The Stable Magazine - April 2014

FREE MONTHLY

The

APRIL 2014

STABLE HORSE MAGAZINE

WEANING WOES? Minimising s t r e ss fo r m a r e & fo a l

IN D N A W

PARK *** CIC

April

Fools!

Have a laugh at our favourite horse pranks...

B R E T T PA R B E R Y

M A S T E R C L A SS WITH

M A R E E TO M K I N S O N

TA K I N G A LO O K AT E Q U I N E

NUTRITION T H E L AT E S T P R O D U C T S + O U R E SS E N T I A L F E E D I N G C H E C K L I S T !

Hidden Valley Grand Opening!

A NEW CHAPTER FOR AUSTRALIAN DRESSAGE

www.thestablemagazine.com

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

1

GROSVENOR Equitie A rubber breakpoint safety tether for use in the stable, yard or float. Strong enough to secure your horse but provides an instant, reliable breakpoint.

Horse & petwear washbag Wash rugs, saddle cloths, girths, bandages, dog bedding etc in the washbag to prevent animal hair clogging up your washing machine and protect it from buckle damage.

Borstiq Brushes

Quarter-marking Stencils

These brushes are in a league of their own - made in Sweden from hardwood and natural fibres they are of superior quality, eco-friendly and ergonomically designed.

As used by Andrew Hoy at the London Olympics! You too can personalise your horse with highquality brush/spray stencils in fun designs. Made in England, they are magnetic for easy storage. Brush on or use with colour sprays.

Equishave A non-clogging razor for safe and easy trimming.

Design by The Stable - www.thestablemagazine.com

Clipping Stencils

Micro-fibre coat shine mitt

Re-useable clipping stencils in a range of designs; adhesive for

Removes dust and creates amazing coat shine.

easy application.

V-tie Re-useable velcro safety tether. With a firm breakpoint, ideal for restless horses.

Silicone Plaiting Bands Super stretchy and tear resistant.

Stronger than traditional plaiting bands.

CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR STOCKISTS!

We stock these and many more ingenious products which were previ PO Box 6426, Queanbeyan East NSW 2620 ph: 02 6238 2131 grosvenorpark@internode.on.net 2 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

PARK PRODUCTS Innovative equestrian and pet products

Smart Grooming Show Prep Products For an immaculate show ring finish. Made in the UK and used by the UK’s Team Harvey professional show team. Coat shine, quarter-marking and plaiting sprays, detanglers, make-up and more.

Cotton Canvas Bags Roomy, strong, eco-friendly bags.

Smart Grooming Tidy manes & tails the humane way

BEFORE

Revolutionary grooming tools, including mane and tail thinners which give the pulled look in minutes without discomfort, and coat thinners to remove excess hair from horses and dogs.

Stocks Beautiful cotton and silk stocks and scrunchies handmade in England exclusively for Grosvenor Park Products in Australia.

Chester Jefferies Riding Gloves The finest quality gloves handmade in England since 1936.

AFTER

Like ‘Grosvenor Park Products’ on Facebook for special offers and new product news!

iously only available in Europe. Order by phone, email or online.

www.grosvenorparkproducts.com.au The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

3

The

STABLE ISSUE #14 APRIL 2014

www.thestablemagazine.com

22

CONTENTS

info@thestablemagazine.com

FEATURE STORIES

28

APRIL FOOLS!

OUR FAVOURITE HORSE PRANKS

NUTRITION CHECKLIST

TICK ALL OF THE BOXES!

44

WANDIN CIC*** HORSE TRIALS

REGULARS 6 16 18 134 124 138 140 141

4

118

WEANING WOES?

TIPS TO MINIMISE STRESS FOR MARE AND FOAL EQUUS CARE NUTRITION

70

BOOSTING IMMUNE FUNCTION WITH NUTRITION

122

PROJECT HOPE NEWS UPDATE

Equine News

HURRY! LAST CHANCE TO ENTER!

Horse World

THE STABLE’S

Best Of The Web Hot Products Tanja Kraus Horsemanship

The Tail End The Idea Of Order In Next Issue

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!

126

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

facebook.com/thestablemagazine

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

94

CONTENTS

Maree Tomkinson’s

PHOTO: CLAIRE LAYCOCK

Hidden Valley Grand Opening

MASTERCLASSES

94

@ HIDDEN VALLEY

44 N I D N WA

64

PARK *** CIC

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

5

The

STABLE LIKE US!

facebook.com/thestablemagazine

EQUINENEWS EQUINENEWS GENETIC DIFFERENCES LINKED TO BREED PERSONALITIES Japanese researchers have found notable differences in in genetics between horse breeds that appear to play a significant role in their personalities.

Genetic variations related to neurotransmitters or hormones are known to affect personality or behavioural traits in many species including humans. The researchers looked at the differences in the dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) in different horse breeds. The gene is said to have an affect on the personality of a horse.

They collected samples from seven different breeds. The Thoroughbred and Selle Francais from Europe. The Criollo from South America. Hokkaido, Taishu and Yonaguni from Japan and also a breed from Korea.

PO Box 179, Epping, Victoria 3076 0481 307 608 info@thestablemagazine.com

www.thestablemagazine.com

Editor: Stacey Bright - stacey@thestablemagazine.com © The Stable Magazine 2013. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole is not permitted without obtaining prior written permission. Views expressed in The Stable are not necessarily those of the publisher. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, the publisher will not be held accountable for consequences of undertaking advice contained within. Advertising guidelines can be located within this issue. All advertisers agree to these guidelines when booking advertisements in The Stable,

The researchers then compared the sequence of the DRD4 gene in one chromosomal region among the breeds. They found important deifferences in the frequency of on allele associated with low curiosity and high vigilance. This was much lower in native Japanese horses than in thoroughbreds and appeared to be breed specific.

“This difference may account for breed differences in personality or behavioural traits,” the researchers said.

It was noted that selective breeding had resulted in great diversity between diferent breeds in domestic animals, not only in body size and colour, but also in behavioural traits and personality. They identified several variations that seemed breed-specific. Researchers noted that the differences could be a result of different breeding histories or geographical location.

“They may affect the variance of behavioural traits or personality among the breeds. Further studies of both functional aspects of genes and behavioural variations are needed to validate the effect of these polymorphisims” The full study can be found at: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jes/24/3/24_31/_pdf

ADVERTISING GUIDELINES

All advertising in The Stable must be pre-paid unless an account has been established by the advertiser. A booking form must be completed for each advert or advertising package unless a prior arrangement has been made with the advertiser. Advertisers (and agencies acting on behalf of an advertiser) upon submitting adverts or content to be used in advertisements indemnify The Stable against all claims, demands, costs, penalties, suits, liabilities, proceedings and actions of any nature caused in any fashion of any kind resulting from the publication of supplied material. Advertisers of veterinary products must ensure that their products comply with all necessary governing bodies and indemnify The Stable should their advertisement be in breach of any law, regulation, copyright, etc.

The Stable takes no responsibility for advertisements, photographs and other material submitted by advertisers including but not limited to the authenticity of claims within advertisements, permissions for photograph use, and accuracy of information provided. The Stable gives no warranty on ads appearing in the publication and will not be held liable in any means for loss suffered by any person as a consequence of actions as a result of publishing any material within The Stable Magazine. *Free advert design offered by The Stable is for ads appearing in The Stable magazine only. Artwork and design by The Stable are property of The Stable and may not be used elsewhere without written permission of the designer. Artwork may be purchased. See www.thestablemagazine.com/design for more information.

The Stable retains the right to refuse any advertising deemed unsuitable by the publisher.

6

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

SPOTLIGHT WORLD CLASS PUREBRED ARABIAN 15hh 3yo Chestnut Colt $12,000

New South Wales

Premium Quality Animal & Leather Care Products Ad design by The Stable - www.thestablemagazine.com/design

Natural Leather Dressing -

Made from the finest natural ingredients including lanolin, paraffin and bees wax. For all leather goods. Use to waterproof, seal and form a barrier of protection from the rain and drying heat. Available in 200g, 400g, 2kg, 3.5kg.

Premium Light Neatsfoot Oil A premium quality neatsfoot oil which is highly refined to remove all impurities.

Restores leather to its original softness, repels water and preserves.

Available in 500ml, 1lt, 2.5lt, 5lt, 20lt.

Coconut Leather Conditioner -

Equinade Coconut Leather Conditioner is a premium leather care product that will preserve and protect ALL leather goods. Now available in a handy 220g tub, the formula has been enhanced to be more absorbant to deeply penetrate leather fibres.

For Best Results apply after cleaning leather with Equinade Leather Soap.

Original Leather and Saddle Oil Deluxe leather oil blended with lanolin.

Penetrates leather fibres quickly for softness and pliability. Does not damage stitching.

Restores dry leather and ensures long life to saddlery.

Available in 500ml, 1lt, 2.5lt, 5lt, 20lt.

Glycerine Leather Soap A soap cake containing a high glycerine content to help soften leather while it cleans. Ideal for: saddles, boots, harness, bridles, apparel and upholstery.

Available in a 220g tub.

Liquid Leather Soap -

Cleans, preserves and conditions.

Suitable for the finest leather.

Cleaning agents remove sweat, grime and dirt whilst the lanolin and waxes preserve leather.

Available in a 500ml pump pack.

www.equinade.com

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

7

EQUINENEWS

CONNETICUT SUPREME COURT RULES ON ‘VICIOUS HORSES’ CASE The state Supreme Court of Connecticut upheld a decision that classified horses as a dangerous species.

The case is linked to an incident that happened in 2006 in which a young boy was bitten by a horse.

In that case Anthony Vendrella took his then two-year-old son to a paddock behind the Glendale Farms store to visit the horses.

A horse named Scruppy leaned over the fence and bit the child on the face, taking a chunk of skin that required surgery and left a permanent scar.

In the optimised version of The Stable, this video displays on screen. To view it, click the link below. http://youtu.be/a-t1qSS_F5A

Anthony Vendrella then sued Timothy Astriab whose family owns Glendale Farms. In 2008 the court ruled in favour of Astriab.

In 2012 the case was appealed and the Apellate court reversed the lower courts decision and ruled in favour of Vendrella.

The Supreme Court has now upheld the ruling in the Apellate Court that horses are “naturally inclined to do mischief or be vicious.” The wording was strongly opposed by people within the horse industry and their supporters. Their concern being that by classifying all horses as an inherently dangerous animal would put public stables and riding acadamies at risk of being uninsurable.

In spite if the Supreme Court ruling, four of the six justices stated that horses should not be universally classified as vicious. That decision should be ruled on an individual, case-by-case basis in the lower courts when the issues arise.

ent that Of course, we don’t agree with the sentim ef or be vicious’.. horses are ‘naturally inclined to do mischi on YouTube but we did find some supporting evidence angers, who also that suggests horses are not fond of str happen to be cyclists.

Legislation currently being considered

by Connecticut’s state assembly would provide additional protection for the state’s horse industry. The bill states that any domesticated horse, pony, donkey or mule would not be considered vicious or dangerous under the law.

As for the 2006 case involving Scruppy, the Supreme Court has sent the case to the Superior Court for further review.

8

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

In the optimised version of The Stable, this video displays on screen. To view it, click the link below. http://youtu.be/pry3O-sCciY

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

9

EQUINENEWS

STUDY HAS SHOWN EQUINE LAMENESS AIDED

BY TROTTING POLES U.S. researchers have found that the use of trotting poles can be more valuable to a horse’s rehabilitation than previously thought. The study conducted at the Michigan State University’s McPhail Equine Performance Center therapeutically used trotting over poles to restore the full ranges of limb motion. “The mechanics of trotting over poles has not yet been described, hence quantitative evidence for the presumed therapeutic effects is lacking.”

Researchers used standard motion analysis procedures with reflective markers fixed to the skin.

They were able to determine changes in joint angulations and hoof flight arcs, by comparing limb kinematics in horses trotting over level ground with horses put over low poles (11cm) and high poles (20cm). The poles were spaced between 500cm to 1.05m apart.

The peak heights of the fore and hind hooves increased significantly and progressively from no poles through low poles to the high poles.

“All joints of the fore and hindlimbs contributed to the increase in hoof height through increased swing phase flexion. The hooves cleared the poles due to increases in joint flexion rather than by raising the body higher during the suspension phases of the stride.”

“Unlike the use of proprioceptive stimulation devices (tactile stimulation is applied to the bottom of the hoof) in which effects decrease over time due to habituation, the horse is required to elevate the hooves to ensure clearance whenever poles are present.”

“The need to raise the limbs sufficiently to clear the poles and place the hooves accurately requires visuomotor coordination which may be useful in the rehabilitation of neurological cases.”

10

DID YOU KNOW THAT HORSES CAN’T LAY DOWN? Us either! According to horse experts on Facebook, “a horse can’t stay on its stomach for a period of time.. its organs and ribs will break and be crushed - that’s why they sleep standing up.” Phew! Glad they’ve let us know! =/ HORSES SET TO GAIN FROM STEM CELL ADVANCE Horses who are suffering from neurological conditions that are similar to those that affect humans could be helped by a breakthrough from stem cell scientists at the University of Edinburgh.

The researchers are the first to create working nerve cells from horse stem cells. They say that the advance may pave the way for cell therapies that target conditions similar to motor neuron disease.

The research could also benefit horses that are affected by grass sickness, a neurological condition that affects around 600 horses a year in the UK alone.

There is little known about the disease which causes nerve damage throughout the body. Currently the disease is untreatable and animals that suffer severely usually die or need to be put down.

The researchers took skin cells from a young horse and turned them into stem cells using a technique that was developed for human cells. The reprogrammed cells are pluripotent, which means they can be induced to become any type of cell in the body.

They were then used to create nerve cells and were tested to see if they could transmit nerve signals in a test tube.

Horse stem cells have been produced in the lab before, but this is the first time that scientists have created working cells of a specific type from them.

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Allwormer Paste for Horses & Foals and Ponies

“

“

Mini is so easy to use, and the concentrated formula means I know my horses will get the right dose...

One small tube, any size horse.

Foal and Pony tube treats (150 - 300 kg)

Horse tube treats (300 - 600 kg)

Concentrated broad spectrum allwormer Simple, safe & effective against worms, bots and tapeworms Administer the correct dose easily with no wastage

promectinplusmini.com Proudly Supporting ® Registered Trademark of Jurox Pty Ltd

10 cents from every tube donated to RDA Australia

FIND US

HealthyHorses

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

11

ural•

TURN MUDDY AREAS INTO WELL DRAINED Horse Walkers Water/Feed Pads Pads Horse WalkersSURFACES Water/Feed Horse Day Yards

nto solid, well-draining surfaces.

HORSE DAY YARDS

Water/Feed Pads

HORSE WALKERS

WATER/FEED PADS

w w ww .wd wi a. dmi oa nm do gn rdi gd r. i cd o. m a u. a c o. m •Rural•

Up to 70% cheaper than concrete and bitumen surfaces.

Driveways

Flooring In the Stable optimised version of The Stable, this video displays on screen.

To view it, click the link below. http://youtu.be/uN9w3DS8Zl4

dgrid.com.au ural•

ncrete and bitumen surfaces.

•Ru

Up to 70% cheaper than con

Shed Flooring Muddy Gateways & BITUMEN SURFACES UP TOStable 70%Flooring CHEAPER THAN CONCRETE Driveways

12

STABLE FLOORING MUDDY GATEWAYS The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com Muddy Gateways

DRIVEWAYS

Shed Flooring

DIAMOND GRID

A new generAtion in surfAce stAbilisAtion And erosion control grids

u Designed to:

• Reduce surface erosion, potholes & corrugation • Prevent natural earth surfaces from developing into muddy unusable areas in wet weather • Reinforce turfed areas, providing root protection • Gravel retention • Embankment stabilisation ncrete anddrainage bitumen • Provide when surfaces. filled with gravel

ural•

Features: Stable Flooring • Interlocking system • 100% recycled Polypropylene (PP) • Australian Made • Load Bearing Capacity of over 400t/m2 • UV Stabilised • Relocatable • D.I.Y.

w wGateways w.d Muddy

How do they work?

Diamond Grids create a multi-layered drainage system that drains water from the surface, reducing erosion and eliminating compaction of the substructure.

The result is a surface that is solid, dry and secure even with constant use and in heavy rainfall.

The Grids are durable, having a load baring capacity of over 400 tonne/sqm once installed, meaning that they will not wear through even with constant use.

Specifications Crush Resistance (filled with gravel/road base) - 400+ tonne/m2* Crush Resistance (empty grids) - 1 x 600mm x 400mm Grid = 70 tonne OR 300 tonne/m2* Dimensions - 600mm x 400mm x 40mm Weight per grid - 1.42kg Permeability - 96% *Tested by: Faculty of Engineering and Surveying Centre of Excellence in Engineered Fibre Composites University of Southern Queensland

i a m o n d Theg Stable r i Magazine d . cwww.thestablemagazine.com om.au

13

EQUINENEWS VICTORIAN YOUNG EVENTING SQUAD GETS BOOST FROM EQUISSAGE The 2014 eventing season is off to a great start for the young riders of Victoria!

Over the weekend at their first squad meet, it was announced that Equissage Therapy have donated a specially designed Equissage Back Set to assist the squad’s fundraising efforts between now and Melbourne International Horse Trials over the Queen’s Birthday weekend in June.

Will Enzinger, coach and mentor to many of the squad members believes the donation is “an excellent initiative from Equissage Senior Consultant, Katie Classon and her forward thinking and continued passion for the sport of eventing and eventers is outstanding”.

The squad’s aim is to raise $10,000 in order to supply all members with vet support, remedial massage, test runs, team entry subsidies, Equitana appearances, branded gear and much more!

The raffle will not only raise money for the squad, but it will also give one lucky individual their own custom-made set (as

pictured) who will enjoy the benefits the Equissage Cyclo Vibration Therapy (CVT) Set has to offer.

Australian owned and made, the CVT device is a multi-unit equine therapy system, specifically built for equine use. Each treatment will stimulate blood circulation, assist with lymphatic drainage, relax muscles and help with increased joint mobility. The results; a softer, well-rounded horse with increase length of stride, improved performance and faster recovery. Being a 100% natural, nonaggressive, drug-free treatment, Equissage is fast becoming essential for every stable.

With such a prominent position in Victorian eventing, it was only natural for Equissage to increase their sponsorship to not only support the riders, but continue to improve the health and performance of all horses involved. Equissage are very excited to be a part of the development of the Victorian Young Eventing Squad and look forward to an exciting season- even Barry Roycroft joined in on the excitement and was very thankful to

Equissage for their “great support to eventing as a whole and the special support to the Equissage Young Rider Squad”.

Tickets are $10 each and will be available at a range of equestrian events from eventing to western, plus through Equestrian Victoria.

For ticket information, please email: eventing@equestrianvictoria.com.au For further Equissage product information, please visit: www.equissage.com.au

MORE FOR EVERYONE AT THE 2014 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS The Sydney International Horse Trials (SIHT) promises to be bigger and better in 2014 with a packed equestrian program and some great new additions for the spectators.

The event hosts both Eventing and Jumping programs. On the Eventing side the feature class is the Equestrian NSW CCI3*. This is a nominated event within the 2014 World Equestrian Games Selection Policy so you can expect to see all the riders who are aiming for WEG team selection.

SIHT will also be running CCI2*, CIC2*, CCI1* and CIC1* as well as the popular Young Event Horse classes (for 4, 5 and 6-year-old horses).

On the Show Jumping side SIHT is pleased to announce that they will be holding the Greater Sydney CSI World Cup Jumping Qualifier.

Other jumping highlights over the three days including the Australian Amateur Jumping Championships, Young Horse classes for 4 to 7-year-old horses plus 1.10m to 1.45m classes and Junior and Young Rider classes.

14

MORE ENTERTAINMENT! For the first time there will be a public bar and café at the water pond on cross-country day.

“We want to make a centralised social hub where you can eat and drink and catch up with friends whilst watching the action,” explained Rose.

“It’s a great spot on the course as you can see quite a number of jumps from this location and we will be running a shuttle to the water pond throughout the day,” added Rose.

Following the cross country there will be young rider and bareback show jumping on Saturday Evening in the indoor arena. With $1000 prize money up for grabs this is bound to be full of action and dare devil riding.

Another addition to the event is a “Celebrity Challenge” on Sunday. This year the event has a theme of “Tribute to the Horse”. So many of the horses in equestrian sports are ex-racehorses and SIHT thought a fun way to acknowledge the versatility of these wonderful animals is to invite some of Australia’s leading jockeys to take part in a fun jumping competition. The

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

jockeys will be teamed up with some our best eventers and jumpers. Let’s see if the riders are as versatile as their mounts!

“We are really excited to welcome some legends of the turf to the event,” says Rose “it is lovely to see the two sports coming together and we know there will be some very competitive personalities doing battle, so it should be great fun.”

The official vehicle supplier, Landrover, will be bringing out their terrapod and doing towing demonstrations throughout the weekend. For the shoppers there will be an extensive trade village.

IMPROVED TRANSPORT OPTIONS There will be a bus running from Centennial Park on Saturday and Sunday so people can commute from the city and leave the car behind. This will be an ideal option for groups who would like to enjoy the event together.

Tickets for the bus can be booked along with event tickets online at:

www.sydneyeventing.org

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

15

HORSEWORLD

When the OTHER HALF ‘HELPS’ at the stable...

Camel Dressage?

Yep - one times changes, half pass, flying changes.

Truly camel dressage. A must-see!

In the optimised version of The Stable, this video displays on screen. To view it, click the link below. http://youtu.be/GWMUPDcJT_c

It’s at this point that we ask ourselves... does horse gear look like

Don’t you hate it when...

Don’t you hate it when your relaxing ‘quiet time’ in the paddock with your horse is interrupted by the idiots in the paddocks around you..?

it logically should go the other way around?

Has your significant other been ‘helpful’ around the horses?

Send us your stories/photos - info@thestablemagazine.com

SPOTLIGHT ‘BLESSED N KISSED’

GRRRR! - grumpy pony owner 16

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

14.3hh 1yo Bay Filly $12,000 Queensland

SAVE TIME & MONEY

with UP TO

40%

LESS HAY WASTAGE

SLOW FEED

HAYNETS

Available in Mini, Small, Medium, Large and Round bale sizes. Available in original 4cm ‘Moderator’ size. Now also available in 3cm ‘Decelerator’ size in Small, Medium and Large – for those extra ‘Gutzy’ eaters.

Slow feeder nets reduce hay wastage from trampling, mud, soiling, and being blown away. Able to hang anywhere, safe and durable and easy to fill due to wide opening!

RECOMMENDED BY VETS!

% Simulates grazing

% Reduces stable vices

% Reduces hay wastage

% Reduces boredom

% Reduces choke

% Great for laminitic/IR horses

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM OUR ONLINE STORE: ThrushEze® Hoof Powder, Black Heeler seedy toe treatment, Bellotta rasps and steel brush hoof picks.

0418 282 097

philnik@skymesh.com.au

PINK ROCK SALT LICK WITH NET

NEW!

The perfect hard rock mineral supplement for horses , designed for easy hanging.

Find us on www.allbarewithnaturalhoofcare.com.au Facebook!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 17

Design by The Stable - www.thestablemagazine.com

BESTOFTHEWEB

EQUESTRIAN MEMES

THAT GOT US GIGGLING

18

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Design by The Stable - www.thestablemagazine.com

FEED&BREED The comprehensive vitamin, mineral and protein inclusion has been designed for:

| Pregnant and lactating mares | Weanlings and yearlings | Spelling horses

Features of Feed and Breed: | High quality digestible protein for muscle and bone growth

| Yea–Sacc®, a live yeast which improves fibre digestion and slows starch fermentation

| Chromium yeast helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels

| Vitamin E for immune and reproductive functions.

| Magnesium for hardening bone | Full fat soya contains essential fats for a shiny coat

Please visit www.riverina.com for more information.

Feed and Breed can be supplied in 20kg bags, 1 ton bulk bags or bulk.

Yea–Sacc® is a registered trademark of Altech Biotechnology Pty Ltd

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

19

20

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

21

EQUINENEWS APRILFOOLS!

r i l p A

FOOLS!

A collection of our favourite horse-related pranks!

Everyone loves a good prank, but we must start this feature with a word of warning. We’re sure you all know this and we probably don’t NEED to say it but pranks must be harmless to both human and equine. So please, as funny as you think something might be, make sure you’re not putting anyone’s safety at risk. Before you prank ANYBODY, think it through!

Secondly - jokes about horses being injured are not funny. As horse people, we all take the welfare of our horses very seriously, and any ‘joke’ that our horse may be in trouble, sick or injured is more likely to send us flying off into the car, speed dialling the vet on our hands-free while we’re speeding to the stables. No chance to see any so-called ‘hilarious’ consequences.

We’re very emotionally invested in our horses - so you may also find that any repercussion of a completely ‘un-funny’ prank may leave you the victim of a violent crime.

22

Ahh, April 1st. The one day of the year you can get away with spinning a tall tale, proclaiming the absurd, and duping your friends - if it’s all done before midday, of course!

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS Who can you dupe?

Posting an outlandish status update on Facebook will probably suck in your friends. I mean, these days, no one’s really watching the calendar or counting down until April Fools, so there’s a good chance your post will seem credible - if you keep it within the realms of reality. (Be prepared for backlash if you have ‘those’ kind of people on your friends list!)

How about these for some suggestions....?

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

APRILFOOLS!

PRANKS & PRACTICAL JOKES! Cause a little stable mischief by switching halters or stable signs around.

Swap your friend’s warmblood sized halter with one the same colour - just a cob size one instead!

Riding boots getting a bit tight? They will be if you blow up a small balloon and put it in the toe of your bestie’s riding boots. How confusing - they fit perfectly yesterday!?

Give your instructor a good scare by investing in a few eerily realistic rubber snakes, placed in strategic locations around the yards/tack up areas.

If you have an old spare false tail, why not put it in the tail of your friend’s horse? Works best if you use a white falsey in the tail of a black or bay horse. You will have to invest a little time, but a great result is ensured!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 23

EQUINENEWS APRILFOOLS!

In the optimised version of The Stable, this video displays on screen.

To view it, click the link below. http://youtu.be/o8SwgQ29IvI

Real Life April Fools TROT UP TERROR! How would you feel if your horse failed the veterinary inspection after the trot up at a major competition, when you thought it was in perfect condition? Well, event staff and veterinarians on site at the CIC*** in Belton in the UK thoroughly fooled event rider Harry Meade.

“Ground jury announced my horse had failed.

Stewards, vets, etc. looked very glum – then they all shouted April fools!”

At least he saw the funny side!

SWITCHING DISCIPLINES! Aussie-born event rider Boyd Martin fooled his fans when he announced on his blog that his wife, Silva Martin (a Grand Prix dressage rider) was taking over the ride on his top event horse, Neville Bardos.

The date? April 1st, of course, although those in the know may have been taken for a ride - just for a second. The news, although very strange, was not completely unbelievable, as German-born Silva had competed with the horse in lower level events. Nice one, guys!

MISCHIEF IN VENICE.. FOLLOWED BY DIVORCE...

In 1919, the citizens of Venice awoke to horse manure strewn around the streets of their beloved city. Unusual for the time? Well, no. But unusual for

24

It Finally Happened!

You can share this one from our Facebook page! Find it at www.facebook.com/thestablemagazine Piazza San Marco, as the area was surrounded by canals, and largely inaccessible to horses. It appeared as though a whole herd had converged on the Piazza at night, and left again, without a trace, by morning. (Except for the numerous deposits of horse manure!)

So what actually happened? Notorious British prankster, Horace de Vere Cole was honeymooning in Venice, and had decided to pay a gondolier to transport the manure to the Piazza, scattering it about in small piles during the night. Prank, successful!

Marriage? Nope. His newlywed wife divorced him just a few years into their marriage, no doubt sick of his constant hi-jinks!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

APRILFOOLS!

PRANKS & PRACTICAL JOKES! Buy those little cat toys - the little furry mice - from your local pet shop. Place in and around feed storage areas, just inside the folds of the top of chaff bags, and other prime rodent locations.

Fill an empty chaff bag with shavings or woodchips and place it in the feed room.

If you’ve got time to spare and you’re feeling energetic, swap the hinges on the tack room door so it opens up the other way.

Break in to the paddocks very early in the morning and give all of the horses a makeover...!

Our personal favourite ideas include:

*

Using food colouring to turn white markings fluro/ vibrant colours. Bay with a pink blaze and green socks?

(Just make sure no one’s competing the following day!)

Use strong hair gel (check that it’s SAFE to use on horses and easily washed out!) to make all of the horse’s forelocks stand on end. Shocking!

e Share some of th ng internet’s existi e, n o hoaxes - like this at d which you can fin aily.com www.worldewsd

Use a little gel and talcum powder to add white * markings to the horses. We recommend turning ‘boring’

WARNING: USE WITH EXTREME CARE!

*

*

Braid coloured ribbon into the horses’ tails.

coloured horses into paints and appaloosas.

zinc sticks are wonderful for creative art on * Coloured white markings. Why not get a little artistic?

(Warning: designs will most likely last a few days!)

Call your agistment owner/fellow agistee and let them know that the new owners of their horse have just picked up the horse ‘I didn’t know Misty was for sale!’

Give the horses a pedi - nail polish or coloured *hoof enamel containing glitter will ensure the horse’s feet really sparkle!

Cover the tack room floor in confetti! Festive!

SPOTLIGHT

Add a little food colouring to the water in the kettle. Red often gives a great reaction!

Place a note on your agistment owner/ instructors desk informing him/her that the horses have all decided to have the day off.

Failure to comply will result in misbehaviour.

Tell your significant other that you’ve bought a horse and a new car. Produce Matchbox car and small model horse after screaming subsides.

WAYMERE CONTESSA WILL TAKE YOU TO THE TOP!

4yo 14.3hh Bay Mare $12,500

New South Wales

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 25

FREE to list your horse or item under $5,000 and only $30 for $5,000 or over.

Update as often as you like, run until sold.

1.4 million page views & 160,000 visitors per month

26

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

27

NUTRITIONCHECKLIST EQUINENEWS

Nutrition

CHECKLIST

Y Your essential feeding guide!

A good diet can be the difference Nutrition plays a huge part in the care and welfare of your horse. on can definitely be the difference between between a poor performance and a fantastic one - and nutriti to ensure your horse looks fantastic, a healthy horse and an unwell horse. Optimum nutrition is vital know that your horse’s dietary requirements feels great and is performing at his best. However - did you more you need to know - so read on for extend further than just what you choose to feed him? There’s our NUTRITION CHECKLIST - your essential feeding guide.

handy hint

Keeping your water troughs out of direct sunlight - in shaded areas can help to keep algae growth to a minimum.

Automatic watering systems should be checked to make sure they are working correctly, and troughs should be cleaned as often as required. One easy solution to this is purchasing a cheap strainer from your local discount store. You can then remove any floating debris easily. Recycle your old grooming brushes - they are perfect for scrubbing out water troughs. Ensure your troughs don’t remain dirty or stagnant for long periods, as you may end up with mosquito larvae in your horse’s water source.

28

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Y Water

Ensuring your horse has a constant supply of cool, clean fresh water is essential for his wellbeing. A daily check of your horse’s water source is vital to ensure that enough water is readily available, and it is a good idea to have more than one water source available. An adult horse requires between 9-38 litres of water daily.

did you know?

Horses bodies are 60-70% water, and

a loss of 10% can be fatal. Don’t forget to check troughs in winter regularly to ensure they aren’t frozen over.

Introducing the

NEW PERFORMANCE RANGE from eQuus Care Nutrition AMINO3

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein structures in the body. AMINO 3 contains the essential amino acids Lysine, Methionine and Threonine that MUST come from a horse’s diet. Ensuring your horse has these essential nutrients is crucial if you want to help your horse get stronger and build muscle. But it’s not just muscle either, so many body systems, such as the immune system, need essential amino acids to function correctly. So if your horse is in work, struggling to put weight on, healing from an injury or fighting off an infection, try AMINO 3 to give him the essential nutrients he needs.

http://www.equuscarenutrition.com.au/amino3.html

IMMUNE SUPPORT Heavy exercise can suppress the immune system leaving your horse susceptible to infectious disease. Not only that, exercise generates free radicals that can damage cells, leaving your horse tired and sore. IMMUNE SUPPORT has the key nutrients needed in both the innate immune system and for the antioxidant enzyme systems that are the body’s first line of defence against free radical damage. Whether your horse is in work, or you just want to reduce the stresses of cold Autumn and Winter weather, give your horse a boost with IMMUNE SUPPORT.

http://www.equuscarenutrition.com.au/immunesupport.html

R&R:

RECOVER REPAIR

Did you know.....? That unless a horse gets easily absorbable carbohydrate within the first hour after hard exercise, it can take UP TO THREE DAYS to fully replenish the energy stores he burnt up in exercise. If you still have another day of competition to go your horse is not going to be able to perform at his best. R&R RECOVER REPAIR not only has an easily absorbed form of glucose, but its full of B vitamins to help generate energy and protein metabolism, Leucine which is the main amino acid building block of muscle tissue, creatine to help improve muscle function and chromium that helps build lean muscle mass. Get your horse back on top form quicker with R&R Recover Repair.

http://www.equuscarenutrition.com.au/recoverysupport.html

$10 OFF!

Use discount code tsmPERFORM to get $10 OFF your order in our online store.

http://www.equuscarenutrition.com.au/store/

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 29

Nutrition Checklist EQUINENEWS

Y Condition Checks

It is very important to check the condition of your horse regularly. Using a body condition scare is the most useful way to assess your horse’s weight. Remember to remove your horse’s rugs to check on his condition every few days minimum. Ensure you adjust your horse’s diet when necessary, and make changes gradually, so as to not upset the horse’s digestive system.

handy hint

Rodent-proof bins go a long way to making your feed last longer, and keeping it free from unhygienic rodent contamination.

Y Only Feed Quality Feed!

Buying substandard feed will not save you money - even if it’s cheaper, it is not a good idea. At best, your horse will most likely be missing out on essential nutrients, which can cause inadequacies in your horse’s diet. At worst, feeding inferior quality hay can cause digestive upsets. Regardless of whether your horse ‘eats it’, if it’s inferior, you’re still not getting your money’s worth if it doesn’t contain the nutritional value your horse requires. Always buy the best quality hay available.

handy hint

Check the quality of hay before buying rounds or buying bales in bulk. Don’t buy hay without examining it carefully first!

30

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

handy hint ALWAYS feed by WEIGHT and NOT by volume. Weighing your feed is the only way to feed your horse accurately.

Y Roughage Percentage

Your horse requires a minimum of 1% of his body weight daily in roughage - either from grazing, hay or chaff. (NOT grain!) Roughage should be the bulk of every horse’s diet.

Y Not All Hay Is The Same

Not all bales of lucerne are the same, either!

The amount of nutrients contained within the hay you buy for your horse can vary greatly.

The available nutrients and energy in hay is dependent on a number of factors, including hay quality, growing locality, season, whether it is first or second cut, and how well it has been stored before your horse consumes it.

Y Feed Check!

Always check your feed before giving it to your horse. Every new bag of chaff, every new bale of hay. Ensure it is free from mould, excessive dust, contaminants (eg. rodent droppings) and check that it smells fresh, and that it looks bright and clean. If you have any doubts as to the quality of the feed, don’t feed it to your horse.

Y Supplementary Feeding

If your horse’s paddock doesn’t provide your horse with the nutrients he requires, supplementary feeding is necessary. Similarly, if your paddocks are low on available grazing, supplementary feeding of roughage is required, even if your horses are holding condition well.

Rug Seal

EQUI-JEWEL - The perfect energy supplement Are your cotton canvas rugs looking tired and jaded?

With the ever expanding array of and avoids the ‘hot’ behaviour associated supplements in feed stores that claim to with feeding grains. provide ‘cool’ energy and assist with has weight Equinade an easy and economic solution to addprocessing, new life to your rugs Stabilised: With rice bran and canvas goods. maintenance without causing ‘heat’, it’s no timing is everything, and with Equi-Jewel, wonder selecting an energy supplement can any rice bran not extruded within 12 hours be a daunting task. processing is not accepted for inclusion, Equinade Rug Sealof is a re-proofing ensuring fat levels, formula to help waterproof cotton canvas. consistent quality and KER Equi-Jewel is the ultimate supplement to palatability. canreasons be applied achieve just this. Here are aItfew whyeasily with a brush or by spraying and it is the superior energy supplement onhas theno fumes.

Balanced for calcium and phosphorous: market:

Calcium is balanced during production with To begin, thoroughly wash the rug to the addition of a highly bioavailable calcium Research proven: All remove research all studies dirt and allow to dry. Apply source to ensure correct balance and avoid involving KER Equi-JewelEquinade have returned Rug Seal to the outside surface, by the high phosphorus results that prove its benefits. paying attention to problems seams andcaused stitched content. areas. Apply two coats, allowing time to Low in Starch: Unlike some rival dry between each application. The supplements, Equi-Jewel contains less For more information on Equi-Jewel and for underside of the canvas can also be than 20% starch to avoid contributing to further advice and a complete diet evaluation treated. hyperactive behaviour, tying up and means for your horse, contact KER on 1800 772198 it is safe for laminitic horses that require The canvas should be in good condition, weight gain. clean, dry and have at least 30% cotton content.

Seal re-proofs and will also High in Fat: The high fat nature Rug of Equiresist dry rot and Jewel means it produces slow release energy mildew. Suitable for all cotton canvas products. One litre covers approximately six square metres.

Rug Seal

www.ker.com

Available in 1 litre and 2.5 litre bottles from your local equestrian or produce store along with the complete range of Equinade products.

EQUINADE PURE RAW LINSEED OIL

Premium Quality ANIMAL & LEATHER CARE PRODUCTS Equinade Raw Linseed Oil is 100% pure and natural.

This oil is extracted from the seed of the flax plant (linum usitatissimum) using cold processing, (also known as cold pressed), a method which maximises the preservation of nutrients and enzyme activity.

For all the facts on our complete range of animal and leather care products, visit www.equinade.com

Equinade Raw Linseed Oil is a rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids which are highly beneficial for animals which show, race or suffer from certain ailments.

The possible benefits of using Linseed Oil are: * Improvement in coat shine and condition * Improvement in skin conditions, including dryness, itchiness and dermatitis * Increased energy levels * Can help prevent sand colic * A purgative in large doses (under veterinary control) * Can act as a mild and gentle laxative * Aids respiratory conditions and urinary infections * Assists inflammatory conditions

Equinade Pure Raw Linseed Oil is available in 500ml, 1lt, 2.5lt, 5lt and 20lt bottles from your local equestrian, pet or produce store.

Suggested dose rates: Large Animals Eg. Horses, cattle Baby - 15ml Yearling - 30ml Adult - 60ml

Small Animals Eg. Dogs, cats, birds Baby - 1 ml Yearling - 3 ml Adult - 5 ml

www.equinade.com The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

31

Nutrition Checklist EQUINENEWS

What is

Slow Feeding your horse all about?

By Nikki Tucker, All Bare with Natural Hoof Care The concept of slow feeding is relatively new and there are now many versions on the market. There are many advantages to using a slow feeding system for managing your horse. Horses in their natural state evolved to constantly forage and graze throughout the day and night.

In fact they should be eating for 18-20 hours a day. However in a domesticated environment, horses are usually fed once to twice a day. This has many negative consequences for the horse. How often do you throw your horses a biscuit of hay and it has been vacuumed up entirely within half an hour, so what does your horse do for the next 11 ½ until his next feed? Slow feeders slow down the rate of consumption and therefore closer replicate natural grazing.

Physical and Mental Health Horses need to eat frequently for both their physical and mental health. As the horse’s stomach is small, and empties within half an hour, they need to constantly be foraging. Constant chewing causes sodium bicarbonate to be naturally released in the horse’s saliva, therefore reducing the risk of stomach ulcers by counteracting the HCL in the horse’s stomach. Using a slow feeder system for your horse allows them to always have something available to chew on. This constant foraging reduces stress, allows the intestinal bacteria to remain balanced therefore reducing the incidence of colic or loose stools.

More than 3-4 hours without anything in the stomach will drastically increase the incidence of stomach ulcers.

Add that on top of the fact that competition horses and especially endurance horses go though long periods of riding with very limited feed and often long periods of floating to get to the ride venue and you have horses at very

high risk of ulcers. In an article by Dr Kerry Ridgeway DVM, Equine Ulcers – Are We Seeing Just the TIP of the Iceberg, he states that he considers Equine Ulcers to be almost a 100% man made problem. Factors contributing to this due to the way we handle domesticated horses versus how nature intended include: environment, nutrition, feeding, housing, isolation, training, trailering, competition and medication. We have taken an animal that is designed to eat lower quality forage, hay and native pastures and quite literally fed them like a cow as though we wish to either eat or get milk production from them.

As a feeding guide, a horse should receive approximately 1.5 – 2.5% of its bodyweight in forage. Therefore on average, a 500kg horse in maintenance up to moderate work should be getting 10-12.5kg or forage (hay/grass from grazing) per day. Again this is where a slow feeder comes in handy as it can be loaded up with hay and the horse is able to get the amount of forage it requires.

GutzBusta® slow feed haynets are available now!

With a range of sizes available, Gutzbusta slow feed haynets are your slow feeding solution! Recommended by vets, slow feed haynets simulate natural grazing, help to reduce boredom and stable vices, and are perfect for managing laminitic horses or horses or ponies that suffer from insulin resistance. Using a Gutzbusta slow feed hay net will also assist in reducing choke and digestive upsets - and it’ll save you time and money, reducing the amount of hay wastage!

Visit the website for more information and to place your order.

www.allbarewithnaturalhoofcare.com.au 32

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

0418 282 097

Benefits of Pink Rock Salt Pink rock salt is an ideal free choice mineral supplement for your horses. Pink rock salt licks are all natural - not processed, baked or manmade. The natural salt is compressed and won’t crumble or chip, even if the horse attempts to bite the block. The rosy pink colour is indicative of the high trace mineral content of the block.

While pink rock salt is more durable than manufactured salt licks, they can still end up on the ground - even if they are attached to a rope, meaning that your rock salt lick can be wasted, trampled and weathered.

No more wastage!

Gutzbusta PINK ROCK SALT NETS are available now. A simple, affordable and easy solution to providing your horse with a free choice mineral lick year round.

Available with or without a pink rock salt lick, Gutzbusta Salt Lick Nets will enable you to hang your salt lick off the ground. No rope goes through your salt lick, so it won’t fall to the ground as it is licked away. Less wastage, no fuss!

philnik@skymesh.com.au

Nets are available in small or large sizes.

Nets with salt licks are available in: Blocks under 1kg, 1-2kg, 2-3kg and 3-4kg.

Visit the website to order online.

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 33

AN AUSTRALIAN MADE LUCERNE AND BEET FEED Alfabeet is an Australian Made product that incorporates quality Australian grown Lucerne and the imported Sugar Beet Pulp product Ultrabeet. The Ultrabeet has been milled in Australia to reduce particle size prior to being added to the Lucerne. In addition to the Lucerne and Ultrabeet, Alfabeet has been fortified with additional Biotin, Zinc and Copper. Alfabeet is a super fibre that contains high fibre and moderate “cool” energy.

Alfabeet is unique in that it replaces both forage and grain.

Alfabeet is unique in that it replaces both forage and grain. Alfabeet is high in soluble fibre, low in starch and water soluble carbohydrates (often referred to as sugar) and is a great source of slow release energy.

Alfabeet contains Australian Grown Lucerne &

ULTRAFEEDS Ultrabeet

Ultrabeet is a premium quality Beet Product that provides a high quality, low cost Beet Alternative for Australian Horse Owners.

34

Being fortified with Biotin, Zinc and Copper Alfabeet is ideally suited for all horses including those at risk of Laminitis and can be fed dry or soaked. Soaking Alfabeet may assist older horses and horses suffering from dental disorders. When soaking simply add Alfabeet with water at the rate of 1 part Alfabeet to 3 to 5 parts water.

Alfabeet is in a convenient cube that encourages the horse to chew, you can actually see the fibre length of the Lucerne. It is not made from the Lucerne dust and fines often left over from the chaffing process and used in some other Lucerne based products, Alfabeet uses premium grade Lucerne, compressed to minimise dust and wastage. Many people involved in the racing and performance horse industry now understand the benefit to the stomach and the digestive system from horses producing saliva as a result of chewing their feed, particularly a source of quality fibre. Whilst the nutrient specifications are great for a horse in light work and those at risk of Laminitis Alfabeet is an ideal component of a ration for horses in medium to heavy work. For horses in medium to heavy work Alfabeet should be fed as part of a balanced ration that includes a quality hard feed. Many hard feeds contain additional nutrients necessary for the health and wellbeing of horses in medium to hard work.

The nutrient specifications of Lucerne and Sugar Beet Pulp when fed individually often raise concerns over the high protein levels of the Lucerne and the low protein levels of Sugar Beet. Combining the two together creates a product that has a balance of nutrition with a minimum Protein level of 16% and NDF (Neutral Detergent Fibre) of 40% with an exceptional Digestibility of over 65%. The Starch of <0.7% and WSC of <5% are great comfort for horse owners looking for a

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Fortified with Biotin, Zinc and Copper, Alfabeet is ideally suited for all horses including those at risk of Laminitis, and can be fed dry or soaked. low sugar diet and for a feed that does not increase the risks associated with horses tying up. Alfabeet contains Zinc at 150Mg/Kg, Biotin 15Mg/Kg and Copper at 46Mg/Kg. Zinc, Copper and Biotin are generally known to deliver benefits to general health and wellbeing with a focus on horses coat and hooves. Again supporting what a great feed Alfabeet is for horses at risk of Laminitis and older horses.

Any new product takes some time to reach all corners of Australia so if you can’t find it in store straight away simply go to the Ultrafeeds website www.ultrafeeds.com.au and via email let Ultrafeeds know your location and favourite store. With representatives across Australia and storage in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland Alfabeet should be readily accessible to your favourite store.

HAY SHORTAGE? Replace hay & chaff!

Non-heating, slow release energy with lower protein than lucerne!

Feed soaked or dry!

Ad Design by The Stable - www.thestablemagazine.com

Extremely Palatable!

Choose Alfabeet for your horse! > Convenient fibre - replaces hay and chaff! > Made from Premium Lucerne Hay & Ultrabeet (Sugar Beet Pulp) > No binding agents, just compressed Lucerne & Ultrabeet > Manufactured in Australia > Contains Biotin, Zinc and Copper for strong hooves and a healthy coat

> Non Heating, low in starch and WSC (sugars) > Ultrabeet and Lucerne both benefit from being incorporated together in Alfabeet, Lower Protein than straight Lucerne.

ULTRAFEEDS

www.ultrafeeds.com.au The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 35

0418 599 671 | PO Box 2169, Bayswater Village VIC 3153 | orders@ultrafeeds.com.au

Nutrition Checklist EQUINENEWS

Y Horses Are Individuals

Horses should be fed as individuals, and each horse should have it’s own carefully calculated diet, suited to the horse’s current condition, age, and workload.

handy hint

Horse not holding it’s weight?

Make sure your horse’s teeth are checked and tended to at least once a year by your veterinarian or dentist. A regular worming routine is just as important!

Y Don’t EVER Starve Ponies Or horses, for that matter. Putting any horse or pony on a ‘starvation diet’ is not only cruel, but can pose health risks too. If your horse or pony is overweight, reduce the amount of energyladen grain (if any) in the diet. Chubby horses and ponies may have to have restrictions on the grazing made available to them, but just not feeding them is not the answer. If you’re finding your horse’s weight difficult to manage, consult your vet for advice.

handy hint

If a feed is sold as ‘complete’ and contains vitamins and minerals, you may do more harm than good if you’re then adding supplements on top of the feed.

36

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

handy hint

Choose an appropriate pre-mix feed that suits your horse’s nutritional requirements. Many feed companies have an advice line you can call to find the most appropriate feed for your horse & get feeding advice!

Y NO Big Meals!

You’re not doing your horse any favours if you set a huge bucket of grain down in front of him once a day. Your horse should not consume more than 500g grain per 100kg body weight. Horses are designed to eat little and often - with high percentage of their diet made up of grass and hay. Too much grain can cause digestive problems including colic, and long-term heavy grain diets can cause stomach ulcers in horses.

Y Special Needs?

Breeding horses, growing horse and aged or senior horses all have special nutritional requirements that mean they likely will require more energy and nutrients from their feed. In these cases it is best to look into a commercially available pre-mix feed specifically formulated to meet your horse’s nutritional requirements, and feed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Y Supplements

Supplements may be necessary if the total of your horse’s diet (grazing, roughage/hay and hard feed) doesn’t meet your horse’s nutritional needs in terms of your horse’s daily required energy, protein, fat, fibre, vitamin and mineral requirements.

FEED&BREED

Feed & Breed has been designed for feeding breeding mares and young growing horses.

The comprehensive vitamin, mineral and protein inclusion Feed and Breed contains: help to provide the essential nutrients for the growing foetus in pregnant mares and for milk production in lactating mares.

Full fat soyabean meal and canola meal provide high quality digestible protein and have a good balance of essential amino acids for muscle and bone growth, which makes Feed and Breed ideal for weanlings and yearlings and for spelling horses that need to put on condition and re-build muscle.

The quality of the protein is important because it needs to be digested in the small intestine where it is cleaved into amino acids. If it escapes into the large intestine, it is broken down to ammonia and lost to the horse. If essential amino acids are not provided, young horses lay down more ‘fat’ and less muscle, which is not desirable.

Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and iron are also important for muscle and bone growth and zinc for hoof growth. Magnesium and calcium also act as buffers, preventing the gut becoming too acidic. Vitamin A is important for growth, reproduction and lactation. Vitamin D promotes and maintains proper bone formation and integrity, in conjunction with calcium and phosphorus. Feed and Breed has been balanced to meet all these requirements.

• Yea–Sacc®, a live yeast which improves fibre digestion, slows down the fermentation of starch and improves calcium and phosphorus uptake for bone development • Chromium yeast, which helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels and decreases lactic acid production • Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant and is important for the function of the immune and reproductive functions.

• Copper, which plays an important role in the formation and maturation of connective tissue (collagen and elastic) and cartilage.

• Magnesium, which is involved in the hardening process of bone and is required for muscle and nerve function.

• Full fat soya which contains essential fats for a shiny coat.

Feed and Breed must be fed with roughage such as hay, chaff and/or pasture and should be split between at least two feeds daily.Feed and Breed can be supplied in 20kg bags, 1 ton bulk bags or bulk.

Yea–Sacc® is a registered trademark of Altech Biotechnology Pty Ltd

www.riverina.com

OPEN NUTRITION Open Nutrition is the evolution in equine performance products that industry participants have been demanding for decades. Open Nutrition is the answer to those wanting the latest in cutting edge equine supplements at truly optimal dosages that your equine athlete requires. Products that are legal, easily administered and effective.

Open Nutrition manufacture products that contain no fillers. Open Nutrition is proudly Australian owned and all products are made in a HACCP facility in Brisbane.

Open Nutrition also understands the importance of recovery; RecoverX is the strongest BCAA product available.

Providing the key ingredients your horse needs to get over strenuous activity and have them ready for their next event.

And of course no horse can compete unless they are sound, Pro Joint has the highest dose of the three key ingredients to help keep your horse on track.

No matter what you horse competes in, Open Nutrition has them covered from start to finish. STOP HOPING USE OPEN!

Using innovative design Open Nutrition’s RecoverX and Pro Race are quickly administered with little waste. Pro Race is the only equine developed nitric oxide product available. Nitric oxide supplements have revolutionised the human athletic arena, now finally your horse can benefit from the benefits of nitric oxide supplementation.

www.opennutrition.com.au The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

37

38

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 39

Nutrition Checklist EQUINENEWS

Y Change Diet Gradually

Sudden diet changes can upset your horse’s digestive system. Phase in new feeds slowly. If you’re changing from ‘A’ feed to ‘B’ feed, on the first day, feed 90% ‘A’ feed, and 10% ‘B’ feed.

Day two, step it up to 20% ‘B’ feed, with 80% ‘A’ feed, etc.

handy hint

In a group paddock, always check to make sure the horse at the bottom of the pecking order has free access to feed and water sources.

Multiple troughs and feeding locations are preferable.

feed according to Y Alter your horse’s workload The idea is to maintain your horse at his ideal weight - so the input of energy should match the horse’s workload, or expenditure of energy. If you ride intensively six days a week, but your horse has Monday’s off, consider reducing the horse’s Sunday night and Monday morning grain ration.

High energy feed coupled with a day off can lead the horse to ‘tying up’ - or ‘azoturia’.

handy hint Dampening your horse’s feed can assist in reducing the amount of dust in chaff and hay. Once damp, feed must be given to your horse immediately, if left it will begin to go mouldy.

40

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

handy hint

Senior horses should have their teeth checked regularly, and should be fed a diet specifically formulated for aged horses.

Y Haynets

Haynets can help to minimise wastage when feeding hay. Slow feed haynets have additional benefits, as they slow down the rate of consumption. Slow feed haynets are perfect for stabled horses, as they keep the horse grazing throughout the day, as the horse is not able to consume the hay as quickly. This helps to keep the digestive system working, and helps to alleviate boredom in horses who may otherwise develop stable vices.

Y Living Arrangements

Group horses together according to their nutritional requirements. You can then manage pasture rotation and supplementary feeding with much less difficulty.

Y Managing Pastures

The only way for a pasture to recover after horses have grazed it down is to remove the horses from the area. Rotation is the key to having good available grazing year round. Don’t overstock pastures (if your pasture is poor, one horse will need 2 hectares, as a general guideline!) Horses should be moved to another paddock when the grass is grazed down to around 2.5cm in height to avoid pasture damage. The horses can be moved back to the paddock when the grass has reached around 10cms. Don’t let horses graze the paddocks too low, otherwise you may end up with bare soil and a much more extensive paddock recovery time!

USA: www.tuffrockamerica.com

Japan: www.tuffrock.com.au

NZ: www.tuffrock.co.nz

NEW! TUFFROCK K9 WEBSITE & ONLINE SHOP: www.tuffrockk9.net / www.tuffrockk9.com The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

41

EQUUSCARENUTRITION EQUITANASPECIAL

BOOSTING IMMUNE FUNCTION WITH NU At some point in most horse’s lives there are times when their immune system is particularly stressed: fighting infection, extremes of weather, transport, injury. Conditions such as allergies, exaggerated immune responses and autoimmune disease as well as chronic disease such as Cushing’s or insulin resistance are situations where the immune system is not functioning properly. Arguably though, perhaps the most frequent immune system stressor our horses face is heavy or prolonged exercise.

Did you know that an 80km endurance ride suppresses the immune system for several days afterwards? Authors of a report published in the Equine Veterinary Journal concluded that “A prolonged bout of exercise results in a long-term suppression of the innate immune system function in horses which may, in part, account for the observed increase of infectious episodes in horses during training.” (PJ Robson, TD Alston, Equine Vet J. 2003 Mar;35(2):133-7).

Another consequence of exercise is free radical damage. Free radicals are a by-product of burning energy for exercise. The body has a number of antioxidant enzyme systems which are its first line of defence against free radicals, but when the number of free radicals generated outstrips the body’s ability to deal with them, damage to cells occurs. For a horse in work this will likely lead to muscle soreness from muscle damage and poor performance related to impaired energy generation.

But before you shelve plans for that next endurance ride or three day event, the good news is that both the

innate immune system and antioxidant enzyme systems can be supported with good nutrition.

PROTEIN Inadequate protein intake has a negative impact on the immune system.

Protein is needed to manufacture enzymes, generate antibodies and cytokines and to support the rapid division of immune system cells.

The amino acid GLUTAMINE plays a key role in the innate immune system.

Blood levels of glutamine drop in exercising horses. Low availability of glutamine can severely compromise the function of the immune system cells, which is not surprising when you realise how much glutamine is needed for in the immune system: Glutamine is needed to regulate T cell proliferation, cytokine production and cytokine sensitivity; regulate B cell antibody production and secretion; influence the number of activated killer cells; support macrophage activity; and provide an energy source for immune system cells.

As if that wasn’t enough glutamine, and another amino acid METHIONINE, are needed for Glutathione Peroxidase, a crucial antioxidant system for all tissues, including the intestinal tract.

The integrity of the intestinal wall is compromised during exercise in direct relation to intensity. The absorption of bacterial endotoxin from a ‘leaky’ intestinal wall plays a large role in heat stroke fatalities. Methionine, together with L-CARNITINE, is needed for the antioxidant acetyl-L-carnitine, and there is a further benefit to L-carnitine: increasing muscle adaptation to exercise for horses in work.

VITAMINS When we think about fighting infection we tend to think about Vitamin C and it is definitely an important antioxidant in the immune system. But before you go loading your horse up on Vitamin C a few words of caution: horses can synthesize their own vitamin C; if a horse is iron overloaded (horse have no way or excreting excess iron from their diet so this may apply to many horses) then Vitamin C actually worsens oxidative stress. If you want to supplement Vitamin C then keep the daily levels low, 1000mg/day.

Vitamin E is an important antioxidant which protects and stabilises every membrane in the body and protects muscle cells from free radical damage.

Inadequate Vitamin E has been shown to result in a depressed immune function in horses. The more a horse exercises the more Vitamin E he needs, and it is important to note that blood levels drop off sharply during those times of year when horses do not have access to good grass at pasture.

B Vitamins support the active division of immune system cells and some also have specific immune system functions.

Riboflavin is involved with the destruction of organisms by immune cells and thiamine is essential to normal T cell function in the immune system.

Studies have shown that levels of folic acid drop in exercising horses, and folic acid deficiency has been clearly linked to increased infection risk.

by Zoe Fieldhouse, eQuus Care Nutrition 42

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

EQUUSCARENUTRITION

UTRITION

MINERALS Several minerals are needed in the antioxidant enzyme systems that are the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first line of defence against free radical damage. COPPER and ZINC are needed for the antioxidant enzyme Superoxide Dismutase, whilst SELENIUM is needed for Glutathione Peroxidase.

If you have a horse in work, or one whose immune system is being stressed, it pays to look at his diet.

By ensuring he is getting adequate nutrients you can give his system what it needs to protect against free radical damage, and by providing quality protein you help support his innate immune system, helping your horse work harder, recover quicker and hopefully avoiding infections along the way.

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 43

44

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 45

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

D N A W E S R O H Driving in through the gates to this year’s Wandin Horse Trials, we were once again in awe of the magnificence of the first thing you see - the start of the ‘Big’ Wandin Cross Country course. The grounds were a flurry of activity, riders, horses, cars and floats were heading in every which direction, albeit in a casual atmosphere. The car park was packed, competitors and spectators were eager, and the excitement began to build - and we certainly weren’t disappointed!

Despite threatening to rain on the Saturday, we were treated to a wonderful day of eventing dressage. The training course over Little Wandin was open, so it was a wonderful opportunity for riders of all levels, local and not so local, to get out there and have a go. We took a quick walk around ‘Big’ Wandin Cross Country, checking out the jumps, options, courses for each level and pondering how we’d tackle the

46

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

fences (in our fantasy where we’re riding at 3* level with a stable full of magnificent horses!). Up close, some of the jumps are simply huge, and we couldn’t wait to see how the riders tackled each one. The course looked fantastic, and luckily, the recent rains meant that the ground actually had a little spring in it, despite the fact that the countryside has been slightly yellowed from the Summer sun.

Our only regret? Not being able to watch more! With some 500+ competitors across 23 sections, it was impossible to get around to every class and watch every rider. Unfortunately we had to pick and choose which were the classes to watch and squeeze in whatever action we could take in around those.

But Saturday was for the dressage - so we staked out our position between the dressage arenas to watch the magic unfold...

IN D N A W

PARK ***

K R A P N I D N 4 1 0 2 S L A I TR

CIC

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

47

78 - KATHERINE JOHNSON NORTHERN CASABLANCA

278 - ANDREW COOPER - SPIDER

233 - LISA DALGARNO - AS IRISH AS GUINNESS

24 - SIMON TAINSH - JUST DE MANZANA

48

163 - DARREN STENDT - AEA WP WILLOW

27 - EDITH KANE SERIOUS BUSINESS

79 - NATALIE DAVIES - CHATSWOOD DESIGN

264 - LEAH SIMMONS - VAGABOND STAR

237 - RACHAEL W

23 - TESSE COOK - R

243 - TAMARA CAMPAIN F1 RUSHKI

233 - LISA DALGARNO - AS IRISH AS GUINNESS

CLICK HERE to see more photos and proofs online!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 239 - STEPHANIE CROSSETT - ARALUEN OSCAR WILD

272 - ALYSHA

WOOD MAGIC SPEC

RIMFIRE DON PIERRE

273 - ALISTAIR MCLEAN WOODMOUNT LOLITA

A HART - PUFF

264 - LEAH SIMMONS - VAGABOND STAR

76 - SAMANTHA CESNIK - FENDI F

24 - SIMON TAINSH - JUST DE MANZANA

206 - BESSIE DIMERY - SPECIAL AGENT ORANGE

238 - CHARLOTTE BLAIR - IMPIAN HAPPY HOUR

24 - SIMON TAINSH JUST DE MANZANA

275 - ALYSHA HARLEN - WEST SIDE VISION

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 302 - RUKSHI BLACKER - BLUTIGEROO 24 - SIMON TAINSH JUST DE MANZANA49

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

IN WAND

PARK *** CIC

Rings 4, 5 and 6 were a hive of activity. 5, of course was to later host the CIC *** - the big one, but we watched many enjoyable tests, taking a look at each horse and rider combination. After watching so many top dressage horses lately, it was a slight transition to the world of ‘eventing’ dressage - they are definitely a different breed, so to speak, and you really can appreciate the fact that these horses not only have the obedience, training and concentration to make it through the dressage phase with flying colours - but the fact that they also are able to power through a gruelling round of cross country and a precision round of showjumping in the preceding day - the true test of a talented event horse - excelling in each phase.

So, we watch the dressage with some mixed reactions, and ponder how each horses build, characteristics, and athleticism will come into play in the coming day’s competition. Some are super-antsy and are clearly more built for the eventing and showjumping phases. As more and more emphasis is put on putting in a good test score and snapping up poll position, we see more and more careful and deliberate tests coming through. It’s exciting to see the work that the riders have put in to schooling their horses. We see some wonderful tests - harmonious, elegant and graceful, with responsive horses, and we see some that are not so well-performed - but hey! They are eventers, and as some of us are well aware, dressage is typically not the attraction to the sport of eventing. We are most definitely eager to see these horses across country - and to see exactly what these horse and rider combinations are made of!

50

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

“When a test seems to be over in a f lash, we realise that that’s when we’re watching eventing dressage at it’s best. When the results come through, it’s those ‘quick’ tests that are at the top of the rankings.”

Simon Tainsh and Just De Manzana - an eyecatching combination. They are placed third after the dressage with a score of 64.82%

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

51

239 - STEPHANIE CROSSETT ARALUEN OSCAR WILD

233 - LISA DALGARNO - AS IRISH AS GUINNESS

304 - LUCY GREEN - TEMPERLEY

19 ALICE HURST- MIGHTY WILLIAM

73 - LOCHIE BAILEY - SHADY CREEK NOVA

23 - TESSE COOK - RIMFIRE DONPIERRE

268 - EMILY TYRELL - PLOVERS REST

19 ALICE HURST- MIGHTY WILLIAM

268 - EMILY TYRELL - PLOVERS REST

Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 52 74 The - JEMMA CLARK -FOXDALE AMALFI 236 - SARA-JANE VAUGHAN - LAGAVULIN

234 - RUTH ELPHINS

163 - DARREN STEND

CLICK HERE to see more photos and proofs online!

304 - LUCY GREEN - TEMPERLEY

24 - SIMON TAINSH - JUST DE MANZANA

21 - JACQUI BLADIER - RAMIRUS

23 - TESSE COOK - RIMFIRE DONPIERRE

STONE - WYNNSTAY

DT - AEA WP WILOW

270 CAITLIN MCNAB - FORGOTTEN ACCENT

21 - JACQUI BLADIER - RAMIRUS

78 - KATHERINE JOHNSON NORTHERN CASABLANCA

335 - JO MURPHY KOOLAROO LUCINDA

The Stable236 Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com - SARA-JANE VAUGHAN - LAGAVULIN 53

Natalie Peacock and Calypso Melody post a 66.82% in their test (which also includes a few cute little â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mare facesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;!) They finish placing 2nd overall in the EA 95 3.

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS Naomi White and Mighty Tosca score 60.93% and jump clean in SJ for 3rd place in the CIC**

Natalie Davies and Chatswood Design score 58.12% but make up plenty of ground over XC & SJ to finish 5th in the CIC* 2 class.

Erin Callahan and From Small Things finish 4th after dressage in the CIC** on 63.70% and place 5th after some unlucky rails and 20 penalties in the showjumping.

Katherine Johnson & Northern Casabalanca look impressive and finish 6th in the CIC* 2 after

dressage but are unfortunately

eliminated in the showjumping.

54

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Alysha Hart and Puff working hard in the dressage arena, competing in EA95 3.

IN D N A W

PARK *** CIC

James Lang and Mousetang in the dressage. They’ll later jump clear and get just .4 time penalties in cross country for an overall 4th place in the CIC* 2 class.

Tasha Mitchell and Airaz make a striking pair, although don’t have a great test, being placed 20th after dressage.

SPOILER ALERT! >>> Despite the dressage score of 49.44%, by the end of the weekend they’ve clawed their way to 10th position after no jump penalties in XC and only one showjumping rail. Impressive!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 55

GIRTH EZE

TM

Makes tightening the girth a breeze!

In the optimised version of The Stable, this video displays on screen.

To view it, click the link below. http://youtu.be/KEcf4ntyILw

By simply passing the girth strap through the buckle, then through the TM GIRTH-EZE opening, lever action takes over when you raise the handle.

If the rider/strapper is short and or the horse is tall, TM GIRTH-EZE takes all the effort away.

Great for jumping saddles with high buckles, and also with horses that “blow out”. Easy to use for younger riders as well as people with poor hand or arm strength - (you won’t have to ask someone else to do the tightening for you!)

Designed & Manufactured in Australia!

Contact: Ian Corner - 0407 748 215 - iancorner2012@m

56

www.horseparaphern

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

WHY CHOOSE

GIRTH-EZE

?

TM

â&#x20AC;&#x153;After developing arthritis in my

hand, I found it increasingly difficult

to tighten my girth sufficiently for

mounting. I am not flexible enough to

do up my girth from the saddle, so my

daughter suggested I purchase a girth tightener after having seen them

in Europe. After months of research I came up with nothing suitable for

english saddles - so a friend and I came

up with the idea to manufacture them for the Australian market.â&#x20AC;? - Kath

ONLY

$35.95 + Postage

mail.com

nalia.com.au

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME!

57

278 - ANDREW COOPER - SPIDER

277 - ELLEN TRIGGER - DARK EDGE

83 - KEYARRA-LEE SMITH SIR FRASDAF

83 - KEYARRA-LEE SMITH SIR FRASDAF

30 - EMILY MCQUEEN - KINGS SUN

30 - EMILY MCQUEEN - KINGS SUN

276 - NATALIE PEACOCK - CALYPSO MELODY

246 - LINCOLN SPI

276 - NATALIE PEACOCK - CALYPSO MELODY

81 - ASHLEE SLAV

276 - NATALIE PEAC

58

CLICK HERE to see more photos and proofs online!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com277 - ELLEN TRIGGER - DARK EDGE

245 - ELLIE SYM

IERS - PICNIC BELL

28 - ERIN CALLAHAN - FROM SMALL THINGS

VICH - AIR SUPPLY

31 - TASHA MITCHELL - AIRAZ

244 - CHARLOTTE SAVAGE SNICKERS SATISFIES

246 - LINCOLN SPIERS PICNIC BELL

IN D N A W

PARK *** CIC

COCK - CALYPSO MELODY

MES - CISCO KID

Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 243 - TAMARA CAMPAIN - F1 RUSHKI The Stable 89 59 - WILL ENZINGER - BELLHAVEN SANSKRIT

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

60

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Kelsey Pfeiffer and Sovereign Rose finish 10th overall in the CIC* 2.

SHADY SHEDS, ANIMAL SHELTERS, HORSE FLOAT COVERS, MACHINERY COVERS, ROUND BALE & FEED STORAGE, STABLES, PADDOCK SHELTERS, STORAGE SHEDS AND LOTS MORE!

Give us a call today to find out what we can do for you!

1300 557 953

!

Dangerous Goods Storage Facilities available in various types & sizes.

Call us for a quote!

u .a m o .c s r e t c a r a h c y d a h w w w .s 18 - 20 Tamborine Street, Jimboomba Qld 4280 Ph: (07) 3275 1300 ~ Fax: (07) 5540 3530 sheds@shadycharacters.com.au The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

61

CNC*** Dressage

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

There are only three horse and rider combinations in the CNC*** class - and only two riders. Robert Palm has two rides - the handsome black Fairview Metallica, and Wyuna Clear Image. The other rider? Rob’s girlfriend, Cassie Lowe, riding Koko Black.

Cassie Lowe and Koko Black post a 60.40% score for dressage in the CNC***

Looks like between them, they’ve got a good chance at a ribbon!

t

Robert Palm and Fairview Metallica complete their dressage for the CNC***.

Robert Palm’s other ride in the CNC*** is Wyuna Clear Image - after dressage they are placed last - well, third.

They finish the dressage with a score of 67.00% and are leading the two other horses (and one other rider!)

62

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Dressage is for

Everyone!

From starting out to winning at Novice level with The Scale of Training Are you aware that the International governing body for horse sports, the FEI, calls The Scale of Training “the most important guideline for riders, trainers, and judges”? (FEI, 2007).

den Br own y a J ! s s e r p p St o stralia u A r o f e d o r s ea and San Andr or ld Y oung Horse he W t his year at t den, Ger many and s in Ver C hampionship er if Jayden t hinks wond came 14t h! I ort h knowing w is g in in a r T The Scale of s, t hat’s e y d n a . . t u o b a c over.

D V D e h t n o t hem

It is the backbone of every good training session, the guide from Preliminary to Grand Prix, and what judges use to assess horse and rider combinations when competing at all levels.

Finally, here is a DVD resource enabling The Scale of Training to be easily understood by everyone, and applied right from the start!

• Main section: The Scale of Training. Official FEI definitions, each step performed Correctly and Incorrectly, helpful Asides, Exercises to try at home, and Questions to ask yourself.

• Bonus section: Turn on the Forehand, Leg Yield, and Shoulder Fore.

• Full colour booklet: Investigates every Preliminary and Novice arena figure.

Dance as One with your horse, and experience greater success!

For around the same investment as a single riding lesson, here is a resource that will serve you well for every ride, every day.

Visit www.dakiniequestrian.net for your FREE eBook, FREE DVD preview, and the opportunity to purchase a copy.

DAKINI

EQUESTRIAN

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com www.dakiniequestrian.net

63

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

Rohan Luxmoore and Bells N Whistles score 63.40% and are placed third after dressage.

IN D N A W

PARK *** CIC

Adam Benson and Enthusiast look like they belong together - the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coat

perfectly co-ordinated with the flashy black riding jacket. Both horse and rider are particularly lanky - the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strides really seem to cover the ground!

64

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Natalie Davies and El Grado have lovely moments in their test and are placed 8th after the dressage, where they scored 60.40%

Seumas Marwood and Wild Oats are placed sixth after the dressage - and it turns out that after the other two phases, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stay.

Adam and Enthusiast are equal 4th after dressage - on a score of 63.20%

They post a score of 62.60% for their dressage test, incur 28 penalties cross country with a time of 7:28, and take down two rails in the showjumping. Unlucky!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 65

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

The judges place Murray in first place Murray Lamperd and Don Skipcello give us one of those ‘quick’ tests we were talking about earlier - one that’s over before you realise it, and you’re disappointed to see it end.

IN D N A W

PARK *** CIC

Tarryn Proctor & ESB Irish Quest post a dressage score of 58.60% and move on into

the showjumping in ninth place. Unfortunately, three rails fall for a total of 12 jumping

penalties - the pair withdraws before the cross country phase. (Yes, SJ was before XC!)

66

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

after dressage - his score: 67.20%

Lucy Yeomans and RSB Bluejay have some communication problems. They score 46.40% and are in 10th place after the dressage.

Visual Laughter always stands out in a crowd, and this day was no exception. (For more gorgeous photos of this horse, check out our online proofs!)

Robert Palm and Visual Laughter are placed fourth after the dressage tests equal with Adam Benson and Enthusiast on a score of 63.20%.

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

67

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

Katja Weimann and BP Flamboyant - practice makes perfect - and these two place 2nd after dressage on 64.60% in the CIC***.

Edith Kane and the flashy Sandhills Benson score a respectable 61.04% but withdraw after the showjumping.

IN D N A W Sam Jeffree and Mighty Midget in the CIC* 2 finish with a dressage score of 63.75%

Taylor Hague and Witness This placed 9th in the EA-95 5

class, scoring 60.45% in the dressage, going clear cross country, and collecting only two time penalties in the jumping.

68

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

PARK *** CIC

Tania Harding and Jirrima Yorkshire look fantastic and put in a decent test for a score of 61.80%.

Emily Anker and Bvlgari - winners of the CIC* 2 class! Leading from the dressage on a strong score of 73.75%, the pair incurred 5.2 time penalties cross country and 8 points in the jumping!

Katja Weimann and BP Escapade have a bit of an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;oopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; moment in the dressage CIC* 2 Class. They manage to compose themselves but finish 12th on 59.79%

Katja and BP Escapade go on to finish 12th in their class after the three phases, with 47.6 time faults in the cross country and 20 penalties in the showjumping.

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 69

4 - ADAM BENSON - ENTHUSIAST

258 - CALLUM BUCZAC JOIE DU LYS

91 - KATJA WEIMANN - BP ESCAPADE

6 NATALIE DAVIES - EL GRADO

2 - CASSIE LOWE KOKO BLACK

94 - EDITH KANE - SANDHILLS BENSON

12 - KATJA WEIMANN - BP FLAMBOYANT

93 - EMILY ANKER & BVLGARI

94 - EDITH KANE - SANDHILLS BENSON

7 - VISUAL LAUGHTER

Stable Magazine 7013 -The ROBERT PALM - WYUNAwww.thestablemagazine.com CLEAR IMAGE 10 - TARRYN PROCTOR & ESB IRISH QUEST

4 - ADAM BENSON - ENTHUSIAST

91 - KATJA WEIMANN

93 - EMILY ANKER & BVLGARI

93 - EMILY ANK

9 MURRAY LAMPER

CLICK HERE to see more photos and proofs online!

289 - RHYS HAMLYN CALYPSO CAN DANCE

N & BP ESCAPADE

5 - ROHAN LUXMOORE BELLS N WHISTLES

KER - BVLGARI

RD - DON SKIPCELLO

319 - RACHAEL WOOD - SAVOUR ME

316 STEPHANIE ROWE - BAINBRIDGE ALL CLASS

288 - PHILIPPA DAVISON - STORMPORT

94 - EDITH KANE - SANDHILLS BENSON

321 AUDREY WALL - JIVE TALKING

www.thestablemagazine.com 8 LUCY YEOMANS - RSB BLUEJAY 9 MURRAY LAMPERD - DON SKIPCELLOThe Stable Magazine

71

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

IN WAND

PARK *** CIC

Nina Griffiths & Mr Ali in the CIC* The Cross Country, as mentioned earlier, looked like a giant playground for horse and rider. The course at Wandin is pretty special - not only is it a spectacular course, but it allows for a range of classes and levels to be held in the same location - offering wonderful jumps for riders and horses of all levels. Option fences a-plenty, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great training and clinic venue as well as being able to host three-star events.

Today, there are six courses running - from the EA-80 (Training 3) class, right up to the CIC***. We particularly love our hand drawn map within the program, which seriously helps with our staking out of a good spot to view the cross country from the best vantage points on course.

Sarah Ray & Irish Mist place 4th in the CIC** Will Enzinger & Paihia Wilhelm. 3rd in the CIC*

72

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Paula Biggs and Wyuna Park George are one combination with no time penalties cross country. They finish 9th in the EA-80 3 class.

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

73

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS A quick time check for Georgia Spangaro and Lesprit De Panache. They place 6th in EA-80 4.

Yeehaa! We love this shot!

Sengen looks a little wild, but Bianca Klas keeps her cool!

12th place, EA-80 4.

Genevieve Norton & Portland Boy - headed downhill on course in the EA-80 3 Class.

They incur no penalties XC and finish 8th on 70.10 penalties.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to see Shahira Ameen and CK Lil Tease still smiling after being eliminated on the cross country course Wishing you better luck next time, guys!

SPOTLIGHT STUNNING WARMBLOOD MARE

6yo 16.1hh Chestnut Mare $15,500 Victoria

74

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Ad design by The Stable - www.thestablemagazine.com

** *

Flying Fetlocks aim is to provide a terrific range of fun, quirky and great quality products that your pony mad kid or teen will LOVE!

* wi a Ki r a T s hirt S T

*

*

100% organic cotton

* *

*

**

*

t-shirts designed,

sewn and screened in

Los Angeles, California.

*

Fun and funky with a contemporary LA twist!

www.flyingfetlocks.com.au

*

*

*

Whether your pony mad kid owns their own horse, rides horses or just LOVES horses, Flying Fetlocks has something for everyone!

Stay up to date by following

Flying Fetlocks on social media

ere!

Click h

*

*

r

*

* *

PROUD-AID PROUDFLESH WOUNDCARE TREATMENT FOR HORSES

• Minimizes scarring and promotes healing in the treatment of cuts and wounds.

• Helps protect from gross contamination and invasive dirt from entering the wound.

• Aids in the Treatment of wounds, scratches, wire cuts & other horse disorders • Bandaging is not necessary but recommended.

Uniquely formulated to aid in the prevention and elimination of proud flesh Available from most produce stores, saddleries and veterinarians

www.proud-aid.com.au

TRADE ENQUIRIES: AIRR - Phone: 0358210922 ANIMAL SUPPLIES - Phone: 02 8868 8600

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

75

425 - DEBBIE SIMETH & BYRONE

386 - AMELIA CORALLO & RIVERLORD RIO GRANDE

384 - PAMELA ORMROD & ORMROSE CHOCLATTE

FUN IN TH

THE WAGON

526 - YOLANDE KERIN SWEET RHYTHM

406 - TARA REYNOLDS - CLASSIQUICAL MUSIC

76

CLICK HERE to see more photos and proofs online!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 423 CAROLINE SHEPHERD - ANNADALE MAXIMAX

412 - REBECCA RUND

414 JENNI RAINES - TAYALEE ORLANDO

HE WATER!

76 - SAMANTHA CESNIK - FENDI F

N.. LOVE IT!

388 - HAYLEY MILBURN AND SWAZI

DLE - PLAY IN THE ARC

410 - SHAHIRA AMEEN - CK LIL TEASE

428 - ISLA DOYLE-TOOMBS MONACO

396 - BRIONY DEEKER-FRAD KIRBY PARK IRISH SMURF

THE WATER

430 - RACHAEL KEETON - SYDNEY SUNRISE

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

77

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

Rachael Keeton and Sydney Sunrise take out the EA-804 - with a winning score of 47 penalties. Placed in 3rd after dressage with a score of 68.64%, they galloped to victory going clear cross country and in the showjumping! Congrats guys on a great ride!

Pip Durban and Doubtless cruise into second place in the EA-80 4 with no faults across country or in the showjumping!

Leara Keysers and TC Phoenix - 14th place in the EA105 2

Isabelle Sanders and Dulwich Felicia - despite being 20th after dressage they make up ground in the XC and SJ to finish 10th in the EA-80 4 Class!

Jacqui Bladier and Ramirus retired in the Cross Country

78

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Kirstin Walsh and Kanukadale Ash competing in the EA-80 4 class. They finish with no jumping penalties and only 1.2 time penalties after cross country. They jump clean in the showjumping and finish 8th!

We’re betting these riders can’t wait to get out on the playground that is Wandin Park’s Cross Country course!

Bethany Houghton & Olympic Palace go clear cross country!

Everything to get you on your horse and gone!

www.goneriding.com.au Specialising in the ultimate

03 5775 1657 info@goneriding.com.au

KERRITS WINTER JODDIES & BOOTCUT PANTS KERRITS SIT TIGHT & WARM

WINDPRO BOOTCUT RIDING PANTS

products for:

Design by The Stable - www.thestablemagazine.com

h h h h h

HORSE TRAIL RIDING PLEASURE & LEISURE RIDING ENDURANCE GEAR NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP TACK HOOF CARE

We are dedicated to finding you the most comfortable, highest quality, practical, useful, safest and most stylish saddlery, tack and apparel available.

MICROCORD BOOTCUT RIDING PANTS

These tights or jods are THE best thing for the winter weather - both in the saddle and the stable.

The ultimate in versatility; this pant can be worn with a paddock boot or easily tucks into a half chap or tall boots.

A slimming & versatile bootcut style pant is now available with Wind Pro® fabric for warmth and comfort in the cold.

$114.95

$125

$99.95

Visit www.goneriding.com.au or drop in to our Store in Mansfield, in Victoria’s High Country – where the trails are on top of the world!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

79

KATE BEAD

80

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com JO MURPHY & KOOLAROO LILY MARLENE

AMANDA ROS

DEL - CLOUD

SS & RIDDICK

CLICK HERE to see more photos and proofs online!

TONI SHAVE - SPYDER MAN

MELISSA WILSON - CP GULLIVER

PAIGE FILIA - KATIES PERFORMANCE LEVIATHON

ALICE HIRST - BERRAGOON SIZZLEThe Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

81

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS Sarah Ray & Irish Mist, 4th in the 2*

Meagan Jamieson & PR Paddington - 5th in the EA 105 2 class.

Natalie Davies and Chatswood Captivate place 2nd in the CIC**

Amanda Ross and William Wordsworth winners in the CIC** Section.

SPOTLIGHT ROYAL SHOW WINNER 17hh 14yo

Bay Gelding

$14,999 ACT

Rohan Luxmoor and Bells N Whistles - 3rd in the CIC***!

82

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Tesse Cook & Rimfire Don Pierre place 14th in the CIC** Class

Sophie McLean & Da Lyla - clear in showjumping and cross country - for a 6th place in the EA 105 B Class!

Cassie Lowe &

Koko Black - 2nd in the CNC***

Robert Palm and Fairview Metallica, unfortunately eliminated XC.

Adam Benson and Enthusiast placed 7th in the CIC***

Amanda Ross and Loxley finish 7th in the CIC** - after placing first after dressage they incurred 20 jump penalties cross country and had an unlucky rail in the SJ.

Sheridan Wilson & Artane Murphy, 2nd in the EA 105 B

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 83

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

Seumas Marwood and Wild Oats finish 6th in the CIC*** on 92.10 penalties.

Cassie Lowe & Koko Black - 2nd in the CNC***

IN D N A W

PARK *** CIC

Tania Harding and Jirrima Yorkshire 8th place in the CIC*** 84

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Katja Weimann and BP Flamboyan are placed second after the dressage, and hold on to their position after the showjumping an cross country.

Natalie Davies and El Grado are 8th after the dressage, but finish in 5th place in the CCI***

ant Lucy Yeomans and RSB

nd

Bluejay finish 9th in the CIC***.

Robert Palm and Wyuna Clear Image - winners of the CNC*** Class.

Robert Palm and Visual Laughter placed fourth in the CIC***.

They finished 4th after the dressage, got 20.8 time penalties, one rail in the showjumping, and 1 time penalty.

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 85

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

IN D N A W

PARK *** CIC

CIC*** WINNER Murray La

They placed first in the dressage on a score of 67.20%, received 11.6 time penalties 86

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

amperd and Don Skipcello.

s cross country, and had two rails in the showjumping to finish on 68.80 penalties!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

87

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

Robert Palm & Wyuna Clear Image incur 20 penalties in the SJ and still take 1st place.

IN WAND

PARK *** CIC

Robert Palm (again!) and HALCYONS DARK SECRET - first in the EA 105 1

88

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

CLICK HERE to see more photos and proofs online!

36 - SARAH RAY KING VASSIE

28 - ERIN CALLAHAN - FROM SMALL THINGS

37 - AMANDA ROSS - WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

30 - EMILY MCQUEEN KINGS SUN

NAOMI WHITE - MIGHTY TOSCA

34 - CHELSEA PRIESTLEY - ASHLEIGH LONGTIME

31 - TASHA MITCHELL - AIRAZ

CHELSEA PRIESTLEY ASHLEIGH LONGTIME

MERYL DEKKER & DRUMMER

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 89

Kelsey Mull and

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

Gundowring Breeze 4th in the EA 95 3.

Charlie King & Charlton Veeza

IN D N A W Ainsley Wilkins and the unusually coloured Blown Budget compete in the showjumping in the EA 95 3 Class.

90

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

PARK *** CIC

CLICK HERE to see more photos and proofs online!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

91

SPECIALEVENT! EQUINENEWS

Edith Kane and Serious Business

Erin Callahan and From Small Things

Amanda Ross and William Wordsworth - first in the CIC**. They finish on a score of 66.60 penalties.

SPOTLIGHT ROYAL SHOW WINNER 17hh 14yo

Bay Gelding

$14,999 ACT

Sarah Ray and King Vassie 6th place in the CIC**

92

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Naomi White & Mighty Tosca - clear in the SJ and third overall in the CIC**!

Simon Tainsh and Just De Manzana tackle the showjumping course, for one rail and three time penalties.

They finish 11th in the CIC**.

Meryl Dekker and Drummer finish 13th in the CIC**.

Tasha Mitchell & Airaz take 10th place in the CIC**

Chelsea Priestley and Ashleigh Longtime,

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 93

Maree Tomkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Hidden Valley

Grand

94

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

A new chapter for australian dressage

As soon as we were informed about the Grand (re)Opening of Maree’s Hidden Valley Equestrian Centre, we couldn’t wait to attend. The event was almost a housewarming for Maree and her star-studded stable; horses and riders having returned to the property following the refurbishment - and my oh my - it looks amazing!

The state-of-the-art property in Wallan, Victoria, has been given more than a once-over. Featuring 27 freshly painted, rubber lined stables, camera security, client accommodation, brand new post and rail and ElectroBraid paddocks, Equestrian Pro-Shop on site, a very stylish new outdoor arena - AND of course, the huge indoor arena complete with new Equitex arena surface, it is every rider’s dream facility.

Maree and her team have done a wonderful job in preparation for the opening - everything looks immaculate, the guest speakers have been organised, there’s a barbeque, a band and a masterclass by Brett Parbery, with Roger Fitzhardinge managing festivities in the role in which he excels - Master of Ceremonies.

We arrive to find Maree in the stables - casually plaiting Diamantina’s mane and chatting to friends and visitors as crowds of excited guests stream through the stables and surrounds, admiring the property and facilities.

d Opening The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 95

96

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Hidden Valley Grand Opening The stables themselves are gorgeous, airy and roomy, and many of the horses have a viewing window out onto the lawn surrounding the stable block. There’s a wash bay, office, laundry room, tack room and feed room all just off the main aisle, which itself is adorned with photographs of Maree and the horses in her life, as well as a collection of Maree’s rosettes. It’s clean, functional and stylish.

There are also some beautiful horses in the stables including those being prepped for the masterclass we are to see in the afternoon, and two cheeky chestnuts up one end of the aisle who are happily soaking up the attention they receive from the visitors.

The whole centre has a great vibe, situated in a picturesque area just 35 minutes from Melbourne airport, it is it’s own little community, complete with surrounding housing estate, and of course, the golf course. It is a beautiful area, and in our eyes, the equestrian centre is the crowning jewel. This is somewhere we could definitely see ourselves riding!

We take a wander out to the brand new outdoor arena, which seems to be beckoning for horses and riders to break the freshly raked surface. (Can you tell we’d love to be riding?!) Despite being a little yellowed from the intense summer, the surrounding lawns are all perfectly manicured, and the setting is amazing.

The indoor is simply huge - and now with a brand new surface, it’s an arena fit to host the training of an internationally competitive horse and rider combination.

We gather in the indoor as Maree kicks off the festivities, thanking us all for attending (as if we’d miss this!), and offering her sincere appreciation to Brett Parbery (who had flown in from Dubai just that morning!) and Roger Fitzhardinge for hosting the event.

Maree is first up to welcome us...

“We try to make it all ready, the trade stand people arrive, and then pick up Brett and Roger and then we sit here for a minute and go, I hope someone turns up! (audience laughs) So it’s very good that you’re all here, thank you - it’s a great show of support and it’s good for my soul, so thank you.”

“Brett’s going to be doing the masterclass, and he’ll be trying to give us some tips on how to do things better.

And Roger is our MC for the day. So I’ve got to go and get my horse sorted out, and I’ll let Roger take over.

Please do a lot of shopping, enjoy the food, and as soon as we’re finished, the band will kick in - we had a little test of them this morning, and they sound fantastic - so I hope you all have a really nice day.”

Roger takes the mic...

“When I was here on the way through to Boneo Park, it was probably a month ago, and I can assure you, the place didn’t look like this! What you’ve done in a few

weeks, Maree, is unbelievable, and your enthusiasm for life, horses, and riding and producing a property that is just immaculate is beyond my imagination, and you keep doing it over and over again. It’s fantastic for the sport. On behalf of Brett and myself, thank you for inviting us.”

ROGER: “Brett, you’ve just got back from Monaco; what took you overseas?”

BRETT: “France is not the place you go looking for horses, but a horse popped up on my radar through a good source, and we decided to go and check it out - so, I got back this

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

97

98

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Hidden Valley Grand Opening

morning. If I start talking jibberish, someone give me a kick! (The audience laughs) It was a really nice horse, so all the vet checks are going through now, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Roger congratulates Brett on his recent achievements, including taking out NSW’s Rider of The Year, and introduces him to the audience.

ROGER: “Everyone knows Brett, really, but for those who don’t - I’ve known Brett since he started riding dressage, he’s been amazingly successful culminating with Victory Salute, who went to WEG and finished ninth in the freestyle. It was absolutely unbelievable for an Australian-bred horse like that one. I know, and I can be honest, he certainly wasn’t any world champion, Brett, he was just a very lovely, beautiful trainable horse. So he wasn’t exceptional in any real way - maybe piaffe, perhaps that was exceptional, but as far as other paces go, his trot, his canter - what eventually do you think made him ninth in the world?”

BRETT: “Victory’s Salute’s main character was in his character. He always worked for me. He had physical challenges, he was a big horse on four legs, and really found it hard to move as big as some of the more scopey horses in the world. So, everything was man made, and to man-make him, that can last for a long side or a short side, but through a whole Grand Prix test - that’s not easy. But his character allowed me to do it. I think when we got down to the nitty gritty of what brought that horse into the top ten in the world was a combination of his temperament and his conformation.”

BRETT: “I want to ride Grand Prix and I want to ride Grand Prix for Australia. And that’s what we train for. When it comes to top quality horses, you don’t learn that they’re going be a top Grand Prix horse until you’ve had a lot of time with them, until you’ve had a chance to train them and really assess their character.”

ROGER: “I knew him (Victory Salute) as a baby horse, you’d have never thought he’d be a Grand Prix horse, let alone 9th in the world... But with persistent training, the same system all along, and getting him stronger and stronger - congratulations on a super win, and now you’ve got other really exciting horses coming on.”

ROGER: “With Aber Hallo, what’s his plans?”

BRETT: “My plan really with all the horses - I just want to end up at the end of this with as many horses ready for Grand Prix as I can. So with the introduction of the Intermediate A and entry level GP, it allows us to not hang around at PSG/Inter 1 for so long - it allows you to stick your toe in to GP So by the end of the year, I would love to have Aber Hallo and Good As Gold also in that entry level GP level. Weltmeister will do the CDI GP in Sydney, and he is Grand Prix from here on in. So I’m just working on a Freestyle for him for Sydney at the moment. It’s exciting.”

ROGER: “Hope you’ll stick around in Australia and not keep going overseas! We need you here with your enthusiasm and producing so many horses, it’s fantastic to see.”

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 99

100 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Hidden Valley Grand Opening

Roger gets into discussing Brett’s training system, explaining that Brett chose to train with superstar dressage rider Edward Gal prior to the WEG.

thankfully, to develop a system that fits with me, I start believing in the system that works for me. And that’s been a real turning point.”

ROGER: “So, Brett, you’ve come up with this system that, for me to listen to you talk about it, it’s just so easy, logical and normal. And for me, as a physio, understanding structure and movement it also makes so much sense to me. Sometimes people say we’re not so lucky in Australia because we don’t have ‘those German things’, or ‘those Dutch things’, - but Brett has seen a lot and absorbed a lot - and put it together. In Australia, you’re not dictated to doing it the Dutch way or the German way. Where did your system evolve?”

BRETT: “I amalgamated this thing from all of them, and I think this system is the one that makes the most sense to me. Then it’s just putting it into practice, day in, day out with attention to detail, with complete thoroughness and horsemanship. And you know horsemanship it doesn’t matter if you’re riding a showjumper or a dressage horse, it’s the same animal. It’s understanding the horse and what the horse is trying to tell you And then trying to have the tools to fix the problem. So that’s what we’ll go through today.”

BRETT: “There’s a bit German influence in the Australian training system, I also came in on the German system and there’s nothing wrong with that. I chose to look at the Dutch system through Edward Gals’s eyes, and for me, I came away from there trying to put the two systems together and choosing what I liked out of both, and make for myself, my system. I’m not so different to anyone here, when we ride, we have voices in the back of our head; from a coach, or video - but we all have the voices in the back of our heads saying, ‘don’t put up with that’, ‘don’t let the horse get behind the leg’, and they put seeds of doubt in your mind. I must say, since I’ve developed my system, and I’ve had the exposure,

The first horse in the arena is Sonsire, a grandson gelding of Sandro Hit, ridden by Clinton Rich. Maree has already told us that she thinks this is one of the best horses in Australia, and she describes him as ‘super, super fancy - and we can see why! Clinton has had the horse in work for six months. He found it in Belgium, where is was a showjumper. Roger tells us that it hasn’t yet been out and about much, but everyone has high hopes, as Clinton has had quite a few successful horses.

BRETT: “This whole thing of dressage, in my eyes involves three things. The first is horsemanship and the ability to read your horse. Second thing is riding. Riding! A leg on

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 101

Clinton Rich and

Sonsire

102 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Hidden Valley Grand Opening each side, sitting in the middle, relaxed and balanced.

Delivering your aids to your horse, communication to your horse in a way the horse can understand. The third thing is the dressage training system. So that’s what we’ll talk about today.”

“The only way you will progress is not by getting lessons from great coaches, you progress through a good technique of self-analysis. The way you analyse yourself improves yourself. In order to analyse yourself you must have clear things you want to achieve.”

“I’ve broken it down to frame control – control of the outline of the horse. How does the horse respond to my reins – does it yield to me or push against me and resist me? How can I explain that better to the horse? We all know that the dressage system based on pressure release system. You put a pressure on, the horse responds, you release the pressure off, praise the horse then hopefully over time the horse will repeat the response.”

“You have to make sure the aid you want the horse to respond to is the aid you’re applying.”

“The theme of today is one aid for one response. A combination of aids produces a combination of responses which produces the result.”

“You cannot expect the horse to give you the result without explaining the aids properly.”

“So, frame control - low, middle, up, long, shorter, flexion bend left, flexion bend right. Secondary to that is feet control. You must have a clear set of aids that talk to the front feet and shoulders for the horse. The only way for me that you can turn your horse is with your body and between your reins.”

Brett goes on to explain that front feet control is the basis behind all natural movements. Next up - hind feet control, and Brett explains that applying your leg behind the girth and applying pressure, should get the horse to step away from your legs. once you have front feet control and hind feet control - you suddenly have control of all four feet! The last part of frame control is transition control - and we are told there are five ways to ‘control’ transitions. Upwards, forwards, downwards, collection and tempo control within the same pace - a faster trot, a slower trot, etc.

“That’s essentially the whole sport in a nutshell.

Control the frame, control the front feet, control the hind feet, control the transitions and suddenly, you’ve got a dressage horse.

Because that’s all the dressage test is!”

Brett urges us to think about our aids, and ensure they don’t conflict. We talk about the fact that your horse should be in front of your leg - basically ‘when you stop riding, your horse keeps going’. Brett tells us that holding a horse on a dull aid doesn’t work. They have to

be self motivated to keep the pace constant without any constant pressure.

“When I want to make a downwards transition I’ll give a signal in my outside rein and l’ll use a little bit of voice.

Woah! Just ‘woah’. A short tone. The horses can hear better than the judges. They always say ‘shouldn’t you get points taking off for making a noise in the ring. No, the rules say you can’t be heard – it doesn’t say you can’t talk. So you can cheat. But essentially a good judge who is worth their weight as a horseman or woman will not mind a rider using a soft aid in preference to dull aids and aids that torture the horse.”

Brett asks us to think about our own riding philosophy.

“My philosophy? I want to look like I’m doing nothing.

I want the horse to work on soft aids, light aids with maximum energy, with me doing the minimum. It should look easy. It can only look easy if the horse is responding to the first aid and responding consistently because it knows the rules.”

Brett is impressed with Sonsire.

“Here we have a quality young horse. He’s a supple moving, swinging, beautifully balanced horse. I spoke to Clinton earlier, and he told me that he’d like to work on the balance of the horse and the straightness. The horse tends to lean a little on his right shoulder.”

“I’ve got some news for you all - they’ll all lean on left or right. There’s not one I’ve ever seen that’s perfectly balanced. We as riders, need to do things to shift the weight to the side. Keep shifting the shoulder a bit to the left. So just move him over - and when you feel the weight go on to the left side, praise him. It’s a correction that you’re going to do with this horse for the rest of his life. The only thing that’s going to change is that it’s going to come quicker for him.”

“They must have even weight on all four feet before we start doing anything. Working on the balance of the horse, especially the young horse, is important.”

Clinton and Sonsire do a little work on counter-flexion, as Brett explains how Clinton should keep the horse underneath him. “What he can’t do well, we repeat.”

“Let horses make mistakes, the only way they learn is by making a mistake. Let them make mistakes, and make corrections that teach him not to make them.”

Brett demonstrates teaching the horse in halt how to yield to the contact In that halt, you can teach him deep, middle, up, short, long, left and right.

THE ROLLKÜR DEBATE “Now, I’m gonna go there. Rollkür is a controversial topic because it has been reported incorrectly with a political bias from German to Dutch. In saying that, bad riding is still bad riding. Whether it’s rollkür or whether it’s

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 103

classical, if it’s badly done it’s bad. If it’s well done, it’s good.

Rollkür is something I don’t do, because I don’t really know about it. Edward Gal doesn’t do it; that’s contradictory to what you read in the magazines, but he doesn’t do it. Rollkür is when any pressure is taken in the horse’s mouth backwards, and their explanation for wanting to do it is to get more release in the poll. That can equally be done up and backwards. How many horses have we seen where the horse’s neck is up and pulled in?”

“It’s the same thing. It doesn’t mean the horse’s neck is down. Any horse with the neck down is not in Rollkür.

Rollkür is when the neck is pulled backwards and excess pressure is put on the first few vertebrae. Let’s clear up the definition for a start. The reason we take the horse to middle or deep frame is to get the horse to connect in the back. The only way you can get a half halt when you sit up and bring the horse back to go into the hind legs of the horse is if its back stays connected.

If the horses back drops out from under you, you’re not connected. You cannot put the horse on the hind legs.

The reason we take the neck to middle position is not with the goal of pulling the neck backwards – it’s with the goal of connecting the horse through the back. So behind the vertical yes. It shouldn’t be a bad word. That shape of the neck when its put up is the perfect shape for competition. Just because his neck is down and his

104 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

nose is behind the vertical doesn’t means he’s in Rollkür.

Nothing could change with the poll axis but when you put him up he’s in a good position. I’m a campaigner for teaching the horse the correct way to use their poll, jaw and neck and yield, putting the horses neck in a position where it can use its back, bringing the horse back to the hind legs to bring it up in the shoulders and neck and there’s my competition outline. And I’m down the centre line and going for it. Trying to connect the horse from back to front but getting the horse to understand to yield to the reins.”

ROGER: “As a physiotherapist, this makes perfect sense to me. I think what a lot of people miss about putting the neck down is that you are enabling the horse to switch on their abdominal muscles which are the muscles that push their back up.”

“It’s the level of energy and the balance you create in your horse within the movement that takes it from a 6 to 7 to 8 to 9. How you create your energy - how you get the horse to wait, rebalance the horse and then do the movement, that’s the secret.”

Aurum Walter, ridden by Stuart Archibald is getting used

Hidden Valley Grand Opening Stuart Archibald and

Aurum Walter

to the crowded arena, and despite being mid-Rollkür debate, Brett notices...

“So, Stuart, if you could get your horse broken in for us, that would be great.” (laughs) We have to say, the black gelding is stunning. Roger tells us that he is a 5yo by Weltmeyer, out of a mare by Regardez Moi. His rider, Stuart, is just 21, and the pair look to have a bright future ahead of them. As they are warming up, Brett is asked by an audience member about spooky horses, and how he copes with horse’s reactions to ‘scary’ objects in the arena...

BRETT: “How horses react to outside influences? Things like crowds, flower pots, all the bits and pieces you’re going to see at a competition. It’s a two part question - first, how do you get over it? Secondly, if your horse spooks in the arena, how does it affect the politics of your future in the sport?”

“The horses that spook tend to drift on and off their aids. A horse that is on your aids usually doesn’t spook.

Usually! I’ve got one of the worst spookers in the country in Good As Gold, Frightening, how he spooks! I can’t say that I can keep him on my aids all of the time. I try, and

I try things like keeping the adrenaline low, lots of little rides, there are some management practices that we use to try and get him through it, but at the end of the day he’s hard wired to notice things, and hard wired to react before he thinks about me. Try to keep them on the aids.

Put him into shoulder-in to try to do things that keep the horse engaged to you.”

“Second part, the political thing. I don’t know, I hate politics. I haven’t got a brain for it. I don’t understand it.

I’m a sports-minded person who understands good and mediocre and bad performances. If my horse spooks in the arena, I don’t expect to get points. If my horse doesn’t spook, I don’t want it carrying over from last week, or the month before! That’s ridiculous!”

“Judges today are good enough to judge what they see on the day. If the horse spooks, it shows that they’re not disciplined, that they’re off the aids, and they cannot get points. So that stands, that one.”

There’s another audience question regarding free walk on a long rein.

“Wouldn’t it be counter productive to have the horse in front and vertical in that movement?”

BRETT: “Did we not say that you’ve got to be able to let

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 105

the horse go long and short so the whole thing of keeping him round was to teach him to yield - but then you must teach him to follow. So, the following of the contact is the key, not that they just give and give.”

ROGER: “As a judge and rider if you have a horse who doesn’t want to take his nose a long way away from you in the long rein walk don’t put his poll too low because the lower you put the poll, the more he’s got to take his nose out to get that open look. For those of you who want to get a few more marks - don’t put their neck too deep.

For those who judge, the look of the horse with a very low stretching neck and they are tiny bit approaching vertical or behind vertical, for me as a physio, and knowing anatomy, it’s not such a bad thing. You must look where the height of the poll is in comparison to the nose and always look at the angle of the poll at the joint of the poll, the angle of the gullet. The lower the neck the harder for the horse to come in front of the vertical. If your horse doesn’t want to reach don’t put his poll too low.”

BRETT: “We don’t just train ‘nose behind’ all the time.

You’ve got to train some competition stuff. You can’t train behind the vertical and go out and get slammed for behind the vertical, and think ‘What am I doing?’ You have to train some competition outline, and some competition movements, so leading to a show we go from our system of keeping them round through and you need to arrive at the showground with the ability to do that you can put them up, down, long, short – they’re following you.”

“Work out the type of horse you are dealing with. If its a

106 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GRAND PRIX HORSE? “I’ll tell you the things I don’t look for. I don’t care about colour. I don’t care about the trot. I like to look for first and foremost, a good temperament, just like Victory Salute. He had a good temperament, but he couldn’t move to save himself. By nature, he allowed me to train him to move. I look for a good temperament, then I look for a good canter. Someting like 38 or 40% of the Grand Prix test is canter work. 1 tempis, 2 tempis, canter pirouettes, zig zag, extended canter change, are all valuable points in the GP test. Therefore you must have a horse that canters balanced and canters easily.”

“If you add canter and the walk up in your dressage test, suddenly you have 66% of the points in two paces. Trot is further down the list. Brain. Canter. Walk. Conformation.

There’s no point putting a whole heap of time into a horse if it’s badly conformed and it’s going to break down.”

Hidden Valley Grand Opening horse that naturally wants to sit in behind the vertical and doesn’t want to take the contact, you bring the contact onto their mouth, close your leg, and as soon as they pull their neck forward you praise them. It’s a reverse giving situation. Praising them for going against it. For the one’s that want to sit out there and be long you teach them to give in. Use the aids to teach them where you want them to be.”

ROGER: “Of all those things that we talk about - the frame and the poll, and the shortness of the neck, etc. I think Kyra Kyrklynd explained it the most beautifully ever, when the inevitable happens about when ‘all the horses who came here have been a little bit behind the vertical’.

She explained that - and it’s absolutely fantastic to think about - in the old days when the dressage horses were more cold-blooded horses - big heavy, thick necks, it wouldn’t matter what you did with the reins, you wouldn’t be able to get them behind the vertical With the modern breeding of the athletic horse, like this horse for instance, they have very beautiful necks and very flexible joints and that’s what everyone’s looking for. So it’s not such a major problem as it was in the old days with a big heavy neck that showed restriction and tension and tightness, because you had to do a lot to get the horse short-necked like that. Nowadays with the modern breeding and the very athletic horse with the finer necks are more flexible, a little bit behind the vertical is understandable, but the modern time rule hasn’t quite changed. And I thought that was a fabulous way of explaining it.”

BRETT: “With a young horse, walk trot canter, this horse has to know should shoulder in, travers, renvers, some medium trot collected trot, turns on the haunches, walkcanter, canter-walk transitions and simple changes, and counter-canter. That’s what I would expect from a 5yo who’s wanting to compete well.”

“I’ve asked Stuart, this horse can do it. Elementary level for me is the completion of the basics of dressage.

Medium onwards is where dressage begins.”

“All of you who are riders. I want you to be able to go home and ride your horse with the ability to self analyse.

I want you to be able to ride with the ability of saying, ‘is the horse yielding to my frame control? I want to be able to control his shoulders. Can I control the hind legs? Is the horse in front of my leg? Is the horse waiting for me in the half halt? These are things I want you all to go away with, a very clear and basic system.”

Brett begins by asking Stuart to start with trot, and they work on lateral exercises, beginning with a leg yield each way. Aurum Walter looks fantastic, and Brett spends a bit of time tweaking the leg yield, explaining that minor corrections in lateral movements can be made through the shoulders.

Stuart and Walter are doing well, and Brett has a few tips to improve the leg yield even further..

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 107

Megan Puell and

Florinzz

“A little more quarters there, and it was just marginal but if you wanted to correct that and make it a bit more parallel - a correction in the lateral exercise is done in the shoulders.”

“If you end up in the leg yield in a competition, you’ve gotta have a way to correct it. If you go into the competition and the horse is suddenly pushing into your outside leg and doesn’t go sideways, you’ve got to be able to turn the shoulder, get the horse straight and get the horse to move across parallel, and like I said, it was being picky at the start, but shoulder control is the way you correct these things.”

Next up, Shoulder-in..

“Shoulder-In is a three track exercise, with flexion and bend to the inside. It’s where your upper body tells the shoulders to come to the inside. Your right leg pushes the horse a little bit back to the left. Your upper body turns the shoulders in, your frame control keeps control of the frame, your leg pushes the horse back to the left and you control the hind legs of the horse with your outside leg.”

Brett really doesn’t have too many criticisms for Stuart and Walter, and after a few shoulder-in exercises, we move on to travers.

“So travers - a four track exercise. Flexion and bend to the inside. Again, shoulder control, front leg control is the key to travers. Whilst you’re putting the hind legs to the inside, if you cannot keep those front legs and shoulders on the track, you haven’t got travers.”

108 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

“This is just the basic training of the aids that we need later on.”

“Very good!” Brett is happy with the pair’s efforts.

“What you’re looking for is that he doesn’t change rhythm, that the balance of the horse stays the same, that he can place the feet where he wants, without it affecting the horse in the basics - the frame, the feet, in front of the leg, the basics we discussed at the start.”

Next up - renvers.

“Renvers - a four track exercise, it’s set up originally coming out of shoulder-in, the way you get to it is you go shoulder-in on three tracks, you open up to four tracks, and you change the flexion and bend to renvers. It’s a test of the horse on the aids, a test of the suppleness of the horse, and you don’t want rhythm changes or imbalances in the horse. You want everything to be nice and seamless and smooth.”

“So, we’ve done leg yield, shoulder-in, travers, and renvers. Only one more lateral exercise to go - half pass.”

“Half passes are virtually travers on the diagonal. So, occasionally in the teaching world - I’m sure Roger will agree - people will come into lessons and say they want to work on half pass. Then you start to see the way they’re riding them, and you say, ‘Hang on! You’re not giving the aids for half pass’. A half pass is simple - travers on a diagonal line, but it has a reference to the end. So there’s no point doing a travers on this diagonal, when you look up and you’re completely quarters leading. The reference

Hidden Valley Grand Opening point is the end, but the aids are exactly the same as your travers. The focus of keeping the shoulders on the line that you want to ride your half pass on is the key.

So I see a lot of people come around, they think that a half pass is about just jamming the outside leg on and pushing the horse sideways, and I’m afraid to say it’s not. It’s about frame control, shoulder control, taking the horses frame and shoulders sideways and then bumping the hind legs behind you. Keeping the horse in front of the leg.”

“Think about the line you’re on and control the shoulders on the line. Nice! It’s nice and fluent, swinging, it looks lovely. That horse is talented for it, he does a good job.”

Brett then asks Stuart to work on canter.

“We’ll just do a little collecting of the canter. So, to help your horse collect the canter, you can do things like 10m circles, you can just make those basic transitions on straight lines, on circles, it doesn’t matter. Start with ten metre circles. Stuart was telling me that his horse is quite hot and he likes to run away, so if he likes to run away, lets put him on a circle where he can’t run away.”

“Just focus on the turning of the horse from the shoulders. Everybody think about it! How do you turn your car? With the steering wheel! What does that turn? It turns the front wheels. The moment you start trying to turn your horse from your legs, you start turning the horse from the back legs, or like turning your car from the back wheels. Certainly if you turn, and the horse sticks it’s back legs out, put your outside leg back, because that’s a hind leg problem. But don’t initiate the turning aids off your legs. Initiate it from the front legs.“ That’s enough for Stuart and Walter, now - and Brett suggests as Walter is quite spooky, that Stuart use the time with the crowds in the arena to school him to help get him accustomed to the atmosphere.

Next in to the arena, as Roger announces is Morgan Duell.

ROGER: “This horse can’t believe there are people in this arena! It’s amazing how when you’ve got a horse at home and you train in the same arena, and all of a sudden move one chair, they think ‘oh my god, what is happening!’. Well, Morgan’s horse hasn’t seen people here and it’s trained here everyday, that’s interesting.”

“Morgan is on a horse called Florinzz, by Pzzazz, it’s been a great horse. She bought it from Maree Tomkinson, she’s riding for Maree here, and will be looking after the property and horses and schooling, which will be fantastic while Maree goes overseas with Diamantina. Good on you for taking on that job, I’m sure you’ll do a fantastic job.”

“Of course, Florinzz won the Young Rider championships at the CDI last year. A horse she’s brought all the

way up from novice right through. We’ve seen her do masterclasses at Equitana, where the horse has coped admirably well. Over to you Brett, with Morgan and Florinzz.”

Brett and Roger talk a little about conflicting aids while Morgan and Florinzz warm up.

BRETT: “It’s one aid for one response. But forward takes priority. As Australians, I think as a culture, we tend to do things by extremes. My wife, when she fights with me, she’ll always say, ‘Ok, well I just won’t do it then!’. No, no, just don’t do it a little bit. I don’t want you not to do it, whatever it might be, but we are a bit extreme. We’re either on or we’re off. In dressage, in horse riding, a little bit means a lot. Just don’t take them so far down. Or just don’t take them so far up.

It could be one centimetre, one millimetre. A horse hanging against your hand can be one millimetre difference. It doesn’t mean you have to pull or let go or do all these extremes, it can be within the aid. So ride on feel, is what I’m saying.”

Roger asks what Brett would do if the horse really wasn’t forward or on the aids - how he would really get the horse to move forward.

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 109

“Pain

does not equal response. A big hit with the whip or a big kick does not create a bigger response. A surprise creates a big response!”

and a ‘come on’, and they go again. And then you praise them. In saying that, you still have to have them cool enough to accept aids like flying changes in a competition environment.”

ROGER: “What would be the extreme with a horse you feel is really not in front of your leg - and it goes on for a period of time - you feel like you’re not getting there.

What really do you do about making them forward?”

“Speaking of flying changes, this is our flying change horse.

So a flying change is a simple change, without the walk.

What I’d like you to do Morgan, is some simple changes.

This one’s established, so we’re not going to be able to work through many problems.”

BRETT: “If I come from a ‘zero’ leg, to a ‘number one’, let’s say, my first aid, I want to feel some reaction. If that doesn’t happen my ‘number two’ aid is slightly more, and my number 3 aid is everything. I never use a whip to go forward, I only ever use a whip to come under behind and to put the hind legs where I want them in the half halt.

I never try and teach my horses to go forward from my whip. The other thing is, horses don’t respond generally that well to big ‘pony club’ kicks, they tend to see it coming, they tend to hold their breath, and all you do is end up kicking the sides of like, wood. The best way to get the horses response is to surprise them. So, you’re trotting along, you’re cantering along, you want to touch the horse with your leg, there’s no response. Then quick, quick - and doesn’t mean pain. Pain does not equal response. A big hit with the whip or a big kick does not create a bigger response. A surprise creates a big response. So I can make my horses super hot, with hardly any leg, with hardly any touch at all. Just by a little surprise. And then as soon as they respond, I’m like, ‘good, that’s good’, and I overdo the reward. Because I want them to keep wanting to do it. I want them to keep wanting to be in front of me. And the moment the horse gets behind me, a little warning,

110

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

“The ingredients of a flying change are that you can adjust your canter - the existing canter that you are in, you can ride it forward and back. That you have adjustability of the frame. The frame control isn’t just that your horse is able to be positioned to allow it to make a flying change. When I say positioned, the position I like to adopt for a flying change is shoulder-fore position of the current canter. And allowing me to get the frame to look to the right.”

Morgan does some counter-canter, changing the flexion and bend, under Brett’s watchful eye.

“You can do what you call the ‘set up’ for the flying change.

Adjust your canter, adjust your frame, you have to be able to keep the horse in shoulder-fore position and adjust the frame, and the last thing the horse must understand the canter aids. Canter left, canter right. If you have those ingredients, theoretically, it will make sense when you ask for a flying change.”

Reality is very seldom that you get them first up. Some of the problems are that the horse tries to change late behind, and that the horse runs against the bridle and takes off. It’s up to us as riders then to identify what aid

Hidden Valley Grand Opening they did not respond to. Was it the new canter aid, was it frame control? Was it the half-halt? And school that aid on it’s own.”

Brett asks Morgan to put Florinzz through his paces, and complete simple changes down the longside. Canter left, back to walk, new canter right, back to walk.

“Every coach has got an exercise that might be different to someone else. Funnily enough, in the early days, I had a horse that was really good at flying changes - so everyone thought I was good at them. Which was wrong - I was hopeless at them - it’s just that my horse was good at them. So suddenly, I’m getting all these phone calls, ‘Can you help me fix my horse’s flying changes?’

It made me go away and learn just about everything there is to know about a flying change - because I had to survive in business. But quick sequence simple changes will help to get the horse sharp enough to do a flying change.”

Morgan and Florinzz perform simple changes, and then Brett asks for a change, and Florinzz obliges.

“Morgan said to me that her horse was weak in the pirouettes. So Morgan, guess what we’re doing? A pirouette has the same aids as the half halt. It’s the positioning of the hind legs in. It’s positioning of the shoulders. It’s keeping the horse in front of you, and its keeping the frame controlled. There are two parts to a canter pirouette, there’s the set up and then there’s the pirouette.”

Brett asks Morgan to get Florinzz a bit quicker in the pirouette, and tells her to think about the balance in the shoulders.

“As you can see, to get him to back to pirouette canter, there’s a little stalling moment. So it would be foolish of me to go into the pirouettes until I can control that pirouette canter. So let’s work on the pirouette canter again!”

“So, the ingredients. Always break it down to the ingredients. Morgan hasn’t quite got her horse in front of her leg coming back to pirouette canter. Secondly, he’s not putting his hind legs to the inside circle line in the working pirouette. So therefore Morgan, let’s do it in the walk. Just train it like a walk pirouettes. Walk pirouettes and canter pirouettes use the same aids, but one’s in walk, one’s in canter.”

“As you can see, he’s wanting to negotiate. He’s saying, ‘I want to negotiate with you on this one’. Morgan, you have to say, ‘uh uh, I don’t negotiate. You respond to my aid’. She has to get a response to something.”

“You don’t want to get caught negotiating sideways and forward. Forward is the priority.”

made her aids much more clear. They go back to canter, and keep working on the set up and the pirouette.

“Little amounts of it, but do it often - and you praise him and then you build on that.”

“So can everyone see that pirouette is simply a control of a canter, a horse in canter, shoulders on one line and hind legs on the inner line? That’s the fundamental.

Then its a matter of bringing the horse back over the hind legs and choosing the size of the circle.”

“When you come into the exercise, he’s just blocking a bit on the left side, pushing his left shoulder, then all of a sudden, he’s just taking control. You need to get him a little more giving in the frame, control the shoulders on the line, and just seeing it like it’s a travers. But controlling the shoulder and the flexion and bend within the exercise.”

“The epitome of riding a pirouette or the epitome of a flying change, or the end result we want from this is to be able to canter straight down the centre line in the Grand Prix, canter straight, prepare, do a pirouette now we all know that a pirouette should be about the size of a dinner plate - go straight, make a clean flying change to the right, come back, do another pirouette, canter straight, turn right. That’s the Grand Prix test. To do that you need to be able to make the horse straight, and we need to have the control of turning the shoulders around the hind legs. We need to develop the control of front legs, and hind legs and frame on it’s own.”

“You break down the basics, and you train the basics.

It’s about the ingredients. It’s like me trying to make a cake, if you were schooling me and I’m hopeless at cooking. But if I muck up the ingredients, I can’t expect to get a cake, can I? But someone might come along and say, ‘oh, you’re putting too much butter in it’. Suddenly my cake gets better. It’s the same thing. If you work on those ingredients, you’ll get a better pirouette.”

Florinzz responds, and Brett thinks that Morgan has

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

111

112

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Hidden Valley Grand Opening Morgan and Florinzz show us some half passes, from the corner to the centre line.

“That’s it, so, flexion, bend, control your shoulders and look at your line. Good! So that’s what happens in dressage, things get closer together, aids get closer, and the horse has to respond in a short time.”

“The more you can control the ingredients, the more you can then change the ingredients. You can go more forward, more back, you can start playing with things.

The more you teach your horse to be adjustable within the exercise, the more control you have within a competition environment.”

ROGER: “I think that’s the art to dressage - it is keeping it simple. And like Brett said, with his riding, you can see it in the way that he rides any horse. You don’t see him do a thing, yet his horses do a lot, and that’s because of his attention to detail.”

“So thanks very much again, Morgan, and the beautiful Florinzz, and we wish you luck in upcoming competition with this super horse - I’m sure it won’t be too long before you’re doing Grand Prix. And now, in the arena, a horse that needs no introduction, the beautiful mare Diamantina, an imported mare, and as a five-year-old she won here, in Australia as a young horse and went to Verden with Maree and finished in the top 15 which is quite an amazing feat. She stayed in Europe and competed as a six year old and actually finished 6th in the World Championships in the 6yo class. You tend to forget the amazing competition record of this mare.

National Champion, now Grand Prix... Over to you Brett and Maree!”

BRETT: “Thanks Roger, Diamantina and Maree. They were sixth in the world as a six-year-old.. I mean, that’s incredible for an Australian rider and an Australian owned horse. Maree has done a wonderful job in producing her to Grand Prix. This is where, as professionals, Roger, myself, Maree, and others around the country, all of our systems are slightly different, but we all try to get the same result. We all try to get a half pass that the judges want to give an 8 to - hopefully a 9. But we all want to get the movements to 7’s and 8’s.”

ROGER: “Maree probably wants a 9 or a 10 - there is a ten in the dressage scoring, Brett.”

BRETT: “I’m happy with 8.”

There’s a brief pause, before Roger responds...

ROGER: “Maree is NOT.” (Everyone laughs) “So its your job to make certain that she starts getting a few more tens, alright?”

BRETT: “I like to shoot for an 8 and get an 8, I don’t want to shoot for a ten and get a 6, which often happens!”

“The aids that we use are all slightly different. That’s what makes it so special. That the horses you produce yourself are usually the best ones. When it comes to

myself, or Roger working with someone like Maree, were not here to teach her how to ride. We’re here to just give feedback on our experiences. Feedback on what we’ve seen, what we think the judges are going to say, and how we feel she can get more points. Because when Maree puts an Australian flag on that saddlecloth, we are all behind her. And we want her to do well. So I just said to Maree, you just ride, I’ll watch. We’ll play around with a bit of stuff and we’ll see what happens!”

“This is perfect for Diamantina, because the more famous the horse, usually the more frights they get as they come up through the grades, the big claps they get, and Diamantina has had some big claps. And it frightens her. They’re sensitive horses. So Maree has some trouble keeping her on the aids in big audiences, so this is the perfect scenario for her going away to Europe to try and qualify, to school her horse with people close by.”

“When you get to Grand Prix you suddenly realise the importance of a good quality half halt. The ability to create the energy, capture the energy and to do the movements with that energy underneath you.”

“We know this mare can trot for a ten!”

“When you talk about quality of horses, Roger, have you seen one as nice as Diamantina?

ROGER: “I don’t think many people would have really, when you talk about quality, she has everything, she has that start appeal. There’s just that movie star quality that some horses are just born with. Like you say, if you want to ride Grand Prix, they have to be sharp and sensitive, and unfortunately, a lot of people don’t realise that. She is sharp, it’s sometimes a bit frustrating, but in the end they’re the ones who are world champions.”

BRETT: “The thing that this mare oozes is X Factor - just the lines, the way she bends, her fluency.”

Brett and Maree were talking half-halts, and Brett clues us in...

“A half halt is half of a halt. If your horse is not responding to the half halt, you halt. And you continue to make halts until your horse learns to respond to the halt. And it’s as simple as that. If you apply your half halt aid and there’s no response, come back to halt, go again. Come back to halt until the horse identifies what you’re asking.“ Brett asks Maree how Diamantina feels.

MAREE: “She feels good!”

BRETT: “She looks good!”

And she truly does. Each and every time we see Diamantina, she looks even more unreal.

BRETT: “The reality of this sport is that is doesn’t feel like the textbook says. Very, very seldom. Usually it’s at home

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 113

when you’re on your own and there’s no one around to watch. Usually it feels bad at the show, where everyone goes that was lovely, gee it looked good! Isn’t that right, Rog?” ROGER: “Absolutely. When it doesn’t feel so good but it looks fantastic, that’s when we get lucky, huh?”

BRETT: “Exactly. It’s funny, when Victory Salute was at his best, people would say, ‘Oh he looks so light and nice and easy!’ And I’ll tell you what - he was strong. Strong, but in a good way.”

ROGER: “You always complained about that!”

BRETT: “Yeah, see I come from a western background, and we like them light. I had callouses on my hands.”

ROGER: You need better gloves!

BRETT: “It’s funny, what we say there it’s not about having them strong. There’s a different between strong and adjustable and strong and wooden. Wooden is where you can’t adjust them.”

Maree is doing a bit of work on tempo, playing with Diamantina’s trot.

BRETT: “Roger, have you ever seen a test say, ‘do 40 consecutive twenty metre circles’?”

ROGER: “No, never.”

BRETT: “No. The test says, ‘ride down the centre line, go across this diagonal line, turn here’. But never does it say

114

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

ride 40 consecutive twenty-metres circles. So we must think about that when we’re training.”

ROGER: “Something that interests me, and it would probably interest Maree as well - do you practice the tests in exactly the sequence the test is in? Do you do it over and over and over and pirouettes in the same place? Or do you train outside that square?”

BRETT: “I tend to, when they’re first learning the exercise, I tend to keep it off one rein for familiarity. I want the horse to feel familiar with the aids. If I’m leading up to a show - for example, I’m designing the freestyle for Weltmeister, and because he’s a green Grand Prix horse, I’m going to keep the ‘ones’ off the right and the ‘twos’ off the left, so I can keep it quite consistent with the Grand Prix test.

As that horse gets older, because they have to do the Grand Prix Special - which is a flip around, ‘ones’ to the left, ‘twos’ off the right - we have to then mix it up. But I won’t enter the special until I’m ready. And I’ll construct my freestyle to fit where his knowledge is for the time.

But that’ll all change as time goes on. But definitely for familiarity, I’ll try to keep it consistent at the start.”

“Like I said at the start, there are a lot of marks in the canter in the Grand Prix. The zig zag is a test of control of canter, keeping the horse on the aids and balanced. The zig zag in the Grand Prix is down the centre line, three strides to the left, six strides to the right, six left, six right, three back to the track, and change. And to do that you need to train each facet of that. You need to train the set up for the half pass, we need to train the half pass, the

Hidden Valley Grand Opening

straightening aids, we need to train the flying change aids, and have the horse waiting to accept the half pass aids. Its a very complex movement, Roger, and I think I feel cheated every time I ride it, because it’s only worth ten marks. And you’ve done all that work for ten marks!”

BRETT: “This pair in Sydney rode a zig zag last year, I can tell you, I’ve never seen one better anywhere in the world. It’s something that this combination finds easy.

They click with that movement. It’s about riding a test smart, hiding what you do not do well, and showing off what you do well. And hoping you can fool the judges into giving you a minimum of 6 for what you do badly, and 8, 9’s or 10’s for the stuff you do well.”

ROGER: “I think it is such a movement that really shows total submission, elasticity and also the adjustability you’ve gotta go half pass, straight, change of flexion, make a change, go back the other way, and you’ve only got 6 strides to do it in. It’s an amazingly difficult exercise - ask any Grand Prix rider. Most hate that.

Ask Rozzie, she loves the zig zag!”

BRETT: “And Maree loves it, and that’s why she rides it well!”

ROGER: “Because it keeps you busy, keeps you mentally thinking, keeps the horse on the job when you’ve got the horse on the aids, it’s beautiful to ride. I’m yet to experience it, but apparently it is!”

Then we move into changes, and Maree and Diamantina seem to go skipping down the longside of the arena.

BRETT: “How do we do the one-tempis? How do we train them? It’s the same as everything. It builds. So for Maree to go and do 9 two-tempo changes - that’s a change every second stride then 15 one-tempis, it has to start from one-one. Or one change, two strides, one change. Little and often! And repeat it, and you build it. So once upon a time, this mare has done one flying change, with no counting in between, and another flying change to get her used to doing a sequence on the line. And then as things develop, three changes on a line, start putting numbers in between, six canter strides, five and four. Then it starts to two tempis, one change, two strides, another change, give them a pat.

And the same with the one tempis.”

“You have to have tools to get through the weakest link of your horse. Maree is saying the hardest part for her is to keep the tension out of her neck, she keeps her working overtime. A little walk break like this might be just the thing that she needs. You never know. But you can only do what is favourable for you and her.”

Maree is going one-tempis down the longside again.

ROGER: “Just a few for 8 or nine don’t try to do the 10’s yet, Maree. Mind you I have to say as a judge, there’s movement that excites the hell out of me with this mare, I don’t understand how she doesn’t get more tense in extended canter, in collected canter, flying change, when she’s got the horse forward and through the trasitions and collection and the flying changes just blow your socks off, they’re unbelievable.”

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 115

“I was going to say, people say, ‘how could they get this mark because they’re behind the vertical?’ How can you get a 7 when it was behind the vertical? There’s still 8, 9 and 10, and if it wasn’t behind the vertical, it’d get ten. But then you have to realise that some horses that have little deeper frame and need to be a bit more connected, if they bring them up and get them hollow they’d probably get a 5.5 or a 6. It’s all inkeeping. We will realise when things aren’t perfect but there’s still marks above it and there’s no reason why those one tempi changes wouldn’t get a nine. I could understand a nine.”

BRETT: “And there she just did two changes uncounted on the line. That’s the basic - it starts from there.”

“So you can see the changes are fantastic. The changes should occur within the canter stride, it should be within the canter stride, and be the same quality as the canter stride. Now she’s starting to put some numbers in between. Staying straight, controlling the shoulders again. Frame control, shoulder control - the horse in front of leg, horse responding to canter aids. There’s nothing more difficult than that.”

“Super. Just watch your drift right. Good! Nice.. Roger?

Mark, score?”

ROGER: “Uh.. it’s funny you say that, everytime I look I give it marks. It started off in 9’s, and then I was a little bit disappointed, there was a little bit too much left flexion for me and a little drift to the right, but I still give it an 8.5.”

Maree doesn’t seem impressed!

BRETT: “And that’s it, it’s quality, isn’t it?

ROGER: “It’s absolute quality - and when you get the 9s and tens it’s just a bit like you said, she falls a little bit to the right, because she gets a bit too much left flexion and her shoulders aren’t in front. But I mean, she has changes for ten there’s no question.“ BRETT: “And that’s what we said at the start, Maree is a great rider. We’re not teaching her to ride, we’re just saying just watch the drift to the right. Keep your eye on it, fix it in your aids.”

“Super! Straight! And funnily enough, there’s not really drift to the right - if there was it was very minimal.

They’re quality.”

ROGER: “Total quality.”

BRETT: “Score? 8?”

ROGER: “At least, at least!”

The audience pipes up with cheers of, ‘come on!” Everyone wants Maree and Diamantina to score a ten from Roger!

ROGER: “To tell you the truth of what I see? I’ll tell Maree. I see in one change she comes a bit up, and in the other change she goes a bit down in the neck..”

116

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Maree still wants a ten, of course.

MAREE: ”I’d say me right now at this point in time, I can safely do 15 simple quality changes with my horse not short in the neck. One day in a year, maybe I’ll be able to do fifteen super changes with my horse open in the neck and I’ll get a ten. That’s the choice I’ve made for right now, I can open the neck but then I really risk losing the balance through the whole 15 changes. So I leave the neck.”

ROGER: “Perfectly said.”

MAREE: ”I say to her, ‘Can we do it like this? She says, no we can not. So we’re not ready yet.”

BRETT: “You’re right, you’re training to do a mistake free test. At a Grand Prix level a mistake free test is your priority. Then comes the little bits that give the extra marks.”

ROGER: “When you look at horses around the world, people would die to have those flying changes. And as Maree says, it’s not totally natural for the mare to make changes like that. They’re schooled and trained. Maree has done a fantastic job to produce that horse through better balance, she is able to make better changes. As she says, I don’t think it’s unreasonable, it’s no dream that this mare will get a ten for changes.”

BRETT: “like I said, I’m happy with an 8.” (laughter) ROGER: “Maree’s not!”

MAREE: “In piaffe, I am!” (more laughter) Maree is now doing some trot work.

ROGER: “That trot along the short side was absolutely sensational And it was the frame that the Grand Prix judges are looking for. And it was a frame that Maree perhaps would be rapt with. At the moment, the way she explains, it’s a work in progress.

BRETT: “Super, very nice.”

“So even a Grand Prix horse gets the basics over and over. Ree just uses that to supple the horse, and teaches the horse to get the hind leg more under, teaches the horse to be obedient to your aids, it teaches the horse to be able to be positioned without losing rhythm or balance.”

“I prefer to make a horse quick and slow it on my half halt than have it slow and be after it the whole time.

I’d prefer to go through the process of having it in front of my leg, and quick in tempo, and when I say ‘wait’ the horse comes into the tempo for my test, rather than have him slow and dead, dull. You can see, Maree went ‘Come on, quicken up’ and the mare responded well.”

Hidden Valley Grand Opening

“It’s a fine line Roger, I don’t know why I started doing this?”

ROGER: “Why do we do this!?”

BRETT: “It’s the most difficult sport I’ve ever done, and I’ve done a lot of sports.”

ROGER: “Is it harder than bull riding?”

BRETT: “Well, I was a bronc rider.”

ROGER: “You were sensible!”

BRETT: “But I tell no lies! Dressage is the hardest sport I’ve ever done - to get right.”

We hear Maree yell from the other side of the arena, ‘Did you see that?”

BRETT: “I missed it!”

ROGER: “I saw it! She actually opened the rein and stayed really balanced on the hind legs. Well done Maree!”

MAREE: “Does that deserve a ten?”

ROGER: “Yep, you can sleep well tonight, that’s a ten!”

BRETT: “That’s the essence of dressage, it’s that adjustability in all paces, and like we said, it’s a fairytale to think that it’s easy. But we make it as easy as possible through being simple.”

MAREE: “If all I had to do was trot, it’d be great!”

With the masterclass over, it was time for the final thanks:

ROGER: “I think we’ve had an amazing couple of hours, on behalf of the Tomkinson Group Dressage, I’d like to thank everyone again for coming along. Above all especially Brett, who has flown back this morning from Monaco to Hidden Valley, who is so insightful in sharing his knowledge. To Maree who’s absolutely honest in the way she rides every single day of her life, and her mare and these sensational facilities. They’re better than ever with the new outdoor arena and the day yards.

Congratulations Maree, and welcome home.”

We browse the trade stands, enter to win a hat box, grab a snag in bread and take in the sounds of the band - playing some great covers. Maree was right - they are good - and we love their name, ‘The Warmbloods’.

Just fantastic! All of the guests have had a wonderful afternoon, it was definitely an exciting experience.

So from us, a big thank you to Maree for inviting us to come along, and to Brett and Roger, who both did a wonderful job. It was an entertaining and informative afternoon, and we thoroughly enjoyed the masterclass.

The riders all did a fantastic job, and we’ll be keeping an eye out for them in upcoming competitions. Well done to all involved - we can’t wait to see what’s in store for Hidden Valley!

Congratulations, Maree - we wish you all the best!

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 117

EQUINENEWS BREEDING

Whether you own one broodmare and one foal, or fifty mares and fifty foals, weaning is an inevitable process for every owner/breeder.

The method you choose and the timing of the weaning may vary, but all foals must be weaned at some point - and the best we can hope for is a stress free process, and healthy and happy horses. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put together a few tips, hints and facts about weaning that are good food for thought when it comes to separating mum and baby.

118

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

BREEDING

WEANING WOES?

TIPS TO MINIMISE STRESS FOR MARE & FOAL

CONSIDERATIONS

When it comes to weaning, you have options There is not one ‘tried and proven’ method. There is no ‘right age’ at which to wean a foal. Your method of weaning and the age at which you choose to wean your foal is up to you. In fact, it would be disastrous not to consider what is best for mare and foal, and wean your foal on the first of April because the calendar says that it’s time.

Weaning time very much depends on the health of mare and foal, how the foal is coping nutritionally, whether it is still relying on the mare to meet the majority of it’s nutritional requirements, and whether or not your circumstances force you to wean early. Will another month or two make any difference? Possibly. Possibly not. You must consider the options taking into account the individual needs of your mare and foal. A textbook cannot tell you when is ‘right’.

Your property and available facilities will also impact the method you choose for weaning. If you choose to take baby from Mum ‘cold turkey’ and move them to opposite ends of the farm, it won’t be very pleasant for any involved if ‘across the farm’ is fifty metres away. Have you got a safe place for your mare and weanling? Have you walked the fence lines to check that they are safe and in good condition?

Is baby particularly attached to Mum at this point in his development? Or is he independent and usually off on the other side of the paddock, harassing the neighbouring good-natured geldings? How often does the foal feed? Is he grazing well? Eating a good percentage of roughage? Stealing mum’s grain?

All of these factors should be carefully considered prior to weaning. Preparation and vigilance is the key to a successful weaning - have a general plan, but be prepared to hold off on weaning if the mare and foal aren’t quite ready.

WHEN TO WEAN? As mentioned previously - there is no ‘textbook’ right time to wean your foal from your mare.

Certain factors will certainly influence the timing.

If the mare is not coping with the demands of her growing foal, or if her health is being compromised, foals can be weaned early. On properties where horses are business, and time is money, foals may be weaned early (or all in a large group) because this is what the stud/breeder needs to do in order to operate the business efficiently. If you are under no time restrictions, if your mare and foal are doing well, if there is no reason to wean early - then please, do not wean early.

Foals can be weaned anywhere from four months onwards. (Would this be our choice? Definitely NOT.) Some breeders choose six months, some choose around eight. Basically, you need to make sure that the foal is eating well and able to cope with the weaning before you consider weaning him.

Generally, the older the foal, the easier the weaning should be, as generally the older foal (let’s say an 8-month-old) is more independent and selfreliant than say, a 5-month-old.

DO NOT WEAN...

If the foal is unwell. Adding stress on top of any illness can lead to a poor immune response, which can have disastrous results. Vets and professionals also recommend completing any medical routines (worming, hoof trimming, vaccinations, etc) prior to weaning, so there is no added stress after the foal has been separated from it’s mother.

FOAL HANDLING Foal handling prior to weaning will also make the process easier - not only will it ensure that your foal recognises you, but it also enables you to earn

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 119

WEANING TIPS

Who better than the experts on nutrition to give us some tips for weaning? Here are four essential weaning tips from Kentucky Equine Research.

THE NUTRITION SIDE Weaning is synonymous with stress. The process produces anxiety among foals and mares, not to mention their caretakers. To ease the transition all foals must face—from maternal coddling to self-sufficiency among peers—owners can do a little homework before the day of parting arrives. Here are four tips that may soothe the anxiety of all parties involved.

Foals should be consuming concentrate before weaning occurs. This is generally not a problem as foals are often snatching grain from their dam’s feed tub by four or six weeks of age. Though amount will vary depending on the type of feed as well as the individual, a weanling should receive just under half a kilogram of feed per day for every month of age. If a foal is weaned at five months of age, for example, it should be given approximately 2.2kg of feed per day. Be sure to feed a product that is formulated expressly for growing horses.

1

Keep weanlings in familiar surroundings and move mares to a new location. Because of their age and experience, mares are less likely to hurt themselves in a new environment. Plus, mares are usually more respectful of boundaries and fences than are frenzied young horses. Weanlings will be excited by the loss of companionship, but by keeping them in an area that is known to them, they won’t have any problem finding a water source.

2

Don’t get too caught up in the notion of a growth slump following weaning. Yes, it’s perfectly normal for growth to be less accelerated immediately following weaning (you’ll know this by weighing and measuring the height of your foals regularly), but a veterinary examination is in order if a weanling significantly lags its peers in development.

3

Stress is thought to precipitate the development of gastric ulcers at time of weaning. Signs of gastric ulcers include poor appetite, dull coat, slow growth, and a sour disposition. To keep ulcers at bay, consider supplementing weanlings with a product specifically designed to protect the stomach from the damaging effects of excessive gastric acid. One such product is Neigh-Lox. Check with your veterinarian about the availability of NeighLox in your area.

4

KER makes an array of specialty nutrition products, including equine supplements and feeds. For optimal nutrition, choose products created by KER. For further information on KER products, visit www.ker.com, email advice@ker.com or call the Nutrition Advice Hotline on 1800 772 198.

120 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

WEANING WOES?

BREEDING

TIPS TO MINIMISE STRESS FOR MARE & FOAL

the trust of the young horse, which can make farrier visits, worming and vet visits a much more pleasant experience. Your foal should have already been on a regular worming program before he is weaned.

WHICH METHOD? There are three basic weaning methods for separating mum and baby. In a nutshell, we have no contact, gradual weaning, or weaning in proximity.

In the ‘no contact’ method, the mare and foal are separated and (usually) placed on either end of the property. This is common when large groups of mares and foals are to be weaned. Some breeders will choose to run all mares and foals together for a week or so prior to moving the mares out, so the foals can socialise and begin to get to know each other. Then, mares and foals are separated - mares are run together, and the foals are turned out together. It is definitely the most stressful (for the horses and for the caring horse owner), as mares and foals inevitably call for one another. If they can hear each other, it can take a longer period for mares and foals to settle.

Putting all weanlings together is not necessarily the best idea either. Studies, including one completed at Virginia Tech’s Middleburg Agriculture Research and Extension Center (MAREC) showed that while weanlings preferred another weanling (as opposed to being by himself, we assume), weanlings housed with other weanlings displayed higher blood cortisol (stress hormone) levels than those of weanlings that were left without a buddy. It is a possibility that other weanlings also calling for their mothers can raise the ‘herd mentality’ and cause stress in all members of the new weanling herd.

In the wild as foals are gradually weaned, their dams will gradually ‘shoo’ them away to discourage nursing, often as the mare is once again in foal and expecting a new arrival shortly. Easy done, right? Not always so in domestic horses. Offspring can nurse until they are years old if the mare allows. Not a very practical option if the mare is your much-loved riding horse.

During weaning, foals do require a companion. Some people have weaned foals with goats and other animals - but none replaces the old reliable gelding.

A wiser herd member who will be gentle on the young

horse, but set a good example and teach him to be a productive member of a herd.

You should also ensure that your foal is placed somewhere that is familiar to him, if possible. If he is familiar with his paddock, there may be less stress involved, rather than being separated from mum and in a foreign environment.

Option two for weaning is the gradual separation method, where Mum and baby are placed in separate paddocks for periods of time that you slowly increase, reducing the foal’s reliance on Mum for both comfort and nursing.

Option three is a separation where mare and foal are placed in adjoining paddocks - however where the foal is unable to nurse from the mare. This method is probably the least stressful for the foal, especially as the young horse could also be housed with another young horse or older gelding babysitter. Mare and foal will still be able to see each other, and will have limited contact over the fence.

Wherever you choose to house your weanling, be sure that the fences are secure, and that there is no chance of injury. Foals are not always respectful of fences, and may try to go under, over or through them - so ensure that your fencing is as safe as possible, on the off chance that your foal does attempt this.

YOUR MARE Once the foal is no longer drinking, the mare’s udder will reduce in size, and milk production will come to a stop. It is important to keep an eye on the mare’s udder at this time to ensure there are no symptoms of mastitis.

Ensure that mare and foal are both placed on appropriate diets after weaning - the mare will not require as much energy from her feed in comparison to when she was feeding her foal - and the foal will need to be on an appropriate diet to ensure that he receives all of the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary for a growing horse - as well as a diet that meets the growing horse’s daily energy requirements.

Whichever method you choose, and at whichever age you choose to wean your foal, make the situation as stress-free as possible, and if in doubt, consult your veterinarian for advice.

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 121

PHHWV

FIRES – HOW

FEBRUARY

PROJECTHOPE EQUINENEWS

Let PHHWV kn NEWSLETTER pastures have been burnt out Kilmore, Mickle given to residents, and financ 2014 East Gippsland Project Hope to date - word is North of Shepp several properties (thanks to PHHW memb Donate hay to the PHHWV/TREW fodder b PHHWV & TREW members and friends of Lowdens open every day.

Help with fencing. Get your pony club or a fencing with Blaze Aid. (www.blazeaid.com

NEWS UPDATE

FIRES

How can you help?

FROM PROJECT

Fodder and getting fences erected are the two primary HOPE HORSE and came back to a house standing, but burnt paddoc WELFARE PRESIDENT, needing first aid, and sadly a small number needing to

SUE KIRKEGARD

Let PHHWV know of any with horses in your area whose pastures have been burnt out. q Kilmore, Mickleham and Riddell’s Creek – hay is being given to residents, and financial help for some extras.East Gippsland - PH members have given out info on Project Hope to date - word is that there is much hay in that area North of Shepparton – Hay & other help is being taken to several properties (thanks to PHHW members for letting us know). q Donate hay to the PHHWV/TREW fodder bank at Kilmore, and/or help staff with this. PHHWV & TREW members and friends of members are keeping the fodder centre at Lowdens open every day. q Help with fencing. Get your pony club or adult riding club to give a day or more to fencing with Blaze Aid. (www.blazeaid.com.au) q Fodder and getting fences erected are the two primary needs. Many residents floated horses out and came back to a house standing, but burnt paddocks and no fences.

We heard of a few horses needing first aid, and sadly a small number needing to be euthanized.

AND ITS NOT JUST FEED… Giving feed is not just picking up the hay. We found an older couple in urgent need of electric fencing in a rented property, a distressed elderly horse that needed a companion, some people needing horse gear; another had a wandering traumatised pony hanging around.

Noelle, Rose, Sue, Alicia and friend, Leigh, and Renee visited nearly all properties to leave info on hay. Most people stopped to talk of what was lost, and we found the additional things that needed help. Feed is needed, but through talking about this, we find out what else is needed. “Very worthwhile” said one who visited.

find out what else is needed. “Very worthwhile” said o Liddy’ above) waswas wandering in burned area near Liddy’(pictured pictured above, wandering in burned area aThe ministud studwas that fully we called at to trying offer hay.

The studtheir was num occupied to relocate fully occupied trying to relocate their numerous horses we left, they mentioned the little mare hanging around now in temporary yards.

As we left, they mentioned they could keep feeding it and persuade it into athe yard; little mare hanging around who could not be caught. they rang. The mare was in the lowest yard. They se PHHWV said if they could keep feeding it and persuade it Council to circulate. By the evening, Mitchell Council into a yard; we would take it for them. Late the next day rung.

TheThe next daywas Liddy was reunited two they rang. mare in the lowest yard.with Theyher sent a pa house, was overjoyed.

She had become separated pic. PHHWV took the pic to Macedon Council to circulate. fr through, and the family had been searching the hills fo By the evening, Mitchell Council rang - a friend of the - Sue Kirkegard, President possible owner had rung.

The next day Liddy was reunited with her two paddock mates. Her owner, who had lost his house, was overjoyed. She had become separated from her paddock mates when the fire came through, and the family had been searching the hills for evidence of her.

Become a Project Hope Horse Welfare Member today!

Visit http://www.phhwv.org.au/docs/membership.pdf

GPO Box 1991, Melbourne 3001 |

1300 881 606 Reg No: A0027152D

122 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

PROJECTHOPE Torry before and after

Torry a few months after rescue

Torry when rescued

Short Term carer

Administration

Long Term carer

Training reps to visit and assess reports of horse neglect

Moving Horses

g Website updating / Newsletter compilin Working at an Event

for for PHHWV is a non-profit organisation committed to providing pe hope ation committed to providing ho nis ga or fit ro n-p no a is V HW PH cacy.

Victorian equines through advoadvocacy. abilitation andand ucation, rehrehabilitation ededucation, Victorian equines through

ssible PHHWV po r ve ne he w , ia or ct Vi ut ho ug ro Th

aims to:

Throughout Victoria, whenever possible PHHWV aims to: s. rsehorses. q Assist owners through education and advice to rehabilitate own own ho ir their ion and advice to rehabilitate the ough educat s thrrehabilitate t ownerand ated. sisRescue tre any horse found abandoned, sick, injured or mistreated. · Asq mis abandoned, sick, injured or nd fou rse ho any te lita abi reh · Rescue and q Provide emergency care and treatment to horses. treatment to horses. and e car y enc erg em e vid Pro · q Educate the community on the plight of neglected horses. s. on the plight of neglected horse nitydevelopment mu te the comto policy. · Educa q Contribute the ofrov improved government legislation tio ed government legisla n and and policy. of imp ent pm elo dev the to te ibu ntr Co · Can you help in anyway, volunteering to help out with any of the above jobs? s. above job Please visit our website www.phhwv.org.au andh become a member today. any of the teering to help out wit un vol y, wa any in p hel you n ay.

Ca tod Melbourne, 3001. er1991 memb Donations can be made to Project Hope Horse WelfareBe Victoria, box come aGPO bsite www.phhwv.org.au r wemay visit ouyou ase horses PleAny think may be in need of help, due to neglect or abandonment please phone 1300 881 e Victoria, GPO box 1991 lfar606 We rse Ho pe Ho t jec Pro to de ma be Donations can Melbourne, 3001. t or abandonment be in need of help, due to neglec y ma nk thi y ma you s rse ho y ABN: 96An 820 500 367 please Phone 1300 881 606

6 |

info@phhwv.org.au |

www.phhwv.org.au

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 123

HORSEMANSHIP >> HORSEMANSHIP

Sometimes...

Sometimes, you need to listen to your horse, give him what he needs, use the tools around you, to get to a point where you can train. This was my status update on Facebook yesterday after I worked with a mare who got me thinking (they all seem to get me thinking!).

When I pulled up she was as high as a kite, looking around, out of touch, challenging to communicate with. The owner has been getting lessons for these very reasons, the mare is easily distracted and pulls focus. Huge leaps and bounds have been made over the past 4 weeks, and yesterday was no different.

However, when I arrived, she was pretty far ‘gone’ I started to move her around a bit (online) and she was jumpy and bolstery. I had 2 choices, 1st one, try to work with what I had, bring her down and spend most of our session trying to communicate, 2, take a step back, look around at what tools I had, and see if I could give her what she needed. Blessed as I am I had a roundyard nearby, I decided to head out into the roundyard and let her ‘get it out of her system’ – with some level of direction – its not just a ‘free for all’.

So I headed out into the middle, took off her lead and halter, asked her to yield the forequarter, hind quarter, back up etc. Then I asked her to send out onto the circle – and boy she went! Galloping, bucking, head up in the air like a giraffe, I let her go for 3 circles, changed her direction and let her go the other way a few times.

When I could see a slight change, I called her in. Up she came and got a rub, happy to stand with me in the middle, we then proceeded to have an awesome session at liberty – her first time ever, where she stuck to me like glue, walk, trot turn etc.

FOR THE HORSE I’m all about being ‘for the horse’. Each time I work with, play with or train with my, or a clients horse, I constantly search for the good deal. The place I can leave them where they have learnt something positive, where they are relaxed in my company, where they are happy.

Sometimes this can happen quickly. I have had horses at home that have had a really great session in 15 minutes, and If its an option, I will leave them there. Maybe Ill go back and ride them later that day, or in a couple of hours, but I try to let them ‘cook’ for a while on the greatness. And it must be great – of course during a session I give the horse rests or breaks or time – whatever you want to call it, so they learn they have done something correctly.

If they give me exceptional learning, attention and performance in a short period of time – you can bet your last dollar that Im going to leave it there.

I believe there was no way we would have got there if I hadn’t let her get the ‘play’ or ‘excess energy’ or whatever you want to call it out of her system. I didn’t take offence to it, and all it ‘cost’ me was 5 minutes – and what I gained was more building blocks in our relationship. The next hour and a half was spent doing some quality training.

Sometimes I may not have this luxury – I may be giving a lesson where the owner has paid for the full hour, 2 hours or what have you. If I am at the 45 minute mark, and its been great, then Ill say to the owner that we will leave it there for this week, and have that 15 minutes ‘up our sleeve’. Sometimes a session may take an hour and 15 minutes – you just don’t know, there’s not much about ‘an hour’ that has to do with a horse.

Sometimes, you need to listen to your horse, give him what he needs, use the tools around you, to get to a point where you can train. We wont always have a roundyard, we wont always have an arena, but we always have the ability to step back, think about what is happening, and see if there is a way to make it easier – for us, and the horse.

If you are out trail riding, or mustering for the day, then perhaps you don’t have the luxury of stopping altogether – think of other ways to give your horse the signal that he is performing well, and you appreciate that. I know I get great results keeping the ‘good deal’ in mind.

Ask Tanja...

Have you got a question you’d like to ask Tanja about your horse?

Send your question to tanjajkraus@gmail.com with ‘Ask Tanja’ in the subject line - and check future issues of The Stable for Tanja’s responses!

124 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Tanja Kraus Horsemanship Building the relationship with our equine partners. Confidence, trust, balance are all things TKH can help you build with your horse.

Calendar APRIL 5th & 6th Horsemanship Clinic Grafton 12th & 13th Trust For The Trail Coffs Harbour 14th-16th Kids Clinic - Rodeo Time Bonville 19th & 20th Easter Weekend Campout 26th Kids Club Bonville

0412 592 033 tanjajkraus@gmail.com The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com http://tanjakraushorsemanship.wordpress.com

125

THE STABLE’S BIRT KERx EO·3

Omega-3 Supplement FROM

KENTUCKY EQUINE RESEARCH KERx EO·3 is a rich source of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA in a palatable liquid form. Omega-3 fatty acids may assist in reducing inflammatory responses, improve glucose tolerance, support immune function, and increase red blood cell flexibility.

Q: What two types of fatty acids must be balanced

Thanks to Equinade, one lucky reader will score a prize pack consisting of Equinade Leather Soap, Equinade Protein Conditioner, Equinade Hoof Grease, and Equinade Coconut Leather Conditioner!

Equinade products are proudly Australian owned, and are made in Australia using ingredients almost exclusively sourced from Australia wherever possible. Their range of quality products will help to keep your horse healthy and looking good! Visit the website to see the full range of products, including coat care, hoof care, health and maintainance products, as well as their range of quality leather care products.

Q: How many products are there in the Equinade range?

Click here to find the answer!

r

within a horse’s body in order for both to be effective?

EQUINADE PRIZE PACK

www.kerx.com/products/au/EO3 1 x BAG OF HYGAIN TRU GAIN HYGAIN TRU GAIN® is a safe (slow release) and effective extruded high fat supplement, providing your horse with a cool energy source along with bio-available Vitamin E and Selenium. The increased energy density is designed to rapidly boost your horse’s body condition and assist performance horses in meeting their energy requirements.

www.equinade.com

ONE YEAR SUPPLY OF

HYGAIN TRU GAIN® as an alternative energy source provides the following benefits to your horse’s diet: • Increases energy content of diet without fizz • Reduces excitability • Increases oxidative capacity in performance horses • Acts as a carrier for fat soluble vitamins

HYGAIN TRU GAIN® is ideal for: • Horses that require weight gain • High Performance horses • Endurance horses

• Show & sales preparation • Horses prone to Tying Up/stomach ulcers • Poor Doers • Stud horses

Promectin Plus Mini is the new innovative wormer for your horses, foals and ponies. Using a concentrated broad spectrum formulation in a unique mini tube, Promectin Mini allows you to worm your horse more easily, more accurately, and without wastage. Mini comes in two sizes, for ponies and foals 150- 300 kg, and adult horses 300-600 kg, and ten cents from every tube supports Riding for the Disabled Australia.

Promectin Plus Mini: One Small Tube, Any Size Horse.

www.hygain.com.au

Q: Which Australian champion eventing rider is sponsored by Promectin Plus Mini?

Click here to find the answer!

r

r

Q: What are the four main reasons that contribute to weight loss in horses?

Click here to find the answer!

www.promectinplusmini.com One year supply = 6 tubes of Promectin Plus Mini

126 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

ENTER ONLINE AT HTTP://WWW.THESTABLEMAGAZIN

THDAY GIVEAWAY! CASHEL WATER BOTTLE HOLDER FROM

Gone Riding is your one stop shop for everything to get you on your horse and GONE! Specialising in tack and equipment for trail riders, endurance riders, natural horsemanship enthusiasts and pleasure and leisure riders, Gone Riding is dedicated to finding you the most comfortable, highest quality, practical, useful, safest and most stylish saddlery, tack and apparel available!

HORSE STUFF BIG BAG FROM GROSVENOR PARK

A natural-coloured big bag for carrying riding gear.

You’ll be amazed how much it holds. This roomy bag folds down flat to fit inside a smaller version of itself, also included in the price. The smaller version makes a handy carry bag.

Thanks to Grosvenor Park Products, we have a Horse Stuff Big Bag to give away to a lucky reader!

The Cashel Water Bottle Holder is something you shouldn’t be without. The structured bottle compartment makes replacing water a one-handed task so you can keep one hand on the reins. * Water bottle not included

Q: What 3 colours are the Contigo Madison Hydration

r

Click here to find the answer!

www.goneriding.com.au FULFIL FROM

Q: From which material is the horse stuff big bag made?

Click here to find the answer!

r

Autoseal Drink Bottles available in?

www.grosvenorparkproducts.com.au

CLICK HERE FOR THE

ULTRAFEEDS

Fulfilling the nutrition picture

ENTRY FORM

TO ENTER:

Ultrafeeds Fulfil is a free choice supplement that is weatherproof. The intelligent design of the product allows it to repel water when offered outdoors in self-draining troughs or feed bins.

Unlike treat-like traditional molasses-based mineral blocks, Ultrafeeds Fulfil is sugar free and allows your horse to cater to its own mineral requirements according to seasonal needs. It can be offered as a free-choice supplement or added to feed.

Ultrafeeds Fulfil is suited for horses and ponies not being offered commercial hard feed that contains a Vitamin and Mineral Pre Mix. Great for horses on restrictive diets, such as laminitic horses.

Click above for the entry form, enter your details, choose which prize you’d like to win and input the correct answer to the competition question!

CELEBR

ATING

ONE YEAR OF

ABLE THE ST

Entries close 20/4/2014.

Winners will be announced in the May 2014 issue of The Stable.

Thanks to Ultrafeeds, we have five 5kg pouches of Fulfil to give away to five lucky winners!

r

Q: How many equine products are currently in the Ultrafeeds range?

Click here to find the answer!

www.ultrafeeds.com.au

NE.COM/BIRTHDAYGIVEAWAY

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 127

THE STABLE’S BIRT STAYZ IN & STAYZ PUT FROM CHAMPION TAILS

Thanks to Champion Tails, we have one Stayz In Plaiting Spray and one Stayz Put Quarter Mark Spray to give away to one lucky reader!

STAYZ IN PLAITING SPRAY is a lovely spray which holds the hair together without being too sticky. It keeps the plaits in place for as long as you need and when you take them out it leaves no residue and the hair is lovely and soft. No need to wash and condition afterwards as Stayz In is so gentle the hair is left in beautiful condition.

STAYZ PUT QUARTER MARK SPRAY produces prominent and distinctive sharks teeth and quarter marks.

Stayz Put sits the hair exceptionally flat and when sprayed over the marks they really stand out with lasting effect.

AUSTRALIAN LEGENDS

OUR HISTORY OF OUTSTANDING QUARTER HORSES

BY KAREN THRUN This ground-breaking 336 page full colour book covers the history and development of the Australian Quarter Horse. It also showcases some of our most outstanding early stallions and mares that gained popularity in the founding years of the breed and had a profound effect on the development of the Quarter Horse in Australia. Each chapter profiles the story of their lives and $69.99 the people associated with them +p&h and features some of their best progeny. Included are historical photographs, and a four generation pedigree for each of the featured horses. This attractive soft-cover publication contains a significant amount of highly-informative historical data and a little light-hearted content. A definite must-read for Quarter Horse enthusiasts!

S

www.championtails.com EQUISSAGE PRIZE PACK

Q: In what year did the first 4 Quarter Horse stallions arrive in Australia?

Click here to find the answer!

r

r

Q: Name the other product in the Champion Tails STAYZ range.

Click here to find the answer!

www.quarterhorselegends.com.au

BREAKAWAY STIRRUPS FROM SMARTRIDER

Our Breakaway Stirrups won't stop you from falling, Equissage is the most but will allow you to enjoy versatile, safest & easiest way to help your horses Our horse Breakaway Stirrups won’t stop theto their freedom of riding recover peak form you from falling, but will allow you and speed up the healing to enjoy the freedomthat of horse riding time of injuries. with the knowledge with the knowledge that if you do With regular use of Equissage, youif can you improve: do part part company company with your horse, you’ll do just that! with your horse, Q: What country are Smartrider ‘Escape’ breakaway stirrups made in? you'll do just that!!!

Click here to find the answer!

Thanks to Equissage, we have an Equissage Halter and Lead Rope Set plus a $100 Equissage Therapy Voucher to give away to a lucky winner.

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

d

Sore and cold backs Lactic acid Fibrinogen Vertebrae problems Pre-racing condition Post-race stiffness Pulled ligaments

d

d

d

d

d

Sore shins Swollen joints knees and tendons Colic Laminitis Bruises & foot

abscesses

r

d

Local blood circulation Venous drainage Blood & Lymphatic drainage Swollen joints Joint mobility Respiratory problems

www.smartrider.net

r

7isGrandview Drive Coolum Beach Q: What happens if your horse’s circulation not at 7 Grandview Drive, Coolum Beach QLD 4573 its best?

Click here to find the answer! 4573 Phone: Qld.(07)AUSTRALIA 5446 5068 Fax: (07) 5446 5069

www.equissage.com.au P: +61 7 5446 5068 info@smartrider.net F: +61 7 5446 5069 AUSTRALIAN MADE

E: info@smartrider.net

W: www.smartrider.net

ENTER ONLINE AT HTTP://WWW.THESTABLEMAGAZIN be smart, not sorry!

128 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

THDAY GIVEAWAY! PED BITS

PERFORMANCE EQUINE DENTISTRY

PED Bits have been designed by Nic Graham, Oral BioMechanic, Equine Dental Specialist, and Director of the very successful Performance Equine Dentistry. PED Bits offer maximum comfort for the horse and are manufactured with high grade stainless steel and with absolute care and precision.

They have all been designed with specifications to suit the horse and the discipline, and to ensure that they are legal across the disciplines of EA, HRCAV & PCA. PED Bits are forgiving to the rider’s hands, and offer: * Ultimate Balance and Performance * Independent Lateral Movements * Maximum Comfort for the Horse A range of discipline specific bits is now available!

Q: How many types of bit are available in the PED Bit range?

Prize is Open Nutrition Pro Joint is pound 2 x tubs valued @ for pound the strongest equine joint $119.95 supplement ever made. each!

The majority of horses experience soreness in the joints at some stage, whether they are elite racing athletes or simply used for recreational riding. Regular strenuous exercise can injure the cartilage, which has a limited ability to repair and re-build due to the relatively inefficient nutrient supply.

When damage occurs the cartilage surface can over a period of time without treatment become rougher as stress and general wear and tear take their toll.

Open Nutrition’s Pro Joint can prevent the onset of joint diseases and improve mobility and flexibility to horses suffering with it. Daily administration can reduce the chances of damage occuring.

PER 38g DAILY SERVE (500kg horse) PRO JOINT CONTAINS: 14,000MG of Glucosamine 20,000MG of MSM 4,000MG of Chrondroitin

Q: Name one of the ingredients contained in Open Nutritions pre event performance product Pro Race.

Click here to find the answer!

www.pedbits.com

HOOF SUPPORT

FROM EQUUS CARE NUTRITION Thin walls, thin soles, flaking, cracking, chipping, breaking, splitting, or slow hoof growth?

These can be caused by dietary deficiency, causing discomfort or lamenss for your horse, and worry and lost riding time for you.

What’s worse is that a compromised hoof then provides an ideal site for bacterial and fungal pathogens to take hold. Stop these problems occuring by building a strong, robust, healthy hoof.

With active ingredients such as BIOTIN and METHIONINE, HOOF SUPPORT has all the essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals your horse needs for healthy hoof growth.

r

r

Click here to find the answer!

OPEN NUTRITION PRO JOINT

www.opennutrition.com.au CLICK HERE FOR THE

ENTRY FORM

TO ENTER: Click above for the entry form, enter your details, choose which prize you’d like to win and input the correct answer to the competition question!

CELEBR

ATING

ONE YEAR OF

ABLE THE ST

Entries close 20/4/2014.

Winners will be announced in the May 2014 issue of The Stable.

Thanks to Equus Care Nutrition, we have three month pack of HOOF SUPPORT to give to a lucky reader!

Click here to find the answer!

r

Q: What is methionine?

www.equuscarenutrition.com.au

NE.COM/BIRTHDAYGIVEAWAY

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 129

THE STABLE’S BIRT BROWBANDS

BY PRAIRIE MARIE

SLOW FEED HAYNET & LICK NET WITH PINK ROCK SALT FROM GUTZBUSTA®

To celebrate the birthday of Stable Magazine the Team at Prairie Marie Australia would like to giveaway to one lucky winner one of our beautiful heartstone browbands. This browband has been made using magnesite stone which promotes calmness and relaxation and also aids travelling.

r

Q: What size Prairie Marie browband will fit your horse?

Click here to learn how to measure your horse’s browband size on the Prairie Marie Facebook page. www.facebook.com/browbandsbyprairiemarie

SAVE TIME & MONEY! Gutzbusta® Slow Feed hay nets are designed to simulate natural grazing and offer a range of wonderful health benefits to your horse. They are available in a range of sizes to suit your needs, (small, medium, large, and round bale with either 3 or 4cm holes. Salt Lick nets are now available allowing you to hang your salt lick - making it last longer!

Q: How many hours a day should a horse be grazing/ foraging per day to maintain a healthy gut and mental health? A) 5-12 hrs B) 13-17 hrs C) 18-20+ hrs

Click here to find the answer!

r

Our beautiful browbands are a unique new product to the equine market.They are designed and crafted using quality beads by horsewomen who have developed the range mindful that these jewellery pieces must be practical to use. The leather tabs fit to your existing bridle making the browband fully interchangeable. Many of our browbands have been made with precious stones that are said to have healing properties.

Thanks to Gutzbusta, we have a prize pack to give to one lucky reader, consisting of 1 x GutzBusta®Lick Net with pink rock salt (1-2kg) and 1 x Small 4cm GutzBusta® Slow Feed hay net!

www.allbarewithnaturalhoofcare.com.au

WEBINAR VOUCHER &

‘TIPS FOR CARE OF CONFINED HORSES’

FROM HORSE SA

FREE MOVER PLUS

r

Q: What is the main ingredient in Free Mover Plus?

Click here to find the answer!

www.brookbyherbs.co.nz

130 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Do you have a horse that lives in a “monoculture” environment? A stable, a yard or a paddock with little or no stimulation, opportunity to socialise directly with other horses? Perhaps your horse may even have a “fast- food” diet delivered on time each day? The Horse SA booklet Tips for the Care of Confined Horses is a resource for horse owners who keep horses in stables, yards or small paddocks. Ideas around feeding, toys, socialisation and housing design features are provided.

Q: Visit the weblink below and ‘Like’ the Facebook page to go into the draw to win a free colour copy of the booklet ‘Tips for the Care of Confined Horses’ and a voucher to attend a future Horse SA educational webinar.

Click here to enter!

r

Brookby Herbs Free Mover Plus is a natural antiinflammatory used to help maintain a healthy musculo-skeletal system, which is critical in the case of older horses. Many horses become stiff because of old age, injuries or poor nutrition. By supplementing your horse’s diet with some natural equine joint supplements such as Devil’s Claw, you can help maintain healthy flexible joints and a much more free moving horse. Laminitis and navicular also create similar problems for horses and can be treated with the same herbs in a maintenance fashion.

www.horsesa.asn.au/home/welfare/education/

ENTER ONLINE AT HTTP://WWW.THESTABLEMAGAZIN

THDAY GIVEAWAY! PROUD-AID PROUDFLESH WOUNDCARE TREATMENT FOR HORSES

THELWELL PRIZE PACK FROM SNUGGLE BUB

Thanks to Snuggle Bub, we have a Thelwell prize pack consisting of a cap, brush bag and bath towel to give to a lucky reader!

Proud Aid the front line in first aid!

Q: How many testimonials from Proud-Aid can be found on the Proud-Aid website?

r

Click here to find the answer!

www.proud-aid.com.au

Snuggle Bub offers a range of gorgeous gifts, including baby bibs, pram blankets, towels, saddlecloths, caps and tote bags with a range of beautiful embroidered designs. At Snuggle Bub, you’re sure to find perfect gifts for the horselovers in your life - and they can even be personalised, with a range of styles and colours available. The Thelwell range is a real hit - visit the website to see all of the available products and designs!

Q: How many Thelwell designs are available on Snuggle Bub products?

Click here to find the answer!

r

Proud-Aid is a distinctive formulation to aid in the prevention and treatment of Proud-flesh.

It also aids in the treatment of scratches, wire cuts, mud fever, skin irritations and other skin disorders in horses. Proud-Aid is a smooth textured paste that is easy to apply and is non irritant to the horse. It helps protect from gross contamination and invasive dirt from entering the wound. Proud-Aid dries rapidly, stays in place and can be used without bandaging.

www.snuggle-bub.com

JACKET & GLOVES PACK

CLICK HERE FOR THE

FROM

ENTRY FORM

Now Available in Australia!

VISUALISE SPORTSWEAR “the power to see the things to change” THE ULTIMATE TRAINING TOOL TO IMPROVE * Your riding position * Your hand position * Your dressage marks Lightweight jackets and training gloves available in black/green and black/pink in all sizes.

Training Jacket - $110 RRP Training Gloves - $29.95 RRP

Thanks to Visualise Sportswear, we have a Visualise Training Jacket and a pair of Training Gloves to give to one lucky reader!

TO ENTER: Click above for the entry form, enter your details, choose which prize you’d like to win and input the correct answer to the competition question!

CELEBR

ATING

ONE YEAR OF

ABLE THE ST

Entries close 20/4/2014.

Winners will be announced in the May 2014 issue of The Stable.

Q: Which country currently uses Visualise training tops within their Equestrian World Class Program?

r

Click here to find the answer!

www.visualisesportswear.com.au

NE.COM/BIRTHDAYGIVEAWAY

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 131

THE STABLE’S BIRT TEN BAGS OF MI-FEED Thanks to Equilibrium we have a 5kg bucket of Mineral Mix and a 5kg bucket of B1 Cool Mix - two prizes for two lucky winners!

Equilibrium Australia’s broad spectrum supplements provide genuine results you can see. Equilibrium Mineral Mix and B1 Cool Mix contain balanced ratios of macro and trace minerals, vitamins and salts. Minerals, vitamins and electrolytes are critical for recovery after work, optimal coat, condition, hooves and general wellbeing. Equilibrium does not contain any protein, energy or fillers making them ideal for all horses and ponies including performance and show, breeding stock, elderly, pleasure, pony club, spelling and those with Cushing’s or Laminitis. We recommend Equilibrium B1 Cool Mix for nervous, fizzy or excitable horses and Equilibrium Mineral Mix for all others.

Q: How long does one 22kg bag of Equilibrium Mineral Mix last the average horse?

What are the 4 benefits of Micronisation?

Click here to find the answer!

r

Click here to find the answer!

Q:

r

EQUILIBRIUM MINERAL MIX

Mi-Feed is a boutique stock feed mill on the Sunshine Coast at Yandina. In operation since 1979 we were the first to incorporate the micronisation process into the manufacture of stock feed.

Our equine range caters for all needs from Easy Rider Cool Mix for the Pony Club horse to Elite Performer to give your horse the champions edge.

www.equiaustralia.com.au

www.mi-feed.com.au

EMBROIDERED SADDLECLOTH

CATCHBALL HORSE TOY

DD Equine is a specialist division within the DUNCAN DOVICO (“DD”) Accounting Practice established to provide Accounting and Taxation services to the Equine Industry and its participants. The team at DD Equine know horses. We understand the industry; our accountants have a personal interest in horses and we are passionate about horses. We provide a wide range of services and solutions to the Equine Industry including taxation and accounting services, assisting equine businesses with strategic planning and advice, preparation of individual taxation returns and specialist self managed superannuation fund services. Visit the website for further information.

Thanks to DD Equine, we have an embroidered saddlecloth to give away to a lucky reader!

r

Q: Name one of the one of the Equine Specialist Team Members at DD Equine.

Click here to find the answer!

www.ddvic.com.au/dd_equine.html

132 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

ZHORSETOYS Thanks to OzHorseToys, we have a ‘Catchball’ to give to a lucky reader, valued at $29.95.

The Catchball is a safe, soft, durable, air-filled rubber ball with coloured spikes that’s easy to grab and throw. A fun toy for both stabled and paddocked horses. 28cm diameter.

For the Catchball and many other great boredom busting horse toys, visit the OzHorseToys website!

Q: How many colours of HOOFBALL are currently available from OzHorseToys?

Click here to find the answer!

r

FROM DD EQUINE

www.ozhorsetoys.com.au

ENTER ONLINE AT HTTP://WWW.THESTABLEMAGAZIN

THDAY GIVEAWAY! $25 GIFT VOUCHER

FROM BAREFOOT AUSTRALIA

Thanks to Horsezone, we have three Horsezone prize packs to give away to three lucky winners!

Visit the Barefoot Australia website to view their range of horse-friendly, lightweight treeless saddles. But that’s not all you’ll find! Accessories, rider clothing, halter and leadropes, bridles (bitted and bitless) as well as accessories and mounts!

Prize packs contain a cap, pen and mane comb

Q: What is one benefit of using a Barefoot

Horsezone.com.au homepage?

Australia treeless saddle?

r

Click here to find the answer!

www.horsezone.com.au

LEATHER BRIDLES from

r

Q: How many disciplines are shown on the

Click here to find the answer!

www.barefootaus.com CLICK HERE FOR THE

ENTRY FORM

THE STABLE

Want to win yourself a gorgeous leather bridle - just for reading The Stable? Well, you could!

Each leather bridle comes with reins and noseband. Bit not included.

Don’t forget to tell us what size you’d like when you enter - pony, cob or full.

TO ENTER: Click above for the entry form, enter your details, choose which prize you’d like to win and input the correct answer to the competition question!

CELEBR

ATING

ONE YEAR OF

ABLE THE ST

Entries close 20/4/2014.

The

STABLE

Winners will be announced in the May 2014 issue of The Stable.

Q: What colours were on the cover of the December 2013 issue of The Stable Magazine?

r

Click here to find the answer!

www.thestablemagazine.com

NE.COM/BIRTHDAYGIVEAWAY

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 133

Everything to get on your horse and GONE! With an online store and a shopfront in Mansfield in Victoria’s High Country, Gone Riding specialises in the ultimate products for trail riding, pleasure and leisure riding, endurance, hoof care and natural horsemanship.

On the website you’ll also find camping goods, saddlery, accessories, all of the essentials for at home and in the stable - as well as a range of giftware and toys for your horse!

(03) 5775 1657 info@goneriding.com.au

www.goneriding.com.au

GutzBusta

®

HO PROD

THE LATEST & The Stable Magazine’s m SLOW FEED HAYNETS The concept of slow feeding is relatively new and there are now many versions on the market. There are many advantages to using a slow feeding system for managing your horse. Horses in their natural state evolved to constantly forage and graze throughout the day and night. In fact they should be eating for 18-20 hours a day. However in a domesticated environment, horses are usually fed once to twice a day. This has many negative consequences for the horse. How often do you throw your horses a biscuit of hay and it has been vacuumed up entirely within half an hour, so what does your horse do for the next 11 ½ until his next feed? Slow feeders slow down the rate of consumption and therefore closer replicate natural grazing.

GutzBusta® Slow Feed Haynets

0418 282 097

philnik@skymesh.com.au

www.allbarewithnaturalhoofcare.com.au

134 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

* Reduce hay wastage Saving you TIME and MONEY! * Simulate grazing *Reduce boredom & stable vices *Reduce choke *Are recommended by vets AND are great for laminitic/IR horses.

* *

BREEDING FLYING FETLOCKS EQUINE CLOTHING AND GIFTS FOR PONY MAD KIDS!

*

*

Flying Fetlocks is devoted to providing a range of quality clothing and gifts at affordable prices for Horsey Mad kids. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to own a horse to love them and we aim to provide a range of products for kids who have horses, who ride horses, who just love horses or who want a gift for their horse.

OT UCTS

Visit the Flying Fetlocks website for gorgeous horsethemed clothing, gifts, games, puzzles, stationary, books and much more! Perfect for horse crazy kids & teens!

*

*

*

Follow Flying Fetlocks on Facebook, Twitter and Pintrest to see the latest products and specials!

*

www.flyingfetlocks.com.au

GREATEST: must-have products

OPEN NUTRITION Open Nutrition Pro Joint is pound for pound the PRO JOINT strongest equine joint supplement ever made.

100% Pure Joint Formula - NO FILLERS! The majority of horses experience soreness in the joints at some stage, whether they are elite racing athletes or simply used for recreational riding. Regular strenuous exercise can injure the cartilage, which has a limited ability to repair and re-build due to the relatively inefficient nutrient supply. When damage occurs the cartilage surface can over a period of time without treatment become rougher as stress and general wear and tear take their toll.

Open Nutritionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pro Joint can prevent the onset of joint diseases and improve mobility and flexibility to horses suffering with it. Daily administration can reduce the chances of damage occurring.

PER 38g DAILY SERVE

(500kg horse) PRO JOINT CONTAINS: 14,000MG of Glucosamine 20,000MG of MSM 4,000MG of Chrondroitin

1800 339 335

www.opennutrition.com.au The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 135

HOT PRODUCTS

THE LATEST & GREATEST: The Stable Magazine’s must-have products

DIAMOND GRID THE solution to your winter woes - available now!

Diamond Grid can help to transform your muddy areas into well-drained surfaces. Perfect for driveways, stable floors, arenas, around troughs, day yards, and to help to prevent muddy gateways. Diamond Grid is particularly helpful in the stable - as a low cost and effective flooring that is economical, clean, easy to install and fast draining. Horses cannot dig holes in the flooring and the surface can not turn to mud. Diamond Grid is

A NEW GENERATION IN SURFACE STABILISATION AND EROSION

also up to 70% cheaper than concrete or bitumen surfaces! Brilliant!

“Trough pads have always been an expensive and timely exercise and we have been looking around for a cost effective and simple solution for some time. The Diamond Grids are an easy solution and they saved us over $300 per trough compared to cementing the pads. If we ever need to move a trough, we can pull the grids up and move them to the ? next site. We plan on installing the grids in gateways and can see the potential for using them in cattle yards that are prone to mud.

- Wayne Flintham, CSIRO, Lansdown Research Station

A NEW GENERATION IN SURFACE STABILISATION AND EROSION CONTROL GRIDS

www.diamondgrid.com.au

WWW.DIAMONDGRID.COM.AU

WWW.DIAMONDGRID.C

MAKE 2014 YOUR YEAR!

The

Find your perfect instructor in

STABLE

INSTRUCTORS

FEATURE

www.thestablemagazine.com/instructors2014 136 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

The

HORSEMANSHIP <<

STABLE

DforE S I G N all your design needs! g sale/stud adverts

g photo editing/retouching

g flyers & posters

g business cards/stickers

g web design

g logo design

g sale/auction catalogues

g typesetting/layouts

g digital publishing g QR codes (scannable barcodes)

able http://design.thest

R magazine.com design@thestablemagazine.com

SEND IN YOUR READER STORY AND YOU COULD BE A WINNER! The EQUINADE Reader Story Prize Pack contains...

Coconut Leather Conditioner

220g

Equinade Coconut Leather Conditioner is a premium leather care product that will preserve and protect ALL leather goods.

The formula has been enhanced to be more absorbent to deeply penetrate leather fibres. For best results apply after cleaning leather with Equinade Leather Soap.

Showsilk Protein Conditioner 500ml Gives a long lasting shine and silky softness to the coat. Enriched with Aloe Vera to give a brilliant shine. Untangles knots easily without damaging the hair fibres.

Equinade Hoof Grease

400g

Glycerine Leather Soap

220g

Premium Quality Animal & Leather Care Products

Visit

www.equinade.com

to view the full range of Australian Made quality Equinade products!

You could be a winner, too!

Click here to send in your own Reader Story!

Made from 100% natural healing ingredients to maintain a healthy hoof moisture balance. Helps prevent brittle and cracked hooves and has natural mild antiseptic properties.

A soap cake containing a high glycerine content to help soften leather while it cleans. Ideal for: saddles, boots, harness, bridles, apparel and upholstery.

www.equinade.com The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 137

The Tail End brought to you by...

Don’t EVER say you’re better than you actually are...

It’s strange how some riders don’t even need to learn this lesson.- Perhaps the riders who are lacking a bit of confidence don’t assume they have skill or talent - or perhaps the ones who have no fear of failure and a good old fashioned 'give it a bash' attitude (the ones who can be honest and realistic about their actual riding ability) and don’t over-estimate their brilliance. If the 'thinking' horse person does this, they will learn a swift and painful lesson as a direct repercussion of their bragging. HOWEVER... often this lesson is never taught to those who TRULY need a wake- up call...!

I suppose we are sort of touching on a confidence topic.

Nervy riders, those without confidence handling horses rarely overestimate their ability. In fact, they often do the opposite.

No danger of exaggeration there - unless, of course, they can brag to their non-horsey workmates about just how tough riding can be, and the fact that the independentlythinking 600kg animal can (and sometimes does_ dispose of you (the rider) at any time it pleases - sometimes with good cause, other times, without a tangible or feasible reason.

So, underestimating your abilities isn’t so much the problem - well, it’s not great for your confidence, but if you think you can’t do something, I figure you’re less likely to try it especially when an element of fear is involved.

So this leaves the other group. The ones who are confident riders, and who are confident handling horses. Now, there is nothing wrong with confidence. In fact, in the horse game you often don’t get very far without it (horses really do see right through you!) and when it comes to competition, you’ve got to have thick skin and self-belief.

138 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com

Really, it’s only a small percentage of riders who suffer this exaggerated abilities complex. Combine the complex with the standard paddock/agistment/stable bitching and bragging and it can make for a very annoying person to have to tolerate. You know the type. The know-it-all who probably couldn’t tell you if your horse’s rug was on backwards. The type who won’t take no for an answer. The type of person who won’t take advice, because clearly, your education in the horse-world falls far short of her own. (Not that you were telling her anything, she asked you for your opinion and proceeds to discount it completely - if you don’t want my opinion - don’t ask!)

Mind you, this type generally won’t believe the advice of a qualified veterinarian, and prefers to use unqualified socalled ‘professionals’ to treat her horses - mostly because she likes the way they compliment her on her new shoes/ haircut, etc. - or the fact that she seeks out the most good looking male farriers/vets/physios - despite the fact that they may not exactly be up to scratch when it comes to dealing with the horses.

To top it all off, our know-it-all bragger who doesn’t listen to a word of good horse sense (no matter the source!) also loves to one-up the other agistees. You get a new rug, they get a new rug. You get a new horse, they get a new horse. But spend much more on their new horse than you did on yours, of course. So it’s automatically a better horse. (Didn’t you know that the more you spend, the better the horse is?!)

So this person also (in her infinite horse-wisdom) also fails to notice FRIGHTENINGLY OBVIOUS HAZARDS to her horses.

Dangerous paddocks, ill-fitting rugs with leg straps dangling around the hocks, loose (and I mean LOOSE) rope halters left on in paddocks with snags all along the fence lines..

Add to this very strange horse handling methods, (obviously ‘perfected’ through trial and error) as well as the confidence that every single thing she is doing is done correctly. So much confidence!

Will she learn a lesson? No. Probably not.

The law of the horse universe is as follows..

If there are two horses in two paddocks, you can apply the horse universe law to determine which horse will be horribly injured in a freakish accident.

Is it the horse in the filthy paddock full of manure, debris, random junk, loose bits of metal, uncapped star pickets - the one who is fed and checked once a week, and the horse who usually is only left with a trickle of water in his trough until agistees take the time to fill it up, because said owner is always absent? Or is it the horse in the neighbouring paddock - the one that is spotlessly clean, where the horse is checked twice a day, fed according to the advice of a professional equine nutritionist, wormed on time, shod or trimmed like clockwork, given health check-ups annually, and the one that is cherish by it’s owner?

SPOTLIGHT EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG GELDING 15.3hh 5yo

Coloured Gelding

$15,000

South Australia

I can tell you right now that in most cases, it’s definitely the latter horse that will be the one that is injured. Why? We can’t say. So far our studies into the inner-workings of the horse universe have fallen a little short. We’ll persist.

So basically, these people get to go through horsey life suffering no real repercussions for the entire lack of knowledge. They just go on through, thinking that dumping an entire bag of oats in Snowy’s paddock once a week should be plenty sufficient. Oblivious to the concept of digestive upsets, colic, basic principles of feeding, appropriate diet, etc, etc. But Snowy never seems to have any problem. He maintains his weight, remains a safe mount for the kids to hoon around on for four hours at a flat gallop every third Saturday a month, and is content in his filthy mess of a paddock the rest of the time.

So, using this horse universe principle, as we now have an idea of how it works (still not why though!) - we can then apply this theory to the over-confident, or as we will refer to them from here on in, the ‘exaggerators’.

The Exaggerator will at all times, be the first to ‘offer’ an opinion, the last to back down in an argument (they are never wrong!) and always the first to matter-of-factly state the correct and indisputable answer to every since horse problem every known to man. Doesn’t matter what the problem is, the Exaggerator has the solution.

NB - beware of the Entrepreneurial Exaggerator - a sub class that have absolutely no knowledge of what they are doing, no formal training, no qualification - just a great sense of flattery, marketing and charm. They won’t necessarily help you or your horse in any way (but you might think they are!) and you might be convinced to fork out hard-earned cash for their ‘services’. Steer clear!!

So, the Exaggerator gets to go on, being ignorant to all horse health concerns, passes judgement on everyone else’s horse, advises of the ‘safe’ way to do everything, AND is completely 100% confident in their abilities (which, anyone with half a horse brain (perhaps literally) can tell are nonexistent).

Does the Exaggerator every get him/herself seriously injured when handling horses that are acting up? Nope. Does the Exaggerator magically calm the horse down by tapping it on the forehead with a sponge soaked in maple syrup? Yep. (Why? Horse is now terribly confused as to how secondary human decides that breakfast condiments are valid problem solving tools. Horse also wonders how secondary human suffered severe brain trauma.)

The Exaggerator can go on trail rides purporting to be The Man From Snowy River, and somehow never gets injured.

You tell trail hand that you’ve ridden a fair few times before and receive an ex-racehorse to re-educate on your hour long ‘leisure’ ride. How does that happen? I know trail ride staff must have seen it all - but are they that good at character judgement? Probably.

Clearly, not everyone is ( or has the ability to be an Exaggerator. So, don't exaggerate your riding ability. If you're a thinker, you'll never get away with being an Exaggerator.

You'll just get hurt. Trust us. Don't risk it.

The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 139

The Joys of Youngsters

Perfect gifts for

horselovers...

Tote Bags

T-Shirts

Coffee Mugs

Greeting Cards ‘Like’ The Idea of Order Visit the online store: www.zazzle.com/ideasoforder Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 140 The onStable Facebook!

>> NEXT ISSUE

NEXT ISSUE FREE MONTHLY

May

2014 LOOK FOR IT ONLINE

1/5/14 CONTRIBUTOR DEADLINE: 18/4/14 CLUBS, ASSOCIATIONS & ORGANISATIONS: Send through reports of your events and gain some extra exposure for your club! We’d love to publish your short show reports along with some photos of your event - no matter the discipline! We’ll include a link back to your website, too!

E-mail your story & photos to: info@thestablemagazine.com

The

MAY 2014

STABLE HORSE MAGAZINE

PSI

DJWTS

T H E S TA R S D E C E N D

Top ten activities for bored horses

PUTTING WEIGHT ON A

SKINNY

HORSE

H O W TO : M A K E YO U R GEAR LAST LONGER

2014 POLICE & EMERGENCY S E RV I C E S G A M E S

BUYER BEWARE!

TO P M I S TA K E S W H E N PURCHASING HORSES

WINTER RUG C ATA LO G U E This year’s hottest buys!

Camperdown Horse Trials

www.thestablemagazine.com

Advertising Deadline:

24/4/14

DON’T MISS OUT!

Our advertising rates are so competitive you can’t afford NOT to advertise!

For details, visit www.thestablemagazine.com/advertising.html

advertising@thestablemagazine.com The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com 141

SHOWCASE YOUR STALLION

TO THE BEST AUDIENCE

Bluefields Floreno (Imp) and Janina Kletke Photo: Stephen Mowbray Thinline Dressage with Altitude 2014

142 The Stable Magazine www.thestablemagazine.com