View From the Bottom - by Newsletter Editor, Val Eyres

Despite the best efforts of the great British summer and the threat of Foot and Mouth, The Oaks have, apart from one training day, managed to run all of our events this year.

After the Show and the Hale ODE it became apparent that some of you drivers need some help as regards to dress code and the rules of ODE's. To try and remedy this problem we are going to hold a 'Top Tips and Helpful Hints' evening sometime in April. In the meantime, as for dress code at a show, a long sleeved jacket is a must. If it is a country turnout, i.e. varnished vehicle, tweed effect always looks good. Exercise vehicle, a dark colour, e.g. navy or brown and always a plain hat. You may wear a hard hat if you wish. For a show turnout you can go to town, velvet jacket, feathers, the lot.

At an ODE it is essential that you present yourself at the start 10 minutes before your start time. You also need to carry a spares kit consisting of at least a knife, piece of string, spare rein and trace. When on Sec E and you can see that there is someone already in the obstacle that you are going into, you must go towards the entry gate. A steward will be there to hold you up. They will record the amount of time that you are held, and you can then deduct that score from your overall time thus, hopefully, avoiding time penalties. Don't forget the AGM (details above) on 22 November. I look forward to seeing you there.

Ed         

Back to Top

AGM - November 22nd

This year's AGM is on 22 November at the Uckfield Civic Centre (near Tesco's). For the last couple of years the attendance at this event has been steadily declining. Now I know it's dark and cold, but it is a very important meeting for you to attend. Not only do we present all the awards for the year, it is your chance to tell us, the Committee, your views and opinions on the way the Club is run. If you don't attend, not only do you miss the chance of being presented with your award, you cannot tell us in which direction you would like the Club to go. So be brave, put on an extra coat and come out. You never know, you may enjoy it!

Back to Top

Grooms Award

Well, folks, it's that time of year again when you have to get your thinking caps on and tell us why you believe that your groom is the best groom ever. It does not have to be a marathon groom, a showing one is just as important.

Send your entries to: -
Hilary Hill at Isenhurst Farm, Cross-in-Hand, Heathfield, TN21 0UB.

Back to Top

Hale ODE - September 2nd

Despite all of Hilary's worries, the hay was finally cleared two days before the event and on the day several extra stewards came forward to help out. As usual, our team of course builders Andy Hunnisett, Bob Cox, Colin Haffenden and Keith Bennett did a great job setting the course out and building four of the obstacles. Andy and Sue Starnes kindly lent their barrels and designed and built the fifth.

In a break with tradition the Multiple Class was first off to do the dressage. Under the watchful eye of Judge Fiona McOuat, Martin Holgate scored a very respectable 45 followed by a double clear in the cones. Katie Eyres next in scored 36, the best score of the day, another double clear in the cones and it was challenge on for the marathon. Martin took a wrong turn in Obstacle 4 and with twenty extra penalties was resigned to second place, but Katie, not noticing a compulsory gate in the corner of the field, got the big E. So despite flying round the obstacles, it was first place to Martin 124.0 and Katie second on an eliminated score of 83.4.

Open Pony. Seven entries and some pretty fierce competition. Rita Bundock with the second best dressage score 40, six cones and a final score of 107.4 came into third place. Di Lewis in second place 45 with a lovely double clear cones, came up into first place after the marathon with the best score of the day 92.2. Tim Bailey fourth after the dressage 51 and another double clear cones, came up to second place 98.8.

Open Horse. Only two competitors, Pat Sowerby and Anne Clarke. With only one point separating them after the dressage - Pat had 53, Anne 54 - Pat extended his lead by seven points after the cones and was going well through the obstacles. He inadvertently missed Gate D in Obstacle 4 and was eliminated. At the prize-giving he disputed this decision and Tom Petitpierre duly looked at the drawing, which clearly showed his track not going through the gate. Pat agreed to accept second place, saying he would look at his video evidence at home. Later that evening he rang to say that he was very sorry but the drawing was correct and that he had missed the gate. This left Anne Clarke the clear winner on 124.4.

Ponies under 11 hh – 12 hh. Mary Harris was the only entrant to do all three phases with a dressage score of 49, 11.5 cones and a final tally 170.1. Rozanne Bennett just did dressage 40 and cones 4.5.

Novice Pony. The largest class of the day. Tony Green with Sue Starnes back-stepping had a field day. For the first time ever first in the dressage 46, three cones and a final 106.0. Sue Willis second dressage 47 had a blip in the marathon and was eliminated. Jenni Longley seventh after the dressage did a double clear in the cones and with a brilliant marathon score came up to second place 120.4. Denise Gander and Cheryl Hurle tied for third place in the dressage 49. Cheryl had the better cones round but Denise had a very good marathon and regained her third place 129.0 with Cheryl just behind fourth on 132.4.

Many thanks to everyone who stayed behind to help clear up.

Back to Top

Oaks Show - August 12th, report by Jan Curd

Well, weren't we sooo… lucky on 12^th August. What with the foot and mouth as well as too much rain making haymaking virtually impossible, the Club was able to hold its Annual Show in spite of these problems with a fine sunny day greeting us all.

David Burrough at the Hale Stud did us proud, making the show field available by cutting his hay just in time. The top field for parking was not ideal, but fingers crossed that next year we can go back to our original one just behind the show arenas.

We had a good number of competitors with some classes well attended and others a little thin on the ground, but feedback has been positive. As a first timer at organising I felt encouraged and maybe next year we can do even better on the numbers front.

As usual, the two disabled classes were well attended with a couple of visitors from out of the area. Several competitors travelled some distance to attend, and we even managed to poach some members from another club. They were keen to be part of a club "that seems to do a lot for its members." It was pointed out to them that this is only possible because the Club's volunteers are committed to arranging and running these events.

Thanks to Andy Hunnisett and his team we were able to deal with the foot and mouth risk by putting in place disinfectant screening (the disinfectant kindly donated by David Burrough). Terry, Kevin, Keith and Tom managed this at the entrance gate very efficiently and, thankfully, everyone understood the need for this.

A modest profit was made and some of this was down to generous sponsors as well as the popular raffle. The catering caravan did sterling work as usual, but I think possibly suffered from the lorries being parked away from their usual field.

A 'loose horse' incident was ably dealt with by Katie Eyres and Vanessa put her First Aid hat on to help the driver/groom in question - our only 'problem' of the day, thank goodness. Keith Farley has taken some super photos, some of which can be viewed on the 'Photos' page. Also full results on 'Results' page.

Sue Starnes has, I think, found a new vocation as she did a splendid job in the commentary box (a developing project of Mr. Carey's) and certainly added to the enjoyment of the day. A big thank you to everyone, helpers and competitors, for making the day a success and congratulations to Louise Mortimer our Show Champion.

Jan Curd
Show Secretary

Back to Top

Normanhurst HDT

Will it, won't it, maybe, YES. Despite the threat of Foot and Mouth and the constant rain, the brave decision was finally made to stage the event.

The rain just managed to stop in time and the owner of the farm had an array of tractors on hand to pull everyone onto the site.

With the extra entries from Borde Hill a third dressage arena was erected and Saturday's dressage and cones for the eighty-seven entries ran like clockwork.

It was a great shame that Sunday was not so good. The seven obstacles looked fantastic, all well built and very attractive to look at. The problems started on Sec A, the route chosen was very twisty and, with lots of tree roots, very bumpy. Lord Onslow came to grief here, hitting a tree stump and catapaulting out of the carriage. The groom managed to regain control of the ponies but Lord Onslow, suffering from concussion, had to retire. Karen Bassett refused to do Sec A and B, opting to just do Sec E. Dick Lane decided to walk most of it, thus incurring loads of extra penalties.

As if that was not bad enough Sec E had been incorrectly measured from the last kilometre and lots of competitors incurred penalties for being late. Still, the sun shone and apart from Tracey Fletcher, who unfortunately turned over coming out of Obstacle 7, everyone came home safely. Tracey managed to keep hold of her reins and no harm came to either her, her groom or the pony. One note of warning, the reason we have quick release catches is so that if there is an incident we can get the pony out of the carriage as quickly as possibly. Tracey, unfortunately, had taped over all her clips and it took quite a while to release her pony.

Fiona McOuat was The Oaks sole representative in the HDT National Qualifiers. She and her pony Jack were second in the dressage 49.28 and with only 7.06 for the cones was in a good position for Sunday. However, she was one of the unfortunate's who got the extra time penalties and dropped down to fourth place.

The Oaks fared much better for entries in the Club Classes.

Novice Pony had two: Helen Bridges and Tina Graham. Helen won the dressage 66.68 plus 8.22 time faults for the cones. Tina, with her best result ever, was second 70.67 plus 17.38 cones. However, they were both victims of the mismeasured course and Helen dropped down to fourth place and Tina went down to sixth.

Open Pony. Carol Lamble and Geraldine Stephenson here. Geraldine managed to come fourth 68.68 and with one of the few double clears in the cones was in a good position for Sunday. Twiggy, as usual, did the dressage her way and the judge did not find it funny so they were last with 102.68. However, Twiggy did redeem herself with a double clear in the cones. Once again they fell foul of the dreaded Sec E and Geraldine dropped to sixth place 204.99 and Carol fifth 175.01.

Open Horse. Annalie Briden was our representative here. Dressage 75.37 third place, 11.76 cones and up into second place. But a glitch on the marathon meant the big E so, unfortunately, she was unplaced.

Pony Pairs. Katie Eyres, Martin Holgate and Sarah Owlett's ponies driven by Ben Edmed. Katie won the dressage 55.16 and a double clear in the cones. Ben was third 62.74 and another double clear. Martin fifth 74.53 plus 4.89 cones. Katie and Martin also incurred time penalties in Sec E, Katie dropping down to second place 121.77, Martin third 139.87, while poor Ben had a lapse of concentration and missed a gate in Obstacle 6 so was eliminated.

Back to Top

TROT

Hook Farm, West Hoathly route now opened for carriage drivers as well as riders.

*******

The Waldron/Blackboys driving route is now open for the summer. This extensive route linked by quiet lanes and a horse friendly pub now has the addition of a route in Framfield, round Bird-in-Eye Farm set up by Sue Page.

For £35 for the 6 summer months you can drive not only this route but any other of the TROT driving routes, including the newly acquired Friston Forest-3000 acres of mixed woodland. Membership and day passes (£5) available from Alison Burgess.

Telephone 01435 813267 or email aliburgess@carriagedog.org

Back to Top

Mailbox

Congratulations - Oaks member win at Osbourne Refrigerators BDS National Championships

Hello Colin, I don't usually blow my own trumpet but I thought you might like to know of a success for an Oaks member. Last Saturday we competed in the finals of the Osbourne Refrigerators BDS National Championships at Towerlands in Essex. We had qualified for the "Four wheeled exercise vehicle - pair" with our Highlands , An Toiseach of Tomfada and Toiseach Silver, in July at the Surrey BDS Show and I'm pleased to say that we won the Class at Towerlands. It was a great way to finish off the showing season and we are now looking forward to the Indoor Events.

Regards Julia

*******

Horse Driving Trials Forum

I should like to invite the Oaks Driving Club to share a new forum for outdoor driving trials. I have been helping to administer the Indoor Driving Club forum for a while. People find it useful. They use it for sale and wanted, to find or offer to groom, for event and training times, or just to ask for advice, etc.

I have recently taken over the East Anglian Carriage Driving Group website and they wanted a forum too. It seems to me one outdoor club alone does not have enough traffic to make a forum as useful as it might be, but it does justify a separate site from the indoor one, so, with the agreement of the EACDG I have put the forum on an independent site so we can invite any clubs to use it, and so it need not be seen as one club's facility. We tend to overlap quite a bit in the outdoor events, so it makes extra sense to have it common. The idea is that any club can link to it so that, as far as their members are concerned, they can use it integral with their ordinary club website, though understood to be shared between clubs. I have already linked it to the EACDG site. You can see it at www.eacdg.co.uk and click on-line forum.

If you wish to see what it would look like to an Oaks member I have taken the liberty of making a mock to show what I mean - or that you can simply link to if you like - www.hdtforum.co.uk/index_oaks.html - you could simply put a menu entry/link on your main site leading to that address and, hey presto, you would have a forum/message board.

This is a hobby activity, not for profit. I work in IT and it is fairly straightforward for us and does note cost anything to speak of – although it takes a little work to maintain, which is another reason I think it is worth sharing.

You would be very welcome and I think it could be a service to our various members. What do you think?

Mike Watts
www.mikewatts.com
Telephone: 01473 735050
Fax: 0870 131 9476
Ivy Cottage, Boot Street, Great Bealings, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 6PB.

Back to Top

First Aid Box

• Gamgee - this is cotton wool covered in gauze. It can be used under bandages or as a wound dressing. It holds together better than ordinary cotton wool.
• Cotton wool - for cleaning wounds. Use very gently so as not to irritate the exposed tissues of the wound and so delay healing.
• A little common table salt in a jar - to add to water to make a 'saline solution'. One teaspoon added to about half a litre or less. This is your disinfectant, do not use Dettol or such, this is unnecessary in a fresh wound and delays healing. Salt water is the best, or failing that gentle hosing with clean water. A small bottle of Hibitane or Savlon liquid may be useful for cleaning older, infected wounds.
• Bandages - conforming and Vetrap/self adhesive - three or four - they are very useful for all sorts of emergencies, but should be clean if they are to cover a wound, even when you always put a gamgee dressing over it first!
• 10 x 10cm Melolin non-adherent sterile dressing.
• Animalintex poultice - for soothing wounds, reducing swelling and inflammation, or poulticing after puncture wounds. Your pony should also receive an anti-tetanus injection immediately in the case of puncture wounds.
• It is very helpful to have a pair of round ended scissors, for cutting dressings and clipping hair etc. and a clean bowl or bucket for washing wounds.
• You can buy sterile dressings from your vet, in a good saddlers, or Equine Chemist. Better yet, ask your vet to put a first aid kit together for you.

Back to Top

Veterinary Corner

MUSCULAR BACK PAIN

As in humans, there are innumerable conditions which can cause back pain in the horse, ranging from specific orthopaedic conditions to muscle strains.

Soft tissue injuries can be divided into muscle strains and ligament strains. Both usually occur after a slip, a fall, or a poor jump. Fatigue or a lack of fitness will lead to problems. As ligaments heal more slowly than muscles these strains tend to be of longer duration and more persistent than those of the muscle.

Back pain will often occur if there is a lameness in any leg as this will put the back out of alignment when the horse moves and put abnormal strain on the muscles. Also, an unbalanced rider or a poorly fitted saddle will put abnormal strain on the horse's back and lead to similar problems.

The signs of back pain in the horse will vary considerably depending on the severity of the condition and also on the temperament of the horse. In severe cases such as spinal fractures there will be a great deal of pain, swelling and heat in the affected area. There can be stiffness in the neck and limbs, depending on where the fracture is, and sometimes weakness or paralysis if the spinal cord is involved. With soft tissue injuries the loss of performance is usually sudden and the muscles are often sore to the touch.

Muscle pain can be diagnosed by feel but if there are underlying problems it can be very difficult to diagnose. However, as most problems are muscular, try the following:

(a) Get a saddler out and have the saddle checked and re-flocked if necessary. A saddle is designed to spread the riders weight across the horse's back. An ill-fitting saddle will concentrate that weight in one spot, causing discomfort to the horse. Alternatively, replace the saddle and get one which is properly fitted to the horse.

(b) A horse's weight will often change during the year. A saddle which fits properly in summer may not fit the same in winter. Use a sheepskin numnah or gel pads if necessary.

(c) Warm the horse up properly before exercise. Do some neck twists using a carrot and when you first start riding play with the reins to make the horse stretch out its neck several times.

(d) Check your riding. An unbalanced rider will cause problems for the horse.

(e) If a back problem is present then ride on a firm, even surface for a few weeks. Avoid hills and limit jumping until the problem goes away.

(f) The farrier can raise the heels or use egg-bar shoes behind. This will help the problem settle.

(g) Physiotherapy can also help.

(h) Acupuncture is extremely effective at dissipating back muscle tension. Most horses will tolerate it very well, although some might require sedation.

*****

CUSHINGS DISEASE

Cushings disease is a disease of older horses caused by an adenoma - a benign 'tumour' in the pituitary gland of the brain. This small gland, hanging down from the base of the brain stem, is responsible for producing an array of hormones, which stimulate the many glands of the body. Cushings is caused by an over-production of the hormone ACTH, which stimulates the adrenal glands (next to the kidneys) to produce large quantities of corticosteroids.

Cushings is only ever seen in older horses, usually over 15 years. A research survey has shown that every older horse has some changes in its pituitary gland so it can be assumed that every horse which lives long enough will eventually develop Cushings disease. There is another form of the disease seen in younger horses, usually overweight ponies, from 7 years. This is called Peripheral Cushings Syndrome and is not true Cushings but thought to be due to hormone activity in abdominal fat. However, it will show similar signs. Cushings can be slow developing and signs may appear over years rather than weeks or months.

The most obvious sign of Cushings is a long, curly coat. Shedding of the coat in spring is often delayed or, as the disease progresses, may not occur at all. Sweating is also a common sign and the coat often feels damp, even in colder weather.

One of the most common and potentially serious complications of Cushings disease is the occurrence of laminitis, which can vary from mild to severe and is usually recurrent. This is caused by the high levels of corticosteroids floating around in the system. The steroids also interfere with insulin and cause a diabetes-like syndrome. This will often show as an increase in drinking and urination. The steroids will also suppress the immune system and leave the horse or pony open to infections, most commonly foot abscesses, nasal discharges and parasites. They can also slow down the healing of wounds.

In the normal body steroids are used in periods of stress to mobilise energy. This is taken to an extreme in Cushings disease and the muscle of the body is broken down as an 'energy source', leading to a dropped back and a pendulous abdomen. In extreme cases the size of the lump in the brain may cause nerve effects including blindness and, occasionally, seizures or blackouts.

Diagnosis of Cushings is by a blood test. In some cases, especially in early Cushings, this may not give a definitive answer and a 'dynamic-test' is carried out where blood samples are taken on two different days following an injection of steroids into the horse. The normal suppression of the body's natural steroids does not occur in Cushings horses and can be measured on the sample.

Many horses/ponies will go on for an extended period of time with the disease without it causing problems. However, in many cases the disease will cause major problems, usually in the form of a recurrent laminitis, recurrent infections or neurological problems. In these cases the animals should receive treatment. Until recently two different human drugs have been used to treat the problem with varying degrees of success but recent research into a drug called Trilostane (licensed for use in horses in America) has produced very promising results in controlling the disease. The drug is licensed for dogs in this country and has caused great improvements. Horses must stay on the drug long term as it does not cure the problem but controls it. Despite the ongoing cost of treatment, results in horses which have been given the drug have been very promising.

Back to Top

Medi-Armbands

Medi-armbands are now available from the club £3-50 each. These wrap around your arm and contain valuable personal details in case of an accident. Included:

Name
Medical Details (Allergies, Blood Group)
Name of GP
Religion
Phone No.

Call Carol Lamble on 01424 814512

Back to Top

Top Tips for Novices

On a lot of bits you will notice that there is a smooth side and a rough (ribbed) side to the bar that goes into your animal's mouth. It is very important that the smooth side is facing to the back of the bridle, otherwise the rough side is lying on the tongue and gums of your horse/pony's mouth. If this does happen your animal could become unhappy in his head carriage as the action of the bit will be very severe. Should you need to turn the bit around you may have to alter your curb chain hooks as many of the cheaper bits have these put on back to front. Talking of curb chains, it is amazing how many people fail to check that their curb chain has been done up straight. Always run your finger along it to make sure that it is lying flat. If not, undo and give another half turn and it should come right.

Back to Top