Absolute Horse - March 2020 by Absolute Horse Magazine

K ’M C - I E! PI UP RE F E

Absolute

MARCH 2020

Inside...

Prizes ! Galore

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Also Inside: COUNTRY & EQUESTRIAN BUYER’S GUIDE

MARCH

2020 17

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Though every attempt is made to ensure accuracy, PCD Media Ltd cannot be held responsible for the opinions expressed in the magazine. The opinions and technical information in the articles are those of the authors.

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Daisy Bayliss’ Herbal Answers - Herbs to help pregnancy Event and Reader Reports Classifieds Gladwells-sponsored Showdates Diary

FEATURES 8 Show Time - including details of this year’s biggest equestrian events, local qualifiers, earlybird ticket offers and updates on

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our regions leading shows Buyer’s Guide - The March Edit Rider Profile - Tanaka Mutswunguma Health & Welfare including VetWatch article from Rossdales on Equine Cancer; Dr Jessica May discusses ticks; Dr Corrine Austin looks at how to avoid parasite problems; details of new rehoming process launched at equine charity Nutrition - how to improve your horse’s topline Nutrition - feeding for fertility Laminitis Special Saddlery & Tack

Latest updates for this year’s SEIB Redwings Show. See page 4.

WHAT’S

INSIDE

REGULARS 4 News 22 Samantha Hardingham Rider health: benefits of apple cider vinegar 23 NEW: Ashley Rossiter - My top 3 steps to work-life happiness 24 Rhea Freeman Asks - Is it time to embrace your inner Mrs Hinch? 40 Donna Case Equine Nutritionist - Shiny, happy horses

ISSUE 342

COMPETITIONS & GIVEAWAYS 6 Ariat Saddle Snaps 14 Equetech 15 East Anglian Game and Country Fair 17 Equisafety 33 Aniwell

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NEWS BRANSBY HORSES: NEEDS ‘STAMP SNIPPERS ’

MICHAEL PORTILLO:

HANDS-ON AT WHW

ichael Portillo, who presents the popular BBC documentary Great British Railway Journeys was in East Anglia on his most recent rail journey through 1930s Britain, stopping by Hall Farm in Snetterton, the largest rescue and rehoming centre of international charity World Horse Welfare. While at Hall Farm, Michael learnt about the charity’s pioneering founder, Norfolk’s own legendary Ada Cole, and the appalling conditions in which the country’s old working horses were transported to the continent for slaughter that inspired the charity’s formation in 1927. During his visit, Michael discovered that the need for rescuing horses is still very much ongoing and he meets several of the more than 100 horses and ponies currently being rehabilitated and prepared for rehoming at the Centre, before getting hands-on with helping to clip one of the ponies, Rudolph, who is in rehabilitation.

sed stamps are vital to Bransby Horses as they bring in much-needed fun ds, especially as the Lincolnshire cha rity is recovering from severe flooding from last November. In the last ninety day s, the charity has raised £9,780 solely from selli ng donated used stamps to collectors. However the charity needs more hands to help trim the stamps before selling them. Paul Sharp, Executive Assistant to the CEO at Bransby Horses said: “Whilst we are dealing with the aftermath of the flooding, task s like these are difficult for us to undertake but are so important. We are looking for volunteers to help cut around the edges of stamps and whilst this role takes time, it is vital in turning sacks of stam ps into funding. If you have used stamps, please thin k of us before you bin them, as every single one we are sent makes a huge difference to us.” If you are interested in this role cont act: volunteer@bransbyhorses.co.uk

DIARY DATE: SEIB REDWINGS SHOW

edwings Horse Sanctuary is asking people to save the date for The SEIB Redwings Show, the charity’s annual horse show, this year kindly supported by SEIB Insurance Brokers. The Show is moving to the new date of Sunday 12th July, as well as the new venue of Trinity Park near Ipswich. Also new for the 2020 event will be Senior Showing and Dressage League firstround qualifiers, as well as a Fun Dog Show. There will also be In-hand, Ridden and Working Hunter classes, a dedicated Novice Ring and ‘Just for Fun’ classes. For more information visit www.redwings.co.uk or contact the Show organiser at jpalmer@redwings.co.uk or 01508 481032.

December/January Competition Winners: Aniwell Caroline Pawson, Cambs; Lauren Cooke, Essex; Rachel HodsonGibbons, Suffolk. Annabel Brocks Lesley White, Norfolk. Equerry Ann Robey, London; Chloe Farmer, Suffolk; Fawn Wilkinson, Suffolk;Ellen Sampson, Norfolk; Gemma Berry, Suffolk; Heather Lilley, Essex; Joanne Harrison, Cambs; Karen Ireland, Essex; Sandra Deeran, Essex; Teresa Weldon, Suffolk. TopSpec Barbara Bailey, Suffolk; Debra Honeywood, Norfolk; Lea Cordery, Essex; Louise Harding, Cambs; Lucy Messent, Essex.

THREE-DAY-EVENTING CHAMPION REuNITES ‘EvENTING fAMIly’

n 29th January, world champion event rider Ros Canter and coach Caroline Moore took part in an event-filled day at Writtle University College in Essex. Throughout the day, Ros and Caroline held fully-booked coaching clinics with grassroots to 3* horses. In the evening, they performed their popular ‘Training To Win’ demonstration to a sold-out arena with support from riders, Heidi Coy and Gracie Lovett Brunt. WUC Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Middleton, said: “We were delighted to welcome Ros Canter, Caroline Moore and their team to Writtle University College’s specialist equine campus. We have a very special link with Ros, as she rides two horses bred at our on-campus Lordships Stud: 8-year-old gelding Lordships Graffalo and his younger sister Lordships Parc Royale.” WUC is the only University or College in the UK to have an onsite working stud. Ros chose to add a special twist to the event, by using both Lordships Graffalo

and Lordships Parc Royale within the demonstration. Ros said: “It was a fun evening and exciting to bring the horses back home to Writtle. They were reunited with their family, including their older half-sister, Pencos Crown Jewel (also called Jasmine) and Jasmine’s daughter, Jamakin Faer Trial, who joined us for the demonstration’s showjumping section with her current rider.” The four horses were introduced to the audience with other members of their ‘eventing family’, including Pennie Wallace’s foundation mare Cornish Queen, the siblings’ dam, and Jamakin Faerie Folklaur (out of Pencos Crown Jewel by Lauriston) who is currently in foal and resident at WUC’s Lordships Stud. Caroline Flanagan, the head of WUC’s equine school, said: “We were delighted to see an eventing world champion riding horses bred by our Lordships Stud. It’s not common to see one rider competing such a family, especially when they have different owners.”

COMPETITION

WINNER! “They told me I’d look like Madonna. Personally I can’t see it!” - David Rackham

- Emma Reedman

SNAPS

EACH MONTH AN ABSOluTE HORSE READER WIll WIN A PAIR Of

ARIAT BURFORD BOOTS

“My mouth can’t say it but my face definitely will!”

worth £130!

- Jodie Sillett

- Kelly Jess

SADDLE

“your best friend doesn’t always have to be human”

- Kate Baker

“On baby sitting duties Ssssshhhh, don’t wake him!”

Sponsored by

“lazy tuesneigh!”

- Annie francis

- Abbie ledger

“We will see about this riding malarkey - haha!”

kens - Shari Wil

“Check out my pearly whites mum, I’ve been flossing!”

- Karen Shore

“Hellllloooo!”

snaps@ ahmagazine.com

DON’T fORGET TO INCluDE yOuR CONTACT DETAIlS AND A CAPTION TO yOuR IMAGE.

When does a foal laugh? Whinney wants to!

“Smile for the camera mum!”

ENTRy IS EASy. SIMPly EMAIl A CANDID PHOTO Of yOuR HORSE TO

- Sarah King

THE BEST PHOTO AND CAPTION WINS THE BOOTS!

SHOW TIME

Box Office Now Open!

Photo: Steve Dawe

MAGIC MILLIONS FESTIVAL OF BRITISH EVENTING 2019 SEIB Search for a Star Champions, Linsfort Ear to the Ground and Lisa Sergeant and Reserve Champions Rambo and Pippa Tucker.

DATES ANNOUNCED: SEIB SEARCH fOR A STAR AND RACEHORSE TO RIDING HORSE

he dates for the 2020 series of SEIB Insurance Brokers Search for A Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse have been announced. Search for a Star is the competition for aspiring amateur show riders, and the Racehorse to Riding Horse series sees the top racehorses turned show horses in the UK compete against each other for this national title. Following qualifying shows held across the country through the spring and summer months, the SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse finals will take place at the everprestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in October. Finals for the exciting Search for a Star Mountain and Moorland championship, which is now entering its third year, will take place at Your Horse Live in November 2020. Search for a Star is purely for

amateur riders and this rule is very strictly enforced. The SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse classes are open to professional and amateur riders. SEIB support ethical showing and testing for prohibited substances and tack inspections may take place. The Search for a Star full schedule including classes, times and rules will be released in due course. Leading equine Insurance brokers, SEIB Insurance Brokers set up Search for a Star over twenty years ago so they could offer a unique competition opportunity to many of their amateur rider customers. SEIB has a long association with the showing world and is renowned for ‘putting something back’ by supporting many equestrian events and activities in addition to Search for a Star. www.search4astar.org.uk www.facebook.com/SEIB. Search4AStar www.facebook.com/SEIB.R2R

w SHOW DATE: Suffolk Sho

27th-28th May

Qualifiers!

SEIB Search for a Star and Racehorse to Riding Horse 2020 HOYS and Your Horse Live: 5th April - Bury Farm, Leighton Buzzard LU7 9BT 2nd May - Stretcholt Equestrian Centre, Somerset TA6 4SR 7th June - Greenlands EC, Carlisle CA4 0RR 19th July - Onley Equestrian Complex, Rugby CV23 8AJ 2nd August - Arena UK, Grantham NG32 2EF 6th September – Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Stamford, RACEHORSE TO RIDING HORSE ONLY 7th – 11th October - HOYS Search for a Star Final, NEC Birmingham 6th November – Your Horse Live Search for a Star Mountain and Moorland Finals, NAEC Stoneleigh

7th-9th August

he Box Office is now open for the Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing, at Gatcombe Park. Book your tickets now and take advantage of the early bird offers available until the end of March. Admission prices have been held for 2020. An action-packed Festival is being planned with International riders battling it out over the three days for five National Championship titles; while a whole host of entertaining arena attractions keep the crowds on the edge of their seats during the weekend. www.festivalofbritish eventing.com/tickets

CHESTERTONS 5th-7th June

Photo: April Urquhart

SOUTH SUFFOLK SHOW 10th May

pring into action and visit the South Suffolk Show at Ampton pointto-point racecourse near Ingham, Bury St Edmunds, on Sunday 10th May! The early May Bank Holiday has been moved this year to Friday 8th May to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day on the day itself, which was first celebrated on 8th May 1945 when Allied Forces formally accepted Germany’s surrender. To honour the privilege of sharing this three day weekend, the South Suffolk Show will feature a grand ring demonstration of farming through the ages, from the forties to the future, displaying

the machinery that would have been used during the Second World War right through to the current electronic era, and beyond. The hugely popular and exceptionally talented Atkinsons Action Horses will be returning to the South Suffolk Show to perform some astonishing stunts on their magnificent steeds. Based in Yorkshire the Atkinson Action Horses are renowned for their film and television work, and the horses have become famous following their appearances on Poldark, Peaky Blinders and Victoria. “Although we cannot give you the smouldering Aidan Turner who plays Poldark himself, we are

very excited to have the real deal and equally handsome Ben Atkinson who not only trains the horses with his father Mark Atkinson, but taught Aidan Turner to ride and has also been the riding double on Poldark! Ben and his team will perform two displays of stunning horsemanship in the grand ring at The South Suffolk Show, which are not to be missed,” said a spokesperson. As always there will be plenty to see and do outside the grand ring including wood carvers in action, farriers in the forge, birds of prey on the wing, gun dogs working, terriers racing and new for this year, the Ferretworld Roadshow who will be looking for volunteers young and old to race against their ferrets! Not to mention the Art and Craft Marquee packed with unique creations, the Food Hall full of tempting treats and sheep, pigs, cattle and horses all competing for rosettes amongst tradestands galore! Show President for this year’s 132nd show is Paul Moss, Sales Director for CLAAS Manns Ltd, the agricultural machinery

dealer based in the state of the art facilities currently being constructed by the A14 at Saxham. CLAAS Manns Ltd have supported the show for many years, and Paul has been with them since starting as an apprentice in 1977. Speaking about the 2020 show, Chairman of The South Suffolk Agricultural Association Ltd, Jim Mann, said, “This year’s show will be an especially poignant one for us, as it is the last show that Geoff Bailes will stand as Secretary. Having been involved with the show since 1980 and taking the position as Secretary in 1991, Geoff is the longest serving show Secretary in the country. We would like to thank him for all his hard work, dedication and expertise, and we hope that he will go out on a high after another successful show!” Tickets are available on the gate from 8:30am, with advance purchase discounted tickets available through selected ticket retailers or via the website. www.southsuffolkshow.co.uk

POLO IN THE PARK

QUALIFY FOR EQUIFEST & TSR SHOWING FINALS WITH JUST ONE QUALIFICATION!

erfect for polo fanatics and sports fans alike, Chestertons Polo in the Park provides a unique full-day festival experience, all in the heart of London. Returning to Hurlingham Park for an action packed three days of world-class polo, top-notch street-food, fabulous retail and an impressive array of pitch-side bars, live music and DJ’s. the event is the ultimate summer celebration. www.polointheparklondon.com

SR and Equifest have come together to provide competitors the chance to qualify for both the TSR Showing Finals and Equifest with just one qualification. With a TSR (The Showing Register) Qualification Flyer or a signed Equifest card, competitors could enter the TSR Showing Finals and Equifest Championships (subject to the horse meeting the class eligibility criteria). Watch out for the TSR Qualification Flyers at your local show, they are awarded in the ring to the first and second placed riders in ridden classes or the highest placed handler in the In-Hand classes.

SHOW TIME

Save The Date!

EQUERRY BOLESWORTH INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW 9th-14th June

eading to this year’s Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show? Buy your tickets now to get 30% off in the Early Bird offer which runs until the end of March and includes free car parking! This year’s event brings together a fusion of world-class equestrian sport, lifestyle and hospitality as the show enters a new era. A key date in the equestrian calendar and held in the stunning surrounds of Bolesworth Castle in the beautiful

Cheshire countryside, there is a packed line-up of competition featuring many of the leading riders from home and abroad, the show provides a feast of equestrian sport at the very highest level, at one iconic venue. The 2020 show is set to be truly memorable with the sports leading contenders vying it out for honours across such legendary classes as the heartstopping Puissance to the explosive action of the 1.60m Equerry Grand Prix. www.bolesworthinternational.com

INTERNATIONAL SIDE SADDLE CELEBRATION WEEKEND 2nd-3rd May

he Side Saddle Association has announced a weekend dedicated to the celebration of all things side saddle. The weekend of competition includes an itinerary of action-packed fun-filled history in the making, with visitors and competitors expected from New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Poland. The weekend will include a Saturday Masterclass lecture and demonstration from Janet Senior, the Side Saddle Associations Advanced Instructor and Association Chairman, who will explain how the side saddle rider connects with their horse, while the Sunday programme will see ladies and men competing in a host of side saddle show competitions including Jumping, Equitation, Costume and Elegance with riders of all ages and abilities from all over the country taking part. www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk

THERAPLATE UK LIVERPOOL INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW 31st December-3rd January

ith a host of world class showjumping and equestrian sport, fresh family entertainment and live music - be sure to book your seat at the M&S Bank Arena on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront. Early Bird tickets will go on sale in May. www.liverpoolhorseshow.com

HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW 7th-11th October

orse of the Year Show has announced that Ponies Association (UK) has joined the line-up of sponsors looking forward to continuing their support of HOYS 2020 and the competitors involved in showing. A dedicated society with a rich history, Ponies Association (UK) offers the opportunity for members to compete at the most prestigious equestrian events of the year and hosts its own Championships; Ponies Association (UK) Spring Classic

and Ponies Association (UK) Summer Classic. The 2020 season will once again see the Ponies Association (UK) Summer Classic host the Junior Mountain & Moorland Ridden Pony qualifiers, where two qualification places for Horse of the Year Show are on offer. Event Director, Emma Williams, commented: “We look forward to working together with Ponies Association (UK) to promote showing for everyone.” Tickets are released this month. www.hoys.co.uk

ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW 13th - 17th May

he prestigious annual Show, now in its 77th year, takes place in the private grounds of Windsor Castle for a five-day celebration of top-level international equestrian sport. Royal Windsor remains the only UK event to host firstclass international competitions in four of the FEI disciplines: Show Jumping, Dressage, Carriage Driving and Endurance, attracting Olympic, World and European champions. Organisers have announced that this year’s dressage competition will run a Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special format ahead of the Olympic Games this summer, providing Team GBR hopefuls and international riders with a rare opportunity to perform the test in front of Olympic selectors and a large audience ahead of Tokyo 2020. www.rwhs.co.uk

1st-2nd July SHOW DATE: Royal Norfolk Show

SHOW TIME

Suggested Products... Looking for a silky, tangle free finish? Veredus Super Sheen leaves manes and tails show ring ready thanks to the formation of a protective film which makes the hair and coat waterproof, and it repels dust and dirt. RRP: £14. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

Cavalor Bianco Wash is fantastic for white and grey horses that need to be super clean, especially for the show ring. Whether its grass or stable stains that need removing, this PH-neutral shampoo is ideal for fighting those stubborn marks. A concentrated formula, this mild shampoo really does have super powers whether used for a major clean up session or just for a specific area. RRP: £22.50/500ml. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

ASK A

Masterminder...

Small & Supercharged Mastermind is an online group supporting small equestrian and rural businesses and, as such, is bursting with amazingly knowledgeable people with lots to share. Each month we’ll be asking them a question and members will be sharing their top tips. This month we’re focusing on shows and showing…

‘SHARE YOUR BEST SHOW PREP TIP’ 12

NETTEX Stain Remover quickly and effectively removes deep seated grass and stable stains. It gets to work fast on even the toughest of stains. RRP: from £7.76/200ml. www.nettex equine.com

The Equetech Kensworth Deluxe Tweed Riding Jacket is a stunning jacket with a green herringbone backdrop with a timeless navy and canary over-check. A flattering shade for all complexions and horse colours, this jacket includes fox-head buttons, rich navy velvet collar and pocket jets, and concealed zip pockets and double back vents. RRP: £149.95. www.equetech.com

Zoe Kiff, Honest Riders: “Don’t forget your reusables! Shows are a prime culprit when it comes to single-use plastic drinks bottles and plastic cutlery. We suggest keeping a couple of reusable water bottles, coffee cups and a travel-cutlery set in the lorry for shows. If you want to go that one step further, preparing your food at home and taking it with you will save even more waste but better still, make show days that little bit more affordable. “The perfect show turnout actually starts weeks or even months before you leave the yard. By maintaining the condition of your horses coat, feet, mane and tail everyday, you can turnout to the very highest standard with less effort on the day. “We recommend using a natural coat conditioner 3-4 times a week to keep their coats soft and glossy - we love Goodbye Flys 6in1 spray as its free from any nasties and silicone that can leave the coat dull over time. Achieve the perfect plaits by making sure their manes aren’t rubbed out, especially at this time of year. Eqyss MegaTek maintains the condition of the hair follicles, preventing mane loss and repairing it when it has occurred.” www.honestriders.co.uk

RRP: £1,295.

Developed in conjunction with showing legend Marjorie Ramsay, the Ramsay Show Saddle is designed to sit close to the horse by the use of very flat panels for exceptional feel. And with removable hook and loop fastening knee rolls available on this saddle on request, you can tailor your Ramsay your way. www.idealsaddle.com

Ariat is excited to announce the launch of its allnew paddock boot, the Ascent, which blends a sneaker-style aesthetic with the features and performance of an equestrian shoe. Specially engineered to cushion and stabilise the foot, the boot features a pro performance insole which offers Duratread outsole technology with rider tested traction zones as well as a FLX Foam midsolde for shock absorption, ensuring a flawless ride every time. Pair with the Ascent Chap. RRP: £110. www.ariat.com/ gb/en.

Nicola Kinnard-Comedie, NKC Equestrian Training: “Be bio- aware. Showing often involves large classes and staying away at competitions. Make sure you avoid nose to nose contact with other horses, take your own water, hay and feed and avoid communal grazing areas. If you’re staying it is useful to take disinfectant for the stable, and ensure you have clean bedding.” www.nkcequestrian.com

Nicky Sutcliffe, Equi-Travel Safe: “Travelling horses can be stressful and dangerous. Our top tip is to protect your horse and yourself with protective clothing. Use a good set of travel boots or bandages, a rug consistent with the temperature, remembering that horses can get warm while travelling, a tail guard or bandage and an Equi Travel Safe aid. Protect yourself by wearing correct footwear, riding hat and gloves.” www.equitravelsafe.co.uk Amanda Marshall, 3 Donkeys Clothing: “Before any show it is important to check tack thoroughly and then show it some love with a thorough clean. I always wear either an apron or what I call ‘mucky clothes’ as tack cleaning can be quite a dirty job and can leave stubborn stains on your nicer everyday clothes.” www.3donkeys.co.uk

Donna Case, The Horse feed Guru: “Adding cold pressed linseed oil can be a great way to encourage a glossy coat shine from the inside out. For an average 500kg horse around 150ml will be enough, but do remember to add additional Vitamin E; 1iu for every 1ml added.” www.thehorsefeedguru.com

Hayley files, Equissentials Dressage: “If you have a grey, or a coloured horse with a lot of white on them try to keep them clean on a day to day basis by spot washing and keeping them rugged to avoid staining. It’s much easier to get a coat spotless if it’s not stained with old marks.” www.equissentialsdressage.com To find out more about the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group, see www.rheafreemanpr.co.uk

SHOW TIME

EQUETECH’S TOP COMPETITION TIPS fOR THE Season Ahead! eed to put a plan in place for the competition season ahead? British equestrian fashion and competition wear brand, Equetech share their top six tips for competition success this season.

1. Create a training program Creating a progressive training plan is great for giving you a focus and a goal to work towards (perhaps moving up a level or trying a new discipline). Set realistic and achievable short term goals. 2. Get a good support network around you Whether it’s support from friends and family, everyone has good and bad days in the saddle, so it’s essential that you have that horsey someone to celebrate or commiserate a competition outing!

3. Book in advance Get all your farrier/physio/saddlery appointments booked so you can confidently plan your competition trips around these essential aspects of your horses’ well-being.

4. Get yourself a good trainer and stick with them! While it’s great to get the occasional lesson from someone new, don’t confuse yourself and your horse by working with lots of different instructors and varying training methods. Find the right fit for you and your horse and build a relationship with that person.

5. Essential kit Make sure all your kit (tack, competition clothing and accessories) are all in good repair, clean and still fit! Wearing a competition jacket which is now too tight for you will mean you’ll not only be distracted in

the saddle because you are uncomfortable, but possibly self-conscious too. It would help if you felt confident and focused, so review your competition clothing ahead of your competition dates.

6. variety is the spice of life Keep variety to your outings and training at home. Box up and take your horse to a pole work clinic or try your hands at a discipline you are both new to.

WIN! WIN! WIN! WI WIN AN ELLA COMPETITION SHIRT!

We’ve teamed up with Equetech to offer one lucky Absolute Horse reader the chance to win this gorgeous Ella Competition Shirt worth £29.95!

Even heading out to explore a new route hacking can be the refreshing tonic you both need. Whatever your plans this season, remember to have fun with your horses both in the arena and away from the competition environment. www.equetech.com

N! WIN! To enter: Visit www.absolutehorse magazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st March and close 31st March 2020.

WIN! WIN! WIN! TEN LUCKY READERS TO WIN A FAMILY TICKET!

he East Anglian Game & Country Fair will take place on 25th-26th April at the prestigious Euston Estate, home of The Duke & Duchess of Grafton. The Bolddog Lings Freestyle Team will be appearing at the show for the first time, amazing the crowds with their gravity defiant Freestyle Motocross Show. The nationally acclaimed team has the largest, most high-tech landing ramp in the world, allowing the riders to jump gaps of over seventyfive feet and reach heights of over 35ft in the air, which gives the riders enough ‘air-time’ to perform an array of death-defying tricks usually only seen on TV. The Essex Dog Display Team, who produce a professional highly entertaining, action packed and informative display, will also be performing. The central feature of the performance is a 100ft ramp, which the dogs negotiate at high speed through hoops of fire. Also entertaining crowds will be The Horseboarding UK teams, The British Scurry & Trials Driving Championships, World and European Casting Champion Hywel Morgan with a fascinating and humorous fly-fishing demo and Ye Olde Redtail Falconry Display who will perform a special tribute to the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Also included in the line up are the hilarious

Sheep Show, Hound Parade, Terrier Racing, Gun Dog displays, Traditional Craft demonstrations and Farrier and Blacksmith demonstrations. Don’t miss the 2020 Forestry Arena. Returning after a short break in 2019, the forestry arena will be a buzz of activity with chainsaw carvings, felling demonstrations, tree climbing and pole climbing competitions. www.ukgamefair.co.uk

To enter: Visit www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st March 2020 and close 31st March 2020.

SHOW TIME

ighways England is calling on motorists to ‘check it before towing it’. There are around 4,000 incidents every year involving all forms of trailers, which equated to around 11 per day in 2017. Highways England wants anyone towing, before setting off, to ensure they have the correct licence and insurance to tow whatever the weight, that the vehicle is connected correctly, and that the load is secure and within the limits for the vehicle. Highways England’s Strategic Road Safety Lead, Stuart Lovatt said: “Now is the time to remind motorists of the need to make sure you have carried out proper checks and have loaded the trailer or vehicle correctly. "We have all sorts travelling on our network including horse

boxes. Our message is really simple, check it before towing it. So that everyone gets home, safe and well.” Simon Smith, MOT Product Manager at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, said: “DVSA’s priority is helping everyone keep their vehicle safe to drive. “Trailer safety is all too often overlooked. But safety checks are life-saving and don’t take too long to carry out – watch our clips, social media and read our guidance. “It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure equipment is fitted and used safely on every journey.” Highways England is the organisation responsible for running England’s major A-road and motorway network. Some of the main factors that Highways England has seen

resulting in incidents arise from preventable mistakes, including: • Poorly loaded (weight in the wrong place – e.g. towards the rear, rather than concentrated in the middle) • Overloaded (too much weight, although often that will also result in bad loading) • Insufficient noseweight - can cause the trailer to sway if the stability is upset by an external factor and may get out of control if not addressed • Too heavy for the towcar’s capability to control it • Speed too high/driving too fast for the road conditions • Really serious crosswinds causing instability to the vehicle • Breakaway cable not attached correctly Highways England – chair of the National Towing Working Group - is also offering some top tips

HIGHWAYS ENGLAND:

‘CHECK IT BEfORE TOWING IT’ 16

on what to do if motorists find themselves losing control of the vehicle being towed. Areas for consideration before setting off includes: • Reduce the risk of inherent instability by making sure the outfit is correctly matched (car suitable for the trailer load) and that it’s correctly loaded, including very importantly that the nose weight is sufficient • Choose a car and trailer with stability aids, but don’t rely on them to correct an inherently unstable outfit. They will, however, make a safe outfit safer still • Drive within the speed limits for towing – 60mph on a motorway unless signage states slower. Take care when going downhill and/or overtaking to ensure that speed does not build up excessively • Reduce speed if conditions are not favourable (e.g. crosswind) • When passing or being passed by large vehicles, maximise the separation between themselves and the trailer by using the available lane width (with due regard for vehicles in other lanes) • If instability still occurs, do not brake, but instead ease off the accelerator and allow the speed to drop. Let the steering wheel twitch; do not try to steer against the motion of the car. Do not try to accelerate, to ‘pull the outfit straight’. This is likely to result in the return of instability at an even greater speed. Following an instability scare, check all possible contributory factors, and address any which

are not optimum to ensure no reoccurrence. Highways England launched a national safety campaign last year advising motorists what to do if they break down and reminds them to follow speed limits, to keep left except when overtaking and not to ignore red X signals above closed lanes. Highways England has five basic safety tips to follow if your car does break down on a motorway: • Get away from the traffic. Exit the motorway or get to an emergency area or hard shoulder and use the free phone provided. • If that’s not possible, move left onto the verge. • Get out of the left side of your vehicle and behind the barrier if you

can and it is safe to do so. • Get help – contact your breakdown provider or Highways England on 0300 123 5000. • If you break down in moving traffic and cannot leave your car, keep your seatbelt and hazard lights on and call 999. www.highwaysengland.co.uk/ motorways To get a free trailer safety check head to: www.ntta.co.uk/ freesafetycheck For more advice on how to carry out a quick and simple trailer safety check head online to: www.gov.uk/guidance/tow-atrailer-with-a-car-safety-checks

FU Mutual has published a downloadable safety guide, in partnership with the Pony Club. Young riders and their families are being urged to prevent injury and even death of their horses by making horsebox and trailer travel safer. James Calverley from NFU Mutual’s Specialist Equine Team said: “Many accidents involving horses trapped in overturned trailers are caused by a tyre blow-out or other component failure and we want to reduce the risk of this happening. According to NFU Mutual figures, flat tyres or damaged wheels account for over a third of breakdowns, yet many could be avoided through simple checks and maintenance before setting off.” NFU Mutual has also created a library of seven useful videos to highlight major issues and educate horse owners on how to avoid them. www.nfumutual.co.uk/horseboxsafety

HORSEBOx SAFETY GUIDE

WIN! WIN!

ONE LUCKY READER TO WIN AN INVERNO JACKET! The Inverno Jacket from Equisafety is a stylish hivis, lightweight, breathable fluorescent jacket with reflective details. Manufactured using 100% waterproof fabric, taped seams and synthetic insulation. Two side zips prevent jacket rising up when riding. However, when reversed it becomes a soft, luxurious black quilt option, allowing you to wear it out and about away from the yard. Made using two sizes of quilting, with smaller panels on the waist giving a slimming effect to the wearer. www.equisafety.com

Sizes: XS-XXL Colours: Yellow; Pink: Red/Orange and Polite RRP: £99.98

To enter: Visit www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st March 2020 and close 31st March 2020.

BUYER’S GUIDE

The Marchit Ed

Lace Up Side Boots (launching midMarch). RRP: £90. www.muckbootcompany.co.uk Cherry Roller Pendant can be customised using five CZ Roller Beads.RRP: from £80. www.hihosilver.co.uk

White Frill Blouse. RRP: £59.95. www.oxfordshirt.co.uk The Boudica. RRP: £245. www.fairfaxandfavor.com

The Suffolk Fedora in Camel with Pheasant Feather Wrap. RRP: £95. www.hicksandbrown.com

Jessica Jumper in Cornflower Blue. RRP: £99.95. www.schoffelcountry.com

Cashmere socks. RRP: £37. www.tomlane.co

Cheltenham Jean in White. RRP: £79.95. www.schoffelcountry.com

Natural plant wax candles. Four scent combinations including Wild Fig & Grape and Sea Salt & Spray. RRP: £15. www.ladida-andover.com

Polka Giboulee. RRP: £70. www.aigle.com Emma 3/4 Jean in Indigo. RRP: £89.95. www.schoffel country.com

Cashmere Silk crew Neck Jumper in Pale Blue. RRP: £54.95. www.oxfordshirt.co.uk

Norfolk Shirt in Fig Bluebell. RRP: £69.95. Salcombe Shirt in Harbour Stripe Cornflower Blue. RRP: £49.95. www.schoffelcountry.com

Atlantic Sweatshirt in White, Navy and Blue. RRP: £42.95. www.whaleofatimeclothing.com

Nova Gold Crossover Ring. RRP: £195. www.emilymortimer.co.uk Grand Prix Gift Box. RRP: £214 – £249. www.hoovesandlove.co.uk Frill Blouse in Pale Blue Stripe. RRP: £59.95. www.oxfordshirt.co.uk

BUYER’S GUIDE Cheltenham Jean in Fig. RRP: £79.95. www.schoffelcountry.com

Lucid Ring Gold. www.carolinstone.com

Farlows Ladies Burghley Gunclub Check Shooting Fieldcoat. RRP: £695. www.farlows.co.uk

Mosaic Earring Trio. RRP: from £129. www.pureshorejewellery.com

Equi Base Layer. RRP: £69. www.hollandcooper.com

Zip Neck Jumper. RRP: £95. www.tomlane.co

Heather Jean in Indigo. RRP: £99.95. www.schoffel country.com

Lupia. RRP: £159.95. www.keithscarrott.co.uk

Ciga Cow Hide Belt. RRP: £55. www.hicksandbrown.com Simple Pioneering Ring Gold. www.carolin stone.com Daring Triad Ring Gold. www.carolinstone.com

Imperial Explorer. RRP: £425. www.fairfax andfavor.com

For the

Home

Passion fruit sweatshirt made with organic cotton and recycled fabrics. RRP: £65 (with £10 of each sale donated to the Cancer charities supported by Annabel Brocks). www.annabelbrocks.com Papavero Suede Belt. RRP: £45. www.fioriblu.co.uk

Palm Tree Candle Holders. RRP: £32. Peacock Jar Table Lamp. RRP: £140. Gisela Graham Candle. RRP: £12. www.ladida-andover.com Mandarin and Lime Body Scrub with Green Coffee Oil. RRP: £25. www.tammason.co.uk

Sinara Polo Shirt. RRP: £31. www.zebraproducts.co.uk

Tweed & Chrome Lamp. RRP: £65. Zebra vase. RRP: £55. Emma Bridgewater Fold-Away Pouch Shopping Bag. RRP: £4. All www.ladida-andover.com

RIDER WELLBEING

WHAT DO THOR & VICTORIA BECKHAM

Have In Common?

HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACH SAMANTHA HARDINGHAM IS QUALIFIED TO HELP HER CLIENTS BUILD A LEAN, STRONG, HEALTHY BODY AND MIND THROUGH BOTH EXERCISE AND NUTRITION. RUNNING ONLINE COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS ‘THE BODY MIND COACH GROUP’, AS WELL AS HER WEEKLY BOOT CAMPS, SPORTS MASSAGE, AND ONE-TO-ONE TRAINING/NUTRITION SESSIONS, SAMANTHA EDUCATES, TRAINS AND TEACHES HER MEMBERS TO FULFIL THEIR HEALTH AND FITNESS POTENTIAL BY OFFERING DAILY INSPIRATION, MOTIVATION AND SUPPORT TO ALL.

ack in the late 80’s I had a creaky hocked connemara named Thor who became even more so when I jumped the wrong cross-country fence complete with jump judge and picnic underneath! The thrill of jumping over people far outweighed being eliminated. Thor was an absolute sod outside of the ring but always redeemed himself with his sense of humour and exciting ride by delivering the rosettes in the ring, but what may you ask did he and Victoria Beckham have in common? Although they might not both have creaky hocks they do both have apple cider vinegar (ACV) every morning! You’ve probably heard a lot about it in the press as it’s so popular in the natural health community, but here are a few benefits of taking Apple Cider Vinegar:

Arthritis - it’s said to lessen the pain and swelling of the joints.

Cholesterol - high levels of the fatty substance cholesterol in your blood can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. Although not medically proven, in the BBC’s Trust Me I’m a Doctor, participants saw an average 13% reduction in total cholesterol by taking ACV.

Blood pressure - ACV, high in acetic acid, is thought to promote the reduction in hypertension by regulating renin, an enzyme which helps to regulate blood pressure.

Sore Throats and colds - ACV contains a prebiotic called inulin which may help to boost your immunity and encourage good bacteria in the gut to grow.

ACV can be found in your local supermarket or health store, look for ‘with Mother’ on the label, it’ll appear slightly murky but this is the helpful bacteria. Dosage - try adding 1-2 tablespoons of ACV to a glass of water every morning for a couple of weeks to see how it can help you. It kept Thor going for years, let’s see what it does for Victoria Beckham! To benefit from Samantha’s health and wellness advice: www.facebook.com/ ItsTheBodyMindCoach/ www.instagram.com/ samanthahardingham

“My horse woman who is living with a brain tumour says her horse sensed the disease before she was diagnosed by doctors. Kelly Ann Alexander now credits the grey mare, Aliyana, with helping her to pull through surgery and the extended treatment she has undergone for a low-grade oligodendroglioma brain tumour. “My horse is the best therapy I could have. Along with my husband Kevin, she keeps me going; she gives me a reason to get up every morning, she has adapted her behaviour to help me and, looking back, I now realise she was the first to make any sense to what was happening to me,” said Kelly Ann. Kelly Ann had taken up her dream job as a groom in a professional yard when she first became ill in October 2015. Just weeks earlier she and Aliyana had completed in their first dressage competition together. She said: “Aliyana was a wedding present from Kevin. Within days of the dressage competition, I had my first seizure and then was having up to fourteen or fifteen a day which were always preceded by a horrible metallic taste and smell. “I was prescribed an antiepilepsy drug, but was still backwards and forwards to the doctor. Kevin had been brilliant, but needed to get back to work

mour” sensed my brain tu

Photo: Kelly Ann Alexander/Brain Tumour Research

so I moved 200 miles to be with my parents. It was about five or six weeks before I next saw Aliyana, but when I did her reaction was incredible. She galloped over to me and immediately started to sniff the right side of my head where, as we now know, the tumour was growing.” Eventually, Kelly Ann was admitted to St John’s Hospital where the brain tumour was diagnosed and she underwent surgery. She added: “Since my surgery, I have suffered with left-sided weakness, but Aliyana amazingly has learnt that she now needs to walk on my left side, not on the right as she was used to, and even worked out that if she wants a treat she needs to be near my left pocket!”

“My bond with my horse made me focused on recovering. Doctors told me I wouldn’t be able to ride for a year, but I was actually back in the saddle after just seven months.”

Kelly Ann suffered major setbacks after the operation after contracting a serious infection. In 2017, a scan showed the tumour was back and she has undergone further treatment. She is working with the charity Brain Tumour Research to share her story ahead of Brain Tumour Awareness Month in March. According to the charity, less than 20% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers. www.braintumourresearch.org/ donation

ASHLEY ROSSITER IS MD OF AWARD -WINNING LUXURY LIFESTYLE, PET AND EQUESTRIAN PR & SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING AGENCY, MIRROR ME PR. A QUALIFIED JOURNALIST AND FORMER CELEBRITY FASHION STYLIST, ASHLEY SHARES HER THOUGHTS FOR THIS MONTH...

3 Steps

To Work-Life Happiness

arch 20th is International Day Of Happiness. Happiness can mean different things to different people; it might be spending time with the family, or a fantastic training session on your horse. When it comes to your work life - does that make you happy? Here are a few of my pointers for happiness in your workplace: Take Pride In Your Work Whatever the task in hand, take pride in your work. Having pride in your work will have a positive effect on your mental well-being and also make the smallest and the most boring of tasks give you a sense of achievement.

Take A Lunchbreak Away From Your Desk Taking time out to go for a walk or eat lunch away from your computer is a habit you should try and get into regularly. Refresh and reboot! It's All About Team Work Just like family, we rarely get to choose our work colleagues, so try and get some common ground with them, even if you are vastly different. Often by talking to someone, you will find a subject that connects you both, so use that to build a better relationship with other members of staff.

ASHLEY AND HER TEAM LOVE TO CONJURE UP CREATIVE IDEAS THAT GET PEOPLE TALKING AND MAKE AN IMPACT FOR YOUR BRAND OR PRODUCT.

www.mirrormepr.co.uk @mirrormepr Tel: 0207 043 2345

RHEA Asks...

IS IT TIME TO EMBRACE yOuR

INNER MRS HINCH?

I’M RHEA FREEMAN...I’M A PR, MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONSULTANT AND COACH WITH A SPECIALISM IN EQUESTRIAN AND RURAL BUSINESS. I WORK WITH A NUMBER OF THE BEST BRANDS IN THE INDUSTRY AND MANY THAT YOU’LL SEE IN THESE PAGES...

don’t know about you, but I am not a big one for resolutions. The idea of making New Year’s ones doesn’t sit that well with me at all, because these resolutions tend to be things to give up (like give up chocolate… madness, right?!). Goals, to me, feel better, as that’s something to aim at. Now, New Year was a few months ago, and with the wet and pretty depressing winter we’ve had, you might be feeling a little lost with your goals. If you need an excuse

to kick on and get back on top, then why not use spring as a good excuse for a reset and clean up? There are lots of things you can do to help give yourself a bit of a refresh- and none of them have to cost you a penny! • Tidy and clean. Yep, I know it sounds crazy to have cleaning and tidying on this column, but it helps. My desk can resemble a bombsite if I don’t put aside time to tidy it. Letters, magazines, newsletters, catalogues, ALL the post finds its way to my desk, but if I’m

having a busy time I only process the stuff I need to and leave the rest to build. It doesn’t seem like a big thing, but try having a tidy up around where you do your work and see if it has a knock on your productivity. Get stuff shredded, get recycling, give stuff to charity/a friend if you have stuff you don’t need. Push the hoover around and get the polish out. Trust me. • Your inbox. My inbox is overrun with newsletters. Some I really want to read but can’t see them for all the stuff I don’t. Instead of just deleting without opening, start unsubscribing. • Scroll fests. If you’re looking at how you spend your time and want to clean up your act, look to use your time on social media more productively and limit the scroll fests where you can lose minutes (if not longer!) just scrolling. If you use your time well, focusing on things like genuine engagement and commenting on relevant hashtags, you’ll reap bigger rewards too. • Your computer. Look at your desktop, your downloads… all the places where stuff accumulates and needs deleting or filing. Your computer will thank you too. And that’s a win.

Visit www.rheafreemanpr.co.uk • Twitter (@rheafreeman) • Instagram (@rheafreemanpr) • Facebook (/RheaFreemanPR) 24

• Your social media. I recently recorded a podcast about the affect that the people we follow can have on us on our social media. If we’re having a challenging time and someone we follow is full of how amazing their life is, it might make us feel a lot worse. Now, it’s not their fault, and it’s not yours either, but unfollowing them or snoozing them on Facebook or muting on Instagram might give you a little breathing room. The other person will not know if you do either of these things, so you won’t upset anyone, but it means that YOU can choose when to go and engage with their content rather than having it in your feed all the time. • Review your goals. And yes, to bring things back to goals in a full circle kind of way, why not use the spring clean idea to give them a polish too? Look at what you’ve achieved, what you haven’t, what you can change, and what you’d like to over the next few months. So harness your inner Mrs Hinch and get your spring clean on!

READER PROFILE

fIvE MINuTES WITH...

a m u g n u w s t u M Tanaka

ow and when did you start riding? “My mum sat me on a pony when I was about 6months old but I started having riding lessons when I was about 4-years-old. I got a pony called Daniel when I was six. He was a Welsh Section A and was very grumpy!” What is your personal highlight so far? “Qualifying for The Sunshine Tour and NSEA Championships.”

Please tell us about your yard? “I am at a small livery yard on a working farm with lots of farm machinery. We have an outside school and lots of lovely

Tanaka with her first pony, Daniel

TANAKA MUTSWUNGUMA IS AN 11-YEAR-OLD FROM ESSEX. HER INTERESTS INCLUDE SHOWJUMPING AND COMPETING IN NSEA, PONY CLUB, BRITISH SHOWJUMPING AND SHE REGULARLY UPDATES HER INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS OF HER EXPLOITS AT @FLYINGONFLORA

Tanaka competing in NSEA for Gosfield School

Showjumping Flora

HORSE PROfIlE: Flora

Horse name: Brock Bea Stable name: Flora Owner: Mum, Sue Age: 10

Colour: Liver chestnut Sex: Mare Height: 14hh Breed: New Forest

Since getting Flora we have achieved a lot together, we started jumping courses of only 40cm but are now jumping courses of 95cm. Flora can be very strong and moody, she is a typical moody mare and needs a confident rider. I have a lesson once a week, I school at home and jump at my lesson and competitions. I normally hack once a week. Flora has two days off a week. Flora’s main strength is her showjumping. Her main weakness is cross-country as she is quite nervous of the solid jumps. In the future I plan to compete and qualify for championships and showjump bigger classes. Three secrets about flora... 1) She loves getting a treat after she has given me a kiss! 2) It’s hard to get her into water, but once in, she loves it! 3) When at shows, Flora likes drinking a bit of my drink.

hacking. It is a lovely yard with all year turn out and nice people.”

Which horse has been your ‘horse of a

lifetime’? “Daniel was my horse of a lifetime. He was my first pony, he was very naughty when we got him and used to buck me off

every time I rode him, however he taught me to never give up and made me the rider I am today.”

What’s the most useful advice you’ve ever been given? “Hold on! as my ponies have been super speedy. “Also ‘work hard to achieve but make sure you have fun’. I have a brilliant instructor, she gives me confidence and practical advice. I have achieved so much under her guidance.” What are your future plans? “I really hope to be a professional rider when I am older. I would like to work as an apprentice on an event yard.”

t EQUINE h e tc V a W HEALTH & WELFARE: VETWATCH

CANCER

By Emily F. Haggett BVSc, DipACVIM, MRCVS

Presented by

ROSSDALES EQUINE HOSPITAL Cotton End Road, Exning, Newmarket CB8 7NN T: 01638 577754 E: hospital@rossdales.com www.rossdales.com

ancer is a rare diagnosis in horses compared to humans and small animals. Equine tumours can take a number of forms and the causes of development are not always fully understood. There is surprisingly limited oncology research available in equine medicine. This is possibly because diagnosis can be challenging and expensive, with clinical signs often being non-specific, requiring referral to veterinary specialists. Early detection of any tumour is essential when considering the likelihood of successful treatment. In horses, signs of cancer can often be non-specific, such as weight loss or failure to gain weight, exercise intolerance, fever, and lethargy. Your vet may suspect a tumour when other differential diagnoses have been ruled out, such as dental or digestive problems, severe parasite burden, infection, or when the horse does not respond to therapeutic measures. Some tumours are thought to be caused by viruses, while exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet) may provoke skin

tumours in unprotected areas of the horse, and on light-coloured horses. Any type of growth should be reported to your vet as soon as it is discovered. Some of the more common forms of equine cancer are outlined below.

Melanomas Melanomas are tumours of pigment cells, predominantly seen in older, grey horses, but they can be found in horses of any colour or age. These tumours are usually slow growing and often develop under the tail. Other common sites include the groin region, in and around the eyes, and the parotid salivary glands. Although most equine melanomas are usually benign, they can occasionally become malignant. Melanomas that occur in non-grey horses are often more likely to cause problems. Early removal of some tumours may prevent development into malignant cancerous growths. However, whilst melanomas may look unpleasant, some horses may have these for many years without clinical problems. Other melanomas, such as parotid

melanomas, may grow so large that the horse is unable to eat or drink properly, flex its poll or turn its head from side to side. Veterinary advice should be sought to confirm diagnosis and this may be done by taking a biopsy for laboratory analysis. Treatment Treatment of melanomas is often by surgical or laser removal. Intralesional chemotherapy can sometimes be used with drugs injected directly into the tumour tissue. A vaccine (Oncept) which was licensed for the treatment of melanomas in dogs is sometimes used in horses and can reduce the size of melanomas in some horses. Sarcoids Sarcoids are the most common form of equine skin tumour and are classed as low-grade fibrosarcomas. Sarcoids are locally invasive tumours but do not metastasize (spread) to other areas of the body. Different types of sarcoid exist with differences in size and appearance. Sarcoids usually occur in thin skinned areas of the horse, such as the girth area, sheath, inner

VET PROFILE Fig 1 Traumatised nodular sarcoid on the inner thigh of a horse

thigh, around the eyes and in the ear. There is a genetic predisposition to disease susceptibility and it is known that breeding from a horse with a history of sarcoids is likely to produce a horse that suffers from sarcoids. As sarcoids are non-metastatic (not spread from the primary site), they are often given low clinical significance. Isolated sarcoid lesions can be slow growing or remain static for long periods of time. Most commonly, however, they will grow larger at their original site and multiply in number. They can become painful and therefore a welfare issue, particularly around the periorbital region (around the eyes). After clinical assessment by your vet, they will advise the most appropriate treatment options. Treatment Treatment is often difficult and invasive, as well as being expensive. There is no single entirely reliable therapy for the elimination of all types of sarcoids and unsuccessful

they improve as they become swollen and inflamed, which may be painful to the horse. Radiotherapy is available for treatment of sarcoids and other tumours. Brachytherapy is the ‘gold standard’ for the treatment of peri-ocular sarcoids and recent advances in this treatment mean that high dose radiation can be delivered to horses, under standing sedation. The treatment takes only a few minutes and the horse receives two treatments, which are given a week apart. The treatment is designed to minimise side treatment attempts can effects and results to date have sometimes result in a bigger been very good. problem. Laser surgery can be performed Surgical removal is a viable on standing, sedated horses to option, but must always be performed with caution. Failure remove some sarcoids, typically to remove the sarcoid in full may those around the groin and result in the recurrence of a more sheath area. A study at Rossdales Equine Hospital aggressive sarcoid. involving 73 horses with 290 ‘Liverpool sarcoid cream’ is a topical chemotherapy treatment sarcoids showed a high rate of success. However, this may not which can only be obtained by veterinary prescription from the be suitable in all cases and cost may be prevent some owners University of Liverpool. Its cytotoxic nature means it should taking advantage of this only be applied by a vet. Sarcoids technology. usually look a lot worse before

Fig 2 Peri-ocular sarcoids can be treated with brachytherapy (radiotherapy treatment)

Emily F. Haggett BVSc, DipACVIM, MRCVS Emily is an RCVS recognised Specialist in Equine Medicine (Internal Medicine) and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She joined Rossdales in 2009 as a member of the internal medicine team at Rossdales Equine Hospital and became a partner in 2016. Emily's main role is working within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in addition to working within the internal medicine department, where she sees a large number of medical cases annually. She has completed a number of research projects related to neonatal foal conditions and has published and lectured widely on the subject. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an invasive, aggressive tumour. Continued overleaf...

HEALTH & WELFARE: VETWATCH Fig 3 Laser surgery performed to remove a sarcoid from the sheath of a horse

Continued from previous page...

This tumour can affect various structures, most notably the skin and the third eyelid, towards the inner eye, but it rarely metastasises to other organs. The conjunctiva and cornea can also be affected. SCC most commonly has a ‘cobblestone’ or ‘cauliflower-like’ appearance, but in its early stages it can appear as a small area of pigment loss, crusting, ulceration or irritation around the eye. Horses who lack pigment on their eyelids and around the eye are more at risk. Irritation from ultraviolet (UV) light is thought to promote the development of SCC. Treatment SCC is easiest to treat when tumours are small. These may be removed successfully by a surgical approach. Larger tumours, or those that affect the eyeball itself, will require referral for specialist medical treatment, or to an ophthalmologist, who can combine surgical treatment with other medical treatment to limit the risk of recurrence. Outcomes can be excellent with

early, aggressive treatment.

Granulosa Cell Tumour This is a common tumour of the ovaries of mares, which usually affects only one ovary. The tumour is composed of cells from the lining of the follicle and they produce oestrogen and/or testosterone. The symptoms are therefore masculine/stallion-like behaviour or a continuing state of oestrus or anoestrus. The ovary increases in size and can be identified by rectal examination by a vet and confirmed by reproductive ultrasound, or by a blood test to look at serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). Treatment Surgical removal of the affected ovary is now usually carried out via laparoscopy in the standing, sedated horse. The mare usually returns to breeding soundness within 3 to 12 months. Lymphoma Lymphoma is rare in horses. It is a type of blood cancer in which the tumour cells arise from

Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons can offer a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of all forms of equine cancer, with specialists in internal medicine, surgery, dermatology and ophthalmology. Contact us on 01638 577754 or visit www.rossdales.com for more information about our referral services.

lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Multicentric lymphoma can affect the entire body and clinical signs are typically non-specific until the disease has progressed to endstage, by which time clinical signs reflect function of organ(s) involved. Horses with the cutaneous form of lymphoma typically present with multifocal skin lesions and no other clinical signs. Treatment Lymphoma is difficult to diagnose and treat and typically doesn’t cure lymphoma, although in some cases it may slow down progression of the disease. Treatment can involve chemotherapy or a multi-drug protocol.

t’s never nice to find ticks on your horse. Ticks can cause a lot of discomfort and irritation and, in some cases, untreated bites can transmit serious illnesses, such as Lyme Disease. To ensure the health of your horse, when spotted, they need to quickly be removed. To mark Tick Bite Prevention Week (22nd - 28th March), Dr Jessica May, lead vet at video vet service FirstVet, explains what to do if a tick latches on to your horse.

What are ticks? Ticks are small arachnids (the same class as spiders) which undergo four phases in their life cycle: egg, larvae, nymphs, and adult. The tick requires blood meals to develop between these phases. After the nymph stage, ticks develop into either male or female adults. Female ticks will need blood meals before they start to lay eggs, whilst male ticks don’t suck blood. Ticks can spread disease, usually in the nymph stage of their life cycle and, if female, before they lay their eggs. Tick larvae will also seek blood meals but will

BIG PROBLEMS SMAll TICKS CAuSING

TICKS - WHAT THEY ARE, HOW TO PREVENT THEM, AND WHAT TO DO IF THEY LATCH ONTO YOUR HORSE BY DR JESSICA MAY OF FIRSTVET not transmit pathogens, which are what poisons or irritates its host. You will normally find ticks in wet environments, on grass or in low bushes, especially from March to June, and then again from August to November - but there is a very significant risk of picking them up year-round. The tick is blind but will feel vibrations, body heat, and carbon dioxide from one’s breath. If it finds you, the tick will crawl onto its host. The tick will choose its host based on its size. Larvae will normally seek out small birds and mice, whilst nymphs will attach to rabbits, cats, and dogs, and the female ticks prefer larger animals, like horses. The size is very important for the tick’s development since, if the host is too small, there will not be enough blood, and the tick will struggle to survive. Once the tick has attached itself to a host, it will feed, during which it might transmit pathogens. This can cause skin irritation, bacterial skin infections, and small abscesses. In severe cases, especially in ponies and foals, a tick may even

information is used to identify vet. potential tick-borne diseases How can I prevent ticks • Wear latex gloves and use a that may pass to animals or tick fork. A tick attaches itself latching on to my humans. to the skin by screwing barbed horse? • Alternatively, drop the mouthparts into the skin. Tick prevention requires detached tick in a small jar of Therefore, it is very important diligence: you must constantly alcohol to kill it or flush it that the tick is removed using check for ticks and, if found, down the loo. After the tick is an un-screwing technique. quickly remove them. removed and killed, clean the • Alternatively, use fine-point Application of tick-specific area with a mild antiseptic tweezers to gently grasp and repellents is also key. These solution or saltwater. twist the head of the tick. should be applied to your Avoid grasping the body of the • If the area looks very infected horse’s mane, tail, head, chest, or irritated (red or swollen), tick as this will cause it to and underbelly before riding or you should contact your vet. regurgitate its stomach and turning your horse out on Also, if you spot ticks around salivary gland contents into pasture. Once your horse is your horse’s ears, call a the skin, increasing the risk of returning to the stables, ensure veterinarian to remove the tick, pathogen transmission. that you check them as safe removal may be thoroughly. Ticks are easier to • If a tick is removed with a difficult. feel than see, so run your hands straight pulling motion or www.firstvet.com/uk through their mane, tail, and dislodges by accident, the across their body, feeling for mouthparts may be left behind small bumps along the way, in the skin and cause localised being careful not to damage or inflammation and infection. dislodge them by accident. • DO NOT apply Vaseline, What should I do if a chemicals, or freeze/burn a tick attaches to my tick, as this may also stimulate horse? it to regurgitate it’s saliva and If a tick attaches itself to your stomach contents, increasing horse, you will need to remove it the risk of infection. as soon as possible. Try the • Detached ticks should be sent following: in a crush-proof container to • Decide if you are confident to Public Health England for remove the tick yourself, or if identification. This you need assistance from your cause anaemia.

HEALTH & WELFARE

AVOIDING PARASITE PROBLEMS:

NOW

&IN THE fuTuRE

est practice worm control has received a lot of coverage in recent years with the availability of a saliva test for tapeworm diagnosis and more recently a blood test for small redworm (including encysted larval phases) which complement routine faecal egg count testing. In addition, an expert panel of Figure 1. Diagnostic-led worm control

veterinarians and parasitologists prepared guidelines for UK vets in 2019 on worm control, which highlighted the importance of testing before resorting to the use of dewormers. This practice, often termed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;diagnostic-led worm controlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, leads owners to only administer dewormers when infections are diagnosed, and treatment is really needed. Gone are the days of routinely

of diagnostic-led worm control and routine treatment By Dr Corrine Austin, programmes. Whilst routine Austin Davis Biologics treatment programmes provide worms with regular exposure to administering dewormers to deworming drugs, some yards every horse and hoping for the may limit the use of dewormers best. That strategy is out-dated by simply using them less as it has caused widespread drug frequently, so the effect of this resistance in worms - meaning practice is also included. that worms are able to survive The illustrations below (Figures the killing effects of dewormers 1, 2 and 3) demonstrate the and remain in place after effect of different worm control treatment. practices on grazing as well as We are often told these facts, on the horses in the herd. The but what do they really mean? red horse in each figure This article compares the effects represents a horse with a worm Figure 2. Infrequent routine treatment, no testing

burden in need of deworming. It is clear from these illustrations that diagnostic-led worm control is essential for reducing the risk of drug resistant worms and effective long-term worm control.

worm burden levels within horses as described in the illustrations below, it is important to manage worm life cycles occurring on the grazing too. Good pasture management can reduce the need for dewormer use which will in turn Please note, these illustrations are slow the emergence of simplified examples to demonstrate resistance. the effect of worm control strategies. Reducing worm life cycles occurring in A simplified version of a generic horses and the paddocks they graze worm life cycle can be seen in can take time before improvements in Figure 4, where the effect of Figure 5. Diagnostic-led worm control worm infection levels are seen. dung removal on worm life Correct pasture cycles is illustrated. By removing the grazing therefore limiting management dung, there is a significant the number of infective larvae As well as correctly managing reduction in eggs contaminating accessible for the horse to ingest. Figure 3. Frequent routine treatment, no testing To ensure your grazing has a low level of infective worm larvae, dung should be removed every 1-2 days, but twice a week may be suitable providing beetles and birds are not spreading the dung. It may be beneficial to keep horses on manageable sized paddocks to make dung removal more feasible and rotation of paddocks prevents grass from becoming overgrazed. If possible, it is important to completely remove the dung from paddocks and

avoid harrowing to break up the dung. Harrowing practices simply spread the worm eggs/larvae throughout the grazing as most UK weather conditions are not hot or dry enough to eliminate worm eggs/larvae. Conducting regular testing (as described overleaf) will indicate how successful your paddock management is. If horses continually have test results indicating high infection levels, then there could be scope to make further improvements to your paddock management. Continued overleaf...

Figure 4. Dung removal reduces infection risk

HEALTH & WELFARE Continued from previous page...

A suitable testing programme for most adult horses in the UK is illustrated in Figure 5. Diagnostic-led worm control is where testing is used to tell you when your horse needs deworming. Blood or saliva testing should be conducted every six months to detect tapeworm burdens, preferably during spring and autumn. Faecal egg count (FEC) analysis should be carried out for assessing redworm and roundworm egg shedding throughout March to October for detection of adults. The small redworm blood test (which detects encysted larval phases) should be used from September to December, but if this is missed, testing should still be considered until April.

Additional factors to consider New horses arriving at a yard should be kept separate from the rest of the herd for at least three days after treatment with a moxidectin/praziquantel combination dewormer. This practice will reduce contamination of your grazing with additional worm eggs. Testing prior to this treatment would inform you of the horse’s infection levels and whether additional testing or treatment may be required before the rest of the herd’s routine testing is due. Underdosing should be avoided at all costs as the risk of developing worm resistance is increased due to worms being exposed to the drug without being killed. Ensure that you are using the correct dewormer dosage by using a weighbridge to determine the horse’s weight. And always administer deworming paste on clean flooring where possible so that any paste spat out can be re-administered. Don’t leave worm control to chance, speak to your veterinarian or SQP to find out more on how to conduct appropriate testing for diagnostic-led worm control for your horse. www.austindavis.co.uk

WINNERS! WESTGATE LABS TAKE TWO HONOuRS AT BETA orse health test specialists Westgate Labs were delighted to take two of the top honours at the British Equestrian Trade Association International Trade Fair 2020, 19th-21st January. They scooped the coveted Judge’s Choice Innovation Award as well as lifting a BETA Business Award.

Judges’ Choice Innovation Award Winner Judges picked Westgate’s Faecal Sand Test Kit as their innovation winner from the sixty-four products forward for consideration, presented for ‘a product that ticks all the boxes for design, technology, sustainability and visuals, and has a real wow factor’. To help horse owners to identify whether their equine

Directors Claire Shand and Kristy Hodgson (left to right) on the BETA stand

is at risk from sand colic, Westgate Labs have added a faecal sand test to their range of easy to use, evidence based test kits. The kit contains everything to take and send two tests to the laboratory and will be available in retail outlets in new compostable packaging from Spring 2020. The attractive pouches feature a unique zero waste design that leaves nothing behind for the consumer and enables Westgate to take responsibility for the journey of the entire product from start to finish. BETA Business Awards; TSM

Marketing Effectiveness Winner Westgate Labs submitted the marketing campaign for their All Seasons Subscription Service launched in Spring 2019 for the new BETA Business TSM Marketing Effectiveness Award. This new honour celebrates effective marketing and communication solutions. Westgate Laboratories was praised for ‘having clear objectives, effectively rolling out a desirable subscription model and being able to highlight the success of the launch campaign, both in terms of the generated interest and financial impact’. www.westgatelabs.co.uk

NEW BETA NOPS CODE fOR BEDDING

he British Equestrian Trade Association is launching a new assurance scheme designed to help minimise the risk of prohibited substances occurring in all types of equine bedding. The BETA NOPS Code for Bedding is being introduced following the success of the BETA NOPS Code for Feed, which has nearly ninety companies in the UK and overseas audited to the scheme. There will be a three-month consultation period allowing bedding manufacturers to find out more and express their interest in the code, which will bring peace of mind to riders and trainers by ensuring that bedding products are manufactured and packaged in ways that conform to current best practice. The code, written in response to demand from BETA members, also offers assurance that a bedding company is marketing its products fairly and legally through the auditing of all claims made by code members. “We are very pleased and proud to have developed this new code,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. “Now, for the first time, horse owners will be able to buy bedding safe in the knowledge that it has undergone the same degree of scrutiny that their horse’s feed receives.”

TEDDY FLIES SOLO WITH AllTECH’S SuPPORT

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elebrating five years of continuous support for horses and ponies in the care of World Horse Welfare, Alltech is set to follow the progress of Teddy in 2020. Teddy is the foal born to Primrose, the little cremello cob mare who was found abandoned and suffering from severe photosensitivity before being taken into the care of the charity’s Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, where she gave birth to Teddy. As Teddy has now been weaned from his mum, Alltech will follow his progress as he begins the next chapter of his life. Unlike his mum, Primrose, Teddy has had a great start in life under the watchful eye of his groom, Billy-Jo Roby, and has sympathetically been introduced to all aspects of life including the vet and farrier, as well as being handled regularly. He still has lots of work to do to ensure he has all the necessary life skills for a successful future. www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk

To enter: Visit www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st March 2020 and close 31st March 2020.

HEALTH & WELFARE

GROUNDBREAKING BOOK: AIMS TO HElP RIDERS

ground-breaking book, Biomechanics for the Equestrian; Move Well to Ride Well, containing information that has not been shared with the equestrian industry before, aims to help riders improve their own movement to help their riding. Do you struggle with pain, or a lack of mobility, or a position in the saddle that just won’t improve? Do you ever feel like you struggle to find the right exercise routine that helps your body and your riding, or at least your struggle to find time to do one? If so, Biomechanics for the Equestrian; Move Well to Ride Well by the Human and Equine Sports Therapist, Biomechanist and Coach Debbie Rolmanis, is essential reading for you. The recently published book contains revolutionary information. Working with the mechanic of the human body, and how we were all designed to move, you will learn how to build a sustainable and functional body that can sit in the saddle in the best way for you, and for your horse. “Your body wants to be strong, aligned and

mobile and your horse wants it to be, too,” says Debbie. “In Biomechanics for the Equestrian; Move Well to Ride Well, you will discover how to prepare your body for life in and out of the saddle by changing the way you move throughout the day. Discover what is causing your lower back pain, or the stiffness in your hips and learn how you can move yourself away from pain and towards performance without having to find extra time in your day.” Debbie Rolmanis has operated her equine performance consultancy business for the last fifteen years, working with elite and amateur clients in New Zealand and Europe. Debbie has ridden and trained with GP dressage riders in Germany, America and the UK and worked as Health Team member for the New Zealand Para Equestrian Team in London 2012 and at WEG 2014. She also undertook the role of Soft Tissue Therapist on behalf of Team GB at London 2012. www.amazon.co.uk/BiomechanicsEquestrian-Move-Well-Ride-ebook

nimal rescuers dealt with many emergency calls during Storm Dennis, rescuing horses, sheep and wildlife caught up in the extreme weather. The RSPCA’s specialist emergency response teams were scrambled to more than 100 calls over one weekend alone in February. RSPCA inspector Jason Finch, the charity’s national water rescue coordinator, said: “I’ve been at the RSPCA for twenty years and have been running the water team for ten and I‘ve never known anything like this. We’ve been incredibly busy and our amazing staff have been working round-the-clock to help as many animals as possible. “We’ve had more than 100 jobs tasked through to our specialist team to assess, and have had a number of dramatic rescues. In many cases, we’ve been able to give farmers and owners advice on how to keep their animals safe by moving them to higher land and regularly monitoring the water levels. In other cases, we’ve launched boats and water rescue teams to remove animals in serious danger. “Working during floods and storms is extremely challenging because we have to ensure the safety of our staff, members of the public and the animals themselves.” RSPCA animal welfare officer Marie Stevens and specialist equine inspector Rebecca Carter were called to a field on Sunday 16th February to find five horses in flood water. Marie said: “Members of the public had spotted the horses up to their

bellies in water and were concerned as the water levels were rising. “We worked together to wade into the water constantly checking the levels. It was a high-risk rescue as there were areas that were so deep we had no choice but to swim. We carefully made our way over to the horses who were, understandably, extremely agitated. We managed to get a headcollar and line on one horse, leading her with the others following closely behind to an area of higher ground sheltered by some trees. “We then set up a line across the deepest section and used this to help the first horse across to safety. Members of the public were extremely helpful and held

onto her as we guided the second across.” The horse’s owner arrived as the rescuers were beginning to lose light, making it unsafe for them to continue their rescue mission. The owner decided to rescue the three remaining horses herself. “We would never recommend owners put themselves in danger to rescue their animals but we can understand how emotional it is seeing your animals at risk,” Marie added. “We’re just really pleased we could help these horses and that all five were rescued safely.” The horses were very cold and were shivering so a vet was called to the scene to check them over before the officers left. Storm Dennis caused havoc

across the country - following Storm Ciara - and hundreds of flood alerts and warnings were in place across the country along with a number of weather warnings. Specialist RSPCA officers were on standby to respond to emergencies while continuing their regular duties responding to welfare concerns and collecting injured, sick and abandoned animals.

STORM SEASON: EMERGENCy TEAMS WORK ROuND-THE-ClOCK TO HElP ANIMAlS IN NEED

The RSPCA has launched an emergency fundraising appeal after responding to hundreds of emergencies during Storm Dennis. In less than 24 hours, an emergency fundraiser online has raised more than £1,400 from generous members of the public who were inspired by the brave efforts of the RSPCA’s rescue teams during Storm Dennis. Jason Finch, RSPCA water rescue coordinator, said: “Training our officers and ensuring they have all of the appropriate equipment to ensure their health and safety, as well as that of the animals, is expensive so it’s been incredible to see the reaction to our fundraising appeal and how many people want to support us so we can continue to provide this emergency response.” www.rspca.org.uk/ floodappeal

HEALTH & WELFARE ational equine rescue and welfare charity, Bransby Horses, has launched a new rehoming matching process. The charity has designed a strategy to ensure they receive more ‘right fit, first time’ rehoming applications in the future. To do this, they are challenging the 'norm’ of simply advertising the available horses that they have on their website and promoting them on social media. Rehoming has always been an important part of the work Bransby Horses does. It gives companion and ridden equines, who have had a tough start in life, a second chance to live a happy and healthy life, in a oneto-one home. Many equines live on the site at Bransby but many more live in foster homes across the UK. The flooding of 2019 has pushed rehoming into the limelight as good rehoming is necessary in order to maintain the high level of care the equines need on the main site, and to also make room at the charity for more welfare cases needing help. The new online application process is smooth, easy to follow and it will allow the rehoming team to more efficiently match potential Perfect Partners to the right equines. The matching process will be based on the potential Perfect Partner’s ability, experience, personality and potential. The better the match, the less likely there will be issues going forward or result in the pony or horse being returned to Bransby Horses later in life. The new scheme already has the backing of some big names.

lOCAl EquINE CHARITy lAuNCHES REvOluTIONARy

Ros Canter, 2018 Team and Individual Eventing Gold medallist, third and fifth at Badminton and currently ranked second in the world, said: “Horses have not only given me success but also a huge amount of pleasure and empathy ever since I was a child. Every horse deserves the chance to be loved, well cared for and content, and Bransby Horses’ new rehoming process will enable each equine to be matched with their perfect person. Bransby Horses has years of experience in rehabilitating and giving horses their second chance at life. Being a part of that is hugely rewarding and I give it my full support.” The charity believes that the new system will revolutionise the way equine charities match their rescued residents with new homes. The process is expected to reduce the number of

unsuitable applicants by half in 2020, saving valuable time and resources. The charity, based in Lincolnshire, was started fiftytwo years ago and now has almost 1,000 equines in their care. From humble beginnings, the charity now covers all areas of welfare including; rescue, specialist care, rehabilitation, riding training, rehoming and sanctuary. The charity rehoming team, made up of seven people, are tasked with finding the right owners for equines who are ready for a home and also travelling to visit and support more than 520 existing equines in foster homes, across the UK. All applicants will be asked to agree to eight key care promises, before proceeding to the main part of the application. Applicants will then be asked a series of questions designed to

Photos: Toni Heath www.cuttlebone.co.uk

NEW REHOMING PROCESS

assess their qualities as a potential equine fosterer. If an immediate match can’t be made, they will then have regular contact from the charity, to check the status of their ongoing search. Rosanna Elliott Hart, Rehoming Manager at Bransby Horses said: “There are so many reasons why this is a good idea. We love the interest we get in our equines;

we just want to make sure those applying understand what is involved in rehoming, from the start. Some of the applicants we currently get don’t fully complete the forms or agree to all the necessary criteria. By making these changes, we are improving the quality of the applications coming through to us, so our team can focus on making the right match and supporting our ‘fosterer’ family across the country. “We also understand how busy horse owners are. They don’t have time to scroll through hundreds of options to only discover the equine isn’t the right fit. They may also be looking at a number of charities to rehome from and hopefully, this new approach will get more of our equines in good one-toone homes, right fit first time, and help lots of people looking for an equine find their Perfect Partner of the four-legged kind.” A Bransby Family Fosterer plays a vital role to enable the charity to carry on with their rescue and welfare work. Not only do these fosterers provide knowledgeable and loving homes but they are also ambassadors for Bransby Horses and do a fantastic job of 'flying the flag' for the charity. 100% publicly funded, the charity relies on the generosity of its supporters to continue to run. The charity is always looking for ways to be more efficient whilst continuing to deliver exceptional care. The fosterers also play a huge part in caring for the equines; the charity couldn’t continue to run without them. www.bransbyhorses.co.uk

ANIMAL WELFARE PROSECUTION:

HIGHlIGHTS MAJOR GAP IN THE lAW

he recent prosecution of an equine rescue centre in North Devon is a cautionary tale for the public on two fronts: firstly that animal sanctuaries, rescue and rehoming centres are completely unregulated and there is no guarantee of even basic welfare standards, and secondly that some animal welfare organisations are not registered charities, which means their governance is not subject to scrutiny by the Charity Commission and there is no guarantee that donations made will go to the care of the animals. The first issue can be resolved by government introducing licensing and inspections of all sanctuaries, rescue and rehoming centres and the public ensuring that they do not entrust their animals to an organisation that is unable to properly care for them; and the second by the public checking to ensure that they only give donations to registered charities. In this case, the lack of regulation for rescue centres to meet basic welfare standards created a welfare problem of its own. The centre at the heart of this prosecution had been warned to improve the conditions of the horses previously; however, when the RSPCA revisited in late summer 2019 four of the horses were in such poor condition they were seized by the RSPCA and became the subject of a prosecution. The centre also had another 26 horses which did not form part of the prosecution case and, in late 2019, the RSPCA approached NEWC (National Equine Welfare Council), of which World Horse Welfare is a member, for help in rehoming these remaining horses. World Horse Welfare, Mare and Foal Sanctuary, HorseWorld and Blue Cross all took on a number of the animals for rehabilitating and, where possible, with an aim of future rehoming. Tony Tyler, Deputy Chief Executive at World Horse Welfare, said: “Anyone can set a sanctuary, rehoming or rescue centres up and, although these are usually set up with the best of intentions, some struggle to provide the necessary care for the animals. It may not be until a member of the public raises concerns about the

welfare of the animals that the problem is recognised. “It is worth bearing in mind that passing on a horse that is no longer able to be ridden or you can no longer afford to keep, for instance, will also increase the financial burden to the centre it is passed to and you could, unwittingly, be compromising your horse’s welfare and contributing to the overall problem.” It is expensive keeping any animal, both in terms of time and money, and this is especially true of horses. Horses need feed, shelter, regular foot trims and routine veterinary treatment all of which involve ongoing costs. Many of the animals that are homed in rescue centres and sanctuaries are older or have on-going health issues making the cost of keeping them in a healthy state even higher. Some of the reports of this case in the press incorrectly referred to the defendant’s rescue centre as a charity, and this highlights the second issue of which the public should be very aware. Charities are registered with the Charity Commission which regulates the governance of charities in England and Wales to ensure that the public can donate to them with confidence. This means that these organisations must have certain governance requirements in place including appointing independent trustees who are legally responsible for a charity’s management and administration - and be transparent in how the funds they raise are spent. If there are any concerns around mismanagement in charities, for example misappropriation of funds, then the Charity Commission can take action. All members of NEWC are registered charities, and all display their Registered Charity status and number prominently on their websites and paperwork. If you are considering signing a horse over to a sanctuary, rehoming or rescue centre, check you are happy with their welfare standards and on their charitable status. If they are not a registered charity it does mean that their governance and management are not regulated in the same way, meaning that there is no guarantee that any money donated to them will be used towards the welfare of their animals.

HEALTH & WELFARE

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ACCESSIBILITY MARK CENTRE?

izzie Hill has been involved with the Accessibility Mark scheme from its very foundation, turning a revolutionary idea to provide training to commercial equestrian centres, to enable them to confidently teach disabled people to ride, into reality. As the pilot project has grown into a successful nationwide scheme, Lizzie is now Accessibility Mark’s most experienced Accessibility Mark Officer (ASO), travelling the country to provide training and assessment to centres that apply for the accreditation. There are many misconceptions about disabilities and Accessibility Mark is helping to break down barriers and establishing an inclusive environment for disabled people to participate in sport. “It is really important to understand that no two centres are alike, which we were very aware of when setting out the criteria for Accessibility Mark, but

When equestrian centres apply for accreditation the ASO is there to provide support.

at the same time there needed to be a certain standard upheld in order to be associated with RDA,” said Lizzie. The main stipulations to meet the criteria are that instructors are qualified; that facilities fall within set guidelines; the centre must be affiliated with The British Horse Society, The Pony Club or The Association of British Riding Schools; and they must hold a valid riding school licence from their local council. When centres are going through the application process, the aim of the ASO is to provide support, rather than for the centres to feel they are being ‘judged’ on their suitability.

Centres often assume that their facilities will not meet the guidelines if they are not fully accessible to wheelchair users, but limiting factors would not rule a centre out for accreditation. It is up to individual centres to decide the level of disability that they can work with. “A centre may not have the resources, space or wish to install a mounting ramp, but if they have other suitable mounting facilities for riders who can manage to walk up steps, this would still enable them to achieve their accreditation,” explained Lizzie. “We record which centres are

LIZZIE HILL WAS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE ORIGINAL ACCESSIBILITY MARK PILOT SCHEME WHICH AIMS TO ENCOURAGE COMMERCIAL EQUESTRIAN CENTRES TO OPEN UP MORE RIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED RIDERS. HERE LIZZIE EXPLAINS WHAT MAKES A GOOD ACCESSIBILITY MARK CENTRE. able to take riders who have limited mobility and require a ramp and this helps us provide the best possible service to riders by helping them choose the most appropriate place to learn to ride.” Without a doubt the horses are the most important factor however, there is no such thing as the perfect RDA or Accessibility Mark horse. “When assessing the horses I look for genuine all-rounders and work with the centre to look at the characteristics of their current equine workforce. A lot of the challenges that the horses may face with riders with disabilities are no different to that of any range of riding school clients.” During a practical training session, the ASO will work with instructors and helpers and three or four of the centre’s horses, going through different mounting techniques, leading and side walking, and getting them used to a range of unpredictable behaviour.

SPECIAL FEATURE “It is often during this training that staff are surprised and pleased at how versatile the horses are,” added Lizzie. The backbone of most successful centres is its team of volunteers and Lizzie encourages all centres to try and establish a group of helpers, who all have to undergo the compulsory training. How centres run their Accessibility Mark sessions is entirely up to them but an openminded approach is key to making the scheme work. Said Lizzie: “I find that instructors are nervous of doing or saying the wrong thing but as long as appropriate rider history is sought, the session should be run just as any other lesson. “A good relationship between the centre and its ASO, with open dialogue, is essential to making sure clients gain maximum benefit. “Asking for help on lesson planning and progression helps staff to focus on the individual needs of the rider to achieve their goals, whether it is a therapeutic rider or a rider with ambitions to compete. “A willingness to work with local RDA Groups is also beneficial to ensure riders get the best possible experience.” The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), in partnership with the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), launched the revolutionary Accessibility Mark scheme to work with riding centres with the aim of opening up more opportunities for disabled people to participate in riding. www.rda.org.uk

THE ExCITING, NEW ONlINE PlACE fOR EQUESTRIANS TO NETWORK:

Digital Horse

hate-free zone, with an everyone counts ethos, Digital Horse offers a safe and supportive online environment built up from the most amazing equestrian community. Set to inspire by sharing ideas and building a grassroots community of like-minded individuals, Digital Horse is for anyone who values horses as part of their everyday lives. Members can connect, meet new friends and share their equestrian journey and stories with other likeminded people. You can also follow horses and equestrian brands and get access to lots of DH members only discounts and competitions. Built for horses, Digital Horse is a 50/50 mix of equestrians and horses. Each member can

also set up and manage their horse’s own social page, which is customised to their horse. Features include: • Stable management area including pedigree details, affiliations etc. • Competition and training history - to keep track of events and progress. • Endorsements - to give your horse some kudos for their skills. • Personal planner - great for keeping everything organised. • Newsfeed – to share the story of your horse. Plus, their own gallery for getting their horses photos and videos off their phone and all in one place. A space for productive discussion among community members, the platform also brings together training tips and

expert advice from both industry experts and peers plus the best content from equestrian bloggers/vloggers and influencers. “Digital Horse is taking off and this is just the beginning! We’re already working on new features such as the recently launched Horses For Sale, plus lots more in the pipeline!" explained co-founder Elizabeth Ellis who works alongside her daughter Rebecca at Digital Horse. www.digitalhorse.co.uk

NUTRITION LOCATED IN NEWMARKET BUT WORKING BOTH NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY DONNA CASE BSC (HONS) IS THE HIGHLY EXPERIENCED EQUINE NUTRITIONIST WHO RUNS ‘THE HORSE FEED GURU’, AN EQUINE NUTRITION CONSULTANCY. FORMERLY A COMMERCIAL NUTRITIONIST ACROSS THREE BRANDS, NOW COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT, SHE HAS WORKED WITH HORSES AND RIDERS COMPETING AT AN OLYMPIC LEVEL THROUGH TO ONE-HORSE OWNERS WANTING THE VERY BEST. CLIENTS CAN TRUST THE INDEPENDENT ADVICE THEY RECEIVE COMES FROM EXTENSIVE INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE BUT IS ALSO TOTALLY IMPARTIAL OF ANY FEED BRAND. HER AIM IS TO DEMYSTIFY FEEDING FOR THE GOOD OF THE HORSE AND RIDER.

think we would all like our horse’s coats to glisten and shine like the equestrian version of the latest L’Oréal advert! But what does healthy skin and coat really take from the inside out? How can the feed you give have an impact on this? First of all, check that the diet you are giving is fully balanced. If the horse is deficient in vitamins and minerals, skin and coat health can really suffer. This can lead to a dull, lack-lustre coat, which is definitely not what we are aiming for! Not to mention the fact that a lack in vitamins and minerals can go on to cause various other

problems such as poor hoof health. To see if this is an issue for you, check the manufacturers feeding guidelines for the feed you use. If you are feeding below the recommended level, then you may need to add a balancer or broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement to rectify this. This is often the case for good doers who receive small feeds. If your horse is in this category or perhaps not fed anything at all, then introducing a balancer into the diet may be all you need to do to notice a difference. Once you have ensured the diet is balanced you may look at adding essential fatty acids.

Adding oil can help to achieve this but I would always choose Linseed Oil as it is high in Omega 3 and low in Omega 6. To make an impact on the skin and coat, the average 500kg horse would require around 150ml added to the diet a day. If you are adding oil to your horse’s diet do remember that it is a concentrated source of calories and that also the Vitamin E requirement increases as you start to introduce it. Add 1iu of Vitamin E for every 1ml of oil you feed. Skin specific supplements are also available and have

added ingredients to help you too. Vitamin C has an important role and a deficiency can lead to poor skin health. Choose supplements containing Ascorbyl Monophosphate as this is the Vitamin C form which is better absorbed by the horse. Biotin and Methionine are often found in these types of supplements due to their role in hair growth and skin structure respectively. www.thehorsefeed guru.com

HORSES

Shiny, Happy

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Smart Linseed is pre-cooked so that it can be fed to your horse straight from the bag. Linseed is high in oil and has been fed to horses for many years for its significant health benefits. These health benefits are predominantly linked to the high presence of Omega 3 fatty acids. Feeding Smart Linseed to your horse will promote healthy skin and will help add a high shine to his coat. Omega 3 fatty acids are thought to also play an important role in helping to maintain immune function and to support repair processes. RRP: ÂŁ18.99. www.castlehorsefeeds.com

O-Mega Shine oil supplement boasts 87% Omega oils. Its pure vegetarian formula contains Omega 3, 6 and 9. Customers have seen results with as little as 10ml a day, making it a very economical. Great for skin and coat as well as general health and wellbeing. Available in 1lt, 2.5lt and 5lt bottles. www.animal-health.co.uk

NUTRITION

How to improve

yOuR HORSE’S TOPLINE

he muscles that contribute to topline, over the neck, back and hindquarters, are essential for your horse’s balance, strength and performance, as well as his condition. Topline is a reflection of several factors and these should all be considered when trying to make improvements. A combination of diet and exercise make a significant contribution to topline, and both of these can be adapted for the best results. Whilst there is little you can do about his breeding and conformation, back pain, inadequate saddle fit or certain diseases might also need to be addressed or ruled out.

Protein Muscle consists largely of protein, which itself is made up of chains of amino acids. To improve your horse’s topline, he will require all of the ten essential amino acids in his diet. These amino acids are termed

essential because horses are not able to produce them themselves. The most limiting of these amino acids is lysine, followed by threonine and methionine. If there are insufficient essential amino acids in his diet, particularly lysine, protein synthesis will be limited and the development of optimal muscle and topline will be compromised. The percentage of crude protein stated on a feed label or sack doesn’t reflect the ability of that product to promote topline. The amount of protein could be high however, the quality of that protein could be poor. This will mean that the supply of essential amino acids is low and your horse will be unlikely to carry sufficient topline. The greatest results will be seen when using high quality protein. The best vegetable protein source for horses is soya, followed by linseed. Sunflower is used in some feeds and balancers but is of lower quality. Trying to balance the use of

poor-quality protein by adding synthetic amino acids, is not as effective as using the more expensive, quality protein ingredients.

What to feed? Your horse’s diet should be based on ad-lib forage. Spring grass, and/or early cut ryegrass haylage or hay, will generally have a higher protein content than other forage so will make a greater contribution to topline. However, if your horse is prone to laminitis or ‘fizzy’ behaviour, this forage may not be appropriate as it is also likely to be high in sugar. A high-fibre, late-cut hay would be preferable in those circumstances. Using a top specification conditioning feed balancer is an ideal way of balancing your horse’s forage diet for amino acids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. A top specification, conditioning feed balancer will usually provide a crude protein level of approximately 25%. Good

quality protein sources, such as soya, will be high on the ingredient list. Adding an alfalfa or grass chop to the feed balancer will only make a limited contribution to topline due to the small quantity fed. More significant improvements in topline will be seen when adding a blend containing good quality protein at a level of between 13 and 15%.

Exercise Although protein provides the building blocks for muscle and topline, increasing the amount and even quality of protein your horse receives, will not completely solve the problem on its own. Working in a correct outline, using the muscles over his topline, is also vital. Bear in mind that creating more topline from a combination of excellent diet and appropriate work is a long and continual process. To tailor this advice to your own horse, we recommend speaking to an experienced nutritionist. Article supplied by nutritionists from the TopSpec Multiple AwardWinning-Helpline. They can be contacted, free of charge, on 01845 565030.

Suggested Products... Baileys Top Line Conditioning Cubes are highly digestible, nonheating cubes which will promote condition that may have been lost over winter. Ideal for horses in work needing to build top line and muscle, while staying level-headed. Supported by performance levels of vitamins and minerals. SRP:around £13/20kg. www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Ideal when more time in the stable raises equine stress levels, Baileys Ease & Excel low starch mix is high in fibre and oil to provide slow release calories, and is BETA-accredited as suitable for those prone to gastric ulcers. SRP: around £14/15kg. www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Equerry conditioning feeds have been scientifically formulated to provide your horse with the calories and quality protein they need to promote muscle development, gain weight and improve topline. They contain highly digestible cereals to improve digestive efficiency and yeast to help promote a healthy digestive system. Conditioning Cubes provide a good source of fibre and contain high levels of oil to promote condition and a shiny coat. With added vitamins and minerals including magnesium and raised levels of vitamin E, an important anti-oxidant. www.equerryhorsefeeds.com

More Muscle is a powerful extract of Rice Bran supplement that helps to increase muscle capacity and condition, transforming your horse’s ‘top line’ in a month. RRP: £33.99/3kg. www.equine-america.co.uk

For adding topline and supporting muscle activity, the quality protein, with an ideal amino acid profile, contained within British Horse Feeds Cooked Linseed can help as well as being a great source of slow release energy. High levels of Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids gives a real shine to coat condition. British Horse Feeds Cooked Linseed also provides a good source of vitamins, trace elements and contains natural antioxidants. RRP: £24.99/20kg. www.britishhorsefeeds.com

A Super Fibre conditioning feed, Fibre-Beet is a formulated blend containing all the benefits of the original Speedi-Beet product, with added high quality Alfalfa for optimum condition and to provide quality protein for muscle tone and function. Alfalfa can help with topline and that extra finishing touch for competition horses, or simply in maintaining weight and a healthy, shiny coat. Fibre-Beet offers an excellent source of highly digestible fibre in a soaked form and provides slow release energy without the ‘fizz’. RRP: from £13.50. www.britishhorsefeeds.com

Baileys Outshine high oil supplement combines oils from soya and linseed to provide concentrated slow release calories which can be added to an existing balanced diet to promote condition and top line, without significantly increasing meal size. SRP: around £38/20kg. www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

NUTRITION minerals, like zinc, are essential for hormonal regulation in both sexes, whilst beta-carotene (the precursor to vitamin A) increases fertility and libido and is particularly beneficial to mares as it stimulates ovarian activity and can reduce the incidence of cycling problems.

Synergy

BREEDING & FERTILITY fEEDING fOR

ertility and pregnancy require nutritional support, just like the physical demands of performance, and any deficiency could lead to ‘under performance’, such as compromised fertility rates for the stallion or an inability to conceive in the mare. Whilst a fully balanced diet should provide all a mare or stallion needs, there are specific nutrients which play a role in fertility and the development of the foetus.

Protein

This is the major constituent of all body tissues; from muscle,

bone and skin to reproductive organs, and not just of the parent mare and stallion but of the resultant growing foal. Most stud feeds will therefore provide elevated levels of protein to meet these increased demands but the quality of the protein is just as important because this determines the types and amounts of the individual component amino acids available in the feed.

Omega 3 fatty Acids

Specific Omega 3 fatty acids are directly incorporated into cell walls and, since an egg and a sperm are single cells, the quality and integrity of their cell

By Baileys Horse Feeds

walls can have a direct affect on their viability. Indeed, research has shown that a deficiency of these fatty acids can lead to infertility and, as the horse’s body is incapable of manufacturing these ‘essential’ fatty acids, they must be supplied by the diet.

vitamins and Minerals Antioxidant vitamins, like C and E, are known to support fertility whilst the mineral, selenium, is vital for sperm formation and a deficiency has been shown to result in sperm abnormalities and reduced fertility. Other

Just as biotin is not the only nutrient involved in the production of healthy hooves so no one of these nutrients works in isolation and they all have different modes of action and interact with other nutrients in the body. For this reason, a fully balanced diet supplying a range of nutrients will have more and wider reaching benefits than attempting to supplement the diet with one or two selected nutrients. Indeed, keeping breeding stock on a balanced diet all year round, and not allowing extreme fluctuations of body condition, will help them maintain internal reserves and be in a better position to breed successfully.

Keep feeding

A mare in good condition, not fat or thin, and on a fully balanced diet prior to covering, will be more likely to conceive first time, sparing the cost of further coverings or lengthy spells at stud. It’s then vital that the mare continues to receive this balanced diet from conception onwards as development of the foetus commences immediately and requires nutritional support throughout gestation. Continued overleaf...

NUTRITION Continued from previous page...

possible that further supplementation may be Research has shown that the beneficial, although breeders growing foetus lays down stores should consult their vets first to of minerals in the liver, on which determine any possible to draw when it is born and underlying cause. Certainly growing rapidly, so a deficiency there’s a case for stallions whose in the mare’s diet during semen is collected for AI to pregnancy can have a ‘knock-on’ receive additional Omega 3 fatty effect on the growth of the foal. acids in the diet because the This is when products like direct incorporation of these nutrient dense, a low calorie into the cells helps create stud balancer become invaluable stronger membranes more able as you can maintain nutrient to withstand the aggressive intake without supplying freezing and thawing processes potentially unwanted calories. involved. There is also potential benefit to the mare since they Extra Help Where a mare or stallion still has are metabolised to antiinflammatory compounds in the fertility issues, despite a good body and this is thought to quality balanced diet, it’s