Cambridge Horse

Come along to "Equi-Table" on Sunday 26th of September 2010 in Great Abington, Cambridgshire. It's a great chance to sell all of your unwanted equestrian gear (and we all know we have alot of that!). Gates open 10:30am until 2pm

Entries are £8 for studio space (some table/benching/floor and hanging beams) and must be booked inadvance through the Website. Other plots include car boot sales which is £5 on the door to park in the field and there's no need to pre-book.

You can bring individual items before the day which will be sold for 10% commision (minimum 50p). For visitors and prospective purchasers, it's 50p entry and there will be various refreshments on sale throughout the event.

We do need a minimum to run this event with all proceeds going to the Woodside Rural Care CIC Social Enterprise, please come along to both buy and sell your equestrian gear!

For more details please visit the Website and double check on the day before turning up!

Thanks!

Woodside Rural Care

Getting a horse 'fit' doesn't just mean will run for a long time without tiring. Getting a horse fit in a correct manner will allow the horse to run for longer, but it will reduce risk of injury and fully condition the horse's body to the stress and strain expected for competition and will keep the horse sound. A fitness programme must be individually tailored for each horse, depending on horse breed, age, health and what it is getting fit for. But as a general rule, the fittening process must be done gradually over a long period of time so as not to cause the horse to break down.

Getting a horse fit will:

Improve oxygen transport around the body as fittening will improve the heart's capacity to pump blood around the body. Don't forget, the heart is a muscle too.

Improve oxygen uptake with improved capillarisation at the lung alveoli, also improving VO² max.

Improve bone strength and density. As the horse is worked, especially on a firm surface, the bone suffers wear and tear. If this is not severe, as the body repairs its self it makes it stronger than before.

Improving the horse's anaerobic capacity. This means improving the body's metabolism for working efficiently without oxygen.

Improve muscle density and tone. Repetitive work with breaks allows the muscle to adapt and change to work effectively.

Tendons and ligaments will become more flexible to cope with increased movement and intensity of work.

Week 1-3

Presuming that the horse has been laid off for a few weeks for a break, the horse must be brought back into work gradually. Week one is normally lots of walking; usually hacking. This is so that tendons, ligaments, joints and muscle that has been rested will slowly strengthen. Week two build up hill work to start working the horse's muscles. Introduce road work, in walk only otherwise the horse will have sore joints and concussion. Many riders believe that road work encourages stronger, denser bone. Week 3 start trotting on hills to take pressure off the forehand and off more vulnerable joints.

Week 4-5

Week four, usually at this point the horse will be walked and trotted in the arena and by the end of week four introduce the canter. This will keep a happy balance in that the horse is physically ready to do something a little more demanding without being too fit in the walk and trot that it explodes into the canter. Week 5 the horse should be on to flat work schooling. The horse should be encouraged to work more correctly loosening back muscles and engaging the hind quarters. Knowing when to call it a day with schooling sessions is vital, this is usually when the horse begins to break out in a sweat.

Week 6-7

By week six the horse should be working in the school correctly, without stiffness or resistance. The muscles have has time to re-condition and joints, tendons and ligaments are healthy. Week seven more intensive schooling is able to be done. At this point, horses can be introduces to ground poles and small cavaletti and cross poles. The horse should begin to work anaerobically as the intensity of the work increases. By the end of week seven it is possible to take the horse on short gallops to open its lungs and get the heart rate up.

Week 8-onward

The horse is ready to be taken out to small local shows. It is still getting fit, but this will improve with work and getting them out to a few more shows. By this stage, the horse should start working on its specific discipline more than general riding.

This regime can vary from horse to horse. It is very important to ensure that the horse that is getting fit is 100% healthy and sound. An unfit, unsound horse will more than likely break down during fittening if it is not healthy. As the horse gets fitter, it should start having a shorter recovery time. This is the time it takes to recover from oxygen debt and the time it takes for its heart rate and respiration to return to normal. Everybody looks forward to competing their horses, but getting fit is vital for making sure your horse makes it through the season. There's no reason why getting a horse fit should be boring, make it interesting; try beach rides (popular with racing yards) or pleasure/sponsored rides. Get friends involved and have fun! This information was provided by Equestrian Clearence who are currently sourcing lots of horse rugs available for the winter periods. Stop by and have a look at our excellent clearance offers.

.

Five-time Olympian Mary King will be at the College of West Anglia for an event to encourage potential students to aim higher and go for the career they really want. A day of demonstrations in both equine and small animal-related skills will ensure visitors have every opportunity to learn more about the possibilities these careers present.

Mary will be in the main arena to demonstrate some of the skills which have won her numerous medals at international level. Funds will also be raised for the Blue Cross – which works hard to promote responsible horse care and animal ownership. The event takes place on Wednesday 21st July 2010 from 10:00 - 16:00 at the Cambridge Campus based in Milton. It is free to attend, however you must register to attend. Places are limited.

To register follow this link which will take you to the registration page.

Enjoy!

McTimoney Chiropractor Stef Watts is available in the Cambridgeshire area for not only Equine Chiropractic treatments, canine treatments and deep tissue sports masssage.

The McTimoney techniques aim to restore your animal’s normal performance and behavior through aligning and re-balancing the musculoskeletal system. This is achieved through using the hands to palpate and adjust the bones and joints of the spine and pelvis.The McTimoney method is holistic (considers the whole body) and is also non-invasive. The techniques are very light and fast, ensuring minimal discomfort to your animal. The treatment involves viewing your animal both statically and in motion, together with palpation and adjustment of the bones and joints of the spine and pelvis. Because the techniques are light and fast, animals generally readily accept the treatment with little or no suspicion or tension.

The manipulation and / or massage is followed by aftercare advice, which is an integral part of the treatment process, as it is key to how well your animal accommodates the treatment that has been given over time. The aftercare normally involves a period of rest for your animal, followed by a period of time where your horse or dog is carefully brought back to his / her normal work level. The practitioner will also work with you to offer advice regarding schooling and stretching exercises to facilitate the manipulation and / massage treatment program.

You can visit the website for more information about the services and whats on offer, as well as how to book in for an appointment. Stef is soon to visit one of the CambridgeHorse team to deliver some needed relief to one of the horses who is a bit stiff on one side - watch this space for how it goes!

UPDATE! After treatment by Stef, the horse in question has just a few days off to recoop and was back in some light work after that. She's reported as being fab, soft and supple and a pleasure to ride! Great! A few more days of careful aftercare and she'll be back to full strength.

The Chips4Tack Complete ID System was devised with police input and is the revolutionary new way of protecting your tack against thieves. A small active microchip is inserted into your saddle in a discreet location which cannot be felt, seen or lost during reflocking. The last 8 digits of the unique chip number plus the country code is then engraved on to the nearside stirrup bar and all details then registered to the police preferred 'Immobilise' database. If you sell your saddle, you simply log in to your Immobilise account and change the owner details so all information always stays current! Should a police officer uncover a van full of tack, all chipped and registered saddles can very easily be returned to their rightful owners. Without this system, your tack might just end up sitting in an police evidence room gathering dust!

Prices start from £16.95 per saddle. For further information, visit Chips4tack website. Your Master Saddler trained fitter for Cambridgeshire and Suffolk is Michelle White, contactable via phone 07540 151897 or email: shellwhite@hotmail.com

Thanks Michelle!

Easter Sunday's dreary wet weather brightened up just in time for a great day of fun jumping at ODRC. At 10 am the day started with mini height clear round jumping in ring one. An ever popular class, this was extremely well supported with riders of all ages and and horses/ponies of all shapes and sizes taking part. The course was simple but included a narrow fence and a wall and some combinations. Those who jumped clear all received a rosette, but only those bold enough to clear the 'bogey' fence with a water tray got a chocolate easter egg as a bonus! Amongst the competitors in this section was junior member Katherine Ganczakowski and her new pony 'My friend Flicka'. 12 year old TB cross Native mare Flicka has only been with the family for 2 weeks and this was their first outing together. Katherine's mother Miriam said " we came to ODRC today as we always have a great day here, it's a quiet venue run by a very friendly club and we always get such encouragement and helpful advice that we felt this was the perfect opportunity to bring Flicka and Katherine for their first competition together. They have had a great day so far with 2 steady clear rounds, we are so pleased with her, she is proving to be a great confidence giver." The fences in the clear round ring rose throughout the day giving bigger horses and more experienced combinations a chance to tackle the course.

In ring two there was a great opportunity for competitors to use a course of schooling fences. There was a selection of fences set out on the grass from gates to brushes, arrowheads and also a water tray. This proved very popular as there was no entry fee or time limit in the ring, so many riders were using this as a valuable training experience for their young or green horses or those with issues with specific fences. Amongst those taking advantage of the opportunity to try out some different fences was Ellie Davenport and her striking coloured gelding 'Domino.' Ellie has produced Domino herself and they have been together since he was just 4 months old. She said " Domino is now 6 years old and we recently joined ODRC as we heard that is was a friendly club with lots of events on offer for their members, we thought this sounded ideal to help me bring Domino on. I eventually hope to event Domino so I'm trying to get him out and about jumping at different venues. Todays event is a perfect opportunity to school him over some potentially 'scary' fences such as skinnies, brushes and gates. It's really helpful to have such a large grassy area to do this in and I'm going to pop around the clear round course later on too."

All in all the day was a great success. Everybody had a great time, and there were smiles a plenty! Horses, ponies and riders alike got a confidence boost from being able to try some 'different' types of fences. And the chocolate eggs went down a treat too of course!

ODRC is a BRC affiliated riding club based near Cambridge. The club has it's own large field on which it holds events in the village of Over. The club is well known in the area for being friendly and helpful and the emphasis at their events is always on having fun, enjoying riding and learning more. The club has a full diary of events for this year inlcuding showjumping, dressage, showing, beach holiday and a level 1 TREC competition. For more information on the club please visit Over and District Riding Club.

All photos thanks to Holly Davies Photography - thanks Holly!

The Ex Racers Club is proud to announce that Maxavita, winners of the East Cambs business awards for 2009 are sponsoring their showing series for 2010.

With eight classes across the County – both ridden and in-hand, there is something for everyone. The classes are as follows...

Sissions Farm Equestrian, Peakirk on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May: Ridden and In Hand ERC classes

Over and District Riding Club Spring Show on Bank Holiday Monday 31st May: Ridden and In Hand Open Ex-Racehorses classes – Ex Racers Club members to be placed separately

Sissions Farm Equestrian, Peakirk on Sunday 25th July: Ridden and In Hand ERC classes

Over and District Riding Club Summer Show on Bank Holiday Monday 30th August: Ridden and In Hand Open Ex-Racehorses classes – Ex Racers Club members to be placed separately

Your horse must be registered with the Ex Racers Club to be eligible to compete in these classes.

Ex Racers Club showing classes, both in-hand and ridden, aim to promote the retraining of genuine ex-racehorses. Consequently our judges will not mark down for any blemishes/scars incurred in a horses racing career. Also, we permit the use of boots, and any tack (no training aids) in the ring. The horses are judged on their way of going, conformation, manners and adaptability to their new career. Those placed first and second all our classes are then eligible to compete in a National Championship show at the end of the season. The lucky winner of all Ex Racers Club classes in 2010 will receive a tub of supplement of their choice from Maxavita, with the runner up receiving Maxavita branded goodies.

Maxavita are an equine health care company who specialise in natural products to relieve stiff and aching joints and to provide ongoing support for movement and mobility. As such their products are so relevant to the needs of ex-racehorses. They also make great hoof, respiratory and calming supplements. Their full range of products can be purchased online at www.maxavita.com

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors all Ex Racers club members get a generous 15% discount off the entire Maxavita range! To take advantage of this great offer your horse must be registered with the Ex Racers Club (one off lifetime registration fee of just £10 – no annual subscription required), just email your local representative to receive your promotional code redeemable on the Maxavita website.

The Ex Racers Club organises parades at racecourses throughout the UK to promote the retraining of racehorses and increase public awareness of just how versatile thoroughbreds can be. We also organise clinics for our members where they can be taught by ex-racer friendly instructors and get to know other members of the club. We also have a very popular online forum where you can share your experiences and ask for advice about ex-racehorse ownership.

So if you have an Ex-Racehorse don't delay, join the Ex Racers Club today, we have plenty to offer the Ex-Racehorse owner!

For more information about the Ex Racers club or to apply for membership please email exracerscambs@yahoo.com or go to the club website Ex Racers Club

Maxavita are an equine health care company, based in Ely, who specialise in natural products to relieve stiff and aching joints and to provide ongoing support for movement and mobility. They pride themselves on developing unique and innovative products based around their patented extract of New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel, called SuPerna ™, which is renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Joint problems can occur at any age which is why Maxavita are dedicated to making effective products for horses and ponies of all ages. Their bestselling Pernamax Equine joint care range comprises of tablets, gels and patches and has been clinically proven to soothe stiff and aching joints with visible results within 7 – 10 days.

Maxavita’s products are based on a proprietary extract of Green Lipped Mussel, which is farmed at their specialist factory in New Zealand. Maxavita have developed a patented Cold Processing Method which ensures that the Green Lipped Mussel is dried and extracted within one minute at an ambient temperature. This method ensures that their Green Lipped Mussel extract, SuPerna™ retains the active Omega-3 ingredients, which have a potent soothing action. Typically SuPerna™ contains up to five times the necessary Omega-3 PUFAs of any other GLM Powdered extract. As the exclusive distributers of SuPerna™, Maxavita’s GLM products are completely unique within the joint care market.

Maxavita are due to launch their new Maxa Range of feed supplements at BETA International in February 2010. The Maxa Range was created to combine the benefits of our unique Green Lipped Mussel extract with essential joint care, respiratory, calming and hoof care ingredients to provide unique solutions to everyday equine problems.

With an excellent success rate, Pernamax Equine and Maxa Range products are used by horse owners all across the country from happy hackers to top level Event Riders, such as Laura Collett, Julie Tew, Phoebe Buckley (pictured on the grey, photos copyright of Claire Spelling) and Oliver Smith (pictured above), who are part of Maxavita’s Sponsored Rider Team.

Maxavita support Cambridgeshire based riders and horses, including International Event Rider Phoebe Buckley who is based in Willingham, and twin foals Vinnie and Fell of Elysian Horses Stud in Littleport. Maxavita were named Retailer of the Year at the East Cambridgeshire Ely Standard Business Awards 2009.

Maxavita continue to work closely with their customers and Sponsored and Supported Riders to evaluate and develop their product ranges to suit the needs of equestrian consumers.

Visit Maxavita at their website if you would like to find out more about the Maxavita products or range of benefits it could provide for you or your horse.

With the ever increasing demand on our time and energy, it can get difficult to make the necessary time to spend it with our beloved four legged furries. Freelance riders are becoming more common as service providers in the equestrian industry to aid in either keeping our horses fit or for a little hands on added schooling.

Bianca Seward-Morris is a freelance rider who can offer many services including schooling, re-schooling, jump schooling and preparation for sale. She has been trained by international show jumpers and eventers, as well as showjumping internationally and receiving training from a colleague of Mary Wanless in flat work. As a small adult, she is able to ride ponies from 13.2HH up to the larger horses, as has plenty of experience of both. She has lots of experience of backing and producing horses and ponies and has now been freeland riding for 5 years with references available.

She can offer places at her own yard for backing, producing, re-schooling, sale preapration and jump schooling.

Are you interested? Give Bianca a call or drop her an email for consultation of the needs of you and your horse.

07765405305

b.sewardmorris@yahoo.co.uk

A brand new business, set up by local boys, Glen Slater and Mark Wright is thriving despite the current economic climate. Established in July 2009, Woodacre of Newmarket is a name to note for anyone running a stud farm, racing stable or any equestrian establishment. The business was initially set up by Glen, with Mark joining him as a partner in July, having been made redundant from a local building firm.

Mark Wright is probably one the few builders around with a degree in General Building which he studied at West Anglia College in King's Lynn, Whilst Glen has many years of experience gained from working in local building firms as a builder and manager. Woodacre are offering the horse industry their expertise in both new builds and general maintenance, as well as draining, the construction of arenas, horse-walkers and even paddock fencing. Alongside this service, they also have the expertise and experience to offer domestic builds from putting down a patio to extentions and conversions.

Glen said, "We have been overwhelmed by the response and secured a good pipeline shorter after joining together. We have worked with local trainers Marco Botti and Pat Leech, as well as Naomi Maxted-Massy of Newmarket Sports horses. Our aim is not only to provide general building services in the local area, but also to work with the equestrian community on more specialist projects." Mark added "We have really been overwhelmed with the support we have received. We have worked very hard to build business relationships and so far this had proved a succesful strategy. We have worked on projects from fencing to complete stable refurbishment, as well as more general building projects."

Marco Botti added "Woodacre have been working with me for a while now. It is refreshing to find a company which provides not only an excellent result but offers a great service."

Woodacre are based in Newmarket and with Glen taking the leap from fully employed to self employed status and Mark having been made redundant, they show just how a little application can generate success despite hard times.

To contact them call either Mark Wright (07806 523422) of Glen Slater (07881 658903), or visit their new website (which I'm sure will be ready soon!)

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a complementary therapy. It is a powerful, yet gentle, form of natural healing which involves the practitioner placing their hands on or near the subject’s energy centres (known as chakras). The Reiki energy gently releases the blocks in the chakras allowing the energy to flow freely through the body again therefore promoting healing on all levels – spiritual, emotional, mental and physical. It is non-invasive and does not involve any manipulation.

Where does it comes from? (A quick history lesson!)

Reiki is an ancient form of healing, believed to be well over 2500 years old having originally been discovered by the Mu people who passed it to Tibetan Buddhist monks. It was then ‘rediscovered’ in Japan at the end of the 19thCentury by Dr Mikao Usui. Indeed the word Reiki is derived from the Japanese word rei (‘universal’) and ki (‘life force energy’). Dr Usui spent several years travelling throughout Japan, studying ancient Buddhist texts and ultimately meditating to find the answers. In his lifetime Dr Usui initiated some 16 to 18 Reiki Masters, one of whom was to meet, treat and initiate a woman who was the daughter of Japanese immigrants now living in Hawaii. Her name was Mrs Takata and she was the first person to bring Reiki to the western world. She initiated 22 Reiki Masters in the 1970s and it is her granddaughter, Phyllis Furomoto, who is the current Grand Master. Reiki is now practiced throughout the western world where its popularity is growing fast.

How is Reiki used to treat horses?

Horses respond very readily and very positively to Reiki. The practitioner will check the horse’s chakras and then ask the horse for permission to proceed. Once this is received the practitioner will work with the horse, placing their hands on or over all their chakras in turn, working first down the left side and then the right. The whole process takes approximately one hour. Just about all horses will exhibit positive changes after one session, but it is recommended that a course of four sessions is followed to achieve the best, long-lasting results and in some cases, usually aggressive horses, a course of eight sessions is needed. Following the initial course quarterly ‘booster’ sessions are recommended and, if necessary, these can become another course as the horse lets go at deeper and deeper levels. Reiki can help all horses, from companions and leisure horse to competition horses and racehorses. The latter two both pre and post competition or racing when stress levels are heightened. Some examples of the specific situations Reiki can be beneficial to horses and can include the following effects:

Builds confidence – particularly useful for nervous horses, young horses starting training and rehabilitation cases

Reduces and relieves stress – again useful for horses coming into training and just before and after competition/racing and when moving home

Recovery from shock and trauma – reduces the level of adrenaline in the system after a frightening event i.e. accident or abuse

Speeds up the healing and recovery process from physical injury or illness and can be an extremely beneficial element of post-operative care.

What about Reiki for Humans?

The method of receiving Reiki for people is a very simple process – simply lie on the couch and relax! There is no need to remove any clothing as Reiki will pass through anything, even plaster casts. As with horses, the practitioner then places their hands gently and non-intrusively in a sequence of positions covering the whole body. Again, a single treatment takes approximately one hour and whilst one can by very therapeutic a course of four weekly treatments is advised for long-term positive changes to be made.

A few of the specific conditions Reiki can be beneficial for are:-

Stress/anxiety/depression

Lacking in confidence/low self-esteem

Lacking in energy

Insomnia

Migraine/headaches/sinusitis/earache

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Recovery from surgery

ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)…..and many, many more

If you’re interested in anything that’s been mentioned, please feel free to contact either Lissa for work with horses (07710 908038 lissa.elcock@btinternet.com) or Lisa (07939 028441 lisaeden889@hotmail.com) for work with humans.

Thanks Lissa!

Oonagh has been working as a full time sports massage therapist, therapeutic body worker and healer since 2002 and is convinced that the therapies she practices benefit both horse and rider. Sports massage in particular can help both parties achieve optimum performance whilst increasing stamina and helping to prevent injury. Massage therapy eases muscular tension and helps to reduce strain on the tendons, ligaments and joints.

Riders who have received massage or physiotherapy will already know how much this can help in pain reduction, stress release and much more. Apply the same principles to your horse and massage can really help to improve disposition, training potential and sports performance. If you have never received a massage then trying this for yourself can really give you an idea of how it can be of benefit to your horse. As a rider with her own horse she is continually reminded of the benefits. Massage can be given as an adjunct to training to maintain and improve health or to assist in recovery following injury. So if you are looking to improve your lateral work, clear more fences or have a more relaxed horse then give sports massage a try.

Having a Health Science degree, sports massage therapy qualification as well as being an Equine Body Worker®, it enables Oonagh to be qualified to administer sports massage to horses subject to first clearing with your veterinarian. She trained with Equinenergy at Writtle College in Essex and is certified by Equinology Inc. She is also a member of the International Equine Body Worker Association.

She covers Cambridgeshire providing a mobile therapy service for both horse and rider so please contact her to find out more or to book an appointment. Discounts are available for 3+ hours booked at one location. Visit the websites for full details of all therapies available Energy Heal and Energy Heal Equine or feel free to giver her a call on 07930 464123 to find out more.

Everyone has a photograph of their horse that they absolutely love, whether it shows their character, they're jumping in a really great style or they're just playing out in the field like a happy horse should. Why not have a look at Ponytales, a photography company aimed at capturing the more emotive photographs with you and your horse. Have a browse of their Gallery and see the stunning images that they can create.

The two photographs here are thanks to Pete Tian who is one of their photographers based here around Cambridgeshire, Thanks Pete!