SMART HORSE: Contents

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TESTIMONIAL JAN DAVENPORT

SMART HORSE

INDEX

PART 1 DRESSAGE

PART 2 JUMPING

PART 3 SHOWING HORSES IN HAND           

            SECTION A: SADDLEBREDS           

            SECTION B: ARABIANS   

           SECTION C: VARIOUS BREEDS

PART 4 ENDURANCE 

PART 5 SADDLEBREDS

PART 6 TENTPEGGING

PART 1 DRESSAGE

INDEX

CHAPTER 1 THE CLASSICAL SEAT AND BALANCE

The back and pelvis – be flexible. Developing the desired seat. The legs. The upper leg. The lower leg. The leg aids. The hands. Correct position of arms and hands. Using the seat. Using the seat bones. The seat bones and collection. Summery

CHAPTER 2 AN UNDERSTANDING OF EQUINE PSYCHOLOGY

The first point. Secondly, horses learn by association. Thirdly. In the fourth place. The fifth point. The following point (sixth). Point number seven. The eighth point. The ninth point. Lastly.

CHAPTER 3 TRAINING THE HORSE: SUPPLENESS

Two types of suppleness. Exercises to supple a horse. Further reading.

CHAPTER 4 TRAINING THE HORSE: STRAIGHTENING THE HORSE

Figure 8. Serpentines. Leg yield.

CHAPTER 5 ON THE BIT

Effect of the seat. Developing the desired outline. Steps to supple your horse and round him up.

CHAPTER 6 SHOULDER IN

Advantages. Preparing for the shoulder-in. Aids for shoulder-in. Beginning the shoulder-in. Mistakes to avoid.

CHAPTER 7 LEG YIELD

General mistakes. Benefits. Aids for the leg-yield. Leg-yielding to the right. Additional exercises.

CHAPTER 8 THE HALF HALT

Where to apply it. Executing the half-halt. The half-halt in practice. Bear in mind.

CHAPTER 9 THE REIN BACK

The correct rein back. The aids for rein back.

CHAPTER 10 THE SITTING TROT

Preparation. Lunging. Benefits of lunging and the sitting trot. 5 Balancing exercises.

CHAPTER 11 LUNGING YOUR HORSE

Purposes of lunging. Getting your horse to move off. Controlling the pace. Respect and disrespect. Lunging with bridle, side reins, surcingle or saddle.

CHAPTER 12 REFINING THE BASICS

The most crucial of all building blocks. Responding to aids. Contact. Long and low. Half-halt for the green horse. Transitions. Medium pace. Correct rhythm. The purpose and influence of the Piaffe. Qualities of the ideal Piaffe. Preparation for the Piaffe. Aids for the Piaffe. Teaching the Piaffe – different ways of teaching the Piaffe. Improving the Piaffe. A calm and regular Piaffe. Straightening the horse. Piaffe anywhere in the arena. Piaffe in the right posture. Piaffe with more collection. A more brilliant Piaffe. Piaffe Pirouette. Transition from Piaffe to Passage. Sound advice. Enhancing the engagement of the hind quarters, and height of hind and front legs. The relationship between Piaffe and Passage.

CHAPTER 16 THE PIROUETTE

The ideal Pirouette. The aids for the Pirouette. Teaching the Pirouette. The walk Pirouette. The canter Pirouette from the walk. To teach the Pirouette starting from the canter. Sound advice.

CHAPTER 17 SELECTING A DRESSAGE HORSE by Candice Hobday, a leading South African Dressage trainer

In this article we will discuss the first two points:

  1. Select the right horse:

                1.Temperament                

                2. Conformation                

                3. Movement                

                4. Compatibility

There are two definite types of Dressage horses:

  1. Amateur horses
  2. Professional horses

       2. Keep him healthy

PART 2 JUMPING

CHAPTER 1 THE JUMPING POSITION

Between jumps. Riding position between fences. Position over fences. Diagrams and photos to illustrate correct position.

CHAPTER 2 COMMON PROBLEMS WITH JUMPERS

First problem: Horse refuses to jump, jumps hesitantly, or stops before the fence.

Problem 2: The horse hesitates or slows down as it approaches the fence.

Problem 3: Rushing towards and over the jump.

Problem 4: The horse runs away after the jump.

Problem 5: Over excited and over fresh.

Problem 6: The horse leans on the bit, resists the aids and rushes the fence.

Problem 7: The horse approaches the fence in a crooked line.

Problem 8: The horse jumps from a corner instead of straight through the middle of the fence.

Problem 9: The horse is tensed up and is hollowing over the jump.

Problem 10: The horse is careless and constantly hits the poles.

CHAPTER 3 TRAINING THE JUMPER

Session 1. Session 2. Session 3. Session 4. Session 5. Making the jump higher.  

PART 3 SHOWING HORSES IN HAND

SECTION A

SADDLEBREDS

 CHAPTER 1 SELECTION CRITERIA FOR SHOW FOALS

CONFORMATION

Head. Neck. Shoulder. Chest and rump. Back and loin. Croup and hind quarters. Hind legs. Front legs. Hooves. Coat. Mane and tail. Expression. Movement. General appearance. Breeding for halter classes. Making a selection.

CHAPTER 2 PREPARATION FOR HALTER CLASSES

Step 1: Join up. Getting the halter on. Desensitizing. Moving and positioning the colt. Positioning and being led.

CHAPTER 3 TRAINING, CONDITIONING AND SHOWING

Haltering and commencing show training. Feeding. Training. Finishing off. Shoeing the weanling. At the show. Parasite control and conditioning. Loading.

CHAPTER 4 TRAINING, SHOWING AND CONDITIONING THE YEARLING

After the weanling shows. Shoeing. Training. First stage of conditioning and training. Serious training. Fine tuning. General advice. Showing.

CHAPTER 5 TRAINING OF SADDLEBRED FOALS FOR HAND CLASSES

By C.J.du Plessis, breeder, trainer and exhibitor of numerous S.A.Champion Saddlebred in hand classes. Many times judge of South African National Saddlebred Championships.

Starting point. The basic procedure.

CHAPTER 6 SADDLEBRED STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE AS DETERMINED BY JUDGE’S SOCIETY

Temperament. Gaits, action and stamina. Height. Head. Neck. Shoulder. Back. Barrel. Fore legs. Pasterns. Hindquarters. Tail. The importance of setting in Three and Five Gaited Saddlers.

JUDGING OF HALTER CLASSES: SADDLEBRED FOALS

Observations by judges.

 

SECTION B

ARABIANS

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO SHOWING ARABIANS IN HALTER CLASSES

By Leon Botha, internationally recognized Arabian halter trainer

Starting point. The psychology of horse training. Train for halter classes with the future in mind. Building respect. 

 

SECTION C

VARIOUS BREEDS

CHAPTER 1 BREED STANDARDS FOR VARIOUS BREEDS

BREED STANDARDS FOR FRIESIAN HORSES

BREED STANDARDS FOR S.A.VLAAM

DESCRIPTION OF THE WELSH MOUNTAIN PONY AND WELSH PONY

BREED STANDARDS FOR APPALOOSA

PART 4 ENDURANCE

CHAPTER 1 STARTING THE ENDURANCE HORSE

CHAPTER 2 PREPARATION OF THE ENDURANCE HORSE

CHAPTER 3 THE RELIABLE, WELL SCHOOLED HORSE

The horse which runs into a corner if you want to catch him. Videos, books and clinics. The approach to training principles. Procedure for Single Rein Stop (SRS).Advantages of disengaging the hindquarters. Slow hands. Backing. Spooking – its causes and remedy. Spooking – an overlooked jewel in solving the problem.

CHAPTER 4 AT THE VET By Janita Doyer

CHAPTER 5 WHEN TO FEED YOUR ATHLETE

What and when should I feed my horse before exercise or competitions. Concentrated feed (hard feed or grain). Feeding hay. The days leading up to the competition. Fasting before competition? Competition day.

CHAPTER 6 FEEDING FOR ENDURANCE RACING by Ray Geor, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM

Athletic demands. Key nutrients. Liquid and electrolyte losses. Before, during and after a ride.    

PART 5 SADDLEBREDS

 CHAPTER 1 FLEXION AND COLLECTION

The desensitizing pen. The long lines. Other techniques: Small circle. Backing. The jog cart. Bitting rig. Other common devices. Side passes. Dressage. The most effective and fastest technique to teach a horse flexion. Poll flexion

CHAPTER 2 THE PESSOA

The pessoa – one of the least known, but one of the most valuable pieces of equipment in a horse’s development in preparation for training.

CHAPTER 3 A FEW BASIC HINTS FOR GAITED HORSES ( SADDLEBRED, BOERPERD ETC.)

Tips for teaching a horse to rack. Racking tie ropes.

CHAPTER 4 THE EASY HORSE SYSTEM FOR DEVELOPING A SUPER HORSE, READY FOR TRAINING IN A SPECIFIC DISCIPLINE

Exercise and muscle building. Developing form in a show horse. Grooming and trimming. Feeding and conditioning. Minerals and vitamins. The neck sweat blanket.

 PART 6 TENTPEGGING

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 HISTORY OF TENTPEGGING

Historical background. The sport today. Tentpegging in South Africa.

Tentpegging structure in South Africa:

                                                            Judges

                                                            Trainers

                                                            Distinguishing between juniors and seniors

                                                            Teams which can be reached

                                                            During competition the following teams are 

                                                            being elected:

                                                                                  Juniors  

                                                                                  Seniors

                                                                                  Contestants

                                                                                  Horses

Armor and saddlery:

                                The lance

                                The sword

                                Revolver

                                The pricker

                                Saddlery

The sport:

               Speed.  Pegs.

Items and point system:

                                  Individual / Single items:

                                                                           Single lance

                                                                           Single sword

                                                                           Ring and peg

                                                                           Orange and peg

                                                                           Handling of armor

                                  Team items:

                                                    Half section sword

                                                    Half section lance 

                                                    Section lance

                                                    Section sword

                                                    Indian File lance

                                                    Indian File sword