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Horse Riding Tips

Horses lend us the wings we lack – Buying a Jumper

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Buying a Jumper?  What do you look for in a jumping horse.  Is it breeding, confirmation, temperament or ability?

Horses lend us the wings we lack.  ~Author Unknown

When you have a jumping horse in front of you and are considering if he is the horse for you bear the words of the wise in mind. Tim Stockdale (and who better to take advice from?) says “When considering a horse to buy always ‘look’ at the horse in front of you’.  He has a particular routine when looking at a prospective purchase and his approach has been rewarded with some fantastic jumping horses!

He likes to see a horse in its stable.  Here he can judge its temperament and attitude towards him.

Next he see him bought into the yard.  He checks not for veterinary problems but for Are there any scars? How well is he shod? Why is his head not been clipped? These things can tell you a lot about a horse.

He does however generally steer clear of ewe necks and long pasterns as these conformation defects are hard to overcome in a jumping horse., although he is happy to see a horse with asymmetric feet or a curb under saddle.

He does not watch a horse being loose schooled as he feels that he needs to know how a horse goes under saddle so he can asses how he holds himself, its co-ordinaiton and he asks himself if he is “happy” in his bridle.

Breeding and confirmation are a consideration but he would prefer to judge a horse on the what he sees in front of him.

Helen Tredwell and Georgie Crumley put temperament high on their lists.  Georgie says A genuine, willing temperament is extremely important.  That’s one thing that every “special” horse has in common.  They are willing to try their hardest and give everything they’ve got when it matters.  Helen says “Look for something which enjoys its jumping, that’s half the battle”

Confirmation is a good starting point though when viewing horses you should feel that they “have a leg at each corner” and that they have well made hocks under strongly built quarters.  These are what is going to lift them off the ground.

Horses which are unbroken can indicate who they may perform (given a good wind etc) if they have a good shape over a fence with neat front legs and a good athletic spring over the fence they will, most likely, perform better than one who dangles his front legs and jumps flat.

On the flat look for a horse which moves from his elbows and hips (not knee and stifle) as this freedom in his movement will help him get up and over his fences. A horse which naturally can canter well, in a rhythm and has the ability/agility to lengthen and shorten will also make your job a lot easier.

There are some great jumpers on Horse Scout and when you go and see them remember ….to ‘look’ at the horse in front of you.  Good luck with your search for your perfect partner.

Horse Breeds

A Lot About Arabs – The Va Va Voom horse

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Are you thinking that an Arab may be the horse for you?  Have you seen them performing in the show ring or out on endurance rides.  For the rider who has a certain va va voom Arabs make great riding horses.  They are spirited and fun and full of character.

Cross bred arabs make really lovely riding horses where their hot natures can be somewhat tempered by the nature of the cross, although any cross will still have that spirited element to his character. The Arab (generally) would not be my choice as a first horse nor for anyone who is a nervous rider.  Its not that they are bad, not at all, but they are “fun” to ride, they are not called Hot Bloods for nothing!

A picture of physical perfection with unparalleled endurance and strength, Arabian horses are uniquely tied to the history of humankind. In fact, these hearty horses have been a human companion for close to 5,000 years. Once the favored mount of historical figures such as Genghis Kahn, Napoleon, and George Washington, modern Arabians continually gain the favor of horse enthusiasts the world over. Despite their widespread popularity, however, Arabians remain sleek, well-muscled, and intelligent with a gentle disposition that keeps them poised to remain our trusted companion well into the future.

Interesting Facts:

History & Origins:    Arabians are believed to be the oldest breed of riding horse. It is thought that early desert nomads first domesticated these horses from the wilds of the Middle East as early as 2500 B.C.

Size:   The breed standard lists 14.1 to 15.1 hands (57″ to 61″) high with allowances for horses over or under this height. Many modern Arabians, however, have been bred to stand between 15 and 16 hands (60″ to 64″) high due to breeder and personal preferences.

Color & Markings:    The Arabian Horse Association recognizes five purebred horse coat colors. The most prominent is bay. Other colors include gray, chestnut, black, and roan. Half-Arabians, derived from the crossing of a purebred with other breeds, may have additional coat colors. Purebreds may exhibit a sabino spotting pattern, in which white markings dress the upper legs, belly, or face. All Arabians, regardless of coat color, have black skin except under any white markings. This dark skin historically helped protect the breed from the hot desert sun.

Physical Appearance:         Traditionally classified as a smaller horse, Arabians are built for endurance in the most inhospitable environments. Their strength and balance stem from compact bodies with short backs, dense bones, and sound hooves. Their refined appearance is derived from a dished body, wedge-shaped head, large eyes and nostrils set against a small muzzle, arched neck, high tail carriage, and long, level croup. Interestingly, some Arabians have seventeen rather than eighteen pairs of ribs and five as opposed to six lumbar vertebrae.

Temperament:         Arabian horses are traditionally bred for speed and spirit. Hence they are classified as “hot-blooded.” However, these intelligent horses also have a history of living in close quarters with human families and have carried their disposition and sensitivities with them over the centuries. As a result, Arabians learn quickly and are responsive to well-trained riders. It is little surprise that Arabian stallions are one of the few breeds allowed to be shown by children under the age of 18 in most shows endorsed by the United States Equestrian Federation.

Unique Characteristics:     The popularity of Arabians stretches around the world and throughout time for a reason. Their versatility, speed, courage, endurance, intelligence, and responsiveness suits them for pleasure, competitions, film work, law enforcement, ranch life, and more. Similarly, their sleek lines and majestic beauty attracts the eye of any horse enthusiast. However, it is their friendly disposition and continual companionship over centuries of human existence that helps add familiarity to the mystique and romance of horses.

Horse Riding Tips

Hot Tips For Hat Heads

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Do you suffer from hat head? Is your Skin rough or bumpy and your hair decidedly straw like are you utterly shattered at the end of your horse filled hours? You could take the sweat out of looking after your horse and put it at livery (pass these tips on to his keeper!) or your trainer could ride your horse more often (in which case they could read these tips too)…. or you could look make sure you look after yourself and keep doing the thing you love.

Rough and Bumpy skin is formed by dead skins cells and bacteria in the hair follicles. Wearing your riding hat is definitely a big part of your problem, but is unavoidable so make sure you make a point of rejuvenating and cleaning hat heads

It sounds pretty obvious … but hitting the shower at the end of the day to rejuvenate your skin and avoiding wearing makeup whilst you’re working up a sweat as this can clog your pores. To reduce the bumps try using a scrub or body brush (not one from the tack room) to get rid of any build up.

The frequent amount of time spent outdoors, exposing your skin to the harsh elements like wind and sun can play a part in wrinkles, age sports, or the feeling of thick skin giving it a leathery look.

It has also been suggested that the world of horses and all that involves damages the elasticity of the skin, causing a droopy face and neck, giving the face a ‘sunken’ look (although we’re still unconvinced). Use a sunblock with a high SPF, sweat-resistant sun cream to prevent skin damage, use a moisturising lotion. I can’t recommend a specific brand but a unisex cheap and effective one is E45. (always check on a small area of skin first)

Straw like hair

Although jumping in the shower after a workout is better for your skin, ensure it’s not at the downfall to your hair. Try just rinsing your hair instead of shampooing especially in the cold weather which has a nasty habit of drying skin.

Washing your hair too much will remove natural, protective oils that your skin and hair naturally produce, once your hair gets used to not being shampooed every day it slowly allows longer between shampooing without that lank greasy look. Take it slowly don’t frighten yourself. Try a one day break for a couple of weeks then stretch this to two etc. It’s hard when your hair is under a hat all day but give it time and your hair will thank you.

Tired and haggard

Too much exercise can leave your body exhausted and without a chance to catch up weaken your immune system leaving you more prone to colds and viruses and looking and feeling exhausted.

Here are five ways to boost your immune system from “The running Bug” …. They know a thing or two about getting hot and sweaty! (Just change “training” for working on yard, riding, running after loose horses, grooming etc etc!!!!!)

1. Eat Sufficient Calories for for the amount of work you are doing

Eating enough calories for training and day-to-day living is probably the single most important factor for an optimally functioning immune system. Excluding the calories needed for training and racing, the body needs a specific number of calories (known as the basal metabolic rate, BMR) just to function. If there is an energy deficiency, immune function is compromised and can often result in illness. Runners with low energy availability are particularly susceptible to upper respiratory-tract infections (URTI’s i.e. coughs and colds). To avoid this, maintain a calorie intake that supports training, daily activity and biological processes. One way to find out if you’re eating enough is to speak to a qualified performance nutritionist; alternatively to put you on the right track, adhere to point 2…

2. Don’t Avoid Fat

Athletes and active individuals should be aiming to consume approximately 25 per cent or more of their total calories from fat for optimal immune function, especially during heavy training periods. As well as contributing to overall energy intake, research shows that long-chain polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids may specifically change the defences which fight infectious pathogens. In addition, having insufficient saturated fatty acids in the white blood cells inhibit their ability to recognise and destroy foreign bodies such as viruses and bacteria. To ensure you’re getting sufficient fat in the diet, aim to include foods such as eggs, red meat, oily fish, nuts, avocados, olives and olive oils, butter, full fat dairy and coconut.

3. Consider supplementing with Vitamin D

Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, has had a surge in research interest in recent years. Compromised vitamin D status can affect a runner’s overall health and ability to train by negatively affecting bone health, innate immunity and exercise-related immunity and yet it is thought more than half of the UK population have insufficient vitamin D levels. Those who spend a lot of time indoors and/or are darker skinned are particularly at risk from deficiency, however chances are without supplementation over the winter in the UK, we are all at risk of developing insufficient or even deficient levels. Your GP should be able to test your vitamin D levels; however, if testing is unavailable, taking a baseline dose (2500IU/day) will help correct any insufficiency and improve immune function. Vitamin D supplements are available in most health shops.

4. Eat More Offal

Offal (heart, kidneys, liver) is one of the most nutritionally complete foods around. It contains fat, has a high protein content, and provides more variety of vitamins and minerals (including zinc which plays a central role in immune function) than any other individual food making it a great immune boosting choice! If taste or texture is a struggle, chop it up and hide in dishes such as casseroles, chilli’s and bolognese.

5. Take a Probiotic

Taking a daily probiotic (micro-organisms found in yoghurt or dietary supplements) has been shown to reduce frequency, duration and severity of immunity illnesses, and improve gut health among athletes during heavy training periods. One study in particular by Gleeson et al. (2011) looked at the effects of taking a daily probiotic (Lactobacillus casei Shirota) over the winter period on the incidence of URTI’s (upper respiratory tract infection) in endurance athletes. They found over 4 months, the number of athletes experiencing coughs and colds lasting 7 days or more was 36 per cent lower in those taking a daily probiotic. Yogurt is also quite useful for its effect of free radicals especially when taken with red/purple berries.

My favourite is yoghurt with summer fruits and some honey. You can buy summer fruits frozen in tubs. Quite handy because it means you can just use what you want…..just remember to take a spoonful out when you make your first cup of tea and by the time you’ve done the morning work rides it will be thawed and ready to stir into your yogourt.

British Dressage

British Eventing South West Region Rankings For 2015 For Grassroots Riders

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BRITISH EVENTING SOUTH WEST REGION RANKINGS FOR 2015 FOR GRASS ROOTS RIDERS

British Eventing South West Region, are delighted to announce the launch of a Rankings series to be held in the South West Region during 2015 says the World Of Eventing and goes on to quote Pattie Biden, the Regional Coordinator for the South West: “This series has been introduced to recognise and reward consistently good performances at Grassroots levels and to make the fantastic events in the South West more attractive to all riders.
“I also hope that the rankings and prizes will encourage more entries to South West events thus adding value to our hard working Organisers in the area.
The series will be open to all horse and rider combinations competing in BE80(T), BE90 and BE100 classes during this year. The series will encompass all 24 events that run classes at these three levels of competition in the South West Region during the 2015 eventing season. Results will be determined by points automatically allocated to the top 6/8 in each class at each event depending on the number of starters. Ongoing results will be posted on the series web site www.eventingsouthwest.co.uk along with other information concerning the rankings as well as all other aspects of eventing in the South West.

Participating Fixtures
Fixtures which count for the series are: Moreton (March 7/8), Aldon International 1 (March 20/23/22), Somerley Park (April 1/2), Portman (April 7/8), Larkhill 1 (April 11/12), Bovington (April 18/19), Bicton Arena 1 (April 24/25/26), Millfield School (May 23/24), Pontispool 1 (May 30/31), West Wilts 1 (June 13/14), Nunney International (June 19/20/21), Treborough Hill 1 (June 27), Bicton Arena 2 (July 11/12), Launceston (July 18), West Wilts 2 (August 18/19), Bicton Arena 3 (August 22/23), Treborough Hill 2 August 29/30), West Wilts 3 (September 12/13), Pontispool 2 (September 20/21), Bricky September 26/27), Bovington 2 (October 4), Port Eliot (October 11), Larkhill 2 (October 17/18), Aldon International 2 (October 22/23/24/25)

Prizes and awards
Initially all awards will be in kind and presented to the top four in each of the three classes overall at the end of the season. These will include free Membership to BE for both Horse and Rider and a Training Voucher, Balios Body protectors, Joules Tweed Jackets and Castle Horse Rugs from Style International. Additionally John Colson Training Bursaries presented by the Nutwell Court Committee will be awarded to the highest rider aged under 21 and the highest placed rider aged over 50.

These prizes will be presented at an Awards Ceremony to be held at the Exeter Equine Christmas Fair which will be held at the Westpoint Arena, Exeter on Saturday 5th December.

Horse Riding Tips

Be Zen – put a different hat on to do the mucking out!

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Zen for Grooms –

Are all grooms Zen…..Perhaps we should add a Zen check button to our Professionals page!

“Before enlightenment chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.” – Wu Li…. Or in horse terms “ Before enlightenment muck out, turn out, ride and groom, after enlightenment smile as you muck out, turn out, ride and groom” Being Zen wont change how much you have to fit into your day but it will help you achieve far more, be more effective, and more content. No one can question that a grooms day is long, tough, wet and cold in the winter (and the summertime too sometimes!)  but it has its rewards and just when you think you are going to jack it in, the sun comes out and its your day on the rota to hack out.

The Zen Monk Thich Nhat Hanh simplified the rules of Zen into one sentence

“Smile, Breath and Go Slowly” 

We should all try this approach and I have taken the liberty of translating the Zen Rules into “A Grooms Zen Outlook on Life”

  1. Do one thing at a time  This mean each job is started and finished and your focus is on ensuring that it is done property
  1. Do it slowly and deliberately  Slowly and deliberately does not mean with a lazy approach but with total focus
  2. Do it completely Don’t get distracted and move on to the next thing before finishing what you are already doing
  3. Do less  Priorities: If the work load is particularly heavy do the most important jobs first
  4. Develop rituals  Find a way to make the most of your time, keep your job list circular so each one assists the next
  5. Designate time for certain things There is always a list of things which get put to the bottom of the list, try and tick one of those off in the mid afternoon lull.
  6. Devote time to sitting During your breaks, take the time to sit and relax.
  7. Smile and serve others Smiling is the best approach, always find the up side and share it with others to make their day a happier one.
  8. Make cleaning and cooking become meditation Horse wise – there is something entirely satisfying about that newly mucked out bed and a horse you could pat in white gloves.
  9. Think about what is necessary Focus on the job in hand, give it your whole attention, that way you wont leave the hoof pick behind and then have to sift through the whole bed to find it!.
  10. Live simply Well, that’s an easy one,being a groom leaves little time for a complicated life!
Equestrian Centre

Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre – A yard that feels like home

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This lovely yard is near Purbright, Surrey

Not only is this yard everything you would want in a livery stable its also set in ideal hacking country, So if you want a fit horse or just to enjoy quiet hacking Stanley Equestrian is definitely the place for you. Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre Livery Yard is situated in an idyllic rural location on the Furzehill Estate, just outside Purbright village in Surrey and is lucky enough to be surrounded by miles of undulating hacking on it’s doorstep.

The yard has wonderful customer reviews praising the personal friendly service in a modern, organised yard, this will surely take the hassle out of owning a horse and allow your precious time to be enjoyed. Quality rather than quantity is the ethos of this well run yard, and with this in mind many of the stables have been used to allow plenty of storage, including 3 indoor hot wash areas, secure tack rooms, rug rooms, laundry rooms, feed rooms and the general office.

Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre has 2 outdoor arenas, a covered area if the weather is grim, a lunge pen as well as a horse walker. Paddocks are mainly post and rail with turnout individual or in agreed pairs.

An added bonus is a very comfortable heated clubroom with a patio to enjoy a cup of tea or sometimes a BBQ when the weather is kind! Plenty of hard standing parking both for cars and lorries/trailers, by arrangement, are available.

Security and supervision of your horse are well catered for as staff live on site so late night check is done 7 days a week, alongside CCTV coverage.  There is no doubt that Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre take pride in the horses (and owners!) under their care.

They offer full, part, competition, schooling and rehab livery, alongside training from Michelle or the clinics which they arrange.

Michelle Bone,

Michelle is the ‘In house’ trainer. She is a British Dressage Listed Judge and accredited trainer. As a child she was a keen competitor at Bisley Hunt Pony Club being on many event and dressage teams obtaining her “A” test while also showing at county level riding WHP, Riding Horse and Side saddle. Her first horse she took from pony club eventing to advanced level and has brought on many more since then. She has also helped develop dressage horses having ridden up to Inter I level.  Michelle is keen to help anyone who wants to improve no matter what their ambition or goal is.

Other trainers who attend the yard are Targa Hammond and Daniel Greenwood

Targa Hammond is a UKCC LEVEL 3 QUALIFIED COACH & International Grand Prix rider. She gives showjumping clinics at Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre to all levels of horses and riders who want to improve. Targa works with pupils to develop detailed and bespoke training programs they can take forward and develop. A previous member of the Young Rider team and with over ten years coaching experience. Targa works with individuals in a comprehensive and considered manner so they can achieve their long and short term goals.

Daniel is an International Dressage rider who has a very calm and positive approach to training. Daniel has ridden at Grand Prix and has an exceptional record for producing young horses. He is enthusiastic and encouraging no matter the type or breed of horse and gives great advice on exercises to improve the horse’s way of going.

Here are a couple of testimonials from Customers:

I’ve found the perfect livery for my ‘sensitive’ type. She’s not the easiest to manage, but Michelle’s 30+ years’ extensive experience and her common sense approach means we usually avoid weight loss or anxiety before they arise. I really value her approach – also using the vast experience of the experts around us – vet, farrier, dentist, chiropractor, equine masseuse, saddler, nutritionist etc.

The atmosphere that Michelle and her team have created is calm and tranquil, resulting in happy horses and happy owners. It is so nice to see owners staying for the day, enjoying time with their horses without feeling they have to rush off after riding.

So if you are looking for the perfect home for your horse in the Purbeck area check out Stanley Hill Equestrian Centre.

Dressage

10 Top Tips for a Mother Daughter Share

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What is the perfect Mother Daughter Share?

“A perfect mother-daughter share is where my mother pays all the bills and does all the yard work, and I do all the riding. Sadly, my mother does not share my opinion….”

Mother Daughter shares can be the perfect set up and, actually, some mothers are happy with the above scenario! But mostly Mothers tend to want a bit more from the arrangement.  After all it is Mothers who tend to do most of the donkey work because teenagers are, by rote, away at school and in the winter this means that bar the pair of luminous eyes caught in the beam of the head torch, they hardly get to see their horse during the winter!

Top Tips for Mother Daughter combinations:

This scenario assumes that the Daughter is a competent rider, perhaps this is the third or fourth horse she is looking to buy.  She is competing perhaps in pony club teams or in intro affiliated classes or this is her aim with this next horse.  Mother is experienced and has ridden possibly all her life, does not have any particular ambition to compete but is capable of hacking out and schooling and maybe even hunting.  Other combinations of experience would need to adjust their top tens but the principals would probably be the same.

  1. Choose a gelding if possible, they tend to be more even in temperament and happy for anyone to do them (sweeping generalisation I know).
  2. Chose a height weight combination which will be comfortable for both parties to ride.  Tricky if M&D are extremis! But usually there is a similarity in build) …. Yes I know another sweeping statement.
  3. Choose a temperament that will suit both parties.  If one is a little nervous handling from the ground then find a horse which is rock steady to do, and not too big for the handler.
  4. If riding abilities are widely at odds then choose a horse which will suit the less able rider.
  5. On the other hand if the main rider (the one who will be doing most of the exercising) is the more competent and is able to school the horse regularly so it is quiet for the other rider this may work fine.  With the combination the other way round its not going to work.
  6. Decide what the horse is going to be doing.  However, for this combination an all rounder is a good idea offering versatility and therefore scope to have a go at most things.
  7. Have clearly defined responsibilities.  Be realistic but also stick to your guns on who is doing what and when. This will keep the horse a truly M&D member of the family.
  8. Remember to appreciate each other and look for the positives of having the other person contribute to the training, husbandry and progress of the horse.
  9. Like sharing anything, this trio will work best when all parties are prepared to chip in, talk and look to progress.
  10. But mostly, Enjoy your horse, your time with him and your time with each other.

There are a number of all rounders advertised on Horse Scout Mountview Rosie, Sallybog Tim, Bolt Hero, By Jonkers Metyo, Emerald Skippy.

 

 

Jumping

Are you covering your mare this year?

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We’re moving towards the spring are you thinking of covering you mare?

Stallion Review – William Funnels’ ride Billy Mexico

William Funnels’ ride Billy Mexico is by the Billy Stud AES / AWR Approved stallion Cevin Z. He is an exceptional young stallion starting his competitive career with William Funnell. He is showing huge ability, combined with an excellent temperament. Cevin Z his sire was bred by the prestigious Zangersheide Stud and carries double crosses in his pedigree of both Cor de la Bryere and Capitol I.

His pedigree sets him apart and combined with his talent and temperament ha has proven to be an ideal producer of high class sports horses, especially show jumpers and eventers.

His first crop of young stock were placed first and second at the Young Horse Championships in 2006. He has competed successfully with William Funnell at International level. His youngstock are achieving top class results in both show jumping and eventing at international level.

Bidorette the mother of Billy Mexico is a proven broodmare having produced numerous good foals, in particular the approved stallion Fervent, a proven sire who achieved over $20.00.00 in winnings and also Libro who jumped to Foxhunter level, with BSJA winnings of £974.00. Libro also excels as a dressage horse with 250 points and is working at advanced medium level.

This graded AES chestnut stallion has well proven progeny.  2008 was Billy Mexico’s first season at stud and as he was only a 3yr old the stud only covered six mares with him, but the crop have been outstanding.

William said “From what we have seen of Mexico’s progeny so far we are very excited about him as a breeding stallion. Considering we only covered the six mares the first year, all the offspring have shown his super technique and great brain”. Of the six, two were sold to Norway as 4yr olds and both have been consistently in the results.

 

 

 

 

 

Dressage

Nicola Buchanan The three D’s – “Dedication, Discipline, Determination!”

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Professional Profile in the Spotlight Today is Nichola Buchanan.

Nicola Buchanan is an International Dressage Rider based in the United Kingdom based in Hampshire. She represented Great Britain between 2002‐2014. Highlights including winning Grand Prix at the Hickstead CDI *** in 2008, being listed for the Beijing Olympics and competing in World Cup Qualifiers including Olympia London. In 2008 and 2009 Nicola was asked to demonstrate grand prix dressage at Gatcombe Park during a three day event, “More than 10,000 people were watching, making the performance all that more special.

Nicola learnt to ride while growing up in Indonesia on the native ponies, “My mother had always been a keen horse women and it was her influence that got me started. I was sent to school in England at 11 and my riding took a back seat until the holidays. These were then spent in Singapore where I spent all my free time at the Saddle club riding and competing. One of my highlights while on holiday was competing on the pony club team. We were sent to Hong Kong (where I was born ) to compete against Malaysia , Thailand , the Philippines, Indonesia and most of South East Asia. It was an excellent experience and I won individual silver.”

Nicola spent 4 years working and training in Holland at the yard where the Dutch National Dressage Championships took place. For 6 years she was based in the USA importing, training, competing & selling Dutch dressage horses. 2 beneficial years were spent training in Germany with German Olympic Dressage Team trainer, Jonny Hilberath. Nicola has been based in the UK since 2000 and she trains with Carl Hester Team GB Olympic Gold medalist. Nichola is an Ambassador for TRM. TRM stands for ”Thoroughbred Remedies Manufacturing Ltd.” And is Europe’s largest manufacturer and distributor of Nutritional Feeds Supplements and General Healthcare products for Horses.

Her grand prix Horses St Swithens & Sancerre have now retired but their highlights include competing internationally at Lingen, Oldenburg, Saumur, Olympia, Hickstead and Hartpury.

Nicola currently competes, Don Corleone VH Scheefkasteel, a 16.3hh Belgian‐bred bay gelding by Turbo Vant Gestelhof, born in 2003 and owned by Nicola, he has benefited hugely from TRM supplements, recently achieving a 4th place in his first International Grand Prix in 2014. In the spring of 2014 Nicola purchased Half Moon Dark Magic, a five year old gelding, and plans to bring him up to International level over the coming years.

She continues to share her passion for the sport and, for her, training is about sharing her experience training riders from Novice to Grand Prix level.

Buying A Horse

11 Top Tips – Focus list for buying your horse

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You know what you want….So keep focused when buying your horse.

You’ve made a decision and you are going to buy a horse.  My advice? …Make a shopping list first.

List everything that you want your horse to be, his minimum level of experience, how you are going to fit on him and what you want to do with him.  You can make it more detailed with specifics like age, breed, build, bone etc but promise yourself that if you write it down then you will stick to it.  So put a lot of thought into this preparatory step before even pressing a horses for sale link!

Shopping list sorted and your ready to start looking so here is a handy focus list for you to help keep you on track.

  1. Decide what type of horse you are after and stick to it. It’s all too easy to get carried away when you’re looking for a horse, so If you are after a schoolmaster don’t come home with a recently broken 3 year old!
  2. Ask yourself will this horse do the job I want him for?  “Could I see this horse in the arena, x country, hunting all day etc ?” It really helps to keep a clear picture of what you are looking for.  It is so easy to get side tracked and buy on impulse based on nothing more than the colour of a horses coat.
  3. Keep a constant eye on the market – The good ones tend to get snapped up very quickly, in the past I’ve seen them on Horse Scout in the morning and sold be lunchtime!
  4. Be prepared to take your time finding a horse – sometimes it can be a lengthy and tedious process, if the first horse isn’t right it might be the second, fifth or tenth!  And always try a horse twice – you will pick up on things at a second visit that you missed the first time around
  5. Make a list of questions and make sure you get an answer to every one before hanging up.  Let the seller talk, often as you chat you can pick up things that are not written in the ad.  E.g. “Is he quiet in the stable?” “Oh yes, burble on a bit…” followed by “of course if you wave your arms around he can throw up his head” no this might describe the horse exactly or it could be a way of saying you have to be very quiet around the horse as it spooks easily in its stable.  Bear this in mind when you visit the horse.  Don’t go mad but just see what the seller means.
  6. Ask direct questions about vices etc like weaving or windsucking, cold back etc by specifically asking the question. Technically a seller is oblisged to come clean but if he hesitates or changes the subject be wary. If this happens go aware to the visit if you still want to go ahead, this will save you time and money in the long run. Ask for a video of the horse inaction, this can be a great way of telling whether a horse is worth the time and cost of fuel of a viewing.
  7. Don’t waste peoples time If you arrive and immediately know the horse is not for you then don’t be afraid to say so, the seller should appreciate your honesty and this way you won’t be wasting your time either.  It can be difficult to be blunt but better for all concerned in the long run.  You may well make friends with the seller but they are not, at this point, your friend and will not mind your honesty.
  8. If you can then video the horse – you can watch it again and again which will help you make a decision and similarly, take someone with you that knows your riding – it can be so worthwhile to have another ‘pair of eyes’ to assess the horse
  9. Ask questions, questions and more questions! Buying a horse is a huge decision and you need to know everything you can about the horse before you commit to buying it. If the seller is genuine they will be able to answer all of them!
  10. Sleep on it.  The seller is keen to make a sale but you must be certain that this is the right horse for you.  After all you will have a huge time, money and resources tied up in your equine partner so make sure you are making a decision based on all the things that are on your shopping list and not on an impulse.
  11. Having made a decision it is advisable to get a vet check, but keep it appropriate you don’t need a 5* vetting if you are not expecting to seriously compete on your horse.  However, your vet will be able to advise you if you tell him what you want to use the horse for.

Don’t go off track, pick the perfect horse for you.  Good luck with your search and let us know how you get on.