Maungatua Equestrian

26/08/2024

These cuties 🥰🥰
Precious and Summer ❤️

07/08/2024

Standing at stud again this year from the 7th October to the end of December to a limited number of mares 🥰 Get in touch if you want to breed yourself a Golden Strike baby
📧[email protected]
📞0273797817

Golden Strike
Good things come in small packages and this boy certainly won't disappoint. Being officially measured at 149cm he suits a wide range of mares. His beautiful colouring makes him stand out in any crowd, but it's his impeccable temperament and fantastic paces that truly are outstanding. His pedigree features many top Dressage and Jumping lines from international German Riding Ponies. He passes down to his progeny an amazing temperament, trainability, great conformation, movement and athleticism. He gained his NZWA Breeding License during the 2018 NZWA Classification Tour and has been upgraded to a 3 star stallion for exceptional performance in sport. He has also been tested to be a non-carrier of the WFFS gene.

If you would like to know more information or contact details please refer to his page on our website at:
https://www.nzwarmbloods.com/NZWA-Stallions/NZWA-Stallion-Search/ArtMID/1148/ArticleID/304/Golden-Strike-NZWB-Pony-Studbook

07/08/2024

Imagine a world where dressage scores were awarded for the most ethical performance? The lightest of pressures, the most self-carriage, the least amount of gear, and so on.

As in other sports, many horse-owners, trainers and riders will arrive at a choice between doing something ‘bad’ that may increase their chances of winning, or not doing it and relinquishing the possibility of first place.

It may be a decision about using a gadget or a drug, withholding food or water, or hurting the horse.

The extent to which sport horses are coerced to perform is often the focus of welfare debates. Equitation science will be able to play a vital role in deciding the outcome of these discussions, and, particularly in dressage competition, emergent technology will remove subjectivity from judging and will underpin the development of high-welfare dressage.

The sport of soccer has set an excellent example of how judges’ decisions can be supported by technology (e.g., by introducing goal-line technology to increase objectivity of judges’ decisions when keeping scores).

Equestrian sports that involve judging decisions might be well advised to learn a lesson from the progressiveness of other sports and science may be able to help us value training of any manoeuvre that is dependent on and achieved through lightness of pressure (i.e., attesting to self-carriage and the horse’s self-maintenance of rhythm, straightness and outline).

Equitation Science, 2nd Edition, Andrew McLean, Paul McGreevy, Janne Whinther Christensen & Uta König von Borstel

22/07/2024

So true. While sometimes it is a training issue majority of the time bad behavior is more a result of pain or from knowing that something was painful. Please get your horses checked by an equine vet that you trust. Always remember that just because things aren't found on xray doesn't mean there is nothing there and the horse has been given the "all clear" pain could be nerve or soft tissue pain as well. Listen to your horse!

A while ago, I was sent a pony for schooling that had napping (not wanting to go forward) and contact issues.

Upon its arrival, I did a through check over of its body and quickly found wolf teeth present (which cause major contact issues) and a bony change in its knee. Because of its wolf teeth, schooling was pointless at this stage, but I also wanted to investigate the knee further before doing any more work with the pony.

When I asked the owner if I could have the pony flexioned and xrayed by a vet, she told me that the pony was only going to be a kids pony anyway, so the knee wasn’t a concern for her. Yet the pony was showing significant napping behaviours, a behaviour that only presents when a horse associates major discomfort with what is being asked of them. And I had a strong feeling that, like most poor behaviours, the issues for this pony were pain related.

Because I wasn’t prepared to work with a horse I didn’t think was structurally sound, I paid for x-rays myself and the findings weren’t good. The pony had several bone spurs in the knee and substantial arthritic changes. More than enough findings to suggest that ridden work was extremely uncomfortable for it and retirement was the kindest option at that stage.

Sadly, this is an issue I see frequently when working with horses with behavioural issues. Most commonly, an owners first ‘go to’ is to have the horse ‘trained’ through the issue, but most of the time the problems we deal with as riders and handlers are not a training issue, but rather a discomfort or pain issue. Sure, a dominant trainer can override the issues for a while, but it doesn’t actually fix them and it severely affects the welfare of the animal in the process.

Before a behavioural issue is addressed through training, the horse should be well evaluated by an expert; including having their teeth checked, feet rebalanced, tendons flexed, legs and spine xrayed, scoped for ulcers, eyes checked, blood tests, seen by a chiropractor or body worker, properly saddle fitted and bit changed and then an assessment of the rider should be made to see where mistakes might be happening in their training. Even if nothing is found in these checks, you cannot rule out deeper pain issues such as adhesions, tumours, muscle tears, reproductive issues, misalignments, digestive issues etc. which can be nearly impossible to find without an autopsy or highly specialised appointments.

At the end of the day, horses are extremely willing and forgiving animals, so if they keep expressing poor behaviour, it is just because the cause of that behaviour has not yet been diagnosed and fixed. We always try to live by the statement, ‘Find the solution, don’t punish the symptoms.’ All behaviour is a form of communication and it’s our job to figure out what our horses are trying to say.

12/07/2024

Please like and follow my new Stud Page, especially if you would like to see updates on cute foals and Golden Strike this coming breeding season 🥰

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560663827546&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Arbek Pony Stud based at Maungatua Equestrian ❤️

Pet breeder

11/07/2024

Reason A, B, C and D as to why I don't like removing covers in winter 🤣 thank God for a clipped pony and a magic brush 🤣

04/07/2024

When the feed out wagon doubles as a bed 🥰 Marley enjoying his wee snooze in the sun 🌞 💤

30/06/2024

Bob helping teach this morning, pity the light ruined my photo 🤣🥰 such a cold start to the day, but thankfully the blue sky and sun 🌞 are coming out for the afternoon

13/06/2024

This explains so many issues with just adding in a bigger bit. 100% your horse needs to learn to slow when the reins are applied.. there is no point adding a bigger bit when your horse has no idea what rein aids actually mean.

Why don’t I just sell you a stronger bit?!
Often times I have riders insisting their horse needs a stronger bit.
When it comes time in the bit fitting to check the horses understanding of the ‘stop’ and ‘follow’ rein responses, there is misunderstanding there, 99% of the time.

Teaching a horse to slow from a seat aid is definitely the aim of the game, however they first need to learn to stop/slow the legs from a rein aid.
If not, you end up with a horse confused about what the bit does.

Generally these horses, unless held with rein pressure, will get faster and faster. More rein is applied, then you have an out of control horse, or at worst, a bolter.

Instead of creating pain with a stronger bit- we need to explain the stop aid clearly to the horse.

In the case of an OTT (and green horses), they have been trained in a specific way, to do a very specific job. This doesn’t always involve installing a stop button!
I liken it to your horse knowing Chinese (different training) and you’re communicating in English. Yelling at him louder (with a stronger bit) doesn’t equate to him understanding.

So first you need to teach him the English alphabet. Rein means stop, leg means go.

Then you make words- stop from a walk, stop from a trot etc.

Then you form sentences- half halt, longer steps/quicker steps, slow within a pace, keep a rhythm.

Then you make a paragraph- teaching the stop/go from subtle body cues.

No horse gets to Grand Prix Dressage by not understanding the basics….mostly!

This is why rhythm is at the bottom of the training scale. It cannot be achieved by holding your horse back with the reins.

But it all comes back to basics.
If they don’t know the right alphabet, how can they be expected to go out and do a showjumping round? This is the equivalent of an English exam!

So next time you reach for a stronger bit, have a conversation with your horse- “do you understand what I’m asking?” You might find some training holes there.

***** I am discussing the most common situations I see in bit fitting. There are horses out there trained purely on seat and leg aids- that’s fine, but it’s not what I see every day******

04/06/2024

Golden Strike 🥰 forever the best boy ❤️

28/05/2024

Brother, Sister love ❤️

Both by Golden Strike out of Voyair

28/05/2024

There is one free lesson this Saturday at 10.15am on your own horse. This is my only free space this weekend however there are still spots available for kings birthday 🎂

Book in on the booking system
👇👇👇
https://bookings.gettimely.com/maungatuaequestrian/bb/book

27/05/2024

We know it's feeling wintery when Wilbur will let me put his rug on 🤣🥶🧊☃️

He's looking pretty cute with his winter buddy Arna 🥰

23/05/2024

Sawdust? Check. ✅️
Stables ready? Check. ✅️

Now, who's excited for the wet and chilly weather? 😅 🧊☃️🥶☔️

21/05/2024

Rainy day winter planning..

Trying to plan winter lessons for kids and think I might do a Saturday or Sunday afternoon of a winter training programme. Each week being a different type of lesson- Dressage tests, Jumping, working equitation, flatwork for jumping, pole work, fitness work.

6 afternoons over winter from 2pm-4.30pm -( dates to be decided) $250 for all 6 afternoons for 2.5 hours - limited to 6 riders- preference to kids off the lead and capable of Walk/Trot/Canter
Can run multiple levels if enough interest. 2x school horses available for hire (extra $60)

Group of 3- 45 minute lesson plus watch other group lesson
45 minute theory session (different each week)

Whose keen? Pm me!

18/05/2024

Mocha today in my lesson with Jacqui Van Montfrans ❤️ she has come so far in the last 5 lessons with Jacqui spanned over 3 months. So super proud of her and the strength she is gaining and the uphill through her shoulders we are starting to get. It's a long game, but one I am willing to play if we keep getting these results.

I have a few wonderful coaches that help me on my journey and not only teach me how to ride but they teach me how to teach better too. I love how my team of coaches all have a similar style of teaching and I can continue to learn without getting confused over riding techniques... find your tribe ✨️

16/05/2024

Rainy cold day cleaning some gear before my lessons with Jacqui Van Montfrans tomorrow and Saturday. Looking forward to Jacqui meeting Golden Strike for the first time and putting a winter plan together for his rehabilitation back to competition level and hopefully seeing the progress Mocha has made in the past 6 weeks since she last saw her.

What gear cleaning method do you use? I normally get camp kids to clean my bridles at camp but they were definitely overdue!!

15/05/2024

Limited spots available for Sunday afternoon horse riding lessons, on your own horse!

Book now to secure your spot!📔

❄️☔️Winter is a time for training! Pm me if you want to book a regular time slot so you guarantee your weekend training session no matter the weather! ❄️☔️

05/05/2024

🦄 Riding School Notice🦄

We regret to inform that our riding school no longer offers a children's size pony for booking. All current children have been switched to Arlo for the time being. Please follow our page to stay updated on when a children's size pony will become available for new riders.

Bec

29/04/2024

There are limited weekend lessons available this week, so please book online to secure your spot!
We have plenty of after-school and during-the-school-day lessons available, whether you prefer to ride your own horse or one of ours, we have something for almost everyone!

💐New start of term, maybe a new hobby to get you started!💐

26/04/2024

Ah Min.. that's not quite where we stand at the hitching rail 🤣

18/04/2024

When you love your float so much you take it to your wedding 🥰🥰
Areion Horse Floats & Custom Trailers

16/04/2024

Arna, that fence was meant to try stop you from going in that shed 🤣🤣🤣
Need to get a gate that fits this shed lol
Self feeding it is then 🤣

15/04/2024

School Holidays camp.. unfortunately this holidays I am running a little thin (in both paddocks and energy) so instead of doing my usual overnighter I am opening up to 6 riders on their own pony and 1 rider on one of mine each day to do a day program. Bring a packed lunch and morning tea :)

Day 1 Monday 22nd April
This is aimed at the bigger kids (13 and up) wanting to so a mixture of dressage and jumping, a private dressage lesson in the morning followed by a group jumping lesson in the afternoon. 9am-5pm (I can provide 2 school horses for this group)

Day 2 Tuesday 23rd
Aimed at the younger kids who are just starting out and wanting to grow confidence, a mixture of everything covered from games and poles and hacking as well as some horse management. 9-5pm

Day 3 Wednesday 24th

Aimed at all the middle kids 😅 the kids that are just starting to get competitive, can ride and tack up without assistance, we will be doing dressage lessons as well as a jumping lesson, work on horse management and go for a farm ride. 9am-5pm (I have 2 horses available for this day also)

If you have any questions about what day is best for your child to go in please make sure you message me. But you will have to be quick, spaces are limited!
$115 (inc gst) per day on your pony
$135 (inc gst) per day on one of mine

07/04/2024

Oh I love these wee bits of information Pony Club Australia give 😍 I could share and share this post! Once you start grabbing for more equipment and stronger bits it's so hard to go back to softer equipment. We just need to take a little bit longer to solidfy basics before we jump up a level which then may force you to use harsher equipment to get the job "done"

Once you use tools with plenty of leverage to control your horse, it is hard, or even impossible to go back. There are several forms this can take, including running gags, bits with long shanks and chambons; today we are looking at running gags.

In the words of former US Olympian Denny Emerson:
‘Leverage creates constriction and it can also create plenty of pain, and there is nothing that the horse can do about it except to submit.

If your idea of training involves creating pain and inescapable force, leverage is your go-to solution. If your idea of correct training involves creating calm, responsive reactions and responses from your horse, you will avoid leverage like the bubonic plague.

Leverage certainly works, have no doubt about that. Leverage works so well that horses learn to do anything to avoid the pain, and it becomes very difficult to get a leverage trained horse to ever have calm and normal responses.

The best trainers almost never use mechanical leverage. The worst trainers use it daily. You have a choice.’

Denny Emerson writes a Facebook column called Tamarack Hill Farm.

Our own patron Andrew McLean of Equitation Science International - ESI has done a webinar on 'Kind Solutions for Strong horses'
https://youtu.be/1CF5N3deW7E .

See more about bits and leverage on p54 of the National Gear Rules.

https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/National-Gear-Rules-JANUARY-2024-marked.pdf