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February/March 2014Your free NATIONAL magazine
FREE
Cool head - calming feeds and supplements
• WIN
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IN •
WIN
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IN• WIN • WIN • WIN
• WIN
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IN • WIN
Fantasticprizes up for grabs!
Livery yardlicensinglaws
Riding hats
Breeches
Livery yardlicensinglawsadvice from the legal team
Riding hatsgive them the‘one-two-three’
Breechesfabulous productson the market
Bridle shynesseasy does it
Ringbonediagnosis and
treatment
Colic in horses
- reduce the risk
Contact Horse ScenePost: 9 Maple Grove, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 1NQTelephone: 01707 880170
Horse Scene [email protected]@[email protected]
Subscriptions & Back IssuesT: 01707 880170E: [email protected]
Cover imageAnita Hoyle - Strollomus of Talisker
Contributing writersB&W Equine GroupBETADWF EquineHilary SelfJoanna BaxterSarah WestonSociety of Master SaddlersZoe Davies
Published ByHorse Scene Magazine is publishedby KCD Publishing. All contents arecopyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may becopied, stored or transmitted in anyform without prior writtenpermission from the publisher.Whilst every effort is made toensure accuracy, no responsibilitycan be accepted however caused.Contributed material does notnecessarily reflect the opinion of thepublishers. The Editorial policy andgeneral layout of this publication areat the discretion of the publisher. Noresponsibility can be accepted forarticles, photographs or illustrationswhilst in transmission with thepublishers.
Inside this issue...Horse talk news, gossip and updates
Letter scene your views & experiences in the equine world
Legal scene debating the pros and cons of liveryyard licensing laws
WIN the new Parelli Jump Start DVD
Breeches fabulous products on the market
Tack talk bridle fitting advice
New on the scene new products to the equine market
Colic how to reduce the risk
WIN Tri-Zone All Sports Boots
Cool head calming feeds and supplements
Riding hats give them the ‘one-two-three’
Token frenzy collect your third token
Bridle shyness easy does it
Vet scene read up on ringbone diagnosis andtreatment
Achieving a good position help and advice
WIN lots of giveaways up for grabs!
Herb of the month valerian and its usage
On trial read our product testing reviews
Tackroom break relax with our puzzles
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Horsetalk
4 HorseScene
Appeal for missing horsesWelcomeHello and welcome to the Februaryissue, from your team at HorseScene magazine (three generationsof horse riders, mother daughterand grandmother).
What a wet, windy winter it's beenso far. Rain, rain and more rain untilthe fields are a sea of mud andwellies are the order of the day! Butat last the days are lengthening,new growth is beginning to show inthe hedgerows and we can lookforward to lighter evenings forhacking out or exercising in themanege. Winter rugs can go off tobe washed, mended and re-proofed, and grooming becomesless of a chore.
Don’t miss out!Have you become a fan of Horse Scene’s facebook page yet?
If not, you’re missing out on Competitions & giveaways • Up to date news • Gossip & discussions ...and much more!
College Farm saddlery are verypleased to be the official tackshop at this years Vale ofAylesbury sponsored ride 2014at RAF Halton. They will bethere selling all kinds ofequestrian goods and gifts andwill be supported by Point TwoAir jackets who will berepresented by Michael Darleywho will be offering fittings anddemonstrations of the PointTwo range with special showday discounts. College Farmsaddlery will also be selling theVASR Official 2014 T shirt andraffle tickets with the 1st prizebeing a Point Two Pro Air jacket.For more information andapplications to the ride visitwww.haltonride.org.uk or thecollege farm facebook pagewww.facebook.com/collegefarmsaddlery.
College FarmSaddlery
TicToc - Ramsey St Marys,CambridgeshireTicToc, 11hh 24 yearold, Welsh x Shetlandwas found to bemissing on Saturdaymorning 7thDecember 2013. TicTocwas in a paddock with2 other ponies, whichwere not taken. Therewas no evidence of any fencing beingbroken, neither was there any evidenceof TicToc escaping. TicToc was wearinga Horseware Rambo Purple and Bluerug. He has a distinct thick curly coatand especially the case on his legs, hehas a pink and black-speckled muzzle.
There is a reward for hissafe return.
Please call the Police on101 if you have anyinformation. Crime refnumber CF0437771213
Spirit - Carrington, ManchesterSpirit – Espiritu Volador,was stolen 8th May 2011sometime after 21.30pm.He is a 15.2hh lightdapple gray Andalusiantype gelding; 7 yearsold. He is microchippedalthough the originalchip was registered inBelgium he is also withthe NED. He has a small snip between hisnostrils, a longish mane and a verydistinctive scar on his inside right hindleg.
The crime number and other specificdetails can be found onwww.findspirit.co.uk
Event Rider KatieBleekman is running the2014 London Marathon onbehalf of the Mark DaviesInjured Rider Fund. Katie isa keen long distance runnerwho is looking forward tothe competitive challengeof completing the gruelling26 miles in April whilstraising money for a charity
that is close to her heart.Katie explains “It is anincredible charity and witheventing being such animportant sport to myselfas well as to my family andmany friends I feel it is vitalthat charities like this aresupported to enable themto continue helping thosewho have had accidents orneed support for thefuture.” The Mark DaviesInjured Riders Fund wasfounded to help those whobecome injured in horserelated accidents whetherriding or working withhorses on the ground. It isthe only charity in the UKwhich tries to help allinjured riders from leisure
riders to competitionriders, across all disciplinesand at any level.Rosemary Laing fromMDIRF said “We aredelighted that Katie haschosen to support theMDIRF as she takes on theLondon Marathon and wewish her luck in her trainingand on the big day! If you would like to sponsorKatie, please visit her JustGiving Page www.justgiving.com/Katie-BleekmanIf you would like to find outmore about how you cansupport the MDIRF bytaking part in your ownevent then please contactus at [email protected]
Marathon Challenge for MDIRF
Pontispool Equine Sports Centre willno longer be held to ransom by theweather when its vast new all-weatherarena officially opens. Measuring twoacres in total, the huge space has beencreated by joining two smaller arenastogether and encompasses a range ofpermanent cross country fencesincluding a water complex, ditches anda bank.Richard Mitford –Slade first put theplan into action following the appallingweather of 2012 when dozens of highprofile competitions were lost to theweather. “We knew that potentially alarge slice of our income could be lostif we had another very wet year as wewould not be able to hire out ourfacilities so we decided to create amuch bigger all-weather arena. Thismeans that riders can now competeand school their horses over crosscountry fences whatever the weather,”
said Richard.Professional event rider LucyWiegersma, who will be building thecourses at the eventer challenges,said: “I think it is a fantastic idea and itwill be a huge bonus having such agreat facility in the Westcountry. I’mvery pleased to have been asked todesign the courses at Pontispool ascourse building is an area I am veryinterested in. The whole idea is veryinnovative, and I believe there is onlyone other facility of this size in thecountry. The fences are veryimpressive, and gone are the days ofonly using portable fences in all-weather arenas.”The move is already paying offfollowing another very wet winter, andits first eventer challenge on February1 is very well subscribed and the datesavailable for cross country schoolingare already fully booked.
Year round cross country schoolingwhatever the weather
Chat
In the year that CharlesHinchliffe was born, KingGeorge V was on thethrone, archaeologistHoward Carter unsealedthe burial chamber ofTutankhamun, StanleyBaldwin became primeminister and Dorothy LSayers published her firstLord Peter Wimsey book.That was 90 years ago.Now, when most people hisage are happy with acomfy chair and a cup ofcocoa, this tenacious WestYorkshire grafter can stillbe found in his family’sfarm shop – founded by hisfather Allen in the 1920s –watching over the fourthgeneration to run thebusiness and making surethey’re maintaining thehigh standards set for themalmost a century before.‘I’m in here every day,whether they like it or not,’said Charles, who took onHinchliffe’s when his fatherdied in 1941, expanding anddeveloping the shop,butchery and restaurant
complex in Netherton,Huddersfield, in thesubsequent decades. ‘Idon’t do a right lotanymore, but I’m herecome rain or shine.’ Youdon’t have to look too farto see where his tenacityand indomitable spiritcomes from. His father,Allen, escaped relativelyunscathed from the FirstWorld War only to lose aleg falling from scaffoldingwhile working as a plumber.Undaunted, he set up asuccessful butcher’s shopin Huddersfield beforemoving his family out oftown to launch thecountry’s first farm shop,selling home-rearedchickens and eggs.He was only 17 when hisfather died, but he washead of the household andhad to take on all theresponsibilities thatentailed – including takingthe helm of the familybusiness. He soon began toput his own stamp on theHinchliffe’s brand,expanding the range toinclude home-grownvegetables and home-reared beef.In July 2010 A small fireignited by an electrical faultin the butchery engulfed
the entire complex,gutting not just thebutchery but also thefarm shop, restaurant,store rooms and offices.‘Many people cried thatday,’ said Charles. ‘Ished a few tears myself,but it’s just one of thosethings in life that youhave to get through. I’mso proud of what we’veachieved since.’And so he should be.The extendedHinchliffe family –relatives, staff,customers and friends– have worked hard inthe years since thedevastating fire tobuild the businessback up to its previouslevels of success andbeyond.Now, almost fouryears on, KirkleesCouncil has grantedthe business fullplanning permissionto replace itstemporary buildingswith a new purpose-built farm shop andrestaurant. Thegroundwork willbegin in April for aNovember launch.
WE ASKED Do you always wear a hard hatto ride in? Do you always replace yourhelmet after a fall?
Yes - I always wear a hat, but I have to behonest and say no, I haven't replaced myskull cap after the accident I had wearing it.Well - these questions have got methinking, next month I shall invest in a newskull cap!! (I have several hats so won't beputting my life at risk by waiting a month) Nicky Skinner
Yes as it is a matter of safety, “I trust myhorse” just doesn't cut it I'm afraid. Mymare had a stroke going over a fence andlanded on me - my skull cap could befolded in half after the fall. As it was astroke it could have happened anywhere soa hat is a must. My horse died at the scene,I walked out of hospital a couple of hoursafter arriving on a spinal board. I trustedher with my life and had been riding her for11 years but accidents happen and even ifits for the sake of the family who wouldhave to care for you should the worsthappen, then you should wear a hat. Youonly get one life don't live it in a possiblevegetative state for many years becauseyou feel more comfortable or think youlook better for the few hours you spend inthe saddle. Wendy Showdayz Rosettes BuntingI always wear a hat to ride, but if I replacedit every time I fell off I would have spenthundreds on helmets. I'm a student and justcan't afford it! Leah Jarrett
No and no - I don't always wear a hat, onlywhen at competitions and out on hacks. It'sat my own risk but I find it more comfywithout it and I trust my horses. I wouldwear one on a strange horse - I have seenthe damage that can be done with orwithout a hat and to me it makes nodifference. Amanda Reid
I always wear a hat. If I fall off and knockmy head it would immediately get replaced,generally I replace it every few years. Yes,my hair looks a state especially in thesummer but I would rather a sweaty headthan brain damage! Emily BurnellI do now, I never used to, or would wearone without a strap. Now I value my headand understand what a difference wearinga hat makes. If my hat hits the ground itgets changed and updated every few years.I always try to get one with the highesttesting standard. Pippa Cat Farr
Honestly no. Once in a blue moon I mayschool without a hat on my own horse.Showing, I will wear my beagler when I canand always top hat in eveningperformances. Megan Rogers
Always!!!! You just can't put a price onsafety! And I don't believe that any horse istruly 'bombproof'. Daisy Collins
I don’t understand why you WOULDNTwear a hat. As so many have said, you onlyhave one head and it can't be replaced. Iam an experienced rider and I trust myhorse absolutely, but I still wouldn't ride herwithout a hat. I recently had a bad fall.Although I landed on my wrists andsmashed them up, I am replacing my hatbefore I get on again as I am pretty sure Ihit my head too. Absolutely not worth therisk to go hatless. Naomi Stevens
The phoenix who’s still risingAfter 90 years and a major fire, the man behind Britain’sfirst farm shop is still going strong
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Letter Scene, Horse Scene Magazine, 9 Maple Grove, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. AL7 1NQ or email:[email protected]
Worth £144.99!
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Letterscene
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Star letterThree years ago I met my best friend and little did I know thefuture we had together. I had always ridden ponies and lovedhorses but I thought my hopes of competing properly werebeginning to fade. My instructor was mother of twoprofessional eventers and when she asked me to come ride ahorse for her daughter to view for buying I agreed happily andcompletely unsuspectingly. My mother drove me to about 2hours away where a 14.2 pony was brought out. The pony wasa dark iron colour with a beautiful face. As I started riding himhis immediate talent became apparent and his willingnessimpressed me. Little did I know my mother's true intensionsuntil I discovered him in our stables two weeks later. I couldn'tbelieve how incredibly lucky I was. From the word go webonded and he was a star. Within the year I had qualified forPony Club championships and NSEA championships. Itappeared the bigger the problem I faced him with; the more hebecame able to cope. Over the next 2 years we had numerouswins including in the main ring at the All England HicksteadArena, 5th individually in the Novice Eventing Championshipsand numerous individual and team placings at the NSEAChampionships. He was even asked to do training for the GBPony Eventing Squad over last winter. But through his successin the last year I began to outgrow him. For a while I tried todeny it, desperate to hold on to him. However soon I realisedthat our time together was drawing to a close. When I finallymade the decision to sell him I was heart broken. He hadachieved so much and it was unfair on him for me to keep himand I realised I was being selfish. He was sold a month ago to alovely home where he much appreciated but saying goodbyewas the hardest thing I have ever done. He was the mostbeautiful and talented horse I have ever had the pleasure ofriding and will ever have the pleasure of riding. I can only thankall the people who made it possible for me to have him andthank him of course for being so truly brilliant in every way.Phoebe Toyne - Bridges
Pony of a lifetime
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did win!!”JazmineMerrifield
At the end of a rainbow stands'Casper' a real gem!
This is Maggie, she
doesn’t like Mondays!
Sara McComb
But what happens where possible welfare issues arisebecause the owner or registered keeper fails to care forthat animal, or decides to abandon it at the landowner’spremises? Should the landowner then be responsible for ananimal’s welfare until the situation can be adequatelyresolved?
Shelley Williams, a lawyer and equine specialist at nationallaw firm DWF provides an overview of the pros and cons ofthe livery yard licensing debate.
Currently, there is no specific legislation to place anobligation upon the owner of a livery yard to ensure that ananimal is appropriately cared for whilst it remains on theirproperty, regardless of whether the owner or legal keepertakes responsibility for it.
As such, an area of much debate in recent years has beenwhether there is a need to regulate equine establishmentsto order to that they have adequate knowledge andprovisions in place to ensure equine welfare.
Currently, anyonemay start a livery yardwithout the need toobtain a licence whichwould regulate the way inwhich it runs its services. Aperson with excess land can, therefore,offer stables and grazing for rent without having anyequestrian qualifications, knowledge or experience ofkeeping horses.
This is quite often where difficulties arise as an owner orkeeper may also lack the degree of knowledge and skillwhich is required to look after a horse and as such theanimal’s welfare may suffer. In some cases, the owner canno longer afford to keep the horse and may abandon it atthe premises.
However, it is interesting to note that all riding stables,hacking and trekking centres fall within the definition ofequine establishment, but they are regulated by the RidingEstablishments Acts of 1964 and 1970, whereby theresponsibilities of those in charge of such an establishmentare clearly defined. No one may keep a ridingestablishment except under the authority of a licencegranted by the relevant local authority. This assists inpreventing animal welfare issues as well as health andsafety issues.
Under present legislation, a pure livery stable where noformal instruction is given does not require a licence.Regulations, not yet in force at the time of writing, underthe Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the “AWA”), are likely torequire livery yards to be licensed in the future.
The AWA is a piece of legislation, which states that thewellbeing of all horses is protected by law. It is an offenceto cause or allow unnecessary suffering and as a registeredkeeper or person in charge of the welfare of an equine, youhave a duty as an individual to ensure the basic welfare needsof all horses under your ownership and responsibility by:
• providing a suitable place to live, including housing with or apart from other animals
• providing a suitable diet
• protecting them from pain, injury, suffering and disease
• making sure they exhibit normal behaviour
8 HorseScene
The majority of horse owners and registered keepers choose to pay privatelandowners or businesses in return for their offering stabling, grazing andassociated services. The yard may provide different levels of assisted liveryservice, however, the owner or keeper of the animal is ultimately responsiblefor its overall care and welfare.
Our expertDWF is a leading national law firm with
an equine team committed to horses,with some owning and showing their own
horses in their spare time. The team hasdeveloped a breadth of expertise in
contentious and non-contentious equinematters spanning the full services that DWFprovide from varied property transactions,business acquisitions and employment mattersto complex contractual disputes, rights of wayissues and insurance related claims. We havethe capability to assist a wide range ofclientele consisting of, for example, owners/
breeders, racing managers, racecourses,corporate entities, charities and
competitive bodies/organisations. DWFare the appointed solicitors to The
Pony Club and can be contactedon 0845 404 2293
legalsceneDebating the pros and cons of livery yard licensing laws
Licensing laws – a solution to theproblem?
An equine establishment is defined as a yard, grazing or similar facility accommodating three horses or morewhich exists as:
An establishment providing accommodation orservices including grazing for horses for reward.
An establishment where horses are let out for hirefor riding, driving, instruction or similar purposes.
An establishment used for the rescue, rehabilitation, re-homing and retirement of horses.
Any establishments where horses are kept for sale.
Establishments where horses used for the abovecategories (1-4) are kept for more than 30 days inany one year.
In addition, livery providers are subject to a code of practice toensure that there are minimum standards for livery yardfacilities to provide basic welfare standards for horses.However, livery yards are not yet subject to the same level ofred tape as riding establishments.
In light of this, are the provisions of the AWA adequate inprotecting the welfare of equines? It could be argued thatsuch provisions have the power to place obligations upon yardowners to take overall responsibility for the care of an equine,should the owner or registered keeper fail to do so.
However, does this only seek to put landowners off renting outtheir land to horse owners, where they may be ultimately left
with a long term liability? In addition, given the current strainon horse welfare resources, does the AWA offer the necessaryprotection for horses kept at livery yards to ensure that basicstandards are being met?
The fact that livery yards are likely to be licensed in the futureappears to be welcomed by the majority of horse owners.However, the difficulty in attempting to license equineestablishments providing stabling and grazing services isbeing able to determine how many yards there are, whichaccommodate three or more equines. The Department for theEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs has previously estimatedthat there are approximately 10,000 livery yards in Englandand Wales, but this could well be an underestimation.
HorseScene 9
Where do we go from here?
Perhaps the best that the equine industry can aim for at this particular juncture is for the larger and more professionalyards to look at introducing written agreements with its liveries in relation to what the owner of the animal and theproperty owner itself is ultimately responsible for, together with a standard set of terms which confirm what the acceptablestandards of care are in order to regulate welfare standards on the yard.
If yards were to be formally regulated, then the regular involvement of local authorities as well as veterinary and otherwelfare services would likely be encouraged in order to “approve” the standards of a yard and its facilities as beingadequate on grounds of equine welfare. Licensing livery yards may also help to reduce the issue of breeding and dealingspiralling further out of control, as this is also a real problem, which perhaps such regulations could help to address.
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HorsesceneFebruary/March 2014Your free NATIONAL magazine
FREE
Cool head - calming feeds and supplements
• WIN
• W
IN •
WIN
• W
IN• WIN • WIN • WIN
• WIN
• W
IN • WIN
Fantasticprizes up for grabs!
Livery yardlicensinglaws
Riding hats
Breeches
Livery yardlicensinglawsadvice from the legal team
Riding hatsgive them the‘one-two-three’
Breechesfabulous productson the market
Bridle shynesseasy does it
Ringbonediagnosis and
treatment
Colic in horses
- reduce the risk
• Never miss an issue
• Enjoy delivery direct to your door
• Only £25 (to cover 12
months p+p)
Tel: 01707 880170 orwww.horsescenemagazine.co.uk For more information visit:
www.childericsaddles.co.uk
Riding to Victory!The Childéric CFE Event Saddle is created around Childéric’sunique tree technology, allowing the horse greater freedomof movement, thanks to it’s anatomically shaped panels andcarefully positioned points. The further set back pointscoupled with the tree work together to allow the horse tomove through it’s shoulder to ensure that the horse’s stride isnever compromised in-between or over jumps.
The bespoke saddle can be builtcompletely to the horse and rider’srequirements, including differentgirth strap positions, refined panelshapes with no pressure points,bigger knee blocks, seat depthsand sizes and even a clever airbagattachment on pommel, whichoffers style without forgettingsafety.
This truly bespoke saddle is fittedto both the horse and rider andwith Childéric’s ‘Perfect BalancePhilosophy’ the rider is always inperfect balance and placed in themiddle of the horse. This allowsthe rider the luxury of being ableto adopt a variety of positionswith ease: From galloping on theflat in a forward seat through to asecure position on landing after fences.
The Childéric CFE Event Saddle is available in seat sizes 16 -19”Tree Widths: Standard, Medium & Wide. Colours: Black, Master& Irish. Calf, Buffalo or Suede. RRP: Prices start at £3,200
WIN...
This competition can only be entered on the ‘’Horse Scene Magazine Facebook Page’’. Come and join us and be in with a chance to win this fantastic prize. Closes: 28th February 2014
How to enter
The New Parelli
Jump Start DVD
Topics in Disc 1 include:What is Parelli? What isNatural Horsemanship? TheLanguage of Parelli, theSeven Games, Zoneology,The Levels, Four SavvysHorsenality, Savvy Steps in 3 Minutes, Jump Start YourHorse's Life
Topics in Disc 2 include: GetStarted with Your Horse,"Friendly Game" - BuildTrust & Relaxation,
"Porcupine Game" - Yield toSteady Pressure, Task it:Porcupine for a Purpose,"Driving Game" - Yield toRhythmic Pressure, Task it:Touch it Challenge, "Yo-YoGame" - Equalize Backwards& Forwards, "Circling Game"- Create Draw andResponsibility, "SidewaysGame" - Develop LateralMovement, "Squeeze Game"- Overcome Claustrophobia,Task it: Positive Patterns,Freestyle: Games in the
Saddle, One Rein Stop:Starting with Control,Forward Motion: Leading theFront Foot, Responsibilities:Maintain Gait & Direction,Task it: Rein Positions, Taskit: Saddle Confidence
The new Parelli Jump StartDVD is priced at £15.85.
For further informationcontact the Parelli UK teamon 0800 0234 813 or visitwww.parelli.com
18up forgrabs
Jump Start is an introductory overview of the Parelli program, guiding you through everything you need to know to begin your Parellieducation. Join television host and author Rick Lamb as he introduces you to the world of Parelli Natural Horsemanship. You’ll learnphrases like “the Seven Games,” “the Four Savvys,” and “the Eight Principles.” Not only will you learn what these phrases mean, butyou’ll begin to understand what they can do for your relationship with your horse.
ADVERTORIAL
Equus SolutionsSet in idyllic Cornwall close to tranquil sandy beaches and dramatic coastline, we aredelivering a uniquely innovative therapy treatment using horses
As horse owners we sometimes take forgranted the majestic qualities that ourhorses possess; horses do not lie, theydon’t use words and have no hiddenagenda, it is this honesty from thehorses that gives our clients the mostimmediate and non-judgementalfeedback.
We work with a wide variety of clients,have an ongoing referral system with alocal drug and alcohol rehabilitationcentre, and we also work closely withvictims of domestic violence andindividuals who have found themselveshomeless. Our program helps offendersand individuals experiencing familyproblems.
As well as our Equine AssistedPsychotherapy (EAP) we offer EquineAssisted Learning (EAL) where thefocus is more on clients gaining copingstrategies, this has begun to growrapidly with our autistic clients andclients with learning difficulties. We arequickly developing a reputation forexcellent work with those on the autisticspectrum or with learning disabilities,with our therapeutic riding and activitiesprogram.
As horses are so interactive and intuitivetheir communication is very clear, theservice users learn about themselves byparticipating in activities with thehorses. As we well know anger andanxiety don’t work with horses, so theeducation is real and honest.
For our clients, developing empathy andemotion for the horses is a great triggerfor awareness of others feeling andrequirements.
The EAP treatment involves a skilledqualified therapist, a horse professionaland a horse working with each we setup activities which give opportunity for
metaphoric learning. Spending timeobserving and interacting with ourhorses has proven to help developbonds and personal relationshipsoutside the arena.
The progression and developmentgained from using EAP is something weare very proud of here at The OldVicarage. Our case studies andfeedback alone prove how beneficial ourtherapy is and now more than ever weare keen to share the benefits.
Equus Solutions is based at The Old Vicarage, Churchtown, St Hilary,Penzance, TR20 9DQ. Tel: 01736 711508 www.equussolutions.co.uk
Introductory visits are always welcome by appointment.
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These Horseware Ireland Woven Competition breeches have a Zipfront with Gutos button closing. They feature a Technical leg withcontrast trim on the front pocket. The seat is a full seat made fromDaewoo stretch material for optimal fit and comfort for the rider.They feature a branded elastic band inside the waist and have asparkle patch detail. These breeches are machine washable - 68%Polyester, 22% Cotton, 10% Elastane. RRP £69.95 and are available inbeige, white, or canary in sizes 24-34R.
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Stain Angels
AnswerThe Society of Master Saddlers replies:First of all you need to think about the purpose of the bridleand what you are going to be doing with your horse.
A well selected, correctly fitting bridle can enhance the bestpoints of a horse’s head and help disguise the less fortunate.In showing this can be used to great advantage. Rememberhorses come in many different shapes and sizes and everybreed has individual attributes that make them suited to aspecific discipline, interest or showing class.
You can go to your local tack shop and select the finest, welldesigned bridle using the finest materials and crafting. Itcould be just what you need and show off your horse butonly if it fits correctly… and quite simply it can be a uselesstool if it does not fit!
If you are taking part in any specialist disciplines or classesmake sure you know the rules and know what is and is notallowed to be worn. This could be a costly mistake if you areplanning to compete.
The simplest and most common bridle is the snaffle butfitting a bridle has the same principles whatever the style. When fitting a bridle on a horse for the first time hold thebridle at the side of the horse to get a rough idea of how bigthe horse’s head is. Adjust the fastenings as necessary, if youdon’t do this you may struggle to get the headpiece over thehorse’s head if it is too small. Straps can be left out of theirkeepers and runners to make adjusting quick and easy.
Once the bridle is in place, do up the buckles, starting fromthe top and working down. All buckle straps must go awayfrom you, therefore pointing to the off side of the horse.
The browband must not be so tight that it pinches the backof the ears or pulls the bridle forward. If fitted too high it willrub around the base of the ears causing discomfort whichmay cause head shaking. The bridle should be loose enoughnot to cause the horse discomfort but tight enough not toslip off.
A correctly fitted bit should hang so that the corners of themouth are slightly wrinkled and the horse appears to besmiling. The cheek pieces can easily be adjusted if necessaryto gain the correct position.
The throat lash must not restrict the horse’s breathing.When fastening it remember that some horses become verythick through the jaw in collected paces. To measure for agood fit place three fingers between the throat lash andunderneath the horse’s chin.
The cavesson noseband should lie about two fingers’breadth below the prominent cheekbones and just above therings of the bit to avoid pinching or chafing. Check that thenoseband is level before fastening. If you place two fingersinside the noseband it will give you an idea of the tightnessrequired.
Bespoke bridles are also another option. Made by craftbridle-maker these bridles are perfectly made to measureyour horse and fitted. It certainly takes the hassle out ofbuying and fitting one and can be extremely good value formoney and a worthwhile investment. The bridle-maker willcome out to measure up your horse, and if this is notpossible due to distances involved they will give clearmeasuring instructions for you to do it yourself and feedbackthe measurements.
If you are interested in this option the Society of MasterSaddlers can help as many of their members are craft bridle-makers who are amongst the best in the world.
To find out more information onThe Society of Master Saddlersvisit www.mastersaddlers.co.ukor contact on 01449 711642.
I have just bought a new horse andneed to buy a new bridle, what should Ilook for in a new bridle and how do I ensureit is fitted correctly and will be comfortablefor the horse?
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Question
Bridle fitting advice
Tacktalk
HorseScene 13
A bespoke bridle
14 HorseScene
HWA # Polo shirts100% Cotton pique, diagonal stripe, contrast stitching and solid
colour back. The stunning new # polos are available in a range ofcolours and designs. Sizes S M L XL XXL. RRP £32.99
For more information visit www.horseswithattitude.co.uk
Brogini Modena bootThe Modena boot is the first syntheticBrogini boot designed for the everydayrider! An affordable alternative to thetraditional leather riding boot that doesn’tbreak the bank. Unique FL3 Technology isdesigned with three flex zones along therubber sole, allowing extra movementalong the ball of the foot to coincide withthe balance of the rider whether walkingor riding to increase comfort and flexibility.The durable rubber sole is designed to gripto most outdoor surfaces and incorporatesa two centimetre heel ideal for riding andgeneral yard duties. The outer rub-guard isshaped higher along the outer side of theboot to protect it from friction, minimisinggeneral wear and tear. No need to worryabout the width of this boot because theelasticated panel along the back of the legwill allow up to 1.5cm of stretch for a snugfit. The Modena is fitted with a full lengthrear zip for ease of use. With a smoothleather look this boot shapes andelongates the leg, ideal for all manner ofequestrian disciplines. This practicalequestrian purchase is easy to wipe cleanafter use keeping the boots looking brandnew. The Modena Boot is available topurchase for £60.00 and is available in EUsizes 36-43 (UK 3.5-9).
For more information visit www.brogini.com
Newon thescene
Dressage with Sensitivity! The Fleeceworks FXK fulldressage pad exclusivelyfrom retailer Shadow Horseis a gorgeous saddle padcreated specifically for thedressage rider. It combinestechnology andperformance with stylishgood looks and is createdwith the finest Australianmerino sheepskin to besuper dense and soft, butalso far more robust thanlambskin and superior in itsbreathability and overall performance, making for a morecomfortable experience for the horse. The chemically untreatedsheepskin is also ideal for horses with sensitive skin and is cutshorter than most on the market, giving the shorter dense hairincredible cushioning qualities, which also stops the sheepskinmatting over time and offers extra protection against impact.The inch thick sheepskin is also sheared underneath the areawhere the rider’s leg lies, to allow for uncompromised contactwith the horse’s side. The thinner hind, which has been carefullytanned to lengthen and enhance the life of the product, furtheradds to this half pad’s appeal, allowing for improved flexibilityand breathability. The complete sheepskin coverage also dispelsany pressure points caused by gullet-free channel seaming.Available in black, white, natural & cream, in sizes M & L - RRP £190.00
For more information visit www.shadowhorse.co.uk
HorseScene 15
Royal Mail Special Stampissue salutes working horses Royal Mail launches a set of Special Stamps that salutethe contribution horses still make to working life in theUK. Entitled, ‘Working Horses’, this six-stamp setcelebrates horses from the Riding for the DisabledAssociation, The King’s Troop Ceremonial Horses, DrayHorses, Royal Mews Carriage Horses, Police Horses and aForestry Horse.
For more information visitwww.royalmail.com/workinghorses
From Carrots, to you!There is nothing more important when horse riding thansafety but with the Me To You Hat Cover from Carrots, thelast thing your safety equipment needs to be is boring! Thehat cover sports a stunning pink and turquoise colourscheme, an adorable Tatty Teddy design, diamante detailand a super fun pom-pom to top off the look! Made fromstretch fabric, it will fit over any brand or size or skull cap,and as one size fits all, is suitable for adults and childrenalike, appealing to those young at heart, as well as everyyoung budding equestrian! And why not complete the outfitand get co-ordinated with the Me To You riding gloves aswell? These gorgeous pink and black gloves feature a boldhorseshoe design and Tatty Teddy pictured cuddling hispony! Featuring leather reinforcements at the fingers andthumb to enhance grip and durability. The lightweightstretch fabric ensures that one size fits all and the innovativematerial is flexible and comfortable; ideal for all year roundwear. Hat cover priced at £17.00, and riding gloves £15.00per pair.
For more information visit www.carrotsequestrian.co.uk
Stallion Plan from SaracenHorse Feeds
Stallion Plan has been formulatedusing the most recent researchadvances in stallion reproduction.Carnitine is included as researchshows that it increases progressivesperm motility by over 50%. Thereis a properly balanced ratio ofOmega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids -this has the potential to affect notonly sperm quality but spermquantity. Powerful antioxidants areprovided in the form of naturalvitamin E, selenium and DHA,which together help create anenvironment ideal for spermproduction, protection and function.
DHA in particular has been shown toincrease the ability of semen to tolerate the stresses related tocold shock caused by cooling or freezing, now a commonprocedure amongst modern breeders. Zinc has also beenincluded for its known involvement in healthy malereproduction, and Copper, which has been shown to have adirect link to libido and semen quality, is also featured.Stallion Plan is fortified with optimal concentrations ofsupporting vitamins and minerals to promote stallion healthand performance during covering, and the off-season. The feedcontains Stamm 30 for nutrient continuity. As the breedingseason approaches, Stallion Plan can be introduced between60 and 90 days before the season begins. It takes that periodof time for the sperm to be manufactured within the malereproductive glands and then become available to fertilize themare. RRP - £18.56 for a 20kg bag.
For more information visit www.saracenhorsefeeds.com
Good day mate!
Taking inspiration from ‘down under’, this gorgeous new‘Timothy Foxx Perth Hoodie’ is just what your springwardrobe needs to brighten up those gloomy days! Thishoodie is styled in a beautiful Turquoise Sea Blue with aBurnt Earthy Orange lining, embroidery and print. This laidback hoodie hints at surf wear with it’s natural woodenbuttons, cream drill cotton pull cords and bold printedgraphics and signature Timothy Foxx embroidery. Agorgeous hoodie that ensures that everyday is a ‘good day’when you are wearing this spring/summer essential!
For more information visit www.timothyfoxx.co.uk
16 HorseScene
Our expertZoe Davies Msc.,R.Nutr.A qualified and highly experienced EquineNutritionist, Zoe is one of only a handful ofRegistered Equine Nutritionists in the UK today.
Zoe is able to offer independent advice acrossthe full range of feeds and feed supplementsavailable commercially. She has over 25 years
of experience in equine nutrition and offersadvice to feed companies, supplement
manufacturers and their customers,she also undertakes veterinary
referrals and diet and forageanalysis.
How to reduce the risk of
colic in horses
One of the most common causes of colic is impaction wherefood material becomes effectively stuck in the horses’digestive tract, as does food coming along behind it.Impaction colic is more likely when horses are dehydratedi.e. they have not consumed enough water, and/or have lostwater through sweating or diarrhoea. To make up for theloss in water, horses resorb more water from the gut makingthe food material drier and therefore more likely to becomestuck or impacted.
In fact, dehydration can occur in both very hot and very coldweather. In hot weather horses sometimes can’t consumeenough water to match their losses particularly if they arealso working. This can lead to rapid dehydration andreduced motility of the gut. In a heat wave, where ambienttemperatures are sustained at around 30 degrees C orabove, dehydration can rapidly occur.
To avoid dangerous body water losses in horses in hotweather, don’t work them hard, ride at cooler times only andallow the horse access to water when riding such as outon a hack (as long as the water is not too cold).
In very cold weather, horses often stop drinking as the wateris too cold or iced up!
Horses prefer water at 5 degrees C and above in winter andbetween 15 -25 degrees C in summer.
Always take the water content of feed into account. Grasscontains much more water than hay and haylage. Grasscontains 80-90% water, hay (and dried chaffs) 10-15%,haylage 30-45% and cereals and compound feeds 12-15% onaverage. This is a huge difference in moisture content.Horses at pasture therefore consume a lot more water fromthe grass compared to stabled horses on drier forage andfeed. Dry food/forage is known to increase the risk of colic.
When changing horses from pasture to hay for example inwinter, this should be done slowly and, if possible feedsoaked hay to start with. Likewise any change at all inforage for example a new batch, should be undertakenslowly.
Colic is responsible for more horse deaths than any other equine disease. Fortunately there aremanagement tips for horse owners to help reduce the risk of colic occurring and some of thesemay be quite surprising. Most importantly it is vital that horses and ponies have good andeffective worming programmes.
In very cold weather, horses often stop drinking as thewater is too cold or iced up!
Grass contains more water than hay and haylage.
HorseScene 17
Confining horses to stables increasesthe risk of colic. The movement of thegut, which helps food along it, reduceswhen horses are stabled and thereforefood is more likely to get stuck orimpacted.
If horses are also fasted for longer than4 hours and/or fed two large cerealbased feeds (more than 2kg per feed)whilst stabled, impacted and tympanic(gas) colic risks increase further. Horsesshould be turned out as much aspossible, therefore, even if this is on anexercise area such as an arena, withlimited forage available.
Horses should not be fed feed or foragethat is mouldy or feed that is out ofdate. This may contain mycotoxins(poisons) that are made by some fungi.They are mostly invisible and odourlessand can cause severe health problemsincluding colic in horses. Although it iseasy to see or smell mouldy hay andtherefore avoid feeding it rememberthat haylage that has not fermentedthoroughly may also contain fungi andpossible mycotoxins.
Finally, horses need natural fibre-baseddiets. In fact when horses are turned outon spring pasture and hay is fed in the
field, the risk of colic is reduced. This isbecause horses need fibre and this canbe provided by the additional hay andspring grass often contains very lowfibre levels. Fibre binds to water in thegut to help moisten the passage of feedthrough it.
Feeding starch based cereal feeds(particularly more than 2kg at a time) ismore likely to result in colic as solublecarbohydrate may pass undigested intothe hindgut where it ferments andproduces gas. If more calories areneeded for condition, use additional oiland quality fibre instead of cereal starch.
Feeding horses after colic
As soon as the horse can eat voluntarilythen a good maintenance diet of qualityforage should be introduced. Thisshould be grazing and/or haylage orsoaked hay, helping to stimulate the gutto move and provide moisture. Anadditional broad-spectrum performancelevel vitamin and mineral supplement ora low calorie balancer should also be fedfor a week or so. Many vets advocatenot feeding any cereal feeds at thistime, as this will help hindgut function toreturn to normal. After two weeks, theusual feed can be reintroduced slowlyrising in small steps until the normalamount of feed is achieved.
For advice on horse nutritionand feeding information,please visit Zoe Davies’website:www.horsefeeding.info
Confining horses to stables increases the risk of colic.
Horses should be turned out as much as possible.
The Tri-Zone All Sports boot has taken on a smart new improved look and hasbeen restyled for ultimate comfort and fit for your horse.
Since its launch in 2009, this revolutionary boot has fast become a tack-room staple asone of the most versatile boots on the market, suitable for a wide range of disciplinesfrom endurance and racing to dressage and hacking. This popular boot is now thepreferred choice of many professional riders.
Designed to be the perfect ‘all rounder’, the Tri-Zone All Sports boot combines greatprotection with breathability, flexibility and lightness. All these factors have been assessedin the laboratory and the boot then tested by leading riders for comfort and ease of use,to result in a truly effective boot.
Using a unique combination of materials, these innovative boots incorporate the ventilatedlayered Airlite system to help prevent overheating your horse’s legs which can cause longterm tissue damage.
The outer layer is made from an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) mesh. It is hard wearing, yetstill flexible, and is designed to help disperse concussion.
The inner layer is made from shock absorbing EVA formed as a breathable, soft pillowedlining for ultimate comfort and fit and has tiny air holes to allow heat to escape whichencourages the horse’s natural cooling system of perspiration and evaporation.
In addition, a highly protective and ergonomically shaped integrated TPU guard helps toprotect the vulnerable tendon area.
It is the cumulative effect of these layers that gives this boot its individuality andprotection system.
They are very lightweight; they actually float on water, making them perfect for endurancesports where tiredness can cause injury and every ounce of extra weight is important.
Designed to be worn on front or hind legs as required, they are easy fit, easy wash andwear every day.
Available in sizes: Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large, in black or white (med & largeonly). RRP: £49.95 per pair
For more information or to find your local stockists:visit www.equilibriumproducts.com email [email protected] or call 01442 879115
Enter online at: www.horsescenemagazine.co.ukCloses: 28th February 2014. See full T&C’s on our website.
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Tri-Zone All Sports BootsThe perfect all-rounder
18
In this issue we have teamed up with Equilibrium Products for a chance to win front andhind Tri-Zone All SportsBoots!
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Enter online at: www.horsescenemagazine.co.ukCloses: 28th February 2014. See full T&C’s on our website.
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Don’t forget...You can read Horse Scene online:
www.horsescenemagazine.co.uk
RE-LEVE is a high performance,Super Fibre feed that has beendesigned for horses that need tomaintain an even temperament.Offering controlled energyrather than using carbohydratesand sugars such as cereals and
molasses. By providing the equine athlete withhighly fermentable fibre sources and high oils levelsyou can reduce the reliance of starch in the diet.This in turn helps avoid the metabolic consequences(tying up, stress, fizzy temperament, colic)associated with feeding high levels of starch onceused for the traditional diet of a performancehorse. Re-Leve gives controlled energy release andoptimised stamina as well as outstanding coatcondition. RRP: £12.35 - £14.22
For further information visitwww.saracenhorsefeeds.com
head
20
Check out these calming feeds and supplements
i
CALMA
Equine Answers Calma, takes equine calming products to the next level
with a unique formulation of neutraceuticals and special calming herbs.
Calma uses the very latest forms of bio-available magnesium in the form
of magnesium aspartate and magnesium AAC. These two types of
magnesium are very expensive compared to the cheaper versions but,
they are far better absorbed and therefore have a far greater calming
effect. Calma includes both of these forms of magnesium at a high level
combined with calming herbs to provide, what we believe to be the most
advanced and effective horse calmer on the market today. Priced at
£29.99(1kg) or £52.95(2kg)
For further information visit www.equineanswers.co.uk
RE-LEVE
i
NETTEX CALMER RANGEThe Nettex Calmer Syringe Paste Boost is ideal as it can be fed bysyringe to any stressed or anxious horse and has an effect within 30minutes. It designed to be administered before any stressful situation.Nettex Calmer Maintenance Powder or Maintenance Liquid offer easymaintenance feeding solutions and can be used for more long termanxiety or behavioural problems. Each daily dose of the MaintenanceCalmer gives 12mg of these two magnesium compounds and with addedGinseng and Vitamin B not only gives the horse a daily magnesiumboost, but also helps with all round health benefits and mental stability,which in turn gives the brain the opportunity to learn in a quicker yetmore relaxed and focused way. Nettex Calmer Maintenance Powder 1 KGRRP: £26.50. Nettex Calmer Maintenance Liquid: 1 Litre RRP: £39.99.Nettex Calmer Syringe Paste Boost: 30ml RRP: £4.75 1 x syringe
For further information visit www.nettexequine.com
Mollichaff Calmer is a complete fibre feed. It contains abalanced blend of fibre pellets, oat straw, dried grass, herbs,soya oil, vitamins, minerals, limestone and trace elements, and itcan be used as the sole bucket feed. It is suitable for all horsesand ponies, including laminitics, as it islow in sugar and starch providing limitedcontrolled energy from high quality,digestible fibre and oil-based ingredients.Includes elevated levels of Magnesiumalong with a carefully formulatedcombination of camomile, lemon balmand mint, to help relax your horse. It alsocontains Vitamins B1 and B12 which areknown to help decrease anxiety byexerting a calming influence on the horse.RRP from £8.05
For further information visitwww.horsehage.co.uk
MOLLICHAFF CALMER
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22 HorseScene
Give your riding hat
one two threeYour riding hat plays a crucial role in helping to keep you as safe as possible, so it’sessential that it gets the thumbs-up in three key areas – fit, fastening and standard.The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) explains.
Although we can all share a head measurement, our skullsare quite different shapes. One hat might be a good fit forsome of us, but others could need to try a different brandor style. In selecting a new riding hat, it is important tothink about your requirements – are you passionate aboutdressage, in love with cross-country or happy hacking withfriends?
A well-fitting hat should sit firmly on your head, above theeyebrows and ears. It should not rock backwards andforwards or from side to side. It should be close-fitting, butnever uncomfortably tight, and there must be a smallspace between the temples. Finally, the hat should fit allthe way round the head, with no large gaps.
Don’t leave safety to chance. Make sure that you get yourhat professionally fitted by a BETA member retailer whohas attended a BETA safety course.
Look out for a certificate in-store and ask for the memberof staff named on it, who will be able to offer you soundand knowledgeable advice to make sure you get the bestpossible fit.
If you’re not yet ready to buy a new hat, but a littleconcerned about your current one, take it into the store,where staff will be happy to check it for you free of charge.
The BETA app can help you to locate your nearest BETAretailer offering a hat-fitting service. It is available with freedownload from iTunes and Google Play – search for BETAMember Directory.
You can also go to the BETA website, www.beta-uk.org,where you will find a member directory to locate yournearest trained hat fitter.
Here are some handy tips for when you buy a newhat:
Try a range of brands and styles.
Wear the hat round the shop for a while beforeyou buy to see whether it remains comfortable.
If you wear specs, keep them on while trying onhats because they can make a big difference.
Avoid wearing hairclips.
Kids’ heads are still growing, so remember toget them checked on a regular basis.
All hats and helmets should be fitted with an integral,adjustable nylon harness and conform to the minimum EN1384 standard. In fact, it is a legal requirement that childrenaged 14 and under must wear a hat to at least thisstandard when riding out on the roads.
Although it is difficult to rate standards in terms of thosethat are ‘safest’, the level of protection sought will dependon the type of activity undertaken. Standards that offerthe greatest degree of protection in terms of shockabsorbency, penetration and retention, include the PAS 015and Snell 2001.
the
A BETA-trained retailer offers an expert fitting serviceand a wealth of advice to help you find the best hatpossible.
The right fit
Get some help
A fitting service
Safety standards
one two threeQuality marks show that the requirements of certificationhave been met and the manufacturer has complied with anapproved system of regulation and testing. They also indicateongoing monitoring by independent bodies to ensure that thehats continue to be made to a high standard.
Examples are the Kitemark (British Standards Institute), SEI(American equivalent) and the IC Mark by Inspec International.The CE mark is neither a quality mark nor standard, butshows compliance with all relevant EU directives.
If your riding hat is getting a little old and tired, it’s probablytime to get a new one! The main problem with an old hat isthat, over time, the foam padding inside will have deteriorated,the safety standards might also be out of date, it might havebeen dropped or the rider could have suffered a fall.
It is extremely important that a hat is replaced after anyincident because impact can cause damage that becomesvisible only when the hat is taken apart for inspection. Forthese very reasons, BETA always recommends that you investin a new hat rather than buy a secondhand one.
A retailer fitting your new hatwill have taken great care tofasten the retention harnesscorrectly, securing the straps orlacing at the back of the neckand the strap that runs underyour chin and does up at theside.
Over time, the harness can workloose, so keep on top of this bychecking it regularly and always,always, always make sure youfasten your chin strap.
We see a lot of riders – including some professionals – whounfasten their hat while still mounted or, worse still, ridearound with a strap that is loose and flapping. It’s really notcool to do this and increases the risk of you being injured in afall.
Your riding hat has been specially designed and tested toafford you the best protection. Fasten up and allow it to do itsjob!
For a free copy of the leaflet Head First: The BETA Guideto Riding Hats, email [email protected] or telephone01937 587062.
The hat should be a snug but comfortable fit and mustnot rock from side to side or back to front.
Quality marks
Past its sell-by date
Strap up!
The riding hat'sretention harness -including chin strap -should be fastenedsecurely.
www.blingequestrian.co.uk
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Jewellery,clothing, accessoriesand gifts.
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3 lucky winners will receive....1 x NM03 -HiWitherLightweightwoolnumnah A very effectivenumnah givingexcellentcomfort levels,made using ourLightweight woolpile. A first classeveryday woolnumnah offeringexcellent value for money.Available in GP, dressage orworking hunter; colour - black, brown, or white; size -small, medium, large, or extra large.
1 x EA01 - British wool girth sleeveA very useful item for every rider in case of girth rubs oras a tool for preventing rubbing on a very sensitive horseor newly clipped horse. Very robust and easy to put on.Made using our Classic wool. Available in 28" & 40"
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How to Enter: To be in with a chance of winning, collect the''tokens'' from the November, December and February issues.Once all 3 tokens have been collected, send them along withyour name, address and contact number to: Token Frenzy,Horse Scene Magazine, 9 Maple Grove, Welwyn GardenCity, Hertfordshire. AL7 1NQ
Please visit our website for full terms and conditions.
College Farm Saddlery
For more information visit
www.college-farm.co.uk
To find out more information and to view ademonstration video, please visit;
www.verdohorsebedding.co.uk
Breathe easy this Spring!If your horse suffers from pollen or dustallergies, helping to maintain a healthyrespiratory system can become quite achallenge, especially during the springmonths, so it’s good to know that VerdoHorse Bedding can help.
Verdo Horse Bedding is a clever heat-treatedwood pellet product, created for equine use,which not only has a low dust content, makingit the ideal choice for horses withcompromised respiratory issues, but alsoabsorbs 3 times is own weight in liquid. This
not only helps maintain a dry environment, but also reducesammonia, which again helps ensure that your horse is happierand healthier in the stable.
Verdo Horse Bedding comes in compact, easy to store bags,which once a small amount of water is added to the bag, aregeneration process is activated and within approximately 20minutes, you are ready to empty the open bags out into thestable or lorry to create a soft fluffy and dry bed ready for yourequine friend!
Because the pellets are manufactured from 100% virgin softwood and heat treated to eliminate pests and bacteria, you canrest assured that your horse is sleeping on only the best andwith less waste on the muck heap and beds which are easierand quicker to muck out, both you and your horse can give asigh of relief this season! RRP: £5.65 - £5.95 per 15kg bag.
www.nuumed.com
College Farm saddlery is located in thesuburbs of Finchley, with greattransport links by road, tube and bus.They are located just minutes from theM1,A1,A41 & right next to the A406north circular with onsite parking.
The family saddlery business wasestablished by Chris & Jane Ower over 30 years on CollegeFarm which was a riding school at the time. The shop is nowrun by their son & daughter and the business has grownconsiderably.
The tack shop has tripled in size and now has dedicatedareas to riding clothing & footwear, riding hats & bodyprotectors, show clothing, rug and horse wear room and anewly refurbished tack & saddle display.
The large pet shop stocks all major brands of dog, cat &small animal food & accessories. They also stocks a largeselection of horse bedding and major brand horse feeds aswell as their own brand ‘Triggers’ mixes & nuts which is at amore economical price. They offer on site clipper bladesharpening and a fantastic rug washing service.
This store has a welcoming feel which is large enough tohave all the well known brands with everything you couldpossibly desire, but small enough to still offer the personalservice you would expect from your local saddlery.
26 HorseScene
Bridle shyness
The trouble with short cuts is that they inevitably become‘long cuts’ in that the way around a problem gets longerand longer every time.
So often, these horses are good about everything else andyet their bridle phobia can be a real obstacle which has tobe surmounted each time they are ridden. It can become areal disincentive to going out riding. No one wants to havea battle every day – and that includes the horse.
It’s very easy to create a bridle phobic horse – someonesimply has to mishandle the way they treat a horse’s headon one occasion. Fortunately most horses are moreforgiving than that, but banging the teeth with the bit or
jamming sensitive ears through the crown piece may be allthat it takes. Horses like to have their bridles put on politelyand sympathetically. The art, if a horse starts to becomeawkward, is to become even calmer and quietly insistentrather than to get angry or rough.
It’s really important to consider first whether there arephysical reasons why a horse is objecting to its bridle. Hasthe horse got sharp teeth, broken wolf teeth under thesurface of the gum, ulcerated cheeks or sore lips? Does hehave mites or aural plaques in his ears? Is the bridle tootight (especially the brow band) or the bit too severe? Howare the hands that use it? Does the problem only startwhen you attempt to do up a flash or cranked noseband?
If the horse suddenly becomes difficult to bridle havingbeen fine for a long time, neurological problems need to beruled out.
Solo was one of the very first horses I ever worked
with. A big solid, tall Welsh Cob with a broad
forehead; a proper driving type with the capacity
to push his way out of trouble, his owner had been
struggling to put his bridle on for years and
described how she would take a short cut by
taking his bridle apart to put it on piece by piece
every time. This persisted until one day he threw
his head up so hard that he broke her nose. Julie
didn’t know how the problem had started in the
first place, but now her confidence had been
severely dented and she wondered if she would
ever ride him again.
Easy doesit
One summer I went to help a lady who had boughta driving pony sold extremely cheaply because thepony would take ages to have her bridle on.Careful examination revealed that the blinkers wereactually resting on the pony’s short eyelashes. Abigger bridle and a different way of putting it on,then the pony started to take just two minutes toaccept her bridle. This made the pony a very goodpurchase!
Theoden, a horse I now own, was reputed to takefour hours to have his bit put in his mouth. I askedwhen was the last time he had had his teethchecked and was told that they hadn’t beenchecked for well over a year. I put my thumb intohis mouth to check his teeth for sharp edges andwas horrified to find that they were so sharp thatthey had cut my thumb very badly. Lesson learnedfor both of us…
Shinika, a New Forest x Thoroughbred, was a horsethat turned out to have neuralgia and was curedwith drugs. We had to trust our instincts here thatsomething serious had triggered the problem.
Desensitisation work willhelp to overcome theproblem of bridle shyness
Imag
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The next step in overcoming theproblem is to examine whether thehorse is sensitive on a particular part ofhis head – if the horse flings his headabout once the last ear goes under thebridle it could be either his ear or hismouth. Normal desensitisation work willhelp to overcome this: I often employ ascarf to drape around and about thehorses head, to gently tighten andrelease. I also massage the horse’s faceusing gentle fingers to trace the horse’sbones and rub the base of his forelock –seduce his head.
To overcome real ear shyness it isimportant to give the horse somecontrol over the process. I start off byplacing my hand on the horse’s neck asfar up as I can go without the shynessbeing activated and then begin to touchand move away. Once my hand isbehind the horse’s ear (and if it is a tallhorse I use a feather duster) I wait untilthe horse moves his ear back towardsmy hand and then reward him by takingmy hand away. In time the horse startsto touch my hand with his ear and Icontinue to reward him by taking myhand away. In time I wait until he haspressed my hand more firmly. Fromhere I am usually able to touch his earand then move away if he keeps still andso on. My aim is to be able to touch thewhole of his ear and if possible gently,very gently, massage it. It’s reallyimportant not to grasp the ear or toinvade it with your fingers.
Next the horse can be taught to lowerhis head to a slight pressure on his poll. Isimply place my hand on top of his poll,wait until he lowers his head even afraction, and take my hand away. This isrepeated until it becomes automatic. Ifthe horse is tall, I stand on my mountingblock.
Once the horse is accepting of pleasanttouch anywhere on his head, then I willstart to reintroduce his bridle.
Traditionally the handler has their handsaround the horse’s nose while they putthe noseband and bit in first. I havefound that a different way of putting ona bridle works much better. Basically, Iput my right hand over the horse’s polland between his ears and hold thecrown piece of the bridle. The left handthen holds the bit and asks the horse toaccept it into his mouth – I gently put
my fingers between the bars of hismouth on the off side in order tostimulate him to open his mouth but intime, if you always do it sympathetically,the horse will voluntarily open hismouth for the bit or even seek the bithimself.
Once the bit is in place, I use my righthand to gently flatten the horse’s leftear forwards to go under the crownpiece (just as if it were as long as adonkey’s ear) and then physically moveto the offside of the horse to do thesame on the other side. I might give ahorse a click and a treat for each stageof this process or just at the end, andfind this can be a useful addition to mytraining even if I do not use it at othertimes.
Horses need to be able to trust that thebridle will be put on sympathetically. Ineach of these cases, the horses went onto be easy to bridle each time, everytime.
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I went out to an Argentinean ex-polo pony called Willow, that hadterrible scarring just behind herpoll where a thin cord halter orgag attachment had pressed hardinto her skin. By working with hergently and, in her case, usingfood rewards, we got her to thestage where she was asking forher bridle to be put on.
Sarah Weston is a RecommendedAssociate of IntelligentHorsemanship. Based in the NewForest she covers Hampshire,Wiltshire, Dorset and the Isle ofWight. She can be contacted on01725 512434 or 07871 252954 or [email protected] details of her work can beseen at www.sarahweston.co.uk
Make sure straps aren’t too tight Introducing the bridle
Putting the firstear through
Putting the secondear through
Stimulate him toopen his mouth
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The pastern (or proximalinterphalangeal joint) is a high-loadlow-motion joint, which means that thearea of maximal load bearing is almoststationary during locomotion. Thisconsequently means that the articularcartilage of these joints is under acomparatively greater workload thanthat of high motion joints thus makingthe articular surface of the pasternmore susceptible to the developmentof arthritis.
Clinical Signs
Ringbone can present as a very non-specific lameness. It can affect horsesunilaterally or bilaterally and thelameness can have a variable durationand severity. Lameness may beintermittent but usually deteriorateswith work.
There may be a firm swelling in themid pastern where the proximalinterphalangeal joint is.
The horse may resent passive flexionor rotation of the joint but again this isnot necessarily the case and by nomeans diagnostic. Lameness is usuallyworse on firm ground and oftenaccentuated when the horse is on acircle.
Diagnosis
Ringbone can usually be diagnosedwith a combination of nerve blocksand radiographs. The horse will usuallyimprove with regional nerve blocks butoften will not become completely
Ringbone
28 HorseScene HorseScene 29
vetscene
Clinics...
Breadstone
01453 811867
Cardiff
02920 899200
Failand
01275 392956
Willesley
01666 880501
www.bwequinevets.co.uk
Ringbone is the colloquial term used to describe arthritis or degenerative joint disease of the coffin orpastern joint of the horse. Arthritis of the pastern joint is referred to as “high ringbone” whereas arthritisof the coffin joint is known as “low ringbone”. Most joint lesions occur at predictable sites and are causedby chronic fatigue of joint structures in which the rate of damage exceeds the rate of repair.
28 HorseScene HorseScene 29
sound. If regional nerve blocks show an improvement of thelameness then intra-articular joint blocks may need to beperformed in order to determine if ringbone is the cause of thelameness. Radiographs will often show proliferation of thebone around the joint, narrowing of the joint space andlucencies in the bone surrounding the joint. However, theabsence of radiographic changes does not preclude early jointdisease, as there needs to be at least 30% loss or increase ofbone density in order to be visable on x-ray. The radiographicchanges are usually present in the pastern joint by the timeclinical signs become apparent but changes in the coffin jointcan be subtle or absent, especially in mild, early disease.
An MRI scan of the horse’s pastern can be done if x-rays do notshow any changes. MRI will show more subtle changes of thearticular surface, which can suggest early stages of arthritis.With MRI other soft tissue structures of the foot and pasterncan also be examined.
Treatment
Unfortunately, like most arthritic conditions, the treatment ofringbone is only palliative and horses will often have to reducethe level of work in order to remain sound. The many treatmentoptions available indicate that none are 100% successful, anddifferent treatment options will suit different horses.
Farriery
Good foot balance is vitally important to help in the preventionof ringbone, and also helps with the management of it should itdevelop. Poor foot balance results in uneven weight bearing onthe joints, which exacerbates the development of ringbone.Once x-rays have been taken these can help the farrier improveor correct the horses foot balance should it be necessary.
Phenylbutazone
“Bute” is an affordable treatment option that aims to reducethe pain associated with osteoarthritis but does not actuallyaffect the joint cartilage.
Steroids
Steroids are potent anti-inflammatories. Intra-articular steroidinjections have variable success and duration of effect. Theinjections may need to be repeated if the horse becomes lameagain. Care must be taken if more than one joint needs to bemedicated, as there has been a link with the use of steroids andthe development of laminitis.
Adequan
Adequan can be used in early degenerative joint disease as itcontains chondroprotective agents that protect the cartilagefrom further degeneration.
iRAP
iRAP is a novel treatment which makes use of the regenerativeand anti-inflammatory properties of cells within the horses ownblood to improve the conditions within the joint. A 50ml bloodsample is taken and sent to a laboratory and processed toproduce a serum which is then injected into the horses joint on3 or 4 occasions.
Tildren
Tildren is composed of tiludronic acid, which is abisphosphonate that inhibits bone resorption. The drug isadministered via a drip and may help to slow the process ofbone turnover.
Surgery
If medical treatment of the arthritis does not resolve the clinicalsigns then arthrodesis or fusing the joint may be performed inorder to inhibit the motion of the joint that causes the pain.Surgery may not be suitable for many horses so this wouldhave to be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Oral Neutraceuticals
There are many in feed supplements available from feed storesand tack shops which claim to improve arthritis in horses.However, owners need to be aware that few of these productshave equine-based scientific evidence behind them. Researchhas shown that the quality of these supplements can beextremely variable and we advise that they are only used whenadvised by your vet.
Figure 2 White arrow shows crescent shaped defect in thearticular surface and subchondral bone of the proximalphalynx. Green arrow shows a hypointense signal in thetrabecular bone of the proximal phalynx.
Figure 1 A lateral x-ray of the right fore of a horse withmoderate pastern ringbone and also some coffin jointringbone
Our expertJoanna Baxter is Head of the EquineDepartment at Craven College.Joanna herself came up through thePony Club, and has competednationally as a Junior and Senior inmany disciplines, including BritishDressage, British Show Jumping,British Eventing, and Showing. Shehas her BSc (Hons) in Equine Scienceand BHSII, BHS SM.
30 HorseScene
Focussing on the perfect position is a greattopic. Position - not easy, I hear many of yougroan, particularly the case when riding a sharpfour year old on a frosty morning. So many of usget into bad habits through our day-to-day lifeor we just don’t think about our position enough.Initially, the best process for improving ourposition is to get someone to video orphotograph us when we are riding.
The first thing to remember is that arider's centre of gravity is aligned withthe horse when the rider is balancedand sitting up. Within the dressageposition the rider’s axis is the ischium,whilst the ear, shoulder, waist and heelshould form an imaginary line, and theelbow, hand, rein and bit should
maintain another imaginary straight line(diagram 1). This enables the hips toopen and the legs to act like shockabsorbers, reducing forces acting on therider and also on the horse’s back.
Suppleness within riders is anotherimportant consideration, the rider’sshoulders should remain back with thewaist relaxed, allowing the rider to feeland accept the horse’s gait rhythms,therefore successfully passing aids tothe horse. This classical position datesall the way back to the styles adoptedby Xenophon (430-354 BC) so has beenin existence for some considerable time.
When viewed from behind the rider’sposition should remain symmetrical.With an imaginary straight line runningthrough the middle of the rider’s head,down the spine, bisecting the centre ofsaddle’s cantle and the horse’s spine(diagram 2). Whilst on turns and circles,the angles of the rider’s body shouldremain exactly in line with the horse’s
body in relation to the ground, againwith the rider’s suppleness allowing thehorse’s movement to be absorbed.
Achievinga good position
Diagram 1
Diagram 2
As the seat is so important to the balance of the rider andthe aids applied to the horse, many trainers try to identifysignificant areas for improvement, however the constantmovement of the horse makes it difficult to isolate andimprove just one aspect of the seat. Much discussion hassurrounded the use of dismounted exercises such aspilates and yoga, however a lot of riders tend to use corework to help particularly with the sitting trot. I personallyfeel this helps, or maybe I just feel better from attendingthe classes as my mind thinks I can absorb the movementbetter.
Other areas of expertise are becoming apparent now tohelp rider’s understand their position on the horse. As youcan see from diagram 3, the rider is not alwayssymmetrical on the horse.
This can have asignificant effect onthe rider’smusculature, stance,poor aids can belinked to backproblems in horsesand affect the longterm progression ofboth rider and horse. Thesephotos show a rider utilising aninertial sensor suit to trackposition whilst riding, itmeasures the rider’s positionin all three gaits and links theriders position to expecteddressage scores. Equipmentsuch as this is becomingincreasingly more availableand riders are then usingthis to advance themselves.
Many thanks to rditchfieldphotography.co.uk for use of the imagesand rider Charlotte Grundy, and Gem and Debbie Ogden.
Achievinga good position
Diagram 3
Competition clean up!When it comes to keeping your horse’s boots,bandages and legs clean and dry, Golly Galoshesare your secret weapon this competition season!
Golly Galoshes are clever waterproof and breathablegaiters that are designed to be worn over your bootsand bandages during schooling and general exercise,making them ideal not only for keeping yourbandages and boots pristine in the warm-up, butalso a brilliant solution for use at home for everydayuse.
Fans of the product include MBE and Multi GoldMedallist Paralympic dressage rider Natasha Baker,uses them for both hacking and schooling, as sheexplains:“Golly Galoshes are an ingenious idea for bothschooling/warm-up and out hacking, helping to keepmy boots and bandages looking good and stayingdry, no matter what the riding conditions and we lovethe Navy Patriotic versions!”
As for eventer and ex-racehorse trainer Victoria Bax,they are also ideal for keeping legs dry and bootsfrom getting soggy in the rain and heavy with mudwhen cross-country training, as she says:“Golly Galoshes are quick and easy to put on/take offand also help prevent mud, sand or grit gettingunderneath your horses’ protective leg wear andunlike your horses’ legs, Golly Galoshes are alsomachine washable!”
Available in a variety of colours, including plain Blackand smart Navy Patriotic and feature a secure hookand loop fastenings and full length zip withprotective fleece lapel for security and comfort.
Whatever your discipline – Golly Galoshes are anessential piece of kit this season!
Prices start from £25.99 per pair Miniature Pony through to £34.99 for horse sizing.
For more details please visit
www.gollygaloshes.com
British HorseFeeds hasteamed up with Horse SceneMagazine to offer twelve luckywinners a bag of Fibre-Beet. ASuper Fibre conditioning feed,Fibre-Beet is a formulated blendcontaining all the benefits of theoriginal Speedi-Beet product withadded high quality Alfalfa foroptimum condition, and to providequality protein for muscle tone andfunction. Ideal for horses prone todigestive upsets and verypalatable for fussy eaters, Fibre-Beet has added biotin for hoofquality and is approved by TheLaminitis Trust. Fibre-Beet can
also be used as a forage replacer(up to 40% of the daily forage allowance). Soaked and readyto feed in only 45 minutes in cold water, or 15 minutes in hotwater.
Fibre-Beet – The Super FibreConditioning Feed worth around £11.00 12
bags up
for grabs!
RSTor and Polypad worth £75.00
Winter WOW!worth £55.20
The Horse & Rider First Aid Kit fromRobinson Animal Healthcare providesessential first aid items for horse and rider.Available in an easy to carry kit bag, it containsAnimalintex, Veterinary Gamgee, Wound Dressings,Equiwrapbandages,Vetalintexwound geland blunt-endedscissors.Also for therider aFastAidessentialstravel packis includedfor minorcuts andgrazes.
Three lucky winners will each receive amonths supply of Aloeride, which can helpmaintain healthy skin and hooves and encourage a shinycoat from the inside out. Aloeride is a totally palatablenatural, certified organic aloe-vera supplement, which notonly helps to promote healthy skin, condition hooves,encourage great coat shine and glossy locks, but alsosupports the immune system as well –another key factor toconsider over the winter months.Each box of Aloeride contains 30 sachets (30 days worth)equaling over 12 litres of aloe vera juice and its great to knowthat its also been tested by an accredited Newmarketlaboratory and does not contain any synthetic compounds.This winter, banish woes with a wow - by feeding Aloeride!
3boxes up
for grabs!
Two lucky winners will eachreceive an RS-tor rider safetyand a Polypad. The RS-torrider safety aid was designedas a safety aid to help preventfalls, as the strap has a‘bungee’ element that‘absorbs’ the velocity of beingunseated. Available in sizes:Childs, S and M/L sizes. Polypads are saddle pads withshock-absorbing qualities anda uniform surface bearing areaunder the saddle, available insizes: pony, cob or full.
Horse & Rider First Aid Kits from Robinson AnimalHealthcare worth £24.99 8
kits up for grabs!
Enter online at: www.horsescenemagazine.co.uk
Closes: 28th February 2014. See full T&C’s on our website.
32 HorseScene
2sets up for grabs!
Giveaways
Horse & Rider First Aid Kits from Robinson AnimalHealthcare worth £24.99
Verm-X Pellets for Horses and Poniesworth £11.95Eight lucky winners will each receive a250g box of Verm-X Pellets for Horsesand Ponies. Containing five individualsachets which provide natural control ofintestinal hygiene and boost every-dayhealth.
The sachets eliminate the need to measure pellets and canbe added to feed or fed as a treat straight from your hand.One sachet to be used every day for five consecutive daysevery three months, horses just love them!
8boxes up for grabs!
This gorgeous 'Bling Up Front' HorseshoeDiamante Leather Belt from the BlingEquestrian range will make anyone stand out in the crowd instyle! The beautiful, quality leather belt is surrounded bycrystal horseshoes and features a snap on Diamante buckle, a must have for every Bling Diva!Available in sizes S/M or L.
Bling up front beltworth £50.00 3
up for
grabs!
34 HorseScene HorseScene 35
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OUR EXPERTHilary Self, BSc (Hons) MNIMH is co– founder of HiltonHerbs Ltd, a Somerset based company that for 22 yearshas been at the forefront of manufacturing andformulating herbal supplements for animals. Hilary is amember of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, andalso of the USA’s National Animal Supplements Councils (NASC) Scientific Advisory Committee. She is the authorof two books "A Modern Horse Herbal" now in its 8threprint, and “A Veteran Horse Herbal”.Hilary has lectured frequently on the application of herbsfor horses in the UK, Europe, Australia, America andAustria.
Common Name:Valerian
Latin Name:Valeriana officinalis
Parts used:Roots and rhizomes
Active constituents:Iridoids known as valepotriates, essential oil containingmonoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, valerianic acid, aminoacids and lignans
Actions:Anxiolytic, mild sedative, spasmolytic, antispasmodic,carminative, mild anodyne, expectorant, relaxant,antibiotic (against gram positive bacteria)
Folklore:In the 16th century the herb was used to perfumechurch candles and as a perfume. It is loved by bothcats and rats, and in the old apothecary shop thedrawer containing the Valerian was always kept shinyby the apothecary cat that would rub up against it. It issaid that the Pied Piper of Hamelin used a piece ofValerian root to tempt the rats out of the town.
When Horse Scene told me they were featuring calmingsupplements in this issue there was only one herb I couldfeature, it had to be Valerian! This herb is used widely for itscalming, and steadying action in supplements and herbalmedicines for horses, dogs and people. It is an extremelysafe herb which has been the subject of extensive clinicaltrials worldwide, and has been used in traditional herbalmedicine since the times of early physicians such asDioscorides ( AD 40 – circa AD 90) and Galen ( AD 129 –circa AD 217) who called the herb “Phu” ( probably becauseof its odour which many people find unpleasant).
One of the reasons I love herbs is because, like women,they can Multi Task! This is in direct contrast to the majorityof synthetic pharmaceutical drugs that generally only offera very narrow window of therapeutic action with all theattendant side effects. An herbs ability to act on a numberof different physiological systems means you will often seea herb being used in supplements that appear to offercompletely different fields of action.
Valerian is one such herb, that can be used for a variety ofdifferent indications, all of which are supported by clinicaltrials. These applications include: insomnia, restlessness,nervous tension, depression, anxiety, poor sleep, stress,epilepsy, hysteria and excitability, nervous exhaustion,digestive complaints with a nervous background, crampingof both smooth and skeletal muscles, colic and spasticcolon.
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So what conditions can Valerian be used for with horses?
Valerian for the nervous system
A few years back some readers may remember, it wassuggested that the inclusion of Valerian in equine calmingsupplements may have led to horses losing coordinationwhen jumping and an increase in accidents over fences.Valerian was added to the prohibited substances list by theFEI and classified as a sedative / tranquiliser.
Modern pharmaceutical tranquillisers are meant to reduceexcitability without disturbing or affecting coordination andactivity of the brains functions. Unfortunately most synthetictranquillisers do not behave in this ideal way, and actuallylower coordination, cause drowsiness, with the attendant riskof dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
This is in direct contrast to the identified actions of Valerian,whose compounds (in particular the valepotriates) have beenshown to actually decrease anxiety, whilst improvingcoordination. Valerian is one of nature’s gentlest, non-toxic,non-addictive, tranqulisers, acting as a natural relaxant to thehigher nerve centres.
For the majority of horse owners who do not compete at FEIlevel, the use of Valerian is not a problem and the benefits ofthe herb are evident for all to see.
I know this is a herb profile, but may I just make the followingsuggestion before readers consider using a calmingsupplement for your horse. Ask yourself the followingquestions (these are questions we ask our customers whenthey call our Helpline requesting information on calmingsupplements).
Is my horse getting enough time out of the stable?
Is my horse getting enough daily exercise and mentalstimulation?
Is the amount of food I am giving my horsecommensurate with the amount of exercise and activityhe/she does?
Is my horse in physical discomfort?
Does my horses tack or bit cause pain and resistance?
These are important questions, because if your horse isspending too much time confined to a stable or stall, if it isgetting little or no exercise, getting too much food for theamount of work it is doing, or is in physical pain for whateverreason then these things need to addressed, and no amountof calming herbs will make them relaxed and calm.
Once you have satisfied yourself the horses behaviour is notdue to over feeding, under exercising, too much confinement,or discomfort, then it is worth considering a calmingsupplement containing Valerian, perhaps in conjunction withother supportive herbs.
Valerian is the prime herb to help calm, relax and strengthenthe nervous system without doping, whilst allowing the horseto retain its faculties. The herb has been shown to have acalming effect on both man and animals, in fact it is one ofthe herbs I use for my patients who struggle to sleep whenthey have a lot on their mind, it has the ability to work as amental relaxant without doping.
Over the years horse owners have reported that when usingValerian for tense, excitable, stressed, anxious or nervoushorses, their horses become less distracted, or affected bywhat is going on around them (all those dragons in thehedges) more focused on what their rider is asking, morereceptive to new training and more relaxed when put intostressful situations such as hacking, schooling, travelling,competing or changes of environment.
Owners have also found the herb invaluable when caring forand trying to regain the trust of horses that have beenabused both mentally and physically.
Several years ago one of the Equestrian specialist collegesset up a trial using a group of horses, with 50% of themreceiving a quantity of Valerian root tincture. A set journey ina horse trailer was undertaken by all the horses in the group,and heart rates recorded prior to loading, during the journeyand after unloading. The horses that had been receiving theValerian showed significantly lower and steadier heart ratesprior to travelling, during the journey and a much fasterreturn to resting heart rate after unloading.
Valerian combines well with other herbs and one of the bestcombinations is that of Skullcap ( Scutellaria lateriflora) andValerian. These two herbs which are safe to use inconjunction with conventional medicine, are excellent forhysteria and can offer real support for dogs prone to seizures.Feedback indicates that the combination can help to reducethe severity of the seizures whilst lengthening the timebetween them.
Valerian for the Digestive System
Four of the actions listed for Valerian are specific to thedigestive system: Spasmolytic, Antispasmodic, Carminativeand mild Anodyne.
A spasmolytic or antispasmodic is an herb or drug used tohelp relieve spasms especially of smooth muscle.
A carminative is an herb that prevents the formation of gas inthe gastrointestinal tract or aids in the expulsion of gas.
A herb with a Mild Anodyne action offers mild pain relief.
When it comes to stress related digestive conditions, I don’tthink this just applies to us humans. It is quite feasible toassume that horses, like some people, internalise their stressand as a result, develop stress related digestive disorders. Inthese cases I would always recommend using Valerian inconjunction with its “sister” herb Cramp bark ( Viburnumopulus) to help deal with both the physical and mentalaspect of the condition. When combined these two herbs areexcellent for helping to relieve the pain and discomfort ofspasmodic colic, diarrhoea, constipation, trapped gas or anycramping of smooth muscle in either the digestive orreproductive system.
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36 HorseScene
We have put 5 products to the test thismonth, check out what our testing panelthink to them, their honest opinions mayhelp you to make a good choice...
Equilibrium All Sports bootsI have always been
impressed withEquilibrium
products, so when Iwas asked to test the
All Sports Boots I hadhigh hopes. They
certainly lived up toexpectations. I have used
them in all horse ridingactivities - I found that in this
awful wet weather, they do nothold water, they are flexible and
lightweight and even whengalloping and jumping they left the
legs cool. My biggest concern with boots is that they will rub thehorses legs, but this was not the case. At under £50 a pair I would be
happy to recommend them to anyone.
For more information visit www.equilibriumproducts.com
i
SealSkinz mid weight, mid length sock
My most hated thing about being outside in the winter weather, is getting cold, wet
feet! Therefore, I absolutely loved trialling the SealSkinz socks, which have been
competely waterproof and windproof whilst being comfortable. They have
elasticated ankles and built in instep which I found gave me alot of support. They
are thin enough to wear underneath your riding boots but still keep your feet
toasty warm. Don’t be put off by the £30.00 price tag - these are worth every
penny and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy more!
For more information visit
www.sealskinz.comi
i
Litovet equine joint health supplement Owning an older horse, I assumed
that stiffness came with theterritory. However, after using
Litovet, I noticed my horsewas less stiff when coming
out of the stable andmore eager and supple
to work. Being 100%natural I didn’t worryas much aboutfeeding it to myhorse as Litovet saythat there are noknown side effects and it istested for the absence of any prohibitivesubstances. At around £49.00 it is cheaper thanother supplements on the market and I will behappy to continue using it.
For more information visitwww.litovet.co.uk
Horseware ladies woven competition breechesI find it difficult to find competition breeches that are both stylish anddon’t break the bank (these are priced at only £69.95). When Ireceived these breeches for testing, I was extremely happy with thelook of them. They have contrasting trim and diamanté detailing on the back patch, which certainly make them stand out. They werevery comfortable and stretchy and I was very happy to wear them all day whilst competing. They coped very well with the dirt andgrime you expect to come across when being around horses and they washed very well. They are smart and flattering and I would definitely wear them to any discipline that I competed in.
For more information visit www.horseware.com
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Verdo beddingVerdo horse bedding, 100% virgin softwood, is dust free, and manufactured in the UK.
This bedding claims to reduce mucking out time; be highly absorbant; reduce waste - keeping the muck heap to a minimum;and due to the compact bag size, makes storing easy.
When being asked to trial the bedding, I was very intrigued to see if the good reports I had heard were founded.
Lyndsay Sims from Verdo kindly came to put down the bedding for us - using 10 bags in the empty stable (image 1).
Laying the bags down evenly, they were cut open and folded back (image 2). Half a bucket of water was poured into eachbag to activate the pellets (image 3). After around 20 minutes, the pellets swelled and expanded to around 3 times theiroriginal size (image 4a and 4b).
The soft and fluffy bedding was emptied out onto the stable floor and then spread out evenly to make up the bed (image5a, 5b and 5c).
1 2 3 4a
4b 5a 5b 5c
Day 3 Day 7 Day 14
Day 21Day 17 Day 28
The Verdo bedding was so easy to muck out - I found that I would only have about half a wheelbarrow of waste each day. Iwas extremely impressed with this bedding - I do have a fairly clean horse but found that the time it took me to skip out wasgreatly improved and there were no unpleasant odours! It is easy to remove the urine as it goes darker on top so you cansee where it is, and it is so absorbant it doesn’t spread. I found that every morning, my horse had not gone through to theconcrete floor, even where he had rolled - the bedding stayed intact. My yard mates were so impressed with how thebedding lasted over a month, that they also decided to give Verdo a go.
The images below show how the bedding lasted over the time period of a month. I found I only had to put down one bagevery week which makes this bedding incredibly cost effective as well and I am definitely going to continue using it.
For more information visit www.verdohorsebedding.co.uk
I F L J C J A U R E A V U S F Y X C A R P P E R O B W R R V
O P D Y Y R I D D X M Q E E N S T P D M Z O P C E Y R P F V
J Q P E E E O U W R K O E C F T W F J R H O Q K R D B T B Y
Y O L J Z O I J P H P I N E K Y Q P C D I J X C T Y Z L F O
E N O B G N I R P U X H H I D Q Z U I L Y M B D J H A R U C
I S Y F N O J E G C D D W P X W N I A H L G P J X S F D X B
I T M H B O D C K P O Z A K K H E A P J J R E A H A O G D M
T H E Y Q E K A L T R G Q E S R C Y K R Z F K U C R Z Q O B
U M N Y H R B C C E A L Y E B D H L Z K L E J T E T C T Q V
P E Y L C E B L V D Q M Z H N H N C S D O F T E I O I X I L
O A R I S M A G N I M L A C V K K L I V E R Y Y A R D O D Q
E R L P P S O U E L H B E J Y W T Q F A M H H F Y Y M M N Y
U O O N S R R V X J I D O W R T S O J P Z P V O X O F D K O
C K T I Z V T A X A Q E C S D K O D N R X Z S W B O C X U A
E Z C K W G B H A M M Z S S L L I V E Z V N X R F X E T R X
M A N R J A C J A X D M E I U C U F A Y N C D B U A F G D H
L P A J H Y V E Q S H I N C F V T R Y O O B O D K J F Q R J
Y O X C W P A B T A A P K B V M D G I A R E V F T A F K I J
S D Y B K X L L R O D D L L W X N T K R R U K N F M L C X R
I S G E W B E J A E T D I A S Z A N S T N C B N Q U B O V R
G U E B P D R M A P E O Z L X R B O T H O R Z Y I U I V E D
V X O N P B I S V S V C D N D Z K I N R T Y E D X M J F A D
N J G A E J A J T Y J N H Y G Y F T I I R W D T Y W L L E B
R W W V G M N M Z B K X H E K W T I O T Z D W J S F J C R T
B F I R W F A I T T N E T U S A W S J I P T O D O A N W P B
S V W F U L S L A P D L Q N N R D O T S P E R A L A P B Y U
W C I I H X V J V H W C J S S H W P I Y U C U F L E O V G V
M R E A I Y X K N R C S B T A U X K U P H A B A X I F P V Y
M O V E M E N T I M W B T F Z W X I I O I A B O D Y J D R Q
L J P E Z V M D W E Q I L A O L R D F R O Y Q A A G V L Y B
Hidden words
ARTHRITIS
BALANCED
BESPOKE
BREECHES
CALMING
CHEEK PIECES
CLASSICAL
COLIC
DEHYDRATION
IMPACTION
JOINTS
LAMENESS
LIVERY YARD
MOVEMENT
PASTERN
POSITION
RINGBONE
VALERIAN
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F T H U R H E I M H A I M E I D F O O D
A O O E T E E H I N N O D E S O E N G F
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