Your Horse 366 NOVEMBER 2012
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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 novemBer 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 pages 81 to 99 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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to take a sneaky video peek inside our prize horsebox, go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/ winahorsebox
win a STyLiSh Prize PackaGe
This month we’ve teamed up with Musto to offer one lucky reader a brand new outfit worth £500 – plus runners-up prizes
M
usto’s new Autumn/ Winter 2012 collection is a must for riders and countryside lovers, with designs that feature a range of technical features to ensure you stay warm, dry and comfortable, both in the saddle and out of it – all with a stylish twist. The collection – entitled ZP176 – comprises of warm fleece-lined riding jackets, cosy fur-trimmed country coats and smart plaid
oUr PrIZeS
• Our first prize winner will receive a stylish outfit from the Musto range, including a smart Grooms Jacket as well as a Trials Jacket, a winchfield hoody knit, Snug Shirt,
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when performance matters
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trimmed sweats. And you can rely on Musto’s technical and design excellence. The collection’s been designed in association with Olympic event rider Zara Phillips, and her expert input has ensured Musto’s new jackets, gilets and polo tops draw inspiration from her team eventing kit. Emblazoned with Zara’s key sponsors, these items will make you feel part of ‘Team ZP’. winter Plaid Shirt, caledon rugby Top and Sunrise Pants. • Our second prize winner will get the Musto winchfield hoody knit and winter Plaid Shirt; while third prize is the winter Plaid Shirt.
to enter, and for full terms and conditions, go to www.yourhorse.co.uk/win – closing date is 26 november 2012. For more information about the full Musto range, visit www.musto.com
novemBer 2012 your horse
Train with our experts for free
Training Academy PART six
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: “The end is here and how quickly have the past six months flown by! This month you’ll see Zamboucca and me compete and I’ll try to help you make the most of your competition experience, keep it stress fee and have fun!”
your horse November 2012
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Dressage and jumping key skills this month
Warm up well
Plan to win
Conquer each phase
Walk your course
Be confident!
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Be prepared
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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: “We’ve made it to the final month and it’s competition time! I for one am really excited as I’m now at the stage where I can take my young horses Alfie and Eli out to compete – see how they get on on p26 and enjoy my tips for a successful and enjoyable competition day.”
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November 2012 your horse
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Easy-to-follow expert advice for beginners to advanced riders page 40
Riding a perfect halt
This month
Pix: nico morgan
ĂŞĂŞ
your horse NoVeMBer 2012
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page 44
Training a novice over fences
page 51
Jump-off success
Inside Better Riding 34 Private lesson Expert advice on how to get your horse in front of your leg 40 the Perfect halt There’s more to this than just standing square 44 getting a novice jumPing Top tips to help your green horse fly over his fences 51 winning that jumP off 10 steps to riding to show jumping victory every time
Private lesson
olympic dressage rider carol Parsons on how to get your horse in front of your leg and introduce the idea of coming on the bit
establish manners from the off
meet the trainer CARol PARsons is an international dressage rider who represented Team gB at the 1992 Barcelona olympics. Based in Dorset, she’s known for taking non-traditional breeds to international grand Prix level, including two Shire x TBs.
meet the rider
At the start of the lesson, Basil isn’t on the bit or working forward
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Angie Jones-MooRe has owned 21-year-old Basil Brush for 18 months, during which time he’s needed lots of time and patience to help him settle under saddle. angie wants help with their transitions as Basil can leap up the gears, which knocks her confidence.
Angie’s told me a bit about her main concern – how she tends to panic when asking Basil for upwards transitions, especially into canter, so I’m going to start her off today nice and steady to help build her confidence. Poor upward transitions will mean you end up bouncing from pace to pace so it’s important to be able to work your horse up into trot or canter smoothly and calmly. Like lots of riders, Angie doesn’t do much schooling, so to allow Basil
to get used to the school’s mirrors I’m going to ask her to spend time just walking him round before showing me the trot they use at home. Straight away I can see he’s not going forward and isn’t anywhere near being on the bit, which explains why Angie’s struggling with her transitions. This problem is easy to address, so I can help Angie with it today and boost her confidence. If you’re struggling with similar issues, read on.
The lesson focus l To build angie’s confidence at speed l To get Basil moving forward actively l To start getting him to work on the bit
if your horse is nervous, let him have a good look around as you warm up
NoVeMBer 2012 your horse
Better Riding Improve your horse’s halt
Ride the perfect halt A good square halt can up your marks in a dressage test, help save your horse’s back when you mount up and keep you safe on a hack. Read on for advice from top dressage judge Stephen Clarke on how to get your halt hoof-perfect Achieving A peRfect 10…
OUR EXPERT Stephen clARke is a List 1 dressage judge and chair of the British Dressage Judging Committee. He was one of the Olympic judges at London 2012.
“In the dressage arena, a top scoring halt can only be achieved when your horse is perfectly straight, balanced and engaged behind (meaning he’s light in his shoulders),” explains Grand Prix dressage judge Stephen. “As you come to a halt, the judge will be looking for an immediate reaction to your aids. If your horse isn’t straight and stood square, this indicates something in the build up to the halt wasn’t quite right. That’s why I place so much emphasis on the perfect square halt.” Stephen explains that there’s more to getting high marks than just standing square. So if you want to impress the judges, here’s our five-point guide to what they look for: 1. First the quality of the pace before the halt is assessed. 2. Then your horse’s straightness is judged. 3. Next, the judges assess how
reactive your horse is to your aids, and how he makes the transition to halt. 4. Then the halt itself is assessed. The judges want to see your horse looking relaxed and still, awaiting your next aids. They also want to see that he’s balanced in the halt, standing square and on the bit, as well as demonstrating calmness and obedience. 5. Finally, they want to see a good, responsive reaction into the upward transition from the halt. “There are so many components of the halt that influence the final mark,” adds Stephen. “Often, you can witness two good square halts, one may score a nine and the other a seven, which baffles people. The reason is probably because the approaching and departing elements were different and the horse and rider who scored the nine had better accompanying elements. The mark is not all focused merely on the halt itself.”
correct transitions will improve your horse’s reactions to your aids
your horse November 2012
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your horse needs to be working well from behind as he comes into halt
In a perfect halt you’re looking for straightness, collection, balance and reaction
the coRRect tRAining
“Lots of riders tend to get a bit neurotic about the halt,” says Stephen. “They become obsessed with teaching their horses to halt square, but it’s not a circus trick – you can’t just teach your horse to halt square without all the other elements that go with it. “For me, transitions are key. They’ll improve your horse’s reactions, which, in turn, will help you make a direct transition to halt from any pace. In lower level tests, the halt is allowed to be a little progressive, with a few strides of a slower pace coming in before reaching a complete halt. But as you move up the levels, obviously the expectations are higher and judges want to see a direct and instantaneous transition. “Remember, transitions may be key in training, but lots of transitions won’t help you to achieve the desired effect if they’re not good. Every transition must be crystal clear and your horse must show a calm and obedient nature.”
USefUl exeRciSeS to booSt yoUR hAlt
• Half-halt Riding in walk, you should collect the walk as though you were going to halt, but walk on as soon as you feel your horse step under behind. This will help to encourage him to take his weight on his hindlegs. • In-hand work Work in a safe, enclosed area, with your horse in a bridle or lunge cavesson and use a long rope or lunge rein. Stand beside your horse’s shoulder, facing towards him (slightly to the rear so you can see his whole body). Hold the leadrope in the hand nearest to your horse’s head as though you were going to lunge him, and have your rope or long schooling whip pointing towards his legs. Once you’re in position, you can use the whip to tap his hindlegs in turn. The idea is that you’re asking him to step under with his hindlegs in halt, but without wandering off. w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
whaT makEs a PERfEcT halT? • Straightness – your horse needs to be straight through his body • Collection – he needs to be working well from behind as he comes into halt to achieve this • Balance – your horse needs to be perfectly balanced in the halt • Reaction – your horse should react immediately to your aids for halt
why’s ThE halT ImPORTanT? the halt demonstrates so much about the training of the horse. it shows obedience, calmness and a willingness to obey the aids of the rider.
hElP yOUR hORsE BalancE Always sit up straight and tall as you make the transition to halt so you don’t unbalance your horse.
November 2012 your horse
Better Riding Jumping a novice horse
your horse November 2012
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Up, up and away!
Get your novice jumper flying over fences with our tips from expert trainer Nick Turner Words Katy Islip Photography Simon Hipperson
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OUR EXPERT Nick Turner began as a show jumper, switching to eventing in the early 1990s. He’s competed at Badminton, Burghley, Bramham and Blenheim as well as internationally. His passion is teaching riders at all levels. He’s an accredited British Eventing and British Dressage coach, and a senior international selector. He’s also a Fellow of the British Horse Society and coach for the Brazilian eventing team.
tarting your young or green horse jumping is an exciting step for you both, and the key to doing it successfully is to take things at his pace. First assess how he’s taking to jumping, how forward-going he is, and how easy he is to ride, then you can decide how much to ask of him and how he’ll progress. If he’s excitable, try to keep him quieter by making sure what you’re asking is manageable. Take care he doesn’t get too onward-bound – you want to encourage his technique while ensuring he can’t use the jump as encouragement to run away from you. If he’s fairly manageable, or isn’t very forward-thinking, try to avoid over-facing him – it’s like communicating with children, you don’t want to keep asking more and more questions before they fully understand the first one you asked! Make any jumping a natural
progression in your horse’s work, and don’t change anything in the way you ride. The ‘J’ word can sometimes become exciting for both horse and rider, when you really don’t want anything to change – you want to arrive at your fences the way you’d ride him on the flat. This way he’ll happily take it all in his stride. Of course it’s impossible to give a set programme for bringing on a novice jumper because all horses are individuals, but if you assess your horse honestly you can work at your own pace through these exercises, which are all ones I like using when training young horses myself. Give your horse time to understand what you’re asking, and to get the right answer to each question before you move on, and don’t be afraid to let him make his own mistakes and learn from them. This way he can develop into a confident jumper who’s able to think for himself.
Your riding style shouldn’t change when it comes to jumping
OUR RIDER Brazilian eventer Renan Guerreiro is riding Polly’s Star, a seven-year-old former steeplechaser who has just started her show jumping and cross-country education. Polly’s owned by Brazilian eventer Saulo Tristao. w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
November 2012 your horse
Better Riding Show jumping success
10 steps to a
winning jump-off Expert advice to ensure you keep a cool head and race to show jumping victory every time
Photography: Matthew Roberts and Mark Manning
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t’s the few seconds-worth of riding that’ll either see you at the top of the leader board or knocked down several places – and how you approach every jump-off, both mentally and physically, can mean the difference between a fast, winning round or a w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
disappointing one. It’s nail-biting and a test of nerve and skill, but get your jump-off technique right and you’ll be well on your way to red rosette territory. Here to help you hone your technique is show jumping rider and trainer Mia Korenika.
OUR EXPERT
Mia KoreniKa is an international show jumper and BS accredited coach who’ll be joining us at Your Horse Live for the first time this November to demonstrate the flatwork exercises that will improve your jumping. For more on Your Horse Live, turn to pages 81-99 for our show preview; for more on Mia see www.miakorenika.co.uk
november 2012 your horse
Celebrity interview
Richard Davison The Olympic dressage rider and trainer on London 2012, family dynamics – and why Bubblingh’s his Rio 2016 horse Words Helen Milbank Photography Matthew Roberts
O
lympic dressage rider, four-times World Cup finalist, Fellow of the British Horse Society – as the accolades mount in Richard Davison’s honour, the man himself appears relaxed. We’ve joined him at his Staffordshirebased yard, post-London 2012, as the lorry’s unloaded, the Olympic kit is stored away and the mood on the yard becomes less full-on celebratory and more reflective. Sure, Richard’s success with Olympic horse Hiscox Artemis has been meteoric, but it’s come at a price. He’s had to work hard to get the horse to his absolute peak,
your horse November 2012
and now that his single-minded determination to get his ‘Games’ horse to the Games has been reached, he can afford to relax and contemplate a less manic few months ahead. The holiday to Mauritius is booked, the pledge to wife Gill to take less on in future is made, but with Rio just four short years away, Richard can’t help but get excited about his next great Olympic hope, and reflect on what’s been a ‘magical’ few weeks. So read on for his thoughts on his fellow Olympic competitors, family dynamics – and why he’s happiest disappearing into the fields with his sheep and two beloved sheepdogs.
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Turn over for more of Richard’s answers to your questions w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
November 2012 your horse
It’s a dream to ride at Burghley Discover what your eventing heroes get up to at one of the greatest three-day events – YH writer Larissa joined Ben Hobday at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Words Larissa Chapman Photography Lloyd Rogers
your horse november 2012
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he prestigious Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials – it’s on the radar of everyone who’s anyone in the eventing world as the ultimate goal. We all see what goes on as the riders compete, but what happens when the tack comes off? We teamed up with Ben Hobday and his crew to bring you this ‘fly on the wall’ feature on all things Burghley-related, including the bits that don’t make it to the arena.
Ben Hobday and Fletch look the part at Burghley House
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Ben Hobday:
Age: 24 Burghley ride: Gun A B Good (Fletch) Burghley experience: Second time around. Ben’s first Burghley experience was last year when he and Fletch went double clear and finished in 41st place Career to date: Ben
represented Great Britain at the Young Rider European Championships in 2007, he’s competed at a number of CIC*** events, coming 7th at Chatsworth International and he also won individual bronze and team gold at the young rider European
Championships at Kreuth in Germany To unwind: Every year, Ben and some of his fellow eventers go away on holiday together and last year he went to Thailand with fellow eventer Georgie Spence and other horsey friends
november 2012 your horse
WIN
a winter wardrobe for your horse
Your Horse has teamed up with Masta to offer four readers the chance to win this fantastic prize
The prize consists of:
Worth
over £500
The Turnoutmasta Tri-vent 350 Zip Neck Turnout . Below left, the Quiltmasta Stable Rug. Below right, the Avante High Neck Turnout
• Turnoutmasta Tri-vent 350 Zip Neck Turnout
• Aztex 220 High Neck Turnout • Avante 170 Fixed Neck Turnout • PP 340g Full Neck Stable Rug • Quiltmasta Light Fixed Neck Stable Rug • PVC/neoprene brushing boots, fetlock boots and overreach boots
T
he nights are getting longer, the days are getting colder – it’s time to get your horse’s rugs out of storage. However four lucky readers have the chance to win a new set of rugs – plus brushing, fetlock and overreach boots, to set them up for the winter. The new Turnoutmasta Tri-Vent 350 Zip Neck Turnout rug will protect your horse against the winter elements, with its exceptional breathable and waterproof qualities. It’s super tough and extremely resilient, with 350g filling and an integral neck cover that can be easily zipped onto the rug. It’s priced at £134.50. The Aztex 220 High Neck Turnout Rug is ideal for the colder weather containing 220g/8oz of thermal filling. The new higher neck-line helps reduce wither pressure and rubbing. It comes in chocolate and costs £128.99. The Avante 170 Fixed Neck Turnout, is a mediumweight rug. It’s made from fully waterproof and breathable 600 denier Oxford polyester outer. The rug has been designed without the need
for gussets and still offers sufficient flexibility for complete freedom and comfort. It comes in navy and grey/navy and costs £68.50. The PP 340g Full Neck Stable Rug is thick and cosy with 12oz/340g thermal filling. It’s made from super tough polypropylene, making it durable, but flexible. In navy check, it costs £72.99. The Quiltmasta Light Fixed Neck Stable Rug is lined with soft polyester with anti-rub satin lining at the chest. It’s got 4oz/115g thermal insulating. It’s available
in red, priced at £51.99. Finally the Masta PVC/neoprene brushing, fetlock and overreach boots, will keep your horse protected every day. All are available in black, white, blue, pink and purple, in sizes pony, cob and full. ● All rugs available in sizes 4ft 6in to 7ft 3in For more information contact Masta on 01274 711101 or visit www.masta.co.uk
To enter visit www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and answer this question...
The Masta Aztex 220 High Neck Turnout Rug comes in which colour? a) Coffee b) Chocolate c) Tea Closing date: 1 November 2012 Terms & conditions: If the product is not available a suitable alternative will be provided. For full t&c got to www.yourhorse.co.uk
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November 2012 your horse
3 Real life
inspirational real life stories to remind us why horses are so special
W
From surviving life-threatening illness and injury to facing a foaling disaster, meet the horses and riders who’ve overcome the odds
hat makes a winner? We may have seen records smashed on the sporting stage this summer, yet some of the equestrian world’s most remarkable stories never reach the headlines. There are no medals awarded for the courage or commitment
needed to overcome illness or injury, or to keep pressing on when turning back would be an easier option. But riding out life’s inevitable highs and lows is what helps us build an unbreakable bond with our horses – and our real-life stories prove that it’s all about being there for one another in times of need.
While they may depend on us through sickness and health, our horses are the ones who can provide inspiration and motivation when we’re at our lowest ebb. The horses and riders on these pages have each won their battles, despite the odds. So read on for some truly amazing tales.
Meet Paddy…
…the mischievous cob, nicknamed ‘ASBO Paddy’, who’s helped his owner Ben McDermott battle serious ill health and a life-saving liver transplant op. “Paddy played a massive part in my recovery,” says Ben. “He’s a keeper!”
Meet Sox…
Meet Tantalize…
…the gorgeous filly (seen here with mum Delphi), who’s helped dressage rider Hannah Esberger-Shepherd through the trauma of losing a foal. Oh, and we hate to name-drop, but Tantalize’s dad is none other than dressage wonder horse Totilas!
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…the feisty chestnut gelding who survived a vicious attack in the field by another horse. It was touch and go for weeks, and rider Katie Allen feared she’d lose him, but luckily there was a happy ending.
Turn the page to read their stories in full! november 2012 your horse
your horse XXXXXXXX 20XX
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Successful relationships
Horse or hubby?
For many of us, a horse is for life – but not a husband. As it seems we’re now more likely to have a longer relationship with our horses than our partners, we look at why Words Larissa Chapman
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horse will never buy you flowers, put the rubbish out or pick you up from the station when you’ve missed the last train home. A horse will never tell you they love you, take you out for dinner, or spend their Saturday perusing soft furnishings with you. And yet, according to a recent survey, many people will have a longer relationship with their steed than their human partner. Why, for some of us, are our relationships with our horses outlasting our human ones? YH writer Larissa Chapman finds out.
What the survey said...
Can our horsey relationships really outlast our human ones? Apparently so. According to a survey conducted by Petplan Equine, a UK equine insurance specialist, many people will have a longer-term relationship with their horse than their partner. Over 90 per cent of horse owners interviewed expected to own their horse for the rest of his life. However figures from the Office of National Statistics shows an increasing number of divorces now takes place after less than 12 years of marriage, so it looks like commitment to a horse, rather than a partner, may last longer for some.
horse vs man
Rider and author Tina Bettison has written a book on why women choose their horses over their men. Tina’s book, ‘One hundred ways a horse is better than a man’, says that men and horses are both beautiful creatures, each with advantages and merits. But the battle of the sexes rages on because men and women just have different ways of looking at the world. Her book says: “For all the men who are, and will be, in the lives of women with horses. You are all adorable but the horses will always come first. Just accept it.” A resounding statement, but when you read some of the extracts of her book, you begin to see why. I have to admit,
I can’t really argue with any of the following statements: “Horses don’t think you’re boring if you want a night in with a face pack and a bottle of wine.” “Even if you look longingly at another horse and wish yours could do what he can do, you never stop loving your own.” “You just know your horse is The One and even if he’s not, you can always keep him AND have another one or two.”
relationship psychology
Speaking with chartered psychologist, Dr Joan Harvey from Newcastle University was a real eye opener. I asked her why it is we have such strong, intrinsic bonds with our horses. “I believe the main reason that’s central to these findings is the unconditional nature of love,” explains Joan. “People say that, with animals, it doesn’t matter what you look like, or smell like or what state you’re in, your pet will always love you. “Quite often, our human relationships come with conditions. These might be based on appearance, they might be based on behaviours or habits such as ‘I’ll love you as long as you get my tea on the table’. Humans can be offensive and demanding, but your horse isn’t going to care if you’ve had a rough night and turn up without your lippy on one morning, unlike your partner who may pass judgement. “Horses, being herd animals, have learnt to cohabit with people and be loyal to them. Loyalty is another key element to this theory. Your horse will always be loyal to you and would rather be with you than without you, which is another reason why these relationships may last longer. “Most human relationships are built on conditions and I think certain conditions, like appearance, are very risky. You can’t build a solid foundation on looks alone, you never know when something might happen to take your looks away. “Finally, just like dogs, horses want to
‘Your horse won’t begrudge the time you spend doing things without him, like retail therapy and nights out with the girls’ Tina Bettison w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
the bond with your horse is one of mutual loyalty and protection
protect and look after their owners, for example by getting them around a cross-country course safely – this creates an even stronger bond between horse and owner, making both feel needed and wanted by each other.” I admit not having to put my face on to go see my horse Wingco after a night out with the girls is a real bonus, so maybe there’s some logic to these findings.
Win Tina’s book For your chance to win a signed copy of Tina’s book, ‘One Hundred Ways a Horse is Better than a Man’, go to www. yourhorse. co.uk/win
NoVember 2012 your horse
your
horseLIVe 10-11 November 2012, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire
EvErything For you AnD your horsE WIN
to gold tickets ive L se or Your H e and meet th r u yo of star choice – see p99
Inside this preview 83 Welcome and ticket info 85 Meet the stars of the Main Arena 90 Discover what’s on in Arena 2 92 What’s in store in Q&A Live 94 The Improve Your Riding Zone line-up 95 Win an Equi-Trek horsebox worth £28,900 96 Breeds Village and shopping round up 97 Visit the Your Horse Village
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November 2012 your horse
Your Horse Live 2012 MORE g arena seatin re! fo than ever be car Plus FREE parking!
Welcome!
What do you get if you mix the equestrian world’s brightest stars with unbeatable shopping, unmissable talks and non-stop entertainment from start to finish?
It can only be… Your Horse Live 2012!
Join us on 10 and 11 November at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire Don’t miss:
• Two arenas featuring packed timetables of ridden demonstrations from some of the equestrian world’s top riders and trainers • Interactive talks by experts from all areas of equestrianism to help you with everything from your confidence and fitness to your position and balance • Your chance to quiz your equestrian idols at the Q&A Live panels so be sure to come armed with your questions! • Over 300 trade stands selling everything for you and your horse
• Rare and unusual equines in the Breeds Village including the stunning Fresian, striking Morgan and the gorgeous Paso Fino to name but a few • Fantastic prizes, including an Equi-Trek Sonic horsebox worth £28,900 up for grabs • And much more!
Book now
To reserve your tickets and take advantage of some great advance discounts, visit www.yourhorselive.co.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 581 0770 and quote ‘YH01’.
Tickets start at just £16.50 adults, £8 children Ticket hotline 0844 581 0770 (quote ‘YH01’) or visit www.yourhorselive.co.uk
Supporting riding for all This year Your Horse Live will be supporting the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), as its show charity.
Shopping galore for you and your horse
All proceeds ’s from the show p Shop and Drobe l il w ty facili e donated to th RDA
T
he RDA provides life-changing opportunities for children and adults with physical or learning disabilities to ride, carriage drive, show jump and vault. Dedicated volunteers at 500 RDA groups across the UK enable 30,000 people to ride each year. However, the charity urgently needs to increase the number of places available. For every one rider there are another four people on the waiting list. To find out how you can get involved, visit the RDA at their stand or take a look at the website – www.rda.org.uk
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Did you know? Four out of five of the Paralympic Games GB equestrian team were RDA riders November 2012 your horse
Keep your horse healthy and happy page 106
Stress-free clipping
This month
êê
How to
Maintain a healthy back
Our horses’ backs have to carry our weight while they walk, trot, canter and jump, so keeping this key area supple and strong is vital if we’re going to get the best from them
N
o horse can perform at his best if his back is anything other than super healthy, which is why it’s important to pay attention to this hugely important area and take steps now to help prevent the common problems and injuries that can lead to pain,
your horse november 2012
poor performance and behavioural problems such as bucking. A little forethought and care will give your horse’s back a much-needed boost, and to help you support your horse’s spinal region is expert Emily Graham, a McTimoney animal therapist.
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page 115
Does he need strange feeds?
Inside Horse Care
page 118
Laminitis latest
100 look after his back It’s essential your horse has a healthy back – find out how to keep it that way 106 clip with confidence We’ve asked a professional for advice on clipping the right way 115 strange feeds Do you need to add these supplements to your horse’s diet? 118 laminitis and hormones We look at research that links laminitis to Cushing’s disease
Correct training takes time “Like many aspects of our lives these days, we’re constantly in a rush to do things. But taking the time with our horses, and building and strengthening their skeletons properly with road work and progressive training methods, will save a lot of time and money in the long term,” explains Emily. “Skeletal preparation is so important, especially for young horses. There are too many out there getting diseases usually seen in older horses, such as arthritis, and we need to help stop this happening.
“If your horse has a problem, before you start to tackle it you must appeciate the fact that you need to give it time. It’s important not to rush your training process, particularly if you’re re-training for another discipline or have an ex-racer or a horse recovering from an issue with his back, as it can take a long time to get him working properly over this area. “If you don’t have enough time for a young horse, or to re-train a horse for a new discipline, consider buying an older horse who’s already trained and developed.”
oUr eXpert eMiLY GRaHaM uses McTimoney treatment combined with massage, mobilisations, stretching and laser therapy to help horses and dogs suffering from musculoskeletal discomfort. Find out more at www. emilygraham.co.uk
Left: emily uses various techniques
Routine CHeCkS
Before you even think about hopping on board it’s important to do some routine checks of your horse’s back including: ● Misalignments Look for any misalignments or asymmetry, eg where one set of muscles is built up higher than its opposite set ● Your horse’s saddle fit Check it’s fitted correctly and is comfortable, and seek the expert advice of a Society of Master Saddlers qualified saddle fitter if you suspect there might be a problem (visit
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www.mastersaddlers.co.uk for a list of local fitters). Pro-lite pads are excellent for adding extra padding, but take advice on this ● Foot balance Look to see if your horse’s feet are the correct shape and healthy, and whether he needs any corrective shoeing ● Routine mouth check Make sure there are no problems with his teeth and mouth where he takes the contact because this will affect the way he works over his back. “It’s so important to do these checks before you
even start your horse’s training,” says Emily. “If you try to train him before you’ve done these checks, and something’s not right, you’re going to create a bigger problem.”
it’s vital your horse’s hooves are balanced
november 2012 your horse
Horse Care Clipping confidence – guaranteed!
your horse November 2012
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A close shave Taking clippers to your horse can be a daunting prospect, so we sent Your Horse writer Katy Islip and reader Joanne Hickey to learn the right way to do it, from the professionals Words Katy Islip Photography Simon Hipperson
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OUR EXPERT Julie Gould is a BHS II (SM) who runs her own 65-horse livery yard. She also teaches equine NVQ subjects up to level 3 and is an assessor and part-time lecturer at Writtle College, Essex. She’s been clipping for 25 years and has even clipped llamas and sheep! To contact her call 07971 882060.
hether you’ve done it before or are clueless about clipping, picking up these noisy tools can leave you with a whole host of concerns, from making a mess of it or hurting your horse to worrying he might freak out. So reader Joanne Hickey and I headed off to a ‘How to Clip a Horse’ course at Writtle College in Essex to learn from expert clipper Julie Gould. Joanne wanted to learn the ropes – although she’s only 5ft 5in, Jo loves big horses, but is less than confident about trying to clip them herself, especially because her last horse was teriffied of clippers. Read on for Julie’s top tips and the six essential bits of knowledge we learnt on the course that stand in the way of you and clipping glory – they include: ● Why and when to clip ● The best clip for your horse ● Essential kit and what to wear ● How to clip with confidence ● Clipping nervous or young horses ● Clipping aftercare
Why do We cliP horses?
OUR REadER JoAnne hickey tells us why she wanted to learn to clip: “I’ve never clipped before but when I got my last horse Casper I needed to learn he was 17.2hh and really nervous, so I thought if I learned our bond would help keep him calm. Sadly he died recently but by learning to clip now I’ll be able to do it myself when I have another horse - I was delighted to be offered a place on this course to conquer my clipping nerves.”
Horses’ winter coats grow in from mid-September to October and fall out between February and April as their summer coats come in. Because the winter coat is much thicker, horses can get very hot and sweaty when they’re worked. “If your horse grows a thick winter coat and you ask him to work hard during winter it’s going to be like trying to run the London Marathon wearing a fur coat,” says Julie. By removing his coat using clippers, he’ll stay cooler during work, can work harder for longer, will dry off faster afterwards and maintain condition better because he’ll sweat less. However clipping isn’t restricted to winter, as riders showing or competing regularly may clip as often as every month – this isn’t a problem, but coats may become fuzzy as horses get older.
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choose your clip according to workload, not aesthetics
choosinG the riGht cliP
Not all horses need clipping, so first consider how heavy your horse’s winter workload will be – if you mainly hack or don’t do much fast work, light sweating can be managed with wicking rugs when you get back. If you’ve not clipped your horse before but think he’d be more comfortable, Julie recommends starting with a bib pattern, clipping his gullet and lower chest. A high trace is another good starter clip – clip his gullet and lower shoulder, belly and hindquarters, leaving his leg hair on. “This is great for ponies and can easily be modified, for example you can stop at his belly and leave
his hindquarters complete,” says Julie. Next up are the chaser and blanket clips – the former is a higher version of the trace clip and the blanket (as its name suggests) sees hair left over the horse’s back and hindquarters, doing away the need for an exercise sheet. At the far end of the clipping scale are the hunter and full clips for horses in heavy work. With the hunter you leave on a numnahshaped area of hair beneath the saddle as well as his legs, to offer protection. A full clip sees all the coat removed, including on his legs. Don’t be afraid of modifying clip patterns if a slightly different shape would suit your horse better. November 2012 your horse
WIN
a Super Range hamper
Your Horse has teamed up with Super Range to offer nine readers the chance to win these fantastic prizes
Worth
£165
The prize consists of: • A 2.5kg bucket of Super
Codlivine The Complete Supplement • A 2.5kg bucket of Super Codlivine The Joint Supplement • 1 litre Super Supplement It’s Not Bute • 4 litres Super Supplement Soya Oil • 12 Super Lickers • Super Licker Happy Snacker • 5kg Super Tasty Herb Sticks
T
he Super Range has everything you need to look after your horse and keep him happy and healthy. Our fantastic prize includes a selection of products from the range, including supplements and treats. It includes two Super Codlivine supplements. The Complete Supplement is a balanced, broad spectrum supplement that uses a blend of vitamins, minerals and trace elements together with cod liver oil to support your horse’s inner health. The Joint Supplement has all the above ingredients plus additional ones that ease stiffness, such as evening primrose oil, MSM and glucosamine. Its Not Bute is made from liquid devil’s claw and is the natural alternative to bute. Containing natural apple flavour to help the medicine go down, it’s ideal for use after strenuous exercise and to help overcome stiffness in colder, wetter weather.
Regular use of Super Supplement Soya Oil will be good for your horse’s skin and coat condition and it’s a valuable, natural, source of energy. As well as the supplements, our prize includes a selection of Super Lickers, and a Super Licker Happy Snacker. The Super Lickers are nutritional licks in three mouth-watering flavours Cool Carrot, Perfect Peppermint and Adorable Apple to help horses beat stable boredom and its associated vices. They contain no artificial flavours or colours. The Happy Snacker is a stable toy that
takes a Super Licker and also has a soft resilient play ball hanging freely below it. It’s long lasting, durable and will provide hours and hours of fun. The Super Tasty Herb Sticks are the natural way to treat your horse and contain a blend of seven fine herbs including marjoram, sage and chamomile. For more information please call 01522 529206 or visit www.battles.co.uk/supercodlivine
To enter visit www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and answer this question...
Which Super treat helps beat boredom? a) Super Licker b) Super Ticker c) Super Kicker Closing date: 1 November 2012 Terms & conditions: For full terms and conditions go to www.yourhorse.co.uk
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November 2012 your horse
Horse care Unusual feeds
‘I’ll have cinnamon with that…’ We take a look at the strange and unusual feeds and supplements that are claimed to benefit our horses so you can decide whether to put them on your shopping list
Words Helen Milbank Pictures Matthew Roberts
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F
rom cinnamon and rose hips to green-lipped mussel extract and magnesium, more and more unusual feeds, plants, minerals and extracts are creeping in to our horses’ daily diets. Understandably, feed companies are keen to push their benefits as new supplements and additives
emerge. But are these ingredients just a fad, or should we be taking them seriously? To find out, we take a walk on the equine culinary wild side and explore the thinking behind some of the feeding world’s stranger tit-bits – then delve into the scientific evidence behind the health claims. NoVeMBer 2012 your horse
Horse Care Laminitis latest
Are his hormones to blame? We report on the latest research that could help prevent your horse suffering the torture of a laminitis attack Photography Matthew Roberts OUR EXPERTs
Dr JoAnne IrelAnD BVMS CertAVP (Equine Medicine) MRCVS works for the Animal Health Trust.
eDD Knowles VetMB MA MRCVS is a vet at the Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic.
A
s new research suggests nine out of 10 cases of laminitis are linked to an underlying hormonal condition such as Cushing’s, vets are urging owners to get their horses tested for what could be a potentially treatable cause – and save their animals the pain of a laminitic attack. A simple blood test can identify whether or not there’s a problem. Should your horse test positive, the disease can then be treated and managed appropriately to help prevent future episodes. It’s encouraging news for animals prone to laminitis – and could potentially save lives and heartache, not to mention huge vets’ bills. Read on to discover whether your horse is potentially at risk, and what to do if he is.
IncreAsIng rIsK
Laminitis is a huge cause for concern among horse owners – it’s painful, debilitating and can lead to long-term problems as the condition damages the laminae in the horse’s foot. Vet Gil Riley sums it up best in circus terms by describing the horse’s pedal bone as a trapeze artist and the 600 or so laminae the ropes supporting him within the hoof capsule. “Laminitis attacks theses ‘ropes’ causing them to fray and, in extreme cases, break,” he explains. “As a result, the pedal bone can drop and rotate.” It’s a major reason for older horses having to be put down – yet despite its severity, evidence suggests only two-thirds of
your horse NoVeMBer 2012
laminitis cases reported by owners are treated by a vet. “With increasing age, there is a greater risk of laminitis and often older horses and ponies present with chronic or recurrent episodes of laminitis,” explains Dr Joanne Ireland. “Cases of acute laminitis are most commonly treated as a veterinary emergency, as the characteristic clinical signs are readily recognisable and most affected animals are in considerable pain. However, cases of chronic laminitis may be less readily detectable by owners as the clinical signs can be more subtle. In fact X-rays may be required to fully appreciate some of the changes within the hoof capsule. “Added to this, in older horses and ponies, some hoof abnormalities resulting from chronic laminitis may be mistaken as signs of advancing age, which may lead to further damage within the hoof capsule going unnoticed. “Where horses and ponies have recurrent episodes of laminitis, particularly where these are mild, owners might be confident in treating the condition themselves as they may have considerable past experience in dealing with laminitis. “A period of box rest alone may be sufficient in relieving lameness and other clinical signs in some of these mild cases. But each episode carries the risk of further damage to the hoof. It’s important, therefore, your horse’s examined by a vet, even if the clinical signs are mild. They’ll then be able to w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
older horses who suffer repeated laminitis attacks could actually be suffering from cushing’s
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NoVeMBer 2012 your horse
Essential everyday skills for riders of all levels
This month
ĂŞĂŞ
Turnout socks can help protect the legs in muddy conditions
your horse November 2012
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Inside Essential Know-how
page 135
133 How to beat mud fever Expert advice on preventing and treating this scourge 134 wHy strapping is good Find out more about this old-fashioned but effective treatment 135 Hot clotHing It’ll leave your horse’s coat shiny and smooth
136 foot perfection Get your feet in the right position in the saddle 136 give His tail a trim A quick way to make him look smarter 137 stay supple Stretches to help riders keep tension at bay 138 get to grip witH studs Why, and how, to use studs properly
How to hot cloth your horse
Muddy matters We unravel the facts behind mud fever, bring you the best ways to prevent it, and tackle the quandary of feathers on or off, with the help of equine vet Gil Riley
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hanks to the delightful British weather, mud fever is a real possibility throughout the year, but with winter approaching, now’s the time to give it serious thought. Getting mud fever under control once it has struck is a challenge, so read on for practical tips on how to prevent and treat this condition if it strikes.
WHaT is Mud fever?
“Mud fever is a skin infection caused by bacteria that lives in the soil and loves wet conditions,” explains Gil Riley. “This bacteria can’t penetrate normal, healthy skin, but once the skin is soaked and loses its protective barrier, it can get in. The bacteria is present in the soil all the time but is only able to affect your horse in wet, muddy conditions. “Mud fever causes scabs to form on your horse’s legs, and these can be very painful. A classic mud fever scab will look like a paintbrush as the hairs push through the scab. Mud fever can be very sore and irritating for your horse and, if left untreated, it can lead to more serious conditions such as cellulitis.” Check your horse’s legs daily for signs of infection, such as small crusts or raised areas of hair, but don’t be tempted to over-wash or shampoo his skin if he’s not usually affected as this can remove the natural coat oils and make his legs more vulnerable to infection.
PrevenTion
“The main thing is to keep your horse out of the mud as much as possible,” explains Gil. • Chose a field with a slope for winter to help with drainage • Consider putting gravel or concrete down in gateways and near water troughs which are likely to be muddy w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
and where horses are likely to stand • Good hygiene is crucial – legs should be towel dried and mud brushed off thoroughly • Using barrier creams such as Vaseline is another way to help prevent the condition (see below for how to use them correctly) It’s nigh on impossible to keep your horse’s legs dry all year round, but there are plenty of barrier creams available that may help repel moisture. You need to apply barrier cream quite thickly for it to be effective. Some people have success using turnout socks which protect the legs but cannot be left on 24/7. Be aware that it’s not wise to apply a barrier cream to legs already affected with mud fever as this just seals the infection in.
feaTHers vs no feaTHers
Are horse’s feathers helpful or detrimental to mud fever problems? “If your horse has feathers, these should be towel dried when he comes in from the field and left to dry out thoroughly before the mud is brushed off,” says Gil. “Feathers can act as an effective barrier against mud fever, but
only if they’re managed carefully and aren’t left soaking wet 24/7. “If your horse already has mud fever, then his feathers aren’t doing the trick and are only going to exacerbate the condition. It’s therefore better to remove his feathers in this instance, so you can get to the sores to treat them and his legs have chance to dry properly.”
TreaTMenT
If your horse gets mud fever it’s important his legs are kept clean and dry until the condition’s cleared. If they do get wet and muddy, avoid simply hosing them off as this makes them even wetter without killing the bacteria. If you need to wash his legs, use a Hibiscrub solution or an antibacterial shampoo containing chlorhexidine. Once you’ve washed them, it’s important to towel dry them thoroughly and then apply an antibiotic cream. Make sure you choose a waterbased cream so that it can soak into the wounds. If treatment doesn’t work, you may need a vet to administer antibiotics to cure any infection. If treated correctly, mud fever should clear up within seven to 10 days.
Common conditions misdiagnosed as mud fever • Feather mites are often misdiagnosed as mud fever, but they should be treated with an anti-parasitic wash • Leukocytoclastic pastern dermatitis is a poorly understood condition but it’s a combination of bacterial presence, sunlight sensitivity and autoimmune issues. Alarm bells should ring when you have a horse who appears to have recurrent mud fever that won’t go away. This condition is very treatable with a course of steroids but the
challenge is to have it correctly diagnosed in the first place • Finally, certain liver function conditions can also be misdiagnosed as mud fever. This is where the liver is not detoxifying products of metabolism properly and they’re then reacting with sunlight and other things, such as grass and plants (photosensitization). Your vet will be able to advise you on the best treatment for this
November 2012 your horse
Next month in
On sale Nov 1
Enjoy every second with your horse…
It’s the launch of our exciting new series guaranteed to boost your confidence – and get your horse thinking bold thoughts too!
Be brave across country! We’ve got expert advice from huntsman Andrew Osborne to ensure you tackle fences safely
Learn more about the Derbyshire fire and rescue service who are trained to handle equine emergencies – and find out from our dramatic real life story what happens when they have to put this training into practice
In Horse Care we focus on caring for our horses’ skin – do we give it the attention it deserves? We interview practical horseman Richard Maxwell – read his amazing story only in Your Horse!
PLUS get
your FR E E Winter Gear Guide
In our Better Riding section discover how to add variety to your schooling with pole-work exercises and improve not only your horse’s paces but your own riding, too w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k
2
32 page
essential guide to the rugs you’ll need to keep your horse cosy and warm through winter 2012
Rug Guide 2012 Including ● choosing the right rug ● jargon buster ● turnout rugs ● stable rugs ● under rugs ● new rugs with special features