From the Horse’s Mouth

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

With Fiona Todd

Welcome to our July issue – and what an issue it is! Let’s start off with Spotlight, and this month we feature Tom McDermott, who at 17 was the youngest rider in the world to win a World Cup, and the show jumping accolades have kept coming ever since.

In Ask an Expert Dr Andrew McLean, renowned horse behaviour expert and CEO of Equitation Science International, explains what a horse’s ears, eyes and lips can tell us, while Dr Kate Fenner discusses the Equine Behaviour and Assessment Research Questionnaire, which has revealed some intriguing insights into our equine friends’ personality traits and characteristics: how many are fixed and which can we influence.

On the subject of influence, if you have a float-phobic horse don’t miss Christine Armishaw’s coaching column, where you’ll find some useful tips which might just help you to get your horse on board. Also in this issue, Christine delves into keeping your athlete fit and healthy while in heavy work; what that entails, and how to go about it.

We’re right into the all-important topic of nutrition this month, with a fascinating article on feeding and fatigue from Dr Jennifer Stewart, who explains why what’s in the feed bin can help your horse perform a task more easily, decrease their injury risk, and delay fatigue. Dr Clarissa Brown-Douglas then takes up the reins with a look at processed horse feeds and why they really shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

With winter now upon us, Rachel Roan spoke with Dr Calum Paltridge about all things arthritis, which can unfortunately affect horses of any age, often causing them to struggle in the colder months. Meanwhile, Suzy Jarratt offers a timely winter rug roundup, with some advice on selecting the appropriate apparel, a task which can seem a tad confusing.

Jamie Hocking had the opportunity to catch up with Assoc. Prof. Sam Franklin from Adelaide University’s School of Animal and Veterinary Science, and talked respiratory noise: what’s normal, what’s not. As you probably know, at Equestrian Hub we’re all about horse welfare, so we were interested to find out what was in the Swiss Horse Industry Council’s latest ethics and welfare report. It’s a revised and expanded version of their 2011 document, and Jessica Morton gets us up to speed with an overview of some of the salient points.

Is plaiting one of your least favourite things to do? If so, show prep whiz Laura Champion offers her considerable expertise in this issue’s Training Tips. We also speak with Kerrits equestrian apparel CEO Melissa Hubbard, and Jo Mckinnon introduces us to the world beater hack Givenchy, another OTT success story.

The easing of COVID travel restrictions has allowed international 5* dressage judge Katrina Wüst to once again visit our shores. She delivered an excellent training day while she was here, and Rebecca Ashton, who was lucky enough to attend, shares the highlights in this issue. And if off-shore adventures appeal, turn to our travel feature where Mathilde Gregoire tempts us with a luxury dude ranch getaway located in the middle of a winter wonderland.

In this issue, we introduce you to two more of our wonderful Equestrian Hub Mentors, husband and wife team Shane and Mattea Davidson, as well as to Lauren Rowe, our Young Rider from WA, who’s making her mark in the dressage arena.

Our breed article is on the magnificent Morgan, natural horseman Warwick Schiller, always a delight, answers 20 of our most pressing questions, our saddle review is on the Equipe Synergy, and Property Central entices with yet another dream property.

So, as always, pour a glass of your preferred tipple, sit back, relax and enjoy!

Cheers,