Horsetalksa

04/11/2025

What's wrong with Vaccinating?
Vaccinating your horse should never be just about following the rules - rather make informed decisions for your horse based on individual needs, risk and health and not the calendar. Your horse will thank you for it with a longer, healthier life.

In South Africa, where our horses face a variety of environmental challenges and infectious diseases, vaccinations are important for safeguarding equine health and ensuring the welfare of individual horses and entire herds. Understanding vaccines and vaccination protocols are important to be able to...

20/10/2025

A few years ago when I used to write about the state of general horsemanship I felt quite righteous about it - and I imagine many people who read what I had to write probably rolled their eyes and carried on with what they were doing.

When I put pen to paper now I am a lot more careful and considerate about what I write. No longer do I feel an outrage over what isn’t working. We are on the other side of a system that has been deconstructed, pulled apart, critiqued and rearranged with the positive highlighted and the negative exposed. The dust has settled.

Has much changed? Yes - attitudes, belief systems and entitlements have been challenged. There is no where to unconsciously hide. And so - I have a lot less to say. I just read a brilliant article today that made so much sense to me, that really communicated with clarity and purpose. No longer drowned out by the sounds of a cognitive dissonant system that was for too long unchallenged and out in first place.

And I’m excited - because I’m becoming a student again, in a space that is safe to learn and safe to be empowered in. Blazing along a trail of ethical and heart based horsemanship.

17/10/2025

Connection through the hands - soft contact
Connection through seat - light and balanced
Connection through feel - horse relaxed and attentive.

06/10/2025

2026 Equine Studies loading - and in good company.

02/10/2025

I'm making a concerted effort to go softer, not harder. To listen more, expect less and be grateful for every horse and human that I work with and teach - and that I learn from along the way. 🐎

There is something to be said about being a tough horse person - I don't want to be tough. 👊🏻

💪🏻 Strong is better - strength with gentleness

☝🏻 Patience is better - holding space with wisdom

🫶🏻 Kindness is better - allowing mistakes to learn without judgement

30/09/2025

Licence to Skill
“ Why do I need a qualification to teach or work with horses? Because, quite frankly - nothing is stopping me. I like the feeling of standing in the arena and giving instructions and advice - I can see that I am making a difference”

I have to be honest - I had a similarly questionable attitude to getting my professional equine qualifications. Now I find I am trying to encourage others along similar paths. A decade post grad with my eyes opened - qualified, coursed up and still constantly researching I feel a necessity to impart my knowledge to those that are keen to listen and who have the intention of making an improvement to both horse and human lives. I have along my path realised that education is the bridge that connects knowledge and intention with the right type of action. And simply said when you know more you give yourself the tools to do better. This is the only way to know that you are actually making a real difference.

The alternative to working with knowledge is ignorance with entitlement. Ignorance, coupled with the will to do whatever you want is a breeding ground for the seeds of cognitive dissonance - for yourself and those around you. The responsibility to impart and share true and correct knowledge is the flag that a committed equestrian professional should fly - a flag in the hand and a feather in the cap.

For those who are serious about a career with horses - a proper education is vital because it improves horse welfare by teaching evidence-based management and learned theory, leading to safer and more ethical practices. Working with, riding or therapy with horses also benefits human wellbeing by improving confidence, communication, and life skills that include conflict resolution, stress management and self-control. And on the whole strengthens the industry by producing resourced professionals and skilled labor.

For Horses
• Improved Welfare
Equine education ensures horses are treated in according with their basic needs and reduces stress from poor handling. Creating an awareness on how different environments and management styles affect the horses wellbeing and going a long way in injury reduction and prevention.
• Effective Training
Allows for more humane and effective training methods, preventing training-related issues and improving performance. Creating a base of knowledge to understand the difference between training issues, behavioural and pain related issues. Teaches the ability to identify, manage and mitigate stressful situations that could negatively impact the horses well being.
• Enhanced Safety
Educated handlers can better understand horse behaviour and recognise their emotional states, learn to observe body language and understand basic ethology - leading to safer interactions and reduced injury risk.

For People
• Personal Development
Working with horses helps to improve self-awareness, confidence and communication skills as well as enhancing relationship skills. it is hugely empowering.
• Professional Skills
The roles within the Equine field are many - an equine education provides specialised knowledge and skills for careers in the horse industry, from care and management to training in essential service provider roles.

09/09/2025

In a fast paced industry people wonder why horses become unfit for purpose at an early age. Early starting and over exertion is only one factor - but a primary one to contemplate. What are we breaking down before we are building up?

08/09/2025

Magnesium is essential for maintaining proper muscle function, nerve transmission, mood regulation, and metabolic health. As a supplement magnesium can significantly improve performance, recovery, and overall temperament.

Magnesium is one of the most essential minerals in a horse’s body, playing a critical role in hundreds of physiological processes. Yet, it’s often overlooked in equine nutrition. From muscle function and nerve transmission to mood regulation and metabolic health, magnesium is the quiet workhorse...

28/08/2025

Congratulations to - Eden Leibov, Carla Fall, Charlotte Franklin, Monique Fourie and Noo Charter for successfully completing and passing their M2 exams. To Danielle Boshoff for her brilliant M3 results and Keilah Johns for passing M1.

Such a brilliant and diverse group of talent.
Onwards and Upwards. 👏🏻 👏🏻

21/08/2025

Thoroughbreds possess immense potential, heart, and character as general riding and competition horses. By acknowledging common injuries sustained during racing and providing thoughtful remedial care, new owners can see them flourish well into their next chapters.

Transitioning a racehorse into a new career can be a rewarding experience, but it often comes with physical challenges. Racehorses are trained for high intensity, repetitive movements that can lead to specific musculoskeletal issues. Understanding the most common injuries these horses face – and h...

06/08/2025

A horse's personality cannot be defined by a single feature, but whorls are more than just an interesting facial pattern - they may reveal aspects of your horse's distinctive mental disposition.

Every horse is unique—from its conformation and gait to its personality and quirks. But one physical trait that often sparks curiosity among horse owners is the whorl—those spiral patterns found in a horse’s coat, usually on the face and body. Known as “cowlicks” in other animals (and huma...

04/08/2025

When a horse trots, the extensor muscles extend, propelling the horse forward. At the same time, the flexor muscles flex, allowing the foot to lift off the ground.