Tag Archives: horse

Equestrian Centre

8 Top Tips – Are you taking your horse to the office?

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Here is a question for you: Do you yearn to have the kind of relationships where you are listened to?

I was reading that a company called Horse Sense offers corporate and team training to help individuals understand the importance of communication with others. Its called Equine Assisted Education.  It just makes so much sense.

Their strap line is “Do you wish people would do what you ask, when you ask?  Are you a compelling leader, able to lead without force or manipulation? Ready for something different, that is fun and gets results that last?”

Like Becky who founded Horse Sense, I grew up with horses. Looking after them, learning to ride and handling horses formed a huge part of my childhood education. It wasn’t until I stepped into the working world I realised what an advantage they have given me in terms of people skills.

When you are working with your horse you are starting from a position of authority, personal discipline and consideration; you use your senses to read a situation.  You respect your horse for himself, both as a partner in your enterprise and as an individual.

Understanding how crucial these skills are when handling your horse is one thing….but these skills are also relevant in the office place. Do you work from the same position as you enter the door to your office?

  1. Don’t invade personal space with out the go-ahead
  2. Don’t alarm your partner by squaring up to them
  3. Sit beside someone rather than opposite
  4. Keep your body language confident and relaxed
  5. Approach new things with quiet confidence
  6. Acknowledge progress
  7. Praise positives
  8. Never rush lunch

 

Showjumping

Keep those Show Jumps Standing- 7 steps to jump a perfect round.

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To jump a horse successfully a rider can break each stage in the process down into seven separate steps. the seven stages need to be ridden accurately. With the rider remaining in balance and able to help the horse both before during and after the jump.

The 7 stages to jumping:

1. Turn.

2. Approach.

3. Take off.

4. Jump.

5. Landing.

6. Get away.

7. Turn.

1) The Turn

The turn to the jump needs to be ridden accurately so that it lines you up with the centre of the jump being straight ahead. The rider needs to be sitting up and looking ahead to the jump that they are going to do, with the horse being ridden from the riders leg up into the hand, to keep the horse in a balanced rhythm which has plenty of impulsion.

2) Approach

The approach needs to lead you directly to the centre of the jump which you are planning to jump. The rider needs to be sitting up, looking ahead and channeling the horse forward, between their hand and their legs enabling the rider to maintain a straight line, with the horse maintaining the impulsion and balance that is required.

3) Take Off

This is the point at which the horse begins to gather his hindlegs underneath his body and starts to lift up the forehand. The rider needs to keep their lower leg securely wrapped around, to maintain the horses energy and forward momentum.The riders hands need to follow the movement of the horses head and neck and still maintain a contact through the rein to the bit. At the point of takeoff the rider should still be looking ahead, up and over the jump.

4) Jump

This is the point at which the horse will bascule in the air,the forehand is well lifted, and the back well rounded, with their forelegs tucked up in the front and the hind legs tucked up at the back allowing the horse to clear the jump. When the horse is in the air the the rider folds into the jumping position. To achieve a good fold the riders upper body is lowered, with the seat being slipped to the back of the saddle, the riders hand position allows the horse to stretch through their neck, back and body, giving the horse the freedom of movement they require, while still maintaining a light contact through the rein. The riders lower leg needs to stay securely wrapped around the horse to help maintain balance when in the fold or jumping position. The riders position needs to fold straight so that they can still look ahead through the horses ears and on to the next fence, any deviation of the riders position by going off to the side or twisting of the position will unbalance not only the horse but ultimately the rider as well.

5) Landing

The horse now starts to stretch out and extend their front legs ready for landing. Depending on the cater lead that is required, the horse will land with one foreleg landing first then quickly followed by the other foreleg, and the hindquarters following through from behind. The rider will start by bringing their upper body back up into a upright position, while still allowing their hands to remain in contact through the rein to the bit in the horses mouth, but without interfering with the horses balance and movement, this is especially important as horses use their necks for most of their balance. The riders lower leg should remain in position, still on the girth area of the horse, with the rider looking ahead to the next fence.

6) Get Away

The horse is now moving away from the jump and on to the next. The rider needs to make sure that the horse is in balance with plenty of energy and impulsion still being generated and that the horse is on the correct canter lead to enable it to turn in balance to the next fence. The rider should check that their position is still accurate, with reins the correct length, and lower leg secure and with the upper body sitting tall and the rider focused on the next jump.

7) Turn

This is where the rider turns away from one fence and on to the other, and the seven stages start all over again.

Are you looking for a jumping horse.  Horse Scout has some great horses and ponies advertised on its pages.  Take a look.

Dressage

Professional Profile – Alison Kenward

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Looking for a Clinic in Oxfordshire? – Alison Kenward

Alison Kenward is a trainer and professional competition rider based in Oxfordshire. She competes her horses Roughway Jack at medium and advanced medium level. Alison is a BHS Stable Manager, Intermediate Instructor and UKCC 3 coach.

A professional Trainer she has 21 years of experience helping riders to develop a partnership with their horse (s). It is important to her that training sessions are enjoyed by both the “athletes” and that every session sees development.

Psssst!….check out Horse Scouts blog on Core Fitness

She runs regular clinics in Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire. There is a varied clinic programme including test riding, riding to music, jumping and pole work. Alison coaches riders of all ages and abilities as well as training horses on the flat and over fences to Medium level Dressage, Novice Horse Trials & Newcomers Showjumping. Alison teaches private lessons lasting 45 minutes and group lessons lasting an hour. Alison also offers complete freestyle design & choreography clinics with Nick Reeve. Alison coaches teams for BD TeamQuest and is helping riders to prepare for the Pet Plan Area Festival series as well as the BD Summer & Winter competitions. Riders are welcome to come to Solitaire HQ for training, overnight and day stabling is available.

Please get in touch to discuss training with Alison and joining the Solitaire Riders Team.

Alison is currently a BD Group 5 rider and trains with Emile Faurie. Her horses are based at a private yard in Warwickshire and are looked after by Alison and her Mother, Helen and is preparing for the BD Summer Season 2015. Good Luck to Alison.

If you are looking for a trainer to help you Alison definitely sounds like a lady who can help.

Horse Advice

Ever Wondered Why? – Words about Warming UP

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Have you ever thought about how you move after you have been sitting still for a long time. (hopefully reading all the interesting tips on this Horse Scout Bog!) Everything is just a little bit stiff and can be a little bit cold. (well certainly this is true at my age); but that aside any muscles which have been inactive are in a state of stasis and need waking up before you ask them questions.

Our horses are the same and by adding 20 minutes to your work time by warming your horse up effectively will reap its rewards in training progress and avoidance of injury.  Warm downs should also become an integral part of your routine too.

To understand why you need to warm your horse up before asking him to work in an outline or jump is simple.  Test out why yourself.  Put on some suitable footware and open your front door and start running (be aware of traffic and stay safe).  Result?

Yes you can run a fair way; and then what happens? Running is good for you but don’t approach your own fitness this way.  You will get out of breath first, then you will feel tired. If you continue to run you will get a build up of lactic acid in your muscles and they will cramp of become overly tired.  If you don’t stretch afterwards you will have sore stiff muscles within a couple of hours.

This is exactly what happens to your horse.

If you need help with creating a suitable routine then contact one of Horse Scouts trainers and arrange for some lessons.

However, there are some things you can do from the ground and Gillian Higgins, who is a sports and remedial therapist, BHS Senior Coach, anatomist, and founder of Horses Inside Out, has some brilliant graphics on her website using her painted horses to demonstrate exactly how effective a warm up routine is.

She says  “Your warm-up is so important for a number of different reasons,”. “First and foremost are the physiological reasons. Warming up your horse’s skeleton, joints and muscles is crucial to ensure he avoids injury and can perform to the best of his ability. Then, secondly are the behavioural and

psychological elements that get your horse switched on and listening to your aids. A good warm-up programme will help to tackle all of the above.”

To get your horse properly warmed up follow Gillian’s six step essential warm-up plan, covering how to:

1. Start with groundwork

2. Loosen him up

3. Get his blood flowing

4. Move his joints

5. Work his core

6. Get him listening

Horse Breeds

What about a Warmblood?

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If you plan to ride as a sport you will definitely be seeing the term ‘Warmblood”. Why buy a warmblood breed? Excellent for riding due to their confirmation the warm blooded breeds were created when warriors returned to Europe from the Middle East and Africa with hot blooded Arabian horses captured in battle. Bred for 100‘s of years to strict “specifications” the breeds have a particular stamp and steady temperament and are, generally, easy to do.

A Bit of History!

Breeding the large, heavy war horses of northern Europe with the lighter, faster and fiery tempered hot bloods from the Mongolian steppes created horse breeds that combine the quickness and agility of race horses with the larger build and milder temperament of cold bloods. Over time, the draft horses of Europe were increasingly bred with hot blooded imports, creating the forerunners of dozens of breeds in existence today. Warmbloods have smaller heads and bodies than draft horses and tend to be less excitable than hot blooded horses, making them good all-round horses for riding and light work and yet with the abilities of elite athletes for the Olympic sporting events.

To ensure that breed criteria and standards are still met for warm blood breeds the UK has its own breed society standard grading matrix. Since 1982 the British Warm-Blood Society, now the Warmblood Breeders Studbook – UK, has been operating a Mare Grading scheme and the Mare Grading will form part of the two-day WBS Breed Show. The introduction of the Mare Grading scheme means that only graded mares are eligible for the BWBS Stud Book, which has three separate sections as follows:

  1. SELECT STUD BOOK – must have three generations of fully pedigreed and graded warmblood parents(i.e. Pink Papers).
  2. MAIN STUD BOOK MARES: must have at least one graded parent and a full verified pedigree for three generations on both sides ( i.e. pink or some white papered mares).
  3. PERMANENT BREEDING REGISTER MARES: must have one graded and recognized parent.

All foals sired by WBS graded Stallions are eligible for registration and white papers, but mares only enter the Stud Book only after successfully attending Grading.

Since 1983 only foals with two graded parents and three full BWBS/WBS recognised generations can receive pink papers.

For the competitor Horse Scout has a few British Warmbloods listed with Professional event rider and dressage rider Wayne Garrick who has ridden at 3* international and Advanced medium level dressage. He is currently breaking and producing young horses along side running the competition horses. Two of which are:

Hillgrounds Movinda  for £15,000 an eye catching 16hds dark bay mare rising 5 by T Movistar X Don Premaire. This incredibly eye catching mare has three uphill paces, correct confirmation and a trainable nature. Super young horse ready to start her competition career.

Diamonique Dancer £14,000 Gorgeous 16.2hds 5 year old bay mare by Sandros Dancer X Dimaggio x Pik Trumpf. 3 correct and exuberant paces. Professionally schooled and being slowly produced to allow time to mature. Has been out to unaff. competitions and has proven to be well behaved and well liked in the arena by the judges. Hacks alone or in company and jumps too. As with any horse with lots of scope and potential she is not a novice ride.

With Carron Roberts Equestrian we have:

Cookie a 16.2 British Warmblood x TB Bay Mare, just turned 5. Won & placed Combined Training, Double Clear at first unaffiliated ODE, Won and placed unaffiliated Dressage and Clear at WWEC Hunter Trial.She has super balanced and elevated paces with a bold scopey jump. And to top her off she has a super temperament and wants to learn and please you as a rider. Will happily stand on the lorry alone and with company and is easy to do at competitions. Hacks out alone and in company. She loves people, this horse is easy enough for a good amateur but talented enough for a professional. NO vices. Based at a professional yard since a foal so has been produced and handled correctly, competed by one of our talented working pupils.

In Southampton there is a super 17hh dark bay young horse who would be a great prospect for young horse classes 2015.He is tall but elegant with three quality paces and his owners think he is sure to make a top dressage horse.

 

 

 

 

Horse Advice

Horse Scouts 6 Top Tips – Warming up from the ground

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What is a warm-up? The term ‘warm-up’ accurately describes what happens when we transition the body from a resting state to a state suitable for activity: the muscles are literally ‘warmed up’, receive increased blood and oxygen supply, gain flexibility and therefore reduce stress on tendons and ligaments.

 

A warm-up will also ensure increased oxygen supply to the blood and the elevation of the heart rate from a resting rate to an activity rate. If you warm up your horse gradually—instead of ‘jump-starting’ his heart-rate—you will also have a calmer, more relaxed, and more willing horse.

 

Sufficient warm up before exercise, training, and competition is essential, in order to avoid injury to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Our bodies-rider’s and horse’s-are made up of mostly fluids! Warming up body fuids inside muscles reduces the internal friction of a muscle and therefore prevents injury. Mobility and elasticity of muscles is increased, which minimises the strain on ligaments and tendons.

Avoid muscle spasms, discomfort, stiff gaits and in extreme cases torn muscles or tendons or anxiety and unwillingness to work by warming your horse up properly at the beginning of every ride.

Before you even get your horse out of the stable you can start a warm up routine as part of his preparation to be ridden.

Here are 6 top tips to get that blood flowing; the bonus is that it will help get you warmed up too!

  1. A warm up should always start gently.  Getting the blood to start flowing around the body and warming up the muscles. You can start by grooming your horse, and this has an added benefit of giving you the chance to check for injuries and to ensure that all sweat and mud is removed so that it cannot irritate your horse as he starts work.
  1. Having brushed you horse all over start to concentrate on the back area using a technique similar to a Swedish massage, long light stokes using the warmth of your palm and flicking up and away at the end of the stroke.  Its called “Effleurage” you can see graphics on the internet if you search the word. Basically think of it as ironing out the (metaphorical) wrinkles by moulding your palm around the muscles, as you stoke away you will feel a warmth in your hand and he will be feeling the same warmth in his muscles.
  1. Before mounting him walk him around in circles and ask him to walk forward and backwards too.  This will really help if you have a horse with a cold back.
  2. As these movements will help to warm his back muscles up and increase the
  3. blood flow around his whole body.
  1. Finally, before bitting him up, use carrot stretches to help stretch his topline muscles and engage his core muscles. Make sure he has had time to finish his mouthful before setting off. More on carrot stretches later. As these are also excellent at the end of a ride and your horse will love you for feeding him carrots.

When viewing a horse for sale this crucial step is often left out or rushed because of the time element perhaps the seller is a busy yard owner and has to move on to the next sale or job or where buying privately the seller feels rushed because they don’t want to hold you up.  However this could be an important factor in your final decision and it really is best to allow the horse to fully warm up before you get your first impression of him. Perhaps if you go for a second viewing you could ask to take the horse through a full warm up and that way you could also asses his temperament, stable manners, etc from a relaxed and quiet moment or two together, I am sure that if the seller knows you are a serious purchaser they will allow you to do this.

If you are having a training session or clinic with a professional rider then make sure you build in time to do this initial warm up when you arrive, so there is plenty of time to get ready for the start of your lesson.

Mandy Frost holds Show Jumping Clinics at The Mullacott Centre – Mandy Frost is a BS Accredited UKCC Level 3 Coach and Coach of the Year 2009 and also lead coach for Devon Junior Academy as well as being part of the Excel Coaching Programme. As well as competing Nationally. Cost – group of 3 – £20 per person: two sharing – £30 per person: individual -£60

Lucinda Fredericks  Clinics can be organised outside of eventing season. The cost is £1,000 + VAT plus travel expenses. Clinics can be a mix of flatwork, jumping skills or cross country skills or can concentrate on one discipline and can be a mix of group work and private lessons. If you book a 3 day clinic one night can include a video/Talk/Q&A Session and dinner with Lucinda on one of the nights. Lucinda can offer private lessons to individuals or groups from complete beginners right up to advanced competition riders. Lessons can be undertaken at either at Rosegarth or at external locations for more people by booking a clinic day – Lucinda often travels to local XC courses and equestrian centres to offer tuition to small groups. For lessons on site at Rosegarth please note you will need to bring your own horse with you.  Lucinda has two sessions in in Dorset 18 & 28th February 2015 – Her charges are: Individual lessons – £80 for a 45 minute session: Group lesson with 4 people – £35 each for 1 hour: Group lesson for 6 people – £25 each for 1.5 hours charges subject to VAT

 

 

 

Buying A Horse

Buying an All-Rounder? -When do you worry about a swelling?

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When is a bump just a lump?

Are you looking for a horse for sale? One who has a few miles on the clock; the perfect all rounder who is experienced and safe?  Maybe you have seen a few and have noticed that some of them have swellings above the fetlocks on two or four of the legs. There can be many reasons for this and one reason can be hard work which can cause windgall swelling in a horse’s fetlock

What is a windgall? – Windgall is a term used to described the soft swellings often seen just above the fetlock on the forelegs and hind legs of older or hardworking horses, they are not warm to the touch. Windgalls in horses can be seen in many horses in full work – especially in the hind legs. The amount of swelling in a windgall can vary according to the weather – often being more filled in hot temperatures. Horses with hot swelling should be fully investigated by a vet before even considering purchasing.

Although windgalls on a horse’s legs can be an unsightly blemish they do not usually cause lameness – they do are not classed as an unsoundness unless they are causing lameness.  Below are descriptions of the different types of windgalls and they will help you decide if you should worry or not.  However if you are unsure always consult your veterinary surgeon.

SYNOVIAL FLUID IN EQUINE WINDGALLS – A layman’s science

Windgall swellings on the fetlocks occur when the tendon sheaths above the horse’s fetlocks become filled with synovial fluid.

All horse or pony’s joints contain lubricating synovial fluid within a sac or capsule which prevents the fluid leaking away into the surrounding tissues. In the case of the fetlock, the capsule extends out of the back of the actual joint and forms a pouch above the sesamoid bones behind the cannon bone.

If this pouch of the joint capsule becomes thickened or distended, the resulting swelling on the back of the fetlock is known as an articular windgall.

The tendon sheath, in contrast, has nothing to do with the joint and is best

imagined as a sausage of fluid which envelopes the tendons as they run over the back of the fetlock.

At the upper limit just above the level of the sesamoid bones, this fluid filled sausage lies close to the skin, so that any distension will cause a bulge between the flexor tendons and the suspensory ligament – the tendinous windgall.

TENDINOUS WINDGALL

Of the two types of windgall in horses, the tendinous windgall is the most common and least likely to reflect any real trouble.

Tendinous windgalls are often seen in middle aged horses and ponies who have worked hard – in many cases the swelling actually represents thickening of the membrane lining the sheath rather then free fluid. Tendinous windgalls come and go in some horses and ponies.

ARTICULAR WINDGALLS

Articular windgalls are more likely to be an indicator of genuine disease, as they appear in cases of degenerative joint disease of the fetlock and in certain traumatic conditions.

They are also seen in a great number of ‘normal’ horses who never show any signs of lameness over a protracted period, appearing as firm bulges between the back of the cannon bone and the suspensory ligament.

Many showjumpers, eventers, hunters and ponies develop stiff fetlocks which cannot be passively flexed to the normal extent and which carry articular windgalls all the time.

These horses appear to cope well with these inflexible fetlocks and, although they might pose a dilemma for a veterinary surgeon examining the horse for soundness prior to purchase, the horses go on, season after season.

‘WINDGALLS’ APPEARING BELOW THE FETLOCKS

If a windgall-like swelling appears below the horse’s fetlock, on the back of the pastern, this usually represents a swelling of the lower part of the flexor sheath of the tendons, rather like an upside down tendinous windgall.

Such swellings should be viewed with suspicion, as they may indicate that the sausage of the sheath is being compressed in the middle, making both ends bulge.

Compression is usually due to a contraction of the annular ligament which runs in a thick hand around the back of the fetlock from one sesamoid bone to the other, looping over the tendons.

Should this structure become inflamed or tightened, abnormal pressure will be placed on the tendons and their sheath, restricting the free movement of the tendons over the sesamoids.

This condition, known by a variety of names like Annular Ligament Disease or Desmitis of the Annular Ligament, causes a chronic low grade lameness which may resolve with a period of treamnet and rest, only to return when the horse is brought back into work

Stallions

6 Coloured Stallions – Well spotted Horse Scout

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What makes a coloured horse coloured?…a lack of colour!

An explanation of Tobiano and skewbald

TOBIANO (Toh-bee-ah’no) appears to be white with large “spots” (or “patches”) of colour, often overlapping, on animals with a greater percentage of colour than white. Spots of colour, typically, originate from the head, chest, flank and buttuck, often including the tail. Legs are generally white, giving the appearance of a white horse with large or flowing spots of colour. Generally white crosses the centre of the back between the withers and tail.

OVERO (O-vairo) appears to be a coloured (where coloured is meant here to signify any other shade of coat than white) horse with white markings. The spots of white appear to be jagged and originate on the animal’s side or belly, spreading towards the neck, tail, legs and back. The colour (any other shade than white) appears to frame the white spots. An overo often has a dark tail, mane, legs and backline. Faces are often white. Some overos show dark legs with splashy white markings seemingly made up of round lacy white spots. The location of the white never crosses the backline.

Horse Scout has 6 coloured stallions on its lists here is the information, click through to find out more.

1. Solaris Buenno – £500

Homozygous coloured tobiano Scottish Bred Sports Horse

Type – Allrounder, Coloured, Dressage, Jumpers / Show Jumper, Showing, Sports General,

Solaris Buenno, is an interesting addition to the world of warmblood and sport horse breeding .Solaris Buenno is an interesting addition to the world of warmblood and sport horse breeding and an excellent choice for the showing enthusiast. His sire Umenno, has an accomplished performance record to date and his dam Edwina a first premium Supreme Champion mare who`s progeny have already been successful in the county showring.

Buenno, has not only inherited the qualities of both sire and dam but consistantly passes them on to his progeny, elasticity, suppleness, atheleticism, tremendous shoulder reach and powerful hind engine, despite his injury which has prevented him from following an inhand showing and ridden career.

2. Farco Van Vriesput(aka Fab Frankie)  £500

16.2hh Belgium Warmblood 2005

Type – Allrounder, Coloured, Dressage, Jumpers / Show Jumper, Showing, Sports General,

About Frankie

Fully Graded and licensed CHAPS and BSPA,gaining 9.5 for jumping ability,conformation,rideability and manners. BSJA Life Approved,almost Grade B and Elite CHAPS.Frankie has an amazing temperament,making him very rideable with great trainability,all of which he passes on to his stock.Frankies bloodline is currently ranked 4th in the world of International Showjumping breeding lines.Frankie is available for AI,both fresh and chilled doses.

3. Moorhey Tomahawk – Lancashire, Lancs -£400

15.2hh Leopard Spotted Appaluosa

A true all round Sports Horse Stallion this compact stallion has it all. He has the most fantastic temperament, drop dead gorgeous looks & perfect conformation. To add to all that he has successes in Showing, Sports horse Classes, young Event Horse Classes, BSJA Show jumping & BD Dressage. He is the proven sire of a HOYS winner, numerous Showing & Sports Horse Champions, as well as Show jumpers & Dressage horses.Show Jumping He has substantial BSJA winnings showing a superb technique over a fence which he passes onto all his offspring. He is both bold & careful with plenty of scope. Dressage He has almost 200 Bd points winning at Elementary level. Last year he was 4th at the Nationall & won the Individual Elementary Section at the BD Home Internationals at Rowellan. Sports Horse As both a 4 & 5year old he won numerous Ridden Sports Horse Classes & qualified for the Burghley young Event Horse Final at Burhgley. Showing Numerous Ridden & In Hand Championships,to his name

4. Country Colour Spot – Lancashire, Lancs

12.2 Part Bred Arab Homozygous Bay Tobiano

Licensed PBA Graded BSPA BSJA Assesed

A super Sports/Show Pony Sire & being Homozygous guaranteed to throw a coloured foal to any colur of mare. Being by our own Spotswood Jafeica, he has inherited his father’s superb temperament, great attitude to work & is just a star to do anything with. His paces are superb, with a lovely elevated floating movement & a natural uphill ride. Qualified RIHS ridden coloured on first outing. He has his sire’s natural aptitude to jumping, he passed his BSJA assessment with flying colours & is now showing his huge scopey jump in the ring. BSJA winnings with Double clear in Stepping Stones & British Novice ridden by a 10year old girl. He won Nursery stakes Working Hunter at Winter Festival of Champions, his first ever Working Hunter class. He is proving to be an absolute star taking everything we throw at him in his stride. This pony is an absolute dream to do anything with, he has a great personality, loves to work & please & is fantastic with the smallest jockey. Qualified RIHS Ridden Coloured on first outing under saddle 2011 Won Nursery Stakes championship at Spring Festival of Showing in first WH Class BSJA winnings with double clears in Stepping Stones.

5. Country Top Dollar – Lancashire, Lancs  £570

16.2 Bay Tobiano TB X  Dressage Stallion

This stallion has inherited his sire’s elegant looks & famous temperament. He is a true Ridding horse stamp, full of quality & presence but given his Dam’s achievements & family history also full of jumping ability. His elegant looks & paces have made him a top show horse & successful dressage horse but his ability over a fence & his breeding make him too good to just keep on the flat! He is by our one & only ‘Country Top Gun’ & as with his sire he is a true thoroughbred with pure quality, he is one of the most elegant coloured horses around & he is even more stunning in the flesh.

Country Top Gun – Lancashire, Lancs  £600

Coloured16.2hh Anglo European Grade B Jumping Stallion

One of the best known & most proven coloured stallions in the country. Imported from Ireland as a foal, his Top Class blood lines go back to both sets of grandparents. He has produced over 80% coloured foals. Country Top Gun has Top Show Horses, Show Jumpers & National Hunt Horses in his pedigree which includes Prefairy & goes back to the legendery Precipitation. His Sire Stensen is the sire of many top class coloured competition & Show horses. His full sister Pauldary’s Lady Aaddie is a prolific winner in the show ring.

6. Umenno – Braco, Perthshire  £700

16.1hh Chestnur Tobiano KWPN / Dutch Warmblood

Umenno possesses a good trainable temperament, powerful flamboyant movement, a beautifully marked chestnut and white robe, and a pedigree of legendary ancestry with 50% thoroughbred. Bred with athleticism in mind Umenno is an expressive powerful mover with off the floor paces and has demonstrated good jumping ability in the showjumping arena.Umenno was also shown in hand throughout the UK, standing Open Non Native National Champion and young stock reserve. He has stood Champion at many National county shows including, the Scottish Chaps National, the Highland Show, Fife Show, and Great Yorkshire along with other wins in Sport Horse classes.As a four year old he jumped double clears in British Novice. Discovery and Newcomers. He qualified for the Royal Show potential showjumper, the Royal International Horse Show BSPA Ridden finals, Burghley young event horse, Arena UK 4 year old SJ championship, and the Scottish Sports Horse 4 year old showjumping sport horse series along with numerous overall Championships in ridden sport horse classes often standing vainquer to older competitors. Winner of the five year classes at Bicton and the six year old class in St Legier Switzerland with additional placings at RII with Rudi Wallerbosch.Umenno has since been sold to South Africa and has dominated the showing circuit with multiple wins and Championships.Frozen semen is still available for distribution within all EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.

 

Horse Jobs

Lucinda Fredericks – Working Pupil and Temporary Groom Opportunities

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Are you looking for an opportunity on an eventing yard? Horse Scout has two positions advertised.

Lucinda Fredericks has a new opportunity for a working pupil to join her yard near Devises  with (or without) their horse from March 2015.

Closing date: Friday 20th February 2015 This is a great opportunity for someone wanting to experience life on an International Eventing yard as part of a fantastic and friendly team, whilst developing your own, and your horses career. Case Study: Zoe joined us in August 2014 as a Working Pupil, she has shown herself to be a hardworking member of the team who is quick to learn and is a joy to be around. Due to her commitment and enthusiasm we have worked with her to transfer her onto an apprenticeship scheme and she is now working towards a level 3 qualification with us. Zoe commented “Lucinda is someone I aspire to be like and what more could you want than being at her yard itself. In five years time I see myself and my own horse competing regularly in different disciplines, surrounded by and being part of a determined, hard working team. My ambition is to run my own yard for breaking, schooling and competitive livery”. For full information please see our website.

Lucinda also has a place for a Temporary Full Time Groom – immediate start Position 1: Temporary groom with immediate start We are currently seeking a temporary groom, full time over 6 days to start immediately. This is a great opportunity for someone wanting to gain experience working on an International Eventing yard as part of a fantastic and friendly team. Excellent on site accommodation is available.

Horse Advice

Looking at loosening up muscles, joints and your horses mind.

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Looking at loosening up muscles, joints and your horses mind.

When you have mounted your horse allow him to walk off on a soft low rein with a loose contact and encourage him to stretch forward and long in his neck. This stretches the ‘nuchal ligament’ which runs from his pole to his withers and in turn pulls on the ligaments which run along the top of the vertebrae and gives him time to get used to your weight.  When you feel he has developed a loose and flexible walk and is listening to you then move into trot keeping the contact soft and low and start in rising trot on large figures of eight in a slow steady trot. This will help him relax and adjust his stance to easily take your weight. Also by riding your horse in this way also it allows for more swing through his back, which is a positive movement to promote.

It’s important to start and finish your ridden session with your horse in a long and low contact to let him use his nuchal and supraspinous ligaments to support his back, particularly as he’s warming up or when he’s tired.

Once your horse is loosened up and moving freely in the large movements you can start to increase his temperature and circulation by asking him to move into canter this will increase his cardio and breathing rates and oxygenate the muscles ready to start working. It also exercises the core muscles which have to extend and contract more in the canter than they do in the trot.

Once you feel he is breathing well and has warmed up then allow him to have a breather and walk for a while. During this walking period you can concentrate on flexibility. Just like people horses will loose flexibility over time unless they are given routine exercises which help them use their joints to the full.

Lateral work for a horse encourages a full range of movement in upper joints, rather like us lifting our arms above our heads to stretch. Depending on what level your horse is training at you can use small circles of lateral work such as leg-yield, shoulder-in and travers. Start any lateral exercises in walk at first as it requires the greatest amount of joint movement because there’s no moment of suspension.

Walking is the horses most flexible pace for his spine.  In walk he is able to more easily rotate and flex and this helps bring his hind legs in to step up and under him. All of these exercises will help to promote and maintain your horse’s skeletal health. Flexing him to the left and right will help the muscles on either side of his spine and poll to flex, and any lateral and circle work will strengthen and stretch these muscle chains further.

Work with an experienced trainer to get the best from your horse.  Horse Scout has a list of professional trainers and coaches one of whom is bound to be in your area