read on to discover Max’s advice for getting you and your horse on the path to confident and relaxed hacking. Marno shows his stress
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OUR EXPERT RichaRd MaxWell, aka Max, served in the Household Cavalry and has worked with Monty Roberts. He combined natural and conventional training methods to develop ‘practical horsemanship’. Visit www.richardmaxwell.com, or call 07793 651300.
OUR RIDER Our guinea pigs today are Max’s 13-year-old son Will and his 14.1hh pony Marno, 15, who’s previously had hacking problems including napping and rearing. Marno has never been through any of today’s exercises before, nor been so close to a working digger!
SPotting SignS of StReSS
Before you start your training, think about how your horse reacts to stressful situations as this will in part affect how you tackle his lessons. “It’s knowing what approach works best for your horse. Is he the sort who needs to stand and observe something, who needs to go and sniff new things to check they are ok, or is he the type who needs you to take control for him to be able to cope?” Max says. If he’s the former, let him assess situations and use Max’s techniques to boost his confidence, and if he’s the latter, putting Max’s exercises into practice straight away will help him feel more comfortable in a stressful situation. september 2012 your horse
Expert advice on buying wisely
GEAR GUIDE BIG TEST
your horse september 2012
page 124
Jackets go high tech
This month
êê
Travel boots We test seven sets to see which ones do the best job of keeping your horse safe when he’s travelling
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Inside Gear Guide
page 126
New gear on the market
120 BIG TEST Find out which travel boots we’d recommend you buy 124 FIRST look Take a peek at a new high tech, hi-vis riding jacket 126 WhAT’S NEW Great new equine products we’re sure you’ll love 128 BUyERS’ GUIDE Everything you need to know to choose the right saddle 136 oUR kIT Essential gear the YH team and readers can’t live without
page 128
Buyers’ guide to choosing a saddle
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good, well-fitting set of travel boots will protect your horse’s lower legs from knocks and bumps on his journeys. Most travel boots look quite similar so we’ve tested seven sets to help you decide which you should choose to keep your horse comfortable and well protected on his travels. Each set was tested by both YH gear editor Allison Lowther on her 16.1hh mare Wish and international event rider Julia Dungworth, who used the boots on five of her horses. Wish wore the boots for relatively short journeys – up to 90 minutes – while Julia used them for much longer periods on trips around the UK and as far afield as Spain! As they used each set of boots, Allison and Julia assessed them under the following criteria: Fit and design They assessed the fit and design, asked what they were made of and if they were well shaped to fit the lower leg. They also considered how easy they were to use PerFormance They looked at how well each set did their job, including
Tagg Quilted travel boots £38.50 These boots are a good fit but don’t have as much shaping as some of the others we tested. However they’re made from a soft, flexible material so they fit and mould around the legs. They cover the legs well but could have been a little longer especially the back ones. They’re wearing well but need washing after every use. Basic boots that do the job. Verdict
6/10
The scores We’ve scored all the sets of boots out of 10, based on how they matched up to the fit, design, performance and value for money criteria. Here’s what our scores mean: 10 9 8 7 6 Make sure the boots are fastened securely
the amount of protection they gave, whether they stayed in place, how easy they were to clean and what condition they were in after use Value For money Finally, taking into account their views on fit, design and performance, Allison and Julia decided if they thought the boots were good value for money and whether they would recommend them to you Note: All prices are manufacturers’ RRP
5 4 3 2 1
Perfect Excellent Very good Good Fairly good
The awards We take our testing very seriously – look out for the Your Horse awards in the mag, and as swing tags on products in the shops. If it’s good enough for an award, it’s good enough for your hard-earned cash
Average Below average Poor Very poor
Waste of money
Products that offer great value for money and perform well Only awarded to the very best products in our comprehensive gear tests A product that performs well, but just missed out on the winning position
Tagg says • Tough cotton outer • Quilted to aid movement and with extra thick filling to cushion and protect the legs • Each boot is a good length offering good protection where it’s needed • Wide Velcro fastenings
Colours Navy, green, royal, black Sizes XS to L Contact 01636 636135
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september 2012 your horse
Essential everyday skills for riders of all levels
This month
ĂŞĂŞ
pic: DougalD BallarDie
essential know-how
your horse september 2012
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Inside Essential Know-how
page 146
Introducing a newbie
144 perfect circles get it spot on and impress the judges 146 hay soaking Find out why you should do it, and how 146 introducing a newbie Take the tension out of herd introductions 147 leading safely Top tips on how to lead your horse correctly 149 pulling manes and tails get your horse looking show smart
150 correct diagonals Make sure you’re always on the right one 150 spotting choke How to recognise the signs and what to do 151 paddock manage ment look after your fields and they’ll look after your horse 152 horsey hygiene How to clean those sensitive bits on mares, geldings and stallions
Riding a perfect circle Top advice on how to impress the judges and score top marks in your tests
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iding an accurate 20m circle is a basic schooling figure that any horse and rider should master. It’s also a crucial element in many dressage tests, but it’s amazing how many people misjudge the size and shape of one. Your Horse enlists the help of dressage diva, Claire Lilley to get some top tips on how to ride a hoof-perfect 20m circle.
WheRe to RIde yoUR CIRCle
If you’re riding your 20m circle at C, you need to touch the track at H and M, and the arena centre X. To ride your circle round X, touch the track at E and B, and to ride it at A touch the track at K and F, and the centre point X.
What the jUdges Want
Use your inside leg to get the right bend
When riding a circle, your horse must travel on two tracks (see diagram right). If Working on two tracks his neck is bent too much to the inside, his outside shoulder can drift outwards. This means the outside foreleg takes up its own track and he’s then moving incorrectly on three tracks. Circles that are the wrong size or shape won’t get the high marks. Your horse needs to be balanced and supple to able to ride circles of varying size correctly while maintaining regular, rhythmical steps. See diagram at top of next column for how he should bend on a circle.
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the same curve and you’ll find you have a perfect 20m circle. Or set four cones, one at each circle point (you will have to mark this out precisely, but it’s worth doing!). Ride as above so you get four equal segments of a 20m circle.
neck neck overbent underbent
Common faults on the circle
hindquarters out
yoUR hands and legs
● Your inside leg stimulates impulsion, prevents your horse from falling in and also generates the bend ● Your outside leg, slightly behind the girth, helps to maintain bend and prevent the quarters from swinging outwards ● Your inside rein maintains inside flexion ● Finally, your outside rein prevents too much inside bend, limits the speed and controls his outside shoulder
ClaIRe’s UsefUl exeRCIse Poles exercise centre line
x
e
x
B
x
K
F
x a
Put four poles in a ‘diamond’ shape so their outside ends correspond with a 20m circle. Ride each segment around the outside ends of the poles with
Claire’s tips for riding a correct circle ● look between your horse’s ears ● Turn your shoulders and hips together around the circle Keep your chin in line with your chest – use the zip on your jacket as a guide ● Maintain an even contact with both reins, elbows by your sides - imagine your hands holding a ‘tea tray’ ● Turning your hips the way you want to go should encourage your outside leg to move behind the girth and your inside leg near the girth ● use pressure with your outside leg (all of it) to ask your horse to turn ● use your inside leg (including the thigh and calf) to support your horse, so he ‘bends around your inside leg’ as though it were a post ● if you want to ride smaller circles, simply turn your body more. For bigger circles, turn less ● Turn the whole of your horse, not just his front end. Then his hindlegs will follow the tracks of his front legs (imagine travelling along a curved railway track!)
september 2012 your horse
WIN
Thermatex rugs and clothing PLUS high-tech grooming products
Your Horse has teamed up with Thermatex and KBF99 grooming products to offer a team of four lucky readers the chance to win this great gear
WORTH £1,500 Win a Thermatex SHR cooler rug
The KBF99 products
The prize consists of: • Four Thermatex SHR cooler rugs with matching fillet strings branded with the KBF99 logo • Four KBF99-branded Thermatex Rider waistcoats • Four complete sets of KBF99 anti-bacterial grooming and stable products Note: all prizes are in the winning team‘s colours*
O
The rugs come in a wide selection of ne lucky team of four riders colours (22 to be exact), with 19 binding will be the envy of their colour options. friends with this great The revolutionary new range of KBF99 selection of Thermatex gear, grooming and stable products from Vale plus high-tech grooming products from Brothers Ltd have been scientifically the KBF99 range, worth over £1,500! proven to assist in the prevention of Thermatex rugs have long been valued infection and reinfection of diseases and for their versatility – not only are they conditions, including strangles, effective for cooling down a hot horse, ringworm and E.coli. they’re also ideal for use as a Together with good stable day, travel or show rug. The management, the products fabric actively draws away can reduce harmful excess moisture before bacteria and fungus in the releasing it into the stable environment and atmosphere, helping your lessen the chances of horse regain his natural body diseases being transmitted temperature. Special from horse to horse. The T-knitted fibres gently relax products are chemical free and interlock with the coat, and totally safe. Visit so the rug moulds around The Thermatex www.kbf99.co.uk for the horse’s shape, keeping Rider waistcoat details. him warm and comfortable.
To enter visit www.yourhorse.co.uk/win
and answer this question… What disease does KBF99 help to prevent? a) Strangles b) Chicken pox c) Measles Closing date: 6 September 2012 Terms & conditions: Entrants must be part of a team of four riders For full terms and conditions go to www.yourhorse.co.uk * Please note that KBF99 product colours are limited
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september 2012 your horse
extra
Issue four
First For buying and selling
Sell your horse the fastest and easiest way
We have more than 180k buyers waiting!
Find your next perfect partner with Horse Deals
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
www.horsedeals.co.uk
Next month in
On sale Sept 6
We cover grass sickness, saddle fitting, your horse’s movement, lumps and bumps, plus more... Western pro David Deptford and driver extraordinaire Boyd Exell swap disciplines – see how they cope as beginners!
riding for show jumping, dressage and cross-country Learn about your horse’s teeth as we go inside the equine mouth to discover what happens to his teeth from birth to old age
AI N I
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AD
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EMY
She was so popular at Your Horse Live in 2011 she’s coming back this year – get to know the real Sylvia In our Loch in next month’s Gear Guide... celebrity interview We help you to choose the right Read the best eight bedding AND look in-hand exercises to the part this autumn develop your horse’s in a fab pair of long manners and the top casual boots – we six tips that will help tell you which ones you improve your you should buy
AC
Training Academy part 5
Go cross-country schooling with eventer Jay Halim and put in some pre-competition preparation with dressage rider Spencer Wilton in the penultimate instalment of the 2012 Training Academy w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
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