The sale was held alongside the horse trials at Tattersalls and 15 horses were auctioned. The horses were chosen by event horse agent Sally Parkyn and Lt Col Brian McSweeney (ret).
The top lot was Master Class Ramiro (lot 10), a four-year-old by Ramiro B, out of a mare who is a granddaughter of Master Imp through her damline. The horse was consigned by Jason Higgins. He was the subject of a bidding duel between Oliver Townend and Chris Gould, with Chris the successful buyer at €49,000 (£43,000).
Master Class Ramiro, by Ramiro B. Photo by Laurence Dunne (jumpinaction.net)
Oliver has enjoyed success this spring with Ramiro B horses — both Kentucky winner Cooley Master Class and Badminton runner-up Cooley SRS are by him — and the stallion stands at Harthill Stud, Oliver’s breeding venture with Nina Barbour.
A further eight horses were sold on the evening, with a total aggregate price of €209,500 and an average of €23,278.
Irish four-star and championship rider Trish Ryan signed for the second most expensive horse sold, Lislan Liam, consigned by Sylvia Revill. He was lot six and went for €26,000. He is a chestnut five-year-old by the jumping sire Je T’Aime Flamenco out of a mare by Harlequin Du Carel.
The new elite sports horse auction that is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK
Jerpoint Eclipse, sold for €24,500, made the third best price as lot 12. He was sold by Maurice Coleman and bought by Richard Gordon. He is a four-year-old by Chinook Eclipse, out of a mare with Clover Hill and Chair Lift in her pedigree.
The horses who didn’t make their reserves were led out unsold at between €5000 and €16,500.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
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The twins — Tilly and Lilly — and mum Rose are all doing well
“Both the mare and stallion have such wonderful temperaments,” said Martin, adding the mare was one of the easiest horses he has ever started.
“I have been in the horse game all my life and I have never come across a mare that was so easy to break, she never put a foot wrong.
“It was enjoyable to get up in the morning and do some work with her — she is very special.
“You don’t need to spend a lot of money on horses. If you have a bit of time, they can turn out to be beautiful swans.”
The mare was sold locally and has gone to a home where they “absolutely love her”.
American Bashkir Curly horses are a rare breed, with curly, hypoallergenic coats.
“The stallion has a temperament to die for,” said Martin, adding this is typical of the breed.
“They are good for all levels of riders and they aren’t at all sharp.”
Twins foals are an unusual sight. While it is common for mares to conceive twins, if they are spotted early enough, vets will usually abort one embryo to give the other foal and the mare the best chance of a safe, full-term, healthy pregnancy.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
This week’s edition (31 May) is a training special, including a look at the world’s top trainers and whether you should have multiple coaches. Also check out our summer clothing guide, interview with showjumper and recent winner of the Hamburg Derby, Matt Sampson and feature on health problems in miniature horses
If you’ve got a penchant for ‘blondes’, take a look at these palominos horses and ponies for sale on the Horse & Hound website this week.
1. ‘Stunning’
Height: 16hh
Age: three
Gender: filly
Selling points: “This homebred mare has been very well handled. She is out of a warmblood and by Kambarbay, the Akhal Teke stallion. She has the metallic coat of the breed and is ready to start being backed. She has a lovely, friendly nature and she’s easy, uncomplicated, has no vices and has never had to see a vet.”
Selling points: “‘Rolo’ is a very loving and genuine Shetland. He has been there and done it all and will show any aged child the ropes, always keeping them safe. He can be ridden on or off the lead-rein and is also trained in harness. He is easy to do with absolutely everything and just stands there and falls asleep. He is good to lunge and enjoys flatwork and jumping. He never gets fizzy or over-excited and is never strong — he is snaffle mouthed at all times. He hacks out alone and in company and lives in or out. He has no vices.”
Selling points: “This Welsh section D is beautiful, but needs a strong, confident rider. ‘Loxy’ was bought with very little education. We spent the first year hacking and past year working on her flatwork, however she can still be green. Loxy can jump, but needs a confident rider. She has had some time off but we are now bringing her back into work properly and are currently furthering her education. This is a very sweet mare who needs a one-to-one owner. Loxy is head strong but once you have her she is a super-willing horse. Loxy had a little fright while out hacking (details on request) — she never suffered injuries, but can be a little nappy. She does hack out in company with no issues.”
Selling points: “This pony is well schooled on the flat and loves to jump — he has bags of potential. This is a fun, sensitive pony looking for an experienced, competitive home. He needs a quietly confident rider with competition experience who wants to form a partnership with their mount and discover how far they can go.”
Selling points: “This warmblood x thoroughbred mare is well-handled and socialised, well-mannered and has a very sweet personality. She is good with the farrier, to travel alone or in company, and lives in or out. She was awarded a higher first premium at BEF Futurity as a three-year-old and was placed first in the in-hand riding horse class at the Royal Three Counties Show that year too. She has been lunged, long reined, loose jumped, backed and been on a handful of short hacks. She has never put a foot wrong and is a very quick learner.”
Selling points: “‘Hope’ works beautifully on the flat and is a comfortable, easy ride. She has done dressage, showjumping and has been cross-country schooling. She is extremely honest and genuine and always tries her best to please. She is snaffle mouthed and doesn’t get strong or fizzy. Hope has got the most fabulous temperament — she loves people and would stand all day to be brushed and fussed. She hasn’t got a bad bone in her body. Hope is a real head turner and is now ready for someone to bring her on and have lots of fun with. She hacks out alone and in company and is good to catch, box, bath, shoe and clip. No vices and no lumps, bumps or sarcoids. She lives in or out.”
NB: Horse & Hound has not checked the accuracy of the claims made in these adverts and cannot be held liable if the information included above is inaccurate in any way
Nothing stays the same in this fast-moving world of ours.
Indeed, many of my generation look back with nostalgia at how the shows attracted the public. Some aspects of what’s changed about our sport are good. Breeding, for instance, has now become an exact science compared with the way we used to source our horses.
Other changes are not so good…
Take British Showjumping (BS), which is now run totally differently from how it was many years ago when I sat on the board. Then it largely consisted of a committee voted on by the membership with additional co-opted members from the business and commercial world.
I have to say that it was a privilege to sit round a table and listen to the ideas and acumen put forward by such learned men as General Sir Cecil “Monkey” Blacker MBE, Dougie Bunn MBE and Malcolm Barr MBE, all of whom had the overall interests of our sport very high on their agenda.
This era also coincided with showjumping’s most fruitful years in terms of sponsorship — not just for county shows, but for city shows, too. The number of top-quality riders who were produced for the British team during that time remains unmatched.
Has the sport in Britain moved on or hit new heights since our team gold in London 2012 or Nick Skelton’s fantastic individual gold medal in Rio 2016? Given similarly prolific achievements in their day, would that committee of old have been more dynamic and proactive than their current successors? I know they would.
I realise that today’s BS has, of necessity, become a completely different organisation. It has many things to deal with that we never had to consider back in the day; company law, health and safety, the list is endless. And that’s why they need a different style of committee from the one we had then. However, I have long argued and still maintain that they need professional showjumping experience to steer them in the right direction.
An absurd situation
A few days ago, I was entering Persimmon, a ride of our son Will, for an International Stairway class. I was surprised when my wife, Tina, said that as it’s a grade A class, she’d just make sure the horse is grade A.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said, because Persimmon has won more than £15,000 in the past few months alone. But sure enough, Tina was right, the horse was registered as grade B.
How can such an absurd situation possibly occur? Well, it was only when I checked the way they have interpreted and allocated points for different
competitions that I realised the inexperience or naivety of whoever set the points for the various classes.
At a recent young riders Nations Cup for under-21s at Fontainebleau, Will and Persimmon jumped for a clear and four over a big, difficult course. It also happened to be the best British score. For that, the horse was awarded eight points. At Chepstow in the international two-star grand prix, a class with more than 60 starters and fences at 1.45m to 1.50m, he was fourth and was given 16 points. Then he won a 1.30m at a local centre with very few entries — and got 45 points.
I’ll let you do the maths.
I would like BS to justify the reasoning behind a points system that is causing such bewilderment — we look forward to the reply.
More than half of H&H readers would consider rehoming a rescue horse, and almost a third have already done so.
The results of a poll on horseandhound.co.uk revealed that rehoming is an attractive option to equestrians.
Of those who completed the poll, 65% said they would consider rehoming in the future, while 28% said they had already rehomed a rescued horse or pony. Just 7% said this wasn’t something they would consider.
An RSPCA spokesman welcomed the news.
“It’s great to hear that almost 30% of people have already given a home to a rescue horse or pony,” she told H&H.
“It’s so encouraging that 65% of people said they too would consider rehoming a rescue horse. We’ve seen some of our horses going on to achieve amazing things from becoming super Pony Club ponies, happy-hackers, carriage ponies, showjumpers and even just wonderful companions.”
Thriving in his new home
Coloured pony Mickey was found collapsed in a Leicester park close to a busy main road at the start of the year (23 January).
After being rescued by an RSPCA inspector, he received urgent veterinary treatment from a vet.
“When I arrived to catch Mickey he was already in such a bad way that he had collapsed on the ground,” said RSPCA inspector Sharon Knight.
Mickey in the park
“When equine vet Melissa Packer arrived she was keen to explore all avenues to save his life and it’s down to her that he has pulled through. Mickey was thin and exhausted, and he was suffering with a huge infestation of lice.”
Mickey was transported to a boarding yard in the Leicester area.
“Poor Mickey remained on a drip for more than two days after we transported him to our yard,” said Ms Packer.
Mickey was taken to a boarding yard for treatment
“He was covered in lice so we had to clip his matted coat, and underneath, he was just skin and bone, he was in an awful state.
“After a blood transfusion, the drip and lots of TLC, his health started to improve slowly, and I’m delighted to say that he is now in a new home in Leicestershire.”
Mickey’s new owner Mags said she was “so happy” to have him.
“He is a cheeky chappy, and very loving,” she said.
“He has fitted into our family of ponies very well and he is just a super little foal. He has a home with us for the rest of his life, so thank you to the RSPCA and Mel and her team for all the hard work making him better, I feel very fortunate to have him.”
If you’re interested in learning more about the RSPCA’s rescue horses and ponies looking for a home, visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet, or contact one of the charity’s equine rehoming centres.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
This week’s edition (31 May) is a training special, including a look at the world’s top trainers and whether you should have multiple coaches. Also check out our summer clothing guide, interview with showjumper and recent winner of the Hamburg Derby, Matt Sampson and feature on health problems in miniature horses
J7K0F2 Horses Grazing in Woodgate Valley Country Park
Even the relatively gloomy UK climate can pose a threat to equine skin. Ultraviolet (UV) rays affect horses in much the same way as they do humans, the only difference being that horses cannot develop any resistance by tanning — although hair does provide some protection.
Overexposure to sun can leave horses with reddened, scaly skin or, in more severe cases, painful blisters that may ooze a fluid or serum.
Should we stock up on sunscreens to protect sensitive skin?
“Light-skinned horses and those with any areas of white, damaged or depigmented skin are at particular risk from sun damage, even on cloudy days when UV levels may still be high,” says Dr Philip Ivens from Buckingham Equine Vets. “Cover small areas such as the flesh between the nostrils with sunblock — preferably a zinc oxide cream that has antibacterial properties.
“You can use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) of 30-55, but check the ingredients as some horses are sensitive to the chemical PABA [para-aminobenzoic acid],” he adds. “Look for hypoallergenic sunscreens and those marketed for children, as they are formulated for sensitive skin and offer high levels of protection. Waterproof creams will not wash off in water troughs or on dewy grass, but always spot-test any products not made specifically for horses on a small area of skin in case of adverse reaction.”
Philip explains that excessive UV radiation can incite a skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
“The best defence is to provide grazing horses with plenty of field shade in the form of a shelter, thick hedging or trees,” he says. “Reduce exposure by avoiding peak UV times (10am to 3pm) or by turning horses out at night. Face masks and rugs that are UV-resistant are a good idea for horses susceptible to problems.”
Pesky flies
Flies can prove a persistent problem, plaguing horses indoors and out. Ready yourself for the onslaught this summer with advice from H&H vet Karen Coumbe MRCVS of Bell Equine.
“A long-lasting fly spray, applied regularly, can be effective,” she says. “Home-made repellents with oils such as citronella may help, but insecticides known as synthetic pyrethroids — especially permethrin or cypermethrin — offer the best defence against biting horse flies and the small, black flies that commonly feed around the horse’s face, neck and underside. However, try a tiny amount of any fly repellent before more widespread use, as many of the more effective products contain the relatively strong substance DEET, which is used in a variety of mosquito repellents for humans. A patch test on a hairless area of the horse’s inner thigh, if he will tolerate it, will reveal any sensitivity to the ingredients.
“Minimising areas where flies breed and gather will help,” adds Karen, who also advises practising good yard hygiene. “Fly traps or tapes are a good idea, as long as they are fixed securely and placed well out of your horse’s reach.
“Barriers such as face masks, neck covers and anti-midge or turnout rugs can offer excellent protection, but take care that items fit well and are checked regularly. Sadly, we recently had to remove a horse’s eye after he suffered severe ocular trauma when his fly mask slipped.”
Cracked hooves
When it comes to cracked hooves, the answer is not found in a can, according to farrier Fraser Youngson AWCF.
“The main summer challenge is rapid hoof growth,” he says, and explains that warmer temperatures and a boost in nutrition from spring grass are less of a drain on a horse’s metabolism than winter conditions, and promote the development of new horn.
“An effective solution for poor hoof condition is regular shoeing and hoof care. A horse who will go six to seven weeks between farriery sessions in winter will need a trim every four to five weeks maximum in summer. When the clenches have risen and the shoe is becoming loose, damage to the hoof is already occurring.
“Horn quality does tend to deteriorate in summer, especially when the weather changes from wet to dry and back,” adds Fraser, likening hoof horn to wood that shrinks and swells. “Hooves tend to be strongest with constant conditions. Repeated saturation can be problematic, especially in hot weather when they then dry rapidly.
“Products with natural ingredients should do no harm and improve hoof appearance, but regular attention from the farrier is the key to condition,” he says. “Good nutrition should improve long-term hoof health, but weak hooves may benefit from a supplement with a range of ingredients such as zinc, biotin and methionine.”
Leg cooling
Hammering across hard ground in summer can leave a horse feeling sore. David Rowlands MRCVS of Penbode Equine Vets explains the science behind cold therapy.
“The effects of cooling include constriction of blood vessels (known as vasoconstriction) and reduced blood flow, resulting in a decrease in any bleeding or swelling within the soft tissues,” he says. “Nerve conduction is also lessened, reducing pain. A lower metabolic rate, in turn, reduces cell death from hypoxia (insufficient oxygen), which helps preserve tissue health and can shorten healing time.”
A good old-fashioned hose pipe or a bag of chopped ice should do the trick, but may not be practical — especially away from home. Are ice boots, pastes and gels as effective?
“Cold therapy can be achieved via several methods and new products are always evolving,” says David. “But, horses are more likely to tolerate simpler systems.
“The key factor is temperature,” he explains. “To be most effective, tissue temperatures must be reduced to between 15 and 19°C — any lower than 10°C and tissue damage can occur. Timing is critical, especially in the case of acute injury, as cold therapy will have greatest effect if applied immediately and within 48 hours.
Apply cold or iced water for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. In case of soft tissue injury, such as superficial digital flexor tendonitis, further cooling is often required at intervals of between 30 minutes and four hours.
“Avoid applying ice directly to the skin,” adds David, who advises using a damp cloth as a buffer to protect tissue and dissipate the cold.
Electrolyte support
A horse loses around 10g of electrolytes per litre of sweat, according to Natalie McGoldrick MRVCS of South Coast Equine Vets.
“Electrolytes control many bodily functions, including muscle contraction, and play a vital role in the transmission of nerve impulses,” she says. “Hay, chaff, grass and hard feed are typically low in sodium, yet this is a vital thirst regulator.
“Electrolyte deficiencies can cause poor performance and recovery from exercise, as well as exertional rhabdomyolysis (ERM, also known as ‘tying up’),” she adds. “It’s not just competition horses who need electrolytes in the summer months — consider supplementing any horse in work, especially if he has no hard feed.”
What should we look for on the ingredients label?
“Definitely sodium, but also chloride, calcium, magnesium and potassium,” says Natalie, adding that competitors should check the contents for banned substances. “Ideally, an electrolyte supplement should have a high sodium chloride content, less than 5% sugar and not many added extras. Table salt can be used for a horse in very light work, but will not replace the full spectrum of electrolytes.
“Supplements can be fed in paste form, mixed into feed or added to the horse’s water, although the latter can make it difficult to monitor intake and the taste may discourage the horse from drinking,” says Natalie, who recommends giving a supplement daily.
Whether your father is super keen or a reluctant equestrian, here are 11 perfect Father’s Day gifts to say thank you on 17 June for all he does to support your horsey endeavours.
NB: The shopping links below are provided to help you buy these items. We earn a small commission from these links.
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What man doesn’t like the odd tipple? This stainless steel, concave hip flask with brown leather binding and four steel cups is a stylish gift for the father that likes hunting or going racing. Buy now: Hip Flask Set from £34.99
This efficient hand-held petrol leaf blower combines high blowing power with user friendliness to get any equestrian yard or back garden spotless. If the man in your life loves a power tool or two, this is bound to go down a treat! Buy now: Husquarna Petrol Leaf Blower & Vacuum from £314.45
This proudly British, quadruple distilled Polo Gin uses organic botanicals to create a flavoursome and smooth gin. It can be enjoyed on the rocks, in a gin and tonic or in another cocktail after a long day on the yard. Buy now: British Poo No.3 Botanical gine from £35.59
This fun book tells of extraordinary but true stories from over 150 years of racing. A great present for any racing fan, that can be enjoyed by the rest of the family too. Buy now: Horse Racing’s Strangest Tales from £4.31
These belts were originally made in team colours of Argentinian polo teams. Nowadays they have become quite the fashion among rural and equestrian folk. Each belt is hand-stitched and is makes a useful, but fun present for your father. Buy now: Carlos Diaz Argentinian polo belts from £24.99
These boots are the perfect gift for an adventurous man. The Balmoral leather boots are handcrafted from water-resistant leather, which is durable and offers great performance over rough and challenging terrain. Buy now: Hynter Balmooral Hawksworth boots from £190
A magazine subscription is the gift that keeps on giving as it lasts all year, plus subscribers can enjoy a host of extra benefits, in addition to knowing that the magazine will be delivered to their door every week. Take advantage of our special Father’s Day gift subscriptions for under £20! Buy now: Horse & Hound subscription from £19.99
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
This week my competition news comes from France where I had four horses competing at Bethune CSI3*. It was one of those ‘nearly’ weeks.
The horses all felt on great form, but I just had a touch of four-fault-itis. However, there were still some great moments particularly with Z7 Caretina who came fourth in the seven-year-old class. She is a great mare and I’m really excited to see what the future holds. The main man, Z7 Cash Up, put in an incredible effort in the 1.55m to just breathe on a rail and have it down, but I’m still so proud of him and everything he is doing at the moment. We have such a busy schedule and he just keeps on giving me such lovely rounds.
You will see in my vlog that sadly it was my last show with the amazing Rosie. She has been the most vital and brilliant part of my support team. The horses all adore her, they always look amazing and I have loved working with her. Myself and the rest of the Breen Team are so sad to see her go but wish her all the luck in the world with her next adventure.
There have also been two pieces of quite exciting news. Firstly, I am thrilled to announce that I am now a brand ambassador for Kaval International who sell the most amazing riding wear, for both competition and at home. I am so grateful for their support and to Stride Management, who look after all of my PR, marketing and sponsorship, who have guided me through the whole process. Stride will be supporting me with all of my responsibilities as an ambassador, as with my hectic show schedule, I need all the help I can get! I will be wearing Kaval products from now on, so have a look at my Instagram to see the latest equestrian fashion from them.
Georgia has been flat out competing in the UK and in Europe — here she gives us a tour around…
Onto the second piece of news — the amazing Z7 Cash Up and I have been selected for the senior nations cup team at the Lisbon CSIO3* next week! This is will be my first appearance on a senior team and I am still pinching myself that I have made the cut. My team mates are Ellen Whitaker, Amy Inglis (a fellow Sussex girl) and Jake Saywell (another former Breen Team member — watch out for an intro from him in my vlog). To say I am excited is an understatement, but I am just trying to treat it as any other show and make sure Cash Up has the best possible preparation.
My next vlog will be all about my experience in Lisbon, Portugal so make sure to check back in to see how the team and I get on!
G
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.
From checking your weather app 20 times a day to booking your holidays around your competition schedule, horse ownership takes over every part of your life. When you love it, there’s nothing better. But what happens when you dread going to the yard? Or see riding as something you have to do, rather than want to do?
Oonagh Meyer, head of approvals at the British Horse Society says: “Owning an equine can have its ups and downs, but the responsibility to provide good care and quality of life for their horse should ultimately feel like a rewarding experience for the owner. It’s important that owners recognise if they are no longer able to give their equines the time and care they need. Owning a horse is also a large financial commitment, and owners must be realistic about their ability to afford horse ownership long-term.”
So, if you’re considering a break from horses, take a look at these five options that could help you out first – rather than selling straight away.
1. Try a sharer or a full loan
If you could do with a few days off a week, why not look for a sharer or part-loaner? You’ll benefit from some downtime, and your horse still gets plenty of exercise and attention. It’s common to ask for a financial contribution too, so you can take some pressure off your budgeting.
“If short-term financial pressures are causing difficulty with full livery fees, owners could consider changing to assisted, part or DIY livery, or find a sharer who is happy to make a contribution in exchange for riding,” Oonagh explains. “Best practice would indicate this should only be undertaken with clear contractual agreement.”
You may want a bigger break than just a few days off every week. But if selling either isn’t plausible or something you want to do yet, then consider putting your horse on full loan. You’re still in control of their future, without the day-to-day care and riding. It’s a good way to test the water to see if you could sell — or if indeed you want a life without horses in it. That said, great care should be taken to check the suitability of the loan home and H&H recommends a legal contract is put in place so both parties are clear about their responsibilities.
2. Turn your horse away
Whether it’s a lack of time, money or motivation, turning your horse away can help ease your worries and stresses. For horses who don’t need their weight managed or grazing restricted, being turned away is a perfect way to take a break without having to sell. Plus, it can work wonders if your horse has been suffering from any health niggles or behavioural issues — the combination of time off and Dr Green has been known to work wonders in some cases.
Depending on the set up of the grass livery, the owner is likely to remain responsible for their horse’s daily care, although some yards will provide daily checks as part of the service, meaning you only need to visit when you need your horsey fix.
“Even if owners feel that the time has come to give up the day-to-day responsibility of owning a horse, remember that many activities connected to riding have significant physical and mental benefits,” Oonagh says. “Being outdoors and in contact with nature is a key motivation for the majority of riders, and the sense of emotional well-being people have when interacting with horses can be psychologically very important, especially if a rider is in poor health.”
3. Change yards
If you love to hack but have to cross a road that resembles the M25 at rush hour, it won’t take long to lose your motivation. Likewise, if you spend 10 months of the year slogging through shin-high mud, the joys of owning a horse get tiring, and fast.
If you want more time, support, or better facilities, consider a yard change. It might be putting your horse onto part livery or moving from stabling — and all the mucking out — to grass livery. Naomi Dormor owns a young Connemara gelding, and has struggled with the idea of giving up.
“There are so many reasons behind it — money, time, and feeling like I’m missing out on things that other people my age are doing, like travelling. I’m now considering putting my horse on grass or assisted livery to give me some breathing space and to focus on my partner and my career a little.”
Marie Dittman moved to England from Switzerland and found the change in hacking a shock.
“I considered quitting riding shortly after I’d moved to England. In Switzerland, I used to go for hacks several hours long, without meeting anyone or hitting any traffic. Hacking has always been my favourite discipline and it helps me clear my mind after a long day at work. I found hacking incredibly stressful at first. It wasn’t relaxing, it didn’t give me any sense of freedom and for quite a while I didn’t actually enjoy it. That’s when I thought ‘why am I doing this at all?’ But I got used to it, helped by finding places to go for a good canter.”
Sometimes a new group of people, a little extra help, and better facilities can help reignite your love for riding and help get your motivation back.
4. Find a more suitable horse
Owning a horse that needs exercising every day to keep it safe and sane can quickly turn your hobby into a chore. We all have other commitments, and if you’re sacrificing some parts of your life to exercise your horse, it’s no surprise if you lose the love for it.
Riding shouldn’t be a chore, and if your current horse doesn’t fit in with your lifestyle, find one who does. If you like the odd hack at the weekend but can’t guarantee you’ll have time to ride five or six times a week, look for a horse that’s happy to go for weeks without being sat on, rather than one that requires sticky-bum breeches, a neck-strap and a parachute after two days off.
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5. The right support
Sometimes all you need is a fresh pair of eyes and a new approach. Toni Erica spent years battling through injuries, behavioural issues and confidence wobbles with her two horses.
“I tried selling both of them at various times, but never found the right homes,” she says. Taking it as a sign to carry on, Toni also considered retiring them to get her “time and sanity back”. But for Toni, the light at the end of the tunnel came through taking a different approach.
“I tried various professional trainers and vets, using both traditional and natural methods. With Barney, we found he really enjoyed learning by play, so I used that, and he improved so much. With Ginger, it was all about perseverance.
“My main advice is to stay positive and never be afraid to ask for help. As soon as I started reaching out to the right people and telling them how I felt — rather than letting them take over — I started to achieve things. I’m usually a negative type of person, and just hearing positive words and recognising even tiny steps as a positive has helped my entire attitude, and I’ve started to enjoy having my horses again.
“We’re definitely not there yet, and some days I still feel like throwing in the towel, but I’m much more focused now.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.
