Reign Equestrian Centre

14/07/2025

💉 African Horse Sickness (AHS): Prevention, Responsibility & Breaking the Stigma 🐴🇿🇦

African Horse Sickness is a deadly, midge-borne disease endemic to South Africa. Vaccination remains one of the most important tools in reducing the risk—but it’s not a guarantee, and it’s certainly not a cure.

We’re currently midway through our first round of AHS vaccinations here at Reign Equestrian Centre, ensuring our horses are protected ahead of the high-risk season. 🗓️

🩺 Vaccination Basics:

▪️Horses require two injections.

▪️Best administered in late winter to early spring, before midge activity increases

▪️Always done under veterinary supervision and properly recorded

🌿 Prevention Beyond Vaccines:

▪️Stable during dawn and dusk, when midges are most active

▪️Use fly repellents, masks, and fly sheets

▪️Keep paddocks clean and manage standing water to limit breeding zones

🚫 The Hard Truth:

Even with every precaution in place, horses can still fall ill. AHS is unpredictable, and when it hits, it's not the fault of the owner or yard. It’s a disease that can’t always be avoided—but it can be managed responsibly.

💬 So Let’s Focus On What Matters:

✔️ Quick veterinary response
✔️ Transparent reporting of suspected or confirmed cases
✔️ Creating a culture of support—not shame

At Reign, we believe open communication, early action, and a united front are the best tools we have.

Let’s protect our horses and support each other by putting responsibility before reputation. 💙

10/07/2025

01/07/2025

🌳 Shade, Movement & Mindfulness – Why Turnout Still Matters 🐴☀️

Even on cooler days, time outside in a paddock is one of the best things you can offer your horse—mentally and physically. 🖤

Why turnout is essential:
✅ Mental wellness – Horses are naturally curious, social, and movement-oriented animals. Regular turnout supports a calm, happy mindset.
✅ Joint & muscle health – Movement outside the arena helps maintain flexibility and circulation, especially in older or stabled horses.
✅ Sunshine & shade balance – Natural light is essential for vitamin D production, but having access to shade, like this spot under the tree, prevents overheating.
✅ Sensory stimulation – A different environment with sights, smells, and textures helps prevent boredom and stabling-related vices.

And yes, the fly masks are still a must-have.

Whether your horse is a showjumper, dressage queen, or semi-retired companion, structured turnout with thoughtful paddock design plays a big role in their daily happiness.

Let them move. Let them breathe. Let them just be horses. 💚

21/06/2025

Reign of Honour 🎖️

15/06/2025

Horsey Dad *(noun)*
/ˈhɔː.si dæd/

Definition (Father’s Day Edition):
A superhero, armed with snacks, spanners, and an endless supply of patience. The unsung hero behind every early morning ride, muddy pair of boots, and last-minute tack check.

Special Powers Include:
– Reversing trailers like a boss
– Clapping the loudest even when he has no clue what just happened
– Waiting quietly while you "just finish up" for another hour
– Loving your horse almost as much as he loves you

Often Heard Saying:
“Do we really need another saddle pad?”
“Where’s my coffee?”
“I’ll be in the car…”

Today’s Translation:
“Thank you, Dad. For the lifts, the love, and always being there.”

💚 Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible horsey dads – we couldn’t do this without you.

14/06/2025

A must have, not a nice to have! ⬇️

🧲 Two-in-One Power for Your Horse’s Health 🧲

Not only is EquiClay Cooling Clay your go-to for post-workout leg and muscle recovery—reducing inflammation, heat, and aiding circulation—but our Wound & Skin Care Clay is a total game-changer for those everyday equine skin struggles 🐴✨

💚 Helps soothe and heal: • Minor cuts & abrasions
• Mud fever
• Insect bites & allergies
• Mange & sweet itch
• Skin irritations & rashes

Our mineral-rich clay draws out impurities, calms irritation, and supports natural healing—gently, effectively, and naturally. 🌿

Because your horse deserves a product that does more than one job—and does it well.

09/06/2025

👌👌

08/06/2025

🐎 Why How You Work Your Horse Matters

It’s not just about putting in the time — it’s about making the time count.

Working a horse correctly means helping them build the right muscles, develop balance, stay sound, and enjoy the work. Every ride is either building your horse up… or breaking them down.

Here’s why correct work matters 👇

🔹 Posture + Balance = Longevity
When a horse moves correctly — forward, straight, and through their back — they’re working in a way that protects their joints, tendons, and spine. Over time, this helps prevent injury and keeps them feeling good.

🔹 Building the Right Muscles
Hollow backs and high heads might look flashy, but they do damage. Correct work builds the core, topline, and hind end — the real powerhouse.

🔹 Mental Clarity
When the work is fair, consistent, and clear, horses become more focused, willing, and relaxed. Good riding creates good attitudes — both in and out of the arena.

🔹 Progress You Can See and Feel
A horse in correct work becomes more supple, responsive, and confident. The smallest details — transitions, circles, even walking — are opportunities to make a positive change.

💡 Remember:
It’s not about riding longer. It’s about riding better. Whether you’re on a youngster, schooling something tricky, or just hacking out — take a moment to check in with your horse’s posture, rhythm, and relaxation.

Good work is never wasted 💛

26/05/2025

Chloé and her beautiful grey pony, Abagta Gemak, stepped into the Novice classes for the very first time this past Sunday at the Autumn Gold Cup 🍂🏆

This pair continues to grow in confidence and class — we are so proud of both of you! 💫🐴💙

23/05/2025

Work Riding vs. Schooling: Understanding the Difference 🐴🎓

In the equestrian world, the terms “work riding” and “schooling” often get used interchangeably—but they’re not the same thing. Both have their place, both are important, but they serve very different purposes, especially when it comes to young, green, or reactive horses.

🔧 Work Riding – The Day-to-Day Maintenance
Work riding is all about keeping horses fit, focused, and rideable. It includes light hacks, basic arena sessions, stretching, conditioning work, and establishing rhythm and routine. It’s not about teaching something new—it’s about reinforcing what’s already there.

✔️ Maintains fitness
✔️ Builds trust and routine
✔️ Reinforces basics
✔️ Keeps horses mentally and physically ticking over

💥 And let’s not forget—work riders often get the rough end of the deal. From spooky babies to moody mares, they’re usually the ones taking the physical hits when a horse is feeling sharp, fresh, or unsure. It’s tough, honest riding, and it’s essential.

🎓 Schooling – The Intentional Progress
Schooling is deliberate, structured training. It’s about developing skills, correcting weaknesses, and progressing a horse’s education. Whether it’s flatwork, lateral movements, jumping exercises, or problem-solving—it’s focused, intentional, and technical.

✔️ Builds strength and understanding
✔️ Improves suppleness, responsiveness, and confidence
✔️ Requires a plan, feel, and timing
✔️ Often done by more experienced riders or trainers

⚖️ Why Both Matter
Horses don’t become polished overnight—and they certainly don’t stay that way without regular attention. Work riding keeps the engine running, while schooling refines the drive and direction. One without the other leads to plateaus, confusion, or regression.

And let’s not forget to value our work riders—they are the unsung heroes, often riding multiple horses a day, taking knocks, building basic trust, and laying the foundation for the more visible moments of success in the arena.

So next time you see a horse performing beautifully in competition, remember: behind every smooth round is a team, a plan, and a lot of hours spent doing the groundwork that nobody sees. 👏🐎

17/05/2025

Finding the Balance 🐴⚖️

Horse riding—and ownership—is a constant balancing act. Like most things in life, consistency and structure are the foundation of success. One thing we know for sure: horses thrive in a predictable, supportive environment.

It’s easy to talk about a horse’s progression or regression, but often, the missing piece lies in the mirror. Horses are deeply intuitive animals—they feed off their rider’s energy, emotions, and mindset more than we sometimes care to admit. Their brains are literally wired to seek safety and connection through us.

If we’re scattered, inconsistent, frustrated, or unsure... they feel it.
If we’re calm, clear, focused, and fair... they rise to meet us.

So the next time your horse feels “off” or your ride doesn’t go as planned, take a step back—not just to check on your horse, but to check in with yourself. Because true progress starts from the rider up. 💫

14/05/2025

👇🏻 Take a read - this is a game changer