December 2012 Newsletter - Hawkesbury Dressage Club Inc

HDC Newsletter
Volume 2,
Issue 4
2012
December
Hello Members, our last Newsletter for the year.
Presidents Report– December 2012
2012 has been a very good year for Hawkesbury Dressage. We have had 3 very successful open competitions
and our Members Day, plus a Training/Protocol Day which was very good and enjoyed by those who
attended. The championship event was held over 2 days, 1 st and 2 nd June, the first we have had, and very well
supported, I think we will do the same for next year. It was a very large competition, over 500 entries and the
weather was very kind to us. All competitions this year have been quite large over 300 entries at each,
Hawkesbury Dressage seems to have a reputation for holding a good day at an excellent venue.
Our Members Day competition held on 4 th November, although smaller than usual, was well supported by our
members and I think all had a very good day. We also awarded the June Smyth King Trophy for the highest
percentage in Elementary, which was won by Maree Phelps, congratulations Maree.
June Smyth King was a member of Hawkesbury Dressage from the very beginning of the club and also a Life
Member and although she did not ride, was an ‘A’ level judge and judged at almost all competitions and did
not care what class, Preparatory to FEI, she was a wonderful supporter of Hawkesbury Dressage. June passed
away in 2011 and the club thought it would be a fitting memorial to a loyal supporter to award a perpetual
trophy in her name.
The first competition for 2013 will be on 24 th February, the program should be on the web site shortly.
The Annual General Meeting will be held at the Richmond Club on Tuesday
4 th December 2012. As this is to elect the committee for 2013, all members are invited and encouraged to
attend. Please come along and perhaps put your hand up for a place on the committee for 2013.
On behalf of the committee and myself, I wish to thank all the
people, members and non-members, who come and help at our
competitions, especially with penciling. Also I wish to thank the
Committee for their support to me and the Club and their
willingness to be available whenever necessary. For most it is
their first year on the Committee and they have done well and I
hope they have enjoyed it.
I WISH ALL A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A
WONDERFUL NEW YEAR. - HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL IN
2013.
Good Riding Everybody
Patricia Brennan Wood – President
Inside this issue:
Special points of interest:
Important Dates and Information 2
Presentation Night 3
Meet a Member 4
Itchy Horses 8-11
PIC Codes—Important for all horse owners 13
Article—Investigating Poor Performance 15
HOTY Update 18-19
AGM Info—Your club needs you!!
2013 Dates
You will find our sponsors logos and advertisements
in the newsletter. Please support
these businesses, as they support your
club!
Photography in this addition of the Newsletter
has been provided generously by
Free Rein Photography who are present at
our days to capture your beautiful horse
moments!
Members Space 20
Sponsors 21-22

Diary Dates
H AWK ES BURY D RES SAGE
CL UB
‘For the sake of the horse’
Newsletter Editor
Leanne Bell
432 The Driftway
Londonderry 2753
Email Leanne:
bellbrae@iinet.net.au
AGM – December 4th
Competition Dates 2013
February 24th
June 1st/2nd
August 4th
November 3rd
Meeting Dates 2012
January—date to be confirmed with the club
Meetings are held at the Richmond Club at 7:30pm each month. Some
of us get there a bit earlier for a social chat over dinner at 6:30pm.
If you would like to come along, we would love to see you there!!!
Got something for the Newsletter?
We would love to
include your news, your
items for sale, any hints and
tips you may want to share
with fellow members!
This is YOUR newsletter—
so feel free to send through
any inclusions/
ideas/feedback or comments
to Leanne
Find us on the website
www.hawkesburydressage.com.au
2012 Committee
President: Trish Brennan-Wood
Vice-President: Sarah Ingall
Secretary: Sally-Ann Barbera
Treasurer/Public Officer: Stephanie McCully
SIEC Liason: Maree Phelps
Membership Coordinator: Karen Allan
Sponsorship/Championship Coordinator: Christine
Harbridge
Newletter Editor: Leanne Bell
Webmster: Sarah Ingall
HOTY Coordinator: Maree Phelps
Publicity Officer: Christine Harbridge
Judges/Pencillers Gifts: Penny Callum
Committee Members: Marcia Lewis, Joanne
Peet, Leanne Bell, Nicole Pullen
Events Secretary: Libby Campbell
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AGM and Presentation Night
Tuesday December 4th
7.30pm
The Richmond Club
Finger Foods provided
HOTY awards presentation
Everyone Welcome!
RSVP on the HDC Facebook page
or contact Sally Barbera

Meet a Member—Sandi Oh
Q: How long have you been riding and have you always done dressage?
I have been riding for just on 3 years from my very first riding lesson in September 2009!
I’ve only ever competed in pony dressage, even though my pony is a talented jumper.
My first ever competition was the Hawkesbury Dressage Club
“when you have
those fantastic
moments, they
make all the
hard work worth
it- magic”
show last year in June.
Q: How many horses do you have? What are their names?
One pony only! His name is ‘Tilson Park Micheal’, stable name
Mousey
Q: At what level do you usually compete?
Preliminary/Novice.
Q: How many times a week are you able to ride?
Pony is worked 6 days/week.
Q: What do you like most about riding dressage?
Most importantly it is the partnership with the horse that I love.
Dressage really appeals to me on the same level as playing a musical
instrument; it is something that the more you know, the more you realise you have
to learn, and when you have those fantastic moments, they make all the hard work worth
it- magic!
Q: What do you like least about riding dressage?
Horns to signal beginning of test. So uncouth!
Q: What is your next goal with your current
competition horse?
Reaching Elementary by the end of the year
(rather steep given we’ve just done our first
Novice) and reaching Medium at some point
the following year…
Q: Is there anyone in particular who inspires
you and helps you with your riding?
Lots of people! Most of all, my 2 fantastic
coaches; Pamela Bode and Denise Rogan;
they are both excellent, experienced
coaches and offer endless encouragement and support. I always
look forward to my lessons and simply could not do without them!
Q: If you didn’t ride what would you do instead?
Sleep?
Q: What’s something non-horsey about you that we are not likely to know?
I am a violinist! I teach lots of littlies to play the violin every day and I absolutely love it!
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
Photo: Free Rein Photography
Yes! : To any potential sponsors: Ponies are where the next generation of riders are coming
from- show your support for this upcoming sport!
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Competition Pics—Members Day November 4th
Congratulations to Maree Phelps on winning the Inaugural June-Smyth-King
Award.
Members Day results:
Members day result scan be found on the HDC website, on the Competitions page
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Competition Pics - November 4th 2012
All photos generously supplied by Free Rein Photography
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Equestrian Calendar and Directory—2013
Hills & Hawkesbury Equestrian News have launched an Equestrian
Calendar and Directory for 2013 as the equestrian community have
said they don't have any one location to identify services in our
area. HHEN will distribute 10,000 of these throughout the area,
pertinent to Hills & Hawkesbury small businesses.
There are display advertisements if you are interested and discounts
available to those who book multiple advertisements.
Please fill in the form on the next page and send back to us at your
earliest.
Camille Alexander
Editor and Advertising Sales
Hills and Hawkesbury Equestrian News
Phone/Fax 02 4572 8860
Mobile 0401 783 434
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ABN: 30 540 143 670
published by Almanac
Mail: PO Box 237 Glenorie NSW 2157 Phone/fax: 02 4572 8860 Email: hillshawkesburyequestriannews@mail.com
2013 Equestrian Calendar & Directory
Advertising Booking Form
Advertiser Name ____________________________ABN ____________________
Contact Name ____________________ Email ____________________________
Contact Phone ______________________ Mobile _________________________
Billing Address ______________________________________________________
Display advert $200 incl gst Display advert x 3 gain a free directory listing
Directory Listing $100 incl gst Association/Club $55 incl gst
Total value of Directory invoice $ ______
Category _____________
Name of Business _____________________________________________
Phone /Mobile _______________________________________________
Email /Web __________________________________________________
Description of business/service provided
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
LOGO - provided Yes No
PAYMENT VISA Mastercard Direct Deposit
Name on Card ________________________________
Exp Date _ _ / _ _
Card Number _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _
Amount ______________
Direct Deposit: Bendigo Bank Account Name: Almanac BSB# 633 000 A/C # 143 680 742
Please quote invoice # or name of advertising account

Investigating Poor Performance— Part 2
Author: Monique Batterham
Author: Monique Batterham
Certified Equine Sports Therapist (CertEST)
Australian College of Animal Tactile Therapy (ACATT)
Part 1 of this article can be found in the August edition of the HDC Newsletter—see website
Detailed Physical Examination
A veterinary inspection can involve a number of tests as detailed below.
Heart
The heart forms part of the cardiovascular system which is responsible for pumping oxygenated and nutrient
rich blood around the body to the muscles and organs where it is required. Therefore if the heart is
not working as required, the body will not be receiving the oxygen and nutrients it requires.
According to Dr. Herb Maisenbacher, clinical assistant professor of cardiology at the University of Central
Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, heart disease is the third most common cause of poor performance
in horses, after musculoskeletal and respiratory challenges (Pomeroy 2009). And of the heart conditions
found in horses, the most common heart problem is an arrhythmia (irregular heart beat or atrial fibrillation)
(Pomeroy 2009). With atrial fibrillation, the electrical activity of the top chambers of the heart
(atria) is uncoordinated. This results in reduced pumping of blood to the ventricles, as well as an irregular
ventricular rhythm. The resulting reduced cardiac output can cause poor performance.
A vet check can detect this, or any other heart abnormalities.
Lungs
The respiratory system is responsible for delivering oxygen to the lungs at which point the oxygen can diffuse
via the alveoli into the blood and the carbon dioxide can undergo the reverse process moving out of
the blood into the lungs to be exhaled. This process is known as gas exchange.
Oxygen is required by the muscles for aerobic activity, and during exercise the horse is required to inhale
enormous volumes to supply the muscles, as evidenced by the fact that the oxygen consumption increases
by as much as 35 times during exercise as compared to resting (Clayton 1991). After lameness,
respiratory problems are the most common cause of loss of performance (Marlin and Nankervis 2002).
Therefore any problem with the lungs will result in a flow-on effect to performance. Dust poses a major
problem for horses, with the stabling of horses being the biggest culprit. One study of seemingly healthy
horses of all ages housed in conventional stables found that all of them had microscopic evidence of inflammatory
airway disease (Gerber, Robinson, Luethi 2003).
Another condition, exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) is a condition that can affect the lungs
as the horse bleeds resulting in blood in the lungs. According to research by the Washington State University
(Bayly), the placing of 100ml of blood into the lungs negatively effected the horses' ability to perform
at a high-speed gallop on a treadmill due to interference with the movement of oxygen from the lungs
into the blood supply meaning less oxygen was available for their muscles to use. The fact that somewhere
between 40 and 75% of thoroughbred racehorses have been found with blood in their trachea after
racing (Marlin 2002), demonstrates how large of a problem this is amongst performance horses.
Continued next page…..
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Investigating Poor Performance— Part 2
The lungs can be inspected via:
stethoscope to listen for any abnormalities;
exercise testing (e.g. VO 2max ); and
endoscopy (discussed in detail below).
Digestive System
Performance relies on having the right and adequate levels of fuel, i.e. ADP, which coverts chemical energy
produced by the horse’s consumption of carbohydrates, proteins and fats into kinetic energy. So
when there is a problem with the digestive system the horse will not receive adequate chemical energy.
In addition for the various biological systems to work adequately requires the right nutrients, for instance
iron for the blood to ensure it has adequate oxygen carrying capacity, insufficient iron will directly relate to
a performance deterioration.
Signs that something is wrong with the digestive system:
coat condition;
weight loss;
leaving feed;
hooves (e.g. rings and general condition of hooves); and
manure (e.g. too wet could mean food passing through digestive tract too quickly).
The vet can check gut sounds and also through blood work the vet can tell how well the liver and kidney is
functioning. The vet can also use an endoscope to view the oesophagus and stomach, although the small
and large intestines are too long to attempt to scope. There are also kits that can be used to test for blood
and protein in the horse’s faeces which can be a sign of a GI tract condition, e.g. stomach ulcers
(Freedom Health 2011).
Lameness
Lameness can affect performance as the pain will cause the horse to slow down. Lameness will be apparent
at either the walk, trot or both. Through sight (assessing the horse for head bobbing and unevenness
in gait) and sound (listening to the foot falls on a hard surface) will help detect and isolate the leg involved.
The vet is able to conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the lameness, such as using
hoof testers to determine if the pain is originating in the hoof. Procedures, including nerve blocks, radiography
and ultrasound, can be utilised by the vet to detect navicular syndrome, bone fractures or muscle,
tendon or ligament damage. Generally the nerve block can detect the general region within the limb, and
then radiography and ultrasound are used to ascertain the exact cause.
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a record of the electrical activity of the heart during the different phases of
the cardiac cycle graphed as voltage against time (Clayton 1991).
An ECG can help detect heart abnormalities such as cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances
and heart disease. It does this by providing information on the pattern of electrical conduction, or the
electrical impulses that trigger the heart chambers to contract with perfectly synchronized timing.
The ECG records this electrical activity and depicts it as a series of graph-like tracings, or waves. The
shapes and frequencies of these tracings reveal abnormalities in the heart's anatomy or function.
An ECG would be used where there was a concern of any abnormality arising from listening the heart via
a stethoscope.
Continued next page…..
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Investigating Poor Performance— Part 2
Endoscopy
Endoscopy involves placeing a scope down the horse’s airways. Videoendoscopy allows the recording of
the findings. Apart from performance issues, endoscopy may be used as a pre-purchase screening test,
or if the horse is showing signs of nasal discharge, nosebleeds, unusual noises, excessive coughing or
swelling of the head or neck.
Endoscopy allows the vet to detect any abnormalities within the upper airway tract and can be performed
either on the horse at rest or with the horse exercising on the treadmill.
At rest the following can be detected via an endoscopy:
structural abnormalities in either nasal passage;
epiglottic entrapment;
laryngeal hemiplegia (“roaring”);
dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP); and
granuloma of the arytenoid (chronic inflammatory lesion).
During a treadmill test the following can be detected in addition to the above:
epiglottic reversion (an epiglottis that is flipping backwards); and
axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (tissue spanning from the arytenoid to the epiglottis that collapses
across the opening to the trachea)
Also DDSP can be easier to detect during exercise since it can be intermittent.
Exercise Testing
The above tests would typically detect the majority of causes of poor performance. If no abnormalities
were detected, exercise testing would be recommended. Exercise testing can also used to determine a
horse’s potential or to monitor fitness and the effects of training.
Two fundamental factors with exercise testing is ensuring standardisation
to enable comparability as well as taking into account
environmental factors, for instance heart rates can be impacted
by environmental factors up to 110 beats per minutes (Scully
2006), therefore any testing needs to be done above this level,
which is why V 140 and V 200 are popular levels to test at.
Considering this, treadmill testing is deemed more favourable as
it is easier to control variables than for field work and it also enables
more equipment to be utilised, e.g. endoscopy. The disadvantage
is that it does not replicate the conditions the horse experiences
in competition, however inclining the treadmill to 6 0 can
help overcome this (Scully 2006).
Continued next page…..
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Investigating Poor Performance— Part 2
Measurements taken during an exercise test can include:
Heart Rate – looking at V 140 and V 200 , can test fitness levels with higher levels indicating an increase in
fitness (i.e. can move faster whilst the heart has to do less work). Average speed at which V 200 is
reached is 8.5 – 10 m/sec. 10 m/sec and above is considered to be an elite athlete (Scully 2006).
Blood lactate measurements – gives an indication of aerobic capacity since the horse only produces
lactic acid when unable to utilise aerobic metabolism and shifts to anaerobic. V LA4 measures the
speed at which the blood lactate reaches 4mmol/l. The greater the V LA4 – the greater the fitness
and exercise capacity.
Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) – used to measure hypoxaemia (insufficient oxygenation of arterial blood).
Total Red Cell Volume to Total Blood Volume – provides an indication of oxygen carrying capacity.
Normal values are 78 – 102 ml/kg of bodyweight (Scully 2006).
Post Exercise PCV – gives a measurement of the total red cells in the circulation, which is an indication
of the oxygen carrying capacity.
Oxygen uptake and CO2 output – measured with a facial mask, the O 2 inspired is compared to that
expired. O 2 uptake plotted against speed to calculate VO 2max as it as a linear relationship. VO 2max
gives an indication of aerobic capacity.
Conclusion
Determining the cause of a horse’s poor performance involves an assessment of the symptoms, history of
the horse and an investigation into more recent changes in the day-to-day management and training of
the horse. This analysis can give clues into the likely causes and then it is a process of elimination to determine
what the underlying cause or causes may be. As equine sports therapists our role is to best understand
the various underlying factors and provide the best advice possible to our clients to help detect
the cause, and then help the client manage and return the horse to optimum performance levels.
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Members Space
Product Review
Members can submit favourite products here—share your “super product” - what can you just not do without in your tack room?
Waiting for member input……..
Book Review
Waiting for Member input
Waiting for member input
What is your favourite book?
Include it here in the next
edition!
Members Space
Members can submit items of news
here—anything at all !!
Perhaps a great achievement with your
horse, an inspirational quote, horses for
sale, lease, items for sale, competition
results, anything at all that you would
like to share with fellow members.
WANTED:
I am looking to lease, possible purchase a prospective second international horse
with the prospect of going to WEG and Rio with the Para Equestrians. I am a grade
IV Para rider so looking for quiet, sound and unflappable
Please contact Kaye Hannan
0448 094 151
SURVEY:
This survey is designed to help us learn more about the views we have about mares, geldings and stallions and what
we’d choose when considering horses for various disciplines. Furthermore, we are also seeking data on what we look
for when choosing an ideal horse. We have had a great response (>500 responses) but would love to hear from as
many horse riders and owners as we possibly can. Feel free to pass it on to friends or family, everyone’s opinion
helps it doesn't matter if you have never ridden a horse in your life - we would still love you to complete a survey!
Some of the questions may seem overly simplistic if you’ve been around horses for a while, but there are opportunities
to explain your views.
It’s a short survey with simple, easy to answer questions. Responses are completely anonymous .
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GFJV3XT
Many thanks, Kandoo Equine
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