Tamworth Local Horse - SEPTEMBER

www.tamworthrural.com.au

4. FEATURED - STALLION EDITION!

19. BREEDS -The Irish Sport Horse

48. KIDZ CORNER

FROM THE EDITORCONTENTS

Tamworth & District Local Horse Magazine have taken every care in

preparation of this magazine. Therefore it may not be copied in part

or whole for reproduction, without said magazines written authority.

While we take every care in the preparation and accuracy of its

contents we are not responsible for any mistakes or misprints in any

article or advertisement, nor are we responsible for any errors by

others. Tamworth & District Local Horse Magazine accepts no liability

resulting from omissions, errors, misprints or failure to publish any

advertisement.

Disclaimer

Disciplines

Service Directory

Articles

View each edition online at www.localhorsemagazine.com.au

20. Campdraft/Team Penning

22. Cutting

24. Dressage

30. Endurance

32. Eventing

36. Horse Drawn

38. Horsemanship

42. Polo/Polocrosse/Horseball

44. Riding groups/Pony clubs

50. Rodeo/Barrel Horse

54. Showjumping

58. Show Horse/Agricultural

60. Western Performance/Reining

65. Classifieds

64. Service Directory

23. Cutting - Horse herd work - Best practices

25. Forward to the Legs - Bert Hartog

28. 2011 NSW Dressage Championships

31. Choosing tack for Endurance

33. 3 day Eventing - Kevin McNab

37. Light driving horse breeds for versatility

39. The road to horsemanship - Part 2

40. A tale of two wild brumbies

43. Build your own Horseball

51. Team Roping basics

55. Training the Showjumper - riding & training questions

55. Training the showjumper - Going to shows

59. Quarter marks masterclass

61. Understanding lameness in the Reining horse

D E A D L I N E F O R A R T W O R K

17th of each monthPrinted by: FAST PROOF PRESS - (07) 5578 4722

Contacts:

Editor &

Event coverage/

Photographer:

Mel Spittall

0409 987 152

[email protected]

Hope you all enjoy this edition guys!

Our last Stallion feature for the year and another jam packed mag!

Until next month......Happy reading!Cheers, Mel

PG 43

PG 15

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PG 52

Front Cover:‘Duckrey’ - Q-59294

Texas Star Quarter HorsesCover Images:

Portraits- Ken AndersonCampdraft image - Donna Davidson

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Texas Star Quarter HorsesDuckrey truly represents the style of horse we strive for in breeding our own horses. He exhibits leading QH genetics, correct conformation, exceptional temperament, outstanding athletic ability, is easy to handle and has unlimited natural cattle sense. He is an ideal outcross for stock horse and quarter horse mares.

Duckrey is sired by top USA performance sire, ‘Dual Rey’, out of one of Australia’s leading mare lines. He is the first Dual Rey progeny in the world to campdraft!

Duckrey is the first progeny from his dam, ‘Dashing Duckling’, recently her second foal, ‘Ducks Dux’, won the 2011 NCHA Open Futurity. Dashing Duckling has an incredible, proven producing mare line, combine that with Dual Rey and Duckrey is simply bred to be a Champion athlete and a dominant sire of the future!

This is the first season Duckrey will stand at public stud and his 2011 breed fee is $1,100.00 GST Inc, plus vet and Agistment costs. We are already experiencing wonderful interest in this talented young sire, with bookings being procured well before breeding season started.

To date Duckrey has been shown at only 5 campdrafts since his purchase; these drafts were held between April and August 2011. Neil rode him to a score of 87 to win 1st round of the Maiden Draft at Walcha on 9th/10th April 2011, his first campdraft start.

He then ran an 85 to place 2nd in the 1st round of the Maiden Draft at Q11, held at the AELEC in Tamworth. He also competed in the invitational ASH vs. QH indoor campdraft challenge with Amanda, his first show against open status horses, where he managed to impress some rather astute horseman and women from the campdrafting industry.

A recent highlight for Duckrey was finalling in the JBS Australia Maiden Draft, held in July at Paradise Lagoons Rockhampton, where he scored an 87 in the 1st round to make the final from a whopping 588 starters. His show record to date is he has made 3 finals from 5 official starts.

Neil and I are pleased to be associated with Quipolly Equine Centre of Lowes Creek, Quipolly NSW. Quipolly Equine Centre is controlled by leading veterinarian Dr. Alan Simson and his competent team professionals. Quipolly is our preferred choice for all of our own 2011 mare breedings and semen shipments to client.

Neil and I also thrilled about the launch of our new website that went live on 5th July 2011. Please visit www.texasstarquarterhorses.com.au to keep abreast of all the up to date news andInformation regarding Duckrey. You will also find a downloadable stallion breeding contract.

We would like to welcome any visitors and/or interested parties, to visit and inspect Duckrey at any time. Please contact us to arrange an appointment and we look forward to seeing you in the future!

Photograph by Ken Anderson4

www.texasstarquarterhorses.com.au

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If you are looking for a versatile horse with a great personality, excellent movement, and incredible jumping ability than the Irish Sport Horse is for you. This highly successful breed is a product of crossing Thoroughbreds with Irish Draught Horses and the modern way is using Warmbloods. An excellent warmblood cross has been with Cavalier Royale (Cor de la Bryere X Liguster lines).

The Irish Sport Horse has a tremendous gallop with plenty of speed, exceptional jumping talent, and has been bred by the Irish for centuries to run and jump and go across the countryside. They have the heart and keen intelligence of a Thoroughbred, coupled with a calm and sensible temperament from their Irish Draught blood. They are known for their great durability, soundness and stamina.

Whether you are interested in Eventing, Show Jumping, Working Hunter, Show Hunter, Foxhunting, Dressage, Driving or just want a pleasant horse to ride and enjoy, the marvelous thing about the Irish Draught Sport Horse is that it can do any of the above - or even ALL of the them. Irish Sports Horses succesful at 2008 Olympic Games in Eventing were

The Individual Gold Medal for USA - McKinlaighA member of the Team Gold Team for Germany – Mr Medicott

The Silver Australian Team members – Ben Along Time, Irish Jester, Headley Britannia The Bronze British Team - Spring Along , Parkmore ED, Tankers Town, Call

Again Cavalier.

FNF Flagmounts Leopold has proven jumping lines in his pedigree and being line bred to the most influential Registerd Irish Draught of all times – King of Diamonds- he is prepotent to breed your next performance horse.At right a youngester by Leo out of a TB mare.

You can read more about this fantastic breed on page 19....

Spirit Lodge Equestrian Centre is not only home to SLH Alexandre and FNF Flagmounts Leopold but it is also home to many others. We offer permanent and holiday agistment with

24hour care and full services, Re-education, Training, Brood mare services including foaling down with foaling alarms and 24hr foal watch. Our horses for sale

are sound trainable horses ranging from foals to sound educated horses. Our breeding program whilst still in its baby stages has been carefully plotted and our mares have been hand-picked based on temperament and breeding.

Chris Wilkinson has an amazing ability to read a horse and understand the individual needs. This is what makes Chris’ techniques so diverse and effective especially when starting a horse for the first time. His motto is: “difficult horses are usually a result of misinterpretation and you just need to look deeper to understand the how and why of each individual.”

Chris has worked with some amazing people and horses over the years and is now also a sought after instructor and trainer. He has a very solid young team under him in both the Dressage arena and now the Eventing circuit and he is now starting to enforce his presence.

Spirit Lodge is located on the Mid North Coast and has horses sent in from as far away as Melbourne and South Australia for the expert services we offer.

For more information please go to www.spiritlodge.com.au and you can also join our page on Facebook – Spirit Lodge Equestrian Centre. If you wish to speak to us please feel free to contact either Chris - 0408 226 694 or Nat – 0410 463 550 with over 55years combined experience we are certain we will be able to help any enquiry.

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Grassbrook EquineHello from Grassbrook Equine! For those of you who don’t know us, we are a burgeoning Waler stud set on 5ooo acres at the outskirts of Manilla. We decided to start breeding our own horses when we went looking for reliable ponies for our kids. Having grown up in the saddle, it was a disappointment to find how difficult it was to find something suitable. We began with a stock horse mare and a stock horse x Welsh stallion…and it has morphed from that to where we are today; We have Grassbrook Colby, our dual reg’d ASPA /BHA pony stallion, and this season, we are proud to announce our newest acquisition, and his nemesis, Ong Bak, a lovely Waler stallion (WHSA reg’d) bred on Clayton Station.

Our Waler stud comprises of 4 stud mares, our new stallion, youngstock - colt and a filly, both going into some solid handling over the Christmas break. Colby has been put to a QH reg’d mare, and his progeny has claimed his fantastic conformation and compact pony shape- with reg. pending through the AQPA. Colby will also go to the 2 smaller of our Waler mares, combining the best of both breed strains.

The move in the Waler direction was for 2 reasons; the first being temperament. I have handled and ridden a lot of different horses, breeds, ponies etc…but to date, nothing has impressed me as much with a quiet, responsive temperament as the Waler. It is said that when a Waler decides to trust you, you have their loyalty permanently and what we have seen only serves to prove that. The second reason was because of the history behind these originally composite bred horses - Long before WW1, Australia was breeding horses on a large scale for export, and that continued up until the early 1970’s. Our horses have been rigorously judged and all fit into the Light-Medium category.

We also see the beginning of the resurgence of interest in Walers to be a wonderful thing for Australia; there is interest internationally and we are proud to be a part of the breed and of the WHSA. We aim to be showing off some of our lovely horses from 2012 onward, get our name out there and commercially breeding more of Australia’s own multi- purpose horses and ponies; beginning with our Stud Open Day on November 5th, situated in the middle of Waler Week, between Beersheba Day on the 31st Oct and Remembrance Day, on November 11th 2011.

For more info, contact Bruce & Jo Russell via Mobile 0408527005, email [email protected] or check out our website: www.grassbrookequine.com. We are also on Facebook.

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www.koobahperformancehorses.com.au

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Safety when teasing depends on the surroundings, the method, the horse, and the handler.Teasing is essential to detect when a broodmare is in estrus, but it’s no easy feat due to the size and power of the animals involved. Safety should be top priority--to avoid injury to horses and people.

Teasing is particularly useful on farms with more than a dozen mares, according to Ahmed Tibary, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACT, professor of theriogenology in the department of veterinary clinical sciences at Washington State University.

“You are then looking at two options,” he says. “During breeding season you’d have the vet come every other day to scan mares, or use a teasing stallion to reduce the number of veterinary examinations.”

If the farm is using artificial insemination, Tibary suggests it might be better to have a veterinarian evaluate the mare’s cycle by using ultrasonography rather than rely on a teaser. Teasing stimulates the mare in readiness for breeding due to release of oxytocin (a hormone that stimulates milk let-down and causes uterine contractions) in her body, but this also can be accomplished by hormonal treatment, he says.

“Some people tease with a gelding,” says Tibary. “Although this works, not all geldings are good teasers, and not all mares will show to a gelding. In most situations you need a stallion for this job. In operations with minimal personnel, it is easier to use a small horse or pony stallion for teasing--one that’s docile and easy to handle.”

Some farms use their breeding stallion for teasing, but for the stallion’s safety Tibary does not recommend this practice. “You don’t want to risk having him hurt (if the mare becomes aggressive),” he says.

Proper Equipment

Safety starts with the facility used for teasing. “The most common mistake people make is deciding to start teasing mares with an inadequate setup,” notes Tibary.

Proper equipment and facility design are important. “You need one setup, such as a teasing rail, for mares that have no foal at side. Mares with foals at side are best teased in a box stall, having the foal with them,” Tibary says. The stallion is then brought to the mare, teasing her from outside the stall.

“I like a traditional teasing rail that’s high enough the stallion won’t try to jump over it,” says Tibary. “The rail should come to the height of the mare’s croup (the area that extends from the loins to the tailhead). This allows the stallion’s head to be above it so he can smell and tease the mare, but (the wall or rail is) still high enough he wouldn’t try to get over it.” Rail height requirements depend on breed, and all rails should be solid and padded so they won’t damage feet and legs. Don’t tease mares employing a fence that’s not solid or secure. No matter how gentle the stallion is, a mare could injure herself if she strikes at him through a gate or a wire or board fence.

Some large operations use a teasing chute, running mares down the chute and walking the stallion along the outside. This works well when checking many mares to determine if they are ready, such as when screening recipient mares for embryo transfer.

Bill Tracy, farm manager at JEH Stallion Station, teases dozens of Quarter Horse mares daily during breeding season, generally by walking the teaser stallion down a long aisleway in a barn.

Equipment for handling the teaser includes a strong halter and a long shank with a good quality chain. “Depending on the individual, the chain should be over the nose, or possibly in the mouth--whatever works best for that horse. Some

need a little more control,” says Tracy.

Safe Handling

Safety measures when handling a teaser are similar to the precautions used for handling a breeding stallion. “The difference is that a teasing stallion must be selected primarily on temperament--a gentle stallion that still has very good libido,” says Tibary. “For the handler, I recommend having good control of the stallion and wearing protective gear (such as helmet and gloves).” The handler should also be an experienced horse person.

Tracy notes that good teasing is a team effort; one person should lead the stallion and another should observe and record mares’ reactions and behavior. This is also important for safety reasons. “If you are leading the stallion down the alley it’s hard to watch the mares at the same time. When you get two or three stalls past a mare, that’s when she’s liable to show,” says Tracy. “You may miss seeing this if you’re handling the stallion. And if you’re not paying enough attention to him, trying to watch the mares, that’s when you may get (hurt).”

To lead the stallion safely, Tracy recommends walking alongside the horse behind his head, but slightly ahead of his shoulder. “You have to be out in front a bit so that if he suddenly turns toward the mares he won’t run into you,” he says. “Horses react quickly, and if you’re in the way you’ll be in trouble. If a mare behind you starts showing, he may come instantly back over the top of you. I try to move forward with him all the time, but (stay) where I can readily see him. If he starts to dive forward you can get out of the way, yet at the same time be able to control him or go back with him if he suddenly hits reverse.”

When bringing the mare to the stallion, “you must let her see and hear the stallion first, before you try to tease her,” says Tibary. “If you don’t allow her enough time, her reaction (signifying whether she’s in heat) will be more violent.”

Some handlers lead the stallion along the pasture fence where mares or mares and foals are turned out to observe their reactions. Some “shy” mares might not approach the stallion, but might show signs of interest as they see other mares interacting with him. For this method, you need a safe fenceline (in case a mare becomes aggressive as the stallion is led past) and a well-mannered, easily controlled stallion.

Another method involves putting the teaser stallion in a safe enclosure near the mares’ pasture for a while each day, observing mares’ reactions to him and using a scoring system to record their behavior and any changes in behavior from day to day. “Many mares start showing heat when they watch the stallion and hear his vocalization,” says Tibary. Teasing methods that try to mimic nature (allowing the stallion time to court a mare) with the least human intervention can often be the most effective, as well as safest for the animals and people involved.

Take-Home Message

Safety when teasing depends on the surroundings, the teasing method used, the stallion, and the handler. “Selection of the environment and teasing method may depend on how big the ranch is, availability of personnel, whether someone will be holding the mare, or if you are trying to tease a group of mares all at the same time,” says Tibary.

By: Heather Smith ThomasSafe Teasing!

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“Breeding horses to work & perform”

Standing at Stud

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Sire: Whitsunday Abiita (by Ralvon Witness) Dam: Ralvon Gazelle (by Ralvon Pilgrim)

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Early-term abortion in mares is a frustrating problem for breeders, as often the cause is nearly impossible to determine. But a team of researchers from the Czech Republic might have uncovered one possible reason why mares abort in certain management situations. According to lead researcher Ludek Bartos, MSc, PhD, ScD, of the Institute of Animal Science in Prague, mares are more likely to have an early-term abortion if they’re pastured adjacent to geldings or beside stallions that are not the sires of their fetuses.

“Fetal loss is a common phenomenon in domestic horses, being usually substantially higher than that in other domestic ungulates (hooved animals) and it has been a puzzle for generations of vets,” noted Bartos, who is professor and head of the institute’s Department of Ethology.

Their retrospective study idea grew out of an examination of infanticide--killing or attempted killing of young--in another equid species. “By studying infanticide in captive plains zebra, we found out that the probability of fetal death was greatest when the new male joined the herd just after conception and decreased with increasing time between conception and date of the new male introduction,” Bartos explained. “The chance of a foal surviving was less than 5% when the male joined the group just after conception and more than 50% when he joined at the time of delivery. Based on this we predicted that something similar could happen in domestic horses.”

The researchers surveyed breeders from across the Czech Republic and obtained 81 breeding records from mares of 21 different breeds. The mares were 4 to 24 years old and ranged from maiden mares to experienced broodmares. Artificial insemination was used in 20% of the breedings and the rest were bred via live cover. The team took into consideration normal foaling rates among this population of mares when examining the data.

In 45 of the 81 cases, the mare was transported to a different farm to be bred (Bartos termed this being bred to a “foreign” stallion); the remaining 36 mares were bred to a stallion on their home farm.

Bartos noted that upon return from a successful breeding to a foreign stallion, 13 mares were kept in pastures or enclosures adjacent to geldings or stallions and 32 mares shared pastures with geldings or stallions. Of these mares, 31% suffered early-term abortions: 54% of the mares kept adjacent to geldings/stallions and 22% of the mares sharing pastures with geldings/stallions aborted.

Conversely, none of the mares bred to a stallion at their home farm suffered fetal loss. He noted that more than half of them were trailered frequently while pregnant, so it is unlikely that transportation played a role in the abortions of mares bred to foreign stallions. Bartos noted that these mares bred at home were kept in the same close proximity to familiar stallions and geldings that the mares bred off premises were.

In looking at the data, Bartos noted that that statistically the probability of early-term abortion was seven times more likely when the mare had no male company in her enclosure and one or more home stallions or geldings in an adjacent enclosure.

He and his colleagues believe the basis for this phenomenon could be related to stallion infanticide: In bands of feral horses, dominant stallions have been reported to kill (or try to kill) foals that they didn’t sire.

According to the research team, to combat infanticide mares have been reported to partake in “promiscuous matings,” or sexual encounters with dominant stallions when already in foal (to other stallions). Such an encounter might “manipulate” the male’s assessment of whether or not he sired the foal.

Bartos et al. also theorized that if mares aren’t able to partake in promiscuous mating, they will abort their foals if the likelihood is high that the dominant stallion will kill the foal upon birth. This essentially would save the mare the energy of carrying the foal to term. The method by which a mare’s body terminates pregnancy in this scenario is unknown, he noted, adding that this phenomenon has already been researched and confirmed in house mice.

He said the inability to partake in promiscuous mating could be key to why more of the mares pastured next to males--as opposed to with them--aborted: “Some respondents to our questionnaire reported an increased, repeated sexual activity either by a home stallion or dominant gelding shortly after the pregnant mare returned from mating with a foreign stallion if released into the enclosure with them. We interpret our results as suggesting that where possible, a mare manipulates the male’s paternity assessment by promiscuous mating. If she has no chance to do that she may abort the current fetus.

Male Horses: A Role in Early-Term Abortion?

by: Erica Larson, News Editor

Cavallo Nero Friesians

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Cavallo Nero Friesians

Images by Mel SpittallShirley Sim of ‘Cavallo Nero Friesians’ has an unwavering passion for this most

stunning breed of horses. She was born and raised in

Binnaway, and has family scattered from there to Tamworth. Her love for Friesians came about when she was just a child and she saw the big black

horse with loads of mane, in movies and magazines. Shirley says that at the time she had no idea of what they were, they looked like a fairytale horse.Like all the Friesian breeders who started many years ago in Australia, there were only really two options to get started, import one,or buy a mare and breed one, a partbred, and breed up. Shirley was lucky enough to be offered a partbred mare, and purebred gelding to look after for someone,and so it all began. She later purchased the gelding, and the mare only retired to her original owner last year. The partbred mare was sired by a Tamworth stallion, who still lives here, ‘Henri Friso Royal Avalon’ of Fryke Hynder Stud, owned by Hans and Debra Maes. Over the years she bred and bought quite a few mares and fillies by Avalon, and they were all equally amazing. Shirley and her children are so passionate about the big blacks, they have done everything with them, promoting them in all things equine and anywhere they could. In 1999 Shirley bought a colt from Friso Stud in Western Australia, and he was just perfect, her future stallion. But then a family crisis meant she had to either sell him or geld him, and they say a good stallion makes an even better gelding, so he joined the ranks with ‘Minke’ and ‘Zjoerd’ (her other geldings) to continue to promote the Friesians here.

They were all very successful at hacking, dressage, pony club, harness, and all represented nationally with multiple riders, including Shirleys own daughter for RDA Dressage. They even loved to jump. In 2005 Evanne from Shepherds Hill, Victoria, decided to sell ‘The

Wizzard’. He was an unbroken 6yo breeding stallion, used predominately to breed crossbreds for harness and movies. Shirley bought him sight unseen, but knew he carried so many of his fathers characteristics, and was not disappointed in the slightest. She regards him as her best friend, and the sire of many successful and beautiful progeny. Prior to ‘Wizz’ coming on board they were looking to choose between two colts from Fryske Hynder, and Hans couldn’t make up his mind which one to sell. He eventually decided just after they purchased ‘Wizz’, and even with the new edition, Shirleys daughter (who is crazy about the modern Friesian) convinced her to buy ‘Jelco’. The third Cavallo Nero boy, ‘Orlando’ belongs to a dear friend of Shirleys, who owns Kingslee Park Friesians. Shirleys friend had decided on a different life path and couldn’t give up ‘Orlando’ and ‘Freya’ (her imported mare), so he came to live with Shirley and her family.. Shirley met Joey Dernee-manian and Lew Hyson thru Hans, as they break and train Hans horses. They have, over the years also broken most of Shirleys horses, campaigned them, looked after them, and still manage to train and campaign ‘Jelco’ for Cavallo Nero on a full time basis. Joey and Lew have worked tirelessly to help make Shirleys dream come true, and are continuing to help her get her horses out and about, for all to share. Shirley describes their partnership has being extremely successful, and is excited to be entering a new phase in the near future. Cavallo Nero hopes to be relocating permanently to the district and they will continue to promote and breed these beautiful horses, and share them with their ever growing fans as they have done so for the past 20 years. Shirleys children have all been bitten by the Friesian bug, and love the black horses as much as she does. Now her granddaughter has her eyes set on a black horse in the future. They truly are a fairytale....

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What’s on calendarBreeds Section

September 2011AG SHOWS NSW

For more information on any of the Ag Shows listed above, please visit www.agshowsnsw.org.au

GRENFELL P A H & I ASSN INCWhere: GRENFELLWhen: 2 September 2011 - 3 September 2011

NARROMINE AGRIC SHOW SOC INCWhere: NARROMINEWhen: 2 September 2011 - 3 September 2011

NARRANDERA SHOW SOC INCWhere: NARRANDERAWhen: 3 September 2011

LAKE CARGELLIGO SHOW SOC INCWhere: LAKE CARGELLIGOWhen: 3 September 2011

MANILDRA P & A ASSN INCWhere: MANILDRAWhen: 3 September 2011

BARMEDMAN SHOW SOC INCWhere: BARMEDMANWhen: 3 September 2011 - 4 September 2011

FINLEY SHOW SOC INCWhere: FINLEYWhen: 4 September 2011

WOODSTOCK MEMORIAL SHOW INCWhere: WOODSTOCKWhen: 4 September 2011

WEST WYALONG SHOW SOC INCWhere: WEST WYALONGWhen: 6 September 2011 - 7 September 2011

FORBES P A & H ASSN INCWhere: FORBESWhen: 8 September 2011 - 10 September 2011

MURRUMBURRAH HARDEN SHOW SOC INCWhere: MURRUMBURRAHWhen: 9 September 2011 - 10 September 2011

HAY SHOW SOC INCWhere: HAYWhen: 10 September 2011 - 11 September 2011

QUIRINDI SHOW SOC INCWhere: QUIRINDIWhen: 10 September 2011 - 11 September 2011

UNGARIE SHOW SOCIETY INCWhere: UNGARIEWhen: 10 September 2011

ARIAH PARK SHOW SOC INCWhere: ARIAH PARKWhen: 11 September 2011

CUDAL A & P SOC INCWhere: CUDALWhen: 11 September 2011

COWRA SHOW SOC INCWhere: COWRAWhen: 13 September 2011 - 14 September 2011

EUGOWRA SHOW SOC INCWhere: EUGOWRAWhen: 16 September 2011 - 17 September 2011

MERRIWA P A H & I ASSN INCWhere: MERRIWAWhen: 16 September 2011 - 17 September 2011

ARDLETHAN SHOW SOC INCWhere: ARDLETHANWhen: 17 September 2011

BULLI SHOW SOC INCWhere: BULLIWhen: 17 September 2011 - 18 September 2011

MOLONG SHOW SOC INCWhere: MOLONGWhen: 18 September 2011

CANOWINDRA PA & H ASSN INCWhere: CANOWINDRAWhen: 23 September 2011 - 24 September 2011

SINGLETON.NORTHERN AGRIC ASSN INCWhere: SINGLETONWhen: 23 September 2011 - 25 September 2011

TEMORA SHOW SOCIETY INCWhere: TEMORAWhen: 24 September 2011

NIMBIN A & I SOC INCWhere: NIMBINWhen: 24 September 2011 - 25 September 2011

HILLSTON SHOW SOC INCWhere: HILLSTONWhen: 24 September 2011

LOCKHART A P & SHOW SOC INCWhere: LOCKHARTWhen: 25 September 2011

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The Irish Sport Horse (ISH), also known as the Irish Hunter, is mainly the result of a cross between the Irish Draught and the English Thoroughbred. Varying proportions of these breeds result in the production of Irish Sport Horses. In recent years there has also been an infusion of Warmblood breeds into the Irish Sport Horse. The term ‘Irish Draught’ in fact is due to the

Irish Army supplying its ‘horse draft’ to the war! The Irish Sport Horse has been given recognition as a separate breed.

The Irish Sport Horse is traditionally used for all purposes, from transportation, to riding, and working the land. However, it is becoming increasingly popular as a competition

riding horse. Its natural athletic ability and fantastic jumping talents means that it excels in t h e show jumping arena, as well as competing at the highest levels of eventing. The horse is globally renowned for being one of the best fox hunting mounts in the world, and the Irish Sport Horse studbook

regularly tops the rankings for eventing.

Ireland produces a great number of Irish Sport Horses each year, many of them selling for great amounts overseas.

The Irish Sport Horse receives the sense and honesty of the Irish Draught and the athleticism, speed, and endurance of the Thoroughbred. It has an excellent temperament, being calm, yet lively when needed, and is very tough. Connemara blood is also found in some Irish mares. Due to its sense and strength, it is popular with police forces in Britain and Ireland.

The Irish Sport Horse tends to fall into three types: light-weight for carrying a rider up to about 70 kg, middle-weight to carry a rider up to about 89 kg, and heavy-weight for riders exceeding 89 kg. Carrying a rider according to this classification includes being able to participate in hunting or other strenuous riding activities (like eventing). Nowadays, most Irish Horses are middle-weights, and it is uncommon to find a true heavy-weight or a Lady’s horse (trained for sports in side-saddle, and usually a light-weight).

The horse has an attractive head with a sometimes convex profile (a “Roman nose”). It has a slightly-arched and muscular neck, long, sloping shoulders, a deep but not overly broad chest, a short, compact back, and a muscular croup with powerful hindquarters. The croup is often sloping and long, a trait coming from the Irish Draught, which improves its jumping ability. The high withers of the Thoroughbred are also evident in many cases.

The Irish Sport Horse can be any colour, although it used to be rare to find piebalds and skewbalds, they are becoming increasingly popular in eventing, showjumping and hunter trials. Irish Sport Horses range in height from 15 to 17 hands.

The Irish Sport Horse

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Campdrafting/Team PenningAustralian Bushmans Campdraft

& Rodeo Associationwww.abcra.com.au

Australian Campdraft Associationwww.campdraft.com.au

Team Penning Australia Incwww.teampenningaustralia.com

Tamworth Team Penningwww.tamworthteampenning.com

September 2011 Campdraft NSW

September/October 2011 Team Penning

Pittsworth & Dist Campdrafting Assoc Inc.Contact – Deb Standing Ph; 0429 674 600

Central West Team Penning Assoc IncContact – Patrick RandellPh; 0458 512 450

Oakey Ag Pastoral & Rodeo Society IncContact – Judy BuyersPh; 0409 062 442

Widgee Team Penning Assoc IncContact – Noel MorelandPh; 0429 835 558

Coolah Team Penning Assoc OncContact – Bec KearneyPh; 6377 1226

Grafton Team Penning Club IncContact – Karen MorganPh; 6649 3276

MTG Team Penning & Arena Sorting Assoc IncContact – Verona PisaturaPh; 0428 861 212

4th September 2011 - Boggabri Team Penning Event17th & 18th September 2011 - Armidale Stockmans Challenge24th September 2011 - Central West Team Penning @ Canowindra Show Team Penning event.For more information on the above events, please visit www.teampenningaustralia.com 11th September8th & 9th October Australian Team Penning ChampionshipsFor more information on the above events, please visit www.tamworthteampenning.com

Team Penning Australia Affiliate Associations

3rd September TRAINING - WALCHA CAMPDRAFTERS CLUB ALEISHA CLARKE 02 6777 2879

9th - 11th September CONDOBOLIN CAMPDRAFT PRUE KIRK (02) 6896 2942

10th - 11th September LONG FLAT CAMPDRAFT FAYE O’NEILL (02) 6587 4447

11th September TRAINING - CAMDEN LESLEY TAYLOR 02 4572 8546

15th September BARADINE JNR/JUV CD & HORSE SPORTSCHRIS CLARKE 02 6843 1805

17th - 18th September GEURIE CAMPDRAFT

ROS IRELAND 0408 878 264

17th - 18th September MANILLA CAMPDRAFT BREE TABER (04) 2868 0137

23rd September SINGLETON SHOW CAMPDRAFMARIA WALKER 02 6572 2039

23rd - 25th September COPMANHURST CAMPDRAFT CHANTAL ENSBEY (04) 1841 1344

24th September MUDGEE CAMPDRAFT PAUL SWAN (04) 3268 1622

24th - 25th September DUNGOWAN CAMPDRAFT RUTH WHITE 02 6769 2312

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Coolah Team Penning Assoc OncContact – Bec KearneyPh; 6377 1226

Grafton Team Penning Club IncContact – Karen MorganPh; 6649 3276

MTG Team Penning & Arena Sorting Assoc IncContact – Verona PisaturaPh; 0428 861 212

Northern Branch Australian Stock Horse Society

NewsThe youth school held on the 13th and 14th August at Manilla was a resounding success. A lovely fine day on Saturday and the rain held off on Sunday until everyone was packing up and heading home. The school was overseen by chief instructor Teena Bridge and assisted by Clare Mourant, Darren Dejong, Ian Vaughan and John Lee. On Saturday the 31st riders from all over the north west of the state, enjoyed the instructions in hacking, showing, ringcraft and working stockhorse classes. This was complemented by instruction preparing them for campdrafting. Ian Vaughan set up his electric cow for all students to get an introduction to correctly setting up their horses for working in the camp.

A lovely meal supplied by the Royal Hotel on Saturday night saw parents, riders, instructors and volunteer helpers enjoy a social night. On Sunday instructor John Lee gave instruction in working the beast in the camp and Darren DeJong ensured that riders were able to practice the skills of riding the campdraft course. That afternoon riders combined the skills they had been practicing and were able to have several campdraft runs. A big thank you to the co ordinators Kathy DeJong and Teena Bridge, to the instructors John, Darren, Ian and Clare, and to Patrick Purtle and Alex Laurie who organised the cattle. Also to the special ladies who kept riders and parents well fed with lovely morning teas and beautiful filling lunches. ( love that pumpkin soup...) Kathy Dejong acknowledged running the school is made possible with support from the Australian Stock Horse Society’s sponsorship and the support of the parents and friends. We are looking forward to holding another school at Manilla next year.

NOTIFICATION OF“SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING”

TO BE HELD AT”WEST DIGGERS SERVICES CLUB”, KABLE AVENUE

-TAMWORTH

WED 7TH SEPTEMBER 2011 TIME 7PM

Contact President Bruce Robson 6761 6004

Secretary Bill McIllrick – 0447 845315

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What’s on calendarCutting

September/October 2011

National Cutting Horse Associationwww.ncha.com.au

4th SEPTEMBER Cutting Development Day Tony Ernst - Cowboy Logic02 6768 0151 - [email protected]

10th SEPTEMBERNORTHERN RIVERS CUTTING HORSE CLUB, BONALBO SHOWGROUND. Entries Close 3/9/11. P.O. Box 629 Casino 2470 Ph: 66647253 email: [email protected]

11th SEPTEMBERNORTHERN RIVERS CUTTING HORSE CLUB, BONALBO SHOWGROUND. Entries Close 3/9/11. P.O. Box 629 Casino 2470 Ph: 66647253 email: [email protected]

1st OCTOBERNORTHERN RIVERS CUTTING HORSE CLUB, WOODENBONG SHOWGROUNDS. ENTRIES CLOSE 24.9.11. Sec: Sam Wadsworth, P.O. Box 629Casino NSW 2469 ph 0400449315 email: [email protected]

2nd OCT OBERNORTHERN RIVERN CUTTING HORSE CLUB, WOODENBONG SHOWGROUNDS. ENTRIES CLOSE 24.9.11. Sec: Sam Wadsworth P.O. Box 629Casino NSW 2469 ph 0400449315 email: [email protected]

21, 22 & 23rd OCTOBERPEEL VALLEY CUTTING CLUB, ARMIDALE, Entries Close 7.10.11.Championship Show. Sec: Nadean McKenna, P.O. Box 173, Walcha 2353Ph: 67771116 ah only.

Private LessonsHorsmanship and Cutting

Image & Design Mel Spittall

One on one tuition for the beginner to advanced rider in the skills of horsemanship or cutting. From the beginning to the arena.

Learn the skills that Tony shared with Master Horseman PPat Parelli, Terry Clifford and Tony Piggot (first Australian to win the NCHA Futurity in the USA).

For more information contact Tony Ernst ◆ 0401 123 268 ◆ 02 67 680 151

www.tonyernstcowboylogic.com.au22

This is Part I of a two-part article about cutting horse herdwork best practices.

You can help yourself make a clean, pretty, flowing cut when you cut a cow that’s near the end of … and on the outside of … the cattle flow as they roll around you.When you do this in a “random” fashion, you step into the herd, and clearly see what rolls around you. The cut seems to set-up on its own. That’s called “shape”.

When you desire to cut a specific cow, a common, effective approach is to drive a predetermined cow to the outside of the flow. From here you shape the cow you want so she ends up in the middle of the arena.Although your helpers assist you, you are the main force when you cut a specific cow.

The fundamentals for both shape and a specific cow cut are the same. You strive to cut up, and center utilizing the natural flow of cattle.Cutting cattle on the outside of the flow is certainly not the only way to make a good cut, but it makes your clean, center-arena cut flow, and develop with ease.

In the picture to your left, either one of the black cattle in front of the highlighted cow are candidates to be cut mid-arena.In contrast, this next cutter is approaching the cattle in the opposite direction of the flow as compared to the rider above. Unless he

drives one of the lead black cattle (on the far left), way forward, aggressively up, and past the group to his right, he could end up with a messy cut because he is going against the flow.(That cut can work, but again, if you do this, you have to be super aggressive, and drive your cow in front of the entire group behind you to get beyond the direction of the flow.)

Here are three steps to help you make a clean cut utilizing this idea of being with the flow of cattle, and not against it:

1.) It is your job (not your helpers’ job), to always know the direction of the flow of cattle. This awareness helps you make good decisions. The flow of cattle can change in a moment, so you, who has the reins in your hand, need to always know how the flow is going.

In this next photo (right), the flow is going to the left. Although the cattle on the left of the cutter are stalled out a little, they are “behind” the flow.Your eyes should move and constantly observe which cow/cattle are on the end of, and on the outside of the flow.

2.) Develop the ability to see what’s really happening, moment-to-moment. This can be tricky.

In the second picture to the right, the outside cow appears to be the one that will walk up to the middle of the arena. However, depending on what you do with your horse, and what that cow is really like, she may or may not stay in that outside position.

A common mistake is to decide too quickly which cow will emerge center, and the cow you think was going to walk up there takes off. If you go with your reactionary thoughts, instead of seeing what’s really going on, you will make a cut on the run … out of the middle of the arena. This will be negatively reflected in your score.

This ability to really see is like having the patience and presence of an objective reporter.

Of course, how you walk up, forward and into the cattle as you make your cut, has everything to do with how the situation develops. But, for the purposes of this article, I am stressing the development of your awareness, and ongoing observation of the flow of cattle in general.

3.) Another critical point is to be aware of the top of the arc of the flow.

You always want to keep your eyes on the outside cattle on the side of the flow coming toward the top of the arc. Once they cross the top of the arc, and head toward the herd on the other side, those cattle are not typically candidates for a clean and center cut.Part II of this article will help you extend these same principles to cutting specific cattle.

Cutting Horse Herdwork Best Practices: Part I

By Barbara Schulte www.barbraschulte.com

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What’s on calendarDressage

Dressage NSWwww.dressagensw.com.au

Tamworth Dressage Club www.tamworthdc.equestrian.org.au

Dressage NSW September 2011

3-4th SeptemberDNSW Event Clarendon Karen Lever 4576 7996 www.dressagensw.com.au

4th SeptemberShoalhaven Equestrian Club Nowra Gayle Loose 4441 0623 www.shoalhavendressageclub.com.au

4th September Central Coast Dressage Association Somersby Claire Heenan 0401 329 026 www.ccdressage.org

8-11th September NSW Dressage Championships Tamworth Cathie Drury-Klein 6365 4267 www.dressagensw.com.au

18th September Warringah Dressage Club St Ives Melissa Gough 0412 532 246 www.warringahdressage.org

18 th SeptemberBowral Club Championships Bong Bong Toni Abela 0427 632 303 www.bowraldressage.com

18th September ACT Dressage Assoc Eq Park, Canberra Shannan Wilson 0401 426 025 www.actda.com.au

17/18th September Alexander Park Dressage Club Salt Ash Wendy Cotton 0419 873 321 www.apdc.net.au

25th September Central West Dressage Group Lesley Archer 6331 5049 www.centralwestdg.equestrian.org.au

25th September Illawarra Dressage Club SIEC Bronwyn Doong 0409 778 752 www.illawarradressage.org.au

24/25th September Hunter Valley Dressage Association Rutherford Joyce Laidler 02 4930 7671 www.huntervalleydressage.com

24/25th North Coast EC Champs Nana Glen Tasmyn Lessells 02 6653 5637 www.northcoastequestrianclub.com.au

1/2nd October Orana Equestrian Club Champs Dubbo Sharon Kirby 0428 638 101 www.oranaec.equestrian.org.au

2nd OctoberUpper Hunter Scone Robyne Smith 02 6545 1142 www.uhda.equestrian.org.au

2nd October Dungog Dressage Club Dungog Michelle Earnshaw 02 4987 0044 www.dungogdressageclub.webs.com

3rd October Galston Riding Club Galston Mary Werick 0402 974 449 www.galstonequestrianclub.org.au

8/9th October DNSW Event O Clarendon Karen Lever 4576 7996 www.dressagensw.com.au

9th OctoberSingleton Dressage Club Singleton Carol Cairney 0409 743 718 www.singletondressageclub.org

9th October Young Dressage Assoc Bendick Murrel Karen Glendenning 6341 1148 www.youngda.equestrian.org.au

15/16th October NSW Pony Dressage Champs SIEC Kelly Hattersley 0419 435 767 www.dressagensw.com.au

15/16th OctoberAlbury Wodonga Dressage Club Albury Andrea Williams 0412 859 756 www.awec.net.au

16th October Monaro Equestrian Assoc Cooma Belinda Mackintosh 0405 319 554 www.mea.net.au

16th OctoberSouthcoast Eq Club Albion Park Frances Simmonds 4236 0680 www.southcoastequestrianclub.com.au

16th October Sugarloaf Cobbity Eq Club Cobbitty Pam Wood 0417 677 638 www.scec-dressage.com

16th October Mudgee Dressage Club Mudgee Lesley Archer 6331 5049 www.centralwestdg.equestrian.org.au

16th October Bulahdelah Dressage Club Bulahdelah Kerry Turnbull 4997 8168 www.bulahdelahdressage.org.au

22nd October Hawkesbury Riding Club Clarendon Gail Kroon 0414 249 307 www.hawkesburyridingclub.com.au

23rd OctoberHoofbeats Adult Riding Club Elem Ebenezer Monique Baker 02 4576 7571 www.hoofbeats.org.au27-30 National Championships O/CH/

CODE: CH: Championship; O: Official; A: As-sociate; YH: Young Horse; P:Pony; F:

Freestyle; S: Seminar; M: Members day; T: Training day.

Levels: Pr:Preliminary N: Novice etc...

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www.horser-

Part 1 by Bert Hartog

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A horse has to be ‘forward for the legs’ of the rider. This means that the horse must react actively and quickly to the leg aid of the rider, by going forward. This is a necessity in dressage, because all achievements originate from a combined energy and all this energy is only created by making the horse more active.

First of all a forward urge is needed. The leg aid of the rider creates the ‘forward urge’. By guiding the horse correctly this forward urge can be limited and gathered into a generous ‘urge to perform’ by the horse. It is absolutely necessary that the horse is obedient to the leg aids. With a following seat and rein contact the rider must make it possible for the horse to obey the legs, which allows him to offer his paces expansively. If the rider works against the movement of the horse with his seat, posture or hands, the horse will not be inclined to obey the forward pushing leg aids. The result is a horse that holds back, and only reacts to kicking, sharp spurs and hard smacks with the whip. It will not be surprising that such horses are sour and unfriendly in the stable.

Of course there are many degrees between the two extremes of a willing and active and an unwilling and not so happy horse.

The rider must control the hindquarters if he wants to create a horse that turns easily, actively extending and shortening and feeling pleasantly in hand. After all, the motor is the hindquarters and the motor can be started and accelerated through the influence of the legs of the rider. But even though we are making a comparison with a mechanical machine the horse is certainly not a dead thing that does everything by itself as long as you push the right button. But we can extend the comparison - if the motor is used by somebody unknowledgeable, it will run badly and play up. This also goes for the horse.

The rider has to teach the horse to be forward for the legs. We will discuss this a little further for those who have not had much experience and are training a young horse. Everyone knows a horse must have impulsion. This impulsion can only be achieved if the horse wants to go forward, and in such a way as is indicated and controlled by the rider. The horse must always, and at every moment, react actively to a pushing leg aid from the rider. What do we do if the rider has problems with the leg aids? If the horse is reacting slowly to

the leg aids, and the rider is giving increasingly stronger leg aids without noticing it? When the rider works more and more with his spurs and hits the horse harder and more often with the whip, without really achieving the result that he expected? If the rider is honest enough to recognise the problem it is not too bad, because he can correct the fault. Those who keep going stubbornly in this way and blame the horse for it, will get stuck in their training and punish the horse for the faults that they have created themselves. What did the rider do wrong?

Unless it results from bad condition, or incapability because of conformation, the cause of the problem will be found in the way the rider has been riding. He may have forgotten to teach the light leg aid in the first few lessons. The solution is clear, the rider must go back and teach those first few lessons, and this will take time and patience, but it is absolutely necessary.

In most cases, the rider jams his thighs, knees and calves into the horse, and holds onto the horse this way. This clasping of the legs goes together with a jammed, stiffened seat. This combination of seat and legs works so much against the movement of the horse that he learns to keep himself back. It is also possible to have the reverse effect - the horse becomes restless and takes off! Now it is easy to picture a rider that hangs onto the reins and jams up his body completely. Many riders don’t even feel that they are holding on with their legs, because their muscles have become so strong by using them a lot.

f they want to check their legs, they should consciously try to keep their legs a little away from the saddle. Keep your legs a few millimetres or a centimetre away from the horse so that you just, or just not feel the hair on the side of the horse. You will notice (as your senses sharpen) that the horse starts to react to the lightness. The horse will find the new sensation, pleasant.

Then the rider can test himself to see if he is really balanced - neither falling forward, or staying behind the movement. This is a very good exercise to do now and then. Nobody can see it, and it is a good way of checking your seat. The position of the legs must be correct and the legs - which are a hand width behind the girth - must be in touch with the horse, following the movement and the expanding and contracting ribcage in a supple way. The legs ought to be lowered because of the relaxed position. The knees will be low because the thighs are directed downwards. The heel will be lower because the ankle joint is relaxed. If the rider gives his horse the leg aid, then, immediately after the aid, the legs go back to their relaxed position. This way each new leg aid will be experienced by the horse as being clearly another aid, following the previous aid. Performed like this, the leg aid is indeed an aid, it is an indication, a command for the horse to do something specific.

The aids do not have to be heavy or strong. The horse is the one who does the heavy work, who offers the full use of his muscles. The human has the task of using his brain to regulate and guide... which the horse has to obey unconditionally. The unconditional obedience cannot be achieved by forcing the horse with unfair methods, which are often more cruel than one thinks - if one is thinking.

To know and to do are often two completely different things. Therefore it is right to ask yourself: Is the horse really alert to the leg aids. Does the horse really give the maximum of his ability without becoming nervous or tense? Or does the horse run away from underneath the rider when he applies the leg aid, which causes the horse to go on the forehand? Or does he react sufficiently to the pushing aid? It is up to you, the rider, to give an honest answer, and if you feel that everything is not right, make sure that you correct this fault, because this is necessary for progress in dressage.

...Continued next month...

On July the 23rd and 24th Tamworth Dressage Club held their Official Championships for 2011 at the Clubs grounds in Moonbi. As was to be expected, the two-day competition was a drawcard event for many regional competitors, as well as enticing riders from beyond the district, from as far as Sydney, to compete. With fine weather and a very enthusiastic team of workers the competition was set for success, and the weekend that ensued was one that was enjoyed by all involved. It was great to see such a large number of horse and rider combinations competing at their best and to success, doing our region proud in terms of the development of our sport. Particular congratulations must go to our winners and grinners of the days, and thanks to our major sponsor Horseland Tamworth, as well as Heritage Hill Equine Centre and More 4 Horses, whose generous sponsorship made the event possible.

Pony Champion: Helen Dunn and Claremont Park Empress

Reserve Pony Champion: Sydney Evans and Dara Park Tequila Sunrise

Preliminary Champion: Louise Faseas and Splendid Jack

Reserve Champion: Lew Hyson and Jelco

Novice Champion: Robyn Walsh and Fougere Royale

Reserve Champion: Louise Faseas and Splendid Jack

Elementary Champion: Gillian Green and Prince of Pleasure

Reserve Champion: Rpbyn Walsh and Fougere Royale

Medium Champion: Katrina Allan and Beltana Sandman

Reserve Champion: Rachel Cairns and Southern Cross Aquilla

Advanced Champion: Katrina Allan and Beltana Sandman

Reserve Champion: Jill Wagner and Royal Heartthrob

FEI Champion: Robyne Smith and KS Beauchamp

Reserve Champion: Rachelle Evans and Belcam Geldof

Images courtesy AA Photography

Allissia Dunn and Stanhope Quartro

Katrina Allan and Beltana Sandman

Lew Hyson and Jelco

Louise Allen and Rey Moments

Megan Bourke and Arlee

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2011 NSW Dressage Championships

The entries are in and the stage is set for the 2011 NSW Dressage Championships to be held at AELEC from the 8 – 11 September. This is the third year that Tamworth has hosted the Championships and judging from the response of competitors, it will continue to grow as Tamworth has become the “place to be” each September for the Serious Dressage Rider. With a total of 196 horse and rider combinations competing in twenty individual competitions from Preliminary through to the Grand Prix Special the Championships have this year been extended to four days. Competitors are coming from most states including Rachael Pen-Dennis from the Northern Territory who will be travelling with her mare, Dilettante, to compete. There is also a strong contingent from Queensland who love coming to Tamworth rather than make the trek further south to Sydney to participate at this level. The Championships will showcase some of the finest horseflesh in the country with the event attracting 32 imported horses from Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, Holland, Brazil and The Netherlands.

Local Riders feature strongly this year with Katrina Allan, Sarah Venamore, Pam Crosby, Kathy Smith, Andrew Haddad, Kim Holland and Virginia Blanch all being accepted at Preliminary level and Robyn Walsh, Sarah Venamore and Holly Sozou in the Novice. In the Elementary, Susie Herbert, Robyn Walsh, Holly Sozou and Gillian Green have made the cut and at Medium Level Gillian Green and Rachel Cairns will be competing. At Advanced level, local judge and coach Susie Duddy’s horse DP Weltmieser will be ridden by former Tamworth resident and now successful international competitor Brett Parbery. Robyne Smith on her horse KS Beauchamp will be contesting the FEI level competitions.

One of the highlights of the four days is the Freestyle to Music Competitions which will be held during Saturday and continuing into the evening. The evening’s entertainment will also feature local singing talent, the outcome of a silent auction of an Arena Rake, donated by Greystone, and for those who would like to partake in “Pasta ‘n Curry Capers”, including special allocated seating, tickets are available at $25.00 each, bookings can be made by ‘phoning Meg Drury 6760 8183 or 0428 603182 or Cathie Drury-Klein 0417 224432. A raffle of a Wheelbarrow Full of Goodies kindly donated by local businesses will also be drawn, with tickets being sold during the Championships.

A feature of this year’s Championships is the inclusion of the Equestrian Australia Paralympic Nomination Event. This event is held in conjunction with the Championships and is the first of four nomination events available to riders who wish to qualify for the London 2012 Paralympics Games. There are five individual competitions with nominations being received from all states including Fleur Lister, Sharon Jarvis and Lesley Smith who will be travelling from Western Australia to compete. A total of 26 horse and rider combinations will be vying to qualify for the first selection to compete in London, this is an exciting addition to the Championships and will no doubt attract many spectators.

This event is one not to be missed and entry is free all days except for Saturday, which has a nominal entry fee of $10.00 for adults, $5.00 children and concession holders and $25.00 for a family, tickets are available on entry to AELEC. Further information can be found on the Dressage NSW website:

www.dressagensw.com.au or by contacting Cathie Drury-Klein 0417 224432 or email [email protected].

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NEW SOUTH WALESDressage Championships

8 – 11 September 2011

2011Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC)Including:

• PresentationofDressageNSWAnnualAwards

•EquestrianGrandFinalQualifier

• FreestylesalldayintheIndooronSaturdayculminatingin

theGrandPrixFreestyle

EntriEs closE: WEdnEsday, 27 July 2011

ThiseventwillbeheldinconjunctionwithanEquestrianAustraliaParalympicNominationEvent.SupportedbytheAustralianSportsCommission,theAustralianParalympicCommitteeandthe EquestrianAustraliaHighPerformanceProgram.

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FINALGRANDEQUESTRIAN

Fornewsupdatespleasecheckthewebsitewww.dressagensw.com.au/statesEnquiries: CathieDrury-KleinMob:0417224432email:[email protected] MegDruryPh:0267608183Mob:0428603182email:[email protected]

What’s on calendarEndurance

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NSW Endurance Riders Association www.nswera.asn.au

Tamworth & District Endurance Clubwww.tamworthanddistrictenduranceclub.org.au


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New Italy 4th September80/40Julie Haigh 6688 8276 Bendemeer 11th September80/40/15Gay Bonham 6785 2055

National Capital, Brookvale 11th September80/40/20Fia Hasko-Stewart 6282 20510401 999 473

High Country, Bright 11th September 80/40/15Nina Lewis 03 5755 1810 Sassafras South Coast 25th September80/40/20Alan Marshall 4422 8818

Tom Quilty Gold Cup 30th -1st Oct Mt Pleasant SA

Woodstock 16th Oct80/40/20Helen Lindsay 6342 9289

Tennesse Orchard Yerrinbool 23rd Oct80/40/20Sue Warren 0412 012 102

Kiwarrak Cup 29th -30th Oct80/40/20Abby McMurrich 6550 6337

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It is critical that your tack fit your horse well, and fit comfortably. Small issues like rubbing, pressure points, or poor adjustment often is tolerated by horses for ring work or short rides. However, tack issues will present big problems when the ride is endurance length, and may result in back issues that will lame a horse, or cause it to be judged “not fit to continue”.

you should make sure your saddle fits your horse and does not cause pressure along the back or any other part of the horse’s anatomy. Have a saddle fitter check it over carefully to ensure the flocking is correct, and the saddle fits the horse’s back with the pads you

wish to use. This is most important because your horse will be going distances where tiny problems will explode

into major problems that may cause the soaring horse to alter it’s gaits or way of going. A sore back may become so painful that

you will be pulled from the competition, or the horse will b e unusable for days afterward. Most endurance riders prefer the t r e e l e s s

saddle -- they are much softer for the rider, easily fit most horses with a greater degree of comfort and do not produce pressure points on the horse like a treed s a d d l e .

The drawbacks are they are limited to the lightweight and middleweight riders so that all the rider’s weight is not resting in one small area of the horse’s back. They are

also designed to fit round barrelled horses with low to medium withers. Most treeless use special pads to lift the rider’s weight off the horse’s backbone and provide a free, open channel down the backbone.

be sure you have a pad that breathes and wicks away sweat so that your horse’s back stays cool. Natural fleece is the preferred choice, but there are many synthetic pads out there that claim to be comfortable and sweat-wicking. Find a pad that fits your horse, your saddle, and does the job without rubbing or rankling the horse. Make sure it is kept clean, and in good repair. Tattered pads are tired pads, and are best replaced before they harm your horse by not doing the job they are required to do.

use one long closed rein, not buckled reins. Make sure the reins are long enough to act as a long lead rope for when you get off and run/walk alongside your horse. Get no-slip reins like

nylon, or use reins with leather “stops” along the length, to prevent them from running through your hands during wet weather. Put alligator-jaw quick snaps on the end so that you can detach/re-attach them quickly to the bit/bridle for jogging out your horse at the vet checks, etc. Endurance reins come in a variety of colours and fabrics, so you can select all different types to match your ensemble.

the best type are the 4’ wide platform, lightweight plastic or aluminium endurance stirrups. These provide the best support for the rider’s legs, feet, and back, and hips. Most come with a soft, springy foam foot pad, and spring support system for the highest comfort. Caged stirrups are often used for safety purposes when stirrup leathers are attached to closed-ring supports. Western and English stirrups can be used but provide less surface area for the foot and, over the miles, may contribute to fatiguing the rider’s body.Breastplates and cruppers - both are used for security on rides that have hills. Breastplates should be used at all times to prevent the saddle from slipping backwards, and to help keep it from drifting to the side. Cruppers can be used for “downhill” horses whose saddles tend to creep up on the shoulders. Make sure your horse will accept the crupper happily without problem before you bring it to the endurance ride.

if your horse requires boots make sure they stay clean and don’t rub. You may wish to have an additional pair to exchange during a mid-way stop, so that your horse is wearing clean, dry equipment for the 2nd half of the ride. Do remember -- leg gear may be requested to be removed for some of the vet checks.

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What’s on calendarEventing

Ev

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Ev

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ng Coaches & Trainers

Norm HindmarshSouthern Cross Warmbloods

PH: 02 6767 1404M: 0429 862 854

[email protected]

Sharmayne SpencerHeritage Hill

PH: 02 6760 5554M: 0414 577 273 - Sharmayne

M: 0447 328 [email protected]

Eventing NSWwww.eventingnsw.com.au

Quirindi Eventing Incwww.quirindieventing.com

Tamworth International Eventingwww.tie.equestrian.org.au

Please go to www.eventingnsw.com.au for more information on the following events:

10 th - 11th September SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL 3DE Prelim to 3*17th - 18th September CSU Wagga New t PN24th - 25th September Scone New to 3*1st - 2nd October MIRRABOOKA CIC New to 2*8 th - 9th October Coffs Harbour Enc to 1*15th - 16th October GOULBURN CIC Prelim to 3*22nd - 23rd October Wallaby Hills Intro to 1*29th - 30th October CANBERRA CIC Prelim to 3*


32

Seems as how it is getting around to ‘three day’ time of the year, I thought it would be good to go through what happens at one for those who have never been to one! This is not meant to be a definitive guide, but is a brief

description of what works for me as I try to swing the balance of fortune in my favour. I have outlined some of the pointers and tips I have picked up (sometimes through bitter experience!) and naturally, not everything I do will suit

everyone. Choose what works for you.Since I have assumed competitors have access to quality trainers, and that horse and rider are physically prepared

for their first three day, I have not included any training and fitness work in this discussion. This just covers general preparations, travelling to the event, and everything up to and including how to look after your horse once the event

has finished!Training for your first three-day event is not just about preparing yourself and your horse for the phases of

competition. Once you enter the arena or set off on course, your success is going to depend on a multitude of factors, not least being the training, skill, and fitness of the horse and rider partnership. Whether you believe in fate or

creating your own luck, much of your competitive outcome rests on chance. The best preparation in the world cannot anticipate the weather, the size and location of the crowds, or the trajectory of an errant plastic bag! The pressures of competing are enough, so managing the things you can do something about plays a huge part in keeping distractions to a minimum and reducing stress. If you are well-organized and free to focus on the job at hand, you improve your

chances of success and will hopefully gain more satisfaction from your riding.

with Kevin McNab

THREE DAY

General• Pick your first three-day competition carefully. Ifyou have an option, try to find a course that is suited to your horse. Check the EA and FEI (The International Equestrian Federation) qualifications and the closing date for entries. Work backwards in planning your competition schedule. Include enough time for back-up competitions, should you not achieve your qualifications the first time around. You may have to consider entering another competition to make sure you are qualified.• FEI competitions operate under a different set ofrules, and it is important to know the differences and that you are registered in all the correct places. The EA can help to keep you informed. Pay particular attention to the very strict rules on allowable medication during and preceding competition!• Prepareacheck-offlistofalltheequipmentyouwillneed. Double-check it before you leave. Try to take duplicate items of all tack, if you can. A bicycle is invaluable for getting around the venues as it is normally quiet spread out.• Serviceyour truck/gooseneck/trailer/floatandplanyour route well in advance. Make sure all relevant paperwork is up to date, i.e. if you have to get your horses tick sprayed to travel in and out of the tick zones and your log books are all up to date.

Travelling• Iftraveltotheeventinvolvesalongtrip,Itakemyhorses off every six hours or so for a hand walk. This way you can check for any nasal discharge. For every twelve hours of travel, I give my horses five to six hours rest. It is important to know your horse’s normal temperature, and to take it if you have any concerns during your trip. This is to monitor for travel sickness (consult your vet for more information).• I like to allowmyhorses aday at the event site torecoup for every twelve hours of travel.• Planwhen to feedwhile travelling:use electrolytesand dampen feed to help keep your horse hydrated, and feed on the ground to encourage them to put their heads down so that their respiratory system has a chance to clear.• Buy a bigger trailer (just kidding!) No matter the

size of your truck/gooseneck or float, I guarantee you will fill it with all those ‘essential’ items of kit that always seem to match or exceed the capacity of your vehicle!

Arrival• Visit the stablemanager as soon as possible to getall relevant information: your show packet, bridle and halter numbers (to be worn at all times), event maps, times of briefings, etc. The manager and staff will be very busy, so a smile always helps. Remember: they’re more than likely unpaid volunteers putting in long hours for the sport they love.• Alleventsarerequiredtochecktheincominghorsessoon upon arrival. Sometimes the horse will be checked by a vet the moment he’s off the lorry, so make sure he arrives looking his best. Bear in mind you are now at a horse show, which means, by definition, you and your horse and entourage are on display. Initial impressions are the first steps to scoring well, so be neat and tidy in your person, your tack, and your horse, especially if this is your first time at a CCI. A sloppy turnout can create the impression that you’re not serious about your sport.• Fromthispointonyourhorseisrequiredtowearabridle number at all times, whether it be on your bridle when you are working him or just walking him around in a halter.• After settling into your designated area, get yourhorse used to the new and strange surroundings. Take him for a gentle hack and leg stretch. If he’s an eventing veteran, he knows what’s coming and may be excited and tense.• Handgrazeasoftenasyoucan,trytogetascloseasyou’re allowed to the actual competition arenas. To help the horse relax in this new and busy environment, be willing to keep pulling him out for short but frequent walks. You can then work your horse as you see fit before the competition as you are the one who will know him best and how much work he needs to get the best possible result.• Protectyourhorse’slegsatalltimeswhiletravellingand during the event. Use stable bandages in the stall, and boots/bandages when out.• Use lots of bedding so your horse is warm,comfortable, and unlikely to scrape himself. Make sure there is an ample supply of fresh water -- keeping your horse hydrated is a top priority. 33

Magic Millions Sales Complex, 28 Ascot Court, Bundall QLD 4217Gold Coast – Head Office: PO Box 5246, GCMC, Queensland 9726

Ph: 1300 MILLIONS or +61 7 5504 1200 | Fx: +61 7 5531 7082 | E: [email protected]

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2011 JuLY MONTHLY SALE 8 JuLY 2011 11AM - ENtrIES CLOSE: 4 JuLy 2011

2011 AuguST MONTHLY SALE 12 AuguST 2011 11AM - ENtrIES CLOSE: 8 AuGuSt 2011

2011 SEPTEMbEr MONTHLY SALE 9 SEPTEMbEr 2011 11AM - ENtrIES CLOSE: 5 SEPtEMBEr 2011

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Rider’s Briefing• Take notes and listen closely. If you’re unsure ofanything, ask questions. You don’t get penalized for being green, but a green mistake could cost you.

Vet Check• The formal trot-up is the ground jury’s firstimpression of you, so it is important your horse is well turned out, looking smart and smile.• Practicetrottingupathome.Askaknowledgeablefriend or your vet to watch you and help gauge the best pace and balance for your horse.

Dressage• Set up a dressage arena at home, so the horsebecomes used to working within artificial confines. Simply laying planks of wood on the ground is a cheap alternative that creates the same effect, particularly if painted white (a good job for Dads!). For the more nervous horses, try to introduce flowers or flapping bunting/flags into the training area so they are not spooked at the competition.• Besuretohaveyourbitandspurscheckedwellinadvance.• Find out which test you will be performing wellin advance and start practicing at home. Use a competent trainer and have someone video you frequently. If your facility has arena mirrors, even better!• Practice wearing your top hat and tails if it isapplicable to your class. Make sure your top hat fits and will stay on while doing canter work in a stiff breeze.• On your dressage day, bring everything that isneeded to the dressage area, e.g. sponge, body brush, copy of the test, rain coat; fly spray, extra studs, hoof pick, hoof oil, boot buffer cloth, towel, and video camera.• Mosteventshaveadressage10-minutearenaforthecombination next-to-ride. Know where this is and how to get from it to the competition arena.• Ifthereissufficienttime,watchanearlytesttocheckyou have learned the right one. If you made a mistake, you wouldn’t be the first!• Checkthearenafootingandobservehowitisriding.Are other horses slipping, or is the ground being churned up, and that will help you decide upon size of studs.• Ride your test confidently and look like you arehaving fun, even if you are not! As we all know, horses are incredibly sensitive. They feel what you feel, and react accordingly.

Walking the Course• Walk thecoursealone thefirst time; it is theonlychance you will get to imagine what your horse’s first impressions will be.• Thesecondwalkcantakealongtime.Measurethecourse with a meter wheel and compare with the official distance. Often organizers will wheel a very tight line, in which case making the time will be difficult. Take careful note of all the alternative options, and record your minute markers. Pick fixed objects as your minute markers, e.g. trees -- not items that may be moved or obscured by crowds on the day of the competition. Write them down.• Askmoreexperiencedridersifyou’reunsureoftheapproach to particular jumps. Don’t be shy, in my experience the more advanced riders of our sport are more than willing to give helpful advice.

• Onthethirdwalk,imaginehowthecourseisgoingto look on the day. Visualize your perfect ride, and don’t forget to also imagine yourself successfully coping with any problems that might arise.• On the morning of the competition, I go out oncourse to check the footing and to re-walk difficult lines. If there is enough time, I try watching how the tricky fences are riding, and compare notes with other riders.

The Day Before Cross Country• Youaregoingtoneedhelp(particularlyinthetenminute box) so the more people you can rope in to assist you, the better. Get at least two. Meet with your team the night before to assign jobs.• Lookatyourstarttimesandplanwhentofeed(4-5hours before the start of the xc and hand-walk your horse in the morning. I reduce my horses’ hay ration the night before cross-country and feed only a small flake in the morning.• If you are having problems remembering whereyour minute markers are then you can always write them on your arm!• Check all of your equipment and tack is in goodorder and is safe to use.• Tie a shoelace through the top braid in themanein a plait. Then wrap it around the head piece of the bridle and tie it securely. This stops the bridle being pulled off completely should you have the misfortune to be pitched over the horse’s head!

Next time we will cover: The Day of Cross Country and Show Jumping34

Magic Millions Sales Complex, 28 Ascot Court, Bundall QLD 4217Gold Coast – Head Office: PO Box 5246, GCMC, Queensland 9726

Ph: 1300 MILLIONS or +61 7 5504 1200 | Fx: +61 7 5531 7082 | E: [email protected]

www.magicmillions.com.au

MAGIC MILLIONS

MONTHLY SALESTHOrOugHbrEd HOrSES SuiTAbLE FOr ALL diSciPLiNES

SeLLING ON the GOLd COASt eACh MONthMAgic MiLLiONS SALES cOMPLEx, gOLd cOAST, QuEENSLANd

2011 JuLY MONTHLY SALE 8 JuLY 2011 11AM - ENtrIES CLOSE: 4 JuLy 2011

2011 AuguST MONTHLY SALE 12 AuguST 2011 11AM - ENtrIES CLOSE: 8 AuGuSt 2011

2011 SEPTEMbEr MONTHLY SALE 9 SEPTEMbEr 2011 11AM - ENtrIES CLOSE: 5 SEPtEMBEr 2011

VIEw tHE CAtALOGuE ONLINE ON tHE wEDNESDAy PrIOr tO tHE SALE DAy ENtrIES CLOSE 4 DAyS PrIOr tO SALE

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MAG02671 2011Scenic Rim FPC 210x297.indd 1 17/6/11 4:33:15 PM

35

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What’s on calendarHorse Drawn

Australian Carriage Driving Societywww.acds.org.au

Carriage Driving NSWwww.carriagedrivingnsw.org.au

Tamworth Regional Horse Drawn Clubwww.trhdc.webs.com


3rd/4th September Interclub event Stroud, Hunter Harness Club10th September Harness classesQuirindi show25th September CLUB AGMNemingah Hotel 11am start

1st/2nd October Qld CDE Championships9th October Rally Day Attunga

Monthly news fromThe Farmers and Equine Expo on July 23rd/24th at Manilla organized by the Manilla Equine Sporting Association was a great success, our club had the opportunity to demonstrate a great mirror image scurry with 12 members present having a great time and our static display was very popular. The feed back we have received has been fantastic; we are looking forward to next year’s expo.

August 7th was the date for our club drive with the venue being changed from Attunga to Manilla it proved to be a blessing as Manilla was the only place not to receive rain until later in the day. We had a good roll up with two new people coming along Trina Ridgwell and her groom Robyn Bowman. Trina drove her pony ‘Prophet’ and Robyn was groom/camera lady. With 13 members we all enjoyed the social drive with a great bbq lunch cooked by Max Saunders when we returned. Thanks Max.

Amanda See and Glen Murray - A report for the past month from some of our long distance members. We were to attend Brisbane’s EKKA next weekend but have withdrawn due to the Hendra virus. Last weekend we attended a Max Pearce school at Murrami, organised by the Murrumbidgee Carriage Driving Club. We took 2 ponies and had 2 lessons with each. It was very beneficial for driver, ponies and onlookers, as Max explained everything very clearly and gave the reasoning behind it. It was a great weekend, despite the undecidable weather, and the Murrumbidgee Club made us feel very welcome. They are holding a graded dressage day and One Hour CDE in September, which we are planning to attend.

The interclub challenge weekend with the Hunter Harness Club is set down for the 3rd/4th September. It should be a great weekend with lots to do and enjoy. There is a full program attached to this newsletter, if you are going please rsvp to Liz O’Brien to confirm numbers with the Hunter club for the Saturday night dinner. There are several members attending but there will always be room for more, even though this is a social weekend we would still like to come home with the challenge cup. Several of us are meeting in Tamworth Saturday morning and heading off in convoy, you will be welcome to join us, just let us know by phoning Karl on 67603941 or Liz 0427766726. Next year we will be hosting the weekend so if we want them to come to us we need to make the effort and attend their weekend.

You will notice our October and November rally day’s dates have been changed to avoid clashing with the Qld/ NSW CDE Championships held on the same time.

Our AGM and general meeting has been set down for 25th September 2011 at the Nemingah Hotel Armidale Rd Nemingah at 11am sharp then followed by a social luncheon in the hotel bistro. RSVP to the Secretary Liz O’Brien on 0427766726 or [email protected] by 20th September.

Memberships are due by the 31st August; forms are available online from our club website www.trhdc.webs.com or from the secretary. Some early birds have already got their memberships in thank you that makes our job so much easier.

There has been a lot of positive feedback regarding our clubs new website; if you haven’t seen it yet take a look atwww.trhdc.webs.com we are sure you will be very impressed with our informative website. You will also notice a link to the club’s new face book page as well. For those of you who are face book savvy please take a look and let us now what you think. Let us know what you have been up to and tell all your friends about us.

It is wonderful to see we are still getting a lot of enquiries from people wanting more information about joining our club and driving in general. If you know anyone interested in driving tell them to come along to one of our days or contact a committee member we are all happy to help out where we can. Happy driving, Liz O’Brien 042 7766 726 or [email protected]

Light driving horse breeds include e.g. ponies, Miniature horses, small horses, light draft horses, warmbloods, Arabian and Standardbreds, Thoroughbreds, etc. These horse types are usually used to pull carts, light carriages, marathon carriages, sleighs and lighter agricultural vehicles and machines. These horses make wonderful companions and are very versatile. They can be used for both, driving and riding.

Breeds like Haflinger, the Norwegian Fjord horse, the Welsh pony etc., are amongst the most popular breeds used for the driving sport in Europe.Miniature horses, Shetland- and Welsh ponies are superb for showing, pleasure and recreational activities. Especially Miniature horses are becoming more and more popular.

Wuerttemberger, Oldenburger, Holsteiner, Hannoverians and the Dutch Warmblood are well known examples of warmblood breeds in continental Europe.After WW II breeders began to cross in Thoroughbred or Arabian blood. They created a sportier and lighter equine, which performs better on show events. Therefor they are mainly used for showjumping, dressage and competitive driving, where you need an excellent performing horse.

With the expansion of the European Union, people discover Eastern European breeds for their hobby:Silesian and Lithuanian warmblood, Noniusz, Huczule and many more. People have been using them ever since for carriage driving and agricultural work on an every-day-base and would not necessarily crossbreed them with thoroughbreds to create high performing sport machines. And... a lower price makes them even for a smaller budget affordable.

More and more enthusiasts discover the older carossier-form of warmblood breeds.This is very positive, as they keep traditions alive and prevent certain breeds from disappearing.

Luckily there are still small gene-pools left:Light driving horse breeds like the Rottaler, the Old Wuerttemberger, the carrossier type of the Oldenburger horse and the Bavarian Warmblood could survive.There are even small grants available for breeding those rare breeds.

For images from the Manilla Farming & Equine Expo please

go to pg 53...

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www.qssunraysia.com.au

www.qssunraysia.com.au

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What’s on calendarHorsemanship

MEL FLEMING ~ ‘ALCHEMY PLACE’ Moonbi, (via Tamworth) NSWSeptember 5th - 23rdHORSEMANSHIP RETREAT 3 WEEKS OF HORSEMANSHIP

‘Banyandah’ Howlong, NSWOctober 1st - 13thULTIMATE HORSEMANSHIP EXPERIENCEIntroductory course - 5 days - Oct. 1st-5thIntermediate course - 7 days - Oct 7th-13thIt is possible to do both courses or just one of the courses.

Harden, NSW October 29th-31stIntermediate courseCONNECTING WITH HORSES & RIDING WITH SYNCHRONICITY

Macksville, NSWNovember 26th-28thIntroductory coursePrivate lessons CONNECTING WITH HORSES & RIDING WITH

New England Natural Horsemanship Clubhttp://web.me.com/newenglandhorseclub/newenglandhorseclub

Horse Agility Australiawww.horseagility.com.au

Parelliwww.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com

Mel Flemingwww.melfleming.com.au


Monty Roberts Introductory Course Queensland

With Lynn Mitchell

Saturday September 10th – Sunday September 18thPlaces Limited

Queensland Course LocationAntrim Stud

17341 17341 New England Highway, Allora45mins South of Toowoomba

VISIT THE SCHOOL OF EQUUS WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

or Phone Lynn Mitchell on 0433 239 617

www.schoolofequus.com.au

Tamworth Trimming Workshop - The Barefoot Blacksmith Date: Saturday 3rd September 2011

Venue: St George Horse Centre, 32 Henry’s Lane TamworthBookings And Enquries: Prior booking is essential

(Full participants limited to 10 )Phone: 03 57734306 Or email to [email protected]

Local coordinator: Laura Kellond, Ph: 0488 959 341Email: [email protected]

38

1.3 Horses as prey animalsJust by understanding the nature of this one simple concept, we de-mystify many of the seemingly unfathomable reactions that horses have, that have baffled mankind for generations. Man the hunter, horse the hunted.Throughout the ages there have been those special few people who have displayed tremendous horsemanship skills. Many of whom not realising what it was that they did differently from others, or who lacked the skills to pass on their knowledge and

techniques allowing others to repeat their successes. By nature or experience, these people understood instinctively what it took to be successful with horses; to act less predatory and to become more horse-like; to work with the horse rather than against him. Fortunately we humans - being an intelligent species with a large brain and something called ‘reasoning power’ - are able to overcome our instincts. In other words, we have the ability to become less predatory, particularly around horses who see us as their natural enemies.

As predators, our instincts are to hunt and kill. We live in an environment that can be controlled and protected. In fact, control is something we prize in ourselves and in our lives. We take pride in our possessions as a mark of achievement. We seek the approval of our peers and contemporaries and like to be held in esteem. When we feel threatened or endangered, we get angry and fight back, physically or verbally.On the other hand, as a prey animal, a horse’s instinct tells him to seek safety in numbers. To not allow himself to be caught or hemmed in, in a small, controlled or restricted area. At all times to seek the freedom to run or move if danger is imminent. At all costs safety comes first and only when this is found will they then seek comfort. Horses have been around in one from or another for millions of years, from their earliest forest dwelling ancestors to their present day form. They are arguably the most successful and instinctively intelligent prey animals alive. They do not have the reasoning power of a predator which allows us to plan; being prey animals they rely on their instincts for survival, instincts so highly developed that they have survived and thrived all this time in a predator’s world.To humans as predators, this means that horses will instinctively and automatically do the opposite to what we ask them to do. They do not think about their actions, they just do it. This opposite response is called ‘Opposition Reflex’ – to do the opposite as a reflex action. Opposition Reflex is Mother Nature telling horses that “to do what a predator wants could be fatal……..stopping to think about it just as dangerous. Just be sure, that if a predator suggested it, he probably doesn’t have your best interests at heart so do what ever it takes to get out of there.”In order to have success with horses, we must first look to ourselves to make some changes. To win their trust, respect and partnership, we must use our ‘reasoning power’ to learn to become less predatory……..to overcome our own instincts.

1.4 Think like a horse Being prey-animals (animals preyed upon by other animals for food) means that horses are lateral thinkers…….they do not think direct-line like predators do. In other words, they are always looking around themselves and checking out their environment for possible danger. Try this experiment. Put a

new object in a yard with a group of horses; maybe a nice bright red bucket or something that moves in the wind. Watch how suspicious they become as they stand back and look at it when you first introduce it to their paddock. Some will be more fearful than others, some will be more curious. Eventually one of them will take a step closer, probably only to take fright and run away again. Sooner or later their curiosity will intensify and overtake their fear. Step-by-step they’ll approach the new object, remaining cautious until the object has been proven to be safe. Now think about a predator. If we (humans are perhaps the greatest predator of all!) want something, we just go get. Because we have less fear of being eaten, when we move we tend to move in straight lines; A to B. Just think of all those people who go out into the paddock with halter in hand and walk straight up to their horse, then scratch their heads because their horse runs off and they can’t catch him. Or even better, put the halter behind their backs and try to sneak up on him. Just like your cat when he is after a mouse!To a horse, we humans have all the tell tale markings of a predator. We move in straight lines, we smell like what we eat (meat), we are very focused on where we are going and not too concerned by what is around us. We have two eyes on the front of our heads – a sure sign of a predator as this gives us terrific depth perception for hunting and killing things, and we make a lot of grunting and growling noises. Horses, like many prey animals, have four legs and their primary survival instinct is to flee. They move cautiously, a little at a time. They live in herds because there is safety in numbers, they smell like what they eat (grass) and they have eyes on the side of their heads which, although it gives them poor depth perception, does mean that they can see almost 360° around them to look for things creeping up from the side or behind. Their ears are on top of their heads and mobile to listen for noises in all directions. Their young are born with their eyes open and they are completely mobile within hours of birth.To have success with horses we must first learn to see things from their perspective and to think like they do. We need to learn to overcome our instincts and to be able to curb our desire to get mean, mad or frustrated when they don’t do as we wish, as this will only make us appear more predatory in their eyes.Horses are by nature very sociable, good-natured creatures. Any yielding that occurs within the herd is only to communicate or survive, never out of malice or spite. If the situation arises when our horse is not doing what we want, he really isn’t trying to push our buttons or being ‘naughty’. He’s just listening to his instincts and trying to tell us he doesn’t feel safe. If we can learn to stay calm when our horse reacts, we can teach him to act less like a prey animal. Work instead on building confidence, communication, rapport and respect between the two of you. Become a great leader for your horse. Then your horses will take their lead from you and become a great follower.

By Meredith RansleyThe Road To Horsemanship

...next month: Right brain/Left brain... 39

By Lynn Mitchell, Monty Roberts Instructor......

A Tale of Two Wild Brumbies

After returning from Queensland, the weather in Victoria had not improved, so it was about a week before I was

able to recommence work with the Brumbies. Despite the rain, I maintained a contact with them several times a day, wether at feed time or just by going into the paddock to be with them. I was very pleased to find that I could just pick up their training where I had left off.

I fitted Cruiser with the Dually Halter and led him to the round yard. He was certainly apprehensive about going through the gate and into this enclosed space. However, as I had, thus far, shown him I was a leader to be trusted, he followed me in.

What happened next was so exciting. Together, Cruiser and I did Join-Up®. It was almost as if he had read Monty Roberts book himself.

What is Join-Up®? Join-Up® is the name given by Monty Roberts to the process of creating a partnership with a horse based on communication and trust. By communicating with the horse in their own language of gestures and body language, you create an environment where the horse willingly makes the decision to be with you. There is an acceptance of you as the leader. All without coercion, force or violence.

As Cruiser and I are now a herd of two, and he has accepted me as the herd leader, we could move along with the process of gentling him and preparing him for life as a domestic horse.

I started by touching him all over and going into his vulnerable areas, up high on his neck and wither and down low on his flanks. After a

period of this “gentling” and desensitisation, it was time for a much needed brush. Cruiser really enjoyed being groomed and allowed me to brush him all over including all four legs, under his belly and his chest. He especially likes a nice scratch on the neck underneath his long, thick mane.

We finished off with some quality time where I unclipped the long line and allowed him to do whatever he wished for a few minutes before we headed back to the yards. It was no surprise to me that he chose to follow me around and just hang out with me during this time.

Now it was Princess’ turn. Her Join-Up® session was not as picture perfect as Cruisers. I had to work hard to convince her to come over and Join-Up® with me. Once we had accomplished this, however, I left it there for the day and did another session with her the following day. This time she was a lot more willing to voluntarily be with me and was soon enjoying the grooming session she had missed out on the day before. Princess has the same sweet spot as Cruiser and loves a good scratch underneath the mane, close to her ear. When I unclipped her for quality time it was as if she was stuck to me with

Velcro.It’s fun to watch the Brumbies individual personalities begin to emerge. Cruiser gets a bit worried about things and needs lots of reassurance, whereas, once Princess has experienced something new she is extremely relaxed about it. They both greet me with nickers in the morning when I bring them their hay and Princess is always very curious about the wheelbarrow when I’m cleaning their paddock.

I am now at the point where I can halter the Brumbies in the yard for their handling sessions without having to put them in the chute. I’m looking forward to a stretch of dry weather so I can work with them on consecutive days.

The next step will be to teach them to tie up, pick up their feet and have them rasped in preparation for the farrier. The Brumbies have very strong hooves from living out in the wild, so the occasional trim is probably all they will ever require.

I’m extremely happy with Cruiser and Princess’ progress to date and to quote Monty Roberts, “Time isn’t important, good horses are”.

Join me next month for the next instalment of “A Tale of Two Brumbies”.

Part 2.... (cont’d from last month)

If you are interested in adopting a Brumby or finding out more about the Victorian Brumby Association contact Colleen O’Brien on 0408 201 107 or visit the website at http://www.victorianbrumbyassociation.org/welcome.

If you would like to find out more about Lynn Mitchell, or attend a course, see the advertisement

for School of Equus in this edition.40

www.hazellsfarm.com.auwww.hazellsfarm.com.au

Part 2.... (cont’d from last month)

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What’s on calendarPolo/Polocrosse/Horseball

NSW Polocrosse Association www.nswpolocrosse.com.au

NSW Polo Associationwww.australianpolo.com.au

Australian Horseball Association www.horseball.com.au

NSW POLOCROSSE ~September 2011

3rd - 4th September RAGLAN10th - 11th September CENTRAL COAST

For contact details for the above listed events please go to www.nswpolocrosse.com.au

NSW HORSEBALL~ September/October 2011

NSW POLO ~ September 2011

10th - 11th September Quirindi Tournament17th - 18th September Quirindi Polo Carnival Club Low Goal17th - 18th September Windsor 8 goal Tournament17th - 18th September Scone Spring League24th - 25th September Sydney Polo Club Gold Cup Tournament, 100 Ridges Lane, Richmond24th -25th September Scone Tournament26th - 2nd October James Ashton Memorial Ambassadors Cup

For contact details for the above listed events please go to www.australianpolo.com.au

3rd September Wee Waa Training / Competition

10th September Tamworth AELEC - Training / Competition 17th September CanberraTraining / Competition 25th to 30th September Pony Club CampsZone 5 Clubs by Request - Training

1st October LochinvarTraining / Competition 15th October NarrabriTraining / Competition 22nd October TamworthAELEC - Training / Competition 29th &30th October TamworthAELEC - Australian Championships

For contact details for the above listed events please go to www.horseball.com.au

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The Horseball ball is a light-coloured soccer ball surrounded by a harness to which six leather handles are attached. The ball we will build here is made with synthetic straps, which is much less durable than leather, but anyone can build it with very few materials/skills. It takes about 4 hours for one person to build a ball.

MeasurementsCircumference of ball 650 mmLength of handles 310 mm(Length of the handles measured without taking in to account the stitching).Distance between fixing points of a single handle. 200 mmWidth of handles 20 mmThickness of handles 6/8 mm

Material1. Synthetic strap ~ 7 meters, 25 or 30 mm large. You will find it in any haberdashery. 2. Thread ~ use strong thread, or flax thread.3. Rope ~ about 12 meters of 6 mm diameter, but you can use a bigger one shorter: It is used to give thickness to the handles.4. Football ~ a size-4 soccer ball. You do not need a high quality ball as it will not suffer as much as in soccer.5. Ruler 6. Scissors 7. Candle ~ to burn the end of the strap pieces.8. Big needle 9. Pump and special needle ~ to deflate and inflate the ball.

Preparation1. Cut the synthetic strap as follow:

- For the harness: 3 times 680 mm = 650 + 30 for the stitching- For the handles: 3 times 870 mm = 310 x 2 + (650 - 2 x 200)- For the stitching 6 times 370 mm = 310 + 2 x 30

2. Burn the end of each piece of strap.

3. About sewing: make strong sewing with double thread. But remember that it is better that the thread brakes before the strap, because it is much easier to change.

HarnessWe will now build the harness. It is made of 3 rings crossed. The circumference of each is 650 mm. Take a special care not to make it too loose, either too tied, so it will fit firmly when the ball will be inflated. It is better too make it slightly too small than too big, but just one millimetre, no more.

Each ring can be sewed separately, then put together. When assembling the rings of the harness, try not to have the overlapping parts all at the same place.

HandlesWe will now build the handles. Each set of 2 handles is made by a big loop (the 870 mm pieces) so it gives maximum resistance when a player attempts to seize the ball from an opponent. This piece does not overlap, but is just presented end to end. Each handle is then doubled by a smaller part (the 370 mm pieces) and stuffed with several length of rope to give thickness. We use 6 lengths with the specified rope (6 mm diameter).

Warning: keep one handle set open for the final assembling!

Finish upWe will now sew the handles to the harness. Each handle must be 310 mm long, and the distance between fixing points is 200 mm. The sewing which ties the handle to the harness is the most critical, because it will suffer the most when a player is seizing the ball from an opponent, both players holding transverse handles.

And finally, we deflate the football to place it inside the harness, then we inflate it back. The pressure is about the same as a volleyball.

Build your own Horseball

How to & Images courtesy of www.123-horseball.org

Left: The finished HarnessBelow: Making the handles

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ContactsRiding Groups/Pony Club

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CURRABUBULA PONY CLUBCurrabubula Rec GroundsJudith Ann Alston - (02) 6744 [email protected]

BENDEMEER PONY CLUBRodeo recreation groundsFaith Dixon - 02 6769 6530www.bendemeerpc.pcansw.org.au

GUNNEDAH PONY CLUBGunnedah Show GroundsDonna Hall - (02) 6742 [email protected]

KOOTINGAL PONY CLUB Moonbi Sports GroundsJoanne Roberts - 02 6760 [email protected]

ARMIDALE RIDING CLUB INC02 6771 [email protected] www.armidalerc.equestrian.org.au

MANILLA PONY CLUB Manilla Show GroundsColin Donlan - 02 6785 7365

NUNDLE PONY CLUB Taylors LaneWally Whatmore – [email protected]

QUIRINDI PONY CLUB Quirindi Show GroundsRachel Hope Coward - [email protected]

TAMWORTH PONY CLUB Cnr Bournes Lane & Meldorn LaneJim Kolokotas - 02 6760 [email protected]

QUIRINDI & DISTRICT EQUITATION CLUB INC(02) 6767 [email protected] www.quirindiec.equestrian.org.au

Pony Club NSWwww.pcansw.org.au

Duri Progress Association is holding its Open Gymkhana Sunday 30th October 2011 starting at 8.00 am.

This Gymkhana has been held annually for over 50yrs and a good day is assured. Everbody is wellcome to attend.

Enquires Ph.67 680 244.

MANILLA EQUINE SPORTING ASSOC INCVanessa Gibson - 0428 782 973Alison McCarthy - 0447 437 876

ZONE 5THE PONY CLUB ASSOCIATION OF NSW

53rd JAMBOREETUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

4TH & 5TH OCTOBER 2011HOSTED BY

WEE WAA & DISTRICT PONY CLUB INCWEE WAA SHOW GROUND

ATT: If you would like your Pony/Riding Club or event listed for free here

please send all information to:[email protected]

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Zone 5 NEWSThe ‘State Pony Club’ have a ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’ in which Zones can submit one nomination to State for selection. This year, with the approval of Zone 5 Executive members, I submitted a nomination for Gunnedah Life Member, Neridah Cowen. I accepted the throphy on behalf of Neridah at the recent State Meeting in Sydney. Neridah has given so much to not only the Pony Club Movement but she is also heavliy involved with Equestrain Australia (formally known as - EFA) of which she is a qualified Level 1 coach and also a qualified Judge.

Within the Pony Club Movement, Neridah is a qualified Level 2 Instructor/Level 2 Examiner. Neridah was Deputy Zone Chief Instructor to my pr/decessor Gwen Gower for almost 20years. Since my taking over the position of Zone Chief Instructor from Gwen in 1995.

Neridah has always made herself available to me to assist and advise at the numerous Instructor schools conducted throughout the Zone. The finale Instructors School in its past form (prior to the introduction of the NCAS system), I conducted at my home Club, Currabubula. Neridah again assisted me with examinations etc at this school.

Neridah only last year attended one of my ‘Renewal and Introduction to NCAS Schools’ thus retaining her status of a Level 2 Instructor/Level 2 Examiner for a further three year

term. Neridah is also a State recognized ‘Mentor’ for the NCAS system. Neridah being a natural horseperson, a teacher by trade and a genuinely nice, generous person, has always had a strong connection to all our young Pony Club members. Now, many of whom are young adults and still within the Pony Club Movement are passing on to the next generation valuable knowledge gained from the teachings of Neridah.

Neridah, being a valued member of Gunnedah Pony Club, has been awarded some years ago, the status of ‘Life Member of Gunnedah Pony Club’. Again Neridah being a much valued member of Zone 5 was also awarded some years ago the status of ‘Life Member of Zone 5’ . After consultaion with Gerry, Neridah’s husband, I attended Neridah and Gerry’s home this week to present Neridah with her award, of which she had no idea was coming. It gave me such pleasure to be able to present this trophy to Neridah who was totally blindsided by the event. A very well desreved recipitant Neridah!!

Jude Alston Zone 5 Chief Instructor

‘Neridah Cowen’

Back on track Builds topline and promotes condition in all horses With rice bran oil, vitamin B1 and extruded grains for cool, calm conditioning Can be added to any diet

FREEDIET ANALYSISUSING FeedXL®*

* Go to www.prydes.com.au/interactivedietsheet to get started

15 year old talented young local rider Pollyanna Easey has just achieved the ultimate in Pony Club with selection to represent New South Wales at the upcoming Australian National Pony Club’s Championships to be held at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, Melbourne, Victoria - from 26th September to 1st October 2011 in the discipline of showjumping. These National Championships are only held every 2 years. This is a great achievement and both Zone and her home Club, Quirindi are very proud.Polly will be competing on her 16.2 thoroughbred mare “Posh Girl”. Polly will be a member of the NSW under 17’s team which will consist of 6 members.Polly has been an active member of the Quirindi Pony Club since the age of 5. She has successfully competed at club, zone and state levels. Polly has represented Zone 5 at 12 NSW State Championships in the disciplines of sporting, show riding, jumping equitation and showjumping. Polly has also attended Queensland Pony Club’s Jumping Equitation and showjumping championships in Caboolture and Bundaberg.Polly who is a Year 10 student at Calrossy Anglican School keeps busy

with three horses in work with coaching from her father John and Uncle Ron. 2011 has been a busy year for Polly competing at some New England and local shows with much success.Polly competed at AELEC in March where she gained two thirds in the under 18 Junior classes. In June Polly also competed at the Winter Showjumping Festival at Gunnedah, where she was successful to win a class of 90 competitors and gained other placings.At the Coonabarabran School Expo Polly was Champion in her division of Combined Training, was awarded 15 year old Showjumping Champion, her mount “Made U Look” was reserve champion Heavyweight Hack and Polly took out the highest point score for 15 year old girl.Polly travelled to West Wyalong in May to compete at the NSW Pony Club’s Jumping Equitation Championships. Over 3 rounds Polly gained a 9th, 4th and 3rd which placed Polly 3rd in the State.In July the NSW Pony Club’s Showjumping Championships were held at Gunnedah, where Polly gained a 6th, 5th and a 2nd, which made Polly the 2nd placed NSW rider overall for 15 & under 17 years. Polly’s ambition is to continue riding and represent at higher level. We also have another two talented young ladies from Coonabarabran who have also achieved their unlitmate in Pony Club. Both have also been selected to represent NSW at the National Champioships.

Jessica Cormie (pictured right) has been a member of Coonabarabran Pony Club since she was 3 years old. She has represented Zone 5 at both Showjumping and Eventing with distinction. Jess is a very versatile rider successfully competing in campdrafts, polo x sporting and hacking having also been named Supreme Rider at Coonabarabran Show. Her horse Riv is a registered ASH gelding who has won many Stock Horse society awards. Jess has competed successfully at the North West equestrian expo since she was in year 7 winning many champions and overall pointscores. Jess attended State Pony Club Camp in Jan.2011 in the eventing discipline.

Anna Moxham (pictured left) joined Coonabarabran Pony Club when she was 4 having previously been a member of Bathurst Pony Club. She has represented zone 5 at state eventing and jumping equitation and at Sydney and Canberra Royals in the team of riders. Her horse Snowgoose is a pony x TB, he has been a successful eventer up to 1* and also showjumper and hack. Anna has competed successfully at the North West Equestrian expo since year 7 and in 2010 Anna was awarded the Mckinnin trophy for zone 5 eventing.

Both Jess and Anna have had the opportunity through Coonabarabran Pony Club to school on their excellent XC course and under top Pony Club instructors including Sam Lyle.

All three girls are a delight to be with and are the pride of the Zone. What an achievement for Zone to have three riders out of the 36 selected.

We wish you all the best and good luck!!

Young in the making

“Barry McGregor Photography”

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Fitting your horse’s bit is more than the size and tightness of the bit. It might not be what you want to use, but each horse is different. Bit features to consider include mouthpiece type, shank length, size, curb chain position, noseband and mouthpiece material. Each of these features vary by bit. For example, mouthpiece options include a port, snaffle and twisted metal, and each of these come with different options, such as the height of the port.

Instructions1. Put the bridle on the horse. Adjust the bit.

2. Count the number of wrinkles. You should have two to three wrinkles at the corner of each side of the horse’s mouth. Adjust the bridle a notch, if less than two, or loosen the bridle, if more than two.

3. Check position of the bit. It should lie in the toothless area on both sides of the mouth.

4. Look at the width of the bit. It should not pitch the corner of the horse’s mouth, and the entire sides should be alongside the horse’s mouth. Standard width is 5 inches, but bits come considerably smaller. The average horse take a 4½ to 5-inch bit.

5. Ride the horse, and look for signs the horse dislikes the bit. Signs include head tossing, bit chomping, resistance and sensitivity.

6. Inspect the sides of the mouth immediately after riding. After a long session, you should not see any marks on the mouth. Watch for an angry red tongue. Use a wider bit if any marks appear on the side of the horse’s month. Consider bit guards to protect the horse’s cheek.

You should be riding in the mildest bit that still allows you to communicate clearly with your horse. Most horses go very well in some sort of simple snaffle. Sometimes you’ll have to try a few bits to find one that your horse is happy in.

I rode Trillium in a very mild eggbutt snaffle but found I was having problems getting her to flex. I changed her to a full cheek with no discernable change. Then I tried a hollow mouthed loose ring and felt I struck gold. (The cannons on a hollow mouthed bits are hollow, or nearly so, making the bit nice and light.) So it took some experimenting to find just the right bit. During the winter I often ride her in a side pull.

Many horses are trained as youngsters in a snaffle, and are ridden in snaffles for their whole lives. If you are pleasure riding in a western saddle, there’s nothing wrong with riding in a snaffle bit, even if you neck rein.

Many western bits are curb bits, but a beginner who might still inadvertently balance themselves with their hands can harshly jab their horse’s mouth. Of course a snaffle bit can be quite harsh if a rider is heavy handed, but a curb bit with its leverage action will amplify any mistakes that much more. If you feel you must use a curb bit, choose one with the shortest shank you can find. Ideally a curb bit should only be used if your horse has learned all his lessons well in a snaffle bit.

Often riders will resort to a curb bit, or long shanked mechanical hackamore because they don’t have enough ‘whoa’, in a milder bit. If you are having trouble stopping, you would be better off going back to schooling and reinforcing the basics. If a horse is hard mouthed it’s because the rider has been riding with inconsiderate hands.

There is nothing wrong with riding in with a curb bit, provided you understand how it works and how to use it. If you are showing western, you’ll probably need to ride with some sort of western curb bit. Just remember that when you pull on the reins with a curb bit, your rein aid is amplified because of the leverage action. You will need to learn to ride with very light, considerate hands.

One thing that is sometimes overlooked is the shape of the horse’s mouth and dental condition. If you find your horse is having difficulty holding the bit, is lolling his tongue, tossing his head, or stiffening his jaw and poll, it may be because the bit is uncomfortable in its mouth. Some horses have shallow palates, thick tongues or other conformation that makes it difficult to carry some bits. Overgrown teeth and wolf teeth may interfere with the way the bit sits in the horse’s mouth. A vet or equine dentist can help with dentition problems. And it might take some trial and error to find a bit that is comfortable for your horse to carry. Consider a bitless bridle for hard fit horses.

When choosing a bit for a new horse, consider what the horse has been ridden in before. It wouldn’t be fair to use a long shanked curb bit on a horse that has only ever been ridden in a snaffle and expect it to understand your aids completely. But if the horse is used to a long shanked curb, you might find the horse doesn’t respond well-you might not have enough brakes-in a simple snaffle.

This does not mean you can not make a transition from one type of bit to the other. Horses that are ridden in a curb bit because they have learned to ignore a milder bit can be re-schooled. And if for some reason you want to ride in a curb bit, you can school your horse to understand your aids with your considerate hands.

Trying out different bits can get expensive if you have to buy each one. Either borrow bits to try out, or head to the consignment section of your tack shop.

A bit about BITTING...By Katherine Blocksdorf

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Ashleigh will receive a set of braided reins.

CONGRATULATIONS TOlast months winner:

Ashleigh Bridge from KootingalWith the answer: Appaloosa

WIN A HAY BAG donated by Wynmah Pony Stud!

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Horses are scientifically called Equines. This derives from their Latin name, Equus caballus. Close to them are donkeys, zebras, mules, the hinny and the Onager that is also known as the Asian Wild Ass.Equines have been domesticated and bred by man for approximately 6000 years. They can be kept together with other animals as companions, e.g. sheep, goats, donkeys or cattle. They can be very attached to smaller animals, like cats. Dogs need to be well behaved and trained to avoid accidents, because horses are easily scared by dogs.

Have you ever wondered how old a pony/horse can get?Usually horses can reach 30 years, ponies often live even longer. Their age can be estimated by looking at the incisors of the upper and lower jaws. From the age of 12 on it becomes very hard to say how old they really are, because the teeth are becoming worn that much.

Did you know what horses are called at the different stages of life?Any young baby-horse is called foal until it is 6 months old, then up to the age of 2 years we talk about yearlings. If it is a male horse it is called colt as long as it is under 4 years old. If it gets older than 4 we call him stallion. Most colts will be gelded (castrated), because they are not intended to be used for breeding and they will be easier to handle, ride and keep. A young female pony or horse is a filly and after the age of 4 years we call her a mare.

Did you know that horses are very social animals?We call a group of ponies or horses herd. In a herd is a clear defined hierarchy or ranking amongst the animals: the strongest, leading female is called alpha mare. One stallion can live together with about 20 -25 mares in a natural herd. It is very important therefore to keep a horse always together with another companion, because kept on their own they soon become lonesome and suffer.

Do you speak “Horse-ish”?You probably experienced already how equines communicate with each other. Whinnying and neighing can be heard, if you ride away from other horses or if they meet. Mares express very different sounds when they are nursing a foal. Deep, smooth sounds, whickering can be heard then. You might also have heard it at feeding time from other horses. To warn others in the herd, they use an alarming snorting. If two new ponies meet they are snuffling at each other and are very excited. Usually you can hear a sharp and loud squealing sound. They often face each other, squeal and lift a front leg or back up and swirl round, ready to kick. When a mare is in season, a stallion can express a loud roaring which is his mating call.

Do you know how and where a horse’s height is measured?They are measured on the tallest point of the spine, the wither. You can find this very bony part of the spine directly at the end of the neck, where you usually put the front of saddle to. The height is measured in cm or in hands (hh). A pony reaches up to14.2 hh, a horse measures over 14.2 hh.

Hooves and LegsHorses are able to stand while sleeping without falling down!This is possible, because they have got a tendon system around the bones and joints of the legs, which does not get tired for a long time. In comparison, we get easily tired limbs and feet and need to sit or lie down.

Equine SensesEquines sense their environment differently to us humans. Their senses are very good, because this helps to survive as prey animals in the wild. They can smell better than we, they can hear a lot sharper and are able to turn their ears into various directions and the eyes are located on the side of the head. If they sense danger they instinctively run!

About “Gears” and SpeedThis list of horse facts for kids would not be complete without mentioning how the different speeds or gaits are called: the slowest is called Walk. A bit faster than that is the Trot. It can be a bit hard to sit the Trot comfortably. The Canter is faster than trot and the fastest pace is the Gallop. There are also some breeds, like the Icelandic pony or sometimes the Trotter which are able to perform Toelt or Pace. These gaits are extremely comfortable to sit!

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Australian Barrel Horse Associationwww.abha.com.au

Australian Bushmans Campdraft & Rodeo Association www.abcra.com.au

Australasian Team Roping Associationwww.teamroper.com.au

NSW Rodeo September 2011

Barrel Horse September 2011

3rd SeptemberFlying H Ranch JackpotsKootingalPhone: 0429 817 216 [email protected]

1st & 2nd OctoberWyunaCraig Dowsett - Phone: 02 6347 1188 or 0428 301 030

Team Roping September 2011

3rd & 4th SeptemberDivisional Barrel RaceMoonbi Magic Barrel Rac-ing IncMoonbi Western ArenaSusan Worgan 02 6767 1204 or0427 010 688 MMBRI

11th SeptemberDivisional Barrel RaceSouthern Barrel Racing ClubGrong Grong Rodeo ArenaJ Batchelor 02 6956 2120 SBRC

11th SeptemberDivisional Barrel RaceCentral West Barrel Horse Club IncSusan Coggan 02 6887 2490 or 0408 827 660 Email: [email protected]

25th SeptemberDivisional Barrel RaceTablelands Barrel RacersGoulburn Rodeo GroundsBette Stanton 0403 192 221Email [email protected]

3rd SeptemberCESSNOCK BULL BRONC BARREL ROS LINDSAY (02) 4991 1585

10th & 11th SeptemberCUBBAROO CAMPDRAFT CHRIS RADFORD (04) 2977 0170

16th SeptemberSTROUD JUNIOR RODEO KATHY DENNIS (04) 0837 1918

17th September STROUD RODEO KATHY DENNIS (04) 0837 1918

23rd September SINGLETON SHOW RODEO-NEW DATE MARIA WALKER 02 6572 2039

24th SeptemberMURRURUNDI RODEO EMILY HARRIS (02) 6747 1777

What’s on calendarRodeo/Barrel Horse

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Team Roping is a fun, fast paced, competitive event that can be enjoyed by anyone at any age. To begin, team roping consists of a steer and two mounted competitors. The steer is released from the chute and if the ropers leave before the steer gets a sufficient head start, they get a 5 second penalty added on to their time. This is called breaking the barrier, a rope tied around the steer’s neck and across the header’s box. The roper on the left side of the steer will rope the steer’s horns and turn at a right angle to the left. After making the turn, the heeler will come in to rope both hind feet. If either roper misses, they get no time. If the heeler only catches one leg, another 5 seconds is added to their time. Team roping is the only event in rodeo that requires or allows more than one person to compete for a score.

Beginners need to have a few tools to get started. Headers would want to buy an extra soft (XS) or and extra, extra soft (XXS) rope to begin with. It will be pliable enough to allow you to develop the proper swing. It is also a good idea to have a roping dummy to practice on. A lot of team roping professionals will tell you that you need to rope your dummy between 50 - 100 times a day. Swing your loop overhead in a smooth, flat motion, aim for the back of the steers head and release the loop. When you release, stop you hand right where you threw the loop; your hand should be open, flat, and palm down.

Heelers will also want to start with a softer rope. As you begin to twirl your loop, do so kind of on the left side of your body, always keeping your tip on the left side. This will ensure that when you throw your loop, it will go under the steer. Heeling is all about timing. You want the tip of your loop to be at the lowest point as the steers legs are coming forward. The lay of your loop is also very important; it should stand up against the steers legs with the bottom loop on the ground so the steer will jump right into it.

It is also a good idea to wear a team roping glove to protect your hands from possible rope burns as you pull the slack from your rope and go to dally. Heelers need to be careful not to go to the horn to fast or you will give the steer too much slack and they will slip out of your loop. Your saddle horn needs to be wrapped with rubber to keep your dally from slipping and need to be replaced frequently. Be willing to try out different rope types and sizes until you find the one that works best for you. Be sure that your horse’s legs are protected with at least a pair of bell boots. Following these simple tips will help you become a great team roper.

Finding the right rope for youChoosing the right rope is important for any roper. As you begin to rope, you need to be willing to buy several types to try out until you find the one that is right for you. Here are some basic things to look for in your beginning selection.

Ropes come in 4-strand and 3-strand varieties, the main difference being the feel between the two kinds. A 4-strand is four strands of ropes twisted together, giving it a tighter feel and smaller ridges between the strands. 3-strand ropes are a little looser with only three wound together. It is something you need to learn how to feel and see which works best for you.

Heeler can also experiment between 3 and 4 strand ropes.Finding one that feels right, moves in a comfortable way, and that lasts beyond a couple of throws. Many ropers also neglect to take the weather into account when they are competing. Cold temperatures and rain or snow can really affect how your ropes feels and performs. When roping in indoor arena during winter months, the humidity may cause your rope to become soft and have a “raggy” feeling. In the summer, the heat can cause your rope to become stiffer than normal, making feel harder than you are used to.

Adam Baker Heading and Cal Baker Healing in the Team Roping at the ABCRA National Finals Rodeo

Written by Dusty Reese

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Out & About Manilla Equine & FarmingExpo

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Happy Fathers Day!

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What’s on calendarShowjumping

Showjumping NSWwww.jumpingnsw.equestrian.org.au

North & North West Showjumping Clubwww.nnwsjc.equestrian.org.au

North & North West Showjumping Club hold practice days 3rd Sunday of every month - Tamworth Show Grounds

www.nnwsjc.equestrian.org.au

September 2011

Narromine Show 2nd - 3rd September

Grenfell Show 3rd September

Barmedman Show 3rd - 4th September

PCANSW Showjumping Course Designers’ Clinic 3rd - 4th September Holbrook

Hunter Valley Spring Showjumping 3rd - 4th September Woodstock Show 4th September Finley Show 4th September

West Wyalong Show 6th - 7th September

Adelaide Royal 9th September

Forbes Show 9th - 10th September

Hay Show 10th - 11th September

Ariah Park Show 11th September

Cudal Show 11th September Cowra Show 13th - 14th September

Eugowra Show 16th - 17th September

Ardlethan Show 17th September

Merriwa Show 17th - 18th September

Singleton Show 23rd - 25th September

Temora Show 24th September

Australian Youth Showjumping Festival. 24th - 26th SeptemberIncorporating FEI International Childrens Jumping Competition Bi-Centennial Park, Camden

Young Show 25th - 27th September

Wagga Wagga Show 29th - 30th September

Equestrian NSW Showjumping Championships - Gundagai 30th September - 3rd October Gundagai Showground

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About the AuthorsDon and Karen Sullivan own River Downs Equestrian Centre, They train and compete their home bred warm blood horses in show jumping and dressage. They

also start and train outside horses for clients as well as coaching and conducting clinics.

www.riverdownsequestrian.com

Training the

Question: I have been jumping for a few years now and have come to the conclusion I have no eye – I just can’t seem to see distances. If I get to a good take off spot it seems to be by sheer luck. Do you have any tips on how I can start to see distances and get better take off spots?

Answer: The best advice I can give is to improve your horse’s canter. Is your horse truly responsive to your aids at the canter – can you execute 3 or 4 canter/walk transitions on a 20m circle? Can you leg yield from centerline to wall without your horse running away and can you lengthen and shorten the strides with softness and calmness? You should feel like you can basically do nothing and your horse will calmly keep cantering at the pace you set and will not speed up or slow down if your hands or legs were to fall off. Many riders think they have a good canter but they are doing 90% of the work to keep it going. If they were to take their leg off for 3 strides the horse would trot, if they let the reins go the horse would not stay in self carriage.

When the canter is even and rhythmic and the horse does not need pushing or pulling, I have found that riders begin to see their strides instinctively. When I teach I have noticed riders, even those who have only begun jumping, will without thinking ask their horse to lengthen or shorten in front of a fence to find a good distance. However as soon as a rider becomes too focused on finding the distance, they are likely to get it wrong. Why? Simply because they forget to think about their horse’s canter rhythm and impulsion, their own position and lose their self confidence.

When I teach I very rarely talk about good or bad distances, but always the quality of the canter. A well trained horse who can maintain a rhythmic balanced canter in front of the fence will assist the rider by finding the distance himself. Every rider is at times too close or too far from a fence. However if you have a quality canter and a supple and relaxed seat this will allow your horse to lengthen or shorten his own stride to find a distance comfortable for him.

Train over easy exercises with correct distances and low fences – a pole, 3 strides to a small vertical, 4 strides to a small oxer…repeating the correct strides will allow you to feel the correct canter rhythm and the ideal approach.

Tip of the month – Walking the CourseWalking the course is a very important part of your overall riding strategy. It provides an insight into what the course designer is asking. I like to spend as much time as possible inspecting every course.

Most courses are based on a 12 ft (3.65m) average horse’s stride, four 3 ft steps = one stride. It’s important to get your stepping correct. The easiest way to practice is by walking the length of a 12 ft jumping pole in 4 equal steps.When walking the distance between two fences in a related line take 2 steps for the landing then walk the strides – counting 1-2-3-1, 1-2-3-2, 1-2-3-3, etc. – to the take off to the next fence. When you are fairly close to the take off, look at the distance to the fence and visually assess – is it long or short? Then confirm that distance by walking the last few steps; if it’s less than 2 steps you know the line will ride a little short, longer than 2 steps you know it’s a forward ride.

For bending lines, begin by standing on the landing side of the first jump and visually assess the line you plan to ride to the next fence and then step that line. Evaluate and decide if you need to vary your line, for example if the line you planned to ride steps short you may wish to ride more of an outside track to allow more room.

Riding and Training Questions answered by Karen Sullivan

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WINTER SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Tamworth’s magnificent AELEC arena played host to the cream of Australian showjumping on 29 - 30 July 2011, with over $7,000 worth of prize money up for grabs, as well as beautiful trophy rugs, bags of Omega feed and vouchers for Horseland Tamworth.

The main class was the Sue Alden Memorial Grand Prix. Sue was a long time supporter of equestrian sport in the North West area and one of the founding members of North and North West Showjumping Club. The club’s president, her son Dave Alden is also a keen showjumper and was a driving force behind these second winter championships. His family was instrumental in putting on a High Tea for sponsors and supporters during the running of the Grand Prix.

Spectators were invited to walk the course with the riders before jumping started. Many were amazed at just how big the fences were and how hard a course is to navigate. The course designer Mr Greg Backhouse explained the course to spectators and Rod Brown told the audience how he believed it should be ridden.

And the winners are...The class was won in fine form by Jamie Winning on Alpha Centauri, closely followed by Vicki Roycroft, Jamie Kermond, Tom McDermott and Gabrielle Kuna.

Other winners over the weekend were Hilary Scott riding Oaks Miss Scarlett in the Wentworth Saddles Mini Prix, Aaron Hadlow in the 1.20m Blue Dog Fences 1.20m AM5, Tom McDermot in the Tamworth Vet Hospital 1.10m, the Hazell’s Farm and Fertiliser Junior AM7, the Jarratt, Webb and Graham Solicitors 1.10m Junior Grand Prix and the Consolidated Feeds 1.15m Grand Prix.

Tom let a few other riders have a crack at winning a class and Nic Geddes took advantage of the opportunity by winning the Austbrokers RWA 1.10 Amateur Grand Prix. Jamie Kermond rode ASB Caracas to victory in the Brosie Martin and Bennett 1.25m Grand Prix and Kelly Slater took out the Calala Inn Young Rider Championships. Local rider Jade McCusker won the 1m Tuffco Glass AM7.

On Sunday the crowd was treated to more fine showjumping with Valentina Aliprandi guiding the very experienced Snowy River Ginger Meggs to victory in the Tex Cross Memorial sponsored by Charmaine Pike, a Sydney artist who has returned to Tamworth for a time. Clare Watkinson on The Love Bug won the Peel Valley Produce 1.15 Amateur AM5, Brooke Campbell on Yandoo Lady Gold took out the tightly contested 1.15m Tuffco AM5 and Vicki Roycroft made the trip worth her while by taking out first and second place in the North and North West Showjumping Club’s 1.25m AM5.

Riders in the Horseland Tamworth Arena took advantage of the spectacular weather outdoors and had a great time jumping in the Mark Atkins designed courses. Sophie Hamilton Smith, Robyn Parker and Tom Witts won the first day’s classes outdoors, while Sophie, Hayley Hills and Lucy Munt took out the honours on the second day.

The organising committee wishes to thank all competitors who made an effort to get to the ring on time, ready to ride (even at 8 o’clock on a cold frosty morning).

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What’s on calendarShow Horse/Agricultural

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NSW Agricultual Shows September/October 2011

For more information on any of the shows listed below, please visit the website above...

GRENFELL P A H & I ASSN INCWhere: GRENFELLWhen: 2 September 2011 - 3 September 2011

NARROMINE AGRIC SHOW SOC INCWhere: NARROMINEWhen: 2 September 2011 - 3 September 2011

NARRANDERA SHOW SOC INCWhere: NARRANDERAWhen: 3 September 2011

LAKE CARGELLIGO SHOW SOC INCWhere: LAKE CARGELLIGOWhen: 3 September 2011

MANILDRA P & A ASSN INCWhere: MANILDRAWhen: 3 September 2011

BARMEDMAN SHOW SOC INCWhere: BARMEDMANWhen: 3 September 2011 - 4 September 2011

FINLEY SHOW SOC INCWhere: FINLEYWhen: 4 September 2011

WOODSTOCK MEMORIAL SHOW INCWhere: WOODSTOCKWhen: 4 September 2011

WEST WYALONG SHOW SOC INCWhere: WEST WYALONGWhen: 6 September 2011 - 7 September 2011

FORBES P A & H ASSN INCWhere: FORBESWhen: 8 September 2011 - 10 September 2011

MURRUMBURRAH HARDEN SHOW SOC INCWhere: MURRUMBURRAHWhen: 9 September 2011 - 10 September 2011

HAY SHOW SOC INCWhere: HAYWhen: 10 September 2011 - 11 September 2011

QUIRINDI SHOW SOC INCWhere: QUIRINDIWhen: 10 September 2011 - 11 September 2011

UNGARIE SHOW SOCIETY INCWhere: UNGARIEWhen: 10 September 2011

ARIAH PARK SHOW SOC INCWhere: ARIAH PARKWhen: 11 September 2011

CUDAL A & P SOC INCWhere: CUDALWhen: 11 September 2011

COWRA SHOW SOC INCWhere: COWRAWhen: 13 September 2011 - 14 September 2011

EUGOWRA SHOW SOC INCWhere: EUGOWRAWhen: 16 September 2011 - 17 September 2011

MERRIWA P A H & I ASSN INCWhere: MERRIWAWhen: 16 September 2011 - 17 September 2011

ARDLETHAN SHOW SOC INCWhere: ARDLETHANWhen: 17 September 2011

BULLI SHOW SOC INCWhere: BULLIWhen: 17 September 2011 - 18 September 2011

MOLONG SHOW SOC INCWhere: MOLONGWhen: 18 September 2011

CANOWINDRA PA & H ASSN INCWhere: CANOWINDRAWhen: 23 September 2011 - 24 September 2011

SINGLETON.NORTHERN AGRIC ASSN INCWhere: SINGLETONWhen: 23 September 2011 - 25 September 2011

TEMORA SHOW SOCIETY INCWhere: TEMORAWhen: 24 September 2011

NIMBIN A & I SOC INCWhere: NIMBINWhen: 24 September 2011 - 25 September 2011

HILLSTON SHOW SOC INCWhere: HILLSTONWhen: 24 September 2011

LOCKHART A P & SHOW SOC INCWhere: LOCKHARTWhen: 25 September 2011

YOUNG P & A ASSN INCWhere: YOUNGWhen: 25 September 2011 - 27 September 2011

WAGGA WAGGA SHOW SOC INCWhere: WAGGA WAGGAWhen: 29 September 2011 - 30 September 20

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pQuarter marks are a type of ornamentation on a horse seen in certain types of exhibition or competition. Typically, these marks are found on the croup of the animal and are created by combing its hair in different directions, creating contrasting areas. The classic design was created by hand-creating each square with a small brush or comb. However, in modern times, they can also be created quite quickly by use of a stencil lain on a given area with the exposed hair brushed in a different direction than other growth.

Quarter marks enhance the conformation of a well-muscled hip and croup, and draw attention to the cleanliness and shine of a well-conditioned show

horse. Quarter marks not only highlight a horse’s conformation and give correct turnout a finishing touch, they can also reflect personal style and add some fun for special occasions.

Show horse and pony quarter marks can seem very complicated but practice is all that is needed to get them right.

The following equipment is required: Quarter mark comb (or small hair comb trimmed to about 1” in length). A wide body brush with closely knitted bristles. A bucket of water. Horse coat gloss. A finishing spray

Quarter Marks for Show Hacks and Show PoniesStep One: Before marking up begins, spray some of the equine coat gloss generously on to the horse’s coat and quarters area. The coat gloss will create a blank canvas to work with and will also help keep the finished markings in place. With a body brush, start at the top of the horse’s quarters and brush the hair straight from left to right, working down to just above the horse’s thigh.

Step Two: For Show Ponies and Hacks the traditional markings are an upside down V checker board pattern. To create this effect, a quarter marking comb is needed. Start on the left hand side at the top of the horse’s quarters and gently comb down to create an even small square around one inch in size, then leave a gap of an inch and comb down again. Continue this until about six squares have been created. More squares might be needed for larger horses and ponies. Once the first row has been created, add in the additional markings directly below the square that has not been combed. Each row should have one less square in it, so that it will eventually end in a V-shape. Once the ‘V’ is completed, repeat this exercise on the other side. It is important that the marks are applied on the other side in directly the same place as the ones that have just been produced, otherwise when the judge stands behind the horse the quarters will not look even.

Show Hunter Quarter MarksShow Hunter quarter marks are much simpler to apply than Show Pony ones.

Step One: Prepare the hindquarters in the same way as with the Show Ponies by spraying the quarters liberally with horse coat gloss before adding the quarter marks.

Step Two: Place the mane comb or brush on the rump and comb down vertically to create a rectangle. Leave a gap of about two inches and then repeat. The result should be two or three rectangles, which will produce a simple look. It is important to remember that Show Hunters suit something that is bold but still ‘showy.’ Sometimes, to put even more emphasis on the hindquarters, it is possible to create a V-shape instead of rectangular blocks running down the quarters. To create this, take a body brush from the horse’s hip and brush into the centre. Then, take the brush and start from the top of the tail and brush to the centre. These marks can be made even more interesting by using a small quarter mark comb and combing one or two small squares horizontally into the rectangle that has just been created.

Sharks Teeth for all Show Horses and PoniesNow the quarter marks have been finished, it is time to add the sharks teeth underneath. Standing at the side or wherever is most comfortable to see, take a damp body brush and brush in an upwards direction with one stroke in an arch shape. This should be seen clearly as the hair will now be lying in a different direction. Then starting at the same point, brush downwards in a diagonal movement. The next step is to brush up and try to meet the last point down. Repeat this until there are three or four sharks teeth down, depending on the size of the quarters. To add a professional finishing touch take a brush and starting at the dock brush down in a gentle arc, down the quarter to create a more refined look. Use an horse sparkle spray to add the finishing touches to the quarter marks and sharks teeth, enhancing the overall appearance of the horse’s quarters even more.

Quarter marks masterclass

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Western Performance/Reining

NSW Reining Horse Associationwww.reiningnsw.com

Tamworth District Western Performance & Appaloosa Clubwww.freewebs.com/tamappy1

New England Quarter Horse Associationwww.freewebs.com/neqha

Hack & B- GradeWestern and All Breeds Show 17th SeptemberNew England Quarter Horse Associationwww.freewebs.com/neqha

Hack & B- GradeWestern and All Breeds Show 30th OctoberMoonbi ShowgroundNew England Quarter Horse Associationwww.freewebs.com/neqha

WESTERN PERFORMANCE September/October 2011

All the action of the spins and slides got underway at AELEC, as Tamworth played host to the 2011 Reining Australia Nationals from the 15th to the 22nd of August.Prize money was high in all events for 2011 ensuring some fierce competition, with the week culminating on Saturday evening and the feature event, the $50,000 Reining Australia Open Futurity.Reining is a western riding competition where riders guide their horse through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops. All work is done at the lope (a slow, relaxed version of the horse gait more commonly known as the canter) and gallop (the fastest of the horse gaits).The skill of horse and rider in completing the set patterns on the arena is intriguing, with the spins and spectacular sliding stops an enjoyable experience for spectators of any age.

Images courtesy Sharna Purnell60

As the sport of reining becomes more and more popular, selective breeding and advancements in training has allowed for the development of a highly specialized, phenomenal athlete. Extremes of any sport, human or equine, places unique stresses on the musculoskeletal system. This is particularly true for the discipline of reining, because many different types of movements are required to complete each pattern.

Lameness in any athletic horse can present itself in many different manners, from obvious limping to subtle changes in behaviour or decreased performance. This may be displayed as a stiffness on one side of the body or face, pinning the ears when asked to perform a manoeuvre, reluctance or even refusing to change leads or stop, in addition to a multitude of other performance issues. Whereas it may take a trained eye to detect a lameness, the rider or trainer that is familiar with the horse is usually the most sensitive detector of problems. Because horses don’t have the ability to directly relay information about what is going on with their bodies, the veterinarian, owner, and trainer must rely on other clinical signs to know when something is wrong. Even though horses don’t have the ability to speak, they often are “telling” us that they have a problem. The difficult part is trying to learn to read or speak their language.

Lameness issues are generally of 3 types. The first is the wear and tear problems that occur in horses some time during their training and showing career. These are typically low grade arthritis problems or soft tissue (tendon or ligament) disorders. The second type of problem is an injury that can occur from accidents, bad steps, or falls. Finally, developmental disorders are joint and bone problems that arise from improper maturation and development of these tissues. These types of problems are frequently seen early in the training period, when new stresses are being placed on these areas.

By far the biggest problem that reiners encounter is lameness or soreness in the rear legs. This is due to the extreme stresses that are placed on the joints during sliding stops, rollbacks, and turnarounds. Very often rear limb lameness may present as a decreased performance, such as quitting in the stop or kicking out in a lead change, rather than obvious limping. This is because the soreness is most often bilateral, with both limbs being affected similarly (this is also true for forelimb lameness).

Hock soreness is the number one cause of lameness problems in reiners. The hock joint is actually made up of 4 individual joints. The top joint is the largest joint and is responsible for the range of motion of the entire joint. Problems in this joint are usually developmental, and manifest as swelling (bog spavin) at the start of training or earlier. The bottom 3 joints are low motion joints that are primarily responsible for shock absorption. Arthritis in the bottom 2 joints (bone spavin) account for 95% of hock problems.

The stifles also encounter a lot of stress during the extreme manoeuvres of the reiner. Low grade arthritis in the stifle can lead to problems similar to what is seen in the hock. The stifle is also the location most commonly implicated in developmental disorders (often referred to as OCD). There are many vital soft tissue structures associated with the stifle joints that can be traumatized when an injury occurs (cruciate ligaments, collateral ligaments, meniscus-the same type of injury that occurs with football players that damage the ACL). These injuries can be very serious and career threatening.

In the front limbs, feet problems are most commonly seen. The feet are very complicated anatomic structures that have evolved to be tremendous shock absorbers. Heel soreness (sometimes called navicular disease) is often exacerbated in the circles and turnarounds. Much new information is available about this syndrome, and we now know that there are many potential problem areas other than just the navicular bone (navicular bursa, deep digital flexor tendon, impar ligament, digital cushion, coffin bone, coffin joint, etc.).Soft tissue problems such as suspensory ligament soreness is also common on the forelegs, leading to an obvious lameness or performance problem. Additionally it is also common to have a combination of issues, including feet or heel soreness together with suspensory soreness.

It is also important to remember that when horses are sore in one area, secondary soreness issues commonly develop as the horse changes the way it moves and caries its body. An example of this is back soreness that often develops secondary to rear limb lameness. These “secondary” problems further exacerbate lameness problems and decreased performance, and are only corrected when the primary problem is taken care of.

Lameness in horses can be difficult to sort out. Initial diagnostics include nerve blocks, radiographs, and ultrasound. If the problem can’t be determined from these, advanced diagnostics such as nuclear scintigraphy may be necessary. It is extremely important to get an accurate diagnosis, because this will influence both the treatment and prognosis. In order for horses to perform at their maximal potential, soreness must be eliminated. Many new treatment modalities are now available that can prolong and improve a horse’s longevity. If your horse is having performance problems or lameness issues, consult a veterinarian that is experienced in lameness diagnosis and understands the sport of reining.

Understanding lameness in the Reining Horse

William Rhoads, DVM Diplomate,American College of Veterinary Surgeons Diplomate,

American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Equine Specialty

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Tamworth Local Horse - SEPTEMBER

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