HQ Magazine Issue 156B

DIGITAL ISSUE 156B | 2021

SOUTH AFRICA’S PREMIER EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

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Hello and welcome to our October edition of HQ Digital!

With summer palpably in the air, the South African Derby getting underway and our print edition on the shelf, there’s lots to get excited about in the equestrian world this month.

There’s tonnes of great content in this issue, and we hope you enjoy browsing. From Jade Walsh (nee Hooke) giving us the low-down on not only the South African Derby but also the Hickstead and Hamburg variants; to a review of bit fit and the importance of anatomy; to an in-depth look at sweet itch; to an explanation of why movement really is medicine, we feel there is something for everyone here!

As always, if you would like us to provide specific content on a particular topic, please don’t hesitate to pop us an email at lizzie@hqmagazine.co.za Until next time – happy horsing!

With much love,

Lizzie and xxx the HQ team Dr Lizzie Harrison | Editor

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Designer: Mauray Wolff

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DIGITAL ISSUE 156B | 2021

IN THIS ISSUE 06 Rendement

The most decorated stallion

68 The snaffle

The many and various types

16 The Proof is in the Pudding

Callaho’s ‘Top Trumps’ – Playing the winning hand

72 How to help your horse overcome

their fear of clippers

In three easy steps

28 Jade Walsh (Hooke)

A Derby Master 34 Get gymming

Gymnastic training for your horse 40 Snakes and Ladders

Poles on a serpentine

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76 The long and short of it

Is your horse due for a trim?

80 Anatomy Part 2

The skeletal system 86 Itchy scratchy

There’s nothing sweet about sweet itch

50 Optimising your Psychological Performance

Part 1

92 Movement is medicine

56 Playtime

Why it’s important to play with your horse

96 AskHQ

60 Fitting the bit

Taking anatomy into account

108 Products we love

64 Finding their frame

Why it’s worth the wait

112 Pridey’s Piece

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VIEW OUR 2021 COLLECTION | www.capitalstud.com TRY OUTS | 4 October -10 November | BOOK NOW | auction@capitalstud.com

Rendement is the most decorated stallion standing on South African soil

Rendement, who previously competed with Johan Lotter, has a remarkable competition record of his own. Having competed at the 1.60m level overseas, attending the World Equestrian Games with Johan in 2010, where South Africa finished in 19th place.

Rendement is a proven talent and we have been very excited to bring him into our breeding programme.

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By Burggraaf and out of a Zeus mare Rendement has all the scope in the world, with unrivalled carefulness.

He breeds for size and rideability, and his offspring are all proving extremely agile and careful.

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NEWS

This is the first year that Rendement offspring have become available on the auction, and the Capital Stud Team could not be more excited to see the inevitable showjumping shake-up resulting from the arrival of these 7 show stoppers: Capital Renegade, Capital Rolex, Capital Rohan, Capital Rouge, Capital Rembrance, Capital Rufina and Capital Raelynn. It doesn’t matter which of his progeny you chose, you won’t be disappointed.

BURGGRAAF

GIPSY

LANDGRAF I

LADYKILLER XX WARTHBURG ADLERFLUT

LOANDA

COR DE LA BRYERE URBINE

ZEUS MERRIMENT

ARLEQUINN X URIELLE

HURRICANE CARONA

This horse was supposed to be my schoolmaster for the big classes and to really launch my career.

However, whilst at the stables, I spotted the horse of my childhood dreams. From growing up, I had dreamt of owning a big chestnut stallion.

JOHAN LOTTER’S STORY “My story with Rendement begins after we retired my horse Forest Marshall in 2003 at the Constantia World Cup Qualifier. Forest’s owner and my sponsor, Lynn Rowand, and I were having lunch to celebrate, and she asked me if I wanted to go to Europe to look for a horse. I naturally leapt at the opportunity and went over to Europe, where I found the chestnut gelding Opportunity. We brought him back to South Africa, and devastatingly he died in quarantine.

Once we had all recovered from the sadness this caused, Lynn asked if I wanted to go back to find another horse to start my career. We went to David McPherson’s yard in England where I was to try a 1.40m horse.

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In fact, since I was small and had heard the old Afrikaans song, “Ek het perd H’n blink vos perd Met n splinter nuwe saal”, I knew I one day wanted to own my very own chestnut stallion with a shiny coat. In England that day, I saw the horse from the song. He was an enormous chestnut stallion, six years old and jumping just 1.10m. The yard owner allowed me to ride him for the week I was there to try the other horse, and it was love at first sight. I told Lynn – “This is the horse”. She was unsure, as the aim of the trip had been to buy a much more produced horse and with me having no other horses in SA to compete on, she was concerned that a youngster would set my progress back another few years. And yet, being the wonderful person she is, she allowed me to make the choice, and I chose the chestnut stallion – Rendement.”

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“In April 2007, after quarantine, Rendement arrived in Belgium. We stabled at the yard of a top sports’ vet, as a temporary introduction to the scene in Europe. The sports’ vet ultimately introduced me to Eric van der Vleuten, the well-known European rider with multiple accolades to his name, and I was able to move to his yard to begin training with him. Unfortunately, Rendement sustained a tendon injury during this time, which set our progress back somewhat, and we missed our first seasons there. However, in 2008, we competed in our first outdoor European season. It was a very daunting experience. Not only were the jumps huge, but I was the groom and rider, and the whole experience put me on a steep learning curve. Then in 2009, we did our first indoor season in the winter.

This was one of the most challenging times for me as a rider. Rendement is a big horse, and despite his elasticity, we struggled in the tiny indoor arenas of the time. I became entirely disillusioned. Yet, I persisted, and our next outdoor season was when things really started going right. We came 8th in the Derby at Eindhoven, winning 2200 Euros – the most prize money I’ve ever been awarded, and then in 2010 at a show in Linz in June, we finally qualified for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in October. After this show in Austria, Lynn was offered big money for Rendement. I would absolutely have understood had she taken it, but being the kind of person she is, she turned around and said to me that we’d worked too hard, for too long to not go to the Games. And so, it was decided – we were going to the Games.”

“Upon returning to South Africa with Rendement, we started to rise up the grades. We jumped our first ever World Cup Qualifier at the Royal Show in Natal in the Winter of 2006. After this class, Lynn and I had lunch, and she asked me if I would like to try and take Rendement to the World Equestrian Games. As that had been my dream from the outset of my career, I said yes.

That afternoon Lynn sat down with the late Jimmy Dewar and made the necessary arrangements.”

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“Everyone asks me if I was nervous when I was at the Games, and I always have to say that I, of course, was. The jumps were enormous. There wasn’t a jump smaller than 1.60m. Many of the verticals topped 1.70m. The water was 4.40m wide. The wall was 1.64m tall, and the back rail of the triple bar was 1.80m high, with a spread of 2m. I literally remember standing in the middle of some of the oxers and being unable at full arm span to touch both fences simultaneously.

Having said this, in a strange way, I also wasn’t in any way nervous. I knew that Rendement would jump whatever I brought him into. It didn’t have to be the perfect approach. In fact, it could be the wrong approach, and he would still do everything he could to clear it for me. He was as brave as a lion and just had the ability and scope to clear every jump. On top of it all he had the most unbelievable temperament – just kind and laid-back and so willing.”

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“The biggest problem with Rendement was unfortunately the tendon injury he sustained early on in Europe. This meant that I couldn’t jump him too frequently or too big. In fact, Tony Lewis set me up with Jerry Mullins overseas, who came to a couple of shows with me to assist. I asked him for a debrief regarding my jumping after one show, and he said “Just keep the horse sound”. I said, “But what about my jumping? What do I need to change?” And he said, “Nothing. The horse can jump. You can ride.

Just keep him sound.” I’ve always believed that good showjumpers need to jump plenty of jumps and that you need to jump the horse you will be riding to get your eye in. This was not possible with Rendement, so our training had to be a little different. This was, of course, a limitation, but we made it work. In fact, I used to lay cavalettis out like big courses and try and imagine each of the fences was big. I’d ride at the pace that I would need to if the fences were huge and I just made the best of it.”

“I think what is key is that you can’t train temperament, and Rendement’s temperament is unmatched. Similarly, you can’t train hind-end action, and he and his offspring have the neatest back legs around. And then the elasticity that he has through his body, which allowed him to always make a plan, is a remarkable quality found in his babies. All in all, I’m delighted he is finally fulfilling his purpose as a breeding stallion and am excited about the future for Capital Stud with Rendement on board.”

“Our first round at WEG in Kentucky was not great.

We flew in the week before, and I hadn’t jumped him.

I couldn’t quite get my eye right and ended up circling before the big rustic. I think in that first round, we had one down. Over the course of the three rounds, we got better and better. In our final round, we finished with a clear. Our overall results for the show placed me 73rd.

It was an incredible experience.”

investment, and I can

“The period after the Games was, to be honest, an anti-climax. We had an offer made for Rendement, but then we decided to bring him back to SA. Unfortunately, he colicked – for the very first time in his life – in quarantine in SA, and we rushed him to Onderstepoort, where he had surgery. After this, he never fully came back to top performance levels. In fact, I let my daughter Jenna who was seven at the time, ride him. She was this tiny little person on an enormous horse, but he was so sweet with her, and they happily went around together. Shortly after all of this I was at a show in Shongweni when Henning Pretorius approached Lynn and me to discuss what was happening with Rendement. Henning had originally offered to buy the horse when he first arrived in SA all those years ago, so somehow the horse ending up as a breeding stallion at Summerhill Equestrian with Henning seems so appropriate.”

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Rendement – the word – refers to the return you receive on your honestly say that this horse was the best return on any investment you could ask for. Brave as

a lion with the most unbelievable physicality and temperament – I couldn’t have hoped for more.

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In hindsight I am so happy that Rendement came back to SA and that Henning Pretorius bought him. To be able to have progeny of his calibre in our own back yard is incredibly beneficial to the future of breeding showjumpers on home turf. No fence was too

big or too much for him… - Lynn Rowand

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RENDEMENT’S OFFSPRING IN THE

2021 CAPITAL STUD COLLECTION

CAPITAL RENEGADE Rendement x Capital A Star x Royal Bravour

Renegade demonstrates elasticity and beautiful use of his body over the jump.

CLICK HERE to view videos of Renegade

The spitting image of Rendement, Capital Renegade carries not only his father’s looks but also his talent and temperament. With elasticity and beautiful use of his body over the jump Renegade has every ingredient needed to reach the very top of the showjumping sport.

CAPITAL ROLEX Rendement x Optimum Van De Wellington x Landjunker I

Capital Rolex is an incredible amateur horse.

He’s absolutely top quality, very rideable and has an impressive jump with great use of his back. He’s intelligent, never misses a distance and reads the fences himself.

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CAPITAL ROHAN Rendement x Capital Capriccio x Pavarotti Van De Helle

Capital Rohan is as uncomplicated as they come.

CLICK HERE to view videos of Rohan

He’s honest, friendly, endlessly willing, confident and brave, and to top it all off has wonderful jumping technique, and expressive movement. A true allrounder, but with a predisposition for showjumping, he’ll be your best friend as you soar up the grades.

CAPITAL ROUGE Rendement x Capital Ulior Van Het Wuitenshof x Filou Des Mesnils

Rouge is a very easy ride with a great mind.

He’s brave and confident with excellent technique and top scope. He has real potential to take either an amateur or a professional to the top.

CLICK HERE to view videos of Rouge

CAPITAL REMBRANCE Rendement x Pavarotti Van De Helle x Concerto Ii

This is the ultimate amateur horse with a big jump and stride.

With his kindness, easy rideability and laid-back attitude, he’ll make every owner extremely happy.

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CLICK HERE to view videos of Rembrance

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CAPITAL RUFINA Rendement x Guidam x Zeus

Capital Rufina has the profile of the ultimate modern sporthorse.

CLICK HERE to view videos of Rufina

CAPITAL RAELYNN

She lives up to all the qualities instilled in her through her damline, whilst also possessing the tremendous mentality of her father Rendement. She has a lot of blood but is a straight-forward ride.

Further, she is superbly athletic with excellent use of body allowing her to bounce off the ground in front of the fence. This is a Grand Prix prospect.

Rendement x Concorde Van De Helle x Sheyenne De Baugy

This is your winner.

Capital Raelynn is a top-quality mare with a balanced and uphill, light-footed canter. With the right rider, she will thrive at the pinnacle of the sport. She’s alert, careful, responsive and, most importantly, loves to jump. Described by the team as ‘willing to jump anything’, this athlete needs a sensitive rider to travel with her up the grades.

CLICK HERE to view videos of Raelynn

CAPITAL STUD HYBRID AUCTION With the Capital Stud 2021 Hybrid Auction fast approaching on the 20th of November 2021, the Team are very excited to be introducing these seven Rendement offspring along with 24 other top sport horses. Contact the stud on auction@capitalstud.com if you would like any more information on the exceptional 2021 Capital Stud Collection.

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FOCUS

DID YOU KNOW? There are over 600 horse breeds in the world today.

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COUNTRY & EQUESTRIAN ESTATES

BEAULIEU Comprehensive Equestrian Property. Modern Architect Design. Four bedroom residence in a landscaped garden setting. Cottage.

Two Apartments. Stables, Jumping Arena & Horse Walker. Extensive equestrian facilities. Land size 12 751m² R8.5million

Beaulieu

BEAULIEU An Elegant Architect Designed Family Residence. Clean lines and spacious proportions are a distinctive feature of this light and bright north-facing residence. Four bedrooms all situated on the first floor. Land size 11 305m² R7.9million

BEAULIEU Immaculate Family residence and Equestrian facilities. Fantastic entertainment areas overlooking the established and treed gardens. Four bedroom residence plus a neat stable complex offering three stables. Land size 10 266m² R6.7million

NEWS

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING CALLAHO’S ‘TOP TRUMPS’ - PLAYING THE WINNING HAND

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t gives HQ Magazine great pleasure to introduce you to a small selection of the Callaho Summer Collection Auction superstars. With the auction just around the corner, we thought we’d have a bit of fun and set up our HQ selection into a batch of ‘Top Trumps’ for your perusal.

The entire Summer Collection from Callaho really looks set to take the South African sport scene by storm, and we were spoilt for choice when selecting our Callaho ‘Top Trumps’. With Callaho only breeding from the top international performance proven damlines, who are either directly related to or have produced top level sporting athletes, we knew that whoever we selected would not only impress in their own right, but would be giving us a whole host of family

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members to reflect the performance of these lines internationally. All in all, it’s fair to say that we have a winning deck in front of us.

Courtesy of Callaho the South African representations of these branches and lines are catching up on their international counterparts.

The ‘Breeding Magic’ adage has never seemed so apt, and we’re sure you’ll agree when browsing our cards that the ‘Proof is in the pudding’. Enjoy!

FINAL THOUGHTS Bidding on The Callaho Warmblood Sport Horse Auction 2021 | Summer Collection runs from the 12th to the 16th of October. With 23 sporthorses on offer, it’s time to choose your trump card.

HQ will see you there!

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PEDIGREE: Chiletto x Clinton x Quidam de Revel

SUGGESTED UTILITY

Sex: Gelding Colour: Grey

Jumping

OVERVIEW There's no need to doubt Callaho's selection of this gelding to introduce their Summer Auction. Chilton certainly has the requisite pedigree to confirm Callaho's confidence in his patent ability to perform as top contender in virtually any discipline. A modern, beautifully proportioned, hyper-agile athlete, he also jumps with particular care and displays plentiful scope. This gelding is a joy to ride, unwavering in his duty and ready to support anyone wanting a proper jumper to partner them to the BIG classes.

(out of

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Eventing Showing Dressage

RIDER COMPATIBILITY Novice Competent Skilled Professional

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Height: 165cm | 16.1hh DOB: 25/02/2017

FROM THIS DAMLINE Callaho Conchetta (Con Coriano mare) SJ 1.20m with Lara Neill Callaho Consigo (Con Coriano gelding) SJ 1.20m with Oscar Ncube Callaho Lansink (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.35m with Zandi Alcock Callaho's Piquette (Pilot mare) SJ 1.50m with Leopold van Asten Perina 17 (Pit I mare) SJ 1.60m

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PEDIGREE: Con Coriano x Lissabon x Raphael

SUGGESTED UTILITY

Sex: Gelding Colour: Bay

Jumping

OVERVIEW This combination is a fail-safe breeding recipe for Big-Time jumpers.

A specialized showjumper who's pedigree is firmly rooted in Callaho's foundation mare Ravella, this large, stately gelding has many very close relatives excelling in our SA open classes as well as the big 1.60 Grand Prix in Europe. Even though he is cool under pressure and has no end to his scope.

(out of

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Eventing Showing Dressage

RIDER COMPATIBILITY Novice Competent Skilled Professional

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Height: 170cm | 16.3hh DOB: 15/2/2017

FROM THIS DAMLINE Callaho Conny Vella (Con Coriano mare) SJ 1.35m with Jonathan Clarke Callaho Fiorella (For Joy mare) SJ 1.50m with Jeanne Körber Callaho Lexington (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.50m with Jeanne Körber Dumbledore 27 (Drosselklang II gelding) SJ 1.60m with Martin Haunhorst Gladice II (Graf Top mare) SJ 1.50m with Erik Bigler Le Llban (Libero H gelding) SJ 1.50m with Oliver Ross Saquyla (Imequyl mare) SJ 1.50m with Pieranna Bramafarina Sinclaire 5 (Singular Joter gelding) SH 1.60m withTakashi Usunomiya

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PEDIGREE: Carnaval La Silla x Con Coriano x Landadel

SUGGESTED UTILITY

Sex: Gelding Colour: Bay

Jumping

OVERVIEW Take a good, hard look at the multitude of top-level showjumpers to emerge from Carrera's immediate dam-line to prime your expectations... Note who the dam and damsire are and if you're still unsure, look up their performance record. One more step; go full circle and observe the horse himself. Carrera's extreme care, paired to his bold and resolute disposition towards his work confirms he is every bit the athlete one could possibly expect from this pairing.

(out of

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Eventing Showing Dressage

RIDER COMPATIBILITY Novice Competent Skilled Professional

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Height: 164cm | 16.1hh DOB: 6/11/2016

FROM THIS DAMLINE Albatros (Accord II stallion) SJ 1.60m with Alexandria Smith Callaho Fontainebleau (Fortinbras gelding) SJ 1.40m with Courtney Webber Callaho Vivaldi (Valentino gelding) SJ 1.35m with Graham Winn Cantunaro (Canturano I gelding) SJ 1.60m with Christoph Bruse Claire (Chasseur I mare) SJ 1.60m with Wim Schroder Liza Minelli (Fortinbras mare) SJ 1.60m with Yves Houtackers Maja H (Contendro I mare) SJ 1.60m with Lars Volmer Quidam's Cherie (Quidam's Rubin mare) SJ 1.60m with Cian O'Connor Quinnus II (Quidam's Rubin stallion) SJ 1.60m with Denis Nielsen Santana (Sandro Hit gelding) DR Grand Prix. with Liane Wachtmeister

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PEDIGREE: Larison x For Joy x Almé Z

SUGGESTED UTILITY

Sex: Gelding Colour: Bay

Jumping

OVERVIEW Behold the proverbial passing of the baton from Callaho's magnificent foundation sire, Lissabon, to the next phase of Callaho's breeding catena.

With the evidence of Larison's extraordinary prowess as a progenitor, it is just a matter of time before his offspring emerge into the spotlight. From one of Callaho's most precious dam-lines, Laruno fully embodies Callaho's vision for the future. A beautifully modern type, he is a supremely careful and powerful jumper, leaving no doubt as to his potential.

(out of

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Eventing Showing Dressage

RIDER COMPATIBILITY Novice Competent Skilled Professional

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Height: 170cm | 16.3hh DOB: 2/11/2016

FROM THIS DAMLINE Callaho Con Alma (Con Coriano mare) SJ 1.30m with Tamar Gliksman Callaho Laios (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.40m with Alexandra Ric-Hansen Callaho Laruna Graefin (Larison mare) Callaho Renoir (Raphael gelding) SJ 1.40m with Kevin Wessels Chester (Corrado I stallion) SJ 1.50m Cobra (Carthago Z stallion) SJ 1.50m with Peter Geerink Esprit (Lambada mare) SJ 1.45m Vanessa Borgmann Eurocommerce Napels (Carthago Z stallion) SJ 1.60m with Gerco Schröder Fanta Lime (Cantos mare) SJ 1.45m with James Paterson Robinson Iken vd Weretherbach (Cicero Z gelding) SJ 1.60m Primitivo Zorrilla

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PEDIGREE: Larison x Ramiro Z x Libero H

SUGGESTED UTILITY

Sex: Gelding Colour: Bay

Jumping

OVERVIEW Of the scores of offspring who have emerged from this Callaho dam-line, it is noteworthy that so many are not just lovely jumpers but top class sport horses. With Larison as sire, the trend continues. His undoubted talent is already starting to reveal itself and with the passage of time and together with structured production by a competent partner to ensure his strength is built correctly, this horse will not disappoint.

(out of

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Eventing Showing Dressage

RIDER COMPATIBILITY Novice Competent Skilled Professional

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Height: 173cm | 17.0hh DOB: 20/10/2016

FROM THIS DAMLINE Al Capone (Namelus R gelding) SJ 1.45m with Lorenzo Cappelletti Callaho Faith (For Joy mare) SJ 1.35m with Thomas Triggol Callaho Lisa Belle (Lissabon mare) SJ 1.30m with Cayleigh Triggol Callaho Lorenzo (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.45m with Charley Crockart Conpierre (Con Air 7 gelding) IEV5* with Sarah Bulliimore Poker 49 (Pilot stallion) SJ 1.60m with Otto Becker Power Lady (Power mare) SJ 1.60m with Otto Becker Riamo (Raphael stallion) SJ 1.60m with Franke Sloothaak Versace (Hors la Loi II gelding) SJ 1.45m with Jeroen Dubbeldam Vibrance (Burggraaf gelding) SJ 1.60m with Liz Ashton

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PEDIGREE: Kannan x Landor S x Compliment

SUGGESTED UTILITY

Sex: Mare Colour: Bay

Jumping

OVERVIEW Kannan, Kalinka's father, is the GFE flagbearer and former WBFSH rankings No. 1. To have a sire of this stature produce a daughter directly out of Loni, uterine sister to 1.60m International Showjumping contender, Quite Cool, is to be celebrated. Kalinka is a powerful mare with abundant quality, patently reflected in her perfect score for rideability. She however, needs time, patience and slow consolidation of her enormous strength, before she is able to reveal the huge, latent jumping potential indisputably embedded in her genetics.

(out of

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Eventing Showing Dressage

RIDER COMPATIBILITY Novice Competent Skilled Professional

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Height: 170cm | 16.2 ½hh DOB: 13/2/2017

FROM THIS DAMLINE Amore 4 (Quidam's Rubin mare) SJ 1.50m with Monika Niederländer Argelith Prieure (Perigueux gelding) SJ 1.60m with Eva Bitter Callaho Casselona (Casparon mare) SJ 1.20m with Kaitlyn Pike Callaho Callaho Connor (Con Coriano gelding) SJ 1.20m with Tanya Strauss Callaho Contador (Con Coriano gelding) SJ 1.30m with Brendan McNevin Callaho's Loni (Landor S mare) SJ 1.30m with Ray Körber Casablanca (Conlander mare) SJ 1.40m with Jörg Möller Clinton's Girl (Clinton II mare) SJ 1.40m with Yann Lupp Enzo (Silvio I gelding) SJ 1.60m with Kelley Robinson Quite Cool 4 (Quite Capitol gelding) SJ 1.60m with Angelos Touloupis

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PEDIGREE: Herald III x Baloubet du Rouet x Contendro I

SUGGESTED UTILITY

Sex: Mare Colour: Bay

Jumping

OVERVIEW Hera hails from one of the most valuable dam-lines in Callaho's repertoire, that of April Love ZH. With older Lissabon brother, Luc du Ayenne under Carl Boonzaaier in the 1.35m classes starting to turn heads, the addition of this lovely mare to the Callaho branch can only further burnish the lustre of this world-renowned bloodline. An uncomplicated athlete who exhibits her lineage's trademark jumping style and tight technique, she has a willing disposition and is always up for whatever the challenge.

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Eventing Showing Dressage

RIDER COMPATIBILITY Novice Competent Skilled Professional

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Height: 165cm | 16.1hh DOB: 13/2/2017

FROM THIS DAMLINE Absalom Z (Aldin Z stallion) SJ 1.60m with Michael Whittaker All Star 5 (Argentinus stallion) SJ 1.60m with Dennis Lynch Caballero 87 (Condor M stallion) DR Grand Prix with Yasushi Shimizu Callaho Con Cayenne (Con Coriano mare) SJ 1.20m with Kyle Venter Callaho Luc du Ayenne (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.35m with Carl Boonzaaier Charleen 39 (Chacco Blue mare) SJ 1.60m with Paul O'Shea Callaho Libertine Love (Lissabon mare) SJ 1.30m with Chatan Hendriks PSG Petit Prince (Acobat II gelding) SJ 1.60m with Stefan Eder Rinnetou (Ramiro Z mare) SH 1.60m with Piet Raijmakers Zalza (Zeus stallion) SJ 1.60m with Nick Skelton

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PEDIGREE: Lissabon x Stolzenberg x Escudo I

SUGGESTED UTILITY

Sex: Gelding Colour: Dark Bay

Jumping

OVERVIEW A tall, flashy but refined gentleman with impeccable manners, Lebanon absolutely defines modern Warmblood breeding. With his soft eye and endearing personality, he is furthermore endowed with lovely, masterclass paces and a balanced canter that feels like a dream. This is a sport horse par supreme and no prizes for guessing what he does best: Lebanon is a superb jumper - very careful with electric reactions and abundant scope. He deserves the best of everything and will reward accordingly.

(out of

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Eventing Showing Dressage

RIDER COMPATIBILITY Novice Competent Skilled Professional

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Height: 169cm | 16.2 ½hh DOB: 1/12/2016

FROM THIS DAMLINE Callaho Conray (Con Coriano gelding) SJ 1.30m with Ryan Wallbridge Callaho Larike (Lissabon mare) SJ 1.30m with Rechelle Kloeck Exclusive S Look At Me (Lord Pezi mare) SJ 1.45m with Alzbeta Malcova Glenfiddich (Graf Grannus stallion) SJ 1.45m with Dennis Huser Merci Papa (Quaid I gelding) SJ 1.40m with Chiara Platini Prinz (Perigueux gelding) SJ 1.60m with Hans Dieter Dreher Quentin Tarant (Quaid I gelding) SJ 1.40m with Randy Sherman Quinturo 2 (Quaid stallion) SJ 1.50m with Karl Brocks Sito 10 (Stolzenburg gelding) SJ 1.40m Spotlight (Stakkato stallion) SJ 1.50m with Lauren Goffinet

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PEDIGREE: Bolzano du Quinze x Contender x Capitol I

SUGGESTED UTILITY

Sex: Gelding Colour: Chestnut

Jumping

OVERVIEW This large-framed athlete is slowly starting to reveal the full gambit of his unbelievable dam-line. This is consequently a perfect opportunity to acquire a horse with a pedigree which comes as close as you can get to guaranteeing a bright future in big-sport showjumping. Beautifully constructed with much colour to add to his huge presence, Bontender is a sensitive and kind gentleman. Already displaying a remarkably tidy jump, it is only a matter of time with a classical production before he challenges his siblings in the open classes.

(out of

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Eventing Showing Dressage

RIDER COMPATIBILITY Novice Competent Skilled Professional

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Height: 169cm | 16.2 ½hh DOB: 19/9/2016

FROM THIS DAMLINE Abadja Dos Dorados (Casall ASK mare) SJ 1.60m with Bekzod Kurbanov Brandenburg Clarinius (Contender stallion) SJ 1.60m with Paul Hart Callaho L'Amour (Lissabon mare) SJ 1.40m with Tracy Carney Callaho Lindor (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.40m with Simon Hendry Carina 236 (Cantus mare) SJ 1.60m with Andy Witzemann Carvallo BB (Carthago Z stallion) SJ 1.60m with Nicole Persson Cefalo (Caretino stallion) SJ 1.60m with Holger Wulschner Compadre van de Helle (Casall ASK stallion) SJ 1.60m with Constance van Paesschen Quantus 15 (Quintero ASK gelding) SJ 1.60m with Anouk de Ruijter Zuckersuess (Casall ASK mare) SJ 1.60m with Holger Wulschner

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PEDIGREE: Tolano van't Riethof x Espri x Ramiro Z

SUGGESTED UTILITY

Sex: Gelding Colour: Chestnut

Jumping

OVERVIEW Taking a look at gold-medallist Explosion W's performance at the Tokyo Olympics, not only do we draw parallels in terms of his uncanny resemblance to Tobasco, but we do not believe we're being overly confident by suggesting that his future may well reflect a similar flight-path to stardom. This is a large, strong willed jumper with the natural fortitude and unlimited scope to bet the farm on! Provided that he is produced professionally, patiently and correctly, Tobasco will take up considerable space in Callaho’s history book.

(out of

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Eventing Showing Dressage

RIDER COMPATIBILITY Novice Competent Skilled Professional

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Height: 173cm | 17.0hh DOB: 23/10/2016

FROM THIS DAMLINE Callaho Allegra (Allegreto mare) SJ 1.30m with Mandy Mason Callaho Leah Dara (Lissabon mare) SJ 1.30m with Bianca Pitt Chanel (Argentinus mare) SJ 1.40m Darzada (Calvaro Z mare) SJ 1.60m with Guilherme Dutra Foroni Quidam's Rubenbos (Quidam's Rubin gelding) SJ 1.45m with Juan Pablo Gaspar Albanez Ravissante du Reverdy (Quidam de Revel mare) SJ 1.45m with Damien Dixon Vanhouten de Vains (Cacao Courcelle stallion) SJ 1.45m with Morgan Bordat Vienna (Cavalier mare) SJ 1.35m with Joy Lammers With Compliments (Compliment I mare) DR PSG/Inter I with Leonardo Farina Zonnekoning (Florett As stallion) DR Grand Prix with Katie Poag

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HORSE AND RIDER

INTERVIEW: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE

Jade Walsh (Hooke) A Derby Master

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hen it comes to jumping derbies, a few prestigious competitions come to mind; locally, there is the SA Derby held at Kyalami Park Club, and internationally there is the Hickstead Derby and the Hamburg Derby. Most would consider it quite a feat to have completed on one of these challenging tracks, but we had the opportunity to chat with South Africa’s own derby legend, Jade Walsh (Nee. Hooke), who has not only won the SA Derby twice but finished on the podium at the Hickstead Derby AND jumped the Hamburg Speed Derby on her remarkable New Era! HQ: Jade, tell us a little bit about how your riding journey began?

Jade: My love for horses was sparked at a very young age. I grew up in sleepy St Francis Bay, where my love developed atop local farm ponies. From there, my family moved to Port Elizabeth, where I began my showjumping training. My first taste of success came in 2003 when I clinched second place in the South African Children’s Championships held in Kathu on a pony I had been riding for one month!

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HQ: So, your partnership with A New Era is likely your most well-known, but were there other horses that were integral to your success and development as a rider?

Jade: Definitely! There was a pony called Vasvat Gusty, as well as my first junior horse, Star of Canada. But as you know, all horses, good or bad, make you who you are!

HQ: That is most certainly true! Tell us about one of the ‘good’ ones, your special New Era! How did that partnership come about and develop?

Jade: So, the short version is that we were going on holiday as a family and while we had a few hours to waste at the airport we went to KPC (then KEP) to watch a jumping competition. A friend of my parents walked past and said that 'this horse' (A New Era) was for sale. We weren’t looking, but my mom said we should try him, and it was love at first sight! My mom believed in things like 'if it’s meant to be it will be' so I had to wait until we returned from holiday to try him again.

When we got home, I went and tried him again. This time he stopped with me. There was a blue drum in the bush,

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HORSE AND RIDER

Jade’s second Derby victory with A New Era

and he wouldn’t go near the jump. Anyway, it didn’t faze me; I still loved him. After a third try, my mom agreed to vet him. She sent him to the best vet in the country, where the chances of him being passed were about 0/10! The vet called and said: 'I cannot find a thing wrong with this horse.' MIRACLE!! However, after hours of deliberating, my mom decided he was too expensive and that maybe it was not the right horse even with this vetting. I remember it clear as day! So, I started crying and said: 'One day when someone beats me on him you will be sorry!' - I’ll admit I was a brat! But, somehow, I didn’t get a hiding and instead she bought the horse!

HQ: You and Era had great derby success; what was it like to ride your first SA Derby? And how did you prepare for it?

Jade: The 2009 Derby win was the highlight of my career.

Not only was it my very first attempt at the Derby, but it was also the first time I had ever ridden in a 1.50m open class. I was so nervous, and I remember the day before one of the top riders came to me and said, 'are you really going to jump the BIG Derby?' And having no idea of how

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'BIG' it really was, I replied, 'Of course. Why not?'

Well, walking the course was quite surprising… I'd never stood next to jumps that big before, nor had I ever seen the Derby course in the flesh. But by the time I entered the ring that Sunday, Era and I just came together, the crowd was drowned out, the magnitude of it faded, and we just did it!

HQ: Well, it didn’t end there! You won a second time in 2011 and then after that decided to go overseas with Era… Could you take us through that move and how it came about?

Jade: After my mom passed away in 2011, I decided I needed a dream so big that it would scare me! So, I embarked on the journey to take my champion Era to compete in the biggest Derby in the world, Hickstead. He spent four months in quarantine between South Africa and Mauritius, and I moved to the UK. I spent two years slogging as a work rider and groom while pursuing this dream - nothing would stand in my way! I was also very fortunate to have support in this. Travelling horses in planes, international show entries, vet costs and exorbitant

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HORSE AND RIDER

international stabling make the whole process prohibitive for South Africans! But my dad, Roger Hooke, and a great friend, sponsor and business partner at the time, David Holden, helped me to achieve my dream. We competed in the prestigious Hickstead Derby in both 2014 and 2015 and managed to grab 3rd place!

on the day to get to the end; the Derby is a very long and tiring track! Obviously, we all know they need some scope as some of the fences top 1.60m and can spread up to 1.90m wide! Having a good partnership and knowing your horse is also important because the Derby course tests so many different aspects of horse and rider skill and ability.

HQ: Then you also competed in the Hamburg Speed Derby!

How was that experience?

Jade: That was so much fun! Basically, you gallop as fast as you can! The jumps are not big, making it a little easier, but the fact that you have to go so fast makes it very easy to fault. The crowd is also massive! Great vibe!

HQ: Well, you are one of very few riders to have competed in so many of the big derbies. Which was your favourite and why?

Jade: Definitely the 2009 SA Derby! It was the first time I had experienced something so exciting and then going on to win it is very hard to top! Also, I loved the fact that there was no expectation! I just went out and rode my horse like any other day.

HQ: Well, I don’t know if galloping flat out at derby-style jumps is my idea of fun, but I suppose when you have the right partner, it can be! What do you think made New Era such a good Derby horse, and what qualities would you look for in a Derby horse?

Jade: A good Derby horse needs to be brave enough but not too brave that they lack being careful! They also need to have enough natural energy and must be able to fight

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HQ: What some people might not realise is that although the big derbies have a few similar elements like the bank and open water, there are some courses that have unique elements. Can you talk us through some of the similar and different elements?

Jade: Whilst there are similarities between the South African Derby and Hickstead, you simply can’t compare

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them. Both are challenging, but Hickstead commands a totally different level of horse and rider, and the depth of competition is immense and truly world-class. The bank is monstrous, and where the South African devil’s dyke rides two strides between each upright, Hickstead offers only one stride between each element, and it's on a curve!

I remember walking the course and feeling dwarfed by number 4, which towered at 1.63m. The water is also extremely wide (4.6m) and rides away from the gate, going up a slight incline (so you can’t really judge the distance).

Overall, the size of the jumps mixed with the duration is just mind-blowing! Competing at Hickstead was a lifetime achievement and an incomparable experience that I hope to relive one day in the future!

HQ: What do you think are the most challenging elements?

Jade: This, for me, constantly changes. In 2018 the hedge at number 5 was my biggest challenge for sure! I was eliminated, and I'd never been eliminated in the Derby before! Perhaps I broke my own rule? I listened to all the riders' stories about number 5 and the havoc it was causing, and I rode it wrong. But, in the years before, number 13, the stile, was always one for me, as Era was normally pulling by this stage, and my arms were basically falling off. So, to hold him off that big vertical was a challenge. The water jump has also caught me a few times, with a toe in it. The water is especially tough for some riders and horses; too spooky, and they might stop and not spooky enough, and they might put a foot in it. The stride must also be just right.

HQ: Any tips and tricks on how to ride the derby elements?

Jade: Practice makes perfect! Firstly, you need to make sure your horse is brave enough to do those elements, and then after enough practice, you just ride them normally.

Rhythm and the perfect stride are key!

HQ: And who would be your predicted winner for this year?

Jade: The Derby is one competition you really can’t say!

Partnerships need to be on their ‘A game’ on the day! This year without a massive crowd, it might be a different type of horse that wins. Either way, I am happy for anyone who wins, as it really is the greatest feeling in the world!

Jade and Era at Hickstead.

HQ: So, after a few years competing on the European circuit, you came back to South Africa, and a lot has happened since then! How has it been moving back, and what else can we expect to come?

Jade: Obviously, A New Era has been retired so replacing him is not easy - not that you can replace a horse like him.

No matter how good a rider is, without the horsepower, you will not be at the top! But I have two super horses now, Seeis Montano, a young horse jumping 1.20s and Freedom, who is now in the 1.35s, but it takes time to build relationships and get back to the top, which can be frustrating!

I have been ticking other boxes for the past few years. I am now married, have a new baby and am living back in Port Elizabeth! I hope to be back in the 1m50 level as soon as possible – hopefully in 2022! I have also changed my line of work from equestrian to health and fitness, and I now have my own business called 'Justloseit' which helps people lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way.

HQ: Well, thank you for taking the time to chat with us, and we look forward to seeing you back in the 1.50m classes soon and wish you all the best in your new business ventures!

If you would like to find out more about Jade’s business, head to her website: https://justloseit.co.za/ or give her a follow https://www.instagram.com/ justloseit_sa/ or like https://www.facebook.com/Justloseitsa

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DID YOU KNOW It takes 10-12 months for a horse to grow a new hoof.

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GET GYMMING GYMNASTIC TRAINING FOR YOUR HORSE

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ymnastic exercises are a great way of building strength and stamina for our horses, and they don’t need to be super-challenging or enormous for the effects to be dramatic. Here, we look at two exercises that really help to ramp up the fitness of your horse. The first one is suitable for everyone, and the second one is a higherlevel exercise that should only be attempted if you have experience with showjumping or eventing.

EXERCISE 1: THE GYM LAYOUT • Place the nine trotting poles on a curving bend, with three to five poles at the top of the curve and three to five on each side of the curve.

RIDING THE EXERCISE • Start the exercise in trot, ensuring that you are warmed up and have a forward, uphill trot to approach the first pole. Remember to ride as close to the middle of each pole as you can!

• Ride the exercise several times from each direction so that you practice it on both reins.

• If your horse hits a pole, do not panic, but instead

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sit quietly and allow your horse just to keep moving forwards. When riding the exercise, your job is navigating and controlling the rhythm. Your horse must work out what he needs to do with his legs. It will take several attempts for your horse to get this right – but that is, in fact, the point! He needs to think about his footfalls, and not rely on you to guide him through.

INCREASING THE DIFFICULTY • Depending on your horse’s level of experience and confidence, you can raise the poles, and even add more poles as your horse gets stronger.

• And then, to ramp up the difficulty further, you can increase the distance between the poles so that your horse is able to canter the curve. If this is an issue space-wise in the arena, just remove a few poles.

PURPOSE OF THE EXERCISE • This exercise is designed to make your horse work! To perform it well, he will need to work in a nice frame, which will mean that his back is up, core engaged, and his hindleg carrying weight. This will allow him to step higher and avoid knocking the poles.

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Nine raised trotting poles

• As an additional benefit, this exercise helps to build good hoof-brain coordination, allowing the horse to develop his thinking faculties.

TROUBLESHOOTING • Rushing: Some horses will fly through this exercise, creating a speed wobble around the corner. In these instances, it is advised that you ask for a halt, or at least a transition to walk, either going into the top poles or coming out of the top poles.

• Becoming strong: If your horse becomes strong during the exercise, remember that it takes two to pull! Do not go into the exercise with super-short reins, and expect your horse to be able to navigate the route and place his feet without pulling! This is a deceptively tricky exercise for horses, and you want to set them up for success. They will need to use their eyes to navigate and avoid tripping, and if you hold them so tightly that they don’t have head and neck freedom, they won't be able to complete the exercise safely.

Give your horse his head, and let him learn!

• Absolute disaster: If your horse generally struggles with the exercise, and is not improving, even after working on the tips above, then break the exercise down into steps. Fixing issues in the midst of a gymnastic exercise is never going to work, so instead, work on just the first three poles or a couple of poles on a curve and get yourself riding these well.

Over time, you can build up to riding the full exercise.

Pushing your horse endlessly through an exercise he HQ|156B

is struggling with will only create anxiety and allow him to practice ‘doing the wrong thing’ over and over again. Instead, break it down into smaller pieces and reward him for getting those right. This will quickly allow him to know what is expected and to ride the exercise correctly.

The key to riding gymnastic exercises well is rhythm.

If the gait becomes faster or slower, it affects the distance between fences. To set your horse up for success in these exercises, you need to have established a regular rhythm in the warm-up phase before starting on this exercise.

EXERCISE 2 LAYOUT (ON NEXT PAGE) • Using a similar shaped curve to the first exercise, place two cavalettis (or small uprights) on a bounce distance on either side of the top of the curve.

• At the top of the curve, build a small oxer. There should be two canter strides between this oxer, and both bounces.

RIDING THE EXERCISE • If you are a bit nervous, take your horse through the exercise in trot first.

• In the exercise, you and your horse will need to think fast! To ride it accurately and smoothly, you are going to have to guide your horse early and precisely. This means that you need to have a plan in place for where you are

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TROUBLESHOOTING • Messy second bounces: If you end up pulling the inside rein over the oxer and getting to the second set of bounces in a somewhat chaotic fashion, you are simply not turning early enough. You need to turn to the second set of bounces as you take off for the oxer, not afterwards.

• Rushing: If you find your horse rushes through the exercise, break it down into small sections and practice each of those. As mentioned above, you cannot start schooling something in the middle of the exercise, so rather ride small pieces of it to teach the lessons you will need to eventually ride the whole exercise well and in a controlled fashion.

• Becoming strong: Just as with the first exercise, having your reins too short means that your horse is unable to navigate his way through the exercise as he would want to.

This will lead to him pulling against your hand to free his head. Continuing to ride with short reins and just pulling back against your horse creates a tug-of-war scenario and lots of anxiety in your horse. Instead, give your horse his head a little more and let him see where he is going. If he can see, the odds are that he will jump better, and you

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going, and you need to communicate this effectively to your horse well in advance.

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won’t find yourself pulled out of the saddle.

• Absolute disaster: There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, it may be that you and your horse are simply not ready for this exercise. This is quite a tricky gymnastic, and it may be best for you to practice it on a straight line to start with. You can always add the curve back in when you are both more confident with the demands of the exercise. Another possible reason is your position during the exercise. Many riders ride into an exercise like this with very short reins, causing them to overfold with the fences and either fling their arms forwards or yank their horse in the mouth. This affects your ability to see where you are going and to guide your horse correctly. Sitting back a little more and giving with your hands allows you to keep your body more upright and to keep your eyes where you want to go. It also allows you to stay more balanced in the saddle, which is vital for the turns.

FINAL THOUGHTS Enjoy practising these exercises, and remember that they are tricky for horses, so don’t get frustrated if you don’t get them right immediately. Over time, as your horse gets stronger, he will find these exercises easier and be better able to meet the demands they pose. Enjoy!

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Brightly coloured, lightweight and interlocking fillers that can be used as walls or cavaletti jump blocks.

South Africa: 082 880 4976 | clive@rotoflo.co.za | sales@rotoflo.co.za International: +31 6 27 90 65 42 | carl@aubreyequestrian.com | carlgliddon@gmail.com

FOCUS

DID YOU KNOW? Horses are obligatory nasal breathers which means they cannot breathe through their mouths. The reason for this is the position of their epiglottis, which forms an airtight seal with the soft palate. This means that while food can easily pass from the horse’s mouth to the oesophagus, the passage of the trachea into the mouth is permanently blocked.

In certain conditions such as the dorsal displacement of the soft palate, the airtight seal is broken and air is able to pass from the trachea to the horse’s mouth. This often results in audible respiratory noises and poor athletic performance.

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TEXT: FARRYN DAY

SNAKES AND LADDERS POLES TO CREATE BEND

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his simple set-up can be adapted for most horses and can help to improve turns, agility, rhythm and balance - if ridden correctly. This exercise often highlights the horse’s weaker rein as well as whether the rider is influencing the horse negatively by being imbalanced around the turns.

As a rider, it is ideal to have an instructor or another experienced horse person on the ground to help correct posture and balance throughout the exercise. Every rider has their own imbalances, strengths and weaknesses throughout the body, and even though we may feel like we’re in the correct position, often just a reminder to ‘bring the left shoulder back’, for example, can make a world of difference.

This exercise should be ridden at the trot for green horses, focussing on the correct rhythm and bend. Don’t forget to warm up on both reins before beginning the exercise, including lots of turns and transitions.

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SET-UP Down the centre line of the arena, place three poles end-toend spaced evenly at least 20m apart. In a dressage arena, one pole is to be placed at C, one at X and one at A. To start: 1. Trot over the top two poles in a circle.

2. Change rein over the centre pole and trot over the bottom two poles.

3. Once your horse is settled, ride a figure of 8 using all three poles. You can also spice things up by adding in the odd serpentine over the poles (see image on opposite page).

This exercise can be ridden at a canter for more advanced horses and is a great way to work on flying changes. Start by doing a simple change over the centre pole before moving on to flying changes over the pole.

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HORSE AND RIDER

FARRYN DAY Facebook: @SmicEquestrian Instagram: @smic_equestrian @smicfarryn @citypoloatinanda

When your horse is working consistently well through the figure of 8, move the poles closer together, and if the arena is big enough, add in a loop at each end.

For more advanced horses and riders, you can raise the poles into jumps. Again, start at the trot and keep the jumps low to ensure that the horse understands the exercise and is moving well, in a balanced way with the correct rhythm. Once the horse and rider have mastered the exercise at the trot, canter can be introduced with flying changes over the centre jump.

Try not to be tempted to make the jumps too big. This exercise is about the turns, rhythm, balance, impulsion and straightness. Rather perform the exercise well over lower jumps than badly over big jumps.

As with the poles on the ground, when the horse is working consistently well through the figure of 8, move the jumps closer together, and if you have enough space, add in a loop at each end.

DID YOU KNOW? • This exercise is all about rhythm and impulsion!

• Try to maintain a uniform bend through each turn.

• As you come out of the turn, look ahead over the centre of the pole and remain straight over the pole.

• Be aware of which turns your horse finds easier – do they fall in or out of the turns on one rein? This may mean that the horse is slightly stiffer on one side or that the rider is unbalanced.

• Notice which way you prefer to turn. Be aware of your body throughout the exercise and notice whether you are leaning in; or collapsing one side of your body, both on the turns and over the poles.

• Never look down! Plan your route and keep looking ahead to the next pole. Not only does this help you stay focused and accurate, but it also helps the horse too as they feel the change in your weight and can respond accordingly.

• Don’t overdo this exercise. It is strenuous, so start with few repetitions on each side followed by a break - go large and allow the horse to stretch.

Rather do the exercise well a few times than over-practice! Focus on correctness rather than repetition!

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Another option for this pole set up. It also offers a creative way of using the poles to change rein.

FINAL THOUGHTS Any rider should be setting their horse up to succeed and enjoy their work, so don’t forget to cool down sufficiently and try always to end the ride on a good note.

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If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavour – Eleanor Roosevelt

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W W W. C I E LI E Q U ES T R I A N . CO M

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DID YOU KNOW? In most mammals, collarbones attach the arms to the skeleton and stabilise the shoulders.

However, in horses there is no collarbone and this function is performed by the thoracic sling instead. The thoracic sling is a group of muscles, tendons, and ligaments that attach the forelimbs to the rest of the body.

The reason why horses and other four-legged prey animals tend not to have collarbones is so they can run at a faster speed.

Having a collarbone would restrict the horse’s reach and stride length, making them much slower runners.

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Your equine insurance partner.

Your equine insurance partner.

VIP Equine Policy (Veterinary Insurance Policy) •

Covers your horse for unexpected accidents and illness veterinary expenses

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Overall annual limit of R120,000

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Only 2 sublimits: R10,000 for lameness and R15,000 for dentistry

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All other accident and illness expenses only subjected to the annual limit

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3 month waiting period for illness and lameness, immediate cover for accident

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No waiting period if you move from another similar policy provided nothing pre-existing

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Lifelong cover provided the policy incepts before 19 years of age

Ts and Cs apply

To be part of the Hollard Equipage family, contact us on: To be part of the Hollard Equipage family, contact us on: Tel: 011 468-4235 or 083 377 2705 Tel: 011 468-4235 or 083 377 2705 | Email: equipage@hollard.co.za Email: equipage@hollard.co.za

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FOCUS

GO FIGURE! While most of us have heard of the Morgan horse breed, one of the earliest breeds developed in the USA, far fewer of us will be aware of the much loved horse who started the whole lineage, Figure.

Figure was a small bay stallion, who stood just 14 hands high. Yet, despite his diminutive stature, he was strong, fast and had a stylish way of going. At 3 years old, he was given to Justin Morgan, a music teacher and composer, as payment for a debt.

While under Morgan's care, Figure gained fame for his abilities as a workhorse and for his speed as a racehorse. Figure famously beat two New York

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racehorses in a 1796 sweepstakes race, and subsequent to this became known as the Justin Morgan horse.

According to the American Morgan Horse Association, "[Figure's] ability to out-walk, out-trot, out-run, and outpull other horses was legendary. His stud services were offered throughout the Connecticut River Valley and various Vermont locations over his lifetime. However, his most valuable asset was the ability to pass on his distinguishing characteristics, not only to his offspring, but through several generations."

Figure continued to sire foals even as he was traded from owner to owner in his later years, and he was used for everything from logging to racing to standing in as a parade mount. In 1819, he was sold to his final owner, Levi Bean, where he retired.

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DID YOU KNOW? Some horses and ponies can grow a moustache! This trait is most common in Gypsy Vanners, who are known for their luxurious long manes, flowing feathers, piebald coats and calm temperaments. The same gene that is responsible for the horse’s impressive tresses, is the one that gives it the moustache – regardless of sex. Stallions, geldings and even mares can grow these!

Fascinatingly, the purpose of the moustache is believed to be that it allows the horse to feel his way through the grass when feeding.

In Gypsy Vanners, and other longhaired horses, this is particularly useful as their outrageously long manes and forelocks can cover their eyes, so the moustache helps them to navigate when they can’t see!

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PSYCHOLOGY

1 OPTIMISING YOUR PSYCHOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE PART

COHERENT BREATHING

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rticles and books aimed at enhancing your psychological performance, particularly within the field of sport psychology, have a tendency to be somewhat intangible. The reader is often left with ideas like “just breathe”, or “focus your mind”, or “visualise your success”, but they fail to teach you how to do this. The ironic thing within the field of psychology is that knowing is not enough; in fact, changing your psychology is a complex and difficult process, often broken down into catchy, intangible slogans, which brings us to this series.

Over the next three articles, I will attempt to give you a practical understanding of scientifically sound psychological techniques, which can be used to enhance your

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performance. The articles will focus on coherent breathing, mindfulness, and mental imagery. You will be taught the important aspects of how to do them, why they work, and exactly how and when you can practically implement these to improve your riding performance.

The series begins with an in-depth examination of controlled and intentional breathing, as this process will be incorporated into the other two techniques. The skills are not three separate skills, but they will be integrated into one another to provide one powerful psychological technique. The particularly prevalent breathing technique in this group is coherent breathing, and it is a sport-specific way of bringing balance to your nervous system.

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PSYCHOLOGY

OUR EXPERT Ryan Tehini (BA, BSocSci (Hons) Psych, MA Research Psychology (cum laude)(UP)) For Psychological Skills Training for sports’ competitions, please get in touch with me: ryantehini@gmail.com, or 073 567 7387

CONTROLLED AND INTENTIONAL BREATHING Breath control is widely regarded as the fundamental technique of achieving relaxation. This holds true across disciplines, from yoga to clinical medicine and rehabilitation; controlled and intentional breathing has shown many benefits, often even more than expected. In an athletic setting, controlled breathing has been shown to be one of the most effective psychological techniques for performance enhancement, particularly considering how easy it is to do.

Breathing techniques have become formative practices in the field of sport psychology in an effort to control stress and anxiety and increase performance. Outside of formal scientific inquiry, breath-energy and breath control have existed cross-culturally for centuries; the Fijian Mana, the Zulu umoya, the Greek pneuma, and the Chinese Chi, are all examples of the breath-energy relationship in African, European, and Eastern cultures.

Modern-day practice of breath control has shown continued scientific evidence that breathing is intimately linked with physiological and mental performance, and if harnessed correctly, can be a powerful tool.

COHERENT BREATHING While breathing techniques are helpful for a wide range of situations, athletic competition is an incredibly unique space to navigate within the field of psychology and breath control. The main reason for this is that a state of relaxation is not ideal when you are competing, as a select amount of stress or at least arousal (meaning a general psychological and physiological activation) can be helpful. Thus, a fairly new technique has been developed specifically for the athletic context, known as coherent breathing.

Coherent breathing induced relaxation is different from other relaxation techniques in that instead of feeling completely relaxed (as you would with deep breathing to HQ|156B

assist with insomnia), you achieve a feeling of inner calm and clarity. This is not dissimilar to the typical experience of meditation; in fact, the two go hand-in-hand quite comfortably (as we will see in next month’s HQ article, where we will be discussing mindfulness and sport performance). This inner-calm is a desired state in the field of sport psychology as it aids in decision-making, problem-solving and enhanced physical performance.

HOW IS IT DONE? Coherent breathing has two fundamental aims that underlie the practice, these are: • To relax the body and mind, and • To regulate one’s breathing rate to about five breaths per minute by inhaling for 6 seconds and exhaling for 6 seconds.

To begin, sit upright and do not recline more than 45°; this is to initiate a balance in your autonomic nervous system (with practice, you can do this standing up).

Take a few deep breaths into your stomach, stretching your diaphragm; this will allow you to breathe deeply and take in more oxygen. When you feel ready, start with a 6 second inhale followed by a 6 second exhale.

The important aspect of this technique is to ensure that your inhales are equally as long as your exhales, 6 seconds is ideal, but if you start at 3 or 4, that’s also perfectly fine.

If at any point it is a strain to maintain the breathing rhythm (6 seconds in, 6 seconds out), then you give up attempting to control the breath and let it do what it needs to in order to maintain the feeling of relaxation.

When attempting to perform coherent breathing, this is the most important aspect to keep in mind; overall balance comes before adherence to structure.

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PSYCHOLOGY

WHY DOES IT WORK? Breathing is one of the most immediately noticeable changes in your body in response to stress, anxiety, or any other psychological state. When we are anxious, our breathing quickens and becomes shallow, and when we are relaxed, our breathing is deeper, slower and more controlled. As with most relationships in the body, this relationship is reciprocal. This means that, although stress and anxiety impact our breathing, we can use our breathing to regain control over our nervous system and reduce stress and anxiety. Control over your breathing will significantly reduce performance anxiety by controlling the physiological responses to stress and inducing a state of calm.

As we noted in the July edition of HQ, stress and anxiety surrounding an athletic competition cause a change in your body. This change is brought about by the activation of the sympathetic nervous system (see HQ July edition for further information), and results in an increase in your heart rate and the release of stress hormones.

Typical breath control relies on switching the body from this stressed state into a state of relaxation, inducing a parasympathetic-dominant state in the autonomic nervous system and reducing the release of stress hormones.

Coherent breathing, however, does not induce a deeply relaxed parasympathetic-dominant response but rather a balance between relaxation and arousal. This balance allows coherent breathing to be a valuable asset in the athlete’s psychological arsenal, as through training the switch between parasympathetic and sympathetic can

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occur quickly, and with ease, thus allowing for optimal and selective arousal in competition settings.

What this means in a practical sense is that athletes can selectively control their arousal, as a state of relaxation is not entirely optimal for athletic performance; some stress is positive in a performance setting. The design of coherent breathing is such that it is not fixed into a particular autonomic nervous state but gently fluctuates between the two, making you slightly more aroused on the inhale and slightly more relaxed on the exhale. This fluctuation positively affects your heart rate, the release of stress hormones and improves your psychological performance.

HOW CAN I USE IT FOR MY RIDE? I am often asked, “When I feel anxious or stressed during competition, what should I do?” and the answer is simple; if you are already in the arena, it is too late.

The mental work, much like the physical training, is done in preparation for the event, not during it. The important aspect of these techniques is that they need to be considered training; they are not an in-game fix or a last-minute adjustment. They are intended to train your mind into a state of calm clarity, and intentional focus, and much like the other muscles in your body, your brain requires repetition in order to get better and stronger. The important thing is to practice the skills prior to getting on your horse for the ride, and get on with a calm and focused mind. As you get better, you will achieve a calm focus faster and more effectively; much like any other muscle, your brain will get stronger, and subsequently, your performance will get better.

In the next article in this series, we will take a look at a very exciting new development in the field of psychology and sport performance, mindfulness. Mindfulness has become increasingly popular, fits in nicely with the intentional breathing training covered in this article, and is used by everyone from monks to militaries to increase their performance.

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FOCUS

DID YOU KNOW Whilst most horses are measured in hands, miniature horses are only measured in centimetres or inches.

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HORSE AND RIDER

TEXT: SKYE LITTLEFIELD

PLAYTIME WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO PLAY WITH YOUR HORSE

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s humans, we make important distinctions for ourselves between work and play, taking the time to step away and recharge when we feel it’s necessary.

Oftentimes our form of rest involves seeing our horses; whether we’re perfecting our trot or going for a hack.

Working with horses provides us with a different form of both mental and physical stimulation, and for me is a welcome escape from daily obligations. If our horses provide us with this getaway, then we owe it to our horses to help them love their jobs.

WHY REST? Without rest our brains cannot function properly, and our ability to concentrate is greatly reduced. Not only that, rest also ensures improved mental health and allows the body to heal itself. But, have you considered that your horse also needs mental and physical rest?

If we observe how horses behave in their natural environments, we see them partaking in a wide variety of activities, both alone and with fellow herd members. The standard behaviours that we expect to see at any given

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time are eating, eliminating, investigating, and resting.

And, when kept in a herd environment, we see a fair amount of play, as well as care-giving (epimeletic) and care-seeking (et-epimeletic) behaviour. Perhaps the easiest way for us to recognise epimeletic behaviour in horses is to pay attention to how a mare and her foal interact; the mare will spend the first year of her foal’s life providing the care and attention needed, from feeding to grooming.

Similarly, et-epimeletic behaviour in horses can be seen in foals nickering for their mom’s attention, or in horses calling out to each other for engagement. Both epimeletic and et-epimeletic behaviours fall under a larger category called contactual behaviour, which relates to the benefits of contact with other animals and humans, hence the name.

Each behaviour that horses partake in is essential to their health and well-being, physically and mentally.

Of course, we understand that modern-day horses are kept very differently from their ancestors, either paddocked separately throughout the day to prevent injuries, or stabled early in the day to minimise insect bites. In these instances you need to consider that you are your horse’s herd

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member; you are the mare or gelding who needs to provide protection, care, and entertainment. As much as you feel lonely when you don’t interact with people or frustrated that you’ve been stuck inside all day, so does your horse.

Horses who are not given the opportunity to partake in these or similar activities can fall into something called ‘behavioural despair,’ which leaves them depressed and unresponsive to their environment. This condition can be aggravated by isolation and confinement, training without ample rest, and boredom, and is something often seen in school ponies.

All work and no play leaves you bored and boring, so the next time you’re at the yard consider trying something different with your horse.

ENCOURAGE SELF-PLAY If your horse spends a lot of time stabled or in a single paddock, you can easily encourage self-play, providing your horse with the tools to keep him or herself entertained.

One of the best ways to do this is by providing a horse ball or a treat dispensing toy; both of these options provide gratification, and give your horse the option to only play when they feel like it.

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PRACTICE GROUNDWORK Groundwork is often overlooked by riders aiming to be competitive, but it is a fantastic way to develop a strong bond with your horse and establish safe boundaries.

To start with, teach your horse how to safely lead from both the lead and partner positions. The lead position involves you leading your horse from directly in front, which allows you to clearly define your personal space and set the speed of the walk. The partner position involves you walking at your horse’s shoulder, giving you more control over your horse’s physical position, and the ability to ask for quicker changes such as picking up a trot or backing up.

Remember that the intention is to provide your horse with a break by offering the opportunity to partake in different exercises, so start with a 5 minute session and work your way up from there. Depending on what your horse responds to, you can reward with release, affection, or treats.

WORK IN LIBERTY Liberty training is so rewarding, and offers a look into how strong your communication with your horse really is.

There are a multitude of exercises to teach your horse, and yielding the hindquarters is a great place to start.

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This exercise builds the foundation for ‘control’ in liberty work, so it’s important to develop the communication through body language that transfers through to the rest of your liberty training.

If you’re just starting out with liberty, you can use a halter while you’re trying to find your feet.

FIGURE OUT OBSTACLES TOGETHER If you’ve dabbled in groundwork and liberty training, obstacles are a fantastic way to strengthen the bond and provide more physical stimulation for your horse.

I like to incorporate a few ‘scary’ obstacles into this training to help teach my horse to be a bit braver, with logs, water, and pool noodles all being great options.

If you have jumping poles available to you, lay them out on the floor in a messy fashion and prop a few of them up unevenly. Walk your horse through this pole pile and allow them to decide the ‘best’ way through; this technique challenges your horse’s proprioception and problem-solving skills. As always, reward with release, affection, or treats.

TEACH USEFUL TRICKS Trick training is probably far from the minds of modern dressage riders and jumpers, but teaches work for reward, patience, and problem solving.

Touch: Using a large object to start with (such as a traffic cone), encourage your horse to investigate it; as soon as he or she does, reward with affection or a treat. Do this a few times, and once your horse has picked up the game, you can move the cone further away. This trick can also be used to get your horse used to scary things if you introduce

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a non-familiar target.

Back up: To me this is more of a necessity than a trick, as a 500kg animal is tough to physically move when necessary. I like to use body language to ask for the back up at the partner position on the shoulder, but your horse may need a bit more of an obvious cue if they haven’t learned this yet. Using a halter and lead rope, apply gentle pressure to the rope until your horse gives; as soon as this happens release and reward. When you start teaching back up one small movement from your horse is enough. After a few sessions you’ll notice that your horse is faster off the cue and needs much less explanation of what you need, and eventually your body language will evolve to the point of you getting what you need with a thought only.

Stay: This trick is exceptionally useful if your horse struggles to stand for the farrier or vet. If you’ve taught your horse the ‘touch’ training mentioned above, training ‘stay’ will be a quick process. Start by using a touch target for your horse a few feet away from you. Once your horse has touched, take one step back and say your trigger- ‘stay’ in this instance. In the beginning, keep your ‘stay’ at a second or two long, then immediately walk back towards your horse and reward the behaviour. You can increase the distance and length of stay as you both practice more.

FINAL THOUGHTS The amount of rest and play your horse needs will depend on their physical exertion and personality. Some horses are happy to play with their treat balls, and other horses are happy to run gauntlets with you; and, who doesn’t want a happy horse?

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PROUDLY MADE IN

FITTING THE BIT

TAKING ANATOMY INTO ACCOUNT

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ur previous article in HQ156a discussed how horses can tell you that they are unhappy with the bit choice you have made for them. This article will discuss how your horse’s anatomical makeup will help you determine the direction you need to go in for bit fit. However, it is

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important to note that this is not a ‘how-to’ article, in the sense that you will still need a bit fitter to help you out.

This article just gives you an understanding of what exactly you need to look out for so that you can spot problems and know when to make the call for specialist assistance!

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THE ANATOMY OF THE MOUTH

THE IMPORTANCE OF ANATOMY It is essential to look inside your horse's mouth and assess the anatomy because it will help you understand how his mouth might be shaped differently from that of other horses. As with everything with equines, a one-size-fits-all all approach is not recommended. Here we review some of the common anatomical differences and how they can impact bit fit: HQ|156B

TOP TIP Ask your dentist what type of mouth your horse has. Does he have a narrow mouth with thin bars? Does he have a low palate? Does he have a large fleshy tongue? Does he have thick lips?

Does he have ‘short’ or ‘long’ lips?

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This bit is much too wide for this horse’s mouth.

1. NARROW OR WIDE MOUTH One of the most common errors is to buy a bit that is too wide for your horse’s mouth. An easy way to measure width is to take a wooden rod or spoon and place it in the mouth where you want the bit to fit. Mark the edges nice and close to the lips and take it out. Measure the length with a tape measure and choose your bit size accordingly. With a loose ring, add 5 mm to ensure there is no pinch – this is the case in all horses, whether narrow or wide-mouthed.

Once the bit you have chosen is in your horse’s mouth, open up the lips to ensure the correct part of the bit is sitting evenly on the bars. Also, make sure that there is very little movement if you slide the bit from left to right.

Bits that are too wide will result in sliding, which can cause pain and will likely dull your rein aids. Bits that are too narrow can rub the lips of the horse, creating discomfort.

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A single jointed snaffle can easily twist and put pressure on the upper palate.

2. LOW PALATE A horse with a low palate will require a bit that does not have a high port, as this may cause the port to bang up against the palate when the contact is picked up. A single jointed snaffle without a lockout feature may also fold and bang against the top of the mouth when rein pressure is added. Arabians and Thoroughbreds are generally known to have low palates.

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Some horses have tongues that are thicker than others.

A NOTE ON HAPPY TONGUE BITS It is important to ensure you have the correct fit, as a Happy Tongue bit that is too wide will result in the curve of the Happy Tongue sitting directly on the bars, which can be extremely uncomfortable for the horse.

3. THICK FLESHY TONGUE Certain breeds of horse also have typical anatomical characteristics. For example, cob types can have quite large tongues, which means a thick rubber bit that may seem kind will put unnecessary pressure down on their tongue due to its bulk, likely resulting in them opening their mouth to get away from the pain. Using a flash to shut the mouth is treating the symptoms and not addressing the cause. For these horses, a thinner mouthpiece with possibly a happy tongue shape will likely be in their best interest.

4. SHORT LIPS OR LONG LIPS It is important to look at where the corner of your horse’s mouth is situated in relation to the teeth. Remember, the bars are the section of bone covered by tissue where there are no teeth. The bars are where the bit should sit. Some horses have short muzzles with ‘short’ lips. This means the corner of the mouth where the bit sits is far away from the teeth. These horses can often tolerate more than one wrinkle at the corner of the mouth due to the fact the bit will not likely sit close to the teeth. On the other hand, HQ|156B

some horses have long lips, and a one or two wrinkle bit fit may mean the bit bangs against the teeth, which creates discomfort. A good tip is to try out different bit heights by adjusting your cheekpieces. Your horse will show you what is more comfortable when you put the bit in, or even better, once you are riding.

TAKE-HOME Bit-fitting is a specialist science, and it is always advised that you contact a bit fitter. It’s unfortunate that many of us are aware of the need for saddle fitter, but not for a bit fitter, but our horses will really be grateful if we ensure that the things we put in their mouths are indeed suitable for them.

If you are a real science buff or have a horse with a particularly tricky mouth, companies like Bombers Bits do mouth mouldings, which can show you in 3D what your horse’s mouth looks like so that you can make the optimal bit choice for your horse. There are also specific bit fitters that can come to your yard with a number of bits to try out so that the trial-and-error process to find the right bit is not an exceptionally costly one!

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HORSE AND RIDER

FINDING THEIR FRAME

TEXT: CHRISTIE WOLHUTER

WHY IT’S WORTH THE WAIT

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here has been a fixation with horses being ‘on the bit’ that has permeated horse training for decades. Sadly this ‘demand’ is now seemingly reflected in a lot of young horse training. Here we discuss how just fixating on your young horse’s head position is not helpful and may even be harmful to their future development.

THE REASONS FOR THE MYTH It is often presumed that if your young horse is ‘on the vertical’ or ‘on the bit’, they must be working correctly and using their backs. And yet, biomechanics shows that for some horses, this could not be further from the truth.

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THE ISSUE When young horses freely move about their paddock or in a loose movement display, many look coordinated and rhythmic.

They may even display beautiful neck and poll flexion and stride extension when showing off.

However, this display of collection will likely be brief, and they will quickly resort back to carrying most of their weight on the forehand, as is typical for all horses. Over their initial years, young horses develop their own balance and way of going to allow them to move about easily in their surroundings. Now, when we suddenly throw a rider into the equation, things become difficult for the horse, as HQ|156B

they are not used to the shift in weight or the additional weight. As horses rely heavily on their necks for balance, particularly when young and acclimatising to the weight of a rider on board, forcing them into a frame can make the whole process very difficult and frightening for them. We all know the feeling of being out of balance and how anxious you can feel trying to right yourself – this is the feeling we subject young horses to when we don’t allow them to use their head and neck to find their centre. Of course, a horse needs to learn to shorten his frame and start to carry more weight on his hindquarters, but this process takes time and forcing them to adopt a certain head carriage to ‘look correct’ will not serve the horse in the long run.

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Another problem with prematurely focusing on getting the horse ‘on the bit’ is that young horses can be highly bit sensitive, as having a bit in their mouth is already a new experience for them. What frequently happens is a TOP TIP Remember that horses are also all very different in their natural ability, and some just mature later than others. This is not to say they do not have potential, just that their potential may need be realised with a bit more patience and empathy. Wait for these horses – do not rush them!

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The horses shown on this page are a long way behind the vertical, likely causing damage to their poll and neck structures.

Another problem with this overbending is it puts the horse into a position where his field of vision is very limited. This can add further stress to the situation.

All in all, messing with the mouth and head of young horses creates tension and anxiety in the ride and can cause health problems such as damage to the poll.

Furthermore, if you look carefully, you will see that these horses will not be stepping under correctly and will not likely be using their backs optimally either. They are bracing and hollowing to escape the pressure. Over time, this false frame can lead to incorrect muscle development and possibly, injury in the rest of the body. Adding a training aid is even more unhelpful, as most horses just tuck themselves into a ball to get away from the pressure.

rider fusses and fiddles with the hands to get the horse on the vertical, and then to avoid the discomfort, the horse simply tucks its chin in, leaving the rider to assume their horse is on the vertical. In reality, most of these youngsters are ‘behind the vertical’, which puts extreme pressure on the poll.

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FINAL THOUGHTS Young horses need sympathetic and patient trainers and riders to help them develop into the best athletes they can be. The process is not fast and quick fixes never work.

Holding onto a horse’s head or fussing with the mouth to try and create the ‘right’ shape in front is a bad idea in an adult horse, but in a young horse with a developing skeleton and a young and impressionable mind, it can be absolutely disastrous.

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T E A M W O R K , PA S S I O N & EXCELLENCE

In our world of horse and rider, teamwork comes naturally, to us all. As together is better Working as a team really does make big dreams work. That’s one of the reasons we are proud to grow trusted brands such as Epol Equine and Equus. At Epol we work to ensure that we are sustainably equipped to be better and stronger in form and performance.

Every bag of every brand in our business matters.

We stand together united in our passion for excellence.

For feeding advice and further information contact: Leigh: 083 998 6824 | Hannah: 073 423 5491 | Debbie: 076 755 5164 www.epolequine.co.za

HORSE AND RIDER

THE SNAFFLE THE MANY AND VARIOUS TYPES

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ost of us know a snaffle when we see one, but the various ring types, cheek pieces and mouth pieces that come with the snaffle can add some confusion into the mix. Here we look at the various types of ring and then the various types of mouthpiece, and their pros and cons to help you a) sound super knowledgeable and b) have some idea which version is best for your horse. Of course, with any bit issue, we recommend that you contact a bit fitter, as bit fit is not straightforward and getting a specialist involved is advisable.

THE SNAFFLE A snaffle is a direct pressure bit. This means that the amount of pressure you place on the reins is the same amount that the horse feels in his mouth. The bit lies directly across the horse’s tongue and does not rely on compound pressure like a leverage bit (e.g. a pelham or curb, which both use leverage).

RING TYPES LOOSE RING The loose ring runs through a hole in the end of the mouthpiece and is able to rotate, making the bit more mobile than all other ring types. However, these bits can pinch the lips in some horses and be pulled through the mouth if too much lateral (side to side) pressure is applied.

This ring is ideal for the disciplines that require a more sensitive contact.

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EGG BUTT The egg butt has an egg-shaped ring on a swivel joint. It is less likely to pinch the lip than a loose ring, and the fixed cheek element offers a moderate amount of lateral control.

However, the lack of ‘cheeks’ makes it relatively easy for the bit to be pulled into the mouth.

D-RING The D-ring has a D-shaped ring on a swivel joint. It allows no bit rotation, and the straight bars of the D provide more lateral support than the egg butt snaffle. This bit is less likely than the egg butt snaffle to get pulled into the mouth.

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FULMER This is a loose ring version of the full cheek. It has the same lateral guiding control of a full cheek without being as rigid as the fixed version of the bit. It allows bit rotation with less chance of pinching compared to the normal loose ring.

BAUCHER OR HANGING CHEEK This is an egg butt with an upper cheek ring to attach to the bridle cheekpiece. The bit lies flat and is fixed, concentrating pressure on the bars. The design prevents the bit from being pulled through the mouth.

FULL CHEEK This has a half-moon ring on a swivel joint with a lower and upper ‘cheek’. It provides a large amount of lateral control and is not likely to be pulled through the mouth. However, the cheeks can get caught on tack and other objects, so care should always be taken when using this bit. Bit keepers are often used with this ring style.

HALF CHEEK This is an egg butt snaffle with a lower ‘cheek’ that extends downwards. It provides increased lateral support and is less likely to be pulled into the mouth. The cheek is generally flat and ‘spoon-like’.

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MOUTHPIECES

MULLEN MOUTH SNAFFLE This is the only standard snaffle bit with no joint. With its slight curve, it is often considered a mild bit because it puts more pressure on the tongue instead of on the more sensitive bars. However, for this reason, it is not typically a bit that will help the lateral flexion of a horse’s head. As it lacks a joint, there is no possible pinching or nutcracker effect in the mouth. It is also suitable for horses with sensitive palates. These bits are frequently made from flexible materials, like rubber and plastic, which, combined with a curved shape, allows the pressure on the bit to be distributed more evenly in the mouth. There are also now differently shaped mouthpieces available, which make these bits more ergonomic for some horses.

PORTED SNAFFLE With no joint, the ported snaffle bears some similarities to the mullen mouth. However, the port acts to reduce pressure over the middle of the tongue and hence increase pressure over the bars. This bit is therefore not as mild as a mullen mouth and is often used as a corrective bit for horses that have a tendency to get their tongue over a standard snaffle.

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FRENCH LINK SNAFFLE One of the most common varieties of double-jointed snaffles is the French link snaffle. The two joints help reduce the nutcracker effect of the single jointed snaffle while still allowing the rider independent control over the two sides of the mouth. It also transfers rein pressure more evenly over the bars. The French link refers to a flat spatula between the two joints, which is designed to lay flat over the tongue. This is easy to confuse with the Dr. Bristol, which has a spatula angled such that the thin edge can push harshly into the horse’s tongue. Some horses prefer the rounded version of the French link, often called an oval mouth or lozenge, although the French link can be preferable for horses with less palate clearance.

JOINTED SNAFFLE The single jointed snaffle is probably one of the most commonly used snaffle bits. The jointed action allows the rider to put pressure on one side of the mouth more than the other and hence have better control over the lateral flexion of the horse. However, a certain amount of nutcracker action can occur with a single jointed snaffle, particularly when higher pressures are applied to the reins.

This pinches the tongue, and in a horse with a low palate (or thicker tongue) can also put pressure on the roof of the mouth, causing discomfort and possibly leading to the horse opening the mouth. This action is accentuated with thinner bits and can be alleviated somewhat by a shaped mouthpiece or a double-jointed snaffle.

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DOUBLE-JOINTED SNAFFLE WITH LOZENGE The oval mouth double-jointed snaffle is a variant of the French link, with a rounded lozenge instead of a flat spatula joining the two halves of the bit. The benefits are primarily the same, with reduced nutcracker effect, more even pressure over the bars, and independent control over the two sides of the mouth. Some horses prefer the rounded lozenge as it encourages them to mouth the bit and removes any thin edges that could be uncomfortable.

DR. BRISTOL SNAFFLE This bit may look like a mild French link snaffle to the untrained eye, but the centre spatula is angled such that the thin edge can push harshly into the tongue. This gives this bit a harsh action.

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discomfort for another.

TWISTED Twisted bits are among the most severe types of snaffles.

The degree of severity depends on how tight the twist is and how narrow the bit is. A slow twist on a thicker bit is moderately severe, while a narrow bit with a tighter twist is very severe. Such bits are, thankfully, usually illegal in competition and should play no part in your training.

SHAPED Shaped mouth is a catchall term that generally applies to bits described as ergonomic or 'comfort' bits. Such bits are typically mullen mouths with a wavy shape to the mouthpiece or jointed mouths with curved arms. The wavy shaped mullen mouths are not particularly different from a regular mullen mouth, except that the curves may vary the pressure points on the horse’s tongue slightly and give some horses more incentive to chew the bit. The principle of the shaped arm pieces is to curve the mouthpiece so that it fits ergonomically over the horse’s tongue, thereby allowing more room for the tongue to move and preventing the bit from pressing into the roof of the mouth. The tradeoff in having curved arms is that there is potentially more pressure put over the bars of the mouth, depending on the shape, which may be either an advantage or disadvantage depending on the horse. Furthermore, the shape of an individual horse’s tongue and palate varies. Therefore the way they interact with the bit is highly variable, with what is ergonomic for one horse, causing pinching and DOUBLE SNAFFLE The double snaffle has two sets of jointed arms attached to a single ring on each side, with either both joints close to the centre or offset from each other. Needless to say, the effect is quite harsh on the mouth of the horse, and there is a significant risk of pinching the tongue and lips, which causes bruising and thus only creates more resistance or a ‘dead’ mouth. These bits are not recommended for use.

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ROLLER Rollers are a popular addition to many mouthpieces today.

Sometimes they are just a little rotating disc set inside the centre oval of a double-jointed snaffle, or they may be found as a series of rollers along the joints or arms of the mouthpiece. The general premise is that rollers encourage the horse to play with the bit. Some of these designs can be problematic as they can cause pinching, and it is worth testing the bit on your own arm first – if you feel pinching, it is likely that your horse will too.

FINAL THOUGHTS We obviously can’t cover every single ring type or every single mouthpiece here, but, suffice to say, there are a lot of options out there.

If you think your horse needs a bit change, we highly recommend chatting to a bit fitter who can give you the best advice based on the anatomy of your horse’s mouth.

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TEXT: FARRYN DAY

HOW TO 72

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HELP YOUR HORSE TO OVERCOME THEIR FEAR OF CLIPPERS IN 3 EASY STEPS

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ntroducing a horse to clippers takes time and patience.

Sadly, many horses have had bad experiences with being clipped ranging from being twitched on the nose, ear or neck, or given tranquilisers to allow the ‘job to get done’.

Although it may take longer to help these kinds of horses overcome their fear, it can be done.

THE HORSE’S PERSPECTIVE Let’s try and see things from the horse’s perspective. The clippers are strange and noisy, attached to a long thick lead and they bite a little when they touch the skin. To a horse unaccustomed to the sound and sensation, this noisy thing resembles a horse-eating, snake-like monster!

A TYPICAL CLIPPING SCENARIO Picture this scenario… You have entered your horse into a show and you decide the day before the show that he needs to be clipped. After a quick wash you turn on the clippers and get started. He seems nervous and moves away from the clippers. You continue to clip. He starts to panic and tries to get away. A groom comes to help and the horse is twitched. The horse may then stand (though he is not relaxed), or, he may panic even more and become dangerous. More people are called into help and the horse becomes more and more anxious. The next time you attempt to clip him he goes from 1 to 100 on the anxiety scale VERY quickly in anticipation of what is to come. By rushing the process and forcing the horse to fit with your schedule just once, the horse has learnt to be afraid of the clippers and the experience they create.

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with the clippers may not be from the actual clippers, but rather from being twitched, or by pulling back on the halter if tied up. The poll area is the site where the spine meets the skull and as such is a vulnerable and sensitive area which can be badly damaged by pulling back in a panic when tied up. Similarly, their panic may just be from the claustrophobia of having so many people holding onto them to allow the clipping to take place. Often we ‘hold a leg’ up to stop them moving off, removing their ability to escape – a key response for a prey animal when feeling under threat.

FIXING THE ISSUE If you own a horse that is fearful of the clippers, remember that you cannot change what happened to them in the past, but you can teach them that things are different now.

Remember that a horse that is fearful or in ‘flight mode’ is not using the ‘thinking’ part of the brain, and that is no good for learning. So, when re-introducing a horse to the clippers set them up for success. Take baby steps, move on to the next phase only when your horse is comfortable and take as much time as they need. In order to change the associations that a horse has with the clippers we need to introduce it slowly and calmly in a systematic way.

1. To start, try hanging the clippers outside their stable door. Soon the horse will realise that they don’t do anything. Then once they are comfortable with that you can turn the clippers on for a few minutes during feeding time.

This gives the horse the chance to change their association with the clippers from something negative (being frightened and/or hurt), to something positive (food).

2. Wrap the cord around the clippers and bring it along

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FARRYN DAY Facebook: @SmicEquestrian Instagram: @smic_equestrian @smicfarryn @citypoloatinanda

when grooming your horse. Set the clippers down next to your grooming kit and allow your horse to smell and investigate it while you brush them. After a nice relaxing grooming session, hold the clippers in your hand and again, allow your horse to sniff and see what he thinks. When they are comfortable, you can try to ‘brush’ the horse with the back side of the clippers, but stay away from sensitive areas like the face, and belly. Use a little bit of pressure, just like if you are using a brush. Don’t switch the clippers on yet - the aim is to show the horse that the clippers are harmless. If the horse becomes anxious, take the clippers away, and brush a bit more till they settle then try again.

Make this a part of your daily routine.

3. When the horse is relaxed with the sound of the clippers hanging outside the stable, as well as the clippers touching them, you can turn the clippers on. Just as before, start

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with a small area and rub the back side of the clippers over the neck or shoulder. Often horses are frightened of the vibrations of the clippers as it is such a foreign feeling, and though they may not like it, they can be taught to accept it.

The idea is to do a little bit often, keeping the horse calm and relaxed – so that next time you can do a little more.

Eventually, you will be able to start to clip small areas of the body. At first, you may not be able to clip the whole body in one session, but as long as the horse remains calm and accepting, clipping will become easier and quicker each time.

FINAL THOUGHTS Horses are incredibly smart, tolerant and adaptable; and I believe with enough time, understanding and patience they can be taught to do anything!

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H O R S E A N D H E A LT H

TEXT: CHRISTINE PINNA, CABALLO BAREFOOT TRIMMING

THE

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LONG AND SHORT OF IT

as your farrier or barefoot trimmer ever commented that your horse's feet were awfully long, but they simply didn't look that long to you? Or, if you're not sticking to a specific trimming schedule, are you unsure as to when you need to have your horse's feet trimmed? Or are you the person uttering the words that make every hoof care provider cringe, "We can skip this trim. I'm not riding him for a while now, anyway, so I'm not too worried about his feet." If any of the above describes your situation, read on to learn about the importance of regular trims, the signs that your horse is due for a trim and why it’s not okay to skip a trim, especially if you are not riding.

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IS YOUR HORSE DUE FOR A TRIM?

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS To understand the reason for trimming, we need to think about what is natural and normal for a horse in a healthy environment. A barefoot horse moving over various surfaces, including hard ground and stones in a large enough area, will receive a fair amount of wear on his feet. If the horse is fed correctly and his body is healthy enough to utilise his good diet correctly, he should push out sufficient growth for the movement and wear he is getting on his hooves. Genetics will also play a role, with some horses being really good at growing a lot of hoof and requiring more movement to create enough wear to combat HQ|156B

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It’s clear to see this foot is overgrown.

this, and others growing more slowly and needing less.

Older horses also tend to grow hoof wall a lot slower, but the chances are good that they are not be nearly as active as they were in their younger days, so this tends not to be a major issue.

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Another overgrown hoof showing distortion of the natural structures.

IN NATURE We also need to keep in mind that wild horses would move roughly 40km a day over a variety of surfaces in a natural environment. This serves to keep their feet short throughout their lives, only resulting in excess growth and length if they are lame or injured and don’t move as much as usual. The healthy wild horse is not going to have any extra growth to put strain on the various structures of his limbs. If we can take anything from the wild horse model

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he started out comfortable on, please keep him off that surface for a while and consider working him on the surface a little less once he is comfortable again.

2. Ask your trimmer or farrier to show you how to do a bevel on your horse's toes in between trims if he or she is open to it. It is important that the bevel does not invade the toe callous area which is the part of the sole in front of the frog. Thinning this area can cause the horse to become uncomfortable, especially on harder ground.

3. Put down pea gravel in the areas where your horse eats, sleeps and drinks or consider creating a horse track system to increase movement and wear on the feet.

that does so well in nature, it is to not allow our horses' hooves to grow excessively long.

WHAT THIS MEANS Generally, this means a 4-5 week trimming schedule for most horses, with less frequent trims for horses that move more, i.e. barefoot endurance horses. Horses that aren't working or are kept in small paddocks and not ridden much should be kept on a regular trimming schedule and will probably need more frequent trimming due to less overall wear on the hooves.

SIGNS YOUR HORSE IS DUE FOR A TRIM The following are signs that your horse is due for a trim: • Toes look unusually long • Heels look long, and bent tubules are noted • Hooves are flared, and hoof wall is quite long above the live sole level • Chips and cracks have appeared • Thrush is present • Dead sole is present • The frog is loose or shedding

NOTE: While all of the above can be helpful with regards to increasing the wear on your horse's feet, it is not intended to replace the professional services of your hoof care provider.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE The more horses move over varied terrain, the more wear they will have on their feet. Horses that move less will therefore require a trim more quickly than those who move more. Calling your hoof care provider as a priority when your horse needs a trim, or better yet, arranging a regular trimming cycle, is necessary for your horse's health.

Overgrown feet have angles that are no longer optimal, putting strain on the joints above, and are also more prone to infection, so it is vital that you prioritise regular hoof care for your horse.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU CAN’T GET A HOOF CARE PROVIDER IN TIME While regular trims should be in the budget of every horse owner, there are times when money is tight, and perhaps you can't get your hoof care provider out as regularly as necessary. You may also live in an area where it is hard to come by a hoof care provider. Is there anything you, as a horse owner, can do? Certainly!

1. Riding or hand-walking on tar or over stones if your horse can handle it, even a couple of times a week, can help dramatically to increase wear on his hooves. Of course, if your horse starts to get uncomfortable on a surface,

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Part 2

Anatomy

The skeletal system T

he horse’s skeleton is made up of bones and cartilage supported by ligaments. It provides the framework and support for the body as a whole, giving it shape and protecting the internal organs.

THE SKELETON There are two distinct parts to the horse’s skeleton: The axial skeleton, which consists of: • The skull, which protects the brain.

• The spine, which runs from the skull to the tail and protects the spinal cord.

• The ribcage, which protects the heart, lungs and other vital organs.

The appendicular skeleton, which consists of: • The shoulders and forelegs.

• The pelvic girdle and the hindlegs.

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These structures all support the body and are responsible for movement. The forelimbs are attached to the sternum and ribcage by muscle and ligaments alone; there is no bony connection. The ribcage hangs suspended from the shoulders as if in a sling. Similarly, the pelvic girdle and hindlimbs are attached to the spine by very strong ligaments; there is no bony joint between the two.

BONES The horse’s skeleton generally consists of 205 bones.

These bones are made up of predominantly collagen, calcium and phosphorus. Collagen is a fibrous tissue made from protein, and calcium and phosphorus are minerals.

Other minerals present in bone are magnesium, sodium

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and potassium. This mixture gives the bone enough strength to support the weight of the horse’s body and enough elasticity to withstand concussion without breaking.

Bones are covered with a thin yet tough membrane called the periosteum to which tendons and ligaments are attached. The periosteum is also responsible for the production of bone cells. If the periosteum is damaged through stress, it can lay down extra deposits of bone, such as splints or bone spavins. Bone cells are constantly being renewed and replaced, which means that they can be affected by changes in diet and exercise. Exercise helps produce bone cells, whereas a shortage of calcium or minerals in the diet can cause the bones to release their store of the missing substances into the body, leaving them weakened and vulnerable to fracture.

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A SECTION THROUGH A LONG BONE

Where one end of a bone meets another in a joint, it is normally covered with cartilage. Bone is supplied with blood by vessels in the periosteum and the marrow cavity, whereas cartilage has no internal blood supply of its own. If the cartilage is damaged, the repair is slow due to the lack of blood flow.

JOINTS Joints occur when two or more bones meet, and usually, they enable the skeleton to move. The exceptions are: • Fibrous joints, such as those in the skull • Cartilaginous joints, such as the sacrum, where there is little or no movement between the bones.

Moveable joints are known as synovial joints. The surface of each bone is covered with articular cartilage, which enables the bones to move without friction. The joint is contained in a capsule, which is lined with synovial membranes. These synovial membranes produce synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant to ease the movement of the joint. Strong ligaments and a fibrous cover then surround the whole joint.

There are several types of synovial joints, each moving in a different way. Amongst these are: • Hinge joints, such as the elbow • Sliding joints, such as the intercarpals in the knee • Ball and socket joints, such as the hip

The bones of the limbs and the vertebral column grow in length by the addition of cells which stem from the epiphyseal plate (or growth plate), an area of cartilage located between the shaft and the end of the bone. The growth plate changes from cartilage to bone when the horse reaches maturity so the bone no longer grows in length. The diameter of the bone increases by the addition of bone cells from the periosteum.

There are two different types of bone: compact bone and spongy bone. The external layer of every bone is composed of strong, compact bone, and inside is spongy bone. Spongy bone is made up of trabeculae, which help to absorb stress and pressure. The spaces between the trabeculae contain red marrow, which produces red blood cells, some white blood cells and platelets, which help with clotting. The longer bones in the body contain yellow marrow, which is mainly made up of fat cells. This stored supply of fat is an important energy reserve.

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Fibrous joints

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A SYNOVIAL JOINT

Sliding joints

Hinge joints

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Ball and socket joints

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The spine

THE SPINE The spine, or vertebral column, of the average horse, consists of 54 vertebrae – 7 cervical, 18 thoracic, 6 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused together) and 18 coccygeal.

The spinal column connects the forehand with the hindquarters. It supports the weight of the horse’s body and also transmits the forward movement generated by the hindquarters through to the trunk and forelimbs.

Between each vertebra is a disc of fibrous cartilage, which absorbs concussive forces and also allows for a small amount of movement. The neck and the tail are the only regions of the spine that are capable of any significant movement. The thoracic, lumbar and sacral vertebrae support the weight of the ribcage, intestines and other internal organs and therefore need to be fairly rigid, only moving a few centimetres to either side.

The spinal cord then runs through the whole length of the spine from the brain to the end of the tail. Each vertebra, therefore, has a hole (the vertebral canal) to accommodate this cord. Each vertebra also has a pair of bony wings (transverse processes) and a bony spine set above the vertebral canal (dorsal spinal processes), which provide attachment for the various muscles. Although each vertebra is built to the same basic structure, there is considerable variation in size and shape according to the position in the spine.

The atlas (the 1st cervical vertebra) serves to attach the skull to the spine. It allows the head to move up and down. It has extensive transverse processes (the wings)

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to which the muscles of the neck are attached. The axis (the 2nd cervical vertebra) allows the head to move from side to side. The dorsal and transverse processes of the other cervical vertebrae are smaller to allow the neck to move freely.

The thoracic vertebrae support the ribcage. They are short and strong and have only a limited range of movement.

Two ribs are attached to each thoracic vertebra, and all the processes to which the muscles of the neck, back and thorax are attached are very well developed.

In the lumbar vertebrae, the spinous and transverse processes are large and robust, as they must anchor both the powerful muscles of the loins and the large sheets of abdominal muscles which support the weight of the intestines.

The sacral vertebrae are fused together to give extra strength to this area of the pelvis. The sacrum forms part of the pelvic girdle, to which it is attached by strong ligaments.

The coccygeal vertebrae are simple in structure. This is because the tail does not undergo any serious stress, so the muscles here need very little support.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE It’s clear to see the importance of the skeleton, bones and joints in our horse’s bodies. Understanding them as the framework on which the other structures are hung and protected, emphasises the need to keep our horse’s bones in optimum condition. This requires a good and balanced diet and regular exercise of an appropriate level.

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EQUAAN 1000 - The one to BEAT!

“Keeping performance horses sound, happy and injury free, is a skill on its own. Sport horses are expensive to keep and take years to school and build relationships with. That is why it is so important to preserve them for as long as possible.

EQUAAN has been a game changer for me. The horses feel great on it and knowing that I do what I can to preserve their careers, is a comfort for me as a rider.

GIVING BACK TO MY HORSES IS IMPORTANT TO ME” - Belinda Martin

NO MESS, NO FUSS, NO WASTAGE - Assists in the prevention of osteoarthritis - Acts as an anti-inflammatory - Protects cartilage - Increases joint metabolism and fluid - Increases quality and viscosity of joint fluid - Only one ovule a week for maintenance - 3 ovules is a pre show boost - 1 ovule aids post show recovery - Safe for ulcer prone horses - Assists with the integrity, nutrition and health of soft tissue and fascia

H O R S E A N D H E A LT H

ITCHY SCRATCHY

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THERE’S NOTHING SWEET ABOUT SWEET ITCH

S

ummer seasonal recurrent dermatitis, normally referred to as sweet itch, is a common and unpleasant skin disease. It is caused by an allergic reaction to the bite of a Culicoides midge, which is the midge that carries African Horse Sickness (AHS). All horses are bitten by this midge, but just like with AHS, only some develop the condition.

PATHOLOGY The Culicoides midge mostly feed at dusk and dawn in warmer weather and breed in wet conditions. This allows them to thrive in the spring, summer and autumn months, which is why the condition is most prevalent at these times. Symptoms of the disease start to appear at the end of spring and continue into autumn. However, in a few rare cases, the condition can be present almost all year round with last year’s symptoms having barely cleared up before the condition flares again the following spring.

When the Culicoides midge bites a susceptible horse, a local allergic reaction occurs to a protein in the saliva of the midge. The protein is essentially harmless but in horses with the allergy, it causes the immune system to over-react and attack its own skin cells. It is the damage caused by this attack on the skin that leads to the symptoms of sweet itch. Sweet itch is therefore, fundamentally, a problem of the immune system and as such is very difficult to treat successfully.

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The most affected areas in cases of sweet itch are under the mane, at the root of the tail, on the ears, along the neck, on the forehead, around the withers and across the hindquarter. However, in severe cases the condition also appears along the midline of the belly, the saddle area, the sides of the head, the sheath or udder and the legs. In fact, the condition can really affect just about any part of the horse’s body when severe!

Animals who are predisposed to sweet itch will start to show signs between one and four years of age in most cases, with the condition being worse in the summer months. Older animals who show the disease for the first time are thought to do so because of some outside stressor, such as moving to a new home, disease or serious injury. However, in both younger and older horses, the major contributing factor to developing sweet itch is obviously the prevalence of the midge in the area.

Sweet itch, while immensely distressing for the affected horse, is not contagious. One or more animals in the same stable yard may have the condition, but this is simply due to the environmental factors (the high burden of Culicoides midges) or pure coincidence.

eliminate other causes of similar symptoms, which are more easily treatable, like lice and ringworm.

CHARACTERISTICS Sweet itch is characterised by intense itching, causing the horse or pony to vigorously rub or scratch the affected parts of the body on anything they can get access to. If there is nothing convenient to rub on, they may even pull themselves along the ground to scratch their belly or sit like a dog and wriggle around on the floor to scratch their tail. Alternatively, they may bite their flanks and the base of the tail and scratch their manes and ears with a hindfoot. Sufferers frequently pester their paddock mates for extra mutual grooming or may pace up down continuously until they get access to something to scratch on. Vigorous tail swishing or excessive rolling is also seen.

Constant scratching and rubbing causes the skin to thicken and the hair to become broken and fall out. It is not uncommon for the condition to worsen each year until eventually the skin is so damaged that the hair no longer grows back. Constant damage to the hair may also result in the hair growing back white, so if you are buying a horse over

DIAGNOSIS If you suspect that your horse or pony has sweet itch, it is important to get a proper clinical diagnosis from your vet. Diagnosis should not be difficult, especially with the disease being seasonal, but a formal diagnosis does

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the winter months, check for white hairs in the mane or tail as this may suggest a case of chronic sweet itch that is just less obvious in the cooler months.

Other symptoms of sweet itch include flaky skin and weeping sores, sometimes with a yellow crust. Secondary infection with bacteria, viruses or fungi can affect these sores if they are not kept clean. If you suspect secondary infection you must contact your vet immediately to get the area treated.

IMPACT ON PSYCHOLOGY AND PERFORMANCE Aside from the physical signs of the condition, the psychological impact on the horse can be huge. Suffering from sweet itch is a pretty miserable predicament and horses with sweet itch need help to minimise their HQ|156B

symptoms, as well as lots of TLC! Symptoms of sweet itch commonly cause horses to lose their ability to concentrate. These horses typically become lethargic and yawn a lot or become fidgety and restless. They often lose interest in their work, and their performance deteriorates. Tack can become unbearable for them and insects buzzing around can set off a bout of head shaking. With all of this extra stress it is not unusual for these horses to drop weight and lose condition.

TREATMENT The key to managing sweet itch is prevention and persistence. Preventative environmental measures to reduce exposure to the midge are certainly the most effective, but if the midges are still biting you need to be

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diligent in applying treatments and fly sprays regularly to get the condition under control.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT There are a number of measures you can take to reduce the midges’ access to the horse, which is the most important arm to treatment. Firstly, horses must be removed from areas near to woods, ponds, lakes, rivers, standing water, wet ground or rotting vegetation, as these are the main breeding grounds for the midge. These areas should also be avoided when riding. An ideal location for the horse is in fact an exposed windy area as the midges cannot fly in the windy conditions.

It is for this reason that fans in the stable can really help these horses by keeping the midges at bay. The fan should be directed towards the door or window to prevent the midges flying in and getting access to the horse. It is important to note that fans must be securely fastened and well out of the way of the horse to avoid injury.

Rugging the horse with a lightweight rug that has a hood and covers the belly is also helpful. Many tack shops stock specific blankets for this purpose.

Finally fly repellants with midge repelling action should be applied all over the body, usually twice a day.

PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT If the allergic reaction is severe, vets can prescribe corticosteroids to minimise the issue. However, these drugs only bring temporary relief and carry the risk of

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nasty side effects, including laminitis. Similarly, some vets will prescribe antihistamines (specifically hydroxyzine), which have been shown to be of benefit in some cases of sweet itch. Antibiotics may be required in cases where the skin has been broken and become infected. Steroid and antihistamine creams can also be used, and some people have experienced good results with these.

OTHER OPTIONS Certain creams and oils can reduce the itch but need regular application. Some horses experience relief from cold hosing and ice packs on the affected areas. Finally, many alternative therapies are purported to help and it’s worth discussing these with a specialist.

You must not expect any of the above the treatments to be effective immediately. Horses who have suffered from sweet itch have often become habitual scratchers, and therefore it will take a while to break the itchscratch cycle.

SUMMARY With sweet itch there are no cures and no quick fixes, and even a short exposure to a few biting Culicoides midges can result in weeks of itchiness. Throughout the main ‘biting’ season preventative measures must not be relaxed if the programme is to successfully control the condition and minimise discomfort. This is time-consuming but must be done to achieve the best outcome for your horse.

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TEXT: SHELLEY WOLHUTER

MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE

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orses are designed to move. In fact, when it comes to horses, movement really is medicine. In the wild, horses have been known to cover an average of 40km daily. Different terrains and climates would affect this average, but regardless, that distance is still rather impressive! Living as Mother Nature intended offers certain health privileges, such as a high baseline fitness, robust bare feet, a hardy immune system and the absence of colic, laminitis, ulcers, and stereotypies, to name just a few. Some might counter that the wild horse has evolved to be tougher than the domestic horse. However, their physiology remains the same.

All of this demonstrates that there are many important benefits to increasing your horse’s daily movement. Here we will discuss just a few.

BLOOD CIRCULATION The first and foremost benefit of movement is increased blood circulation. The circulatory system is the transport system of the body. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells and removes carbon dioxide and other waste products. It is also the medium that hormones and immune cells travel in. Of course, blood will continue to circulate regardless of whether there is movement or not, such as during a period of rest. However, an increase in movement will demand an

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SHELLEY WOLHUTER Libratum Equus | Balanced Horse Website: www.libratumequus.com Facebook: Libratum Equus Instagram: @libratum_equus

increase in circulation to meet the cells’ increased needs.

Increased blood supply to cells is always a positive thing.

JOINT LOADING For cartilage lining joints to remain healthy, joints need to be loaded. This is due to the sponge-like properties of cartilage. Proteoglycans, tiny cells embedded in the cartilage, draw liquid in like an absorbent sponge. In order to remove this liquid, the sponge needs to be squeezed by loading the joint. This constant drawing in and squeezing out of liquid is the cartilage’s food delivery and waste removal mechanism, keeping the cartilage healthy. A joint that is not loaded enough is at risk of developing a build-up of waste metabolites and thereby having a toxic environment in the cartilage. Simply put, the more your horse moves, the healthier their cartilage will be. This is also the case for osteoarthritis in humans - in fact, movement is often recommended in the treatment protocol.

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BONE DENSITY Bone density is a product of the forces it is subjected to. That means that loaded bones will be stimulated to deposit more bone, and those that are unloaded will become atrophied – that is, decreased in size and density.

Ultimately, dense bones are strong bones, and movement is needed to create this! This phenomenon can be clearly seen in a person that has broken a bone and has been forced to unload said bone completely. After the cast removal, the most obvious observation is the bone and muscle wasting, especially if it is a weight-bearing bone, such as a femur. As alluded to in this human example, the same principle applies to muscles - a lack of load and usage results in atrophy. In simpler terms, when it comes to important body structures like bone and muscle, the phrase “Use it, or lose it”, describes the process perfectly.

TENDON LOADING Tendons also respond to load. In fact, the leading cause for tendon injury is prolonged periods of rest, followed but periods of high tendon load. In such cases, the tendons have not been gradually conditioned to the loads they are subjected to. An example of this would be a horse kept in a confined space for a prolonged period of time, who then gets taken out to jump big fences or perform advanced dressage movements. This is relevant not only to an exercise schedule but also to paddock size and turnout time.

HOOF CONDITIONING AND DEVELOPMENT (BAREFOOT ONLY) In the barefoot horse, movement stimulates healthy hoof development and conditioning. Movement also assists the

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heart to pump blood back up the legs due to the hoof’s ability to flex on loading. Shoes, unfortunately, fix hooves in one shape and prevent the natural flexion and, therefore, the blood-pumping action that barefoot horses experience.

MENTAL STIMULATION Movement in horses can also offer mental stimulation.

With horses being such intelligent creatures, they thrive off stimulation. Whether the movement mostly comes from a large paddock or a long ride, either way, your horse is being stimulated. Horses that are fortunate enough to have large paddocks with varied terrain AND get ridden or worked benefit the most in this regard, as they have constant mental stimulation as they navigate their surroundings.

DIGESTIVE MOVEMENT Low-intensity movement causes an increase in blood flow to the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Much like squeezing a toothpaste tube, these muscles are responsible for massaging food through the tract as nutrients are absorbed. Insufficient movement can cause gut activity to slow down. This is why horses that colic are often hand walked to get the gut moving again.

THE VERDICT Nature has created a fantastic model that can inspire holistic and practical horse husbandry, and perhaps clues lie in this model to explain why wild horses are so healthy and hardy. We can look to our horses’ wild friends for answers when faced with the challenges of trying to optimise our horses’ lives.

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Shelley Wolhuter, from Libratum Equus is a Kyalami-based Horsemanship Instructor, with a special focus on:

• Connection, relationships and partnerships with horses

Libratum Equus where science, compassion, mindfulness and philosophy meet to shape a mindset dedicated to imp improving the lives of horses.

• Problem solving in horses, with a particular focus on anxiety issues.

@libratum_equus Libratum Equus www.libratumequus.com 0711896938

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YOUR EQUESTRIAN QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What are the signs that your horse is ageing?

Horses don’t all age at the same rate. Some of this is due to genetics, and some to the care they have received throughout their lifetime.

Horses are, generally speaking, labelled as ‘senior’

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when they reach the age of 15, but this is a massive generalisation, as many horses remain youthful well into their mid-20s.

However, whatever the age, it is always worth observing your horse for signs of ageing, as external signs are usually mirrored by internal signs that need to be considered when it comes to work frequency,

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Q&A

duration and level. Signs of ageing do not mean that your horse needs to retire, but just that he needs optimal management for his stage in life. With proper care, attention, and consideration of your horse’s requirements and needs, many horses can continue competing at a high level, even at an ‘old’ age.

SIGNS OF AGEING Signs your horse is ageing include the growing of grey hair around the eyes and muzzle. This is much more obvious in horses with a dark coat colour. Older horses also lose some skin tone, and the skin almost feels ‘loose’ to the underlying tissue. The hair may also become coarser, and the skin may feel thickened and dry under this coat. Skin wounds often also take longer to heal in the senior horse.

Some seniors develop a ‘choppy’ gait, resulting from weaker muscles and arthritic joints. In these horses, maintaining a reasonable exercise regime is more important than ever. Another key sign of ageing is a dipped back. This is due to slack musculature in the area and is called lordosis or ‘sway back’. Some horses suffer from it early on in life, so a dipped back is not a sign of old age in isolation. However, newly developed dipped backs are generally related to age. In many horses, the depression above the eye also becomes deeper and more prominent. This is again caused by slack muscles. In older horses, you can also expect energy levels to be lower, and warm-ups will definitely need to be longer, workouts more gentle, and aftercare will need to include joint care and maintenance.

A change in appetite can also develop with age, and older horses can become very picky and attached to their routine. An older horse may need more food for energy, but obesity must be avoided. Teeth are an issue in ageing horses – an older horse tends to have longer

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front teeth and may sometimes have worn or missing back teeth. A horse’s diet may need amending or changing entirely to accommodate his poor dentition. By the time a horse reaches the age of 15, the groove on the outside of the teeth (Galvayne’s Groove) will almost wholly have grown out, and the teeth will look more sloped and slanted.

FINAL THOUGHTS Even if a horse doesn’t look old, there can still be changes happening internally. Pay close attention to your horse and make sure you spot the signs when they arise so that they can be managed proactively. Managing your horse’s ageing process can give the two of you much more quality time together, and at least, in our opinion, there isn’t anything more important than that.

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Q&A

Horses who stand still for prolonged periods are prone to stocking up.

What is stocking up?

Stocking up is a phrase used to describe what happens to a horse’s legs when they swell up below the knees.

Commonly owners report that a horse swells up below the knees after a night spent in the stable, but then after turn-out in the paddock, the swelling goes back down.

Usually, both fronts or backs, or all four legs, will be swollen in stocking up. Stocking up differs from swelling

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due to injury in that the horse is usually not lame, and the swelling is generalised, not specific to one location or leg.

The most common reason for stocking up is a lack of movement.

Horses are designed to be on the move most of the time. Through contraction and expansion of the digital cushion in the hoof (among other things), this movement helps to move blood in the circulatory system back to the heart. If a horse is left in a stable for a while, the circulatory system cannot work

as effectively due to the lack of movement, and fluid will pool in the tissues, causing oedema. This fluid pools in the lowest point of the horse due to gravity, leading the legs to appear puffy and swollen.

Some horses may also stock up due to heart issues or problems with the lymphatic system.

Therefore, it is worth confirming with your vet that the stocking up is simply caused by a lack of movement and then trying to find ways to maximise your horse’s ability to move during the day.

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Q&A

My older horse is starting to have problems with his teeth, which means he’s losing weight. How can I improve his condition?

Chewing is essential as the start of the digestive process and influences the whole chain reaction of processes that follow it. Chewing not only breaks down fibre and releases other nutrients, but it also causes the production of saliva, which is vital for maintaining gut function, balancing acid production and allowing food to pass smoothly through the digestive system. Older horses with dental issues have difficulty chewing food, especially forage and high-fibre feeds, which

reduces the amount of food they can digest. This ultimately affects hindgut fermentation, resulting in poor nutrient absorption and loss of condition. Older horses may therefore eat the same amount but lose weight as they are unable to digest the food they are receiving to the same extent as previously and thus cannot extract the nutrients for their bodies to use.

As fibre needs to make up the bulk of your horse’s diet, you need to supply senior horses with sources of fibre that are easier to chew and digest. Soaked feeds are best for this because they are much easier to break down and infuse with saliva. Choosing feeds that include super-fibres, which are more easily fermented in the hindgut, can also

help, as these feeds allow more nutrients to be absorbed. You can also look for feeds that include micronised ingredients, which are already partially broken down during the manufacturing process, thus reducing the need for your horse to chew them to break them down for absorption.

If you are looking to make changes to your horse’s diet, it is advised that you discuss these with an equine nutritionist or vet.

What is a high blower?

The term ‘high blowing’ refers to the common blowing sound that some horses make as they exhale (breathe out). The noise is most commonly heard in canter, and you will typically hear it with every stride. The noise itself is caused by the horse’s nostril vibrating as he breathes out, and it is generally not considered an issue.

While high blowing and other noises horses may make when exhaling are generally harmless, listen out for any noises made during inhalation (breathing in) as these often signify a problem.

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Q&A

Can I use rainwater for my horse’s drinking water?

Drinking rainwater is not a problem if the water is kept fresh, especially during the warmer months. This is easy to do if it is kept in small containers that can be regularly emptied and cleaned out. All containers must be free from algae – blue-green algae are particularly toxic for horses.

Rainwater must also be collected directly, not via a lead roof, for instance, as lead is toxic to horses. Oak trees are also an issue, as fallen leaves can introduce tannins into the water, which give the water a bitter taste, and sometimes discolour it. This causes a reduction in palatability of the water and thus water intake, thereby increasing the risk of impaction colic. Bird faeces also pose a contamination risk and should be checked for regularly.

In summary, as long as your horse is happy to drink the rainwater and the rainwater is kept fresh, clean, and in plentiful supply, there should not be any issues.

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What is a check ligament injury?

Injuries to the check ligament are unfortunately common, particularly in the forelimbs of older sport horses. They most commonly occur due to degenerative changes in the ligament over time, which leads to weakness and eventually an acute tear. Check ligament injuries are characterised by sudden onset swelling inside and outside a forelimb behind the

cannon bone, in the upper two-thirds of the cannon region. The swelling tends to be quite firm, and if the injury has occurred recently, there is likely to be heat and pain on palpation. Most horses will also suddenly become lame.

Your vet will be able to make the diagnosis using ultrasound and advise on the severity of the injury based on the findings of the scan.

Treatment involves box rest and a controlled exercise programme.

Laser and stem cell therapy have been used with some success.

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For more information, please contact Jan on 082 880 2353 or email him on jan@equiconnect.co.za

If you are riding a horse or pony you love, you have already won.

WHAT DO WE DO? Here at EquiConnect, we specialise in finding the right equine partners for the right people. We take extreme care in matching our buyers to the most suitable and appropriate horse or pony for their needs and abilities.

We also acknowledge that the role of the seller is a difficult one. Moving on a much-loved partner to the next chapter in their journey with a new owner is often both challenging and emotional. We, therefore, commit to investing our time and effort in ensuring that the horse or pony being sold goes to the best possible home, where he or she is secured a happy future.

WHAT IS OUR APPROACH? We are fully invested in making this process as easy and stress-free as possible for both buyer and seller. Therefore, we make sure that we spend the time needed to get to understand each horse and pony so that we can ensure that their new partner and home will meet their needs.

Equally, we spend time getting to know a buyer or rider’s requirements and preferences to narrow down the options and match the rider to the right horse or pony.

Of course, there are also other factors that come into play, and we will build these into our decision-making process: • •

The finances that are available to the buyer; The level of experience of the horse or pony and how this level compares to the rider’s skills

•

The likely potential of the horse or pony and whether the prospect is likely to meet the rider’s expectations now and for the foreseeable future; The temperament of the horse or pony and how this will suit the rider; The rideability and size of the horse or pony and how these elements will suit the rider; and The quality of the horse or pony’s clinical and physical condition and the likelihood of them meeting the rider’s goals over the long term.

• • •

Other factors such as the age and stage of development of the horse or pony and the likely duration of the new partnership are also important.

EquiConnect strives to take these various factors into account when matching a horse or pony to a rider.

WHO IS EQUICONNECT? EquiConnect was founded by Jan Kleynhans, an experienced Open-level Showjumper and professional business person who has experience buying and selling horses locally and abroad.

Jan is passionate about horses and about helping buyers and sellers of horses and ponies in an ethical and transparent way. He believes in complete honesty and disclosure and will share all necessary and relevant information with buyers and sellers.

EquiConnect is about professionalising the process of buying and selling horses to ensure the best outcome for all three participants in the process – the buyer, the seller and the horse.

A selection of our horses and ponies for sale Waterside Hudson Age: 7 Height: 16.2hh Gender: Gelding Breeding: Warmblood x Thoroughbred Current level of performance: Jumping 80cm For sale: R145,000 About: Waterside Hudson is a fairly novice horse but bold and confident and ready to go to the next level with the right rider. He is jumping 80-90cm at home and is doing this easily. He has a very willing attitude and a great work ethic.

WATERSIDE HUDSON

Rideability: Waterside Hudson is super straightforward. He’s easy to ride and holds his rhythm in canter beautifully. He will suit a novice rider looking to grow in experience with a partner who can take them up the grades.

Baccarat Boy Age: 13 Gender: Gelding Breeding: Thoroughbred Current level of performance: Jumping 90cm For sale: R150,000 About: The gorgeous Baccarat Boy is a great all-rounder and comfortably jumps at 90cm. He also has lovely movement and could easily succeed in dressage.

BACCARAT BOY

Rideability: Baccarat Boy is forward going, bold and ultimately a schoolmaster who can instil confidence in his rider. There’s a lot to love about this striking Thoroughbred.

Dramatist Age: 6 Gender: Gelding Height: 16.2hh Breeding: Thoroughbred Current level of performance: He’s jumped 90cm at a few training shows.

For sale: R110,000 About: Dramatist has a wonderful temperament. He is a curious horse, with a desire to learn and please his rider.

Rideability: He is easy to ride, moves very well, is very willing, and would suit any rider keen to grow and develop him up the jumping grades.

DRAMATIST

Voigtskirsch Santos Age: 6 Height: 16.1hh Gender: Gelding Breeding: Namibian Warmblood Current level of performance: Jumping 90cm at home and ready to go to shows For sale: R150,000 About: Voigtskirsch Santos has a wonderful temperament and great jump. He’s very easy to handle and will make his rider very happy!

Rideability: Voigtskirsch Santos is a lovely horse suitable for a novice or junior who will take him up the grades.

VOIGTSKIRSCH SANTOS

Waterside Love Story Age: 16 Height: 147cm Gender: Mare Breeding: Welsh x Warmblood For sale: R85,000 About: Waterside Love Story is a consistent winner at the Horse of the Year showing events in Working Hunter and Working Riding. She is a good dressage pony and also has a nice jump. Love Story is very experienced but does require a less novice child, looking for a second pony. She can then be relied upon to bring home the rosettes. Love Story has bred a few foals in recent years and is now firmly back in work!

WATERSIDE LOVE STORY

Rideability: Love Story is a very well-schooled pony. She is forward going, bold, brave, and very willing. Her ‘naughtiest’ trick is a small buck every so often, but with a more experienced child, she will be easy to handle.

Waterside Sienna Age: 15 Height: 142cm Gender: Mare Breeding: Welsh x Thoroughbred For sale: R85,000 About: Waterside Sienna is a competitive pony. She has won lots of showing classes, is great at stadium eventing and has done Elementary level dressage.

WATERSIDE SIENNA

Rideability: Sienna is a forward going and bold pony with plenty of experience.

She is very safe, sweet and trustworthy.

She can occasionally get strong and is certainly a little playful if she is too fresh, but with regular work, you couldn’t find a more reliable pony.

Waterside Sunshine Age: 13 Gender: Mare Height: 138cm Breeding: Welsh For sale: R70,000 About: This pony has a heart of gold.

She is a pure-bred “Section B” Welsh pony and has been highly successful in Working Hunter classes. She’s kind and sweet and will make an ideal first pony.

Rideability: There aren’t enough wonderful adjectives to describe this lovely little mare. She is currently used in the riding school and will make a great first pony for the child lucky enough to find her.

WATERSIDE SUNSHINE

Waterside Dollar Girl Age: 13 Gender: Mare Height: 141cm Breeding: Welsh x Thoroughbred For sale: R80,000 About: Waterside Dollar Girl has wonderful movement. She has been successful in showing and has won titles at Horse of the Year, including in the Working Riding events. She is a solid, bold prospect that will thrive in dressage and showing.

Rideability: Dollar Girl is an experienced pony who knows her job.

She is fairly sensitive, so not a first pony, but with regular work will be a charming partner.

WATERSIDE DOLLAR GIRL

Products we love Shopping fun

Veredus Young Jump X Pro Hind Boots The Veredus Young Jump X Pro Fetlock Boots offer protection to horses that tend to strike their sensitive pastern areas when exercising. This can often be caused by a horse’s natural movement, over-expression, or clumsiness with the hind legs. The extension to the protection area, whilst soft and malleable, has an effective strike pad to prevent injury to the pastern bone and skin.

Features: • Superb protection for the pastern bone • Impact resistant, anatomically shaped shell • Comfortable, breathable Neoprene lining • Vents provide essential airflow • Waterproof • Double Velcro safety fastening The Veredus Young Jump X Pro’s meet FEI hind boot criteria for all competition horses (including Young Horse categories).

Available in-store and online at Western Shoppe.

Learn more at www.westernshoppe.com.

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TAMARA SUN PROTECTOR

The Tamara Sun Protector is made from a UV protective, breathable mesh fabric and is the ideal item for outdoor sporting activities. This product was especially designed to quickly throw on over a shirt during riding or other exercise and provide you with ultimate sun protection but still be cool and breathable.

Details include: • Drop shoulder with piping detail • High neck for sun protection • Long sleeve • Front pockets • Front chunky zip • Mesh fabric for cool feel • Customised elastic waist and cuffs • UV protective Colours | White, Black Sizes | XS, S, M, L, XL

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more products we love Shopping fun

Royal leg wraps

Royal leg wraps are the ultimate of leg care, and our best seller. Generally used in the stable overnight, they provide the legs with superior pain relief and improved circualtion. Perfect for legs that tend to be puffy, joints that are arthritic, tendons and ligamants that need improved circulation to improve recovery from injury or just to look after your horses legs.

Price: R2800,00

EQUAAN 1000

Easy once weekly dosing

• 100% absorbed • Above 80% bioavailability • Improves and maintains joint health, and assists with soft tissue health and integrity • Acts as an anti-inflammatory • Protects cartilage • Repairs collagen • Improves the quality and viscosity of joint fluid

May be used for joint maintenance and recovery, as a pre-show boost and for post-show recovery.

Available as single ovules, monthly packs and boxes of 10.

Available from EPVSA – RegenSportsMed www.regensportsmed.co.za

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KEP Helmets

Safety, comfort, design, technical performance and elegance are combined to create the perfect helmet.

Haygain Hay Steamer

Steaming is the only scientifically proven way to eliminate up to 99% of the dust, bacteria, fungi and mould found in hay. This helps to prevent the serious health issues that these substances can cause.

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TXH XEX H I N D Q U A RT E R

Dear readers, I am afraid I will be unable to write my usual witticisms for you all this month.

A terrible event has befallen my stable yard, and I am taking some time for myself to recover from the emotional trauma.

A miniature stallion has arrived on the property (a mere 66cm tall from all reports), and the owners of every other horse in the yard have quite frankly lost their minds. They have spent hours ogling him from outside the door, and quite normal behaviours seem to send them wild with excitement. The other day he whinnied and owners flocked to his door to ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’. I whinny and my mother shushes me. He whinnies and the world comes running.

To add to the abandonment issues this is creating, I heard my mother utter the words, ‘Maybe I can just shrink Pridey? He’d be so much cuter in miniature, and it isn’t like he lets me ride him anyway.’

Friends, I am left terrified for what the future holds. I am taking some time out for soul-searching and, if I’m absolutely honest, plans for miniature stallion domination.

You’ll have to wait to hear from me next month.

Adieu, dear friends.

Pridey xxx

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NEXT ISSUE

1st November 2021 www.hqmagazine.co.za 114

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Lose a hobby, gain a paion

Merlynn Trichardt 079 317 4556 | merlynn.bester15@gmail.com