june 2011 equi-ads

Nutrition and management for horses on box rest

How to ensure your

horse enjoys competition

Breathe life into your riding:collection

Equine behaviour:

the effects of your seat, balance and weight

Fat or fit:the laminitis

debate continues

The UK’s No.1 Equine Health, Management and Training Magazine FREE

WIN!a lesson with Nicola Wilson

& 6 month supply of TopSpec 10:10 Joint Support

June 2011

June 2011 - Equi-Ads - 1

Healthcare - News - Tack & Turnout

Contents

ENGLAND & WALES

Copy Deadline10th of the preceding month

Available on the 1st of the month

Equi-Ads is published monthly by:

Equi-Ads LimitedOffice 1, Tay View Estate,

Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DG

To advertise, please call

01738 567700Fax: 01738 567776

www.equiads.netPlease send editorial to:Office 1, Tay View Estate,

Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DGFax: 01738 567776

Email: [email protected]

Healthcare 1 - 2, 4,

20 - 33

News 1, 4, 49, 51

Tack & Turnout 1, 6,

36 – 41,

49 - 52, 54

Events 2, 30

Insurance 2, 41 - 45

Training 6, 49

TopSpec Competition 7

Feeding 9 – 20

Laminitis 9

Box Rest 12

Physiotherapy 20

Dentistry 22

Worming 22 – 24

Riding 26

Classical Riding 28

Education 28

Practical Bandaging 32

Training Youngsters 34

Horse Boots 36

Horse Behaviour 40

Stud 42 - 44

Horses for Sale 44

Dressage 46

Holidays 46

Transport 47

Field & Stable 48, 49,

52 - 55

Pilates 48

Livery 52

Directory 53

What’s on 53 - 54

Reader’s Letter

Did you see how that horse moves?

Stolen Horse

Please can you help all the horse riders in the United Kingdom?

I have been informed by the bridle way group I am in that if we don’t get tracks that we use for our horse riding, marked as bridleways on the local council’s definitive map, we will loose them in 2026

The process to get them upgraded to bridleways is very lengthy, we have to prove 20 years use as a bridleway (not always by the same person). Then we

In May a 16.1hh Thoroughbred light bay gelding aged 7 years, called Polo, was taken from a field in Renfrewshire.

Polo was stolen from his field sometime between 21.30hrs on the 9th May and 09.30hrs on the 10th May.

If anyone has any information please contact Renfrewshire Police quoting incident ref: 0576 10052011 Johnstone Police Station.

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in gold! Starlight’s movement and flexion have improved so much, he is no longer slow at getting out the box even in the cold mornings and no signs of stiffness even after heavy work. Even the younger ones are fed Vetroflex® knowing that it strengthens and protects their joints now and for the future.” Maria Cole, Dressage Rider

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submit the application to upgrade to a bridleway, the council do a report, it goes to their legal officer and the head of department, then hopefully the planning notices go up to make it a bridleway and if no opposition it’s a bridleway.

All this takes some time. Also it concerns me greatly not many horse riders seem to know about this. I am trying to raise awareness but I do come across a lot of

apathy, riders seem to think if they have used it - it’s a bridleway even when it says footpath.

If there is anything you could do to help - my horses and myself would be very glad because hacking is our favourite thing.

Sarah C Whiteley, Brighouse [email protected]

Vetrofen is a fasting acting, potent Devil’s Claw alternative that’s all natural and contains no banned substances. It is safe for long term use without side effects. It maintains the body’s inflammatory response associated with the stiffness and arthritis common with old age. If needed can be used in parallel with Vetroflex, a collagen peptide formula that Vets are calling an advanced alternative to Glucosamine/Chondroitin to strengthen and protect your horse’s joints now and for the future whilst regenerating joint cartilage where damage has occurred thus reducing the likely hood of the swelling and stiffness. The short, medium

and long term benefits of using these highly effective products are now being seen by thousands of horses owners all over the world. It is also used by International and our British Team Riders without compromise to protect and enhance their horse’s active lifestyle. Make the change and see the difference! Buy from your local equine retailer today or for more information visit www.animalife.co.uk with free nationwide delivery. New customer and retailer support line 0845 365 0050Fr

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Events - Healthcare - Insurance - Transport

Are your supplements fit for purpose?Recently, thanks to one of their own horses, Forest Farmacy took a change of tact in supplementation and developed a unique bio-analytical screening process which means they can offer prescriptive supplements tailor made to the requirements of each individual horse.

The screening process, called Equine Health

2 - Equi-Ads - June 2011

Analysis, is designed to take the guess work out of supplementation and tests urine and droppings to find out what is going on inside your horses body. This means that rather than only treating the symptoms, owners can really get to the bottom of the root cause of any current health problems.

The screening looks at the workings of the whole body including liver, kidney, and skin function, toxicity levels and any deficiencies a horse may have.

Porky’s storyPorky is owned by the founder of Forest Farmacy, Holly Llewellyn, and he is the real reason that EHA came about. In 2010 he developed a spot on his hind quarters that got hotter, itchier, balder and sorer by the day. Holly tried everything but it was only during a conversation with a friend that she had her ‘eureka’ moment and decided to get Pork’s droppings and urine tested. Results showed that Billirubbin was present in his urine, which indicated his liver was sluggish

Why would this affect his skin you ask? The liver is designed to remove toxins from the body, however with Porky’s liver being congested the toxins were coming out through his skin, which is the body’s natural secondary line of elimination, hence developing a skin condition that wasn’t improving.

The test also showed up that he was lacking in vitamin A, Vitamin B3, Vitamin K and Magnesium. To solve his problems he was put on a prescribed supplement for exactly what he needed and within 36 hours the heat had gone from his side, within 3

days he was no longer rubbing and by 3-4 weeks, all his hair had grown back and there was no patch at all, it was like he had never had a problem.

Easy for horse ownersHolly was determined to make this service available to all of her customers, now EHA is accessible, and simple to carry out for all horse owners. Not only does EHA help horses’ health and happiness, but it also empowers owners because they know exactly what is going on with their horse and how best they can help. Testing can help you identify whether your current supplements are actually working, and identify your horse’s individual needs.

Read all about EHA and how it has helped many horses already at www.forestfarmacy.com, Buy Equine Health Analysis today for just £150, including your testing kit, screening results and three months worth of your horse’s personalised supplement. Join our community on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, testimonials and exclusive competitions www.facebook.com/forestfarmacy, Talk to our experts for your free consultation by calling 0800 970 9421 / 07736 282 729


Competition - News

Healthcare - News


Unlocking the potential of your horse

NEW EquiMSM

Lincoln JumpCross Eventer’s Challenge

MAKING the most of the relationship with your horse was the heartfelt message of an inspiring demonstration by an equine expert and the special horse who came all the way from Hong Kong to be with her.

When Pippa Hattan left her position as manager of Hong Kong’s Lo Wu Saddle Club in July last year and made the 6,000 mile journey back to the Wirral where she grew up, her ex-racehorse D’Or Win had to come too.

She spotted the potential of the 16.2hh Australian Thoroughbred who was at the club, which she ran for four years, after his days on the race track came to an end. Since then he has excelled with Pippa in his new career as a dressage, jumping and event horse.

Their partnership embodies Pippa’s passionately held belief that many horses and their riders are capable of achieving much more than they think they can, regardless of their ability or eventual aims.

In her new role as the British Horse Society’s (BHS)North West and Wirral’s

Training Officer, she sought to share some of this expertise in her first lecture demonstration entitled Step By Step – Unlocking the Potential of Your Horse - which was held at Foxes Riding School on Badgers Rake Lane, Ledsham, on Monday May 9.

The BHSI qualified instructor, who has worked all over the world with horses including Australia, Spain and Malaysia, said: “I firmly believe in the power of education and relish the joy that comes from helping horses and riders solve problems and become harmonious partnerships, from grass roots to competing internationally.”

With summer here your horse will be more eager than ever to kick up their heels in grass-filled pastures so it’s crucial to be aware of their joint health to keep them stable and sound throughout the season.

Keep the 21st of June 2011 reserved in your diary for this year’s Lincoln JumpCross Eventer’s Challenge!

For the 3rd year running leading names in the eventing world will be attending this extremely exciting event in a bid to win the Lincoln JumpCross Eventer’s Challenge 2011 title.

Already entered is Badminton’s 2011 winner Mark Todd and other top names including Oliver Townend, Piggy French, Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks and last year’s winner Mark Kyle.

She added: “Above all, I champion our responsibility to treat our equine partners with dignity and respect through all stages of their lives.”

The BHS demonstration marked the start of a series of clinics to be organised by Pippa to show others how to make the most of the relationship with their equine friends.

Working their way up to Advanced Medium Dressage and One Star Eventing in Hong Kong, Pippa and D’Or Win have come through their own personal experience of unlocking their potential.

Now he has settled from his mammoth journey to his new home on the Wirral, Pippa is looking forward to their training restarting with her new aim of reaching Two Star Eventing level.

There was no doubt as to why Pippa had to bring her 12-year-old gelding with her when she returned to her Wirral roots in July last year.

She said: “My main motivation was because he had done so much for me and to walk away would have been too hard.

“We had developed such a special relationship and we get on so well that I

had to bring him.”

Despite a far from perfect conformation, a slightly nervy disposition and, according to Pippa, being good at dithering, D’Or Win has never ceased to impress with his ability and desire to try his hardest. With the right training and mental attitude, Pippa has unlocked the potential of both her horse and herself and it is this skill she shared with guests at her demonstration which was attended by more than 50 people and included both flat work and show jumping.

To contact Pippa, go to www.pippahattanequestrian.co.uk or call 07887 771685.

To find out more about the work and upcoming events of the BHS Wirral branch committee email [email protected]

Pippa and D'Or Win take a break in Hong Kong between the dressage and jumping phases of the CIC1* event they took part in, in April last year. Picture by Natascha Held

Pippa talks about D’Or Win’s conformation with the crowd at the BHS demonstration.

Picture by Jenni Walker

D’Or Win shows off his jumping skills during the BHS demonstration at Foxes Riding School.

Picture by Lesley Broadhurst

The event is held at the JumpCross headquarters at Grange Farm, Wittering near Peterborough. Riders take part in a two round competition over a course of fences ranging from 3ft 6in to 3ft 9in on cross country type terrain.

Don’t miss out on the entertainment. Spectators welcome free of charge.

www.battles.co.uk/lincoln01522 529 206

VetVits are delighted to introduce our brand NEW EquiMSM containing optimum levels of an essential sulphur compound which acts as a key component of joint cartilage and is the perfect partner to Glucosamine. Sulphur serves many critical functions within your horse’s body and is key in the regeneration of muscles, skin and hair. Developed by Vets and produced using a patented distillation process to yield the purest Distil-PureMSM™, EquiMSM is the perfect product for maximum impact this month. At only £14.95 for a 2 month supply with free P&P why not try NEW EquiMSM today?

To find out more, visit www.vetvits.co.uk or call FREEPHONE 0808 100 40 80 for more information.


Insert Category

Tack & Turnout - Training


Equido –Sauce For A Goose…Morag Higgins WESI MRPCH BHSAI HNCESWe all know the importance of good manners (whatever you class them to be) in a horse. We expect our horses to do as we ask and behave themselves around us, any deviation from what we expect can be met with strict discipline.

There are of course different levels to what we expect as different people want different things. Some people don’t mind their horse continually headbutting them or searching their pockets for treats. Some think it is cute and funny when the horse grabs your jacket or zip and pulls you about. This is ok if that suits you and you don’t mind the odd concussion or torn clothing or bite. However, it is a problem if your horse meets someone who does not approve of such behaviour or if you suddenly change your mind one day and punish your horse for tearing a zip off your new designer jacket!!!

What is interesting is that good manners and polite behaviour is also very important to the horse, especially when they live in a herd environment. When horses live together they have a strict set of rules which they all adhere to. Any horse that breaks the rules is disciplined by a bite, kick or being chased away. A horse that continues to behave badly with the herd will soon find themselves friendless and isolated and in the wild this would be a death sentence. Strangely enough good behaviour between horses is very similar to good behaviour amongst humans. A horse would consider it very rude and impolite (even threatening) for another horse to invade their personal space and make physical contact without being invited and going through the correct protocol. A horse would expect another to be respectful around them and not come close unless the other horse says that they are ok with this. Initial physical contact may be a touching of noses (equine handshake) and a polite sniff. There may be some excited squeals as they sort out who is who and depending on what has transpired there may be some ritual fisticuffs.

Humans meeting each other for the first time at a social event go through similar rituals. They keep a polite distance from each other, both normally are smiling (an invitation to approach and confirmation that they are not going to attack). When they meet they will shake hands and ask each others name. There may be a period of polite conversation and if they like each other they will mirror each others body posture and continue with a conversation, they may even touch each other on the arms as a friendly gesture and when they leave each other (if things have gone really well) they may hug, a definite sign that they have hit it off. If people don’t get on then usually they will politely make an excuse after initial chit chat and move off to someone else.

This is exactly what horses will do when they meet for the first time. If they get on with each other they might even graze side by side. If not then one will usually leave very quickly and move away with the higher ranking horse encouraging their departure with a mock bite or kick. What is interesting is that the aggressor will seldom follow through with any serious attack, it is very ritualised.

There are some horses that are allowed a little more leeway than others, for example, young foals and yearlings etc will be gradually taught manners over a period of time. Initially the mare will teach the foal the correct way to approach other horses, but, like some human mothers with their children, some mares spoil their foals and are over protective, this can lead to youngsters taking liberties with the other herd members who might not dare discipline the foal in case “mum” comes to the rescue. Unfortunately for the foal there will be a very rude wake up call when the mare decides to wean them (usually because they are pregnant again) and the youngster no longer has her back up. This can lead to their receiving quite a few bites and kicks from the other herd members who have been “keeping track” of previous indiscretions and who will take full advantage of putting the spoiled yearling “in their place”. Any youngster who does not have the advantage of growing up in a herd environment with different age groups will not necessarily have a full understanding of protocol and will have a few difficult months of getting to grips with how life should be in a herd.

The same can be said of human children who might not get a chance (for one reason or another) to socialise with other children and to learn how to be a human in this world. They may experience stressful and difficult times as they try to make sense of a world that has so many unspoken rules. Once they leave home, if they have not learned how to interact, then they might find themselves isolated and have problems integrating into society.

So we all can see more clearly that in order to live in our respective worlds we need to know about rules, boundaries and limitations and these things we learn from our family and friends and it enables us to function in our societies at large. Most normal, balanced people and horses can live in their own societies very happily and with very little stress. We can both be seen to be polite and respectful of others of our species so it never ceases to amaze me how it can all evaporate so quickly when each species meet.

Even though horse and humans have very similar social rules with their own kind, this all seems to go out the window when they associate with each other. A person who is normally polite and respectful with

humans will think nothing of barging in unannounced to a horse’s stable, invading their personal space, shoving them around or touching them in their vulnerable areas and generally being rude in horse terms. They expect the horse to behave and obey the rules that they themselves have just broken in the eyes of the horse.

Is it little wonder then if the horse begins to look upon humans as nothing more than rude, spoiled youngsters who need to be put in their place with obvious signs. The horse may quite rightly (in their minds) barge into the human (teaching the human to give way to a higher ranking horse), knock them off their feet (teaching the human the consequence of invading a higher ranking horse’s space), drag them about the stable (teaching the human how to follow a herd member), give the human a sharp nip or kick (disciplining very rude and disobedient behaviour) and the result of this kind and generous teaching from the horse is usually a smack (sometimes with a stick), being shouted at or punched and kicked. This can result in either the horse becoming angry and aggressive or will cause them to back away into themselves and shut down from the unpredictable, inconsistent human.

In the same way a rude youngster may find themselves isolated from the herd if they don’t tow the party line, a horse will isolate the human by refusing to interact with them. Yes the horse may be obedient but mentally they just are not “there” and underlying all their actions is a hint of resentment.

So what can we do to try and show the horse that we understand them and respect their rules. Firstly we can introduce ourselves slowly and politely from outside the stable, only approaching when the horse shows that they are happy with you in their space. Any bargy behaviour from the horse must be caught and the horse quietly asked to move out of your personal space as a reprimand.

This is often all the horse needs to reassure them that mutual respect will be give by both parties. It doesn’t take long for a horse to realise that you are willing and happy to work with them and build a joint human/horse rule book and together you can get along just fine. Because remember, when it comes to manners the old saying “what’s sauce for a goose is sauce for a gander” cannot be better applied.

With summer fast approaching and the thought of cold and wet mornings quickly disappearing it is time to get those smelly horse rugs off to the cleaners. Why not use the SMUG Bag to transport your rugs in style. You no longer have to worry about getting yourself and your family car covered in the lovely aromas that come with them, you simply open the SMUG bag drop your rug in, zip it up and then off you go to the cleaners putting an end to trips where you end up covered in the caked mud and smells that our beloved equines leave behind.

The top quality SMUG Bag is the ideal solution. They are made from heavy-duty cotton with a waterproof interior that zips

into a bag, containing all the mud, drips and smells, it also has handles so you can carry your rug to the cleaners easily. The SMUG Bag is even large enough to easily fit a heavy weight 7ft 6in rug with no difficulty.

The SMUG Bag is available in pink or black and features the smart SMUG logo. SPECIAL OFFER: Order in June for the Special Price of £15.99 including p&p. There has never been a better time to buy one!

To order one of our fantastic SMUG Bags you can visit www.smug-bags.com or simply give us a call on 078 2527 1512 to order one over the phone.

Smug Bags - The Ideal Solution


Healthcare - News

Field & Stable - Insurance - Tack & Turnout



I’m over 40, have high cholesterol and am clinically obese. What a catch. Sound familiar, sound bad? But I have a silver caveat. I have approximately an 8% chance of developing cardiovascular disease. Not bad because that means I have a 92% chance of not despite my metabolic profile. Simply put, this is because I am as clinically obese as your average rugby player, don’t smoke, exercise and have a varied diet. If I were a horse I’d probably be an intermediate eventer - heavyish, not quite as fit as possible, not quite as talented as one would like but will charge about, do okay, get lucky and barring accidents, end up an arthritic miserable old bugger with exaggerated memories (note to self - please don’t quote this).

However, as unique as I like to think of myself there is a growing problem, largely it is called personal obliviousness, our governing bodies like to call it OBESITY. They’d be right. It has already reached epidemic proportions and an estimated half the population will be obese within 25 years. This is expected to mirror an exponential rise in obesity-related conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease and strokes. In 2008 £45 million was spent in the NHS on specialist medical equipment including supersize wheel chairs, reinforced beds and bigger operating tables. Before actually treating anyone and this is expected to cost in the region of £6.3 billion annually by 2015. 30, 000 deaths in England alone are caused by obesity and it is estimated 1 in 11 deaths are attributable to being overweight (note to self - smell the coffee, you are not Johnny Wilkinson).

Ho hum, we all gotta die of something, better to live fast and die young? Whilst this may be a healthy attitude to life, it is not so if we are sleep walking into it through ignorance or co-ersion. Labelling suggesting “home made” (whose, Mr Kiplings) or “lower fat” (lower fat than lard) or “no extra additives” (what than m&m’s) do nothing but make us think we are buying and crucially eating the right stuff. At least we have some kind of choice, horses don’t. They have to eat

Feeding

Fit or Fat? Syndrome X Ben Sturgeon, BSc, BVM&S, Cert EP, MRCVS

what we give them, graze what we grow for them, and generally exercise at a level we deem appropriate (for us). Guess what, our equine population is starting to mirror their human owner population.

A few years ago laminitis was almost entirely seen in spring when ponies escaped into lush pastures or got there heads in feed bags. Now we see it all year round, on bare paddocks, in ponies, in Thoroughbreds, on horses fed “laminitic trust” feeds. Worse still, these laminitics do not respond to conventional therapy or at least have a limited response and often have a far more prolonged (life long) predisposition to developing further episodes or related complications. Euthanasia is not an unkind option when a life-long sentence is imposed.

The reason for this shift in clinical presentation is in all the press - not just equine where showing ponies are rightly being turned away because of obesity but as I’ve described above. It is a modern epidemic. Originally the syndrome of laminitis associated with obesity was called Syndrome X, exciting maybe but basically because no one understood what was going on. Now we recognise the underlying pathophysiology as INSULIN RESISTANCE (an inability to respond to the hormone insulin). Insulin Resitance (IR) is not new, it is a recognised complication in older horses with Cushing’s disease predisposing to laminitis (and hence horses presenting with hirsutism, loss of muscle, and excessive drinking/peeing should be tested for Cushing’s and IR). But there is a second condition associated with IR that is challenging to define. These horses we would describe as “easy keepers” or “good doers” as their body weight is maintained (or increases) on an apparent (note to horse owners - we know your lying) diet of nothingness, promise. These horses are easy to recognise by their appearance - some with generalised obesity, others with a thinner mid body but with regional fat deposits (cresty neck and fat pads at the tail head). These horses were previously thought to be suffering from hypothyroidism, we were wrong. We

have also moved on from calling it the vague Syndrome X to Equine Metabolic Syndrome or EMS.

For a horse to be classed as having EMS, it will fullfill 3 clinical signs:

• IR • History of laminitis or a predisposition (laminitic rings, white line disease) • Regional adiposity

Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that stimulates uptake of glucose by tissues when sugar is available (after eating). IR then is defined as failure of tissues to respond appropriately to insulin. The big question is why does IR lead to laminitis, and there are 2 broad theories:

IR impairs glucose delivery to hoof keratinocytes causing their separation

Insulin is known to be an important regulator of blood pressure via control of blood vessel diameter. IR then is associated with a reduction in peripheral blood supply.

If IR is a determinant of susceptibility to laminitis, then what triggers the laminitis episode itself? Here we go back to enemy number one, the stuff the labels hide, Brad Pitts nemesis -

simple carbohydrates or to give it its now “scientific bent” - Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC and note to self - have a word with the people upstairs, why?) These include sugar, starch, and fructans (fructose sugar) which occur in variable levels in grass, dependent on geographical location, soil type, weather and even time of day. NSC affect susceptible horses by exacerbating the IR (similar to sugar overload in a diabetic person) and by altering the bacteria in the large colon resulting in the production of laminitic trigger factors (exotoxins, endotoxins and vasoactive amines).

So in the right pony (with IR), with the right environmental factors (lots or even some NSC’s) the end result is laminitis. Laminitis that is resistant to conventional therapy because of the overwhelming systemic condition that promotes ongoing disease.

So if treatment is not so good (but must never be ignored) where have we got to - gastric bands, liposuction? No, good old diet and exercise. I could and feel should stop there because I never want to give anyone an excuse but really such cases or horses should be categorised into 1 of 3 groups:

1. Obese horses with IR cont. on p.10

Convalescing with Speedi-BeetSpeedi-Beet from British Horse Feeds is a highly nutritious sugar beet feed perfect for horses that are convalescing.

It is unmolassed 95% sugar free and provides an excellent source of digestible fibre. Due to its unique manufacturing process Speedi-Beet can be soaked and ready to use in 10 minutes.

Speedi-Beet is easy for horses to consume and its palatability will also help mask the taste of any medication

introduced.

Speedi-Beet is also approved by the Laminitis Trust thanks to its low starch and high fibre content.

Available in easy to handle 20kg bags from all leading wholesalers, Speedi-Beet is priced at around £9.90.

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


Feeding

cont. from p.9

2. Non-obese horses with regional adiposity and IR (cushingoid horses) 3. Horses from either group with laminitis

Horses which are obese and have evidence of IR must adhere to a diet and an exercise program to reduce their body weight and improve their fitness. Of the two, fitness would be more important as this has positive effects on insulin sensitivity and is an easier short term approach. A diet should include NO sweet feeds. If the horse doesn’t suffer from laminitis it may graze but be warned, horses with EMS can often maintain body weight even with limited grazing and pasture-associated

laminitis remains a real risk. The best strategy if limited turn out (1-2 hrs), starvation paddocks or grazing muzzles. Hay should be the primary component of the feed with a protein and mineral supplement. Hay can be analysed to asses levels of NSC (less than 12% ideal) but soaking can be used to reduce levels. Exercise, exercise, exercise is vital, every day. Remember too that your idea of exercise and what a horse could or can actually do, to achieve fitness, are usually very different.

Non-obese horses with IR need to still be placed on a similar diet with exercise to improve insulin sensitivity but they may have more calories, especially

where exercise is continuous. Remove sweet feeds and replace them with fat and fibre.

Laminitic horses should be off pasture. Low NSC hay fed with a fat/fibre ration is suitable until the laminitis is controlled. Once the acute phase has passed, hay again should be the mainstay of the diet. Some of these horses with chronic laminitis associated with EMS may need to be kept off pasture indefinitely.

So what’s it going to be, ignore the warning signs and go with the flow, dead fish like? You can be fit and fat, read the signs, don’t read the labels.

Allen & Page’s Fast Fibre is free from cereals and molasses making it very low in starch and sugar and suitable for horses and ponies prone to weight gain and at risk of laminitis. Fast Fibre contains quality fibre sources for energy and healthy digestion and can be fed as a complete hay replacement. Quick soak in just 30–60 seconds, Fast Fibre is palatable and easy to chew for horses and ponies of all ages.

RRP: £7.50–£9.30 prices may vary depending on location.

For a yard visit or more information and help to calculate a suitable diet for your horse or pony, call the Allen & Page nutritional helpline on 01362 822902 or visit www.allenandpage.com

TopSpec Lite is the ultimate low calorie feed balancer designed for horses and ponies that need their weight controlled.

These are usually good-doers that may be overweight and it is very important that this group of horses and ponies receive their full requirement of vitamins and minerals.

TopSpec Lite provides a generous amount of these micronutrients in a small amount of exceptionally low-calorie feed.

The feed balancer will help maintain excellent health and performance whilst improving hoof quality and promoting supple skin and a shiny coat.

Long-term trials have shown that horses and ponies on restricted/poor grazing do not gain any additional weight when fed TopSpec Lite.

The unique ‘NoGrain’ formula is low in sugar and starch and is ‘non-heating’. Lite can be conveniently fed straight from the hand.

To compensate for the limited amount

of nutrients well-furnished horses often consume, TopSpec Lite has the added benefits of several supplements.

These include an effective hoof improvement supplement and a broad spectrum supplement including powerful anti-oxidants to neutralise free-radicals and help maintain a healthy immune system. Pure protected yeast has also been added to help maintain a healthy hindgut environment.

Available in 20kg bags, TopSpec Lite has a RRP of £25.95.

For further information contact TopSpec on 01845 565030 or visit www.topspec.com

Fast Fibre

for Weight

Control

TopSpec Lite Feed Balancer


Feeding


Feeding

cont. on p.14

Mind your muck heap!

Nutrition and management for horses on box rest…Dr Derek Cuddeford, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh

After recent press coverage surrounding horse manure, muck heaps and the potential legal issues that could be implemented, many horse owners are blissfully unaware of the implications their mucking out could have! As a manufacturer of equestrian bedding, Nedz feel it is their duty to help ensure customers understand the rules and regulations surrounding their horses waste!

Biodegradability of your bedding has always been a point to consider, however with recent legislation changes and the government clamping down on rules and regulations of muck heaps, now is the time to ensure your bedding is as quick rotting as possible!

Did you know...?

• If you use manure as a fertiliser to benefit the land it is no longer treated as waste and as such, is not subject to the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007. You also do not need a waste transfer note or waste carrier registration if you are moving manure that is to be used as fertiliser. If you ‘discard’ your waste, i.e. burn, tip or bury it, it is still classified as controlled waste and that is subject to the EP Regulations 2007

• Your muck heap should be at least 10 metres away from any watercourse and should not be situated in an area prone to flooding. In addition you should bear in mind the prevailing wind to avoid any odour pollution.

• Your muck heap should not be in a single position for more than 12 successive months and you should leave a two year gap before returning to the same site.

• Choosing the correct bedding material will have a significant impact on the quantity of waste and the speed it rots down. Using straw based bedding will maximise the nutrient value of the compost – as wood based products use up far more of the nitrogen in the manure during decomposition and results in a poorer nutrient level in the fertiliser. Straw also decomposes within several months rather than wood based products which can take 1 – 2 years.

Following some simple guidelines can avoid you a costly fine, and a huge upset. When choosing your bedding product, consider your options carefully and look at the whole picture rather than simply the cost per bale. You may find that a cheaper product could cost you more in the long run.

Nedz products are all made from chopped straw which rots down within several months and can be safely spread on fields meaning you are exempt from the EP Regulations 2007.

To find out more about Nedz tel: (01254) 677 762 or visit www.nedz.co.uk

This is a popular topic that has resulted in many helpful articles being written in the horse press by various authorities in order to help owners that are confronted with being told to give their horse/pony “box rest”. In some respects this is a bit of a misnomer as it brings to my mind that the only box I will get to rest in will be a coffin! What is actually meant by “box rest” and who has a box big enough to rest a Clydesdale? The University of

Liverpool Equine Hospital, in their very helpful discharge instructions for the management of a horse following colic surgery, advises 8 weeks box rest post-surgery and they define box rest as follows:

1. The horse is to be stabled at all times;

2. You can take the horse for walks (how does this square with item 1?) and allow it to graze “in-hand” but always on a lead rope;

3. The horse should never be loose and free to gallop.

Box rest is advised in many situations such as after colic surgery, after other forms of surgery and when the horse has had leg problems (ligaments, tendons, laminitis, etc).Unfortunately whilst your horse is on box rest you will have little rest as the management of such an animal is quite demanding. Whilst you have to up rate your activity that of the horse is down rated and this has serious consequences for your animal; a marked reduction in activity over a long period of time results in a loss of both muscle mass and

bone density. You may have had the unfortunate experience of witnessing this loss of muscle mass when visiting family or friends who are hospitalized for a long time or when they are bedridden at home. So, we have this difficult situation (a two-edged sword if ever there was one!) where our horse is partially immobilized to safeguard the healing process and yet this caring action will cause its physiological status to degrade. This presents us with a real conundrum. To make matters worse, we have to figure out a means by which we do not turn the imprisonment of our horse into creating an animal with all sorts of behavioural abnormalities. Remember, you are locking up a herd

animal that has evolved to spend most of its time grazing (16 hours out of every 24) over an extended land area.

The most obvious thing one has to do with a horse in such a situation is to make sure it does not overeat energy and get fat thus low energy feeds are required. However we must remember that the animal is probably undergoing a repair process somewhere in its body and thus requires both proteins and amino acids for tissue formation as well as other nutrients. If bone repair is happening then those nutrients concerned with bone formation such as the trace elements copper, zinc,


Feeding

Keeping Calm in the Stable…Horses often cope poorly with the stress of being stabled. Nupafeed MAH® Liquid is a unique magnesium supplement which maintains normal nerve and hormone function during times of stress, to prevent anxiety and behavioural problems.

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Nupafeed. My 17hh Belgian warmblood was so highly strung he could not be left in a stable alone as he would worry himself to the point where we had to call

the vet to sedate him. After a few weeks on Nupafeed MAH, he became calm and relaxed and enjoys his own company. He even managed 6 weeks box rest after an injury without any worry or stress whatsoever! He is also noticeably less spooky. Nupafeed is a miracle in a bottle.” Kerry Brown, Edinburgh.

MAH® liquid can be given to any horse (including brood mares and foals) for any required period and with any medication. It is suitable to give alongside sedatives

if required.

For further information please telephone: 01438 861900 or email: [email protected]


Feeding - Health Care

cont. from p.12

manganese, the major elements calcium and magnesium together with vitamins such as C. Initially, one might think of providing a mature hay with little energy but then the chances of it containing all the necessary nutrients are not good. So, how to provide little energy with enough goodies to support repair? A way forward would be to use a low volume/low calorie (up to one kg per day) supplement together with mature, clean hay. If the latter cannot be easily obtained then a better quality hay, limit-fed, with quality straw ad libitum to satisfy appetite should work. Satisfaction of appetite is a problem with unexercised horses, stabled and fed ad libitum hay because, in order to satisfy their appetite, they will eat too much and get fat even on mediocre hay.

The BIG question is how to limit forage intake without turning the horse into a raving lunatic? Depending on how much time you have to indulge your horses’ whims then there are several different possibilities when it comes to providing occupational therapy. Probably the least costly in time is to put the forage in small-holed haynets or, double up conventional hay nets and place them as far away from the water supply as possible. This will force the horse to stop feeding to get a drink and this will give it exercise at the same time. If you have lots of time then you can buy several different forages (low

energy) and mix them together and then into the bedding (clean straw!) and this will provide your horse with hours of fun seeking out the tasty bits and pieces. To add a bit of extra interest you can play “hunt the carrot” whereby you chop up some carrots and hide them in the bedding as well. Obviously it best to provide the animal’s daily feed allowance in many small feeds throughout the day so it is harder for the animal to get food quickly. Provided your horse can get around alright then you can take it for walks together with the dog! Obviously it will appreciate the opportunity to get out and about and to see different things other than stable walls. Also, you can allow the horse a little grazing and by doing this you can help to occupy its day (as well as yours!). If it cannot be walked out then it is a good idea to cut some fresh grass by hand, take it to the stable and mix it through the straw bedding. Another way of limiting the rate of consumption of forage is to sprinkle it over some tree branches (assuming there is room for them in the stable) so that the horse has to pick it out from amongst the branches. If you choose to feed a low volume concentrate to supply extra nutrients for healing then do not put it in a bucket because it will be quickly gobbled up. Instead, make the horse work for it by putting smooth round stones in the feed manger or, put a little at a time in something like a Snak-a-Ball.

There are several means whereby you can provide distraction in addition to giving the basic feed allowance. Switching on a radio provides diversionary noise and covers other noises, such as feeding, that might upset the horse. Assuming you or someone else has the time, grooming the horse will provide it with some stimulation and company-box rest for the horse but no rest for you…….Of course, if you cannot afford the time to be with your horse find someone who can. In this context a chicken (Bantams are best) or even a goat but make sure nothing edible is left around if you employ the latter; a horse wearing a blanket is any easy goat target and maybe even its tail! Always try and give your box-resting horse a room with a view because this will provide stimulus as well as distraction from its own imprisonment. In the context of improving the visual outlook the use of mirrors is quite effective assuming you make sure they are bomb-proof. Suspending a Swede (I mean a Swedish turnip which is a member of the Brassica family and not one of the Johansson family –there are about 300,000 of them in Sweden!) from

the ceiling can provide some fun for your horse together with a few bruises for you if you forget where it is in the dark! Possibly a safer pastime for your horse is to put the odd apple in the water bucket so it can indulge in some apple bobbing. In Kerry this is referred to as “Snap-Apple” and in Scotland it is called “dooking for apples”. There are various stable toys (suspended or wall-mounted) that are available and these can incorporate a treat that can be licked (Likits) which will occupy the horse or alternatively you can use a feed block that can be provided at floor level-good for tripping over. You can see that there are a lot of Health & Safety issues associated with box rest.

In conclusion, box-resting a horse can be a real chore for you and frustrating for the horse. But you must rise to the challenge and dream up ways, possibly using some of the above ideas, to keep your horse sane and speed recovery. Lastly, if you get really involved then you can treat the whole procedure as contributing to your overall personal fitness at no cost other than that of time..........who needs to join a fitness club?

DOES your horse suffer from chronic breathing problems, failing to performance at his best?

Flexineb is the fast portable equine nebuliser which is now available in the UK thanks to the team at HAYGAIN.

The Flexineb equine nebulisation device represents a huge innovation in administering care to the lower and upper respiratory tract of the horse via inhalation methods.

Respiratory problems are frequently implicated in horses as a cause of poor performance, and HAYGAIN is dedicated to reducing these problems.

The most frequently occurring lower respiratory tract disorders are Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) also known as Heaves, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD) and Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH).

Typically, their treatment includes systemic administration of drugs using injections or the oral route, however, AEROSOL THERAPY is now known to be a more specific way to treat respiratory disorders with a better efficacy/toxicity ratio.

Flexineb is an easy-to-use drug delivery

device that produces a very fine mist of aerosolised drug enabling this form of therapy for the horse.

The Flexineb way is fast, usually around 10 minutes of treatment is necessary. It is robust and silent to ensure the horse is not disturbed, with no hoses, wires or awkward valves, to keep the whole experience calm and easy. Designed in Ireland with the support of Irish and International veterinarians, thoroughbred horse trainers, horse owners, and care givers, the Flexineb offers horses the best results in treating respiratory problems.

For further information please contact HAYGAIN hay steamers on (0333) 200 5233 or visit www.haygain.co.uk

Flexineb Nebuliser Launched in UK

December 2010 - Equi-Ads - 15

Joni Bentley


Feeding

Having a horse on box rest can be extremely stressful for both horse and owner. It usually involves more cost through bedding and more time spent mucking out. It can be especially difficult if the horse was fit and in full work and injury has caused them to be on box rest. One minute they are being worked hard every day and the next they are asked to stand in a stable for 24 hours a day! It is therefore no wonder that some horses don’t settle straight away. Nutrition can play a major role in recovery and ensuring the horse is getting all the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients in their diet will aid a speedy recovery. If your horse was in hard work, they have probably been on a high starch diet; ensuring this is substituted for a high fibre, low protein diet will maintain good digestive health, whilst prolonging ‘chewing’ time, thus helping to keep the horse occupied and reduce the risk of stable vices forming.

Alongside a high fibre diet, it is recommended to feed a good quality feed balancer such as Blue Chip Original, which contains the optimum level of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, many of which are in a bio-available organic form. Along with a comprehensive hoof and respiratory formula, Original contains 17% more probiotic than any other feed balancer on the market. This EU approved probiotic will help the beneficial bacteria in the gut to thrive, helping tp improve any digestive upsets. Some horses can quickly gain weight whilst on box rest if their feed isn’t monitored carefully, if you find your horse is gaining too much weight, swap to a low calorie, low sugar, low starch diet feed balancer such as Blue Chip Lami-light

which will ensure he is still getting the essential vitamins and mineral needed without encouraging weight gain. All Blue Chip balancers are recommended to be fed at 100g per 100 kilograms of bodyweight but this may be reduced by 100g per day when horses are on box rest.

To help prolong fibre digestion, try double or triple netting your hay so the horse needs to work harder and takes longer over his fibre intake. If your horse is also prone to putting on weight or you think he is becoming overweight, soaking hay to reduce the calorie content can be very useful without having to limit the amount of fibre fed. Hay may be soaked for several hours to reduce the soluble carbohydrate content and therefore the calories. Treats such as swedes can be hung from the ceiling and apples floating in water can also help to keep your horse occupied.

A lot of horses may need a calmer whilst on box rest to help keep them relaxed whilst being stabled for long periods; feed a natural calmer such as Blue Chip Karma, which includes the superior water soluble form of magnesium that can be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Along with the generous levels of magnesium, Karma contains L-tryptophan, which is one of the building blocks for the production of serotonin, a hormone produced in the brain that helps to keep the horse in a settled and relaxed state. Blue Chip Karma does not contain any banned or prohibited substances.

For advice on what to feed the horse or pony on box rest visit www.bluechipfeed.com or call 0114 266 6200.

Feeding horses on box rest


Feeding

Calorie control, calmness and costs all play a role in what we choose to feed our horses and ponies but this can lead to feeding less than the recommended amount, especially during the summer months, which can compromise our horses’ health, advises SPILLERS®. During the summer many horses and ponies are given just grass because quite rightly they don’t require the extra calories prepared feed provides. However, although grass can supply enough protein and calories for most of the year it is impossible to know just by looking at it whether or not it’s providing all the nutrients your horse needs to stay in good health and perform at his best. “Although your horse might look fine

now, a lack of vitamins and minerals may take their toll on his health in the long term,” says Clare Barfoot BSc (Hons) RNutr, registered nutritionist and Research and Development Manager for SPILLERS®. “Your horse needs antioxidants, such as selenium and vitamin E, to maintain a strong immune system. Methionine, calcium, zinc and biotin are important for strong hooves and a healthy coat and skin. B vitamins help with energy release and amino acids support tissue repair and muscle tone.” A good balancer is the ideal way to make sure your horse receives the essential vitamins and minerals he needs every day. It’s the ideal solution for horses and ponies on a forage-only diet, good doers or for horses having less than the recommended amount

of compound feed. Balancers are low calorie and contain concentrated amounts of vitamins, minerals and essential proteins, which allow them to be fed in small quantities. Feeding a balancer can also help lively horses keep their cool as they tend to be low in starch and because of the small quantity fed, won’t supply unwanted extra whizz! The cost of feeding a daily balancer can be much less than when feeding a full ration of traditional feed and some balancers will also negate the need to feed any other specialist supplements which can mean even bigger savings. SPILLERS® have a range of five different balancers, to suit the needs of every type of horse or pony. SPILLERS® Original Balancer gives the flexibility to feed a variety of horses and ponies across a yard. SPILLERS® Lite Balancer is designed for ‘good doers’ and overweight horses and ponies. SPILLERS® Senior Balancer offers unrivalled nutrition and joint support for the older horse or pony.

SPILLERS® Performance Balancer delivers additional essential vitamins and minerals necessary to support the equine athlete. SPILLERS® Gro ‘N’ Win® Stud Balancer meets the increased nutritional needs of foals, youngstock and pregnant or lactating mares. SPILLERS® are giving you the chance to save £5 on every bag in the SPILLERS® Balancers range from mid May 2011 while stocks last. Look out for the special flash packs in your local store. For friendly feeding advice please telephone the SPILLERS® Care-Line on 01908 226626, email to [email protected] or visit the SPILLERS® website at www.spillers-feeds.com. You can also join Team SPILLERS® on Facebook.

Keep them balanced and healthy with SPILLERS®


Health Care - Physiotherapy - Respiratory - Worming

Respiratory Horslyx - Tried & Tested

Veterinary Physiotherapy: Optimising Equine Performance.Physiotherapy assessment of the horse rider. Maeve Grant, Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist.

The tester was an 18 year old mare, with an intermittent cough. All the usual precautions are taken in terms of reducing dust in feed, bedding etc but as it is not possible to eliminate all dust from the general farming activities there is always going to be some dust hazard. Winter 2009 the coughing got so bad that the vet prescribed a course of medication by inhaler, which was complicated and time consuming, not to mention expensive, but since then she has not shown any recurrence of the coughing until this Spring. We decided to try Horslyx respiratory lick to alleviate the problem and it has worked a treat. Within a couple of days of giving her the lick the coughing reduced dramatically. The tub comes in an all weather container with a handy lid that can be

used to restrict access to the lick if too much is being consumed.

For more information about Respiratory Horslyx, or any of the other Horslyx products visit www.horslyx.com or telephone 01697 332592

The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT) celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. To celebrate this, Scottish ACPAT members will run a series of articles entitled Veterinary Physiotherapy: optimising equine performance. This series will cover anatomy of the horse and how the horse should move, how the rider affects the horse and will show you how to enhance your horse’s movement.

In last month’s article Jo Paul explained how you as a rider can affect how your horse moves. In this article I will explain more about how a physiotherapist will assess you as a horse rider and why how you move may affect how your

horse moves.

All riders will have an effect on how their horse moves underneath them. This can be to the advantage or disadvantage of the horse. When assessing a horse rider, a physiotherapist can look at the rider both on and off the horse. As physiotherapists we are not concerned with your skill and ability as a rider, we leave that up to your instructor. What we are interested in is your ability to allow and control movement, to lengthen certain muscle groups whilst stabilising with others. Core stability is a big buzz word in sport today and this is also relevant to horse riders.

On assessing a horse rider, I first will look at general movement. The ability to bend forward, bend backwards and rotate through the spine. These large movements are made up of a series of complex small movements. If there is any restriction or instability in carrying out these movements I can examine the smaller, complex movements and treat any restrictions accordingly.

Rider 1 has difficulty getting her horse to strike off correctly on right canter. The horse has been assessed and treated and is now moving much better. Rider 1 reports no issues with back, neck or leg pain and is very fit, she runs regularly and attends a weekly pilates class. She reports that her dressage trainer will often comment on her collapsing in her left hip and she finds it very difficult to correct this.

On specific tests for pelvic stability it is clear that she lacks stability around the left hip and pelvis. In Photo 1 we can see that when doing a split squat on her right leg she can stabilise well around the pelvis. In Photo 2 we can see the difference when asked to do the same movement on the left leg; she leans to the left, tightens up through the left side of her lower back and loses balance.

When assessed on the gym ball in a neutral position, we can see that she fixes on the left hip and pulls the left shoulder down and back to balance herself, while the right shoulder drifts forward.

Again this fits with what her instructor says, that on the right rein she looks like she faces the outside of the circle. This will explain the difficulty for the horse to pick up right canter lead. Due to the rider fixing more on the left seat bone and twisting to the left, the horse will find it very difficult to bring his left hind further forward underneath him to strike off into right canter.

When asked to move her pelvis from side to side on the ball we can see that rider 1 can achieve this to the right (Photo 4) but there is very little movement achieved on the left side (Photo 5).

cont. on p.22

1. Split squat on right leg.

2. Split squat on left leg.

3. Assessment in sitting


Health Care


Dentistry - Health Care - Worming

cont. from p.20

cont. on p.24

On detailed palpatory assessment it was clear that there was a restriction in the muscles and joints on the left side

of her lower back and a considerable weakness on the left side of her pelvic stabilising muscles. She was treated to release the muscle and joint restrictions on the left side of her lower spine.

On assessment immediately after treatment we can see the improvement in her ability to move her pelvis form side to side on the ball. The movement on the right is still easily achievable (Photo 6), but now movement to the left is much more easily achieved (Photo 7).

To maintain this improvement, and to ensure she doesn’t slip back into her old way of moving, she has been given a programme of stabilising exercises for the left side to work on. If she doesn’t carry out these exercises and improve the left side stability she will compensate in the same way again and begin to tighten up through the left side of her lower back – this is the threat she has been given to make sure she does her exercises!

What legislation is there regarding equine dentistry?Harriet Cater BSc. EdsLegislation surrounding equine dentistry has, until recently, been rather a grey area and a subject of great debate in the veterinary world. New research has lead to improved practices and developments in instrumentation and so legislation is still evolving. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, equine dental procedures are classed as veterinary surgery and therefore can only be carried out by qualified vets. However there are exceptions outlined in

Ministerial exemption orders which include minor treatments. In 2004 the Exemption Order (Equine Dental Procedures) was drafted, categorising dental procedures into those that can be carried out by lay people, equine dental technicians (EDTs) and veterinarians. Due to developments in dental research, instrumentation and techniques, the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the British Association of

Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT) suggested several updates for the order to make it clearer and allow for recent developments.

Category 1Lay people with no recognised training are able to carry out category one procedures, including examining the teeth and removing sharp enamel points or small overgrowths with manual equipment. Category 2Under recent updates, an equine dental technician who has passed a DEFRA approved examination is able to carry out more advanced work included in category two. Procedures such as using motorised dental equipment to reduce dental overgrowths and the removal of wolf teeth under veterinary supervision are allowed. Category 3Category three procedures are reserved for qualified veterinarians only and cover those dental procedures not considered to be minor, such as the extraction of cheek teeth with instruments. Any person attempting category three procedures that is not a vet is breaking the law. It is also worth noting that by law, an EDT cannot administer sedatives or any other drugs and must arrange this with a vet prior to any work being carried out. Further information about equine dentistry and the law can be found through the BEVA, BAEDT and RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons).

4. Pelvic shift to right.

5. Pelvic shift to left.

6. Pelvic shift to right after treatment.

7. Pelvic shift to left after treatment.


Health Care - Worming


Rider 2 reports that she has a tendency to twist her body to the right and grip on with her right hand. This can make her horse grip onto the right rein and fix through his neck and poll. She reports old injuries to the left shoulder and neck and these can flare up from time to time. She has a busy, desk based job.

On assessment in sitting we can see that rider 2 puts more weight on her left seat bone and she holds her left shoulder notably higher than the right (Photo 8).

Due to this adopted position rider 2 will have to grip onto her right rein to keep her balance, otherwise she would be likely to fall off on the left side.

When we assessed her spinal rotation she finds turning to the left very difficult and there is a lot of restriction there (Photo 9). Turning to the right is much easier for her (Photo 10).

The vast majority of spinal rotation (seventy percent) comes from the thoracic spine, the middle region of the back. This thoracic rotation is important in all sports, riding included. When riding on a circle or asking for a more difficult movement we as the rider want to keep our shoulders in line with the horses. This movement should come from our thoracic spine. If we are stiff or restricted in this area then we have to compensate and move from another part of our body. We may twist from our lower backs to achieve the rotation, but this will drastically alter the weight in our seat bones therefore changing the way the horse moves. It may cause him to shorten his hind leg stride length as he won’t be able to get his hind leg underneath him. He may also fall out or in on the circle through his hind quarters. The other way we may compensate is by twisting from our shoulder blades and this will alter the rein contact with the horse, again changing the way he moves. It may cause the horse to fix on one rein, head tilt or fall in or out through his shoulder.

Rider 2’s first physiotherapy treatment consisted of manual therapy to release the restrictions in the left shoulder, neck and thoracic spine. She has been sent off with stretches and core stability exercises (these will be discussed in more detail in next months article).

After one treatment rider 2’s posture has improved and the shoulders are now more level (photo 11).

She still has a tendency to sit more on the left seat bone and this will be addressed in the next treatment session.

Her rotation to the left has also improved after treatment and she reports that this feels much easier to achieve (photo 12).

The rider has a major effect on how the horse carries himself and moves. This can be to the advantage of the horse when the rider is able to help him to achieve better movement. However if the rider has restrictions, weaknesses or pain that inhibits how

the horse moves, and causes him to alter his movement accordingly, this can be to his detriment. This is when an assessment with a Chartered Physiotherapist can be of benefit to the rider.

In the next article core stability exercises for the rider will be discussed in more detail.

Maeve Grant, Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist. BSc Hons Physiotherapy, PgDip Veterinary Physiotherapy, MCSP, ACPAT Cat A.Tel: 07815839790E-mail: [email protected]: www.animalphysioplus.com

Based in Edinburgh, covering Central Scotland.

For more information on Veterinary Physiotherapy or to find a Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist in your area go to www.acpat.org

Health Care - Worming

cont. from p.22

9. Left rotation

10. Right rotation

11. Sitting assessment after treatment.

12. Left rotation after treatment.

8. Assessment in sitting.


Health Care - Tack & Turnout

Mouth bruised from pinching bit


Riding

Breathe life into your riding

Jenny Rolfe Competition

Looking at collection - part one. Collection or restriction?

How would you define the word ‘collection’? I looked this up in the dictionary and found words like ‘gathering together’ and ‘pulling together’.

I then looked up the word ‘together’ and found such definitions as ‘in sync’, ‘in concert’ and ‘as one’. These last words formed in my mind, the picture of horse and rider performing Classical art, in true collection.When we fully understand what we

want to achieve by ‘collecting’ the horse, then we can look in more depth at the path to achieving this goal.

So what is it that we find so compelling about the horse? Is it his sheer beauty and mystical power or maybe it is his free spirit and connection with his natural environment? It could also be his generous nature which enables us to attempt the control of his majestic spirit and power?

An animal in freedom will breathe naturally, attuned to the environment and situation around them. They will respond to the laws of nature as they are at one with their world.

When we ask the horse to become a part of our world he can find himself planted in a world totally foreign to him. We control by placing a bit in his mouth, a bridle around his head, a saddle and tight girth around his middle and we

may wear spurs and carry a whip. Yes, and sadly, we don’t stop there! The horse then may be subjected to reins, ropes and more gadgets tightening his neck and poll creating pain and discomfort all in the name of schooling the horse. These accessories are meant to put the horse in a ‘frame’ but often the result is more akin to the restriction of imprisonment. Still we see the horse trying to please and interpret our language. This may fail miserably as a dialogue of mutual benefit or empathy.

Let us take a look at the reality of the punishment we inflict on the horse when we ask for a ‘fixed frame’. Any athlete, whether human or equine, can only move freely with a lack of restriction to his head and neck, which need mobility to absorb all the movement. Imagine the power and energy as the horse jumps into the canter strike off. The head and neck need to be able to absorb this movement but if the rider has heavy hands the horse will only feel a restrictive tug in his mouth. For us to build the desire within the horse to step forwards with confidence, we need to build a relationship of trust. This is the true foundation.

So what is the impact on the horse when we try to control with an array of gadgets and only offer him our heavy hearts, strong hands and overloaded mind.

Initially he will feel anguish which will immediately change his pattern of breathing. He may take short and shallow breaths which will create future problems both mentally and physically.

Even when the rider is teaching the horse with enlightenment and empathy, certain tension will be created within the mind of the horse. This may not be from unyielding gadgets but merely from concentration during training. The horse will try hard to interpret our often confused signals and this will have an

immediate impact on his pattern of breathing.

The influence of core-breathing

Core breathing can assist the horse in the following ways:

1. Assist a calm and focused mind2. Help natural co-ordination and muscle development3. It is a precursor to good health and vitality4. Enhanced performance 5. Support flexion6. Encourage good circulation to nourish all vital organs/muscles in the body7. Help to eliminate toxins from the body8. Allow movement to flow with fluidity, grace, balance and power.9. CORE-BREATHING – is a profound connection of empathy between human and horse.

Connect with creation

When we feel connected mentally, physically and spiritually we are in touch with the universe and connecting with creation where our horse will feel ‘at home’ and secure.

If we can teach the horse to work rhythmically whilst breathing more deeply, he can sustain more work whilst maintaining a healthy nourished body. Both human and horse come together in a moment of time. Humans so often feel disconnected not only with themselves but the environment around them.

Co-ordination is at the heart of true mastery and we need to feel truly relaxed with lower core energy, to gain this control.

It is fundamental to spend time looking to connect with nature through relaxation techniques and personal breath control. Within this focus we can feel a sense of meditation and also the ability to use visualization at a deeper

level.

Let me give you an example. In the early days with my Lusitano stallion, Habil, I would sit in the saddle and feel his tightness and anxiety. I began to try and visualize the warmth of a spring day, even though the wind was howling outside on a cold morning. I would try to imagine sunshine, flowers, trees and calmness.

As I visualized these ideas both physically and mentally I feel lighter and more relaxed. I felt my jaw release into a smile which allowed my body energy to flow freely. The ride became more joyful and Habil began to mirror my happiness. This endorses the principle that our mind controls our body. When we learn to use techniques of relaxation and visualization to control our mind and thoughts, we can then, and only then, gain control of our body. Once we have learnt to master our own balance, we can begin to master the balance of the horse.

HOMEWORK: Practise your Top-to-Toe and core-breathing. Then begin to explore techniques of visualization. Think of a place or time where you felt really at peace and at one with nature and bring that feeling to your horse.

Jenny gives clinics with her Iberian stallions. Her book and DVD, ‘RIDE FROM THE HEART are available from her web site www.spanishdressagehorses.co.uk

If you missed the previous articles in this series you will find them on Equi-Ads website www.equiads.net in the Featured Articles section.

First prize - copy of both book and DVD ‘Ride from the Heart’Second prize - copy of the bookThird prize - copy of the DVD Question: Name two of Jenny’s Iberian stallions?(answers on web site www.spanishdressagehorses.co.uk ) This introductory DVD, is based upon Jenny’s inspirational book ‘ Ride From the Heart, which describes a progressive system of training through loose work, lunging, work in hand and riding. Jenny’s innovative teaching uses the power of core breathing to enhance a much deeper communication.

This DVD is looking at the art of communication and how to train your horse using the language of the herd – with an awareness of your breathing and body language. Learn to understand your own state of calmness to enhance your ‘connection’ with your horse. Learn to ride a horse in harmony, from an awareness of your breathing and core-stability. Build a bond of trust and friendship to enhance the nature and personality of the horse within his training’. Jenny has developed a ‘TOP to Toe’ method of looking at the rider to enhance the spiritual, physical and mental state of relaxation which

encourages a deeper connection with horse for loose work and also creates harmony for the rider. This is a place where trust, friendship and harmony can flourish. Learn how to breathe life into training by self awareness of breathing techniques to enhance a balanced state of mind, a more fluid ‘connected’ seat gained by ‘core stability’ Techniques of breathing become the essence of communication to enhance fluidity and stability for the rider and allow the horse to move with both harmony and balance. Her training has been described as a ‘breath of fresh air, that will open your heart and find your soul’. For further information on the NEW DVD/

BOOK/clinics, see Jenny’s web site: www.spanishdressagehorses.com To be in with a chance of winning one of these great prizes, simply email your answer to the question along with your name, address and telephone number to [email protected] subject: Jenny Rolfe Competition or send a postcard to Equi-Ads Ltd., Jenny Rolfe Competition, Office 1, Tayview Estate, Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DG.

Jenny Rolfe

Delfin - Jennys Spanish stallion displays true natural collection

Jenny riding Habil - techniques of visualization encourage a spirit of dance


Health Care


All the blood sucking biting insects that feed on horses have an acidic saliva. This saliva is injected into the horse with the bite and this thins out the blood in the local area of the bite enabling the parasite to suck it up more easily.

This biting mechanism can be neutralised and so “jammed up” by the application to the horse’s skin of Fine Fettle™ Flygon (a strong naturally occurring alkaline solution).

Originally used by nature to stop sap sucking insects from destroying plants, Flygon has been developed to act as an highly effective anti - feedant against the parasites that predate on horses (and all other mammals). Flygon can

break the cycle of infestation helping to keep your horse ITCH FREE and more healthy.

This is a seriously effective product costing £14.98 for a 500ml bottle and can be obtained from Fine Fettle Feed on 01600 712496 or by logging onto www.finefettlefeed.com or to be in with a chance of winning one of the giveaway bottles just email your name and address to [email protected] subject: Flygon Giveaway or send your name and address on a postcard to Equi-Ads Ltd., Flygon Giveaway, Office 1, Tayview Estate, Friarton Road, Perth, PH2 8DG.

Equestrian competition should be an enjoyable, challenging and educational pass-time. It is sometimes the main reason for the acquisition of a horse, but hopefully not the only reason. Many horses appear to enjoy the experience of competing, but the idea that horses want to win is, to my mind, anthropomorphic. If horse and rider have a good rapport, then the horse will want to please the rider and will be delighted when they receive congratulations. They can probably also understand the euphoria of a clapping, roaring crowd; but whether they were placed first, second, third or not at all, is immaterial to a horse.

It is also of no concern to the horse whether or not he attends the competition in the first place. The idea that it is a waste not to compete a well-bred horse, say from a good jumping line, is a human concept and meaningless to the horse. If he is well trained in another discipline; providing he is not asked to do what is beyond his capabilities, he will be happy. If the rider does not wish to jump and the horse enjoys jumping; then he can always indulge his forte during loose schooling sessions, where he can enjoy himself without being hampered by the rider. He will then go back to the rider’s discipline of choice with fresh enthusiasm. I do not believe that any horse will stand in his stable at night yearning to be an international star! Horses have other values such as creature comforts, companionship, security of a fair and kind regime etc.

For the rider to enjoy competition, instead of being stressed about it, the rider needs to adopt a similar attitude as the horse, i.e. to do as well as you can and enjoy the day; otherwise taking things as they come.

So, competition is really for the sake of the rider, not the horse. The rider/trainer therefore has a responsibility to ensure that it is an enjoyable experience to the horse, and that he is not physically or mentally stressed by the activity.

Firstly you need to ensure that you and your horse are properly prepared. The horse needs to be fit enough to undertake the particular task. A slow, steady, fitness programme should be adhered to in good time before the commencement of the competition season. Don’t be hesitant about scratching from an event if something has gone wrong during your preparation period and you are not sure if your

horse will be ready.

Leave home in good time, so that you don’t have to hurry on the journey. Travelling can be very tiring for horses and even more so if the journey is undertaken too fast.

Prepare as much as you can the day before. Make sure you have enough hay/water buckets, rugs, grooming equipment, first aid box, etc. It is better to take a supply of fresh water from home if possible, as horses will often not drink from a strange water source.

Allow plenty of time to warm-up before your event, but don’t over-do it and tire the horse unnecessarily before he has even started to compete (not to mention wearing yourself out). For most horses about fifteen minutes warm-up should be sufficient to supple and settle him into a good frame of mind. It is often best if the rider treats the whole thing rather like a schooling session away from home. This allays a lot of competition nerves, which obviously have the potential to be communicated to the horse.

Once you have ridden your dressage test or completed your jumping course or other event, attend to your horse’s needs; making sure he is cooled down and ‘walked-off’. Allow him to drink little and often, but not a very long drink until he is completely cooled off; then he can have his haynet. If he will not drink then you can offer him a very wet feed of say unmollassed soaked sugar beet or well soaked alfalfa cubes. This should re-hydrate him. Only when your horse is completely settled are you free to return to the ringside to see how your competitors are getting on – that is really a side-issue. You will know how well or otherwise you and your horse performed. Providing you are following classical principles of training,

Classical Riding - Education - Health Care

cont. on p.30

Reader Giveaway

How to ensure your horse enjoys competition

6 bottles of Fine Fettle™ Flygon worth £14.98 each

Anne Wilson

Anne with Lucy Lou


Horse Behaviour


Events - Health Care

cont. from p.28

regardless of which discipline you are partaking in, what anyone else thought of your performance is quite irrelevant. Winning a trophy or being placed on the winners’ board should be the icing on the cake. If you don’t receive the icing, don’t be bitter or disappointed. The world is often an unfair place and one of the purposes of competition, to my mind, is to teach humility and to take criticism, however unfair, with good grace.

In the case of dressage test riding; not all judges will be judging you from a classical viewpoint. The Judge’s decision is final, but this does not necessarily mean it is correct, but you must accept the decision gracefully. If you have not been successful, go home and analyse what the Judge has said; comparing their views to those of the classical masters, and make up your

own mind whether your performance was worthy of praise or not. If you think that the Judge’s criticism was unfair and unclassical; DO NOT change your way of riding to fit the competition scene. Next time you may encounter one of the many good classically minded judges, and your perseverance will be repaid.

I often see comments on dressage test sheets such as ‘lacking in impulsion’ or ‘not going forward from the leg’; when what the horse had really shown was good impulsion but at a slower pace because he was showing the beginning of collection.

The other ‘old chestnut’ comment on a Preliminary or Novice dressage test sheet is ‘not showing a round outline’ or ‘nose poking’. What the Judge should really be looking for at this early stage of training is the regularity of the paces

and good action from the hind end. In the early training no horse should be expected to be in a ‘round outline’ and the poking of the nose is a stage all young horses should be allowed to go through if their conformation deems it necessary. They will arch their neck and lower the nose onto the bit as and when the back and hindquarters are strong enough.

If something like the above two comments are on your sheet, shrug your shoulders and take no notice. Check your training methods from books of the classical masters or a good classical trainer and continue on the correct path.

In the case of the show jumping competition; always try to enter an event with jumps slightly lower than those you are jumping easily at home. If you have a clear round and end up in a jump-off, where the height of the jumps are increased to higher than your horse has jumped before, don’t hesitate to withdraw. You can then go home with a very self-satisfied feeling of having done well, but not over-faced your horse.

You also need to be strong-minded if you are part of a Riding Club. Sometimes you may be under pressure from peers or officials in the club to partake in a certain event, which may not be suitable for you and/or your horse, or your horse may not be suitably prepared. Don’t be afraid to say a firm ‘No, not this time’. You may feel you are letting your club down, but that is so much better than letting your horse down – remember that competition should be for the benefit of horse and rider; not just a game that must be won! If your friends don’t understand that, then it’s a lesson they need to learn.

Another consideration is that of weather conditions. Some summer conditions of latter years have been extreme, with temperatures soaring to 30 degrees centigrade or even more. Some horses

cope with heat and humidity better than others. Obviously the fitter the horse, the less likely he will be to succumb to distress in these conditions. It is my opinion that competing, especially in say a long distance endurance test, in such high temperatures, which are uncharacteristic in the UK, is unkind, unnecessary and can sometimes be downright dangerous and cruel. Remember that if the temperature is extremely high, accompanied by high humidity, the horse’s ability to lose heat through sweating is seriously curtailed. This can lead to a dangerously high body temperature which could even cause death. Even if this extreme is not reached, it will be very distressing to the horse and put his whole body under extreme stress – and for what? – just a competition, which is not essential. Cancel your entry and try again another time!

With the right attitude competition can be an enjoyable way of advancing the training of both horse and rider. With the wrong attitude it can be a miserable experience for both. Judging by the many glum, angry faces (human and equine) seen at many events, the wrong attitude is commonplace. By rising above the ‘in it to win it’ culture, and being pleasant, happy and positive, you can spread the classical ethos of humility and kind training without having to preach to anyone. I wish you the best of luck; but above all enjoyment!

Anne Wilson, who is based in Bedfordshire, is a Classical Riding Trainer. She is an author and co-publisher of Tracking-Up, a quarterly independent equestrian magazine, obtainable by subscription (see the advert in this issue). Also author of ‘Riding Revelations – Classical Training from the Beginning’ – www.black-tent.co.uk Anne can be contacted on Tel: 01234 772401 website: www.classicalridingannewilson.com

The Ruggle-it duo of a gentle, low lather shampoo and 100% natural vegetable oil blend can be used for at least 18 common issues affecting horses and ponies, including summer itching and repelling flies and bugs.

You can dilute the Ruggle-it oil blend with a little shampoo and then add lashings of tap water to make a highly cost effective fly and bug deterrent, and each application can last between 15 hours and 3 days! As it is oil based, if you get a sudden rainstorm it won’t all wash off. You can also spray it on and around your stable to help keep the flies and midges away.

You can be confident that you are using a totally natural product that doesn’t contain any chemicals that can further irritate your horse or pony, and it really works!

For summer itching, just bathe your

horse or pony in the shampoo and then apply the natural oil to the areas that are itching to soothe the irritated skin and, in turn, help calm the body’s immune system response.

For full details on Ruggle-it animal and human skincare, pure probiotics, joint care and other natural products in the Ruggles & Stopitall Ltd range, visit www.karenruggles.co.uk or call 01823 259952.

The natural way to say “Buzz Off!”


Health Care


Health Care

Practical BandagingIn this issue leading animal healthcare specialists Robinson Animal Healthcare provide some advice on how to poultice and bandage knee and hock injuries correctly.

Bandaging is used for several reasons and knowing how to do it well is important for protection, support, comfort and injury purposes.

You can apply a bandage to help support and provide protection for tendons and ligaments during exercise and also to reduce swelling, secure dressings and assist in the healing process of injuries.

By following a few important guidelines you can improve your bandaging technique and ensure when ever you need to apply a bandage your horse will receive the full benefit.

Points to remember• Always apply a bandage with even pressure and a 50% overlap, taking care not to over-stretch the bandage.

• Bandage from the top and from left to right on the near side and right to left on the off side.

• Never bandage the horse’s legs without padding, ideally using Veterinary Gamgee.

• A bandage should never restrict circulation, unless used to apply pressure, as it can cause serious damage and affect the healing process.

• Make sure the bandage does not restrict movement especially when bandaging at the knee or hock, unless you are bandaging for immobilisation.

• For knee or hock wounds use a figure-of-eight bandage, crossing at the front of the knee or hock.

• Always bandage the opposite leg to provide support.

• Always keep a selection of bandages and relevant dressings in your first aid kit.

Applying a bandageWhen applying a bandage to an injury or wound you should apply three main layers.The primary layer should consist of a low-adherent dressing which is placed directly on to the wound or on top of would hydrogel which has direct contact with the wound surface.Robinson Animal Healthcare offer Vetalintex, a sterile wound hydrogel that promotes moist healing conditions to regenerate healthy tissue.

The dressing will prevent padded material sticking to the wound and should absorb any exudates produced from the wound. Dressings in direct

contact with an open wound should be sterile.

The secondary layer is the padding that should be placed on top of the dressing to insulate, protect and control swelling. Gamgee, which is highly absorbent and

has a uniform thickness, is ideal.The final layer is your bandage which should hold the other two layers in place. The application of this bandage is very important and a cohesive bandage is ideal.

Equiwrap easily tears by hand so application is quick and easy and it sticks to itself but doesn’t stick to hair or skin. It is strong, lightweight and super soft which makes it an ideal choice.

How to PoulticeFirst of all clean any mud or dirt from the area to be treated, you can either use the dressing whole, or cut it to the

desired size.

Place the dressing in a shallow tray, with the plastic side to the top. Pour boiled water that has cooled to hand hot (38C) and pour it into the tray around the dressing. Once the dressing is saturated remove it from the tray and gently remove any excess moisture. Place the dressing onto the affected area with the plastic side outermost and bandage into place.

The dressing can also be used cold and wet for the treatment of bruises, sprains and strains. This includes conditions such as sore shins, capped hocks or elbows, splints and laminitis. To enhance its cold therapy effect put the poultice in a refrigerator before use. The dressing is applied in the same way as the hot poultice, but the water should be left to cool completely before use.

As a dry dressing, the Animalintex poultice from Robinson Animal Healthcare can be used for pressure padding following strenuous exercise in order to prevent or relieve any associated inflammation. It can also be applied directly to a wound as a low adherent dressing. Cut to size as appropriate and bandage in place, ensuring a secondary layer is applied as appropriate.

Bandaging an injured kneeThe knee is not an easy joint to bandage, it is freely moveable and bandaging needs to allow for movement.The most sensitive part of the knee is the bone at the back of the knee. If a bandage is too tight at this point it will restrict the circulation and can cause severe problems.

A useful tip is to avoid bandaging over these areas and to cut a relief hole in your Gamgee to avoid pressure sores.

Plenty of padding around the knee is essential and the figure-of-eight method of bandaging leaves the back of the knee free from pressure and allows adequate movement.

Always apply a standard stable bandage

below the knee for support and then bandage the injured knee.

Start by bandaging around the top of the knee joint and then cross the front down and bandage below the knee and cross back up to the top and bandage again around the top of the joint. This is your basic figure-of-eight method and can be repeated as necessary.

Bandaging an injured hockAgain start by bandaging both hind legs with a standard stable bandage to support the hock.

The prominent bone on the inside of the hock is most vulnerable to pressure and must be avoided when bandaging. Use plenty of padding that covers above and below the joint, again Gamgee is ideal.

As with the knee use a figure-of-eight method starting above the hock and bandaging a couple of turns then cross down over the front of the hock to just below the joint where you then do a couple more turns and cross back up over the front of the hock to the top.

Always check that the dressing and padding are in place and secure and that the sensitive points are well covered but not tightly bandaged.

With movement, hock dressings have a tendency to slip and move, do not worry too much about this, just regularly check the bandage and if it needs reapplying you can bandage it again.

Safe bandaging is an art that improves with practice. It is more often than not the lower limbs which will require protection and support so knowing the anatomy of the limb will assist in effective and efficient bandaging.

If you are in any doubt about bandaging technique you should contact your veterinary surgery for advice. Remember firm but not restrictive application and practice makes perfect.


Health Care

Robinson Animal Healthcare bandagesRobinson Animal Healthcare offers a range of bandages and ideally you should have these or similar bandages readily available in your first aid kit. Equiwrap – Self-adhering bandages ideal for holding dressings and providing support during strenuous exercise. They can be used over several layers of padding in order to stem bleeding. Veterinary Flexoplast – A strong, elastic bandage used for immobilisation and for holding dressings in place as well as for compression bandaging. It repels water and dirt, providing extra security. Stayform Conforming Bandage – Holds dressings securely and allows movement without slippage.

Veterinary Gamgee – Non-woven, providing a low-adherent wound interface and can be used for protection, insulation and absorbency. It can be used as a primary wound dressing or applied over Animalintex or Skintact prior to bandaging. It can also be cut and used to gently swab around a wound using a saline solution. For more information on the Robinson Animal Health Care range contact them on 01909 735000 or visit www.robinsonhealthcare.com


Training

Training the young horse – Lunging

There are many different reasons to start lunging the young horse but because of the strain to young joints I actually do not like to start lunging a youngster until they reach the age of three, when you are beginning serious work to prepare your horse to carry a rider.

However sometimes there are other valid reasons to begin the work earlier, such as with young Thoroughbreds that are destined to be flat racehorses or you have a young stallion that you are planning to keep entire and for some reason outside your control you have limited turnout for him. Or maybe you have to present him for a stallion licence to the vet, this usually happens when the colt is two years old which is also the earliest you would cover with him and then only a small number of mares six or under for his first season. Though personally I like to leave any stud duties until the colts are three years old and even then if you are intending to compete him I would not be using him for stud duties until his ridden work is well established, probably not before he is a five year old at least. I would also teach him to use a dummy mare and collect his semen, as it is always hard to keep a stallion working nicely under saddle when his mind is on covering mares. Training your stallion to a dummy mare and collecting from him makes it easier for him to concentrate if you have to work him in company. It also means that if you are competing him you can collect off him at a convenient time and have the semen frozen. This way you are not asking your young horse to do the two jobs at the same time and both of you can concentrate on competing.

The fact that there are many more reasons as well as the ones listed above for you to decide you are going to begin lunging your young horse, it is a good idea to include the process in these

articles.

I have already mentioned the strain that lunging can put on joints so whatever your circumstances you should not begin lunging your youngster until you absolutely have to.

You must consider the equipment you will need to lunge your youngster safely, the most obvious being a safe enclosed area. This can be a round pen, a manége or indoor school, somewhere that has a good surface is a must, that being said a corner of a field (maybe even fencing off that corner) that has a good covering of grass and is level and even under foot is also satisfactory, though more limited by how the weather is affecting it and how much you are marking it when you lunge.

You then ideally require a lunging cavasson that fits your horse well with three rings on the noseband, a suitable lunge line and a lunging whip. It is also a good idea to put boots on your youngster to prevent injury. You yourself must wear a good pair of gloves and boots and I would suggest, as with all training, it is a good idea to wear a hard hat for safety as many a person has been pulled over or kicked on the head by an exuberant youngster.

It is a lot easier to teach your horse how to lunge if there are two of you. It is possible to teach a horse to lunge on your own but you have to be very good at lunging and even then it will usually be a longer process. I would actually start in the stable. I tend to go through this process as it means you are starting the training with a small step, which I always like to do.

I put the cavasson on with lunge line attached and then walk round my horse if I have started on the left side I end up by the horses head on the right side and the lunge line is now going around

the back of the horse. I then pull gently but firmly on the line and in most cases the horse will follow the pull and walk a left handed circle to walk out of the line. In the unlikely event your horse becomes worried you walk back to the other (left) side and then pull from near the tail and the next time pull from near the tail on the right until your horse is happy for you to give the pull from near his head on the right side. Once your horse is happy and responding correctly from both sides, you are ready to progress to the next stage, which is to ask your horse to walk forward, as he is walking out of the circle the line is forming. Once this happens you are ready to try it in the manege or round pen. So far this is just another step in teaching your horse to move away from pressure. Now is the time to bring in your assistant who as the horse steps away and forward they can lead the youngster out on to a circle around you. You stand in the centre looking at the middle of your horse approximately where the saddle will be with your whip pointing below the youngsters hocks you then say walk or walk on (I usually say the word “and” in front of the command words as I find after a while the word “and” attracts the horses attention and he is then waiting for the command word). Make sure that you give brisk commands for upward transitions, which can be backed up by shaking the whip but do keep your whip low. You then use calmer lower toned voice commands for downward transitions. Don’t forget horses respond to body language so make sure when you are giving commands for the upward transitions not only is your voice brisk and lively but you are standing up tall with your shoulders square then with the downward transitions you can not only have a calmer voice but you can relax your shoulders and drop your head a little and look down, all of these signals help our horse to understand what we are trying to teach him. With the help of your assistant you can teach your horse to walk, halt and trot half a circle in both directions

but the lessons must be kept short because lunging is strenuous for your horse (and your assistant). I usually only lunge five minutes each way. This is enough for a youngster and you can build this up gradually over a period of three weeks to around fifteen minutes about seven and a half minutes each way though most horses go better to the left so in reality I would end up doing eight minutes to the right and seven to the left. By the third day if all has gone well your assistant should only be walking by your youngster not leading him unless necessary and then they can gradually step away so the young horse is lunging on his own. Remember the bigger the circle you are able to lunge on the less strain there is on your horse’s joints. Do not lunge for too long and do lots of transitions and make sure you work both ways - those are the “must” do’s. Being able to lunge your horse in a nice controlled manner teaches your horse voice commands and keeps their attention on you and teaches them to concentrate; all desirable attributes for a riding horse to have. For all of these reasons it is the first stage of serious training for starting your horse under saddle. Lunging will also be useful for you in the future as if you have a hot sharp youngster you may find lunging him for ten minutes before you ride him gives him the chance to let off steam and for you to gauge his mood. I therefore think all horses should be taught to lunge at some time and they should definitely be lunging well before you begin work under saddle. Yes I know you can back a horse having never lunged him and in fact as we know a lot of people specialize in it. However I believe we owe it to our horses to train in a slow progressive correct manner which is tried and tested and allows horses to develop mentally and physically so that they are more able to understand us and enjoy their work with as little mental or physical stress as possible. This is lunging with one rein and I will discuss lunging with two reins in my next article.

Heather Gwillim


Training

Equine Science at Edinburgh – World Class Education Online The Equine Science programme at the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is moving the boundaries of teaching and learning by delivering world-class education on a global scale by providing a stimulating educational experience for students looking for flexible, career-enhancing education.

This programme is highly interactive and brings together students and tutors from all over the world. Dr Jo-Anne Murray, Equine Science Programme Director, said: “we’ve created an online learning environment that provides a dynamic and collaborative learning experience. Expert tutors will support you through every stage of the programme and you can engage with fellow students in supportive and constructive online networks. The flexible learning environment means you learn at the times and locations that suit you best, making this programme suitable for high calibre, busy professionals who want to update and extend their knowledge of equine science.”

Students can opt to study for a Certificate (one year), Diploma (two

years) or an MSc (three years) through part-time online distance learning. The programme aims to enhance knowledge of scientific study and research in equine science as well as assisting students in understanding how scientific knowledge can be applied to aid equine performance and welfare.

Current students rate the programme very highly. Their comments include:

“I chose the MSc in Equine Science because it is a unique programme offered by one of the top universities in the field. The flexibility of online classes enabled me to balance my personal and academic ambitions.” (Christine Filion, 3rd yr)

“I enjoy the distance learning aspect as I have a young family and it works well around their schedule. Also, I like the online discussions as it generates more thought on a particular subject or answers questions that everyone may have. Overall the course material is very thorough and well organized and easily accessible. Great on-line support and help.” (Aleida Tweten, 3rd yr)

“I am thoroughly enjoying studying the

online MSc Equine Science and the fact that it can be carried alongside my career means that it really is enhancing my knowledge whilst working in the equine industry. The distance learning also means that it fits into the everyday schedule around work, socialising and most importantly the horse too!” (Kate Mee, 3rd yr)

Applications for this programme, which will commence in September 2011 are currently being taken and interested students are encouraged to apply now as there are limited places remaining for this coming academic year.

To join one of the leading research and teaching institutions in the world, or for further information, please contact:0131 6506259 or email [email protected] visit:

Website: www.vet.ed.ac.uk/equinescience

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EdinburghEquine

Twitter: http://twitter.com/eqscied


Tack & Turnout - Training

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The launch of Equido in Spain is well underway with three students already starting Level 2. A visit by Morag Higgins to the main Spanish Instructor Yuna McLister (yes she is from Scottish descent!!) and her assistant Instructor Marc earlier this year confirmed that the demand for this new and fresh approach to working with horses is now sweeping Spain.

“There are more and more people now wanting to sign up for the course,” said Yuna, “The word is definitely spreading”. Morag Higgins watched the Spanish students go through their paces working in the round pen and was delighted by the standards demonstrated. The Spanish horses are

such beautiful sensitive breeds that are a delight to work with and the students have learned so much about how to communicate with them.

Yuna and Marc will be joining the five Scottish Instructors at the Equido two day clinic in June this year, a great opportunity for students to meet them and exchange new and exciting ideas.

There are so many types of boots on the market it can be difficult to work out what your horse needs. Richard Balfry from New Equine Wear explains which boots are most suitable for different equestrian sports and how designs are specifically tailored to meet the demands of each discipline.

Dressage

Boots are not allowed in the dressage arena for competition but are perfectly acceptable for warming up. The type of leg protection required depends on the horse, but some dressage horses have an extravagant action that requires over reach boots and brushing boots for protection. Boots that are lightweight, flexible, breathable and easy to remove are important and a strike pad area will absorb shock and provide protection from brushing injuries when warming up. Although white is a fashionable colour for this sport, because it shows the paces better, any plain coloured boots are acceptable.

Cross Country

With concussive impact on the legs, extreme tendon stress and potential for injuries from knocking fixed obstacles, cross country is a discipline where protective boots are vital.

High impact protection in the form of strong, splinter-proof tendon and cannon bone guards, as well as tough outer materials, will prevent penetrative and strike injuries. However, cross country boots must also be lightweight and flexible so as not to hinder the horse’s movement, or drain energy resources.

Showjumping

Tendon and fetlock boots are most

common for showjumping. Fetlock boots are open fronted so the horse can still feel if he touches a pole, yet have tough impact zones to protect the tendon from strike injuries from the rear hooves. Breathable materials are important to keep the tendon area cool and secure straps will ensure the boots don’t slip in the heat of the moment. Fetlock boots are designed to just protect the inside of the fetlock from impact. There are a huge variety of designs on the market, from leather with buckle straps, to perforated neoprene, technical moulded shells, but those used should again be lightweight and breathable.

Polo

With intense torsion from this fast-paced sport, horses’ legs need extra support. Sports medicine boots give excellent support to the lower leg and suspensory ligaments, as well as providing impact protection from stick and ball. Open Fronted Tendon boots over the top of conventional bandages are also popular, to protect tendons from impact injuries. Conclusion

All horses will benefit from some form of protection, whether hacking through the countryside or galloping around Badminton Horse Trials. A useful reminder is that ‘ a good pair of boots is always cheaper than the vet’. The trick is to choose the right boot for your horse’s needs as well as the requirements and rules of the sport. All boots should be lightweight, comfortable and strong and it pays to buy quality as the higher level of workmanship will mean the boots will last longer, fit well and perform better.

New Equine Wear has pioneered innovation in boot manufacture with XLF ‘Extended Life Fabric’. Now used in most N.E.W boots, this material is a real advance in fabric technology, originally developed for the offshore oil industry. Extensive testing and field trials have produced a remarkably tough and tear resistant fabric, yet still light in weight. N.E.W has also pioneered the use of orthopaedic linings to offer comfort to sensitive skin during extreme exercise and competition. The latest advance in boots is a revolutionary ‘fully ventilating’ outer shell and lining

combination called ‘Airoflow’. This development allows air to flow freely around the horses’ legs during work to keep tendons significantly cooler. Research has shown that overheated tendons are at increased risk of injury, so keeping them cool is an important consideration.

Find out more about New Equine Wear’s extensive range of British made boots and equipment at www.newequinewear.co.uk or call 01172 303700. Sports Medicine

Boot X-Country Airoflow

Moulded Tendon


Tack & Turnout

Free Citronella Coat Spray in every Net-Tex Citronella pack

The SP200 Sport Sling Boot from AbbeyPro Equine, the protective high tech design company from the USA and distributed exclusively in the UK by Abbey, has a wide range of boots including the SP200 – sport sling boot.

This tough, premium boot has been carefully crafted to protect your horse without compromising on style. The patented one piece design gives increased support to the lower limb tendons and ligaments protecting the horse from concussion and over reaching injuries.

The boots are streamlined and fit closely reducing excess bulk for a more comfortable, supportive fit. Soft inner lining is laminated to the outer, tough neoprene to ensure the edges don’t roll under to cause irritation.

Fastening is by an “Evergrip” closure with 2 straps around the leg and a suspensory strap that reaches under the delicate fetlock area securing the boot against movement.

Extremely popular for jumping, the SP200’s can be worn for all disciplines.

RRP is around £52 (per pair) in sizes S, M, L and XL, available in 10 colours including Black and white.

For more information contact Abbey England on 01565 650343 or visit www.abbeyengland.com or www.ridingbitz.com

NEW for summer 2011

NEW Net-Tex Citronella Pouch Pack will give a boost to your horse’s coat with three outstanding products to ensure that your horse looks at his best wherever you go.

Net-Tex 500ml Citronella Wash50 x Net-Tex Citronella Wipes PLUS a 250ml Net-Tex Citronella Coat Spray absolutely free

This re- sealable/re-usable portable ‘summer coat care’ pack brings you three citronella based products in one handy bag:

Net-Tex Citronella Wash is a non-rinse wash to cleanse the coat and

help remove sweat, dirt and grease. It will help moisturise the skin without stripping the coat of its natural oils. With a Citronella base, this product leaves a zesty fragrance on the coat and provides shine and lustre helping to restore and enhance natural coat condition. Ideal for use between competition classes or for everyday use or exercise.

Net-Tex Citronella wipes are ideal for use around sensitive areas e.g. eyes, nose, muzzle, sheath, dock and ears. Fragranced with citronella and conditioning properties, they are kind and gentle on the skin helping to remove any debris build up. Handy for use at shows or on hot summer days for added coat care support.

Net-Tex Citronella Coat Spray is a FREE addition to this pack. This Citronella coat conditioner helps promote a healthy shine to the coat, whilst sealing the hair and repelling dust and dirt. Ideal for use before competition to help keep the coat in pristine condition, before classes or as a refreshing spritz after periods of turnout or stabling.

The Citronella Pouch Pack case is recyclable and is ideal for storing any number of small items long after the products have been used.

RRP: £14.99In Stores: Beginning of May NET-TEX: www.net-tex.co.uk.

Stockist information/help line 01474 813 999


Tack & Turnout

Solution Saddles is proud to announce the launch of the SMART™ Show saddle for the 2011 season.

A new addition to the existing SMART™ saddle range, this classic-look saddle is specifically designed for the show ring with a straight cut knee flap and a low profile cantle.

The SMART™ Show saddle incorporates all the advantages of our unique RigidFree™ saddle system; giving enhanced horse fit and providing maximum security and comfort for the rider.

The SMART™ Show saddle features:• Smart, workmanlike appearance to show off the horse - not the saddle.• W girthing, unique to The SMART™ saddle system, ensures stability and eliminates peak girthing pressure.• Completely flexible - ensures freedom of movement for the horse and allows optimum fit throughout the seasons.• Premium quality, pre-oiled English leather requires no ‘breaking in’.• Suitable for all types of horses and ponies.• Only one saddle needed - can be easily interchanged between different horses

Show horse producer and rider, Emily Brown commented, “The SMART™ Show is the most comfortable saddle I’ve ever ridden in. My horse doesn’t resist me in this saddle, whereas he can in his traditional saddle. The saddle was well received by the judge recently at South of England Show.”

The SMART™ saddle - the first saddle system to apply scientific testing and state of the art technology to promote horse and rider synchronisation.

The SMART™ saddle system has been developed through investment in scientific research in the quest to develop the most technologically advanced saddle available. A wide range of robust and objective scientific testing methods have been used to improve the saddle design in order to promote equine welfare and performance.

All Solution saddles have absolutely no rigid parts and are completely flexible. This unique feature makes it possible to fit the saddle to any horse or pony, even if they are usually difficult to fit. This also allows for the horse to change in shape through the seasons or the saddle can be used among several horses easily. The saddles are designed to protect the horses back from

pressure and trauma by using a unique patented shock absorbing system. The SMART™ saddles are beautifully made from the highest quality materials in Derbyshire, UK.

An initial home consultation visit from a Solution Saddles Approved Advisor will enable any rider to use the saddle comfortably with confidence.

Available in black or havana English leather, suede optional.Size: range from 3 - 6Prices from £2050.00 inc VAT

Available to order through our network of Approved Advisors or directly from Solution Saddles.

Solution SaddlesAddress: The Old Barns, Firbeck House, Steetley, Worksop, Derbyshire. S80 3DZWeb: www.solution-saddles.co.uk Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07738 711 099

New from Solution Saddles


Stud


Horse Behaviour - Tack & Turnout

The effects of your seat, balance and weight - Part 7Susan McBane

BEING ridden is much more difficult for horses than we imagine. It is especially hard for young horses not mentally used to carrying a burden or physically strong and agile enough to move easily under weight. Apart from the extra mental and physical effort needed to carry the weight, youngsters need to learn to balance it on their backs which is particularly difficult if the rider herself is not sitting in balance.

Horses are also badly affected psychologically by ‘busy’ riders. All horses by nature just want to be comfortable (like us) and the principle behind pressures on their bodies (aids) is generally that they want to know what action to take to avoid the pressure. We have to teach them which movement from them will remove a specific pressure from us and make them comfortable again – pressure from both legs means go forward, pressure from both sides of the bit means slow down, stop or go backwards.

Ultimately, a properly-trained horse will perform the movement which he has discovered works the instant he feels the lightest version of that particular pressure, to prevent the pressure increasing. This is just what a good, caring rider wants – true lightness - and will stop the pressure immediately, within one second – and it’s not difficult to learn. (For full information on all this, read ‘The Truth About Horses’ by Andrew McLean, ‘Equitation Science’ by

Paul McGreevy and Andrew McLean and go to www.aebc.com.au.)

White noise

Horses subjected to constant movements (pressures) from a busy rider’s hands, seat or legs have a similarly constant need to avoid them but can never win because the pressures come too fast, without let-up and, even for a well-trained horse, are too confusing and demanding. This is one main reason why horses go well for some people but not others. It doesn’t matter that a horse doesn’t understand that we might not intend to apply those pressures: he cannot know that, he can only feel them and become confused, upset or desensitised to them – like ‘white noise’ he might learn to ignore them, so becoming unresponsive, ‘heavy’ and ‘disobedient’. This is a behavioural issue, not a physical one, created by us.

These are the reasons good horsemen and women, riders and trainers, stress how crucial it is to be a ‘still’ rider, to only give an aid (apply a pressure) when we really want a horse to do something, and to stay in balance with their horse. Many people move around a lot and know they’re doing it although they may not realise the effect it has on their horses. Others genuinely don’t know they’re moving and need someone on the ground, either a good teacher who understands these principles or a knowledgeable and observant friend, to tell them. Just sitting in halt and absent-mindedly or even unconsciously playing with your reins, moving your weight around in the saddle or swinging your legs about even a little can disturb some horses and make them hyper, nervous and disinclined to stand still or go in a relaxed way.

Too much movement can cause a horse to go too fast, flat and hollow, using the horse’s natural reaction to flee from something unpleasant or distressing,

or, with others as mentioned above, to become ‘lazy’ and ‘sluggish’, depending on the horse’s temperament.

Balance and weight

Significantly restricting a horse’s head movement is also very hard for horses to take. Most people have heard that a horse’s head and neck are his ‘balancing pole’, as important in balancing his body as our arms are to us. It is not hard to understand why anchoring a horse’s head with fixed hands, so popular with even ‘advanced’ riders who do not really understand equine biomechanics or are scared of letting go of their horses’ heads, greatly hampers his balance, comfort and ability to move properly. Contrary to common belief, it does not help the horse to ‘round up’, get his weight back or move well.

Watch a horse getting up and down to roll or rest and see how he swings his head and neck up and down to do it. Ask someone to tie your arms to your sides and then try lying down and getting up again, and you’ll realise how important it is to have free use of them.

A healthy, sound, fit lightweight riding horse is said to be able to carry up to a sixth of his own weight with little trouble; cobs, some natives and horses of stockier build can carry roughly a quarter and ‘weight-carriers’, some say, a bit less than a third. Take your weigh-tape and find your horse’s weight, if you haven’t done so recently, then do the sums and see how his weight and that of his heaviest rider correlate. Be honest about both parties! Then consider whether your horse is overburdened or working within his capabilities.

Of course, there’s more to it than that. The weight the horse actually feels seems greatly increased or decreased by the skill of his rider, the state of the

cont. on p.42


Insurance - Tack & Turnout


Stud

cont. from p.40

cont. on p.44

ground, the gait in which he is working, the length of time under saddle, the distance to be covered, the comfort or otherwise of his tack and the way he goes.

A skilled, caring rider will take pains to be in balance, and move his bodyweight to be with the horse’s movements. Anything other than perfect going (ideally springy, flat turf) makes the weight burden more difficult to manage for the horse. Canter and gallop are more difficult for him because only one leg is sometimes in contact with the ground and has to bear the whole weight of horse, rider and tack. Fast speeds always exacerbate the effects of weight. The longer a horse is being ridden the heavier the weight will start to feel and the same goes for the distance covered. An uncomfortable or painful saddle makes even a light weight torture as does a similar bridle or training aid; all these cause a lot of behavioural problems under saddle which are often blamed on the horse’s attitude. One of them is a poor way of going, which also can be caused by other things such as pain or discomfort in the body, compensatory movement in which the horse moves unnaturally to protect an injured part, or the association of being ridden with discomfort learned in the past.

Imagine yourself inside a horse-shaped body and how it would feel to have a rider sitting on your back. If you are both still, all you would be aware of would be the rider’s weight but it’s a different story if you are moving. The weight itself is vertical and top-heavy, unlike your own much more stable, horizontal body. It is also unpredictable and exerts all sorts of varying pressures on your body, mainly your mouth and sides but also elsewhere if the rider uses a whip.

If the rider is good, with what we call an independent seat and hands, gives you signals (aids) one at a time so you can understand, and times their application and release correctly, being ridden is not so bad and even enjoyable. You would notice a big difference between such a rider, who also went subtly with the movements of your back and stayed in balance with you, and one who moved and jiggled around, swung his or her weight around by leaning left, right, forward and back, banged on your back, kicked you, pulled and jabbed at your mouth or held it in with hard hands in a fixed position. If you also had to endure badly-used whip and spurs, you would find being ridden not only a very difficult balancing act, making normal movement maybe even impossible, but also painful.

The classical seat

Many conventional riders claim that the system they use is ‘all based on classical, anyway’ but in practice it isn’t. People who really consider and try the difference are amazed by the positive effects it has on their horses. In-depth details can be found in any of Sylvia Loch’s books (particularly ‘Invisible Riding’) and DVDs, and my own ‘100 Ways To Improve Your Riding’, ‘Revolutionize Your Riding’ and ‘Horse-Friendly Riding’, but basically it goes like this:

When in the saddle, think more of standing around your horse than sitting on him. Widen your seat base by gently rotating your hips forwards: each thigh bone has a short prominence, the trochanter, at the top of it which angles inwards slightly so, by rotating your left hip clockwise and your right hip anti-clockwise, the trochanter is turned outwards a little, taking the thigh bone with it, which widens and deepens your seat across your saddle. Sit up and feel for your two ‘seatbones’ (the base of your pelvis), sit on them, not on your buttocks which throws you out of balance, and gently keep them pushed towards the pommel. Slightly tilting the bottom of your pelvis forward will help with this.

From this base position, stretch your torso up from the waist and, by loosening and relaxing your seat and leg muscles, let your lower body drop down from the waist. Look ahead, keeping your head up and think of gently pushing the back of your neck into your collar. Put your shoulders back and down and raise your breastbone and

ribcage a little to support your torso, not letting yourself become hollow-backed as you do this.

Let your upper arms drop naturally down so that your elbows rest at your hips. If you tend to ride with them forward of this position, which badly affects your bit contact, think of pushing them back and down to keep them in place. From your hips, keep your legs back and down and feel that your heels are pointing towards your horse’s hind feet.

You have to be firm in telling your body what to do without forcing anything. From the side, an observer should see a balanced, upright rider with an imaginary straight, vertical line running from her ear, down through her shoulder, through her elbow/hip (which are together), and on down through her ankle joint, not just down the back of her heel, to the ground.

This is a correctly-balanced position. Stay relaxed but controlled. In walk, you can allow your seatbones to move with your horse’s movement by keeping your seat and legs loose so that no stiffness will prevent this. BUT your upper body remains still. All movement is absorbed from below the waist. You can let your hands go with the movements of your horse’s head and neck not by ‘rowing’ back and forth with your hands, which upsets your balance and which your horse can feel, but by keeping them still (that word again) and just opening and closing your fingers on the reins in accordance with his movements.


Insurance


In rising trot, keep your back flat and angle your upper body forward so that your shoulders are just above your knees. Do not anchor with your knees and push yourself up and down, but let your legs drop on the rise and the sit, thinking of keeping your legs still unless you need them. Keep the movement minimal by just tilting the bottom of your pelvis forward on the rise and straightening it (not tilting it backwards) on the sit. This is very difficult if you adopt an upright rising trot position but comes easily if you angle your upper body forwards, as described.

In canter, always have your inside seatbone and shoulder forward a little, even on a straight line. This accords with the position of your horse’s back in canter and helps everything greatly.

Using your weight

It is an almost inviolable rule that where you look and where you put your weight, your horse will go (unless you are giving him aids to the contrary). To direct your horse with your weight, position and weight the seatbone on the side to which you wish to move, or, as Sylvia Loch puts it, ‘step down into your stirrup’ (without leaning or tilting your upper body).

The usual analogy is to think of yourself wearing a heavy backpack. If its weight moves to the left you are naturally inclined to follow it, and vice versa. To ask a novice horse to go right, I warn him by moving my right seatbone forward a little, then giving a gentle, clear aid with the right rein (called the direct rein effect), and finally putting a little weight on my right seatbone or down my right leg into the stirrup, depending on the horse. A more advanced horse is gradually taught to obey a push sideways on his neck

from the outside rein or from the rider’s outside hand on the side of the withers (the indirect rein effect) as well or preferably instead; this keeps a horse in better balance and is an old, classical technique confirmed by modern equitation science (see the website given earlier).

As an example of the effect of your weight, many riders on a horse who leans in on a curve or circle lean in with him, believing that they are helping by ‘going with him’. This can be very frightening for a horse, and happens because he is unfit or green and/or is being taken, or allowed to go, too fast round a curve that may be too tight for him. The horse needs help to stay fairly upright on his feet, so the rider should sit up and weight her outside seatbone and stirrup, then applying the inside rein as the head will probably be to the outside. If you have a whip in your inside hand, tap his inside shoulder repeatedly till he straightens up.

This has an almost magical effect in correcting the lean and reassuring him that he is not going to be brought down by the rider’s weight. Of course, he should be slowed down, and his schooling programme, as well as the rider’s seat and balance, reconsidered. Ridden as above, horses become much calmer, more co-operative, more confident and a pleasure to be with.

SUSAN McBANE has an HNC in Equine Science and Management, the Classical Riding Club Gold Award and is an Associate (practitioner) Member of the International Society for Equitation Science, as well as author of 44 books and co-publisher of ‘Tracking-up’ magazine. Contact her for lessons on 01254 705487 or email her at [email protected]. Her website is at www.susanmcbane.com.

Horse Behaviour - Horses for Sale - Insurance

cont. from p.42


Insurance - Stud


Dressage - Holidays

From Show Jumper to Dressage Horse - Cora Roberts

Polo Heaven Getaways at Top50Ranches.com

Cora is a freelance instructor and lecturer. She has competed for many years in eventing, show jumping and dressage.

Part II Assessment and Training Plan

Olenska, the beautiful Dutch warmblood mare, which I planned to convert from show jumping to dressage, passed her first test with flying colours: namely the journey from East Kent to Cambridge. Twice I went wrong negotiating the narrow, twisty lanes between Folkestone and Canterbury which involved shunting and at one point banking a steep, high kerb that had the trailer at a perilous angle. While I was breaking sweat with onsetting panic, no sound came from the back just the contented munching of hay. Phew, what a relief – an unshakeable horse. How first impressions can deceive!

On arrival at her new yard she showed signs of stress for about a week. She was twitchy and jumpy, always on the alert and vigorously chewed the frame of her stable door. Fortunately her appetite remained unaffected, her attitude to food can only be described as devout. Once her fortnight’s isolation ended, she was turned out with a group of mares whom she befriended immediately.

First Steps

Experience has taught me that a new horse needs to be shown the ropes straight away so the parameters are clearly set and muscle flexing is limited early on. In Olenska’s case we hit the first hurdle on the second day: she

wouldn’t stand for me to mount. Until 12 months ago this would not have presented a problem. However, since my left hip is semi-functioning at best I am too slow. Nor can I be legged up for the same reason. Luckily the yard staff at South Cambridgeshire Equestrian Centre were marvellous about holding her for me.

Once mounted she was fine and I began with riding in the arena. She was not particularly forward going but since

she was not worried about leg aids or the touch of the schooling whip there seemed no problem. What did not help was my saddle which wobbled slightly and made me sit very still to avoid upsetting her. We managed all three paces before going for a walk round the farm.

This proved to be a bit of an eye-opener. Olenska was very spooky, quick to dive sideways and excellent at planting herself. Again a year ago I’d have laughed it off but feeling quite stiff and almost immovable on my left side it began to worry me. Still, she didn’t buck, rear or spin. Number one priority - a saddle that fitted. Again the yard were super helpful by lending me a really good dressage saddle until I could sort something out.

You’d think that well saddled things would improve – wrong! Olenska started to snatch at the reins as soon as

I asked for trot becoming increasingly vehement the longer I stayed within the gait. Returning to walk made no difference. During canter she was calmer but the canter itself was short, bouncy, crooked and none too comfortable. Naturally none of this led to constructive schooling, leaving me with a headache as to the cause of her behaviour. I remembered Jean Jackson’s verdict of ‘pretty paces that might be developed’ and wondered how to achieve this.

Break Through

A great moment came when the yard’s proprietor told me that he’d observed Olenska in the field careering about and displaying impressive paces. A couple of days later I loose schooled her in the indoor arena. Once she had bucked, caprioled and punched the air several times she trotted with amazing elevation and her canter, too, became ground covering. Imagine my elation and excitement!

The second big step forward came on December 2nd – I managed to mount her without assistance. And I could hack her round a ten minute loop before working in the arena. Several times I had joined staff riding out and Olenska definitely felt happier in company. All signs of progress that boosted my confidence in her.

Unfortunately riding wise the rein snatching showed no signs of abating. I decided that it must be down to my restricted hip movement. In fact by now the slightest change of weight or upper body position created tension and resistance. She started to evade the canter aid whenever possible while during canter she dropped to trot for no apparent reason. Yet in the field or loose schooled she displayed super freedom of the back and excellent

balance.

Planning the Next Step

Considering all the various problems the conclusion had to be that Olenska was very sensitive in her back and possibly rather weak. Certainly the Longissimus Dorsi looked underdeveloped although her quarters were beginning to build up. This required a structured approach in the form of a training programme focussing on strengthening her back.

Firstly I would lunge or loose school her for 10 to 15 minutes before mounting to allow the back to warm up and relax as well as her movement to be unencumbered by a rider’s weight.

Secondly lunging over trotting grids and free jumping twice a week to tighten the abdominal muscles so they can support the back better.

Thirdly working mainly in walk and canter to prevent her getting set or tense in trot.

Finally I would record daily her progress to see what was useful and what could be changed.

Pleased with such a sensible plan I was all set to proceed when the sudden freeze gripped the country and changed everything. The resulting shock will be the topic of the next instalment.

One of the newest ranches at Top50, Estancia Los Potreros in Cordoba, Argentina has teamed up with Prima Polo to offer their guests a chance to learn how to play Polo.

The Begg family’s exclusive 6,500-acre working organic cattle and stud farm is easy to miss, so tucked away it is at the top of the Sierras Chicas. Louisa and Kevin welcome guests into their home with open arms, sharing their traditional rural Argentinean lifestyle for a unique and unforgettable vacation.

Taking only 12 guests at any one time, the couple pride themselves on offering their guests unrivalled personal attention to detail.

Now with the opportunity to learn how to play Polo, Prima Polo Holidays will be available at Estancia Los Potreros from October 2011 through to March 2012.

Prima Polo is run by Juan Manuel Pizarro, a 2 goal Argentine polo professional who runs Silver Leys polo club in the UK during the summer

season, and will be basing himself from the Estancia during the UK winter season. Juan is also former horse/polo manager at Estancia Los Potreros.

For the real polo enthusiast, full days can be spent at the polo ground working on both stick and ball work and practice chukkas, whilst experiencing a true ranch holiday at the heart of Argentine tradition.

Dates can be arranged to suit, subject to availability and minimum

numbers of 2 or above. Please visit www.top50ranches.com for more information.


Holidays - Horsebox - Subscrption - Transport


Field & Stable - Pilates

Pilates for EquestriansThe sixth extract in our series by Liza Randall

Common Rider ComplaintsThe following are general issues that will have an adverse effect on riding effectively.

CrookednessBeware – crookedness could be triggered by the horse, who may have developed more muscle on one side than the other; by the rider from an old or recent injury, or very often it can be caused by the saddle with less flocking in one side than the other, or a twist in the tree following damage from a drop, or fall of horse and rider.

Remember – your horse is a mirror. If your weight is unevenly distributed, or if you are stronger on one side than the other, the horse will reflect this as he tries to counterbalance the load – you. Riders particularly cannot afford muscle imbalances as these show up very clearly in the dressage arena. As soon as these creep in, you will find that your horse appears to go better on one rein than the other.

Tips!When in the saddle, try gently rolling your tailbone under you, which will help engage your pelvic floor muscles, which, in turn, will help you become more effective with your seat.

Try breathing wide and deep into the sides of your ribcage when walking on a free rein. Horses can often jog when asked to execute this movement, purely because of rider tension. By relaxing into the walk, and feeling your shoulder-blades slide down your back, you should feel any tension melt away and your horse should respond by stretching down further.

The rider’s spine needs to be in a straight line and directly above the horse’s spine.

Bracing and TensionEngaging your core muscles does not mean bracing to the extent of producing undue tension and stiffness. That is why Pilates movements are executed as you breathe out.

Breathing methods are central to the Pilates system as, if tense, a rider’s posture will change, become protective, closed and hunched, whilst breathing becomes rapid and shallow. Taking deep, wide breaths into the ribcage slows your breathing and allows your body to move freely and without tension; filling the lungs with oxygen relaxes you and in turn gives you more vigour and energy.

Excessive Arm and Leg Movement

By making your own centre stronger, as you build up your corset of strength by engaging your transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis and pelvic floor muscles, you will be able control and move your arms and legs independently.

Remember the words ‘independent seat’ shouted at you since you were a child trotting around the arena? Well, it is nigh on impossible to do this without first engaging, or centring your powerhouse so that you can free up the rest of your body to move without tension.

You will often see riders – and not just beginners – with poor postural stability trying to stay central in the saddle, overcompensating by constantly shifting their arms and legs.

Neck or Upper Body StiffnessA lot of tension can be carried in the shoulders and neck. Rapid or shallow breathing can lead to neck stiffness or muscle imbalance in the upper back, which can easily lead to tiredness and pain. Instead of reaching for the anti-inflammatories, try doing a few simple Pilates exercises such as tree hugging.

Next month we will illustrate Tree Hugging from the Relaxation position.

Previous extracts in the series can be found on the Equi-Ads website www.equiads.net in the Features Articles section.

If you can’t wait for the next instalment in Equi-Ads, Pilates for Equestrians, by Liza Randall is available from Kenilworth Press – see Reader Offer below. Copyright c 2010 Liza RandallStudio Photography by Simon Lusty; mounted and other photographs by the author and Karl Randall

Line illustrations and cartoons by Diane BreezeExtract courtesy Kenilworth Press, an imprint of Quiller Publishing Ltd

The rider’s spine needs to be in a straight line and directly above the horse’s spine.


Field & Stable - News - Tack & Turnout - Training

Supreme Products Sponsor Sue-Helen ShuttleworthLancashire-based show rider and producer, Sue-Helen Shuttleworth (nee Bolton), is the latest recruit to Team Supreme Products.

Sue, who specialises in coloureds and traditionals, capped a brilliant 2010 by taking the Reserve Champion Coloured at HOYS with Del Boy V.

Sue and Andrew bought Del Boy V - Derek as he is known at home - as a foal for his famous bloodlines and in his novice season in 2009 he finished fifth at HOYS. In 2010 Derek started his Open career and the pair celebrated in style by winning their class and going on to stand Reserve Champion Coloured at HOYS 2010 to The Humdinger.

Sue currently has four horses to show this season, including the five-year-old stallion, Heartbreaker, who is also a traditional coloured and looks set to go far.

Said Sue: “I am so excited to be joining the Supreme Products team and look forward to representing them in the showing arena. I have used their products for many years and they really help create perfect presentation.

“The launch of the Supreme Products Heritage Collection, for natives and traditionals is a huge boost for us and shows just how much these types of horses and ponies are now respected in the showing world.”

“We are delighted that Sue and Andy are joining the team” says Sarah Turnbull of Supreme Products. “Sue is featured in our brochure and worked with us in the latter part of last year to help develop the new Heritage Collection. We are looking forward to developing the range further and increasing the products available over coming years.”

For further information on Supreme Products please contact 01377 229050 or visit www.supremeproducts.co.uk

Make your own mark!Thousands of horses and ponies are freeze marked and freeze marking is still the best deterrent against theft because it can be seen.

However, did you know that with Freezemark you can choose your own mark and make it personal to you.

The advantage of this is that your horse or pony is marked in a manner that suits you and it makes the mark easier to remember, but most important of all safeguards them from theft.

As Mary Awre of Freezemark Ltd pointes out – “Although many people have freeze marking at the top of their list, by letting them choose their own mark has been the contributory factor in them having their horses marked. We have all sorts of requests, such as 999 – 007 – STAR – BESS and we even have an ELVIS!!”

For details of Freezemark’s national service and choosing your own mark, telephone 01295 788226 or email [email protected] Full details of the service can be found at www.freezemark.biz


• COVER UP! Prevent the horse being bitten in the first instance. Cover up before the midges bite. Don’t wait until the horse starts to rub!

• Try and choose a rug which prevents insects being able to get inside and continue to bite.

• Wash rugs and hoods regularly. Grease will irritate the skin further and attract more insects.

• Keep any holes in rugs patched to prevent unwanted visitors.

• Check fencing – an itchy horse will not only destroy itself on post and rail/hedging/wire fencing but will rip its rugs and eventually ruin your fences.

• Electrify your field if possible.

• Try and keep itchy horses away from streams, rivers and especially any stagnant water. Wooded areas are also popular places for flies and midges.

Snuggy Hoods Tips to avoid the agony of the Itch Season

Snuggy Hoods – First for Fighting Flies...mud...dust...uv...rain...!!

Tack & Turnout - Snuggy Hoods

Since the launch of the Sweet Itch Body back in the 1990’s, Snuggy Hoods have been working on improvements to existing products and new items which can help horses, ponies and donkeys worldwide combat the misery caused by flies, mosquitoes and other biting bugs – whilst making the lives of those given the task of preening, grooming, preparing, clipping and generally caring for said equines, much easier.

Their hoods and rugs are used by professionals and amateurs alike – not only for Sweet Itch and other fly related

problems but Sun Bleach, Sarcoids, Photo sensitivity, UV protection, dust, stable stains and just those horses that love to roll in the mud and dirt.

With the launch of the BUG BODY earlier this year, they have now expanded to that audience that was dubious about covering their horses head. With hoods, rugs, necks, and matching accessories for all occasions, Snuggy really do...Have it Covered!

To find out more telephone: 01225 783399

• Make sure that horses have shelter from the sun. The best routine would be ‘in during the day, out at night’.

• Avoid riding at dawn/dusk when the midges are out in force.

• If your horse is particularly sensitive, keep his rug on when riding out.

• Fans set up in the stable keep air moving and keep midges away.

• BE VIGILANT! One bite can lead to £1000’s vet bills and very unhappy horses and ponies.

Snuggy Hoods = Happy Horses.

For further information visit www.snuggyhoods.com or email [email protected] or call 01225 783399.

Original logo

Redrawn logo

We supply the trade and are currently looking for stockists for the Snuggy Bug Body

4’6” - 7’ Poll to Dock protection Breathable Lightweight Water Repellent Machine Washable UV Protection

The Snuggy Bug Body®

Snuggy Hoods Ltd. Unit 8, The Midlands Industrial Estate, Holt, Wiltshire, BA14 6RUTel: 01225 783399 Fax: 01225 783304 Email: [email protected] in England and Wales NO: 04418461

Can be used withThe SnuggySweet Itch Head

Snuggy Hoods.indd 1 17/05/2011 10:15


News - Tack & Turnout

They Cried..They Laughed..They Left With Lots To Think About..MORE than 6,000 horse lovers travelled to a lively, fun filled and yet thought-provoking 2011 Parelli Celebration at the LG Arena, Birmingham.

The exciting two days saw the Parelli team launch a global fundraising initiative to help youth programs, provide educational scholarships, help horse rescue centres and provide assistance for therapeutic horsemanship and para-equestrianism.

They made a pledge to give away a massive $1million worth of educational materials following 10,000 new members signing up to ParelliConnect.com.

The team launched the new Horsenality/Humanality Report helping to provide a dynamic learning pattern to help you and your horse.

The event saw the last ever UK performance of Pat Parelli’s super horse Magic and the first appearance of the wonderful Parelli Ponies, soft toys depicting the four Horsenalities and launched as part of the fundraising for the Parelli Horsemanship Fund.

The Saturday morning started with a breathtaking entry when four horses cantered in to the arena with Pat and Linda to a huge round of applause and the sound of Katy Perry’s song Firework which set the scene for the rest of the weekend.

In the Decoding Horses – What is Horsenality session, Linda brought in to the arena Katie Salisbury and Ivor, James Roberts and Bex, Sally Berry and Bertie and Larissa Tasker and Rocho to explain the four different Horsenality’s.

With the four horses trotting and cantering around the arena it was easy to see the two extrovert and two introvert horses and they quickly took up their position in the herd, either hanging back or heading to the front.

Said Linda: “You can’t change a horse’s Horsenality, but you want to bring out the best in your horse. The more we can understand horses the more we can each understand their different needs.”

During the Success Tips for Extroverts section Pat played with David Zeund’s lovely grey four-year-old Andalusian cross Hanoverian, Danubio. A Left Brain

Extrovert, Danubio was encouraged to ‘move his feet’ with Pat using the Seven Games to keep him active and enjoying the experience.

Said Pat: “Horse’s want safety, comfort and play. In order to become partners we need be our horse’s dream not our horse’s nightmare.”

Swiss 4* Parelli instructor Wally Gegenschatz and his 12-year-old mare Soberbia then showed what a true partnership really is with a mind-blowing display of dressage movements and jumping both on the ground and when riding.

Wally and Soberbia received a standing ovation for their incredible demonstration which showed horsemanship at the highest level.

During Success Tips for Introverts Linda invited Larissa Tasker and her chestnut gelding Rocho back into the arena.

Larissa was given Rocho after he became dangerous and aggressive, starting to rear and bite.

She explained Rocho would shut down in small spaces not wanting to go forward or sometimes move at all.

Said Linda: “With a Left Brain Introvert you need to be provocative, reward big and ask less. Say to yourself, how do I get more mentally engaged with my horse. We want our horses to look forward to us visiting.”

The first day was rounded off with an emotional and breathtaking display by Pat and the 20-year-old Magic who quickly had many in the arena reaching for their handkerchiefs – it was simply PURE MAGIC.

Day two started with an amazing demonstration by the Savvy Team before Linda helped Stephanie Gaunt and her stunning black horse Bagheera during a session titled Match/Mismatch Humanality Explained.

While Bagheera is a Left Brain Extrovert, Stephanie is a Right Brain Introvert, at times making their relationship difficult and frustrating.

With Linda developing strategies to help Stephanie and encouraging her to be

more extrovert in her own behaviour, the session saw a big breakthrough for both horse, owner and Linda herself who helped Bagheera gain confidence and trust when riding him in front of the 6,000-strong audience.

In Training Secrets – Do what YOUR horse needs, Pat worked with James Roberts and the seven-year-old Bex.

James has progressed with Bex over the last two years developing a foundation and seeing a big improvement, but admitted he needed further help and was more than delighted to have Pat on hand.

From entering the arena, clearly agitated and adamant he wouldn’t stand still, Bex left relaxed, calm and with James as his partner. Encouraging James to focus throughout the session, and be a leader the improvement was outstanding and clear for all to see.

In what had been a phenomenal two days, the 2011 Parelli Celebration came to a close with displays by children from the Pony Share Scheme, and those playing with Unity thanks to the generosity of Michael Grohmann, and Orange thanks to Alison Jones.

German instructor Silke Vallentin then showed her amazing skills playing with her horse from a mobility scooter.

A video clip showed the huge improvement made by rescue horse Dennis who starred at the 2008 event showcasing Parelli rescue work

And a spell binding demonstration by the incredible Mikey Wanzenreid proved awe-inspiring for all those seeking a Parelli scholarship.

To find out more visit www.parelli.com or www.parelliconnect.com

Larissa Tasker with Rocho and Linda Mikey

Pat and Magic

Linda and Bagheera

Field & Stable - Livery - Tack & Turnout


One of the queries I am asked regularly on the advice line is how to care for rubbed or sore lips. The sore parts can result from a variety of reasons: some owners report that their horses are very sensitive and the mouth will split regardless of bit design or what it is made from. Others get sore for more obvious reasons, for example, when the rider has had to hold on too much round a cross country course. Sores can appear at the corners of the lips, inside of the lips, outside the face above the lip corner and even quite high inside the cheeks (often as a result of lips being squeezed into the teeth). Most of the time with discussion and further investigation, a logical reason can be found as the cause. This can range from an incorrectly fitted bit and/or bridle through to the horse being overdue for the dentist. Care must be taken to ensure the sores have plenty of time to heal – even if they appear visually to have healed I would

always advise to wait a few more weeks before using the mouth again to ensure the full healing process has taken place. If the horse must be ridden during this time, sometimes it can be appropriate to use a hackamore or a bitless bridle and I would always suggest that advice is sought as to the most suitable design. Although this type of equipment does not use the mouth, it works on a variety of pressure points including the nose and as with all new tack, will need to be introduced slowly and methodically in a safe environment. I am currently field trialling a new 100% vegan balm for cuts suitable for use inside and outside the horses mouth – if any readers would like to take part, please get in touch for further information.

Email: [email protected] or telephone: 07789587302 for more information

Happy Mouths


Directory - Field & Stable - Livery

Free Flow & Shine Knot & Dreadlock Detangler (Available in 200ml

Unruly dreadlocks, ringlets, knotted and tangled manes and tails will be a thing of the past.

Barrier Animal Healthcare prides itself on top quality, effective products that you can trust at affordable prices. ‘Free Flow & Shine’ is specifically designed and manufactured as a grooming aid for use on thick, free flowing manes, tails & feathers.

It is very concentrated. A little product goes a long way and is not sticky or oily. It instantly works to loosen and detangle knots, ringlets, dreadlocks and to deep condition unruly manes, tails and feathers.

Free Flow & Shine is a unique formulation, which will not dry out the hair. It includes UV protection and silk

proteins to deep condition and strengthen each strand of hair, resulting in a smooth, flat not fluffed silky, soft appearance and texture.

If your horse’s mane or tail is caked with heavy soiling we recommend that you firstly shampoo and condition the hair and gently towel dry.

Then you are ready to apply a small amount of Free Flow & Shine to the palm of your hand or directly to clean, dry or damp towel dried tangled hair. Gently work the product into the knots and tangles from the bottom upwards with your fingers. Do not use a brush or comb, as this will snap the hairs. Continue to use small amounts of product to gently loosen the tangles. Finally you can gently brush through to a silky, smooth shine.

Free Flow & Shine gives a long lasting condition and shine, which will help to repel mud, dust and dirt, and cut down on grooming time.

Grass & Stable Stain Remover Ready to use, Spray-on (Available in 400ml trigger spray)

Quick and easy to use as an aid to grooming or for last minute grooming, when bathing isn’t an option.

No water or rinsing required. The product contains no soap, bleach, peroxide or detergents.

‘Grass & Stable Stain Remover’ Spray-

New on the Market

Crematorium

Horse & Pony Cremation

Genuine Individual Cremation.Leyland & Cheshire Pet Crematorium.Tel: 01772 622466

Horse Transport

South CentralHoofmove Horse TransportTheault horsebox 2x17.2hh. Very low ramp. Fully insured. Defra approved. Established 2001. Monty Roberts schooled driver. 24/7. www.hoofmove.co.uk [email protected] 0845 0620088 or 07958 701651

Horse Transport ServicesCET and Defra Qualified - Fully Insured24 Hour Emergency Call OutMember of Equine Rescue Service - Vet Trips - ShowsLin SimpsonT: 01327 341618 M: 07969 [email protected]

Property Abroad

Brittany & NormandyCardyke Overseas Properties

Properties suitable for horses at a fraction of UK prices.Tel: 01775 630 008

Saddlery

South EastAndrew Reilly Saddlers

Spoods Farm, Tinkers Lane, Hadlow Down, East Sussex TN22 4ET. Tel: 01825 830484.

Worming

East

Regular worm egg counts can save money! 6-8 weekly spring through autumn £5 each. Church Farm FEC [email protected] or 01728685638

Directory

on quickly breaks down, dissolves and removes heavy soiling including mud, dirt, urine, manure, dried on sweat stains and grass stains with ease.

Pure & concentrated Avocado Oil is included that is high in Vitamins A, D & E to deep condition hair and skin. It really is a must for use on grey and coloured horses with white markings to lift green and yellow oxidation away from coats, tails and feathers with speed and ease. Tel: 01953 456363 Email: [email protected] full product information visit www.flyrepel.com

Tack & Turnout



Field & Stable - What’s On

What’s OnCentralREGULARSTues Eve, S/J Knebworth SJ,Manor Field, Park Lane. 2nd Saturday of each month Antrobus RC Open Dressage, Yew Tree Farm, Nr Northwich. Tel: 01606 891033.Every Day Dean Valley Farm Ride, Dean Valley Farm, Cheshire. Tel: 0161 4391945.Every Saturday, Heavy Horse Club, Milton Keynes Museum, 07889 339551

NorthREGULARSEvery Weds Evening, S/J Horses and Ponies, Barton EC, Preston. Tel: 01995 640033.Every Weds Dressage Unaff Rossendale & Hyndburn EC, Accrington. Tel: 01706 213635.Every Thursday Senior BSJA, Hollingworth Leisure Park, Milnrow, Tel: 01706 644484Every Friday SJ Unaff Rossendale & Hyndburn EC, Accrington. Tel: 01706 213635.Every Friday Evening SJ Unaff Indoor, Mill Lane Stables, Selby. Tel: 01757 702940.Every 3rd Sunday in March - Sept, Rossendale Valley RC Show, Rawtenstall, Lancs. Tel: 07976 056677.Every Month Dressage Camp, Mill Lane Stables, Selby. Tel: 01757 702940.Every Day Dean Valley Farm Ride, Dean Valley Farm, Cheshire. Tel: 0161 4391945.Every 2nd Monday, Virtual RC meets in Chester.

South CentralREGULARSMonday evening class,Contessa EC. Tel: 01920 821792.Tuesday Evening Advanced Dressage class,Contessa EC. Tel: 01920 821792Tuesday 12-8pm, Clear Round SJ,Hoplands EC. Tel: 01794 388838Wednesday Evening Novice Dressage class,Contessa EC. Tel: 01920 821792Winchester RC, weekly dressage and S/J Clinics for all abilities on Tuesday eve & Thursday mornings, Woodhams, Farm Equestrian, Kings Worthy. Thursday Evening Jumping class,Contessa EC. Tel: 01920 821792Friday Evening Kids Club,Contessa EC. Tel: 01920 821792Saturday - Heavy Horse Club, Milton Keynes Museum, Tel: 07889 339551SJ Clear Round 10am-2pm,West Wilts EC, Trowbridge. Tel: 01225 783220Wylye Valley PC Evening Rally 6pm,West Wilts EC, Trowbridge. Tel: 01225 783220

South WestREGULARSMonday – Dressage Clinic with Julia Buckle, Shannonleigh Stables.Every Monday - Bournemouth Horse Ball Club Training,Stocks Farm EC. Tel: 01202 57028Every 2nd Wed, Dressage,St Leonards EC. Tel: 01566 775543.Wednesday - Jumping (Lwr/Higher), Badgworth Arena, Nr Axbridge, Tel: 01934 732543Wednesday – S/J Clinic with Sarah Scott, Shannonleigh Stables.

EastREGULARSMonday Evening Class, Contessa RC, Colliers End, Tel: 01920 821792Tuesday Evening Dressage Class,Contessa RC, Colliers End, Tel: 01920 821792Thursday – Contessa Club Night,Contessa RC, Colliers End, Tel: 01920 821792Friday – Kids Club 5.30pm, Young Riders Club 6pm,Contessa RC, Colliers End, Tel: 01920 821792Saturday / Sunday – Kids Club,Contessa RC, Colliers End, Tel: 01920 821792

Who are we? Herbie’s Yard Supplies is a supplier of top quality ‘yard products’. We only select lines that meet our strict code of ‘Superior, Quality and Performance.’ Our current product offer comprises what we believe to be the best brooms available today.

The ‘Quickie Super Bulldozer’ and the ‘Quicksweep Corn Broom’. Manufactured in the USA and exclusively imported by us, these super-durable brooms are guaranteed for a full 5 years.

The Super Bulldozer is a lightweight yard broom with a patented Tight Grip® bracket to ensure the handle NEVER comes lose! The 24” heavy-duty resin block won’t warp, rot, or crack. Natural Palmyra bristles sweep anything – wet or dry with ease, even on rough surfaces.

The Corn (witches) Broom is surprisingly tough, and has a fantastic flick action for sweeping between feed bins and buckets. With a wire wound quality binding for durability.

Order online via our secure, easy to use website. No minimum order and a fast delivery service (including Next

Day option to mainland UK), all in our robust packaging. Our staff are friendly, experienced and determined to provide you with a first class service.

We would love your local saddlery to stock our products too, so trade enquiries are very welcome.

If you require quality sweeping in the DIY, livery, stable, yard, gardening or landscaping sectors, you need our brooms.

Need to Sweep? You need Herbie’s Yard Supplies.

For more information, see www.herbiesyardsupplies.co.uk, e-mail [email protected] or telephone Emma on 07876 741349

Looking for a brilliant broom?

South EastREGULARSTuesday to Thursday, Vicki Thompson Dressage Clinic,Oldencraig EC, Lingfield, Tel: 01293 8224142nd Tuesdays + Last SaturdaysClear Round SJ, Ingleden Park EC, Tenterden, Tel: 01580 765160Wednesday, Clear Round SJ, Blue Barn EC, Tel: 01233 622933.Thursday evening SJ Unaff, Duckhurst Farm. Tel: 01580 891057.Thursday evening, Sam Ray SJ Clinic,Oldencraig EC, Lingfield, Tel: 07787 575475Every 2nd Thursday (starting 19th July), Beginners S/J Evenings,Newthorpe EC, Newthorpe. Tel: 07917 303000.Tues-Sun, Group&Private lessons for adults&children, Badshot Lea EC, Kiln Cottage. Tel: 01252 312 838.

Insert CategoryInsert CategoryWhat’s On


WEDNESDAY 1ST JUNERoR/Tattersalls Show Series qual for Hickstead 2011, Stafford,Tel; 01283 712289

Unaff Dressage, Sands Farm EC, West Sussex Tel: 01403 252238

Clear Round Showjumping Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, SurreyTel: 01342 833317

THURSDAY 2ND JUNERoR/Tattersalls Show Series qual for Hickstead 2011, Somerset,Tel; 01749 822209

Tunbridge Wells RC Evening Dressage & SJ Beechenwood Farm, Crowborough. www.twridingclub.org

OEC Flatwork Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Lingfield, SurreyTel: 01342 837581

RoR/Tattersalls Show Series qual for Hickstead 2011, Suffolk,Tel; 01473 707115

FRIDAY 3RD JUNEOld Surrey & Burstow PC Dressage Show, East Bysshe Farm, Blindley Heath Tel: 01825 740435

Bromley Common Liveries Unaff SJwww.bromleyliverystables.co.uk

Aff Dressage, Oldencraig EC Ltd., Tandridge Lane, Lingfield, SurreyTel: 07967 676504

SATURDAY 4TH JUNERoR/Tattersalls Show Series qual for Hickstead 2011, StaffordshireTel: 01889 505584

RoR/Bedmax Racing to Eventing Series, Oxon Tel: 01993 832083

Pachesham Ec Bd, Randalls Road, Leatherhead,. www.pachesham.com

SUNDAY 5TH JUNEVicky Thompson Dressage Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Lingfield, Surrey Tel: 07774 211640

Pachesham Ec Dressage, Randalls Road, Leatherhead www.pachesham.com

Holt Farm Dressage Summer Championship Series, Warlingham, Surrey. [email protected]

SVRC Open Show, LeicsTel: 0116 2696413

SEIB Racehorse to Riding Championship, Bury Farm EC Tel: 01525 222114

Cadnam Show Society Festival of Colour, Southampton Tel: 07789888375

WCRG Dressage Comp, Wilton RDA Centre, Wiltshire Tel: 07967 175855

Fun Jumping Show, Hillside Farm, Coolham, West Sussex Tel: 01403 740041

Int Show Jumper Damian Charles Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Lingfield, Surrey. Tel: 01342 833317

MONDAY 6TH JUNEOEC Jump Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, SurreyTel: 01342 837581

Andrew Day Dressage Clinic, Speedgate Farm, Fawkham, Kent. [email protected]

WEDNESDAY 8TH JUNEVicky Thompson Dressage Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 07774 211640

Crofton Manor EC British SJ Seniors, Fareham, Hants Tel: 01329 667323

Clear Round SJ, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 01342 833317

THURSDAY 9TH JUNE- 11th RoR/Tattersalls Show Series Qual for Hickstead 2011, West SussexTel: 01444 892700

OEC Flatwork Clinic, Oldencraig Ec, Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 01342 837581

FRIDAY 10TH JUNEAff Dressage, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 07967 676504

Crofton Manor Ec British Dressage, Fareham, Hants. Tel: 01329 667323

SATURDAY 11TH JUNE- 12th June RoR/Bedmax Racing to Eventing Series, OxonTel: 07776266622

Pachesham EC SJ, Randalls Road, Leatherheadwww.pachesham.com

SUNDAY 12TH JUNECadnam Show Society BDS Aff Driving Event, SouthamptonTel: 07789888375

Equestrian Car Boot Sale, Birtel RC, BuryTel: 01617 646573

MONDAY 13TH JUNEOEC Jump Clinic, Oldencraig Ec, Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 01342 837581

TUESDAY 14TH JUNERoyal Leisure Centre Senior British Showjumping, Horn Lane, Henfield, W Sussex Tel: 01273 493864

HORLEY & DIST RC DRESSAGE - East Bysshe Cross Country Course www.horleydrc.co.uk

WEDNESDAY 15TH JUNERoR/Tattersalls Show Series Qual for Hickstead 2011, YorkshireTel: 01347 811919

Retrained Racehorse Challenge Qual, Yorkshire Tel: 01347 811919

Vicky Thompson Dressage Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Surrey,Tel: 07774 211640

THURSDAY 16TH JUNETunbridge Wells Rc Evening Dressage & SJ, Beechenwood Farm, Crowborough www.twridingclub.org

FRIDAY 17TH JUNERetrained Racehorse Challenge Qual, 3 Counties Show Tel: 01684 584900

Aff Dressage, Oldencraig EC Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 07967 676504

Crofton Manor EC British SJ Seniors, Fareham, Hants Tel: 01329 667323

SATURDAY 18TH JUNE- 19th RoR/Bedmax Racing to Eventing Series, Ipswich Tel: 01473 823143

RoR/Tattersalls Show Series Qual for Hickstead 2011, CambridgeshireTel: 01733 234451

Crofton Manor Ec British Sj Seniors, Fareham, Hants Tel: 01329 667323

Pachesham EC BD + Pony BS, Randalls Road, Leatherhead,. www.pachesham.com

SUNDAY 19TH JUNEWest Sussex RC Open Show, Bognor Regis, West Sussexwww.westsussexridingclub.co.uk

Bigger Fun Jumping, Hillside Farm, Coolham, West SussexTel: 01403 740041

Vicky Thompson Dressage Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, SurreyTel: 07774 211640

Pachesham Ec Festival Of The Iberian Horse, Randalls Road, Leatherhead www.pachesham.com

MONDAY 20TH JUNE- 22nd Pachesham EC Adult Camp - Randalls Road, Leatherheadwww.pachesham.com

OEC Jump Clinic, Oldencraig Ec, Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 01342 837581

TUESDAY 21ST JUNELincoln Celebrity JumpCross Challenge, Peterborough www.jumpcross.com

Chelsham & Bromley RC Evening Dressage, Fickleshole Farm, Fairchildes Lane, [email protected]

Cinque Ports Veterinary Associates Summer Client Evening. 7.30pmThe George Hotel, Rye, TN31 7JTcall and book your free seat now by calling 01797 222265 or by email to [email protected]

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNESaddle Fitting Demo, Monnington Equestrian, Chichester, West SussexTel: 07980193927

RoR/Tattersalls Show Series Qual for Hickstead 2011, LincolnTel: 01522 522900

Retrained Racehorse Challenge Qual, Lincoln Tel: 01522 522900

Crofton Manor EC CR Jumping, Fareham, Hants Tel: 01329 667323

Vicky Thompson Dressage Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 07774 211640

THURSDAY 23RD JUNEOEC Flatwork Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 01342 837581

SATURDAY 25TH JUNE Jumpcross Training, Broadhalls Farm, Devon www.jumpcross.com

Pachesham EC Dressage, Randalls Road, Leatherhead, www.pachesham.com

Holt Farm SJ Clinic, Warlingham, [email protected]

SUNDAY 26TH JUNECadnam Show Society In Hand Ridden Show, SouthamptonTel: 07789888375

West Sussex RC Open Show & Unaff SJ, Bognor Regiswww.westsussexriding club.co.uk

Fun Jumping Show, Hillside Farm, Coolham, West SussexTel: 01403 740041

Retrained Racehorse Challenge Qual, Derbyshire Tel: 0115 8542710

RoR/Tattersalls Show Series Final at Hickstead www.hickstead.co.uk

Vicky Thompson Dressage Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 07774 211640

Crofton Manor EC Unaff Showjumping, Fareham, Hants. Tel: 01329 667323

Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare CentreDouble Demonstration Day- 11am- 3pm- Entry Fee £10.00www.mrwc.org.uk

MONDAY 27TH JUNEOEC Jump Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, SurreyTel: 07774 211640

TUESDAY 28TH JUNECrofton Manor EC British Dressage, Fareham, Hants. Tel: 01329 667323

WEDNESDAY 29TH JUNECrofton Manor EC British Dressage, Fareham, Hants Tel: 01329 667323

Clear Round SJ, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 01342 833317

Vicky Thompson Dressage Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, SurreyTel: 07774 211640

THURSDAY 30TH JUNERoR/Bedmax Racing to Eventing Series, Wales [email protected]

OEC Flatwork Clinic, Oldencraig EC, Tandridge Lane, Surrey Tel: 01342 837581

Tunbridge Wells Rc Evening Dressage & SJ, Beechenwood Farm, Crowborough. www.twridingclub.org

june 2011 equi-ads

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