NEWS & REVIEWS

ATTENTION! NZ Associations, Studs, Show Committees, Event Organisers etc...
We invite you to send us your news and press releases for inclusion on our website News page. Please contact us with your news today.

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Winter Training Ideas - The ground may be slippery and the weather not very appealing but, even without having your own arena, there is still plenty of good work you can do with your horse that will help keep them fit, supple and prepared for spring competitions. more...

Exciting new "Riding With Chi - Your Pathway to Energy Mastery" DVD now available by Mark Russell, author of Lessons in Lightness: The Art of Educating the Horse more...

More Than 60% of Riding Success Is In Your Mind - Equine Sports Hypnotherapist Lindsay Jane Cook offers an insight to what her services can offer horse riders more...

Some Common Winter Ailments In Horses - Ideas on How To Prevent and Deal With Them more...

The Winter Blues

Book Review - "Natural Horse Care" by Pat Coleby. more...

German Holsteiner Breeding Books now available in English translation. more...

Good Horse Photos - some tips on how to achieve them! more...

Rodeo, Rails and Rockies - The tour of a lifetime! more...

Training Tips - Why the serpentine is such a useful schooling exercise for both horse and rider. more...

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Previous Articles Archive
(Note: these articles will open in a new browser window)
• Turning Your Horse Out Over Winter? Points To Remember
• Free-jumping Your Horse - a how to guide
• Vital Signs Of The Horse
• The Beginners Guide To Buying A Horse.
• Worms In Horses
• Weaning Foals
• Dental Care For Horses
• Buying And Selling Horses
• Assessing Your New Foals Conformation & Temperament
• Signs of Impending Birth in your Broodmare
• Breeding Horses - Have you considered the real purpose and responsability you are undertaking?
• Keeping It Clean! - Ways to keep your tack shed and horse gear clean, safe and dirt free!
• "Centered Riding" by Sally Swift - Book Review.
• Sleep and Horses - their sleep patterns and behaviours
• Mud Fever Strikes Again - plus Great Products to deal with it
• Cor De La Bryere - one of the world's stallion greats
• The Hoof and Its Functions
• Has Your Horse Been Vaccinated?
• Showing The Yearling Inhand
• Federico Caprilli - what he did for modern day riding
• Bot Flies - a common summer annoyance
• "Herbs For Horses" - Book Review
• Myco-toxins - the latest information on this equine health topic
• "Join Up, Horse Sense for People" - Book Review
• Foaling Kit Ideas
• "Veterinary Notes For Horse Owners" - Book Review
• "The Complete Book of In Hand Showing" - Book Review
• Breeding your First Foal? Some points to consider
• Has Your Horse Got The Winter Health Blues? Herbs for horses.
• X-Country Chat with a Champion Trudy Boyce

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Interested in submitting an article? Or is there something you would like to see us investigate and write about? Please email Diana with your idea and she will be in touch!

WINTER TRAINING IDEAS

The ground may be slippery and the weather not very appealing, but even without the luxury of your own arena there is still plenty of good work you can do with your horse that will help prepare them for spring competitions.

- RIDING AT HOME
If you have a reasonably flat area at home that you can ride on then there are lots of good exercises you can do with your horse to keep them fit, soft and supple.
Depending on the size of your flat area of paddock, see if you can mark out a 20m x 20m circle size, a 40m x 20m arena size or even 60m x 20m arena size using either rails on the ground or tape/rope and pigtail standards. It will give your riding much more structure if you have a defined shape to work within.

Always warm up your horse with a good forward walk on a light contact for at least 5 - 10 minutes before starting specific exercises. This is especially important on colder days if they have been standing around outside in cool weather, as it will help warm up their muscles to avoid strains and pulls. For example, go for a stretchy walk right around the outside of your paddock, loop through the middle and repeat on the other rein.

So much good work can be done on a basic 20m circle, both for your horse and for your own riding. While the following exercises are mostly circle based, if you have a larger area to work in, make occasional rides right around the outside of your arena shape to give your horse a rest from the more intense circle work, or extend the exercises to incorporate some straight line work alongside.

> 4 Cones Circle
Working On: Your Focus & Position, Bend & Transitions
Ride At: Walk or Trot
Place 4 cones (or any objects) at equal spacing around the outside of your circle. Ride around the outer track of your 20m circle at a walk, keeping your head up and eyes focussed on the next cone around the circle at all times. Change the rein at times from one cone to the other across the circle, aiming to keep your horse as straight as possible as you move across the centre of the circle before applying the new direction bend as you reach the edge of the circle again. With your eyes on the cones, you must focus on using your body position, legs and reins to keep your horse out on the circle track and to keep them straight or bending. Horses are extremely quick at listening and responding to the subtle changes in your position when you simply keep your head up and look at where you are going. Excellent exercise for people who look down or look at their horse instead of where they are going.
- Variation - Add in some variation by doing transtitions at every 2nd cone. Halt for 5 seconds and then move forward again or go from walk to trot and back again, each time making sure your horse responds as soon as you ask for the transtition. Repeat on each rein until transitions are soft, forward and immediate. Once you have gone from one pace to another, try making transitions within the same pace, eg ride a more forward Medium trot between 2 cones, then come back down to a slower collected trot for the next 2 cones etc. Aim to make an obvious change of pace from one to the other.
Many European trainers suggest that we should do 100 transitions every time we ride because transitions are so important to keep your horse listening, light and repsonding to the aids while also helping with teaching good rhythm - something to bear in mind when during your next ride!
- Variation - At the trot, try doing some sitting trot for for half your circle and then rising again for the next half. If this is too difficult to start off with, just sit for a quarter of the circle from one cone to the next before rising again. Sitting trot is a fantastic exercise to strengthen your seat and improve your leg postition. Build up to sitting a full circle or 2 before rising again. If you find yourself bouncing around too much, focus on really relaxing your seat muscles and absorbing the trot right down through to your lower legs and ankles. Also make sure you arent holding your breath! Sitting trot can be quite hard work for your horse so bear in mind that they will need to build up to doing more of it too.

> Centre Cone Spirals
Working On: Your Focus, Bend & Leg Yeilding
Ride At: Walk or Trot
Place one cone at the centre of your circle. Starting at the walk, ride around your outer 20m circle track, keeping your eyes on the centre cone. Gradually make the circle smaller by asking your horse to spiral in towards the cone using your inside rein and outside leg to move their hindquarters and leg yeild across. Once you have reached the centre cone, use your inside leg and outside rein to ask them to now leg yield back out to the outside track again. The important thing here is to try and maintain the bend towards the centre cone at all times. After you've achieved 2 or 3 good spirals, try again on the other rein.
Once you've acheived this at walk, try the same on both reins in trot. Remember your aim is to feel the hindquarters stepping sideways and underneath you rather than for the horse to simply spiral in and out with a straight body. You may only get one or two good steps to start with if you or your horse have not tried this before which is great, just build up from there until the whole spiral is one smooth leg yield in and out - a great acheivement!

> Poles/Small Jumps On Circle
Working On: Your Focus, Rhythm, Judging A Distance
Ride At: Walk, Trot or Canter
Start by placing one pole on your outer circle track and riding around and over the pole at a walk. Once you have gone over the pole, start looking around the circle and back towards the pole again. Aim to ride in the centre of the pole everytime. Pick up a trot and repeat. Add in an occasional halt or walk transition when you are opposite the pole to keep your horse listening and ensure they are not rushing before or after the pole. If the ground is suitable, pickup a canter and repeat the above. Cantering is more difficult because the rhythm of the canter means you may meet the pole at different phases of your canter stride. This is the best exercise to start learning to "judge your distance" which is essential for jumping. By keeping your eyes focussed on the centre of the pole at all times, you will start to see as you approach the pole if you are going to meet it on an even stride or not and whether you need to either slow down or move more forward in the canter to meet the pole correctly. The main aim here is to maintain a regular rhythm all the way around the circle, with the pole just becoming another canter stride. You might find it helpful to count out loud "1, 2, 3" as you ride around the circle to assist with maintaining your canter rhythm and seeing the stride.
Once you have mastered seeing your distance using one pole, try putting several poles together on the ground which will encourage your horse to make more of a jump effort over them, or build a small X jump with two poles. Sometimes you will meet the poles/jump at too long a distance causing the horse to have to stretch and flatten to reach them. Other times you will meet the poles/jump too close up and the horse will have to chip in a small stride. Keep going until you get the striding right a couple of times in a row before having a rest. This exercise can be quite tiring for both horse and rider so make sure you have plenty of breaks and rests in between each rein, and try to always end each session on each rein on a good note.

- ROAD RIDING
Providing you have nice quiet roads, a sensible horse and good grass verges to ride on, road riding can be used as a training session alongside hacking out. Whether you are riding alone or in company, some of these exercises can keep things interesting and are a good test for your horses' obedience and training in different situations. However be sure to also keep your senses alert to traffic, ground conditions and obstacles that may come up at anytime!

> Transitions Between Power Poles
Use the power poles along the roadside as if they were markers in a dressage arena. Walk between the first 2 power poles, then trot to the next, sitting trot to the next, halt at the next, trot on for 2 power poles then ask for a more extended trot, walk on a long rein, a few steps of leg yield to the left, then right etc etc. Try to have a definate plan in your mind for your next move before you reach the power pole so you can start preparing.

> Follow The Leader
If riding in company, take turns at riding in front and calling the next exercise for you both to attempt.

> Fitness Work
Road riding or hacking out can provide good opportunity for fitness work especially if you aren't able to ride bigger distances at home and you have lovely big wide, quiet roadsides to ride on. Make note of your start time and walk, trot and canter if it is safe in timed intervals which you can gradually build up as your horse's fitness increases.

- FARM OR TRAIL RIDING
Enquire with your local neighbouring farms or foresty to see if you can ride on their properties. If there is the opportunity for some hill riding you can maximise your horse's workout in less time due to the natural incline. Riding out on farmland, forest or bush trails can be a beautiful relaxing way to spend some time with your horse and enjoy nature at its best. Often forest or bush rides can be quite sheltered even in the worst weather, tree canopies protecting you from most rain and wind, making it a viable riding option for bad weather.
Always remember to respect other people's land when riding and leave all gates as you find them.

- THE BEACH
If you live in close proximity to a nice sandy beach that allows horse riding you are very lucky as you have your own fantastic arena-like surface to ride on all year round no matter what the weather or how wet the ground is.
Try replicating the exercises mentioned in the above sections as you ride along the beach - pick out a point on the shoreline or some seaweed in the sand to make as your next transition marker point.
The beach is also a fantastic opportunity to give your horse some fitness work, enjoy a gallop or go for a swim. Make the most of this great natural resource in winter and the rest of the year if you have access to it!

Winter riding doesn't have to be too boring or dreary if you provide both your horse and yourself some variety and keep things simple and ride at a walk or slow trot when the ground is slippery or less than ideal.

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PRESS RELEASE - "Riding With Chi - Your Pathway to Energy Mastery." DVD by Mark Russell, author of Lessons in Lightness: The Art of Educating the Horse

Mark Russell, author of Lessons in Lightness: The Art of Educating the Horse (foreword by Bettina Drummond), which received critical acclaim when published in 2004, teams up with dressage instructor Patricia Norcia and tai chi master David Ritchie to release a unique DVD called Riding with Chi: Your Pathway to Energy Mastery.

Russell has always advocated tai chi to his students: "Both horse and rider benefit from the rider's practice of tai chi; the mind/body connection fostered by tai chi not only improves the rider's position in the saddle, but it also enhances the communication between horse and rider through the controlled exchange of energy-or chi."

Norcia was introduced to tai chi as a student at the Yale School for Drama and went on to teach breathing techniques to singers and dancers at major universities. She says, "The benefits can be felt the very next time you get in the saddle...it's very powerful." The trio discusses and demonstrates how to lower breathing, increase relaxation, improve spinal alignment, and enhance one's powers of visualization and balance...all elements of efficient energy flow or what many equestrians refer to as "awareness of self." Norcia notes that the horse's natural rhythm is slower than ours and credits tai chi's focus on balanced slow movement as the link that connects the energies of the horse and rider, ultimately uniting them to move as one.

Lesson in Lightness co-author, Andrea Steele, formed Mouse Hole Farm Productions in order to develop the Riding with Chi project with the time and creativity needed to release an artistic and thoughtful program.

Riders learn several easy-to-follow tai chi and qi gong (chee kung) routines that really develop a posture that stays with you 24/7 and becomes part of who you are. This program will appeal to riders at all levels and all disciplines, because energy mastery has no static bar for achievement; it is a path to follow.

View the video trailer for Riding with Chi online at www.Filmbaby.com, where you can buy the 2-disc DVD program for $35.99.

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MORE THAN 60% OF RIDING SUCCESS IS IN YOUR MIND says Lindsay Jane Cook of Equestrian Sports Hypnosis....

Attention Horse Riders!
Are nerves getting the better of you?
Kicking yourself for making silly mistakes?
Know you are capable of better but just can’t pull it all together when it counts?

Well, help is at hand! More than 60% of Riding Success is in your Mind. You need Lindsay Jane Cook Equestrian Sports Hypnosis

In just two sessions Lindsay will teach you how to relax, improve confidence; reduce nerves. You will learn how to focus and cope under pressure, quieten that inner chatter - real tools that you can apply straight away to improve your confidence and give you the edge in your riding.

Mental toughness – Minimise the effect of mistakes. Ride to the very best of your ability and be happy with your performance. Remember your Dressage Test and know where you’re going! Be resilient, resourceful, focused under pressure. Be confident in your own ability!!

Lindsay reinforces the teachings of your coach or trainer so you can remember and apply the things you learn in your lessons.

Suggestions are given directly to the subconscious mind, bypassing the conscious critical mind (the doubting mind) in order to effect immediate positive and long lasting change. It’s safe, it’s proven, and it works.

Check out Lindsay’s website for testimonials from happy customers – www.lindsaycook.net

Contact Lindsay today for an obligation free chat. Private, personal consultations tailored to suit you as an individual – New Zealand wide. Bookings essential.

Lindsay Jane Cook Dip.Clin.Hyp; MNZSCAH; PMASCH
Equestrian Sports Hypnotherapist
Phone 021 222 5546
Email hypnotherapy@lindsaycook.net

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SOME COMMON WINTER AILMENTS IN HORSES - HOW TO PREVENT AND DEAL WITH THEM!
Written by SHNZ

Runny Noses, Coughs and Colds
If your horse develops a thick nasal discharge, cough or cold during the winter, you need to go to considering the following:
- has the horse become cold at anytime?
- is the horse in good condition and been provided with adequate dietary supplements?
- has the horse been in close proximity to other sick horses?

Keeping your horse in work during the winter can be hard when its cold and dark by the time you finish your ride during the week, and wet weather can put a damper on your workouts leaving your horse (and you!) feeling a little chilled. It is very important to ensure your horse is kept warm and dry immediately after work so they dont develop a chill which can lead to the common cold.
Sometimes covers can let us down and either come off when their straps break or lose their waterproof qualities and allow rain to seep through onto your horse' back. This can also cause your horse to become wet and cold and unable to maintain good body temperature.
Preventing your horse from feeling the cold by providing excellent shelter, warm covers - especially after work or in bad weather, or even stabling, will go a long way towards keeping ill health at bay.

Just like with your own health, feeding your horse a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement can help to assist in maintaining a strong immune system to ward off any illness. There are many good all-round health products available for sale at your local feed supply store. Kelp granules (seaweed) is a great supplement that can be added to feed or provided ad-lib and has been known to boost animal health and help recover from colds. Herbal remedies including echinacea and garlic are also particularly good choices for building up a strong immune system for both preventing and fighting off existing coughs and colds.

It can be all very well to ensure your own horse care and management is working well, but in situations where your horse lives in close proximity to other people's horses such as shared grazing, you own efforts can sometimes come unstuck when the other horses come down with ill health. Keeping any ill horses out of nose to nose contact by isolating them at least one paddock away from others can help stop illness spreading. Again, keeping your own horses health and immune system strong and keeping them warm and well fed will help them prevent infection even if running with other run-down horses.

If your horse shows any prolonged symptoms of ill health, including a thick nasal discharge, coughing, undue weariness, high temperature or other generally unusual behaviour, contact your vet or animal health consultant immediately for a full check up and advice. It is always better to be safe than sorry!

Mud Fever
"Mud fever" is quite a common condition in New Zealand as it thrives on our mild, wet springs/winters and horses constantly living outside in damp conditions. Also known by many other names including cracked heels, greasy heel, mud rash etc, mud fever affects the horses lower leg and heels and is often more prevalent on horses with white legs, as well as horses with heavy feathering on their legs (because they retain mud and moisture).

Characteristics of mud fever include the appearance of sore cracks and crusty scabs around the horses heel, and inflammation of the area. This is all caused by the invasion of a bacterium called "dermatophilus congolensis". This bacterium penetrates the skin when it has been softened through exposure to the wet or mud, or following damage to the area. (Interestingly, this is the same condition that we sometimes see on the upper body that is referred to as "rain scald".)

This photo above shows quite bad mud fever on a ponys hind legs resulting in the scabby appearance around the fetlock and heels with some swelling of the area.

While prevention is always better than cure, mud fever can sometimes be extremely difficult to avoid or prevent. It seems that some horses are always more susceptible to mud fever than others, and horses standing around in wet muddy paddocks and yards only increases the problem. If you know your horse is susceptible to mud fever, you need to try protecting its legs from the wet and mud as much as possible by ensuring there is always a clean dry area for them to graze and stand on - you may need to fence off the very wet sections of the paddock, and always feed your horse out of the mud. Keep the legs clean and dry as much as possible, possibly apply an oil based barrier cream to repel mud and moisture. Avoid hosing the legs whenever you can, but if you have to, thoroughly dry them off with a towel afterwards, patting dry the affected areas (not rubbing).
Make sure you check your horses legs regularly and at the first sign of any cracked heels or scabs, treat immediately with an effective mud fever cream to prevent it from getting any worse and to hopefully clear up the problem.

A good situation to try and avoid to help prevent mud fever!

As well as many natural internal and external product treatment options available from most saddlery shops and vets, there are also anitbiotic creams available. If the problem has become more severe and the legs are swollen (sometimes resulting in the horse showing signs of lameness), prompt antibiotic treatment may be required from your vet.

Mud fever is quite a persistant condition and can take time to treat effectively. Once the bacteria has been destroyed, the skin needs to continue to be protected from any further contact with wet and muddy conditions to allow new hair and skin to grow back and heal properly. Applying lanoline based ointment or creams to the area as it heals can avoid excessive drying (which can also lead to cracks!) and keep the skin supple and soothed as it repairs itself.

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The Importance Of Good Promotional Photos
- how to achieve the best results when photographing your horse.

It only takes a glance through a horse sale magazine or website to quickly recognise bad horse photos! Unfortunately a poor photo is very detrimental in helping your sale as potential buyers will instantly look past your advert if the photo doesnt catch their eye or poorly captures your horse. In fact, a bad photo is much worse than no photo at all!
Here are a few tips we've put together to help you maximise your chances of getting that great horse photo.

* Ensure your horse is thoroughly groomed from head to toe and is displayed as appropriate for their best discipline. For example, plaited mane if a dressage or show horse. Trim mane, tail, ears and fetlocks, brush out the tail and add hoof oil. Add shine to the coat and tail but dont overdo it!

* Make sure the tack used in the photo is also nice and clean. A nice clean saddle cloth and polished up bridle or halter really will enhance your photo. Dont forget the lead rope! Boots or bandages can look good although sometimes it is better not to use them to allow buyers to see the horses legs. Any gear used should fit well too. If including a handler or rider in your photo, they too should be turned out neatly and perhaps wearing proper riding clothes as per the chosen discipline.

* Take some time to choose a good background for your photos. Avoid any buildings, vehicles, machinery or general clutter (such as horse feeders, rugs left on the ground, wheelbarrows etc) that can really detract from a good image and remove focus from the horse. Trees, shrubs and hedging are usually a good option... perhaps standing on short grass (front lawn of your home may be ideal!!) or in an arena setting or barnyard. Flat ground is also very important.... if your horse is standing on a slope (especially if facing downhill) it will change their conformation angles which can cause them to look very poorly built. Even a tiny slope or hollow in the ground can cause a problem so make sure this is factored in to your background selection.

* Time of day the photo is taken can affect the light and shadows in your photo. A bright, still day is ideal. Always position the sun behind you when photographing and watch for any shadows falling on the horse which can alter the look of their conformation.

* Get the handler to park the horse up square and stand with head up and ears pricked. You may even require a third person to stand further in the background and attract the horses attention (anything from umbrellas and feed buckets to stones rattling in a pottle can be useful!).

* For action photos, try to capture your horse in the middle of the frame from the side. Avoid shooting your pictures from high, low, front or rear angles because you don't want to accentuate any flaws or make him look out of proportion. Moving photos look best when the horse has his leading leg forward at a trot or canter. Jumping images are best just after the horse has taken off from the ground and is rising up and over the jump. Head shots can look great if the horse is photographed from the front or rear as he looks off to the side, capturing part of his body in the background or foreground.

* You will need to take lots of photos from different angles so you can compare them later on and select the best shots. Digital cameras are excellent for horse photography! Using a digital camera with high pixel rating will ensure the images are of good quality suitable for printing in magazines etc.

* Choose the images that best represent your horse and show off his character and movement!

German Holsteiner Breeding Books Now Available In English

Asmussen Publishing, Holstein, Germany is proud to announce that Claus Schridde's series of Holstein books are now available in English. These books are the first translations of their kind that offer a comprehensive, insider look at the successful bloodlines that have shaped the modern Holstein sport horse of today.

1. The new, 3rd Edition of Holsteiner Stutenstaemme is updated with a German to English abbreviation translations page, making it practical for English speakers.

2. Holstein Stallion Lines, Volume II, Cor de la Bryere is currently available in English.

3. Holstein Stallion Lines, Volume I, Cottage Son xx will soon be available in English.

These books are a must for anyone who concern themselves with the breeding of top Holstein-based bloodlines and are available through Asmussen Publishing, www.Asmussen-Verlag.de
Offering the legacy of German breeding to the world!

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Holstein Mare Lines - book review

For many decades, Holstein has delivered highly successful horses for breeding and sport. This didn't just happen by chance, but has been the result of methodically bred mare lines and the knowledgeable experience of the breeders over many years. The knowledge of the mare lines is therefore essential. In its first two editions, "Holstein Mare Lines" was extremely well received and it was soon out of stock; therefore a new edition became necessary.

This current 3rd Edition is conceived as a reference book. The extensive photo material contains 90 colour photos and 60 historical black and white photos, with many never-seen-before, unpublished photos of stallion mothers and the mothers of internationally successful horses.

All stallions and international sport horses were assigned to mare lines. All available information, inland and abroad, was incorporated in this edition. The Holstein mare lines are indicated from the numbers 4 to 8900 and contain their own respective licensed stallions, whereas the champions of the stallion licensing and the winner of the stallion performance test are clearly identified. 87 mare lines are represented with full-page genealogical family trees and from those trees emerge the lines from which the licensed stallions originate. Holstein Mare Lines, 3rd Edition is an absolute must for the people who concern themselves with the genetic connections to the Holstein breed.

This book now available through Asmussen Publishing:
www.Asmussen-Verlag.de

RODEO, RAIL & ROCKIE - TAKE THE TOUR OF A LIFETIME!
Motueka United Travel's exciting tour is waiting for you.

A magical combination of Rocky Mountains by horse, foot and rail finishing with the thrill of the Calgary Stampede "The Greatest Show on Earth!".

Trail riding through the Rocky Mountains, whale watching in Vancouver, wildlife spotting in Jasper, hiking by Lake Louise, riding the Banff Gondola and experiencing the rush of the rodeo at the Calgary Stampede.

Sound like you? Motueka United Travel is offering you the chance to experience this spectacular region on a fantastic 18-day independent tour. Starting in Vancouver and ending in Calgary, this package takes in the highlights of the Rocky Mountains.

With a minimum of two nights at each stop, this tour gives you a chance to fully appreciate the region. And with plenty of included sightseeing and activities as well as free time, you can make the most of your stay.

For more information please download the flyer or itinerary:

- Calgary Flyer (PDF 401kb)
- Calgary Tour Itinerary (PDF 28kb)

Contact Jess at Motueka United Travel for further details:
Phone: 03 528 1330
Phone: 0800 874 748
Email: Jessica@motuekaunitedtravel.co.nz

TRAINING TIPS - SERPENTINES

The serpentine is a very useful flatwork exercise for dressage and jumping horses alike, and is a simple yet beneficial exercise for any level of horse and rider. Riding serpentines encourages your horse to soften and flex to the inside leg, while also encouraging the rider to balance and use their weight correctly while aiming to acheive the correct bend and rhythm through each turn. Because of the constant change of rein, this is a very good exercise to help riders learn to quickly adjust their hands and legs to becoming the new inside or outside and vice versa.

Ideally when riding serpentines, you are aiming to ride smooth, evenly sized loops through the arena with the path between each half circle loop being straight. Consistent rhythm and impulsion should be maintained.

The whole length of the arena is generally used, although they can be ridden either full or half the width of the arena which varies the exercise or difficulty. A serpentine with an even number of loops (eg 2 or 4 loops) will result in changing the rein once you reach the other end of the arena, while a serpentine with an odd number of loops (eg 1 or 3) will result in completing the serpentine on the same rein as you started.

Depending on the number of loops you are aiming for, they can be ridden in walk, rising or sitting trot, and require the rider to balance and focus on the turn ahead while preparing for the change of rein (if rising to the trot, remember to change your diagonal!).

If you are finding the loops coming upon you too quickly before you have found your balance, bend and rhythm, try incorporating a full circle into each loop before continuing on through the serpentine to the next loop - this gives both horse and rider more time to achieve the goals of correct bend and rhythm. Concentrate on always riding a well shaped circle and/or loop.

Serpentines are a great suppling exercise and keep the horse concentrating more compared to just always riding in circles. Start off at the walk and just riding serpentines with few loops, then later increase to trot and to more loops (or half width ones) as you become more proficient. As you progress, transistions such as halts (eg everytime you reach the centre line) can also be incorporated through the serpentine which adds to the difficulty and will encourage you to focus on straightness.

A horse and rider combination that can maintain a lovely soft bend and rhythm throughout a serpentine shows a good foundation for the basics of schooling that will help in any competitive discipline.

BOOK REVIEW
"Natural Horse Care" by Pat Coleby
Reviewed by SHNZ

Pat Coleby's book "Natural Horse Care is a super little book to have on hand for those interested in the health and well being of their horse using natural methods.

Pat is an Australian expert on natural health for animals and has worked with animals alongside vets and other practitioners in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and United Kingdom as a consultant.

Her very easy to read guide explains the roles of the many different vitamins and minerals with regards to horse care. She expands this information out to investigate soil analysis, pasture management, feeding practises and natural remedies for a large list of common ailments as well as injury treatments. Her philosophy is that health problems are directly related to mineral or vitamin deficiencies and by learning the key ingredients we can help our horses maintain better overall health and prevent future problems simply by making sure they get the right feed.

Everything from rain scald, ringworm, wood chewing, tail eating, sarcoids and colic are covered. The feeding of horses in work to pregnant mares are all explained promoting best health and nutrition for their different requirements.

The book is an inexpensive must have for those interested in all aspects of maintaining a naturally healthy equine!

Please note: This Product or Book review was undertaken by independant testers who are not in any way associated with the product. This reveiw represents the authors opinions only.

**Have you read a book or purchased a product that you are really pleased with and would like to recommend to our readers? Click here to email us your own review now! (Note: Reviews will be used at the discretion of SHNZ.)