Long Reining Your Horse Part 1 by Anita Lamb

You will probably have seen long reining being done before - either by trainers breaking young horses, or being used with advanced horses such as the famous Lipizzaner in Vienna.

There's no doubt long reining has an important role in training - it is after all, where the horse first really learns about communication with the rider through the reins. Because communication with your horse's head and mouth is going to be a fundamental part of its future as a riding horse, it's important to get this early stage right. So where do you start?

First of all, your horse needs to be ready to long rein. You should have established the basics of lunging safely, and your horse should have a willingness to go forward and stop with voice commands on the lunge and while leading. It may seem obvious, but of your horse won't lead - let alone lunge - you aren't ready to long rein!

You will need some equipment to long rein safely. A bridle with the regular reins removed, or for horses not yet bitted, working in a halter with rings at either side of the nose is fine. You will need a surcingle with rings at the side for the long reins, and it is advisable to secure it with a breastgirth to prevent it slipping back or twisting from side to side.

Advanced horses can long rein using surcingle rings at the withers, but for novice horses (and novice long reiners!), rings at the side are best. As with lunging or other work, you might also want to protect your horse's legs with brushing boots or wraps.

If you expect your horse to be a bit reluctant or lazy, a long (such as a carriage driving) whip may be helpful, although you should never strike your horse while long reining. And, of course, you need the long reins, although two lunge lines will do.

Fit the halter or bridle and surcingle, making sure that the girth is secure. If you are using a bridle, fit a halter over it and start with the halter before working with the bit rings. You should introduce your horse to the long reins gradually, and where it can still see you. Begin by lunging your horse normally in both directions until it is relaxed.

Then attach one long rein to the inside halter ring. The other long rein attaches to the outer halter ring, passes through the surcingle loop on that side, and over the horse's back. Hold both reins, one in each hand, and move back from your horse. Begin to encourage it to move forward, with you slightly behind its shoulder, until it is walking comfortably around the circle.

THE WORLDS MOST FAMOUS HORSE RACE by FROSTY

On the first weekend in June,anually the worlds greatest horse race takes place at Epsom Downs in Surrey England.The Derby was originally concieved in 1779 during an after race party following that years Oaks. Edward Smith-Stanley and Sir Charles Bunbury decided to set up a race for Englands top thoroughbreds and spun a coin to decide who would have the race named after them, Smith-Stanley (the 12th Earl of Derby) won the toss,the race so easily could of been called the Bunbury! Originally the race was run over a mile but was amended to 1 mile 4 furlongs in 1784 and changed to its present distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs and 10 yards in 1991. The most contraversial race in Derby history is undoubtably the race of 1913. Emily Davison a well known suffragette (a campaigner for the right for women to vote) threw herself in front of the Kings horse and later died from head injuries. The winner of the 1913 Derby was a horse named Craganour who was then disqualified and the result was awarded to Aboyeur who was a 100/1 shot. The disqualification of Craganour was shrouded in controversy,the horse was owned by Bower Ismay who was the brother of the then infamous Bruce Ismay a man who had been accused of disguising himself as a woman to enable himself a place on a lifeboat to escape the sinking Titanic. In 1991 the race was won by the widest winning margin ever, 10 lengths, by Shergar who was later to be abducted by the IRA and whose body has never been recovered. The great Lester Piggott holds the record for the most Derby wins with 9, only one woman, Alex Greaves, has ridden in the Derby to date. The fastest winner was Lammtara in 1991 and the 1838 winner Amato never raced before or after his win. There are few races that capture the imagination of the racing public quite like the English Derby, for over two hundred years the best thoroughbreds of their generation have showed their best at the Epsom course, long may it continue. Crowded House is this years current favourite if you would like to bet on the race or look at this years runners visit www.betrite.co.uk.

2009 World Hurdle Preview

The World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival looks set to be won for the third time by the French trainer Francois Doumen who will be saddling hot favourite Kasbah Bliss. Doumen won the race twice previously with the brilliant Baracouda in 2002 and 2003, who was also second in the race twice. Kasbah Bliss was second himself last year just failing to overcome the formidable Inglis Drever in the final run in. But Doumen has entered his charge again knowing that he probably has the best horse in the race this year; particularly if the form he showed in the recent Blue Square Hurdle at Haydock Park is anything to go by.

He won that race in blistering fashion by eight lengths from Hills Of Arran with previous World Hurdle fancy, Duc De Regniere back in third. Trained by Nicky Henderson, high hopes were held on Duc De Regniere to take on the French raider, but he was simply blown away by the lightening quick finish of Kasbah Bliss who has obviously improved considerably from twelve months ago.

Henderson however does have another outstanding staying hurdler in the race in Punchestowns. He has looked in great form all season and has never been out of the first two in the betting for this great race. He looks on paper as the only horse capable of preventing a French victory but he will have to be at his very best to do so.

Paul Nicholls has Big Bucks in the race who had been racing over fences this season. He returned to hurdles in great style however in the Cleeve Hurdle in January powering home under jockey Ruby Walsh, to defeat none other than Punchestowns and earn his place as third favourite in the betting. In fairness to Punchestowns, he was giving Big Bucks 8lbs and it would have been much closer at level weights. That said, Nicholls believes that Big Bucks, who is only six, will come on strongly for that race and is a genuine contender for the honours at Cheltenham.

Others worthy of note who still hold an entry are the perennial Festival runner, Blazing Bailey, who is still probably capable of getting a place if he runs at his best. The David Pipe trained Lough Derg, who has been so tough this season could have one more big run in him, but his odds of 33-1 probably speak with more clarity as to his realistic chances of getting the better of any of the top three in the betting.

It looks like a win for the French in this race so much so that Kasbah Bliss could well be regarded as one of the bankers of the meeting. by James Smith

Solar Lighting Solutions for Horse Arenas

If you are an enthusiastic horseback rider you will probably dream about an arena of your own. Quite often horse owners have the land and even an established arena area, but cannot afford to equip it for day and night use. Luckily there are great answers with solar outdoor lighting.

Traditionally, the most expensive part of creating an outdoor riding arena is the lighting and electrical requirements that adequate fixtures demand. For example, most arenas will put to use several pole mounted fixtures in addition to an array of locally placed lights. Remember that horses are easily spooked by shadows and an arena needs to be literally flooded with light to keep horses calm and riders safe. This also means a lot of lighting and a lot of electricity, but not for those with solar fixtures!

Currently there are super bright fixtures capable of broadcasting light in a twenty-foot radius. These units can be mounted to the sides of buildings, set on posts or even placed on the ground. This translates to a comprehensive approach to flooding an arena with low-cost, LED solar lighting fixtures. An outdoor arena owner could simply install the units and begin their night time riding.

Many of the best solar spot lights also come equipped with on and off switches and even remote control handsets. This means that even though a nine or ten hour supply of electricity is available through the collector, the lights will only operate when the owner needs them to.

Additionally, many solar spot lights are equipped with an adjustable number of LED bulbs. These long-lasting and durable lights are known for their ability to function at low-temperatures while providing incredible illumination, and many solar spots intended to be used in outdoor arenas come with up to five LED bulbs in each fixture. These fixtures, however, can have their brilliance reduced by the built in bulb controls that reduce LED usage from the maximum five to a two or three light usage.

So, for the cost of the equipment an outdoor arena can be fully illuminated - this means no additional power panels added to a home or barn, no expensive service from a licensed professional, no time wasted in replacing bulbs over and over, no monthly electrical bills, it may mean no permits will have to be acquired and it definitely means no need to miss a ride if there is a problem with the electricity!. by Jonathan Gal