Game changers

Having horses in your life is a huge privilege most of the time. But, let’s be honest, we’ve all made plenty of ill-thought-out decisions and done things we wish we hadn’t. After all, every day’s a school day, right? Over the years, we’ve all honed our skills, discovered can’t-live-without kit (as well as can’t-live-with experiences). This issue, the H&R team asked you to share yours – here’s a highlights reel of some of our, and your, reverse bucket list: things we’ll be very happy to never experience again!

1. I didn’t clip this winter and, when Sekonda’s coat started to come out, I was horrified at the clouds of snowy hair – it was everywhere. In my car, in my house, in my clothes. So, I decided to let nature do the job for me. Now, I turn the horses out naked for as long as I can each day. They love the chance to have a good roll and I can see by the hair patches in the field that their winter coats are gradually coming out – result! Franchesca, Hampshire

2. Keeping my horse out 24/7. Okay, it takes longer to groom ready to ride, but the time and cost saving of not having to muck out is a winner, and she stays fitter, too. I wouldn’t go back. Maisie, Anglesey

3. I spent much of the 2000s influenced into using beautiful matchy bandages and took a lot of time putting them on, rolling them up and washing. As it turns out, they were just super-heating soft tissues, as well as taking ages to look after. It’s ventilated boots all the way for me now! Louise, Editor

4. Getting a hay soaker has been life changing for me! I’m so glad I never have to soak another haynet again – all that water running down my legs in winter is a thing of the past. Abi, Commercial Director 

5. I was so excited to welcome a new member to my equine crew and, bonus, he was a different rug size to all the others. Now, I love rug shopping as much as the next horsey fanatic, so I had a great time in the tack shop. Except, an entire new rug wardrobe isn’t cheap, so I opted for different brands to normal. Huge mistake – within a few weeks, half of them were so badly damaged that I had to fork out for repairs that cost me almost as much as better rugs would have done in the first place. I guess it’s true what they say, buy cheap, buy twice. Kirsty, Weymouth

6. I was taught to pull a mane the traditional way, by backcombing the hair and pulling out hairs in small sections, but it didn’t sit comfortably with me. For years now, I’ve used a thinning tool that cuts the hair rather than pulls it. With practice I can make manes look just as neat as traditional pulling would, and my horses are happier, too. Nicky, Staff Writer

7. I’ve always wanted to see the Big Five, so for our honeymoon we splashed out on a horseback safari. Except, as it turns out, I don’t actually enjoy getting up before dawn, riding for hours, and then, when I finally saw lions, feeling the cold fear that I was basically dinner, riding another kind of dinner. My wife had the best holiday of her life. Me? I wish I’d never suggested it! Gareth, Northumberland

8. Shock-absorbing stirrups are the best – my knees are so grateful I got some. I definitely won’t go back. Ben, Norwich

9. The flies in my stable were really bad last summer, so I put up some fly trap gel on the walls, forgetting that Prince loves to scratch against the wall when he’s bored. Cue tail covered in unbelievably sticky gel that is, as it turns out, pretty much impossible to remove. It’s just fly repellent all the way for me now! Sarah, Assistant Editor

10. The endless rain was really getting me down this winter, so I decided to test the ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing’ idea. I invested in some top of the range waterproofs, hoping I wasn’t wasting my money, and I haven’t looked back. Is it still raining? I hadn’t noticed. Megan, Editorial Assistant

11. Clipping your horse while wearing a fleece basically means it’s a single use item. I only did this once and won’t ever do it again – my lovely new top was wrecked. Louise

12. My friends bought me a side-saddle lesson for a significant birthday. I was so excited and in my head I was going to look just like one of those ladies in a Concours d’Elegance class. Except it turns out that my balance isn’t what I thought, and I spent the entire time terrified I was going to plop off one side or the other. Good job I wasn’t a noblewoman in the 1700s, because riding astride is definitely the best option for me! Anna, Edinburgh

13. The joys of spending ages trying to hitch up a trailer alone, getting out of your vehicle 20 times, inching back and forward, left and right to try to line your tow bar up with the hitch, are over for me. My towing mirror’s the best thing I ever bought! Nicky

14. For years I felt lucky to have running water and a hose for bathing. Then I took my horse to a stay-away camp that had warm water for bathing the horses. Game changer. No more freezing water trickling into your armpit while your horse shoots you daggers and dances around in a strop. I came home and invested in an electric shower for bathing my two horses, and we’re all so much happier! Layla, Exeter

15. About 10 years ago, I took part in the Golden Horseshoe endurance ride on Exmoor, riding 50 miles over two days on a lovely Arab mare. While I enjoyed the experience very much, I wish I’d bought a seat saver before I set off. Let’s just say, I had to sit down very carefully for a week or two afterwards! Nicky

16. My house-proud partner ‘jokes’ about the pieces of hay and shavings he finds around the house that have made their way into my wellies and stuck to my socks. Imagine his delight when I invested in a pair of welly toppers! Becky, Stevenage

17. After too many hair-raising rides on freshly clipped horses, I now religiously lunge first, then pop on an exercise sheet before mounting up. It takes a bit longer, but it’s a more enjoyable experience all round! Evie, Retail and Merch Assistant

18. Interlocking rubber matting – no more mats that lift at the corners or get bedding stuck underneath them – life is so much easier! Abi

5 ways to change your horsey life for the better

1. If you’re finding anything you do with your horse tedious, look online or ask around for solutions. Maybe a different mucking out tool will save your aching back or perhaps a change of training regime will help you reach a whole new level of riding.
2. Be honest about your skills in the saddle and when handling your horse from the ground. Doing something that’s beyond your current capabilities could not only be confidence destroying but also dangerous. Stay safe!
3. Watch how others perform certain tasks or check out the products they use. These methods could work better for you, too.
4. Remember, spending more money in the first place could save you in the long run, but equally splashing out doesn’t guarantee something will be better – do your research before you buy.
5. Have a think about the things you could do to make life easier without compromising your horse’s welfare. Maybe more turnout time could save you time and effort mucking out as well as using less bedding or perhaps you could share chores with fellow liveries to save time, too.