11th April, 2008

Hard at it on the new Stable block but we have the roofs and walls on two of them and two more tomorrow. It is the running around trying to get supplies that slows things down. I'll take some pics tomorrow for those who were interested. My poor ol Mate fell down a Post Hole today. :) I shouldn't laugh but he is only about 5foot 3 and the hole was about 4 foot deep. His leg didn't even touch the bottom when he landed in it :) I shouldn't laugh :) Poor fellow. Hope he doesn't go on work cover tomorrow :)

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So the Iraq War is costing our Friends in America 2 billion dollars a day? You know, with the combined brains trust of the most successful and powerful Country in the World, why is that they can't work out how to spend 2 billion a day on alternative fuel research and then just go and Bankrupt the Middle East. End of problem and not a shot fired.

and the Olympic Torch is being shown to thousands of security people and no members of the Public hahahaha. She is one crazy World we live in and they are getting worse.

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Remember 'young King"? Well he is still young but he went to his first Competition, the annual Inter School Comp today and he won all of his classes, his young Rider won Champion Rider and he won Reserve Champion Hack. Not bad for a young Boy? Here he is then and now.

First Mounting First walk off a few months later. Unfortunately, I didn't get the pics tonight :)

WEAPONS STOLEN FROM LIGHT HORSE

A SWORD and rifle used in the Australian Light Horse Brigade at the Battle of Beersheba in 1917 have been stolen from an RSL in Sydney's west.
The World War I artifacts were taken during a break-in at the Auburn RSL, in Sydney's west, during the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Pawn shops should be on the lookout for them, the NSW government says.
The Beersheba battle in southern Palestine is famous for the brigade's dramatic charge while under fire.
Both items were donated by a local man whose father was in the brigade and had them in his possession at Beersheba.
MP for Auburn Barbara Perry has asked the perpetrators to come forward and return the stolen items before Anzac Day on April 25.
"Pawn shops also need to be on the lookout for the items and if they see them, immediately notify the police," Ms Perry said.
She said anyone with further information should contact the police.
"I'm appealing to anyone who knows more about this to step forward so these items can be recovered and we can bring the perpetrators to justice."

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China Expert to Protest High Gas Prices with Horse Ride in Santa Monica Sunday, April 13; News Conference on Oil and Energy Prices, Iraq Follows
First the trucks…and now the horse.

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As another means of protesting the escalating gas prices, Peter de Krassel, an internationally-renowned expert on China (www.custommadebook.com), business entrepreneur, author, columnist and lecturer, will ride a horse--attired in contemporary Chinese clothing--on San Vicente Blvd in Santa Monica on Sunday, April 13, between 11:30 and 12 noon. At the conclusion of the ride, de Krassel will hold a news conference to discuss a variety of subjects relating to China and then conduct a “book signing” for his new book at The Office, a popular workplace for writers and other professionals.

de Krassel opines that the high price of oil is not the fault of China but rather the Arab oil producing countries and American energy companies and that not only has the Iraq War not resulted in cheap oil and money to pay for the cost of the war, but the reverse has happened. Other subjects he will discuss include

LETTERS OF THE DAY

About 9 months ago a horse came up for sale that i knew of who was at the time in training with my Western Trainer. The horse was $6000, the woman who owned the horse is a friend, had only just bought the horse a couple of months prior to this and had a vet check done with my trainer present, because of this i didn't have another vet check completed. At the time of the check it was noted that the horse was making some respiratory noise which the vet diagnosed as a cold and prescribed some antibiotics. Long story short the horse got Ei back in october and since then the noise had gotten worse. I had the horse scoped on tuesday by the same vet practise, different vet and was told that it is quite possible that the horse is a Roarer. When he canters you can hear him breath heavily but he doesn't screech as yet. The vet then tells me that when he was vet checked the vet should have reccomended a scope as that is the protocol with any type of respiratory noise, what he didn't know was that it was a vet from his practise that did the original check.

I have the horse insured but only for mortality and theft so i am not covered for this situation. I am now left with a horse that is rideable for now but eventually won't be and i can't sell him. There is an operation for it but it is too risky and if he were to not make it thru the operation i am not covered for that either. He will eventually be a very expensive paddock ornament.

I am going to do the right thing by the horse and will care for him and do everything humanly possible to help him but i just feel so upset that the vet misdiagnosed him. I am seeking a second opinion and others have told me that i should get legal advice however i am unsure that i will get anywhere with it because i didn't get the original vet check done.

What can i do?

Chrisy

You are in an unfortunate position here. Get legal advice for sure but it is my opinion that you are on shaky ground and that doesn't make good Court news. The Vet check was for your friend not you, it wasn't definitive for sure and where it may well be that protocol dictates that some Vets would scope, I doubt it would be set in stone. Therefore you would have difficulty pressing that point in a Court. The, the Horse got EI and there is the complete doubt for the Defense to push to the Court. They would have to accept that doubt as it could be that EI did cause it. Be careful on this one. Regards

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Thankyou

Dear John, thanks for your advice, I knew that I shouldn't be training the boys in their home paddock but my husband doesn't seem to think I know what I am talking about and I need a 'specialist' to tell him. I have actually never got close enough to smell Smoochies penis (I shall stop the quaint Australian euphemisms and write plain english), other than when washing him and if it's there hanging out, and it usually is, I wash it with water too. It's just that it spends a lot of time hanging out and is very noticeable. Very noticeable. Well, I shall get used to it, I often tap him on the belly and tell him to put it away. Sometimes he listens. My hubbie has finally purchased a riding helmet so I shall have to put my money where my mouth is and put him on a horse and teach him what little I know about riding....LOL now we shall have two people falling off and having bruised bums!
Regards Lauren and George, Smoochie, and Trevor and probably now Graham as well....

Lol. He is just a relaxed Boy :)

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On a horsey note, do rearer’s on the ground (rearing to evade) tend to become rearer’s under saddle? I have an old gelding that was an excellent rearer in the paddock, a real show stopper, yet under saddle or on the ground you couldn’t ask for a better horse, the thought wouldn’t enter his mind…..One of my youngsters has engaged in paddock play rearing with him, he’s also become pretty good at it…While attempting to float him one day, he threw a couple of rears on loading and I’m wondering if this is what I can expect of him under saddle..

Many thanks
Joyce

It doesn't follow that the Horse will do that under saddle Joyce but it does follow that the Horse will be more inclined to choose that option should it need to but only if Human bad management causes that. However, if it did so, it is highly important that the Trainer is a good one so they can nip it on day one. Mrs. HP had one rear on her today and I predicted it two days ago. The Horse had never done it before and would not have had things have gone smoothly through the transition to the ridden World with the owner. As you know, it is normally the last resort for horses. Regards

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Hey you! Are you still trying to take off the Kilos from Easter....I am lol. Question about leg pressure when riding in a circle. John, what part of the leg are you putting 'on' I thought it was just the calf down, but a girl at work says she puts her whole leg on. I can't see how this would work, wouldn't it put too much tension in your leg this making your stiff?

cheers
big cheddar cheese bum chelle

Hahahaha. The mind boggles. I lost all that weight. The Boss has had the whip out. I am like a whippet Pup at the moment. A racing tadpole :) Poor Americans :)

Calf of leg on and that's all. Virtually never anything above the knee.

 So you have an ass like a Cleveland Bay then? Nite

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I have a 5 yr old mare who has been very quiet on trails with other horses but recently she has begun to kick at other horses who get near her on the trail. She is kept pastured with a bunch of other mares and they are similar ages 3-5 yrs. The herd she is with seems to be going through a hierarchy establishment period. I guess it's the age when they do that. But what do I do about her kicking at strannge horses on trail rides? Thanks, Elly

Elly

You discipline the Horse Elly. That is unacceptable and it is generally your friend who ends with the Broken leg. Start low. A warning with the voice, a slap on the neck but soon up the scale with the whip if the Horse does it again. Warn her and if she dares then, give her a decent crack simultaneously. Then back to verbal warning for just ears back and a little slap on neck to warn the Horse. Up and down the scale of discipline to whatever that horse requires as per her personality and cockiness. Easily fixed and in my case, one ride only. You have the responsibility to protect your friend Riders!!! I have seen many metal plates inserted into lower legs of people due to this.

 Regards

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Hi John,
I have recently bought a 2yr gelding to eventually replace my OTTB mare. How can I stop separation anxiety building in a young horse when I only have the two horses on the property? Both live with or next to a bull, but neither are that attached to him when one of the horses is absent. I rotate the horses into different and separate paddocks, but always within sight of each other.
Kind regards,
Julie

Get rid of the OTTB and keep the BULL :)  I may joke but that is exactly what I would do. Tomorrow. They are bad influence and the Horse will likely affect your Horse. :( Let the young Horse bond with you and the Bull. Far better option and taste :) Regards

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10th April, 2008

I have finally got around to sorting out my Saddlery page and listed my new stuff. Go here for a look.

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

One of the Product is an invention by my Cousin, Michael O'Leary who has great success with controlling wind suckers with it. A client has been trialing and testing it on a Horse for the last 12 months. Here is what she said.

" Hi John,

Just wanted to send you some feedback on the wind sucking collar I bought from you.
Caesar is a 16.3hh 14 Y/O OTTTB that I brought home this time last year; wonderful nature but as a result of a racing career, was a chronic windsucker.
I was using one of those typical collars that you can pick up from any old saddlery which was more like an ornament than a preventative for his problem; basically it did nothing and in no time at all my fences were a mess. 
Sucking was the first and last thing on C’s mind - if he was stressed he would suck, if he was waiting for his dinner he would suck, if he was in between munching hay, he would suck. It was a real mental problem for him that had manifested into a physiological behavior, and it drove us both nuts. 
I read about your new collar on your website, and the rest is history!
Caesar has been wearing his collar for about a year now; it only took two (2) or three (3) attempts to suck with the collar on before he gave up and walked away; sucking is impossible with this collar, it stopped immediately. 
The transformation over the past year has been amazing; Caesar has gone from a horse whose only interest was to suck (and as a result withdrawn from the herd and us) to a horse that has a new lease on life. He now initiates play with the youngsters and seeks out people for a scratch and a carrot as opposed to latching onto something/anything and sucking.
The collar itself has stood up to it all; wind, rain, heat etc.. It’s a beautiful piece of work that will last a lifetime.
Anyone that owns a windsucker should have this collar.
Pic to follow; I’ll take some happy snaps tonight! 

Cheers,
Joyce "

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My Son came around today and his injury is going well. He had just been for x-rays and everything was ok. Meanwhile, my Daughter just rang up to say that she has a piece of floating cartilage in the knee which is why it blows up all the time and has been for years now. Netball of course. The Doctor can't get her into our local Hospital for 8 months so get this. He has booked her into a Country Hospital for the operation and bodgied her address a little. He says that on the day, if the Hospital won't allow her to have it she is going to have stand up for her rights. What a bloody marvelous Health system we have in this State. The youth of the day can't even get seen to. Time for Mike Rann to go and let the Colonel from the S.A.S have a go. At least he will throw away the key on the Bikie Gangs and that would be a good start.

The young Horse that I spoke about last night went much better today and started to relax. Thank goodness. Mrs. HP got him between the leg and the rein and started to achieve a lower neck at the walk which also assisted his frame of mind.

USING OUR VOICE

The voice is a very powerful training aid when working with Horses. It is in fact probably my most effective one. However, if one uses the voice that is at all containing tension or frustration let alone anger, the opposite effect will result. There are very few places where a gruff voice is acceptable when training Horses and if in doubt, never use one. Horses thrive on encouragement and they bounce of vibe. The voice is one of our most powerful emitters of vibe and if the vibe is negative, the training will immediately suffer. Of course, the screaming Teenager is off the Planet on bad when it comes to Riding but they have an excuse. They are young :) Once we mature, we don't. I wonder do any of these subjects get taught at PC yet? When the voice is 'mellow' the Human Body is in a relaxed state and of course the vibes that are then picked up by the Horse, which has Radar if you didn't know, also relax the Horse as the 'Prey Animal' is always at the ready to be tense as a reaction to possible or danger and Horses compute 'possible danger' to 'probably' danger. So no matter what your Horse may do to get under your skin, remember there is no place for stern voices, only happy voices, southing voices and of course the stroke of reassurance.

TRAINER KICKED IN FACE


GEELONG horse trainer Kelvin Smith was in intensive care at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne last night after being kicked in the face by a horse.

Smith, 47, had a fractured skull and severe facial injuries.
Doctors were last night trying to relieve pressure on the brain.
His wife Karen said Smith was expected to undergo surgery last night.
Fellow trainer Mal Carson said Smith didn't breathe for two minutes and was unconscious for five minutes on being kicked in the face.
Smith was unloading horses off a float at the Haworth Court stable complex in Breakwater after morning trackwork at 8.30am when the accident happened.
Karen Smith said her husband had been forced to float horses to the nearby racecourse since the crossing in Fellmongers Rd was closed for safety reasons last year.
"I knew this was an accident waiting to happen, he never likes transporting the horses,'' she said.
Mrs Smith doesn't want to see her husband until he comes out of surgery.
Carson was with Smith when the accident happened and administered first aid and phoned for an ambulance.
"I'd given his horses a lift back to the stables in my float and he'd unloaded them and we were standing there having a chat,'' Carson said.
"He'd gone through the proper procedure, the horse had a rearing bit in its mouth and the incident was totally unforseen.
"Kelvin had the horse on the lead and whether it took fright or was just playing, but it took a couple of steps and lashed out with its hind legs.
"It caught Kelvin flush on the face and somersaulted him backwards.''
Carson said Smith didn't breathe for two minutes, was unconscious for three minutes and became coherent after five minutes.
The ambulance took Smith to Geelong Hospital where he underwent a catscan.
After three hours, he was transported to The Alfred by ambulance.

Our sympathies to the Family and wish him a speedy recovery.

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The Horse Logger passes through Van Wert again

By JILL DEWERT
Times Bulletin Multimedia Editor

A covered wagon, three horses, two dogs and a "big, burly man with a full beard" passed through town for the second time this past weekend.

The big, burly man is "Lee the Horse Logger." He has traveled across the country in his farm wagon that has been converted to his "home on wheels."

Lee travels at a rate of just 2 to 3 miles per hour, takes one day at a time, has experienced almost every weather condition and has met thousands of people along the way.

Each day, Lee travels around 12 to 25 miles, depending on many different factors like the weather, terrain and his level of exhaustion. His animals are Suffolk Punch horses and Pyrenees dogs.

When asked why he is making such a journey, Lee replies with "grins and giggles," "for the fun of it" or "just because."

Lee began his trip in August of 2006, leaving from his home state of Montana and embracing poverty with just $75 dollars in his pocket.

On April 26, 2007, he arrived in Van Wert during a downpour for an overnight stay. He then continued his journey on to Boston, Mass., arriving in July of 2007, before turning back towards the west coast about a month later.

This past weekend, Lee passed through Van Wert once again. He stayed overnight in the Wal-Mart Super Center parking lot before heading out in sunny weather on Sunday, April 6.

Lee has no agenda other than to tour America. Although he's a cancer survivor himself, he's not fighting for any cause, including his own. He doesn't ask for handouts or donations, although they seem to find him wherever he goes.

In a later portion of in his journey, Lee began replying in interviews - but not without good nature - that he's "tired of talking about himself." Still, he continues to share his story and greatly appreciates meeting new people and the generosity they show him and his animals.

Lee relies on the generosity of others and the connections they have to get through his trip. He might meet someone who knows someone 10 to 20 miles down the road who knows someone 10 to 20 miles down the road, and so on. That's how he makes it along from day to day.

The monetary donations he receives go toward making his animals and himself more comfortable. Since the last time he passed through Van Wert, he upgraded his wagon and added a horse. He has plans of adding another wagon and another three horses sometime down the road.

Lee plans to reach California later this year and then Alaska by 2011. More information about Lee and his journey can be found online at www.leehorselogger.com.

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Horse sanctuary anger at judge's order

09 April 2008

A Norfolk charity has reacted with anger after a court ordered that 29 donkeys and ponies be returned to a family accused of causing unnecessary suffering to more than 100 animals in their care. The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH), based in Snetterton, said it was “appalled” at the decision made by Oxford Magistrates' Court on Friday to return the animals to the Gray family.

RSPCA staff and vets removed 125 animals from Spindle Farm, Hyde Heath, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, in January.

Some 21 horses, ponies and donkeys were taken to Redwings Horse Sanctuary at Hapton near Long Stratton and 11 others

were taken into the care of the ILPH.

James Gray, 44, Julie Gray, 40, Cordelia Gray, 19, and Jodie Gray, 25, all of Spindle Farm, have denied 12 charges of animal cruelty.

Deputy district judge Sandeep Kainth agreed to return 29 donkeys and ponies considered pets but rejected the family's application to have the remaining 82 animals returned. These animals will instead be sold at auction in May in Warwickshire.

The RSPCA had argued that it should be allowed to oversee the

re-homing of the animals in order to safeguard their future welfare.

Following the hearing, Tony Tyler, deputy chief executive of the ILPH said: “Having to return the horses is the worst possible situation for our yard staff who have spent the last three months looking after them and giving them the care and treatment they deserve. We will be working closely with the RSPCA to do everything possible to get this decision reversed.”

The case was adjourned until April 28 when it will be heard at the same court.

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Two juveniles arrested after spooking horse with fireworks
Suffolk police have filed animal cruelty charges against a 17-year-old girl and her 14-year-old brother for using fireworks to intentionally frighten a horse. That horse was so scared it ran off and injured itself.
Police say the horse was being walked on a lead by a 12-year-old girl. When the animal heard the noise it got frightened and ran into a live hot wire.
Police say it injured its front legs, but the injuries were not life threatening.
The girl's father Ray Norman tells WAVY.com, "that it was done intentionally to scare the horse. The horse got hurt. My daughter could have gotten hurt. If the horse had ran into the road multiple people could have been killed."
The parents of the teens involved declined an interview, but say off camera it's an ongoing neighborhood dispute.
Police say animal cruelty is a misdemeanor.
Ray Norman says he hopes it doesn't happen again.

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

Dear John, a couple of questions for you. I have been told that I should not riding our horses in their 'home' paddock or exercise them there either, that I should take them to a different area where they don't graze, etc for riding practice and exercise and lunging and stuff. I don't have that kind of room so I have been locking the spectator horses into the stable yard while I do things with the working horse (usually George or Smooch) and then working near there as the ground is best there. Is that okay? Why, and why not?

That is a general rule, designed to keep Amateurs out of trouble with their Horses and it can and does promote resistance and trouble. However, if you have well behaved Horses that are not exploitative, do what you like with them of course. Their paddock is their place of peace and rest and should be kept that way.

And...often when grooming Smoochie ( the standardbred), he will stamp his front hoof. Sometimes the ears are back sometimes not so I am not sure what to make of this, he can get a little pushy but I put that down to him being herd boss and such and trying it on with me and I have never felt threatened by him and he has not done anything that I could say was 'no on'! ... If nothing developes, ignore the whole thing and just keep it in the back of your mind. Such things can mean different things coming from different Horses. I saw one do it yesterday and that was a threat to 'TOTALLY LOSE IT"
And I have never seen a horse "drop his donger" as much as this horse does. I know that geldings will relax sometimes, but this boy is either so relaxed I should stop his Prozac or it means something else.

It can mean arousal of course Lauren. Once again, if nothing develops, who cares. Keep it simple I say. A few Owners do go over the top a bit when it comes to 'Dongers' (which is a quaint Australian slang word for 'penis' to my International guests and 'dong' means to hit one over the head hahahaha.

If it does, what? I have watched him pee and stuff he does not appear to have any difficulties and his equipment appears clean and doesn't smell or have any discharge so I don't think it is a vet problem (yet???), what do you think and what is your advice please. (Be nice).

I have never smelt the penis of a Horse. Never got that close lol Perhaps you have exceptional smell Lauren

Lauren and George the thoroughbrat, Smoochie the Zen Horse and Trevor (just Trev to his mates)

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Hi John,

Wondered whether you may have any thoughts on this?
Will try and explain as briefly as possible!
My horse is agisted with a family, they have 3 other horses, and I have my one. The lady who owns the property looks after her 3, I look after mine.
The owner feeds her horses earlier than I do, at around 4.30/5.00pm. Due to work etc, I usually don’t get out to the horse until 5.30 / 6.00pm-ish (HATING end of daylight savings…!!).
My problem is this… as soon as the other horses are brought into their overnight yards for feeding (with my horse still out in paddock), he starts pawing the fence. I understand that this is because he wants to come in and get fed… fair enough!! So he paws and paws, occasionally breaks a fence wire, usually cuts his heels… etc. To stop him doing this, the property owner began throwing him hay to stop him…(in my mind – rewarding him!)
(electric fences are up too high, he paws under them).
Well… now he paws all the time. Constantly, as soon as he spots a person, any time of day! I’m presuming this is because he has been ‘rewarded’ for the pawing… (he’s a very smart ASH… not biased, he really learns things quickly). He digs holes in his yard pawing, breaks fences, and hurts himself… No amount of ignoring, yelling, smacking, etc etc seems to be able to stop him! I’m resorting to ignoring at this point, but doesn’t seem to help.
What can I do to break this behaviour?
I never feed him when he is pawing, make him stop before he gets his feed, but doesn’t seem to help.
The property owner now brings him into the yardat the same time as others, but doesn’t feed him (as I usually ride), so instead he stands in his yard pawing big holes!
I am soon to move agistment places, so would love some ideas on any way I can ‘untrain’ this very annoying habit…
(tell ya what though, he’d make a brilliant ‘counting’ trick horse… !!!!!)

Any ideas??

Yes, that was caused by the actions of the person. Now you have to break the mental habit. This is the classic case for hobble training, not to throw on the Horse like getting Chicken Nuggets for Kids but in a sophisticated training way. I would nip that in the bud immediately but you are at a great disadvantage when you don't own the property. Regards

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Hi I just read your blog on the rearing horse. I found it very informative. I have just purchased a beautiful Australian Stock horse 5 year Mare who was broken in at 3 years old, ridden a couple of times per month for the past 2 years, then left in a paddock for the past 4 months. She is nervous in the arena and when I was on her the other day asking her to trot circles (boring I know) she reared up on me so I gave her the reins, held on for dear life but also tried to pull her head round to the side and then she over-balanced, taking me down with her.
I do not believe that this is a trait of hers, I do believe that it was because I was asking too much of her. I have found out that she has not had much attention. Anyhow my question is…. Do I persist with her (which is what I want to do) or do I not take the risk and try to move her on.
Your guidance would be appreciated.
Regards,

Rebecca

I often warn Rebecca that the 'One Rein Stop' or lateral flexion is NOT for the rearing Horse. It makes them fall down.

Do you persist? If it were the only instance well of course one must give the Horse the benefit of the doubt. All will be revealed but I would want to see a pattern before thinking about getting rid of the Horse Rebecca. Be careful of that flat work arena!!!

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Thank you!! for you reading this. I need your help as I want to restart a 6 yr old gelding unraced TB gelding (Seattle Slew/Roberto). Following a psychotic break, I took him out of training and for 1.5 yrs have "restarted" on the ground only. Given his extraordinary abilities and beauty, I have given him the benefit of the doubt and now want to restart him. Unfortunately, his vertical rear and wheel have made him the barn pariah. The shoer and I are the only ones he really listens too, and that depends on his mood.

I was a professional english hunter/jumper at many show barns through my early 40s, but am now 57 and hesitate to attempt this task alone. However, I am not finding much in the way of local trainers to take it on. I don't want the same mistakes made again -- the unrelenting ground work, anger and fear from a "trainer". Can you recommend anyone in the Los Angeles/Orange/San Diego Counties of California who could either take him into training, paper break him and/or lay him down? Or better yet, do it where he is now? He is extremely intelligent -- learns all the games schtick and trys to use them to HIS benefit.

Thank you for your expertise with this problem and taking the time to respond.

susanne

I am in Australia Susanne so I am not familiar with people in your area. I would strongly agree with you that this is not a risk you should be taking by the sound of it and therefore would recommend you getting in a Riding Professional to assess the Horse and report to you. You DO NOT need a NH person for this job. The Horse would have had enough of that and besides, it has no benefit with rearers. Read this: THE REARING HORSE

Kind regards

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hello,
id just like to firstly say what a wonderful site you have with so much information available.
after hours of browsing and reading your videos and articles I still haven't been able to find a answer to a problem I have with a new 2 yr old filly I have just purchased, is there any links on your site that will show me how to correct a horse that tries to double barrel me when ever I try to catch her she , even when mucking out her yard she will reverse towards me and line me up for a shot, it seems to be allot worse when I have something in my hand like a rake or spade and even when I was filling up her water and I swung the hose out of the bath she swung around to boot me like I was going to hit her or something with it, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated or links to your pod casts on solving this problem.
kindest regards
Kris

This would depend upon the reason why Kris. If it was just out of insolence or lack of handling, you would fix that with this:  I LOVE YOUR ASS BUT IT IS YOUR FACE I WANT

but....if it was because the Horse has been abused then I would cement the handling and desensitizing of the rear end of that Horse via a full course of Australian 'leg restraint's training' and in particular the Collar Rope so as to provide maximum safety for the handler and to prove to that Horse that it can be controlled via the back end as well as being 'touched up' every place there is hair as we say in the Bush :) Have the Horse completely accept all and every kind of rear end and leg handling and touching. I suspect that this Horse is having it on with you in which case I would combine the two immediately. I have a Pod Cast on my 'join up" Regards

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9th April, 2008

Got all the kick boards on my new stables today and tomorrow the roofs. Big job though. 60 metres long building. Never mind, we'll get there.

THE GREEN HORSE

I was reminded today, just how poorly supported the average Amateur owner must have been over the years when it comes to hand over of the 'Green Horse' I specifically speak of the about the relationship between the hands of the Rider and the Mouth of the Horse. To be more specific though, I mean at the point where the owner decides to take up a contact on the Mouth of the Horse, with a desire to achieve a 'frame' and start heading along the road towards things "English competition"

In fact, I don't think the subject has ever been put into lesson or DVD form in the history of the Planet and so the Owners' have really been left to their own devices which is why the Mouths put on by Horse Trainers, rarely remain in tact but deteriorate in outstandingly short time and on a scale of 0-10 I am talking about up to 5 points. In my experience, the deterioration is on average about 4 points and virtually 100% of people are in the same Boat. Not their fault. The subject is mind boggling difficult to explain but both Mrs. HP and I have now decided that we simply have to get our heads around it in a form that anyone can understand.

I recently had an unfortunate experience where the Owner of a Horse that had an outstanding Mouth on hand over, foster thoughts that perhaps she wasn't to blame and in some way, think that when I next rode the Horse to have a feel and try to put it back on track for her that I was then part of the problem as the Horse was acting up at the time. One wonders what to do about that because it is very difficult to explain where things went wrong. Most Horses don't react adversely to confusion but some do and in this case, due to the outstanding IQ rating on the Horse, it had the judgment and brain to be able to compute that compared to my rides on it where it all went along swimmingly, that rides with the owner lacked the knowledge, the timing, feel, savvy, release and consistency of direction that makes all Horses so easy and so happy. When you get a Horse that is on the higher end of the intelligence, they pretty soon deduce that all of those qualities of experience aren't happening and frustration starts creeping in. Then tension, then even 'pay back' or even sacking the Rider all together.

So, if you are in doubt of your knowledge of how to TRAIN a 'green Horse', for goodness sake have immediate lessons and get help once a week, just to keep things tuned up.

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

Hello from your little Darling

Gawd, I'm getting fan mail from my Breakers :) Now, this is interesting. Check the neck out Madam. How about the top line and the way it is coming out of her Body. You must be doing a marvelous job Riding her and I know why. You took it seriously enough to take immediate lessons with the 'Green Horse' Well done!!!
 

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

Adelaide Hunt Club

Please organise a table and join us for a great day.

OPENING OF THE HUNT SEASON LUNCH AT LONGVIEW VINEYARD

Pound Road Macclesfield
Featuring the Annual National Jack Russel Race and Calcutta
11.30am Sunday 18th May 2008
Enjoy a sumptuous 3 course luncheon in the
LONGVIEW HERITAGE BARN
$120 per head
Menu by Stephanie Heaven and Louise Naughton of “The Caterers”
Accompanied by Longview Vineyard’s Award Winning Wines


Andrew Gray
Ph: (08) 8388 6084
Mob: 0407 603630
Email: ahgray@bigpond.com
 

DRESSAGE SCORES

This one is in reaction to the scores I put up last week.

Hi John,


Interesting that you raise the issue of the low scores at the comp last weekend; I was there and was also quite flabbergasted as I thought there were a few nice horses there.

Interesting to see the scores from an official comp in another part of SA on the same weekend. I have removed names etc to save any worries but just thought it interesting to see the scores.

I don’t disagree that the horses at this comp deserved their scores – not at all! They are all riding so well and should be proud of themselves. However I certainly wouldn’t rate them at 10% higher than many of the horses with these low scores you mention at DCSA – there were some lovely rides there.

I don’t care if the scores are high or low… consistency would be nice!! Will this be picked up anywhere along the line by officials, or addressed?
I’d hate to think of these people living in a state of happiness and then competing ‘up North’ only to get slammed… My point here is in no way to bag the other comp with the high scores – just to demonstrate the difference that’s happening regularly between the two regions.

Very interesting to see the variations in scores with the judges last weekend at DCSA too…

Lovely horse Linda has there and she did a great job riding him/her (?) on the weekend!


Cheers

 

This just proves that the Riders' in the Bush are better than the 'Big Smoke' :) I was quite impressed with the quality of a lot of the Horses at Lobethal. Basically, only members of the State Dressage Squad got a quali and then only just. That is one tough comp then and I wonder what that does for the Sport in general. Will it grow the Sport? Certainly not. I can imagine some driving home on their $1.40 a litre, thinking, "what do I have to do?"  Thanks for the comparison.

 

Hi - I read some of your advice as watched your videos when I had an unruly young pony back in the fall. If you're interested, you can see three recent videos of her
She's turned out to be very sweet and willing

Hi there. Yes, I remember your little Horse. Just in case it is relevant, I wouldn't want you to think the Horse is willing all the time as she is exhibiting some frustration still. I would be very careful of riding in the round pen too much. The other thing that would markedly improve the mental health of this Horse would be for you to lift a little in your knowledge of Dressage Riding and Training as your hossey is flexed off such a lot of the time and that is why she is taking the wrong lead so much. This type of riding gives physical discomfort to Horses and that may be why the face. Much improved though. Well done!!

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

*************** We are going great and still read your page every morning! It's been so busy here and our bookings are a bit out of hand. Isn't it funny how cross people get when they ring to book and you tell them it's a good 4 months or so wait. If I could book their horsey in in a week like they expect, would we actually be any good at what we do??? Nevermind,most people are happy to wait.
 I've included a couple of photos of recent ' first rides out of the roundyard ' with some relaxed, happy horses. Just because it makes me happy to see such happy horses! And also one of a Brumby stallion Fred started recently. He is a bit of a stunner and a great example of an Old Bloodline horse.
Anyway, back to work I guess (never bloody ends at the moment!) Take care and watch that digging posts in! Regards, Rachel and Fred.
Watkins Horse Handlers,PO Box 540, Bakers Hill WA, 6562.

Very nice Folks. The black Stallion ey? He sure can move :) Regards

*********

Hi John,

I came across your site when I put a post on one of the horse internet forums about how to get my horse to halt and stop resisting all the time in the downwards transitions. Someone sent me a link to your site and said I might find it very useful.......so far after looking through the site I have found it very interesting. I used to do some natural horsemanship clinics when I was younger and have always wanted to get back into it but find it very daunting with all the people 'claiming' to be natural horsemen. Anyway I've read through some of the articles and just wanted to know what I should be doing to assist with getting my horse to halt and stop resisting. I will be trying the one to get him to stand still although once he stops he is iusaully ok but getting him to stop is the problem. I use him for level 3 eventing.
After reading some of your articles I realised I really want help with this as can only imagine the discomfort that it casues him by me pulling on his mouth trying to get him to stop but feel like it's a lose lose situation. I will be looking to make a video to put on utube as think that's a great idea! He is a 17yo percheron X and if there is a kinder way of riding him then im all for it as I often think whether my horse enjoys being ridden or not and want to make it enjoyable for him.

Any advice would be muchly appreciated.

Kerryn

Also do you do any clinics in Victoria>?

This Horse also falls into the subject of the night and needs some re-education. You should be doing lot's of downward and upward transitions and add the back up to every one of them for a while. Do 10 per lap of a 60x20. Get the Horse anticipating 'listen to seat' by putting 'reverse gear rate' back into the mind of the Horse. Also, do not release or soften on the reins until each time the Horse softens with the head exactly where you want it as if in a comp. When backing, if the Horse is resisting, do not release until it softens. Keep the rules in place. We are doing Clinics in Victoria later in the year. Regards

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

Mr HP

I really am finding it frustrating to find a new float, I live 500kms from Perth and I’m out in the back of beyond.
It would be incredibly helpful if people who advertise their floats would put height, width and length. Not to mention weight and if brakes work and what type of brakes.
I don’t care about the paint job, I want a safe float. Sorry, after driving 300kms to look at a float that wasn’t even close to what I was told on the phone, I’m a little frustrated. I can’t afford new as much as I would like too.
I know a lot of people read your site daily so hopefully it might get through to a few.

Tan

I agree Tan.  Highly relevant to any Buyer. The same goes for Gooseneck Sellers I notice. Often no width on the ads and that is necessary info if you want an 8 foot one. Regards
 

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

Hi John,

Thank you for taking the time to create this page.
I am so confused.
I have $14,000 to buy a float.
I have been on ebay and have read hundreds of advertisements, seen 20 floats and have visited the main manufacturers.
You would think that I would be extremely informed but I am just incredibly confused.
I am after the best value for money when purchasing a two horse angle float.
I like Rowville, Pegasus and Stallion but am unable to purchase a new one and cannot find a decent second hand float.
Any ideas, do I go for a cheaper float, do they come with all these problems.
I have been tossing this up since October last year. It’s driving me mad.
We would be using this float at least once a week maybe more
I want it to last and be safe. Flashy isn’t so important.
If you can help I would be thrilled.

Thank you
Kind Regards

amanda

I don't know what to say to you Amanda. All of those Companies build pretty reasonable Floats. It really just comes down to personal choice now because when it comes to the ultimate in safety appointments etc, there are none. You may have arrived at "eny meny miny mo "  :)

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took skye to arab main event show sunday 6/4/08. two victorian judgesi am proud to let you know she was a very well behaved filly and cme ist in the filly derivative best head class ,first in the filly best trot class,champion filly three years and under and the to top it off came second in the best s.a. bred junior derivative at the moment michelle is riding skye and she has had many comments about how well she is going for a three year old enclosed photos for you to see.
cheers Sue.

Congratulations Sue. What a Doll?

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

Hi there,

I have a mare that is very claustrophobic and when put in a confined area such as a yard or a float will weave OUT OF CONTROL! I have done the PArelli 7 games with her, and am working a great deal on the squeeze games to try and help her confidence - she is particularily bad at going over things ie barrels. In the float her weavng is so bad it moves the car around. A friend of mine suggested that I put knee hobbles on her in the float so that she dosent get a "swing up". What do you think about hobbles in this situation? is there anything else I should be trying first. She goes on and off the float fine, but once she gets in there she starts weaving and gets in a trance like state.

Any help / comments / suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Lisa
Western

Certainly, some form of leg restraints such as that could assist in breaking the mental blank however, not without plenty of formal training in the round pen to handle such equipment first. There are many such alternatives one could try. Process of elimination but often it can be the float design, view and so on. Does the Horse do it when in company. It may well just be one of those 'separation anxiety Horses' that would do it in a paddock if left alone??? This is a complex situation where much experimentation would need to go on and points ticked off to get down to a firm knowledge of what it really is that makes this Horse tick. Then you could fix it. Change floats, travel with company and so on. Send me a photo of the float. Inside and out. Cheers

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

Hi John

Not sure if you've seen this yet or not, OMG what will be next????

http://cgi.ebay.com/Enable-an-Olympic-Dream-Sponsor-Me-and-My-Horse_W0QQitemZ170204011014QQihZ007QQcategoryZ102333QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The mind boggles :)
*****************

Hi Mr HP,

I'm half way through building a round yard, 6 foot tall with 3 rails and a kick rail at the bottom to hold the sand in. I'm finding the rubber is unbelieveably expensive (I'm in Vic). Is it dangerous to use round yard without the rubber till I can afford to get it? What are the main risks? I am going to break in my 4yo in when the roundyard is built, having him booted up during the process of course.

Cheers

Jo

Generally Jo, no problems with that. It is just if you get one steamed up, the rubber gives extra protection. If you have a Horse that is pretty casual and you are not gung ho, no problems. Regards

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

Hi John!

I reckon you're doing a great job on your stables!
Whats the ideal size for a shelter/stable ie height width etc?

Many thanks
Joyce

I tend to over kill Joyce. These are 4m wide, 3.6m deep with a 4m x 2.7 m tack room attacked and a 18 metre yard. Height at front 2.8 and at back 2.6 measured beneath roof timbers. Roofs on tomorrow. All kick boards on today. :) 30 bloody degrees would you believe today :(

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

Howdy

I have been asked to take on some hayburners to do under saddle training. They are older horses 4-7yrs.Basically they all have the usual probs that humans hate but dont have the tools to fix so I suppose I better get into them too.LOL Am re-mouthing first up- John you have me as your diciple now!!
I have this problem-
I dont know what to charge folk when they ask me for this re-ed training?

Next question is- how long will it take?? Well I say all horses are different they will let me know so to speak.
Per day what do recommend if you were training 5 days a week as I am farmer too!! Have to look after those dam sheep and get the crop in around all this you know LOL

Thanks
Amber WA
PS I am not breaking others nags yet only my own. Not up to that yet but under saddle training for shying jig jog making a bold horse I am THERE after re-mouthing hee hee ORS!!!

Re-Mouthing 4 days Amber. Max 5. Best of Luck with it. You may be interested in that re-mouthing DVD when I finish it lolol. I have now decided to ad the subject of my editorial today to it as God know, people need to understand. Regards

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

Hi John,

Big congratulations to Grace Bowman, who has been selected to go to the Paralympics representing Australia in Dressage. A kind person in Victoria has lent her a dressage horse, as hers is not up to it. Well Done Grace! A spot well earned and we are sure she will do Australia proud.

Annie. Stan, Lizzie and Razzie.

Well done Grace. Go Ozzie Go :)

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

Hi John,
Would like to pick your brains on a "small" problem I am having with my rather large wb x :)

You might remember him from the perth clinic (big solid bay) - I had the canter issues (that I though may be soreness related) but Linda sorted that out pretty easily - on a good note his canter is pretty well sorted out now - did 3 hack shows in the last 2 months and came home with one broad ribbon plus a lot of firsts and seconds :)

The 'small' problem is a floating related one. My boy floats well, self loads and I've done a lot of work with him over the years to make sure he's a good floater. He generally travels well until we are heading home. Unfortunately he knows when he is about 2-3km from home now (had the same problem at his previous home) and he starts. He paws and bucks and will occasionally try and double barrel the ramp (the size of my float makes it difficult but in my friends big float - WOW and she had a camera installed so we really saw what he was doing).

I learnt early that he paws and so he has a 'door' under the chest bar now to stop that (learnt after I had to replace the front floor boards). He still tries but doesn't get the momentum up. There is no doubt my float is too small for him (standard Olympic - the new one is being saved for). But there is no hesitation in going on/off and he will happily stay on even with the ramp down on arrival etc. And as I said he travels well generally until we near home. He also does the same behaviour in a friends super large float, with or without another horse in it (he is never travelled with company in my float - too small).

It seems to me its very much an impatience to get home. He can be a stressy horse and does like his routines and being "home" (i have noticed he is very much one of the WB you have spoken about - generally better out than at home).

I am getting very frustrated with this behaviour - it really tosses my car and float around. Any suggestions?? I have tried stopping when he starts and moving on again once he stands (took 30mins to travel the last km home) and it did seem to improve but I am limited on the roads as to where it is safe to do that.

Thanks
Niki

Mmmmm. Yes, the Olympic is too small and those front boards can cause scrambling in some horses so people pick your mark with them. Once again, different Horses, different tactics. Providing the Horse has no actual floating problems like scrambling, I have used the tactic of touching the brakes with timing, feel and savvy. The intensity up and down the scale subtly can be a signal and a training regime to the Horse if used with sophistication. This is just an impatience and brat type thing. You could put one hobble strap on each leg with a lump of heavy chain about a foot long hanging so when he paws he learns that he gives himself discomfort. You get out and stand in the float with a whip and train him verbally and with a flick for such behavior, again with perfect training timing, not just hitting the Horse. Using the word 'No' but not in a yelling way, just a directive way. You could leave him in the float when you get home until such time as he shuts up and goes to sleep and then let him out instantly. So his actions don't profit him and there are many other things but I must go to Bed. Boss is calling :)

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Hi John

Thank you so much for the DVD's...all arrived and great viewing.....

Also, was wondering whether you could keep putting photos of your new stable block on your webpage as it progresses....its giving me some fantastic and slightly more affordable ideas for my own stables (which I'm desperately trying to get organised) .... hope this isn't too cheeky a request ....

Cheers and many thanks...
Dany Johnson
(an avid fan of your website)...

No worries. Will do. Thanks

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

Hi John

I was just reading about Rebecca and her 'wont put weight on' Appy, and wanted to reccomend getting him blood tested for selenium deficiency. A mare I owned had it, and once we treated her for it her condition improved very rapidly. However its dangerous if overdosed so you have to test for it first.

Cheers
Helen

Thanks Helen

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

Well John and Linda,
Today was different for me. I went to pony club for the very first time at 30. I was in the town and saw the horse floats. I thought I would go look. I parked the car and had both the kiddies with me. In teresting combination small kids and beginner mum and no horse. Well I watched for about a half hour when I finally got Jack of the kids talking so loud I couldn't concerntrat on what was going on and the ants were thick on the ground so I went home and gave the kids a serve on their behaviour and said they had a second chance of watching if they would shut the hell up. They both agreed. We put on our boots and went back. They were much better behaved second time around and it helps when you have food in their mouths. I got to listen that time. I took them both to sit closer and I was pleased to know the guest insructor was teaching to ride on a loose rein. she gave a lecture on floating and saddle fitting. It was great until my three year old threw a stick and hit a car. guess who got a clip arround the ear and taken home? Both really enjoyed their day but it was too long for my 3 year old. There were some interesting young girl riders and a visiting club. Both my kids are horse mad. I want to join as I feel they have the horse at heart here and wish I was a better rider with more confidence. I think if I wistled the whole time I would get through it but I would look a little strange as well as drown out the voice of the instructer. There are a few girls there who really can ride and I think I will get in contact with one or two of them for a lesson. I think the teen girls would love the pocket money. There were some girls there that were only young on 4 yo horses and they were quiet as. Interesting when a horse escaped its roap tying and started to run a muck showing off that he was free. Some of the others got excited. I have no float and bear would have to be ridden there it is over 5 km so I need to be confident that I will make it there alive. I have dirt roads all the way and Bear has hard feet do you think shoes would be needed to ride on gravel?. Hubby has promised me a day to come over to see you guys for a lesson. I will be in contact soon for an appointment. It will be next month. Depending on what you think of his mouth I would like to leave him there for remouthuing. How long does this take?
Well Cheers for now
From Cindy

5 days Cindy. Sounds like you had a great time :) I wish I had have been there :)

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

Hi John,
Was referred to your website by numerous people and after reading some of the topics of your problem index I must say your knowledge and experience impressed me :) So i was wondering if i could grab your advice on a few things?
Okay, I just bought a 17hh rising 8 year old gelding who has been off the track for 18 months and given a basic education and a basic dressage education. He appears to have quite good ground manners, and he has a very kind eye and is also very quiet and well mannered when being tacked up. When I rode him he hadn't been ridden for approx. 8 months so I rode him in a small round yard first and he was very well behaved, he was very light on the bit and i held him lightly and gave him head and he didn't rush me or take advantage of this. After I was confident with him I took him into a larger arena and put him into a trot he was good, but threw his head around a little and I think this made me a little nervous and stupidly as he hardened his mouth I hardened my grip on the rein, which maybe was the wrong thing? So basically my question is, what do I do when he gets hard on the bit? Do I tighten the reins.. or?

Ps: I'm an intermediate rider

Kind regards,
Skye

Incredible Skye. That subject again. That depends in what style you are wishing to ride the Horse in. Pleasure rein, Western or proper English. There is no point attempting the latter unless you fully know what you are doing or under the eye of a Coach. In short, more hand, more leg to support hand until horse softens at the pole and jaw and then you instantly soften to the light contact with the Horse will on the bit with legs softening equally. Repeat 10 million times. :) You really do need more information of course and should seek Coaching or Videos.

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

Hi, I have a 5 yr old QH mare who does not groom or allow herself to be groomed. I find this really strange, have you ever come across a horse like this.
Cheers Leah

No Leah. I presume you mean she won't let you brush her???? I am a little unsure of how you mean that.

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

Dear John, Life just seems to keep getting better. Took George out for an airing to our local bush place with one friend and her boy Shadow. What a great ride, some times things just don't seem to get any better. We walked around stuff that had blown over, thought about NOT jumping over some stuff and figured how to walk over it, and went bush bashing when the trail gave out...WALKED when asked and trotted nicely when asked. Just stood still to be mounted, didn't immediately have to run about. Even led most of the ride home, just a couple of scary bits that he would not pass, even thought we had passed them on the way out ??? So George just moves aside to let the other horse go first and then goes back to the front again. At one stage my stirrup leather broke and I rode the last 15 minute of the ride without it, AND George rode that 15 minutes without a companion near by. We got a little separated from each other and although I know George could hear the other horse he could not see him but he was totally unperturbed and just kept walking along. Now, he comes the really scary part. Don't laugh at me - okay. On the last part home I practised sitting very still and calm in the saddle and concentrated on the way I wanted George to go, which way I wanted to go around obstacles and things...George complied with every thing unerringly. I probably was giving tiny signals that he is interpreting, but it just seems like I was thinking I wanted to go that way and George was going that way. I was thinking calm and quiet and George was calm and quiet. So there you have it. Nice bond with my boy. He has been very put out with me the last week because I rode the Smooch Horse last week. I have not been getting anything but complaints when the feed is late...lol.
Regards Lauren and George and The Smooch Horse aka Floyd and Trevor (who is definitely a gelding and not pregnant even though he has a fat belly!)

Lol. So you are becoming a 'centered rider' Lauren :) That was very inventive of you and very exploratory. Well done. It is amazing how they can read you, isn't it. That's why we love them so much :) Don't you make that Smoochie jealous but :)

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

6th April, 2008

Not much Horse work for the past three days. I got stuck into this with the help of my good Mate, Peter Brown the Computer Man. Not bad for a couple of Ol Foggies ey?

Mrs. HP off teaching Pony Club today and although it is supposed to be 23 degrees only, it is too hot.

What does the future hold for South Australia. Well, it is going to end up a giant hole in the ground and will be occupied by Immigrant Workers who probably will come from India etc as they can handle the heat. The South Australians will be all long gone. No River Murray any more because the other bloody States won't give us any water, the Cows have to walk 2 k out on the Mud to get a drink at Lake Alexandrina. Oh what a mess we have made of this Country and bugga all has been done to rectify it. Oh, forgot, we are changing our light bulbs :)

I see the SA Police finally took DNA samples off a dozen known Gentlemen who are of interest due to the Family Murders. Two weeks before the Mulligan Enquiry was released in Parliament stating that yes, the Family Murderers had been having their way with some 4,000 kids over 35 years here. But why now, why 35 years later? Ah, because they knew the report was going to be released and the Government knew it needed to be seen to be doing something. They are all as corrupt as each other.. The lot of them. 35 years of Governments, Liberal and Labour and they all have plenty to hide.

LISTEN TO YOUR HORSES

There is a Pony agisted here and I grabbed him the other day to fit a new Pony Breaking in Roller. I girthed it up loose as and he complained like Hell. Tried to bite me, ears back on his head. That evening, Mrs. HP said to me, " I am getting that Pony done for Sand as he has the scours" There you go. Listen to your Horses. Gut full of sand!!!!

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

LETTER OF THE DAY

CHIROPRACTORS/PHYSIOS/VETS and rear end problems with horses.

Mrs. HP taught at Pony Club today and there was a new client there with a lovely big 17 hand Thoroughbred build like a Warmblood. He had problems. He had had the Chiropractor to him 3 times but the Lady was concerned as he changes leads behind a lot. Mrs. HP asked to see him ridden and sure enough, stiff one way, hollow the other. So she asked for a ride and sure enough, quarters to the inside one way and quarters to the outside the other way and if she let the inside rein go the Horse wouldn't change leads. Prognostication? The Horse has definite problems

Hi John and Linda,

I have only recently found your site and almost read every article. Very informative and useful information that is very difficult to find, thanks for providing so many great services. Just wanting to ask something. I have been reading the articles about soundness and conformation and many of the problems mentioned in the article about OTTB in regards to not wanting to work round and soft especially at the canter, high head carriage, running, difficulty in getting him sraight, short stepping, standing behind etc. When I read this it sounded very much like my riding pony that I have had for 12 months. The previous owners told me that every time he cantered he kept changing leads in his hind legs. I have had him examined by a chiropractor and vets and lessons with different people as I wanted to make sure there wasn't anything wrong, non of these people felt that he was unsound. However I still feel he is unsound. He has improved a lot with his pleasure riding but the flat work is terrible and very inconsistent. I have not been doing any flat work lately as I do not know what to do. Every one thinks he is naughty but I do feel there is something wrong and he sweats a lot too. I am wondering how I find out if he is unsound or naughty. He had a big lack of respect when he arrived but we have worked on this.

Any ideas would be appreciated. Also wondering do you do any clinics in Victoria? How do I go about getting the treatment for removing sand in the gut?

Many thanks
Leisha

So here Leisha, there seems little doubt that this Horse has problems too. On top of the other symptoms, the sweating is a huge give away as that is 'pain'. I don't like saying this but it is a fact, but the Physios, Chiro's, Bowen people and all of the other off shutes, have no idea when it comes to such problems. None at all. We have never met one that has been correct and in fact we are yet to meet a Vet diagnosis that finds such problems. We have even ridden horses owned by Vets, the horses having slight symptoms of problems where there is no doubt at all that all is not right but they don't know. We haven't told them either :) This is where Mrs. HP is so lucky. She can get on them all and know with 100% accuracy if there is a problem or not. Never been wrong and sorry to say that too but it is a fact. So you have a problem Leisha. You need to video the Horse being extensively ridden through all the paces, both ways and downward and upward transitions. Send it to us. We will then point out where you Vet has to look and you can direct them to the investigation. We may be doing an impromptu couple of Clinics in Victoria for the Standardbred people in conjunction with competing. Waiting to here from the Club concerned.

HERPES OUTBREAK

Related ItemsMore News by TopicLivestock The University of Saskatchewan's veterinary college has stopped all non-emergency treatment of horses at its large-animal clinic while attempting to stem an outbreak of equine herpes near Saskatoon.

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine stopped non-emergency horse work in mid-March after admitting two horses from a local riding stable, both of which were later found to have equine herpes virus, type 1 (EHV-1).

The two horses had recovered enough to be discharged to their home stable by March 26, by which time WCVM field service veterinarians were treating 13 other infected horses on-site at the stable.

No new clinical cases of EHV-1 have been confirmed at WCVM's clinic in the past week, nor at the riding stable as of Friday, but the college's equine admissions are still restricted, the college reported Friday on its EHV-1 blog.

Regular equine clinical services at the WCVM Large Animal Clinic will resume once horses still at the clinic are tested to make sure they pose no risk of virus shedding, and once the hospital facilities have been cleaned and disinfected.

However, the college reported, it's now testing for possible new cases in four other horses at a second Saskatoon-area farm that may have had contact with infected horses before EHV-1 symptoms appeared. Of the four, one has been euthanized after showing "severe clinical signs" of the disease, while the other three show milder signs.

The farm's owners have restricted horse traffic on and off their land. The owners of the stable, where all 15 infected animals are now recovering, have quarantined their property.

EHV-1, a relatively common horse virus worldwide, is contagious through contact and through particles dissolved in the air. It can be controlled by restricting contact and with decontamination at affected facilities.

The EHV-1 type can cause respiratory diseases, abortions and neurological disease in affected horses. It doesn't transmit to humans, nor to other animal species, and is not a reportable disease in Canada, the college noted.

Noting that the outbreak has spurred significant concern from the province's horse industry, the WCVM and Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan will host an EHV-1 information seminar April 10 at the Ramada Hotel on Idylwyld Drive in Saskatoon from 7 to 9 p.m.

"This seminar will give people the information they need to minimize the risk of infection on their farms and acreages," said infectious disease specialist Dr. Hugh Townsend, who will speak at the seminar.

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HORSE THAT PULLED A CART

 It's been raining and the ground is heavy. A field of 24 line up for the Grand National, a race which is to throw up a result made of the stuff of fairy tales.


Whatever the outcome of the 2008 Grand National, it is unlikely to be more extraordinary than that of the big race a hundred years ago.
More than any other race in the calendar, the National is the people's race. Those who show no interest in horse racing throughout the year have a flutter.

They are tempted by the spectacle, the generous odds available and, above all, by the tradition of a race unequalled anywhere else in the world. They are also fascinated by the sheer unpredictability of the result, such as when Foinavon survived a mass pile–up in 1967 and won at odds of 100/1 (444/1 on the Tote!).

Business is so brisk that local betting shops advertise for 'runners' to convey bets between once-a-year punters and the High Street.

In 1908, before the existence of betting shops or exchanges and when bookies' 'runners' were illegal, two of the 24 hopefuls were stable companions, Mattie Macgregor, a six-year old mare carrying 10st 6lb at 25-1 and the even less fancied ten-year-old chestnut gelding Rubio with 10st 5lb, a 66-1 shot. Both horses were trained by Fred Withington at Danebury in Hampshire.

Bred by J. B. Haggin who, with the fortune he made in the Californian gold rush, had established the world's largest thoroughbred stud at Rancho del Paso near Sacramento, Rubio was sent over to the Newmarket sales as a yearling in 1899.His breeding was good; his sire, Star Ruby, had been bred by the Duke of Westminster and had won nine races including, significantly, one over four miles in which he had been held up 3/8 mile behind the leader but still took over to win.

Rubio was bought for 15 guineas by a Northamptonshire farmer and horse dealer, Mr Septimus Clarke and later sold as a hunter to Major Frank Douglas-Pennant.

As a four-year-old on the hunting field he was sensible and always had plenty of stamina. In fact, it soon became obvious to his new owner that Rubio might well make up into a racehorse so he was put up for sale.

He failed to reach his reserve price of 60 guineas but as a five-year-old was trained by successful trainer Brian Bletsoe. A very promising start of three wins from three races was swiftly followed by disaster when Rubio broke down so badly that he had to be retired.

He was sent to the landlord of The Prospect Arms in Towcester to pull an omnibus, in harness, ferrying guests between the hotel and the railway station.

This sometimes entailed marathon sessions of over 30 miles at single stretch and seemed an ignominous development in his career but it worked wonders on his legs which completely healed.

Three years later in 1906 he was back in training; this time with Fred Withington, a former jockey-turned-trainer, who later trained Red Splash, the first winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1924.

In his first year back, Rubio finished third at Kempton, then in 1907 he ran three times, winning once at Towcester, carrying 12 stone, and taking third in the Grand Sefton Chase at Liverpool in November 1907.

Withington's stable jockey, W. Bissell, chose to ride Mattie Macgregor in the 1908 National, so Rubio was offered to Henry Bletsoe, the son of his former trainer, who had ridden the chestnut gelding when he had won as a five-year-old.

At the start, Rubio takes an intelligent but sensible interest in everything. His jockey plans to take the inside route, but when this proves difficult, he decides to just give the horse a 'sensible' ride.

He isn't expecting to win and ahead stretches four and a half miles and thirty formidable fences.

Three horses fall at the first but Rubio jumps it well and by the Canal Turn on the first circuit is lying fourth.

A bad mistake follows so Bletsoe decides to give the horse a breather even though this means losing a few places.

Rubio takes off too early at the water jump but survives and at the beginning of the second circuit is one of the only seven remaining horses from the 24 together with stable companion Mattie Macgregor and the 1905 winner, Kirkland.

From this point onwards Rubio begins to assert. He outjumps and passes other tired horses so that by the time they round the last bend he has an unassailable lead and runs on to beat Mattie Macgregor by ten lengths, giving Fred Withington an unprecedented first and second in the race – a training feat never since equalled. He becomes the first American-bred horse to win the Grand National.

The following year was an anti-climax. Rubio fell, Mattie Macgregor refused. But nothing could take away the glory from the horse who had once worked in harness pulling a bus.

His owner too set a record. Frank Douglas-Pennant kept Rubio throughout his career and became the longest-lived Grand National winning owner, dying in 1967 at the age of 101.

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HORSE KILLERS GET SIX MONTHS GOAL


After more than a year that saw a guilty plea rescinded and a mistrial, the case against two Pike teens charged with shooting several horses may have finally been resolved.
Pike Circuit Judge Eddy Coleman sentenced Jacob Leslie Ratliff and Michael Ross Damron, both 18, to serve a total of six months in jail for their crime, with the credit for their time served counting, forcing them to spend 99 more days in jail.
Police said the teens, armed with pistols and shotguns, ran down a herd of horses in a remote area at Beaver, near Elkhorn City, in January 2007. Ratliff and Damron killed three of the horses and wounded five. One of the horses was shot more than 50 times.
The only deviations from the original offer made by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Elizabeth Burchett when they pleaded guilty in January are that Ratliff and Damron will not have to file for shock probation in order to be released after six months and Coleman’s added stipulation that they both receive at least a two-year degree from college.
Coleman also gave Ratliff and Damron credit for 81 days they have served in jail, but gave them no credit for the year they were on home incarceration prior to that.
Both the victim in the case and supporters of Ratliff and Damron said they thought the sentence was fair.
Jacob Ratliff’s father, Mark Ratliff, said Damron and his son are two very intelligent, wonderful people, but he wishes the judge would have considered expunging the crime from their records.
“I think it was fair, but I think they deserved it to be expunged because they’ve never gotten to vote and have no prior record whatsoever,” he said. “Everybody’s allowed one mistake in their life.”
However, he also said he feels that the original intentions of the victims changed as the case went on.
“I think it turned more away from the crime — it turned into more of a money thing for the victims than it was about the horses,” Mark Ratliff said.
Horse owner Trish Varney said she feels the sentence they received was fair.
As a part of the deal, Ratliff and Damron had to each pay $25,000 restitution to the victims. That stipulation almost caused the deal to be called off last month, when it was found that Damron had not paid the restitution prior to a scheduled March sentencing date.
That prompted Burchett to ask that Coleman not honor the deal for either Ratliff or Damron.
However, Damron’s half of the resitution was paid prior to Friday’s sentencing hearing.
In imposing the sentence, Coleman, who has presided over the case since it entered Circuit Court, explained his thought process to those gathered in the courtroom.
In May, the teens entered a guilty plea in exchange for which Pike Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Bartley offered a total sentence of two years, of which the teens would have served 30 days.
The first plea deal was opposed by the victims, who felt the jail time was too light. Coleman rejected the controversial offer, and the two rescinded those pleas.
“A light punishment would depreciate the seriousness of the crime,” Coleman said Friday. “But an overly harsh punishment would be detrimental to their future. It may destroy any redemptive value of these gentlemen.”
Coleman said he rejected the original plea deal because he felt it was not strong enough, but that the sentence he imposed is good because it results in a felony conviction, which ensures Ratliff and Damron will be supervised for the next five years.
“These gentlemen have to reform their behavior to what society expects of them for a period of time that would allow us to determine whether or not they’re going to live up to all the terms and conditions of their probation,” Coleman said, adding they would also be prevented from using firearms during that time.
The sentence he imposed Friday, Coleman said, is fair.
“I believe that’s appropriate —appropriate in that it will impress upon them the seriousness of the events that they were connected with, but not such a long time that any rehabilitative efforts might be thwarted,” he said.
Attorney Steve Owens, who represented both Ratliff and Damron, also agreed the sentence was fair.
“It’s a hard case for them, for the community, for the victims and for everybody involved,” Owens said. “You’ve got two very young men with no criminal backgrounds and no history of violence that come from very good families that made a serious and ... senseless mistake.
“I feel confident, knowing them and knowing their families ... that they’ll be fine,” he said

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LADY DIES AFTER FALL FROM HORSE

Ada County authorities say a woman who was tossed off a horse has died from injuries after tumbling down a rocky slope in the foothills north of Eagle.

Officials say the woman and her husband were riding Friday afternoon when she was bucked off the horse and tumbled more than 125 feet feet into a ravine. Investigators say they horse may have gotten a hoof stuck, prompting it to buck the rider from the saddle.

The identity of the woman has not yet been released.

The scene of the accident is several miles from a paved road on land overseen by the federal Bureau of Land Management.

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BOLTING HORSES

Hi John,
Heard a story the other day about a trail riding outfit in the Flinders Ranges...Rumour has it that the said 8 horses were on their third ride out for the day and as the "riders" were approaching the end of the trail....all 8 horses bolted for home. We know of one person who is in hospital with several fractures and other folks who have been shaken up by the experience. Tried to get the name of the company out of my info lead...but didn't know it. Do you reckon those poor horses had just had enough of people bouncing around on their backs and kicking their guts and decided to show em what for? Or were they just plain hungry and thirsty and fed up with being flogged. MMMM.

Horse Mummy.x

Wow, not good at all. I had a similar experience one day. We were coming back from a 4 day Ride over Easter and there were 30 Riders, 3 staff and 6 loose horses. The Dogs put a big ol man roo in the scrub that we had already past. He came barreling down the Road from behind us and straight at us. Nearly 40 Horses shot through and you've never seen so many white knuckled and wind swept Riders in all your days :) Luckly, he veered off as he got close and the Rider in front pulled them up. hahahaha. You've never heard such loud "Sit back!!!!!  "Feet Forward"!!!!! "Pull emup!!!!!" hahahaha. Anyhow, they all survived :)

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hello there again :O)

Thanks for your e-mail :o) I have just ordered the Retraining the Standardbred 2 DVD set and look forward to watching the whole thing.

I am also with a group of individuals working with rehoming standardbreds in British Columbia Canada :O) Greener Pastures is a non-profit group ...I adopted my first horse from them in November of this year but had retrained three in the past. I thought it was time for me to get more involved. So I am trying to re-vamp their web site and also retraining my girl for dressage to hopefully spread the word that STB's can have useful lives outside the track. I've attached a somewhat blurry pic of us...during our tenth ride in the saddle ...so she is progressing nicely but I'l love to see your dvd's and can't wait for the new ideas! :O)

Cheers from Canada,
Rose:O)

Hi Rose. Lovely looking Horse. Great body and head. Nice fence too :)

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Hi John

Some time ago you “lightly” encouraged me to “give it a go” and break my horse in myself. Well…. After mouthing as per your “Mouthing” DVD and onto the “Green Horse” DVD, today was day two of riding (round yard still) and I just had to share my excitement of (a) still being alive and (b) feeling very chuffed that I am doing it. This is from a Cluddly etc etc 50 something year old who had lost a lot of confidence. Probably not the best combination however the results so far are fantastic. Getting on a young unbroken horse knowing that you are in control with the lateral mouth is one of the greatest feelings you can have ( I know, I should get out more). A small pat on the back for myself however the thanks go to you, as it was only through your “light” encouragement and DVD’s that have made it possible. Many many thanks and I will keep the dialogue coming.

One burning question. I know that you ride in a half breed but what brand please. Love the look and idea of them however every one that I have looked at so far doesn’t look nearly as good as yours so would appreciate the brand naming please.

Thanks again and warmest regards,

Kim

"Lightly encouraged" Kim? That would be a first :) Well, aren't you an achiever then? Yet another mature aged housewife turns 'Breaker" :)

That Saddle is a James Saddle and you wouldn't want to deal with him. The Saddle is has major floors and he has just treated one of my clients in a ruthless way. So, I am having my own made right now to my design :) Stuff em :) I cannot stand people being sold Products that are getting less and less quality and more and more rip off. Regards

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Hi

I am ringing around the place getting prices on breakers in WA and what training they do with the green horse while under saddle with them etc.
I was wondering what you charge, if thats not to rude of me, and what the horses is able to do on arrival to owner.
I find it frustrating as some folk are bagging a breaker near me w