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Ranked 4th in the World - Horse Training.

 

 

28th March, 2008

 

WEBSITE OFF THE AIR


Dear john,
Our Big Data Center Move Is A Go! As I've been informing you the past few weeks, we will be moving all of our servers to a brand new state-of-the-art facility in Columbus, OH.

If you have signed up with us after mid-November of last year, you will not be affected by this move. All your accounts are already at our new data center in Ohio. Please take a look at my previous announcements here:

Notice 1: Announcing The New Ecommerce Data Center
Notice 2: Update About Our Relocation

The good news is, the first batch of machines have already been relocated and brought online. We've made backups of all our servers and they've been moved to our new data center ahead of time as an extra precaution.

All our preparations are being finalized and we're on schedule to begin the move at Midnight on Friday, March 28th 2008 (ie. early Saturday morning). For a period of 24-48 hours, services will be down.

During the move, our Customer Service will be unavailable via telephone. Most of our staff will be busy with the move. However, you can still reach us via Live Chat for urgent cases, or if your website is already hosted in Ohio and you require assistance.

I can't thank you enough for your patience with our move. So far, the feedback I've received from you has been tremendous and very supportive. I truly appreciate it.

While we've allotted a 48-hour window for this move, we're striving to have all services back online by 9am EST on Sunday morning, or earlier. As soon as everything has been restored, I'll email you again with an update. If you should still be experiencing issues after this time, please don't hesitate to contact us.

john, I look forward to serving you from one of the best modern-day privately owned data centers in the industry.

Kind Regards,

www.hostexcellence.com
 

 

27th March, 2008

Back on the Manuel labor and off the Horses this week. Got all my Tanks installed today so it can rain any time soon. Problem is we ordered another 6 today :) That Mrs. HP must be German, not Dutch :) Completed the installation of the water to our new Stables and tomorrow will knock in the last remaining uprights ready to start with the Timber work.

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HORSELAW

An American Celebrity who earns over 200 million per year has sued the seller of a 260,000 Euro Grand Prix Horse, 4 times in the Courts and lost each time. Claiming the Horse was unsound. Despite the Horse being Vet checked 3 times prior to leaving the Netherlands and again on the day of the flight. Now, the Celeb has flown the Horse back to the Nederland's and it is rotting at some place. This has cost the Seller a fortune in Legal Fees. Now the Celeb is preparing the 5th Court Action against them. He is probably one of  the best known Movie Directors of our time. Out of this World :)

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HORSELAW

Sadly, I was approached today to assist in a messy Divorce proceedings involving Horses and a lot of money held in Trust. The Lawyers will end with the money :( Don't fight Kids. Mediate and stay rich!!!!

HEAT AND COMPETITION

A couple of weeks ago, our local Pony Club ran a Cross Country Jumping training Day in 40 degrees. It finished at 12am. The entry form stated that it would be cancelled if over 35 degrees. The St. Johns Ambulance was cancelled. Suddenly, they changed their minds and decided to run anyhow. No Ambulance. Go figure that?
Heather

Nothing surprises me any more Heather. I am sure that is against EFA and Pony Club Rules????

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Zara Phillips gets a place at Badminton Horse Trials

World champion Zara Phillips has become the first wait-listed rider to benefit from a withdrawal from this year's Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (1-4 May).
The entries and waiting list have been published today on Badminton's website, but already one accepted entry — Lucy Wiegersma's ride Woodfalls Pure Gold — has been withdrawn. This means Zara, who was first on the waiting list with Ardfield Magic Star, will start at the event.
Ninety horses have been accepted, but William Fox-Pitt, Andrew Nicholson and Oliver Townend all have more than two horses on this list. As riders can only start two horses, the final start number will be around 85.
There are 63 horses on the waiting list. In recent years around 20 horses have been withdrawn each year during the run-up to Badminton, so those near the top of the list can be almost sure they will make it to the start line. Wait-listed entries will be accepted to replace withdrawals until 6pm on the Monday before the event, 28 April.
Some pundits are predicting a high level of withdrawals in this Olympic year — riders may have been encouraged to enter and keep their options open by the fact there is no entry fee for the first time this year.
The Badminton ballot is carried out by accepting horses which have earned the most FEI points at CCI****, CCI*** and CIC*** events in the current or preceeding two years. So this year, points counted from 2006, 2007 and from the CIC*** at Barroca d'Alva, Portugal, in March this year.
Badminton also accepts any horses which the British selectors particularly wish to see run, such as William Fox-Pitt's 2004 winner Tamarillo.
Tamarillo will be joined at Badminton by one other former winner, Andrew Hoy's ride Moon Fleet, who won the event in 2006.
Other favourites for the title will include last year's Burghley winners William Fox-Pitt and Parkmore Ed; Australia's Clayton Fredericks and Nullabor, dressage leaders at Burghley last year; France's Nicolas Touzaint and Hildago De L'Ile, who fell at Badminton last year but then won the new CCI**** at Pau in the autumn, as well as Imperial Cavalier (Mary King) and Ensign (Pippa Funnell), second and third to them there.

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HORSE STOPPED FROM SEEING PATIENT

A few weeks ago, on a Hawaiian island, a man concerned to help his sick relative make a good recovery, took his favourite pet to visit him in hospital. The only problem was the pet was not a cat or a dog, or even a gerbil in a cage, but a horse.
Wilcox Hospital in Lihue, a town of about 6,000 people on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i, is generally accommodating when it comes to pets visiting their owners. It has a pet visiting policy, but this does not extend to horses and the procedure requires that all pets are checked by staff before they are allowed on the wards.
However, the concerned relative decided it would be a good idea to try and cheer up his friend and bring the horse to his sickbed. He was also reported to be intoxicated (the man, not the horse), according to hospital spokeswoman Lani Yukimura, who spoke to Honolulu's Star Bulletin newspaper.
The horse's escort called the hospital lobby to let them know he was bringing the horse that evening, but this was after the front desk staff had left for the day.
Security staff managed to stop the man and his equine companion from reaching his sick relative - they apprehended both man and beast as they came out of the elevator on the third floor.
Yukimura told the Star Bulletin it was a "very dangerous" thing to do, and that the hospital's "greatest concern is patient care".
However, the hospital, true to its spirit of being concerned for patient welfare, still allowed the patient to see his visitor - the patient was led to the horse.
But, unfortunately, the concerned relative had brought the wrong horse, it didn't even belong to the patient.
Visitor and horse were escorted back to the car park, where the horse was walked into a trailer and both left.
Yukimura said they were just "thankful there was no incident".
Wilcox Hospital has around 70 beds, includes an intensive care section and offers treatments for cardiac and a range of other conditions. It is part of Hawaiian Pacific Health.
Two Kaua'i patients who had not seen each other for 25 years were recently reunited at the hospital. Payton Hough and Jeff Habig were the first to receive the new Birmingham hip resurfacing procedure at the hospital, performed by orthopedic surgeon David Rovinsky.

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Horses close US freeway


An escaped herd of horses closed a freeway in California this week after causing two accidents - one of which killed a horse.
Three car occupants suffered slight injuries.
The horses are believed to have escaped from two neighbouring farms before daylight and got on to the freeway at Corona.
The circumstances surrounding the escape of the horses is being investigated.
The first accident involved a collision with a horse at highway speed. A second accident involved a car swerving sharply to avoid the body of the horse and rear-ending another car.
About a dozen horses were rounded up and returned to their properties, allowing the freeway to reopen about 9am early Tuesday

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

I am a novice rider. I bought a sweet 2 year old gelding who was just started. I was riding him in the round pen at a walk and he decided to lay down with me! I got up yelling at him and he got up and proceeded to follow me around the pen rubbing on me as I called my friend ( who is also his part time trainer ) I couldent get ahold of who I was calling so I did the only thing I could think of. I got my handy stick (lounge whip) and we proceeded to do round pen excercises focusing on transitions and turns. Was this the right thing? and why would he do that? If it wasent the right thing what should I have done. Thankyou so much for your time
Karen  - Alachua Florida USA

Hi Karen, the first thing I have to say is the 'yelling' has no place in Horse Training. Anti-productive completely. Young Horses and in fact any Horse can suddenly decide they want to go to ground, normally with the intention of rolling and enjoying themselves in the nice soft sand that normally accompanies Round Pens. One must be reading the Horse and to be ahead of the game :) Then, a tap with a whip or a swift kick normally stops them from completing the lay down but miss the timing and they are down. Quite fun really :) I'll give you a hint. If one does it on you again or in fact if you are going down/crashing as the Horse has slipped, lift both legs high up in the air and then you will likely not injure yourself by breaking your leg which is a normal injury. Once you have hit the deck, you can then put your legs down and ride the Horse back up again. For the rest, the Round Pen exercises, the Horse would not have had a clue that this was connected with the laying down and so therefore was just exercises- that will never influence laying down in the future. Regards

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Hello

I have come across your website and thought I would email you to check before I order any DVD that it is the right one for me.
I have a six year old 16.1h standard bred x thoroughbred gelding. His history is unknown except he has had four owners before me and one of them was a notorious dealer who has been banned from trading. My horse has trust issues and can be very defensive but with patience and time he is learning to trust me. He is still wary of others, especially larger people who have a square frame and are quite loud and direct.
I have had him from late 2006 and we were slowly progressing his training mainly throughout summer 2007. This took form of flatwork, groundwork, small jumps and hacking. Unfortunately in November 2007 his trot became irregular and seems to me as though he was running away from pain through his left shoulder. There were tightness through his hind quarters and seems to bear more weight on his left hind than his right. Anyway after some muscle release treatment and other checks it seems as though we are getting through the worst of it. I have been long reining him and showing him which muscles he should be using and he is starting to produce some lovely trot work. He can canter; it’s just maintaining it as he becomes disunited on corners. Out hacking last summer we cantered all over the hills near his farm. He never really trotted the gaited trot to a high speed. It’s more when he losing balance or I push him that little bit too far he shows a ‘funny’ walk, which I think your colleague called ‘amble’ on the you tube sample.

I am back riding this week and started with walk only and trying to get straightness. He is a little hollow to the right and hard to bend to the left. I was wondering if you have any DVD’s that might be able to show us what we should be doing and correct anything. I have a great instructor who has worked through it all with me this winter and it would be great for her to see me competing in dressage over the next year or two.
I will look forward to your reply.

Kind regards

Andrea
Manchester
England, UK

Hi Andrea. I would recommend Mrs. HP new standardbred dvd and 'balance at canter' for that horse. They become unbalanced very easily and when they do, it is their gait that suffers. Proper Dressage is the key but it has never been done before with this Breed. According to feedback, she has done an outstanding job with it. It is two dvd set. You are correct, straightness, suppleness, roundness and all of the other great attributes to Classical Dressage is what will do it for you. Regards

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Hi i have a problem with my arabian gelding, i am really concerned about his behaviour over the last 2 days. He had his back done 6 days ago as i was not aloud to ride him for 4 days he was not working, so yesterday when i rode him he was fresh and just wanted to go. Later in the day when i came to get him out of the stable he refused to move he backed up and after that he froze he pivoted i noticed how he wasnt moving one of his hind legs. Dad called the vet and the vet said his stifle had locked he would be fine, so the next day i rode him and he was acting totally out of character and hedidnt want to walk when he did he was taking small strides and not really keen like normall. his stifle has now locked 6 times in 1 an half days im very concerened is there any advice you could give me, do u think this could be related to his back at all as it is prone 2 coming out.
Thank you Fran
Manchester UK

I would think more likely that the stifle, which has probably been a problem all along, has been causing the back problems via the Horse compensating. Walk slightly crooked for a bit and in no time you are sore somewhere else. A pure matter of bio-mechanics Fran. Arabs are prone to be a little upright in the hinds and so can readily get these problems. The bottom line is that the stifle needs an immediate x-ray so that you eliminate bone chips, calcification problems or arthritis and then plan a course of action in conjunction with your Vet. The correct work, once again as in proper Dressage work, can strengthen them but this horse, if mine, would be having the simple operation as soon as the x-rays reveal no other complications. I don't know how your Horse goes but if it is not 'round' in the pure Dressage sense, meaning 'over the back' and not HOLLOW' that would compound the problems it is having. Best of Luck with it.

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Hi,

I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your website. I live in the UK and was googling to find answers on side reins when I found your site. My daughter has a lovely 4 and half year old Irish sport horse. He has a wonderful temperament and really tries hard. You can imagine the advice being heaped upon us at the moment! He is such a lovely genuine horse, a sort hard to find so we don't want to do anything that may spoil or upset him. Are your wife's dvd's availlable in the UK?

Best wishes,
Tricia

UK

Goodness, it is a UK night :) I see you have made up with the French lol. Yes they are.....and Czechoslovakia :) You are PAL Format, the same as us. You are being very smart to be wanting to protect the future of such a wonderful Horse. Well done.  Now we go to the Australians. You can tell that because they talk more than you Folks Regards

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Hi John, as usual still enjoying your wonderful web site – but haven’t been able to enjoy my horses for various reasons (and excuses Too)
Anyway, here we are on the new farm – took the crazy OTTB out for him first ride - left his buddy behind – new place – all the excuses for a total tanty –
Coming home, things got pretty tense! – I’m following your advice to the letter (re not jig jogging ) -but he was getting more and more tense - definitely thinking up and starting to bounce off the ground every time he got a correction – not even a walk step in between jog – just boom! Off like a rocket. Ready to explode.

Don't you just love that? I know the feeling well :)

In the end I started correcting with the rope halter instead of the reins. Can you believe – it actually worked – just seemed to snap his brain out of that crazy fighting mode .
So the Question – do you think I’ve actually chickened out and allowed him to get a victory over me by not persisting with the reins and bit – OR – was it good training to be ‘flexible’ and get his brain back whichever way worked?

Good training Nat. Well done. Experimentation is the art of good Horsemanship and so is thinking outside the square. The associated memories of the fights with the Bit are powerful. Don't feel bad about changing tac. There are not many Riders' who can work through them when they get that bad.

One more question - re hobble training ! – I have had the hobbles on this horse last year but there was no big show and it seemed he may have met them before. However due to separation anxiety issues, we’ve had a ‘better’ go at it today.
Put the hobbles on – nothing – walking him around a bit – nothing – walked his mate away from him – got the whole show!!!
After the twisting bronco show - cantered wildly and finally stopped and then more or less settled. When he was standing nicely I removed hobbles.
Once I took the halter off he just went off like a nut – trashed the paddock, bucking kicking and generally telling me where to shove my hobbles (well, that’s what it looked like to me!)
So, do you think I have achieved anything at all given that he was able to canter about with them on and given his complete lack of respect once they were off?

Not quite enough preparation there on the introduction of those on this Horse and he really shouldn't have been able to get going like that however, you are dealing with a 'Nutter' and so everything is possible and again, a Pro finds these difficult Nat. Don't worry about it. I'. not suggesting you do this but I would have sidelines that horse as well as the front hobbles. Just to beat him and to show him he can be beaten and his feet can be stopped from moving like an idiot. These are the levels one sometimes has to go to with these Horses, if the training is going to be effective. Normal training doesn't work with them. Hence my divorce with them :)
I saw you advice re Endo’s tap and the leg strap and I think that this might do him the world of good – what do you reckon??
Thanks for all your advice (past and present too!)

Kindest regards, Natalie

I completely agree with that Nat. Just what these Horses need and it can have a powerful effect on them. It can be like them being de-demonized by a Priest. Exorcism I think is the word. I am not joking here. Regards

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Hi John

I have watched your podcast about manners at feed time - it is excellent! I have a question. We have recently purchased a 3 1/2 year old Appaloosa gelding - he is a lovely quiet boy but on the first day I noticed that he was rude at feed time so the next day out I went with my lunging whip and sent him away as you show in your video. He stands back now but sometimes starts to come in before I invite him so I send him back with the whip again - is this the right thing to do? Also when I do call him in he will walk in with his ears back and a look on his face like he will walk over the top of me to get to his food. What should I do when he does this - send him back again until he comes in without the ears back and the aggressive look?


Thanks

Sue

This is precisely why the Professional completes the job on these Horses 'THE FIRST TIME" and it is also why the Bleeding Hearts attack Professionals. Interesting debate this. If you go have a look at my Utube on that Horse, you will see a handy number who thought that I had cut the throat of the young Horse. I was a 'brute' :) The point is however that I probably saved his life and in fact, he is here this week for a Dressage lesson with his owner :) The other point is that his chastisement lasted a sum total of 10 seconds was it? whereas often the Amateur, due to the fact that they don't fix such horses on day one, have to continue it on and on and on and in fact, the Horse is more and more penalized, can become confused and treated much more unfairly than making it count on day one. So when you get the face, the ears and the continuing taking of liberty, that is a certain sign that the message did not quite get through to the Horse but remember, intensity for one Horse can be a far different thing than for another. This is why, all advice and systems of Horse Trainers must be taken and used with judgment and assessment by those who carry it out later. We are lucky as our reading and timing is such that we rarely make an incorrect Judgment of personality or action. Hope that answers you. Regards

 

 

 

 

26th March, 2008

Sorry I am a bit short tonight. Ran out of time :(

This is my second attempt tonight. Had it almost finished and got a power blackout. Hadn't saved it, had I ??

Lovely Weather, nice and cool. Mrs. HP likes that. Means I can get more work done :)

Got 7 big Tanks connected and gutters up. Even got six inches of water in them the other night. It is like Gold Dust down here.

There has been a nasty incident involving a Mare on Yatala Vale Road, Golden Grove. Blood clots coming from the vagina and cuts and lacerations. I wonder who the 'sick puppy' is?

I sent my young Breaker home as when I started canter work on the arena the other day, he started showing signs of locking up in the patella, caused by an incorrect angle to the near side hind and because there was no hoof to work with, needs to have shoes on to grow and alter the angle over a couple of shoeing occasions. Anyhow, he was going great and he deserved the break.

LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi John

I have a question about the tap as Endo has labelled it – I noticed you had a Utube video on your site the other week where he does it to a real rogue. I have tried it with Warrior but all I get is a slightly sleepy, very relaxed pony, he did not go down even though I had his head pulled around for an hour pushing on his shoulder and I mean really pulled around – muzzle to shoulder! He did try and take it back a couple of times but I just pulled it around again holding on to one rein (pulled through eye on roller) and once he did I let go of the rein (can’t have any pulling of the mouth can we) and just held his head in position with a hand on the front of his face and then he got those sleepy eyes and bowed his head down. I wonder if it’s because he’s such a tough cookie he didn’t shut down like those thoroughbreds Endo works? Anyway he liked me (respected me) more after this exercise so it wasn’t wasted. I thought he would benefit from this exercise as he has had so many issues with people – I just do not know how Endo does the full tap! I am not doing this just for showing off as I have seen some people on Utube imitating Endo. As you know this pony has been given up upon by many people…

I'd be a bit worried about having the head around for an hour Dane??? I'm sure you meant 5 minutes?? If you can't achieve it in 5 minutes, stop trying is my advice as the technique is not happening. I do one now and again, probably half a dozen a year perhaps and I never have a problem with it. You should install the front leg strap on the near side leg. You can tell Endo that is my invention for 'Dummies' but that will see you succeed I would think. Don't use the tap where the horse goes away from you. Bring him to you.

BTW had his back leg tied up afterwards and jumped on and off a couple of times from both sides, he didn’t move a muscle, no shaking, no wild eyes, not even when I was moving my legs forth and back but I suppose he knew he couldn’t move much anyway – now I need to learn how to crack a stockwhip so I can teach him to get used to that as well. The breaker (my farrier) that was supposed to take him got a groin injury about a month ago, so that’s why I am doing all this stuff myself, unfortunately the breaker can’t sit on anything that’s risky the next 6 month at least. I have been recommended another breaker but he doesn’t do one rein stop. He said ‘no, I believe they need to stop on both reins’ (I was really puzzled I can tell you and just thought I wonder how many times a day this guy gets bucked off - I mean if a horse bucks how else stop it??? ), and he didn’t really want to hear about the mouthing I have done, so not sure I want that one to have a go at Warrior…Oh I wish SA was not so far away I would book him in with you if I was closer. Any readers who know about a good breaker in North East Victoria, please let me know!

Cheers,

The Dane

He is indeed correct when he says they should stop with two reins Dane. It is just that I want them to stop with one rein as well. Given the History of this Horse, I know what I would want on it :) and it ain't going to be the two reins :)

Regards


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Hi John,

Glad you got teased with some rain, as we did over here in Victoria! At least its a relief from the heat.

Just on the subject of mouths. I have recently started showing my Arabian Riding Pony yearling and 2 y/o and noticed that they are the only ones in their class NOT wearing a bit in her mouth! Very frustrating as they are only babies and ponies at that. Just shows you how much faith and lack of training people put into their horses to believe they need a bit in the mouth to control them. Most of them rear, break into a canter, run sideways, I even saw one the other day lash out and kick its handler as they were trotting around (you should of heard the thud when it connected with her back, frightening indeed) and it still won!! Its also amazing that judges don't seem to think conformation means alot as all the ponies that are winning look like mature ponies shuffling around on the spot. I keep getting the comment, "needs more weight". If I feed them anymore their legs are going to start growing out sideways, lol! It appears that the "showing" system is also letting the poor horses down. It seems to be encouraging overweight youngsters, bad handling, poor conformation, but don't forget it must look flashy, lol!!! Oh and day we were on at The Royal Melbourne Horse Show was 40 degrees and they didn't cancel it, they didn't even cancel the ridden events in the afternoon?? Who is looking out for the horses? Thank God we were on at 9am and had the ponies home and in their paddocks by 11am....any later and I wouldn't have gone.

I also noticed that "Lauren" said she lives in Lang Lang. I am moving in 2 weeks to Nyora which is the next to Lang Lang and I don't know anybody up that way. Was hoping you could give out my email address to Lauren so perhaps we could go riding our standies together?? :o)

Keep up the excellent work John, some of us are listening,

Regards Renee (Tammy, Dookie, Zoey and Sovey)

OMG!!!!! I can just see it now in Lang Lang. Lauren and Smoochie and George and Trevor Renee (Tammy, Dookie, Zoey and Sovey)..Hahahaha, the mind boggles :) I have put you in touch with each other.

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Dear John, I wondered why George and Smoochie were turning a distinct shade of orange...it is all the carrots! Smoochie was definitely trotting and in all my observations I have never seen him pace. While he has cantered up and down the paddock, he usually trots, tail up like an arab. It was lovely and smooth too. The first horse I ever had Duke was an ex-pacer and the feel in the saddle is different when they are pacing or trotting, I think anyway, you seem to get more side to side roll with a pacing horse, when Smooch trotted it was very even and balanced?? And I am like Jan I check everyday for a date change that signals more interesting things to read. I love reading about other peoples horses and experiences and I tuck away all sorts of information and advice for future reference. I will begin yo-yoing on George, he is such a sweetheart and I try very hard to make sure he understands what I want as he will give me everything, such a treasure. Oh and I scared the bejeezuz out of Smoochie yesterday morning. I was up late and decided to feed the boys their morning hay while still in my nightie and Smoochie comes bounding down the paddock and comes to a screeching halt snorting farting and dancing and shying and backing away and carrying on. All I can think is that my nightie was white and the sun may have made it look bright and shiney...anyway took some convincing to let me anywhere near him and then only because I had some hay...here is a boy that can be bribed into good behaviour through his stomach...I must make sure to have some treats about me at all times....lol
Regards Lauren and Smoochie and George and Trevor

The mind boggles

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Hi, just a quick question. I was cruising through the posts on your website and I see all the colic conflict concerning some woman Katherine and her comments. I havent seen what she posted but in one of the replies to another webgoer refers to a comment concerning a weighty rider and their horse. What is that referring too? The reason I ask is I am fat and ride. My horse is built though and handles and I have her checked out often for soreness in back, feet etc. I want her to enjoy her rides as much as I do. How much is too much for a horse to handle? Mine's standardbred.
Cheers Naomi

Big question Naomi and depends on many things. The build and shape of the Rider, not just the weight, the athleticism of the Rider, the ability of the Rider, the build of the Horse (short coupled or not) the saddle used, the fit of the saddle, the saddle blankets etc, the cleanliness of them and the Horse and the list goes on. The short answer here is that it is of great benefit to Rider and Horse if Rider loses weight. Rider lives 20 years longer and Horse has a happier life. I can't be specific without your stats and a photo of your Horse but when I was conducting Holidays on Horseback, we had a cut off point of 95 kg and then, for Riders up around that we had Clydie Cross Horses, Cleveland Bays and so on. Anything less often got sore backs. Regards

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Hello, I have a horse that we are working with, she is just now 27 months, this is the 1st horse my daughter and I have broken, we have run into a problem, she wants to turn her back end to us when we go to get here out of the stall, and she is rearing in the wash room while cross tied and I have also seen her rear in the horse trailer, is there something we are doing or not doing, she is still learning but she is awesome on the trails, she is not scared of anything so far. This horse had never been handled by a human until we bought her, 5 months ago, we would like to correct these problems before they get out of hand, she seems to be a very intelligent little girl and I think she is going to make an awesome ride if we can get these few roadblocks taken care of. Any suggestions’ would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Angie

Cross tying causes weaving and other problems Angie and allows them to go up if they are that way inclined. She should be tied up properly, not with string, to a proper tie up rail once she does tie up. Like this:

For the turning of the rump to you, read this:

I LOVE YOUR ASS BUT IT IS YOUR FACE I WANT

and go watch my podcast on the subject. For rearing in the Horse Trailer, which is a very dangerous thing, install my whither rope on the Horse. Regards

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Hi John,
Re: the person who purchased the 17hh OTTB with the breathing problem.
Great advice by the way, giving the dealer a few sleepless nights, lol.
I'd like to add if I can..........
Giving the horse away is no guarantee of his future.
It is my humble experience:- People lie when they sell horses and lie when they pick up free ones!
In no time at all that poor horse would end up in the wrong hands again, being sold on to some poor sucker - poor horse!
'Paddock Mates' often end up neglected as they aren't used, their feet don't get tended to as much as a riding horse (easy come easy go attitude) at his age, his teeth will need attention and he will probably end up choking to death on a patch of rough grass out of sight!
Very sad, but it's time the vets grew some round ones and stopped advising people to keep SICK animals for the sake of easing the customer's conscience 'there is always the paddock mate option'.
Sorry for the rant but I've seen far too many neglected horses from such 'good folk' who can't make 'easy decisions'!
Attatched photo case in point, the owners aparently LOVED her WAY too much to let her die years ago with dignity!!!!
She should have been put to sleep when her leg was broken and then left untreated, or was it when the arthritis became so painful she couldn't bend down far enough to eat? Perhaps when the infection in her hoof became so bad her hoof exploded out the back? or maybe as soon as the maggots started taking up residence in her hoof?
Yeah sure they LOVED her!!
She was just a paddock mate for the 'riding horses' so what does it matter how much she was suffering?
Please John, tell it how it is, people need to know it's OK to let them go sometimes, better for them in a lot of cases :(
There are some horses out there I reckon given a gun they would shoot themselves (and that goes for some healthy ones with terrible owners too).

Very true Sarah. There have been more give away horses starved and abused than you can imagine. I often think that it is a cop out with the owner not having the guts to do what is needed and just want to slide the problem sideways. Regards

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

Hey John and Linda,

Just thought I would write you a quick note our ride this morning. Fred and I completed a full circle of mostly balanced and quite steady canter. It was such a thrill, he tries so hard!! I was saying to mum that it is such a rewarding experience going through the education phase, especially with a horse that is so loving, kind and eager to please. Will be down for a lesson soon but mum is off to Europe for a month and I am not comfortable floating on my own so will have to try to maybe ride down or something. Anyhow, hope you are both well. Enjoy the rain, glorious rain.

Rachel

Well done Rach. Received this which is part of a letter today. Very nice.  Keep up the good work. You may get more rides now Mum is going away lol

Dear Mr & Mrs HP,

First of all a HUGE thank you from myself and others involved with Standardbreds as pleasure and performance horses.

I am the Secretary of the Standardbred Pleasure and Performance Horse Association of NSW (SPPHA NSW), a non-profit organisation committed to the promotion of the STB outside of its initial purpose of harness racing. One of the ways we do this is through an adoption program to place horses in equestrian homes when they are retired from the track.

Many of the people who take the horses are relatively inexperienced with starting a green horse - the SPPHA aims to provide as many resources as possible to educate riders about retraining their STBs. So we were extremely pleased to be guided to your website and its resources.

We have purchased the "Retraining the Standardbred" dvd, and those of us on the committee who have viewed it to date are delighted with your enthusiasm towards the breed and your clear, understandable approach to their retraining. This is a resource that we definitely want to promote to our membership through our newsletter, and also the general pleasure and performance STB community via our website (www.standardbred.org.au).
 

 

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

REWARD

$1000

For the tracking down and identification of the owner of the following email address:

hpblinkers@yahoo.com

 

Hi John, not sure if this will help you at all


Name: hpblinkers
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Ps. The clydie x TB that I rang you about last week passed away due to "spasmodic episode of colic" the vet said there was very little we could have done to help the poor boy. I found him passed in the paddock when I went to feed my lot.








 

 

 

25th March, 2008

Day off

Rain, glorious rain. I spent the last two days installing gutters on 6 buildings and plumbing up 7 big tanks and last night it rained :) Yay. I don't know how much we got but the Bureau says 6mm. Any amount is pure Gold.

Spent 6 hours of my day off today, sitting in Casualty with my Son who thought he was Evil Kenivle and whilst riding on one wheel, gave it a bit too much stick and ended up with his collar bone smashed into three pieces. He went to Country Hospital. They x ray 12 hours later and Nurse forgets his pain killers. Doc taks a look at the e-rays and within half an hour he was in Ambulance headed for Royal Adelaide Hospital. Doctor says X-Ray Machine too small to do a proper job but it looks bad., RAH takes a look at x-rays and promptly sent him home. I get him re-done today and now the x-rays are off to the Bone Specialist. What a wonderful Healthy system we have in this Country...well at least in this State. Third World.

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

REWARD

$1000

For the tracking down and identification of the owner of the following email address:

hpblinkers@yahoo.com

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

HALTER BREAKING THE FOAL and HOOF CARE

You know my views on this matter and I have always disagreed with those who leave their Foals to weaning or later. For many reasons but predominately I am of the view that unless they are handled early, one cannot properly ensure their upbringing. For instance........

Here is one that I Halter broke nearly 6 months ago and was about to be weaned. The Foal had grown a 'flair' on one of it's front hooves, the cause being unknown at this time :) The Foal trod on a rock and this is what happened.

Note also the change in the hoof capsule, caused by and being proof of the hoof influencing the whole structure as it turned and headed South. Amazing isn't it? So I submit that Horses should be Halter Broken young so that they can have the proper hoof care and so that bodily changes won't take place. I also submit that if the Horse had not have been properly Halter broken and early, the Vet would not have been able to successfully treat it without heavy drugging, a huge fight and God knows what else....injured Vet maybe? ....but as I said, this one was so treatment was a snip, hoof re-construction was a snip and we even soak our hoof for as long as you like. Oh, she is hobble trained :)

by the way, that is Billy the Ram lol. Isn't she a good Girl?

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

COACHING - LISTEN TO YOUR HORSES

There is a Horse in the State that has been getting the comment, 'slightly irregular' and 'crooked and not tracking straight'. The Level 2 Coach in charge of the combination, correctly commented that the horse lacked 'straightness' and that the right hind must come through more so that it was equal with the near hind. Therefore, certain muscles (Botanical names given during teaching) in the neck, had to be stretched in order to aid 'over the back'. 

The owner decided to get a second opinion from Mrs. HP and she confirmed the summation of the Judges and the Coach and had a sit on the Horse. After a short assessment, she got off and asked what the recent injury to the rear end of the Horse was about? Sure enough, there had been one and the end result was that the Horse had learnt to compensate during the period of hurt and then continuing on that way of travel which had become the 'comfortable place to be'

A follow up lesson, after 'listening to the Horse' saw the Horse completely straightened, then happy and the irregularity fixed to the point where the Rider could feel the difference and the evenness. Yet another Coaching lesson that it is not all out of Books and the best of them are directed by the Horse first.

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

HORSE CONTROL AND THE BIT

This article is so profound I thought others might be interested. Sorry if you've already seen it! It's from the Horsepoint news website but I copied it to a Word document to make it easier for some people to read.

Kind regards

Katherine

It is ironic that you should use that description Katherine as it relates to a deceased Australian Horseman I think. I haven't read the Books however I have seen some  the system and that part I call "Jabba Jaw" I will try to be objective.

The dream of everyone riding 'at liberty' is a pipe dream. It can't and won't happen. It can't because only the very few of us Humans could achieve it, even if given the chance and the Horse Peak Bodies are not about to change. I do agree with the thrust of the piece however. Which is why I give so much thought and attention to the subject of Mouthing, control and so on. So please let me add to the debate this way.

I know for a fact and from experience with the Bridled Horse that if they are 'mouthed' properly and even more importantly, that the Peak Bodies initiate some better curriculum and drag themselves out of the dark ages, things could be way better for bitted up horses.

The argument put, that the enormous pressures, jagging and jabbing that gets inflicted on the mouth of the Horse, does not have to be and certainly doesn't need to be. When there is no resistance, there is no pressure. When there is 'lightness' there is no pulling, no fighting. That comes down to two things. The mouthing of the Horse and then far more importantly, the education of the vast majority of the ridden Public who would not have a clue how to achieve it or to maintain it.

Meanwhile, considering that it ain't gunna happen, you can see why I have tried over the years to make changes to the Pony Club system????? That will only happen when the remaining 'old remnants of the British Raj' pass on. It is good to dream of the 'perfect World' for Horses but some things are not achievable. I live in the real World and just want to improve things.

I could write 20,000 words here right now but Mrs. HP and under belly are waiting :) Thanks heaps.......did they run those tests on the Dr. Cook clamping the face of the Horse across skin and bones????

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

LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi HP,

Abesolutely love your site. I am having a hard time trying to figure out if my horse is a bit bridle lame or is having a vet problem. I have taken her to several vets who had said her right hind has a "stilted" gait.. about one degree. On the longe she seems fine no apparent lameness. However, under saddle she can feel very lame at the trot and pushes against my left leg. At the walk she is fine. My trainer thinks its not bridle lameness becasue its in the hind and bridle lame is a front end problem, however I know my horse and she can be a bit lazy and will do anything not to really work. Not sure how to proceed to really determine if she is lame or bridle lame. Also vets would'nt say if I should not ride a horse with a slight stilted gate. I'm trying just to do low level dressage on her and some small cross rails. Any thought/suggestions you may have would be great!

Thanks
Jen
USA

Pop up a piece on utube for me Jen. Then we can tell you for sure. I take it you are riding 'inside leg to outside rein'? If you are not, it certainly could be 'bridle lameness' . Is the Horse equal on both reins on both directions? If not then it is often bridle lameness. I note your horse is lying against one leg. That could also do it as the Horse is not straight. Go fix that first by improving the leg yield lightness of the Horse on that side. Does your horse flex both sides as easily? Test it. Here from you perhaps. Have look at this one.

Bridle Lame.  There was a funny side to this as it is as the Australian Equitana and half the crowd could see it but not the Clinician. Some bright spark decided to point it out and he spat it :)

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

Hi HP, Just don't want another Aussie heritage get ripped off by the Yanks, as it happened with Ugg boots. Saw it a few years ago now on Today Tonight where Yanks had registered the name Ugg boots and Aussies couldn't use the name. I think manufacturers use Uggs, Uggies or Ugh, one was going to court, I don't know what the result was.
It's ok if the horse owners are using the old time recipe, but what if some high faluine company decides to market as their own, as with the Ugg boots. Some people have no scruples.
Regards, Angela

never mind Angela, if it were properly tested, which you would think the doonkoffs would be on the phone about doing if they really cared instead of being armchair experts, Horses would be better off. I don't need the money :)

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

Hi John,

I have been reading all the info on your website and thought I would tell you my situation to see if you can help or offer your advice.

I have recently entered back into the horse industry to purchase a horse for pleasure riding at home. I'm embarrased to admit, but I did not do my research properly & ended up with a very dud horse. I'm probably a classic case you hear about all the time.

Anyway, I found a horse advertised on www----------- the advert read as follows:

T/Bred gentleman 17hh 17yrs suit novice
Quiet gelding, suit novice rider, large & friendly, chestnut 17yrs old, looking for new home, priced accordingly @$400 would be good for trail riding or beginner adult. Ph.....

I went & looked at the horse, rode him (in the arena) & his personality & nature seemed to be what I was looking for. I did not get a vet check. I put a deposit of $50 on the horse & told the man we would come back to pick the horse up the following week, as we had to hire a float etc & lived on the complete other side of town. We viewed the horse on a sunday & with working during the week could not come back until the following week, plus it was almost a 2hr drive for us.
When I gave the man the $50 deposit he asked for money for feed for the week to come. I didn't agree that was fair & declined. So the man knew where I stood "plain as day".
When we came to pick up the horse the following week he insisted on $50 feed money (all he was feeding the horse was grass from the paddock & a mineral block) & refused to go ahead with the sale without the extra $50. So after many arguments I gave him the money, took the horse & that was it.

After a about 5 weeks I realised I had made a mistake purchasing the horse in the way of a TB not being suitable (higher feed maintenance etc) and a few other reasons. I realised he was not totally what I was looking for - his nature was fine but he just wasnt right for me. I stumbled across someone in my town who was looking for a horse so offered him to them to trial for two weeks then they could buy him if they were happy with him.

While I had him here I only rode him a few times for a very brief time, but noticed he breathed very heavily. I had someone listen to it & they didn't think it was a problem so I didn't worry too much about it. But, the people who were trialing him noticed his breathing & had the local vet take a look & discovered he has a thinned oespeghus & a heart murmur & CANNOT be ridden. The vet lunged him for 6 rounds & that was too much for him. So the vet told them the options were to either put him down or re-home him as a paddock horse where he could live a long life, but could also drop dead at any time of suffocation.

I've done some research since this happened, & made various calls & inquiries regarding my options. After speaking to a horse dealer I now wonder if I actually bought him from a horse dealer that probably was going to take him to the doggers, but decided he needed to be greedy & get more money for him, praying on the easy victims such as myself. The seller had other horses for sale at the time, didn't know much about the horses, claimed they were coming to him through the pony club and still has new horses for sale on the website every few weeks.

I now find myself in the situation where not only have I lost approx $600 to this whole event, but I now have to decide this poor horses fate.... does he live or does he get put down??? If he lives I have to give him away & hope that I find the right home where someone will look after him correctly & maintain his teeth, worming, hoofs etc... will I find that person?? I doubt it very much. Unfortunately we just dont have the room or the money to support a sick paddock horse. I wish I could though.

I have not called the seller to talk to him or to confront him for selling me this sick horse, as I know he would be an asshole about it & I figured there was nothing I could really do. It was my stupid mistake & I had to deal with the result. But I thought I would run it by you to see what you thought. I still have the mans address, mobile & home phone numbers, original add, deposit & sale receipt.

Anyway, I'm embarrased by my foolishness & I know you are probably shaking your head at me, and of course I have learnt a harsh lesson from this experience. But aside from the money & the embarassment, my heart aches for this horse & what fate is coming to him.

Do you think I would have a case or any chance of doing something about the crook that is selling these horses?

Hoping you can help.

Kind regards,

Oh, isn't that just neighborly of him. Whip him into the Small Claims Tribunal, armed with the Vet certificate and give him a few sleepless nights. Just for fun. Who cares where it ends, give him a bit of what he does to people like you. Bad luck but I have to ask.......OTTB and 17 hands Never mind, we all learn the hard way :) Regards
 

**********
Hello,

I was wondering if you could please give me some advice, I have been offered an ex race horse. This horse has had two soft pellet operations the second one was a success according to the vet. But after his last race (his now retired) he came home and was drinking his water, but the water was coming out of his nose. This was a once off, the vet has come out and said he was fine. We were wondering what your opinion is and whether or not to take the horse and what you think is wrong with the horse. This horse is otherwise is prefect condition and has a great temperament. We have been advised by the present owner that he won’t be suitable for one day eventing, but he is suitable for dressage and show jumping which are my chosen fields.

Thank you

Kristie

Abattoirs Kristie.
 

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

Hi John

I have been following the colic debate thread on a certain website since it started up....and posted a few of my findings on your colic recipe....of course was jumped upon almost immediately as people do not like an "different" opinions.
Much to my surprise your remedy was posted on this thread.....really makes me wonder how "professional" this vet really is!
I must say I have used your remedy on my 2 horses and it definitely seems to have worked...so thank you very much for supplying it to all of us horsey people :-)
Cheers
L

No worries L. I wonder if they stop to consider if I would dare push such a thing if I had a doubt? I doubt it :)

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

Hi

I live in England and have just had an owner send me a horse to fix!! It bolts and bucks out of panic when it gets spooked. I have watched your video on youtube about the one rein stop which as been very helpful and the example horse at the end is doing a similar thing to my new arrival. However although your video has explained a lot I'm sure your advise will not work on my little horse at present as the moment he has no mouth at all. Reading you article I would grade his mouth at 1 or 2. He has been ridden in a french link loose ring snaffle and has no flexion in his neck at all. It takes a fairly hard pull on one rein to get him to turn and when turning he locks his neck the opposite way. When asking to stop he cocks his jaw and runs through the pressure.

He is an angel to handle on the ground, very trusting and seems to turn to you for help when faced with problems. He leads well in walk and trot and backs up all with a slack lead rope and will stand tied up all day.

I have done some research and spoke to a few other trainers in my area most of whom have said send him back before you get hurt. Ive also looked into Pat Parelli and his games as suggested by a fan however after watching your video it is the most relevant and to the point info I have found. I am convinced this comes down to a mouthing problem and would love any advise you may have on correcting this. He has had all the usual checks to make sure he is not in pain, teeth, back etc. and nothing was found.

Thanks for your time

Anne

Hi Anne, that is a simple re-mouthing the Horse issue and if you go do that immediately, you will beat this Horse. No point riding it, just go and re-mouth it. Regards

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

Hi John,

I was SO glad to see a new date on your website last night.

I am so totally addicted to your site that I check it every day/night and I was having “withdrawal” symptoms when it didn’t change for 4 days!! !!!!!
I hope you had a great Easter.
Thanks for all you do for our horses.

Cheers, Jan

Thanks Jan. I enjoy your company as well :)

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

Lovely!!!

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

Hi John,
Took the girls to their very first RIDDEN Show!
8 year old Maria and 7 year old Jason sharing the 2 year old Pavlova (hahahahaha poor kids!! I'm such a cruel mother) Zana and Lisa sharing the borrowed pony Phoenix!
2 year old Pavlova is a very keen jumper who likes to jump poles on the ground like they are 3 foot walls!
At one point poor Maria landed in front of the saddle horn and needed repositioning in the middle of the 'double'.
Beautiful day, threatening to rain all day (so not too hot) but didn't actually rain :)
Lisa, Zana and Phoenix won
Two 1st's, three 3rd's and one 4th in a class of 22 riders!
Jason, Maria and Pavlova won
One 2nd, four 3rd's and three 4th's.
We have much better ponies that could have cleaned up, but thought the 2 y o would benefit from an outing :)
Cheers,
Sarah.

I don't see much jabbing in the mouth at that Pony Club Sarah?? Well done to all :)


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

Dear John, well another great ride under our belt. Went out with some friends to our local bush riding spot and just mooched along for an hour or two. George couldn't quite make up his mind if he wanted to behave or not so it was a bit of a jig-joggy ride. However, two friends and their intrepid steeds earned their 'crossing the raging torrent' badges (mind you the creek is currently two large puddles with a shallow sand bar crossing, but you know horses!!!), George is very blasé about it all now, but I remember the backing and the little 'turn on hindquarters' right at the very start. Very amusing. Finally put a saddle on the Smoochie horse. Round the pen a turn or two and then out the gate and round the back. Well, it was a non event, did all the things I did with George when we first rode out the paddock, over the little bridge, round the tanks, in out and under the trees and I can't for the life of me work out if the Smoochie horse behaved because he is truly a really good boy or because I spend most of the time hauling his head out of the grass. We did a little trot down the driveway and I was prepared for a different 'feel' as he is 14.2 and George is 16 hh but the trot is really really smooth??? Is this because he is a standie?  Some Standies have a rather big trot, not stilted but are you sure he wasn't pacing?? I have lunged the Smoochie horse and he does pretty good considering I am a novice at this and I have been working on George with the lunge whip and it doesn't seem to worry him now so today I lunged him too. Well, we walked off okay and only a couple of stops and 'is this what you want?' looks, but when I asked him to trot and wiggled the end of the line at him he trotted up all right, and kept going and going and going and going and I couldn't stop him from trotting and I pulled the rope in and shortened it thinking that as the circle got smaller he would slow and I practically had him in my hands before he slowed back to a walk. At the moment I am only using a rope halter to lunge in as I am not sure what I am doing and I thought it the lesser of many evils and I am less likely to cause any damage or too much confusion to the horses, but I just wasn't sure how to pull George up - he wasn't upset or panicky, just kept going round and round at a trot. In fact, he is in great danger of becoming a smoochie horse too, and has decided that cuddles and stuff isn't all that bad considering that cuddly horses get treats like carrots.

Teach George the simple 'yo yo game' and use that to regulate his speed, stop him or even back him.

We have no grass left and after every ride I have been giving George two small hard feeds for all his work and today after the boys had done so well I took them out for a green pick for 10 minutes and they got extra carrots....I know what the horses think about this but what is your opinion - Can a horse have too many carrots? And when is enough, enough?
Anyway, will be taking the Smoochie horse out for a doddle tomorrow see how that goes.
Regards Lauren and George and The Smoochie Horse (Floyd) and Trevor!

Hahaha, we have a Horse here I call the 'Carrot Kid' He is black but he should be Orange :) I haven't seen one sick from them Lauren. Regards
 

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

 

 

24th 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.

Then, hand over to the owner who had a lesson with Mrs. HP and here she is.

FLY VEILS

Remember my stories about Horses communicating that they hate most types and colours of fly veils and some of the photos I put up and the story about the Horse burying 4 of them? , well I went and checked one of the fluffy veil victims today and this is what his head looks like.

This is the veil that did it to him. Fact is, Horses don't want fluffy on their heads and if we are so stupid, this is what we do to our beloved. Fluff is for Dolls, not Horses. Fluff, sweat, grass seeds, fungicidal rashes and the list goes on. Who's looking after the Horses?

CONSUMER WATCH

Wintec Girth.

I was saddling up a Horse the other morning and luckily noticed this. The same Horse bucked with me 4 times that morning. Can you imagine the trouble I would have been in with this girth breaking and the back cinch still attached? 6 Months old brand new. So, once again, not enough attention paid to quality or safety by the Manufacturer. 6 months is just not good enough, sorry.  Be Careful.

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

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.

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

Just in my neck of the woods, the good ol Telstra are now lying to Old Ladies, making them think they are locked into a Plan because they have their hand set. Mongrels. How is it that a Company can train and make their staff to be liars? Go figure that.

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

SAND COLIC EVENTS

Dr. Warwick Vale sinks the slipper

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

Thought you might be interested.
Cheers

TLC
 

Yes, here she is.

I can give you the benefit of my experience with sand drenching and treating sand colics.

Over the last 20 years I have treated (drenched) over 30 000 horses/ponies/foal/donkeys for sand and sand colic. I have euthanased or see die at least a 1000 horses from sand colic over this time.

Over this time I have seen and used many different drench "recipes" and treatment strategies. I have read all the published and evidence based medicine research papers that have written, I have been involved with drenching treatment trials with new medicines, I have seen hundreds of horses drenched with all manner of substances and liquids. I have come to these unshakeable conclusions;

No single preparation (liquid or powder) is 100% effective in removing accumulated abdominal sand

Often more than one treatment (drench) is required to remove larger quantities of sand

Bulk Hay feeding is proven to be the best way to feed horses to get rid of sand.

Prevention is better than cure. There are many strategies that do help prevent sand colic.

I have seen people use the HP O Leary recipes (n= 20 horses),which I am reliably told is

(---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I did not see any visible sand removal in these horses, and further some got mild colic/gastric upsets with diarrhoea for a few days. Feeding a large dose of --------------in one go to your horse carries some risk, and it will most certainly alter the bacterial gut flora of your horse, possibly in an adverse way.

In my opinion the only "effective" weapons in the arsenal used in treat sand in horses are either epsom salts with paraffin oil drenches or drench with psyllium. They do work well in most cases - but are not a "magic bullet"

After using a drench comprised of 750grams of epsom salts (dissolved in 2 litres of water) and mixed with paraffin oil (2-5 litres) for over 20 years now - I am pleased with the results. To my knowledge I have never "stripped" the stomach lining of any horse I have drenched. Paraffin oil on its own in my hands has not been very effective as a drench.

Cheers

Dr Warwick Vale
Bullsbrook Vet Clinic

Well, what does one say? Keep to the facts I guess. 30,000 drenches over 20 years equals 28.84 horses/pony/foals/donkeys per week. Very busy Vet is Warwick Vale. The Vet says, "some got mild colic/gastric upsets with diarrhoea for a few days. " I say, having had much more experience than the good Vet that we have never witnessed such an event in 50 years. Then....

In my opinion the only "effective" weapons in the arsenal used in treat sand in horses are either epsom salts with paraffin oil drenches or drench with psyllium. They do work well in most cases - but are not a "magic bullet"

Show me the Scientific Studies into Epsom Salts then. That too was invented by the "Old Bushies" :)

It is good to see the discussion however. About time as the Veterinary Community has sat on their collective hands since Colic was first noticed and have gone nowhere with all their expertise and equipment. We can put a Man on the Moon but they can't remove sand from the gut of a Horse. I still think it is a  "Cash Cow" and I think the Vets figures prove that point once and for all. By the way, a lack of morals shown. Hope you enjoyed sinking the slipper Dr. Vale. Hope it felt good. You could have debated it until the Cows come home, without seeking to 'sink the slipper'. You have certainly attempted to discredit the theory and I notice, with no test results :) I note you tested it on several Horses, without Scientific Studies in your possession and if as you say, feeding large dose of our treatment carried 'carries some risk'. Then why risk Horses Dr. Vale, especially when you disagree with the procedure?

The bottom line is that Mineral Oil for the treatment of Sand Colic is a waste of space and money. That is why the Vets are suddenly and lately adding psyllium or Epson salts. I take the credit for that. I got you all talking. Good.

Have a read of these then :)

Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 6:51 PM
To: Horseproblems Australia
Subject: RE: sand colic recipe

Hey John my friend lives in the Kimberly with a bloody disgraceful internet supplier - she is always off line... her name is --------------------- (I believe she was introduced to your site via David Farmillo - but I could be wrong!). I extend a huge THANK YOU for this recipe! I was involved in the premliminary studies for Psyllhusk pellets - the fodder "engineered" to eliminate sand colic ... Ah THAT was an interesting thing! ANYWAY ... Not only did your recipe push thru heaps of sand, they all look TERRIFIC after a drench - dapples, an enhanced coat plus the added benefit of a "horse mum" worrying less about the dreaded implications of sand build up in the gut. Interestingly tho - it is really hard getting a vet to drench your horse with this mix - apparently it glugs up their tubes!! This is why I offer them to use MY drenching tubes and buckets to use.... Heaven forbid they were open minded ...:-)
This ex Vet nurse is signing off and going to groom her VERY DAPPLED SAND FREE FANTASTIC LOOKING thoroughbred hahahahhagahahahahahahahahahha
Cheers
Vicki

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Hi John,
I would like to thankyou for your recipe on removing sand from my horse. On late sat arvo I noticed my horse did not look right, I knew straight away that it was early signs of colic.Waste no time,ring vets,
he was treated with a pain killer and muscle relaxant.The next day he was no better and badly wanted to pass wind and manure but to avail.Call vet out again,this time he drenched with paraffin oil and sedated .On monday call vet out again and the same process was done with no change in the horse except he was passing the oil with little manure.Now 2 vets looked at this horse and both told me that the horse did NOT have SAND.By tuesday horse a little better,I was given 2 shots of ace to give to him morning and night,which I did.Horse down on the ground again tuesday night.Vets then tell me maybe its not colic and want to start blood tests.My bill was now about $800 and that was enough.Out of desperation I looked into your web site and read about sand colic,it all made sense.I followed your advise and whacko my horse pooped sand and sand ,,he was a new horse within hours and he kept passing sand for a few days.As far as Im concerned your mixture saved my horse I cant thankyou enough.If only I had read your web site before I could have saved a whole heap of money.Thanks John
Cheers Deb

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Howdy HP,
I have a good news story for you today - actually great news!
I got a phone call late yesterday from a friend who was in a panic. She has an ageing mare who got colic, apparently started on Saturday arvo, progressively got worse, she got the vet out, oil drenched and nothing was working.
She had remembered me telling her that I got a "funny" colic remedy and thought at this stage anything was worth a go. She asked me if I could make some up and go visit her. She rang this morning and the mare is doing well. My friend couldn't believe how much sand and bits of small rocks were being passed.
I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU on behalf of my friend and her old mare.
I feel great that by your willingness to help and educate an amateur like me I was able to help my friend who has been breeding horses for many years. It is a real heart warmer.
Thanks again HP
Eloise

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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

Thanks Kristy. I am not up on the tow weights these days. When you do have an F250, you lose interest lol. Regards

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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

Thanks Greg.

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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

Thanks Tan/
 

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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

xxx

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wouldn't be impressed if I were you!

http://www.4.html

Thanks for the tip off :)

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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.

Cheers Jen

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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

I had a Galah once. He was called 'Ravioli' and he would stand outside the wooden boards of the round pen where there was a small hole and as the horse would go around, he would give them cheek. One day, he ventured in a little far and got swept up under the girth of the Horse. Well, you should have seen the Horse go and you should of heard Ravioli. He was screaming and flapping and shouting obscenities. Not long after, we had a knock on the Door by a Catholic Priest. There was a Church right opposite, across the main Highway. He informed us that Ravioli had been attending Church for the past few weeks and that was fine. He would walk in the front door and down the aisle, perching up on the front pew,. However, just recently the Priest related, he had taken to interjection but when he uttered the magic word one day, the parishioners weren't impressed. So he asked us if we could keep him home on Sunday from then on. We did :)

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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