A former Ottery resident and showjumping champion has written a book about horse care and welfare, based on her lifetime of equestrian pursuits. 

Sandra Reeves' career scaled the heights of international showjumping in the 1980s and 90s, and she has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience of living and working with horses. 

In her book, Behind their Noble Faces – Enlightened Equestrianism, she says she ‘dispels harmful myths and addresses the fine balance between our quest for glory and self-gratification and the horse’s experience in terms of welfare and wellbeing’. 

Sandra, who now lives in Somerset, told the Herald: “With a head full-to-the-brim with invaluable information and experience, which is all but wasted if not shared, my wealth of knowledge and experience is documented, together with solutions that have presented themselves along the way.  

“From international championships to re-wilding show jumping ponies, I share the lessons taught to me by the best teachers – the horses. I carefully talk through and shine a light on best practice for them and their chances of good quality of life, health, and sport. 

“Having once put my faith in my peers and the persuasive rhetoric of feed and supplement companies for the care of my prized athletes, I compare this to the more natural method I have now adopted.. 
  
“I highlight key shortcomings in the management and breeding of horses and share cutting-edge research, which all scream out that we have been approaching it without true consideration for a very long time! 
  
“Behind Their Noble Faces gives stage-by-stage advice on every part of owning a horse, from pasture management to holistic care to competing and everything else in between. I explain the differences between the old and new methods of horsemanship and how to get the best out of your horse and the relationship you share. 

“With equestrianism facing ever-increasing scrutiny, particularly through social media, and experts deliberating as to whether or not we will still be riding horses in 20 years' time, my book is intended to help to stand horses in better stead, gain them more of our understanding and more of our empathy, and steer equestrianism through this rocky time.” 

The book is available from Sandra’s website and proceeds from its sales will fund training and research for the compassionate treatment of animals.