Q: How do you teach a horse to spin? A: A spin is a forward trot manoeuvre. The best way to teach the spin is to decrease the size of a walk circle as much as possible, allow the horse to straighten out the body and then step across the inside front foot with the outside…
Q: What is a grackle noseband? A: The grackle noseband is also known as the figure-of-eight noseband. The grackle is designed with a main pressure point at the crossover point on the top of the horse's nose. The straps pass through a slotted leather circle, which often has a sheepskin backing to prevent discomfort or rubbing.…
Q: When you import a horse, what is the flight like? Do horses find it very stressful? A: There is a variety of flight options available for horses. If a horse is coming in from Europe, the most expensive option is the direct flight from the origin to Johannesburg, while the cheaper option is to fly…
Q: Which conformational factors are considered important to look for in a riding horse? A: When looking at the conformation of the horse to assess his rideability, the following factors should be considered: The back and ribs A relatively short back is generally strongest for taking weight, as it has shorter, stronger coupling than a longer back. A…
Q: Is my horse built ‘uphill’ or ‘downhill’? A: Body balance is partly determined by the relative height of the croup and withers of the horse, but also by the positioning of the spine in terms of how high or how low the base of the neck is, and where the neck vertebrae join the thoracic…
Q: When is a pastern considered too short? Q: The pastern is the area between the fetlock joint and the top of the hoof, and consists of two bones: the long pastern bone, or first phalanx, under the fetlock joint, and the short pastern bone, or second phalanx, which joins with the coffin bone, the third…
Q: Do horses need water in the paddock? A: All horses need water in the paddock, even if they are only out for a couple of hours, and even in winter. Horses must have 24/7 access to water - they do not drink when we would like them to, hence, even if they have had access…
Q: What are the characteristics of the Nooitgedacht? A: The Nooitgedacht has gained popularity due to his train-ability, and amendable temperament, but at the same time has developed into a competition horse to be reckoned with. Affectionately known as Nooities, they have earned their place in the competition and social equestrian world. These days they range…
Q: Does my horse need short of long boxing boots? A: Boxing boots are worn when travelling and come in either a short or long version. Short boxing boots fit only around the cannon bones, and offer no protection to the elbows, hocks, pasterns or heels. Front and back long boxing boots cover the leg from…
The Tersk is a breed of horse originating in Russia from the 1920s. It was created to replace the almost-extinct Strelets Arabian breed. Of the Strelets Arabian breed only two stallions, both grey, and a few mares survived. To create the breed, these two Strelets stallions and the mares were sent to Russia to the…

