SOUTH AFRICA’S PREMIER EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE DIGITAL ISSUE 160A | 2022
11 TH - 15 TH OCTOBER www.callaho.auction2022 CALLAHO ONLINE AUCTION
As always, we hope you and your ponies are well and thank you for checking out this issue of HQ. Your support is much appreciated. Our gratitude must also go to our advertisers, who, once again, have made it possible for us to bring this magazine to you free of charge. Our print edition will be out by mid-September, and we look forward to sharing another digital issue with you in October.
Until then, happy horsing! Much love, Dr Lizzie Harrison | Editor Lizzie and the HQ team xxx Designer | Mauray Wolff
It’s great to have you back for another issue of HQ Magazine.
We’re building up to our September print edition, so things are a little busy in the HQ Office, but we certainly can’t complain. Spring fever is in the air, and with the South African Derby just around the corner, there’s plenty to be excited about.
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Hello hello!
We’ve got many wonderful articles for you in this edition, including Part Two in our Callaho Series ‘Building the Dream’, a look at managing show nerves, an article on empowering equines through positive reinforcement and much, much more. There really is something here for everyone!
HQ | 160A4 ISSUETHISIN DIGITAL ISSUE 160A | 2022 06 The way to the top Capital Magic Boy and Ronnie Healy 18 Building a dream Preparing for auction 28 Cieli Equestrian Showing Style 40 The Lusaka Derby San Tropez and Gratina 44 Optima Sport Horses Production at its best 54 Empowering your equine Taking an unconventional approach to training your horse 62 It’s hotting up Tips and tricks for riding in the heat 68 Practical tips for optimal psychological performance On show day 74 Insulin resistance A silent killer 80 Side bone Collateral damage 86 Anatomy, Part 12 The Reproductive System 92 AskHQ Your equestrian questions answered 96 Products we love Shopping fun
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CAPITAL MAGIC BOY AND RONNIE HEALY THE WAY TO THE TOP
At the home and heart of Ronnie Healy and Capital Magic Boy - we are proud to share this special insight into what makes your incredible team and partnership shine at the top! For us to see Capital Stud horses at the top of the sport is our ultimate goal, and it gives us great pleasure to share this incredible story.
I say this a lot to my clients – it’s all about hard work. I think people try and cut corners to get to the top and when it gets hard it becomes easy to blame someone or something. The point is that, if it was easy, everyone would be at the top in any sport.
My most successful horses, and Ash’s [Ashlee Healy] in fact, are horses we’ve bought young and produced ourselves. We identified them and put the work in. You build a partnership. You build a friendship. We bought Capital Magic Boy off the Capital Auction. We identified him and from that point, it was just about hard work. Of course, good luck plays a role, but really, it’s about hard work. For me that is the biggest part of success. You don’t have to have all the talent but if you work hard, you’ll get there.
How do you approach the challenge of taking a young horse all the way to the 1.50m classes?
What do you believe are the key elements of success in this sport?
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Getting a young horse to the top isn’t necessarily the hardest part, it’s keeping them there. You need to keep them fit, keep them happy and keep them competitive over many years.
Tell us about the journey with him
It was a lot of pressure in the beginning, I must say. Once you’ve seen the price tag you know you have to make it work. He won the Young Horse Performance Series as a 5-year-old and then as a 6-year-old he went through a bit of a patch and I didn’t even enter him. My mom was like, “You must jump him” but I knew I needed to take the pressure off and let him grow up a bit, but it was very hard. Everyone has something to say and there’s this feeling that ‘he must do it’. Nicole Horwood rides his full brother [Night Star] and she often says to me “Jeez Ron, you were so patient with him.” And I think that also is part of the process of getting these horses to the top – patience. When is the right time to push them up? When is the right time to take them down a few classes? But it is definitely harder with a big price tag.
It was actually my mom who bought him. I was at a table with an owner at the Auction, and I couldn’t even see her. I had tried him and he had all the ability, but I wasn’t there thinking we were ever going to buy him.
We call him Mr Serious at the yard. A mare can be next to him, and he won’t even look. He’s concentrating. He’s serious. I think that’s a real attribute that he has that many other horses don’t. It’s only really in the last year or so that he’s become a bit more playful. I like my horses to play. It’s about expressing their personality and it’s my thing with them. I love a horse to have a personality, and it must come out when they are with us, because you’re a team in the ring and you must know each other’s personalities. When he has a play, I praise him with ‘good boy’ and he’s gradually becoming more playful with time.
I’m going to go with a few different things, because we all know he has an incredible jump, huge scope and is plenty careful. We’ve known that since he was a baby. But, what people might not know unless they spend a little bit of time with him is that he’s so serious. He’s so game for the job. He’s not a joker. He’s proud of what he does and if he makes a mistake, he learns from it. I think that’s one of the biggest things that makes him better than others. He wants to do it. He wants to be perfect. You can see he wants to be a success in the way he works and the way he tries. It’s easy to say all the normal things, but that’s what makes the difference for me riding him.
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What qualities make him successful at the top?
When it came around to Magic Boy I saw a few tables going back and forth, and wondered ‘Is that my mom bidding?’ He was second in price to Moonlight on that auction and I kept thinking ‘Wow, this is an expensive horse. I hope this isn’t my mother bidding.’ When they said “sold”, she just jumped up, and I was right in the corner with my clients and everybody just turned and looked at me and I was like “Oh my goodness - now it’s on me to make it work.”
Magic Boy was very tricky in patches, but he was worth it. I went through a few stages when I thought, is he going to make it to the top? I never had doubts about his ability, but you just have those moments when you question if you’re going to get there. I’ve had it with all of my horses. There’s an element of, ‘Is it going to work’? With time, you just learn to say ‘this is the process; I’ve got to be patient’. In the last eighteen months something has clicked with him and I.
What made you choose Magic Boy?
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Yes, Toulon is a little fussy in the mouth, which he is as well, but he is getting better. Both he and Night Star were fussy to begin with but they’ve both settled. Nix and I are always talking about bits and what we’re doing differently – it’s almost a running joke between us. Darco on his mother’s side gives all the scope. That’s where he gets his ability from, which makes sense as the dam line is one of the most important elements of breeding. But, yes, there are traits of both.
Do you see any of his sire/dam sire coming through?
When you enter the arena with Magic Boy, what are your strengths? Are there certain jumps, surfaces, weather conditions, course builders etc that you know will give you a good round? Wherever I’ve gone with Magic Boy, he’s shone. It doesn’t matter about surface. He’s not spooky. He’s brave as a lion, which makes the job so much easier. I never go into the ring thinking ‘I’d better show him that’. He’s much too serious to contemplate spooking or stopping. He’d be distraught even thinking about it! He’s just game and that’s what I love about him. He’s one of the most game horses I’ve ever ridden. He just wants to compete. He knows he’s a winner and he wants to be perfect. His only issue is that he still wants to jump everything six feet wide and six feet high, and now at this point in his career, he needs to learn to be competitive, so I’m currently working on that element with him. But it’s the most incredibly feeling to go into the ring with him. He’s not big but he just grows in stature as he enters. I know when it’s big jumps he’s ready. We did our first World Cup and he saw then fences and is like ‘let me at them’. He loved it. He tries hard. The power is just exceptional underneath you. I’ve never ridden a horse like him - ever.
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Describe his personality. Mr Serious – that’s all I need to say.
How would you describe your partnership?
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When is Magic Boy at his happiest? He’s the happiest when he’s breeding – he’s a typical man. He likes his time with Carel [DeBruyn] on the dummy. I mean, he loves to jump but when I watch him going off to breed, he knows where he’s going and he is ready for Areit. you breeding just for you? No, we’ve got a few people using him this year and we’ve got a few babies on the ground. Growing up my nickname was ‘Mommy’s Soldier’ and, yes, I was mocked, but we bred a foal out of a mare that Ash has called Jolie, who is a Quido de Buissy mare, and it’s a little colt so we called it Mommy’s Soldier as it started with ‘m’. He’ll be coming up soon. He’s at Rathmor at the moment. He looks the spitting image of Magic. He’s 18 months old and in a couple of years and he’ll be out and about.
Our partnership is still growing. With any horse and rider, I think you are always building that. I talk about it with my clients – you almost need to get ready to go to war with each other. It’s not a horse or a rider – it’s a being. You’ve got to feel a connection like no other. When you go in that ring, it’s not up to you only; it’s you and your horse. It’s how you’ve managed that horse. It’s how he’s feeling physically and mentally. And if you don’t know that horse you’re never going to really compete. Up to a level I know Magic Boy pretty much inside out, but as we keep growing, we’re keep constantly learning about each other. It’s not as simple as getting on and just jumping. I’m learning about him. He’s learning about me. You never stop learning, no matter what horse, or what class. We’re building to Derby now – and it’s my favourite class – and what I love is the element of the unknown. You train and your ready mentally and physically, but you can still be surprised. There’s a reason why 10,000 people come to watch you at Derby, and it’s for the thrills and spills at Derby day. You can go and watch tennis, and you have an idea if someone is on form or not and whether they are going to win. But it’s not like that in our sport. There is really no other sport, where you have to work with a partner, and you need to know that partner to handle the unknown.
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I think the world of him and I think he has everything he needs to succeed. Where to from here? He needs to win some titles. That’s my next goal with him. It’s all great to have an amazing horse, but for people to know he was great, he needs to have some titles behind his name. So now, he’s learning to be competitive. Without breaking him and galloping him off his legs, because I have a bigger picture, I’m starting to become more competitive with him – tighter turns, inside turns etc but it’s a process. I think people want to gallop horses all their lives, and instead I like to aim for something. You don’t need to win every class, but build to certain classes. Magic Boy will come into his own now in 2023. He’ll be a real contender for all those big titles.
What has been your proudest moment together so far?
We’ve gone very slowly with the production so it’s not about the wins. I’m not someone who gallops round the smaller classes to have a win on a day. It’s really been about moments when I’ve realised we were on track. Like, he won the five-year-old Young Horse Performance Series, which was quite special. He’s been third in the Grand Prix and Kyalami Equestrian Park. He was clear in the 1.40m Derby last year, and then had a time fault so he was fifth. He was ninth in his first World Cup. Like I say, it’s not necessarily wins. I’ve just started training again with Ronnie Lawrence and we’ve got a real good plan with him. I’m just trying to control my excitement. Michel van Eck came out to do some coaching and Magic Boy is just his favourite horse. He says it’s the best horse in the country for him and that next year he’ll jump more clear rounds than any other horse in the country and I believe that. We haven’t even started to see the real ability of this horse. If he doesn’t win the WCQ series next year or the year after, I’m doing something wrong – it’s not him.
My favourite horse is King Edward. It’s amazing what he’s done. He’s only the third horse ever to jump six clear rounds around the Olympics, and he’s just jumped five clear rounds around the World Championships and he won the World Championships. To jump eleven Championship rounds at 1.60/1.65m is just exceptional. And Henrik van Eckermann as well. He’s not necessarily my favourite rider, but what a rider?! Do you have a quote or an ethos?
I love Peder Fredricson – what he’s done with that horse for the Swedish team is just incredible. It’s an older horse and he comes out and it’s just beautiful to watch.
Who inspires you?
Apart from them, my groom, Mollet, is my number one. He’s been with me since I came back from Europe. He’s got his family with me here. He’s not my groom; he’s my friend. I know my horses are looked after with him. He does it because he loves it. And that’s another part of my success is knowing my team is on point. I know when I get to the show, I don’t have to worry about anything. He knows what I want and how I like it. I’m anal, and I feel sorry for him a lot of the time but he knows me now. He’s my brother and when we win, we win, and when we lose, he’s always there to get me ready for next time. He’s been the greatest supporter of me and my horses.
I’ve got a few riders that I love. Scott Brash is a good friend of mine. I was in the UK with him, and before he even became a top rider, we were mates. Just seeing where he’s come from and the hard work he’s put in - man, it’s so beautiful to watch him ride. He is a master.
Gratitude – who are you grateful to? Obviously, my mother and father have been massive supporters of me, particularly my mom. My mom took me to all the shows growing up. My father funded it all [laughs]. So, for them, it goes without saying that I thank them from the bottom of my heart and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.
These guys – they are all great riders – but it’s their management that really impresses me. If you know them and watch them, you see the longevity of the horses and that’s what I really love. It’s not just a horse for a season, but a horse for lots of seasons and I think that shows a true horseman. To produce a horse from young and keep it for a long time and keep it sound and keep it going – especially at that level, Olympics, World Championships etc – is huge.
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I don’t particularly have a quote but I believe that what you put in you get out. It goes back to the Gary Player saying, “The more you practice, the luckier you get” and it’s so true. You can’t expect to be a top rider, or a consistent rider at a top level if you don’t put the work in. It goes back to the start of this conversation – hard work. If you want to be a top rider but you don’t have the horses or the ability of someone else – don’t let that stop you. I choose hard work over talent, every time. I had two riders that were both phenomenally talented but the one with the work ethic is jumping World Cups with me and the other isn’t. I choose hard work. Hard work is a quality you can’t force. It’s such an important thing for me. As a coach, I watch people and I know who’s going to be successful because they either put the work in or I see them every Tuesday and Thursday for lessons and nowhere in between.
We are incredibly proud of this partnership and honoured to share stories like this. It has been a privilege for us to watch your progress as a partnership from the side of the arena Thank you, and we look forward to the successful chapters that follow. HQ | 160A 15
FOCUS ENYACRONAUSVENJA I am competingcurrentlyEnya in the 1.10m and I’m working towards having Enya opensuccessfullyisthistothattermofthecompetitivelyjumpingin1.20mbyendthisyear.AlonggoalofmineI’mwantingachievewithpreciousmarecompetingherinthegrades. PHOTOGRAPHY: LAUREN COURTENAY HQ | 160A16
www.westernshoppe.com
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Lara Neill & Callaho Conny Will
BUILDING A DREAM
PREPARING FOR AUCTION With the Callaho Auction fast approaching, we couldn’t resist catching up with Team Callaho to complete the nal part in our ‘Building a Dream’ series. In our last article, we heard how the Callaho youngsters grow up in herds, receive extensive handling, begin their training on the ground and nally undergo the backing process. In this article, we focus on the ‘Callaho Finishing School’ where these A-Grade students receive their ‘exam preparation’ under the expert tutelage of Ray Korber, Annette Rousseau and her Callaho Riding Team.
THE CALLAHO PROCESS Leading on from our previous article, Graham Winn, who primarily focuses on the backing process, hands over going, young horses to Ray Korber for their next level of training. This stage sees these exceptional sporthorses learn to free jump, gain experience with gymnastics and courses and show just what they can do in front of the camera. Ray spends plenty of time at the farm with Annette and the Callaho riders to tailor-make each horse’s programme and get them all up to speed on this next step in the training. After each clinic, Ray sits down with them all to discuss how each horse is going and what needs to be done to help that individual horse along in their training. The Callaho riders then work diligently on Ray’s plans in advance of his return for a subsequentWithclinic.the Auction approaching, the Callaho Competition team, consisting of Chatan Hendriks, Lara Neill, Gareth Neill, Carl Boonzaaier, and Jeanne Korber, are brought to the farm for the ‘Evaluation Week’. Depending on the size of the Collection, some or all of these Callaho professionals will come through. During this week, these showjumpers put the youngsters through their paces, ride them for the Auction videos and evaluate each individual in turn.
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THE EVALUATION WEEK
From day one of life, notes are kept on each horse born at Callaho Warmblood Stud. These notes, which are handed over to the riders at the start of the Evaluation Week, include the different personality traits of each horse, what each rider should be aware of and what needs to be reinforced. While one professional is on the horse, the other riders watch and make notes. The final evaluation is then conducted as a team. Everything about the horse, from birth right through to these ridden sessions is considered as part of this holistic evaluation. This process has been seen, over the years, to produce consistently accurate ratings of each horse emerging from the ‘Callaho Finishing School.’ produce consistently accurate ratings of each horse emerging from the ‘Callaho Callaho has a strict rating protocol. We always remain conservative and don’t bolster the scoring beyond what we see immediately in front of us, even though for many of the horses we know from their breeding what is still waiting for full expression with time, further strengthening and correct training.” - Chatan Hendriks
Three Star: Awarded to a horse with exceptional natural talent for this discipline. With appropriate training there is a high probability that this horse will excel at the very highest levels in a matched partnership with a skilled rider.
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We spoke to four of the professional world cup riders involved in the production of these supreme young athletes, to ask what it is that they experience when they meet these youngsters and how they go about evaluating them for the Auction. Just like everything at Callaho, this process is undertaken with the upmost care, consideration and forethought with the goal of finding the best home for each horse, and the best horse for each rider.
Professional: A highly skilled rider and horseman/ woman with years of experience.
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Skilled: A sensible rider with considerable aptitude for the correct training of young horses under saddle, substantial experience and explicit natural ‘feel’.
Novice: A rider that is still developing their basic skills and lacks experience or needs to build confidence.
Two Star: This horse consistently displays first-class aptitude for this discipline with significant potential for the higher levels.
EXPLANATION OF THE COMPATIBILITY SYMBOLS AND INTERPRETATION OF TERMS
Competent: A capable and experienced rider who posses a modicum of ‘feel’ and is adequately familiar with the training of young horses.
EXPLANATION OF THE STAR RATING SYSTEM
The entire team, myself included, are very proud of what we’re producing. I think the work shows in the ring, and as we’ve said before ‘the proof is in the pudding’. The horses are jumping all the way up to the 1.40m/1.50m classes. I have a very good feeling about the future for Callaho Warmblood Stud. - Ray Korber
THE CALLAHO COMPETITION TEAM
One Star: The horse has shown commendable ability and potential for this discipline which could improve substantially with further training and experience.
No Star: The horse is not rated for this discipline or has talents which overshadow aptitude here.
Please note that the star rating system used to indicate the utility of each horse is a subjective assessment by the training team in conjunction with the highly experienced Ray Korber. The evaluation is based on the temperament, conformation and athletic characteristics displayed by the horse when unrestricted, under saddle and during several free-jumping tests conducted in the course of the training period.
A key element of fostering rideability is developing this confidence in these young horses. The team describe finding many of these Callaho youngsters to have a degree of presence and assuredness about them that far exceeds that of other young horses. Ray sheds some light on one of the reasons these horses are so well-adjusted and balanced: “In all the years I’ve known Ian he has always asked that we go at the horse’s pace. He doesn’t want to push the horses, but to take the time they need. As a result, these horses are all sound horses that are keen to work. The process is easy on them and they enjoy
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS Speaking to the team about what they look for in these youngsters, it becomes clear quickly that rideability is the name of the game at Callaho. Chatan states “Once we get to the ridden stage, for me, it’s really important with our modern-day courses to find a horse with extremely good rideability. Rideability is at the end of the day what makes a good horse into a great horse; it offers you the opportunity to train a horse to the best of its ability.” Of course, a natural talent for their discipline, a good uphill canter, a strong hind leg and, for jumpers in particular, a good shape in the air, are all key elements, but the team are united in their view that without rideability these attributes hold less worth. “For our sport, rideability is very important” reiterates Lara. This makes the rideability score awarded at the Evaluation Week a particular focus of the team. “We try to be as conservative as possible with regards to riders’ compatibility notes as it is imperative to us that the horses are matched with the correct level rider. Obviously, it is an auction and there is no control over who buys the horses but if we have been clear in the rider criteria and these are adhered to, then the process should create a successful partnership”, said Gareth Neill. The process at Callaho is an exceptional one. The people involved at Callaho have a special level of dedication to the work they do, and nothing is left to chance. This degree of preparation and the attention to detail applied in the foundation training, means that rideability is actively cultivated in all the youngsters at Callaho from their early days. As Lara summarises, “the horses are well adapted and have been exposed to almost all situations a new owner will encounter with them. This often makes them very brave and confident in their demeanour.”
There is no doubt that one of the greatest elements of the Callaho Auction Process is their honest and open-book approach to providing information on each of the horses on offer. This transparency ensures that everybody can get the horse they want and need, without the risk of hidden surprises. Pedigrees, vet reports, free jumping and ridden videos, and, of course, the critical scoring system, ensure that prospective buyers can leave no stone unturned in their search for their perfect match. The abundance of information available, along with the fact that many of these horses have siblings performing in the sport as added evidence of their ability, is a real asset for anyone looking to buy a young horse.
Annette Rousseau, who is part of the horses’ lives from day one to the day they leave the farm after Auction, said it best her in last interview: I’m proud of what these youngsters go onto achieve. I believe in the process and see how well it works.
Rainer Körber & Callaho’s Lord Luzius Jeanne Körber & Callaho Talana
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THE CALLAHO PROMISE
Callaho Rainer Cartier/Lissabon/CassiniK I HQ | 160A24
THIS COLLECTION The team are united in their view that this collection is an impressive one. These youngsters have had the advantage of a further six months of training from the Callaho Team and the benefits really show. Ray, in particular, knows these horses especially well: This particular collection has a lot of sizey horses in it, and a lot of jumpers. This is a very exciting group! Three horses that really impressed me throughout the training, including the free jumping and ridden work, are Callaho El Greco, Callaho Con Veloce and Callaho Rainer K. El Greco is by Equinox de Chalusse and he’s a big type, scopey horse and he looks like he’s going to jump big jumps one day. Then there’s Con Veloce who is a Con Coriano out of an Anglo-Arab mare. He’s a careful, showjumping type and reminds me very much of Con Coriano himself. As I rode Con Coriano I can tell you this horse jumps in the same way, with the same shape and the same level of care. Then there is a gelding called Rainer K who is by Cartier out of a really good Lissabon x Cassini mare. He’s a beautiful grey gelding, who just jumps for fun and floats over the ground. He’s very much like his father Cartier, who I also ride. There’s a lot of Cartier’s characteristics in him. I’m excited about this gelding as Cartier is really coming into his own at the moment, and his talent is so evident.
Equinox De Chalusse/Casparon/Argentinus
Callaho El Greco
Callaho Con Veloce
Con Coriano/Olala de Buissy/Veloce de Favi
Chatan Hendriks & Callaho’s Larsison
When you look at what goes into the production of every single horse on the Callaho Auction, you realise just how lucky we are as South Africans to have breeders and trainers of this calibre on home-soil. From the bloodline research, through to the purchasing of stallions and mares, to the foaling down, to the handling of the youngsters, and the backing, riding and preparation for Auction, every step is covered with exemplary professionalism and dedication. The Callaho Warmblood Stud Team have built a dream they can be very proud of.
BUILDING THE DREAM
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FOCUS MAGICMERLIN’SDEGABRIELLASWARDT I compete in the 1.20m at the moment and my short term goal is to get comfortable and gain biggersomeandmoreyearlevelexperiencesomeatthatsothatnextwecanbecompetitivecompeteatoftheshows. PHOTOGRAPHY: LAUREN COURTENAY HQ | 160A26
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STYLESHOWING
THE FORMAL LOOK
Pair the Cieli Linen Blazer and Pants, with the Cieli waist pouch for a sleek, sophisticated yet sporty
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THE SPORTY-CASUAL LOOK For a sporty-casual look, pair the Cieli Linen Blazer with the Ebony Riding Tights and your jodhpur boots. Add the Cieli waist pouch for a gorgeous street-wear style. Just like that, you’re transformed from stable to street ready.
Pair any of the Cieli Henley Long Sleeve Tops with your fave pair of shorts, jeans or pants for a sporty, yet casual look that’s ready for the stables.
THE CASUAL LOOK
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Pair Ladies Dakota Breeches with Show Jacket with orange trim to really make a statement.
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THE SHOW LOOKS 2 Transform your show look when out of the ring, with the all-seasonsporty favourite.
THE SHOW LOOKS 3 Transform your show look, with the stylish yet sporty Stellar Autumn Jacket to complete the ‘finished my round’ look. For a super trendy touch, add your favourite ankle boots.
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4 Get this super sleek showring look! Pair the Cieli Alaska White
THE SHOW LOOKS Tights, that are comfortable, yet Show Jacket with talking.
stylish, with the Rimini
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PHOTOGRAPHY: LAUREN COURTENAY
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FOCUS
SANTINAMILLWARITRICHARDTMERLYNN currently doing dressage in gradeendclassesinisclasses.noviceMygoaltobeconfidenttheelementrybytheof2022andnextyear.
We’re
the
T he Lusaka Derby was a particularly difficult event for me to wrap my head around this year, and I wasn’t sure I would enter at all.
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SAN TROPEZ
LUSAKATHEDERBY
SAN TROPEZ AND GRATINA
TEXT: RIKA WILSON
San Tropez, a South African bred Dutch Warmblood, was my heart horse, my emotional crutch and my listening ear. My story with San started in 2016, and he was the horse that was there at the exact time I needed him the most. We’d been together just two months and were starting to get to know one another when I had to face the most challenging experience that, I think, anyone could face in their lifetime; I lost my 21-year-old son in a tragic, traumatic accident. San Tropez was just there when I needed him. I could pour my heart out to him, and he gave me so much inThisreturn.horse made me believe in myself again, gave me courage through his courage and taught me to love life again. With San, I had a purpose. On his back, thoughts like ‘I’m too old’ and ‘only jumping 80cm’ had no meaning “
HQ | 160A 41 YOUR STORIES or bearing. For two years in a row, we won the 90cm Lusaka Derby, Adult Victor Ludorum, and I was the leading Adult Rider at the Derby. And, yet, last year, I just had the fleeting feeling that this would be our last together. I can’t explain it or reason why but I knew my horse, and instinctively I just felt that he was telling me something. I lost San, my angel horse, in May of this year. He had a tear in his small intestine and was in so much pain that I couldn’t bear to watch him suffer anymore.
But, long story short, I flew to SA, tried the little fruitcake and LOVED her. I bought her, got her back to Zambia, jumped her in the festive show in December, and then the work started. When we began with flatwork, it was
A NEW CHAPTER While San and I were still going strong, at the end of last year (2021), I received a call from my friend Charley Crockart. She phoned me to say she had a horse for sale, who was very similar to San, but this time a mare called Gratina. I wasn’t sure, as I don’t have a particular affinity for mares (being one myself).
The closer the Lusaka Derby came, the more emotional I became. This had been my event with San, and I couldn’t ever think of competing in it without him. It didn’t feel right.
The Friday was the Accumulator round, and I was so nervous, but lo and behold, we won first place. My superstition is always that a good Friday leads to a poor weekend and vice versa, but I turned up on the Saturday and was clear first round and into the jump-off, where we came second by just one second!
HQ | 160A42 clear the lessons were going right over her head. She was bored, so we tried something different; she bucked, I sat, and we kept trying new things until we got to know each other and worked things out.
My confidence started to grow again, and I woke up feeling positive on the Sunday morning. We arrived at the show grounds, and I looked around, and the nerves hit me like a tonne of bricks. Thankfully, Gratina was there. I got on board, and it was like a light went on in her. She was emotionally connected, and I knew she’d take care of me. There were 16 competitors in the class, with lots of younger, braver riders ready to tackle the 15 jumps. I was on fourth from last and watched endless people come off at jump number nine. Horses shied, stopped and dropped their riders again and again. We walked into the arena, I showed my little fruitcake the bogey jump that I was now dreading, and she gave it nothing more than a sideways glance. The bell went, and Gratina just soared. We were the only clear round of the entire day and winners of the class. My heart bursts with pride and gratitude for my little fruitcake and all she has done for me. I have my hope and joy back again because of a mare called Gratina.
Just as it was starting to come together, I had to let San go. My heart was shattered, and I lost all motivation. I couldn’t see the point in doing anything without him.
I jumped the St Andrews Cross, the dyke, the hedge, the tyres and the steps with a few friends, but it was all a bit half-hearted. Two days before the entries closed, I was still really uncertain about what to do. Candice said that she believed San Tropez had sent Gratina to me and that he would guide us. With this, I felt ready to enter, and I started preparing, cleaning and packing. Mundia, my wonderful groom and partner in crime for the last seven years, washed, plaited and got us all ready for our weekend trip.
YOUR STORIES
I felt guilty even thinking about it. My friend, Candice Kent, suggested I build a small course she had designed in the arena and jump it with Gratina.
Contact us to order yours via: BonBon-Equestrian-Wearemily@bonbonequestrian.co.zabonbon_equestrianwww.bonbonequestrian.co.za
HQ | 160AHORSE44 AND RIDER Optima Sport Horses is a collection of imported and locally bred warmbloods being produced, marketed and sold in South Africa. HQ was fortunate enough to catch up with Amy Engelbrecht, who heads the Optima Team, to find out more about this exciting project.
HQ: Could you tell us a bit about some of the horses you own and what made you choose them?
PRODUCTION AT ITS BEST
Amy: Currently, we have 11 horses backed and in work, and this year all of them have officially entered the show circuit. We have Optima La Conda, an Oldenburg mare who was imported from Ireland six years ago. She is an older mare, but she still loves to work and jump, so we keep her in the open grades where she is often in the tickets and keeps our rider, Ashley Fox, active in the bigger classes. We then have three horses from Callaho stud, Chivello, Lebanon and Con Catch Me. Chivello is a 6-year-old gelding by Chiletto. He was purchased on the first Online Auction, selected by Deirdre Fox on a 'gut feeling' from his videos; he will most likely be our next horse to reach the open grades. Con Catch Me was selected by myself, and he is our youngest Callaho at four years old. I was impressed by his modern, athletic body and saw his relation to Lisa Williams' Warrangal P, of whom I was always a huge fan.
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HORSE AND RIDER
He has just debuted in the 1 metre classes and has one of the easiest temperaments in the barn. We hope to have him jump the Derby one day, just like Warrangal. Lebanon was purchased by my dad, Karl, as a surprise. All of us admired him online but never planned to bid that year. Our head groom, Wiseman was especially delighted as he has dreamed of having a Lissabon progeny in the barn for many years. Lebanon is easily one of the most beautiful and elegant youngsters; he has all of the ingredients to be a top horse across multiple disciplines. We then have two youngsters from Capital Stud. Rufina, by the late, great Rendement was purchased in 2021 with plans to produce her into a fantastic junior horse. She is spunky and very rideable. She has already won plenty of classes in the lower grades and is moving up into the 1.10s. Quality, or 'Blue' as he is affectionately known is our older Capital horse. We purchased him at the live auction the same year we bought Rufina. We went to the auction as a team with plans to buy Rufina, but my dad saw Blue and couldn't resist. Blue is by Zirrocco Blue, so as a longtime admirer of Mr Blue, Karl was eager to take him home with us. His huge personality has made him an interesting project, but we were patient with him and believe him to be a hugely promising young horse.
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We have three young mares that we purchased on online auctions overseas. Misslanta (to read more about Misslanta, have a look at our previous 'Mare of the Month' article) was purchased from Horse Auction Belgium, and Cabatola and Miss Contha Quick from Schokemohle. We selected these mares mainly because we were very excited about their bloodlines. We are very proud to have youngsters related to great horses like Balou du Rouet, Chin Chin, Conthargos, Messenger and Stakkato. They all came unbacked as four-year-olds, so it has been an incredibly rewarding journey to have backed them and produced them
HORSE AND RIDER
Amy: We are fortunate to have an incredible team at Optima that produce these horses and keep them in top condition. Wiseman is our head groom and stable manager. He has been with us for over ten years and has travelled all over the county competing with us since I was on ponies. He is also a kind and capable rider, so he helps a lot with backing young horses, warming up at shows and doing fitness work. Our senior work rider is Ashley Fox. Ashley is a freelance work rider and long-time friend who spends much of her time riding and competing our horses. She is an elegant, empathetic rider with tremendous feel who has experience riding horses at all levels. Erin Purrl is a rider who has been instrumental in the backing of our horses. She has many years of experience working at Rivervale Stud and is studying to become a vet, so we are incredibly grateful to have a horsewoman of her calibre working with us. Reine Marshall is the newest member of our team. Reine works full-time as a work rider but has showjumped competitively all her life. Reine is a young, talented, and ambitious rider who we cannot wait to see competing at the top of the sport on our horses.
HQ | 160A 47 youngsters ourselves. Karl especially enjoys researching top bloodlines, but honestly, we usually just watch the videos together and go with our intuition. Although my dad has never ridden or competed, he is passionate about show jumping and has an incredible eye for selecting youngFinally,horses.wehave two young horses who were bred and born here at home with us. A gelding by Rendement and a mare by Hummer, both out of our own 'Jus de Pomme' mare. Both of these horses are very brave, all-rounders, so we plan to invest time into producing them for other disciplines as well. We have an event rider, Erin Purrl, on our team who will be eventing them this year.
HQ: How do you manage to keep so many horses in work and competing? Do you have a team of riders?
HORSE AND RIDER
I live at home on the property in Summerveld so every day I am responsible for ensuring that each of the horses is worked according to a programme that we create weekly for the entire string. All of our horses receive a mixture of flatwork, jumping schooling, fitness hacking, and recovery or conditioning work in our water walker. We also work with showjumping coach Deirdre Fox to fine-tune their jumping; Jonathan Wisdom, who coaches us in dressage; and Zecks Samu, who works with each horse and schools them in Parelli and natural horsemanship to give them a broad, balanced, and fun education.
HQ: You obviously have a lot of young horses. Could you tell us about how you bring them on and your training philosophy regarding working with youngsters specifically and horses in general?
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Amy: Our training philosophy revolves around a few simple principles. We love the horse first and the sport second. We want to produce secure, confident, and happy horses who enjoy what they do, whether that be in the ring or anywhere else. Our production is never rushed is afraid to learn along with our horses, so we are always eager to learn from other horsemen and women and discover new ways to add to their education. Each of our riders and all of our staff take time to train our horses and befriend them on the ground and in hand until they get to know us and are comfortable to start taking aids from us. I'm very proud to say that all our youngsters are friendly, well-mannered and enjoy being around people. We like to focus on reward, praise, and other positive reinforcement, keeping it fun and interesting for horse and human. The horses are also exposed to as many new experiences as possible, each at their own pace, of course. We take them to different venues, work on different going, let them play over cross country jumps, work in water, and go for gallops to boost their confidence and make them versatile.
HQ | 160A 49 HORSE AND RIDER that a horse is showing confidence and pleasure in their jumping at home, we begin to add more to their workload. We expose them to 'trickier' challenges at home, including water trays, fillers and basic combinations, until they are completely at ease. We then will make efforts to take them to new places, whether it be to friend's properties or to a show venue where they spend a few hours working and acclimating to a new place without any pressure. If the horse can absorb all this new information without stress or regression, then we enter them into a show, usually a recreational or training class. A horse's first show is a day where we prepare as fully as possible but hold no expectations. The aim is to make the experience positive and rewarding and as I mentioned before, if the horse finds it stressful or unpleasant, we have no qualms about taking a few steps back until they are ready. Nobody ever ruined a horse by going too slowly!
I lost two of the best open horses I may ever have to injury, open horse proved to be a difficult task. After searching locally and overseas, I still couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I decided to try to create it myself instead. I decided that instead of searching for a going horse that would suit me and that I could trust, I would buy a youngster and start from scratch, hopefully producing a horse and instilling the qualities in them that I was looking for. The rest is history. During this time, I learned to fall in love with the process rather than the results. I was no longer obsessed with jumping a 1.50 class again; instead, I was learning more than ever, becoming a better horsewoman, and finding an entirely new passion for the sport and the animal itself. My parents saw the joy that this was bringing me and started to take an interest in young horses and the fantastic bloodlines that we could access. We decided together that we would build a string of horses
Amy: I come from a non-horsey family, so none of us is entirely sure what sparked my interest, but horses have become a passion for the entire family. I went to my first Easter Festival at 11-years-old in the 80cm and haven't stopped competing since. As I showed more and more commitment to the sport, my parents completely embraced it as well; to this day, almost 20 years later, they never miss the opportunity to watch me compete.
Amy: 'Optima' was initially formed as a passion project with the aim to learn about young horses and hopefully reach the top of the sport again. As our first horses started to arrive, we soon realised that we had the resources to add more horses to the string and potentially produce some of them for sale. As I mentioned, 'Optima' is, first and foremost, a passion project but now with hopes to produce horses that people will want to purchase for themselves as well. Our riders and team have tremendous love for and connection to each of our horses and take the utmost care in producing them. We want to help each horse reach his full potential, whether as a junior horse, speed horse, open horse, or even a 1.50m horse. We do not consider ourselves a dealing yard, so we don't believe in selling any of our horses before we feel confident that they will move on to the next rider and continue to flourish and have a successful career. This being said, we would love to see some of our horses leave us and continue to represent us with new riders, hopefully all over the country. For the rest of the year, we are going to be completely focused on furthering our horses' education, building their strength and gaining exposure for them. From 2023 we will have more active plans to market and sell them. However, we do not plan on doing so in the traditional manner. Halfway through next year, we plan to announce which of the horses will be available on the open market and for what price. Of course, if offers are made before this time, they will be considered. We will then dedicate a period, up to two months, where potential buyers are able to book a trial with any horse they would like to try. We hope that this will be a fun and different experience for prospective buyers, and an exciting showcase of what we have to offer. We plan to sell our horses as experienced, competitive six and seven-year-olds, where people can observe their entire competitive history and purchase a quality open horse that was produced right here in South Africa.
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HQ | 160A50 that we were passionate about and could add something exciting to the South African showjumping circuit. As the string grew, we started to add riders to the team to help me produce, compete, and market them.
HQ: What are the general plans for Optima going forward?
HQ: How did you get into horses? What has your history been with horses?
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I’m competingcurrentlyin the 1.20m on my gelding and mare. My short term goals are to get myself and my strongerhorsesandto be more consistent in my riding. My long term goals will be to get my gelding back to the open grades and to get my mare to the open grades.
TAYLOR VAN DER ANDCATINKABURGH31LARGO
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I always say my love for horses is genetic; I never knew a time when I was not around horses in some way during my childhood. I grew up in a family of amazing horsemen and women. My mom showed horses, while my grandfather showed and bred horses on our family farm in the Free State. My grandfather was and still is a very wise horseman whom I greatly respect, and our mutual love for horses forms part of our very strong connection. Besides horses, I loved all animals. I constantly tried to tame our sheep by using their food to coax them closer so that I could pet them, and I taught our horses to come up to the stall door (because I was too small to see over it) by gently knocking, and then feeding them a carrot when they came to look for me. Looking back, I had already begun using positive reinforcement without even realising it! I showed and rode equitation throughout my teenage years, and while I enjoyed it, there came a time I fell out of love with showing and horses. In hindsight, I believe I suffered from burnout due to the amount of showing I did, coupled with the loss of my mother to cancer. She was the best horse mom in the whole world and my biggest supporter. On top of that, she was an amazing rider. I made the decision to sell all of my show horses, and I swore off horses for life. But, as the story goes, I couldn't stay away from horses. I dived back in with a new focus; I wanted to find out how horses' work.' I wanted to understand their behaviour; I wanted to be able to solve complex behavioural problems; I wanted to really understand horses. The first step in my new journey was shadowing a natural horsemanship trainer, and the experience really opened my eyes. It showed me that there was another way to work with horses, where I didn't need to use the punishment and force-based training I had depended on during my showing career. Even so, this new information didn't satiate my desire to understand the 'whys' behind horse behaviour. I wanted to learn more than just how to make my horses do XYZ, and wanted to understand the motivation behind why they were offering a specific behaviour. It was here that I was introduced to positive reinforcement and clicker training. The terms used in these schools of training made sense to me because they were a part of my degree which is rooted in science. Paired with my understanding of horse behaviour, I was hooked.
A lta van Niekerk is the owner and founder of Empowering Equine Training & Behaviour. She focuses on fixing undesirable behaviours in horses through the use of a holistic approach to health and training. We sat down with her to learn a bit more about how she approaches helping horses and their humans. What is your background, and why did you decide to shift to training with positive reinforcement?
My traditional background still bugged me with intrusive thoughts such as "this isn't real horse training." Still, with nothing to lose, I jumped into positive reinforcement exercises with my childhood pony Blondie. She had retired from riding years before, so my new goal was to establish a solid relationship with her, something I could not achieve with the exercises I was historically taught. The results were instant, and I immediately fell in love with the process. I dived into books, listened to podcasts, and got in touch with trainers all around the world. I found a positive reinforcement community on social media that enriched my knowledge of horses, horse training, equine ethology and welfare.
My first challenge came in the form of a horse who wouldn't load, regardless of what the owner tried. The horse's fear was so overpowering that four men had to pick him up and carry him into the trailer when he needed to go somewhere. When I offered my help to the owner, I
If you have any questions on R+/ LIMA please contact me via WhatsApp on 079 095 0561 or andI'mon empoweringequine@gmail.com.emailnowalsoavailableforonlinetrainingin-personconsultations. HQ | 160A 57 HORSE AND RIDER
What is positive reinforcement?
HQ | 160AHORSE58 AND RIDER remember her saying something along the lines of "well, nothing else is working." I worked with this horse for three days, and by the end of day three, he trotted right into the trailer. No kicking, rearing, or bolting; it was clear that there was no need for force, fear, or pain. The effectiveness of these simple techniques cemented what I love most about positive reinforcement training. Although I would take a different approach to loading a horse nowadays, I won't forget how safe, capable and confident I felt around that horse and how empowering it was to solve a problem without any force.
Positive reinforcement (R+) training is quite new to the horse world, but it is nothing new in other training circles.
In easy terms, positive reinforcement is the addition of a desirable stimulus - such as a treat - to increase the chance that a desired behaviour will occur again. A marker signal is often used in the form of a mechanical clicker, with some trainers using verbal cues to communicate to the horse what specific behaviour led to him receiving the reinforcer, which is usually food. By clicking and feeding to reward certain behaviours, the behaviours are more likely to be repeated. We work with the instinctual and biological desire for food and horses' desires to gain food reinforcement. What positive reinforcement school do you fall into? I label myself as a R+ LIMA-based trainer; LIMA is an acronym for "Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive", as suggested by Dr Susan G. Friedman. A LIMA trainer is someone who uses the least intrusive and most minimally aversive methods to drive success in achieving a training goal or behaviour change without compromising the welfare of the horse.
Positive reinforcement initially began in the 1940s but gained huge traction in recent years. The first positive reinforcement trainers were students of the great psychologist BF Skinner. Through positive reinforcement, marine mammals are trained to do high-energy stunts, tigers are trained to give voluntary blood draws without sedation, elephants are trained to have their feet inspected, and crocodiles are trained to have their teeth cleaned. Let's not forget that the simple act of training our dogs to sit generally involves a treat and praise. See?
You're already using R+.
HORSE AND RIDER
I think anyone and everyone can benefit from incorporating positive reinforcement training into their daily interactions with their horse, whether they're just happy hackers or competitive riders. Scientifically, positive reinforcement training has been shown to improve the memory of horses, accelerate the learning of complex behaviours, and help horses overcome fears. The horse develops a willingness to participate in training and builds a strong positive connection with us. There are no downsides to incorporating positive reinforcement in your training.
I firmly believe that any and all behaviour can be addressed using skilful positive reinforcement and LIMA principles. All behaviour serves a function to the horse, whether we enjoy the behaviour or not, much to our misery. The key is to find the function of the unwanted behaviour - is it to gain something the horse wants? Or is it to avoid something the horse does not like or finds very stressful, painful or fearinducing? Humans work in exactly the same way. Who do you think can benefit from using R+ training?
I've educated myself on how to identify when there is a training problem or a health and pain-related problem with a horse. When someone reaches out to me for assistance, I like to get a background on the horse in question, such as when the last time they were checked for ulcers was, for example. I often work closely with other professionals and will refer my clients to them when there is a particular health-related concern. I always say that we can't train away pain. But with that said, behavioural responses are often triggered by a horse's past experience with pain, so this is where training and behaviour modification come into play. Once we rule out pain and discomfort, we can start training our goal behaviour. What 'problem' behaviours can be helped with R+?
This means I look at elements such as whether horses' 5 Freedoms are met. These are freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; freedom from fear and distress; and freedom to behave normally.
If you consider what I've mentioned, you'll see that many of the 'problem' behaviours we see in our horses come from fear, anxiety, and pain or discomfort. When confronted with these undesirable behaviours, my goal is always to address the root cause, not just the symptoms. I look at the whole horse encompassing their lifestyle, physical health, and mental wellbeing. Do you address health and nutritional-based problems yourself, or do you work closely with other professionals?
My entire learning journey has been a case of 'it took a village.' I have found an incredibly supportive community on social media, especially Instagram, and I am very active on my own Instagram page. I've connected with people all
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I look at subtle communication signals that horses use, such as calming signals and displacement behaviours. These are the ways our horses communicate to us that they are uncomfortable with something either being done to them or with something in their environment. Horse communication is quiet but loud if you know what to look for. I look at how we can make changes in horses' lives that will affect their behaviours. Again, this is based on the understanding of horses' physical health, biological, social, and nutritional needs, how they learn, and their base equine behaviours.
Who has been your greatest inspiration during your positive reinforcement journey?
When I start working with a horse who has never trained with food reinforcement before, I often start off with a barrier between the horse and me; this is called protected contact. This simply gives more clarity to the horse that reaching over and 'mugging' me is not the behaviour that will get him the food. For the horse to get the food, I'd like them to stand in a neutral position, with all four feet on the ground and their head in the middle of their chest. This doesn't sound like an exciting behaviour, but this is the foundation for all behaviours I'll train. From the stand-stay behaviour all the way to ridden work, this foundation sets you up for successful, positive reinforcement horse training. I'll start to click for this standstay behaviour (usually with a handheld clicker) and give the horse a forage-based hay pellet. I don't encourage using sugary horse treats or cookies, as these high-value treats can make training a bit more difficult. It may not seem like much, but a lot is happening in these short sessions (3-5 minutes).
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The horse is building the connection between the sound of the clicker and the arrival of food, and they make the connection that by standing with four feet on the ground and their heads in the middle of their chests, the click happens, and food arrives. When we're training with positive reinforcement, we want our horses to stand quietly in this default position before we cue for the next behaviour. Adele Shaw explains it so well when she says: "Think about this default behaviour like a kid sitting in class with their hand raised, patiently waiting for their turn to be called on. They are eager to participate and actively offering the opportunity for the teacher to engage with them, but they are also confident the teacher will notice them in due time if they wait their turn patiently."
AND RIDER around the world, from England to Sweden, to Canada, and the United States. My mentor is Adele Shaw, CHBC, who owns and runs The Willing Equine in Austin, Texas. She has taken my knowledge and skill to the ultimate level, and if I had to name one person who has been my greatest inspiration from the start, it would be Adele. My husband has always been my biggest supporter and has always encouraged me to chase my dreams, so I would like to give him due credit as well. Can you give us an overview on a training session for beginners?
There is so much more to positive reinforcement, and I encourage you to get in touch with a positive reinforcement trainer if you are looking to start training. I share resources such as posts and videos, book recommendations, podcast recommendations and more on my Instagram @empoweringequine and Facebook Empowering Equine. I have a podcast called The Empowering Equine Podcast, where we talk a lot about getting started with positive reinforcement training, so I encourage you to join us. I prioritise the horse-human relationship in my training, and I would like my clients to experience the positive and willing partnerships that are formed when training this way. My wish for my clients, both human and horse, is to feel empowered, which is why I called my business Empowering Equine Training & Behaviour. My heart wants to help people with their horses in a kind and effective way.
082 880 4976 | clive@rotoflo.co.za | sales@rotoflo.co.za belightweightcoloured,Brightlyandinterlockingllersthatcanusedaswallsorcavalettijumpblocks.
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TEXT: RHIANNON CECIL
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR RIDING IN THE HEATS’TI HOTTINGUP
The increase in temperature presents risks of its own, however, and small changes in temperature can make a big difference to horses and riders alike. Higher temperatures increase the chance of illness and even injury in horses, and heat stroke is not uncommon for riders either.
A s we approach the blistering summer months, we can look forward to longer days and more time in the saddle.
TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR HORSE COOL 1. Be aware of his breathing and vital signs
Horses overheat considerably quicker than humans do, three to ten times faster, to be precise. Their size, muscle mass, and the rate at which their muscles work can cause their temperature to rise from normal (37- 38 degrees) to upward of 40 degrees in less than twenty minutes. In short, if you’re feeling the heat, your horse is feeling it more. Heavy work in the heat can cause colic, spasms, kidney problems, heat stroke, and dehydration, but taking the correct precautionary measures can keep both horse and rider healthy and happy and make summer riding enjoyable for both.
YOUR HORSE IN THE HEAT
If your horse is showing irregular breathing or heart rate, it’s time to slow it down and cool off. Pay attention to how he is breathing, and if it seems ragged or loses rhythm, you should call it a day. You can check for dehydration by pinching the skin on your horse’s neck. If the skin stays in the ‘pinched’ position or slowly goes back to normal, your horse is dehydrated. You can also look at his gums above the teeth, which should be a healthy looking pink. If they are sticky, dry, or pale, again, he is dehydrated. NOTE: These are signs that the dehydration is quite severe and needs addressing promptly.
HORSE AND HEALTH
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It may seem like a small thing, but thinner, lighter equipment can make a significant difference to your horse in the heat. The less, the better. Consider fitted numnahs in the summer months as opposed to square, and ditch the sheepskinlined boots. Thinner numnahs allow the skin beneath the saddle to breathe a bit more as well.
3. Consider your tack
4. A wet sponge is your friend
7. Cool your horse down properly
Just as if you were going to the gym in the heat of the day, take rests between exercises to allow your horse’s breathing to regulate and his heart rate to come down. Stand in the shade during these breaks and sponge him down if you can.
The more a horse works, the hotter he will get. Drinking water helps to rehydrate and cool your horse, but applying a cold, wet sponge to your horse’s skin can also give them great relief.
6. Take breaks, and try and find some shade
Once you’ve finished riding, make sure you cool your horse down as quickly and effectively as
2. Make sure your horse has access to water While drinking a great deal of water can make your horse slower, There is nothing wrong with your horse drinking during lessons and schooling sessions. In fact, the more he drinks, the better. A 600kg horse will consume up to 45 litres of water on a normal day. On a hot day, this can go up to almost 70 litres. This may sound like a lot, but horses can sweat up to 20 litres per hour in hot conditions, and that moisture needs to be replaced. In the absence of a water bucket in the arena, you can squeeze a wet sponge into your horse’s mouth to cool them down as well.
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5. Try and ride at cooler times of day- for the most part As temperatures rise, it makes sense to choose the early mornings and late afternoons for riding if you can. If you’re competitive, it may not be a good idea to do this all the time, though. You never know what time of day you’ll end up riding at a show, and your horse will struggle more with a midday round if he hasn’t been acclimatised to the heat.
HQ | 160A 65 possible. Remove his tack as soon as you can and let him drink water if he wants to. Be sure to hose his body all over with water. Ideally, you want to keep hosing until your horse’s skin temperature is back to normal. If it is breezy, standing your horse in the breeze is also a good way to speed up the cooling process.
8. Make sure you replenish salt and other electrolytes Horses lose a lot of their natural salts when they sweat. Their natural salts, therefore, need to be replaced after hot schooling sessions. You can teach your horse to drink an electrolyte solution by adding small amounts to his water and increasing
A wet towel on the back of your neck is a lifesaver on hot days, and you can place ice cubes in your pockets and bra - for the ladies - to cool you down as you ride. Cooling towels get ice cold when you put them in water and then shake them, and placing them on your own jugular vein will work wonders in the arena.
However hot you’re feeling, your horse is feeling it more, so never be shy to take breaks when you need them. It’s beneficial for both of you.
As temperatures rise, ensure you’re covered up as much as possible. As uncomfortable as it is, it’s better to be hot than sunburnt. Long sleeve, breathable fabrics or sun sleeves are a must, as are sun visors or wide-brimmed helmets. Make sure you have good sunscreen close by and reapply regularly. Arenas with silica sand have a wicked glare, which can be damaging for your eyes. Consider a pair of sunglasses designed for sport that block both UVA and UVB rays for maximum eye protection.
Sometimes it’s better not to ride. The higher the air temperature and humidity, the more dangerous it can be. Be aware of heatwave warnings. Whether or not to ride depends on more than just the temperature; the workload and humidity levels are also factors. Just remember the rule of thumb. If you’re struggling with the heat, your horse is struggling more.
1. Protect your skin and eyes
HQ | 160AHORSE66 AND HEALTH over time until he is used to the taste. With salt, it is a good idea to add some to the diet year round so chat your equine nutritionist about how best to do this in your case. KEEP YOURSELF SAFE AND COOL TOO
2. Stay hydrated
4. Take plenty of breaks
3. Wet towels and ice cubes are your friends
KNOW WHEN TO CALL IT QUITS
It’s just as important for you as it is for your horse to keep some water close by when you are schooling. Drink whenever you can, and replace electrolytes with your own electrolyte solution after sweaty rides.
TEXT: RYAN TEHINI T he majority of my clients have indicated to me that prior to starting our work together, they had wanted to make use of psychological techniques on show days (be it to reduce anxiety, deal with pressure, or further motivate themselves) but struggled to know where to start. This makes a lot of sense, as the psychological state that enables the athlete to perform optimally is a balancing act that requires a lot of trial and error, as well as a personalised approach that works to achieve the goals explicitly designed for the athlete.
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PRACTICAL TIPS
However, there are a number of easy-to-perform techniques that can be applied on the show day to accomplish some of the more common goals, such as quelling your nerves and reducing performance anxiety. Even the most skilled and seasoned rider experiences show nerves and/or performance anxiety; even Ben Maher has noted that his nerves peak before his ride on show day, and he occasionally has trouble sleeping before a big ride. These nerves are a natural part of any sport and are a good indication that what you are doing excites you, but what do you do when they are overbearing and causing you to ride poorly? Here we look at a few of the techniques available, breaking them into steps for show day:
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We often tend to move faster in the haze of nervousness and anxiety surrounding shows. This is a symptom of the nervousness or anxiety you are feeling, which is telling you that you do not have enough time or that time is moving faster than it actually is. Those who have experienced this will know that you feel as though you are spiralling, and you have no control or are losing control – this is the grip of anxiety, and it uses cues that are familiar to you (such as the passing of time) to propel you further and further into itself. The key here is to slow yourself down; even if you feel like time is running out or you are in a rush, you absolutely have to take a moment to slow down your mind and stop the spiral. This can be easier said than done, but it also becomes much easier once you have taken the time to do step one and accurately identified the emotion you are experiencing.
The first step in setting yourself up for peak performance before entering the ring is to identify precisely what you are feeling. As discussed in previous articles, nervousness and excitement both elicit the same physiological response in our body and this means that we often misidentify our emotions; we are not as good at understanding ourselves as we would like to believe. This is also important because the sooner you identify your emotions, the sooner you can act to change them and prevent their negative influence on your ride. Like many others in sport psychology, this skill is developed through systematic training. In the case of identifying emotions, the rider would benefit significantly from being able to process their thoughts objectively or without judgment, which is a core component of mindfulness training.
STEP 3: REFRAME YOUR THOUGHTS
You may be experiencing this anxiety due to external stimuli (your ride was moved earlier, or there was a lastminute change), or internal stimuli (you are placing a lot of weight on this one ride or feel a lack of confidence in your ability). Regardless of where the feeling originates, it is important to identify which aspects you are in control of and deal with those. In this situation, the best way to slow yourself down is to stop everything that you are doing, take three deep breaths (fill your lungs all the way, and exhale completely), and then start processing all over again by breaking up tasks that seem large into smaller, more manageable components.
Our minds have a tendency to overdramatise the negative that we see – for those regular readers, you will know that this is the result of the negativity bias discussed in earlier articles that was developed for our safety. However, this negativity bias means that not everything you think is the truth. We have a collection of lenses through which we see the world that impacts how we interpret our rides. For example, imagine before a show, you get on your horse, and they spook at a loud noise that normally wouldn't bother them. Objectively observing this situation would tell you that maybe the noise was slightly louder than expected,
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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.comor0735677387
or a very high pitch, or that they are just somewhat nervous. However, as a rider, you have a number of lenses that skew your processing. You may think back to the coach who many years ago told you that this horse spooks easily and this would make them unlikely to compete at a high level (lens one); or you may think back to the last time they spooked before the ride and how you then had a stop, wondering if that will happen again today (lens two). Whatever the case is, there are several things going through your head that result in a likely overanalysis of the situation; when this happens, you need to step back, notice that your thoughts are overly dramatised, and reframe how you perceive what is going on around you. The key to doing this is to objectively consider what has happened using only the available facts, without the lenses. Again, this is another component that is easier said than done. However, it is far easier to do this once you have done the first two steps, taken three deep breaths, reanalysed the situation and reframed your thoughts.
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TAKE HOME MESSAGE
Show days can be extremely daunting, and in the absence of psychological techniques aimed at helping you deal with the pressure of the day, one can wind up underperforming due to their mind's influence rather than their riding ability. The above techniques should provide a quick, easily accessible, and helpful way to deal with the occasional show nerves. However, if you find that this is a continual problem, or you would just like some guidance in this regard, don't be shy to reach out for help – more often than not, there is an easy fix that will ensure you ride to the best of your ability, and get out of your own way.
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I nsulin resistance is, unfortunately, an increasingly common problem in our equine population but is often overlooked or missed by owners. The sad reality is that often we only spot it very late, by which time damage has likely occurred. If, when reading this, you recognise any of the symptoms we describe as being present in your equine companion, please speak to your vet as a priority. This condition can lead to laminitis if left untreated, and whilst insulin resistance in itself is not life-threatening, laminitis certainly is.
INSULIN RESISTANCE SILENT KILLER
WHAT IS INSULIN RESISTANCE?
Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body’s tissues have a decreased responsiveness to the hormone insulin. Insulin is an essential hormone for the body, as it regulates glucose metabolism. Insulin instructs the body to take glucose from the bloodstream into the tissues to either make use of the glucose immediately for energy or to make it into the bigger molecule of glycogen which can be stored in the tissue for later use.
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HQ | 160AHORSE76 AND HEALTH In healthy tissues, insulin binds to receptors on the tissues, which send a signal that stimulates the cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream. However, the receptor doesn’t work as it should in insulin-resistant tissues. This results in the signal not being transmitted through the tissue and glucose not being removed from the bloodstream. The blood glucose level remains high, which signals the body to produce more insulin to try to get the tissues to take up glucose. Ultimately, this results in hyperinsulinaemia (a condition where insulin levels are permanently too high) and even more health issues than high glucose alone.
The exact causes of insulin resistance are unknown, and this subject, in itself, can be quite controversial. Some vets believe the condition is not a disease but merely a genetic variant in the metabolism of affected horses. These vets think the condition is similar to any other allergy a horse could have in that they are allergic to certain high sugar and starch foods. In their view, the horse is born with the condition and must just be managed accordingly.
• Old age – Horses over the age of 20 are more at risk.
NOTE: Some vets believe that it is actually feeding a diet high in simple sugars and starches that causes the horse to develop the condition, not just makes the condition worse.
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HORSE CAUSES INSULIN RESISTANCE?
• Obesity – This is widely believed to be the biggest risk factor.
AND HEALTH WHAT
SYMPTOMS
• Diet – Feeding a diet high in simple sugars and starches is believed to be a risk factor independent of obesity.
The symptoms of insulin resistance are relatively nonspecific, but if you notice even one or two of these in your horse, it is worth discussing with your vet. These symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Other vets, however, believe that there are risk factors that lead to the development of the condition in genetically predisposed horses. This means that certain horses are more at risk genetically, such as Arabians and pony breeds, but it takes one of the following risk factors to also be present for the condition to manifest. These risk factors include the following:
•
• Laminitis
Feeding a proper diet, ensuring your horse gets plenty of exercise and maintaining a healthy body condition score all reduce the risk of developing the condition.
TESTING
The good news is that by incorporating exercise and the dietary recommendations into your horse’s life, you should be able to keep him happy and healthy for many years to come.
•
• Obesity • Abnormal fat deposits, usually on the crest, rump and above the eye. Some horses also have a fatty sheath or udder. Excessive urination Thirst Low energy levels Muscle wasting Loss of body condition
DIETARY CHANGES
Lab testing for insulin resistant horses shows elevated insulin concentration or abnormal changes in blood insulin or glucose concentrations when the horse is given extra glucose or insulin as a stimulus. Several tests have been developed along these lines to investigate insulin resistance. Your vet can tell you which test is most appropriate in your particular case.
•
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TREATMENT
HORSE AND HEALTH
The primary management of insulin resistant horses is dietary. Horses with the condition should be fed a low-carb, low-fat and mineral-balanced diet. Any sugarladen concentrate feeds or time spent on lush pastures should be reduced, until they are fully eliminated from the horse’s routine. The gradual reduction is important to avoid shocking the horse’s system, another trigger for laminitis. Your horse will need to be kept away from high-sugar pastures and concentrate feeds until all signs of the condition are absent, and your vet feels your horse can be reintroduced to them with caution. Sadly, some horses will never be reintroduced as their condition is simply not stable enough. It goes without saying, of course, that whilst lush grazing and and high-sugar concentrate feed are removed, grass must be supplied to horses 24/7. The grass can be soaked to reduce sugar levels or fed in slow feeders, but horses must never be without something to chew on. Reducing the amount of grass fed or leaving your horse without grass for many hours will ultimately cause problems like colic that are immediately life-threatening and also precipitate a stress response, potentially resulting in ulcer formation and laminitis.
•
As with everything, prevention is the best cure, and although some vets believe the condition cannot be entirely prevented, minimising the risk factors will benefit all cases.
•
If your horse is already insulin resistant, changing diet, increasing exercise levels (providing laminitis is not present) and arranging regular farrier visits are the best ways to maintain quality of life and reverse any changes that have occurred. Feeding foods with a low glycaemic index, like beet pulp and soaked grasses, also helps to lower blood glucose and insulin. Your vet may want to try your horse on medication, but the management changes will normally be implemented first.
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S idebone is the name given to the condition that results in ossification of the collateral cartilages of the foot. It is a remarkably common finding in our domesticated horses, and a diagnosis of the condition strikes fear into the heart of many horse owners. Yet, according to our vets, a diagnosis of sidebone is not necessarily something to panic about. According to these vets, a finding of sidebone is often purely incidental and is usually not the root cause of the lameness itself. Here we look at the pathology of sidebone and its significance in our equine companions.
THE COLLATERAL CARTILAGES
The collateral cartilages are paired structures on the medial (inside) and outside (lateral) parts of the horse’s foot. These cartilages are located just above the heel region and SIDEBONE COLLATERAL DAMAGE
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SIDEBONE Sidebone is described as the mineralisation of the collateral cartilages of the hoof, transforming the collateral cartilages into more rigid and less flexible bone-like tissue. If the collateral cartilages have become mineralised in this way, the changes are often palpable. A swelling also commonly develops just above the hoof capsule. Sidebone is more commonly seen in the front feet than the hind feet due to the increased weight borne by the front legs. However, as noted above, the reality is that the condition has minimal clinical significance in most cases. Lameness due to sidebone is usually due to a complicating feature,
HORSE AND HEALTH thelandingrepetitiveHeavyonfrontfeetcancausesidebone.
HQ | 160A82 extend forwards from the heel bulb for about one-third to half of the total distance from heel to toe. The collateral cartilages sit with about two-thirds of their mass within the hoof capsule and one-third projecting above. They are attached to the pedal bone, its ligaments and the short and long pastern bone. You can palpate these cartilages above the coronary band in the heel region as a piece of slightly malleable tissue. Coincidentally, they are often used as landmarks for nerve blocks by vets. These cartilages, along with the digital cushion, are considered part of the shock-absorbing mechanism of the horse’s foot. The theory suggests that with weight bearing, the forces from the ground are pushed up through the frog putting pressure on the digital cushion and causing the collateral cartilages to move outwards. This movement results in two separate effects. Firstly, it helps dissipate the forces generated by movement by transferring the force to the soft tissue. Secondly, the movement of the cartilages with each stride assists with blood flow through the nearby blood vessels. This has led to many describing the hooves as the ‘additional hearts’ of the horse.
•sidebone:Heavyrepetitive landing on the front feet, such as is experienced in showjumping.
PREDISPOSING FACTORS
• Being a heavier horse, such as a Percheron or Shire.
HORSE AND HEALTH
OTHER INVESTIGATIONS
Bone scans and nuclear scintigraphy may provide more information about the relevance of sidebone to the lameness shown by the horse. Positive uptake in these tests may be seen if the sidebone is active or inflamed as a result of trauma or fracture. In this setting, a bone scan can detect differences between the medial and lateral Sidebone Sidebone
NERVE BLOCKS
HQ | 160A 83 such as the growing sidebones pressing on adjacent sensitive hoof structures, rather than the sidebone itself.
The following factors predispose horses to developing
•
Nerve blocks of the heel region will numb any pain associated with the collateral cartilage but will also desensitise numerous other structures, including the seat of corn, frog, digital cushion, navicular bone, navicular bursa and part of the coffin joint. This nerve block can therefore confirm the area causing the lameness but won’t provide a definitive structure as the cause of lameness. X-RAYS X-Rays are often taken once the region of lameness has been identified. It is generally best practice to scan both front legs to allow comparison of the two sides. However, in cases of sidebone, X-Rays can create confusion, as many completely normal horses have mineralisation of these cartilages (sidebone) with no clinical issues.
• Abnormal limb conformation can cause abnormal loading patterns. Direct trauma to the collateral cartilages.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
NOTE: Mineralisation can often occur in more than one place in the collateral cartilages. When this happens, a small line often remains between the upper and lower areas of mineralisation that can closely resemble a fracture line. This can cause confusion, leading to people wrongly assuming that this ‘fracture’ is the cause of lameness.
Physical examination will usually reveal hardened collateral cartilages on palpation and the characteristic swelling above the hoof capsule.
DIAGNOSING SIDEBONE
• Poor foot balance, especially if this is a chronic issue.
SIMILAR CONDITIONS
TREATMENT
QUITTOR Another condition associated with the collateral cartilages is quittor. This occurs when the collateral cartilage is damaged, normally due to external trauma. The cartilage or, more frequently, the upper part of it becomes infected and loses blood supply, resulting in a discharging wound in the area. The damaged and infected cartilage acts as a foreign body and will require removal for the area to heal.
HORSE AND HEALTH
If sidebone is proved to be the cause of lameness, treatment starts with the restoration of good foot balance and the compensation for the loss of shock-absorbing potential of the foot through remedial farriery. A common farriery technique used in these cases is to shoe the affected horses with flat, wide, webbed shoes with a rolled toe, which are wide at the quarters and heels and extend beyond the ground surface at the heels to support the heel regions and allow for expansion. Nails should not be used behind the mid-quarter of the foot. These interventions often abolish the lameness in affected horses quickly, but the radiographic appearance of the collateral cartilages is unlikely to return to normal.
Occasionally, only the back part of the collateral cartilage mineralises, leading to a condition called palmar hyperostosis. This is an uncommon clinical finding associated with lameness. In these cases, horses have mineralisation of the collateral cartilages of the front feet with a loss of mineral from a portion of the coffin bone. An association with poor foot balance is suspected in these cases but not proven.
The effectcanyouryouonsurfaceswhichworkhorsehaveanonthedevelopmentofsidebone.
PALMAR HYPEROSTOSIS
HQ | 160A84 cartilages or between the cartilages of one foot and the cartilages of the other foot in terms of inflammation levels. This technique is probably of most use in confirming a true clinical problem associated with sidebone, as active inflammation suggests that the cartilage is the cause of the lameness or is at least contributing to it.
W orking knowledge of the reproductive anatomy of the mare and stallion is essential in horse breeding programmes. Here we look at the reproductive anatomy of both the mare and the stallion to shed some light on these fundamental systems. MARE The reproductive system in the mare has two 1.functions:Toproduce ova (eggs)
2. To nurture a foetus
THE
Anatomy ReproductiveTheSystem 12Part HQ | 160A86
HORSE AND HEALTH HQ | 160A 87 FEMALE PELVIS AND URINOGENITAL SYSTEM FROM ABOVE MALE PELVIS AND URINOGENITAL SYSTEM FROM ABOVE Tuber sacrale (point of croup) Ovary Tuber coxae (point of hip) Left horn of uterus Right horn of FallopianuterustubeBladderUrethraVaginaBodyCervixVulvaof uterus Tuber sacrale (point of croup) Tuber coxae (point of hip) Bladder Vas PenisUrethralVesicularvasAmpulladeferensofdeferensglandmuscle BulbourethralProstateUreterglandgland
HQ | 160AHORSE88 AND HEALTH FEMALE URINOGENITAL SYSTEM Vagina kidneyRight MALE URINOGENITAL SYSTEM ClitoralVulva fossa UrethraPubicsymphysis RightFallopianRightovarytubehornofuterusBladderRightkidney Bladder Retractor penis muscle Ampulla of vas deferens RightEpidydimisUrethraglandProstateglandVesiculartestis vesselsSpermaticdeferensUreterVasbloodandnervesExternalurethralorificePrepuce(sheath)Scrotum
The female genital tract includes the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The ovaries are suspended in the abdomen below the lumbar region of the spine. They are quite large, each measuring roughly 10cm in diameter. The fallopian tubes are small tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus. The uterus is made up of two horns, which combine to form a single body, and the end of the uterus is called the cervix. The cervix separates the uterus from the vagina and provides a barrier against infection. The vagina is connected to the vulva, which is the external opening of the female genitals. Ova(eggs) are stored in the ovaries. When an egg is sufficiently developed, it will be expelled from the ovary and collected by the fallopian tube. The point at which an egg is released is known as ovulation. Secretion of protein-rich fluid in the fallopian tubes provides a proper environment for survival of the mature ovum, fertilisation and the first few critical days of embryonic life. If fertilisation takes place, the fertilised ovum then travels to the uterus, where it will ultimately implant into the blood-vessel-rich lining of the uterine wall. Proper functioning of the uterus and cervix is also required to establish and maintain pregnancy. The average gestation period – duration of pregnancy – is 340 days, although this can vary dramatically from mare to mare.
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THE OESTROUS CYCLE Ovaries produce eggs but also female sex hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone. The hormones are necessary for the development of the eggs and the preparation of the uterus for pregnancy. Within the ovary, a group of special cells form a follicle, which surrounds each egg. The oestrous cycle begins when follicle stimulating hormone causes follicles to grow, leading to the maturation of eggs and the
production of oestrogen. When oestrogen is produced, the mare is in heat (or oestrous) and will mate with a stallion. Oestrous lasts an average of 5-7 days, the most prolonged heat period of any domestic animal. Oestrogen also causes the brain to release luteinising hormone, which stimulates the release of eggs from the ovary (in the process called ovulation). After ovulation, the follicle becomes a corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. Progesterone causes the mare to go out of heat and prepares the uterus for pregnancy. If the mare does not become pregnant, the corpus luteum is destroyed, and the mare returns to heat. This entire cycle normally takes around 21 days, i.e. there are 21 days between ovulations.
SPERM PRODUCTION
Spermatazoa, or sperm cells, are produced in the testicles, matured in the epididymis and transported through the deferens duct to the ampulla, where they are stored. During ejaculation, spermatozoa are propelled by the muscular deferens duct to the urethra. Secretions from the prostate gland, the seminal vesicles, the vesicular glands and the bulbourethral glands combine with the spermatozoa to form semen. The semen passes along the length of the urethra inside the penis and is ejaculated through the external or urethral orifice.
THE STALLION
The two testicles of the stallion are the reproductive glands where sperm and testosterone are produced. They lie outside the body, between the thighs, and are enclosed inside a pouch of skin called the scrotum.
For sperm production, the testes must descend into the scrotum because regular body temperature is too high for sperm to develop normally.
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Sperm maturation is stimulated by the production and release of follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone. Testosterone is required for the proper functioning of the accessory sexual glands, male sexual characteristics and sexual behaviour.
NOTE: During the nonreproductive winter season, most mares are in a state of reproductive quiescence (hibernation) called anoestrous. During this time, they will not respond to the stallion’s attention, and their ovaries do not develop any follicles due to minimal hormone secretion. However, as daylight hours increase in spring and summer, the mare will begin to experience oestrous cycles again. These cycles will repeat until pregnancy occurs or until a point when the days shorten again, and she returns to anoestrous. Oestrous cycles, therefore, only normally take place during the breeding season, and this is termed seasonal polyoestrous. The breeding season is generally considered to be between August and April in the southern hemisphere.
For information on advertising contact Dr Lizzie Harrison on lizzie@dqmagazine.co.za
YOUR EQUESTRIAN QUESTIONS ANSWERED
• Training practices: A showjumper, for example, is schooled to keep his weight back on his hindquarters so he can more easily lift his front end over the jumps.
High head carriage in these horses is, thus, unlikely to be a problem.
Horses can have or develop high head carriage for a number of reasons:
• Poor saddle fit: Poor saddle fit can cause a horse to lift his head and hollow his back to escape the discomfort caused by the saddle.
• Learned behaviour: Over time, rough hands or an overly hard bit can lead a horse to become protective Quarter horses havelowernaturallyheadcarriage.
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My new horse has such high head carriage. What could be causing it? Is it something to worry about?
• Conformation: A horse whose neck naturally arches upwards is going to have a more uphill frame than a horse with a lower set neck.
• Saddle fit is also an easy issue to remedy (just sadly not always the cheapest). Call your saddle fitter and ask them to review the saddle your horse is wearing. If this is the issue, changing the saddle and having a physio out to help your horse get over the discomfort caused by the previous saddle should see the head gradually drop.
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• Similarly, if your horse is a showjumper and uses his high head carriage to improve his jump, then you don’t need to change it. It’s just worth making sure that he isn’t running around hollow over his back all the time, as this can be hard on his spine and neck.
HQ | 160A of his mouth. The horse learns, in these instances, that he can avoid the effect of the bit and the rider’s hands by lifting his head.
Working through each issue in turn:
The good news is that these issues are either nothing to worry about or have solutions! The only bad news is for those with horses who have learnt to raise their head to avoid hard hands and harsh bits, as these horses can take a long time to trust the rider again.
• The conformation of a horse is not going to change, so working with the high head carriage is the best you can do!
Friesians have naturally high head carriage.
• The most challenging cause of high head carriage is a horse being nervous about the bit or rider’s hands. In this instance, the first step should be to equip him with the softest bit required. Particularly if the bit is already soft, we would advise you to get out a bit fitter to ensure that the bit he is in is suitable for the anatomy of his mouth and doesn’t cause discomfort. Once you have established that your bit is suitable, you should work on flatwork patterns involving lots of bends, figure-eights and serpentines. Ride deeply into each corner, asking your horse to bend through his body. Press with your inside leg behind the girth so you have the sensation of pushing him into the outside rein. You should reward any softening by pushing your inside hand forwards towards his mouth and giving him the bit. This ‘give’ will encourage him to stretch forwards even more towards the bit, lowering his head carriage further. If you remain consistent and patient in this work and do not over-face him, he’ll ultimately learn to trust your hands and lower his head.
4. Keep her feet in good shape. Keep your farrier visits as regular as they are now to ensure that your horse’s feet remain balanced and healthy. This is even more important with age, not less!
1. Look after the teeth. Older horses need a complete dental examination done at least once a year, but ideally every six months. Older horses get periodontal disease, dental infections, fractures and other tooth issues at a high rate, and their ability to chew comfortably and efficiently is essential for them to digest their food well and remain in good condition.
3. Keep her moving. Keep your horse doing whatever movement she can comfortably manage and enjoy. If she can’t be ridden, still encourage her to engage in whatever light exercise she can manage. Consult your vet about the best exercise for your horse, but whatever you do, make sure your programme is slow and consistent. Older horses need small amounts of work frequently. They cannot just be ridden on weekends or worked sporadically.
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2. Provide good nutrition. Make sure your horse has good quality forage and a balanced diet that meets their needs. Speak to an equine nutritionist to get a diet designed for your horse’s life stage.
5. Watch out for Cushing’s Disease: Look out for a persistent winter coat, weight loss and increased drinking and urination, as these can be signs of Cushing’s Disease. Screening annually for this condition can allow you to catch it early and get your horse onto treatment if necessary. Cushing’s can affect the healing process and result in weakened muscle tissue, so an early diagnosis can really be beneficial. Ultimately, diligent care makes the most significant difference to equine longevity and healthy ageing. Of course, the outcome for any particular horse also has to do with genetic factors, general health and even a bit of luck, but by preparing as you are, you give yourself and your mare the best chance of very many happy years together!
It’s great to hear that you are already planning how to make her life as comfortable and enjoyable as possible in her later years! The good news is that there is a lot you can do to help her, even at this early stage. Admittedly, much of it is just basic routine horse care but with a slight twist to account for her older age.
My horse is 18, and I want her to live as long as possible. What can I do now to set her up for many more healthy years to come?
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