Animado Equine

23/08/2024

You know you’re at Werribee when you see these…

03/08/2024

12 years on, and not much has changed. Just one generation... 😉
https://www.facebook.com/share/CNENV5UH7j194mC2/

What a story :-)
Nick Skelton, Ben Maher, Scott Brash, and Peter Charles secured the equestrian team jumping gold medal for Team GB during the London 2012 Olympics.

FAST FORWARD 12 YEARS - Maher and Brash have once again achieved Olympic champion status in 2024, this time alongside Peter's son, Harry Charles. ❤️️

31/07/2024

Scoring dressage tests well is difficult and I don’t envy the judges in Paris…
Having said that, I just want to say well done to William Matthew for his lovely forward and flowing test. Just a shame the judges couldn’t find the ‘7’ button until the test was nearly over. 🙄😩
His extended walk & trot were unrewarded and, unlike some more famous riders, his horse did actually extend his stride and his neck!
Another case of not being famous enough? Or is his national flag the wrong colour? 🤷‍♀️

Vent over, for now 😝

23/07/2024

Come on FEI, let this be a genuine effort to improve the lives of performance horses.

Horse wellbeing must not be set aside by ignorance, ambition or commercial interests. Each one of us is a guardian with a duty to ensure A Good life for FEI ...

19/07/2024

I’m not a customer of this bank, but this is good info.

17/07/2024

The study I read suggested 20% was too heavy. 15% is better. Lower is better still!
Get fit riders 🎉👏🏻

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆?

At Pony Club, our horses participate in various activities, and it's essential to consider their well-being. As responsible owners, we need to be mindful of how much work is suitable for our horses. Researchers have studied the ideal weight-carrying capacity of horses to help us make informed decisions.

As outlined in Pony Club Australia's horse welfare policy, the combined weight of the rider and saddlery should not exceed 20% of the horse’s weight. For example, a 13.2hh pony weighing 400kg should not carry a rider weighing more than 80kg with gear.

𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲'𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
If you're unsure of your horse's weight, you can estimate it using a tape measure and this horse weight calculator: https://bit.ly/3VZlPSm

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
Once you know your horse's weight, you can calculate its maximum rider weight using this handy tool: https://bit.ly/4d3nVHG. Note that this tool assumes a well-balanced rider, a horse at their ideal weight, and a properly fitting saddle.

𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆

𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯
A horse that can easily carry weight usually has a well-muscled, short back and thick cannon bones. This horse will have a lower centre of gravity compared to a horse with long legs and a long, weak back. Always consider your horse's build and adjust their fitness plans accordingly.

𝘍𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 & 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦
The fitness and balance of both horse and rider are crucial. An unfit or unbalanced horse will struggle to support the rider’s weight while maintaining its own balance. Similarly, an unfit rider—or one that is too tall for the horse or pony—can throw off the horse’s balance, leading to discomfort and potential injury. Ensuring both horse and rider are in good condition is essential for a safe and enjoyable ride.

𝘋𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 & 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬
Activities over rough terrain, for longer durations, and at increased speeds demand more effort from the horse. Only attempt such activities if both horse and rider are fit enough to handle the increased physical demands.

𝘌𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 & 𝘏𝘰𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦
Always ensure your equipment meets the needs of the activity. A properly fitting saddle distributes the rider’s weight evenly without causing muscle soreness. Regular hoof care is also vital; hooves should be trimmed to provide a balanced, flat surface for weight-bearing. For horses that wear down their hooves quickly or have thin soles, consider using shoes or protective boots based on professional advice from a farrier or veterinarian.

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲
Understanding your horse’s weight and the maximum weight it can carry ensures their welfare and promotes a long, healthy partnership. Always consider your horse’s physical condition, the demands of the activities you engage in, and the quality of your equipment to keep your horse happy and healthy.

12/07/2024

Nile Wilson is a British gymnast who has entertaining YouTube videos that I enjoy. (There is a lot about gymnastics that I can relate to riding 😁)
His wonderfully brave TEDX talk is worth listening to.
It’s all about the journey 🎉

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/WoZjfgUtd9rTZSbL/?mibextid=KsPBc6

10/07/2024

New Zealand has taken a bold and long awaited step. Nosebands are no longer compulsory in dressage in NZ.
I wonder how long it will be before some other countries follow their lead?
Well done Jodie Hartstone for getting this through.

https://www.facebook.com/share/k1932ag17scKLGA4/?mibextid=WC7FNe

A full round up of rule changes and remits will be available soon, but one rule change that is attracting a lot of attention both here and abroad is about nosebands'...
Nosebands No Longer Compulsory in Dressage in NZL National Competition
The recent ESNZ Dressage Conference (New Zealand) passed a rule change that nosebands are now optional in all levels of national competition.
A remit put to the Planning Forum in April 2024 proposed this change based on fairness to the horse, and rider choice. It was moved a rule change be considered at the Annual July Conference where it was passed by a 26-2 vote majority. It was agreed that in times of considerable public scrutiny of gear used by dressage riders, that to make a noseband optional was a step to demonstrate willingness to change years of tradition in dressage sport – back to the future when nosebands were not the norm.
The change became two pronged. The decision to not to wear a noseband was perceived to be fairer to the horse in the opinion of some, and this is undoubtedly true depending on the type of noseband used, it’s tightness, the correct training of the horse and the ability of the athlete. It is the tight / wide / poorly fitted noseband that has created much public debate and rightly so. We have all seen it at some point. This is about equine wellbeing and social license.
This rule change also gives athletes a choice – they can choose not to wear a noseband either because they believe it is better for their horse’s comfort, or they prefer the visual look of their horse’s face without a noseband.
Either way - it is immaterial – the decision is with the athlete. It is inclusive approach allowing athletes to make what they think is best noseband decision for them and their equine partner.
Sue Hobson
Chair
Dressage NZ (ESNZ)
10/7/24

21/06/2024

What an amazing photo of so many legends together.
What a family. 👏🏻

Olympic tribute No 1

Paris 2024 is not far away so we begin posting a few Olympic memories. With the Olympic torch making its way to Paris, we share a memory of the Olympic torch making its way to Sydney 2000.

Believe it or not, it started in 1999 in one of the Roycroft family's paddocks! (Western District, VIC)

How special too that this was the last time patriarch Bill rode a horse. Here, five Olympians - all Roycrofts - start the Sydney 2000 torch on its way.

Barry's words: (l to r): . Wayne (Patch) on Woolclasser, Clarke on Secret Song, James William George (Bill) on Last Tango the last time he rode; Vicki on Kaos, and me (Barry) on Sunbury Lodge Dusk.

Barry's wife Lyn adds: "We had to find a paddock without a thistle. Lucky we had five horses, enough gear and clean horses. The torch and minders arrived in a helicopter in the front paddock."

Photo: Barry Roycroft.

17/06/2024

This is the last week of the Push up Challenge and I’m on track, having completed over 1,500 push up (or alternate exercises, mostly core routines).
But I’m a long way from my fundraising goal of a mere $500 but for a great cause - Lifeline.
If you are in a position to contribute to helping achieve my goal, please do so TOMORROW when every one of your dollars will be met with another dollar. Making your contribution twice as much! 🎉

07/06/2024

Not much has changed over the last six or so years…
Animado Altanero, then and now. 💕

06/06/2024

Just a little excited to have a horse competing at Melbourne International 3DE. 🎉
Ok, so it’s just a young horse class, but we’re here!

01/06/2024

Six years ago Blue was gelded to give him a better social life, and I’ve never regretted that decision… until now 🤷‍♀️
If only I had a paddock full of this son of Blue. 💕. Animado Altanero was Blue’s last (surviving) foal, and he is just stunning. Good work Blue and Mandy 💕👏🏻

10/05/2024

Watching Badminton dressage.
Some lovely tests and some very tactful riding on these super fit horses.
But so many riders being unrewarded for good, quality movements that show correct training!
The pretty horses get rewarded higher than the plain ones, and having a famous rider helps as well. Tom Rowland did a lovely test but it was not rewarded as it deserved.
Rant over.
I love riding dressage, but the judging is so frustrating!
Now I’m off to pencil all day… I need to stay polite 😝😂

28/04/2024

Spoiler alert -
Kentucky 4* results...
Well done Ryan Wood (Aus) on 10th place in the 4*. Beautiful round on cross country, followed by a beautiful show jump round.

30/03/2024

Andalusians are such careful jumpers… 🙄🤷‍♀️

09/03/2024

So glad we planted trees for the horses to shelter under in this extreme weather. 🙄

17/01/2024

Great opportunity to get your head around the rules of our 3PE competitions. No travel required! 😁

Tuesday the 6th of February.

Rule updates and Q&A.

Zoom meeting at 8pm

To register contact Julie at HO for a link.

All HRCAV members welcome.🐎🐎

14/01/2024

How was your day? Hitting your riding goals?
It’s no surprise that I’m a keen rider. I try to ride every day, and I’m trying to keep three horses in work, while working full time. 😝
But I rarely succeed at these two goals!
Still, I keep aiming towards my goals, while recognising that on this day I need to aim lower.
Today - I was not in the mood for the mood my horse was in. 🤦‍♀️
So he got a feed, a quick groom, and turned out again.
That was the best I could do today. And I’m ok with that. 🤷‍♀️😏

31/12/2023

Hmm, this seems a little like censorship Pony Club Australia.
I have noticed this a lot recently on a variety of pages that come up on my feed. Pages avoiding controversy by deleting the offending post, rather than allowing respectful and thoughtful discussion.
Admins have the power to ban/block people who post offensive and disrespectful comments. How will riders learn to recognise good from bad, right from wrong, correct from incorrect, if the photos are not there and the comments are not open for discussion?
If there has been one lesson to be learned from American politics since 2016, and then Covid from 2020, it is that we need to be able to engage in debates on controversial issues without it deteriorating into infantile name calling and mud slinging.
What does science say?

Your thoughts? 🤷

27/11/2023

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/LSN3XXMdEfG73GQD/?mibextid=I6gGtw

A warning has been issued by Austin Davis Biologics (ADB) after recent research from the University of Kentucky raised concerns that “the first signs of another wave of anthelmintic resistance” may be emerging.

As a result, the United Kingdom has updated guidelines for saliva-based tests for horse parasites.

Anthelmintic resistance refers to the ability of worms to survive deworming agents that are normally effective at killing the same species of worms at the same stage. Natural resistance occurs as a result of worms that survive anthelmintic treatment reproducing and passing on their resistant genes to new generations.

Repeated anthelmintic treatments facilitate the survival of parasites with resistance as they don’t have to compete with as many other worms and can readily reproduce.

The key anthelmintics for controlling tapeworms in horses are praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate. However, a paper published in August in the International Journal For Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, described the apparent treatment failure of both drugs against tapeworms from a Thoroughbred operation in Central Kentucky in 2023.

Praziquantel eliminated tapeworm eggs from 3 of 17 horses. However, pyrantel pamoate did not eliminate tapeworm eggs from any of the 14 tapeworm-positive horses.

“This emphasizes the need for developing and refining antemortem methodologies for evaluating anti-cestodal treatment efficacy and for searching for possible alternative treatment options,” he said.

Britain’s Austin David Biologics Ltd, which developed equine saliva test kits for tapeworm control, says that the only drugs approved for tapeworm control in horses in the UK are praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate. Saliva testing can be successfully utilised by horse owners to diagnose parasitic infections to reduce the number of tapeworm treatments needed.

This approach can reduce the risk of wormer resistance as drug use is saved for horses with severe disease-causing burdens instead.

https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2023/11/16/advice-updated-evidence-tapeworm-resistance-horses/

05/11/2023

This is a young horse, ridden by a first class rider, struggling with being overawed by his environment.
Notice how the rider merely controls him, (not punishing him) and helps him find his way around his first course. That horse is now one of the top 5* eventing horses in the world, full of confidence and joy in his work.
(If only I could keep my position as well as Roz Canter does when this horse 'lifts off'!)
Take away? Ride the horse you have on the day!
It doesn't matter how good you are at home, in the arena, when the sun is shining and there is no wind... 😁
Ride the horse you have under you right now! 😎

27/10/2023

Excellent advice. This is an important skill for any rider.

17/08/2023

Last weekend HRCAV had their first TTT for 3PE. Well done Oxley for taking on the task of running our inaugural 3PE TTT.
Blue had some fun, and so did I 😄
We came third overall in Level 1, but Blue blitzed the field in the speed round by 18 seconds, even after bouncing his way through the double slalom. 🤣 He is doing alright for an 18yo. 🥰
If anyone wants to know more about the fun discipline of 3PE, or Working Equitation, as it is also known, please get in touch.

03/08/2023

It was a long wait, but it is good news, at least for those of us not personally affected by the horse deaths.
It is interesting to read the comments on the AgVic post. It seems many of the commentators would prefer there was another viral outbreak or similar crisis. How odd, to not want this good news.
So, check your horse's parasite burden, keep the weeds under control, and do regular body condition scores (BCS) to make sure your horse is not getting too fat, or too thin.

Current situation update for horse owners:

Agriculture Victoria’s investigation into recent sudden multiple horse deaths has concluded, finding nothing unusual or unexpected as contributing causes.

There are no links between the properties, nor is there a ‘mystery’ illness, or indication of any infectious condition that can spread between horses.

We would like to thank the horse industry, horse owners, veterinarians and other experts for their assistance during this investigation.

Please consult your private Veterinarian if you have any concerns about your horse’s health.

Visit our website for more information via: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/horse-situation

Please be mindful of what you share online, as posting misinformation can cause unnecessary alarm to horse owners.

01/08/2023

Looking for a great learning opportunity? The chance to watch an O-judge giving lessons to some of Victoria’s best riders?

Promoted to O judge at the beginning of 2021, British born judge, rider and trainer, Peter Storr, has represented his country in both world and European events, was Grand Prix national champion in 2000 and 2001, and has been awarded over forty major titles.
Retiring from competition in 2014, Peter spent eight years training the British Pony Team during which time individual riders won gold two consecutive years, and the Team won gold, silver and two team bronzes.
Invited to the 2023 CDI in Sydney, we decided it was a great opportunity to host a judge of his calibre at Wetterau, and we were thrilled when Peter was able to squeeze in a three day clinic on the 24th, 25th and 26th of September.
While riding spots are full, we feel this is a very unique opportunity particularly for dressage riders and judges, to learn from his instruction.
Anyone who would like to spectate during the clinic, please contact me to find out costs and to reserve a spot.
Thanks Sarah

27/07/2023

Here is the latest update from the Dept. Ag on the sudden horse deaths.

Agriculture Victoria staff are working with local veterinarians and experts to investigate the cause of multiple sudden horse deaths.