De Rust Equestrian

28/10/2026

I often hear people say, “My horse has become too dangerous for anyone to handle.”

But before accepting that conclusion, I think two things need to be clarified.

First, who is “anyone”?

Is it the owner? An inexperienced rider? A groom? Or an experienced professional who understands horse behaviour and training?

The distinction matters. A horse that is unsafe for one person to handle may be manageable for another, depending on the circumstances, experience and approach.

Second, what do we actually mean by “dangerous”?

Does the horse bite, kick, rear or charge? Does it panic when handled, resist being ridden, or react when placed under pressure? Is it in pain, confused, frightened or responding to something it has learned to anticipate?

These are very different problems, and they shouldn’t all be treated the same way.

So, when should you call it a day?

When the risk of injury becomes unacceptable, when you can no longer handle the horse safely, or when you find yourself relying on force because you don’t know what else to do. Recognising that you’re out of your depth isn’t failure. It’s good horsemanship.

Sometimes, the right next step is a veterinary assessment. Sometimes, it’s the help of an experienced professional who can assess the horse, identify possible causes and determine whether a safe path forward exists.

Not every horse can be made suitable for every situation, and no responsible trainer should promise otherwise. The horse’s welfare and the safety of the people around it must come first.

But a label like “dangerous” doesn’t tell us the whole story.

Before deciding a horse is beyond help, we should understand what is happening, why it is happening, and whether it can be addressed safely.

19/10/2026

Every horse deserves a backing experience that honours the gentle spirit of horses.

Those who have experienced the harsher side of training and become soured, or who never received a proper foundation under the guidance of a professional, deserve a second chance.

Perhaps you have a talented horse that needs further development to reach its potential as a competitive riding horse.

Whatever their starting point, I believe every horse deserves the opportunity to learn, develop and find confidence in its work.

I intend to help them all.

For more information, please get in touch or visit www.derustequestrian.co.za⁠, where you’ll find all the relevant information and contact details.

Luke Compaan | De Rust Equestrian

24/09/2026

It’s worth remembering that South Africa’s equestrian heritage isn’t limited to the past accomplishments of its elite athletes and their horses.

We have some truly remarkable indigenous horse breeds that were shaped over generations, by the rugged landscapes, and working conditions specific to this part of the world. The Boerperd, Nooitgedachter, and Basotho Pony, among others, carry pieces of that heritage.

These horses were not bred simply to look a certain way. They were selected for qualities that truly mattered in South African conditions: hardiness, stamina, soundness, adaptability, and temperament. Similar characteristics displayed by the people who live beside them.

Protecting these breeds isn’t just about choosing them over Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds or any other breed. It’s about making sure that the horses that are uniquely ours don’t disappear simply because the international types are more appealing.

Breeding them, riding them, learning their histories and giving them a place in modern equestrian sport are all ways of keeping that heritage alive.

Happy Heritage Day from De Rust Equestrian. 🇿🇦🐴

23/09/2026

21/09/2026

Am I the only one that looks at their dog, and gets filled with envy for the perfectly executed flying changes?

15/09/2026

Between the ears, from the back of Wildebeesfontein Frodo. With all the spring sounds of the farm. 🌱

15/09/2026

The issue with DIY young horse training isn’t that people can’t do it; it’s that mistakes made at the outset can quickly become unintentional, deeply ingrained, truly dangerous habits.

Inexperienced trainers often make mistakes like poor timing, unclear aids, rushing training goals or correcting a behaviour they don’t FULLY understand. Unfortunately, these errors will eventually become part of the horse’s education.

The challenging aspect is that you (often) don’t immediately see the consequences of these mistakes.

The horse may eventually jump, hack out or carry a rider. However, six months later, what initially seemed like a minor shortcut can manifest as a massive behavioural problem. This is usually the part when someone calls me and states that “My horse has suddenly started to…” or “Out of nowhere, he began to….”

This doesn’t mean every young horse requires a professional trainer from the outset. But It does signify that recognising your own limitations is an essential part of good horsemanship.

With a young horse, you’re not merely teaching today’s exercise; you’re teaching them how to respond to everything that follows. Make use of the resources available to you.

14/09/2026

After seeing some of my posts on gut health, AHFS kindly sent me some products to take for a test drive. AHFS Holistic Mix & DIY Gut Mix 5. I will be starting my two mares, Lisola and Stella, on these and report back to you guys in the coming weeks with our experience.

If you have had your own success stories with these products, please share it in the comments! I would love to know about it.

Thank you AHFS (African Horse Spray) for the opportunity to try out your products!

The product descriptions on their website states;
AHFS Holistic Mix provides a convenient way to support your horse’s daily nutritional intake with a blend of ingredients that contribute to overall health, vitality, and normal metabolic function. It contains: Dandelion, Fenugreek, Gelatine, Lysine, Magnesium Oxide, MSM & Glucosamine, Rosehips, Pro-Sacc (Yeast).

DIY Gut Mix 5 (Stomach & Hindgut Formula) Is a flexible, cost-effective gut support solution. Each ingredient is individually packed in a bucket, allowing you to mix your own blend, add more of what your horse needs, or leave out what you don’t. It contains; Yea Sacc 1026 – 300g, Bio Mos -300g , Acid Buf – 900g, Chia Seeds -500g

01/09/2026

For the Thoroughbred world in the Southern Hemisphere, September 1 marks the beginning of of the new breeding season.

As spring arrives mares naturally begin to cycle again, and breeders turn their attention to the next generation.

A Thoroughbred’s official birthday is 1 August, regardless of its actual date of birth. That means a foal born early in August and one born in December will both turn a year older on the same day.

A mare covered early in the season has the opportunity to produce an early-born foal the following August, giving that youngster valuable extra months of physical and mental development compared with a later-born foal of the same official age.

So today isn’t simply the first day of September. It is the beginning of the Thoroughbred breeding year.

Happy 1 September