Tag Archives: horses

Horse Advice

 Haylage – Hey! Do you know benefits of feeding Haylage?

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Benefits of feeding haylage

  1. It is dust free
  2. No need to soak
  3. It is convenient to handle
  4. Haylage has a high nutritional value
  5. Its more palatable to horses than hay
  6. Can easily be stored outside as it is packed in water resistant bags.
  7. Unopened bags of haylage keep for up to 18 months without any loss of feeding value.

Haylage is an ideal replacement for hay and excellent for feeding to horses with dust allergies and equine respiratory problems such as COPD, SPAOD and RAOD.

Haylages are made of grass that is cut before it goes to seed. It is semi-wilted grass sealed in a bag but without the dust and spores found in hay.

The benefits of this are that as there are no spores it does not cause or aggravate respiratory problems. Haylage also has a higher nutritional value than hay.

This is acheived by cutting good quality grass – but instead of allowing it to dry completely it is baled when the grass has wilted and the moisture content reduced to about 40 – 45%.

Although haylage will not usually contain dust or mould spores the moisture content will prevent any remaining mould spores becoming airborne – reducing the chance of respiratory problems.

The process of making haylage for horses takes about 24 hours in good drying weather – hay takes 4 – 5 days.

The bales are then compressed to half their original size, packed and heat sealed into plastic bags.

Natural fermentation inside the bag preserves the grass as haylage – which retains 90% of the feed value of fresh grass.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF HAYLAGE

Haylage can come in several forms to suit all types of horses and ponies – ryegrass,high fibre, alfalfa, sainfoin plus special mixes for racehorses and competition horses.

Cost is a factor which may discourage some horse owners from feeding haylage – but you may not need to feed as much haylage to your horse or pony as ordinary hay as haylage has a much higher nutritional value – as a result less hard feed may be needed as well – an additional saving.

Once opened the contents of a bale of haylage should be used as soon as possible as exposure to air gives the chance for mould to develop. A bale will usually keep for 7 days once it has been opened depending on weather conditions.

Sometimes when you open a bale of haylage you will see small white or cream round groups of yeasts on the haylage stems and blades that have a creamy consistency – not fluffy or powdery . These “colonies” are not moulds and do not produce spores – they will not harm the health of your horse or pony. If you make the change from hay to haylage make the change gradual – a horse is very sensitive to any changes in his diet.

HOW MUCH HAYLAGE SHOULD YOU FEED TO A HORSE OR PONY?

If you are used to feeding you’ll need to get used to handling haylage – you don’t want to end up under or overfeeding your horse or pony.

A typical 500 kilo, 16hh middleweight riding horse needs a minimum daily intake of roughage of about 1% of his body weight – this works out to 5 kilos of hay.

As haylage has a higher moisture content, the same riding horse would need a daily ration of 7 to 8.5 kilos of haylage.

Although you need to feed more haylage by weight, you need less by volume – haylage is much denser than hay because of the higher moisture content.

When you start out feeding haylage to your horse it’s best to weigh out the amount every day – until you get accustomed to estimating the volume.

As haylage has about a 10% higher nutritional value than hay less supplementary hard feed will be required to meet a horse or pony’s energy requirements. For further in-depth information about feeding Haylage visit Equi-net, They have some very interesting articles on keeping your horse healthy.

Many livery yards provide haylage for their horses and on Horse Scout we make it easy for you to decide whether a livery yard will suit you with our five star rating.  After all the more information a yard provides on Horse Scouts’ listings pages the better informed you are when looking for somewhere to keep your horse at livery or for training, rehabilitation or selling.

 

 

Buying A Horse

Buying an All-Rounder? -When do you worry about a swelling?

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When is a bump just a lump?

Are you looking for a horse for sale? One who has a few miles on the clock; the perfect all rounder who is experienced and safe?  Maybe you have seen a few and have noticed that some of them have swellings above the fetlocks on two or four of the legs. There can be many reasons for this and one reason can be hard work which can cause windgall swelling in a horse’s fetlock

What is a windgall? – Windgall is a term used to described the soft swellings often seen just above the fetlock on the forelegs and hind legs of older or hardworking horses, they are not warm to the touch. Windgalls in horses can be seen in many horses in full work – especially in the hind legs. The amount of swelling in a windgall can vary according to the weather – often being more filled in hot temperatures. Horses with hot swelling should be fully investigated by a vet before even considering purchasing.

Although windgalls on a horse’s legs can be an unsightly blemish they do not usually cause lameness – they do are not classed as an unsoundness unless they are causing lameness.  Below are descriptions of the different types of windgalls and they will help you decide if you should worry or not.  However if you are unsure always consult your veterinary surgeon.

SYNOVIAL FLUID IN EQUINE WINDGALLS – A layman’s science

Windgall swellings on the fetlocks occur when the tendon sheaths above the horse’s fetlocks become filled with synovial fluid.

All horse or pony’s joints contain lubricating synovial fluid within a sac or capsule which prevents the fluid leaking away into the surrounding tissues. In the case of the fetlock, the capsule extends out of the back of the actual joint and forms a pouch above the sesamoid bones behind the cannon bone.

If this pouch of the joint capsule becomes thickened or distended, the resulting swelling on the back of the fetlock is known as an articular windgall.

The tendon sheath, in contrast, has nothing to do with the joint and is best

imagined as a sausage of fluid which envelopes the tendons as they run over the back of the fetlock.

At the upper limit just above the level of the sesamoid bones, this fluid filled sausage lies close to the skin, so that any distension will cause a bulge between the flexor tendons and the suspensory ligament – the tendinous windgall.

TENDINOUS WINDGALL

Of the two types of windgall in horses, the tendinous windgall is the most common and least likely to reflect any real trouble.

Tendinous windgalls are often seen in middle aged horses and ponies who have worked hard – in many cases the swelling actually represents thickening of the membrane lining the sheath rather then free fluid. Tendinous windgalls come and go in some horses and ponies.

ARTICULAR WINDGALLS

Articular windgalls are more likely to be an indicator of genuine disease, as they appear in cases of degenerative joint disease of the fetlock and in certain traumatic conditions.

They are also seen in a great number of ‘normal’ horses who never show any signs of lameness over a protracted period, appearing as firm bulges between the back of the cannon bone and the suspensory ligament.

Many showjumpers, eventers, hunters and ponies develop stiff fetlocks which cannot be passively flexed to the normal extent and which carry articular windgalls all the time.

These horses appear to cope well with these inflexible fetlocks and, although they might pose a dilemma for a veterinary surgeon examining the horse for soundness prior to purchase, the horses go on, season after season.

‘WINDGALLS’ APPEARING BELOW THE FETLOCKS

If a windgall-like swelling appears below the horse’s fetlock, on the back of the pastern, this usually represents a swelling of the lower part of the flexor sheath of the tendons, rather like an upside down tendinous windgall.

Such swellings should be viewed with suspicion, as they may indicate that the sausage of the sheath is being compressed in the middle, making both ends bulge.

Compression is usually due to a contraction of the annular ligament which runs in a thick hand around the back of the fetlock from one sesamoid bone to the other, looping over the tendons.

Should this structure become inflamed or tightened, abnormal pressure will be placed on the tendons and their sheath, restricting the free movement of the tendons over the sesamoids.

This condition, known by a variety of names like Annular Ligament Disease or Desmitis of the Annular Ligament, causes a chronic low grade lameness which may resolve with a period of treamnet and rest, only to return when the horse is brought back into work

Stallions

6 Coloured Stallions – Well spotted Horse Scout

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What makes a coloured horse coloured?…a lack of colour!

An explanation of Tobiano and skewbald

TOBIANO (Toh-bee-ah’no) appears to be white with large “spots” (or “patches”) of colour, often overlapping, on animals with a greater percentage of colour than white. Spots of colour, typically, originate from the head, chest, flank and buttuck, often including the tail. Legs are generally white, giving the appearance of a white horse with large or flowing spots of colour. Generally white crosses the centre of the back between the withers and tail.

OVERO (O-vairo) appears to be a coloured (where coloured is meant here to signify any other shade of coat than white) horse with white markings. The spots of white appear to be jagged and originate on the animal’s side or belly, spreading towards the neck, tail, legs and back. The colour (any other shade than white) appears to frame the white spots. An overo often has a dark tail, mane, legs and backline. Faces are often white. Some overos show dark legs with splashy white markings seemingly made up of round lacy white spots. The location of the white never crosses the backline.

Horse Scout has 6 coloured stallions on its lists here is the information, click through to find out more.

1. Solaris Buenno – £500

Homozygous coloured tobiano Scottish Bred Sports Horse

Type – Allrounder, Coloured, Dressage, Jumpers / Show Jumper, Showing, Sports General,

Solaris Buenno, is an interesting addition to the world of warmblood and sport horse breeding .Solaris Buenno is an interesting addition to the world of warmblood and sport horse breeding and an excellent choice for the showing enthusiast. His sire Umenno, has an accomplished performance record to date and his dam Edwina a first premium Supreme Champion mare who`s progeny have already been successful in the county showring.

Buenno, has not only inherited the qualities of both sire and dam but consistantly passes them on to his progeny, elasticity, suppleness, atheleticism, tremendous shoulder reach and powerful hind engine, despite his injury which has prevented him from following an inhand showing and ridden career.

2. Farco Van Vriesput(aka Fab Frankie)  £500

16.2hh Belgium Warmblood 2005

Type – Allrounder, Coloured, Dressage, Jumpers / Show Jumper, Showing, Sports General,

About Frankie

Fully Graded and licensed CHAPS and BSPA,gaining 9.5 for jumping ability,conformation,rideability and manners. BSJA Life Approved,almost Grade B and Elite CHAPS.Frankie has an amazing temperament,making him very rideable with great trainability,all of which he passes on to his stock.Frankies bloodline is currently ranked 4th in the world of International Showjumping breeding lines.Frankie is available for AI,both fresh and chilled doses.

3. Moorhey Tomahawk – Lancashire, Lancs -£400

15.2hh Leopard Spotted Appaluosa

A true all round Sports Horse Stallion this compact stallion has it all. He has the most fantastic temperament, drop dead gorgeous looks & perfect conformation. To add to all that he has successes in Showing, Sports horse Classes, young Event Horse Classes, BSJA Show jumping & BD Dressage. He is the proven sire of a HOYS winner, numerous Showing & Sports Horse Champions, as well as Show jumpers & Dressage horses.Show Jumping He has substantial BSJA winnings showing a superb technique over a fence which he passes onto all his offspring. He is both bold & careful with plenty of scope. Dressage He has almost 200 Bd points winning at Elementary level. Last year he was 4th at the Nationall & won the Individual Elementary Section at the BD Home Internationals at Rowellan. Sports Horse As both a 4 & 5year old he won numerous Ridden Sports Horse Classes & qualified for the Burghley young Event Horse Final at Burhgley. Showing Numerous Ridden & In Hand Championships,to his name

4. Country Colour Spot – Lancashire, Lancs

12.2 Part Bred Arab Homozygous Bay Tobiano

Licensed PBA Graded BSPA BSJA Assesed

A super Sports/Show Pony Sire & being Homozygous guaranteed to throw a coloured foal to any colur of mare. Being by our own Spotswood Jafeica, he has inherited his father’s superb temperament, great attitude to work & is just a star to do anything with. His paces are superb, with a lovely elevated floating movement & a natural uphill ride. Qualified RIHS ridden coloured on first outing. He has his sire’s natural aptitude to jumping, he passed his BSJA assessment with flying colours & is now showing his huge scopey jump in the ring. BSJA winnings with Double clear in Stepping Stones & British Novice ridden by a 10year old girl. He won Nursery stakes Working Hunter at Winter Festival of Champions, his first ever Working Hunter class. He is proving to be an absolute star taking everything we throw at him in his stride. This pony is an absolute dream to do anything with, he has a great personality, loves to work & please & is fantastic with the smallest jockey. Qualified RIHS Ridden Coloured on first outing under saddle 2011 Won Nursery Stakes championship at Spring Festival of Showing in first WH Class BSJA winnings with double clears in Stepping Stones.

5. Country Top Dollar – Lancashire, Lancs  £570

16.2 Bay Tobiano TB X  Dressage Stallion

This stallion has inherited his sire’s elegant looks & famous temperament. He is a true Ridding horse stamp, full of quality & presence but given his Dam’s achievements & family history also full of jumping ability. His elegant looks & paces have made him a top show horse & successful dressage horse but his ability over a fence & his breeding make him too good to just keep on the flat! He is by our one & only ‘Country Top Gun’ & as with his sire he is a true thoroughbred with pure quality, he is one of the most elegant coloured horses around & he is even more stunning in the flesh.

Country Top Gun – Lancashire, Lancs  £600

Coloured16.2hh Anglo European Grade B Jumping Stallion

One of the best known & most proven coloured stallions in the country. Imported from Ireland as a foal, his Top Class blood lines go back to both sets of grandparents. He has produced over 80% coloured foals. Country Top Gun has Top Show Horses, Show Jumpers & National Hunt Horses in his pedigree which includes Prefairy & goes back to the legendery Precipitation. His Sire Stensen is the sire of many top class coloured competition & Show horses. His full sister Pauldary’s Lady Aaddie is a prolific winner in the show ring.

6. Umenno – Braco, Perthshire  £700

16.1hh Chestnur Tobiano KWPN / Dutch Warmblood

Umenno possesses a good trainable temperament, powerful flamboyant movement, a beautifully marked chestnut and white robe, and a pedigree of legendary ancestry with 50% thoroughbred. Bred with athleticism in mind Umenno is an expressive powerful mover with off the floor paces and has demonstrated good jumping ability in the showjumping arena.Umenno was also shown in hand throughout the UK, standing Open Non Native National Champion and young stock reserve. He has stood Champion at many National county shows including, the Scottish Chaps National, the Highland Show, Fife Show, and Great Yorkshire along with other wins in Sport Horse classes.As a four year old he jumped double clears in British Novice. Discovery and Newcomers. He qualified for the Royal Show potential showjumper, the Royal International Horse Show BSPA Ridden finals, Burghley young event horse, Arena UK 4 year old SJ championship, and the Scottish Sports Horse 4 year old showjumping sport horse series along with numerous overall Championships in ridden sport horse classes often standing vainquer to older competitors. Winner of the five year classes at Bicton and the six year old class in St Legier Switzerland with additional placings at RII with Rudi Wallerbosch.Umenno has since been sold to South Africa and has dominated the showing circuit with multiple wins and Championships.Frozen semen is still available for distribution within all EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.

 

Dressage

5 Work riders with profiles on Horse Scout

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Do you need a hand with your horses?

Here are hard working grooms and work riders who have listings on Horse Scout. If you are looking for someone to help at your stables or with your horse have a look at our Grooms & Work Riders pagesSome of Horse Scouts listed Work Riders and Grooms

Steph Farrar – Sandbach, Cheshire I am a kind, patient and sympathetic rider, specialising in problem horses. I have ridden since the age of four, and loaned and owned horses for many years. I worked with problem horses for around ten years and have had some marked success with a number of troublesome horses, some of which had been deemed ‘unrideable’ by their owners or other riders. From loading worries to spookers to bolshy or aggressive horses, to those are simply young and green, I will try and help. I specialise in jumping, both show jumping and cross country, but am also happy to school in dressage, lungeing, groundwork and join-up/natural horsemanship techniques. If you need a horse or horses exercising, breaking, schooling, competing or problem behaviour resolved. I am based in Cheshire, but will happily cover Staffordshire, Manchester, Derbyshire and more. My rates vary with distance travelled. My references are available upon request. Specialist areas – Breaking & Producing, Eventing, Dressage, Hunting, Show Jumping, Rehabilitation,

Lizzie Norton – Henstridge – I am a freelance groom based in henstridge, Somerset. I work in the Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire area but willing to travel. Am available for all groom duties from day to day duties, short or long term cover, competition grooming plus able to travel to competitions with you, hunt preparation. Also available for all riding aspects. Specialise in breaking in youngsters, difficult horses, retraining of ex racehorses. Able to meet any need in which you have. Specialst areas – Breaking & Producing, Eventing, Dealing, Hunting, Livery – All Types, Show Jumping, Point to Point, Pre-Training Race, Racing – Flat, Racing – Jump, Racing – Dual Purpose, Rehabilitation, Riding Schools, ROR,

Fiona Jopling in Hampshire is a professional groom. She is available and looking for work She is an experienced groom with 20 years expertise. She has a Lorry 7.5 tonne driving license and a valid driving license. She has experience in Backing /Breaking/P2P/ Race horses/exercising youngsters and competition riding (Affiliated) She lists her areas of expertise as Breeding & Stud work, Breaking & Producing, Eventing, Dressage, Driving, Pre-Training Race & Rehabilitation

Becky Forte from Bexhill in East Sussex says she has a high standard of turnout and can trim clip etc. she has good client liaison skills and is easy and professional with her clients. In my past life I have worked with horses from the age of 17 including event horses up to Badminton level where I was sole charge groom and show jumpers to international standard. I have BHS Stage II, Pony Club B+ and have XC trained up to Novice level. At home I am competing Novice level dressage and 80cm SJ (I’m not as brave as I was!) I am currently working full time away from horses and have a family. I have been doing the odd weekend/holiday/show week (i.e. Hickstead) cover and really enjoy it. I am happy to travel and hold a full clean UK driving licence. I have not driven a lorry but as I am older (!!) I have the facility on my licence to drive up to 7.5 tonne and would be happy to do this if required. If you are in the South and need occasional help at shows or at home and would like a sensible, experienced animal loving person to help then please feel free to contact me. I can still plait and trim but my clipping is rusty and I would not be confident doing a complicated clip. I feel it is important to be honest about my capabilities. I am not looking for a further career in horses, I just enjoy grooming and would like to attend the odd show/event and/or help someone out if I am able.

 

Dressage

Carl Hester – The Curse of Fame?

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Carl Hester MBE has hit the headlines in a big way with talk of his imminent retirement from competition and although he has retweeted the Horse & Hounds story he has not made a public comment.

What’s tough on riders with such high profiles like Carl is that everything they say is spun into even the thinnest web of a story.

Instead Carl’s latest upload to his face book page is a comment on his support of Cotswold RDA who provide children and adults with disabilities the benefits of riding.  He is helping spread the word that they desperately need to build a large barn to house the horses and ponies through the winter to keep them free from flooded fields.

If you feel you can help with a donation they will be so grateful.https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cotswold-RDA/183896424966179?ref=hl

Carl started his career with his first job being at The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy. A centre in the New Forest in Hampshie which operates a residential “Further Education Through Horsemastership” (FETH) Course. FETH course students develop the skills that they require to lead more independent lives. The use and involvement of horses in the education process is at the core of its unique work. Teaching and learning is through transferrable skills from the horse-based environment to skills of daily living.  

It was on the centres own skewbald mare Jolly Dolly, he won the 1985 Young Dressage Rider Championship. He went on to event and won the first Blenhiem Horse Trials. He next rode for Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer (father of Laura Bechtolsheimer) and in 1990 went to the World Championships on Rubelit von Unkenriff, the European Championships in 1991 and in 1992 the Barcelona Olympics on Georgioni. Hester became the youngest British rider ever to compete in an Olympic Games. He next went into a business partnership with Kate Carter at her yard atStow-on-the-Wold until Carter decided to move for more space. Hester too moved to buy his own yard at Oaklebrook Mill, near Newent, Gloucestershire.

Horse Scout has a few skewbald coloured horses on its lists if you want to start your career on a skewbald.

Moutnview Rosie a lovely 15.1hh coloured mare listed

Her write up states – This outstanding horse oozes presence. Rosie has been professionally broken and produced and is completely unspoilt. Rosie is working on the bridle in all three gaits and rides more mature than her years may suggest. She is extremely pleasing to the eye to watch work as he makes it look so effortless. Rosie is showing real promise over a fence, with a scopey round jump. She has attended training shows in Ireland and Riding Club shows. She has also been xc schooled and has attended a handful of hunts. This horse is extremely trainable and really tries to please. Rosie has huge potential in any sphere. Rosie has a kind temperament and will make someone a special friend. Her owners thing she is a very versatile horse with potential in any field.

Horse Scout also has a sweet young coloured New Forest Pony Minnie. Her owners thing she will make a lovely riding club horse for a small adult.

 

Horse Advice

Looking at loosening up muscles, joints and your horses mind.

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Looking at loosening up muscles, joints and your horses mind.

When you have mounted your horse allow him to walk off on a soft low rein with a loose contact and encourage him to stretch forward and long in his neck. This stretches the ‘nuchal ligament’ which runs from his pole to his withers and in turn pulls on the ligaments which run along the top of the vertebrae and gives him time to get used to your weight.  When you feel he has developed a loose and flexible walk and is listening to you then move into trot keeping the contact soft and low and start in rising trot on large figures of eight in a slow steady trot. This will help him relax and adjust his stance to easily take your weight. Also by riding your horse in this way also it allows for more swing through his back, which is a positive movement to promote.

It’s important to start and finish your ridden session with your horse in a long and low contact to let him use his nuchal and supraspinous ligaments to support his back, particularly as he’s warming up or when he’s tired.

Once your horse is loosened up and moving freely in the large movements you can start to increase his temperature and circulation by asking him to move into canter this will increase his cardio and breathing rates and oxygenate the muscles ready to start working. It also exercises the core muscles which have to extend and contract more in the canter than they do in the trot.

Once you feel he is breathing well and has warmed up then allow him to have a breather and walk for a while. During this walking period you can concentrate on flexibility. Just like people horses will loose flexibility over time unless they are given routine exercises which help them use their joints to the full.

Lateral work for a horse encourages a full range of movement in upper joints, rather like us lifting our arms above our heads to stretch. Depending on what level your horse is training at you can use small circles of lateral work such as leg-yield, shoulder-in and travers. Start any lateral exercises in walk at first as it requires the greatest amount of joint movement because there’s no moment of suspension.

Walking is the horses most flexible pace for his spine.  In walk he is able to more easily rotate and flex and this helps bring his hind legs in to step up and under him. All of these exercises will help to promote and maintain your horse’s skeletal health. Flexing him to the left and right will help the muscles on either side of his spine and poll to flex, and any lateral and circle work will strengthen and stretch these muscle chains further.

Work with an experienced trainer to get the best from your horse.  Horse Scout has a list of professional trainers and coaches one of whom is bound to be in your area

Professional Rider

Professional Profile – Malcolm Aitken – Medstead, Hampshire

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Malcolm Aitken runs a small competition yard in Medstead where he trains a small group of Show Jumping horses from first shows to Foxhunter level. Malcolm is looking for owners who are keen to support a very consistent professional reach the next level. Malcolm currently has a very exciting string of horses and is looking forward to attracting new horses and owners for the 2015 season and beyond.

His owners and clients who have placed horses with him for training I was stunned to win a red rosette in the very first class that Ludo and I entered. I must thank you again for producing such a mannerly and well schooled horse, he is a joy to have on the yard and to take out and I have the added bonus of receiving a constant stream of complimentary remarks. Margaret Dufall

Malcom also teaches and his clients have nothing but positive things to say about him and his approach “How wonderful it is to have finally found a trainer who talks sense! You always explain everything in a conscientious and encouraging manner. We are also very grateful for all your support in helping us. It’s nice to know my daughter is in safe hands. J.J.Piquet and I have had a lot of trainers in the past, and within just a few weeks I have learnt more and gained more confidence than with months of training elsewhere. You have been consistently patient, friendly and fun and you treat my horses with respect and kindness. Jessica Hobbs

Having been introduced to horses by his late mother and ridden competitively as a teenager, Malcolm rekindled his love affair with horses shortly after Graduating in Sports Science 1999. Show Jumping soon progressed from being a weekend hobby into becoming the reason for going to work.  The provision of sponsorship from Vantis Plc in 2005/06 was a key assistance in his successes during his time balancing competing and office work. In late 2006, Malcolm decided that horses were the career for him and office life was phased out. After a brief period of sharing a yard in Windsor, Berkshire Malcolm decided to go it alone in late 2007 and the rest as they say is history.

MA Sport Horses offer a range of livery options. Sale, Competition Livery, Full Livery, Part Livery, Recuperation Livery, Breeding and Rearing, Holiday Livery, Breaking, Jump Training, Lessons, Show Jumping Clinics & Clipping.

Martin is a skilled professional rider Breaking & Producing youngstock, he has a range of horses for sale and Showjumping and Rehabilitation are his area of specialism.

Northfield Stables is fully insured as a Dealing, Breaking and Livery Yard. Riding/trial facilities are available on site, being an excellent 50m x 30m Charles Britton Equisand & Clopf fibre surface which provides an excellent all year round surface which is guarunteed not to flood.

MA Sports Horses also has a 4 horse Monarch Horsewalker with roof to help keep both it’s own and clients horses in top condition.

Horse Riding Tips

Ten Top Tips for Picking a Pony

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Top Tips for Picking a Pony

This is your child and as every parent knows we all want to make our child’s first experience on a pony a happy one.  It is so important to build confidence into these first few years.  There is time enough for bombing about and simply having fun, falling off and being put back on are all part of the learning process but if your child is scared then you wont be buying a second pony let alone be trailing her around to shows and buying her her first competition pony in the future.

  1. When you are looking for a pony for sale the first top tip would be DON’T TAKE YOUR CHILD WITH YOU.  Otherwise in no time at all the heart will be ruling the head and you may have made an awful mistake.
  2. Make a short list of possibilities and then go and visit them, preferably with someone who is very experienced and able to judge the suitability of a pony for your child, before taking your child to see the very best of your short list.
  3. The pony must be 100% quiet at all times, safe from the ground and when being ridden.
  4. Make sure you see the pony being led by a child to asses the relationship.
  5. Watch a child riding on and off the lead rein.
  6. If possible watch an experienced rider on the pony to asses its way of going.
  7. Make sure the pony is comfortable to sit on.  Wide but not too wide.
  8. Make sure the pony is a good size. Not too big and not too small, although small is definitely preferable to too big.
  9. Find out if the pony suffers from conditions like sweet itch and laminitis.  These need not necessarily preclude a sale (or loan) but they need managing, so make sure you know what this involves.
  10. Think about what is going to happen to the pony when your child has grown out of it.

That aside those top ten tips what other considerations do you need in order to make the right decision?

Even though you may have had a wonderful experience with your own first pony, you have probably come across many people who have been bitten, kicked, or ones with “runaway pony” stories. Most of these people either no longer ride, or are reluctant to ride because of the bad experiences they had as a child.

Finding a trainer for your pony and for your child:  Whilst experienced trainers who are small enough to ride your childs first pony are thinner on the ground than others it is worth taking the time to find the right trainer.  As your child progresses from his first pony or even onto his third and starts competing then it is important that your instructor can help with schooling and correcting any issues that arise with the pony.

Children are generally small and inexperienced and need someone to help keep everything on the straight and narrow. One way to do this is to ensure that the pony has enough exercise and is schooled regularly.

Enjoy your child’s delight in their first pony and I hope that this venture into the world of horses is a positive one.

 

 

 

 

 

Horse Advice

Outstanding Horses- what to look for

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The horse, an athlete to be admired!

The most exciting and exacting time when involved in following racehorses, is seeing them in the paddock pre-race. It is also, I believe, essential if you are really interested in what makes a good or exceptional competitor – for that is what they are.

The two disciplines are flat racing and National Hunt. For both I am looking for presence, attitude, movement, conformation and something that occasionally is almost impossible to describe – an innate feeling that the thoroughbred generates in me, one of awe, she/he is saying I am the best, the business, so forget the rest!

Let’s take the horse that is bred to flat race first.  It needs to have strength, this is not to be confused with bone; there are many (particularly fillies) that are light, but have all the bits in all the right places.  Reasonably compact, with a good intelligent head and a bright open interested eye.  The neck needs to be well set on and the shoulder sloping to give freedom of movement.  The back needs not to be long, the quarters powerful the hocks well placed underneath.  When young they are “leggy” that’s fine as long as all is in proportion and not ever behind the knee or too upright in the pastern.  Watch how they walk, tracking up by a good 12” gets a plus and the walk should be very active.  A horse that walks well will usually gallop well. Now look from the front; is he/she standing over “good ground”.  Let’s say the width of a small terrier dog, or do the legs come out of the same hole?  If we are looking for a short to middle distance horse we need the first, if we are looking for stamina for longer distance the second is no problem.  However for the flat racer we are talking about let’s stick with a good space between chest and legs.

The race bred thoroughbred is not renowned for good feet.  No foot, no horse?  Well, not necessarily so – as long as all four look the same, nothing odd or boxy, given the task they are bred for it is not a major consideration and these days the trainers and farriers are well able to compensate for most of the common problems.

What have we left to look at as a snapshot – the action generally.  Is the horse grass cutting, pointing the toe, or can we see more movement from the knee?  In the paddock at walk, there is not so much information for us, so we need to watch he/she canter down to the post, much is learnt about how the horse will act on the ground by their action here.  And also how naturally balanced they are.

A little anecdote:

Newbury races 1976.  I was paddock side watching the 3 year old colts coming in for the Greenham Stakes, a very important trial for the 2000 Guineas.

No horse would be anything but impressive at this level. All were being led round, in the peak of condition, a visual feast of power and beauty.  And then – Wollow came in.  He was quite extraordinary; not particularly robust, tall and still quite leggy but oh my, what presence.  His head held high, a stunning head; totally imperious and somehow looking down on, and apart from, every other colt in the ring.  He moved like a ballerina, elegant and light.  I couldn’t take my eyes off him.  The big burly colts suddenly became uninteresting, he was covered in stardust and he knew it.  Luckily so did I!

He won by 7 lengths.

Horse Jobs

Grooms – Vacancies and Advice, we have it all

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If you are thinking of becoming a groom or looking for a new placement there are several professional trainers and riding establishments who have open positions at the moment check out Justine Armstrong Small in Essex who is a professional show rider who has won at all major county shows including royal international and horse of the Year Show over the past 20 yrs. Her passion is particularly focused on showing working hunters.  So expect jumping and a high standard of turnout to be on her list of priorities.

Another high profile trainer is Event rider Lucienne Elms who is based at in the south ‘Blackwater Equestrain Centre’, which is potentially one of the most prestigious equestrian centres in the South West. Lucienne offers professional training up to CCI***, and is aiming for Bramham  again in 2015. Luciene has trained and worked with numerous world ranked riders including world number 1 2009, and UK number 1 2014 Oliver Townend.  She produces horses for sale, training & competition.  So this would be a great opportunity to be part of the Event world in a fantastic location.

Are you looking for work as a groom or are you currently working with horses? Just like joining any regulatory body like say, British Eventing or the British Show Jumping Association, if you are a professional groom, i.e. paid to work with horses, then belonging to The British Grooms Association will keep you informed of rulings and regulations that your employer should be implementing and also offers confidential help line and access to free legal advice.

British Grooms Association – Membership benefits

BGA membership means you benefit by being part of a national association that represents grooms and provides you with a wide and growing range of member benefits that can help support you in your professional and personal life as well as helping you to save money.

BGA Support you throughout your career, whether you are just starting out in the industry or an experienced professional groom; whether you are an employee or working freelance. Becoming a member means you are only a click away from accessing support, advice and guidance on all groom related matters.

The BGA membership is accessible to all who are part of the British grooming profession and even those beyond. If you’re not a member already don’t miss out, join today!