Your Horse

I HAVE ENJOYED hacking since I was a child and, as the years have rolled by, I've grown to love it even more. It is clear how it boosts mood and wellbeing, allows a brief escape from a sedentary work routine, and, when my daughters were younger, it e

Coach Nina Gill: Polework provides an all-round workout. It can help to improve the rider's performance in the saddle, too, and appeal to those who don't want to jump, page 48 Emma Stamenkovic, Equipilates coach: When you go into flight mode in the s

Vanir Kamira, the mare piloted to victory at both Badminton and Burghley by Piggy March, has been retired from top level competition, although the 18-year-old is expected to continue eventing at one-day level. Piggy, who was featured in our Interview

The therapeutic power of horses was apparent recently when a terminal cancer patient and lifelong equine enthusiast was immensely cheered by a horse called Darcie, who paid her a visit at her Wigan hospice — all thanks to the efforts of a childhood f

An inspiring new feature documentary that charts the quest of a disabled man as he tries to conquer a section of Mount Everest on horseback is set to hit cinema screens at the end of the month. My Everest features Max Stainton-Parfitt, who was born w

A member of the public raised the alarm after the tiny pony — only about the size of a Labrador dog — was found wandering next to the River Don in mid-March. Her wound, which was believed to have been caused by a tether, was so serious that the muscl

DARK MONSTER CLOUDS threaten rain, so is there any point in saddling up and heading out with the accompanying risk that there might be a soaking in the offing? If you are a member of the #Hack1000Miles group there are myriad reasons to keep going wha

Wintec saddles make riding easy and comfortable. Combining world-leading innovation and high-tech materials in lightweight, weatherproof and easy-care saddles, it is easy to see why Wintec Saddles is the world's number one synthetic saddle brand. Whe

NAME: SUSIE DAVIS HORSE'S NAME: PENNY HORSE's DETAILS: A 16.1HH, 14-YEAR-OLD WARMBLOOD MARE I developed glandular fever at the age of 22 and it proved to be a trigger for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The next eight years, until I reached 30, were

WHAT IS A tribe? Certainly it used to be thought of as groups of people in faraway lands, but now we have tribes of people who support us closer to home. This support network — whether friends or family — brings wine and chocolates when we feel down

FAYE O'HARA WAS staring up at an ebony sky. Every few seconds the black vastness was punctuated by a flashing electric blue light. Thirty minutes earlier Faye, full of attitude and the invincibility of a 15-year-old, had climbed into a car with a tee

The form of driving trials seen today — a triathlon for horses and drivers — was launched in 1968 by the Duke of Edinburgh. This exciting, sometimes fast-moving sport involves a first phase of dressage, which consists of a sequence of set movements.

This is Jessie, aged five, with her best pal Spotty. Their favourite place to visit on hacks is the local bakery, where they share a gingerbread man. Jessie regularly hacks Spotty and also attends Pony Club. They are on the mounted games team. Hannah

(DIFFICULTY RATING 2/5) (DIFFICULTY RATING 2/5) (DIFFICULTY RATING 3/5, OR 4/5 WHEN IN CANTER) (DIFFICULTY RATING 2/5) NEXT TIME: Multi-directional exercises over six poles to test your horse's body and brain. ■

This exercise focuses on your pelvis and seat to help you find your neutral position in the saddle. “The pelvis is a good place to start because it is the basic building block when you're on a horse,” says Emma. Practise this in halt at the beginning

When you tip forwards and tense, you learn to ride with less space in your body. This means that sitting up can feel scary and as though you are less supported — but this isn't the case; you just need to bring more awareness to other muscles, such as

This exercise is the next step and it begins to incorporate the upper body and head to help you sit tall rather than tip forwards. To start with, practise this standing with soft knees or seated. Once you have nailed it on the ground, it is a great o

If your horse runs out, keep your guide poles in the equation, focus on straightness and the trot/canter tempo, and stay calm but positive. In my warm up I incorporate some lateral work to ensure that the horse is clearly listening to my aids before

When handling horses in any situation, the key is to be prepared. Make sure that you are wearing full PPE, including a hat, gloves and boots. It possible, lead your horse on a lunge line rather than a short lead rope. If you are struggling, never fee

p78 Pain relief in a pin prick? Find out how acupuncture can help to treat tight muscles and joint pain 18 pages packed with advice from vets and other specialists

Researchers at Hartpury University are working with University College Dublin, Equilume and the Royal Agricultural University to compare the effects on the horse's internal body clock and behaviour of red/white light in stables compared to fluorescen

If you suspect that your horse's microbiome has been disrupted, your vet should be your first port of call. Have a thorough conversation with them about diet, lifestyle, worming, or faecal worm egg count history, medication, and the reasons you are c

The equine microbiome plays a crucial role in horse health, and disruptions to this complex community of microorganisms can have significant health consequences —throughout the body, not just in the gut. Owners can help to maintain a healthy microbio

Brenda Turner's 16-year-old, 17hh, Irish Sport Horse, Douglas, has come on “in leaps and bounds” since he started receiving regular acupuncture treatment four years ago. “Douglas was lethargic, his skin wasn't good and he was suffering from bouts of

Spillers is inviting owners of overweight horses and ponies to join its Spillers Slimmers’ Club for support, advice and encouragement to help keep their horse or pony at a healthy weight. This motivating and friendly club provides practical support a

Western riding Amanda Melton BHSAI is a Western coach at Valley Farm Equestrian Leisure in Suffolk, which offers training in a range of disciplines. Visit valleyfarm.co.uk Dressage Vikki Hayton is a UKCC Level 3 dressage coach, a British Dressage (BD

Q How often should my saddle be reflocked? Sally Evans, Dorset Jade says: Flocking, which is traditionally made from sheep's wool, is used as the ‘stuffing’ inside the panels of your saddle that sit on your horse's back. Over time, the flock can ball

YOUR HORSE MAGAZINE www.yourhorse.co.uk Your Horse magazine Kelsey Media, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Maidstone, Kent, ME18 6AL EDITORIAL Seventeen Hands Media Ltd Editor: Julie Harding Email: julie.harding@kelsey.co.uk Freelance

On sale 25 May 2023

When and where did you learn to ride? I started riding at Busby riding school in Glasgow when I was 11. If I helped with the stable chores and leading ponies in lessons at the weekend I would get a free hour group lesson on the Sunday night. I was ob