ENGLISH TEXTS weeks after birth or after weaning;
• Yearlings are usually treated early in the year, and for those entered in sales, also at the start of sales preparation and in the weeks leading up to the auction. For those beginning training, sometimes before breaking-in. I also work regularly at breaking / pre-training facilities. For horses in training, the follow-up is more variable. Some need sessions almost once a month, particularly those with chronic lesions( joint, muscular, ligament, or tendon) that lead them to adopt compensatory postures. Others are simply checked before and / or after races. I occasionally intervene at auctions to assist horses who have become stiff from transport, got stuck in their stalls, or suffered violent movements during presentations. These interventions allow me to perform what I informally call“ adjustments,” but they are not intended to address long-standing dysfunctions, which are treated beforehand.
G. What are your recommendations for good practices between veterinary medicine and alternative therapies?
P. D. I believe it’ s crucial not to pit veterinary medicine against so-called“ alternative” therapies like osteopathy. These approaches should be seen as comple- mentary. Personally, I have never had any communication issues with the veterinarians working at the stables where I practice. I am often in contact with them regarding cases we handle together. These exchanges have taught me a lot— and you keep learning every day. There’ s nothing like a horse to prove you wrong, and that’ s part of what makes these professions so fascinating.
G. Do you have a“ grandmother’ s remedy” to share?
P. D. It may sound simplistic, but I’ ll echo the Health Ministry’ s recommendation:“ Eat, Move.” I’ ll leave the nutritional side to the experts, but I would stress the importance of movement! Sedentary lifestyles are as harmful to horses as they are to humans. Lack of movement encourages a host of issues( digestive disorders, circulatory problems, joint issues, anxiety, muscle stiffness …). According to studies, a domestic horse in pasture moves around 15 to 16 hours a day. In current horse-keeping conditions, we often fall far short of that. While offering such conditions may seem logistically impossible, this reality should still be taken into account when planning their turnout schedules.
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� PAGE 49
JENNIFER PARDANAUD
By Mélodie Janvier
Based in the Orne region, in Omméel, Jennifer Pardanaud and her husband Ronan Le Dantec have been running Haras de La Frênée since 2012. Trained notably at Haras du Mézeray, they have specialized in breaking-in, pre-training, and preparing horses for sales, particularly breeze-up sales. While some of the“ Séroul” horses pass through their stables, stars like Group 2 winner Suesa at Goodwood and Gold Tweet were both trained at La Frênée. Meet two passionate horse lovers.
Galorama. Jennifer, why did you choose to specialize in breaking-in, pre-training, and breezeup sales preparation?
Jennifer Pardanaud. I’ ve always worked in operations focused on breaking-in and working with young horses— training young horses has always appealed to me. Later, I joined Haras du Mézeray, which is when I discovered thoroughbreds. I was drawn to their energy, their somewhat unpredictable nature, but above all, their ease of learning. When Ronan— who was in charge of breaking-in during his final years at Haras du Mézeray— and I set up our business, it was a natural decision to launch this activity, alongside our
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