DIGITAL ISSUE 158B | 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! It’s great to have you with us for our April edition of HQ Magazine. There’s so much happening in the horsey world here at the moment, and we’re rushing around trying to cover it all! From a brand-new showjumping series, to exciting new stallions and new research findings galore – there is SO much to get excited about. Speaking of excitement - our latest print edition has just come out, so pick up your copy at one of our advertisers. Alternatively, you can subscribe to have the magazine delivered direct to your door. To sign up for this service, visit our website (www.hqmagazine.co.za) and select the ‘Subscribe’ tab. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the content here. Thank you, as always, to all of our contributors and advertisers for your support. If you have content you want to share with us, please get in touch with lizzie@hqmagazine.co.za – we’re aware a lot is going on right now and would love to allow everyone to share their news! Until next time – happy horsing! With much love,
Lizzie and xxx the HQ team Dr Lizzie Harrison | Editor
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Designer: Mauray Wolff
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DIGITAL ISSUE 158B | 2022
IN THIS ISSUE 06
Getting into our stride
60
14
The Callaho Winter Collection 2022
70
The Connoisseur’s Collection
26
Polework
Gelding of the month
78
Mare of the month
82
Pony of the month
Anatomy, Part 8 The Circulatory System
90
One last show What maintenance means
Cameo
38
Muscle-up Feeding to build muscle
Capital Don Castello
34
Hot and puffy Causes of heat and swelling in your horse’s legs
With Rotovetti
30
Are you training wrong? Top tips to improve your practice
Meeting Capital’s Over-Achievers
100 AskHQ
Blue Ivy
104 Product review 46
Martini Stud
Savara’s Treeless Saddle
A small stud doing big things
54
Sportsmanship trophies
106 Products we love Shopping fun
With SANESA and Hollard Equipage
111
4
Pridey’s Piece
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GETTING INTO OUR STRIDE MEETING CAPITAL’S OVER-ACHIEVERS The start of 2022 has been impressive for Capital Stud and its horses and riders. With just five years of auction horses out on the circuit, it’s remarkable to see what a dominant force these Capital horses have become. Here we look at just a few highlights from 2022 to acknowledge these incredible horses and their dedicated riders and just how powerful these combinations of the world’s best bloodlines are proving themselves to be.
CAPITAL
QORLAND Capital Qorland is a brand new Capital Stud stallion, demonstrating great promise for the future. His striking looks come with talent and a temperament to match. Qorland has just started attending shows with Nicole Horwood and it’s fair to say he’s throwing ALL the right shapes. Capital Qorland is the son of Corland and Zinnia I. Zinnia I is the mother to Capital Levubu, Capital Pretorius, Capital New Star and 2022 Auction Horse Capital Spencer (a son of Colman). With a list of progeny like this, it’s hard to argue that the damline is not crucial for creating your champion. Photography: Hilary O’Leary 6
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CAPITAL
FIGARO D’ISIGNY Capital Figaro D’Isigny was purchased at the Fences Auction as a foal. This impressive stallion has just jumped his first 1.10m show under Capital Stud’s rider and manager, Luke Compaan. Figaro is sired by Kannan GFE and out of a Dollar Du Murier mare, Miloust D’Isigny. Figaro is the full brother to top mare Albfuhren Paille, who partnered with Steve Guerdat to win the Longines FEI World Cup held in Las Vegas in 2015. Capital Figaro’s first offspring were born in 2019. Photography: Hilary O’Leary
CAPITAL
HITOSHI Capital Hitoshi needs no introduction to the South African Showjumping Circuit, nor does his rider - Nicole Horwood. He is the son of Winningmood. Winningmood is well known for his canter, technique, scope and power, and his son has clearly inherited these qualities. This year Capital Hitoshi and Nicole were just pipped to the post by Lisa Williams, in the 2022 Erreplus President’s Cup. Hitoshi is the sire of many successful competitors including his son Capital Hampton. Hampton is ridden by Charley Crockart and is currently competing and placing consistently in the 1.35m classes. Photography: Hilary O’Leary
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CAPITAL
CLARIBEL Capital Claribel, the top seller of the 2021 auction, is the daughter of Capital Colnardo and the My Lord Carthago mare Lavanya. Claribel recently won her first ever show, the 5-year-old Show Jumping Potential Class, with her rider Chris van der Merwe. Lavanya is also the mother of 2020 auction horse Capital Catori. Photography: Denford Studios
CAPITAL
CASINO Capital Casino is the son of Consuelo and Capital Stud’s speed queen Look at Me D. This talented and scopey gelding is showing real superstar qualities under Neriske Prinsloo-Hill. His full brother Catch Me is also a brave and technically proficient horse with a love for his job. On the 2022 Auction we have Look at Me D’s son, Lorenzo and for the future we have a 2019 daughter of Look at Me D, sired by Kannan GFE. Photography: Denford Studios
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CAPITAL
AYDEN The top-priced auction horse in South Africa to date is the Arezzo VDL son, Capital Ayden.. He is from the same damline as Capital Qorland, being out of Capital Melissa who is a daughter of Zinnia I. Sometimes pictures really do say more than words, and this image of Capital Ayden and his rider Neriske PrinslooHill competing at Stokkiesdraai recently says it all. Photography: Denford Studios
CAPITAL
HAWK Capital Hawk,, described by Dirk Zagers as ‘a Nabab with blood’ and a ‘firecracker’, is certainly showing his potential under Jade Coetzee. The pair have recently competed in their first show together. Capital Hawk is the son of Capital Homerus and Mulana. The 2022 Auction will feature the daughter of Mulana and Capital Levubu, Lavanda. As an exciting future prospect, Mulana also has a yearling colt by Capital Figaro d’Isigy. Photography: Denford Studios
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CAPITAL
KENIA Z Capital Kenia Z is another son of Kannan GFE originating from an impressive damline. His mother Quick Star is the full sister to Olympic Gold medalist Big Star. Capital Kenia Z has a full sister Karenina Z who is currently competing in the 1.45m classes overseas. This sevenyear old recently placed third in the 1.20 Championship Class at the Erreplus President’s Cup 2022 with Charley Crockart. Photography: Denford Studios
CAPITAL
IMPOSSIBLE Capital Impossible is an exceptional stallion by the WBFSH ranked number 10 stallion Verdi, out of Kicky Queen. Capital Impossible is currently competing at the 1.35m level with Nicole Horwood. He is the half-brother to Zangersheide approved stallion, Tyson, with both sharing Kicky Queen as their dam. Tyson was selected as a first reserve for the London Olympics. Kicky Queen is also the mother of Moeen, who competes in the 1.60 classes internationally. Photography: Merlynn Trichardt Photography 10
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CAPITAL
DON CASTELLO Jorja Rohrich has owned Capital Don Castello for less than a year, yet the pair have already taken the 1.50m classes by storm. Despite Jorja being new to this level, they walked away with 3rd place in the 1.50m President’s Cup second round. They also took part in the Open Level Working Hunter Class at Horse of the Year, winning first place in the Warmblood and SASA Open Classes. Capital Don Castello has a full sister – Donique – who is the mother to Capital Cancoon. Cancoon is currently competing in the 1.20m classes with Katelyn De Waal. Donique has recently had a filly by the upcoming star Qorland - the hopes for this filly are high! Photography: Merlynn Trichardt Photography
IT’S IN THE BLOODLINES It’s hard to dispute the power of genetics when one looks at the evidence presented by Capital Stud in just the first quarter of this year. There are so many horse and rider combinations we could profile for this feature, and with this depth of talent we’re certain there’s plenty more placings and wins on the way. When breeding the best to the best, the apple certainly doesn’t fall far from the tree.
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FOCUS
DID YOU KNOW? VITAMIN C IS THE HORSE'S MAIN LUNG ANTIOXIDANT DEFENCE. HOWEVER, IN HORSES WITH CHRONIC AIRWAY DISEASES LIKE CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD), IN OLDER HORSES, AND IN HORSES WITH CUSHING'S DISEASE (PPID), THE LEVELS OF VITAMIN C CAN BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. FEEDING A SUPPLEMENT THAT IS HIGH IN ASCORBYL MONOPHOSPHATE OR ASCORBYL PALMITATE CAN BRING THE LEVELS BACK TO NORMAL. L-ASCORBIC ACID SHOULD NOT BE FED AS IT IS HIGHLY UNSTABLE IN STORAGE AND POORLY ABSORBED BY THE HORSE.
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THE CALLAHO WINTER COLLECTION 2022 THE CONNOISSEUR’S COLLECTION
T
he Callaho Imperative is to provide discerning horsemen and women with world-class sporting partners with the genetic potential and requisite disposition to meet and exceed the demands of our modern top-level sport. The seven mares and eleven geldings of the May 2022 Collection, without question, exemplify this ambition. Producing a final product of the quality on offer here is no small feat; it relies not just on the correct genetic mix but also on an individually tailored, carefully planned and meticulously executed training regime. Callaho’s unique approach, honed by expertise and experience, is exactly what helps nurture and develop champions.
MAKING MAGIC
While all Callaho foals are born under supervision, each is naturally raised on the idyllic savannas of the Kalahari. In their fourth year, the youngsters are brought in from the veld to begin their foundation training with the accomplished Callaho Training Team. Consisting of Rainer Körber, Graham Winn and Callaho’s own Annette Rousseau, the Training Team works through the acclimatisation, backing, and training continuum with each Callaho prospect. They work tirelessly with the horses for a year leading up to the auction, with Ray and Graham visiting for monthly clinics and assessments.
From left to right Ray Körber, Annette Rousseau and Graham Winn 14
Before the horses are presented to the market, the expert Callaho Showjumping Team is invited to fine-tune the talent on offer. This team consists of seven top-end professionals, all of whom ride or have ridden at World Cup level. With their many years of experience, both as top showjumpers and members of the Callaho Showjumping Team, their input is always personal, meaningful and perceptive. The team consists of Jeanne and Ray Körber, Lara and Gareth Neill, Graham Winn, Chatan Hendriks and Carl Boonzaier (still recovering from injury, Carl was unable to join the team this time round).
THE BROODMARES
This winter, the Collection also includes a selection of top broodmares in foal to stallions selected by the Stud. Buyers of these mares will not only take home a proven Callaho asset but also a future foal created through the bloodline wizardry that has given Callaho their name in the industry.
By way of introduction to the Collection, we chatted to five members of this Callaho Showjumping Team after their most recent visit to the stud. Each of the Team selected different favourites and highlights from the Collection, and in so doing illustrated the sheer depth of talent on offer in the upcoming auction. While we showcase just five of the eighteen sporthorses on offer here, we could have featured many more. When the top professional riders struggle to decide which horse to pick, you know you can’t go wrong! Thanks to Ray and Jeanne Körber, Gareth and Lara Neill and Chatan Hendriks for putting together your thoughts for us. We always wonder how Team Callaho will top their last performance, but somehow they always do! This truly is a Connoisseur’s Collection.
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From left to right Gareth Neill, Lara Neill, Chatan Hendriks. Jeanne Körber, Ray Körber
NEXT ISSUE
In our next issue, we will be chatting to the Callaho Training Team, including Graham Winn and Annette Rousseau, to discuss how they have gone about producing these top-drawer athletes and just what we can expect from them all in the future. 15
CALLAHO CON CATCH ME Con Coriano/Wachmann III/I’m So Bad xx 2017 | 17hh | Bay | Gelding From this damline: • Warrangal P (Wachmann II gelding) SJ 1.50m with Lisa Williams • Watch Me P (Wachmann II mare) SJ 1.50m with Lorette Knowles Taylor • Wachmeister P (Wachmann II gelding) SJ 1.45m with James Lowe
“My out and out favourite would definitely be Con Catch Me, a gelding that has so many qualities that remind me of his sire Con Coriano. He has a similar body type and way of going towards the fence. He is out of a World Cupwinning mare by Wachmann, which adds an interesting mix for South African riders and breeders. He is a sensible but extremely intelligent horse with an unbelievable feeling over the fences. He has so much care for the jumps while still giving the rider a feeling of being brave. It’s not often that you get the combination of bravery and care in one horse. I think this horse has all the makings of a top sport horse, and I would feel extremely lucky to have a horse of this calibre in my barn.” - Chatan Hendriks
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CALLAHO CON CALOU Con Coriano/Balou du Rouet/Calido 2017 | 16.11/2 hh | Chestnut | Gelding From this damline: • EH All or None (Abke gelding) SJ 1.60m with Jaclyn Duff • Loui Loop (Ludwig vin Bayern stallion) SJ 1.45m with Jan Müller • Let’s Fly (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.35m with Jethro Bouwer
“Callaho Con Calou has all the qualities of his father, shows great care and has an electric jump. Coupling this to his rideability makes him one of my firm favourites of the collection” - Ray Körber
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CALLAHO CARSILLA Carnaval La Silla/Nimmerdor/Landgraf I 2017 | 16.11/2 hh | Bay | Mare From this damline: • Noble 1 (Noble Sire gelding) SJ 1.60m with Michel Hendrix • Wallstreet (Gentleman gelding) SJ 1.50m with Cassandra Kahle • Codi (Udokes stallion) SJ 1.35m with Theunis Griessel
“Callaho Carsilla has a fantastic attitude and is a pleasure to ride! She feels like she is the kind that would fight for her rider in the ring ” - Jeanne Körber
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CALLAHO STAND BY ME Sampras/Quidam’s Rubin/Gotthardsen 2018 | 16.2hh | Dark Bay | Mare From this damline: • Bombay Sapphire (Balou du Rouet mare) SJ 1.60m with Fidel Segovia • Fifty Shades (Call Me Number One gelding) SJ 1.60m with Andrea Torres Guerreiro • Robinson FRH (Raphael gelding) SJ 1.60m with Richard Spooner
“Callaho Stand By Me is a good-sized black beauty, well balanced with lovely rideability and a super jump. She felt like a ready-made horse and the full package!” - Lara Neill
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CALLAHO ROULET DU AYENNE Cartier/Baloubet du Rouet/Contendro I 2018 | 17.0hh | Bay | Mare From this damline: • Charleen 39 (Chacco Blue mare) SJ 1.60m with Paul O’Shea • All Star 5 (Argentinus stallion) SJ 1.60m with Dennis Lynch | HANN Licensed
• • •
Rinnetou (Ramiro Z mare) SH 1.60m with Piet Raijmakers Absalom Z (Aldin Z stallion) SJ 1.60m with Michael Whittaker Zalza (Zeus stallion) SJ 1.60m with Nick Skelton | HANN Licensed
“My favourite is Callaho Roulet du Ayenne. She is a big mare standing at 17hh with a lot of blood, quality and all the attributes of a modern sport horse. She has a good canter, soft mouth, and the feeling she gave over the jumps makes her an exciting prospect for the future.” - Gareth Neill
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2022 CALLAHO ONLINE AUCTION WINTER EDITION COLLECTION MARES HORSE
COLOUR
DAM
BREEDING
DOB
HEIGHT
CARSILLA
Bay
O’lady
Carnaval La Silla/Nimmerdor/Landgraf I
10/11/2017
166cm | 16.1 ½hh
CON CORONA
Bright Bay
Romona
Con Coriano/Ramiro Z/Libero H
20/11/2017
164cm | 16.1hh
CORIDA DE REBELLE
Liver Chestnut
Larida
Corinth/Lissabon/Quidam de Revel
21/2/2018
162cm | 16.0hh
EMELIA
Bright Bay
Con Corini
Equinox/Con Coriano/Landor S
28/12/2017
162cm | 16.0hh
LIGUILA
Bright Bay
Guilliana
Lissabon/Guidam/Landadel
8/11/2017
166cm | 16.1 ½hh
ROULET DU AYENNE
Bay
Bianca
Cartier/Baloubet du Rouet/Contendro I
9/2/2018
173cm | 17.0hh
STAND BY ME
Dark Bay
Quinta
Sampras/Quidam’s Rubin/Gotthardsen
14/3/2018
167cm |16.2hh
GELDINGS HORSE
COLOUR
DAM
BREEDING
DOB
HEIGHT
CARADO
Bay
Elucada
Carnaval La Silla/Escudo I/Ramiro
13/12/2017 166cm | 16.1 ½hh
CASCOLETTO
Grey
Contendra
Casparon/Contendro I/Caletto I
24/2/2018
CHINOOOK
Bay
Apache Bay
Chiletto/Argentinus/Bold Indian xx
18/10/2016 178cm |17.2hh
CON CALOU
Chestnut
Butterfly
Con Coriano/Balou du Rouet/Calido
16/11/2017 166cm | 16.1 ½hh
CON CATCH ME
Bay
Watch Me
Con Coriano/Wachmann III /I’m So Bad xx
19/9/2017
173cm |17.0hh
CONEMO
Chestnut
Konema
Con Coriano/Quasimodo/Almox Prints J
13/1/2018
163cm | 16.0 ½hh
CORLATO
Bay
Zidria
Corinth/Padinus/Calato
13/2/2018
163cm | 16.0 ½hh
ESPERANZO
Bay
First Kiss
Esclavo/Fidertanz/Contendro I
6/12/2017
168cm |16.2hh
I’M IN LOVE
Grey
Chocolate Love
I’m Special De Muze/Cassini II/Almé Z
27/11/2017 170cm | 16.3hh
KUBLAI KHAN
Dark Bay
Solera
Kannan/Silvio I/Ramiro Z
12/9/2017
170cm | 16.3hh
LARIANO
Dark Bay
Contaska
Larison/Con Coriano/Quidam’s Rubin
7/12/2017
180cm | 17.3hh
164cm | 16.1hh
BROODMARES HORSE
COLOUR DAM
BIJOU
Chestnut
Dos Con Dios
BOLANNE
Bay
CON QASSA
Bay
ELUCADA LARICIA
Bay Bright Bay
SIMPLY WILL Bay HQ|158B
BREEDING
DOB
HEIGHT
IN FOAL TO
Benicio/De Niro/Weltmeyer/Brentano 8/1/2016 II
165cm | 16.1hh
Lissabon
Ryanne
Bolzano/Ramiro Z/Gotthard/Senat
22/12/2015
163cm | 16.0hh
Victory For Ever
Qui Cassa
Con Coriano/Quidam’s Rubin/ Cassini/Caletto II
14/2/2017
163cm | 16.0hh
Corinth
Rapsodie
Escudo I/Ramiro/Wendelin I
18/06/2005
169cm |16.2½hh
Victory For Ever
Benicia
Larison/Benicio/De Niro/Weltmeyer
13/10/2016
165cm | 16.1hh
Lenbach Go On
Lisa Will
Sampras/Lissabon/Simply/Ussuri xx
16/12/2016
158cm | 15.2hh
Innovation 21
FOCUS
PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT
MEET KAYLEIGH OAKS AND WINTER AXE. WINTER AXE IS A TEN YEAR OLD THOROUGHBRED, AND WHILST HE’S SMALL AT JUST 15.2HH, HE HAS THE HEART OF A LION. THIS IS A NEW PARTNERSHIP AS KAYLEIGH HAS ONLY OWNED HIM FOR A YEAR, BUT THE PAIR ARE CURRENTLY COMPETING IN THE 1.20S. HER AIM FOR THE YEAR IS “TO GROW OUR PARTNERSHIP SO HIM AND I CAN STEP UP TO THE 1.30S AND BE COMPETITIVE AT THIS HEIGHT.” 22
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FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT
MEET PAIGE NUNAN AND RIVERVALE BON VIE! PAIGE AND BON VIE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE 1.35S, AND PAIGE’S DREAM IS TO WIN THE WORLD CUP SERIES ONE DAY! 24
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WINTER
COLLECTION CLICK HERE
LAUNCHING AT EASTER FESTIVAL 2022
HORSE AND RIDER
POLEWORK
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HORSE AND RIDER
WITH ROTOVETTI THE FOUR-LOOP SERPENTINE WITH POLES
A
seemingly simple exercise, the four-loop serpentine with poles can be a fantastic training aid for both horse and rider. It works to improve your horse’s balance and rhythm as well as his straightness, suppleness and bend whilst improving your accuracy as a rider.
SET UP Set your three poles up over the centre line on your Rotovetti blocks.
60 X 20 METRE ARENA
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HORSE AND RIDER
TO RIDE 1. Begin by walking or trotting your four-loop serpentine aiming to hit the middle of the pole each time. Remember to change the bend over the pole and keep your horse soft to the inside leg. Try and keep your loops of equal size. 2. When you have mastered the exercise in walk and trot, it is time to move onto canter. Canter is a little more complicated as it is important to keep your horse on the correct canter lead, so you must begin using your pole to change your canter lead. If this is not yet possible for you and your horse, you can bring your horse back into a trot and then go back into the canter to get onto the correct lead. You can do this either before the pole or after the pole.
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POINTS TO NOTE This exercise will allow you to assess and work on: • your horse’s suppleness and ability to change the bend • your level of control in avoiding the exercise becoming rushed and unbalanced • your accuracy in requesting the change of leg in the correct place and selecting the right line to get to the centre of each pole • your ability to think fast, as in this exercise, you will need to make constant adjustments to maintain rhythm, balance and accuracy
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HORSE AND RIDER
TEXT: GEORGIA HARLEY PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT
Gelding of the Month CAPITAL DON CASTELLO – THE BIG, BRAVE CONFIDENCE BUILDER
C
apital Don Castello is a South African Warmblood owned and ridden by Jorja Rohrich. Bred by Capital Stud, he is the tall, brave schoolmaster Jorja needed to teach her the ropes of the bigger classes. Affectionately known as Harry, Don Castello is a real gentle giant standing at 18hh and in his partnership with Jorja, he has allowed her to gain confidence and focus on her own learning.
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HISTORY After first seeing Don Castello in 2018 at a World Cup Qualifier at Stokkiesdraai, Jorja had her heart set on Harry. Years later, everything seemed to fall into place as Jorja was stabled at Don Castello’s home base London Lane Livery when he went on sale. With the help of a family friend, and a concerted effort from Jorja, Jorja’s mum HQ|158B
He is the most wonderfully kind horse.
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HORSE AND RIDER
Harry always does his utmost to try and please me.
allowed her to try Harry, and the rest really is history! After sitting on him just once, Jorja knew he was the right fit, and in May 2021, she finally had her horse. Capital Don Castello was previously owned by Susan Berry of London Lane and produced by Ian Van Schalkwyk. Together Ian and Harry won the 2018 Burlington Cup and competed in the South African Derby as well as numerous other 1.50m classes. Harry has already confidently taken Jorja around her first 1.50m in less than a year since the two became a partnership. The goal when purchasing Harry was for him to be her schoolmaster allowing her to gain confidence in the higher levels. The plan is clearly coming together beautifully, with Jorja and Harry making 1.50m look small!
OTHER TALENTS Not only have Jorja and Harry had success at their showjumping shows, but they also had a go at the Open Level Working Hunter at the recent Horse of the Year show at Kyalami Park Club. Unsurprisingly the pair came away with first place in both the Warmblood Class and the SASA Open Class.
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BREEDING Capital Don Castello is sired by none other than Capital Don Cumarco. Don Cumarco is the first horse in South Africa to have won Derby four times and also won every other major showjumping title on offer in South Africa. Capital Don Cumarco is the son of the 2006 World Championship titleholder and Olympian, Cumano. Not only was Cumano a successful athlete himself, but he also produced successful athletes, as demonstrated by his progeny. On the dam side, it seems that Jorja enjoys horses with similar dam lines. Both of her Capital bred horses, Capital Don Castello and Capital Hurley (sired by Capital Hitoshi), have mothers who are daughters of Capital Ulior. Capital Ulior is the son of the 1.60m showjumper Sheyenne De Baugy. THE FUTURE With the speed at which this partnership has gelled, it will be exciting to see what is to come in the future for this combination. We feel certain that these two will soon be contenders for places and podiums in the big classes!
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XX H OXR S E A N D R I D E R
TEXT: GEORGIA HARLEY PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY
Mare of the month CAMEO
O
ur Mare of the Month was not only bred but is also owned and ridden by Equestrian Diva Couture rider Tegan Bruyns. Amazingly, Tegan bred the mare when she was just 16 years old! Cameo turned seven in January this year and has just gone around her first 1.30 with Tegan. Although green at this level, she gave Tegan vast amounts of confidence – a true testament to her being a great horse with a fantastic mind.
BACK STORY Cameo lived at home with Tegan until she was two years old, and this allowed the pair to really get to know each other and form a bond. When she was three and a half, Tegan and her sister worked together to back
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Cameo, and it was here that their ridden journey began. As Cameo is the first youngster Tegan has produced, it was vital for her to have guidance, and she acquired this from the enviably knowledgeable Reiner Körber.
ABOUT Cameo grasps ideas and concepts exceedingly quickly, and this intelligence has had an enormous impact on the speed of her training. Her attitude to work is also remarkable, and she is developing into a laid back and sensible athlete. Like many of the Consuelo offspring, Cameo is also incredibly brave, with Tegan joking that they might be able to tackle some cross-country courses one day! HQ|158B
XXX
She has the heart of a lion.
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HORSE AND RIDER
BREEDING Cameo is the daughter of one of the best stallions Africa has ever had to offer – Consuelo. Consuelo was the son of Corofino, and Corofino is known for giving his offspring elegance and plenty of movement. This is evident in Consuelo and Consuelo’s offspring, who not only inherit these qualities but also his scope, bravery and technique. Cameo’s mother, Hidden Pleasure, is the daughter of Olympic level stallion For Pleasure. For Pleasure is known for his great talent and personality, which allowed him to succeed on the showjumping circuit. Further, For Pleasure is a breeder of successful offspring. Many would say he is one of the foundation stallions of the showjumping world. Four of For Pleasure’s progeny took home medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
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Tegan owned and rode Hidden Pleasure, but after an unfortunate injury, she decided to breed the mare, and Cameo is certainly a quality horse for the future. Hidden Pleasure has recently given birth to another lovely filly by Eldo, and we’re excited to see the journey of this filly with Tegan and her family.
THE FUTURE Tegan explains that she finds it a real privilege to have bred, backed and produced Cameo herself. The bond they have formed is extraordinary, and when watching them in the ring, you can sense the connection. With Cameo only just starting her open career, it’s exciting to consider just how far this partnership has the potential to go. We feel confident that this pairing will be stars of the future! HQ|158B
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HORSE AND RIDER
TEXT: GEORGIA HARLEY PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED
Pony of the Month BLUE IVY
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lue Ivy is a six-year-old piebald pony mare owned by Luca Watson. Luca being just twelve years old, knew the enormous task he was taking on by purchasing a young, inexperienced pony but is willing to take the time it takes to unlock this mare’s true potential.
APPEARANCE Blue Ivy is a beautiful piebald mare with light blue eyes. Due to their genetics, it is quite common for paint horses and ponies to have blue eyes. The blue eyes and the striking colouring of her coat catch people’s attention, and the mare often receives compliments.
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BREEDING This mare’s breeding is an unusual mix that just works! She is a Quarter horse crossed with an Arab cross Boerperd. Her sire is Apache, and her dam is a mare named Onyx. RIDING The Watson family purchased Ivy in 2021 from Anthony Kay’s Ebb and Flow stables situated in Port Elizabeth. Luca instantly knew that Ivy was a future star for him. Although Ivy is very green, Luca is willing to take on the task of producing her to Open Level himself. Luca believes that the key to achieving this goal is exposure; therefore, Luca takes HQ|158B
I want to turn her into a schoolmaster that any Open Rider would be happy to own.
every opportunity to expose Ivy to different venues, arenas, and types of fences. Luca has already made a lot of progress with Blue Ivy, with the pair having so far competed at SANESA shows, graded shows and Horse of the Year. So, not only do this pair compete in showjumping classes, but they also compete in Equitation and Working Hunter classes and have been very successful to date. Last year, before Ivy was purchased, she had only ever done one 80cm training show, so this progress is pretty impressive! Plus, all of these different disciplines and venues will only help Ivy
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become confident, brave and relaxed when going to new places and taking on new challenges.
PERSONALITY Ivy is a very sensitive, fiery mare that is very particular in her way of going. Luca explains that working with her has already improved his riding. The pair seem to be a great match with the combination already competing in the 1m classes. Luca describes Ivy as a horse that locks onto a jump, which is a lovely quality for a young horse. Their confidence will only continue to grow!
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Everyday is a new learning day; we are still building our relationship.
FUTURE With these only being the beginning days, it is very exciting to see where this young, talented combination will be in a few years. Having a young rider willing to school a youngster is such an asset. Luca will continue to learn through the production of his magnificent pony, and there will be plenty of success to come. We cannot wait to watch the progress this young team makes.
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DID YOU KNOW? There is a registry for blue eyed horses called the Blue-Eyed Horse Association. Any horse can be registered if they have at least one blue eye identifiable on a photograph.
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FOCUS
DID YOU KNOW? Over 90% of horse owners also own a dog.
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DID YOU KNOW? A horse's heart rate can be as low as 15bpm when resting undisturbed.
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Ebony Rose with I'm Imperial Vella
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MARTINI STUD A SMALL STUD DOING BIG THINGS HQ|158B
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Martini Chilli Chocalatier
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artini Stud specialises in breeding South African Warmblood Horses for showjumping, eventing and dressage. Founded by mother and daughter duo Janet and Claire Martin, the Stud is a mare only stud with no resident stallion. Janet and Claire prefer instead to make use of the different stallions available, which they handpick to best match their strong mare base. Breeding specialist Dr Carel De Bruyn carries out modern breeding techniques like embryo transfer and artificial insemination with frozen semen for the Stud. Martini Stud aims to breed athletic horses with appealing looks, good paces, and powerful jumps. We caught up with Claire Martin to find out more about her impressive operation!
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HQ: WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BEGIN BREEDING? In my junior career, I was lucky enough to ride a very talented and successful Larry De La Bryere Last Step cross Thoroughbred mare; we jumped JA, as it was called in those days (1.30m). Together we won the Junior Derby, and she won Junior Showjumper of the Year despite only competing in a few shows. She was my first SA Warmblood, and from then on, I was hooked on the breed but could never afford to go and buy a quality going Warmblood, so I started to breed my own. HQ|158B
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HQ: HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A MARE AND STALLION? I put a huge emphasis on the mare when breeding! Mares must either have been successful in sport themselves or have already produced foals who are successful in the sport. For me, it is not too important which discipline the mare has excelled in. To succeed in any discipline, they have to have good, trainable temperaments and longevity to hold up to the training and competing demands. Mares need to have good conformation without any major faults that may influence long term soundness. Ideally, mares should be a minimum of 16hh, and I really like a mare with Thoroughbred blood close in her pedigree. In my opinion, too many mares enter breeding programs for the wrong reasons; possibly they were talented but had bad attitudes, or they ran into soundness issues most likely caused by conformational flaws. Stallions should have good conformation and paces; the canter should be exceptional. They should stand
out. Again, the stallion must have proven himself in the competition arena or have progeny performing well. A stallion must reliably go into the ring and perform. I will not use a stallion who wins one day and is eliminated the next day; he must be consistent. Remember, however, that a top competition horse is not necessarily a top breeding stallion. Using a stallion who “stamps” his offspring reduces your risks in breeding. A stallion who throws many different shapes, sizes and types of foals is very risky. At Martini Stud, we make use of imported frozen semen from top international sires. When we use local stallions, we try to use those licensed by the SA Warmblood Horse Society.
HQ: AND HOW DO YOU PAIR THEM? I have personally ridden and trained most of my broodmares or their offspring, so I can assess their strengths and weaknesses in their entirety. You must be super critical of your mares so you know what traits you need the stallion to improve on. I learn about the
Martini Cortina
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different traits stallions pass on to their offspring by watching their younger progeny in the lower grade competition ring. It can be a little more difficult to see a horse's natural talent, strengths, and weaknesses when they are jumping in the higher grades with very good riders after many years of good schooling, which 'shapes' them into very rideable horses.
HQ: DO YOU PLAN ON EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF FOALS YOU BREED EVERY YEAR OR DO YOU HAVE A LIMIT? I plan to breed 2-4 foals per year and do not plan on expanding. I have a very hands-on policy where I personally foal down each mare, halter train each foal myself, and by 2-3 months old, the foals have learnt to stand tied to a fence. HQ: SO, DO YOU BREED DISCIPLINESPECIFIC HORSES? My emphasis is on showjumpers as that is where the biggest market is. I do also try to breed for braveness and movement. You need the braveness to take risks in a jump-off.
Despite my focus, I have bred horses who have succeeded in dressage, showing, eventing and showjumping. This all goes back to temperament and trainability; a horse with the right mind can be trained to do almost anything. Of course, disciplines are specific; for eventing, you need lots of Thoroughbred blood for stamina, preferably at least 50%. However, there are commonalities even in physical performance; for example, you need an excellent canter for all disciplines, but the trot can be developed.
HQ: DO YOU THINK IT IS DIFFICULT FOR SMALLER STUDS TO HAVE THEIR PLACE IN SOUTH AFRICA WITH THE HUGE STUDS AND THE STATUS THEIR NAME CARRIES? Yes, it can be challenging to begin with; it takes a lot of time and patience to slowly improve your stock and be noticed. You need to have a clear goal and stick to it! Buyers must also be aware that they can often get the same or better quality at lower prices from smaller studs.
Martini Lucalele
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Martini Lauviah
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Martini Babushka & Martini Cessna.
HQ: HAVE YOU PUT MARES INTO FOAL THIS BREEDING SEASON AND, IF SO, WHICH FOALS ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE? Yes, Callaho For Scotty (For Joy/Crown Collection xx) is in foal to Pegase van't Ruytershof (Comme Il Faut x Cartani), who comes from a very strong competition family. We are also planning to put our imported Hanoverian mare Argentina (Argentinus/Drosselbart) into foal, but the pregnancy has not been confirmed yet. HQ: DO YOU RETAIN ANY OF YOUR FOALS OR SELL ALL OF THEM INTO THE SPORT? Yes, we typically retain some fillies to produce in the sport ourselves, while all colts are for sale. HQ: WHEN SELLING HORSES, DO YOU SELL THEM ONCE THEY'VE BEEN BACKED OR AS FOALS? All colts are for sale from foals, but the majority of our horses are only sold once backed. We do most of the backing at the Stud Farm, where the upbringing of the youngsters is in a natural environment. I do a lot of groundwork using positive reinforcement and clicker training under the guidance of Jenku Dietrichsen (https://jenku. tv/). This starts from birth. I like to think of it as trickle training, where they gradually and continually learn. At two-years-old, our horses know how to do a little lunging
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in a pressure halter with no gadgets. Then, at about threeand-a-half years old, Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer Siobhan Records starts them under saddle. Once they are calmly walking, trotting and cantering in the arena, they spend a lot of time hacking which helps with braveness and teaches the horses to become sure-footed. Jumping under saddle only commences after their fourth birthday. Initial jumping training involves jumping a lot of cross-country type jumps out of the trot with outings to cross-country venues like Northern Farms, Inanda Country Base and Fourways Riding Centre. The training of each youngster is adjusted to their needs and in this way, we differ greatly to a bigger stud with many horses to back each year. You will often see our horses competing in the Young Horse Performance Series (YHPS) as four-year-olds and five-year-olds. This is a fabulous series for young horses of any breed.
HQ: DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL INSIGHTS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? I think you have already gathered that temperament is everything for Martini Stud! A stallion with a good temperament cannot always fix a mare's poor temperament and vice versa. One must carefully assess temperament; one should not confuse affection with trainability and workmanship. For higher-level sport, riders need smart horses that can be trained quickly and have a fighting spirit. We breed for this at Martini Stud!
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HORSE AND RIDER
TEXT: NICOLE GIRAUD-WHITE, HEAD OF HOLLARD EQUIPAGE
Sportsmanship trophies WITH SANESA AND HOLLARD EQUIPAGE
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n the show ring, good sportsmanship means displaying an admirable character, dignity, humility and grace, whether you win or lose. For young riders, this is expressed in their encouragement of team members and competitors, helping out where they can, and showing respect and care for their horse, other equestrians, parents, coaches, show organisers and officials. These values are deeply intertwined with the ethos of the South African National Equestrian Schools Association (SANESA), which is dedicated to promoting all forms of equestrian sport within the South African school community and building true equestrian ambassadors across the country. These values also align with those of Hollard Equipage, which, in the process of nurturing young champions, aims to promote a positive attitude and good sportsmanship, in keeping with Hollard’s business purpose of enabling more people to create and secure a better future.
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SPORTSMANSHIP TROPHIES FOR BUDDING EQUESTRIAN ATHLETES As South Africa’s premier equine insurance provider, Hollard Equipage has partnered with the SANESA Gauteng Johannesburg district for 2022, including sponsoring two annual trophies to encourage good sportsmanship – one for a deserving primary school rider and one for a high school rider. The Gauteng Johannesburg district comprises of approximately 80 participating schools and is holding four two-day multidiscipline competitions between February and June this year, with 1 000 to 1 200 entries per show. The riders with the most accumulated points in each class will represent their district at SANESA Gauteng Finals in July and August 2022. Depending on the results of the finals, they will represent Gauteng at the annual SANESA National Championships later in the year. Equestrians who truly are great ambassadors for their sport, through their integrity and principled behaviour, will HQ|158B
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Mbasa Nodada and Pound. Mbasa represents St. Peters Preparatory School.
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Promoting good sportsmanship among young equestrian athletes builds lifelong equestrian ambassadors. Fair, generous and polite behaviour, especially when playing a sport or game, is how the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines sportsmanship. be in line for the prestigious SANESA Hollard Equipage Sportsmanship trophies. Candidates may be nominated by SANESA instructors, fellow equestrians, committee members, judges or marshals. The winners will be chosen once the SANESA Gauteng Johannesburg Committee has evaluated all the nominations and will be announced at the Gauteng Johannesburg Awards Ceremony in July 2022.
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP IS RECOGNISED GLOBALLY The values integral to good sportsmanship are cherished in the riding arena. When 16-year-old rider Amanda Nelson was awarded the sportsmanship award at the premier American Junior Paint Horse Association World Show for youth aged 18 and under in 2016, she was reported to have said, “I’m very glad people around the show noticed that I always try my best to be friendly and kind to everyone around me.” Her message was simple: “Being happy for the one that won can be difficult; it’s easy to be sad or mad about how a class went, but I just remember how fortunate I am to be showing my horse. If I have a bad run, it gives me something to work on at home.” “Having good sportsmanship has allowed me to gain many new friends and to enjoy showing even more. When I win,
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I am thrilled, but if I don’t, I’m still happy because I love being on a horse doing what I love and being surrounded by people that share the same interest.”
UPLIFTING THE SPORT So, what are the special sportsmanship qualities SANESA, and Hollard Equipage are looking for? Candidates for the trophies will, throughout the year: · Encourage, help, support and cheer on other athletes and their teammates · Demonstrate camaraderie, and be considerate of other riders · Show respect for the rules of the sport, the marshals, judges, and parents and all fellow equestrians · Observe the correct warm-up etiquette in the practice arena and demonstrate overall good manners · E xhibit excellent care and compassion in the treatment of their ponies and horses In short, they will live, breathe, and ride sportsmanship, stay true to their values and goals, compete with humility, look out for their own safety and that of their horse and others, and take responsibility for their actions. They will be an asset to their school through exemplary behaviour. Here’s to nurturing a new generation of great ambassadors for equestrian sports!
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Critical Care Cover
Insurance that makes horse sense
Taken in conjunction with Mortality Cover for the minimum sum insured of R20 000, this cover protects against veterinary costs associated with in-hospital procedures in the event that a horse requires intensive, life-saving treatment in-hospital. Cover is for general anaesthetic procedures as well as other procedures to save the life of the horse. This cover is for serious acute events where the horse is at risk of death.
Public Liability Cover This cover will assist in covering damages caused by a horse, which the owner becomes legally liable to pay, happening or occurring away from the premises where the horse is kept.
Personal Accident Cover
Mortality Cover Mortality Cover protects against financial loss due to the untimely death of a horse as a result of an accident, illness, disease or theft – including death while in transit or eventualities in which a registered veterinarian may have to euthanase on humane grounds.
Loss of Use Cover Taken in conjunction with Mortality Cover, this extension provides cover in the event that a horse becomes totally and permanently incapable of being ridden, but its condition does not necessitate destruction for humane reasons.
Provides compensation for bodily injury sustained as a direct result of a horse riding or horse handling accident that results in death or permanent disability.
VIP Equine
(Veterinary Insurance Policy) This product offers cover for R120 000 per annum with only two sublimits: R10 000 for lameness and R15 000 for dentistry. VIP Equine covers veterinary expenses that the horse may incur as a result of illness or injury that is treated by a registered veterinarian either at home or in hospital.
Tack Cover Purchasing tack can be an expensive additional outlay with owning a horse. This cover protects against theft or damage (not wear and tear) to equestrian equipment.
Foetus Cover Also an extension of the Mortality Cover, this cover provides cover for loss of the foetus. Cover takes effect from the date that the mare tests pregnant, 42 days after last service, through until the foal is born and reaches 30 days of age.
Horsebox Cover Horsebox Cover provides cover for theft/loss of or damage to the horsebox including damage to third parties caused by the horsebox.
To be part of the Hollard Equipage family, contact us on: 011 468-4235 or 083 377 2705 Email: equipage@hollard.co.za
travel • equipage • agriculture • trucking • business Underwritten by The Hollard Insurance Company Limited (Reg. No. 1952/003004/06), a Licensed Non-Life Insurer and an authorised Financial Services Provider Further information on benefits, exclusions and limitations can be found at hollard.co.za
FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT
HERE WE SEE ANGELA SPENCELEY AND CALLAHO LENNOX IN ACTION. THE PAIR ARE CURRENTLY JUMPING IN THE 1.35S, AND ANGELA’S DREAM IS FOR THEM TO COMPETE IN THE ‘BIG’ DERBY, BUT AS SHE SAYS, “WE WILL SEE HOW IT GOES AND HOW FAR WE CAN GO TOGETHER”. 58
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TEXT: RYAN TEHINI
ARE YOU TRAINING WRONG? TOP TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR PRACTICE
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he vast majority of time spent in any sporting activity is spent on training – on average, for every four hours an athlete spends training, they will spend one hour competing. While a lot of thought is usually given to what you practice and what you will do for each training session, very little thought is often given to how you practice and whether or not you are employing the most effective and efficient methods to improve. Recent developments in psychomotor activity and learning have elucidated the importance of how a practice is organised, indicating that the skill being practised is only one part of a successful training session. There are two primary forms of practice that will be discussed here, these are: • Block training and • Random training Both of these types of practice have their benefits. This article aims to define them, offer some insight into their uses and psychological impacts, and discuss which one is more effective in equestrian sports.
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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
HOW DO WE LEARN? Before introducing you to the concepts of blocked and random training methods, it is important to briefly discuss how humans learn. Essentially, humans make use of feedback loops. For example, look back on any one of your recent practices; it is more than likely that you were trying to perfect something. Let’s use putting in the correct strides as an example because you as the rider are aware of the desired outcome, and as you make mistakes, you will notice and make minor corrections to fix this – this involves using a feedback loop to get closer and closer to the goal. As you begin to execute the skill correctly, you will receive less and less feedback so at this point do you stop and believe that you have mastered this skill? More than likely, the answer is no. You will begin to make finer, more acute changes to get it as close to perfection as possible – i.e. more feedback. At this point, you are making more minor changes, while beginners are still making significant changes that are particularly noticeable.
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How do humans learn?
In a nutshell, the goal of practising is to make continuous, gradual improvements to your performance so that you are better than when you started. As you become more skilled as a horse rider, improvements made are smaller and less noticeable, while for beginners, the improvements occur faster and more noticeably. This concept is called the law of diminishing returns and has led scientists to explore whether or not learning stops at a certain point, and we can make no more improvements. This exploration formed the foundation of the discovery that learning does not necessarily stop. However, to get the highest return on their practice investment, skilled athletes need to make adjustments to how they practice to continually challenge themselves in varying ways.
BLOCKED PRACTICE Blocked practice is probably the type of training with which most people are familiar. The premise of this practice is consistency, and it is the form of practice in which you would practice the same skill continually, under the same
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conditions. For example, in the case of showjumping, you may practice putting in the correct number of strides for a jump over and over in a single practice session until you are showing signs of improvement. Then you will go on to work on a different aspect of performance. This is blocked practice. Blocked practice is typical of some drills in which a skill is repeated over and over, with minimal interruption by other activities. Scientifically speaking, blocked practice has a number of benefits and overall shows great improvements over time – particularly for beginners. The continued repetition of a single task allows for enhanced focus, as the rider is only thinking of a single skill in the attempt to refine and correct it. Then speaking from a psychomotor perspective, this technique provides significantly better short-term improvements than other techniques – so if you are practising on the day before a show and want to fix something for the show, then this is the technique to use. However, this technique is not always the most efficient in pursuing a goal, which brings us to random training.
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Keeping each skill as a separate section of your training is considered ‘blocked practice’.
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RANDOM TRAINING Random training means that instead of practising one skill repeatedly, you practice a number of different skills in a mixed manner – similar to how they would be needed on a show day. For example, if you were to run through an entire course during practice as you would on show day, this would require varying skills in random order and be considered random training. So while block training could be visualised as XXXX, where X is a single skill, random training could look like XZYX, as the skills needed would vary and be in random order. While blocked training provides a number of beneficial attributes over the short-term, random training outperforms blocked training over the long-term by a notable margin; your retention for what you have just learned lasts far longer when the training uses the random training technique, as opposed to the blocked training technique. Research has also indicated that random practice improves the athlete’s skills in areas that they didn’t even train because creating that variability in training allows for a
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Randomly moving through exercises is ‘random training’.
significantly improved ability to adapt in a skilled manner. As an athlete, you could never possibly train every single skill necessary to perfect the sport – there are just too many. Therefore, a training technique that improves even that which you are not directly practicing, but is nonetheless vital to the athletic endeavour, is incredibly valuable – particularly for experienced riders, where every small adjustment makes a world of difference.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE The truth of the matter is that there is no wrong way to train; all training provides physical and psychological advantages in some respect of your ride. That being said, it would be beneficial to include aspects of both blocked training and random training into your schedule, as this will ensure that improvements are made in all aspects of your game – even those that you are not directly training. HQ|158B
FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT
DANIELLE LEMMER AND THE COURIER GUY CALLAHO CONTANO ARE JUMPING TOGETHER IN THE 1.30S. DANIELLE HOPES TO BE JUMPING CONTANO IN THE 1.40S BY THE END OF THE YEAR. 66
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PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT
HERE WE SEE KIRSTEN LEE NEL AND ROSHAVEN’S GRIFFIN, WHO ARE CURRENTLY COMPETING AT 1.10M. KIRSTEN AIMS TO GET GRIFFIN INTO THE OPEN CLASSES AND WOULD LOVE TO JUMP THE MICRO-DERBY WITH HIM ONE DAY. 68
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H O R S E A N D H E A LT H
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H O R S E A N D H E A LT H
CAUSES OF HEAT AND SWELLING IN YOUR HORSE’S LEGS
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eat and swelling of your horse's legs are relatively common, with several possible causes. It may be something as simple as a fluid build-up from standing in the stable for a prolonged period or could be more serious, such as an injury to the tendon. If you notice that your horse has swelling in his limb, the first thing to do is assess it to allow you to give your vet a comprehensive history. To check the swelling, slowly run your hands over the swollen areas to feel for heat and gently palpate the region to identify any tenderness. If your horse reacts to your touch or his skin feels warm over these areas, he may be experiencing an acute inflammatory reaction. This may be the consequence of a recent injury or the development of
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an infection. In this case, you should take your horse's temperature and look carefully for any wounds like minor puncture wounds or cuts. Any acute or new swelling, especially if accompanied by heat and in just one leg, is a reason to call the vet, as is swelling associated with lameness.
TYPES OF SWELLING CELLULITIS Cellulitis is a bacteria infection of the deeper layers of the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body, but the infection is most commonly found on one of the hind legs. Cellulitis typically begins with sudden swelling that is warm and painful to the touch. Veterinary attention is required.
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LYMPHANGITIS Lymphangitis is inflammation of the lymph vessels and most usually occurs in the limbs. The limb typically appears hot, painful and very swollen. Most commonly, a hindleg is affected. Severe lymphangitis can be challenging to treat and requires urgent veterinary attention. OEDEMA Oedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid under the skin that has settled to the lowest point of the body. Oedema is usually painless and disappears with movement and increased lymphatic system circulation. TENDON, LIGAMENT AND JOINT INJURIES Injuries involving tendons, ligaments, or joints will often produce inflammation, pain, swelling, and lameness. These require immediate veterinary attention.
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WINDGALLS These are residual inflammation from old tendon and ligament injuries. They usually occur on the back of the leg or just above fetlock level. Windgalls are generally present on both hind legs in affected horses but occasionally appear on just one. Sometimes they are also found on the front legs. They are usually painless and reduce in size or disappear during exercise or turnout. ABSCESSES Hoof abscesses are associated with sudden onset severe lameness and often cause legs to fill due to the inflammatory processes occurring in the foot. Your vet and/ or farrier should be called in this instance. FILLED LEGS 'Filled legs' is a term used to describe a condition in which the length of a horse's legs (most commonly the hind pair) appear swollen. It is often the result of a horse standing in his stable for longer than normal and not moving enough.
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Movement is important for leg health - even hand walking can help!
Once the horse has started moving, the swelling usually dissipates.
ARTHRITIS Arthritis is very common in horses, especially older horses and can result in swelling. It is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and inflammation. Over time the inflammation damages the cartilage within a joint beyond repair, leading to chronic pain and swelling. CAUSES OF SWELLING If your horse's legs or legs are swollen, there could be a number of causes leading to the various types of swelling: • Long periods in the stable, particularly after exercise • Not enough movement • Bruising • Overexposure to moisture • Overfeeding/obesity • Too much protein in the diet • Trauma/injury • Infection HQ|158B
• • • • • • • •
Abscesses Insect bite Allergic reaction Certain viruses Scrapes/wounds Inflammation of the skin Inflammation of the tissues of the leg Inflammation of the vessels
DIAGNOSIS Your vet will ask you questions about your horse's overall health, the signs of his condition and their severity, how long they have been present and any related medical history. NOTE: In the case of wounds, it's also worth telling your vet when your horse last had a tetanus shot. Your vet will then perform a physical examination, assessing and feeling the legs and joints and possibly watching the horse walk and trot to assess any lameness. Your vet may also want to check your horse's temperature and may opt to X-Ray or scan the legs if disease or injury is likely.
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TREATMENT Treatment will depend on the cause, but for mild cases of swelling that have been assessed by your vet and aren't linked to a specific injury or illness, the following treatments can be considered: • Cold water/ice boots: Hosing your horse's legs with cold water for up to 20 minutes will help to reduce any heat and inflammation, while also offering a gentle massaging effect. Ice boots can also help reduce heat and swelling- just make sure you follow their instructions for correct use. • Massage and bandaging: Regular gentle massage can assist in improving circulation and helping any fluid dissipate. You can also apply support bandages
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overnight when the horse is stabled to help prevent fluid accumulation. Be careful, however, not to wrap the bandage unevenly or too tightly, which can damage tendons and other tissues. Always apply at least a 2.5cm thick quilting layer underneath the wrap. If you are unsure of your bandaging skills, ask someone experienced for guidance. • More movement: Exercise, daily turnout and regular walking will encourage swelling to dissipate and prevent build-up. • Check the diet: Fat horses or those on diets too high in protein can suffer from swollen limbs, so it's worth speaking to your equine nutritionist to check that diet is not a contributing factor to the problem.
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FOCUS
DID YOU KNOW? HORSES CAN’T VOMIT DUE TO THE STRONG BAND OF MUSCLES SURROUNDING THEIR OESOPHAGUS. THIS BAND IS SO STRONG THAT A HORSE’S STOMACH WOULD BURST BEFORE THE HORSE COULD VOMIT.
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MUSCLE-UP FEEDING TO BUILD MUSCLE
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hether you ride competitively or purely for pleasure, one of the huge motivations behind maintaining an active schedule for your horse is to keep him looking and feeling his best. Yet, whilst exercise is a crucial piece of the puzzle, you cannot afford to ignore feed rations when looking to give your horse the energy and nutrition he
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needs to help him to build muscle. Ensuring your horse is getting the ideal amount and type of nutrition is essential for him to perform at his best. Here we look at the suitable types of feed for your horse and give you some tips on building the muscle he needs to perform to his potential.
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H O R S E A N D H E A LT H
NOTE The condition of the horse and the state of its musculature depend on a variety of factors such as age, health condition, conformation, training level and nutrient intake.
WORKLOAD Your horse’s nutritional needs will vary depending on the level and intensity of his workload. It’s crucial to accurately identify the type of work he’s doing so you can meet his energy requirements appropriately. LIGHT WORK • Ridden exercise 3-4 times per week • Works for up to two hours each time, including walk, trot, canter and some hill work • May be doing some low-level dressage and showjumping competitions If your horse is in light work, you should be able to meet all of his energy requirements with a forage only diet – meaning grass or hay. Although this will provide a large proportion of his energy needs, his diet will still need to be balanced according to the key nutrients that the forage lacks, such as vitamins, minerals and quality protein.
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You can do this by feeding a balancer to help support performance and recovery rates.
MEDIUM WORK • Ridden most days in a structured training programme • May be competing at upper-level dressage, showjumping or eventing • Includes low-goal polo ponies and endurance horses Horses in medium work will still get the majority of their energy from good quality forage, but this can be supplemented with higher energy mixes or cubes that are formulated for performance horses. If your horse is a gooddoer, the minimum quantities of these types of feed may still be too much for him. Therefore, you might need to provide the extra vitamins and minerals his diet lacks using a performance balancer.
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LYSINE
HARD WORK • Training and competing at the peak of their physical capabilities • Includes high-goal polo ponies and horses competing in three-day events These horses tend to have a much greater reliance on concentrates to provide the energy required for the work they’re doing. Many performance feeds contain a variety of energy sources, such as cereals, digestible fibre and oil to formulate a balance of quick- and slow-release energy. WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF POOR MUSCLE BUILDING? • Injury related training breaks during which the horse does not get sufficient movement. • Aging • Irregular or incorrect training • Insufficient exercise • Poor conformation • Metabolic disorders • Low nutrient intake/inappropriate nutrient intake
Pea protein is gaining popularity as a supplement in South Africa.
METHIONINE MUSCLE BUILDING Working your horse often and correctly is key to building his muscles, but for them to grow, they need to be supported by sufficient levels of the right nutrients. A balanced diet is essential, but the primary food group you’ll need to supplement for muscle repair, renewal, and growth is quality protein. Proteins are made up of building blocks called amino acids. There are 22 amino acids in total, and they are classified according to two types: • Essential: These must be provided in your horse’s diet • Non-essential: These are naturally produced by his body. NOTE: The essential amino acids lysine and methionine must be present in your horse’s diet for optimal muscle function, cell renewal and tissue repair and growth; yet, they’re two of the most commonly deficient amino acids in the equine diet. PROTEIN QUALITY CONTROL Very often, horse owners look for the protein percentage of a feed when, in fact, it’s much more important to look for a good quality source instead. Raw materials that naturally provide good-quality protein include soya-bean mean, alfalfa, linseed and peas, which will be listed on the ingredients label of your feed bag.
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It is not just the stress of competition that affects the horse, but also the amount of travelling.
Even though a feed may be high in protein, it could be from a poor-quality source and would need to be fed at higher intakes. For example, cereal grains tend to lack sufficient lysine, so they are considered to be a poorquality protein. If you were to feed your horse a diet where protein is predominantly from cereals and other low-quality sources, you might find that he struggles to develop muscle
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NOTE The amount of time it takes to build muscle in a horse depends on various factors, including age, health and training condition. It is thus essential to remember that every horse needs a different amount of time to build up his muscles. Patience is key!
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Don’t rely on a salt lick for ensuring your horse has sufficient salt in his diet.
DID YOU KNOW Typically, performance, conditioning, veteran, and stud feeds contain higher levels of good quality protein sources than a feed used for maintenance.
tone and topline no matter his workload. With a lack of high-quality protein, it’s also possible that your horse would experience muscle soreness, become more prone to infections and, in extreme cases, you may even start to see muscle wastage.
COMPETITIVE EDGE If you’re feeding your horse the recommended levels of a well-formulated feed and as much quality forage as he needs, you shouldn’t need to add extra nutrients to his bucket feed. However, if you regularly compete, he may benefit from a few added extras. These include: • Vitamin E: This important antioxidant helps support muscle function and immune status. Research has shown that natural vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol) is better absorbed than synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol). Vitamin E supplements can be used strategically before and after a competition. You just need to make sure that you get the quantities right as Vitamin E can be toxic if provided in excess. OXIDATIVE STRESS
Normal cell
Free radicals attacking cell
Anti-oxidants help to stop this process resulting in reduced muscle damage.
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Cell with oxidative stress
• Electrolytes: Electrolytes play an important role in maintaining fluid balance, circulation, nerve and muscle activity. Horses in hard work or those who travel frequently will lose electrolytes through sweat, and for these horses, it’s important to replace this excessive loss with an electrolyte supplement. The most important electrolytes are sodium, chloride, potassium and calcium. • Salt: Some horses will consume their daily ration of salt – around 30-50g – from a salt lick in the stable, but many will not. It is usually safer to add salt to the feed than to rely on salt-lick usage. • Antacids: The stress, irregular feeding times and restricted forage intake associated with competition can put a strain on a horse’s digestive system. An antacid supplement can be fed to help maintain normal gastric health as well as help to maintain a horse’s appetite during competition.
ASSESSMENT One of the best ways to determine whether your feeding programme is working for your horse is to regularly condition score him and keep a record of his performance. It is also a good idea to take monthly photographs from both sides, the back and the front, to record how the body changes. If you are unsure how best to modify your horse’s diet for the work he is doing and to maximise his performance, chat to your equine nutritionist. They are best placed to assess your horse and ensure his diet delivers the desired results. They can also help you determine your horse’s optimum weight, which will help keep him performing and feeling at his best throughout the season. HQ|158B
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 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
Part 8
Anatomy
The Circulatory System T
he circulatory system consists of the heart and the entire network of blood vessels. The heart pumps blood through the arteries to the capillaries. The blood is returned to the heart through the veins from the capillaries. In this way, blood reaches every living cell of the body. The functions of the circulatory system are: • To control body temperature • To remove waste products from the body • To protect the body from infection by circulating white blood cells • To stabilise body temperature • To transport water and nutrients around the body to the cells
BLOOD – THE PASSENGER OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM The horse's body contains approximately 40 litres of blood. Blood consists of: • Plasma • Red blood cells • White blood cells • Platelets
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PLASMA Plasma is the clear, yellowish liquid left when all of the solid elements (cells and platelets) are removed from the blood. It contains a high percentage of water, most of which has been absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Plasma contains a clotting agent, fibrinogen, that is produced by the liver. Fibrinogen is essential for the body because it prevents catastrophic blood loss. When fibrinogen is removed from the plasma, the remaining liquid is called serum. It supplies the body with enzymes, hormones, nutrients from digestion and electrolytes (inorganic salts that maintain the water balance between the body tissue and blood). The serum also carries waste products such as urea, uric acid and ammonium salts to the various organs of excretion. HQ|158B
RED BLOOD CELLS The red bone marrow produces red blood cells or erythrocytes. These cells contain a red pigment called haemoglobin, which combines with oxygen molecules in the lungs to form oxyhaemoglobin. Oxyhaemoglobin is carried around the body by the blood vessels and the oxygen is eventually released as fuel for the cells of the body. Erythrocytes are well adapted to carry oxygen. They lack a nucleus, which means there is greater space for the haemoglobin and their concave shape ensures the maximum surface area for diffusion of oxygen into the body's cells. As these cells lack most of the internal structures of a cell, they also do not consume any of the oxygen they carry, ensuring it all gets to the tissues where it is needed.
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Right atrium
Aorta
Left atrium
Mitral valve
Left ventricle
Tricuspid valve
Right ventricle
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DID YOU KNOW?
H O R S E A N D H E A LT H
If an artery is cut, blood escapes in gushes to the rhythm of the heartbeat. If a vein is cut, the blood will escape in a steady trickle.
THE CARDIAC CYCLE
1. Blood enters the ventricles from the atria.
2. Walls of the ventricle contract forcing blood into the vessels.
3. The atria fill with blood.
WHITE BLOOD CELLS White blood cells, or leucocytes, are produced in the red bone marrow, and the lymph system and they are attracted to areas of the body where infection is present. Their function is to fight the microbes that constantly threaten to invade our bodies. They fight and kill microbes either by ingestion or by producing disabling antibodies. Leucocytes also ingest waste matter, such as dead cells resulting from infection.
lower two are the right and left ventricles. The walls of the four chambers vary in thickness according to the work they have to do. The atria have thin walls as they only need to send blood to the ventricles. The right ventricle has a thicker wall as it must pump blood to the lungs. Thickest of all is the left ventricle wall, as it must pump blood through many kilometres of vessels and capillaries in the head, body, and limbs.
PLATELETS Platelets are disc-shaped cells that are formed in the red bone marrow. Their function is to repair damaged blood vessels and help with blood clotting.
HEARTBEAT The average heartbeat of a resting horse is between 30 to 40 beats per minute; this can increase to 200 beats per minute during fast or strenuous work. The heartbeat, or pulse, can be used to monitor the fitness and general health of the horse. The most common method of taking the pulse is to press the fingers on an artery at the point where it runs over a bone – for instance, at the place where the facial artery crosses the jawbone. The heartbeat can be listened to by placing a stethoscope just behind the left elbow. Two distinct sounds can be heard in the heartbeat – the first is made by the closing of the tricuspid and bicuspid valves and the second by the closing of the semilunar valves in the vena cava and the pulmonary vein.
THE HEART – THE PUMP Blood is circulated through the arteries and veins of the horse's body by the heart's pumping action. The heart is situated on the left side of the horse's chest. It is made up of specialised cardiac muscle, which contracts and relaxes continuously; this pumping action is governed by the nervous system and is not under the voluntary control of the horse. The interior of the heart is divided into four chambers. The upper two chambers are the right and left atria; the HQ|158B
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Aorta
Pulmonary artery
Right atrium
THE CARDIAC CYCLE – ONE HEARTBEAT 1. The atria contract, and the ventricles relax. The atrioventricular (AV) valves are open, and the semilunar valves (in the aorta and vena cava) are closed. Blood is pumped from the atria to the ventricles. 2. The atria relax, and the ventricles contract; the AV valves are closed, the semilunar valves are open, and the blood is pumped out of the ventricles into the aorta and the pulmonary artery. 3. All the chambers of the heart relax. All the valves are closed, and the atria begin to fill with blood to begin the cycle again.
CIRCULATION – THE ROAD SYSTEM Blood is carried away from the heart in arteries and towards the heart in veins. Arteries have thicker walls than veins to withstand the pressure as blood is pumped through them by the heart. An artery can increase or decrease in width to increase or decrease blood flow to any particular area of the body. For instance, if the horse is galloping, the aorta will widen to allow more blood to reach the muscles. Generally, arteries carry oxygenated blood – the one exception being the pulmonary artery, which carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. Veins have thinner walls than arteries, as they carry very little pressure. Skeletal muscle movement helps to circulate blood through the veins using one-way valves, which ensure that blood always flows towards the heart. Veins usually contain deoxygenated blood – again, with the one exception of the pulmonary vein, which carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart. The circulation is divided into two parts: the pulmonary system and the systemic system.
THE PULMONARY SYSTEM The pulmonary system carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart.
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Left atrium
Right ventricle
Left ventricle
THE SYSTEMIC SYSTEM The systemic system circulates blood around the rest of the body. Arteries carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart branch into ever-smaller vessels until they become capillaries, which are only visible with a microscope. The capillaries release nutrients, oxygen and fluids to the tissue cells. They then unite as venules, which convey the depleted blood back through the veins to the heart. Waste products from the cells are absorbed back into the bloodstream through the venules and transported to the appropriate organs for excretion: carbon dioxide to the lungs, water to the kidneys, toxins and cell waste to the liver.
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H O R S E A N D H E A LT H
ONE LAST SHOW
WHAT MAINTENANCE MEANS
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hether you are a top competitor or a happy hacker, most of us can agree that we want our horse to perform at his best and in the greatest comfort for the longest time possible. With all the advances in medicine in recent years, longevity for our equine partners suddenly seems more achievable than ever before. Whilst this is fantastic news, there does seem to be a lack of understanding amongst owners about what exactly maintenance of a horse for longevity really means. It is not uncommon to hear of horses having joint injections every few months to keep them competition ready, and many riders seem blissfully unaware of the risks that go along with these injections. The saddest part is that the desired effect – a horse that can perform for longer – is often negated through this aggressive regime of interference with the joint structures. Many horses retire earlier than before as a consequence of corticosteroid damage to the joint, and several others have lost their lives due to septic arthritis. In each of these cases, the blame is laid squarely at the vet's door, with many believing that using a different vet will avoid any risks associated with joint injections. Alas, this is not the case, and every vet doing joint injections will have their fair share of infections and loss of function stories. Joint injections are risky, and while using them is unavoidable in certain cases, we certainly shouldn't be using them as a 'regular maintenance regime' unless advised to the contrary by our vet. There are many other maintenance options available before we hit the last resort of a joint injection, and most of these alternatives don't come with the same kind of risks as the risk of joint injection. Here we look at why
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joint injections are used and what we know about the risks involved:
WHY JOINT INJECTIONS? The most common reason to medicate a joint is during the management of osteoarthritis, and the most frequently used medications for this include corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAG). Although osteoarthritis has no cure, these drugs are all used to manage the condition by controlling the inflammation and improving joint mobility. The decision as to which product or combination of products is best will depend on the joint, the horse's function and the timing before the competition. Joint injections, although performed frequently without complications, are not risk-free. It is important to be aware of these risks when making decisions regarding treatments for your horse. The risks include: INFECTION Any time a needle is inserted into a joint, there is the potential to introduce bacteria, which can lead to infection. With proper handling and technique, and thorough preparation of the limb, the risk of infection can be minimised, which is why all joints are thoroughly prepared prior to injection. Unfortunately, even with proper preparation, there is some risk of infection following a joint injection. Symptoms of infection include heat and swelling around the joint and, in most cases, lameness (which is often quite severe).
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H O R S E A N D H E A LT H
Your vet will be best placed to advise you on the maintenance options available for your horse.
Joint infection results in cartilage damage and arthritis and, as such, needs to be stopped as soon as possible. Joint infections can be very difficult to treat but respond best when treated early. So if your horse shows any of the above signs following injection, contact your vet immediately.
association, but it is advised that the lowest effective dose of corticosteroids is used in most cases. In animals with a history of previous laminitis or that are particularly obese, more care is generally taken (with lower, short-acting doses), and animals with current laminitis generally won't be treated with corticosteroids.
ADVERSE REACTION TO THE CHEMICALS As with every drug we administer, there is a chance that the horse's immune system will respond inappropriately to it. The types of adverse reactions vary, but when they happen in joints, they commonly result in similar signs to infection, with heat, swelling and lameness. This adverse reaction is referred to as a "flare" and, unlike infection, does not involve bacteria (it is sterile). It is essential to distinguish between joint infection and a flare (by sampling the synovial fluid) because treatment differs between the two. In most cases, horses that have a synovial flare are treated with rest and pain killers, although severe cases might require lavage of the joint.
ALTERNATIVES Whilst, as acknowledged above, joint injections are necessary in certain cases, there are so many safer alternatives for the vast majority of horses that it makes sense to work through these first. As a general overview: 1. The first port of call would be oral joint maintenance. 2. The second would be giving joint maintenance rectally, which has a much higher bioavailability than oral administration in most cases. 3. Thirdly you can give joint maintenance either intramuscularly or intravenously. 4. Finally, you can consider joint injections. As you see from this stepwise approach, there is an awful lot to try before putting a needle into a joint capsule. If joint injections were risk-free and your horse was guaranteed to survive the experience, then regular administration would not be an issue, but when one considers the risk to not only their career but also their life, it seems irresponsible to bypass other, far safer alternatives.
JOINT DEGENERATION Long term use of certain corticosteroids can result in cartilage breakdown. The amount and rate of degeneration depend on the joint, the amount of damage, and the individual horse. This has to be weighed up against the potential benefits of reducing the inflammation within the joint. LAMINITIS While corticosteroids are very useful in treating joint disease, it has been suggested that these drugs can contribute to the onset of laminitis or founder in certain instances. More recent research has failed to confirm this
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TAKE-HOME MESSAGE It goes without saying that your vet is best placed to advise you on how to maximise your horse's longevity and potential. It is just worth educating yourself on the risks of joint injections from the outset to make sure that if given alternative options, you at least consider them! HQ|158B
EQUAAN 1000 - The one to BEAT!
“Keeping performance horses sound, happy and injury free, is a skill on its own. Sport horses are expensive to keep and take years to school and build relationships with. That is why it is so important to preserve them for as long as possible. EQUAAN has been a game changer for me. The horses feel great on it and knowing that I do what I can to preserve their careers, is a comfort for me as a rider. GIVING BACK TO MY HORSES IS IMPORTANT TO ME” - Belinda Martin
NO MESS, NO FUSS, NO WASTAGE - Assists in the prevention of osteoarthritis - Acts as an anti-inflammatory - Protects cartilage - Increases joint metabolism and fluid - Increases quality and viscosity of joint fluid - Only one ovule a week for maintenance - 3 ovules is a pre show boost - 1 ovule aids post show recovery - Safe for ulcer prone horses - Assists with the integrity, nutrition and health of soft tissue and fascia
FOCUS
MYTH-BUSTING Contrary to popular belief, scientists have shown that 3-4 well-structured riding sessions per week are enough to improve our equines' fitness!
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FOCUS
DID YOU KNOW? There were no horses in Australia until 1788 when they arrived on boats with the first Western settlers. As only the strongest and fittest horses survived the sea journey from Europe, Australian horses are still considered some of the hardiest equines in the world.
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MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY
079 317 4556 | merlynn.bester15@gmail.com
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A DRESSAGE HORSE?
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF DRESSAGE HORSES FOR YOU!
Contact Jan Kleynhans for more information: 082 880 2353 | jan@equiconnect.co.za
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SHOWJUMPING HORSE?
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF SHOWJUMPING HORSES FOR YOU!
Contact Jan Kleynhans for more information: 082 880 2353 | jan@equiconnect.co.za
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YOUR EQUESTRIAN QUESTIONS ANSWERED
How can I tell if my horse is in self-carriage? Horses can only achieve true self-carriage if they are balanced and strong enough, which takes time and plenty of training. Don’t expect to achieve self-carriage without putting the work in to help your horse develop the muscle he needs to carry himself! When a horse is in selfcarriage, he should feel like he’s: • Carrying more weight on his hindquarters so that he is light on the forehand. • Upright and straight in the corners and on circles i.e. not impersonating a motorbike • Carrying more weight on the outside of his body You can test whether or not your horse is in self-carriage with a brief give and retake of the inside rein while you’re on a circle. If he can maintain his way of going, then he’s carrying himself without relying too much on you.
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Q&A
I can’t seem to keep a flow around a course when jumping. How can I learn to ride a more rhythmical and consistent round? The first thing to look at is the quality of your canter. Are you able to maintain a forward and consistent rhythm while schooling on the flat? If not, then it’s imperative to take a step back and work on your horse’s canter before tackling a course of fences. Your horse needs to be able to hold his own pace and stay in a rhythm for a few minutes to replicate a round of showjumping, plus you’ll need to be able to make adjustments to his canter to meet each fence on the correct distance and account for any tighter turns. Once you feel confident in your canter on the flat, set up two poles 15-18 metres apart and work on riding over them until you are sure that your horse can maintain his canter between them without rushing or backing off. Lots of horses get excited about jumping, so it’s important that you can keep your regular rhythm over poles to ensure he is calm and focused when you put fences up. Next, set out a course of poles around the arena as
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if it was a showjumping course. Work on maintaining a consistent canter throughout, adjusting your horse’s pace as needed and making sure he’s listening to your aids. Once you can tackle this calmly and with a consistent rhythm, you can raise the poles into small fences and carry on as you were, taking things back a step if he gets excited or overwhelmed. Your focus should always be on maintaining a quality canter – seeing a perfect distance is less critical at this point. Finally, another good exercise could be to lay a placing pole two strides (6.5m) before a fence and then ride over it without changing the canter. This means that those two strides should feel the same as the canter on the approach, and that’s the canter you want to replicate around any course of jumps. Add a pole two strides after the jump if you find he rushes or loses energy after fences and, again, practice the same thing. Training this rhythm in all of your work at home will help your horse to maintain his rhythm at a show. Under show conditions, the excitement levels will, of course, be higher but provided your horse has become used to keeping his rhythm at home, you should find the issue much more manageable than before.
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Q&A
My horse rushes on the lunge. How can I get him to slow down? Horses who tend to rush on the lunge do so for various reasons, such as stiffness, greenness, sharpness or a lack of balance. Regardless of the cause, the fix is generally the same and involves plenty of transitions, half-halts and ultimately the inclusion of poles. To help a rushing horse to slow down, you can try the following: • The first step is to get your horse listening to you. To do this, work on transitions between walk, trot and halt, always keeping yourself calm but firm in what you’re asking. You can incorporate canter transitions within this work, too. • If you ask for a downward transition and your horse doesn’t respond, you can bring him onto a smaller circle for a couple of rotations. This is fine, provided you don’t keep him on a tight turn for very long. He’ll
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be more inclined to slow down and make the downward transition on a tighter turn. You can then allow him out onto a larger circle before asking him forwards again. • Keep your aids to go forward subtle and quiet and, if he starts to rush, ask him to walk again, taking your time to allow him to relax before you ask for trot or canter once more. • Once your horse has the hang of a downward transition, you can easily teach him to half-halt by asking him to close his stride down and then encourage him forward again before making another downward transition. • Once you have mastered half-halts and downward transitions, you can start to make the routine more varied by adding in some simple polework exercises. They can often help a rushing horse to concentrate and regulate his pace, but it’s important to help him balance on the approach using a half-halt while you get started until he learns to steady himself.
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Q&A
How can I help my horse to balance on a hill? When ridden on hills, or uneven terrain, most horses will balance themselves pretty well, but it’s easier for them if we stay in balance and maintain a steady rhythm. When riding uphill, you can push your seat slightly further back to fold a little into a forward seat, keeping your knees soft and your lower leg next to your horse to ensure he stays steady. When riding downhill, sit up by bringing your pelvis under you. To enable you to change your balance, use your stomach muscles according to the gradient. This takes practice, but over time you will get stronger. If you collapse your body down or lean forward, you’re putting a lot of your weight over your horse’s shoulders, making it hard for him to lift his shoulders and balance himself.
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SAVARA’S TREELESS SADDLE
Product review
I
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n my quest to find the perfect saddle, I got my hooves on Savara’s treeless saddle a few months ago, and I’ve been testing it out. I went for the treeless saddle design to find something comfortable and flexible, as well as practical for both human and horse. Having ridden in a bareback pad for many years, I was looking for a saddle that could provide the same feel and balance. I’ll use three criteria to rate the saddle: comfort, to describe what the saddle feels like for work and trails; style, to describe the attractiveness of the saddle; and adaptability, to describe how it can be changed to suit disciplines. Here’s my verdict:
COMFORT: 9/10 As a horsey human, as soon as your bum hits this saddle, it feels at home. The 16” seat is suede-covered, and the seat itself is flocked with firm foam, giving you both grip and comfort. My immediate thought was that the saddle is quite similar to the Liversage trail saddles that I have spent many hours in, albeit a bit squishier. So, the true test for me was to see how the saddle held up through a few hours on the trail, trotting, cantering, and occasionally jumping. More to come on this... As a horse (while I didn’t get this information from the horse’s mouth), the saddle panels are soft but firm and moveable through the use of Velcro patches. This makes it easy to change the saddle shape for round or high-withered horses. I opted for a saddle pad with a foam insert to provide a bit more comfort for the horse. The saddle had settled slightly at the end of our first two-hour trail but still provided ample wither and spine clearance. I must include a special mention of the weight of the saddle. It is light, under-1kg-light. This is a huge departure from the heavy, solid saddles most of us ride in. It also makes transporting the saddle to and from the tack room a very easy job.
STYLE: 9/10 The saddle is very attractive, featuring brown leather and a brown suede seat. I opted to use a pair of stirrup webbers instead of leathers to reduce the bulkiness underneath my leg, and put these underneath the saddle flap (as seen in the photograph). This lends a certain sleekness to the saddle and is preferred by some riders. ADAPTABILITY: 8/10 The overall shape of the saddle is that of a general-purpose saddle, with a squarish shape and close-fitting flaps; I find this set up most comfortable for trail rides, as it allows movement through all four gaits and enough knee and body range for small jumps. It’s also perfect for arena flatwork and pole work, using the webbers to keep your legs close to your horse. There are Velcro patches for block attachment underneath the saddle flaps, and this would definitely come in handy in the case of someone looking to feel more secure in the saddle or to help keep the lower leg still. The sizes can be changed, so it is up to the rider to find which configuration works best for them, their horse, and their chosen activity for the day. I found the cantle to be a bit too high for larger jumps, not allowing the slide-back motion over the jump. Because of this, the saddle would not be fit for use in competitive showjumping, but its design never intended that. With the hold that the saddle gives you, I think it will be a fantastic tool in helping a nervous rider gain their confidence, and the higher than normal cantle gives you a very secure feel in the saddle, and allows you to sit deep. OVERALL Overall, I enjoyed the treeless saddle and find it ideally suited to trail riding and flatwork. It would also work for amateur jumpers or beginners who want to feel secure in the saddle while learning. HQ|158B
REVIEW
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Bucas X-Range 200g Turnout Dermo-Care Rug
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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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Urban Rain natural rubber boots are perfect for all day comfort with removable orthopaedic inner soles and elasticated-gussets. The pull tabs make stepping into the boot easy. In classic colours and creative prints these boots make for an essential wardrobe item. URBAN RAIN INFO • Quality Guaranteed • Free & Easy Exchange • Secure Payments • Free Delivery • Proudly South African • Hand Made URBAN RAIN BOOTS INFO • 100% Waterproof • 100% Natural Rubber • 100% Vegan • Handcrafted • Polyester lining • Rubber outsole with tread pattern • Elastic side gussets and nylon pull-tab • Crafted from natural vulcanised rubber with a matte finish • Orthopaedic inner sole with arch support
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PRIDEY’S PIECE
APRIL FOOL’S DAY Dear readers, Today you find me in excellent spirits as I have a profound love for this, the first day of April. I spend the vast majority of March planning for this day, and my pranks never disappoint… I would document my plans for today here, but, alas, my mother edits this piece (the insolence!) before placing it in the magazine, which would naturally ruin all of the fun. I shall thus make do with recounting my April Fool’s learnings and progress for those seeking inspiration and guidance. 1. For one of my early April Fool’s jokes, when I was a mere amateur in this role, I simply opted for the ‘limp’ prank. Alas, this one did not go entirely to plan. My learning from this misadventure was as follows: Overly exaggerated and prolonged limp = vet visit = needles = unhappy pony I’m too much of an advanced prankster to embark on a limp these days. 2. The Houdini is one of my particular favourites and is best executed at around 3am. If alarms can be set off, it is EVEN better. Personally, I’m not a big runner, so I like to escape and try and free as many of my compatriots as possible rather than bolting for the exit. I have one particular friend, a young lady named Zena, who has taken many 3am strolls around the property with me with my mother in hot pursuit. Top tip: Only run when the human gets close – this really adds to the comedy and avoids expending unnecessary energy.
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3. My third recommended prank relies on being proficient in the Houdini AND having an accomplice similarly proficient in the Houdini. Horses can often be a little dull on this score, so my recommended accomplice is always a pony (we can escape from anywhere!) In this trick, alarm triggering is not an advantage. Instead, you both escape as quietly as possible and re-enter the other’s stable. My somewhat slow-witted accomplice, Scotty, has typically to be lured into my stable with a hidden carrot, but he is increasingly getting the hang of the game. This prank is a real gem, as humans do NOT like to make mistakes, and you will be astonished at how many people are blamed for this mix-up when the ‘stable-swap’ is discovered. When no culprit is found, your human begins to doubt their sanity – which is the BEST part of the process. If you can add a sense of guilt into the mix, by appearing distressed to be in different stable, you can probably get a few carrots for your trouble. Note: This is an advanced trick and should not be attempted by amateurs. I shall update you next month on my April 1st antics, but for now, get creative and con a human. Over and out,
Pridey xxx 111
NEXT ISSUE 1ST MAY 2022
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