Your Horse

CONFIDENCE MASTERCLASSES COME in a variety of forms, and the Your Horse team is always looking for renowned trainers to share their methods with you, our readers, as what works for one may not be so effective for another. In numerous past issues we h

Poor understanding about caring fora Thoroughbred meant that ex-racer Horlicks’ body score dropped to just 0.5 overawinter. In desperation his owner turned to Lluest Horse and Pony Trust. In February 2023 Lluest, based in Llangadog, Carmarthenshire,

Some of eventing's biggest names will be climbing onto a different kind of saddle this November for a 1,000km charity bike ride in memory of eventer Caroline March. Caroline was a professional event rider who sustained life-changing spinal injuries i

New videos have been produced to promote the safe overtaking of horses and cyclists by teaching drivers mindfulness techniques. The videos, produced by The British Horse Society (BHS), Nottingham Trent University and Esitu Solutions, with funding fro

IT IS AN adage that rings true: age is justanumber. This is certainly the case for equestrians, for taking to the saddle can be done at 18 months to 80 years and beyond. Riding is one of the few activities that has no age limit, provided the right ki

There is surelya secret to longevity in the saddle? If so, the five incredible riders profiled on these pages are surely the best people to offer advice to others hoping to pursue their favourite hobby for years into the future… Miranda says: “I woul

The Laminitis Grazing Risk Monitoring Service smartphone app was created to allow horse owners to monitor weather conditions and gauge when grazing on grass poses an increased risk to horses prone to laminitis. Local weather conditions are monitored

How I make it work: Being organised, compiling lists and having help from my supportive husband, Tim The BBC radio reporter explains how she juggles her media role with teaching yoga, running her own ethical clothing company, Eco Equestrian, while st

As soon as a jump goes up, no matter what it’s size, it prompts a rider to automatically fold into a jumping position. However, Liz explains that for small fences there isn’t enough time to come into a jumping position, so trying to do so can actuall

NAME: Rachel Fisher ROLE: Garden designer and amateur event rider AGE: 55 BACKGROUND: At the start of the 2024 season, Rachel,agarden designer, mother and successful event rider, faced several challenges. Her energy levels were lower than usual and s

NAME: Amanda Perrett ROLE: Runs Coombelands Racing Stables AGE: 54 BACKGROUND: Amanda, who took over running Coombelands Equestrian in the 1990s from her father, champion trainer Guy Harwood, started her holistic approach to the menopause as her chil

NAME: Jenny Holgate ROLE: Freelance cook, housekeeper, groom and nanny AGE: 65 BACKGROUND: Jenny had faced gradual weight gain over several years after she hit the menopause. Despite leading an active life and attending weekly yoga classes, she had l

■ Walk after supper: Engaging in a 10-minute walk after eating can help to flatten glucose spikes, improving overall glucose regulation and reducing symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause. This simple activity aids digestion and promote

“Sometimes an owner’s immediate reaction to something likea kick is to punish the horse because of their own emotions, but using punishment creates distrust, ”says Louise. “It communicates what the horse shouldn’t do, not what he should. If the horse

Always wear appropriate PPE, including a safety helmet, gloves and boots, when handlinga horse who could kick. If it is medically necessary to handle the horse, work in protected contact where possible. This means using stocks, or while standing on t

One study on Cushing’s disease, run in the Equine Veterinary Journal, byJ Ireland et al, termed ‘Comparison of owner-reported health problems with veterinary assessment of geriatric horses in the UK’ has shown that while owners know their horses very

Samantha Jones bought the diminutive pony Quest when he was four and together the pair enjoyed showing in-hand before she trained him to drive, after which they took part in shows and driving trials together. When Quest was 12 years old, though, he b

George, a 12.1hh Welsh Section C belonging to Sarah Louise Oxborrow, showed no obvious signs of Cushing’s when he developed the disease two years ago. When he went lame behind, though, Middlesex-based Sarah Louise’s vet decided that he was suffering

Floss broke her hock in 2019, and afterwards it wasa challenge initially to keep her weight under control. However, Hannah has since succeeded in part thanks to nutrition advisor visits— and using a weigh tape HORSE’S NAME: Floss AGE: 12 BREED: Gypsy

In partnership with Slimmers' Club HORSE’S NAME: Missy AGE: 17 BREED: Welsh section D HEIGHT: 15hh OWNER: Clare Barfoot Clare says: "When I bought Missy as an unbroken five-year-old she was a little on the lean side, but with unlimited hay and the re

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 ata healthy weight. This motivating and friendly club provides practical support an

Email your questions to [email protected] In partnership with Simple solutions for horse owners AMY DELL-ANTHONY is a livery yard owner and author. She runs track system livery Abbotts View Livery in Buckinghamshire which she set up in 2016. She als

In partnership with Q I would like to try building my two horses a track system, but my land is clay and so I’m not sure how the soil will hold up, especially as we’re getting more rain through winters and springs. Alison Bailey, Cambridgeshire Amy s

Q My livery yard owner is talking about putting ina track system for liveries who want their horses to try it. My horse has only ever been on individual turnout, so I’m not sure how he’ll cope. Fiona Bedford, Durham Amy says: I’ve had lots horses com

Q I’ve just taken a gelding on loan and I think that his sheath needs cleaning, but I’ve never done it before. How do I do it properly? Alice Newman, Portsmouth Liz says: I would recommend starting by periodically putting on a nitrile glove and feeli

In partnership with Q My gelding is very reluctant to let me touch his sheath. I’ve been trying for a while, but he just seems to get cross. How can I give him a clean? Sarah Jones, Cambridgeshire Liz says: This is a normal reaction, as is a swishing

Q What should I be using to clean my gelding’s sheath? I’ve had so many recommendations, from baby oil to lubricant, so I’m confused. Trudy Heath, Cumbria Liz says: The only product I use is human water-based hypoallergenic lubricant. It’s the same p

Q My gelding hates having his sheath cleaned, so I try to do it as little as possible. What signs should I look out for that will tell me he needs a check? Sophie Altman, Wiltshire Liz says: I understand that your horse may not be comfortable having

It is important to monitor a horse’s sheath hygiene for two reasons: discomfort and health conditions. If the urethral cavity isn’t kept clean of beans the smegma can form a spike or point which can cause a lot of pain, particularly when cantering, a

TENDONAND LIGAMENT INJURIES -NATALIE HARRISON says… Q My gelding recently injured his superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and I was surprised at how little box rest my vet recommended. Years ago I was told to give a previous horse a lot longer f

Q My mare has a suspensory ligament injury and she’s not been progressing in her rehab. I was thinking about turning her away for a year and possibly putting her in foal and then seeing if I can bring her back into work afterwards. Could this help? M

1 It is estimated that there are 150 plastic bottles along every mile of the UK coastline. 2 A plastic bottle can last for 450 years in the marine environment. 3 For every six bottles of water bought, only one bottle is recycled. In the UK almost 16

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