Cinders and I, have been very lucky recently to take part in some exciting dissertation trails being conducted by third years.

In this picture Cinders is trying out a new (and I think yet to be released) slow feeder. But she’s also taken part in trails looking at different training aids and placing poles under jumps!

Cinders and I were up bright and early this morning ready for training with Jane Hart at 8am. Although, after a week of 5:30am starts for a dissertation trail 8am is starting to feel not so early in the morning, more like midday for me!

Today Jane set up what should, in theory, be an easy pole exercise but actually highlighted a lot of mine and Cinders weaknesses. However, by the end of the lesson we had some great moments and it began to feel like a light bulb had gone off in both of our heads! Loads for us to work on over the next couple of weeks before we go home for Easter, and have a crack at some competitions! As the title says sometimes the most simple exercises are the best.

As well as the amazing three arenas at Writtle we’re also extremely fortunate to have use of a mechanical horse on site, called MJ. Its been really great having sessions on MJ under the watchful eye of trainer Jane Hart. Unlike riding your own horse you don’t have to worry about MJ. Therefore you have loads of time to work on your own position in the saddle. As a result, next time I’m riding Cinders I’m then more aware of what I need to focus on to improve my own riding. It’s also great to be able to put the Tekscan (pressure mat) under my own saddle on a perfectly symmetrical horse to see whether there are any issues, with not only my saddle, but also the way I sit in it that could impede my horse. The enjoyment factor is also further helped by the fact that MJ has the nicest canter to sit too!

Cinders regularly enjoys her TENs machine as part of her ongoing day-to-day management. I often feel horse owners are quick to resort to help from a trained professional whether that be a physio or a sports therapist. Obviously I always recommended this! But there are a lot of things we as horse owners can do to keep our horses feeling comfortable, in between visits.

TENs (transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) works by stimulating sensory and motor neurones. As a result the horse can experience pain relief due to its effect on the opioid mechanisms. Additionally it increases blood flow to the muscles, reduces muscle fasticulations and improves overall muscle function. In the end your horse might not only feel more comfortable, but horses have demonstrated improved ranges of motion and reduced stiffness through their backs. A happier and more supple horse is able to use their muscles more correctly. Increases in muscle mass can not only increase the overall strength of the horse, but can increase the stability of joints. Therefore fingers crossed reducing the chance of injury! (something we all want to avoid).

Although TENs machines can be easily sourced online, and at reasonable price, please make sure to get your physio out to not only make sure your machine is working on the right settings. But also show you where to place the electrodes in order to benefit your horse the most. It is also worth noting that generally horses tolerate TENs well. However, every horse is individual and caution should be exercised when using a TENs machine on your horse for the first time.

Recently, I really feel like Cinders and I are finding all the right buttons at the same time (for once!). Especially when it comes to the canter work!! Now I just can’t wait to get cracking over summer on the circuit. Although with some rain showers and cloud forecasted over the next couple of days, maybe summer isn’t as close as we were all starting to think!

Cinder has recently had the luxury of having steamed hay using the HayGain steamer on site. I can confidently say that Cinders rather likes it, we certainly now have much less wastage happening.

HayGain has been found to eliminated 99% of mould, fungi, yeast and bacteria that is found everyday in hay. This helps to reduce respiratory inflammation, and unlike soaking does not reduce the nutritional content of the hay itself and in fact increases palatability. These are all things which are really important to me. Especially as Cinders doesn’t have turn out on grass, therefore hay is a big part of her diet.

To find out more information, take a look at HayGain’s own website https://haygain.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA5NPjBRDDARIsAM9X1GI5GI0aBfagYdcZVAFLOOTjpC_FtJw5rY_OER-W_dqsoCPdqXUAx5AaAl6uEALw_wcB

Has anyone heard of the showing class called ‘horse most like owner’. Well Cinders and I would ace that recently with me falling asleep by 9pm, and Cinders sleeping away out in her sand pen in the sun (yes, we still have sun here!). We really are a pair!!

The sunshine has made a rare appearance in February this year. My sources even tell me that it might be sticking around for awhile. Me and Cinders are making the most of this by getting out as much as we can with our other four-legged friends (and other members of the Academy). It’s just a shame that Cinders doesn’t have a bigger stride then she wouldn’t have to trot most of the way to keep up with her bigger pals. I suppose it’s a good bit of stamina training for her!!

I consider cross training to be really important in keeping horses not only mentally happy in their work. But also its great at helping to prevent injuries. Especially the more common ones that arise from repetitive use of certain muscles. Something which happens a lot when you limit your training to the arena. This type of work, alongside regular massages, really does keep Cinders feeling in tip top condition. Plus don’t forget all this vitamin D is good for the coat!!

One of the many great parts of being at Writtle is being able to take part in practicals for my course, and other courses running. Recently, Cinders and I took part in a saddle fit practical where students assessed the fit of my saddle, both statically and with me riding on top. It was really interesting not only to get an insight into the process of looking at saddle fit when out with a client. But also it was great to have my own saddle analysed in the process. I think we can safely say we came to the conclusion it’s not just Cinders who needs some straightening exercises!

How many of us out there have been quick to blame issues on our beloved horses, but how many times are we influencing them that way? or how many times do we mistake pain, for example from a pinching saddle, as bad behaviour and simply tell our horses off when they’re actually trying to tell us something? If only we could teach our horses to speak!!

At Writtle we’re also really lucky to have Tekscan on sight. This piece of kit can objectively show you the pressure distribution of your saddle, again both statically or dynamically with a rider on top. This can be really helpful in assessing whether pads help to improve the fit of a saddle, or to clearly see whether a saddle is bridging and may therefore be doing harm. Hopefully in the future I’ll be able to use this piece of kit under Cinders saddle as well.