Hynders Appaloosa Western Performance Stud

12/10/2026

Maxwells Hot Chocolate
Day 2: Ranch Rail Pleasure class, 2nd Place

12/10/2026

What. A. Weekend!❤️

Summer Slide, hosted by the Western Show Company, was an incredible experience!

This weekend marked Maxwells Hot Chocolate’s debut, and she gave me absolutely everything she had.

Together we achieved our first BP scores, my highest Ranch score ever—a 202, and finished with:

🏅 2nd Place in 4 of our 9 classes
🥇 1st Place in the W**e Glass Reining class

For those who don’t know, W**e Glass Reining is a full NRHA reining pattern ridden while holding a w**e glass filled with water—making precise manoeuvres while keeping the glass steady is definitely a challenge, and Chocolate certainly kept me on my toes!

But the biggest achievement of the weekend wasn’t the ribbons.

At home, Chocolate is a spicy mare—opinionated, full of personality, always protecting her space and never afraid to tell me when she thinks I’m asking too much.

This weekend she showed me a completely different side.

She stood quietly amongst unfamiliar horses, worked around young riders learning arena etiquette, and patiently waited at the in-gate surrounded by horses without fidgeting, pacing or reacting.

She trusted me.

When it was our turn to ride, she stepped into the arena with grace, focus and willingness—showing the incredible talent, drive and competitive nature of the Appaloosa breed.

Despite the heat and humidity, the atmosphere at Summer Slide was filled with camaraderie, encouragement and genuine sportsmanship.

A huge thank you to Ronel, the Western Show Company team, and all the sponsors for creating such a fantastic event where every rider and partnership was celebrated.

Now Chocolate gets a well-earned week of rest and relaxation in the paddock before we continue training in Pretoria towards the Appaloosa Nationals in Parys

We will continue building on our Western training, using the judges’ feedback and lessons from this weekend to improve, while also preparing Chocolate for English Dressage and Showing classes—an area where, without a doubt, her athleticism, movement and versatility as a sport-bred Appaloosa will shine.

Our goal is to showcase the Appaloosa not only as a Western competitor, but as a truly versatile performance breed capable of excelling across multiple disciplines.

Every ride, every score and every comment is another step towards Nationals—and we can’t wait to see what comes next.

Official show photographs are still to come, but here are a few behind-the-scenes moments from an unforgettable weekend.

🧡🖤

25/09/2026

🟧PREPPING FOR NATIONALS | PART 2 🖤

FUELING THE ATHLETE

Nutrition • Energy • Hydration • Minerals • Recovery

Once the foundation is right, the next question is simple:

How do we fuel the horse we're asking to perform?

A performance horse needs more than calories. They need the right balance of forage, energy, protein, minerals, water and recovery to support the work we're asking of them.

For us, that means feeding the individual horse — not simply feeding more because Nationals is approaching.

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🌿 FORAGE FIRST

Our horses live out on natural Karoo veld, with lucerne as our supplementary forage.

This is the foundation of the programme, providing fibre, supporting the digestive system and contributing to daily energy intake.

Because veld quality and availability change with the seasons, we adjust according to what each horse is actually receiving, their workload and their condition.

We feed the horse in front of us — not a number on a feed bag.

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⚡💪 FUEL FOR THE WORK

Training increases energy requirements, while adequate protein supports muscle development and repair.

But more isn't automatically better.

The aim is a balanced programme that provides enough nutrition to support:

Training.
Condition.
Muscle.
Performance.
Recovery.

We want a strong, well-conditioned athlete — not simply a heavier horse.

Any changes are made gradually and guided by the horse's workload, condition and recovery.

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🧂💧 MINERALS & HYDRATION

Minerals support essential functions including muscle, bone, nerves, energy metabolism and immunity. Requirements depend on the individual horse, their forage, workload and environment.

Water is equally important.

Clean, fresh water must always be available, with hydration becoming even more important as workload, temperatures and travel increase.

Salt and electrolytes can form part of an established programme suited to the individual horse — but electrolytes never replace water.

A horse cannot perform well if they aren't adequately hydrated.

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🏇FUEL THE WORK — NOT THE CALENDAR

As Nationals gets closer, it can be tempting to increase everything.

More feed.
More supplements.
More work.

But the calendar shouldn't determine the programme.

The horse should.

If condition, energy and recovery are good, there may be no reason for dramatic changes. We make adjustments when the horse tells us they are needed.

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😴RECOVERY IS PART OF THE PROGRAMME

Training creates the stimulus. Recovery is where the horse adapts.

Good nutrition supports that process, but it works alongside appropriate workload, hydration, quality forage and adequate rest.

We don't build the athlete by constantly asking more from them.

We build them by balancing work and recovery.

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🟧THE GOAL

Our goal isn't to create a horse that looks impressive for one weekend.

It is to develop an athlete that can:

Train well.
Recover well.
Maintain condition.
Stay mentally settled.
Perform consistently.

By the final weeks, we're not trying to create the athlete.

We're fine-tuning the athlete we've already built.

Feed the horse. Fuel the work. Protect the recovery.

🟧NEXT — PART 3

FROM KAROO TO COMPETITION

Travel • Stabling • Forage • Movement • Mental Preparation

04/09/2026

🟧PREPPING FOR NATIONALS | PART 1🖤

BUILDING THE FOUNDATION

Natural Veld • Lucerne • Living Out • Condition

When we talk about preparing a performance horse for Nationals, it is easy to focus on the final weeks — the training, the classes and the competition.

But for us, preparation starts much earlier.

It starts at home, it starts in the Karoo.

And it starts with building a horse that is healthy, well-conditioned and mentally settled long before they ever walk into the show arena.

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🌾THE KAROO IS PART OF OUR PROGRAMME

Our horses live out.

They have access to natural veld, space to move and the opportunity to behave like horses.

That lifestyle is an important part of our foundation.

The natural movement throughout the day, grazing and browsing opportunities, fresh air and open space all contribute to the horse we eventually take to competition.

We don't believe preparation begins by putting a horse into a stable and suddenly increasing their workload.

The athlete is built through the everyday routine.

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🌿LUCERNE AS OUR FORAGE SUPPORT

In our environment, Lucerne is the forage we have available to support the natural veld.

For a performance horse, forage isn't simply something to fill the stomach.

It provides fibre and forms an important part of the horse's overall nutritional foundation.

The amount required will vary according to the individual horse, their workload, body condition and the quality of the available veld and Lucerne.

The important thing is to look at the whole horse, rather than feeding by numbers alone.

Condition tells us a story.

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🐴LIVING OUT — BUT STILL CONDITIONING

Living out doesn't mean our horses aren't athletes.

In fact, the natural movement associated with living out can be a valuable part of their foundation.

But competition conditioning still needs to be deliberate.

Training gradually develops:

Strength.
Fitness.
Balance.
Coordination.
Suppleness.
Stamina.

The aim isn't simply to make the horse tired.

It is to progressively develop the physical ability they need for their chosen discipline.

And just as importantly, to allow adequate recovery.

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💪CONDITION BEFORE COMPETITION

We don't want to arrive at Nationals hoping to create condition in the final few weeks.

The horse should arrive already carrying the appropriate amount of muscle and body condition for their individual needs.

That means monitoring them throughout the year.

Not just before a show.

Changes in body condition can tell us when something in the programmed needs attention — whether that means looking at forage, workload, recovery or the overall nutritional balance.

The goal is not maximum condition.

The goal is appropriate condition for performance.

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🧠THE MENTAL FOUNDATION

A performance horse isn't only a body - they are an athlete with a mind.

Living out gives our horses the opportunity to move, graze, socialize and decompress naturally.

That matters.

A horse that is mentally settled at home has a stronger foundation from which to handle the demands of training and, eventually, competition.

Nationals will bring a completely different environment.

So we want to build confidence long before we arrive.

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THE FOUNDATION COMES FIRST

Before we think about the arena, we think about the horse.

Natural veld. Lucerne. Movement. Condition. Training. Recovery. Mental wellbeing. These are not separate pieces. They work together to create the athlete.

And this is where our journey towards Nationals begins.

Not in the show arena - at home, in the Karoo.

Prepare the horse. Build the foundation. Trust the process.

🟧NEXT — PART 2

FUELING THE ATHLETE

Nutrition • Energy • Hydration • Minerals • Recovery

04/09/2026

🟧🖤 PREPPING FOR APPALOOSA NATIONALS — THE JOURNEY BEGINS🖤🟧

Preparing a performance horse for Nationals is about far more than getting them fit and riding a few good patterns.

For us, it starts much earlier.

It starts out in the Karoo — with horses living out on natural veld, supported with good-quality Lucerne, developing fitness, strength, confidence and the partnership we rely on when we finally step into the arena after a year of preparation.

Then comes the part we don't always see in the photographs.

The feeding. The conditioning. The recovery. The mental preparation. The journey.

The change from open veld to a busy show environment.

And for horses accustomed to living out, the adjustment to potentially being stabled 24/7 for up to a week at Nationals when they aren't attending classes or being taken out for in-hand walks or brief turnout.

Then there is competition itself.

Managing hydration. Forage. Salt and electrolytes. Feeding around classes. Movement. Rest. Recovery.

And keeping the horse mentally settled through several days of competition - because Nationals isn't just about the few minutes inside the arena.

It is about everything we do before, between and after those minutes.

Over the next four parts, we'll share how we're approaching the journey from Karoo horse to competition athlete — and why we believe that good preparation isn't about doing more.

It's about doing the right things, consistently, for the individual horse.

🟧PART 1 — BUILDING THE FOUNDATION
Natural Veld • Lucerne • Living Out • Condition

🟧PART 2 — FUELING THE ATHLETE
Nutrition • Energy • Hydration • Recovery

🟧PART 3 — FROM KAROO TO COMPETITION
Travel • Stabling • Movement • Mental Preparation

🟧PART 4 — COMPETITION READY
Feeding • Hydration • Recovery • Multi-Day Management

This is our journey to Nationals 2026.

Not just preparing a horse to compete - Preparing the whole horse for everything that competition brings.

Prepare the horse. Trust the work. Ride the moment.

01/09/2026

Touchy subject, I know. So let me start with a disclaimer: I don’t own a stud chain. I don’t even have one in my barn.
And that’s intentional.

If I have a stallion that requires a stud chain for me to safely handle him on a normal day, he doesn’t stay a stallion at my house.
Now, before everybody comes for me — I am not talking about breeding situations. Breeding is a different environment with different levels of excitement, hormones, and risk. I’m talking about everyday life.

Leading to the barn.
Loading in the trailer.
Standing tied.
Going to a show.
Walking through a busy environment.
Basic training and handling.
If I need a chain across a horse’s nose every day just to have control of him, then in my opinion, we have one of two problems:

A. He needs more training.
B. He shouldn’t be a stallion.
And maybe that sounds harsh.
But being a stallion is a privilege, not an excuse for poor behavior.

I expect my stallions to understand personal space. I expect them to lead quietly. I expect them to pay attention to me even when there are mares around. I expect them to be manageable by knowledgeable horsemen without needing increasingly severe equipment just to maintain basic control.
Does that mean they’re robots? Absolutely not.
They’re stallions. They have hormones. They have personalities. They can get excited. They can make mistakes.
But “he’s a stud” shouldn’t be the explanation we use every time a horse drags somebody around, runs over them, screams through the barn, or becomes unmanageable.

Good training doesn’t remove the stallion from the horse. It teaches the stallion that there are still rules.
And frankly, temperament matters too.
We talk endlessly about conformation, movement, color, hair, pedigree, performance and what a stallion can produce physically.
But what about his mind?

If we’re intentionally breeding a horse, shouldn’t temperament and trainability be part of the equation?
I know this won’t be a popular opinion with everybody, and that’s okay. There are plenty of good horsemen who use equipment differently than I do.
But in my program, if I need a stud chain every single day to control a stallion, my answer isn’t a stronger chain.

My answer is more training — or fewer testicles. 😅

14/08/2026

Trust Looks Like This

There is something profoundly humbling about seeing a horse choose to lie down in your presence.

In the wild, lying down is one of the most vulnerable positions a horse can be in. It means surrendering the ability to flee in an instant. Every instinct tells them to stay alert, yet every now and then they choose peace over fear.

This morning, as the sun rose over the mountains, I quietly walked over to remove the blanket from Kondos Palesa, one of our more alert broodmares, who remained comfortably napping in the sun. There was no rush, no anxiety, and no need for her to stand. She simply trusted that she was safe.

Nearby, I spent a few quiet moments sitting beside Maxwells Hot Chocolate, a mare who has come further than I ever imagined possible in the five years I have owned her.

When Chocolate first came into my life, trust wasn't something she gave freely. Her instinct was to run first and think later. She would strike out, push through people, and react from fear rather than understanding. She wasn't a "bad" horse—she was a horse who didn't yet know that humans could be a place of safety instead of something to escape.

Over the years, we have built that trust one quiet moment at a time. There was never a shortcut, only patience, consistency, and allowing her to discover that she would never be punished for being afraid. Every interaction became another brick in the foundation of our partnership.

This morning, that journey came full circle.

Once Palesa's blanket was removed, both mares stretched out and enjoyed long, contented rolls in the fresh morning air. When they stood, neither of them hurried away. Instead, they walked over and simply stayed with me.

Chocolate stood beside me as if there was nowhere else she would rather be. Her head hung low, her eyes softened, and for nearly five minutes she yawned over and over, releasing every ounce of tension while choosing my company over walking away. Even after I removed her blanket she stayed quietly by my side, content and at peace.

For many people, it may have looked like an ordinary moment.

For me, it was everything.

To see a mare who once believed the safest answer was to run now choosing to stand quietly beside me is a reminder that trust is not measured by how well a horse performs. It is measured by how safe they feel in your presence.

Moments like these are impossible to force. They cannot be bought, trained, or demanded. They are earned through thousands of quiet interactions—showing up every day with patience, consistency, fairness, and respect.

For me, this is what horsemanship is truly about.

Not control.
Not dominance.
Not proving who is in charge.

It is about becoming someone a horse feels completely safe with. Safe enough to rest. Safe enough to be vulnerable. Safe enough to simply exist without fear.

Looking across the field this morning, with one mare peacefully lying in the sunshine and another quietly sharing the moment beside me, I was reminded that the greatest achievements in horsemanship are rarely seen in an arena.

They happen in the silence between horse and human, where trust speaks louder than words ever could.

These are the moments that fill my heart the most. Because when a horse chooses to trust you with its most vulnerable self, it has given you something far more valuable than obedience.

It has given you its confidence.

Its peace.

And a small piece of its soul.

09/08/2026

Celebrating the strength, passion and determination of women—in the saddle, in life and in the businesses they build with heart. 🧡🐴

Happy National Women’s Day! 🌸

09/08/2026

This is an intresting article

Put down the breeder pellets - overfeeding your mare can have serious consequences for your foal - especially if you are after high performance!

Obese and/or overfed mares have foals that are prone to metabolic issues later in life, and are more likely to have developmental orthopaedic disease as they grow.

This is why I already routinely avoid high starch "stud feeds" and lots of grain in my broodmare diets, and in fact have many succesful pregnancy diets with no energy concentrates added whatsoever!

Further research shows that foals with overfed mothers have a shift in their muscle fibres from the fast-twitch Type II, to slow-twitch muscle fibres, especially in the important muscles of hind leg - which could seriously limit performance potential in horses, especially in sports that require fast acceleration - e.g. thoroughbred racing.

Time to think again about breeding nutrition? 🤨