Amaethon Welsh Sport Horses & Ponies

20/11/2024

https://www.espn.com.au/sports/horse/triplecrown08/columns/story?columnist=nack_bill&id=3399004&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2Vxee7l6wXfetDw1crP4kpm9j9FRBjcnyHcwDtBRHofd2e18HF-tjYFCw_aem_RqOq6XwBS-sG8pDlGl7MnQ

A great read. The Northern Dancer line is one of the most predominant TB lines that carries the Kissing Spine gene that is found in 68% of TBs now and is also found in Sporthorses through the TB crossing.

The real shame in Eight Belles' breakdown in the Kentucky Derby? Close watchers of bloodlines in thoroughbred breeding could have seen it coming, writes William Nack.

17/10/2024

Another of Diors foals born today 2015 Amaethon Vincento. (With mum). Again another one who looks just the same. Sadly Vinnie didn’t make it to Adult Hood. He just loved to jump and would jump from one paddock to another several times a day. Not long after this photo was taken he left one of his fetlocks in the fence as he jumped. There was not a mark on his leg so I thought he had got away with it but sadly he had damaged the joint so badly that he would never have been sound or comfortable and the decision had to be made to put him down. To think he would have been 9 now.

14/10/2024

The two Amigos. Amaethon Luciano ( yearling) and Amaethon Guilietta (3) by Arawa Romeo (SecD Welsh Cob) out of Duvautelle Warmblood ( Distelfink/Dynamit)

14/10/2024

When you get youngies out of the paddock one at a time for a brush and feed. Luciano was first. After his feed and brush I put him back and grabbed Guilietta. Halfway through munching on her feed I looked up and realised I was brushing a gelding. ( again) Luciano had switched on me and was halfway through eating her feed before I’d noticed. Even though he’s only yearling and she’s 3 they are pretty much the same size and I can’t tell them apart until I get up close. But not today. 😂

13/10/2024

Congratulations to Brooke and Fychan. Reserve Champion on the Flat and Champion over Fences at Waiuku PC Ribbon Day .

10/10/2024

Iago’s first jumping lesson. I think he’s enjoying a sideline career while I’m laid up.

08/10/2024

🌟 The Importance of Conformation, Movement, and Temperament in Selecting a Breeding Prospect 🌟

When it comes to selecting an equine breeding prospect, the decision is not one to be taken lightly. The future of your breeding program hinges on the careful evaluation of three critical factors: conformation, movement, and temperament. Each of these elements plays a vital role in determining the overall success and longevity of the offspring produced.

🔍 Conformation refers to the physical structure and appearance of the horse. A well-conformed horse typically exhibits balanced proportions, strong bone structure, and soundness in its joints. These traits are essential not only for performance but also for the health and longevity of the horse. Poor conformation can lead to a myriad of issues down the line, including lameness and decreased athletic ability. When selecting a breeding prospect, look for horses that exemplify ideal breed standards while also demonstrating functional athleticism.

🏇 Movement is another crucial aspect to consider. The way a horse moves can indicate its potential for various disciplines, whether it be dressage, jumping, or western riding. A horse with fluid, powerful movement is more likely to excel in performance settings. Observing how a horse moves at different gaits—walk, trot, canter—can provide insight into its athletic capabilities and suitability for your specific goals. Remember that movement is not just about aesthetics; it directly impacts performance and soundness.

💖 Temperament is perhaps one of the most overlooked yet essential factors in breeding selection. A horse's temperament affects its trainability, behavior under saddle, and overall suitability for various riders or handlers. Horses with calm, willing dispositions are generally easier to train and work with, making them more desirable as breeding prospects. Additionally, temperament can be hereditary; thus, selecting horses with good temperaments can help ensure that their offspring inherit these positive traits.

In conclusion, when evaluating potential breeding prospects, it is imperative to take a holistic approach that encompasses conformation, movement, and temperament. By prioritizing these key factors, you set the foundation for producing high-quality equine athletes that will thrive in their respective disciplines while also promoting soundness and good character.

Investing time in thorough evaluations today will yield significant rewards tomorrow! 🐴✨

06/10/2024

A great article to keep for reference
The too much inside rein ( in all gaits not only the canter) is such a common fault in a lot of riders resulting in a jackknifed horse. It was Sally Swift ( I think) that used the bend in the hose pipe and no water being allowed to flow through as a comparison. Kinked hose no power. It’s one I used all the time when teaching.

https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2018/11/sylvia-loch-rides-with-nuno-oliveira-modern-master/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3O3Ej-oFm2p5Fi05BM6wvTAvgtrgolgXMuAc1bAFgRooAsolPKtTsCplc_aem_ngrQBU6A3b73apo1OZzV2A

Sylvia Loch rides with Nuno Oliveira, Modern Master Posted on November 8, 2018November 8, 2018 by horsemagazine   The British dressage rider (and author) Sylvia Loch was long an admirer of the Lusitano horse, and not surprisingly she was enchanted by her time with the most famous modern Portuguese ...

02/10/2024

😱

Abstract OBJECTIVE The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the prevalence and severity of radiographic abnormalities of the interspinous spaces (ISSs) in the thoracolumbar vertebral column of unbroken yearlings and to compare these findings with a group of older trained Thoroughbred...

29/09/2024

OmG the pathetic excuses. Unbelievable.

Rachel Malcolm didn’t notice the welts and abrasions on the horse they were breaking in.

26/09/2024

Do we need any more proof?

**𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗟**

𝗡𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘁

MacKechnie-Guire, R*, Williams, J.M., Nixon, J., Fisher, M., Fisher, D., Walker, V., Murray, R., Clayton, H.M

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 (read without a subscription):
https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.14420

For the past four years, we have investigated the pressures beneath different nosebands when adjusted from 2.0 to 0.0 finger tightness (0.0 finger adjustment so that the noseband was touching but not compressing the skin).

Poor noseband adjustment could create high pressures that may risk pain or tissue damage. This study is a step forward in providing quantitative data relating to pressures associated with noseband type and fit when adjusted to various tightness’s.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀:

🐴No significant difference between noseband pressures when the noseband was adjusted from 2.0 to 1.5 finger tightness.

🐴Noseband pressures were highest on the mandible vs. the lateral aspect of the nasal bones.

🐴No differences were found in noseband pressures between the cavesson, flash or Swedish (crank) noseband types at 2.0 to 0.5 finger tightness.

🐴The Drop noseband had the lowest absolute nasal pressures (mandible pressures not measured) and significantly lower values than the other nosebands. We need to be mindful of the position of the traditional drop. More work needed.

🐴Noseband pressures were lower when ridden in trot, compared with when chewing a treat.

🐴Noseband pressures were cyclical (rise and fall) and not continuous – changing during the stride and the chewing cycle of the horse.

As always, this is a team effort. Thank you to our research assistants, riders, owners and horses.. Thank you to our funders, World Horse Welfare, British Equestrian, Canadian Sport Horse Association, The Worshipful Company of Saddlers and Hartpury University.

NB image taken from pilot testing and was not included in the main study. All noseband types are described in detail in the manuscript.

25/09/2024

This.

19/09/2024

***Zu Gast bei Anja Beran***

Nuno Oliveira sagt:
„Ich glaube, dass es zwei Arten von Reitern gibt, solche, die ihr Pferd recht geschickt wie ein Werkzeug benutzen, und solche die es lieben und die wollen, dass es alle Eleganz zum Vorschein bringt, die es nur haben kann.“

„Die ersten sind nicht weniger Experten als die letzteren. In Dressurprüfungen mögen sie gar überlegen sein, weil sie nie das Risiko eines Fehlers aufgrund eines Nachgebens der Hand oder zugunsten der Légèreté eingehen. Die letzteren sind immer in Gefahr die verkannten Meister dieser Kunst zu sein. Von der großen Masse der Reiter werden sie nicht verstanden, da diese den Unterschied in den eingesetzten Mitteln nicht erkennen.“

„Nur die letzteren genießen jenes echte Vergnügen, ein Pferd unter dem Sattel zu haben, das ohne Zwang mitarbeitet, wie ein Freund.“

An diese Worte musste ich sofort denken, als ich letztens an der Bande am Rosenhof stand. Der über 20jährige Hengst präsentiert sich voller Leichtigkeit und mit einem Eifer, den man so schnell nirgendwo findet - ein Erlebnis der besonderen Art!

18/09/2024

An interesting look at postures and musculature of horse’s development from a variety of causes

16/09/2024

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=957894029714884&id=100064828862426

Today, I fell to my knees with my head in my hands and just sobbed.

I had to just let it all go, as I am in despair at how many cases of preventable laminitis are coming into our sanctuary at the moment, with owners looking for help, 2 of which are so severe that the poor horses will have to be euthanised. :(

Every year, we see more cases happen earlier and earlier as the climate changes and spring growth kicks in even earlier than the year before, with some parts of the country hardly having a winter at all anymore, causing mayhem from yet more grass growth.

I often wonder what it will take to get the message through that the green growing grass is the main culprit that goes on to kill so many horses by causing them to develop laminitis, especially here in New Zealand, and none more so than at this time of year.

Please don't let it be your horse :(

Getting horses off full-time grass by break feeding or track grazing between now and after Xmas is the safest way to prevent the horrific pain and suffering that comes with laminitis. Feeding them with more low-sugar brown grasses, such as meadow hay is the best way to avoid the pain and upset to both owners and horses from the dreaded laminitis.

I hope this message will not fall on deaf ears, as I genuinely don't know how much more I can take after seeing such misery, suffering and unnecessary deaths in so many horses over the last 20 years.

So, please share, as we need to get this message through to stop any more horses suffering unnecessarily from this preventable condition.

PS-I see horses with great feet that are well trimmed by expert trimmers still get laminitis from the grass, so just keep that in mind, please folks, as in the vast majority of cases, it has much more to do with food than feet, though hoof care is still important for any horse.

Tracy @ Natural Horse NZ

14/09/2024

So interesting.

13/09/2024

This weekend, horse riders across Aotearoa will be taking to the roads to create and raise awareness around their vulnerability on the road.

Organised by Pass Wide and Slow New Zealand close to 50 awareness rides are planned over 14-15 September to promote the important messages and educate drivers around the following tips ⤵️

↔️ 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄: Give at least 2 metres space and slow down as you approach or pass.
⛔ 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁: Toot, shout, rev your engine as you pass or drive away.
✋ 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹: Take notice and follow the riders hand signals.
🛻 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴: Take extra care when towing, make sure nothing is flapping or making noise as this can scare the horse.

For more information about sharing the road with horse riders head to - https://bit.ly/4dYXlR6

12/09/2024

Interesting.

Below, two lumbars and sacrums with two very different stories.

The top specimen is from a standardbred/welsh 13.2hh pony who despite having ECVM made it to 25 with only a few minor symptoms. She was put down for laminitis and arthritis getting the better of her. Her lumbar and sacrum are the normal anatomy for this area.

The bottom specimen a 8 year old Thoroughbred returned from racing in Hong Kong shows a very common finding among my dissections. 60 percent based on my dissections across breeds but very common in mainly thoroughbreds. This guy has what’s known as a sacralised lumbar aswell as sacral spurs. The sacralised lumbar I believe is a heritable trait although there has been no study it is in humans inherited through genetics from parentage. In my opinion the sacral bone spurs are from early hard work when the growth plates between S1 and S2 are still open. The sacroiliac joint is made of two parts and if under load grows osseous bone to strengthen the area and can fuse to the pelvis.

In my opinion sacralised lumbar is a major limiting factor for performance as it appears to compromise the function and mobility in the hind end. These horses are very stiff and do not track up. They can’t take weight through the hind end joints well and have trouble engaging the pelvis. Secondary compensation is often an issue that goes along with this.

I’ve heard multiple stories now that insurance companies are not paying out on horses diagnosed with ECVM because it’s not an injury but an inherited trait that can limit performance. So it leads me to ponder….. how many heritable traits will strike off insurance claims in the future with further study into skeletal variations/malformations. Will this push breeders to think more seriously about skeletal conformation? Will insurance companies lead the charge on researching the limitations of these skeletal variations? Will genetic testing for heritable skeletal traits be the future of breeding horses for optimal soundness? Don’t forget that the gene for kissing spines has recently been found, will horses with kissing spines now be considered a heritable trait and not an injury.

Will this void insurance claims?

I have put together a video on my patreon page to explain further.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/skeletal-in-hind-111909060?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link