BH Dressage - Issue 30

Dressage B A R O Q U E

ISSUE 30

H O R S E

EST 2011

&

$9.95 AUD

$9.95NZD

INTERVIEW WITH TRISTAN TUCKER // AIDS BY ANJA BERAN // TRAINING HORSES THE INGRID KLIMKE WAY // INTERVIEW WITH EQUINE ARTIST SARA FOXA // GETTING STARTED WITH LIBERTY PART II BY NADINE LINDBLOM // INJURY PREVENTION AND TREATMENT // BEYOND PREY AND PREDATOR BY THE NUDE HORSE // PREPARING YOUR HORSE FOR THE FOUR SEASONS // SADDLE FIT AND THE RIGHTS OF HORSES AND MUCH MORE!

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Fresians, Warmbloods, Dressage, Arabs, Showjumpers, Thoroughbreds, Shires, Eventers, Ponies.

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To find out more about IRT and how we can help you and your horse contact Chris Burke at IRT Australia.

IRT Australia: Tel +61 3 9643 3000 Email: cburke@irt.com IRT Germany: Tel +49 171 784 7447 IRT UK & Europe: Tel +44 1638 668 003 IRT New Zealand: Tel +64 9297 2022 IRT North America: Chicago: Tel +1 630 377 2300 LA: Tel +1 310 306 0262 www.irt.com

Optimum Nutrition for Health and Performance

By Dr. John Kohnke BVSc RDA, leading equine veterinarian and authority on horse nutrition Dr. Philippa Kohnke BSc PhD, equine nutrition research and development at Kohnke’s Own

Balance Your Horse’s Nutrition…

A horse in light to moderately heavy work requires a high proportion of roughage (grass, hay and chaff) in their diet, but may also benefit from a hard feed each day with some extra energy to power regular exercise. Although commercial prepared feeds offer convenience, these pelleted, cooked or extruded feeds will result in horses becoming overly fat and fizzy when fed at the recommended amount per day (usually 3- 5 kilos!). Many horse owners cut back the amount of prepared commercial pelleted feed or muesli they provide their horse, often to half the recommended amount. The lower feeding rate often provides adequate energy and protein but shortfalls in vital micronutrients may occur. This is because most commercial complete feeds are formulated to provide all necessary nutrients only when fed at the full amount. By reducing the amount of prepared feed, many horses are missing out on essential bone minerals, trace-minerals and vitamins each day.

…For Optimum Coat Condition and Performance…

If you are feeding a commercial pelleted or complete feed, then consider topping up with a trace-mineral and vitamin supplement to ensure your horse receives all the daily recommended nutrients for health, vitality and performance. When you feed half the amount of complete feed, add a quality supplement to your horse’s ration to ensure that optimum levels of important traceminerals and vitamins are maintained. There is another reason why supplements are important for Aussie horses - our soils, grass and hay are often deficient in minerals, such as selenium, copper, iodine, zinc and calcium. This can have a big impact on how your horse feels, looks and performs! A washed out, dull or dry coat, irritable, tired and lacklustre performance are the common signs of reduced micronutrient intake. Even other symptoms, such as repeated bouts of skin infection, colds or lameness, may indicate a problem with the nutritional balance in your horse’s daily feed. Boost your horse’s coat condition, gloss and shine plus improve stamina and performance by selecting a quality Kohnke’s Own supplement, specially formulated for Australian conditions by leading equine veterinarian and authority on horse nutrition, Dr. John Kohnke.

…Choose a Quality Top-Up Supplement…

Kohnke’s Own ‘Cell’ range includes premium, economical supplements made from top quality ingredients for effective results that you can really see! Kohnke’s Own ration-balancing supplements are created from separate cold-press pellets for optimum potency and to eliminate waste or sift-out, which is common with powdered supplements. Our excellent cost per dose highlights how cost-effective a balanced ration can be for any horse and the low dose measure makes feeding up quick and easy.

Cell-Vital® is the simple ‘ration-balancing’ supplement for most working horses, with a comprehensive profile of trace-minerals and vitamins, but we have many different supplements to ensure your horse receives the best balanced, optimised nutrition to match their specific requirements. Cell-Provide® is for resting or lightly worked horses, Cell-Perform™ is formulated for harder working horses competing regularly and Cell-Vital PREMIUM® is the world’s best supplement for racing and upper level equestrian horses!

…and Save Money!

Commercial complete feeds cost more than twice as much as a simple home-mixed ration you can make yourself with some bulk-buy, low fizz grain and chaff. For example, feeding a full commercial complete feed from a reputable company can cost around $6 per day! In comparison, a simple hard feed made with some mixed chaff, steam-rolled barley and Kohnke’s Own Cell-Perform costs only $2.50, and meets the full nutritional needs of a moderately working performance horse! If you would like help to construct a balanced, healthy ration to save you money and optimise the well-being and performance of your horse, contact the Kohnke’s Own team of experienced Nutritional Advisors for a FREE ration analysis!

Step Up to the Next Level!

Kohnke’s Own® Cell-Perform™ is a comprehensive supplement of bone minerals, trace-minerals and vitamins for performance horses. Many horse owners choose to ‘step up to the next level’ to Cell-Perform when their horse begins training more frequently or competing regularly.

Cell-Perform is very popular as a supplement for Dressage, Showing, Show-Jumping and Eventing horses because it has extra levels of muscle-specific nutrients, such as potent antioxidants selenium (as organic selenomethionine) and vitamin E. It is perfect when you want more robust muscle function, strength and stamina for optimum performance. Featuring top quality ingredients in balanced ratios, your horse will also benefit from improved coat condition and shine with Cell-Perform.

Cell-Perform is the ideal comprehensive supplement for home-mixed hard feeds, but can also boost nutrient levels in prepared, commercial feeds when the recommended amount of the pelleted or complete mix is not given. Cell-Perform is also very economical, with a dose costing around $1.00 per day!

“Fine tune your horse’s nutritional balance to enhance health, vitality and performance” “Since starting with Cell-Perform, I’ve noticed that the horses feel more robust, with sustained energy and their general wellbeing and vitality is excellent. Their top-line has never been better and many people have commented that their coat condition is exceptional! I’ve recommended Cell-Perform to all my clients, students and friends!”

Susan Elekessy, Grand Prix rider and trainer, NSW

“Cell-Perform has my show horses looking amazing, with an impressive depth of coat colour and shine. I saw a big improvement just a couple of weeks after starting CellPerform, and now my horses always work well and bounce back from busy shows. It’s so easy to feed and there is no wastage so I know my horses always receive the boost of nutrients that they need each day.”

Melynda NSW.

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glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate

NORMAL JOINT

ARE YOUR HORSES JOINTS AS STRONG AND FLEXIBLE AS THEY COULD BE?

EQUINE OSTEOARTHRITIS DESTRUCTION OF CARTILAGE DUE TO WEAR & TEAR AND/OR TRAUMA

SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE mobile and flexible

JOINT SPACE thick and elastic synovial fluid

HEALTHY CARTILAGE resistant to shearing stress

SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE reduced mobility and flexibility

SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE fibrosed and rigid

JOINT SPACE narrowing thin synovial fluid

JOINT SPACE narrowed thin and watery synovial fluid

THINNING CARTILAGE due to wear and tear and destructive enzymes

LOSS OF CARTILAGE bone on bone

JOINT PERFORMANCE ...THE SOLUTION FOR JOINT HEALTH THROUGHOUT YOUR HORSE’S LIFE

WHY CHOOSE JOINT PERFORMANCE?

Glucosamine sulphate and Chondroitin sulphate are the key building blocks found in strong flexible  and healthy joints. EQUINE JOINT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS contain the optimal grade and quantity of these same naturally occurring building blocks, providing the solution to your horse’s joint health needs.

Joint Performance - Equine Joint Support Formula is a premium joint specific Formulation  that acts in two ways: 1) maintenance, repair and protection of joints throughout your horse’s life.

Prevention is always better than cure; and 2) provides treatment for existing cartilage degeneration.

Joint inflammation is a result of damage. Products that address inflammation only are essentially  treating symptoms and DO NOT provide the necessary building blocks for cartilage maintenance and repair. Don’t simply mask the pain. Use Joint Performance for the effective long-term management of your horse’s joint health.

Joint Performance products provide superior joint protection, maintenance  and repair effect when used daily, and can be safely and effectively combined with polysulphated pentosan injection schedules to further stimulate the protection and repair process.

JOINT PERFORMANCE

Anti-inflammatory action (short or long term)

 

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Overall joint health benefit

High

Limited

Aids in restoring synovial fluid lubrication

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Long term pain relief

Inhibits destructive enzymes Provides the correct quality and quantity of building blocks for joint health

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GREEN LIP MUSSEL BASED PRODUCTS

Aids in stimulating cartilage maintenance & repair

HERBAL and ROSEHIP BASED PRODUCTS

ORAL HA BASED PRODUCTS

NSAIDS

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Limited

Limited

Limited

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W W W. J O I N T P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M . A U P H O N E 1 3 0 0 1 0 5 1 0 4

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EDITORIAL

Editor-In-Chief Danielle Skerman editor@baroquehorse.com.au

SUB-EDITOR

Patty Taylor patty@baroquehorse.com.au

ART & PRODUCTION

Design & Production Manager: Danielle Skerman

DESIGN

Kasia Misiukanis-Celińska

ADMIN & MANAGEMENT Patty Taylor patty@baroquehorse.com.au

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

advertising@baroquehorse.com.au +61 419 363 635

FOR SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES subscriptions@baroquehorse.com.au

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

Maresa Mader, Danielle Skerman, Riona Edwards, Katarzyna Okrzesik-Mikołajek, Jeffrey Anderson and Pam White.

CONTRIBUTORS

Anja Beran, Danielle Skerman, Ingrid Klimke, Nuno Cavaco, Teresa Burton, Nadine Lindblom, Dr John Kohnke, Dr Philippa Kohnke, Karen Sternbeck, Georgia Leva Cath McDowell, The Nude Horse, Jochen Schleese, Paula Josa-Jones, KER.

PUBLISHER: Baroque Horse PTY LTD ACN: 159 279 848 PO Box 236 Millthorpe NSW, Australia 2798 ©Baroque Horse Magazine AU. 2011 All Rigths Reserved. No part of this publication, editorial or advertisement, may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The content of the advertisements within this publication is the responsibility of the advertiser. Although due care is taken in the preparation and publication for all advertising material, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or for any consequential effects. Opinions and statements made by others in submitted text may not be the same as those held by either the publisher or the editor.

photo by RIONA EDWARDS Nadine Lindbloom and 'Ty'

FIND NADINE ON: • • •

equillence.com.au

instagram.com/equillence

facebook.com/equillencehorsemanship

editors note of knowledge and his training methods really resonate with me, because of this I wanted to share it with you. Tristan has a lot to offer the equine community, and I hope you take the time to check out his web and his online learning program.

F

or those of you who don't know, I'm a photographer by trade and art is something that is deep in my blood and I have a long history of an artistic family. Maybe this is why I'm always drawn to the arts photography, painting, sculptures etc. It also probably explains my love for dressage as it really is an art form of its own. In this issue, I chatted with French artist Sara Foxa. It is really an engaging conversation that any keen creative person will enjoy. It's also quite an in-depth interview and will give an insight into how an artist works. I've admired Sara's work for awhile, and as a treat, for us, she drew the cover image.

I absolutely love it and hope you do too!

Inside we also had the pleasure of talking to fellow Aussie Tristan Tucker or aka "Brett Kidding". Tristan is now living on the other side of the world and making a name for himself with his fantastic TRT method. He is full of character and a tremendous Aussie representative flying our flag proudly. Tristan is a fountain

Once again we are treated to an article especially written for us by the wonderfully talented and kind Anja Beran. In this article, she informs us about the importance of our aids and what they do. She talks about what our expectations should be and how we should manage those expectations. That horses are horses and not robots, and sometimes they may not respond to our aids as expected, and there could be reasons for this.

This is an article to keep ones prospectives and expectations intact for our equine partners.

Ingrid Klimke is one of those names that has been around for awhile. It's one that you associate with brilliant training that puts correctness and kindness first.

Ingrid has stood strong with her father's teachings and hasn't caved into the harsh and cruel training of LDR or Rolkur. With a strong classical background, it has made her one of the most respected equestrians in the world. We are lucky enough to have an extract from one of her new books. You will surely want the full version after reading this!

10 Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

an article from the upcoming liberty trainer Nadine Lindbloom on getting started in liberty and some tips to go with it. To follow on from that Nadine goes into more detail about how you get started. You can follow Nadine on her social media if you are keen to learn more.

When training doesn't go right, or you push too hard horses can get some horrible injuries, and for this reason, we have an article on injury prevention and treatment. We hope this will help keep some horses sound and help owners realise what can cause injuries that they may not have thought of before.

When reviewing this edition, the common thread is that we need to be mindful that horses do have brains and feelings and that each one is different. We need to let them show us what they can do, and this will create a harmonious relationship. We don't want to shut horses down and make them a prisoner of their own life. I don't know about you, but I'd far rather a horse keep his or her personality and be a willing participant in our journey together. I guess to me, its a bit like forced slave labour where you are made to work unwillingly to be excited to go to work and please your boss!

In the previous issue, we had

follow us on: www.facebook.com/BaroqueHorseMagazine www.pinterest.com/baroquehorse

w e l c o m e

/ Editor-In-Chief / Baroque Horse DRESSAGE / www.baroquehorse.com.au

Until next time!

contents

I S S U E

w h a t

29 i s

i n s i d e

01 Interviews 12 34

Interview with Tristan Tucker Interview with Sara Foxa

02 Educational Two Rules to Ride by - By Ingrid Klimke The Aids by Anja Beran Beginning Liberty with Nadine Lindblom Our Horses, Ourselves by Paula Josa-Jones

We Recommend page:

20 28 40 46

On the cover: Charcoal and watercolor drawing of iberian horse by Sara Foxa

04 Of Interest 58 74

How Unconscious Emotions affect us and our Horses.

By Cath McDowell Beyond Prey & Predator Mindfulness

page:

Injury and Prevention Saddle Fit and the Rights of Horses Preparing Your Horse for the Four Seasons 5 handy hints Manage Joint Health Proactively Through Nutrition

page:

54 60 64 70 80

page:

03 Health

12 20 28 34

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PHOTOS BY: TRT PHOTOGRAPHER

I N T E R V I E W

T Interview with

TRISTAN TUCKER On the other side of the world, an energetic and charismatic Aussie is making quite a name for himself.

Tristan Tucker was born in the UK and immigrated out to Australia with his family when he was one year old. Growing up in Nar Nar Goon, a small town east of Melbourne, where he spent much of his childhood at the stables where his mother worked. He grew up attending pony club and doing all the usual things Aussie kids love to do with their horses. His grandfather was a horseman, so the love of horses is naturally part of his DNA.

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ast forward to 2017, where Tristan is now living in the Netherlands and making a name for himself with his TRT (Tristan Ross Tucker) method and his hilarious alter ego "Brett Kidding".

The TRT method is an online program for riders who want to teach their horse how to feel confident and relaxed in our human environment. Tristan now regularly presents demonstrations with "Brett Kidding". He does this in a highly entertaining way, so much so, that it has grabbed the attention of gold medalist Carl Hester where he was asked to do a demonstration for his renown Dressage convention.

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BH Dressage had the pleasure of talking to Tristan about how it all began, about his method and what the future holds for him.

BHD: Hi Tristan, thank you for taking the time today to talk to us. Can you let us know how it all began for you?

TT: I have been around horses for as long as I can remember and at one stage I was an apprentice jockey and was into eventing and jumping. I travelled to the U.K. to learn point-topoint for a short period.

While eventing in Australia I had

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...STARTING A HUNDRED ODD horse every year by myself, you learn quite quickly of what to do AND WHAT NOT TO DO. The horse will teach you A LOT ABOUT THE PROCESS of what they need to learn...

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some horses that were not great at jumping, so I started dressage. A Danish trainer that was out here put me in contact with Morton Thompson from Denmark, and 1999 it was organised for me to go to Europe and work with him for a year.

When I first arrived, Morton was very strict and militant but at the same time extremely open-minded. He has a lot of the influence from very famous and well-known circus trainers who were doing extraordinary things with their horses, and it opened up my eyes to what was possible. You can teach a horse just about anything if you use the right method.

BHD: How did you find that training in comparison to mainstream dressage training?

TT: It makes more sense to me because with horses you have to make do with the one you've got and to find the best way of training that fits that horse. The horse needs to understand what it is, that you want from him.

When I first came to Europe, it was very much about studying a system of riding, in a technical aspect of riding and not so much about trying to understand the horse. Instead of working out how he can best learn what it is that we want him to do? The circus trainers were all about that. They didn't really follow any particular system.

They understood that each horse has its own speciality, and then they would emphasise that in the horse. You worked on their talent and didn't try to get the horses to do everything.

BHD: As you've been evolving over the years with your riding and training, who would you say has been the most influential part of it?

TT: Probably Morton because he was there from the beginning and started my mindset of training. But, it could be anybody and everybody who does something good with horses. I have researched a lot to learn the best fits for myself. There are lots of different pieces of training from diverse backgrounds.

From western horsemanship to dressage riders, a lot of the French guys doing all the liberty work - a really broad spectrum. It's the smart thing to not stick to one discipline and at the end of the day, the better you can understand the horse, the better you can be in the craft, so from the basic, that's important for me.

BHD: Is this how you evolved your TRT method?

TT: Yes, predominantly from being at the back of Nar Nar Goon in Australia, and starting a hundred odd horse every year by myself, you learn quite quickly of what to do and what not to do. The horse will teach you a lot about the process of what they need to learn and how they can best learn it. I had a lot of influences for a wide group of people from many locations with different breeds and personalities all being used for a large variety of purposes. It gave me a really solid foundation of what was necessary and then when I got further into the dressage sport. I tailor-made it so that it was a program from the very beginning it sets the horse up to be the best he could; to be able to perform in his career as a dressage horse. So from the start, they are creating that mindset of being how to be a performer and having a good awareness of their body so that they have a good posture and good stability and can become a good athlete. BHD: In Europe, at the moment you have been doing very well with your alter ego 'Brett Kidding', How did he evolve?

TT: It came about when Carl Hester called me up to see if I could come to the dressage convention that he runs together with Richard Davidson as I was always talking through the horse's point of view, and that was the best way I could come across to the people. To be able to give them some insight and be able to contribute their way of thinking without going against tradition too much. This taught me a way of how to communicate with a large audience and how to keep them interested. I feel that people become more engaged by humour and laughter. In the dressage world, it can often be very serious, so it is good to have something a bit light-hearted.

BHD: I was going to say because you're very much about your communication and relaxing the horse, could you say that your humour is a way for you also to relax your audience?

TT: Yes absolutely. It's a way to get people thinking outside the box. In one way there's a guy there sitting really sloppy and in a very bad posture and saying out loud all the things that we think when we're riding the Grand Prix that nobody dares to say. But on the other hand, the horses perform and everything by himself without any assistance

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YOU SHUT DOWN the mindset; they become NON-PRESENT. They're not really PARTICIPATING ANYMORE.

at all. This is also a message that dressage doesn't have to be so rigid.

You don't have to make the horse do the exercises; the horse can learn the exercises and take ownership and responsibility in performing in himself.

16

BHD: Speaking of horses, the horse that you use in your presentations is really amazing and tolerant with you, can you tell us a little bit about him?

TT: He came to me through a breeder as they were looking for some help as he was a little bit of a troubled teenager. He was throwing a few people off and doing some naughty things. So he came to me for some training to fix those problems a little bit, and it turned out that it was not going to be a match. He was a little bit too cheeky and too wise, and we figured out very quickly that if the person was not quick enough and sharp enough that he could start making decisions and become the managing director of all situations.

So I ended up buying the horse and

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actually, my ex-wife rode him for a couple of years and then I took him over. I think within a year he learned Grand Prix, and then I started using him for the clinics.

His personality is a little bit in his breeding with Sunny Boy Jazz. So, he has a bit of Sunny Boy in him, he has a little bit of stubbornness, and not really the attitude where you could say: "Now you gonna do it."

Because he was trained to do it, however, he was more like 'you can do it if you like but I'm just going to stay here'. Also on the Jazz side, he can be very spooky, and shyness with shadows and things on the ground and quite noise sensitive. So it took a little bit of time to prepare him for those big shows. When he could understand what his purpose was, he could take ownership of it and get confidence from it.

He's now a born performer. He's really bored when he has to do a normal test or ride at home. He is at his best when performing and when he's in front of a few thousand people in a big stadium somewhere.

BHD: Isn't that amazing. So he's really done a full 360 hasn't he in personality? Do you think its because he's so intelligent?

TT: Yes. I just let him find that himself, to understand what his job is and in giving him good body awareness of how he can control himself. Then there was no reason to argue about the situation because he now owns the situation.

BHD: I think that explains

a lot of horses, I believe this may be a common problem.

Some strong-minded horses can be full of energy and be a right handful. Obviously, your approach to training is a great way to work around this and calm the horses down?

TT: Yes absolutely. It's all to do with working with their intelligence. I'm very much against desensitising and trying to make horses quiet. It's the beginning of them shutting down. You shut down the mindset; they become nonpresent. They're not really participating anymore. To me, it's very much about the participation. They have to be aware of everything. Both in the environment and what I’m asking, they may have to be on multi-task, and they have to become a professor of their purpose in life. So making them quiet is the opposite of that.

BHD: So essentially you're allowing the horse to maintain his personality and letting him be as confident and comfortable in the situation of what's being asked.

TT: Yes and to know better than the human in what needs to come next.

BHD: With a lot of your training, you talk about patterns, can you explain this for us, please?

TT: The pattern is just a system of recognition for me. It's just like a normal exercise for you to have good body awareness,

and understand how your body works, and how to get from A to B. How to be more flexible, be more balanced, be more coordinated. Generally, you work in a pattern that gives you this knowledge of your body. So the pattern is just a vehicle for them to gain knowledge about themselves.

BHD: And what would you say the difference is between an angry horse and a nervous horse that shine in pacing vers one that is very angry, bucking and kicking.?

TT: In the beginning, you're just diagnosing the reason. Often the aggressive state comes from the product of their environment.

If you have a mare that is fairly docile and lets the foal run all over them, or if they get into a large group of horses when they're young and they're forced to have to defend themselves.

Or they can get into a position where they feel to be able to eat more than they need to become more aggressive. Or be higher in the hierarchy if they have a certain behaviour. Of course, this will come through in their personality. You can have young stallions that have a lot of testosterone, and you also have mares with that same sort of problem. So for whatever reason, it's about giving them the awareness of how they can find the position of comfort as an alternative to being aggressive or being scared. Of course, being aggressive or being scared is just the natural instinct of survival and how to find a position of comfort. When they're not taught a better option, and they look back in a toolbox, and in certain situations, as it's the only option they had and the only option they're left with.

BHD: What would you say is the difference between telling a horse and teaching them to do it.

How would you define that?

TT: It's in the process of the way you ask. So it's very much about breaking things down in levels, so if I'm asking the horse to move sideways, I'm using body language and then the noise and then a practical example, the

demonstration. The difference between putting them there, and indicating where they should be. I never tell the horse where to be, I just tell him where not to be, and I leave the answer up to him.

BHD: Okay, so you're basically allowing the horse to use his brain a lot rather than putting him in a strict mould and saying: "You must be here and become a robot."

TT: Exactly, and of course, the more I tell him, the less he has to think, and I have to take responsibility for where he needs to be. Then he has no knowledge of how he got there or how he can put himself there the next time. The more I do for him, the more I need to do for him and then less he thinks for himself.

BHD: Can you explain the difference between the pressure and release that you do, as opposed to the more controversial ways that involve a more aggressive manner. ?

TT: It just has to make sense for the horse. If you have a horse that's first grade and you're saying what is six times seven, divided by 300, and you will never get the answer. So it has to be a question one that's worth answering.

There from the beginning, you have to have worth; he has no feeling that you are worthy then the communication is going to be hard because you have a lack of respect. So that bit has to come first. If you don't gain worth in the horse, you can't begin to educate him cause he doesn't have any respect to want to follow you. So that's really important in the beginning and then what I just mentioned about the question. It has to be a calculated question where you know he can get the answer. You have to put pressure on him because it has to be a question.

If you tell him to follow someone and say what's one plus one you are putting pressure on him because you are asking a question. So the question has to be worth answering, but it has to be a question that you know it's possible that they can get the answer.

BHD: What would you say would be one of the most common issues for people who have with their horses?

TT: The most common one is it the horse has zero knowledge, he is only functioning on his natural instinct of survival. So he just doesn't know

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anything about his environment and about the world he's born into. These people are struggling with trying to work with something that has an operating system made for nature and living in a human environment.

BHD: What would you say you are most passionate about when it comes to horses and your training TT: That my horses are motivated and willing every morning. They have to want to get up and do the work more than me.

Our motto is for the TRT that we want to create a life for horses better than nature intended.

BHD: So what's happening with you, what are you up too?

TT: As usual, I'm trying to live the life of seven men. So I'm doing clinics and demonstrations, and also I have students at home, in a training stable. I’m also

competing myself. I have two horses at Grand Prix level and one horse at Prix St George. I'm trying to have lessons when I have time myself to further my knowledge. I'm have a training stable at home, and we have 24 horses in full training. With horses from starting under the saddle to Grand Prix. I have students from the UK at our stable in training. Then I have a program for the year that they have to make goals and then working towards championships, and we set up a qualification pattern for them what shows they are going to do when and what's the best training schedule.

Of course, also the Bred Kidding series, where we are doing a lot of live events and have the TRT online training. So were in 51 different countries now. I think we have more than 3,000 full-time members and nearly four million followers. At the beginning of Christmas, we released the TRTV series, that's like an equine Netflix. There

will be four channels and a comedy channel. Which will be hosting the full Brett Kidding series, which is like Mr Bean for the equine world with all these different adventures. Then we have three documentary series, and that's following TRT around the world.

So different horse cultures around the world, and we have one on sports. I'm giving reviews and blogs from the various and international competition here in Europe. The other documentary series is on the specialists within the industry, talking about their story and what drives them and not so much about their accolades. Not about how many gold medals they've won or how prestigious they are or how famous they are. It's more about what drives them in this sport to be passionate about what they're doing and how they're trying to help horses on their own, the gift of life.

Sort of full-time job.

BHD: Yes for sure, you're one busy man. Do you get back to Australia much at all?

TT: No, I was back earlier in a year, and I haven't been back before that for years.

I used to come back every year for Christmas but the more things we have going on, the less time we have to get back in it. Unfortunately, it's a little bit far to go for the week, and it's hard to get away for a long period of time.

BHD: Do you have a favourite horse in stables?

TT: Yes, I do. I have the first son of Weihegold from Isabell Werth, by 'Donnerhall'. He's an incredibly talented and probably the most talented horse I've ever had. He came to me because he had some issues. He's a life-changing horse and has a level of intelligence that I've not experienced before, and if he can do half what his mother has done who is world Olympic and European champion, then I'm also satisfied with that. And it is pretty hard to be a better favourite than Brett's horse. You can have different favourites for different purposes, and you can have more than one favourite.

Here at BH Dressage, we would like to thank Brett....I mean Tristen for taken time out of his busy morning to talk to us. If you'd like to know more about Tristen, please do check out his web www.TRTMethod.com. a

18 Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

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03 T R A I N I N G

ingridklimke Downtime after work is done

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Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

AUTHOR: INGRID KLIMKE PHOTOS: from TRAINING HORSES THE INGRID KLIMKE WAY

Ingrid Klimke –

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TWO RULES T O

Ride by NUMBER 1: Win Your Horse Over It’s ideal when we can start a young horse well from the beginning, training him with lots of time, calmness, and patience. He will then grow trustfully into his career as a riding horse, developing good selfconfidence, and I can develop him in accordance with his innate talent.

To be honest, there will still be horses that, despite your best efforts, are still not really ready to exert themselves for their rider. These horses are missing the necessary willingness to perform, which I am dependent on as a rider if I want to progress with my horse.

My former dressage horse, Nector van het Carelshof, is a good example of how it is possible to win over a horse completely, even if you have not had the opportunity to start his training from the beginning yourself. It took me lots of time and patience to secure Nector’s trust, but eventually we became a team and he fought for me.

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T D E R A U ICNAI TNI G O N A L

At the age of 12, Nector arrived in my barn as a “finished” Grand Prix horse. But, in the beginning, he only wanted to run — he was much too hot to ride in a Grand Prix test. We spent the next six months riding out in the open, giving him lots of turnout and incorporating variety into his training, after which we competed in our first test at Second Level and did not place.

Nector was still too nervous and insecure and, therefore, very uptight, tense, and tight.

Through my groom Carmen’s care and quiet work on basic training, incorporating many half-halts and First Level exercises, we reached the first step: supple relaxation. When finally the tension knots released and he came to fully trust Carmen and me, Nector gave us his whole heart, became very affectionate and enthusiastically showed us his strength in piaffe and passage. I never needed to drive him, only think about what I wanted him to do, and keep him calm. We achieved great placings and championships at the Grand Prix level, including seventh place in the 2002 World Cup Finals in 2 1

Hertogenbosch and a win at Grand Prix and in the Freestyle in Stuttgart in 2002. Unfortunately, the two championships in Stuttgart were our last together — afterward, Nector was sold.

NUMBER 2: Be Fair to the Horse

3

The perfect horse does not exist. In any case, I haven’t met one yet. Every horse has strengths and weaknesses, which I get to know either very quickly or more slowly, depending on how intensively I can spend time with him. But one thing is certain: at some point, they become obvious, and therein lies the question of how I can best get along with him.

I take pleasure in my horse’s strengths and praise him for them.

Coping with his weaknesses is the real

challenge. Over the years, I’ve learned there’s no cookie-cutter solution.

What helps with one horse may not necessarily work with another.

I constantly need to adjust to the weaknesses of that particular horse, always seeking a solution.

Some weaknesses, such as nervousness, lack of concentration, or insecurity, disappear as the horse gains more experience and the accompanying trust for his rider.

Other weaknesses, however, can become more obvious as the horse’s training advances. To this point, I’d like to share a few examples from my own horses. Maybe you have a similar horse at home in your barn and are having the same experiences that I am.

When we first began competing together, my mare Escada, for example, was very nervous and became explosive during dressage tests. She could not focus on me very well at all.

This behavior improved with time, thanks to a more established routine and experience for her, and to increased inner calm and concentration for me.

Still, I must always remain aware and continue to work steadily on her internal relaxation. I believe Escada will find calmness and relaxation, which are

his potential as a Grand Prix dressage horse. Even with consistent training and lots of groundwork, we only managed to make ourselves attractive to him some of the time. The hormones were simply stronger.

As a stallion, Alfi could never get calm when other horses were near him. As this became clear to us, we decided, together with his owner, that

/1/R iding Braxxi in a hackamore in show jumping. / 2 / Alfi making himself “big”. / 3 / Ingrid on Escada. / 4 / Ingrid on Geraldine.. / 5 / I ngrid and Abraxxas celebrate after a dressage test. / 6 / A walk break as a reward after a challenging exercise. / 7 / Piaffe in an open field.

necessary for a completely harmonious dressage performance. She’s shown me more than once that she is capable of this: for example, in 2015 when we won the Four-Star event in Luhmühlen and the Three-Star in Aachen. On those occasions, we were able to put forth expressive and harmonious dressage tests.

With my dressage horse, Dresden Mann (Alfi), who was a stallion, there was always the problem that he got distracted very quickly by his environment. Some days, I did not have a chance at keeping him interested in me. As soon as other horses appeared, he could only be ridden with great difficulty. I had to realize that his stallion behaviors stood in the way of 5 4

he should be gelded. Today, I can say for sure that gelding Alfi was the best decision. As a gelding, he is a very sociable and people-oriented horse.

He remains a dominant horse, but during a test, he now always gives me his full and total concentration and he wants to get everything right. He did retain one stallion-like quality: Alfi is still a little show-off. When we enter the arena at competitions, he always grows at least half an inch. He really couldn’t do anything about his earlier weakness—he was simply being controlled by hormones.

My longtime championship horse Abraxxas is a very special one. With him, I have experienced emotional highs and lows, unlike any horse before him. In dressage, Braxxi gave me some unbelievably beautiful moments. These were glimpses at pure harmony, which

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T D E R A U ICNAI TNI G O N A L exceptional moments of my riding life.

Twice, we won Team Gold medals at the Olympic Games and we were European Team Champions. Without him, I may not have had all of these experiences.

In the later years, I got better and better at living with his weaknesses.

I adjusted my expectations to match reality and no longer hoped to win individual medals. When it did happen, I was even more thrilled, but at some point it was no longer important to me.

For the team competition, I was always a strong cornerstone. I could enjoy the ride with Braxxi so much more fully.

At our last Four-Star event together in Burghley, I experienced every moment with such awareness. It was our most difficult cross-country course and I felt a huge responsibility to guide us to the finish, safe and sound. But Braxxi outdid himself and we finished in fourth place.

With great respect and deep 6

I will never forget. Cross-country, we were a well-matched team. He always fought like a lion, trusting me to find the best way for us, and he was as fast as a “little horse” his size could be. He simply gave it all for me. Often, after the dressage and cross-country phases, we would be in the lead heading into the final phase, show-jumping. And there came the letdown. Show-jumping was Braxxi’s worst discipline. He simply wasn’t careful and made jumping errors.

It was always a high and low, and I admit, I was often very disappointed after the show-jumping phase.

The height of my disappointment was the 2011 European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen. Here, we were once again in the lead before show jumping, but Braxxi made six jumping errors, so in the end, we only finished tenth. As I rode out of that show-jumping arena, I would have liked to head directly to the highway and gallop all the way back to my barn in Münster! A day later, I’d begun to wrap my head around it, but this rollercoaster of feelings, going from

victory to defeat, still made it difficult for me to get ahold of my normally very steady nerves.

Of course, I tried for years to find a solution. We tried out many variations of training techniques, equipment, and work. But in the end, with Braxxi, it always came down to the day. It didn’t matter whether the course was set very high or super easy: a clean round was an exception for him. Was this just laziness? Did he simply know that it didn’t matter if he touched those poles, in contrast to the fixed obstacles when going cross-country? Even now, I really can’t say for sure. I only know that I spent a whole lot of time thinking about it and never reached a solution.

The final sentence on this topic was spoken by a friend of mine: “There are some things you can’t change. You just have to accept them, so that you can better live with them.” Thanks to this very true and wise advice I came to terms with Abraxxas’s big personality. I am grateful to him for so many of the most wonderful and

7 appreciation, I take a bow to this horse who always gave his all, but simply did not jump so well over colorful poles. 

This excerpt from Training Horses the Ingrid Klimke Way is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books. TSB equestrian books and DVDs are available in Australia and New Zealand at www.horsebooks.com.au.

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26 Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

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AUTHOR: ANJA BERAN PHOTOS BY: MARESA MADER

T D E R A U ICNAI TNI G O N A L

anjaberan P.R.E. stallion 'Ofendido' in a expressive Passage ridden with light aids and a smile!

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Aids B Y

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"Arouse the horse´s curiosity by applying the aids gently (quotation of Nuno Oliveira)

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hen we talk about aids, the first question should be - 'What are aids?'

Aids are signs and influences from the rider, expressing his will to the horse and causing desired reactions. But to adhere to the aids, the horse has to UNDERSTAND, BE WILLING and has to be in the PHYSICAL POSITION to perform what is required. The third point is the big difference between the art of classical riding and training animals. When we train a dog, for example, the dog has to understand what we want, so we often repeat the 'aids' and reward the dog when the reaction is good. In the end, the dog should just be motivated enough to follow our 'aids', and

he can do what we want. Not so with a horse. When the horse has learned to understand our aids and even when he is willing to do what we want, it is still possible that it will not work. Why? For example, you ask the horse to do Piaffe, he knows the Piaffe very well, he wants to do it, however, maybe he is too much on the forehand that he is not able to do it correctly and brilliantly. The same, for example, can happen with a flying change, the horse wants to do it, however, maybe he's not straight enough, not engaged enough, so he has no chance to perform a correct flying change. This is exactly the moment some riders start to become unfair, because they think the horse doesn't want to

E D U C AT I O N A L ( 1 ) – Lusitano stallion 'Super' ridden by Vera Munderloh in a side saddle. Even when we miss one leg, the horse can react well, because he learned to follow light hand-, weight- and voice aids! ( 2 ) – Jana Lacey- Krone, owner of the biggest circus in Europe and her spanish stallion 'Kirgis' in liberty work – when she lifts her arms the horse starts to rear ( 3 ) – Jana Lacey-Krone and 'Kirgis' he follows her by voice aids and body language ( 4 ) –'Safi', Arab stallion of the state stud Marbach, just 4 years old. He is getting already a light contact with the reins and moves in a natural balance under his rider Silvia Wimmer

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do it, but the truth is, the horse cannot. Then they start to punish the horse instead of asking WHY it doesn't work. Of course, to find out the reasons is not always easy and needs a lot of reflexion and experience. However, it should be the way we behave! Only then we will develop as riders, only then, we will start to train horses and only to use them and buy another one when the one we have, doesn't perform as we want.

When we make a reference to gymnastics, we can understand the horses much better. If you ask me to do the splits, I UNDERSTAND very well what you mean, and of course, I WANT to do it – but I can't. My body is not prepared enough, I

Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

am not supple and stretched enough to do the splits. Even, and that's the point, if you give the aids harder or start to use auxiliary reins, I will not be able to do it brilliantly. Maybe I can do it with a lot of pain and because I have to do it, but I will never like this exercise anymore. And there is another risk when I do the splits like this I can get injured very easy and means I can get problems with the tendons or ligaments.

When we realise how many horses nowadays have health 2

problems concerning backs and legs, we should first think about our way of training.

When we watch horses when they perform we should always have an eye on HOW they perform. Is it only correct or are they proud and happy with what they do? Look into the horse's faces and watch if they show the exercises in a LIGHT way.

But let´s go back to our topic 'the aids'. Which aids do we know?

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From the ground we have: • Voice aids • Body language • Whip aids • Influence of hand via the reins or the cavesson When we lunge a young horse, he should learn these aids from the ground, because this is our ABC, to develop ONE language to communicate with the horse. From the beginning, all the aids should be given in harmony. That means my voice can push a horse and send him more energy or can calm down the horse. My body language should send the same signals, so when I calm down the horse with my voice, it is helpful when my body cuts a little the way off the horse to stop him. The whip can help us to put the horse more forward, but when I slow down the horse the whip should be passive.

Under the saddle we know: • Voice aids • Rein aids • Leg aids • Seat aids Further, we have instruments to support our aids like whip and spurs. The basic aids are very simple and can be learnt by everyone. They just bring the horse forward or slow down or stop the horse. But later we have differentiated aids to shape and school the horse. They help us to relax the horse, to activate and straighten the horse and to collect him.

To achieve this, we have to learn the 'orchestra of aids'.

That means how to combine the different aids and to use them at the right moment. This is not easy to learn – I would say it is a lifetime process to get the feeling how we use fine aids on different horses to get the best positive influence! For this, we need a lot of experience, training and feeling. Another problem is that the horse does not automatically understand the aids, but has to learn them – the same is true for the rider.

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How does the horse learn to understand the aids?

First of all, we use the instinctive behaviour – to put the horse forward we lightly use the whip behind and make noise with our voice. To slow down, we use our voice again, but in a different way, for example, long vocals are very helpful like 'aaahh' or 'oohh', and we send a signal with our hand through the lunge. As you progress to the saddle we substitution the whip and our voice with our leg to get the horse more forward, however, the horse has to learn this. A horse never reacts automatically to the rider's leg! Often with sensitive horses, it will make them stop. To make it logical for the horse and keep him motivated, we should never use contradictory aids.

Sometimes it is necessary to apply with increasing intensity,

E D U C AT I O N A L

but as soon as the intended aim is achieved, stop applying the aid. Only then your horse will become fine and motivated.

How does the rider learn to use the aids?

The most important for a young rider is a perfectly trained horse. This schoolmaster will react as it should be and the rider can feel how sensitive he should be with his aids and how he can combine them. Of course to support this work you need a good riding instructor too. However, don't forget you can learn to use the aids only when your seat is already independent.

To play the 'orchestra of aids' in a good way it demands many hours of daily practice for many years. If we don´t practise enough, the horses often have the problem to select the right signals, in other words, relevant aids, from a 'jumble' of the rider´s movements in the saddle. So we should never forget, a good seat is always the base for fine aids.

To create unity with the horse, the aids must be applied as an interplay of natural reflexes between horse and rider

and not as sequences of planned stages.

The composition of the aids is extremely complex and ultimately defines a good rider.

The worst for a horse are contradictory aids. They cause misunderstanding, and often the horses become nervous because they are confused, or they become rebellious, some become dull and resigned.

That´s why I love the quotation of Baucher: 'Hand without leg and leg without hand' There is also a German master who said the same when he explained: 'It is just as easy as driving a car when you start to accelerate, you can't put the brakes on at the same time, and when you brake, it's not possible to accelerate at the same time. If smoke developed from horses which are clenched between restricting hands and squeezing legs as cars do when driven with the brake on, some people would always have to wear a smoke protection mask when riding' (quotation of Udo Bürger!) a

TO PLAY THE 'orchestra of aids' in a good way it demands many hours of daily practice FOR MANY YEARS..

Luis Figo, Warmblood stallion of the state stud Schwaiganger, is learning the spanish walk, actually still with aids from the ground.

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34 Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

S

TRANSLATED BY ERIC COMBET

Sara ViguiĂŠ

FOXA I n t e r v i e w

Equine artist and Sculpture BHD: How/where did your love for art begin?

SVF: As far as I recall, I've always drawn. I believe this desire, and joy of creation, is shared by most artists. That feeling is always in there somewhere, always new, always fresh, shifting to adapt to new challenges and overcome technical difficulties and moments of doubt. It is a powerful memory deeply rooted in an artist's childhood, the major difference being that some choose to stop creating at a certain point in their life, while others keep going.

BHD: How did you begin - what sort of art/drawings did you first do?

SVF: I started, as all children do, with usual materials: felt tip pens, crayons, gouache paint. I joined an art class around the age of 8 or 9, in which I was mostly frustrated because I did not like the idea of being imposed with a model.

Apples and still-life paintings frankly bored me. Yet it was in this class that I discovered charcoal and pastels, and working on large format on an easel. Yet my real pleasure was going home and copy pictures of horses or Gericault's paintings.

BHD: Have you been educated in art?

SVF: I had a few hours of art class when I was nine which was the only teaching I'd had. I realized, during my years at La Sorbonne as a History of Arts student, that I missed the proximity of the objects, the physical works of arts. I wanted to be a part of

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their history, walk through the glass cases and learn how to touch them, how to preserve them. I wanted to see the secret life of Art in Museums, so I decided to learn how to become a curator-restorer of cultural materials. During this master, I had to learn to follow the rules of classic drawing, like the observation of living models. I had to paint still-lives, my old enemies, and copy casts with millimetric precision. Thanks to some fantastic professors, like my drawing teacher Gari Smiljkovski and my modelling teacher Hélène Susini from the Louvre (to whom I really want to pay tribute), I managed to overcome my reluctances and acquire observation skills and technique when only freedom of creation and expression interested me. That was the point when what I perceived as barriers and obstacles disappeared before my eyes, I was finally free, free to use all the techniques available to my advantage. I became passionate about all artistic mediums, from the fabrication of paints to their use; from the composition of resins to their shaping. I am in a perpetual state of experimentation and research; I love to solve technical riddles, those that

36 Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

connect the hand to the mind and lead to the final creation of a work of art.

try, with much emotion, to express a small part of this immense fascination through the prism of my art.

BHD: You do a lot of sculpturing, painting and drawings. Which came first and which do you like best and why?

SVF: Drawing actually came first, but I had already tried to create something in volume when I was little, with paper or clay.

Sculpting became a predominant medium when I started studying restoration and acquired the knowledge of materials. Today, I see sculpting as an elaborated form of drawing. It forms a whole, some kind of circle. Shapes and figures come from the mind and materialize through all kinds of media, a drawing, a sculpture, or even a short film.

BHD: How long have you been doing it all professionally?

SVF: The first exhibition I was apart of was in 2009, for an event on disabled sports. That is where I sold my very first work: a tiny horse made of wire which was adopted by a fabulous rider named Salim Ejnaïni. As he was visually impaired, he discovered my work with his hands, and I was extremely touched by this gesture, as I feared how the world would gaze at my work. Then, in 2010, I was invited to a collective equestrian exhibition at the Polo de Paris. It is at this moment that I started projecting myself as a professional artist. I take part in many projects and exhibitions around the figure of the horse, I take an interest in the pallet of its expressions, classic or modern, and try to synthesize it. This year I had the chance of presenting my latest works, MYTHOLOGIES II, evocations of equestrian scenes, in the halls of a prestigious institution: the Cadre Noir of Saumur.

BHD: Why horses?

SVF: That is a question with no answer. The figure of the horse forced itself on my mind, it cannot be explained or justified. It's mysterious, provoking, and leaves very little room for the rest. I am not the only one to feel this way.

My work is the reflection of a deep human feeling, a widely shared obsession for the equestrian world. It is a disposition of the mind that can be observed in all fellow horse-riders, old and new.

See how many stories, tales and myths represent horses. To me, it is an infinite material, a precious heritage from the past. Horses have a very special place in my studio, both inspiration, model and material. It is a poetic animal in more than one ways. I humbly

BHD: How would you describe your style?

SVF: It is complicated. As I try to renew myself constantly, I don't like to dwell on a given technique for too long. I feel like I go through phases, all different periods of my life. My experience as a restorer had a very important role in my evolution as an artist, especially when it comes to the materials I use. My role as a restorer is to define limits, to make sure that the deontology is respected and to ensure optimal conditions of preservation for a given work of art.

Yet, as an artist, I work on building a universe where limits are constantly pushed further, reinvented. These two complementary faces are united in my work on the illusion of the ancient. Transposed in a modern version and vision, I question the status of contemporary art. As for iconography, my work is focused on equine mythologies. The horse is a vector of artistic research.

The various iterations of horses in Archeology and History are reinterpreted via different media: Indian ink, gilts, paint, metal or ceramic sculptures. Horses of all origins: Tang, Mongol, Persian, Arab, Greek, medieval or baroque, pass through the prism of my eye to appear in a new and singular light.

BHD: What is your preferred medium/s?

SVF: I would say oil paints! But I will surely give a different response in three months! As for sculpting, I like to use wax these days.

BHD: Do you have any piece of artworks that you love the most or the proudest of?

SVF: The year 2017 has been rich, artistically speaking. Two of my important projects have been realized, which makes me very proud and happy. After a long technical research, this equestrian sculpture was born in the baroque style, referring both to the equestrian meaning and the artistic definition: « The Baroque is an artistic style that emphasizes movement and grandeur, with exuberance. » I've been trying to capture the

quintessential nature of the cheval baroque, either with engravings of Italian riding schools like these of Federico Grisone, or rococo sculptures like these of Agostino Cornacchini. With this project, I tackled the processes of drawing in bronze and art moulding. I had the chance of meeting exceptional sculptor and moulder Antonin Gasq, who allowed me to follow the complex moulding process for this piece. It is made of bronze and art resin and came to life in the Fonderie Rosini where I could try working on wax, which was a wonderful experience for someone curious about new techniques! The name of this sculpture of mine is Apogeo, which refers to the feeling of artistic accomplishment it gave me. This work is the synthesis of my research both stylistic and technical, as it allies the precision of details and the challenge of making a horse in the round stand on his rear hooves.

Another piece that holds a special place in my heart is this bas-relief - Bellici equi et perniciosi dracones certantes - "Destriers and Dragons fighting" 100 x 50 cm, which was nominated for the Trophée Carrare in 2017, along with Bô Diables, at the National stud farm of Saint Lo, and won the third Public Award.

It is a free interpretation of an epic scene from the Bayeux Tapestry

I TRY TO RENEW MYSELF CONSTANTLY, I don't like to dwell on a given technique FOR TOO LONG.

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I N T E R V I E W

TRAIN YOUR VISION, observe and learn from Nature, STUDY HISTORY of Arts and the Masters, train your hand and mind, and then forget the conventions of REPRESENTATION.

taking the form of a 50 meters long fresco that involved 50 professional artists. This work refers to multiple places and periods, like the Antiquity (San Marco's horses), the Baroque (Robert Le Lorrain and his Horses of the Sun), British Sculpting (Grinling Gibbons) and Nineteen century French sculpting, notably Carpeaux who once said: « la sculpture, c'est la vie, la vie, c'est le mouvement » (Sculpture is Life, Life is Movement). Movement was at the heart of the conception of this fresco, the representation of a battle scene with only animal figures. I have worked on the patina to give the illusion of metal corrosion and highlight the ancient aspect of this piece. It stands as a reflection on passing Time, the contemporary status of art, and the aesthetic value of patina as a testimony of Time.

BHD: Can you explain to us about the sculpting process for you?

SVF: Here is a synthetic version of my sculpting process: Idea - movement drawing - technique – creation. This is how my sculpting process usually goes. Reflexion is what takes the most time. In moulding, there is a saying: "reason the cast", I reason my sculptures after I dreamt then, then my hands take over.

BHD: For someone wanting to paint /draw horses, what advice do you have for them?

SVF: Train your vision, observe and learn from Nature, study History of Arts and the Masters, train your hand and mind, and then forget the conventions of representation.

with care, in order not to steal someone else's creations. The idea is to elaborate these visions, to integrate and digest them until they become something new and personal.

Creativity is like a muscle; it needs to train constantly. I find the raw appropriation of someone's style a very ugly thing; it is not a real intellectual approach but a fraud, a deception. It is a sad thing that some show such talent in copying in this purpose.

However, to become an artist in your own self-esteem, and gain the respect of the community, you must learn to detach from your masters and models. It is difficult at first, but once the process of autonomous creation has started, it is a whole new world of exceptional freedom that opens, and I would change that for nothing in the world!

I would say that copying is a good thing in learning the techniques and that it is better to copy nature, and the masters from the past, better than copying an artist currently active.

BHD: Do you have any artist/sculptures works that inspire/motivate you?

SVF: My artistic references are numerous!

Gericault was the first artist with whom I fell in love. Beyond the formal depiction of horses, it is the representation of passions and torments that struck me the most in his art, the evident obsession for horses that inhabit all of his paintings. Moreover, it seems that riders are an excuse to 'dress' the horses. Watching Gericault's paintings, it is not the pretty horses that interest me, but the passion, the impulse, the movement forward, to death sometimes. I feel a connection to European antique sculptures that form the base of my research. When it comes to sculpture, my late master is undoubtedly Antoine-Louis Barye. NonEuropean art also fascinates me, Japanese prints, the Ukyio-e, in the way movement is represented. Interesting how sculptures of baroque horses are reminiscent of equine ceramics of Chinese archaeology, isn't it?

Look at the Lusitanian style of the steeds of the Wei and Tang dynasties!

BHD: When working on art, do you have any particular routine you do? - I know

BHD: Any advice for people in finding their own style? As opposed to just copying art the like?

SVF: If I had to choose one single human value that adds to an artist's work as well as his own person it would be intellectual integrity; the knowledge that we all absorb what we see and that the personal ideas that populate our minds border on the creations of others, which is a fabulous example of share. Yet, finding your style must be done Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

some people who always christen a canvas with wine or have to have music playing to keep them in the moment, do you do anything like this?

SVF: I need some tranquillity of the mind. No bills to pay, no meeting planned, and a day off ahead of me. My studio is kept religiously tidy, with a place for everything. I like it when my dogs are beside me, with very inspiring music playing according to my mood of the day, this year particularly Jeff Buckley’s Grace and Woodkind’s album. This is when I can run after my dream horse.

BHD: When painting/drawing horses how important is it to know the muscular and bone structure of them?

SVF: I believe the understanding of the "equine mechanic" is necessary to recreate a strong and powerful movement, the eye must be sharp. I put my naturalist cap according to the project. Depending on the type of work, I can completely distort the equine anatomy or respect it scrupulously.

been piquing my interest for several years now. I find all breeds and families of equine interesting for their own reasons.

BHD: What common mistake do you see that a lot of beginner artists do?

SVF: Being stopped by the fear of doing things wrong. I often tell my students that the sheet of paper is not going to bite them and that the more they blacken it, the easier it will be to see where they are going!

BHD: If you could meet any artist dead or alive, who would you most like to meet and spent an hour talking too?

SVF: I would spend the night BHD: Is there any particular breeds watching the painters of the Lascaux that inspire your works?

Caves trace their horses on the SVF: I must admit the cheval baroque walls, and try to understand what deep love drove them to make these is particularly interesting to me, animals eternal. I would go and especially Lusitanian horses. I love meet the Chinese sculptors to see the how his body is shaped, with curves horses that inspired them; I would and counter-curves, I find it poetic. meet Alexandre Le Grand and But my vision is evolving; I am not ask him about Bucéphale. I would fixed. The Akhal Teke, a breed very different from the cheval baroque, has visit Naples in the Renaissance,

swarming with the ancestor of equestrian art, to meet the Neapolitan horse. I would share an afternoon with Gericault while he paints his Mazeppa, and tell him how the world remembers his crazy horse.

BHD: For people who enjoy your work, do you do commissions and how does one go about purchasing some of your work?

SVF: I do. My numbered bronze are available for purchase; I regularly put my painting and drawings on my Facebook and Instagram page, and on my website soon. I work from horses I know or from photographs but I like to be free, and always preserve my style. Here is my email address foxxa@hotmail.fr and I am also available on messenger.

BH Dressage we would like to thank Sara for taking the time to talk to us and we have throughly enjoyed talking to her. For more on Sara - facebook.com/ TheArtOfFoxa/ a

03

W T R A I N I N G

beginning

LIBERTY w i t h

Nadine Lindblom

nadine lindblom E

ver since I can remember, horses have been my passion. After moving to Australia from Sweden, my wonderful parents bought me my first pony, Twinkles. Twinkles was only 12hh, so I grew out of her quite quickly. However, I became very interested in trick training when I realized it was a very fun way for us to spend time together without actually riding. Later I was introduced to liberty training at Horse Vision in Sweden. The concept intrigued me, and after returning home to Australia, I continued to learn from books, DVD’s and especially from the horses themselves. Horse Vision also sparked my interest in Academic Art of Riding. I love the concept of using dressage to gymnasticise the horse to help him become more supple, strong and balanced.

Today I am a student at the University of Queensland studying Bachelor of Veterinary Science.

Equine biomechanics and anatomy is my main interest in the course, and I look forward to being able to use this knowledge to better understand and train horses. 

Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

AUTHOR: NADINE LINDBLOM PHOTOS: RIONA EDWARDS

In the previous issue we discussed how to invite your horse to connect.

When your horse is connected and happy to stay with you, it is time to start moving together. Until now, you have moved with the horse and the horse has moved with you. At this stage it is easy to fall into the pattern of trying to ‘get the horse to do something’. But it is important to remember that liberty is about freedom where the horse should be allowed to move and express himself in the space around him. We want to encourage this movement and expression and avoid causing the horse to enter a state of submission.

T

he biggest obstacle we encounter here is that when we first encourage a little movement, the horse’s initial instinctive reaction is to move away from this energy that he does not yet understand. Uncertainty will lead to worry which will lead to disconnection in the beginning. Our aim is to prove to our horse that we will always wait for him to think through new things. This will allow him to stay in a thinking frame of mind where he can remain connected even if he feels uncertain. If you become impatient and rush your horse, he is likely to feel overwhelmed and disconnect.

The horse must always feel that he is able to leave and create space between you and him. This means that we never punish the horse for leaving but rather give him

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E D U C AT I O N A L

the space he needs before we invite him to reconnect so we can try again.

In order to be with our horse in this form of liberty, the horse must choose to participate. The only way he will make this choice is if he feels there is something in it for him. Therefore, we must ensure that we always reward our horse for his efforts and keep his mental and emotional state in mind before we ask a question that could be unreasonable. The reward depends on the horse. For example, nervous horses love long moments of stillness and relaxation while a young, confident, playful colt or gelding could find this rather uninteresting. I like to incorporate positive reinforcement into my training in the form of food rewards and/or scratches to encourage extra motivation. However, it is important for the horse to remain polite around food rewards in order to avoid any undesirable behaviours.

2

3 Encourage polite behaviour around food by ensuring you only give your horse a reward when his nose is away from your hand and body. At this moment, reach out to your horse and give him his reward.

Try to never treat your horse close to your body or when he is trying to ‘mug’ you for his treat. If he begins to investigate your hands, allow this until he realizes that his reward will not be ‘unlocked’ until he moves his nose away from you. (photo2).

When you feel that your horse is connected to you, stand next to your horse’s neck or shoulder facing the same direction as your horse. Hold your whip in-front of you (see photo 4).

Turn with your back towards the horse, (photo 6) keeping

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the whip in front of you until you are facing the opposite direction with the whip parallel to your horse’s body (photo 7).

You are now in a position where you can ask your horse to move away from you a little by raising your energy slightly and, if needed, using some movement of the whip (photo 5). At this point it is likely that your horse will disconnect as he is unsure of the situation.

If so, allow your horse to create the space between you by staying still (photo 1).

If your horse turns around and comes back, reward him generously. If he goes about his own business, invite him to reconnect as discussed in the previous issue. When your horse reconnects, reward him generously and make sure he knows that being with you is a great place to be (photo 3).

IT IS IMPORTANT for the horse to remain polite around food REWARDS in order to AVOID ANY undesirable behaviours.

4

5

6

7

8

9

Remember: The circling at liberty is something that many people would like to teach their horse. However, the aim of the above process is not the circle. Rather, the aim is to help your horse stay in a connected, thinking frame of mind while responding to your suggestions.

Question: Why should I turn around before I ask my horse for a little movement?

After a moment, try the process again.

Your horse will soon begin to realize that you are not going to pressure him or be unreasonable, and that he can leave if he chooses. He will begin to anticipate the reconnection and the nice feeling that comes with it. At this point, you will find that he does not disconnect. Instead, he will move away when you ask but be intently waiting for your invitation to reconnect (photo 9). When you feel your horse is understanding and is remaining connected during the movement, you can encourage a little more movement by opening your shoulders and moving together with him (photo 8). This results in the first little circle together at liberty.

44 Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

This may seem a little pointless at this stage, but it has a great purpose!

Firstly, it gives your horse a lot of warning of what you are about to do.

You can move the whip gradually closer to him and gauge his reaction. If you sneak the whip between you and your horse, the whip is already close to him which is not the softest cue to start with. You will also run the risk of surprising him, especially if he is a sensitive horse.

Secondly, standing on one side of the horse avoids confusion in the beginning as to which direction to move. If you stand in front of him and ask him for movement, it is very likely that he could become confused as to which direction to move due to the

open space on both sides. He may also decide to move backwards or just turn around to walk away from you. This little move helps set your horse up for success.

Lastly, this little turn is the beginning of creating a change of direction through the circle. There are two ways you can change direction: 1. By moving/yielding the hindquarters and then the shoulders from one direction to the next 2. By changing direction through the circle allowing your horse to smoothly change bend without loosing his rhythm.

Both ways have a time and a place, but I find that the second is most useful in the beginning to avoid any surprises or confusion. As you are moving with your horse on the circle you can turn and walk a couple of steps away from him. This will allow him to straighten his body and begin to follow behind you for a moment. At this point, with your whip in front of you, you can continue your turn and smoothly show the whip on his other side allowing a change of direction.

TIPS: DON’T GET TOO CARRIED AWAY The first time your horse moves with you at liberty is a thrilling experience, but it is important not to get too carried away. Asking for too much too soon is the easiest way to cause a horse to loose his motivation to participate. Ensure you reward the small tries and then gradually work your way up to bigger things. When your horse begins to come with you on the circle, don’t ask him to go around and around until it becomes boring and/or exhausting. Moving on curves and circles can also be straining for the horse’s body if they have not yet learned how to carry themselves in a healthy posture. I like to go by the rule of 4 circles max with my experienced horses and I usually don’t even reach 4 before I stop or invite a change of direction. The beauty of this form of liberty is that your horse will tell you as soon as he has had enough.

However, it is up to you to be fair and reasonable enough so your horse does not reach the stage of disconnection.

BE MINDFUL OF YOUR POSTURE Your posture has a significant impact on your horse. Horses are incredibly observant of everything in their environment and will notice the slightest changes in your body language. These

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changes may be so small that you don’t even notice them in yourself unless you are very aware. If you carry yourself in an open, upright, balanced and light way, you are not only encouraging your horse to do the same, but you are also able to be very precise in your body language. Your movements can then be very soft and your balance allows you to move around fluently. If your posture is slouched and careless, your movement will be clumsy and your body language will be less clear to the horse. a

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E D U C AT I O N A L

46 Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

PHOTOS: JEFFREY ANDERSON & PAM WHITE

OUR HORSES,

Ourselves HOW RIGHTING WHAT’S INSIDE MAKES THE OUTSIDE RIGHT, TOO

By Paula Jose-Jones

I

have been a dancer, as well as a lover of horses, most of my life. Much of that time was, in a way, an out-of-body experience. Years of dance training meant pushing the body, often with very little awareness of what it was telling me about pain, limitation, and feeling. My body was first and foremost an instrument, and I expected it to work.

When I found myself hungering to “dance” with horses—not just ride them but draw together my two great passions—it was then I discovered that it was the horses that brought me most deeply into my body. Horses have taught me many lessons, including how to feel my body in startling detail.

They have helped me to notice my emotions, and

become more aware, expressive, and focused in the present moment. That connection can give us a more embodied, intuitive, and heartful relationship with each other and ourselves. To be embodied means that we are experiencing our bodies in a feeling, conscious way—that we are listening to intelligence and insight that arise from the body itself, rather than from cognitive learning alone. We are feeling into, rather than only thinking about.

THE HORSE CONNECTION What is it about the horse? Why does he have such a magnetic appeal for millions of people?

E D U C AT I O N A L

THE PREY ANIMAL IS CONGRUENT, meaning that his inside feelings and intentions MATCH HIS OUTSIDE expressions and behaviors.

His responses ARE AUTHENTIC because he does not dissemble or have hidden MOTIVES.

Horses are mythic, beautiful, and big. We revere them and we fear them. They are planted deep in our psyches—in a field, on film, in dreams— capturing the dancing light of our consciousness, memory, and imagination. Horses, like us, are playful, social, but unlike us, completely, utterly present. They are not distracted by the past or the future. They possess an intricate kinesthetic language that is revealed in their keen sense of touch, movement, and sensory perception. Among horses, signals get passed almost invisibly with movement, breath, and subtle shifts in energy. A twitch of an ear, a glance, a sudden start, or a deepening stillness, all travel in currents through the herd: “Look out!” “Better grass here.” “Get away from my mare!” “Follow me.” While we humans, too, live in “herds,” we tend to think of and experience ourselves as individuals with independent lives essentially separate from one another. Because we are continually thinking, analysing, second-guessing, making assumptions—much of which overrides our intuitive, bodily knowing—we are actually less adept at reading signals and decoding the subtleties of others’ behaviour and meaning.

To live fully in your body is to enter what poet James Wright calls “wild arenas we avoid.” Horse trainer, philosopher, and writer Vicki Hearne says that most humans lack a clear vocabulary and syntax of the body—we don’t understand its language fully or always communicate well with it. Learning about horses—their nature, their physicality, their ways of sensing and perceiving—can carry us into Wright’s “wild arenas” and open us to a greater depth of somatic experiencing where we more fully inhabit every moment.

CONGRUENT VS. INCONGRUENT Horses are profoundly attuned to humans, in part because we are predators.

48 Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

They are continually reading our behaviour and intentions through the expression of our bodies and psyches. They can discern in us layers of feeling that we are not aware of. The predator is wily and subversive: he does not want others to know what he is planning. As prey animals, however, horses are, by necessity, keen observers and interpreters of their world. Reading their environment is key to their survival. They are wary, alert, and intuitive.

The prey animal is congruent, meaning that his inside feelings and intentions match his outside expressions and behaviours. His responses are authentic because he does not dissemble or have hidden motives.

Humans—predators—are often incongruent: feeling one way and acting another, our bodies and behaviours mirroring our habits and unconscious thought patterns. These are felt by our horses, who in turn reflect these unexpressed, contradictory emotions back to us, mirroring what we might be feeling but perhaps are not showing or want to conceal.

For example, when you are riding a horse and acting brave but feeling fearful or anxious, the horse reflects your fear because that is what is “true” in that moment. His reaction shows you are out of sync, that your inner and outer expression is discordant. When you learn to pay attention to the horse’s behaviours, you can become more aware of your emotional landscape and its relationship to what you are expressing outwardly. In this biofeedback, our

LEARNING TO BE CONGRUENT, like horses, makes us more trustworthy— TO OURSELVES and to others— and morE COMFORTABLE in our own skins.

TRY THIS: ENTERING THE RIVER 10 MINUTES

Elsa. Her horse Henry was spooky and reactive when she brought him out of his stall to groom him and tack him up.

While usually confident, Elsa became tentative and ungrounded as she moved around her horse. Her breathing was tight and irregular; her hands fluttered as she brushed Henry’s body—and then his eyes widened with concern, his head came up, ears pricked forward.

AMADEO AND HENRY: LESSONS Henry was reading Elsa’s physical IN CONGRUENCE language, and his nervous responses were My horse Amadeo has taught me a lot directly related to her uncertain, quick, about congruence versus incongruence. breathless movement. Slowing her touch, For years, I could not figure out why connecting her breathing down through her legs and feet, becoming aware of he was so jumpy, fearful, and explosive any tension in her body, and adding when I rode him. I saw that my trainer a quality of depth and feeling to her had no such difficulties when she rode Amadeo—he was relaxed and quiet, easily touches changed Henry’s breathing in minutes. His body visibly relaxed as Elsa moving through even the more upper level movements that I yearned to master. gained confidence and steadiness in her movements.

I had suffered a concussion from a fall several years before and often felt fragile Learning to be congruent, like and vulnerable with Amadeo. Eventually horses, makes us more trustworthy—to I understood that he was reflecting and ourselves and to others—and more embodying my emotions: I was acting comfortable in our own skins. We calm on the outside, but inside I felt become more attuned to the “currents” terrified that he would bolt or spook, and passing among us, more able to blend, I would fall off and be hurt. empathize, and act with balance, I saw the same thing with my friend sensitivity, and kindness. horses provide us rich and fertile soil for observing and understanding ourselves, and unravelling the unconscious mysteries of our bodies and minds, showing us how thoughts become things. They offer us the opportunity to shift our minds and bodies away from what we fear and toward what we want to create in our lives.

PURPOSE: Too often we walk our horses to the barn, the paddock, or the arena without consciously inviting them into that transition from one place to another.

“Waking up” to connecting while simply walking with our horses is a way to create partnership by shifting our awareness to what Phoebe Caldwell calls an “inward conversation of self and other”—one that harmonizes body and mind of human and horse.

1.

Take a walk with a friend, either human or another species.

2.

As you walk, begin to feel the similarities between your gaits, the way your rhythms match and echo each other. Simply feel the movement of your body, rather than thinking about what you are doing.

3.

Consciously shift your own rhythm and pace so that your walking begins to feel more and more aligned with that of your companion.

4.

Let your partner’s walk summon you into a rhythmic flow, as if you had placed the canoe of your body into the river of your friend’s movement.

E D U C AT I O N A L

TRY THIS:

and fluid. Imagine that your whole body could soften and widen across the floor like a balloon filled with water.

RESTING, FINDING SUPPORT 10 MINUTES PURPOSE: In our rushed, highly technological, media-infused world, we rarely take the time to rest and let go deeply and intentionally. These habits of hurrying, and the associated, chronic tension transmits into every part of our bodies, and therefore, our horse’s bodies.

Allowing for moments of deep rest, consciously releasing our bodies into the support of the floor, or any surface, can be profoundly restorative. Over time, this can help rewire your nervous system, creating a more settled body-mind, which in turn will support a more balanced relationship with your horse.

1.

2.

Lie down on your back on the floor in a quiet place, with a folded blanket or towel under your head.

Notice where there may be tension or where you feel like you are “holding” your body in a particular position, and allow those parts to yield into the support of the floor. Be aware of the pliant, elastic, skin container of your body, and its contents of bone, muscle, fascia, organ,

3.

Close your eyes, taking time to feel your eyes and eyelids soften, become heavy, and settle back into the supporting concave hollow of the eye sockets.

4.

Feel your lips resting on the arch of your teeth.

Release any expression from your mouth and face, letting them become spacious and peaceful. Let your tongue soften and widen inside the hollow of your mouth. Allow gravity to release and shift your bottom jaw down toward the floor, at the same time letting the top jaw unhinge and float upward, so that your mouth relaxes slightly open.

5.

Release the skin and the inner chambers of your ears so that your hearing expands both inward and outward.

6.

Breathe, without shaping the breath, just following the movement of the breath with a soft, open focus.

7.

Notice anywhere in the body where you feel restriction or where the breath does not flow. Imagine sending your breath there, and visualize that “closed” place flowing open on the river of your breath.

This excerpt from Our Horses, Ourselves: Discovering the Common Body by Paula Josa-Jones is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books. TSB equestrian books and DVDs are available in Australia and New Zealand at

50 Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

www.horsebooks.com.au.

TRAFALGAR SQUARE BOOKS |

NORTH POMFRET, VERMONT, USA WWW.HORSEANDRIDERBOOKS.COM

AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND @ WWW.HORSEBOOKS.COM.AU

“A breath of fresh air...where any one of us with a true desire to really be with horses, to partner with them in work, pleasure, or competition, should begin.”

—LINDA TELLINGTON-JONES, BESTSELLING AUTHOR, FOUNDER OF THE TELLINGTON METHOD®

“What Paula Josa-Jones has done...is to bring each aspect of the combined arts of equitation and dance into new and sublime focus.”

—CARLY SIMON, SINGER/SONGWRITER

Established in 1972 and the only Association in Australia to hold the stud books for the Purebred Spanish Andalusian, the Australian Andalusian, the Partbred Andalusian, the Hispano-Arabe and the Purebred Iberian (this registry is shared with the Lusitano Horse Association of Australia)

FOR INFORMATION ON THE BREED

Contact Andalusian Horse Association of Australasia (inc) PO Box 266, Torquay, Victoria, Australia 3228.

Telephone: 61 5263 3402 Email: ahaa@iprimus.com.au www.ahaa.org.au

03 02

T D H E RE A U A ILCN TAIHTNI G O N A L

INJURY

prevention A N D

treatment

RAPID INCREASE IN WORKLOAD/TRAINING // Doing too much too quickly. Research has found an increased risk of fracture and joint injury in your horses who had an increase of fast work in short timeframes.  PUTTING TOO MUCH PRESSURE AND WORK ON YOUNG HORSES // Horses joints and bones don’t settle and finish growing until six yrs of age.  LACK OF CONTINUITY // Regular small sessions are better for your horse than irregular huge training sessions.  REPETITIVE TRAINING/LACK OF VARIATION // One common cause of injury is repetitive work and

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Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

overuse injuries. You can overuse some muscles and strain them if you don’t give your horse a break.  LACK OF REST & RECOVERY // Rest and Recovery is not only vital for you, however, for your horse too. It is a fundamental need for the body as it needs time reconstruct or to repair small injuries.  FITNESS // A sudden change in workload or a sudden single overload event. If you plan to do an event/ competition/clinic and you have done zero training, just think about what will be expected physically for your horse.

Just like us, you need to build their fitness and strength; you’d never run a marathon without preparation! 

TOO MUCH TOO SOON // Reinjury is a big risk. When bringing a horse back in work take it steady and try not to do too much too soon as this can lead to reinjury. Allowing time for your horse to recover fully and not to push too hard when getting back to work.  VOLUME AND INTENSITY // Making sure the amount of work compliments the intensity of the work load you do. Doing too much of both together can put too much pressure on your horse.  DIFFERENT DISCIPLINE, DIFFERENT INJURIES // How different training affects injury risk is shown in research of tendon and ligament injuries. It is shown that some injuries are common in certain disciplines. For example; Horses at an advanced level in showjumping and eventing were more at risk of injuries of the superficial digital flexor tendon where dressage horses at both higher and lower levels were more at risk of the hind suspensory ligament.  TRAINING METHODS // Certain training methods that have been trending in the past actually causes damage to the horses. It may be from over flexing or putting pressure in unnatural positions. Work with your horse’s natural biomechanics to avoid causing pain and suffering to your horses.  WARMING UP AND COOLING DOWN // Just like humans horses need to warm up and cool down before and after an intense workout.

After a horse exercises, his muscles turn stored energy into muscle contraction for movement. One significant byproduct of this metabolic activity is heat. While your horse is exercising, he dissipates 65 to 70 percent of the internal heat through evaporative cooling, i.e. sweating.

This is important for returning his core temperature to within a set range, usually 97 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit (rectal temperature) at rest. Your horse must release this heat—through

sweat and up to 15 percent through the respiratory tract—since too much internal heat has the potential to injure internal organs. The brain and central nervous system are especially sensitive to overheating. The objective is to restore a horse’s heart rate and other vital signs to a normal range post-exercise. This is done by allowing blood circulation to continue to pull heat out of the horse’s interior to dissipate it through the skin as sweat or heat blown out by the respiratory tract. By continuing to walk him until he is “cooled down, ” warm blood is circulated away from the muscles to the skin and lungs and is replaced with cooler blood to help with this process. Unless he is very hot from sprint exercise, he should also be allowed to drink.  POOR CONFORMATION // Unfortunately, some horses do not have the best confirmation. It might help to talk to your vet to find out (if you are not already aware) of any confirmation flaws that your horse may have and if you need to avoid any types of training or to concentrate on a particular training to compensate for the weakness.  HOOF CARE // Proper hoof care is imperative for good horse health. As the saying goes, no hoof – no horse!

Having a good farrier or barefoot trimmer is essential. A hoof thats trimmed incorrectly can cause a lot of pain and injuries to your horse. Too short is as bad as too long.  RIDING SURFACES // Be mindful of the type of services you ride on.

Try to avoid surfaces that is too hard or the sand might be too deep. Grass that is too wet can be slippery or if too dry may have cracks that the horse can trip on. If it’s unavoidable, you can get specialist shoes or rubber boots for your horse. Just like us, anything too hard can cause sore hooves the next day!  FEEDING // An overweight horse puts unnecessary load on the joints

and is at an increased risk of metabolic syndrome which in turn, increases the risk of laminitis. Match your horses feed with his workload. A horse working once a week doesn’t need all the high energy foods. This can create an over energetic and hard to manage horse. Same goes for a horse in high work; you need to make sure you are fulfilling their nutritional requirements.  SUPPLEMENTS // If your horse is in a lot of work, you can get special supplements to replace any deficiencies that they may loose during the workout. Also if your horse is putting added pressure on their joints due to the advanced movements or jumping, you can get special supplements that will help prepare your horse’s body and aid in avoiding injury. Some are given before work others after a workout.  GROUND WORK // Doing in-hand or groundwork can be very beneficial when building up fitness and teaching the horse something new without the weight and pressure from carrying a rider from above. Doing exercises in walk-in hand first to understand the technique and as the horse understands and is applying it correctly, you can safely move to performing it under saddle.  ICE // For many years icing has been an effective form of treatment in elite human athletes to assist in recovery for performance, and it is no different for the horse. As we know, it is common practice to ice horses legs following exercise. What some of you may not know and something that has been an invaluable addition to my treatment regimes and home management programs is how to effectively ice a horses’ back and hind limb. Comments from Physio Thomas Simpson on the use of ice “I describe the back and hindlimb collectively as the engine room of the horse. After years of clinical experience, I know how important it is for this engine room to be pain-free and healthy.

03 T RE A H A IL N T IHN G

I personally have found that effective ice treatment can be a great way to ensure that these athletes are in their best shape to perform the discipline they require. We place the back under such intense pressure during exercise, especially jumping and galloping. In addition to this more often than not exercise is performed under saddle so this region is constantly exposed to stress. This is why I designed EquiIce!! I find that icing of both these areas is vital for optimal recovery and performance. “Icing is also known as Cryotherapy is a safe analgesic strategy for acute and chronic musculoskeletal/ sports conditions that also aids in the removal of metabolic wastes and oedema whilst delivering oxygen to muscles. So how does cryotherapy achieve all of these benefits? The fundamental change induced by cryotherapy is a reduction in tissue temperature, which exerts local effects on blood flow, cell swelling and metabolism as well as neural conductance velocity; thus reducing pain to decreased tissue damage, pain and inflammation. By reducing recovery time for the tissue to repair you are maximising the opportunity for your horse to perform at their best in the next bout of exercise pain-free!  ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS // When it comes to the treatment of injury, there is a multitude of options out there, from massage, Bowen therapy etc.. Before seeking any professional post-injury treatment, I recommend you consult your veterinarian first.  EQUINE PHYSIOTHERAPY // Equine Physiotherapy (EP) is a fantastic way to treat an injury. EP is the use of physical techniques for the treatment of soft tissue injuries and movement dysfunction and working in collaboration with your vet is a recognised method of treatment for the prevention and rehabilitation of many equine and small animal injuries. 

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FENCING // Good fencing is essential in preventing injury. Some fencing can cause horses to get their hooves caught in them, and the horses can do a lot of damage to themselves when trying to free themselves. There is some fantastic fencing around that won’t allow horses to get their hooves caught in them and some that even have a some give in them to reduce the possibility of injuries.  BE MINDFUL OF STALLIONS // When at an event keep an eye out for those lovely green disks on bridles.

They are there to notify you that the horse is a stallion. It isn’t to show off, its to let you know to keep other horses away so no harm comes to anyone. Stallions will be stallions and if you put your mare who is in season right in front of a stallion you are just asking for trouble. Please, keep an eye out and act appropriately.

Not only at a show or event, at home too. If one of your neighbours has a stallion, try not to put your mare in the paddock right next door if you can help it!  HORSE SUPPORT BOOTS // There is a multitude of equine boots on the market that is designed to provide support for your horse’s ligament. Do check into what the actual function of the boot offers as some offer very little or no physical support at all. Some are purely designed to protect your horse’s legs from being knocked from the other leg.  PROPER FITTED SADDLE // One of the biggest issues is a poorly fitted saddle. This can be the cause of a multitude of issues. This can cause behaviour issues which can lead to a horse unintentionally hurting themselves. Apart from the behavioural issues that can arise from a poorly fitted saddle, you have the physical pain and injury that can cause too. Always best to seek professional help to make sure you have a correctly fitted saddle. 

products WE RECOMMEND

/1/

TRT METHOD // Every Dressage horse can be confident and relaxed, you just need to show your horse how. Learn from Tristan Tucker with his online program at www.trtmethod.com

/2/

BOUNCE BACK ® HORSE FENCE // Is Australia’s premium fencing system for the safety and well-being of your horses The Bounce Back® horse fencing system provides for a safe, durable and economical equine fencing solution, www.fencing4horses.com.au

/3/

EQUINE-ICE // Is Equine Cold Therapy Is A Trusted Post Exercise Recovery Treatment. Cold therapy or icing is a non-invasive and non-medicinal approach used to minimise post exercise trauma. Price from $149.95, www.equi-ice.com.au

/4/

JOINT PERFORMANCE // Joint health supplements are based on comprehensive and sound research, which deliver naturally occurring pharmaceutical grade biomolecules. Glucosamine sulphate and Chondroitin sulphate are the key building blocks found in strong flexible and healthy joints. Sizes: 1,25 kg, 2,5 kg, 5kg & 10 kg. RRP: 2,5kg – $250

/5/

KOHNKE’S OWN, GASTRO-COAT // Gastric ulcers are increasingly common in performance and pleasure riding horses, including Dressage, Show-Jumping, Eventing and Showing horses. Even lightly worked horses may develop gastric irritation or ulcers which cause pain and a change in behaviour. Signs may include Girthy Behaviour, Reduced Performance, Wind Sucking, Picky Eating, Weight Loss, Crib Biting, Reluctance to Canter, Frequent Drinking and being Slow to Eat, www.kohnkesown.com

products WE RECOMMEND 1

3

6 2 5

7 4

/6/ /7/

BONE FOOD PLUS // Supplies the essential building blocks to optimise bone development, health and strength. RRP: $79.95, www.ker.com

HEMP SEED OIL // Is a natural anti-inflammatory formula that may assist in renewing your horse’s vitality. Providing your horse with more than twice the amount of digestible energy than cereal grains, Comanche Complete Oil may enhance their athletic performance, reduce anxious and aggressive behaviours, and actively diminish inflammation – the underlying cause of many diseases.

RRP: $57.00 for 1l, www.comanchewellness.com.au

/8/

SUFFERING IN SILENCE BY JOCHEN SCHLEESE // Educate yourself on saddle fitting with master saddler and saddle ergonomist Jochen Schleese, www.schleese.com

8

04 O F

I N T E R E S T

Johanne

High quality workmanship is something that the Horsemans Shop prides itself on and where possible all components are sourced from within Australia with the exception of Leather, which is imported English Bridle Leather. All items are hand sewn and traditional methods are used to make beautiful leather products that horse owners can be proud of.

We use traditional methods because that produces a superior product, all the steps are carried out by hand, from

LANG–DAVIS

The Horsemans Shop is an Australian Owned and Operated Saddlery that specialises in Bespoke Bridles and Cavessons.

T

he store was one of the first online saddleries in Australia and was founded by Johanne Lang-Davis, the owner, in 2003 and for the last 14 years has been steadily expanding their range to meet the needs of most horse owners.

Johanne started the store due to frustration she experienced buying quality made leather equipment in Australia and she later expanded the wide range of products stocked, by develop-

56 Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

ing a line of custom hand made cavessons which have been in high demand.

Over time the custom range has been expanded to include, halters, in-hand reins, leather lunge lines and bespoke bridles to name just a few of the items that are currently being hand made, and shipped world wide.

Johanne began her interest in Bridle Making and leatherwork at an early age when she watched her uncle, who was the shoemaker for the British Royal Family, work in his workshop. The attention to detail and the high level of craftmanship observed set her in good stead when later she began making her own line of Cavessons for Classical Training and In Hand work. Over the years she has expanded her skills learning from many of Australias’ Master Saddlers, and also overseas experts, and she is a full member of S.H.M.A.A.

the selecting of leather, right through to sewing and finishing. We hand sew because the stitching will last longer and is safer than machine sewn. When a stitch wears. on machine sewn stitches, the adjoining stitches will unravel and continue to further weaken the item whereas hand sewing, because the thread passes through the leather, a worn thread will not impact those on either side therefore preserving the integrity and safety.

Quite simply traditionally made can be relied upon year after year if looked after correctly The Horsemans Shop has recently become the Australian Stockist for the F.R.A. (Freedom Riding Articles) wide range of horse friendly equipment and customers now have access to Europes leading supplier of innovative horse riding equipment produced by a company dedicated to improving relations between horse and rider.  THE HORSEMANS SHOP can be found at www.horsemansshop.com.au or phone Johanne to discuss any questions on 0432 748 688

cavesson or bridle CARE OF YOUR NEW

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Before doing anything try your purchase on your horse, or compare against an existing well-fitting bridle, to ensure that you are happy with the fit, once treated it is not returnable. As with anything, taking proper care of your leather goods will greatly enhance their appearance and lifespan.

O

ne of the greatest misconceptions has been with the correct use of saddle soap.

Saddle soaps are basically exactly what their names imply: soaps, and as such are to be used for cleansing only.

In fact, soap, and sweat, which is acidic, are the two greatest enemies of leather if they are not removed. The reason that saddle soap is used is to rid the leather of accumulated sweat and grime which, if left on, will result in the leather becoming brittle and cracking. It is important to keep your bridles and cavessons clean so that they don’t irritate your horse’s skin.

Soaps containing glycerines or builtin moisturizers are beneficial only in that they serve to remove somewhat less of the natural lubricants of the leather during cleaning However once you rinse off, a conditioner will need to be applied to return some of the moisture to the leather that the soap has removed.

Today’s leathers will get destroyed by unremoved soap faster because there are more chemicals in the soap, so be certain to rinse off all traces.

Leather is essentially just skin which has been treated (“tanned”), and skin is made of 70-80% water. Even after the skin has been tanned into leather, a moisture content of about 25% is retained. Today tanning takes only about six weeks and more moisture is removed. Every time you wash or clean your saddle, you need to rinse the leather off and then apply your moisturizer. Cow hide is much like our skin, except that it cannot replenish its moisture content itself and needs you to do it.

We highly recommend a leather cream without any cleaning ingredients (soaps) which can effectively be used an all leather items you may have. Leather oil can be used as a one-time application

over the entire bridle or other tack if you wish to darken the original colour. As a rule, oil should not be used anywhere the leather comes into contact with your person (breeches, gloves) as it tends to discolour these materials. In addition, too much oil on leather can lead to such a softening of the leather as to make them too flexible to fulfil their purpose.

Make sure you use products that are meant for leather such as Neatsfoot oil. Olive oil belongs in salads, baby oil belongs on babies – not on leather!

Ideally, saddles and tack should be cleaned after every use. At the least, they should be given a quick cleaning (wipe over) after each use, with a thorough cleaning once a week. If you are going to store your tack over a longer period of time, keep it in a place preferably at room temperature, but never cooler than 5 degrees Celsius, and at a humidity of 30-40% to retain the suppleness of the leather. Do not worry if it appears mildewy when you take it out – this is merely an indication that the leather is still alive, and still has enough moisture content to be attractive to mildew! Giving it a good wash and applying a leather moisturizer will soon restore the original looks. 

04 O F

I N T E R E S T

E

Emotions HOW UNCONSCIOUS

f o r

t h e

AFFECT US AND OUR HORSE

By Catherine McDowell – H e r b a l i s t

"Emotion is far more verb than noun, being not some entity or thing that we can get out of our system, but a vital process that is always in some degree of flux" Robert Augustus Masters - Emotional Intimacy

B

58

reathwork is modality that I have used for myself over the years with wonderful results.

This modality is not well known so I wanted to introduce it to you because of its value to all equestrians .

In using the breath, I discovered that not only was I distinctly NOT in touch with my emotions, but I really had not fully made the leap into really understanding how deeply ingrained my emotional patterns were, and how this was affecting my health and my capacity to ride well.

I then spent 12 months in intense training with Anne Harrison who is internationally recognised as one of the leading educators in the field of Breathwork. I gained a nationally recognised qualification with her and often refer many clients with anxiety to Ann for therapy.

It has been through this study (and subsequent process) that I have come to really appreciate how we all get so distracted by life so as to not experience some emotions - particularly the emotions that we would like to pretend don't exist in us.

that are acceptable and palatable, and run away from feeling the full extent of those really uncomfortable emotions. Like Fear and Shame...

The problem with this is that we then keep running away all the time, and we never really get to understand what the prime motivator in our life is. Every time we feel anxious, it is because some of these unpleasant emotions have been triggered in us by an external stimulus.

Psychotherapy is very useful in naming and quantifying these emotional states. However, intellectualising about emotions does nothing.

This is a mind game that can be soul destroying, as we end up judging and pathologising perfectly natural responses to certain situations that may be distressing for us. Men are very adept at this in our western patriarchal culture.

What we need to do is to feel all of it...and not be afraid to experience the backlog of emotions that we have stuffed into the recesses of our soul..

To do this, we need to feel safe and unjudged as we navigate this inner territory.

SO WHAT ARE OUR EMOTIONS?

THE PHYSIOLOGY OF EMOTIONS

We all know about emotions. We feel them every day in response to many things - we observe, we judge, we feel our response, and we move on.

However, we prefer to hold on to those feelings

Emotions have been reduced scientifically to biochemical reactions, influencing hormones and neurological states. The body produces many hormones and neurotransmitters such as dopamine,

Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

noradrenaline, serotonin, oxytocins, cortisol and GABA. Chemistry in the body which can of course be manipulated with drugs.

Recent understandings in neuroscience have identified key areas of emotional processing and the mapping of the Limbic system.

Theories abound, and a Google search will bring you into the mine-field of the emotional realm No wonder we can't be bothered! Resistance to understanding your own emotional territory is easy under these conditions..

The best bet then is to keep pragmatic, working and avoid all that nasty stuff!

WE THINK....

The necessity to explore....

TO ACTUALLY FEEL....

The reality is that the physiology of our Emotions really does affect

I

our physical health- and whilst we may not see how our emotions affect our health when we are young and resilient to setbacks, the truth is that long term suppressed emotion and disassociation with unpleasant emotions will cause us long term health issues - if you don't see it physically because we are a great manager of our outer life, it will show up in some area of our life that will look unhealthy.

The most obvious being our relationships with others, and usually in the most intimate relationship- with one with our partner. Usually you will see both areas affected in varying degrees.

This the origin of what I call "THE GENDER RIFT".

THE INFLUENCE ON OUR PHYSICAL BODY...

If we ignore our inner emotional life long enough, eventually we will see a physical/emotional or mental breakdown.

This idea is not new. But for some reason modern medical science chooses to overlook these obvious links. There is a lot of research on what is known as Somatic theories in Psychology.

Pioneers in a new paradigm of Health are now beginning to recognise the obvious link to physical disorders that are made worse by an emotional cause. Indeed, may even be from an emotional cause.

One link that is very clear is between weight gain and stress, particularly in women.

was first introduced to the concept of Herbal Lore when I was very young. I think one of the earliest influences I can remember was from my grandparents, who were very traditional Bathurst farmers of the well known Cox family. My grandfather had the “people’s home library” which was a compendium of all kinds of home cures. Herbal Medicine is, at its core, studying nature and the humanities. It’s about observing our diet, our environment and how we respond. Keeping a balance is difficult in the modern era as we are no longer interacting with our environment in the same way as we may have done even as little as a 100 years ago. As a Dorothy Hall graduate working along side the well known Robert McDowell for many years and furthering my education with Dennis Stewart, I have developed my own unique application of herbal remedies. Working primarily with animals (Horses and Dogs) has been the most rewarding. Having seen herbs work so well in so many cases has proven to me time and again the under-utilised power of herbal medicine. It is heartening to see now Vets, and some Medical Doctors seeing the traditional application of herbs as useful. My comprehensive service includes free animal consultations 24/7 via my web site, and face to face consultation in Bathurst – www.mcdowellsherbal.com ■

Catecholamines (stress hormones by the adrenal glands) are well known to cause inflammatory process in the system, and will show up by weight gain around the middle. In horses and Dogs we see Cushing's on the rise and the link to stress is known but not well understood.

Because the adrenal glands are situated on top of the kidneys, the flight/fight response could also affect kidney function. (In Chinese medicine the kidneys are understood to be related to our collective fear). This in turn can also increase blood pressure unnaturally, leading to hypertension.

Long term hypertension can cause Kidney dysfunction .

Recent studies have identified a link between kidney function, hypertension and cognitive functioning.

It makes logical sense then to address the deeper fears in our life, so that we are not so triggered, thereby aiding in maintaining our overall endocrine and metabolic balance.

As a Dorothy Hall trained herbalist, I would want treat the above situation holistically using herbs like: Buchu, Rosehips, Borage, Withania, Hawthorn and Maritime Pine Bark And for the emotional stress and endocrine system balance I may include Dr Bach's flower essence of Rescue Remedy, Walnut, and Scleranthus.

There is no doubt that working deeply with these emotions will aid your health even more, by facing the deep fear, and transforming the control that these unknown fears have over your subconscious.

03 T RE A H A IL N T IHN G

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AUTHOR: JOCHEN SCHLEESE, CMS, CSFT, CSE with MURIEL CHESTNUT, ©2018 Saddlefit 4 Life* All Rights Reserved PHOTOS: KATARZYNA OKRZESIK-MIKOŁAJEK

saddle fit AND THE

“RIGHTS” OF

h o r s e s

by Jochen Schleese with Muriel Chestnut

There is no doubt that what resonates with horse lovers is the horse’s ability to conjure up the feeling of something romantic. Whether it’s the lofty expression of a stallion or the soft kind eye of a beautiful mare, we all seem to fall spellbound at the subtlest expression of a horse showing its emotions. These fascinating non-verbal creatures capture us in a mere instant and leave an indelible imprint on our hearts and our minds.

We love to swoon over our horses. We groom them, kiss them, talk to them and would happily have them eat or wear our last dollar. We succumb to their every need.

We love to be at their mercy… don’t we?!

A

nd the ones who are among the best at this form of human sublimation include an iconic baroque style of horse – the Iberians! With their elegant and noble stature; the charismatic flaunting of their grace and majesty – who can resist those flowing manes and tails? Their extreme agility and athleticism and yet that calm, knowing expression – it’s as if they are creating some sort of mind manipulation for which we have no warning or control… almost like a drug-induced stupor!

But before we let ourselves become too intoxicated to think straight… let’s take a moment and think about the actual needs of our horses, regardless of their exotic beauty! Some behavioural research

has concluded that the actual “needs” of a horse in order of priority (to them) are: • Safety • Comfort • Play • Food Given this, it’s important to study what these needs mean in terms of how we humans can meet these needs.

Let’s discuss “Safety” first since this is the strongest need. Since horses are gregarious herd animals, it is supremely important that we allow our horses to interact as members of a more or less typical herd. This means that they be able to see, touch, smell and interact socially with

03 T RE A H A IL N T IHN G

each other. Horses have a low flight response when they feel safe, and ensuring that good stable management provides these basic needs can help prevent the appearance of stereotypic behaviours such as cribbing or weaving – which are typical in horses lacking one or more of these stimuli.

But do we ever consider that it is our responsibility to not provoke a horse’s flight response as part of keeping our horses feeling safe? When we further study horse behaviour, it is interesting to note that we take for granted that horses are fine with being integrated into our human world, but this is often far from the truth. Sensitive horses, such as for example the Iberians, have a very high flight response to perceived danger. As riders and trainers, it is, therefore, our duty as stewards of our equine partners to be conscious of not causing our horses to feel unsafe by inadvertently causing a flight response. Pain is a key trigger of the flight response. It is our responsibility to make every attempt to avoid causing pain in our horses and at best to prevent pain from ever being a part of the horse/human relationship. Since we have deemed the use of horses for sports they have certain rights – not to be in pain, not to suffer or be afraid. Too many saddles cause too much pain; for the horse, the feeling of anything on its back is akin to thinking there is a predator on it. Remember that horses were never meant to be ridden; we have ‘forced’ this on them. This is why the term ‘breaking’ a horse has such a negative connotation; introducing a horse to saddle and rider should be a gentle, patient process, and ensuring that the saddle is properly fitted and comfortable from day one is key to this being a positive experience.

So let’s look at why horses “flee first and ask questions later”. The horse is wired for fear. The horse and human brain are very different. Humans have a prefrontal cortex – used for processing, thinking, imagining, projecting, understanding time and planning. There is no pre-frontal cortex in any grazing animal – but the horse is very observant. This results in him shying a lot. He uploads and remembers very distinctly everything

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about his environment. The horse has an extremely sophisticated ability in this sphere. It also has the largest amygdala of any domesticated animal. This is the area of the horse’s brain that processes flight response potential. In other words, when there is a perceived threat, this area of the brain lights up with neural activity. And since there are strong projections of nerves between the amygdala and the lower jaw we see the horse mobilizing its mouth in response to this brain activity. Activities such as licking and chewing, swallowing, teeth grinding, tongue lolling, lip-smacking are all projections of this brain function and should be noted as feedback to the rider/trainer. That’s why we say, the eyes, the ears, and the tongue doesn’t lie!

The mouth of a horse is a sacred place.

Learning to read your horse’s reactions to stimuli by observing oral behaviours is part of being an empathetic, conscientious and skilled horse person. Conversely, by blocking these responses with tight nosebands, flashes, etc. borders on the ethical issue of lack of mindful stewardship (I will discuss bridles with the various advantages and disadvantages of various types in a future article and further develop this statement). Preventing the

horse from mobilizing its jaw in response to its brain activity can elicit fear, stress and potentially its flight behaviour.

Fear is rewarded by fast legs and distance. The further and faster a horse shies from something, the more he records it to memory and reacts the same way the next time. It is not the object; it is the previous reaction to the object that is instinctively remembered. Therefore, we must be able to stop his feet and slow him down to avoid causing the same reaction. This is why trainers have been known to use hobbles or a rope on a hind leg … to control the flight response and therefore the fear memory.

Thus, when dealing with our high spirited and agile Iberians, or any of the “hotter” breeds who are prone to disappear in a cloud of dust at the slightest provocation, try to remember a few of these facts and always question yourself: Am I causing my horse’s fearful reaction and if so, what can I change to help my horse feel safer? We all want to witness the exuberance of a playful, joyful horse, but we have a duty to allow them to have their needs met, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually! 

“That’s why I chose a Schleese Saddle.”

Fit is Everything.

03 H E A LT H

H

p r e p a r i n g

y o u r

HOR SE four seasons FOR THE

by DR JOHN KOHNKE BVSc RDA and GEORGIA LEVA BSc (Zoology)

As summer draws to a close, the days get shorter and the weather slowly becomes cooler, horse owners should start to prepare for the beginning of Autumn.

The change in seasons can affect our own health, emotions and even our daily routine, and similarly, horses can also be influenced by the changing seasons.

Seasons can influence the health and nutritional needs of horses, as well as their behaviour and can also impact their fitness level and workload.

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AUTHOR: DR JOHN KOHNKE BVSC RDA and GEORGIA LEVA BSC (Zoology) PHOTOS: WWW.DEPOSITEPHOTOS.COM

THE HOT END TO SUMMER

A

s you may have experienced throughout the recent summer months, the hot dry weather can have a significant effect on our equine friends. The risk of heat stress and fatigue increases in summer due to the hot and especially humid weather, particularly in some parts of Australia where extreme weather conditions of above 40°C can last for several days in a row. A horse which is heavy in condition, or one that is nervy or excitable, or worked for an excessive period of time, is more likely to be affected by hot weather.

Dehydration is a common problem during the summer months and is caused by the excessive loss of sweat, electrolytes and plasma fluid without adequate replacement of fluid by intake

of water or the moisture content of the feed. Dehydration does not only refer to the body’s inadequacy of water, but also loss of salts which are essential for normal body function. A heavily sweating horse, or even a horse which is worked for a period longer than 20 minutes under the hot summer temperatures, is prone to electrolyte loss. Sweat losses of 5–6.5 litres per hour have been measured during moderate exercise under warm conditions (30°C), doubling to 10–11 litres per hour under hot conditions. Sweat losses do not increase significantly in hot, humid weather, but the efficiency of evaporation of sweat from the skin reduces, leading to more retained heat and even panting or ‘blowing’ to cool in some horses after exercise.

When horses sweat, they lose fluid (water and protein), salt (sodium and

chloride) and other electrolytes, such as magnesium, potassium and calcium salts, plus small amounts of many other trace-minerals including copper, iron, zinc, manganese, selenium and phosphorus. With these losses in mind, it is important that horses in work over the summer period have a balanced diet which includes a vitamin and mineral supplement, as well as a comprehensive salt mix. Kohnke’ s Own® CellSalts® has a number of benefits over traditional salt mixes with the inclusion of higher amounts of physiological salts, such as magnesium and potassium salts.

It is formulated to be fed on a scoop for scoop basis with regular table salt to boost the overall replacement of sodium and chloride lost in sweat, making it extremely economical. Most other electrolyte supplements need to be given as a double dose to replace

summer As you may have experienced throughout

the recent summer months, the hot dry weather

can have a significant effect on our equine friends.

H E A LT H

The COOLER AUTUMN WEATHER and the start of the AUTUMN-WINTER RAINFALL in Southern Australia heralds the start of weed growth in many pastures.

autumn enough sodium and chloride, increasing the cost. For horses working under hot, tropical conditions, or horses with non-sweating disease or anhydrosis, a product such as Kohnke’s Own® Troppo-Salts™ is recommended, as it is higher in heavy sweat potassium salt and it too is given dose for dose with plain, fine salt.

AUTUMN AND THE BREAK OF THE SEASON

T

he cooler autumn weather and the start of the autumn-winter rainfall in Southern Australia heralds the start of weed growth in many pastures.

The distinctive purple flower weed Paterson’s curse (Echium plantagineum), also known as Salvation Jane, is a common perennial weed in many areas, which shoots quickly from its dormant tap root with early autumn rain when the weather is still warm,

to a succulent rosette stage which is attractive to hungry horses seeking a green pick. The plant poison, an alkaloid compound, slowly damages the liver, which is additive from season to season, to result in severe liver fibrosis and death. The plant can be controlled by spot spraying with a selective herbicide at the rosette stage or scattered plants can be grubbed out or heavier concentrations grazed off by sheep for year to year control.

An increase in the incidences of Pasture-Associated Stringhalt (PAS) is also commonly seen throughout the late summer and autumn months, as the growth of Flatweed (Hypochaeris radicata), also known as Catsear, quickly emerges in horse paddocks because it has a dormant tap root, after the first autumn rain. PAS occurs when horses ingest the soft succulent Flatweed sprouts and leaves.

A plant poison in Flatweed effects the peripheral nervous system, targeting the long sciatic nerve in tall horses in particular – it is very uncommon in ponies, with signs most commonly displayed in the hind legs. Symptoms vary depending on the extent of the damage to the nerve sheath. In mild cases, a horse many only show slight incoordination in one or both hind limbs as it is walked off. In moderate cases, some horses may present with an exaggerated upper flexion action in one or both legs, especially when they become excited or anxious. In severe cases, a horse will display complete incoordination with an exaggerated gait, making it almost impossible to walk or move backwards, especially when unloading off a horse trailer.

Early treatment is critical for a faster and more complete recovery. It is important to remove horses from infested pasture immediately as Flatweed is addictive to some horses.

Feeding dampened lucerne hay is best, as it has higher protein, digestible energy and nutrient content which helps to rebuild the myelin nerve sheath on the sciatic nerves. In mild cases, horses have shown significant improvement over a 2–3-week period, however in more severe cases it may take 6–12 months to recover. It is

important to contact your veterinarian if your horse is showing signs of PAS as early intervention is paramount.

A daily supplement of Kohnke’s Own® Mag-E® given as soon as symptoms appear, is recommended to help reduce excitement and assist the rehabilitation process.

THE ONSET OF WINTER

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s the temperature cools down and we head into the winter months, horses need to be prepared for the upcoming winter weather. During the winter months, a horse’s diet should include an adequate supply of good quality roughage. Fibrous roughage is fermented in the hind gut by intestinal microbiota to release heat, energy and other essential micro-nutrients. Horses should be provided with a wind break or a low wind gully in a paddock, or a shelter to shield them from the cold, wind and rain. Horses should also have free access to fresh, clean water. During cold weather, older horses are particularly more likely to lose condition, especially if the pasture is short, or if they are unable

to graze for long enough each day and are not provided with adequate protection from the wintery weather.

Unfortunately, once aged horses lose condition, because of often poor dental health and reduced digestive efficiency in many older horses, it is very difficult for them to regain weight and condition, even on a relatively good diet and during the warmer spring and summer conditions.

When feeding in winter, the addition of hay (or chaff) in the morning and evening feeds will help provide available energy and fibre for hindgut fermentation to prepare for the cold overnight conditions and help keep the horse warm. Research shows that, one biscuit (approximately 2kg) of lucerne hay provides extra energy, protein, calcium and fibre as a base for hay supplementation for a horse under limited grazing conditions. Lucerne hay can provide an excess protein relative to daily needs, but this excess is passed into the hindgut to ferment to produce 6 times more warming ‘core’ heat compared to starch and sugars in naturally lower protein grass hay. Lucerne hay, plus 2–3 biscuits

(4–6kg) of meadow or grass hay will help make up the shortfalls in bulk for a 450–500 kg resting horse on sparse winter pastures. When hand feeding is required on short winter pasture, it is ideal to provide at least two feeds daily to provide a more continuous supply of feed and maintain the warming effect and enjoyment which eating provides in cold weather. This

selenium and vitamins with vitamin A and E, such as in Kohnke’ s Own® Cell-Vital® or Cell-Provide® (which provides extra calcium for aged horses), or Cell-Grow® for sound bone and joint development in unborn foals and growing horses, all have a role in maintaining immunity, the appetite, overall health and vitality under very cold conditions.

In winter, horses still require a good source of fresh water. They will drink less as they are not losing as much water through sweat, but it is still essential for proper digestion. As you start to feed extra hay to provide sufficient energy and fibre and when pasture availability decreases, the water intake of your horse will increase.

is particularly important in mares and foals, weanlings and yearlings, where heat loss from cold weather will sap energy away from growth in young horses and development of the unborn foal in late pregnant mares. Adding a supplement of trace-minerals with zinc, copper,

A horse being fed hay only will drink up to 60% more water compared to a horse on hay and grain diet, or a horse that has access to a small amount of grazing. Horses that do not have an adequate supply of water, particularly on dry feed diets, have a higher risk of problems such as impaction colic as the digestive mass dries out. When working your horse during cold icy weather, it is a good idea to provide them a drink of luke-warm water after exercise. This will ensure that their water intake is adequate to replenish any water lost during work, as some horses can be reluctant to drink enough icy cold water.

Water troughs will often freeze overnight during the winter months.

It is important to check them every morning and break the layer of ice so that your horse can access the water. If necessary, add warm water to buckets of very ice-cold water, to encourage

H E A LT H

EVERYONE, including YOUR HORSE,

is happier in spring as the day length increases

and the warm afternoons bask in sunshine and cool breezes and birds sing!

spring horses to drink early in the morning after a freezing night or a heavy frost when water troughs may be frozen over.

During the cold, wet conditions of winter, hoof and skin problems are a common occurrence. Hoof abscesses are a common problem during wet, wintery conditions, as the soil is soft and muddy. An abscess develops when bacteria from the soil, especially mud or stable bedding, invade the internal hoof structures. Entry by the bacteria is possible through small cracks in the sole or hoof, seedy toe, a stone bruise, or penetration of the sole or heels by stones, sticks, a nail prick or other sharp objects.

Horses with dry, cracked soles following a prior dry period before wet conditions have a higher risk of developing hoof infections and subsolar abscesses. In this case, scrubbing the soles with 10% PVP iodine or

Betadine® solution, will help to reduce sole contamination and the iodine released will penetrate deep into the sole surface cracks. It is important to manage any very muddy areas by feeding horses away from gates to limit bogging or adding rubble to a stable entrance is also a good way to overcome wet, muddy conditions. You can also provide dry shelter sheds for horses to stand in away from wet, cold and windy weather.

Rain scald or ‘mud fever’ is a common skin condition which is favoured by wet weather. It is caused by a fungal-like organism (Dermatophilus spp) which colonises on the skin of horses, as well as cattle and sheep. There are various forms of rain scald, ranging from ‘cinder or sand’ burn on the front of the hind limbs of working horses, to ‘greasy heel’ and generalised pastern skin infection of horses kept in muddy conditions. The skin on the flat parts of the body and head, withers, topline and rump are more likely to be affected as water from rain cannot drain away as quickly to dry the skin. Light, misty rain favours the colonisation on the head and legs, especially on horses grazing long grass which keeps wetting and can abrade the skin. Shifting infected horses to a dry stable with clean bedding to keep the horse out of the mud and rain will help to reduce the mud fever.

Washing infected lesions with 10% Betadine soapy wash every second day over 3 washes will help to clear up the rain scald in most cases. A daily dose of a nutritional supplement, such as Kohnke’s Own® Activ-8®, which has a role in maintaining the immune system to control the fungallike skin invasion, is recommended. In rare occasions, you may need to seek advice and target antibiotic therapy from your veterinarian.

SPRING IS HERE!

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veryone, including your horse, is happier in spring as the day length increases and the warm afternoons bask in sunshine and cool breezes and birds sing!

Spring is the season when the warmer daytime temperatures, sunlight and rain, trigger the growth of grass after the dormant, gloomy winter months.

The first flush of grass, especially after some rain, can be loaded with simple fructan and other non-structural carbohydrate sugars, which fuel quick growth of new pasture. As available sugar level increases the energy level of the pasture, many horses will experience a sugar hit! A higher proportion of the sugars, which as a hind-gut fermented sugar, contribute to ‘hot’ and ‘fizzy’ behaviour, as well as laminitis in overweight or sugar sensitive horses.

This anxious behaviour can also be caused by the high content of potassium in Spring grass, effecting the balance of minerals absorbed and available for use. Excess potassium is known to reduce the absorption of magnesium, a mineral which is used in many different body systems in the horse, especially in muscles and nerves.

Adding a supplement of magnesium can replenish levels in the blood, muscle cells and nerves, helping to calm excitable nerve impulses and reduce anxious or over-reactive

behaviour. Kohnke’s Own® Mag-E® has a combination of ingredients for multiple actions in helping your horse relax and become more focussed on training and during competition.

Mag-E® features a high quality organic magnesium chelate as a protein bound form, with better bioavailability and more efficient uptake compared to regular mineral magnesium.

The risk of headshaking often increases in the spring and early summer period. Although, there are many trigger factors and causes of headshaking, the spring seasonal incidence has been linked to allergic sinusitis and rhinitis from inhaled aerosol grass pollens, producing hay fever-like symptoms with sneezing and nasal rubbing. Ryegrass pollen is universally a trigger for headshaking and many horses in dairying areas where ryegrass is a popular pasture grass for cattle, often have a high seasonal incidence of allergic headshaking. Other causes of headshaking which may not be seasonal, include ear mites, ear infections, sinus inflammation, upper jaw bone cysts, dental problems and eyeball injuries.

Headshaking can be a difficult problem to diagnose and manage. Research has shown that the incidence is increasing in horses between 6 and 12 years of age.

It is characterised by an uncontrollable, often repetitive vertical and horizontal (head nodding) or rotary movement of the head and neck, and in many cases, symptoms develop without any obvious external cause.

of a nose net mask, or a dampened fine muslin or gauze veil attached to the front of the bridle or noseband, to filter out and help prevent inhaled allergic particles from irritating the lower airways, as a horse is exercised outdoors.

There are many theories on herbal and dietary supplements to treat headshaking in horses, however, very few have proven to be beneficial. A study documenting the outcome of treatments tried by horse owners revealed that around half of respondents who used a supplement of magnesium reported a reduction in symptoms within 2 days to 4 weeks. One horse completely stopped headshaking after being supplemented with magnesium, and other horse owners reported that

Some horses exhibit only mild or intermittent symptoms, whilst others can develop a frequent violent headshaking habit with the appearance of distress.

Headshaking is often relieved and controlled by establishing the underlying cause and working to treat or minimise it. Some horses benefit from the fitting

their horses seemed calmer with reduced symptoms. A daily supplement of Kohnke’s Own® Mag-E™ containing well-absorbed organic magnesium chelate may be well worth trialling in an affected horse.

With each new season, there are different factors which effect the health of horse’s and their nutritional needs.

It is vital that horse owners are well prepared for the upcoming season and change in weather to help horses cope accordingly. This will ensure they are kept in top health all year round. 

References: MacKay et al (2013).

Toxicon 70: 194–203.

Kohnke JR et al Feeding Horses in Australia 1999 RIRDC Canberra.

03 H E A LT H

H Five Handy

HINTS

P O P U L A R H A N D Y H I N T S A N D P R A C T I C A L A D V I C E F R O M K O H N K E ’ S O W N

TIPS BY DR JOHN KOHNKE BVSC RDA, D R P H I L I P P A K O H N K E (Kohnke’s Own Information Manager) & K A R E N S T E R N B E C K (Kohnke’s Own Nutritional Advisor)

Check out some great tips from one of Australia’s most popular and knowledgeable veterinarians!

You can also find more great advice on his Facebook page www.facebook.com/kohnkesown

#1

COOLING YOUR HORSE AFTER EXERCISE

During the summer months, it is important to cool your horse promptly and efficiently to ensure that his body temperature returns to normal as quickly as possible and does not rise too high after exercise. This is important to reduce the risk of your horse developing heat related stress, which can be serious and can cause muscle, brain and internal organ damage. Once a horse has finished his work or training, he should be cooled down slowly, reduce to work to a trot for several minutes to maintain airflow over the body to help convective heat loss, and then to a walk for several minutes. This ensures continued airflow around the horse, allowing the internal heat to escape via the skin in sweat and cooled by the airflow.

As soon as the cool-out period by trotting and walking is completed, any leg bandages or boots must be removed immediately to avoid heat damage to the tendons. The horse should then be unsaddled, and hosed or sponged with cool water and the warm water in the coat immediately scraped off to encourage further internal heat removal. During exercise, excess internal heat is dumped into the water reserve in the hindgut, so hosing under the belly for 30 seconds will help to remove excess heat from the hindgut.

70 Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

#2

SWEATING IN HORSES

Horses naturally sweat to remove up to 50% of heat from within their bodies. A horse during exercise can lose between five and eleven litres of sweat each hour. This fluid needs to be regularly replaced to avoid dehydration. On hot, humid days, even horses at rest can be seen to be heavily sweating, but the heat transferred into the air is reduced under hot, humid conditions so this important primary cooling mechanism is reduced in efficiency. High humidity above 80% reduces the available heat transfer to cool the horse and if the animal is already dehydrated by sweat loss during exercise or dehydration, the heat transferred out of the body via sweat evaporation is markedly reduced. Under these conditions a horse outdoors in the sun, or in a stable, may need to be hosed and scraped off 2-3 times a day to help it lose heat.

Horses in hot, humid, tropical areas can lose the ability to sweat in some circumstances, this leads to severe over heating and stress. The condition is known as ‘Anhydrosis’, ‘Dry Coat’ or ‘Non-Sweating Disease’ and can develop over a period of time. In a humid tropical environment, if a horse is not able to lose heat through sweat, then he cannot properly regulate his body temperature. Horses that develop this condition require special management to help them cope in the hot conditions.

#3

REHYDRATING YOUR HORSE

It is important to rehydrate your horse after exercise and travel to replace any fluids that have been lost through sweat and urination, as well to compensate for the reduced water intake during the travelling period. Horses can be reluctant to drink when travelling, many will not drink ‘new’ water when they are away from home, especially if the water smells or looks different. This can make maintaining adequate hydration and effective rehydration after exercise quite difficult.

Studies have shown that many hot horses actually prefer to drink luke-warm water, rather than cold water from a tap. Offering a rehydration drink after exercise will help to replace fluids lost through sweat and will also help them to become familiar with the drink. A simple cheap and very effective rehydration drink consists of 5L luke-warm water, 50g plain, fine salt and 5g of glucose or caster sugar mixed together. Horses will quickly become accustomed to the drink when offered each day after exercise, and will more readily accept the warm, sweet saline mix, even with a different water supply.

#4

ANTIOXIDANTS AND YOUR HORSE

Working or exercising horses predominately metabolise energy aerobically for muscle function and performance. This type of energy is derived from the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats stored within the muscle cells using inhaled oxygen. Amounts of 40-50 litres of oxygen per minute diffuse through the muscle cell walls at the canter or light gallop. The high levels of oxygen required for this metabolic process can cause oxidative stress or oxidation of the lipid (fat) compounds within the muscle cell walls, blood cells, blood vessels and the liver. This results in the uncontrolled production of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals, which can cause further damage to the muscle cell-walls.

Antioxidants, such as vitamin E and selenium are important in protecting muscles from damage during exercise.

Vitamin E primarily protects the lipids and fatty acids from oxidation, and the tracemineral selenium, helps break down harmful secondary peroxides which are associated with oxidative damage.

Ensuring your horses diet contains sufficient levels of vitamin E and selenium is important to protect muscle cells and other cells from damage. Lower than required levels of these nutrients can result in muscle fatigue, muscle soreness and poor performance. Supplementing with extra levels of vitamin E and selenium during and after hard work can help minimise damage and aid in recovery.

#5

SUNBURN IN HORSES.

Horses can suffer from sunburn too. It can be quite a serous problem in horses with non-pigmented skin such as white socks, a white blaze or other markings on the face, or a soft pink muzzle area, which are normally the areas most effected. Severe sunburn can lead to painful blisters and on the lower limbs, trigger conditions such as Greasy Heel.

Sun protection is important for susceptible horses to reduce the risk of sunburn. A SPF30 sunscreen can be used for protection on sensitive areas, or even a zinc cream is helpful.

Cover horses with a cool mesh or cotton rug to protect from direct sunrays. Fly masks are also available to reduce fly worry around the eyes, as well as special nose covers to protect the sensitive non-pigmented muzzle area from the sun.

03

AUTHOR: COMANCHE WELLNESS

H E A LT H

T h e

CHANGING

MIDSET Hemp o n

COMANCHE COMPLETE OIL LEADS THE WAY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN HORSE INDUSTRY. Comanche Complete Oil, the first and only plant-based oil for horses derived from 100% Australian grown hemp seed oil, is now in line with legislation following the federal government’s announcement to legalise hemp for human consumption last month.

On November 5, the hemp industry received the federal government support it had long been waiting for. This legislative change not only marks a shift in mindset towards hemp, but enables Australians to experience the benefits of hemp for themselves and their horses.

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NATURE’S HEALING SEED Brigitte Warne, Founder of Comanche Wellness, says: “The time is right to sow the seed for Comanche Complete Oil. The health benefits of hemp seed oil are well documented and what has long been a controversial plant is now being recognised as nature’s most powerful healing seed.”

An equine therapist of four years and passionate advocate for hemp, Brigitte is acutely aware of the challenges faced by horse owners in maintaining their horse’s health and wellbeing that can be overcome with hemp seed oil.

“Hearing that hemp products had finally been legalised in Australia was very exciting for me. Having long known of the benefits of hemp seeds, but unable to actively source them for myself or my clients was very frustrating.

Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

“The power of hemp for humans and horses is truly unequalled. Unlike other equine supplements available, hemp seed oil supports the entire body and its functions holistically.

Highly protective, it has many therapeutic and preventative uses.

“The unmatched anti-inflammatory properties and unique nutrient profile of hemp seed oil truly make it the superior oil for horses.

I’m incredibly eager to see how this unmatched superfood will be a game changer in the equine supplement market.

“Not only is hemp seed oil exceptionally nutrient rich and calorie dense, it offers horses the ideal ratio of omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids, along with the highest protein content of any plant-based oil and the only source of gamma linolenic acid.

“Gamma linolenic acid regulates the prostaglandins PGE-1 and PGE-2 to reduce

inflammation within the body. With hemp seed oil, Australian horse owners now have a natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs when treating inflammation and other conditions.”

Published studies on hemp seed oil have led to a growing awareness of its health benefits and this month’s legalisation will hopefully continue towards its acceptance. However, Brigitte is confident Australian horse owners will quickly embrace hemp seed oil.

“The biggest misconception is that hemp and marijuana are the same. Unlike marijuana, which has psychoactive properties and contains between 5-30% THC, hemp has no psychoactive effects and its THC content is only 0.3% at its highest.

“The unrefined and cold pressed hemp seed oil contained within Comanche Complete Oil is safe for all horses, including pregnant and lactating mares. In addition, it’s gentle, gut-friendly formula makes it suitable for horses with compromised digestive health.

“A cool source of dietary energy, hemp seed oil provides horses with 2.25 times more digestible energy than cereal grains. Supporting the hindgut, hemp seed oil has farreaching positive effects on a horse’s health, disposition and athletic ability.

“However, despite its impressive nutritional benefits, hemp seed oil may also be considered the superior oil for horses due to its environmental impact. In comparison to other plant and animal-based oils commonly fed to horses, hemp is the most sustainable plant resource on earth.”

To learn more about Comanche Complete Oil and the benefits of hemp seed oil, visit www.comanchewellness.com. au, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. There is also an abundance of reputable scientific resources online that provide information on hemp seed oil.

Comanche Complete Oil is the complete wellbeing supplement to restore a horse’s health, wellbeing and vitality in just two tablespoons per day. Available in 1L, 5L and 20L sizes, Comanche Complete Oil can be purchased online now at www.comanchewellness.com.au.

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The highest protein content of all plant-based oils

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mindfulness

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Understanding the natural position that horses have in the complex animal kingdom helps us enter into a unique partnership with an animal of prey with humans as potential predators. Horses are in-between fully domesticated ‘pets’ like dogs and cats that live in our homes, yet they are unlike agricultural animals kept for consumption and maintained at arm’s length.

Horses offer a glimpse into the wild world, yet are curious and willing enough to allow us to train and tame them.

Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

AUTHOR: THE NUDE HORSE (Equine Epidemiologist) PHOTOS: WWW.DEPOSITEPHOTOS.COM

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o train a flight & fright based animal in a prey/predator relationship requires a handler to be always ‘mindfully in the moment’ when with a horse.

Horses have been surviving in the wild successfully based on their strong cooperative social structure, so we need to learn how to enter this social structure and provide calmness,

fairness, be an intelligent leader to protect them and secure their trust in us enough for their perceived survival.

Becoming these things to your horse allows them to seek us for comfort in situations that would otherwise be fearful and trigger the flight & fright responses –these unwelcomed responses are often exhibited at shows, loading onto floats, riding in new locations and tackling new tasks asked from the handler.

Horses live in the moment, are large, powerful and thus potentially dangerous. These days many horse trainers are becoming aware of the importance of being ‘mindful’. They do exercises based on breathing, relaxation and body awareness. They are becoming non-confrontational in their methods (coined ‘natural horsemanship’ by some) working with an understanding of the horse ethology, as opposed to old-school methods of domination.

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Horses have been SURVIVING IN THE WILD SUCCESSFULLY based on their strong cooperative social structure, so we need to learn how to enter this social structure and provide calmness, fairness, be aN INTELLIGENT LEADER TO PROTECT THEM and secure their trust in us enough for their perceived survival.

HOW IS ‘MINDFULNESS’ ACHIEVED?

T

ry adjusting your breathing to the pace of your horse; switch off the world around you (especially your mobile phone). Aim to connect with your horse with your eyes and your breath, look with him, not at him; a predator will stare at their prey.

Spending time with your horse when unable to concentrate can be called having a ‘monkey mind’.

Without concentration you begin to let wandering and disjointed thoughts occupy your mind, perhaps rushing through activities, being unaware of the tension the horse or yourself may be feeling. Your horse may likely respond inappropriately, basing their

decisions on past experiences, fear or even past trauma (returning to a state of flight or fright), they are unable to tap into your comfort for reassurance.

By contrast, have you seen a ‘mindful’ person enter the paddock, and their horse comes up eagerly to greet them? There is a visible connection between both the horse’s eye and that of their handler; they both exude calmness, a relaxed state of mind a mutual trust between them.

One might start with spending time learning to keep their attention focussed over a sustained period of time through relaxation techniques, this, in turn, serves to develop concentration, calmness, flexibility in controlling one’s thoughts and ultimately leads to a state of being able to be ‘connected or mindful’ to the moment.

Entering the paddock with no purpose other than to sit and observe or play with your horse, allows new skills sets to develop (no halters or leads just a carrot or apple). Try to renew the relationship through fresh eyes. Allow your horse to see you as a friend rather than a ‘work’ only companion. Play breeds curiosity – a behaviour sadly ‘trained out’ of many horses, they switch off and become disconnected.

It makes sense that awareness of our body language and the capacity to monitor one’s behaviours and emotions is necessary to enable this unique prey/predator partnership to flourish.

An equine dentist says “I used to be focused on getting as many horses in a barn done as I could. Now I am focused on getting as many horses as

mindfulness

possible mindful, relaxed and telling me what they need.

I want the horse to trust and to like me.” He further states that he could “feel” the horse’s mouth if he just slowed down and took time to be present with them.

When trying to work mindfully with a horse, it’s helpful to have a clear schedule. In other words, don’t work your horse when you have to rush or are mentally or emotionally distracted.

This breaks down the mindful partnership and the horse resorts to its natural flight or fight responses.

The same goes for not insisting on working your horse when he/she is not mentally or emotionally fit to do so. Like humans, they can be affected by stress, hormones, herd dynamic changes and wellness issues. Often the hardest but most important thing you can do it ‘walk away’ calmly and try again another time or day.

Working mindfully with your horse can start with these simple steps created by B.S., M.A. Mary Ann C. Simonds in her article “Mindfulness With Horses.”

• Look “with” not “at” horses (predators lock eyes on their prey).

• Empty your mind and centre your mind to be present.

• Synchronize your breath with your horse’s breath.

• Use calming signals such as eye blinking to connect with your horse.

• Slow your brainwave down from Beta to Alpha frequencies.

• Turn off your cell phone and bring your attention into the moment.

• Spend time just “being” with your horse, like eating, sleeping and play.

• Use music to relax and connect you and your horse while riding.

• Be happy and friendly when in your horse’s presence.

• Spend time helping your horse feel good and release tension through hands-on massage.

• Use relaxation techniques such as aromatherapy, breathing, flower essences for you and your horse. (http://holistichorse.com/in-the-field/minfulnesswith-horses/) IS THERE REASON TO BELIEVE BEING MINDFUL MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE?

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wo interesting cases studies conducted with young person’s considered at risk due to their psychosocial disadvantages and backgrounds demonstrate how practising ‘mindfulness’ enabled a difficult situation to be corrected in both cases, with the horse’s acceptance.

“Frey’s therapist had relayed Freya would often put herself at risk with her peers and engage in risky behaviours outside the residential home.

Once up on the mare named Ruby, however, Frey’s distracted behaviour appeared to wane a little, and she became quieter in her body language and

manner, seeming to suddenly realise she was perhaps vulnerable on top of the horse. This appeared to enable her to listen to and take instruction more readily, and we took some opportunity to introduce her to some ‘invisible riding’ techniques. In the round pen, we initially led Freya around on Ruby; the mare seemed to understand that she needed to remain extra attentive and alert today, perhaps picking up on Frey’s emotional and physical state. We started off with some simple stretching exercises to help Freya find her balance, tune in to the different parts of her body and gain some more confidence, as well as being fun.

Next, we introduced some simple ‘body scan’ exercises where Freya concentrated on each part of her body, in turn, starting with relaxing her feet, moving up her body until she relaxed her shoulders and neck. In order to make this more fun and engaging I demonstrated these walking next to Freya, who copied the exercises riding on Ruby’s back. Once Freya had found her balance and was more relaxed we suggested she closed her eyes and ride Ruby with her eyes shut in order to really tune into Ruby’s movement.

This is not as easy as it may appear, but it is a really useful exercise for refining balance and for following the movement of the horse. Together we demonstrated to Freya how she could slow her breathing down, and breathe in and out to influence Ruby’s pace,

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Try adjusting YOUR BREATHING to the pace of YOUR HORSE; switch off the world around you (especially your mobile phone).

Aim to connect with your horse with YOUR EYES and your breath,

LOOK WITH HIM, NOT AT HIM; a predator will stare at their prey...

and learn how to bring her to a halt and to walk on again just by the smallest body movement and breathing.

This exercise takes a lot of sustained concentration and body awareness, together with real intention; it will not work unless you are completely committed and mindfully embodied. After a few attempts, we knew Freya began to get a sense of this feeling as she gained more ability in co-ordinating her body language together with her breathing and concentration. In turn, Frey’s confidence in her newly found body awareness grew, and Ruby responded accordingly, causing Frey to exclaim “look she slows down when I’m just thinking it now”. Later as we finished the session, Freya stretched down from Ruby’s back to hug her around the neck beaming it’s like she can read my mind”.”

The second one is “Cinderella approached Duchess in a rather dominant, almost aggressive manner which caused the mare to walk purposefully away from her, refusing to be caught.

Cinderella immediately became angry and frustrated walking off throwing the head collar down exclaiming “stubborn cow”. I sat down next to her, and to her surprise, it seemed I praised her for her actions telling her that sitting down and not chasing Duchess was, in fact, a very good strategy and one of the tactics I may try with a horse who didn’t want to be caught. I suggested we sit in the field and relax for awhile and try to just observe Duchess and the horses without necessarily trying to catch them, but at the same time bring some awareness as to how she felt Duchess may be feeling. After sitting quietly for

quite a long time with only the sounds of birds and the wind in the trees in the background and with Cinderella appearing to be ignoring me, she finally said ‘she probably doesn’t want to leave the others and suppose she doesn’t know me yet”. I asked Cinderella what different approaches may help Duchess to want to be caught and she replied: “well, probably getting to know me a bit more first as she knows she can trust me.” We followed this with a short discussion about horse’s body language and whether Cinderella could see if there were any different approaches she could try to help Duchess learn to trust her. With this Cinderella agreed to try approaching Duchess together with me in a slower more controlled and less aggressive manner and did then succeed in carefully putting the head collar on.

mindfulness 78

Baroque Horse DRESSAGE | www.baroquehorse.com.au

Mindfulness Hair in for Horses

a Bucket The other mare Ruby then followed us into the yard where Cinderella put the head collar on her too without a problem, her body language reflecting a much more gentle approach towards the horses who responded accordingly.”(www.psychosocial.com/IJPR_17/Horses_and_Mindfulness_Burgon.html) WHAT IF STILL YOUR HORSE IS STILL BEHAVING NERVOUSLY AND SEEMS ILL-TEMPERED AFTER PRACTISING ‘MINDFUL’ TECHNIQUES?

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ome horses may indeed be additionally suffering from dietary deficiencies, pain or severe trauma. Ask your vet to rule out any illness, pain or gastric ulcer issues, along with testing for dietary deficiencies.

Supplementing with nutrients that have been demonstrated to reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress hormones, along with supporting normal cognitive functions that assist building the brain’s chemical messengers called neurotransmitters can be beneficial. Caution must be exercised not overloading with nutrients such as high quantities of magnesium for example whereby ‘slurred’ behaviours can potentially endanger the safety of you and your horse. Magnesium can throw off absorption of other vital nutrients leading to other health issues. Look for a balanced blend of amino acids, vitamin B’s (not with Vit B12 in combination as it blocks out the functions of the other B’s), small amounts of magnesium and select beneficial plant extracts.

Getting dietary support right and working on a mindful attitude can lead to better mental performance and a more positive response to stressful situation whether at work or play.

Excellent follow up reading by horse trainer Mark Rashid is recommended through his many books. Rashid’s philosophy involves understanding the horse’s point of view and solving difficult problems with communication rather than force. His methodology emphasises the relationship between horse and the rider as a partnership, in which the horse willingly takes direction from the rider, rather than a dominant rider directing a submissive horse.

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This article was brought to you by

Manage JOINT HEALTH

PROACTIVELY f o r

t h e

THROUGH NUTRITION Equine athletes are prone to injury. Certain injuries happen quickly, but others are a result of cumulative wear and tear. Many factors contribute to joint health, including – genetics, conformation, breed, weight, age, work type, training intensity, riding surface and nutrition. Osteoarthritis is a primary cause of lameness and loss of use in performance horses.

Understanding how equine joints work and some of the nutritional measures that may be beneficial to maximising joint health is important maximising athletic performance now and into the future.

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THE EQUINE JOINT Any area where two bones meet within the horse's skeleton is a joint.

The ends of the bones are coated with articular cartilage so they slide smoothly over one another during movement. Joints are encapsulated in a fluid-filled sac called the joint capsule that protects the joint. The nutrient-rich synovial fluid that fills the joint capsule is an extremely slippery substance that allows smooth passage of one bone over another and absorbs some of the shock from highimpact work, where bones are forced together under great pressure. The fluid nourishes the articular cartilage with proteins, enzymes, and sodium hyaluronate, a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) that is an important structural component of joint cartilage and is responsible for the viscosity of the synovial fluid.

Joint damage can involve any part of the joint or limb structure including tendons, ligaments, bones, articular cartilage, and the fibrous joint capsule.

Damage to any of these components instigates inflammation, which allows large numbers of “clean-up” enzymes

and prostaglandins into the joint. The GAGs are destroyed and the synovial fluid loses its viscosity. Without the rich nutrients of the synovial fluid, the articular cartilage starves and becomes damaged, giving way to bone damage as the bone ends begin to grind against one another. The bone responds by laying down more bone tissue, called spurs, which can further damage the joint and lead to severe joint inhibition and pain.

It takes more than a single traumatic strain or accident to cause this kind of damage. Progressive degeneration of joints is commonplace, especially in hard-working horses and degenerative joint disease limits the careers of many performance horses.

lining the joint, and is the primary agent responsible for the viscosity and lubricating properties of the synovial fluid. It is also a regulator of cell and tissue function and has antiinflammatory properties. HA is the backbone of aggregate proteoglycans in articular cartilage and contributes to cartilage structure. It also has antioxidant properties.

There is regular turnover of HA in the joint, and research has shown that horses produce 30-160 mg of HA per day, which is incorporated into synovial fluid and cartilage. However, inflammation resulting from exercise HYALURONIC ACID – A NEW GENERATION OF JOINT HEALTH leads to a hastening of the breakdown of HA, which in turn causes reduced SUPPLEMENTS Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally joint fluid viscosity and a vicious cycle of further inflammation. HA keeps occurring substance in the joint protein out of the joint, but when and other connective tissues. It is HA breaks down, water and fibrin produced by the synovial membrane

03 H E A LT H

training. Many riders start horses on KERx Synovate HA® at the beginning of a training program, so horses have superior joint support as soon as structured exercise begins. KERx Synovate HA® has been particularly helpful for horses following surgery for joint disease, especially those with growth-related lesions such as OCDs.

follow protein into the joint fluid.

This leads to effusion, synovial distension, pain and disturbances to function of villi in the borders of the joint space and reduced HA secretion.

HA has a very short half-life in horses, especially after intravenous injection, after which blood levels have been shown to return to normal within three hours. Research on intra-articular injection has also shown variable results, with the half-life in on study being five hours and another four days. This rapid clearance of HA from intravenous delivery suggests that regular daily oral administration will be useful.

Furthermore, one study showed that use of 100 mg of oral KERx Synovate HA® led to significantly reduced joint swelling after surgery for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions in yearling Thoroughbreds.

A Colombian study using 250 mg of oral HA or a placebo for 60 days in 11 Andalusians with OCD showed that treated horses had reduced joint swelling and increased levels of HA in the joint fluid.

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NOT ALL ORAL HA SUPPLEMENTS ARE EQUAL! The size of the HA molecule is measured in units called Daltons.

Natural HA has a molecular weight of 1 million Daltons or more, and studies have shown that lowmolecular-weight HA material does not have the same properties as natural or supplementary highmolecular-weight HA. KERx Synovate HA® has a molecular weight of 1-1.25 million Daltons so has greatest likelihood for matching the known attributes of native HA found in the horse’s body.

As with all supplements, ensuring that they can be absorbed and utilised in the body is key. A controlled study at KER using a high dose of KERx Synovate HA®, has shown a significant increase in serum levels of HA after 28 days, with a trend to better maintenance of HA levels in joint fluid when unfit horses were put into work.

KERx Synovate HA® is an easily absorbed, palatable, easy to use liquid and is suitable for young or mature horses alike in all stages of

MANAGE YOUR HORSE’S JOINTS PROACTIVELY NOW Remember, the health of our horse’s joints is a combination of factors. Ensuring that your horse’s diet meets its daily requirements and takes into consideration the horse’s metabolism, breed, work type, intensity and current state of joint health is a good first step to reducing your horse’s exposure to joint degradation.

In terms of HA, the horse maintains considerable reservoirs of HA within its body, yet, as horses mature and more athletic demands are laced on them, HA levels drop and joint health often suffers. Therefore, it is essential to manage joints proactively. HA contributes significantly to cartilage health and elasticity, joint fluid viscoelasticity and lubrication of the entire joint mechanism. In addition, HA has anti-inflammatory properties, especially essential for high motion joints such as those in the limbs. KERx Synovate HA® can assist in supporting equine athletes through the rigors of training and competition.

If you would like more information about KERx Synovate HA® or general nutrition advice about managing your horse’s nutrition plan, contact Kentucky Equine Research’s FREE nutrition consultation service on 1800 772 198, email advice@ker.com or submit a diet analysis through our website www.ker.com

Is your horse

Susceptible to Joint Issues?

Manage joints pro-actively with

KERx Synovate HA®

A bioavailable form of sodium hyaluronate for the support of healthy joint function in horses.

The only Research Proven Oral HA product.

“Synovate is a very safe easy way to provide the lubrication necessary for healthy joints in high performance horses” Brook Dobbin - World Cup Showjumper

NutritionConsultation ConsultationService Service Nutrition 1800 772 198 | advice@ker.com 1800 772 198 | advice@ker.com www.ker.com| |www.kera.equinews.com www.kera.equinews.com www.ker.com

SSG Gloves

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