EDITION 32 | JANUARY 2024
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welcome Happy New Year! Welcome to our first edition of 2024. We have lots of exciting news coming your way in the next few months, and LOTS of pony-filled fun for you to dive into. We hope 2024 will be even bigger and better than the years before and wish you all a very happy year with your ponies. We’re so lucky to have these wonderful animals in our lives, so let’s make sure we enjoy our time with them over the next 12 months. And, when you’re not with your pony, there’s always HQ Pony Mag to keep you busy! Enjoy this issue and we’ll see you on February 5th!
Lizzie and the HQ Pony Team
GET IN TOUCH We’d love to hear from you and receive your photos, drawings or pony-related thoughts. To get in touch send an email to lizzie@hqmagazine.co.za and we’ll get back to you!
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CONTENTS
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Pony breeds The Newfoundland Pony
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Junior Rider Profile Liron Barashi
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HQ Pony’s ins and outs for 2024
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Lower the bar
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Expectations Are you being fair to yourself?
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21 questions with Riley and her pony, Uno
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Puzzle fun
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Q&A
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Products we love
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Pony breeds
Text | Georgia Harley
The Newfoundland Pony 6
The Newfoundland Pony is a small, sturdy horse breed originating in Newfoundland, Canada. These ponies have a rich history and played a significant role in developing the island's culture and economy. The breed is known for its hardiness, strength, and adaptability, making it well-suited to the harsh climate and challenging terrain of Newfoundland.
Pony breeds
Here are some key characteristics and aspects of Newfoundland Ponies:
Origin The Newfoundland Pony has a long history, dating back to the 17th century when European settlers brought various horse breeds to the island. Over time, these horses adapted to the local conditions and developed into a distinct breed known as the Newfoundland Pony.
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Pony breeds
Physical characteristics Newfoundland Ponies are typically small. They have a sturdy build, a broad chest, and a well-muscled body. Their tail is low set to help snow and rain fall off easily, and their mane and tail are both thick. Similarly, the eyes have a hooded appearance to keep rain and snow out of the eyes. The ears are small and furry to avoid frostbite, and the hooves are hardy.
Characteristics Newfoundland Ponies have excellent temperaments! They are described as friendly, intelligent, hardy, strong, obedient, and hardworking.
Newfoundland
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Pony breeds
Original purpose The Ponies were originally used for ploughing gardens, hauling loads such as fishing nets or wood and transporting families. They were valued for their strength, surefootedness, and ability to navigate the rugged landscapes of Newfoundland.
Decline in numbers In the 20th century, as mechanisation became more prevalent and the need for traditional working horses diminished, the population of Newfoundland Ponies sharply declined. By the late 20th century, the breed faced the risk of extinction. In 2005, Rare Breed Canada declared the Newfoundland Pony to be 'Critically Endangered'.
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Pony breeds
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Pony breeds
Conservation Recognising the historical and cultural significance of the Newfoundland Pony, efforts have been made to conserve and protect the breed. Various organisations and breed enthusiasts are actively involved in breeding programmes, preservation initiatives, and educational campaigns to raise awareness about the breed. Whilst conservation efforts have made progress in preserving the Newfoundland Pony breed, it remains important to continue supporting initiatives that ensure its survival and promote its unique cultural heritage. The breed serves as a symbol of Newfoundland's past and its deep connection to the island's history.
Purpose today Riding and driving. Their temperaments make them excellent ponies for kids and nervous riders.
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horse and rider Interview | Amelia Campbell-Horne Photography | Kayeanp Photography
Junior Rider Profile Liron Barashi
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horse and rider
RIDER PROFILE: Name: Liron Barashi Age: 14 Grade: 9 (2024) School: King David Linksfield Where do you ride: Waterfall Equestrian Estate Disciplines: Showjumping, equitat
ion,
and soon dressage Coach: Tamsyn Muller Horses: Pohland’s Mahogany and Vesuvio Z
HQ PONY: How did your journey with horses begin?
HQ PONY: So what are your longterm plans with your horses?
Liron: My family is not horsey, but I used to ride here and there when I was young. I then started riding properly about four years ago when my friend and I were both interested in horses. I had quite a few falls and when my friend had her first fall she quit; it just wasn’t her passion, but it is definitely mine.
Liron: My goals with my horses for this year are to have fun with them, hopefully go up the grades with Molly so we can both teach each other (we’ve just jumped our first 80cms together), and to have fun with Zizi, playing around with stuff at home. My long-term riding goal is to hopefully ride in the big grades one day - the 1.40-1.50m classes. Hopefully I can go up there with Molly, but only time will tell. Most importantly, I just want to have fun with them.
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R HORSE P
O F I L E:
esuvio Z Name: V e: Zizi Nicknam years old Ag e : 1 1
14
hh
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Size: 15.3
HQ PONY: You mentioned that you are going to be starting dressage with Zizi; how are you feeling about that? And, which discipline is your favourite and why? Liron: I am definitely looking forward to doing a bit of dressage, as flatwork is the basis of showjumping. It will also be fun to have a bit of experience in more different disciplines! Sometimes I do think dressage can be boring, but it gets very interesting as you move up the grades. My favourite discipline is definitely showjumping, though. It teaches you patience, and that nothing ever comes quickly. You need to be so precise, and it really makes my mind work! it is also so much fun!
horse and rider
HQ PONY: You recently purchased Molly. How did that story come together, and do you have any tips for other young riders looking to find their perfect partner? Liron: I went to PE to try Molly at EBB & FLOW stables, with Anthony Kay. I had a few horses that I was meant to try - about ten of them - and she was one of them. To be honest I didn’t even think I would like her, and I didn’t even want to try her! Luckily I did. She was the ninth horse I tried… Every horse before her, I hadn’t liked and I hopped off of them before even going over a jump! When I got on Molly I instantly fell in love. She was absolutely amazing, and I knew she was the one. Regarding advice… go with your gut feeling; if you don’t like the horse that you are trying, just hop off and try the next one. Everything happens for a reason; it doesn’t matter if it’s the first horse you try, or the tenth horse. It’s all about what you feel; if you like the horse or love the horse or hate the horse, you are allowed to feel that way about different horses, so go with your gut feeling!
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horse and rider
HQ PONY: Who are some of your inspirations? HQ PONY: What is something that each of your horses has taught you? Liron: Zizi taught me how to sit bucks and bronks! He literally just drops his shoulder, and never comes back to you until you are off! Molly has taught me patience, and that you need to work for what you want to accomplish.
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Liron: My inspiration is definitely my coach, Tamsyn Muller, and a few people from overseas. But the main one is my coach!
HQ PONY: What is the best riding advice you’ve ever been given? Liron: “Everything happens for a reason”, so be patient and know that everything is a part of the process.
horse and rider
You can giv e Liron a fo llow on Instagra m to keep u p to date with h er progress with her two ‘po nies @liron_bara ’: shi_equestr ian
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horse and rider
HQ PONY’S INS AND OUTS FOR 2024 HERE AT HQ PONY MAGAZINE, WE FOLLOWED THE SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS AND PUT TOGETHER OUR LISTS OF ‘INS AND OUTS’ FOR 2024. WHAT WOULD YOU ADD?
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Horse and rider
HQ PONY’S INS FOR 2024 Spending time on the ground with your pony
Teaching tricks
More hacking
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horse and rider
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Moving at your own pace with your pony
Learning more about equine behaviour
Toys to keep your pony busy
Finding your pony’s scratchy spots
Paddock time
Listening to your pony
Horse and rider
Asking for help when you need it
Making or buying your pony safe and healthy treats
Healthy, happy ponies!
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horse and rider
HQ PONY’S OUTS FOR 2024 Comparing yourself to other people
Tack that doesn’t fit properly
Being hard on yourself
Blaming your pony
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Horse and rider
Not practicing enough for shows
Gossiping about other riders
Overweight ponies
Fireworks!
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Lower the bar
Pony nervous of jumping? Start with one pole on the ground.
Pony struggling with separation anxiety? Turn back when he becomes anxious - each day you’ll get further.
Anxious about competitions? Start by visit new training venues without the stress of competition.
There’s no prizes for pushing yourself or your pony beyond your limits. Break it down into smaller pieces. Go at your own pace.
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“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams” – Henry David Thoreau 25
horse and rider
Expectations Are you being fair to yourself? Have you ever set your heart on moving up a grade or even jumping bigger at home, only to be told you’re not quite ready yet? Whether you’re brand new to riding or are out on the competition circuit most weekends, the gap between your expectations (what you think will happen) and reality (what actually happens) can leave you feeling disappointed.
The good news is that this happens to everyone – you’re not the only one! We all have ideas about how we’d like things to go, and we all get disappointed from time to time. The key is to set realistic expectations so that you can enjoy your riding journey and not feel like a failure.
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Horse and rider Here, we look at what ‘realistic expectations’ really are to help us align as we set our goals for 2024.
Alignment A lot of knowing whether your expectations are set appropriately comes down to your feelings about them. When your expectations are too high, you can feel: • Anxious • A lot of pressure to perform • Like you’re not good enough When your expectations are too low, you can feel: • Like you’re not achieving anything • That there’s no point in trying • Embarrassed But, when your expectations are set ‘just right’ you can feel: • Inspired and confident • That you know what goals are realistic for you • That you can see the progress you are making
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horse and rider
Aligned expectations Here are our tips for getting your expectations set at a level that is just right for you and your pony: 1. THINK CRITICALLY Many things we see online are filtered and sometimes even totally fake, so don’t believe everything you see and think critically about whether what is coming through on the screen is the reality or not. In general, people only share the best bits of their lives online, so looking at other people’s content is like looking at a highlights reel from their life – not reality. Remember this when setting goals for yourself and making them based on your reality, not the reality you see on Instagram.
2. EMBRACE YOUR UNIQUE SELF All ponies are unique, and so are you! We all have our strengths and weaknesses, so we simply cannot ‘copy’ someone else’s goals or compare ourselves to them in any way. We all have our own challenges, so just compete with yourself, not other people. Set goals that work on your or your pony’s issues, and forget what everyone around you is doing.
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Horse and rider
3. TALK ABOUT IT Chat to the adults involved in your riding about your expectations because their hopes for you might differ from yours. Your coach may feel you want to be a happy hacker for your whole life, when in reality, you are hoping this year will be your first competitive year. By talking to the adults around you who know how you ride, you will be able to set realistic goals and have their support along the way.
4. SET MINI GOALS Setting big goals with a deadline way off in the future is a sure-fire way to demotivate yourself. Instead, set small goals that are achievable within a few weeks so that you can see progress against these. If you get just a tiny bit better each week, by the end of 2024, you’ll be a different rider!
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horse and rider
5. CELEBRATE EVERY LITTLE THING Remember, trying your best and putting in effort are achievements in and of themselves. Riding isn’t all about winning or perfect progress – it’s about spending time doing what you love, so make sure you celebrate every small step in the right direction.
Final thoughts The journey of learning to ride is filled with highs and lows, and a lot of it involves huge psychological strength from you. Just remember, it’s not a race to the finish but a chance for you to learn and grow while doing something you love. Get your expectations aligned with reality and set small goals to move you forward, and you’ll be astonished at the progress you can make.
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“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step” – Martin Luther King
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horse and rider
Photographer | Amy White Media
21 questions with Riley and her pony, Uno 32
Horse and rider
1. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? Riley da Silva
2. HOW OLD ARE YOU? Twelve turning thirteen in March.
3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING FOR? I started riding when I was 7-years-old.
4. WHY DID YOU START RIDING? Because I love horses.
5. WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT RIDING? I love jumping, I love feeding my horse carrots and I love going on outrides.
6. WHAT IS YOUR PONY’S NAME? Uno
7. WHAT IS YOUR PONY’S NICKNAME? Uno-cakes
8. HOW OLD IS YOUR PONY? I’m not sure but I would say he’s infinity to me.
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9. WHAT BREED IS YOUR PONY? He’s a hony, but not sure about his breed.
10. WHAT COLOUR IS YOUR PONY? Like an almond nut colour.
11. WHAT IS YOUR PONY’S FAVOURITE SNACK? He LOVES carrots.
12. WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR PONY? He gives me kisses, he is very patient with me, and he’s really gentle.
13. HOW OFTEN DO YOU RIDE YOUR PONY? Twice a week, sometimes three times a week.
14. WOULD YOU RATHER DO JUMPING OR AN OUTRIDE? Jumping times 1000.
15. WOULD YOU RATHER DO DRESSAGE OR JUMPING? Jumping times one million.
16. WOULD YOU RATHER DO AN OUTRIDE OR DO DRESSAGE? Outride
17. WHAT COLOUR IS YOUR FAVOURITE NUMNAH? Turquoise
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Horse and rider
18. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOUR PONY? He gives me kisses.
19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST RIDING DREAM? To get my KZN colours and hopefully make it to SA Champs one day.
20. WHAT DID YOU GET YOUR PONY FOR CHRISTMAS? A new turquoise numnah and a new halter.
21. WHAT IS YOUR LOVE MESSAGE TO YOUR PONY? You are my best friend and always will be.
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PUZZLE FUN Can you find these new year themes in our wordsearch? MOTIVATION | GOALS | RESOLUTIONS | FITNESS | HEALTH | DISCIPLINE | DEDICATION | FOCUS | PASSION | LEARNING
NOTE: Spaces and any punctuation marks have been removed
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Can you spot all 10 differences?
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I love hacking but don’t really enjoy schooling or competing. Someone at the yard told me recently that I’m wasting my pony’s potential. Is she right? All ponies just want to feel safe, be free from pain and have freedom to move around, food, water, shelter and friends.
No pony ever thinks about the rosettes or trophies they could win, so you really don’t need to worry about what was said to you. As long as you look after your pony well and enjoy what you do together, you’ll both be happy, so try to ignore what that person said and keep on enjoying your hacks!
My pony chews wood in the paddock. What can I do? Ponies chew wood because they are bored, stressed, lack enough forage in their diet, are unwell or have developed a habit that is difficult for them to break.
field, as he may be chewing wood because the grazing is low. If the grazing is sufficient, but boredom is more likely an issue, you could even try to provide toys or licks in his paddock to keep him entertained.
Another key aspect in stopping this behaviour is making sure that your pony Not only does chewing damage the wood, has company in the paddock. He needs to but your pony risks getting splinters in his be out with other horses or ponies to avoid mouth, too. Plus, chewing wood like this becoming stressed. Stress can trigger can result in dental problems, so it really is behaviours like wood chewing, so it really is important to get to the bottom of it and try to important to ensure he has company that he address the cause so that your pony stops is happy with. doing it. If none of the above work, you should chat Firstly, you must ensure you’re feeding with your vet, as some health issues, like your pony a balanced diet. This may require ulcers, can lead to horses electing to chew chatting with an equine nutritionist. If your wood. pony lacks certain nutrients, he may be chewing wood to try and get the nutrition he Finally, if your vet is satisfied that nothing is is missing. wrong, a practical solution would be to install some electric fencing inside the wooden Secondly, you need to ensure that your fence. This would prevent him from reaching pony has access to hay during his time in the the fence to chew on it. 39
PRODUCTS WE LOVE Lemieux Toy Ponies
New ponies in town! Get ready because new ponies Dream the dappled Dun and Bubbles the Shetland have touched down with their friends! Each LeMieux Toy Pony is handmade, soft to the touch, stands securely on all four legs but is flexible, and has a plait-able mane and tail. You’ll have fun, while learning too! Offload your pony from the fancy horse box that transforms into a luxurious stable, and read the unique passport and a care booklet, so you can learn
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how to take care of your new friend. Fun accessories are sold separately for your pony – grooming kits, bridles and saddles in real leather, saddle pads and fly hoods in a range of colours, rugs and more. Limited stock available at Western Shoppe. Suitable for ages 3 years + www.westernshoppe.com
OUR NEXT EDITION OF HQ PONY MAGAZINE IS AVAILABLE ON 5 FEBRUARY. SEE YOU THEN!
