WA Equestrian Magazine Issue 10

WAEQUESTRIAN ISSUE 10 / JANUARY 2013

WORKING WITH MIRRORS

magazine

STRESS HEADS And Fence Walkers

Acupuncture Preventative and treatment

BENEFITS

SAFETY STIRRUPS

UNDERSTAND BASIC COLLECTION ALLISON DOMNEY

2013 SPONSORED RIDER

10Reasons

to use a Nutritionist

FREE

14 16 Published by:

VAS Engineering industries PTY LTD Postal Address: PO Box 35 Mundijong WA 6250 Telephone: 08 9523 1109 Email: info@Waequestrianmagazine.com.au Web: www.waequestrianmagazine.com.au Disclaimer: WA Equestrian Magazine is an independent publication; the editors, journalists or publishers hold no warranty nor makes any representations to the truth, accuracy or sufficiency of any description, photograph or statement contained therein.

The publishers and editors take every care in the preparation; however they are not responsible for any misprint, error, mistake or typographical error printed in WA Equestrian Magazine. WA Equestrian Magazine accepts no liability for any loss which may be surfed by any person who relies either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph or statement contained therein. Contents of advertisements are the responsibility of the advertisers

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WA EQUESTRIAN magazine

34 CONTENTS

Acupuncture preventative 08 Equine and treatment

10 Stress heads & Fence Walkers

32

Insurance Why it is Important ?

12

Introducing Nutrition and its effects on the Equine body Part 1

14

OH THE PAIN!

34

Allison Domney WA Equestrian 2013 Sponsored Rider

16

Equine Tension Relief Therapy

38

A Crash Course in Composting

22

Understanding Basic Collection

40

Planting Trees Meditation & The Environment

24

Classical Dressage The Art of Riding

42

Keeping your pets cool this summer

26

Benefits of working with Mirrors

44

training pyramid

28

10 Reasons To Use a Equine Nutritionist

48

Dr Nathan Anthony Your Hendra Virus Vaccine

30

Safety Stirups

52

Riding for the disabled Association of WA Vaulting

WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

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Equine Acupu preventative and treatment

By Crystal Greenwood

Equine acupuncture, and other holistic therapies specialised for horses, is a hot topic in the western world.

The science and art of acupuncture has been used throughout Asia for thousands of years, but was only introduced to the western world about a century ago.

This method of healing is accepted by many veterinary and practitioner associations, and is both an accepted and scientifically proven practise.

Although we might not completely understand the ability of acupuncture to balance and heal the body, there is no argument that the results and scientifically found data show the effectiveness of acupuncture as a preventative and treatment.

When looking at a patient, acupuncturists see a map with hundreds of points, with most points located along meridians. These points correspond to different elements within the horse’s body, and where the body is at holistically. The meridians relate to the muscoskeletal system and internal organs of the patient’s body.

In Chinese medicine pain and illness is caused by a blockage of Qi, or energy, along one or more of the meridians. With the use of acupuncture, appropriate points are stimulated to allow the natural flow of Qi to occur. These blockages can be caused by both internal and external factors such as stress, trauma, bacteria and viruses etc.

In western terms, acupuncture can be explained in that each acupuncture point, anatomically, contains high levels of free nerve endings, mast cells and lymphatic vessels. When these points are stimulated they release endorphins and serotonins.

Scientific research has proven the merits of acupuncture for pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, reproductive and hormone regulation, tying-up, torn muscles and neurological disorders – just to name a few.

Acupuncture needles are a solid thin wire, and are not used to inject anything. They can be inserted very shallow, such as on legs, to extremely deep, into the chest.

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Most horses accept acupuncture, and many fall asleep half way through their treatment. However there is the occasional horse that will not allow the needles do their job, and in this circumstance acupressure and/or red light therapy can be used. These treatments are still successful, however acupuncture is more effective than acupressure and red light, so is still preferable of the three. The treatment itself is usually quite short, however the preparation and consultation can take time.

Often I am called out for one issue, and I discover three or four more problems that should be seen to.

The body has a built-in ability to heal itself, however sometimes it needs help to restore to a state of balance.

This may include removing trapped emotions, proper nutrition, detoxification and various treatments. Healing is a process and takes time.

Symptoms are the body’s way of telling us there is a problem. Medication can cover the symptoms, but often it does not fix the problem that they are stemming from. True practitioners will study symptoms and do their best to find the cause of them, and then fix it entirely.

If you book in for an acupuncture session your practitioner will ask questions of your horse’s history, age, symptoms, past injury and illness, and in some cases may even request your regular veterinary details so as to contact your vet. In some cases your horses pulse will be taken, and a thorough check of his tongue and limbs will occur. The amount of treatments required will depend on the severity, nature and length of the disease, with each treatment lasting between 20-60 minutes. On occasion another practitioner or treatment style may be recommended if the disease needs additional or alternative treatment then just acupuncture.

Natural therapies go hand in hand with each other, and practitioners work to build a professional network so they can give references they are confident in.

puncture

Q&A If you have any questions on holistic therapy or products please email me at crystal.greenwood@bigpond.com inMagazine/ January, 2012

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Stress heads & How small things can impact behaviour ..

W

hen a horse is stressed or engages in a repetitive activity to vent frustration, certain chemicals are released in the brain. Horses may begins a constant, repetitive action such as headshaking and fence walking, in response to environmental factors such as stress, confinement, isolation from other horses and/or nervousness. One of the reasons for the repetitive of the action is that the horse may find that repeating the motion generates the release of stressreducing, morphine-like proteins, which suppress pain and create a pleasurable sensation. These endorphins all the horse to relax and as a result the repetitive motion causes a temporary sedating effect. Just like a human narcotic addict who periodically injects themselves, or the athlete who experiences an exercise-induced feeling of euphoria, the headshaking or fence walking horse gets its ‘fix’ through its repetitive behaviour.

By Angela Vordermeier

Headshaking in horses is still poorly understood however it is commonly believed to be a result of multiple causes rather than a single one. Generally, horses begin to headshake at maturity and whilst some horses headshake all the time, others only headshake when under saddle or during strenuous exercise, and sometimes it may just be completely spontaneous. Headshaking can be recognised if a horse is snorting, sneezing and a has pronounced shaking of the head, characterised by a side to side ‘snatching’ motion, as though the horse has an insect up its nose and horse who headshake will often try to scratch their noses on their legs, the ground or on posts. There is still a lot of uncertainty when it comes to headshaking and horses. One of the most common causes of headshaking can be put down to stress caused by activities such as exercise, and it does tend to be seasonal, triggered by spring or early summer and tends to subside in winter. Research has suggested that it can be a result of behaviour, such as a vice or disobedience, or biological factors including physical discomfort arising from tack, teeth or ear problems, allergies, sensitivity to light and nerve stimulation. Scientists theorise that one of the triggers of headshaking may be strong light which in some horses can cause uncontrollable itching, pain and/or sneezing. Photic sneezing, uncontrollable sneezing in response to numerous stimuli such as bright light, is hereditary in humans and scientist believe that it may also be so in horses.

Other studies have suggested (but not proven) that headshaking may possibly be triggered by rhinopneumonitis vaccinations, which may activate the herpes virus (EHV-1, EHV-4) which lies dormant in horses’ trigeminal nerve.

Headshaking that is caused due to physical pain or discomfort is different from behavioural headshaking and as such should be treated differently. Physically induced headshaking is uncontrollable and punishing your horse for it is unlikely to resolve the problem, if not make it worse. With this type of headshaking, it often doesn’t matter whether the horse is under a saddle or out to pasture, and has been described as “looking like a massive allergy attack”. A horse with severe headshaking can become extremely agitated and as a result may be unrideable and unmanageable.

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Fence Walkers If your horse is showing signs of headshaking, the first thing to do is to determine whether or not your horse’s headshaking is behavioural, a neurotic behaviour, or an expression of resistance to training. Scientists believe that stereotypical behaviour responses to stress, such as cribbing and weaving, and in some instances shaking its head, trigger the release of endorphins which make the animal feel better. Your trainer should be able to help determine whether your horse’s headshaking is an expression of irritation towards work, or if it is caused by something else.

Fence walking is when a horse either continuously paces back and forth in front of the gate, along onside of its paddock or around the perimeter of its enclosure. Fence walking can be attributed to both boredom and frustration often caused by the horse being kept separate from other horse or having its feed restricted. The horse may pace by the gate because it knows that is the exit from his ‘cage’, or along the fence nearest to other horses that he can see in the distance.

A horse that habitually paces or runs along a fence in short bursts, stopping and turning always in the same direction, may be difficult to keep in a healthy condition and may develop physical problems due to the strain on leg joints or the abnormal one-sided wearing of the feet. There is also a chance that the horse may injure its self as it repeatedly paces, kicks or paws.

Fence walking where the horse walk rapidly, whinnies and calls out in distress, occurs when a horse is upset generally due to separation from other horses. This type of behaviour ceases as soon as the horse is reunited

or put near other horses. In contrast, methodical fence walking is classified as stereotypical behaviour as the horse does it repeatedly and in response to an environment with which he cannot cope. The horse will walk slowly around the paddock, usually in the same direction, leaving a well-worn trail.

The best ‘cure’ for fence walking, is to give the horse more space and to keep it with or near other horses to allow it to engage in more social interactions.

In most cases, companionship is usually enough to alleviate the stress that caused the fence walking. If it is impossible for the horse to be near other horses, a goat or another small animal may also help. You may also try feeding your horse more roughage and less concentrated feeds such as sweet feeds

ad the latter may tend to stimulate an increase in stereotypical behaviour.

Similarly, grains also release endorphins that help promote compulsive behaviours, so reducing or eliminating them from the diet may decrease the horses tendency to fence walk.

Once you’ve ruled out all the obvious causes to either your horse’s headshaking and/or fence walking, it’s probably best to consult your veterinarian. To assist your vet in determining the cause of your horse’s headshaking or fence walking, it’s a good idea to keep a written diary of your horse’s symptoms, the conditions under which your horse headshakes and any observations you can make, no matter of insignificant they may seem.

WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

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PART1.. Introducing

Nutrition and its effects on the Equine body The word nutrition refers to the process involved in the intake, metabolism and utilisation of feed. These processes are fundamental to the growth, maintenance and repair of the body. They are clearly essential for the survival of any living being. Those molecules which form a part of our horse’s diet and are necessary for aspects of nutrition are called nutrients.

While an adequate supply of nutrients is essential for health and most types of feed suited to the horse are readily available, this does not mean that all horses are healthy or that they have a diet that is sufficient in supporting nutrients.

The major nutrients required by the horse are Carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins, minerals, water and fibre. A lack of any of these nutrients can lead to serious health issues. Horse owners should be aware of the need to supply a balanced feed ration and that all of the above are being provided on a daily basis.

Most of the energy should be obtained from complex carbohydrates and lipids, with a proportion of energy coming from protein. Protein is needed to supply the 10 essential amino acids, while some lipids are required to supply essential fatty acids. In addition to these energy providing nutrients, vitamins are essential for cellular metabolism. Minerals such as calcium, sodium and phosphate are needed also for cellular metabolism and for organ function.

Water is essential as it makes up the major part of the cells in the body (The horse’s body is 65-72 percent water), fibre, whilst for the most part is inert metabolically, is required to maintain health.

The equine diet also contains other types of molecules some of which, are of little nutrient value and others which are toxic. Ingestion of some of these molecules is often hard to avoid, this can lead to effects on Phase 1 & 2 Detox. Phase 1 Detox is the first step in the twostep process for neutralizing toxic chemicals in the

12 inMagazine/ January, 2012

Written by Antoinette Foster Dip Nut Equine Nutritional Therapist and Medical Herbalist For further information please email me antoinette@hiform.com.au

liver, during which enzymes neutralize a few chemicals but convert the majority of them into forms that can be neutralized in phase II. Phase 2 Detox is the second step in the twostep process for neutralizing toxic chemicals in the liver, during which several enzymes combine with the toxins to convert them into neutral substances or to make them easier to eliminate from the body.

There is no ‘One size fits all’ approach to feeding horses as all horses are individuals and genetically unique. Our knowledge in nutrition is constantly improving and this has made it easier to access these individual requirements.

nitrogen are also found in significant proportions in most organic molecules.

It may be an odd question to ask, but why do our horses need to eat?

Almost all molecules are replaced regularly with new ones taken in with food. In some tissues this means that entire cells are replaced.

An inadequate diet does not allow this replacement. In addition feed is required to provide energy through metabolism and energy is required to sustain life. Without energy intracellular metabolism cannot be sustained, intracellular metabolic pathways must run in order for cells to survive. The survival of our horses is dependent on survival of our cells.

Nutrition is also required for growth to provide molecules and cells that are the basis of that growth. Growth is the laying down of new tissue, tissue formed from the ingested molecules.

1. Carbon 2. Oxygen 3. Hydrogen 4. Nitrogen 5. Calcium 6. Phosphorous 7. Potassium 8.

The rest of elements are found in small levels

If the molecules in the body, excluding water, are broken down into their constituent elements, the element found in the greatest proportion in the body is carbon with around 50% of the horse’s dry weight consisting of this element.

This is hardly surprising considering horses are constructed mainly of organic molecules and carbon is an essential part of any organic molecule. Oxygen, hydrogen and

There are great relationships between the diet of the horse and biochemistry and also between a diet that is inadequate and the biochemical problems and therefore health problems which result from this.

The next most common element is calcium and then Phosphorous the reason being that these elements are stored in the skeleton. They are an essential part of the structure of the skeleton, which make up a considerable proportion of the weight of the body. The remainder of the elements found in the body are found in small concentrations but are essential for cellular function. The elements listed below are provided to the equine body via feed intake.

This entire range of elements must be delivered to the cells in a suitable so they can be utilised by the body.

For those of you who have knowledge of biochemistry you would be aware of the many roles of elements in the body. There are also many interrelationships between the molecules where these elements are found such as the intracellular metabolic pathways which are the basis of cellular activity and therefore life.

A diet that contains the correct balance of nutrients is essential to achieve optimum health.

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OH THE PAIN!

By Antoinette Foster Dip. Nut. Š2012 Nutritional Therapist/Medical Herbalist

How often do you consider your horse may be in pain? Once a day, Once a week, Once a month, Once a year? If you have answered yes to any of these, then you are obviously aware of some pain related problems. How many problems can be related to pain? Horses are like humans when it comes to pain and pain thresholds, some cope with pain quite well, others simply can not cope at all.

Pain can definitely create situations that can escalate and make the problem worse. When we consider that horses are creatures of flight, often the only escape route is forward, fast or upwards, fast. Horses are really not designed for the job we have intended for them, they have a rigid spine, not flexible like a dog, and they have a long neck and a heavy head. We then ad the saddle, bridle and rider and ask our horses to perform, what are in many cases unnatural tasks. It is generally the generous nature of the horse that allows us to do this. I don’t believe there are very many bad horses, I think that horses who display bad behaviour do this as a way of saying no, I can not do this because I am in pain.

We must think about the logical reasons why horses may react in a certain way, for example

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when you first mount your horse and he/she goes to move off, this is annoying granted, but why does a horse do this? Sometimes it may be that your horse is a little naughty, but have you considered your horse associates being mounted with pain. We often do not give credit to the intelligence of horses and certainly some may be smarter than others, horses often do remember associations and this is not surprising. Horses are creatures of habit so therefore whist we generally train by repeating exercises so the horse will learn, they can also learn bad habits which have been caused by the repetition of pain!

Feeling the changes in the way your horse responds to the go forward leg aid.

If a horse has been broken in correctly then the forward aid should always work. Some horses react to pain by balking, rearing or bucking, or in a milder case not going forward in the trot for example or the rider has the feeling of sucking back. When your body, mind and legs are asking for forward, the horse should automatically respond.

Pain can then cause, behavioural problems, loss of performance, nervousness,

thing natural like NRGY Sports Relief, or Nalgesic, but very often we reach for the quick fix, a pain relieving drug.

We must learn to read our horses far more efficiently if we are going to prevent pain issues. There are many ways to put preventive measures in place.

Horses aged between the age of 2 and 6, (still maturing) and horses aged over 12 are more likely to experience pain at a higher level. As horses age, there is a higher risk of injury and pain related conditions, these can include degenerative joint disease, hamstring injuries etc. For young horses, the conditions tend to vary somewhat, for example as the young horses training increases so does the risk of pain caused by the horse being asked to use different muscles. Tight hamstrings, sore backs and general soreness are very common in young horses.

a tense horse creates further pain and then maybe disaster.

How many of you reading this article has NEVER experienced pain? I can guarantee no one has gone through life without pain of some description, whether minor or major. For us to think that horses somehow are immune to pain is down right ridiculous.

So what can we do to prevent problems from occurring that may cause pain?

Staying off the Pain Merry Go Round We already know that undiagnosed pain can cause problems, what do we do if we are in pain the day after a hard workout at the gym? Generally we may consider walking it out, or performing gentle exercises to keep the body moving, perhaps a massage, but the most important thing is to manage the pain.

We are likely to take something to ease the discomfort, preferably some-

Managing these pain related issues is absolutely essential to avoid other problems. I believe every horse should be given assistance to prevent and manage pain. This can be achieved by regular massage, Bowen, acupuncture, equine tension relief, and natural products such as ProflamAid. When I am at an event I always watch the horses, there is so much you can learn from their body language which can be very strong or very subtle. Many horses at dressage competitions appear to have soreness issues ranging from mild to chronic and as mentioned earlier in the article, some horses can manage pain better than others. Just remind yourself that pain is common and it should be treated seriously, take the pain away no matter how mild and see for yourself how much improvement you have.

For free advice in managing pain and locating accessing pain pleased contact me on 1300443676 or email antoinette@hiform.com.au

WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

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Equine Tension ReliefTherapy Written by Alistair Brooks

Equine Tension Release Therapy (ETRT) is a natural, holistic way of treating horses who are structurally stiff and sore and present as being tense, irritable, sour, nervous, or just generally out of sorts, unhappy, depressed and unwilling to work. It is a noninvasive technique involving the application of pressure and movement with the fingers, thumbs and the heels of the hands at specific points on the body of horse so as to reduce significantly, if not relieve entirely, acute or chronic patterns of tension. In this, ETRT uses many of the same key trigger points as those used in equine acupressure or shiatsu, which are forms of oriental medical practice that have been used in healing and health maintenance for horses, people and other animals for around 5000 years.

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response which is normally taken as one of the main indicators that tension is being released.

The practice of ETRT involves making pre-determined, systematic sequences of cross-fibre moves on the soft tissue of the horse’s body, that is across the longitudinal bands of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as on the connective tissue, which is known as fascia. The fascia is a plastic-like membranous wrap, which covers all organs, blood vessels, nerves, muscles and bones. Unlike other structures, which have beginning and end points, fascia is continuous throughout the whole body. When in prime condition, the fascia is loose, moist tissue, mobile and elastic, facilitating movement between all parts of the body and assisting in the flow of bodily fluids. So its importance in the overall well-being of the horse is considerable, thus a good deal of emphasis is placed on making moves on the fascia in ETRT.

ETRT also has its base in modern forms of human trigger point therapy, most especially ‘Bowen Therapy’, the ‘Neurostructural Integration Technique’, and in what is known as ‘Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction Syndrome Therapy’.

The notion of ‘trigger points’ may best be explained as relating to specific and highly tender spots in the muscles and other soft tissue of the body, from which is referred a composite pattern of pain through particular parts, or all of the body. Activation of a trigger point most often produces a localized, but often broad-ranging ‘twitching’ response,that is usually most clearly seen towards the end of muscles, close to their points of attachment. It is this

To explore this a bit further, it should be noted that the fascia comprises collagen fibres and a gelatinous ingredient known as ‘ground substance’, which can change its state depending on the biological heat or energy of the body – just as jelly does when cooled in a fridge.

The health of the fascia is dependent on the ratio of collagen fibres to ‘ground substance’. When an injury or stress occurs, the number of collagen fibres increases, while the amount of ‘ground substance decreases and becomes more solid. As the fascia hardens, it becomes less flexible and porous, thereby restricting the flow of fluids and reducing elasticity overall.

The negative effects of this hardening and restriction of the fascia are numerous affecting blood circulation, the musculo-skeletal system, the central nervous system, involuntary bodily functions, and the motor neurons called proprioceptors, which control the movement and position of muscles, tendons and joints. Also negatively affected by connective tissue hardening is the capacity of the horse to cope severe emotional trauma, chronic illness, repeated injuries, and repeated experiences of its fight or flight response.

So, in the initial ETRT assessment or diagnosis of each case, a good deal of de-

tective work can be involved in tracking down the reasons why the horse is stiff and sore. This includes not only looking for what specific stress or stresses might have activated particular trigger points, but also examining what other factors might be perpetuating them.

The standard range of possible contributing physical factors, conformational difficulties being not the least important, are, of course, also considered. But over and beyond this, especially careful appraisals are made of the feet of the horse, the positioning, fit and condition of the saddle or saddles, for often there is more than one, the state of the teeth, and, perhaps most important, how the rider is feeling.

The experience gained in treating thousands of horses with ETRT, and the number is growing daily, has shown that, more often than not, if one has a stiff and sore horse, one also is likely to have a stiff and sore rider. And extraordinary as it may sound, the rider’s difficulties will often, if not always, reflect in some degree those presenting in the horse. Therefore, the ETRT approach is one that involves, as far as possible, being able to treat the rider as well with the human equivalents of ETRT. As already intimated, this has one of its major bases in ‘Bowen Therapy’, which is now being taught world-wide by the Bowen Academy, with its headquarters in Australia.

So, overall, the aim of the Equine Tension Release Therapist is to try to find a ‘Full Solution’, thereby ensuring the treatment provided will at least assist, if not guarantee completely, that both horse and rider are able to return as close as possible to their optimum performance levels; each individual’s ‘optimum’ - equine or human - being different, and not just in the physical or athletic and mental sense, but in spirit as well.

But why should such a close correlation and similarity of muscular and other physical difficulties so often exist between rider and horse? The reason of course, although generally quite straightforward, is important to state here, as it is often forgotten or disregarded, albeit perhaps unintentionally.

But just as frequently, it is because it just does not seem to occur to the rider that such a relation-

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Rider Hayley Beresford

ship actually does exist, even though they might be riding at say a high standard of classical equitation.

The way I explain the reason for this correlation in the context of ETRT is that essentially we are dealing with two biomechanical beings, one called the rider, the other the horse, and they have to work together through a combined center. Now, if any one part of either of these two biomechanical beings is in some constricted or otherwise affected adversely in its ability to function normally, then the whole combination will tend to go forward unevenly, however slight that unevenness might be to start with.

Let us adopt as an example one of the most common, yet still largely unrecognized or unaccepted modern day problems for the horse being used in dres-

sage. I say ‘modern day’ because it is a problem that seems to have emerged only in the last 25 years or so, mainly as a result of a revision in thinking about where the rider should sit in relation to the horse’s center of gravity. It is the example of a recently purchased, welldeveloped, fairly broad-withered horse, whose new rider, unlike the previous owner, has positioned what is hopefully a well-kept saddle too far forward on the withers.

As a result of the saddle position, the shoulders of the horse will, without much doubt, be restricted in their action, where, in the past, this difficulty has not been experienced by the horse.

The difficulty will be exacerbated if the new saddle is narrow-gulleted because it will also pinch at the shoulders. If it does do this, then typically it will also probably cause a ‘bridging’ problem at

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roughly the center of the saddle panels, thereby creating additional pressure at the shoulders and at two specific points either side of the middle of the back.

These, of course, correspond with the rider’s seat bones.

Such difficulties, most especially the pinching and forced restriction in movement, will initially cause micro traumas in the horse’s musculo-skeletal system, particularly in the shoulders, neck and back. Most especially affected will be the deep muscles: rhomboid, spinalis and longissimus dorsi, infraspinatus, supraspinatus, and the cranial deep pectorals. Obviously, the superficial musculature will be adversely affected as well.

In any event, the usual response in the well-trained horse is to try to do its best to accommodate this new problem,

which will be further compounded by the weight of the new rider tending to be too much on the forehand.

The horse does this by ‘splinting’, or holding those parts of its body that are being hurt, and going forward accordingly, as best it can.

These holding patterns manifest themselves as tight and spasmed muscles, or, more often, it is sections of muscle, which inhibit, and often prohibit entirely, all of the normal physiological processes in and functioning of the affected muscles over their entire length. It is within these tight sections of muscle that the ‘trigger points’ for referred pain are most often to be found.

Looked at in this early stage, any uneveness will probably be difficult to observe from the ground. But the rider will almost certainly sense that something is not quite right, not quite in balance, perhaps more so on one circle or one lead than the other, a lack of synchronization between the diagonal pairs, and they will try to correct or compensate for this. As the rider attempts to work through the correction process by compensating, so the horse then finds it necessary to compensate a bit more to accommodate the rider’s efforts. This process of biomechanical compensation and accommodation in both the horse and rider feeds off itself and often builds from being almost unnoticeable to being thoroughly uncomfortable for both parties. Sooner or later, and it is usually sooner, the horse begins to ‘misbehave’. Then, as its resistance to work increases, it becomes more and more un-governable, until eventually it either appears to suddenly go lame or presents with some other major physical and behavioural difficulty.

Many horses who are stiff and sore, and there are indeed a great many of them in all spheres of today’s equine world, are often unrecognised as such, at least initially and possibly for some time, usually being labelled instead as ‘naughty’, or worse, ‘badly behaved’. We are told they are in need of being worked through their ‘attitude’ problems, because earlier they were going forward very nicely,

and now, all of a sudden, they have started to ‘play up’ and resist being ridden.

Up to very recent times, few people it seemed actually asked themselves why horses would apparently gradually or all of a sudden adopt a resistant attitude. And the strong rider or trainer, of course, would and often still does try to ride a horse through its resistances back to a sort of ‘normality’, usually succeeding in this, at least for a while. Ultimately though, and it can be a slow and agonizing process for the horse, especially in the more forgiving types, excuses are found to ‘sack’ the horse, and they end up being sold on, perhaps not always with as full an explanation as to why the horse is for sale as might be desirable, at least from the potential purchaser’s point of view.

Overall then, in nearly all cases, with the exclusion of certain stallion types, almost all musculo-skeletal tension and behavioural problems found in horses tend to be painbased, be it real “here and now” pain, or pain that is remembered and expected by the horse, either in a general sense or in a locational, rider/trainer, equipment/tack, or circumstance-specific sense.

The four most common pain stimuli I find in my ETRT practice are: feet being out of balance through poor or uneven trimming, or being left too long between shoeings; upper molar teeth that are sharp and unevenly worn and in need of attention; the already mentioned poorly positioned or badly fitting saddle, particularly those with lumpy or uneven panels and, very often, uneven stirrup leathers too; and, of course, the stiff rider, that is, stiff in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, back, anywhere - it matters not.

To deal with only one or two of the most obvious types of problems that may be found presenting in any one horse/rider combination, without checking for and treating other underlying difficulties that will almost certainly be there, is, as I have already indicated, most often to solve only part of the equation, which is really no solution at all. Yet, as plain

as this statement will appear, it is, in fact, what seems to happen in most, if not all cases that eventually fall to me to deal with: the most evident symptoms have been addressed, while their causes and compensatory musculo-skeletal and other symptoms have tended to go untreated or unrecognized. This, it seems, is the principal reason why a good percentage of the horses I see tend to be on a ‘last resort’ basis.

However, it is most important to understand, that, while the ETRT approach is to attempt to look for a full solution in each case, it is nonetheless still very much a complimentary form of therapy for horses. In no way does it seek to exclude other specialists, veterinarians, of course, being foremost amongst them. Rather, these other experts are frequently recommended to be brought in to assist in finding the full solution, even if sometimes they may have seen the horse before.

The ETRT technique itself focuses on achieving a number of important effects, which help most especially to relax, revitalise and gently reestablish the natural energy balance and well-being of the horse. These effects have been found in research into and development of trigger point therapies in humans (see references at end of this section). The main physical effects that result are: - Relieves muscle spasms and re-sets muscles to their normal levels of tension - Activates the endorphins processes to combat pain - Removes uric and lactic acids and other wastes through improving lymphatic drainage - Rebuilds and enhances the body’s immune system - Releases natural cortisone to aid reduction in swelling - Restores blood supply to muscles previously in spasm - Releases entrapped parts of the nervous system - Improves concentration in training and performance Beyond these effects, we now know, in the context of research into acupressure and shiatsu, that the points

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used in ETRT also affect the meridian network of the body. This is the network of energy pathways that embraces all of the major organs of the body, and it has been shown to operate quite separately from the nervous system, even though it too conducts a current.

As we know, the material world consists of low energy electronic waves differentiated by frequency. However, Chi energy is perceived in oriental medicine, as the essential ‘life force’.

While scientific research has now visually confirmed the meridian system is separate and unique from the molecular and cellular systems of the body, it has been found to link closely to the cell nuclei of tissues, the endocrine and nervous systems. As a result, the balanced flow of Chi energy can be said to be both the cause and the effect of good health.

The conclusions drawn from research done on the meridian system indicate that trigger

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point therapies like ETRT, can therefore have a positive influence on blockages and stagnation, or disruptions of any kind along meridians, all of which will cause imbalances or disharmonies. These, in turn, will create discomfort or disease in the associated organ systems. For example, an imbalance in the Lung meridian may cause coughing, fever and an increase in overall body temperature, while an imbalance in the Bladder meridian can present as congestion, asthma or bronchitis.

Overall, it may be said that ETRT can and does have a profound influence on the health of horses, as do its human equivalents on the health of the rider. But, in the final analysis, it must be remembered always that it is the horse itself that does the actual healing; so too the rider.

All the Equine Tension Release Therapist is doing is providing a window of opportunity for various cranial, somatic, spinal and autonomic reflexes to be activated, thereby helping to achieve a comprehensive correction of energy flows and a resetting of the whole body. The body is thus assisted in returning to its optimal structural position and working capacity, insofar as this is possible in each case.

WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

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Understanding Basic Collection

By Laura Hurley

For many riders, achieving a soft and supple contact where their horse is moving forward with impulsion and their hindquarters bent underneath them seems to be a never ending struggle; a truly collected horse is the culmination of achieving all other basic training aids.

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In dressage terms, collection comes in at number six and at the top of the training scale. It follows rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion and straightness; meaning, all of these must be achieved before collection can be, and the culmination of these is true and basic collection. So, if you follow and achieve numbers one through five, collection logically should just happen and you and your four legged friend should be on your merry way, right? Why then this perpetual struggle to co-ordinate the other building blocks of the pyramid for those few magical moments where it all happens and collection is achieved?

According to renowned instructor and FEI level 1 judge Ewe Spenlen: ”the aim of all gymnastic training is to get a useful and ready horse that is willing to perform with the horse’s and the rider’s weight evenly distributed over all four legs.

“To achieve this carrying power of the hind legs has to be increased. This includes reducing the amount of weight on the forehand, which naturally carries more load than the hind legs and increases by the same amount the weight on the hind legs to allow them to come more forward and under the rider’s weight. This elevates and lightens the forehand and gives more freedom to the movements of the forelegs. The horse looks and feels more ‘uphill’, making possible the seemingly effortless execution of difficult and small figures.”

Collection is not merely a horse that is carrying himself “round” or on the vertical; his rear end must be engaged and bent underneath him, and he must move forward with impulsion, giving that feeling for the rider that the horse is, indeed, working uphill.

Physiologically, collection occurs when the points of the horse’s seatbones and the 7th vertebrae of the neck are drawn closer together.

During this process, the hindlegs bend and the steps become smoother. Steps at a collected pace will feel shorter and loftier than their lengthened counterparts, as the bend in

the hip, knee, pastern and hock begin to suspend the horse’s body in a way which almost acts like shock absorbers.

There is a clear difference in look and feel to collected and shortened gait than there is to a stiff and shortened gait.

There will be an element of spring and suspension to the way that a collected horse carries his bulk, as it will be noticeably less “thumping” than the way that a stiff horse will carry himself.

As the back legs bend, front legs will become lighter and the horse will carry less weight on his fore. The forelegs become straighter in their stance; this is particularly obvious in the greater collection required for piaffe and pirouettes. This occurs as the frontlegs are not entirely suited to bend and smooth out the steps like the hindlegs are. They have straight “knees” to begin with, and the articulation of the shoulder and elbow is not as pronounced as that of the hip and tarsus behind.

The ultimate goal and true test of achieving true collection is a horse that sits in self-carriage.

Ewe Spenlen continues: “Self-carriage is a goal and a result of proper training. If self-carriage is good, the horse will trustfully stretch his frame in walk, trot and canter extensions and shorten his frame in returning to collection.”

As before mentioned, even collection in its most basic incarnation is a difficult task that takes time and hard work.

All other elements of traditional dressage training must be achieved first, and in that way collection begins to happen organically and not forcefully.

“The horse’s ability and level of collection should grow harmoniously with his training. It should be a slow growing process. The collection should never be started too early or forced nor should the horse be made to maintain collection for long periods too soon.”

WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

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Classical Dressage The Art of Riding Writen by Samantha Woods

Classical Dressage: The Art of Riding Classical dressage is an art, derived from cavalry movements; it involves moving in harmony with the horse. Once cavalry units were no longer necessary in a military situation, the art became a competitive sport. It encompasses several factors: a good seat, well-balanced and correct body position that must move with the motion of the horse, and finally, that the rider’s aids are well timed and given when appropriate.

History of Classical Dressage Riding as an art came into focus when training with brute force fell out of practise sometime in the 15th century. This training was replaced with training methods that focused on kindness and reward. Indoor riding also saw developments during this period. Further developments occurred during the Renaissance, as new and more enlightened approaches to riding were cultivated.

24 inMagazine/ January, 2012

Indoor riding continued to develop and by the time the Victorian Age came about it was considered a sophisticated art. It is an art in which both the riders and the horses spend years working together to create the perfect form.

Classical Versus Competitive Dressage Classical dressage includes a variety of sauts d’`ecole movements. These movements are designed to allow the rider to fight with greater efficiency or escape when surrounded.

These movements include the courbette, the ballotade, the capriole and the levade. In competitive dressage movements are limited to one’s movements such as the piaffe, the passage and the extended trot, tempi changes, half pass and pirouette.

This is primarily done because most horses are unable to perform airs above ground movements even with the proper training because of their physical limitations. Competitive dressage was designed to follow classical dressage. There has

been some criticism that competitive dressage has moved away from the classical forms.

The criticism centres on training practises that apply quick fixes that allow the horse to appear correct but actually minimises the fundamentals, which form the basis of classical dressage. Classical riders state that such training methods cause long-term damage and can be painful for the horse. Short cuts like these catch up eventually with riders, making it impossible to do certain movements correctly but they can produce winners. Many classical riders also believe that competitive dressage does not reward those teams that are following classical training because there are different criteria.

Forms of Classical Dressage High School dressage, the highest form of classical riding, requires years of training to master for both the horse and the rider. Once a horse has advanced it can perform not only Grand Prix movements, which include collected and extended gaits, piaffe, and passage but can also perform certain moves that are considered to be airs above the ground. However, a horse is generally trained in only one of these moves and the horse must be exceptionally able in order to qualify.

In high school or haute ecole, also known as “airs above the ground” there are numerous jumps which are left over from cavalry maneuvers. However, it is generally agreed that these movements were probably never used for actual battle. Many of them caused the underbelly of the horse to be exposed to weapons. They were most likely used in training.

Moves in this class include: The courbette - requires the horse to balance on its hind legs and hop on them while keeping its forelegs up and off the ground.

The Levade- is a strenuous move requiring the horse to balance on its haunches. It requires a great deal of control and balance as the haunches must be at a 45-degree angle.

The Capriole - a movement which requires the horse to leap into the air and kick out with its hind feet while pulling it’s forelegs up to chest level at the height of the jump.

The Breeds There are several breeds which are better equipped physically to handle the demands of classical dressage. They are divided based on their abilities to do High School classical dressage and airs above ground.

There are two breeds known for their abilities to handle the strenuous demands of airs above ground. These two breeds are the Lipizzaner and the Andalusian. Two breeds known for their abilities in High School classical dressage include the Friesian and Lusitano.

Where You Can Learn Classical Dressage While classical dressage used to be a popular and sophisticated art, you will not find many schools offering it today. Five major schools still exist; these are the Spanish Riding School, The South African Lipizzanders, The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and the Cadre Noir.

If you find yourself outside of countries such as South Africa, Spain and Portugal, you can still find someone to train you in classical dressage. Numerous private instructors travel around the world training horses and riders in an effort to keep this beautiful art alive.

Classical dressage is an art which has been developed over centuries. It looks into three major areas: training the horse to carry the rider, improving the ability of the horse so that it can perform the requested movements with greater elegance, and training the horse to obey commands.

Most training methods cut corners. They do not teach all the basics necessary to build a solid foundation between the horse and rider. People are usually too impatient to spend months or even years training a horse. They want to be able to ride and jump.

Classical dressage is about learning how to control the horse in complex, delicate and difficult movements. It requires trust. The rider must trust in the horse’s abilities and the horse must trust in the rider’s instruction. The art of riding requires that the rider and horse create a united picture and a harmony of motion.

It is not just about completing the movements but developing the muscles and body of the horse to be able to withstand the demands classical dressage can place on a horse. To succeed in this art you must have patience, a good eye, and a horse capable of accomplishing the movements.

inMagazine/ January, 2012

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BENEFITS OF

WORKINGWITHMIRRORS

By Angela Vordermeier Installing mirrors to your arena can offer you a clear indication of how well you are ridding as it allows you to pay closer attention to details and monitor the quality of your movements. Strategically placed mirrors are a valuably placed asset that help monitor both you and your horse’s movements, even when your instructor isn’t there. By looking into the mirror, you will be able to take note of bad posture and check that you are riding straight. Having a balanced rider on its back will also benefit your horse, as it will allow it to move more freely. Mirrors are commonly used throughout equestrian centres as their benefits are widely recognised. You can watch your horse’s hindquarter engagement, and adjust the amount of bend required for precise lateral movements (making the difference between satisfactory and good). Whatever your discipline, mirrors give the rider the opportunity to truly assess their performance with their horse.

Dressage riders will benefit from the addition of mirrors as they offer the ability to see what you are doing and react on it immediately without the interruption of a trainer or having to stop and view a video. Mirrors also benefit your horse as your horse can feel the correction in real time, without you having to go back over the same move. Through the use of mirrors it is easier to get into good habits, such as proper angles in your half passes and shoulders ins, or proper seat and leg position. Even just the action of looking at the mirror makes you look up, which can help alleviate the bad habit of looking down at your horse. Looking up affects your balance hugely, as it has a dramatic effect on pelvis, seat, lower leg and shoulder (therefore hand) position. Mirrors are ideal for the competitor as you get to see what the judges see and at the same time help boost your confidence. As a rider, you need to check your position and the position of your horse constantly. You can’t rely on the instructor being there.

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Some advantages of mirrors for the rider include:

• To make sure the rider is sitting correctly in the saddle • To check the aids given are correct To make sure the horse works into a correct outline To check if movements are ridden correctly To check if the horse is straight when riding different movements To check the accuracy of lateral work To check if the horse is working properly though its back To check if the hind legs are properly engaged To check if the rein contact is even.

Having a well-trained dressage horse means that your horse will smoothly respond to your most minimum commands and perform the requested movements whilst remaining relaxed and appearing effortless.

In showing and show jumping events, you need to check your position and the position of your horse constantly, and it can be difficult if you are only relying on your instructor’s feedback. Mirrors allow you to be more independent and able to work on your own. You can look in the mirror and either adjust what you’re doing or reassure yourself that you’re doing the correct thing.

Remember to not jump too closely to the mirrors, and if you’re anxious then chances are your horse will be so also.

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In general, if you’re worried about getting your horse used to working with mirrors, don’t stress too much about it as more often than not, it is the rider that is more anxious about the new mirrors rather than the horse. It is best if you treat the mirrors as if they have always been there. To begin with, ride alongside the mirrors at a distance and once your horse relaxes, pass the mirrors at a closer distance. Eventually you horse will learn to accept this ‘other horse’ as a friend, and this will be useful when you compete as you will most likely encounter mirrors at equestrian venues. You don’t want to risk losing points because your horse is unfamiliar with its reflection and gets spooked. One mistake that people often make is to confront their horse with the mirrors head on- If your horse wants to inspect the mirrors closely, then that’s fine. Don’t however force your horse to face its reflection as this will just make him more afraid.

horse’s movement, as well as keeping an eye on your own riding position helps you improve and learn. It is for this reason that installing mirrors in your training arena can prove extremely valuable. However, mirrors can be a substantial investment and like any other equipment, they require planning, selection, setup and maintenance. Most arenas have mirrors on either the long side or the short side.

On the short side, mirrors in the two corners can show you a front view, whereas mirroring the entire short side would allow you to view yourself anywhere in the arena. This however can be expensive, so for a less expensive setup, install individual large mirrors at intervals on the long side. You will have to turn your head to see yourself, but you still get the benefit of instant visual feedback.

When selecting the type of material for your mirrors, there are a few things to consider. Glass mirrors will be heavier and more resistant to scratching than plastic, and the hard surface of glass reflects a true image. But, glass breaks and tractors, your horse or a flying rock can all offer potential damage to your expensive investment. Shatterproof plastic sheets, such as acrylic (also called plexiglass), form mirrors that are lighter weight and safer in case of impact. Whichever material you prefer, decide if you want a mirror of rectangular or square shape. Then you can form a large mirror by mounting a series of smaller ones to form the shape you want. The final size of your mirror should be large enough to allow you to view yourself and your horses either straight ahead or looking to the side.

On a side note, mirrors may also offer a few benefits other than training to your horse. Horse are naturally herd animals and as such, companionship is important them.

Ideally that companion should be another horse, and even if kept in a barn, stalled horse should always be able to see other horses. In the past, when that was not possible, arranging for a non-equine companion such as a goat was an acceptable solution. However, if this is also not possible, hanging a companion mirror accomplishes the same thing without having to go out and buy a goat, as the horse sees his reflection and accepts it as another horse. In addition to needing social interactions, horses also need mental stimulation. If a horse is bored or stressed, it can engage in all sorts of unacceptable behaviour, such as fence walking and wood chewing. Some owners have found that by installing mirrors in stalls, this type of behaviour has either been reduced or stoped entirely within 24 hours.

Visual feedback can help any rider in any discipline. Watching your WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

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10 Reasons Writen by Samantha Woods

To Use a Equine Nutritionist

Having a horse is a huge responsibility. They require significant care and that includes having a balanced diet. If you have a horse that competes in sports like dressage or show jumping, having the proper nutrition is even more important. Proper nutrition allows a horse to have the fuel it needs to build muscle strength, maintain endurance and just be healthy.

Unless you know a lot about horses and their individual needs employing an equine nutritionist to help build a balanced diet for your horse is a good idea. Here are a few reasons why using a nutritionist should be considered.

Nutritionists are required to further their education by attending university. They learn about a variety of topics, including supplements. They are trained professionals knowledgeable in what a horse needs for its basic daily needs.

They are trained to be able to supply specific information on the nutritional needs of horses, which may have specific health problems. This information can help correct these problems and is often information that is not available to the horse owners.

Nutritionists are constantly studying. They review all the latest information and bring that information to the owners and the horses they are helping. This means that your horse is getting the benefits of the latest information in equine nutrition.

Most people when they need information head to their computer and go online. The internet can be a great source of information.

It can also be a bog of misinformation. It is hard to know which information is right and which is wrong. An equine nutritionist can help horse owners find the right information.

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Equine nutritionists are experienced when it comes to knowing what kind of diet a particular breed of horse needs.

They also are trained to know the specific needs of horses that are performing in specific fields. The nutritional requirements of a race horse are vastly different from the requirements of a show jumper or a horse which is required to perform high school dressage movements.

Supplementing a horse’s diet is pretty much a given. Nutritionists study and train to know which supplements are going to work and how much a horse needs. It is important that your horse receive the right supplements and in the right amounts especially if they are doing something strenuous or potentially hazardous. The type of supplement as well as the amount needed is specific to each horse. It is important to have someone who knows and understands supplements in order to ensure your horse has the best possible nutrition.

Feeding a horse is more than just throwing in some hay and an occasional bucket of oats. Proper nutrition is just as important for horses as it is for humans and it can be just as expensive. One of the things a nutritionist is trained to do is create a balanced diet with specific amounts of the various foods your horse needs. They can also recommend feed types that can help to supply your horse with the necessary nutrition. These recommendations can often help to reduce your overall food costs.

The same goes with supplements. The most expensive does not necessarily mean the best, and if you are working off of misinformation you could be spending hundreds in excess food costs without supplying your horse with the proper nutrition. This is why it is important to have a nutritionist evaluate your horse’s diet as well as the feed and supplements you are using.

Horses are a major investment but for riders who train with their horses they are also a partner. This means a significant emotional attachment. This attachment can often blind a horse owner or trainer to things that an objective third party observer might notice. You may be inclined to feed your horse sugar cubes or apples by the barrel but it might not be the best thing for your horse.

A nutritionist can help by providing advice which comes from a third party.

It can help take some of the stress out of decision making when it comes to the proper nutrition and diet of your horse.

Nutritionists can also offer reassurance to owners who might not be sure they are doing the right thing for their horses.

A horse is an investment, a partner, and a companion. They become just as attached emotionally to their riders and trainers as riders and trainers become to them. As a result, owners often worry that what they are doing is right for their horse. A nutritionist can provide reassurance to alleviate that worry and assure owners, riders and trainers that what

they are doing and the decisions they are making are the right ones for their horse.

Proper nutrition is essential whether it is a human being or a horse. Just like humans, horses have specific dietary needs. In some cases, these needs have to do with the type of horse it is. In other cases, it might have to do with what is being required of the horse. There are also instances where a horse might be experiencing a specific problem. Unless you are trained you are not going to be able to look at a horse, evaluate it and tell what type of nutritional deficiencies the horse might be experiencing.

Most horse owners are not going to know the various supplements that are available on the market. They will also not know which one is going to provide the optimum nutritional value for their horse. This is why it is important to have a trained and licensed equine nutritionist. They can provide you with the knowledge you need to ensure that your horse is receiving a balanced diet that provides the horse with everything it needs without breaking the bank.

No matter what type of horse you have, or the discipline you and your horse participate in, consider the benefits of having an equine nutritionist to assist you in providing the perfect balanced nutrition to help your horse succeed.

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Traditional stirrups are not designed with any quick release or breakaway option, which means a booted foot could slide through the stirrup on a fall and get stuck.

Unless the person can get their foot out of the stirrup they may be dragged by the horse. Safety stirrups can save your life because you will not be dragged by the horse.

Types of safety stirrups Several models of safety stirrups can be found on the market. The flexible stirrup like the Sprenger 4F System is designed to give the stirrup some play, allowing your foot to release if you fall. The iron does not fall away but instead bends, giving your foot more room to escape.

SAFETY STIRRUPS? Writen by Samantha Woods

Are safety stirrups the right answer?

Safety is important whenever you ride a horse. Certain equipment has been designed to ensure riding a horse is safer than even half a century ago. A debate exists between using safety stirrups and not using them. It is this debate and the information we can provide here that is designed to help you determine whether you want to join in wearing safety stirrups. Simply put they could save your life, but how?

Also, why are there individuals who believe they are more dangerous than they are safe? These questions are going to be answered to ensure you make an informed decision about your stirrups.

What are safety stirrups?

Safety stirrups are designed to break away if you fall. The metal bar which your foot rests on lets go. This means that your foot will not get caught in the stirrup and thus you will not be dragged by the horse.

It does lead you to wonder why there is a debate at all regarding the safety stirrups and whether they could save your life. Doubt is often the root cause of the safety stirrup concept. There are also issues with utilising the safety stirrup correctly. Some of the stirrups have a top portion, which could be installed incorrectly. Upkeep on the breakaway stirrup is necessary as well to ensure it will never get stuck should you fall off your horse. It is misconceptions that have truly created a debate for the safety stirrup.

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The breakaway stirrup is made with irons for western riders. The stirrup has a release mechanism, which allows the foot to rotate 45 degrees to 72 degrees. There are oxbow, Visalia, bell, and roper style breakaway stirrups.

Quick release stirrups also have irons, which have a stirrup on the outside edge of the stirrup. It falls out of place when the weight changes such as in a fall. It ensures the foot is not able to become stuck as long as the hinge releases due to pressure.

The Australian pattern is also called the S-curved stirrup where your foot can slide out if you fall. Unfortunately this model of stirrup is not as helpful as the quick release, and therefore there have been reports of the foot actually becoming caught rather than escaping from the stirrup upon a fall.

The Western safety oxbow stirrup is a lot like the Australian stirrup in which there is an aluminum piece curved for more room. Like the Australian design your foot is meant to slip out of the stirrup if you fall, but there is no breakaway or quick release mechanism.

The different types of safety stirrups have also accounted for the debate of whether you should use them or not. If you conduct proper research you will understand what brand and style is best. If your life is important to you, then it is imperative to find the right safety stirrup to ensure your long and healthy life. For anyone who has ever been dragged or seen a person being dragged by a horse, you know how scary and dangerous it can be. There is no reason to put yourself in danger when different stirrups exist to ensure better safety for riding.

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INSURANCE

Writen by Samantha Woods

The unexpected happens more often than we give it credit. We all like to think we are in control of what might happen to our pets; yet, there are certainly times when they become sick for a variety of different reasons. It could be bad feed that goes unnoticed, a sudden fall while on the trail, or a hereditary disease unaccounted for in the horse’s family history. Like people, horses can suffer from a range of diseases and disorders such as being overweight from lack of exercise and too many calories. None of the health conditions horses suffer from are any healthier for your horse than health conditions affecting us are. You would not let your newborn baby come into the world without health insurance, so why would you allow your horse to be without proper pet insurance?

Many horse owners consider their horses, pets or working horses, to be a part of their family. Your family member needs insurance to cover any health condition, theft, or accident that might occur. Even if you consider your horse just another investment, your investment needs to be properly covered for health troubles otherwise it loses value.

Hands down the most important reasons you need horse pet insurance is because of the value your horse has to you, but there are additional factors which insurance can cover.

Your horse’s quality of life is dependent on you. Your horse requires you to provide feed whether it is in the stables or out in the paddock. Since your horse cannot speak to you, it is up to you to determine if something is wrong; however, some conditions can go unnoticed for a long period of time. The longer a health condition remains hidden the more your horse’s quality of life can be affected. Health insurance for horses is designed to offer preventative care. With regular vet visits, your horse can be treated for any minor problem and stave off any health condition that could become an issue.

A vet is going to know what hereditary conditions your horse might be prone to. Just like women have to undergo exams to prevent breast cancer from going unnoticed, your horse will need tests to ensure no hereditary condition appears. If there is a hereditary medical problem, you have the insurance to cover the frequent vet visits, the prescriptions, and medical treatments that may be warranted.

The cost of vet bills alone can be reason enough to obtain pet insurance for your horse. Vet costs are increasing rapidly making it difficult to manage the bills on your own. Seeking pet insurance that can pay partial or full vet bills will help you retain the quality of life for your horse and your financial stability.

You have different pet insurance companies to choose from, which also means there are differences in the health insurance packages you can purchase.

These variations make it easier for you to find a company that is right for your horse’s current health. A horse with no hereditary conditions needing only preventative care can be insured with almost any Australian company. A horse with a pre-existing

32 WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

Why it is Important ? condition or possible hereditary condition might need a special insurance company.

Pre-existing or hereditary conditions are not always covered by a pet insurance company. There are a few companies willing to provide insurance to your pet, so you can offer the best quality of life possible. This pre-existing topic also leads into the annual contract concept. Pet insurance companies may offer you a continued coverage option where your horse is covered for any condition that is now considered a pre-existing condition.

Your horse may have been completely healthy when you signed up for the health insurance policy, but through tests your vet discovers a medical condition that requires more frequent visits and medication. At the end of the policy year this condition becomes pre-existing. Some of the companies allow you to be covered for the condition from the previous year. Other companies will cover only vet visits which are not related to the prior condition.

Another difference between companies is the reimbursement calculation. A few of the pet insurance companies will require you to pay the vet bill upfront and in full.

You will then send the bill into the insurance company to obtain a full or partial reimbursement. Other companies will ask you to make a co-payment at the time of the vet visit. When the bill is sent to the insurance company they will pay a portion and then ask for the additional payment to be made by you. It might be an 80/20 arrangement where the insurance company pays 80% of the bill and you pay the rest, as well as the co-payment at the time of the vet’s visit.

Limits or caps can be set on your horse insurance policy too. A deductible would be the amount you have to pay before the insurance would pay out full or partial payment. A limit or cap would be the amount the insurance company is willing to pay out in one year for any vet bills you might have.

Coverage, in terms of what might be paid for through the pet insurance company, can differ beyond hereditary and pre-existing conditions. A few policies will pay out a portion towards medical prescriptions, pregnancy care, fertilisation, and liability. A show horse would need liability for injury that might occur during an event, travel to the event, and vet visits needed for event participation. The monthly payment would increase based on the coverage you seek.

The different levels of coverage, payment styles, and health inclusions in a pet insurance policy help determine not only the affordability of the insurance but also the quality of life you can provide for your horse. Above everything, you should consider the level of care your horse receives in terms of how healthy their life will be and continue to be as they age. It is not just about theft, liability, and cost of vet bills; it is about your horse’s happiness and health.

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ALLISON DOMNEY

WA EQUESTRIAN 2013 SPONSORED RIDER

34 WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

Allison Domney, owner/proprietor of Aadom Sporthorse Stud.

What is your horses name?

I have three. Aadom Damaris (aka Pumps) Trakehner x Percheron, Aadom Aldebaran (aka Aldi) Holsteiner x Oldenburg and Immenhof Annushka (aka Nushka) Pure Breed Holsteiner.

Why did you start riding horses, how did you come into the sport? Tell us about your first event?

I started riding horses at about 3 yrs of age, as my dad used to breed pure breed Arabians and then went into Anglos and all three of us kids used to ride and compete at Orange Grove Pony Club from a very young age.

I mainly did hacking on a mare that my step mother used to own and her name was “Singalong”, she was very moody most of the time but a real pretty thing, so I used to come home with alot of ribbons, so many that we made a rug out of them. We also had another pony, “Teddy Bear”. He stood about 14.3hh and jumped everything, he was so fantastic for our confidence and my eldest brother used to do really well showjumping with him. I remember having a day at pony club and three of us kids used “Teddy Bear” for every event, the poor thing was glad to go home. I believe he lived until he was 32 years!

What is your chosen discipline?

My chosen discipline is dressage.

How long have you been training for your discipline?

I breed Aadom Damaris 11 years ago with the help from a friend (Sharon Haddock – Alexander Park Trakehners) who had the stallion (Cornelius dec) and the story all started from there. Pumps has always been a great horse to break in (took me 3 hours) and train, he jumps, he events, he has done carriage, he also has done vaulting also, in hand and now he is training high level dressage and has the nack for more collected movements.

What drove you towards your discipline?

It was really Pumps who drove me towards dressage, I think you need to try everything and really see what the horse enjoys and take it from there. If he really enjoyed showjumping or carriage then I would have taken him in that direction, but its dressage for him. I bought Nushka to breed a replacement for Pumps. It took me a long time to find a really top mare and one came over my email list in conjunction with DVZ stud keeping a ear to the ground and it happened all really fast! I had bought the mare off recommendations from Dolly and I wouldn’t recommend doing this but bought the mare off a picture, but I knew that I could trust the word of my friend.

Strangely enough I have done this before when I bought Pumps mum, she was a pure breed Canadian Percheron mare, 17.3hh and deep steel grey. She produced me a fantastic horse and had faith in my ability to know what is good and what is not in terms of confirmation and temperament, so thats that! Annushka was a bit different in terms she had to produce a better quality horse that

WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

35

Photography By Sarah Middleton

what I already have and after 18 months of getter her right and re trained and broken in, I then went ahead and bought some semen from Germany and she fell pregnant first try. There is a very low rate for frozen semen but I knew she had a frozen baby before so I just went for it.

I cant thank Dr Patrick Brogan enough for giving me the most well behaved and well mannered colt there is! When I went to have the first 15 day preg test done at Murdoch University, when Dr Brogan told me she was pregnant, it is silly but I actually burst into tears with happiness and then the rest of the pregnancy was a walk in the park. She is such a great mother and raised a very good little boy.

That little boy is now just over a year old and is very much like his mother and father. Sire being

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Furst Romancier (Old) who is currently being ridden by Mathias Rath (rider of Moorlands Totalias) in Germany and starting his dressage career with a bang! So I am planning and hoping that Aldi follows with his training and ability, everything thing else will be up to me!

How did you meet your equine friend? (your horse) I breed both Aadom Damaris and Aadom Aldebaran and purchased Immenhof Annushka.

Tell us about your most memorable moment with your horse?

The most memorable moment with my horse was when they were both born, the moment of the birth!

Tell us about your passion for the sport and makes you drive towards your goals.

The passion that I have for any equine discipline is driven from within and my strong personality, it is also driven by my friends and family who want to see me do well but also people I see out there and giving it a go. You may fall on your face several times before you start falling on your feet, but you have to start somewhere.

What is your goal for 2013?

My goal for 2013 is to breed a eventing star for a student of mine from my mare, compete Pumps at several comps this year and do well and work towards training better and take Aldi to some small in hand shows but mainly just grow him into a well rounded youngster!

What’s next? Coming soon.

Clinics, Lessons, events and lost of involvement with work!

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A Crash Course in Composting

By Laura Packham

There are more than just a few environmental feel-good reasons to get cracking on a composting system this New Year.

By simply sorting your organic and household scraps from the rest – setting aside those apples cores, eggshells and even human hair – you can create a super soil to feed your garden.

And for those of us feeling guilty about not yet installing solar panels to the roof, or switching to an electric car, starting a composting system can be a green and low-cost change to make. While some may consider composting a true science, or even an art, turning your trash into garden treasure is within the grasp of green thumbs and humble novices alike.

Location, Location Where you put your bin of decomposing garden goodness is a simple question but one that needs to be thoroughly considered if you want to avoid creating a stinky monster in your backyard.

A shady spot, out of direct sunlight, and away from the neighbours is best, to help keep both friends and a moist compost mix.

Your local or state council may also have a thing or two to say about where you can plonk your compost pile, so check the regulations on buffer areas that may apply to you.

To Bin or Not to Bin A barrel turner? A two-bin block? Or just dig a hole and bury it? There’s plenty of ways to dump your organic junk.

To decide on the right pick for you, consider what you will be composting, as well as how much waste, time and space you will have at your disposal. If you have ample room in your backyard, with lots of leafy compost food, a bigger system is required to handle it, where as a small tumbler should suit the smaller garden patch. Manually turning the mix may also be a pain for some who instead might like to consider a ready-made tumbler bin.

What You Put In Composting guru, and vice president of the Queensland Recycled Organic Council, Martin Tower, believes in the simple adage that what you put, is what you get out.

“For a quality compost what you put in is important,” he says.

“You can drive a 30-year-old Hyundai or a brand new Ferrari -they are the same thing, but with different levels and degrees of quality.”

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To keep things running smoothly, the microbes within the compost must be kept happy with four main ingredients; carbon, nitrogen, air and water. “Carbon includes grass clippings, woodchips or prunings from trees, you then need some nitrogen source as well, which is usually manures,” he says.

“You get all this and you will have a premium quality compost in about 22 weeks.”

The Balancing Act The basic rule of composting is all about ratios, which generally is one Nitrogen-rich (Green) materials, to 30 Carbon-rich

(Brown) materials.

Fruit and vegetable scraps, horse manure, green leaves and coffee grounds are some of the green goods, while wood chips, straw and dry seedless weeds represent brown material.

Putting your food scraps and garden clippings into layers also helps built the heat that speeds up the process, without drying out the blend. With each layer, water lightly and you might like to add some fertiliser, for some added assurance.

Shake Things Up While composting is a natural process, organic matter left to simply rot creates a bit of a pong than can attract insects and rodents.

Centre for Organic and Resource Enterprises chief executive Christopher Rochfort says it’s a key problem in composting.

“Number one problem is odour and while having the right ratio of different materials will help, compost piles are not something you can sweep under the carpet if things go wrong,” he says.

“If the compost dries out too much during the process the bugs doing all the work will go on strike, so you need to make sure adequate moisture is evident.

‘This can be easily determined by digging into the pile and making sure the inside of the pile ‘glistens’ in sunlight.

“If the pile gets too dry there is also the risk of combustion fires starting.” Mixing it once a month, or more, will keep it loose and the air circulating.

CanICompostThis?

YES

Coffee beans and tea bags Ripped up pizza box and pizza crusts Stale cereal, bread and crackers Hair from your hairbursh Dog and cat fur Vegetable and fruit peelings Jelly and Jam Stale beer and wine Seedless flowers and dead plants Old loofahs Vacuum dust Old wool clothing cut into small pieces Shredded paper Sticky notes and unglossed business cards Chopped up Christmas tree

No

Meat, bones, fish Cakes or baked goods Magazines Diseased and seeded plants Animal droppings Dairy products Walnuts Salad dressings, mayonnaise and other oily foods Coloured or glossed paper Chemically treated wood Dryer lint Plastics and other non-biodegradables Lime Coal or charcoal Weeds

Planting Trees Meditation & The Environment Growing up in an inner city suburb in Perth, I didn't realise how lucky I was. As a youngster my parents bought into an older suburb with a house on quarter acre block, just down the road from the local primary school and across the road from a big park. We spent a lot of time in that park as kids, of course frequented the primary school. It truly was an idyllic way to grow up - in a family friendly suburb with lots of room to move and still close to the city and other amenities.

When I was 21 the parents packed up shop and moved to a small country town south of Perth. A bit before their time this is now called a Tree- Change. Tree changers are 'those who move from Australia's capital cities to country towns in rural Australia in search of a better lifestyle'. Not unlike a Sea-Change, whereby city dwellers take up residence on a coastal property Tree- Changers are in search of a better life, a nicer lifestyle and perhaps are even indulging in romanticised notions of the rural. 'Making a 'tree change' is frequently cited in news media as a means by which people are actively trying to improve their happiness and reduce stress'. But how exactly are Tree-changers hoping to achieve this? The practice of Meditation and the proliferation of new wave of spiritually which is replacing traditional religious practice ( and has been for several decades). The desire for a Tree-change and the need of Australian's for something more - whether is be happiness, greater fulfilment or a better lifestyle through new found sense of the spiritual or the need for the spiritual. Has the tree become the new dominant religion?

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According to statistics reported in the Guardian 89.1 percent of Australian's lived in cities in 2010. The worldwide trend is for population growth in major city and town centres and this is true of Australia too. Since 1950, in Australia when 77 percent of the population lived in cities, this number has increased by more than 10 percent in 60 years. In Country Landscapes Private Dreams? Tree Change and the dissolution of rural Australia written by Angela Ragusa and featured in the Rural Society Journal Ragusa discusses this recent trend. With over 2.4 million treechangers moving from cities to rural Australia this is a considerable number and a movement that didn't exist some 10 years ago. Ragusa states 'stresses associated with Australian city life are key drivers that encourage urbanites to country towns'.

Tree's according to Bob Beale are 'Literally at the root of our national identity'. Trees not only give Australia it 'unique appearance and feel' but also have written themselves into our history.

Who could forget the Coolibah tree in the iconic song Waltzing Matilda. Throughout our history we have used, abused and revered the symbols of our nationhood. But how does one account of the recent Tree- Changing Trend? Globalisation which has worked to connect Western and Eastern worlds has had a great impact on the Western way of life. Meditation which is defined as the 'act of spiritual contemplation' in the Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work has become a force in Western society as the Baby Boomers and Generation X have influenced the migration of Eastern practices. Has this surge in spirituality as traditional Western religious practice has fallen by the wayside demonstrate a link between Tree -changers who move to rural areas from the city?

In modern day society we have a myriad of choices including where we live. The suburban dream of owing a quarter acre block is still etched deeply into the Australian National psyche.

Although, this dream will never be reached by many, those with the means are buying rural properties or dividing their time between the city and the country. Contemporary society is highly mobile due to increased wealth which allows for many to actively choose where they wish to live. Can geography in the words of Angela Ragusa 'make you miserable or happy'? Does where we live impact greatly on our being? Ragusa believes that 'jaded urbanites yearn to leave the big smoke' In a society that has gradually made the change from formal religious practice to an emphasis on personal growth perhaps the "Tree-change" and the need to be closer to the tree is in fact a yearning for a sense of not only place but a return to the spiritual that has been lost due to shift in the way we view the church and religion. The tree represents strengths, stability, growth (rebirth), peace and tranquility many things a frenetic city life can't offer.

In the words of Bob Beale as he discusses the massive effort by land care groups to revegetate our spaces 'they can do without us (trees); we cannot live without them. Perhaps this need for a meditative space is a measure of things to come. As Eastern practices such as meditation, the recent trend in Tree-changing whereby city dwellers seek to de-stress their lives by buying a rural property could be a sign that the times in the word's of Bob Dylan 'the times they are a changing'.

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Keeping your pets cool this summer

By Loukas Mexis Summertime but the living is not always easy, especially not for your pets. With the last couple of weeks hitting record high temperatures, it is important to understand how to cope with excessive heat, not just for ourselves but for our pet members of the family. Dogs and cats will need our help in order to deal with the high temperatures that will remain in danger levels through the summer.

I recently got appointed the important task of dog-sitting two six-year old beagles and a young cat for a friend who went on vacations around New Zealand. Having dealt with dog-sitting before, the first thing I had to prepare myself for was how to help the cute dog-sniffing masters cope with the sudden 45 degrees of heat. First of all, I was in luck because the dogs had access to inside the house.

Outside dogs have a much harder time than inside ones, because finding shade is not always easy in the country. Dogs, just like us, face the same dangers during the summer: dehydration, overheating and sunburns. The house can offer many shady and cool corners where the dogs can relax and let the sun dive in the west so that the temperatures drop. So, first things first: water. There is nothing more important than keeping your pets hydrated at all times with cool, fresh water. I myself like to keep clean filtered water in the fridge just for the dogs, and refill it at least three times a day. Dogs are not efficient enough to cool themselves down so it is important to always check their panting, their paws and nose since those are the key areas where they sweat. Do not overexercise your dog or go for walks during peak UV times. Adjusting their daily program is essential.

The summer timetable I prepared for the beagles was simple: early breakfast near sunrise, so that the temperatures are still bearable. Small portions of home cooked meals so that digesting is easy and does not tire the dogs more. I chose a simple diet of rice and vegetables with a quarter dog biscuits for breakfast, which I store in the fridge from the day before so that it is cold and soothing when little Danny and Cleo (yes, the two beagles) dig in. Every second day you can switch vegetables with frozen fruit but only for breakfast. For dinner a well prepared meal with meat and veggies is perfect, again small in size and kept in the fridge, or even the freezer. But before dinner some play is at hand. Playing with and exercising the dogs has to wait until after six o’ clock in the afternoon, when the temperature drops a bit. You can see how

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much the dogs need hydrating after a short run or walk by the way they chuck down litres of cool clear water. It is important to check for heatstroke signs, such as hard panting, rapid heartbeat, a dazed look, extreme restlessness and of course vomiting. If you think your pet is having these signs, immediately try and drop the temperature of your canine by throwing some water on its body, pet with a wet towel and relocate near a well air-conditioned area.

Be careful of walks, especially if you are going to drive the dogs somewhere by car. They must under no circumstances be

left alone in the car without air-conditioning since the temperature could turn any vehicle into an oven. Also be careful where you take the dogs for walking, since most pavements will be burning from the sun beams that shower the ground throughout the day.

The beagles’ new favourite game was messing with my watering the plants. A good game of hose hunting every afternoon cooled them down, plus I decided to utilize a small pool as their new outdoors spot. Water means life, so try to use it wisely and not abuse it; by watering the plants and giving a short splash to your dogs you hit two birds with one stone.

I had no idea that dogs, just like us, are prone to sunburns. The paler skinned animals are obviously more sensitive than others, but still, it is important to protect your dog just like you would with a young child. Special sunscreen is available in most pet shops; Filta Bac is a good brand that is used for many types of animals such as dogs, cats and horses. Of course try to apply it on the face, ears and neck, but don’t bother with anywhere else since most dogs will immediately lick it off.

An idea which came to me one night originated from a near-heatstroke I had after a long ride on the motorbike under the scorching sun. I ran to the fridge where a frozen bottle of water had turned into a big block of ice. After cooling my neck and arms with it, I decided to put it on Danny’s body and to my surprise he loved it, grabbed the bottle with his teeth and started rolling over it. The frozen bottle of water became his new favourite summer toy, so I made sure every night I left him one to play with before going to bed.

Well, the house in Cockburn came with a cat as well, little Miyo. Cats, unlike dogs, are better in dealing with the heat, since they switch off and decide to sleep the heat away. Miyo did not really do much anyway; for countless hours she rested under a Ute which was parked in the back. Most dog rules apply to cats as well: cool water at all times, petting your cat with a cool towel and cold meals. A good idea is to brush the fur daily so that it remains short and allows air to flow freely. The longer the hair of your cat is, the more important it is to do so. It is good to point out that as far as dogs go, the summer is the best season to give them a good trim. Shorter hair is like wearing a t-shirt whereas longer hair means dealing with more heat.

Photography By Bonnie Smith, Kwinana Beach 2012

With a state average temperature measuring around 40 degrees, this summer sure is one that calls for special attention for your pets. They are, after all, part of the family, so remember to give them the same care you would as with any other family member. Remember the five essentials: shade, sunscreen, cool meals, rest, and above all lots and lots of fresh water.

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training pyramid Simple guide showing when you’re ready to move on with training and education

By Angela Vordermeier

The development of the horse and rider relationship is one that continuously grows, regardless of your experience. Knowing the fundamental principles of both rider and horse training can provide you with the knowledge for realising your true potential. It is also important to note that these principles shouldn’t be viewed in isolation nor do they follow a linear direction, rather they are all interrelated, working together to assist both you and your horse in the continual growth of your skills.

Trust and Communication.

It is through this principle that the horse and rider relationship begins to develop. As a rider, you should aim to establish the role of a trusted leader through understanding and respecting your horse’s way of communicating. Throughout your development and training, you must continually maintain trust and communicate effectively with your horse. From the initial contact between an untrained horse and rider, to the upper levels of a chosen sport, it is vital that the rider understands all communication aids and how to use them appropriately.

44 WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

Initially the rider will establish communication and trust with the horse whilst on the ground, which slowly will be able to be transferred over to when mounted. If you skip learning how to effectively communicate with your horse as well as understanding your horse’s language, you may end up needing to consistently over apply aids whilst riding.

Classical dressage develops an understanding between horse and rider, and the role of the human as the leader by establishing norms of your horse’s language. When mounted, the communication aids are used to refine the communication from the horse’s back. Only when trust and communication has been establish can the training principles begin to develop an athletic partnership. Being able to effectively communicate with your horse ensures its wellbeing and your safety and thus a mutually beneficial relationship can begin to exist.

Rhythm and Relaxation.

With this principle, the rider aims to develop the horse’s body and mind to be able to work in proper rhythmic gaits, four beat walk, two beat trot, and three beat canter, whilst remaining relaxed. Rhythm and relaxation tend to help develop each other, as the horse works towards its rhythm the exercise tends to help relax its mind which in turn can help to develop more rhythmic correct gaits.

It is important that the gaits are even, equal in length and level, where each step bears equal weight on both sides, as correct gaits are an important aspect of the future reliability of the horse. To overlook this aspect may jeopardise the wellbeing of the horse, especially when the weight of the rider is added.

Suppleness.

With this principle, the horse is able to relax its entire body, even under the weight of a rider. Here, the rider develops the horse’s strength and balance, allowing it to move laterally and longitudinally without tension or resistance.

Gymnastic exercises are used to develop the strength of the horse’s body whilst providing and environment that allows the horse to remain

relaxed. The rider’s proper uses of communication aids and balance while mounted are extremely important as anytime the communication aids are used improperly, or the rider is unbalanced, the consequences will be tension either in the horse’s body or mind.

Contact.

Here the horse understands and accepts the communication aids as a two-way conversation and listens and responds to the rider. The communication aids work as an elastic connection between the two bodies.

At this point the rider can truly begin to influence the development of the horse and even when unmounted, the horse and rider still maintain the attentiveness and understanding between each other.

Impulsion.

Once this principle has been achieved, the horse will have developed the strength to move forward without any tension, pushing off with its hind legs and moving without resistance. Gymnastic exercises can be used to develop the pushing power strength which increased the horse’s confidence to move forward from behind and through its back.

The horse legs should bend at each joint so as to land on the ground where it points and the shoulders should remain free. This allows the expression and power to come from behind and through the back and shoulders.

Straightness.

Horses are naturally stronger to one side or the other, just as most people are either right or left handed, and as a result your horse may tend to have a difficult time traveling straight. It is at this principle that the rider will begin working on riding the horse forward and straight.

The reason that this principle is developed at this stage rather than earlier, is so as not to lose the expression in the gaits and to utilise the contact established with the aides. Being able to influence both sides of your horse is an important part of developing straightens which is something that cannot be achieved without first understanding the previous principles.

Here is where the rider develops the horse’s skill beyond what they would develop naturally. It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that the horse wellbeing is maintained at this stage.

Collection.

At this stage the horse is able to carry itself without support emotionally or physically.

Physically the horse’s weight is rocked back onto its hindquarters and legs by lowering the hindquarters and hocks. This allows the horse to obtain its full power and shift its weigh of the front shoulders when needed.

Emotionally the horse will obey the rider out of trust and understating, while maintaining self-expression, confidence and grace.

It is during this principle that two extremes are achieved- complete relaxation and obedience with ultimate power and confidence.

Artistry.

This is the stage where harmony is achieved and horse and rider are able to work as one with mind, body and spirit. Once this principle is mastered, the communication is invisible, the trust is obvious and the commitment enduring. Accomplishing this stage may only be felt for a moment, but both rider and horse will know it happens and will enthusiastically pursue the next moment when the can again exist as one. As the horse and rider strength their relationship and training through these principles, the moments of harmony will begin to happen more frequently until eventually they come naturally every time the horse and rider are together.

Special Training These training principles provide the framework for you as a rider to develop your horse’s true potential. As the principles are achieved and built upon, the horse and rider partnership will develop into an athletic team where both are committed to continual improvement.

Not all horses and riders are the same and therefore there are numerous techniques and methods by which to achieve these principles and it is the rider’s responsibility to choose the appropriate development plan for their horse.

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45

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18yr old (now turning 20) Standardbred Saint’s Injury, Owner Cynthia has no idea how this happened, He stripped his leg down to the cannon bone. At the time Cynthia was 6 months pregnant! Originally using honey and prenoderm as treatment then I found a product called Proud aid, “by god I swear by it.

46 WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

He never needed the surgery and some 18 months later I jumped on him for the first time and I thought he would go lame, but he was rearing to go and was sound as the next day.”

Said Cynthia

Aadom sporthorse stud Be the rider you would like to be ...

Education for All levels of Riders

www.aadom6.wix.com

Dr Nathan Anthony

Your Hendra Virus Vaccine QUESTIONS ANSWERED

E

quivac® HeV is a new vaccine recommended for use in horses that is effective against the deadly Hendra Virus (HeV). The vaccine was launched at the beginning of November 2012 and it is now available nationwide through accredited Veterinarians. Equivac® HeV interrupts the cycle of HeV transmission from the flying fox to the horse and also from the horse to human. Equivac® HeV has great benefits for horse welfare and for human health.

The risk of HeV in horses has to date been managed through increased hygiene and cleaning practices and various recommendations around paddock management. Horse feed and water troughs that are beneath trees should be moved under shelter to avoid possible contamination by flying fox fluids. Restricting horse access under trees where flying foxes are known to roost, stabling at night, and quarantining sick horses is also recommended. Unfortunately, HeV has still claimed the lives of horses despite these sound management practices being adopted. To date there have been about 80 known HeV horse fatalities with more than 30 of these deaths recorded in 2011 and 2012. Equivac® HeV vaccination is now recommended in conjunction with hygiene and paddock management to provide a more robust barrier to the fatal consequences of HeV infection.

Human HeV disease risk is currently managed through increased hand hygiene and minimising contact with horses’ blood, nasal discharge and other body fluids at all times. There have been seven confirmed cases of HeV infections in humans, with fatality in four of these people.

Although Veterinarians treating sick horses are at the greatest risk of being exposed to the virus, infection risk also exists for horse owners, their families, and staff that may be in contact with a HeV infected horse. Equivac® HeV vaccination affords humans greater protection against the risk of HeV infection by blocking transmission of HeV form the horse to human.

Equivac® HeV vaccination is the most effective tool that the horse industry has been provided with in the fight against the deadly HeV. The decision to vaccinate requires careful consideration of the risk that HeV poses to your horses and to the people who own and care for them. In order to make an informed decision you also should consider the available information known about Equivac® HeV vaccination. Your Veterinarian is the best person to guide you through the decision making process.

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about Equivac® HeV vaccination of horses.

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Dr Nathan Anthony BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS Nathan is an Equine Veterinarian, a member of the Australian Veterinary Association HeV Task Force, he is involved with the Queensland Government interagency review of HeV Infection Prevention Advice, and he sits on the Pfizer Animal Health Infectious Disease Advisory Board.

What is the Equivac® HeV Vaccine?

Equivac® HeV vaccine is a 1ml vaccine that aids in the protection of HeV disease in healthy horses from 4 months of age. Horses will initially be vaccinated with 2 doses, 21 days apart, with the onset of immunity occurring 21 days after the second dose. The vaccine contains a non-infectious protein component of the virus.

How does the vaccine work?

The vaccine stimulates the production of protective antibodies. If the horse is subsequently exposed to HeV, the antibodies will bind the viral particles preventing them from establishing active infection in the horse. The viral particles bound to the antibody are then further eliminated by the immune system.

How effective is the vaccine?

Initial trials have shown complete protection when vaccinated horses were exposed to a lethal dose of HeV. All vaccinated horses were protected from disease and there was no evidence that infection had been established or that virus was shed from these horses. The trials show that the vaccine will be extremely effective in the prevention of HeV disease in horses and in the prevention of HeV transmission from horse to horse and from horse to human.

How does HeV vaccination of horses protect human life?

The only recognised pathway of transmission of HeV to people is from contact with infected horses. Vaccination of horses will therefore provide protection to people by interrupting HeV transmission from flying foxes to horses, and then to humans. However, widespread uptake of vaccine would be necessary for Equivac® HeV to have a significant impact on human health.

Is the vaccine safe to use?

Yes. Safety studies have been conducted in horses greater than 4 months of age, and these studies showed no significant adverse reactions associated with the use of Equivac® HeV. Minor side effects that have been reported include small injection site reactions (lumps) that are not painful and that persist for only a few days. Field data from approximately 8000 horses vaccinated to date indicates that only 0.2% of doses resulted in minor side effects following adminstration.

Can the vaccine cause HeV infection?

No. Equivac® HeV is not a live vaccine and it cannot cause clinical disease. Live virus is not used at any stage in the production of the vaccine. Equivac® HeV is known as a “subunit” vaccine, other “subunit” vaccines used in horses include Equivac® Strangles vaccines.

Can other vaccines be given at the same time?

There has been no safety work done looking at concurrent use of Equivac® HeV and Equivac® Tetanus/Stangles. This will be looked at in the future. It is however not expected that concurrent use of different vaccines would reduce the effectiveness of each vaccine component. The concurrent use of different vaccines may increase the chance of vaccine reactions such as minor swelling, pain and fever.

Can I vaccinate my foal?

Yes. Foals can be vaccinated from 4 months of age with 2

doses 21 days apart. Thoroughbred foals to be registered with the ASB must only be microchipped with an ASB assigned microchip.

Is the vaccine safe to use in pregnant broodmares?

There is no safety data available supporting the use of Equivac® HeV in pregnant mares, and consequently there are no associated label recommendations. The safety trials will take some time to complete and the data is not expected until 2014. For this reason, owners and veterinarians may choose to not vaccinate breeding stock.

Many Veterinarians and scientists do not expect that this vaccine will be problematic for use in breeding animals, as other subunit vaccines such as Equivac® Strangles vaccines are safely used in pregnant mares. However, the safety study data will be necessary to verify this prior to a label recommendation in breeding animals.

The decision to vaccinate pregnant mares at this early stage should be made on the balance of risk of HeV infection against the risk of possible vaccine related side affects on a pregnancy. Pregnant mares are currently being vaccinated in high-risk areas of Qld and any adverse reactions on pregnancy will be notified. This anecdotal information will be provided to Veterinarians. Some owners and Veterinarians may choose to vaccinate brood mares immediately after foaling.

Can vaccination adversely affect a horse’s suitability for export?

Yes it can, but only for export to certain regions such as Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the UAE. Currently export to Great Britain, Europe and America would not be compromised by vaccination. Each country of export will have their own specific import quarantine requirements. If a horse is a candidate for export in the short to medium term then the exact requirements should be ascertained through communication with Commonwealth DAFF and through international horse shipping companies prior to administering Equivac® HeV. Vaccination will result in antibodies that can be detected in a blood test precluding export to certain regions. The CSIRO have developed a test that can distinguish vaccinated from natural HeV antibodies (DIVA), this test is not yet available commercially. Once the DIVA test is available it will solve the export problem. Alternatively it is likely that some regions will implement policy that requires vaccination as a condition of quarantine prior to export.

Can vaccination have an adverse effect on performance?

This is very unlikely given how safe the vaccine is and the reporting of only minor vaccine reactions to date. However, in line with other vaccination recommendations, it is wise to avoid administering Equivac® HeV within 3 days of competition in case transient minor pain develops at the injection site.

How do I know if my horse should be vaccinated?

You should discuss the suitability of vaccination of your horse with your Veterinarian. From a public and equine health point of view, it is strongly recommended that horses are vaccinated against HeV in Qld and NSW where WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

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there have been a previous outbreaks. Horse owners in other areas need to take into account the movement of their horse, bat population density, and the interaction of the two species when making an assessment as to whether they should vaccinate.

How is the vaccine administered?

The vaccine may only be administered by an accredited Veterinarian via intramuscular injection into the side of the neck. Two 1ml doses are given at an interval of three weeks.

How many doses are required in the initial course?

A primary then a secondary dose exactly 21 days later are required to complete a course. It is condition of the APVMA permit that the second dose is given exactly 21 days later, without exception. Periodic boosters will then be required.

Why the strict requirement around 21 intervals between the primary and secondary dose?

This is a requirement of permit, and it is based on the clinical trials to date. As more data comes to hand this precise requirement may become softened. Currently there is no flexibility around the 21-day interval between first and second doses. It is essential that when making an appointment for your primary vaccination that you ensure your availability for the second dose, and make this appointment at the same time.

What is the duration of immunity and when do booster doses need to be given?

Booster vaccine doses will need to be administered either 6 monthly or yearly depending on the clinical trial work that is being conducted now. This information will come to hand in February 2013 prior to the earliest requirement for a booster dose.

Does a vaccinated horse need to be microchipped?

Yes. It is a requirement that all vaccinated horses are microchipped. If your horse is already microchipped it will not require a second chip.

How do I get my horse vaccinated?

Equivac® HeV is only available from accredited Veterinarians. There are over 1000 accredited Veterinarians in Australia who have completed training. Contact your local Veterinarian if you are interested in vaccination.

Why is this vaccine available from Vets only?

This is a condition of the Government’s regulatory body that registers Veterinary medications (APVMA) that has allowed the vaccine to come to market under a special permit. Only accredited Veterinarians can administer the vaccine. This is to ensure that the vaccine is handled and stored correctly, that only healthy horses are vaccinated, and to ensure that the requirements of the central data registry are upheld.

Is the vaccine likely to become an ‘Open Seller’ in the future?

No. Due to the public health benefit of this vaccination and the importance of a national registry it is not likely to become a non-Veterinary vaccine in the future.

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What is the cost of the vaccine?

Pricing will vary between Veterinarians and will depend on the number of horses and the location. On average the cost of the vaccine is not more than the cost of a shoeing.

Is the vaccine compulsory?

No. At this stage there is no mandatory requirement to vaccinate your horse. It may become compulsory in the future at certain industry levels to ensure the safety of people and the welfare of horses.

How can I prove that my horse is vaccinated?

There are two ways that HeV vaccination status can be verified; firstly following completion of the vaccination course a certificate will be emailed to you. Your horses will also be recorded on a central database with the microchip used to identify the horse. Accredited veterinarians and Government authorities have access to this database can check your horse’s microchip number against the database to check vaccination status.

Who can access the vaccination data on the registry?

At the moment only accredited veterinarians and government have access to the registry. It is very likely that read only access would become available to horse industry groups in the future.

Is there a way to differentiate infected animals from those that have been vaccinated?

Vaccinated horses must be microchipped and their details will be entered into a national register system. A vaccination certificate will be provided to the owner. If there is any confusion about the vaccination status of a horse involved in an outbreak of HeV, blood samples can be taken to differentiate naturally infected from vaccinated horses.

Is my horse guaranteed to be protected against HeV infection after vaccination?

As with all vaccinations, protection against HeV cannot be guaranteed by vaccination, however the clinical trial work to date has shown complete protection in vaccinated horses. As with all vaccines the animal’s ability to respond can vary and it is often reduced when the animal is stressed or unwell.

Do I still need to be vigilant?

Yes. Vaccination is not a replacement for hand hygiene, minimisation of contact with horse’s body fluids and extreme caution when handling sick horses.

Will a human vaccine be produced in the future?

This is unlikely. Fortunately, the vaccination of horses provides human protection. However, widespread uptake of Equivac®c HeV would be necessary for protection of human life.

Further Questions Contact Allison Domney Pfizer WA Repersentitive Call 0417 533 591

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M: 0477 945 006 | info@eprortho.com | www.eprortho.com WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

51

RIDING FOR DISABLED ASSOCIATION OF WA VAULTING

Vaulting is gymnastic exercises performed on a moving horse by vaulters individually, in pairs or in teams. Instruction begins and exercises practised on barrels until the coach is satisfied the movement can be performed on horse. It aims to develop and improve the vaulter’s balance, confidence and co-ordination and promotes co-operation and team spirit. Vaulters aspire to perform the optimum quality of exercise, with music, in absolute harmony with the horse.

Vaulting has been an important part of RDA Australia since 1989. Integrated vaulting programs were introduced as an alternative equine experience which focused on gymnastic exercises which met all abilities and encouraged participants to work together in a team environment.

In the early 1990’s vaulting was introduced at RDAWA Carine and later at an RDAWA centre in the Swan Valley known as WA Hippotherapy Centre.

From 2004 integrated vaulting has blossomed in RDAWA centres with programs offered at Nannup, Collie, Peel, Carine, Swan Valley and Bullsbrook.

RDAWA Vaulting competition has evolved within the State with annual events at the Bunbury Horse and Country Music Show in April and the State Championships at the State Equestrian Centre in November. Mini competitions are hosted during the year by individual teams.

RDA(WA) Vaulting Championships The 6th RDA(WA) Vaulting Championships were held at the SEC on 5th, 6th and 7th October. Seven teams represented by 79 entrants competed in individual, pas de deux and team events on barrel and horse over the two and half days. Angie Deeks, FEI International Vaulting Judge and EA Level 3 Vaulting Judge, officiated for the fourth consecutive year. Integrated teams from Bullsbrook, SwanValley, Stoneville, Carine, Nannup and Collie, as well as an EA vaulting team from Toodyay had a wonderful time not only competing but making new friendships.

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Vaulters are Leah Kuuse, flyer is Mia Martin and on the rump is Sian Glanny. Their horse is “Pablo” and coach walking along side is Jess Ross. The team is from Carine RDA Centre.

EA Vaulting Judge from Queensland, Angie Deeks with Pas de Deux winners Sarah Shooter and Paige Redmond from EA team “Ripplebrook” in Stoneville.

WA Equestrian Magazine January 2013 Issue 10

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