A coach whose hat “saved her” when her face was split open in a fall has reminded others about the importance of wearing a correctly fitting safety helmet.

Victoria Baker, a BHSI coach based in North Yorkshire, fell from her five-year-old sports horse Charlie on 30 October.

“It was just one of those things,” Victoria told H&H. “He can be very exuberant; we were at a friend’s all-weather gallops and he got a bit excited.

“He jumped in the air, fired me upwards and I came down between his front legs. The toe of his front foot hit my hat, then his hind foot came down in front of my ear.”

Victoria was taken to hospital by ambulance.

“I had a six-inch laceration from the front of my ear to the top of my scalp and a black eye,” she said.

“I was stitched up a few days later and it feels a bit like I’ve had a facelift, but I’m amazed I wasn’t more injured – my hat saved me.”

Victoria said she will be renewing her Gatehouse HS1 safety helmet and wants others to give more consideration to wearing a quality safety helmet.

“I always say to people buy the best you can afford; you need a good quality hat,” she said. “On the other hand you find sometimes people save their best hats for competitions, but they should be wearing them at home too.

“As an instructor it’s important to be a role model for people and I will always ride and lunge in a hat. It winds me up if an instructor jumps on a horse without a hat or where you see for sale adverts of people on horses without hats. While we try to be safe, accidents do happen.”

Article continued below…

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10 things to remember on International Helmet Awareness Day

This weekend (14-15 September 2019) is the 10th annual Riders4Helmets International Helmet Awareness Day, and to mark the occasion, here’s

Helmet ‘saves young rider from breaking her neck’ in rotational fall

‘When my parents heard what I’d spent on the hat, they said ‘how much?’, but they’ve since said they totally

Rider whose horse landed on her ‘saved’ by safety helmet

‘Having an up-to-date helmet definitely saved her life’

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Victoria added that she wants others to be more aware of manufacturer guidelines on replacing and fitting hats.

“I’ve had people turn up for lessons with loose chin straps and hats that don’t fit properly. You’ve only got one head, it’s not worth taking a risk with it,” she said.

“Often people aren’t aware of manufacturer guidelines about replacing hats; if you wear it every day perspiration is going to cause the padding to eventually deteriorate and compress. I replace my hat every two years. Manufacturers aren’t trying to rip you off – the guidelines are there to protect us.”

A spokesman for the British Equestrian Trade Assosication told H&H it recommends hats are replaced at least every five years, or before if the rider has had a fall.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

A horse suffered a horrifying 10cm deep wound when he impaled himself on a fence post in a blind panic while he tried to flee from nearby fireworks.

Laura Riding’s six-year-old Irish sports gelding Harry was found at 8am on Saturday (2 November) impaled on a fence post within a hedge.

**Warning: very graphic image**

Laura told H&H it is thought Harry had tried to escape fireworks going off at a nearby housing estate in Holywell, North Wales.

“We assume he tried to jump out of the field in a blind panic over a five-foot hedge,” she said. “He impaled his back leg on a post and we believe he was lying in the ditch all night.

“The yard owner, Lily Roberts, immediately phoned the RSPCA, a farmer, and vet for help. Lily knew I was at work and didn’t want to panic me so they tried to get him out first but she phoned me at 10am and when I arrived they were still trying to get him out.”

Laura said she was in shock when she saw Harry’s wound.

“The wound was awful, it was disgusting. The vet sedated him and gave him painkillers. The post was no longer in his leg but it was difficult trying to get the straps around his leg and not aggravate the wound more,” she said.

“Everyone who helped was amazing, the whole thing took almost five hours. We got him pulled out with a tractor and he was taken to R D Owen Equine Clinic. The vets said they were amazed Harry was still here as he was so close to hitting an artery.”

Laura said it is not known if Harry, who is still in hospital, will return to ridden work.

“The main thing is he’s still here,” she said. “It wasn’t a clean cut and he has torn his hamstring. The back half of his leg was ripped open with a 10cm deep wound all the way round. The vet stitched it but once he was in the recovery stable the sitches burst so they are having to treat it as an open wound,” she said.

“Harry has got such a such a wise head on his shoulders, everyone loves him. He’s so sensible and chilled out – he’s not the type of horse to try and jump out of a field. I’ve been visiting him at the hospital and he seems brighter, he can be very food-orientated so bringing him carrots has cheered him up.”

Article continued below…

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Government committee to explore changes in firework law

The group will consider how the current legislation around fireworks can be tightened

‘Terrified’ pony put down with broken leg after New Year’s fireworks

The pony had to be put down straight away

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Laura would like to see a ban on the sale of fireworks to the public.

“I think fireworks should be for organised displays only and on set dates. Once a firework is let off the damage is done and you can’t prove who did it,” she said.

“I hope by sharing what happened to Harry something good can come out of ths by raising awareness. It’s not fair that this can happen.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Yikes. Today is the day of my total hip replacement.  (Left)

So, I probably won’t be on here for a few days…  Because of that, I wanted to remind you all of the November Bucket Fund horse, Rooster, and his amazing, ground breaking new protocol for wounds that won’t heal!

You can read his story here – (and the new protocol)

Please donate, if you can, your Starbucks money to help purchase all the bandages, wraps, vet visits, Xrays and other necessities one needs to keep a very wounded horse – I know from wrapping Mama Tess twice a day every day for 3 years, how very expensive it can become...

ALSO, to help Rooster…

EVERY DONATION COUNTS!

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The inconsiderate and irresponsible use of fireworks should be as socially unacceptable as drink-driving, according to MPs, as almost 750,000 people have called for change.

The petitions committee has released a “landmark” report calling on the government to act on irresponsible firework use, and improve regulation of the industry.

Over the past three years, petitions asking for tighter restrictions on sales and use of fireworks have been signed more than 750,000 times by UK citizens, resulting in three House of Commons debates.

“But the government’s responses to these petitions, and ministers’ replies to the debates, left petitioners feeling frustrated and ignored,” a spokesman for the petitions committee said. “We undertook this inquiry to hear their concerns and propose changes in response to them.”

More than 307,000 people signed one petition calling for the sale of fireworks to the public to be banned, and for all venues holding displays to be licensed.

But the committee found a ban would have “unintended consequences for community groups and the good causes they support, the wider economy, and may even lead to a dangerous black market”.

It added: “While the petitions committee doesn’t support calls for an outright ban, the inquiry found clear evidence that action is needed to protect animals and some groups of people from serious adverse effects.”

The committee consulted people with a range of health conditions and disabilities, charities that support them, police, fire officers and veterans and animal welfare charities .

“The recommendations were made after listening to all sides of the debate through formal evidence from a number of interest groups during the inquiry and in public consultation events, and it was clear to see these petitions have been motivated by genuine concerns,” the spokesman said.

“Fireworks can be detrimental to animal welfare, can impact the wellbeing of those with disabilities or health conditions such as PTSD or autism, and could pose a risk to small children.”

Key recommendations include the consistent government collation and publication of data on problems associated with fireworks, laws to empower councils to tackle the issue, such as introducing permits in areas where irresponsible firework use is a problem, a review of online sales of fireworks and a strategy to tackle illegal sales.

The report added: “The government needs to review the decibel level limit of consumer fireworks, with animal welfare in mind, with a view to setting a workable reduced decibel limit that would diminish the risks to animals’ health.”

Major national awareness campaigns should also be conducted.

Continues below…

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‘Devastated’ owner calls for fireworks ban after horse put down

‘If it means being able to save at least one horse then his pain and suffering won’t have been in

Government ignores calls to ban public sale of fireworks

The government has refused to debate the law surrounding the sale of fireworks to the general public, despite an online

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Petitions committee chairman Helen Jones MP said: “Our inquiry has shone a light on the troubling impact of failing to regulate the fireworks industry effectively. From affecting the mental health of veterans, to harming animal welfare, and even threatening the health of young children, the consequences are widespread.

“It is not good enough for the government to repeatedly claim that the law protects these people and animals from harm. It does not. Now is the time for action, not apathy.

“While we do not support a ban on public sales and use of fireworks, further failure to act from the government and agencies could mean that a ban becomes the only option.”

The petitions committee has submitted the report for consideration, and expects to receive a response from the government in the new parliament.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

You may have covered the basics when it comes to his winter management, yet a horse who leads a largely indoor life during these colder, darker months can be left lacking in certain areas.

From promoting your horse’s skin health to making sure he is satisfied and stress-free, our veterinary and behavioural experts have outlined some points worth considering to keep a horse at his mental and physical best.

An appropriate diet

As humans, we’re encouraged to eat a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. A stabled horse on a diet of dried forage and concentrates may see little in the way of fresh food. Does he need to eat his “greens”?

“A horse’s ancestors, roaming the plains, would be eating grass in winter that was effectively dead,” says Professor Caroline McGregor-Argo MRCVS. “Yet these animals would still have an appropriate nutritional intake and would almost self-medicate by selecting certain plant species.

“Domesticated horses can run into problems in winter when they run low on vitamins and minerals,” she adds. “It’s important to feed a good forage balancer, to top these levels up.”

Caroline explains that horses don’t share our desire for different foods.

“I would hate to eat only nutritionally balanced porridge every day, but there’s no suggestion that horses need constant variety,” she says. “Hand grazing can add interest to the diet, as can carrots and apples, but these also introduce a choke risk and a lot of sugar.

“The key thing is to feed an appropriate and largely forage-based diet, monitor your horse’s body condition constantly and tweak his diet accordingly,” says Caroline, who adds that the winter months are a good time to correct any summer weight gain.

Companionship

A horse is a prey animal and not suited to long hours spent alone. His natural instinct is to move and forage as part of a group, so isolation in a stable can quickly turn into anxiety and stress.

Ideas for enriching an indoor environment include stable toys and mirrors, but can these ever be a substitute for real-life company?

“There’s not much evidence from a scientific point of view that toys help,” says Dr Debbie Marsden of the Society of Equine Behaviour Consultants, adding that some horses may experience frustration with feed dispensing balls.

“Toys can be a hazard in the stable, so use them with caution — and avoid leaving anything with the horse overnight while he is unattended.

“A safety mirror may be beneficial,” says Debbie, who explains that seeing another equine face can be soothing. “Test your horse’s reaction first, in the school rather than the stable, to make sure he likes what he sees.

“Some bossy, confident types take badly to a horse looking back at them with attitude, but most get used it. These horses may be happier with a mirror placed outside the stable.”

Sound can help, adds Debbie, so a yard radio can prove a useful distraction.

“Nothing really replaces social interaction with real horses,” she concludes. “Humans and other animals do seem to provide company, however. A horse will enjoy the comings and goings of a busy yard, where people pop in to his stable regularly to skip out or give him a quick scratch or a pat.”

Decent footing

Artificial surfaces are typically the terrain of choice in winter, when bad weather and lack of daylight can make hacking out a challenge. Will this lack of variety underfoot cause problems?

“I do not believe that working a horse only on a well-cared-for artificial surface over winter will have any detrimental effects on long-term soundness,” says Dr Liz Barr of Barr Equine Veterinary. “The horse’s cardiovascular fitness may decline if he is confined to a 20x40m school and does less hillwork, for example, but if that is a concern there are plenty of all-weather gallops available for hire.

“Overly hard ground has far more damaging effects on a horse’s soundness than overly soft ground, with regards to concussion and overall forces on the limbs,” explains Liz. “Horses working on soft ground over the winter — most commonly hunters — will tend to fatigue more easily, which may lead to a bad step and resultant injury, but with sympathetic riding this can possibly be avoided. Hard, rutted ground in the middle of summer is much less forgiving.”

If working on one surface or in an arena is the mainstay of winter exercise, Liz advises alternating the type of schooling.

“Putting the same stresses on the same structures every day can cause injury as a result of wear and tear,” she says. “Winter exercise must also take turnout into account. While time outside is essential for general wellbeing, turnout on heavily poached, deep, muddy ground or very hard icy ground is likely to be detrimental and result in injury if the horse cannot be trusted not to gallop about on such an unsuitable surface.”

Regular coat care

A clipped horse will need those layers replaced with a rug. Is it fair to keep him wrapped up all winter, or will he benefit from time unrugged to let his skin breathe?

“Horses roll primarily to shed hair and have a good scratch,” says Katie Preston MRCVS of Milbourn Equine Vets. “A horse might enjoy some time without his rug, on a warm, dry day, but he can still roll and scratch himself with it on. The key thing is that he is groomed regularly to remove grease and old hair from his coat and maintain skin health.

“One of the causes of winter skin problems is rugging a horse while he is still damp or sweaty, which provides the perfect environment for bacteria and infection,” she adds. “After working or washing him, put him in a fleece in his stable, in a solarium or under heat lamps. Brush him and replace his rug only once he is fully dry.”

Light in his life

The short, dark winter days can cause humans to suffer with a recognised medical condition called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which brings about depressive symptoms and lethargy. Are horses susceptible to this condition, sometimes dubbed the winter blues?

“SAD in humans is linked to a disruption in our circadian rhythms,” says Gil Riley MRCVS, of Pool House Equine Clinic, referring to the internal process that regulates our sleep-wake cycles over 24hrs. “Rather than being able to follow their natural circadian rhythms, as they would in the wild, our stabled horses are subjected to a human-driven routine. Additionally, prolonged periods of dark lead to increased levels of sleep-inducing melatonin, which, in humans, triggers a reduction in serotonin — a lack of which can cause depression.

“We don’t know for sure that the exact same process occurs in horses, but it would seem logical to suggest that stabling horses for long periods in low light or darkness may well have the effect of producing SAD like symptoms,” adds Gil. “Artificial light has proven benefits but must be used carefully, as strong lighting has the potential to cause discomfort to equine eyes. Allow your horse access to natural light for a generous part of each day — turning him out where possible, or opening a stable window.”

Ref Horse & Hound; 31 October 2019

It’s been a while since my last blog, and lots has happened in the meantime.

Our series of evening presentations, ‘The Horse Talks’, were kicked off by bitting expert, Gill Batt, and we’re looking forward to welcoming top performance psychologist, Charlie Unwin in a couple of week’s time. Our amazing new function room, ‘The Barn’, is perfect for these events, and it has also transformed our camps; it’s a great place for everyone to get together for meals and chats.

It was just over a fortnight ago that we ran our autumn three-day camp, where we hosted 15 riders and horses for a range of activities from jumping to farm hacks and mounted games. However, the main focus was on negotiating obstacles; from poles on the ground, to tarpaulins and bridges, with our water jump as the ‘finale’! Before we embarked on training our horses, I went through the processes that horses go through when they encounter a spooky object, and what the rider needs to do to ensure they don’t exacerbate the flight instinct, while encouraging the horse forward without resorting to bullying or force — the horse should always choose to do it, but it’s up to the rider to direct them towards the right choice. All the campers achieved more than they thought possible, with them all happily splashing about in the water by the end of the three days.

It’s not just recreational riders that need help with these issues. I have been working with some lovely event horses that are having problems with ditches and water, and some dressage horses that baulk at ‘monsters’ in the arena. The processes are the same whatever level the rider and horse are working at, and all require the rider to be adaptable in their seat and rein contact, which can be difficult after years of cultivating the perfect dressage seat!

On the yard, we really have been spoilt this year by the quality of young horses that have been in for starting, but every now and again, one comes in that we all fall in love with. Pasha (pictured below) was bred by Classic Top Stud, and he was bought by Gemma, who has just had her first baby. Pasha was with us for our six-week starting programme, and he didn’t put a foot out of place for the grooms or for Hamish and I training him. He is the whole package with a great temperament, beautiful paces, a scopey, easy jump and stunning looks. Even though Gemma hadn’t ridden for a year, she felt totally at home on him during the handover process, and we can’t wait to follow their progress out eventing in the future.

Article continues below…

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You might also be interested in:

Jason Webb’s blog: the biggest win of my career and overcoming deep-rooted fears

Jason reports back from a big match, plus discusses behaviours of horses and their riders

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Usually at this time of year, we start to slow down a little, but looking ahead we have lots of events leading up to Christmas, and a full training yard of horses. I am due to demonstrate at The Horsemanship Showcase and Horses in Motion at the end of November, and we open our doors on 7 December for our Christmas coffee (or mulled wine!) morning, which is always a fun way to kick off the festive period. I have closed the yard for a couple of weeks over Christmas to recharge the batteries, but I’ll use the time to work with my own horses and my daughter and her new pony. In particular, I am looking forward to competing my own JJ (pictured top), who is now working at medium level, and bringing on my awesome young Australian Stock Horse stallion, Haydon Oracle; they’re like chalk and cheese, but both make me grin from ear to ear!

Jason

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

There is certainly more to a show pony than a blingy brow band and a big trot, as displayed by these nine gorgeous steeds who each reigned in the ring this show season.

But which one of these riding pony champions would you like to have in your yard?

1. Barkway Chit Chat

The heavenly 138cm campaigner stood show pony champion at Royal Cheshire County with Olivia Bennett.

2. Blakestones Moonlight Serenade

The novice tri-colours at the BSPS winter championships went to the Harker family’s home-produced 148cm contender ridden by Victoria Harker.

3. Drakemyre Puttin On The Ritz

India Till clinched the supreme pony accolade at the 2019 Royal International Horse Show with the impeccable six-year-old gelding, who had landed both riding pony and part-bred titles during the week.

4. Wilderness Early Bird

At Lincolnshire County the Team Ahern-produced 148cm trotted to the show pony championship with Mia Donaldson.

5. Meadowmarsh Cinderella

Claudia Groves and  her 128cm ride have had an exceptional season in the show ring and are pictured here qualifying for HOYS at New Forest and Hampshire county show.

6. Basford Black Prince

The striking black gelding and Poppy Carter were crowned RIHS open show pony champions at BSPS Area 2B back in May.

7. Whiteleaze Secret Charm

Eva Herring rode the late Ghita Jago’s 128cm mount to land the open honours at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

8. Jackets Destiny

The Parkhouse family’s home-produced gelding was on form to win at Kent county show.

9. Stretcholt New Dimension

Despite being a first season novice, the young 138cm was crowned riding pony of the year at HOYS in October with Louise Caulfield at the helm.

10. Small-land Dream Maker

Ellis Taverner-Burns piloted the extravagant grey to the top of the supreme show pony field at the BSPS summer championships.

An owner’s video of fireworks shooting over her stable yard, making it sound like a “war zone”, has gone viral.

Samantha Perkins of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, received a call on Saturday (2 October) evening from the landowner advising her to hurry to the yard where she keeps her eight horses.

NB: Please wait while the video loads below… if the video does not appear, click here to watch.

My poor ponies , this needs controlling , shaking the hole stable block ,, just not on! ******just adding this petition please can people sign it to help , thank you ****https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/278293

Posted by Samantha Perkins on Saturday, November 2, 2019

“I left the yard at 7pm and everything seemed quiet. It had been raining heavily and I thought no one was going to be having fireworks,” Samantha told H&H.

“I received a call at 7.45pm to say the horses were jumping around and circling their stables as fireworks shot over the stables. I jumped in the car and rushed back with my heart in my mouth.”

Samantha said the fireworks were being let off by a member of the public at a nearby play park.

“If the person had told me beforehand I could have done something like arranged a sedative and been there with them. They know we have horses,” she said.

“I gave the horses a calmer all week so I think that had helped a bit but I was worried for one of retired horses, William. He’s 30 and I’ve had him for 20 years; the last thing I want is to lose him to a heart attack.”

Samantha said the fireworks went on for around an hour.

“It was horrendous. It was like a disco in the stables with the lights and so loud it sounded like a war zone. The stables were shaking with the bangs,” she said.

“I had to put all the horses into coolers as they were sweating so much and their eyes were bulging. Some were pinned at the back of their stables terrified. It’s daunting because you need to stay calm and deal with them, but you don’t know if they’re going to try and jump over the stable door.”

Samantha’s horses were uninjured, but she said they have been on edge since.

“If fireworks took place just one night it would be bearable but it goes on for two weeks,” she said. “I’ve got sedative in case any more go off this evening and I’ll be there with a radio.”

Samantha posted a video of the fireworks online, which has received more than 1,500,000 views and 37,000 shares.

Article continued below…

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Misuse of fireworks ‘as bad as drink-driving’ say MPs as hundreds of thousands call for change

‘It is not good enough for the government to repeatedly claim the law protects these people and animals from harm.

Horse suffers horrific wound while trying to flee from fireworks *Warning: graphic image*

Harry’s owner said it is not known if the gelding will return to ridden work owing to the injury

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“Never in my wildest dreams did I think the video would go viral – it shows people need to be heard,” she said.

“Nobody wants to be a party pooper about fireworks, but it’s no longer about them being pretty like the ones you used to get, now it’s just about about how loud they can bang,” she said.

“I would like to see a ban on sales to the public and I think they should only be allowed to be set off on Bonfire Night and New Years Eve by a licensed person, in a controlled fenced-off area.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

The first fundraiser for the newly founded foundation to support injured show jumper Kevin Babington and other riders with spinal injuries has collected more than $87,000 (£67,500).

The US-based Irishman suffered a serious neck fracture in a fall at the Hampton Classic horse show in August, prompting an outpouring of support from the equestrian community.

The novel first official fundraiser for the Kevin Babington Foundation asked supporters to “buy” the rider they thought would win the Longines FEI jumping world cup grand prix of Lexington (2 November).

The highest bidder for the winning rider —18-year-old Brian Moggre riding MTM Vivre Le Reve — won a private lesson with each of five top international riders: Beezie Madden; Shane Sweetnam; Kent Farrington, McLain Ward and Margie Engle.

Each of the seven highest bidders across the startlist of 39 individual riders won a lesson from either Rodrigo Pessoa, Darragh Kenny, Missy Clark, Cian O’Connor, Tiffany Foster, Laura Kraut and Eric Lamaze. Riders who were unable to bring their own horse would even get the chance to ride one provided by Shane Sweetnam.

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Irish Olympic rider undergoes 5hr surgery on broken neck

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The USA’s Kent Farrington was the top prediction to win the grand prix, attracting a bid of $10,000 (£7,757); while Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire “sold” for $700 (£544) and Ben Maher for $3,700 (£2,875). The winner of the five lessons secured them for a top bid on Brian Moggre of $1,100 (£855).

Equestrians have rallied to support 51-year-old Kevin’s cause, with an initial fundraiser to cover his ongoing medical costs securing more than $515,000 (£400,000).

He has received wide-spread international support for his recovery, with several venues hosting fundraising classes, while US helmet manufacturer IRH helmets agreed to donate a percentage of their proceeds to the Kevin Babington Foundation. A horse called Fairy Tale was also bought by a team of Kevin’s friends and then auctioned for $120,000 (£93,245) at The Ten sport horse sale, while additional donations on the night raised another $137,000 (£106,455).

There has also been solid support from the Tipperary native’s home country, with Team Ireland wearing gold wristbands at the FEI Nations Cup final in Barcelona to show their support.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Ah winter. Other people may rave about Christmas and crisp frosty mornings, but the reality for riders tends to be freezing in hacks, struggling to fit in rides with short daylight hours and battling with mud.

Because non-horsey colleagues need a helping hand, we’ve compiled this handy guide for your muggle co-workers to help them understand your winter lingo…

1. It’s really tricky to fit in a ride once the clocks change (translation: I’ll be leaving early at least three days a week until spring).

2. It’s so cold at the yard in the mornings now (translation: please forgive the fact I’ll be arriving at the office with 14 layers on, I’ll go and remove them as soon as I’ve had a coffee).

3. My indoor showjumping show went on until midnight last night (translation: I am quite tired today, please don’t ask me to do anything difficult).

4. There’s so much mud in the field gateway (translation: I forgot my office shoes, so I’ll either be tramping dirt through the office — jodhpurs boots are chic, right? — or padding around in socks today).

5.  I can’t wait for my local show centre’s Christmas show — I’ve been planning my outfit for weeks (translation: please don’t ask me to go away for work that week. I need to finish moulding my tinsel to the shape of my horse’s ears).

6. I am so excited to go to Olympia on the Tuesday night (translation: I’ll be hungover on that Wednesday because I will be spending all my money in the champagne bar).

7. I’m going on a beach holiday! I haven’t booked holiday for anything except for stayaway shows for five years! (translation: does anyone have a plug adaptor I can borrow? And I wonder where my passport is…)

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12 things horsey people say in the office — with translations for non-horsey colleagues

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6 things riders will experience when the clocks go back

Snow/ice/sleet/rain + grass = a muddy disaster…

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8. The heater doesn’t work in my car, so could we take yours for that long trip? (translation: my car is a mobile wardrobe and tackroom for muddy, hairy clothing, rugs and numnahs — please don’t embarrass me by asking to get in it).

9. I clipped Silver at the weekend (translation: please don’t worry if little white hairs keep flying out of my clothing today).

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.