23 February 2023 - Flipbook - Page 62
62
HORSEWEEK
FARMWEEK
MAY 07 2020
Lurgan RDA group From the
does it differently horse’s
mouth
I
N 2016, the Lurgan Group of the Riding for the Disabled
Association (RDA) was introduced to a new discipline,
following an RDA Regional training day at Laurel View.
This new discipline was vaulting.
Vaulting rollers have been used by RDA groups in
Northern Ireland for many years as an aid to introduce
horses to children and adults who are unable to benet
from riding on a traditional saddle. In some instances,
children are aided by a volunteer sitting behind them for
physical support and/ or reassurance.
However, vaulting in it’s pure form involves much
more active movement by the participant - essentially
gymnastics on horseback and is carried out on a horse or
pony on a lunge rein. RDA now requires groups to register
as a vaulting group. This allows participants using a
roller to benet from the freedom of movement it offers.
Compulsory training and inspection of coaches, horses
and equipment are carried out. Lurgan group is currently
the only fully registered vaulting group in NI having gone
through this process.
The Lurgan group had considerable success in 2017,
when Chantelle Whitla and Amy Hendron from St Francis
Primary School came rst and third respectively in a
National (i.e. UK) competition. This was quite a feat, as
they only had a few months training.
However, the group no longer uses the lunge and, instead,
incorporate vaulting activity into their riding lesson. This
has been a great success in introducing some of the more
behaviourally challenged children to the pony. There
are many advantages to using the roller, e.g. the handles
give security, the pad is warm and comfortable and the
movement of the pony is more obvious and rhythmical.
The additional freedom of movement is fun and exciting.
Concentration on “moves” greatly reduces any fear factor.
Many of the children enjoy showing off their balancing on
one knee, lying across the pony in “superman” position
and even standing up to wave at their teacher!
BY JACQUI PORTER
Materials used for bits
RDA VAULTING: RDA Coach, Patricia McLean; Physio,
Heather Bell and British Vaulting Coach, Fiona Fitzgibbon
pictured with Chantelle Whitla and Amy Hendron on
‘Harriet’. (FW19-504NN)
Lurgan group now has another string to their bow. Who
knows, they may yet attempt another proper vaulting
competition, but at present are content to benet from the
versatility of this amazing discipline.
About Riding for the Disabled in Northern Ireland
RDA NI is a federation of 30
registered charities who provide
riding, carriage driving and vaulting
opportunities to people of all ages
with physical disabilities and/or
learning difculties across Northern
Ireland. This is only possible
because of our band of about 700
volunteers, who provide services to
about 1,000 participants each year.
More volunteers from the age of 12
upwards are always welcome, please
see the website for contact details:
https://ridingforthedisabledni.org/
or phone the Regional Chairman
Julie Frazer on 028 2588 0584 for
more information.
HSI submission emphasises link between
breeding and sport elements of equine sector
continued from back page
The
HSI
submission
emphasises the intrinsic
link between the breeding
and sport elements of the
sector, which requires
breeders, producers and
athletes to have access to
regulated activity to ensure
the
timely
production
of horses in the crucial
stages of the training and
development cycle.
The
focus
of
this
submission is on the Irish
Sport
Horse
industry,
which is worth over €816
million per annum to
the Irish economy and
directly supports over
14,000 full time jobs. Like
all other sectors, it has
been severely impacted
by this global pandemic.
The proposal is aimed at
ensuring that the relevant
Government
authorities
have a detailed plan in
place from the sector, in
order to assist them in
making a fully informed
decision.
In order to deliver
succinct
proposals
to
Government, Horse Sport
Ireland engaged in the rst
instance with its Olympic
disciplines – Show jumping
Ireland, Eventing Ireland
and Dressage Ireland and
the equestrian venues to
understand the readiness
to return. This proactive
engagement will serve as
AIRC: Cancellation of the 2020
Generali Open de France Clubs
THE Association of Irish Riding Clubs has announced
that the Fédération Française d’Equitation (FFE) has
cancelled the Generali Open de France for clubs due to
the worldwide Coronavirus health emergency.
It was due to take place from July 18 to 26 at the French
Equestrian Park.
FFE president Serge Lecomte said: “We are all committed
to not compromising the health of our fellow citizens.”
A team, representing the AIRC, has competed in the
World Club Tournament each year at the show since 2016.
platform for all equestrian
disciplines to resume when
it is permissible to do so.
Horse
Sport
Ireland
consulted
the
World
Health
Organisation
Interim guidance for sports
federations/ sports event
organisers in the context of
Covid-19, which was issued
on April 14. The guidance
sets out the key issues
and mitigation options to
consider when planning
sporting activities.
Mr
Murphy
said:
“Horse Sport Ireland is
committed to partnering
with stakeholders and
Government
bodies
to ensure a safe and
responsible
return
to
activity in compliance
with all National Health
guidelines. The impact of
Covid-19 on the Irish Sport
Horse Industry has been
dramatic and it is important
that we resume activities in
a safe and controlled way
at the earliest permitted
opportunity. Like many
industries, the economic
impact has been signicant,
and the industry is keen
to rebuild the losses and
protect it into the future.
Our Stakeholders are facing
catastrophic losses and it
is imperative that we do
all we can to support and
assist the Irish Sport Horse
Industry to restart, rebuild
and recover.”
Horse
Sport
Ireland
Chairman, Joe Reynolds
said:
“We
have
put
forward robust operating
procedures to enable a
return to activity for the
Sport Horse sector when
it is safe to do so. Horse
Sport Ireland is one of the
few Governing Bodies with
responsibility for both
the breeding and sport
sectors of our industry
and this gives us a unique
perspective to present
proposals for a resumption
of activities in our industry.
It is important that the
Sport Horse Community
unites
behind
these
proposals
and
speak
together with one voice on
this topic.”
Horse Sport Ireland now
await feedback on the
submission and ask that all
stakeholders continue to
adhere to the Government
guidelines and restrictions
currently in place.
The
submission
is
available to view on
the HSI website: www.
horsesportireland.ie
BITTING
materials
have
progressed more so over the
past few years. New research
into the comfort of horses
when bitted is progressing. We,
as riders, are looking for more
humane ways to connect with
our equine friends.
Nickel was one of the rst
metal materials to be used,
but it was soft, it bent easily,
and some horses had allergic
reactions and is now rarely
used.
Stainless Steel is still used in a
vast number of bits - these bits
are usually cast, so should be
checked before purchase, for
any rough edges, especially on
xed sides, uneven rings and
sizing. They can be cold to the
touch and will take longer to
warm up in the horse’s mouth,
but are still a good basic
material.
Auriga Bits are used to
encourage increased salivation
in your horse’s mouth. The
alloy is made from a mixture of
85% copper, 4% silicon and 11%
zinc. The alloy was developed
and patented by Sprenger. The
alloy appears similar to other
copper alloys, but has different
oxidation properties, which is
supposed to contribute to the
improved experience with your
horse, as in conductivity. Many
copper alloys include nickel;
the lack of nickel in the Aurigan
alloy is of particular benet to
horses with a nickel allergy.
Sprenger Sensogan is a new
patented mouthpiece material
for a sensitive connection
to the horse. The innovative
mix of materials including the
micronutrient manganese and
a reduced copper content is
said to “increase the horse’s
chewing activity and salivation”
- while excessive chewing
and salivation isn’t desirable,
especially in dressage, they
do help to relax the jaw and
discourage horses from leaning
and setting themselves against
the contact. Sensogan is
designed to achieve optimal
concentration, calmness and
relaxation, resulting in the
horse being much more willing
to perform.
Bomber bits are made
from
blue
sweet
iron,
because it oxidises easily,
again encourages salivation
and supposedly helps bit
acceptance.
Sweet Iron bits will oxidise
and it’s this sweet taste that
horses like. There is dispute
ALLERGY: Horse presenting
with an allergic reaction on soft
tissue after bit change.
(FW19-500NN)
over having bits that taste of
something, but these have
been used with success on
horses that have not accepted
other bits. They can still be
used even when really rusty, as
long as there are no sharp or
rough edges.
There are many nylon,
plastic, rubber, vulcanite bits
still available - these can be
too fat or can be chewed easily,
causing serious damage to
the tongue, lips and palette.
Some cause friction burns, by
drying the mouth. Some have
writing on them which can
cause sores. Chewed ones not
only cause damage, but they
can break during ridden work.
It is very important to maintain
the upkeep of these types of
bits, checking them for damage
before and after use is required.
There are other materials,
such as wood, still advertised!
As well as leather mouthpieces
and bandaged mouthpieces,
which I would not recommend.
It is good to see so much
thought going into the material
of bits, with the horse’s
comfort in mind. This is a very
important area to consider
when purchasing a bit to
ensure optimal acceptance and
comfort.
Jacqui Porter BSc (Hons) BAEDT
EQUINE DENTAL SERVICES
Tel: 07395 830535
Email: jpdentistry@icloud.com