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7 ways to make sure your horse enjoys Christmas as much as you

Pippa Roome Pippa Roome

    • ’Tis the season to be jolly — but follow these eight tips to ensure your horse stays happy and healthy over the festive season too

    1. Don’t let him share your turkey dinner — horses are vegetarians.

    2. Don’t lie-in too late — horses are creatures of habit, so your equine friend won’t appreciate it if you’re lounging in your bed while his stomach is rumbling.

    3. Similarly, make sure you’re not sitting at the lunch table so long that neddy is frantic for his tea by the time you stagger outside.

    4. Make sure he gets out of his stable — everyone wants to enjoy Christmas TV, play games and open presents, but don’t let your horse be cooped up 24/7 or you risk health problems. Make time to ride, put your horse in the field or, at the very least, put him on the horsewalker.

    5. If you want to give your horse a treat, avoid chocolate and other foods he’s not accustomed to — some nice fresh carrots and apples are the best way to let him know it’s Christmas and you love him.

    6. If your horse is having a break from his usual work over Christmas, make sure you cut his feed accordingly and build up both feed and exercise slowly when you want to get back on with things.

    7. Similarly, if you have a lot more time to ride because you’re off work, bear in mind that it’s not fair for a horse usually ridden once a fortnight to be asked to hunt all day long three times in one week and then to do three classes at that New Year’s Eve jumping show too.

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    Pippa Roome
    Pippa Roome

    H&H magazine editor and eventing editor
    Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
    Pippa Roome

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