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Ranked 4th in the World - Horse Training.

 

20th March, 2008

Wonderful Weather and a pleasure to work. Great morning riding out with the owner of the Clydie, her on the Mare and me leading the ride all over the District on the young fulla.

A Federal Government bill to force Telstra and other Australian telcos to hand over their network secrets has been introduced to parliament.
The government wants telcos to hand over the information so rival companies can effectively compete for the $4.7 billion in government money to build the planned fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) high speed broadband network.
Some telcos have agreed to hand over the information voluntarily but others, including Telstra, have expressed reservations.
Telstra has said it is willing to share the information but only when it is satisfied there are proper safeguards in place to stop the information falling into the hands of terrorists and criminals.

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Stephen Conroy has acknowledged Australians pay too much for broadband, but says measures to introduce free, unlimited downloading are unlikely to be part of the Federal Budget in May.
Mr Conroy, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, said a Senate inquiry to be held later this year would examine the nation's high metered downloading prices and the previous government's reluctance to introduce free, unlimited downloading.

Business and private broadband users have urged the government to introduce changes to reduce constraints, including the high cost of downloading.

Mr Conroy said today the Senate inquiry would discuss competing claims about broadband capacity, following comments by Google which recently said Australia was constrained.

SAND COLIC EVENTS

Hi john

I too would like to stay anon about this if you happen to post it on your site, but there is a vet here in WA that has given your recipe out on a very public horse forum. I didn’t think it fair to you and to those who had to pay for it. Here is the link.

http://www.html the poster in question is Woki, Warrick Vale from Bullsbrook Vet clinic.

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Hey ther John,

Maybe I am stupid but if an owner could not be bothered or does not want to pay $10 for a recipie to save their horses life, why do they have a horse. I am confused as to how you would be responsible for complacent owners.
Vets charge an absolute motsa for thier service and thousands of horses die because their owners do not or can not afford to seek treatment. I do not see anyone going around saying evil vets how dare they charge so much money. ;p Unfortuantly people are always going to give those they see making a good name for themselves a hard time, cause they cannot or do not have the fortitude to do the same.

Lots of people out there still love and respect you and see the fantastic work that you do =]

Oh btw can you tell me the typical weight and toeball download of a good quality float. I have been looking as I am thinking about buying a Navara, they can toe 3tonne but the toeball download is a factor. I wish i could afford an F250 or something (well actually I would love a dodge
Ram) but since I will be rarely toeing (I want it more so that I can if I need to rather then for going on long dinstance trips or to events) I can not justify it =[, maybe oneday when I win lotto ;p


Thanks for your time

Kristy

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Hi John

Well looks like somebody has put the cat amongst the pigeons on this one.

I read your web site everyday and was clad to see that Katherine (Werdun) had the decency to put her side of the story forward and not sit in the back ground.

I disagree whole heartedly with her views though. Wouldn't it be wonderful if every drug, remedy or cure was free in this world?
Imagine the inventors of penicillin (Madam Curie i think ) morphine and all the wonderful life saving medicines that we have today, said at the start, "free to the world" , here is an antidote to all your problems for free.

Not very practical is it? where would the money have come from for further research and the knowledge we now have?
As you know, approx 12months ago, I too purchased your sand colic recipe, I was able to save one of my horses but unfortunately, the other big fella had past before I could get the chance to try your recipe. I said at the time, after i had used it, I would have paid a $100.00 for the recipe, if it meant saving my horse the shear agony and pain he endured for nearly 14 hours.
As you said in your reply, it is not just the recipe that you sell, it is all the information relating to that remedy that comes with it, as well as the advise on other causes that tend to have similar symptoms.
I go on a lot of horse forums to gain as much knowledge as possible and have on numerous occasions been asked for help in relation to sand colic in horses.

I do not give out your recipe and always refer them to your web site.

But luckily there are still a few things in this world that do come free. The long hours you spend answering all the emails that come your way from all over the world, the pod cast you so willing give for free, the hours that you spend helping all the people with sometimes trivial but important questions and the time that you spend standing up for the horses rights.

I am sure you will get hundreds of emails like mine from your growing world wide group of supporters, so please ignore these type of people that look at life through blinded eyes.

Keep up the good work and hurry up and get to Queensland for a training session now that we are over the EI.

Regards
Greg

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John

Just for your info there is a lot of discussion on your sand colic recipe in the stockyard forum. A local vet has also gotten involved. http://www-colic-article-treatments-4.html
Thought you might be interested.
Cheers

TLC

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Katherine (Werdun)

Unfortunately horse people will not take free advice Katherine, you should be aware of this. Most people will accept your help for free, but only advice that they pay for, do they believe.
John’s $10 (or is it $15) recipe is a token amount really and I’m sure he’s aware that it gets used on more than the horse that the original person bought it for. This is less than the cost of a fluffy pink fly veil J
On the jig jogging horse
The 1st jig jogging horse I was talking about was ridden by our lovely Stockman friend.
He NEVER rides with a tight rein and all his horses have lovely temperaments. So maybe if you eliminate the tight rein issue (he’s slapped my hands in the past J) maybe look at the back of the horse? As with the heavy weight rider and her horse?
Leave the recipe where it is John and leave it they way it is. People WILL take it more seriously that way.

Tan

Hi John


*********

Sad you have come across a bit of bad press. Good of Katherine to shed some light. But sad that had to be done. Katherine it all comes down to money, legal liabilities, insurance, due diligence. John and Linda being Professional Horse Trainers have insurance and for that insurance to be viable they are obligated to do things in certain ways. Just read the front page before you can enter the site should give all a clue of the huge responsibility John and Linda carry in the work they do and the advise they give, teaching DVD’s they produce and the equipment they distribute. Their livelihood and existence in the horse industry hangs on their conducting due diligence – duty of care. You and I are not bound by that. I ride for pleasure no obligation to anyone (except to be the best leader I can to my horse). But we have due diligence in our own industries, mine is bookkeeping. I cannot even give advise in my industry, its illegal.
And John is so right in wanting people who need that remedy to deal with him personally because he does give so much more than $10 worth (he legally has to charge for it because of the nature of it). He has knowledge and wisdom beyond most people and asks the right questions to ensure that the person and their horse, particularly in dire circumstances, get the best support and information. John spends many, many hours a week answering people’s problems and concerns and doesn’t get a cent. (Just total love and devotion from his fans.) And he does this after a days work!! Go figure!!
Possibly for you Katherine the best and wisest support you can give to people who come to your site is direct them to John’s. They get to deal with him personally. They also get the correct combination of ingredients; after all it is chemistry at work. John so gives of himself when people need help and he really does know what the horse needs.
John and Linda, you guys keep doing what you do. A lot of us out there are so enjoying our horses because of everything you give. Some horses literally live on because of your training methodologies (and home remedies). And Fred’s work of course… I ride a horse that just should not be here.

So thank you, God Bless you.

Luv

Tracy

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wouldn't be impressed if I were you!

http://www.4.html

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Hi John,

Down with Ms "Werdun"!!! Bit jealous that one.

Any clux would know that any medical treatments cannot be handed out
without all the supporting information. It would be like a Doctor
giving treatments over the phone????

I think for all the hard work you do and all that brilliant free advice and professional commitment to the horse world you deserve your tiny $10 which is the cost of half a bale of hay for pete's sake!!

Heck, I would have paid $50!!! Pat would have charged $500!!

Jen.

********************

 

LETTERS OF THE DAY

Saw an incredible sight yesterday. End of day, horses all tucked up and we girls are standing at the rails of my friends beautiful new horse. Toby came out to say hello. Grey, a very big 17 hands, and such a good soul. He is exactly what a horse should be in every way and some. She is so happy with him.
My little dog, Bobby, Maltese Shit-zu cross, 10kg, small. Perfect farm dog, yeh right. Has grown up around the horses. You can “come here” “get over” get out of the way” all from the back of the horse. Loves it when the farrier comes. Cruises the property like he owns it. One thing he loves to do is check out the ground around the feed bins in the paddocks for tit bits; carrot pieces, pony cubes. He also cruises the walk in/walk outs. As the horses are having dinner he sneaks in for the crumbs. The horses are all cool. And he moves pretty quickly.
Toby finished saying hello (we didn’t have any food in our hands) turned and marched on back into his dinner. As he got to the door way Bobby has stepped into it from inside. And just like that Toby still in stride leapt straight over the top of Bobby going through the door way, landed and continued eating. How this big horse jumped through the door way defies logic. What a cool guy, he knew what he was doing. Mind you he didn’t have high to jump only did what was necessary and no more. Funny seeing Bobby frozen to the spot watching this massive horse sail over the top of him. (Lucky it wasn’t the filly she may have torn him to shreds).
It turns out his previous owner, who bred and raised him, when lunging, the family dog would lie in the way on the track and this horse would just jump over him…

Tracy

****************

Hi there John and Linda,
I am so glad it is much cooler. I will be having my first lesson in horse riding soon. A lady who is coming from Adelaide who help instruct at pony club her name is Kylie and she is a EFA instructor. I can't wait. I will be coming your way soon too hopefully as I would like to have a lesson with you guys. Do you do lessons in trail Riding???? I am most interested. I would get a kick out of that. I am hoping the answer is yes. What you wrote on the web page made me think you do.
Bear and mac have been excitable lately I think cos the weather has cooled and they are feeling good. My daughter said that Bear reared up at her at the fence yesterday as she wheeled her bike down the drive way. I am very suprised at this. I am not sure I can imagine it. She said he walked up to her then reared and then went back to standing. I thought if he was to do such an act it would have been done with more energy. My daughter is only six but she did the actions to describe it. I am not sure if she imagined it or made it up or it really happened. She was in trouble cos she didn't tell me that she was going and was late to come in for dinner. Our drive way is a half km so it is a long ride for a six year old. I am a protective mother and I would not have allowed that unsupervised. I thought she was in the back yard playing but she took herself and my son out the back gate they disapeared so quick. I hope that the whole sand thing blows over as that was not good. I think the girl had guts to own up though you have to give her credit for that. As for the $10 charge I think that is fair enough as you do have to cover your costs. How ever not all have a credit card in a time of need. I think that this makes it hard for some to get help on the spot. Most people do have credit cards and are able to access it this way. I recently got one so I can use it to pay on the net. I surpose that if you don't have a credit card it iss like not having a mobile or as I call the tracking devices. I hate them but in a time of need they are essential just like a credit card.
I put a round bail out just a few days ago of wheaten and the boys have gorged themselves. I say that is gluteny or how ever it is spelled. They are getting too fat now I had better go back to controlled feeding I think. Too bad I have a reaction to the hay on my skin.
Well Easter is nearly here and I hope that the easter Bunny will leave some chocky eggs for you. I have been naughty and had a bag of malteaser eggs. I couldn't help my self. I did share with the kids though. I will end up like the horses and will have to work them and me to burn it off. Well Just thought I would throw you a friendly note. Take care and I will see you soon.
Cheers from Cindy

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Hi John


Have a lovely QH x Arab mare dun and 15hh that I have bought from a stud north of the city.

She was sold as a 2yr old and then left in a paddock as the new owner was a novice and had really done the right thing once she bought mare for $4000 as she coudn't handle little miss as she had it all over the poor owner.
So mare is out in the paddock getting rugged fed carrots and hard feed and hugs from Mum for 3 years.Why do these sellers do this and knowing owner wouldnt have the ability plus the danger?? W#\ker!!
Finally has to say well i cant afford it and moves her on.Unbroken and towy LOL

I have her now after being broken in as a 5yr old and she is a worry wart and gets stressed out to the max as all is new and there are gremlins everywhere ready to bite her on the bum!!

I have enjoyed our time together in the last few months. I follow your advice and training methods as you know and BLOW ME DOWN but today while out ridng at a new farm she had never been to she was tense and looking around and not thinking about anything except herself and wolves- I whistled soothed her while riding never touched her reins and even when she shied at the tractor I just placed leg on and only used the one rein and then gave her her head to work it out for herself. I am her leader and nothing will harm her and guess what?? today she got it and the slow trot out and back to farm was the answer I needed.What a waste of a great mare if she had gone to another nervous rider she would have hurt them and herself. She looks for me now-and no I dont have a white bucket.Happy Easter.Cheers PS You know how people say horses shoudnt be by themselves well I was thinking about that and my 2 QH mares dont care if they are or they arnt as I am the horse they want LOL Amber

**********************

G'Day John,
Im getting desperate now,worried and confused too
My TB mare is trying to tell me somethings really wrong,and I cant work out what it is???
For the past week or so she has been getting worse
How it started(bear with me)
lack of energy
cantering on forehand(not comming from behind)
cutting corners
dislike of circles trot /canter
short striding
adding one canter stride to trot
refusal to flex
trotting sideways
tail swishing and kicking at her stomach
really sweatty(more than usual)
this behaviour is soo not like her,Im getting a chiro out tomorow,doubt the vet would be much help:(as she dosnt seem lame
But the odd thing was after she was happy to go for a gallop buck hoon with her mates
unless she has a few problems at once?the symptoms add up to lots of things. she isnt a happy chappy :(
Thanks Nat

*******************

Hi HP

A friend and I were having a discussion (disagreement) the other day re whether it is safer to connect the front or back of a horse rug first. We could think of pros and cons for doing up the front clip or doing up the back straps first (and assuming the horse breaks loose and then takes off). I know you will say that the horse should be tied up properly first but I am sure we have all put rugs on horses without restraint (naughty! naughty!). Just wandering what your thoughts were.

Cheers, Anita.
--

19th March, 2008

Back in the Saddle again today after a couple of days off and it was fun. My young fulla was a perfect Boy today, even though it was cool :) We rode out with Mrs. HP and Mrs. Anne Easton on her Standardbred Horse as she completed her Trail Riding lessons and now to the flatwork.

Then it was my great pleasure to sit down and watch Mrs. HP ride my Clydie Filly for her owner. She basically rode a Novice Dressage Test that was pretty faultless, yes Novice, not Prelim :) I was very proud and I am pretty sure the owner must be rather excited. 16th day under saddle. I must video her for you. Ride out with owner tomorrow and then lesson with Mrs. HP Friday and away she goes. She is a dream boat (O)

The owner just sent me these.

***********************

Last night I wrote this:

HURTFUL BEHAVIOUR

My wife has just brought this to my attention. There is a person who must be misrepresenting another South Australian who is a poster on a Forum in this Country, by inaccurately spreading my Sand Colic Recipe and alleging that it is not part of my Family Heritage. It never ceases to amaze me why people want to be nasty to others and go out of their way to do so? It seems to be getting more and more prevalent in today's Society. I spend a lot of my time attempting to help horses and people, about 30 hours per week and as a reward, I get this type of treatment. As I said, it cannot be the owner of the screen name as she is a fellow South Australian and a fellow Warmblood Stallion Owner. Perhaps she should check with the Moderator to see who may be using her identity.

Username: Werdun

This information is of a Veterinary nature and comes with a lot of other information for the protection of the Horse. Hence my Insurance premium so that I can supply it. Thanks.
 

and today I received these two letters:

It has been brought to my attention that somebody on a forum by the username of Werdun has been spreading untruths. I want to stay anonymous so please don't publish my email, but I can promise you that it is Werdun saying those things!!!!!....and:

Hi John,

In response to your concerns that I have been misrepresented, I wanted to let you know that this is not the case. I made the comments on the Eques forum, and because I always take responsibility for what I write on any forum, I will explain to you why I made the comments. There is nothing intentionally "nasty" or "hurtful" about them, nor was there malicious intent. I never questioned that the "bushies" were a part of your family heritage - in fact I didn't even know they were. All I know is that there are people who have been using the remedy (taken as word of mouth) before they had even heard of Horseproblems Australia. As the tone suggests though, I do not agree with the fact that you charge for the recipe and here is the reason why:

You have a home remedy which is (apparently) highly successful against a condition which is often deadly to horses. You have endorsements from veterinarians to say that it is (a) safe, and (b) beneficial. It is something which has the potential to save many horses' lives, especially during this horrific drought. Now, we seem to be passionate about similar issues and always have the horses' best interests at heart....yet this is where we differ. If I had a home recipe that could save the lives of many horses, I wouldn't be with-holding it in exchange for a fee (no matter how small). I would be spreading it for the world to see, plastering it on websites everywhere! For every $10? $15? you receive from someone who was willing to pay for your recipe, how many horses have died because they had owners who were not? You have the power to save a lot of horses - and take the credit for it - but you choose not to because you can make a few dollars out of it.

Now do you understand where I am coming from? And yes, I suck at making money out of horses! Now we both know why! LOL! But I do put my money where my mouth is too. No doubt you have been investigating "Werdun" and have come across my website. You may have come across the link to the clipping website I created. Many hours of work went into that site because I had information that I knew could help the general horse-owning population....I get nothing in return, except the satisfaction of knowing that I made - and am still making - a difference. Perhaps this all comes down to the almighty dollar. I put horses above that. Doing the right thing by the horse means more to me than money, which is why I PROMOTE OTHER STALLIONS (including your wife's lovely boy) on my own stallion's stud page!!! Now where's the sense in that? It increases the chance of a mare being matched with the RIGHT stallion...and that may not be mine. So what if I lose out? The difference between us is that you are making a living from it. I understand that, and accept it...but don't lose the opportunity to save MORE horses' lives than you are already.

Now I do have an apology to make. As much as I may disagree with it, you ARE making money by selling the recipe so I shouldn't have mentioned the three main ingredients. That was an honest mistake and there was no malicious intent behind that. I have since asked the moderators to remove those references in fairness to you. However, what I said about googling the recipe is true. It is up on the web in many places, sometimes with your name credited, sometimes not. If you start a crusade against these people to have the recipe taken down, go easy on them. Remember that they too posted it with the horses' best interests at heart. Not everyone does things out of spite.

Anyway, as a fellow South Aussie and WB owner, no doubt we'll meet in person at some point or another and hopefully under more amicable circumstances! I'm sorry you got such a wrong impression of who I am and what I stand for. No hard feelings. As you say:
"If I 'get up your nose', ignore it. I say things with a 'glint in the eye' and mean the best for you and your horses."
...that goes for me too. ;)

All the best,
Katherine (Werdun)

PS. Gee after all that, I hope you were talking about the Eques forum?!!! LOL!

Thanks for the answer. I haven't got the time to read the entire letter but would just advise people of this:

1. I am not a Vet and dispensing Veterinary advice is a highly dangerous thing to be doing in a World of litigation. I therefore had to purchase highly expensive Insurance cover the same as Lawyers buy.
    

2. If it is spread in an unmeaning way, people will not concentrate on the important details and they will get it wrong. As it is, there is a lot more information involved than is found on the gossip trail and Forums. It is crucial people understand all. By having them pay a token $10, means that I can furnish them with the ancillary documents involved, directly and answer any questions with actual knowledge gained over the years.
    

3. The fact that I can deal directly with the person means I can furnish them with the necessary warnings. Get a chance to push them towards a Vet and to warn them that there are all sorts of Colic and other things that they should have investigated and to consider.
    

4. and as a result of trying to be helpful to Horses and their Owners, I take on a lot of time consuming and unpaid phone time from desperate people, including a Lady twice yesterday from Virginia and one in Queensland. 45 minutes.

There is more but I have to get on with my site. Thanks for the letter and I'll let your conscience be your Judge when you lay on your Pillow tonight. Regards

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HEAVY HORSES AT RISK OF EXTINCTION


There used to be thousands of shire horses in Britain
Britain's heavy horse breeds are under threat with one - the Suffolk punch - reduced to a few hundred mares, say conservationists.
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust says the numbers of shire horses, Clysdale horses and Suffolk punch horses have dwindled to such an extent that their very future is at risk.
Although "heavy horses", as they are known, are renowned for their intelligence and gentle nature, encouraging more people to breed the horses in the UK has been become increasingly difficult.
For centuries, heavy breeds such as the shires worked as farm horses pulling carts and helping to plough the fields.
After the World War II, however, their numbers started declining. The need for increased food production meant more farmers used tractors for farm work rather than horses.
Most at risk
Dr Dawn Teverson, conservation officer at the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, says of the three breeds, the Suffolk punch is most at risk. There are fewer than 300 registered breeding females now left in the UK.
You are looking here at an icon for the UK and we don't want to let it go
Amanda Hillier, Suffolk Horse Society
"If it wasn't for a handful of breeders after the war, who kept this horse going, there would be no more Suffolk punch horses. It's absolutely crucial to our heritage and our future to save this horse.
"We have the responsibility to keep these breeds intact for future generations. If you do get to a very low number you could be talking about extinction," said Dr Teverson.
David Bakewell, from West Runton in Norfolk, has been breeding heavy horses for 25 years.
"The Suffolk punch is absolutely critical. As little as 100 years ago there were thousands of them," he said.
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust is working closely with breed societies such as the Suffolk Horse Society, which register the breeds, to encourage more heavy horses.
It is also monitoring the quality of the Suffolk punch breed to help maintain the breed's purity. State of the art computer software is being used to look at the genetic relationships and the different blood lines within the breed based on pedigrees.
Dr Teverson says the trust is spending a lot of money on a semen bank to help increase breeding, because it is easier to transport the semen around the UK than the horses themselves. The semen will be used in the future for conservation breeding.
Suffolk punch foals like Sunny are now a rarity (pic: Nigel Smith)
Amanda Hillier, administrative secretary for the Suffolk Horse Society, says she is concerned about the current number of Suffolk punch horses but is quietly confident the numbers will improve.
She said: "You are looking here at an icon for the UK and we don't want to let it go. The breed has been at a very low ebb for decades because the need for these horses wasn't obvious. Now we are very keen to maintain skills for these horses so numbers will then increase."
Good news
The society is actively promoting breeding by giving grants to owners who breed horses and also running training courses to teach people the skills to get heavy horses working in agriculture again.
"There's been a definite marked increase in the breed recently. In 2007 there were 37 new foals added to the stud book, an increase on the previous year and there are 26 registered licensed stallions on our list, which is more than a few years ago. There is good news as well as bad," said Ms Hillier.
Shire horses are now found across the world in countries such as Germany, Italy, Australia and the US.
Andrew Mercer, secretary to the Shire Horse Society, says shires are increasingly popular abroad but it has been a challenge to encourage more breeders in the UK.
He says more shire horses are being used for showing, riding, and cross-country driving.
"We have been working hard to highlight the different leisure activities the horses can be used for, in order to encourage more breeders. These horses certainly have a future but only if there are successful breeders," he said.

*********************

DROUGHT TAKES IT'S TOLL IN NZ

Southern farmers are giving away their horses for free, as the financial impact of this summer's drought takes effect.
But the Highland Horse Haven, which takes in abused and unwanted horses, fears many will end up as pet food because of the sheer number of horses being surrendered.
CEO Melanie Worthy said her organisation, which cares, re-trains and finds unwanted horses suitable homes, usually has 10 horses at any one time - but is now caring for 31 with another 11 arriving next week.
"Farmers are suffering and they're surrendering their horses because they can't make income off them," Ms Worthy said.
But the volume of incoming horses has thrown the Highland Horse Haven into financial turmoil.
Miss Worthy said she has just taken out a $20,000 personal loan to cover the lease on the 200 acres but said she needs to come up with a further $10,000.
"We're in a major panic now because we're all volunteers and we're all self-funded," Ms Worthy said.
The organisation makes money by selling the horses but with the on-set of winter, it is unlikely anyone will want to buy one soon, she said.
One horse has come off the mountains and needs a big operation and that will cost $2000, so help," Ms Worthy said.
She said most of the horses that come to the organisation are in a bad way and are lean.
Ms Worthy's greatest concern was that farmer's were panicking and turning their horses over to pet food processors.
She said the public have donated $2000 to her organisation but more is needed.
Otago Federated Farmers president Richard Burdon said it comes down to farmers' responsibility.
"It's the economics of it, buying a bale of hay at 10 bucks a bale, some people don't want to be spending $1000 a year feeding a horse but that comes with the responsibility of ownership.
"If it is an animal welfare issue, then they need to buck their ideas up," Mr Burdon said.
He said conditions are worse in the Waikato and areas around Taupo and Australian farmers put up with droughts for several years.
Mr Burdon supports the Highland Horse Haven's work and said people can always call the Federated Farmers feed line.
"If in doubt, a bit of communication with the likes of Federated Farmers would help," he said.

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi HP,


Just wanted to say – “Don’t let the bastards get you down”.

I’m sure there are 1000’s of people out there that have “gladly” paid for and use your horse colic recipe and are happy and relieved to have it. All your time and effort, your advice, DVD’s and saddlery are always excellent and so very much appreciated. It’s such a pity there are not more people like you in this world, who are willing to give so much for the sake of others.

As for Username: Werdun - and people like them, I dearly hope they are the minority, and you know Karma is a funny thing…


All the best. Jane

xx


********************

 

I Have a 5 year old anglo arab gelding that I bought as a 2.5 year old and broke in myself. He is a great horse that tries very hard all the time to do everything asked. His only problem is that at times he will throw some whopper tantrums. For example the other day I was riding with a mate and she went for a canter in front of me. I decided that it was a good time to reinforce that I choose the pace not him. As he has done before he jig jogs and crabs sideways for about 5 or 6 strides then plants his feet and goes straight up! He has done this before and everytime he gets a good walloping round the backside and pulled into a one rein stop when safe to do so. The last time he reared up it was a lot higher than usual and I felt we wheren’t far from going over backwards. He is not a rearer in general. Any ideas on how to overcome this? I cant ask him to back up, should I just be pulling up into a one rein stop when he first starts to jog? Any other suggestions? I am a bold rider and am sure that eventually I will get this problem fixed I am just after some new suggestions?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Cheers

Leone

If you go down the page Leone, this was discussed at length this week. Read the article too. Now, I would never ask a young horse to stay back whilst another goes off into the blue yonder. That is asking for more trouble than we may want to or are capable of handling. I always advise people to only ever take on what they absolutely know 100% that they can win as you MUST WIN 100% of the time to be a good Horse Trainer. In that way, judgment is an important ingredient. I have never had a young one 'crab' and that worries me a little too Leone. If I were going to split from another Horse, which I do from time to time, I will turn and go the other way and prove the point that way. Then there is far less of a chance of getting rear because you can drive them from behind to forward whereas you are having to hold up in front and you know what that can lead to of course. During the foundation times of the Green Horse, we won't even ride with another Rider unless they are riding for the Horse we are on. No darting off allowed and if our horse breaks one stride, not only do we follow the training systems but the accompanying Rider must immediately bring their horse to a halt whilst we train and only then move off again. Other Horses moving one leg can undo a training opportunity. The rearing is handled separately of course. That article is below also. Regards

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Hi John,

I have a 4mth old filly foal who has had heaps of handling since birth and is great to handle however, I am hoping to show her in mid May at a foal show where I need to teach her to trot next to me (without her mother in sight either). Her half sister (Now a yearling) didn't attend foal shows and picked up trotting along next to me very quickly but was older when she was taught and it seemed to just come to her as she matured. I am wondering what you would suggest for teaching a young foal to trot along with me She leads quite well and will walk away from the dam with no problems at a walk. I don't want to lose her trust or damage her confidence as I am sure there is a better way than chasing her around with a big stick which I simply refuse to do. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Tara

Well Tara, you can go the long but sophisticated road of teaching your Foal the 7 Games whereby you can then drive her with the driving game and she will run alongside you remote control or you can choose to teach her to move forward off a dressage whip but also in a sophisticated way if you are smart. It will hold you in good stead come breaking in. Stand alongside the Foal but facing the back of it and have the Foal between you and a fence. Start gently tap tapping rhythmically on top of the rump whilst asking her gently forward with the give and take of the lead rope and voice command of ssst ssst or cluck cluck or 'walk on' or whatever. Any movement forward and I mean ANY, even one leg only, means instant cease of tapping and a stroke and verbal reward. Repeat, repeat. When the foal understands perfectly what is wanted and will walk along on command, turn around and put the whip in your left hand and behind you and repeat. Then when you are ready to trot, you start trotting, verbal commands, tapping and INSTANT reward for a trot. Repeat, repeat and in the end, the Foal will trot with slight prompt of lead rope, you trotting and your silent to the Judge kiss to the Horse :) If the Judge says anything say you were cleaning your teeth hahahaha

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Hi John

The 1st jig jogging horse I was talking about, was ridden by our lovely Stockman friend.

He NEVER rides with a tight rein and all his horses have lovely temperaments. So maybe if you eliminate the tight rein issue (he’s slapped my hands in the past J) maybe look at the back of the horse? As with the heavy weight rider and her horse.

Tan

Of course Tan. In fact I was told today about a big fat chubbly cuddly hack Judge getting on one recently and exactly that happened :)

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Hi John,

Here's a link to Griffydoon Ropes, the girl that makes the most realistic rope halters for models.

http://www.freewebs.com/griffyndoonropesaustralia/tackshop.htm

And the model horse showing is really big, and we finally have a Live Show (where the horses get judged in person rather than in an online show) here in South Australia in July. The best thing about model horses? You don't have to worry about fences, worming rugging grooming and you can put stallions next to each other and not have to worry about a fight!! ;)

I've attached pics of my two best horses, PR High Voltage (Volly - the bay welsh cob) and PR Candyman (palomino warmblood)

Here's links to very realistic saddlery for the models (and they cost almost as much as one for the real steeds!!)

http://www.jscustomtack.com/02_tack_gallery/01_dressage_gallery.html

http://www.jscustomtack.com/02_tack_gallery/02_jumping_gallery.html

http://www.jscustomtack.com/02_tack_gallery/05_aussie_gallery.html

And one last link, the link to my model horse forum....definitely worth a look. We already have nearly 2,500 registered horses in less than two months!!

Temika :)

Very cute Teminka. I might need some of them soon :)

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Hi John

Many thanks for your reply & your help! That is what I thought I'd do with the back leg strap but as I like to plan carefully to avoid injury to either the horse or myself I thought I'd check with you first before doing something and possibly making a dangerous mistake. I am taking things quite slowly as I am still a bit sore in the hamstring and can't move very fast yet. T'is best to make slow steady progress than try to change the world in one day. ;-)
 

Don't worry, the horses will be wearing enough protective boots to kit out a troop of stormtroopers. ;-) I always use boots when working my horses as accidents can happen so easily and we don't want to ruin their legs.
 

I do try to never take horses for granted under any circumstances, I've found that its a lot safer that way, experience has taught me that! Even the quietest horse will throw something really silly in once in a while - just take what happened to me earlier this year as a prime example... I still have bruises and elbow soreness to prove it!
 

I cringe every time I see one of our guys tying a horse up long enough to get its head to the ground... and spend a lot of time telling them to tie up short and the reasons why. Unfortunately some people never learn... <sigh> but at least I can keep the horses safe for now.
 

That is true Jane. For safety, you put the rope already through the left hand side ring, then pass the leg strap behind the leg of the horse without touching it, then quietly putting the rope through the right hand ring and as you step back, drop the strap and it all falls down to below the fetlock and you are safe.

He is quite good with his feet and legs generally but I don't want to make a mistake with this as he is rather big and very strong and I don't want him to get hurt if he struggles like a mad thing when his back legs get strapped up as I need to have him working for a jousting display we are doing as a fundraiser for the RDA & the ILPH in a couple of weeks time. The rest of the horses should be a lot easier with this but as he is the most responsive to voice control [and also has the best manners] I thought I'd start with him first.

You never take them for granted and you boot up the corresponding front leg heavily, especially at the back of it. I put up to 5 boots on some. Your only danger is not getting the rope tied off prior to an attempt to take the leg away. Get the rope slack ripped up quick and do a couple of half hitches immediately. Don't rely on the magic know alone.

kind regards
 

Jane from NZ

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I'm still too chicken to tie the rope from back hobbles to neck strap :(
The other day I 'tested' a couple of ponies just to see how they might react?
I tossed the rope around a back leg reached under the tail to grab the other end slid the rope down around the hoof and pulled up the hind leg while standing at the shoulder!
Up came the leg, no argument - forwards - sideways - backwards made no difference to the victims.
Oh well maybe I'll have a go this weekend :)
Sarah.

We must never use hobbles to pull up back legs Sarah. They are not designed or made for that. This one is.

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Hi John,

We have a quarter horse mare rising 4 years who has the worst disposition I have ever seen in a horse. She is extremely smart and trainable but does everything with her ears half flattened and a look in her eye as if she would like to kill you. Even when she is standing in a pen minding her own business she looks sour. Needless to say she is a herd leader not a follower. We can live with the dirty looks most of the time but at a re-occurring point during her cycles she becomes the bee-arch from hell and you had better stay out of her way.

Some time ago did I see a posting on your site about a similar problem with a mare? And did somebody post a reply that they had come across a Vet who used glass marbles that were inserted into the uterus of the mare which effectively sterilized it for as long as the marbles were retained.
Any help on this subject would be appreciated.

Regards Wendy.

Yes Wendy but Lord knows where now. You should get her ultra sounded or scanned for tumor on ovaries etc as the first step. If all clear, then I would 'Tap this one"

 Regards

***********************************

 

18th March, 2008

Day Off.

Finally a cooler change and the Horses are looking for trouble in the paddocks as they do. Any excuse to suddenly charge off as if their was a Lion chasing them. They love it too. Unfortunately, this last two weeks has been the straw that has broken the Camels back for this State. Mature Trees are dying everywhere. The dying Planet. I drove along the 'Golden Way' in the Suburb that won the 'World's Best Address'. Golden Grove, with it's Golden Diosma and Golden Ash and other Trees. I reckon 20 % at least are dying now as we speak and it ain't going to be the 'Golden Way' again. :( We too have Trees now dying. All the mature English Trees have finally given up their fight

 

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AN IRISH TALE

O'Leary'sâ Irish Diamond whinnies as his owner Melissa Cason-Kinney rides North America's No. 1 Irish Draught at Highline Equine Services near Kalispell on Friday. (Garrett Cheen/Daily Inter Lake )

In the horse world, O'Leary's Irish Diamond is a superstar stud.

And when you're the No. 1 Irish Draught stud in North America, fans will find you no matter where you live.

Melissa Cason-Kinney of Bigfork owns the famous stud, which has captured numerous dressage, hunter, jumper championships. Along the way, the stud has sired well over 100 offspring, each one a distinguished gray like its father. She can vouch for the horse's popularity.

Those smitten with O'Leary's Irish Diamond track her down, hoping to glean tidbits about the horse's competition triumphs or latest offspring.

"The weirdest thing is getting phone calls," she said. "It's hard to understand them with their Irish brogue. Usually, they just want to know how he's doing."

And who can blame them? Powerfully built with a proud carriage and large intelligent eyes, this Irish Draught stallion leaps tall fences in a single bound with horse trainer Jenny Carbonari-Ford on board.

"He really is the number one Irish Draught stud in North America," Cason-Kinney said.

St. Patrick's Day is the perfect time for O'Leary's Irish Diamond to make a Flathead debut, she said. He currently resides at Highline Equine Services off Helena Flats Road.

"You won't find anything more Irish in this valley," she said. "He's very intense and he loves to work."

WHILE THE breed is unfamiliar to many in America, the Irish consider these horses their national breed. A look at the Irish Draught's history reveals multiple uses ranging from artillery horses on battlefields to all-around farm, hunting and family transportation horses.

Their numbers diminished severely due to war, famine and then, the ultimate threat, tractors. Nearly extinct by 1976, a group of breeders formed what became the Irish Horse Board to bring them back from the brink.

Luckily, the popularity of Irish hunters, created from draughts crossed with thoroughbreds or warmbloods, helped saved the breed. Cason-Kinney said this dream match blends speed and endurance for top-notch sporting horses.

"You get a thinner horse with stamina -- not so heavy and drafty," she said.

Irish Horse Board members made certain the draughts stayed true by registering only those meeting strict breed standards.

Since his birth on Jan. 1, 1994 in Ireland, O'Leary's Irish Diamond has wowed the famously persnickety horse board with his solid stature. The stud received the highest scores of the stallions in his first inspection phase in Ireland in 1997.

After arriving in America shortly after that first inspection, the stallion made history again when the Irish Horse Board traveled here for the first time ever to complete the performance phase of O'Leary's Irish Diamond's inspection.

He passed with flying colors, registering the highest scores ever given to an Irish Draught stallion.

"It was kind of a big deal," Cason-Kinney said. "Only a few get approved. European standards are much stricter than American."

A towering presence at 16.2 hands, O'Leary's Irish Diamond occupies a roomy, stout stall at Highline Equine alongside his progeny. No one would accuse this horse of loving the barn, as he urgently banged the stall door with his hoof in a plea to his owner to saddle up.

Cason-Kinney describes her stud's personality as a reflection of his previous Irish-American owner, Jim O'Leary.

"Jim is sort of the epitome of an Irishman -- kind of gruff and full of it," she said with a smile. "Irish horses have the same personality."

This personality trait flows through to the stud's youngsters, just like the color gene that transforms his multicolored foals back to basic gray by age 2.

According to Cason-Kinney, gruffness becomes a top athlete horse like her Irish.

"It takes a certain personality to compete at that level," she said. "A horse has to reach within and have the grit to be able to do it."

From the moment the stallion sees the first jump, Cason-Kinney said she feels every bone quiver as he fires up for competition. Whether jumping, hunting or strutting in dressage, O'Leary's Irish Diamond proves a crowd-pleaser.

"He absolutely loves to jump," she said.

That's why people travel to shows to see this grandson of the iconic Irish Draught stallion King of Diamonds, a stud once ranked the seventh best producer of show jumpers in the world. Another relative, his uncle Custom Made, took gold for America as David O'Connor's eventing mount during the 2000 Olympics.

"He really is Irish Draught royalty," Cason-Kinney said.

As such, O'Leary's Irish Diamond commands a stud fee of about $1,400. Cason-Kinney said the income helps support Kinson Stud, a business specializing in quality sport-horse studs.

She and her husband Skip Kinney live on a ranch with a horse population varying from 16 to 18, just off Montana 83 on the Swan River. They formed Kinson Stud in 2006, the same year that they acquired O'Leary's Irish Diamond.

CASON-KINNEY said the adventure started with exploring horse breeds on the Internet.

"I fell in love with Irish Draught horses," she said.

The hook-up with this particular Irish celebrity happened by coincidence.

When she took her daughter, Shelby, to Highline Equine for riding lessons, Carbonari-Ford showed her a horse sired by O'Leary's Irish Diamond. She was amazed to hear the father's name.

"That's the horse I want to buy," she recalled saying.

But more astounding, the stallion's ailing owner had just made arrangements to ship his prized horse to Carbonari-Ford to train and show for a few years and perhaps sell "to someone special."

Cason-Kinney, 41, fit the bill, as a horse rider and horse lover since she was 11. Growing up in Florida the daughter of an attorney/rancher, she pestered her parents until they gave in and paid for jumping lessons.

"I was hooked," she said with a laugh. "I even missed the prom for a horse show."

Owning and riding O'Leary's Irish Diamond was a dream come true. He was the perfect horse to mend the heartbreak she and her husband endured in 2004 when their prized Friesian stallion, Alger, died without warning.

Cason-Kinney knew they had a special horse, but she didn't realize how beloved he was until the e-mails arrived via their Web site, Kinsonstud.com 

and the phone calls started coming from Ireland.

"He has an amazing following," she said.

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Victorian event rider Bianca Craddock was seriously injured in a fall at the Tominbuk CIC horse trials on March 9, the Australian Equestrian Federation has reported.
Riding JJ Fortitude in the CNC3* class, Craddock fell at a bank fence and was taken to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

She remains in intensive care, but is making progress.

• Former New Zealand event rider Laura Wallace also sustained severe injuries in a fall last week, during a competition in Australia.

There were other injuries during the weekend, proving how dangerous the Sport of Eventing can be.

*************************

Family and friends of injured event rider Darren Chiacchia have been buoyed by a slight improvement in his condition.
Chiacchia, 43, is still unconscious in intensive care in Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in Florida, but is now breathing independently without the assistance of a ventilator.

Doctors also detected a minor fracture of his left hand today.

However, the extent of his brain and neurological injuries are still the biggest concern.

Chiacchia's condition was upgraded on Sunday afternoon from critical to serious, and he was in a stable condition, according to Tallahassee.com.

Family and friends have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from the eventing community in the US and around the world. Emails and phone calls have flooded in from people who barely knew Darren but admire and respect his talent.

His friends are committed to keeping Darren's Independence Farm in Marion County running smoothly until Darren returns to take the reins again. Chester Weber has stepped in and will be managing the business while Darren recuperates.

Darren's many students will be staying at the farm and will be receiving lessons from such greats as Robert Dover, Leslie Law, John Madden, Laura Kraut, Jonathan Holling and Jessica & Missy Ransehausen, who are generously donating their time to ensure that they are supported through this difficult time.

• The Red Hills Horse Trials were the first of this year's 2008 Adequan USEA Gold Cup events.

Clark Montgomery and the steady gelding Up Spirit put together a stellar ride to finish off his weekend at the top of the CIC3*W division - which was the "Advanced" division for the Gold Cup. He started out the event in third place, after scoring a 44.7 in dressage, and then leapt up to first after the cross-country ride left him with only 12.8 time faults. He had a rail in hand heading into the show jumping ring, and second place finishers Allison Springer and Arthur dropped two rails, as did Montgomery, so the title was his.

In the CIC2* division, the "Intermediate" Gold Cup division, it was former Australian Phillip Dutton and Acorn Hill Farm's Baileywick who led the victory gallop. Jennie Brannigan and Cooper initially led the field after dressage with a 42.8, but they incurred 8.8 time faults on cross-country, while Dutton and Baileywick added just over one time fault to their score of 44.4. Dutton seemed especially pleased with his performance and also had two other horses in the top five of the two-star division.

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Top British event rider fined after incident

March 18, 2008

Oliver Townend has been fined £1000 and warned after being charged with abusing a fellow rider last September during a competition.
Townend appeared before the British Eventing Disciplinary Committee on March 14, charged with having acted in a prejudicial manner contrary to rule 3(a)(ii) of BE 2007 Rules.

The charges said he abused and threatened fellow rider James Adams, and abused Jenny Clark, the owner of the horse ridden by Adams. The incident occurred at Oasby Horse Trials on September 30, 2007 in the Show Jumping collecting ring.

Townend disputed the charges but the committee found that he had abused and threatened Adams but was not satisfied that the abuse against Mrs Clark was substantiated.

The committee imposed a penalty of £1,000 and Mr Townend was warned that any repetition of such conduct would not be viewed as leniently.

The committee also told him that if suspension was felt to have been appropriate it would not have hesitated to impose that penalty.

**********************************

Horse flu levy postponed

Tuesday, 11/03/2008

The Federal Government has given in to pressure from the horse industry, by postponing a new levy until the inquiry into horse flu is completed.

Horse owners blame federal quarantine mistakes for the outbreak, and say it's unfair they should help pay to clean it up.

Agriculture Minister Tony Burke says the industry agreed to a levy for managing disease outbreaks, but he's prepared to delay it until Justice Ian Callinan's final report next month.
 

THE JIG JOGGING HORSE

Hi HP,

On the subject of jigjogging horses, I was contemplating this just yesterday. I have three TB geldings (all over 10 years); one is very relaxed when riding out but the other two are a bit more excitable. I’ve been reading your website for years now so I always ride on no rein when walking – I thought I might do a little experiment and see what happens when I take up a bit of a contact at the walk. Guess what? Instant spastic crab-walking prancing TB monsters!! Throw the reins away and you get a beautiful active walk. In fact one is so active that I find myself counting beats to make sure he actually is still walking and hasn’t snuck into trot J I think he’s just so thankful that someone’s finally let go of his mouth!

From a rider’s psychological point of view, it takes a fair bit of faith to throw the reins at a 17.2hh TB that’s doing a reasonable piaffe, but the results are instant (as you well know). So thank you for once again providing a simple tip that has made my horses much happier and thus easily manageable!!

Cheers

Sarah

Thanks Sarah. Well done! Even if the Horse was 14 hands, my point last night is that such a lot of people cannot truly let them go. Even if the horse was bomb proof but just a jogger. I think therefore that Horses are far more adaptable than Humans :)

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Hi John

What about the jig jogging horse and pain? I had a friend who had a lovely x breed, that went from a staid ole fella to a jig jogging mad horse.

This built up over a period of about 4 months, and he just got worse. This horse was worked everyday, he still wanted to go out, but just wanted to get home quickly we think. My mate had a go at many things. Finally he got the vet out, - back problems… even though he’d never had them before (rolled in the paddock or something?). Was given exercises he had to put the horse through, and he has a sound horse again (took a little while, some horses remember the pain, he is one that does). No jig jogging.

The other one, is one of our local girls at the riding club has a fine TB, she’s a heavy weight like me. Her horse continues to jig jog and throw his head around. Now this poor horse is hollowing in the back very obviously avoiding her weight. She is a heavy rider. One of those that thump down on the horse back, instead of carrying her weight through her legs and her seat. Blames the horse every second. Said she has to get rid of him, the trouble is she got another fine TB at home (we get them for free around here). Same thing with him. Both are lovely horses. No other problems. I’d even ridden the first one in track work, when he was racing, 2 years ago, (prior to fracturing my hip, I know we all have to learn sometime) he never had a problem with my weight and I was 90 kilos. (yes, I know heavy for track work, but they’re desperate around here). The horse never jig jogged once, he was a calm and easy ride. I schooled him abit before he was given to this girl and again never a problem (I only rode in a Wintec, GP at x-country length, to heavy to ride in a pad, too much pressure on the spine).

I guess, my what I’m trying to say is check physical or as you say veterinary as well.

Tan

True Tan but could it be in those cases that the jig jogging caused the sore back in the first place?? I must admit, I have never met a jig jogger caused by a sore back. 100% of them have been caused by the 'grip of death' :) Regards

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

hi john,
my name's effie im 17and i live in wa
i just wanted to email you about my rising 5 ott mare... i've had her for about 6 months now straight from the track, (she as trucked down from port hedland) and shes brilliant, but after reading your article on ott thoroughbreds it upset me to see you stereotyping them like that, but i realised that my beautiful mare does a lot of those things, luckily we are getting through it all (i guess i now what im doing, also the reason i agree with the racing article was that i ride trackwork and personally see it all happening!!)
so back to the subject of my mare
'tori" is a terrible reefer, she also walks off when im mounting, and has, on only 3 occasions, reared up, the first 2 were nothing of concern, just understandable type stuff, (i was holding her too tight) until the last time at pony club where all was well until she heard a girl whip her horse and that was it!! she freaked and reared, and kept doing so throughout the entire lesson. in the end i got off because there were too many people in the one class and i didnt want to hurt anyone.
but saying that, shes brilliant to ride out on trails alone and is jumping 2ft with no problems
the main thing i wanted to ask about was walking off when mounting. she is too tall to make her walk back like in your video on youtube, i just cant reach!! any other suggestions? and to help with the rearing up also??
thanyou for your time :)

That is not my utube video but I know the one you speak of. Here is mine.

I must get around to doing another one which is relevant but the Heat here has put us so behind.

I also have another ott mare, rising 4, and she jigs something bad, i got her from my trainer, and all the jockeys would come in off the track in the mornings red faced and sweaty from trying to hold her! i just think that she was very misunderstood and possibly very mentally scarred, im told she went through a LOT of trainers!! but now i have her but she is extremely resistant to the bit, she was ridden in a norton bit but now im riding her in a plain snaffle and already shes improving, i think she just wanted someone to listen to her, and instead of a rider trying to use just strenghth to control her she needed understanding and for her to come to me? and shes not fighting me nearly as much as what i saw with trackor riders and jockeys :)
how can i stop the jigging??

thanyou, if you have time to reply it would be brilliant, as i dont want tori's rearing to get out of control :)

THE CAUSE & FIX OF THE 'JIG JOGGING' HORSE

THE REARING HORSE

Regards

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Hi John

I'm getting stuck into doing the leg restraint training with all our horses now that my injuries are finally healing up and I can get about more easily, so I started with my big bloke in the weekend. He was not too impressed to start with when I introduced him to the front leg strap, but soon got to grips with it and was quite happy and hopping quietly about on 3 legs by the time we finished for the day. I introduced this to him after we'd had our workout so that he was very quiet and a bit tired. It was the first time I'd been able to ride since my accident in early Jan so I was delighted to be back on him again!!

I just wanted to check with you prior to using the back leg strap that arrived yesterday.

I'm assuming that you put the rope through both Dees so that it goes in a big loop up to the neck strap in the normal way that you've shown in the DVD, and that the Dees are not tied together first?

That is true Jane. For safety, you put the rope already through the left hand side ring, then pass the leg strap behind the leg of the horse without touching it, then quietly putting the rope through the right hand ring and as you step back, drop the strap and it all falls down to below the fetlock and you are safe.

He is quite good with his feet and legs generally but I don't want to make a mistake with this as he is rather big and very strong and I don't want him to get hurt if he struggles like a mad thing when his back legs get strapped up as I need to have him working for a jousting display we are doing as a fundraiser for the RDA & the ILPH in a couple of weeks time. The rest of the horses should be a lot easier with this but as he is the most responsive to voice control [and also has the best manners] I thought I'd start with him first.

You never take them for granted and you boot up the corresponding front leg heavily, especially at the back of it. I put up to 5 boots on some. Your only danger is not getting the rope tied off prior to an attempt to take the leg away. Get the rope slack ripped up quick and do a couple of half hitches immediately. Don't rely on the magic know alone.

I was very pleased that we had halter trained the latest foal when she decided to JUMP out of her paddock into the raceway in the weekend! No idea why she did it, but all the horses were rather freaked out by something over that side of the property so I guess she got a fright and just ran blindly at the gate.

Luckily I heard them making a lot of noise and then saw her running up and down the raceway in a panic probably just after she'd done it, and was able to get her and her mum back together very quickly before they became too distressed, however she managed to get a few scrapes on her back legs which needed treating so it was very easy to treat her as she was well used to being handled and held.

I had been planning to do her leg restraint training later that day but have shelved that idea until the scrapes have healed up a bit as there's no point in making them any worse than they already are, and she is quite sore enough at the moment.

kind regards
Jane from NZ

On the Foal, I do it every day for a week Jane. Let them wear it for half an hour at a time minimum and until you see them cantering in hobbles and rolling perhaps. Then you know they have it down pat. Regards

******************************

Hi again,

It worked for both emails thank you. Who do you get your honey from? The only reason I stick with bigpond is it's the only good priced flat rate package broadband supplier in our area(I pay $90 a month for the unlimited uploads/downloads broadband package) We've been one of the lucky ones, I haven't had too many problems. I need to have the unlimited uploads and downloads as I show my model horses online and upload a LOT of photos (I've included a couple of my pics) you can even get good rope halters for them ( a friend of mine makes them) and the have the proper rope leads too!! :) If I get a custom painted warmblood done one day, do you mind if I use a pic of your stallions colour for him? Thanks again and talk to you later

Temika :)

PS: I have attached some of my model show pics for you to have a look at. All but PR Dun It Again (the cutting buckskin QH) and PR Royal Scandal (the drak bay warmblood) are only three and a half inches tall....the other two are 9 inches tall :) Each horse has to have an age, breed gender and sometimes height and bloodlines assigned to them before they can be shown :)

Very talented Taminka. Are they for sale somewhere? I pay $39 for 15 gig up and downloads. That is what I can't get? Why $90? Cheers


 

 

17th March, 2008

40.5 in the shade here today but finally looks like we are in for some relief. Day off today but had a few chores. Fixing water problems and putting a Horse on the Transport for Interstate. Incidentally, She was put on an angle load gooseneck and it was basically a darkened dungeon with the breeching doors shut. No front windows, just a small one in front of the horse that had slats fitted that you could only fit a finger between. I confirmed with this float at least, not enough neck room for the 16 hands Warmblood Horse.

The photo of the young Horse that had his outing yesterday was apparently at a Pony Club. I wonder which one that was, obviously held on a stinking Hot day? I hear the Rider is sick today. I wonder if that is heat stroke?? I will find out. She didn't answer me lol but they can run but they can't hide hahahaha. The Paparazzi are on the trail :) This is need to know information :)

LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi John.

As a regular reader and loyal follower, I have been applying your principles to all my horses with great success. I have only ever had older experienced horses, but have ventured for the first time in a young pony. The little filly is 18 months old her mum was allowed to fall pregnant as a yearling apparently the case of old folk not knowing any better and allowing stallions to run with young-stock. Anyway the little miss was only handled for the first time on November just gone, the lovely lady that brought her, handled her for the first time as a 12 month old has done a good job on her knowledgeable available. But this little miss is classic case of how webbing halters make horses ignorant. This filly is so heavy in the hands, if that makes sense, not soft at all, so lazy on the lead, did not tie either and was just very stubborn, if she didn't want to go somewhere she just dug her heals in and wouldn't budge of course we don't have the strength of a horse or even a pony so it was no match. I switched her straight away when she got home to a rope halter from lodgeropes, return customer highly recommend to anyone, all my horse have their gear. Straight away you could see the difference, let her walk around with the halter and lead attached and let her figure out how to help herself once she treads on the rope and her head is stuck, get her thinking, makes her alot easier to teach as there is a give-reward approach, she picked up in a few days to lead without being on the end of the rope, to head drop, back, tie up and to lead wherever I asked, over rugs, bridges, logs, on to the float etc. So to people who read this please do not teach your youngens with webbing halters in only a few days this little miss learnt more than what she had in a few months.

Regards,
Ashley.

Music to my ears Ashley :) Do you know though that I meet horses that go dull in the head that wear rope halters only. I meet it weekly. In fact, I caught one of Mrs. HP's horses tonight and asked it to lead as it used to with me, behind my Gator and at the trot. I could feel the deterioration  and we discussed it of course. hahaha. Do you know that it has nothing to do with Male/Female. It is a vigilance of not allowing breaking of the rules to never meet the end of the lead rope. Very few follow it. Well done. Regards

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Dear John, Nah not in England, mate....West Gippsland in Victoria (Aussie born and bred) where we have your left over heatwave and no grass to speak of. I wasn't trying to be aggressive with George in riding him through our little weekend problem, but I was trying to be assertive and patient. We have done this before where he has not wanted to go and I have kept him facing whatever and gently insisted that we go forward and after a few of his standard evasions we go and no horse eating monsters appear and the problem is solved. I have walked George over hollow sounding bridges through trees round the water tanks and behind the house. Each time he as tried to turn away and I just gently insisted and let him figure it out and have a good look. Each time he has given way and walked through whatever was the problem. So I was reasonably certain at the start that we could do this. However, as I said we backed and backed and backed because I didn't want George to turn away and in fact we probably went about 50 or 60 metres backwards and sideways until we started backing into the ditch where I bailed and we walked into town because a) we had to and b) at least it was a small (read tiny) win in the right direction if not the one I wanted. So when are you coming to Lang Lang? Anyway I think we might just start going out onto the road and going to the end of the road and as far as I can get him to go and just stay put for a bit before turning for home and perhaps he may being to understand that nothing awful may happen. Do you think that might work for us?
Regards George and Smoochie Floyd and Trevor

Dear John, Also here are some pics of my big kids...George is the bay (hooning like a 2yo), Smoochie Floyd is the darkbrown dude just mooching along, and Trevor is looking very relaxed and thinking about either his last meal or his next meal.
Regards Lauren Proud Parent of 3 George Smoochie Floyd and Trevor

Well, I'll be blowed Lauren.!! Love the Bay :) I do still agree with your tactics, nothing wrong with that and a far better option which works for most amatuer riders'. When I hear walking backwards however, I get alarm bells. I will never accept that, for obvious reasons. Sorry to miss pic you :)

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Hi, I have a little problem with our abby stock horse, he is about 15 yrs old and after many years of camp drafting and farm stock work he doesn’t like to walk, even after working him in the paddock he will walk a bit then he will jig jog, walk jig jog and that goes on and on and it drives me crazy, its such a shame because he is a perfect horse in every other way, but I feel that if I cant get him out of this I will have to sell him, as you just cant go for a relaxing ride on him due to his problem. I have had Blue J for 2.5yrs.
Thank you, for taking the time to read my letter, I read your web site often and have applied your methods with my other horse, who is working gr8.

Regards,

Renee

Have a read of this Renee. http://www.horseproblems.com.au/Horse%20Problems%20on%20'The%20Jig%20Jogging%20Horse'.htm

You will need to fix this horse with you and he out alone, not with other horses as you can't rely on Friends to do the right thing. Your success or failure will be found in your ability or not to overcome your mind and to throw the reins away the instant you have stepped the horse backwards a couple of steps. If you fail to throw immediate and I mean instant loop in the reins and over come the mental knowledge that the horse is going to break gait immediately anyhow, you will not succeed and the system will not work. All systems rely upon the Handler. Humans, especially any of English influence, find it almost impossible to do as I describe. Be prepared to back the horse up 500 times on one ride. Be also prepared to keep your emotions nulled and to lift your mind above any thoughts of tension or stress. Just open your mind and enjoy the experience as a Training opportunity that is going to benefit you and he. Humans have great difficulty with that too. I see their faces show the strain hahaha. One of the marks of a great Trainer is this. Best of Luck.

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Hi there

Firstly i want to thank you so much for helping me with Beau the horse that was afraid of the bit! Remember.
Well i was proud as punch last week when i rode down the rode, on the bit, and perform a rather wiggly, but otherwise successful leg yeild across the path. You have no idea what progress this is. I watch your DVD, bought a copper bit, a market harborough (wow is that a great piece of kit) and i dug into huge reserves of patience and we are finally getting somewhere and he is so much happier. It is Thanks to you. He is a different horse, now that he "Gets It" he is much more relaxed.

I was looking for some help though with our canter work. We finally have a good trot going, sometimes a bit fast, but i come back to walk and back him up and then start again if he charges ahead too much. Canter however, we are having problems. Man, can that horse run. Unfortuantly when i ask for canter, it is like he is being shot out of a cannon. Whilst this would be great if i could find someone willing to put money on us, we would clean up i am sure. It is not always suitable. He is like a flipping steam train and pulls like one too. I am not going to go up a bit, i know we can work it out, but would like some pointers if possible.

I tried cantering circles and thought, i would just let him canter until he got it out of his system!!haha. Maybe endurence is his thing, but he just didnt slow, i think he would have dropped underneath me before slowing down. I pulled up as i didnt want him injured.

Now remember he has had some awful training in the past at the hands of the farm boys here in Costa Rica. Can you help, i am sure he is only trying to please.

I thank you again for your help.
Best Regard
Andrea Wady
Costa Rica

Thanks Andrea. The answer is found in my wife's DVD 'Balance at Canter' You need to go right back to basics, put the proper dressage building blocks on the horse and equip him so that he can actually carry you around an arena in balance and therefore not wanting to run. I have to say that you need the horse 'round' and you need 'leg on' not off. 'Straightness is the key and that means that the hind foot falls are in a direct line with the front foot falls. Glad to have helped you Andrea. Regards

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I don't know if weaving is the right term but the horse keeps rocking from side to side in the stall as a boxer would bob and weave.
How can I get the horse to stop doing this. She uses a lot of energy and is sweating.


Alty

That is a real worry Alty. It is a psychological sickness. You will not fix the horse whilst stabled imho. Paddock the Horse and it should stop. Especially if it has a Mate. Have a look at this:

 

I am not recommending you go to this extent as one needs the equipment, the knowledge and the facilities so try the paddock. Best of Luck.

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Hi! I am absolutely in love with your videos! I just found them tonight and have spent a LONG LONG time watching them. I have learned oodles! I just sold a "problem" horse today that could have be made into the perfect horse with you techniques (he had MAJOR separation anxiety). I have two questions though that I hope you might be able to help me with!

In the second ear problem video, when the horse is tied you have something around his neck. It looks similar to a cribbing collar (that's what we call it in America), but I'm guessing that it's something to prevent the horse from strangling itself yet teach it not to pull? What is this thing and where did you get it?

Second - can you give me any advice or possibly do a video on clipping a horse's ears when they're ear shy? I haven't tried your techniques yet on my ear shy horse (as I just watched the video tonight!) and I"m not sure when I will as I plan to enlist professional help when it comes to hobbling. Show season is arriving soon and my horse will need to be clipped. In America, it's a normal thing to sedate them for the first few times they're clipped - however, I'd rather teach my horse in a different manner (plus, the sedation makes the horse sound sensitive while it's working anyway which can actually amplify the problem).

I realize you probably have thousands of people begging for you help, so any ideas you can give me are very very appreciated. Thanks

You will find the 'neck strap' on this page. The price will be up there this week as the Products arrive from the Manufacturer. That is to protect their poll during the initial re-educating of such horses. My wife clips horses and every year has horses that could never be clipped without Drugs. She does every one of them without it. We strongly disagree with it's use and you are right, it can make them worse and you are missing the training opportunity for the next year. To clip such a horse, the easiest thing to do is to nose twitch them. NOT EAR TWITCH. It works immediately on almost all of them but we use the small personal clippers that ladies use on their legs :) The other key of course is to have the proper facilities and have the horse tying up properly. Remove the evasion and you can do anything. If you intend to leg restraint train, consider my dvd so that you are armed for safety.

http://www.horseproblems.com.au/saddlery_sales.htm

Regards

 

16th March, 2008

Still stinking Hot, day after day and well past the record. Trees are dying, buses, everyone is changing their gardens from English to Mediterranean by necessity. woodchips and a few cacti I reckon is the name of the game. There's a business for someone. Start importing the tall Cactus from the badlands as we will need them here soon. The idiots who run out Communities think that by turning off water to 100 year old Trees that that is going to help but I fail to see how aiding and abetting the death of our environment can assist matters. Depressing to some no doubt.

This bloke, who I started on 5 days ago, successfully completed his first week ( 5 day week) by touring the District here this morning, just him and me. Once again proving the brilliance of these wonderful Horses. Took it in his stride albeit a little worried about the local Dirt Bike idiots who wouldn't slow down past him this morning.

The other Clydie Filly has had three days with Mrs. HP and is inside leg to outside rein on both directions and learning her canter transitions although I gave her a day off today after 3 days, to protect her mind. She will be finished next week when the owner can come and have a lesson on her, both on the arena and out on the trail, with each of us.

We have not been able to do anything else outside for two weeks so life is boring for once. Been canceling all of my work. Too Hot.

Mrs. HP got selected for Aust Prix St George Challenge qualifiers so she is quite honoured.

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This is what happened this week in Adelaide

Things are gettin bad when this happens :)

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FLY VEILS

Further to the fly veil burying Horse, I have had more updates about his prior activities. He was seen trying to rip it apart on a number of occasions.

There is another one Horse here that is wearing a black one, not a problem with that but with the fluffy edging around the base of the ears, nose etc. He has a rash on his face and he doesn't like his fly veil either. I wonder why? I checked it out. It had about 500 grass seeds in it, all sticking into his head all day long, just like a pin cushion. Wouldn't you like 500 grass seeds in your jocks??? Horses are not DOLLS and they are not "My pink Pony" They don't need fluff, they don't need barn doors on Horse Floats, they don't want rugs on in Horse Floats, they just want it kept plain and simple. Things that make Humans feel all warm and cuddly, crap the Hell out of Horses and such things that are dreamt up by Humans are the Horses worst enemy. Those that carry on buying all manner of ridiculous fashion accessories for their Horses, think they love them. In fact, they are the worst owners in the World and would be adjudged as such if Horses were given the vote.

   Here is the fluffy grass seed catcher. Cruel.

and they hate these too. Lycra is HOT...Australia is Hot.

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My thanks to the owner of Mr. 'Feeding Time Rules' who went to Pony Club for his first outing today. Love is :)

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Two Canadian men face charges in 27 horse deaths

Canadian animal protection officials charged two men on Wednesday with a dozen counts of cruelty in a case in which 27 horses were found dead of starvation on a central Alberta ranch.

The grim discovery among a herd of about 100 live but malnourished and bony horses on a property near the small town of Andrew, Alberta, has shocked the Western Canadian province that is famous for its cowboy culture.

The Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it charged Axel Hinz-Schleuter and Dale Huber with 12 counts of allowing animals to be in distress and failure to provide duties of care.

SPCA officers have seized 100 horses, 40 rabbits, 13 chickens, seven sheep and five goats. Besides the dead horses, officers also found carcasses of numerous rabbits, chickens and ducks.

A group of ranchers came forward on Tuesday to help care for the rescued horses, which will eventually be placed at farms in the area, SPCA Peace Officer Morris Airey said.

"We have ensured there will be a veterinarian in attendance to monitor the food intake, the nutritional requirements. Some of them that have been underfed for some time will obviously need some specialized attention as to the quality and quantity of feed they receive," Airey told CBC television.

The men face maximum penalties of C$20,000 ($20,200) in fines and bans on owning horses again. They are due in court next month.

The SPCA said Hinz-Schleuter was convicted under Alberta's Animal Protection Act three years ago and fined C$1,000. But the court did not issue an order prompting an inspection of the property.

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Freak accident fells Waikato horse driver


Shaw, 40, was on life support in Auckland Hospital in an induced coma, his mother Rae Inglis told NZPA today.

Inglis said advice from doctors was not encouraging.

"They said the prognosis is not very good at all."

She said Shaw's helmet was split in his half in the race fall and his head was "like a big pumpkin".

The accident happened yesterday at the Kumeu Trotting Club's meeting at Alexandra Park, Auckland, in the day's last race.

Stipendiary steward John Muirhead said Shaw's drive Boss Hogg paced roug