Equestrian


Trainers use schooling fences to prepare their horses for racing over safe, authentic obstacles


for 2014 NEW The fences are filled with


15 LITRE CAPACITY - NO LEAK VITON SEALS - 3 STAGE FILTRATION


CARRY HANDLE ON LID


LARGE FULLY PERFORATED FILTER BASKET


birch and Bill comments that softer material is required by the modern racing to minimise the risk of falls and injuries. “Again, the groundsman will know how tight he can pack the fences for his particular course to get the right amount of pressure.” The ideal product is 6ft tall and thin from halfway up the stem - no thicker than a little finger to allow horses to brush through the top - from trees coppiced to 8ft and very straight. Birch grows in a variety of woodlands and Watt Fences employs cutters to supply it year-round, such is the demand. Hurdles are also evolving, with much debate amongst racehorse trainers about which is the best design. The extra speed at which hurdlers gallop dictate that the fence must fall when struck to reduce horse falls, but those aiming their horses at a future steeplechasing career favour something more solid. “At the moment, there is no alternative way of securing the hurdles whereas, in three day eventing, special pins enable a solid jump to collapse if the horse hits it especially hard,” Bill comments. “There is interest in fixed hurdles, but this would mean a change in


the way we currently hurdle at speed.” Fixed brush hurdles, used for special ‘step up’ races at Haydock and by some trainers, are seen as an intermediate method of training horses to jump bigger, more solid obstacles and Watt Fences supplies these as roll-on roll- off units. Trainers use of fences at their own yards varies widely depending on their budget, although all trainers must have the basic BHA requirement of two flights of approved hurdles and two steeplechase fences to hold a licence. Bill explains: “Some trainers are very well equipped, whilst others may purchase a single flight of racecourse hurdles to improve a horse’s technique by putting it at the end of a run of home- made obstacles.” Jockey Club Estates at Newmarket, which offers gallops for rent to individual owners and trainers, has some of the best facilities in the country, considering that a small percentage of its customers are national hunt trainers, comments Bill. “There are all types of fences and hurdles, including a set of hurdles positioned on an all-weather track to ensure good ground all year. These are steel frames with plastic birch, designed for a long life and minimal maintenance and


CALL: 0845 643 9776 E: SALES@DMMP.CO.UK WWW.DMMP.CO.UK


Diversifying into other railing products has brought Watt Fences new customers in the sports and hospitality industries


118 PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014


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