Your Horse 383 march 2014
ishn W ding i r pani rth
Easy ways to calm a stressy horse with Jason Webb
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healing power
✓ Take a break & boost your bond ✓ Plan your perfect riding holiday ✓ Bag your dream horsey job
The benefits of magnetic therapy explored
VITal VET guIDE Equine arthritis explained
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✦ Arthritis explAined ✦ CArl hester & ChArlotte dujArdin ✦ mAgnetic therApy ✦ long-reining ✦ win A riding holidAy
Escape winter
simple stretches
Master them all and boost your horse's suppleness
amazing arabs!
ExclusIVE!
Carl & Charlotte
Their mystery uncovered
The dressage duo give their most revealing interview yet tina Cook tells all How she juggles kids and horses as a single mum
exit the arena! Fresh ways to work outside the school
how to long-rein
Learn the ropes with our quick, expert guide
‘I get paid to spot elephants!’ YH reader Louise Ruffell has an amazing job in the heart of Africa. We discover how she made her dream of working with horses a reality, and what it’s really like to get paid to spot wild game
Louise (left), riding Likipia, left the UK to follow her dreams of working in Africa – and now treks the bush every day
your horse March 2014
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My dream job
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very time I saddle up and ride out, I have to pinch myself to prove the amazing scenery and wildlife I’m seeing is real. Two years ago, I swapped the less-than great weather of Ireland, and my job at a racing yard, to work in Botswana, southern Africa – and I haven’t looked back. Thanks to my position as stable manager for Okavango Horse Safaris, my days are spent helping take care of a 60-strong herd of horses and hacking out across the incredible 2,500km-square area of bush we have to ride in. This is my favourite part of my job – I love riding alongside hundreds of elephants, coming across thousands of buffalo or finding a pride of lions asleep in the heat of the day. The longer you’re in the bush, the more amazing things you witness, so the longer I’m here, the better it gets.
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Ever since I left university I’ve had a bit of wanderlust. I love travelling, but like to have a purpose, which is why working abroad appeals – you really get to know the country and its people. Before I came to Botswana I’d been to Kenya twice to work with horses at safari lodges. I definitely got the ‘Africa bug’ and used to wish I could go back for longer. Back home in Ireland I began work at a small National Hunt training yard, riding out four lots in the morning and helping with admin. It was a great job and I loved the excitement of riding racehorses. Sometimes we’d take them to the coast and the adrenaline rush of galloping a fully-fit Thoroughbred down a two-mile stretch of beach was something else. However, after a winter spent dreaming of Africa while getting chilblains I decided enough was enough – I had to make it happen.
Finding my job was down to good luck and perseverance. It wasn’t advertised, so I found it by asking around a lot, researching horse safaris and making sure my CV and cover letter were as good as I could make them. After a telephone interview and a lot of emails I was offered a trial, to my absolute delight. When I told my family and friends I got a bit of a mixed reaction – they were delighted I’d landed my dream job, but were also sad that I was moving so far away. The hardest thing was leaving my beloved dog Bandit behind and I still really miss him. Arriving in Botswana, my first impression was of the intense heat, and when I turned up at base camp I felt a little overwhelmed by it all – by the place itself, the 60 horses I’d have to get to know and meeting my
March 2014 your horse
Photo: Matthew RobeRts
Good-natured banter is key to Carl and Charlotte’s phenomenal success
your horse MARCH 2014
Carl and Charlotte reveal all!
Meet the real Carl & Charlotte who’s the best person to reveal the secrets of dressage star Carl hester? his protégé and team mate Charlotte Dujardin. they know each other’s good points – and bad – and aren’t afraid to voice them. sam Lewis is there to listen in…
Photo: bob LangRish
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t’s 9pm at night and from what Carl Hester’s told me about his weekly routine, he’ll be pouring a glass of white wine and settling in to watch a recording of the X Factor or chill out to a few tunes from Katie Melua. Would it bother, or indeed surprise him, that not far away in her cosy Cotswold cottage his protégé – Olympic golden girl Charlotte Dujardin – has just called him (one of the most decorated dressage riders in Europe) lazy? Probably not. Seven years and three Olympic gold medals later, Carl (46) and Charlotte (28) know each other’s good points – and bad. And they aren’t afraid to voice them either. “She’s a proper chav,” says Carl of Charlotte, not 10 minutes into the interview. “He has hideous fashion sense,” Charlotte retorts. “Sometimes he comes out of the lorry wearing luminous green trousers with shoes that clash and some crazy top that clashes too. He thinks he’s in his teens and that’s how he behaves. Oh, and he sneezes all over the place too.” Frequently described as a married couple (without the extra bits), Charlotte and Carl’s relationship remains intrinsically entwined with that dancing horse, Valegro. Charlotte no longer works for Carl, but continues to ride the superstar for him (and co-owner Roly Luard), training together several times a week. “Valegro keeps us together,” says Carl matter of factly, adding that Charlotte can be so abrupt that some people might consider her rude. “Four mornings is enough!” adds Charlotte (laughing). While Carl is happy to chatter on the phone with me for an hour one winter’s evening, Charlotte is harder to pin down. After riding all day, she’s in a hurry to get to the gym. “I think she goes about five times a week, she’s very private and doesn’t socialise much,” says Carl. “I’ve
Carl and Charlotte’s relationship will be forever associated with the Olympic gold medal-winning Valegro
always been the big social person at shows, chatting and drinking. She wants to have an early dinner, learn her test and go to bed.” And when I quiz Charlotte the following day, she shrugs it off and agrees. They may both ride like angels, but they are chalk and cheese. “I love going to the gym and work really hard on my core and stamina and it’s made me stronger as a rider,” says Charlotte. “But Carl is quite lazy. He’s happier to sit down and eat the cakes that everyone makes at the yard with his cup of tea, and in the evening he has his wine.” Carl conveniently lives in the Cotswolds next to an award-winning vineyard (the Three Choirs Vineyards) and openly admits he has a penchant for a glass or two of sauvignon blanc, be it New Zealand, French or Spanish. He also eats chocolate and cakes. In fact, at the moment, his diet is worse than ever before. “I gave up smoking recently, so I eat
everything in sight. I’ve given up trying to keep fit. I’m going to leave it to the spring and start all over again,” says Carl. So does he eat anything that’s healthy? “My favourite food is roast lamb stuffed full of garlic and anchovies with roast potatoes dripping in goose fat. I could live on that – I don’t even need any veg!”
Work hard, play hard Of course, enjoying life doesn’t mean Carl doesn’t work hard, and he only takes a week off a year. “I simply love what I do, it’s something I want to do every day,” he says. On a typical horse schooling day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays) Carl’s alarm goes off at 6.30am, he watches the news at 7am, feeds the dogs at 7.15am (not to mention a quick check on the cockatoo, 16 chickens, six guinea fowl and two cats), eats his breakfast at 7.30am and is out by 7.45am ready to ride his first horse at 8am or teach MARCH 2014 your horse
Total Confidence Welcome back to our Total Confidence series! We’ve got a jam-packed issue for you this month – our five top experts have been busy sharing their advice to make sure you’re full of confidence this season
Coming up this month
meet our confidence coacheS
Lucinda Green is an eventing legend and top trainer who runs XC the safe way clinics.
roSie JoneS is a Recommended Associate of Intelligent Horsemanship.
SyLvia Loch is one of the UK’s leading classical dressage riders and trainers.
nataSha Baker is a double Paralympic dressage rider and European Gold Medalist.
charLie unwin is an Olympic sports psychology coach with a special interest in riders.
Find out more about our coaches at www.yourhorse.co.uk/tc
28 natasha Baker helps you beat competition day nerves 30 Lucinda Green gives you confidence to tackle water 30 rosie Jones gives you tools to build confidence in a crisis 31 Sylvia Loch helps you use your position to maintain control 32 charlie unwin helps you analyse your performance in a positive way
Conquer your competition nerves! Many riders experience a crisis of confidence under the pressure of competing, but with natasha Baker’s top tips you can conquer your nerves in time for next season Most people get pre-competition nerves, whatever their discipline. In dressage the fear of forgetting your test just before you enter the arena is enough to send many riders into a spin! As with most things in life, practice makes perfect. Doing a lot of test riding on the run up to a competition so you’re fully prepared, means you can put those nerves aside. But, there are a few little tricks I find useful that you might find help you too.
See it and believe it
Like natasha, try visualising your test while on board
your horse february 2014
I find that visualising my test beforehand is a great method. Take yourself off to a quiet place, visualise the arena and imagine you’re riding your test in your head. You can also reinforce your visualisation with your body to ingrain the whole test and individual movements onto your brain. To try it, imagine your test either from the ground or while on board and move your body as you visualise your corners and different steps – this should help you get in the zone and fill you with confidence just before you head into the arena.
how to keep a cool head
For your day to be enjoyable and successful it’s crucial you can relax before you compete, whether you’re riding a test, jumping a round of show jumps or heading out on cross-country. Our horses are hugely sensitive, particularly horses ridden by para riders as it’s their job to be very sensitive to different, nonconventional aids. If you’re nervous or lacking in confidence, your horse will feel it, so it’s important to remember it’s not just about you, it’s also about your horse – you’re a team! I find sports psychology is a great tool to help with nerves and to build confidence, so if you have access to a sports psychologist around the competition season it will really help you to unravel your confidence demons. However, don’t despair, if you can’t get access to a psychologist then a close, knowledgeable and experienced friend can do the same thing. Ask them for their advice and talk to them about how you’re feeling, or just talk to them about anything other than your test if this helps to distract you. w w w.you r hor se .co.u k
Total Confidence
ride your horse in his competition tack at home to ensure it fits well and is comfortable
Make sure you and your horse look and feel the part in advance! When it comes to feeling confident, it’s sometimes the simplest things that can really give you a boost. Even what you wear as you ride can help because if you look smart and feel comfortable, you’ll naturally ooze confidence!
To ensure you always look and feel the part, never try out a new piece of kit at a competition – ride in it at home beforehand. This means you don’t have to worry about how you look, or feel uncomfortable, and the same goes for your horse’s gear.
Avoid using new kit for the first time when you’re at a show. You want to be confident that your horse is comfy too so numnahs, tack and everything else in between should be the gear he’s used to.
Better Riding
Learn to long-rein Escape the saddle and discover the benefits of long-reining – the perfect way to vary your winter schooling, improve your horse’s balance and establish a better contact, all from the ground
L OUR EXPERT Fred and rowena Cook run Equine Management and Training. They use long-reining in the rehabilitation of ex-racehorses and TBs who return to the track after injury. Visit www. equinetraining. co.uk
ong-reining is simply working your horse from the ground with two lines, so don’t be put off if you’ve not tried it before – it’s easy to pick up and you’ll soon have a new and fun way to school your horse. Done correctly, long-reining has a number of benefits. Unlike lungeing, you’re not restricted to working on a circle. Instead you can position yourself behind your horse (driving) or slightly to one side (more like lungeing with two reins). This allows you to do a variety of patterns, such as figures of eight and serpentines. You can regularly change direction and perfect your straight lines too. Plus you’ll have better control of your horse’s hindquarters than you do on
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the lunge, and be able influence his general way of going. You can also escape from the arena and long-rein in a field or on a bridleway. Working your horse using two lines will help improve his balance and can help establish a better contact. It’s also a great way to help build trust, and a good opportunity to watch your horse and how he moves. If you haven’t long-reined before, some equestrian centres and equine colleges run courses, which will enable you to get some experience. Alternatively, you can try our six-step guide (see over the page) and enlist the help of a knowledgeable friend to get you started. Always begin in a safe, enclosed space until you feel confident enough to go further afield.
The correct gear
For long-reining, your horse needs to wear his bridle, with the reins removed. He can wear a roller or his saddle with the stirrups pulled down and secured under his belly – a stirrup leather is ideal for this, simply pass it through each stirrup and fasten. You’ll need two lunge lines (25ft long) or slightly longer reins (30ft). Protective boots are a good idea. You’ll need to wear safe, comfortable footwear, and gloves and a hard hat are recommended.
MArch 2014 your horse
BETTER RIDING
Easy-to-follow expert advice for beginners to advanced riders
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get fit to ride
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Learn to long-rein
at the start of the lesson, Tori struggles to get Tip’s canter going anywhere fast
get rein-back right
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Dream riding holidays
ElEnI Murphy’s
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Jumping Masterclass
Every issue we give one reader a lesson with a pro – this month international show jumper Eleni Murphy helps Tori Brown crack the canter her eventer Tip needs to reach the next level Words Katy Islip Photography Martyn Barnwell
Standing in her stirrups allows Tori to send her weight down through her heels
Meet the trainer eLeni MurPhy is an international show jumper who has represented her native Greece on more than 10 nations Cup teams. A British showjumping pony five star coach, she holds a level 3 uK Coaching Certificate (uKCC).
Meet the rider Tori BroWn and her nine-yearold eventer Tip need help with their jumping, as they’re having problems with occasional refusals, knocking fences and landing on the right leg.
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Getting position perfect in your warm-up As Tori warms up, I want her to have Tip on a loose rein so he can look around – this will often help a horse settle into unfamiliar surroundings. Tori explains Tip’s flatwork is generally good – they compete at Medium level in dressage – but for jumping you sometimes need to work a little differently. It’s not that Tori’s been doing things wrong, but when I work my horses I’m doing flatwork specifically for jumping. Tori has a good position, but I’d like to see her heel a bit further down than it currently is, which will help her keep her leg more on Tip’s sides. If you struggle with this, first of all check you’ve just got your toes in your stirrup. Next I want Tori to stand up in her stirrups, using Tip’s neck for balance, if she needs to. If you’re trying this, think about sinking all
your weight down into your heel. Standing in your stirrups also helps free your horse’s back up. I want Tori to take a forward seat for their first few canters to help Tip warm up. You never want to be heavy on your horse’s back, and in rising trot I’d like to see Tori sitting a little more lightly than she’s currently doing. I want her to imagine she has pins in her saddle – this works wonders in helping riders sit a little lighter!
The lesson focus
●●To develop a more
forward canter
●●To stay straight after fences ●●To maintain impulsion
around corners
March 2014 your horse
Work on your own fitness and you’ll be amazed how your riding improves
your horse march 2014
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Better Riding
A positive new you!
Becoming a better, fitter, more effective rider starts right now. In the first of a three-part series, expert Jon Pitts explains how to boost mind, body and soul without setting foot in a gym
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s riders we often overlook just how hard we work in the saddle, both physically and mentally, instead switching our focus to our horses. So now’s the time to take a fresh look at both your fitness and your emotional health in a bid to make 2014 your most successful year ever. Over the next three months our series will give you quick and easy exercises that will make a real difference to your riding, and boost your confidence too. It’s so easy to make a lasting difference and emerge a fitter, healthier, slimmer rider with a better, more balanced mindset. Over the years I’ve spoken at length about how important the rider is to the equation. This is becoming increasingly important at the elite end of the spectrum, but it has implications for riders of all abilities. So often when we feel physically and mentally fit our horses suddenly start to move and use themselves better – and I promise that if you follow my three-month plan you’ll notice a
difference almost immediately. Here, we start with this month’s simple-tofollow ‘recovery’ phase, with tips, ideas and simple stretches (over the page) to set you on the right track.
time to reflect Over the winter months many of us will take a break from competing, and this is the perfect opportunity to review the past 12 months from your own perspective. It’s all too easy to focus just on how your horse performed, but it’s just as important to be aware of how you’ve done mentally and physically. Ask yourself if there have been times when you’ve limited your horse’s ability, or moments where your anxiety has crept in and affected your performance? Are there parts of your body that feel tight or hurt? We’re very good at getting the experts in to sort our horses out, but not so good with ourselves! I call this phase ‘mindfulness’ and it’s simply where you take time to become more aware of your body.
OUR EXPERT Jon Pitts has developed his own Fit to Ride program to offer riders of all ages and abilities a better, safer way to ride. To find out more visit www. fittoride.org
take time to assess your performance, whatever level you ride at
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march 2014 your horse
Ride ’em cowboy! Be inspired by the Your Horse readers who turned their riding holiday dreams into reality – now’s the time to think about ditching the Costas in favour of a horseback adventure Jane Wynyard the ranch rider
‘Every day, I’d have my fill of cowgirl moments!’ Keen to brave the elements and play at being a cowgirl for the week, Jane Wynyard, who lives in London, flew to mid-west America in spring last year to join the region’s real-life cattle herders. “I signed up for one of Ranch Rider’s holidays and joined nine other guests from across the globe at The Dryhead Ranch, tucked 4,000 metres above sea level on an Indian Reservation in one of the most remote places in Montana,” says Jane. “We were to ride with the real cowboys. Our task? To drive a herd of 250 cows and their calves from their winter pastures in Wyoming to their spring and summer pastures in Montana.
“Free of any pretensions, Dryhead’s a proper working ranch. Staying on an Indian Reservation means abstaining from alcohol, and baring your skin is a no-no too due to Federal Law, but herding cattle under the influence isn’t a good mix, and it was mighty cold – my six layers and an oversized rain coat being the preferred choice of attire. “Four generations of real-life wranglers live and work on the ranch, and all are expert riders – we rode for between four and eight hours a day. Working ranches are no longer a mainstay of America’s mid-west, but Dryhead covers a sizeable 32,000 acres, with 150 American Quarter horses and 900 cows making this authentic Western territory.
“Our first drive started near a bentonite clay mine in Lovell, Wyoming, with a pick-up truck following behind carrying our lunch. We drove the cattle for 50 miles across the dusty plains, through a canyon, over creeks, up steep paved and dirt roads and along snow-covered paths. The landscape was breathtaking, with the Bighorn and Pryor mountains looming above us.” More an adventure than a holiday, every day started early, at 5.30am, before a hefty breakfast and the start of the day’s drive. “Every day I’d have my fill of cowgirl moments,” says Jane. “I played the part – chasing after runaway cows, climbing
Jane joined nine other holidaymakers for an all-American cowgirl adventure at The Dryhead Ranch in Montana
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Equine sport in China
One man on a mission!
Never has horse sport made such an impact, so fast, as it has in China since the 2008 olympics lympics – and with rapid change comes problems. here, Chinese event rider alex hua tian explains the challenges
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Photo: Paul Xia
hina has one of the largest economies in the world and over the past five years, the glitz, glamour and success enjoyed by the riders at the Beijing and London Olympic Games has seen the popularity of horse sports in the country rocket beyond belief as wealthy residents become increasingly keen to hop on board. But with no obvious welfare or veterinary structures in place and very little equestrian information available for many people, there are a number of questions that need solutions – who’s going to make sure these horses are cared for and looked after properly? How is the sport going to develop? And can China keep up? Originally from China but based over here in the UK, Alex Hua Tian has a foot in both countries and is able to experience first-hand the stark contrasts between equestrianism in the UK and China. He believes that we have an important role to play in helping the equestrian world in China develop, with appropriate facilities and access to information to ensure the horses are properly cared for with high welfare standards.
Event rider Alex Hua Tian is the leading light helping China to build a booming equestrian world
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March 2014 your horse
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terMS AND CoNDItIoNS: Subscriptions will start with the next available issue. The minimum term is 13 issues. This offer is open until 13/02/2014 and is only available to new UK subscriptions received across all offer codes starting with AA. You will not receive a renewal reminder and the Direct Debit payments will continue to be taken unless you tell us otherwise. We also reserve the right to reclaim the gift/value of the gift if you cancel your subscription before the end of the agreed term as stated above. Calls from a BT landline will cost no more than 4p a minute. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Order lines open 8am-9.30pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-4pm (Sat). UK orders only. Overseas? Phone +44 1858 438824. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training purposes.
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March 2014 your horse
Help us Help tHem!
Help for horses We’ve pledged to raise £5,000 to help build two brand new stables for Horse Trust residents Teddy and Klyde – and this month we’re putting an array of show gear under the hammer to push our total even higher
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f you’re looking forward to the start of the show season you’ll love the competition jackets we’ve got up for auction this month – and by placing a bid you’re helping to raise essential funds for our Horse Trust appeal. Click on www.yourhorse.co.uk/horsetrustauction to see all the gear in full, then dig deep to be our winning bidder. It’s the smartest auction we’ve seen to date – and we’re hoping all money raised will push us ever closer to our £5,000 target. It’s been a year since we launched our appeal and we’re so, so close to raising the money The Horse Trust desperately needs to house its many residents – some rescued from appalling conditions and offered the chance of a happy, healthy future, others retired from official duty after a brave working life on the police force. Little Teddy and giant Klyde – both the poster boys for our Horse Trust campaign – are typical of the charity’s success stories. Abandoned on the side of a road as a foal, Teddy’s life hung in the balance until he was rescued and nursed back to health by the Trust’s dedicated team. His stablemate Klyde, meanwhile – who stands an impressive 19hh – is a former police horse who’s now retired from the force. We’re edging ever nearer our £5,000 target and it’s so easy to donate! Help us make 2014 the year we crack this campaign and help horses across the UK have a better, happier future.
Help us reach our Horse Trust fundraising goal of
£5,000
TEDDY Little Theodore, fondly known as Teddy, had a tough start in life when he was abandoned on a roadside in Buckingham shire at just eight weeks old. He was disc overed starving and alone with no sign of his mum. The odds were against this little chap, but thanks to round-the-clock care from staff at The Horse Trust, Teddy won the hearts of everyone. Now he’s happy and well but in need of a smart, dinky stable to suit his size.
Donate at: www.horsetrus or simply TEXT ‘HTTX01 £5’ to
Bid for a show jacket and help us raise funds! Visit www.your horse.co.uk/ horse trustauction eVeRY peNNY COuNts!
KLYDE rse Trust in July 2012 Klyde came to The Ho on. Police Mounted Secti from the Cleveland st ge lar the be ught to At 19hh he was tho ntry and is now the police horse in the cou In e Horse Trust herd. largest member of Th reds nd hu at n de rid s wa his policing days he and led numerous of football matches is bursting out of his parades. Now Klyde eds a new one that’s current stable and ne him in comfort! big enough to keep
st.org.uk/teddyandklyde 70070 (text ONLY £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 and £10)
WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN GET HERE!
Back from the brink – Miners Frolic enjoying some time in the field with Tina
“Every moment is special” Top event rider Tina Cook tells all about a hectic two years and the challenges of juggling horses and children as a single mum Words Larissa Chapman Photography Matthew Roberts
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t’s fair to say it’s been an emotional road for Tina Cook lately. Two years ago, 2012 brought a barrage of emotional events – the death of her beloved father, famous racehorse jockey and trainer Josh Gifford, and the split from her husband. The previous year her ride Miners Frolic had fought off and beaten life-threatening colitis. Thankfully for the eventing world, Tina’s one tough cookie and a hard person to keep down. While staring in the face of adversity, she continued to wow us all with an awe-inspiring performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games. To top it all, she helped the eventing team clinch their silver medal on Miners Frolic, who had proved himself to be an equally determined character. After such a hectic year, 2013 was a time for Tina to come to terms with your horse MArch 2014
what had happened while all the time keeping her children Harry and Isabelle as her top priority. With all the drama hopefully behind her and the new year upon us, we caught up with this incredibly talented and energetic horsewoman to find out what’s next on her busy equine agenda as she hopes for a calmer 2014. Relaxing in Tina’s garden at her home in West Sussex, the view is like a picture postcard. Her dogs, Finn and Biscuit, are desperate to get in on the action, her flock of chickens are milling genially around and Miners Frolic is peering at us from a neighbouring field. With the afternoon school run looming, we eagerly begin questioning Tina on everything from London 2012, to the proudest moments of her impressive career. w w w.you r hor se .co.u k
The Big Interview
MArch 2014 your horse
HORSE CARE
Keep your horse healthy and happy
Time off from riding can be the perfect opportunity to spend time with your horse
Proud sponsors of Horse Care Back to Basics your horse March 2014
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Simple stretches
equine Touch explored
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Laminitis explained
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Calming stressy horses
Back to Basics
Time for a break? If work, the weather or simply a lack of time means you’re struggling to ride, don’t panic! Our expert Ben Hart explains why a break could be just what you and your horse need
L OUR EXPERT Ben HarT is a leading equine trainer who specialises in training horses, donkeys, mules and their owners! Find out more at www.hartshorse manship.com
ots of owners worry at this time of year when bad winter weather puts paid to their riding plans but, whether you like time off or not, the odd break from riding can be a good thing. I’d highly recommend it. There are plenty of mental and physical benefits that come with resting your horse, for you and him! For you, a break from the norm offers valuable time to reflect or simply plan ahead. It also brings plenty of opportunities to spend enjoyable, quality time with your horse. And, just like us, our horses need a break from time to time, whether they’re competition horses in need of a physical rest or happy hackers who might not need physical time off ,but who instead need a mental break by being stimulated in a different way or doing something that adds variety to their routine.
Plan activities in case the weather forces a break
Check to see if your horse is calm and relaxed during a break
When is the time right? When it’s right to call time on your horse’s work is totally dependent on him. You need to know your horse’s individual character and pick a time to suit his needs and personality. Perhaps you know he’d welcome a break after a busy period of competing or training or maybe you’re not getting on as a partnership but you just can’t put your finger on the problem. Some time out for you both could be just the ticket to rebuilding your relationship. When you think you’d found the perfect time, test it. Give it a week or so and see how it goes by observing how your horse reacts. How long your break goes on to last is also dependent on your horse. Some horses might benefit from having the entire winter off, especially if they’re a slower, more thoughtful learner. Other more active breeds, such as
Arabs, might need less time off or will benefit from simply doing something different rather than nothing at all.
Change is as good as a rest For some a break from the normal day-to-day routine can be as simple as changing activities. You could try long-reining which will keep your horse’s mind and body active while getting you off his back. It will boost your fitness and get you both thinking differently as you tackle a new challenge. And, as you spend time working together on the ground you’ll automatically build on the foundations of your relationship, develop trust and by encouraging him to take control of his own feet your horse will grow in confidence. Don’t just stick to long-reining in it’s simplest form though, have fun with it. Go through, round and over obstacles – long-rein him between
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March 2014 your horse
Hands-on healing Discover how the gentlest of moves can have a powerful impact on your horse’s health and wellbeing, as we take a look at the world of equine touch to find out how it works Words andrea Mchugh
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Photo: Matthew RobeRts
rom snakebites to behavioural problems, the hands-on complementary technique Equine Touch claims to have helped them all. But what exactly is it? Equine Touch doesn’t claim to be a therapy, but is described as a non-diagnostic, non-invasive, energy and muscle release discipline. Benefits include creating deep relaxation and the release of tension in horses, improving muscle tone, aiding recovery from injury and muscle atrophy, reducing pain and increasing circulation, which then assists with detoxification and lymphatic drainage. If you watch an Equine Touch practitioner working on a horse, you’ll see them applying the very lightest of touches to the body in order to stimulate the soft tissue surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments. Practitioners claim a series of unique vibrational moves, carried out over specific acupuncture and trigger points, can help to physically and emotionally rebalance horses, allowing them to tap into their own innate healing processes. The Equine Touch website (www. theequinetouch.com) contains case studies illustrating how horses with an eclectic range of problems, from snakebites to aggression have all been helped. It’s fast gaining popularity in the UK and across the world, with students attending courses to learn how to work on their own animals or to gain qualifications and learn more about the benefits of the very gentle moves.
Equine Touch practitioners watch for the horse’s reaction as they work
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Babette trained as an ET practitioner after Sunny benefited
‘The effects are long-lasting’ Babette Tegldal is a dressage rider from Oxford who became passionate about Equine Touch after it dramatically helped to improve her veteran horse. She has now completed the four levels of Equine Touch training to become a practitioner. “I was attracted to Equine Touch when my dressage horse Sunny developed a very bad sacroiliac sprain and was on field rest for months,” says Babette. “Sunny had been given injections, as well as shock wave therapy from the vet, but sadly the injury kept recurring. I then heard about Equine Touch from a demo that I attended and I was so impressed that I booked some sessions for Sunny. “They made a huge difference to him and, importantly, the effects lasted a long time. Previously, when he’d been given physiotherapy, he improved for a while but then within weeks he was back to square one. I found that the positive effects of Equine Touch lasted much longer. “I was so impressed I decided to do the level one Equine Touch Foundation course myself so that I could monitor Sunny’s muscle performance and do maintenance sessions with him when needed. Not only did I find that Equine Touch made a huge difference to Sunny’s movement, but when I worked on other case studies, I saw how well other horses reacted. I found it incredibly rewarding. “Sunny is now 23 and I’ve had him since he was nine. He’s still being w w w.you r hor se .co.u k
Each Equine Touch session, typically lasts an hour and leaves the horse tension-free
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March 2014 your horse
Photo: Matthew RobeRts
Horse Care Management
Open C
Exclusive horse care a
Every issue the Your Horse Open Clinic delivers vital equine behaviour, management and vet advice, absolutely free, and this month our experts help you tackle: ✦ Stressy horses who rush p85 ✦ Cool him down after a ride p87 ✦ Arthritis explained p88 ✦ Alternative therapies Q&A p90 ✦ Coping with peritonitis p94
inStAnt AdviCE onlinE To ensure you’ve got access to vet advice whenever you need it we’ve teamed up with the free online symptom checker service vethelpdirect.com. This clever service, run by qualified vets, is easy to use and totally free. To give it a try, just visit our website at www.yourhorse.co.uk/symptomchecker for free, on-the-spot expert vet advice.
How it works
You’ll be asked to select from a drop-down list of symptoms, then given immediate advice on if and when you should call the vet. It only takes seconds and it’s all part of our Open Clinic service!
4 top wAyS to lEArn Join live web chats with our experts and ask them your horse care questions Watch our how-to videos to help you learn whenever you see this symbol Spot the signs of a problem early with our handy symptom checker Got a question for an expert? Simply email it to us at getinvolved@yourhorse.co.uk
Clinic
mEEt OUR EXPERts
advice from the UK’s top experts
Gil Riley is managing equine vet at Pool House Equine Clinic
Jenny Ellis is a top groom with over 30 years of experience
Jason Webb is a behaviour pro who runs Australian Horsemanship
Soothe his stressy ways If your horse gets wound a little tight and wants to rush about, our advice from behaviour expert Jason Webb will help you keep things calm when you’re riding
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f your horse is a stressy sort it can be hard to deal with, but often this sort of behaviour comes down to management, namely the way he is ridden or kept. For example, is he in his stable a lot of the time? Does he have the chance to unwind with other horses? Stressy horses usually aren’t nervous and about to take off because they’re scared, they just want to go.
DEalinG With stREss UnDER saDDlE There can be a number of reasons why a horse gets stressed and ‘rushy’ when you’re riding – he may have been previously over-faced somehow and now reacts this way as a result, he may be simply made that way, with a mind that runs at 100mph. If he’s the latter, he’s likely to be very energetic by nature and a rider who’s always trying to slow him down will make things much worse. Horses like this will always be keener than others to get going, but you must remember that if you try and stop them moving too much things will get worse, not better. Don’t despair though, as there are things you can do to help.
JasOn’s mEthOD
allowing your stressy horse to keep moving will act as a natural calmer
When dealing with a stressy horse who just wants to go, the worst thing you can do is make him stand still, as this will make him feel even more claustrophobic. He’ll fix on where he wants to be and decide he’ll get there
NEXT MONTH
by any means. Instead, the key is allowing him to move. This can be hard at first, especially if you’re nervous, but be prepared to let him go forward. Working with and not against his flight instinct will mean he’ll become quieter more quickly. If you need to, you can also disengage him by using small circles and figures of eight so it all stays nice and controlled. If I’m out hacking and my horse is jogging along I’ll use a figure of eight shape. To try this yourself, turn back the way you came for a few steps then ride a correct circle back in the direction you were travelling. If your horse drops his shoulder and speeds up as you turn back towards your original direction, don’t carry on as you won’t solve the problem.
Instead, concentrate on keeping him nice and round, and turn him calmly to repeat the figure of eight. He may try to drop and go again, but by repeating this process he’ll eventually start to slow down and walk calmly. If your horse gets stressy because he’s unsure about a certain situation or object, then lots of desensitisation will help. You can also help him face up to the object that upsets him by working him fairly hard, then taking him towards it and giving him the opportunity to rest there. If he gets het up again, move away and work pretty hard, then return to the ‘safety’ rest stop. The idea is to help your horse shut down at the point of rest, rather than be fidgeting about.
Did you know?
if your horse is prone to getting wound up, adapting the way you ride so you’re always getting on with things will help. this may mean preparing the arena before schooling so he doesn’t have to wait, or accepting you can’t stop to chat for ages out hacking.
Foot pErFECt Jason explains how to handle your horse’s feet
march 2014 your horse
‘How I got my confidence back!’ Meet three readers who’ve overcome their riding nerves. Their stories are guaranteed to inspire you to beat your own confidence demons and get you and your horse back on track
Four years ago, Rachel had lost all confidence – now she and Toffee are a happy partnership again
The nerve-beaters Rachel’s tip for getting back on track? Don’t give up!
WIN!
Turn the page for your chance to win a two-day confidenceboosting break
Rachel Thomason & Toffee
“The support of club members got me through my crisis”
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our years ago Rachel Thomason, from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, suffered a crisis of confidence that threatened to spoil her love of riding for good. At 16, she had a bad fall after her horse bolted, and was so shaken by the experience she couldn’t get back on. “Within days of the fall I’d developed such a fear of riding I’d have panic attacks if any horse I rode moved faster than a walk – I’d have to get off,” says Rachel.
Rachel tried lessons with a good instructor in a bid to get her confidence back, but it reached the stage where she feared she’d have to sell her beloved horse, Toffee, as nothing could stop her from being gripped with fear. “I was desperate not to lose Toffee, but at the same time too frightened to ride him,” says Rachel. “We’d had 18 months of fun together before my fall, but I couldn’t see a way back.” The turning point came when Rachel left Toffee in safe hands to head off to uni. There,
Rachel’s tips for regaining your confidence ●●It may sound obvious, but don’t give up.
At times, it might seem easier to do this than face the issue, but it’s absolutely worth persevering ●●Surround yourself with supportive people. Some will struggle to understand your situation, but you need people who are just as keen as you are to get yourself back in the saddle
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●●Realise your progress. It’s so important
to stop and take pride in the little triumphs (like the first time I cantered again after my fall) ●●Remember your dream. I had Toffee to motivate me, and also the dream that I would take him to our first competition one day. You will have your own motivations, so let them inspire you
she decided to join the University of Surrey Equestrian Club, who train at Silvermere Equestrian Centre in Cobham, and give riding one last shot. “I’d never had any horsey friends of my own age before,” says Rachel, “and having a lesson with others at the club created such a relaxed environment, especially as they had no expectations of me. I didn’t tell them about my confidence issues at first, but gradually I opened up about my accident and began to find riding fun again. “After a few months riding with the group and having the other members’ support behind me, I stopped taking Rescue Remedy at the mere thought of riding and found my passion for it again. The other members asked me to be on their equestrian competition team and, in my second year at uni I was crowned president of the club. “To top it all, I was finally able to ride Toffee again on my trips home (and there is nothing that compares to that!). We’ve since done our first competitions together. It just shows how far someone can come with the right support and determination.” march 2014 your horse
BUYERS’ GUIDE
Expert advice on buying wisely
your horse March 2014
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Page 113
New gear in the shops
Page 118
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escape with books and DVDs
Over trousers tried and tested
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Three of the best pairs of gloves
Magnetic therapy can be incorporated into back pads (seen here), boots, rugs and more
The power to heal Magnetic therapy is a popular way to relieve aches and pains and aid relaxation – here we explore the products that may help boost your horse’s wellbeing
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hought to relieve pain and promote natural healing, magnetic therapy has been recognised for thousands of years and involves placing small, yet powerful magnets close to the area of the body you want to treat. It’s suggested the therapy works by realigning the body’s natural magnetism and improving blood flow to damaged areas. The result? A boost to the natural healing process as the magnets help to improve circulation, eliminate excess fluid and toxins, and reduce inflammation. The magnets themselves don’t heal – instead they create an environment in the body that helps speed up the
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natural healing process. And while independent scientific studies have produced mixed results, magnetic therapy is popular with many horse owners who see first-hand the benefits of this therapy. There’s an ever-increasing range of magnetic therapy products aimed at horses, all with magnets built into them, such as boots, wraps and rugs. Some have moveable magnets, allowing you to place them close to the area that needs treating. These are designed to help reduce stiffness and swelling, improve circulation and relax tired muscles. Turn the page to discover some of the products on the market today. March 2014 your horse
Next month in On sale 13 Feb
Find out about our exciting brand new event, Total Confidence Live!
Better Riding ● Nerve-busting techniques
● Expert advice for your first
time out with your horse ● Staying safe on the roads
Horse Care ● How to cope in an emergency ● Confident travelling
● Understand his emotions
Buyers’ Guide ● Confidence-boosting kit
● Shock-absorbing saddle pads ● Waterproof gloves on test
AND...
In Total Confidence tackle drop fences, conquer your canter & more!