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• 100% dried, cooked & ground coconut
• Superior amino acids compared to grain
• May be beneficial for conditioning, weight gain, coat shine and hoof health
• Is a low NSC, high energy feed
• Great source of fibre, protein and oil
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• Scientifically balanced formula rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and essential fatty acids
• Helps keep horses in peak condition
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Equine Health Feature
The Horse Report The healing properties of horses
By WWW.RANVET.COM.AU
Many of us know about the healing properties of horses, when we are feeling a bit down and things aren’t quite going our way, we go for a ride or just spend some time with our horse and we instantly feel better, things look brighter.
While it’s no surprise to us how much better our horses make us feel, it has become another avenue of therapy for many, to help heal and cope with a wide range of situations and conditions.
Horses, through their heightened sensitivity, have the ability to sense human emotions and respond to those emotions in a way that makes them a good partner during therapy.
Judgement is left at the paddock gate, horses don’t judge, and they respond to how you treat them. If you are kind to them, they return the favour tenfold.
Some benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy
Calming effect – they are gentle by nature and create a sense of peace. Reduce stress – horses are sim-
ple without complications Interactive – provide company and companionship, engage in sensory stimulation and help improve focus. Outdoors – being out in the fresh air and sunshine. Physical activity – we all know the benefits of physical activity to create a feeling of wellness. Responsibility and self-discipline – to provide care for some-
thing that relies on them for their needs in a controlled yet flexible environment.
Emotional wellbeing – create a bond and friendship that can help reduce the feeling of isolation.
Comfort zone – pushes the rider to explore new areas and discover new things.
Build confidence – some people can be nervous around horses
for the first time, it makes them feel confident if they can overcome these nerves.
Horses have long been known to help make us feel better about ourselves. Riding For the Disabled has been using this approach for years to help bring some joy to people’s lives. It is just another reason to love our equine friends even that little bit more.
* HORSE OWNERS EQUINE NUTRITION COURSE - $250
86 lessons 5.5 hours of video content
Acourse to help horse owner's navigate how to feed their horse’s properly with a holistic emphasis. Topics include:
- Equine Digestion, Fat Digestion, Ulcers, Body Condition Scoring
- Types of Grasses, Forage and Hays, Vitamins and Minerals, Macro and Trace Minerals, Amino Acids, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Iron, Zinc, Copper, B Vitamins, Biotin
This course covers all aspects of Equine Nutrition from a Holistic perspective. Topics include:
- Physiologyof Digestion, Advanced Equine Digestion and its relationship to Colic, Ulcers, Fat Digestion, Hyoid and The Hyoid Apparatus
-Horse Pasture Management, Types of Grasses, Forage and Hays, Macro and Trace Minerals, Vitamins and Minerals, Amino Acids, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Iron, Zinc, Copper, B Vitamins, Biotin.
- In depth section on Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance which is at epidemic proportions, Nutrients for EMS, Anti Nutrients, Oxylates, Phytates, Tannins, Lectins, Supplements, Homeopathy, Bach Flower Remedies, Herbs for Horses and much much more.
HORSE OWNER'S HOLISTIC NUTRITION COURSES
The Horse Report
Is grain free always the way to go?
Provided by FEEDXL
Feeding grain free diets has grown in popularity in the last 10 years and there are certainly many benefits - but need it always be the way to go?
The answer is, it depends, but often no. Horses with conditions like laminitis, PSSM tying up, PPID/Cushing’s, equine metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance etc must be fed a low sugar, low starch (or low non-structural carbohydrate; NSC) diet.
Usually, to achieve low enough starch and sugar levels, these diets need to be grain free.
One of the things FeedXLis great for is to help you sort out which feeds, forages and supplements are safe (low in starch and sugars; NSC) or not safe to feed horses with these conditions.
But for horses that don’t need low sugar, low starch diets to control diseases, as long as grain is fed safely, grains can form a very valuable part of a ration.
They are economical compared to high energy fibres like beet pulp (which are expensive in comparison), they provide a source of glucose that horses in heavy work can use to readily replenish muscle glycogen supplies, and they are palatable.
Horses love grains, so keeping horses in hard work eating on grain based feeds tends to be relatively simple provided the recipe is good!
So, as long as grains are well-cooked (with the exception of oats which can be fed
When it comes to a grain free diet for your horse, it is necessary to understand your horse’s needs and requirements.
uncooked) and as long as you feed them in small meals (no more than 0.5 kg/100 kg BW, 0.5 lb/100 lb BW) they can form a very useful part of a horse’s diet.
These are huge ‘as long as’statements too… feed grains in the wrong way and things will go horribly wrong.
But that is another story for another day.
Equine performance oils
Do you feed oil?
At Canterwell & Co, they are dedicated to providing the highest quality equine supplements.
Their journey began with a passion for horses and a commitment to their well-being.
They believe in the power of natural ingredients and their ability to enhance the health and performance of horses.
Why choose Canterwell & Co?
Their supplements are meticulously formulated to meet the specific needs of horses. They prioritize excellence and integrity in every step of their production process.
Always upping or introducing new feeds, unsure what is safe to use? Wanting to add condition, weight and shine without blowing your horse’s feet off?
Canterwell equine performance oils have a high omega-3 content and is safe choice for horses with laminitis, EMS and metabolic issues when fed correctly as it is sugar and starch free.
Horses with the above problems usually have grazing times limited, and may not get sufficient omega-3s, leading to imbalances in their diet. To address this, horses on restricted grazing can be supplemented with omega-3 source with a cold pressed flaxseed oil like Canterwell. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects and can help improve insulin sensitivity, which can be beneficial for horses prone to laminitis.
Why Omega-3s matter:
Omega-3s have various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects and supporting skin and coat health, hoof health. It's important to ensure a proper balance of omega-3s and omega-6s in the diet, as some sources like grains and vegetable oils are higher in omega-6s. For further information www.canterwell.com.au
The moral of this story is don’t fall into the trap of one-size-fits-all when it comes to grain free.
There is more info here on why we cook grains for those of you who would like the details: https://feedxl.com/18-feed-cookedgrains/
Discover the Power Australia's Finest Equine Oils supplementsmeticulouslyformulatedtomeetthespecificneedsofhorses
The Horse Report Front line tool for breeding and health monitoring
Supplied by MAGIC BREED
When it comes to foaling, ontime human intervention - if needed - is crucial to ensure a successful outcome.
This also applies to horses after surgery or for detecting colic.
Magic Breed has earnt the trust of breeders and veterinarians as a crucial frontline tool. This is a non-invasive approach for the animal, the pouch is small and lightweight attaching to the halter which tucks up underneath. You will be alerted when the animal lays down, which would indicate foaling or a health issue, depending on which scenario you are monitoring.
This product was designed and manufactured here in Australia more than 40 years ago, starting with the original Magic Breed, this system has continued to service breeders for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand.
In recent years Magic Breed have moved with technology hence the birth of the Magic Breed Plus system, giving breeders a plethora of enhanced features.
They still support the original Magic Breed system, as there are still many systems going strong out there after 20-30 years of use.
No Wifi or phone service is required so no dropouts.
Magic Breed Plus's operating system works on a 917MHz frequency, providing it with greatly improved immunity to interference and superior range - 500m is no problem and in excess of 1km is possible. All you require is power to plug in the base station (receiver).
While this means that it won't work with the 27MHz antenna from the original Magic Breed system, we guarantee that the performance is so good that the external antenna won't be necessary.
You can also monitor up to eight mares at the same time
on the same system.
If you need more, just add another receiver base.
If you have two locations on your property that you require to be alerted at, at the same time, we can accommodate that as well.
The addition of an LCD display on the Magic Breed Plus receiver provides a wealth of operator feedback.
This includes signal strength and battery level, along with individual identification for up to eight transmitters.
Your Magic Breed Plus foaling alarm kit is supplied in a polypropylene rubber sealed IPX7 water resistant rugged carry case for protection during storage, transportation, employs a UV resistant rubber seal to ensure dirt and moisture stay outside of the case and is shock absorbing.
Outside the case, it includes a built-in pressure release valve to ensure internal pressure to be equalised with ambient external pressure.
This ensures a reliable seal at
all times.
Magic Breed Plus, with its 100% solid state technology does not require regular servicing or adjustments.
It is designed by our in-house experienced engineers on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
FAST FACTS ON MAGIC BREED PLUS
* Up to eight transmitters can be used per receiver
* Non-invasive - detects when the mare lays down
* Range exceeding 1km possible (easily 500m in built up area's)
* Display shows signal strength, no second guessing
* Long battery life with indicator on display showing level
* Can be used alongside your original Magic Breed System
* No booster aerials required
* 2 year warranty
* 100% solid state technology
* 5-star customer service
For further information visit www.magicbreedplus.com.au Ph 07 5453 4355 or email contact@magicbreedplus.com.au
You can also monitor up to eight mares at the same time on the same Magic Breed system.
The Magic Breed pouch is small and lightweight and attaches to the halter
Equine Health Feature
The Horse Report Feeding for good growth and sound bones
By FEEDXL EQUINE NUTRITION TEAM
When breeding a young horse, one of the highest priorities, regardless of what the horse is being bred for, is to have the foal develop with strong bones and ‘clean’legs, free from developmental disease and defects like Osteo Chondritis Dissecans (OCD). Developmental Orthopaedic Diseases (DODs) are known to be what is called ‘multifactoral’, or caused by multiple things. One of the best known and also easiest to manipulate causes is nutrition. Unfortunately DOD and the role nutrition plays is not well understood in much of the breeding community.
It is well-known that overfeeding is a cause but unfortunately many a breeder’s answer to that is to not feed nearly enough and in doing so unwittingly causing problems through other mechanisms like mineral deficiencies.
So how do you feed young horses for sound bones? Let us take a look…
CONTROL GROWTH RATE
The one very predictable way to increase a horse’s risk of developmental bone diseases including OCD is to feed too much and make youngsters grow too fast. In this situation the young horse’s bones grow too quickly to be properly mineralised, or problems like contracted tendons and being over at the knees develop and put uneven pressure on growing bones and joints.
To minimise the risk of rapid growth rates causing problems with bone development, feeding regimes need to be closely controlled and adjusted as needed to match changing pasture and climate conditions and an individual horse’s requirements.
Growth rates should be closely monitored through regular weighing where possible. The people responsible for feeding should also be observant, experienced and diligent, checking for signs of overfeeding and rapid rates of growth including excess body condition, physitis or any deviation in leg struc-
ture from normal in one or more of the horses in a group on a daily basis.
As soon as any signs of overfeeding are noticed, feed regimes should be adjusted to bring growth rates back in check.
In keeping growth rates in check however you also need to be really careful that you don’t hold youngsters back too much for fear of DOD.
Horses that are stunted from an early age by overzealous control of their growth rates may never actually reach their full potential for growth at a later age.
MIND YOUR MINERALS
It is also well-recognised that unbalanced mineral nutrition can lead to developmental issues in growing thoroughbreds.
While a growing horse requires an extensive suite of minerals, minerals of particular importance for bone development are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc and manganese.
Not only do these minerals need to be supplied in the diet at correct levels, but they also need to be provided in the right ratios so that one mineral doesn’t block the absorption of the other (for example too much
phosphorus will block the absorption of calcium, too much zinc will block the absorption of copper and too much potassium will block the absorption of magnesium).
Balancing the mineral component of growing horse rations is not a super simple task, but this is where FeedXLcomes into play.
FeedXLallows you to see if these mineral requirements are being met in a young horse’s diet and also if they are in the correct ratios to one another.
FeedXLalso allows you to constantly adjust diets as a youngster’s growth rate changes allowing you to control growth rate (by increasing or decreasing feed amounts) without ever compromising mineral intakes.
ARE THERE PROBLEMS LURKING IN YOUR PASTURE?
Because so much of a young horse’s sound development is dependent on mineral intake it is important to have your pasture (or hay) tested to assess its mineral status throughout the year.
Pastures can have various characteristics that can quite quickly unbalance a diet and bring your entire feeding regime unstuck.
Continued page 10
Controlling a young foal’s growth rate can help avoid bone disease in the future.
The Horse Report
Feeding good quality protein sources
From page 9
Some examples from pastures include:
Unbalanced calcium to phosphorus ratio –
Pastures that contain more phosphorus than calcium are more common than you would imagine and if not corrected by careful calcium supplementation, can lead to a long term calcium deficiency which will almost certainly disrupt sound bone development.
Unbalanced zinc to copper ratio –
Pastures that contain more than 5 parts zinc to 1 part copper put horses at risk of a copper deficiency. While not common, it is critical that this ratio is corrected through calculated supplementation to avoid copper deficiency.
Extreme potassium content –
Potassium contents upwards of 55 grams per kilogram of pasture dry matter have recently been recorded in horse pastures. While very little work has been done on the impact of this in horses, it is well recognised that potassium at these levels will disrupt the absorption and metabolism of both magnesium and calcium in other animal species and circumstantial evidence suggests this may be the case in horses.
Mineral deficiencies –
This is perhaps the most common problem seen in pastures. Calcium, copper and zinc are the three most common deficiencies seen of minerals important to bone development. Phosphorus and very occasionally manganese can also be too low to meet a growing horse’s requirements.
This problem is also the easiest to correct through calculated supplementation with good quality feeds or pasture balancer pellets.
Because of all the spanners that pasture can throw into your feeding regime the first step toward putting together a well balanced feeding regime for growing horses should always be pasture analysis.
PROVIDE GOOD BUILDING BLOCKS
Bone is built upon protein, both collagen and non-collagenous proteins, so it is reasonable to assume that the protein quality of the diet will have an impact on the quality and soundness of bone in growing horses. Diets based on high quality protein will better support sound bone development than rations based on low quality sources of protein like cottonseed meal.
WHAT ABOUT FANCY STUFF?
There are many supplements and feed additives on the market nowadays that will claim they can help reduce OCD and other bone issues. Some are backed by credible science, others aren’t.
The key to using any of these supplements though is to make sure you are feeding them with a well balanced diet, as no matter how good they are or claim to be, using them when other problems already exist in the diet is not going to give you better results. For example, adding silica to diets that are deficient in copper is not going to solve any problems that may exist due to the copper deficiency.
STILL A LOT WE DON’T KNOW…
While managing growth rates, feeding wellbalanced diets that are formulated to suit pasture conditions, meeting all mineral requirements and feeding diets with high quality protein will give you the very best chance of producing a sound yearling, some horses will still develop bone issues, even under the very best conditions.
It is also well-recognised that some mares will consistently throw foals that go on to develop OCD or other issues.
What we still don’t know is why, what is genetically different about these animals that puts them at much higher risk?
There is however a lot we do know and with some good management and the use of tools like pasture testing and FeedXLyou can reduce the risk of developmental problems.
The Horse Report
Dedicated to providing a high level of on farm veterinary care to horses in the Gold Coast and the Northern Rivers
What you feed is dependent on workload. Performance horse feeds are designed to meet the nutrient requirements of athletic horses. The most important nutrient requirements (other than water) is energy, which is quantified in the diet as calories.
Heavily exercising horses burn more calories than they might be able to consume with hay or pasture alone.
Horse feed manufacturers have designed commercial performance feeds to boost horses' calorie intake, as well as to meet additional nutrient needs that increase with work, but how do they achieve this?
Let's look at some of the types of ingredients contained in a bag of horse feed, many of which you may not be aware of.
Example A. promoted as a high fibre feed and does provide 30% fibre, but how is fibre amount achieved.
The ingredients contained in this feed are as follows: Lupins and Lupin Hulls, Low Sugar Cereal Hay and Straw, Lucerne Hay, Legume Hulls. Hulls do contain a lot of fibre but they are also by-products
Example B. Promoted as grain free, high fibre feed. The ingredients contained in this feed are as follows: lupin hulls, lucerne leaf, lupins and soybean meal. Soybean meal is a byproduct of soybean oil production.
Example C. Promoted as low GI for growing and performance horses. The ingredients contained in this feed are as follows: Cereal CoProducts, Vegetable Protein Meals, Cereal Grain, this is very low in fibre.
So basically, the bulk of ingredients above are by-products.
It is important to be aware that the stock feed industry is not regulated, and transparency is possibly limited to providing information that is relevant.
All these feeds also contain added vitamins and minerals, and they have recommended feed rates.
But what happens if your horse does not require the recommended feed rate?
Well quite simply your horse will not be receiving vitamins and minerals the manufacturer recommends daily so there will be an imbalance.
The other scenario is when your horse needs more than the manufacturers recommendations, then your horse will be over supplemented which means there will also be an imbalance.
What is wrong with feeding a horse a completely natural diet that is suited to the species, absolutely nothing.
For well over 50 years there have been developments and research into feeding horses, and
this is why we have so many different feeds in the market. But the bottom line is we want control over what we feed our horses.
The word natural has been somewhat expanded to include ingredients that are not actually natural to the equine species.
The horse's digestive system and nutritional needs have remained unchanged since domestication. Understanding these needs can help you provide a cost-effective, high-fibre diet and provide the energy he or she needs.
In its natural state, a horse grazes throughout the day on various grasses. Once domesticated, it relies on its owner for feed, typically provided twice daily for convenience which is a recipe for disaster if done incorrectly.
Horses' digestive systems haven't evolved to handle large meals, leading to numerous feeding-related issues.
They cannot vomit or burp, so rapid overfeeding can be harmful. Feeding twice daily can be unsafe, as their colon's structure complicates digestion.
Hence, it's vital for owners to provide small, frequent feedings to support a healthy gut microbiome. Horses need six essential nutrients: water, fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Water is the most crucial nutrient; without it, horses cannot survive long.
Ensure a clean, ample supply. In hot conditions, during strenuous work, or for lactating mares, their water intake may increase to 3 to 4 times the normal amount.
How do I feed a natural diet?
This is really simple, Hi Form has produced an all-in-one complete nutrition system with the
release of their EquiCube which is a hay-based feed and is fully adjustable to suit every single horse.
This is a first for the Australian feed industry. Produced by another favourite Aussie company MultiCube who Hi Form is proud to be working with.
This feed has been a long time coming moving away completely from the standard pelleted feed. This is a true long stem fibre feed your horses will absolutely love, because it is exactly what they have evolved to eat.
There are three feeds StudNSport, AlphaFibre and FibrePlus.
Each feed contains one of Hi Form's daily formulas CompletaVite or Oxydane and no matter which type of horse or workload, you can adjust your feed rate and supplement rate accordingly. Which means each horse can be fed a nutritionally balanced diet.
The great news is that as the Hi Form dailies are pure form and contain the core mineral salts as part of these very complex formulas, which are naturally found in the human and animal body, the dose rates are very low, making this feed combination very economical.
The cubes are nutrient dense and can be fed wet or dry and also make a very healthy treat. Did you know that mineral tissue salts fed in the right balance support the health of the gut microbiome. Atopic we will be discussing in a future podcast very soon.
The feed is already gaining huge respect from Veterinarians and horse dentists finally a feed free of by-products and any other additives foreign to the horse's digestive system.
The old saying 'if it isn't broken don't try to fix it' is so true because the horse's digestive system has not miraculously changed.
How do you calculate what your horses need, use this method below:
The weight of horse (kg) x percent of bodyweight / 100
For example, for a 500 kg horse with an intake limit of 1.7 % of its body weight:
500 x 1.7 / 100 = 8.5 kg feed that can be safely consumed each day
Correct nutrition is important for both health and performance of your horse.
The nutritional needs of horses depend on: age, growth, activity, health & environment.
Continued page 15
What you feed your horses should depend on their workload.
Table 1. Comparisons of Daily Energy, Protein and Mineral Requirements for Sedentary, Mature Horses of Different Body Weight.
The Horse Report
Are you feeding to meet your horses needs ?
From page 14
Essential Energy
Energy and protein requirements rise with increasing levels of work.
While other nutrient requirements, such as those for calcium and phosphorus, also increase with work, calories should always be your biggest concern.
But despite the athletic horse's need for calories, these nutrients are often not listed on equine feed bags.
The unit of measure of calories in equine feeds, expressed as Mcal, or megacalories per kilogram of feed, is called digestible energy (DE).
Digestible energy refers to the number of calories available to the horse after digestion, and this depends on how well a horse digests a type of feed and the calories that are in it.
So, put simply feeding a diet that contains suitable ingredients becomes even more important to enable digestion.
Courtesy 2007 Nutrient Requirements for Horses
Gross energy (GE)-or the potential energy of a feed's energetic components, or substratesalso impacts the DE of a feed. In general, fats contain 9 Mcal/kg, sugar about 4 Mcal/kg, and protein about 5 Mcal/kg.
Different horse feeds contain different mixes of simple carbohydrates, fibre, protein, and fat. Combining the digestibility of different types of feed (for example, hay and grain) and the GE from feed's different substrates gives us different amounts of DE for different feeds.
For example, horses can digest simple carbohydrates, such as starch or sugars, well while they have a more difficult time digesting complex carbohydrates, like cellulose.
(In fact, this fibre is fermented by the microbes in the large intestine.)
Thus, complex carbs provide the horse with less energy than do simple ones.
Calories are generated from the metabolism of energetic substrates.
These include:
* Glucose, which is derived from starches and sugars found in many cereal grains.
* Volatile fatty acids, which are produced from fibre fermentation in the horse's large intestine.
* Fatty acids, which are generated when a horse digests a fat source such as oil or a high-fat feed like rice bran; and
* Amino acids, which come from protein digestion.
Note, for horses to use amino acids (protein) for energy, they must first metabolize them to remove their signature nitrogen unit, which the horse excretes in his urine.
Protein a relatively inefficient calorie source. Vegetable oil or other straight fat sources offer more digestible energy and yields more calories per unit weight (~9 Mcal/kg) than corn (about 3.6 Mcal/kg; high in starch) or grass hay (~2 Mcal/kg; high in fibre).
I recommend first pressed cold pressed Flax seed oil for the beautiful balance of omegas. With omega 3 being the highest running at about 55-60% this means it will be more beneficial to your horse due to its anti-inflammatory action.
Plus it is ideal for easy keepers who need extra energy but without the fizz. Hi Form AlphaFlax oil is a great option.
While feed manufacturers aren't required to list DE on feed bags, nutritionists can apply certain equations to estimate a feed's DE, using the amount of fat, fibre, protein, ash (minerals), and simple carbohydrates. Similarly, owners can look at a feed bag to see how much crude fat and crude fibre it contains, which will infer how much energy might be in it.
In general, higher-fat feeds will offer ample calories, while higher-fibre feeds tend to be low in calories.
Calories can also come in the form of starch or sugar (e.g., non-soluble carbohydrates, or NSCs), but manufacturers aren't required to list these on a feed bag either.
By looking at a feed bag you can estimate how much "non fibre carbohydrate" is in the bag. If you imagine most grain mixes are about 10% water and maybe 6-7% ash, then what remains is protein, fat, fibre, and nonfibre carbohydrate.
For example, which feed would likely have the most calories?
The answer would likely be A, as it has more fat (higher calories per unit weight) and lower fibre than Feed C and likely higher starch and sugar content than Feed B.
So, how do you know if your horse is getting the energy he needs from these various feeds while he is at work?
The easiest way is to determine his body condition score. Using the 1-9 Henneke scale you can determine how much stored energy (as fat) your horse has.
Ideally, most working horses should be in the 4.5-5.5 body condition range, though this varies by sport.
If your horse isn't getting the calories he needs from his total diet which includes hay and grain if required, then he will lose weight and it'll be easy to see his ribs.
Alternatively, if you feed too much, as he gains weight you will no longer be able to feel your horse's ribs as you would be able to at 5. For this reason, the easiest nutrient for owners to monitor equine consumption of is dietary energy, except for, perhaps, water.
Continued page 16
The Horse Report
Energy levels can determine correct feed
From page 15
Special Energy Considerations
Paying attention to your horse’s energy level, or 'get up and go' as I call it (to avoid using the term "energy" again and not confuse it with calorie energy), can also help you select the correct performance feed for your horse.
Note, when a horse appears lazy, it is not always for lack of calories in his diet. Often he is lazy because he is overweight and carrying around added kilograms that require more work effort.
Losing weight would potentially give him more "get up and go."
Ahorse's spirit might also be a result of his breed and temperament. On the other hand, if a horse is highly spirited you might not want to decrease his grain intake but, rather, be smarter about how you feed him (e.g., offer smaller meals more frequently) and fat as the energy source not grain.
Another consideration for dietary energy source is how the horse metabolizes the substrate.
Fat (and volatile fatty acids from fibre fermentation) is considered a "cool" energy source, while glucose (from starch and sugar) are considered a "hot" energy source. This has nothing to do with actual temperature; it involves behaviour.
Some horses are very sensitive behaviourally to increases in blood sugar concentrations, which can happen after a high-starch or sugar meal.
Feeds containing a lot of oats or barley are quite high in starch and can result in higher blood glucose concentrations following consumption that might impact the horse's behaviour.
Therefore, an owner might prefer a feed that is higher in the "cool" calories, such as fat and fibre source, and lower in starch and sugar.
They can call the feed company to determine the non-structural carbohydrate content, or they can deduce it themselves by noting the fat, fibre, and protein content on the label. High-NSC feeds can also disrupt glucose and insulin dynamics and might increase a horse's risk of developing insulin resistance (a reduction in a horse's sensitivity to insulin that makes it harder for the fat, muscle, and liver cells to transport the glucose out of the bloodstream and store it as glycogen, a fuel source).
Certain horses, such as those with muscle disorders-examples include polysaccharide storage myopathy or recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis-might also be sensitive to high amounts of starch and sugar in their diets.
Owners of these horses might prefer to buy a feed that is higher in fat and fiber and lower in starch and sugar.
Some horses, however, do benefit from highstarch and sugar feeds. Horses that rely on muscle glycogen for bursts of energy, such as with racing, eventing or jumping, need a good glucose supply (from starch and sugar digestion and metabolism) to synthesize muscle glycogen.
Always contact a nutritionist to determine what ratios of fat, starch/sugar, and fibre
your horse will perform best on. Individual recommendations are always the best option.
But remember your horse requires a constant supply of fibre 24/7 in the form of hay or hay-based feeds to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Other required nutrients
Typically, it's not difficult for horses to meet their protein requirements; because horses naturally eat more food to meet calorie needs when their workload increases, they generally also consume more protein.
Feed bag ingredient basics
All feed tags should list the following information: batch and expiry date, product name, and purpose statement (which should include what type of horse the feed is intended for).
They should also include a guaranteed analysis that indicates the feed's nutrient content, including minimum protein, fat, fibre, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, selenium, min. salt (if added), vitamin A(if added).
The feed bag should also include a list of ingredients and directions for use, as well as any caution statements.
Lastly, it should list the manufacturer's name, address, and net weight of the bag. Protein is an important source of the amino acids required for skeletal muscle synthesis, and these needs do increase with workload. While the percentage of protein on the bag might not matter much, the amino acid quality is very important.
Manufacturers of performance horse feeds should either list their lysine (and perhaps other amino acid) content or another highquality protein source on their ingredient list.
Feeds designed for athletic horses also tend to be higher in calcium and phosphorus than those for nonworking horses, because bone
remodelling occurs during exercise and these minerals are required in higher amounts for this process.
These feeds likely also have vitamin E added because it is an antioxidant, which might help counteract muscle damage from exercise, and the ingredient list will reflect alphatocopherol or simply vitamin E.
Horses (unlike humans) don't generally require ascorbic acid (vitamin C), but performance horse feeds often include it because of its antioxidant properties.
For a free individual assessment of you horse please contact us enq@hiform.com.au or phone 1300HIFORM. We would love to help you balance your ration, reduce the cost and eliminate unnecessary ingredients in your feed room.
The Horse Report Equine
Built to Pair with Hi Form Supplements
A complete balanced feed for high performance horses as well as Broodmares, weanlings, yearlings, growing horses and stallions
EquiCube Stud N Sport contains : Alfalfa hay and oaten hay in long stem fibre cube.
Hi Form Oxydane
Hi Form EquiSoy
A complete balanced feed for all work levels, grain free and is ideal for those horses who may require more condition.
EquiCube FibrePlus contains the perfect balance of : Alfalfa hay and oaten hay in long stem fibre cube.
Hi Form EquiSoy
Hi Form CompletaVite
A complete balanced feed for all horses in light to medium work.
EquiCubes are designed to be the ideal delivery base for Hi Form’s powerful daily supplements. Simply top with your horse’s tailored Hi Form blend, mix, and feed. This ensures your horse receives targeted nutritional support with zero waste and maximum absorption. Supports every horse and is fully adjustable to meet the horses nutrient requirements. www.hiform.com.au
AlphaFibre is suitable for horses who suffer from the following conditions: Laminitis
EMS
Insulin Resistance
Cushing’s Disease
Weight management
EquiCube AlphaFibre contains : Alfalfa hay in long stem fibre cube.
Hi Form CompletaVite
The Horse Report
Radiographic proof in clinical results
By Dr ANDREWWATTSBVSc Equine Veterinarian
BONE Gold nutritional bone joint and collagen supplement was formulated to provide some of the essential amino acid requirements of collagen type I, II and III (found in bone and connective tissue) in addition to supporting the nitric oxide pathway which has been found to assist in the formation of bone callus postinjury.
Veterinary surgeons have recommended that Bone Gold may assist with sore shins, tendon injuries, ligament injuries, osteoarthritis and post-surgery in horses and polyarthritis, geriatric osteoarthritis, and post-surgery in dogs.
Here is a veterinary radiographic report on a horse with a fracture evident on the medial toe and after treatment and feeding Bone Gold during this period. More information on these products can be found at www.vetgold.com.au
VETERINARY RADIOGRAPHIC REPORT
HORSE: "XXXXXXXX"
DATES OF EXAMINATION: 26TH AUG, 21ST OCT 21 & 17TH NOV '21
PLACE: XXXXXXXXXX FARM
XXXXXXX's left and right front feet were radiographed on 26th Aug, 21st Oct (8 weeks) and again on the 17th Nov '21(12 weeks).
RADIOGRAPHS:
26.08.21: Right Front: Large P3 solar margin fracture evident on medial toe 32.6mm x 4.1mm with approximately 1.4mm separation from parent bone as below left image.
21.10.21: Right Front: Fine residual 4.2mm fracture still evident, approximately 90% resolution
17.11.21: Right Front: Fracture fully resolved
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Radiographic results as of the 17th Nov '21 show total resolution of the original fracture.
XXXXXXX was reshod today utilising off an alloy shoe with a toe clip - inner circumference seated out to avoid any sole pressure.
The horse can return to training. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further queries
COMMENTS:
Solar margin Type IV fractures of this magnitude have well-documented internationally published healing rates of 7 - 12 months. Full resolution of these fractures is rare as most often the fracture fragments are resorbed.
Full resolution in a 3 month period was not anticipated.
The horse was on Bone Gold 3 x scoops fed once per day for this period.
"Go to our webpage or scan the QR Code to see more Bone Gold Radiographic results"
The Horse Report
What makes Rose-Hip Vital Equine stand
There are in fact many reasons. It all starts with the humble Rosehip, the berry-like fruit of the wild rose bush species Rosa Canina. A wholefood known to be one of nature’s richest sources of natural vitamin C. A superfood containing 8 naturally occurring vitamins (including C, E, B1 and B6) and 23 minerals (including iron, copper, zinc and magnesium), essential fatty acids (omegas 3, 6 and 9),
You may already know rosehips are often fed to horses for immune system support and a
improved circulation and improved digestive function. So you’re probably wondering what makes Rose-Hip Vital® so special?
Rose-Hip Vital® is made from Rosehips manufactured with patented extraction and drying processes which isolate and activate a galactolipid (fatty acid) called GOPO®. GOPO® has clinically proven anti-
The patented processes also concentrate and preserve the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, transforming Rose-Hip Vital® into a product that is both in a category all on its own, and across many; It’s a joint
antioxidant and a nutritional supplement. It delivers noticeable improvements to mobility, mood, condition, willingness to move forward, performance and recovery while reducing
improving general health and wellbeing, and boosting immunity.
Rose-Hip Vital® is a clinically proven plantand rich source of natural vitamin C. There is no product like it. Unlike other joint supplements, Rose-Hip Vital® is 100% plant-
Rose-Hip Vital® is safe for long term use and it does not swab. It can be used alongside conventional treatments and supplements as well as potentially replacing or reducing the medication.
Horses like it so much, even the fussiest of eaters become more enthusiastic about their feed once Rose-Hip Vital is added. So while Rose-Hip Vital Equine has become a highly use, it also has become highly recommended for improving general health and wellbeing, improving performance and maintaining healthy joints.
How does Rose-Hip Vital® Equine lengthen the lifetime of a working horse?
Vital is comprehensive. There are in excess of placebo controlled clinical trials on people, dogs and horses mainly focusing on antithe unique compound GOPO.
To many people, antioxidants and anti-aging go hand-in-hand. Antioxidants are talked about as the antidote to cell-damaging free radicals. Exercise and the associated stress and increase in oxygen consumption are linked to an increased production of free radicals. When the production of free radicals overwhelms the body’s antioxidant defences, oxidative stress can occur with subsequent
research shows horses need natural vitamin C to help block toxic free radical activity, which causes damage throughout the body including joints and cartilage.
Some white blood cells in the body contain granulocytes which enable them to ‘clean’
bacteria in it. Too many of these white blood cells wear down tissue cartilage. In large numbers they can also produce chemical enzymes and toxic freeradicals which cause even more tissue damage. Excess accumulation of white blood cells combined with the release of chemical substances cause’s joint pain
The more becomes, the more the white blood cells are attracted to it –a painful cycle.
protects cartilage. This means it helps to delay the onset of arthritic changes or slow down further cartilage degeneration if it already exists.
In short, if you want to extend the lifetime of your working horse, feed it a natural antirich source of natural vitamin C. Rose-Hip Vital® Equine is your only option, and the results speak for themselves.
QUEENSLAND ITCH, SWEET ITCH, SUMMER ECZEMA and EQUINE
ALLERGIC DERMATITIS are names for distressing skin conditions which affects horses in spring and summer months throughout Australia and around the world.
The usual cause is a hypersensitivity to the bites of flies (in particular sand flies or midges).
While the bite of the flies are an irritation, some horses develop sensitivity to the bite and will rub themselves so much that they cause injury to their skin.
Research shows the cause is an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the saliva of the midges (as with humans).
Not only that, but once or twice a day, stable lies come to the horse, feed vigorously for a minute or two, and then return to the shade to digest their food. These bites can cause intense irritation in some horses. The bites appear as small raised lumps with a central scab.
The effects on the horses can be dramatic. They suffer intense pruritus (itchiness) on the mane, tail, face, ears and back, resulting in biting, rubbing, hair loss, self-trauma and a change of temperament. They become miserable and irritable.
KURITCH has been specially formulated to help assist this problem effectively, in a number of ways:
Firstly, it repels the biting insects using the combination of the natural repellent “Citronella Oil” and a highly effective repellent “DEET”. Secondly, it soothes the irritated areas thus relieving the horse from biting and rubbing, which in turn allows the normal healing process to begin.
Also rugging, hooding or stabling your horses between the hours of 4pm – 7am during spring and summer will limit the contact of the flies.
Should your horse already be suffering from the effects of allergic skin dermatitis, ensure you use QUIT ITCH to treat and relieve the effects of insect bites.
Since the 1970’s, QUIT ITCH has been an essential weapon in the fight against skin disorders in horses.
It achieves this by the inclusion of the natural antiseptic “Eucalyptus oil” and Camphor oil” which naturally relieves itchy skin.
These significant benefits are also enhanced by the “Rain Resistant” and “Low irritant” formula. As it doesn’t contain alcohol (prevalent in most fly sprays) it won’t “sting” the horse. It can also be applied to surface wounds, minor cuts and skin abrasions to help prevent irritation and possible infection by nuisance insects.
Registered by the APVMA in Australia for over 40 years, extensive field experience has proven KURITCH to be a most effective solution for both preventing and healing distressing skin conditions caused by biting insects.
As well as KURITCH as a repellent, environmental management will also assist in protecting your horse.
Midges breed near stagnant water. As they don’t fly more than a few hundred metres from their breeding area, housing or paddocking your horses more than 500 metres from those areas will reduce their exposure to the flies.
BARREL RACING
www.abha.com.au
JULY
5 - 6 Biloela, QLD
6 Branxton, NSW
12 Geurie, NSW
13 Beaudesert, QLD
13 Geurie, NSW
19 Beaudesert, QLD
19 Tarcutta, NSW
19-20 Ridgelands QLD
20 Walkamin QLD
20 Bartlett Park NQld
26 Forbes NSW
26 Cooranbong, NSW
26 Bassett Park, Roma QLD
26 Birdwoodton Equestrian Centre, VIC
27 Bassett Park, Roma QLD
27 Birdwoodton Equestrian Centre, VIC
AUGUST
9 Geurie, NSW
10 Quirindi Rodeo Arena
15 Walgett NSW
16 Biloela, QLD
BREEDS
JULY
17-19 Queensland State Paint Championships @ QSEC
20 Queensland All Breeds Youngstock Show @ Laidley
AUGUST
24 AHAQ All Breeds @ Park Ridge
CAMPDRAFTING/CUTTING /TEAM PENNING
JULY
20 Redlands & Southern Districts 26-27 Willinga Park 26-27 Gladstone Calliope 26-27 Whitsunday Equestrian Group
8 Tropical North Frosty Mango Series 11-13 NSW Country Jumping Champs
12-13 Caloundra Showjumping Spectacular 16-18 Cairns Show Frosty Mango Series
18-20 Sunshine Coast Showjumping
19-20 Small Tour & Young Horse Show
26-27 Jumping NSW Winter Classic
AUGUST
16-17 Queensland Show Jumping Club
15-17 Waratah Warm Up
21-24 Waratah Showjumping World Cup
28-31 Tamworth World Cup
23-24 North Qld Showjumping ClubFrosty Mango Series
SHOWHORSE
www.agsshowsnsw.org.au
www.qcas.net.au
www.vicagshows.com.au
www.sacountryshows.com
JULY
4-6 Laidley
5-6 Dayboro
6 NTSHAHorse of the Year
6 EQ Show Horse Queensland Winter
Hack Show
10-11 Innisfail
12-13 Samford
12-13 Mareeba
12-13 ENSW Junior Show Horse
Championships & Clinic
13 NNSW Hack Show Murwillumbah
16-18 Cairns
17-19 Gatton
20 Currumbin District Hack Show
20 Queensland All Breeds Youngstock Show @ Laidley
20-21 Mossman
25-27 Kilcoy
26-27 Mount Gravatt
26-27 Tully
26 Texas
27-29 Charters Towers
AUGUST
1-3 Pine Rivers
2-3 Sarina
9 Mount Morgan 9-17 Ekka
16 Wowan
23 Canungra
24 AHAQ All Breeds @ Park Ridge
23-24 Wondai
29-31 Gold Coast
TRAIL RIDING & CTR
Australian Trail Horse Riders Association0418 438 807 www.athra.com.au
Beaudesert Shire 0429 443 237
Beechmont & District 0419 737 253
Bouldercombe 0459 451 967
Breakaway 0408 712 851
Brisbane Valley 0428 750 145
Cairns Trail Horse Club 0429 008 707
Calen Trail & Sports Club 0428 849 529
Cooloola Trail riders Ph 07 5482 8436
CTHC-Caboolture ph 07 5498 6068
Curtis & District 0438 111 091
Dayboro Trail Riders to 0432 186 200
Email - dayboro.trailriders@gmail.com
Gympie Region Horse Trail Riding Club 0488 015 673
Ipswich & District 0457 881 012
Logan River Redlands 0412 655 613
Mudgeeraba & Hinterland 0407 902 754
Rathdowney Trail Riding 07 5544 1177
Richmond River Trail Horse Riders Club 0431 486 354 / rrthrc@gmail.com
Saturday Horse Activities 0408 361 215
SCATER www.scater.com.au
Ph: 07 5478 8676 or 0417 612 061
Somerset Trail Riding Club - 0418 438 807
Sunny Coast Trail Club - 0428 176 557
Tweed-Byron Trail Riders 0418 400 047
Townsville Horse Trail Club 0407 117 998
Toowoomba Trail Riders 0419 614 426
Toowoomba's Cumburrie 0438 933 032
Trail Riding Australia 0458 342 067
Wide Bay Trail Riders 07 4126 3456
WESTERN www.aqha.com.au
JULY
3-13 Tropicana Classic Quarter Horse PA 2025 Multi-Judged "AA" Show @ QSEC
13 South Burnett WPC - "A"
The Horse Report Your Horse Deserves A Better Ride...OzGlide
What is the Oz Glide?
The Oz Glide concept is unique. It is the only hitch dampening system available in Australia that offers a smooth ride in both tow vehicle and the trailer.
While the Oz Glide does not change the static ball weight, it delivers a smoother ride by reducing the downward impact applied to the vehicle tow ball through its airbag and shock absorption system.
As a result you will achieve a smoother and safer ride. When applied to a horse float you will have the added benefit of reducing stress to livestock.
Following extensive testing the Oz Glide system has met Australian Design Rules and will provide you with an assurance of a quality product which will enhance your towing experience while delivering increased safety.
ELD ARENA SPREAD-A-BAR
• We recommend using the flat side for everyday use. The tined side can be used when your Arena Surface may have become compacted or requires loosening up.
• Offset your ELD Arena Spread-abar® to one side of your towing vehicle to ensure you are able to get right up to the edge of your arena.
• Each time you use your ELD Arena Spread-a-bar® start in a different corner of the arena, by placing the ELD Arena Spread-a-bar® in the corner you will drag out any built up surface.
• Start about ½ a metre in from the Arena Edge during the first round – this will help to fill in the trench that often occurs around the outside track of the arena. As you come around again you can then run the ELD Arena Spreada-bar® up against the edge of your arena.
• The ELD Arena Spread-a-bar® is weighted and in-filled – this design will also pick up surface in heavier areas and distribute it to areas that have less. If you drive too fast or have it hooked up too high on the towing vehicle (lifting the front of the ELD Arena Spread-a-bar®) it will not be able to do its job and this can result in ‘speed humps’ or corrugation in your surface.
• We recommend trying different patterns each arena maintenance session. Big circles to help even out ruts along the sides. Small halfarena size circles will help desitribute sand if the arena has developed high and low spots. Working in figure 8 patterns to even out sections of deep footing and bare areas. Dragging lengthways will shift footing toward the ends of the arena.
AS A ROUGH GUIDE
The Horse Report
Better performance might be beneath your horse’s
Provided by EQUINEPURE PELLETS
Every rider knows that nutrition, training and well-fitting tack contribute to a horse’s performance—but what about their bedding?
It’s easy to overlook, yet what lies beneath your horse could affect their health, comfort and competitive edge more than you realise. Enter EquinePure Pellets, the game-changer in equine bedding.
Made from 100% premium pine with zero additives, chemicals, or glues, EquinePure Pellets offer unmatched purity.
Why does that matter?
Because impurities in bedding—dust, mould spores, synthetic fillers—can quietly compromise your horse’s respiratory health, hoof condition and overall well-being.
Ahorse that’s uncomfortable or struggling with low-grade health issues won’t train or perform at their best.
EquinePure Pellets are ultra-absorbent, locking in moisture and odours while creating a soft, dry and dust-reduced environment. That means cleaner stables, healthier horses and happier riders.
The pellets expand with water into a fluffy, cushioned bed that supports joints and promotes rest, which is especially critical for performance horses during recovery.
The best part - it’s incredibly efficient. Less waste, quicker muck-outs and longerlasting bedding mean you’ll spend more time in the saddle and less time mucking. It’s biodegradable so go ahead and put it on the garden or into the compost.
Equine Pure pellets expand with water into a fluffy, cushioned that supports joints and promotes rest.
The Horse Report
Flexi-Fibre®
Flexi-Fibre
Fibre provides root structure, similar to grass roots in turf, to existing or new sand-based riding surfaces. Fibre improves the surface stability, therefore the horse will work ‘on top’ of the surface rather than ‘through’ it.
Our Flexi Fibre is a mixture of polypropylene, polyester and nylon Fibres which are the base material to all of our surfaces worldwide and similar to all other top surface suppliers. We
Australian conditions and manufacture here in Australia, enabling us to produce at very competitive rates.
• Improves preformance
• Improves stability of new or existing sand surfaces
• Enhances drainage
• Long lasting
AUTOSLASHER
The Horse Report Property Maintenance & improvements
Slashing can help improve pasture health
Slashing horse pastures, which involves cutting down tall grass and vegetation, can be a useful management practice for improving pasture health and evenness.
It can help control weeds, reduce unpalatable grass, and encourage more palatable, new growth, especially when combined with rotational grazing and proper manure management.
However, it's crucial to consider timing, potential impacts on weeds and the overall health of the pasture before and after slashing.
Here's a more detailed look at the pros and cons of slashing horse pastures:
BENEFITS:
Improved pasture evenness:
Slashing can help even out grazing pressure and prevent areas from becoming overgrazed while others remain ungrazed.
Weed control:
Regular slashing can reduce the flowering, seedset, vigor and density of weed infestations.
Reduced unpalatable grass:
Slashing can help to reduce the amount of rank, unpalatable grass, encouraging the growth of more desirable, palatable grasses.
Enhanced nutrient cycling:
After slashing, the cut grass and other debris can be left on the ground to decompose, enriching the soil with nutrients.
Increased green pasture regrowth:
Slashing can remove dead standing pasture, allowing sunlight to penetrate and stimulating new growth, which can lead to improved animal performance.
POTENTIAL DOWNSIDES AND CONSIDERATIONS:
Weed seed spread:
Slashing flowering or seeding plants can spread weed seeds.
So its best to slash before plants are in flower and avoid the spread of seeds
Over-slashing:
Cutting grass too short can reduce leaf area and potentially stress the plant.
Soil degradation:
In some cases, repeated slashing can remove some of the valuable topsoil, especially if done in wet conditions or without proper soil management practices.
Cost and labor:
Slashing can be costly in terms of fuel, equipment maintenance, and labor.
Potential for increased weeds:
Some weeds can thrive in disturbed areas, so slashing might not be the best solution for paddocks with weed problems.
Proper timing:
Slashing should ideally be done before the grass becomes too mature and unpalatable, and after the pasture has been rested.
Other things to consider :
Rotational grazing, manure management (including pickup and compost), and proper fertilization can also help provide better and more sustainable pasture management. Slashing can be a valuable tool in horse pasture management, but it's important to consider all aspects of pasture management and use it strategically as part of a broader management plan that prioritizes pasture health, weed control, and the overall well-being of the horses
Remote controlled machines like the AutoSlasher allows mowing of steep slopes of up to 60 degrees.
The conventional tractor and slasher is great for mowing large paddocks.
Champion Child’s Small Open Galloway Vanity Rose Runner Up Child’s Small Open Galloway Argyl English Rose
Champion Childs Large Show Hunter Galloway FIREFLYPERI exhibited by Willow Scotson
Champion Newcomer Medium Show Hunter Pony
Champion Newcomer Large Show Hunter Pony Kingsfield Numerella exhibied by Louise Barton
Champion Childs Small Hunter Hack exhibited by Amanda O’Sullivan and ridden by Clare Fredrick
3rd in the Childs large Show Hunter Hack Windy Hill Bellereridden by Willow Scotson
Champion Child’s Medium Pony Melodypark Kingdom of Heaven exhibited by Macy Crane
Champion Childs Show Hunter Galloway Bayview Premier League
Champion Ridden Shetland Cataraqui Star Sapphire exhibited by Alexandria Thomas
Champion Newcommer Galloway Belmont Rockstar ridden by Tyler Buchannan
Lali Alt and Kolbeach Cowboy reserve Champion rider 12-15 yrs
Champion Childs Hack First Impressions ridden by Mackenzie Thompson
Ruby Scotson Canterbury Park Picadilly Champion Rider 6-9 yrs
Reserve Champion Large Chids Show Hunter Pony Elvonara Park Wannabe Famous
Champion Childs Galloway Belmont Rockstar ridden by Clare Fedrick
Trainers feature
The Horse Report
The Horse Report
Starting softly introducing the saddle
By TANJA KRAUS
Take a subtle and casual approach to introducing your horse to a saddle.
For my horse, Saffi, the introduction to the saddle is a little different - yep - it starts with it on the fence.
Because human beings have brains that allow us to understand and predict an outcome, we live in a world where nearly everything around us is making sense.
We see a car, lawnmower, tractor or motorbike and we understand that if can move, and make sound.
Ahorse just sees a silent, stationary object and then finds out it makes noise and moves after it does so.
The saddle is the same.
We see a saddle and know it goes on the horses back, but they don’t know that until it has happened.
My intention when starting horses is to make sure they are not only completely familiar with something, but also confident.
My colt starting saddle has been licked, bitten and rubbed on (with safety awareness).
This allows the horses to know what it is they are putting on their back.
It’s pretty simple, but not common.
Think about the last time someone thrust something at you and said “smell this” or “taste this” or “put this on” your first reaction was to pull back and ask what it is and then spend time looking at it.
The RPSBS Queensland Committee will hold the 2025 Queensland Riding Pony Pageant show to be on Sunday 9 November offering a great program for Riding Pony Youngstock that includes Yearling, two-year-old and three-year-old Sweepstakes Futurities with cash prize pools.
This yar we will also include an improved Senior led and ridden program for Show Pony, Show Hunter and Overheight exhibits.
Progeny and exhibitor group classes and dual-registration led and ridden classes. Programs will be available at www.rpsbs.com.au/qld/qld-events/ and entries will be via www.rpsbs.com.aulogin
For enquiries contact rpsbsqld@outlook.com
The Horse Report
NNSW SHOW HORSE ASSOCIATION
The NNSW Show Horse Association will be holding quite a few events for their members in 2025.
The winter show will be held at Murwillumbah Showgrounds on Sunday July 13
The annual Grand National Qualifer event the Northern NSW Show Horse champs will be held in Septermber over 3 days on Friday 19 saturday 20 and sunday 21 and The NNSW Allbreeds Show will be held on 28th September at Alstonville.
Programs and entry information will be posted on the Northern NSW Show Horse Association Facebook page. For further information
Email: nnswshowhorse@gmail.com
MURWILLUMBAH PONY CLUB CAMP
The Murwillumbah Pony Club will be holding a two day camp on 10-11 July 2025 followed by Murwillumbah Gymkhana on 12 July.
Instruction will be provided in show jumping, sporting, showriding, dressage, mounted games, theory, Horsemanship, and scary obstacles and lots more.
The program offers something for riders of all ages and interests from the lead line under eight riders up to associates rider 17 yrs and under 26 yrs, plus a special section for adult riders of any age.
Disciplines will include dressage, flat riding, pleasure and bareback showjumping, grid work games, sporting events and much more.
The club operates out of the Murwillumbah Showgrounds and offers great facilities, stables, camping, canteen, new dressage arenas, jumping and sporting equipment, qualified instructors and friendly helpful members.
New members are welcome to join the club and join in the fun but riders from any club are welcome to come along.
Nominations are essential to attend the camp.
For further information contact Paula on 0413 733 294 or email cobakibob@bigpond.com
camping, canteen, new dressage arenas, jumping and sporting equipment, qualified instructors, friendly helpful members. Murwillumbah Showgrounds, Queensland Rd, Murwillumbah
The Horse Report
The Horse Report
Exciting new book release: Back in the Saddle
By CYNTHIA TERELST
Back in the Saddle captures love, loss, and life on a horse breeding farm.
The book is a heartfelt secondchance romance set against the backdrop of Australia's thoroughbred breeding industry. Horses, heartache, and hopethese are at the core of Cynthia Terelst's latest novel, set on a working thoroughbred breeding farm in the Hunter Valley. This deeply emotional secondchance romance offers readers not just a love story, but an authentic glimpse into the highs and lows of rural life and the horse breeding industry.
Back in the Saddle is the first book in Terelst's new Diamond Firetail Farm series, which blends real-world equestrian experiences with heartfelt storytelling.
Inspired by her daughter's work as a horse midwife, Terelst captures the intensity of foaling season, the challenges of managing a breeding farm, and the emotional stakes of those whose lives revolve around horses.
The book focuses on Ciaron and Taylor Murphy who have built their lives around their family and their horses but somewhere along the way, their marriage took a back seat to the demands
Aitkins
of the farm.
Taylor's world revolves around Diamond Firetail Farm.
As drought conditions worsen and foaling season promises sleepless nights, she pushes herself to the brink, determined to keep the generational business afloat.
Ciaron carries the weight of their family. He works alongside Taylor on the farm and raises their children, while also, quietly wondering where their love went.
When Ciaron walks away, it isn't because he stopped loving herit's because he felt forgotten. But their children aren't ready to give up. Their scheme to bring Ciaron back into the family home forces the couple to confront their shared past, their mistakes, and the question of whether love can survive hardship.
"Running a horse farm isn't a job - it's a way of life," Terelst explains.
"It's early mornings, long nights, and a love for horses that runs as deep as the roots of the land. But what happens when that love for the farm eclipses the love between two people? That's the question at the heart of this story."
Back in the Saddle doesn't just
skim the surface of farm life - it dives into the gritty realities of working in the thoroughbred breeding industry:
- Foaling Season Pressure: Sleepless nights, high-stakes deliveries, and the emotional rollercoaster of bringing new life into the world.
- Drought & Financial Strain: How environmental challenges like water scarcity and rising costs test both the farm and personal relationships.
- Legacy & Sacrifice: The weight of generational expectations and the personal sacrifices required to keep a farm running.
"Readers will walk away not only with a love story but with a genuine appreciation for the people behind the pedigrees,"
Terelst said.
What readers are saying:
"As someone raised on a farm, this tugged at my heart. The pressures of drought and keeping the animals fed are real. I really enjoyed this story."
"This story is captivating. I felt the devastation of the drought and rooted for them to find their way back to each other."
"Watching these leads learn about life, love, and themselves was a treat. I learned so much about ranch life and the horse industry!"
"It was emotional and raw, full of hurt and bitterness and then such hope and joy.And a bit of spice!"
NSW DPI cattle tick record of movement https://app-cattletick.bfs.dpi.nsw.gov.au
NSW legislation www.legislation.nsw.gov.au
QLD cattle tick zones & accredited certifiers for cattle tick https://www.business.qld.gov.au/
We recommend speaking with one of our authorised officers on 0429 185 136 or email cattletick@dpi.nsw.gov.ua prior to bringing animals into NSW.
Department of Regional NSW
The Horse Report Equestrian Vaulting to debut at 2032 Olympics
The 2032 Brisbane Olympics will be the first time that Equestrian Vaulting will be included as an official Olympic sport.
This exciting and dynamic discipline combines the grace and beauty of horse riding with the athleticism and artistry of gymnastics. It is a sport that has been gaining in popularity in recent years, and its inclusion in the 2032 Olympics is sure to bring it to the attention of a much wider audience.
Equestrian Vaulting has its roots in ancient Greece, where it was used as a way to train cavalry soldiers.
It was also used as a form of entertainment, with acrobatic displays being performed in the Roman Coliseum.
In the Middle Ages, it was used as a way to train horses for battle, and it was also used as a form of entertainment in the courts of kings and queens.
In the modern era, Equestrian Vaulting has become a competitive sport, with international competitions being held since the 1950s.
It is now a popular sport in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
Toowoomba will be the site of the Equestrian competitions for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Equestrian Queensland has partnered with the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (Toowoomba Showgrounds) to improve the current equestrian facilities at the Showgrounds.
This work also includes a master plan and business case to develop an Equestrian
Centre of Excellence at the showgrounds.
Once developed, the Toowoomba Equestrian Centre of Excellence would offer the ability to host large scale equestrian events (>300 competitors) to a high standard with fit-fordiscipline competition surfaces.
These improvements would fill an identified gap in the Queensland equestrian facility market, in both the short and long term.
The proposed TEC will deliver the region a world-class equestrian facility that broadens its capability to provide equestrian events at
the state, national, and international levels,”
Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald said.
“Further, the TEC will provide athlete pathways, rider education, and social and commercial opportunities to benefit the region for generations.”
The proposed $54 million (AUD) Equestrian Centre of Excellence project upgrade will put all the necessary infrastructure in place at Toowoomba Royal Showgrounds, which currently hosts 30-plus equestrian events a year.
Equestrian Vaulting will make its Olympic debut in Toowoomba as part of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
Photo by Calico Pony
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The Horse Report
Oceans LeVu
Price: $ POA.
15.3 7/8hh - Life measured
Reg: Warmblood
Grey Gelding
YOB: 2010
Sire: Fiji
Dam: Misty Mornings (Richmeed Medallion IMP)
Zak needs no introduction to the show world, he is undoubtedly one of the best rider class horses in Australia qualifying countless riders for the Grand Nationals and always at the top of the lineup in his Open and Childs Small Show Hunter Hack Classes. Zak is currently competing elementary/medium dressage with scores in the 70s.
He would be best suited to a confident teen or lady wanting to go to the top and looking to for an extremely competitive, reliable and educated hack to take them there.
This is an incredibly hard decision so please genuine enquiries. He will only be sold to the absolute best of homes.
Contact: Aolani Ware Ph 0438 918 599
Hanley Park Cutie Patootie
Price: $ POA
13.3 7/8 hh
Reg: SHC & EA
Grey Gelding
Sire: Imperial Placido
Dam: Amaranda Catalina
Champion Childs SHC 2023 Champion Childs EA2023
Champion Childs Northern NSWHack Championships 2023 Grand National Top 10 Childs Large Show Hunter Pony 2023 1st Show Hunter Gelding EKKA2024. Many Champions, Reserves & Supremes at Ag shows Placed at every Royal he’s been entered in.
The time has come for Karl to find a new family to love him like we do. He will make a perfect interschool pony. He loves to jump and is very successful in the show ring. Loves a trail ride. Ridden bareback & loves a beach trip.
This is a very sad sale for Rubee but due to having a Galloway now and schooling commitment’s it’s time for another family to enjoy him. He’s easy to clip, shoe and float.
Current x-rays available Vet check welcome
Lots of photos and videos available on request. Only genuine enquiries as this is a hard sale for us.
Contact: Amber Ph 0416 172 205
Burnewang Diamonds and Roses
Price: $ 3,500. Approx 13.0 hh
Reg: Riding Pony
Black/Brown
Mare
YOB: 2020
Sire: Janlyn Spirit of Holly
Dam: Burnewang Satin Rose
Rose is a sweet, pretty, light across the ground mare, ready to be broken in. Successfully foal shown. Comes from a family of very well performed ponies. Video available. For sale by breeder. In paddock condition.
Contact: Rosie Ph 0408 573 033
Ulah Missy Higgins
Price: $8,000. 13.1 hh
Reg: SHC Bay Mare
YOB: 2018
Sire: Rathowen Song and Dance
Dam: Morningside Soprano
Nina is a super going little mare that is ready for a capable child rider. She is in her second season of showing and just placed top 3 in her novice classes at Toowoomba Royal, under very soggy conditions. Nina is consistent in her work and requires minimal work down.
Nina has farm life experiences, can live by herself or in a mob. She isn’t super marey and is great to handle on the ground. Nina would happily go to pony club, pop over jumps and go mustering. Genuine sale of a good little mare, as rider is pregnant. All the hard work is done!!
Contact: Arabella Creagh Ph 0417 770 608
Location: Meandarra QLD - 4422
The Horse Report
2023 Adelaide Royal Show Champion Hunter Pony
2023 Adelaide Royal Showgrounds Champion Childs Hunter Pony ‘Poppy’, presents a rare opportunity to acquire a proven, quality and sound show hunter. Now proving to be a Competitive Small Hunter Galloway ‘Poppy’is entered for Melbourne Royal and has qualified for EANationals in the open and child’s events. Poppy has been ridden and handled by capable young children since being broken in. She is an extravagant and forward moving making her a pleasure to ride. Suitable for a Capable Child. Poppy is easy to clip, shoe etc. With a long list of accolades to her name it’s time for Poppy to find a new home to continue her success as her child owner moves on to a hack.
Contact: Claire Ph: 0409 671 446
Bon Garcon
Price: $ POA.
16.2 hh
Reg: Thoroughbred Brown Gelding
YOB: 2015
Sire: Bachelor of Duke
Dam: Fille du Jour
Bon Garcon (Bax), stunning 16.2hh, 9yo gelding
* Multi Champion Show Horse
* Successful Level 4 (Medium) Dressage Horse
* Successful Eventer and Showjumper
The most safe, sensible & kind natured horse, Bax does it all, at the highest of levels.
Abeautifully schooled, exceptional Rider class and Childs' mount that requires little work down.
Perfect to hack out, lead others off, beach, roads, float, truck. Adelight in every way.
Entered for Grand Nationals (Childs, Rider and Large Hack) and Sydney Royal. For further details, please contact Julie.
Contact: Julie Wylie-Parkinson
Ph 64 27 3787518
Braefoot Park Silkflower
Sire: Braefoot Park Royal Occasion
Diva has a lovely soft mouth and sits in a nice frame with minimal contact. She has 3 balanced paces, and a BEAUTIFULLengthen trot. Easy to take out on her own or in a group. Diva has been extensively shown and attended pony club and dressage comps.
Diva has already tried her hand at jumping, pony club, shows, dressage & games. Diva has attended pony club camp and competed successfully at gymkhanas and shows always coming home with broad ribbons and in the supreme lineup both led and ridden.
Diva is an exceptional Rider class mount. she has carried her rider to many state and national titles. Diva has taken everything in her stride and is now ready for her next capable rider to continue her success with.
For sale as we have outgrown her and moved onto a hack. we also have other babies requiring our attention. Diva is best suited to a capable rider or a lady’s mount to continue to bring out the best in her.
Contact: Lynda Blanch Ph 0408 411 191
Carool Lord Gatsby
Price: $ POA.
16.0 hh
Reg: WB/SHC/ACE
Brown Gelding
Sire: Lord Sandreo K (Lord Loxley x Sandreo x Freestyle)
Dam: Carool Fictional (Falsterbo x TB)
Gatsby has been nothing but a joy to own since he was a yearling. He has demonstrated exceptional temperament and trainability throughout the years. He is extremely quiet, both under saddle and on the ground, requiring minimal work down at competitions and is proving to be a box to ring type of horse.
In Gatsby’s first season he showed us just how talented he is, winning Champion Preliminary Small Show Hack at SHC NNSWHack Championships, unanimous Champion Small Show hack at the QLD HOTYand Top 12 Small Show Hack at the 2025 Grand Nationals.
Gatsby is currently competing preliminary dressage with scores in the low 70’s and schooling novice/elementary at home.
Gatsby has a very bright future so we are looking for someone who can continue his education and wants a young horse with the potential to go to the top. His next home would ideally be a competent teen or lady looking for success in both the show and dressage arena.
Serious enquiries only. A5 star home is a must. Photos and videos are available upon request. POA- (mid to high five figures)
Contact: Isabella Ph 0424 427 707
The Horse Report
Reg: Shetland -APSB EAWAShow Horse Council of Australia
Black Gelding
Sire: Gracedale Brigadier
Dam: Millwood Beattie Beau
Some of Tommy’s achievements APSB State Show - Hi Point Ridden
Shetland Gosnells Summer Showoffs - Supreme Led Shetland, Champion Ridden Shetland, Supreme Ridden All Breeds
SHC Classic (Sydney Grand National Qualifier) Champion Child's Shetland
SHC Western Stars ( Grand National Qualifier) Champion Child's Shetland
WINNER Gosnells Masters Childs Shetland WON the Shetland Pony Race at Ascot Racecourse WON the Shetland Pony race at Toodyay Racecourse
Won the EAWAHOTYShetland Pony Steeplechase Had been out show jumping and won working Hunters Tommy Turtle will only go to the best of homes. Too many wins to list.
Contact: Tanya Croker Ph: 0409 121 018
Gracefield White Lace N Promises
Price: $15,000.
12.1 3/8 hh
Reg: Welsh B
Grey Mare
Sire: Imperial Apollo
Dam: Lavuka Vanity Fair
Small Open Pony
Beautiful Lacey is looking for her next partner. She is the ultimate pony for the child wanting to do it all!
With the most Devine little face and the kindness of temperaments she is always in the top 5 at EA& SHC shows! Lacey has been to shows, pony club, jump days and shows that she is a brave and keen jumper. Lacey also enjoys trails alone or with company. Lacey is solely ridden and handled by children.
Lacey would excel with a child that is wanting to do a it all! She is a joy to own, show and keep. She requires no work down or ear plugs, she is a mild windsucker, but does not affect her at all. She would be best suited for a confident rider due to her age.
Only for sale as my daughter’s legs won’t stop growing and wished
Lacey’s grew longer.
Will only be sold to the best of homes.
Contact: Lucy Monteleone Ph: 0407 589 553
Grandchester Victoria Secret
Price: $ 30,000.
Reg: Riding Pony
Black Mare
Sire: Royalwood Boy Soprano
Dam: Willowcroft Regal Secret
13hh, Black riding pony mare, 2012. Sire - Royalwood boy Soprano and out of Willowcroft Regal Secret (Champion pony Sydney royal show) the time has come for Vicki to find her next rider. Unfortunately I have made the decision to step back from showing due to uni commitments which means some of our favourites need to find a new home.
In a short 12 months of being shown Vicki has excelled with a long list of wins.
- Champion open pony Toowoomba royal show 2024
- Qualified for Grand National
- Winner open pony and open pony mare at Brisbane Royal show 2024
- Winner open pony mare Melbourne Royal show 2024 Vicki possess all the attributes of a top show pony. She would suit someone looking for success at the highest level. She has an affectionate personality and sensible nature. Ridden by a 11 year old for the last 12months. She is also a proven breeder with already producing one foal before starting her showing career.
Contact: Therese Humphreys Ph 0448 859 633
Kilkie Picture Perfect
Price: $ 25,000. ono
14.1 ½ hh
Reg: SHC, EA, ASP, PW, RP Grey Mare YOB: 2019
Sire: Owendale Jordan
Dam: Farleigh Moonlight
Fabulous honest sound mare
Performance bred attended 10 Ag shows this season for wins at all
Qualified all royals
Ridden and handled by children
Suit all disciplines show, pony dressage, Interschool’s Great temperament easy to ride and handle and travel
