HQ Magazine Issue 162A

Welcome to our March edition!

We have lots of great content in this month AND an unbelievable competition for you to enter courtesy of Priority Escapes.

Priority Escapes is offering one lucky winner the opportunity to win a holiday for two to the Maldives in one of their luxury lodges. This competition is being run in conjunction with the Champagne Tour. Every HQ reader that spots the palm tree and sends in their entry form by midday on the 4th of March gets an entry into the prize draw. All you need to do is find the palm tree hidden in the magazine. HINT: It looks exactly like the one below! And turn to page 115 where you can click through to the entry form and fill out your details, including the page number on which you found the elusive palm!

We’re super excited to be offering this to you, and very grateful to Priority Escapes and the Champagne Tour for giving this opportunity to our readers. Winners will be announced on the 5th of March via our social media channels and live at the Champagne Tour. Stay tuned!

Oh, and read the magazine (of course ;))

Good luck!

Lots of love,

Dr Lizzie Harrison | Editor

Lizzie and the HQ team xxx

IN THIS ISSUE

06 Interview with Holistic Vet Dr Tomas Teskey

With Christine Pinna or Caballo Barefoot Trimming

20 Where the grass is always greener

Experience the magic of Hartford House and Summerhill Equestrian

30 Nathan Arnold and Katie Duxbury

Our international showing judges

32 In photographs

The Horse of the Year Groom Handler of the Year 2023

40 Junior rider profile

Kiara Burn

48 The power of the feminine Women empowered by horses

62 HQ goes showing

With Amelia Campbell-Horne

80 SA Boerperd

An indigenous horse that belongs in the show arena

84 Transitioning your OTTB

To a more natural life

90 Fibre Fibre can change abnormal behaviour

96 Crucial conformation

Part 1: An overview

102 Is your horse covered for civil unrest? A must for all South African equestrians

104 Feeding straw as a hay alternative

The pros and cons

110 Unlock your shots with Hilary O’Leary

The bucket shot: Can an image change your life?

112 AskHQ

Your equestrian questions answered

114 Products we love

Shopping fun

115 Enter the competition

WORLD ’SBESTBloodlines

INTERVIEW WITH HOLISTIC VET

WITH CHRISTINE PINNA OF CABALLO BAREFOOT TRIMMING

Dr Tomas Teskey is native to Arizona, USA, and the second oldest of five siblings in a sixgeneration ranching family. He received a Bachelor's degree in Botany from Northern Arizona University in 1991 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1995. He has practised large animal medicine and surgery in Arizona since graduation, with most of his work focusing on horses.

He lives on the family ranch in Arizona with his wife, Csenge, and four children.

CP: Having recently read your book 'Insight to Equus', which I found absolutely fascinating, I wanted to reach out. Please tell us about yourself and what led you to become an equine veterinarian.

TT: I'm from Arizona in the southwestern United States, where I have lived all of my life, as have the five generations before me, dating back to the 1870s. We are a ranching family, and so I was brought up in the cowboy life with a ranching and agricultural background. My dad is a small animal veterinarian, so there

was an introduction to veterinary medicine from an early stage. I made it into veterinary school quite easily, being a good student and test-taker; I came across as pretty smart with book learning and whatnot.

By the time I got into veterinary school, I wanted something different from my dad, so I followed a large animal track, learning about cattle and horses. I wanted to do that instead of being exactly like my dad. The cattle market really fell out of favour when I got out of veterinary school in 1995, and I had to make some money, so I had to start looking at horses, and

that's actually how I was funnelled into developing more insight and expertise with the horses. Personality-wise, from there, I found myself unsatisfied with traditional answers and traditional teachings because they didn't work or didn't work long-term. They were germinated from thought patterns that involved using horses strictly as tools rather than as partners. Even if the people claimed to love horses, I could demonstrate that that really wasn't the case given the management practices.  I simply wasn't satisfied with what I saw, and that made me determined to do things differently. It was dishonest for people to claim they loved the horses and yet keep them as they did because it really gave the horses, and ultimately the people managing those horses, a raw deal; it's not just the horses that suffer when the humans are not managing them correctly.

CP: Was there a turning point in your life that led you to look at more holistic approaches to veterinary medicine? What was this turning point, and what results did you find?

TT: There wasn't a defined blinding flash-of-the-obvious turning point; I'm more of a philosopher, contemplative type. I try things out. I try new things and take to heart what I see with the results. I have a lot of conscience around wanting to do the best job possible, whatever I'm doing. It

doesn't matter if I'm doing veterinary medicine, building a fence, or digging a ditch - I want to give it my best. Within five years of getting out of veterinary school, it became apparent that something would have to give, or I would quit because I was surrounded by tradition and convention, which was deep set. What made it even more challenging was that many of my colleagues would talk a certain way but didn't 'walk' that way. They would talk a good talk about being progressive, being on the research and trying new things, but that was rubbish for the most part, so I started to call them on it. I would call my old teachers and ask them about certain therapeutics and what to do next, and I pretty much had them at a loss at quite a few turning points. That's when I thought, "I'm going to start focusing on what can be done and how to make the changes, follow through, and follow up and not lose track of these horses with owners who will get on board with a different approach". We found some very cool stuff and started doing things that convention would say are impossible. So it was good to have a personality and philosophy that allowed me to break through. Ultimately, it's about your moral character, how much you can take personally, how much you can see of what's happening, and how to differentiate what's about you versus what's not about you.

CP: What are some of your most profound success stories?

TT: My first case after finding out about the healing powers of the horse from within was a founder case in a gelding. I literally had the euthanasia solution in my hand. Then I heard that somebody was visiting who would try something with this gelding whose coffin bones were coming through the bottoms of his hoof capsules. Her name was Martha Olivo, and she had studied with Dr Strasser in Germany. Dr Strasser is a veterinarian who specialises in looking at the hoof, how it works and what to do with it. This was an aggressive approach, but

I was like, "Okay, show me what you can do." And boy, she did! She showed me some things that made sense, and I watched that horse improve consistently despite my beliefs at the time that this wouldn't work. That horse made a grand recovery and was quite sound.

Then there have been other cases, like broken legs and fractures –devastating injuries that a veterinarian would prescribe confinement for, i.e. "Keep that horse in a stall so that we can bandage and not have it get worse, and not have it self-destruct". I just handled these differently. I cared for several, where I just said,

kept in stalls get worse after injury, spinning, rearing, and reinjuring themselves. Then after that rest period, the owners would let the horse out, and he'd have reinjured himself in minutes. I decided, "Why don't we quit all of that and try something else and just let him heal from the inside out on his own and let's quit pretending that we know much of anything about how a horse heals". We simply continued providing what we knew the horse needed to heal from within. So with fractured limbs, they didn't heal straight, and there was definitely a hitch there, but these horses were happy and alert and alive and not

These are all individual cases that stick with me, but there are other medical cases that are also significant. For instance, horses with Cushing's Syndrome which are met with such a defeatist attitude by veterinarians. The vets just prescribe drugs, and I haven't found that needs to be the case. I rather do things that help the horses just honour their 'horseness', and they improve. The top of the list in honouring 'horseness' would be movement. You'll hear me say that a lot. I have a list of things horses need, and near the top are friends and movement. These are magical.

CP: Please tell us about what your wife does. Do you often find yourselves working together?

TT: My wife is Csenge Bakos; she's Hungarian, and I met her several years ago when I was invited to Hungary to do a clinic, and she was very interested in learning more about horses and coming to America to check it out. After pestering me for quite a while, she came, and we developed a friendship through that. I ended up going back to Hungary the following year, and she came to the clinic again, and we started hanging out more and more. She is a human physiotherapist trained in Hungary, and so she has a keen eye for biological form and function in people and animals, and she is also just keenly

she's always my go-to person to help with that because she just has that body language, that understanding and that dance that occurs with horse handling. So now we have a family of our own with four kids.

CP: Who and what got you into natural hoofcare? Do you ever find it necessary to shoe a horse, and if not, why not?

TT: So I mentioned Martha Olivo earlier on and how I met her with the foundered gelding, and I ended up taking a 10-day immersive course with Martha; I'm talking about 12 hours a day for ten days straight dissecting

just complete immersion into hoofcare. This really got me focused, and it was a great lesson on how you need to focus for more than just a few moments on something if you really want to drink it in. You need to learn and observe and just sit with it and let it enter your pores.

It was transformative, and given that my understanding of form and Equus form and function is that I do not employ rigid materials on horses, whether that it is a bit in their mouth or steel on their feet, there's no indication for shoes in my work. That's not going to be true for other veterinarians and other people, but when it comes to me, I have a

plasticity and an understanding and expertise around what else I can do. So this is personal, and I'm just wildly successful with it because of my level of focus and understanding and honouring the dynamic nature of Equus. Therefore it does not make sense, nor would I entertain for long, the idea that I would apply a shoe or use a bit in a horse's mouth given my current level of understanding and the current state of the world. We don't use horses for war or agriculture nearly as much anymore. If that were to turn around, I'd still bet you that I can come up with other ways and use other materials that would not be rigid, deforming and damaging.

CP: What does a typical non-emergency appointment with you look like?

TT: A typical appointment with me involves a whole horse and a whole human/owner assessment. What's the relationship? What's the intention? What's the feel? What are we looking at? What do we want to do here? What's our agenda? Is there no agenda? What are the expectations? Are there no expectations? I try to feel into the whole spectrum of the humanhorse relationship.

On the human side, there is understanding, willingness, a sense of

responsibility, and accountability for doing the best possible job with the horse and continuing to learn about it. If you're interested in that, I want you on my team. If you're not, then let's not start.

Once we get past that, I assess the horse's feet and legs and movement and body and eyes and ears and posture and attitude and all of the other stuff too – heart sounds, belly sounds, presentation, level of alertness, appetite, how they move, what they prefer, what's their posture, why do they keep doing THAT? Why don't they ever try this? Noticing these little things keeps these ticks going in my brain. I like to play this game with myself where I make myself a little bet, and I'm getting better and better, so that 4, or even 4.5 times out of 5, I can tell you what I'm likely to find in a horse's mouth given what their feet glimpse like, how they move, how they hold their head, how they hold their body, how they move off, what lead they prefer – those sorts of things. Yes, it's all professional but you've got to have some fun too. So that's one of the little things I do to keep myself engaged and interested, and you know, if you see a thousand horses, you want to keep it exciting and keep it, so you maintain not only professionalism but an ongoing interest in learning.

I also have a way of working with a horse, with calmness, confidence and humour. If a horse goes to bite me or kick me or do aggressive sorts of things, I'm more likely to laugh at them in a confident way so that they know I get them. I just let them know that I'm figuring them out, and I'm not leaving until I do. And that goes for timid horses too. I have a similar confidence and am happy for them to run around and do what they need to do.  Liberty stuff is also important in my consults. We have horses on leads with their owners way too much when trying to assess them, and I don't think that is appropriate. They need to be at liberty in a big enough space to express themselves and do and stand and behave the way they want. You're much more likely to see cool things at liberty. Then I might do some trimming, and I might work on their teeth, and I might do some stretches. I might show the owner what I think would be helpful with this side of their body, or that and what to watch for in their teeth, what to watch for in their feet, how to take a picture to send me in three months so that I can see what the horse looks like. So my sessions have a lot of owner education; I am a teacher with all of my clients, and I think most of them like that.

CP: What form of dentistry do you follow, and please tell us how this differs from ordinary dentistry?

TT: My equine dentistry would probably be best labelled as a natural balance type of dentistry. It's very biodynamic. It's a sculpture in progress. It is always approach and retreat with regards to working on dental balance, and so right off the bat, how it differs from conventional dentistry is that I need to see the horse move. I need to see him walk, trot, and turn, and I need to watch his posture. I need to watch him nibble something, and I need to see him look at me out of each eye. I also go through many manipulations and physical body exercises with their head and neck, and jaw as I'm working their teeth,

trying to work out restrictions, and working out TMJ habits that these horses get into.

Approaching teeth is a passion of mine. A lot of equine veterinarians don't enjoy doing feet or teeth, so I'm one of the weird ones, not the only one, but one of the weird ones. It requires some elbow grease, sweat, and tears, but it's the most satisfying for me. It's the most interesting and life-changing for horses, but of course, we are also always talking about diet and movement and friends alongside this. Regular dentistry usually involves taking your horse to have his teeth floated. Floating improves comfort with the chewing teeth in the horse's head so that their points are not poking their cheeks and tongue, and that's

definitely a worthwhile thing to do. So floating is one aspect of what I do, but before I do any of that, I balance the horse's front teeth because this is their 'rudder mechanism' up frontwhere the jaw goes, the horse goes, and the feet follow.

Foundational structures – feet and teeth - lead to postural compensatory type changes in the whole body, and so you need to recognise that and see how things are slanting and what the angles are like with their teeth and their feet. It's like a concert going on between the structures. It needs a marriage between my tools and my understanding. I look at how they move, make a change and watch them over a season or a year to see how it worked out. I then go back and look at the pictures and check we're going in the right direction. I'm always talking with the owner – "What do you notice? Tell me everything. Give me feedback because I need to know to keep learning".

Equine dentistry is a big subject, but that's a little bit of what it looks like.

CP: What changes would you like to see in the horse world amongst professionals?

TT: It's not within my power to change; I realised that probably about 15-20 years ago. It isn't personal, but what I did find out was that I needed to come at my colleagues and professionals in a different way. I need to increase the level of competence that horse owners demand, and that is done through education. What this means is empowering owners to ask intelligent questions, which will ultimately lead

towards an improved profession that considers a holistic perspective because these horses will keep coming back, and the owners will get more and more unhappy if the vets don't look at other approaches.

There will never be a shortage of horses that need competent help, so vets will always have a job. The only exception is vets focusing solely on vaccinations and treating colicky horses. My goal would be to put these vets out of business by educating people about diet, exercise, movement and having friends so that they're never going to need to see the vet because they are so darn healthy. They're not going to colic, and their immune systems are so robust they're not going to be coming down with every little bug that comes down the barn aisle.

CP: What changes would you like to see more horse owners making to the management of their horses?

TT: The changes I'd like to see empowered horse owners make involve space and habitat. After this, I would like to see changes to diet, how people show up for their horses, considerations around tack, and decisions around what kind of job a horse should have (and whether or not they should have a job at all), but these are secondary to the issue of space and habitat. We are headed towards legislation and laws that will prohibit keeping horses in less than half an acre per horse or that will require a track system. I want to see horses have the ability, should they desire to employ it, to run at full gallop without having to come to a screeching halt within three strides. Of course,

horses can gallop in a 40-foot round pen, but only for two strides, and that's inappropriate. The nature of the horse demands that they have space and friends with them to be healthy. That's not debatable; that's not negotiable. We can demonstrate using as much science as you would like (cortisol measures, stress hormone measurements, health parameters) that what is more humane and more healthy promotes better welfare and ultimately is essential to promote human welfare because humans who are not taking proper care of their animals have a myriad of psychological and physical issues that show up in their life. So, it is about the animals, and it's also about us. So as we continue promoting the welfare through space and habitat and having herd dynamics around horse management,

everybody is going to win. That's how you save the world through horses.

CP: You have worked in and seen many different environments across the world. In your experience, which environment yields the healthiest horse population, and what can horse owners in less-than-ideal situations do to mimic those environments?

TT: So the healthiest horses in the healthiest environments are high desert horses, and the palaeontologists will agree with me. Look at the steppes of Mongolia, the Sahara in Africa, the zebra in the Serengeti, the southwestern mustang or the wild ass in China; you will see

Zebra in the Serengeti

how healthy these horses living in desert areas, sparsely populated with forage really are. In other words, these environments demand movement to find your calories and demand vigilance for predators because these equids are out there in front of God, and everybody is trying to find a bite to eat. But you're fast enough and/ or camouflaged enough and/or adept enough on your solid hooves with swiftness to easily outlast pressure from predation.

The challenges you have in wet or green environments where the calories just drip from the fences because the moss is growing there and the rain comes continuously is getting enough movement to burn those calories that seem to work their way by osmosis into the pores of the horse. These horses stay fat, insulin resistant, and laminitic because of stress from overnutrition or inappropriately balanced nutrition. Calories are not bad in themselves but combined with inactivity, domestication, and an inability or lack of need to move, you have a recipe for failure from the start.  You just need to respect where horses came from and understand that that's why they are shaped the way they are, so when you put them into a domesticated environment and expect them to be otherwise, there will be problems. They're still shaped exactly the same way they were 10,000 years ago, even 10 million years ago.

We have very little respect or understanding for this in a lot of these places, where we think that we are loving our horses or taking care of them, and we're not. What we're doing is not love and care.

Your horse wouldn't be in this environment unless you put them in it. Ultimately it's inappropriate for them, but you can still be successful even in these conditions. How do you do it? By helping them move, by providing reasons to move, with food and water and minerals and fencing and helping the terrain be less muddy, like getting some rocks and putting them down in a strip so that they can get some good action with their feet. Interestingly, I have totally self-trimming horses in the wet Pacific Northwest and Europe because you bring in enough gravel and provide the movement over it, and their feet trim themselves. As another example, if you put that water trough through a circuitous track system half a mile from where you feed the horse, that will be wonderful. The horse has to walk half a mile, and he'll love it, and you will be rewarded for that in so many ways. So change your perspective and ideas around what love looks like in these environments.

CP: What do you get up to these days outside of normal veterinary work?

TT: Besides normal veterinary work, or in my case, holistic conventionally abnormal veterinary work, I make a conscious choice to be home with the

kids. I spend summers in Hungary with Csenge's family so the kids can get to know their grandparents and greatgrandparents and the culture there; they're already bilingual.

I did write the book, but that was before the last three babies were born, so I haven't had time to write the next book or two, which I would like to. I have ideas to write a holistic veterinary text on my approach to hoofcare and dentistry with more specifics. There's a lot of that inside 'Insight to Equus' but not to the level of specificity with the pictures that would be more of a teaching tool, and so I'd like to do that; it's on my horizon.

I still get to ride my horses to go and check on the other horses. My family ranch here is 5000 acres in the high desert, and you need that kind of

space because to keep one horse fed out here on this desert landscape per year takes about 50 acres. In Florida, you could probably put four or five horses on a single acre and produce enough forage for them for a year. There's a big difference there in how my world looks. So when I go out to check horses, it's so rough and vast that it's best to ride a horse.

I also like to garden, grow trees, and water things because I've lived in the desert my whole life, and if you don't provide water to things, they die, so I have a keen sense of moving water around and conserving it, placing it and being strategic with it to survive.

CP: You have contributed so much to the horse world with regard to research and education, which the

natural hoofcare providers, as well as many horse owners, greatly appreciate. What can we expect to see from you in the future?

TT: I mentioned previously the books I plan to write in future about dentistry, hoofcare and holistic care, and I'm open to feedback on what would be most helpful for horse owners to continue that education and empowerment in the hopes that they might ask the most intelligent, thoughtful, non-egoic questions possible. What questions can people ask their trimmer, farrier, bodyworker or veterinarian, trainer or barn manager? You find the next best thing by figuring out how to ask the right question.

You can ask the most intelligent questions when you have the most

focus, understanding and interest in what you are seeing. If something isn't on your radar, you can't ask a question about it. Once you see it and recognise it, you may not know exactly what is happening, but you can ask the questions. What is the relationship between the horse chewing in that direction and standing that way - why do they do that? Five years ago, I couldn't tell you exactly why, but every year since then, I've gotten closer and closer to understanding through physics and fascial studies,

postural studies and biodynamics. I can give you a lot better reasons to help you understand why that is and why it's important. Because if you don't do something to improve on what you are seeing, it will get worse. Nature doesn't care and isn't able to intervene in this case because that horse is food for the cave lion or the sabre-tooth tiger. That's nature's idea of what to do with that horse that's getting that off balance, and it's not personal.

We claim to be in love with our horse, but what do we do with him? We corral him, we bit him and shoe him, we confine him, and we jump on his back without caring whether there should be some considerations made beforehand. Where's the partnership in that? Where's the love in that? That's not love; that's owner and slave. So, future stuff for me would be to find the words to educate around that and why it's important. We are an egoic enough species that we need to devise ways that point out why it's important for us humans to pay attention to this

because our welfare is also at stake.

CP: What do you expect to see in the future of the general horse population? Do you see holistic management and veterinary care increasing?

TT: There are improvements in the general horse population and general horse management issues worldwide. Our natural hoofcare movement has a life of its own now, and the number of people interested in having their horses trimmed has outpaced the supply, and that's great. I would rather have it that way than the other way around at this point because it just keeps pushing our level of competence and focus and passion, and willingness to share and get the word out that this is more than just a passing fad or fashion or hobby; you can make a good living working with horses and helping people learn how to respect their nature so that their horses and they can be happier, so I definitely see positive changes happening in the general horse population in the world.

To purchase Dr Teskey's book, please visit www.insighttoequus.com. It is also available online with added bonus information and videos.

With a pedigree that stretches back to the 19th century, the famous horses and people who have been a part of creating this legacy have left an energy that every visitor to this space encounters.

Experience the magic of Hartford House and Summerhill Equestrian

At the heart of the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal Midlands framed by the iconic Drakensberg mountains lies Hartford House, a boutique 5-star country hotel with a rich equestrian history that exudes luxury, sophistication, and a touch of magic. From the moment you step onto the estate, you are enveloped by the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding countryside and the warmth of the Hartford House welcome. But Hartford House is more than just a hotel. It’s a lifestyle. One that celebrates the finer things in life while still retaining a sense of fun and adventure. Whether you’re looking to host a conference or wedding, or simply indulge in a world-class dining experience, Hartford House has you covered. Their historic surrounds, great style, and unique ambience make it the perfect romantic hideaway, while their commitment to excellence ensures that every event, from conferences to parties, is a resounding success.

And then there’s the food. Led by Executive Chef Keegan Lock, Hartford House’s kitchen team effortlessly composes top-quality gastronomy, using only the freshest and most sustainable local ingredients. From traditional dishes to multicultural twists, every meal is a culinary adventure that will leave you wanting more. Living in one of the planet’s great pantries, a world of rich soils, wonderful climate and bountiful harvests, we will happily meet your needs with our expertise and love for food. Canapés in front of the cozy fireplace, stylish dining where royalty previously dined, or a world class high tea; everything is possible.

But perhaps the most magical aspect of Hartford House is the passion that permeates everything they do. Whether you’re taking a hot air balloon ride over the Midlands or simply exploring the surrounding countryside in “a perfect meander of country style, art and flare”, there’s always something new and exciting to discover.

But, we can’t talk about Hartford House without mentioning its heart and reason for being - Summerhill Equestrian, where equestrian dreams are born and made.

SUMMERHILL EQUESTRIAN

Summerhill Equestrian is a world-class facility that offers the best in Thoroughbred and Warmblood livery options and services. With its enormous acreage and dedication to providing the best possible care for horses, Summerhill Equestrian is the perfect place for equestrian enthusiasts to visit or even raise their own horses.

At Summerhill, they believe that there is no better upbringing for a young horse than in the great outdoors, where horses have the opportunity to move and interact with other horses. With the mineral rich soils, and specially planted pastures every physical and nutritional requirement is met. Then, the careful handling and steady introductions to the demands of domesticated life, provided by the professional team, ensure that your horse develops to his fullest potential. With livery rates starting at just R4100/ month, your horse receives the best possible care and attention, at a very reasonable cost.

Following in the footsteps of the horsemen and women who have gone before, we’re dreaming, planning, working and doing everything in our power to discover, nurture and train the perfect horse.

Nothing puts our mind more at ease than knowing our horses have the best care and are living in paradise. An added bonus for us is being able to visit them and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and wonderful hotel.

-

Joanne Van Achterbergh

I couldn’t be happier with the standard of care my horses receive and the outstanding facilities offered at Summerhill Equestrian. It feels like a home away from home when I visit.Kelly O’Connor, Grand Prix South African showjumper.

The driving force in my life is my horses. I am obsessive about their care and believe nobody can do it to my standard. This being said - my most special horse ever, that made me as a rider (Fountain of Love) and my most precious foals have been liveried at Summerhill for over two years. Capital Levubu also attends Summerhill for his breeding duties. I am content and confident that the care they receive and the superior environment at Summerhill is the best gift I can give them. From their start in life, breeding seasons and their well-deserved retirements - Summerhill is the only option. It also doesn’t hurt that there is a fabulous hotel and restaurant in an idyllic setting to accommodate my family when we visit our horses - Bronwyn Dos Santos, Grand Prix South African showjumper.

come explore all that Hartford House and Summerhill Equestrian have to offer, and discover why they truly are one of a kind.

FINAL WORDS

The true uniqueness of this venue shines throughout all elements of this incredible property. This venue will take your breath away from the moment you arrive through the gates; it’s full of surprises and just a little magic!

To find out more about livery options at Summerhill Equestrian contact +27 76 519 5308

Nathan Arnold and Katie Duxbury

OUR INTERNATIONAL SHOWING JUDGES

HQ was fortunate enough to have a quick chat with the International Judges for Horse of the Year 2023, Nathan Arnold and Katie Duxbury.

HQ: How was your experience with our South African Horse of the Year?

Nathan: This was our first time visiting South Africa, so being invited to judge was quite an honour. We found the people to be incredibly friendly and welcoming. They were

asking questions about how they could improve, which is always a good sign. The one thing that stood out above all was that all the competitors cheered on their fellow competitors which doesn't really happen back in the UK.  Katie: I was really impressed with the organisation of the show. It was a very well-run show. The stewards helping us in the ring were out of this world. They had the ring running ship-shape. That was quite refreshing. I agree with Nathan – the competitors were a pleasure to judge. They took on

every bit of advice that we gave them. They were kind to each other and really supportive. So overall, our experience of the South African Horse of the Year show was a VERY good one.

HQ: Were there any real highlights of the show for you?

Katie: The highlight for me was the standard of the Supremes. The standard of the performances that the competitors pulled out was fantastic. It was great to see how some of them took on what we had said to them earlier in the week and came out and performed with that in mind during the Supremes. This was really, really nice for us to see. It was a tough Supreme. I think all competitors deserved to be there and we really enjoyed judging that. Obviously, we got a fantastic Supreme Champion, but for us to then find out that both our ridden and in-hand Supreme winners were SA Boerperds, a local South African breed, was a real shock but also a highlight for us.

HQ: How do you find the standard of showing here compared to the UK?

Katie: The standard of the competitors was really good. Some of those horses would have held their own at home in the UK, and some of the combinations we looked at could well have been from the UK with the way they were turned out! The standard of turn-out and attire could really have come from back home. There were six or seven horses from the show that we would take home to the UK and know that we could compete with at the top level.

Nathan: Riding-wise, the competitors know exactly what to do. The riding skills are fantastic. To be totally honest, the one thing they lack is how to stand the horse up properly and present it in the best way in front of a judge for conformation. This would easily be remedied with a couple of clinics!

HQ: You obviously enjoyed the SA Boerperds. What was it about the breed that particularly caught your eye?

Katie: The SA Boerperds were so much better than we expected them to be from the descriptions we had heard earlier in the week. People told us the name meant 'farm horse', and we were a bit worried about what we might see, but the quality of the breed is unbelievable. The two Supreme Champions (in-hand and ridden) are absolute quality animals and would have held their own in the UK.

The stallion was out of this world, and the Ridden Supreme winner would have been a Horse of the Year Winner back home in the UK. We would love to take him home!

We also really loved the temperament. Of course, the grey stallion became a little upset during the prize giving, but in the actual class, he was so quiet and so well-behaved. It was all kicking off around him, and he just remained totally calm.

Nathan: The stallion was really our winner as he walked into the ring. He caught our eye as he entered!

I'm really impressed that that is your local breed. I think if SA can keep breeding them to that standard, and we were to return in five years' time, we'd be ready to take some back!

HQ: Which class was your favourite to judge?

Nathan: Without a doubt, the groom handler class by an absolute country mile. It wasn't just that the groom handlers were keen to win; it was that the owners were 100% behind them and wanted them to win.

Katie: They were an absolute pleasure to judge. I've never seen so many people smiling. We didn't know what to expect, and when we saw that the number of spectators had almost quadrupled for that class, we realised it was a big thing. We really, really, really enjoyed that. Giving out the rosettes and prizes and seeing how grateful all the competitors were was incredible.

Nathan: And the standard of the turn-out – I've never seen such beautifully turned-out horses and plaited tails in all my life! We don't really see so many plaited tails in the UK – they are usually pulled, but these were stunning. To see some of the efforts the grooms had put into their own attire was also amazing.

Also – the grooms had a bit of swagger and a bit of banter about them. They were good fun!

Katie: That's definitely our best class.

Thank you, Katie and Nathan, for sharing so generously of your expertise and knowledge. It was a real privilege to host you here. You helped to make Horse of the Year 2023 a massive success. You are welcome back anytime!

IN PHOTOGRAPHS

THE HORSE OF THE YEAR

GROOM HANDLER OF THE YEAR 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY

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Junior rider profile

KIARA BURN

Kiara Burn is a name familiar to anyone who knows anything about South Africa's Open Junior riders! She is the current SA Junior 1.30m Championships title holder and holds this for the second time. Beyond this, she is an incredibly passionate equestrian who loves her horses above all else! Kiara kindly did a 'horseback' interview and gave us some insight into her background and what the year ahead holds!

HQ: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Kiara: I am 17 now and have been riding since a very young age, probably about four years old. My dad (Simon Burn) was a big rider, and we have horses on the property, so I have always had horses in my life. My dad and Simon Hendry would give my best friends and me little pony-riding lessons at home, and that was how it all started for me.

HQ: Did you have your own pony, and can you tell us a bit about your pony rider experiences?

Kiara: Yes, my very first pony was one we had living at the house; she was a little grey pony called 'Mimi', and she was

so sweet! There's not really much excitement to report from that time as the most complicated thing we did was 'round the worlds.'

After Mimi, we bought another little grey called Swan Prince. This was when I started to ride more and was getting into it. He gave me a bit of a scare because he would run away with me often. I actually wanted to stop riding for a while, and I was terrified to get back on him. We had to take a few steps back from there, and I started slowly on the lunge again, and I did get back into it. We took him to a little show with poles on the ground, and that was just so much fun. I went with my friend, and we even did a little pony dress-up competition. She had a black pony, so we painted white spots on him and black spots on my grey pony. That was a good experience for me!

HQ: It seems like a lot of riders have had an 'I don't want to do this' moment in ponies! How did things progress from there?

Kiara: I really didn't want to carry on, but my dad was pretty persistent! I had a few ponies before I moved on to Juniors. I started riding at Sun Valley Stable - that was my first riding

TEXT: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY

school. I rode a pony there called Scandal, who was an interesting character… Quite forward and liked to run away! But I also had one at home called Zanzibar, and he was just the sweetest thing; I loved him to bits. So, I continued with my riding there, and a few years later, I moved to Kincardine with my last pony, Precious Penny, and from there, I transitioned to horses.

We tried a horse, and I loved him, so we brought him home and started having lessons with him, but that didn't work out. I would fall off him basically every lesson, but I just loved him. He was so cuddly… but it just didn't work out when I rode him!

Then, I was going to go to Youth Champs in 2018 in PE, and my dad wanted me to take another horse with me so I could have the experience and opportunity of having two there. So, I went to ride a horse at Bronwyn Meredith Dos Santos a few months before then, and I was just supposed to ride him at Champs… but four years later, he is still sitting in my stable, 'On Fire'. He was my first real competitive horse, and he's still with me today and has taken me to the 1.35s!

HQ: Tell us about some of the horses you will be riding/ competing this year?

Kiara: I have a lot I can say about On Fire! It didn't start off

difficult to get used! We went up to the 1.10s, and that didn't work out, so we went back down to the 1ms, and once we started to trust each other, it improved from there, and I did my first 1.20m at the beginning of 2021. It was actually during COVID, and I was so lucky to have my horses at home, and riding was all I could do, so I think that really got us working together well; I became more consistent riding him, and he learnt to trust me!

I also jumped Lindor in the 1.20s at the same show. He is a horse that my dad bought off the Callaho Auction that he was producing with Simon Hendry. I started riding him in 2020, and I actually had a bad fall with Lindor at the beginning of 2021, but didn't realise how bad I was until a few months later when the pain in my back was still there and it turned out I had fractured a vertebra!

I had to take a couple of months off riding but came back and jumped my first 1.30ms at the end of 2021. So, we took them to Cape Town (Youth Champs) and On Fire won the (1.30m) Championship there, which was awesome!

Then, I also started riding my dad's other Callaho, which he got off the auction a few years back, Caspar. That has been quite a tricky one to navigate. He is a very different horse; it has taken a lot of time and hard work with him, but I think we are in a good spot now, as he won the 1.30m Champs at

HQ: Well done! Do you only do showjumping?

Kiara: I fell in love with showjumping, but when I did SANESA in the pony days, I did pretty much everything to figure out which discipline I really liked. My dad never

said so, but I think he was quite relieved that jumping was the one he enjoyed the most! It was also lucky for me as he happened to be in the process of bringing up two showjumpers in the back garden!

I also still enjoy equitation; it has another side that is still involved with jumping but also the discipline that comes with it.

HQ: And we hear that you've been successful with your equitation too?

Kiara: Equitation really has been great! I think I won quite a bit on Penny, too, in the Pony Rider Opens. Then I did equitation on Lindor too. We started at Intermediate to see how it would go, and he won it! So, we moved up to Opens and did Champs at Mistico (SA Youth Champs 2021). We came second individually and qualified for the Phillip Smith Memorial Trophy. Caspar and I competed in that last year. The jumping part went so well, even in the pouring rain, which was unpleasant! I ended up third, but it was such an amazing experience! I carried on in the Open Equitation last year. Lindor and I won quite a few qualifiers. We tried to qualify again at Champs last year (the top four from Champs qualify for the Phillip Smith), but unfortunately didn't do

such a great job, only coming 7th overall. But I was on the Gauteng Open team last year, and we won that, so that was some consolation!

HQ: What would you like to achieve in the long term?

Kiara: I want to get Lindor and Caspar to the 1.40ms sometime this year. Hopefully, sooner rather than later! I would love to jump Lindor in the Mini-Derby. I also just want to give it my all for the Junior titles, as it's my last year to go for them, so I am going to try my best. On a smaller scale but still exciting (and scary), I want to get Hermes, my little Callaho baby, to some shows soon.

HQ: Who coaches you, and what do you enjoy most about your lessons and stable yard experience?

Kiara: I ride at Kincardine with Joanne Van Achtenburg, but I also have Kelly Slater helping me with equitation and some flat work sessions, so she comes to our equitation shows, but jumping is Jo. I have been riding at Kincardine

for four years, going on five now. I love being there; Jo is just so helpful in any and every way that she can be. She goes above and beyond for her clients and puts the horse first. The lessons and competitions are always so enjoyable. It is a great environment in general! We go to shows, and we can joke and laugh, but then we all know that there is a time to be serious, but overall, it is fun. I had the opportunity to do a bit of travelling with Jo, going to Mistico and Shongweni, and she is always so happy to help and be there for us, and that is really great.

HQ: What does your training schedule look like with the horses?

Kiara: For Lindor and Caspar: Monday and Tuesday alternate between hill-work and flatwork with cavalletis. On Wednesday, I take them for a jump at Kincardine. Thursday, they go for a hack around the estate, and Friday is normally flatwork lessons with Kelly or equitation if an equitation competition is coming up. Then Saturday and Sunday alternate; one is a lunging day, and one is an off day (unless we are competing, of course!). And then with my Callaho baby, his schedule isn't completely set and is a little bit chaotic still. We try to do some work on Monday and Tuesday, a walk out on Wednesday and then Thursday/Friday is some work again.

look up to Charley Crockart as a rider. I think she is a great

Kiara, we wish you all the best, and we can't wait to see your name on the winners' posts!

1st show in the 2023 International Series of Dressage to be held at

Hollyberry Hall

17-19

227 Maple Road, Kyalami South Africa with Finnish FEI 4* judge

March 2023

Entries close on Wednesday 8th March

TIINA KARKKOLAINEN

Tiina Karkkolainen is an esteemed equestrian professional with vast coaching and judging experience internationally. She is known for her ability to bring out the best in human/horse athletic partnerships and to take them to the next level. She has judged at prestigious dressage and young horse events all over the world, and we look forward to benefitting from her expertise here in South Africa.

Education

FEI 4* Dressage Judge since 2011

FEI 4* Young Horse Judge since 2014

International Dressage O cials Club Member since 2009

National Dressage Judge since 1990

Responsibilities

Equestrian Federation of Finland Judges Educator 2011-2022

15 World Cups as a Judge

European Championship Ground Jury Member

Interests

• The influence of mind and body control in dressage

• Psychology and its role in dressage

• Pilates and its benefits for the dressage rider

tiina@karkkolainen.fi

Vihti, Finland

Mrs. Tiina Karkkolainen

The power of the feminine

TEXT: ISABEL WOLF-GILLESPIE PHOTOGRAPHY: TRACY ROBERTSON PHOTOGRAPHY, THE PORTRAIT POET, LOVE LIMPOPO, FILM AND FIESTA PHOTOGRAPHY

WOMEN EMPOWERED BY HORSES

Women have fought to achieve equal rights in many parts of Africa. In some countries, women are still not equal in the eyes of the law. Even where they are legally equal to men, it is common for decisions to be made by male heads of households or local chiefs and leaders.

The first lawful votes for women in the UK were held in 1918, and a further 57 years elapsed before the sexual discrimination act (1975) very few African countries have been independent for more than 60 years, it is unsurprising that women's legal and cultural status lags behind countries like the UK. Equality needs time. It also requires a focus on education, as well as community upliftment projects and awareness campaigning.

Often the roles of men and women differ; traditionally, women look after the homestead, while men find jobs outside the home. The care of children, the sick or the elderly is generally viewed as the responsibility of women. With poor access to childcare facilities or health and support services in many regions, caring for family members can take up much of a woman's time. Women frequently have a high amount of work, such as gathering firewood or tending family fields. Household chores can be a huge burden, limiting women's ability to take on paid employment. In reality, women who undertake paid work often experience a wage gap between their earnings and those of men. With jobs mostly entailing the same work, this gap can only be attributed to gender discrimination. In certain sectors, women also face barriers to joining trade unions or doing business as self-employed individuals.

Though many governments in Africa, including South Africa and Botswana, where I live, are committed to providing equal education for girls, girls are more likely to drop out of school than boys or won't be given a chance even to attend school; however, providing girls with a good education is vital for a country's development. When women are equipped with learning and can share decisions about families and livelihoods, the productivity and health of a society rises.

EQUINE-FACILITATED IINTERVENTIONS

The value of equine-facilitated interventions within a rural African context working primarily with girls and women is enormous, especially the effects of the observation and reflection on the dynamics of a naturally living horse herd. In rural Africa, equines are part of life; they are not an item or a recreational hobby. The community relies on the equine to assist in their daily life, but traditionally, the men are tasked with livestock duties. The women and girls have little to no interaction with the equines they live with and rely on to exist. This often causes a disconnect - a non-engaging distance between women/ girls and the equines. A facilitated interactive experience which brings the equine into a relatable, sentient context is nothing short of an eye-opener.

ISABEL WOLF-GILLESPIE , as the founder and operator of In the Company of Horses and Earth Awareness Consulting, is bringing together the human development capacity of horses with coaching, leadership development and environmental education. With a postgraduate honours degree in Leadership Development and a master’s degree in management coaching which were both obtained from Stellenbosch University, she combines a sound theoretical foundation with her years of experience in horsemanship, holistic horse care, facilitation, and people development.

For more information about her work or direct enquiries about coaching and workshops, please contact her on: info@inthecompanyofhorses.co.za or isabel@earthawareness.co.za or visit www.inthecompanyofhorses.co.za and www.earthawareness.co.za

HERD DYNAMICS

A complete, natural herd of horses consists of varying numbers of mares, stallions and youngsters of different ages living together harmoniously. In my opinion and experience, when speaking of a complete natural herd, all the basic needs of horses are met. These comprise food and water, companionship, safety and shelter (for example, trees), and freedom and space for movement. Horses are always acutely aware of themselves, each other and their environment. Based on this awareness,

they decide to remain in a fully regulated, homeostatic state if allowed to live a natural, non-restricted, non-conventional life. Not to say that they do not experience fright or other forms of stress, but their regulatory system is impeccable in getting them back into the feeling of safety and security (with themselves, each other and the environment).

The naturally living family herd offers a glimpse into the life of a family, and whether the family is two or four-legged becomes very soon irrelevant. The human participants observe interactions

between horse family members, recognising and resonating with the observed behaviour. Some participants gasp in astonishment: "This is just like at home with my children!" or "My mother is just like that horse over there!" The one aspect that often causes complete surprise and disbelief is when the women realise that a horse herd is led by a lead mare and not as expected by the forceful, strong male. The lead mare is responsible for the herd's overall well-being, health and safety, taking on the mother's role and responsibility

not only for her own offspring but also for the entire herd. To equestrians or experienced horsewomen, this is nothing new, but even these individuals can enter a process of reflection and questioning of their own lives when faced with these observations. It is almost as if suddenly, the power and value of the feminine are recognised, acknowledged, appreciated, and seen with new found respect. This realisation in itself opens up conversations surrounding emotions of inequality, suppression and fear, discrimination and a low sense of self-

worth. At the same time, the horse herd and behaviours within their herd represent a "mirror" like no other for the woman to learn how to respond to these new-found realities and apply them to their day-to-day life.

In the Tao of Equus[2], the author Linda Kohanov shares that equine society works loosely on the basis of what could be called a pecking order but that it's not as strict or predictable as most people believe. What is more interesting and where human society, in particular the women and girls referred to in this article, can learn from is the manner in which the pecking order and, therefore, the identity of the herd's lead mare is established. Is it through force and dominance? Is it by birthright i.e. the one born to a leader is naturally going to be a leader? Is it established through gender differences? These questions are raised with the task of observing the horse herd once more, looking for body language and possibly verbal clues that would enable an assessment of the individual horses' ranks and statuses.

A lead mare establishes her place by pushing just enough, but not too much, at the right time, consistently and with love and respect for those she asks to follow her. Lao-Tzu's leadership model[3] is an unobtrusive, nurturing "less is more" philosophy that forms alliances and not dictatorships and is a philosophy fitting the way of the horse. And as it seems, humans too… The realisation that, in fact, women are leaders ignites an inner light too bright for words.

IN SUMMARY

Women's contribution to society was limited and controlled by men throughout history and to this day, but in more recent years, women have begun to stand tall. Women's Rights Movements such as #metoo have gripped the

world, uniting and empowering women across the globe. Most of this can be attributed to equal access to education and a greater knowledge of rights. It is almost fitting that the equine-facilitated field has had to fight for its rights just like the women it serves today. Equinefacilitated activities and/or therapy worldwide encourage women to believe in themselves and acknowledge the value they, and their feminine self, are playing in society. These women are happy to embrace a new set of challenges brought by such freedom. As each woman grows guided by a lead mare and horse family, the positive impact on their children, family, community, and society expands exponentially. A new approach. A new future. A better world…through the horses.

[1]  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ ukpga/1975/65

[2] The Tao of Equus –A Woman's Journey to Healing & Transformation through the Way of the Horse by Linda Kohanov

[3] Lao-Tzu – Model of Leadership

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PEACE AND PERFECTION IN SECURE ESTATE

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RL757

RL3537

A SPECTACULAR WORK OF ART

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The most amazing finishes and beau�ful chandeliers complement this double-volume entrance and set the tone for the masterpiece you are about to enter. The expansive kitchen is set in the heart of the home, with all rooms flowing into each other through stackable doors, making it an entertainer's dream. The beau�ful formal lounge leads into a heated indoor swimming pool and a whole wing of a covered entertainment pa�o, making it ideal for all occasions. You also have a state-of-the-art cinema room, a feature bar and a family lounge with a stunning fireplace. To top it all off there is also a games room and 3 spacious bedrooms that are all en-suite, which have garden access.

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A TRUE MASTERPIECE

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The architecture of this magnificent home boasts a modern sophis�cated African design, making it extremely unique, with privacy and peacefulness of its surroundings. The gourmet kitchen is a chef’s delight, and high ceilings and sliding doors bring in the most incredible natural light complimen�ng the house and accentua�ng the beau�ful wooden flooring.

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LIKE WHAT YOU SEE…?

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HQ GOES SHOWING  WITH AMELIA

With the new year, it seems that quite a few people are branching out and trying new things with their horses, so we decided to give it a go too. We also hope that by providing some insight into the various disciplines on offer in South Africa, you will consider giving them a go too. After all, as George Morris said, “It’s always good horsemanship to experience other disciplines first-hand.” So, with Horse of the Year (HOYS) being such an inclusive and diverse event, we decided to try our hand at showing there.

THE STARTING POINT

The first decision to be made was clearly which classes to enter. In order to give a more comprehensive assessment of the discipline, we decided to give both in-hand and ridden classes a go. ‘Rico’ was entered in the SA Warmblood Gelding In-Hand, as it has been said that he is very pretty, and Geloven BB in the SA Warmblood Stallions Over Five-Years-Old Class. Although both these horses are imported, they qualify for the SA Warmblood classes as they were recorded on entry into South Africa and when inspected (for mares and stallions).

For the ridden classes, we entered the SA Warmblood Working Hunter A.K.A. Potential Derby Horse Class with

Rico. This class is held in the Bob Charter over 1m derby fences, which sounded fun, and who wouldn’t jump (pun intended) at the opportunity to try out some derby fences in the Bob?

Despite the incredible number of classes offered at HOYS, the entry system through the Kyalami Equestrian Park (KEP) website was simple and easy, and the follow-up from KEP and the SA Warmblood Society was superb. The entries were also affordable, and you do not have to be registered with SA Showing Association (SASA) to compete in certain breed classes. Still, if you do wish to enter a SASA class, they offer a temporary membership for only R100.00.

THE PREPARATION

A week before the show, the nerves kicked in… Thankfully, SA Showing has a very helpful handbook, as well as some educational videos on their website (https://showingsa. co.za/), and where confusion persisted the SA Warmblood Society was on hand to answer all our questions.

When it comes to showjumping preparation, most horses normally have a bath the day before, tack is set out and off they go. Showing preparation takes a bit more time… After their baths, the boys came to the cross ties to have

the bridle passes and manes clipped, a healthy dose of SMART Mane and Tail sprayed over them, their full tails plaited to keep clean, and the trusty baby powder applied to the stable boots of any white legs. Due to rain delays, the Reonet Grand Prix Show and HOYS now overlapped at Kyalami Park, and as both horses are showjumpers by profession, a very complicated series of tack changes ensued to make both shows a success. Little sleep followed...

SHOW DAY

We were all up at the crack of dawn on Friday preparing for the in-hand classes. A good brush, sewn mane and tail plaits and of course the quarter markers. (Handy tip: different classes recommend different quarter marker styles, so be sure to check out which are best suited to the class you have entered.)

With that all done, we headed to the show for the first class, ‘Geldings In-Hand’. In the in-hand classes, all participants enter the arena together and walk around following each other. The ‘queue’ of horses is then held up, and horses are asked to trot a length of the arena individually. Once everyone has done this, competitors are lined up and called forward for individual conformation assessments. You then walk away from the judge, trot back and past the judge, and then rejoin the line-up. The judge/s then deliberate and call forward the prize winners. We proudly took Reserve Champion Gelding, while the Champion Gelding wet to Ambeck Royale, who proceeded to the Supremes on Sunday.

NOTE

We cannot recommend this class highly enough! It is a super opportunity to have an outing not only in the Bob Charter which is a unique and intimidating arena but also to practice some smaller more welcoming derby fences. It is a fantastic introduction for any horse that you wish to compete in a derby someday, and even for your more experienced horses to have a fun outing too! It was wonderful to see a mix of showing experts and showjumpers in this class; the atmosphere was relaxed and fun, while the other competitors were exceptionally supportive, especially the showing competitors who so willingly provided us with tips and advice on what to do in the future to score those extra marks.

Geloven BB sported some rather fancy quarter markers when he went to do his class at Reonet.

Evidence that Amelia and Rico did indeed make it to Reonet.

And jumped very nicely!

HORSE AND RIDER

With much relief that the first class was over (without incident!), we headed home for a horse swap ahead of the next class, which proceeded in a similar fashion. Amazingly, Geloven BB won his class and then the Champion Warmblood Colt and Stallion Class and, therefore, qualified for ‘Breed Supreme’ on the Sunday. Overall, the class was far less stressful and strict than anticipated. The English judge and stewards, as well as our fellow competitors, were friendly, kind and incredibly helpful - a theme that flowed through our experience of showing over the whole weekend!  Our final class of the day was the Warmblood Potential Derby/Working Hunter. Any outing in the Bob Charter arena is always an experience, and this class was all it promised to be. The competitors enter individually, ideally at a canter and begin the course of derby-style fences.

These were set at 1m and included several rustic fences, a jump up the steps, down the small bank and the dyke. Having completed the track, the riders then need to show a gallop and return to halt and salute the judges in the middle of the arena. Once all competitors had completed this phase, the judges request that a few horses return to the arena for a conformational assessment. In this year’s case, the clear rounds were asked to return. Each horse was directed to come forward individually, stand under saddle for a conformational assessment, then walk away from the judges and trot back towards them. The judges then deliberated and announced prize winners. The Champion title went to showing superstars Shaneen Kryzna and Midgard Saphyr, and we came away with a third in this class!

HORSE AND RIDER

TOP TIPS

• Make sure your breeches have pockets that can hold LOTS of carrots.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions; people are super helpful!

• Showing offers a great opportunity to expose your young horses to the competition environment early.

• KPC is hosting several multidiscipline competitions throughout the year, and if we can manage competing in the Reonet Grand Prix and HOYS in the same weekend, you can manage it too.

• If you do not have a Warmblood but want to enter HOYS next year, you can enter the general breed classes (or the breed class appropriate to your horse). The classes run in similar formats, and all Champion winners go forward to the Breed Supremes.

with the top 10 Champion Mares. And yes, the experience was as exciting as you would expect it to be with so much hormone on display… As there are so many breed types in this class, The Supreme Champion is awarded to the horse most ideal to its breed. We finished up in the top 10 of Breed Supreme, and it certainly was an experience to remember!

involved in the preparation and turnout; invest that time in your horse - we can guarantee it will be worth every minute. In the words of Olympic medallist Kent Farrington, “to maximise the talent of your horse, you want a teammate, not a servant”, and you can’t become a team without getting to know each other! We trust and hope that your experience will be as fulfilling as ours.

Equestrian yoga

PART 2 FOR CORE STRENGTH

Welcome back! In last month’s issue, we looked at why yoga is important for equestrian sports and went through the first yoga pose in the series. This month, Aiden takes us through what core strength is and moves on to the next posture in the series— Warrior 1 Pose.

WHAT IS CORE STRENGTH?

“You’ve got to strengthen your core!”

This is one of the most frequent phrases in the sporting and fitness world. Sure, it sounds great and plausible, but what does it actually mean?

Many people assume the core is just an area deep inside their bodies, and if they do some sit-ups and leg raises, that’ll do the trick, but, it’s more challenging than that!

Let’s break down the core and find out what it is, what it is made of, and what it does:

• The core is the central part of your body: There are many intricate muscles in your

core, pulling this way and that, working in unison to stabilise your body and keep you balanced. The main muscles that comprise the core are your abdominal muscles, back muscles and the muscles around your pelvis. The psoas muscle runs from the base of our spine to the pelvis. This muscle is crucial for posture and plays a big role in keeping us upright.

• Core exercises train the muscles in your core to work in harmony: Having a strong core will lead to better balance and steadiness. Strengthening the muscles in your core allows them to work together, creating more stability and control in your movements which is crucial in any sport.

• Strong core muscles make it easier to do physical activities: Strengthening your core involves working the muscles around the core. You can achieve this by doing any exercise that uses the stomach and back muscles in a coordinated way.

TEXT: RHIANNON CECIL

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass… It’s about learning to

The most common core exercises include:

· Planks

· Sit-ups

· Bridges

· Fitness ball exercises

From the above, you can see that our core is the central part of our body and plays a vital role in everyday movement. In strengthening it, we gain more control over balance and are able to move more effectively from a solid foundation.

WARRIOR 1

Warrior 1 taps into our spiritual warrior, who bravely does battle with our universal enemy— self-ignorance.

Warrior 1, or Virabhadrasana 1 in Sanskrit, is one of the more common yoga poses, yet also one of the most challenging. It requires you to push past perceived physical and mental limitations and is an opportunity to focus on and practice determination.

The benefit of the Warrior 1 pose is that it is truly a full-body experience. This pose stretches the calves and ankles, strengthens the quads and back, lengthens the psoas and stretches your upper body and arms. Other benefits of practising this pose include:

• Improved balance and posture.

• Boosted energy levels.

• The fact that it helps build confidence and feelings of empowerment over time.

Warrior 1 is also great to counteract the effects of prolonged sitting at your desk or doing computer work, and (you guessed it!) it strenghtens your core.

STEPS TO ACHIEVE WARRIOR 1 POSE

Make sure to use the warmup from the last issue before practising this pose.

1. Start in downward-facing dog - hands and feet should be placed firmly on the floor, with a bend at the waist to create a ‘V’ with your body.

2. Step your right foot forward so that your fingertips align with your toes, and move your foot closer to your hand to gain more balance.

3. Press your left heel to the floor so that your foot is at a 45-degree angle to the edge of the mat. Your feet should be in line with each other - place them wider apart for more balance.

4. Straighten your left knee.

5. Inhale and bring your torso upright at the waist and reach up with your arms keeping your palms facing together.

6. Your arms should be shoulder-width apart, with your shoulder blades pulled outward and downward towards your armpits.

7. Bring your hands together at the top and gaze up at your thumbs. Ensure your pelvis is lifted and pointing forwards.

8. Keep your shoulders down and away from your ears.

9. Hold the pose for 3-5 breaths, then lower your hands to the floor and step back into downward-facing dog.

10. Repeat using the other leg. This pose always feels great. You really feel it strengthening, lengthening, and opening you up. Start by doing three reps on each side. Once you have the hang of it, increase the intensity by holding the pose for ten breaths and increasing the reps slightly.

WARRIOR 1

lengthen up through the tip of the crown

reach through the fingertips

squeeze the glute of the back leg

draw navel towards spine

lift your pointy hip bones up

front knee stacked over front ankle press into the heel and the big toe of the back foot

BEGINNER TIPS

Great tips to decrease the difficulty of the pose include:

• If you are new to the pose or have lower back concerns, ease up on the bend in the front knee, it will make the pose less intense and also lessen the pressure in your lumbar region.

• To keep your front foot pointing forward, you may need to engage the muscles on the outside of your bent knee to draw the knee towards the side of your mat.

• If you are struggling to maintain your balance, you can create a stable base by moving your front foot out to the side. The wider your stance, the better your balance will be.

• Keeping your back heel grounded can be challenging at first; consider supporting the back heel with a weight underneath until you

are strong enough to hold the pose.

• If you are experiencing shoulder problems, consider moving your arms further away from the centre until you find a comfortable position. Alternatively, place your hands on your hips and maintain a forward gaze.

FINAL THOUGHTS

That concludes the second pose in our equestrian yoga for core strength series. We hope you have a clearer understanding of what the core is and can confidently add the Warrior 1 pose to your arsenal of strengthening exercises. Feel free to practice the Goddess Pose with this month’s pose to really target your core and strengthen your legs. In the next issue, we will look at the downward-facing dog pose in more detail to add more to your equestrian yoga toolbox. Happy riding!

Groundwork

PART 2

YIELD FORWARDS WITH AN INDIRECT FEEL

Over the past few months, we’ve received an increasing number of questions about getting started with groundwork. Whilst we advise that an instructor helps you to get started, there are a few basics you can teach at home that ultimately form the foundation of all groundwork activities. Over the following few issues, we’ll look at these basic building blocks of your groundwork toolbox and help you to build a solid foundation for your in-hand work.

IMPORTANT

Make sure your horse is okay with you using a stick from the ground before you introduce this exercise. Some horses are very wary of a whip, usually because of a past experience, and in these instances using a stick on the ground is unsafe and should be avoided, until some work has been done with a behaviourist or experienced trainer to combat the issue.

In our last issue, we looked at moving forwards using a direct feel, and in this issue, we look again at moving forwards, but this time with an indirect feel.

YIELD FORWARDS WITH A DIRECT FEEL

Our previous exercise asked the horse to move forwards towards you. In this exercise, you’ll be using a more familiar technique to ask for forwards. This technique is particularly good for retraining those horses who plant their feet and refuse to move when leading. It is also a key element required when training a horse to go into the horsebox.

EQUIPMENT

• A halter and long lead rope

• Gloves

• A helmet

• A longer stick e.g. a dressage stick

HOW TO DO THE EXERCISE

• Start by standing facing forwards at your horse’s shoulder. You can start on the near side to begin with.

• Place your rope in your left hand with your arm across your body. Your stick should be in your right hand.

• Lift your energy and focus your belly button forwards on where you want to go.

• Extend your left arm forwards in front of you and point your finger forwards so your horse can see it, but the rope is not exerting feel on the halter. This is the cue you want your horse to follow ultimately.

• If the horse doesn’t move, extend your lead rope forwards, so he feels the halter on the back of his head and underneath his jaw.

• If he doesn’t follow the feel on the halter, you can reach backwards with your stick and lightly tap on the side of his hindquarter to invite him to follow your suggestion and move forwards.

DID YOU KNOW?

When a foal is born, his mother encourages him to stand up and moves him in front of her by nipping him on the rump or root of his tail. This is a little bit like you are doing in this exercise when you encourage him forwards, using the stick lightly on his hindquarter.

• Return your left arm and right hand to the neutral position as soon as your horse starts to move.

• Only step forwards with your horse when he steps forwards.

• Practise the exercise with you on both the near and far sides.

POINTS TO NOTE

• You want your horse to learn to follow the lightest cue, so make sure you always offer the lightest cue before putting pressure on the halter or tapping him on his hindquarter.

• If you try to pull your horse forwards, he is more likely to plant his feet or go backwards.

• Keep your energy projecting forwards, and try not to look back at your horse all the time. Instead, learn to feel what he is doing.

• Reward the slightest try from the horse and gradually build up the number of steps you ask for.

• Over time you should be able to get a response with less and less pressure.

TROUBLESHOOTING

• If your horse does not move, continue to tap lightly but rhythmically on his hindquarter while giving him the cue to step forwards. Do not tap harder, and certainly do not become frustrated – show patience and reward the effort with the release of the pressure when he moves forward.

• If your horse walks a few steps and then stops, simply repeat the process again.

• If your horse walks forwards but drifts across your path, bring your stick forward in front of you to block him from coming into your space.

ULTIMATE GOALS

Ideally, you want to be able to do this exercise at trot. The ultimate goal is, therefore, to reach a stage at which your horse trots when you ‘trot’, without the use of the halter or stick.

NEXT TIME

In our next edition, we will look at asking your horse to back up using a direct feel.

SA BOERPERD

AN INDIGENOUS HORSE THAT BELONGS IN THE SHOW ARENA

The SA Boerperd’s history with Horse of the Year (HOY) at Kyalami Equestrian Park, goes back 25 years. This year, this breed was the best represented breed at HOY, where 16 other horse breeds or class groupings competed to qualify for the Supreme Championships.

International SASA judge, Kirsty Kelynack was appointed to judge the SA Boerperde on Saturday, 25th February 2023. As judge, she was extremely impressed with their movement, and astonished at the continuous progress within the breed. She was also pleasantly surprised at how the horses were prepared, as well as how they were presented in the showing arena.

The SA Boerperde won three Supreme Champions, and got one 4th placing in Sunday’s Supreme Championships. These Championships were judged by Kirsty Kelynack along with two judges from the UK, Katie Duxberry, and Nathan Arnold. The English judges were blown away by the quality of the SA Boerperde. This is a fantastic achievement for the breed and the breeders of this indigenous breed.

TEXT: PETRO GROVÉ

TEXT: PETRO GROVÉ PHOTOGRAPHY: DENFORD STUDIOS

Supreme Champion Ridden Horse: Paardekop Voorspoed: ridden by JJ Kemp, owned Therese Scheepers;

Supreme Champion Stallion In-Hand: Carel-Hancke Roebyn: exhibited by Linda Meintjes, owned by Carel Meintjes;

Supreme Champion Single Harness Horse:

4th placing Supreme Champion Working Riding Horse: Rymaar Avontuur, ridden and

With the SA Boerperde celebrating the 50th anniversary of the breed this year, these outstanding results serve to emphasise that the future of this special breed has never looked brighter.

Rooigras Royal Ribbon, driven by Jan Kock, owned by Jan Joubert;

owned by Erin Robinson.

TRANSITIONING YOUR OTTB

TO A MORE NATURAL LIFE

Thoroughbreds are notorious for having hoof issues, requiring stables, blankets and plenty of concentrates to maintain their condition. But is this really the way it has to be?

BACKGROUND

It is important to understand the lifestyle your newly purchased Thoroughbred has lived up until the point that he became yours. As a foal, he may have had a fair upbringing, with many stud farms allowing the mares and foals to live outdoors in herds. This is very much conducive to raising a healthy and robust young horse. Having said that, the foals are often separated from their mothers at six months of age which, according to studies, is not optimal for growing healthy youngstock. Extended breastfeeding in human babies has been linked to better brain development and more robust immune systems, so it makes sense that this should follow through in other species. When the foals are separated from their mothers, they are usually put in a herd of other youngstock, void of older parental figures, which can make the weaning process even more difficult.

TEXT: CHRISTINE PINNA

O T T B

Then, because the youngstock are required to grow as quickly as possible, they are often fed unnecessarily high amounts of sugary concentrates. This, unfortunately, can have a negative effect on the horse's stomach, hooves and immune system, resulting in stomach ulcers, poor hoof quality and ill health. Hoof care is also often neglected, with few youngstock being kept on a regular 4-6 week trimming cycle. This trimming cycle should actually start from birth with regular monitoring and small adjustments as necessary, rather than the standard 'wait until six months of age before beginning to trim'. Unless the horse's environment is quite hard and rocky with vast expanses of land, more often than not, the youngstock's feet are in trouble if they are not trimmed from very young.

Youngstock can be sold at varying ages, with some being bought as yearlings and backed as early as 18 months in preparation for two-year-old races. For some horses, the trainer's goal is for the horse only to win two-year-old races, so they are not expected to be sound for years to come. Of course, some of these horses will defeat the odds and still be available for purchase as riding horses after their racing career has ended but possibly not without some physical problems due to early backing and hard riding.

Whether the horse you recently bought off the track is a young horse or an older horse, there are a few things you can do to help them settle into a more natural lifestyle.

NOTE

I'm sure there are stud farms that do things differently from what is described here, but they sadly appear to be few and far between.

STABLING

While these horses can be creatures of habit, most of them take to living out like a duck to water and really appreciate the space to move around. After all, they are designed to run and seem to appreciate the opportunity to stretch their legs as and when needed, making them more pleasant to handle and ride without all the pent-up energy. According to a recent study, stabling has also been linked to compromised immune systems, so avoiding the stable seems to have more than just psychological and obvious physical benefits.  It is most ideal to offer your new Thoroughbred free access to shelter should you choose to let him live out. Blankets may be necessary for the first winter or so, but after that, they may not be necessary once the horse grows in a full winter coat, provided he has access to ad-lib quality hay and good shelter.

COMPANIONSHIP

As we know, all horses are herd animals. I have observed that more than naturally raised and kept horses, Thoroughbreds tend to be particularly herd bound and can become quite frantic when left on their own, perhaps as a trauma response to being removed from their mothers at a young age. Offering your new horse a companion or even more than one companion can substantially help them adjust to their new life.

O T T B

DIET

Transitioning onto a low-sugar feed with plenty of roughage will pay off greatly down the line. Your new horse may drop a bit of condition in the first few months as his stomach adjusts to a less acidic and sugary diet. A good pre and pro-biotic can assist with this. It is always recommended to consult with a nutritionist when changing your horse's feed. Testing your grazing and hay and formulating a custom mineral mix is ideal.

HEALTH

Ulcers are prevalent amongst racehorses due to their very high concentrate diet, with often very little or even no roughage in their diet. Treating your horse for ulcers may be necessary when they come off the racetrack and can be healed with mainstream medicine or herbal alternatives. Your horse's immune system may also be compromised, so using immune-system-supporting products is probably a good idea, especially if you are in a high African Horse Sickness zone.

BODY

While some trainers believe that racehorses should continue working as soon as they come off the track, this is not something I recommend, and it has certainly not worked out well for the few OTTBs I've tried this with in the past. Many Thoroughbreds suffer from back and general body pain from the lifestyles they live, the acidic diets they typically consume, as well as being backed and ridden hard from far too young. Considering that the growth plates of the

horse's back only fuse at about 5.5 years of age or later, it is understandable that any significant amount of ridden work before this age could be damaging. It is recommended that pre-purchase x-rays are taken to rule out kissing spine, as this is common amongst Thoroughbreds. It is also a good idea to x-ray your horse's neck to rule out ECVM (Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation) due to the substantial number of Thoroughbred horses affected by the condition and the functional problems it can cause. Should you decide to rest your horse after you bring him home, the amount of rest your new horse will need is variable. During this time, one could look into groundwork and liberty exercises which are not only fun and good for the horse's body, but also great for bonding with your new horse. I would also recommend that your horse has a few treatments with a reputable chiropractor, physiotherapist and equine bodyworker to get on top of any possible issues.

While giving your horse this time off may be difficult, it should only be a small portion of your time together and will pay off in the long run. Horses that are pushed too hard from a young age may breakdown at some point, forcing the owner to rest the horse anyway, possibly inconveniently in the middle of the competition season, or perhaps the horse may even need to be retired entirely. Consider this downtime as an investment and something that your horse deserves. Understand that he skipped his 'childhood' and was put into hard work instead. He needs time to heal, recalibrate and find himself again.

HOOVES

Many Thoroughbreds have flat, flared hooves from high-sugar diets, irregular hoofcare and shoeing without caudal support. High-low syndrome is also frequently seen and comes with its own set of issues. Thrush is common due to the amount of time spent in a stable that is not always meticulously cleaned out, and again sugary diets can contribute to thrush as well, much like Candida in humans.

If you want to transition your horse to barefoot, it is important that your horse's diet is supportive of this - requiring it to be low sugar and mineral balanced, which

can only be accurately determined by having the diet analysed and the roughage and concentrates tested. Hoof boots may be necessary in some instances. Also important is regular hoofcare at 4-5 week intervals. The horse coming out of shoes should be trimmed sympathetically, with very little material being removed from the frog and sole.

WRAPPING IT UP

In essence, taking on an OTTB requires patience and dedication, but as anyone who has ever owned a Thoroughbred can tell you – the wait and work are more than worth it.

RESOURCES

Nutritionist: Sheldene Horne –sheldenehorne@yahoo.com

Early-weaning study: https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC7070483/

Stabling and immune system study: https://www.horsetalk. co.nz/2022/08/18/stressfulnature-individually-stabling-horsesstudy/#:~:text=Moving%20horses%20 to%20individual%20stabling,in%20 the%20journal%20PLOS%20ONE. ECVM X-ray protocol: https:// thehorsesback.com/c6-xray/

FIBRE

FIBRE CAN CHANGE ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR

TEXT: HANNAH BOTHA, MSC

Stereotypic behaviours are actions that are repeated without any apparent or obvious purpose or function. These behaviours involve a need-related drive that develops if an environment has inadequate opportunities for satisfying the need the horse is trying to fill. Once established, these behaviours may become a need in and of themselves, and the animal repeats the sequence over and over to address this ‘need’.

CONCERNS ABOUT HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE

Sometimes termed a ‘vice’, stereotypic behaviour should instead be seen as a sign that something is not quite right rather than a defect of the horse’s personality. These behaviours often reflect poor welfare, such as inadequate living conditions or chronic stress.

Stereotypic behaviours performed occasionally might not affect the horse’s health or be of much concern. For example, chewing wood doesn’t necessarily mean a horse will ultimately become a cribber. However, if you notice that a previously infrequently performed behaviour has increased in frequency, you might need to look at ways to change that behaviour before it becomes a habit.  Stereotypic behaviours exhibited for long periods of time or very frequently can impair the horse’s soundness or his ability to perform as an equine athlete. For instance, weavers can develop physical side effects from their actions since they put increased stress on their leg joints through repetitive motion.

ABNORMAL OR STEREOTYPIC BEHAVIOURS CAN BE CLASSIFIED INTO THREE DISTINCT GROUPS:

1. Oral stereotypies - licking, chewing, tongue-rolling, crib-biting or wind-sucking.

2. Locomotor stereotypies - pawing, weaving, head-tossing, stall-walking or head-nodding.

3. Redirected behaviours - consuming bedding or coprophagy (the eating of manure).

Out of the three groups, research has shown that oral stereotypies have the highest prevalence, followed by redirected behaviour and, finally, locomotor stereotypies.

Windsucking, on the other hand, can cause stiffness of neck muscles and wearing of the incisors, and current research is looking into the possibility that it causes arthritis of the jaw. Colic and gastric ulceration are often associated with windsucking and crib biting. Still, at this stage, the reason behind this is largely not understood, although it is likely that the amount of time spent performing this behaviour equals a reduced time eating forage, which in itself is known to cause digestive issues. Alternatively, it could be the reverse scenario where cribbiting and wind-sucking occur due to abdominal discomfort. In this situation, the behaviours may be expressed as a way of reducing pain, indicating once again that stereotypic behaviours can act as warning signs of future problems.

SO, HOW DOES FIBRE HELP?

Research has shown that the amount of hay fed influences all stereotypies; the risk of abnormal behaviour increases when less than 1.5% of body weight in forage is fed daily.

Recent research looked into reduced fibre diets in more detail, and it was found that the time spent on abnormal oral behaviours significantly decreased in horses fed a high-fibre diet. Oral stereotypies decreased by 70%, and redirected behaviours decreased by 86% (Hanis et al., 2023). Less time was spent performing oral stereotypic behaviours and consuming bedding in the high-forage group.

This study also found that the mean plasma cortisol and ghrelin levels decreased by 30% and 20%, respectively, in the treatment group over the 30-day trial. These

hormones are involved in the body’s stress response which supports the hypothesis that oral stereotypic behaviours and redirected behaviours appear to derive from failure in feeding motivation and lack of satiety (Hanis et al., 2023). The study concluded that high-forage rations provided longer satiety than high-concentrate diets and that diet most certainly influences horse behaviour and hormone levels. Therefore, ensuring horses have sufficient forage in their diet significantly affects overall health and well-being in equids.

Therefore, in horses prone to stereotypies, owners may need to increase the level of forage to above the standard 1.5% of body weight per day. This could mean increasing to 2% or even providing ad-lib forage, but this would depend on the individual. For horses requiring more energy in their diets than provided by hay alone, or for those unable to consume larger volumes of hay, adding fibrous ingredients such as soy hulls and beet pulp, both of which contain higher levels of energy per kilogram than some hays, could be an alternative option.

A NOTE ON WINDSUCKING

It was once thought that windsuckers swallowed air, but studies have shown this is not the case. Fluoroscopy and endoscopy were used to observe air entering the pharynx and oesophagus, and it was confirmed that air was not swallowed into the stomach during windsucking (McGreevy et al., 1995).

RESOURCES

*Hanis, F., E.L.T. Chung, M.H. Kamalludin, and Z. Idrus. 2023. Effect of feed modification on the behavior, blood profile, and telomere in horses exhibiting abnormal oral behaviors. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 60:28-36.

Hanis, F., E.L.T. Chung, M.H. Kamalludin, and Z. Idrus. 2020. The influence of stable management and feeding practices on the abnormal behaviors among stabled horses in Malaysia. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 94:103230.

P D McGreevy , J D Richardson, C J Nicol, J G Lane 1995. Radiographic and endoscopic study of horses performing an oral based stereotypy. Equine Vet Journal Mar; 27(2):p92-5.

Crucial conformation

Part 1: An overview

When choosing or evaluating a horse, there are many factors to consider: breed, breed type (how the horse embodies the characteristics of his breed or type), pedigree, colour, temperament and personality. However, the most important element is the conformation, particularly if you want the horse to have an athletic career or breed. Choosing a horse based on an understanding of conformation makes it less likely that you will endure the disappointment or heartbreak of a career-ending injury or early loss of use due to arthritis or injury.

A horse with good conformation has no apparent faults that detract from his general appearance and function. Crucially, however, conformation is not just about looks but also about suitability for the job the horse will be asked to do. Some of the 'rules' of conformation are based on pure physics – structural strength, leverage forces and proper angles, for instance – and these help us understand why some horses stay sound and others do not.

Of course, some horses with poor conformation go on to be winners, but these are truly the exception to the rule. Most of the best equine athletes possess certain qualities of good conformation that enable them to perform at a higher level. Generally, the horse with good conformation and proper body and leg angles experiences less wear and tear on joints and other structures. He is more apt to stay sound and perform well during a long life of athletic service than a horse with serious conformational flaws.

UNSOUNDNESS

Poor conformation predisposes horses to certain unsoundness issues. For example, some conformation types can make a horse more likely to develop ringbone, sidebone, splints, and navicular syndrome.

Injuries from accidents are responsible for some types of unsoundness, such as blindness due to a kick to the eye or sidebone due to an injury. These obviously are unrelated to the horse's conformation and far more related to temperament and just plain luck! Other types of unsoundness, such as a bowed tendon, bucked shins and certain splints, can result from excessive strain and overwork. Problems like this, which are caused by strain and trauma, tend to occur more readily and be more severe in a horse with poor conformation.

An unsoundness can be mild or severe, depending, to some extent, on the horse's

function. For example, a bowed tendon or ringbone may stop a jumper in his tracks but may not be an issue for a pleasure horse or happy hack.

FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION

When breeding or selecting horses for specific purposes, we must have a good eye for the aspects of conformation that promote soundness and enable a horse to excel in what we are looking for him to do.

When evaluating a horse, it's essential, therefore, to consider his conformation and how it affects his health, soundness and ability to perform his job. To understand how the horse moves and to evaluate his chances for athletic success in a specific task or sport, we must have a basic understanding of equine anatomy, especially the horse's skeletal and muscular systems. You can more easily envisage how the horse's skeletal system functions when you realise that nearly every part of the horse's

body (except the tail!) corresponds to a similar part of the human body. Similarly, the only anatomical feature humans have that horses do not have is the clavicle or collar bone.

Another difference is that the human arm is free moving and independent from the shoulder joint downwards, whereas the horse's humerus, equivalent to the arm bone, is attached to the chest wall but with skin and very strong muscles. This gives it a much more limited range of motion, as it is encased in the overall 'body' of the horse.

HINDLEGS

In a horse's hind leg, the femur (the upper leg bone or thighbone) is also bound to the body by muscle and skin. This gives the impression that the horse's hind leg begins at the stifle, just as you might think a horse's front leg starts at the elbow, but it actually begins where the pelvis joins the spine. The bones and joints of the equine hind leg are similar to the bones and joints of our leg. The horse's stifle has the same structure as the human knee, with the patella or kneecap present in both.

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY FRONT LEGS

The bones of the equine front leg are similar to those of the human arm and are arranged in the same order: the shoulder blade (scapula), humerus (upper arm), and radius and ulna in the forearm. There are only a few minor differences. The two lower arm bones (radius and ulna) are fused together in the horse, and the ulna is smaller, but the upper end remains as the point of the elbow. In humans, the two arm bones are separate but parallel to each other, with some connecting tissue between them. This allows the human forearm to rotate at the elbow, whereas the horse's forearm cannot rotate. Thus, in the horse's front leg, the knee, which is equivalent to the human wrist, must move forward in a straight line.

KNEES AND HOCKS

The horse's front leg is like the human arm, with the equine' knee' corresponding to the human wrist, and having the same seven bones in identical arrangement: six small flat bones in two rows, with the seventh bone, the accessory carpal bone, standing out at the back of the horse's knee, as does the small prominence at the back of the human wrist on the inner side. The horse's hind leg compares to the human leg, with the hock joint corresponding to the human ankle and having the same seven bones. The point of the hock is similar to the human heel, and both have an Achilles tendon. The strong muscle above the hock is similar to the human calf muscle.

LOWER LEG

The cannon bone, front and rear (below the horse's knee or hock), corresponds to the human middle finger or toe, and the fetlock joint is equivalent to the middle knuckle on that finger or toe. The horse's hoof is like the tip of our middle finger. The horse's hoof wall grows from the coronary band in the same way our fingernails grow. A human has five fingers and toes, but the horse only has one central 'finger' and two reduced digits on either side of it. These digits are the splint bones that go partway down the cannon bone, leaving the enlarged middle bone (cannon bone) to bear the horse's weight. These small splint bones partially support the knee joint, but the large, strong cannon bone (third metacarpal) is the main support. In the hind leg, the cannon bone compares with the middle toe, with the hock joint also partially supported by the smaller bones (splint bones) alongside it.

SOME KEY DEFINITIONS

Blemish: A visible lump, thickening or scar. A blemish is not considered an unsoundness unless it interferes with a moving part or the ability of the horse to work or has the potential to cause lameness with hard work. A blemish is NOT a fault of the horse's conformation. It might be a healed splint, windgalls or a scar.

Conformation: How a horse's body is put together; specifically, his body shape, the configuration of the body parts, the relationship between those structures, and how they function.

Conformation determines how a horse moves and how well or poorly his body can withstand the effects of work.

Fault: An undesirable conformation aspect, such as sickle-hocks, pigeon toes or a short neck. Sometimes, a fault may lead to unsoundness if the horse is worked hard.

Sound horse: A healthy horse with no injuries or impairments.

Unsound horse: A horse with a physical injury or abnormality that interferes with his usefulness.

Unsoundness: Anything that makes a horse lame or unsafe to ride, impairs the stamina for work, or otherwise makes him unable to perform normally.

CHEST

The rib cages of horses and humans have similar bones, although the chest shapes differ. The thorax (chest) of the horse is flatter from side to side, and the shoulder blades move back and forth along its sides. The human chest, on the other hand, is flatter from front to back, and our shoulder blades move at the back of our rib cage. The horse's chest is also much deeper from breastbone to spine, and the horse has much greater lung capacity and endurance than a human.

HEAD AND NECK

The horse's neck is longer and more mobile than the human's but has the same seven bones. The horse's heavy head allows him to use his neck as a pendulum, swinging it up and down or side to side to shift his balance. His long neck also helps him to reach the ground when grazing and scan the area for predators or other threats.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Conformation is a vital consideration when choosing a horse. Unfortunately, this seems to have fallen out of favour in recent years, with many equine shoppers looking solely at the performance or bloodlines of the horse rather than his potential for longevity. In this series, we will be looking at the key aspects of conformation that are important to bear in mind when choosing your next equine athlete.

IS YOUR HORSE

COVERED FOR CIVIL UNREST?

A MUST FOR ALL SOUTH AFRICAN EQUESTRIANS

Nicole Giraud White, Head of Hollard Equipage

South Africa's equine insurance provider, Hollard Equipage, is encouraging equestrians to ensure that they have dotted their i's and crossed their t's when it comes to insuring their horses.

This is considering the recent incidents of unrest that occurred on London Lane in Knoppieslaagte, where many horses are stabled. Our advice to horse owners is to always prepare for the unforeseen and or unimaginable by ensuring that their horses are covered in the event of death due to protest action while in transit or at the yard. "Customers need to ensure that they add the voluntary Sasria cover to their Mortality Policies as well as to their Tack and Horsebox/Truck Policies," says Nicole Giraud White, Head of Hollard Equipage.

"This kind of cover is not a nice-to-have; it's imperative," she adds.

Insurance plans do not provide cover for loss or damage to property, nor do they cover for death, bodily injury or liability directly or indirectly related to or caused by war, terrorism, protest actions, riots, public disorder or any attempted act of this kind. This job is in the hands of the South African Special Risk Insurance Association (Sasria), the sole insurer offering coverage for damage resulting from strikes and civil commotion in the country. It has been covering this type of loss in South Africa for the past 40 years.

Hollard Equipage, like other insurance companies, works with Sasria to offer cover for damage or loss resulting from strikes and other forms of civil unrest. In such a case, Hollard Equipage function as a middleman that helps customers claim from Sasria, making the process easier for the customer.

"However," says White, "it is important to note that shortterm insurance policies do not come standard with Sasria insurance coverage, nor is it mandated by law to have the coverage. Customers need to opt to add the Sasria cover to their policies so that they are not left vulnerable in the face of civil unrest."

"It's essential to protect your possessions from this type of risk."

"Horses insured with Hollard Equipage and equipped with the voluntary Sasria option are covered for the sum insured on their Mortality Policy while in their yard and while travelling in horseboxes or trucks," says White.

In addition, should the unimaginable happen to your horse/s, Hollard Equipage will submit a claim to Sasria on your behalf.

"We urge all horse owners to check their policies and make sure that this Sasria premium, which can be as low as R30 per annum, is reflected on their policy schedule. Act now and avoid being caught unawares," she concludes.

FEEDING STRAW AS A HAY ALTERNATIVE

THE PROS AND CONS

WHAT TYPE OF STRAW IS BETTER FOR HORSES?

As with all roughage given to horses, any straw fed should be clean, hygienic, and mould-free. Straw can be more variable than hays as straw quality is less controlled, being a by-product of another process. The onus is then on the owner or manager to ensure that the straw chosen is of good quality.  Oat and barley straws are generally softer with less indigestible fibre than wheat straws, so these are more commonly used for horses. Although not a scientifically proven method (!), one way to test the appropriateness of a straw is to scrunch it and observe its response. If it scrunches easily (stems are soft), this can indicate a more palatable and digestible straw for horses. Avoid cuts that are extremely coarse and have sharp ends, for example, bedding-type straw.

DOES STRAW SUPPLY THE NUTRIENTS MY HORSE NEEDS?

The nutritional value of different straws will vary according to the type as well as the environmental conditions it was grown in. On average, though, the straw will have a lower level of energy and thus calories, contain a lower level of digestible protein and have a variable non-structural carbohydrate level compared to grass hay.

PROS AND CONS

Straw is lower in calories compared to other forages. For this reason, it can be an ideal option for mixing with good quality hay to ‘dilute’ the calories supplied to good-doers/overweight horses and ponies. This is especially useful when it is hard to buy separate forage, such as on a stable yard where forage is provided as part of the stabling cost.

HORSE AND HEALTH

A recent study by Dosi et al., (2020) investigated feeding barley straw together with hay to overweight horses and found the group on the straw/hay diet had a significantly greater weight loss compared to feeding hay alone. The average weight loss was 27kg. Substituting up to 50% of grass hay in a diet with quality straw creates a less energy-dense ration while maintaining adequate forage intake. This means that intake does not need to be severely restricted to achieve weight loss. Restricting roughage intake can lead to not only digestive issues but behavioural ones too, so replacing some hay with straw is a great option. Another advantage of feeding straw alongside hay is that it extends the overall time horses spend eating per day. This helps to keep them satisfied and reduces the risk of gastric ulcers by ensuring they are not going for prolonged periods without food. Although straw has minimal buffering capability, unlike lucerne, it is still beneficial for gastric health because it increases chew time and therefore results in greater saliva production. Horses can only produce

saliva when they chew, so more time spent chewing means more saliva is produced. This is important as saliva contains bicarbonate which helps to buffer acidity in the horse’s digestive tract. Chewing one kilogram of roughage would require roughly 3,500-4,500 chews vs only around 800-900 for concentrate feeds; thus, it is easy to see why a constant supply of roughage is ideal.

Another reason to feed straw is to lower the sugar and starch content of the diet. Research by Jansson et al., (2021a) showed that blood tests taken during the study indicated that plasma insulin levels were lower on a diet with straw compared to haylage, which could be beneficial for horses who are overweight or have insulin resistance.

However, it should be noted that while most straw is low in sugar and starch (around 2% non-structural carbohydrate, NSC), some can be as high as 17%, which is not suitable for horses with metabolic issues such as laminitis or insulin resistance. Ideally, straw should be tested for NSC content before use; however, testing

Figure 1: Estimated nutritional values of different types of roughage. Note these values are variable as maturity at harvesting, type, area grown and fertilisation, all impact final values of hays and straws.

of hays/straws can be difficult, so it may be worthwhile feeding grass hay that has a more predictable NSC range combined with soaking for a further reduction in NSC levels. Another tip if you do want to feed straw but are concerned about NSC values is to visually inspect the straw to ensure it doesn’t contain intact heads of cereal grains, which may make the straw higher in starch.

The biggest concern with feeding straws as a sole roughage source is that they are generally much lower in quality protein than grass or cereal hays. This means that straw would not be a viable alternative to hay for horses requiring higher levels of protein, such as lactating mares or growing youngsters. A further concern is that mineral levels are lower, and straw has virtually no vitamin value. Being higher in indigestible fibres, straw is a poorer support for the digestive microorganisms, which would normally produce B vitamins for the horse. As a result, straw might not help you reduce costs as additional supplements, like a balancer, could be needed to ensure that the horse receives all the daily essentials, especially if no concentrates are being fed.

To top it off, there is a higher risk of toxic nitrate levels in straw and a higher mycotoxin risk. Therefore, it is suggested that straw not be provided as the sole forage source but rather alongside other hays. Straw could be useful in helping to stretch hay in times of scarcity without vastly changing the nutrient value of the diet; however, it would be worth speaking to a nutritional advisor before changing to ensure your horse wouldn’t be missing out on any daily essentials.

CAN STRAW CAUSE GASTRIC ULCERS OR COLIC?

Researchers in Denmark found that a horse eating straw as the sole or predominant forage source was 4.5 times more likely to develop gastric ulcers (Luthersson et al., 2009). For most horses, straw is rarely fed as the sole forage source, and it should be recognised that straw can be useful as a low-calorie forage source alongside hay for good doers. To assess the risk for these horses, a follow-up study by Jansson et al., (2021) investigated the safety of feeding 50% wheat straw and hay together.

The research found no increased risk of ulcers from using 50% straw to replace haylage in the ration. Three weeks is considered long enough for ulcers to develop and there is not currently any reason to suspect gastric ulcer issues are more likely to occur with the long-term use of straw when combined with other roughage sources. This is especially valid if it means more forage can be fed in total to avoid long periods without food.

Regarding colic risk, the study by Jansson et al., (2021b) also found that faecal dry matter content was not affected by diet, and no difference was detected in the number of intestinal sounds between the diets. Faecal water was also within normal ranges and did not differ between diets. To date, no research findings suggest a 50% inclusion of straw increases the risk of colic. However, care needs to be taken in choosing the right type of straw, and the straw should be introduced gradually over 14-21 days until a 50:50 ratio is achieved with hay to straw.

CONCLUSION

In summary, there is ample room for feeding straw, especially where a calorie-controlled diet is needed for long-term weight loss. However, this small reduction in calories comes with a much greater loss of protein, vitamins, and minerals compared to feeding hay, and so may require the inclusion of additional supplements in the long run, reducing the cost-saving potential for straw.

REFERENCES

Miranda Carlotta Maria Dosi, Roxane Kirton, Sarah Hallsworth, John A. Keen and Ruth Anna Morgan. (2020) Inducing weight loss in native ponies: is straw a viable alternative to hay? Vet Record, http://dx.doi. org/10.1136/vr.105793

Jansson, A.; Harris, P.; Davey, S.L.; Luthersson, N.; Ragnarsson, S.; Ringmark, S. (2021a) Straw as an Alternative to Grass Forage in Horses—Effects on Post-Prandial Metabolic Profile, Energy Intake, Behaviour and Gastric Ulceration. Animals 2021, 11, 2197

Jansson, A., P. Harris, S.L. Davey, N. Luthersson, S. Ragnarsson, and S. Ringmark. (2021b). Straw as an alternative to grass forage in horses: Effects on post-prandial metabolic profile, energy intake, behaviour and gastric ulceration. Animals (Basel) 11(8):2197

Luthersson, N., Nielsen, K.H., Harris, P., Harris, T.D., Parkin, H. (2009) Risk factors associated with equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) in 201 horses in Denmark. Equine Veterinary Journal, Vol: 41, Issue 7., p625-630

UNLOCK YOUR SHOTS

This is the most important decade in history to be an explorer. We are the generations that caused the global crisis we face... we are also discovering the solutions.

As a photographer, I can attest that an image can indeed change your life. For me, that image was my first "bucket shot." The moment I took it, I knew it was the one - the shot that would define a career and elevate my photography to new heights. This one was not pre-planned or staged; instead, I was driven by a singular focus on telling a story, a sense that an award-winning narrative was waiting to be found and shared with the world. In that moment, when I captured the shot, everything came together - the lighting, the subject, the composition - in a way that was nothing short of magical. It was then that I realised the true power of photography, the ability to freeze a moment in time and tell a story that resonates with people on an emotional level. That is why I am a photographer - to capture moments like this and share them with the world, in the hope that they, too, can change someone's life. The quest for the perfect shot, known as the "bucket shot," is a true test of a photographer's skills and determination, meeting that powerful moment that evokes an emotion, and one never gets tired of gazing at it. This shot requires a deep understanding of one's subject, a keen

eye for composition and lighting, the skill not to miss it and the patience to wait for that fleeting moment of perfection. These images, and many others like them, have had a lasting impact on the viewer, community and even the world, bringing attention to important issues, inspiring change, and shaping public opinion. They are a testament to the power of photography to capture moments from love to moments that can change the course of history. I also want to let you in on a secret... If you'd like to be a photographer famous for unforgettable moments, you must embrace adventure. Get out of your comfort zone, experience the world, and surround yourself with people as passionate about photography and life as you are!

The key to this lock - create an image that not only pleases the eye but also touches the viewer's heart.

– Steve Boyes

YOUR EQUESTRIAN QUESTIONS ANSWERED

I tend to hunch in the saddle, which I think is related to my poor posture at my desk at work. How can I fix this?

This problem is often due to a lack of physical training away from riding. For example, if you hunch over your computer at work, you’re ‘training’ your muscles into a very bad posture. If you don’t train to combat this, you are likely to adopt this posture more and more.

At a minimum, try to spend a few minutes every hour that you’re sitting at your desk, rolling your shoulders back to pull yourself up into a good posture. This will help stretch and release the tension.

During the rest of the day, try to pay attention to times you are standing or sitting hunched over. Look up and straighten your back when you notice you are hunched, to try and break the movement patterns and train the correct posture that you need for riding.

If you have the time, trying another form of exercise that focuses more on posture, such as yoga, would also be a good idea. This will help build your awareness and strengthen the relevant muscles to prevent slouching.

Finally, in the saddle, ask your instructor to be ruthless in correcting your posture. If she sees even a hint of a hunch, she must tell you so that you become aware of when your body is slipping back into old patterns.

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Fill out the form, tell us the page number on which you found the palm tree, and you will be entered into the draw to win a holiday to the Maldives for two people with Priority Escapes!

Be quick entries close at midday on the 4th of March!