Expert Advice

Ask a farrier to give an opinion.  After all… he or she… and there are a lot of good female farriers now, will have to deal with your horse’s foot problems on a regular basis.   An assessment will go way beyond whether the feet point forward.  There are a myriad of issues that could affect your choice.. the long-term enjoyment for both horse and rider. And the expense of keeping both on the road.

Farriers are not permitted to diagnose specific medical issues but an experienced qualified practitioner will be able to point an equine vet in the right direction.  Professional cooperation and mutual respect is key and these qualities are now the norm in equine welfare.  Probably the most important observation will be hoof quality.  If it is poor then it should be established whether the problem is genetic, or is the result of poor conditions and management.  Only the latter can be fixed successfully!

Philip Monkhouse, Dip.WCF

• Does the horse have, or have history of any clinical issues, for example, laminitis, tying up, colic etc.?
• Are they typically a good-doer (maintain/gain weight easily) or poor-doer (prone to dropping weight/struggle to hold condition)?
• What is their current diet? How long have they been on this for?
• Do they have any dental issues that make eating grass/hay/haylage difficult and therefore need forage replacement?
• If the horse is underweight, ask
• How long they have been this way?
• Do they eat enough forage?
• Have there been any changes in their management?

• If the horse is overweight, ask
• Are they always overweight?
• Do they have EMS or Cushing’s Disease, or even had laminitis?
• Are they on restricted grazing?

• What is their temperament/energy levels like?

Cheap clothes rub and pinch… saddlery is just the same.  A saddle fitting is one of the most important elements to ensure you get the most out of your horse.  A correctly fitting saddle will allow free movement through the shoulder, muscle mass and the back, whilst also ensuring the rider’s weight is evenly distributed. A professional saddle fitter will draw chalk marks on your horse, they will decipher the area required for shoulder and muscle mass movement and where the strongest part of the horse’s back is to ensure the saddle is the correct length. Devoucoux have produced the ultimate saddles since 1985, combining French style with the finest leather and pioneering technology in the interest of equine welfare and the environment. With a focus on rider and horse morphology it’s no surprise that Pippa and William Funnel and Zara Tindall are just a few of the professional riders who use Devoucoux. Why do Devoucoux saddles stand out from the rest?  Attention to detail begins at the start of the process, the Company source and tan their own leather, using the very best.  They have invested heavily (€2million) into their new vegetable tanning process, an environmentally friendly decision which gives the leather greater UV protection; these saddles are designed to last.  Devoucoux saddlers work with both the horse and rider in mind.  Machine produced 3D foam panels make the saddles entirely symmetrical, unlike a traditional block saddle.  A choice of trees (wooden or dynamic – standard or split), allows the horse to move freely in the hind quarters.  A Devoucoux ‘waist’ is wider, three to four inches, (a standard saddle has approximately a one-inch waist) correctly distributing the rider’s weight and decreasing potential back pain for the horse. The monoflap saddles enable close contact with the horse and freedom of the muscle mass for movement with the unique girthing system.  Ultimately a Devoucoux saddle will fit the horse through the use of their panels and girthing system and the rider’s seat and legs through the length and cut of the saddle flap.   Investing in a saddle will show in your horse’s competition results!