Bergman Equestrian

How It All Started - From an early age I wanted to present my horses to the highest standard. I recall at 8 years being taught how to plait a tail, mane and forelock and shortly after this my parents separated. And that was it, a life changing time where if I was going to compete, I had to do it all myself without help. I remember every Saturday washing my horse, clipping, oiling a saddle and bridle, scrubbing stirrups, girths and bits; washing saddlecloths, soaking jodhpurs

I came across a great news article written this week called Dealing with Horse Food Aggression. Food aggression is when a horse becomes aggressive and displays bad and dangerous behaviour at feed times. Sometimes horse owners find it hard to manage due to fear of getting hurt so the bad behaviour is not addressed, and it continues, and horses are even sold on because of this trait. One horse may have many homes and at each home they can experience different experiences and ex

Judges in all disciplines need to see that effort has been put into the presentation of a show horse. One reason for learning how to exhibit your horse properly is that the more effort you put in, the more blue (first place) ribbons and championships you will win. These results you achieve in the show ring will appear on your horse’s record with its registered association. If they win State, National and World Championships, they are then known to have ‘credentials’. If you a

Collation of Photos of Success in the Ring with Bergman Equestrian Horses Photographs by Author with the exception of top right photo ©Mary-Anne Noble and top left photo ©Equi-graphics (Used with Permission) First impressions are so important and so is showmanship. Both you and the horse must present and perform well. If you practice and practice at home, then you will deliver a polished performance in the ring. I cannot emphasize this enough. Even 20 minutes a day or every

Horses are usually clipped when they start to get hairy in the cooler months. After being clipped, a horse must then be rugged appropriately to keep warm as they no longer have hair. Being kept in a stable at night is the best way of keeping them warm when the temperature drops in the evening in winter. I prefer to have every part of the body covered, including the ears and I keep my horses in a stable that has lights on at night. This gives the impression that it is summer

What you decide to do with your horse's mane for a competition depends on the rules or the discipline you are competing in. If you haven't competed in a particular discipline before and you are set to go to your first competition, then it is a good idea to read the rule book that the show is being judged under. Items you may need include, strong mane bands that won't break, plaiting wax/sculpting stick for 'fly away' hairs, water in a spray bottle or a plaiting spray, secti

My favourite shampoo for a white, grey or palomino (with white mane and tail) is definitely Champion Tails Silver Highlight Shampoo. Take a look at the photo below and you will see results! This yearling photographed was National Champion for all aged horses. When you compete at this level, you need to present your horse extremely well. TIP ~ Leave it on for a few minutes to soak in before washing off. LINK ~ https://championtails.com/product/restore-shampoo-silver-2/ For a b

Over the years I have used many products, until I found Bling It On Pony. Never again would I use anything different. The results are second to none. I have found certain items stocked at large saddlery stores are those that provide the biggest profit margin and not the "best" products. I have worked in this industry and have heard it said. There is a leg whitening product that is stocked at many stores and I have found horses' legs look grey in comparison with Bling It On Po

I find it necessary to have lists! The first list I have is everything I must pack to take to a competition and I print the spreadsheet off each show, and tick off when I have put an item in the car or horse float. The second list I have is for the items I need to purchase before the show. It's a good idea to add these onto the pack list so you don't accidentally leave them at home. Items might include a product that has run out at the last show, like shampoo, hoof black etc.