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INFORMATIVE, INSPIRATIONAL & ASPIRATIONAL
HorseVibes Editor: Candida Baker candida@horsevibes.com.au Deputy Editor Amanda McWhinnie editorial@horsevibes.com.au Advertising Enquiries: Kristen Fleet sales@horsevibes.com.au
Website/subscriptions: www.horsevibes.com.au Published by Equestrian Hub PO Box 13, Tintenbar NSW 2478 info@horsevibes.com.au www.equestrianhub.com.au
On the Cover: One of David Shoobridge’s up and coming competition horses, Lady Sinclair (Lord Sinclair x Donerschwee). Photo: Jessica Atkins, JA Studios.
Follow HorseVibes horsevibes @horsevibesmag
The Saddle Hub Sales Enquiries: info@equestrianhub.com.au THIS PUBLICATION IS PUBLISHED BY EQUESTRIAN HUB. MATERIALS IN THIS PUBLICATION HAVE BEEN CREATED BY A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ENTITIES AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE PUBLISHER ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR MATERIALS CREATED BY OTHERS. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS PUBLICATION DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OPINION OF THE PUBLISHER, ITS AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES. CONTENTS OF ADVERTISEMENTS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ADVERTISERS. ANY USE OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS PUBLICATION IS AT THE SOLE RISK OF THE PERSON USING THAT INFORMATION. ©2019 HORSEVIBES EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY LAW, NO PART OF THIS MAGAZINE MAY BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR PART WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF HORSEVIBES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. INFORMATION AND CREDITS ARE CORRECT WHEN GOING TO PRINT BUT MAY CHANGE AFTERWARDS.
2 | HORSEVIBES MAR / APR 2020
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68
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Contents 4 7 10 14 22 28 32 36 50 54 58 63 68
Our Contributors From The Horse’s Mouth Brister’s Brief Spotlight on Clicker Training Autumn Trekking The Delivering Dreams Scholarship Culture Corner Around the Traps The Horse Listener Rebuilding After the Fires Giving Your Horses the Boot Getting Ready for Horse Ownership Tackbox: What Value a Horse’s Life?
ISSUE #1 • MARCH / APRIL 2020
72 74 78 80
The Importance of Gut Health
84 90 92 96
Floats & Floating: How we Travel
98 100 102
Saddle Review
Ned the Baby Brumby’s New Beginning Life After Racing: Safe Forever
Horse Breed: The Iconic Australian Stockhorse Young Riders: The Grimes Brothers Training Tips from the World of Polo
The Importance of Electrolytes in the Heat Horses in History 20 Questions with David Shoobridge H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 3
O U R C O N T R I B U TO R S
Candida Baker
As editor of HorseVibes, two of Candida’s regular contributions are the profile story, and her Horse Listener column. “I loved learning about clicker training from Georgia Bruce and Susi May,” she says, “and interviewing the Horseback Vet, Rob Jackson, about his body-release techniques was fascinating.”
Louise Blampied
Louise Blampied has spent her whole career working with horses; from mountain trekking in Australia and Canada, chasing cows on stations in remote North Queensland to making custom saddlery, farriering, and trail riding in Byron Bay. “But nothing quite beats my experience of rescuing an abandoned Brumby foal,” she says.
Charlie Brister
Jane Camens
Justine Curatolo
This issue saw our usually supercool columnist Charlie Brister, overcome with an attack of nerves. “I was lucky enough to attend a clinic with the legendary horseman Buck Brannaman. Without a cowboy hat it was pretty easy to pick me from the field of riders but that didn’t change the quality of the instruction,” he says.
Our resident feature writer came to horse ownership late in life. Coming back to her early love of horses, she found it’s not all a bed of roses. “I’ve compiled a list of potential pitfalls for would-be horse owners in this issue,” says Jane, whose second story is on beautiful autumn rides to celebrate the end of this long hot summer.
Justine Curatolo is the President of Heritage Brumby Advocates Australia, an organisation dedicated to advocating for the Australian Heritage Brumby. “I’m passionate about horse welfare,” says Justine, this month’s Tackbox writer, who is also a founding member of the Australian Equine Unification Scheme, dedicated to horse welfare.
4 | HORSEVIBES MAR / APR 2020
Leisa Hofstetter
Leisa Hofstetter is an Equine Nutritionist and founder of Hof Equine. She has a Bachelor of Equine Science, specialising in nutrition. Leisa lives on the Far North Coast of NSW. “Living in the sub-tropics has been a great process for familiarising myself with the particular feed requirements of horses in this climate,” she says.
Amanda Mac
UK-born Amanda Mac has had two life-long love affairs: one with horses, and the other with words. “When I wasn’t dreaming of riding I had my nose firmly glued in a book – about horses, of course,” she laughs. Now she combines both passions as HorseVibes Deputy Editor. Her feature story this month is ‘Giving your horses the boot’.
Jo Mckinnon
Jo Mckinnon is a multi-award winning horse racing and equestrian broadcaster and documentary maker. Jo is a former top-level show rider, who has competed all over Australia with her hacks. “As someone who has been a racing commentator for many years I love the positive life after racing stories,” she says.
N. G. Quinlan aka ‘Q’
N.G. Quinlan, otherwise known as ‘Q’, is a writer, musician and poet who lives in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. He has been contributing to HorseVibes magazine since August 2019. “I love researching The Horse in History,” he says, “the horses are amazing, and Staff Sgt Reckless was no exception.”
Karen Viggers
Karen Viggers is a Canberra-based veterinarian and bestselling author. She is passionate about Australian stories and landscapes, and the bond between people and animals. “I was lucky enough to meet Elyne Mitchell, author of The Silver Brumby, when I was younger,” she says, “I was devastated to hear of the loss of the homestead.”
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IN ! W o t e
DRA APR WN IL 3 202 0 0
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
From the Horse’s Mouth
an abandoned Brumby foal, and Justine Curatolo, well-known for her welfare work with horses and Brumbies, shines the spotlight on Brumby welfare in our Tackbox column. Plus of course, we have the regular features all of you love to love, 13
With Fiona Todd
pages of Around the Traps featuring our readers and their horses, as well as our Life After Racing; Horse in History; and the Horse Listener, Candida’s other
W
horse persona.
elcome to our March/April issue of HorseVibes. Our first bimonthly printed edition to
Our feature writer Jane Camens brings us a fresh breath of autumn with her
be distributed throughout Australia –
story on autumn treks in Tasmania, The
does it get any better?
Barossa and the Mid-North Coast of New
Well yes – because our content for this
South Wales. Jane’s story is a reminder
issue is amazing, as befits a magazine
of the cooler days and nights ahead.
which has grown over the past four
And what can we say about the long,
years from a small giveaway to a
hot, tragic summer that is now drawing
beautiful glossy publication full of stories
to a close? We have watched, from our
designed to appeal to all equestrians.
HV hub near Byron, the devastation unfold to the north, south and west of
If you’re a long-time reader of our
us, and been heart-broken on behalf of
magazine, you’ll notice some differences
Australia’s wildlife, for the people who
in this edition: a bright new layout and
have lost their homes, their stock, their
design, and some new content.
columnist, Charlie Brister turned from
Our 20 Questions column kicks off
trainer to student when he attended a
with dressage star and breeder David
clinic with legendary horseman Buck
We salute everyone, including the
Shoobridge, whose attitude to life is
Brannaman, bringing his usual sense
tireless members of the RFS, who have
of style and quirky observations to the
had to fight against these fires, and all
process!
of those who have survived so long with
Deputy editor Amanda Mac brings us
the ongoing drought.
polo Training Tips, a story on rebuilding
We pray that autumn will bring with it
after the fires, and two features on
a cool change and rain for those areas
products close to any horse person’s
that need it so badly.
definitely one to emulate. We are thrilled that our second HorseVibes Delivering Dreams Scholarship is open to entrants from around Australia. Our inaugural winner, trick-rider Billie Morgan, has written us a piece on how much winning the
heart – horse boots, and horse floats.
Scholarship meant to her, and we are
Brumbies feature heavily in this issue.
very much looking forward to receiving
We are honoured to have Karen Viggers,
your entries.
author of numerous books, including
Our editor, Candida Baker, who has been holding the reins for the past three years always writes stories to inspire us, and this issue is no exception with her profiles on clicker trainers Georgia Bruce and Susi May who show us all what can happen in our relationships with our horses if we really put the effort in! Talking of training horses, our resident
The Lightkeeper’s Wife. Karen writes the
horses, and their way of life.
In the meantime, we hope that you love our magazine as much as we do! We look forward to welcoming you to the HorseVibes family.
first of a new series of Culture Corner
So pour a glass of your favourite tipple,
columns for us on the tragic loss of
sit back, relax and enjoy.
Elyne Mitchell’s Toowong Homestead. Mitchell, the author of The Silver Brumby, struck up a friendship with Karen, and Karen’s story on this loss of an Australian icon in our terrible bushfires is a poignant one. Louise Blampied writes about her amazing adventures with Ned, H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 7
SYDN
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BRISTER’S BRIEF
The real deal horse whisperer CHARLIE BRISTER attends a clinic with Buck Brannaman and finds that timing is everything.
Legendary horseman Buck Brannaman. Image courtesy of Buck Brannaman.
T
here are not many horse
an effort to improve the kindness and
he can be such a consistent training
trainers running a clinic in
effectiveness of working together with
partner for the horse. Lesson One for me
Tamworth, in New South
your horse instead of imposing control
as a trainer: Stay quiet and think.
Wales, who would draw riders from Darwin, Hobart, Adelaide, Canada and
and losing battles.
“What happened before what happened
Buck has also been coming to Australia
happened?” It turned out this was a
for the past 20 years, but only became
classic Buck phrase, repeated often
Then again, Buck Brannaman is not
really well known here after the 2011
during the clinic, usually when something
most horse trainers. He is the real deal
documentary, simply called Buck. He
had gone wrong.
‘horse whisperer’ (please don’t tell him
seems to have come across and fixed
What he wanted us to understand was
I said that). But it is true, and in 1998
every problem one could have with
that something had happened before
he inspired the Robert Redford movie
a horse. The way he deals with the
the issue to indicate the problem or its
based on the original novel, The Horse
horses (and people) is inspirational for
cause. His focus was on the handler’s
Whisperer, by Nicholas Evans.
professionals and amateurs.
lack of preparation or holes in the
But when word spread of his talent with
Somehow while teaching 60 riders a
training, not what the horse might have
horses, instead of moving to Hollywood,
day he manages to remain calm despite
Buck kept on the road, driving across
some horses and riders behaving less
It brought up the difference between
America with his gooseneck full of
than perfectly. Buck’s ability to control
a problem and a symptom. When
horses and his training program, all in
his emotions is one of the main reasons
something goes wrong with their horse,
everywhere in between.
10 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
been perceived as doing wrong.
BRISTER’S BRIEF
riders usually blame the symptom (what’s gone wrong) rather than the problem (what went wrong before the symptom). For example: A horse stops at a jump. Excuse one might be that the horse wasn’t trying hard enough, or excuse two – that the horse was distracted by a dog. Whereas the problem may actually be that the horse hasn’t been trained to go forward off a light leg aid. Or maybe the jump was higher than usual and the horse was surprised by the size.
Key principles Many of Buck’s principles would not be that surprising to those of us who want to improve our relationship with our horse, or horses. He is a big believer in asking everything of the horse as softly as possible. Then he is as firm (pressure on) as necessary to get a response followed by instantaneous reward (pressure off). The timing of the aid should coincide
Charlie putting Buck Brannaman’s tips into practice.
with the corresponding footfalls which makes the aid clearer, shorter and more effective. If an aid has pinpoint accuracy it can be extremely soft, which creates a swift reaction in the horse, and subsequently an immediate reward. Buck also discussed separating the leg and rein aids as originally advocated by Baucher in the 1800s. If you didn’t read my October 2019 article, you are going to hear it now, and probably again and again. Leg and rein are for different instructions – so under no circumstances kick and pull at the same time. Buck worked with us all to get our horses understanding the pressure to stop, the pressure to go and the pressure to turn. These three things need to be honed to perfection before worrying about the horse’s head position and/or frame. “You need to go through the feet to get to the head,” he said to us all on more than one occasion. His approach to working with the horse from the foundation is surprisingly similar
Charlie using Buck’s desensitising technique. H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 11
BRISTER’S BRIEF
to Andrew McLean’s teaching to create an adjustable, light horse that is free of confusion.
Simple gear/no gadgets Buck also focused on using simple gear. A rope halter, training flag, saddle and a snaffle bridle. All his horses are consistent in the contact and he is strongly opposed to the popular trend of over-tightening the noseband or using draw reins. He is also, he says, against going to a stronger bit because the horse isn’t going well in a snaffle. Work out the problem rather than change the gear. (Remember – what happened before what happened happened?)
The Buck Brannaman clinic and the Legacy of Legends There were actually two clinics in Tamworth. There are a large number of repeat students in Buck’s clinics, and to
Charlie Brister indulging in a fan moment with Buck Brannaman in Tamworth. horse training to the crowd or throwing
this: He has developed an amazing
a helpful comment to the riders as we
control of his body. He is completely
went past.
coordinated and fluid, and each part of
It turned out that all of us in the advanced clinic needed to refine our
him works as directed, especially his clearly separated hand and leg aids.
groundwork and basics. Our foundations
Buck’s methods are very simple, but
were not solid enough. We were not
it’s just not that easy to do if we are
consistent enough. And our ‘soft feel’
be honest it was hard to grab a spot in
burdened with years of bad habits.
techniques needed practice, practice,
However, it was definitely worth it and
either of them.
practice. So we spent nearly three hours
has led to my show jumping mare
The first clinic was the Legacy of
each day working on it, watching others
improving her balance and responses
battle through their mental blocks and
phenomenally.
Legends designed to pass on the knowledge and compassion towards
facing up to the bad habits we all collect.
If you haven’t watched any of Buck’s
horses developed by Buck’s mentors
By getting each horse working softly on
DVDs you might dip in and have a look.
Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance.
the ground, it gave riders a way to ride
His lessons apply to any discipline, as
more comfortably and easily – and that
they are about good training and clear
suddenly brought a lot of joy back to
riding.
The main clinic was split into two sections. A groundwork section for the greener horse and a ridden section for those of us who already thought they had the basics covered (but I’ve got news for you, none of us did!). Each section had around 30 people in it for the two-and-a-half hour lesson.
riders helping each horse reach their full potential under saddle.
The clinics were organized by the incredibly warm and helpful Anthony
Even though I’d watched several DVDs
and Deb Desreaux – a big shout out to
on Buck training and teaching it was still
the great team in Tamworth. Yee haw!
impressive to see how well he got his own horse working.
Don’t get put off by the chaps worn by most people in the Country Music
On day one Buck met his loan horse
Capital of Oz. A good horseman doesn’t
– an unbalanced, down-hill Quarter
just chase cows. They can gallop
Horse who spent plenty of time calling
Thoroughbreds, dance Warmbloods or
out to his friends. After three days in
ride a show horse in a Royal Show Ring.
the clinic the little horse was amazingly
I can attest to that. And also that training
It turns out you have to think for yourself
responsive, uphill, and very calm. If I’m
is everything, absolutely everything.
a bit more – and that was no bad thing!
going to be truly honest it had improved
Buck would talk to the group, demon-
about as much as everyone else’s
This was a daunting prospect to consider. How can you justify paying a considerable entry fee when there will be little personalised instruction?
Charlie Brister of Brister Equestrian is an allround horseman based in western Sydney. His
strate what he wanted on his horse
horses combined!
then send us out to practice on our
So after spending three days watching
well as coaching riders in the art of cross-
own horses. All the while talking about
Buck, what was my big take out? Simply
country, show jumping and dressage.
12 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
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S P OT L I G H T
Click goes the clicker girl, click, click, click Two-time Paralympian Georgia Bruce has taken clicker training to a whole new level in Australia CANDIDA BAKER writes.
I
magine having a horse that can play croquet, paint a
Orange was used in the war there were a lot of people born
picture, lie down, fetch, do piaffe, flying changes, Western
with disabilities similar to mine.”
pleasure, trail-riding – oh, and take turns lunging you.
But the lack of a fully-functioning arm didn’t lessen her passion
Perhaps you might think I’m talking about a fantasy unicorn,
for horses, and with her mother working in a local riding school,
and not an actual horse, but no, clicker-trainer Georgia Bruce’s
by the time Georgia was seven she was learning to ride.
Rumba the Wonder Horse, actually can do all of these things – and more.
“When the time came that I could afford my first horse, Mum had it in her head that she wanted me to get a Quarter Horse
But it’s one thing to see Georgia giving her graceful, joyful,
that was trained for reining, and she found a horse that had
fun-filled demonstrations (although these days Rumba has
done roping who seemed really quiet. When we got him home,
settled into a gentle semi-retirement on Georgia’s property)
he was really skinny, and covered in ticks, and as soon as he
and another to fully comprehend the work
put weight on he bucked constantly and
that goes into what seems so easy.
went backwards everywhere! That’s how I
Georgia’s work these days is the culmina-
got into training horses.”
tion of a lifetime with horses, and, it seems,
A lot of people might have given up
it’s in her DNA.
straight away, but Georgia with the help
“My mum loved horses,” she tells me in some rare downtime from her horse business. “She grew up in Williamstown in Victoria, and when she went to New Zealand, she rode trackwork there, and also worked for T.J. Smith back in Australia. I think I just inherited that love of horses, and all animals, from her. When I was growing up we lived in North Queensland, and I was desperate for a horse but I didn’t
of her dressage and horsemanship coach, Geoff Blacklock, gradually turned Dan around. “We went on to win in Western Pleasure, trail, horsemanship and reining,” she says. “It was eventually rewarding, but he was a challenging horse.” She pauses and laughs. “Perhaps it was a good thing for my future career that I thought all horses were like that!” Her success with a difficult horse attracted
have the opportunity to get one until I was 12, after I’d worked
some attention, and she started helping people with their
as an extra on the mini-series Ocean Girl, when I saved up and
horses, and giving a few lessons. “I had a friend at the time
bought my own horse.”
who was great at finding out information, she’d come across
There were a few odds stacked against Georgia right from the start. She was born without a radial bone in one arm and no thumb on that hand, due to aerial spraying of Agent Orange,
the clicker training, and she’d taught her pony to fetch, which I thought was really cool. I could ride horses without a saddle or bridle, I could do liberty but I couldn’t teach them to fetch.”
the toxic defoliant used to turn rainforest into cattle fields.
At the time Georgia’s main equine companion in her work
“There were four babies born at the same time with similar
was Crystal, a very sensitive Andalusian/Arabian cross mare,
disabilities,” she says, “but we never could call the companies
and Georgia was intrigued enough to incorporate clicker
to account because of the cost of it. In Vietnam, where Agent
training into their regime. “I taught her to fetch, play soccer,
14 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
SPOTLIGHT
Georgia, Rumba and Angel demonstrating clicker training at Equitana 2018. Photo: Michelle Knoll Photography.
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 15
SPOTLIGHT
and do the Spanish Walk, but I still wasn’t really thinking of it as a way of teaching mainstream movements,” she says. “It was my friend Jill who suggested we try using the clicker with flying changes – so we did.” Success ensued, so much so Georgia was impressed with how calmly the horses learned. “Previously I’d used natural methods but the horses still got a bit revved up during the learning process, but with the clicker – stop, reward, rest – our two horses picked it up very quickly. We said to each other: ‘This is cool!’, and basically I haven’t looked back.” What clicker training gave Georgia was what she calls ‘clarity’ around what she was asking. “Normally most types of training use a form of pressure and release,” she says, “but when we add in the clicker, we mark the right response with a click and give them a food reward –
And up they go! Rumba on the left and on the right Kalimna Prestige. Photo: Sage Carlson.
then they become really motivated. They put
with the horse behind a fence so they can’t barge into me. I
the marker, the behaviour, the reward together and you have
stand with the food pouch, and of course they sniff at it, but
a horse that wants to learn, and actively enjoys the process.
then at some point when I don’t give them a treat, they’ll quit
It has a flow-on effect because the more they learn, the more
sniffing and move their head away from me. That’s when I mark
they love it, the easier it gets, and once they have learned a
the behaviour, instantly, click, then treat, and gradually increase
behaviour you can phase out both the clicker and the reward,
duration. The clarity of the message is ‘stand out of my space,
and just use it every now and then.”
you don’t need to come over and mug me’. The second thing,
The somewhat counter-intuitive idea for those of us who have
as with natural horsemanship is to get your horse to move
ever been pushed around by a horse searching for a treat,
backwards away from you, with the click, reward and rest you
is using a treat to give horses manners around food, and it’s
don’t need to escalate the pressure, you’re simply shaping the
probably the most misunderstood thing about clicker training,
behaviour until the horse understands, and pretty soon the
Georgia believes, so that many people think that clicker
horse is backing away easily. I suppose I would sum it up by
training will simply make a horse look for food.
saying that with pressure and release it can take a horse a long
“It’s actually quite the opposite,” she says. “The very first thing we teach is manners around food. I set them up for success,
time to come to the party, clicking and rewarding gets them wanting to do the behaviour.” Part of Georgia’s ability to ride horses in a remarkably light frame comes she thinks, from the missing bone in her arm. “The fact is that I have to create horses that are light and responsive because I just can’t have them pulling me around.” In fact, as with everything she’s done, her entry into the world of high-level dressage was filled with some interesting turns and twists. “I started doing dressage with Crystal,” she says, “and to be honest I didn’t know much about it. When we’d just started I had to have an operation on my shoulder and I couldn’t ride for a whole year, and I had to have my arm in a sling, so I got really good at liberty training, and as soon as my shoulder healed I got back into dressage but with a lot more
Early days - clicker training with Crystal. 16 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
understanding. I started doing really well, and someone said to me, ‘you could go to the Paralympics’. Well, that gave me a
SPOTLIGHT
pause because I’d never thought of myself as disabled!” But giving the idea time to sink in, Georgia realised that it would be a great opportunity to travel and get some great teaching from high-level instructors, so she trained towards the selection trials. She just missed out on being selected for the Sydney Olympics in 2000 with the selection committee saying that at 19, she was too young. “I did a test ride for the judges,” she says, “and we had to ride pool horses, so one of the horses that hadn’t been picked I got. I actually did so well I scored higher than some of the Australian team and another country took the horse I was riding straight away.” But from 1999 to 2009 was a massive decade for Georgia internationally. She was on the Australian Paralympic national squad, and the para-dressage squad, competing 12 times internationally, at two World Championships, in Belgium in 2003 and England in 2007, and at two Paralympic Games, Athens in 2004, where she just missed out on a medal, and in the 2008 Beijing games, where the horse events were held in Hong Kong, and she won two bronze medals riding Victory Salute, owned by Carolyn Lieutenant. At around the time of her international career taking off, Georgia also had a very talented big Warmblood, Astro, in training for the World Equestrian Games, but he sadly came down with asthma and had to retire from competition. “It was again a bit of good timing because I’d started focussing on teaching, and suddenly I was doing clinics and clicker-training, and teaching western dressage, trick training and liberty training,” she says. “I took Rumba the Wonder Horse all over
Georgia working Rumba (inside) and Kalimna Prestige at liberty. to move away from Queensland and concentrate her horse life further south, somewhere where she could also continue to build on her very successful career as an entrepreneur, putting out her first book in 2004, which was followed by a DVD series. It strikes me, yet again, what a phenomenal young woman Georgia is – plunging into the world of videos and marketing with never a second thought. “I wouldn’t say it’s in my nature to market myself,” she tells me, “but I knew I had to teach myself, so I taught myself video editing and I learned how to promote the videos – I have to research each stage of any project but it’s been rewarding.”
Australia doing trick shows. He could liberty grand prix on the
As she continues to build her online presence through an
ground, and do tempi changes and canter pirouettes with or
online course, and with access to her video library, offline,
without me on his back.”
out in the horse world, she has a beautiful Warmblood, Joey,
Living up to his name however, that’s not all he could do. He was also a dab hand (or hoof) at abstract art, he’s got his own FB pages, and two videos of him have gone viral. “The one of
who is currently training at medium level in dressage, and a Welsh-Cob/Arabian/Warmblood, Angel, she’s currently doing dressage, liberty and tricks with.
him tucking himself into bed has been viewed 50 million times,
And then, of course, there’s Rumba. “He has a wonderful life,”
I think,” says Georgia, “although I’ve actually lost count. I also
she says. “He gets worked lightly so he is stimulated and
did a Git Up challenge that’s had several million views, and we
entertained, but he is looked after like the retired star he is.”
were educators at Equitana five times.”
What’s the betting that it won’t be long before Georgia trains
In fact, in the end Georgia and her horses were spending so much time down in Victoria that she decided it would be better
another ‘Wonder Horse’? You can contact Georgia at: www.clickertraining.org H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 17
Hercules & Susi’s extraordinary journey When a gangly young Warmblood came trotting into clicker trainer Susi May’s life nine months ago, little did she know just how quickly the bond between them would grow, CANDIDA BAKER writes.
18 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
SPOTLIGHT
OPPOSITE: Hercules enjoying his liberty, still focussed on Susi. THIS PAGE: A click and a reward after a canter on the beach. INSET: Teaching Hercules the Spanish Walk. Photos: Candidia Baker.
S
usi May, her horse Hercules and I
even though there wasn’t a sign of a horse on the
are walking along the beach. It’s
horizon during those years, Susi can’t remember a
a perfect day. The sun is shining,
time when she wasn’t horse-obsessed.
there’s not a cloud in the sky; the sea and sky are as blue as can be. We’re chatting away about this and that, when suddenly it dawns on me that Hercules, Herc for short, is actually loose beside us. As in nothing on him of any description. He’s just mooching along, eavesdropping over Susi’s shoulder, having a lovely time.
“I was obsessed even as a baby,” she says. “My grandmother used to give me little felt horses, and I loved them. I think it was just beamed into me this lifetime. I didn’t just ‘see’ them, they were literally inside me, and I just desperately wanted a horse.” Fortunately when she was 12, the family moved to a property near Toowoomba, and Susi got her own horse, starting her
I honestly can’t quite believe what I’ve witnessed over the past
mother on her horse journey as well.
few hours, and not for the first time it makes me aware of how
But when she was 16 her life changed direction for a while. She
complicated we often make our relationship with horses.
left home, and after a year saving money backpacked around
Susi credits her success with Hercules to clicker training,
Australia fruit-picking and doing seasonal work for three years.
something she learned from her coach seven years ago and
For a youngster on the move, life wasn’t always easy, and at
has used ever since to start, train and educate horses.
one point Susi fell on hard times, living under a bridge with five
“What I love about clicker training is the connection and the
Canadians, working when she could, and even resorting to
communication that is established. The best whisper is a click,”
pinching food if she had to in order to survive.
she says. “Coordination and timing can be tricky and it isn’t
“One evening I remember I had this packet of two-minute
something you can learn overnight, but clicker training is an
noodles, and I had no way to prepare them, except to try
amazing tool. The first very important step with clicker training
cooking them on a barbecue in the park. There was a Kiwi
is to get the horse to stay out of your space, you teach them
family making dinner nearby and the smell of their food made
they are not to receive their treat inside your personal bubble.”
my mouth water. When they came over and asked me if I’d
Born in Austria to parents from the Czech Republic, the family was sponsored to Australia when Susi was five. Between the ages of five to 12, Susi and her mother moved frequently. But
like to eat with them, I couldn’t believe it. My Canadian friends were so mad at me when they realised I’d just eaten a meal!” But travelling constantly, and living on her wits, wasn’t a way H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 19
C AVALLERIA TOSC ANA FOR SALES ENQUIRIES CONTACT: info@trailrace.com.au OR CALL: 02 4353 1922
trailrace.com.au
SPOTLIGHT
to live forever. After a bout of illness, Susi went home to recuperate, and to contemplate her next move. Inspired by the kindness of the Kiwis in the park, she decided to move to New Zealand when she was 19, and for two years worked in hospitality before eventually coming home. “I came back to Australia with the intention of creating a good career for myself,” she says, “and I landed a job as stewardess on a cruise ship when I was 21. I’d promised myself after New Zealand that I wasn’t going to date any more New Zealanders, but then as fate would have it I met Sam, and he was a Kiwi too! We’ve been together ever since – for fourteen years now. I worked my way up to purser on the cruise ships, and Sam now works on oil and gas rigs.” After travelling the world together, working on cruise ships and yachts, they got to a stage where they wanted a more settled life. The couple bought a property together in Teven in the Northern Rivers, where Susi did an equestrian coaching
Best of friends – a post-swim roll, lie down and a reward. Photo: Candida Baker.
certificate, working for the Byron Bay Equestrian Centre as a coach and at Tassariki ranch in South Ballina as a coach and
differ slightly – because it’s exactly the wide open space that
trail guide.
might, for me at least, set off a series of what if’s. What if the
“Finally I was able to get back into horses,” she says. “I bought Tommie, a Thoroughbred who’d been in Japan racing. They
horse takes off? What if it doesn’t come back? What if it spooks at that truck coming down the beach?
brought him back to Australia to retire him, and then decided to
But the proof is in the pudding, as they say, because Hercules,
give him one last run in the Ballina Cup in 2008 – which he won!”
only eight months into his training, takes everything in his
With Tommie, Susi started her clicker journey in earnest, and the ex-racehorse loved his new mixed life galloping along the
(massive) stride. He potters off from us occasionally, taking himself down to the water like a giant dog, then coming back
beach one day, learning dressage the next. But life never
for a click and a treat.
remains static, and after Tommie had an accident, which
Over a couple of hours Susi and Hercules entertain, inspire
damaged his wither, Susie had to reassess. “About eight
and amaze me. She shows me how she’s teaching him to
months ago Hercules came into my life, and with our now five-
Spanish Walk. She rides him bareback with just a neck rope
year-old son Liam, and Sam being a FIFO husband, having two
up the beach, she canters him with the saddle and the halter,
horses was difficult – especially with the drought, so Tommie
and then with the saddle and bridleless. She swims with him.
retired to a property nearby, and Hercules and I began our
He rolls over for her and she sits on him in the sand, while he
clicker journey together,” she says.
turns his head gently towards her. When we’ve finished playing
And what a journey! This gangly, over 17hh three-year-old
– and there’s really no better word for it – and we’re ready to
Warmblood whose hooves are the size of dinner plates is
start walking back to Tassariki Ranch where Susi is based, Herc
already attracting attention throughout the horse world with
decides to knock her hat off, and it ends up flying down the
his endearing, quirky nature and his apparent ability to absorb
beach with me chasing after it. To be honest I don’t know who
information.
was laughing more – Susi, or her horse.
It all started, says Susi, with groundwork. “I actually didn’t
But at least Hercules liked me. Apparently he doesn’t take to
even intend to start riding him this young, but Hercules literally
most people, but I’d gone armed with my essential oils, and
almost asked me to get on him,” she laughs.
Susi was impressed at the effect they had on Hercules, who
These days, at the age of three, Hercules is already a seasoned beach campaigner, and Susi has used the beach as her main training ground, because she says: “It’s such a great
was keen to indulge his sense of smell with a wide range of scents. He even let me give him a hug, so perhaps he was laughing with me not at me. Although I have my suspicions.
environment for horses because it’s stimulating, great for their
You can contact Susi May for clicker training via Instagram
bodies and their minds, and it’s a wide open space.” Perhaps
@Susimay22 or Facebook: Susi & Hercules Liberty Clicker
this is where Susi and most traditional horse owners might
Training or by email: susivitek@gmail.com H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 21
F E AT U R E
Mounting up for autumn rides As this long, drawn-out summer finally comes to a close, now is the perfect time to think about an autumn trek writes JANE CAMENS.
S
eason of mists and mellow fruitfulness, is how the
year in advance, so act early if you want to ensure you can
romantic English poet John Keats described the cooler
ride. All these rides provide excellent horses and take you
weather we can sense around the corner.
to some of the most beautiful parts of Australia, full board
For equestrians with a yearning to get away and ride till
provided.
they can’t no more (apologies to rapper Lil Nas X), this is
To make the most out of these big adventures, you’ll want
one of the best seasons to head out of town. The holiday
to be able to sit in a saddle for up to five hours a day,
crowds have gone, and opportunities abound to enjoy some breathtaking horsey adventures.
be comfortable at a trot and, preferably a canter as well, although all rides work to the level of the least confident or accomplished riders. There are shorter or gentler options
We’ve picked three wish-list organised rides to dream about,
offered by these companies, but we focus here on their big
or to book for next year. These rides can book out up to a
full rides.
PICTURED ABOVE: Grape Horse Adventure trail ride leaders Jen Clingly and Jeremy Ford. 22 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
F E AT U R E
BAROSSA VALLEY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA THINK THE BAROSSA, THINK WINE! Hence the Grape Horse Adventure. This quality boutique adventure ride, led by natural horsemanship practitioners Jen Clingly and Jeremy Ford, boasts not only some of the best educated Arabian and Arabian-cross horses you’re likely to have the chance to enjoy, but also some of Australia’s finest food and wine. We found this ride because Jen and Jeremy also lead a fabulous ride in Tasmania (Tassie Tiger Trail), but not during autumn. By March they’ve moved across to the more temperate South Australian climate to lead rides through the Barossa Valley, one of the world’s great wine regions. The Grape Horse Adventure is a five-day four-night ride held during Australia’s autumn months. It takes a maximum of six people on each ride. This adventure is included in many of the world’s great rides offered by the Australian-based travel company Globetrotting, a luxury boutique riding company founded by Queensland-based Kate Pilcher. As Kate says, the Grape Horse Adventure is “an absolute must” if you like great wine and food. “Jen comes from South
Serving morning tea on the shady lawns of the Grant Burgess Winery. training and horsemanship,” she says. “We’ve studied a lot
Australia and knows this area intimately,” she says. “Jen and
of natural horsemanship. I’ve been right through the Parelli
Jeremy are both foodies and have found the Barossa’s best-
levels and we’ve trained with Victorian-based Argentinian
kept secrets and riding trails.”
Carlos Tabenaberri, the author of Through the Eyes of a
Among the culinary highlights of the trip is a dinner at the
Horse.”
world-class St Hugo Restaurant, with a glass of St Hugo
Jen and Jeremy, both of whom are endurance riders,
wine. On the last day there is a lunch stop at Maggie Beer’s Pheasant Farm shop and cafe that offers a true paddockto-plate experience. In between, you ride from vineyard to vineyard, enjoying spectacular views of the region while discovering its history. The unique aspect of the ride, Jen stresses, is the focus she and Jeremy put on natural horsemanship. “We are all about
want people on their rides to join them on their natural horsemanship journey. To this end, all their beautiful horses are ridden bitless and barefoot. Both Jen and Jeremy are internationally trained barefoot farriers and also hold workshops in barefoot trimming and hoof care. This enterprising equestrian couple hope to pass on good horsemanship skills while offering great riding and a wonderful tourism experience. They pride themselves on their well educated, fit and happy horses. The quoted cost of this ride per person is $3,995. It includes transfers between Adelaide airport and accommodation at a well-appointed homestead, as well as all meals, beer and wine, showcasing some of the best wines the Barossa has to offer. You can find out more about the ride on the Globetrotting website: www.globetrotting.com.au/horse-riding-holidays/thegrape-horse-adventure-barossa-valley-australia
Both Jen and Jeremy are natural horsemanship practitioners. H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 23
F E AT U R E
THE APPLE ISLE - TASMANIA THE ALWAYS GORGEOUS APPLE ISLE has several organisations running trail rides, but Cradle Country Adventures, run by Ray and Laura Becker, is one of the few that do longer rides during the autumn. Their rides, in the central and north-west regions of Tassie, make use of three stunning locations: Cradle Mountain in the Vale of Belvoir Conservation Area; Kimberly in the beautiful Mersey Valley, and Bakers Beach in the Narawntapu National Park. The rides start from just a couple of hours, which are fine for novices, but the Beckers also tailor rides that cover multiple locations and last four or five days. Ray Becker thinks March up until mid-April is the best time of year for riding in their part of the world. “The holiday hoons and bikes have gone, so at last we have the beach and mountains almost to ourselves,” he says. Easy to agree with those sentiments! It’s hard not to long to ride with Ray when you hear him talk about his lovely horses, the glorious landscapes and fine local produce served up to his clients. Some of the terrain that the rides cover includes parts of the famous Tom Quilty endurance course and the 480km Tasmanian Trail. Because
Ray and Laura Becker take their guests on trail rides through stunning Tasmanian forests on their Cradle Country Adventures.
this part of the country escaped the terrible fires last season
brown butterflies and numerous wildflowers. This special
(at the time of writing), you’re bound to see lots of wildlife.
environment offers views of Cradle Mountain.
Here’s an example of a four-day ride with Cradle Country
Day Three: is spent on a ride into Narawntapu National Park.
Adventures, which is their most popular longer ride:
This takes the group through to Bakers Beach, an amazing
Day One: is spent riding around the Mersey Valley, home of
stretch of pristine beach, where you can canter through the
the famous Mersey cheese. It winds through forests, grazing
shallows, and the brave (if you don’t mind cold, let’s make
country and river flats, offering spectacular views of the Great
that freezing, water) have a chance to swim with their horse.
Western Tiers, which are a collection of mountain bluffs within
Day Four: Ray suggests riding through the coastal bushland
the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site. Lunch is
of Narawntapu, past stands of the unique Australian Grass
eaten on the banks of the Mersey River where, if you’re lucky, you might see platypus or trout. Experienced riders will have the opportunity for plenty of trotting and cantering. Day Two: the ride travels through the magnificent Vale of Belvoir, one of the most significant places
Tree. This ride also offers breathtaking views. Over the three nights accommodation, two nights are in comfortable shearers’ quarters, with one night in a home-stead at Bakers Beach. All meals are provided.
for nature conservation in
Ray and Laura keep their
Australia. Among the many
groups small, but they have
important species of fauna
40 horses from which they
and flora in the area are
can find the most appropriate
the vulnerable spotted-
mount for each rider. The
tailed quoll, the endangered Tasmanian devil, shy ground parrots, endangered ptunarra
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Riders take in the raw beauty of Bakers Beach in Tasmania.
F E AT U R E
horses are a mixture of Percheron-Shire crosses, ArabianStock Horse crosses and a range of other different breeds. Ray says they have a variety of different saddles, all of which have toe stoppers on the stirrups, which is fairly normal in endurance riding. “We have lots of clients who ride all around the world,” says Ray. “People don’t fork out their hard-earned money unless they want to enjoy life and have the maximum enjoyment from a ride, so it’s our job to give them that.”
Special HorseVibes Offer: Currently, this four-day Cradle Country Adventures ride is priced at $1,520 per person, including two nights accommodation at the shearers’ quarters at Kimberley, and one night accommodation at the Bakers Beach homestead, with all meals provided. The price may change next year, but if you tell Ray you’ve read about this offer in HorseVibes, he and Laura will honour this quoted price. Contact Ray or Laura on 0447 790 363, or check their website:
Tour guide Gabi on her mare Jazz.
https://cradleadventures.com.au
PORT MACQUARIE, MID NORTH COAST - NEW SOUTH WALES IF YOU’D LOVE TO RIDE A FORWARD-MOVING, surefooted Arabian horse, or an Australian Brumby through the bush and beaches of the New South Wales Mid North Coast, Southern Cross Horse Treks offers a variety of rides all year round, starting from just a day-ride up to seven days in the saddle. But you’ll want to be fit and saddle ready! Owned and run by Netherlands-raised Kathy Holtrust, who has been living in Australia for 20 years, all Southern Cross Horse Treks begin and end each day at her home, Kerewong Lodge, just south of Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast. One of her newer rides also includes a focus on horsemanship. Kathy takes a maximum of four people on her rides, mainly as a safety precaution. This makes the rides personal and exclusive. She also requires people coming with her to be reasonably competent. Some days she might cover up to 40 kilometres on her tough and nimble horses. Kathy’s rides follow quiet forest trails through 20,000 hectares of State forest where there are eucalypts, rainforests, creek Kathy leading riders through the local State forest. Photo: Kate Kaizer Photography.
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 25
Tour guide Kathy with Quarab mare Ness. Most Kerewong horses like water and have fun splashing around. Photo: Kate Kaizer Photography.
crossings, rock formations, and spectacular views.
unique produce from this region.
“The fires last summer made this really difficult,” she says.
Visitors love her 24ha property. “Whichever window they look
‘We didn’t experience fires near us, but the forest tracks were
out, they can see the horses,” Kathy explains.
closed for the duration. But we always have the beach for riding. Most people love the beach and for the horses, it’s quite an easy day.”
Kathy recently expanded her herd with the addition of two beautiful Brumbies from the Guy Fawkes National Park. “The Arabians are fairly full on. The Brumbies are more relaxed
Kathy grew up with horses in Holland where she competed
and easier, but they keep up. The Arabians can become
with them in dressage and show jumping. After completing
impatient and irritated if they’re tied up for long periods, but
secondary school, she studied psychology and then spent
you can tie up the Brumbies all day and they’ll just stand. I
a year of practical work in Australia. She decided, however,
wanted to raise awareness about the Brumbies and prove
she’d rather work with horses and live fulltime in Australia.
that they’re good riding horses – they are so sure footed!
She was required to return to Holland but after five years
These two were with a natural horsemanship trainer before
emigrated with her then-husband to follow her dream.
they came to me, so I didn’t take them right from the start, but
Together they decided to show people this beautiful country,
I’ve found them to be very easy and relaxed.”
catering only for experienced riders over 18. “I get a lot of
Kathy’s riders use endurance saddles and her horses can be
people from Europe,” Kathy says. “Everyone loves it that we
ridden bitless, unless the rider isn’t comfortable without a bit.
can ride through the forest and not see any people!”
Seven days and six nights with Kathy at Southern Cross
Kathy also showcases local produce, fitting in a visit to a local
Horse Treks costs $2,500. Everything is provided. To book,
winery and making sure her guests get the chance to taste
go to the website www.horsetreks.com.au.
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Lang Park Cottages ice of h l s e l t t i l A
eaven ...
234 Myocum Road, Ewingsdale NSW 2481 Ph: 02 66847241 Email: langparkcottages@gmail.com Find us on Facebook @langparkbyronbay
David Shoobridge’s Warmblood, Flame. Photo: Jessica Atkins, JA Studios.
SCHOLARSHIP
Delivering Dreams Scholarship The Delivering Dreams Scholarship is a HorseVibes initiative created to help equestrians from a variety of disciplines achieve their dreams. We are dedicated to connecting with communities around Australia to ensure that our Scholarship recipients receive the help and inspiration they really need. Our goal is to build into the Delivering Dreams Scholarship a supportive network of like-minded businesses and individuals. TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT THE WEBSITE: w w w. h o r s e v i b e s. c o m . a u / h o r s e v i b e s - d e l i v e r i n g - d r e a m s - s c h o l a r s h i p /
DELIVERING DREAMS
The trick to delivering her dreams BILLIE MORGAN decided from an early age that her passion was trick riding. The inaugural HorseVibes Delivering Dreams Scholarship winner tells us about her life, and the difference the scholarship has made to her.
I
was just a little girl when I first saw someone trick riding, and somehow knew that that was what I was born to be. To me trick riding is fast, beautiful, hard, graceful, dangerous, bold, and different, and I wanted to do it more than I can say. I’m sure a parent’s worst nightmare is hearing their little girl telling them that she wants to hang upside down from an out of control, galloping horse! Although now that I’m a trick rider myself, I know there’s much more to it than just that, and fortunately for me my parents managed to swallow their fear and be supportive of my ambition. Trick riding is not a common horse sport, so trying to find someone nearby who taught trick riding seemed almost impossible. Every chance I got I searched for a teacher and watched YouTube trick riding videos, dreaming that one day the person doing the tricks would be me. A few years later, my sister went searching for a coach for me and finally located Hollie Shiels from HLS Trick Riding & Equestrian Services on the Gold Coast. I didn’t know my family had actually found someone until Christmas of 2015. Yep, it was on Christmas morning when I was handed an envelope with a letter saying that I would be having my very first trick riding lesson with Hollie in just a few weeks! Now, four years later, I have my own trick riding saddle and I’ve trained Brady, one of my horses, for trick riding, which has allowed me to practice at home. 30 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
Because Hollie lives five hours away from me, my biggest barrier was being able to afford lessons with her more than a couple of times a year.
rather than trying to muscle into the right
The HorseVibes Delivering Dreams Scholarship gave me the opportunity to have extra lessons with Hollie, which in turn has gone a long way to helping me reach my goals. Hollie taught me
that the hard way when, after diving into
spot while on a moving horse, get out of the trick and better position yourself before taking another shot at it. I learned a trick incorrectly, I tried to pull myself to the right spot. Twice I tried and twice I fell awkwardly to the ground. Lesson learned! My plans for the future are definitely to
HorseVibes Delivering Dreams Scholarship gave me the opportunity to have extra lessons with Hollie... helping me reach my goals.
start my own business performing and teaching trick riding but before taking that step, I want to learn as much as I can in the industry. Travelling to America to meet and learn from some of the best in the business has been a dream of mine for a very long time. However, travelling half-way around the world (to follow what I used to think of as an impossible dream) sounds pretty crazy, but when you find something you are passionate about and you’re ready to
new tricks, as well as how to improve my techniques on the tricks I’d been developing and practicing at home.
work towards your goals, amazing things
From the lessons that were part of scholarship, I’ve learned three new tricks – the one-foot stand, side back bend, and Cupid’s arrow. I’ve also been working on perfecting ten other tricks – the quarter and half shoulder stand, suicide drag, reverse and forward fender, horizontal, scissors, vaults, flank drag and half-stroud.
supportive and wonderful people have
Working with Hollie also taught me some important trick riding basics. For example: if at first you don’t succeed,
Hollie has helped me to improve my
can happen. For me, determination and some very helped me turn my dreams into reality. I am now planning a trip to America, and will very soon be leaving so that I can learn from some of the amazing trick riders there. The HorseVibes Delivering Dreams Scholarship could not have come at a better time for me, as working with skills before going overseas to learn even more.
Don’t try this at home folks! Billie Morgan taking advantage of her HorseVibes Delivering Dreams Scholarship to have extra lessons with coach Holly Shiels (bottom right).
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 31
PHOTO © IAN & MICHELLE BROWN
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C U LT U R E C O R N E R
The Silver Brumby homestead lost to the fires
W
e live in challenging times. The fires that have razed large parts of NSW and
Victoria have touched everyone’s lives. We’ve seen fires in this country before, but nothing like this. The losses are massive. Landscapes, properties, houses, livestock, horses, wildlife, human life. Every day has brought more devasta-
When author KAREN VIGGERS was a child, her inspiration was Elyne Mitchell, owner of the iconic Towong Homestead in Victoria, and author of the Silver Brumby series. Karen gives us a unique look at a place that is gone forever.
ting news. More country burned. Communities under threat. Animals lost. One friend’s horses were caught in the blaze and died. Another friend’s horses miraculously dodged the fire and somehow survived. The random hand of fate prevails. One house is destroyed. Another, nearby, remains standing. Among many sad stories, I learned that Elyne Mitchell’s beautiful homestead at Towong Hill near Corryong in Victoria was destroyed by fire. Like many horsey people, I had a strong childhood connection to the Silver Brumby series. I grew up in the digital dark ages of the 1970s before the internet and mobile phones. Back then, books were the main way of engaging with the world, and that’s how I explored my passion for horses. I was eight when I first visited the public library and discovered Elyne Mitchell’s books. I read the first line of Silver Brumbies of the South, about horses, nature and wilderness, and I was in. Thus began an important relationship that has had a major impact on my life. Elyne Mitchell and her Silver Brumby books inspired me to become a writer. It was a journey that would take many years, but my future had its genesis in her books. A horse-mad girl, I grew up on my family’s small farm in the Dandenong Ranges, hanging out with cows and dogs, and dreaming about horses. On wet days, I read and reread the Silver Brumby books, and, when the rain cleared, I ran around the paddocks pretending to be Thowra H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 33
C U LT U R E C O R N E R
to life. The landscape and its animals. Not just the wild Brumbies, but also the native animals. The kangaroos. The yellow-tailed black cockatoos that flew over, warning of storms. The granite tors high up on the Ramshead Range. The twisted snowgums. Through her writing, I knew the high country long before I ever saw it. I loved the maps in the front of her books, and I learned the names of all the landscape features, visiting these places in my mind. Towong Hill Station before and after the fire.
Now, my family has a share in a small lodge at Guthega and we visit the mountains regularly. Thanks to Elyne, this country is important to us too. It’s tragic that Elyne’s property recently burned and her grand homestead has been destroyed. I’m sure she would be sad to see what has happened to the country she loved so much. She wrote: ‘This is the country that built my heart’. If she was alive, she would tell everyone to rebuild their lives – and the landscape.
or Baringa, guarding a herd of mares or
Corryong. I wrote to Elyne again, asking
fighting an intruding wild stallion.
if I could meet her, and I was delighted
My mother suggested I write to Elyne
when she invited me to afternoon tea.
Just after the fires, I spoke to Elyne’s daughter, Honor, who has become my friend in recent years. She said her
Mitchell, so I sat down with an Aerogram
The drive from Corryong to Towong
parents would be fighting for the land
and composed my first letter on the thin
wound among rolling green hills and
blue paper. The letter made its way to
from their graves, if they could. And she
water courses dotted with willows.
a publisher in London, who mailed it
hopes people can use Elyne’s love of
I followed the driveway to the large
back to Australia where it was delivered
stately house on the hill. A Border Collie
to Towong Hill Station near Corryong,
raced out to greet me. Then Elyne
where Elyne lived on her beautiful
appeared from the house: a thin, craggy
property overlooking the western faces
woman with a crooked leg, an uneven
of the Snowy Mountains.
gait, and skin as weathered as the
We corresponded for several years. I
mountains. She smiled as she gripped
wrote to Elyne about my first pony, King,
my hand, and I knew we were kindred
whose wild ways I was lucky to survive.
spirits: both lovers of horses and the
She wrote to me about her dogs, the
written word. Over scones and tea, in
Angus cattle that ran on her property,
the cool shadows of the kitchen, we
and the views of the mountains that
talked about writing and the mountains
were such a large part of her life.
and, later, swam in the billabong near
Years later, when I was studying to
the house.
become a veterinarian, I decided to visit
What I loved about Elyne’s books was
a friend working in veterinary practice in
the way she brought the Australian bush
34 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
the country as a beacon of hope.
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Deb Caston (left) and friend enjoy an early morning beach visit with Deb’s two horses Chillie and Cooper (Image by Roger Foster).
AROUND THE TRAPS
Antonia Bearda and Up To No Good at the Silver Hills Horse Trials. Not surprisingly, this image recently won an Eventing Nation No Scope, No Hope photo comp (Image by Melissa Goodson). H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 37
AROUND THE TRAPS
Sammi Markovic and Tequila Sunrise at the Smythesdale Combined Training Day (Image by Lisa Green of Mane Memories). 38 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
AROUND THE TRAPS
Milla Cook on Poppet and Kobie Cook on Pirate taking out dual first place in the Match Match class at the Sarina Western Performance and Equestrian Clubs Kids Fun Day (Image by Rhonda Dalrymple of Red Hot Photography).
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 39
AROUND THE TRAPS
Kayla Healey and Wicky at the 2019 Pony Club National Championships held at Sydney International Equestrian Centre (Image by Andrew Healey).
Adel Pheloung and Gypsy Heart scored a double clear at the Tweed & District Show Jumping Club Spring Festival (Image by Oz Shotz). 40 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
AROUND THE TRAPS
RIGHT:Kobie Cook and Elly Oak at the Sarina Pony Club Jumping Competition (Image by Red Hot Photography). BELOW: Elsa Hudson and Jackie placed 5th in the AM7-70cm Senior at the Liverpool Plains Equestrian Interschools (Image by Chris Miller from GeoSnapshot).
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 41
AROUND THE TRAPS
ABOVE: Tim Goodes, riding in full uniform for the South Australian 3rd Lighthorse Regiment - Naracoorte Troop, and OTT Strategic Glass in the Jerrico Cup tent pegging competition. Teams travelled from all over Australia to compete in the Cup (Image by Teena Goodes). LEFT: Tayla Bunt and Southern Swagger competing at the Hunter Valley Spring Show Jumping Championships (Image by Geosnapshot).
42 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
AROUND THE TRAPS
ABOVE: Emily Manuell and Neopolian make their mark in the Clarkes Pies Junior Jump at the Warrnambool Agricultural Show (Image by Jayden Savage of Smiling Savage Photography). LEFT: Lydia Teague and Teco Bounty competing at the Tambourine Equestrian Group ODE (Image by This Little Studio’s Hayley Neal).
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 43
AROUND THE TRAPS
RIGHT: Penny Newbold and Sticks and Stones on their way to 5th place at the Tweed & District Show Jumping Club Spring Show Jumping Festival (Image by Oz Shots Photography). BELOW: Ten-year-old Evie Tonkin and Lucy came 4th in the 75cm Class at the Sunshine and Fraser Coast RPG Open Show Jumping Day (Image by M C Jukes Photography).
44 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
AROUND THE TRAPS
ABOVE: Sophie Casey and Tanzzeel Warrior enjoyed their day out at the Berrima Horse Trials (Image by Ian Vaughan Photography). RIGHT: Coco Gibson and Czarina at the 2019 NSW Country Championships, Bega (Image by Ann-Maree Cullen).
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 45
AROUND THE TRAPS
ABOVE: Gabrielle Rankin and Hugo taking out 6th place at the Mt Sugarloaf Pony Club ODE (Image by Diane Ranzenbacher of Geosnapshots). RIGHT: Mia Dodd riding Super Genes at the Frank Richards Memorial, Tasmania (Image by Kayla Bray).
46 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
AROUND THE TRAPS
ABOVE: Beth Ciallella and Pierra Belle at the Swan River Showjumping Club winter championships (Image by Eric Lloyd Photography). RIGHT: Eva and Holland Park Vienna placed equal 2nd in the 90cm jumping event at the Bridgetown Agriculture Show (Image by Michael Foulds).
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 47
AROUND THE TRAPS
Dimittee Walker and Indiana Go took out 6th in Best Presented Standardbred Mare, 5th in Handler 18-30 years, 4th in Standardbred Mare 4-9 years, and 4th in the Show Horse over 16hh in the Off The Track WA 2019 Dual Code Spectacular (Image by Vicki Tapper of Vickiphotos).
If you would like you and your horse to be featured in the next edition of HorseVibes, please send a high-resolution photo with the name of the event, rider and horse, as well as the photographer’s credit, to info@horsevibes.com.au 48 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
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THE HORSE L I S T E N E R
In cracking good form Rob Jackson, The Horseback Vet, is sought after around the world. CANDIDA BAKER finds out why.
Y
ou have to get up early to catch Rob Jackson. This UKbased veterinarian specialises
in horses’ skeletal systems, and his action-packed days start from 6.00am. Fortunately for me his first port of call on his last Australian visit was with a client who lives not far away from me. Renowned for his assessment of problems in horses, his chiropractic-style treatment, and his personable, calm manner, Rob (BVetMed, DipSurv (RP), MRCVS), comes out to Australia two or three times a year to treat the clients who have been lucky enough to find out about his work. And this is why I’m here, because his client, Anne McDiarmid was so thrilled with the treatment Rob gave her massive Warmblood George, that she now organizes his visit to Australia and she thought I would like to see his work. Anne’s story started several years ago
Rob Jackson and George. “I feel better now”.
when George suffered a soft tissue injury. “He’d been through two rehab
becoming more and more aware of how
courage in her hands and tentatively
programs over 18 months, but he still
skeletal injury can lead to soft tissue
messaged Rob.
had a strange gait behind, and he was
problems and vice versa – and who
swinging his hind leg through in an odd
knows which one leads to which one!
way. Both myself and my coach felt there
In the year I’d been following the group
was something not quite right higher up
one name kept coming up as someone
in the sacroiliac or in his back, but we
who could solve issues where others
couldn’t pinpoint it, and neither could
had failed, and that was Rob, ‘The
By the next night she had an answer.
anybody else.”
Horseback Vet’.”
George was locked in his lumbar region.
In the meantime, Anne, in the search for
Any of us – myself included – who
“I was so relieved I had a diagnosis that
answers, had been following a UK-based
have been through the roller coaster of
fitted with what I was feeling that I asked
FB group that focussed on soft tissue
rehabilitating horses from injuries know
Rob if he knew of anyone in Australia
injury. “There was a lot of discussion
the days and nights of desperation,
who could fix the issue,” she says. “Rob
in the group of the chicken and egg
and it was in the middle of one of those
told me that unfortunately he didn’t
syndrome,” she says. “Everybody is
sleepless nights that Anne took her
know anyone who had perfected his
50 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
“I couldn’t believe that all the way from the UK, I not only got an immediate reply but a request to send video of some very specific movements,” she says.
THE HORSE WHISPERER
in a circle, all the time telling me what he
working and studying to increase my
thinks is going on – which at the time of
knowledge in that area.”
this consultation is a very slight stiffness on the front off-side knee, (often incorrectly referred to as the shoulder in a horse). Soon some massive stretches take place, and George looks pretty surprised at the idea of his leg moving quite so far away from his body, I’d have to say, but as soon as the release is finished, he drops his head, licks and chews and yawns,
Rob Jackson giving a shoulder stretch to George. technique and that it had taken him 19 years as a practising vet to create this particular set of movements.” But Anne wasn’t going to give up that easily. “I’d bred George myself, put eight years of work into him and I love him to bits, so I set about seeing if I could get Rob out here.” The long and the short of it was that Rob made his first visit to Australia in August 2017 to treat George and a handful of other horses belonging to Anne’s dressage friends. It wasn’t a cheap session – it couldn’t be, with the money having to cover his flights and accommodation while he was here, but at approximately $300 for the hour or so he spent with George, Anne suddenly had for the first time in two years, a horse that could move freely and was free of pain. “Since Rob’s first visit I’ve slowly but carefully built George up to full strength,” she says, “and he is now a horse who is working and training at FEI level dressage. Rob comes out to Australia about every six months, and spends 5-6
An issue associated with his work that Rob is passionate about is saddle-fit. “All over the world we are now using saddle-fitting templates which give us a profile of the horse’s back, and we can then make sure that any saddle fitted is not going to impede the horse’s movement,” he says. “It’s imperative to have a perfectly-fitting saddle so that the
showing every sign of a horse that has
horse can move freely, if a horse’s rib
just had a massive physical release. As I
gets stuck for instance, that contraction
watch Rob gives George some physical
will gradually effect the entire skeletal
movements I’ve never witnessed before,
structure.”
and after each one George is even more a gentle giant than ever. “What people have to realise about their horses is that they are the athletes in the relationship,” Rob tells me. “Humans can voice the fact that their muscles are stiff and sore, or that something’s ‘out’, but
We’re getting close to the end of the session when it occurs to me to ask him how his jetlag is going. “Oh,” he says, “I don’t get it! I think I’m here for such a short time, usually only a week, that my body doesn’t even have
a horse can’t, and it’s our duty to make
time to suffer from it.”
sure they stay soft and supple.”
He’s indefatigable in his work – travelling
Rob believes all horses should have the
to Europe, the US and Australia in his
ability to move freely at the walk and
quest to improve horses’ lives, typically
trot, and he likes to see them swing
treating between six to 13 horses in a day.
in a small circle around their handler. He qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in London in 1996, he is a former British Endurance Team Vet (including at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky
“It’s not always an easy way of life,” he says. “It’s a lot of travelling and time away from home, but my mission is to make people more aware of the kinds of
in 2010); an FEI Official Veterinarian
problems their horses can suffer from,
for Eventing and Endurance and has
and to assist them in setting up regimes
officiated at numerous national and
for their horses that will help them
international fixtures in most equine
become stronger in their bodies, fitter
disciplines.
and more able to do their work, so they
“I’ve always loved horses,” he tells me. “I’m a qualified carriage driver, I’ve competed in polo, dressage, showjumping, eventing and showing – I’ve ridden across Scotland and I’ve
can enjoy it more.” Amen to that. Rob Jackson – The Horseback Vet –will be in Australia doing consultations plus
even jousted, so for me, the idea that
a workshop on diagnosing and treating
horses should enjoy being ridden, and
back issues in late April/May this year.
be happy in their work is paramount.
Contact Anne McDiarmid on:
Watching him work, I’m impressed.
I first got interested in equine
admin@rto2go.com or 0400 718 998
He gets Jim, Anne’s husband, to walk
manipulation and spinal release in the
or visit the Facebook page:
George out, to trot him out, to turn him
late 1990s, and since then I’ve been
The Horse Back Vet - Australia Visit.
days in the Northern Rivers and on the Gold Coast treating numerous horses.”
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 51
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54 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
F E AT U R E
Rebuilding after the fires
stabled, exhibiting behaviour such as weaving or cribbing. Be mindful of any changes in your horse, and if you’re concerned, seek out the help of a practitioner who specialises in healing horses after trauma. Herbs such as camomile, therapy with essential oils and
We’ve just witnessed one of the worst bushfire seasons on record. AMANDA MAC looks at rebuilding lives and properties in the aftermath of Australia’s tragic summer.
supplementing with minerals such as magnesium, can go a long way to helping your equine friend come to terms with the trauma and grief it’s suffered. And it goes without saying that increasing the usual doses of wither scratches, pats, patience, love and reassurance are highly
T
recommended! o be honest, I can’t even begin
have serious consequences for your
to image what it would be like
mental and emotional health, including
to see a massive multi-storey-
the possibility of post-traumatic stress
high bushfire roaring towards me. Nor
attention from a vet. If not properly
disorder (PTSD) – the signs and
can I begin to fully comprehend the terror
treated, significant swelling may occur
symptoms of which include reliving the
around the site of a burn, which can
experienced by people who have recently
event through vivid memories, sleeping
be difficult to manage and is also
lived through that exact scenario.
difficulties, irritability, lack of concen-
vulnerable to infection. It’s always
This fire season has been horrific – so
tration, losing interest in day-to-day
better to have your horse thoroughly
activities, feeling cut off and detached,
checked over as soon after the event
or emotionally flat and numb. As Dr
as possible, and to arrange for regular
Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Advisor
re-checks to ensure that any symptoms
at Beyond Blue notes: “Everyone
that arise in the days that follow are
responds to disasters differently, there’s
adequately treated.
bad, in fact, that it’s received global attention. Just witnessing those events unfolding during news broadcasts is enough to trigger feelings of anxiety, helplessness and depression – how much more so for those that have come face-to-face with such catastrophic devastation?
no right or wrong way to feel. It’s about recognising when you are having a hard time and getting help early.” If
A horse that’s been exposed to fire and smoke inhalation is likely to require
If your horse has inhaled smoke, or smoke remains in the air, the ill-effects might not necessarily become obvious
you are at all concerned about the way
for several weeks. Should he or she
The big question, of course, is how to
you are feeling, help is available 24/7
begin to show signs of reduced lung
go forward from here? How to even
from Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or
function, higher than normal body
begin re-building when for many that
Lifeline on 13 11 14, or pay a visit to your GP.
temperature, or soot stained discharge
must seem like an impossible task?
You are your first priority
Your horse’s well-being Horses that have been exposed to
from the nostrils, contact your vet immediately. General care should include access to
Taking care of your own physical
the trauma of bushfire, and have
and mental well-being is critical –
subsequently suffered the disruption of
shelter, feed, and a safe, adequately
without that, everything else will seem
being moved into an environment that
fenced environment. Limiting exercise
insurmountable. If you’ve suffered
is not their own, or have lost friends or
when smoke is present is also critical
smoke inhalation, burns or other injuries,
family in the fires, can also suffer from
to your horse’s well-being. And be
don’t assume that ‘you’ll be right’ –
stress. This can manifest as distraction
on the look-out for colic, which is a
seek medical assistance. And don’t
or anxiety while being ridden, fidgeting
common problem when horses undergo
underestimate the depth of the trauma
while being tacked up when previously
a sudden and dramatic change to
you’ve endured. The fear, loss and
this was not an issue, sensitivity to
their diet, as might occur when they’re
displacement caused by the fires can
grooming, resistance to being led, or, if
moved to a new environment. If they’re
plenty of fresh, uncontaminated water,
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 55
F E AT U R E
suddenly off their feed, or become
past, and it can stay with us. These
insurer as soon as you can to get your
restless and want to roll excessively,
are potential signs that a person is
claim underway. And make sure you’re
they need immediate veterinary
developing PTSD and must be taken
across the claims process: for example,
attention.
seriously.”
find out what information or documents
Note: If you have veterinary insurance,
PTSD, she explains doesn’t
be sure to ask what documentation
discriminate. “People on the front line,
you’ll need to support your claim.
those with a trauma history or pre-
One step at a time A strategy recommended by survivors of previous bushfires who’ve managed to rebuild is to take on one task at a time. Make a list of the things that need your attention, and then prioritise. You can’t possibly fix everything at once, so don’t even try! Take breaks when you need to – trying to push yourself when what you really need is to rest will do you no favours.
Your next task (whether you’re insured or not) should probably be to obtain
to life may be more susceptible, but it
quotes for everything that needs to
really can affect anyone who has been
be replaced. Not only is it a good idea
impacted. It is a normal response to
to shop around and compare prices, it
extraordinary circumstances. The best
might also be helpful to find retailers
chance of a full recovery is to get on top
that stock a number of the items on
of it quickly so it is very important not
your list – and that applies to every
to dismiss any persistent or pervasive
category, from household appliances
thoughts, especially if you feel like you
to the supplies you’ll need to repair or
are reliving events.” She points out that
replace fire damaged infrastructure on
while our social circles can be great to
your property. By purchasing as many
debrief with, professional counsellors
things as possible from one retailer,
to have lost everything, take time out to
to support the recovery process, and
re-evaluate. You don’t have to decide
that by contacting a professional you
immediately whether or not you’re
are giving yourself the best chance
going to rebuild, so take your time and
of taking control of the situation and
discuss your options with family and
returning to a feeling of balance and
friends before rushing into anything.
wellbeing.
trauma of any kind is generally not a good idea.
it will take for your claim to be finalised.
who have experienced a direct threat
and psychologists are best equipped
after experiencing shock, loss, or
assessor will be involved, and how long
existing anxiety disorder and those
If you have been unfortunate enough
Making important decisions too soon
you will need to provide, whether an
Another aspect of PTSD is the being aware of delayed onset PTSD. “This is particularly relevant to people who have taken a front line or active role
you might be able to negotiate a better price for a ‘bulk’ buy. This too shall pass: If you’ve been involved in the recent bushfires, or if you’re impacted by a natural disaster of any kind in the future, it’s understandable to feel that your world has tilted on its axis – an uncomfortable and disorientating state to find yourself in, for sure. But with time, and the help of your family, friends and community,
India Morris, a social worker from
during the crisis,” India says. “As the
the Northern Rivers points out that
immediate danger and the ability
following significant events, such as
to be active in response subsides,
natural disasters, it’s only normal to
the symptoms of PTSD may start to
feel out of sorts and down. “Taking
increase. I encourage anyone who
care of yourself and resisting the
has been affected by disaster to take
To all our wonderful HorseVibes
urge to just keep pushing through is
the way you are feeling seriously and
readers who’ve been impacted in
an essential for sustained wellbeing
access support regardless of when
any way by the fires, our hearts and
and recovery,” she says. “Things like
symptoms present.”
thoughts are with you. We wish you and
maintaining supportive social circles,
healing will come and life will resume. So be kind to yourself and to others, give help and receive it, and rest assured that the tide will eventually turn.
your equine companions the speediest
getting adequate sleep, exercise, good
Infrastructure
nutrition, time for yourself and talking
Assuming that you are insured, your
Information for this article was sourced
through your experience can all be
insurers are your first port of call. Is
from: ABC News, PubMed, Agriculture
helpful in processing events. However,
your house, its contents, outbuildings
Victoria, Beyond Blue, and Happy
sometimes it can feel like the things
and sheds, cars and other mechanical
Horse Training.
we’ve experienced won’t shift. We have
equipment, floats, fencing, gates,
a sense that the threat and trauma
round yards, or saddles and other tack
are in the present, as opposed to the
covered? Then contact the relevant
56 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
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F E AT U R E
Giving your horses the boot There are hundreds of different kinds of horse boots out there. AMANDA MAC gives us the low-down on the wide variety available and whether they’re right for your horse.
M
ake no mistake, horse boots, while they’re
neurological ailment, or poor riding practices can all cause
available in a range of colours that just beg to go
horses to interfere. That said, a sound horse can also at times
matchy-matchy, are very far removed from being a
misstep, causing an interference injury.
mere fashion statement! We all love our horses and want to do the best we can to keep them happy, healthy and sound, which is why boots can be a significantly important addition to your horse-care tool box. Essentially, the object of a boot is to protect your horse’s legs (or in the case of bell boots and hoof boots, their heels and
Floating is another activity which might put your horse at risk for leg injuries, and special boots specifically designed to protect their legs while they’re being transported are readily available (for more on the well-being of your horse while floating, see our special ‘How We Travel’ feature in this edition).
hooves) from injury, or to reduce the possibility of interference,
Protecting the heels and hooves from injury: Bell boots, so
or to help absorb the shock of impact on tendons and
named because of their shape, help to prevent injury in horses
ligaments. Now let’s look at that in more detail:
that are prone to overreaching (when a horse clips his front
Protecting legs from injury – no matter whether you’re
heels with the toes of his rear hooves), and in those fitted
riding, lunging, or your horse is turned out, boots can help
with shoe studs. They’re also invaluable for a horse wearing
guard against injury either from bumps against obstacles, or
a corrective front shoe which is designed to protrude behind
from your horse’s own hooves. This is especially important
the hoof. In this case, bell boots reduce the potential for an
if the horse is a big mover with
overreacher to tread on the front
long strides, or if they have already
shoe protrusion and either loosen
sustained an injury, or if they strike
the shoe or pull it off altogether.
another leg at some point during
Hoof boots fit snugly over a horse’s
their stride. Known as ‘interference’
unshod hooves, protecting the hoof
you can usually identify this tendency either by a repetitive clicking sound
from chipping and stone bruises, as
while you’re riding or lunging, or by
well as providing additional traction
noticing unexplained hair loss, sores,
on rough and uneven terrain.
or other wounds on the lower limbs
Absorbing the shock of impact – Did
– which in turn can lead to abrasions
you know that when your horse lands
and splints.
after a jump, the forelegs are subject
While boots certainly help to protect
to forces that can be up to four times
against interference injuries, it can be
the weight of the horse? Factor into
a sign of an underlying problem and
that equation how hard the ground
should be thoroughly investigated.
is (think drought conditions) and
Lameness, mechanical issues with
the impact on your horse’s legs is
the gait, conformation, lack of fitness, incorrect trimming or shoeing, a
PEI air cooled eventing boots (Ashbree Saddlery).
substantial. Which is why, if jumping H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 59
F E AT U R E
is your discipline you should consider reducing leg stress by investing in a pair of good quality boots.
A boot by any other name By this time, you’ve probably gathered that fitting your horse out with boots is a pretty good idea. But there are boots, and then there are boots – and the variety available can be overwhelming to say the least. The first thing to consider is the reason (to protect from injury, to absorb shock) you’re thinking of putting boots on your horse, and then to look at which boots are appropriate for your discipline. The price of boots varies quite dramatically, so your budget will be another deciding factor, as will the materials you would prefer the boots to be made from (bearing in mind that some horses are allergic to certain materials - neoprene, for example).
Boot basics Boots are manufactured using a variety of materials, including leather, gel, plastic, sheepskin and neoprene, and usually come in pairs. They’re designed so that the closures, which might be buckles and straps, Velcro, hooks and studs, or
Weatherbeeta hard shell dressage boots (Horseland).
hooks and loops, sit on the outside of the horse’s legs. If the boots you purchase aren’t marked left and right be sure to fit
an extra level of protection. Look for brands that have sturdy
them with the closures on the outside, and with the closure
strike pads positioned to sit over the inside of the leg, a
ends pointing towards your horse’s rear. If the closures are
soft friction-free inner lining, and are made from strong but
placed on the inside of the leg, they might catch and either
lightweight materials. Heavy duty hook and loop closures are
come undone or cause your horse to stumble.
preferable as they allow for easy cleaning, while tending not to
Keep in mind that depending on the type of boot, some are
absorb water and thus create unwanted weight.
deigned to be worn on either forelegs or hind legs, while
Dressage or Flat Work Boots: Designed to protect a horse’s
others are specifically for the forelegs, or for the hind legs
legs from interference, these boots are a time-saving, fuss-free
(brush boots for example). And when you’re doing your
alternative to wraps. Usually lined with fleece or neoprene,
research, it’s a good idea to check whether the quoted prices are for one or more boots.
they are generally made from materials that are easily cleaned in water. Remember that while dressage boots (or wraps) are
Open Front Jumping Boots: Usually fitted with elasticated
allowed in the warm-up area, they are not permitted during the
straps, or hook and loop closures, these boots can be made
actual dressage test.
from a variety of materials, but many of the better brands
All Purpose Splints: Usually a more affordable option, these
are leather, with some offering the option of interchangeable sheepskin and neoprene liners to suit variations in weather conditions. The reason behind the open front design is that your horse will still feel a fence pole if they touch it, thus encouraging them to be careful over jumps. Jumping boots are designed for the forelegs, giving impact support, as well
boots feature a reinforced strike area and are most useful for horses that interfere. Also known as brushing boots, they protect the horse’s lower legs from injury during exercise. Look for a brand that’s waterproof and offers lightweight flexibility, as well as a hypoallergenic lining if your horse has sensitive skin.
as strike protection for the tendons at
Stable Boots: For added protection in
the back of the leg.
the stable (or for horses that don’t like
Cross Country Jumping Boots: Cross country courses can be rugged, so these boots are designed to offer 60 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
Roma neoprene split cushion boots (Horseland).
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bulky floating boots) the brand you select should ideally be ergonomically shaped to support the lower leg and joints without restriction. Better quality stable boots are likely to feature a quick-dry, breathable inner lining, and a removable sheepskin collar for easy cleaning. Floating Boots: Similar to stable boots, these often come in sets of four. Look for a brand with a thick, soft, wool lining and breathable outer. Floating boots usually have Velcro fasteners, and if they’re machine washable that’s a definite bonus! Turnout Boots: Designed to protect your horse’s legs while they’re out and about in the paddock, a good quality brand will include elasticated straps angled to allow for optimum movement and fit. Ideal for horses who are prone to mud fever in their legs, look for a set with reinforced leather pastern guards, and durable skid caps that help to position the boot correctly on the back of the joint. And again, easy clean is an advantage. Bell Boots: With the object of protecting your horse’s front heels, bell boots are usually made from rubber, and can either be open with Velcro or some other type of fastening, or the closed variety that
Equinez wool lined dressage boots and bell boots (Ashbree Saddlery).
slip on over the hoof. While more difficult to
same time enhancing the natural shock absorbing properties
put on, closed boots
of the hoof (metal shoes can inhibit this function, allowing the
are more secure and
concussion created by the hoof contacting the ground to travel
cannot slip off. If you
up the horse’s leg, with the potential to cause soreness and
opt for a closed boot,
injury).
make your life easier by first softening them in warm water, before turning them inside out and slipping them over the toe of the hoof. No matter whether open or closed, the base of a correctly sized boot should just touch the ground behind the bulb of the heel, and at the top, allow enough room to fit a finger between the boot and the horse’s pastern. Hoof Boots: Many experts are of the opinion that not only do unshod horses have better traction in slippery conditions, their hooves also tend to be healthier overall. However, if unshod horses are ridden regularly on rough surfaces, they may well wear their hooves down faster than they can grow. Hoof boots help to protect against this eventuality, while at the
Different brands of hoof boots fasten in different ways, and how long they last obviously depends on frequency of use and the terrain you ride on. They’re also great for treating injuries, working well with poultices and wound dressings, and can be an invaluable ‘spare tyre’ should your horse throw a shoe while out on a ride.
And a final word Various disciplines have different rules regarding which boots are, or are not allowed while competing. Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage, or waste your hard earned money: make sure you’re across the rules before you go boot shopping. Photos kindly supplied by Ashbree Saddlery (www.ashbree.com.
ABOVE: Black ribbed bell boots with fleece and Velcro fasteners (Greg Grant Saddlery). RIGHT: Veredus Save The Sheep turmout boots (Greg Grant Saddlery). 62 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
au), Greg Grant Saddlery ( www. greggrantsaddlery.com.au), Horseland (www.horseland.com.au), and Scoot Boots (www.scootboots.com).
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So you think you’re ready to own a horse? A horse of our own! For many of us it’s a lifelong dream, but the reality is tough, writes JANE CAMENS, who came to horse ownership later in life. Jane Camens with her third horse, Beauty, enjoying a trail ride. Photo: Candida Baker.
A
few months ago I offered to lease one of my horses to a young woman who was keen to
get back into horse-riding, but couldn’t go as far as buying one. She looked good on Harley, a quiet easy-going Quarter Horse, and he responded well to her aids. But after several days consideration, she decided she wasn’t ready to take on the responsibility of caring for the horse. I take my hat off to her. Not everyone is so sensible. To be honest I was one of the many people who bought a horse before I was really ready. There are many of us out there who buy a pony or horse with no real
need to know, according to people with a load of experience with horses. The first thing you need to ask yourself, according to Victorian-based natural horsemanship practitioner and Equine Facilitated Learning coach Elaine Russell, is why you want a horse! “I know this will be unpopular, but a horse isn’t a toy. It’s a living being. It’s not like a Christmas gift that can be discarded, like a used Lego set,” she says. Her advice is to think carefully about what you want to do with the horse. Different breeds of horses are better suited to certain things. It’s horses for courses, as they say. At its most simple, if you want to do trail-riding probably a Warmblood isn’t going to be
idea about the time and financial commitment. There’s also a large emotional investment we sink into our horses, and a roller coaster of emotions we experience if the horse becomes ill or lame, or we need to sell it on because we’ve realised that it doesn’t quite suit ourselves or our discipline. It’s expensive to collect horses, and tough selling them, or even giving them away. My horse journey has had some very rough patches, not only for me but also for my beloved horses. So before you dash out and buy a four-legged best friend, here’s some advice on what you
Louise Te Oka with Charlotte.
your first choice of equine companion; likewise if you want to do dressage a Quarter Horse may not quite cut the mustard for you. (Although, that said, there are plenty of horses that break those rules but the best thing, however, is to stick to the tried and true in the beginning.)
FACT 1 Be informed or beware Every riding coach interviewed for this article sensibly recommended that before buying a horse you should spend time with people who know what they’re doing around horses. “If you want a horse, go and learn as much as you can about them and how to care for them,” says Louise Te Oka, coach at Belmont Park Equestrian Centre, in the Northern Rivers. “Hang around with people who have that life experience. Listen to them because that’s their game. I wouldn’t buy a truck without talking to people who know something about trucks, or enter a Thai kick-boxing fight without knowing how to fight. It’s the same with horses. Let people who know about horses help you buy the right horse. To own a horse you have to be committed to it 100 per cent. You have to be responsible for that animal. It’s part of your family and part of your life.” Louise tells people to put off buying a H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 63
Tesse Ferguson and her young Warmblood, Charmer.
horse as long as they can, particularly children – who obviously are generally more inexperienced and not as strong as adults. “The longer you can leave it, the stronger and better the rider, the bigger window you have to choose a horse,” she says. Elaine Russell recommends either volunteering or, if possible, riding with an adult riding club in order to learn more about handling a horse than simply rocking up for a lesson to an alreadytacked up horse. “Hang out at a riding club or volunteer somewhere like Riding for the Disabled. Hang out with people who know about horses,” she says. But she adds a proviso: “On the other hand, don’t believe everything you’re told. You’ll get all sorts of advice, much of it contradictory. If you have a friend you trust who knows about horses, take them with you. One thing I know for sure is that if you get professional help when you are looking to buy, you have a greater chance of staying safe and 64 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
finding the most appropriate horse for you.”
FACT 2 There is almost never such a thing as a cheap horse Many of the give-away horses you’ll find advertised are cheap because their maintenance costs are high. This can be particularly true of off-the-track Thoroughbreds and horses that have had soundness issues. Tesse Ferguson is manager of the Byron Bay Equestrian Centre. She’s known many people who’ve turned up to ride once a week, mounted a horse that’s already groomed and saddled, and then decided it’d be lovely to buy their own horse or pony. She said that people spot a ‘cheap horse’ on Gumtree and then, later, find themselves in a dangerous situation, or with bills and responsibilities they didn’t consider. As she says: “A three-year-old 16-hand Thoroughbred is unlikely to be a good horse for an inexperienced horse owner,
whichever way you look at it. ‘Quiet’ and ‘Off-the-Track’, are generally words that don’t sit well together!” Tesse runs holiday camps for young people that cover not only riding lessons but also lessons in basic horsemanship. She talks about feeding, grooming, the importance of looking after your tack, and tries to prepare kids for the responsibilities of ownership. She’d like to expand this to parents. “I feel that parents often don’t understand how much they are going to be involved,” she says, “and they certainly don’t realise the expense involved!”
FACT 3 The cheapest thing about buying almost any horse is its price, no matter what that price is! Just some of the other expenses that need to be factored in include: Feed, the cost of which varies depending on where you keep your horse and the horse’s particular dietary needs, will
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probably not be less than $30 per week – even for a pony.
horse, and then, of course clothes for
Will the pasture your horse is on need to be balanced with special supplements?
riding. (Weather, a sound-horse, and
Do you need to pay agistment (livery) on top of the feed bill? This can be a major expense from approximately $20 per week just for a paddock to anything up to $300 for agistment and feed at an equestrian centre.
FACT 4 Most domesticated horses need more than just grass and water
• Tack – as well as a helmet, halter, lead rope, grooming kit and rugs, the most important items you’ll need are a properly fitted saddle and bridle, which you’ll want a professional, or someone with real experience, to help you fit. A new synthetic saddle is likely to start at around $800, but if you’re buying leather you might pay many thousands of dollars for a good saddle. We recommend checking out options at The Saddle Hub (equestrianhub.com.au/shop).
you to look smashing in while you’re time permitting!)
French Portuguese riding instructor Mélanie Fernandes Ferreira, head coach at the Gold Coast Equestrian Centre, says the biggest problem she’s found in Australia is that many people have land, which is generally not the case in Europe. But leaving a horse alone in a paddock with just grass and water isn’t caring for your horse. Mélanie came to Australia from France bringing with her a wealth of knowledge. “A lot of people don’t have the theory or knowledge of how
• Hoof trimming and/or shoeing – usually every five or six weeks, for which a farrier may charge you between $50 to around $130, depending on whether it’s a trim, two shoes or a set of shoes.
to take care of a horse,” she says. “They
• Worming – depending on where your horse is kept, might be from every six weeks to every three months, which will cost around $30 each time.
they go out and buy a horse which, in
get on and ride and don’t see everything that goes on behind the scenes that’s part of owning a horse. Some people know how to trot and canter a little, then a few days or months, if it’s not a horse that is appropriate for their experience,
can become dangerous,” she warns. Horses are herd animals and need company. Elaine Russell suggests that a donkey friend is better than no friend. Horses left without mates can become bored and depressed. “Unhappy horses can turn and even become aggressive,” she advises. “We all need a friend.” Find out what sort of grasses are in the paddock where your horse eats. There are weeds that are poisonous to horses, and in some regions grasses that don’t supply sufficient nutrients, so your horse will require supplements. Pony club and equestrian instructor Fiona Wilders said that when she lived in Canberra she had to worry about Paspalum in the paddocks. Now in the Northern Rivers she has to supplement calcium for the tropical grasses that can cause Big Head. Tesse worries about people who don’t understand feeding properly. She tells people to dampen the horse’s feed, but some make the mistake of doing this many hours before they give it to the horse, which can cause harmful bacteria to grow. Particularly in hot and humid weather, this can lead to a horse developing colic, which can be fatal. Overfeeding horses, or giving it sweet treats and bread, can also lead to
• Annual vet visit for dentistry and vaccinations, including tetanus and other vaccinations appropriate for your region. (Very rough price guide: $300-$400). On top of this, if your horse has performance issues, you might want to have him seen by a body worker. An equine chiropractor, osteopath or acupuncturist may charge from $50 to more than $130 for each visit. And no doubt you’ll want to book more than one. You might find your horse needs rugging, in which case there are many types of rugs, including summer, fly, winter rugs, and rainsheets, each ranging from about $60 to more than $150. This is by no means an exhaustive list of expenses. Once the horse-owning bug has bitten, there are endless things you may feel you must have for your beloved
One of Tesse Ferguson’s kidcamps at Byron Equestrian Centre. H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 65
F E AT U R E
LEFT: Elaine Russell and Louise Crawford at Equitana. RIGHT: Mélanie Fernandes Ferreira, head coach at the Gold Coast Equestrian Centre.
serious health issues. It’s easy to do this out of ignorance, thinking you’re developing your relationship and being good to your horse. Read and learn so you don’t injure your horse.
FACT 5 Vet bills are expensive, professional advice pays off It’s advisable to have a licensed veterinarian ‘vet-check’ (as it’s called) the horse you want to buy, although many of us baulk at the idea of paying for this. This smaller cost of a few hundred dollars can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars later. I chose not to have vet checks, and have paid a price unfortunately. It’s Buyer Beware where horses are concerned. It’s true that there are honest horse sellers out there, but there are almost as many who can tell fibs, or even bare-faced lies, about a horse’s soundness and temperament. Unsuspecting buyers have even had situations where sellers disguise problems with drugs that can wear off after you’ve owned your beautiful new horse for a few days, or weeks. Of course, some sellers might be ignorant about the horse’s health issues or how 66 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
to address them, or may not even realise that the horse is not suitable for your particular purpose. Purchasing a horse or pony that is fit for purpose is an essential part of buying a horse or pony. Create a list and only look at horses that tick all the boxes you’ve made for yourself, with the help of professional advice from your coach. Don’t let your heart overrule your head – work out the most important attributes your horse partner has to have in order to do the work/play you wish to do with it, and stick to the list no matter what. You’ll also need a good veterinarian, and a licensed equine dentist for your horse’s annual dental check and a vet for vaccinations appropriate to where it lives. You can do your own worming, unless the horse requires drenching for tapeworm.
FACT 6 Owning a horse doesn’t mean you stop lessons “When you do buy a horse it doesn’t mean that you suddenly don’t need professional advice and lessons. You need to find out what works for you and your horse to stay safe and in control,”
says Fiona. On-going riding lessons and horsemanship clinics build your relationship with your horse, help you understand the horse’s language and help you stay safe. You need to be able to recognise when your horse is in pain or scared or angry. A supervised riding environment with an instructor will help you understand what you and your horse can do and what you can learn to do better. “Lessons don’t have to be riding,” says Fiona. “Ninety per cent of the things you do with horses are not riding. In my opinion, you’re not ready to own a horse until you know the basics of good care. Don’t just fall in love with a horse you find in Horse Deals. I help students vet the ads and put the word out for my students looking for a certain type of horse.” Remember that you can often fence sit at clinics, which you can do before and after you have your own horse. It’s a great way to attend a clinic and learn tips on a discipline you’re interested in. Elaine Russell asks beginner owners whether they know why they chose the bit they have on their horse’s bridle. And
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do they know how to take the bridle apart, clean it, and then put it back together? Do they know which way to brush their horse’s coat? Do they know when it makes sense to rug their horse? Says Elaine: “These are lessons that can be taught at pony clubs and should be part of the basics.” The reality may be that, like motherhood, no one is ever ready for the responsibilities that come with horse ownership. But most of us who’ve been on this journey are rewarded by the joy there is in being around horses. That’s why we get up at dawn or plod through the rain, mud and sleet, the wind and the heat to feed our great friends. It’s why many of us have to spend hours each week picking up poo. Is it worth it? You betcha. Just make sure you’re open to learning and you’re prepared to spend the money and time to make your horse ownership dream come true.
Toby the pony and Seth with Elaine Russell.
Fiona Wilder and her son Keiran on a forest ride.
You’re not ready to own a horse until you know the basics of good horse care.
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 67
ABOVE: A mare and foal in the Kosciuszko National Park. Photo: Ian and Michelle Brown. LEFT: A pony awaits his fate at Gympie saleyards in Queensland. Photo: Candida Baker. OPPOSITE PAGE: One of the mighty Kosciuszko stallions. These nomadic herbivores help eco-systems regenerate. Photo: Ian and Michelle Brown.
68 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
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What value a horse’s life? The welfare spotlight shone on horses in 2019. JUSTINE CURATOLO, of the Australian Equine Unification Scheme and Heritage Brumby Advocates Australia, writes that there was some significant progress.
O
ver the past few years, there’s been tremendous work happening in the background
by advocates trying to bring about positive reform in the horse industry in Australia. There have been meetings with politicians, legislators and key industry representatives; lobbying and advocating by groups in the horse industry to bring about change; and advocates working closely with the media to expose horrific and ongoing systemic acts of animal cruelty. In addition, there have been submissions made and hundreds of letters and emails written to those in positions of power. I know, because I’ve been part of this movement. I’ve spent many hours
interference which may impact their
racing industry agreeing on the need for
after work and at the weekends writing
bottom line.
reform in certain areas.
submissions and letters to politicians as
So honestly, it’s reasonable to ask the
Some of the significant events of last
well as creating education campaigns
question a few months into 2020 – was
year were as follows:
on behalf of the Australian Brumby. I’m a
all the effort and time spent writing
volunteer with two horse organisations,
letters, submissions and emails worth it?
Last April, the Federal Senate Enquiry
the Australian Equine Unification Scheme
into the feasibility of a National Horse
The answer to that question is an
Traceability Register for all horses
unequivocal YES. Absolutely it was
began:
worth it! For numerous reasons.
The Senate heard from stakeholders
welfare arena.
In 2019 there were a number of
through a submission process as well
Most of the background work was done
above-mentioned hard work) that will
and Heritage Brumby Advocates Australia Inc, and I can certainly confirm what a busy year 2019 was in the horse
significant events (as a result of all of the
as via open hearings. There was wide participation across all horse industries within Australia and internationally
by volunteers – many of whom are
shape the future of the horse industry
already overburdened in their day-to-
within Australia and hopefully bring
day life and have limited professional
about positive change. Importantly,
experience in how to bring nationwide
these events have created a culture of
legislative reform to a mostly self-
working towards a common goal across
Consequently, the Senate report
regulated industry that is not only well
ALL areas of the horse industry with
recommended the establishment of
financed but also resistant to any
animal activists and, for example, the
a working group, writing that: ‘The
and the vast majority of submissions received supported a National Horse Traceability Register.
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 69
O N M Y TAC K B OX
committee is convinced of the merits of establishing a National Horse Traceability Register.’ The report also noted the justification for the register as: ‘…the absence of any clear data on the number of horses that exist in Australia. Further, there is inadequate information available about the location of horses or owner details. Existing industry registers are piecemeal and do not capture the entire industry.’ It’s my hope, and the hope of many horse advocates, that a fully-functioning national horse registration system, enforceable through legislation, operating together with state animal cruelty laws and local council bylaws, would have the potential to end back yard breeding; allow prosecution of historic animal cruelty acts; prevent stolen horses going to slaughter and would also have significant bio-security benefits. A National Horse Traceability Register could change the landscape and welfare for all horses across Australia and lead to improvements never before seen in this industry. Importantly, this register has the backing of the majority of the
horse industry, including animal activists, breeder organisations and various state and federal authorities.
which case they are not required under the EPBC Act to gain Commonwealth permission to implement their action.
In July 2019 legal action was taken by the Australian Brumby Alliance against Parks Victoria in the Federal Court of Australia:
The ABA’s case is about recognising the Brumby’s living contribution to alpine heritage and managing a safe, specific population number. We believe it is vital that Brumbies continue living in their heritage homelands and that their contribution to our alpine heritage values is formally acknowledged.
Five days of legal proceedings against Parks Victoria were heard in the Federal Court during July 2019, as the Australian Brumby Alliance (ABA) sought an order to prohibit Parks Victoria from their proposed action to eradicate ALL Bogong High Plains heritage Brumbies and significantly reduce the Eastern Alpine Brumby population without first applying for approval from the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment. The heritage value of the Australian Brumby was central to the case. The ABA argued that the iconic alpine Brumby is an integral part of Australia’s Alpine living heritage and that Parks Victoria’s action would significantly negatively impact alpine heritage values. Whereas Parks Victoria (a statutory body) consider the Brumby a pest, in
It was argued in open court that there is a difference between living breathing things, such as Brumbies, to a non-living thing. That is, Brumbies provide a living link to our past social history – a link that once extinguished cannot be replaced. We are currently awaiting the judge’s verdict. In October ABC’s 7.30 report revealed the ongoing systemic cruelty of exracehorses in the slaughter industry: This media report caused an intense social media and industry response; it also triggered a police investigation into animal cruelty by the slaughter yard featured. Further, the Queensland premier announced an urgent parliament inquiry into the welfare of retired racehorses, stating: “This inquiry will determine what more we can do to make sure that we have the best possible processes in place to end cruelty to animals in Queensland.” Racing Australia released a statement in response to the 7.30 report and made a number of commitments to improve the welfare of ex-racehorses, including: ‘The national adoption of the prize money levy and introduction of a sales levy to help finance an expansion of national Thoroughbred aftercare programs.’ By the end of the year, racing body representatives were attending horse sales and withdrawing from sale any exracehorses direct from the training stable. In November the Good Weekend magazine in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age published a cover story on horse welfare in Australia:
A herd of Brumbies in the Kosciuszko National Park, all in perfect condition. Photo: Ian and Michelle Brown. 70 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
Throughout the year, the editor of this magazine, Candida Baker, had been
O N M Y TAC K B OX
year of leadership and action, in order that the events from 2019 are enacted and realised. All of us who want an improvement in the welfare for horses in Australia must continue to advocate until the changes (a National Horse Traceability Register; tougher prevention of animal cruelty laws; the heritage value of Brumbies recognised; and rehoming ex-racehorses becoming the norm) have been legislated and any law-breakers charged. It is not enough to have a well-written protective framework of consequences if no guilty party is ever held to account by it, and therefore we must continue to advocate and agitate for change to occur. Using a building analogy, 2019 was the year we laid the foundations for change. Horses in the ‘dogger’ pens at Gympie saleyards. Photo: Candida Baker. working on a story on horse welfare. A number of stakeholders from different sectors within the horse industry, including myself, were interviewed. The story, ‘The Horse Rescuers’, also highlighted the problems that horse charities are faced with by concentrating on the Victorian-based charity, Horse Shepherd, run by Anne Young. The story further brought home the importance of urgently improving the situation regarding cruelty to animals, and specifically the lack of accountability through a mismatched and piecemeal legal framework which is inadequate and continues to see cruelty towards horses, and their subsequent suffering. In December the NSW and Victorian Parliaments established an inquiry into animal cruelty laws: Horses have often fallen through the gaps in State animal cruelty prevention laws due to their changing legal classification across state borders and argument about their ‘purpose’. Depending on which state you are in, and the purpose of the horse at the time,
2020 is the year we start to build on this change to make it real – and lasting.
horses have been historically classified as livestock, companion animals or an invasive species and therefore it is difficult to apply uniform legislative protection for them.
About the author:
Furthermore, in Victoria, the RSPCA will only respond to individual acts of animal suffering so if there is suffering within a herd of horses, the matter is referred to the Department of Primary Industries, and there are often (well-documented) arguments between the two bodies as to who is actually responsible for responding. In the meantime the animal – or animals – continue to suffer.
advocating for the humane treatment,
These inquiries allowed stakeholders to share their experiences and advocate for improvements for horse welfare in the state-based animal cruelty prevention laws, so there is real potential for an improvement as a result of these inquiries.
horse welfare for many years.
Justine Curatolo is the President of Heritage Brumby Advocates Australia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preservation and protection of the Australian Heritage Brumby. She is also the Report Co-ordinator of the Australian Equine Unification Scheme, a collection of volunteers dedicated to initiating positive change in the horse industry in Australia. A full-time social worker, Justine has been voluntarily involved in
So what does this all mean for horses in Australia in 2020? We achieved a lot in 2019, but there is much more to do! The significant events from 2019 mean that 2020 must be a H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 71
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Is the way we feed and manage our horses making them sick?
The fact is that for most horses, these problems are not normal! And it’s only now that we’re really beginning to understand the role poor gut health plays in these issues.
What is gut health? Your horse’s gut has many roles, including: The digestion and absorption of feed; • Providing a barrier that will protect your horse from disease-causing pathogens, bacteria and toxins; and • Housing the trillions of bacteria that play a vital part in good digestion, immune function and behaviour. • And as we now know from human research, with its strong connection to the brain, the gut may play an even bigger role still.
What causes poor gut health? There are many factors that contribute to poor gut health:
What happens when gut health goes wrong? Stress, incorrect diet or poor feeding can cause problems such as: • Gastric ulcers - open wounds in the stomach • Hindgut acidosis – too much acid and a low pH in the hindgut • Bacterial imbalance – not enough good fibre-loving bacteria • Weight loss – without good fibre fermenting bacteria your horse can’t digest properly and will lose weight • Behavioural changes – B-vitamin deficiency and hormone imbalance can cause hyperactive or anxious behaviour • Leaky gut – the gut wall becomes damaged and allows bacteria, pathogens and toxins to enter your
Your horse’s gut consists of the foregut (oesophagus, stomach and small intestine) and the hindgut (cecum, large colon and small colon), and the term ‘gut health’ simply refers to how well the gut is working. 72 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
Symptoms of poor gut health can be subtle, even when the problem is quite severe. Plus, each horse may show different signs for the same problem, making it difficult to pinpoint. However, some common symptoms include: • Picky eating or loss of appetite • Excessive girthiness • Uncharacteristically anxious or excitable behaviour, or changes in behaviour including cribbing • Weight loss or can’t gain weight • Recurrent, mild colic • Manure that smells acidic (vomit like) or is softer than normal • Scouring • Free fecal water (a discharge of watery manure) • Dull coat and/or poor hoof quality; and • Difficulty working to the right
As a horse owner, you may come up against problems like anxious behaviour, girthiness, laminitis, poor performance and weight challenges and accept them as ‘normal’ for your horses. But are they? And if they aren’t, what causes them?
Learning about the gut and the trillions of microbes it holds, and understanding its incredible potential to enhance or impede our horses’ behaviour, health, appearance and performance, is an exciting way forward for us as horse owners.
How do I know if my horse has poor gut health?
horse’s body This a big deal because the gut is a horse’s ‘engine’. If you want your horse to ‘work well’, you have to look after his gut!
• A low forage diet starves the good fibrefermenting bacteria and increases the risk of gastric ulcers • Feeding uncooked grains like barley or corn sends a lot of starch into the hindgut where it feeds the bad bacteria causing acid build up, hindgut acidosis, gut wall damage and when severe enough, laminitis. • Sudden changes in diet don’t allow your horse’s gut time to adapt, which can result in colic, and shifts in hindgut pH and bacterial populations. • Changed living arrangements often lead to stress, increasing the risk of gastric ulcers. • Stabling or long hours of stressful travel without feed disturbs normal gut health, increasing the risk of gastric ulcers and negatively impacting the hindgut bacteria. • Feeding big meals (particularly starch) causes the feed to travel through the small intestine too quickly, resulting in a starch overload in the hindgut where it feeds bad bacteria that then kill off good, fibre-fermenting bacteria. • Excess use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs can increase the risk
of gastric ulcers in the lower section of your horse’s stomach. • Overuse of oral antibiotics destroys good gut bacteria. Look at your horse’s management and routine. If one or more of these risk factors are present your horse may be struggling with gut health.
Keeping your horse’s gut healthy Given that the gut is the foundation for almost every aspect of your horse’s health and wellbeing, it’s good to know that feeding for good gut health is simple: Forage: Horses should have 1.5 – 2 % of their body weight a day in forage (grass, hay and chaff). For a 500 kg horse that’s 7.5 to 10 kg/day. Feeding a variety of forage increases good gut bacteria diversity; fills the stomach, preventing the acidic burns that cause ulcers; and helps to increase saliva production. Take care with grain: Grains contain a lot of starch - and too much starch is a problem for the hindgut. When feeding grains, include them in small meals (no more than 1 kg for a 500 kg horse), and make sure, with the exception of oats, that they are cooked (extruded, boiled, micronized, or steam flaked) to increase starch digestibility. Oats can be safely fed whole or cracked, but must also be fed in small meals. Feed a balanced diet: For good gut health, your horse needs a variety of nutrients and should be fed a diet that meets all their protein, mineral and vitamin requirements.
When a little digestive help is needed Poseidon Digestive EQ was formulated to give your horse a helping hand when it’s needed. With digestive enzymes, essential amino acids, mycotoxin binders, acid buffers and a yeast prebiotic, Digestive EQ is designed to help your horse’s gut recover and repair from past damage, to resume and maintain normal function, and to help maintain good digestion through particularly stressful periods.
F E AT U R E we could tell this foal would die without our help.
Ned the baby Brumby’s new beginning
So Peter and I set off to investigate, leaving the other staff and guests under a shady tree. As we got closer, it didn’t look good. The foal had been bitten on his neck and over his eye. The neck wound was festering, and we were afraid that he must already be blind in
It was in the early days of the last decade when her life was suddenly changed forever, writes LOUISE BLAMPIED.
M
the affected eye. Not only that, but he was a week old at the most, and very skinny. At the time I never doubted that he would make it, but looking back, I honestly can’t believe that he did. I was riding a grey Australian Stock Horse
y mum and I started riding
Cochran, the trekking company’s owner,
with Cochran Horse Treks
pointed out a lone Brumby foal on the
in the Snowy Mountains in
far side of the plain. He told us that there
2007, when I was only 14. We loved it so much that every year we would go back and work for our keep, and I can still remember the exact date – the 6th of January 2010 – when Ned came into our lives.
named Ash, and to both Peter’s and my surprise, the foal locked his sights on Ash, and followed us back to the group.
were multiple reasons for abandonment:
By the time we got back to where the
perhaps a new stallion had taken over
others were waiting for us, we could see
the mob, and was eliminating any of
the foal was tiring quickly, and he kept
the old stallion’s progeny; or maybe
wandering off. I wasn’t going to let that
the foal’s mother had died during birth
happen (nor was anyone else for that
or shortly after from any number of
matter), so we rounded him up and set
causes – prolapse, retained placenta or
him back on course to follow the other horses, helped by my horse Ash giving
We were on a New Year’s trek, riding out
perhaps there’d been a wild dog attack.
from Wares Yards campsite in Kosciuszko
It was even possible that the foal had
National Park. On the second last day of
been chased off by his own mother due
the trek we were skirting around a plain
to a still-suckling yearling foal, and the
The Snowy Mountains are legendary
on our way home from Harvey’s Hut, the
mare’s inability to feed both offspring.
for their afternoon summer storms, and
historic stockman’s shelter, when Peter
Whatever the reason, even at a distance,
what would this story be if we didn’t
him a few encouraging nips on the backside.
Brumby Rally, Bullocks Hill 2016 74 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
F E AT U R E
LEFT: Ned the Brumby foal following Louise’s grey stock horse Ash. RIGHT: Swimming in Lake Eucumbene. have to hurry off the plain to avoid being
track with his tail raised, nibbling at bits
on the bottle and was spoiled rotten by
caught in a thunderstorm?
of grass, and whinnying out to the other
Judy, Peter’s wife!
Peter decided that to get all the trekkers back safely we would take a shortcut across Boggy Plain, aptly named for the deep mud that encompasses most
horses. It was only a short ride back to camp from there, maybe half an hour, and it seemed as if he had already adopted us.
through the deep mud and got us all across safely, until it was just the foal on the other side, unsure of how to navigate this dangerously deep terrain. Heartbreakingly he turned away from us and started to wander off in the other
I don’t know much about life, but I know I bloody love that horse...
and Peter, I’m sure just to shut the crying women up, went back across the bog, and used the breast of his horse Caesar to push the foal through the mud. I truly believe that it was at this point that the foal must have begun to sense he
high school. After Year 12, I worked on a cattle station in remote Northern of horse breaking, which I then put to use on Ned – not that he needed much to be gentled to saddle. He proved to be a great horse. After we’d started him and after not even a day in the yards, Ned and I, Peter’s granddaughter Holly, and a mate went
direction. There was not a dry eye in the house,
that trip, and I started my last year of
Queensland, and was taught the basics
of that grassy, wet flatland. Our trusty mountain ponies jumped and stumbled
Mum and I flew back home to WA after
for a ride in the hills behind Yaouk, As we rode into Wares Yards camp-
where Ned had to navigate skinny bush
ground, Ned was the star of the show.
tracks, hills, creeks, had his first canter,
It was just a few days after New Year’s
and even jumped a log!
Eve, so the site was unusually crowded, with everyone craning their necks to see the dishevelled little Brumby trotting through the camp.
I was working for Cochran Horse Treks pretty much full time at that point, so I would take Ned out on any of the treks that I could. I’d ended up volunteering/
was safe. We named the foal Ned Kelly
As we approached our truck, we
working for keep for three years, and
because we had first spotted him on
pretended it was business as usual while
then working for four seasons after I
what we thought was Kelly’s Plain, and
Peter and a couple of others cornered
finished high school.
although this was later confirmed to
Ned on his blind side and wrestled him
be Little Boggy Plain, the name stuck
into the horse float, depositing him onto
anyway!
a pile of warm, dry horse rugs.
Ned had a new lease on life after
He was then whisked away to Peter’s
Tumbarumba, NSW. After a bad fall
crossing the mud – trotting along the
home in Yaouk, where he went straight
from one of his colts, I found myself in
76 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
That January there was a lull in work, so I took the opportunity to work for an acclaimed Brumby trainer down near
F E AT U R E
LEFT: Bringing baby home across Boggy Plain. RIGHT: Louise and Ned on a seven-day trail ride to Corryong in 2014. hospital with an acute kidney injury. I
Yaouk Valley, hanging out, and having a
dinking bareback; attending the 2016
was beside myself with fear and pain,
splash in the Murrumbidgee River.
Save the Brumbies rally at Bullocks Hill;
but I wasn’t ready to give up on Ned’s
I stopped working for Peter in January
training, and with a little (or maybe big)
2015, and worked in the mines in WA
dash of stubbornness, it was Ned who
for the winter. Then in October 2015 I
of -10⁰C, with icicles hanging off Ned’s
helped me ‘get back on the horse’.
started working for another company in
whiskers (he was not impressed!)
the same area called Reynella Rides. It
There was also the occasional disaster,
was during the next winter while I was
like the day we competed in the
working for Reynella, and subsequently
Dalgety Team Penning and Stockman’s
Bolaro Station, that I lived in Adaminaby
Challenge. I managed to wrap a
and kept Ned in a paddock near town.
sheepskin around Ned’s back legs
That was the drill for the next couple of years through the wet and dry seasons – stock work in the winter, and horse trekking in the summer. In 2013 I was due to fly down from Cloncurry to join Cochran Horse Treks for their annual 160km, seven-day trek across state from
The weekly agistment payments to Old Pete, the paddock’s owner, were immediately reimbursed through
and mustering cattle at Bolaro Station in the middle of winter in temperatures
before he took off through the crowd, bucking and knocking kids off their ponies left, right, and centre!
Adaminaby NSW to Corryong in Victoria.
Pete’s creation of carrot sandwiches,
The trek was timed to coincide with the
a favourite treat for Ned and the other
I don’t know much about life, but I know
Man from Snowy River Festival – a five-
horses that lived there!
I bloody love that horse, and the stormy
day stockman’s challenge and horselovers extravaganza. But tragically the owner and manager of the station I was
There are so many awesome memories from those years spent with Ned in the mountains, but some of my favourites
summer’s day he found us in 2010 changed the course of my life. Ned’s my mate, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
working on passed away in a windmill
include how much he loved to jump
These days I’m living near Byron Bay
accident, and not wanting to leave the
anything and everything – even when I
doing horse rides on the beach and
crew short-handed, I cancelled my plans.
didn’t want him to; mustering cattle on
working as a farrier, but those mountain
a friend’s property; a special Christmas
memories will never be replaced. And
trek with a friend, camping at Old
just by the by, all these years later Mum
Campsite, visiting Currango Homestead,
still works for Cochran Horse Treks!
Ned and I had to wait until the next year to complete the seven-day trek, but complete it we did.
and watching Brumbies running on
We’ve had so many adventures together,
Currango Plain; attempting to campdraft
whether we were on a trek, or even
in the Adaminaby Draft; swimming
just spending a lazy day at home in the
bareback in Lake Eucumbene; double H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 77
L I F E A F T E R R AC I N G
Putting horse welfare first for a life after racing At Edinburgh Park, a Thoroughbred stud in the beautiful Manning Valley of New South Wales, the commitment to their horses is absolute, writes JO McKINNON.
L
ast October the nation was left shocked and disturbed
on any of our horses that carry our brand. Our children can
by an ABC 7:30 report exposing examples of horrible
always come home, it’s our promise to them. Stamped for
cruelty to retired racehorses.
success with the IKS.”
Over the ensuing days, weeks and months after the
Situated in the beautiful Manning Valley, three-and-a-half hours
controversial ‘The Final Race’ program aired, many in the horse
north of Sydney, Edinburgh Park is a 250-acre farm that is well
racing industry were left scratching their heads wondering
equipped to cater for any of the horses the stud has bred that
how to prevent some of the thousands of Thoroughbreds
might require a safe and loving home for their retirement.
foaled each year that don’t make it on the racetrack or in the breeding barn from meeting a terrible end.
“We can look after our horses,” says Ian. “It might not suit everyone else but in the way our farm is structured we can do
It didn’t take Ian Smith from Edinburgh Park Stud too long
our bit for horses that carry our brand. We can move quicker
to find a solution though – he was one of the first people to
because we are a smaller wheel.”
take swift and immediate action, making a public commitment guaranteeing that no horse bred by the stud would ever end up at a knackery or abattoir. “We were all affected by what we saw on the ABC and thought long and hard about what we could do,” Ian tells me. “We took the decision that if a horse was in trouble and going to a knackery or abattoir we would bid $1,000 on something that carries our brand.” Within a short time of the program being aired, Ian messaged on Twitter;
A smaller wheel that has paid careful attention to the gradual growth of their property, which, as Ian explains, has resulted in a sustainable business: “We have rich alluvial soil with full irrigation. There’s never a time our horses or paddocks are in distress. We aerate the paddocks and make sure everything is in good order.” Edinburgh Park has been breeding racehorses for a decade and during that time has established itself as a well-respected brand within the Thoroughbred industry. Ian puts the stud’s success down to the care they take of their horses: “We
“This brand is our guarantee for life. We will purchase
are passionate about our horses and you have to have that
guarantee $1000 @mmsnippets @inglis_sales or privately
passion to do what we do. Our business has grown from
a small boutique stud to a medium-sized boutique farm concentrating on quality. We always want the best for the horse and people that buy them,” he explains. In fact, buying back horses bred under their own banner is nothing new for Edinburgh Park. “We were buying back horses well before the 7.30 Report broke the story if we thought they were going to an abattoir,” says Ian. “I would always ask where the horse was going, and if I wasn’t completely happy with the response, then we would take them back and home them with people that wanted a good horse. We have always cared about our horses and where they end up.” The genuine respect the team at Edinburgh Park has shown for their horses has endeared them to many people in the industry. “We’ve done it for the horses first but there has been positive feedback from buyers at the sales in appreciation for what we are doing and how we are putting a positive message out there for the industry as a whole,” Ian says. Ian has plans to introduce more welfare-focused initiatives
Ian Smith with mare and foal. Image courtesy of Breednet.
for Edinburgh Park bred horses this year and will soon be discussing with the local Wingham Show Society how they might be able to create specific classes for retired racing and breeding stock. ‘We’ll be talking to the local show society about putting in place interesting concepts in terms of retired racehorse classes and incentives and prizes if they win the class,” he says. “There are things we are looking at to promote our brand and the horses we breed, and at the same time making sure that long-term the horses are well looked after.” With the bigger picture in mind, Ian believes it’s vital that their horses are not just ticking boxes for a future in racing but well beyond the racetrack as potential pleasure horses. “We’ve put a lot of time into our breeding program making sure the horses we breed are correct in conformation, and are healthy. They
Edinburgh Park’s first filly to sell under a guarantee for life.
are popular as pleasure horses because they are good strong, sound animals physically, with great temperaments. Edinburgh Park is currently home to a band of 50 broodmares and at peak times of the year there can be up to 120 horses on the property. They are magnificent animals. They are strong willed, but if you are kind, they give kindness back,” he says. “It’s all about enjoying the horse and we are passionate about making sure they are well received by trainers and have a tremendous future ahead of them.” Edinburgh Park will soon launch a new website that clearly outlines its policies around horse welfare and the various incentives the stud already has in place. Also on the horizon is the appointment of a welfare officer to ensure that any horses carrying the IKS brand on their shoulder are in the very best of health. For more information go to http://www.edinburghpark.com.au/
One of Edinburgh Park’s beautiful broodmares. H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 79
HORSE BREED
LEFT: Guy Haydon on Midnight. • RIGHT: Legendary ASH Horse and Rider combination Bob Palmer and Nabinabah Breezette - IM HSH.
A celebratory moment in our history with the ASH procession at the 2000 Olympics. (Image courtesy of Fairfax Media) 80 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
HORSE BREED required to work in Australia’s diverse
The Birth of an Icon
and often rugged landscape. Over the following years, weaker horses were culled and only the strongest were used to breed the sturdy saddle
One of the most versatile breeds in the world, the Australian Stock Horse has earned a truly remarkable place both in our history and in our hearts, AMANDA MAC writes.
horses required by explorers, stockmen, troopers and settlers, not to mention bushrangers! During the 1830s, more Thorougbreds were imported in order to improve the local stock. The end result was a strong, visually striking horse that, taking its name from the colony of New South Wales, was dubbed the Waler. Such was the Walers’ size and hardiness that they were the natural choice for the cavalry, being well-suited to carry men with their heavy packs and weapons – which is why in the 1850s, nearly 400,000 horses were shipped overseas to serve the troops. Subsequently, British troops rode them during the Indian Mutiny, they served in South Africa’s Boer War, and perhaps most famously, they were ridden by the Australia Light Horse regiments during the horrors of WWI.
ASH Standard of Excellence.
I
The contribution of these horses earned
t was, as many of us can recall, a
movie of the same name, the origins of
spectacular opening to the Sydney
the Australian Stock Horse stretch back
2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony.
to the arrival of the first white settlers.
A lone horse and rider galloped into a vast arena filled to capacity with
In the beginning
them the respect of many. English cavalry officer Lt Col RMP Preston DSO, summed up the Australian Light Horse in his book The Desert Mounted Corps in these words: “The majority of horses in the Corps were Walers and there is no
thousands of cheering spectators.
In January 1788, the First Fleet arrived
Pulling up, the horse reared before
in Botany Bay. With them they brought
bounding forward as his rider cracked
nine horses - primarily of English
a stock whip to signal the arrival of the
Thoroughbred and Spanish stock. Not
120 horses and riders pouring into the
long after, Arabians were introduced
arena. Watching around the world were
to the gene pool as were the Welsh
an estimated 2.1 billion people, as the
Mountain Pony and Timor Mountain
While they share similar ancestry
Australian Stock Horse took pride of
Pony, breeds valued for their hardiness,
to the Waler, the modern Australian
place – putting its best hoof forward for
and the South African Cape of Good
Stock Horse has been refined through
the world to see.
Hope Horse, a descendent of Barb and
selective breeding. Today the breed’s
Spanish horses.
attributes combine temperament, agility,
immortalised in the nation’s history long
Not only did imported horses need the
conformation, soundness, intelligence
before that memorable day. Celebrated
stamina necessary to withstand the
and a willingness to take on anything
in A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson’s iconic poem
arduous sea voyage, they also had to
asked of them, with the Waler’s
The Man from Snowy River and in the
possess the strength and endurance
legendary endurance and strength
But this extraordinary breed had been
doubt that these hardy Australian horses make the finest cavalry mounts in the world.”
Changing times
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 81
HORSE BREED
Australian Stock Horse
resided in Australia prior to 1945. The
breeders in all of these
Society currently has more than 190,000
countries, ensuring
registrations (a number of registration
the breed’s profile
categories are offered), with the heritage
will continue to grow
of many of these horses tracing back to
internationally, as well
fourteen foundation sires.
as nationally.
A quality breed One of the world’s most versatile breeds, the Australian Stock Horse is a superb working and performance animal. Their quiet and
remaining a constant in the Australian Stock Horse breed.
in height from 14 to 16 hands. The Australian Stock Horse Standard of Excellence is the benchmark for the breed’s desired characteristics, which include: a good length of rein, fine gullet, well-defined withers with a sloping shoulder and strong, rounded
speed, agility, great
hindquarters.
is coupled with a
Health and care
sharp intelligence –
While many other horse breeds require
characteristics that make them ideally
considerable and sometimes specialised
suited for just about any discipline.
care, the Australian Stock Horse is low
From polocrosse, campdrafting and
maintenance by comparison. There
show jumping, to pony club, endurance,
are no particular considerations, other
eventing and dressage (the Australian
than the usual basic animal husbandry
In the mid-20th century, somewhat
Stock Horse Crown Law represented
controversially, some American Quarter
Australia in both World Championship
Horse blood was introduced, but many
and Olympic dressage competitions) this
breeders preferred to stay true to the
breed excels.
classic bloodlines.
sure-footed and agile, and ranges
friendly temperament, stamina, and athleticism,
Guy McLean with his ASH team. Photo: Katy Driver.
The Australian Stock Horse is sound,
Still used today for station work and
practices. Regular grooming, and care of hooves and teeth are standard, as is access to clean water and good quality feed, supplemented with minerals and grains if necessary.
However, it was not until 1971 that a
mustering, often in harsh terrain, the
push began to give the Australian Stock
Australian Stock Horse has the innate
Horse formal recognition as a distinct
ability to understand and respond to the
breed. On the 28th of April that year, a
movements of cattle and other livestock.
group of enthusiasts met in Sydney NSW
Conversely, this horse is just as adept
to discuss the formation of the Australian
at taking centre stage and performing
There can be little doubt that if you’re
Stock Horse Society (ASHS). Several
at the ever-popular Australian Outback
looking for an exceptional, no-nonsense
weeks later, with the foundations firmly
Spectacular. The inherent traits of the
all-rounder with plenty of ability and
established and more than 100 riders
Australian Stock Horse make it suitable
and breeders in attendance, the ASHS
intelligence, you’ll find all that and more
for all ages and disciplines, and riders of
was launched on the 15th of June in
in an Australian Stock Horse.
varying abilities, including beginners.
Tamworth NSW.
International recognition
This breed doesn’t suffer from any specific health issues and life expectancy is generally between 20 and 30 years.
The Australian Stock Horse truly is the
Keeping it real
breed for every need.
To ensure that the bloodlines of this
If you’d like to know more about this
Today the Australian Stock Horse Society
Australian icon are protected, the
iconic horse, call the Australia Stock
has nearly 9,000 members. Valued for
Australian Stock Horse Society has
Horse Society on 02 6545 1122,
their performance and versatility, the
strict rules regarding registration,
email info@ashs.com.au, or visit their
breed has been exported to the United
recognising Australian Stock Horses that
informative website: ashs.com.au.
Kingdom, the USA, Canada, South Africa
are descendants of the same breeds as
and New Zealand, achieving worldwide
those horses ridden by the Australian
recognition. The Society now has
Light Horse in WWI, and breeds that
82 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
HORSE BREED
Ben McNaughton riding The Ranch Jannali. Photo by Wild Fillies Photography.
EQUUS ALLIANCE
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email: admin@equusalliance.org
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facebook: equusalliance
H OW W E T R AV E L
Above: JR Longreach anti-scramble with flared walls for additional leg room. Opposite page: JR Condamine Warm Blood Model for 16hh up.
Kara Kar Showman Endurance 84 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
H O W W E T R AV E L
Have float, will travel You have a vehicle, a tow bar, a float and a horse – what could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot, if you don’t have a firm grasp on the finer points of floating, writes AMANDA MAC
T
here’s no easy way to say
length of vehicle and float, plus the
across these amendments, and that you
this, so I’ll just put it straight
additional weight, and you have a very
make any adjustments necessary to
out there: towing is not for
different set of driving dynamics.
comply with them.
towing a float requires an extra
The rules and regulations
level of driving competence and a
Regulations regarding towing can vary
Putting the car before the horse
the inexperienced driver. Successfully
thoroughgoing awareness of potential
across Australian states and territories.
One of the first steps in setting yourself
So your first responsibility is to make
up to tow safely is to ensure that
sure that you comply with the legislation
your vehicle, the towbar, and the float
applicable in your own jurisdiction. If
are all suited to one another. Car
As the driver of the vehicle, you are
you’re travelling interstate, it’s always
manufacturers generally include the
responsible for not only your own
best to check the relevant state or
maximum weight, height, and other
safety, but also for the safety of your
territory rules. Remember, ignorance of
safety specifications relevant to towing
passengers, your horses, and other
the law has never been an acceptable
in the vehicle’s owner manual. Obviously
road users – so always drive to suit the
defence. While on this point, there have
smaller cars are not suited to towing
conditions, and never take risks. Towing
been some recent regulatory changes,
much of anything, let alone a horse float.
a float changes the way your vehicle
so please check with your state or
That’s a job for a much sturdier and
handles. Add to this the combined
territory body to ensure that you are
more powerful vehicle. For example,
safety issues and how to avoid them (we’ve included some helpful hints in the sidebar).
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 85
H OW W E T R AV E L
for a 750kg horse and a 2,000kg float, you’d want your vehicle to be capable of towing around 3,000kgs (3 tonnes), keeping in mind that an extra bit of towing capacity allows for much safer, easier and more comfortable towing. Exceeding your car’s maximum towing capacity isn’t just a safety risk, you may also be breaking the law, as well as possibly voiding your vehicle warranty, and your insurance if you’re involved in an accident. It could also cause serious damage to your vehicle – your engine immediately comes to mind. Towing puts considerable stress on a vehicle, so keep a careful check on your tyre pressures as well as tyre treads and brakes (which are likely to wear
This Pegasus two-horse angle load float offers extras such as an awning and swing-out tack box.
out more rapidly), and ensure your
hitched and loaded, the base of both the
vehicle and your float are both serviced
weight the fully loaded trailer imposes
float and vehicle sit level (i.e. parallel to
on the trailer’s axle when it is coupled
the ground). This type of hitch prevents
to the tow vehicle. GTM will always be
Making the connection
the float from pushing down on the tow
less than ATM as some of the weight
ball, causing both the front of the float
Expert advice is pretty much essential
is transferred to the tow vehicle when
and the back of the vehicle to dip down.
when it comes to choosing a towbar. Not
the trailer is coupled to it. Check your
When the rear of the vehicle is pushed
only are there several different types,
down, the front tips up slightly, which
vehicle owner’s manual so that you
there are also different classes. The
can cause dangerous steering and
type and class of towbar that’s right for
braking problems.
regularly.
your vehicle is largely dictated by its make, model and towing capacity. With so many options available, it really is best to seek out specialist help and the same applies to your choice of hitch (the device that the float coupling connects to – a tow ball is the most common). That said, an option you may want to consider is a weight distribution hitch, which as the name suggests, helps to spread weight evenly across the car and float chassis so that when your float is
What to look for in a float
know the maximum weight you can tow. Straight or angle load – Some studies indicate that horses prefer to travel at an approximately 45° angle, so if possible,
Your choice of float will depend on a
enlist the help of friends with floats and
variety of factors – the most obvious
trial both options to see which suits your
being the towing capacity of your
horse.
vehicle; the number of horses you want
Dividers – Avoid dividers that go all the
to carry; your horses’ combined height and weight; and your budget.
way down to the floor. These restrict the horse’s freedom of movement,
But before you begin shopping around,
preventing them from bracing them-
do your research – and then do some
selves as you travel around bends
more! There are quite a number of
or take corners. Padded dividers are
important issues to consider before creating your float wish list. These include (but are certainly not limited to): Know what weight you can tow – The maximum weight of any trailer can be specified either as Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) or Gross Trailer Mass (GTM). ATM refers to the combined weight of the trailer and its full load when it’s not
Hayman Reece’s weight distribution hitch. 86 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
coupled to a tow vehicle. GTM is the
Kara Kar three horse deluxe angle.
H OW W E T R AV E L
their website: https://pbltrailers.com. au/articles/daily-checklist-and-serviceschedules
Buying pre-loved? If you’re in the market for a second hand float, it’s probably better to buy from a licensed second hand dealer. You will have more legal protection than buying privately, and some dealers offer warranty. That aside, you should still carry out a thorough inspection of the float and its hitching mechanism, checking carefully for signs of wear and damage. If you have a mechanicallyminded friend, ask them to come along with you. Look for rust and rot inside Olympic Royal four wheel float with electric brakes (made in South Australia).
and out, as well as under the float. Lift up any matting and check the floor
always kinder and safer for your horse.
if your budget stretches to it, consider
Light and ventilation – A float with
torsion or air suspension for a more
you can check that the lights and plugs
plenty of natural light will be far more
comfortable ride.
are working (take a cable converter
appealing to your horse, while good
Brakes – This is such an important issue
air flow is essential to keep humidity and temperature within a comfortable, healthy limit. Float construction – While you might think that minimising the float weight by choosing one constructed from lighter materials is a good idea, here are a few pros and cons to consider: A steel
that the advice of an expert should not be overlooked. A good quality brake
float and the road conditions is an essential for safe towing.
emphasise enough the need
timber to withstand damage from urine; plastic and fibreglass will also incur the
for regular services. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that because a float, or a trailer, doesn’t
additional cost of expert attention if
have an engine not much
repairs become necessary.
can go wrong. At its most
Float height – The inside height of a
make sure the manufacturer’s chassis
to suit the weight of the
Servicing – We cannot
an aluminium floor is better able than
compatible with your vehicle), and
you to adjust your brakes
can be rust proofed; aluminium, while more expensive, welding; however,
with you in case the float’s wiring isn’t
controller, which allows
construction will be easier to repair and lighter, requires specialist, and therefore
thoroughly. Ask to hitch up the float so
simple, wheel bearings, wheel
float can vary so be sure that there is
couplings, axles, flooring,
adequate room for your horse. Some
brakes and tyres should
experts suggest that any horse over
be checked regularly. PBL
15hh requires an interior height of
Floats and Trailers has
2.3metres, with an extra 100mm for
a comprehensive list of
every additional hand of height.
areas to watch out for on
Suspension – While there are a variety of float suspension designs, most tend to be either leaf spring or coils. However,
JR Condamine float has bars 20 cms from the tailgate. H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 87
H OW W E T R AV E L
SAFETY FIRST Towing a float requires greater concentration and spatial awareness on the part of the driver – so here are some points to ponder before you head out onto the highway:
• Don’t make sudden changes of direction or lane changes.
• Because of the additional weight and length of the float, you will need a longer distance in which to brake, overtake, or to safely enter a stream of traffic. Customise your paint design with a model from the Pegasus Custom Deluxe range.
• Stay alert! You need to be aware of changes in traffic or road conditions
plate is attached. If it isn’t, or if you notice signs that identification markings have been removed from the chassis, or if the vendor has ‘lost’ the float’s ownership papers, be very, very wary!
Passenger comfort tips And by the way, we’re definitely talking about equine passengers here – people are not permitted to ride in the back of a float! Before you float your horse ensure they’ve had a light feed and water, and are in overall good health. Particularly on longer trips you may want to use travel boots (see the boots feature in this issue), ensuring that they are securely fitted so they won’t slip. A tail bandage or tail wrap will protect your horse’s tail from rubbing – but if bandaging, be sure not to pull it overly tight. As a general rule, it’s better for your horse to be too cool than too hot – either no rug or a lightweight cotton rug or combo should do the trick. Because grain takes longer to digest, it’s better not to feed it to your horse directly before departure. This might mean an extra early wake-up call, or simply offering hay, so you can allow adequate time for digestion before you leave. Sometimes horses don’t like to drink water while they’re away from home
because of the difference in taste. To overcome this problem, either take water with you, or invest in a product that, when added to water, is designed to encourage horses to drink. Just a tiny bit of molasses can be used to encourage your horse to drink. When securing your horse in the float, tie them up so that they can drop their head below chest level. This will allow mucous to drain normally rather than risk it collecting in their lungs. If you need to feed during a longer trip, only feed hay and be aware that there is a choking risk if eating while travelling. When you arrive at your destination, walk your horse to help with blood flow and to allow them to stretch their legs. And one final task, clean out the float as soon as possible. If your horse has urinated, help reduce the risk of rotting floor boards with a couple of buckets of water mixed with disinfectant to limit the smell. Happy and safe floating travels to you all! Photos kindly supplied by: Hayman Reece (www.haymanreese. com.au), JR Easy Traveller (www.jreasytraveller.com), Kara Kar Horse Floats (www.karakar.com.au), Olympic Trailers (www.olympictrailers.com.au); and Pegasus Horse Floats (www.pegasusfloats.com.au).
further ahead than you would normally so that you have time to react.
• Roundabouts: Adverse camber is where the road slopes to the outside of the bend (as opposed to a positive camber which slopes to the inside, giving more grip and stability). While roads rarely have an adverse camber, roundabouts sometimes do – so please take extra care.
• Floats, like all trailers, have a tendency to ‘cut in’. When approaching corners and curves, allow for this by slowing down in plenty of time, and making a wider turn.
• If possible, when reversing have someone standing outside of the vehicle to guide you.
• Think smooth: steering, braking, and accelerating should all be smooth and steady.
• Driving downhill? Shift to a lower gear to reduce the strain on your brakes and to maximise your control of your vehicle.
• If you find yourself with a convoy of vehicles behind you, either pull over or slow down when it’s safe to allow them to pass. H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 89
YO U N G R I D E R S
Meet the Grimes Brothers We have not one, but two Young Riders for you this issue, writes AMANDA MAC. Both from the world of polo and both determined to take it to the top.
ABOVE: Cody and Larry full stride. Image: Joe McInally Photography. LEFT: (left to right) Cody, Archie Dowling, Monty McGregor and Jack after winning the 2019 Australia v New Zealand Schools International. Image courtesy of Stephen Mowbray.
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YOUNG RIDERS
P
olo is one of the world’s oldest known team sports, and one of the Australian Polo Federation’s
aims is to grow the sport by promoting it to riders of all levels and ages. So, who could be better ambassadors for the game then brothers Jack and Cody Grimes? And if you’re thinking that this must have something to do with genetics, you might be right! Fifteen-year-old Jack, and Cody, 14, are sons of none other than Matt Grimes, a top polo player whose many accolades include captaining the Australian team. Younger Grimes brothers Blake, 12, and Lucas, 10, have already started playing polo, and will no doubt make their own mark on the game. The Grimes family hails from Ellerston NSW, where Jack and Cody grew up around the sport, helping dad Matt with his horses, and getting into the saddle themselves at an early age. Jack was nine years old and Cody eight when they competed in their first tournament. Last year, the boys played on the
Jack and Disney in action. Image: Joe McInally Photography.
victorious Australian team (which, like father, like son, Jack captained) in
Larry, an eight-year-old gelding. He’s big
world. Cody says: “I want pretty much
the Australia v New Zealand Schools
and very powerful. My other horse is a
the same, but I want to train horses for
International. More recently they have
ten-year-old mare called Asset. She’s
polo too.”
been busy playing for several clubs
fast and really easy to move.”
in a variety of competitions, including the J. K. Mackay and Ellerston Spring Tournaments. With five polo players in one family, you’d think ponies would be at a premium! But as Jack explains: “We have a lot of horses right now. We have our own breeding program and produce three or four foals each year from our Thoroughbred stock. I have two favourite horses, Disney, a nine-year-old mare, and seven-year-old Malita, also a mare. I like Disney because she’s very quick and correct. She doesn’t do many
a lot of help along the way. “There’re
training is obviously big on the agenda.
so many people we could thank,” says
“Our youngsters are sent to the breakers as two-year-olds, then we take over their training when they turn three. We don’t start playing tournaments on them until they’re about five-years-old. It’s really rewarding when they get to an age where they’re playing polo,” says Jack. For Cody, training is a very real passion: “I love helping with the training. You’re always learning new things about the horses.”
things wrong and I’ve bonded with her
So what does the future hold for this
well. Malita has lots of power and gets
talented pair?
me around the field fast.” Cody has his own favourites: “I ride
Both boys recognise that they’ve had
Given the Grimes breeding program,
Jack, “but in particular, our parents; our granddad who drives our horses all over the country; Rob Teague and the Packer family, they’ve accommodated our horses and helped in lots of ways; Anto White who taught us how to play and lent us horses; Ben Jones and the Jones family; John and Lucy Price; Mr and Mrs Pursehouse; and Jim Gilmore, the Metcalf family, and Cooch and JJ Lynch, who’ve all lent us horses that we’ve been very grateful for.” With no doubt many more chukkas to play, HorseVibes wishes Jack and
Jack says he hopes to become a
Cody every success – we hope all your
professional polo player and travel the
dreams for the future come true. H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 91
TRAINING TIPS
P OLO speed, skill and stamina With goals scored at lightning speed, the game of polo is as exciting as it is skilled. AMANDA MAC spoke to top Polo player Jack Archibald for some top tips.
G
overned by the Australian
Portsea Polo spectacle in Victoria, and,
English teams during Australia’s off-
Polo Federation and five State
of course, the annual Polo International
season. Based in the Hunter Valley, he
Associations, the game of polo
Test Match when Australia will once
comes from a polo playing family (both
again take on archrivals England.
his brothers and his father play), that
is one at which Australia excels – we are currently ranked among the world’s top five polo-playing nations.
One of Australia’s top polo players is Jack Archibald. He’s represented
breeds its own Thoroughbred cross Australian Stock Horses for the game.
While the number of players in Australian
Australia on no less than 13 occasions,
Involved with his local Bush Fire Brigade,
falls just short of 1,000, making that
captaining the World Cup side in 2017, as
which at the time of writing was still
ranking all the more impressive, we have
well as the 2019 Test Match team, which
battling huge blazes, Jack kindly took
a rich history in the game and awareness
succeeded in upsetting an extremely
time out to talk to us about the game he
of the sport is growing steadily. During
strong English side.
loves.
Jack, who has been riding since he
“If you’re interested in checking it out,
could walk, has played professionally
or you’re already playing and want to
for the past 13 years. He’s competed
improve, there are polo clinics running in
the season, men’s, women’s (a branch of the game gaining huge appeal) and youth team competitions attract an enthusiastic stream of spectators.
all over the world, including Argentina,
both NSW and Victoria. Riverlands Polo
Key events in 2020 will include the
South Africa, Barbados, New Zealand,
operates out of the Windsor Polo Club
Magic Millions in Queensland, the
Malaysia, and India, and also plays for
in the Hawkesbury Valley, and Venture Polo is located at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre to the south west of Melbourne’s CBD. Both clinics are run by professionals who cater for every level. They have a string of horse from beginners to advanced, and some world class coaches. There’s a guy setting up a clinic in Brisbane too, and that will be operational in about six months,” he explains. But for Jack, there are a few basics that beg serious attention. “My top tip for beginners in the game is to improve your overall riding skills. Riding is the most important part of polo. The rest is relatively easy to coach, but
Jack with Jim Gilmore, a member of the Australian Polo Federation International Committee. (Image courtesy of Stephen Mowbray). 92 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
you have to spend time in the saddle – the more the better. No matter what
TRAINING TIPS
Jack playing against England for the victorious Australian team in the April 2019 Test Match held at Windsor Polo Club. (Image courtesy of Stephen Mowbray).
discipline you might be involved in right
at a huge disadvantage,” he adds.
now, aim at improving your riding. And
But what if you’re already a player and
never think that there’s nothing left to
want to up the ante on your game skills?
work on! I see so many people who think they can ride but actually can’t –
“For more experienced players, I suggest you go and find some of the
tense and distracted, your technique will go out the window, you’ll make poor decisions, and your horse will tense up as well.” Fitness is important no matter what sport
and in a game of polo that can be quite
better players in Australia, who are all
you play, and particularly essential for a
dangerous,” Jack says.
pretty approachable, and get a lesson.
polo player is flexibility: “I’ve just started
I’m more than happy to help out anyone
doing yoga to increase my flexibility. If
who contacts me, and that applies to
you want to take the game seriously,
most of the other good players I know,”
make sure that you have good core
Jack says.
strength and that you’re flexible. You’re
“For a beginner, probably my next best tip is to get to know your horse. A lot of riders think they can just turn up and jump on, without really knowing the strengths and weaknesses of their horse. Lacking that awareness means
He also has another great tip: “Polo is a very fast, up-tempo game, and while
game will improve and the risk of injuries will be reduced,” Jack advises.
this might sound easier said than done,
He also recommends the use of a wooden
they won’t understand how to ride in a
the main thing is to keep relaxed both
horse, which he believes is a ‘must’ for
way that best suits their horse’s abilities
mentally and physically. I think this is
players at all levels: “It’s a great way to
– and that will put both rider and horse
absolutely essential. If you become
practice your technique, to learn how to H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 93
TRAINING TIPS
hit the ball and to improve your variety of shots. Whether on the near or off side of the horse, you can hit a forehand, open backhand, or tail backhand, which of course is under the horse’s tail, or an under the neck shot. Your aim is to get those shots smooth and precise – and the wooden horse is a great way to practise.”
horse. That’s where all the power comes
But what about schooling your horse for polo? When Jack is working his own horses, he has some very definite objectives: “I aim at keeping the horse nice and calm, but in saying that you’ve still got to try and get all your movements as sharp and precise as possible. It’s a balance between fast and agile, while not upsetting the horse’s mental state. Some horses handle pressure better than others, which is why it’s so important to understand your horse. I also work at getting the horse to engage its hind quarters and to make that feel as natural as possible for the
player, is there any better time to launch
from, so once you’ve got them engaged, then go on to practice your turns and stops. When they’re engaged and they turn left and right smoothly and with balance, the stopping part becomes very easy,” Jack says. So, with such great advice from a top your own polo playing career? If you’re interested in knowing more about this exciting game, we’ve included some useful contact details below. Visit the Australian Polo Federation’s site at www.australianpolo.com.au, or follow them on Facebook www. facebook.com/australianpolofederation/ Their phone number: 0459 272 277 and their email apf@australianpolo. com.au. Jack can be contacted at archibaldjack@hotmail.com.
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Wooden polo practice horse (Image courtesy of maltesecatpolo.wordpress.com)
F E AT U R E
This burning summer As a qualified equine nutritionist, LEISA HOFSTETTER from Hof Equine sees a lot of confusion surrounding horses and their need for electrolytes. She demystifies the subject for us.
H
ave you ever wondered if your horse actually needs an electrolyte supplement? Depending on what you are feeding them, the answer may well be ‘yes’. But how much, and what exactly, depends on a few factors.
The first thing you and your Equine Nutritionist need to consider is the horse’s current diet and workload. This summer it’s more important than ever to consider the higher ambient temperatures, and of course whether your horse has been affected by the drought, or by bushfires.
So what are electrolytes? Electrolytes are minerals with an electric charge that have important functions within an animal’s body. These electrolytes need to be at a specific level and must be kept as constant as possible. If the levels fluctuate too much, the consequences can be severe, and can even result in death if not treated promptly.
What do electrolytes do?
One of the functions of electrolytes – in horses as well as humans – is to
regulate water in the body. In other words, electrolytes help to keep water
at the right levels throughout the body. Some examples of electrolytes
include sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium.
With so much of Australia impacted by drought and bushfire, many horses have been adversely affected. The immense heat generated by bushfires can indirectly affect horses’ electrolyte
levels through excess sweating, and cause direct damage if
the horse has suffered burns. Burns to the body of a
horse can be fatal if not treated by a veterinarian.
96 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
Part of this danger is due to potentially lifethreatening electrolyte level fluctuations in the first seven days after the burn incident.
Following severe burns, electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium and phosphorus may fall or rise above a normal, safe level. It is important to seek veterinary treatment or advice for horses that have been burned in bushfires, as specific equipment and expert knowledge is needed to prevent these potentially fatal fluctuations in electrolyte levels.
The impact of drought conditions Drought conditions cause drier soil, which means there is reduced water evaporation from the ground. The dissipation of heat from the ground via the evaporation of water would usually prevent higher ambient temperatures. But dry soil means less water to evaporate, so heat remains in the ground and makes the ambient temperature rise. Increased ambient temperatures affect the electrolyte needs of horses because they sweat more in response to the heat. If your horse is sweating more, it means a greater electrolyte loss and therefore increased electrolyte requirements. The amount of additional electrolytes you will need to feed your horse depends on the temperature. For example, in temperatures of 40° or above, the daily electrolyte supplementation in feed needs to be doubled!
When your horse sweats If your horse is sweating when you work them, they may have a greater need for salt and mineral (electrolyte) supplementation. This is because when horses sweat during exercise, the normal electrolyte levels in their blood are reduced and can only regulate back to normal levels if sufficient salts and minerals are present in their diet.
Why is this a potentially huge problem? The lower electrolyte levels in your horse’s blood caused by sweating also reduces their desire to drink. This means that in the instance of sweating during exercise, without salt and mineral supplementation the horse will dehydrate. Offering water without supplementation at this point will only dehydrate the horse further. So it is important to supplement with salts and minerals if your horse is in work. All of the factors mentioned can influence your horse’s electrolyte requirements significantly – to the point where you may need to increase certain electrolytes in their feed. However, it is important to look at your horse’s complete diet when deciding what to supplement and how much. Your horse may already be getting more than enough of a certain electrolyte, depending on what you are feeding them. Your Equine Nutritionist can help you to analyse your horse’s current diet to determine what electrolytes may be lacking, and can design a diet for your horse that best meets all of their requirements. Leisa Hofstetter, Equine Nutritionist, BEqSc, Hof Equine
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 97
SADDLE REVIEW
Bates Isabell Sometimes we don’t go looking for our equestrian discipline, it comes looking for us.
I
f you haven’t ridden for 20 or more years, a trek through rugged terrain may not be the best place to rekindle your equine love affair. But sometimes fate takes unexpected turns, which in Kate Appleby’s case sparked a passion for endurance riding. “I don’t remember exactly when I first started to ride, but it was definitely a feature of my life when I was young,” recalls Kate, who is based in Brisbane. But then life, marriage and parenting
intervened – until one fateful day: “I happened to be talking to another mum at a sailing event our children were attending and she had also ridden as a child.” Deciding that the time had come to do something ‘just for themselves’, they opted for a five-day horseback trek in the Snowy Mountains. Given how long it was since they’d last ridden, plus an unexpected 20cm fall of snow (they had
to be evacuated back to the homestead), plus the presence of a Travel Oz camera crew, the experience was memorable! However, the pair were undeterred: “We decided to do another ride closer to home with a trail riding business that trained and used their own endurance horses,” says Kate, “and I loved it! So it was actually through a happy accident that I eventually got into endurance.” Eight years on and Kate now owns two purebred Arabian geldings, both of whom have earned a Tom Quilty buckle (see the Tom Quilty story in our August 2019 digital edition). Already the owner of a Bates saddle, Kate needed to track down another – and found The Equestrian Hub. “I was entered in a FEI Bullio Cup event in Orange for which I had to weigh up to 73kgs. I purchased the Bates Isabell because it was heavier. Plus, the saddle is very comfortable and fits both horses if I change the gullet. It’s also adjustable so it accommodates the horses’ variations of shape over the year,” Kate adds. The Equestrian Hub has a wide variety of second-hand saddles, so be sure to visit www.equestrianhub.com.au and browse through their fantastic range. All saddles come with a two-week trial, finance options, and a courier right to your door.
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H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 99
H O R S E S I N H I S TO R Y
Sgt. Reckless, U.S.M.C. Korean War Horse Hero by N. G. Quinlan
an invaluable member of his platoon. When he first drove into camp with the filly in tow on a makeshift float, some of the men doubted his sanity. There were a few who even wondered if the horse had been brought to them for food. Yet as the young lieutenant explained his plan, the soldiers began to see the sense of it all. The recoilless rifle was a large weapon which fired 75mm shells, each one weighing twenty-four pounds. The rifle, which was more like a bazooka or small cannon than a rifle, was almost seven feet long, weighed one hundred and fifteen pounds (or about fifty-two kilograms) and required three men to lift it. The weapon had a massive backblast that was not only dangerous to anyone standing behind it, but also served to alert enemy troops as to its whereabouts. It soon became known as the ‘Reckless Rifle’, partly as a play on its actual name and partly because it was thought that a soldier had to be somewhat reckless to use it. The mare became a favourite of the
Staff Sergeant Reckless monument dedication ceremony. Image: Sgt Dylan Overbay.
Marines and was soon given the name Reckless. She would eat anything
I
n the Korea Strait there lies a
mine and young Kim needed the money
volcanic island named Jeju. In the
to purchase a prosthetic limb for her.
thirteenth century, after invading
and capturing Korea, the Mongolian army established a grazing area on Jeju for their many cavalry horses. From this ancient bloodline came one of the greatest equine heroes in history… the
scrambled eggs, Hershey bars, beer, coffee, blankets, hats and, on one
Through an interpreter, Kim told
occasion, $30 worth of poker chips.
Pedersen that the mare’s name was
Her gentle nature meant that she was
Ah-Chim-Hai, which means ‘Flame of
allowed to roam at will throughout the
the Morning’. She was aged four years
camp. During the colder nights, she
and three months, stood just over
would often enter the soldiers’ tents and
thirteen hands high and had a white
lie down next to a stove.
sorrel mare who would come to be
blaze from forehead to muzzle. Though
known as Sergeant Reckless.
she was relatively small – a result of her
In October 1952, when U.S. Marine
Mongolian heritage – Lt. Pedersen liked
Corps Lieutenant Eric Pedersen needed
the look of her, later saying that she
a pack animal to carry ammunition,
possessed “an intelligent eye and fine
he paid $250 from his own funds to
head”. He brought her back to his unit,
purchase a mare at the racetrack in
and everything, including pancakes,
the Recoilless Rifle Platoon of the 5th
In March of 1953, the Marines were struggling to retake a rugged hilly area known as Outpost Vegas. In one memorable day, Reckless made a total of fifty-one trips up the steep slopes and carried three hundred and eighty-six rounds of ammunition from the supply
Seoul. The reluctant seller, a young
Marines.
Korean boy named Kim Huk Moon,
Lt. Pedersen was a lifelong horseman
of her burden was almost five tons,
had one very special reason for selling
who had grown up in Wyoming and
and all of it was carried while the battle
his much-loved horse. His older sister
Arizona. He knew that the horse would
raged and shells exploded around
Chung Soon had lost her leg to a land
be no mere mascot, but would become
her at a rate of about five hundred
100 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
point to the firing line. The total weight
H O R S E S I N H I S TO R Y
TOP LEFT: Sergeant Reckless by a 75mm recoilless gun. TOP RIGHT: U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Reckless prepares to go to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton after serving in the Korean War with the 5th Marine Regiment (Image by 94th Airlift Wing). BOTTOM: Reckless was promoted from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant at Camp Pendleton in 1959. every minute. Often she would carry a
her, leaving themselves open to injury.
on May 13th, 1968. During her military
wounded soldier back with her and even
The little mare became a national hero
career she was awarded almost a dozen
though she was wounded twice herself,
and a campaign was launched to bring
medals, including two Purple Hearts for
the brave mare keep on working.
her back to the United States. On
wounds suffered during the Battle of
November 10th 1954, Lt. Pedersen led
Outpost Vegas. To date, there are six
Reckless off the transport ship and she
monuments dedicated to the chestnut
set foot on U.S. soil for the first time. By
mare and in 1997, when TIME magazine
sheer coincidence, the date was also the
published a list of the one hundred
179th anniversary of the Marine Corps.
all-time greatest American heroes, Sgt.
commander of the 2nd Battalion, 5th
Reckless was later promoted again, this
Reckless was listed alongside such
Marines. People heard how the Marines
time to the rank of Staff Sergeant. She
luminaries as Washington, Lincoln and
would sometimes throw their own flak
lived out her life at Camp Pendleton
Jefferson‌ not bad, for a pint-sized
jackets across Reckless’ back to protect
in Southern California, passing away
Mongolian filly.
Reckless was promoted to the rank of sergeant the next year. Her story became known to the American public due to a couple of articles written by Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Geer,
H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 101
20 QUESTIONS
20 Questions There’s more than one letter in the alphabet. David Shoobridge goes through our 20 questions test, and passes with flying colours!
David on Lady Sinclair - he believes in riding his dressage horses out to relax them. Photo: Jessica Atkins, JA Studios.
Q: Do you have any foods you eat, or don’t eat, before a competition?
Q: Who was your very first horse? A: Meg! She was a liver chestnut Welsh x Arabian and owned
A: Bananas – loaded with fibre, good energy. It’s just a quirky
by my aunt.
habit I’ve got into.
Q: Do you have a current favourite competition horse? A: Toto Nation de Jeu – my new youngster. He’s by Toto Junior (Totilas x Desperados) and out of a Negro mare (Negro is the father of Valegro).
Q: Who do you most look up to in the equestrian world? A: Many people!! Those who are good riders, but also – and much more importantly – those who are good people. If someone was to say: ‘If you could sit on the side of anyone’s arena today… who would it be?’ The answer would definitely
Q: What time does your day start, and end? A: Usually around 6.30 with the horses being fed at 7am; I
be Edward Gal the Dutch dressage rider who, with his
start riding at nine once Annabel is at school. Once all the
three available dressage gold medals at a single FEI World
outside jobs are done (riding, teaching, farm work) the inside
Equestrian Games.
jobs are started! I collapse into bed around 10.30.
Q: What do you think are things that can give you an edge as a competitive rider – rider fitness for example?
A: Mindset is incredibly important. Not only the ability to stay calm and rationalise, but also the ability to accurately and truthfully analyse your own performance. From here you can find ‘gaps’ in your training and riding to work on.
Q: When you’re not riding, how do you relax? A: Skiing, taking my daughter Annabel to her various sports
stallion Totilas were the first ever partnership to collect the
Q: If you could have, or breed, your dream horse what would it be?
A: I think I have him – Toto Nation de Jeu!! He has the most amazing brain. There are horses out there with bigger trots than him, but his canter, trainability and walk leave me buzzing.
Q: What is the highest level of dressage you compete in? A: Grand Prix.
which include swimming, tennis and netball. Oh yes, and
Q: What are your short-term goals? A: Improve on a daily basis. Get my team of horses gradually
eating. I love eating!
increasing their personal best in the tests.
102 | H O R S E V I B E S M A R / A P R 2 0 2 0
David and his daughter Annabel with two of their broodmares. Photo: Jessica Atkins, JA Studios.
Q: What are your long-term goals? A: With my riding, to train more of my young horses to Grand Prix – especially those I have bred. With my business,
the best father I can be. Improving my riding, improving my horses, improving those around me.
sustainability – both mental and financial. This industry can be
Q: What are the things you like most about yourself?
unrelenting at times, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.
A: Resilience – I’m not sure if it’s something I like most about
Finding a balance!
myself or something I have learned to develop.
Q: Do you have a few favourite riding apparel brands? A: Cavalleria Toscana clothing and Tucci riding boots!
Q: What are the things you like least about yourself?
Q: If you had to switch disciplines, what would you choose? A: Eventing, because it’s exciting.
doesn’t really matter.
A: My OCD. I like everything to be ‘just right’ even when it
Q: If you had to stop riding completely, what would you do? A: It’s always been a dream of mine to have a property with a
Q: If you could change one thing in your life what would it
paddock-to-plate ethos. A vineyard with cellar door, wine bar,
A: I’ve learnt that things happen throughout life that are
easy, delicious and sustainable food and great atmosphere that could be a social meeting point.
Q: What is the wisest piece of advice you’ve ever received? A: The late, great dressage and driving coach Edgar Lichtwark
be?
often out of our control… but these moments lead into other moments creating memories, new friendships and opportunities. It’s what we do with these situations or
once said (actually, he said it more than once!) “David,
opportunities that define us as people more than changing one
remember there are 26 letters in the alphabet. If ‘Plan A’
thing.
doesn’t work, there are 25 other options to look at.” That’s advice I always remember.
Q: What is your go-to motto, to keep you going?
Q: What are you most looking forward to in 2020? A: Life! Being able to have dreams, goals and ambition. Being
A: ‘Small steps are often more powerful than big leaps’ and ‘Be the best version of yourself you can possibly be.’ H O R S E V I B E S . C O M . AU | 103
ARENA CONSTRUCTION & RESTORATION | SURFACE SOLUTIONS & MAINTENANCE | EQUESTRIAN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT T 0407 149 637 W equestrianlanddevelopments.com E info@equestrianlanddevelopments.com
Apples are a very healthy treat for your horse, rich in Potassium which is important for proper muscle and nerve function. Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants and is also widely accepted as having anti-inflammatory properties.
apple and cinnamon
with molasses and chia
Molasses is a favourite for all horses – it contains 50% sugar, and the sugar in molasses is a fast energy source necessary for horses with a high workload. Carrots are rich in vitamin A which can assist with healthy eyes, mucus membranes, bone growth, healthy skin and hair in horses. Mint is adored by horses, and is a perfect appetite stimulant for difficult or shy feeders. Mint can assist in calming the digestive tract, and is rich in dietary fibre, vitamin A and iron.
INGREDIENTS: Apple, Premium Rolled Oats, Wholemeal Flour, Molasses, Rice Flour, Chia, Wheat Flour, Cinnamon, Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Glycerine, Alfalfa, Apple Cider Vinegar.
carrot and mint
with turmeric and chia
Turmeric is the latest wonder herb for horses, with high antiinflammatory properties. Rich in antioxidants, a great source of dietary fibre and rich in vitamins C & B6, manganese and iron minerals. Peppermint is good for digestion, and has greater antifungal properties than other mints plus greater carminative and digestive powers. With its strong flavour, peppermint is a favourite for horses everywhere! Spinach is a great source of vitamins A, B2, C and K, and also contains magnesium, manganese, folate, iron, calcium and potassium – all beneficial for the long term health of your horse.
INGREDIENTS: Carrot, Premium Rolled Oats, Wholemeal Flour, Mint, Rice Flour, Molasses, Chia, Wheat Flour, Sugar, Turmeric, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Glycerine, Alfalfa, Apple Cider Vinegar.
peppermint and spinach with parsley and chia
INGREDIENTS: Premium Rolled Oats, Spinach, Wholemeal Flour, Molasses, Rice Flour, Peppermint, Parsley, Chia, Wheat Flour, Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Glycerine, Alfalfa, Apple Cider Vinegar.
www.equinepure.com.au
Parsley is a powerhouse. It contains high levels of iron, with rich minerals copper, manganese, magnesium and potassium, plus it’s high in vitamins A and B. Parsley also packs approx three times the level of vitamin C than citrus juices! Chia seeds are one of the most nutritious foods available and are especially great for horses. They’re a terrific source of protein, dietary fibre and omega 3. Chia also includes vitamins, minerals and trace elements including zinc, potassium, iron, copper, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium, beneficial for health and vitality.
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