LET THERE BE LIGHT

Using light to optimise health and breeding cycles Text: By Charlotte Bastiaanse Ever wondered why foals are born during the summer? Horses are seasonal breeding animals, meaning that they prefer to breed during the light summer seasons. A horse’s gestation period is 11 months, so a mare will then foal down in the next summer…

BylizzieDecember 9, 20180Comments

Horse Channel

CONSUELO TRIBUTE – A GIFT FOR BREEDING AND THE SPORT

By Claus Koch In 1998, Sitta Voigts of Zonjati Stud asked Cord Wassmann, the chief judge of Hanoverian breeding, to find her a colt out of the Holstein Contender line. As requested, he bought her a Concerto 2 colt from Doris Hafemeister, the mother of the Olympic rider Dirk Hafemeister. Thus, Consuelo arrived in Namibia, but as…

BylizzieSeptember 26, 20180Comments

Horse Channel Know How Lifestyle

WHICH WAS THE FIRST RACEHORSE STUD IN SOUTH AFRICA AND WHO STARTED IT?

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he first Thoroughbreds were imported into South Africa in 1792 and informal races were held at Green Point, Cape Town from September 1797. The British governor of the colony, Lord Charles Somerset, imported a number of English stallions and mares in 1814 and encouraged other wealthy settlers to do the same. A government stud was…

BylizzieDecember 27, 20170Comments

Horse Health Know How

HOW OFTEN DO HORSES HAVE TWINS?

Veterinarians will typically recommend removing one of the twin embryos to maximise survival and well-being of both mare and remaining foal [dropcap]N[/dropcap]ature does not favour the birth of equine twins, and many mares will abort within the first 40 days of pregnancy. Of the mares who carry twins longer than six weeks, 80% will abort during…

BylizzieDecember 18, 20170Comments

Horse Channel Know How

What to look for when buying a youngster

A young horse is a rewarding investment if you're willing to put the time in [dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen you buy a young horse, you buy potential. The only thing a young horse can offer is his conformation, temperament and bloodline. Some young horses will be further along in their schooling and may even have gone to their first…

BylizzieMay 4, 20170Comments

Horse Channel Know How

Barry Taylor’s take on SA versus the rest

"I think we've improved immensely and we have some quality young European horses now [dropcap]H[/dropcap]aving represented his country too many times to remember, experienced campaigner and Team Nissan showjumping captain, Barry Taylor, says the equestrian gap between South Africa and the rest of the world is narrowing due to access worldwide to top-quality semen as well…

BylizzieJuly 29, 20160Comments

Horse Breed Horse Channel Know How

Breeding to sell

Most breeders get into the business of horse breeding because they have a deep-rooted love of the animals. The desire to understand their chosen breed and work towards constant improvement of the youngstock should be the fundamental motivation behind a good breeding programme. The belief that the commercial side of breeding will allow them the…

BylizzieMarch 14, 20160Comments

Horse Channel News Updates

Local colt fetches a cool R1.5 million at yearling sale

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] dream came true for two assistant farm managers at Varsfontein stud farm, Jaco Erasmus and his wife Carolyn, when they sold a thoroughbred colt for R1.5 million at the Bloodstock South Africa (marketing and sales arm of the of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association South Africa) Cape regional sale held at the luxurious Val de Vie…

BylizzieFebruary 26, 20160Comments

Horse Channel News Updates

Spotted Thoroughbred nabs three wins

Buchiko not only has looks, but seems to have talent as well [dropcap]A[/dropcap]n unusually marked white Thoroughbred mare named Buchiko has been making waves in the Japanese racing industry. The four-year-old has won three races and been second twice from 11 starts. Roughly translated from Japanese, Buchiko’s name means dappled girl. On racedays, her handlers wear spotted…

BylizzieJanuary 8, 20160Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

Artificial light for breeding

Artificial light assists breeding cycles in mares Horses are seasonal breeders – this is why most foals in the Southern Hemisphere are born during spring and early summer. Their reproductive systems depend on natural sunlight to function. Mares have multiple oestrous cycles throughout the warmer seasons of the year. When the seasons turn colder, a mare’s…

BylizzieJanuary 4, 20160Comments

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