Welcome

HORSE&RIDER Winter 2021

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

Alex Hua Tian Need help slowing down a

LONDON calling

Get a glimpse of the show that marks the pinnacle of the holiday season – The London International Horse Show

Horse AND Rider hub

If you want to comment on an article in H&R or share your thoughts, then drop a line to Letters Editor Kiera Boyle

GOLDEN GIRLS OF EVENTING SWEEP THE PODIUM

News It was history in the making at

SPECTACULAR SILVER FOR GB DRESSAGE TEAM

After a close contest between nations, Team GB

Feed company creates initiative to crack down on equine obesity

Spillers is inviting owners of overweight horses to

The Horse Trust awarded top honours and cheque for £10k at charity awards

The fourth annual SEIB Insurance Brokers Awards took

Survey suggests a quarter of riders don’t wear riding helmets

Following a recent survey, results showed that one

The greatest showman

Relive the good old days with renowned showjumper Geoff Billington, as he reminisces about his funniest antics and show-stopping achievements

BEST IN TEST MEGA BUNDLE!

WIN A HORSE&RIDER WORTH MORE THAN £1,300 What

Curb your enthusiasm

Does your horse enter the showjumping phase with too much go? Nip it in the bud with Alex Hua Tian’s simple method

Building balance and control

Five-star eventer Lydia Hannon shares some of her favourite exercises for developing your horse’s suppleness, rideability and balance

WINTER fitness fixes

Worrying about your horse’s fitness going down the pan over the winter months? Never fear, we’ve got some ideas to help you keep him in great shape

Jump to it

Looking for the perfect warm-up for jumping? Before you start your session, set yourself up for success with these easy and effective exercises

HAVE A GO AT half-pass

Keen to dip your toe into the world of half-pass, but not sure where to start? While it’s easy to overcomplicate things, by keeping it simple you’ll make the movement far easier to crack

On pace

Give your horse’s paces a boost with our quick and easy exercises

Set in motion

In this feature. . . Train your horse to have perfect balance Create a forward ride Improve your partnership

Don’t be brave

Is bravery the key to better riding, or are there other qualities we should value more? Daisy Smith explains why putting your brave pants back in the drawer could help your state of mind

A kind goodbye?

Vet Nicky Jarvis from Redwings Horse Sanctuary guides us through the sensitive but important issue of euthanasia

A touch of the exotic

Get clued up on the most deadly diseases from abroad – and reduce your horse’s risk of infectious diseases closer to home

ASK THE EXPERTS

In association with Emily Smith BSc Hons BA

Trip to the barbers

My horse is quite impatient and hates standing still to be clipped. What can I do to help settle him and make clipping easier?

Allergy test

A friend’s horse is being tested for allergies to his new feed. How can I tell if my horse has an allergy or intolerance?

Fit as a fiddle

How can I tell if my horse needs physical therapy?

Catch of the day

My horse is really unpredictable to catch – some days he’s perfect, while others he pulls the rope out of my hands and runs away from me. What can I do?

On the up-side

I’ve heard other liveries talk about positive and negative punishment and reinforcement. What do these terms mean?

Good night’s rest

I get so nervous before competitions that I struggle to get to sleep. Why is this? Can I do anything about it?

Mouthwash

Someone on my yard cleans her horse’s teeth with a toothbrush. Is this standard practice and should I be doing it for my horse?

Clean as a whistle

How do I know if my horse’s sheath needs cleaning? What’s the best way to do it?

In an emergencyhn

A friend’s horse got his leg stuck in the fence and now I’m worried about handling the same situation myself. What’s the best thing to do if a horse is trapped?

Riding away

Does new tack need to be broken in gradually, or can it be used as normal straight away?

Winter warmers

I always get so cold on the yard during the winter. Is there anything I can buy to make the chillier temperatures more bearable?

Building blocks

I’ve asked to be put on the waitlist for a brand-new yard that’s being built near me. What will the process be behind designing it?

Chill out

My horse becomes really tense as soon as I ask him for something new. How can I combat this and help him relax?

Virtual reality

Are virtual dressage competitions a good substitute for the real thing?

Extra-curricular

I struggle to fit in much hacking over the winter because I work long hours and miss out on the daylight. How can I get the benefits of hacking even when I’m limited to riding at the yard?

Home, sweet home

What are the benefits of rehoming? How would I know whether I’d suit a rescued horse?

Out on course

How long is the average cross-country course?

Conformation conundrums

Conformation is one of those things that can feel unnecessarily complicated. So, if you’re struggling to know where to start, here’s some handy advice

A WEIGHT off your mind

Learn all you need to know about keeping on top of your horse’s bodyweight so he stays in peak condition this winter

Buyer beware

Horse of your dreams turned a nightmare upon unloading? Find out where you stand legally if your perfect partner on paper doesn’t measure up

WINTER warriors

How does your horse’s type affect his winter

Win the battle against mud

Despairing at the thought of bringing in your horse from the field post-wallow? We’ve got a step-by-step guide to keep the muddy mayhem to a minimum

Clean as a whistle

It might not be the most glamorous aspect of horse ownership, but there’s no doubt keeping your tack in good condition is essential – as Sam Belasco explains

Food for thought

Need a helping hand maintaining your horse’s condition? Let’s take a look at what’s on the shelves

Shavings forks

Got the right tools for the job? Save time and maximise results while mucking out with these super shavings forks

This month we Love

Take a look at some of our favourite horsey products

PERFECT PRIZES!

£1,416 WORTH OF PRIZES TO BE WON!

Next month in Horse AND Rider

ON SALE 4 NOVEMBER

with horses

There’s no such thing as a quiet week at Ravenseat, home to shepherdess Amanda and her family of 11