Full Gallop Equestrian

08/12/2022

Some of the ponies enjoying the nicer weather ☀️

06/08/2022

Horses are amazingly tolerant, giving creatures.

It unfortunately means they’re often exploited due to the ambitions of the human. After their basic needs are met, you must be very thoughtful in the training of your horse.

Your first duty is to preserve the purity of the paces. What does this mean? Walk has 4 beats, trot has 2, canter has 3, gallop has 4. ALWAYS. If not, something is wrong biomechanically, and your horse is at risk of injury. BTW impure paces can usually be detected in a photograph, even though it is only a “moment in time”, AND this applies to all disciplines.

Strapping a horse’s mouth shut with a crank/flash (or other) noseband very often contributes. The fact is, a horse cannot maintain full range of motion with his hind legs if he can’t move his tongue and jaw. FACT.

For jumping, if the horse bolts off - away from, towards, or after a jump, putting on a bigger bit and a martingale will not fix it. If a horse hesitates or stops, pulling out the whip will NEVER make him more confident.

These are just a few hints that your horse is asking for HELP. Go back. Consolidate the basics. Another wonderful thing about horses is they're retrainable. If you ignore the hints, eventually the horse will either break down, or will SHOUT to get your attention, and you will get hurt.

After all, horses are dangerous. We tell everyone that. But actually they are not. We wouldn’t be able to ride them if they were truly dangerous. You know what’s dangerous? People are.

Ponder this excerpt from Franz Mairinger’s book “Horses are made to be Horses”:

I recall an incident in Sydney when we had a lame horse with a very bad tendon, and the rider wanted to start the horse the next day. We asked Roy Stewart, the veterinary surgeon, and he said, ‘Yes, that’s the trouble. People always think that horses are made for man, but that’s not true. Horses are made to be horses’. I thought about that a lot, and decided that if I should write a book I would call it Horses are made to be Horses.

(Franz Mairinger was the first coach of an Australian Olympic Equestrian Team, his excellent book is out of print, but can occasionally be found second hand - buy it if you see it)

(Picture credit Thinking Art )

08/03/2022

Anxious or Calm? It starts off their backs.

I have watched thousands of humans deal with horses over the last 70 years. So much of how horses behave has to to with whether or not they are anxious or calm, and so much about whether the horse is anxious or calm depends upon how it is handled---I think---

Watch the way a good horse person catches a horse in a field, how they put the halter on, how they lead the horse, how they handle the horse on cross-ties, how they groom, how they tack up, how they mount, and then, after they are on the horse, how they warm up.

I don’t think with the better horse people you will see much drama. You won’t see yanking and snatching and slapping. You won’t hear lots of yelling. You will see quiet movement, almost deliberate handling, consistency, and when the horse gets tricky, like sticks its head way up to get bridled, there won’t be a big deal, lots of patience.

You won’t see the saddle getting slammed on the horse’s back, or the girth getting cranked tight, maybe the horse being kneed in the belly to “make him let out his breath.”
There just won’t be all that hassle and drama.

And once the rider IS on, you will see calm walking, no insta-contact, no feeling of rush or hurry, or frenzy.

All of this is not about riding skills or training while riding, but it is a prelude to that, and usually how you see a human deal with horses OFF their backs will give you a pretty good clue about what you will see when you watch them ride.

10/09/2021

Not long until the first foal is due 🥰

Muffy (Lander X Monopol) X Footloose (Fürstenball x Flemingh)

21/07/2021

Amigo having a jump today 👌

28/06/2021

Two of our gorgeous broodmares 🥰
Muffy (left) & California (right)
Muffy is in foal to Footloose and California to Liamant W 🤩

02/05/2021

Why we should ride young horses forward and down...

It is a commonly accepted training principle that we should encourage young horses to have a low head carriage. But why is this?

The muscles of the horses back are still immature at 3,4 and even at 5 years old. This is a combination of being developmentally (age related), and physically immature, in the sense that they lack the muscle condition which comes from years of training-induced exercise. Of course the maturity of their muscles will come naturally with time, and as we work them through groundwork and under saddle. But how can we get to this point, while protecting these fundamentally weak muscles and avoiding musculoskeletal injuries further down the line?

By utilising the passive ligament mechanism, we can allow the horse to support the back and carry the weight of the rider with very little muscular effort. This allows the epaxial muscles of the back to be free to perform their primary functions in movement, rather than acting as weight lifters.

The passive ligament system of the back is primarily composed of, well ligaments, the nuchal and supraspinous ligament to be exact.

The nuchal ligament is a strong, collagenous structure, originating at the extensor process of the occiput (the back of the skull), forming attachments to the cervical vertebrae, before inserting on the spinous process of the fourth thoracic vertebrae. Here the nuchal ligament broadens in the region of the withers, before continuing as the supraspinous ligament running along the top of the spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae and terminating in the sacral region of the spine.

This creates an inverse relationship between the position of the head and neck and the balance between flexion and extension of the spine.

Generally speaking, lowering the head induces flexion in the thoracic region (the back is lifted) and conversely, raising the head creates extension in the thoracic region (the back hollows/drops). This is because the elongation of the strong and elastic nuchal ligament created when the head is lowered, creates a forward traction on the high spinous processes of the withers, and travels through the supraspinous ligament to lift the thoracic region of the spine. Comparatively, shortening of the ligament raises the head.

This system has provided an evolutionary advantage to the horse, as while they are grazing, the weight of the thorax and abdomen is supported passively by the ligament with very little muscular effort over long periods of time (up to the 16-19 hours per day they can spend grazing in the wild). Equally, because of the stored elastic potential energy in the liagement when it is stretched for the head to be at ground level, the horse can quickly raise its head to gallop away at the first sign of a predator.

Furthermore, lowering of the head and neck, stretching downwards and forwards, straightens out the natural S curve of the horse's spine. This lifts the bottom of the S curve, the cervico-thoracic junction and the ribcage, which creates lightness in the forequarters when the horse is moving. Further back, flexion in the thoracic region, increases the spacing between the dorsal spinous processes as the most dorsal aspect of the spine is stretched out. This posture is particularly therapeutic for horses with kissing spines.

In fact, the degree of flexion of the back is most marked between the 5th and 9th thoracic vertebrae, but is also significant between the 9th and 14th. Consequently, the arching and lifting of the back takes place directly under the saddle and therefore works to support the rider.

This is particularly useful in young horses; it allows the young horse, whose muscles are not mature enough to carry the rider, the chance to support its back and lift the weight of the rider by moving the head-neck axis rather than using active muscle contraction.

This means that the horse can use its muscles solely for movement; creating a loose, swinging back, free of tension, and suppleness in the gait.

Here we have the opportunity for us to slowly develop and condition the epaxial musculature of the young horse. Which will create a foundation of strength and suppleness of the back and the core to support more advanced movements later in their career.

Comparatively, if this system is not used, and the young horse is pulled into a shortened outline, it is the Longissimus Dorsi muscle which takes up the role of supporting the weight of the rider. But theLongissimus Dorsi is not designed for weight carrying, it is primarily a movement muscle.

Muscles act in the direction through which their fibres flow; the Longissimus Dorsi works in the horizontal plane, originating in the sacral and lumbar region of the spine and inserting through the lumbar, thoracic and ending in the cervical region. The Longissimus Dorsi primarily acts to extend and stabilise the entire spine, while also acting unilaterally to induce lateral flexion of the back. You can see the Longissimus Dorsi in action when watching a horse moving from above; the large muscle contracts alternately on each side of the back in the rhythm of the gait to stabilise the movement.

Once the Longissimus Dorsi is required to lift the weight of the rider, the muscle becomes blocked and stiff. Muscles are designed to work through a process of contraction and relaxation; held too long in contraction (to carry the weight of a rider, or support a shortened outline) and the Longissimus Dorsi will fatigue. This will lead to muscle spasm and pain within the muscle. Not only will the horse lose the strength to carry the rider, but they will also lose the natural elasticity of the back which will reduce the fluidity of their gaits.

Over time with greater overuse and fatigue, the Longissimus Dorsi muscle will atrophy, requiring the recruitment of other muscles, such as the Iliocostalis, to take up the role of stabilising the back and supporting the weight of the rider. Other muscles which are equally not designed for weight lifting. And so the cycle continues and the performance of the horse suffers.

With this knowledge in mind, we can understand why it is so essential to make use of the passive ligament system, by striving for that forward and down head carriage. Furthermore, that we also allow our young horses regular breaks, working on a loose rein to allow our horse to come out of the outline, stretch out, and reduce the risk of fatigue.

I always marvel at the intricately designed systems of energy conservation to create efficiency in the horse's way of going. It is our role as a rider to have an awareness of and make use of these systems; to allow our horses to go in the most efficient and beneficial way for them possible, upholding their standard of welfare.

Image credit: Tug of War, Gerd Heuschmann

16/02/2021

Think the girls are enjoying Tassie 🤩

Left~ Sky in foal to Quint Horta
Middle~ California in foal to Liamant W
Right~ Muffy in foal to Footloose

30/01/2021

4 year old James’ Fascination
Maturing nicely 👌

22/01/2021

Why trainers PUSH horses TOO FAST

Klaus Balkenhol explains, "Although breeders have created a better horse, the market has created a demand for a stronger, healthier, more powerful horse. It's easier to sell a horse that looks like a carefully developed eight-year-old, and not like a three- or four-year-old just beginning his career. If you force it, you can get a three-year-old to physically look like a developed eight-year-old. Too many colts remain stallions which, if approved, promise breeders higher prices as three-year-olds. Now 250 to 300 young stallions are presented each year, when only 40 or 50 will be approved.

Few breeders have the sense to geld the yearling stallions and leave them on the pasture to mature naturally. Instead, yearling stallions are brought into a stall, fed too much grain, and at three, look like six- or seven-year-olds. They have muscle mass, but not enough bone structure to support it. They look mature from the outside but aren't . . . and when started to work, degeneration sets in. Competitions also create pressure to push horses too fast as competitions are now scheduled throughout the year without any breaks."

Common Mistakes In Pushing Too Fast
Tightening the noseband: "A horse resists by sticking out his tongue. Tightening the noseband too much puts pressure on the nose and on the poll. If it is necessary to tighten the noseband very tightly, then something has gone very wrong in the basic training of the horse. The horse cannot be relaxed, the first step on the training scale," warns Klaus.

Specializing too early: "Drilling every day in the indoor arena is too intense for the young horse. It's very important, especially in the first two years of training, not to specialize the young horse. Training should include a variety of activities, including trail riding, which is good for the mind as well as building strength with hill work. It should include jumping, either free or low jumps under saddle, including small natural obstacles on the trail, and cavaletti. A variety of work will allow the horse to stay mentally fresh and to enjoy his work. Only when the horse is happy can dressage become art."

Not checking tack frequently: "Saddle and tack need to be checked constantly for proper fit and adjusted as the horse's body changes with growth, and as his fitness improves with the training. If the noseband gets too low, for example, and the skin between the noseband and the bit is rubbed and becomes sore, this causes the horse discomfort and loss of relaxation. Regularly check for sharp edges and bit problems in the horse's mouth and teeth."

Working too long: "The goal of our training is to build the horse's mind and his muscles. Suppleness and relaxation require adequate muscle strength. strengthening requires both contraction and relaxation. Blood flow and oxygenation occur when the muscle relaxes. If the muscle is kept in a constant state of contraction, it loses power and strength, and actually becomes smaller. Frequent rest periods, especially for a young horse at a free walk on a long rein, are necessary. The rest periods are not for a rider's fatigue, but to allow the horse to stretch and relax his muscles. The rest breaks will give you a completely new horse. This is the systematic gymnasticizing of the horse."

Riding when the horseman is tense: "Horses are particularly sensitive to the rider's mood. A rider shouldn't ride if she is under undue stress or doesn't have the time to ride. If the rider has a bad day, give the horse a rest day or go for a relaxing trail ride; don't work in the arena. The horse mirrors the rider's mood."

Not praising the horse enough: "The horse must perform from joy, not subservience. Praising a horse frequently with voice, a gentle pat, or relaxing the reins is very important to keep the horse interested and willing. If the horse offers piaffe, for instance, because he's excited, praise him for it. You shouldn't stop the lesson at that point nor make a big deal out of it. If you don't want piaffe, quietly urge him forward into trot, but you should NEVER punish him for offering the piaffe. - Klaus Blakenhol

19/01/2021

45 day scan for miss V was all good!
Fingers crossed for a grey filly 😂🤞

24/12/2020

Liamant WDiamant de Semilly x Heartbreakerborn 2016approved by KWPN, Zridden by Elisah Aarts

15/12/2020

Sales prep
Schooling
Backing
& more

Have some space opening up and can finally take on some new client horses!

I offer the following services:
Sales prep, schooling, competition experience, backing and horse sourcing.

I have successfully worked with complete babies to high level competition horses and everything in between. Love working with the ones that can be a little “special” to ride.
Have worked with OTTB’s
Un broken WB’s
Green horses
Weanlings / Yearlings
As well as my own show jumpers and show jumpers over in Europe.

I have been coached by some of the best Australia has to offer and am now under the guidance of Queensland’s own Hayden James! Who is a very successful international showjumper & breeder!

My property has access to
- Fully lit sand arena
- Show jumps
- Regular chiropractor
- Regular farrier
- Holding & tack up yards
- Storage for hay & hard feeds
- Shipping container for tack.
- Well fenced paddocks with access to self filling water trough.

I believe in keeping my prices reasonable so that I can assist more people!

If interested please inbox me or text me on 0439184053 ☺️

Located 20 minutes south of hobart.

24/11/2020

10/11/2020

Chocolate’s sire Footloose looking amazing 😍

We have a Muffy (Lander X Monopol) and Footloose (Fürstenball x Flemingh) foal due at the beginning of next season!!
Muffy got the all good on her week three scan ☺️

07/11/2020

Same damline as Quint Horta 😍
We have two Quint foals due next season

One from Dutch Sky (Dutch Choice x Heir Presumptive xx)

And the other from our own Jasper Park Vienna (Valhalla x Flooding xx)

n preparation for the WEG, Lorenzo had to make up for lost time with Irenice, a Stephex ride he took over in June after her former partner, Belgium’s Zoé Conter, who produced the mare from a seven-year-old, was injured. At CHIO Aachen this summer, the pair was unexpectedly thrown into the deep en...

25/10/2020

Just a boy and his bear 🧸

24/10/2020

Love this girl 🦄
Jumping super tonight

Can’t believe I’ve had her for only 5 weeks!

24/09/2020

Amigo jumping great in today’s session!
Really loving getting to know this beautiful girl 🥰

09/09/2020

So just an update on the team and what we have been up to -

Fonteyne has her first comp of the season this weekend. She’s been working great and was apart of a photoshoot for Mollie McMaster (Equestrian Collective) so have some new stunning photos of her/ the new E-C apparel!

Chocolate has just come back into work after her 3 week break. She came back into work like she hadn’t even had a day off 🥰
She also popped her first “jump” of 30cm the other day and didn’t bat an eye!

Vienna is enjoying the retirement life, being spoilt and getting very fat 🙈 looking forward to her 2021 foal to Quint Horta.

We have an exciting new member of the team! Amigo Extrada M, a German imported mare who has jumped up to Grand Prix! She’ll be arriving next week 😍

Also still having work done around the property. This week having an extension added to the float park so we have an undercover tie up area, the arena has now been fenced, as well as finishing the wallaby fencing and building 4 more yards!
Looking forward to finishing the back paddocks in the coming weeks. Giving us a total of 24 paddocks 😍

09/09/2020

One of California’s babies 😍

We so proud seeing our home bred horses out and about, Bellini's Moonstone (Bellini's Boy X James' California) being produced beautifully by Johanna Barnes / Matt Afford as head coach.

10/08/2020

We are very fortunate to have two Quint foals due 2021 and more due in the years to come.

Just have a look at those lines 😍
Quint combined with our exceptional and talented mares
- Dutch Sky (Dutch choice X Heir Presumptive xx)

- James’ Fascination (Double cross Argentinus x Fürstenball x Flemingh)

Are going to produce some serious jumpers!
If you are wanting a top horse for the future then look no further.
feel free to contact Full Gallop Equestrian on

[email protected]
Or call 0439184053

09/08/2020

I have always loved mares. From my first cheeky little pony.
I love their strength, attitude and character.

They 100% aren’t always as chilled out as your geldings. They are hard to win over, definitely make you work for a connection/ bond and will always give you their opinion whether it’s wanted or not.

However - once you have a mare on your side they will do anything for you, It’s an amazing partnership. You don’t dominate them, you talk to them and create a plan together.
You listen to their opinions as they know exactly what they want and if you’re lucky enough to be able to understand them, then you as a team are unstoppable. Because once a mare decides what she wants, there is no stopping her.

Full Gallop Equestrian is fortune enough to have a number of amazing mares and more being delivered towards the end of the year!

~ Mares aren’t always well liked and for the same reasons strong women aren’t.

Opinionated? Those opinions are not without good cause and maybe you can't figure them out or maybe you just don’t like her opinion of you. Change it and she will always be on your side.

Stubborn? She just won’t let you bulldoze her. Treat her with respect and her resilience will be an asset to you.

Difficult? You just can’t handle her. You don’t have what it takes.

Stick with geldings then, and leave the mare for someone who understands her and appreciates the same qualities society has subtlety taught you not to like.

Here’s to mares, to strong women, and to those who CAN and DO appreciate them!

~ The Evolving Equestrian

Post a picture of you and the mare/mares that have made you not only a better rider but a better person!!

08/08/2020

James’ Fascination aka Chocolate

This little girl arrived yesterday from Queensland. Yet she acts like she’s lived here all her life! Never had such a well behaved, sensible baby. From the moment she arrived she’s been an angel.
Even stepping in for Vienna in our equine therapy sessions today, as well as having a little ride.

Very promising future ahead for this one 💕

12/07/2020

Some information about our newest broodmares and some photos of their previous foals -

All three mares are by Grand Prix stallions -

California is a 10 year old, stunning grey by Hector IMP. She produces sharp, careful jumpers with endless amounts of talent.

Muffy is a gorgeous bay who produces horses who can not only move but jump too. With her strong dressage / jumping lines from Monopol and Lander. They’re the ultimate performance horses.

Sky was successfully campaigned up to 1.35m before beginning her breeding career.
She has produced a number of foals who have sold either overseas or to World Cup riders.