Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2014 | Page 69

Training horses with Robert Booth BHSI Equine trainer Rodgebrook Horses Tel: 01983 521870 rodgebrookhorses.co.uk Robert Booth Congratulations Melissa W ell done to Melissa Pinfield-Wells for getting a work placement at Catherston Stud. Melissa has kept her horse Bernard with us for several years and has had him from a four-year-old. She had regular lessons and help with him and is now working up to medium level dressage, and jumping Newcomers courses at home, competing occasionally when she can due to work and travelling arrangements. She has been working at the BHS stages in her spare time and passed her stage Two in October. I spent several years training and working at Catherston Stud, and what a great place to gain experience. Although Catherston is mainly associated with dressage there is a wide range of horse management from breeding, jumping, eventing ,veterinary, stable management and horse care, all of which is hands-on with experienced trainers. There are many ways nowadays to gain qualifications in the horse world, the most recognised and respected are the British Horse Society exams. These are progressive and require a knowledge of all aspects of horse care, riding and training abilities. Melissa will have a great chance to ride and work with all sorts of horses and train with experienced trainers in a practical working environment. I wish her good luck and hope she takes full advantage of this opportunity she has been given and keeps up the good work she has achieved so far. Tips! Useful tips on training your horse Stop nagginstgto : I g their legs ju often see riders usin grinding to a halt stop the horse from . under his own steam and not keep going what you require, if Give a clear aid for t then the aid must ge he doesn’t respond e rse reacts in a positiv stronger until the ho way. it sponded stop doing Once a horse has re he so that he can realise has done the right thing. If you keep pushing him along or kicking him when he is ignoring you, you underline the disobedience. Expert's tip! Simon Legge - Farrier Tel: 07968 485154 In spring something farriers have to deal with all too often is the dreaded laminitis. A word which strikes fear into owners of 'portly' native breeds, who are particularly prone to it, but should be at the forefront of all horse owners' minds. In the wild, ponies and horses would tend to be underweight at this time of year, having come out of the winter, and using up the fat stores they've built up over the summer months. Unfortunately, domesticated animals often get to this time of year in a 'well' condition. With the wet weather we've had, this year is likely to be a bad one for laminitis. At risk ponies and horses should be monitored for obesity. Restricted grazing, soaked hay and grazing muzzles are all options to assist in weight maintenance. Regular farrier visits will highlight any early warning signs, but as always, prevention is better than cure.