Central Horse News What's On August/September 2026, issue 237
WHAT’S ON FREE
CONTENTS
4. WIN£200 worth of Pure Feed in our Giveaway!
6. Pre-Purchase Vettings by HookNor ton Vets
8. Thehardest decision by Avonvale Vets
10. Yourhorse’s digestion by Cor ner House Vets
14. A visit to HolmeLacey College by Jo Monck
18. News fromthe Ring
19. Hanbur y Show repor t andpics
20. HoningtonShow repor t andpics
22. PreviewingtheBritishDressage Championships
24. Diar yDates– over 500listings for August and September
37. Local Ser vices Director y
Cover: Competitors intheHunt Challenge at HoningtonShow 2026 Image by: by countylifelens.com
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Editor: Bar bara Gadd b.gadd@centralhorsenews.co.uk Tel: 07853 881927
FROMTHEEDITOR
featur for this part of the summer.
There’s also veterinary advice from practices in the region on
Helloagainand welcome to ourpick of local features forthis part of thesummer. In ourquest to spotlighttraditionallocal shows we’repleased to include repor ts fromHoningtonShowin Warwickshire andHanburyin Worcestershirethistime. There’salso expert veterinaryadvicefrompractices inthe regionon pre-purchase vettings,equinedigestionand euthanasia. Last but notleast our roving repor ter Jo MonckvisitsHolmeLaceyCollege inHerefordshire to learnwhyit’s renowned forits farriery training–you can readallaboutthaton page14.
Ihave noideaifthe weatherwillhave changedbetweentime of writingthisand publication, but at themoment, it’s definitelynot horse friendly weather.Thegroundislike concrete, theheat is relentless andthehorse flies seem particularlyvicious.Mypoor ponies have beenspendingmost of thedayintheshadytrees aroundthe fencelineonly venturing outwhenthe afternoon cools. Whilstthelengthyspell of dry weather was welcome forhaymaking, yieldfrom my hayfield wasonlyabout twothirds of an average year. Drought conditionshave remindedme to put out sources of water forwildlifewhen rainis scarce.Ashallowbowlortrayaway from thehorses’ troughcan work well, refilled regularlyandideallywith some form of gradualaccess so thetiniest creaturesdon’t fallin anddrown.
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What a vettingis(andisnot)
Apre purchase examinationor ‘vetting’ is usually composed of 5 stages:
1. Examinationinthe stable. Thisincludes confirmingthehorse’s identity by reference to microchip/ passpor t, palpatingthe horse’s body and legs all over, auscultation of the hear t and lungs with a stethoscope and examination of the eyes in a dar kenedenvironment.
2. Examination at walk andtrot in a straight line, including flexion tests andlungingon a hard (+/soft) circle Thisallows assessment of thehorse’s gait and way of moving without a riderandassessment of any lameness
3. Examinationunder saddle Thiswillinclude some work ata faster gait to allow assessment of any inspirator y noise thehorse may make. Ever y vet isdifferent, butI would usuallyask a horseto perfor m whatever movements onthe flat are appropriate for its age and stage of training(eg a green 4yo would beasked to walk, trot andcanterin fairlybigcircles inboth directions butI wouldask a GrandPrix dressage horseto per form a smallamount of all higher level movements. Thisisnot for assessment as a dressage judge, but rather to allow assessment of how evenlythehorse can use itselfonboth reinsandany movements withwhichit struggles – for examplewhether thehorse steps evenlybehindinpiaffe and
whether thequality of theleft and rightflying changes isequal. I would for instance assess a Mediumlevel horse differentlyifis being purchased to continue at that level or to go up to Small Tour –withthelatter I wouldbelookingmore critically at how comfor tablethehorse is taking weight behind
4. Rest period. Thisallows assessment of thehorse at rest inthe stable(whenitmay also display any stablevices) and to allow thehorseto ‘stiffenup’ post exercise
5. Further walk andtrot examination. Thisallows assessment for any lameness that may have developedpost exercise. Flexion tests or lunging onthehard may be repeated at this stage ifthere were any concerns at Stage 2
A blood sampleis usually takenat the end of a vetting Thisis routinely stored for6 monthsinan external laborator y to allow for testingifthere were any questions raised af ter purchase regardingwhetherthe horse had receivedany medication (eg painkillers, steroidmedicationor sedatives) prior to the vetting
Ifindicated by the findings at the vetting, by your request, or for insurance requirements the following additional examinationsmay also be performed:
• Endoscopy of theupperair ways
• Ultrasound examination of tendonsand ligaments
• Radiography of specific regions
At theend of allthis, there isnota specific ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ but ratherthe following conclusion:
‘In my opinion, onthe balance of probabilities, the conditions repor ted above DOorDONOT prejudice thishorse’s suitability for purchase to be used for…’
Essentially a5 stage pre purchase examinationisasdetailedan examinationaspossible of a horse by a veterinarianin1-1.5hrs inorder for them to make theirbest assessment of thehorse ontheday. What itis not, however, is a guarantee of future soundness or a warranty! Ifthisis of concer n, taking out aninsurance policy against vets fees andloss of use isarguably a good idea, as well as a warranty regardingprevious soundness andabsence of vices fromthe vendor Itisalso impor tant to note thata vetting certificate isan opinion – whilst there are obviously many serious findings that all vets would conclude rendered a horse not suitable, there are also plenty (such as a mildlypositiveflexion test inan olderhorse and somecataracts or sarcoids)which some vets would feel were not necessarilyunsuitable, but another vetmay reach a different opinion
How can you help your vet dothe best job for you:
• Be realisticabout your ability and what you plan to dowiththehorse so your vet hastheappropriate planned use inmindwhenthey examinethehorse
• Tell your vetif there was anything that concerned you when you triedthehorse oranything you are worriedabout(maybefrom a previous horse) so they don’t disregardafindingthat couldbe more significant to you
• You may wish to ask the vendor for thehorse’s veterinar y history before the vetting, particularlyif there are any unexplained gaps in its competitionhistory (it is very helpful to beable to look so many results uponlinethese days!)
• Be present during the vetting so if there are any concerning findings or lameness you can see them!
• Make sure there are suitable facilities for the vetting at the venue at which youhave booked it – specificallythatthere is somewhere hard,level and safe to lungeonthehard anda stable that canbemade fairlydar k inwhich to examinethe eyes (moder n American barns are lovelyand light andair y but oftennot very good for this part). Remember –thebetter facilities your vethas inwhich to work,thebetterthe examinationthey cando for you!
• If you are planning to insurethe horse, speak to your insurance company before the vetting so that you are aware of their requirements For instance, if you are planning to insureahorse for over £10,000, most insurance companies will requirea specific set of x-rays (withspecific views), thelist of whichshouldbe
supplied to your vetin advance of the vetting As withthe vetting itself, some radiographic findings can be subject to different interpretations so you may want to waituntiltheinsurance company hasalso had a chance to examine the radiographsandplace any exclusionthey wishbefore decidingwhether to goaheadwith the purchase. Remember –a vet is assessinganyfindings tosee whetherthey pose a significant increased riskin purchase but an insurancecompany islikely to exclude findingsthey feelpose any increasedrisk
• If you have a good relationship with your usual vet and itis feasible for them to travel to vet your new prospective purchase thenthat can often work wellas they know you, your setupand previous history best. Ifnot, don’t be afraid to askthem for any recommendations for suitable vets they may know inthearea
Aboutthe Author: SamCutts
Samisan experienced Equine vet and Director of Hook Nor ton Veterinary Group, with a particularinterest in per formance horses (particularly inoptimisingper formance, pre purchase examinationsand reproductive work). Samhas herself competed up to 5* eventing andInterI dressage; experience whichmeanssheisindemand asknowledgeable ‘eyes onthe ground’ for vettings Sam also acts asanExper t Witness with a particular interest in Post PPE disputes.
Makingthedecision to say goodbye to our horses is one of thehardest things we have to doashorse owners. Although we can nevermake thistime any easier, itcan help to be prepared by knowingwhat to expect andwhat we can consider whenmakingthedecision
Makingthedecision to put your horse to sleep
Thedecision to puta horseto sleep shouldbe based onquality of life. As muchas wewouldall want our horses to bewith us forever, we have to considertheir welfare and happiness, andunfortunatelythisdoes eventually mean takingactiononbehalf of our equine companions Makingthe final decisionisnever easy; sometimes thischoice is taken away from us, for example inemergency situations where there isno otherhumane option available, but of teninolder horses, oranimals with chronic painor illness such resolutioncanbeharder to reach
You may know whentheright time is for yourhorse, but somethings to be consideringand to look out for are:
- Does yourhorse stillbehave and act as usual?
- Dothey stillinteract withthe rest of theherd?
- Are they still eatingas enthusiasticallyas usual?
- Dothey still comeandgreet you like normalandmove aroundtheir fieldor stable freely?
- Are they stillable to get down, have a nice rollandget back up again easily?
TheBritishHorse Society have a really usefulquality of lifechar t availablewhichcanhelp you to assess whethertheirquality of life and comfor t are acceptable
When consideringthe welfare of yourhorse with a chronicor deteriorating condition, something to rememberisthat itis often kinder to put them to sleep a day too early than a day too late meaningthat they never have to know or experience any suffering
What happenswhen we put your horse to sleep
Thereare twoacceptable methodsin the UK for humanely euthanisingan equine; these are by lethalinjectionor using a free bullet. Bothmethodsare humane andquick,anditis personal preference which you choose for your
equine, although itis impor tant to be aware that in anemergencysituation there may onlybeonemethod available
Thelethal injection canonlybe given bya veterinar y surgeon Usuallythe horse will be sedated and acatheter placed in thelarge veinin their neck. The final injection, which is like an overdoseof anaesthetic, is then given The horse will usually take somedeep breathsbefore their knees buckle andthey fall to theground,as soon as this star ts to happen, they have lost consciousness andare unaware of what is going on. Once thehorse is down itis common tosee some involuntary muscle twitches andleg movements as wellas somemore reflex deepbreaths. Itcan take a few minutes for thehear t to stop but the horse will remain unconscious and peacefulduringthis time
If you chooseto haveyourhorse euthanised with a free bullet this can be done by a vet, slaughterman, hunt kennelorknackerman but they must hold a licence to useafirear m. These days a lot of vets donotcar ry orhave a license forafirear m so itis worth checking beforehand if you would prefer this method.
Options for afterwards
There area few options for thebody of yourhorse af terwards.
You canhaveyourhorse cremated and have theashes brought back to you in a box orcasket.There are now many companies offeringthis so itis worth looking around tosee what sort ofservice you wouldprefer
You canhaveyourhorse taken away and communallycremated,and you donot have theashes back from yourhorse This is probablythemost common choice
If you haveyourhorse on your own landthen you may beable to make ar rangements to bury yourhorse, but there are some rules and regulations involved withthis so you wouldneed to check with yourlocal authority toseeif this is anoption on yourland.
Making a plan
One of themost useful things that you candoas a horse owner is to have a
plan in place so that in anemergency situation, or if yourhorse became ill or injured while you were not around, your choices are known
Especially if you have anelderly equine, it can be useful to ensure that your vet knows if someone other than yourselfhas per mission to give consent for euthanasia of yourhorse It is also useful to have a plan in place for themethod you wouldpreferand what you would like to bedone with yourhorse’s body af terwards Make sure that anyonewho is looking af ter your horse while you go away, and your yard owner, are aware of these decisions.
Muchas itis difficult to think about euthanasia, having a plan in place can makea very sad and difficult time less stressful.
Suppor t available
Sometimesa difficult decision to make for horse owners is whetherthey want to bethere holdingtheir horse at the end. This is a very personal decision; there is certainly no right orwrong answer and your vets will suppor t you whatever you decide It is impor tant to have a friendly face to keep yourhorse calm, but this does not have to be you
About the Author:
Carys Morgan BVScMRCVS
Carys has worked in equine practice since graduating from Liverpool in 2018, and af tera brief stint working in Shropshire moved to Warwickshire. She enjoys allaspects of first opinion practice but is particular ly interested in spor ts horse medicine, lameness and wounds.
if you think it will be too upsetting It couldbe a tr usted friend or yard owner, ormost practices will have veterinar y nurses orassistants whoare available to helphere.
If you are struggling to know when the time is right, or think you would like suppor t overthe euthanasia of your equine there are people out there dedicated to help. The first por t of callcanalways be your vet. They know yourhorse and their case well andcanadvise you onthe specifics, butthere is also furthersuppor t out there. The BHS have a Friends at TheEnd scheme, BlueCross have a bereavement service, and World Horse Welfare also have suppor t available.
When notat work,Caryscan usually be found ridingor vaulting, tailed by hernaughty collie, Ginny. She wasa member of theEnglish Vaulting Squad and has represented Great Britain on a number of occasions notably at the World Equestrian Games in Tr yon 2018, the European Championships in 2019and 2023, and World Championships in Her ning in 2022. Shenow runs her own vaulting club - Midland Equestrian Vaulting Avonvale Equine Practice, TheChurns, Home FarmDrive, Upton, Banbury, Oxon, OX15 6HU. www.avonvaleequine.co.uk
Gut Feeling: Why YourHorse’s DigestiveHealthMatters
ByKateBurmanBVM&SMRCVS
Whether yourhorse is a happy hacker, a competition superstar or a retired companion,a healthy digestive system is fundamental to their wellbeing
Horses have evolved to spendmost of theirday grazing, andtheir digestive tract isper fectlydesigned fora steady intake of fibre. Moder n management, however, does not always mir ror nature- andthat’s whendigestive problemscanarise.
Understandinghow yourhorse’s gut works canhelp you make better management decisionsand recognise the warningsignswhen something isn’t quite right.
Built to Graze
Unlike humans, horses have a surprisinglysmall stomach, capable of
holdingonlyaround 8–15 litres. Food passes through relatively quickly into thesmallintestine, where nutrients suchasprotein, fat and vitaminsare absorbed. Fromthere, itenters the largeintestine - thecaecumand colon - where billions of beneficial bacteria and other microbes ferment fibre to produce energy
Thismicrobial populationis incrediblyimpor tant but also surprisinglydelicate, relyingon consistency. Sudden feedchanges, stress, illness orprolongedperiods without foragecanupset the balance, potentiallyleading to digestive upset.
Thesimplest way to suppor t gut healthis to provide good-quality forage for asmuch of thedayas possible If concentrates are needed, they should complement- not replace - forage, andany dietar y changes shouldbeintroduced gradually over seven toten days
Top Tip Always introduce new feeds gradually over 7-10 days to allow the hindgutmicrobes time to adapt.
CommonDigestive Disorders
Choke
Most horses love their food, but eating tooquickly can sometimes result in choke. Fortunately, unlike inpeople, horses with choke can stillbreathe because thewindpipe remainsopen. Instead, foodbecomes lodgedin theoesophagusbefore reachingthe stomach.
Thiscanappear a very scar y condition for horsesand owners withsignsincluding repeated swallowing, coughing, stretching theneckand feedor saliva coming from thenostrils Somehorses becomeincredibly stressedand star t throwingthemselves aroundand can sometimes looklike they have colic Most cases resolve ontheir ownwithin anhourhowevera smaller
percentage of cases require veterinar y intervention If you suspect yourhorse haschoke you should remove all feed andcall your vet immediately Soaked feedswhenappropriate, usingslowfeedingmethodsand ensuring routine dental checks can all reduce the likelihood of ithappening
Colic: Every Owner’s Biggest Fear
Few words worr y horse owners more than colic Ratherthanbeing a disease itself, colicsimplydescribes abdominal pain andcan have many different causes, from excess gas to impactionsormore serious intestinal twists
Early signsmay besubtle Yourhorse may becomequiet, lose interest in food, paw thegroundor repeatedly look at theirflank More severe cases may involve rolling, sweatingor persistent discomfort.
Impaction colicisfrequently seenin stabledhorses whoare eating a large quantity of hay andmaybe having limited exercise orturnout. Horses on box rest for aninjur y are particularly prone to impactions
How to prevent impactions:
- keepall feedsandhay wet
- encourageplenty of water intake
- allowgentle walking orhand grazing
- Regular dental checkups
- Monitortheamountand consistency of yourhorses’ droppingsdaily and respond to any changes quickly
Gasorspasmodic colicis often seenwith any dietary ormanagement changesuchaschangingonto a lush paddockorwhenthegrass star ts comingthroughinspring Remember to make all management changes slowly to helpdecrease therisk
Whilenot ever y episodecanbe prevented,maintaining consistent routines, encouraging regularturnout
image of an equine stomach showingthemain anatomicallandmarks
and exercise, providing constant access to fresh water andintroducing dietar y changes slowlyallhelp reduce therisk
If you suspect colic:
- contact your veterinar y surgeon immediately
- While waiting for your vet to arrive KEEP CALM
- Remove any food
- If safe to do so then youshould tr y to walkthehorse. Ideally walk aroundin a fieldorménage so that it is safe ifthehorse decides to get down and roll.
- Donot administermedication unless advised by your vet.
TheHiddenProblem:Gastric Ulcers
EquineGastricUlceration Syndrome (EGUS) is far more commonthanmany owners realise Itisn’t confined to elite competitionhorses; leisure horses, ponies and even foalscandevelop ulcers.
Risk factors for gastriculcers include:
- Longperiods of time without forage(especiallyduringdaylight hours)
- high-concentrate, cereal-richdiets
- prolongedtranspor t
- Limitedgrazingorturnout
- Competition highintensity training schedules andintensive management
- EquineSquamous GastricDisease (ESGD) - moststronglylinked to diet, fastingand exercise
- EquineGlandularGastricDisease (EGGD) - more closelyassociated with stress, intensive management, frequent exerciseandchronic pain Diagnosis using gastroscopy allows you to determinethe type of ulcerationpresentandchoose anappropriate treatment and management plan. Thedistinction betweenthe two types of ulceration isimpor tant astherisk factors, prevention, treatment and responseto treatment candiffer betweenthe two conditions
Treatment dependsuponthe type of ulcerationpresent but involves using dr ugs such as Omeprazole(oral paste orinjections), Esomeprazole, sucralfate andpotentiallymisoprostal. Supplements to suppor t gastrichealth canalso be useful.
Preventative Measures:
- Ad lib forage,especiallyduringday
light hours
-Maximise turnout
- Reduce starchand cerealintake Give highfibre andoil feedswhere possible
- Feed a smallchaff based meal 2030 minutes before exercise to help buffer stomachacid
Did you know? A horse’s stomach produces acid 24 hoursaday, even whenitisn’t eating. Regularaccess to foragehelps buffer thisacidnaturally
Diarrhoea:More Than Just a Messy Stable
Loosedroppingsare never something to ignore. Diarr hoea can result from suddendietary changes, infections, parasites, antibiotics, toxicplants ordistur bances inthenormalgut bacteria
Because horses can lose significant amounts of fluidandelectroly tes, persistent diar rhoea canquickly become serious If yourhorse develops ongoingdiarr hoea, appears dullorshows signs of colic, veterinar y advice shouldbe sought withoutdelay.
Worms: Small Parasites, Big Problems
Internal parasites remain an impor tant causeof digestive disease, despite the availability ofeffective worming treatments. Heavy parasite burdens can damagetheintestines, reduce nutrient absorptionand even contribute to colic
Today’s best practice focuses on targeted parasite control ratherthan routineblanket worming
Modern Worming – test, don’t guess!
Regular faecal worm egg counts,
strategic testing for tapeworm and appropriate treatment for encysted small redwor m helpprotectboth your horse andthelong-term effectiveness of wormingmedicines. Your vetor SQP(SuitablyQualified Person)can helpdevelop a programme tailored to your yard.
Good pasture hygieneisequally impor tant. Simplemeasures include:
- Poo-pickingfields at least twice weekly
- Avoiding overstocking
- Rotatinggrazingwhere possible
- Quarantiningand testingnew arrivals.
Top Tips fora Healthy Gut
• Base thediet onplenty of goodquality forage.
• Maximise turnoutwhere possible
• Introduce feedchangesgradually over 7–10days
• Ensure constant access to fresh, clean water.
• Ar range routine dental examinations
Op inion
• Followa targeted worm control programme
• Minimise stress where possible through consistent management.
• Monitor droppings, appetite and behaviour ever yday
A healthy digestive systemsupports ever ythingfromenergylevelsand
Aboutthe Author:
Kate Burman BVM&S MRCVS
body condition to behaviourand per formance. By understanding how yourhorse’s gut functionsand recognisingthe early signs of digestive disease, you can help keep yourhorse happier, healthier anddoingwhat they dobest - enjoyinglife onemouthful of forage ata time.
Kate isHead Veterinasr y Surgeonat CornerHouse EquineClinicwhere shehas worked for 17 years. Kate enjoys allaspects of Equine work but specialises in studmedicine, poorper formance includinggastric ulcerationandorthopaedicdisease, andanaesthesia.
Outside of work Kate is kept busy withher two children eitheron a footballpitch,at pony clubortravelling abroad to international Vaulting competitions. CornerHouse EquineClinic Longwood Park, Ullenhall Lane, Ullenhall, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, B95 5PE Tel: 01564 743033
Why drought may bethecatalyst for better pasture management
Thisisthe second year my laminitichasn’t shownat least some early warningsigns by July Thegrass in my small-ish paddockis brown and somewhat crispunder foot andI wonderif the sward will have enough resilience to recover before winter weather sets in to poachit further
Anotherfield’s hay crop overthelast couple of yearshas reducedfrom averaging over 160 bales to just overthe 100 andhay hasshot upinprice ever ywhere. I’llhave to buy in extra this year, andifthis weather pattern becomes thenorm, maybe ever y year
TodayI choppeddown a few patches of nettles that the horses willhoover uponce they’ve wilted.The process got methinkingas I worked. Pasture maintenance is a chore that often goes to the bottom of my list. Yes, yes, I’ll strimthose docks, pullthe Ragwor t earlierinstead of forgettingit ‘tilit flowers – evenpoo pickmore regularly As I cuttheponies follow me fora few bits of greenthey hadn’t hadchance to getat previously. Ever y inch of theground is suddenly valuable, and weeds, otherthanbeneficialher bs, will have to go, alongwiththe sour roughsandlawns created by leaving droppingswhere they fall.
Grass– often the bane of our lives if we have metabolically challengedequines- isnow also being recognisedas the valuable food source itis - nolonger taken forgrantedandcared for when we geta minute. I thinkthe future islikely tosee more of us nurturingthe resource we once took for granted- to ensure our horses don’t gohungry
EversinceIgot my first ponyIhave had a farrier. At theage of eleven backin the1970sit was Ron Gascoigneandhis father; even asanadult Inevercalledhim Ron, alwaysMrGascoigne.The twoMr Gascoignes used to shoeCharlotte by the fieldgate downabridleway af terIhadcapturedher–aprocess that used to take awhileand af ter Ihad finallygothold of herthey wouldthen coldshoe.Isupplied thebiscuits; tea making facilities beingalittledifficultdown a bridleway!
TheGascoignesshodallthekids’ poniesin ourvillageand were very mucha part of theclose village communityIgrew upin.Shoeing wasjust something youhaddone, I didn’t thinkmuchabouttheprocess
of howthey came to be farriers or howthey had learnedtheirtrade. I reallydowishIhadasked–knowing nowhowincrediblyimpor tant the farrieris to lifewith horses.
Thecraf t of farrierydates back over 2000 years to the Roman Empire; the word Farrieroriginating fromthe word Ferrour meaning ‘Shoer of Horses’.Originallythe sameasBlacksmiths, theybecame aspecialized separate profession to managevitalhoofcareas horses were employedabsolutely ever ywhere fortranspor t, warfare andagricultureamongst other things. Early hoofprotection was calledaHipposandal–a sort of wovenleatherandmetalhoofboot. This soonprogressedon to metal shoeswhich were considered to be so precious duringthe 12 th centur y thatthey could evenbe used to pay
taxes !
The WorshipfulCompany of Farriers was formed by the Lord Mayor of Londonin 1356 when Farriersin the City of London were gathered to createa Fellowship to standardize the trade,protect customersandpractitionersand oversee the welfare of horses In 1674 King Charles IIgranted the Worshipful Company of Farriersits first Char ter which establishedthe companyas a corporate bodywith theauthority to oversee training apprenticeships and conduct within the profession
Armedwith my researchand memories, it was anabsolute pleasure to spendan aftern oon at HolmeLacy College,situated just five miles outsideHereford, where inpeaceful rural sur roundings the collegededicates itself to agricultureand has becomewidely known for the Blacksmithand Farriery courses provided by the National School of Blacksmithing. HolmeLacy Collegeis set in a 257-hectare estate whichhas anarable,beefand sheep farm including woodland, orchards and lakes. As wellas the Farrieryand
Some of the equinecourse students
Blacksmith courses there are full or part time courses in metal work, welding, forestry andarboriculture, horse careand management and animal care. Alongside,thereare numerous short courses for learning something new or expandingon a hobbywhilstinthe company of new peoplewhosharethe same interest
Holme Lacy isone of onlythree colleges intheUnitedKingdomthat offer the FarrierApprenticeship Program, andwith a 93% Ofsted pass rate itisone of theleaders intuition for this essentialtrade Anoptionprior to signingup for theapprenticeshipprogramis a Foundation Farriery course which covers horse biology, horse health, horse handlingand forge work This course is a yearlongand puts a studentin a reallygoodposition to obtainanapprenticeshipwith an Accredited Training Farrier (ATF) andprogress on to thenext training course
TheApprenticeship Farrier course at Holme Lacey is a forty-eight month course which covers all aspects of farrier y. The facilities at the college are exceptional,with eighteen forges inthe farrier forge and a bespokeshoeing bay for six horses Classsizes are small which ensures that students get individual tuition
Af ter finishingthe course students become professionallyqualified farrierswho are able to train other farriersand are acceptedon to the Registration of Farriers. Thereishigh demand both overseasand at home forUKtrained farriersastheyare consideredthebest inthe world.
Thereisalsoanequine yard onsite at Holme Lacy, whichis a great bonus to learninghere, bothinthe theoryandthepracticalside of handlinghorses
Af terI left the forge where I had been watchingtheshoeingtutorial, I watched a BHS level two lesson inthe outdoorarena.The college is a BHS ApprovedRidingCentre offering Horse Care Level 2, a fulltime vocationalprogram. Students work toward BHS qualifications alongsidetheir Level2 or Level3 technical diplomas
As wellasan immaculate yard, facilitiesinclude outdoorandindoor arenas, so rainnever stopsplaywith
theaddedadvantage of numerous farr iersonhand!
Thethingthat stru ck me as I left Holme Lacy were the number of
Poppy Pritchard,who is currentlya student at Holme Lacy says “I enjoygoing to collegeand meetingupwith otherapprentices on the course. College isa place where we can alllearn together andhave constructive feedbackon what we have been learningin the workplace. I alsoenjoy learning about horseanatomy atcollegewhere the teachers usedifferentaidssuchas models and diagrams tohelp us.I like thechallenge of seeing a range of differenthorsesat college from ponies to Shires!’
smiling faces of students and the warm welcomeI receivedfromall.If horsesare your vocationIcan’t think of abetterplace to train
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StoneleighEliteEquine Auction returns
Followingthe outstandingsuccess of its inaugural sale last November,the Stoneleigh Elite Equine Auctionwill return to Stoneleigh Park onthe weekend of the 28th & 29th November 2026, once againbringing together some of the countr y’s finest show animals.
HeldalongsideTheShowing Register Amateur of the Yearand theShowing World Awards, last year ’s auction attractedhundreds of spectators and buyers, with 30 elite ponies goingunderthe hammer.
Thesuccess of the salehasalready been reflected intheshow ring. The auction’s top-pricedlot, Thistledown BlueGrass, sold for £10,500 before goingon to qualif y for Horseof the YearShow 2026 inthe Mears-Wood Family Lead Rein Pony of Hunter Type of the Year at MidlandCounties Show. Ridden by Florence Rendall, owned by RachaelHelliwellandled by CassieHelliwell,thepony has demonstratedthecalibre of animal presentedat theinauguralauction Buildingonthesuccess of the first event, Thistledown Studwill once againpresenta selection of outstandingponiesat Stoneleigh, whileauctioneers Clee Tompkinson & Francisare invitingapplications from owners andproducers withponies andhorses of exceptionalquality.
Vendorplaces are strictlylimited, andonlyanimals of genuine topclass quality willbe selected.The
auctionis seekinghorses andponies that are alreadyperforming at the highest level orpossess thequality, pedigree andpresence to become future Horseof the YearShow stars. Ever yentry willbecarefully assessed to ensure potential buyers can expect an outstandingcatalogue of elite animals
Owners wishing to have their horses or ponies considered for inclusionare invited to submit full details, recent photographs, breedinginformationandany relevant show results to brecon@ctf-uk.comorcallShae Price on 07792 652 184.
Pho to : 1s t Cla ss Image s
SEIBSearch fora Starand Racehorse to RidingHorse at Addington
There wasa win for Lucia Thomas fromBreconridingher smallhack, Dowhills BelleBaie known as Poppy inthe Riding Horse Hackclassat the British Show HorseAssociation(BSHA) Spring Show at Addingtonin Buckinghamshire inMay. Lucia said: “We were pulledinsixth af ter thego round and thenshe went really well for the ridejudge andthe conformationjudgeliked her too so we moved right up! I bought Poppy as a two-year-old withSearch fora Starinmind. I’ve done ever ythingwithherand shehas a brilliant temperament enjoyinggoing out onthe mountainsand forestry and even thebeach.”
Northamptonshire based Joseph Stockdale riding Joy Cocklinand Laura Stockdale’s mare Cacharelin action at LaBaule, France recently where they were part of Team Audevard who claimed 4thplace inthe CSIO5* Coupe De Nations.
Pho to : Mila Fr omage
Hanbury CountrysideShow
Hanbur y Countr yside Show’s horse section was buzzing fromthe first class to the final rosette, attracting 455 entries, 30 more thanlast year, across a variedprogramme of British Showjumping, workinghunter, riddenhunter, cob, colouredand Retraining of Racehorses classes.
TheMainArena delivered some of theday’s most exciting competition GeorgineEllisenjoyed a standout af ternoon, taking both first and secondplace inthe National 1.30m OpenwithCroisiere andFireball X, before the pair reversedpositions to fillthe top two spots intheScaffoldingMDS Accumulator. SamanthaOliverand
First Corypheeclaimedthe Senior Foxhunterfirst round,whilethe fast-paced Two Fence Challenge endedin a remar kable four-way tie There were notable per formances across theshowing rings too. Annie McAndrew and Sk y secured two Rising Star victories, whileSumas Dandyand Felicity Vaughanalso completed animpressive double. Young riders shoneinthe BSPS classes, with
Florence Milczarek and Gadlys TopGunwinningtheOpenCradle Stakes, and Charlie Lea partnering Coco Bongo to victory intheOpen Nursery Stakes.
With strongentries, competitive judgingand enthusiasticringside suppor t, Hanbury once again provided a livelyshowcase for horses andridersat ever y level.
StepInsidetheHorsethisAugust
Horse owners, ridersandequestrian professionalsareinvited to discoverwhat reallyliesbeneaththeskin at theInside theHorse Anatomy Exhibition, taking place at HorsesInsideOutHQnear MeltonMowbray from 7–28 August 2026
Created by equineanatomist, author andHorsesInsideOut founderGillian Higgins, thisunique exhibitionbrings anatomy,biomechanicsandhorse care to lifethrough realanatomical specimens,skeletons,models, painted horses,interactivedisplays and
educationalvideos.
Visitorscan explore fascinating zones coveringthehead, teeth, limbs, muscles, pelvis, sacroiliac region,internalorgans, digestive systemandmore. Whether you are ahorse owner wanting to understand your ownhorse better,a coach, therapist, farrier, vet, lectureror student, the exhibition offersa rare opportunity to seeequineanatomy inaclear, practical andmemorable way.
Withchildren’s activities, guided toursandspecial events takingplace throughout August,itpromises to bean
inspiringday out foranyone passionate abouthorses.
Find outmoreandbooktickets at www.horsesinsideout.com/inside-thehorse
Tabitha Ford and Rhydfendigaid Brenin Bach Llwyd, Winner of the148cm Working Sports Pony Qualifier
Daisy Darby and Bankswood Savoir Faire, winner of Rising Star Style and Performance Series Young RiderQualifier
Leah Tolley withAlmkönig, Champion of the Foreign Breeds section
Jilly Pemberton and Sam Socks, Winner of AmateurHunter
Honington Show, nearShipston on Stour, Warwickshire
Sunday21stJune2026
Honington Show 2026 proved to be backwitha bang!So say the organisers, addingthat due to the unfor tunate cancellation in 2025, they were delighted to be backin Honington itselfwith a jam-packed schedule and over 300 entries this year There were somespeedy combinations intheshowjumping
andtheChase meCharlie reached animpressive 1.10m. The effor t in Fancy Dress was commendable with ‘TheGruffalo’ takingthe win. TheHunt Challengeclass welcomed confident partnerships, taking on the obstacles following FieldMasterAndrew Johnson The Hound Paradeisalwaysa spectacle, andthechildren were encouraged into thering to be a part of this wonderfultradition.
This yearallwinners received beautiful sashes, and of course the prestigious trophies went home with theirdeservingwinners.
A specialthank you to George Foxall of GHF Contracting, the lead sponsor of theshow, andthe endless helpers andsuppor ters who pulled together on theleadup to theshow and on theimpor tant day itself Those involvedare already looking forward to 2027
The event retur ns to the beautiful setting of Somer ford Park in Cheshire, from 10– 13 September 2026, where you can experience fourdays of outstandingdressagefromPrelim to GrandPrix, visit theshopping village full oftop equestrianbrandsand enjoya bite to eat in the food cour t. Overthe weekend you can expect to hear from our world-class dressage experts who will take to the arena to share their top tips and advice to get the best out of your training at home
Something for everyone
Throughout the week you can enjoy Britain’s best amateurand professional combinationsas they battle to take the Nationaltitles, there’s plenty to beinspired by.It’s the per fect late-summer outing, whether you’re bringing the family, catching upwithfriends, orjust fancy a day out inanequestrian setting
Experience thechampionships in style
Want to make yourvisit evenmore
special?Upgrade to the LeMieux Pavilion for the best views –overlooking the two mainarenaswith access to exclusive foodanddrink from Farmers Fayre. New for this year, all Pavilionticket holders can enjoy onefree hot drinkuponarrival. Planning to be thereall week? Then take advantage of our season pass deal – buy fourdays,and the first day ison us Whether you’re coming soloorbringing a group, it’s the per fect way to make a long weekend of it Onsite campingoptionsare also available, so you won’t missa moment of the action.
Come andsuppor t thespor t you love
You canview the fulltimetable, explore ticket optionsand secure
your spot by visiting the BD Nationals website. Ticket prices star tat £32 fora singleday, with 25% off for students aged16-25and children agedunder16goFREE!British Dressagemembers can enjoya 15% discount across alltickets. We can’t wait to welcome you to Somer ford Park this September –let’s celebrate the very best of British Dressage together.
09/08/2026UnaffiliatedDressage at TedworthEquestrian Centre, HumberLane,Tidworth,Wiltshire,SP9 7AW. Contact: 01980846464events@tedworthparkriding.com www.tedworth.ecpro.co.uk
27/08/2026BritishDressage at Radfords Equestrian,Lower Farm House,Llanymynech,Shropshire,SY226LG Contact: 01691831523www.radfords-equestrian.co.uk
27/08/2026BucksCountyShow at WeedonPark,nr Aylesbury, HP22 4NN.Contact:01296680400 info@buckscountyshow.co.uk www.buckscountyshow.co.uk
FRIDAY 28THAUGUST
28/08/2026TheBritishHanoverianSocietyAnnual Show at Moreton Morrell, Warwick, Warwickshire,CV359BL. Contact:03301356416wprodwell@warwickshire.ac.uk www.wcg.ac.uk
29/08/2026PonyClubRegionalFinals (29th-30th) at Aston Le Walls Equestrian, WashbrookFarm, WelshRoad, Aston le Walls,Daventry, Northamptonshire,NN116RT. Contact: astonlewalls.ec@gmail.com07854335542 between10am - 3pmwww.astonlewalls.net
SUNDAY 30THAUGUST
30/08/2026Coventry & KeresleyRCClubShowingShow at MarslandsFarmEquestrianCentre MontagueRd,Corley, CV78AZ.Contact: ckridingclub@gmail.com www.teamckrc.org
02/09/2026UnaffiliatedDressage atCheckendonEquestrian Centre, ReadingRG80NE.Contact:01491680225info@ checkendonequestrian.co.uk www.checkendonequestrian.co.uk
02/09/2026BritishDressage at HuntersEquestrian,Cherry TreeLane, Cirencester, Gloucestershire,GL75DT. Contact:07974387385,01285640790 www.huntersequestrian.co.uk
02/09/2026 BritishShowjumpingatWilloughby Park, Onley Grounds Farm,Nr Rugby CV238AJ.www.willoughbypark.co.uk
02/09/2026 TheAllEnglandSeptember Tour(2nd-13th) at TheAll EnglandJumpingCourse,Hickstead,Hassocks, West Sussex,BN69NS.Contact: office@hickstead.co.uk www.hickstead.co.uk
03/09/2026 BritishDressage at Radfords Equestrian, LowerFarm House,Llanymynech,Shropshire, SY226LG Contact:01691831523www.radfords-equestrian.co.uk
03/09/2026 TheAllEnglandSeptember Tour(2nd-13th) at TheAll EnglandJumpingCourse,Hickstead,Hassocks, West Sussex,BN69NS.Contact: office@hickstead.co.uk www.hickstead.co.uk
04/09/2026 TheAllEnglandSeptember Tour(2nd-13th) at TheAll EnglandJumpingCourse,Hickstead,Hassocks, West Sussex,BN69NS.Contact: office@hickstead.co.uk www.hickstead.co.uk
05/09/2026UnaffiliatedDressageatCheckendonEquestrian Centre, ReadingRG80NE.Contact:01491680225 info@checkendonequestrian.co.uk www.checkendonequestrian.co.uk
08/09/2026BritishDressageatNewbold VerdonEquestrian Centre, BarlestoneRd,Newbold Verdon,Leicestershire,LE99NE. Contact:07860348679 office@nvec.co.uk www.nvec.co.uk
08/09/2026BritishDressage at Willoughby Park, Onley Grounds Farm,Nr Rugby CV238AJ.www.willoughbypark.co.uk
08/09/2026
TheAllEnglandSeptember Tour(2nd-13th) at TheAll EnglandJumpingCourse,Hickstead,Hassocks, West Sussex,BN69NS.Contact: office@hickstead.co.uk www.hickstead.co.uk
08/09/2026UnaffiliatedDressage& Clear RoundShowJumping at TumpyGreenEC,Cam,Dursley, Glos, GL115HZ. Contact:01453899002 www.tumpygreenequestrian.co.uk
10/09/2026EveningMiniUnaffiliated Show Jumping at LeylandCourt Farm, Trench Lane,Winterbourne, Bristol BS361RY. Contact:01454773163info@leylandcourt.co.uk www.leylandcourt.co.uk
10/09/2026TheAllEnglandSeptember Tour(2nd-13th) at TheAll EnglandJumpingCourse,Hickstead,Hassocks, West Sussex,BN69NS.Contact: office@hickstead.co.uk www.hickstead.co.uk
10/09/2026BritishDressage at SolihullRidingClub, FourAshes Road,BentleyHeath,Solihull, WestMidlands,B938QE. Contact:01564770180 www.solihullridingclub.co.uk
13/09/2026 TheAllEnglandSeptember Tour(2nd-13th) at TheAll EnglandJumpingCourse,Hickstead,Hassocks, West Sussex,BN69NS.Contact: office@hickstead.co.uk www.hickstead.co.uk
19/09/2026UnaffiliatedDressage International 18th-20th) at Weston LawnsFarm,BedworthRd, Bulkington,Bedworth, Warwickshire,CV129JA.Contact:02475901024 secretary@weston-lawns.co.ukwww.weston-lawns.co.uk
20/09/2026Atherstone & DistrictRCSashShow at Theclub field, neartheLeicestershire/Warwickshire border, just off the A444,Upton CV13 6BNContact:07905451073 atherstonerc@gmail.com www.atherstoneanddistrictridingclub.co.uk
11/10/2026BritishEventingOneDayEventatSwalcliffe Park Equestrian,GrangeFarm,Swalcliffe,Oxon,OX155EX. Contact:01295780206 info@swalcliffeparkequestrian.co.uk www.swalcliffeparkequestrian.co.uk
Bedding
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