Your Horse

IF I’VE LEARNED anything during the last 12 months of maternity leave, it’s that life has a habit of changing drastically, without notice, and throwing challenges your way when you need them least. This odd Covid-shaped year is a case in point. The k

Deputy editor Allison Lowther: Take a bit more time to ride exercises in walk and it will make a real difference to your horse’s way of going. I’ve tried Emma Woolley’s exercises and they really do work. Page 52 Production editor Gill Shaw: School an

Finsbury, a Thoroughbred x draught who served in the mounted police, has been crowned Petplan Hero Pet of the Year. The gentle giant was deployed for a range of engagements, including policing football matches, state visits, Trooping the Colour, the

Clio and Astra were two of the horses rescued from a field on the side of the M25 in spring 2019. It was a mammoth operation involving 130 horses, plus cattle, and required the efforts of multiple charities. The site was sparse of grazing and littere

Immortalise your beloved equine with a fine art wire sculpture by Katy Dunne. You can choose the pose - moving, standing or jumping - and the sculpture will be completed with your own horse’s mane and tail. Facebook: In The Wired Wild Wood Sandstorm

Anita Booth once doubted her horse Dillon’s ability to pull off multiple miles in one go. He proved her wrong, however, when he carried her to the top of Long Mynd - a steep, seven-mile journey in the Shropshire Hills up to 517m above sea level. “I’m

Is an ex-racehorse for you? While Christine is an experienced rider who was able to reschool Otto when his career on the track came to an end, former racehorses aren’t suitable for everyone. Ask yourself the following questions: ■ Will they suit my a

I wanted to be a famous pop star, but then I realised I couldn’t sing! I’m proud that my daughter, Ariana, is a dancer, so I guess there’s some talent in there somewhere - it just skipped a generation. ■

As owners we are often told to observe our horse’s body language but, in fact, there is little recorded scientific data on this. Behaviour consultant Justine Harrison has compiled a list of her own observations (see right). ■

■ Consider taking your horse to a show or sponsored ride, for example, or leaving one horse in the field while you take another out for work. It’s not about avoiding stress altogether, but about creating opportunities for your horse to learn coping s

Here’s Rooney showing off his whiskers. Gemma Allen, Facebook Smartie doesn’t like his picture taken, lol. Jill Parish, Facebook Sweetie untied herself and went off to find some better grass. Gemma Parry, Facebook My boy’s always the life and soul! A

“I normally wouldn’t push a rider as far as I’m pushing Di today,” explains Richard. “As I’ve said before, the final training sessions in the run-up to an event are all about focusing on what you can do well. But I know she can do better and ride mor

❋ Treat pre-competition schooling sessions as a rehearsal. Ride as you’d love to ride on the day and focus on what you do best. ❋ If your horse has a tendency to be laid back, use your imagination to keep things fun and varied. ❋ Relax and have faith

■ If you ever find that your horse isn’t understanding what you’re asking, just come back to walk and do all the exercises in walk.■ If your horse is struggling, it’s worth checking that he’s OK. These are difficult exercises, but he shouldn’t strugg

As already mentioned, it’s essential that the first five Scales of Training are all in place before asking for collection. Here’s why: ■ In collection your horse’s paces will cover less ground compared to his working paces but they should still maint

OF ALL THE GAITS, the walk is the one most often overlooked in training. We use walk to get our horse warmed up and moving, but we’re usually keen to transition to trot as soon as possible, thinking that the faster paces are where all the magic happe

Winter is the time when training in walk comes into its own. Difficult conditions, cold muscles, ground that’s too hard or too soft, and a horse who might not be as fit as he normally is are all reasons to do as much work as you can at a slower pace.

Five common issues with the walk: 1 Steps that are too short. 2 Pacing - when the legs on the same side move forward together in a two-beat rhythm. 3 Strides with too big an overreach, resulting in difficulties in collection. 4 A Spanish walk, which

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We know being fat isn’t healthy, but what does it actually do when too much is in the body? Lack of exercise causes the metabolic rate to slow and limits the opportunity to burn off calories. Unless the diet is strictly managed the horse will start t

■ As much turnout as possible - grass intake needs to be regulated by type of field, size of field, number of horses grazing and use of grazing muzzles. ■ Turnout with other horses - interaction between horses increases the amount they move when turn

How many of these are in place at your yard? Have locks and cameras on gates at every access point. Locks, cameras and alarms are vital for tackrooms too. Check your locks and camera positions meet your insurer’s requirements. Snap up-to-date photos

The aim of environmental management is to minimise your horse’s exposure to dust. This can be done in the following ways: 1 24/7 turnout2 Using non-treated woodchip bedding3 Steaming or soaking all hay4 Feeding from the ground5 Dampening hard feed6 R

When Clover’s new owners first brought their four-year-old Irish Sport Horse home, they struggled to get the mare to lift her legs and it became clear she wasn’t used to lifting her legs to have her feet picked out. All four hooves were impacted with

SPILLERS™ registered nutritionist Clare Barfoot answers your feeding questions The owner: Sarah Farmington The horse: Damsel, a 24-year-old cob The problem: Damsel is a good doer but she is starting to show her age Damsel is very active for her age.

For a chance to get your hands on these goodies*, enter at yourhorse.co.uk/471 One lucky reader will win this amazing collection from Mountain Horse. The waterproof Aurora Winter Zip Paddock Boots will keep your feet dry in all weathers. They’re made

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COLOUR Black SIZES Pony, cob, full, extra full FOR STOCKISTS shiresequestrian.com Simple to fit and great for preventing rub injuries under rugs. Made from stretch fabric, this vest goes on over your horse’s head and is secured using an elasticated s

www.yourhorse.co.uk Your Horse magazine Kelsey Media, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6AL EDITORIAL Email: yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk Editor: Aimi Clark Deputy Editor: Allison Lowther Production Editor: Gill Shaw Art Ed