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Stuart Taylor DipWCF,
Stuart Taylor Farrier Ltd. Exeter, Devon
Eventing is the most advanced level of
competition where three disciplines are
combined. So by trimming the horse correctly
and shoeing with symmetrical balanced
shoes you are giving the horse every chance
to achieve optimum performance. Whilst
all horses and ponies deserve the utmost
accuracy when foot trimming, the eventer
does require more attention to detail with
respect to foot balance. I recommend a
shoeing interval of four to five weeks for
the top level horses this allows me to
maintain accurate balance and prevent
foot overgrowth and deviation. Quick and
accurate digital x-rays can help make
certain the horse is trimmed and then
shod to the absolute millimetre perfect
foot balance.
There is a massive amount of grip that can
be obtained just by using a well fitted
balanced concave shoe but extra grip under
slippery conditions can be achieved by
using preferably two studs in each foot.
Having gone to great lengths to trim the
horse correctly and fit a well-balanced
symmetrical shoe, using one stud can
defeat the object of being balanced
and symmetrical.
A good working relationship between client
and farrier can help identify and rectify
problems in the lead up to competition and
allow adjustments to be made between
competitions. Working together we can help
the horse to achieve 'peak performance.'
E V E N T I NG
SUMMER 2013 ISSUE
Top tips for feeding
for eventing peak
performance
In the sport of eventing how do training
and talent influence ‘peak performance’?
Charlotte Rowe,
Charlotte Rowe Eventing, Tedburn St Mary, Devon
Professional event yard manager and rider
In the sport of eventing the partnership of
horse and rider is put under a series of
challenges: maintaining calm control in the
dressage, accuracy in the show jumping
ring and courage and athleticism in the
cross country phase. In looking for a future
top horse straight accurate movement is
essential if the horse is to stand up to the
rigours of training and competing; but they
also need to be clever, nimble and shout
‘look at me’. However, I find a kind and
easy temperament the most important quality
as this dictates their ‘trainability’ which can
determine their future success.
In training I believe that variety is essential
to prevent boredom. Each week my horses
are schooled twice, the other four days a
different exercise is used; lunging, cantering,
jumping and hacking and the seventh day
is a rest day (we all need one!).
Whilst at home variety is key, at
competitions I try to keep the routines the
same in terms of the type and amount of
warm up, this helps to keep the horse and
rider calm as the consistent routine feels
familiar despite the different surroundings.
For horses competing at the top levels the
stresses and strains of competition must be
balanced with the need to gain competitive
experience and maintain fitness. My top
horses do not compete more than eight
times in a season and need a longer
recovery period following competition.
Despite riding eight to ten horses a day I
also run twice a week, it is vitally important
that even at the last fence after a long day
I could make a quick decisions and act on
it to help protect myself and the horse
from injury.
EQUINE MATTERS
18
Lizzie Drury MSc,
registered
nutritionist, Saracen Horse Feeds
Training:
l
Daily forage intake for event horses
should not fall below 1.5% of
bodyweight. Hygienically clean grass
hay or haylage helps to maintain
respiratory health.
Fortnightly
l
Monitor and record your horse's body
weight and body condition score (BCS).
This can help you to achieve optimum
competition 'fighting' weight. The ideal
BCS for event horses is 2-2.5 (scale
of 1-5).
l
Concentrate feeds should provide a
variety of energy sources e.g. starch
(provides power and aids glycogen
replenishment), digestible fibre and oils
(support stamina and hydration).
Competition day
l
Alfalfa is natural antacid. Frequent bites
of chaff help to neutralise excess
stomach acid due to intermittent feed
regimes on competition day.
l
Cereal feeding alone should be
avoided for at least four hours to
prevent insulin spikes and energy
depletion. Instead feed a small chaff
meal (1 lb) prior to exercise.
l
Feed electrolytes (Na, Cl, K, Ca and
Mg) pre and post exercise along with
water to maintain hydration.
What role does farriery play in achieving eventing peak performance?