Your Horse Issue 333, Spring

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G R N PI T DE M KE A JU IC RE W T Y O Y ER SH DAEV R FO

Safer hacking Ride past bikes, Vet guide bird scarers, tractors, dogs & Prevent and treat gassy colic plastic bags with no hassle

horse GO your

Spring Issue 2010 INSPIRATION FOR OWNING AND ENJOYING HORSES

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NTHLY BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING EQUESTRIAN MO

Richard Maxwell

Successful loading every time

AFFILIATED with confidence

How to take your competing to the next level

The Big Test Stain removers Which ones work best - and why

£3.80

our special

SPRING ISSUStEop thineclscuradtcesh:

Fine-tune your XC riding with eventer Claire Lomax

Essential guide to sweet itch solutions

Show ring glamour Sure-fire ways to catch the judge's eye

cope?

How would you 34 YOUR HORSE

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Riding hacking hazards

When you venture out you have to be prepared for the unexpected but that doesn’t mean you have to leave your fate in the hands of the gods.

Follow our expert’s advice to stay on track Words Rebecca Gibson www.yourhorse.co.uk

T

he sun’s shining so you decide a leisurely hack is the order of the day. It’s a chance for you and your horse to unwind after a week of schooling. Suddenly you spot a tractor coming towards you.

There’s also a cyclist rapidly gaining ground behind, a dog walker up ahead, a plastic bag flapping in the hedge and, to top it all off, a bird scarer explodes just as you’re walking past. As you desperately struggle to gather your reins and keep your horse from bolting across a field of crops, hacking doesn’t seem quite as relaxing anymore!

Granted, the odds of you coming across all five of these hazards at once are slim, but they are all common obstacles that could spell trouble for you and your horse if you’re caught off guard. However, as our resident expert BHSI instructor Jane Baker explains, there’s no need to fear potential hazards if you know how to deal with them: “There are a number of simple exercises you can do in the school and tactics you can employ when out hacking to help make sure your rides remain hassle free.”

Here Jane tackles each of the five most common hacking hazards in turn.

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68 YOUR HORSE

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Loading with Richard Maxwell

Stale It can be easy to get locked in a battle of wills when you have a horse who doesn’t want to load, but here Richard Maxwell shares the secrets to set you free Words Rebecca Gibson

E

verybody knows someone who has a problem loader.

Some reluctant loaders have been involved in a nasty road traffic accident and have a good reason to be fearful, while others just get up one day and decide they don’t want to do it anymore.

For Richard, who has worked

with tricky loaders for almost 20 years, the reason why a horse doesn’t want to load isn’t important. Instead he focuses on changing the horse’s posture and earning his respect. By doing so he’s able to load any horse in a matter of minutes.

Here he explains how to get your horse walking on and off your trailer in five simple steps.

1 Learn to look past the reason

The reason why a horse doesn’t want to load is irrelevant

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“Loading is a universal issue in the horse world,” says Richard.

“It affects everyone from your happy hacker who wants to do the odd pleasure ride to your four star eventer. Natural survival instinct means all horses prefer wide, open spaces to the narrow, confined space of a trailer. For this reason, loading asks a lot of a horse.

“For me, the exact reasons why a horse is reluctant to load are irrelevant. If you could sit your horse down and ask him why he didn’t want to travel, he probably wouldn’t be able to tell you. All he knows is that it’s easier not to.”

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Get the look and dazzle in the show ring We spent the day with show horse producer, rider and trainer Jo Bates, who told us how to get it right in the ring and avoid any fashion faux pas!

Looking good in the show ring might seem like a mine field if you’re not sure what’s expected, but it really comes down to 3 simple rules: ✔ Always check and follow the rules of the relevant society ✔ Always look tidy – that means you and your horse ✔ Always ensure the perfect fit… of everything!

88 YOUR HORSE

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spring special What not to wear in the show ring Part 1 Jo Bates riding Bridget, dressed correctly for a hack class

turn the page for everything you need to know to look good in the show ring

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94 YOUR HORSE

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THIS COULD BE

!

U YO PRIVATE

Riding Private Lessons

Help me to be a more confident rider LESSONS

� Your problems solved with our one-to-one training sessions Words Rebecca Gibson

The trainer � Name Claire Lomas � Experience Advanced eventer Claire Lomas was paralysed when she was thrown from her Intermediate horse, Rolled Oats II, at Osberton Horse Trials three years ago. Since then, determined to walk again, Claire has been following an intensive rehab regime. She’s ridden since her accident and has been approached about trying to qualify for the 2012 Paralympics. She trains riders of all abilities.

The rider and horse � Name Kelly Davies � Experience Kelly has owned 12-year-old mare Monzey for four years. Monzey was a hunter before she came to Kelly, but now their focus is eventing. They ended last season at Pre-Novice level, but having not done any cross-country training since, Kelly is apprehensive about the season ahead. Monzey has plenty of scope, but Kelly struggles to stay in control, which means they have the odd run-out. www.yourhorse.co.uk

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Stain removers The test

The AWARDS

Stain removers are great for last-minute grooming or when bathing isn’t an option. We put 10 to the test to see which one works best EASE OF USE Our tester considered how easy each stain remover was to use, including how clear the instructions were and how easy the product was to apply

PERFORMANCE Our tester considered how well each stain remover worked and if it lived up to the manufacturer’s claims. She also considered what her horse’s coat looked and felt like after using it and how much product was needed to get the desired result

The stain remover that performed the best during our test

TURN OVER FOR stain removers tested

10

The stain remover that offers great value for money and great performance

VALUE FOR MONEY Our tester evaluated ease of use and performance in relation to price to decide whether the product was good value for money. Would she buy it again?

The other stain remover in our test that performed well

The testER Sam Turner used the stain removers on her two coloured cobs Billy Wiz and Spot. Both are out most weeks competing at dressage. They both like to cover themselves in stable stains so it can difficult to keep their white bits really white! Sam is looking for a stain remover that removes stains quickly and easily, leaving those white bits clean and bright.

80 YOUR HORSE

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THE

TEST Stain Removers

� www.yourhorse.co.uk

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112 YOUR HORSE

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buyers’ guide

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Help the

for all the advice and products you need

ADVICE

summer

allergies

Summer skin allergies including sweet itch can make your horse’s life a misery but there are products that can help ease the symptoms – we show you a selection of what’s available

It’s thought that between spring and autumn each year more than 50,000 horses in the UK suffer from summer skin allergies. Some breeds are genetically more prone to allergies, for example Thoroughbreds are much less likely to suffer than cob types.

Allergies can be caused by a number of different things including feed, nettle stings and, most commonly, saliva from

Managing allergies First you need to identify what’s causing the allergy and then remove the cause. This can be quite straightforward if it’s feed related, but it can be difficult to stop midges biting your horse. ● Stable management Midges like to breed on wet land or near water. It may be necessary to move your horse from these conditions. Also, midges feed from dawn until dusk.

Keeping your horse away from midges and in his stable during ●

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insect bites, in particular the culicoides fly (midges).

Once a horse has been exposed to the allergen, he has an ‘over the top’ immune reaction resulting in swelling and itching.

This reaction then starts a cycle where your horse will rub and chew the area, which can then become infected. The more your horse is bitten the worse the reaction becomes.

this time should be considered. ● Horse care A full body blanket will help prevent midges biting.

Fitting a fly screen on his stable door can prevent midges getting into his stable.

Fly repellents are worth using – there are a number that claim to help with skin allergies. Other creams and ointments made specifically to ease the symptoms of skin allergies can be used – midges don’t like to bite through layers of oil and grease.

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for your chance to win tickets Three good reasons to

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Claim your free day tickets

If you fancy having a go at an affiliated event for free, turn to page 50 for your chance to win a day ticket or for your free British Showjumping class entry ticket

Unaffiliated and affiliated competition

what’s the difference?

Unaffiliated competitions can be run by anyone while affiliated competitions must be run following guidelines set down by the governing body, such as British Eventing, British Dressage or British Showjumping. In most cases you’ll need to be a member of the relevant governing body to take part.

If you’ve not affiliated, why is this?

I’m happy doing what I’m doing without affiliating The process of affiliating seems daunting I don’t think I would be good enough to affiliate I’m not ready but hope to in the future It’s too expensive I don’t know what ‘going affiliated’ means

44 YOUR HORSE

60%

of Your Horse readers who took part in our survey say they’ve not affiliated in any discipline and the reasons vary (see chart, left) www.yourhorse.co.uk

spring special Guide to going affiliated

Moving on up If you’re ready to take the next step to affiliation we’ve got everything you need to know right here.

From personal benefits, to costs and real life stories, we’re here to help you make your decision

British Dressage (BD) Currently BD has more than 14,000 members, 11,000 registered horses and runs over 2,000 days of competition each year. As the governing body for dressage in Great Britain it strives to provide nationwide competitions, training, information and social opportunities for all. As an affiliated BD member you can progress your horse through levels of training by gaining points depending on your scores. For example, if you score 60-61.99% you’ll receive one BD point. By joining, you’ll enjoy a number of personal benefits.

What are the perks?

> A free copy of British Dressage magazine every six weeks > Access to a members’ only section of the BD website > Free personal liability and personal accident insurance for all private equestrian activities > The chance to ride at the Petplan Equine Area Festivals > You’ll be judged by judges who’ve passed exams and receive ongoing training > Regional training for riders at all levels given by (BD) accredited trainers > Information including a BD rule book, details of listed judges and registered BD trainers, and free online access to competition records of all BD-registered horses

How to do it

To become a member all you need to do is register yourself and your horse by visiting www.britishdressage.co.uk and going to the membership section. You’ll be given the option to join and pay online, or download the membership registration form you need and submit it by post with your payment instructions – it’s that easy.

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trained judges. From the rider who simply wants a great relationship with their horse to the one who wants to take on the best, BD helps people to achieve their ambitions and have fun along the way.

Jo Bowns, British Dressage

What you say Name Emmie Foxall Horse T-Jay Affiliated in 2008

Give it a go!

Not sure that affiliation is for you? There are other ways to get involved with BD without becoming a fully joined up member. Many people are unaware that you don’t have to be a BD member to enter the open section of Preliminary classes at affiliated competitions. You can also enter using a BD class ticket for £7 without being a member or having a registered horse.

There’s the opportunity to win rosettes and prize money – just not BD points or qualifications. You may still qualify for the Petplan Equine Area Festival, but won’t be able to compete there without joining.

How much is membership?

Membership type

Annual price

Full competing membership

£69

Non-competing membership

£38

Music membership

£29 (£20 for Riding Club members)

Eventer’s BD membership

£34

Riding Club BD membership

£34

Pony Club BD membership

£18

Horse registration

£58

What British Dressage says Membership of British Dressage is not just about competing, there’s so much more for all our members to get involved with. From camps and training opportunities, socials and yard visits, there’ll be a wide range of dressage activities going on in your area.

By going affiliated, riders are assured of great facilities and being marked by fully

Emmie Foxall

I’d thought about going affiliated but I was a little put off because I thought it was too formal, too professional and that it just wasn’t for me, but I came to a point where I was doing well at local level and decided it was time to give it a go. So in 2008 I joined BD and registered T-Jay. There was a half price offer on at Your Horse Live that helped me to make my decision. The actual process of joining was really straightforward – just a matter of filling in some forms – and soon enough I got a huge welcome pack through the post containing lots of information, entry forms, a rule book, a full registered trainer guide and loads more.

I went to my first affiliated competition in 2009 and didn’t really know what I was doing or what it would be like. I ended up falling off in the warm up, which wasn’t the best start to my affiliated career, and T-Jay got a little worked up, so needless to say I didn’t get any points on this occasion.

Not to be defeated, I went to another competition soon after and T-Jay went really well – I gained my first five points at Novice level.

I continued to compete at affiliated competitions throughout 2009 and was thrilled to get a flyer saying I’d qualified for the Petplan Equine Area Festivals. It didn’t quite go to plan as T-Jay took exception to the speaker playing classical music, so we struggled to get near C, but I was so pleased with him anyway. We came away with a lovely DVD of our performance, a BD point and a plaque that now has pride of place over his stable door.

For me the whole experience has been highly rewarding and I’d encourage anyone who wants to affiliate to go out and do it.

YOUR HORSE 45

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Guide to going affiliated spring special FREE

British Showjumping day ticket for every reader

✁

Make 2010 the year you move up to affiliated competition – use our free Ticket to Ride to compete in a British Showjumping affiliated Intro Class without having to join BS

TICKET TO RIDE Intro Shows

Valid until 31st December 2010 This ticket entitles the bearer to enter one British Showjumping competition on any one day during a twelve month period. The entrance fee for the class must be paid and no qualification or prize money will be awarded.

Owner:..............................

Rider:...............................

H/P:................................

SHOW COPY

British Showjumping National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LR TEL- (024) 76 698800 EMAIL - shows@britishshowjumping.co.uk

H/Pony: **REGISTERED/NON REGISTERED

RIDER: **EXISTING/PREVIOUS/NON MEMBER

Stallions are not permitted to compete on a ticket ALL DETAILS TO BE COMPLETED FOR CLASS ENTRY

Insurance Notice. You are insured for equestrian related Public Liability up to £30,000,000 whilst at the show as a competitor.

Full evidence of insurance is available from the Organiser. Please do not admit liability if involved in an accident.

THIS PORTION OF THE TICKET MUST ACCOMPANY COMPETITION RESULTS WHEN BEING DESPATCHED TO BRITISH SHOWJUMPING HEADQUARTERS.

This ticket entitles the bearer to enter one British Showjumping competition on any one day per annum. The entrance fee for the class must be paid and no qualification or prize money will be awarded.

British Dressage

150

tickets

We have a free British Dressage Class Ticket worth £7 to give away to 150 readers A Class Ticket allows non-members of British Dressage to compete registered or unregistered horses in one affiliated class.

You’ll receive a rosette and prize money if you’re placed, and you can qualify for the popular Area Festivals series on a Class Ticket.

Each rider who receives a ticket will also be sent a copy of British Dressage magazine, which lists competition schedules and an entry form.

When you’ve chosen your venue and test, simply attach the Class Ticket to your entry form.

> Each ticket enables horse and rider to compete in one affiliated class > Tickets do not cover class entrance fees, which must be paid for separately > The horse and rider must be eligible to compete in the section/class entered > Riders will be competing under British Dressage rules

For more information call 02476 698830 or visit www.britishdressage.co.uk How to enter Visit www.yourhorse.co.uk/win Competition closes 22 April 2010 50 YOUR HORSE

Valid until 31st December 2010

Show Name...............................................................................................................

Class................................................................... Date.............................................

Rider’s Name....................................................... Tel No..........................................

Email....................................................................

Address..................................................................................................................... ............................................................................ Postcode.....................................

Date of Birth ...................................................... **Please delete below where applicable

Signed................................................................................................

competition

TICKET TO RIDE Intro Shows

If you do not wish to be mailed from other organisations, please tick box

Tickets can be bought at shows and an unlimited number can be used throughout the year, but prize money cannot be won and you can’t qualify for championships. Riders will be competing under British Showjumping rules and eligibility requirements may apply. For more information about joining British Showjumping visit www. britishshowjumping. co.uk where you could win £1,000 cash.

To claim your free British Showjumping Intro Class day ticket, worth £6, complete the coupon and take it along to the affiliated show of your choice.

Tickets are valid until 31 December 2010. This ticket does not cover class entrance fees, which must be paid for.

British Eventing competition

150

tickets

We have 150 free British Eventing Training Tickets to give away for the BE80(T) worth £10 each A Training Ticket allows non-members of British Eventing to compete registered or unregistered horses in one affiliated class.

The BE80(T) class, with a maximum cross-country height of 80cm, is a great introduction into the sport. The class includes a simple dressage test and straightforward showjumping course, which stays the same during the spring and summer, and changes for the autumn competitions.

Each rider who receives a ticket will also be sent a copy of British Eventing magazine, which lists events and an entry form.

When you’ve chosen your venue, simply attach the Training Ticket to your entry form.

> Each ticket enables horse and rider to compete in one affiliated event > Tickets do not cover class entrance, fees which must be paid for separately > The horse and rider must be eligible to compete in the section/class entered on the ticket > Riders will be competing under British Eventing rules

For more information call 02476 698830 or visit www.britisheventing.co.uk How to enter Visit www.yourhorse.co.uk/win Competition closes 22 April 2010

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