Tag Archives: Rider Advice

Horse Advice

Are you looking for Choice – Horse Dealer and Breeder Caron Nichol has it all

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Since 2004 Carron Nicol, the International Show jumper, has run European Sports Horses Ltd, a large breeding, show jumping and dealing yard at Rumer Stud Farm, Long Marston Road, Welford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 8AF.

The stud has a very large selection of horses in excess of 50 available at all times ranging from foals to 12yrs. Horses are either bred by ourselves, (and they have some lovely Show Jumping stallions on our lists)  or imported from the continent. Each horse carries a one month exchange warranty. Feedback for her business in forums has been nothing but positive an being able to trial a horse for a month is a great way to make absolutely sure that you and your horse are a match.

They have 11 horses advertised with Horse Scout. One, Rosie, is a lovely looking 16.2, 5 year old mare grey KWPN by Lord Z jumping at grade C

They stand stallions Crusador,Mr Visto,Fantaland ,Bogarde,Brandon and Cassini Boy.

Rumer Stud Farm

The stud stands on 81 acres and offers excellent grazing for mares at stud.

24hr onsite supervision, Designated lorry parking, Floodlights on school

Horse walker, Individual turn out, Mirrors around school, Onsite communal tea

And they cater for, breaking & producing, breeding & stud, dealing & sales

Equestrian centre (show centres), livery – competition

Company director and international showjumper Carron Nicol has been riding since the age of five and has over 30 years experience running her own business. Carron competes on a regular basis and has won at international level representing Great Britain.Wins also include Horse of The Year Show and placings in The Hickstead Derby and the Hickstead Speed Derby as well as countless wins in International Trials.

Rumer Stud offers excellent trial facilities including a large 80 x 60m outdoor arena with a sand and rubber surface supplied by Mansfield Sand, an indoor school 46m x 20m with a surface supplied by Andrews Bowen and a 7½ furlong all weather gallop.

Horse Advice

 Haylage – Hey! Do you know benefits of feeding Haylage?

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Benefits of feeding haylage

  1. It is dust free
  2. No need to soak
  3. It is convenient to handle
  4. Haylage has a high nutritional value
  5. Its more palatable to horses than hay
  6. Can easily be stored outside as it is packed in water resistant bags.
  7. Unopened bags of haylage keep for up to 18 months without any loss of feeding value.

Haylage is an ideal replacement for hay and excellent for feeding to horses with dust allergies and equine respiratory problems such as COPD, SPAOD and RAOD.

Haylages are made of grass that is cut before it goes to seed. It is semi-wilted grass sealed in a bag but without the dust and spores found in hay.

The benefits of this are that as there are no spores it does not cause or aggravate respiratory problems. Haylage also has a higher nutritional value than hay.

This is acheived by cutting good quality grass – but instead of allowing it to dry completely it is baled when the grass has wilted and the moisture content reduced to about 40 – 45%.

Although haylage will not usually contain dust or mould spores the moisture content will prevent any remaining mould spores becoming airborne – reducing the chance of respiratory problems.

The process of making haylage for horses takes about 24 hours in good drying weather – hay takes 4 – 5 days.

The bales are then compressed to half their original size, packed and heat sealed into plastic bags.

Natural fermentation inside the bag preserves the grass as haylage – which retains 90% of the feed value of fresh grass.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF HAYLAGE

Haylage can come in several forms to suit all types of horses and ponies – ryegrass,high fibre, alfalfa, sainfoin plus special mixes for racehorses and competition horses.

Cost is a factor which may discourage some horse owners from feeding haylage – but you may not need to feed as much haylage to your horse or pony as ordinary hay as haylage has a much higher nutritional value – as a result less hard feed may be needed as well – an additional saving.

Once opened the contents of a bale of haylage should be used as soon as possible as exposure to air gives the chance for mould to develop. A bale will usually keep for 7 days once it has been opened depending on weather conditions.

Sometimes when you open a bale of haylage you will see small white or cream round groups of yeasts on the haylage stems and blades that have a creamy consistency – not fluffy or powdery . These “colonies” are not moulds and do not produce spores – they will not harm the health of your horse or pony. If you make the change from hay to haylage make the change gradual – a horse is very sensitive to any changes in his diet.

HOW MUCH HAYLAGE SHOULD YOU FEED TO A HORSE OR PONY?

If you are used to feeding you’ll need to get used to handling haylage – you don’t want to end up under or overfeeding your horse or pony.

A typical 500 kilo, 16hh middleweight riding horse needs a minimum daily intake of roughage of about 1% of his body weight – this works out to 5 kilos of hay.

As haylage has a higher moisture content, the same riding horse would need a daily ration of 7 to 8.5 kilos of haylage.

Although you need to feed more haylage by weight, you need less by volume – haylage is much denser than hay because of the higher moisture content.

When you start out feeding haylage to your horse it’s best to weigh out the amount every day – until you get accustomed to estimating the volume.

As haylage has about a 10% higher nutritional value than hay less supplementary hard feed will be required to meet a horse or pony’s energy requirements. For further in-depth information about feeding Haylage visit Equi-net, They have some very interesting articles on keeping your horse healthy.

Many livery yards provide haylage for their horses and on Horse Scout we make it easy for you to decide whether a livery yard will suit you with our five star rating.  After all the more information a yard provides on Horse Scouts’ listings pages the better informed you are when looking for somewhere to keep your horse at livery or for training, rehabilitation or selling.

 

 

Buying A Pony

Buying a pony? – 5 top tips for pony poppits

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Off the lead rein? This next stage is so important.

You need a pony who is rock solid and has experience under his belt…. millage on the clock.

A landmark Study asked children ‘Would you rather play simply for fun, or would you prefer to win?’…. 95% said FUN

So your child has outgrown her first pony, and possibly a second, and has been riding off the lead rein, independently and happily and has shown no signs of reluctance to play with the pony nor to ride it, then he or she may be ready to take the next step.

1. Ask about his background, he is likely to have had two or even three owners, can his history be traced?

2. You need your child to practice, practice and practice more, so don’t be swayed by looks or tempted into buying a young pony “with Potential” at this stage.

3. This next pony will be giving your child the confidence to ride independently, start jumping small jumps, do gymkanas or perhaps even go to Pony Club Camp or at least pony club training sessions and perhaps even progress to grassroots competitions.

4. Most of all though this pony is to have as much fun on as it is possible to fit in!

5. Look for a pony who fits well, try not to be tempted to look at this next purchase as “something your child can grow into” remember confidence comes from feeling safe and being adventurous comes from …feeling safe.

So pick experience, temperament and size as your priorities with pony Number two.

There are a few school-masters advertised on Horse Scouts Ponies for Sale pages, which do sound like wonderful ponies., but as a second pony perhaps

Morwyn Bronze Calypso – Burnham on Crouch, Essex for £2,850 does stands out. His advertisement say he is a fun, safe, well bred registered Welsh Sec B Gelding with so much potential. He would ideally suit a second competition pony, but is also a confidence giver and would be safe for novice. He is jumping comfortably (and winning) at 2.6 but can clear 3.6 at “chase me charlie”. He has never been lame or sorry, no laminitis or sweet itch. Teeth and vaccinations are up to date. I have owned this pony for 7years and had him professionally backed 4 years ago and he has been in constant work ever since. He has sadly been outgrown and needs to find a new rider. Calypso will sell with his entire wardrobe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note that by recommending a purchaser look at advertisements on the Horse Scout site Horse Scout nor its agents can be held liable or responsible for the suitability or not of any pony registered on its for sale pages.

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 Riding Tips

Hungry as a horse? 5 Quick recipes for success

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After a hectic competition day, the last thing you want to do is spend ages cooking, but you do have to eat something. You’ve tucked your horse up in a clean fresh bed, watered and fed him and kissed his nose and now you need to think about you.

Takeaways are an option but you could cook these in the time it takes to call a company.

Here are five quick recipes for Horse’men that take less than ten minutes.

Luckily these recipes are super simple and all take less than 10 minutes to put together.

1. Prawn stir fry

A simple classic perfect for families:

Fry garlic, chilli, ginger and some onions in a pan, then add in some prawns. You can use raw or cooked, but if you use the cooked ones add them at the end so they don’t end up overdone.

Add in some beansprouts, peppers, green beans, or any vegetables you like.

Toss in some rice or egg noodles, and splash with some soy or sweet chilli sauce.

2. Chorizo and pepper frittata

Perfect hot, but also great cold for a packed lunch:

Whisk 4 eggs and season with salt & pepper.

Pour in to a pan and top with cubed chorizo and finely sliced peppers

wait until cooked through and set, then finish with a topping of grated parmesan cheese.

3. Creamed mushroom bruschetta

An easy light meal:

Chop some mushrooms and cook them in a pan, being sure to drain off any excess liquid.

Add in spinach, and once wilted, stir in a couple of dollops of garlic and herb cream cheese.

Serve on 2 slices of good quality toasted bread.

4. Oriental duck breast

Because fancy food doesn’t have to be time consuming:

Score the duck breast and pan fry on a high heat.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, boil balsamic vinegar, a nob of butter and a dash of red wine until it thickens to form a jus, then add in some chopped spring onions and chilli.

Serve the duck on a bed of red cabbage or crushed peas, and drizzle over the jus.

5. Banana pancakes

For a little treat:

Mash 4 bananas, and add in a couple of tablespoons of flour, 2 eggs and a dash of milk.

Whisk to form a thick batter, then ladle in to a hot frying pan, and flip after 2 minutes.

Serve with yoghurt, berries, honey or golden syrup.

Thank you running bug for your top tips for tea.

 

Horse Advice

Christoph Hess says Think “go” rather than “Whoa” 

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“Change up to trot” is widely quoted in the horse magazines this week. This is a fundamental strength in a good rider, always thinking ‘forward’.

Key to good riding is using your core; Horse Scout has Top Tips for core strength below.

If you look at a horse who is travelling well he will always be moving towards his head, a horse who is being restricted with his head behind the vertical cannot produce the impulsion necessary to carry himself.  It can be difficult to asses yourself and decide if you are working too hard, but a good instructor will be able to tell you if you are using your limbs too much and not enough core strength to ride correctly.

Impulsion is created through a horses core strength, his ability to carry his weight behind the saddle and free up the shoulders which can then dictate the direction in which the horse will travel.  It is important to first achieve core stability to protect the spine and surrounding musculature from injury in static and then dynamic movements. Second, we want to effectively and efficiently transfer and produce force during dynamic movements while maintaining core stability.

This is as important in the rider as the horse.  A rider who is able to employ his core strength both statically and dynamically has a real advantage when training horses to perform and improve their way of going.

Core strength protects a rider from injury  by protecting the spine which can be damaged by even the least sexy of actions; like picking up the milk far back in the fridge!. Research has shown that athletes with higher core stability have a lower risk of injury.

You can test out your core strength by performing a “core Stability test”

For the purpose of self-evaluation begin in a prone pushup position, with toes tucked under, lying flat on the ground. Your hands should be shoulder-width apart. Men will have the palms of their hands in line with their chin and women in line with their clavicle (collar bone). In a single motion, perform a pushup while maintaining a completely straight body. To check that you are performing this test correctly you can place a dowel rod or PVC pipe along your body shoulder to seat.

Put yourself in the proper start position (hands may not slide down lower)

Using the strength in your core muscles lever yourself up through your arms and shoulders. The chest and stomach leave the ground at the same time

Spinal alignment is maintained with the body moving as a single unit (can use dowel to help determine and measure alignment) If any of the criteria are failed the screen is deemed as a failing score. You have a maximum of three attempts to complete this screen.

If you successfully pass the stability test, progress to the strength screens. Progress in core stability and strength should yield more effective progress and strength gains in other movements including both the squat and deadlift. Without core stability gross movement patterns become very difficult to impossible.

Exercising abs in isolation is not as effective as using exercises such as the plank. The Plank and side plank evaluate static core strength.

Improving you own core stability will help you improve you performance and therefore effectiveness as a rider.

Are you struggling to ride your horse forward into his bridge are you constantly having to use leg power to animate your horse? It could be that your core muscles need strengthening.  Working with your trainer or finding a trainer to help keep you on track and encourage you to ride using your core strength will really make a difference to how you ride.

 

Novice Rider

In Praise of the Talented Amateur Rider

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If Professional riders are the backbone of the sports horse industry then Talented Amateur Riders are the muscle.

In every sector of the British Equine Industry there are talented amateur riders producing and competing against the professional riders who make their living in their industry. Horse and Hound have recently featured an array of well known and very talented amateur riders who hold down a job and still find time to work their horses.  You have to admire this army of dedicated riders.  Early morning and late nights (not that professional trainers don’t of course) Weekends are dedicated to lessons or competing and evenings reserved for clinics and schooling sessions, and midnight is that special hour for cleaning tack!…possibly after an evening out with friends, who knows.

Some Amateurs concentrate on producing talented horses for the professional market, like Becky Marsden who trained OBOS Columbus “Obie” who she sold as an eight year old to Mark Tod who is delighted with him. Becky says, of her choice in horses to buy to bring on that “They have to be sensible in their heads” because she will often be riding alone. Caroline Brdge also produces horses for the profesional market like Don George, but also sells to other amateurs who want to compete seriously and don’t necessarily have time to bring a horse up to the level at which they want to be competing.

Vicky Brake, who produced horses such as mary Kings horse Imperial cavalier says “I’ve learned over the years that’s cautious everytime it moves up a level is likely to be found out, so you shouldn’t waste time trying to make it into something it isn’t”

For Darren mattia who produces dressage horses; Dimaggio and Woodland Wesuvio were started by him, hacking is key to starting his youngsters off.  He says that being out on the lanes and tracks keeps their minds occupied and so he is able to take advantage of their energy to “ride them forward”

For the grassroots rider looking for Horses for Sale; David Brooms tips on buying a horse really stand out for me.  Reading Forums where the topics are being discussed by the grassroots community in any riding discipline the one thing that comes up again and again is temperament.  When looing for a horse which is going to meet your needs as an amateur rider then aside from the obvious good leg at each corner, soundness, and ability come temperament.

Make those few precious hours you have with your horse the best they can be and buy a horse with the nicest temperament.

For me temperament and talent over looks any day.

Most well made horses with the right temperament and training will, given time reach to say, medium advanced in Dressage, Novice or even intermediate in Eventing, 110/120m in showjumping. Other disciplines like showing or endurance will need the confirmation of an angel to compete successfully, but for other disciplines the adage handsome is as handsome does is just so true.

If you are thinking of buying a horse which has been produced by an amateur look at its competition record, this will give an indication of breaks in its training (and you can ask why) and how consistent it has been in its placings and progress through the levels.

Horse Scout has some lovely horses for sale which have been produced by both professionals and some very talented amateur riders.  Horse Scout has made it easy to see, at a glance, the horses competition level, and if applicable, how many points it has accrued.  Five star listings will have information and photos and videos too. You can also check out the producers profile page. In fact Horse Scout offers a really good overview helping you make an informed choice before even picking up the telephone.  Good Luck in you search.

Horse Riding Tips

Ways of Going – 8 Top Tips for the Riding Horse in the Show Ring

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Insider talk on top judges tips for what she wants to see in a riding horse and the way it goes, how it looks and most importantly (especially for the judge) how it rides.

  1. When watching the ‘go round’ judges look for a horse which is walking with a long and easy stride, covering the ground well, swinging its shoulder freely and tracking up well. They want to see a longer rein walk, not a horse pulled in with its head scrunched up to its chest. The horse should be swinging its head slightly in time to the walk and have its head in front of the perpendicular, ears pricked and a happy, calm look.
  2. At the trot they look again for a long swinging stride, the tail carried easily and swinging from side to side – the sign of a relaxed, swinging, working back – and a comfortable easy head carriage, with the bit held quietly in a wet mouth, no open mouths or grinding teeth – a particular hate. The head should be straight and in line with the direction, not tilted or crooked. They look especially for a steady rhythm or cadence, showing that the horse is working from behind and is carrying itself – not having its nose pulled in by the reins and kicked along all the time.
  3. At canter it’s much the same. Judges look for a smooth slowish, steady canter which gives the impression the rider is totally at ease and the pair could swing along all day in superb comfort.
  4. When gallop is shown ideally the horse only needs to show some definite lengthening of the stride and lowering along the long side of the ring, sliding into an easy gallop and out without fuss. Sadly this is not often seen; quite often they rush about with fast short strides. Galloping is not about racing or jumping off the corner as in a gymkhana, but showing lowering and lengthening – (this used to be called ventre-a-terre) in just half a dozen strides and a calm return to slower paces.
  5. Riding horses are not usually required to do shows but they can be and when this is done Judges prefer to see a simple, short show well done, rather than complicated manoeuvres which fail miserably. However, a Riding Horse should be able to rein back easily and happily, change leg at canter in a straight line and slide on to extend and back without fighting.
  6. The purpose of a Riding Horse is to take one riding for pleasure and therefore it is expected to carry a rider with very light and easy aids and to be soft and gentle on the hand. Judges do not want a horse that is jumping out of its skin, but alternatively they really don’t want something that needs pushing round the ring – imaging having to ride twenty all needing shovelling along, exhausting!!
  7. Many consider that the most important thing is the quality of its movement, a young green horse can give an infinitely better ride than an old well schooled, beautifully mannered but stiff and stilted moving horse, if its paces are on another plane, if it moves across the ring on a well oiled easy stride, long and flowing and soft off the ground. A horse must be supple and easy round its corners, bending whichever way it’s going. Very often horses are marked down because they lie heavily on one rein and are stiff on one side. This is usually the fault of poor training and results in a most unsatisfactory ride.
  8. No-one likes riding horses that spook and jump about so they must be relaxed and able to cope with the (sometimes ridiculous) distractions that surround the rings at today’s horse shows. When judges come to sit on the horse they need to feel their legs taken up by its sides, and to have a good length of rein in front of them, not just neck, but shoulder as well, and to feel, literally that they are in the middle of a comfortable well fitting “seat”.

If you are looking for a horse to do well as a riding horse in the show ring take a look at the Horse Scout Horses for Sale pages.  There are some fabulous prospect there.

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