Your Horse June issue 387

ins

tribute to star mare Brit

Be A BeTTeR RiDeR, geT The BesT fRom youR hoRse

june 2014

£3.99

✦ Fitness For discipline ✦ cross-country schooling ✦ equestrian sports uncovered ✦ lucinda Fredericks

fit for

purpose Expert ways to fine-tune your horse's fitness plan

The rda needs you!

How to become a vital volunteer Quick-fix schooling Perfect your cross-country position in just 30 minutes

www.yourhorse.co.uk

Your Horse 387 june 2014

Beginner's guide Book to disciplines e e fr "I mIss her already" gifidte!

Lucinda Fredericks pays

the B Bling gest for ev ear e Budge ry t

Try something new!

Mounted Games Horseback Archery Polocrosse Carriage Driving Western Horse Boarding Jousting Horseball

ow h u o y w o h s We

A driving ambition Keen to explore new disciplines, Yh editor Imogen Johnson and buyers’ guide editor allison Lowther took a break from the saddle to experience a day in the driving seat. here Imogen gives her verdict Words: Imogen Johnson PhotograPhy: matthew RobeRts

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Disciplines special

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hen the Your Horse team made the decision to create this special issue of the magazine looking into all the weird and wonderful equestrian sports we can do here in the UK, I knew immediately what I’d love to try – carriage driving.

I’ve watched in awe as pro drivers whizz round what seem to be impossibly tight courses and been left baffled as to how on earth four-in-hand drivers cope with what looks like a mess of multiple reins. It looks so complicated that naturally I thought I’d see if I could master the skill in a single day. But, not wanting to have all the fun I took YH Buyers’ Guide Allison (aka Ally) along with me too. Together we experienced a full day of expert training at Ashfields Carriage and Polo Club in Essex.

Our trainer for the day was Minta Winn, who has been involved with the sport for

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over 30 years. She’s a successful driver at the highest level in Horse Driving Trials and showing, so we were confident we were in good hands, just not sure we’d be any good!.

We began our training getting to grips with the cart we’d be driving for the day. We learnt how to get on and off safely, how to sit comfortably and finally how we’d go on to hitch up our schoolmaster, the 12.3hh, 13-year-old, pro driving pony Buster. Minta explained Buster became a schoolmaster by chance. “Years ago I sadly lost my schoolmaster but two people were coming for a driving experience the following day. It caught me on the hop so I had to bite the bullet and take Buster out. Luckily, he just took to it and was as good as gold,” she said.

This cheeky little Hackney seemed as cool as a cucumber when we brought him out of the stable, but we were warned not be fooled, he was apparently a speed demon!

June 2014 your horse

Taking flight Bringing an ancient martial art to the 21st century, horseback archery is fast, furious and a lot of fun, as Your Horse deputy editor Katy Islip discovered Words: Katy Islip Photography: Matthew Roberts

Ready, aim, fire! Katy has a blast as she shoots on the hoof

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Disciplines special

Getting to grips with the equipment is important for seamless shooting

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lthough my first love will always be horses and riding, I’ve been tempted by more than one secondary hobby over the years.

From fencing to flying a light aircraft, via carriage driving and coastal rowing, I’ve had a go at a fair few things, but when I tried archery at a medieval jousting day, a seed was planted. Having snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a shock bull’s eye, I’ve wanted to have a proper go at this ever since.

It wasn’t surprising then, that when I was given the chance to try something new for our discipline-themed issue, I chose horseback archery. That’s right, shooting arrows while (ideally) galloping on a horse!

When I arrive at The Centre for Horseback Combat in Hertfordshire I’m not sure what to expect, but I do know I’ll be happy to finish the day having a) not shot anyone, and b) managed to fire my bow and arrow at least once while walking on a horse.

I’m in safe hands with my tutors Karl Greenwood and Zana Cousins-Greenwood.

They’re both horseback archery experts as well as being seasoned film and stunt riders and confidence coaches. Karl’s also a fully qualified sports and equine hypnotherapist.

An ancient art As Zana and Karl explain, horseback archery is one of the most ancient martial arts. It’s been used since at least 500BC by the nomadic warrior peoples of the Mongolian Steppes, from where it spread across the ancient world. Different regions developed differing styles but the equipment hasn’t changed much. Horse bows are smaller than regular archery equipment such as the longbow, and come in a range of designs which are lightweight, powerful and easily manoeuvrable over a horse’s neck.

A variety of competition formats exist, from straightforward sequential targets (which I’ll be doing today) to the challenging Qabaq, where riders shoot upwards at a suspended target. w w w.you r hor se .co.u k

Karl shows off his flourish as Katy takes aim

After running through a few safety rules and taping my thumb to protect it, Karl and I head off to start my archery education.

Making it second nature As Karl explains, the secret to horseback archery is to create the muscle memory for loading and firing your bow, so you can do it almost without looking and concentrate on the targets instead. The arrows seem scarily sharp and I’m already worrying about how I’ll get them clipped (nocked) securely onto the bowstring while I’m riding – it’s hard enough on the ground! The trick is to pick up the arrow with your thumb between the two matching feathers, which means the end notch can snap neatly into place.

Under Karl’s expert eye, I slowly build up the sequence of movements needed, and am soon seamlessly nocking, drawing and firing. My first few shots go wide of the target, but once I follow Karl’s advice of forgetting about aiming and simply looking where I want my arrow to go, I quickly hit the bull’s eye! After a few more practice shots, I move on to firing three shots in quick succession from a hip quiver.

Next, Karl introduces the idea of finishing each shot with a flourish, throwing my firing arm up and out so my hand lands back at the quiver. The idea behind this is to pick up your next arrow, then reverse the arc to load your bow, so there’s never any chance of passing it across your horse’s neck and June 2014 your horse

Discovering horsepower Your Horse writer Larissa Chapman covered herself in body armour to get to grips with the latest high-octane sport on the block – horse boarding Words: Larissa Chapman Photography: Tom Calton

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hat is horse boarding I hear you ask? Well, it really is as bonkers as it sounds, as well as being a whale lot of fun. Think of it as a modern day version of chariot racing and you’re getting somewhere close. It’s a fast-paced, exciting new sport where horse and rider tow a passenger along on a mountain board, which is essentially a giant skateboard with specially adapted off-road tyres.

This new equine discipline tests the horse, rider and boarder’s balance, agility, accuracy and speed as they fly through the twists and turns of an intricate course. It’s a true team sport as all three parties have to pull together to reach the finish line in the quickest time possible.

Horse boarding’s popularity has soared in recent years, with an increasing number of adrenaline junkies getting their fix with a little unconventional horsepower. I went along to Daniel Fowler-Prime’s yard in your horse june 2014

Nottinghamshire to experience the thrill of the sport under the experienced guidance of the two-time horse boarding champion. Dan is a professional stuntman who invented horse boarding 10 years ago. He developed his original daredevil stunt into a fullyfledged sport and his horse boarding team, iHorse, is taking part in the 2014 Living Heritage National Championships.

Dan started by kitting me out in the sport’s protective body armour to help prevent injury if I fell. He then introduced me to the board and began pulling me along by hand so I could get a feel for it and learn how to steer by shifting my weight between my toes and heels.

Getting a feel for the board Arriving at Dan’s yard I started to feel weak at the knees as the magnitude of what I had let myself in for dawned on me. I’ve never been water skiing, and skateboarding as a youngster consisted of sliding down the road on my posterior as the skateboard shot away from me towards next door’s garden.

With those memories firmly fixed in my brain, I wasn’t feeling particularly hopeful about staying upright for any length of time, but I’m always willing to give a new challenge a go.

Dan helps Larissa into layers of protective gear before her session

Disciplines special

YH writer Larissa gave horseboarding a go – and was hooked!

“The idea is to lean back and engage your core, particularly as the horse and rider change pace. If you don’t stand firm, you’ll be pulled over,” explained Dan. I found it extremely tricky at first and wondered how on earth I was going to cope with the power of a horse, even at a walking pace. Before I could worry too much, my lovely horse for the day, Dave (or Kerney Moonshine), arrived with Dan’s partner, Hilary.

Introducing the horse Dave may be a new addition to Dan’s horse boarding team, but he’s already proving to be a big hit and developing a reputation as a bit of a speed machine at the job.

Without any hesitation, Dan asked Dave to walk on while Hilary followed close by to ensure I was secure on the

board. We started at a slow walk and gradually I learned how to manoeuvre the board over the uneven ground and hold onto the handle correctly.

After a few circuits I started to feel more confident and we gradually picked up the pace, but there were a few moments where the acceleration was too much and I had to let go of the handle.

“Most people’s natural instinct is to hold on for dear life but the best thing to do is let go of the handle. If you lose your balance, you’re likely to fall and you don’t want to be pulled along by your galloping horse!” said Dan. We were soon up to canter speed and I loved every minute of it. I must confess to one fall though, as I careered towards some electric fencing. My brakes clearly weren’t my strong point, but there was no harm june 2014 your horse

Total Confidence

After six months working through all your confidence demons, the series is coming to an end for 2014. It may be the last but this month’s issue is still packed with confidence-related advice to help you have fun in the saddle 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.

34 natasha Baker shares her useful schooling exercises 36 rosie Jones gets you hacking with confidence 36 Lucinda Green tackles riding at speed and developing balance 37 charlie unwin helps you believe in yourself 39 Sylvia Loch tells you how to ride turn on the hocks

Find out more about our coaches at www.yourhorse.co.uk/tc

Leg-yield is a great exercise to get your horse listening

Easy ways to school with confidence Schooling forms the basis of any ridden partnership, and simple exercises are a great tools for building confidence. Here’s how you can boost your nerves through schooling like pro para-rider natasha Baker Get him listening with leg-yield Leg-yield is one of the most basic and fundamental exercises for building confidence. It teaches you to use your legs properly and ensures your horse is listening to you at all times. It’s also a great suppling exercise and a supple horse will be easier to control and manoeuvre, thus boosting your confidence even further! As soon as you and your horse have the basic schooling techniques in place, you can begin leg-yielding. This will encourage your horse to move willingly forward and sideways while remaining relaxed and balanced in his frame. It’s a pretty straightforward and incredibly versatile exercise that can be introduced anywhere, from the arena to out on a hack.

control direction with flexion Flexion creates softness throughout your horse’s body, allowing him to hold himself better and become lighter in his frame, helping you your horse june 2014

experience a smoother ride with more control therefore ensuring you feel more secure. Spiralling in and out onto different sized circles on both reins is a fun and interesting exercise to help you achieve flexion. Being able to control your horse and flex him left and right will also help you gain control and enable you to ride him confidently past spooky objects whether you’re out on a hack or at a competition.

manage his speed with transitions Plenty of transitions both between paces and within the paces are a great way to build confidence, as it gives you ultimate control of your horse’s speed and reinforces your brakes.

Being able to slow and stop your horse is also crucial for feeling confident in any discipline. Start with simple walk, then trot, then canter and back down again. Once you’ve mastered this, begin to introduce medium and working trot to your sessions. w w w.you r hor se .co.u k

Total Confidence

riding transitions will help you keep control of his speed

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june 2014 your horse

BETTER RIDING

Easy-to-follow expert advice for beginners to advanced riders Claire’s initial assessments show that Becky tilts her pelvis forwards, which creates a hollow back as she rides

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Try a new sport

Page 52

Discover endurance

Page 58

Prepare for the show ring

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Teach circles in hand

Claire lilley’s

Dressage Masterclass

Dressage trainer Claire lilley helps your Horse editorial assistant Becky statham improve her riding position with ground work and a lesson on one of her schoolmaster sessions First Claire assesses and corrects Becky’s position from the ground

Some quick corrections help Becky to straighten her spine

Meet the trainer Claire lilley trains riders of all levels and abilities at her centre in Wiltshire. Visit www.clairelilley. com for more riding advice.

Improving your position from the ground

Meet the rider BeCky STaTham is the editorial assistant and junior writer on your Horse. she wants to improve her position and is riding Claire’s schoolmaster Heinrich, a 15.2hh Trakehner gelding who is 15 years old and competes at advanced Medium level.

All clients who come for a schoolmaster session with me have a dismounted assessment before we start the lesson, so I can find out a little about their riding history. Becky tells me that she suffers from lower back pain, which has been treated,

The lesson focus

●●Perfect your lungeing position

so you can use this method of working your horse effectively ●●Make subtle changes to your riding position to help your horse move forwards freely ●●learn how to ride sitting trot correctly and comfortably

but riding seems to aggravate it. I’m keen to go back to basics to find out if it’s her riding position which is hindering her, and hopefully help her make any corrections so riding becomes more comfortable.

To begin I ask Becky to adopt a riding position while standing and I can see that she pushes her neck forward and has a curve in her lower back (see pic above left). To help correct this I want her to imagine that her pelvis is a bucket with water in it.

We want this bucket to stay level, but at the moment her pelvis tips forwards so water will pour out of it. I also ask her to bring her neck back, squeeze her shoulder blades together and bring her elbows over her hip bones.

June 2014 your horse

Saddle up for something new!

Look beyond the mainstream equestrian sports and you’ll discover some intriguing disciplines that promise to get your heart — and sometimes your horse — racing Words: Sam LewiS

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Photo: Natz SNaPz PhotograPhy

t can be all too easy to fall into a riding rut, and find familiar hacks are losing their sheen or arena work’s becoming boring. If you’re looking for a way to inject a bit of fun back into your riding, there’s a lot more out there discipline-wise than the traditional staples of dressage, show jumping and eventing, and many cost less money and could be more suitable and stimulating for your horse.

While some require you to work closely as a team and will help you make new friends, others will naturally help to improve your balance and riding ability, but they’ll all help you develop a mutual trust and bond with your horse – all while learning and enjoying yourselves together.

To get you started, we take a look at some of the alternative equestrian sports out there and ask the experts how to get started, so you and your horse can start having fun again – today.

your horse June 2014

Horseball is fast, furious, and sees the girls take on the boys on an equal footing!

Better Riding

Unleash your wild side with a game of horseball Too short for basketball? Too slight for rugby? Too poor to play polo? It doesn’t matter if you combine the three, get in the saddle and try your hand at the fast-paced sport of horseball. Invented in France during the 1970s, and similar to the Argentinian game of pato, horseball is now established in 18 countries, including the UK. Each team consists of four riders who manoeuvre their horses around a pitch, changing pace and direction in order to pass a ball to each other a minimum

of three times before they can score a goal by shooting the ball through a suspended ring or net.

While games are only 20 minutes long, they’re fast-paced and exhilarating, but don’t worry this is another equestrian sport that needs lots of money, time, years in the saddle and elite connections. “If you’ve got a fairly good standard of riding in walk, trot and canter and you’re confident on a horse, it’s easy to get started in horseball — you can learn the rules and how to pass the ball,” says 23-year-old Ben Berry, who started playing at the age of 11 and has now represented Great Britain eight times at both junior and senior level. “The riding aids come mostly from your leg as your hands need to be free to catch and pass the ball, while a strap connecting your stirrups helps riders gain balance.”

A rousing spectacle While many of the top players ride ex-racehorses due to their speed and intelligence, Berry says any breed of horse can and will play. “The only safety requirement is for under-16s to ride 14.2hh ponies or below, and over-16s to ride 14.2hh plus.”

He’s in no doubt

about the sport’s attractions, and the opportunities it offers for making new friends. “In my opinion horseball is the greatest equestrian sport — it’s fast, exciting, great value for money and it’s the friendliest equestrian environment I have experienced,” he says. “It’s also one of the best spectator sports as it’s played in an arena and people can cheer for their teams, unlike most equestrian sports where you have to sit quietly until the rider has finished.”

Although the game is huge over the Channel in France, it’s still something of a rarity in the UK, but the friendly nature of the sport means travelling a little further to try it is well worth doing. If you fancy watching a live game, Lee Valley Riding Centre in Leyton, London, is hosting an international event on 26-27 July where teams from Great Britain and France will battle it out on the pitch.

Have a go!

Find out if horseball could be the sport for you by visiting www. britishhorseball.co.uk to search for a club where you can try it – most are around London, Derby, Nottingham and manchester, but don’t let this put you off as instructors will travel to run ‘have-a-go’ sessions.

June 2014 your horse

Photo: Nico MorgaN

You could be in the ribbons too this summer!

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Better Riding

Become a show ring superstar!

Make this the summer you dip a well-oiled hoof into the world of showing. Expert show horse producer Lynn russell shares her advice on starting out and impressing the judges

Photo: Lrg

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OUR EXPERT LYnn RusseLL is a top show horse producer, trainer and judge who runs regular showing clinics at her Surrey-based yard as well as across the UK. Find out more at www.topcobs. com, email lynn@ topcobs.com or call 07855 106096

ExPErt tiP

Watching riders at one of the bigger showing competitions, at county level or above, is the only free lesson you’ll ever get, and you’ll learn a huge amount from an afternoon spent ringside. Zero in on someone who knows what they’re doing and study how they ride, what they do and how they interact with the steward and judge.

here’s a lot of fun to be had in the showing world, but cracking any new discipline can seem daunting and this sport’s no exception. You’ve got to choose the right class, learn the art of riding a show, get your turnout spot on and understand what makes a great horse or pony in any particular class – and what turns the judges off.

If you’re just getting started, my biggest tip is to find a local professional showing rider who offers tuition. Even if you can only afford one session with them you’ll find it hugely valuable. Not only is it difficult to assess your own horse and the classes he’ll excel in, it’s impossible to know all the nuances of the sport. For example, you might not be aware that you need a height certificate in order to compete in certain classes. But spend an hour with a helpful, professional rider and you’ll come away feeling so much more prepared to hit the showing scene.

It’s easy to find someone – search for showing judges online (find a list at www.theshowingregister.co.uk), ask around locally or even put a Preparation time with an expert is time well spent

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Plan your show to emphasise your horse’s best bits

‘wanted’ note on Facebook. I’m always happy to point riders in the direction of someone who can help them, and you can find me at www. facebook.com/topcobs Showing masterclasses and ridden clinics are another great source of information for newcomers. Not only do they give you affordable access to an expert and tons of great advice, but they serve as a reminder that you’re not alone and other riders have just the same thoughts, fears and wobbles. They’re also fantastic experience for your horse, who may not be used to standing in the arena with other horses close by.

At the clinics I run we have simulated showing classes, where riders take it in turns to ride a show and then ‘play’ at being a judge to understand the discipline from both sides. They can experience what it’s like to ride in a ring with other horses, and at the same time get a feel for what the judge is looking for. An online search for similar events in your area is well worth the effort. If there’s nothing going on, get together with a few like-minded riders, contact

Find your class

Need a nudge in the right direction with regards to which classes will best suit your horse? try the following contacts: ●●if you’ve got a coloured, get in touch with the team behind the coloured horse and Pony Society (UK) at www.chapsuk.com or the British Skewbald and Piebald association at www.bspaonline.com ●●For cobs, try the British Show horse association at www.britishshowhorse.org ●●if you’re showing one of the pony breeds visit the British Show Pony Society’s website at www.bsps.com ●●if you’re planning to show an older horse or pony, the Veteran horse Society runs a showing series for veterans.

See www.veteran-horsesociety.co.uk

June 2014 your horse

Clock up some miles!

Endurance riding is one of the UK’s fastest growing sports, and any horse and rider can give it a go, as two Your Horse readers prove Words: AndrEA McHUgH

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OUR EXPERT Beccy Broughton is an international endurance rider, UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) endurance coach and an equine sports massage tutor. Find out more at www. beccybroughton. webs.com

f you’ve always thought endurance riding sounded like something to be endured rather than enjoyed, it could be time to think again.

Thousands of people are taking up this unique sport, either competitively or for pleasure, enabling them to explore countryside that wouldn’t normally be accessible, negotiate different terrain, make new friends and achieve supreme fitness for them and their horse.

There are many misconceptions about endurance riding – one being that only Arab horses can participate successfully. Whilst it is true that many Arabs and part Arabs do compete, any horse or pony that’s fit and healthy can take part. And better still, you don’t need any special equipment either.

Endurance rider Beccy Broughton, who’s based in North Lincolnshire, followed in her mother’s footsteps and competed in her first endurance ride when she was just six years old. She’s represented Team GB on numerous occasions and is passionate about the sport. Although Beccy rides Arab horses she’s keen to point out that the sport is open to all breeds.

A sport for all

ExpErt tip

Lots of helpers are needed at endurance rides too, so if you’ve never been to one, why not go along as a volunteer? it’s a good way to meet people and find out what it’s all about. Jobs include making notes for the vets, manning a checkpoint or helping with administration.

“The beauty of endurance is that absolutely any horse and rider can do it,” says Beccy. “All you need is you and your horse! You don’t need any special equipment or training to start doing pleasure rides or compete at lower distances, and there’s always someone experienced who is happy to help.

“Distances vary from 20km to 160km and the best way to get started is to log onto Endurance GB, which is the sport’s governing body, and find a local club. There are clubs all around the country and you should be able to find one that is not too far away.

“My mum introduced me to endurance riding and I started on a 12.2hh pony on which I did a 64km ride. A lot of successful endurance riders start off on Connemara crosses or Arabs, who aren’t very big but are very efficient, however bigger horses can still do a good job.

“Horses from many other disciplines such as hunting, racing or eventing go on to do endurance, and the sport is open to horses of all breeds and people of all ages. Sometimes an older person may decide they no longer want to jump but they still

your horse June 2014

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Better Riding

endurance is a sport for every horse and rider

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June 2014 your horse

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June 2014 your horse

Lucinda reaches for the tissues as she talks of how upset her team has been since Brit’s death

your horse june 2014

The Big Interview

“I’ll never have another Brit” Just days after losing legendary mare Headley Britannia or Brit, Lucinda Fredericks tells us how she’s coping and what the future holds for her and her daughter Ellie Words: Larissa cHapman PhotograPhy: mattHEw roBErts

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ooking over at Lucinda’s beautiful Wiltshire-based home nestled at the bottom of the plain, it’s hard to comprehend the heartache and sadness that lies behind her door. After an outpouring of support and concern on the Your Horse Facebook page following Brit’s sad death, we decided to visit Lucinda to tell you how she’s getting on and to offer our support.

As we walk towards the front of the house, there’s a cluster of parked cars outside – mostly those of friends and well-wishers.

Lucinda answers the door with a warm smile along with her lovely dog, Cola. I sense she’s teetering on an emotional knife edge, but she puts on a brave face and makes us feel welcome with a cup of tea. Her vet, Clive is nursing a mug of coffee in the kitchen – he’s here to talk to Lucinda about what may have happend to Brit – while one of her owners rallies round making sure everyone’s happy.

At 15.3hh, Brit was never designed to conquer the biggest four-star events in the world – a riding reject, Lucinda took her on when nobody else

would. This determined little mare came to epitomize the saying ‘never judge a book by its cover’ as she went on to become one of the most successful mares in eventing history. She and Lucinda forged one of the most memorable and admired partnerships of all time. Their greatest accomplishments include wins at the 2006 Burghley Horse Trials, the 2007 Badminton Horse Trials, and the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three Day event. They also won the Express Eventing trophy in 2013. Despite a feisty nature, she was calm and gentle enough to be ridden by Lucinda’s young daughter, Ellie.

Settling down in the living room with Lucinda, we have our tissues at the ready. Although we know the interview will be tinged with sadness, we’re also looking forward to reflecting on Brit’s life. Despite her loss, Lucinda seems determined to look to the future and remains forever grateful to have known such an amazing wonder horse. Read on to find out more about Lucinda, her beloved Brit and what’s next for this gritty horsewoman.

june 2014 your horse

HORSE CARE

Keep your horse healthy and happy

Ensure your horse has the energy and strength he needs to succeed in your chosen disciple

your horse june 2014

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PagE 87

Protect your horse from theft

PagE 91

PagE 96

alternative therapies

glam him up for the show ring

PagE 106

Hacking Q&a in Open Clinic

Fit for purpose To help you tailor your horse’s fitness plan and avoid injury this competition season we’ve asked top riders and trainers to share their expert advice

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ll athletes need to undergo some form of training programme in preparation for their chosen sport, so why should your horse be any different? Horses are natural athletes, but you still need to draw up a training programme for yours so you can go out and compete successfully.

You need to get him fit enough to do his individual job while subjecting him to minimal wear and tear and avoiding injury or breakdown.

Depending on which disciplines you do with your horse, it’s important to plan his work to keep him happy and healthy and this begins with establishing a basic level of fitness.

Starting on the road to discipline fitness

Hacking is good long, slow distance (LSD) work for achieving fitness

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All horses need to have a base level of fitness and achieving this usually requires a period of long slow distance (LSD) work at the start of his training or if he’s coming back into work after a break. The basis of LSD is hacking, work in an arena and lungeing. How long you need to spend on this work will depend on the age of your horse and how long a break he’s had but you’re looking at around three to four weeks of work.

Most riders will use hacking to get their horse to a basic level of fitness, but it’s important to ride your horse in a correct outline as you hack so you’re building up the right muscles and encouraging him to stay supple.

Any work you do in the school should be kept to simple movements such as 20m circles and frequent changes of direction.

Once your horse reaches a reasonable level of fitness, you can start to use more specific work to help build his fitness for the specific discipline you will be doing. june 2014 your horse

Complementary therapies like acupuncture can boost equine wellbeing

Nature’s healing ways Complementary therapies can do a lot for your horse’s health and wellbeing. We explore five alternative options so you know what kind of benefits can be expected Words: Katy IslIp

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nce thought of as alternative or even wacky, complementary therapies are now commonly used alongside conventional medicine to help horses and ponies with a range of different conditions and problems. However, understanding how different therapies work and what they can help with can be very confusing, so we’ve asked five professional experts to explain their specialisms. We’ve also asked them to provide a ball-park figure on what you can expect to pay, so you can explore whether complementary therapies are an affordable option for you.

Pinpointing improvement with acupuncture Sue Devereux BA BVSc MRCVS is a vet who’s trained in veterinary acupuncture. She’s certified by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and is based in the Salisbury area – see www.equineacupuncture.co.uk w w w.you r hor se .co.u k

Acupuncture originated more than 3,000 years ago in China and is now used to treat humans and animals across the world. It involves inserting fine stainless steel needles into specific locations on the horse’s body which stimulate tiny nerve endings carrying impulses to the brain and spinal cord, triggering the release of various hormones and neurotransmitters (the brain chemicals that communicate information throughout our brain and body), including endorphins.

These have a range of effects, influencing the function of body tissues and organs, and inhibiting the transmission of pain signals to the brain.

Acupuncture can be used for almost any condition, and in animals is often used together with conventional veterinary treatment so the patient gets the combined benefits. It should only be carried out by a suitably qualified vet because it’s invasive and requires a detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and it’s important the cause of the horse’s problem is diagnosed and addressed, too.

In horses, acupuncture is often used for the

relief of musculoskeletal pain and to influence the function of the internal organs.

Most commonly, vets use it to release spasm in tight muscles, and it’s especially useful for treating soreness in the muscles of a horse’s neck, shoulders, back and hindquarters, reducing tendon and joint strain, as well as helping prevent injury.

It’s also especially useful for treating other equine conditions such as arthritis, sacroiliac pain, poor immunity or post-viral lethargy, and digestive, respiratory or reproductive problems.

ACupunCtuRe At A glAnCe

What is it? The insertion of thin stainless steel needles at specific points on the body to treat and prevent disease and relieve pain.

Who carries it out? By law, animal acupuncture can only be performed by a suitably qualified vet.

How much does it cost? Initial consultations usually cost £90-£250 with subsequent treatments costing around £50-£85 per session.

JuNe 2014 your horse

photos: © MIChael Ventura/alaMy

Horse Care Body

Off the Track

Get on board your ex-racer Our expert Kath Pinington explains why it can be tricky getting onto an ex-racer and gives her step-by-step guide to stress-free mounting

I OUR EXPERT Kath Pinington has evented to four-star level and is the yard manager and trainer at the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre (TRC) in Lancaster – a charity dedicated to racehorse welfare, ex-racehorse re-training and re-homing.

Visit www. thoroughbred rehabilitation centre.co.uk

ExPERT TiP

Before beginning the mounting process over the page always tack your horse up (as explained on the right) then ask him to rein back from the ground.

Following this, lunge him in walk, trot and canter to give him an opportunity to feel the saddle on his back and to give him some time to relax under saddle before the mounting work begins.

t’s not unusual for racehorses in training to be mounted on the move as their lads and lasses are legged up on the go. This means that the conventional mounting style used by everyday riders can come as a bit of a shock, and why many people struggle to get their horses to stand as they hop on.

The key is to remember that your horse isn’t being naughty. When you ask him to stand as you get on, he might fuss and fidget, refuse to stand or even rear if it all becomes too much, but this behaviour is his way of telling you he doesn’t understand what you want. So, in order to move forward you’ll need to teach him your way of mounting and this can be done with careful, considered and consistent training.

Find the right location Search out the right environment for your mounting training. You’ll want somewhere safe and enclosed on a soft surface with a wall you can stand your horse parallel to – an arena wall for example. You don’t want your horse to feel he’s trapped, but a wall acts as a channel as he stands between it and a mounting block.

What you’ll need Working through the mounting process takes three people – a confident rider, an experienced handler and someone to quietly leg the rider up. If you’re doing the mounting, ensure your helpers know exactly what they need to do, using the step-by-step guide over the page. All three of you should wear properly secured riding hats, sturdy boots and gloves.

Prepare your horse for his ridden work in a properly fitted saddle, breastplate and bridle. If he’s prone to opening his mouth, his bridle should have a drop or grackle noseband but not a flash as this will apply pressure around the jaw that most horses will typically fight against. Attach a lunge line so that your horse can be led safely at his head, then later on a large circle.

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Use our expert’s advice to breeze through the mounting process so you can enjoy riding your ex-racer

Back to Basics

Head to hoof show shine Get your showing season off to a flying start and turn heads in the ring with help from our showing expert, Jo Bates

Proud sponsors of Horse Care Back to Basics your horse June 2014

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Horse Care Body

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Look spectacular this season with our simple showing preparation tips

OUR EXPERT Jo BATes is a show horse producer, rider and trainer with many years’ experience producing and training horses and riders at top level in the show ring, dressage arena and on the eventing circuit.

For more info, visit www.jo-bates. co.uk

ooking good is the key to succeeding in the show ring, so make sure your horse is in tip-top condition this season with my quick and easy-to-follow guide to showing glamour.

Don’t let your horse’s breed or type hold you back – any horse, no matter how hairy or dirty, can look the part with the right preening.

From tips on how to accentuate your horse’s good bits and tricks on how to hide his flaws, here I divulge all my simple showing secrets to get your steed looking pristine from head to hoof!

There’s just one thing to remember before we start – native breeds should always be presented in a natural way, so avoid trimming, pulling and plaiting. These methods are reserved for hacks, cobs and ridden horses.

Trim the outside of his ears

Spruce up his coat A good quality coat comes from within – correct feeding and husbandry will create a shiny, glossy coat all year round. If your horse isn’t healthy inside, no amount of preening or polishing on the outside will help. Once he’s looking healthy and shiny through correct feeding, there are things you can do on the approach to your competition to ensure he’s extra glossy. A thorough bath the day before with a conditioning shampoo will help remove excess grease and scurf and enhance his shine. A cool, lightweight Lycra Snuggy Hood body suit worn the night before will ensure his coat lies flat and smooth and keep him clean from the inevitable overnight activity – rolling in poo!

However, it’s still important to keep your native looking shiny and clean so follow our bathing and grooming tips closely and let your him shine this season.

The first place to start is at your horse’s head. Make sure it’s well groomed and free from mud and scurf using a soft face brush. A lot of horses don’t like having their faces washed so if your horse makes a fuss, simply wipe over his head with a damp sponge after brushing to remove excess grease.

Whiskers are one of the horse’s main sensors so it is a matter of personal preference for each individual whether to remove them or not. I choose to trim and remove them using trimmers, both around his muzzle and eye area to keep him looking smart.

Once he’s nice and clean and his rogue hairs trimmed, it’s important to pay close attention to his eyes and nostrils. In order to get these areas looking shiny, enhanced and healthy, squirt a small amount of baby oil onto a cloth and simply wipe around and gently over them.

Next up in need of attention are your horse’s ears – make sure these are well trimmed outside, by removing all excess hair with your trimmers. Hold his ears closed to prevent hair falling in – this also helps to make the ears easier to trim.

Finally, trim any beard hair, remembering to trim in the direction of hair growth for best results.

A thorough bath the night before will ensure his coat is gleaming

SPILLERS® Care-Line 01908 226626 careline@spillers-feeds.com l www.spillers-feeds.com w w w.you r hor se .co.u k

June 2014 your horse

Open C

Exclusive horse care ad

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: ✦ Joining a new herd safely p101 ✦ Tail plaiting perfection p103 ✦ Cataracts explained p104 ✦ Hacking Q&A p106 ✦ Coping with an abscess p111

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

Gradually introducing your horse to new field-mates will help keep him safe

Clinic

dvice from the UK’s top experts

mEEt OUR EXPERts

Guest vet

Brian Patterson is a vet who specialises in animal eye care

Jenny Ellis is a top groom with over 30 years of experience

Jason Webb is a behaviour pro who runs Australian Horsemanship

Help him join a new herd

Introducing your horse to a new herd can be fraught, especially as the hierarchy adjusts. Here behaviour expert Jason Webb explains how to help him make friends safely and calmly

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group of horses kept together will operate in a herd hierarchy, just as they would in the wild.

This remains settled unless a horse is challenged for his position by one lower down the pecking order, or a new horse is introduced to the group, which will lead to a few days of squabbling until the hierarchy is re-established. The hierarchy determines which horses get to feed, water and mate first and which have to wait their turn. In the wild, the herd would be led by the stallion and the dominant mare and in domestic life, the leader is often a mare.

When a new horse joins a herd there’s often squealing, sniffing, striking and kicking, and the dominant mare or gelding will herd the other horses away from the new horse in order to protect them and prevent them from approaching him. This is because a new horse poses a threat to the established hierarchy. Once the dominant horse has decided the new horse doesn’t pose a threat to their leadership, the ensuing squabbles will be to determine where the new horse will settle in the hierarchy. This can leave the group unsettled for a long time as sometimes the new horse will keep challenging to get higher in the group.

JasOn’s mEthOd If you’re introducing your horse to a new group, it’s advisable to keep him next to the herd but separate from them at first – this could be in a neighbouring field with good quality fencing, or in adjacent stables. Hacking out amongst other horses in the group or working them in the same arena will also help introduce them to each other, albeit under your ridden control.

When the time comes to turn him out with the other horses, I’d suggest doing so in pairs at first, as the old saying “two’s company, three’s a crowd” is applicable in this situation too! Once the established horse is happy and settled with the newcomer, you can then introduce the other horses. Taking off hind shoes, using leg protection and making sure there are no narrow areas in

Did you know? although turning horses out together comes with some risks, horses are social animals and will thank you for letting them hang out with their mates as much as possible!

the field where a horse could get trapped are sensible precautions if you are concerned about kicks and injuries. Never put yourself in harm’s way if you see a fight break out.

One of the most important things to realise is that most squabbles occur around either feed or in-season mares. Therefore, avoid feeding in the paddock until the hierarchy is settled and provide ad-lib hay or haylage if the grass isn’t sufficient. This means that once the dominant horses have had their fill there’s still plenty for the other horses, and avoids the situation when hungry horses are waiting to get to the feed. Although I’ve found mares and geldings can be happily turned out together, many people find it easier to keep them separate to avoid problems when mares come into season.

lEAd THE wAy Jason helps you teach your horse to lead politely

june 2014 your horse

The RDA helps people of all ages to remain active despite their disabilities whether they want to have fun or go on to compete

your horse June 2014

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Volunteering for the RDA

Do something good today Volunteering for the Riding for the Disabled Association takes just a couple of hours each week and could transform your life – here’s why WoRDs: Imogen Johnson

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or over 40 years the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has been dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through horse riding and carriage driving, and each year more than 19,000 volunteers give more than 3.5 million hours of their time to help. But, as demand for the charity rises, the team behind this famous organisation needs your help more than ever. So, if you’ve always thought about volunteering (and never quite got round to it) now’s the time to do it and here’s why.

“The main challenge we now have is meeting the demand,” says RDA Chief Executive Ed Bracher. “We have four people wanting to ride for every one we actually have riding and to combat this problem we need more volunteers, horses and venues.

“People mustn’t be worried or afraid about getting in touch with us – we love to hear from anyone who’s keen to help. We know some initially worry about working with people with disabilities but we’ll offer them all the support and training they need to feel confident and happy in their role. Plus, our focus at the RDA is on what people can achieve, not what they can’t, so the general ‘can do’, ‘just get back on the horse’ attitude of horsey people works perfectly.”

Thankfully, equestrian experience

Carriage driving with the RDA is ideal for those who are no longer able to ride

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is a bonus but not a necessity so if you’d like to volunteer for the RDA just go for it, whatever your experience. Plus, if you’re a horsey person with a non-horsey family or friends, volunteering together is a great way to merge your family and horsey life for a good cause.

“We’re not fussy about what people do in their volunteering roles,” explains Ed. “Anyone’s help is valuable and we can be flexible on what people do – some of our volunteers are allergic to horses but there are so many roles to suit everyone it’s simply not a problem!”

Volunteer your time and roles can involve anything from general yard duties like mucking out, grooming and tack cleaning to being more hands on as leaders or side walkers giving assistance to disabled riders during their sessions. And, if there’s something you’d really rather not do, you only have to say.

Who could you be helping?

Despite the charity’s reputation, Ed explains there are misconceptions about who the RDA is designed to support and what it has to offer.

“Our core objective is still, as it has always been, the delivery of therapy, achievement and fun for people with disabilities through activity with horses,” says Ed, “but many people

It’s not only children who benefit from the RDA

think they know the RDA better than they actually do. For example, most assume we only help young children but we help riders of every age and while two thirds of our riders are kids, one third are adults up to the age of 90. Last year we had one rider aged 100 who’d become disabled and wanted to stay active.”

Ed also stresses that most people are unaware of the variety of ways through which the RDA can deliver its therapy. They believe therapy is only provided via riding when in fact, the charity is heavily involved with carriage driving (which is popular with people who don’t want to or physically can’t ride) and does a lot of work in vaulting, show jumping and more recently endurance. With the help of Endurance GB, it’s now able to offer indoor para endurance over 1k courses and, while vaulting is possibly a little more unusual, for those with learning disabilities the teamwork aspect of the sport works really well. All this goes to prove that as a volunteer there’s plenty of scope to help with a range of very different activities.

June 2014 your horse

BUYERS’ GUIDE

Expert advice on buying wisely

Using cooling boots after exercise is one way to protect your horse’s legs

your horse June 2014

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gorgeous bling gear

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grey shampoos put to the test

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The best hoof care products

New gear in the shops

Time to chill out

Keep your horse’s legs in top shape this summer with our guide to a selection of cooling products that’ll keep him feeling great after hard work

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aking time to look after your horse’s legs has always been part of the daily routine for keeping him feeling fit and healthy. But now more and more riders are regularly using cold therapy as a preventative measure after heavy work, as well as for helping to treat new injuries.

Cold therapy works by cooling the tendons and suspensory ligaments, inhibiting blood flow to the area which stops the lower limb swelling.

If it’s used quickly after injury, it minimises the inflammatory response and is good for pain relief.

At rest, the core temperature of your horse’s flexor tendons is 380C, but studies have shown this core temperature can increase to up to 450C after high speed galloping.

Tendons are remarkably resistant to abnormally high temperatures, but if a horse experiences repeated bouts of high temperatures in his tendons,

this is likely to lead to tendon breakdown.

While it’s important to protect your horse’s legs with boots during fast strenuous work, some prevent a good circulation of air around his legs. This can contribute to the heating of his tendons, making a post-workout cold therapy treatment even more important to keep these essential tissues in good condition.

At home you can use cold running water, and experiments have in fact shown that this is more effective at cooling tendons than ice. However, if you are at a competition, it’s rarely available on the venue.

To help you get round this, there’s a growing number of ready-to-use cooling products now available to buy. We’ve broken them up into three different categories to help you choose the right one for you and your horse – poultices, gels and sprays, and cooling boots.

Tips for using cold therapy ●●To be effective, cold hosing

should be done for approximately 10 minutes and repeated two to three times a day ●●Do not apply ice for more than 30 minutes in any two hour period ●●Take care when applying cold therapy. If it’s applied for too long it may damage your horse’s skin and the underlying tissue

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●●If you’re using therapy boots

and your horse is very sensitive, you may want to consider using a soft cotton layer between his leg and the boot ●●Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before use ●●Always check product ingredients against your discipline’s rule book

June 2014 your horse

the test put to

Grey shampoos If your grey is looking a little beige, now’s the time to make him shine. We’ve taken six shampoos designed to make greys whiter than white and put them to the test. Find out which one did the best job at shifting the dirt and stains

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eeping your horse’s coat clean and tidy is hard enough, but if you own a grey or a horse with white markings, keeping them gleaming can be tough. this is where a shampoo formulated especially for grey coats comes in handy. But

your horse june 2014

which one will transform your horse to reveal a soft, clean coat?

International event rider Julia Dungworth tested six grey shampoos on her two dirty greys, Arthur and Bob. She assessed how easy the shampoo was to apply and rinse and how effective it was at

removing dirt and grease. After spending some time with a sponge and hose pipe to clean up her two horses, she then took the cost of the shampoo in account before deciding on her favourite. Read Julia’s comments to find out which one worked the best.

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Buyers’ Guide

Julia gets scrubbing on a very stained grey tail!

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june 2014 your horse

Next month in on sale 5 June Your Horse, we help you train in all the right ways!

Better Riding

Win a Horse returns!

• Discover how you learn best

Horse Care • Learn vital care skills direct from vets

Buyers’ Guide

Don’t miss your chance to enter our incredible competition and you could be in with a shot of winning your dream horse

• See our guide to training aids

Plus!

We investigate what it’s like to ride without sight

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AI NI

Jay and Laura are ready to help you

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It’s back!

Our 2014 Training Academy begins with N

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our new coaching duo – Laura Tomlinson and Jay Halim!