Friendly shoves, how our horse is feeling, and other things the horse world is talking about
Horse & Hound’s daily debrief, brought to you every weekday morning
1. A helpful shove from a fellow jockey
Fergus Gillard – a conditional jockey based at David Pipe’s yard in Somerset – looked in a decidedly precarious position when his mount, Star Max, blundered badly at the fifth obstacle in the Watch Racing Free Online At Ladbrokes Handicap Chase at Newbury Racecourse. But Fergus avoided a fall thanks to weighing room compatriot Harry Skelton, once he had also cleared the fifth fence, reaching over to give Fergus a helpful shove back into the saddle. That’s what friends are for.
2. How our horses are feeling
We all want our loved ones – and that includes our horses – to enjoy life. But horses can develop forms of depression, just like people. Equine vet Gil Riley MRCVS explains some common signs of depression in horses that owners should keep an eye out for, some of which will be similar to symptoms of depression in humans.
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Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.