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Due to limited space, we are unable to publish all of the letters addressed to SA Horseman. We would, however, like to thank each and every writer for their insightful comments, praise and constructive criticism. Letters are published unedited, but may be shortened due to lack of space.
Safety issues
Theresa Odendaal writes:
In response to the letter about safety standards by Nicola Mackay in the previous issue of SA Horseman, I would like to respond as follows in my personal capacity:
South Africa is one of the most diverse countries as far as equestrian disciplines go and SA Horseman wishes to reflect this accurately. As Nicola so rightly pointed out, many disciplines such as western riding do not use helmets and very few riders of any discipline use helmets when exercising at home. I, as a writer for SA Horseman, am interested in reflecting accurately what is happening on the ground and cannot always “stage” photographs to adhere to various standards and, as she said, many photos are sent in by the contributors.
Riders of over 18 years are entitled to choose whether they want to use a helmet or not and if they don’t, this is their decision. I agree that it would be irresponsible to place photos of children doing any of the disciplines where helmets are required without helmets, but as far as adults go, the choice is theirs and I, as a writer, and SA Horseman, can only reflect what is really happening. In fact, according to much of the literature, no horse should be handled in any way without wearing a helmet, but I have yet to see someone (child or adult) leading a horse to the paddock, lungeing him, washing him or even grooming him, wearing a helmet.
Nicola, I hear what you are saying and know that it is often a case of “monkey see, monkey do”, but I also believe that it is up to the parents, instructors and stable managers to instil safety standards in young riders – not magazines and the children’s “idols”. Magazines such as SA Horseman and I as a writer, will try to educate, but we must also report it as it happens and unfortunately in practice it is not always that easy.
Wat van die Nooitgedachters?
Susanne Mostert van die Koue Bokkeveld skryf:
Ek wil u graag gelukwens met u wonderlike tydskrif wat met 'n groot verskeidenheid artikels die behoeftes van die "gewone perdeliefhebber" in Suid-Afrika aanspreek. U artikels is weldeurdag, goed nagevors en werklik baie leersaam. Ek sal sonder twyfel my intekening hernu.
Ek is egter teleurgesteld dat daar in elke publikasie van die tydskrif so baie aandag en publisiteit aan veral die SA Boerperd en die Friesperd gegee word. Wat dan van ons eie, trots inheemse en veeldoelige Nooitgedachter wat deur en deur 'n gesinsperd is en boonop nog bekostigbaar ook?
Die Friesperde waarvan ons so dikwels (in elke moontlike landbou- of perdetydskrif) lees, het onbekostigbaar duur geword en die SA Boerperd is goed oppad om homself uit die mark te prys. Boonop blyk dit dat die oordrewe knie-aksie – wat voorheen slegs kenmerkend van Hackneys en Saalperde was - deesdae die belangrikste kenmerk is waarvoor daar geselekteer word.
Was die Boerperd dan nie voorheen bekend vir sy rustige temperament wat deur elke lid in die familie gery kon word nie? Dit is alombekend dat 'n goeie "skietperd" ('n perd waarvan 'n mens van sy rug af kon skiet) gedurende die Anglo Boere-oorlog sommer baie geld werd was. Dit lyk nie vir my asof die perde wat mnr Lovell Emslie poog om te teel ("Hulle hou van 'n vurige perd wat vol van homself is") aan dié vereiste sal voldoen nie.
Mnr Emslie noem ook dat hierdie perde geteel word vir 'n "sensitiwiteit wat die perd makliker maak om te ry en 'n sensitiewe mond". Alle perde word gebore met sensitiewe monde en dit sal van die hanteerder/afrigter/ruiter afhang hoe lank dit so sal bly. 'n Sensitiewe hanteerder sal noodwendig 'n sensitiewe perd tot gevolg hê.
Voorheen was die Nooitgedachter totaal onbekend hier in die Wes-Kaap, maar tans is daar verskeie kleiner stoeterye en is hierdie merkwaardige ras besig om vinnig veld te wen. Kan ons nie maar vir ons staatmaker Nooities – nie net op kompeterende gebied nie, maar ook as plesierperde – ook 'n bietjie krediet gee en 'n paar artikels oor hulle plaas nie?
Chain debate continues
Jan Louw writes:
I was astounded by the letter of a certain “Joan” in your magazine of September 2007 on the alleged cruel treatment by Mr Izak Volgraaff of horses under his care. I know Izak very well and presently have two American Saddle Horses under his very competent training in Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape.
Not only do I regard Izak as a true “horseman” with exceptional knowledge and skills in training different breeds of horses, but also a man of great character and integrity with a magical and gentle approach towards his horses.
I find Joan’s ignorance of the use of chains around the ankles of show horses (a standard practice) absolutely laughable. Does the necklace around her neck or her watch around her wrist cause her daily unbearable pain?
Her reference to Izak also practicing his other hobby of making whips and kieries, thereby implicating his cruelty, is nothing less than a disgusting, uncalled for, and despicable attack on a great horseman whom she does not even know. I really think she owes Izak an apology.
With reference to another “cruel” practice by Izak (the chain around a horse’s nose), I am inviting her to come and try and handle one of Izak’s beautiful Friesian stallions, taken out for training on a chilly Nieuwoudtville winter’s morning, without a nose chain, and further to try and point out to me any injury marks on any of the “brutally” treated horses.
With reference to the state of the hooves of one of the horses she has seen in a previous edition, need I explain that owners and previous trainers bring their horses (like in my case) to Izak with hooves in an unacceptable state? Izak nurses these hooves for months to enable them to recover and then they are shod by a master farrier – himself!! No horse under Izak’s care is worked out without proper shoes. Take my word for it!!
Please send all letters to izakhofmeyr@telkomsa.net or mail it to P O Box 1284, Pretoria 0001. Readers are also welcome to join us for a chat on www.horsejunction.co.za
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Chain abuse
Lojaal from Pretoria writes:
In the previous issue of SA Horseman there was a lady (Joan) who complained about a photo in a previous issue of a horse (big and black, it looked like a Friesian) that had chains around the feet. I share the lady’s concern in this regard. I accept Dr Pringle’s explanation, and agree that to a large degree it is used with care, especially by most of the professional saddler trainers.
But there will always be people that will abuse the method; that will use it for an hour instead of 20 minutes maximum. It is still only an aid – not a fix. If a horse doesn’t have knee action, or the physical ability for knee action, no amount of chains will help. I concur with Dr Pringle with regard to the chains being like a watch for humans. But there is a difference: the watch fits more snugly on our wrists than the chains on the feet of the horses.
We all know that a watch that doesn’t fit comfortably (that is somewhat loose) will chafe in time. The same with the chains – if abused, it will chafe and hurt the bulbs at the back of the hoof. I have witnessed such wounds (chafe marks) and hurt, swollen bulbs.
Be that as it may. We cannot deduct from the chains on the said photo that the old “Oom” is abusing this aid. We can rather accept that being an “old and trusted hand” at horse training, he will know how to use the aid, and not abuse it.
Who took the photo? Can we ask the photographer if he saw any sores and or chafe marks on the feet? Was the horse limping (experiencing pain) while being worked (I assume the photographer did see the horse work with the chains)? I agree with the concern on the condition of the hooves on the photo. It is sad that such a well-known horseman neglects this important facet of horse training.
I don’t like chains. My horse doesn’t need it. I don’t condone the use of it; neither do I scorn people who use it with care and understanding.
What was unfair to me was the assumption by Joan suggesting the “Oom” might be “mean” because he makes whips and might use it on the horses (“the fact that the Oom makes homemade whips and kieries, doesn’t leave a warm and fussy feeling, I must tell you”)! Has anybody seen him using the kieries and whips on his horses? Has anybody seen marks on the horses to suggest such abuse – believe me, the whips and kieries will leave definite marks if used on the horses.
“Ek het die Oom al sien skou”. His horses are always in excellent show condition, shiny and well-groomed. His tack is immaculate, and his horses well-trained and shown precisely and lovely. I think it is unfair to assume abuse because he makes kieries and whips. I am a food scientist in the meat industry. I also have horses and also take part in shows; by association as done in the letter, does this now also make me a butcher of horses?
Izak replies:
I took the pictures and observed Oom Izak working with the horses. I did not see any injuries or lameness or abuse.
Punishment doesn't work
Tamasine Smith of Robertson writes (letter shortened):
I wanted to comment on the article submitted on punishment in the May 2007 edition of SA Horseman. I have attended a number of lectures from different teachers over the last 12 months during my overseas travels to continue my studies. The current teaching/thinking is that PUNISHMENT NEVER WORKS FOR HORSES.
The problem is that semantics can cause problems and so, unless we have a clear understanding and definition for words, it can cause confusion and mis-inform people. Isobel Duncan, who is a scientist in the equine field of learning and social pshychology, clearly explained what the word “punishment” means and how it is applied and that it NEVER works for horses.
Some people may say that negative reinforcement is punishment, but this is not correct and science clearly defines those differences. We must also be very careful about the word “dominance”. Current thinking and practice is that we are now very out of date by talking of dominance and alpha animals, for example. One of the talks we attended, discussed the fact that many wildlife documentaries are still making this fundamental error.
Nice words from our readers
Thank you for one of the best horse magazines that I have read, including those overseas!!! – Wilna Meiring
I would love to subscribe to the above-mentioned magazine as per the e-mail below. When was the first copy of SA Horseman published? I find it is of excellent quality for an experienced horse rider and would love to obtain back copies, if possible? – Candace, Linmeyer
Dankie vir ’n goeie tydskrif. Ek en my susters stry oor wie hom eerste kan lees. – Hardus Boshoff, Rayton
Baie dankie vir 'n puik tydskrif met belangrike inligting vir alle perdeliefhebbers en mense wat in die bedryf is. Ek het tans 'n ryskool en bied ook naweekpakette aan vir gesinne en jong volwassenes. Dit sal 'n voorreg wees om te adverteer in so 'n uitgawe wat 10 000 lesers regoor die land ontvang. – Iza Otto, Louis Trichardt
Would it perhaps be possible to send me previous volumes of SAH? I find it quite informative! – Peet du Toit, Noordbrug
Baie dankie vir die waardevolle en interessante tydskrif. – Gerrit Olivier, Lichtenburg
Ek wil net dankie sê vir ‘n wonderlike tydskrif. Ek vind dit werklik leersaam. – Mnr T Henning, Dordrecht
Redakteur, ons geniet u tydskrif terdeë; ook besonder lekker om goeie artikels in Afrikaans te lees! – Spoelstra-gesin, Wingatepark
Ek wil u graag gelukwens met u wonderlike tydskrif wat met ‘n groot verskeidenheid artikels die behoeftes van die “gewone perdeliefhebber” in SA aanspreek. U artikels is weldeurdag, goed nagevors en werklik baie leersaam. – Susanne Mostert
Izak and team, congratulations on the September edition of SA Horseman. I am just amazed at how you guys manage to keep it interesting. Must admit, I swore at you this morning – got my magazine very late yesterday afternoon, and couldn’t go to bed before I read it from start to finish. Looking forward to the November edition! – Unknown (but thank you!!) SAH
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