A-Z Directory
Breach of Contract re Saddle Fitting
Question: Hi I purchased a new Albion Kontact saddle on the advice from the saddler that my old saddle would not fit my new horse. Since purchasing the saddle and being told it fits me and the horse, I have had to have it re balanced 5 times since February and had the back lady…
Read MoreBritish Dressage
For all information about affiliated Dressage, see the British Dressage website: www.britishdressage.co.uk For dressage shows, see the what’s on page
Read MoreLiability for riding accidents
If a rider falls from a horse and is injured, who is liable? A recent case which left a young girl permanently disabled, in which the court decided that the horse’s owner was liable for the rider’s injuries, having failed in her duty of care towards the girl, highlights the need for owners to think…
Read MoreBehaviour Change
Question: Hi Rhiannon, I bought a new horse for my daughter in May, aged 6. He was going very well for several months and jumped everything you put him at, never putting in any stops. Unfortunately something has happened and he very often sticks his nose up in the air, to the extent that he can not…
Read MoreCareer Advice
Question: I am currently holding an offer to study human Physiotherapy at Brunel Uni, wanting to specialise in Equine. Am I able to do it in this route? And do you get much work as an Equine Physio? Answer from Rhiannon Bradford Hello Bethan Thank you for your enquiry. Definitely the only way currently that…
Read MoreSlipping to the Right
Question: Hi, I was wondering if there is any exercises I can do to help me to stop slipping to the right. I am 15 years old and my instructor says I lean to the right and my back could possibly be twisted even though it causes me no pain what so ever. Although sometimes…
Read MoreWhich Pelham
Question to Claire Oliver: Hello I have a 4 year old Welsh section D cob who I am schooling at the moment and have been to 4 shows with him. I am hoping to continue showing but would like to try a Pelham on him but not sure which one to try, can you help…
Read MoreBritish Showjumping
For further information about British Show Jumping, visit the BS website: www.britishshowjumping.co.uk For shows in the area, see the What’s On page
Read MoreHereford Racecourse
Back after four years away from racing and reopened on 6 October 2016. www.hereford-racecourse.co.uk
Read MoreTrailblazers Showing & Working Hunter 2017
We are delighted to introduce the new and exciting developments to the Showing & Working Hunter Trailblazers Series and Championships. Trailblazers are increasing the number of showing classes at the Championship Finals, which sees the introduction of the following classes: – In Hand Trailblazers Spotted, Appaloosa, Palomino & Roan Championship In Hand Trailblazers Best Foreign…
Read MoreTime to Worm? Think worm count first!
How to plan a targeted worm control programme based on tests. It’s the time of year for planning our horse’s parasite control, putting in place measures to ensure their wellbeing is covered for the year ahead with no unwelcome passengers. This no longer means developing a regular chemical programme – The British Veterinary Association and…
Read MoreBackbury Hill, Mordiford
“Back in 2010 Herefordshire Council made an order to register a footpath over Backbury Hill in Mordiford, with much of the user evidence being equestrian. I (Peter McKay) objected considering that with equestrian user evidence it ought be a bridleway, and the order has at long last been sent to PIN’s to be determined. The…
Read MoreWhat to Wear Showing
Question: Hi Claire, I hope you can help, I have been out of the showing circuit for many years now however, I have bought two very different but lovely horses & would like to get back in to it, my only problem is I have forgotten what to wear & what my horse should wear….…
Read MoreShowing in Yearling Classes
Question: Hi I have a cob cross foal that I want to show in yearling classes next year. He is not going to be heavy. He will make around 15.2hh and long legged. Therefore do I show him as a lightweight cob (he currently has quite a bit of feather) or show him more as…
Read MoreShowing my Welsh Section D Yearling
Question: Hello, I’m going to be showing my welsh section D yearling gelding in a couple of weeks, and have decided to try out the “ridden pony/working hunter youngstock” class.. I was wondering if his mane needs to be plaited? I’ve plaited him up a couple of times for practice, but as he has a…
Read MoreOlympia veteran classes
Question: Hi, I have a stunning Donnerhall Oldenburg who is 15 this year so aiming for the Olympia veteran classes. He is very dark brown/ black so what colour tack should he go in? He is fine in a double , would a raised nose and and coloured browband be best? Thanks, Sue Answer from…
Read MoreShowing a Skewbald 8 Month Old Filly
Question: Hi Clare, I was wondering if I could have some advice. I’m going to start showing my skewbald 8 month old filly this show season and was just wondering what classes I could do with her and does she need trimming and plaiting? I was going to start at local level then progress on…
Read MoreShowing a TB Ex racehorse
Question: Hi Claire, I would be grateful for some advice. I have a TB Ex racehorse that I would like to show at local, then county and possibly the SEIB Racehorse to Riding Horse class. I am planning on wearing brown tweed, beige coloured browband and brown tack with pelham. Also, what quarter markers are correct…
Read MoreWhat Classes Would you Recommend?
Question: Hi Claire, I was just hoping for a bit of advice on my ISH as I have recently started showing her with the hope that eventually we can do working hunter. She has a fantastic bold jump and can go to about 1.10 confidently at the moment. She is 7 however was broken late and…
Read More3 year old British Warmblood filly
Question: I would like some advice about my 3 year old British Warmblood filly, she is a British Warmblood from Hannovarian and Westfalian bloodlines. I have taken her to stud book shows and to the BEF Futurities. To show her i used a flash bridle with a pearl and diamond browband and i wore white…
Read MoreWelsh Sec D 2yr Old Filly
Question: Hi I have just bought a registered Welsh Sec D 2 year old filly and plan to do some in hand showing this summer. What should she be wearing? What should I wear? Should the filly be trimmed in any way or just left natural? Thanks, Anna Answer from Claire Oliver: You should be…
Read MoreSuitable for a Small Ridden Hunter Class?
Question: Hi Claire, I show my horse locally in Family Horse, Riding Club Horse and Working Hunter classes. I would like to enter her in a class at a bigger show. From the photo I have included, can you tell me if you feel she would be suitable for a Small Ridden Hunter class, if…
Read MoreIn-hand showing with a 2yr old KWPN x Cob
Question: “I have a KWPN x Cob coloured, rising 2 filly. She’s currently standing at about 14.2 at the withers. I’d like to do some in-hand showing with her at local level this summer just for some experience. I’m not sure what type she is and how to turn her and myself out though? I’ve…
Read MoreWhat Showing Class Would you Recommend?
Question: Dear Claire, This is my rising 6 year old Irish Sports Horse gelding, he is 16hh. I would like to start showing him this year, what class would you recommend for him for his build? We seem to have Riding Horse or Ridden Hunter classes around my location but not so much lightweight Hunter,…
Read MoreIrish Middleweight Coloured Gelding
Question: I have a 16.2 6 yr Irish middleweight coloured gelding. He is built to do most things, but as regards to showing, I don’t know what classes to aim him at; he has a very soft mouth and I don’t want to over bit him too quickly. He’s in a happy mouth straight bar…
Read MoreRidden Hunter Class
Question: Hi Claire, I wondered if I could call upon your advice as I’m getting conflicting messages from friends! I’m hoping to embark on my first attempt at showing and have entered a ridden hunter class with a riding judge listed. To clarify does that mean I will not be expected to perform an individual…
Read MoreRegistered Sports Horse
Question: Hi, I was just wondering what show gear I should wear I’m going to be showing a white Irish draught and a skewbald registered sports horse but I’m not 100% sure what to wear for riding or in hand Answer from Claire: Dear Rebeka To show your horse in hand a collar and tie,…
Read MoreHunter Type
Question: Hi, I’ve owned my 8yr old IDx gelding for just over 2 years now and I’d really like to know more about showing and what class/classes you think we should look to do. I’ve no experience in this area but really would like to give it ago. Any help/suggestions as to what is expected…
Read MoreAdvice on In-hand Showing
Question: “I’d love some advice on in-hand and (in-time) ridden showing classes with my registered welsh section a, Sid (Pentymel Celyn). He is a cracking looking little pony (in my opinion) he has one sque-wiff back foot though- if his hind feet were hands on a clock they would read 11 oclock (hope that makes…
Read MoreShowing a Cob in Ridden Classes
“Can you give me tips on showing my cob in ridden classes. It’s completely new to me and so is the horse. I don’t know what I should wear, nor what he should wear!” Answer from Claire: “In cob classes the cob should be shown in either a double bridle or Pelham. The bridle should…
Read MoreMud Fever
At this time of year there is no shortage of rain and mud within the three counties in which we reside. For many reasons it is advisable to maintain some degree of field turnout during the winter months. Many of you will be familiar with Mud Fever or ‘pastern dermatitis’ as an irritation of…
Read MoreBehind the Vertical
Question: “I have a fantastic horse perfect in many ways apart from she goes behind the vertical at any opportunity! We lose marks in dressage for this evasion. Even when I push her forward try to maintain the contact she gets so stressy and does it even more or gets her tongue over the bit! …
Read MoreWhich Noseband and Browband
Question: Hi Claire, I have been lucky enough to qualify for a National finals on my AQH in the Foreign breeds class and the Palomino / dun/ roans and spotted class. The judge at the qualifying show mentioned he would be better shown in a Pelham or double bridle, which is fine, but now I…
Read MoreHow Do I Keep my Horse Straight?
Question: I have a wonderful 16.2 Warmblood x TB, aged 9, and we are just starting out as a new partnership (I have owened him now for just over 12 months). He has alot of experience, prior to my ownership in the eventing sphere and he did really well, but I wish to concentrate just…
Read MoreCan you spare some time to support the British Horse Society’s work by getting in touch or volunteering?
If so our Access and Bridleways Officers would love to hear from you! Herefordshire has 2,100 miles of public rights of way of which only 263 miles (12%) are accessible to horse riders. We are working to ensure that these routes are clear, have sufficient and visible waymarkers and are safe to ride. We are…
Read MorePoint to Pointing
For information about point to pointing and fixtures visit: www.pointtopoint.co.uk – The Official website for Point-to-Pointing.
Read MoreHorseball information
For more information about Horseball, visit the British Horseball website: www.britishhorseball.co.uk
Read MoreBritish Reining
For all information about British Reining, please visit their website: www.britishreining.co.uk
Read MoreEquine Business – The essential guide for professionals working with horses.
Includes: Starting your own business. Accounts made easy. Legal advice on contracts. Finding the right insurance. Selling horses. Livery yards. This article is the first issue of helpful and essential guides to those running an equestrian business. The article has been put together by experts in their field who have an understanding of the equestrian…
Read MoreProtecting and Improving Access – Bridleways
In England the public rights of way network amounts to 188,700km, consisting of 146,600km of footpaths, 32,400km of bridleways, 3,700km of byways and 6,000km of restricted byways. Horse riders, therefore, currently only have access to 22 percent of public rights of way and horse-drawn vehicle drivers only five percent. For more information, see the BHS…
Read MorePreventing Back Pain in Horses
By Mel Betts, McTimoney Animal Practitioner. Back pain in ridden horses is a common issue. As riders we sit on the weakest point of a horse’s back and then ask it to perform tasks it was never really designed to do! So how can we prevent them becoming sore? Correct tack fitting and good farriery…
Read MoreStarting a ‘stable’ business?
Should you incorporate your equine related business? Protect your personal assets from liability We are often asked whether it is advisable for an equine related business to incorporate into a limited liability company. It is becoming increasingly common to hear of stories where traders, trainers, riding school owners and others within the profession lose their…
Read MoreForest of Dean Bridleways
Horse riders, leisure cyclists and walkers can now enjoy some 30 miles of high-quality and inter-connected woodland tracks contained within four individual Greenway routes linked by quiet country lanes to local towns, villages, tourist attractions, hotels, pubs, equestrian centres and rural businesses. Visit the website to plan your route and for more information: www.fodgreenways.co.uk
Read MoreHay or Haylage? The Feed Debate, by Lucy Harris
Hay and Haylage; what is the difference? Hay is completely dried. Haylage is semi-dried. One is baled, the other is wrapped. But are these the only differences between hay and haylage? How do these differences affect the nutritional value? Can they have differing influence on horses’ performance, health and wellbeing? Time to find out. The…
Read MoreHarness Racing, what is it?
When you say harness racing to most people they think it is the scurry racing that they see at horse of year show. It could not be more different! It is an adrenaline packed sport which is getting more competitive each year with higher standards of horses being imported. If you were to compare the…
Read MoreWhat is Reining
“The sport itself has been likened to a Western form of dressage – both disciplines requiring a competitor to ride a set pattern with smoothness and correctness, demonstrating the unity of horse and rider.” The above information is from the British Reining website where you will find all the information you need about reining – www.britishreining.co.uk
Read MoreHorse Passports – what you need to know…
“The horse passport regime has been under intense scrutiny in recent months following the discovery of horse meat which had entered the human food chain unlawfully. As a result there likely to be continued focus on the legislation governing this area, the Horse Passports Regulations 2009 (“Regulations”), by enforcing authorities long after the media focus…
Read MoreUsing a Riders Mind to Improve Performance
Have you ever said to yourself “I hate show jumping because I can never see a stride” and then you enter the arena and promptly miss at ever fence! Have you ever considered what goes on in your head and how your thoughts can become a self fulfilling prophecy?
Read MoreThinking about buying or selling a horse? Then a sale agreement may just protect you should things go wrong.
Buying a horse is an exciting prospect however the excitement and pleasure that you had when selecting the horse that you wish to buy and bring home can quickly disappear when that horse later proves unsuitable for you or bears no resemblance to the horse that you viewed and were described by the seller. Your…
Read MoreLoan Agreements
Loaning out your horse or having a horse on a loan may seem like the perfect solution when funds are tight however in reality loaning out a horse has many potential pitfalls and loans of horses are often the subject of bitter legal disputes. It is therefore important to have a bespoke loan agreement in…
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