I work with horses from all disciplines, and while I am closely involved in breaking in and pre-training at the major thoroughbred breeding operations Ridgemont/Highlands and Drakenstein Stud, I am often asked to assist elsewhere, where my acquired knowledge and experience has proved to be valuable across the spectrum of breeds.
On the photo, meet Saba, an exceptional warmblood filly by San Amour (Old)-Allegra (SAW) – Bred and owned by Ginnue Felling, who is relocating to the Cape from Gauteng and has the mare stabled at Vredenheim Wine Estate.
Saba was brought from the Highveld to Vredenheim, a smart mare with character, and I was asked to school and prepare her, to habituate her to a lot of different stimuli in preparation for the backing process by one of my riders.
On the photo, Saba is “parking” next to me, sitting on a fence next to her. Parking is when they learn to move sideways to a mounting block, like a car would move into a parking position, and the rider gets on from the mounting block, The warmbloods get big sometimes.
Always fun to work with them, thanks to Ginnue for the opportunity to work with Saba!