Capriole Stables

🌼 A Magical World of Ponies Awaits!

Our Pony Tots Club is the perfect place for young horse lovers to learn, play, and grow. Through fun, age-appropriate riding activities and pony interactions, little ones build confidence, develop new skills, and make lasting friendships in a safe and supportive environment.

Every visit is filled with smiles, learning, and unforgettable pony moments!
🌟 Join the Pony Tots Club and let your child's love for horses blossom!
📞 Contact Capriole Stables to find out more.

📍 Randjesfontein Country Estate
📞 082 414 7378 | 082 573 4797
✉ [email protected]
🌐 www.capriolestables.co.za

An interesting read!

🧐A lot of riders will look at these and immediately look at which one has their heels down. But we need to look a little closer at what is actually happening between the foot and the stirrup.

In A, the ball of the foot is supported on the stirrup, the foot is relaxed and the stirrup is relatively level. The ankle sits around the middle of its available range, meaning there is still movement available when needed for shock absorption.

In B, the ball of the foot is still on the stirrup, but the heel has dropped further and pushed the stirrup forwards into an angled position. The ankle is now closer to the end of its dorsiflexion range. How quickly this happens depends on individual ankle mobility, but being closer to end range means less movement is available to absorb the horse’s movement.

In C, the stirrup has moved onto the toes. The toes are held in extension, tensioning the plantar fascia underneath the foot. The rider now has a smaller area of support and is loading a part of the foot that isn’t optimised to provide the same stable weight-bearing base.

We spend so much time looking at whether a rider’s heel is down that we can miss what has happened to the foot and stirrup to achieve it.

And that matters because the stirrup isn’t just somewhere to put your foot. It’s part of your base of support.

Tomorrow I’ll explain why the position of the stirrup matters, how it changes the forces acting through your leg and why a lower heel doesn’t necessarily mean a more stable lower leg.

If you want to understand your position rather than just being told where your body should be, that’s exactly what we work through in Riding Ready - understanding the biomechanics, recognising what your body is doing and developing the strength and control to change it.

Join Riding Ready and start understanding the why behind your position.

🌸 Happy Women's Day from Capriole Stables! 🌸

Today, we celebrate the incredible women who make our stables such a special place. From caring for our horses and coaching riders to inspiring confidence and sharing their passion every day, your dedication never goes unnoticed.

To every woman who rides, teaches, supports, encourages, and dreams—thank you for the strength, kindness, and determination you bring to our equestrian community.

Here's to strong women, strong horses, and the unforgettable bonds they create. 💜🐴
Happy Women's Day! 🌷✨

📍 Randjesfontein Country Estate
📞 082 414 7378 | 082 573 4797
✉ [email protected]
🌐 www.capriolestables.co.za

Theo and Kwella this morning, they had a lovely lesson!

Snowflake ans Vanilla having a snooze, soaking up tve warmth of the sun 🏵☀️

Pretty sure everyone can agree with this one!

🐴🌿 Find Freedom in the Saddle 🌿🐴

There's something truly special about riding a horse—the quiet connection, the mutual trust, and the feeling of moving together as one. It's a chance to leave the stresses of everyday life behind, reconnect with nature, and experience a sense of freedom that's hard to find anywhere else.

Whether you're a complete beginner or returning to riding, our adult lessons offer a welcoming environment where you can build confidence, develop new skills, and discover the joy of being in tune with another remarkable creature.

✨ Take time for yourself. Book your adult riding lesson at Capriole Stables today. 💜🐎

📍 Randjesfontein Country Estate
📞 082 414 7378 | 082 573 4797
✉ [email protected]
🌐 www.capriolestables.co.za

Can you guess who's behind the tree?👀

Enzo says these shiny blue moving things are rather interesting!