sydney free newsletter april 2014

SYDNEY FREE SADDLERY

NEWSLETTER APRIL 2014

Published by SYDNEY FREE SADDLERY FREE

WELCOME TO YOUR APRIL NEWSLETTER

This month the shop has been overtaken with spring/summer 2014 clothing! We have everything from season-

al breeches and showshirts to lightweight jackets and gilets all to help you get ready for some warmer, and

hopefully drier weather! This year we have clothing from a massive range of makes including Horseware,

Gersemi, Cavallo, Ariat and Pikeur. Plus to kick start the season we are offering 10% OFF if you buy more than

one item from the range. We hope all you eventers have a great start to the season, the competitions are back

on after a wet start and we have our fingers crossed for a sunny summer.

Are you a member of our loyalty scheme? We are doing double loyalty points this month so if you aren't on it

already then you should register either online or in the shop. Double points means that for every £250 you

spend you will get a £5 gift voucher back to spend on your next purchase. Also if you spend more that £40 in

store you will be entered into our monthly prize draw where three lucky people will win more vouchers!

The results from last month’s prize draw are inside this copy of the newsletter along with details of all our

monthly offers for you. We are also offering FREE checks of hats and body protectors for fit.

All of you will be glad to know we will be having our annual Easter holiday Easter egg hunt round the shop

again this year for children and adults alike. It will be running from 11th –28th this month so come in and see

what goodies you can find in the shop.

Inside we have got our first column from a local vet Tim Watson who recently opened Waterlane Equine Vets.

We have heard some great things about the practice here in the shop so look forward to some good articles

from him.

Don’t forget that we have a children's competition in the newsletter every month so for all the little people skip

straight on to the back inside cover to enter, there's a Likit and holder up for grabs to our lucky winner!

We have still got our end of season sale rail up in the shop and there are new bits and pieces being

added to it all the time so make sure you come in and have a look. There are some great discounts

including 40% of Cavallo and Gersemi and 30% Off Ariat.

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PHONE: 01285 655384 FACEBOOK.COM/SYDNEYFREESADDLERY SYDNEYFREE.CO.UK

No excuse for complacency as

laminitis continues to be a problem

By ANDREW POYNTON FWCF

NO equine is immune to laminitis although native

breeds appear to be more susceptible – this may be

because they easily overindulge and their nutritional

requirements are less than the thoroughbred compe-

tition horse.

There is no excuse for complacency however as, for

whatever reason, the prevalence of laminitis does not

appear to be reducing. There are undoubtedly lami-

nitic cases that frustrate vets, owners and farriers

alike that do not respond to treatment, thankfully

these are in the minority, and the focus here is on the

majority cases.

Acute laminitis:

Acute laminitis is an emergency and, with the best will

in the world when it happens, it is very easy to be

caught out. When an acute attack of laminitis is sus-

pected or diagnosed by a veterinary surgeon it is wise

to assume this is factual and to do everything the vet-

erinary surgeon suggests. Remove the horse from the

cause – if known, stable on a supportive bed – possi-

bly with an area where it can also stand without the

bedding on the rubber matting. Wood shavings, sand

or a soil base to stand on provides complete sole sup-

port but whenever the patient shifts its weight or

takes a step arterial blood is able to circulate within

the foot. The veterinary surgeon will advise on diet,

medication and take on site xrays.

Mechanical breakdown:

When an acute attack strikes, the peripheral arterial

circulation which supplies the lamella bed contain

arteriovenous anastamosis (AVA), vessels that shunt

blood from arteries to veins in order to bypass capil-

laries; their normal function has to do with thermo-

regulation, but laminitis corrupts this function re-

sulting in ischemia and tissue breakdown.

The laminae which suspend the weight of the horse

within the hoof via the bone column are compro-

mised and within hours can break down causing dev-

astation within the foot. The pedal bone is liable to

rotate forward or in a devastating attack completely

detach and sink within the hoof capsule; either way,

part or all the sole and the solar corium become

crushed.

If the pedal bone (P3) partially detaches and rotates,

its tip crushes against the sole and may even perfo-

rate in medium size ponies and larger; in smaller po-

nies this is less likely. The larger the animal the more

devastating the trauma can be.

‘When an acute attack of laminitis is suspected or di-

agnosed by a veterinary surgeon it is wise to assume

this is factual and to do everything the veterinary sur-

geon suggests’

Before and after a hoof reconstruction

To bring relief at

this acute stage,

frog support can

be applied and

the sole raised

from the ground

by means of a

mould on sup-

port shoe which

can be fitted

without the trauma of nailing at the earliest oppor-

tunity. However, complete constant sole ‘support’ is

liable to constrict circulation and not provide pain

relief. So a shoe with a frog support or even initially

some form of casting material to support the frog can

and will give support to the bone column via the digi-

tal cushion which is a compressible structure. This

transfers load from the hoof wall to the centre of the

bone column alleviating laminal tearing, whilst still

allowing for solar circulation. Both the frog and the

digital cushion above it are compressible, a perfect

firm cast beneath it provides a defined base of sup-

port. This should

be applied as

soon as Before

and after a hoof

reconstruction

possible, before

any P3 descent

ideally – preven-

tion is better than

cure.

http://www.facebook.com/sydneyfreesaddlery

http://www.sydneyfree.co.uk/

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Ongoing treatment and recovery:

The P3 hoof alignment is of prime importance, so regu-

lar trimming at approximately five to six weeks or as

advised by your farrier should be maintained. Once la-

mella breakdown has occurred, the hoof it is aligned

with will not re-attach but be lost, so the route to recov-

ery is lengthened. Recovery comes when new, attached

horn grows down from the coronary corium realigned

with P3; so rather than one pair of shoes, it may be

many months and more before total recovery is realised

– if at all. Once a horse has suffered from laminitis it is

at higher risk of a recurrence.

The transitionary period from losing a hoof to regener-

ating a new one is tricky, but it now can be replaced

with a synthetic hoof, as such, whilst the new one is

growing. If a foot can regenerate new horn from the

coronary border from heel to heel whilst maintaining

the comfort of the patient throughout, there is hope.

The farrier/vet and owners joint cooperation in the

treatment and nursing of a recovering laminitic is vital.

The shoeing treatment does not cure laminitis, but is

frequently a vital component to the complete recovery

of many laminitics and provides immense relief for hors-

es and ponies that would otherwise be subjected to un-

necessary and prolonged suffering. The owner is the

one who can have the greatest effect on the recovery

and maintaining health thereafter.

Summary:

Acute laminitis is an emergency and must be treated as

such with veterinary and farrier intervention sought as

soon as possible. It is important to stick to a clear re-

gime, review the diet, visually assess the patient daily

both in physique and comfort and when the patient is

able and recovered enough, gentle exercise is conducive

to enabling circulation and removal of toxins in the hoof

and using up energy. However, not in the acute phase

when the laminal attachment is tentative at best – pre-

serve, protect and support, but don’t go anywhere at

that stage. Instead identify the cause, remove it, treat

the symptoms and anticipate recovery.

ANDREW POYNTON FWCF

0166682953—www.poyntonfarrieryclinic.co.uk



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SPRING CLOTHING 2014 AT SYDNEY FREE NEW

Horseware Aine Hoody

Slim Fitting, brushed

cotton inner.

£37.95

Ariat Avalon Jacket

Wind & Water Re-

sistant, Breathable &

Stretchy Softshell

£69.95 Horseware Anais Tee Shirt

Ladies fitted Cotton top

£19.95

Pikeur Milena Jacket

Waterproof, Wind-

proof, Breathable,

Taped Seams

£179.95

Gersemi

NorNor

Jacket

Waterproof,

Breathable

Blouson

£139.95

Cavallo Bettina Blouson Jacket

Waterproof, Windproof & Breathable

with contrast colours on collar and cuffs.

£140

NEW

APRIL

SPECIAL

OFFER

BUY ANY

TWO SPRING

SUMMER

ITEMS AND

GET 10% OFF!



5


Did you know we do Clipper Hire?

Wolsely Swift Clipper and Liveryman Harmony

Clipper £25 to hire for 24hours (£350 and £240 to

buy respectively)

We hire out two styles of clipper to our customers, this

enables you to clip without the hassle or cost of the up-

keep of clippers.

Our Wolsely Swift clip-

per is a heavy duty clip-

per suitable even for

the very hairiest of

horse.

Our Liveryman Harmony

clipper is quieter and runs

off a battery pack which is

ideal if you don't have

electricity where you keep

your horse.

As it is the start of the

competition season we

are offering free hat

fitting checks and free

body protector fitting

checks to all our

customers. No need to make an appoint-

ment just drop in next time you’re passing!

FREE


LOYALTY SCHEME MEMBERS:

DOUBLE POINTS

EVERY DAY IN APRIL! TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LOYALTY SCHEME YOU CAN

EITHER COME INTO THE SHOP AND ASK TO JOIN OR

YOU CAN SIGN UP ON OUR WEBSITE.

If you are already a member and want to shop online

and still get your points please use the ‘forgot my pass-

word’ button to link the online account with your shop

account.



6


PRELIM TO GRAND PRIX LENGTHENED STRIDES, MEDIUM TROT AND EXTENDED

TROT

One of the most common errors riders make in a dres-sage test is the lengthened / medium / extended trot. Most people reach the diagonal line and then just trot as fast as they can until the end in a Go Go Go attitude! However, there is a little more to it…

Lengthened strides – this is part way between working trot and medium trot found in the lower level tests and young horse tests where the horse does not yet necessarily have the strength for the medium trot. In a test you do not need to show this all the way across the diagonal. Get onto your diagonal line, make sure your horse is straight and balanced and then increase the length of stride. Show this for several strides over X, then bring the horse back to working trot before the end of the diagonal. You want to aim to only show your lengthened strides in the middle of the diagonal line.

Medium Trot – this shows lengthening across the whole diagonal line, but not as much as in the extend-ed trot. The horse needs to move forwards with clearly lengthened steps, without rushing, with the power coming from the hind quarters. The horse can carry his head a little more in front of the vertical than in the working or collected trots and the whole frame length-ens. All steps should be even.

Extended Trot – this shows even more lengthening than the medium trot, with the horse covering as much ground as possible, again being propelled for-wards from the hindquarters. As with the medium trot, the whole frame is allowed to lengthen and all steps need to be even and balanced.

Training for the lengthened trots

The best way to train the lengthened strides is using a mix of straight lines and large circle lines. A lot of peo-ple only ever train the lengthened strides on the diago-nal lines and as a result the horse hits the diagonal line in a test and rushes forwards, generally falling on the forehand. Although you want to practice using the long lines it is very useful to do a fair amount of training on a 20m circle. This does not mean that you just trot as fast as you can around the circle!!

Your job as a rider is to help balance the horse and keep the strides level and even with the power coming from behind. Using the circle is helpful as the horse has to engage his hindquarters and lift the shoulders to keep turning around the circle more than he does on the long diagonal. This does not mean though that he does not need your help to achieve this.

On the big circle make sure that you first have full con-trol over the trot, that it is engaged and forward of the horse’s own accord, evenly into your hands. You want to aim to start with a few steps of lengthening and build up from there. Aim for 3-4 strides to start with whilst keeping full control over both your upward and downward transitions and over every step in between.

Your aids should simply be for ‘allowing’ the horse for-ward. You want to feel as if the power is there and at the aids you are simply releasing that power forward. However, first you need to train so that your horse rec-ognises those aids. When you want to lengthen the strides you should move your lower leg slightly back to engage the hind end more and signal to the horse what you are after, bring your upper body slightly back which means that your bodyweight is helping the horse keep his balance on his hind end and move your hands forwards a little to allow the frame to lengthen. As you do this – simultaneously! – give a tiny feel with your lower legs and you want to feel the horse move forward. Ideally you want to feel the horse remain like that until you ask him to collect, but again that is something to achieve through the training and repeti-tion. To collect you want to give a little squeeze with your lower legs whilst giving a little feel on the reins, move your lower legs to the normal position and your hands back to your normal position, and your position more upright. There is as much importance in the up-ward and downward transitions as there is in the movement itself.

Aim to do this a couple of times on the circle and when you feel you have achieved complete balance and true lengthening for 3-4 strides, add on a couple more strides each time. You can work on this between the circle and the diagonal line, although I would not sug-gest going on the diagonal if you are struggling on the circle as you may get speed on the long straight line, but it is highly likely the horse will drop on the fore-hand. However, once you feel you have achieved what you want on the circle, try a couple of the diagonal lines. Turn on to the line and make sure you are straight before even asking for the lengthening other-wise your horse will start to anticipate and on the



7


For Your Horse This

Summer at

Sydney Free.

NEW

whole that leads to rushing. Get on to the line, make sure you are straight and then ask, collecting again over X and then moving forward again (depending on your horse’s strength and ability). Practising collecting in the middle of the line can be useful as if you are in a test and feel you are losing balance the horse is more likely to understand you if you try and help him rebalance. Also, ride a few diagonal trot lines with no form of lengthening in between – this helps to stop the horse anticipating. If in doubt or if you get into trouble with the balance or feel out of control then remember to go back to the circle to help both of you. You want to feel the horse be able to move forward and lengthen of his own accord, however he needs you to help make sure the balance stays in the right place.

MARY SHARMAN—www.marysharman.co.uk—

07970426253 ‘Mary competes at Grand Prix and has

been a member of the World Class Equine Pathway and

Development Programmes. She has been placed in the

top ten at British Dressage National Championships at

every level from Prelim to Inter I with four of those

placings in the top three and represented Britain at

International CDIs with consistently high rankings. ‘

After so many requests last summer we are pleased to

announce that this year we will be doing the Horseware

Amigo Mio Fly rugs (pictured on

left). We have them in stock now

and they are £44. We also have

the matching fly masks in stock

too in all sizes from Small Pony

to Full which are £9.95.

Other types of fly rug that we

keep in stock are the Horseware Protectors for £89.95.

These rugs have been great for horses that are tough on

their rugs and really stand up well

to heavy use. We also have the Cas-

tle softmesh combo fly rugs in the

shop. They offer protection to the

whole body and have a panel that

wraps around the stomach. For the

horses that really despise flies or

suffer from sweet itch we have the

Horseware Vamoose Sweet Itch

Hoody (pictured above right). This

has be impregnated with Permethrin which helps keep

the flies away whilst the rug covers them and prevents

any bites! We have had brilliant results with the

Vamoose products and we can fully

recommend them!

Alongside the fly rugs for all the sun-

ny weather that we are expecting we

have plenty of lightweight turnout

rugs too. We have the Amigo light-

weight rugs in stock, both the Bravo

super tough range and the everyday

Hero rugs, priced at £89.95 and

£59.95 respectively. Alternatively we

have the castle lightweight which is popular, particularly

with our customers who like a big shoulder pleat on

their rugs. Also the Rhinegold torrent rug is in stock

(picture right), selling at £34.95 this is a good value rug.

These are just some of our

summer rugs that we keep

in stock, we also have the

medium weight rugs still in

stock for any of those horses

that feel the cold in chilly

spring nights.



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Moody Mares–

Controlling Oestrous Behaviour

Abnormal oestrous behaviour is common in mares and

can make them difficult to handle and ride. Here Dr Tim

Watson, of Waterlane Equine Vets, discusses this frus-

trating problem.

Mares are reproductively active in the summer months

and normally come into season between the spring

(March 20) and autumn (September 23) equinoxes.

Their oestrous cycle lasts 21 days and consists of a 15-

day period when they are out of heat (known as dioe-

strus) and around 6 days when they are on heat

(oestrus).

First heats in early spring are often erratic and pro-

longed. Some mares will come in and out of season eve-

ry few days or appear to stay on heat for many days.

Most mares settle once through this transitional period

and cycle every 21 days.

Normal signs of oestrus include calling or nickering, rais-

ing the tail and opening/closing the vulva (winking), fre-

quent urination and posturing. This behaviour is created

by oestrogen hormones produced by the ovaries.

Abnormal oestrous behaviour is manifested by very vo-

cal calling, unusual sexual interest in other horses, anxie-

ty, aggression, violent tail swishing and frequent urina-

tion.

Moody mares often come into season more frequently

than the usual 21 days and stay in oestrus for longer –

some seem almost permanently on heat – and may even

come into season in the winter months.

There may be pain or sensitivity around the flanks, over

the region of the ovaries, with reluctance to work

properly through the back with bucking or kicking.

Affected mares are often difficult to train and compete

successfully.

Abnormal oestrous behaviour may be confined to the

spring transition period, be present throughout the sum-

mer, or all year round. Abnormal behaviour was in fact

permanent in 50% of affected mares in a recent French

survey.

Internal examination may reveal ovaries that are larger

than normal and painful to palpation, with an increased

number or size of oestrogen-producing follicles visible

on ultrasound scan.

Ultrasound findings can, however, be normal and it is

important to rule other possible causes of bad behav-

iour, such as back pain or stomach ulcers, before em-

barking on treatment.

A number of methods for stopping oestrus are available.

The most common is daily oral administration of the

synthetic progesterone hormone altrenogest (Regumate

Equine). Mares may require Regumate just at the start

of the breeding season, throughout the spring and sum-

mer, or all year round. Some owners are put off by the

cost (approx. £1.50/day) and Regumate is not always

effective or may lose efficacy.

Alternatives to Regumate include insertion of a glass ball

or plant oils into the uterus to fool a mare that she is

pregnant and so stop cycling, use of other hormones, or

surgical removal of the ovaries.

The marble technique involves inserting a 25-35 mm

sterile glass ball into the uterus through the cervix im-

mediately after ovulation. It requires ultrasound scan-

ning to pin-point the time of ovulation but is otherwise

simple and relatively inexpensive.

Despite early promise, clinical trials and experience of

marbles have been disappointing: around half of mares

lose the marble and, in those that do retain it, oestrous

behaviour is suppressed in only 50% of mares.

Problems are also encountered in trying to remove the

marble at the end of the season and there have been

reports of glass balls breaking in the uterus, as well as

infection and longer term effects on fertility.



9



ARE PROUD TO BE PART

OF THE:

NAF Five Star

Reward Scheme

Get vouchers back when

you buy your NAF

products with us!

Simply pick up a loyalty

card next time you're in our shop and every time you

purchase £25 worth of NAF products you get a gold

star!! We stock a large range of the NAF products from

first aid items to supplements and their new optimum

balancer! If we don't stock the product that you use

please let us know and we can order it in for you, it only

takes a few days and you can then collect your gold stars

with your purchase. For every

five gold stars you collect you

will receive a £10 NAF voucher.

More recently it has been found that inserting a small

amount of peanut or coconut oil instead of a marble 10

days after ovulation prevented oestrus in over 90% of

mares tested.

This safe and cost-effective method is being used by an

increasing number of vets, although it is not yet clear

how long effects last and to what extent they abolish

abnormal behaviour in 'moody' mares.

Other methods showing promise include injection of the

hormone oxytocin twice daily on days 7-14 after ovula-

tion and insertion of two hormonal implants (Ovuplant).

Removal of the ovaries is an option for mares not intend-

ed for breeding. Development of keyhole surgery means

that this is done under standing sedation with quicker

recovery and at lower cost than previous operations. A

number of feed supplements for oestrus control are also

available. These contain plant or herb extracts with hor-

monallike effects and can certainly help.

But some mares remain difficult, even after removal of

the ovaries, and it has been found that stress and not sex

hormones are to blame in these cases.

If you are experiencing problems with your mare, espe-

cially at this time of the year, then seek advice from your

vet on investigation and possible treatments.

Dr Tim Watson is an experienced equine vet who has

spent his career in first opinion and referral practice. He

moved from Scotland to set up Waterlane Equine Vets in

2013 with the practice covering Glos and N. Wilts. Tim is

keen on all aspects of equine practice, and especially

lameness, back problems and poor performance.

www.waterlaneequinevets.co.uk -01452 770268—

07551857930—[email protected]



10


Treat your horse at the start of this season with a pair of

ICE Vibe Circulation Therapy Boots

We have heard such great reviews about these boots used daily on eventers and on polo ponies to keep the legs in good condition. Equally they are good to help recover after injury.

The ICE-VIBE boots are rechargeable vibrating boots that help to boost circu-lation in horse's legs by creating a massage effect. They combine the effects of cooling and massage therapy to effectively treat strains, ligament and ten-don damage. The massage effect helps to stimulate the lymph system to re-move soreness and swelling as well as improving circulation. Everyday wear and tear on joints can be managed with daily use of the boots and rehabilita-tion through injury can be achieved more effectively.

You can get spare sets of cool packs too so if you want to use one pair of boots on all four legs you don’t have to wait for the cold packs to cool down again.

We hire these from the shop, this means you can either use it as a try before you buy service or if your horse has an injury and you just want them for a week or two without the outlay of buying them.

Hire charge is £25 per week. The boots come in f/s and xl and cost £198 & £208 respectively .



11


The Showjumper Part 16 By Jonathan Bowman

British Showjumping Accredited Coach

BHSAI: International Showjumper

When riding this exercise, initially start with just

ground poles, rather than fences.

The horse should change legs as you change the

direction for the next circle.

How to ride:

Open right rein over the first pole to get the correct

leg.

Use the outside rein to keep the horse straight and

under control.

Your left leg is to be behind the girth, right leg on

the girth.

Once you have established this exercise using

ground poles, the exercise can be ridden using

fences.



12


Sydney Free Sponsored Riders Laura Wall I have now completed the purchase of my new horse 'Meacham Reality' who is a 4 year old 16hh Warmblood mare. We have just started having flat work training which is going very well and we hope to do some Badminton Young Horse qualifiers throughout the next couple of months. We have also start-ed jumping tuition with Claire Chambers and Paul Crago which we both learnt a lot from. We hope to be starting off her competition ca-reer very shortly with many dates already pencilled in.

Abbie Newbury Well things are starting to get busy at Sundays Hill with Archie and Silfio and the sun is shining. Silfio is now fully recovered from his fractured splint bone and will start competing again in April, I had a fab training session with Annabel on him last week we now have plenty of homework to do to try and supple him up again.

Archie has done several B squad training days with BYRDS as I am hoping to do some BYRDS Teams on him this year, he has also made his debut at medium gaining second place both times. I was very happy with this as I've never had a horse to compete at this level before. I had some very sad news in February my 'fairy god-mother' Dierdre Scrimgeour very sadly passed away after a short illness. I cannot begin to tell you all how much I appreciated all that Dierdre has done for me , she was always there to give good solid advice and en-couragement, and a good telling off when I wasn't per-forming at my best! Dierdre will be greatly missed not only me but all of BYRDS S/W. April is going to be a busy but exciting month, firstly I am going to be spending a week working with the Eilbergs at their training yard in Redditch, then it's home for a few days before we take Archie to the winter championships at Hartpury.

If anyone has any spare tack or saddlecloths that they would

like to go to a good home a local lady is collecting a batch of

items to go to The Gambian Horse Trust. Just drop it into the

shop and we will make sure she gets it. The items can be old

but please only donate if its clean and in usable condition.



13


We are sponsoring Rectory Farms Evening Dressage series

again this summer so don’t forget to pop in and pick up a

schedule!

We have had so much positive feedback about these Aigle boots! They are comfy warm and

waterproof, all you need for the yard in winter. They have a triple density anti-fatigue sole

which provides optimal comfort and heel to toe transition along with foot stability and shock

absorption. They also have a 360 degree "paw" grip which gives good grip across all types of

ground. The ISO boot has a strong, insulating neoprene lining and an insulating felt which

keeps your feet nice and cosy. We have these in stock NOW from size 36 to 45.

WAS £168 NOW£142

APRIL Special Offer 15% OFF AIGLE ISO BOOTS

Cerney Equestrian Centre Showjumping Points Table

These are the points so far for the showjumping cham-pionship! The last chance to pick up some points is Sunday 20th April!

BEGINNERS ALICE BACKHOUSE 43 POINTS, HATTIE BACKHOUSE 34, JESSICA PITCHER 10, MICA MORATO 8, BECCA NCFAR-LENE 10, NICOLE DUNLOP 10, ALICE MORATO 5, MICA MORATO HARY 5, BELLE FORTT 3, KIKI MAILE 3, J TUP-PER 1, LIBBY SIMKINS 1, 2FT TILDA MACULEN 16, HANNY MACULEN 11, ELLIE WAT-KINS 10, BETHANY WHITE 5, ALICE BACKHOUSE 3, CHLOE JAQUET 3, LIBBY 3, LYDIA BURTON 1, 2 FT 3 MATILDA MCDERMOTT 30, TILDA MACULEN 28, HAN-NY MACULEN 26, TARA PLAISTOW 5, LISA ILIFE 3, CHLOE JAQUET 7, LIZ TURNER 8, CASEY STOCKTON 8, JENNA SPOT 3, GEORGIE PEARCE 5, ISABELLE VEREY 3, 2FT 6 MATILDA MCDERMOTT 39, TILDA MACULEN 20, HAN-NY MACULEN 18, TANYA PHILIPS 10, CHLOE JAQUET 10, CHERYL MUIR 8, ELLA MARTIN 8, COLIN PRITCHARD 5, KATIE PREECE 5, DAISY NUTFOR SLADE 5, JACKIE TAYLOR COLLINS 3, LOTTIE PARKIN 3, KIEREN OWEN 3, GEORGIE PEARCE 1, 2FT 9 MATILDA MCDERMOTT 33, ALICE BRIGGS 10, HELEN 10, ELLA MARTIN 10, KIEREN OWEN 8, KATIE PREECE 7, JESS HULMAN 8, JESS MASON 3, CHERYL MURE 3, ELLA WYNCH 5, TARA PLAISTOW 8, SOPHIE DOWDY 3, TANYA PHILIPS 3, ROSIE WIGAN 5, 3FT SOPHIE DOWDY 10, SCARLEY WILTON 10, JOE CHAM-BERS 8, ALICE BRIGGS 3, ELLA WYNCH 3 ,



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Monthly Draw Winners!

Each month we do a prize draw and three customers

win some vouchers to spend in store or our website.

You can enter by filling in a form when you spend £40

or more, so don't forget on your next shop!

1st Flavia Mann

2nd Michael Tearle

3rd Rosemary Blundell

Congratulations!

Ask The Saddler… How often should you have your saddle checked and what is the process?

It is wise to have your saddle checked every 6months or after a significant change in your horses shape. For example if your horse has been roughed off over win-ter it will have a different shape to when it is fit and ready to compete. When booking a saddle fit you will usually be asked for some basic information about your horse, what you do with it and what sort of saddle you are after. When the saddler comes out to fit the saddle he will need the horse clean and dry and a flat surface avail-able so that he can have a proper look at the horses shape and any factors that will need to be accounted for in the fit of the saddle. They will then place a saddle directly onto the horse, there will be no saddle pad or numnah used. This is to see exactly how the saddle sits on the horses back without anything obscuring the view. The saddle will be placed on the back of the horse and slid back into position. This may happen several times and helps the saddler to see where it naturally comes to a stop. The saddler will look at the panels amongst other things to ensure the saddle is balanced and even on the horses back. This is crucial as any pressure points from the saddle onto the horse could cause pain and discomfort. The overall picture of the horses is also taken into account– for example if he is swishing his tail and putting his ears back with one saddle but standing happily for another it could be due to a poor fit. The clearance on the saddle is also taken into ac-count, there should be a gap between the saddle and the wither and the panels should not sit along the spine of the horse. Equally there should not be too much clearance or this will put all the pressure on the incorrect part of the back . The rider will then get on board and the saddler will check the fit of the saddle again, also ensuring that there is not too much movement with the rider. Again it is important to mention that even after hav-ing your saddle professionally fitted the flocking may need further adjustment due to settling of the stuffing or the horse changing shape. We have all our saddles on display in the shop (along with second hand tack, boots, and body protectors) so feel free to come and have a rummage through and see if there are any you particularly like and want the saddler to bring.



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To advertise in the newsletter please call 01285 655384 and ask for Jessica. Copy date: 15th of the previous month.

Send files via email to [email protected]. 1/4 Page box advertisers can write an article relating to their profession of ap-proximately 400 words. All articles and adverts will be reproduced in black and white. Box advertising Rates (12 months): 1/4 Page £200, 1/8 Page £100, 1/16 Page £50. Box Advertising Rates (1 month): 1/4 Page £80, 1/8 Page £40, 1/16 Page £20

Classified Adverts: FREE(20 words only, Private ads only)

Classified Ads For Sale– 15.3 Appaloosa Mare, 9yrs. Novice BD points, ability to go further. Excellent stable manners. Loves

to jump.£3600 ono 07823884399

For Sale—Set of Harness (Breastgirth) Black English Leather suit 13.2-14.2 Contact Mrs Trotter 01285 720349

Children’s Competition

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16


USEFUL NUMBERS Police / Fire / Ambulance 999

Cirencester Police 101

Cotswold District Council 01285 623000

Cirencester Town Council 01285 655646

Cirencester Hospital 01285 655711

Oak and Furrows 01285 862439

DEFRA 08459 33 55 77

ATS (repairs at your yard) 01285 657761

Dog Lost (local Contact) 07887 717586

Governing Bodies

BHS 024 76 840513

British Dressage 024 76 698830

BSJA 024 76 698800

FEI +(41) 21 310 47 47

British Eventing 024 7669 8856

HPA 01367 242828

Pony Club 024 76 698300

British Riding Club 024 76 840590

British Driving Society 01473 892001

Vets

Waterlane Equine Vets 01452 770268 07551 857930

Bourton Vale(H) 01451 820137

Willesley Equine Clinic (H) 01666 880501

Benson & Babb 01285 653151

George Group Horse 01666 826456

George Group Small Animals 01666 823165

Wessex Equine 01793 739220

The Sidings 01285 643146

Local Polo Clubs

Beaufort Polo Club 01666 880510

Cirencester Polo Club 01285 653225

Longdole Polo Club 01452 864544

Asthall Farm Polo Club 01367 860207

Local Hunts

VWH Hunt 01666 577399

Beaufort Hunt Hon. Secretary 01666 823292

Cotswold Hunt Hon. Secretary 01451 850319

Heythrop Hunt Secretary 01608 676478

DIARY OF EVENTS APRIL 2014

To 6th April - Live Lambing at Adam Henderson’s Cotswold Farm Park

5th—27th April - The Big Batsford Easter Chicken Hunt

6th April - Unaffiliated Dressage at Burrows Court Farm

6th April - VWH Cirencester Park Ride

12th April - Rectory Farm Dressage Series

20th April - Cerney Equestrian Showjumping Series

21st April - The Easter Eggspress at GWR

24th - 27th April - Kentucky Horse Trials

11th - 28th April - Sydney Free Saddlery Easter Egg Hunt!

To 1st September - Cirencester Hare Festival

7th - 11th May - Badminton Horse Trials



sydney free newsletter april 2014

Documents

acute laminitis

prevalence of laminitis

acute attack of laminitis

great start

free checks of hats

lucky people

monthly prize draw

wet start