Horse & Hound

Every week Horse & Hound brings horse lovers up-to-date with the latest news and event reports and provides expert equestrian advice on subjects including training and horse care, the latest equine products and feed. The weekly features inform and entertain inspiring readers to go out and ride to improve their horsemanship in every discipline from eventing to show jumping, dressage to showing, polo and hunting. It is also the must read for anyone wanting to buy or sell a horse.

What a legend

An eventing legend bows out at the top • Oliver Townend's superstar ride Ballaghmor Class retires sound and fit aged 19 after a stellar career

Plan ahead and hope for early spring after forage challenges • Low hay yields and higher prices are causing issues for some owners as the UK goes through a wet winter period

HORSES IN THE NEWS

MPs agree enough is enough on fireworks • The issue has been debated in Parliament again – but the Government has not committed to a timescale for change

IN BRIEF

Should I carry or use a whip? Guide aims to start conversation • World Horse Welfare's whip use guidance, out today, aims to help horse-focused training

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

WHAT IS OPERANT CONDITIONING?

GOOD WEEK

BAD WEEK

Farewell to eventer who went to the very top • Emily Routledge and Cindy Llewellyn have paid tribute to the small horse with a big heart, who has died, aged 29

And finally… Saxon grave

LETTERS

H&H FROM THE ARCHIVES

Horse & Hound

‘The World Cup Final is no longer enticing’ • William Funnell on prize money disparity and a new British star

Louise Bell • The international dressage rider tells Polly Bryan about her young superstar set to take over the mantle from Into The Blue, and why she's never looked back since switching careers

Equine nutritionist • Independent nutritionist Clare MacLeod on transforming laminitics’ lives, helping old horses feel good and not feeding sausage rolls

Safety pointers • Vets, doctors and volunteers all play a part in helping point-to-points run safely. Euan Laidlaw MRCVS outlines how they do so

WHAT'S NEW in the veterinary world? • How do early experiences and interactions with us affect horses? Peter Green MRCVS reports

FURTHER READING

THE VET

A helping hand – and eyes and ears

Priced to please • Prime equestrian properties that will cost you less than £1m

Up to speed • While some horses find galloping easy, for many it is something that needs to be taught. Ellie Hughes asks the experts how they do it

TOP TIPS

Ground control • Winter mud is something all British horse owners must endure. Thankfully there are plenty of practical ways to keep our paddocks from becoming a mud bath, discovers Catherine Waterfall

‘It's vitally important we all stand together’ • With 36 years in hunt service behind him, Robert McCarthy is one of the country's most senior and most respected huntsmen. He talks to Tessa Waugh about Crufts, the current situation and life in Northumberland

Spotty • Although she might not look completely conventional, Spotty is practically perfect in every way and “knows her job”. In fact, she's so versatile that anyone can ride her

Lead by example • H&H's hunting editor Catherine Austen ponders the lasting impressions that influential hunting people can make on us

Confidence pays off • Winter preparation paid dividends with confident step-ups, big scores and emerging talent delivered across the levels

Brash does the double – again! • Just a fortnight after winning two grands prix in one day Scott Brash repeats the feat, and it's a bonanza for the Breen team

Breen and Arctic are...