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may 2013
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Is yours a match m Horse or human, our personalities influence our relationships – read on to find out if you and your horse are in sync, or if you need to do some work to improve your bond Words Katy Islip Illustrations Patrick Latham
W
hether you love nothing better than being the centre of attention or are happy to go with the flow, your personality goes a long way to governing your relationships with others, including your horse – and his personality
also has a role to play in the success of your partnership. Personal development specialist Vicky Smith has developed PERSONALITY MATTERS!®, a horse vs human profiling tool designed to help owners build effective relationships with their horse.
Dominant Human: Fairly serious, likes to be in control and do things their way. Focused on achievement of tasks, making demands, not requests. Relentless in pursuit of success and can become frustrated if thwarted. This focus can result in less awareness of their horse’s needs. your horse may 2013
With co-author Frances Wilson, she’s identified four main personality types and the traits most associated with them for both horse and human. Identify the ones that best match you and your horse then read on to find out how it affects your relationship – you’ll be fascinated!
Performer Horse: Also likes to be in control and will take over if he senses lack of leadership from handler or rider. Ready to argue if pushed, but can become demoralised if this always happens.
Human: Enjoys the limelight, seeks attention and positive feedback from others. Friendly and high energy, attracting others with their sense of fun. Often dash between activities as easily bored. Tactile, prone to emotional highs and lows, often taking failure personally.
Horse: Likes fun and variety, bit of a show-off, which can manifest as a naughty or playful streak. May play up or take control if he feels he can. Enjoys the attention of competing or being watched, can become bored if asked to do the same task repeatedly.
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Personality matters
made in heaven? What your horse says about you We’ve also enlisted the help of relationship and communication expert Sarah Kreutzer to explain what our choice of horse reveals about us – see page 24 to find out why we’re drawn to different types of horses
Follower Human: Not a natural leader, prefers being told what to do, the comfort of a group and to maintain the status quo. Doesn’t like change or surprises, prefers routine, stability and clear boundaries. Finds it hard to take charge and will avoid doing so, may be intimidated by dominant characters. w w w.you r hor se .co.u k
Cautious Horse: Doesn’t seek to lead, happy to do as he’s told. Likes routine and stability, may become anxious if this changes. Likes to know his job, and to do it. Not brave, and can become unsettled if asked to do too much.
Human: Analytical, task focused, prone to procrastination, takes time over decisions. Can be slow to act, but are perfectionists so will perform to a very high standard. Not natural leaders, sensitive to criticism, find change difficult and may become passive-aggressive.
Horse: Tends to be manmade, following bad experiences. Can appear quiet and placid, but underneath can be very flighty and may erupt without warning. Seeks the security of what he knows, very sensitive and copes best with small changes or tasks taken step-by-step. may 2013 your horse
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TOTAL
CONFIDENCE
PHOTO: KIT HOUGHTON, MITSUBISHI MOTORS, BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS
Expert advice to help you become a braver rider, feel safe and enjoy every ride
Sam Watson practises what he preaches to get to the top of his game - here he flies around Badminton in 2010
your horse may 2013
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Confidence skills for you and your horse this month
Build trust over poles
Forget the fences
Start off small
Introduce new exercises
Curb grumpy behaviour
Tack up with confidence
Jump with confidence To end our Total Confidence series on a high, top event rider Sam Watson’s here to help you beat your jumping worries
O
ver the past six months our Total Confidence series has been filled with expert advice to help boost your riding nerves at home and when competing. But, as eventer Sam Watson explains, true confidence in the saddle requires your horse to feel confident too, and he’s on
hand this month to help you inspire just that. With a wealth of competition experience under his belt, Sam’s here to complete the transformation to a confident new you, with his confidence boosting tips for you AND your horse – plus the essential ‘jump busting’ exercises that will help you go clear every time.
Boost your self-belief There are countless explanations as to what ‘confidence’ actually is and many theories about how to gain it or build it up. In my opinion, ‘self-belief’ is an accurate way to describe it, but my own simplified definition is, ‘confidence is the eradication of doubt’. I like the word ‘doubt’ because everyone has doubts at some point in their life and we mustn’t be ashamed or feel alienated when we experience these thoughts or feelings. In fact, it’s perfectly normal! I remember very clearly my early days as a trainer, and one of my first groups at a cross-country clinic. I was watching a group of four warm up over some small fences. There was one girl who clearly had a wonderful natural instinct, everything was in a lovely rhythm and was effortlessly smooth. w w w.you r hor se .co.u k
Unfortunately, another was not so smooth. When I pulled the group in for a chat, I was astonished that the latter was beaming with enthusiasm, describing her assault over the rustic fences as ‘fantastic’ and didn’t seem too bothered by her near-death experience with an innocuous log. The girl who’d ridden beautifully expressed her concern that she may have put her horse on a bad stride. This just proves that confidence is an unfathomable phenomenon. I’m not here to magically erase doubt from your minds, and I don’t want to hear that the Badminton entries have suddenly increased by a couple of thousand thank you very much, but I do want to introduce you to a system which builds confidence for you and your steed.
OUR EXPERT Sam Watson is an event rider and trainer. He’s ridden at some of the top events in the world, including Badminton and Burghley, so he’s the perfect partner to help you banish your jumping nerves and build up your confidence. Follow Sam on Twitter – @watsoneventing
Coming up On pages 33 to 35, Your Horse favourites, Richard Maxwell and Charles Wilson answer your questions
may 2013 your horse
In friends we Trust! Join us in our fight to raise £5,000 for The Horse Trust as we meet more of the horses in desperate need of your help
R
ight now, there are two hairy Horse Trust residents desperately in need of our help in the form of ‘little and large’ – aka 19hh Klyde and tiny rescue pony Teddy (check them out next to the carrot on the far right!). They’re the poster boys for our campaign to raise funds for this fantastic charity. Our pledge? To help the Horse Trust team fund a major re-build at their Buckinghamshirebased rehabilitation yard in a
£5,000 money-raising push. However, Teddy and Klyde aren’t the only horses set to benefit from the new rehab centre. Every year the Trust takes in scores of horses, ponies and donkeys – some of whom (like Teddy) have been terribly neglected; others who are simply in need of a home after a working life in the forces. So this month we meet one of Teddy and Klyde’s lucky-to-be-alive fieldmates, Maggie, to show why we need your help to support the Trust’s work.
‘She was a walking skeleton’ Abandoned in a flooded field in Hertfordshire, three-year-old Maggie was close to death and described by the police and RSPCA as a ‘walking skeleton’ when she was rescued earlier this year. The rescue wasn’t without its drama – it took almost a week to initially catch Maggie as she wasn’t used to being handled and was terrified of people. She eventually had to be sedated with a tranquiliser dart. The emaciated, lice-infested mare was thought to have survived by eating tree bark, but after emergency treatment at the Royal Veterinary College, Maggie was taken to The Horse Trust for a hefty dose of expert TLC. Several weeks of 24-hour care and attention were to follow, but, despite her terrible condition, it seems no-one will be prosecuted for this appalling neglect as her owner can’t be traced. Sadly, this case isn’t unique or even rare – there’s been an alarming increase in the number of horses being abandoned across the UK during the last winter, and in February five horses are known to have died within five miles of
where Maggie was found. Maggie’s one of the lucky ones – she’s now being cared for by the dedicated staff at The Horse Trust and is gradually learning to trust people for the first time. Although still thin and showing signs of her ordeal, Maggie has slowly started to gain weight. Vets say she may only have a 50/50 chance of survival, but staff at The Horse Trust are hopeful, especially given the specialist care and attention they provide. “Maggie is just one of the victims of our current equine welfare crisis,” says the charity’s Chief Executive Jeanette Allen. “In the UK there are too many horses and not enough homes. Horses like Maggie have little commercial value and sadly this means more and more horses are being abandoned.” Proof, if it’s needed, that our support is vital. Please donate today and help the Trust come to the rescue of more abandoned, starved horses like Maggie – even £1 will help them carry out their work. Go online to www.horsetrust.org.uk to see more stories about horses the Trust is helping.
Maggie, seen here with Welfare Assistant Charlotte Launder, still has a mountain to climb – and with your help we can help the Trust give her the care she needs
Maggie when she first arrived at The Horse Trust
Text ‘HTTX01 £5’ to 70070 (text
or donate at: www.horsetrust.org.uk/
Helping The Horse Trust
Farewell to an old friend
On a rather sad note, we have to say goodbye to one of the Trust’s best-loved residents – retired police horse Chiswick (or Daniel to friends). His sudden death came as a huge shock to The Horse Trust team who’d loved and cared for him since he arrived for respite care in February 2012. Chiswick permanently retired from the Metropolitan Police in November after a decorated 12-year career – a highlight of which in the bravery stakes was jumping a burning barricade during the student riots in 2010. No stranger to the limelight, Chiswick acted as mounted escort to the Queen’s Life Guard, Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and the Royal Wedding in 2011. He held the position of a ‘pointer’ during state funerals, where he was ridden by the Inspector of the Mounted Branch, and was on patrol for the London 2012 Olympics. He even featured in the 2002 Bond film Die Another Day! His untimely death has left a 17.3hh-size hole in the lives of the Trust’s staff, who had
The late, great Chiswick on parade
this to say about the gentle giant in a tribute they penned: “Being predominantly a retirement home for horses and ponies who have served, we have to cope with difficult goodbyes often, but losing Chiswick came as a real shock to us all. “He was such an amazing character and so full of life. We had hoped to have him with us for many years to come, but tragically it was not to be. He had served the people of London faithfully and exceptionally during his working life and his sudden and
Please help us!
Ssshhh… as the money rolls in
It’s easy to donate to our appeal and help us raise the £5,000 The Horse Trust so desperately needs to build Teddy and Klyde a new stable as part of the re-build of the charity’s rehabilitation centre. Donate at www.horsetrust.org.uk/ teddyandklyde or text using the details below
unexpected loss leaves an enormous hole in our hearts. “We send huge love to PC Mick Wass who rode Daniel for all those years, first in the Parks Police and then in the Met, and whose bond with the big fella was exceptional. No doubt Daniel will be tanking through fences and flirting with girls and keeping a watchful eye over Mick and his Horse Trust mates from above. Goodnight, Daniel, people all over the world loved you and we will miss you terribly.”
Slow and steady wins the race – our funds are gradually going up
We’re keen to do our bit to help reach our £5,000 target, and first to step up to the fundraising mantel was YH writer Larissa Chapman. Her challenge was to stay silent for an entire working day, and not known for being the shy and retiring type, we knew this was going to be a struggle! But she did it – raising over £130 in the process.
ONLY £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 and £10)
/teddyandklyde
BETTER RIDING
Easy-to-follow expert advice for beginners to advanced riders
your horse may 2013
page 48
Essential hacking
page 50
Get started in endurance
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page 60
Post competition exercises
At the start of the lesson, Jules needs to do more to support Edward over fences
page 68
Big day nerves
This month in Better Riding 40 Private lesson Support for a young jumper 48 Essential Know-how Liven up your hacking 50 enjoy endurance How to start long-distance riding 56 essential know-how
Improve his topline 60 post comp exercises Help your horse recover 66 essential know-how Seeing a stride 68 big day nerves Give your confidence a boost
Private Lesson Trainer John Adams helps you support an inexperienced jumper with advice on improving your canter, jump position and turns
Words Katy Islip Pictures Matthew Roberts Edward finds working on the left rein harder, so developing an even contact will help him with his jumping
Meet the trainer
Warm up with an even contact
because it’s often easier to get a As they warm up, Edward looks horse to increase the weight in a forward going, but Jules tells me he rein when it’s to the outside, and can still be a little on the forehand, I want Jules to use a little countera common problem for young or flexion to encourage Edward to inexperienced horses. I want her carry more weight through that left to work in trot first, keeping rein. When you’re working like Edward’s strides nice and level, this, think about riding your horse establishing consistency from the up from your inside leg into that off. Jules says Edward works better outside hand, moving in an uphill on the right rein, and watching way with his inside hind stepping them it’s clear he’s stronger on this underneath his body. rein than the left. Now Jules has a feel for carrying It’s common for horses to favour more weight in her left hand, I one side like this, just as we’re left want her to change onto the left or right handed. However, it’s vital rein, keeping the you have your horse same feel and equal in his flatwork stillness in her left – any crookedness in hand, and using her trot will be magnified leg to send Edward in canter and over ●● To help Jules forward positively jumps, so first we’re encourage Edward into the contact. Use going to work on into an even contact gentle feels down getting Edward level ●● To ride accurate your outside in the contact. turns into fences, (stronger) rein so your I want Jules to keep with controlled horse can’t lean on it. her left hand very getaways Once he’s working still, maintaining a ●● To use her position into your inside rein, feel of increased to help Edward you can lighten that weight. I’ve started over fences outside hand. them on the right rein
The lesson focus:
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JOHN ADAMS spent several years in Germany training and working with German show jumpers. Upon returning to the UK he spent 12 years riding and producing young jumpers. He’s been teaching riders of all levels for almost 20 years, specialising in show jumping.
Meet the rider Jules Millar has had six-yearold Irish Sport Horse Edward for a year. Edward had previously hunted but Jules found he initially tripped over fences in the school. He’s now show jumping happily but Jules wants help in improving her position and building her confidence.
may 2013 your horse
Go the distance From a 10-mile pleasure ride to a 100-mile race, endurance offers something for everyone – and with knock-on benefits for other disciplines, there’s no excuse not to try it
Beth Langley is an endurance rider who’s represented Britain five times in European and World Championships, and gained the highest ever GB Young Rider placing in European and World Championships.
Jeni Gilbert is Endurance GB (EGB) Rides and Rules Chair. She and her unregistered Connemara pony Flurrie were EGB Supreme Champions in 2007 and 2011 and have completed more than 7,500km in competition.
Rachael Claridge is an FEI Endurance rider and UKCC accredited coach. She’s represented Team GBR at World and European Championship level. For more information visit www.rachael claridge.com
T
hink endurance is a mere hack around the countryside? Well, think again! With fun rides open to every horse and rider, knock-on benefits that will boost other areas of your riding, and a huge variety of distances and routes to choose from, it’s an easy-to-break-into sport. All you
need to get started is a pair of riding boots and some stretchy breeches. And with top riders like Mary King giving it the thumbs up, there’s never been a better time to up the miles and feel the benefit. Follow our expert guide to getting started plus our 12-week plan to making sure your horse is ready and you’ll be off in no time.
Photo: AGC Photography
OUR EXPERTs
Endurance can take the pressure off if you’re a nervous competitor
Why you’ll be hooked “At endurance competitions the atmosphere is electric and everyone’s so friendly,” says Jeni Gilbert. “You’ll meet friends for life at these events and there are some truly wonderful, fun-loving people. Everyone’s always willing to help, even when you’re competing against them. “Another important element of the sport is the crew. In order to succeed in longer rides, you need the support of a good crew who are there to help you through vet gates and give you water on the way round. A lot of husbands and wives get involved, giving it a real family feel, and it helps to bring everyone together.” “Endurance is also the perfect sport for anyone who’s overcome with nerves when it comes to competing,” adds Beth Langley. “When competing in dressage, for instance, you have the pressure of riding in the ring with all eyes on
your horse may 2013
you, whereas in endurance, it’s just you, your horse and the open road, particularly at the lower levels.” Mention the word endurance and you’ll probably think of lean, mean, mile-clocking machines, namely Arabs, but all types of horses from the chunkier cobs to ex-racehorses can take part and have a great time. And if the thought of the ultimate 100 miles in a day fills you with terror, competitive rides start at just 32k (or 20 miles), or there are even shorter pleasure or training rides. The sport has knock-on benefits for other disciplines, too. Whether you’re a dressage diva or eventing pro, fitness is crucial in any discipline, and endurance helps you and your horse build this fitness to a winning level. After all, a fitter rider and fitter horse will perform better, whether they’re in the show jumping ring or out on the cross-country course.
Endurance is as challenging as you want to make it, from pleasure rides to full-on 100-milers
Get started in endurance
Better Riding
your horse may 2013
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Post-competition advice
Better Riding
Post show recovery Help your horse get over the exertions of show day with our expert advice from top trainer Nick Turner Words Katy Islip
W
hen the thrill of competition day has subsided, you might think all your horse wants is some downtime, but that’s not
necessarily the best way to help him actively recover. Trainer Nick Turner’s expert advice will help your horse feel his best after competing, whatever your discipline. OUR EXPERT
The day after the show When your horse has been out competing, there are plenty of things you can do to help him recover, from assessing his physical condition to helping him relax, stay supple and keep moving. Make the day after a competition outing your assessment day, when you make sure everything is as it should be, and if it’s not, you’ll have caught it early and can ask your vet for advice. In the stable, check his legs carefully and make sure everything looks and feels ok, keeping an eye out for any heat, lumps, cuts or swollen areas.
Make sure he seems bright and alert, has eaten and drunk as normal and passed the usual amount of droppings and urine. It’s never a bad idea to take his temperature, breathing rate and pulse as well, to check his general health. We list below what’s normal for a horse, but if you check regularly and keep on-going records, you’ll be able to see if there have been any changes in your horse’s welfare. ●● Temperature – 37.5-38.5C ●● Breathing rate (at rest) – 8-14 breaths per minute ●● Pulse (at rest) – 28-44 beats per minute
Nick Turner is a professional show jumper turned international eventer. He’s now Irish Eventing’s High Performance Manager, an accredited British Eventing and British Dressage coach, a senior international selector and a Fellow of the British Horse Society. Find out more about Nick at www. ntsporthorses. co.uk
Once the hard work of competition is done, you need to help your horse relax and recover
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may 2013 your horse
How to stay cool under pressure Top tips to help keep your nerves under control, whether you’re facing dressage judges for the first time or going cross-country OUR EXPERTS
Charlie Unwin is a sports psychology coach who specialises in helping riders. Find out more about him at www. performance legacy.com/ charlieunwin.htm
Caroline Putus is an NLP practitioner who’s trained in the use of Bach Flower Remedies, homeopathy and positive stress management. Find out more at www. enjoyriding.com
A
cool head and nerves of steel may seem elusive as you trot into the ring ahead of your first ever clear round class or step up a level in eventing, but with the right preparation and mindset you can cast aside that ‘arghh, what am I doing?’ feeling and replace it with a renewed sense of calm. Over the next few pages we’ll
give you all the tools you need to face every momentous occasion in the saddle with confidence. So whether it’s first-time nerves at a competition or simply a case of facing your biggest fears out on a hack, our problem-solving guide will help you cope with whatever the day throws at you – and guarantee it’s more fun than fear-filled.
Problem
detrimental when combined with the added pressure of having to remember your dressage test or face the challenge of a crosscountry course. “Horses appreciate a consistent leader, and nerves brought on by negative thoughts affect your ability to perform as an effective leader, whatever challenges you face,” says sports psychologist Charlie Unwin. So if negative thoughts tend to flood your brain, you need to replace them with positive ones. “You can override negative thoughts with more powerful imagery of things going well,” says Charlie, who explains that imagery has a powerful effect on the brain. “When you’re going crosscountry or show jumping, try walking the course twice,” he adds. “The first time, walk the course logically, thinking about how you’re going to approach each jump and which fence comes next, etc. The second time, walk the course while visualising what riding it is going to feel like. When you think about jumping a log, for instance, picture how it’ll feel. “If you’ve already visualised riding the course, when you’re about to go cross-country or enter the show jumping ring, your brain will be so well prepared it’ll feel as though it’s jumping round the course for the second time,” says Charlie. “This means things are less likely to go wrong on the day, and if they do, you’ll be able to respond better.”
Despite all your best efforts, you can’t help imagining things going wrong when you ride, rather than right. For example, as a competition approaches, you fear making a fool of yourself in front of a crowd or hurting yourself, or when friends invite you on a fun ride, you worry what will happen if the horses take off across a field.
Solution First off, you need to appreciate the fact that your mind has a huge impact on your physical state. If your thoughts are negative, your body language will be negative too, and horses are masters at picking up on this. Your thoughts also have an impact on your heart rate and nervous system – and this can be
Walk the course twice and the second time, visualise what riding it will feel like
your horse may 2013
Tackle nerves head on
Better Riding
A positive mindset will ensure you keep your cool and have fun – whatever the challenge
HORSE CARE
Keep your horse healthy and happy page 82
Essential drinking
page 84
Veteran care
Observation, management and attention to detail are the three keys to keeping your horse injury free
your horse may 2013
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This month in Horse Care
page 96
Beat his nerves
page 101
Herbs for health
74 keep him sound Tips to keep your horse injury-free 82 Essential know-how Is he drinking enough? 84 vital veteran care Looking after older horses
92 E ssential know-how Stress-free travel 96 beat his nerves Teach him to be confident 101 power of herbs Why a herbal cuppa could do your horse good
Keep him
sound Whatever your discipline, our expert vet advice will help you prevent some common injuries
Words Carolyn Henderson
D
o you sometimes feel as though your horse is an accident on four legs waiting to happen? Or are you wondering why he develops problems when another of the same type, with a similar workload, stays sound? You can never guarantee you can keep your horse injury-free. But, as specialist competition vet Andy Bathe explains, there’s lots you can do to minimise the risks – and keeping your horse on the road largely boils down to three key areas: ●● Observation ●● Management ●● Attention to detail
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Prevention is better than cure, so start your mission for soundness by taking a fresh look at your horse, the way you work and keep him – and even your own riding ability and fitness. Horses who compete regularly and are well schooled and well cared for don’t necessarily run a higher risk of injury than those who are ridden purely for pleasure. In fact, they may be better off because they’re usually better prepared. What we do know, however, is that some activities are more likely to be associated with certain problems. Find out why, and what you can do to help, over the page.
OUR EXPERT Vet Andy Bathe is a partner at Rossdale and Partners in Newmarket and was a member of the veterinary team at the London Olympics. He treats competition horses from all disciplines, from those at the start of their careers to equine celebs.
may 2013 your horse
With care and attention your veteran can go on to a ripe old age
Vital veteran care
Horse Care
Help him be a golden oldie Your horse may have a few grey hairs but that doesn’t mean he’s ready for retirement just yet – our expert advice will help you keep him in top condition Words Katy Islip
Y
ou’re as young as you feel, or so the saying goes, but when it comes to our older horses the temptation to wrap them up in cotton wool can be hard to resist. However, most veterans happily carry on into an active old age, so we’ve spoken to Nicky Jarvis, head vet at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, for her top tips to make sure your oldie stays happy and healthy.
So what’s old?
Several veterinary studies classify a geriatric horse to be over the age of 15, but Nicky says you must assess how a horse is ageing on an individual basis, taking into account his breed, how well he was looked after as a youngster and any other health problems he has. Nicky adds: “As a rough guide, taking his age and multiplying it by three will reflect how he would feel in human years, so a 20-year-old-horse is likely to feel like a 60-year-old person.” Smaller ponies tend to be longer-lived than large horses, and cross-breeds often have fewer health issues than pure-breds.
OUR EXPERT Nicky Jarvis is the senior veterinary surgeon at equine charity Redwings. She’s particularly interested in the care of the veteran horse, and regularly speaks on the topic at events including Your Horse Live. Find out more about Redwings at www. redwings.org.uk
Travel without It’s great getting out and about with your horse, but boxing him up can be quite a nerve-racking process – our expert advice will help lift the load
OUR EXPERT Jenny Ellis has been a professional groom for more than 30 years working for riders including Nick Skelton and Richard Davison. Accolades include winning the 2008 FEI International Groom Award and getting an Unsung Hero award after the London 2012 Olympics.
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hether you’re heading to a competition or just for a hack somewhere new, preparing your horse for travel can be a bit stressful – just what you don’t need if you’re already coping with show-day nerves or want a relaxing outing. To help you and your horse enjoy calm and safe travel, we asked expert travelling groom Jenny Ellis for her top transport tips. She says: “With a bit of care and attention you can get your horse to wherever you’re going in a fit and healthy state, so you can both enjoy your day out.”
before you set off
If you’re new to travelling your horse, it can be case of trial and error in working out what’ll come in handy away from home. Some items are simply common sense, such as a first aid kit which stays on your lorry or trailer or a spare leadrope and headcollar but planning what else to pack will really help. Jenny says: “Making a list helps you think about what you’ll need, and getting packed the night before is a great idea, because it makes the morning less stressful for both you and your horse.” Before you go anywhere, it’s also a good idea to get a sense of
what’s normal for your horse, so you can check his wellbeing on the move. Jenny says: “Take your horse’s temperature, learn to take his pulse on his jaw, check his respiration and monitor how much he drinks over a few days before you go to get an idea of what’s normal – this will help you spot if there are any problems.” Plan your journey – if your route involves cities or busy areas, try to avoid these at peak times so you don’t get stuck in traffic and keep your purse to hand if you’ll be using toll roads. If you don’t already have roadside recovery, take the number of a reputable equestrian recovery firm with you.
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stress Be passport savvy
You’re required to have your horse’s passport with you at all times when you’re with him, unless he’s in his stable, out grazing or being moved by foot (this includes short hacks), so don’t forget to take it with you whenever you travel him, and ensure all his vaccinations are up to date.
Being prepared will take the stress out of travelling your horse
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MAY 2013 your horse
At his first ever outing your horse is likely to be thinking ‘Where did all these horses come from – and where’s the nearest exit?’
your horse may 2013
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Get inside his mind
Horse Care
Help him beat his first-time nerves Understanding your horse’s fears is the key to helping him cope when faced with the challenge of a new outing, whether it’s his first competition or first hack Words Larissa Chapman OUR EXPERTs
Michael Peace is a specialist trainer who works with young and problem horses at all levels and from all disciplines. Visit www. thinkequus.com
Charles Wilson MA BHSAI is a natural horsemanship expert who helps horses and their owners improve their partnership. Visit www. naturalhorse trainer.co.uk
Steph Croxford is a top dressage rider who has had some amazing success on her unconventional dressage horses, Mr President and Clyde.
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hether you’re about to take your young horse on his first ever hack, to his first ever show – or even if he’s only just returned to competing having been confined to the yard for a few months – you can expect the challenge of a new, buzzy environment to spark bolshie, excitable behaviour in
even the calmest of horses. The key to helping him relax, stay calm and perform well is to understand his worries and become the quiet, confident friend he needs to hold his hoof. Here to help you do just that is problem horse trainer Michael Peace, natural horsemanship expert Charles Wilson and dressage rider Steph Croxford.
Lots of horses become over excited when at a show or competition
Get inside his mind “The best way to tap into our horses’ minds and help us understand how they’re feeling is to imagine ourselves in their situation,” explains Michael Peace. “Your horse’s first time out after a break, or first time out ever if he’s a youngster, can be compared to when we first go abroad. “We’ve all experienced that alien feeling as we step off the plane – the light is different, the culture is different, the smells and sounds are different and it can really blow our minds. This is the same for your horse when he leaves the comfort, security and familiarity of his yard and stable buddies. Whether he’s going on an outing or lesson, a hack, or heading to a competition – he’s going to see things that he’s never seen before
Your horse will see things he’s never seen before when away from home
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or that he doesn’t encounter on a regular basis. “Some people believe it’s not right to anthropomorphise our horses and put human emotion onto them, but understanding emotion and comparing their scary situation to ours will help us to empathise with how they’re feeling. After all, emotions are all the same whether you’re a human or a horse.”
Suspicious ways
“An important fact to remember when dealing with horses is that they’re much more sceptical and suspicious than we are,” adds Michael. “They have an inherent distrust of anything unfamiliar and potentially scary. “As soon as you walk out of your yard, your horse is programmed to be on high alert and ready for something to happen. We’ve all been there when he suddenly turns from your soft and supple superstar to a bundle of trembling nerves, with ears pricked and nostrils flared. In fact, new situations can trigger even the most placid of steeds to behave like the devil possessed – napping and spooking at potential monsters lurking around the corner. “Every horse is different and the trick to a stress-free outing lies in understanding what makes him tick and how to calm him down.”
Act like a leader
To help your horse cope in a new or unfamiliar situation, you need to instil him with confidence. Confidence is a delicate phenomenon at the best of times, and when faced with an unfamiliar situation, even the calmest of nerves can be rattled. “Horses are instinctively flight animals and when faced with a scary situation they revert back to this behaviour,” explains Charles Wilson. “Your horse will naturally look for routine and stability to give him confidence. “In a nutshell, your horse is looking for security all the times, and in a herd situation, whether in the wild or his domesticated paddock, he’ll look to his herd leader for guidance. A herd leader in the equine sense is a level headed and confident horse, so it’s important that we replicate this in human form and he trusts and respects you as his leader.” ●● See this month’s Total Confidence section (p28) for more on Charles’ leadership advice. may 2013 your horse
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The power of herbs
Horse Care
More tea, Flicka? A herbal brew could hold the key to your horse’s good health – and help you save money on vet bills Words Larissa Chapman
OUR EXPERT Holly Llewellyn is the founder of Forest Farmacy, which produces natural, organic solutions for equine problems. For more information, visit www. forestfarmacy. com
Certain herbs can be offered as a tisane, or to give it its less technical name, a herbal tea!
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n today’s high-tech age, there are still huge benefits to be found in going back to nature and offering your horse a range of medicinal plants and herbs – and the good news is that it’s easier than you might think to tap into nature’s medicine cabinet. From a mug of herbal tea (yes, really!) to
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easy-to-make herbal rinses for the skin, you can re-introduce some of the medicinal plants and herbs your horse would have self-selected if he lived in the wild, things often missing from their modern day paddocks. Signs your horse is missing something from his diet include:
●● Chewing the bark from a tree - this
could suggest your horse is in need pain of relief. White willow bark is used to ease pain and reduce inflammation. Researchers believe that the chemical salicin, found in willow bark, is responsible for these effects. A modified form of salicylic acid is used in aspirin May 2013 your horse
Photo: posed by models
Horses can mirror our emotional state, so simply being with a horse can reveal a lot about you
Horses: the best therapy
Horses to the rescue A revolutionary new treatment uses horses to help people who suffer from addiction or mental health problems get their lives back on track. We take a look at this ground-breaking work
Words Andrea Oakes
E OUR EXPERT Don Lavender is an American psychotherapist who runs Camino Recovery, a rehab centre on Spain’s Andalucian coast. He’s an expert in equine assisted psychotherapy (or EAP). Find out more at www. caminorecovery. com
veryone who has anything to do with horses knows they can have a positive effect on our outlook and emotions, but pioneering work is now proving they have the potential to help people conquer significant mental health issues. This revolutionary treatment is equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP), and it tackles a range of problems including addiction, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder by tapping into the ability of horses to make people feel better. For many years, organisations such as the Riding for the Disabled Association and the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy have enabled those with physical and mental disabilities to enjoy the remedial effects of equestrian activities. EAP, however, uses the interaction between horses and humans as a tool for treating addiction and other mental health issues. The therapeutic influence of horses is gaining recognition worldwide – The Sun newspaper recently reported that football legend Paul Gascoigne is being treated with EAP in an attempt to beat his addiction to alcohol. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to benefit. People from all walks of life are experiencing the unique ability of horses to help them get their lives back on track.
herd instinct
American psychotherapist Don Lavender was among the first to explore how horses can be used within an addiction therapy programme, and he’s since brought EAP to Camino Recovery, a rehab centre on Spain’s Andalucia coast. We talked to him to find out exactly how horses are helping
addicts and trauma victims to overcome their problems. According to Don, the fact that a horse is a prey animal – rather than a predator – makes him an ideal partner for therapy work. “Prey animals have a different kind of hypervigilance,” he says, referring to the way that the horse has a heightened sense of awareness of the potential dangers in his environment. “It boils down to safety in numbers. If a horse accepts you, even though he smells humans as predators, he is allowing you to become a member of the herd.”
An emotional mirror
Don explains that horses can mirror physical and emotional states in humans. “Horses know when a human is afraid by picking up signals such as breathing, heart rate and pheromone release,” he says. “They don’t know what you fear, but they know that when a member of the herd is afraid then they should be, too. Therapists using EAP can read the reactions and responses of the horse to reveal the emotional state of the person and gain insights that are simply not possible with other disciplines. “Often, people struggling with depression or anxiety, for example, are medicated to such a point that they’re no longer in touch with their own emotions and fear. Horses reflect these emotional states – what is instinctual to a horse becomes the teaching tool to a human.” Don adds that the close-knit nature of the equine herd is both revealing to the therapist and educational for someone struggling to overcome addiction. “Within the herd, boundaries are tightly may 2013 your horse
Expert advice on buying wisely
� BUYERS
GUIDE
page 128
First look
page 130
Healthy hooves
Instead of lounging on the beach, you could be splashing in the sea in Scotland with your horse
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page 136
page 146
Gilets
Gear we love
This month in Buyers’ Guide 118 horseback Holidays Our round-up of riding holidays in this country 128 first look Three great new products including dial-up laces! 130 healthy hooves
Top tips for foot care 136 gilets on test 12 of the best gilets and waistcoats tested 146 gear we love The kit the YH team and readers can’t live without
Horseback holidays Our round-up of the 14 best UK riding holidays that won’t bust the budget and will inspire you to take to the saddle instead of lounging on the beach this summer
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hether you want to spend your two-weeks’ annual break exploring pastures new with your own horse, or invest the time improving your skills on an instructional break, there’s a great riding holiday with your name on it this summer, and we’re here to help you find it.
We looked at riding holidays abroad in issue 369 so this time we’re concentrating on what’s on offer in this country – and there’s loads to choose from. Read on to find out everything you need to know to book up with confidence, but be warned – you’ll be so inspired you’ll want to have your phone and credit card within easy reach to get booking!
Expert help when it’s needed If you’re not sure about going it alone, there are companies out there to help. Equestrian Escapes for instance, can help you tailor-make the perfect riding holiday for you. It works with an established network of yards to provide bespoke packages, with a range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. The team will ask you a few simple questions, then ‘build’ you the right holiday, including accommodation and all riding – whether that’s lessons or hacking. Prices start at around £275 per person for a weekend, although if you opt to take your own horse, you’re looking at a budget of around £150 per person. As you would expect, the summer months (June through to August) are the most popular, and favourite destinations include north Devon for beach riding, Wiltshire’s Rushmoor Estate and Cheshire – there’s even a spa holiday option here, what could be better for unwinding after riding! ● www.equestrian-escapes.com
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may 2013 your horse
Gilets like this Cavallo Venezia vest are a must-have item
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Put to the test
Buyers’ Guide
Gilets, vests & waistcoats Buyers’ Guide editor Allison Lowther picks 12 of the best, to see which ones will keep you warm and comfy in and out of the saddle
How we tested them YH contributor and show jumping trainer Carol Mailer and I wore all the gilets in our test for yard work, riding and casual wear, where appropriate.
We assessed how well each fitted, considered what it looked like, its suitability for yard work, riding and its comfort plus whether each gilet lived
up to the manufacturer’s claims. Finally we looked at the price to decide, taking into account our comments, whether we’d buy it or recommend you do?
What to look for Padding / filling Little or no filling is great for warmer days. Thicker/ down filled waistcoats will keep you warmer on colder days
Hood A fashionable addition, great for keeping you warm and dry
Rear adjustment This gives a closer fit and a smart look
SHAPING A bit of shaping at the waist gives a smarter appearance
storm flap Stops rain getting through the zip
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Pockets A useful addition for all your bits and bobs
Riding vents These can be opened when you’re riding to give you a little more comfort and room
may 2013 your horse
A world-famous commentator he may be, but away from the microphone Mike’s happiest at home on his Cotswold farm
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The Big Interview
Mike Tucker
He’s the voice of some of the biggest equestrian events in the UK and a true unsung hero of the equine world. We find out more about Mike Tucker – and his life behind the mic Words Larissa Chapman Photography Matthew Roberts
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is face might not be instantly recognisable, but his voice will be music to your ears – have a listen at www.yourhorse.co.uk/ miketucker. As far as horse sport goes, Mike Tucker is the voice behind it all, commentating on everything from Badminton and Burghley Horse Trials to the Shetland Pony Grand National at Olympia and numerous Olympic Games, including London 2012. But commentating hardly scratches the surface of this accomplished horseman’s talents. With 12 Badminton Horse Trials under his belt (as a rider, not behind the
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mic), as well as a stint spent grooming for an Olympic gold medallist and his heavy involvement with safety in the sport, Mike has a story or two to tell about his time in the horse world – and he tells them all with an intrinsically charming and witty banter. Pulling up at Mike’s Cotswolds farmhouse, he cuts a confident and endearing figure as he stands proudly on his yard and greets us with a warm ‘Tucker’ welcome. After just a few minutes in his company, it’s easy to see why he’s made a career out of commentary – I imagine he could effortlessly turn a paint-drying contest into an ‘edge of your seats’ affair!
may 2013 your horse
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– whatever his issue we help you tackle it head on
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Beat the clock
– how you can find the time to ride, work and play!
In Better Riding
✦ Crack half-halts
✦ Perfect your position ✦ Ride extended trot In Horse Care
✦ Managing his weight
✦ Dealing with bolshy horses ✦ Wound care In Buyers’ Guide
✦ Competition breeches on test ✦ Essential leg protection ✦ Picking the right fly rug
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