Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2014 | Page 61

Training
horses with
Robert Booth BHSI
Equine trainer
Rodgebrook Horses
Tel: [phone]
rodgebrookhorses.co.uk

Robert Booth
Good time to back Toby

O

ur latest edition to the stable yard at Rodgebrook Horses
is Toby, a four-year-old bay gelding by the Parsons
Rasputin. He was brought direct from his breeder in
Wales, who also bred Upgraded Flight which I am now
competing as a six-year-old. Both horses have good bloodlines and
upbringing from foals to three-year-olds.
We backed Toby just before Christmas and he has proved to have
a really nice, kind and willing temperament. He, as with nearly all
just broken youngsters, tends to be a little on his forehand, carrying
his weight a little too far forward and being a little low with his front
end. This is common and not a problem, and with the right riding
and work programme will improve with time.
The danger would be to force him into a better outline before he
is ready, causing strains and soundness problems. He needs to build
up strength in his muscles along his back and quarters before he
can carry his weight in balance.
Hacking and long, slow work will help build up fitness and strength
and by working him in a long, low outline in his school work will
encourage building muscle. Soon I will introduce plenty of half halts
and transitions to help him carry himself in balance making him
lighter in his contact on the reins and more responsive to the aids
with more impulsion.
Once this is achieved I can start introducing pole work and small
jumping exercises. It’s surprising how suddenly you realise how they
change from a wobbly clueless baby into a ready to compete fouryear-old with the right work and training.

Tips!

Useful tips
on training
your horse

Transitions:

T

on is a change
ransitions: A transiti
other or within
from one pace to an
working trot to
a pace. For example,
mon fault in upward
medium trot. A com
e
w the horse out of th
transitions is to allo
a
the next pace or on
contact and run into
just using the reins
downward transition
rse to fall onto his
and allowing the ho
forehand.
y to smooth
Preparation is the ke
itions up or down
transitions, and trans
at and legs to ensure
require the use of se
the hindquarters
are engaged and
impulsion
maintained
and to keep
the horse
straight and
responsive.

Expert's tip!
Simon Legge - Farrier
Tel: [phone]
With the horrendously wet weather we've been having, it
is even more vital to care for your horse or pony's feet in
between farrier visits, as they will be prone to thrush and
other invasive hoof infections.
Thrush is an infection found in the frog, which if left
untreated can affect the underlying sensitive structures
and cause lameness. It is caused by an anaerobic bacteria,
so it will thrive in warm moist conditions.
Be sure to pick their feet out daily, paying particular
attention to the clefts (sulsi) of the frogs. Don't worry
about hurting them, as a healthy frog is very tough! If it is
possible to dry them, do so.
Keep vigilant for signs of infection such as a pungent
smell or a discharge, and report anything suspicious to
your farrier. He will advise you on the extent of infection
and the best treatment as well as paring back any
infected, necrotic tissue. Remember, prevention is always
better than cure!