Everything horse uk magazine september 2014

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‘Bomb Proof’ Your Horse

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The Longines Royal International Horse Show 2014EVENT REPORT INSIDE

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2 Everything Horse UK Magazine • Issue 11 • September 2014

September 2014 • Issue 11 • Everything Horse UK Magazine 3

ello and welcome to the September issue of the Everything Horse UK

magazine, we simply can’t believe, this is already our 12th issue! Next month we will be celebrating the publications first birthday we hope you manage to join us!

August has been a wash out! The wind and rain has seen us swap our vest tops for hoodies and fly spray for rugs! The weather certainly hasn’t put our Pony Club members off, as August saw the Pony Club Championships continue despite the awful weather.

In this months magazine we have covered the latest industry news, including a comprehensive British Dressage Report from one of our favourite riders, Daisy Jackson.

We have two rider focus Q&A sections this month, the first with Spencer Roe and the second with Louise Saywell, both names we are sure you’ll be hearing lots more of in the future!We’ve teamed up with Managing

Director of Medi-K, Kay Patterson for a fabulous First Aid article. Kay tells us more on what and what not to do when a rider has an injury and also covers the DR ABC checklist. Should you be able to, print the document out and pin it into your tack room, you’ll never know when you may need it

Jennie Daniels is on hand to help you ‘Bombproof Your Horse’. Jennie, a member of the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet team and her black Irish Cob Tilly, show us how its done.

UKCC Coach Michael Potter has written a fantastic article giving examples of 5 great exercises to improve your jumping technique over the winter months.

As usual there’s lots more inside, so while the weather is still bad put your feet up and enjoy this months magazine!

Suzanne AshtonCompany Director Everything Horse UK Ltd

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DISCLAIMER

Everything Horse UK Ltd endeavors to bring the reader accurate and up to date information from the equestrian industry. We may or may not agree with the information provided in this magazine, however we do aim to make sure it is relevant at the time of publishing. Images are provided by the content writers and Everything Horse UK Ltd will not be held liable for the use of images if copyright authentication has not been accurately sourced. Responsibility for Copyright authentication is left solely with the con-tributor. Should you have a dispute please contact Everything Horse UK, we will then be able to give details for the writer responsible for the issue of the images. Everything Horse UK Ltd strongly recom-mend you consult a qualified veterinary practitioner should you have any doubts over your horses health.

Everything Horse UK Magazine

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WELCOME TO SEPTEMBER ISSUE


CONTENTS6. The Longines Royal Internatioal 2014 8. British Dressage Report by Daisy Jackson14. Industry News19. Social Media for Businees with Emily Huxtable from Equine Events52. Product Focus

REGULARS

RIDER FOCUS22. Louise Saywell, Soaring in to the senior ranks, Louise Saywell is a woman on a mission

24. Spencer Roe, A rising star in the world of Show-Jumping

FIRST AID29. First Aid tips with Managing Director of Medi-K, Kay Patterson covering does and dont’s and the DR ABC checklist

HEALTH34. An Introduction to Bowen Therapy

36. Equine Massage and Horse Tack, Barbara Dreyer looks at what happens if your horses tack doesn’t fit

40. Attack of the Internal Invaders, a look into parasites and effective treatment

42. Recognising signs that your horse has a musculoskeletal problem

TRAINING26. ‘Bomb Proof’ your Horse

30. 5 Jumping Exercises to help keep you going over the winter months

YOUR SAY20. We asked our readers “If you were given £5000 to spend on your horse....what would you buy?”

50. Choosing the right bedding with Paul Groombridge from Aquamax

SPECIAL FEATURE

46. Pitch Perfect Tuning the Horse Human Relationship

HORSE AND RIDER


EVERYTHING HORSE UK MAGAZINE


written by Jennifer McAloon

This years RIHS, Hickstead took place from Tuesday 29th July until Sunday 3rd August and as usual didn’t disappoint. The prestigious show, which is the official show of the British Horse Society, is now in its 107th year and features an action packed schedule of national and international showjumping, championship showing classes and exciting scurry ponies. The showing classes are the accumulation of much hard work at winter qualifiers and celebrates the beautiful breeding of British horses and ponies. The showjumping classes include the peak of the winter national qualifiers as well as the only British round of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup and legendary classes such as the British Speed Classic, the Queen Elizabeth Cup and on the final day, the Longines King George V Gold Cup. As always there was the fabulous selection of trade stands and the friendly, relaxed atmosphere the venue is so famous for. The great mix of elite showing and international showjumping make the RIHS one of the very best dates in the equestrian calender.

Furusiyya FEI Nations CupThe British round of the Nations Cup took place on Friday 1st August and was the 7th leg of the Europe Division 1 Series. With a total of 8 teams competing and 5 teams battling for the crucial last

few qualifying points before the last leg in Dublin the following Friday, competition was fierce. America cruised into the lead in the early stages with a clear first round and went on to claim 1st place with only 4 faults which were picked up by Reed Kessler and Cylana. It was a disappointing day for Great Britain who who racked up 28 faults and struggled to finish joint 6th with France. Netherlands and Germany took joint second on 8 faults , Ireland and Belgium shared 4th place on 12 and Sweden last on a massive 38 faults.

Dreamflight Ladies DaySaturday 2nd August was an action packed ladies day and featured the Templants Queen Elizabeth II Cup, traditionally only open to women, for some years now men have also been allowed to compete and it has become the climax of the national grand prix circuit. The Kelvin Bywater designed course on Hickstead’s undulating ground proved testing with only 6 combinations making it through to the jump off and just 4 double clears. The class was won by Ireland’s Trevor Breen and his one eyed wonder horse, Adventure de Kannan, adding another major Hickstead win to his tally after winning last months Hickstead Derby. Robert Whitaker and USA Today claimed 2nd with just 0.5 of a second off Trevor Breen’s jump off time of 43.20 and 3rd place went to the only woman to jump a double clear USA rider Laura Kraut and Nouvelle. British rider Phillip Miller and Diana Cornish’s Basic were the only other combination to jump double clear and finished in 4th.

An exciting day of Showing Championships, National Showjumping and the fast and

furious Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry ended with the always exciting British Speed Classic. William Whitaker with Upperclass took 1st place after absolutely smashing his opponents times finishing with no faults and an extremely impressive time of 61.99, a massive 3 seconds off 2nd placed Belgium’s Olivier Philippaerts and Carlito C. William’s cousin Robert took 3rd riding 11 year old chestnut gelding Jahil. There was 11 of 23 finishers who rode clear whilst Netherlands Jur Vrieling was unfortunately eliminated, Belgium’s Pieter Devos retired and sadly Ireland’s Darragh Kenny withdrew after a fall from his horse Fantasy in the warm up.

The Longines King George V Gold CupThe final day of this years Royal International Horse Show accumulated with the historic King George V Gold Cup and for the first time in its 108 year history the richest prize of the show was won by a woman. America’s Bezzie Madden rode 12 year old Cortes C , who was also part of Friday’s USA Nations Cup win, to victory after being last to jump in the second round. The competition was only open to men until 2008 and this year saw its first female winner. The 49 starting combinations was whittled down to a jump off of just 14 with Michael and Robert Whitaker being the only Brits. Fifth rider in Shane Breen was the first to jump a double clear riding Golden Hawk on a time of 52.88, although he didn’t hold the lead for long as Australian James Paterson- Robinson rode clear in 51.14. Three fences down put Robert Whitaker out of the running and left him in 13th place. Germany’s Marcus Ehning

The Longines Royal International Horse Show 2014

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clocked an impressive time of 47.91 but was quickly relegated to 3rd as he was followed by Ireland’s Bertram Allen and the big jumping Romanov who clocked 47.09. Last to jump Bezzie and Cortes C stole the lead with a time of 46.01.

ShowingEvery year more than 1,600 of the best of British show horses and ponies compete at Hickstead

and this year was no exception. There was nearly 200 classes over the 6 days ranging from working hunter to side saddle, Cob classes to Arab, lead rein to miniature horse to name but a few and the ultimate accolade, as always, is the British Horse Society Supreme Horse and Underwood Supreme Pony Champion titles. On the final day of the show just before the Longines King George V Gold Cup the best of the best entered

the International Arena ready to perform for the title. The British Horse Society Supreme Horse title was taken by Hunter Class Champion Hoppy Jumping and rider Allister Hood who impressed both judges and crowds alike with their superb gallop. The Underwood Supreme Pony title was won by 2011 winning combination 12 year old Poppy Carter and Rotherwood Rainmaker.

Dreamflight Ladies day at Hickstead (c) Samantha LambSupreme Pony winner at Hickstead (c) Samantha Lamb

Beezie Madden becomes the first lady to win the Longines King George V Gold Cup. Image

(c) Samantha Lamb


This month’s focus has seen the Pony Team win a silver medal at this year’s Pony European Championships and the Regional Championships take place at Somerford Park, Sparsholt, Mount Ballan, The Cabin, Keysoe, Fry’s and Addington.

There were many impressive performances from some very talented combinations. One of which being Kirsty Mepham and 10 year old Minnie a Dutch bred mare by Idocus.

Owners Anne Baldock and daughter Rebecca Vinter have owner Minne for 3 years now, 2 of which Becky rode and competed her. Last year Becky decided to take a break from riding to pursue her job in London and having trained with Kirsty since she was 11 years old decided to give Minnie to her to continue to bring on and compete.

Although Minne can sometimes be a little too keen. Kirsty explained she has a great attitude to work and said she has high hopes for the future as she is working on the Grand Prix work already. Having already qualified for the Intermediate I at the National Champions Kirsty is also hoping to get a wild card for the Prix St. George.Ashley Jenkins won the Novice open at Addington on his own

Salsa Hit, a 5 year old, who Ashley has been riding since backing him as a 3 year old. Gareth Hughes is currently training Samba Hit III, Salsa’s sire. Both Samba and Salsa were owned by Margaret Lister until Ash bought Salsa from Margaret in October last year. Ashley already has a National title under his belt which he won at Preliminary level on Dan Greenwood’s and Jamie Reynold’s Lukien Von Tespe.

He is currently working and training at Dan’s yard in the Cotswold’s, Gloucestershire where he is progressing Salsa further and preparing him for his first ever National Championships in September. I caught up with Ash to ask how Salsa felt on the day of the

regionals: “I really love his temperament; he really wants to ‘go’ all the time which I think is a really special quality in a horse. He is also quite a big character and his mind can wander sometimes so I’m thrilled he stayed with me on the day, despite being a bit full of himself in the warm up.”

Also excelling at the regionals was Sara-Jane Lanning, securing three places at the National Championships at Stoneleigh in September. Sara took three titles at Sparsholt in the Novice and Elementary Open on Mi Amigo and the Prix St. George with her 17hh Dutch gelding Try Me Once, who is part owned with partner Andrew Griffin. Sara and Andrew

have owned Theo, as he is known at home, since 2009. He gave his everything to steal the top spot with 68.465%. He is by Montecristo and is 14 years old. Behaving very well in the 30 degree heat they performed a steady clear round and although there were some super horses to beat, that’s all he need to do as many others made mistakes. Sara had previously been drilled by trainer, Isobel Wessels, to not throw marks away with lack of accuracy. Excellent advice which obviously paid off!

Image left; Sara and Try Me Once by Andrew Griffin

British Dressage Report written by Daisy Jackson

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More exciting news comes from our Pony Team as Great Britain’s 4 very talented pony riders Rebecca Bell, Alexandra Hellings, Bethany-Rose Horobin and Phoebe Peters achieved 2nd place getting a silver medal in the Team Test at the Pony European Championships in Millstreet, Ireland. All 4 riders put on a fantastic performance and were thrilled with their results. The gold went to Germany with a score of 225.333. However, we were not far behind scoring a proud 222.256. Holland couldn’t quite catch us up scoring 216.667.

For full results please see following ‘results pages’ in the magazine.

Nadine Gregorys, Candover Dramatico (Tico) is a 16.1hh 10 year old gelding by Dimaggio x Hohenstein and now the Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted champion. Tico was the first foal bred by Eileen Jamieson at Candover Stud. The Balanced Rider sponsored Nadine is a freelance instructor near Winchester and Tico is her only competition horse who she keeps at a local farm. The combinations

previous successes have been qualifying for the Novice Open Nationals in 2012 and Elementary Open in the 2014 Winter Championships. Nadine was very pleased with her win and told us a little about her partnership with Tico:

‘’I started riding Tico 4 years ago when I was doing some part time work for his breeder. He had been having some back problems and had been out of work for quite a while. On coming back into work he was being rather sharp and tricky. After lots of physio and vet checks we could not find a physical reason for his behaviour so we took him right back to basics and virtually restarted him from scratch. Not really knowing how or if he would cope with the work,(but having rather fallen for him!) I then took him on loan for a year before buying him in 2011.

He’s very sharp and active and a really rewarding (but sometimes frustrating!) horse to work with, I have had lots of tricky moments as he’s a bit of a worrier and especially in the early days would

really panic at the slightest thing and though he generally trusts me now I’m still quite careful with anything different!

I work in return for training with Kate Smith who has been great support at getting us through some of the hair raising moments!

I am excited about his future. He finds the higher level work quite easy, but changes are proving rather exciting so I have banned these until the nationals are over but hopefully will then get confident with these and be ready for Advanced Medium and then will see how far we can get!

He has great feet and is unshod hacking happily as well as schooling. He is turned out at night in summer, and in the day in winter. He is a very fussy feeder and has been difficult to put weight on but has improved following help from Saracen recently.’’

Image below; Nadine Gregory showing off Candover Dramatico in the prize

giving. Photo by Kevin Sparrow


Team Test at the Pony European ChampionshipsPlace Rider Horse Percentage (%)2nd Phoebe peters SL Lucci 76.5904th Alexandra Hellings Der Kleine Lord 73.5647th Bethany-Rose Horobin Gigolo 72.10312th Rebecca Bell Valido’s Sunshine 71.692

UK REGIONAL RESULTS

Winners of Addington Regional ChampionshipsClass Rider Horse Percentage

%BackInAction Preliminary Section 1 Claire Hall-peachy D’Artagnan 71.60BackInAction Preliminary section 2 Niamh Moran Crackerjack Himself 74.17Dodson and Horrell Novice Restricted Anne-Sophie Gilson Basantos 71.09Dodson and Horrell Novice Open Section 1

Phoebe Peters Cruz II 72.67

Dodson and Horrell Novice Open Section 2

Ashley Jenkins Salsa Hit 74.83

Equilibrium Products Elementary Restricted Section 1

Nickie Maddaford Alfiero 71.56

Equilibrium Products Elementary Restricted Section 2

Ali Fernyhough Chateau 73.65

Equilibrium Products Elementary Open Jess Bennett JB Dukaat 77.71Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted Owner Cooper Don Dante 72.43Dressage Deluxe Medium Open Section 1

Daniel Greemwood Val Rubilah 72.21

Dressage Deluxe Medium Open Section 2

Gareth Hughes First Lady 72.75

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Restricted

Rebecca Cowderoy Celicia 71.40

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Open

Michael Eilberg Der Designer 76.10

Fairfax Saddles Prix St. George Anders Dahl Wincenzo 72.24Saracen Horse feeds FEI Intermediate Olivia Oakeley Donna Summer 71.54

Winners of The Cabin Regional ChampionshipsClass Rider Horse Percentage

(%)BackInAction Preliminary Rebecca Johnston The Longhouse Rosadonna 71.28Dodson and Horrell Novice Restricted

Debbie Murray Fancyman MFS 72.13

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Dodson and Horrell Novice Open Elizabeth Gammie Champagne Bubbles 70.69Equilibrium Products Elementary Restricted

Caitlin Padfield Upsidedown van de Kwikaard 70.78

Equilibrium Products Elementary Open

Jennifer Johnston MFS Caliana 72.03

Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted

Sue Grice Frodo 67.66

Dressage Deluxe Medium Open Jo Hamilton Corchapin 73.06Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Restricted

Katherine Tullie Arctic Jazz 70.44


Jo Hamilton Corchapin 70.26

Fairfax Saddles Prix St. George Jane Jolly Sam Sam 67.02

Winners of Keysoe Regional ChampionshipsClass Rider Horse Percentage

%BackInAction Preliminary Section 1 Natasha Dobson Camaretto BFZ 69.10BackInAction Preliminary section 2 Louise Beard Danny’s April Pride 71.47Dodson and Horrell Novice Restricted Julie Arabin Felina III 70.40Dodson and Horrell Novice Open Jess Thompson Athene Lindebjerg 74.60Equilibrium Products Elementary Restricted

Lucy Diamond Argentus 69.74

Equilibrium Products Elementary Open Jess Thompson Athene Lindebjerg 75.63Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted Regula Stricker Pimmento 68.78Dressage Deluxe Medium Open Judy Harvey Blitz 69.46Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Restricted

Claire Knowles Rendragon of Independe 71.14


Alex Hardwick Donauwein 70.92

Fairfax Saddles Prix St. George Alex Hardwick Royal Chester 71.114Saracen Horse feeds FEI Intermediate Alex Hardwick Royal Chester 73.77

Class Rider Horse Percentage (%)

BackInAction Preliminary Section 1 Sandra Batson Blade T 71.99BackInAction Preliminary section 2 Jason Davies Sunset Boulevard 71.67Dodson and Horrell Novice Restricted Charlotte

McdowallFelinmor Buddy 71.44

Dodson and Horrell Novice Open Calum Whitwoth

Whybanquo 72.59

Equilibrium Products Elementary Restricted Katharina Sievert

Samba Song 72.29

Equilibrium Products Elementary Open Robin Hayes Uranium sp 70.99Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted Helen Askey Boston Hs 67.97Dressage Deluxe Medium Open Nicola Cooper Classic Cupido V 73.47


RESULTSPlease find below the results from Daisy’s comprehensive British Dressage Report, September 2014

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Restricted

Jenny Rose Tabriz 67.68

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Open Zoe Sleigh Bequia 70.26Fairfax Saddles Prix St. George Katherine

CowellRockefeller IV 70.44

Saracen Horse feeds FEI Intermediate Katherine Cowell

Rockefeller IV 70.09

Winners of Sparsholt Regional ChampionshipsClass Rider Horse Percentage

(%)BackInAction Preliminary Section 1 Charlotte Blain Donatella IV 75.128BackInAction Preliminary section 2 Lucy Jane Amy Rudy 77.564Dodson and Horrell Novice Restricted Lucy Jane Amy Rudy 72.414Dodson and Horrell Novice Open Sara-Jane Lanning Mi Amigo 75.057Equilibrium Products Elementary Restricted

Laura Wetherall Doetelaar 71.354

Equilibrium Products Elementary Open Sara-Jane Lanning Mi Amigo 73.698Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted Nadine Gregory Candover Dramatico 73.063Dressage Deluxe Medium Open Alice oppenheimer Tantoni Sir Socrates 73.018Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Restricted

Gabriella Zajacka Mundham Demon Dancer 71.579


Alice Oppenheimer Tantoni Sir Socrates 74.825

Fairfax Saddles Prix St. George Sara-Jane Lanning Try Me Once 68.465Saracen Horse feeds FEI Intermediate Kirsty Mepham Minain 68.277

Winners of Fry’s Regional ChampionshipsClass Rider Horse Percentage

(%)BackInAction Preliminary Angela

SmithRegency George 73.91

Dodson and Horrell Novice Restricted Katie Owens

GDH Skyfall 71.21

Dodson and Horrell Novice Open Laura Javis

Del-Isla 70.46

Equilibrium Products Elementary Restricted Harriette Howard

Starholme Amberleigh 69.22

Equilibrium Products Elementary Open Laura Newton

Zebrano 72.55

Equilibrium Products Elementary Open Sarah Payne

Sheepgate Bommel 72.55

Dressage Deluxe Medium Restricted Alison Mercer

Remix 70.81

Dressage Deluxe Medium Open Sarah Higgins

Delicata 71.58

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Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Restricted Craig Millard

Wordly Wise 68.55

Suregrow Fertiliser Advanced Medium Open Charlotte Fry

Z Flemmenco 71.40

Fairfax Saddles Prix St. George Laura Newton

Urban Hit 70.75

Saracen Horse feeds FEI Intermediate Ryan Todd

Charlex Eskebjerg 68.86

Winners of Somerford Regional ChampionshipsClass Rider Horse Percentage (%)BackInAction Preliminary Section 1 Diane Wilson Columbus P 72.24BackInAction Preliminary Section 2 Paula Holden Eberhard 78.27BackInAction Preliminary Section 3 Helen Lowery Chapeau 70.77Dodson and Horrell Novice Restricted section 1

Stacey Jones River Rico 70.23

Dodson and Horrell Novice Restricted section 2

Aimee Parry Yarty Welsh Jack 70.23

Dodson and Horrell Novice Open Phoebe Peters Edison H 74.89


ISAMP welcomes Dr. Tony Nevin to its conference programmeThe International Symposium in Animal Musculoskeletal Practice (ISAMP) is delighted to welcome Dr. Tony Nevin to its list of highly respect industry speakers, who will be speaking at the conference held on 28th-30th November 2014.

Dr. Tony Nevin is a world renowned animal osteopath who works with dogs and horses as well as exotic animals, such as elephants, rhinos and birds of prey. Not only is he involved with these animals from an osteopathy point of view, but also their protection and rehabilitation. During ISAMP, he will be presenting his research: ‘The osteopathic treatment of somatic dysfunction causing gait abnormality in 51 horses’, to the animal health professionals attending.

“We are very pleased that Tony could spare some time out of his very busy practice to come and present his research at the Symposium,” says Dr. Gail Williams, ISAMP Chair. “His findings will be of great interest to the delegates, and really complement the other topics being provided by our keynote and other professional speakers.”

The ISAMP’s inaugural event

is a must-attend conference for animal health professionals, such as veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, and all associated animal healthcare professionals such a physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths and massage therapists. In addition, ISAMP will be fundraising for the Cinnamon Trust, a charity that cares for the elderly, terminally ill and their pets. The raffle to raise funds has a range of exceptional prizes including a new Wintec Saddle, a Fairfax Performance Girth and more.

To find out more about ISAMP, visit www.isamp.org.

Lissa Green left Hospitalised with Broken JawLissa Green, daughter of Lucinda was left hospitalised mid August following a fall whilst competiting in the Open Novice at Sapey.Although now recovering well, Lissa was left with a broken collerbone and jaw, the rider also suffered with cracked ribs.

Horse, Malin Head Clover is Lissa’s latest ride is believed to be fine following the fall.

The rider seems in good spirits following her Facebook status “It is definitely an opportunity to learn some amazing new skills...! I can now successfully syringe my own food into my mouth whilst doped up to the hills on morphine....proud :)”

The rider has now undergone sugery to help ‘fix’ her broken jaw and is believed to be recovering well.

We are sure you will join us in wishing Lissa a speedy recovery.

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Ben Hobday Settles in at Somerford ParkGRUBS sponsored international event rider, Ben Hobday and his team have made an exciting move and are now based at Somerford Park Farm.

Brand new state of the art facilities have been built to provide Ben with a large indoor stable block and quarters, which compliments the first class facilities that Somerford already has to offer, including nine all weather arenas and a cross country course across 80 acres.

Somerford is the ideal set up for Ben to progress with training his top competition horses and the youngsters making their way up through the ranks. The site also

includes on-site tack shop and veterinary clinic.

Said Ben: “It is a fantastic place to be based with all the excellent facilities. I have always been a regular here for cross-country schooling and taking the youngsters on farm rides. Watching the progress of the stables being built from scratch has been so exciting and it’s great to finally have the team settled in at Somerford.

“Bramham star GRUBS Ramilo and GRUBS Shadow Skyfall along with Shetland Steve have settle in well and have taken well to their new surroundings!”

Ben is sponsored by GRUBS, the experts in neoprene performance footwear.

For further information on the GRUBS® range visit www.work-lite.com

GRUBS Sponsor Winter Arena Eventing Series at Northcote Stud Equestrian CentreGRUBS are delighted to announce they will be continuing to sponsor the Winter Arena Eventing Series at Northcote Stud Equestrian Centre in Lancashire.

The series is aimed at ‘grass root’ level eventing with junior and senior classes of 80cm, 90cm and 1m taking place.

Competitors will jump a course of 16-20 fences set up in the large outdoor arena. Prize money will be up for grabs for the top three placings in each section and the winner will also receive a pair of GRUBS boots as part of their prize.

Held each month over the winter period, the series will conclude with a final event.

GRUBS Arena Eventing Dates:Sunday 19th October 2014Sunday 16th November 2014Saturday 27th December 2014Sunday 18th January 2015Sunday 22nd February 2015Sunday 28th March 2015For more information or to enter visit www.northcotestud.co.uk


A Sterling 2014 Nettex Trailblazers National ChampionshipsThe 2014 Nettex Trailblazers National Championships saw tough competition over the 10 days of competition at Stoneleigh from the 25th July to 3rd August.

Riders qualify for the Trailblazers Championships through two rounds of competitions at over 65 centres nationwide throughout the year. There are Championship classes at all levels and the Trailblazers series provides opportunities for riders to compete at a level that they are comfortable with.

The Trailblazers Championships are a real equestrian extravaganza and cover, show jumping, combined training, showing, working hunter and dressage. Over the 10 days of Championship competition, many riders had great success.

On the first weekend of the Championships, the Senior Show jumping, combined training for horses, Showing and Working Hunter Championships took place. Alice Ellison from Cambridge attended the Championships for the 8th time this year, winning the Senior Show Jumping 95cm Championship. Alice’s Trailblazers history includes 4 wins, this year winning with a mare that she broke in herself, Elsalinda S. More

top performances came from Sam Rippon, winning both the 105cm and 110cm classes, and Louise Harrison in the Seniors on Ponies 75cm and 85cm Classes. Sam Rippon from Southport, Lancashire took the two Championships with her lovely 9 year old bay mare, Imperial Gem, who she competes regularly in eventing at Intermediate level.

17 year old Louise Harrison from St Helens, Merseyside also had two great show jumping wins with her Mother’s, Shelia Harrison’s horse Penny Princess. Louise also took the Working Hunter 2ft and 2ft6 Championships as well as being named Overall Working Hunter Champion. Working hunter championship judge, Christina Worsley, said, “I was very pleased with our champion, who won two classes and jumped perfectly. She was a true to type hunter pony which is what I was

looking for, and looked like a pony that you could go and do a day’s hunting and feel safe doing it”. 17 year old Phoebe Mallinson from Underbarrow, Cumbria took Working Hunter Reserve Champion with her 6 year old, Santana’s Special Edition.

The combined training for horses saw three champions, Rebecca

Howsam with Ginger JGV in the 65cm, Evie Eyre with Harrison III in the 75cm and Katy Bate with Brownsea Lad in the 85cm. Katy has owned the full thoroughbred who is out of the Champion Hurdle

winning Stallion, Alderbrook, since he was 5. She added, “He was an orphaned foal and never raced. He is a bit of a character and can be an exciting ride.”

The Showing classes saw a lot of returning riders from previous years as well a new ones. The overall Supreme Showing Champion was Zoe Whittle from Bolton with her horse Methewood Mr Fahrenheit, who won the Showing Open Ridden Class. 11 year old Lindsey Mundell from Collin Dumfries,

Image above; Sam Rippon - SNR SJ 105 & 110cm

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Scotland had a superb show, taking 5 championships with her 8 year old pony Stourton Red Robin. Lindsey stood top in the Showing In-hand Mountain & Moorland Small Breeds, In-hand Young Handlers, Ridden Mountain & Moorland Small Breeds, Working Hunter Nursery stakes and Working Hunter Mountain & Moorland Small Breeds. Also with numerous wins, Leanne Huschka from Cumbria took the top spots in the In-Hand Any Height, Mountain and Moorland large Breeds and Best Conditioned classes with her 4 year old mare Greenholme Emerald. Leanne added, “I think that the Trailblazers series is fantastic, always very well run and put together. The judges were very consistent and gave good feedback and advice.”

The Trailblazers Championships was attended by riders of all ages, including 6 year old Brooke Douglas from Blackburn, taking the Lead Rein Championship for the third year running with her Welsh Section A, Spirit. This year they also picked up a win in the Ridden Veteran class. Brooke’s mother, Liane added, “I’m very proud and made up with how Brooke got on at the

Championships. Spirit has turned into the most fantastic child’s pony.”

Over the course of the Dressage Championships, over 1000 tests were ridden with 450 of them being ridden on the Championship days. With such tough competition, there were 3 Junior and 3 Senior Champions. 14 year old Abbi Jackson from Potton, Bedfordshire, who won the Combined Training Prelim Class last year, came out on top in the Junior Dressage Novice Class with her chestnut gelding, Ticklerleven Sparkey. The gelding also came 8th with Abbi’s 11 year old sister, Pippa in the Junior Dressage Introductory Class.

The Senior Dressage Novice Class was very popular with over 100 entries. After a tough competition, Lynsay Thornborough from Brigg, North Lincolnshire came out on top with Elizabeth Lawton’s 7 year old horse Horation APG Stables, winning four out of their five classes. Lynsay added, “I feel the Trailblazers Dressage gives a good stepping stone to British Dressage and competing affiliated. It was a fantastic experience and I really

enjoyed my time there.”

The Junior Showjumping and combined training for ponies took place on the last weekend. With over 65 entries in the junior Show jumping 65cm (12 & under) alone, it was a busy weekend for the Trailblazers Team.

The Junior Show jumping 65cm open class was won by Faye Thompson from Nottingham with her mother’s, Ann Thompson’s pony Ebony. Ann owns Broad View Stables Riding School in Bestwood, Nottingham. Faye is the third consecutive rider from Broad View Stables to take the Junior show jumping 65cm open Championship. “Faye really put a lot of hard work in over the previous 6 weeks, she wanted to do as well as the others and bring the trophy home again.” Added Ann.

Also in the Junior show jumping, Alice Atkinson from Carlisle, Cumbria put in some great rounds to top the leader board in the 105cm class with her pony Checkmate VIII. “This is the biggest champs Checkmate has done, the course is not for a novice at that height! It was a fab course that rode well.” Added Alice.

For the first time at the Trailblazers Championships, the Combined Training for Ponies 65cm and 75cm classes were won by the same pony, Hanmere Knutkin. 10 year old Connie Russell from Harrogate, West Yorkshire won the 65cm class with Hanmere Knutkin, who is owned by Connie’s aunt, Helen Crosland. He took the 75cm class with Ann Hartley from Trawden, Lancashire, who schools the 10 year old welsh Section B gelding once a week. “Buddy is a super

Image; Lindsey Mundell - Ridden M&M Small Breeds


little pony with so much talent. It has been very much a team effort.” Added Ann, who has a background in Eventing, Show jumping and National Hunt racing.

Many riders find Trailblazers appealing as whatever level they are competing at there is

the opportunity to qualify for a National Championship; there is no pressure to “climb the grades”, and many riders return to the Championships year after year, some at a higher level each time and others that are very content to stick to the same level.First round qualifying

competitions are already underway for the 2015 Trailblazers National Championships.

To find out more about the range of classes available and qualifying dates and venues please visit, www.trailblazerschampionships.com.

Image; Zoe Whittle - Ridden Open Ridden

EQUESTRIAN NEWSS

New look for Equimins AdvanceEquimins Advance Concentrate Complete forage balancer has recently undergone a packaging makeover, to make the money back guarantee more prominent.

The concentrated balancer has been designed to complement a forage diet, to ensure that the horse is receiving all the vitamins, trace elements and bio available minerals he needs.Advance Concentrate Complete

contains probiotics and Saccharomyces cerivisae yeast to help support the gut. It also comes with an impressive money back guarantee.

“Advance Concentrate Complete is a really popular product for us and we know that when people try it, they love it,” says David Willey, Managing Director of Equimins. “We’ve offered a money back guarantee on this product for many years, but decided to make this more prominent on our packaging, to give people that extra information when they’re looking at what’s available”

The guarantee is simple- if Advance Concentrate Complete is added to the horse’s normal feeding regime and the owner hasn’t seen any improvement in condition after feeding it for two months, they’ll receive their money back. See the website for terms and conditions.

Prices start from £13.55.


Social media for the equestrian business Be “Tweet Smart”By Emily Huxtable of Equine Events

I recently had a discussion with a professional equestrian client regarding their social media coverage. The client was worried about starting a Twitter account for their business from scratch. They were apprehensive about the effort involved to make an impact on the Twitter scene as a rider. Their main objective was to increase their followers, ideally by tenfold.

The truth is that having plenty of followers is not essential but it is going to make your Twitter life more worthwhile. However you really do not have to jump through hoops to get there. There are some handy tips for those of you who may be searching for that ‘magic number’ of followers. These may seem somewhat simple, but even if you regularly use Twitter, remembering these basic principles can see you go from fledgling tweeter to soaring above the competition.

TWEET OFTENWe all know twitter is immediate, as such it is rare that a follower will see your tweet from a few hours ago. On Facebook you can post once or twice a day and the internal algorithm will share what is popular regardless of the time it was posted. Twitter is purely based on timeframe and hence it is important to tweet frequently. One of my favourite examples of a rider using the

system is that of dressage rider and trainer Anna Ross-Davies (@AnnaRossDavies), who will often provide twitter commentary of an international trot-up. An idea so simple, but tweeting every couple of minutes with some witty comments and observations leads to social media success.

NETWORK Make sure that you include the twitter handle (i.e. @JoeBloggs) of people, places, groups or associations when you talk to or about them on Twitter. This is not only good social media practice but will encourage them to respond and follow you in return. Re-tweeting worthy comments, news and opinions will also win you fans and increase your popularity within the equestrian Twitter community.

#HASHTAGAt an international event? Make sure you use the relevant hashtag. For example; if you are visiting Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials this September, use #LRBHT in all your tweets. This will put your tweets in front of a wider audience and may in turn attract you more followers. Some hashtags are unofficially assigned to days of the week and you will soon pick up followers if you get involved in #ff (Follow Friday) or #tbt (Throwback Thursday).

Now you have friends, likes and followers, next month we will look at engaging them!

With special thanks to Equine Events www.equineeventsuk.com

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR BUSINESS

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We asked our readers....

“If you were given £5000 to spend on your horse....what would you buy?” and here is what they said....

A whole new wardrobe and enter lots of competitions & training sessions

WE LOVE... I would put it in the bank, so she had her very own security should I ever fall on hard times, I wouldn't have to sell her

A 4x4 an trailer or horse box, so we could travel an experience all those special places together

I would definately buy my horse a brand new saddle as she really needs one as the one I have for her isn't hers it's my other

horses and she really deserves a new saddle as she is such an amazing horse xxx

2nd hand Horsebox to take my 12 year old daughter and her pony to shows, charity rides and treats for pony x

Lots more rugs feed and hay treats for my beautiful babies love my horses xx

HAD WE OF HAD £5000 TO GIVE AWAY...

Bone scans and tendon ultrasound scans

Rugs, wormers dentist, blacksmith for all the rescue ones we have x

5 tb ex racers!!!

New cart and harness,

also repairs

Floodlights for the school,

new mats for the stables

and a field shelter

His own tack & rugs as I've had him from a foal and he's always had 2nd hand, hand-me-downs, plus bedding & hay for the winter to keep him toasty x

IF WE WERE ABLE TO

PREFORM MIRACLES... A new liver

My horse... as is on loan with view to buy :-))

My vet bill payed! And thousands of likits! As he LOVES them!!

Everything Horse UK send a big thank you to all that got involved.....


Rider:Louise SaywellLocation: EssexHow and when did you start riding?My dad was an international show jumper and my mum showed working hunters at top level so it was only natural that I learnt to ride as a very young child. Throughout early school life I juggled homework with riding and competing. I started out, following in mum’s footsteps, riding some top working hunter ponies in the show ring and had some great results with several wins at HOYS. However my love was jumping and from there I made the switch to show jumping.

During your career has there been a horse that you consider to have really helped you ‘make it’?CJ’s Kemosabi was the pony I dreamt of riding when I was competing on 128cm ponies and when I got the ride on him I couldn’t believe it. We made it on to two European teams winning individual gold and bronze medals, plus a team gold and silver. He really put us on the map. I would also have to say Winner, she came with a brilliant jump but she wasn’t an easy ride. We took a chance on her and she has proved she has a heart of gold and is improving all the time. She really wants to do the job for you and has helped me make my mark in the senior ranks.

What are the highlights of your career so far?There have been so many highlights! Winning individual gold at the Pony European Championships in 2005 with CJ. Other highlight include being called up to compete with Winner in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona at very short notice! Also taking third place in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hickstead and being selected for the World Class Development Programme for 2013-2015.

You are sponsored by TopSpec, how have they helped you?It’s not just about the product, TopSpec have provided us with the invaluable nutritional advice and support that we need in getting the right diet for the horses so they can perform at their best. The TopSpec feed regimes we use make sure our horses are fit to compete at the highest level and are play a very important role in our success.

If you could give one piece of advice what would it be?Work hard, luck does play a part, but you don’t have to have money to reach a good level. You just have to be determined and prepared to work hard. There are a lot of lows before you hit the highs!

RIDER FOCUS

Q &Awith...

Louise SaywellRider ProfileSoaring in to the senior ranks, Louise Saywell is a woman on a mission with her aptly named beautiful grey mare, Hello Winner IV. Louise has worked hard to produce a string of top horses to compete at the highest levels. She is also a member of the

World Class Development Programme for 2013-2015 and has her sights firmly set on a consistent performance at the top of her chosen sport

EQUESTRIAN NEWSS


5 things you didn’t know about Louise…

1. Louise is actually her second name, her real name is Emma

2. She enjoys working out at the gym and cooking in her spare time.

3. She has a twin brother, Harry, who also use to ride, but now competes in motocross.

4. Louise meets here dad and Quantas at shows as there is no room for her on the yard in Essex.

5. Her father Mike rode in the 1972 Olympics, something that Louise dreams of doing!

24 Everything Horse UK Magazine • Issue 12 • September 2014 24 Everything Horse UK Magazine • Issue 12 • September 2014

Spencer Roe A Rising Star in the World of Show-Jumping

Q &A


RIDER FOCUSS

What made you take up show-jumping as a career? I probably shouldn’t admit this but as a kid I wasn’t at all interested in horses, I much preferred remote-controlled cars! My sisters, on the other hand, loved them, but didn’t at all appreciate me playing with said cars under their ponies feet. So my parents decided to get me a pony to keep me out of trouble.

I did the odd bit of riding at Pony Club when I was really young, but got into show jumping at the age of 13 when my parents bought me a 138 pony called Just Be Ok. I did a little with the Blankney Pony Club, but I didn’t get on very well. I think I only ever completed my D test! However, I now coach Blankney Pony Club’s show-jumping team and I hope I have made a difference to them and maybe even inspired a few to become show-jumpers themselves.

Which is your favourite show/event?The Spanish Sunshine Tour – Vejer de la Frontera.

Are any of you family members involved in equestrianism?My whole family is horsey. My sisters all competed on ponies as did my cousins. My mum used to hunt regularly and do point- to-point and my dad used to ride too and was taught by my Grandma who used to own the local riding school many years ago.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? What spare time?

If you hadn’t taken up riding as a career, what would you have liked to do?Formula 1 Racing Driver.

Do you have any sponsors?I have just signed up as one of the Team HorseHage sponsored riders. My team of horses now enjoy High Fibre and Ryegrass HorseHage dust-free bagged forage. I am also sponsored by Topline Vet Physio and Pegasus Health.

Is there a major title that you would like to win?The Aachen Grand Prix. At what age do you prefer to buy your horses and do you prefer a specific type/bloodline?I like to buy them as five or six-year- olds and prefer Dutch horses.

If there is one horse – past or present – that you could own, which would it be?Cavalor Cumano – Jos Lansink’s horse that won the individual gold medal at the World Equestrian Games in 2006.

For more information on feeding your horse or pony please call the HorseHage Helpline on 01803 527257 or visit www.horsehage.co.uk

Rider Profile21-year-old Spencer Roe is fast becoming the next rising star on the show-jumping circuit, both here and in Europe.

After leaving school at 16 and spending two years riding and grooming for Andrew Saywell and training with William and Pippa Funnell. Spencer now rides full time from his own yard based in South Hykeham, near Lincoln with six horses in work.

This talented young rider was on the winning 5* Nations Cup team in St Gallen,

Switzerland earlier this year, and in August, was instrumental in helping the British team qualify for the final of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Series in Barcelona in October, with an outstanding double clear in the Dublin Nations Cup. He is also representing Team GB at the Alltech World Equestrian Games with his home-produced gelding, Wonder Why, owned by his mother, Sally Roe.

We interviewed Spencer to find out a bit more about his background and what makes him tick...


There is no such thing as a bombproof horse, but there are horses that are a lot less likely to bother reacting to things. I would have described my old horse as being pretty much bomb proof, but she could still spook at the different colour leaf in the hedge if she wanted to.

Last year I had to start all over again with a new young horse. The temperament has a lot to do with it and gives you a good basis upon which to start. Every horse is different; you have to listen to what your horse is telling you. Your horse will look to you as its leader, so make sure you are confident in everything you do. If you are nervous, your horse will be too. Sometimes I used to sing to my horse (good job no-one could hear me) if I was getting a bit nervous about something, as it helped to distract both of us and helped us relax more.

I started working my horse in-hand first, taking my time and

building a bond of trust with her. She was used to my boys playing with the dogs in the empty paddock next to her, so was already used to dogs barking and running around, all from the safety of her own paddock. She was also used to the sounds of the quad bike and 4x4 working in and around the paddocks as well, which helped when we started to introduce her to traffic.

Once I was confident she was happy and trusted me, I started to introduce her to a few more “hazards”. Everything new I showed her, I did it slowly and would allow her to have a good sniff of whatever the item was first. One of the items was an umbrella (always going to be

around at shows on wet days). I showed it closed first, then once she was relaxed about it, I slowly opened it, praising and talking to her all the time.

I visited the local pound shop for

Jennie Daniels is a member of the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet with her black Irish Cob Tilly. They enjoy a variety of activities including dressage, jumping, agility, side saddle and historical re-enactments. Jennie has owned Tilly since March 2012; she was broken as a four-year-old and is now rising six.

How to...Bomb Proof Your Horse

written by Jennie Daniels


some of their garden decorations and bought little colourful wind socks and windmills. I tied these up at points around her paddock, at a height that she could not get them. I did this, as they were only small, but were still big enough for her to notice, but not so big that they would terrify her. Getting horses used to flappy

things is always good, as there are often flags and things blowing in the wind at shows, especially the bigger ones.

Sudden noises are something else that will make a horse jump. As I was riding, I would suddenly make a sound of some sort, the more confident she got, the

louder my noise would be. Another good item to work with, is a wheelie bin, you are bound to come across these once a week when out hacking. Start with it just standing still, open and close the lid, and allow your horse to have a good sniff. Once confident, you can try moving it a small distance at a time, as they do

TRAINING


make a rattle when they move.Start small and work your way up. The more trust you can build up with your horse, the easier it will be. I ended last season by taking my horse onto an English Civil War re-enactment battlefield, with guns going bang, and lots of shouting. The first day, I rode her with the other horses for a drill training session in the morning, then in the afternoon, I just held her in-hand and allowed her to watch and listen to the battle while giving her lots of fuss and talking to her, reassuring her. The second day we took part in the actual battle re-enactment itself. I only did half the battle though, as it was still a lot to ask, and I didn’t want to over face her.

For more information contact British Horse Feeds on 01765 680300 or visit www.britishhorsefeeds.com.

Contact us to arrange oneGet your riding club or a bunch of riders togetherand we can get over to deliver your own course!

t 01299 407097 e [email protected] .co.uk

• Dispel the myths aroundhelmet removal andcasualty movement

• Find out what it takes toactually save a life

• And a wholelot more Nationally recognised and

certificated qualifications in firstaid. Accepted by the BHS andABRS approved provider

1, 2 and 3 day equine specificfirst aid courses at your ridingestablishment.

We don't mind getting dirty, wethoroughly enjoy the horseychatter and we most importantlywe make first aid fun...

Oh, and we work around you andyour horses schedules.

TRAINING


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We offer affordable and realistic advertising opportunities in the magazine

and on our extensive equestrian media website.

For more information and our rate card please email advertising@

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This month we join Kay from Medi-K, here she helps us out with what to do in an emergency and tells us more about DR ABC

According to Kay, although most people expect accidents to occur at competitions, most of her equine-related call outs as a paramedic were to riders who had suffered a fall out hacking.

“We’d go out to people whose horse had spooked and they’d fallen, or riders who had decided to pop a log on a forest ride and come off,” she says. “Everyday riding can result in all sorts of dramas which makes it so important for riders and horseowners – and friends and relatives of riders – to be educated in first aid”.

“Being around horses can be fun, but it’s also high-risk and you need to be prepared.”Kay adds that if someone is with a

person that has an accident they tend to panic because they don’t know what to do.

And often it’s what not to do that’s the most important thing to learn.

Certain things that someone might instinctively do can cause more damage to the casualty. For example, pulling them to

their feet and telling them to get back on the horse or taking off someone’s hat when they may have neck damage.“You’ll find people take their friend off to the coffee shop for a drink because they’ve had a fall and

are feeling drowsy, when in fact they’ve got concussion and need medical help”.

“In most cases the best thing you can do is call for help, offer reassurance and encourage the injured person to stay still until medical assistance arrives.”

Meet ‘DR ABC’In any emergency situation, run through the ‘Dr ABC’ checklist to ensure you do everything in the right order and in the casualty’s best interests:-Danger: Check for danger, for example the risk of a loose horse trampling the casualty;Response: Talk to the person and place your hands on their shoulders and gently shake them to see if they are responsive or unconscious;Shout for help and assistance;Airway: Ensure their away is not blocked, for example by the tongue. Tilting the head and lifting the chin will move the tongue;Breathing: Look and listen to see if the casualty is breathing.CPR: In an unconscious abnormal breathing casualty.Your next steps will depend on whether or not the patient is conscious and breathing.

Taking a first-aid course will leave you with the confidence of knowing what to

do should a situation arise – and it could lead to you saving

someone’s life.

First aid dos and don’ts• Don’t move the casualty if you suspect a head or neck injury;• Do leave their riding hat on;• Don’t remove a body protector, unless it is impeding breathing. Breathing takes precedence over

everything else. • Do attend to the human patient before the horse, unless it is causing a danger to the injured person, or

to others. If horse has put his head down and is eating grass, leave him and go to the injured rider’s aid.• Don’t use cotton wool to clean a wound;• Do protect the casualty from further injury – for example, if they’ve had a fall on or near a busy road;• Don’t let them eat or drink if you suspect broken bones, in case they need an operation.• Do go on a first aid course to improve your knowledge.

First Aid FIRST AIDSCut me out and pin me to your tack room notice board!


Winter Schooling 5 Exercises to Improve Jumping

Technique

Exercise 2

Exercise 1

Option 1

One Stride

One Stride

ith Winter approaching there’s no better time to fine tune you and your horse’s jumping

technique.

UKCC Coach Michael Potter has competed successfully at International level at CSI 3* competitions both at home and abroad with home produced horses. In this feature he shares his top 5 exercises for jumping success.

TRAINING

Gridwork has a multitude of benefits for horse and rider. Grids allow riders to focus on rhythm and maintaining their position through the elements, whilst the horse gains confidence through a set measured distances improving technique and leg reaction speed.

GRID 1 - Place pole to x pole, one stride to vertical, two strides to oxer.

GRID 2 - Place pole to vertical, bounce stride to vertical, one stride to vertical, two strides to oxer.

Skinny fences test for straightness and accuracy. Set up two skinny fences in a dog leg combination. Start by jumping each fence individually focusing on rhythm and straightness throughout the approach, moment of suspension and get away phase of the jump.

Once successful at jumping the fences individually you can increase the difficulty of the exercise by linking the two fences together, concentrating on maintaining rhythm, line and straightness.

Winter Schooling W Exercise 1 - Simple Grid

Exercise 2 - Skinny Dog Leg


Exercise 3

Exercise 5

Exercise 3 - Jumping on a CircleThis exercise increases the quality of the canter, encouraging the horse to really work through and push with the inside hind. It can also be used to help develop straightness, stopping the horse from drifting.

Set two jumps on a circle slightly bigger than 20 metres, start by jumping over one of the fences, miss the second and then link the two fences together.

By riding your circle is in the middle of school you can change the rein out of the circle over the fence, starting to introduce the concept of flying changes to the horse.

Finally you can add a further fence on a second circle, working on a big figure of eight.

Adding a skinny element to a combination really tests straightness and your ability to maintain rhythm to a fence.

Start with a three fence combination setting the first element as a skinny. Keep it small to begin with to practise your accuracy, guide rails can be used at first to help channel your horse through the exercise.

Once your jumping confidently through the combination you can alter the challenge by changing where the skinny element is placed.

Exercise 4- Combinations with a Difference

TRAINING


Exercise 4

One Stride

One Stride

A standard one stride double can be used in a variety of ways, this exercise tests your horse’s ability to jump fences on an angle and the rider’s ability to hold their line.

Set up a one stride double in the middle of the school, vertical to oxer. Begin with jumping through the double as a normal combination then jump the vertical on its own on the angle, missing the oxer.

Go back to jumping through the double as a combination progressing to jumping the oxer on an angle using the vertical to help keep your line.

Michael Potter offers a wide range of showjumping training packages

for all levels with excellent facilities at his base in Nottinghamshire, for

more information visit www.lambleyhouse.com.

Exercise 4- Double Trouble


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Equine Bowen What is Bowen Therapy I hear you say? Bowen is a fantastic versatile treatment suitable for every horse and rider! Bowen will address soft tissue, ligaments, tendons and fascia. All the key element in keeping your horse moving with fluidity and impulsion. This allows the body to work at its optimum.

How it works..?Bowen Therapy, a therapy unlike any other, it is a unique and dynamic, soft tissue therapy that has lasting results that anyone can learn. Bowen is a very gentle ‘vibrational’ treatment, it is a rolling type motion over soft tissue that addresses any imbalance helping the body to restore balance and optimise performance.

How Bowen may helpBowen has a profound effect on the skeleton, internal organs, lymphatic system, meridians and acupuncture/acupressure points

as well as releasing trigger and stress points. Bowen Therapy is a physical and vibrational therapy that encourages the body to create homeostasis (balance). Bowen Therapy has quietly been picking up momentum worldwide in the last decade. Smart Bowen is the latest version of equine Bowen entering the UK from Australia (Where the therapy began) taught by Lindsay Holder (pictured above). Bowen Therapy can be used to treat a wide range of equine complaints including sore backs, uneven stride, lameness, changing lead problems, abdominal soreness, not tracking up, head shying and loss of flexion to name a few. If they have been ‘off’ or ‘bad tempered’, you will see changes -more approachable and ‘less moody’ after a treatment - primarily because they have less discomfort, and no longer have pain. How this differs from other ‘hands-on’ therapies is that there is no manipulation of the skeletal system (as a Chiropractor would do). Bowen is a series of ‘small moves’ applied in a very direct fashion.

How it worksThe horse’s soft tissue is surrounded by fascia, and fascia is made up of collagen fibres and a gelatinous substance (sticky) that allows the muscles to function with harmony and glide past one another in motion. When we see a problem - often the stress of injury, overworked, dehydrated,

A little on the founder..Developed by Tom Bowen - A man with exceptional skills, who had remarkable results...

Who is Tom Bowen?Thomas Ambrose Bowen developed his technique throughout his lifetime up until his death in 1982. He was the originator of what is now known as ‘Bowen Therapy’.

Tom treated many, from children to the elderly, greyhounds and horses.

Tom instructed just a handful of men in his therapy before he passed away, and since then the technique has developed into a worldwide phenomenon.

Mr Bowen’s extraordinary skill, which he humbly referred to as his ‘gift’, was sadly never documented in his animal practice. Tom’s gentle skills have been documented for many years showing its effectiveness.

The technique was translated for the work on horses in the early 1990’s and is now taught throughout the world.

TESTIMONIALS“The treatment was so gentle, I was amazed how it transformed my horse” J.B – Worcester

“My horse’s pain was significantly reduced within 24 hours” D.H – Malvern

Bowen TherapyEvery - Body - Benefits

written by Lindsay Holder

Image left; Our experty Lindsay Holder

the fascia becomes thicker and ‘glue’ like - this then restricts movement and creates pain. Change will occur in a very short amount of time restricting nutrients to the area, which in turn traps waste products. It is this process that can then activate triggers ‘muscle spasm’.

The treatment influences many of the horse’s bodily systems including muscular, skeletal, circulatory, lymphatic and nervous system. Bowen will assists with increasing soft tissue flexibility, joint mobility, organ function, blood circulation, fluid (lymphatic) drainage and the meridian energy system.

Muscle pain / TriggersTo understand how a muscle trigger works is vital to eliminating or de-activating the problem area. Each muscle has an origin, belly and insertion. Origin is where the muscle is often anchored to frequently being a bony structure (but not always.) The belly, the middle elastic portion of the muscle fibre, and the insertion which is where the muscle connects to bone, tendon or other connective tissue. It is the insertion that is responsible for movement and contraction of the muscle.

For muscles to work, they will contract or release, very rarely does one muscle work alone, they often work as a network, or group of muscles. A good example of this (protraction) is the forward motion of the forelimb. The Brachiocephalic muscle pulls the leg forward, while the contraction of the serratus thoracis assists by rotating the limb – at this time the serratus cervicis and latissimus dorsi are relaxing.

It is when the horse over exerts this process, and the muscle are beyond their normal range - whether this be injury, over worked, slip or fall. As a result the muscles may tear, and over time this injury site may become dehydrated and scar tissue can form. We call this a trigger point (the site of injury). This may not be visible to the naked eye, but will require the muscle to repair the affected area. Over time this may be seen as a restriction in the muscle movement, tension, and change in the horse’s temperament and so on, all due to pain and discomfort.

Often trigger points have notable pain referral patterns which allows the therapist to pin point the damaged area. If left for long periods of time the horse may try to compensate and use other muscles to support the injury site. Due to the fact

these other muscles are not designed to do the job of another muscle, often resulting in over use, you soon find that these muscles too will become over exerted and another trigger may form.

Bowen therapy is a unique treatment unlike any other, Bowen will help hydrate the muscle fibres and allow homeostasis to return. This then means the healing process can begin.

Allow up to an hour for your first treatment, a good initial assessment is vital to allow the therapist to produce a treatment plan to suit the individual horse. It is not uncommon for the therapist to ask questions about the riders’ health too. If you imagine the rider has a bad back for a sore hip – this will affect how they sit, affect their posture which is then felt by the horse.

It can be very beneficial to horse and rider to be treated simultaneously. It is important that the horse is treated in its usual environment – there is no point in moving the horse away from its companion or having it in a stable that it does not know, this will only create extra adrenaline and the horse will not be in a relaxed state to fully absorb the treatment.

Smart Bowen Therapy International CollegeTraining – How can you help your horseEquine Smart Bowen training is now available for the first time in the UK. Starting in spring 2014, whether you want to be a practitioner – and change your career or you want to learn to help your own horse. Training will be available at reasonable prices. You can have small groups or even one –to-one training if you prefer.

For more details contact Treatment

Lindsay Holder – UK practitioner and trainer [email protected]@centreforwellbeing.co.uk www.lindsay-bowentherapy.co.ukwww.smartbowen.com


HORSE HEALTH


Have you ever worn shoes that’s too tight or too small?The uncomfortable truth when you realise you have several miles to walk before you can take them off. Your toes start to curl up which could lead to blisters or that rubbing, burning sensation

at the back of your heal. This will make you slow down your walk or if really bad you will have to stop maybe even take you shoes off and continue barefooted. Luckily we have blister plaster.

This is what your horse experiences when his saddle doesn’t fit properly.

Most of us uses saddles in one way or the other. There are a million shapes, sizes, colours, purposes, easy fit, tree less and

the possibilities are endless. How we choose our saddle is sometimes a complete mystery. I came across my saddle by accident. I ended up being the odd one out on my yard, with a lightweight all purpose Wintec saddle. My pony had suffered severe ridden trauma and refused to wear leather saddles. Wintec saddles were not very known back then and it didn’t really look that impressive. But she performed amazing in it and I was converted.

Equine Massage and Horse Tack - What happens if your saddle doesn’t fit?


Before choosing my perfect saddle, I had to go back to basic, my pony showed serious back pain and had all sorts of behavioural problems and we were recommended to ride bareback for 6 months before even thinking of putting on another saddle. And she was almost as good as new afterwards.

It is important that we know how our saddle affect our horses because we spend a lot of time in them. If it fits perfectly it will cause minimal discomfort, but if it slips, slides, pinches, is too tight, is too big, is too far forward, too far backwards or sits on the

spine your horse will not only be uncomfortable, but he will be in pain. Pain that he cannot tell you about. He will try his best to accommodate this pain and this will create a compensatory stride. If the pain continues, he will have to try harder to let you know that he is in pain. This can be through sudden behavioural changes, most horses aren’t being naughty, they buck, nap, rear, spook and refuse to do work because of the pain the tack is causing them. The most common thing I meet as an Equine Massage Therapist is saddles being too tight.

A tight saddle might not seem too bad at first, but this causes

HORSE HEALTH

written by Barbara Dreyer N.A.R.E.M.T


the shoulders to become trapped, which makes the foreleg protraction and retraction in every stride, difficult. This affects the Infraspinatus and Lattissimus Dorsi.

This causes the shoulders to develop compensatory actions. This will be noted when the horse moves as he will move with short, abrupt and unbalanced strides. To accommodate these new strides, the horse will now have to move his entire body in a new fashion to balance himself, this will include falling in on one rein during lateral and circular work. All these new compensatory strides leaves the horse vulnerable and less capable in absorbing concussion. The muscular stress will travel through his body and

it will affect his muscles as well as ligaments and tendons. A too tight saddle will bruise his shoulders again causing him pain

on top of everything else. This is a negative circle of ‘cause an effect’. Unless the circle is broken, by massage and a refitted saddle, this negative circle will keep occurring.

Because of this tightness it is causing major stress points on at least 8 different muscle areas.

The main areas involved are the shoulders and the top line. The most affected muscles are Infraspinitus, Rhomboid, Trapezius (Thoracic), Trapezius (Cervical) and Latissimus Dorsi. That is a lot of stress points just because the saddle is a little tight around the shoulders.

Through referred stress in the muscles the pain and discomfort will travel

from the shoulders up the neck and topline to the poll creating headaches and tension. From the shoulders it will also travel the other way down the spine and the back muscles.

HORSE HEALTH

An ill fitted saddle should be taken serious and should be dealt with straight away.

Horses don’t have blister plasters to apply after a

lesson in an ill fitted saddle, they cannot let you know how uncomfortable it is.

BARBARA DREYER (N.A.R.E.M.T)

Mobile Equine Massage Therapy services in Cheshire and the North West.

Equine Remedial and Sports Massage and stretching

www.happyhorsetherapy.co.ukinfo@happyhorsetherapy.co.uk07972874614




We offer affordable and realistic advertising opportunities in the magazine and on our extensive equestrian media

website.

For more information and our rate card please email [email protected]


Equine parasite control is a constant challenge to horse owners, with horses being infected by a range of internal parasite species which can cause permanent damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Most of these species are laying eggs in larger numbers in the spring and summer months as the weather conditions are favourable to their survival on equine pastures, increasing their chance of being eaten by the other horses also grazing the pasture. Differences in individual life cycles can have an impact on the effectiveness of worming chemicals and so timing of treatment is key to success.

Attack of the Internal Invaders: A Guide to Equine Parasites

Small and Large RedwormThese are highly prevalent in equine populations. Once ingested, larvae migrate to the lining of the hindgut where they form cysts; damage to the gut wall is then caused when the larvae emerge in the springtime. Signs that the horse may be affected include lethargy, failure to gain weight despite the increase in pasture nutrient density and ‘springtime diarrhoea. Large redworm cause damage by their migration route

through the horse’s arteries to the small intestine where they live in the blood vessel walls, causing blood clots, blood vessel damage and potential damage to vital organs.

TREATMENT Treat in springtime and/or early autumn using ivermectin (e.g. Equlavan) or Moxidectin (e.g Equest) at least once per year as small redworm cannot be accurately diagnosed from a faecal egg count (FEC).

Some of the factors affecting parasite burdens in individual horses are shown here:

written by Kate Douglas-Dala


Image left; worms can be found in horse droppings

Roundworm The largest of the equine internal parasites; mature adults can reach up to 50cm long with large burdens causing an obstruction of the digestive tract, resulting in colic and in severe cases rupture of the intestinal wall. The eggs are passed out in the horse’s dropping onto the pasture, where

a thick outer casing enables their survival over the winter months.

TREATMENT Treat in spring and/or summer months with ivermectin (e.g. Equlavan) or Moxidectin (e.g. Equest)

Tapeworm Tapeworm are ingested by the horse via an intermediate host, the forage mite which can be found on pasture and in hay and bedding. The larvae develop inside the mite whose outer body casing is then broken down by the horse’s digestive enzymes, releasing the larvae into the digestive tract. They then migrate to the narrow junction which lies between the small intestine (first part of the digestive tract) and the large intestine of the horse.

In large numbers they block the passage of food through the tract and cause colic.

TREATMENT Treat in spring and autumn with praziquantel (e.g. Equitape) or Pyrantel (Strongid P) or a combination wormer such as ivermectin and praziquantel (e.g. Equimax) or moxidectin and praziquantel (e.g. Equest Pramox). Minimum of one treatment per year as tapeworm do not show reliably on a FEC.

Pinworm Not considered to be as harmful as other species, the female pinworm takes up residence in the horses rectum and protrudes from the horse’s anus to lay her eggs in a sticky, jelly-like substance which also acts as an irritant. The horse then rubs its tail on a nearby fence post or gate, the eggs drop onto the pasture and are then eaten by other horses. An image of the pinworm in action can be seen below:

TREATMENT Treat with ivermectin or moxidection in spring/summer months or use of Pyrantel (Strongid P) if resistance is suspected. Do not show reliably on a FEC.

LungwormLungworm was thought to be spread by donkeys sharing pasture with horse but there have now been a number of reported cases of equine infections where the horse has never co-grazed with donkeys. Horses ingest larvae from pastures and they travel to the lungs where they progress to the adult stage. This can cause parasitic bronchitis if large amounts migrate at once as the adult worms then lay eggs in the lungs, irritating the respiratory system to cough the eggs onto the pasture.

TREATMENT Treat in spring and/or summer months with ivermectin (e.g. Equlavan) or Moxidectin (e.g. Equest). Do not show reliably on a FEC.

Bots Not strictly a worm, the bot fly lays eggs on the horse in the summer months which then hatch as larvae and migrate to the horse’s stomach where they remain over winter, and then are passed out as pupae in droppings in the springtime, which then hatch into flies once more. Every female can lay up to 500 eggs on the horse and so regular removal helps to control ingestion.

TREATMENT Treat in winter with ivermectin (e.g. Equlavan) or Moxidectin (e.g. Equest) after the first hard frost which will have killed the flies.

By being aware of key parasite species and their lifecycles and targeted

treatment, we can be strategic as horse owners in targeting animals who require chemical worming treatment

so that the wormers currently available will be preserved for future generations.

Read more about pasture management strategies to reduce parasite burdens in

next month’s issue.

Pinworm can be seen prodruding the horses anus

HORSE HEALTH


“He’s just not quite right” is something I hear said a lot and, in some ways, it is something I like to hear my clients say. Some horses can be very difficult to read. When they have a problem they may only give very subtle signs that they are in any sort of pain, they attempt to cover it up by compensating in other areas. They do this due to their natural instincts when their ancestors lived in the wild, they must not show that they are the weakest in the herd or they would be singled out by predators.

Although this instinct kept them alive in the wild, in the modern day horse, it in turn causes further issues else where in the body. It can also make it very difficult for

us to tell there is a problem until it is causing a huge issue. When an owner calls me out to see their horse and says, “He’s just not quite right”, it gives me great confidence that this person is in-tune with their horse, is picking up on these first subtle hints of a problem as soon as they arise, recognising and reacting quickly. Then between myself and the rest of the team (vet, farrier etc.) we can relieve the problem. The quicker we can do that, the quicker we can limit and alleviate the compensatory mechanisms, therefore increasing the chance of return to their previous level of performance.

To be able to recognise signs quickly, it is important that you get to know your horse from nose to tail, physically and psychologically so that as soon as you notice, “he’s

Recognising signs that your horse has a musculoskeletal problem

Tree things you can do to get to know your horse better...1. Run your hands all over your their body (Pic right), paying attention to temperature, texture, tone and reactivity of different areas.

2. Taking notice of how they stand; is he constantly resting one limb

3. Watch them move without rugs on.

written by Michelle Woolrich BSc (Hons), EEBW, Dip.

MCAM, UKCC2, KT2

Get to know your horse, run your hand all over their body on a daily basis taking notice of texture tone, temperature and reactivity of certain areas

HORSE HEALTH


not quite right” you contact your physical therapist, vet, etc. for an assessment. You need to know all your horses’ little idiosyncrasies on the ground, ridden, in behaviour and performance. There are things you can do on a daily basis to get to know your horses’ body better.Most owners already do these on a daily basis without even realising, as we groom, as they walk toward us across the paddock, we just need to make more of a conscious effort to pay attention to what we see and feel.

Issues may develop with rapid onset or gradually over time, see the points below to give an idea of things to watch out for, as these are definitive tell tale signs of an issue developing. None of us want to think of our horses being in pain, therefore keeping up to date with regular 6 monthly check ups with your physical therapist will help to pick up on some of the early issues before they develop into something larger.General tactile defensiveness

“He’s just not quite right”

is something I hear said

a lot and, in some ways it is something I like to hear my

clients say”

Get to know your horse, run your hand all over their body on a daily basis taking notice of texture tone, temperature and reactivity of certain areas


Stand back and look at your horse on a daily basis notice if they always stand in a certain way or always rest the same limb

Image right; This is horse slipped while out on a hack doing the splits with his hind limbs, then falling landing on the left upper hind end. The owner did not think it had caused any problems, she carried on riding him. This horse was in extreme pain and had significant pelvic injury taking a step back and looking from behind it is easy to see the asymmetry.

HORSE HEALTH


HORSE HEALTH

s we approach the autumn, it’s time to start thinking about your horse’s winter wardrobe and maybe some

new rug additions, but what should you look out forwhen it comes to choosing a new winter rug for stable or turnout?

US rug and accessories brandKensington Rugs available exclusively through on-line retailer Shadow Horse in the UK have a heritage spanning over 40 years and plenty of experience helping to keep horses and ponies warm in the most extreme temperatures state side and here are their top tips for finding and fitting your rugs...

Remember that some brands can be more generous than others with their sizing, so always check with the retailer about any brand you are buying from. Alsodouble check that as long as you try the rug on a clean dry horse with a cotton sheet on underneath, you can exchange it for a bigger or smaller size if the fit is not right.

When it comes to fitting your rugs, you should ensure that the chest area is not too restricted by the fastenings, especially with the bigger chested horses such

as cobs, warm bloods or heavier draft types; you need to allow freedom of movement. We also offer a ‘Friesian Cut’ across our rug collection, which has been designed with big chested horses in mind. All Kensington Rugs are designed to allow plenty of freedom of movement around this area, as well as offering a snug fit around the shoulders.

When trying on a rug, always do up the front straps, surcingles and leg straps and check that the rug doesn’t slip too far back, from observing the horse moving around the stable and also check he has plenty of room to put his head down. Kensington Rugs are cut fractionally higher than most other rugs in the market around the chest to improve comfort and fit and help eliminate rug rubs and pressure points developing across the horses wither and shoulder.

Another important consideration is that whilst the material must be strong, the attachments should be able to release in case of an emergency. An ill-fitting rugwill also cost you more in the long run, through rips, wear and tear and even rug rubs and sores, as it slips, slides and pulls all over theplace, than investing in a good

quality rug, which should see you through many winters.

It’s common sense to never simply throw a new field rug on and turn the horse out straight away – especially with youngsters or nervous horses. Always checkall is well with the horse and the rug before you let both loose in the field. Thesame applies to stable rugs!

Winter turnout and stable rugs are a big investment for any horse owners so choosing the right rug is imperative. Our rugs come witha life time guarantee so this gives added peace of mind, but also look out for details such as high denier Ripstop materials and extra attention being paid to buckle and strap stitching, as these will not only help save money on rug repairs but also increase the life of your purchase!

Finally if your budget is tight, consider buying a rug with a detachable neck cover. This offers not only a practical solution to our ever-changing weather pattern, but also offers you two rugging options without the added expense of having to purchase two rugs.

SNUG AS A BUG IN A RUG!A


n a study of what riders feel they gain from the horse-human relationship, Traeen and collegues found that

participants named the sense of trust, compatibility, confidence, close communication and mutual respect as significant elements of the partnership.

A branch of anthropology, multi-species ethnography explores the complex relationship between humans and other animals. One aspect of this investigates how

individuals of different species become increasingly attuned to one-another over time. Scientists have described this ever-evolving relationship as a state of ‘co-being’, developed through the engagement and entanglement of horse and rider, both physically and mentally. To identify key components of this unique relationship, Maurstad and colleagues interviewed 60 riders about their own every-day experiences with horses. Using the results, the team were able to

identify three points of ‘relational co-being’: 1) Riders identified themselves and the horse as being in synchronisation, described as “deeply felt intercorporeal moments of mutuality”

2) Riders felt the experience was a meeting of two subjects in their own right, rather than subject and object. This was expressed as a sense

Pitch-perfect: Tuning the Horse-Human Relationship

The horse-human relationship is an important part of equestrianism. Many riders think of this as a partnership and training is often orientated towards achieving a sense of harmony. Equines are considered to be very perceptive of their handlers and equestrians are commonly motivated in achieving a sense of affinity with the horse. So, how well attuned are horses and their handlers? What motivates equestrians, on a psychological level, to persevere in this relationship and what do they gain from it?

I


of “’meeting the horse as a subject and individual”.

3) Each interaction of horse and human produced learning and adapting, in both individuals, as a result of the meeting - essentially becoming horse and becoming human. The researchers described this element as “co-shaping and co-domesticating each other”

However, human personality traits can, in fact, produce bias in how equestrians perceive their horse’s character and, therefore, the caliber of that relationship. Wolframm and Meulenbroek investigated how perceived personality traits in the horse-human dyad affected the quality of interaction within this relationship. Results were taken from 2525 internet questionnaires in which riders filled out answers based on their own horse and rider relationship. Although further research needs to be carried out, the team did find a correlation between rider personality and interpretation of the horse’s behaviour. Riders that considered themselves to be lively, interpreted their horse as being more intelligent and gregarious. Excitability on the part of the rider was also linked with emotional reactivity of the horse and leadership in riders was linked with intelligence and willingness to work in the horse. Researchers concluded that that perceived personality traits of the rider could influence perceptions of equine temperament and, therefore, guide interpretations of quality of the horse and rider relationship.

Numerous anecdotal accounts from equine handlers suggest

that horses are well attuned to our thoughts, moods and attitudes. To investigate how nervousness (or anticipation) of rider or handler can affect the horse, Keeling and colleagues studied the responses of 27 equines and 37 riders during a test. The participants had all handled horses before, with each person having a minimum of 3 years experience. Participants were asked to either ride or lead a horse between two points and repeat this four times. They were then told to expect the opening of an umbrella during the fourth leg. Although the umbrella was not actually opened when stated, both horse and handler heart rates increased as a result, demonstrating that the horse was able to sense the anticipation of the rider/handler.

Hama and colleagues investigated the ability of horses to pick up the mental attitude of their handlers during a stroking task. The researchers studied the heart rates of equines when stroked by people with either a positive, neutral or negative attitude towards horses. Participants that had a negative attitude produced a raised heart rate in the horse

within the first 10 seconds of stroking. whilst those with neutral or positive attitude did not have this effect.

Largely, research confirms the widely accepted notion of the horse as a highly perceptive animal, able to sense, in some part, the thoughts and arousal level of the handler. Humans may be less well attuned to the horse. However, as conscientious individuals, many equine handlers continually strive to achieve harmony with the horse, recognising its individuality and citing mutual respect, amongst other factors, as a motivator to developing the horse-human relationship.

Bibliography available on request.

HORSE AND RIDER


Young talentWhen readers get in touch to ask if we are interested in publishing their own work, we are always more than happy to help.

This month Claire Martin from Norwich wrote in with her illustrations. Working from home as an equestrian illurator and artist, Claire completed her Degree in Illustration at the De Montfort University. Coupling her passion and obvious talent together with an N.V.Q level one and two in horse care, Claire really is a great example to all wanting to work in the equestrian industry. Claire spent time working with the World Horse Welfare and Redwings Horse Sanctuary, where she

furthered her experience in the field by learning to understand difficult horses. Claire said “My passion is solving problem horse behaviour and I continue this with my own two horses, Megan who is a cob x shire and Tommy an Exmoor, both of whom came to me with their own problems”

“Drawing and painting has always been a part of my life. Painting commissioned portraits, exhibiting or producing editorial artwork and I am happy to now combine illustration with my love of horses” To get in touch with Claire for your illustration needs please email [email protected]

EQUESTRIAN NEWSS



Pick the best bedding

for you this autumn!

Choosing the right bedding for your horse and your budget this autumn and winter isn’t necessarily straightforward. In this article, Paul Groombridge from Aquamax wood crumble bedding explores how to work out the real cost of bedding, health implications and other important considerations.

SPECIAL FEATURE


The chances are that there’s more than one type of bedding that’ll suit your horse, and more than one that’ll suit your budget too. Getting these two to align isn’t always easy, but there are a number of simple steps to go through to make sure you pick the best bedding for you this winter.

CostThe cost of bedding can be a huge factor and can really dent your horsey budget. Don’t be fooled by a cheap bag price, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to be cheap to use. The key is to work out the cost per day to use the bedding, it’s the only way to compare which is the best for your budget.

Make sure you’re getting really good value for money. There are many products out there that are better quality and, because of this, can last longer. Buying a better quality product could actually work out a whole lot cheaper…so your horse gets better bedding, and you have more money in your account! It’s a win win!

HealthIf your horse has a respiratory issue, your bedding choices might be narrowed even more this winter. Dust and ammonia can really aggravate the respiratory system, even in horses without a problem, so it’s worth considering

when you buy your bedding.

Many wood based beddings will say virtually dust free or dust extracted on the packaging. Some even say dust free. This can really help to reduce the dust levels in your horse’s stable, although, of course, bedding isn’t the only ‘thing’ that can cause dust. Even with dust extracted beddings, the correct management is essential to prevent bedding becoming dry.

Another issue is ammonia. Research has shown that ammonia can have a detrimental impact on the horse’s respiratory system too. Ammonia comes from urine and faeces, so it’s impossible to avoid, but very possible to manage. Some beddings made from a special sort of pine eliminate ammonia naturally. If your bedding doesn’t do this, stable disinfectants and stable floor fresheners can be very effective at managing ammonia, making the environment better for horse and rider.

StorageThink about where you’re going to keep your bedding and how you’re going to buy it. If you pick up a bag or two from the feed store each week, storage isn’t a big issue, but some bedding, such as straw, needs to be kept under cover and, if you buy off the field, you’ll need to store it

all winter long. Some bedding, such as crumble and pellets, is often provided in waterproof bags that can be stored outside and, as they contain so little moisture, their volume is a lot less than you’d expect. When these beddings become wet, they

expand enormously. For example, Aquamax expands to around four times its original volume when wet. Shavings is usually supplied in plastic bales that might be able to be stored outside, but can be quite large, so just keep this in mind.

WasteWe all know what happens to a horse’s bedding overnight, but some bedding types manage moisture and muck slightly differently, and this can help to reduce the amount of waste that gets removed from the stable. Some beddings just need the droppings to be removed each day and the bed tidied, something that people looking to adopt a deep litter system can also benefit from. Mucking out in this way can reduce mucking out time, reduce muck heap size, leave more bedding in the stable and can create a more ‘stable’ bed. Of course, the type of bedding and how wet or messy the horse is will have a bearing on this.

AskDon’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re considering a new bedding. Any bedding supplier worth their salt will be able to answer all your questions and should be more than happy to help you. People used to rely on word of mouth when it came to what bedding to use but, if you’re not sure, why not join a horsey group on Facebook, or post on a forum for feedback?

Change is good!Don’t be afraid to change bedding, it could make a huge difference to your horse’s health, your bank balance and even the time you spend mucking out each day. If it doesn’t work out, most beddings are easy to change, even mid season.

Pick the best bedding

for you this autumn!


Productfocus

GIRLS GO FOR GOLD!

This beautiful Timothy Foxx Ashperton Classic Slim Fit Ladies Hoodie in a stunning Cobalt Blue fleece features some seriously stylish classic foxxy detailing with it’s antique brass eyelets, Cream cotton hood lining, matching draw cords and luxurious Gold lining to the front pockets.

A gorgeous hoodie worthy of a Gold for its sporty stylish good looks!

RRP: £65.00

Sizes: 8 - 16

ww.timothyfoxx.co.uk

IN THE HOOD! NEW FOR THIS SEASON, FOR MEN

The Timothy Foxx Pedmore Classic Fit Hoodie is styled in luxurious Forrest Green super soft cotton. Again, featuring those classic ‘Foxxy’ details such as double button fastening at the front with antique brass eyelets, cream cotton draw cords and a Gold cotton lining to the front pockets. This attention to detail is echoed again with a Gold fabric lining in the hood and Timothy Foxx print on the side. Finished with a Timothy Foxx logo embroidered on the front in Gold and White, a bold Gold printed stag logo number four on the back and an appliqué number 4 stitched to the left sleeve, this hoodie has the Midas touch!

RRP: £65.00

www.timothyfoxx.co.uk


Talolo brings flair to wet weather footwear!Talolo Boots has recently launched its range of cowboy wellies…ideal for wet weather all year round.

The wellies are bright, fun and come in three stunning designs to suit all tastes. They’re made from high quality rubber with a cotton lining, sport a small heel and ooze classic ‘cowboy boot’ style. Cut close to the leg, Talolo Boots flatter the wearer, whether worn at the yard, for walking the dog or

dashing around the shops in a downpour. They’re ideal for those wanting to look good and stay dry.

Talolo Boots are available in Paisley Vibe, Floral Bliss and Pop Graphic Spirit designs, in sizes 37-41, and have a RRP of £32. For more information, see www.taloloboots.com

PRODUCT FOCUS

Give your horse a little sparkle with EquidivineAs seen on This Morning these beautiful equine products will undoubtedly put a sparkle in your horses life.

For use on both horses and ponies EquiDivine have developed a range fit for any princess (or prince charming) in your field.

The range includes glittery hoof balm, BD approved Swarovski crystal elements plaiting bands for dressage and showing, glitter pony paint, stencils and other fantastic products.

For more information and the full range of products visit www.equidivine.co.uk

www.equidivine.co.uk

Freddie Parker launch outstanding collection of ladies clothingThe equestrian inspired men’s fashion brand, Freddie Parker have stepped out of the box to launch a new women’s collection.

The range has been designed with

the femine figure in mind, proving more shapely and eligant than the mans fit.

The attention to detail in the newly launched ‘Cheltenham Ladies Collection’ is exeptional with the inside being decorated with the ‘galloping horse and rider’ graphic print.

For more information visitwww.freddieparker.com


PDS Patent Rolled Dressage Bridle PDS have just launched a new Snaffle bridle as part of their PDS range designed in conjunction with Carl Hester. PDS Patent Rolled Snaffle Bridle RRP: £225.00. Colour: Black Sizes: Cob, Full and X Full. Contact PDS for your nearest retailer on 01922 638094.

Cambridge BridleThe Cambridge Bridle with rubber reins is new from the Sovereign leatherwork range by Cottage Craft. The padded snaffle bridle is great for a range of disciplines. Available in the sizes Pony, Cob and Full and offered in Black and Havana. Prices start at around £45.99. For more information contact Cottage Craft on 01274 711101 or visit www.cottagecraft.co.uk

Bucas helps you turn out in style

New for Autumn/Winter 2014, the Bucas Freedom Turnout Full Neck Rug. Waterproof and breathable. RRP’s Freedom Turnout Light Full Neck £87.00; Freedom Turnout Full Neck 150g £95.00; Freedom Turnout Full Neck 300g £102.00. For stockist visit www.bucas.com


Introducing: Dr D’s Tasty TreatsCarefully Crafted from 100% Natural Ingredients, Full of Goodness Yet Exceptionally Low in Sugar and StarchNew to the market, Dr D’s Tasty Treats are an ideal way to reward your horse or pony without having to worry about the ingredients inside. Each flavour of natural biscuits has been carefully developed with the Dr D’s promise in mind. No Cereal grains, no added sugar, no GMO, no artificial anything. Simply packed with 100% natural ingredients and full of flavour. Dr D’s Tasty Treats are available online at www.drdstastytreats.com and at selected retailers. Prices start from £3.99 for 300g.

Avante Plus 200 Fixed Neck Turnout Rug From MastaThe Avante Plus Fixed Neck turnout rug from Masta is a must this season for durability and comfort with the horses’ needs in mind. The ultimate middleweight turnout for autumn, the Avante Plus 200 Fixed Neck Turnout is 100% waterproof and breathable with fully taped seams. The standard neck contains 200g of medium weight thermal filling for warmth and is made from high grade extra tough 1200 denier ripstop fabric. The rug is cut to a generous self-righting pattern with a forward

position shoulder gusset for optimum freedom of movement. With adjustable front fastenings at the chest to make rugging up quick and easy. Other features include low cross surcingles, large tail flap, adjustable leg straps, soft feel lining and reflective badging to help you spot your horse on those dark winter nights.

This rug is ideal for cold autumn days and is available in Black Check, offered in sizes 4’6” to 7’6” priced at around £105.49.

For further information please contact Masta on 01274 711101 or visit www.masta.co.uk.

PRODUCT FOCUS




We offer affordable and realistic advertising opportunities in the magazine and on our extensive

equestrian media website.

For more information and our rate card please email [email protected]

Documents

Everything horse uk magazine september 2014