HQ Magazine Issue 158A by hqmagazine

DIGITAL ISSUE 158A | 2022

SOUTH AFRICA’S PREMIER EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE

ONLINE AUCTION WINTER EDITION

FULL COLLECTION NOW LIVE 10 TH - 18 TH MAY 2022 www.callaho.auction

Hello! Welcome to this month’s edition of HQ Digital. We’re delighted you’re here with us! March is also the month for our next print edition (yay!), and this will be on the shelf in the next few weeks. You can either pick up a copy at the stores of our advertisers, or you can order a subscription through our website (www.hqmagazine.co.za). This issue is packed full of great content that we’re delighted to be sharing with you. We start with a fascinating insight into the dam lines used at Capital Stud and realise that the mare really is the unsung hero of the breeding process. Then we meet our mare, stallion and now gelding of the month, written by the fabulous Georgia Harley. The ETT team have sent through some case studies for us, and we guarantee you’ll want to check these out. And then our health focus of the month is nutrition with articles on the digestive system, dentistry for the older horse, detecting and preventing obesity and making your forage last. There’s lots here for you to enjoy, but please let us know if there’s anything, in particular, you’d like our team to investigate and write about for you. We want to give you the content you’d most like to read, so just let us know what this is, and we’ll deliver! Have a fabulous March, and we’ll see you back in April! With much love,

Lizzie and xxx the HQ team Dr Lizzie Harrison | Editor PS Don’t miss our brand new title DQ Magazine released on the 15th of March!

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Designer: Mauray Wolff

DIGITAL ISSUE 158A | 2022

IN THIS ISSUE 06

Why the mare?

Showing handler of the month

Stallion of the month

Mare of the month

Gelding of the month

Overcoming show nerves

Stereotypies

Long in the tooth Dentistry for the older horse

Top tips from sports psychology

Obesity How heavy is your horse?

Lukas 911

Anatomy, Part 7 The Digestive System

Jorella VG

Make it last How to maximise hay usage and avoid wastage

Seeis Atlanticoure

Osteoarthritis And the role of Equaan 1000

Adriaan Drescher

Case Studies From the ETTTM Team

Capital Stud’s perspective

AskHQ

Is stopping them really in the best interests of the horse?

102 Products we love Shopping fun

107 Pridey’s Piece

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WHY THE MARE? CAPITAL STUD’S PERSPECTIVE I’m not going to reinvent the wheel. There are proven horses for a reason – blood doesn’t lie. Our goal for the stud is to breed and produce the best horses in the world, and that is going to require the best dam-lines and the most suitable stallions. - Henning Pretorius, Capital Stud

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The best riders need the best horses. Quite how to breed one is an age-old question. To answer it, top global breeders tend to point to the dam-line. Mares that come from the best dam-lines, when put to the correct stallions at least, more often than not produce the best offspring. Quality, inevitably, breeds quality. Historically, breeders have placed the stallion front and centre; there is a growing movement, however, especially amongst some of the best breeders in the world, to give greater attention to the mare and her dam-lines. The fact that detailed information on these dam-lines is freely available certainly aids the process. What exactly is a dam-line, then? Quite simply, the dam-line tracks the succession of mares from a particular foundation mare. This foundation mare is often special in her own right, but builds a reputation on the performance of her progeny. Of course, it is possible for a weak mare to come from within a strong and proven dam-line: full sisters, for instance, might well produce different quality offspring.

There is no doubt that some branches of a damline will become more desirable than others. Some branches of a dam-line will also show greater consistency. The breeder’s challenge, naturally, is to select the correct branch to produce high performance animals. Selecting the stallion tends to follow the selection of the dam-line in the best breeding programs. It generally follows that a top horse should come from the combination of a mare from a strong dam-line and a suitable stallion. The suitability of the stallion, however, is paramount. He should enhance the mare’s potential, and counteract any weaknesses. The Stallion Index is essential when making this decision. Again, stallions are placed on this Index less for their own quality than for the performance and characteristics of their progeny. Cor de la Bryère is a case in point: not a performer himself, he ascended the Stallion Index due to the enormous success of his offspring on the competition circuit. A stallion can also balance deficiencies: if, for instance, a dam needs more ‘blood’, she can be put to a stallion that breeds ‘blood’; similarly, if the dam needs better technique, a stallion that breeds technique would be most suitable. Rarely, an exceptional mare can be bred to a variety of stallions and produce good offspring with most of them. Usha Van’t Roosakker is one such example: her entire dam-line (BWP100) has produced top mares, despite being bred to a variety of stallions. There is no doubt then that a top broodmare is an invaluable asset for any breeding programme. Some of the top producers of winning world-class showjumpers have never set foot in an arena and perhaps never jumped a jump and yet their genetics and the heritability of their genes sets their offspring apart. At Capital Stud, there are multiple treasured broodmares who produce unmistakable quality time after time. Here we meet just some of them.

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ZINNIA I - A BREEDER OF SIZE, SCOPE AND TEMPERAMENT Zinnia I is the dam of Capital Qorland, Capital Levubu, Capital Pretorius, Capital New Star. Capital Mellissa and Capital Unicorn.

Capital Qorland Photography: Hilary O’Leary

Sired by top showjumper Cassini I, and out of a Romino mare, all of Zinnia I’s offspring have fantastic attitudes, appealing looks, scopey jumps and big canters. Her most well-known son is Capital Levubu who competes in the 1.50m classes under Bronwyn Dos Santos. Not only does Zinnia I produce great sons, but her daughter Capital Mellissa is also proving herself to be a valuable asset to the stud. Capital Mellissa (My Lord Carthago) is the mother to the two-million-rand son of Arezzo VDL Capital Ayden. Capital Unicorn (Pegase van’t Ruytershof) will follow in Mellissa’s steps and hopefully produce her own record-breaking offspring.

Capital Levubu Photography: Hilary O’Leary

Ayden is a magnificent animal. He is super talented, has a great work ethic, a gentle mind, and is extremely playful. From the very first time I sat on him I knew he had everything to be a world-class horse. – Neriske Prinsloo Hill

Cassini I - Show Jumping Stallion

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Aimee W – mother to Capital Colman and Capital Kasane Aimee W is the dam of Capital Colman and Capital Kasane. Aimee W is by top stallion For Pleasure out of a Corrado I mare. For Pleasure was an Olympic level stallion who produced multiple Olympic showjumpers. In the 2016 Rio Olympic Games four of For Pleasure’s offspring took home gold medals. He is known for producing good natured horses and this is evidently passed down through Aimee W as both of her sons have shown willing and kind natures. Corrado I is sire to the world-famous stallion Clinton. Foals of the future: Aimee W has a yearling colt by Capital Cornet Blue Floreval Z.

Capital Ayden Photography: Denford Studios

For Pleasure - Horse of the Century

Capital Colman

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Photography: Hilary O’Leary 9

Clinton - Dirk Demeersman - Olympics Athens 2004

Chacha Floreval - daughter of Chacco Blue, mother of Capital Moonlight Chacha Floreval is the daughter of the best breeding stallion in the world, Chacco Blue. Chacco Blue has been on top of the WBFSH for years now. In fact, the current Olympic Gold Medalist, Explosion W, is by Chacco Blue. Chacco Blue is a stallion known for his ability and fantastic temperament, which he passes onto his offspring. Owned by Capital Stud Chacha Floreval produced her first foal, Capital Moonlight, after which she was sold. However, as soon as Henning Pretorius saw her value in the talented Capital Moonlight, he made it his mission to reacquire the special mare. He not only achieved this, but in the process acquired one of the most exciting young stallions in South Africa, Capital Cornet Blue Floreval Z!

Cornet Blue Floreval Z Natural Born Winner: Explosion W by Ben Maher 10

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Capital Moonlight is now owned by Team Rotoflo and is currently competing in the 1.40m classes in Belgium with rider Kelly O’Connor. Moonlight won Gauteng Champs and the Potential 7 year old Showjumper Series. He was consistently awarded tickets at every show he attended. We will see big things of this pairing in the future.

Moonlight is an incredibly athletic horse; he is very elastic through his body and has an extremely competitive nature when going into the arena. He never lets you down Capital Moonlight

– Kelly O’Connor

Photography: Hilary O’Leary

Foals of the future: Chacha Floveral is also mother to young stallion Capital’s Toulouse who was shown in hand at the 2021 Auction. He is by the USEF leading Hunter sire and leading Jumper sire of 2021, Diarado. Capital’s Toulouse has already commenced his breeding duties.

Capital Lavanya – daughter of MyLord Carthago, mother of Capital Claribel Capital Lavanya is the daughter of top breeding stallion, MyLord Carthago. MyLord Carthago is known for giving his offspring a super canter, scope, and carefulness. Capital Lavanya has passed this down to her progeny. This was evident in the top seller of the 2021 Auction, Capital Claribel. Another successful daughter of Capital Lavanya is the Catoki daughter, Capital Catori. MyLord Carthago

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Capital Unique – Mother to Derby horse Don Castello

Capital Asherelle – mother of top 2019 seller, Capital Kollier

Capital Unique is sired by Capital Ulior. Her most well-known offspring is Capital Don Castello, who previously competed in the South African Derby with Ian Van Schalkwyk and is now performing wonderfully under Jorja Rohrich. Capital Unique has a daughter Capital Donique who happens to be full sister to Capital Don Castello and she also produces lovely horses. She was ridden briefly and showed a huge amount of potential but after an unfortunate injury in the paddock, she was retired from sport and went on to breed.

Another daughter of Capital A Star, Capital Asherelle’s first foal was the top seller of the 2019 auction, Capital Kollier. For her very first foal to be so exceptional is enormously exciting. Capital Asherelle has the same mother as Capital Castello who competes in the open level with Gabi Lubner.

Foal of the future: Capital Donique has recently given birth to a filly by Capital Qorland.

Don Castello is the perfect horse; he gives me confidence and the most amazing feeling – Jorja Rorich

Foals of the future: A full sister to Capital Kollier, who is currently just a yearling, will enter into Capital’s breeding program when she is old enough. A daughter of Capital Capriccio and Capital Asherelle has just had her first foal.

Al Italia - daughter of Armitage, mother of Capital Vegas Al Italia is the mother of Capital Vegas, Capital Callisto and Capital Cuba. Capital Vegas, the big and striking stallion, is currently competing at open level with James Lowe. Mares in breeding: Capital Al Italia daughters are also beginning to prove themselves as broodmares. Capital Chasida has a mare by Rendement and Capital Cyncinatie has a gelding, also sired by Rendement on the 2022 Auction.

Capital Anja – breeder of scope, bravery and sensitivity Sired by Capital A star, Anja has produced talent after talent. All of her offspring have scope, bravery and sensitivity, whoever their sire. Capital Commodore, Capital Destiny, Capital Calida and Capital Kamora, all by different sires, each embody Anja’s class. This is a true testament to Anja’s stamp as a broodmare. Foals of the future: Capital Anja has a yearling, sired by Capital Impossible. Capital Vegas Photography: Hilary O’Leary 12

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Beblesse – Mother of Capital Magic Boy and Capital Night Star A daughter of Darco, Beblesse is the mother of not only of the well-known Capital Magic Boy and Capital Night Star but broodmare, Letsitele. Letsitele is sired by Cassini II. Letsitele has produced another broodmare Capital Cherish who has just had her first foal by Capital Colnardo.

Rendement

Foals of the future: Letsitele has a Levubu foal, who will be available on the 2023 Auction and a 2020 colt by Qorland.

Hera van de Bucxtale - Mother to breeding stallion Capital My Friend Hera van de Bucxtale is by the foundation stallion, Heartbreaker. Heartbreaker mares suit many different types of stallions, and this is shown by Hera van Bucxtale’s son by Kentucky, who will be on the 2022 Auction and her daughter, Sapphire van her Keizershof, who promises to be an exceptional prospect for the future.

Capital Night Star

Capital Magic Boy Photography: Hilary O’Leary

Heartbreaker

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Capital Stud is passionate about achieving constant refinement and improvement in their sporthorse selection. This is only possible due to Henning Pretorius’ dedication to finding and buying the top broodmares for the future. 13

FOCUS

Meet Franziska Laidler and Capital Charnaé. After a two and a half year break, the pair have just competed in Elementary. They aspire to reach Grand Prix, but for now, Fran is just focussing on the next steps!

PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT

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SHOWJUMPING 2022 EVENTS 23 – 24 April Steyn City (Trident Cup) 26 - 29 May Stokkies (World Cup) 26 – 28 August Stokkies (Trident Cup)

16 – 18 September Equidome Indoor Grand Prix 2022 25 – 27 November Summit Ridge

HORSE AND RIDER

TEXT: TARRYN STEBBING PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT

Showing Handler of the month ADRIAAN DRESCHER

driaan’s interest in horses began seven years ago when he met partner JJ Kemp. He progressed quickly in his riding, showing a natural mannerism around horses and soon developing a passion for the show ring! Together with JJ, Adriaan has turned horses out to perfection and he has certainly mastered his skills as a handler in the in-hand classes. We put a few questions to Adriaan and here’s what he told us:

are turned out ‘to a T’ as it creates a great first impression.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP TIP FOR IN-HAND SHOWING? Always makes sure that the horse and handler

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SENTENCE: “NEVER WOULD I EVER (IN THE SHOW RING)...” Never would I ever lose my temper in the show ring.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BREED TO SHOW? I don’t have a specific breed. I enjoy showing off any well conformed, quality horse in show condition. A PULLED OR PLAITED TAIL? Always pulled.

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I always try and stay calm and collected and make the best out of every experience. It is not always about the win. A calm and friendly handler creates a calm horse. Your nerves transfer to the horse ten-fold and can make an already stressful situation far worse for the horse. Remain calm!

ARE YOU A STALLION, GELDING OR MARE MAN AND WHY? Stallions. I enjoy their spunky ‘look at me’ factor! Their natural gleaming coat is the best advantage in the show ring.

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YOUR LIFE MOTTO OR A QUOTE THAT YOU LIVE BY? I would like to share with you three cardinal rules for sustainability and longevity... 1: S urround yourself with people whose eyes light up when they see you. 2: Slowly is the fastest way to get where you want to be. 3: A nd the most important one is to remember that the top of one mountain is the bottom of the next, so keep climbing.

FOCUS

PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT

Here is Kirsty Brimacombe with the stunning Callaho Foreign Affair. The pair are currently competing in the 90cm and are just moving up to the 1m classes. This weekend sees them enter their first dressage show riding Prelim! Good luck!

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FOCUS

DID YOU KNOW? THE US ARMY GAVE A HORSE CALLED RECKLESS THE RANK OF SERGEANT. RECKLESS WAS A PACKHORSE IN THE KOREAN WAR BUT LATER LEARNED TO MAKE SOLO TRIPS TO DELIVER ESSENTIALS TO THE TROOPS ON THE FRONT LINE. SHE WAS ALSO USED TO EVACUATE WOUNDED SOLDIERS AND WAS HERSELF WOUNDED TWICE. SHE WAS GIVEN TWO PURPLE HEARTS AND A GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AFTER THE WAR IN HONOUR OF HER SERVICE AND BRAVERY.

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DID YOU KNOW THE FIRST EVIDENCE WE HAVE OF HORSES BEING DEPICTED IN ARTWORK IS THE PREHISTORIC CAVE PAINTINGS IN THE LASCAUX CAVES IN FRANCE, AND OTHER LOCATIONS. THE LASCAUX CAVE PAINTINGS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE 16,000 YEARS OLD. 24

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FOCUS

DID YOU KNOW? The Appaloosa’s coat colour is the combination of a base colour with an overlaid spotting pattern. The recognised base coat colours are: Bay Dark bay/brown Black Buckskin Grulla Dun Palomino Chestnut Gray Cremello/Perlino Bay roan Blue roan Red roan The spots overlay darker skin and are often surrounded by a halo. The skin next to the spot is also dark, but the overlying hair coat is white. 26

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HORSE AND RIDER

TEXT: GEORGIA HARLEY PHOTOGRAPHY: SASHA REY PHOTOGRAPHY AND SHERRI LEVEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Stallion of the month SEEIS ALANTICOURE

eeis Alanticoure, fondly known as Lanti, is owned at ridden by Megan Zofka of Zofka Saddlery and Saltash Stud.

THE BACK STORY Megan first laid eyes on Lanti when he was only two days old at Seeis Stud in Namibia. He was a small foal, but something about him caught her eye. A few weeks later, Megan returned to Seeis Stud, and Lanti walked out of the herd and straight up to her. She knew at that moment that she had to have him! From the very beginning, Lanti has been the gentlest of stallions. His temperament is his best asset, and he stamps all of his offspring with his kind and loving nature. He is easy to handle, travels well with other horses and stands among mares at shows – he really is the perfect

gentleman! With the constant improvements in performance through breeding, the importance of having a temperament to match cannot be overstated.

RIDEABILITY Alanticoure, although very sensitive, is straightforward and very willing to work. He has a scopey jump, great technique and is extremely brave. Despite being very careful, he will jump anything! Once Lanti arrives in the competition ring, he knows his job and does it very well. After a few years off due to Megan having a little girl of her own, both Megan and Alanticoure started their competition preparation in full swing at the end of last year and are ready to take on 2022. Stokkiesdraai will be their first show of the year, and the goal is that Lanti is HQ|158A

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHERRI LEVEY PHOTOGRAPHY

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HORSE AND RIDER PHOTOGRAPHY: SASHA REY PHOTOGRAPHY

competing confidently and comfortably in the 1.20s and ready to go open in 2023.

BREEDING Alanticoure is sired by De La Coure. De la Coure is known for producing offspring with excellent attitudes towards their work and jumping and trainable temperaments, as evident with his son Alanticoure. De La Coure is the son of Orlando. Orlando is a stallion who possesses scope, formidable technique, and also a gentle temperament. Orlando is sired by one of showjumping’s foundation stallions, Heartbreaker. The daughter of Consuelo Otjozonjati Atlantis is not only the mother to Seeis Alanticoure but also Blue Turtle Atmore who competed in the 1.50 classes with Ronnie Healy. Consuelo is one of Africa’s best producers of showjumping offspring. His offspring are said to have good movement, scope and technique.

OFFSPRING Alanticoure has bred foals, who are very correct, modern, and athletic horses. This stallion is best matched to a more ‘old fashioned’ and heavier mare as he adds blood and modern, sports-type conformation. Although Alanticoure’s offspring are still young, they are seen to inherit his bloodline’s temperament and have long legs and height. It will be exciting to see how his offspring mature and fair in the competition ring. THE FUTURE Alanticoure has the bloodlines to be both a formidable competitor as well as a producer of excellent showjumpers. It is always exciting to have an African bred horse turning into something special. It will be interesting to see how both Lanti and his offspring grow on the South African showjumping circuit. HQ|158A

FOCUS

DID YOU KNOW American Paint Horses were first described in 1519 by Spanish explorer Hernando Cortes. Originally called Pintos, their ancestors were brought to America by Spanish conquistadors and bred with wild herds. They enchanted Native Americans, with many believing them to have magical powers. The Pinto Association solidified the name ‘pinto’ in the late 50s, and then the American Paint Association was established in 1962 for ‘stock-type, spotted horses’. Today the American Paint Association is the world’s second-largest equine registry. Over 1 million horses are registered, with around 15,000 being registered annually. NOTE: While some use the definitions Paint and Pinto interchangeably, there are actually two different definitions now. The pinto is any breed of horse with spotting or bold white markings – Arabians, Saddlebreds, Miniatures etc. The Paint Horse is a specific breed of horse that, in order to be registered, must have a sire and dam that are registered with the American Paint Horse Association, the American Quarter Horse Association or the Jockey Club.

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HORSE AND RIDER

TEXT: GEORGIA HARLEY

Mare of the month JORELLA VG – A DAUGHTER OF GLASGOW VAN 'T MERELSNEST.

orella VG, a magnificent KWPN mare, was purchased in 2020 by Emma Barrow and her family. Following a tough few weeks in 2020, where they lost their 3-year-old colt Sting to African Horse Sickness, it was as if finding Jorella was meant to be. After a trip in 2015 to try horses at Hannah Akerblom's yard Emma continued to follow Hannah on social media and in 2020, saw Jorella VG was on the market. Despite apprehensions that Jorella may be out of budget, Emma messaged Hannah. Due to COVID and the lack of competitions, Jorella was in budget, and quickly vetted and on her way to join Emma Barrow's string of mares in

South Africa. Arriving at the Barrow’s yard at the end of October 2020, after a long time in quarantine, Jorella was uptight. Emma had hoped to be able to get going quite quickly with Jorella, as Jorella had done a 1.30 class in Europe as well as a few 1.20/1.25 classes. However, the mare was tense after all of the travelling and time off, and this tension was severely affecting her rideability. Emma made the decision to take a step back and took Jorella right back down into the 90cm classes and just focused on allowing Jorella to relax and thereby improve her rideability. With coaches Simon Hendry and Simone

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HORSE AND RIDER

I like a hot mare with a lot of blood, and that is Jorella, so I fell in love.

PHOTOGRAPHY: PIX BY ALEX

– Emma Barrow

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HORSE AND RIDER PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT

Relaxation has been a key part of training Jorella.

She always tries her absolute heart out. – Emma Barrow

Howarth, Emma has been able to take the pressure off Jorella and yet expose her to as much as possible in a positive manner whilst maintaining relaxation. With this help, Emma and Jorella VG ended 2021 in the 1.10 classes with positive, relaxed rounds. Patience has been the key to unlocking Jorella's potential and growth as a sporthorse, and we know it will pay off.

BREEDING Jorella VG is the daughter of the striking black stallion Glasgow van 't Merelsnest. Glasgow van 't Merelsnest is a tall stallion with scope and carefulness to complement his looks. Both his sire, Nabab De Reve, and grand sire, Darco, have been successful themselves and great sires of showjumpers. Piloted by Jur Vrieling, Glasgow van 't Merelsnest has an impressive list of achievements to his name, winning the Grand Prix in Rome and the World Cup in Helsinki. This combination was also part of the Dutch team who won the Longines Nations Cup final in Barcelona. Furthermore, as seen through his daughter here in South Africa, Glasgow van' t Merelsnest produces offspring with super canters and scope to match. His offspring are well developed and emerge into successful showjumpers. This is seen through Jorella VG; she is quick off the ground and really shows her scope now that she is learning to jump in

a more relaxed manner. Jorella VG's dam, Porella, herself competed in the 1.30 classes. This mare line has produced many successful open horses for Van Geel Horses. Daan Van Geel said the following, "Jorella comes from a very good dam line. Although sometimes not easy, they all possess quality". Porella is sired by Andiamo Z (Animo). Andiamo Z has taken to the roles of competitor and breeding stallion, with success. On the 2021 WBFSH Sire Ranking for Show Jumping, Andiamo Z currently sits 84th. All of this means that Jorella VG possesses very similar breeding combinations to H&M All In and H&M Indiana, both Olympic level Showjumpers. Both All In and Indiana are sired by a Nabab de Reve son and have dam lines with Animo blood. In fact, when Emma looked at Jorella's pedigree and saw the similarity to the pedigrees of these top horses, it understandably influenced her decision to purchase Jorella back in 2020.

THE FUTURE With breeding like this Emma and her mom may breed with Jorella, possibly via embryo transfer in the future. In the future, Emma hopes that Jorella VG will carry her around some of the bigger World Cup classes. It is always exciting to see mares at the top of the sport, who also have the potential to breed future stars. HQ|158A

HORSE AND RIDER

TEXT: GEORGIA HARLEY

Gelding of the month LUKAS 911

fter the gelding owner revolt that followed our ‘Stallion of the month’ and ‘Mare of the month’ features, we felt compelled to make all things fair and allow the geldings their chance in the spotlight. This month’s gelding is a very special horse owned by mother-daughter duo Marilena and Sam Foley, who stable Lukas 911 at Eaton Farm.

ABOUT Tall, dark, and handsome, Lukas 911 is the perfect European gentleman. At 17 years old, he is an established Grand Prix horse, having competed successfully as a team member for the German B team with Franziska Steigelmeier. This consummate professional competed in

over 300 shows and placed in numerous international 4* competitions in Europe before arriving on South African soil in 2020. Seeing Sam and Lukas together, one feels they have always been a partnership. Sam is hugely grateful to Lukas for all of the experiences they have shared together, from competing in multiple countries, to training in the same arena as the world-renowned Totilas and even being in a prize-giving with Olympian Grand Prix dressage rider Hans Peter. Lukas, on the other hand, seems to love his South African existence and has settled into life in our sunny climate beautifully! Sam acknowledges that there were rocky moments for the pair initially due to Lukas being a very different ride

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HORSE AND RIDER

I think it is important to have the right trainer and environment to succeed. – Sam Foley

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HORSE AND RIDER

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY

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There was an instant connection and sparks of electricity; I am convinced we were best friends in a past life. – Sam Foley

to Chevalier, Sam’s retired Grand Prix horse. Lukas 911 is a big horse with a lot of blood and power, but over time the pair have worked together with Lukas 911 showing his quality and Sam her adaptability as a rider to form the perfect partnership. With perseverance, time, and effort, this team has grown in confidence, and their performances get better every time. With the help of coach Andrea Buchmann, Lukas 911 and Sam can achieve and set new goals. Now competing comfortably at Grand Prix level, the pair have set a target of achieving 70% in a Grand Prix. It will be very exciting to see what Lukas has to offer to both Sam and the competition ring in the years to come.

are not dressage lines per se, one only needs to look at Lukas 911 to see that this combination of top stallions can produce the ultimate dancing horse. Wenga is the mother of Lukas 911, and the well-known Sammy Davies Jr. Sammy Davies Jr was produced by Olympic Dressage rider Dorothee Schneider. Wenga is sired by Wenckstern. This stallion competed in the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen under fellow South African Natalie Hobday. Wenckstern’s father, Weltmeyer is very well known in the sport of dressage. He was a true foundation stallion for dressage breeding, and in 1998, Weltmeyer was awarded ‘Hanoverian Stallion of the Year’. He is often given the sought-after title of ‘legend’.

BREEDING This 17-year-old gelding is sired by the Bavarian Warmblood Lagiator. Looking back in Lagiator’s pedigree, you see familiar names from showjumping such as Landgraf I, Zeus and Chin Chin. And yet, whilst these

THE FUTURE While Lukas 911 may not himself contribute to the breeding of more spectacular dressage horses for South Africa, he and Sam are certainly providing plenty of inspirational footage for dressage riders around the country!

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HORSE AND RIDER

TEXT: RYAN TEHINI

OVERCOMING SHOW NERVES TOP TIPS FROM SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY

t has happened to everyone – you have a wonderful week of training, jumping with ease and looking smooth, but when you arrive at the show, you freeze up and perform less well than you should. What is it about the competition arena that causes this? Why do we experience show nerves, and how do we work around them? The answers to these questions are not as simple as they may initially seem; most people will tell you to relax – advice that is not only impossible to act on but bitterly unhelpful in the face of show nerves. The truth is that relaxation is seldom the answer in sports psychology

and can even be detrimental. This article aims to provide you with an understanding of show nerves and some practical tips on how to deal with them.

ACCEPT THE NERVES In psychology, areas of concern are often defined as either abnormal or warranted by their degree of deviation from the norm; for example, an intense fear-based reaction to the presence of a lion is warranted, but intense fear in the face of the colour yellow is abnormal. Based on this, one can see how reactions/psychological experiences can be HQ|158A

HORSE AND RIDER 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

justified or deviant, depending on the situation. In keeping with this thought, I pose a question - would it be deviant behaviour to experience heightened nerves in the face of competition? No, it wouldn't be. The stakes are high, the amount of preparation that has gone into it is immense, and the desire to perform is strong in any athlete. The first key to understanding and combating show nerves is then to accept them as a regular part of competition; any attempt to change these or not experience the anxiety is likely to cause further psychological distress and impair your performance. Once you have accepted show nerves as a part of the process, you can begin taking the necessary steps to limit their impact on your performance.

IDENTIFY THE CAUSE It seldom occurs (if ever) that a rider is unaware that they are nervous. The most common scenario is that the rider is fully aware of their nerves but simply does not know what to do about them. Seeing as you are almost always aware of the fact you are experiencing nerves, the first step in dealing with show nerves is then to outright identify the

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cause of the nerves. The cause can vary from person to person and often may not even make sense to you – for example, a lot of riders who compete in the big classes (say 1.50m) experience greater anxiety jumping at a lower height (say 1m) than when they are jumping the larger classes. Whatever the cause, it is important to identify the cause and not dismiss it as unreasonable; more often than not, your concerns are fairly normal, and you are not the first rider to experience them. Nerves around show days are usually rooted in a fear of making mistakes or generally performing below the standard you know you are capable of. Of course, fear about safety is a common concern for those who have been recently injured or are jumping a new horse, but seeing as this one is slightly less prevalent, the techniques to counter show nerves that follow will focus on performance-based fears around show day.

IDENTIFY THE EFFECT Once we have accepted the nerves and identified the cause, it is time to take a look at what they do to your

HORSE AND RIDER

ride, which causes a sub-par performance. A typical response to show nerves from the rider is to 'over-ride', so they will get in the arena and overthink themselves into overdrive doing everything more actively than they typically would. Alternatively, a rider may become too nervous to function, and ride timidly, being too cautious about making mistakes or trying anything new. Whatever it is that you do in response to the show nerves, needs to be identified in order to move forward.

ADDRESS THE CONCERN Identifying the result of the show nerves allows for a targeted psychological response that gives you specific ways to improve your performance, rather than employing generalised psychological techniques. For example, if you find yourself to be an ‘over-rider’ due to competition nerves, you need to train your mindset so you can be more subtle in the ring. This might involve, for example, taking a moment to slow down before you enter the arena and focussing on the whole task at hand, rather than the smaller actions that need to be done in order to address the task. Alternatively, if

you find yourself riding timidly as a result of the show nerves, then you must cultivate a mindset of being bold, training yourself to tune out the noise from other people, and learning to accept failure sometimes as a result of being a bit braver. When addressing show nerves, it is important to ensure that you are attempting to overcome the negative results of the show nerves, as opposed to simply trying to stop experiencing the anxiety. This is the simplest and most effective way to ensure that the feelings of nervousness do not negatively impact you.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE Show nerves are a natural part of competition; they play a vital role in sharpening your skills and ensuring that you are alert but can be notably detrimental to your ride. In this regard, when you are struggling with the impact of show nerves on your performance, it is important to address the result of the show nerves rather than to attempt to remove the show nerves altogether. Any attempt to stop experiencing the anxiety will likely result in increased anxiety and further reductions in performance. HQ|158A

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DID YOU KNOW THE AVERAGE HORSE GALLOPS AT 43KM PER HOUR. THE FASTEST GALLOP EVER RECORDED WAS AT 88.5KM PER HOUR. 46

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

STEREOTYPIES IS STOPPING THEM REALLY IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE HORSE?

ehaviours such as crib-biting, wind-sucking, box walking and weaving in horses are known as stereotypies or stereotypic behaviours, and there are many theories as to why horses carry them out and even more theories as to how they should be managed. The long-debated question we will be looking at here is whether stereotypies can really be stopped if they have already been learned and whether attempting to do so is actually a good idea.

THE KEY FACTORS TO CONSIDER Stopping a horse’s stereotypic behaviours depends on: • How long the horse has been performing the behaviour • His age • The type of stereotypy he performs

If the behaviour is new and not well-established, you have a better chance of stopping it in its tracks and in these cases the most important thing you can do is to seek veterinary assistance immediately. If your vet can find no physical problems that might have triggered the behaviour, then contacting an equine behaviourist would be advised to try and detect the cause and set up a plan to reduce or hopefully resolve the behaviour. Sometimes a simple management change is all that is needed in these cases, but other times the issue can be more complex. On the other hand, stereotypies are almost completely impossible to stop if they have been performed repeatedly over the long term. In these instances, it is still worth chatting to your vet and a behaviourist to see

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NOTE Of course, many horses are subjected to lessthan-ideal conditions, and only some develop stereotypies. This suggests that genetics plays a role in the process, making some horses more susceptible to stress-related stereotypies than others.

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if improvements can be made, but the chance of full resolution is minimal. Similarly, the older the horse, the more difficult it is to stop the behaviour. Stopping the behaviour when the horse is a foal is much easier and may come about through something as simple as a change in feed in the case of oral stereotypies. Finally, some stereotypies are naturally easier to eradicate than others, as they can be managed without adding stress to the horse but instead making welfare-improving management changes. For example, locomotor stereotypies appear to be more easily fixed than oral ones. In the case of locomotor stereotypies, increasing the amount of turnout and turnout in groups has been shown to be quite effective in reducing the frequency of the locomotor stereotypies, and in some cases, the management change has stopped them altogether.

CAUSE AND EFFECT Animals often perform these behaviours when they have no control over their situation. Confinement, social isolation, limited access to forage, over-feeding of concentrates, constant low-grade pain, the inability to escape frightening or stressful situations, and environments without any enrichment can all be contributing factors. In some individuals, episodes of stereotypy occur at predictable and regular times, or particularly in association with certain environmental events e.g. food being distributed. In other individuals, the episodes are sporadic but again triggered by environmental events (e.g. at away shows). Some horses with stereotypies seem nervous and prone to panic, and others seem relatively calm and even-tempered. The stereotypic behaviour is often initially developed as a foal. Horses who experience traumatic or early weaning are at the greatest risk of a stereotypy developing. Foals fed concentrates after weaning, and those confined to a stable rather than put in a paddock are also more likely to start windsucking or crib-biting than foals with forage-heavy diets, and those with extensive turnout. Once the behaviour starts, there is a high risk of it becoming a habit, as performing the action becomes rewarding for the horse. Research has, in fact, found that cribbing has a similar effect on the horse’s brain to that of cocaine usage on the human brain.

WHAT ARE STEREOTYPIES? Stereotypies are abnormal, repetitive behaviours that have no obvious purpose and are a behavioural indicator of poor welfare seen only in domesticated horses. The behaviours are often referred to as ‘vices’, which is a term most behaviourists and vets prefer to avoid now because: 1. It is anthropomorphic and implies the horse is making a choice to be ‘naughty.’ 2. These behaviours reflect the horse’s response to stress and may actually alleviate the stress of confinement in the stable. Therefore, it goes without saying that horses must never be punished for performing stereotypies, as they are merely coping mechanisms brought about by the challenges they face through domestication. STEREOTYPIES FALL INTO SEVERAL DIFFERENT CATEGORIES: Oral stereotypies: • Cribbing/crib-biting • Flank biting • Lip movements (lip licking and lip smacking) • Rubbing teeth against objects or surfaces • Tongue movements (rolling or lolling) • Windsucking • Wood chewing Locomotor stereotypies: • Box walking • Head movements (bobbing, tossing, shaking or swinging) • Pacing • Pawing and digging • Wall kicking • Weaving Other: • Self-biting • Lungeing into objects to cause injury Equine stereotypies vary considerably in the percentage of the horse’s time occupied by the activity and in the vigour and persistence with which the behaviour is performed.

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H O R S E A N D H E A LT H DID YOU KNOW?

Horses who have performed certain behaviours over a long period may start to perform them habitually rather than just at a particularly stressful time. For example, a horse who has cribbed for many years only when stabled may also start to perform the behaviour when turned out, despite having the room to move and a more enriching environment.

THE RISKS OF STEREOTYPIES The health risks of stereotypies include the following: • Oral stereotypies like cribbing and wood chewing can cause damage to the teeth and gums. • Locomotor stereotypies (weaving, box walking and head bobbing) can put excessive strain on the joints. • Weaving and pacing expend a lot of energy, and in these cases, the horse may be a poor doer with owners struggling to keep weight on the horse. • Self-mutilation and behaviours like wall kicking can cause wounds and injuries. NOTE Horses that crib-bite and windsuck are often found to have gastric ulcers. There is some debate as to whether the horse starts performing the stereotypies to produce saliva that will buffer the stomach acid, which eases the pain caused by the gastric ulcers, or whether the ulcers are caused by the stereotypies and the stress which precipitated them.

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Stereotypies have never been observed in wild or feral horses. However, wild or feral horses kept in captivity have demonstrated these behaviours.

Additional challenges include: • Vets often advise against purchasing a horse that performs stereotypical behaviours, reducing his financial value. • Horses with vices are often not welcome on livery yards due to the damage they can cause to fencing and stable doors and their potential to influence those around them.

AVOIDING STEREOTYPIES To prevent horses from developing stereotypic behaviours, it’s vital to ensure that their innate needs are being met: • Weaning: Foals should be weaned gradually from their dam, keeping stress to a minimum. Weaning should be done no earlier than six months old and ideally later. • Friends, forage and freedom: The best way to relax your horse is to give him as much access as possible to turnout, equine company in a friendly stable group and ad-lib grazing or good quality forage. If your horse has to be stabled, ensure that he can see – and ideally touch and interact with – other horses.

• Environmental enrichment: Research has shown that ‘enriching’ a horse’s environment can provide mental stimulation and reduce the risk of boredom. As stereotypies are often postulated to be ‘vacuum’ activities (performed when the horse has little else to occupy him), decreasing the risk of boredom could be key. You could (for example) try: • Hanging root vegetables from your stable ceiling or from tree branches in the paddock. • Hiding treats such as apples and carrots in your horse’s haynet or around his stable. • Purchasing toys that release treats. • Routine: Maintaining a consistent daily routine with feeding and paddock-time at a regular point each day helps to keep horses calm. Keeping horses in the same groups, and with regular handlers is also key. • Sleep: It is important that horses feel safe enough to sleep and rest. If your horse is bullied by a paddock mate, try and turn him out with friendly company instead. If he is stabled, make sure he has a big stable and a deep enough bed for him to lie down comfortably. • Feeding: Access to grazing is ideal, but you can also feed good quality forage as a replacement. Research has shown that horses crib-bite less when fed forage at the same time as their concentrate. Feeding heavily forage based diets as opposed to lots of concentrate is also recommended.

NOTE – AVOID REINFORCING STEREOTYPIES Whilst stopping stereotypic behaviours may not be in the animal's best interests, we should be very careful that we are not inadvertently rewarding the horse for the behaviour. For example, giving a horse who paws and digs at feed time his food bucket in response to the pawing reinforces the behaviour and makes it less likely that the stereotypy will ever be extinguished. Similarly, if a horse weaves when he wants to go to the paddock and we take him to the paddock while weaving, we show him that his behaviour has the desired outcome. In both cases, we should wait until the horse has stopped performing the behaviour before ‘rewarding’ them. In fact, rewarding horses with stereotypies when they are not performing said stereotypy can be a powerful motivator for them stopping the behaviour altogether.

SHOULD WE PREVENT STEREOTYPIES Research has shown that performing stereotypic behaviours can reduce stress and relieve physical discomfort. Therefore, preventing a horse from performing the behaviour could be detrimental to his welfare. A whole range of devices is available to try and prevent stereotypies, such as anti-weaving grilles and collars to prevent crib-biting or windsucking. However, simply trying to stop the behaviour does not address or resolve the cause and could result in more stress for the horse, causing him to find another unwanted behaviour to perform. Instead, avoiding reinforcing the behaviour as described above or even rewarding the horse when he is not performing the behaviour are mechanisms of encouraging the horse to stop performing the behaviour himself. This is a much lower stress approach for the animal and avoids precipitating additional stereotypies. Finally, it goes without saying that prevention is better than cure, so getting to the root of the problem and preventing it from happening in the first place or reducing the frequency and intensity is the far better and safer option. HQ|158A

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DID YOU KNOW? The Arabian is oldest breed in the world. The breed is thought to be at least 3000 years old, which some sources dating it back 5000 years. Due to careful selective breeding, the look of the breed has remained essentially unchanged throughout the centuries.

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TEXT: NANCY SCHRODING

CASE STUDIES FROM THE ETT TM TEAM 56

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ur previous articles reflected on the 'theory' behind the effective modality of ETT TM. So we decided for this article to share a few actual cases where ETT TM was used to improve and restore the working lives of horses. ETT TM is focused on prevention and is used as a means of minimising injury by keeping a balance within the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal body. Therefore, we recommend routine sessions before problems arise. However, there are many cases we treat where the injury came first. Below we look at cases of sweeny, facial nerve paralysis, locking stifle and headshaking, and also how ETT TM can be used in racehorse preparation. These cases are from Registered ETT TM Practitioners, and their contact info can be found on our website www.ett-aap.com under 'registered practitioners’.

SWEENY BY TEA CARR-HARTLEY In January 2021, this polo pony suffered an injury to her left shoulder. After initial veterinary treatment and X-Rays, she was diagnosed with sweeny (suprascapular neuropathy). After seeing a similar case return to polo, I knew that ETT TM would be able to help owing to the nerve stimulation aspect of the Transeva technique. Through the course of her ETT TM Sessions, the aim has been to stimulate the atrophied muscles (supraspinatus and infraspinatus), and the approximate line along which the suprascapular nerve runs (as the suprascapular nerve innervates the infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscles). However, it was equally important to address the compensatory issues that had arisen. In this case, there was a lot of compensation through the mare's pectoral chain, her trapezius and her triceps brachii. By addressing the compensation, the stimulation of the atrophied muscles proved even more effective. The pictures show when I started working with the horse (30th July 2021 - before) to when she returned home (11th October 2021 - after). Currently, this horse is in the middle of her rehabilitation, and we do foresee a return to the polo field; she still has a way to go, but the results so far are astounding.

Sweeny before

TEA CARR-HARTLEY Tea works in Nairobi, Kenya and surrounding areas. Sweeny after

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Drooped lip

Facial asymmetry

KELLY COCHRANE Kelly has worked internationally but is based currently in Zimbabwe.

FACIAL NERVE PARALYSIS BY KELLY COCHRANE I was called to see a polo pony who had sustained a kick to the face a year before. A year later, her lip was still drooped on one side, and her nose/muzzle area was also pulled to the side. She was not playing polo due to a restricted air intake resulting from the injury. I worked on her twice a week for a month, and there was minimal movement when working the masseter muscle, facial nerve and jaw area on the right side. The left side was very different, with a massive nose flick when stimulating the facial nerve. There was very little change during the month I worked on her, and we thought that perhaps the injury was too old to restore nerve function. However, a month later I got a call to say the improvement over time had been huge. The facial nerve had taken a few weeks to 'reconnect' through the pathways but had now come 'back online' to function correctly again. The body is electric and sometimes needs that extra stimulation to help reconnect pathways for optimal movement. Seeing her back on the polo field now, you'd never think she even sustained an injury! HQ|158A

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LOCKING STIFLE BY STACEY ARNOLD This case looks at a warmblood who arrived in Namibia from South Africa at the age of 8 years old. He was sound upon arrival; however, after a few days of settling in, he presented with a locking stifle through his left hind coupled with an unwillingness to move forward. Locking stifle is a condition whereby the patella ligament becomes hooked over the ridge of the femur, causing the leg to be stuck in the extended position. Shortly after arrival, he received his first ETT TM session using the Winks Greene Transeva (WGT) to send rhythmic impulses, causing the muscle to contract and relax. The use of the Transeva allowed me to locate and improve the tension through his left hind hip and hock flexor and extensor muscles, as well as along the topline. He also showed sensitivity through his pectoral muscles.

He responded very well to the initial session, relaxing and moving around comfortably. A total of 8 sessions were performed over three months. During this time, I used the WGT in combination with controlled work under saddle to release restriction and tension in the muscle, increase blood flow to the stifle joint and strengthen the muscles throughout the body. After every visit, the owner would comment that he was much softer in the mouth and more willing to engage his hindquarters. He showed substantial improvement under saddle every week. Once the WGT improved the majority of the restriction throughout his hindquarters, allowing him to move more effectively, he started jumping again. He is now successfully competing in jumping and dressage with monthly ETT TM 'check ups'. This ensures he remains supple through his back and neck. The regular sessions with the WGT help prevent a build-up of tension and keep him performing well.

STACEY ARNOLD Stacey is based in Walvis Bay, Namibia, but often travels to other areas, including Otjiwarongo, Outjo, Okahandja, Omaruru and Windhoek.

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RACEHORSE PREPARATION BY TASH THOMSON Getting a horse to the racecourse in the prime physical condition is complex. Trainers spend time carefully planning their horse's racing calendar and then need to prepare them accordingly. The horse's health and well-being are the number one priority, and ETT TM helps maintain the athlete by managing the muscular system. Preparation, as well as recovery, is key to optimum performance. Working alongside the trainers, vets and farriers assists in getting a horse from race to race whilst maintaining peak physical performance.

Horses are prey animals, so they avoid looking 'weak'. This means they aren't always clinically lame when a problem is merely starting. ETT TM enables early detection of injury and imbalance, which allows for a proactive treatment process. This is important not only to prevent injury but also to make sure that the horse's muscles can function efficiently and help the horses reach their full athletic potential. I do a lot of ETT TM sessions after the horse has worked fast, galloped or raced in order to prevent the lactic acid build-up, keep the muscles elastic and relieve any tension. I also do pre-gallop, fast work and pre-race sessions so that any tension or discomfort is released in order for the horse to use himself correctly and to reduce stress on tendons, ligaments and joints and, ultimately, prevent injury. In a pre-race session, I want to make sure the horse feels comfortable, balanced and moves as freely and correctly as possible. Before starting a pre-race session, I assess the horse's movement at walk and trot, after which I'll assess the body to know which areas I need to target. The main aim pre-work is to improve muscle tone and elasticity, create suppleness, balance, and soothe any preexisting aches or pains before the race begins. The horses love it, and it is a key element in any training programme.

TASH THOMSON Tash is based in South Africa, KZN, Summerveld and covers the upper highway/outer west areas.

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BIRGIT SCHRODER Birgit is based in KZN, South Africa and is ETTTM educator at BSET Academy.

HEADSHAKING BY BIRGIT SCHRODER In human medicine, most doctors consider trigeminal neuralgia to be one of the most painful conditions you can suffer. Due to the immense pain experienced by suffers, it is understandable why when horses are diagnosed with trigeminal-mediated headshaking, euthanasia is very often the result. In horses, the condition is believed to have a myriad of causes and varying degrees of severity, but once there is an onset of symptoms, they seem to worsen as time goes by. Being a migraine sufferer myself, researching the nervous system and the body's response to pain has been particularly interesting to me. Watching how head shakers behave and react to certain stimuli and pressures and then trying to mimic these when I was suffering from a migraine made me realise that the two conditions are not so very different in some cases. Over the past couple of years, I have assisted owners together with the consulting veterinarian and farrier in setting up maintenance programmes for their head shakers. Being able to rule out as many triggers or structural issues as possible is vital. Discovering what works best for each case is also important as every horse is slightly different. The end goal is to improve the horse's overall threshold in

the hopes of reducing the number of headshaking 'attacks'. Smudgie, as one of my head shakers is fondly known, is well into his 20s and happily living out his days with minimal to no visible headshaking. He has been receiving regular ETT TM sessions for ten years now.

ETT TM ETT TM Association of Accredited Practitioners www.ett-aap.com The vision of ETT-AAP is to continually improve the performance of equines all around the world, with over 50 ETT TM Practitioners in various countries, including South Africa, UK, Hong Kong, Spain, USA, New Zealand, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. We strive to improve horses in every discipline and reinforce the efficacy of the modality and technique. Our mission is to grow ETT TM and to continue producing clinical data reflecting the positive effects ETT TM has on the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems of the equine, improving movement, soundness and the overall well-being of the equine and equine athlete.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ETT Visit www.ett-aap.com M: +34 684 13 17 10 E: info@ett-aap.com

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FOCUS

DID YOU KNOW A horse’s teeth grow around 4.2mm every year.

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OSTEOARTHRITIS AND THE ROLE OF EQUAAN 1000 64

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A D V E RT O R I A L DID YOU KNOW?

60% of lameness issues are caused by OA.

our horse’s joint health is important for his performance potential and his well-being. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition in horses. It is a chronic, progressive, painful degeneration of the cartilage lining the ends of the long bones inside joints and the underlying bone and soft tissues. In a normal, healthy joint, this layer of protective cartilage reduces friction between the bones, acting as a natural shock absorber during weight-bearing.

MOST COMMONLY AFFECTED JOINTS Osteoarthritis can affect any joint where two cartilage covered bones meet, but it most commonly occurs in the stifles, hocks, fetlocks and knees. However, it can also be found in the back, neck, jaw and feet.

Stifle

Hock Knees

Fetlock

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Fetlock

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SIGNS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS Affected joints become become warm, painful and swollen and may have crepitus – the grating sound and feeling produced by friction between bone and cartilage – or even appear deformed due to bony changes. NOTE If your horse suddenly develops a hot, painful or swollen joint, this is a medical emergency, and you must call your vet immediately.

WHICH HORSES ARE AT RISK? Any horse can develop osteoarthritis at any age, but it most commonly occurs in older horses and horses with excessive body weight or poor conformation. In older horses, this is most commonly the effect of ‘wear and tear’ over years of riding and competition, and in horses

This image shows the process of osteoarthritis in a human knee. You can see that the damage to the shiny hyaline cartilage increases over time and exposes more and more bony tissue.

with excessive body weight, this is because of the extra strain put on the joints by the weight. In horses with poor conformation, it tends to be that the wear and tear on the body has been asymmetrical resulting in additional strain being placed on certain joints. Outside of wear and tear, any insult to a joint can incite the complex cascade of events that cause inflammation and cartilage breakdown. Horses who have a history of joint infection or trauma are particularly at risk.

CONSEQUENCES FOR THE HORSE This condition has severe consequences for horses, such as: • Limiting performance • Shortening athletic careers • Posing a welfare issue if not managed and treated

REFERENCES 1 Wanamaker, Boyce P.; Massey, Kathy (2014-03-25). Applied Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians - E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 392. ISBN 9780323291705. 2 White, Gary W. (1988-11-01). "Adequan: A review for the practicing veterinarian". Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 8 (6): 463–468. doi:10.1016/S0737-0806(88)80096-0. ISSN 0737-0806. 3 Bryant, Jennifer O. (2012-12-10). The USDF Guide to Dressage: The Official Guide of the United States Dressage Foundation. Storey Publishing. p. 285. ISBN 9781612122748. 4 S National Library of Medicine (2016-08-24). "Adequan Canine". DailyMed. Retrieved 2017-07-10. 5 McIlwraith CW. 2016. Traumatic Arthritis and Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis in the Horse. In: Joint Disease in the Horse. Frisbee DD, Kawcak CE, McIlwraith CW, van Weeren PR, ed. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, 33-48. 6 Goldberg, M.E., 2014. Pain Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. John Wiley & Sons.p140 7 White, G.W.1998. Adequan: A review for the practicing veterinarian. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 8 Uyama T, Kitagawa H, Sugahara, K. 3.05 Biosynthesis of Glycosaminoglycans and Proteoglycans. 2007, Elsevier Ltd. 9 Pessentheiner AR, Ducasa MG, Gordts P. Proteoglycans in Obesity-Associated Metabolic Dysfunction and Metainflammation. Front Immunol., 19 May 2020 https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.00769

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EQUAAN 1000 FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS

QUAAN 1000 is a nutraceutical that contains 1000mg Polysulphated Glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) per ovule. Designed for ease of administration and accuracy of dosing, high bioavailability, and 100% absorption through the rectum, each box contains ten ovules, giving either an eight-week joint maintenance programme (with an initial three-day loading dose) or ten weeks at a maintenance dose (one ovule per week).

USES EQUAAN 1000 can be administered for: • Joint disease, including traumatic arthritis and osteoarthritis. • Joint maintenance and competition support • Myofascial health, lubrication and integrity HQ|158A

THE SCIENCE BEHIND EQUAAN 1000 Polysulphated Glycosaminoglycan is chemically like the mucopolysaccharides of cartilaginous tissue. It is made of repeat disaccharide units (comprising hexosamine and hexuronic acid), and is similar to the glycosaminoglycans already present in the cartilage; PSGAG thus easily integrates itself in the cartilage, and studies have shown that it preferentially integrates into damaged cartilage. Furthermore, in vitro studies have shown PSGAG to inhibit the enzymes that degrade cartilage and bone, as well as to suppress inflammation, stimulate the synthesis of replacement cartilage and increase the synovial fluid viscosity in equine joints. PSGAG is one of the most widely prescribed joint supplements for horses. CONTACT For more information on EQUAAN 1000 contact the EquiProVet Team on: 072 914 8870 or equiprovetza@icloud.com

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

MAKE IT LAST

HOW TO MAXIMISE HAY USAGE AND AVOID WASTAGE

ow can you stretch your hay further, and what options are there to reduce waste? Epol talk us through their top tips for lowering forage wastage.

TIP 1: ENSURE YOU ARE FEEDING THE CORRECT AMOUNT Forage should be the foundation of every horse's ration, and ensuring that it is provided at the right level is key. Obviously, underfeeding is not desirable in any form; however, overfeeding can also be problematic for long term health, not to mention wasteful of the valuable forage and money that went into purchasing it. The average horse should be provided with 1.5% of his body weight in forage dry matter per day. However, for those needing weight gain or those in higher need life stages (lactating mares, for example), 2-2.5% may be needed. Good doers needing to lose weight, on the other hand, may only need to consume 1% of body weight per day. This all shows the importance of performing a body condition score and accurately assessing workload, as this will ultimately determine how much forage the horse should receive and if the horse's forage needs are being met.

Dry matter is the weight of the forage minus its water content. Generally, the dry matter content of hay would be around 90%. However, a hay analysis would give you a better indication of this as well as details of the hay's overall nutritional value, once again allowing you to assess your horse's needs better. But if we assume that the dry matter content is 90% you can work out the amount of forage required per day as follows: 500kg x 0.015 (1.5%) = 7.5kg 7.5kg / 0.9 (90% or exact water content) = 8.3kg So, for a 500kg horse needing 1.5% of body weight in forage per day, 8.3kg of hay is needed per 24 hours. As you can see, factoring in the dry matter ensures that we are always feeding the correct levels. It's also worth investing in a small luggage scale which you can use to weigh your hay net or even a feed bag filled with the desired amount of grass. This will allow you to accurately measure how much hay is being fed to, again, avoid over or underfeeding.

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

TIP 2: SELECT THE CORRECT TYPE OF HAY FOR EACH HORSE When supplies are limited, it may be worth considering if every horse needs the same quality of forage. For example, saving your highest quality hay for those who are young, old, pregnant, lactating or for those needing weight gain may be prudent. It should be noted that the term 'highest quality' refers to the nutritional value of the hay, not actual 'quality'. It goes without saying that all horses should be provided with a well stored hygienic product free of mould, dust and other contaminants. Good doers may benefit from feeding lower quality (i.e. lower nutritional value) forage to reduce the overall calorie content of the diet, but allow them to keep munching for longer. For these horses, more mature cut hay can be beneficial, as it will provide good fibre content without the higher calories of other hay types. A recent study (Jansson et al., 2021) showed that replacing 50% of a horse's daily allowance with good wheat straw could be beneficial in prolonging feeding time without increasing the risk of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (a previous concern of

researchers). This shows that using forage alternatives may be an option for some horses. However, do note that mycotoxin risk increases with straw products, so analysis is highly recommended before feeding. An alternative forage source like this would need to be introduced gradually overtime to ensure that the digestive wellbeing of the horse is not put at risk, and it should also not be the only forage source in the diet.

TIP 3: BUY IN BULK Every time you change your hay supply, the risk of colic increases, so buying in bulk avoids changes mid-season and reduces colic risk. It also has the advantage of allowing you to buy before prices increase in mid-winter. Having a consistent long-term supply further allows you the time needed to test your hay and then build a more specific diet plan around that profile. Keep in mind that once again you should only buy what you need (plus a bit extra, of course). Nutrient levels in stored hay do decrease over time, and it's likely that by the time hay is 12 months old or older, additional support will be needed to meet basic daily requirements of some nutrient levels. HQ|158A

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

SMALL VS ROUND BALES Ultimately, deciding what size bale to use will come down to the individual set-up and size of the property in question. Small square bales are generally easier to store and handle as they can be kept inside and don't require machinery to move; they are also easier to feed for the individual horse owner/small yard. However, large round bales have the advantage when feeding larger numbers of horses and will ensure that you have a good, consistent supply. The disadvantage is that wastage is often higher with round bales as the outer layer is not usually eaten well. If feeding takes place in the paddock, significant amounts are often trampled into the ground. If filling slow feeders from round bales, the wastage is also

higher as you lose hay when pulling it from the roll. Further, round bales generally need to be stored outside, which exposes them to adverse weather conditions if not stored correctly. They are exposed to the elements when left out in paddocks for big groups, resulting in an increased risk of mould and botulism, so only consider using if the herd is big enough to consume the bale within a few days. A combination of round and small bales may be a consideration for some yards so that round bales can be placed in the field for larger groups, but square bales be used for feeding once the horses are stalled. Regardless of bale size, wastage all adds up and can be costly for any size operation, so taking the time to minimise loss is important.

Feeding round bales is great if there are a lot of horses in the herd, and they don’t fight over resources.

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

Feeders with small holes can be very useful for good-doers.

TIP 4: CONSIDER USING A FEEDER There are many options when it comes to hay feeders, and which one to choose will largely depend on your personal set-up and what you ultimately want to achieve by using one, as well as cost and ease of use. However, hay feeders, in general, are a great way to reduce hay loss by keeping hay off the ground or stable floor and reducing the risk of contamination with faecal matter, sand and dirt, as well in some cases protecting hay from the environment. It has been shown that some feeders can reduce wastage by up to 85%.

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H O R S E A N D H E A LT H Although it is generally considered to be the most wasteful option, feeding on the ground does have the advantage of allowing the animal to adopt a more natural grazing position. If stalls are kept clean, there should be no issue with feeding in this way; however, it's not generally recommended to feed on the floor if outside or using a deep litter system. The more common feeders used are hay nets, hay bags or hay racks. Hay nets and bags have the advantage of coming in different hole sizes, with smaller sized holes being useful for slowing a horse's feeding rate down; this, in turn, can improve digestive health, especially in situations where a continuous flow of ingesta is important such as in assisting in the reduction of gastric ulcer risk. These are also undoubtedly the most practical feeder for horses that travel.

However, keep in mind that a feeder should not be frustrating for the horse, as this can reduce the amount of hay they are inclined to eat. This can sometimes happen with feeders that have small holes or those that pack hay in tightly, making it hard to pull out. Hay racks can be useful as they generally are larger and allow more hay to be provided in one go. This is particularly helpful if visits to the yard are restricted to fewer times per day. However, keep in mind that racks and nets should be placed at heights where the horse has access but can't get caught in them. NOTE: New research (Raspa et al. 2021) shows that the higher height position of such options do mean that a more unnatural neck position is adopted, which can have repercussions on the horse’s back position and jaw angles. It is, therefore, advisable to look for nets/bags that can be

Feeding on the floor generally wastes a lot of hay, particularly in the paddock.

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

Hay huts are great for protecting hay from the elements.

used safely at slightly lower angles. Freedom feeders and Haychix are both excellent options in these situations. Fixed stall feeders are a good option for those wanting lower neck positions but with the safety of a more solid knee height feeder. These should be well made with no protruding parts. They sometimes come with nets over the open parts, which further slow feeding. Hay optimisers are another great option, and I have good experience with these. For those feeding outside, consider placing something under your feeder or find a feeder with an inbuilt trough that will capture the small leaf matter (which is highly nutritious). This is especially important if leaves are prone to shatter, such as when feeding alfalfa. Also, look at feeders that are lower to the ground to not only improve head and neck position but also to reduce the amount that can be blown away in high wind areas. If you are feeding round bales, a feeder that helps provide protection from the elements is ideal and will vastly

increase the longevity of the hay. Hay huts are great for this use and are simple and easy to use. Remember that adding anything extra to a stall or field should be done carefully and should be monitored regularly to ensure continued safety for your horse. RESEARCH ARTICLES NOTED: Jansson, A., P. Harris, S.L. Davey, N. Luthersson, S. Ragnarsson, and S. Ringmark. 2021. Straw as an alternative to grass forage in horses: Effects on postprandial metabolic profile, energy intake, behaviour and gastric ulceration. Animals (Basel) 11(8):2197. Raspa, F.; Roggero, A.;Palestrini, C.; Marten Canavesio, M.; Bergeron, D.; Valle, E. Studying the Shape Variations of the Back, the Neck, and the Mandibular Angle of Horses Depending on Specific Feeding Postures Using Geometric Morphometrics. Animals 2021, 11,763. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ani11030763

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A fantastic addition to the Zandonà Therapeutic Line, specifically designed for convenient application of cold/heat therapies directly to the horse’s tendons and joints. Made of Neoprene with inner Aluminium Thermal-Coating to better insulate and prolong the cold/hot effect, it also includes a 3D-Mesh lining to protect the horse’s skin, allowing optimal transfer of cold/heat. Regular use of the THERMOBOOT for short periods (20-30mins) after intense exercise can help prevent small injuries and/or traumas to ligaments, tendons and joints as well as reduce localised swelling, heat and pain.

www.tackntogs.co.za Tel: (011) 468 1824 or 0861 midfeeds Emergency: 082 499 8684 Email: midfeedspty@mweb.co.za Address: 63 Karee Rd, Cr of Main Road, Blue Hills, Kyalami.

Part 7

Anatomy

The Digestive System F

ood provides the energy necessary for life, but when food first enters the body, it is in a form that the cells of the body cannot use. Therefore, the body must break it down into small molecules which can pass through the lining of the bowel, through the blood vessel walls, and, finally, through the walls of the cells to where the energy is needed. The process of breaking down food into fuel that the body can use is known as digestion, and the parts of the body which bring this about are collectively known as the digestive system. The digestive system is made up of: • The mouth, pharynx and oesophagus • The stomach • The small intestine • The large intestine • The rectum and anus • The liver • The pancreas

THE MOUTH, PHARYNX AND OESOPHAGUS The system starts with the lips and muzzle, which select the food to be eaten. The food is then bitten off (in the case of grass and long-stemmed hay) or taken in by the incisor teeth. From here, the tongue pushes the food back to the molar teeth, where it is ground up and mixed with saliva.

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

Oesophagus Stomach

Spleen

Kidney

Small colon Rectum

Liver

Large colon

Small intestine

Three pairs of glands secrete saliva: • The parotid glands are found at the bases of the ears. • The sublingual glands lie under the tongue. • The mandibular glands are at the back of the mandible on each side. The saliva warms and lubricates the food. It also contains enzymes that help to break down the starch in the food. After chewing and mixing the food with saliva, the tongue forms a bolus, or ball, out of the chewed-up food. This bolus is then swallowed and passes through the pharynx and down the oesophagus. The bolus is propelled down the oesophagus by waves of muscular contractions called ‘peristalsis’. The oesophagus runs down the neck, into the chest, between the lungs, through the diaphragm and into the stomach. Enzymes = substances that speed up chemical reactions without being changed themselves in the process.

THE STOMACH Food enters the stomach through the cardiac sphincter, a ring-shaped muscle that operates as a one-way valve, preventing food from leaving the stomach and re-entering the oesophagus. This prevents the horse from vomiting. Inside the stomach, the food is churned around and mixed with gastric juices and hydrochloric acid, which help the digestive process by further breaking down the food. Part of the stomach-lining also contains glands that secrete digestive enzymes: HQ|158A

Ventral colon

• Pepsin, which begins to break down proteins. • Lipase, which begins to break down fats. • Rennin, which coagulates the milk drunk by foals. The stomach is quite small and can only hold about 2.27kg of hard food. It is never more than two-thirds full of food; when this level is reached, some of the broken-down food, or chyme, is released through the pyloric sphincter into the small intestine. Therefore, it is important not to overfill the stomach by feeding too much at once, as food can easily be sent through the system too quickly for efficient digestion.

THE SMALL INTESTINE Most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs in the small intestine. Its average length is 20m, and it can be divided into three parts, the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. The duodenum measures about 1m in length, and it contains bile, which is secreted by the liver. Bile emulsifies fats (gives them a bigger surface area) and neutralises acid from the stomach. Also present in the duodenum are enzymes from the pancreas, which turn carbohydrates into simple sugars such as glucose and fructose and proteins into amino acids. The jejunum is the largest section of the small intestine. This is where most nutrients, in particular, fats, amino acids, and simple sugars, are absorbed into the bloodstream. From the bloodstream, they will either be used directly by the body or stored in the liver until needed. The ileum continues the process of digestion; calcium,

H O R S E A N D H E A LT H Non-glandular region of the stomach phosphorus and other minerals are absorbed into the bloodstream here. Finally, the ileum controls the flow of partially digested food (now consisting only of fibre and water) into the caecum of the large intestine.

THE LARGE INTESTINE The large intestine can be divided into three parts: the caecum, the large colon and the small colon. The caecum is a large, blind-ending sac. It is over 1m in length and can hold 25 litres or more of liquid. It is the equivalent of the human appendix. The caecum contains many millions of gut flora or beneficial bacteria, whose job is to break down the fibrous material from the diet, which is all that remains after the nutrients have been removed in the small intestine. There are many types of bacteria, each specialising in processing a particular foodstuff, although they can adapt to the kind of food eaten over time. This is why it is important to make any changes in the horse’s diet gradually to allow the flora in the caecum to adjust to the change. The action of the bacteria digesting the fibre in the caecum produces fatty acids and vitamins B and C, which are then absorbed. Water is absorbed throughout much of the system and also from the caecum. Bacterial action continues inside the large colon but with fewer bacteria involved. The breakdown of food in the large colon can take several days, which explains its large size. The space inside the abdominal cavity is limited, so the bulky colon must be folded to fit into it. These tight bends in the folds can become blocked with food, giving the horse colic. Parts of the large colon can also become twisted around one another, cutting off the blood supply – and again resulting in colic. The small colon (also known as the descending colon) will absorb water, electrolytes and any remaining nutrients that are left after transit through the caecum and large colon.

Cardiac sphincter Oesophagus Pyloric sphincter

Glandular region of the stomach

Duodenum

THE RECTUM AND ANUS The remaining fibrous waste is expelled as manure through the rectum and anus.

organs in the body as many digestive processes occur here; it detoxifies the blood; and it plays a major part in protecting the body from disease and infection. The liver has a double blood supply; it receives oxygenated blood from the hepatic artery and deoxygenated blood containing nutrients directly from the small intestine via the hepatic portal vein. Blood from both vessels enters the lobes of the liver, where oxygen, most of the nutrients and several toxins are removed by the hepatic cells. From here, the nutrients are either stored in the liver or sent out into the body; the toxins are either neutralised or stored; and the blood is returned to the heart through the main blood vessel, the vena cava.

THE LIVER The liver is the largest gland in the horse’s body, weighing 5kg. It is located inside the abdominal cavity against the back of the diaphragm. It is also one of the most important

The major functions of the liver include: • Processing protein, carbohydrate and fat • Storing vitamins • Secreting bile to be used in the small intestine for

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Oesophagus

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

Duodenum

Stomach

Jejunum

Rectum Ileum

Anus Small colon

Caecum

Large colon processing fats and cholesterol • Removing toxins, drugs and hormones from the body • Breaking down and removing the remains of dead blood cells • Formation of blood proteins • Producing heparin, an anticoagulant

• Absorption – the transferring of nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood and lymphatic systems, and from there to the cells where they can be used. • Defaecation – the removal of any non-digested material from the gastrointestinal tract.

THE PANCREAS The pancreas is found next to the liver, and its role in digestion is to produce pancreatic juice. This juice is slightly alkaline to work with bile to neutralise the acid from the stomach, giving an ideal environment for the enzymes in the small intestine to work. There are also enzymes present in the pancreatic juice itself, which help process proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The second function of the pancreas is to produce insulin, which helps stabilise the levels of sugar in the blood.

NOTE: The horse’s digestive system evolved to nourish an animal living in the wild. A horse living in the wild would have covered many kilometres every day in search of food. A large proportion of his time would be spent grazing, and his diet would be varied and consist of grasses, herbs and shrubs, which would have provided adequate energy for his needs.

SUMMARISING DIGESTION There are essentially five stages involved in processing food by the body for use in the cells. These are: • Ingestion – taking food into the body by eating. • Movement of food – the passage of food along the length of the gastrointestinal tract mostly by peristalsis. • Digestion – the breaking down of food both by mechanical and chemical means. HQ|158A

Domestication has changed the horse’s habits, diet and workload dramatically. A horse in a domestic environment may only graze for a few hours a day, and this is usually in a field with a limited variety of plants and grasses. The horse is also now expected to participate in various vigorous activities like dressage and showjumping, that place far greater demands on his energy. On top of this, he is often given two or three large concentrate meals every day to supplement his diet. All of these changes have put a strain on the digestive system of the modern horse.

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

OBESITY HOW HEAVY IS YOUR HORSE?

hat is obesity? A horse or pony that is obese carries more fat tissue than they should. In more natural settings, it is rare to come across horses that are overweight or obese as they have evolved to survive harsh winters, live off rough grazing with little nutritional value, and walk miles each day to find food and water. However, we can all agree that this is a little different to the lives our horses live today in domesticity. As horse owners, we tend to provide more food and warmth – in the form of forage, concentrates and rugs

– than our horse actually needs and then we restrict his movement to paddocks and some extra exercise. Just like in humans, when a horse consumes more calories than he burns, he stores the excess as fat. This is important if you live in a harsh environment where you might need that fat to ‘see you through' harder times. However, with modern management, these 'harder times' don't really occur. Obesity is a significant cause of illness and death in horses. Aside from putting extra strain on the horse’s

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CONDITION SCORING TABLE The University of Liverpool in the UK created a table to describe each score. Score 0 = Very poor Pelvis = Angular, and skin appears tight. Very sunken rump. Back and ribs = Skin tight over ribs. Very prominent and sharp backbone. Neck = Marked ewe neck. Narrow and and slack skin and musculature at the base.

A very cresty neck in an obese pony.

Score 1 = Poor Pelvis = Prominent pelvis and croup. Sunken rump, but skin is supple. Deep cavity under the tail. Back and ribs = Ribs easily visible. Prominent backbone with sunken skin on either side. Neck = Ewe neck. Narrow and slack skin and musculature at the base. Score 2 = Moderate Pelvis = Rump flat on either side of backbone. Croup well defined, with some fat. Slight cavity under the tail. Back and ribs = Ribs just visible. Backbone covered, but spines can be felt. Neck = Narrow but firm.

This horse appears to have lots of excess fat around the shoulders.

joints, tendons and ligaments, the excess fat tissue causes hormonal disturbances in the body, which upset the balance of the sensitive metabolic system with severe and sometimes fatal consequences. The most important thing about obesity is, therefore to spot it early, do something about it and ultimately keep your horse’s weight under control and his body condition healthy.

THE APPEARANCE OF AN OBESE HORSE Identifying when your horse is overweight is difficult for owners. Horse owners have become more and more accustomed to seeing overweight horses as ‘normal’ and, as a result, many don’t realise that their horse is overweight and therefore in danger. HQ|158A

Score 3 = Good Pelvis = Covered by fat and rounded. No gutter. Pelvis easily felt. Back and ribs = Ribs just covered and easily felt. No gutter along the back. Backbone well covered, but spines can be felt. Neck = No crest (except for stallions) and a firm neck. Score 4 = Fat Pelvis = Gutter to the root of tail. Pelvis is covered by fat. Need firm pressure to feel pelvis. Back and ribs = Well covered – need pressure to feel. Neck = Slight crest. Wide and firm. Score 5 = Very fat Pelvis = Deep gutter to root of tail. Skin distended. Pelvis is buried and cannot be felt. Back and ribs = Ribs buried and cannot be felt. Deep gutter along the back. Back broad and flat. Neck = Marked crest – very wide and firm. Fold of fat.

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

Horses carry their fat in a few different places – just like humans. The obvious fat pads are in the crest and on the shoulders and rump, but fat can also be stored over the ribs and at the top of the tail, among other areas, and in varying proportions depending on the individual. Intraabdominal fat is the most difficult to assess as it sits around the internal organs. This ‘hidden’ fat can be quite significant, and so it should be considered when assessing the horse.

BODY CONDITION SCORING Body condition scoring, otherwise known as fat scoring, is a way to assess your horse’s fat covering to help determine whether he is a healthy weight. The three key areas to consider are the neck, body and hindquarters, and you will need to not only look at the horse but also to feel him so you can determine the difference between muscle and fat. Generally, fat feels more spongy, whereas muscle is firmer, although it’s

WEIGHBRIDGES Body condition score can be wonderfully helpful but ideally should be backed up with an accurate weight measurement from a weighbridge to confirm the weight properly. The trouble is, of course, getting to a weighbridge regularly, but this is really the only way to have an accurate picture of the situation.

important to remember that crest fat can start to feel firm and this is when it is most dangerous. In the scale on the previous page, each area assessed is then scored individually from 0-5 and then an average is taken (add the three scores together and divide by three) to work out the final score for the horse. A healthy score is around 2.5-3 out of 5 unless your vet advises otherwise.

ASSESSING THE NECK AND SHOULDERS Feel along your horse’s crest and notice if there is thickened, hard fat and if you can wobble it from side to side. Run your hand down the neck and onto the shoulder. Fat can accumulate in front of the shoulder blades, which will cause your hand to move smoothly over the neck/ shoulder junction. Instead, it should be stopped by the shoulder blade. Ideally, this shoulder blade should be clearly defined. You may also feel fat pads behind the shoulder blades.

Hand on hindquarters

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Fatty deposits around the tail head

ASSESSING THE BACK AND RIBS Run your hand over the ribs. You should be able to feel them fairly easily with light pressure. If you have to press firmly or can’t feel them at all, then your horse is carrying excess fat. Place your hand over his back and note whether you can see and feel the horse's spine. Ideally, your hand should follow the arch of the spine and be able to feel the backbone. Fat can build up on either side of the spine until it is higher than the spine and creates a gutter. This will often result in your hand lying flat across your horse’s back. If his spine is particularly visible and very easy to feel, this indicates a lack of fat covering this area. ASSESSING THE HINDQUARTERS Run your hand over the hip bones – you should be able to see and feel them easily under a thin layer of fat. If you HQ|158A

have to press firmly or can’t feel them at all, then your horse is carrying excess fat. If the bones are prominently sticking out and are very easy to feel, your horse is likely to be underweight. Safely look at your horse from behind. Ideally, his hindquarters should be slightly rounded. An ‘apple’ shape and a gutter along the backbone indicate too much fat is present. You should also feel for fatty areas around the tail head.

FINAL THOUGHTS For more advice on how to assess body condition, get your horse weighed on a weighbridge, or devise a tailored weight management programme, contact your vet and a nutritionist. It’s always beneficial to involve your vet to so that they can consider all of your horse’s health factors when deciding what is the best course of action for him.

FOCUS

MEET ALICE ARGYROPOULOS AND CALLAHO LIBERTY. THIS PAIR ARE CURRENTLY COMPETING IN THE 1.30 CLASSES.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT

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LONG IN THE TOOTH 86

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

DENTISTRY FOR THE OLDER HORSE

quine teeth have evolved to allow the effective intake, sorting and chewing of grass and forage for between 15-18 hours per day, every day! With such a vital and demanding job to perform, the health of your horse’s teeth is absolutely vital in ensuring his future wellbeing. Recent studies have demonstrated that from the age of 15, dental issues occur at an increased rate. In fact, dental abnormalities have been found to occur in 95% of horses over the age of 30. Many painful dental conditions develop without obvious symptoms and, if left unidentified and untreated, can result in chronic pain and behavioural changes, as well as the more obvious symptoms of quidding (dropping feed from the mouth), a lack of appetite and weight loss. Leaving these issues is really not an option as dental disease progresses, and delay will only result in the condition becoming more painful, problematic, timeconsuming and expensive to treat.

THE SIGNS OF DENTAL DISEASE Horses are prey animals, so they will show minimal signs of pain or disease in order to protect themselves from becoming the target of predators. This can make it tricky to spot the signs of any kind of pain, as your horse will try to hide them to keep himself safe. Often, therefore, by the time a horse shows signs of dental pain, he already has severe issues. Some of the signs that a horse has dental problems include: • Lack of appetite • Selective feeding/avoidance of certain foods • Difficulty or asymmetry when chewing certain types of food, such as long fibre (hay) or hard foods (carrots) • Quidding (dropping food from the mouth) • Weight loss

WHAT HAPPENS TO HORSE’S TEETH AS THEY AGE Equine teeth are hypsodont, which means they continually erupt from the jaw over the course of a horse’s lifetime to compensate for the wear that results from the constant grinding action that they have to perform. A horse has a limited amount of tooth, so as he reaches old age and all of his teeth have fully erupted, they eventually become worn down, loose and may even fall out. Loose and missing teeth are not only painful but also affect the horse’s ability to eat and, as a by-product, maintain a healthy weight. It’s essential, therefore, that as your horse gets older, his dental health is proactively managed. HQ|158A

• Changes in behaviour such as head shaking, a reluctance to accept the bit or reluctance to move forwards • Halitosis (bad breath) • Colic as a result of changes in eating habits and prolonged periods of loss of appetite due to dental pain If you notice any of these signs, you should contact your vet.

THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS IN THE OLDER HORSE There are multiple dental diseases and conditions that can affect older horses, but the most common ones are: • Sharp points in the enamel of the tooth - The cheek teeth don’t always wear down evenly, resulting in the formation of sharp edges, hooks, and points. These can cause ulcers and lacerations to the surrounding soft tissue. Such sharp points are usually found on the outside of the upper cheek teeth and the inside of the lower cheek teeth. • Dental overgrowth - This is where a tooth or part of a tooth doesn’t have an opposing surface to grind against when the horse chews so it erupts too much. This is usually seen when the opposing tooth has been lost or fractured.

• Diastema – This is the medical term for the space between two adjacent teeth. Some horses may have spaces between multiple teeth, which is then known as diastemata. If a diastema develops between two teeth, food can be forced into the gap, which then decays, causing a foul smell, infection and inflammation of the surrounding gum (periodontal disease), as well as severe pain. • Periodontal disease – This is an inflammatory condition affecting the gums and supporting tissues surrounding the teeth. The leading cause is believed to be mechanical damage due to food becoming impacted and trapped around the teeth and gums. However, other causes include genetics, systemic disease, poor diet and malocclusion (the imperfect positioning of teeth). Periodontal disease is one of the most painful conditions that can occur in a horse’s mouth. • Fractured teeth – Often, a fractured tooth is the result of a trauma. In some cases, a fractured tooth can lead to sinusitis. • Loose or missing teeth. • Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis (EOTRH) - This is a newly recognised and painful condition that affects both the incisors and the canine teeth of horses typically once the horse is over the age of 15. The most common sign reported by owners is a reduced ability to grasp apples and carrots with their front teeth.

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

WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP MY HORSE’S TEETH HEALTHY? First and foremost, you must book regular dental appointments for your horse with a qualified professional at least every 12 months. In the older horse, it is advised that you increase the frequency of these appointments to every six months. The next thing to do is to regularly monitor your horse for any signs of dental disease. If you spot anything unusual, no matter how minor, you should contact your vet. Thirdly, if your vet identifies a dental problem, following their advice regarding treatment, feeding regimes, and exercise is vital. Your vet’s dietary advice will be tailored to your horse and their specific issue. However, some common suggestions include: • If your horse has a condition that makes chewing painful, avoid long fibre such as hay. • If he has a diastema/diastemata, avoid chaffs as they can pack into the gap and exacerbate the periodontal disease. • If he has an ongoing dental condition, feed grass, soft fibre, or pelleted fibre that can be soaked into a soft mushy feed. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE Dental health is a commonly neglected area in horses. Unfortunately, the consequences of dental issues can be painful and severe, particularly if left unchecked for long periods of time. The best way to manage your horse is to ensure that he has regular visits from the vet or dentist to examine his teeth and make sure that everything is in the best condition it can be to optimise his wellbeing. HQ|158A

FOCUS DID YOU KNOW The Quarter Horse got his name because this breed was originally used for sprinting races of exactly onequarter of a mile in length in Rhode Island and Virginia. The horses excelled at this and were thus given the name ‘Quarter Horse’.

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Epol is a leading horse feed brand in South Africa with a great deal of heritage and expertise, and a particular strength in its grain based feed solutions. It is, however, well known that forage should be the foundation of any equine diet and so we are excited to be launching a range of roughage products, including Essential Roughage Cubes,Premium Roughage Cubes, Lucerne Chaff and Mixed Chaff. These new offers complement our existing range and ensure we offer a comprehensive and complete range of feeds.

For feeding advice and technical support contact: Leigh Adams 083 998 6824 | Hannah Botha 073 423 5491 | Debbie Dick 076 755 5164 www.epolequine.co.za

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.

Lunar Eclipse Age: 8 Height: 148cm (149cm with shoes) Gender: Mare Breeding: Mixed Current level of performance: Currently jumping 90cm competitively with an excellent graded record (SASJ). For sale: R120, 000 About: Lunar Eclipse has an amazing temperament and isn’t one to spook. She gives a lovely smooth ride and is very well behaved when out and about. She’s a fantastic jumper that is safe when on the ground or in the saddle. She is easy to shoe, box/travel, clip and hack. Rideability: Lunar Eclipse is a very well schooled and experienced pony. She adapts well to any rider’s ability and would be suitable for a child, novice or ambitious rider.

Red Ruby aka Teddy Age: 12 Height: 16hh Gender: Gelding Breeding: Thoroughbred (Mogok x West Man) Current level of performance: Teddy has jumped up to 1m competitively and also done some eventing in the lower grades earlier in his career. For sale: R120, 000 About: Teddy suits a junior or young adult who wants to start out competing. He is honest and sweet, has been to many show venues, and is very easy to handle. He really is the kind of horse you can do anything with. He will be your true companion! Rideability: Red Ruby is a forward-going, safe ride and yet has a ‘fun side’, as he can get excited at shows. He is happy to hack out alone and safe in all respects. Overall he is a teddy bear of a horse – hence his nickname ‘Teddy’.

Hollywood Age: 11 Height: 16.2hh Gender: Gelding Breeding: Thoroughbred (Silvano x Fort Wood) Current level of performance: Hollywood Boulevard’s best results have been in the SA Showing Association’s Novice Adult Showing (Show Riding and Show Hunter). He was the overall Novice Champion at the Johannesburg Show Horse Festival at Eaton Farm in November 2020. Then at 2020 HOY he was the Reserve Show Riding Novice Champion and was placed in the Novice Adult class in HOY 2021. In terms of dressage he won at the Champagne Series’ Prelim Dressage with a score of 75%. He has also jumped 70cm at the Champagne Tour Eaton Farm Shows. For sale: R130 000 About: Hollywood Boulevard is an extremely good looking horse who is also very kind, gentle, calm, considerate and easy to handle. Rideability: Hollywood is a wonderful all-rounder. He is lovely to ride, very well schooled and would suit anyone wanting to compete in showing, dressage or jumping.

FOCUS

DID YOU KNOW? | TO DATE, THE HIGHEST RECORDED FENCE JUMPED BY A HORSE WAS 2.47M. 96

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15 MARCH

info@dqmagazine.co.za

YOUR EQUESTRIAN QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Is a horse now classified as a domestic animal? The modern horse is classified as a domestic animal, as he is defined as a species bred, born, raised and used by humans. Some herds of native horse breeds still exist in the wild, but most so-called wild horses are actually domestic breeds that have escaped the domestication process and become naturalised. The only truly wild horses left in existence today are Przewalski’s horses.

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Q&A

When can a foal be weaned?

Foals should not be weaned, except in exceptional circumstances, before six months of age. Even at six months, we should not consider weaning unless the foal is in good physical condition, good health and is taking in adequate amounts of feed. If you wish to wean your foal earlier for a particular reason, you should discuss this with your vet. Waiting longer than six months to wean is generally not an issue, unless the mare is struggling to cope, but this should also be discussed with your vet. Weaning is a stressful physical and psychological process for mother and foal. We can reduce the physical stress of weaning by ensuring that the solidfeed intake of the foal is adequate before weaning so that the removal of milk does not leave him deficient in nutrients. The foal must also be in good health before any attempt is made to wean him. Any signs of illness,

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no matter how minor, must not be ignored, and the foal must not be weaned until he has returned to full health. On the other hand, psychological stress can be diminished by introducing the foal to his post-weaning companions prior to weaning and also ensuring regular handling by humans before separation from the dam. Ultimately, careful management can help make the process easier and thus reduce the overall stress of weaning. Many stud farm managers are now proposing a gradual weaning system, where the mare and foal are separated for more and more time each day until they can lead completely independent existences. It is also worth noting that, while it has been the common practice previously to castrate, vaccinate and worm foals around the time of weaning, this multipronged approach can cause trauma for the foal and have a detrimental effect on the health, growth and development of the foal. Therefore, it is advised that foals are vaccinated, wormed and castrated either one month prior to weaning or one month after weaning.

Q&A

My horse hates trucking boots and stamps and kicks until he gets them off. What can I do about this? I don’t want him to travel without boots? Often, when horses wear boots for the first time, they feel unsure. As trucking boots are worn relatively infrequently, it is usually just a case of getting your horse used to the boots so that he is comfortable in them. Begin by going right back to basics. Is your horse comfortable with other boots like tendon boots? If not, you will need to start with these and gradually work up to trucking boots. When first introducing boots, make sure you wear a hard hat and sturdy shoes and ensure you are in a safe environment. Work with just one boot at a time, to begin with, and start with the front legs. When introducing the boot, spend lots of time running your hands down your horse’s legs, putting the boot on, and then removing it

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afterwards. You don’t want to leave the boots on for too long initially. Over time, as your horse becomes more comfortable with the process, you can leave the boot on for a bit longer. You should be able to put the boot on each leg and have your horse stand quietly before you move on to putting on two boots at once, then three and then four. When he can stand quietly in all four boots, you can ask him to take a couple of steps and then stand quietly again. If he does this, reward him and remove the boots. You can then try a few more steps the next day and ultimately load him into the horsebox in the boots. As soon as he is comfortable with this, you can take him for a short drive in the boots and gradually work up to travelling to shows or clinics in them. This is a long process but avoids the hazards of a horse fighting boots while travelling. Make sure you give plenty of praise and rewards as you work through this, and you’ll find that your horse is a trucking boot pro in no time!

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PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN | Handcrafted in Cape Town, SA

www.helloquality.co.za

Products we love Shopping fun

Quick Knot Deluxe Easy, professional show plaits with Quick Knot. Create beautiful, professional show plaits in no time with Quick Knot Deluxe mane clips. The handy plaiting tools have a special three-pronged top for great shaping and grip of the finished plait. Plait the mane down, roll into a ball, put the pin through, bend the end and voila - show time! Easy to use, easy to remove, reusable. Sold in packs of 35 in Black, Brown and White. Available online and in-store at Western Shoppe. Learn more at www.westernshoppe.com

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Florida Breeches in Summer Sage

Our Bamboo technical fabric everyday breeches provide unmatched comfort and support. Medium waisted, hard-wearing and sculpted to follow form, they ensure ultimate comfort and performance in the saddle. We have carefully designed this style to allow maximum movement and flexibility, whilst still keeping a fashionable sporty design. Details include: • Perfectly sized cell phone pocket • Full seat and half seat silicone grip to reduce slipping in the saddle • 4-Way fabric stretch for comfort • Reinforced elasticated waistband • Cieli branded rubber patch belt loop • Silicone Cieli print on the leg • Seamless calf sock to reduce unnecessary bulk

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more products we love Shopping fun

EQUIGOLD Premium Pure Hydrolyzed Collagen

The stunning Tattini Ladies’ Venere Show Jacket with removable collar is made from technical softshell fabric, to make it super light and breathable. It is equipped with two removable collars in lurex and rhinestones. There is a double closure function with a zip and buttons, and inserts on the hips and sleeves in mesh fabric to aid ventilation.

EQUIGOLD Premium Pure Hydrolyzed Collagen is a food supplement containing zero fillers, preservatives or artificial flavourants. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein and a blend of natural amino acids. It has the following roles in the animal body: • It is the main constituent of all connective tissue and is essential for strengthening and repairing this tissue. This makes it important in improving cases of cartilage and tendon damage, arthritis and general stiffness. • It is an important protein source and vital building block, making it crucial for healthy muscles, skin and coat health. • It has been shown to enhance the speed, absorption and efficiency of all Glucosamine based supplements.

The jacket is exclusively available at Equestrian Diva.

Find out more at www.equigold.co.za

Tattini Ladies Show Jacket Venere Removable Collar

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Rambo Hoody

The Rambo Hoody incorporates a number of Horseware Ireland’s most innovative features. The Amigo Ripstop Hoody is breathable, lightweight and offers 90% UV protection from top to tail. It comes with an integrated ‘Hoody’ style neck cover with ear holes that is attached to the body of the rug and an elasticated jaw strap which ensures a close contact fit.

SMART Voetsek Fly Spray

This fly spray contains DEET which is proven to protect horses from biting insects and will aid in the control and prevention of insect borne viral diseases, such as African Horse sickness.

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more products we love Shopping fun

PRESTEQ ANATOMICAL BRIDLE

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PRIDEY’S PIECE

Avid readers and fans! How are we all? February was such a short month; I feel like it was just minutes ago that I was last writing to you all. But time waits for no man/pony, and I’ve been a busy bee this past few weeks, so it’s probably good that I keep you up to speed. You see, I have decided that showing is my discipline. I can’t believe my mother didn’t spot my talent for this earlier… I am naturally well-bred, splendidly conformed (if I do say so myself) and remaining in ‘show-condition’ is something I pride myself on… I’m saddened to have discovered this great talent too late to prepare my handler (the useless mother) to attend Horse of the Year next week, but I shall get her in training now to avoid missing out next time around. My mother had hoped we might enter some ridden classes, but as she’ll detract dreadfully from my score, I simply can’t take the risk. Instead, we will have to go for the in-hand classes, where she certainly won’t bolster my performance, but she can do less damage. I really believe I’ll be talent-spotted anyway and get a proper handler (like Adriaan Drescher, the Showing Handler of the month), and then we shall be in-hand champions of South Africa and perhaps even the world. For now, I’m reading up on the rules and trotting down to HOY to check out the competition. I sense a new chapter beginning for me. Great fame and fortune await! Adieu! Pridey xxx

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NEXT ISSUE 1st April 2022

www.hqmagazine.co.za 108

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Lose a hobby, gain a paion

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

HQ Magazine Issue 158A

Articles inside

AskHQ

Obesity

Anatomy, Part 7

Case Studies

Showing handler of the month

Mare of the month

Gelding of the month

Stallion of the month

Stereotypies

Overcoming show nerves