Equi-Ads May 2012

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May 2012 The UK’s No.1 Equine Health, Management and Training Magazine

Feeding to avoid obesity

Dangers of starvation regimes

Boots - the best protection

Essentialguide to horses’

feet

WIN£500a Summer Wardrobe for your HorSe WorTH

from maSTa

May 2012 - Equi-Ads - 1

Healthcare - News

ContentsHealthcare 1, 20 - 33news 1, 2, 4, 54tried & tested - Masta 2Directory 4Insurance 4, 39 - 41tack & turnout 5, 7, 42 – 43, 55Feeding 6, 9 - 20Field & stable 6, 34, 52, 54Property 7, 35Competition- Masta 8Dangers of starvation 9Avoiding obesity 16Horse’s Feet 20 - 29Lameness 24Horse Boots 26Breathing Problems 28 - 29Worming 30Bitting 30 - 31Horse Behaviour 32Horseboxes 34 – 35schooling 36stud 36 - 37training 37 – 38Classical Riding 38skin Care & Fly Protection 42 - 52Giveaway 53, 56Legal 53Physiotherapy 55Holidays 55transport 55

CoPy DeADLIne10th of the preceding month

Available on the 1st of the monthequi-Ads is published monthly by:

equi-Ads Limitedoffice 1, tay View estate,

friarton road, perth ph2 8dgto advertise, please call

01738 567700fax: 01738 567776

www.equiads.netplease send editorial to:office 1, tay View estate,

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EquestrianClearance.com BE80(T) Proves Popular at Stafford

Would You Like To Be On ‘Team HorseHage’ For A Year?

tHRee well filled sections was the order of the day in the Be80(t) classes at stafford Horse trials. held at park farm, Stafford, the equestrianclearance.com sponsored sections drew excellent entries. Section f went to 16-year-old Sarah-Jane Barton with Westpoint Amidou, a seven-year-old British Warmblood, bred by edward evans from the Westpoint Stud. Based at Llanymynech on the powys, Shropshire border, Sarah-Jane is a member of the tanatside hunt pony club was delighted with the result, especially as Ami, as he is known at home was only broken a year ago. the equestrianclearance.com Be80(t) was their first affiliated event together and after their winning success, they plan to

move up to Be90 level. heading Section d was Stephen Wilkinson and craan Bob who put in a score of 27 in the dressage, only to have two down in the show jumping but still take the class by the narrowest of margins.

the third equestrianClearance.com section went to Katie Attenborrow and Woodlander Floriana who put in a double clear in the show jumping and cross-country to finish on their dressage score of 25.50 penalties.

HorseHage is looking for a new sponsored rider – Could this be you?

horsehage would like to offer one amateur rider, competing at intermediate level or below in any discipline, the opportunity to be a member of team horsehage for one year.

the winner of this competition will receive feed and forage for their horse for one year, two horsehage nets, a horsehage-branded show rug, two horsehage branded saddlecloths and a horsehage branded gilet.

in addition, the winner will also have a section written about them with a photo, to appear alongside the other members of team horsehage on the horsehage website.

the other team members are event riders - mary King, Lucy Wiegersma, georgie Spence, the Bleekman sisters (Althea, Katie and Janou) and helen West; dressage riders - Beverley Brightman and Bert Sheffield; endurance rider - Jeni gilbert, and show jumper and trainer - mandy frost.

Said chris tar of horsehage: ‘We realise with the rising costs of virtually everything these days, more and more riders are finding it difficult to make ends meet and many are having to give up competing in order to keep costs down. We hope that by offering support in the form of our product, we can help one amateur rider to carry on competing this year.”

to enter please send us information about you and your horse and what discipline and level you compete at. We get many letters and emails asking for sponsorship so please highlight what makes you special and why you would like to be considered. Also please include a colour photo of you and your horse and your full name, address, telephone number, email and age.

entries can be emailed to [email protected] (please put ‘team horsehage competition’ in the subject

line) or post to the address below:team HorseHage CompetitiontsM Ltd1 Doncaster RoadGunnessscunthorpenorth LincsDn15 8tL

the competition is open to riders of any age, based in the UK. Closing date: 31/5/12. Full terms and conditions can be found at www.horsehage.co.uk

News - Tried & Tested

2 - Equi-Ads - May 2012

Tried & Tested - Masta - in sunshine and in showers

Remarkable recovery for Miners Frolic

My horse had the pleasure of trying out the Avante Light turnout Rug From Masta which I found to be the business when it comes to finding the perfect spring/ summer turnout rug.

the Avante Light turnout is waterproof and breathable with 600 denier oxford polyester outer fabric and polyester lining.

featuring twin surcingles, tail flap and fillet string, this rug fitted perfectly and did not rub or leak.

With no filling this rug is great for the turnout this summer. i personally feel, as with all the masta rugs, it’s real value for money.

their attention to detail is second to non and oozes quality, which is evident in the detail on the seams, straps, fastenings and tail guards.

Another selling point for me was the colour, i love the bright blue, all we need now is the weather to match it!

All in all this rug is thoroughly recommended and is one that should last and last throughout the years.

Available in Blue and navy, offered in sizes 4’6” to 7’3” priced at around £48.99.

For further information please contact Masta on 01274 711101 or visit www.masta.co.uk.

It was hit-and-miss last year as to whether Miners Frolic would recover from severe complications following an insect bite, let alone qualify for the 2012 olympics!

miners frolic, more commonly known as henry, was withdrawn before the dressage at Badminton 2011 due to a lump that appeared on his withers as a result of an insect bite.

the months that followed saw henry fighting to survive, after he reacted badly to antibiotics being used to treat the infection caused by the insect bite.

he suffered from colitis, poisoning of the gut, and was at risk of developing chronic laminitis.

henry fought and pulled through, and was fed Blue chip pro throughout his recovery.

pro contains generous levels of an eU approved probiotic, alongside moS prebiotic, which aid gut health and fibre digestion.

Kristina says, “i have been feeding henry Blue chip pro and i believe it has helped his recovery.

his gut is now healthy, and he is in amazing condition.” henry is now back in full work and fighting fit, proving he deserves a place on the 2012 team when he finished third at Ballindenisk (ireland) in the international Advanced*** section. the Blue Chip team would like to congratulate tina and Henry, and wish them every success in being selected for the 2012 olympics.”

Equilibrium Products sponsors New Zealand event rider and Olympic hopeful Jonathan Paget.28 year old Jonathan ‘Jock’ Paget has qualified two horses for London 2012 and hopes to add a third.

originally a bricklayer, Jonathan didn’t start riding until he was 18. from the age of 20, Jonathan spent three years working for Kevin mcnab in Queensland, Australia and quickly progressed to competing at three-star eventing.

After returning to Sydney for a year to set up his own business producing and competing horses, Jonathan was then offered a job to ride for frances Stead at the clifton eventers based in muriwai, new Zealand.

in September 2007 he became their principal rider for three years and went

on to compete in the World equestrian games in Kentucky in 2010 finishing in 7th place on clifton promise. Jonathan then moved to the UK to Joe giannamore’s yard in dunsfold, Surrey to prepare for the olympics.

from his string of 12 competition horses, two are on the shortlist for the olympics this year: clifton promise and clifton Lush whilst a third horse, Bulletproof is on the long list.

Jonathan says, “event horses train hard and compete hard! i believe it’s important to give them the best leg protection possible which is why we use tri-Zone Airlite boots for ultimate protection in a lightweight breathable boot”.

Laura Cutter, Marketing Manager at equilibrium Products says, “Jonathan has achieved what he has to date through hard work, dedication to his sport and the

care and attention he gives to his horses. We are delighted to be able to support Jonathan and his team and wish him the best of luck for the coming season.”


Competition - News

Buying an Event Horse?Paxton help expectant mare

one of the most successful riders on the international eventing circuit, oliver townend has an experienced ‘eye for a horse’ and knows what he likes in his ideal event horse. Here he explains the five most important of those priorities and talks about the importance of good management.

“A bit self explanatory, but if a horse doesn’t have a brain, you don’t really want to ride it, handle it and never loan or own it! A good brain makes it easier for you to train and perform at every level.

“then it’s about jump. obviously, as two phases out of the three are jumping, an event horses has to be able to jump and needs to have not just scope, but also a good technique, as the cross country fences don’t fall down. “When it comes to breeding, everyone is drawn to a specific type of horse, which normally results in selecting a certain breed. i like a good percentage of ‘blood’, which comes from the thoroughbred, as at the top level an eventer needs a lot of stamina and a good gallop.

“Just as important is movement, because the better the horse moves, the easier it is for the rider, especially at the lower levels. A naturally good canter is extremely important because that’s what makes the jump easier, but a nice flashy trot is a bonus, although the trot can be improved by correct training.

“the one thing i never forget is athleticism, because an event horse really does have to be an athlete. cross country is often all about instincts, so if a horse is naturally athletic, it makes it easier on everyone.

“generally though, we all need to remember that the perfect horse hasn’t been foaled yet, so when you look at a horse, you have to be very honest with yourself, weigh up the pro’s and con’s and work out whether, with correct training and good management, you can iron out any kinks and end up with as near perfect a horse as you would want in order to achieve your personal ambitions.

“It’s worth remembering too that just because someone else doesn’t get along with a certain horse doesn’t mean it’s not right for you; sometimes you just connect and that’s it.”

paxton has recently fulfilled an unusual request to supply a footbath to a heavily pregnant mare. the fB1, usually sold to the agricultural sector for dairy cows or cattle was purchased by horse owner Sue Singleton, to enable her to clean her horses’ feet properly, as the mare in question was struggling to lift her feet with the additional 90kg of extra weight.

the footbath was a last resort for Sue as the mare was suffering from severe lameness due to a history of laminitis. there was serious possibility that the pregnant mare would have had to be put to sleep without radical intervention. the fB1 was chosen as its large enough to soak all four feet at once and has a grippy surface. Sue has reported that using the footbath twice daily for just a week has

resulted in the most rapid improvement in terms of maintaining hygiene more easily and eliminating lameness.

“i’m happy to tell you that Sea cookie voluntarily put all 4 feet in the footbath of milton’s solution. She must have found this a soothing experience, as she was happy to pick up her feet afterwards and i found they needed no picking out at all. i’m certain this is a much more comfortable alternative for her.incidentally, i’m also finding the footbath easy to move about, empty and clean. You have 2 very happy customers!”

Paxton wish sue and sea Cookie well with the imminent new arrival! www.paxtonagri.com

Directory - Insurance - News


CrematoriumHorse & Pony Cremationgenuine individual cremation.Leyland & cheshire pet crematorium.tel: 01772 622466

ProPerty abroadBrittany & normandyCardyke overseas Propertiesproperties suitable for horses at a fraction of UK prices.tel: 01775 630 008

SaddlerySoUth eAStAndrew Reilly saddlersSpoods farm, tinkers Lane, hadlow down, east Sussex tn22 4et. tel: 01825 830484.

WormingeAStregular worm egg counts can save money! 6-8 weekly spring through autumn £5 each. church farm fec [email protected] or 01728685638

Feedingthe Haylage Co.A cost effective alternative to hay. Based South hertfordshire, we deliver to locations nationwide.telephone: 07836 514 435 or 07831 454 166email: [email protected] www.poloforage.com

direCtory

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Call 01296 436142 for a quote or pop into the office to talkto Virginia Stollery & Simon Parker at NFU Mutual Office, 1 Alton House Office Park, Gatehouse Way, Aylesbury,Bucks, HP19 8XU.

We do.

but not everyone knows we dohorse and horsebox insurance.

We do right by youAgent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited.

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Oliver Townend shares his top five priorities

Get carried away this Spring!

Caldene Quorn Tweed Jacket

A return to the classics

Customers purchasing any Pikeur or Cavallo Competition Jacket or Cavallo tail Coat from on-line retailer Dressage Deluxe will now get the respective designer jacket cover absolutely free!

designed to keep your jacket clean and crease free in-between competitions and on the road, the zipped covers are just one of the great shopping incentives which dressage deluxe are offering through their website. others include a mid-season special offers on selected items and free pikeur socks with any non-sale pair of breeches, whilst stocks last. And as if we needed an excuse to go shopping…

www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk Dressage Deluxe Free Phone: 0800 321 3001

Caldene have introduced an incredible new tweed jacket. the Quorn tweed jacket is designed to fit, ensuring an elegant and smart look.

created from 100% wool, the Scottish tweed is manufactured in Yorkshire. the jacket features an inset velvet collar, ticket pockets and jetted pockets for ultimate comfort and style. the Quorn jacket is available in sizes girls, maids and Ladies (from 24” to 42” in selected colours). colours available are green/pink, green/Lilac, Light green, dark green and Brown.

Prices start at £240.00 for ladies. For more information please contact Caldene on 01274 711101 or visit www.caldene.co.uk

the LAs Xt Classic helmet is the new model from the exclusive Xt range and represents the fusion of moulding technology and great design.

An incredibly lightweight, safe helmet in a fashionable style using high tech luxury materials. the nylon covered leather strap uses an exclusive magnetic closure, easy to fasten and unfasten with one hand even with gloves on. the helmet features a central aerator vent and is available in a range of custom colours. in addition to the contrast stitching on the peak, it can be further customised with contrast stitching on the top.

made in italy, the Xt-Vip cLASSic helmet is the one to be seen in! edwina

Alexander, world’s number one lady jumping rider thinks so! Available in all sizes. rrp £295.00.

Available from www.lesliesutcliffe.com


Tack & Turnout - Transport - Parelli Giveaway

Feeding - Field & Stable


Hunger knows no friend but its feeder

there is plenty of information on offer regarding over-feeding horses, and quite rightly so as obesity can be severely damaging to the equine, however it is important to spare a thought to the harm that can be caused by withholding food and effectively starving them.

in reality very few horse owners would consciously starve their equine friend but what about all those hours spent in the stable with nothing to eat? for a simple and cost effective solution, the answer could be elim-a-net.

the horse is naturally a grazing animal, designed to trickle feed small amounts of forage almost continually. through introducing stabling we have limited their ability to roam and forage and significantly reduced their eating hours. many of our horses are not underweight as feeding calorie rich concentrated meals counterbalances this lack of eating time, however in an animal designed to eat forage this does not prevent health problems. Starving a horse can be one of the causes of gastric Ulcers. Lack of forage and reduced chewing time mean the necessary amounts of salvia to neutralise the stomach acid simply aren’t produced, the result can be damage to the stomach wall.

insufficient forage in the diet can also be one of the causes of gastrointestinal complications, which cause pain such as spasmodic colic, impaction colic and displacement. reduction in chewing time may result in colic for various reasons; excess stomach acid can upset the digestive system and a lack of sufficient chewing could result in an impaction with improperly chewed food reaching the digestive system. providing inadequate quantities of food may cause the horse to bolt their meals or encourage them to ingest bedding and foreign materials in and around the stable.

for many horse owners having their horse turned out 24/7 is not an option and overloading their horse with excessive hay or haylage may cause obesity or just end up with much of it wasted and trampled into their horse’s bedding. elim-a-net™ promotes a healthy digestive system by helping to increase chewing time, without having to increase the quantity of hay or haylage. the unique inner net design of elim-a-net™ alters the size and shape of the holes in the haynet helping to ensure the horse has access to forage for longer and therefore increasing the amount of time they spend chewing.

elim-a-net™ also prevents the risk of bolting hay or haylage, which in turn reduces the chance of complicated digestive health problems.

elim-a-net™ is available in three sizes, pony, cob or horse, in a variety of colours with prices starting from just £9.99. For further information about elim-a-net™ visit: www.parellproducts.comor tel: 07715 172 47.


Property - Tack & Turnout

Providing a modern, fast, 21st century service without losing the values we have learnt from retailing over the last 50 years.

www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk

EDINBURGH STIRLING PERTH INVERNESS AYR CUPAR ABERFELDY ELGIN CASTLE DOUGLAS GALASHIELS KELSO PEEBLES LONDON

LINDUN HOUSE, MOFFAT, DUMFRIESSHIREPRICE £560,000An outstanding modern architect designed house with excellent equestrian facilities, located on the edge of Moffat.

About 4.8 acres (1.94 ha) in all.

2 Reception Rooms | Bespoke Kitchen | 4 Bedrooms (2 En-Suite) | Full size Indoor Arena, & an Outdoor Arena | Paddocks | Stunning views of Moffat HillsDouble garage | Additional land available by separate negotiation.

David Corrie | 01556 505 346 | [email protected]

`CULGRUFF FARMHOUSE, CROSSMICHAEL, CASTLE DOUGLASGUIDE PRICE £450,000A traditional farmhouse, with many original features, with land and outbuildings suitable for equestrian use, located in an elevated position.

About 5 miles form Castle Douglas. In all approximately 8.5 acres (3.4 Ha).

3 Reception Rooms | 4 Bedrooms En-suite | Private and sheltered gardenA range of outbuildings providing stabling and storage | Fenced paddocksAdditional land available by separate negotiation.

David Corrie | 01556 505 346 | [email protected]

Feeding



Feeding - Starvation

Dangers of starvation regimesDr Derek Cuddeford, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh

A horse’s body shape is primarily regulated by its skeleton which in turn is controlled by the animal’s genotype. Thus, breeding presents a means by which the basic body shape of a horse can be changed. Other secondary factors can affect body shape and in most cases, they cannot be manipulated. For example, sex of animal has a very clear effect, best seen in the body shape of a stallion. Age of course results in changes in body shape seen both in horses and their owners. In the human we refer to parts of the body “going south” or failing to withstand the pull of gravity. In the aged horse, the spine often sags. However, during a horse’s lifetime (or ours come to that) it is perfectly possible to “amend” body shape by exercise programmes and nutritional inputs that affect body condition (in reality, extent of fatness). Regular exercise as practised by racehorses results in muscular development such, that in a fit animal, it is easy to distinguish the different muscle groupings and there will be an absence of subcutaneous fat. The extreme human example would be a body builder, male or female. In contrast to the formation of muscle we have that of fat which is simply achieved by eating too many calories/consuming excess energy. It is very easy to get fat but it can be jolly hard work to get fit and muscular. Starvation regimes are instigated when someone decides that an animal is too fat or obese. But, as beauty is in the “eye of the beholder”, so is the degree of fatness. In other words, your idea of an obese animal could be very different from mine. This is important as the degree of fatness of an animal at the outset of a starvation regime will have an effect on its duration, severity and likely health outcomes. The fatter the animal, the more serious are the likely outcomes.

So what happens when you starve

your best friend? What we mean by “starvation regime” is not the complete removal of food (a serious welfare issue) but a limitation of the energy supply (NB this is not synonymous with limiting the food supply!) to less than the animal needs to maintain its existing body weight. Total starvation leads to an immediate reduction in energy expenditure and nutrients are directed to functions essential for survival. To begin with, stored glycogen and glucose obtained from amino acid breakdown are used as sources of energy. Liver glycogen stores may be significantly reduced within a period of up to 36 hours following food removal. The whole of the central nervous system has an urgent need for glucose so it can continue to function properly. Maintenance of plasma glucose levels relies on the liver producing glucose from substances such as lactate, glycerol and amino acids. The body’s demand for glucose is both urgent and critical for survival so that amino acids must be obtained from the breakdown of muscle tissue. Additional ways to try to maintain plasma glucose levels are initiated that involve using fatty acids that are obtained from fat depots. Furthermore, apart from the glucose needs of the nervous system, these fatty acids are also used as such to supply energy to the other tissues in place of glucose thereby helping to conserve plasma glucose.

Biochemical responses to starvation are controlled hormonally. Insulin production declines whilst cortisol and glucagon synthesis increases. The net effect of these alterations in hormonal status is to promote the changes described above; muscle protein breakdown and fatty acid utilisation. Furthermore, the production of thyroid hormone declines leading to a reduction in basal metabolic rate (BMR) thereby reducing the need for glucose/fatty acids. Obviously food supplies the energy and nutrients necessary to keep the animal functioning and to support its activities. Once these supplies diminish such as during a controlled period of “starvation”, body stores are used to “prop up” the flow of energy and nutrients to maintain essential metabolic processes. As already indicated above, a reduction in energy supply is usually associated with less voluntary activity followed by a gradual slowdown in the animal’s BMR. This is a survival mechanism and is a means

cont. on p.10


Feeding - Starvation

of conserving energy however, in order to maximise weight loss, BMR must be maintained or even upregulated. This is simply achieved by regular exercise so when next you go on a diet start exercising for maximum effect - a “win, win situation” as weight loss will be combined with an increased level of fitness. Thus, confining animals on a starvation area reduces the opportunity for activity and is contraindicated. The result is that once the animal starts to use up fat and carbohydrate to try to maintain glucose supply it “switches” to protein as a source of amino acids. Unlike fat and carbohydrate there are no body stores of protein waiting to be used in times of energy undersupply. Protein is found throughout the tissues where it has a functional role. There is no tissue protein which is preferentially used during times of energy shortages so it can come from anywhere including skeletal and cardiac muscles. Clearly, the long term consequences of energy starvation are serious not to mention chronic changes that could affect an animal’s long term viability.

The above describes the metabolic changes that take place during a starvation regime; the exact nature and degree of change will be affected by the extent of energy restriction. Apart from these changes there are other factors to consider. For example, limiting energy intake requires that less food is fed or, that the nature of the diet is radically changed (inclusion of straw), both of these scenarios result in a reduced nutrient intake. Thus, animals to be “starved” should be fed a nutrient-

rich, low energy supplement to make sure that essential nutrient supply is maintained.

What of the social impact of starvation? It is unlikely that several horses/ponies will join “weight watchers” at the same time so this usually means that one individual will have to suffer on its own. Since we all know that horses are herd animals this means that unless particular care is taken there will be a degree of social deprivation leading to reduced welfare.

Inactivity induced by partial starvation will lead to muscle wastage on top of the muscle loss that can arise through the metabolic processes described above. Thus, lack of exercise will result in a loss of fitness and a reduction in stamina. It is essential to keep horses and ponies that are “slimming” active so you can share the pain by keeping them on the move. You can both work together to maintain your respective muscle masses.

The lack of social interaction with other animals can be exacerbated by isolation from other activities, lack of human interaction and food restriction. Consequently, there can be behavioural changes that may be manifest as abnormal behaviours. These are undesirable and, in the worst-case scenario, they can be fixated so that when the starvation regime has ended the behaviours may persist. If the starvation regime relies on limiting access to pasture it should be remembered that animals can

partially adjust their eating behaviour to compensate reduced access to grazing by eating more per unit of time. This adaptive behaviour goes some way to rendering the starvation regime rather less effective!

A sudden reduction in energy intake, sometimes together with other stressors such as bad weather, pregnancy, lactation, obesity, etc, can initiate hyperlipidemia. It is primarily a disease of ponies, donkeys and miniature horses but rarely of horses. This disease is characterized by a huge increase in plasma fats that make the plasma appear cloudy together with fatty infiltration of the liver and kidneys. Once the metabolic changes are underway it is usually very difficult to halt the animal’s decline.

Undernutrition that arises through a starvation regimen can lead to numerous undesirable changes that are perhaps not always so obvious. For example, plasma albumin, an important plasma protein, can be reduced. Furthermore, the cells lining the gut have a very high metabolic rate so that

if their nutrient supply is compromised this can have far-reaching effects. Most importantly, the gut cells play a primary role in immune function and thus, starved animals will be much more susceptible to infections.

Finally, it should be clear from the above that starvation regimes do not always do horses or ponies any favours. It has been suggested that an appropriate weight loss target would be 1% of the animal’s bodyweight (recorded at the beginning of the period of restriction) per week (250kg fat pony should lose 2.5kg/week). If there is a need for weight reduction it must be managed very carefully by gradual and limited energy restriction whilst trying to maintain food and nutrient intakes (difficult but not impossible). Furthermore, as most readers will have “enjoyed” a diet at some stage in their lives they might recall how one “feels the cold” when on reduced rations. This applies equally to your horse so spare a thought about the need for comfort…………I know that some degree of cold aids weight loss but there are limits!

Baileys Performance Balancer supplies a complete range of essential nutrients, carefully balanced to support performance, good health and well-being and thereby helps address, and ultimately avoid, common nutrition-related problems, without the need for expensive supplementation.

For horses who receive no hard feed, Performance Balancer can be fed alone to provide all the essential nutrients they

need, alongside forage, whilst those on straights, like oats, reduced amounts of hard feed or lower energy feeds, can also have nutrients topped up to optimum levels.

Baileys Performance Balancer is competitively priced at £26.99 for 20kg. For information, advice or a sample, contact Baileys Horse Feeds on 01371 850247 or visit www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk.

If you’re not sure whether your horse or pony is overweight or just a bit chubby, you probably need to work out his condition score to give you a better idea. There are two systems, based on either a 0 – 5 range or 1 – 9. Whichever you choose, they both help you look at specific areas of your horse’s body and get hands-on to assess the amount of fat your horse is carrying.

If you decide your horse or pony is rather fat (has a condition score of 4 and above on the 0 – 5 scale or 6 and above on the 1 – 9 scale) you’ll need to find a way to reduce calorie intake, whilst maintaining fibre and nutrient intake, and increasing exercise.

Baileys Lo-Cal balancer, alongside controlled grazing or forage, is ideal for providing the essential nutrients a horse or pony needs to stay healthy but without the calories associated with a “conventional” mix or cube.

Equines receiving a fully balanced diet, easily achieved with Lo-Cal balancer, often have more enthusiasm for exercise so can then be worked to shift some pounds. For more information about condition scoring and feeding Baileys Lo-Cal to good-doers or horses who are overweight, visit www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk.

Baileys Horse Feeds tel: 01371 850247 web: www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk.

It’s an ongoing problem; how to feed the ‘good doer’ for energy without increasing weight gain and potential for laminitis?

Nupafeed Staying Power is an energy supplement that provides a unique solution. The L-Carnitine based liquid improves energy turnover and specifically targets the use of fat as an energy source. Staying Power helps to increase the mobilisation of fat stores, improves energy production, reduces fatigue and speeds recovery, without the concern of added calories, temperament problems or detrimental effects on the gut.

Nupafeed Staying Power is uniquely developed to allow absorption of the L-Carnitine into the muscle tissue where it is required

and is formulated to include MAH magnesium. This magnesium content allows healthy relaxed muscle function and supports the metabolism of the overweight horse or pony by helping to improve glucose handling and insulin sensitivity.

Staying Power is easy and flexible to feed and can either be given daily for improved energy metabolism and fitness, or on days of extra work to help prevent fatigue and improve recovery between bouts of exercise. Staying Power is ideal for any horse prone

to fatigue and provides the ideal solution for any overweight horse or pony, especially those prone to Laminitis or Equine Metabolic Syndrome

For more information or to order please contact Nupafeed UK:Tel: 01438 861 900Email: [email protected]

Achieve Optimum Nutrition with Baileys Performance Balancer

Shift Some Pounds

Tired and Overweight?


Feeding


Feeding - Obesity - Starvation

Feeding for laminitics and weight loss

Waist away with NAF Slimline

Feeding the Grass Kept Pony

Feeding laminitis prone horses and ponies can be challenging as their diets need careful monitoring especially if previous laminitis attacks were weight related. Feeding a low calorie, low sugar, low starch feed balancer such as Blue Chip Lami-light is the ideal way to ensure that your horse or pony gets all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients they need on a daily basis without worrying about excess sugar and starch levels.

Blue Chip Lami-light is a true nutritional revolution; being whole-cereal and molasses free it is very low in sugar and starch making it ideal for laminitic horses or ponies, or those that are on a restricted diet. The EU approved probiotic included in Lami-light will ensure your horse’s gut is working efficiently whilst not encouraging weight gain. The inclusion of a prebiotic will help to remove any pathogenic ‘bad’ bacteria from the gut whilst ensuring a healthy environment for the beneficial bacteria to thrive. Laminitis prone horses or ponies often have poor hoof quality, which is why Lami-light contains a complete hoof supplement, SoundHoof which includes biotin, methionine and zinc. There is also a respiratory supplement, containing the correct balance of Omega 3 and 6 oils

and garlic, eliminating the need to feed additional supplements. Feeding a high fibre diet is still essential for gut health and soaking hay for up to 12 hours will significantly reduce the calorie content whilst still ensuring adequate levels of fibre can be fed.

All of Blue Chip’s balancers contain the revolutionary new ingredients nucleotides. Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA and are especially beneficial to laminitics as they help to repair the laminae, which is often damaged by laminitis attacks. Nucleotides also help to aid nutrient absorption which is beneficial to those horses or ponies on a restricted diet. Blue Chip uses a fruit derived form of natural Vitamin E in all their balancers which is 4-6 times more bioavailable than the synthetic form used in most other feeds. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and the cells first line of defence, again especially beneficial to horses or ponies with laminitis.

Many horses or ponies that have succumbed to laminitis will have the associated ‘crest’ on their neck and ‘fatty pads’ on the top of their quarters. The inclusion of high levels of superior quality magnesium in Lami-light has been shown to help reduce these fatty

deposits. With the expertise of your vet, farrier and Lami-light you will be giving your horse or pony the best chance of returning to a healthy working life.

For more information on how Blue Chip Lami-light can help your laminitis prone or over-weight horse or pony visit www.bluechipfeed.com or call 0114 2666200.

Over 80% of the horse population in the UK are overweight and equine obesity is becoming more and more of an issue. NAF have responded with the development of Slimline - a revolutionary new formula to provide vital nutritional support to horses and ponies who struggle to keep their weight down. Through necessity, horses and ponies prone to weight gain are fed a restricted diet and kept on restricted grazing. Because of this they can frequently lack in essential vitamins, minerals and micro nutrients. Slimline is designed to make up this shortfall, and more… Slimline is formulated from natural ingredients including a Seaweed species known to naturally boost metabolism and, hence, help burn fat;

bio available Magnesium for targeted support of the insulin resistant (IR) horse - in that it helps maintain insulin sensitivity and a wide variety of naturally sourced, scientifically verified antioxidants essential to good health and vitality but which are so often lacking in a restricted diet. For best results NAF recommend that Slimline is fed with a ‘calorie controlled diet’, correct management and exercise. For qualified help and advice for your horse or pony, or for your nearest stockist, please call the NAF Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373 106 or email [email protected] Slimline retails at £20.95 for 3kgs and is available from NAF stockists nationwide. www.naf-uk.com

During the summer months many horses and ponies are kept out, with their diet predominantly consisting of grass. Grass is an important energy, nutrient and fibre provider but to make up for the lower feed value of grass it is recommended that additional vitamins and minerals are also added to the diet.

For horses in low levels of work and good doers, who are often put on restricted grazing, Forage ‘n’ Fibre is ideal to use to balance the forage given, supplying all the essential vitamins and minerals, whilst keeping energy and

calories to a minimum.Forage ‘n’ Fibre contains a natural blend of forages and fibres providing the horse with all the necessary nutrients required for overall health and vitality whilst keeping energy levels low. With

high fibre levels this will help ensure slow rates of digestion throughout the hind gut and maintain gut health. As it contains no cereals and is very low in starch and sugars it is well suited to horses and ponies that are prone to laminitis. For more information contact Rowen Barbary Horse Feeds on 01948 880598 or visit www.rowenbarbary.co.uk


Feeding


Feeding - Obesity

TopSpec Lite Feed Balancer

Perfect for Paddocks

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

The Paddock Likit is the easy way to provide essential nutrients for horses and ponies that are at grass or on limited concentrate rations. Designed for use in the stable or field, the long lasting formulation is a cost-effective means of providing quality vitamins and minerals, plus garlic, oils, Biosprint Live Yeast and the ‘Happy Hoof’ formula. Likit consultant nutritionist, Dr Derek Cuddeford, explains why the product is so versatile: “Because of the way the Paddock Likit is manufactured, it can

be used in a wide range of situations. As its name implies, this Likit can be used when horses are at grass however, the latter is not just restricted to conventional fenced pastures but can include extensive rough grazing where it is difficult, if not impossible, to provide conventional supplements. Furthermore, the Paddock Likit can be used in the stable or barn, in fact anywhere you might keep your horse or pony. “Horses naturally feed little and often

over extended periods of time and the use of the Paddock Likit accords with this natural behaviour pattern as it is available 24/7. Thus, the horse or pony can obtain its daily micronutrient requirements over the 24-hour period, rather than all at once in a meal. Free choice also allows the animal to enjoy the Likit at any time, so reducing the risk of any bullying taking place.” The Paddock Likit is suitable for all types of horse or pony and is especially useful for good doers and equines

whose nutrient intake is restricted, at a suggested selling price of £13.99. Westgate EFI: 01303 872277www.likit.co.uk

December 2010 - Equi-Ads - 15

Joni Bentley


Feeding - Obesity

Feeding to avoid obesityDr Jo-Anne Murray PhD, PgDip, PgCert, BSc (Hons), BHSII, RNutr, FHEA

Obesity in horses is a growing problem, which can have major implications for health. Therefore, as we enter spring it is a good time to evaluate our horse’s bodyweight and consider if they may need to shed a few pounds.

The feral horse will gain weight during the spring and summer months, laying down fat to stock up for the times when access to food is more limited during the autumn and winter. However, in the domestic horse these times of limited access to food don’t exist as we feed our horses well year-round, which can mean that they enter spring already slightly overweight. The types of feedstuffs used in feeding regimes can be a part of the problem, with high calorie feeds, such as cereal grains, resulting in horses being able to eat more calories in a smaller amount of feed. Exercise is another aspect that needs to be considered, in that feral horses will roam for miles each day searching for food, whereas our domestic horse will be confined to a much smaller area of land. Many horses are also confined to stables for periods of time, which also reduces the amount of exercise they get. Furthermore, because we know that we need to make sure our horses have plenty of forage to eat to prevent them from becoming bored in the stable, we often provide ad lib hay, which coupled with low levels of exercise can contribute to weight gain.

All types and breeds of horses can be affected by being overweight; however, our native breeds tend to be more susceptible to weight gain. An overweight horse or pony is more likely to encounter health issues (such as digestive disorders, metabolic disorders, laminitis, respiratory problems, joint strain, heart and circulatory problems) as well as lethargy and lower performance. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your horse’s weight is managed appropriately. You will know yourself if your horse tends to put on weight easily and, if so, then he or she may be described as a “good doer”, and it is advisable to prevent weight gain in these types of horses rather than putting them on a diet later on.

The following information is provided as a guide in preventing weight gain and also advising you on the best way to manage weight loss if your horse is overweight. However, it is important to note that weight gain can be affected by certain medical conditions and therefore if your horse is overweight it is advisable to consult your veterinary surgeon for advice before beginning any form of weight management programme.

Assessing your horse’s body weight and condition

Before any nutritional intervention can take place, an assessment of your horse’s body weight and body condition needs to be done. This will allow you to calculate the amount of feed your horse requires and to determine if your horse needs to gain or lose weight. Regular assessment of body weight and body condition will also enable you to determine how much weight your horse has gained or lost over a certain period of time.

There are a few different ways that you can assess your horse’s weight. You can use a weigh bridge, but not everyone has access to one of these. Alternatively, you can use a weigh tape, which you can purchase from your local tack shop or feed merchant. It is important to measure your horse’s weight regularly and record this to allow you to monitor their weight. In addition to determining your horse’s weight, you also need to look at their body condition, which can be done using body condition scoring (BCS).

Many vets and nutritionists use a body condition scoring system called the Henneke Body Condition Scoring system, which uses a scale of one to ten to help them determine if a horse is of an appropriate condition or not. As a guide to assessing if your horse is overweight, a good place to start is the ribs. If the ribs can only be felt by pressing hard, or cannot be felt at all, then your horse is likely to be overweight. You can then look at the middle of the back, if the spinal processes cannot be felt and there is a noticeable crease down the back, then that will indicate that your horse is overweight. You can then look for fat deposits along the neck, rump and tailhead. Lumpy fatty tissue in these areas is of concern as they are an indication of obesity and an indicator of risk for obesity-related diseases, such as metabolic syndrome and laminitis.

Photo courtesy of World Horse Welfare

Now that we have discussed how to assess your horse’s weight we can consider how to deal with the situation of managing your horse’s weight.

Feeding horses that are prone to becoming overweight

Horses gain weight because they take in excess calories above the amount required for their daily metabolism and energy expenditure during exercise. Therefore, the goal of managing weight is to balance energy intake with energy expenditure. The following is a guide on ways in which you can manage your horse’s weight.

• Evaluate your horse’s diet in consultation with your veterinary surgeon or nutritionist• Commit to managing your horse’s weight over the longer term• Base your horse’s diet on forage and/or fibre• Make dietary changes gradually and avoid prolonged periods of fasting• Minimise high calorie feedstuffs in the diet (e.g. cereal grains and oil)• No excessive feeding of treats (e.g. carrots, apples etc)• Ensure adequate exercise• Be realistic about workload and feed according to how much work your horse is doing (most people over-estimate how much work their horse is doing)• Feed your horse as an individual

Feeding horses that need to lose weight

The basic principle of weight loss is “eat less” and “exercise more”; however, I am sure that many of us know that it is easy to say this, but it can be difficult to put into practice. What we have to remember is that it is us, as horse owners, that need to make

the changes required to promote weight loss in our animals. Therefore, we need to evaluate how we are currently managing our horses and consider what changes we can make to enable them to lose weight. The following is a guide to how weight loss can be managed (these are in addition to those points given in the above section).

• After assessing your horse’s body weight and BCS, set realistic goals for target weight loss, in consultation with your veterinary surgeon or nutritionist.• Commit to a long term weight management programme.• Make any dietary changes gradual, including reductions in the amount of feed offered. Health problems can occur when horses are suddenly fed severely restricted diets.• Remove all high calorie feedstuffs from the diet (e.g. cereal grains and oil)• Feed at 2 percent of bodyweight for the first two months of the programme (for example, 6 kg per day for a 300 kg pony)• Increase the amount of exercise your horse is doing (if appropriate), weight loss is more effective by combining feed restriction with increased exercise.• If your horse is not doing any exercise then this must be introduced gradually to avoid injury, especially in overweight horses as they are more prone to fatigue and injury as they are carrying excess weight. You may begin with walking in-hand twice daily for the first week and gradually increase to 1 hour of exercise daily.• If your horse is unable to be exercised (for example in the case of chronic lameness), you could turn out into a larger paddock or turning out with a companion to try to increase the amount of voluntary exercise your horse does.

Crispy is a Welsh Section A gelding who belongs to 8-year-old Grace Human of Essex. He’s your archetypal Native pony, who gets fat on thin air and has suffered from laminitis in the past so is carefully managed to keep his waistline in check. As well as strictly controlled access to grazing, Crispy gets coarse, stalky hay, which was late-cut so is less digestible and which gets soaked to leach out further nutrients. “He gets several small haynets per day, depending on how much time he’s allowed at grass,” explains Grace, “and we use small-holed nets to slow down his eating too!”

To provide the nutrients lacking in forage, Grace also gives Crispy one mug (1/2lb/225g) of Baileys Lo-Cal balancer per day with a handful of low calorie chaff. This supplies quality protein, for muscle tone, plus a full range of vitamins, minerals and important antioxidants to support health and well-being. Lo-Cal contains all the nutrients essential for healthy hoof growth, including biotin, zinc and methionine,

as well as Bioplex® minerals and Sel-Plex® selenium, which are easily absorbed and utilised to ensure the horse benefits from every mouthful.

“It’s great that Lo-Cal gives Crispy the essential nutrients he needs but without the calories he’d get if I fed him a mix or cube,” says Grace, who’s delighted to have found a feed and regime that keeps Crispy looking great, laminitis-free and fit and fun to ride. Baileys Lo-Cal balancer retails at around £25 for a 20kg bag. For advice on feeding your good-doer or laminitic, contact Baileys Horse Feeds on 01371 850247 (option 2) or visit www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk.

Baileys Lo-Cal Balancer


Feeding - Health Care


Feeding - Obesity

Support the Laminitis Trust with SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF®

Feeding ‘fatties’

Extra! Extra! Feed All About It!

Laminitis is every horse owner’s nightmare. It can affect any horse or pony at any time but SPILLERS® is committed to helping you to keep your horse as safe as possible. This year the feed company is donating 20p to The Laminitis Trust from every bag of SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF® sold during the months of April and May 2012. “Laminitis is a serious condition that can cause real heart ache for an owner,” explains Clare Barfoot RNutr, the research and development manager at SPILLERS®. Although research has advanced our knowledge of it, many aspects continue to elude us. Further research is needed, especially to understand why some horses and ponies are more susceptible than others if we are to reduce occurrences of the condition in the future.” What is already known is that diet-related laminitis is the easiest to manage. Low starch, high fibre feeds such as the Laminitis Trust approved SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF®, have been identified as the safest choice for those who are prone to laminitis. It’s also important to restrict access to grass

and to provide regular exercise. The Laminitis Trust, founded in 1998, is the only registered charity dedicated to supporting research into equine laminitis. For every bag of SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF® sold during April and May this year SPILLERS® will be donating 20p to help support The Trust’s important work. “In this way not only will you be helping to keep your horse or pony safe but you will also be helping to provide crucial support for others in the future,” said Clare. For friendly feeding advice on how to keep your horse or pony safe from laminitis please telephone the SPILLERS® Care-Line on + 44 (0)1908 226626, email to [email protected] or visit the SPILLERS® website at www.spillers-feeds.com. You can also join Team SPILLERS® on Facebook.

Allen & Page’s Fast Fibre is barley and molasses free making it very low in starch and sugar and suitable for horses and ponies at risk of laminitis or prone to weight gain. Fast Fibre contains quality fibre sources as well as soya oil and linseed for essential Omega 3 oils. Fast Fibre is balanced with vitamins and minerals and also contains prebiotics to help maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria

in the gut.

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

For further information, contact our friendly nutrition team on 01362 822902, email us at [email protected] or visit our website www.allenandpage.com

Mollichaff Extra is to be re-launched at the Badminton Horse Trials with a new formulation to make it even better for your horse or pony! New Mollichaff Extra is a high quality, molassed chaff combining high quality, chopped wheat straw blended with a lighter coating of molasses together with an improved broad spectrum mineral and vitamin supplement. New Mollichaff Extra also contains limestone and salt, and the added minerals and trace elements are copper, manganese, zinc, selenium, iron and iodine. The new formulation also includes vitamins A, D and E, B1, B2, B6, B12, biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid and choline chloride. And, like all the products in the Mollichaff range, it is dust-extracted to help maintain a healthy respiratory system. Each kilogramme of new improved Mollichaff Extra provides at least 25% of the daily trace element and vitamin requirements of a 500kg horse. Together these benefit the condition of all horses and ponies, especially breeding and young stock and those on a low concentrate/high forage diet. By carefully choosing a feed or chaff that is fortified with a full range of vitamins and minerals relevant to your horse’s requirements, you may

find you have no need for expensive supplements to add to your horse’s diet. To celebrate the re-launch of Mollichaff Extra, we are running a competition for one lucky person to win feed for their horse or pony for the winter. To enter please visit our tradestand at events and shows throughout 2012 for an entry form. (Details of the shows we are attending can be found on our website). For further information please call the HorseHage Helpline on 01803 527257 or visit www.horsehage.co.uk

cont. from p.16

• Once the level of exercise has been increased, feed restriction can be reduced• If after 2 months your horse still needs to lose more weight, then you can reduce feed intake to 1.5 percent of bodyweight for a further 2 months (for example, 4.5 kg per day for a 300 kg pony).• For restricted feed intakes divide the forage ration into 3 to 4 feeds per day• Prolong feeding time by using haynets with small holes• Restrict access to lush pasture (see below for advice on managing turnout)

Turnout advice:

Unlimited access to grazing during the growing season can lead to weight gain as pastures are typically high in sugars during this time. Therefore, whilst allowing horses access to pasture is a good management practice as it promotes exercise, reduces boredom and promotes social contact with other horses, this must be limited in order to reduce the intake of grass in those horses that are overweight or prone to

weight gain.

• Avoid or restrict turnout at the times of year when sugar levels in the grass are likely to be highest (spring and autumn)• If you do turnout, then do so at times when sugar levels are likely to be lowest (late night to early morning)• Provide forage when your horse is not turned out• Restrict turnout to small, well managed paddocks• Do not graze on pastures that have not been properly managed by regular grazing or cutting. (young leafy swards contain less sugars than mature stemmy grasses)• Ensure pastures are free from toxic plants (hungry animals are more likely to eat them)• Consider using a strip grazing strategy, where paddocks are divided into smaller areas in order to limit grass intake• Consider the use of grazing muzzles (ensure horse can drink enough and be aware of possible behavioural issues)• Consider turnout in an indoor or outdoor school with forage provision


Stud


Health Care - Hoofcare

cont. on p.22

Hoof Solutions from Baileys

Peter Fenton BVM&S, MRCVS

Both Baileys Lo-Cal and Performance balancers contain a blend of nutrients integral to strong, healthy hoof growth. With biotin, zinc and methionine, included in their superior vitamin and mineral profile, Baileys’ balancers also contain key antioxidants, like selenium and vitamin E, to help counter damaging free radicals, levels of which have been found to increase in laminitics and hard working horses.

Importantly, Baileys choose Alltech’s Bioplex® chelated minerals and Sel-Plex® selenium to ensure that these essential nutrients are easily absorbed and more available for use by the horse’s body than traditional sources. Along with Yea-Sacc®1026 yeast culture and Digest Plus prebiotic, which support gut efficiency,

this means that horses fed Lo-Cal or Performance Balancers really can make the most of every mouthful.

With quality protein for tissue development and repair but few calories, Lo-Cal and Performance Balancer may be fed on their own, as the sole concentrate alongside forage, or to top up reduced amounts of concentrate feed, ensuring the diet contains all a horse or pony needs for good health and a strong set of hooves.

SRPsLo-Cal balancer – around £25/20kgPerformance Balancer – around £26.99/20kg

For further information contact Baileys Horse Feeds on 01371 850247, [email protected] or visit www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk.

The foot of the horse is a complicated structure that has developed through evolution to be an efficient and essential tool in the horses’ design enabling it to travel at speed. Unfortunately this design also predisposes it to many of the lameness problems that we see regularly in our patients.

We cannot possibly cover all of the different combinations of conformation, farriery and medical problems that

affect the foot of the horse so we will cover what I consider to be some common preventable problems and try to dispel some myths!

The first point at which we can assess the feet of a horse is when we see it PRIOR to buying it and this is an excellent time to take a good look at the conformation, quality and balance of the feet and potentially avoid buying a lifetime of trouble. Conformation varies

between breeds and individuals within a breed therefore although terms like “ it has a typical thoroughbreds feet” may apply to the majority of thoroughbred and cross thoroughbred horses there are individuals that have a much better foot shape.

Foot balance can be affected by conformation of the foot or the limb, farriery and chronic disease. The assessment and correction of poor balance by the farrier is key to preventing lameness and further hoof damage due to excessive load in a small area of the hoof instead of even load around the whole hoof. In an ideal world the foot should land completely level on the ground at the end of each stride to give the horse the most support and even transfer of weight as it moves. If the horse has a conformational deformity where the leg has a turn in it, then it may be necessary to trim the foot more to either the outside or inside to achieve good balance. Likewise diseases like chronic laminitis present an ongoing challenge to the farrier

in correcting abnormal, uneven hoof growth and balance.

There is increasing interest in having horses unshod. There are no hard rules for which horses will and will not suit barefoot; wanting them to be barefoot because it is “natural” is not appropriate as a domesticated horse is kept in an entirely unnatural management style. The fact is that it is entirely dependant on the conformation of the feet and the type of surface the horse is expected to work on and turn out on. A horse with thin solar horn and poor wall quality is unlikely to ever suit barefoot and the other extreme is the large strong, usually cob – type, foot that will tolerate hacking on most surfaces without shoes but if this horse does a lot of road work it too can wear the hoof excessively and become foot sore. Most horses usually fall in the group in the middle ground and our advice is that you try it and see but if the horse is painful on any of the surfaces you expect it to go on regularly then it must be shod to alleviate the pain. There can also be a compromise of removing shoes during periods of little work and fitting them again when more is asked of the horse – this can also help if the lower part of the hoof wall is cracking up with nail holes or through being very dry.

The use of supplements and topical preparations is a minefield of different products with varying claims to what they can or will do for your horses feet. There are very few of these with scientific evidence to support their claims. It is accepted that any supplementation with biotin will usually improve the quality of horn in horses feet, however it will not make them grow any faster or thin soles become thicker! This is useful in horses that have had a period of poor nutrition to the hoof either through illness or neglect, there are few horses that have naturally poor quality feet if they are on a nutritious, balanced diet. Another useful product is a topical hoof moisturiser – not to be confused with hoof oil – the moisturiser will be absorbed into dry and cracked hooves restoring the moisture into the horn and therefore the flexibility, this reduces

Essential guide to horses’ feet

Long toe, low heel - typical of thoroughbred type

Upright foot


Feeding



the cracking of dry hooves. The foot usually gets dry because either the weather is very dry and they are not getting any moisture from the ground or with a stabled horse on a deep shavings bed. The dry foot also gets very hard and has reduced flexibility during the normal stride. This will potentially cause 2 main problems which are a reduced pumping of blood in the foot as this is encouraged by the flexion and contraction of the hoof capsule and also increased concussion up the whole limb as the shock absorbing properties are reduced in a hard foot.

The medical conditions that can affect the foot are numerous and would constitute a whole book not a paragraph in this article!! I think most people have experience of the common problems including sub-solar abscesses, laminitis, deep flexor injury, bruising and corns, and palmer foot pain including navicular disease. It has been shown that, since the advent of MRI scanning in horses, a large number of previously suspected navicular disease cases are actually more complicated soft tissue and tendon injuries. The one injury I would like to mention is wounds that involve partial or full thickness damage to the coronary band. The coronary band is a specialised tissue that contributes to the formation of the horny hoof capsule. If it is involved in a wound it will not repair with those specialised cells but will simply scar and scar tissue will not produce horn and the horse will be left with a significant defect in its hoof for

the rest of its life creating instability in the foot and farriery challenges. These wounds can be overlooked as they tend not to bleed much and may be covered by mud or the horses feathers. It is very important that these injuries are repaired as soon as possible after they have occurred to give them the best chance of maintaining the integrity of the foot.

In summary a thorough examination and consideration of the horses’ feet

and conformation before you buy it is important to avoid ongoing problems as for a greater extent they are what they are and it is unlikely you will make major changes to the feet in an adult horse. The ongoing expert care of a good farrier is key to the health of your horses’ feet and consideration of your OWN personal circumstances with respect to foot type and work expected of the horse are what decides how you manage them with shoes and possible nutritional help. Do not just do what someone else you know is doing as their situation is inevitably different from yours. If your horses’ lifestyle changes then consider if the management of their feet needs to change too – it is not advisable to just carry on the same because thats what we’ve always done!! Hopefully you enjoy years of trouble free foot care.

Available in 500ml Black or Natural.

Priding itself on top quality, effective products that you can trust at affordable prices, Barrier Animal

Healthcare specialises in a range of entirely natural, non-irritant healthcare products that are not only effective, but are kind to the animal, the user and to the environment. Barrier Animal Healthcare’s products are FREE from all prohibited substances under current

FEI & HRA rules and suitable for use in organic farming systems. Fungicidal Hoof Oil is a non-sealing, antifungal, antibacterial, glossy formulation for the maintenance of healthy hooves. It is a fine strengthening lubricant that combined with natural coconut derivatives makes it an ideal product for use on wet, dry, weak, brittle, split hooves, sand cracks and smelly, spongy frogs.

Helps to maintain the natural moisture balance and allows the hooves to breathe. Massage around the coronary band to help promote growth and the

long-term quality of the horn. Does not contain Tars of any kind.

Designed, Manufactured and Marketed by Barrier Animal Healthcare T: 01953 456363 Visit www.flyrepel.com

Collapsed Heel - heel rolling under foot with no support

Heavy feathering shows the difficulty in assessing foot conformation in these breeds

Fungicidal Hoof Oil



TopSpec Healthy Hoof is designed to be added to any horse feed to greatly improve hoof quality.

It not only includes optimum levels of all the micronutrients that promote hoof quality but also a broad range of micronutrients that improve the efficiency of the hoof supplement whilst also supporting light work. Healthy Hoof also produces a shiny coat and supple skin.

It contains the levels of Biotin (15mg/500kg horse per day), and associated nutrients, scientifically proven to improve hoof quality, including chelated zinc, methionine, MSM, copper,

iodine, calcium and Vitamin A, which all improve the effect of Biotin alone.Caramel flavoured TopSpec Healthy Hoof is recommended by equine veterinary practices, farriers and independent equine nutritionists.

3kg TopSpec Healthy Hoof £20.25

Also available in 9kg and 20kg sizes, offering a 25% and 40% saving

compared to smaller tubs.

For further information please contact the Multiple Award-Winning Helpline on 01845 565030 or visit www.topspec.com

PRO FEET Liquid is a first in equine nutritional support. Developed by veterinary scientists, with the assistance of farriers from around the UK, PRO FEET offers the most concentrated, fast acting, liquid nutritional support for quality hoof growth. Used and recommended by the best farriers in the world, PRO FEET provides:• optimum daily levels of biotin, • unrivalled daily measure of MSM • a broad blend of amino acids, • essential fatty acids • a complex of vitamins and minerals

PRO FEET is unique. It provides nutritional support that targets Liver function. A healthy Liver is fundamental to healthy hoof growth. All too often the liver can become stressed which compromises its function, and this is turn, has detrimental effects on the health of the hoof. Feeding a blend of naturally sourced ingredients, scientifically verified to have antioxidant properties, will help achieve optimum liver function, thus supporting quality hoof growth. The hoof specific nutrients in PRO FEET work in synergy with the naturally sourced antioxidant ingredients in the formula to provide a hoof supplement that out performs all those that came before. PRO FEET Hoof Moist is an entirely

natural product with a dual action - it improves hoof condition and acts as a hoof cosmetic. Research shows that traditional oil and grease applications can be detrimental to the health of the hoof, because both substances prevent the absorption of the very moisture essential for the maintenance of supple robust hooves. PRO FEET Hoof Moist is oil and grease free and especially formulated to sustain the moisture content of the hoof and allow natural fluctuation of moisture levels. The ingredients used to make Hoof Moist are of human cosmetic grade and the manufacturing process used in its production results in a smooth gel consistency to allow for even application and promote spreading characteristics. Hoof Moist also contains Teatree, which gives it a natural antiseptic quality. Hoof Moist is particularly useful throughout the dry summer months and also for the horse who has to spend prolonged periods on dry bedding, which draws moisture out from the hoof. The PRO FEET range of products are available from NAF stockists nationwide. To find out more please visit your nearest stockist or call the NAF Freephone: 0800 373 106, email [email protected] or log on to www.naf-uk.com

Rock Hard is a unique, premium hoof hardener. Approved and recommended by farriers, Rock Hard is formulated to naturally protect brittle, flaking hooves, strengthen soft soles and disinfect frogs prone to fungal and bacterial attack. Naturally formulated, Rock Hard contains Zinc Sulphate and MSM to strengthen the entire hoof capsule, it does not contain formaldehyde. Zinc is important for the formation

of healthy horn, while MSM is rich in bio-available sulphur, essential for the health and strength of two vital components for the hoof – the disulphide links and Keratins. Rock Hard naturally hardens and strengthens the hoof whilst maintaining its inherent pliability and is safe for long term use. RRP: 250ml - £20.95 Available from NAF stockists nationwide.

PRO FEET protects hooves

Stamp out bad feet

TopSpec Healthy Hoof


Health Care - Lameness

Lameness – Treatment and PrognosisBen Sturgeon BSc, BVM&S, Cert EP, MRCVS

In last months article we examined the investigation and diagnosis of lameness. This though is small beer compared to what a client really wants to know, what are we going to do and what’s the outcome likely to be?

Which treatment we use is obviously dependent upon what the problem is. However, a sliding scale of options are generally available. Take, for example, the typical arthritic joint. A huge variety of therapies are out there:

Surgical evaluation of the joint with debridement of cartilage or cartilage replacement, lavage of the inflammatory debris and synovial fluid replacementIntra-articular anti-inflammatories with joint supplementationIntra-muscular &/or oral joint supplementationExercise management with remedial/balance farrieryAnalgesic use with exerciseField restNo active interference

Or take a typical tendon injury with a 50% tear.

Stem cell or PRP with superior check

ligament desmotomyShock waveTendon splittingRest and controlled exercise with regular ultrasound re-evaluationRest and controlled exerciseField turnout

Which one you do is dependent on many factors – injury extent, joint involved, acute or chronic injury, cost, use of horse, age, time, even scientific proof or fashion, or even dare I say it, surgeon or vet preference, skill or arrogance. But the important point is that the list is a sliding scale.

Where the “better” the treatment, theoretically at least, the better the prognosis.

Any treatment less than a certain level will result in an “unworthy” prognostic result.

I know this is all about practicality and money but the cost of a vet visit and examination pales to insignificance in relation to the conservatively estimated costs of just keeping a lame horse for say 10years which is estimated to be £20,000.

Importantly veterinary medicine is not a static science and evolution is necessary. Some therapies, whilst being novel have yet to be fully elucidated, (i.e. short, medium and long term result assessed) and include the various stem cell treatments. Some surgeries too have little assessment because of rarity &/or the value of horse where it is undertaken. For example, fracture repair of the cannon bone utilising cortical bone screws and arthroscopic guidance is well evaluated in racing Thoroughbreds simply because of the commonness of the procedure and value of animal involved. Compare this to desmitis of the hind suspensory in working Mules where the results are non-existent. Whilst extrapolation of results intra-species is certainly of value, complete comparisons should be viewed with a level of suspicion.

So what are the mainstay treatments?

RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, (Elevation). Acute treatment for any injury is the same and follows the simple remit of “don’t make it any worse!” Client and patient compliance is always an obstacle here where the horse is needed to be ridden.

Controlled exercise: All tissues from bone, muscle, tendon and brain all grow in response to stimulation i.e. exercise. Uncontrolled exercise however such as in a horse simply field rested with a tendon injury will not heal as effectively as one where the slower but “stronger” tissues are encouraged by stressing the tissues appropriately.

Foot balance: If you get a bent leg then we need to reduce the compressive and physical forces – remedial farriery is the only way.

Medical joint and tendon therapies: A growing field

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Platelets are small pieces derived from larger cells which are an essential component of blood with roles in blood clotting and healing. They contain granules with biologically active factors which can be released at sites of injury to aid tissue regeneration. To encourage healing of orthopaedic injuries including tendon and ligament disorders, a concentrated suspension of platelets may be prepared and delivered. This platelet rich plasma (PRP) is produced using blood from the patient and is often administered using an ultrasound guided injection. This therapy is usually combined with a controlled exercise program to encourage healing.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cells are cells which have the capacity to become one of many different cells types. These cells have several important functions in the healing of injuries including an anti-inflammatory effect and the recruitment of other healing cells. The aims of stem cell therapy are to encourage healing of normal tissue and reduce the potential for recurrence of injury. In the horse, stem cell therapy uses adult stem cells obtained from the patient and cultured prior to implantation at the site of injury. This procedure involves collection of bone marrow from sternum, extraction and culture of stem cells (18 days approximately), and injection of isolated cells directly into the site of injury. Studies have shown lower re-injury rates following stem cell treatment for tendon and ligament injury.

Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS)

Autologous conditioned serum (ACS) is derived from the patient’s own blood and contains a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory protein called IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra or IRAP). Blood is taken from the patient and incubation for 24 hours to stimulate production of IL-1Ra. This is then collected to be administered by injection into the affected (usually osteoarthritic) joint or frozen for future treatment.

Surgery: An ever developing field as dependent on materials as technical skill. Most orthopaedic conditions have some available surgery, although it is appropriate that conservative methods are generally followed first.

Prognosis as highlighted is dependent upon many factors and with most conditions there will be a “gold standard” proven to provide the best result. Percentage results can be misleading with a bland 70% success providing genuine optimism whereas a discussion along the lines of “a third of these fail” is perhaps a more realistic view. All prognoses as well as being dependent upon the aforementioned criteria are dependent upon selection of an appropriate case. A nervous semi-handled colt with a solar penetration of the foot necessitating surgery and daily sterile dressings change of 10 days duration will not carry the same prognosis as a sensible 10 year old with the same problem of 24 hours duration. A close discussion with the vet should highlight these discrepancies allowing you to make the appropriate decision for your horse.



Improve your horse’s hooves

Did you know that EVERY tub of Horslyx contains a unique Healthy Hooves package?

Hoof Mender

Hoof Mender 75 is a high quality hoof supplement, that comes with a money back guarantee.

It contains high levels of Biotin (daily dose is 75Mg) along with highly digestible Zinc Methionate to encourage strong keratin growth in the hoof. In addition, Hoof Mender contains Saccharomyces Cerivisae Yeast, Ascorbic Acid and MSM, all designed to help restore healthy hoof growth.

As hoof growth is a slow process, Equimins offer a 12 month money back guarantee. If, after feeding Hoof Mender for a 12 month period, the horse’s owner doesn’t see an improvement in hoof condition, they just need to provide proof of purchase and the money will be refunded,

Hoof Mender is available in 3kg, 5kg, 10kg and 20kg quantities, where 3kg will last around 50 days and retails at £34.30. A new 1.8 kg eco bag trial size has just been launched, this is 30 days supply for the average horse and will make it easier and less expensive for new customers to try it, at £22.25.

Hoof Moisturising Balm

Equimins’ Hoof Moisturising Balm provides a long lasting waterproof and moisturising layer, designed to help prevent the horse’s hooves from drying out.

The product helps to stop hooves drying, cracking and splitting, whether this is caused by dry ground in the summer months, or the horse’s bedding during the winter months. It should be applied to clean, dry hooves as and when necessary, and also creates a great shine, which is ideal for the show ring.

Hoof Moisturising Balm is available in 300g and 1kg tubs. Prices start from £11.75.

For more information see www.equimins.com, email [email protected] or call 01548 531770.

Every tub of Horslyx contains Biotin, Methionine and Chelated Zinc – all vital to promote strong and healthy hooves. This, paired with the unique vitamin, mineral and trace elements offered in every Horslyx can help your horse reach optimum health, vitality and over all well being.

We are all familiar with the age-old proverb “no foot, no horse” and in the modern day this still stands. Good hoof care is essential for the development of hoof growth, horn health and in order to maintain soundness in your horse. Alongside correct farriery, the quality of nutrition our horses receive has a huge impact on their hooves. A poor diet can lead to poor and slow growth rate, hoof cracks and even laminitis.

Every Horslyx contains a comprehensive nutrient package including Biotin - which helps strengthen hooves and can assist hoof health in the presence of laminitis; Methionine - a major building block in the development of healthy

connective tissue; and Chelated Zinc - which is vital for the laying down of tough and strong Keratin. Horslyx is also high in oil, which not only leads to a glossy, healthy and shiny coat but also adds to the pliability of the hoof structure.

Horslyx is available in four different formulations, Original, Respiratory, Garlic and Mobility allowing owners to feed specifically to their horses’ requirements in one cost effective, low calorie and easy method. Horslyx is available in 5kg, 15kg and 80kg weatherproof tubs, with prices starting at around £9.95.

To find out more about Horslyx visit: www.horslyx.co.uk, or tel: (01697) 332 592.


Health Care - Hoofcare - Tack & Turnout - Boots

Twice as nice!

Boots – the Best Protection

Equimins are currently offering an exceptional special offer on their popular Laminator supplement, buy one 1.2kg tub at half price during April and May and, inside, there’s a voucher for 50% off a 3kg tub…making this promotion twice as nice! This offer has been designed to encourage people to try Laminator with minimal financial investment, and a subsequent promotion is provided in the product as a thank you. Laminator is a high specification supplement that has been created to help support the laminae and maintain hoof integrity, using organic zinc to help promote strong keratin growth, and a 75 mg daily dose of biotin that, with zinc, produces strong new hoof growth. In addition, Laminator contains hesperidin, vitamin C and feverfew to help maintain blood flow to the laminar corum; and Saccharomyces cerivisae yeast which, with probiotics, helps the digestion of fibre in the hind gut. “Laminator has helped a lot of horses over the years,” says David Willey, Managing Director of Equimins. “We

ran an offer like this with our high specification fibre balancer Advance Concentrate earlier this year, and it was such a success that we’ve decided to provide the same offer to potential and current users of Laminator. We’ve devised this supplement to help address the challenges faced by laminitic horses and ponies, and the results have been excellent.” To take advantage of the offer, simply buy a 1.2 kg tub of Laminator in April or May and get it for half price (usual RRP £26.25, price during April and May £13.12). Inside the tub will be a voucher that entitles the user to 50% off a 3kg tub of powdered Laminator (usual RRP £59.95, available for £29.98 with voucher). This offer is available until 31 May 2012, and is limited to one per the customer. On average, 3 kg will last the average horse 60-120 days at maintenance

level. For more information see www.equimins.com, email [email protected] or call 01548 531770.

Like rider head and body protection, modern materials and the latest research and technology has revolutionised horse boots to give an unprecedented level of protection.

If you are looking for some new protection for the first time in a while, be prepared to be amazed and possibly bamboozled by the choice on offer. From new designs and modern materials to the fashion and multicolour options you would be excused for

The horse’s limbs are susceptible to a variety of dangers including impact and strains. Injuries and damage can occur in the stable, field, when travelling but most often when galloping and jumping. The type, level and style you select will depend upon the job the horse will be undertaking, the level of protection required as well as budget and of course personal taste and preference.

Interestingly, although racing is considered to put huge pressure onto horses’ limbs, they are very rarely equipped with boots. This is because there is surprisingly little risk from impact as the fences tend to be very soft and forgiving and most of the injury risk is from tendon damage at the end of a race. Boots tend to increase the temperature of tendons and warmer tendons are far more at risk from injury. Most trainers therefore prefer to run their horses with nothing on their legs to enable them to stay as cool as possible. With the advancement in cooling technology in modern boots it will be interesting to see how much this will change in the future.

Apart from racing, and showing, where boots are not permitted in ridden classes in almost every other form of ridden sport, horses will wear some form or another of lower leg protection. What style and type will be largely dependant on which part of the limb is most likely to be prone to injury. Horses jumping solid objects or crossing rough terrain will be prone to impact injuries from external objects, those travelling at speed, possibly over rough terrain or twisting and turning could be at risk from impact injury from one or other of their own feet or limbs. Landing over drops, from high fences, turning or stopping rapidly can all cause strain injuries to tendons, ligaments and joints.

‘Strike’ pads build into the boots are reinforced sections where the threat of strike injury is most likely. This could be on the shin for XC, or on the inside of tendons and fetlock joints for brushing injuries and or down the back of the tendon to protect from high over-reach contact. Cross Country Event boots are likely to include all the above

protections, whereas Show Jumpers tend to prefer open-fronted boots, leaving the shin exposed to enable the horse to feel the poles should they hit one, yet giving full protection to the flexor tendons on the back of the leg if the horse should strike into himself with a big jump. Day to day brushing boots for working at home or when lunging will usually be of a lighter weight material and only have a strike pad down the inside of the foreleg and fetlock joint. Horses tend to move slightly closer when working on the lunge and young horses when being broken can be unbalanced and uncoordinated, and while major injury is unlikely, protection is advised.

Overreach boots have also moved on vastly from the old rubber bell shaped pull-ons and the flappy petal design are quicker and easier to put on. The new designs also eliminate the problems of them turning inside out and rotating, giving far better protection where required over the bulbs of the heels to prevent painful and slow to heal overreach injuries.

There are certain activities where there is more danger of strain rather than impact injuries, so a different design of boot gives better protection. Whereas some impact boots will have elastication built into the straps, there are boots made from fabric and material which has elastic and support built in therefore giving a more even and complete support to both tendons and joints. They tend to have no impact strike pads at all as these would affect their ability to stretch evenly. Sports medicine boots give additional support around the bottom of the fetlock joints, giving additional protection to the sesamoids and all the various ligaments and tendon junctions that are around and under the fetlock. Many polo ponies are now using these type of boots either on their own or over polo bandages as further support.

Having discussed the various styles, we should probably also touch on the amazing development and improvement of the materials that boots and their linings are made from. Gone are the days of leather, sheepskin and felt which could rub badly and also became exceptionally heavy when wet. Today we have a plethora to choose from which allow skin to breathe, don’t absorb sweat or water, don’t rub, are lightweight and exceptionally strong. Neoprene, Kevlar, polyurethane and other high-tech composite materials are now used widely. Fastenings too have changed and although traditional buckles are still used on leather boots most are now clips, button and buttonhole or Velcro.

As well as the more regularly used styles of boots, there are also specialised boots for very specific purposes such as speedicut boots, fetlock boots, magnetic boots, travel boots, knee and hock boots, sausage boots and covering boots.

Most importantly with so much choice, is to select boots that give the best protection for your purpose, buy and use boots that are the correct size for your horse and be careful on how you put them on, poorly fitted boots can cause more problems than they solve. Boots that are too loose will slip and rub, too tight and they can cause severe tendon damage.

And a final note; check with various relevant societies

before selecting boots for competition as some have very specific rules as to what is, or is not permitted.


Mud Fever



Shoe secure won’t let you down!

Protect their hooves from the inside out

Farrier’s Aid from GWF Nutrition

With the British weather being the way it is, being able to ride or compete when the weather is fine becomes even more important. Don’t miss your week end hack, training or competition because of lost shoes, fit ShoeSecure the revolutionary horse shoe shield. Many

reviews from happy customers can be viewed on www. shoesecure.com. You can buy through the web site with prompt delivery UK and Europe.

See the advert for more information.

20% of horses have poorly structured hooves which can go unnoticed from the outside, adversely affecting soundness, mobility, everyday movement and shoe retention. The majority of hoof problems are deeper than is visible, so to effect a real change you need to address the problem from within. Farriers and nutritionists recognise the influence nutrition plays in the quality and health of your horse’s hooves and recommend continuous daily supplementation which can help

maintain hoof resilience, strength and structure. One scoop of EquiHoof contains all the essential nutrients your horse needs to maintain healthy hooves and promote soundness and stability. Most problems are not isolated to one part of the foot, so any supplement you use should contain a range of nutrients to nourish the whole hoof. Each serving of EquiHoof contains optimum levels of calcium phosphate to maintain internal strength and support the bones;

methionine, vital for healthy hoof horn and its protective antioxidant power; zinc citrate which is easily absorbed to maintain hoof wall strength; and biotin - essential for horn formation, healthy skin and hair and maintaining condition of the periople. The advanced unique formulation helps feed every part of the hoof from the inside out to maintain strong, healthy hooves all year round. To learn more about the

VetVits range, which includes joint and veteran supplements at half the price of other leading brands, or to see what customers have to say about

our products please visit www.vetvits.co.uk or call Freephone 0808 100 40 80. All orders include Free P&P and a no quibble refund if you’re not 100% satisfied. EquiHoof 1.5 months’ supply @ £13.45

We all benefit from fresh air to breathe, humans and ponies if we are to avoid crippling lung diseases.

What is fresh air? We think that air is fresher out of doors than inside and that is correct. However even the freshest of air contains billions of tiny particles which we cannot see or feel as we breathe in. The tiny particles are of many different types, soil dust, pollens, fungal spores, yeasts, bacteria and viruses are common air pollutants. Polluted air can also contain irritating gases like ammonia.

Ponies’ respiratory systems have a battery of defences against these tiny particles. Just like us if ponies either have to breathe in really dirty air, like smoke, they cough. Coughing is a powerful means of expelling air and mucus from the lungs and upper respiratory tract.

The upper respiratory tract, the trachea and bronchi, are lined with tiny cilia and a profusion of mucous secreting glands. Cilia are small extensions of the cells lining the respiratory tract like blades

of grass. They protrude into the lumen of the airway and are endowed with an innate motion which makes them sweep upwards towards the pharynx and nostrils. Mucus is very sticky and is constantly secreted into the airway around the cilia to capture particulate matter. So most of the tiny particles which get as far as the upper respiratory tract are stuck to the mucus and then swept back up towards the pharynx where they are swallowed.

However not all the particles get caught and if they are sucked into the deepest parts of the lung they can cause problems. The barrier between the air and the blood, deep in the lungs is very thin; it has to be in order for the oxygen in the air to diffuse into the blood and the carbon dioxide in the blood to diffuse into the air. The air we breathe in ends up in tiny balloons called alveoli; this is where most of the gas exchange happens. This part of the lung has a huge surface area to maximize the gas exchanges.

So what goes wrong if ponies either don’t have clean air to breathe? The tiny particles irritate the lining of the

respiratory tract. Some particles are more irritating than others and some are more irritating to some ponies than others. Some ponies are more sensitive to polluted air.

If irritating particles lodge in the lower airways the body reacts by secreting more mucus into the airways and by sending out cells from the blood to gobble up the irritating particles. This is fine but in doing so the cells release substances which cause inflammation to the lung cells. If the irritation and inflammation goes on long enough the little alveoli become damaged and their walls get weakened and punctured causing the little balloons to become much bigger balloons which have thicker walls. This is bad news as the surface area for gas exchange is reduced and the gases cannot penetrate the thicker walls as they would normally do. Then the pony finds it harder to breathe, cannot run as fast and gasps for breath. This is called emphysema or chronic pulmonary disease. The pony starts to cough to try and get rid of the accumulated mucus in the lungs and uses its tummy muscles to help it breathe out. These ponies used to be called broken winded and the abnormal use of the tummy muscles shows as a “heave line” (the pony heaves with the tummy muscle to

breathe out).

Not all of the particles which your pony might breathe cause the same type of inflammation. They cause the lungs to react in a different way. When these particles reach the alveoli they are recognized as particularly nasty and the body reacts by constricting the lumen of the airways in an attempt to prevent any more being breathed in. However this makes it very hard for the pony to breathe and it starts to gasp and wheeze: this is called allergy. In milder cases the pony keeps shaking its head which makes it very difficult to ride.

Sometimes the body’s reaction to the particles is very marked and some ponies die due to the abnormal constriction of the airways to the particles: they suffocate. This is called anaphylaxis.

So can you avoid these problems?

Firstly keep your pony outside as much as possible provided it cannot eat too much and become fatter than it should be. Yards and woodchip arenas are idea so the pony gets fresh air, can exercise but you can control how much food it gets.

Farrier’s Aid is a high specification feed supplement, containing a blend of 12 specific nutricines and trace elements. Suitable for all horses and ponies, Farrier’s Aid provides all the elements needed to maintain hoof integrity and growth.

A 5kg bucket of Farrier’s Aid has an RRP of £30.

For more information, stockist details or to order, please visit: www.gwfnutrition.com or call GWF Nutrition on 01225 708482.

cont. on p.29

Breathing Problems


Health Care

Equine America Hoof Power Plus® Powder.

For hooves you ‘would not believe’!

Step into Aivly Country Store for hoof support

Increase Growth and Improve the Condition of the Hooves. Hoof Power Plus® is a concentrated supplement, containing no fillers, but with high levels of Biotin, Zinc, Methionine and Sulphur. These ‘all active’ ingredients work quickly on cracked or damaged hooves, stimulating hoof growth and horn quality. Hoof Power Plus

is also essential for those breeds with slow growing or flat feet which, inevitably, experience damaged and weakened horn and shoeing difficulties.

Available in 454gm (a one month supply) RRP £24.99 and 908gm £45.50.

www.equine-america.co.uk Telephone 01403 255809.

SupaHOOF is taken from plants that grow on the open African and Asian Savannah lands that horses love. It is still best if your horse can have access to as diverse grazing land as possible but SupaHOOF can make all the difference.

• Intensively if you are not happy about your horses foot condition (it takes 9 months to grow new hooves!). In such cases GlobalVite will help as well.• Routinely, even if your horses hooves are not too bad. The extra minerals will help with lots of other parts of the body like joints.

• In conjunction with a program as outlined in the joint information.• For young stock to make sure they grow up correctly.

RRP:

1kg - £18.755kg - £84.40

If you require any further information on any of Global Herbs’ products, please call the advice line on 01243 773363 or visit www.globalherbs.co.uk

Aivly Country Store offers a wide range of products to help keep your horse’s hooves in good condition. This includes feed such as Happy Hoof chaff to specialist top-dressing feeds recommended by The Laminitis Trust including Formula 4 Feet and Farriers Formula. Supplements include biotin

and there’s also a wealth of topical treatments including the Keratex Hoof Hardener range to moisturizing oils and tars from brands such as Kevin Bacon and NAF. Visit Aivly Country Store, Ringwood, BH24 3EA, www.aivly.com or call 01425 472341.

If you do stable the pony don’t use straw as a bedding material. Most ponies eat straw and it contains lots of tiny particles.

Wood based beddings are best provided you don’t deep litter them. Deep littering means that you pick out the dropping but most of the bed is left in place. This means that the bottom of the bed becomes soaked in urine. Urine produces ammonia which is a gas which is really irritating to the lungs.

Avoid feeding dusty hay which is full of irritating particles. Best to soak the hay for 3 hours then drain it before feeding to your pony. We do not recommend feeding haylage or silage which although pretty dust free may cause other serious

metabolic problems. If your pony is really sensitive to any forage then use one of the bagged forage feeds carrying the Laminitis Trust Feed Approval Mark as a total feed.

If your pony still coughs and wheezes then we use a mixture of natural plant extracts called PulmoEase. We developed PulmoEase when we had a series of patients in the Laminitis Clinic which had severe breathing problems which did not respond to drug treatments. PulmoEase has also proven helpful for ponies which shake their heads or show other signs attributable to allergy.

For further information contact Equilife on 01249 890784

cont. from p.28


Health Care - Worming - Tack & Turnout - Bitting

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‘Testing should be the cornerstone of worming’

To bit or not to bit? Anne Wilson

There are a growing number of riders who prefer not to use bits in the mouths of their horses. In principle there is often nothing wrong with this, but in practice it can result in the horse slopping along on the forehand, with a sagging back and resultant strain on its back and front legs. Many exponents of ‘natural horsemanship’ may say that this is a natural way of going. It is true that many horses, left to their own devices, will move this way all of their lives whilst roaming free. However, when we add a rider to the equation, with the added weight of a person sitting upright over the back (as opposed to the weight carried by an in-foal mare which is borne underneath); the balance of the horse is totally changed and a great deal more strain is put upon the back and the forelimbs.

Unless we teach the horse how to lift his forehand, taking some of the weight back onto the haunches and to utilise his back and abdominal muscles, the wear and tear on the horse’s body is immense. This is one reason why classically trained horses in general live much longer, more active lives, than their poorly trained counterparts.

Some people do seem to be under the misapprehension that they are being kind if they ride their horses from a

headcollar, with a rein attached either side, which is allowed to hang in loops, thus abandoning the horse and not giving him any assistance in his way of going.

This is exactly the opposite scenario to that which Susan McBane wrote in the March edition of Equi-Ads (Let Go of Your Horse), I too am completely against the practice of a hard, pulling contact which constantly restricts the horse. However, there is a happy medium and moderation in all things is good. Sensitive, supportive hands are not at all the same as restrictive ones.

Having said all of this, it is still possible to train a horse well without a bit, but it takes a good deal more skill. Time and patience are required in abundance whilst correctly training, but in a bitless bridle even more so.

I have recently viewed on the internet some beautiful riding which took place at The 2012 Helsinki Horse Fair - a bitless dressage competition. There is a photo of a classically correct piaffe with the horse sitting back on his haunches and this was achieved in a bitless bridle. There is also a photo of a very bad riding position with the rider leaning back and pulling mercilessly on the poor horses mouth, which can be very painful in a bitless bridle as well as

with a bit.

IT MUST BE BORNE IN MIND THAT A BITLESS BRIDLE CAN STILL BE RESTRICTIVE AND EVEN PAINFUL, depending upon how it is fitted and how it is used.

Sylvia Loch has given demonstrations on her beautiful Iberian horses, riding with ‘reins of silk’. During these demonstrations the horses wear a very soft woven cord in the mouth, with silk thread attached as reins. The horses perform high school movements with complete ease and in self carriage, but they have been trained wearing conventional bits. I wish I could say that I too can perform such wonders, but most of us have to be thankful if we can achieve a light feeling in self carriage whilst wearing a bit, and this achievement is not to be underestimated. Collection in complete self carriage, i.e. the horse going more or less on the weight of the rein, takes years of patient training, during which the horse must be prepared mentally and physically. His back and hind legs joints are strengthened and suppled using the systematic classical training movements which, when carried out correctly and with discretion, serve to strengthen the horse without straining him.

There are times when choosing not to put a bit into your horse’s mouth has to be correct. He may have a sore mouth, a dental problem, or simply have been terrified by a badly fitting bit and/or crude, bad riding in the past. In circumstances such as these I would definitely think that it is prudent to ride in a bitless bridle, at least for a period of time, until the horse can be persuaded to forget his past experiences or his mouth has healed.

From a strictly classical perspective every serious rider should aim, wherever possible, for the horse to seek the bit of his own volition, relaxing and flexing his jaw; giving the rider a feeling of lightness and submissiveness in the hand. Submissiveness in riding terms should not mean subservience; so we don’t want to force the horse into any outline with his head and neck, as often is the case with tight crank nosebands, harsh bits or other pieces of equipment which ‘tie the horse down’.

Lightness in front comes from strength behind and cannot be rushed; there are no short cuts. In the interim training years, the horse may need considerable help or support from the rider; including a strong upright rider position, and sensitive, educated hands that know when to support and when to give. Dexterity in the fingers is important and


Health Care - Bitting - Tack & Turnout

Call Bitting Advisor Gail on 07789 587 302Friendly efficient mail order service: most

bits in stock for same day despatch. Order by phone or online at

www.horsebithire.com

Quality Bitting Advice: Bits for Sale & Hire

email: [email protected] Customer Service Guaranteed

Choice and Advice at Aivly Country Store

Bit Fitting and Communication Points

Aivly Country Store has an estimated1500 bits in stock from leading brands including Neue Schule, Sprenger, KK, Happy Mouth, and Eldonian. These along with a choice of traditional, modern and bitless bridles

and the friendly, experienced staff will help you and your horse to get ahead this summer. Visit Aivly Country Store, Ringwood, BH24 3EA, www.aivly.com or call 01425 472341.

When I go out and fit a bit, many aspects are taken into account including full bitting and dental history, horse and riders ages, experience and levels of training, any particular issues that they are working on at the present time and then I carry out a mouth assessment. On this, I am looking in particular at the communication points the bit and bridle can use: Poll, upper palate, nose, upper & lower bars, corners of the lips, chin groove and of course the tongue. Although these are the points that can be used, obviously not every bit and bridle combination uses these points. Often people think of a stronger mouthpiece if having control issues but

I often find that by bringing some of the other pressure points into use, we can avoid the use of an overly strong mouthpiece and spread the rein signal through other areas. Examples of this type of bitting would be the Neue Schule Tranz Universal with its leather curb strap and also the Myler Combination. As with any piece of tack, a new bit should be introduced in a methodical manner in a safe environment after seeking advice from a bitting expert as to the most suitable bit.

For further information please contact Gail on the advice line - 07789587302

I sometimes feel that stiff gloves can hamper the rider in their quest to ‘feel’ the horse’s mouth.

Here is what the late Col.Podhajsky, former Director of the Spanish Riding School, has to say about contact with the horse’s mouth (From ‘The Complete Training of Horse and Rider’):-“The young horse should be allowed to adopt that position of the head in which he finds it easiest to contact the bit and carry the rider’s weight quietly and willingly without excitement. As the strength and proficiency increase, the horse’s head and neck will be raised to a position in which a line drawn from the nose to the hip will be parallel to the ground, and the poll will be the highest point of the arched neck. This must not be considered a strict rule, as the amount the neck will be raised will depend on the conformation of the horse, that is to say, the length of his back and the length and shape of his neck. The poll, however, must be the highest point of the horse’s head regardless of his conformation.”And further on:-“Still greater attention must be paid to correct bitting. On this will depend the correct contact with the mouth, which is the foundation on which the whole training is based.”

If the horse never has a bit, how can he ever learn the correct contact?

Podhajsky then goes on to say:-“The rider must strive to obtain a quiet and moist mouth which does not show the action of the reins. The moisture comes not so much from chewing the

bit, as many people think, but from the action of the gland which produces the moisture when stimulated by the flexion of the gullet. The degree of moisture will vary with the individual and may be as much as a thick lather. A dry mouth is a bad sign and will be the result of the action of the rein not going through the body.”

Again, how can we expect the horse to flex his jaw correctly to produce a moist mouth without wearing a bit, at least during some of his training?

So, whether you are right to choose to ride your horse in a bit or a bitless bridle, depends on many variables. It may be the right decision for your particular horse, at least for a short period of time. I would implore you not to abandon him to his own devices and encourage him to slop along, or you will be wearing out his body parts long before time.

If you do wish to ride without a bit, then the classical lateral exercises must surely be a God send! Practicing such things as shoulder-in, slowly in walk, will help to encourage the horse to take weight behind, whilst at the same time building up his strength and suppleness in order to do so. You will definitely benefit from the help of a good classical trainer during this process, and reading good books on the subject will help. Sylvia Loch’s ‘Classical Seat’ DVD’s will also be a real boon, giving you a visual ‘feel’ of what to aim for, as well as what can go wrong in the process and how to overcome it. Sylvia’s ‘On The Bit’ DVD is immensely helpful.

Here is my mare Lucy, working in collected self-carriage, showing a moist mouth and with obvious enjoyment of the bit


Horse Behaviour

‘The horse is a blameless participant in training’ Dr Andrew McLean of the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre.This is the final article in a series by SUSAN McBANE discussing equestrian principles from the viewpoint of equine behaviour and psychology.

MAN has been trying to get horses to do various things for him for several thousand years, probably five or six thousand. From a hunted food animal (and the horse is still a food animal in some countries) to much-loved friend, competition facilitator, warhorse and all the other roles the horse plays and has played for us, most of the time we try to school, train, cajole, persuade, coerce and force horses to do what we want them to do.

Those humans who have a natural sensibility regarding animals have probably always regarded the training process as a two-way interchange of ideas between them and the horse. Others simply want a result and will do whatever they deem necessary to get it, with little or no regard for any communication coming from the horse or how the horse feels about the process. There are also many people who want a fair, ethical relationship with their horse but have not studied the matter of training sufficiently to get good results, or known where or how to get the required information and skill. Love alone is certainly not enough!

It is often said that everything we do to a horse teaches him something. That

is true, but that something may not be what we expect. As ‘trainer’, we have a clear idea of what we are aiming for but the horse probably hasn’t. (I say ‘probably’ because many people believe, not least due to their experiences, that horses can ‘read our minds’ or ‘receive thoughts’ from us which tell them what we are expecting or planning – but that’s a subject for another time.)

Association of Ideas

A familiar tenet in connection with training horses is that horses learn through the association of ideas, and this is also true, and connected with the first sentence of this paragraph. Not very clear in itself, what this means is that horses rapidly make connections between occurrences or situations and how they affect them. For instance, a horse can quickly learn to avoid or at least dread places where he has been hurt or frightened. Horses soon learn words of command from us if they are clearly shown what they mean, they learn what our different aids mean, that specific sounds mean food is being prepared, that particular equipment such as grooming kit or tack means that they are going to be brushed or made ready for riding and they can easily tell

the difference by sight between, say, a headcollar and a bridle.

They are extremely perceptive, lightning reactors and quick learners because, as prey animals, their survival has depended on these assets for millions of years. They read the ‘body language’ of other horses, other species of animals or birds and, of course, humans with perfect accuracy. Zebras, for instance, can tell whether a pride of lions nearby is looking for a meal or just passing through, and domestic horses can tell whether a human handling or riding them is trustworthy or not – we all know people who can get any horse to do things for them and those who put horses on the defensive with a single look.

From the horses’ point of view, everything that happens to them or that they perceive with any of their senses, particularly their sight and hearing, has a lasting message for or effect on them, whether it is an ‘active’ message such as that ‘going through narrow doorways can be painful’ or a ‘passive’ one like ‘rabbits in my paddock are not dangerous’.

Consistency

Because they learn quickly and appear never to forget anything, good or bad, training them can be a minefield for us because we need not only to know what we’re doing but also to be consistent. Consistency is one of the most important qualities we need to develop if we are to create confidence, security and calmness in our horses and, therefore, to get good results. We all know that, for example, picking out feet in the same order each time becomes a predictable routine and makes the task easier for us as the horse knows what to expect and will probably eventually lift each foot in turn ready for us to clean.

I remember reading a report about François Pignon and his amazing displays at equestrian events, and the way in which his horses behave around him and treat him, which must be the envy of many. The writer had interviewed not only him but people who had observed him working with and training his horses, and the two things that came over to them most of all, apparently, were that he never hurt or frightened them and was always completely consistent in everything he did with them, in every situation.

Many people who mix with horses are very clearly not consistent with them, even if they do not realise it, and are noticeably very quick to reprimand and blame them when they behave in unwanted ways as a result. Horses treated inconsistently can easily and quickly become confused, insecure and therefore defensive and likely to

be more or less dangerous and to do things we don’t want them to do. They do not think or rationalise like humans, do not somehow magically understand what we want although most will try to work it out for their own safety, and also do not, just as magically, understand a ‘telling off’ delivered in a stream of words by a person who considers that the horse is misbehaving even when they have caused that behaviour.

Particularly with young, green, ‘spoiled’ or unfamiliar horses, we need to be black and white in our consistency. Praise or reward should be delivered by using the same words in the same pleased tone of voice every time without fail, and either accompanying or within a second or two of the good behaviour. Because horses want to feel safe and secure, a correct way of rewarding them, delivered consistently and instantly, is one of the very best ways to train good behaviour into them as they then know where they stand. Many horses, once they have been praised/rewarded for doing a particular thing, will offer that behaviour in future because their trainer’s response to it in the past has given them pleasure and made them feel safe.

Seeking Safety

Horses are often described as being ‘willing to please’ but modern, scientific thinking, stemming from the considerable amount of research into equine behaviour, psychology, and response to training (which can include everything that happens to them as stated above), is rather that horses tend to do what makes them feel safe and free from discomfort, pain and confusion. We’d be thinking more accurately, it seems, if we accepted this and worked with it rather than burdening them with a human type of outlook in which (some) people try to be helpful to others and to please them.

The association-of-ideas principle referred to above should, I think, be stressed more in training students how to ‘be’ around horses, as it was in the past. Horses react to what we are doing to them or to a memory of (association with) something someone else has done to them in the past. Similarly, having

cont. on p.34


Equi-Style


once been injured passing through a gateway, some horses understandably become nervous of passing through all gateways, or maybe just the one where they were hurt.

This is what the quotation heading this article means. Horses are completely blameless in all aspects of training because they are simply reacting to their past or current experiences. This way of thinking has been applied to horse training by the best and most understanding horsemen and women down the ages and is repeatedly being confirmed by modern research in equine behavioural science. It takes strength of character and humility to change one’s way of thinking and acting and be willing to learn, with an enquiring and open mind, on a lifelong basis, particularly in the face of opposition from one’s peers, which is a common situation, but it is the only ethical way to go on with horses – and who is the most important to you, your peers or your horse?

The whole of this series (which will be published as a booklet this year) has been about applying both true classical and modern scientific principles to equine behaviour and psychology in handling, working around, training

and riding horses. There are many management and training principles and techniques in daily use in the horse world, widely taught and believed in, which have no rational or ethical basis and which are not in the best interests of the horse. Many are seriously inappropriate and some are downright cruel but many do not realise this. On the other hand, correct, humane and effective ways of doing things are easy to discover if you know where to look. For reliable sources, read on:

For information on classical riding, explore the website of the Classical Riding Club at www.classicalriding.co.uk and read/watch any books and DVDs by its founder, Sylvia Loch. Also read ‘Riding Revelations’ by my colleague Anne Wilson, available from Black Tent Publications at www.black-tent.co.uk.

For information on equine behaviour and psychology go to www.theequineindependent.com and the website of the Equine Behaviour Forum at www.equinebehaviourforum.co.uk which also has a short list of trustworthy books to read.

Visit the website of the wonderful HorsesForLife on-line magazine at www.horsesforlife.com.

For information on Equitation Science as developed by Dr Andrew McLean who wrote the quotation at the head of this article, go to www.aebc.com.au and for his publications click on ‘Shop’. For equitation science in the UK go to www.equitationscience.co.uk.

Next month, Susan will be starting a new series on equine behaviour, explaining the terminology used by equine behavioural scientists and describing how to apply its principles to our horse management and riding.

SUSAN McBANE has an HNC in Equine Science and Management, holds the Classical Riding Club Gold Award and is an Associate (practitioner) Member of the International Society for Equitation Science. The author of 44 books and co-publisher with Anne Wilson of ‘Tracking-up’ (see advert this issue), she teaches in Lancashire and surrounding areas. For lessons and clinics, ring 01254 705487 or email [email protected]. Website: www.susanmcbane.com, on which you will find a book list.

Field & Stable - Horseboxes

cont. from p.32 Seatbelt Press Release

Equi-Trek are proud to announce that they can now offer fully tested and Type Approved Rear Seatbelts in the living areas of 7.5t and above wagons.

Following the success of our fully approved rear seatbelts in the cab of our range of small horseboxes which allow up to five people to travel in safety and comfort, our engineers undertook the task of designing, testing and approval of seatbelts in the living area of the larger horseboxes.

Many people travel in the living areas of horseboxes without fully considering the dreadful consequences their actions could have. Even those of us who would never travel ourselves or allow our children in a car without a seatbelt regularly do so in horseboxes which are just as likely to be involved in collisions and accidents.

Interpreting the letter of the law in this area is once again cloudy for drivers of horseboxes. An EU Directive (2005/40/EC) on the installation of seatbelts required that from 20 October 2007 new vehicles must have seat belts fitted on all seats except those seats intended solely for use when the vehicle is stationary.

Further to this, the police can prosecute anyone, in any vehicle, if they consider them to be being carried in a dangerous manner. It is beyond reasonable doubt to assume that anyone travelling unsecured in the living area, even in

older wagons, would be classified as dangerous.

It is important to note the specific legislation relating to the carrying of children on board goods vehicles. By law, children must wear the correct restraint whilst in a moving vehicle. If you intend to carry children aged 12 and under, seatbelt wearing regulations require them to use a suitable child restraint. You, as the driver, are responsible for seatbelt wearing by children. Serious consequences may occur from unsecured passengers being involved in accidents, which can vary from hefty fines to a maximum of a prison sentence for manslaughter. Unsecured passengers being injured in a collision may also invalidate insurance if your insurer feels that you have not adequately adhered to seatbelt law.

The health and safety executive will require written risk assessments on the safe travel of grooms and assistants involved in travel by horsebox and a safe assessment would be impossible to provide unless correct seat belts are fitted to vehicles in all seats in which employees would travel.

Equi-Trek have carried out extensive vehicle testing to the directive 76/115/EEC (as amended by 2005/41/EEC) and the more stringent Regulation 14.07. We have test reports from the Type Approving authorities confirming compliance with the legislation in place for seat belts. This will allow passengers to travel within the living area of the large wagons safe in the knowledge that they are legally and safely secured.

So if you have a requirement for passengers to travel in the living area, view our full range of horseboxes on offer with their numerous passenger seatbelt options. Visit www.equi-trek.com to find your nearest dealer, or phone 01484 852121 for further information.


Horseboxes - Property


Schooling - Stud

Train with leading equine behaviour consultants

Schooling Exercises - Transitions Rowan Tweddle BHSII (SM) B.Sc Hons

These popular courses offer the opportunity to learn from Dr Debbie Marsden, the highly regarded equine behaviour expert and author of ‘How Horses Learn’ and to benefit from her many years professional experience running a successful equine behaviour practice.

“I want to pass on my knowledge and skills to others equally passionate about equine behaviour and welfare” says Dr Marsden. “There are so many horse owners needing help with their horse and I believe that they and their horses deserve the best possible service from properly trained and competent consultants, offering practical advice and assistance, selecting the most appropriate training for each individual horse/person partnership from all known safe and effective methods.”The course is aimed at graduates with considerable practical experience with horses, but all applications are considered on individual merit. Modules comprise lectures, workshops and practical sessions arranged Friday evening - Sunday morning to accommodate students with other work and family commitments.

If you are interested in behaviour and training and dream of running your own business working with horses, this course could help that dream come true. Tel: 01899 860732

One of the vital elements in improving your horse’s way of going on the flat is to teach him to carry more weight over his back legs and less on his front. A horse grazing in the field carries 70% of his bodyweight over his front legs, a horse performing a high school movement such as levade is momentarily carrying all his weight on his back legs. Even the most green and uneducated horse can physically shift his balance back – such as when he spooks, sitting almost down on his hocks to gain enough momentum to accelerate away from the terrifying plastic bag!

Our aim in this exercise is to use transitions to teach our horse to gradually come into a better balance.

Starting in walk on the outside track choose a corner and halt about 5 m before it, so your horses tail is at the quarter marker. You need to prepare for this halt as hauling the reins to get the horse to stop will teach him to lean

on the bit – worsening his balance. Instead, about 3 or 4 strides before you want to halt, sit up very tall and slightly back and “block” a little with your seat. Then make light rein aids to ask him to halt, releasing the pressure as soon as he begins to stop. You want your horse to halt in self carriage, be very aware that you must not use the rein as the hand brake, but rather just transmit signals via the rein and the bit.

Remain stationary for a second or two, then ride forwards into a marching walk. You are riding into a corner and the act of riding positively forwards as the horse corners will encourage him to activate his hind leg.

Repeat this halt – walk before every corner. After a couple of circuits you should feel that your horse begins to anticipate the halt and soon your weight aid should be enough to instigate it. Equally he should begin to halt with the hind leg further under his body, in anticipation of the brisk forwards step

that follows.

Repeat on both reins.

You can progress this exercise by riding a trot – walk – trot transition before every corner and eventually a canter – trot – canter. You may find that at faster speeds it is not possible to ride a transition before every corner. It is far better to use every second corner in this case rather than give the horse stronger

or conflicting signals.

Repetition of this exercise harnesses the horse’s ability to anticipate signals. This is not a bad thing – he should begin to respond to your weight signals and require less rein in the downward transitions, which leads to self carriage and engage the hind legs more in anticipation of the upward transitions, which will eventually lead to better balance.


Stud - Training


Classical Riding - Event

Has dressage damaged our way of riding?Sylvia Loch, Founder of the Classical Riding Club

The French equestrian world has always been proud of its dressage traditions. Long before the Napoleonic wars, the French court under the Sun King, the great Louis X1V enjoyed an unparalleled place in the development of equestrian art. Its foundations had first been laid down by the Ancient Greeks – but the French elevated it to a new level.

Today’s FEI dressage rules were formed at this time; they are much older than people imagine. Laid down almost word for word by the 18th C. Sieur Francois de la Gueriniere, French techniques and practices were used all over Europe and still are today especially at the Spanish Riding School. Among other things, La Gueriniere invented the shoulder-in.

Whilst Vienna boasted the Spanish School and the Lipizzaners, the French boasted their own illustrious cavalry school in the Loire valley. Three years ago I had the honour of being invited to France to give a clinic at Saumur. One of the best things to come out of this was the chance to teach alongside one of the great Cadre Noir instructors, Colonel Christian Carde – also an FEI dressage judge. Christian is an inspirational riding master who has spent a lifetime studying and training the intricacies of dressage at the highest level. His love of horses is almost tangible.

As always, when working to a strict timetable – there is not much time to have the kind of in depth discussion one might like. Despite a few compromises with the language, we both nevertheless

enjoyed some observations in between lessons. On the subject of classical dressage and how it should be ridden, it was no surprise to find we shared exactly the same views, especially about lightness.

It was on my last night when a wonderful dinner had been organised for all the people on the course that the Colonel said something surprising. We had touched on the fact that although competitive dressage is now the fastest growing discipline in equestrian sport, the British had never taken classical riding very seriously – unlike the French.

I then went on proudly to describe Britain’s great heritage of racing, hunting and cross country riding and how many young riders are brought up in the pony club system which could not be more different from the rarified riding of France. What worried me was

cont. on p.39


cont. from p.38

Classical Riding - Insurance

that those who later turned to dressage rode in a very different way from how they rode outside the arena. Things had changed in our riding schools too.

This clearly struck a chord with him and he became very excited and said – “would you write all that down and send it to me – for our discussion group? Just those two sentences will be enough!”

What exactly had grabbed his attention? I had merely pointed out that we Brits had always been famous for breeding horses that were both versatile and forward going. I described my own childhood when everyone rode

light-handed and light-seated and the horses themselves were light on the rein. Only, in recent times, much of our approach to riding seemed to have changed. For that, I blamed Dressage!

Two sentences or three or four? What mattered was they struck deep at the Colonel’s heart, and as I recalled them – they struck at mine. Because there has been a sea-change and it’s something that worries me. I believe it stems from the fact that instead of teaching riders how to ride, instructors are trying to teach them ‘to do dressage’ – and there is a difference.

Now, I’m not one of those old crocodiles who think the old days were always better … but, from a riding

aspect, life for the horse 30 years ago was a lot kinder than it is today. Nobody fought with their pony to put him on the bit. Nobody rode their horse in artificial aids or a ‘round frame’. As for denying the horse the ability to see where he was going – that was unthinkable.

So what has gone wrong? Today, we in Britain boast the best dressage riders in the world. Those at the top like Carl Hester, Laura Bechtolsheimer have done so much to promote the sport. Their horses look stunning, on the bit, correctly ‘round’, full of expression, athletic and supple. But these are not normal horses and these are not normal riders. People preparing for their Stage II or III examinations should not

be expected to ride like them! Neither should their horses be pulled into the shape of a Grand Prix horse!

The success of top dressage riders comes from years and years of hard work, study, fantastic training and the chance to ride amazing schoolmasters, but the basics will have been learned first. Unfortunately, today’s wannabes are not prepared to wait. There is little adherence to classical principles, the proliferation of gadgets to ‘control’ the horse has spiralled and everyone wants to be a winner. But at what cost? There are now more back-related injuries in the horse than ever before – and there are more damaged and discarded horses than ever before. Something has gone wrong.


Classical Riding - Insurance

cont. from p.38

I will now try to explain in short easy sentences, why I am concerned for the future of riding in this beautiful, horse-orientated country of ours.

1. The influence of cavalry and its disciplines - however imperfect - has gone. 2. There is no real universal System any more. One person teaches one way, another the opposite … confusing.3. The Pony Club, founded by members of the cavalry or those influenced by it, seems more interested in competition than teaching children how to ride.4. Riding schools are often run by instructors who have no experience at the higher levels.5. A little knowledge is often worse than no knowledge. Misconceptions and cliches abound!6. The countryside has been chopped up by motorways and our government does little to encourage riders to ride out in open spaces.7. Many people only ride in an enclosed area; they never learn the art of balancing across country or over jumps.8. There is a plethora of dressage trainers and gurus now influencing all the disciplines. Many have departed from the classical principles; quick-fix methods abound.9. Horse magazines are mainly concerned with ‘pretty pictures’ of perfect horses, all seen to be winning!10. People want this for themselves. Few realise it is only attainable through

knowledge, feel, empathy and long, hard, patient preparation!

For me, a childhood of ponies – mostly rescue cases - and the opportunity to ride out across country, hack, jump, and hunt was precious and educational. Over several years and different circumstances, I learned the art of balance. I learned the art of riding in the stirrups. Years later, in the writings of the Masters and particularly La Gueriniere, I discovered that ‘…the art of balancing in the stirrups is the most subtle of all the aids”. So riding out really does complement dressage.

I learned that sitting behind the movement, seriously impedes the horse’s back and stymies the engagement of the hindlegs – for jumping and for flatwork too.

My Pony Club instructor, who had been taught by a Polish cavalry officer, taught me the importance of a light hand. There was no question of trying to put the horse on the bit, you interfered as little as possible and anyone seen pulling on the reins was demoted with a ‘flea in their ear’.

Respect was all, and we learned respect for the horse in everything we did. Today, my heart breaks at the sights in some riding schools. The riders’ seats are neither light nor deep; they are merely unbalanced so they hang onto the reins. All the weight is in the back of the saddle and the legs constantly kick and squeeze – an

effective stopping aid – which dulls the horse. Worse, novice riders think they have the right and the knowledge to put the horse on the bit. Constant tugging is all part of their daily routine, and no one says ‘no!’

For me, without a balanced seat, there can be no light hands, no feel, lightness or engagement. The rider’s position should be the first thing to be worked on. Learning the classical aids for forward and stop and sideways comes next. Leaving the mouth alone would figure high on the list until the riders had control of their bodies. Finally balance and understanding would come from working over small obstacles and one-handed riding - since I understand schools are no longer allowed to take stirrups or reins away.

As for those who then wanted to go on

to dressage – well and good. At least they would have the basics. It should be pointed out that dressage should help the horse, not hinder him.

It is time surely to have a re-think. People need to read the classic books, study the biomechanics of the horse and ask trainers and judges to work together in the spirit and context of those very important FEI Dressage rules – laid down by an l8th Century French nobleman. Noblesse oblige!

Please visit Sylvia’s personal website www.classical-dressage.net or that of the Classical Riding Club www.classicalriding.co.uk. See Sylvia’s training methods in action at Dressage in Lightness Demo as part of the BHS Borders Festival of the Horse on May 24th (see notice on pg 38)


Health Care - Sweet Itch

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Current Affairs - Skin/Flies - Tack & Turnout

Skin Care & Fly Protection

Have your say

Equine America Citronella Summer Horse Spray

Jessica Gill

At last it is Summer time when longer hours of daylight make riding before and after work easier and increased turn out means less mucking out and myriad health benefits for your horse. The freedom of sunny Summer turn out will help keep your horse happy and relaxed in his natural environment.

Having struggled through the Winter months with many seasonal skin conditions such as the frustrating recurrent problem of mud fever, it is about time we had a break from these high maintenance issues. Yet, unfortunately, the summer brings along its own worries.

Flies and pests can make your horses’ life a misery; problems caused can range from a mild nuisance (common house fly), a painful and irritating predicament (horse fly, crab fly) to a terrifying and life threatening problem (flies and midges harbouring African Horse Sickness and Swamp Fever).

Fly Facts and Common Problems

Bites and Swelling Some horses are seriously affected by house flies (including my own, whose eyes swell up enormously when he does not wear his mask). These have fleshy mouth parts that feed at horse’s eyes, orifices and fresh manure, transferring bacteria through their saliva.The bite of a blood-sucking horse fly is painful, even thick skinned horses, subjected to a large number of aggressive stable flies, might spend the entire day stomping in distress, which can cause damaging concussion to legs, joints, and hooves, result in loose shoes, and even loss of weight and condition. The bites can leave large swellings all over the horses body; common feeding sites include the lower legs, flanks, belly, under the jaw, neck and the chest.

Sweet ItchSweet itch (Summer Seasonal Recurrent Dermatitis) is a hypersensitivity to

Anne Owen should stick to her guns (Have your Say Equi-Ads March 2012) and look after her horse the way she wants to - ie - out 24/7 and as naturally as possible. My 9 ponies Connemaras, Cob and ArabxCob (23) share an area of a barn 45’ x 60’ with constant access to a field. The barn does not have a concrete floor but a layer of shale over earth so that it is free draining and they are kept in deep litter straw bedding( no mucking out until the farm tractor comes and scoops it all up for the muck spreader!). It is a very successful way of keeping horses and very unstressful for them as the young geldings can play and all of them can groom each other. Before now I have had 15 in that space and there is something wonderful about

seeing them all dozing at mid-day with foals lying at their feet. Obviously there are plenty of hay feeding stations around because of dominance issues. I was so lucky to have been lent a book about keeping horses loose in barns in America and have never ever regretted this method. It takes me about half an hour in the morning and evening to fill the hay feeders and put extra piles in each corner of the barn before strawing down an area. I wouldn’t say my ponies are clean but they are content, unstressed and free to choose whether to stroll to the top of the field to sunbathe in the morning sun or to take shelter in the barn from the driving wind and rain we have here.Val Kirby (Wales)

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supple with a pleasant Citronella aroma. Available in 946ml RRP £10.99. www.equine-america.co.uk Telephone 01403 255809

midge bites, which results in horses becoming extremely itchy. The mane and tail are the areas which have the most problems, with bald patches and open sores in severe cases. It can cause some horses to rub so hard that they destroy the fences in their paddocks. Others can be unsafe to ride, as they can drop to the ground suddenly in order to roll and rub their backs and necks.

HeadshakingAlthough there are more than a dozen possible causes for headshaking, it is widely seen as a consequence of the warmer weather and raised pollen levels. It can also be induced by midges and flies, which can be utterly irritating to some sensitive horses. It is a depressing condition and identifying the cause is likely to be frustrating and rarely produces conclusive results.

Sunburn It is also important to remember that horses with pink or pale skin can easily get sunburnt, so it is imperative that sun protection is used on these areas. As always, if your horse has any of these symptoms be sure to get them checked

out by an expert before prescribing your own treatment.

Summer Solutions The range of fly repellents available is huge and making the right choice can make your horse’s summer much more relaxed and enjoyable. There are a number of important points to consider when choosing your product, including the length of time that the treatment lasts; ideally you want your horse to be protected all day, but not many sprays are strong enough for this. Another important consideration is how well the spray itself works- the ideal is a spray that gives a fine mist over the entire coat and doesn’t leave any concentrated wet patches. There are also various homemade recipes, including mixtures of cold tea, cider vinegar, citronella and lavender. It is commonly believed that garlic can be fed as an internal fly repellent. This supposedly causes the horse’s skin to secrete garlic-scented oils that deter flies.

More permanent preventative measures include keeping your muck heap well away from the stables and preventing

cont. on p.44


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Ride-Away helps keep flies at bay!If flies are the bane of your horse’s life at this time of year, there’s a great range of fly sheets available that can really help. Better still, some of these products have additional features that can be more useful to you, depending on your specific situation.

Some rugs, such as the Shires Performance Maxi-Flow have an integral waterproof panel across the top for that unexpected shower but, most commonly, fly rugs aren’t waterproof, but are made from fast drying fabric. Alternatively, Horseware has created a waterproof fly rug liner, so you can add this as and when required.

Some rugs, including a number from the Horseware family, come with fly repellent impregnated into the fabric, for additional protection.

If your horse suffers with sweet itch, or you just want something more

substantial, rugs such as the Masta Bug Rug wrap around the horse, and feature large belly and tail flaps for extra cover.

If you’re looking for something with fly protection, but you’re also concerned about the sun bleaching your horse’s coat, solutions are available. One example is the Mark Todd Cotton Mesh Combo, which features a tight weave to help protect from the sun’s rays.

Of course, riding on a hot fly filled day isn’t all that much fun. Repellents can be really effective, as can riding when the flies are least active, but some companies also produce special fly rugs that are designed for riding.

For all your rugging needs, visit Ride-Away at www.rideaway.co.uk, call 01347 810443, or order the new catalogue, packed full of summer clothing for horse and rider.


Health Care - Skin/FLies

build up of stagnant water. Dawn and dusk are the times when flies are most active, especially midges, so horses that cannot cope with them should be stabled in a midge-free environment during these hours.

Currently there is no cure for sweet itch, however, there are a number of ways to minimise the symptoms; specialised fly rugs, oil based repellents and turning your horse out in an exposed, windy area.

There are a number of things that horse owners can try to alleviate headshaking, including nose nets or full head nets, avoiding riding on very hot, dry days, trying different tack or changing the horse’s environment.

AftercareWhen these preventative measures fail, there are a few things you can do in minor cases to ease the discomfort:

• In the event of a small bite, you can apply an ice pack or bathe with cool, salt water (use a teaspoon of salt to two mugs of water). With multiple bites, a mild horse shampoo can help to remove irritating scurf or bacteria and cool the inflamed skin.

• Wasp stings are another problem and as they are alkaline, they should be bathed with a dilute acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice. Bee stings, however, are acidic and should be bathed with bicarbonate of soda.

Don’t Panic!Although there are a lot of things to look out for during the warmer months, if you are armed with some basic fly facts, have a good Summer management plan in place and are up to date on fly control products, you’ll have a better chance of winning the war against flies and can look forward to enjoying a really great summer with your horse.

The ONLY product licensed to UK standards that kills and repels flies and controls infestations of the biting louse, Damalinia equi. It is the only product on the market to contain Citronellol and Permethrin that allows the product to maintain its fly repellent properties for up to four days while ridding the horse from lice and their eggs for up to three months. In addition to its protecting properties, Coopers Fly Repellent Plus leaves the coat with a glossy finish and a pleasant citrus

scent. It also features an easy to use applicator for targeted treatment while reducing wastage and avoiding sensitive areas. Coopers Fly Repellent Plus is also frequently recommended by vets for horses and ponies that suffer

from sweet itch and can be used on minor cuts and abrasions.

Available from all good retailers, for more information contact 01908 685 685/www.msd-animal-health.co.uk

NAF’s two best selling fly repellent formulas are available to you with an unrivalled offer attached for 2012… and that comes in the shape of a FREE handy 200ml Mini Spray with every 750ml full size spray*. So, the bother of flies for you and your horse will seriously be a thing of the past.

NAF Off DEET POWER is more serious about flies than any other repellent. It has an unmatched power to repel flies, a pleasant aroma and it’s kind to your horse’s coat – what more could you want from a fly spray?

NAF Off DEET POWER comes in a choice of sizes: 750ml Spray (HSE no 8448) - £16.99* 2.5litre refill - £32.505 litre refill - £62.00New Handy 200 ml - £6.00 NAF OFF Deet Power Fly Gel (HSE no: 8447) 750g - £14.99

The famous ‘pink’ fly repellent, NAF Off EXTRA EFFECT… is totally natural and contains ingredients which work naturally together to have an extra repellent effect to do away with the

bother of troublesome, irritating flies.

NAF Off EXTRA EFFECT comes in a choice of sizes: 750 ml Spray (HSE no 8608) - £13.99* 2.5litre refill - £23.50 New Handy 200 ml - £5.50750 g NAF OFF Extra Effect Fly Gel (HSE no 8607) - £13.50

*Powerful & Effective Special offers for 2012:This summer NAF Off Fly Repellents, will be available with a very Special Offer attached… each 750ml Spray of either NAF OFF DEET POWER or NAF Off EXTRA EFFECT will come with a FREE 200ml handy Mini Spray. So, be sure to fly along to your nearest NAF stockist to secure yourself a Special Offer twin pack whilst stocks last! Available from NAF stockists nationwide. (*Available while stocks last).

For details of your nearest stockist please call the NAF Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373 106 or email [email protected]

Brinicombe Equine’s Think Fly contains a unique blend of herbs and spices along with MSM, Zinc and other nutrients for healthy skin. The specially selected ingredients build up in the system to create an invisible 24 hour shield like effect all over the horse, offering natural protection from all types of flies. Available in granular form or as a low sugar lick which also

contains a full compliment of vitamins and minerals to support the needs of horses at grass.

A 4kg container will last a horse for 40 days. RRP £32.99

For further information please contact Brinicombe Equine on 08700 606206 or visitwww.brinicombe-equine.co.uk

cont. from p.42 Coopers Fly Repellent Plus

Bothered by flies?...Look no further than the NAF Off product range

Think Fly



Opt for Ruggle-it this summer and there will be no need for your horse to be plagued with flies, mossies, mites or lice and no need for you to worry about spraying harsh chemicals around to keep those bugs away! Ruggle-it 100% natural vegetable oil blend and soap-free shampoo can be diluted together into the special trigger sprayer with lashings of tap water to make an efficient and long-lasting bug deterrent that is gentle, easy to apply and won’t disappear when a rainstorm arrives unannounced. It also makes up to 5 times its volume just by adding some free tap water – how clever and cost-effective is that? Harsh chemicals or ingredients such as Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Tea Tree that research indicates can cause skin irritations, are sadly found in a high percentage of

today’s skincare products. But Ruggle-it is different! It uses Mother Nature’s ingredients so the oil and alkaline shampoo help to very gently soothe, re-moisturise, clean and protect, making them ideal for even the most sensitive skin. Both Ruggle-it oil and shampoo are hugely versatile and can be used on at least 18 common issues affecting horses and ponies, farm animals, pets and even humans including minor wounds, summer itching, mystery rubbing, scabs, fungus, hair loss, head lice, pet fleas and even mud related

issues. For details of other naturally inspired products from Ruggles & Stopitall Ltd be it for joints, digestion, immunes, human skincare, stress, energy, those prone to laminitis, etc visit www.karenruggles.co.uk or call 01823 259952.

Get Trigger Happy This Summer with Ruggle-it!


Book Review - Health Care - Physiotherapy


Book Review - Stud - Training



Culicoid Midges and the spread of infection

Fly Protection

Bug:go!

Mark Todd Airmesh Combo Sheet

Extra Strength Fly Repellent

According to a recent article in The Sunday Times by Charles Clover as Europe warms, which it has over the last 50 years, diseases from Africa and the Middle East are likely to invade. This is because we no longer have the bitter winters which used to kill off the insects that carry the diseases.

Last year it was blue tongue, this year it’s Schmallenberg, all down to midges blown over the channel from the continent, or disease viruses which have over-wintered in the midge lava population already here.

Charles Clover reports that there have already been outbreaks of the horrible African horse sickness in Spain and Portugal. This is a highly infectious, usually deadly disease, carried by midges of the same family as transmits blue tongue.

We live in changing times and as the rate of climate warming speeds up, we’re going to have to change our

approach to insect control.

Horses will need to be sprayed daily with effective product against midge bites, and grazing patterns adjusted to minimise contact with midges. This is where Fine Fettle™ Fly- Spray comes in.

Fine Fettle Fly Spray is an aqueous solution of bitter herbs which relieves midge bites and irritation. Midges’ bites are acidic which ‘thins’ the blood at the area of the bite allowing female midges to get a blood meal. When Fine Fettle™ Fly- Spray is applied to your horse, it provides an effective alkaline layer on the skin which neutralises the acidic bites. In this way it counters irritation helping prevent the transmission of disease.

To prepare your horse’s skin and to counter bites and irritation, spray twice a day with Fine Fettle™ Fly- Spray – it works like a charm.

KM Elite Fly Repel with a new improved formulation which contains Lemongrass Oil, Teatree Oil, Lavender Oil, Citronella Extract and Ethyl Buthanol. This innovative natural equine Fly Spray is perfect for the horses that you care about. Specially formulated for horses and ponies, this fly repellent gives superior natural protection from troublesome biting flies and so can prevent the diseases that they carry. KM Elite Fly spray is an essential horse care health product for long lasting fly deterrent. Available in 1 ltr bottles. RRP £14.99. KM Elite Space Fly Mask - NEW FOR 2012!!! Innovative, spacious design to protect the eyes whilst ensuring an optimum fit, up to 85mm space from the eyes. Two robust Velcro straps, one double locking for extra security. Detachable nose flap protects sensitive skin from harmful UV rays. Soft, comfortable, fleece edging. Available in Small, Medium & Large. RRP £19.99.

KM Elite Fly Mask – NEW IMPROVED FOR 2012!!! Designed for protection, comfort and durability. Also provides shade with UV protective mesh. Black mesh with black trim. 50% UV protection. Long nose with ears. Available in Small, Medium, Large & XL. RRP £15.99.

www.kmeliteproducts.co.uk Telephone 01403 759659.

Rockies’ Bug:go! is a high quality salt lick containing 10% pure garlic.

The salt lick is made using a high pressure press to ensure longevity, and should be offered in a free access manner, so the horse or pony can help himself as and when he wishes. In addition to garlic, salt is included. This means there’s no need to add salt or garlic to the horse’s bucket feed.

It works in a simple way. The horse takes on garlic and, when he sweats, a garlicky aroma is released, which helps to repel flies.

Bug:go! is available in 5 kg blocks, which retail at £9.15.

For more information, see www.rockies.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 01606 595025.

Perfect for summer, this lightweight combo sheet is ideal for horses that need protection from biting insects, and will also help prevent the sun’s UV rays from bleaching the coat. Featuring a cotton upper combined with mesh weave fabric to allow air to circulate, the rug has a generous, pleated tail flap, integral neck cover, twin chest fastenings, leg straps, nylon anti-rub shoulder panels and belly flap with touch and close fastenings. The Mark Todd Airmesh Combo is available in white check fabric with tan mesh panels in sizes 5’6” to 7’. Retail Price: £54.99

Contact Westgate EFI on 01303 872277 for stockists or visit www.wefi.co.uk

Equimins’ Extra Strength Fly Repellent is an effective fly repellent that has been tried and tested in the Far East.

The formulation contains three new active ingredients, two of which are herbal extracts, to help repel flies and biting insects. In the Far East, where the product has been trialled, they have biting insects and flies all year round, so it really has been put through its paces.

The product has a slightly higher price than some other fly repellents, but a little goes a very long way. Better still, to date, no adverse allergic reactions have been noted, making it a good product to consider for those with sensitive skin.

Extra Strength Fly Repellent is available in 500 ml trigger spray bottles, which retail at £13.55.

Biting Midge Cream

Equimins’ Biting Midge Cream not only soothes irritated skin, but also helps to repel flies and biting insects.

It contains tea tree oil, chamomile extract, and apricot oil, in addition to active ingredients, to soothe irritated areas whilst keeping the flies away. Biting Midge Cream works well on its own, but can also be used with other products, such as Itchless Liquid Herbal

Tincture, which helps to support healthy skin from the inside out.

Biting Midge Cream is available in 350 g and 1 kg tubs, and prices start from £8.35.

Itchless Liquid Herbal Tincture

Equimins Itchless Liquid Herbal Tincture has been designed especially for biting midge season, helping to maintain healthy skin from the inside out.

Containing marigold, dandelion, nettle, garlic and seaweed, Itchless helps to nutritionally support the skin and reduce itching during this time of year. Not only can Itchless be fed, it can also be diluted at a rate of 40 ml to 500 ml of water and used as a body wash.

It is available in 1 L bottles and, when fed at a rate of 20 ml per day, will last for up to 50 days. It retails at £19.25.

For more information see www.equimins.com, email [email protected] or call 01548 531770.


Giveaway - Sweet Itch


News - Stud

Special offer for Equi-Ad’s readers for Non invasive, natural Sarcoids treatment....

Fly Control with Supreme Products Fly-Off Spray

NEW Pesky Pest WashAvailable in 500ml & 5L

Using a non invasive approach, Forest Farmacy has created an innovative way to rid the body of sarcoids.

research has shown that Sarcoids thrive on an acidic internal state, so alkalising the body from the inside stops the virus from feeding, making it harder for them to grow and establish. organic horse’s power Against Sarcoids is an alkalising herbal concentrate containing Alkanet root, titanium clay, fenugreek as well as other alkalising herbs, designed to encourage the body to produce an alkaline state, strengthen the immune system, support the body’s natural defences and make the bowel lining as resilient as possible.

Laura munson tried power Against Sarcoids with her mare rosie because she wanted something that would eradicate the Sarcoids in delicate areas without an aggressive approach. “Since using power Against Sarcoids, these have shrunk dramatically. the Sarcoid on her ear - which was very obvious - is barely noticeable and she is far happier about having her ears touched! i would highly

recommend this product.” mrs morris tried power against Sarcoids with her horse “We used power against sacroids ,and it was like a miracle.my horse had one on his face about 1 to 2 inches round. the vet recommended a course of treatment,but we decided against it. We then scoured the internet for information and come across your website, we decided to try your powder in his feed, and was amazed at the results. the sarcoid healed up and it has not come back. thank you.” power Against Sarcoids also works on other lumps and bumps and has shown to help reduce melanomas.

Special offer for a limited time sarcoid care pack is £80 which includes 3 month supply of power against sarcoids herbal supplement, thuja cream and thuja tincture

For more information, tel: 0800 970 9421 / 07736 282 729 or visit www.forestfarmacy.com

supreme Products Fly-off spray from the Horse Care Range is the must have fly repellent this summer. this specially blended fly spray provides superb protection for horses and ponies against flies. developed using a unique formulation Supreme fly-off can, in some situations and applications, give protection for a few days. Use as a conventional fly spray and wave goodbye to

irritating wasps, flies and insects leaving horses comfortable and happy.

Supreme fly-off is available in 500ml and priced at £10.99 Supreme products horse care range – essential products for everyday horse care. For further information please contact supreme Products on 01377 229050 or visit www.supremeproducts.co.uk

Priding itself on top quality, effective products that you can trust at affordable prices, Barrier Animal Healthcare specialises in a range of entirely natural, non-irritant healthcare products that are not only effective, but are kind to the animal, the user and to the environment. Barrier Animal Healthcare’s products are FRee from all prohibited substances under current FeI & HRA rules and suitable for use in organic farming systems.

pesky pest Wash is a 100% natural,

low lathering, no-rinse wash to thoroughly clean and wash away

nasties, including lice and chorioptic mite, without stripping the coat of natural oils. penetrates deep down to help protect, soothe and calm irritated, bitten areas. frequent use helps to eliminate scurfy, dry areas and maintain healthy skin, hair and coat. Suitable for horses, ponies, donkeys, deer, goats & Large dogs. no artificial thickeners.

Designed, Manufactured and Marketed by Barrier Animal

Healthcare t: 01953 456363 Visit www.flyrepel.com


News - Tack & Turnout - Worming

Skin & Flies - Field & Stable


It’s summer so step up your security!Longer daylight hours give thieves more time to strike making freeze marking a necessity.

Historically horses and ponies are stolen more often during the summer months. the reason being that generally they are out at grass and the longer, lighter days give thieves much more opportunity of seeking out their prey when their owners are not around.

mary Awre of freezemark has been involved with freeze marking since its inception to the UK and can confirm that thefts do increase in the Summer. “more horses get stolen in the Summer, not just because of the longer days, but many people take their holidays between June and September and their horses and ponies are not under their watchful eye and so become vulnerable to theft. it is therefore so important to get your animals freeze marked and provide them with a

visible theft deterrent that not only can you see, but most important of all, so can the thieves! A visible mark will work for you so much better than other deterrents. freeze marking is not expensive but could be priceless in protecting your beloved horses and ponies”

freezemark travel all over the country on the basis of sufficient work in areas to set up days. for freeze marking details and bookings contact freezemark on 01295 788226 or email – [email protected]. full details can also be found at www.freezemark.biz if you book in before 15 June you will get a 10% discount.

Don’t DeLAy – toMoRRoW MAy Be too LAte…

Super Plus Fly Repellent

Super Plus Fly Repellent

Available in 5L, 1L & 500mlthe 2011 your Horse Magazine Gear Award Winner.

Barrier Animal healthcare prides itself on top quality, effective products that you can trust at affordable prices, specialising in a range of entirely natural, non-irritant healthcare products that are not only effective, but are kind to the animal, the user and to the environment. free from all prohibited substances under current fei & hrA rules. Suitable for organic farming systems. fully hSe approved and licensed.

Award Winning,

Super plus fly repellent defies all blood sucking & nuisance flies including midge, Bot, horSefLY, hoUSe, StABLe & BLAcK fLieS and stops the need to rub. can be applied to pink, exposed areas to help soothe and calm irritation and the effects of midge bite. high in Vitamins A, d & e to deep condition and nourish the skin. Also available is Super plus fly gel - hSe 8726 & enhanced formula fly repellent - hSe 8724. Which is specifically designed to

protect against and soothe the effects of midge bites. can also

be applied directly to sore areas to help soothe and calm irritation and stop the need to rub.

Barrier Animal Healthcare. 01953 456363. Visit www.flyrepel.com.am

tRI teC-14 American fly control now available in the UK! tRI teC-14 KILLs tHe CARRIeRs oF InFeCtIoUs DIseAses including tHe sCottIsH MIDGe!

West nile disease, Lyme tick disease, Swamp fever, Scottish midge and many more are arrested by tri-tec 14 killing its carriers! tri-tec 14 spray, a unique formulation, new to the UK, approved by the hSe (license 9215), as an insecticide spray, and used in the USA for years as an ‘on horse spray’. tri-tec 14 kills the flies, mosquitoes (Asian and house), ticks, and lice which can carry infectious diseases, and the Scottish midge! efficacy tests prove tri-tec 14 to kill horse, stable, house, face, horn, deer flies, mosquitoes,

deer ticks, gnats, lice, and the Scottish midge.

the unique formula contains cypermethrin, pyrethrins and strong polymers to keep it in place for 14 days, making it very effective, long lasting and economical. tri-tec can be applied by trigger spray or as a

wipe. Kill the carriers to prevent the spread of disease with tri-tec 14, proven effective by efficacy test performed by respected Wellmark international.

‘the best spray I have ever used. Kills them all and made my horse happy!’, CM – Perth.

For more information, please contact: Ls sales (Farnham) Ltd. tel: 01608 683855 www.lesliesutcliffe.comwww.farnamproducts.co.uk

Aivly offers allround approach to summer skin conditions and fly protectionAivly Country store’s sympathetic and experienced staff can guide you through the latest solutions to relieve summer skin conditions and fly bites.

the spacious showroom stocks rugs including the horseware Sweetich hoody to feeding supplements from traditional garlic to the latest blends from equimins, global herbs and nettex.

for protection there’s a plethora of fly sprays to the nAf citronella discs to fix to your horses headcollar and ear muffs, as are popular with show jumpers.

however, should your horse suffer, lotions and potions include the all-new Leucillin – safe for use even on the horse’s eyes.

Visit Aivly Country store, Ringwood, BH24 3eA, www.aivly.com or call 01425 472341.

Shearwater welcomes a new member to their equine team

Woody is a 6 year old grey Irish sports Horse gelding, sired by Clover echo and out of the mare, Fashionable and will be campaigned by leading event rider, oliver townend.

oliver is very excited about his eventing career, “i love his breeding,” he says. “he has lots of movement and lots of jump and i really rate him”. he is aiming for a 1* by the end of the season and possibly the 6 year old championships, depending on how the year progresses.

After a strong start to the season, Shearwater touchingwood has already notched up several placings and promises to be one to watch.

Keep up to date with Woody’s progress, along with the other horses, by ‘liking’ Shearwater insurance on facebook. For more information about shearwater Insurance call 01992 707318, or visit: www.shearwater-insurance.co.uk.


Giveaway - Legal

I am worried about paying for damage caused by my horseRichard Coates, Head of Equine Law and Keith Howitt, Litigation Manager of Coates LLP

Last month’s article reviewed the position when a rider suffers injuries and this month we look in more detail at owner’s and keeper’s liability.

the relevant legislation is the Animals Act 1971. the Act places certain liabilities upon owners and keepers of animals.

Who is a keeper?A keeper is defined in the Act as either the owner, the person in possession of the animal, or the head of the household where the owner lives if the owner is a member of the household and aged under sixteen.

What is a keeper’s liability?Strict liability, that is no defence can be argued unless allowed under the Act, is placed upon the keeper but a claim has to satisfy a three stage test to succeed. Section 2 of the Act sets out the stages for damage caused by an animal that is not classed as a dangerous species. A keeper is responsible for the damage caused by the animal if:• the damage will be severe if the

animal is not restrained; and• the damage is because of the

characteristics of the animal that are only found at particular times or in particular circumstances; and

• the characteristics were known to the keeper.

if the injury was caused by characteristics not normally found in horses (unless a certain event causes this characteristic), the keeper will be liable. the case of mirvahedy v henley involved a claim by mr mirvahedy against the owners of three horses that stampeded on to a busy road. the field where the horses were kept was fenced and a mile away from the road where the accident occurred. mr mirvahedy unfortunately hit one of the horses. even though stampeding is not a normal every day occurrence in a horse’s behaviour mr mirvahedy succeeded with his claim as the court stated “the fact that an animal’s behaviour, although not normal behaviour for the animals of that species, was nevertheless normal behaviour for the species in the particular circumstances”. in other words, horses do and can stampede under certain conditions. You should always consider how a horse may react to events, i.e. if a horse is startled it may stampede, rear up or kick and may cause damage to someone or something.

Limitation of liabilityif there is a characteristic that is unusual to a horse and it is pointed out to the rider, a keeper can escape liability. this is useful for riding schools that have a range of people riding horses they may not be familiar with.

there are exceptions to the liabilities placed upon keepers in the Act, such as:• A person is not liable for any

damage suffered by a person who has voluntarily accepted the risk thereof;

• A person is not liable for any damage caused by an animal kept on any premises to a person trespassing there, if it is proved either:-

1. that the animal was not kept there for the protection of persons or property; or

2. if the animal was kept there for the protection of persons or property) that keeping it there for that purpose was not unreasonable.

summaryKeith howell comments “even though there is reasonable protection for keepers’ of horses against claims by riders they have to protect themselves. it is worthwhile reviewing the insurance position to make sure you are protected if the horse causes damage. the last thing a keeper wants is to be left with a large claim and to find out the horse insurance does not cover you.”

If you are concerned about a claim being made against you it is beneficial to speak to a solicitor and obtain advice about how you can protect yourself. your insurer may be able to provide you with some basic advice on “risk reduction” but this will only be very basic and generic. A solicitor will be able to give you relevant advice on any changes to your documentation and/or procedures that will help reduce your liability. It is better to act now before a claim is made against you than reactively after an incident occurs. Do you have specific queries that require expert help? the equine team at Cobbetts LLP will be happy to answer questions that are sent to equi-Ads and these will feature in future editions of equi-Ads.

If you have a legal question you would like to ask, please e-mail it to [email protected] subject: legal advice.

For more information on the services Cobbetts LLP offers, please contact Richard on: [email protected] or 0845 404 2301 or www.cobbetts.com/ourservices/equinelaw

Mary King has time to reflect with Mirrors for TrainingMirrors for training has recently installed arena mirrors for 2011 HsBC Classics Champion Mary King.

mary has five mirrors strategically placed around her outdoor arena. two are positioned on a corner, and three are on the centre line. each 8ft x 4ft mirror is made from 6mm pilkington opti-mirror to produce a crisp, accurate reflection, and is framed in specialist plasticol coated galvanised steel that does not require maintenance. Arena mirrors incorporate a safety film and 15mm cushioner for impact protection. the installation brackets that come as standard make fitting easy, and they can be mounted horizontally or vertically in indoor or outdoor arenas.

“i am perfecting my dressage with mirrors for training’s Arena mirrors,” says mary. “i have found them to be an absolute asset. the visual feedback i get from the mirrors enables me to enhance my performance, it’s amazing the difference they make, i can see straightaway what areas i need to focus my training lessons on. this is an invaluable product, and one i simply could not be without.”

“We are so pleased to have mary using our mirrors,” says Andrea miles from mirrors for training. “We have seen a real surge in business from the eventing sector, and

we’ve had lots of great feedback about how using the mirrors in training has really helped, especially in the dressage phases when those few extra points can make all the difference. We hope that mary enjoys her mirrors, and that they help her achieve her goals for this year and beyond.”

For more information, see www.mirrorsfortraining.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 01902 791207.

Field & Stable - News


New study suggests fatter means naughtierBeing overweight is not just a problem in human health; a new study suggests that fat horses and ponies are more likely to misbehave than their more svelte counterparts.

the research has raised particular interest as it draws parallels with the obesity crisis in humans.

Studies in the US have suggested links between being overweight with behaviour problems and lower academic performance in young children.

the equine study, misbehaviour in pony club horses: incidence and risk factors1, was published last month by the equine Veterinary Journal (eVJ) and is the first of its kind to quantify the incidence of

during handling or when ridden.

Whilst the occurrence of misbehaviour during riding was low, at 3% of horses in each month, in more than half of these cases the misbehaviour was dangerous, and posed a serious injury risk to horse and rider.

it is possible that the low occurrence reflects selection of misbehaving horses out of pony club by concerned families.

risk of misbehaviour was higher in horses that were fat or obese and in those that were ridden infrequently.

horses exercised more than three times each week had lower odds of misbehaviour.

the odds of misbehaviour during riding were more than twice as high when horses were fed daily supplements, such as roughage, concentrates and/or grain.

Access to “good grass” was also associated with increased risk of misbehaviour, independent of any supplementary feed provided and horses and ponies that were excessively fat were roughly three times more likely to misbehave.

this all suggests a link between nutrition, exercise, body condition scores and misbehaviour, where higher body condition scores reflect dietary intake exceeding requirements, a problem that can be exacerbated by infrequent exercise.

it was also interesting to note that misbehaviour was more likely when horses were competing - a time when riders may have higher expectations of their horses and subject them to greater physical and mental challenges than during leisure riding.

this may result in horse-rider conflict and subsequent misbehaviour.

the study includes recommendations to help prevent misbehaviour such as exercising at least three times a week and maintaining an optimal physique by more closely matching pasture and supplementary feeding to horses’ exercise levels and resulting energy requirements.

“our day-to-day management lays the foundations for healthy horses and highlights the important role and responsibility of every horse owner,” concludes petra Buckley.

the US studies, conducted for the national institute for healthcare management foundation (nihcm), were based on data from an educational study of children as they enter school.

the study shows that obese girls are significantly more likely to exhibit behaviour problems and that overweight children have significantly lower math and reading test scores compared to non-overweight children.

in line with the equine research, the studies also suggest that an increase in exercise could reduce the numbers of overweight girls and thus the related behaviour problems. professor celia marr, equine clinician, rcVS and european Specialist in equine medicine and editor of the eVJ said:

“it seems that the behaviour of thelwell’s iconic fat pony, and even greyfriars’ Billy Bunter, may have some scientific basis!

there are numerous studies demonstrating the damage that excess weight can have on equine health and thanks to this research we can now highlight the importance of considering body condition, nutrition and exercise in misbehaving horses.

“meanwhile vets and horse owners can use the recommendations to help minimise the chances of misbehaviour; and perhaps parents might think about the repercussions of giving in to their children’s demands for that extra doughnut:

making sure the horse is healthy and well-behaved by keeping its food intake down and its exercise level up might even be an important life lesson for all the family.”

Misbehaviour in Pony Club horses: Incidences and risk factors P Buckley, DJ Buckley, school of Agriculture and Veterinary sciences, Charles sturt University, Wagga Wagga, new south Wales, Australia, JM Morton, Gt Coleman, school of Veterinary science, the University of Queensland, st Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia equine Veterinary Journal, doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00541.x

misbehaviour in a population of horses.

the research, conducted by petra Buckley, Senior Lecturer in equine Science at charles Sturt University, new South Wales, involved 84 pony club horses from seven different clubs in rural Australia.

over the period of a year owners kept daily records of horse management including nutrition, healthcare and exercise and recorded any misbehaviour.

the horses were checked by a vet every month to investigate any relationship between pain, such as lameness and back pain and misbehaviour.

59% of the horses studied misbehaved at least once during the study year, either

“RIsK oF MIsBeHAVIoUR WAs HIGHeR In HoRses tHAt WeRe FAt oR oBese AnD In tHose tHAt WeRe RIDDen InFReQUentLy.”


Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Problem Page Maeve Grant

I have owned my horse for a year now and have never been able to work him in a true outline.

he passed a five stage vetting when i bought him and i had the vet assess him recently and they couldn’t find any lameness issue. he has always lacked topline and i have never been able to build muscle on him. is this something that physiotherapy could help with?

this is probably the most common type of horse that i am asked to assess and yes, physiotherapy could definitely help with this.

chartered physiotherapists are experts at assessing movement and part of the skill in assessing how a horse moves is to assess if he moves optimally considering his conformation ie. a shetland pony and a dutch warm blood are the same species but obviously cover the ground in very different ways.

if the horse is not moving to the best of his ability it is our job to work out why and then to correct that with treatment. Before we begin to assess movement we need to be able to look at a horse and work out the expected movement potential for his conformation.

then we can decide if a horse is moving that way because of actual conformation, a result of genetics and nutrition, or due to acquired conformation, a compensatory way of moving due to the posture he has adopted.

horses will adopt poor postures due to a variety of reasons; previous injuries, ill fitting saddles, poor foot balance, training methods, etc.

Your horse sounds like he has the most common postural dysfunction that i see in horses. this posture type typically has a hollow, lordotic spine and weak lengthened abdominal muscles. this altered position of his spine restricts lateral bend in his back and his back

the sacrum all the way down the leg to the stifle and these should be the most powerful muscles in his body. Because he can’t step his hind legs far enough under his body and engage his quarters then he will be unable to take enough weight on his hind limbs to lighten his forehand.

So once we have assessed your horse’s posture, conformation and movement patterns we can move on to treatment and management.

the most important thing is to work out why your horse is moving like that and remove the cause. if your horse has been like this for a long time it may be due to an old injury or a previous problem with tack and he has adopted and maintained a poor way of moving. A chartered Veterinary physiotherapist will be able to assess your horse’s movement and ascertain why this movement pattern has been adopted.

this may mean involvement from your vet to rule out or treat underlying lameness issues, your farrier to assess and treat foot balance issues or a SmS saddle fitter to ensure it is not caused by ill fitting tack. Your chartered Veterinary physiotherapist will be able to liase with the right professional to help with the cause of the problem and physiotherapy treatment will be needed to improve your horse’s posture and movement pattern. physiotherapy treatment will be needed to remove pain and restriction in the back, quarters and scapular regions.

Your chartered Veterinary physiotherapist may use a variety of manual or electrotherapies to treat muscle spasm, joint stiffness and restriction to improve your horse’s posture and movement.

this will allow the horse to have enough range of movement in his back to use his abdominals, lift his back and clear enough space under his body to bring his hind leg underneath and be able to engage the large, powerful muscles of the quarters to propel himself forward.

this will allow him to lighten his forehand, allow his ribcage to lift between his scapulae and allow the scapulae to glide freely over the ribcage, providing a nice free action in front. it also leaves the head and neck free to move, allowing the horse to balance himself and work in a true outline.

then the muscles on the top of his neck can work in a lightly stretched position to control the effects of gravity on his head and neck. this will allow the horse to develop a rounded neck. then your chartered Veterinary physiotherapist will provide your horse with an individually tailored graded exercise programme to improve muscle strength and stability as the posture and movement pattern improves.

Below are before and after photos of the hindquarters of a horse with this type of poor movement pattern.

the photos are taken 6 weeks apart and this horse had two physiotherapy treatments and an in-hand and ridden exercise programme.

in the before photo this horse had wasting of gluteals and biceps femoris and was reliant on the muscles running down either side of his tail to push him forward.

As you can see in the after photo, he has developed a much more rounded and powerful back end. his owner reports he is more off his forehand, more engaged behind and has a much more powerful canter.

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

becomes restricted and tight and his abdominal muscles cannot do their job of supporting his trunk, therefore he gets weaker and falls further into this posture.

this tightness in the long muscles of the back further pushes the horse into a hollow outline and prevents the horse from lifting and rounding his back to work his topline in a lightly stretched position, therefore he loses topline and finds it impossible to build muscle there.

the hollow position of his spine puts his lumbosacral junction into extension and tips his pelvis forward making him unable to get his hind limb far enough forward underneath him to use the correct muscles in his quarters to propel his weight forward.

this leads to muscle adaptations in the hind quarters so he can support his hind leg in a shortened stride and puts more concussive forces through the joints of the hind legs. typically he overuses the smaller hamstring muscles running down either side of the tail and these become very well defined.

however he will have marked wasting of his middle gluteal over his quarters and his biceps femoris which runs from

A horse with a hollow thoracic spine due to postural adaptations

A horse with almost total wasting of the most powerful muscles of the hindquarters and overdevelopment of the muscles down the back of the hind legs beside the tail.

Before treatment

After treatment

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New-look course and schedule for BlenheimFidelity Worldwide Investments has extended its title sponsorship of the Blenheim Palace International Horse trials for the next three years (2012-15); allowing the organisers to re-invest in some new fences, improve the going and introduce other enhancements for this year’s running (6-9 september 2012).

“2012 is going to be an exciting year for Blenheim’s cross country course as several new fences and changes of route will come into play, giving a new feel to parts of the course. david evans is busy interpreting my designs and there will certainly be some new questions this year,” explains course designer, eric Winter.

“having the support of fidelity and our other loyal sponsors is what has enabled us to invest, not only in the course, but also in the facilities and support systems for the whole event, adds event director mandy hervieu. We are introducing these changes following a comprehensive event review which consulted with both opinion leaders and professionals within the sport and all of our stakeholder groups to see how we can enhance the event further,” ends mandy.

in addition to the cross country course improvements, and in line with the review findings, the 2012 fidelity Blenheim palace international horse trials will also be introducing:• some changes in layout and to the main

event timetable, including a later start (approx 11am) to the cross country on both days of the weekend

• later start and finish times for the displays and demonstrations in the attractions arena

• more opportunities for grass roots riders to participate

• more opportunities for the cci/cic eventers to take part in a new bareback jumping class, in addition to the extremely popular Amtrust high jump challenge.

Visitors are advised to book tickets early to guarantee limited availability tickets such as grandstand seats or Members passes. For tickets and Visitor Information: www.blenheim-horse.co.uk.

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