EX TR A !
32 PAGE SPRING GEAR GUIDE GET SET, EVENT! Sharon Hunt 's tips for success
Spring 2013
Be a BeTTer rider, geT THe BeST from your HorSe
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How to trim, pull & plait like a pro
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Jump like a
Whitaker!
Ellen & Steven share their training secrets
REVEAlED!
The healing power of your horse How you can feel the benefits ToDAy! SPRING cARE
EASy wAyS To TAcklE:
✓ Sweet itch ✓ Laminitis ✓ Spring fizz ✓ Moody mares
yoUNG HoRSES
fIGHT HIS fEARS
Karen Dixon's 5 simple ways to help your horse man up!
ToTAlNcE DE I f N o c If I can do it, so can you!
Compete with courage and win like Sophie Wells
Let him be your healer At last, proof of what we all know – horses are good for our mind, body and soul. We tap into evidence that shouts ‘horses should be available on the NHS!’ Words Carolyn Henderson
W
hat’s the best way to cope with the stresses and strains of everyday life? The answer, as every Your Horse reader knows, is to spend time with your horse. But there’s much more to it than this. Researchers and therapists across a wide spectrum are now recognising that horses can be real healers, as well as benefiting all of us, whatever our age, way of life or experience. A research project carried out for the British Horse Society shows recreational riding benefits both our physical and mental health. More than 80% of those surveyed reported that riding boosted their happiness. Chartered psychologist and horse owner Dr Dorothy Heffernan isn’t surprised. She points to two ways in which bonding with horses may help:
●●It may stimulate production of the hormone oxytocin, sometimes known as the ‘cuddle hormone’ ●●It can help get us into the ‘flow’ state, when we focus totally on our interaction with our horse The ‘cuddle hormone’ – produced by both men and women, but typically in larger amounts by women – is believed to be the reason why women tend to ‘baby’ their horses. “Women perhaps tend to have a more nurturing relationship with their horses, though I’m not saying this applies in all cases,” says Dr Heffernan. When oxytocin is released in our brains we feel comforted – in a human relationship you can experience this feeling when holding hands or sharing a gentle massage. Studies have already shown that stroking a dog or cat lowers
blood pressure and pulse rate, and Dr Heffernan says that, while little research has been done looking at horses, it’s logical to assume the same benefits apply. It can also help our interaction with others – research shows that when we stroke or groom an animal we’re more likely to make eye contact. “Bonding with horses may make us feel better because it can make us react better with other people,” suggests Dr Heffernan. Sarah Kreutzer, from Learning to Listen, agrees. “I don’t think we all realise the benefits we get from being with horses, on an emotional and physiological level,” she says. “It changes brainwave patterns and brings down our heart rate. And it’s unconditional – horses can’t make judgements about us.”
Get the feel-good factor
Riding’s been proven to boost our happiness levels – as if we needed telling!
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TOTAL
CONFIDENCE
Expert advice to help you become a braver rider, feel safe and enjoy every ride
Learn to be confident in your abilities and our experts believe you will succeed with anything you want to do with your horse
Confidence skills for you and your horse this month
Analyse your strengths
Relax while you tack up
Walk your test first
Boost your accuracy
Teach him manners
Stay calm while loading
Brim over with confidence Whatever your ability, situation or discipline, discover how to ride and compete with courage, just like our amazing experts
W
e’re spoiling you this month with a double dose of your monthly confidence advice, as both para dressage riders Sophie Wells AND Susanna Wade share their tips. Both riders have worked tirelessly to overcome their disabilities and compete at the highest level in dressage, so they
know exactly what it takes to perform with confidence. Together they have a wealth of advice to share with you, so whether you’re a para rider, returning from an injury or an able-bodied rider, you’ll get something from the advice these dressage superstars have to offer. From competing to training at home you’re in luck this month because we’re tackling it all.
Assess how you ride
“When it comes to riding, what you feel isn’t necessarily what’s happening, particularly when you’re a para rider or someone who’s coming back from an injury,” explains Susanna. “Both para riders and able-bodied riders will benefit from starring in their own home movie. Invest in a tripod or enlist the skills of a steady-handed friend and get them to video you training at home and riding at a competition.
“Watching your performance back can really help you to analyse where your weaknesses lie and also help you to highlight your strengths, which will fill you with confidence. It also means that if you ever have a bad ride or test, you can watch it back, analyse it and then forget about it – simply delete the video and move on. Videoing yourself can really help to get closure on a bad performance.”
OUR EXPERT Sophie WeLLS is a world and European para dressage champion who was born with a rare condition which affects the feeling in her hands, ankles and lower legs. Sophie has excelled in her chosen discipline and took team gold and individual silver medals at the 2012 Paralympic Games.
OUR EXPERT
Videoing yourself will highlight your strengths
SuSAnnA WAde is an international para dressage rider who was paralysed from the waist down in a car accident in 1991. Despite her challenging injuries, she’s pursued her dreams to become a top para dressage ride. She now has her sights firmly set on the 2016 Paralympic Games.
spring 2013 your horse
imogen (left) and Horse Trust fundraising manager catherine share a cuddle with Klyde
Teddy pulls his best grumpy face!
The pounds tr Little Teddy goes wild, big Klyde shows his soft side and we watch the funds start to slowly trickle in for our Helping the Horse Trust campaign – have you donated yet? TeddY geTs giddY
For months we’ve all been dying to meet Teddy and Klyde, the two horses at The Horse Trust we’re raising money to help. So Your Horse editor Imogen decided it was time to pay them a visit. (Turn the page to find out more about our campaign, and how you can help.) “I’d heard so much about Teddy and Klyde, it was as if I knew them already. On the day of my visit, I spotted Teddy in his field as he munched on some hay with his gorgeous little fieldmate George. Snuggled up in his mini rugs, Teddy looked so diddy and fragile but he quickly unleashed his larger-than-life character as he spent a good 10 minutes charging round his field bucking and playing for his audience (at one point, he almost
knocked over YH’s video expert Nicola as she filmed – the little monkey!). “It was great seeing a little pony who’d been left for dead not so long ago feeling so alive and full of beans. It made me wonder how anyone could ever have left him alone on the side of the road without his mum,” says Imogen.
eNTer THe BFg!
“In the field next-door, big Klyde was having a much more peaceful morning at grass. He plodded over to say hello and I couldn’t get over the size of this gentle giant – to Teddy he must seem like a dinosaur! He was so sweet and gentle, I wanted to take him home with me and as I watched other people interact with him I could tell he’s a firm favourite.
“Horses like Klyde, who come into the Trust’s care to retire following a life of service with the police or army are wonderfully looked after but I couldn’t help but feel a little sad for Klyde and his big mates. Too big to be rehomed as companions, most come to the Horse Trust’s Home of Rest after spending their lives working to protect us from violence. As I was taken on a tour of the fields and stables, I saw more and more ex-service horses round every corner.”
WHO paYs FOr pOLice HOrses?
To be absolutely honest, we’d never really thought about where ex-forces horses end up – and we’re not alone. Some Your Horse readers have even been questioning why the police don’t care for horses like Klyde
Text ‘HTTX01 £5’ to 70070 (text
or donate at: www.horsetrust.org.uk/
Helping The Horse Trust imogen meets Teddy for the first time
Teddy has a bonkers moment
rot in
Once hardworking police horses, many Horse Trust residents like pern (left) rely on us to fund their retirement
in retirement, so we asked the Trust’s fundraising manager Catherine Napper to clear things up. “Police horses are owned by the taxpayer and, in times of austerity such as these, the government has to make tough choices such as deciding if they should use thousands of pounds of taxpayer’s money to pay for private livery fees for a retired police horse or putting another policeman on duty,” she says. “Sadly it’s often not possible to do both and that’s why The Horse Trust exists. People who want to thank the police horses for their loyal service can donate to us. The police work closely with us and do an awful lot to help us fundraise. Many officers make personal donations and visit their horses here regularly.”
ONLY £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 and £10)
k/teddyandklyde
BETTER RIDING
Easy-to-follow expert advice for beginners to advanced riders
your horse sPrING 2013
page 50
Fast work for fitness
page 58
Jump like a Whitaker
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page 67
Get ready for eventing
page 72
Why we warm up
This month in Better Riding 40 Private Lesson Coping with hot horses 50 Fast work For Fitness Using interval training 58 JumP Like a whitaker Learn the family secrets 67 ready For eventing
Prepare for the season why we warm uP The science behind it 48, 56, 64 essentiaL know-how Train over cavaletti, schooling focus, rein-back 72
Private Lesson Dressage rider Dan Greenwood takes the fizz out of hot horses with advice to help you have control without confrontation
Words Katy Islip Photography Martyn Barnwell if your horse carries his head high as he settles in, open your hands to encourage him to lower it
meet the trainer Dan GreenWooD is a dressage rider and trainer, working with pupils at all levels up to Grand Prix. He’s won several major titles at the National Championships and has competed for Great Britain on the small tour. For more information visit www. dangreenwooddressage.com
meet the rider
at the start of the lesson rafael is struggling to keep Daniel calm and focused
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raFaeL Marins is an event rider who is aiming to join the Brazilian national team. He’s riding his home-produced five-year-old Irish Sport Horse Thomas O’Malley (aka Daniel) and wants to work on keeping him calm and listening in the school.
encourage an even contact Rafael tells me he and his wife Nicola produced Daniel themselves, and although he’s very bold cross-country and loves his jumping, he’s quite a hot and excitable sort and can get quite fizzy in the school – he’s reared a couple of times. After checking there’s nothing wrong with his back, tack and teeth, Rafael wants help keeping him cool and focused. Watching them warm up, I can see Daniel isn’t always working consistently into the contact, which will mean he’s probably feeling a little lost. This is a common problem with young or hot horses, but if you maintain your contact, your horse always knows where you are, which gives him confidence. To help Rafael establish a more consistent feel, I’m going to ask him to try and have Daniel equal in both reins, thinking of the contact as if he’s holding hands with him – this is the feeling you should aim for, not too tight or too loose. Daniel’s still settling into the new environment so he’s carrying his
head quite high and looks quite tight, so I want Rafael to open his hands out so his reins are quite wide, to encourage Daniel to drop his head. If your horse brings his head higher than you want, open your hands wider, closing them gradually as he lowers his head and using gentle feels down the rein. With a hot horse like Daniel, it’s a case of balancing between him being sharp and fresh and needing to let him move, while staying in charge. Moving onto a 20m circle in trot, I want Rafael to forget everything apart from maintaining that equal contact and staying straight – neck bend can come later.
The lesson focus
● To establish an even contact ● To help Rafael stay in charge and keep Daniel listening ● To ensure Rafael can ride Daniel straight and direct him where he wants to go
sPrING 2013 your horse
Fast work for fitness Five easy ways to improve your horse’s fitness and stamina when it’s too wet for fast work out on a hack
Words Helen Milbank
A
OUR EXPERT Mark SMith is an expert at riding at speed, having been a jockey for 30 years and with a love of team chasing and hunting. He teaches riders of all levels to ride safely and effectively, whatever their discipline, and runs regular ‘Hold Your Horses’ clinics at his Berkshirebased yard, which cost £25. Find out more at www. msjump.co.uk
s the competition season approaches and the British weather is still calling a halt to fast work out on hacks, there’s no need to let the wet, boggy or rock hard ground hamper your horse’s fitness regime. Up the gears in a more limited space – be it a school or fenced-off section of field – and you’ll be well on the way to a fitter, healthier horse who’s ready for the demands of the eventing circuit or show jumping arena. Our expert Mark Smith is keen to set one thing straight from the word go – even if your horse is only field-fit at the moment, he’s genetically pre-programmed to be able to gallop fast for a minute. So bear this in mind when you start the interval training Mark’s suggesting over the next few pages. “Our horses may have been domesticated for thousands of years, but physiologically speaking they haven’t changed,” explains Mark. “In the wild, a horse doesn’t need any ‘proper’ training to be able to gallop very fast for 60 seconds to flee danger. He’ll rarely trot – he’ll just amble along grazing, interspersed with short bouts of fast work if a predator appears. “Horses work in the same way as they have for hundreds of generations, so it’s common sense to bear this in mind when we’re getting them fit. There’s nothing wrong with cantering early on in your horse’s fitness training – it’s not how fast you ride, it’s how long you ride fast for that’s the issue.”
your horse spring 2013
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Interval training
Better Riding Fitness work can be done in your school if bad weather means fields are out of action
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spring 2013 your horse
Jumping advice
Better Riding
Jump like a Whitaker Show jumping superstar Ellen Whitaker and her trainer dad Steven reveal secrets guaranteed to help you go clear Words Carolyn Henderson
T
he Whitaker family are show jumping legends. From brothers John, Michael and Steven to the younger generation, headed by Steven’s daughter Ellen, they’ve won admirers as well as prizes across the world. Fellow competitors say they’re
the best in the business because of their ability to get the most out of any horse, in a calm, kind way. So how can you train and jump like a Whitaker? Here, renowned trainer Steven, who returned to top level competition after a long break, and Ellen let us in on some of their family secrets.
EllEn WhitakEr says... TreaT him as an individual
Ellen is proving that she has the same thoughtful approach and dedication as her father and uncles. “I always look at each horse as an individual,” says Ellen, who now has her own base and a new sponsor in Animo, but keeps in close touch with her family. “One might not understand as
quickly as another, or I might have to find a different way of explaining things. “I’ve learned that every horse is different. I’ve got a seven-year-old who has never really competed, but could jump round a 1.45m course and do well, but you might find an eight or nine-year-old who is not quite as natural at the job.”
Ellen says that the right eye on the ground is essential when you’re training and competing and admits that not having her father, and trainer, Steven there all the time means she’s had to push herself harder. “I do a lot of filming – not everyday training, but if a horse is meeting a jump not quite right, I can see what he’s doing,” she explains. “All the riders at my level know each other and I might come out of the ring and ask, ‘Was that OK? Did I ride it properly?’ You have to be your own hardest critic.”
‘The right eye on the ground is essential’ ellen says
spring 2013 your horse
PHOTO: SuzannE JOnES
ellen Whitaker riding equimax ocolado at hickstead in 2011
PHOTO: BOB LangriSH
have eyes on The ground
WIN
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Win a stylish new outfit for you and your horse worth £264
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our Horse has teamed up with Tottie to offer six lucky readers the chance to win a new spring wardrobe for them and their horse. The outfits consist of the new Hayley polo top, Valerie rugby top, Leigh gilet, Emma jeans and Tottie wellingtons. For the horse, there’s a Hollywood fleece show rug plus a Paris headcollar and leadrope pack.
1 The new Hayley short sleeved polo shirt has a simple yet stylish design, ideal for your summer wardrobe. Colours Mint, cranberry, white Sizes XS to XL 2 The new Valerie rugby top has shirt
fabric on the collar, placket, cuffs and side vents for understated glamour. Colours Navy, cranberry, charcoal marl Sizes XS to XL 3 The padded, quilted Leigh gilet is designed with a detachable jersey hood. Colour Navy Sizes S to XL 4 The Emma skinny jeans have a cutting edge design with the added benefit of being comfortable to ride in. Colours Pink, smoke blue, sand Sizes 8 to 14 5 Tottie wellingtons with a galloping horse pattern combine fashion with durability and comfort. Colours Rose, navy. Sizes 3 to 8
6 New to the Tottie range is horse wear. The Hollywood fleece show rug is just the thing to keep your horse warm, clean and comfortable at a show or while travelling. Colours Navy, pink Sizes 4ft 6in to 7ft 3in 7 The Paris headcollar and leadrope has high quality webbing and soft fleece padding on the noseband and headpiece. With durable satin finish fittings, it comes complete with a tri-coloured nylon leadrope. Colours Black, blue, purple, dark navy, pink. Sizes Pony, cob, full ● To find out more about the Tottie
range visit www.tottie.co.uk or call 01274 711010
To enter visit www.yourhorse.co.uk/win and answer this question: What is the name of the Tottie jeans? a. Emma b. Hayley c. Valerie Closing date: 18 April 2013 Terms & conditions: Please provide preferred sizes and colours. If the product is not available, a suitable alternative will be provided. For full t&c visit www.yourhorse.co.uk/win
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spring 2013 your horse
Improve your eventing
Better Riding
A winning start
Get the eventing season off to a flying start as top riders Sharon Hunt and Jay Halim explain the key points guaranteed to improve your training and performance Over the next few pages, Jay is here to help you get your horse fit and ready to event
Pic: BoB LanGriSH
Pic: MattHew roBertS
Sharon, seen here on Tankers Town, is on hand to help you prepare for the season
Sharon Hunt
O
ne of the world’s top eventers, Sharon was part of the bronze medal-winning team at the 2008 Olympic Games riding Tankers Town and is currently competing at all levels on her team of horses. On the next page she’s keen to stress the importance of
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getting your horse as fully prepared as possible before his first competition of the season so the sights, sounds and fences don’t come as a shock to him, and you’re happy he can cope. Read on for her tips to make sure you stay safe, feel confident and have fun as the eventing calendar gets going.
Jay Halim
A
n event rider and show jumper, Jay competes at the top level in both disciplines and has an ever-growing team of event horses. On page 70 he shares his tips for getting your horse fit and ready for all the season has to throw at you, whether you’re riding in your first
British Eventing (BE) 80 class or going advanced. From the essential foundation work (namely lots of slow, steady roadwork) to topping up your horse’s fitness levels with interval training in the school, his advice will ensure your horse is ready to tackle this season’s competitions in style. spring 2013 your horse
your horse spring 2013
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Focus on schooling a good warm-up includes working your horse long and low to help him swing through his back
Better Riding
Effective warm-ups Follow this simple six-step plan to make sure your horse is ready to work and reduce the risk of injury Words Larissa Chapman
A
warm-up is exactly how it sounds – a method of getting your horse’s muscles warmed up so he can work well and avoid injury. Our expert Gillian Higgins is on hand – with the help of her painted horse (see over the page) – to explain what’s happening at each stage of the plan to help you understand the importance of warming your horse up properly before you start any work with him.
Why you must warm him up
“Your warm-up is so important for a number of different reasons,” explains Gillian. “First and foremost are the physiological reasons. Warming up your horse’s skeleton, joints and muscles is crucial to ensure he avoids injury and can perform to the best of his ability. Then, secondly are the behavioural and psychological elements that get your horse switched on and listening to your aids. A good warm-up programme will help to tackle all of the above. “Every horse is different and therefore every warm-up plan and the time spent warming up will vary. As a general guide, you should spend at least 20 minutes warming your horse up.”
OUR EXPERT Gillian HiGGins is a sports and remedial therapist, BHS Senior Coach, anatomist, and founder of Horses Inside Out. Using her unique and insightful painting techniques, Gillian is in demand all over the world, presenting lecture demonstrations and courses. To learn more about Gillian and to see her books and DVDs, visit www. HorsesInsideOut. com
Over the page To get your horse properly warmed up and to find out what’s happening during each movement, turn the page to follow Gillian’s six step essential warm-up plan, covering how to: 1. Start with groundwork 2. Loosen him up 3. Get his blood flowing 4. Move his joints 5. Work his core 6. Get him listening
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spring 2013 your horse
He’s a survivor! Being told your horse has cancer may feel like the end of the world, but modern veterinary care now means some horses can beat it – read on for our inspirational tales Words Katy Islip
A
diagnosis of cancer would be a nightmare for anyone, but how do you cope when you’re told it’s your beloved horse who has this terrible disease? Even if treatment is possible, there are many welfare concerns that owners
your horse spring 2013
need to consider before embarking on the fight-back. Sadly it’s not always a fight that can be won, however, thanks to advances in cancer research and treatment, increasing numbers of horses are able to beat their cancers and return to happy and healthy lives.
We bring you the heart-warming stories of four equines who are lucky enough to be enjoying life after cancer, from a plucky pony who beat penis cancer to a mare whose life was saved by chemotherapy. We hope their stories will bring hope to others out there.
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Horses fighting cancer
Sunny’s made a great recovery after surgery to remove a cancerous growth – turn the page to read his inspiring story
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spring 2013 your horse
HORSE CARE
Keep your horse healthy and happy page 96
Spring health problems solved
page 102
Fight your horse’s fears
Radius
Accessory carpal Carpal bones
Small metacarpal
m Pla ov ne em o en f t
Large metacarpal
Beneath his skin, your horse’s complex knee joint allows movement
your horse spring 2013
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page 106
page 116
Pull, plait and trim like a pro
Discover your horse’s five-a-day
This month in Horse Care 86 Care for his joints Vet advice to help keep your horse’s joints healthy 94 essential know-how Add oomph to his tail 96 spring into aCtion Tackle health problems
102 fight his fears Help your horse man up! 106 turn him out in style Pull, plait and trim like a pro 114 essential know-how 116 feed his five-a-day The essentials he needs
Care for his joints Your horse’s joints are marvellous things – discover how they work and how to keep them healthy with the help of our expert vet Andrew McDiarmid Words Katy Islip
J
oints are the hinges and swivels of a horse’s body, articulating his skeleton and allowing him to move in all manner of different directions when his muscles contract. We’ve enrolled expert orthopaedic vet Andrew McDiarmid to explain how your horse’s joints work, looking at how they are formed, common problems affecting joints and how you can help keep them healthy so he stays happy and sound.
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WhAt ARe jointS?
At the most basic level, joints are formed where two bones meet, and fall into two main categories: fixed (synarthrodial) and moveable (diarthrodial), which we’re going to look at here. Moveable joints are further classified as to what type of movement they allow – ball and socket joints, such as the hip, which allow the joint to move in different directions; hinge joints, such as the elbow or stifle, which allow for folding movement; hinge and plane joints, such as the knee, which combine folding movement with gliding movement; and pivot joints, which allow for rotation, such as where the head joins the neck. Despite all this variety however, the majority of your horse’s joints are set up to enable him to run. “The horse’s joints are quite primitive and most are in a front-to-back plane of movement,” says Andrew. “Even those in the horse’s back allow little rotation. Our hip joint allows quite a lot of movement, as does our shoulder, but horses don’t have that – it’s all about going forward. “If they don’t get away from wolves or predators quickly they’ll get eaten, and to go fastest they need to run in a straight line, rather than twist and turn quickly.” Joints can also be classified by how much movement they allow, and the amount of weight they carry. “High load/low motion joints, such as the spavin joints in the hock, don’t move very much. Then you also have high motion joints, such as the fetlock coffin joint, which have a far greater range of movement,” says Andrew.
our eXpert AnDReW McDiARMiD is a director of Clyde Veterinary Group Ltd in Scotland, overseeing the equine hospital, where his area of expertise is equine lameness. Andrew has worked in equine practice as well as in teaching roles at the Royal (Dick) Veterinary School and charity World Horse Welfare (formerly the ILPH). Clyde Veterinary Group is a member of XLVets – find out more at www. clydevetgroup. co.uk and www. xlvets.co.uk
what are fiXed joints? As their name suggests, fixed joints exist where bones which don’t need to move meet, such as those between the bones that form the horse’s skull.
spring 2013 your horse
Spring into action
Look forward to a problem-free few months with a fit, healthy horse as we help you battle with your spring-related worries
S
pring is a season that divides us horse owners. While some rejoice at the lighter nights and drier paddocks, others fear the seasonal health problems that can strike as the weather warms up, the midges emerge and the grass fills up with calories. Our problem-solving guide is packed with expert advice and the very latest research to help make
this the year you avoid every equine nasty, from sweet-itch to laminitis. Whatever your horse’s ailment or behavioural problem, we’ve got it sorted here, with loads of information to help you understand what you’re up against, find out how to take action to prevent it – and know what to do if the problem strikes. So read on over the page to enjoy a glorious spring with a fit, healthy horse.
Spring health problems solved
Horse Care
Keep spring health problems at bay and you can guarantee more riding time
Before
Tilly, minus mud, but before her beauty session!
your horse spring 2013
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Groom like a pro
Horse Care
Turn him out in style!
Showing guru Penny Hollings gives you simple hints and tips to pull, plait and trim like a pro – it’s easier than you think!
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hatever your horse’s type you can get him looking the part for every show or competition this year. To prove just how easy it is to get any horse glammed up to the nines, Penny and her team went in search of one horse in desperate need of a makeover... enter Tilly! Catherine Young’s five-year-old mare was fresh from time off in the
field, so with layers of mud, hair and fuzz to get through, she was the perfect pony for the job. Armed with their favourite gear and products, Penny and her show team manager Stacey Wiseman got to work turning this hairy little mare into the glammed up beauty you can see here in under three hours. Read on to find out how they did it – and how you can do it too.
What’s hot (and what’s not!) Whether you’re a showing fanatic in need of a few turnout tips or baffled as to where to begin, the first thing you need to do is decide what look you’re going for. What suits some horses won’t suit others, so Penny suggests a little research before you get to work. “Look at your horse to analyse what actually needs doing,” she says. “Ask yourself, what are his strong points? What needs trimming? Depending on your class or competition, does he need plaiting at all, and if he does, how many plaits would suit his neck? If you’ve still no idea where to begin, go to a show to see what looks good on other horses (and what doesn’t!). Try to spot horses of a similar type to yours and see what
After
turnout techniques their owners have gone for. There are no rules set in stone – showing is about having fun with your horse, so the key is simply to turn your horse out in a way that makes him look great. You can also ask for advice from professionals – I can’t think of a single professional who wouldn’t happily offer tips.” Once you’re armed with ideas of what’s hot and what’s not, it’s time to make a plan. “Looking at Tilly, I can see the key areas that need work,” says Penny. “Like most horses coming back into work after a break, the main thing we want to focus on is trimming – her mane, tail, chin and legs all need a good trim and her beard will definitely be leaving the building today!”
minimise stress and pain
in under three hours, Tilly was transformed from shabby to chic!
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For many horses, trimming and pulling isn’t at the top of their ‘fun to do’ list and it can even be quite stressful. If your horse is new to, or nervous about, the pulling process follow Penny’s tips to ensure it’s as stress and pain free as possible: 1 Consider whether your horse needs sedation and/or pain relief and ask your vet for advice on both. For a first timer, sedation means you can work quickly and get the worst done in one go. You’ll need to monitor his temperature during sedation and allow a
withdrawal period if sedation is used ahead of a show. 2 Ask a confident and experienced friend to hold your horse and always work in a safe and secure area such as a quiet, spacious stable. 3 Make the experience a positive one by doing everything in small stages. If something becomes too much for your horse, move on to something else. 4 Always pull manes and tails after you’ve worked your horse. He will be warm with open pores, making hairs easier and less painful to pull.
OUR EXPERTS
Penny Hollings is a top showing rider, trainer and judge. Based in Lancashire she makes up one part of Team Hollings with her husband Nigel, their daughter Alexandra and Nigel’s brother Stuart. Find out more at www. team-hollings. co.uk
sTacey Wiseman manages the Team Hollings show team and as a pro with a pulling comb she’s a key member of the Hollings turnout brigade!
spring 2013 your horse
Vitamins
Protein
Water
Fibre
Minerals
Your horse’s version of his essential five-a-day
Feeding advice
Feed his
Horse Care
five a day Equine nutritionist Emma Short explains the five daily essentials that are vital for your horse’s good health and happiness
T
he five-a-day campaign may be a healthy living mantra for people, but does it translate to our horses’ feeding regime? Top nutritionist Emma Short explains which are the top five feedstuffs essential for our horses’ wellbeing. “The human five-a-day mantra is
about ensuring we get a minimum amount (five portions) of a certain food group to stay healthy,” says Emma. “Your horse should be eating a healthy balanced diet consisting of forage and compound feed or a balancer, depending on his workload and whether he’s a good doer or poor doer.
“But in order to perform at his best and be as fit and healthy as possible, his diet should contain all of the five elements we look at here in the correct quantities.” Read on to discover how to ensure your horse gets his five-aday and stays in tip top condition all year round.
make sure your horse has constant access to water
1 the power of water Did you know that a horse deprived of feed but with access to drinking water can survive up to 25 days, but a horse deprived of water may only survive three to six days? This is why it’s so important to make sure your horse is taking in enough fluids. An adult horse’s body is composed of roughly 70% water – that’s a lot of water, so it’s no surprise to hear that the average horse consumes between 19 and 38 litres of water per day! “The structure of your horse’s diet will influence the amount of water he needs,” says Emma. “For example, fresh grass contains 60-80% water so it can meet a large part of his water needs
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when grazing. Hay, straights and compound feeds can be very low in moisture however, so your horse will compensate by drinking more. Haylage has a higher moisture content than hay (40-50% compared to 20%). “Increased dietary protein levels lead to increased water consumption too, as do higher levels of salt intake, so make sure your horse always has access to a bucket of water, whether in the field or stable.”
How to ensure He’s getting enougH
“It’s important to have a rough idea of how much your horse is drinking, though this can be hard
when he’s out in the field or if you have automatic water fillers. However, a good way to tell if he’s hydrated is by using the ‘pinch’ test. Pinch your horse’s skin somewhere around his shoulder – if he’s nicely hydrated it should ping straight back into place. “Temperature can influence water consumption – the hotter the weather, the more your horse is likely to drink, so keep his buckets well topped up in summer or on warm days. “Horses also generally prefer to drink cool water, not cold, so, in winter, it may be necessary to add warm water to his water buckets to encourage him to drink more.”
OUR EXPERT emma sHort Bsc (Hons) has worked for Baileys Horse Feeds for over 10 years. She divides her time between visiting yards, devising bespoke feeding programmes and advising horse owners on what to feed their horses. Emma is also involved with helping many top riders and their horses, including event rider Sharon Hunt, and dressage rider Andrew Gould. Find out more at www. baileyshorsefeeds. co.uk
KEEP iT ClEan make sure you keep your troughs, water buckets or automatic waterers clean. clear out leaves, chaff, insects and other debris daily, and scrub containers with a brush to prevent the development of algae or harmful bacteria.
spring 2013 your horse
Laura Collett
Up-and-coming eventing star Laura Collett talks about rubbing shoulders with the equestrian greats, her new role in the life of racing legend Kauto Star and her hopes for the future Words Larissa Chapman Photography Matthew Roberts
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hile most 23-year-olds look forward to finishing university and boarding the next plane to Thailand for a back-packing adventure, Laura’s dreaming about flying down to Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games. Since her first riding lesson when she was just two, Laura’s been hooked on horses and has already enjoyed great success. As former junior and young rider European champion, she’s been a prolific winner at under-21 level and aced her first time round Badminton in 2011, finishing in 8th place.
The icing on the cake came in December last year when she was asked to take on retired racing legend, Kauto Star. She’ll soon be adding another string to her riding bow by developing two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto into a dressage superstar. Pulling up at Laura’s picturesque yard nestled in an impressive estate in Wiltshire, I was keen to find out more about this young eventer who’s causing such a stir on the circuit. I quizzed her on everything from her first pony and eventing ambitions, to what it’s like meeting the top riders, her favourite film and any guilty pleasures, so read on to find out more about this rising star!
Laura with her newest arrival, the legendary racehorse Kauto Star
The Big Interview
Turn over for Laura’s answers to your questions
your horse spring 2013
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Ride side saddle
Side saddle rides again! As this elegant discipline makes a comeback, we explore how it can benefit your riding as well as being fun to learn Words Larissa Chapman
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hether you’re an adrenaline junkie or prefer the calm of the dressage arena, side saddle has something for everyone, with hunting, dressage and showing classes open to all levels of horse and rider – and some pretty impressive knock-on benefits
for your ‘normal’ riding too. From improving your seat and posture to honing your hand position, it’ll help you become a better, more balanced rider. So read on to find out why more and more people are catching the side saddle bug, how you can get started – and what this traditional discipline offers.
Your horse readers share the adrenaline rush
Your horse reader Fiona Davidson in traditional side saddle dress at the opening meet of the Quorn hunt in 2011
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MAin PiC: niCo MorgAn
Fiona DaviDson
Keen to highlight side saddle’s fun, adrenaline-fuelled side is Your Horse reader Fiona Davidson (picture left on the hunting field), who’s recently taken up the sport on her event horses. Fiona events internationally and hunts five days a week in winter, but has decided to give her hunting a bit of a twist – quite literally – by riding side saddle. “I decided I wanted to give it a go, so I went for a lesson and fell in love with the sport,” she says. “I think it’s elegant and ladylike, and it’s so popular at the moment. I love the traditional etiquette of it all and hunting side saddle is such an adrenaline rush. “I recently took part in the first side saddle race ride for 90 years, The Bernard Weatherill Side Saddle Chase, and it was fantastic. I also do a bit of team chasing side saddle, which really gets the adrenaline pumping. “Riding side saddle has so many benefits, from improving your posture to getting your horse listening to you. Believe it or not, I think one of the biggest benefits is riding over a fence – you can’t let your reins or your position collapse, which enables your horse to really get his legs and shoulders up over the fence. I also find that my horse’s canter is much freer and more balanced when riding side saddle compared to riding astride. “I’d tell anyone thinking of trying side saddle to stop thinking about it and just go for it. It’s such a fantastic, hair-raising sport and everyone’s so lovely – there’s a real community spirit about it. I’m definitely going to carry on hunting side saddle and I may do some dressage too.”
Chole Gunn
Chloe Gunn is another Your Horse reader who’s caught the side saddle bug with her horse Bertie. “He’s taken to it so well and I can’t wait to try some more dressage tests,” says Chloe, who attends The Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester. “I’d really like to try hunting side saddle too as it looks amazing.” Chloe turned to the expertise of well-known side saddle rider Emma Brown for advice, and since then the pair have managed to scoop first place at a dressage competition against people riding astride. “I’m hooked on this wonderful, fun-filled sport and I’ve had some lovely comments from people at events. I’d encourage anyone to give it a go – make sure you have a properly fitted saddle and maybe have a lesson on a side saddle schoolmaster first, but I think you’ll be surprised at how secure you feel.” Chole Gunn and Bertie enjoying side saddle
spring 2013 your horse
SUPER SPRING
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS
SAVINGS! £5 FOR JUST
There’s no better time to refresh your passion, whether it’s back out on the green playing golf or checking out the latest spring fashion. Get a spring in your step with these fantastic magazine subscriptions for just £5!
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Visit: www.greatmagazines.co.uk/springsale or call us on: 0844 848 8872 (quote SPRZ)
This offer is available to UK residents only paying by Direct Debit. Our weekly publications will include 5 issues for £5 on the 1st direct debit payment. All other publications will include 3 issues for £5 on the 1st direct debit payment. The exceptions include, Landscape magazine, which will include 2 issues for £5 and Golf Illustrated will be 1 issue for £5. After the initial trial period; the payment will be taken every 6 months by direct debit with a 20% discount on the full price. Please see the full terms and conditions on www.greatmagazines.co.uk. This offer is open until 14th May 2013. Calls from a BT landline will cost 5p a minute. Call charges for other landline providers or mobile phones may vary.
Spring 2013 Gear Guide
32 pages of this season's top gear for riders
Next month in
On sale 18 April
CONFIDENCE TOTAL
In the final part of our Total Confidence series, event rider Sam Watson helps you get to grips with your cross-country nerves, with all the advice and inspiration you need to compete with confidence
Holiday on horseback Our rou
nd-up of the bes t riding holidays in the UK will inspire you to take to the saddle inst ead of heading to the beach this summer.
In Better Riding
● Discover how to get your horse ready for the show jumping season, with advice from trainer John Adams; improve your horse’s topline with Richard Davison’s top tips; learn how to see a stride – and discover the best schooling exercises to use after a competition to ensure your horse recovers fast and stays in winning condition ● Plus discover how to get started in endurance – and find out why this fun sport can help boost your riding, whatever your usual discipline. With tips from endurance experts to help you clock up the miles with ease
In Horse Care
● Discover how to keep your horse fit and well all season as we reveal the most common competition-related injuries – and how best to avoid them; learn how to protect your horse from getting dehydrated and find out why herbs are nature’s medicine cabinet ● Plus check out our guide to hitting the road in style, with essential tips and advice to keep your horse safe on the move, whether he’s in a trailer or lorry
In Buyers’ Guide
● We reveal the competition gear you can’t live without and explore the latest equestrian products to hit the shelves. Plus our hoof care special will help your horse stay sound all summer