In this feature. . .
Maximise your warm-up time
Building
balance control
and
PART ONE: STRAIGHT AND SUPPLE Developing balance, suppleness and control are the most important factors in improving your horse’s performance, as five-star eventer Lydia Hannon explains
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As told to Fizz Marshall. Photos: Jon Stroud
reating a happy, strong and rideable equine athlete doesn’t happen by chance. But it’s not just professionals who can get a horse to this point, either. I’m going to share some of my tried and trusted techniques with you, because by making balance and control the focus of your riding – whether you’re working on the flat, over fences, or outside the arena – you can build a confident, resilient horse who’ll perform to the best of his ability. After all, that’s what all of us want, whether our sights are set on Burghley, a beach ride, or somewhere in between.
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In the saddle
New ways to use leg-yield
Why half-halts matter Our expert
Lydia Hannon competed successfully as a junior, including third place at the Junior European Championships. As a senior, she’s completed Burghley, Luhmühlen and jumped a double clear at Badminton. Based in South Herefordshire, Lydia’s now focusing her attention on coaching, and producing young horses.
Our model
Lydia rode Toots – a 17.1hh British-bred gelding by Billy Mexico. Owned by Linda Wallis and Cressida Legge, Toots was at the beginning of a very promising eventing career when he tragically died in a freak accident in late summer 2021.
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In this feature. . .
Perfect your horse’s lateral steps
Light on your feet
As told to Kiera Boyle. Photos: Lucy Merrell
From leg-yield to rein-back, Leanne Wall breaks down the movements found at Elementary level so you can excel in your next test
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t Elementary level, the questions asked of horse and rider are certainly more of a challenge than those seen at Prelim and Novice. With direct transitions, lateral movements and an element of collection introduced, you’ll need to fine-tune your training so you can ask your horse to perform each movement with the accuracy, straightness and power required. In the final instalment of my series, I’m going to talk you through some of the trickier movements you’ll need to tackle at this level and guide you through steps you can take at home that’ll leave you feeling confident that you can not only perform them in front of the judge, but also earn top marks.
Our expert
Leanne Wall is a List 1 judge, British Dressage Pony, Junior and Young Rider British team selector, and former Chef d’Equipe. As a British Dressage Accredited Coach, she trains competitors, riders and coaches involved in a broad spectrum of equine pursuits, including dressage, eventing, showjumping and driving.
Our models
Lee-Anne Pine rides her own Sandro’s Star. Poppy’s a 14-year-old Oldenburg who’s competing at Elementary level. The pair competed in the British Dressage Summer Area Festival this year.
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In the saddle
Learn the fundamentals of collection
Ace medium trot
You’ll need to fine-tune your training so you can ask your horse to perform each movement
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Things that go
bang in the night
Our expert
Des Payne is the British Horse Society (BHS) Safety Team Leader. He has over 30 years of equine experience in coaching and horsemanship.
Firework season’s rapidly approaching but what can you do to make it a happy one for your horse? The British Horse Society’s Des Payne answers your questions
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orses and fireworks definitely don’t make the best combination – the unusual, loud noises and flashing lights can upset even the quietest of equines. While there are increasing calls to reduce the public’s access to the brightly coloured pocket rockets, with our four-legged friends’ welfare at heart, what can you do in the meantime to keep your horse calm? With firework season on the horizon – which seems increasingly to stretch from pre-Guy Fawkes Night to the new year – here’s how you can proactively prepare your horse to keep the experience stress free.
Photos: Jon Stroud, Alla-Berlezova/Shutterstock.com, Jag_cz/Shutterstock.com
How can I acclimatise my horse to fireworks ahead of time?
Preparation and timing are everything. We all know that the firework season’s fast approaching, but if you haven’t started to prepare yet, don’t worry. We recommend introducing some firework noise from any portable device you have, played at a low volume to start with. Over a period of time, increase the volume to allow your horse to acclimatise to the sound. If you can’t find firework sounds, try brass band music, which is likely to have a similar impact. If your budget allows, find some colour changing LED lights since bright flashes can also frighten horses. Again, this can be introduced gradually over the course of a few evenings, and steadily built up alongside the music. If you share a yard with others, TOP TIP make sure that your fellow liveries are Always introduce ‘calming’ aware of your plans. They can then music to your horse before either include their horses in your a planned fireworks display desensitisation programme, or keep – otherwise it may end up them away to avoid startling them. having the opposite effect!
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69%* of owners are extremely concerned about their horse’s welfare due to fireworks
Management know-how
What can I do leading up to a firework display?
It’s important you know what’s going on around you and when – don’t leave it until Bonfire Night, as many will time their displays to happen in the days before (or after). Check out local social media groups and newspapers to see if there are any public displays advertised in your area at least a few weeks beforehand. You can reduce the risk of private display upset by letting your neighbours know that you have horses and the distress that this can cause. Non-horsey residents aren’t always aware of the impact fireworks can have on horses and other four-legged friends, so it can be really beneficial to have this conversation beforehand, rather than having a heated confrontation when it’s too late and tensions are high.
What can I do on the evening of a firework display?
TOP TIP
If you’re unlucky enough to experience a firework related incident, report it at horseincidents.org.uk or on the Horse i app.
If you know there’s going to be a fireworks display on a specific evening, you’ll need to try to remain as calm as you can – horses can pick up on your anxieties. Maintain the same routine as best you can, but if you know the timings then we’d recommend staying with your horse and playing music to soften the sound. If you’re on a yard with others, it’s a great idea to organise a rota to check in on the horses over the next few evenings while the fireworks are likely to go off.
How can I keep me and my horse calm? TOP TIP
An unsettled horse is unpredictable, and potentially unsafe. During stressful times, make sure you handle your horse wearing a helmet, gloves and suitable footwear – and only if you absolutely have to.
Have faith that your pre-planning has prepared you and your horse! However, you may wish to consult with your vet if in previous years your horse has been extremely unsettled.
71%*
of horses have shown fear of fireworks in the past, with 49% becoming difficult to handle HORSE&RIDER 105