The Lessons Your Learn

Two decades in the business of high performance dressage sport, Stegars is very honest when she says that good horse management comes from lessons learnt, experienced garnered over the years, and an open minded for scientific development.

"I should have known years ago what the signs of ulcers and sensitive stomachs were," she admitted. "My first Grand Prix horse Payano was a sensitive stallion and always eating more or less badly. Back then we tried everything with feed, from mueslis to mashes. We tinkered and tested all the feeds. There was some weight gain, but he was still nervous. He was breeding and performing well, but always just that little bit too thin in my opinion. He would always finish his food during the night."

She continued, "twenty years ago we were not that aware of ulcers. People at the time were not so in tune with sport horse feeding and welfare. I'm a bit sad now that I didn't find the help he needed. He never colicked or so, but in my head I know he would have even been better with the knowledge and experience I have now."

Edgy Horses with Little Appetite

Terhi's interest in Equine 74 Gastric was peaked when she read testimonials from top riders on Eurodressage. With one horse sensitive to his stomach in her stable, Terhi decided to give it a try. 

"Horses that are sensitive to the rider's aids are usually also sensitive to environmental changes which impacts their stomach," said Terhi. "I have now learnt to check the stomach and not to change the feed first; from my experience it's seldom the feed. The horses that don't eat well are usually edgy. They get muscled but are not really filling out, nor always become round. I also notice that their coat was sometimes not as good. With Equine 74 Gastric their appetite and general look improve."