Neuland Lafayette (Faye)
Arrival & Background
Neuland Lafayette, fondly known as Faye, was bred by Michele Neuland, of Neuland Stud in Stellenbosch, Western Cape (Michele has since closed her SA stud and returned to Germany at the end of 2014).
BREEDING:
Faye is registered with the SA Warmblood Society.
Sire: Font Barbados
Dam: Sala Liliting Melody
Sire of Dam: Ludwig von Beethoven
D.O.B: 13/11/2007
Faye is a lovely rich chestnut, with a centre star and only her left hind has a pastern marking.
She stands approx 17hh
Faye was bought by a client at the age of 4, as backed and going, with the goal to breed with her. As Faye was 'gangly and big', she was given 6 months off and put out to the field to mature. She moved to Durbanville in the coming months but unfortunately was hit with biliary - once her health improved, she was lightly hacked.
At the age of 5, Faye was artificially inseminated - 3 times. In Feb/Mar, the AI was positive but she sadly aborted after 6 months. Faye was then moved to a yard in Stellenbosch for a period, before moving to Rondeburg where Anne started riding her more frequently. Sadly, another setback occurred when Faye pulled her sacroiliac in a deep sanded paddock and she was put to box rest for a month. After this period, Faye was walked in hand for 2 to 3 weeks and ridden at walk thereafter.
Another yard move was made and Faye started training with a Belgium trainer for 2 months. The training did not yield positive results and a one month break was given, before resuming schooling with a german trainer. After two ridden sessions, it was clear that this training was not working for Faye either. At this point, upon a vets recommendation, Faye was given 3 weeks rest due to body strain and pain.
After the 3 week rest period, Anne decided to opt for the natural horsemanship, science route for 2 months. At the end of these 2 months, Faye started her show jumping training, with a different rider. Although showing improvement , emotional stress escalated - an evaluation by a vet/acupuncturist at this stage, showed a very sore back, resulting from strain.
At this point, Anne decided to stop Faye's competition career and move her to Xenophon Equus Centre for correct body and mind work and to give Faye the best chance to build the right muscles and to learn to enjoy interaction and ridden work.
Faye arrived at Xenophon Equus Centre in September 2015.
Work Commenced
Hoof Balance
To assist with the above, the starting point was to balance Faye's hooves. On arrival, my farrier, Jacques Sauer, assessed Faye and gave his recommendation as to how he would work towards improving Faye's hoof balance.
Ian Pope, a highly qualified remedial farrier, was asked to assess Faye's hooves, balance/angles and advise what his recommendations would be.
Shortly thereafter, Faye's right front shoe came off and I asked my groom to remove the other 3 shoes.
Jacques trimmed Faye all around and the decision was made, after consulting with the owner, to go barefoot.
Body work
03/10: Treatment by JJ Tereblance
22/10: Treatment by Ruth Townsend
https://youtu.be/B4si3JhLOF4
Connection and Focus
3 Connection sessions to get her attention and focus, and set the foundation for personal space.
Ground work & In-hand work
3 ground work sessions per week, to improve muscle assymetry, range of motion, work ethic and release energy
Ridden work
Once a week to transfer the relaxation, she now experienced in-hand, to her ridden work. Bit education was included in each ridden session to re-inforce and establish.
Socializing
Turnout with suitable companions
Temperament
Faye is a sweet natured mare, Although she arrived at Xenophon unsure of herself, her kind eye was noticeable and she developed a softness about her that displayed more and more during the short time with us.
Training Goals
Challenges with Faye before arrival:
Weak hindquarters / long back
Pronounced Asymmetry
Hoof imbalance
Balanced on forehand
Lacked suppleness - struggled to bend, especially to the left
No work ethic
Easily distracted / loss of focus
Rushing
Disrespecful of space
Anne's goals and expectations for her training period here
Anne's goals were to create alignment and balance, in Faye's body, in her mind and to learn to enjoy each other again, without causing Faye any strain and pain in her body.
The aim was for Sandy to help Faye recover in mind and body and to teach Anne how to keep her working in this way.
Faye's future ..
Faye was sold to a lovely lady, Jacki Mostert. Her new home is nearby, on a private smallholding and their relationship is growing stronger daily.
Jacki and Faye will continue their work from the new, successful foundation that was introduced to Faye at Xenophon Equus Centre.
Feedback from Anne
It was the very best decision we made to take Faye to Sandy!
Faye is a very talented horse but everything she did was with tension and this took its toll on her body and we didn't have the knowledge how to help her.
Sandy literally started from scratch with bit work and helping her understand the aids so with understanding she didn't always react with flight mode!
It's not easy to admit you are having problems with your horse but I'm so glad I did because we really have helped her and isn't that what true horsemanship is about doing everything in the best interest of the horse?
To see her change physically and mentally literally from the first day was so rewarding.
