Your Horse inspires its readers to enjoy every second in the saddle. Written by a team of passionate equestrian experts, Your Horse magazine helps you improve your riding, care for your horses and stay up to date on the latest gear. We also encourage you to try new and exciting adventures! Our three main areas of content are: Riding advice: From the best riders and trainers in the world Horse care advice: Expert tips and advice on all aspects of horse care Buying Advice: Helping you spend your money with confidence Your Horse magazine: share our passion for horses.
Welcome
This month’s highlights…
IMPORTANT READER MESSAGE
HORSE talk • Here’s what you need to know about this month
RESCUE UPDATE • A pony abandoned on an industrial estate proved to be a showstopper at the Great Yorkshire Show.
THE POWER OF walk • Walk is a wonder tool that riders can neglect in their desire to push on to faster work. Charlotte Cooper finds out what our horses are missing out on through our need for speed
THE IDEAL WALK REGIME
8 reasons to walk more
Challenger check-in • Our #Hack1000Miles riders have been busy this month…
SEND a selfie • Send in your pics!
ZOE CARMICHAEL • How I make it work: I’m self-employed and have to be very organised, as there can easily be 80 individual tasks involved in producing a single sculpture
YOUR HORSE meets JULES HUDSON ‘Something untouched for two millennia fell on me’ • Best known for hosting the BBC’s Escape to the Country, archaeologist turned TV presenter Jules Hudson tells Emily Bevan about his new role as patron of an equine charity, the grain of sand which cemented his love of history, and his advice for house hunters
HORSE RIDING ON TV…
JULES’ TOP TIPS FOR HOUSE HUNTERS…
FIND YOUR calm • Your brain can learn fear, but it can also learn calm. Harley Street phobia expert Christopher Paul Jones explains how to harness the power of positive conditioning to reduce anxiety and build confidence when you’re in and out of the saddle
EMOTIONS DON’T FOLLOW LOGIC
WHY YOUR BRAIN SOUNDS THE ALARM
THE Ros Canter METHOD • Success isn’t about copying someone else’s routine — it’s about understanding the principles behind it. Three-time Badminton champion Ros Canter tells Gemma Redrup about the training methods, mental strategies and horse-first philosophy that have taken her to the top, with plenty of ideas to inspire your own riding
HOW LORDSHIPS GRAFFALO IS PREPARED FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP
LEARNING FROM SUCCESS RATHER THAN FAILURE
ROS’ FAVOURITE FLATWORK EXERCISES
TRAINING HORSES TO RESPOND TO THE SEAT
Fix it… TURN DOWN THE TENSION • Whether your horse becomes anxious in new environments, tense in the warm— up or unsettled in group lessons, these practical solutions from event rider Ellie Fredericks will help them relax, focus and perform at their best
IT’S THE little THINGS • Great riding ponies aren’t made through strength but through balance, feel and understanding. Pony specialist Sam Turner shares her favourite exercises to help adult riders develop a balanced, athletic and happy mount
Weight, grazing and the good-doer challenge
BAREFOOT, SHOD OR SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN…
Pony positives
THE PERFECT PARTNERSHIP
FROM FAST TO focused • In the final part of this exclusive retraining series, Jasean Spraggett shares the pole work and transition exercises riders can try at home to help former racehorses develop better balance, rhythm and responsiveness for their new ridden careers
THE RIDER’S RESPONSIBILITY
THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES
the Spillers supplement of your choice!
STILL going strong • Growing older doesn’t have to mean hanging up a horse’s saddle....