26 WINTER HORSE CARE SPECIAL! PAGE FEEDING SOLUTIONS PADDOCK TIPS COAT CARE ADVICE
23 ways to have
MORE TIME
TO RIDE
WIN! A TACK LOCKER
VET
REFERRALS: EXPLAINED
Take your
to the next level!
WARM EXERCISE SHEETS
WHAT YOUR HORSE
is really thinking
2 Nov – 29 Nov 2023
flatwork
Issue 652 £4.75
Issue number 652 December 2023 n Meg Elphick’s guide to cavaletti n How cross-training can help keep your horse sound n The latest product news n All about sarcoids n Psychology tips to boost your riding
The UK’s best-selling equestrian monthly
DJMurphy
to December 2023 issue Louise Kittle, Editor-in-Chief
Louise was bitten by the horsey bug at age two, and has ridden and owned horses ever since, competing in eventing as well as enjoying training her horses – and herself: she’s a BHS Int SM.
With British Summer Time an increasingly distant memory, this issue we look at ways to help you ride out the less-fun months of horse ownership. Knowledge is power, and our winter special has loads of empowering ideas to save you time and help keep your horse, and your paddocks, looking as good as possible this winter. Turn to p103 to get started. And if all that winter positivity is still not enough, why not look ahead to the very best part of December. Of course I mean London International Horse Show. Head to p8 to find out what to expect at this year’s show, and for our highlights list of classes not to miss!
This issue we start a new series aimed to support everyone caring for horses in their senior years. Whatever you do with your veteran, finding ways to mix up your routine and help him feel good can be tricky – Fizz Marshall, though, is here to help. Turn to p96 to get started with some groundwork ideas that, as the team have found, are great for any horse. Until next month!
Louise Kittle, Editor-in-Chief
DON’T MISS...
Our amazing subscription offer – a LeMieux Elite Grooming Tote. A super-smart addition to your kit, it’ll keep everything in order as well as clean and tidy. Turn to p48.
THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS
Meg Elphick
Alison Buttery
Heidi Woodhead
Jezz Palmer
Jess Campbell
Moses Brennan
Polework can help improve any horse’s way of going, and exercises needn’t be complicated to be effective. Meg shares her simple cavaletti layouts on p32.
Working on your mindset and becoming the best version of yourself could be the key to your riding success. On p50 Alison shares her advice to help you rediscover the joy of riding.
By improving your horse’s paces you’ll get the most out of him. Heidi explains what to look for, how to improve the three basic gaits and the common problems you might encounter on p26.
Take your horse’s training to the next level with Jezz’s advice on tackling the more complex dressage moves. Head to p38 to have a go for yourself.
Providing your horse with a varied exercise routine will help you maximise his training. On p20, vet and eventer Jess shares her ideas to help your horse become an all-round athlete.
Having your horse referred to an equine hospital due to illness or injury can be a worrying time, but vet Moses explains more about what’s involved to help give you peace of mind on p64. HORSE&RIDER 3
WIN
A HAYBROOK & CO SKINNY TACK LOCKER WORTH
December 2023 issue IN THE SADDLE
26 WINTER HORSE CARE SPECIAL!
PAGE
her secrets to perfecting all the paces
104
32 Cavaletti: three ways Exercises to keep you inspired through the winter
38 Building on the basics Develop your dressage skills to tackle the higher levels
44 6 secrets to winning jump offs How to
26
move up to the ribbon placings
MIND MATTERS
57
50 Being your best self The difference ON THE COVER
57
between a good and a great ride Think outside the box Know what your horse is thinking
ASK THE EXPERTS
ON THE COVER
VET
64
REFERRALS:
TO RIDE
EXPLAINED
Take your
flatwork
128
WARM EXERCISE SHEETS
to the next level!
WHAT YOUR HORSE
is really thinking
DJMurphy
ON THE COVER
128 Tried & tested We’ve challenged warm exercise sheets in all weather conditions
with our charity Christmas cards 140 This month we love... Raincoats, turnout rugs, browbands and much more!
91 Share and share alike Find the perfect
someone to share your best friend with
REGULARS
96 Management 101: old horses A new ON THE COVER
ways to have
MORE TIME
138 Horsey post Time for some festive spirit
MANAGEMENT KNOW-HOW
series on how to manage golden oldies 104 More time to ride Enjoy more time in the saddle instead of doing yard chores! 111 Dietary dilemmas Your winter feeding questions answered by top nutritionists 116 Plan and protect How to care for and get the most out of your pasture in winter 120 Coat care Keep your horse’s coat in top condition as the seasons change
16
December 2023 This month, be inspired through the colder months with expert advice from top trainers. Plus, the process of your horse’s vet referral explained, and all winter feeding queries answered.
equine hospital referral explained Skin deep Understand the challenges and nature of sarcoids and their treatment
78 Management know-how 80 Mind matters 82 Ask a vet 84 Horsey shopping 86 In the saddle 88 In brief
WIN! A TACK LOCKER
Photo by Jon Stroud
64 In specialist care The process behind an 70
23
Cover stories
ASK A VET ON THE COVER
103
2 Nov – 29 Nov 2023
26 Perfect paces Heidi Woodhead reveals
Issue number 652 December 2023 n Meg Elphick’s guide to cavaletti n How cross-training can help keep your horse sound n The latest product news n All about sarcoids n Psychology tips to boost your riding
cross-training can benefit your horse
ON THE COVER
FEEDING SOLUTIONS PADDOCK TIPS COAT CARE ADVICE
The UK’s best-selling equestrian monthly
Issue 652 £4.75
20 Cross the boundaries Find out how
£1,440
8 Festive favourite What to expect at this year’s LIHS!
12 Horseworld hub Keep up to date with the latest horsey news
ON THE COVER
16 Win! One lucky reader will win a Haybrook & Co Skinny tack locker!
48 Subscribe to H&R Get every issue delivered straight to your door
62 Perfect prizes! Amazing goodies up for grabs this month
HORSEY SHOPPING
142 Dream horsey homes A selection of
product picks from the BETA Awards 125 Buyer’s guide A selection of conditioning feeds for all horses and budgets
145 Next month What’s in January’s issue 146 My life with horses A week in the life of
18 A showcase for innovation Our top new
4 HORSE&RIDER
gorgeous equestrian properties
zoo vet Jen Quayle
128
TRIED AND TESTED
Cross the boundaries Vet and event rider Jess Campbell reveals how to maximise your horse’s training and reap the benefits
Photos: Jon Stroud
W
hatever you do in the saddle, a horse who’s sure-footed and fit will be safer and a more enjoyable ride. Being quick on their feet is particularly important for event horses, who have a number of challenges to cope with out on the cross-country course. However, teaching any horse to be more aware of where he’s placing his feet is a good plan, and that’s where cross-training can help. In this feature, I’ll be discussing the aspects of using cross-training and what’s involved, as well as suggesting schooling plans you can adapt for your own horse to turn him into a better all-round athlete.
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Our expert
Jess Campbell BHSI BVetMed MRCVS is an equine vet and professional event rider, competing and producing her own and other people’s horses from her Buckinghamshire farm.
Teaching any horse to be more aware of where he’s placing his feet is a good plan, and that’s where cross-training can help
20 HORSE&RIDER
In the saddle
HORSE&RIDER 21
Being
your best Managing your mindset and practising self-care could be your keys to better riding, says Alison Buttery
R
iding is so much more than having the practical skills – it’s about managing yourself as well as your horse. You’ll recall rides when everything just seemed to click but you’ll also remember days filled with doubt, disappointment and maybe even frustration. The good news is that it’s completely normal to feel like this. Every rider, from the leisure rider to the seasoned pro, faces these moments, and you’re no different.
self
But what if the difference between a good ride and a great one lies not in how you handle your horse, but in how you handle yourself? Personal growth and understanding can turn the inevitable challenges we experience as horse riders and owners into opportunities to learn and improve. It’s possible to cultivate a mindset that ensures each ride brings you closer to being the best rider you can be, and there’s immense power in that.
The difference between a good ride and a great one lies not in how you handle your horse, but in how you handle yourself
Photos: Jon Stroud. Alison runs The Everyday Equestrian, theeverydayequestrian.co.uk
Who are you?
How well do you truly know yourself? How well do you know the habits and thinking patterns that have been the default setting in your mind? Are these ways of thinking helping or hindering you? It’s very easy to find yourself stuck in how you experience your world, listening
The first step
Before you even tack up, take a moment. How are you feeling today? Are you excited, nervous or a mix of both? Recognising your emotions can make a big difference to how you approach your ride. Simply acknowledging that you feel a certain way or have particular thoughts is the first step to finding different experiences because we can’t change anything unless we know it’s happening.
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50 HORSE&RIDER
to and believing everything your mind suggests, and falling victim to your inner critic. In fact, your mind is trying to keep you safe from harm – physical or psychological – but that can create unhelpful thoughts and feelings that make it difficult to feel good about yourself as a rider. So, how can you change this?
Mind matters
Recognising your emotions can make a big difference to how you approach your ride
Our expert
Alison Buttery is a certified mindset and confidence coach, a BHS APC senior coach and an experienced rider, who specialises in helping riders overcome their nerves. She’s also the founder of The Everyday Equestrian.
HORSE&RIDER 51
Photos: Jon Stroud, Hanneke Wetzer/shutterstock.com
Winter management SPECIAL
Coat care
Keep your horse’s coat looking and feeling its best this winter with our skin-care tips
I
t’s natural for horses to grow thicker coats when the days get shorter and colder as they need extra hair to keep warm. Add in the challenges of mud and less time to attend to your horse’s grooming needs and you may find his coat loses its summer gloss. However, we have good news – there are several things you can do to keep your horse’s skin in tip top condition this winter. By considering the issues that cause the coat to lose its sparkle you can take action now and keep that healthy, showring shine all year round.
From the inside out
Paying attention to what you’re feeding your horse can go a long way towards creating a healthy, shiny coat. For the best advice, speak to a qualified equine nutritionist to ensure you’re giving your horse his daily essentials. As well as what goes into his bucket, remember to feed good quality forage to keep him looking and feeling great. For an extra boost, consider adding a supplement to your horse’s diet. Those containing omega oils and biotin are designed to support skin health, but there are many other herbs and nutrients that can help, too. Shop around for which products might be best suited to your horse’s needs.
120 HORSE&RIDER
Winter special
DID YOU KNOW?
Using a curry comb in a circular motion all over your horse’s body is a great way to promote better circulation, massage his muscles and scratch his itchy places.
Brush up
There’s nothing like a bit of elbow grease to keep your horse’s skin looking great. Grooming has so many benefits, including… • removing loose hair and dead skin • promoting better circulation by increasing blood flow to the skin • making your horse feel better • massaging the large muscle groups • improving your horse/human bond • creating a shiny coat • providing a good workout for you
Take off his rug
Choose a warmer sunny day and allow your horse a few hours outdoors without a rug on, to get some sun on his back. Sunlight provides vitamin D, which is important for skin health and, because it won’t be too hot, your horse shouldn’t be affected by summer skin conditions, such as sunburn or fly bites. You can always use a mask or net to protect vulnerable areas, such as his eyes or muzzle.
Avoid unnecessary bathing
Your horse’s coat shines due to the natural oils his skin produces, and too much bathing will strip those oils and dry it out. Of course, in winter you’re unlikely to bath your horse as much as you might in summer, but if you do need to wash before an event, remember to rinse off all the shampoo so you don’t cause irritation. Consider using a leave-in conditioner after shampooing to create a better shine, too.
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HORSE&RIDER 121