FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

With Fiona Todd

It’s August already! To help all you eager horse owners out there prepare for the foaling/breeding season we have a great article on keeping stallions in prime condition – part of our continuing series of articles on horse nutrition, by nutritionist Larissa Bilton.

Speaking of stallions – check out our editor Candy’s ‘Our Hero’ profile on dressage rider David Shoobridge. It was David’s competition partnership with the stunning stallion 00 Seven, that shot the pair to prominence, and David has carefully nurtured his breeding program to include some stellar younger stallions and broodmares. David speaks with remarkable openness about the loss of his wife, veterinarian and dressage rider, Amanda Shoobridge (from whom he was separated at the time of her death), and his love of caring for their nineyear-old daughter, Annabel. Dressage trainer, breeder and rider during the week and Pony Club Dad at the weekend! Amongst many other topics, he talks about why it’s important not to have a victim mentality.

In another discipline entirely, our Training Tips is by Mick Taylor, a champion reiner, who talks about the softness and feel necessary to create a top reining horse – with the most wonderful photos to accompany the article. (Fittingly perhaps, our breed is the majestic Quarter Horse, bred for strength, speed and stamina, as Amanda Mac writes.)

But in the world of endurance, it’s Arabians who are the Kings and Queens of the sport – unless you’re an amazing Thoroughbred called Baribo, who won the Heavyweight division in the 2019 Quilty Gold Cup. This month we take a look at all aspects of endurance, from the historical, to a personal story from Liz Terry, Ruth White and Michelle Beatty about the highs and lows of getting a horse (and rider) through the 160-kilometre ride.

If you own horses, an unfortunate truth is that accidents happen. Candy came home from Equitana to find her young horse had managed to receive a disastrous injury. Almost nine months later and the injury is almost fully healed. She writes about her journey with Eva in a moving but also informative way. Never give up on the horse is probably the best motto!

A horse that never gave up on his human was Traveller, General Robert Lee’s outstanding American Saddlebred, who was immortalized in both prose and poetry for his derring-do. Our new series looks at famous horses in history.

Talking of horses and humans looking out for each other – do you insure your horse? This month Jane Camens looks at the ins and outs of equine insurance, and also gives us the low-down on a rather cheap form of equine friend – the rocking horse.

This month’s tackbox is from Dr. Jane Clothier. Jane has been working as a horse bodyworker for the past 15 years and was recently awarded her PhD for research into the developmental effects of gestational immaturity in horses. She gives us the low-down on exactly what damage a badly-fitting saddle can do.

And there’s more of course – much more! Welcome to the largest edition of HorseVibes so far.

Pour yourself a glass of your favourite tipple and enjoy!

SCHOLARSHIP