From the Horse's Mouth

DISCIPLINE SPOTLIGHT: ENDURANCE    On its simplest level, endurance riding is a sport whereby the horse and rider take on a long-distance ride at a set speed, often in the grips of a highly competitive environment. In this respect, endurance riding requires mere stamina and the drive to push both yourself and your horse through the distances to come out victorious.   But in reality,...

The SAEF podcast talks to a South African success story! Tune in and have your questions ready for this Protea competitor, trainer, and general crowd pleaser...  Nothing could be tougher than his track record!  International showjumper Oliver Lazarus is based in Valkenswaard, Holland, where he trains and competes from, but he still finds time to come back home and be involved with develo...

SAEFGUARDING ROLLOUT: What you need to know   "You make sure your horse is safe... What about your child?"    Safeguarding is a term used to denote measures taken to protect the health, well-being and human rights of individuals, which allow people, especially children and vulnerable adults, to live free from harassment, abuse and exploitation.   We speak to SAEF National Safeg...

Equine Dentistry 101 with Dr Hildegard Setzkorn   Equine dentistry is the practice of dentistry in horses, involving the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area as well as the adjacent and associated structures. Dentistry has seen massive developments over the last decade, and we are fortunate to have guest...

The SAEF had the opportunity to speak to Professor Natalie Waran, chairperson of the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission, at the FEI General Assembly in November. The FEI believes that all who are involved with horses should be aware of the responsibility they have for horse welfare, as well as the impact that equestrian activities and horses have on the environment. In June 2022, in response t...

FEI GENERAL ASSEMBLY RECAP Jean-Philippe Camboulives, the director of the FEI Solidarity department since 2021, talks to the SAEF about their vision and mission for equestrian sport. ABOUT FEI SOLIDARITY Launched in 2011, FEI Solidarity promotes and develops equestrian culture and sport worldwide with sustainable and structured outreaches, such as the DSA Solidarity Stars, which won the award for...

Creating Dream Teams: The In's & Out's of Grooms Employment    In this episode we look at the backbone of any stableyard, our grooms, with ARCO360 director Candice Hobday, and legal counsel  Tracey Lomax, Nixon LLB. What are fair employment terms, how are employers protected, what are considered some of the development options we should be instituting, and what does the law say...

Horses that aren’t quite performing as they should be is a common issue and can leave you questioning your training and general management to find the answers. One fundamental skill we should all have is the ability to recognise when these issues are pain-related.  We speak to leading international soundness expert Dr Sue Dyson about the viral 24 behaviours of pain in equine athletes.

We speak to Dr Wayne van Niekerk, international driving competitor and acting president of CDSA - carriage driving South Africa - about this exciting sport, and how you can get involved in it!

Are you stuck in a worming routine that you think is helping your horse... but is actually harmful?  This week the SAEF speaks to Dr Karl van Laeren from Worm-Ex and Dr Alison Dallas from Glen Austin Veterinary Clinic about what you need to know about parasites, what management protocols there are, and how to make sure your horses stay healthy and happy.

Does your saddle help or hinder you... not to mention your horse?   We speak to our experts this week about the basics of saddle fitting, pads, flocking, girths, numnahs, and other factors you haven't even CONSIDERED that will affect not only your saddle, but how comfortable your horse is in it!  Your host, Georgie Roberts, is joined by independent master saddle fitter Siobhan Recor...

SAY BYE TO FLIES...   Bad for the physical health of equines and the mental health of owners, flies and other biting insects are a notorious summer downside in South Africa.   Flies are a massive issue affecting the physical health of horses and the mental health of riders!  We speak to two experts, Dr Ross Hendry and Intensive Farm Specialist and Registered Pest Control O...

NO HOOF, NO HORSE, NO HAPPINESS: FARRIERY 101  Teamwork makes the dream work! And what better dream than a sound equine athlete?   This week SAEF and Georgie Roberts talk to farrier Anthony Ward and Dr Ross Hendry about the teamwork necessary to look after your horse's feet and function, what you need to know, and top tips to keep everyone moving in the right direction.

FEI & DRESSAGE SOUTH AFRICA REPORT: SOLIDARITY STARS SHINE   An incredible transformation programme operated through the partnership of both FEI and DSA, Solidarity Stars gave nominated disadvantaged riders the opportunity to receive not only coaching, but entries to the South African National Dressage Championships held last week at Fourways Centre.   Our host , Georgie Ro...

"Dressage" is not just "horse ballet" as Eddie Izzard famously professes; dressage achieves balance, suppleness, and obedience with the purpose of improving and facilitating the horse's performance of normal tasks. This makes it the most basic fundamental of riding for everyone, with people saying that showjumping is just "dressage between fences" (showjumpers, don't come for us!). If the advanced...

A "BIT" OF INSIGHT INTO BITS AND BITING  What we put into our horses' mouths is a perpetually interesting debate, not only from a discipline perspective, but also for the perfect overlap of effectiveness and welfare.  With literally thousands of options available, we speak to Equine Science lecturer and Pro-Biting expert Dawn Mansfield to dispel some of the myths, find that perfect fit,...

Our national equine anti-doping programme seeks to protect the welfare of horses competing in our sport. It is also intended to maintain the integrity of our sport by protecting the right of all athletes to participate in fair competition on a level playing field.   Our host, Georgie Roberts is joined by Janine Turner & Dr Sheelagh Higgerty to discuss anti-doping and controlled medic...

SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR BULLYING IN THE EQUESTRIAN INDUSTRY DISCUSSED  Have you ever felt that your coach or instructor is behaving inappropriately? Or another rider? Saying things that make you feel uncomfortable or standing way too close and making physical contact? Or, are you experiencing bullying by another rider, at your stable yard or at a show? Is somebody hurling abuse at you at a show?...

In this episode SAEF's Georgie Roberts speaks to Dr Patrick Martin, B.V.Sc, B.Sc. Agric., MRCVS from the Baker & McVeigh Equine Clinic and legal expert, Janine Turner, LLB to discuss the buying and selling of horses. We will be covering the rights, responsibilities and recommendations.  Buying and selling horses is something that happens daily in our industry, but just like any business i...

In the inaugural episode of the all new South African Equestrian Federation podcast 'From the Horse's Mouth,' SAEF's Georgie Roberts speaks to SAEF President, Professor Ian Sanne and SAEF Head Veterinarian, Doctor Sheelagh Higgerty about the critical shortage of the essential African Horse Sickness vaccine in South Africa.