Equine online October/November issue by Equine Online NZ

Equine Online

October/November 2017

MASSIVE EQUIDAYS AND EQUITANA PHOTO SPREAD INSIDE!!

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INTRODUCING

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EDITOR Hayley Clarke

From the Editor

CONTRIBUTORS Courtney Clarke Ashleigh Davis Hayley Clarke NZ Harness Media Virginia Caro Grace Gray Ashleigh Sanderson

COVER IMAGE Equine Online Maddie Collins Fundraiser Show - Lucinda Murray-Willow

The sun is finally shinning and days are

lot of photos to share with you in this

getting so much warmer which makes

issue from both Equidays and Equitana.

for perfect riding weather! Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been back

We are also on the look out for some

on Ben who seems to be loving being

more contributors here at Equine Online

ridden and my Mum has begun breaking

- plenty of benefits for writing for us so if

her Standardbred in, a horse that we

you are interested flick us an email. Email

use to race. He is loving it too! Our race

address is to the left.

horses have been in work for a while

Anyway enjoy the warm weather team

now and have been back at the workouts

and we will catch up again one last time

getting ready for their coast trip. Equine

before xmas in our small xmas edition

Online headed to Equidays Chch edition

coming to you on December 23!

in October and we had a great time. There is definitely potential for it to grow down in Christchurch we just need the

x y e l ay

support from stall holders and the public to make it even bigger and better! This month we also headed to Equitana in Auckland and the team were very

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excited about that one! We have a whole

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in this issue? 9

Bay of Plenty Horse Trials

Giveaway competition

Our foaling midwife is back!

Meet McCahon - the wee Standardbred

Check out our massive photo spread from Equidays Chch and Equitana Auckland

EQUINE ONLINE 5

news

Interdominion final line up By- NZ HARNESS NEWS Kiwi champion Lazarus has drawn to be prominent from the outset in Friday night’s A$1.1 Million Inter Dominion Grand Final at Gloucester Park in Perth. The Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained pacer has drawn gate two in what is promising to be one of the mostly keenly-anticipated Grand Circuit races in many years. His arch-rival from the previous month’s racing, Tiger Tara, has drawn the coveted ace barrier, meaning he will have the inside running to lead over the 2936-metre journey. Local star Chicago Bull, who possesses an incredible late sprint, has drawn the only marble on the second row, and will follow Tiger Tara off the arm.

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Given Tiger Tara’s speed and incredible staying prowess, Chicago Bull could be deemed the big winner from the draws.

Tiger Tara

2. Lazarus

Soho Tribeca, who downed Lazarus on night 1 and was brilliant again winning at

Vultan Tin

Bunbury on night 2, has drawn barrier 4.

Soho Tribeca

Galactic Star

Lennytheshark, the 2015 champion, who was beaten as a $1.30 favourite at Bunbury and ran on for third on Friday night, has drawn gate six. It’s an awkward draw for one of the preseries favourites and one made all the worse by his four main dangers drawing inside him. New Zealand’s other runner in the final,

6. Lennytheshark 7.

San Carlo

8. Shandale 9.

Have Faith In Me

Have Faith In Me, has drawn the outside

(--second row--)

of the front line.

10.

Chicago Bull

Check out this FACEBOOK page for the inspiring journey of a girl who wants to become a Para-olympian.

ONE GIRL, ONE PONY, 101 DREAMS https://www.facebook.com/onegirlonepony/

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Media Release Tuesday 7th November 2017

New form guide to be released

Harness Racing New Zealand will be releasing a new form guide extending on the current TrotTech brand. TrotTech Tips will be released for the first time on Monday 13th November in the HRNZ Cup Day Guide which will be online by 11am at www.hrnz.co.nz TrotTech Tips will again be seen in the Show Day Guide due to be published on www.hrnz.co.nz by 3pm on Thursday 16th November. Following Cup week you will see TrotTech Tips on the Harness Racing New Zealand website for every meeting in New Zealand. This will be available from 10am the morning of the race meeting. Please see below a draft copy of what TrotTech Tips will look like once placed on our website. This draft only shows two races, but gives a good indication as to what the Tips will look like. If you have any questions regarding the launch of TrotTech Tips please contact me by using the details below.

Courtney Clarke Marketing and Communications Executive courtney@hrnz.co.nz 03 964 1212 or 027 636 4355

Harness Racing New Zealand Inc

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135 Lincoln Road PO Box 459

Addington Christchurch 8140

P: +64 3 964 1200 F: +64 3 964 1205 www.hrnz.co.nz

Bay of Plenty Hore Trials

By- VIRGINIA CARO

The Bay of Plenty Horse Trials at Riverdale, Rotorua, over the weekend, attracted a huge entry of horses from throughout the North Island, plus some from the South, and provided not only great cross-country courses but ideal conditions for what was the last run for many before the Puhinui Three-day Event. Tich Massey was the FEI course designer while experienced 3* rider Campbell Draper cut his teeth on the 105cm track, and Jude Clifton, better known as Judy Hatfull, did the 95cm. Jock Paget remarked afterwards that Campbell’s course, with forward striding and good lines, was an excellent learning experience for horse and rider, showing the benefit of his extensive riding knowledge. Campbell’s piece de resistance was Barbara’s fishing fence, a tribute to the late Barbara Thomson, photographer extraordinaire, who died while fishing in Lake Taupo, her favourite pastime. The photograph does not do justice to the trout Campbell carved, lying on a slab of wood, which jumped very well, so will be seen again for sure. The Pub Charity CNC2* Plus was won comprehensively by Eventing Performance Development Coach Jock Paget, “walking the walk” on Heelan Tompkins’ Snow Leopard. The plan is to do the 3* at Puhinui, if Heelan’s nerves can stand it! Jock said, “We are not an established partnership yet, but I stepped it up a cog today and he went well.”

Jock could have his own son by then, a playmate for Heelan’s Hudson!

Express Eventing at Equitana in Auckland the day before the Rotorua event.

Amanda Pottinger led after the dressage on Just Kidding, but a showjumping rail relegated them to third overnight. Amanda was rapt, however, that ‘Ferg’ went into both waters at the first asking, to finish second, albeit 20 odd penalties behind. Brooke Campbell was third on Freddy Dash, despite a “naughty boy” dressage test, but he made amends after that.

Gemma Hampson rode a stunning round on the skewbald Pintado Prima Rosa, the only one inside the time, improving from thirteenth after the dressage to complete on their dressage score in third place. Gemma is very tall, so she makes Prima Rosa look like a pinto pony, but they scooted round that undulating track, foot perfect, with her little legs going nineteen to the dozen.

Madison Crowe was second on Waitangi Pinterest after the dressage and took the lead with a clear showjumping round, but an uncharacteristic refusal on crosscountry was a hiccup in the consistently successful partnership Maddy has developed with this brilliant mare, hopefully not to be repeated any time soon.

Blyth Tait was the overnight leader on Xanthus III, but he blotted his copy book again with a refusal at the same fence as Pinterest, the first of a three part offset combination. However I’m sure Blyth will have him firing on all cylinders at Puhinui, which will be their third start back in New

The Dunstan CIC2* was a strong field of 34 starters, Clarke Johnstone withdrawing Kate Woods’ Wolf Whistle II at the last minute due to a stone bruise. Clarke’s former working pupil Jackson Bovill won with his big mare Visionnaire, adding just 0.4 of a time penalty across country to their third placed dressage score to regain the form that saw them named in the Oceania Young Rider team to Werribee.

won by Vicky Browne-Cole on the much

Nick Brooks completed a highly successful few days on the eye-catching For Fame, adding 2.4 cross-country time penalties to their sixth placed dressage score to finish second, having won the

Zealand. The Prestige Equestrian CIC1* was travelled Amazing Spy, ahead of Junior Rider ODE champion Kate Herdson on Eon, who finished on their tenth placed dressage score, with dressage leader Greer Caddigan on the former Campbell Draper horse Mr Mancini finishing third, having had a showjumping rail down. Jeffrey Amon on JA Take A Shot after all, as Greer is now a clear leader and several others have entered the race. Things did not go well for Jeffrey and Take A Shot at Rotorua, and they were eliminated in the showjumping.

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INTRODUCING

some exciting new sections

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the horse midwife

Five signs that your newborn foal is healthy 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

I’ll never forget my first foal that I delivered – I was sure it was stillborn. I

That’s what we’re going to cover in this post.

vocalise at this stage – whinnying (often loudly) as it figures out what’s going on.

waited sitting in the caravan for so long

Movement

It’s very common for foal’s to jerk their

watching the mares under the lights,

A healthy foal should start thrashing and

head as they look around immediately

trying to keep warm next to an oil column

moving once its chest has been pushed

after arriving. These are all positive signs

heater while simultaneously convincing

out of the mare. At this stage it’s important

that the foal is alert and healthy.

myself I did NOT need to go to the toilet

to make sure that the ‘white bag’ around

Membrane Colour

(the portaloo with no lights over the back

the foal’s face has been broken enabling

It’s important to check your foal’s vital

of the garden).

the foal to breathe. Clearing the foal’s

signs and one of the first signs you’re

nose is also recommended at this stage to

going to check in a newborn foal is the

help clear the airways.

colour of their membranes. When the lip

I was so excited when the mare finally started foaling. At that stage I didn’t know that it was

A foal that does not move when it

of a foal is folded back the membrane

normal for a foal to remain still until its

has been passed out of the mare may

under the lip and the gum of the foal

chest had been pushed out. To be honest,

require further stimulation or assistance.

should be a healthy pink colour (the

I hadn’t thought that far ahead in regards

Sometimes rubbing the foal’s chest and

eyelids should also be nice and pink).

to when the foal may or may not start

neck is enough to get it moving.

When gently pressed the gum will turn

It is likely that the foal is also not

white and then colour should return

Needless to say the foal started

breathing if it isn’t moving. If the rubbing

to the gum within 1 – 3 seconds. This

breathing just when it was supposed to

does not successfully get the foal moving

is known as the capillary refill time. A

and everything else went like clockwork.

and breathing then CPR or oxygen (if

delayed capillary refill time is potentially

available) may be required to get the foal

indicative of something being wrong

moving and breathing.

with the foal.

breathing.

Thinking about that night and my first foal recently lead me to wonder the

A foal that has had oxygen deprivation

question – how do you know if your

Response and Vocalisation

newborn foal is healthy? What should it

Your foal should be responsive to

is going to have gums in some shade of

be doing and what should you be looking

touching or rubbing almost as soon as

blue. If this is the case this is an emergency

for?

it’s born. It is also likely that the foal will

as the foal’s body is not getting enough

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EQUINE ONLINE 15

oxygen. CPR is often the only option

one and a half hours to stand but they

more detail and with more information

available at this stage, but if an oxygen

attempt to start standing very quickly.

and images etc.) we have loads of

tank is on site then tubing the foal with

All these things can give you a very clear

resources available for you!

picture on whether your foal is healthy.

Some of the exciting things on the go at

foal’s

The first three can be checked in the first

the moment – the Intro to Foaling Online

membranes are blue (or any other

few moments of a foal’s life – providing

abnormal colour) it’s important that you

for an early snapshot of health and any

call the vet straight away.

potential problems.

oxygen is the first choice. If

you

discover

that

your

Suckle Reflex

The suckle reflex and attempts to stand

Course is now LIVE and LIFETIME ACCESS can be purchased at www.onlinetraining. foaled.co.nz From the 28th November – 2nd December FoalEd will also be running a 5

Your foal should have a suckle reflex

will also appear very quickly. Remember

within the first 20 minutes or so.

– a sick foal will look sick so run with your

Newborn foals will attempt to suckle off

gut instinct – if something looks wrong

COMPLETELY FREE at www.onlinetraining.

EVERYTHING. This includes their mother’s

then it probably is. Make sure you have a

foaled.co.nz/challenge-signup

face, the placenta (if that gets in the way),

contingency plan where you can in case

Until then, happy foaling all!

their own foot, you or even the ground if

something goes wrong, and have your

The Horse Midwife

there’s nothing else around. The suckle

vet’s after hours number programmed

reflex is a very good sign of a healthy foal.

into your phone – just in case.

Standing

All the best with your foalings and

Day “Prepare Yourself for Foaling” and you can find out more and join the challenge

P.S. As always please feel free to check out our Website (www.FoalEd.co.nz) or Facebook Support Group (www.facebook.

Your foal should attempt to stand pretty

remember – if you want more information

com/groups/foaledsupportgroup),

quickly after being born. The average

on foaling, including a lot of what is

download our free Foaling Roadmap at

foal takes anywhere from 45 minutes to

contained in The Horse Midwife posts (in

www.foaled.co.nz/getfoalingroadmap

Please feel free to check out our Website (www.FoalEd.co.nz) or Facebook Support Group (www.facebook.com/groups/foaledsupportgroup), or download our free Foaling Roadmap at www.foaled.co.nz/getfoalingroadmap

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kuda guru

THE POWER OF PRECONCEPTION Text - ASHLEIGH SANDERSON

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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

was, Axl Rose (at 55 years) and Slash (at

issue we need to be aware of? Do you play

52) would not be up for much bouncing

any other sport or have an active hobby?

around in the Singapore heat. Ok, well

What are you hoping to get out of today’s

that got blown out of the water, as they

lesson? If I could wave a magic wand,

both danced, bounced, jumped, ran and

what would you love to have fixed by the

performed for 3 hours straight. As Axl

end of today?) but mainly to give the rider

came on stage, he is looking radically

and horse both time to settle into each

different to his long haired, head banded,

other, settle into the arena (especially

rock god past, but again, if you look past

if it is not home ground or somewhere

the exterior you can still see that rock god

they go often) and settle into the rhythm

in the twinkle in his eye. But the thing

of working with me, realising that I am

that struck me most from a professional

really not scary…. And, as I watched this

point of view was the keyboard players

horse and rider stroll around, it began to

Never judge a book by its cover - how

hands – with his very short, stubby

show up that maybe I had been wrong.

true is that statement? A good few times

fingers. Now, I maybe totally wrong, but

They carried themselves with a poise and

I’ve been rushing through an airport and

I think of musicians, especially pianists

balance that is not an everyday offering.

grabbed a book (judged by its cover) and

having long, elegant, narrow fingers to

And, they had a wonderful partnership,

found an hour into the flight that it really

stretch across and reach all of the notes.

visible from the get-go.

isn’t what I had imagined. So, do you

(I really stand for correction there). So, I

that as a young man, my pupil had

judge a person or a horse by its cover too?

imagine a music teacher, when he walked

played high end sport in a wide range of

Have you ever looked at someone,

in for his first lesson, standing back and

disciplines – ball sports, endurance sports

and assumed something about them?

thinking, Hmm, maybe not. And look

and very strong physical sports. He had

Preconception is common in all walks

at him now, performing with one of the

had injuries that had taken a fair amount

of life. You see someone scruffy walking

biggest selling rock bands of all time.

determination to overcome. And because

down the street and assume they are

And, doing an awesome job at it to. Is

of that inbuilt rhythm and core strength,

poor, only to find out they are actually

it a preconception that we have in our

even though from the outside he was

very wealthy but don’t see the draw of

minds? Is it something real that he had

not built for riding, he had impressive

flashing their wealth around. You see

to overcome? Or, did someone (a music

balance and strength. The first clinic, I

someone heavier and assume they are a

teacher??) say you aren’t going to make

think I taught him 5 times in a couple of

couch potato only to discover they walk,

it, which gave him the motivation to work

weeks, and the progress was astounding.

do yoga and dance. When I worked at a

harder?

And now, every time I go to where he is

Turned out

yard in Abu Dhabi, we had a huge team of

There is a gentleman who I teach, have

based, he books in more lessons with his

grooms. As I got to know these amazing

taught him on three different clinics.

lovely gelding. And, they are the lessons

grooms (I have never worked with a team

He is not young, and at first sight, a bit

I really look forward to teaching. He has

of men who were so incredibly good

overweight – nothing hectic, just not a

a quick mind, great spatial awareness,

with kids), I discovered that they were

gym bunny. He owns a young gelding

strong core, and a lovely empathy with

all highly educated men, with various

who is probably not the ideal, being a

his horse. Whenever the clinic organiser

degrees and diplomas, only working with

novice ¾ Thoroughbred who can carry

asks me if there is a particular lesson

us and the horses since earning a living in

his rider but wouldn’t be described as up

that I enjoy or would rather avoid, they

their own country is hard at the moment,

to weight. The first time they walked into

are always slightly surprised when I tell

not uneducated manual labour. Judging

my arena together I’m afraid I assumed

them that this is the one that I most look

a book by its cover is really not a good

I would be teaching a basic, slow and

forward too.

move for anyone involved.

not especially technical lesson. I always

The same principle often goes with

Recently I was lucky enough to see Guns

start my lessons, especially first lessons,

teaching children. I enjoy kid’s lessons, we

‘N Roses live in concert. My preconception

chatting to the rider, partly to learn more

get to play and explore in a much more

about them (do you have any injury or

absorbed and often more light-hearted

EQUINE ONLINE 19

manner. When a child picks something

thing that I have learned to do – a rider

feat, logically he was far too small to

up, they pay total attention to it, focusing

will walk into the arena and say something

have been able to jump those fences,

in a manner that adults (especially those

like – “my horse over flexes to the left and

but he flew over them.

used to multi-tasking) tend to have lost.

loses the right shoulder, causing him to

another horse who logically shouldn’t

This absolute absorption makes learning

drift and start a head tilt”.

have been able to do what he did, being

more fun and often faster. But, when

“Ok, I’ll reply, what does that mean?”.

I go to teach a child, I generally don’t

Sometimes they can tell me, which is

an issue, but when you pair this little

expect to be as technical and explain

great, but often they say, “umm, you

horse with his 6 foot 2 inch rider – Mark

things with as much depth. Again, this

should know? My instructor says it all

Todd, it is impressive that the pair won

is my presumption and there is the odd

the time.” Yes, I do know, but if they can’t

2 Olympic golds plus countless other

time when a young rider asks very good

tell me about it in detail, it often means

championships and events. If you saw

questions, gives great feedback or is more

they have heard the words, but don’t

such a tall rider on such a small horse, you

like a sponge ready to absorb whatever

understand the meaning behind them.

would have been forgiven for assuming

information you can make available to

Just because someone can tell you the

that the partnership couldn’t work.

them. Its always a lovely surprise when I

diagnosis, don’t assume they understand

When I was competing in juniors, the

can get more in depth with one of these

it. As Albert Einstein said – if you can’t

leading show jumper in Zimbabwe was

bright youngsters and their pony.

explain it simply, you don’t understand it

an off the track thoroughbred. He was

well enough.

bought from an end of racing clear out

Of course, sadly it can go the other

only 15.3hh – 160cm.

Charisma is

That itself is not

way – especially if the rider themselves

The same preconception can go for

sale, because the bidder felt sorry for this

have great expectations. I have had new

horses too. The world famous Stroller,

weedy little colt with terrible legs. He too,

riders walking in, asking for help with

who won Hickstead Derby and a silver

won countless derbies, championships

their canter half passes, and alas, we have

medal at the Olympics was only 14.1hh –

and medals in top level show jumping,

ended up working on being able to pick

145cm at the wither. This is an incredible

with his crooked legs, sway back and

up the correct canter lead instead. One

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ewe neck, but with the biggest heart and

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ability, nothing stopped him. You could

understand and behave. The assumption

in his mouth as he was asked to work

have been forgiven for assuming that

was that he (the horse) was insane and /

into unkind hands, that were pulling

nothing would come of this colt, had he

or naughty. So. I took off his saddle, and

backwards to keep control. A brief glance

not jumped out of his paddock the first

tested the tree, which was broken. At

at his hooves, showed 4 mismatched feet,

time that he was turned out!

some point it had been dropped, rolled

all trimmed badly to differing lengths

Horses develop muscular patterns,

on or in some other way damaged, and

and shoes that were a size too small. I

depending on how they work. If a horse

the basic frame work had snapped. When

refused to even consider riding this

has an over developed under side to his

I checked the little horse’s back in the

poor little guy, and left feeling sad and

neck, chest and body, with a weak topline

same place, there was a very sensitive

embarrassed that my fellow professionals

of muscles from the tips of his ears, along

spot, that had him lashing out at me with

didn’t consider checking these points

the top of his neck and back, we assume

flying hooves and teeth, which I really

out before they climbed aboard when

that he is normally to be found working

didn’t blame him for. He also had a very

the groom brought him out, and labelled

in an upside down, hollow frame. This is

steeply sloping ribcage, and the white

him a menace. (I recommended various

generally true, but again, don’t assume

hair under his girth area indicated that

re-hab options, but his owner decided

that this cannot be changed, with good

his girth would slip forward and pinch

that they did not want to put the time in.

riding, training, feeding and education.

this very sensitive skin. Next, his bridle

He was sold to polo, but I heard that he

The final horse who is hovering in my

came off, and a check inside his mouth

died in an accident soon after). This is, in

mind as I write this – I was asked to go

showed sharp teeth and mashed skin on

my mind, the worst type of assumption,

and consult on a horse who had been

the insides of his gums, where his teeth

as it costs horse such a massive price. If

labelled as mad, difficult and un-rideable

would have been catching the soft skin

something is going wrong, please, please,

but several trainers. I arrived at the yard,

as he ate or tried to work. He also had

step back and see if the horse is just trying

to see a very sad looking horse standing,

a low, soft roof of mouth, and the sharp

to tell you something.

saddled and ready for me to ride. The

single jointed snaffle had bruised the

So, there are some assumptions that are

owner wasn’t around, but the groom told

mid-point. To fix his open-mouthed tactic

true. But remember, sometimes, when

me that the regular instructor had ridden

during his rides, they had added a tight

you hear hooves, it isn’t always horses,

the horse for the past couple of days,

flash noseband to keep his jaws strapped

sometimes it really is giraffes!

beating it quite severely, trying to make it

closed – I cannot bear to imagine the pain

Happy riding!

Photo captions IMAGE 1 - On an island like Gili Trawangan, its easy to assume that all of the ponies will live in squalor - this pony shows some have pretty good conditions. IMAGE 2 - It would be easy to assume this horrendous leg injury wouldn’t heal, in fact, many vets said it was pointless to try, but its well on its way to healing! IMAGE 3 -Don’t assume that hooves are always horses, they can be giraffe!

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breed profile

BREED PROFILE RESEARCH - GRACE GRAY

This month we take a look at Icelandic horses and just how amazing they really are. The tölt, which will be described below, is often the thing most people will comment on when asked what they know about this breed. However there are so many more interesting facts and history on these horses that researching them was so much fun, and it’s totally worth reading below to find out more! It is known that they were brought from Norway to Iceland in the late 9th to early 10th century by the early settlers and were used for working fields and for transport for many years. Whilst in Iceland they were subject to harsh weather conditions and terrain, hence natural selection favoured the strong versatile individuals, many of which had shaggy coats. Today these horses have a large range of common coat colours and have an average height of 14hh. Selective breeding, which selects for desirable phenotypes, has meant that over the years the breed has become a slightly lighter build compared to when they first originated but this doesn’t affect anything majorly about the breeds capabilities. The most awesome characteristic about the Icelandic horse is their tölt! The tölt is a four beat gait in which the horse always has at least one foot on the ground. Riders have said to have found it incredibly smooth, even at fast speeds. Another unusual gait these horses have is the skeið, also known as the ‘Flying gait’. This two beat gait, although usually only undergone for short distances, is similar to the speed of a horse galloping. The Icelandic horse is used for a variety of activities today, with trekking being one of the most popular. These horses are super cute and hardy and a definitely one of my (and hopefully yours) new favourite breeds!

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feauture

WHO SAID STANDARDBRED’S CAN’T... WORDS - HAYLEY CLARKE

McCahon the Standardbred tackled

there for sure.

lots of different things (except dressage…

racing before being retired to the perfect

The gelding by Artiscape out of T K Swift

but maybe that’s me!) He just seems to

family – The Zydenbos family. Son Luke

had just four starts as a race horse for one

take everything in his stride. He does

and Mum Sue have the best time on

win for trainer Kirk Larsen.

love to go fast and race other horses but

their wee 14-year-old Standardbred and wouldn’t trade him for any other horse. McCahon caught our eye at Equidays

But his retired life has been a real thrill

I accept that is who he is and work with

getting to try his hoof at anything and

that… sometimes I make him go at the

everything.

back so that he learns that not every time

Christchurch when he was competing in

The Zydenbos family have had him for

the pony club games. He was the little

we go out there has to be a race!”

nearly ten years now and have found

Sue and son Luke take a lot of pride in

horse giving it his all and absolutely

him to be a real character. They didn’t

having their Standardbred out and about

loving it. Luke was riding him that day

go looking for a Standardbred, it just

and competing in the pony club games.

and the pair got on very well. His little

happened but Sue exclaims, “he was just

legs going 100 miles an hour, being use

the right horse for me!”

to racing helped his competitiveness out

“He is really flexible and enjoys doing

“Lots of people comment about how great it is to see a Standardbred doing things like this,” Sue says.

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McCahon has had a go at just about

deal with on the ground (feet, loading

the Standardbred’s life after racing be

everything including show jumping, cross

in trucks, etc), he is strong and fast. He is

promoted even more.

Country, hunting, endurance, Cowboy

quick to learn things and you can take him

Challenge, Mounted Games and even

out of the paddock after a month of not

racing around in the snow towing a sled

being ridden and he will willingly do what

behind him.

you ask him to. McCahon is just great to

He has many strengths too and is so cruisy he can have beginners riding him too.

have around our family as pretty much anyone can ride him – even beginners.” Sue has watched the races a few

“I think it is great to promote examples of how versatile Standardbreds can be – they really can take on anything.” So next time you’re out and about, what ever the event may be, look out for the little Standardbred, McCahon – he will

“He is so sensible, he’s happy to try most

times and has a bit of an interest in

be the one giving it his all and not being

things and really loves to jump, easy to

them but mostly she would love to see

afraid to try anything!

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INTRODUCING

some exciting new sections

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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

Wow! A lot has happened in the past month or two! Gordy has been sold to a lovely new home and is going great under saddle, Poppy has a new paddock mate named Elsa, we have been to 2 A&P’s doing Inhand and we are preparing for our first ridden show this season! But what I really want to talk about is my ride today! Today I had the best ride I think I have ever had on Poppy. I was confidently trotting around and she was really trying hard to work for me in circles. I was mostly proud that I rode in the grass arena again – you see a couple of weeks ago I rode in the grass arena for the first time. Poppy decided she might have a go at getting rid of me – not once, but three times! We experienced a degree of spinning, some little rears, an attempt at a buck and some jumping off all fours! For someone like me this was terrifying but for the first time in probably my life I didn’t actually get off. If that had happened a year ago I wouldn’t be riding Poppy today. After the third attempt to get rid of me, I did jump off but only so Mum could lunge her so I could get back on, and that I did and I even trotted around after all that! The next ride we had similar problems but not to the same extent and although I lost my stirrups everytime I didn’t fall off. I think knowing that I could sit to a fright (and more) actually helped my confidence and made me believe that I could do it.

I had ridden Poppy twice after those incidents and she had been fine but we hadn’t been back in the grass arena until today. I was very worried especially about that far corner that had been the place where she had been naughtiest previously. But she was great and I remembered to breathe and relax. I didn’t quite master trotting down in that corner but got close to it and next time I am going to nail it! My first ridden show is next weekend and I am actually so excited! That feeling is unfamiliar for me as usually nerves over

take any excitement but I am actually excited and cant wait! I am soo much more confident after getting my lessons and im excited to take that with me into the ring. Anyway that’s about it for this month, we have been out to two A&Ps this season for Inhand and have done super and received ribbons in all the classes which is fantastic for our first season of A&Ps! Her behaviour in the ring has been amazing and she is an absolute pleasure to take out. We also won Reserve Champion at a show in October and we are off to Prems on Friday so wish us luck! Until next time…

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check it out

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monthly madness FT

EO M E M

ON M E H

TIP TIME Use a nail brush to get rid of any dirt on the hooves before oiling for a show!

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha JOKES UP!

Q: What do race horses eat? A: Fast food

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha PHOTO OF THE MONTH

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next month Our xmas edition will see a smaller sized magazie perfect for your holiday reading! We will have...

Grace Gray back with another Fact File.

Our Kuda Guru will have adventures to share with us!

more exciting

Ashleigh will be back with more foaling info perfect for foal season!

We will have more up to date news from around the country.

AND keep an eye out for our xmas photo competition! Christmas is coming! Keep an eye out for our exciting Christmas giveaway!

Want your pony club to feature in Equine Online? Send us your details and we will be in touch with details on our exciting new section!

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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