Five things to consider when buying a dressage horse

With interest in dressage at an all time high, an increasing number of riders are looking to buy a ‘dressage horse’ and who better to ask about the priorities than dressage ‘icon’ Richard Davison FBHS, whose eye for a horse is matched by his ability as a successful international rider and highly respected trainer of both horses and riders. He offers this advice…..

1. Try to list your priorities. You have to face the fact that you cannot have everything in one horse and you must compromise on some things. Getting the order of your priorities and compromise right can be critical.
2. Be realistic and honest about your own capabilities, ambitions, available time, facilities and experience. The younger the horse or the greater the challenge, the more you will need regular access to a trainer who can hop on your new purchase and maintain its current standards. Don't expect one horse to take you from zero to hero, because it doesn't work like that in real life. If you are ambitious, then have a five year and 10 year goal and plan your horses into that to help upgrade your skills.
You also have to budget realistically - do not look at your purchase as an investment; the inland revenue doesn’t, so why should you! On the whole, horses do not increase in value (it is only a small percentage that do) so plan for the worst case scenario, including the value you will get if you come to re-sell - when he'll be older and maybe even have lost his competition form. Keep your own horse as your hobby and make your living from your work. After all if you play golf you don't expect to sell your clubs for more than you paid and the same applies to your horse.
3. Buy from a reputable seller and check out your rights in case you need to return the horse. Obtain a written description of the horse; the advert helps but more detailed information on the horse's background and suitability to match your list of 'needs' is important. Always keep communication open between yourself and the vendor long after you have purchased the horse. If you need to return the horse then be honest as to the reasons. Do not try to run down the horse, or blame the vendor if it is really your riding that has deteriorated, or your circumstances that have changed - maybe you do not have as much time as you had originally hoped in order to manage the horse's needs. It is definitely in your best interest to try and avoid accusing the vendor if it is not genuinely his fault, contrary to what some advisors might lead you to believe! If you want to avoid a lengthy, costly and stressful few years then be honest and work together with the vendor to find a solution, but always keep paper trails to help clarity and reduce misunderstanding and conflict.
4. Especially if you are not experienced, tell the vendor as much information as possible about yourself and what your goals are for the kind of horse you are looking to buy. Again confirm this by email to ensure clarity. Buying horses is all about suitability for the rider and purpose; it is not a one size fits all. So many purchasers get carried away with the excitement of it all. They start out sensibly by looking for a mature horse that has seen the sights and sounds and will offer the rider confidence. But then they spot the flashy looking black four year old stallion that they simply can't resist. The trouble is that without the handling skills, turnout facilities, time and back up team, it is not realistic and is hardly ever a success. Like all things there are exceptions, but do not be comforted by them; instead try to narrow down the 'risk' factor and stick to your plan.
5. Always take an experienced trainer or rider with you. Offer to pay them for their opinion as to the horse's suitability as it will be money well spent. Ensure there are a wide range of trial facilities available and if not, ask for the horse to be transported to a more suitable venue. Don't just try the horse in the indoor school, but ask them to ride the horse outdoors - in a field, down the lane etc. before you do the same (never get on a horse, or challenge a horse you don't know first - make the vendor provide a rider to do that). Spot any spooky stuff lying around and see what the horse’s reaction is to it. Test out if the horse is relaxed being ridden and kept on his own. Try the horse at least twice and take as much video as you can so it helps when you are reviewing everything later at home. Ask to see old videos of the horse in different environments, such as at shows or training sessions and of course, check out his record and do some research with previous owners.

I'm sure you wanted me to tell you the most important quality is this gait or that gait, or this type of movement and so one But it’s down to the needs and goals of the individual rider. The only thing in common that we are all looking for, be that in a weekend dressage horse or Olympic star, is temperament. Sure, the higher up the scale you go, then the range of physical talent becomes more critical but, if you ain't got a horse who tries for you and enjoys his job, then it doesn't matter how beautiful he is, or flashy, because it won't be a happy time. So go for temperament every time - and that’s the hard bit to assess!

Good luck and take your time. Remember, they are easy to buy and difficult to sell.

Allerton Park Estates Chooses Suregrow

One of the last northern one day events at Allerton Park enjoyed pleasant autumn weather and fabulous grass cover added to the obvious enjoyment of horses and riders.
Having applied Suregrow Fertiliser this year to the Estate's land used for the one day event, the estate office confirmed "the grass had never looked as good", a comment echoed by competitors throughout the busy weekend.
The land used for the event will be grazed by sheep during the winter months and Suregrow's slow release nutrients have ensured a dense sward of grass that has grown steadily and will provide good quality wintering.

Winter Turnout - invaluable for health, fitness and wellbeing

Turnout is well known to offer psychological benefits to horses and ponies as it allows them to relax and enjoy the opportunity to graze and grass is the ideal feed, much cheaper than anything in a bag or tub. Turnout onto grass that is in good condition and providing a correct mineral and trace element profile to the grazing horse is a very natural and healthy way to feed.

So although we stable our horses because it’s convenient for us and nearly all of them adapt and accept the confinement it imposes, does it compromise their health, fitness and wellbeing? Many leading riders would say yes.

Three riders right at the top of the sport of eventing, Ruth Edge, who also competes with equal success in the dressage arena, Oliver Townend and Caroline Powell, all emphasise that high quality grazing is vital to the successful management of their horses.

Caroline is unusual even amongst top level competition riders, as many of her horses live out all year round at her base in the Scottish Borders. She explains, “We place a lot of emphasis on the importance of lengthy turnout time and good quality grazing and use Suregrow Fertiliser on our paddocks all year round.”

Ruth says, “Turnout is an important part of my routines for all types of horses. The young ones need plenty of time out to help them grow and develop and for the older horses it gives them time to relax, even if it is just for an hour or two. The better the quality of the grazing, the more they will benefit from their relaxation time, which is why I choose Suregrow.

Oliver says with conviction, “The results of using Suregrow on my grazing paddocks have been unbelievable, as the quality of the grass is exhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifcellent. My grazing is very important as we keep a lot of horses turned out most of the time and I have to be sure that the nutrient profile of the grass is providing what they need.”

Amongst the leading dressage riders whose horses enjoy regular turnout, another Suregrow customer is Richard Davison (pictured with a mare and foal). He confirms, “Our horses enjoy their turnout time and by ensuring the grass they graze provides a correct mineral and trace element profile, it offers the potential to contribute significantly to their diet and wellbeing, which is very important to me.”

So next time you think of leaving your horse in his stable 24/7, think again, as he would potentially be healthier, fitter and much happier if you turned him out.

For more information about Suregrow Fertiliser, contact the technical helpline on 05601 126627 or visit www.suregrowuk.com

Six top placings for Ruth Edge at BD National Championships

Ruth Edge qualified three horses for the British Dressage National Championships and after a very successful weekend, came home with six top placings!

Her top horse Shadowfax (pictured) produced a lovely test to finish in third place in a competitive Prix-St-Georges test on Thursday and Zero, the youngest horse in the class at only seven years old, finished in a very encouraging sixth place.

The following day, Shadowfax contested the National Intermediate I Championship and produced some lovely expressive work at the higher level to finish in sixth place and Ruth confirmed that she was delighted with his performances.

Saturday saw Charlesfield Dante in action in the National Medium Championship and he produced a harmonious test to finish in eighth place.

On the final Sunday, in the National Advanced Medium Championship, Zero narrowly missed an outright win in second place and Charlesfield Dante was ninth.

Ruth said modestly, "We had a good time and I really am chuffed with them all."

All three horses came home to well-deserved time in their Suregrow paddocks.

CAROLINE POWELL AND LENAMORE, 4TH AT BURGHLEY

Lenamore proved to be in top form once again at Burghley, completing a tremendous cross country round within the time to lie third going into the final show jumping phase.
Difficult conditions put a premium on this phase to a greater extent than is perhaps usual at this top level of eventing and Lenamore's two poles down dropped him just one place as many of the top placed combinations accrued faults.
Lenamore returned home to his Suregrow Paddock in fine form and looks tremendous as another successful season comes to a close.

MIDSUMMER PASTURE MANAGEMENT

Well, summer has officially arrived and we’re all seeing the traditional British mix of sunshine and downpours, but whatever the weather, it’s time to review the state of your grazing and take action to ensure grass quality is maintained into the autumn months advises Suregrow Fertiliser.

If your horse and pony paddocks have been stressed by drought, deluge or close grazing, the grass will be more than ready for an application of the right kind of fertiliser to support the steady growth now widely acknowledged as the most healthy and natural diet for horses and ponies.

Like any other living organism, grass needs to be supplied with the correct balance of trace elements and minerals for strong, healthy growth and when it is used as grazing for horses and ponies, making the right choice of fertiliser to supply those nutrients can help ensure nutritious pasture and potentially save money on feeds and supplements.

Suregrow fertiliser is a unique formulation designed specifically for horse and pony paddocks. It contains a slower release form of nitrogen proven in trials to produce more sustained, better quality grass growth over a longer period and to facilitate uptake of nutrients essential to wellbeing.

Suregrow will also stimulate the development of strong, healthy roots in grasses, resulting in a denser sward that helps to suppress weed growth and can aid recovery of over-grazed pastures. It is safe to handle and spread, making it easy to apply without the need to remove horses and ponies from the paddock.

If you’re a facebook fan, be sure to visit and ‘Like’ the Suregrow page, then post a brief comment to help Suregrow’s campaign supporting the Equine Grass Sickness Fund in its valuable work to research this devastating disease. For every new fan who posts a comment, Suregrow will make a donation to the fund, so next time you’re on facebook, visit Suregrow.

For more information about Suregrow fertiliser – specifically designed for horse and pony paddocks – and free advise on pasture management, contact the technical support line on 05601 126627 or visit www.suregrowuk.com

Suregrow provided prizes for two luck winners at the North of England Show.

Suregrow provided prizes for two luck winners at the North of England Show. David Bright from Prestwood in Buckinghamshire and Sharon Harrison from Wigan in Lancashire both won enough Suregrow fertiliser for three acres.

Suregrow Supports North of England Summer Shows

Suregrow, the fertiliser formulated specifically for horse and pony paddocks, has become a sponsor of the prestigious North of England Summer Show series next month (July) at Arena UK and in addition to sponsorship, will offer prizes in kind for presentation to the show champions.

The North of England Summer Shows provide comprehensive schedules for both horses and ponies, with numerous qualifiers for the Horse of the Year Show and represent an important addition to Suregrow’s developing portfolio of equestrian sponsorships.

The company is also running a facebook campaign to support the Equine Grass Sickness Fund this summer, with a donation to the fund for every new fan of its Suregrow facebook page.

To find out more about Suregrow fertiliser, specifically designed for horse and pony paddocks, contact the technical support line on 05601 126627 or visit www.suregrowuk.com

Richard Davison and Hiscox Artemis Take Their First Five-Star Trophy at 2011 CDI Munich

The world’s equestrian media flocked to the 2011 CDI Munich to witness the debut of Totilas ‘under new management’ in the CDI Tour and whilst Ulla Salzegeber took the honours in the prestigious Kur final of the World Dressage Masters, it was Great Britain’s Hiscox Artemis, under the experienced guidance of triple Olympian Richard Davison, who took home the Grand Prix Special trophy together with the 5,400 euro prize fund.

Over the year this combination has graduated from their successful 3-star career into the top league and clock up their first 5-star victory. The Westfalian gelding Hiscox Artemis (by Florestan x Delphi) is a small, but powerful ‘pocket rocket’ with a piaffe to die for. In fact many of his other collected exercises can be of copy-book style. This year the gelding has increased in his strength and has notably achieved a more ground covering, elastic way of moving.

In addition to a couple of 77% scores in the freestyles over the past few months, Richard and Artemis have a few creditable 70 -71 % Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special returns to their name - and at a five star that’s not too bad. Davison expressed that he has a feeling there is more to come when the sympathetic Brit was pinned down to find out what has brought about these developments.

“I have been working on developing Artemis’ trot by using many transitions and this, combined with his extra carrying strength, is kicking in. I believe we are now really able to show it in the test." This results of this careful, patient training are reflected in their marks for trot extensions and half passes, which are regularly attracting more 8s these days.

In the Special in Munich it was noticeable how Artemis was really concentrated on his rider, something that has not always been the case. With a laugh Richard explains: “It’s true Artemis has a strong character and we have had a few tests with the odd exciting moment. Some atmospheres have got to him in the past and those have been the tests where I have not been able to ask for enough power, in case I got more than I bargained for! But the more Artemis competes the more he concentrates and in Munich he really turned the corner and was fabulous to ride. Like many good horses he has taken his time to mature but now he has his nose in the right direction and we’re definitely on the right track.”

Richard is not the only one who thinks they are on the right track; as scores increase the judges are aware this is a combination to watch.

Richard Davison is one of a number of very successful international riders and trainers who use Suregrow fertiliser for their grazing paddocks.

Suregrow to support Equine Grass Sickness Fund

Grass is the most natural of feeds and turnout is widely recognised as important to wellbeing, but just when grazing paddocks should be at their best, grass sickness continues to kill otherwise healthy horses and ponies. Funding for ongoing research is vital and Suregrow has announced it is to support the Equine Grass Sickness Fund (EGSF) with a new facebook campaign that will also help raise awareness of the disease.

For each new fan joining the Suregrow facebook community and posting a simple message in support of the work of the Equine Grass Sickness Fund before August 15, Suregrow will donate 50 pence to the fund.

Mrs Philippa Gammell, chairman of the EGSF said, “Grass sickness is a devastating disease that causes gut paralysis in the horse. Research is continuing to find the cause and the Equine Grass Sickness fund would like to thank Suregrow for this novel and generous way of raising funds towards supporting research.”

The development of a special nursing regime, pioneered by a team at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at Edinburgh University, has led to a substantial increase in the number of chronic cases of grass sickness being restored to health, throughout the UK. In addition to funding research, the EGSF continues to subsidise the treatment of chronic cases adhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifmitted to the 'Dick' Vet Large Animal Hospital.

To join the Suregrow facebook community and help support the work of the EGSF, please log onto facebook or visit www.suregrowuk.com and follow the facebook link, then become a fan of the ‘Suregrow’ page, posting a simple message of support.

To find out more about grass sickness and the work of the EGSF, visit the website at www.grasssickness.org.uk

Suregrow fertiliser to support Caroline Powell’s event horses

Eventer Caroline Powell has become the most recent international rider to choose Suregrow fertiliser for the paddocks grazed by her string of event horses.

Caroline who last season won a team bronze medal at the World Equestrian Games with Mac Macdonald as a member of the New Zealand team and won Burghley 4* CCI with Lenamore, is unusual amongst top level competition riders as many of her horses live out all year round at her base in the Scottish Borders.

Caroline explains, “I’m really looking forward to working with Suregrow as I’m expecting it to complement our management extremely well, because we place a lot of emphasis on the importance of lengthy turnout time and good quality grazing.”

Suregrow fertiliser, formulated specifically for horse and pony paddocks, contains a slower release form of nitrogen proven in trials to produce more sustained, better quality grass growth over a longer period and to facilitate uptake of nutrients essential to the wellbeing of horses and ponies.

Suregrow will also stimulate the development of strong, healthy roots in grasses, resulting in a denser sward that helps to suppress weed growth and can aid recovery of over-grazed or poached pastures. It is safe to handle and spread, making it easy to apply.

Caroline joins an elite group of riders who use Suregrow for their grazing, including international event riders Oliver Townend and Ruth Edge and dressage icon Richard Davison.

SPRING GRAZING MANAGEMENT STARTS NOW

As winter begins to relinquish its grip on the landscape, the technical experts at Suregrow fertiliser are already advising owners of grazing used for horses and ponies how to repair winter damage, giving their grass the best possible start to the new growing season.

Maintaining pastures for horses and ponies is important, as grazed grass is the most cost effective feed there is and it’s certainly the most natural. Like any other living organism, grass needs to be supplied with the correct balance of trace elements and minerals for strong, healthy growth and when it is used as grazing for horses and ponies, making the right choice of fertiliser to supply those nutrients can help ensure nutritious pasture and potentially save money on feeds and supplements.

Suregrow fertiliser, which can be usefully applied from early spring, when ground conditions permit, is a unique formulation designed specifically for horse and pony paddocks. It contains a slower release form of nitrogen proven in trials to produce more sustained, better quality grass growth over a longer period and to facilitate uptake of nutrients essential to the wellbeing of horses and ponies.

Suregrow will also stimulate the development of strong, healthy roots in grasses, resulting in a denser sward that helps to suppress weed growth and can aid recovery of over-grazed or poached pastures. The slower release form of nitrogen in Suregrow produces consistent, steady growth of good quality grazing and it is safe to handle and spread, making it easy to apply.

Suregrow’s Jonathon Cox explains, “Turnout is well known to offer psychological benefits to horses and ponies, but the value of grazing goes beyond that, as grass really is the ideal feed and much cheaper than anything in a bag or a tub. Turnout onto grass that is in good condition and providing a correct mineral and trace element profile to the grazing horse is a very natural and healthy way to feed. Applied in early spring, Suregrow will ensure early grass growth will be of higher quality and contribute more to the diet and wellbeing of grazing horses and ponies.”

For more information about Suregrow fertiliser – specifically designed for horse and pony paddocks, contact the technical support line on 05601 126627 or visit www.suregrowuk.com