Your Horse December Issue

Your Horse 367 December 2012

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• Pole work • real life rescues • Bitting • total confidence • enjoying winter hacks • skin care

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your horse December 2012

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Performance Nutraceuticals

December 2012 your horse

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Dressage and jumping key skills this month

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A confident new you The time has come to launch our brand new six-month series that will bring you and your horse everything you’ll ever need to boost your confidence and achieve your goals

I

n this issue we see the final curtain come down on our fantastic and hugely popular Training Academy (see p22).

But, as we wave a fond farewell to our wonderful trainers Jay Halim and Spencer Wilton, we welcome some new experts to the Your Horse block. Here at Your Horse HQ, we’re so excited and can’t wait to set off

on our six-month journey to total confidence with you. And the best bit? Accessing our easy-to-follow advice and videos is free! We hope you’re soon inspired to hop on board and reach for the stars. For now read on as we reveal your new coaches and what’s coming up.

To find out more during the series visit www.yourhorse.co.uk/tc

ultimate prize!

WIN the As well as six months of incredible expert advice in the magazine plus videos online we’ve also got a fantastic Total Confidence competition in association with HitAir UK. Enter and you can be in with the chance to win a once in a lifetime prize package. See page 30 for details and how to enter.

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DECEmbEr 2012 your horse

BETTER RIDING

Easy-to-follow expert advice for beginners to advanced riders

your horse DeceMBer 2012

page 40

Riding a square

page 46

School over poles

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page 58

page 54

Winter riding tips

cross-country advice

This month in Better Riding 32 PRIvATE lEssoN Expert advice on jumping calmly 40 RIdINg A squARE One-stop problem solver 46 PolE woRk 10 exercises to spice up your schooling

54 ENjoy wINTER RIdIINg Essential tips 58 HuNTINg HElP Crosscountry tips from the experts 64 gIvE HIM soME bouNcE Tips to improve his action, elevation and elasticity

Private Lesson Show jumper Matt Lanni helps you take the rushing out of your jumping and encourage forward-going horses to approach fences calmly and confidently

Words Katy Islip Photography Martyn Barnwell

teaching an inexperienced horse

MEET THE TRAINER Matt Lanni is a former senior British Nations Cup team member and one of the original trainers who developed British Show Jumping’s accredited trainer scheme.

He teaches riders at all levels.

For more information visit www.halefield stud.com

Kerrie explained to me that her main problems when show jumping Tommy centre on him rushing to his fences. This is pretty common with young or inexperienced horses as they might not understand what to do – as the rider, it’s our job to teach them.

Rushing round a course of show jumps, or any jumps for that matter, means your horse is much more likely to knock poles and leave you feeling out of control, which is what Kerrie told me she’s experiencing.

Immediately their warm-up shows me that, while Tommy’s a bright and sharp horse, he’s inexperienced – this comes through even on the flat in the way he struggles to go into canter. Like many horses, once he gets going, it’s the quality of his canter which is

affecting his ability to approach fences calmly and confidently, so that’s what we’ll work on today.

All the exercises we’re going to use to combat rushing are easy and if, like Kerrie, you don’t have a school at home, it’s simple to practise them in your field – just mark out an ‘arena’ and be disciplined at staying within it.

To put an end to your horse’s rushing, read on.

the lesson focus l To establish a steady, forward-going canter l To improve Kerrie’s control by developing her seat l To teach Tommy to approach obstacles without rushing

if your canter isn’t great, you could have problems jumping

MEET THE RIdER

at the start of the lesson tommy’s rushing means his jump is far from perfect

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

KeRRie aSchettino has had 16.2hh Tommy for a year.

The six-year-old Cleveland Bay x TB is quite green, having been backed then turned away until Kerrie bought him. She has been struggling to keep him together and balanced over show jumps.

DeceMBer 2012 your horse

Wrap training up in a box

Three easy exercises to enjoy riding, that will transform the simplest of shapes into your one-stop problem solver your horse December 2012

W

e’re sure you’re thinking ‘four sides and four corners, what can I do with that?’.

Well there’s a lot you can do with a square if you just get creative. As winter

will soon send us all trotting to the indoor arena, we thought we’d inspire you to jazz up your schooling with a few fun exercises that will help sharpen up your aids and keep your horse on his toes in the coming months. w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k

Schooling on a square

Better Riding

Use poles initially as a guide if necessary

The corner drill

Use this exercise regularly to boost your ability to ride corners and improve your horse’s hindleg engagement Who can ride it? Everyone, whatever your level!

With 10m circles, changing the rein, riding straight and everything else in between it can be easy to forget your corners. So, if you’ve ever endured a riding lesson where your instructor spent the duration shouting ‘corners!’, then this quick and easy exercise is for you.

How to ride it Start to walk or

trot on a 20m x 20m square. Stick The corner drill

to walk at first if you’re lacking confidence. If you’re working in an arena, ride your square in the middle away from the outside track so you and your horse aren’t able to rely on the fenceline or arena wall. To begin with you could use poles to create your square as a guide but take these away once you and your horse start to get the hang of the exercise.

Once you’ve established your horse’s rhythm and balance begin the exercise by riding transitions

Side of the arena Ride your transitions in the corners

20m

20m

Ride straight at the sides

Use poles as a guide initially if you need to Side of the arena w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k

Work on your corners until they’re easy to ride anywhere

on alternate corners of the square – each time making the transition in the corner before you turn onto the new straight side.

To see how your horse responds to the exercise, first ride a walkhalt-walk transition. Next try riding walk-halt-walk transitions in every corner then, when you feel ready, move forward to trot-halt-trot transitions.

ASk foR help If you struggle to stay straight on your square's sides ask a friend to watch you from the ground and let you know when you're getting it right.

December 2012 your horse

your horse DeceMBer 2012

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

Pole work

Better Riding

Spice up your schooling

Improving your horse’s balance, rhythm and paces can be fun with instructor Alison Pocklington’s top 10 pole work exercises Words Larissa Chapman Photography Matthew Roberts

V

OUR EXPERT AliSon Pocklington is a BHSI instructor who trains a wide range of clients for eventing, show jumping, dressage and hunting at the Yorkshire Riding Centre (YRC) where she’s been since 1987. She has a particular interest in the development of young horses and rider confidence.

She’s competed up to advanced level eventing.

For more information visit: www.yrc.co.uk

ariation in your schooling is particularly important at this time of year as many of us face the winter months confined to the school. Pole work is fun and offers multiple benefits for both you and your horse, so we’ve enlisted Alison Pocklington’s help to guide you through 10 of the best pole work exercises around.

Use these regularly to keep your horse on his toes and improve his way of going while adding some sizzle to your school work.

the benefits of using pole work

As well as being great fun, there are plenty of pluses to a good pole work session with numerous benefits for you and your horse.

Read on to discover what they are then head off to the arena and get stuck in.

the benefitS for your horSe

● Pole work adds variation to his work and gets him switched on for jumping or flat work ● Lots of pole exercises will help his balance, paces and rhythm ● Pole work is a great introduction to jumping and will improve his awareness of where his feet are ● It also teaches your horse to get the measure of his own stride ● Regular pole work will encourage your horse to work properly over his back

the benefitS for you

● Pole work improves rider balance ● It’s great for introducing a novice rider to jumping and learning how to approach fences ● It improves your steering ● Finally, it helps you to feel the rhythm of your horse’s stride

Pole work is great for you and your horse

MEasURing disTancEs the average trotting pole distance is 4.5ft (this can vary depending on the length of your horse’s stride). the average canter pole distance is 12ft (four human strides). try measuring 12ft and practise walking the distance until you can make four equal strides. w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k

DeceMBer 2012 your horse

your horse December 2012

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

Going across country

Better Riding

Tally ho!

Whether you’re going hunting, riding crosscountry or on a fast hack, this advice will help you tackle anything the countryside can throw at you Words: Helen Milbank Photography: Martyn Barnwell

W

ho better to help you ride safely, effectively and confidently over fences, hedges and rough terrain than a huntsman who does it for a living?

While we’re in the office or commuting to work, Master of Foxhounds Andrew Osborne’s out tackling everything from ditches to deep going, guiding members of the Cottesmore Hunt through acres of land, often crossing up to 40 different farmlands in one day and covering 20 to 30 miles in the process.

The Cottesmore’s country spreads from the flat fenland of the eastern counties of Lincolnshire to the hillier terrain of Rutland and Leicestershire to the west, and Andrew and his team must be able to safely negotiate everything nature puts in their way. It teaches the horses to be sharp and quick-witted and riders to respect the going, as well as each other.

But whether you intend to hunt or not, there’s a huge amount that can be learned from the hunting field.

Andrew’s advice will prove valid whether you’re about to go hunting for the first time, fancy giving teamchasing a go, want to boost your confidence cross-country or simply enjoy a blast out hacking.

We joined Andrew and Whipper-In Robert Medcalf at the Cottesmore’s Rutland-based yard to get the lowdown on how to cross the country safely.

If your nerves are in need of a boost, over the next few pages we’ll show you how to: ● Go hunting or drag hunting for the first time and enjoy a fun, exciting day out ● Develop your confidence over all types of obstacles ● Ensure you’re wearing the right gear to protect all your vital bits ● Help your horse stay safe, and in control, when you up the gears

OUR EXPERT AndreW OsbOrne is Master of Foxhounds (MFH) of the Cottesmore Hunt, based near Oakham in Rutland.

This is his first season with the hunt, having just moved south from Yorkshire. He brought with him his rather handsome hunter Mikado, a nine-year-old Thoroughbred x Irish Draught, who came over from Ireland as a youngster.

Hunting within the law

Andrew Osborne spends his life tackling ditches, hedges and fences – so he’s well placed to offer advice on riding across the country safely

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

As with all hunts in the UK, since the hunting ban was implemented in 2005 the Cottesmore has had to adapt its methods in order to operate within the confines of the Hunting Act. It practises line hunting, where a trail of fox urine is laid by hunt staff or supporters prior to a day’s hunting. Should the hounds come across a real fox’s scent out on a hunt, they’re stopped from giving chase and the original trail followed. It’s similar in concept to drag hunting, where hounds follow a scent laid by a runner as opposed to hunting an animal. The hunt is

also allowed, within the law, to flush out a fox to a bird of prey, which is why you’ll often see a Golden Eagle or similar out with the hunt, often on the arm of a quad bike rider (which makes for a double take moment when you’re driving by!).

And another thing… the fox urine used by the Cottesmore to mark the line is imported from the US. In drag hunts, an artificial mix of chemicals, water and oil is largely used. A runner dips material in the mix and trails it along the ground behind him. The scent, repulsive to humans, is irresistible to hounds.

December 2012 your horse

WIN

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Your Horse has teamed up with Mountain Horse to offer six lucky readers the chance to win a must-have jacket for safety-conscious owners plus a pair of Mountain Horse Courtney Sox

Worth

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The prize consists of: A Mountain Horse Body Guard Jacket ● A pair of Mountain Horse Courtney Sox ●

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he Mountain Horse Body Guard Jacket has removable, protective pads that are concealed at the areas covering vulnerable parts of the body such as your spine, hips, shoulders and elbows. As the pads warm up, they mould to your body so the Body Guard feels like a normal coat.

The jacket itself is a waterproof, breathable practical coat, with or without the pads. It’s lightweight and comfortable with a generous cut so you can layer up underneath it.

It’s machine washable once the pads are removed – they’re easy to take out and just as simple to put back in.

Mountain horse even offers a handy replacement service for pads that are lost, damaged or eaten by the puppy (yes, that happens a lot)!

Other details include: ● Reflective fabric on the shoulders and sleeves for enhanced visibility ● An outer mobile pocket for quick and easy access ● A detachable hood with good sideways visibility ● Rear riding vents to stop the jacket rubbing on the back of your saddle and to keep the cantle dry ● A two-way front zip to help prevent any scratching of the pommel ● Plenty of other pockets for essentials such as a hoofpick, keys and mints!

The Body Guard jacket is available in

black in sizes XXS-XXL.The Courtney Sox is a wool blend sock with extra support ribbing around the foot arches and a reinforced heel and sole, available in dark navy or royal red in one size. ● Please note Body Guard is not designed to replace a body protector and is not suitable for competition where body protectors are required.

For stockists, call 01462 432596 or visit www.mountainhorse.co.uk

To enter visit www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and answer this question...

The Body Guard Jacket comes in? a) Black b) White c) Pink Closing date: 29 November 2012 Terms & conditions: For full terms and conditions go to www.yourhorse.co.uk

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

december 2012 your horse

Real Life

‘They’re worth the wait!’

Over the next six pages, meet the readers who’ve waited years to fulful their dreams of horse ownership, battling nerves, money worries and time issues

t Liz Martin ...came back to riding later in life but was determined nerves weren’t going to hold her back.

p Pauline Barnes

...waited almost 40 years to become a horse owner for the first time, before fate finally took a hand and she’s now living her dream.

p Kara Jarvis

...wouldn’t change her new horsey life with cob Archie for the world. Find out why this first-time horse-owner loves it so much.

p David Lond

...is a long-time rider and at 76 years young still loves every minute in the saddle.

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

Turn the page to read their stories in full

December 2012 your horse

Equine rescue

999 Equine emergency

Horses are great at getting into scrapes, so it’s good to know that there’s expert help available when needed. We visited Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service’s specialist animal rescue team to find out how they tackle equine emergencies Words Katy Islip Photography Simon Hipperson

I

t’s every owner’s nightmare – you’re making your morning check on your horse and discover he’s badly cast in his stable, or trapped in a ditch in his field. Who would you call – your vet, your instructor, your strongest friends, or the fire brigade? You may think it’s outside their remit, but animal rescues are an increasing part of the work of the UK’s fire services, with fire fighters undergoing specialist training so they can help all kinds of animals in distress.

The days of fire crews having to use their hose reels as makeshift slings for stuck horses are long gone – their equipment is now much more specialised. At Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS), it includes an unlikelylooking chap called Randy, a fully-articulated horse mannequin who helps the fire fighters train by letting them recreate situations they couldn’t do without him.

Your Horse writer Katy Islip went to see Randy put members of Matlock fire station’s Blue Watch through their paces and learn how equine rescues work. Read on to find out how these life-savers are helping horses big and small.

Why does the fire service rescue horses?

Today, only one in three calls to fire and rescue services is about a fire, with crews tackling everything from flood management to chemical spills and animals in peril. With their emergency rescue skills and professionally calm approach to a crisis, fire fighters are ideally december 2012 your horse

Richard Maxwell

your horse XXXXXXXX 20XX

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Celebrity interview The horse behaviourist talks about his time in the Household Cavalry, the Monty Roberts’ years and his penchant for trashy Euro pop Words Larissa Chapman Photography Matthew Roberts

R

ichard Maxwell is the man who seems to make the impossible, possible where horses are concerned. But his ‘alternative’ approach to horse training wasn’t always as recognised as it is today.

In fact in the 90s, Richard felt so isolated and unaccepted that he and his wife, Sam were ready to pack away the

rope halter for good. Then a feature in Your Horse magazine sparked interest in the equine miracle worker.

Richard is now a household name in the horse world, with many accolades under his belt. He has a solid background in both alternative and traditional methods, working with the famous Monty Roberts and also as a riding instructor in the Household Cavalry. He’s worked with many problem horses over the years, and

changed the lives of thousands, including some of the Queen’s.

As we pull up at Richard’s yard in Suffolk, we’re greeted by his beloved dogs, Silver Surfer and Buddy (who seem to have a real taste for Richard’s cup of tea). We meander into the stable block, settle down on the hay bales and quiz him about his life with horses, the highs and the lows of his career, and of course, his favourite cheese.

Turn over for Richard’s answers to your questions w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k

XXXXXXXXX 20XX your horse

WIN

a WeatherBeeta Winter Wardrobe for your horse

Your Horse has teamed up with WeatherBeeta to offer three lucky readers the chance to win a complete winter wardrobe for their horse

The prize consists of:

• WeatherBeeta Freestyle 1680D Detach-A-Neck Heavy • WeatherBeeta Channel Quilt 420D Combo Heavy • WeatherBeeta Channel Quilt 420D Standard Neck Medium • WeatherBeeta Under Rug Standard Neck • WeatherBeeta Channel Quilt 210D Combo Extra Lite • WeatherBeeta Polar Fleece Cooler Standard Neck

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in this amazing prize and you can be sure your horse will be warm and dry all winter, whatever the weather.

1

The WeatherBeeta Freestyle 1680D Detach-A-Neck Heavy offers the ultimate in protection with its 1680 denier ballistic nylon outer shell that’s waterproof, breathable and Teflon coated to repel dirt. Its outer shell with 100g polyfill can be used alone or with a removable 300g liner. It also has a Snug Fit fleece neck cuff to totally seal off the Detach-A-Neck, a wither relief pad, warm belly wrap, full wrap tail flap, reflective panels and leg straps.

Colour Black/silver Sizes 5ft 6in to 7ft RRP £249.99

2

The WeatherBeeta Channel Quilt 420D Combo Heavy is great for cold winter nights with a strong 420 denier outer shell and warm 360g fill. It has a

Worth

£525

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side gusset, adjustable chest straps, tail flap, 210T nylon lining, low cross surcingles, a fillet string and additional leg strap loops.

Colours Black/purple, denim/navy, purple/grey plaid. Sizes 5ft to 7ft (7ft 3in available in black/purple, denim/navy) RRP £74.99

3

The WeatherBeeta Channel Quilt 420D standard neck medium is ideal for transition between the seasons. It has a strong 420 denier outer shell and medium warm 200g fill, a side gusset, adjustable twin chest straps, tail flap and 210T nylon lining. It also has low cross surcingles, a fillet string and additional loops for optional leg strap attachments.

Colour Navy Sizes 5ft to 7ft RRP £59.99

4

The WeatherBeeta Under Rug with standard neck, features a single touch tape front closure and 210T nylon lining. Additional features include low cross surcingles and fillet string.

Colour Navy Sizes 5ft to 7ft RRP £54.99

5

The WeatherBeeta Channel Quilt 210D Combo Extra Lite has a hardwearing 210 denier outer shell and light 110g fill, great for between seasons. It has a combo neck and adjustable twin chest straps.

Colour Navy/hunter Sizes 5ft to 7ft RRP £49.99

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The WeatherBeeta Polar Fleece Cooler is ideal for travelling, cooling or as an under rug, keeping your horse comfortable and dry with a breathable Wick-Easy lining. It has an Anti-Pill finish to prevent bobbling and a strong 420 denier, nylon overlay at the shoulders to prevent stretching.

Colours Black/purple, chocolate/ocean Argyle, gunmetal/blue, navy/red/white Sizes 5ft to 7ft (4ft to 4ft 9in and 7ft 3in navy/red/white only) RRP £34.99 For more information visit www. weatherbeeta.co.uk

To enter visit www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and answer this question...

The fleece cooler’s Anti-Pill lining prevents? a) Hobbling b) Bobbling c) Wobbling Closing date: 29 November 2012 Terms & conditions: For full terms and conditions go to www.yourhorse.co.uk

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december 2012 your horse

Spectator outfits

Get the look

Buyers’ Guide

You can look great spectating at any indoor event this winter in one of these comfy, stylish and practical outfits designed to be layered up or down with ease

Smart casual made simple Blaze Sedgfield Ladies Shirt £29.95 www.blaze clothing.co.uk

Musto Standon Cable Knit Jumper £70 www.musto. com

Mark Todd Limond Gilet £40.99

01303 872277 or www.wefi.co.uk

Toggi Blenheim Boots £169.50

01132 707000 or www.toggi.com

your horse DeceMBer 2012

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HORSE CARE

Keep your horse healthy and happy

your horse December 2012

page 109

How to care for your horse’s fiddly bits!

page 116

Take the stress out of routine changes

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page 124

page 130

The latest worming advice

Essential know-how

This month in Horse Care 100 Skin care advice Ensure it stays problem-free 106 eSSential know-how How to use a martingale 109 caring for your horSe’S fiddly bitS Keep every inch healthy

116 help him Settle Advice to help your horse cope with change 124 worm control Advice to combat parasites 130 eSSential know-how A reminder of the basics

Taking care of his skin Expert advice to help you keep your horse’s skin healthy and problem-free all year round

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our horse’s skin is his biggest organ, so whether you’re dealing with a sunburn-prone muzzle or mud fever-ish fetlock, it’s vital you care for it properly.

Correct grooming and management will go a long way to ensuring skin problems are kept at bay and your horse’s coat stays shiny and healthy. So to ensure your horse heads into winter armed with a weather-proof, bacteria-repellent, healthy-looking ‘outer’, here’s our guide to all things skin-related.

Over the next few pages, we’ll help you: ● Understand your horse’s skin, and the stresses and strains placed on it ● Gen up on first-aid essentials with our wound care tips ● Discover why proper nutrition is the key to healthy, strong skin ● Learn how to tackle every common skin condition, from mud fever to sweet itch ● Remind yourself of good grooming practice (and why oldfashioned techniques really work!)

Cross section of a horse’s skin Touch receptors Hairs

sweat pores

Epidermis Hair shaft

sebaceous oil gland

Dermis

Adipose tissue Hypodermis sensory s nerve

Motor nerve

sweat glands

Illustration taken from Gillian Higgins’ book ‘Horse Anatomy for Performance’, published by David and Charles, RRP £19.99.

For a copy, visit www.horsesinsideout.com

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How THE skin works

While we all tend to think of our horse’s skin in terms of coat colour and condition, it’s easy to forget that it’s actually a complex system designed to balance his body and help him cope with whatever life – or rather his environment – throws at him.

As the diagram here shows, beneath the visible layer of hair-covered skin we’re all familiar lies a vast array of nerves, glands, tissue and muscles, trapped between the three main layers of the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. ● The epidermis consists of layers of cells that rely on a tough little protein called keratin to strengthen them. This layer is also home to the horse’s oil and sweat glands, and is where Vitamin D from sunlight is synthesised (important for the absorption of calcium) ● The dermis is a melting pot of nerve endings, blood and lymphatic vessels, sweat glands, sebaceous glands and hair follicles – many of which act as ‘receptors’ for external forces such as heat and touch ● The hypodermis is the reason why our horses’ skin can move freely and is home to the subcutaneous fat that provides them with a ‘cuddly’ layer of insulation and acts as an energy reserve. It serves as a cushion between the horse’s muscles and the dermis Together, these layers of the skin serve to protect your horse, acting as a barrier against the twin dangers of injury and infection – as well as regulating his temperature, helping to combat dehydration and stabilising his blood pressure. But it’s a lesserknown fact that the skin’s also responsible for producing a complex mix of chemicals that can influence behaviour and are associated with sexual behaviour.

our eXpertS

CrEssiDA HEATH is Hunt Groom for the Cottesmore Hunt, so she knows a thing or two about protecting horses’ skin as they tackle all the hunting field can throw at them

Dr TErEsA HollAnDs R.Nutr is senior nutritionist at feed manufacturers Dodson & Horrell and one of the highest qualified feed experts in the UK

CHArliE Briggs is an equine vet at the Hale Veterinary Group in Wiltshire

December 2012 your horse

Top-to-toe care

Horse Care

The essential 7 Discover why regular checks of these seven vital areas are essential to your horse’s wellbeing – and could reveal important clues about his health and fitness

Words Andrea Oakes

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hen time is tight, a quick flick-over with a brush should leave your horse ready to ride. But what about the fiddly bits that often get forgotten? Taking good care of these more awkward areas will not w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k

only keep your horse comfortable but could reveal vital clues about his general health.

Our top-to-toe guide will tell you all you need to know about these more sensitive areas – from how and why to tackle the ticklish parts, to when to leave well alone.

OUR EXPERT Jane King is an equine vet who deals with a full range of horses and ponies – from Thelwell-types to racing Thoroughbreds – at the Westmorland Veterinary Group in Cumbria, which is a member of the XLVets group.

december 2012 your horse

Wage war on worms

Even an apparently healthy horse can harbour a potentially dangerous worm burden, so here’s some expert advice from vet Richard Sutcliffe to help you fight back Words Andrea Oakes

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OUR EXPERT RichaRd Sutcliffe MRCVS is an equine vet at Bishopton Veterinary Group in North Yorkshire, a member of the XLVets group.

he importance of a good worming regime is nothing new to conscientious horse owners, many of whom stick to strict schedules to keep the pesky creatures at bay. But while we may have declared ‘war on worms’, the bad news is that the worms are fighting back by developing resistance to many of the worming products now available.

These unwelcome visitors can cause problems inside our horses without our knowledge – even a well-cared-for and apparently healthy horse can harbour a potentially dangerous worm burden. While we may think he’s

tapeworms can be a hidden danger in the bowel – in some cases causing it to telescope in, as in the example above

Weight loss, diarrhoea and colic can be a sign of small redworm infestation – something that can be diagnosed through veterinary investigation your horse December 2012

Lungworms

Horses grazing with donkeys can eat larvae, which then travel to the lungs and mature into thread-like worms that measure up to 8cm in length.

been treated, he could in fact be what vet Richard Sutcliffe refers to as “a ticking time bomb”.

So how best to protect our horses from the menace of worms? The worming world can be confusing, with egg counts, tapeworm tests and a proliferation of products to contend with, but knowing your enemy and the damage it can cause will give you a vital head start. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of worming – and find out how you can implement some of the most effective anti-worm measures to keep your horse safe.

WoRm factS

Worms are an unpleasant fact of life as far as horses are concerned, but why exactly must the two go together? A worm is basically an internal parasite that uses the horse as a host during part of its lifecycle, living within and feeding from the horse’s organs and tissues.

However, gruesome as this may seem, Richard explains that the aim is not to have a worm-free horse. “If you try to eradicate all worms your horse’s immune system will become susceptible, whereas a low burden will have a beneficial effect by continually stimulating the immune system,” he says. “Nowadays, we try to find a better balance between immunity and worm population.”

In the wild, this worm-horse ratio would have been more naturally balanced as horses roamed over thousands of acres, but the modern practice of grazing domesticated horses on limited pasture exposes them to higher levels of infestation. While many of the parasites that favour the horse as a host are merely hitching a ride and rarely cause disease, some can do irreversible damage to the gut and other internal organs. w w w.you r hor se .c o.u k

Worms

Horse Care

lungS

gut

Stomach

Bots

The larvae of the botfly develop in the stomach and are passed in droppings during summer months.

The orangey-coloured bots are around 2cm long.

SMALL REDWORMS OR CYATHOSTOMES

Infective larvae, eaten by the grazing horse, migrate to the large intestine where they burrow into the gut wall.

The adult worms (above) are 1-2cm long and live in the large intestine.

LARGE REDWORMS OR STRONGYLES

Adult worms live in the large intestine. The larvae burrow around the blood vessels and migrate through other internal organs.

INTESTINAL THREADWORMS

At six months old, young horses develop immunity to these tiny, hair-like worms that live in the intestines. Larvae migrate to the lungs.

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TAPEWORMS

The most common tapeworms (above) are creamy-white and can measure 5-20cm long. They attach themselves to the junction between the small and large intestine.

LARGE ROUNDWORMS OR ‘ASCARIDS’

White-coloured adults form a spaghetti-like mass in the small intestine of foals and yearlings. Larvae migrate from the intestines to the liver and lungs.

PINWORMS

These long, slender worms live in the horse’s colon and migrate to the anus to lay their eggs.

December 2012 your horse

Next month in Horse Care

Our infection special will cover rare and common conditions and tell you how to cope with the physical management of an infection. Plus we speak to some of the best feed advice lines to unearth the most commonly asked questions and their answers YH Katy experiences life as a bobby on the equine beat and tells you what goes on during a day with the New Scotland Yard mounted unit Find out how to get started in team chasing, put together a team and how the sport can benefit you and your horse

See our latest private lesson with the marvelous Sylvia Loch We speak to the readers who rescued their horses from the most terrible circumstances Prepare for a fresh start to the New Year as we equip you with some top tips for becoming a fit and healthy rider

Buying advice

See which winter jackets cut the mustard as we put them to the test and check out a range of Christmas gifts to suit all budgets

On sale Nov 29

CONFIDENCE TOTAL

We kick off our amazing new series with advice from sports psychologist Debbie Percy on tackling your confidence demons from the ground, plus Richard Maxwell helps to solve a real-life reader problem

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2

48 page

essential guide to the gear you’ll need to keep you cosy and warm through the winter

2012

Winter Gear Guide Including ● Fleeces ● Winter Jackets ● Breeches ● Thermals ● Hats ● Gloves ● Wellies