Faves Around The Stables with Mitchell Taff

This article is from the March 2020 Horse Deals magazine.

Born in Sydney, Mitchell started with horses when he was 13, helping his parents with the horses at the farm. After spending time in both America and at Mulawa Arabians in Australia, the opportunity of a lifetime presented when Mitchell was offered a position working for Al Shaqab in Qatar at the largest Arabian breeding and showing farm in the world. Mitchell trained Arabians in Qatar for eight years but has now returned to Australia where he is full-time training and showing.

Vaseline

I put Vaseline on the faces of the horses around the muzzle and eyes every night. It helps to remove the small hairs, while keeping the skin smooth and oiled.

Rose Oil Spray

I use this daily on the Arabians faces to keep them clean from all the dirt and muck. When at the competitions I only use rose oil on the faces and body as it doesn’t leave an oily effect.

Open Nutrition Muscle Matrix

I highly recommend this product to any horse trainer to help build muscle and maintain condition without fillers or heating the horse up. I used this product in the Middle East and am also still using it here in Australia; it’s one of the best feed supplements I have ever used. My fiancé Daniella Dierks is using this supplement on her dressage horses that she has in training, too.

Clippers with blades 10, 15, 30, 40, 50

Clippers always keep the horses looking amazing; you never know when an owner will turn up. I use mainly a 10 blade for body clips on bay and chestnut if the horses have long coats. A 15 body clip for grey horses just before the show, which just gives a better grey colour. 30 mainly for the V on the Arabians, it’s a short cut while leaving hair on. 40 and 50 to clip around the nose and around the eyes. I use the 30, 40 and 50 to blend the face clips to ensure that it looks natural. The Braun shaver takes the small hairs out that the 40 and 50 won’t get. In the Middle East we were not allowed to take top eye hairs off and the hairs around the nose so the Braun takes the smaller hairs off while leaving the long hairs.

Neck Sweats

I use a neck sweat daily while exercising the horse. The sweats I use are only for around the neck and sometimes for the body. They help to reduce the fatty parts. Sweats heat up the neck and form a white lather, that’s when I know it’s working. I always let the horse cool down after working by letting the horse stand in the box while keeping the sweat on.

Clients

If I didn’t have any clients I wouldn’t have a business to run. I have been very lucky to have some of the best clients in the Arabian Industry. They have allowed me to showcase and represent their studs at the highest levels at the Arabian Shows.

Brushes

I don’t have a particular brand I use, just regular brushes. I just need to have a very soft one, a bit like a fluffy mit, to use at the shows before we enter the ring.

Back on Track Boots

These help to reduce inflammation in the legs while the horses rest at night time. A very well-known brand in every discipline.

Healthy Hair Moisturiser

I use this daily on the body and to give the hair a natural shine. It brings all the natural colours of the horse out to shine. It also keeps the horse clean while giving the coat all the oils it requires.

Training Halters

I use these halters three times a week if the horse needs to be trained, otherwise once a week. Training halters are similar to a bridle but without the bit. They have a chain, and most of the pressure comes from the poll of the horse and jawline.

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