Your Horse

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…

HORSE talk • Here’s what you need to know about this month

CAPTURED ON CAMERA

REINING IN THE RISKS • Riding has countless physical, mental and developmental benefits for children, but in these frenetic times, and with several recent high-profile road incidents reported, how does a parent ensure that their little one stays safe in the saddle? Charlotte Cooper finds out

WHY IS RIDING GREAT FOR KIDS?

Amanda ('Tigger') Bush • Administrative assistant, Badminton Horse Trials

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PERFECT partners • Having a solid partnership with a horse means being on the same wavelength. Zana Cousins explains how to tune into a horse to make scary incidents, such as bolting and potentially falling off, a thing of the past

SHORT SESSIONS ARE KEY

AN IMPERFECT PARTNER?

Courses FOR HORSES • Want to go clear over a full course of showjumps, but finding it hard and having the odd knock? Top trainer Joanne Burns Firth will ensure that those poles stay firmly in their cups — and Helen Milbank is there to watch how it’s done

Lessons learned

FINDING THAT flow • Carefully curated exercises can help both rider and horse find their zest over fences. In the final part of our ultimate all-rounder series, international event rider Sarah Gairdner explains which grids can improve the canter and therefore boost technique and confidence

Lessons learned

FROM ORDEAL to ideal • A warm-up session before a competition doesn’t have to be a car crash — although it often sees stress levels soaring. Catherine Welton canvasses experts on how to emulate the pros and make this pre-contest element a smooth and serene experience

Blueprint FOR A BOND • Without a true partnership and a connection, rider and horse will struggle to achieve. Natural equine healer and communicator Elaine Tyley explains how to kick start the bonding process, and her instructions are unexpected, finds Julie Harding

A PAIN IN THE neck? • Pilates is well known for its health and wellbeing benefits. In this second extract from her new book, A Comprehensive Guide to Pilates for Horses, equine anatomy and biomechanics expert Gillian Higgins suggests exercises to improve function of the head and neck and potentially dispel pain

Shaky steps explained • An unsteady gait can be a sign that something is seriously wrong with a horse. In fact, he could be suffering from wobbler syndrome. Vet Lucinda Ticehurst explains what to look out for and how to ensure that a sufferer gets the care he needs

'Tom became unsteady on his feet and the onset was pretty rapid'

Bone OF CONTENTION • The ageing process can bring a double whammy for senior horses — dental and joint issues. Spillers’ nutritional content manager, Vanessa Allen, offers advice to ensure that older equines can thrive in the face of such challenges

Why not join Spillers' Super Seniors' Club

ASK THE experts

Insurance can provide peace of mind for owners of veterans

A lack of appropriate insurance could jeopardise a claim

Smart ways to cut costs for multi-horse owners

Non-disclosure isn't in anyone's best...