Your Horse

WHEN FACED WITH a plethora of bits to choose from, with everything from Waterfords to Weymouths on the market, it can be easy to forget that, for some horses, a bit may simply not be the right way to go and so perhaps bitless could be the answer. But

For all the latest news from the horse world, visit yourhorse.co.uk SPORT New faces and tested Olympians are on the dressage, showjumping and eventing squads that will represent Great Britain at the Paris Olympic Games (26 July-11 August). Carl Heste

Some horse owners are going without food and heating to feed their horses, while others are even cutting back on regular farriery to make ends meet, a survey has shown. The National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) has released the findings of its cost

The only charity working with equines in Gaza, West Sussex-based Safe Haven for Donkeys, needs donations to fund its vital work with the donkeys and horses who are providing a lifeline for people in the war zone. Since the Israeli-Palestinian conflic

CONTROL AND CONFIDENCE are two key ingredients for a successful hack, and for many riders the tack they choose to use feeds into this. Two key elements are bit and bridle: the right combination for a horse can make all the difference to enjoying a ri

There are five main types of bitless bridle and they are categorised by their action. “The more areas to which they apply pressure, the stronger they are,” explains Jane. “The best way to decide which type of action will best suit your horse is to te

PARA DRESSAGE STAR Mari Durward-Akhurst is blessed to share a trait with her stunning 17.2hh black mount, Athene Lindebjerg. They are both laid-back individuals who take life as it comes and are as cool as cucumbers in front of judges when between th

Freelance photographer The performing arts snapper explains how she fell into her enviable day job, and came upon her horse, Ollie, who she took on during the Covid pandemic. I'm a freelance photographer specialising in the performing arts. A major p

To enter, visit yourhorse.co.uk/win/DefenderBurghley520 The lucky winners will each receive… • A family season pass and car pass. • One place on a course-walk (Thursday and Friday only). • A special Burghley goody bag. YOUR HORSE HAS teamed up with t

Keep your photos coming in to yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk Send in your pics! Me and my best friend, Blue, are having snuggles. I'm a disabled rider and we mainly do hacking. We have started on our dressage journey, too, and it's going well. Blue is a traditio

To enter, visit yourhorse.co.uk/win/FirstAidKits520 FIVE LUCKY HORSES will thank their winning owners when they receive this fabulous prize of a Horse First Aid Kit and access to an online training course, delivered by a qualified vet from NKC Equest

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: • Expert tips to help you stay in control • Easy ways to boost confidence across the country • How to stay safe and go clear every time PART ONE BOY, CAN THIS horse move! An ex-steeplechaser, The Land Agent (aka Bruno) is no slouch

Grand prix dressage rider and breeder BECKY MOODY has represented Great Britain internationally since her junior days and she was recently selected for the British team heading for the Paris Olympic Games with her top horse, the home-bred Jagerbomb.

PART THREE MISSED A PREVIOUS PART? Buy Your Horse back issues at shop. kelsey.co.uk/issue/YHR SARA MALPASS is a grand prix dressage rider and coach. Based in Hampshire, she specialises in rehabilitating and retraining horses many other riders have gi

PROBLEM: I can't seem to ride accurate figures — my circles are eggs. SOLUTION: Start and finish your circles when your body passes the marker. Use four cones to mark a circle and ride to that, so that you aren't riding eggs or rugby ball shapes. Ask

As an international master trauma informed mindset coach, trainer, award-winning professional speaker and international bestselling author. JENNI WINTER-LEACH supports riders in overcoming fears and anxiety, developing mental performance and creating

Have you ever been told that a quick fix to overcoming fear is to trick yourself by saying that you're excited? Well, this might not be the clever hack you think it is. ”A lot of people say that fear and excitement are the same thing, and while they

SUMMER IS HERE and that often means equestrians will be making the most of the warmer weather to go for longer rides or enter shows. Whether they need to wash off their horse after a sweaty session, or give him a bath to ensure that he's sparkling cl

Sometimes it's tricky to know how best to handle difficult situations, so here are a few things to try to avoid… ”Watch your horse for any signs that he's uncomfortable — tension in his face or body, an elevated head position, or fidgeting — are earl

PART FOUR THREE KEY PILLARS of a holistic approach to perimenopause and beyond are sleep, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and supplements. Equestrian women are unique, being driven, hard-working, knowledgeable and active, but they often need advice

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: • Preventative measures to put in place • How to avoid injury • Diagnosing and treating problems if they do occur MISSED A PREVIOUS PART? Buy Your Horse back issues at shop.kelsey.co.uk/issue/YHR LUCINDA TICEHURST BSc BVMED Sci Hon

DR DAVID MARLIN is one of the equine world's leading scientists. He has worked at the forefront of equine research for over 30 years and has published in excess of 200 equine scientific papers. He is also an FEI advisor, president of the UK National

Hair growth takes place in the hair follicle, which is a sac in the skin that sits in a region or tissue called the dermis, between the upper layer of fat and connective tissue (the subcutis layer) and the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). The

Horses have apocrine sweat glands at the base of each hair and the gland secretes sweat into the hair follicle. Humans have both apocrine and eccrine sweat glands. Eccrine glands aren't associated with hair follicles and they secrete sweat directly o

Horse hair can be used to assess exposure to toxins, such as heavy metals. It is also possible to take longer hairs from the tail or the mane and analyse them for a history of medications, such as bute. Sections of hair closest to the body indicate t

KELLY JONES is a master bridle maker and qualified bridle fitter who is based in West Sussex. She crafts made-to-measure bridles from fine English eather, working with five-star eventers and international dressage stars through to leisure riders and

Spillers' nutritionist SARAH NELSON is responsible for the technical management of all Spillers' products, including feed formulation. Sarah has been a part of the Spillers' team since 2009, and she has advised horse owners, riders and vets on all as

Email your questions to yh.ed@kelsey.co.uk Simple solutions for horse owners Bit fitting: Angela Rudrum is a qualified specialist bit fitter who has worked in the equestrian industry for 35 years. She has worked with numerous riders, and holds clinic

BITTING - ANGELA REDRUM says… Q My horse evades the contact by tossing his head in the air when we do movements he finds tricky, such as learning shoulder-in and leg yield. Could changing his bit help with this? Hannah McCarthy, Lancashire Angela say

Q I started eventing this year and my horse gets very excited on the cross-country and has started to pull my arms out. I think I need more brakes on the course, but the problem is that he's very chilled during training, so I'm not sure how to test w

Q I've seen on social media a few people mentioning bit tape and bit butter. What are they and do I need them? Nicole Payne, Cornwall Angela says: Bit butter can be a useful tool if your horse has a dry mouth, or has experienced rubs from a bit. It c

Q I have been trying to sort out a new bit for my horse, but I'm slightly overwhelmed by all the different choices of metals and materials. How can I know which one my horse will prefer? Eileen Michaels, Co Durham Angela says: You're right — navigati

STAY-AWAY SHOWS - JESS ERRINGTON says… Q I'm going to a stay-away clinic for the first time, and it will be my first time taking my horse away from the yard for such a long time. Do you have any tips on how to get him to settle in? He can be a bit st

Q My horse can be quite a picky eater and drinker when she's away from the yard. I would like to take her to a stay-away show in a few weeks, but I'm concerned that she won't eat or drink enough. Do you have any tips for keeping her hydrated? Debra M

Q My first stay-away show is coming up and I wondered what the protocol is for looking after my horse and her interacting with other horses? Also, how can I make sure that I stay on top of biosecurity measures? Alison Hudson, Somerset Jess says: Most

SHOWJUMPING - LEANNE HESLOP says… Q Doubles are my worst nightmare. I always have the second part down because it feels as though I can't keep my horse together enough and he goes flat in between, either knocking down a rail from the second element o

Q I have my first overnight competition coming up and I'm very excited but quite nervous that I'll forget something. What are the must-haves that I should list so that nothing gets left behind? Daisy Brown, Shropshire Jess says: I definitely recommen

Q I have a new horse and I'm really struggling with my jumping position in the saddle. He has quite a big jump and I feel like my legs swing back and I lean on the reins too much. How can I find my balance? Jane Saunders, Rutland Leanne says: There a

ACUPUNCTURE - KAYLEIGH BARKER says… Q I retired my 22-year-old horse last winter and I've noticed that he seems to be a bit more stiff and slow now, especially in the mornings when I let him out into his field. He also doesn't play as much any more a

Q My horse and I generally go clear over a course of showjumps, but we're often out of the ribbons because we go too slowly. How can we find the right speed to be a bit more competitive? I think the problem might stem from me getting a bit nervous ab

Q My vet recently suggested acupuncture as my 10-year-old gelding has started to headshake. Will it work? Alicia Mills, Lincolnshire Kayleigh says: It is assumed that headshaking is caused by a form of neuralgia — pain of the trigeminal nerve. Becaus

Q I have been doing some research online about electroacupuncture, and it sounds fascinating, but how is it different to regular acupuncture and on what occasions could it be used to help my mare who has had time off recently and is suffering from mu

Q I've been reading a lot about the use of acupuncture on horses, and as it sounded like something that could help mine, I booked her in for a treatment. The vet didn't seem to put in that many needles, however, and she turned them only occasionally.

HORSES WEARING FLY rugs are a common sight in fields during the summer. These rugs bring many benefits and can make grazing time more comfortable for the equine. Fly rugs offer a protective barrier, preventing flies and other biting insects from irri

Allison Lowther is the freelance gear editor for Your Horse magazine. She owns two horses — a retired 29-year-old Irish Sport Horse called Jester and a 20-year-old Hanoverian mare called Wish. Helen Milbank has owned her 14hh piebald cob, Tom, since

RRP £19.99 for 500ml BITEBACKPRODUCTS.CO.UK This insect repellent gel creates a protective shield from biting bugs while also soothing and calming the horse's skin. Its ingredients promise to provide long-lasting protection from midges, mosquitoes, b

THE LONG, WARM, sunny days of summer offer the perfect excuse to spend more time with a horse, whether for exploring new territory on hacks in the countryside, heading to a showjumping or dressage competition with intentions of beating the opposition

To enter, visit yourhorse.co.uk/win/blenheim520 TWO PRIZES TO BE WON PRIZES WORTH OVER £500 EACH YOUR HORSE HAS teamed up with the organisers of Blenheim Palace International HorseTrials (19-22 September) to offer two lucky readers each one pair of S

EDITORIAL Seventeen Hands Media Ltd Editor: Julie Harding Email: julie.harding@kelsey.co.uk Freelance Gear Editor: Allison Lowther Freelance Content Producer: Mel Beale Design: Marisa Bailey MANAGEMENT Chief Operating Officer: Phil Weeden Managing Di

What are your earliest horsey memories? When I was very small, myself and my best friend, Ellen Barber, used to roam free around the fields with our ponies. What was it like to grow up as the daughter of a famous trainer? When I was very young I had