Sportaloosa
Photo by David Parker
QUARTERLY issue 2, 2014
sportaloosa.com
Welcome to another issue This time
Congratulations to the breeders and owners of this year’s $1,000 foal futurity contestants. It was another very classy line up and we’re looking forward to seeing what these super youngsters go on to do. You’ll find full results on the next page. The 2014 Sportaloosa foal gallery is underway and we can’t wait to see the foals you have arriving this year. You’ll find the gallery at www.sportaloosa.com/breeding/2014-foals.html and all members are very welcome to load as many photos as they like. Just log into the site and follow the simple instructions and if you need a hand, please just ask. Who would like a 2015 Sportaloosa calendar? Please register your interest by emailing contact@sportaloosa.com to give us an idea of the quantity to print. The calendar will be our usual glossy production, featuring winning photos from this year’s photo competition. The cost will be around AUD20 (posted within Australia) and NZD25 within New Zealand. Price on application for postage to other areas of the world. Lastly, remember to check out the Sportaloosa stallion showcase at sportaloosa.com. There’s an outstanding line up of quality stallions throughout Australia and New Zealand available at very reasonable stud fees and our friendly breeders are always happy to answer any questions you have. Most have quality progeny available too.
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2014 foal futurity results Judge - Bryan Lowcay of New Zealand.
Champion - Mighty McShiney
Bred, owned and entered by Australian Coloured Performance Horses in Queensland. Sire - Shiney and Nu (QH, USA), dam - Appydale’s Lily Infewsion Judge’s comments “Well conformed colt with good neck, refined head wide set eyes (on corners of head). Great hind quarter well defined and powerful strong through loin and an athletic front end. Straight action in gaits and trapezoid angles excellent. As a western trainer this colt exhibits a trait that I constantly look for, that is his ability to hold his rear end and turn freely through his front end. He does this naturally with every turn (in video). Always balanced and smooth. A colt with great presence that should do well in what ever field he is destined.”
Mighty McShiney
Reserve Champion - Mighty Bewitching
Bred and entered by Sparkling Acres Appaloosas, Wellsford, New Zealand. Sire: Mighty Luminous , dam: Cayuse Mighty Enchanting 3rd - Mighty Incandescent - bred by Cayuse Sportaloosas, owned by Sparkling Acres Appaloosas 4th - Shoshoni Maximus Thunder - bred by Shoshoni Appaloosas, NSW, Australia 5th - CA White With One - bred by Cinco Park Appaloosas 6th - Shoshoni Meeko - bred by Shoshoni Appaloosas, NSW, Australia
See all videos @ sportaloosa.com Sportaloosa International - Australia, New Zealand, the world - www.sportaloosa.com
Mighty Bewitching
Diane Johnston joins the 1,000 hour club
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Huge congratulations to Diane Johnston of Tasmania, our second member to complete 1,000 hours in the Sportaloosa saddle. Diane’s hours have been gained on Yallawa Playful Times (pictured) and Shoshoni Lomasi. You’ll probably recognise those names from show results and Sportaloosa awards... these horses are living testiment to the effort, skill and most of all, time Diane puts in to them. Well done Di and here’s to the next 1,000 hours!
Photo by David Parker
Breed a Sportaloosa 2014 From big striding dressage and jumping stallions to working stallions and versatile types that can turn their hand to anything, the Sportaloosa stallion showcase has a sire for every type of mare. For full information, including photos, videos, height, genetic test results, location and contact details, visit www.sportaloosa.com/stallions. We have stallions throughout Australia (with many shipping cooled semen), New Zealand and a couple further afield offering frozen semen (or asking for your interest in breeding).
Cayuse Chatta Lena - NSW
Palousa San Sebastian - frozen semen
AP Double Plaudit - Vic
Wapuzzan - interest in frozen semen invited
Breed a Sportaloosa
Lori’s Flashpoint Af Lyn - NSW
Kerrinna Sweetin My T - Vic
Oregon Park Aristokat - Vic
Cayuse Blizzard-O-Lena - NSW
Kerrinna Kat’s Frosty Moon - Vic
Cayuse Dark Enchantment - Vic
Breed a Sportaloosa
Cayuse Iron Duke - NSW
Cayuse A Grand Illusion - Vic
Bling Du Rouet - NSW
LV Lane Frost - Vic
Cayuse Bradford - Vic
Heavenly Saint - Vic
Breed a Sportaloosa
Cayuse Confewsion - Vic
Avenlee Dualling Thunder - Vic
Cayuse Mighty Windstorm - NT
Avenlee Frosty Whiz - Vic
Cayuse Mighty Outrageous - Vic
Cayuse Skip O’ The Moon - SA
Breed a Sportaloosa
Mighty Luminous - Wellsford
GAB’s Whata Kracka - Whangarei
Skip’s Supreme - Wellsford
Mighty Windsong - Levin
Enriched - Wairoa
Double A Ariki Pii Hui - Amberley
Moonshadow - New Plymouth
Fear and hesitation - lack of confidence?
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Article from Dr John Kohnke BVSc. RDA
Young horses, in particular, often lack the experience and confidence to cope with new challenges or situations in training. Many develop an avoidance routine, or a ‘fear’ reaction, to new or unfamiliar obstacles or objects. They may hesitate, lose impulsion, whirl sideways, carry out an ‘unauthorised half-pass’ as they attempt to move away as they approach or pass an unfamiliar or a repositioned previously familiar object or even baulk and rear, stop or go backwards. Others become anxious, ‘nervy’, ‘snorty’, shake and tremble or may even attempt to buck or dislodge the rider if they are faced with a new challenge outside their ‘comfort zone’. Occasionally a horse will slowly accept the shape, colour and position of a new object, but will become suspicious and try to avoid it if its position, size or colour is changed, even though they have been past it a number of times. Naturally nervy, inexperienced horses may take time to adjust to new objects or situations, but as a rider, there are ways to encourage confidence, in the way you react to the situation, especially if the ‘fear’ scenario has occurred previously.
Underlying Causes of ‘Fear’, ‘Hesitant’ or ‘Avoidance’ Behaviour
There are a number of factors which can influence or trigger an overreactive, ‘flighty’ or naturally wary or suspicious behaviour in a horse.
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Young, immature horses are more likely to exhibit ‘fear’ behaviour until they become accustomed to new surroundings, their rider or presence of other horses in the same work space. Some horses ‘keep their mind on the job’ when worked by themselves, but become excited and attempt to avoid other unfamiliar horses when passing on an arena, compared with an older, more seasoned campaigner.
Breed Characteristics
It is well recognised that certain breeds of horses are naturally more alert and anxious when challenged by objects, a new location or unfamiliar horses. For example, Thoroughbreds have been selected and bred over a couple of hundred years to be impulsive, reactive and athletically fast in their movements. Many ex-thoroughbred racing horses are successfully reschooled for dressage, recognised as being fast ‘learners’ and willing to be trained to move with a flowing stride. However, due to their ‘flighty’ nature and acute sensitivity to a rider’s pressure and rein tension, in a moment of unfamiliar challenge, they may baulk, over-react with ‘fear and force’ to new situations, grab the bit and may try to escape the situation. Warmbloods are generally regarded as calmer, analysing types of horses. Although they will often have greater ‘brute’ strength and power, they can be less likely to react quickly or become anxious or ‘nappy’ under a similar challenge which would ‘ignite’ a Thoroughbred. Many consider Thoroughbred-Warmblood crosses provide the ‘middle ground’ in ‘fear’ reaction, whilst still retaining good movement.
Ponies often have a calmer temperament compared with larger breeds. Pony dressage utilises the even temperament of pony breeds and their crossbreds to good advantage and both children and adults enjoy the training and competitive experience.
Bloodline Characteristics
It is not uncommon for horses bred from the same stallion/mare mating to inherit and display similar ‘stereotypic’ behaviour, including ‘fear reaction’ or handling resistance. In many cases, if a mare lacks confidence, is highly reactive, and hard to handle with a ‘mind of her own’, chances are that her foals imprinted by her behaviour in the first 2-3 months of life, will have similar behaviour patterns. A mare has a great influence on the learned and ‘mimic’ behaviour and psychological development of her young foal. A stallion does not ordinarily interact and does not share the upbringing stage of a foal. A young horse from a neurotic mare may require a longer education and more time to accept discipline in hand or under saddle.
Rider Contact and Confidence
This is arguably an important influence and a major factor in a horse’s ability to cope with a new situation. An unfamiliar horse usually shows some degree of anxiousness for a new rider and may rush until it becomes accustomed to the rider’s leg aids, rein pressure and style of riding. A confident, experienced or strong rider will often be able to quickly impart confidence in a horse, without resorting to forceful compliance. Even a horse which has a reputation of being reluctant and reactive under saddle with a less
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confident rider, may come onto the bit with good impulsion and controlled energy for a more experienced rider. However, even an experienced rider may have difficulty with an individual horse’s ability to focus and gain confidence for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, these include, but are not of necessarily limited to: Discomfort from gastric acid ‘burn’ or gastric ulcers - Many anxious, ‘worry wart’ and insecure horses develop abnormal regular feeding patterns, which often leads to gastric irritation from excess free gastric acid secreted between feeds. When they become excited in anticipation and during exercise, gastric acid secretion and ‘splash’ on the upper wall of the stomach can lead to discomfort and pain, making the horse resist and hesitant in its work. Horses which are naturally ‘nervy’ and anxious travellers when they are transported long distances without hay to chew, are especially prone to gastric acid ‘burn’ and ulceration. Most dressage horses are fed at regular intervals, however, the incidence of gastric ‘burn’ and ulceration has been shown to be up to 60% in elite dressage horses. It is likely that when ‘collected-up’ under saddle, the increased impulsive power in the hind limbs can lead to an elevation in abdominal pressure. This ‘squishes’ and partly compresses the stomach, which in turn increases internal stomach pressure and pushes free gastric acid up onto the unprotected lining of the upper part of the stomach. Working a horse on an empty stomach early in the day before a ‘breakfast’ meal increases the risk of acid ‘burn’ and gastric irritation. Likewise, competing a horse soon after travel where it may not have been able to eat and relax,
will increase gastric acid irritation and discomfort. Other symptoms/issues include: A horse with joint or hoof pain, including navicular syndrome, low grade laminitis or a muscle injury. Discomfort or soreness, such as lower back muscle spasms or sacroiliac pain when working under saddle from a previous fall or paddock injury. Symptoms include a ‘cold back’, swishing the tail when working under saddle, reluctance to turn on one rein, drifting off the centreline when asked for a balanced trot, over-reaction to a canter aid and holding the head higher, shortened stride in a hind leg with a feeling of a diagonal ‘head bobbing’ lameness on the front limb and even attempts to buck when collected up for an extended trot or leg aid to canter, as well as ‘nappiness’ and resistance. Neurological and behavioural hypersensitivity as a result of low dietary magnesium intake, poor magnesium uptake, and poor magnesium retention due to urinary and sweating loss. Low or inadequate dietary magnesium intake is now recognised as a common cause of nervous, hyperactive and unpredictable behaviour in horses. Mimic Other ‘Bad Behaviour’ - In some cases, horses worked in sight of other horses exhibiting hesitant, uncooperative behaviour, may also develop similar behavioural problems. Young inexperienced horses in particular often ‘mimic’ the behaviour of other horses as being normal ‘manners’ under saddle. Work young horses out of sight of an anxious ‘nappy’, hesitant horse.
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Sharp-edged Molar Teeth - A horse which throws its head or constantly chews on the bit, could have painful sharp-edged molar teeth, ‘wolf teeth’, or even a poll injury, which may be aggravated by the bit or rein pressure. If you notice that your horse over-reacts to rein pressure or works with its head slightly turned to one side and is reluctant to be collected-up and lacks hind limb impulsion, then it is a good idea to have the molar teeth checked for sharp edges or other dental abnormalities by a specialist equine dental vet.
Poor Saddle Fit - A poorly fitted saddle can result in discomfort, making a normally placid, co-operative horse, become unpredictable, ‘nappy’ and non-responsive. Many saddles are fitted with expandible gullets and other adjustments to conform to a horse’s shape. If the horse gains or loses weight, the gullet and padding should be adjusted to retain the most comfortable fit. If your horse develops a ‘cold back’ or tenseness when under saddle, then have the fit of the saddle checked by an experienced, approved saddle fit specialist.
Eye Sight - Horses which ‘shy’, exhibit avoidance behaviour at new objects or become more anxious under early morning or evening low light conditions, may have an eyesight problem in one or both eyes. Common causes include corneal ulceration or scarring with loss of visual acuity, reduced central or peripheral vision due to corneal scarring, and in aged horses, retinal degeneration.
Previous Experiences - Horses are very intelligent animals. They often react with uncharacteristic behaviour when faced with situations which previously caused them fear, pain or anxiety. This is a potential problem with a new horse which may have associated a situation or remembers a previous bad experience, which caused it to react when faced with the situation in the future.
Many dark coloured aged horses are prone to the development of enlarged corpora nigra bodies which hang down into the pupil opening in the eyes. These act like ‘scalloped’ blind edges to diffuse sunlight to enable horses to graze under high light midday conditions or survey the horizon when the head is lifted. In some elderly horses, the corpora nigra undergo a benign enlargement to partly restrict vision, especially under low light overcast or evening conditions, or when collected up with the head more vertical, making the horse lose visual acuity and result in the animal developing an uncharacteristic anxious demeanour.
Unwillingness - Some horses, become unwilling or ‘resistant to work on the bit’ or more hesitant due to many of the above common problems. We have discussed underlying causes for ‘unwillingness’ in Talking Dressage Issue 9. Contact Gary at newsletters@ kohnkesown.com to obtain issue 9, or download the issue and all Talking Dressage newsletters from www.kohnkesown.com.
An examination by a veterinary ophthalmologist is recommended if a horse has distinct avoidance behaviour on one side or lacks confidence to work or move to one side.
Handling a ‘Fearful’ Situation Once an underlying reason is established to explain anxiety, lack of confidence, ‘nappiness’ or other abnormal behaviours or reactions, then in many cases, rider awareness to avoid a confrontational situation or object, may impart a steadying influence and give a horse confidence to handle it and overcome its ‘fear’ or ‘wariness’.
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Be Prepared Before a Known Situation Arises - If you are mounted on a less confident horse, try to anticipate any upcoming ‘fear’ reaction before it is likely to occur. Think ahead of the horse and what could challenge it. Maintaining even leg pressure and rein tension may transmit a signal to an overly cautious horse that there is nothing to ‘fear’ from an object which has caused previous ‘anxiety’ or avoidance behaviour. Asking the horse for a lateral movement, such as shoulder-in, can sometimes help a horse bring its focus back to the rider when its attention has started to wander towards something else that it finds ‘spooky’. Avoid Talking a Horse Past an Object - Although you may be tempted to soothe a horse and restore its confidence or ‘bravery’ when confronted with an unfamiliar object or a known ‘boogy man’ situation, often talking to a suspicious horse can impart a message that something is wrong or about to happen. Many authorities believe that silence is the best way, sit deep into the saddle with even leg and rein control. By breathing deeply and holding your breath for a few seconds, an anxious horse will often relax and gain confidence. Resist the Urge to Lean Forward in the Saddle - When approaching a known ‘trouble spot’, sit deep into the saddle and maintain even leg and rein pressure, and do not lean forward. Clamping the legs, pulling back on the reins and leaning forward (lifting your seat off the saddle) may signal that you are preparing for a predictable reaction or ‘hanging on’ more tightly for some reason and transmit the ‘fear’ signal to your horse.
Repeat an Approach and Maintain your Seat and Push the Horse Through with Your Legs - This is an alternative approach which may work in some horses, as it instils a feeling of confidence that you do not have the same ‘fear’ which your horse may have and may help your horse gain confidence when again faced with a previously ‘feared’ object or situation. If all Attempts Fail, Seek Professional Training - If your horse still lacks confidence and ‘focus’, despite time spent on training and even dietary supplementation to help a nervous disposition, then a vet check of the eyes, teeth and common areas of discomfort is recommended. If an underlying cause for the reluctant, ‘nappy’ or resisting behaviour is not found, the best alternative is to seek the services of a well experienced, professional trainer. Many hours of battling with a difficult horse can be saved by a few days of specialised training by an experienced rider or psychological evaluation by qualified horse psychologist.
Marlene Holahan on Moonshine Jinxy Minx Jinx and I have only been together for a couple of years, with me not having a lot of experience with green horses, and her not having any real experience at all in anything. It kinda was a bad choice but who could resist dreams, passion and those spots. Her training started not long after she arrived from Tassie, but an aweful eye trauma put a huge stop to all that. Her ground work continued but her ridden work was put on hold till she got better. It took almost 12weeks before a saddle was put on her back again, and with that time off, things didnt go so well. To my dismay, the only choice I had was to either sell her or give her away, both of which I tried without any success. Jinx kept coming back :)
So, the journey started to see what we could do as a team on the ground, and Showmanship at Halter was the answer. I gave up riding and we started having some lessons and trying a lot of
stuff ourselves, until one day not long ago we were offered help by our gorgeous Coach, Chris Gregory.
Jinx and I would have fornightly lessons with Chris and we would go home and practice like mad, everyday. Things started to happen and we started to win classes and really form a bond. The Appaloosa State Championships have always been a dream of mine, and Chris has pushed me outside of my comfort zone, helping me to make it a reality. So, this year we set off to Tatura to compete at the 38th Victorian Appaloosa Championships, feeling excited to see everyone and to have all my Appy family finally meet Miss J.
Limited Amateur Showmanship is.......( and the pause seemed endless ) is, number 29, Moonshine Jinxy Minx and Marlene Holahan!!!! OMG!! Were they serious??? Yes yes yes, and the tears just flowed. I couldnt help myself, I cried like a girl..lol. I heard cheers and clapping from the stands and Jinx’s previous owner, I’m sure had a tear also. How absolutely amazing.... We had come to VACS to have some fun and get experience, we came home with a Reserve Champion sash!
The weekend could not have been more perfect if I had tried to write All those hours, early mornings, training in all weather, sore feet, a script. Miss J’s previous owner had come to see us, my Hubby and frustration, doubt and torture sessions with Chris, all came together in one brilliant moment. youngest daughter were with me, and I was having a ball. Miss J was behaving like a seasoned pro, even though this is our first real season together in the ring. So, Saturday morning goes by, with Halter classes being won by some beautiful spots, and then our turn for Limited Amateur Showmanship. The pattern went just brilliantly. I was so very happy and was extremely proud of our performance, so when placings were being called, starting at 6th, and our name hadnt been called by the 3rd place, I was feeling pretty deflated. I never expect to win or place but the pattern felt so good, I was kinda hoping the judge thought so too. So 2nd place annoucement goes up.... the Reserve Champion for
Yes I did most of the training myself, but I have an awesome team of people beside me, without whome none of this would be possible. Miss J was just divine and I’m so proud to have her by my side, we make a pretty darn good team I reckon. We are by no means finished, we are back in training for next season and are aiming for bigger and better things. I love a horse that can push you to be a better horsewoman every time we train, I’m so glad she is mine. A huge thank you also goes out to all those who supported us, helped us and believed in us... and so, the work continues....... Marlene Holahan