Animals

It is important to take into account the weather conditions in your area when breeding, writes Thomas Smit

It is important to know the basics when taking care of your horse, but in some cases you might do more harm than good. Kim Dyson explains when you can handle injuries and illness yourself, and when to call in professional help.

At the end of the pigeon racing season, we need to analyse and build for the future, writes Thomas Smit.

The appearance of healthy prize-winning pigeons is linked to hygiene, writes Thomas Smit.

Unfit horses with long coats are more prone to heat stress, writes Dr Mac.

Maintaining strict hygiene is of primary importance in keeping racers free of infection, writes Thomas Smit.

Your horse should lift all four feet willingly when asked, writes Dr Mac.

Danie Barnard's dad kept pigeons all his life as a non-competing fancier, so Danie Jnr was raised in the pigeon loft.

The qualities of a good racing pigeon aren't always visible at first glance, writes Thomas Smit.

A number of ambitious beginners in the pigeon sport have asked what to look for in the eye of a racing pigeon. The information here is based on my own experience and, in my view, is backed by results.

The recipe for success in pigeon racing is entirely in human hands, writes Thomas Smit.

Importing good pigeons isn't as important as how we train the ones we have, writes Thomas Smit.

To be successful in racing pigeons, you need discipline and hard work. You need to examine the racing programme to understand what's expected from the pigeons and how to train them to give their best within the demands of the programme.

The distance flown is not the deciding factor when identifying a disastrous pigeon race event, but rather the speed and the losses.

Over the years we've received contrary advice about routine treatment in the off-season. Some are entirely against it, while others strongly advises it, but with caution. Who should we follow?

When stocking game in the Little Karoo, farmers must be aware of the fragility of this veld. Careful monitoring of veld, starting with the right species, as well as the animals already on a farm, should all be considered, so says Ken Coetzee of Conservation Management Services. Glenneis Erasmus spoke to him about how to get stocking rates right.

James Raw - chasing opportunity

Laminitis often has devastating consequences for your horse's ability to work. If it's too severe, your horse may even have to be put down, writes Dr Mac.

Freak weather, fatigue and inexperience can result in losses, more so if the birds are younger than six months old.

A scientific analysis of price trends at last year's game auctions indicates that despite the economic downturn, demand for certain species was high and more animals were being sold directly to game capturers.