Horsetalksa

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.

21/07/2025

Water-soluble vitamins (B complex and Vitamin C) are not stored in the horses body and are readily excreted in the urine. These vitamins play crucial roles in various bodily functions and are an essential requirement of a balanced daily diet.

20/07/2025

When we nurture the nervous system, we nurture the whole horse. Through balanced nutrition, low-stress environments and mindful handling, you can help your horse remain calm, responsive, and connected. In turn, this enhances their physical performance, emotional resilience and trust.

The nervous system is the control center of your horse’s body—governing movement, coordination, behavior, sensory perception, and even emotional well-being. A healthy nervous system is essential for a calm, responsive horse capable of learning, adapting, and performing. Unfortunately, nervous sy...

13/07/2025

True horsemanship is built on empathy, understanding, and mutual respect. When we choose trust over fear, we cultivate conversation and partnership. In doing so, we nurture horses and riders who listen to one another and move, think, and grow together in harmony.

Training built on fear may produce short-term obedience, but it comes at a significant long-term cost—for both the horse and the rider. While fear-based methods may seem effective in forcing quick compliance, they undermine trust, damage confidence, and lead to lasting emotional and physical conse...

05/07/2025

Your horse's breathing is more than an indicator of fitness - it's a form of communication. Learning to connect and listen to it can unlock new levels of trust, rhythm, and performance.

Breathing is often overlooked in daily riding and training sessions, yet it plays a critical role in your horse’s physical performance, rhythm, and emotional well-being. A horse’s breathing reflects more than just fitness—it communicates comfort, stress levels, and muscular coordination. By tu...

02/07/2025

To clip or not to clip?🤔 A horses coat is designed to insulate it from the cold - thermogenesis (hair thickening) occurs in the winter to increase this insulating capacity. An important focus when clipping is to consider how to keep your horse's temperature balanced and healthy.