April Issue by Equine Online NZ

Equine Online April 2017

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INTRODUCING

some exciting new sections

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EDITOR Hayley Clarke

From the Editor

CONTRIBUTORS Grace Gray Virginia Caro Courtney Clarke Ashleigh Davis Hayley Clarke Marie Palzer Harnessed Media Ashleigh Sanderson

COVER IMAGE Horse of the Year 2017

Where has April gone? This month

on colder evenings our daylight is fading

we reflect back on all sorts of different

a lot faster! So here’s to you for all of

happenings around New Zealand and

your extra hard work as we head into

the world! In the horse world nothing

the colder, wetter months of the year

ever stops and we are all busy preparing

where we would much rather go into

for wherever our horses take us! Let’s

hibernation – that’s why we have horses

spare a thought for all of the horses that

right? See you on the other side!

sacrificed their lives to fight in both World Wars. The service they did will never be forgotten. It’s hard to believe we are already in May and before we know it the Winter months will be upon us. Our

x y e l ay

horsey friends are already starting to get fluffy and our arms are beginning to ache whilst we furiously brush the hair away! And as our work load seems

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to get bigger – swapping covers, trying to manage grass and working our horses

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in this issue? 7

Foxtrot media release

The horse midwife is backwith Part 2 of maiden mares

The Diary of a nervous rider is back!

Marie Palzer comes on board as a monthly contributor

We get to know the Fell pony

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news

Sir Richie claims Country Cup By- DUANE RANGER for Harnessed Media

This season’s Parawai Thames Grass Cup winner, Sir Richie, is now the 2017 North Island Country Cups champion. The 5-year-old Christian Cullen Wicklow Express gelding won last night’s (Tuesday) $25,000 Revital Fertilisers sponsored event at Cambridge Raceway by two lengths. It was Sir Richie’s seventh career win in 35 starts and he was the $23.40, 10th favourite of the 11 starters. He was the seventh highest qualifier for the Final. For his trainers Steve Telfer and Chris Garlick, it was their first North Island Country Cups title. “It’s really satisfying winning a race that you have set a horse for several months ago. He’s been a bit unlucky in recent starts and Maurice (McKendry) has got on well with the horse for most of his career.” “He might have paid more than $20 but going into the Final I thought he was an each-way chance because it was a fairly even field and any horse with a good trip could have won,” Telfer said. After a nice start from gate two McKendry settled Sir Richie third and then nabbed the one-one position at the bell. In the lane Sir Richie had too much stamina and held out second favourite Mo Casino (Zac Butcher) and the pacemaking, Beyond The Silence (Lyn Neal). Sir Richie paced the 2700m stand in 3:23.1 (mile rate 2:01 even) and came home in 60.9 and 30.5. Telfer said Sir Richie’s owners could be looking to sell him but he would know more when they had returned from overseas. “He’s found Alexandra Park a bit tough in recent starts and I know there was talk about selling him. Tim and Jane Fleming from Taranaki own him and we will be

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Sir Richie photo supplied by Fokus Harness Photgraphy talking to them when they return from Canada.” “Apparently they are delighted with his win. They watched the race on the internet,” said Telfer who is working about 25 standardbreds with Garlick at Ardmore. “He’s a good honest horse who would do a good job in Australia, but I think there’s still a win or two left in him here. Maurice drove the horse a treat last night. “He gave him the good trip and then got him home without over-using him. We are rapt. That was a lovely drive,” Telfer said. Sir Richie was bred by Brian Fleming. Meanwhile, the Peter and Vaughan

Blanchard trained Tact Ollie (Peter Ferguson) was the only horse to record a sub-two minute mile-rate at yesterday’s twilight meeting. The five-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding notched up his second career win in the second event - $10,000 Lizzie Of Rosslands Kidz Kartz Pace. The most impressive winner of the evening came in the third event when the Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson trained Three Kisses (Hollis), won the $8,000 WF Feeds Maiden Pace by a whopping 10 lengths. It was the three-year-old Mach Three filly’s first win in 11 starts.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 22 March 2017 Foxtrot Horsewear ®, a Melbourne based equestrian lifestyle label with a performance edge, are excited to announce the launch of our first collection of Women’s Equestrian Wear

After a three-year development and testing phase, Foxtrot has launched its AW/17 collection with 8 garments for the female equestrienne athlete, with more to follow shortly. As well as the use of other luxury fabrics, Foxtrot has partnered with global leader Celliant® to create several garments that utilise cutting edge insulation in the lining, enhanced with 13 thermo-reactive minerals woven into the fabric, reacting to the body heat of the wearer and utilizing infrared energy to improve circulation and increase tissue oxygen. This is the most established and clinically studied infrared optimised textile in the industry and we hope it will give riders the performance edge they need. Unlike other products that convert infrared energy, Celliant is not a coating and will never wash out. Currently this technology is used in two designs, with further performance items planned in the near future including items for the horse. The new collection is available online with global shipping options, offering all equestrian women one of the first opportunities to purchase the highly anticipated range and take home the stylish designs. FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT Ashleigh Fox +61 421814452 Malvern East, Australia Ashleigh@foxtrothorsewear.com.au www.foxtrothorsewear.com.au Celliant is a registered trademark of Hologenix, LLC. Foxtrot Horsewear is a registered trademark of Foxtrot Horsewear Pty Ltd.

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Donaldson on a Rowe Cup high By- DUANE RANGER for Harnessed Media

Photo supplied by HRNZ

Photo supplied by Trish Dunell

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Doug Donaldson’s drive from Auckland to Tauranga last Friday night took about 15 minutes instead of the usual 150.

what ‘The Iceman’ - aka Tony Herlihy had

the years. Temporale is so far his best

to say.

purchase.

“He said the two miles wouldn’t bother

The owners paid $22,000 to Studholme

Well that’s what the 212km journey

the horse and that last year’s (August)

Bloodstock

seemed like for the overwhelmed Rowe

trip across the Tasman was the making

Whosinthenest colt at the 2014 Premier

Cup winning owner.

of him. I agree he’s a whole new horse at

Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

Donaldson and his wife Lenore had to leave Alexandra Park soon after the prestigious Group One event bound for a

four compared to when he was three. He’s matured a lot.

for

the

Monarchy

After placing last season in the Group One Northern Trotting Derby and the

“Last season he was a bit fractious and

Group Two NZ Sires Stakes Trotting

as a two-year-old he was unsettled. He’s

Championship, Temporale nailed his first

“I hardly noticed the travel at all. We

a whole new horse now. Tony said when

Group win in the Group Three Greenlane

were on a high from start to finish – and

he took him to the Breeder’s Crown that

Cup on March 10.

still are (Sunday). I still can’t believe this

he might not necessarily win over there,

“That’s when I felt he turned the corner

has happened.

but the trip would be the making of him.

and thought maybe he could win a Group

He was spot on.

One race one day. But wow I didn’t think

friend’s 70th birthday in Tauranga.

“I thought if he could run in four I’d be happy, but to win it he would need to

“He steps well and his gait is now very

have all the favours go his way. I’m not

fluent – and he’s just four. I think there

sure when I will get down from cloud

are more good times ahead, hopefully

“He’s a much stronger and bigger horse

nine,” Donaldson said.

starting with the Jewels Final in Ashburton

this time in. The spell also did him the

early next month,” said Donaldson.

world of good,” said Donaldson.

The Kaiwaka 75-year-old co-owns last

it would be a big one like the Rowe Cup so soon.

Friday night’s Rowe Cup champion –

But even turning for home last Friday

Donaldson’s first purchase with Herlihy

Temporale, who in the hands of his trainer

night, Donaldson thought Temporale was

was at the 1999 Yearling Sales when he

Tony Herlihy (MNZM) became just the

running for place money.

went in on a Gee Whizz II - Classic Dee

second 4-year-old trotter in 99 years to win the coveted time-honoured event. Herlihy’s wife Suzanne also has a share in Temporale, as does Auckland Trotting

“We had the favourite (Habibti Ivy) in

gelding named Cautious Spirit.

front of us and she was sitting in the trail.

He won four races for Herlihy between

Even at that stage I thought the South

2001 and 2003. Herlihy reignited his

Island trained horse would win.

training career in 2001-2002 with 54

Club Board Director, Dene Biddlecombe;

“Then what amazing acceleration in the

winners and $508,819 in stakes. He’s

and Victorian, Kevin Riseley who also

last 20 metres to win! We all know Tony

averaged those earnings every season

co-owns New Zealand Cup champion,

is one of the best we have seen in the

since.

Lazarus.

bike. He certainly proved that on Friday,”

But like most harness racing pundits, a

Donaldson said.

Donaldson also paddocks Temporale and other Herlihy and (Michelle) Wallis and

couple of months ago Donaldson thought

“In fact the win showed his all-round

(Bernie) Hackett stable representatives

last year’s North Island three-year-old

class and just what a great trainer and

at his Kaiwaka property when they are

Trotter-of-the-Year was too young and

driver he really is,” he added.

spelling.

inexperienced to compete in an arduous 3200m staying test. That was until the owners listened to

Donaldson has given more than a

Temporale was bred by Graeme (’Pup’)

decade’s loyalty to Herlihy’s ‘Strike Won

Hulston and his wife Bev from West

Stable’ at annual yearling sales over

Melton.

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Feast heading to Australia By- HAYLEY CLARKE

Last month we saw the progress that young rider Kaitlin Feast had made throughout her journey to Horse of the Year. Since then Feast received the exciting news that she will get to compete in the Junior Rider competition in Australia in July. The team was picked from the whole of the South Island. The selection process included Applying through sending a CV with results from my riding career. To be eligible you had to have competed over 1.15, Feast was sitting third in the South Island however

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it is not picked on the results of the Junior Rider Table. The selectors look at how many horses you ride, how capable you are of riding unknown horses, how you work in a team situation and how you perform under pressure.

them before we go into the ring and compete on them.”

“We travel to Aussie on the 29th of July and compete in the junior rider competition at a two-day show held in Werribee, we are competing against a team from Victoria. The competition is run using borrowed horses that we have never ridden before, we have around 20 minutes to get used to them and jump

“It’s going to be such an amazing experience that I’m lucky enough to get to spend with some very close friends of mine that were also selected (Grace O’Sullivan, Florence Tapley and Jaimee Bird).”

Feast is really looking forward to the experience and she says it is even better that she gets to spend her time their competing with some of her friends.

Feast now has a couple of months to prepare for the competition.

we remember...

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the horse midwife

Foaling maidens Part 2 of 2 - Pre foaling behaviours Column - ASHLEIGH DAVIS Equine Online is excited to have Ashleigh Davis on board to write a monthly column about Foal Education. Ashleigh is a well established ‘horse midwife’ who will bring us plenty of knowledge through her monthly columns. You can find out more about Ashleigh’s FoalEd business on her Facebook page or by emailing her. www.facebook.com/FoalEd info@foaled.co.nz Welcome to FoalEd’s “The Midwife” column!

Horse

Last month we talked about some of the differences in behaviour you might expect to see in maiden mares before foaling. We had some great feedback so I’m looking forward to bringing you Part 2! This month we’re going to cover some of the differences you may come across during and after foaling. On the whole maiden mares and multiparous mares follow a similar DIFFICULTY DELIVERING Because maiden mares haven’t delivered a foal before it can sometimes be a bit of a tight squeeze getting that first baby out. The most important thing here is to not panic and rush in too quickly, because pulling the foal out before the mare is completely ready causes two problems. 1. The mare may not learn to foal properly by herself – if she’s expecting you to pull it out and then next time you’re not there it can lead to problems. 2. If you pull the foal out too quickly and before the body is completely ready there’s a chance that you may cause excessive tearing to the mare’s vulva. During the foaling process the mare’s body and muscles all relax naturally. Make

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sure her body has the chance to do this before you rush in and start pulling things out! That being said, sometimes the foal is too big. Sometimes it will need assistance getting out. This is where it’s really important to have some calving/foaling straps on hand. These can be put on to the foal’s legs so you can assist the mare. MAKE SURE that the straps close over the cannon bone, above the fetlock and below the knee – the fetlock joint is a lot weaker in foals and fixing the foaling straps over this joint can cause major injuries to the foal. When you pull the foal it is important to pull in time with the mare’s contractions to minimise damage and maximise effectiveness. The pulls should also be on a slightly downward angle, as it needs to follow the natural curvature of the foal’s body and the mare’s uterus. PANIC – PLACENTA It’s not uncommon for maiden mares to panic when they stand up and feel the afterbirth/placenta flapping around their back legs. Unfortunately the more they panic and try to run away from it, the more panicked they become as it flaps. Be aware that your mare may panic and be extra cautious when she stands for the

first time after foaling. If she will let you do so the best thing is to tie the placenta into a knot so that it is not hanging around her legs. This also helps to keep the membranes intact and assist her naturally to pass the placenta. Below is a photo of a mare’s placenta tied into a knot. Make sure you pull the knot all the way through – placentas are pretty slippery and pretty good at undoing themselves if not tied up nice and tight! If your mare does panic make sure that you and the foal are out of harm’s way first and foremost, and then tend to your mare. She will likely calm down on her own eventually. Reassuring her, doing your best to keep her calm and tying up her placenta should help you to get it sorted. FOAL REJECTION Foal rejection is something that can happen in any more but is slightly more common in maiden mares. This is often because of the confusion about the whole process. Most mares are confused in some form at their first foaling, but generally the hormones take over and nature does its thing. On rare occasions mares will show no interest in their foals after foaling, or worse; will be aggressive towards their foals.

option is to attempt to foster the foal onto another mare or raise it as an orphan. This is a more difficult option and ideally a last resort. The most important thing when dealing with a mare who is rejecting her foal is to ensure the safety of all the people and horses involved. The handlers and foal are particularly at risk. MILK LET DOWN It is not uncommon for mares to foal on very small (or non-existent) udders (known as bags). We covered this last week in Part 1. If a mare does foal with no bag there are generally two ways it can go. In some mares the milk may come on very quickly after foaling. Earlier I mentioned a hormone called ‘oxytocin’ which is responsible for milk let down. This hormone is also what causes that mare’s uterus to contract at foaling so there is a lot of it flowing around her body at this time. Often this is enough to stimulate the development and let down of milk for the foal. If the mare’s udder does not start to fill in the hour or so immediately following foaling it is likely that she is going to need veterninary intervention. There are a number of drugs a vet can prescribe to assist in milk let down. If you are concerned that your mare is close to foaling and has no (or a very small) bag it is worth contacting your vet before foaling to make preparations and see if there is anything you can do.

There are several methods of managing this issue. These are outlined briefly below: 1. Physical restraint: Using either handlers, twitches, or barricades the mare is restrained to prevent her moving and allow the foal to drink. The hormone, oxytocin, which is responsible for milk let down is also called the ‘love’ hormone and can help to foster the bond between mare and foal. Often this is a very successful method, particularly for maiden mares, and once the foal has had a few drinks there is a good chance the mare will accept them.

2. Positive reinforcement – behaviour modification using treats and rewards to encourage good behaviours (such as nuzzling the foal, letting it drink etc.) and is especially effective when used in combination with physical restraint (above). 3. Vet intervention – if the above methods fail then contacting your vet may be your next point of call. There are a number of pharmaceutical options available to vets to help encourage the foaling bond between the mare and foal. 4. Surrogate – if all of the above options fail then sometimes the only

Your foal is going to need good quality colostrum as soon as possible (at the latest it needs its first drink in the first two to three hours after birth) so if your mare does not have milk available you may need to look at alternative sources of colostrum for your foal. Your vet may be able to help with this. SUMMARY Ultimately foaling as a pretty complex experience – even with mares who have foaled many times before. And while maidens may be predisposed to having additional issues, with the right knowledge and observations there is no reason that they can’t do just as well as multiparous mares.

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Have you foaled maiden mares before? Did you see some of these behaviours? Or perhaps some different ones? I’d love to hear about your experience from you so feel free to get in touch at info@foaled.co.nz and remember – if there’s something you want to see just let me know! Until then, happy foaling all! The Horse Midwife P.S. if you have a question please feel free to check out our Website (www.FoalEd.co.nz) or Facebook Support Group (www.facebook.com/ groups/foaledsupportgroup).

WANT TO ASK ASHLEIGH A QUESTION? SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO INFO@FOALED.CO.NZ AND THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION WILL FEATURE IN NEXT MONTHS MAGAZINE

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kuda guru

IT’S ALL MIND GAMES... Text - ASHLEIGH SANDERSON

It never ceases to amaze me just how much our mind controls everything we do. Which probably has you thinking – Uh, yes? Our brain is in control, right? National Hunt jockeys (jockeys who race horses over fences) expect to fall at least once every 8 falls. Of all riders, they have the most danger in what they do. When they are young, brave and believe they are invincible, they take risks and ride positively forwards, riding horses safely around courses and producing winners. As soon as they start to picture dangers, think about fallers and hesitate, it is time for them to hang up

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their boots. It is the same for car drivers driving through traffic – an experienced driver sees a gap and drives through it, no hesitation or thought, just committing to the traffic and the idea. A nervous driver will hesitate, and that is when they cause problems for other drivers round them. Whatever we believe, if we can or can’t, we are right. Three of my last four clinic spells involved teaching a few days of 11 hours / lessons in a day. Now previously I would have said that 9 is a push, but suddenly 11 is perfectly do-able. The reason – I guess one is that I am working for myself and

so it is on my terms, and secondly that I know it is a 10 day stint and after that I get to take a break. But the really interesting thing is that during those ten days I can bounce along like Tigger – last lesson of the day is just as proactive as the first, and starting at 5.30 the next morning is very do-able. But, come day 10 when my body knows it is done and I quite happily collapse in a heap, and sleep for 14 hours straight. It is very much mind over matter. For riders it is even more obvious…. Recently I was working with a talented, educated rider who is very capable of riding at a high level and producing

If you would like to follow my travels, thoughts, blogs and learn more you can follow my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Kudaguru or my new and improved website will be up and running this month at www.kudaguru.com

good horses. He is strong, brave, quiet and rides his hot little mare tactfully. He has an awful lot naturally going well for him…. So, why is he battling? He rode in a yard for a while, producing the lower level jumpers for a senior rider and was told constantly that he wasn’t good enough, that he wasn’t producing the goods, that he needed to change his leg position, that he needed to ride more off his hand, and that has undermined his confidence. He is so busy hearing negative voices in his head that he can no longer hear his own sensible voice. When we started our first session and I asked him to just sit – sit how he wanted to, how he was comfortable – and he sat, in a pretty good way. Great – perfect start

– ear above shoulder, above hip, above heel. Nicely aligned over his feet. Neutral spine, self-supporting weight so not down on his mare’s back – happy me… Unhappy him. Why? Because this is how he sat as an uneducated rider – how he would naturally sit and how his employer always shouted at him. He had to contort his body into a twisted, uncomfortable place to get approval. They had wanted him to “sit up straighter”, shoulders well behind hips, feet pushed forward onto the girth and pull back with the hand, in a position that fights gravity. When the youngsters he was producing hollowed their back against him, he had to ride more strongly with the hand. I asked him, over several hours, to trust his natural ability and his mare’s response. He put himself into balance and felt easier and lighter because he wasn’t fighting gravity. He was able to sit softer, so could remove

the pull from his hand. The mare loved it, offered up her back, softly dropping down into the contact. He liked the feel, the mare loved the feel, it looked so balanced and organised, and the video clips I took of him, he liked the look of. So, what was our on-going problem? The little self-doubt voice in his head saying yes but…. We are, slowly, winning. A year down the line and several clinics later, he is beginning to believe in himself again, but it was so much quicker to get him to believe that he was an untalented useless rider than it has been to re build the confidence. Another talented rider I have been working with is just getting a little stuck with her beginnings of collection. She has an awesome horse and a wonderful instructor and they are doing so much right. Both rider and instructor have asked for a new pair of eyes and so new

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perspective – something they have missed maybe, or something that the trainer is already teaching, but the rider needs to hear it in a new way, with new words. We did a bit of work and she and her horse just put in that last puzzle piece. At that moment, I asked her to give her instructor a word to shout out, that would make this feel repeatable…. She said watermelon – she has to feel balanced, but moveable, a solid shell holding everything inside, inside. Uhh, sure ok, watermelon works. The next day, I yelled out watermelon, and just like that, she and her horse found that new place again…. If her brain gets the right trigger, her body can find that place again. Just like magic! A minute change working for what is already a great three way team – trainer, rider and horse. It can be as simple as being told lift your toe instead of drop your heel. Just different words sinking into the brain in a new way. The other rider who is on my mind is a child who has a very tricky, but talented, pony. And there has been much debate of different training methods, different yards, different physical checks. All physical issues have been ruled out but the pony remains complicated. She has a well-recognised and generally good

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trainer who has done a lot of good, but

I watched a brilliant trainer teaching

who teaches her riders to lean back, in a

some time ago. He had a pupil jumping,

way that, in my humble opinion, blocks the forward motion. I have taught this little girl a couple of times, and ask her, just trust me for a minute, and in your mind lean forward, (even though she is a long way off leaning in front of the vertical). Immediately, the pony goes forward smoothly and beautifully, all trickiness forgotten. It is a tiny adjustment, as much in mind as in body, but this tricky pony doesn’t like her rider feeling like she is left behind. When our rider is there and the pony is trucking along, she says yes, he feels amazing, but now she just needs to lean back a bit again…. The trainer is a talented rider and very good coach, and has convinced this pupil so thoroughly that sit up means lean back, that her loyal pupil can’t quite let the feeling go. She isn’t quite ready to believe her pony when he thanks her for allowing him to travel. Ironically, the trainer does sit very well on the vertical, I wouldn’t change her position at all. I suspect at some point in her learning journey she used to lean

and she kept on missing her stride. Every

forward, and her coach before her told to

before the positive. We shouldn’t get over

lean back. Now, on the vertical plane, she

confident, but equally, learn to listen to

must feel as if she is leaning back, which

yourself and your horse – very often you

has become what she teaches.

were right all along….

fence she either stood her horse off, or buried him deep. The trainer calmly stopped them, and asked her if she fell over her feet when she walked through a car park or up a trail, up and down curb stones, or over logs and banks. Of course not came the reply – she looked where her feet were and stepped over whatever she needed to step over. “So that means you can see a stride perfectly” explained the trainer – you practice every time you walk. The rider thought about this for a minute, went off and jumped the same course a whole lot better, because now she had the confidence to believe herself when she went on a stride. That little confidence boost was all she needed, and a brilliant bit of coaching from her trainer. Whatever you believe is true – if you believe you will never ride this particular horse, you will never ride him. If you believe you are both capable of jumping that course, you probably will. And sadly our brains often believe the negative

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life after racing

Proud HOY winners Written by - HAYLEY CLARKE Tash Bol had her wildest dreams come true when her and her 12-year-old Standardbred Alshain (Earl) took out the ridden section at Horse of the Year 2017. Earl was retired from being a race horse as a two-year-old from Dean Taylor’s stables and Bol got him about five years ago. Bol has been showing for 15 years and has owned a Standardbred since she was just 12-years-old. Travelling from Christchurch made the journey to HOY a long one but Earl had proven that he was good enough to be there prior to HOY. “He’s won a lot, my friend had him out showing about eight years ago and I was given him roughly five years ago. I did a few shows with quite a few champions and also did quite a bit of dressage with him, unfortunately I left him in the paddock about two years then I realised I needed to do something with him.” “He had a great season before HOY, champion at Ellesmere and Amberely A&P show and runner up at the Premier show held in Christchurch, out of the five shows he went to he was champion at four.” “It was kind of a last minute decision to take him to HOY, he was doing so well and going so well in the ring I thought stuff it I’m going to take him.”

the river and through the forest. About

awesome, the win meant heaps to me,

Bol kept things simple leading up to

a week away from leaving he had body

I’m really proud of all my horses but this

HOY and didn’t change Earl’s routine a

work done by Joy White and I was lucky

was something I probably won’t achieve

whole lot.

enough to be sponsored by Pure Equine

again,” she said.

“There wasn’t a lot of work, well nothing out of place with his normal routine,

who came and gave Earl a lovely body treatment.”

“HOY atmosphere is great, I recommend anyone to go and experience it even

I don’t really do a lot of schooling in

When Bol was announced as the winner

if just to look (and shop), I found the

the paddock as he knows what to do

at HOY her emotions took over. “I honestly

Standardbred ring great as well and the

and I find he becomes bored (and a bit

can’t remember what went through

spectators were great as well clapping for

naughty) so he gets hacked out down to

my mind, I know I cried, it was pretty

everyone (Earl even had a lady come up

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after the inhand and ask to have a picture with him saying he was her favourite).” Bol has always had Standardbred’s and

Bol says Standardbred’s are very easy

who supports me (I had no sponsorship

to work with and good to train up in all

and worked for the funds myself ) and has

areas.

to put up with the horses - he’s not a fan

doesn’t see them as any different to other

“I was probably a bit lucky because a

and all my friends and all the people who

horses. She enjoys working with them

couple of mine were started but the one’s

and developing them to compete over all

I’ve done myself and the ongoing training

messaged me afterwards and wished me

disciplines.

I’ve done has been easy. I’m currently

luck beforehand.” Bol now looks forward to doing some

“I think support for Standardbred’s is

competing one at level two dressage and

good (thanks Standardbred Breeders).

I’d like to take Earl up to level two as well.

I personally think the biggest support

I actually find them no different to any

needs to come from the competitors

other breed, I also have x-breds and find

themselves though, there is a lot of inhand

my Standardbred’s go just as well as they

horses but I think people need to get

do, they have a willing nature and want

paste the night before makes them pop,

these horses up and going correctly and

to work.”

I don’t spend a lot of money on makeup

dressage with Earl and also getting him and others qualified for HOY 18, - just in case they go back to defend their title. Turnout tip -clip white socks I use a white

get them out under saddle. Unfortunately

“I’d like to thank Pure Equine for Earl’s

etc, but a clean horse, with a nice coat,

we will lose the ring in some cases if the

massage, my mother who loves hearing

some quarter markings,subtle makeup

support is not there.”

about my successes and my husband

and nice tidy plaits go a long way.

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columns

The DIARY of a nervous rider Column - COURTNEY CLARKE

Keep up to date with the diary of a nervous rider - coming to you each month

I have always loved reading. In recent years I haven’t had the time to actually sit down with a good book and really get lost in the story. But recently I have found time to read about riding. As you all will know by now if you have read my previous articles that I am a nervous novice rider. Looking back I wish when I had ponies that I was more interested in Pony Club or the lessons that my Nana and Mum could of given me but I just wasn’t that interested in the technicalities of riding and it really has put me on the back foot now. So I read. I read the Pony Club manuals, the old books Nana has, the blogs online and I watch YouTube videos. I also ask as many people as I can about their experiences or their way of working with a horse or riding a horse. As you horsey people will know EVERYONE has a different opinion and everyone has a different horse so naturally what works for me might not work for you and vice versa. This leads me on to some very important learnings over the past week that you can’t get from a book. Don’t get me wrong I read all the time about how to do things or ways around things etc but these 2 learnings can only come from being in the situation. From actually riding. The first learning is about balance. I had my first fall off Poppy last week and I am almost certain that if I had better balance I would have stayed on – it was such a slow fall I even had time to land on my feet! The fall is significant in a couple of ways. The majority of horses I have fallen off have made me completely lose my confidence, no way would I get back on and if I did

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it would only be once and then never again. This time was different. Of course because I wasn’t hurt helps but I got back on and even rode in a show 2 days later. That feeling of actually doing that was the best feeling. Falling off has haunted me for a long time but there was no way I wasnt going to get back on, no way I was going to give up all my dreams and no way I was going to let Poppy down. It wasn’t her fault I fell off – It was just one of those things and she didn’t deserve to just be left in the paddock for the rest of her life because I was too scared. That’s when I first starting thinking

about balance. I again thought about it at the end of the show. We had done really well but I hadn’t felt like we were moving as one unit, I felt very much like I was bouncing around all over her and really didn’t have any balance at all. So I read about it. And I learnt that your horse can’t perform at their best if the rider isn’t balanced which now makes total sense. So now my research and reading will go into balancing exercises on and off the horse. Poppy has so much potential and I will not be the one that holds her back. I will keep bettering myself so that we can achieve these dreams together.

My second learning was about doubt. I struggle with doubting myself and being very hard on myself. Poppy is everything to me and it is hard seeing something you love held back, feeling that it is your fault she’s not achieving what she could be and knowing that if a more experienced rider was riding her at the show she would be placing higher. BUT it is those thoughts that create that doubt. Those thoughts that make you question if you are good enough. I briefly touched on this in my first article but the feelings hadn’t bothered me the way they did recently. The night after my show I felt deflated and I shouldn’t have. I should have felt on top of the world. I had fallen off 2 days before and still made it to the show which in itself was a huge deal. I had spoken to a couple of people who had pointed out things I hadn’t done quite right while riding and I just felt like it was all too hard and that I couldn’t do it. I fell asleep wanting to give it all up. This was the first thing I looked at when I woke up was a quote I have in my room. It says this “Nothing worth doing is ever easy” It was a powerful reminder that I can do this, and a reminder that I needed to slow down a little bit. Yes I have made goals and yes I want to achieve them but I have time. I am new to this, my horse is new to this. I learnt to walk again 2 years ago so my legs are new to this. I wouldn’t lead a horse 3 years ago. Sometimes you just need grounding and you need to take a moment to just sit and reflect on how far you have come. And own that. I am not a professional writer and just enjoy writing all this down and hoping that maybe I can help someone else who is experiencing what I am. So really out of this article I have 3 main points that I am trying to get across. 1 - Gather! Read, ask , watch. The more knowledge you gain the better you will be 2 – We all have something we need to improve on to help our horse, find that thing and work on it. 3 – Own your achievements , take the time to reflect and feel proud.

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The adventures of Hoofing Around for Change Long Distance Horse Rider, Adventurer, Public Speaker

Column - MARIE PALZER Marie Palzer featured in our February edition of Equine Online and we are excited to announce that Marie has decided to come on board as a monthly columnist. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to hear all about Marieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exciting adventures!

Hi, Iam Marie and I am honored to be given the opportunity to write monthly columns for Equine Online NZ. I run a movement called Hoofing Around for Change. It is a movement that endevours to empower others to follow their dreams in the real world and to enhance self worth in women through the exposure of Hoofing Arounds Adventures in the great outdoors. What is your purpose for horse riding? For me its embarking on a range of adventures that allow myself to hold a common purpose with a horse and to indulge in the feeling of becoming in-tuned with one-anthers instinctual behaviors in the great outdoors. Adventure

sports

horses

work as a team with your horse. It requires

responsibility into the mix for the human.

constant development as a human which

An element of responsibility and a huge

is reflected in ones horsemanship. It is

variable of unpredictability. Horses are

this feeling and growth of horsemanship,

majestic, strong and instinctual flight herd

adrenaline and risk which I am drawn to,

animals, they are always going to revert

and for now that is my only explanation

back to their instincts in a time of stress,

of why I am going to try and complete the

fear or unpredictability. Teaming up with

worlds longest and toughest horse race

a horse to embark on a long distance ride

The Mongol Derby.

requires you to embrace these factors,

The Mongol Derby is the worlds longest

and work together as a team. I have found

and toughest horse race, it stretches

that I rely on my horses instincts as much

1000km across Mongolia and I am

as I rely on my compass and map when

embarking on this adventure in August.

out in the wilderness. It took me almost

I will be riding semi wild Mongolian

four months of traveling with my horse in

ponies each for 40km where they will

the back country to develop the ability to

be vet checked and if given the all clear

allow my brain to become fully in-tuned

I will be able to select my next semi wild

to a animal.

Mongolian pony to ride for the next 40km.

As humans we find it hard to allow our

If the pony does not pass the vet check I

something a small amount of people

own instincts to be largely influenced

will be given a time penalty. This is only

engage with around the world, it is

by an animals, but once you have

one of several rules to ensure the well-

frightening, tough and accelerating.

conquered your own human instincts in

being of the ponies and riders competing

Adding an animal into an adventure

the wilderness then you are truly able to

in this race are well looked after. Let me

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with

sports puts another whole element and

clarify the term ‘semi wild’ ponies, I think it is a great term. Isn’t every horse ‘semi wild’? Doesn’t each horse resort back to its natural instincts when frightened, stressed or pressured? However, in this context it refers to ponies who have had an extremely small amount of human contact and time, if any, under the saddle. Mongolia is so cold throughout the majority of the year that the Mongolian nomads are only able to handle their herd of ponies for a few months per year. Some of the ponies will have only had three months of handling and others three months per year for the last 5years. You get the picture, the ponies are going to have very few experiences out of their natural herd life. This is obviously going to test my horsemanship skills every minute of this 1000km endurance race, these ponies are strong, fast and semi wild. One would think that this is a big enough challenge for anyone to tackle but there is more to this race. I along with the other 29 riders/competitors from around the world are required to navigate our own way with a GPS through the Mongol Steppe, with a limit of 5kg of gear allowed and and a time limit of 10 days to complete the race in. I will leave you with this quote until next month; Adventures are just like life, the journey only requires you to put one foot in-front of the other time and time again. But If you allow yourself to be present throughout the eternity of the adventure you will witness beauty every step of the way until you reach the summit.

For more info have a look at Hoofing Around for Changes facebook and Instagram accounts. EQUINE ONLINE 25

fact file

Breed profile Research- GRACE GRAY

In this fact file we take a look at a rather cute and powerful breed - the Fell pony! Known for their cute looks, power and placid nature these ponies make an amazing all round pony - they can be ridden, worked and pull carts - the perfect family pony! These ponies average 12-14hh and are common in bay, brown and grey colouring. They are known to be solid boned and therefore have good strength and are capable of carrying slightly larger weights than most ponies. The Fell ponies naturally have a large amount of fetlock hair and their manes and tails are left to grow long to allow them to keep their stunning natural look! Fell ponies originated in England and some evidence has been found that they may date back past 1500 BC although they were not domesticated until the 11th century where they began to be used for many purposes including ploughing paddocks, being ridden and transporting materials across much of England. Today Fell ponies are used for pleasure riding including jumping and dressage but still compete in some driving competitions and on some farms are used as working ponies. Due to their incredibly reliable and friendly nature the Fell pony makes a great horse for pleasure riding and is suited incredibly well as both a family pet and a great competition pony!

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Quote it!

The future belongs to those who prepare for it today

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INTRODUCING

some exciting new sections

Your Youradvertisement advertisement here here

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product review https://www.facebook.com/seahorsesupplements/

Maxia Complete

https://seahorsesupplements.co.nz/

We discuss how Maxia Complete could help you and your horse!

We started using Maxia Complete on our race horses (Standardbred’s) when one of them kept breaking out with heat spots and a sore whither. We wanted something to ‘flush’ out his system so we turned to Maxia. Within days the lumps had cleared up and since he has been having Maxia he hasn’t had the lumps back. His whither is finally beginning to clear up after a battle with it prior to going on the Maxia. After seeing such great results with the race horses we began using it on our hacks and show horses. Going into winter the horses have remained in great condition and the mare that was becoming a bit ‘girthy’ has been good as gold. We also had a horse who had recently been retired from the race track that was wind sucking and looking quite ‘ribby’. After putting him on the Maxia the wind sucking has stopped and he Is starting to get a belly on him. We now have two new race horses – one of them needed to pick up condition-wise and both of them needed to learn to relax and settle in the cart. We have noticed a huge difference in the race horses behaviour on and off the track and the gelding that needed some conditioning has certainly picked up! Going back to the gelding with the lumps – he is now a retired race horse looking for a new home, he’s been off the track about three weeks and is looking amazing. See photo attached. Now that we have started using Maxia Complete we don’t have any reason to stop!

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Picture perfect

Want to purchase a photo? Email hayley@equineonline.co.nz 30 EQUINE ONLINE

NZ PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS

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check it out Stay tuned while our Check It Out section gets up and running!

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Franco Tallis (Gordy) 5 year old brown Standardbred gelding Retired from racing on 1st April. 15.2 unofficially measured Well put together and moves nicely. Will need time to fill out. Gordy went to his first show on 7th May. We were very late (floating issues with my mare!!) We got there and the first class was already started so we literally pulled him off the float and into the ring and he was such a gentleman. He really seemed to love it and was perfectly behaved. He then was happily tied up for the afternoon while I rode my mare and again he was perfect!! I would love to see him in the show ring when he has built up

and I think he will really enjoy showing. A good home is absolutely essential $200 Rolleston, Christchurch Phone or text 0276364355

WANTED 5ft Show set - hood/tailbag/cover Phone or text - 0273751609

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monthly madness TH F O E

MEM

NT O M E

TIP TIME Cut off the bottom of your socks and put them over your horses legs to keep them clean before a show!

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha JOKES UP!

Q: What do you feed a race horse? A: Fast food!!

Arion Animal of the Month

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Name - Jimmy - Rainbow Lorekeet x Scaly Lorekeet Age - 5 Years Favourite Food - Apples Fun Fact - Loves to hang out with the Guinea Pigs! 38 EQUINE ONLINE

next month

We begin our Thouroughbred Life After Racing Section! Keep an eye out for another product review from Naturally Equine to help your horse become a healthier, happier horse. We have more from our foaling midwife. Our monthly columns will be backto inspire you in every way! Stay tuned for Courtneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diary as she begins lessons with a top instructor. Keep an eye out for our next Arion Animal of the Month! Marie Palzer will be back sharing her adventures with us. AND keep an eye out for some exciting giveaway competitions! We will give you an insight into the life of our Owne/Editor Hayley Clarke including a run down on her family and where her love for horses began!

Want to feature in Equine Online? Look out for the Facebook prompt or send us your photos to hayley@equineonline.co.nz for your chance to be our

PHOTO OF THE MONTH!

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