Tack Wear and Tear, Saddle Maintenance

Tack Wear and Tear Feature Looking after your tack, not only ensures that it will stand the test of time but can also help prevent a nasty accident. This is why, we all need to keep an eye on our equipment. In this feature Tricia Bracegirdle, Senior Saddle Technician for Childéric Saddles UK gives readers her top tips and advice on keeping your saddle in tip top tack condition.   TACK-TICAL PLANNING.. Your saddle is probably the biggest investment (After your horse of course!) that you will ever make, so…

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Event Rider Interview: Willa Newton

Event Rider Interview: Willa Newton   You spent time based with German event rider, Dirk Schrade, what is one of the main things you’ve learned from this experience? One of the main things I learned about was how to produce and train young horses.  Before that, I didn’t have a system of my own.  Over my time with Dirk, I learned how to identify the type of young horse that the modern sport demands. As well as the importance of ensuring correct training at each level, before moving on.  …

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Andrew Heffernan Talks About His Future Goals

Image credit; Katie Neat Photography

Andrew Heffernan Talks About His Future Goals One competitor who knows Somerford Park inside out is international eventer Andrew Heffernan who has been based at Somerford for 15 years. Of Dutch nationality Andrew Heffernan was born in Hong Kong but has lived most of his life in Britain. Showjumping was Andrew’s first choice and he competed through the levels to grade A, however a visit to Badminton in the late 80’s sparked an interest in Eventing and rest is history. Andrew comes from a completely non equestrian background, ‘Mum sent…

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Fly Rug Feature, Which one will you Choose this Summer?

Review- Rambo Fly Buster Vamoose

Fly rugs are a fantastic way of keeping your horse protected from those pesky flies, all summer round. Choosing which one to buy can be difficult as there’s so many to choose from. They can all differ in cut, cost, material and coverage. Here we look at a selection of fly rugs available, all of which you can purchase online. Best in Value Masta Avante Fly Mesh Rug Great value Avante Fly Mesh Rug from Masta. Made from lightweight & breathable fabric. Features a hook and loop fastening at the front to make…

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Birthday Celebrations for Victoria Bax – Blog

Alberta's Pride enroute to a 2nd place in the Riding Club 90 qualifier

Birthday Celebrations for Victoria Bax – Blog Courtesy of Victoria Bax ’s sponsors Aloeride www.aloeride.com & Golly Galosheswww.gollygaloshes.com The past month started very well indeed as it was my birthday, so a new dressage hat and body protector were on the cards for starters! Both Alberta’s Rose and Alberta’s Pride headed to Keysoe actually on my birthday to contend in the Area 8 Riding Club’s Team Horse Trials.  This was to be Alberta’s Pride’s very first 90cm ODE and he certainly didn’t disappoint! He started by pulling a super dressage test…

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Does Your Saddle Still Fit?

Saddle Fitting

Does Your Saddle Still Fit? Saddle fitting – Horses change considerably over time. A horse’s ‘shape’ is very dependent on the horse owner’s management.  What may have fit as a five-year-old may not fit now. Age, fitness and rider balance will all impact on the horses shape and how he is able to carry the rider in the saddle. Reasons why a horse may change shape A horse can change shape for many reasons. Maybe he is enjoying a break from work turned out in a field with lots of…

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Aldi Equestrian Range Review

Aldi Equestrian review

Aldi Equestrian Range Review This month the team at Everything Horse tried and tested the 2016 Aldi Equestrian Range. We were sent a selection of polo shirts, t-shirts and hoodies to write a review on and we can say, we were far from disappointed. The quality of material used throughout the range is fantastic. Each had a different mix of material to fit the cut and style of garment. They even felt nice to the touch. Each garment type has a selection of different styles and colour. All are lightweight, easy…

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Overweight horse? Obesity Management in Horses

Fat Horse ? Obesity Management in Horses and Ponies

Do you have an overweight horse? Here Sue Dyson, Head of Clinical Orthopaedics at the Animal Health Trust Equine Clinic, takes a look at how we can manage obesity in horses. Obesity in horses Obesity is an excess of body fat accumulation which has a potentially negative impact on health. There are numerous consequences of obesity, including reduced efficiency of athletic function. Premature fatigue can predispose to musculoskeletal injury. Overload of joints can predispose to injury. Increased load on limbs is particularly relevant in horses with musculoskeletal injury and we…

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10 things you will know if you juggle horses with children

horses with children in a field

Struggling to juggle horses with children? Here are some great tongue in cheek pointers to have a little giggle at! Remember the days? You’d spend all weekend down the stables riding your own horses as well of those of your friends. The most complicated decision you had to make was whether or not to stop in for a quick ‘on the go’ Starbucks before heading down the stables for an enjoyable day with your four legged best friend. No more we hear you say, not since you had kiddies! Here…

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First Aid Kit for Horse and Rider

first aid kit from Horseware Ireland

It’s happened before and chances are, it’ll happen again. How many times have you reached for a first aid kit down the yard and there’s not one to be seen? It’s not only necessary to have items you need in an emergency for a horse, stocking up on items for yourself and other ‘yard goers’ is just as important. Here we take a look at first aid kits available to horse and rider. It’s advisable that every horse owner have a well-stocked first aid kit for their horse, but what…

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Looking After Your Competition Horse’s Legs

Blenheim Palace - Gemma Tattersall to be crowned ERM 2017 title this weekend

Looking After Your Competition Horse’s Legs with Gemma Tattersall PROTECT TO PERFORM! When it comes to looking after your competition horse’s legs top professional event rider Gemma Tattersall has a wealth of experience in the area. In this feature she gives readers some essential top tips for looking after your horse’s legs, regardless of your chosen discipline. Whatever level you ride at or discipline, you should always consider your horse’s health and well-being and that goes for his legs too! Accidents and injuries sadly do happen, but you can help…

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David Britnell Blog Fun at Nunney International

David Britnell Action Reply Photography

David Britnell Blog – June 2016 I have dashed in to write this blog, having returned from Nunney International in Somerset, where we had fun! On the trip up  “Suzie Sat Nav” decided that white roads were a quicker route so my co-driver was definitely needed to battle against her. On one of our regular horse/tyre checks we discovered that an inner rear tyre was “cooking” so gingerly proceeded the final 20 miles at 25mph, fretting and scanning the road for an air stop as our hazard lights flashed!  So…

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Horses Behaving Badly at Bramham

Horses Behaving Badly at Bramham Bramham International Horse Trials had it’s fair share of horses behaving badly this year! And what better way to celebrate ‘said behaviours’ than in a fabulous gallery of images, kindly provided by equestrian event photographer, Mike Bain. All images are subject to copyright. Please contact image owner Mike Bain for permission to use.

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Stallion Focus Five Factors that Determine a Good Stallion

Lara Dyson riding her stallion

The Top Five Factors that Determine a Good Stallion with Cyden Stallions owner and dressage rider, Lara Dyson If you are looking for a stallion to sire a foal, how can you determine that the stallion you choose has got the desired x-factor to produce a foal that is right for you and fit for the role it is intended? Breeding can be an expensive business so ensuring that all the pieces of the jigsaw are in place, can take time and require plenty of research to get the foal of…

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A Glossary of simple equestrian terms created by non-horsey individuals

In this light-hearted look at common equestrian terms, we discover what equestrian lingo looks like from an outside perspective and bring into question why a ‘curry comb’ really is called a ‘curry comb!’ “Thing that straps to their face that they eat from” “A brand of horse treats, like a snaffle bar” “A type of apparatus or something for their nose” “Is it the soft bit they sometimes put over their noses like to cushion the bridle” “That sounds gross. “ “A horse mask” “A bit to eager” “The point…

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Getting Back in the Saddle after a fall

Young girl on a horse.

Getting back in the saddle after a fall resulting in injury can vary from a few days or even many months, so what advice should riders take on their road to recovery? Très Health, is a unique health and fitness centre for equestrians working or living in London or in reach of London and offers a range of services from core strength training, massage, physiotherapy, life coaching and injury rehabilitation programmes. Based in Chelsea, Très Health Equestrian has the experts and the facilities to help riders become the best they…

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Selecting, owning and managing an ex-racehorse

a racehorse

Selecting, owning and managing an ex-racehorse Owning and managing an ex racehorse can be a thoroughly rewarding experience for both you and the horse. The thoroughbred can be athletic, nimble and willing. We see this presented in the shape of many successful ex racehorses such as Gemma Tattersall’s Artic Soul, who came a respectable third at this year’s Badminton Horse Trials and Pippa Funnel’s Ensign, who won Burnham Market International 2005 and South of England International in 2007. Major success in their new career is not essential, and for some…

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Steph Gumn, Onwards and Upwards

use of indoor arenas - Steph Gumn and Sandros Sun

Another month of moving forwards with my little team of young horses. Axl went training to Weston Lawns and jumped really well cantering round a course for the first time. He did jump me off, but I can’t really moan about that!! He went to his first show at Kingswood to jump the 85cm class last week. We had a very green first round, with some baby mistakes, but went back in HC for just two baby poles in the jump off! He’s back out competing again this month getting…

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Victoria Bax Blog June 2016

Victoria Bax Blog June 2016

Lots of New Experiences with Success! My youngest Alberta’s Pride has been busy over the last month, participating in a dressage competition which he absolutely nailed with a score of 69.5% to win, earning his very first red rosette, the first of many I hope! He also completed a second one day event, this time at Isleham, Cambridge.   He produced another solid dressage test for a score of 30.3, then went onto complete a lovely clear showjumping round.  The cross country course caught us out at a tricky combination, which…

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The Newborn Foal

A Mare and foal in a field

As foaling season is upon us there are many questions a first time breeder wants to ask. This article should help put your mind at rest by giving you a guide on what a healthy ‘normal’ foal should be doing and when to call the vet. The process of Parturition (giving birth) Tips for encouraging a foal to suckle Interference with the above steps must be kept to a minimum to avoid disrupting the bond between the mare and foal. Sometimes a gentle ‘push in the right direction’ for a…

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A Day in the Life of a Press Officer

Hickstead Celebrating 60 years

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the press office at equestrian events? Here, Victoria Spicer, official Press Officer for the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead, covers just that. Victoria writes on what to expect on a typical day in the office, enjoyable aspects and how she got to where she is today. My name is Victoria Spicer and I’m the Press Officer for the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead. I’ve held this position since 2011. Throughout the year my role involves writing press…

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The Secret Relationship Between Horse and Human

Positive reinforcement approaches such as clicker training can make horse human interactions more relaxed and productive.

Here Advanced Master Life Coach, Louise Cleland, delves into the secret relationship between the horse and human. Louise talks about how, when working with a life coach, we can understand more on how horses can bring therapeutic benefits to the lives of humans, impacting not only on our personal communication skills but our relationships too. written by Louise Cleland Sir Winston Churchill said “There is something about the outside of a horse, that is good for the inside of a man”, and I believe that it is this very statement that has been…

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Pegasus Jewellery Review – Mens Leather Snaffle Bracelet

Pegasus jewellery

Pegasus Jewellery Review The Pegasus Jewellery collection encompasses a variety of beautifully designed items including pendants, earrings, bracelets, stock pins, rings and a selection of other items. Founder Kim Wilson found herself inspired by her young daughter Charlotte and her lead rein pony, Millie to launch the equestrian themed range during 2014. Kim’s family has been involved in selling jewellery since 1909. Mens Leather Snaffle Bracelets, New for 2016 Pegasus jewellery has recently launched into the mens market with a Leather Snaffle Bracelet, just in time for father’s day! The leather…

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Encouraging Positive Behavior Between Horses and Dogs

Horses and Dogs

Horses and dogs now often come into close proximity; being two of our beloved pets, however, their relationship used to be far from civil. Naturally dogs are predators and horses are prey. Although these animals have been domesticated for many years, their intrinsic survival instincts can still be strong in certain situations. This is how distressing and often critically serious situations develop between horses and dogs. written by Roberta Coll Why do dogs chase horses? Many dogs are unfamiliar with horses and often it is only curiosity, fear or nervousness…

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