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We all have routine in our lives, and we usually have our horses on a regular routine without even realising it, do they appreciate this, is it even good for them??

Horses are creatures of habit and love routine, they thrive on it. Most of us would know we don’t even need a clock to know when it’s feed time, they’re usually standing by their feeder or waiting at the gate, they have the most amazing internal alarm clocks! They know their schedules better than we do, what time they’re fed, when they’ll be exercised and if you’re late to turn them out.

The reason for this is is it provides them security, they get anxious by the unfamiliar. Horses are prey animals and have the fight or flight response built into them, a regular and consistent routine keeps them calm and relaxed. For example if you have a nervous or highly strung horse sometimes even the smallest break in their normal habits will instinctively cause them some anxiety. They get anxious and stressed so by trying to keep things regular you can help lower that stress and make them feel safe and comfortable. The mental well being of your horses isn’t the only thing that benefits from being consistent, it helps their overall health. Many nervous horses can suffer from gastric ulcers and keeping them calm and relaxed is a good 1st step to help keep that under control.

It isn’t always possible to be on time every day, life does get in the way, or perhaps you might be away at a competition. Trying to keep things to a similar routine as you can to daily home routines can help alleviate any stress or nerves your horse may suffer whilst in a strange environment. It is good practice to make any changes to stable routine gradually to help minimise stress, changing feed times or when you turn your horse out should be done slowly to allow them to adapt gradually.

A good routine isn’t just a benefit for the horse either, it leads to a well run organisation, where things won’t be missed or forgotten. Remember your horse looks to you for its care and comes to rely on the consistency you provide, you make them feel safe and happy and they provide you with enjoyment in return 🦄

It can be hard working on your own, so it is important to set yourself small achievable goals so you can start your day with a sense of purpose and finish with a sense of achievement. Think about the bigger picture and your aims for the future, also don’t be afraid to give yourself a break. Have a cup of coffee and regroup. I personally like to listen to podcasts while I’m doing chores such as tack cleaning or paddock maintenance. It’s also important you don’t just work all the time. Go see friends or do a different activity to give you a change of scene.

Never be ashamed to take a step back, listen carefully to what your horse is telling you. If you’re doing a lot of work in the arena, try going out for a hack. Lots of exercises can also be done on a ride out and maybe that will help your horse understand what you’re asking. It’s likely not a step back, just a different approach.

Young horses also benefit from short breaks and days off, they can also get tired and have brain ache. They often come back really well after some quiet time.

Comparing yourself with others is never helpful as everyone is on a different path. Your path is right for you and if you’re focused on learning and just trying to be better than you were the day before, you’re so much better off than being afraid to try.

ASB Conquistador (Clinton x Heartbreaker) x Charcoal RJ3 (Caracas x Levenmouth Impeccable) 18/9/23

All the planets needed to align for this (not so) little guy to be here – and they did 💫🙌

Higgins (Heraldik x For Pleasure) x Cliche RJ3 (Caracas x Renegade z) Born 4/9/23

Haliae has been bred and born at RJ3 sport horses for Jess Jasper.

Haliae is a water spirit, this name was chosen as we were experiencing significant flooding at the time of this breeding!

Haliae was born with some minor limb deviations. His near front is bowing out at the knee and turning in at the fetlock. He is also over at both knees. He was windswept behind left to right, but as he strengthened this came right within a few days.

Early intervention at a young age can see huge improvement in minor deviations.

Haliae has had a lateral extension taped on (he’s too young for it to be safely glued) this will support his knee and encourage his fetlock to come back out.

With him being over at the knee, if he exercises to much he gets very unsteady and shaky. He was kept stabled and the mare taken out to graze while he exercises for 20-30mins twice daily while he gets stronger.

With the early intervention and close monitoring, he has grown into a lovely individual with a trusting nature that will ensure, with caring management, he becomes the best he can.

Cabochon (Emerald x Cristallo I) x Charcoal RJ3 (Caracas x Levenmouth Impeccable) Born 18 August 2020

‘Torri’ currently the youngest ridden horse of the future stars. She attended her 1st training rounds at the end of 2024, which she handled like a pro. She had been included at a few training days prior just to be ridden around, and experience the atmosphere without any pressure. Young horses benefit greatly from short ‘preps’ of learning how to be grown up and then going back to the paddock to be a horse. Torri is another exciting youngster to look forward to🤞

Corelli (Cornets Prinz x Granulit) x Charcoal RJ3 (Caracas x Levenmouth Impeccable) Born 11 October 2017

Aka ‘Calvin’ because he was born a Calvin Klein model!

Corelli had caught my eye as young horse and was available via chilled semen, so when 2 attempts with frozen had failed, he was my immediate choice. As maiden mares generally have smaller foals, I saw his height as a bonus.

Calvin is developing into lovely horse. His height (last measured at 17.3 3/4!) has meant that I am taking the time necessary for such a large horse to mature.

His lovely temperament has meant that he has been used as the babysitter for travelling for quite some time. Therefore his adjustment to actually being on the ‘big kid’ team should be no trouble at all!

Concorde Ego Z (Calvaro x Carthage) x Cliche RJ3 (Caracas x Renegade Z) born 27 September 2017

Coachella was the result of the service won by Verdelho in the 4yo Oaks Medallion 2014. Originally planned for Charcoal as Cliche was due to start her competitive career following her 1st foal. As a maiden mare Charcoal didn’t take with 2 attempts of frozen, so with 1 dose remaining, I made the the decision to try Cliche.

Cliche being a very fertile young mare, was checked by the repro vet, ready to go, set for AI and went straight in foal.

Her competitive career would be put on hold for another 18 months.

Coachella was sold as a weanling, departing for WA in March 2019

Valhalla (Quattro B x Clinton) x Cliche RJ3 (Caracas x Renegade Z) Born 6 October 2015

‘Rolly’ is progressing beautifully. He has such a beautiful temperament, it was considered for him to be kept a stallion.

I’m not upset that he was gelded as there is so much access to quality stallions from all over the world and the management is so much easier.

He had a beautiful temperament as a stallion (has was gelded as a 5yo) so as a gelding he was always going to be an absolute gem.

His competition career has started slowly due to COVID and an unfortunate fall in March 2021. He is currently competing successfully at 1.10/1.20.

Rolly was sold to continue his show jumping career in Japan in 2023.

Cliche RJ3
Caracas (Casall x Colman) x Richochet RJ3 (Renegade Z x Levenmouth Impeccable) Born 8 August 2012

Cliche had a short but successful competition career. She had 2 foals prior to starting in the show jumping ring. Vermoral RJ3 2015 (Valhalla) and Coachella RJ3 2017 (Concorde Ego Z)

Due to COVID and then a personal injury (not related to her 😉) she has been retired to the brood mare paddock, where she will continue to produce outstanding performance horses.

Her final foal for RJ3 sport horses was a colt by Higgins(4/10/23) bred for Jess Jasper.

Cliche has recently been sold to a young rider in QLD, with the intention to restart her show jumping career.

Caracas (Casall x Colman) x Impeccable Rhea (Levenmouth Impeccable x TB) Born 18/10/2013

This is ‘Bells’ 3rd and final offspring.
Charcoal has the most amazing temperament and I was very excited about her competition future. She had her 1st foal as a 4yo in 2017 prior to starting her career but unfortunately due to some complications will be a full time brood mare for RJ3 sport horses.
She currently has 3 progeny on the ground (Californication RJ3 – Corelli 2017, Crimson Tourmaline RJ3 – Cabachon 2020, Cazimi RJ3 – Conquistador 2023)