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

RESCUE UPDATE • The pain and suffering experienced by seven-month-old filly Olive shocked the vets

Family TIES • A passion for horses is an infectious condition riders are happy to carry for life — and, in many families, it seems hereditary. Charlotte Cooper speaks to Your Horse readers who have clearly caught their love of horses from a family member or are now passing it on themselves

8 TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL FAMILY HACKING

Challenger check-in • Our #Hack1000Miles riders have been busy this month…

A RIGHT royal PASSION • From childhood ponies to ceremonial parades and countryside hacks, Britain’s Royal Family has long shared a love of horses. Aimi Clark delves into the archives to uncover a collection of photographs showing generations of royals enjoying life in the saddle

GETTING LOST IN A GOOD story • Horsey books sparked a lifelong love of horses for many of us, yet too often they’ve been left behind in childhood. Grace Olson explains why the National Year of Reading is the perfect excuse to rediscover the comfort, inspiration and escapism of equestrian books

7 REASONS WHY BOOKS ARE BETTER FOR THE BRAIN

WHY PONY BOOKS ARE SO IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

SEND a selfie • Send in your pics!

a helmet and gloves bundle from Mulmet

Lessons IN EXCELLENCE • World champion, Olympic gold medallist and one of the defining event riders of her generation, Ros Canter has become the benchmark for modern eventing. But beyond the medals lies a blueprint every rider can learn from — built on horsemanship, patience, preparation and getting the basics right, says Gemma Redrup

THE HORSE ALWAYS COMES FIRST

FOCUS ON EXECUTION, NOT RESULTS

Fix it… THE canter THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING • Top-level event rider Wills Oakden’s training philosophy centres on the 12ft jumping canter — and once you’ve nailed it, you’ll be able to ride any showjumping distance with confidence

BALANCE, BEND AND brilliance • Whether your off-the-track-Thoroughbred is newly retired or already progressing in their second career, the right schooling can make all the difference. Specialist ex-racehorse trainer Jasean Spraggett demonstrates four key exercises and explains how you can use them to develop balance, straightness and confidence in your own horse

THINK LIKE A pony • After proving a 14.1hh pony could compete at grand prix, dressage rider and trainer Sam Turner tells Gemma Redrup why ponies shouldn’t be ridden like small horses — and why adults get the best from them by changing the way they ride

TRAINING PONIES FOR ADULTS

3 reasons why ponies feel different

THE CLEVER FACTOR

PRODUCING A PONY FOR A CHILD: 10 GOLDEN RULES

A QUESTION OF WELFARE

Small BUT MIGHTY • Forget the old idea that ponies are simply a stepping stone to horses. More adult riders are proudly choosing life below 14.2hh and discovering that, when it comes to fun, partnership and confidence, bigger isn’t alway better, says Gemma Redrup

PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF PONIES

Battling the stereotypes • If there’s one downside mentioned repeatedly,...