Download pdf - Horse&Rider magazine June 2013

10 H O R S E & R I D E R

● After 45 years, Bransby Home of Rest for Horses has changed its name to Bransby Horses to better reflect the work carried out by the charity. www.bransbyhorses.co.uk

This month, eventing, county shows, polo, festivals and more

Diary datesSee horses in a different light at the Inspired by Horses exhibition at

The Gallery at Parndon Mill, Harlow, Essex. Including paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and photography, this exhibition gives an insight into how different artists approach equestrian art. www.parndonmill.co.uk

See horses in a different light at the Inspired by Horses exhibition

The Gallery at Parndon Mill, Harlow, Essex. Including

23 May –

30 June

● Pink rubber matting, anyone? Last year, Davis & Co, manufacturers of Equimat, produced a limited edition pink stable mat to raise awareness of breast cancer and pledged to donate £1,000 to Cancer Research UK. Recently, they officially handed over the cheque. Haley Vaughan-Riley from Equimat says: “We wanted to raise awareness and help save lives. Each year, more than 48,400 women and 370 men are diagnosed with the disease.” www.equimat.co.uk

Not just portraitsEventing in IrelandTouted as a fun, family weekend, the Tattersalls International

Horse Trials and Country Fair, Ratoath, Ireland, combines the thrills of eventing with food, bars, shopping and free children’s entertainment. www.tattshorsetrials.iewww.tattshorsetrials.ie

Equestrian sport is returning to central London with the Global Champions Tour.

To be held in the Olympic Park, the showjumping extravaganza will see our gold-medal winners battle it out for a record total prize pot. www.globalchampionstour.com

The Mattingley Horse Trials is making an exciting return to the eventing calendar for 2013.

Held near Hook, Hampshire, the event will support a range of classes and a ‘special star section’. www.britisheventing.com/fi xtures

Returning trials

Prepare with Parelli

Eventing in IrelandTouted as a fun, family weekend, the

Horse Trials and Country Fair

30 May –

2 June

Move up a level at competition with the Parelli Preparation for Performance course at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Aimed at students who have already completed the foundation levels one to four of the Parelli programme, this fi ve-day course focuses on level four riding skills. www.parellinatural horsemanship.com

Prepare with ParelliMove up a level at competition with the

Parelli Preparation for Performance course

3-7June

Equestrian sport is returning to central London with the

6-9June

Theexciting return to the eventing calendar for 2013.

Returning trials7-8June

Olympic legacy

H O R S E & R I D E R 11

horse world

● The Donkey Sanctuary headquarters in Devon now has a wedding licence, so you can have your wedding or civil ceremony in a formal garden or cosy stable. All profits will go to The Donkey Sanctuary projects worldwide. www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk ▲

The new Equestrian Festival for Students, announced by Student Equestrian, is held in conjunction

with British Dressage (BD), British Eventing (BE) and British Showjumping (BS) at Hartpury College. Students can compete in BD up to Medium, BE up to Novice and BS up to 1.10m. www.studentequestrian.co.uk

The new StudentsEquestrian, is held in conjunction

11-13 June

● Young rider Vika Engel and her pony, Sparkle, are tackling a 100-mile, six-day ride from Borth on the Welsh coast to Hay-on-Wye on the English border. The ride is to raise funds in memory of her brother, Laurie, who died from cancer aged just 13. The fund, set up by his family, has already raised over £1m towards a new teenage cancer unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/bchlaurieengelfund

tackling a 100-mile, six-day ride from Borth on the Welsh coast to Hay-on-Wye on the English border. The ride is to

cancer aged just 13. The fund, set up by his family, has already raised over £1m towards a new teenage cancer unit at www.justgiving.com/bchlaurieengelfund

Step up, students

Derby drama

Always hotly anticipated, MINT Polo in

the Park brings the sport of kings to the

capital. Hurlingham Park in Fulham, London, will play

host to world-class polo, a variety of international food

outlets and a luxury shopping village.

www.polointheparklondon.com

Always hotly anticipated,

the Park

capital. Hurlingham Park in Fulham, London, will play

7-9June

Polo in the capital

The largest two-day agricultural show in England, the Royal Norfolk

Show, Norwich, has over 100 equine classes across a range of breeds. With showjumping, cart and heavy horse classes, there will be something to tickle every equine taste. www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk

www.polointheparklondon.com

England, the Showequine classes across a range of breeds. With showjumping, cart and heavy horse classes, there will be something to tickle every equine taste. royalnorfolkshow.co.uk

A highlight of every

showjumping season, the British Jumping Derby

Meeting, Hickstead, is a

must-see for showjumping

fanatics and adrenalin seekers.

We dare you not to hold your

breath every time a partnership

tackles the infamous Derby

Bank. www.hickstead.co.uk

Derby drama

A highlight of every

19-23June

23June

With classes from little to large, the World Horse Welfare Summer Showing Show is fun for everyone. www.worldhorse welfare.org

100 chances to win

The British Carriagedriving (formerly British Horse Driving Trials Association)

National Driving Trials at the Sandringham estate, Norfolk, offers classes for able-bodied and Para-drivers. It’s hoped the international Para-driving class will lead to the Para-drivers World Championship being held on the site in 2014. www.british carriagedriving.co.uk

Scottish celebrationsTheBritish Horse Driving Trials Association)

National Driving Trials

Scottish celebrations28-30 June

The largest two-day agricultural show in 26-27

June

Summer showing

Out & AboutGet the latest from the

Hickstead Derby via

H&R Twitter and Facebook

Barefoot enables the horse to work properlyHooves are the horse’s shock absorbers – designed to carry him safely at speed over rough terrain and cover distances of up to 20 miles every day.

The hoof is designed to fl ex in all directions. Without this, the hoof cannot fully absorb the body weight of the horse as it moves. If you put metal nails into the hoof wall and a metal ring round the bottom, you put the hoof into a ‘cast’ and compromise this fl exibility.

Think of it like jumping from a chair and not being able to bend your knees as you land – as opposed to jumping from a chair and landing knees and ankles bent.

Compromising fl exibility also reduces circulation in the hoof, just as winding an elastic band around the end of your fi nger causes the tip to go numb. Reduced circulation weakens the hoof so it’s more prone to disease and injury.

The frog should help bear the weight of the horse, but shoes usually raise it up off the ground placing excessive strain on the hoof wall instead.

These factors combine to severely reduce the shock absorption capability of the hoof. If we also expect the horse to carry our weight, trot on roads and jump fences – then it is even more crucial we allow the hoof to absorb as much shock as possible.

He moves better People often report that their horse moves better barefoot, his stride becomes freer and longer. The weight of shoes alters the fl ight of the limb plus an unhealthy foot lands differently, affecting the action.

Horses prone to stumbling often stop once barefoot. The horse cannot see where all his feet are landing so he relies on ‘feel’ (proprioception). This is compromised by shoes, he moves ‘blind’ which can lead to stumbling.


Horse&Rider The big debate

To shoe or not to shoe?

Shoeing benefi ts most horses and ponies Horses are shod for two main reasons: to protect against excessive wear and for remedial purposes. In both cases, you trim and balance the foot and limb – which is so important – then put a shoe on to protect your trim. If you don’t put a shoe on then ride the horse up the road, half an hour later the foot will be worn.

The hoof capsule works very effi ciently to absorb concussion and helps the blood circulate like a pump. When you put shoes on

horses’ feet, obviously you compromise them – that’s why the farrier applies the shoe so it doesn’t interfere with this, placing the nails in the front two thirds of the foot. There’s little movement in this part of the foot, most is in the quarters. If you remove a shoe and look at the underside, you’ll see how worn it is at the heel. The shoe also takes the load off the sole which is not designed to take wear like the wall. The sole can be bruised and compromised, which can cause problems from sore feet to premature pedal arthritis and even laminitis.

Barefoot enables The frog should help bear

The barefoot trimmerAngela Corner, AANHCP (Association for the Advancement of Natural Horse Care Practices) Certifi ed Practitioner and endurance rider

Shoeing benefi ts horses’ feet, obviously you

The farrierWayne Upton, Master Farrier and Associate of the Worshipful Company of Farriers

Healthy hooves = healthy horseIf your barefoot horse can travel over all surfaces – including tarmac, rocks and gravel – comfortably, then it is safe to assume that his general health is also excellent and that his diet is spot on.

Barefoot hooves are the indicators to overall health – just like our fi ngernails – and the perfect early warning system if problems are emerging in your horse.

Barefoot makes horses saferShoes can be slippy on tarmac. Barefoot hooves have much better grip, making roadwork safer.

Horses will invariably play and fi ght at times – shod feet

can cause catastrophic injuries. It hurts less if you get kicked or stood on and because of proprioception, you are much less likely to get stood on in the fi rst place.

If you want to save money…Barefoot means no more shelling out for new shoes every six weeks. As your horse will be healthier and move more naturally, you will have fewer vets’ bills.

It also makes you less reliant on a farrier – no more lost shoes the morning of a competition. No more relying on farriers turning up – you can learn to maintain your horse’s trim yourself and if you need extra protection, you can put on hoof boots yourself.


Have your say!What do you think about barefoot trimming vs conventional shoeing? Share your thoughts by emailing [email protected] or visit

our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/HorseandRiderMag.

Shoeing can enhance movementShoeing is not natural, that’s absolutely right. But the way we keep horses nowadays is not natural – we ride them, jump them, stable them and so on, so if you want to enjoy horses and the sports they are bred for, you might have to shoe them accordingly. It’s not natural for us humans to wear shoes, but rugby players don’t do the Six Nations barefoot!

I shoe the limb, not the foot, to set the horse up for the job he’s doing. We adapt what we put on horses’ feet – very light, aluminium plates for fl at racing, shoes that improve grip for driving horses and so on. We wear different shoes for different things, so do horses.

Shoeing also allows you to perform remedial work. If, for

example, a horse has an imbalanced foot and has the early stages of navicular, he’ll need proper remedial trimming and shoeing – you are really limited if you are trimming alone.

I’m not against barefoot horses If I can leave shoes off a horse, I will. I don’t like to shoe young horses too early and it’s also a good idea to take horses’ shoes off if they’re not in work. I have six horses at home – one of them is unshod and one has just front shoes on. You don’t have to shoe horses if their discipline doesn’t demand it. But also, not all horses will adapt to going barefoot.

Historically, horses of course were barefoot, then once they were domesticated and their breeding infl uenced by man, their

feet eroded subject to abrasion. As the Romans fought their way north, conditions underfoot got wetter and their horses more prone to be footsore. They used ‘Hipposandals’ with an iron or bronze plate laced onto the limbs. Some of the tribes they encountered were very good smiths, so they started shoeing their horses, preventing wear and giving them an iron rim for grip.

The shod horse is protected by lawFarriers are regulated by the Farriers Registration Council. The Farriers Registration Act is a welfare act to protect horses, and people should remember that. Farriers can be disciplined and struck off if they hurt horses.

There’s no legislation controlling barefoot

trimmers, so if they make a horse lame there is

no redress. Farriers train for four years as apprentices and also study shoe making and equine anatomy at college, then take a diploma qualifi cation to become a Registered Farrier. Some barefoot trimmers have done a correspondence course.

I’m not saying barefoot trimmers are all bad, but there have been some horses severely compromised by very radical trimming methods and some of the barefoot trimmers are very unscientifi c with their claims, which is worrying.

There are approximately 18 barefoot organisations. If they can’t agree on best practice, what chance has the horse owner?


horse world

Horse&Rider The big debate

To shoe or not to shoe?In recent years, barefoot trimming has been put forward as an alternative to conventional shoeing. We asked practitioners of both to make the case for shoes and shoeless – what do you think?

abrasion. As the Romans fought their

There’s no legislation controlling barefoot

trimmers, so if they make a horse lame there is

no redress. Farriers train for four

Horse&Rider top tip

Choose a hoof care professional for your horse

with great care – remember, no foot,

no horse!

Everyone talks wistfully about a balanced horse, but how many acknowledge that there are several balances?

There is the balance of the young horse, newly backed and not very strong behind. There is the balance of the old stager, who has happily carried children and their parents for years. There is the balance of the racehorse, hunter or jumper and there is all the difference in the world between the balance of the young dressage horse and that of the High School horse.

Each can be perfect for his particular purpose; each may be woefully imperfect. The latter is generally all to do with the rider. What a responsibility!

This begs a stream of questions. How many riders recognise what the

balance should be? How many have suffi cient balance themselves? And fi nally, how many have the ability to change the balance appropriate to what is required of the horse?

Practice makes perfect The next question is perhaps the most important of all.

How many riders appreciate that the ‘perfect balance’ expected of a horse on the aids is actually something most refi ned? Not only does it take years to achieve but, even when attainable, everything is in a permanent state of fl ux, requiring


We all want ‘a balanced horse’, but what does this really mean and how do we achieve it? Equally important, are you a really balanced rider? In an exclusive extract from her new book, classical riding trainer Sylvia Loch explains

A question of

In this feature...Sylvia Loch explains ● How a horse’s weight moves back as he progresses in his training● How riders can help or hinder this● That balance is a fragile thing!

balance

Left: My Lusitano stallion Prazer in his fi rst year of training, aged six. This is the typical balance of the novice horse as he takes the bit forward within the framework of our aids, which merely guide but never restrict

makes perfect The next question is perhaps the most

How many riders appreciate that the ‘perfect balance’ expected of a horse on the aids is actually something most refi ned? Not only does it take years to achieve but, even when attainable, everything is in a permanent state of fl ux, requiring

Left: My Lusitano stallion Prazer in his fi rst year of training, aged six. This is the typical balance

forward within the framework of

which merely

Above: Prazer at 14 in levade. Only after years of bend and

stretch exercises will the horse develop the strength and fl exibility to sustain the balance

of these higher airs

minute adjustments at any given moment. Perfect balance is precarious. It is in the moment.

The longer I have taught riders on their own or my horses, the more I have realised that a supple, balanced horse depends upon a supple, balanced rider.

The most highly trained horse in the world can be unbalanced by an

imperfect rider – generally, more so. In other words, the marvellous potential of the horse to display beautiful, pure movement can be marred by

something as simple as the rider’s legs ‘aiding’ in the wrong place, a hand blocking or a seat bone incorrectly weighted.


▲In the saddle

Our trainerSylvia Loch discovered classical High School riding in Portugal.In 1984 she founded the Lusitano Breed Society of GreatBritain and was

awarded an Honorary Instructorship by the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. She trained with FormerFirst Chief Rider of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna and founded The Classical Riding Club in 1995.

Carriage will always vary, and must correspond to the degree of

training and conformation of the horse — Müsler, German School‘‘ Carriage will always vary, and must

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riding so you and the horse can move as ‘one piece’. Keep

the buttons of your jacket aligned with your horse’s

mane to correct any ‘slippage’.


Our trainerTina Sederholm has evented to international level, and has been training horses and riders of all levels for over 20 years. She is also author of ‘Words of a Horseman’ and ‘Unlock your Riding Talent’, and is a regular contributor to Horse&Rider magazine.

Jumping success relies on a step-by-step approach, taming tension and fine-tuning for better ‘feel’, says Tina Sederholm

Our modelsAnnabelle Hasloch rides eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse Harry, a good all-rounder. He has competed to Novice level affi liated dressage and showjumps at British Novice level.

Katherine Watters rides her 19-year-old Hanoverian ex-Grade A showjumping mare, Elessa, who is schooled to Advanced Medium level dressage. Together they showjump and do some combined training.

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Thefeel-good factor


In the saddle▲

In this feature...Tina Sederholm explains ● Riding the approach● Landing on the

correct lead● Establishing ‘feel’● Troubleshooting

tension

You’re probably familiar with the saying, ‘From little acorns, great oaks grow’. Well, this is the philosophy that can also

be applied to these simple exercises featured over the past few months. Practising them regularly and learning in easily digestible steps will help you build your skills and equip you with a fail-safe armoury to fall back on if you hit a problem.

With the exercises, I’ve started

simply then built them up a stage at a time. This helps give you the best chance of perfecting any positional problems in the saddle, as well as building confi dence and minimising the chance of errors.

Remember also that I never encourage anyone to jump on their own, in case they have an accident. It helps, therefore, if you have an assistant to lend a hand and be your eyes on the ground.

Lead from the front

PROBLEM My horse hardly ever lands on the correct leading leg after a jump. SOLUTION If you assume an active, rather than a passive, role in helping your horse land correctly, it will inspire untold confidence in him. Here’s a fool-proof exercise that will help put you on the right track. Plus, it will put paid to any designs you have on throwing yourself forward and looking down to see if you’ve landed on the correct canter lead, which only unbalances horse and rider.

As you canter over the jump, look to the outside at your helper on the ground, who should be standing parallel with the edge of the wing, about 5m after the fence. Alternatively, choose a tree or a gate to the outside of the jump as your focal point. Focus on your assistant as you ride past them and keep looking until it feels slightly uncomfortable. Looking at a point to the outside helps you stay balanced and brings the inside hip forward, which encourages the horse to land on the correct lead.

Once over the jump, look forward and ride normally with your seat bones just out of the saddle or lightly brushing it. Staying relaxed and balanced over and after a fence will help keep your horse balanced, so he is easy to control and prepare for the next fence. This exercise also teaches the rider to ‘feel’ for the correct lead – as long as you look down, you’re never going to get used to the feel and, of course, you’ll have no idea where you’re going!

Top tipHolding your breath

makes you tense, which your horse picks up on. A long out-breath the last two strides into a fence

keeps your muscles relaxed.

✘H O R S E & R I

✔

Look at your assistant as you

jump the fence

Look at your assistant as you

jump the fence

…Look up and he won’t!

…Look up and he won’t!

Look down and he’ll land on the wrong

canter lead…

Look down and he’ll land on the wrong

canter lead…


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In this feature...Mary shows us how to ● Get your horse in front of the leg to improve your

security in the saddle and therefore... ● Make a cautious horse brave● Make an ‘argumentative’ horse willing ● Make an onward-bound horse stay light

NEW SERIES


In the saddle

Our trainerMary King MBE has been consistently successful for 30 years in top-level three-day-eventing, training and latterly breeding her own horses. She has won three Olympic medals, two golds and a silver at World Equestrian Games and four team golds at the Europeans. Plus, she has won and been placed at Badminton, Burghley and other elite events on numerous occasions. She was individual and team silver medallist at London 2012 in Greenwich Park with Imperial Cavalier and in 2011, was first and second at Kentucky, scooping $150,000. Stylish and effective, she is also a brilliant trainer as you’ll discover in her new series in Horse&Rider. We can all learn from Mary, whether we hack, do dressage or jump at any level – including Olympic!

Learn with Britain’s favourite eventer! First, Mary explains how getting your horse in front of your leg keeps you safe, secure and effective – whatever your discipline. Kelly McCarthy-Maine reports

Our modelsLindsey Lambert has owned 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Kit for six years, backing and producing her from the start. The pair enjoys showing and eventing – rain, snow and three small children permitting.

Seven-year-old dappled-grey Irish Sport Horse Dixon is actually Amy Bird’s mum’s dressage horse, pinched for British Eventing and other special occasions, like the chance to ride on a Mary King clinic!

In the four years that Emma Cordery has owned Shaliko, the 14-year-old chestnut mare has never let her down – whether it’s showing, eventing, dressage, riding club activities or horsey holidays with friends. But at a big 17hh, sometimes her enthusiasm can be rather overwhelming for Emma.

▲

Mary King’s riding secrets

In front ofthe leg

“The position, security and stability of your lower leg is what keeps you in the saddle, on top of your horse, no matter what happens,” explains Mary King.

A secure lower leg is the basis for your ‘stick-ability’ – that is, your ability to stay stuck on top of your horse. “With a secure ‘heel down, toe up’ lower leg position, you will not fall off unless your horse falls over,” Mary states. But it takes more than a stylish position to stay on top. Mary believes that the horses also have to be ‘in front of the leg’.

Why it’s so important“Horses need to move, to trot and canter, out in front of you. They tend to be more active and move more freely in canter – we have to do a little work to install the same enthusiasm in the other paces,” Mary explains.

“However, simply banging away at your horse with your leg and heels will make you less secure in the saddle, especially if you raise your heel and tighten your knee to get a good poke at his sides. As the weight comes out of your lower leg it unbalances your whole position.” Simply put, something has to happen if you put your leg on your horse.

“Riders can also get into the habit of poking their horse with their spur all the time when they’re riding,” Mary says. “This action dulls your horse’s sides, and you really want to keep their sides fresh and sensitive to your aids, so when you apply an aid you get an instant response.

“This instant reaction from your horse will get you better marks in dressage, help you adjust for clear rounds when you are showjumping

and get you out of sticky situations on the cross-

country course. “Your horse has to

be moving forward out in front of your leg, looking for his next challenge – then your leg can be still,”

Mary explains. “Having a horse react

to your leg will make both of your lives easier and more fun. Think of how easily you will be able to open gates out hacking if your horse calmly moves forward and back, side to side when you ask once, politely, with your leg!” Mary chuckles.

“But while every horse is different, there are some ‘types’ I see often when I teach.” So over the page Mary explains how to get a cautious horse, an opinionated horse and an onward-bound horse out in front of your leg on the fl at – and help you stay on top!

Top tipYou might need to

be strict with yourself to get your horse in front of the leg – but he’ll learn

what’s good and bad, and be happier

for it.