Your Horse Issue 321

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THE BIG BEDDING CRISIS SURVIVING THE SHORTAGE

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£3.70 ISSUE 321 23 April-20 May 2009

BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING EQUESTRIAN MONTHLY

Why it’s a sure-fire way to boost your riding and competition success REAL LIFE

‘I waited 21 years to buy Jupiter!’

STOP THE WOBBLE

Sort your balance with Equilates

DANGER, DANGER!

Why hot horses can be addictive

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Show shirts to shine in Buyers’ guide to riding hats First look at funky boots

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NEWS REPORT

vaccinations... do the rules need to be changed?

Most responsible horse owners would agree vaccinations are a necessary evil, but are the strict rules imposed by British Riding Clubs a step too far? Your Horse investigates…

Investigation by Rebecca Gibson

B

ritish Riding Clubs (BRC) operate a ‘zero tolerance’ policy when it comes to vaccinations.

This means any horse who doesn’t have up-to-date immunisation records will be disqualified from competing.

Many riding club members say the rules are too harsh for amateur competitors and are calling for the BRC’s policy to be brought into line with other major organisations – such as British Dressage (BD) and the British Showjumping Association (BSJA).

The BRC competition rules state that every horse must have a valid vaccination

certificate filled in by a qualified vet. It must state that the horse has Research indicates that vaccine received two injections protection declines after a few for primary vaccination months, leaving horses more susceptible to infection towards against equine the end of the vaccination year, influenza, these must although they may not show be given no less than clinical signs of disease. Such 21 days and no more cases can spread virus or than 92 days apart. initiate outbreaks of disease

Less protection

In addition, a first booster injection must be given no less than 150 days, and no more than 215 days, after the second injection of the primary vaccination.

Subsequent booster injections must be given not more than 365 days apart.

If any of these vaccinations are out by just one day the whole course must be started again.

British Eventing follows the same rules, which were originally enforced by the Jockey Club but, rather than checking every passport, event organisers carry out random spot checks.

Any horse found to have any anomalies is sent home.

However, both BD and BSJA

Is zero

leave it up to the individual competitor to decide whether or not to vaccinate. Although these organisations recommend horses are vaccinated because some venues require it, they don’t make it a requirement for competitors.

Welfare Officer for the BSJA, Pam Rose, says: “I don’t see we have the jurisdiction to impose such rules on our members.

I think we have to respect their freedom of choice.

“Some people don’t believe in vaccinating their horses and others may have horses who have had a bad reaction to the drugs in the past.”

Rother Valley Riding Club’s Sarah Baldwin is heading a campaign to persuade the BRC to relax the rules.

“To me it’s ridiculous that I can compete at a venue on a Saturday without anyone having any interest in seeing my vaccination certificate, but then, if I go back on Sunday to compete at a BRC event, my horse won’t even be allowed off the lorry unless his vaccination records are in perfect order.”

Sarah continues: “There’s no logic to the rules as they stand.

I’m not against vaccinating.

The horse I currently compete on is vaccinated, but I’ve had two horses in the past who had bad reactions. I don’t see why the BRC should be able to tell me what’s best for my horse.

Each horse has to be considered as an individual and the BRC rules simply don’t allow for this.”

�

1

2

5

6

In pursuit of

?

When your horse dominates your relationship, the results can be painful and even dangerous. Amanda Stevenson investigates what drives some owners to risk their lives.

22 YOUR HORSE

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D

elve into the virtual world of social networking on Facebook and you can join an unlikely titled group where horse owners and riders can share their common interest – My horse is trying to kill me but I love him anyways. Categorized under Extreme Sports, its founders describe it as “A support group for all those who find themselves in an abusive relationship with their horse, but are unable to leave and save themselves due to their crazy love of said horse. If your horse tries to kill you on a regular basis and you have been through several near-death experiences, then this group is for you.” My horse is trying to kill me but I love him anyways has 5,595 members.

You can join the carefree members as they share their near-death experiences and injury highlights, all endured at the hands of their favourite horses.

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3

4

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Some recent posts on the site include: �Love him to bits, will most likely end up keeping him forever, but he has (in one year): 1. Broken my foot twice 2. Kicked me in the shins 3. Has given me a number of little nips in the arm/stomach when doing rugs/girth 4. Picked me up by my jacket (shoulder) and threw me! 5. Bit me in the face giving me a black eye, and a really bad cut across my nose. Not mentioning the number of times he dumped me and ran for it! I would have to say for one year’s worth, he has done pretty well! �My horse picked me up by my boob and dropped me. There is now a scar in the perfect form of my horse’s teeth. �We were just trotting around a ring when a tractor started up. Next thing I knew, she was bucking. I had an excellent fall to the ground, she was still bucking and one of her hooves caught my ribcage. I broke four ribs! I still love her, but man, that hurt!

�I fractured my left wrist when a green horse took off and dumped me. I cracked a rib when a horse flung me into a fence when I was turning him out. I severely broke my collarbone when I was riding afresh OTTB (off the track TB). Ended up getting surgery and a 1.5 inch screw put in to re-align my shoulder. I have a bump on my foot from when my horse did a 180 in the air and landed on my ankle... got right back on too. I’m sure I have more... �Once I was riding a mare who happened to be in season and she managed to throw me head first into a wall. Luckily I wasn’t badly hurt – just a mild concussion and I just got right back on and carried on riding her...

The group’s photo album boasts horses behaving badly, falls, and a variety of human injury close-ups from large scale bruising to severe stitching. Yet the verdict is conclusive. No matter how many broken

YOUR HORSE 23

�

Sitting pretty The perfect position is practically impossible to achieve but it easy to make improvements.

We strive for perfection in our horses’ balance and movement but often forget our posture – essential for riding in harmony with our horses.

Here Lindsay Wilcox-Reid advises on ways to get more supple and centred in the saddle.

Developing your body awareness and balance Why do we need to improve our balance and body awareness?

■ To prevent injury ■ To use our energy efficiently ■ To maximise performance ■ To help our horses

L

indsay Wilcox-Reid is a British Dressage trainer and a Level 3 Pilates instructor, accredited on the Register of Exercise Professionals. After years of competing in dressage, only to reach the same level every time, she realised there must be more she could do with her position and posture to improve.

Using Pilates, she learned to develop her position in the saddle – and saw dramatic progression in her riding and her horse’s movement.

Today her mission is to use EquiPilates to help owners and their horses ride together in physical and mental harmony, by working on posture and position in the saddle.

We went to Lindsay’s yard in Derby with our human guinea pig Andrea McHugh, to see exactly how it works.

“People come for all sorts of reasons and for different lengths of time. They might be experiencing some muscular aches and pains, their instructor may have noticed something in the way they’re riding, or they may feel that something isn’t quite right which could be down to their posture,” says Lindsay.

“Ideally I like to see the riders on their own horses, but often that’s not possible, so they can ride my school mistress Ticketyboo after working with me in the Pilates studio.”

With top riders all over the world now spending more time addressing their postural problems and working on their suppleness and balance, more everyday riders are beginning to realise how beneficial Equi-Pilates can be.

“Having busy working lives and too little time means people just want to get on and enjoy their horses, but it’s so important to be fit, balanced and supple yourself,” says Lindsay.

“Equi-Pilates recruits your deeper muscles to align your spine and builds on those muscles to support your frame in the saddle. Muscle tension can distort physical communication with your horse which is exactly what we want to prevent.”

�

too fast?

Too far

Emma Harrison’s horse Patrik has always moved with a strange shuffle and she wants to know, once and for all, if it’s down to the way he’s put together or something she’s doing wrong Words Imogen Johnson

emma harrison and patrik I have a five-year-old gelding called Patrik. When I first started to back him he didn’t trot properly at all, he shuffled and looked lame. I asked my vet for advice but, after numerous visits, I was told it was simply the way he was put together. Furthermore, the vet said that because of this, he’d probably never look sound! I kept at it and, after 12 months of schooling and working Patrik in a Pessoa, we now have a good trot, but I just don’t know how to improve the quality of it from here. It’s a little flat and, while he has a cracking canter and walk, I’m still struggling to get his trot right. If he gets giddy or excited, he reverts back to his little shuffle. I’m really not sure whether I’m pushing him too hard or if that’s just the way he is.

THE EXPERT Kate Earthy Kate is on the register of instructors and a British Dressage trainer. She’s won points to advanced level and competed to Prix St George. She’s currently working as a freelance instructor and teaching at her fantastic yard, in the Cheshire hills where she used to give private lessons on her former competition horses.

Kate Earthy, Patrik and Emma Harrison

To contact Kate about lessons call 01625 420389

38 YOUR HORSE

www.yourhorse.co.uk

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Your Horse clinic 0845 331 3080, www.amtrustequine.co.uk Patrik’s shuffle has Emma at her wits end

Spotting the shuffle

Kate asks to see Patrik trot up so she can see his strange shuffle before Emma gets on to ride.

Typically, with an audience in the arena, it’s not as obvious as normal but, in walk, Kate can see Patrik moves with short steps and more weight on his left hind. He also puts in a little rear when Emma asks him to trot.

“I’ve asked you to trot up Patrik because it’s useful for me to see how he moves normally before he’s ridden,” says Kate. “I can definitely see what you mean about his irregular movement, but you’ve obviously done a lot of good work with him to get him to this point.

If you get on now, we can see what happens with you on board.”

Emma gets on and begins to walk and trot Patrik around the arena. He’s a little distracted and tense and Emma says he’s not normally so flighty. Having travelled to a new location, Kate gives him the benefit of the doubt and tells Emma their first goal is to help Patrik relax.

“When you trotted, you said Patrik felt like he was shuffling again and it was more like he was running than trotting. What we need to do is get him to relax his neck a bit more and allow a little more swing through his back end. Hopefully this will help him to move with more of a stride behind instead of a shuffle,” says Kate.

“Irish Draughts aren’t naturally athletic, so some of them need more help than others in this area, just like Patrik needs help to get a more regular movement.”

Kate tells Emma not to try too hard in the lesson and just to concentrate on what Patrik is doing. She explains they’ll work on his rhythm and relaxation using some pole exercises.

“We want to build a structure for you both to work on so Patrik can improve from today. This lesson isn’t going to be about perfect work.”

Emma trots Patrik up

rse Your Hioc clin rt in the

e pa gen ke to tak If you’d li Clinic, email Imo @ e n o rs s o Your H at imogen.john oling Johnson .co.uk with Scho e, dia t lin bauerme ing in the subjec ing p go ll m a Ju ’s it or s where n and tell u r you. A solutio wrong fo e just around could b er! the corn

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� YOUR HORSE 39

horse answers Crib-

1 QUESTION 3 EXPERT ANSWERS

Leading trainers, instructors, feed experts and vets, along with riding legends, offer you free, professional advice – whatever the problem Rebecca Gibson

Horse Answers editor � Send your question to Horse Answers at the Your Horse address, or email yourhorse@bauermedia.co.uk

MEET OUR EXPERTS Beverley Brightman

is a Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer

LIzzie Drury

MSc RNutr, BSc (Hons) is a nutritionist for Saracen

Malcolm Holtshausen has ridden to Advance level and is a trainer

Malene Jørgensen

CandMedVet, VetMFHom, Cert IAVH, MRCVS vet and homeopath

Claire Lilley

is an international dressage rider and trainer

Emma Case

BSc (Hons) is a nutritionist for Baileys Horse Feeds

Gayle Hallowell

is a vet from the Royal Veterinary Hospital

Sharon Hunt

is a three-day event Olympic medalist

Claire Lawrence

is a nutritionist for Allen & Page

Carol Mailer

is an experienced show jumper and trainer

Gil Riley

Nicola Tyler

Belinda Walkinshaw

Sarah Weston

is a vet and holds the RCVS Certificate in Equine Practice

is head of equestrian law firm Pickworths

Charles Wilson

MA, BHSAI is a natural horsemanship expert

42 YOUR HORSE

BSc (Hons) is nutrition director at TopSpec

is an Associate of the Intelligent Horsemanship Association

14 pages 44 Riding

including

Getting a bouncy canter 46 Horse care How to stop head-shaking 47 Vet Hormonal help 48 Horse care Does Marmite repel insects?

50-55 Four-page breeding special including: 50 Behaviour My foal is too strong 51 Vet CEM certificate explained 51 Horse care Finding the right stallion 52 Feeding Food for expectant mare 55 Legal Wrongly sold a broodmare 56 Feeding Benefits of oil celebrity

58 horse answers

Olympic medalist Sharon Hunt on cross-country queries reader

60 horse answers

My 10-month-old colt won’t let me catch him in the stable

biting concerns Q

During a period of box rest my horse started to crib-bite. He’s now turned out, but has continued this behaviour. Will it harm him?

I’ve heard some people now believe that crib-biting is the result of indigestion. Should I try feeding a supplement that will aid digestion?

Anna, on email

The vet Gil Riley says Crib-biting is a learned behaviour or vice.

The horse grasps an object between his incisor teeth and inhales air into the oesophagus while emitting an audible grunting noise. There is strong evidence this repetitive behaviour represents an attempt by the horse to cope with specific stresses imposed on him as a result of his environment and management.

It used to be thought crib-biting was potentially harmful to a horse’s health because of the threat of colic from filling the stomach with air, damage to incisor teeth and the belief that crib-biters did not get the maximum benefit from their food. However, researchers have found that very little air actually makes its way into the stomach, casting doubts on the theory that crib-biting is a direct cause of gassy colic.

Creating an environment that is healthy for the physical and mental well-being of the horse can alleviate a crib biting problem, or keep it from happening in the first place. Supply as much turnout as possible and provide stabled horses with plenty of forage, fresh water, and clean air.

A

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horse answers Crib-biting used to be thought to be a result of boredom

RIDING

How do I make him carry himself?

Q

How can I stop my horse shooting his head up when I give and re-take the contact in a test?

Jen, on email Beverley Brightman says This movement is designed to test your horse’s self carriage. It sounds like your horse is not secure enough in the contact and is relying too much on your hand to stay in an outline.

Firstly, you need to establish a good rhythm in trot or canter – whichever pace you are practising in. Then, pick up a 20m circle. Make sure your horse is in front of the leg before you try giving and retaking the inside rein only. If you find your horse is still struggling, you can support him by using more inside leg to outside hand.

Once you’ve cracked this, try giving and retaking the outside rein in the same manner. Then you can try gently giving both reins – at first for only one stride and build up to three.

A Did you knowthat the

own It’s been sh ti-crib collar n a n a f o use e horse’s increases th and does ss re levels of st e horse not stop th the cribbing in long term

The nutritionist Claire Lawrence advises Horses have evolved to spend the majority of their time foraging. If they can’t forage, this leads to frustration and crib-biting. The horse needs to chew more or less continuously in order to produce enough saliva to protect against excess acid in the stomach. It’s thought that crib-biting stimulates the production of saliva in the same way that chewing on forage does. Once crib-biting has begun, the ‘kick’ the horse gets from the behaviour causes him to continue, even if he now has continuous access to forage.

The use of antacids has been shown to be successful in reducing crib-biting. However, it’s important to look at the overall picture. Keeping the horse as naturally as possible is of utmost importance. Twenty-four hour turnout with companions is ideal. However, if this cannot be achieved, make sure your horse can see and touch other horses while stabled and has an ad-lib supply of forage.

Offer several different forage sources such as hay, haylage and chaffs to help promote natural foraging behaviour.

A

The behaviourist Sarah Weston replies The spotlight is being turned to the possibility of gastric ulcers prompting crib-biting. Recent veterinary studies indicate a very high percentage of racehorses – traditionally kept in for long periods of time with limited forage – develop gastric ulcers.

It also suggests over 60% of pleasure horses, kept in for a significant proportion of the day, suffer from gastric ulcers.

Given that your horse has continued to crib-bite once he’s been turned out, it’s worth asking your vet to investigate the possibility of gastric ulcers. This will involve an endoscopy, and will give you a definitive diagnosis.

I’m not convinced that a supplement designed to aid digestion will help. It is best to identify any medical problem and treat the condition appropriately with drugs or a product aimed specifically at gastric ulcers.

With an early diagnosis, you’ll be able to make an informed decision and avoid what may be a symptom of a medical problem becoming a behavioural habit.

A

The contact should come from behind your leg, not from your hands

�Online help For more advice on riding, horse care, health, behaviour, complementary therapy – or anything else horse-related – go to

� www.yourhorse.co.uk

YOUR HORSE 43

62 YOUR HORSE

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Riding clubs rule

THE GREAT RIDING CLUB Many equestrian organisations are struggling to retain their members as horse owners are hit hard by the credit crunch, but British Riding Clubs across the country are bucking this trend. So what is it that makes riding clubs so popular?

T

here are more than 400 affiliated riding clubs in Great Britain and Northern Ireland with a total of 43,000 members, and this number is increasing.

Although many of the clubs have been running for decades, several new organisations are established every year.

“Ten new clubs affiliated in 2008 and five have applied so far in 2009,” Senior Executive of British Riding Clubs (BRC), Sarah Phillips says. “I think it’s a credit to the BRC concept that more than 50 years after the affiliation scheme was set up, new clubs are still being formed and joining in the fun.”

Originally, independent clubs were set up by horse enthusiasts who wanted to offer training and organise local events for the community around them. In the 60s these clubs decided to unite and affiliate themselves with the British Horse Society – eventually resulting in the formation of BRC. Although the clubs continued to run their own affairs, the BHS were able to offer support and guidance to help new clubs form, and old clubs extend their remit. Since then, the traditional riding club concept has continued to go from strength to strength. Run by members for members, the clubs have continually evolved to meet the needs of riders.

A key part of the riding club experience is training and competing. Most clubs

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offer their members access to quality trainers at a reduced cost and run local competitions that are friendly, affordable and accessible to all levels of rider. The highlight of the BRC competition season are the five National Championships which cover all disciplines, with an estimated 3,000 members competing every year. Competitors of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to qualify for these Nationals at a club level.

Julia Crowson is a four star eventer who regularly trains members of the Wittering Academy. “Riding Clubs are a great idea and a fantastic opportunity for me to work with riders at all levels,” she says. “I can tell them when they’re ready for a competition and what they need to work on in the meantime.

At Wittering Academy, there’s also a mentoring scheme in operation.” Julia says. “This means I see the riders I mentor every month, I can help them work toward their goals and they can approach me with any questions or queries about their progress.”

In addition to the many ridden activities on offer, most clubs organise horse management days where members can improve their stable management skills. These can include anything from learning the tricks of the trade when it comes to grooming and mucking out, to massage therapy for the horse and sports psychology for the rider. There is, in fact,

YOUR HORSE 63

�

Help me prepare for the eventing season ďż˝ Your problems solved with our one-to-one training sessions Words Rebecca Gibson

92 YOUR HORSE

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Riding Private Lessons

The trainer � Name Karen Dixon � Experience Having first represented her country at the age of 17, Karen is one of the all-time eventing greats.

She has won medals at all levels, including Team Silver at the Seoul Olympics, Team Gold and individual bronze at the World Championships in Holland and has also been awarded an MBE for her contribution to the sport. These days Karen concentrates on teaching up-and-coming riders and training young event horses.

The rider and horse � Name Megan Dale � Experience Megan has owned 10-year-old Irish Draught, Red, for 13 months. Having completed their first affiliated Intro event at the end of 2008, Megan is hoping to move up to Pre-Novice by the end of the 2009 season. Although 100% honest, Red has a tendency to get a bit strong.

For this reason Megan hasn’t done a lot of cross-country with him. She hopes her lesson with Karen will help her stay in control and give her confidence to make the move up to Pre-Novice.

Before they start Karen gets Megan to put her stirrups up. “You need to have your stirrups short in order to be safe,” she says.

“If your horse pecks or trips on landing, you don’t want to be gripping with your lower leg – this will cause your legs to swing back and your seat to become unstable.

If your stirrups are short, you can rest your boots against the bars of the stirrups, open up the angles and keep your leg position secure.” www.yourhorse.co.uk

Karen explains why it’s important to put your stirrups up for cross-country

YOUR HORSE 91

�

Surviving the bedding crisis As some beddings become harder to find and prices threaten to go through the roof, there are still options for keeping your horse content in his stable without having to re-mortgage your house ďż˝

the big read

Head

first 112 YOUR HORSE

A correctly-fitted riding hat is essential when you are around your horse. With many different types and shape of hat available, deciding on the correct one can be daunting. Here, we take a look at some of the hats available and the safety standards they meet. www.yourhorse.co.uk

buyers’ guide �

Champion Evolution Hat from £125

The Champion Evolution is a low profile, modern lightweight hat founded upon a glassfibre shell for maximum impact protection. Covered in soft and durable synthetic nubuck, the Champion Evolution hat incorporates a stylish ventilated airflow system that helps to keep your head cool. It has a harness made from soft, padded synthetic nubuck, a rear drawstring and a quick release clip for ease of use.

The Champion Evolution is kitemarked to PAS 015 1998 and BS EN 1384 1996.

Colours Black, blue Sizes 6¼ – 7¾

hMAoGrAsZINeE your

FAV URITE a traditional because this is andard st gh hat with a hi of protection

Just Togs JTE Sprint helmet £99

Designed to keep your head cool, this hat features a front ventilation strip and two stainless steel side and rear vents. The soft headband inside the hat helps to wick away moisture and keep you comfortable.

Colours Carbon grey and matt black Sizes 6½ – 7½

ADVICE

RIDING HAT standards Before buying a hat, check which standards are approved by the governing bodies of the disciplines you want to do.

� BS EN 1384

This standard may be found prefixed by other initials belonging to the country testing the helmet, e.g. DIN EN 1384:1997. Certain bodies demand BS EN 1384 because the helmet has been tested in Britain. Acceptable by all organisations.

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� PAS 015

This standard provides improved protection to the crown and the intermediate areas which account for 75% of most general riding impacts. It also provides crush resistance and prevention of brain injury when landing.

Recommended by most organisations.

� ASTM F 1163

This American standard allows larger ventilation slots and the test includes using a hazard anvil

(now incorporated in PAS 015:1998).

� The Kitemark and SEI

The kitemark is the registered trademark of the British Standards Institute (BSI) – the SEI is the American equivalent. It is affixed to products certified as meeting the required standard.

� CE Mark

Introduced to ensure products entering Europe met the basic safety requirements.

YOUR HORSE 113

�

THE

TEST Show shirts

Show off

We put a selection of stylish show and competition shirts to the test, and recommend which ones will keep you comfortable and give you a winning look

The test

The AWARDS

DESIGN AND FIT Our testers considered the individual design, style, material and fit of the shirts with and without jackets. This included the collar fit and whether they could wear a stock or tie with the shirt.

PERFORMANCE How comfortable was each of the shirts to wear on and off their horses? Did they allow freedom of movement across the shoulders? What about breathability and ease of washing and ironing?

The shirt that surpassed on all counts of the test The shirt that offers great fit, performance and great value

VALUE FOR MONEY Our testers assessed each of the shirts for their design, fit and overall performance in relation to price to help them decide whether they think the shirts offer good value for money. www.yourhorse.co.uk

We highlight the other shirts that performed well and are worth considering YOUR HORSE 71

ďż˝