MY LIFE with horses

Welcome

By the time you open up this latest copy of Horse&Rider

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

Whether dressage or jumping’s your game, flying changes

Olympicdreams

The long-anticipated Tokyo Olympic Games are fast approaching and, after it’s initial postponement, promises to be worth the wait

Take on Tokyo

With such a turbulent lead-up, British Equestrian gives Horse&Rider the lowdown on the unique challenges athletes at Tokyo are set to face

Foal fever

The growing success of Gloucestershire’s Hawtins Stud is putting British breeding firmly on the map – and the best is yet to come for its headline star. H&R sits down with founder Judith Davis to find out more

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Quick change

Flying changes needn’t be complicated. Yazmin Pinchen

Just for FUN

Wondering whether to take part in a fun ride this summer? We’ve got some great reasons why you should give it a go

Gettinggridwork right

Master gridwork to give your horse’s paces and rideability - not to mention your scores - a boost

Cross-country anywhere

Want to ease your transition from the arena to the cross-country course? Kevin and Emma McNab help you fine-tune your skills in preparation

Law and corner

Correct corners form the foundations of most competitive disciplines, yet there’s still so many riders not getting them right. Luckily, Emily King’s on hand to troubleshoot

Get your mojo back

Join John Haime as he guides you through the process of understanding confidence, so you can start your journey towards gaining it

Don’t leave methis way

Separation anxiety ranges from distressing to dangerous - but there are things you can do to help. Anna Haines explains

Flower power

Identifying poisonous plants and knowing how they could adversely affect your horse is an essential aspect of keeping him healthy this summer, as vet Euan Hammersley explains

Toothbe told

Keep your horse’s teeth in good shape and stay on top of potential issues with vet Alice Swetnam

ASK THE EXPERTS

Sally Andrews is a List 2 dressage judge, qualified

Gut feeling

My horse is prone to ulcers but gains weight easily, particularly at this time of year. What could I feed him to keep his gut healthy without providing too many calories?

Sunblock

Why’s it so important to put suncream on my horse’s pink nose?

Lost and found

My horse is really prone to losing shoes. What can I do to give his shoes the best possible chance of staying on?

Critical thinking

I really struggle with overthinking while I’m riding, especially in the run-up to competitions. Is there any way I can become more focused in my sessions and stop worrying?

Happy handling

I had an accident while handling my horse and it’s made me really nervous about being around him. If I can get on board I feel fine, it’s just on the ground. How can I rebuild my confidence?

Roadworthy

My horse is quite nervous in traffic. Is there anything I can do to build her confidence or is this just how she’ll always be?

Breathe easy

My friend said her horse has asthma. Can horses really be asthmatic? What are the signs and is it treatable?

Mud, glorious mud

My horse has started licking the dirt in his field. Should I be worried about him?

Eye-opener

My mare always seems to have runny eyes, but the fluid's clear and doesn’t look like it's causing her any discomfort. What causes some horses to have runny eyes, even when there are no flies around?

Flying thenest

My horse can be quite nappy to hack, particularly in new locations. How can I work past this?

Get ahead

I’m struggling to stop my horse rushing and running out at fences. He goes so fast it makes me think he’s going to jump, then he rushes past at the last minute. How can I get him out of the habit?

Left to right

My horse struggles to pick up the left canter lead, and almost always gives me the wrong one when I ask for it. How can I work on this and get him out of the habit?

Fit as a fiddle

I’m looking for a new girth to go with my horse’s saddle, but how can I tell whether it fits correctly?

Washed up

I need to give my winter rugs a wash, but can I do this at home to save sending them away?

Cool it

I mainly hack and showjump my horse, but I’m planning on taking part in some fun rides this summer. Is it a good idea to buy a pair of cooling boots?

Round andround

It’s a struggle keeping my horse going forward on the lunge. As soon as I stop chasing her she slows down. How can I get her moving?

Back it up

Is it true that horses prefer to travel backwards?

Young guns

When it comes to educating your horse, it’seasy to put all of your focus on establishinghis ridden work. But spending time on theground with him is just as important

WIN

BREAKDOWN COVER WITH KBIS BRITISH EQUESTRIAN INSURANCE

Feet first

At some point, we all findthe old adage, ‘No foot, nohorse’, rings true. Get aheadof hoof health this summerwith our handy guide

A new direction

Are you looking to dip your toe into a horsey career path and make your hobby pay its way? An equine course could be just the ticket

Undercover

Are you getting the most from your insurance? Or worried it’s not up to scratch? Get advice from our panel of industry experts

Do your bit

Small steps you can take to help protect the planet, starting at the yard

Reins

Establish a true connection between your hands and your horse with the perfect pair of reins

A taste of slow

Does your horse have a habit of rushing to eat his food? To help prevent him from devouring his quota before the night’s through, we’ve got some top solutions for you

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