Welcome to another edition of SA Horseman, the magazine for the horse fanatic. Once again we are proud to present our readers with some excellent, informative articles.

We focus on the training principles of Mark Rodney, an Australian horse trainer who visited the country a few months ago to conduct various clinics. Mark combines the principles of Natural Horsemanship with the German Training Scale.

The second article in our series on gaited horses deals with the different approaches of the various schools of thought, notably the American Saddler and the SA Boerperd. Just for good balance, there is a report on a 900 km long trip by a farrier and we give a few tips on keeping the showjumper supple and balanced.

In our world of fast living and instant gratification, it is so rewarding to come across real craftsmanship and pride in one's work. We take a behind-the-scenes look at a saddle-maker from Upington and his approach to his unique craft.

We hope that this edition of SA Horseman will bring you joy and enhance your horsemanship knowledge.

In the next edition: Breeding world class sport horses; Workhorses on the platteland; Horse training principles and an enjoyable trip in Rosendal in the Eastern Free State.