XC brakes

The eventing season is in full swing, so here I showcase my favourite bits for riding across country, available at the main site, http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk :

Ringed Continental

This bit – also known as the Dutch Gag or Bubble Gag - is available with three or four cheek rings, in most of the commonly seen mouthpieces, and in several materials. (The French Link is pictured above). It us often chosen by riders of horses that can be heavy in the hand, as it emulates the effect of draw reins; a ringed continental bit is best described as a cross between a traditional gag and a Pelham. They aim to help to keep the horse between hand and leg.

Waterford

The Waterford is a type of mouthpiece consisting of a series of balls across the main part of the bit, designed to encourage the horse to ‘mouth’ the bit and encourage better perception of the rider's aids. It is recommended by many riders whose horses are sensitive, yet strong, and hang on the bit or go on the forehand; because the mouthpiece of the Waterford becomes uncomfortable when a horse pulls, the animal will not usually lean on it, or take a strong hold. It is available with several cheek piece styles, including a hanging cheek, pictured above. It is also popular as a Nelson Gag (with full cheeks), Balding Gag (with loose ring cheeks), Cheltenham Gag (with eggbutt cheeks) and as a Ringed Continental (see below).

Three Ringed Continental Waterford

There is a combination of the above two bit types called the three Ring Continental Waterford which is a popular bit for XC riding, as it offers a good level of control. The mouthpiece of the Waterford lays across the horse's tongue, creating an even pressure. This combination creates a very nice bit, providing the rider has sympathetic hands! See above pic.

Jointed Kimblewick

 

The Kimblewick is popular with riders of ponies - especially those that lean on a straight bar mouthpiece. The jointed mouthpiece can lessen the action of the curb, and also help to raise the horse’s head with bar and palate pressure. The lack of shank on a Kimblewick can make them a good bit for children to use, as they also have the added advantage of being able to be ridden with just one pair of reins.

Dental checks by an equine dental technician or vet are recommended at least once a year, to ensure the horse is comfortable, and to avoid longer-term mouthing and bitting problems. Choose a retailer that offers bit hire ideally, so you can try before you commit! You can Email me at advice@thesaddleryshop.co.uk.

We love sharing our expertise - to see a range of horsey articles, videos and reviews concerning lots of other equestrian and countryside matters, visit http:www.horseandcountryside.com  

Managing grass with muzzles

Grazing muzzles can be useful management tools. By using a muzzle, your horse can still be moving around the field and socialising, but will be getting limited spring grass that has high levels of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC).

Bear in mind that research into the use of grazing muzzles to help with management of weight has revealed that longer grass can be more difficult to graze, causing frustration. New research using four ponies was conducted by the Waltham Equine Studies Group, and their intake of forage was measured in the spring, summer and autumn, both with and without grazing muzzles. The study found that when wearing grazing muzzles, pasture intake was reduced by 77% during spring and summer and by 83% during the autumn.

The short (less than 10cm), upright, grass appeared to be the easiest to eat, as leaf blades and stems protruded through the holes in the muzzle. The medium and long swards proved more difficult.

Top tips when using a grazing muzzle - 

1. Introduce the muzzle gradually by starting off using it in the stable - reward your horse with a treat through the hole in the muzzle when you put it on and take it off. 
2. Most manufacturers recommend leaving a muzzle on up to a maximum of 12 hours, so don’t leave on for too long.
3. Remember that grass needs to be at least two inches long for ponies to be able to draw up some grass and not get too frustrated.

Popular products available on our main website include the Greenguard  grazing muzzle which is a simple but effective solution to reduce grass intake....

Plus the range from Shires, which includes the Nylon Grazing Muzzle, below, with its new, improved design. 

Look out for offers on these and other products on our main retail hub at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk. 

We love sharing our expertise - to see a range of horsey articles, videos and reviews concerning lots of other equestrian and countryside matters, visit www.horseandcountryside.com 

Bitting the showjumper

The concepts of harmonious bitting are the same whatever the horse’s discipline, however it is natural that the faster the horse goes and the quicker the reactions required of him are, the more targeted the bit may need to be.

Before we look at what you may need to consider when bitting the showjumping horse, let’s consider some bitting basics:

 

The bit is simply an aid that passes on requests from the rider to the horse regarding speed and direction. The mouthpiece of a bit is selected to suit a horse’s requirements – what fits their mouth conformation, and what they are comfortable and happy in – and the bit rings, or cheek pieces, help the rider communicate their requirements to the horse. Finding the right bit for your horse should be a blend of seeking obedience through correct schooling, tempered with the rider’s understanding of the horse’s welfare.

Now let’s look at some trouble-shooting points first, e.g. working out if your bit needs updating-

•             It obviously hangs too low, or the bridle cheek pieces are ‘floppy’ or loose.

•             It creates too many lip wrinkles, or the bridle check pieces appear tight.

•             The horse chews or mouths the bit uncomfortably.

•             The horse carries his head to one side, or raises his head.

•             The tongue is ‘squashed’.

•             The horse evades bridle fitting.

•             The horse evades the contact when ridden, or his behaviour changes.

•             You see obvious physical issues, like rubs or sore sections.

Bits for jumping

Whatever your discipline, you should always choose the ‘kindest’ bit that meets your needs and your level of riding experience. You may see some riders jumping in more complex bits than a standard snaffle – this is often to help them give more accurate commands at speed, or to help control fit, excitable or strong horses - but as generally a bit is only as strong as the hands holding it, these should only be used by riders with a steady, elastic contact.

Here are some of our best-sellers for show jumping:

The Ringed Continental is very popular with adult jumping riders and is generally available with three or four cheek rings; it is often referred to as the Continental or Dutch Gag. It is available in most of the commonly seen mouthpieces, in several materials. The bit pictured here is the Waterford. Continental bits like this aim to emulate the effect of draw reins in the ring, and help to keep the horse between hand and leg.

Pelhams are also popular bits for jumping riders. They feature elements of both a curb and a snaffle, and are available with various mouthpiece styles. The bit is good for over-enthusiastic horses that lean; however, as with many bits with some leverage action, it should be used only by riders with good hands. The bit pictured is a Flexible Rubber Pelham.

Kimblewicks are similar to Pelhams in their action with the use of a curb chain, but milder, due to the lack of shank, so they do not have the leverage of a Pelham. However they can help to keep the horse’s head up, eg. to avoid leaning, and are popular with pony showjumpers.

 

Common showjumping evasions -

• Head shaking. When pressure is applied to a horse with a sensitive tongue, its response may be to shake the head, or poke the tongue. 
• Raising head. The horse may lift the head if he objects to tongue pressure and also consistent bar pressure.
• Leaning down on the bit. Continuous pressure may lead some horses to lean their head down or ‘yank’ the reins.

Dental checks by an equine dental technician or vet are recommended at least once a year. For articles and info on equestrian matters, please visit www.pegasus-magazine.co.uk . This is the website of the UK’s Pegasus Magazine - the major source of information for the large majority of equestrian enthusiasts across the South East of England and the Home Counties. Visit http://pegasus-magazine.co.uk/magazine  to find out how to access the printed version, of which 25,000 copies per month are read. The site also features articles.

Transitioning tips

Barefoot hoofcare is becoming increasingly popular, as we all know. As a retailer we are passionate about sharing our expertise on hoof boots with customers, but we do get asked frequently about the transitioning phase, e.g. when the horse is first de-shod. Therefore, this article covers some of the frequently asked questions regarding using hoof boots at this stage:

• If your horse was sound in shoes, then he should be sound barefoot on grass and arenas.  He is likely to be sensitive on rocky terrain until his soles thicken and develop a tough callus.
• Hoof boots will allow you to continue riding on all surfaces during transition. 
• Some horses will always need boots on rocky terrain, especially if your circumstances don't allow for optimum diet and environment.
• If your horse was lame in shoes than he may need some time off when the shoes are removed. Hoof boots with pads will get you back in the saddle as soon as possible.  
• Be patient and considerate. It may take time for the hooves to become healthy again.  People are sometimes unrealistic when their horse first comes out of shoes, expecting the horse to cope immediately on long rides, and then when the horse struggles the shoes go back on.
• A lot of thought must be given to diet, the environment the horse lives in and the amount of movement the horse gets.
• Maintain hygiene to a high standard: the horse’s bedding must be clean and dry and the horse’s feet kept clean by picking them out every day.
• The horse must be ridden with consideration using hoof boots when necessary.
• Be prepared to tolerate the opinions of other horse owners who may feel that transitioning your horse out of shoes is unnecessary.

If the horse is still sensitive with boots

If your horse is still reluctant to walk with boots on, and you have not already, you should consult a vet to rule out the possibility of laminitis or any other hoof-related problem. All boots should ideally be used with comfort pads; 12mm medium or soft foam pads or 1” thick ‘sole mate’ type pads work best for very sore horses.

We love sharing our expertise - to see a range of horsey articles, videos and reviews concerning lots of other equestrian and countryside matters, visit http://www.horseandcountryside.com

The Easyboot Cloud; the Ultimate Therapy Boot!

The Easyboot Cloud Therapy Hoof Boot is the ultimate hoof boot for laminitics and horses with other chronic hoof problems. The Easyboot Cloud comes complete with a specialist, removable EVA hoof pad inside that conforms to the hoof, and offers additional comfort and support to the sole. 

The supportive tread reduces loading of the peripheral hoof wall, spreading weight across the entire solar area. The Cloud hoof boot offers a secure fit on the hoof, and is designed for use in the stable or yard, as well as other restricted turnout areas (not designed for very muddy/ deep going or full turnout, however). The Easyboot Cloud therapy hoof boot is also very useful for horses recovering from surgery or hoof problems and when stabling on hard surfaces, for example at shows.

Seams and edges of the industrial strength Cordura upper of the Easyboot Cloud are rounded for safety. A padded collar on this hoof boot provides additional relief to the pastern area. Three air vents provide air circulation to keep the hoof cool while preventing the accumulation of dirt and debris. The Easyboot Cloud Therapy Hoof Boot comes in sizes 00-8 - sold singly. RRP: £81.49.

For articles and info on equestrian matters please visit www.pegasus-magazine.co.uk . This is the website of the UK’s Pegasus Magazine - the major source of information for the large majority of equestrian enthusiasts across the South East of England and the Home Counties. Visit http://pegasus-magazine.co.uk/magazine to find out how to access the printed version, of which 25,000 copies per month are read. The site also features articles.

Shop at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk 

Spring Fever!

Lucy Nicholas of online retailer The Saddlery Shop offers this advice on restricting grazing with a muzzle this spring, for horses prone to weight gain or laminitis:

They are something of a necessary evil for some owners, but a grazing muzzle can be a useful tool. By using a muzzle, your horse can still be moving around the field and socialising, but will be getting limited spring grass that has high levels of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC).

I am a fan of the Greenguard grazing muzzle; it has been designed with vets for effective grazing control, yet still allows unrestricted breathing and drinking, and for the horse to get sufficient exercise in a larger field that grass intake would normally allow. It also helps prevent the sweating or rubbing that’s sometimes associated with ‘bucket’ style grazing muzzles.

Introduce the muzzle gradually by starting off using it in the stable - reward your horse with a treat through the hole in the muzzle when you put it on and take it off.  Once outside, feed grass through the hole to help him understand the principle. Leave the muzzle on for short periods, gradually building up the time it is on.

Grazing considerations

1. According to natural hoofcare barefoot trimmer Steven Leigh of natureswaynhc.co.uk, overweight horses are at a much greater risk of laminitis. Steven helped produce the ‘Laminitis app,’ a grazing risk monitoring service that alerts horse owners when their horse is at a higher risk of laminitis due to a potential increase in grass sugars. Look for the app ‘Laminitis’ on your smart phone or visit laminitis-risk.com - the app will help you to assess when you need to use the muzzle to help prevent excess intake of NSC.
2. Please don’t be tempted to shut a horse away, e.g stable him excessively, to avoid the spring grass - in my opinion the social aspect of turn out with other equines is key. Plus of course, the movement is essential to general wellbeing and mobility - many people use sand schools or bare paddocks for this purpose.
3. Don’t forget that if you have a laminitis prone horse, soaking or steaming the hay can reduce the nutritional content and make it safer. Current research indicates that overconsumption of hays and pasture grasses that contain high levels of fructans and fructose can lead to bouts of laminitis. We know that grass sugars decline significantly when hay is soaked; however, soaking causes considerable mineral losses and reduces the amount of dry matter. A brand new study recently looked at ‘wetting’ methods that included steaming, soaking, steaming then soaking, and soaking then steaming. The study found that soaking followed by steaming was the most effective method for reducing both water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and microbial content in hay intended for horses. (Ref: The Effect of Five Different Wetting Treatments on the Nutrient Content and Microbial Concentration in Hay for Horses, Scott Moore-Colyer et al, 26/11/14, Plos One.)

NSCs and WSCs

Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC) include the simple sugars and starches that can be broken down by enzymes and absorbed from the small intestine into the blood stream as glucose. Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) are primarily the sugars such as fructans found in forages.

In addition to a comprehensive range of spring items including a wide range of grazing muzzles, The Saddlery Shop offers a selection of great spring and summer rugs, including fly rugs, all below RRP. The site offers free delivery for orders over £75. Visit www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk.