HQ Magazine Issue 162B

Hello!

Welcome to our April edition of HQ Magazine!

This month we’re bringing you an Equitation Special with two big feature articles on the history of the discipline and the Philip Smith Memorial Trophy competitors. With the Philip Smith Memorial Trophy being hosted at the Toyota Easter Festival (which started today – hooray!), we decided there was no better time to get to grips with this fascinating South African discipline. We want to take this opportunity to wish all four riders – Jenna Eager, Ashlee Taylor, Erin O’Dwyer and Mikaela Martin – a very successful competition. It’s a huge achievement to be in the final, and we can’t wait to see you all perform!

Other not-to-be-missed articles this month are our top picks of the Callaho Winter Collection, which are coming up for Auction from the 30th May to the 3rd of June; our look at Jacqui Cochrane’s brand-new water treadmill and its role in assisting our equine athletes; and our sad farewell and thank you to the great stallion, Capital Hitoshi, who has set South African showjumping arenas alight for many years under the outstanding Nicole Horwood. Finally, on the health front, we have articles on mycotoxins, hindlimb lameness and PSSM, to name just a few.

We hope you enjoy this issue and have a very happy Easter with your family, friends and, of course, ponies! If you’re popping through to Toyota Easter Festival, please come and say hello –we’d love to meet you!

With lots of love,

Lizzie Harrison

Editor

Dr

|

Lizzie and the HQ team xxx

IN THIS ISSUE

60 South African Warmbloods

HOYS 2023

66 The SA Boerperd at SANESA

The breed to beat

72 Equi-tread’s water treadmill

Understanding this treatment and training tool

80 Silent Assassins

Mycotoxins and the damage they cause

88 PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy)

A genetic condition in need of close management

96 Crucial conformation

Part 2: The skeleton

102 Hindlimb lameness

Five common causes

110 AskHQ

Your equestrian questions answered

112 Products we love

Shopping fun

Equitation HQ's

EQUITATION AND THE PHILIP SMITH MEMORIAL TROPHY EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIPS

TEXT: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE PHOTOGRAPHY: VARIOUS

Leo Tolstoy once said that "If you want to do something, do it well," and it seems that this school of thought prompted the birth of Equitation in South Africa.

THE BEGINNINGS

In 1969, George Morris visited South Africa to do clinics in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Salisbury (Harare, Zimbabwe). At this stage in Southern Africa, a great variety of riding styles and theories were practised. This likely stemmed from the diverse sources of horsemanship; namely farming, military and imported techniques from Europe. However, it was observed by George Morris that despite the eclectic riding techniques, most individuals could produce results with their horses. He rather diplomatically noted that 'some' achieved these results more attractively than others (naming Gonda Butters/Beatrix, Mickey Louw and David Stubbs as examples of the former).

Into this setting, George Morris introduced his American school of thought that presumed that "Perfection of style produces perfection of performance from the horse". This seemed a very logical theory, as the perfect style would, by definition, be the most helpful position and series of

actions a rider can perform to achieve the best results. Essentially, a rider would be giving their horse the best chance to do what they are being asked to do!

The introduction of this theory led to the realisation that, in general, riders' skills needed improving in Southern Africa and that there was a lack of access to regular and correct coaching.

FAST FACT

Barry Taylor made it to the top six of the competition twice! He finished 4th in 1974 and 6th in 1975! Barry also coached the first winner of the PSM: Casey Lourens (2001), alongside Claire Webb.

Barry, Lorette and Ashlee Taylor

FAST FACT

Two of the Clarke brothers won the WAS: Jonathan in 1983 and Jeremy in 1986.

THE NEXT STEPS

Following a period of extensive travel and research on this subject, Equitation as a discipline was formally introduced to South Africa by Charlotte Stubbs in the 1970s. The aim of Equitation was to provide constructive feedback to riders (especially those who may not have access to regular coaching) and to improve the effectiveness and correctness of riding in general.

Charlotte Stubbs, when questioned on what it would take to win the National Equitation Championships, said: "hard work would be essential, but the prestige of winning would be enormous for both riders and the instructors". This most certainly was the case then and still is today.

NATIONAL EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIPS –THEN AND NOW

In 1971 the first National Equestrian Championships were held, with 24 riders (silver medallists) who were provincial winners competing for Gold. Each province could award a maximum of four BP Silver medals, and these individuals were awarded bursaries consisting of subsidised lessons with their instructors and equestrian equipment. The National Equestrian Championship was held over several days and several phases in the indoor arena at the historic Rand Show venue, where the silver medal competitors were eliminated on a round-by-round basis. The penultimate round included the top six riders and required swopping of horses. The final round was then a head-to-head between the top two riders who had to complete a flatwork and jumping test on a 'mystery horse'. This competition, over time, evolved into what is now the SA Junior Individual Equitation Championship.

FAST FACT

Lorette Knowles-Taylor has coached four PSM winners, Alexis Stais (2011), Lawrence Mowatt (2012), Chelsey Gertenbach (2013) and Cheyenne de Beer (2017).

In 1982 the Prestigious Witwatersrand Agricultural Society (WAS) Supreme Equitation Championship was launched and quickly became a new title for all ambitious young riders to aspire to win. The title was won by some of today's top riders, including Jonathan Clarke and Andrea Harrison. The WAS Championship invited the top six competitors from the SA Junior Individual Championship and used six borrowed horses, three for the flatwork tests and three for the jumping tests.

In 2001 the Philip Smith Memorial (PSM) Trophy became the successor to the WAS Championship. It is named in tribute to Philip Smith, an incredibly talented and stylish rider who represented South Africa on many occasions. The format was again changed as it was becoming difficult to loan the calibre of horses the competition required. Today the PSM invites only the top four finalists from the South African National Junior Individual Equitation Championships in the preceding year to compete.

The first day of the Championship is the flatwork test, where each rider will ride the test on their own horse and then on each of the other three horses. They are judged on their ability to produce smooth and correct movements on a variety of horses.

The second day of the Championship is the jumping test which they ride on their own horse and then the other horses. This starts with a gymnastic, ridden one-handed with no stirrups, followed by a short course of jumps set at a height of 1.15m/1.20m. Competitors are not allowed any outside assistance for the duration of the competition, including for course walks and warm-ups! A glance at the previous winners of this event makes the trophy one that any young rider would aspire to win!

When Equitation was launched in South Africa, the main aim was to uplift the standard of riding, and this goal was most certainly achieved. This is still the goal of Equitation today, and becoming a more correct and effective rider should be an ideal for all riders. To quote international Showjumper Jessica Springsteen, "The best riders in the world with the best horses make it look so elegant and graceful. When you watch it done well, it looks so easy that it's difficult for the public to understand how hard this really is." This 'effortful effortlessness' is what we should all strive for as riders, coaches, and parents.

THE 2023 PHILIP SMITH MEMORIAL TROPHY COMPETITORS

The four competitors participating in the PSM Trophy competition this year are Jenna Eager, Ashlee Taylor, Erin O'Dwyer and Mikaela Martin. You can hear more from these talented girls in the full interviews in this edition.

HORSE AND RIDER

NAME Jenna

AGE 18

QUALIFIED

1st

HORSE Capital Conlanc

COACHES Chad Cunnningham

DISCIPLINES

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING?

Showjumping (1.30m) Equitation (Open)

I’ve been working extra hard both off and on my horse, improving my fitness and weaknesses. I am doing extra dressage lessons to help me prepare for the dressage portion of the Championship, and have continued attending my weekly jumping lessons.

COMMENTS FROM COACH/PARENT

Mandy Eager: “As parents, Jenna is already a winner in our eyes. The commitment and dedication that goes into preparing for a competition at this level have left us in awe of her determination, dedication and love for the sport.

Winning the Phillip Smith Memorial Championship would mean that Jenna has achieved one of her top goals in her Junior career, which will inspire her to reach even further.”

NAME Ashlee Taylor

AGE 18

QUALIFIED

2nd

HORSE Callaho Lariboo

COACHES Georgie Roberts, Whitney Deverneuil, Barry & Lorette Taylor

DISCIPLINES

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING?

Showjumping (competed up to 1.40m) Equitation (open)

I have been having equitation lessons with Whitney Deverneuil, dressage lessons with Georgie Roberts and jumping lessons with my parents, Lorette and Barry Taylor. I’ve also ridden a couple of horses that I’ve never ridden before.

COMMENTS FROM COACH/PARENT

The Taylor’s (Barry and Lorette) have had five previous PSM winners. Each of those was special, but to have their daughter win it would be something really special!

HORSE AND RIDER

Ashlee, Lorette and Barry Taylor

AGE 17

QUALIFIED 4th HORSE Callaho Luigi Vella

COACHES Kelly Slater and Joanne Van Achtenburg

DISCIPLINES

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING?

Showjumping (1.30m) Equitation (Open) Dressage (Elementary)

Fortunately, my coaches convinced me to tackle SANESA Elementary Dressage last year which really helped my flatwork. I’ve also been practising the actual flatwork test and next week we’ll start some gymnastic training. I’ve been riding some of the horses at Kincardine belonging to friends in the yard and have gained a feel for a variety of rides.

COMMENTS FROM COACH/PARENT

Kelly and Jo: “There isn’t a competition amongst adults or juniors that tests a rider’s skill and feel like the Philip Smith does. The Philip Smith isn’t only one of the most prestigious competitions that a rider can win, it is also one of the few competitions where the coaches are actively acknowledged. This helps to validate the hours of preparation put in by the entire team.

The Philip Smith tests a rider’s horsemanship on so many levels, and while the standard of riding is constantly improving, to be considered amongst the coaches that can teach the lost art of “feel”, is one of the biggest accolades of any coach's career."

Erin O'Dwyer

HORSE AND RIDER

NAME Mikaela Martin

AGE 17

QUALIFIED 5th

HORSE TBC

COACHES

DISCIPLINES

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING?

Amy Tolmay

Showjumping (1.35m) Equitation (Open)

I am working very hard in preparation for this prestigious event to try my best to do the competition justice. My amazing equitation coach, Amy Tolmay, and I are training tirelessly to improve my position to the best of my ability. Over the next couple of days, I will be riding as many different horses as possible and practising my dressage as much as possible.

Belinda a.k.a Mom: “Coaching Mikaela and sharing a passion with her is something very special. She has always been extremely dedicated so for me and the yard, it would be extremely rewarding for her to win the Philip Smith.”

COMMENTS FROM COACH/PARENT

Amy: “Mikaela Martin and I are still a fairly new rider and instructor team, but our journey has been full of incredible moments from Day 1. She is one of the most dedicated, determined and coachable riders I have had the pleasure of instructing. If she won the Philip Smith Memorial Championship, I would be incredibly proud of all the efforts she has put into herself and her horses.”

HORSE AND RIDER

Jenna Eager and Capital Conlanc

Discover Eskadron Horse Wear & Fashion

PHILIP SMITH MEMORIAL TROPHY EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEET THE FINALISTS

TEXT: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE PHOTOGRAPHY: VARIOUS

THE HISTORY

Equitation as a discipline was formally introduced to South Africa by Charlotte Stubbs in the 1970s. She realised that, in general, riders' skills needed improving, and there was a lack of access to regular and correct coaching. The aim of Equitation was, therefore, to provide constructive feedback to riders to improve the effectiveness and correctness of their riding.

In 1971 the first National Equestrian Championships were held, with 24 riders from around South Africa competing for Gold. As time progressed, the format changed slightly, and in 1982 the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society (WAS) Supreme Equitation Championship became the new title of the prestigious event. This title was won by some of today's top riders, including Jonathan Clarke and Andrea Harrison.  In 2001 the Philip Smith Memorial (PSM) Trophy became the successor to the WAS Supreme Championship. It is named in tribute to Philip Smith, an incredibly talented

and stylish rider who represented South Africa on many occasions.

The format of the competition today is slightly different, with only the top four finalists from the South African National Junior Individual Equitation Championships in the preceding year being invited to compete.

The first day of the Championship is the flatwork test. Each rider will ride the test on their own horse and then on each of the other three horses. They are judged on their ability to produce smooth and correct movements on a variety of horses. The second day of the Championship is the jumping test which they ride on their own horse and then the other horses. This starts with a gymnastic, ridden one-handed with no stirrups, followed by a short course of jumps set at a height of 1.15m/1.20m. Competitors are not allowed any outside assistance for the duration of the competition, including assistance with course walks and warm-ups!

Capital Conlanc

Ashlee Taylor, Erin O'Dwyer and Mikaela Martin. Mikaela Martin has stepped up as first reserve as, unfortunately, Olivia Roberts is unable to participate this year.

HQ: Can you tell us a bit about yourselves?

Jenna: My name is Jenna Eagar, and I have just turned 18. I am originally from Cape Town but relocated to Johannesburg early last year to pursue my riding goals. I've been riding for about 13 years now, and it truly is my one love and passion.

Ashlee: My name is Ashlee Taylor. I am 18 years old, and I'm currently in matric at Dainfern College. I was born and have lived in Chartwell, Johannesburg, my whole life. I was born into a horse family, so I have been riding horses since I was about 3 or 4. I have showjumped all my life, and I did some vaulting for quite a while when I was younger, but showjumping has always been my favourite.

Erin: My name is Erin O'Dwyer, and I am 17 years old. I first started competing in SANESA when I was nine years old, but I only did my first graded shows two years later. My competitive riding slowly progressed from there, and I had some lovely championship wins in the lower grades, primarily in showjumping.

old showjumper and equitation rider. I've been lucky to grow

HQ What does it mean to you to have qualified for the Philip Smith?

Jenna: I compete in both showjumping and equitation, but it's always been a dream of mine to compete in the Philip Smith Memorial. Qualifying for the PSM has definitely been among the top highlights of my riding career so far, as it's something I've been aspiring to do for a very long time now.  Ashlee: I have always wanted to qualify for the Philip Smith as I feel that it is a demonstration of how well you can ride any kind of horse. I think to just qualify for the Philip Smith is a huge achievement. It is definitely special that I have qualified because it would be my last year to get into the top four, and it was on a horse that I produced myself.  Erin: When I went down to Shongweni in December 2022 for SA Champs, I never even imagined I could qualify for the Philip Smith Memorial! I was just going down to do my best and have fun, and I must admit I was focusing more on the showjumping side. I love the adrenaline of jumping, and my precious Lu never fails to impress. In my mind being selected to represent Gauteng at SA Champs at the Open level was already an achievement I hadn't expected. I feel so privileged to be able to take part in this competition and to compete against such amazing riders, and I intend to

Ashlee Taylor

enjoy every second of it. I know this event is going to fully test my riding, and I am excited to be taking part.

Mikaela: I am extremely excited to have qualified to compete in the Philip Smithh as I feel it is the ultimate title that any junior rider should aspire to, and it has been a lifelong dream of mine.

HQ: Can you tell us more about the horses you qualified on?  Jenna: I am extremely lucky to have been given the ride mid-last year of the wonderful Capital Conlanc by Capital Stud. He is truly a gentleman and such a pleasure to ride, always trying his best to please. We've managed to build a strong partnership this past year, and he has helped me

Mikaela Martin

Ashlee: Callaho Lariboo is owned by Govett Triggol. She is currently seven years old, and I have ridden and produced her since she was four years old. She was my third option for the SA Champs Equitation because I never saw her as an equitation horse because she is quite sensitive and still inexperienced. As I couldn't ride my first two horse options, 'Boo' was the last option, and me riding her in the equitation ended up being a blessing in disguise, and ultimately, she is my best choice.

Erin: Callaho Luigi Vella (or Lu for short) is my one-in-amillion real-life unicorn. Over the last two years, we have developed an unbreakable bond, and I feel he knows my every instruction before I even need to tell him. He loves playing in the mud, but somehow, my amazing groom Deverson keeps him spotless, and everyone else thinks he is the definition of a white steed. He always knows when he has overachieved and demands copious amounts of carrots and attention in return.

equitation. Sushi has the biggest personality for his small size, and he matches this with his scope and bravery. We came 5th in the Equitation at SA Champs, which was impressive for his first try. He has unfortunately been sold subsequently, so it's still up in the air as to who I will compete on!

HQ: How are you preparing for the competition?

Jenna: I've been working extra hard both off and on my horse, improving on my fitness and weaknesses. I am doing extra dressage lessons to help me prepare for the dressage portion of the Championship, and I have continued attending my weekly jumping lessons.

Ashlee: I have been having equitation lessons with Whitney Deverneuil, dressage lessons with Georgie Roberts and jumping lessons with my parents, Lorette and Barry Taylor. I've also ridden a couple of horses that I've never ridden before.

HORSE AND RIDER

Erin O'Dwyer

Mikaela Martin

HORSE AND RIDER

Mikaela Martin

Erin: Fortunately, my coaches convinced me to tackle SANESA Elementary Dressage last year, which really helped my flatwork. I've also been practising the actual flatwork test, and next week we'll start some gymnastic training. I've been riding some of the horses at Kincardine, belonging to friends in the yard and have gained a feel for a variety of rides. I have struggled to find enough time to ride as much as I would have liked, as I am also writing matric this year and must focus on my academic studies.

Mikaela: I am working very hard in preparation for this prestigious event to try my best to do the competition justice. My amazing equitation coach, Amy Tolmay, and I are training tirelessly to improve my position to the best of my ability. Over the next couple of days, I will be riding as many different horses as possible and practising my dressage as much as possible.

HQ: What do you think makes the PSM so special?

Jenna: Equitation is all about the rider and the effect they have on whatever horse they're riding. Seeing as only the top four riders of each year qualify for the Philip Smith, it's a showcase of the youth and their abilities to perform under strenuous conditions. I believe that this is what makes the Philip Smith Memorial so unique, as it tests the riders in various situations and disciplines, such as showjumping and dressage.

Ashlee: The Philip Smith is an annual event that has been around for a very long time. It's so unique because it's only a small bunch of riders (the top four riders from the SA Champs), and it's something that you must qualify for. It's also unique because it's one of the only events that requires the riders to ride the other competitors' horses. It also includes two different disciplines, dressage and showjumping, which tests your all round riding ability. I think it is a testing competition that is very different from what riders usually face.

Erin: This event is unique as only four riders a year qualify to compete, and the format is nothing like any other equitation event we have ever ridden. The tests themselves are far more extensive than standard equitation, and most of your scoring comes from riding horses you don't know. I know the other competitors are excellent riders, so the competition will be very strong, but at this point, I don't know which horses they will be electing to ride, so I really don't know what to expect.

Mikaela: Although showjumping is my main focus, I feel equitation is very important, and all showjumpers should do it as it is beneficial for improving your seat and your horse's schooling, which will help with jumping. The Philip Smith is a very special event as it is by invitation only, and it celebrates and appreciates such a beautiful discipline.

HQ: What do you have to say to other young riders who want to compete in the Philip Smith one day?

Jenna: I'd most probably tell them that hard work and perseverance always pays off. No matter how tough it may get or how impossible something may seem, the ability to push past these challenges is what allows you to develop as a rider. At the end of the day, we all have flaws and weaknesses, but it is up to each person whether these weaknesses will rather define you or shape you.

Ashlee: Never give up on your dreams even when they feel like they aren't in reach.

Erin: Don't be too serious about qualifying; once you put too much pressure on yourself, you stop focusing on how you ride and rather what you are riding for. Equitation is a mental test as well as a physical one. If you're too hard on yourself in your thoughts, it will reflect in your riding. Then, finally, remember it is about effectiveness over attractiveness, so ride naturally and to feel rather than riding to look pretty for the judges.

Mikaela: I would tell them that it was one of my dreams when I was a young rider, but a dream will remain a dream unless you work towards it! So, to make a dream a reality, you need to put your mind to it and achieve it!

GOOD LUCK

Thank you, girls; we wish you all the best of luck!

SEE THE PHILIP SMITH LIVE

If you want to check out the Philip Smith Memorial and support the girls, the flatwork tests will be on Thursday 6th April in the Stubbs Arena, with the Briefing and Draw taking place at 10.00 am. The Showjumping Phase is the last class of the day in the Bob Charter Arena on Saturday 8th April.

Don’t give your son money. As far as you can afford it, give him horses. No one ever came to grief, except honourable grief, through riding horses.”

– Winston Churchill

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THE CALLAHO WARMBLOOD STUD

WINTER COLLECTION

HQ’S TOP PICKS

In our rapidly evolving sport, one thing remains constant, and that is Callaho Warmblood Stud's commitment to producing exceptional quality horses for South African equestrians. As we meet their first Auction Collection of 2023, we see that, as always, Team Callaho's dedication and passion have paid off; this Collection is a testament to the fact that breeding magic really is in the blood of this Team, the family behind it and the horses they produce.

HQ Magazine has been privileged to be part of Callaho's journey for several years, and there is no doubt in our minds that this is one of, if not the best, Collection yet. These young horses derived from proven bloodlines, developed in an idyllic equine environment and impeccably produced by top riders are what equestrian dreams are made of.

OUR TOP PICKS

With proven damlines and carefully selected stallions, this Collection is filled with athletic young sporthorses ready to make their stamp in our sport. Here we look at our Team's top picks of the twenty sporthorses and six broodmares who will go on Auction between Tuesday the 30th May, and Saturday the 3rd of June to give you an idea of just what is in store!

CALLAHO IMAGINE

Innovation X / Lissabon / Quidam de Revel)

This light, modern sporthorse is the first offspring by Callaho’s new 75% Thoroughbred stallion, Callaho's Innovation X. Imagine’s athletic frame and huge scope suggest that Innovation X, as predicted, is destined to produce sporthorses with serious blood and talent for the showjumping arena. Imagine’s damline is responsible for the production of Callaho Lansink, ridden by Rainer Körber and Callaho Larido, who is just starting his career under Ashlee Healy. Callaho Imagine is another example of Callaho breeding at its best.

CALLAHO CONDESSO

(Con Coriano / Lissabon / Heartbreaker)

This young gelding's pedigree prepares him for a big future. By Callaho's Con Coriano and with Callaho's Lissabon as dam-sire, the promise embodied here is sure to pique the interest of those aiming for the top. Condesso is out of Callaho Liantos and Callaho Le Cadeau’s full sister, Callaho Lindessa, and his second dam is the magnificent Welingan, a super-producer of showjumpers. With Lindessa put to Con Coriano, this horse has the scope to tackle any big Grand Prix or World Cup Class. This is a horse to watch.

CALLAHO REMINGTON (Cartier / Padinus / Calato)

This gorgeous young gelding is out of Callaho's Zidria and by Callaho's Cartier. Callaho's Zidria is a proven mare, having produced four offspring, each jumping in the big classes. These are Callaho Confidor, who is jumping in the 1.50m classes with Francesca Sanne; Callaho Le Padre also jumping in the 1.50m classes with Zdenek Muchna; Callaho Le Padino who jumped to 1.40m; and Callaho Larinus, who at seven years old has already shown his potential in the 1.30m classes. Callaho's Cartier has his own impressive pedigree being a son of Casall, one of the most potent jumping sires in the world. This young, athletic stallion is currently climbing through the Open classes under the tutelage of Rainer Körber. Callaho Remington has a pedigree to perform.

CALLAHO LIVIA (Lissabon / Con Coriano / Calando I)

By Lissabon and out of a prestigious damline, it doesn't get much better than this. This longevous and hugely potent damline is seen to produce open horse after open horse, and Lissabon's superlative breeding index speaks for itself. It will be interesting to see which of Callaho Livia (Callaho’s Lissabon / Callaho’s Con Coriano) and Callaho’s Condesso (Callaho’s Con Coriano / Callaho’s Lissabon) will reap the highest reward in the showjumping ring. Either way, with natural suppleness and sheer athleticism from Lissabon, and workmanship and huge scope from Con Coriano, both Callaho Condesso and Callaho Livia are going to be names to watch out for in the Open classes in years to come. Already a naturally fabulous free jumper, Callaho Livia is a mare with talent running in her veins.

CALLAHO CONTE VELLA (Contendro / Lissabon / Raphael)

This striking grey mare with an exceptional free jump has a pedigree for the big time. Her second dam is none other than the revered Ravella, who has produced numerous 1.50m horses, including Callaho Fiorella. Callaho Fiorella notably jumped to 1.50m with Jeanne Körber before producing Callaho Lexington, who now partners with Jeanne in these very same classes. Other notable names produced by this damline include Callaho Conny Vella, Callaho Luca Vella and Sinclaire 5, who jumped to 1.60m with Christian Ahlmann. As if this wasn't enough for the damline, Conte Vella's dam is herself a product of the dream pairing of Callaho's Lissabon and Ravella and has already produced several impressive offspring, such as Callaho Chivello and Callaho Sequoia Vella, both jumping the Open classes in Natal with Reine Marshal and Geordi Byrne. Of course, this makes no mention of the stallion, who needs no introduction – the fabulous Contendro. Already standing at 17hh, this mare is the perfect modern sporthorse.

CALLAHO RAS TAFARI (Callaho’s Cartier / Diamant de Semilly / Don Juan).

CALLAHO TIN TIN (Callaho’s Tolano Van’t Riethof / Clinton / Cassini I).

CALLAHO I'M SPLENDID

(I'm Special de Muze / Landor S / Compliment)

It would be remiss of us not to open the introduction to Callaho I'm Splendid with a mention that he is a direct son of I'm Special de Muze, the legendary son of Emerald van't Ruytershof and Walnut de Muze, who both jumped 1.60m. Once again, Callaho have injected some breeding magic by putting this exquisite stallion's semen to one of their most impressive dams, Callaho's Loni, who is herself by Landor S.

CALLAHO TIN TIN

(Tolano Van't Riethof / Clinton / Cassini I)

This horse has a damline to die for. Peppered liberally with 1.60m horses despite the use of numerous different stallions, the talent passed on through these mares is evident. Notable South African sporthorses produced by this damline, include Callaho Lord Cassini Callaho Lucetto; and Callaho Falvio jumping in the 1.50m with Martyn Swanepoel, to name just three. And, if this gelding's free jump is anything to go by, he'll be adding his own stamp to the highlights of this damline in no time at all. With full-brother Callaho Tel-Aviv attracting huge interest just last year, we expect this young gelding to follow suit.

CALLAHO ROMA ELEKTRA

(Cartier / Escudo I / Graf Grannus)

Last but not least, we had to draw attention to this exquisite mare by Cartier and out of the Hanoverian State Premium Mare, Elektra Del Chirone, who jumped to 1.60m with Govett Triggol. This is another novel pairing that looks pretty perfect.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DAMLINES

A large part of Callaho's consistency in producing horses for the pinnacle of the sport comes from their dedication to their damlines and the meticulous approach with which they select the stallion to suit the mare. In this Collection, we see many, many proven Callaho damlines, who have, between them, produced the champions that currently dominate the top of our sport. With the heritability of these damline's characteristics clearly demonstrated, it is exciting to think that within this Collection, we might have the next Callaho Liantos, Callaho Confidor, Callaho Lexington or Callaho Falvio.

CALLAHO LILIANA (Callaho's Lissabon / Guidam / Landadel).

CALLAHO I'M SPLENDID (I'm Special de Muze / Landor S / Compliment)

THE AUCTION

This Winter Collection affirms Callaho's role as the purveyors of breeding magic, and these twenty sporthorses are destined to raise the bar in arenas across South Africa. This is an exciting time for Callaho Warmblood Stud, and we believe this Collection sets a new standard for South African breeding. As HQ Magazine, we're incredibly grateful to be involved in this process; the Callaho Warmblood Stud Winter Collection 2023 is simply outstanding.

CALLAHO EUPHORIA (Callaho's Equinox de Chalusse / Callaho's For Joy / Almé Z).

When I bestride him, I soar. I am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes”

–  Shakespeare

The recent passing of this iconic grey stallion has been met with an overwhelming display of grief and admiration throughout the equestrian community.

As we reflect on the life and legacy of this incredible stallion, we are reminded of the impact he had on the equestrian world and the inspiration he continues to provide for riders and enthusiasts alike.

Capital Hitoshi was a true force to be reckoned with in the arena, known for his remarkable presence and extraordinary talent. Partnered with his exceptional Nicole Horwood, he achieved an outstanding list of accomplishments that showcased his incredible scope, bravery, and sheer athleticism. Together, they formed an unstoppable team.

Capital Hitoshi – you were one in a million. We thank you for your contribution to the equestrian sport and send our heartfelt condolences to Nicole and the Capital Stud Team.

HIS BACKGROUND

Capital Hitoshi’s story begins in Belgium with Dirk Zagers:

“I saw Hitoshi for the first time in 2007 at a photo and video session of a foal auction in Belgium. He impressed me with his looks; he was a very strong and very muscled foal with very athletic gaits, especially the canter. His pedigree interested me very much as his grandmother is the mother of Maradonna vd Helle who jumped successfully in the Nations Cup team of Italy and I, myself, had Nana vd Helle, the full sister of Maradonna. Nana vd Helle was a formidable jumper and became the mother of Chilli Pepper, who jumped in the finals of the World Cup for Saudi Arabia.

When I spotted Hitoshi, I immediately phoned Henning to tell him I had found a formidable colt by the World Cup winner Winningmood out of a top and proven dam-line. Henning was enamoured with the damline and after seeing a video of the youngster, he made the astute decision to include Hitoshi among the four stallions he acquired that year. He purchased Hitoshi over the phone at the auction and Hitoshi stayed for another year in my yard. Already as a yearling one could see that he had stallion quality.”

Capital Stud approached Nicole Horwood to take the ride on this special stallion:

“I first met Hitoshi in 2014, when Capital Stud approached me to be his rider. I started jumping him in the 1m20 classes. In the beginning it was a challenge because he had a lot of blood and was very keen to do his job. I had to do a lot of slow training with him to get him to relax and not rush at the fences. Once I became more familiar with him I found a way to adapt to his way of doing things to get the best out of him.” Nicole Horwood

HIS PERSONALITY

“Hitoshi was a sweet stallion with a loud voice but a kind heart. He loved life and always had a positive attitude. He was always so playful; he loved grabbing crops and swinging them back and forth. He had such a big personality; every time we came home from a show as soon as we turned down the driveway, like clockwork, he would start neighing to announce to everyone he was home. He taught me so much about myself and gave me so much confidence in the ring, I knew whatever question I asked him he would never say no. He was a soldier and mentored me around so many Derby tracks giving me invaluable experience in the big classes and if he was clear in a jump-off there were not many that could beat him. I would like to thank Capital Stud for sharing this special horse with me. He played such an important role in my career giving me such confidence in my abilities.”

Nicole Horwood

Eilkhana Mvula, Hitoshi’s groom, told us this:

“Hitoshi was the sweetest horse at home. He was the simplest horse in the yard here. He would do anything we asked him to do – first time, every time. Tacking up, grooming him, anything – he was lovely to work with. He didn’t do anything wrong. At a show, he was always our voice. When we arrived at a show, he would call so loud that everyone stopped what they were doing and looked. He was telling everyone that Capital Stud had arrived, and that they were in for a good competition.

The best thing about him was that when he was in the ring doing a jump-off he would give it his best. No-one could catch Hitoshi in the jump-off. No-one. My favourite memory with him was when he won the Grand Prix in Polokwane at Revil Stables. He did a super-fast jump-off to win that Grand Prix. That memory will always be in my head.

We will miss him a lot. We are all very sad. He was a good boy. He was our friend. He was everything to us. I hope he will rest in peace. We will always remember him and always love him.”

At a show, he was always our voice. When we arrived at a show he would call so loud that everyone stopped what they were doing and looked. He was telling everyone that Capital Stud had arrived, and that they were in for a good competition.

- Eilkhana

HIS MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

Capital Hitoshi was an exceptionally successful stallion. 2017 was perhaps his best year, seeing him finish second in the overall rankings after winning three Riders’ Grand Prixs back-to-back, and the Maple Ridge World Cup Qualifier. 2020 marked another special victory with Capital Hitoshi winning Gauteng Champs. His most recent victory was in late 2022, where he won the Gold Tour Grand Prix at the United League of Champions final.

Since his arrival in South Africa, Hitoshi has made an immense impact on Capital Stud in various capacities. As an athlete, he proved to be a formidable force, while also serving as a foundation stallion with many up and coming offspring, including Charley Crockart’s Capital Hampton (Capital Hitoshi x Optimum vd Wellington), jumping 1.40m, and Jorja Rohrich’s Capital Hurley (Capital Hitoshi x Ulior), jumping 1.30m. His stamp and talent are instantly recognisable and his direct offspring do him credit in the arena. He has also contributed his qualities strongly as dam-sire to some of Capital Stud’s most valuable horses, particularly his broodmares.

We are sad and sorry he never got the chance to retire in the beautiful paddocks of Summerhill Equestrian, next to his stable and competition partner Capital Don Cumarco - the two grey stallions that made Capital Stud so famous - Capital Stud Team

Capital Hampton

Capital Hurley

Hitoshi showed his jumping potential over the years - you could see that he had unlimited scope and an excellent performance mentality in the arena. I believe that scope, size and top character are the assets he passes on to his offspring and that above all his fillies will carry on his legacy for years to come. - Dirk Zagers

HIS LEGACY

The piece of Hitoshi that Capital Stud get to keep is the talent and temperament he so clearly passes onto his offspring. For anyone riding a Hitoshi son or daughter, you can know they are carrying the genes of one of the greatest stallions that has ever stood on South African soil.

Thank you, Hitoshi.

CAPITAL HITOSHI - 10 July 2007 - 3 March 2023

Equestrian yoga

PART 3 FOR CORE STRENGTH

Welcome back to Part 3 of the Equestrian Yoga Series for Core Strength. So far, we have covered the Goddess Pose and Warrior II, and by now, you should be feeling stronger in body and mind. This month we cover a popular pose called Downward Facing Dog, and as a bonus, we’ll also go through the importance of the ever-elusive Yogic Breath, which you can incorporate into all of the poses we’ve mentioned in this series. So, grab your yoga mat, and let’s get started!

DOWNWARD FACING DOG

Downward Facing Dog, or ‘Adho Mukha Svanasana’ in Sanskrit, is a great total body

workout. This exercise strengthens your shoulders, arms and wrists in your upper body. In your lower body, it strengthens and develops flexibility in your hamstrings, calves, ankles and feet while building that vital core structure. It is also a great exercise for riders that struggle with keeping their heels down.

But, the benefits of Downward Facing Dog don’t end there; due to the positioning, it is great for moving blood and oxygen to your head, giving you a yogic glow - with a healthier facial appearance and improved complexion and skin radiance - all the while relieving tension and stress.

TEXT: RHIANNON CECIL

How to do it:

1. Start by going down on your hands and knees in a tabletop position. Place your hands below your shoulders and knees below your hips.

2. Exhale, put your weight on your toes and press down into the floor with hands and feet, lifting your pelvis towards the sky.

3. You will want to form an inverted ‘V’ with your body. Continue to breathe normally.

4. Tuck your chin in and gaze towards your navel.

5. Keep your shoulders away from your ears, and press your heels down into the mat.

6. Keep breathing and hold this pose for 60 seconds.

7. Return to the tabletop position, rest for 30 seconds and repeat.

Downward Facing Dog may not be easy to achieve at first, but like everything in life, it gets easier the more familiar you become with the exercise. Don’t worry if you can’t get your heels to touch the floor or you can’t last a full minute; this will come in time. Yoga is not a competition but instead a way of bettering yourself as a whole — inside and out, little by little. As you gain strength and flexibility, you can slowly increase the time you spend in the pose and up the reps.

WHAT IS YOGIC BREATHING?

Yogic breathing — Pranayama in Sanskrit — is an essential part of yoga. Yogic breathing is intentional and controlled breathing that helps us maintain focus. It assists in clearing our minds of clutter to effectively manage our thoughts.

Not only does effective breathing help us gain a sense of calm, stability, openness and focus, but it also assists in oxygenating the body, which is essential for all our different parts to work properly.

The majority of the western world lives in a constant state of stress, unaware of our rapid breathing, erratic heart rates, high blood pressure, and bad tempers. Yogic breathing effectively counteracts these potentially damaging effects and helps us become aware of the current state of our body and mind.

Thank goodness for all the dedicated Yogis out there, teaching us how to reach and maintain a state of calmness! Through this state, we are not only able to make better decisions but manage our emotions in a healthier way. It’s truly amazing what learning how to breathe properly can do for you.

The benefits of yogic breathing include:

• Reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.

• Increasing calmness and relaxation.

• Lowering cortisol in the body.

• Stabilising and lowered blood pressure.

• Aiding with insomnia and sleeplessness.

• Improving core strength.

• Expelling carbon dioxide and increasing oxygen levels.

• Helping manage irritable bowel syndrome. Pranayama is just one of the eight branches of yoga. These breathing exercises are done in a stationary position and performed separately from the physical movements (Asanas). It’s important to make time for Pranayama exercises; remember to include them in your yoga regimen. Next, we look at Ujjayi Pranayama, a breathing exercise you can practice to help calm your show nerves.

UJJAYI PRANAYAMA

Ujjayi Pranayama, or ‘Ocean’s Breath’, is a great exercise to practice before competing when your show nerves are at their worst. In Sanskrit, Ujjayi means to conquer, which makes this exercise perfect for equestrians.

Ocean’s Breath calms your mind and warms your body. This exercise also lowers your heart rate and regulates blood pressure. When done correctly, your breathing will sound like waves crashing on the beach or wind rustling through the trees, hence the name Ocean’s Breath. How to do it:

1. Sit on the floor, cross-legged or in your favourite meditative pose with your spine erect.

2. Start by taking deep breaths, in and out, through your mouth; feel the air passing up and down your windpipe. Try to fill your lungs to full capacity.

3. Once you have settled into a nice rhythm, contract the back of your throat on the exhale, restricting the movement of air. There should be a change in the sound, a lot like the ocean.

4. Now try contracting on the inhale.

5. Once you have the hang of it, start breathing through the nose.

6. Breathe this way for two minutes at first, and when you are comfortable, extend the time to five minutes and keep on increasing as your concentration gets better.

HOW DO I BREATHE WHILE HOLDING A POSE?

This great question often causes confusion among beginner Yogis. The simplest breath while holding a Yoga pose is to breathe deeply through your nose and bring the breath in all the way to your stomach. Once your stomach has expanded, continue to breathe in so your rib cage expands. Then, use the last of your breath to expand the chest.

On the exhale, reverse the order. Exhale through your nose and deflate your chest, then your rib cage, and finally your stomach to create a flowing movement with a nice rhythm. Focusing on your breath in this way will help you stay present and prevent your mind from wandering. If your mind wanders, just recognise it’s happened, and bring your focus back to your breath. There’s no need to fret.

You can practice breathing this way when sitting at your desk or stuck in traffic. It may be difficult to get the hang of at first because your ‘monkey mind’ will take over. It’s completely normal. See if you can get to ten breaths without getting distracted or changing the rhythm.

NAMASTE!

Thank you for taking part in our three-part yoga series. Practice these exercises regularly, and you will see a marked improvement, not only your riding, but in all areas of your life. There is nothing a little bit of yoga can’t fix - Namaste!

Groundwork

PART 3

YIELD BACKWARDS WITH A DIRECT 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 will look at these basic building blocks of your groundwork toolbox and help you to build a solid foundation for your in-hand work.

In our last two issues, we looked at asking your horse to yield forwards. In this issue, we will ask your horse to yield softly backwards from a direct feel on his nose.

YIELD BACKWARDS WITH A DIRECT FEEL HOW TO DO THE EXERCISE

• Stand next to your horse’s head, facing him and place your hand on his nose with your fingers touching each side of the bridge of his nose about where the noseband sits (i.e. not obstructing his nostrils).

• He may not enjoy this sensation or try to walk off through you but aim to keep your hand gently in place until he settles and accepts you touching him there. NOTE: If this proves a real challenge for your horse, just practice putting your hand on his nose for a few days before asking for the next steps. This is a sensitive area, and we need to give our horses time to adapt.

• Once he is calm and not resisting or pushing, lift your energy, focus it behind him with clear intention and apply gentle pressure on the bridge of his nose. NOTE:

NOTE

If your horse is truly soft, yielding and balanced, backwards will be a two-time gait as he will move his feet in diagonal pairs, as in trot.

There are very sensitive structures around this area, so your pressure must be very light. You are NOT trying to push him backwards. The motion is more of a light squeeze on either side of the nose.

• When he has given one step back or even shifted his energy back, reward him immediately by releasing the pressure, removing your hand and saying well done.

• Once your horse gets the hang of this, you can ask him to take two or three steps before removing your hand. Over time, you can get your horse to back up a long way using this technique, but start slowly and build up to this.

TOP TIP

As your horse goes backwards, move your feet in time with his so your body mirrors his body, and you practice being in rhythm with his stride.

POINTS TO NOTE

• Try to keep your energy moving straight back to encourage your horse to back up straight, but remember that your horse has one stronger side and one weaker side, so he is likely to tend to back up one way or the other. Do not be fussy about this initially; rather, work on it over time.

TROUBLESHOOTING

• If your horse fights your hand on his nose, be patient. Some horses can find having your hand on their nose extremely aversive, particularly those who have worn very restrictive tack, such as tight nosebands or flash straps. For these horses, it is best to just try and keep

your hand there lightly or even to stroke him gently on his nose until he can accept it before asking for movement.

• If your horse refuses to move backwards, use the halter gently to move his head over the front foot that needs to move back first and ask him to take a lateral step rather than a back-up step. This normally acts to free up the feet and help the horse to move back more easily.

• If your horse still doesn’t go backwards, don’t increase the pressure on his nose, but rather rhythmically flick the end of the leadrope or stick towards his chest to encourage him backwards.

• If he is still struggling to go backwards, it might be worth discussing this with your instructor or vet to ensure that

there isn’t another issue that is making this movement difficult. Some issues, such as stifle or sacroiliac problems, can make it difficult or painful for a horse to back-up, and these need to be looked for in horses who are very resistant to backing up.

• If your horse tries to evade your request by dropping his head down - wave your stick, or stamp your foot on the ground to discourage him.

• If your horse tries to evade by throwing his head in the air, try to keep your hand in place (although this can be a challenge with a 17hh giant!) and spend time encouraging him to accept your hand on his nose, using the process described above.

ULTIMATE GOALS

The ultimate goals of this exercise are to:

1. Allow you to keep your horse at arm’s length when needed.

2. Start to teach the back-up so that the back-up under saddle is easier.

MAKING THE EXERCISE MORE DIFFICULT

Once your horse reliably follows your feel backwards, you can start to specify which foot your horse moves. To do this, ask whichever front foot looks ready to move first to take a step backwards by applying gentle pressure on whichever of your thumb or forefingers are on the same side of the nose as the chosen foot. This will allow you to communicate with each individual foot. As mentioned above, make sure you release the pressure and praise him after each step back with the correct foot.

NEXT TIME

In our next edition, we will examine how to ask our horse backwards using an indirect feel.

SOUTH AFRICAN WARMBLOODS

HOYS 2023

TEXT: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY AND DENFORD STUDIOS

HORSE AND RIDER

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF WHAT ARE CONSIDERED FOUNDING SIRES FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN WARMBLOOD:

Admiral HANN 1969 Abermals/ ValentinoXX / Athos (Namibian)

Anschluss HANN 1997 Abzats/ Weiler / Domitz (Namibian)

Attila HANN 1980 Akzent II / Ferdinand / Friesennkonig Hakahana Stud

Aurelius HANN 1985 Attlas / Wedekind / Frustra Mossandi Stud

Bahadur XX TB 1972 Noble Chieftan / Adaban II / Satur II Davenport Stud

Craftsman XX TB 1978 Trocadero / Olean / Chesham Davenport Stud

Doornkaat HANN 1971 Lanndrost/ Dominik / Senator Theo Laros

Drabant Swedish 1970 Urabino 430 / Magnat 383 / Biarritz 294 (Selected by Charlotte Stubbs)

Eichbaum HANN 1976 Eisenthertz / Cid / Ast Namibian

Landjunker HOLST 1983 Landgraf I / Rigatello / Waldjunker Alzu Stud

Thaddeus HANN 1985 Tanneberg / Wiesennbaum / Duktus Cellehof Stud

Wachmann III HANN 1979 Wedekind / Frustra II / Wintersport Alzu Stud

The South African Warmblood Horse Society (SAWHS) was formed in 1989 owing to the consistent importation of European Warmbloods that had taken place from 1965 onwards. Several Hanoverian lines were also being imported from Namibia at this time, thanks to the German community of breeders there. Some of the founding studs involved in the development of the Society were Mossandi, Alzu, Cellehof and Hakahana. Later, Pohlands, Davenport and Brandenburg Studs joined. The imported European stallions were often crossed with the local Thoroughbred population, with the hope of producing progeny with improved movement and conformation for showjumping and dressage. This cross-bred generation became the base generation for most of today’s registered SA Warmbloods.

The SAWHS is the governing body for Warmbloods in South Africa and falls under the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. It is directly responsible to the Registrar of livestock improvement, which in a broad sense, entails the identification and utilisation of genetically

superior horses for breeding to improve the production and performance of horses in South Africa.

The SA Warmblood horse is one of very few South African horse breeds that is government-gazetted. To attain this status, a database had to be set up for the recording of SA Warmbloods, and a set of breed standards, performance criteria and geno- and phenotypes that described the Warmblood had to be submitted and approved. The ideal SA Warmblood, according to these standards, should be a correct, powerful, yet refined horse that has presence. They can vary in type and size according to their discipline requirements (showjumping, eventing or dressage), but what they should all have in common is rideability, correct and flexible limbs, light energetic paces, and a stable temperament.

Bearing this extensive history in mind, we took a look at some of the Champion Warmbloods at this year’s Horse of the Year. There were clearly exceptional specimens on display as the Champion Mare, Stallion and Gelding all made it to the top 10 of their All Breeds Supreme Classes!

FAST FACT

Mares must reach 15.1hh (1.55m) and stallions 15.3hh (1.60m) to be an approved SA Warmblood but over 16hh is preferable.

THE HOYS SA WARMBLOOD GRAND CHAMPION 2023

The Winner of the SA Warmblood Grand Champion In-Hand was the fiveyear-old mare Saratoga Summertime, bred by Saratoga Stud and owned by Samantha Sader. Saratoga Summertime is by the imported dressage stallion Senergy (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall) out of Aniara’s Hope, a daughter to Ronnie Lawrence’s top Thoroughbred jumper High Hopes! Although Senergy is predominantly dressage bred, he has produced versatile offspring who have had success in the showjumping and dressage arenas and now the show ring as well! Saratoga Summertime was also crowned the SA Showing Association Champion Adult Novice Show Horse, Champion Overall Show Horse and was 3rd in the Supreme Ridden Horse of the Year. She was then also awarded Reserve Supreme Champion All Breeds Horse of the Year! It was certainly a very successful show for her!

Saratoga Summertime and Shaun West

SA WARMBLOOD COLT/STALLION

This Champion title was awarded to Amelia CampbellHorne’s imported Show Jumping Stallion Geloven BB, who is by Zacahrov (Clinton x Lord Z) out of a Goodtimes mare. He went on to finish in the top 10 of the Supreme Champion All Breeds Horse.

The Reserve Champion went to Mythos I’m A Charmer, bred by Charne Gerber of Mythos Stud and owned by Alecia Barnard. He is by Diamond’s Incognito (I’m Special de Muze) out of an Eagle’s Lucky Charm. His dam line again proves a successful combination of Warmblood and Thoroughbred breeding and goes back to two of our foundation sires, Wachmann III and Anschluss.

CHAMPION WARMBLOOD FOAL

The Champion Warmblood Foal was awarded to the threeand-a-half-month-old Konri Capital Klooney by Capital Kronos van het Poeleind out of Capital Donzora (Capital Don Cumarco) owned by Kostas Kontos and Sinead Rice. Capital Donzora was carefully selected from the Capital Auction in foal to Capital Kronos. Klooney goes back to two of the SAW foundation sires, with both Bahadur XX and Wachmann III appearing in his dam line. Kostas noted the importance of showing young horses in that it exposes them to handling, turn-out, boxing and the competition environment from a young age. With solid conformation and a stable but inquisitive mind, we can’t wait to see what is in store for this youngster.

SA WARMBLOOD GRAND RESERVE CHAMPION

This was awarded to Ceto D, owned by Celeste Lochoff and shown by Kelly O’Connor. The “D” comes from Celeste’s (Kelly’s Mom’s) previous Pony Stud Dakkam. Ceto D is by Cornet Damiro, a recently Licenced SAW Stallion out of Aurora (Atlanticus x Cellehof’s Thaddeus) and Thaddeus is one of the SAW foundation sires! Kelly was given the ride on Cornet Damiro at a Young Horse Show and, having thoroughly enjoyed the ride decided to breed with him. The product is a compact mare with good size and an outstanding temperament. She is set to be an ideal all-rounder who Kelly will produce and potentially hand over to her niece as a first junior horse!

Ceto D and Kelly O'Connor

Geloven BB and Amelia Campbell-Horne

Konri Capital Klooney

HORSE AND RIDER

SA WARMBLOOD GELDING

This was won by Ambeck Royal by Revolution out of Compton House Helvita (His Highness). Ambeck Royal was bred by Dr Alexandra Becker and is now owned by Sarah Boughey. Having just turned three, both breeder and owner were over the moon that he progressed from here to finish in the top eight of the All Breeds Gelding Supreme.

SA WARMBLOOD GROOM UTILITY CLASS

Won by Kloppers Ngome of Martini Stud handling Martini Frangelica. Kloppers told us the following:

“In Zimbabwe, I had a donkey cart and liked the donkeys. In 2008 I joined by brother at Phantom Park as a groom. I went home to Zimbabwe and on my return, I worked for Fourways Riding School from 2010 to 2016. I went home again and on my return in 2017 I found employment at Hippo Gallops where I learnt to turn out horses for showing and dressage. In 2020, I did a course in turn-out and received a certificate. Moses taught me to plait and turnout horses and Claire Martin taught me to do the In-Hand

work with Frangelica, who is four years old and not scared of new things. In 2022, I did an advanced turnout course. In HOY 2023 Frangelica came first In-Hand in Working Riding as she is not scared to go through the obstacles. My favourite horse is Pixel.”

SA WARMBLOOD GROOM HANDLER

Won by Tobias Ngwenya, handling Gondor UFO owned by the Blaauw Family. Tobias Ngwenya has been very successful in Groom Handler classes. He worked for Megan Hay and started in the Grooms Classes in 2006, where he came second. He has gone on to win with regularity!

Ambeck Royal

Kloppers Ngome and Martini Frangelica

CHAMPION SA WARMBLOOD RIDING HORSE

This was won by Simone Vermeulen’s Heir to the Throne who is by Ballymacash Saint Silbersee out of Send me an Angel XX (Temptation Time XX x Divine King XX). This represents another successful combination of Warmblood and Thoroughbred. The Reserve Champion Riding Horse was awarded to Claire Martin’s Martini Ebony Rose, who is by Berghof Eragon out of La Bamba, another successful Warmblood x Thoroughbred combination.

CHAMPION AND RESERVE CHAMPION SA WARMBLOOD POTENTIAL DERBY/ WORKING HUNTER

This prize went to Shaneen Kryzna and SK Equestrian’s Midgard Saphyr, who you may remember as the winners of last year’s SA Derby’s Compleat Horse. Saphyr is by the successful breeding stallion Consuelo. This pair also won Overall Supreme Working Riding Horse.

The Reserve Champion went to Claire Martin’s Martini Pixel, another Derby Compleat Horse Competitor. Pixel is by Rivervale’s Parco’s Son who is one of the few South African bred stallions to have received a Premium Licensing. She is out of the same Warmblood cross Thoroughbred mare as Martini Ebony Rose.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to all competitors and Studs on their successful SA Warmblood sport horses!

Claire Martin and Martini Ebony Rose

Heir to the Throne and Simone Vermeulen

Shaneen Kryzna and SK Equestrian's Midgard Saphyr

THE SA BOERPERD AT SANESA THE

BREED TO BEAT

Any sport takes effort, time and commitment. Horse sport takes extra effort, extra time and extra commitment. A horse is not a bicycle, rugby ball, or hockey stick to be put away after practice. It needs attention and love, time and commitment. A horse is a trusted companion where both horse and rider rely on each other unconditionally. They are athletes: they prepare together, grow together, ride together, and win together.

NOT JUST A COMPETITION….

SANESA (South African National Schools Association) is the ideal learning school for Gr. 1 – 12 learners, where these principles are fully cemented. It becomes a family sport: horse, rider, and parents grow together and come to love a horse and the sport. All pitch in to prepare a day before a competition, leaving early the next morning - sometimes in the winter when still cold and dark. Trainers have their hands full running around to read dressage tests, walk jumping courses and calm and support the young riders. Mothers help to keep the horses on the sometimes hectic time schedule. Dads hold horses, and they all work together to “let our children ride” (SANESA motto).

SANESA is the dynamic and vibrant organisation that makes all this happen. It is the umbrella term that includes 15 diverse equestrian disciplines. This multi-disciplinary equestrian schools’ sport takes place under the auspices of the Department of Basic Education and makes provision for riders from Grade 1 up to Grade 12, also including disabled learners. Riders can choose the disciplines in which they want to compete and enter at any time, at the level they feel comfortable at. Schools register on the SANESA platform, and the riders create a profile under the school’s name, adding the horse to that profile. Everything is done with the touch of a button. The structure of the competition is based on the framework that all other school sports leagues are based on, i.e.:

- Regional (district) qualifiers;

- Provincial championships;

- National championships – the big one.

Riders compete in a maximum of 4 qualifiers per discipline in the first seven months of the year. In all the above, riders gain points for their schools, teams, and themselves as individuals.

TEXT: PETRO GROVÉ PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

NOT JUST A DISCIPLINE…

There are numerous disciplines to compete in. The majority of riders compete in the core league that consists of the following classes: Prix Caprilli; Dressage (normal and freestyle); Equitation, Handy Hunter; In-hand Utility; Showjumping; Performance Riding; Working Hunter; Working Riding.

Other disciplines include Eventing, Stadium Eventing, Endurance, Mounted Archery, Western Mounted Games, Saddle Seat, Vaulting and Western Riding. Often riders that compete in core league classes will also be competing in these other disciplines.

At Nationals 2022, all disciplines included, a total of three thousand two hundred-and-four (3247) classes were ridden (showjumping jump-offs excluded). One thousand threehundred and thirty-seven (1337) classes were ridden by high school riders, and one thousand four-hundred and seven (1407) by primary school riders.

There were 21 different groups of horses represented during this week of horse sports. The largest group (18%) was identified as Thoroughbreds and cross-breeds grouped together. Other breeds combined made up 70%, and include Andalusians, Anglo Arabs, Appaloosas, Arabs, Clydesdales, Connemaras, Friesians, Hackneys, Hanoverians, Lippizaners,

Nooitgedachts, Paints, Percherons, Quarter Horses, Saddle Breds, Warmbloods and Welsh Cobs.

However, it was the SA Boerperd that shone through, making up 12% of the horse breeds taking part, making it the largest single horse breed to compete in the majority of disciplines.

NOT JUST A BREED….

The SA Boerperde competed in most of the disciplines, high school and primary school included. This says a lot about the versatility and rideability of the breed, as well as their capacity to be schooled as all-rounders. They are the ideal horse for SANESA. They are the full package.

Apart from being versatile, the performance of the SA Boerperd was excellent. 82% of the SA Boerperde placed in the Top 20 of the classes in which they participated.

NOT JUST A RIDER…..

The role of the SA Boerperd can best be described in the success stories of the winners of the Victor Ludorums.

ZARA PAPPALARDO

Attends Midstream Ridge Primary School; won Gauteng Victor Ludorum Primary Schools at 2022 SANESA Nationals. Zara started horse riding when she was six years old. Currently, she has a love affair with two SA Boerperde: Rooigras Elle and Carel-Hancke Donatello. However, it is with Elle that she excelled in the 2022 SANESA league. Elle did almost everything: 75cm Eventing, Elementary Dressage, Level 7 Performance Riding, Level 7 Working Riding, Level 7 Working Hunter, Intermediate Equitation, and Level 3 Prix Caprilli.

Zara started riding Rooigras Elle in 2022. Her first show with Elle was an Eventing show that they won. Since that

day, it was clear that they had a special connection. Elle loves to jump and is game for anything. However, their preparation focuses mostly on flat work and fitness. She normally has one or two jumping lessons a week that include equitation.

In her grade five year (2021), Zara and Carel-Hancke

Donatello won the SANESA 2021 Victor Ludorum for Primary Schools. Early in 2022, the pair were selected for the Gauteng Open Pony Dressage (Elementary) Team and competed in the SA Youth Championships. It became too much for her to compete with two horses at SANESA, so she focused her attentions on Elle.

At the beginning of 2023, Zara and Elle qualified to

Zara

Pappalardo

Medium; Dressage Elementary Medium (two classes); Level 3 Performance Riding; Level 5, Working Riding.

Marika also competed in another 13 classes on a second SA Boerperd, Le Pona Rico, who placed 6th in the National’s Top 20 overall ranking. Subsequently, she was appointed the best matric rider for 2022. Asked if she would choose another horse breed, her answer is that she will always prefer the SA Boerperd.

Marike’s history is one of true commitment. To be able to have enough time for matric studies, fulfil her duties as head girl at her school, as well as ride two horses was tough. However, with good planning, she was able to qualify to study at the University of the Free State to become a medical doctor – she has horse-sense with brains.

SA BOERPERD …THE BREED

The SA Boerperd are the only truly purebred South African horse breed. Their accomplishments in the SANESA league speak for themselves. With the SA Boerperde winning both the Supreme Ridden and Breed Supreme

Classes at Horse of the Year 2023, it is indeed the breed of the future.

The SA Boerperd is well known for its rideability, willingness to please and intelligence. This makes for a very versatile horse that is exceptionally suitable for SANESA competitions. With their easy temperament, they are the ideal sporting and pleasure horses. They are easy keepers and not prone to illnesses. This special breed of horses is readily available on our doorstep - proudly and uniquely South African.

2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the SA Boerperd as a breed. All registered SA Boerperd are invited to enter for the SA Boerperd National Championships that will take place from 26th June – 1st July 2023 at the Parys Afridome. The show will include Showing, Dressage, Showjumping, Working Riding, Working Hunter and Saddle Seat classes (3-gaited and 5-gaited). Other classes will include 3- and 5-gaited Traditional classes, where the horses have higher knee action. The provisional timetable is available on Facebook.

EQUI-TREAD’S WATER TREADMILL

UNDERSTANDING THIS TREATMENT AND TRAINING TOOL

We recently stumbled upon what we think has been one of Kyalami's best-kept secrets -  Jacqui Cochrane of Equi-Tread's water treadmill! Although equine water treadmills have been around for a while, particularly in Europe and the USA, they are relatively new to the South African market, so we popped in for a visit to get a first-hand experience of how it all works (thanks, Jacqui!). We're super excited to share some of our newfound knowledge on this wonderful tool's training and rehabilitation benefits.

TEXT: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT PHOTOGRAPHY

THE PROCESS

STEP 1: Before the horse enters the treadmill, the feet are cleaned out, the legs are hosed down to remove any dirt, and the tail is tied or wrapped up to minimise water contamination. Boots are not recommended for use on the treadmill, and if the horse is shod, they are checked for loose shoes.

STEP 2: Jacqui very sensitively introduces new horses to the experience of the water treadmill.

Jacqui walks the horse on and off the treadmill with the doors of the treadmill open. Once the horse is comfortable and settled on the belt, she keeps the doors open but closes the front chain and allows the horse to take a few steps at a time with the treadmill on so they begin learning how to walk on the treadmill. A handful of cubes can prove helpful too!

STEP 3: Once the horse is comfortable with the movement of the treadmill and walking on it, Jacqui seals the doors and gently allows the water to flow in up to fetlock height, allowing the horse to take a few steps occasionally as the water comes up, as the horses often do not realise there is water until it is above the coronary band.

STEP 4: Generally, horses begin their programmes with water at fetlock height, which can be increased over the first few sessions to the optimal level required for the individual horse's needs. The exercise duration can also gradually increase as the horse acclimatises mentally and physically to water-walking.

STEP 5: The water treadmill speed generally depends upon the size of the horse and his stride length and capabilities. However, water walking is generally more comfortable at a speed slightly slower than that of overland walking. The height of the water (generally either fetlock, hock or stifle) should be tailored to the individual training or rehabilitation programme, as different water heights have specific benefits.

STEP 6: According to research, horses benefit from a structured habituation period, with the ideal scenario being three short (approximately 15-minute) sessions

on the treadmill over three consecutive days. However, if this is not possible, then trying to have the second session within one to two weeks of the first is advised if you wish to really habituate your horse to the tool.

WHY USE THE EQUINE WATER TREADMILL?

Research has proven that the water treadmill is beneficial for incorporation in equine rehabilitation programmes and as a form of cross-training for competition horses. There are several benefits of its use:

1. IT IS A LOW-IMPACT FORM OF EXERCISE

Due to the increased demands placed upon the competitive equine, there is a need for forms of exercise with reduced risk of impact shock and concussive forces and, therefore, repetitive strain injuries. The water treadmill is an ideal low-impact exercise as it still encourages a full range of movement and muscle function but minimises the forces on impact. The effects of buoyancy achieved when water levels are high means it may also be beneficial in certain rehabilitation cases where reduced weight-bearing exercise is recommended.

2. IT IS A LOW-INTENSITY EXERCISE

This low intensity means that it is suitable for both fit horses and those returning to work after an injury. Research also suggests that regular use may assist with developing cardiovascular fitness and increased aerobic capacity. Furthermore, as it is an aerobic form of exercise, horses do not produce lactic acid when working on the water treadmill, so there is less chance of muscle damage. The famous Valegro would go on a water treadmill once a week throughout the year (and twice a week leading up to championships) to have an 'easy day' as it allowed him to move through the range of movements required in his work but in a relaxed and non-intensive way.

3. IMPROVED RANGE OF MOVEMENT AND MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT

Research has proven that walking on a water treadmill produces an increased range of movement in horses. The increase in the range of movement is dependent on the water level:

• At fetlock height, horses can stretch their head down towards the water, increasing flexion of the thoracic spine, which may assist in developing the horse's top line.

• At hock height or lower, the greatest range of motion in the lower limbs is seen as most horses adapt their gait pattern, lifting their legs out of the water to avoid the effects of drag.

• At stifle height, the greatest hock range of motion is observed as well as flexion and extension of the thoracolumbar spine. Flexion of the pelvis also increases as water depth increases.

Walking in the water treadmill with a water level anywhere above the fetlock also reduces stride frequency and increases stride length, specifically in the hind limb. This has two key benefits. Firstly, it encourages the horse to 'sit' behind and drive with the hind legs, taking the weight off the front end, which assists in the development of muscles in the horse's hindquarter and lumbar region. Secondly, the increased stride length and decreased stride frequency produce gait characteristics that are desirable for dressage, and therefore, the water treadmill has great potential for the training of dressage horses.

4. IMPROVED SYMMETRY AND BALANCE

The controlled nature of the treadmill results in symmetrical muscle development as it necessitates straightness of movement. Research also suggests that water treadmill exercise could assist with improving a horse's balance and postural stability as there is reduced postural 'sway'.

5. OTHER BENEFITS

• It provides a controlled environment for safe exercise, reducing the risk of injury. This also means that in some instances, horses can begin working sooner after injury than with standard exercise regimes.

• It may assist with weight loss in overweight horses.

• The salt water has an anti-inflammatory benefit and encourages hoof growth.

• It is recommended for post-operative kissing spine rehabilitation, with horses often being seen to return to ridden work less than three months post-op.

• It is also used in the rehabilitation of subacute and chronic tendon and ligament injuries and in the management of chronic osteoarthritis.

CONTACT INFO

You can contact Jacqui at Equi-Tread on 082 393 8537

Follow them on Instagram @equitreadsa to see more of what they get up to.

ABOUT JACQUI AND EQUI-TREAD

Jacqui has a BSc in Sports Science, which exposed her to a great range of sports and various key elements such as biokinetics, nutrition, rehabilitation, and high-performance training. She also studied Physiology and Kinesiology and thoroughly enjoys analysing movement and the muscles required to create it. In fact, Jacqui enjoyed the Anatomy side of her degree so much that she followed it up with an Equine Anatomy and Massage course. She has also trained in the Masterson Method, which has enlightened her in the subtle cues horses give during bodywork.

When it comes to the water treadmill specifically, you would be hard-pressed to find any research relating to water treadmills that Jacqui has not read! She recently travelled to Ocala, Florida, where there are several rehabilitation facilities and people with their own water treadmills. She observed and learned first-hand how they train and rehabilitate their horses using water treadmills in America. Finally, she has spent a long-time testing her own horses and observing the benefits first-hand before officially opening Equi-Tread to the public!

All of this just goes to show just how dedicated Jacqui and the rest of the team at Equi-Tread are to using this water treadmill to give the maximal benefit to our equines here in South Africa. You couldn’t meet a more passionate and informed team!

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

As discussed above, water treadmill exercise has a wide range of benefits, including an increased range of movement of the lower limbs, increased lumbar flexion, decreased impact shock on joints and an opportunity to cross-train in a perfectly controlled environment. We can't recommend Jacqui and the Equi-Tread team enough and advise anyone interested to get in touch with them to discuss the options for your horse.

MYCOTOXINS AND THE DAMAGE THEY CAUSE

Is your horse itchy, grumpy, spooky, prone to developing colic or suffering from general ill health? If you've ruled out all of the obvious causes, you may want to consider mycotoxins as a possible culprit. While still not too commonly spoken about in the equine industry, mycotoxins are well documented in the dairy industry, being known to cause diminished milk production and slowed growth rates in affected cows.

WHAT ARE MYCOTOXINS?

Mycotoxins are harmful substances that are natural byproducts of moulds or fungi that grow on pasture, hay or grains. They are invisible to the naked eye.  Mycotoxins are found in our air, general environment and, most concerningly - in our horse's feed and even their bedding. Some grass species, such as ryegrass and fescue, seem particularly predisposed to developing mycotoxins, but mouldy hay of any kind is ripe for mycotoxin production.

Mycotoxins thrive in hot and wet weather conditions –making our environment here in South Africa particularly appealing to them!

NOTE

Mould grows when hay and feed are not dried properly when harvested or stored. Moisture levels of 14-15%, heat, humidity, and poor ventilation create the perfect environmental conditions for mould growth and mycotoxin production. Hay, in particular, can go mouldy very quickly. Studies have shown that mould can develop in as little as a few hours, given the presence of heat and moisture. This is why it is extremely important to check your hay before feeding. If your hay is damp, has a funny smell, or any visible signs of mould, do not feed it.

HOW DO THEY AFFECT MY HORSE?

When the offending feed is ingested, the mycotoxins disrupt gastrointestinal function, which affects the gut lining and the microflora of the digestive tract. The mycotoxins are then absorbed into the bloodstream, where they can affect the organs, even causing permanent damage to the liver, kidneys, brain and nervous system. Certain mycotoxins are also harmful to the developing foetus, with late-term abortions being a possibility, as well as poor growth rate.

HORSE AND HEALTH

SYMPTOMS

It is important to note that not every horse will show every symptom outlined below. Still, a horse displaying any of the below (even in isolation) could be suffering from mycotoxicosis:

• Itchy skin

• Head-shaking

• Uncharacteristic spookiness

• Unpredictable behaviour

• Sunburnt nose or photosensitivity

• Greasy heel

• Lethargy

• Dull coat or patchy hair growth

• Cough or runny nose

• Muscle tightness

• Swollen lower limbs

• Lameness

• Shortened stride

• Poor condition despite good feed

• Colic

• Fertility issues

• Poor performance

• Compromised immune system

• Chronic diarrhoea

EARLY SIGNS OF MYCOTOXIN INTOXICATION

Early signs of mycotoxin intoxication include lethargy, reduced appetite, diarrhoea and difficulty breathing.

WHICH HORSES ARE AFFECTED?

Younger and older horses whose immune systems may not be operating optimally, as well as immuno-compromised horses, are most likely to be affected, whereas healthy horses should have some resistance to low levels of mycotoxins. Regardless, as horse owners, we should always take preventative measures if our horse is living in an environment where mycotoxins may be a problem.

TYPES OF MYCOTOXINS

Currently, scientists have discovered approximately 400 different types of mycotoxin. Roughly 10 of these are commonly found in feed and hay. These include the following:

• Alternaria

• Aspergillus

• Cladosporum

• Fusarium

• Mucor

• Penicillium

• Rhizopus

But the three most common groups are  Fusarium, Aspergillus and  Penicillium. The first is a field-borne mould, meaning the mycotoxins are usually present when the forage is harvested. The latter two typically form during storage. For example,  Penicillium mycotoxins are often seen in poor-quality haylage, especially if air has penetrated the plastic wrap. Effects in the horse vary across the mycotoxin groups.

WHAT TO DO?

As horrific as mycotoxins may sound, there are some things one can do to avoid the substantial damage they cause. First, you must move the horse away from the offending food source, if possible. This is the most urgent step. Secondly, you need to consider your hay and food storage suppliers and storage practices. Here are some top tips for preventing mould growth in your hay:

• Dry your hay thoroughly before storing it

• Create space around bales to encourage ventilation

• Allow space above the hay for moisture to evaporate

• Stack bales in alternate directions

• Reduce stack sizes where possible

• Consider feeding  hay cubes if mould growth is an ongoing problem

• If you  steam your hay, feed it shortly after steaming to reduce the opportunity for mould to grow Thirdly, an increasingly popular method of preventing

mycotoxicosis is to feed a mycotoxin binder. While evidence in this area is still relatively limited, the studies to date suggest the value of incorporating these binders into your horse's diet. This is particularly important during hot and wet periods and during drought. There are a few different types of mycotoxin binders available on the market. Mycotoxin binders seem to bind to the mycotoxins and safely move them through the horse's gut until they are eliminated without causing damage to the horse's intestine or internal structures. It is important to choose a binder that doesn't also bind to important vitamins, minerals or medications.

NOTE

Mycotoxin binders should not be used as a strategy to counteract the adverse effects of feeding mouldy hay or food. If hay or food appears mouldy, you should never feed it to your horse.

It is said by many that the effectiveness of the mycotoxin binder can be further enhanced by combining it with probiotics and botanicals. Herbs with anti-fungal properties may be particularly helpful and complement the action of the mycotoxin binder. If the horse's organs appear to be affected, herbs such as milk thistle, which assist with regeneration, may be beneficial. It is important to consult with an experienced herbalist and nutritionist in this regard.  Of course, if your horse is very unwell after exposure, you should urgently contact a veterinarian familiar with mycotoxicosis for assistance.

CASE STUDY AT THE COAST IN THE EASTERN CAPE

When people see my herd of 15 horses out in their green paddock, grazing together in their herd, grooming one another, one horse on lookout, one probably lying down for a roll or a sleep, it's the picture of an idyllic natural horse life. People always say how lucky these horses must be, how happy, how healthy, how fat they look and how shiny their eyes and coats seem. Then they ask if I have livery

space for their grey horse, their paint with pink skin around his eyes, their palomino or chestnut with four white feet and a white nose, and I have to explain what we colloquially call "the coastal itch". We have kept horses here for close on 30 years, and have always had to work really hard to manage this condition. Yes, our grass is fabulously nutritious and palatable, and the horses do really well on it. Still, the conditions are humid in the extreme, with summer rainfall, dry winters, heavy dew and, in short, the ideal conditions for fungus of any kind to thrive. The last seven years of drought, which you might think would improve the situation, have, in fact, caused the mycotoxin load to explode in the area, and we have struggled more than ever. One horse, a grey Percheron, had to be given away to an inland home after two years of dealing with the worst case of ringworm I have ever seen. Eventually, he had no hair on his legs and face and instead was covered in scabby, oozing lesions. Another horse, a paint with pink skin, came to us for spelling but had to be sent back home after two weeks because she had lost her hair from the chest down. These were the worst cases, but even the

horses that don't lose all their hair, who look relatively fat and healthy and shiny, suffer from various itchy skin conditions. Over the years, we have spent an absolute fortune on vet visits, F10 shampoo, herbal mixtures for skin and coat, cortisone creams and injections, not to mention the time spent washing, picking off scabs, putting on all manner of lotions and potions, bandages and cling wrap - we have literally tried everything. Only at a very late stage, sometime in 2021, did I learn about a wonderful thing called a mycotoxin binder and started all my horses on Mycosorb. This has been an absolute game-changer. Since we started with Mycosorb, we have had no cases of ringworm and no hairless horses in my yard. Now, the two non-negotiable supplements for all horses arriving with me are Immunohoof and Mycosorb, and things are going much better. However, I still discourage the arrival of any horse with pink skin, white legs, hairless noses, etc., as they are just so much more predisposed to these problems in the first place. I have a yard full of brown horses who, I must admit, do still itch, get cellulitis or lymphangitis

more than is normal, suffer from rain scald and mud fever on occasion, get more cortisone than is ideal, have more F10 baths than I would like to give, along with more antifungal herbs, liver aid and herbal mixtures for skin than I can really afford; BUT they do have hair, they are happy, they do have quality of life, and the "coastal itch" which has tormented me for so long has become a manageable condition since I started them on mycotoxin binders.

FINAL WORDS

To learn more about mycotoxins and how to manage them in your environment, speak to your vet or your local equine nutritionist. Sheldene Horne and Royalynne Herbs are also very experienced in managing mycotoxins, and you can contact them at the email addresses below.

RESOURCES

Royalynne Herbs - royalynne@retreat2eden.co.za

Sheldene Horne - sheldenehorne@yahoo.com

PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy)

A GENETIC CONDITION IN NEED OF CLOSE MANAGEMENT

TEXT: CHRISTINE PINNA

If you don't own a susceptible breed of horse, PSSM might be a term you've never heard before. However, even though this genetic condition is fairly breed-specific, it is worth every owner being aware of the signs. Fortunately, for those with horses with PSSM, the disease can be managed with a bit of effort. Here we look at this fascinating condition and exactly how we can manage it in our horses.

WHAT IS IT?

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) is a disease resulting in an abnormal accumulation of glycogen. Glycogen is the form of sugar stored in the horse's muscles. This accumulation can result in stiffness, tying up or various degrees of pain in the horse's body. Two types of PSSM have been identified to date:

PSSM 1: PSSM 1 is caused by a genetic mutation in the glycogen synthase 1 (GYS1) gene. This mutation causes muscle cells to continuously produce glycogen. Due to this being an autosomal dominant trait, only one copy of

the mutation is needed for a horse to be affected. Having said that, environmental factors such as diet and exercise play an important role in the development of clinical signs. PSSM1 has been discovered in more than 20 breeds, but the most commonly affected breeds are Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas, as well as draft breeds such as Percherons.

PSSM 2: PSSM 2 also results in abnormal glycogen storage in the muscles; however, the horses do not have the GYS1 mutation. The cause of PSSM2 remains unknown, and it is suspected that there may be multiple factors at play. It is thought that a condition called myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) which is characterised by exercise intolerance and intermittent exertional rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscles after exercise) may be an extreme subset of PSSM2 but further research is needed to confirm this. PSSM2, but not MFM, has been diagnosed in Quarter Horses. Cases of PSSM2/MFM have been reported in Warmbloods and Arabians.

SYMPTOMS OF PSSM

Clinical signs of PSSM can range from mild to severe and include:

• Excessive sweating

• Lameness

• Sore muscles

• Undiagnosed lameness

• Tying up

• Poor performance

• Muscle tremors

• Reluctance to move forward or collect

• Tripping

• Poor stamina

• Weakness or muscle loss

• Bucking

In some cases, no clinical signs will be seen.

DIAGNOSIS

PSSM1 is diagnosed using a genetic test that checks for the presence of the GYS1 variant. The genetic test is performed using hair or blood samples. At present, there is no scientifically validated, peer-reviewed diagnostic test for PSSM2 or MFM. However, a muscle biopsy may be taken to evaluate muscle damage and measure the amount of glycogen stored in the muscle. The results of this biopsy may hint at PSSM2 or MFM. Still, horses can tie-up due to other causes such as malignant hypothermia, glycogen branching enzyme deficiency and myosin heavy chain myopathy. For this reason, it is essential to do this the biopsy, even thought it might not confirm PSSM2 or MFM, as it can rule out all these other conditions so that the horse is treated correctly and a different diagnosis is not missed.

TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT

It is important to have your horse's feed checked or tested by a nutritionist so as to ensure that his non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) intake is less than 12%. This assists in keeping the blood insulin levels low and reduces glycogen storage in the muscles. Most horses with PSSM are easykeepers and do not usually require more than low-sugar hay and a custom mineral mix to maintain condition. If more energy is required, then a low NSC or high-fat feed (please see box) should be sufficient.

A NOTE ON HIGH-FAT FEEDING

High-fat feeding, unfortunately, can come at a cost of its own. Highfat feeding can predispose to the development of Insulin Resistance, especially for 'good doers', which hugely increases their risk of developing laminitis. In fact, fat has been used by researchers to induce a state of Insulin Resistance in horses. For example, in a 2005 study by Dr Nicholas Frank and others, the researchers used the equivalent of just under a cup of rice bran oil to induce insulin resistance in Thoroughbreds.

Dr Eleanor Kellon VMD, an equine nutritionist specialist, recommends a different approach to the normal high-fat feeding recommendation. "I've lost track of how many horses suspected to have PSSM/EPSM and put on high-fat diets end up with me because they get Insulin Resistance and become laminitic. We don't know the safe dose of fat for an Insulin Resistant horse, but we sure don't want to be feeding as much fat as is already known to induce Insulin Resistance in a normal horse!"

Instead, Dr Kellon's approach is to limit carbohydrates and supplement with L-carnitine to assist in getting fat from body stores into the mitochondria to then be used for energy. She advises that this is done in conjunction with regular exercise and a mineral-balanced diet. With L-carnitine supplementation, it has been possible to greatly reduce or eliminate the need for high-fat feeding in these horses.

while staying off of grass entirely. In a track system, it is usual for the horse to have free access to low-sugar hay rather than grazing on pasture.

The diet should also have sufficient levels of quality protein in it, and some additional key elements should be carefully addressed in the horse's diet as shortages may significantly inhibit the horse's muscular comfort. These include salt, iodine, magnesium, selenium and vitamin E, as well as L-glutamine and L-leucine.

Regular exercise is highly beneficial for PSSM horses. Even just 10 minutes of activity has been demonstrated to be highly beneficial in reducing muscle damage. The better conditioned the horse is with a consistent exercise programme, the more likely they are to remain comfortable, and once they are fit and at a good point in their conditioning programme, they may be able to reduce the exercise to four times a week provided sufficient turnout is offered. For horses diagnosed with PSSM2, a lengthened, slow warmup with adequate stretching is recommended. It may also be of benefit to give the horse rest periods to relax and stretch their muscles between bursts of 2-5 minutes of collection under saddle.

During an acute episode of tying up, your vet should be contacted. They will likely administer sedatives, analgesics, muscle relaxants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief. There isn't sufficient evidencebased data available with regard to treating horses diagnosed with PSSM2, but they are often treated much the same as horses with PSSM1.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Unfortunately, there is no cure for PSSM, but with careful management, through diet and exercise, many horses with the condition can live a comfortable life with minimal or no symptoms. Because the condition is genetic and only requires one parent to carry the gene, with at least a 50% chance of the parent passing on the causative mutation to its offspring, it is recommended that one tests for PSSM before using a horse for breeding, particularly if the breed is considered high-risk for PSSM. Despite the cause of PSSM2 being unknown, one should not breed with horses diagnosed with this condition via muscle biopsy.

Crucial conformation

Part 2: The skeleton

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.

BONE STRUCTURE

The horse's bone structure is determined principally by genetics but influenced to some extent by nutrition. Although improper nutrition when a horse is young and growing can damage an inherently well-conformed skeletal structure, adequate nutrition can't do much to improve an inherently poor structure.

Some leg deformities in foals can be helped with surgery or corrective trimming or hooves while the leg bones are still growing, but for the most part, a horse's basic structure is present at birth and cannot be changed. Likewise, no amount of muscle conditioning to try and improve a horse's appearance can change his basic conformation, although some faults can be somewhat disguised by good muscle development or fat covering.  For these reasons, the skeletal structure must be carefully evaluated when selecting or judging a horse.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SPINAL COLUMN

"If a breeder could breed the perfect spine, they could be certain of breeding the perfect horse." - Unknown

Ultimately, the conformation of any animal depends on the shape and characteristics of the spinal column. The horse's backbone ties the skeleton together, and all other structures attach to the spine, whether directly or indirectly.

TYPES OF VERTEBRAE

The vertebrae vary in shape according to their position within the vertebral column. There are seven cervical vertebrae, 18 thoracic vertebrae (the first nine of which comprise the withers), six lumbar vertebrae, five fused bones in the sacrum and 15-20 small tail bones.

The different sections of a horse's back can vary in length among individuals depending on the shape of these various types of vertebrae, and for this reason, horses may have short or long necks, and short or long backs.

The ribs attach to the thoracic vertebrae. The pelvic bones are connected to the spine between the lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum (at the lumbosacral joint), creating an attachment for the hindlegs. Muscular development of the shoulder, loins and hindquarters, therefore, depends a great deal on the conformation of the spine.

SHAPE OF THE VERTEBRAE

Each vertebra in the spine has transverse processes (bony projections, like wings, that stick out to either side) and a dorsal spinous process (a bony projection that sticks out at the top). The dorsal spinous processes are short in the neck bones and along the back where the rider sits, but the 6-10 vertebrae that make up the withers have dorsal spinous processes that gradually increase to about 15cm in height and then diminish. This forms the characteristic curve to the wither and is where the muscles that hold the shoulder blade attach. The transverse (lateral) processes, or side wings, of the lumbar vertebrae, are wide to create an attachment for the large muscles of the back and quarters, which power the horse's actions as he jumps or moves at higher speeds.

PELVIS

The hindlegs attach to the spine through the pelvis, which is a bony girdle made up of several fused bones. Each side of the pelvis is a flat semicircle made up of the ilium, ischium and pubis, which are fused together to appear as one large bone. The hindlegs attach the pelvis at the hip joint. The pelvis also has several projections to which various large muscles attach, giving the hindquarters their shape. The positioning of the pelvis in the horse is slanted, not upright, and the angle of this 'slant' varies with the breed and the individual horse. The degree of angulation influences the shape of the rump and the general conformation of the hind leg.

SHOULDER ANGLE

The upper end of the scapula is attached to the backbone along the withers by muscles. The angle the shoulder blade forms with the backbone depends on the position and shape of the vertebrae. If the vertebral bodies are long (from front to back), this creates a long withers area, and the top of the shoulder blade will lie farther back than if the vertebral bodies are short. If the vertebral bodies are short, the top of the shoulder blade will lie closer to the base of the neck. The shoulder will thus be more upright, resulting in more concussion and jarring forces in the front legs.

SPINAL FLEXION

In a horse, the range of movement in the neck is sizeable, but along the rest of the back, the range is very limited. In the thoracic region, there is very little movement at all, and in the lumbar region, there is some up-and-down and sideto-side movement. Ultimately, this is because the horse's spine is designed for rigidity and gives a stable point of reference and leverage for the powerful hindquarters to act through, allowing the force to be transmitted forwards with minimal energy loss.

The three main joints in the spine that allow extensive up-down movement are:

• The occiptoatlantal joint between the head and the neck.

• The cervicothoracic joint between the neck and the thoracic vertebrae.

• The lumbosacral joint joins the last lumbar vertebra to the sacrum.

The occipitoatlantal joint allows the horse to flex at the poll behind the ears to either poke his nose straight out or hold it close to his chest. The cervicothoracic joint enables the horse to lower or raise his head. The lumbosacral joint allows the horse's pelvis and hindquarters to rotate forwards so his hindlegs can reach further beneath his belly when he moves, giving him a longer stride. This junction is of enormous significance for the horse's athletic performance, allowing him to create a strong push when jumping and achieve higher levels of collection.

HOW THE LIMBS ATTACH TO THE BACKBONE

The horse's skeleton exemplifies design perfection, embodying basic principles of leverage and physics. The shock-absorbing characteristics and muscular suspension of the front legs and shoulders are remarkably designed to reduce damage to these structures. The shoulders of the horse are not attached via bones to the spine; instead, the body is suspended between the shoulders and supported by muscle attachments that are ideal for minimizing concussive forces.

Conversely, the hindlegs are firmly and directly attached to the spine and pelvis, allowing the horse to have a perfect union of hindlegs and body for creating maximum power and forward propulsion without wasting energy. This means that the hindlegs must be properly constructed and aligned to absorb concussive forces. This requires appropriate angles in the hocks and stifles and a concave sole in the hindfoot that can flatten when the horse bears weight.

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TAKE HOME MESSAGE

From all of this, it is clear why the skeleton builds the foundation of conformation and also why some conformation issues cannot be compensated for. For these reasons, it is always a good idea to look at the skeleton, not just the musculature, when purchasing a horse for any discipline.

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HINDLIMB LAMENESS

FIVE COMMON CAUSES

DID YOU KNOW?

Whilst forelimb lamenesses are relatively common findings in our horses, hindlimb lamenesses or issues are often less evident and, thus, underdiagnosed. This article looks at the most common causes of hindlimb lameness and how to diagnose and treat them.

IDENTIFYING A HINDLIMB LAMENESS

One of the first questions we need to answer is what exactly a hindlimb lameness looks like. Most owners can spot front limb lamenesses with the naked eye. An uneven gait, shorter steps or a head bob are telltale signs of forelimb lameness, but what are the indicators of a hindlimb issue?

Lameness in the hindlimb can present in a couple of ways. When doing a lameness work-up, a vet will typically need to incorporate both longeing on a circle and trotting in a straight line to determine precisely where the lameness is most apparent. Sometimes vets will ask to see the

With distal hock arthritis, it is common for both limbs to be affected, which means that clinical signs are often less obvious and tend to reveal themselves over time.

horse under saddle, as this can accentuate subtle issues that are less obvious in hand or on the longe. In all these scenarios, vets are looking out for excessive hip movements or 'hip hikes', an unwillingness to swing a leg forwards, toe dragging or a 'bunny hopping' canter. Yet, each presentation of hindlimb lameness is slightly different, and the compensatory patterns employed by the horse to alleviate the discomfort can confuse the picture.

IMAGING OF THE HINDLIMB

Most vets, before imaging, will perform nerve and joint blocking to isolate the lameness to a specific area of the leg. Once this has been done, X-Rays are generally the modality of choice for evaluating any bone or joint in this setting. However, X-Rays do not reveal many details of the soft tissue. Ultrasound is needed in these cases to evaluate tendons, ligaments or other soft tissue structures. More advanced imaging such as MRI and CT are only available at large veterinary hospitals, and whilst they can better pinpoint the issue and detect more subtle issues like proximal suspensory desmitis, navicular bursitis and sesamoidean ligament issues, they are out of the price range of most ordinary equestrians.

THE MOST COMMON FINDINGS

There are five conditions that most commonly cause hindlimb lameness, and we will examine these here in turn:

1. OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent equine condition. Whilst it's most common in older horses, osteoarthritis can have devastating effects on any equine athlete and dramatically affect performance. The condition starts with joint inflammation and progresses to arthritis when the cartilage becomes involved. It is termed osteoarthritis when the bone surrounding the joint is also involved. While OA can develop in any joint, it is a common cause of hock pain in horses. The hock is made up of four joints. The lowest two, the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints, are especially susceptible.

Thankfully, vets have lots of OA management and treatment options available to them. The least invasive products are neutraceuticals, better known as oral joint health supplements, containing glucosamine, hyaluronic acid (HA) and other compounds. Prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can also be helpful in the short term, and systemic injectable treatments, like Legend (intravenously administered HA), can help to restore synovial fluid to its original state. Adequan (intramuscularly

administered polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) is incorporated more directly into cartilage, and in horses with multiple joints affected, Legend and Adequan can both be very effective. Outside of systemic options, hock injections can be performed. These are one of the most common joint injections vets perform, but not all injected drugs are created equal. Steroids are often used to reduce the inflammation in osteoarthritis cases and minimise damage to the cartilage, but newer joint treatments, such as

platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) and IRAP (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein), help the body's own immune system to treat itself.

2. OSTEOCHONDROSIS DISSECANS

Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) is a disease predominantly affecting younger horses, although the exact cause is not fully understood. Owners will often notice it just as horses start under saddle. In OCD, the bone and cartilage in the joints don't form normally. Subsequently,

the cartilage and bone underneath it become irregular in thickness and weaker than in normal joints. This can lead to the formation of cartilage and bone flaps that may remain partially attached to the bone or break off and float around in the joint. Loose flaps and abnormal cartilage and bone cause inflammation in the joint and, over time, may lead to the development of arthritis. OCD can occur in any joint but most often presents in the fetlocks, hocks and stifles. While owners can use conservative therapies such as oral medications and joint injections, surgery remains

prognosis. However, large fragments or those sitting directly on weight-bearing surfaces are a little more complex to work with.

3. SACROILIAC JOINT DISEASE

Sacroiliac pain is increasingly being recognised as a cause of hindlimb discomfort, particularly in performance horses. Common signs of pain in this region include a reluctance to go forward, a lack of impulsion and an uncoordinated 'bunny hop' canter, among others.

Subluxation (misalignment) and osteoarthritis are the leading causes of discomfort in the sacroiliac joint.

However, these issues can be exacerbated by more acute sources of pain, such as problems in the hock or stifle that force the sacroiliac joint to compensate.

Because the sacroiliac joint is beneath layers and layers of muscle, imaging can be difficult. Treatment options are also somewhat limited and include corticosteroid injections and chiropractic adjustments. If these therapies resolve the lameness (and any other sources of hindlimb lameness have been dealt with), it's important to maintain the horse's comfort with a good fitness regime that allows the gluteal muscles to develop and properly support this area of weakness.

Sacroiliac joint

4. UPWARD FIXATION OF THE PATELLA

Commonly known as 'locking stifle', upward fixation of the patella (UFP) is a relatively common condition in which a horse's hind leg gets stuck in extension. UFP can manifest in young horses in early training, but it can also be associated with straight hindlimb conformation or a lack of proper musculature in all ages of horses. It is caused by a horse's inability to release the stifle's passive stay apparatus (a network of muscles, tendons and ligaments that allows a horse to stand with minimal effort). Treatment options range from conservative to radical. The easiest treatment option involves alterations in your horse's training to increase the development of the quadriceps muscle. Increasing this muscle's strength will effectively 'tighten' the patella ligaments, thereby correcting the upward fixation of the patella in some horses. You can help strengthen the quadriceps by trotting for extended periods, doing hill work and working in deep footing.

If changes to the exercise regime fail, surgical options include medial patella ligament splitting, which involves making several small incisions in the medial patella ligament to cause the ligament to thicken and help the stifle to stabilise.

5. SOFT TISSUE INJURIES

Soft tissue strains and tears and resulting lameness are all too common. Vets frequently diagnose tendonitis, suspensory ligament injuries and degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis as causes of hindleg lameness. Once the degree of damage is established, you can decide what the horse can do going forward. Rest is the mainstay of treatment, but it will not fix the issue. Controlled exercise is important for this, as you need there to be function, so you want enough exercise to enhance the rehabilitation of the soft tissue structures.

Bringing a horse back from soft tissue injury involves returning him to work slowly, usually by hand walking. This must, however, be done carefully, as bringing a horse back to work too quickly after a soft tissue injury can be catastrophic. Once you overdo it, you start breaking down tendon or ligament fibres, and it can be difficult to get back on track.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Hindlimb lameness can be a real issue for all horses. Whether the condition develops suddenly or insidiously, you stand the best chance of diagnosing it and getting the proper treatment with your veterinary team's guidance.

What are the dangers of using studs?

Studs are very useful for competing, particularly in the country in eventing or on grass for showjumping. However, there are some dangers you should be aware of when using them.

Firstly, some horses can cut themselves (known as ‘speedi cuts’) or even stand on themselves with studs, so appropriate boots should always be worn. Stud guards can also be used to help prevent the horse from scraping his belly, especially if he is a particularly careful jumper who snaps his front legs up. You should also beware of leaving a horse standing in the box with studs in and no boots, as it is very easy for them to

injure themselves when in a confined space with studs in place.

Secondly, you need to be aware of overstudding, particularly on hard ground. Avoid block-type studs or anything blunt in these conditions; a pointier stud will penetrate the ground more easily, and the concussive force on the horse’s legs and joints will be far less.

Finally, you must pay attention when your horse is cooling down after the cross-country phase. Often, we are quick to remove the tack and boots but leave the studs in until he has cooled down and been washed off. Instead, it is best to leave his overreach boots in place until the studs come out, especially if his blood is still up. This way, he has some degree of protection, but his legs can still cool down effectively.

How do I stop bleeding from a wound while waiting for my vet to arrive?

The sight of a bleeding horse can terrify any owner, but still, it is important to know the steps to take to stem or control any bleeding before a vet arrives to take over the situation. Here we give you the six tips for managing bleeding wounds while waiting for the vet to arrive:

1. Any bleeding must be stopped before a wound can be treated. A small amount of bleeding will flush out dirt and debris from the wound, but severe bleeding must be controlled.

2. Stem the flow of blood by applying pressure firmly to the wound. Make a pressure pad from a thick cloth, a towel or a gamgee. In an emergency, just use whatever is to hand –even a clean item of clothing. Press the pad against the wound and hold it there as tightly as possible.

3. A thick pressure bandage can be used to control bleeding from wounds in the lower limbs. If the blood soaks through, put extra padding over the top and apply more pressure. Do not remove the lower layers. Even if you think the bleeding has stopped, leave the pad in place until your vet arrives.

4. An injury involving blood loss is one occasion when a relatively tight bandage is recommended. A bandage wrapped in several tight turns will provide enough pressure to reduce but not stop the blood supply to the horse’s lower leg. A tight bandage like this should be safe for up to two hours while awaiting professional help.

5. In the case of an arterial bleed, press the skin firmly a couple of centimetres above the vessel to help stop the blood flow while waiting for the vet to arrive. If possible, apply pressure to the wound itself as well, but the priority is to apply it to the artery that is bleeding.

6. Make sure that somebody has phoned the vet! In a crisis, it can be easy to assume someone else has organised help. You don’t want to all be waiting for a vet that hasn’t been called!

THE THREE TYPES OF BLEEDING

• Arterial blood is bright red and spurts out under pressure with every heartbeat. A common site for this is the side of the fetlock, where there is an artery that is easily knocked.

• Bleeding from a vein is slower and tends to drip in a steady flow. The blood is usually dark red or purple in colour.

• Bleeding from the small vessels called capillaries will result in blood oozing from a wound. Usually, this will clot naturally within a few minutes but applying a cold compress or ice pack can help.

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