30th April, 2008

Got the Flue, so a chance to catch up on some of my website that I have been getting behind with. Horses start coming back next week when I have finished the construction of stables.

POD CAST OF THE WEEK

I have turned this one into a youtube vid so I can use it every time someone asks me about the following problems:

• Ignorance at Feed Times

• Difficult to catch

• Out of the Box

• Kicking

• Not facing up in stables or yards

• and much, much more

STATE DRESSAGE CHAMPS

I was extremely interested to see a couple of high level Horses that had started out their careers extremely promisingly but have gradually gone down hill in performance since. I note too that that deterioration in performance has been directly linked with a deterioration of their mouths. An increased resistance shown and a definite drop in the quality of. Both of the Owners follow a particular system of ground training and I have no doubt at all that it is this system that is responsible for the degradation of the mouths and therefore the performances of both of these Horses. I will now be adding that subject to my -re-mouthing dvd.

I saw another unsound Horse that is crying out for help but not being recognized either by the owner or the Judges.

Mrs. Hp ran second in Advanced Championship. Congratulations to Heather and her lovely Boy.

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LETTER OF THE DAY

LONG REINING

Hello.
I have just seen your article where you say long reinging is not good for horses!!
I agree to the point that nothing done in the training of horses, especially young ones, is good if you are not an experienced horse person.
But I have been training horses of all ages, and all breeds for over 15 years now and owned horses for 25 years. I Have always long reined, and always had positive results from the horse.
Of course in the begining the horse must be introduced with the greatest of patience.
But of course in this world of horses every trainer has his or her opinion, likes and dislikes. My pet hate are side reins as these do ruin horses mouths!!!

With the greatest respect
James

We do agree on the Side Reins James and I have an article on this too but on the 'long reining', it is not that I disagree with their use, it is the way in which they are used that I note the difference. Perhaps I had better go read that article.....I have and updated it. Here is what I now say.

I have two points that I would like to make about the use of 'Long Reins" in the breaking in process of the young horse.
That of the thousands of previously long reined horses that I have ridden, I have never felt a mouth higher than 6 out of 10, and...
That each year, around 15 horses come to me for re-education, caused by the long reining process in one way or another.
Of those horses in point 2, their problems vary between being turned into bolters, just having bad mouths or being seriously frightened about anything towards the rear end of their body. Be it being touched or handled there or of things that may happen behind them. Psychologically damaged.
The cause of these things is normally the horse escaping from the handler and galloping away with the long reins trailing around their legs. Often this includes injury in fences or any manner of other possibilities. During the last two years for instance, I have had one that bolted on a number of occasions with the owner on top, one that bucked a Rodeo rider over the round pen fence on to his face, another that would run or buck at the slightest touch behind the saddle and others with mouths worst than a zero.
There are various reasons why Long Reining does not achieve the best results, apart from the accidents that happen. All of these subjects are dealt with in "Mouthing the Horse"
Now, having said all of that, I admit that I too use them but it is the way in which they are used that I find makes all of the difference. The vast majority of people, throughout history, have used them in a way that I find does not produce top mouths and in fact, sets up the first 'learned evasion' experiences, thereby providing the Horse with the window of opportunity to explore 'evasion' and 'resistance' more into the future.
The other thing I find is that simply driving a Horse here, there and everywhere, around this bush, that log and back home, has no relationship with putting a top mouth on a Horse but merely provides the Handler with a 'warm inner glow' that the Horse can be pointed in directions, turned around and may listen to voice commands and a slight feel on the mouth. I find this a complete waste of time and often ends with major drama where the Horse gets a fright and runs away dragging the reins or the Handler who is 'gut skiing' at the time.
Use them in the conventional manner by all means. Just don't expect the top mouth. I prefer to stay in the confines of the Round Pen and never need to go 'waltzing' the Horse around the property to prove a Mouth.
Finally, I can categorically state and back up with demonstration or money if you like, that the conventional use of 'long reins' in the 'mouthing of the horse' DOES NOT provide a mouth that can control a Horse should things come unstuck during the first few rides.

I hope that clears it up James. Regards

 I had forgotten it was this Horse. Here he is on hand over

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

Fred has continued with his dressage lessons and I think it's beginning to show! This is a lovely little mare that he remouthed recently. We are doing heaps of remouthing so are looking forward to your new DVD. Regards Rach and Fred.

James, Fred here is one of my Apprentices. He is in Perth. Wow Rach, he has improved out of sight. What a great effort to go get Dressage lessons and show so much improvement in his posture. You can sure see the freedom in the Horse as a result. Balance equals freedom equals happiness :) Regards

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Thanks Jules I wonder how he ended up?

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Hi Mr HP,

With regards to John F's letter about his horse shod on the front feet only.

I have a QHx which I had barefoot for approx 6mths as I wanted to try and see if I could ride him this way as I too feel that if they can cope with barefoot it is better for them. I found it did take a while and perserverence for him to adjust & would have been fine on grassy trails & sand but unfortunately because of where I ride and the amount of times I can ride him (to harden his feet) it didn't work out as I found he was pulling up sore.

Anyway while I was riding him out on harder ground I used Easy Boot Epics on him which I found very good. They can be a bit hard to get on to start with until they loosen up a bit but they offer great shock absorbing qualities and if measured properly I found the fit excellent. I only ever used them on him on the front feet and left his back feet bare. I didn't have any trouble with him tripping.

There are a few sites with information on this subject, one good one is www.aebm.org.au
Hope this helps John F

Keep up the great work Mr & Mrs HP, your site is invaluable.
Cheers, K :):)

Thanks K.

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hahaha. Your Daughter mustn't feel the cold then :) You know, I have hardly ever seen the mini that looks good in the Coat. Almost all look dull and I reckon that is generally sand as they are vacuum cleaners. He is a cuty.

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My name is Verne
I recently came across your website while I was researching something else. I can't
remember why your website appeared but it doesn't matter - I'm glad it did!! I have read your
site from front to back the back to front. It is great, full of stuff I didn't know about horses
and their likes and dislikes.

I am not a horse person. I last rode a horse when I was a child. My most dominating
memory is sitting bareback on a 16 year old ex polo horse as it bolted!! I do know I didn't
fall off!

Anyway, I have a wife and daughter who are besotted with horses. The wife comes from a
family who have been horse people since before they could walk! Hence my daughter from an early age has been around horses and is into dressage.

We recently purchased a new basic 3 horse angle Tuza float to replace the 2 horse
straight. They only intend to float 2 horses and use the 3 rd position for storage and
sleepovers at events etc. It has yard panelling affixed to the side (which we did after
purchase).
I don't like the float!
1/.. The tail gate doesn't sit on the ground when it's open unless it has about 5-10 kgs on it. It will sit approx 100-150 mm above the ground due to the spring torque.
2/..It's finicky inside. It's all steel or aluminimium including all the bays and a person has to
insert a bolt or pole throught 3 holes which you have to put inline for the bolt to pass through (bit difficult when the horse is leaning against you!) The only padding is on the sides of the float which, because it's an angle load, the horse can't use!!
3/..It's NOISY!! The float rattles anyway but, with the yard on the outside rack, it is a horror.
You can hear it from inside the tow vehicle so the hoses must absolutley hate it.

It has a lot of good points in that we enclosed the tow bar, have a cover over the spare
wheel to stop rope getting behind it, have high tie points and others to make the horse's life
easier.

I have read all your comments ref horse float manufacturers and agree with all you have written. As per your statement, I am emailing you to get your opinion and advice on what makes the perect float.

Regards, verne

ps: My details are

Verne
pps: Just remembered why I stumbled across your website. My wife and daughter were
looking buying a horse. It's name was Gainsborough!! and your property came up as part
of the google search. They didn't buy it. Bought anotherhorse called UQ Wellington. It died
on the transport bringing it to Cairns!! (and THAT is another story!)

Cheers.

Should have stuck to Gainsborough Verne :) Bad luck. What makes the perfect Float? Big question Verne but imho, straight load, minimum 2250mm high, extra width, collapsible chest bars and centre division if a Horse gets on top of them,. the proper viewing outlook for the Horse, not looking down at the towbar through a window that is 14 feet too low like most, noise deadening properties, electric brakes, sunken handles of all description, covered tow bar non steep back ramp, no back leg on division, side padding including bedding for Humans so that the float has anti scramble features, extra width, extended front for neck lowering and lung drainage and the list goes on :) Regards

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Hi John,

I had some time thismorning to go through some of your archives and I noticed that you have a fair amount of sand in your round yard and also that Fred & Rachel have alot in their round yard too.

Unfortunately when we put our arena sand in, I ordered way too much and it is about 10cm thick. I'm waiting on a friend with a bobcat to come and help me move some of it off. But, in the meantime, I am lungeing daily (walk trott & canter) and riding our pony on this arena at just a walk and trott a few times a week. Will this cause her any problems? It could be some time before I get alot of the sand moved off.

Just wondering if it would be hurting her legs at all, if I am over doing it. I must admit though, she doesn't get worked very hard. Its all pretty casual.

thanks John.

Lisa. Geraldton.

Nothing wrong with 4 inches Lisa. Most have that. The Round Pen has 300mm. She will be fine. Regards

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FROM YOUTUBE

hi
hey
sorry for wasting ur time. this morning my horse reared and flipped over. she didnt land on me but i got a fairly good knock to the head. i cant remember exactly what happened, so im not sure if she got spooked or if i did something wrong or wat, but she took off and i wandered around the paddock and tried to find her. wenever she saw me shed take off and since she had free run off 300acres (including 50acres of bush) i gave up after a couple of hours and dad went out to get her. he went out on the motorbike and led her home but she was so nervous when i saw her that i didnt think it would be at all safe to ride her and we had to go back into town before she calmed down so itll be a week before i can ride her again and i think ive left it too late. i mean ive fallen off before, and shes bucked and reared plenty but this is the first time ive been really hurt. like, shes stood on me before and ive fallen on logs and everything but ive been able to get back on then. im really worried that shell start to do that every time. i mean, i think she might have been spooked or something cuz shes never been that bad before and shes quite a good horse but im really nervous about riding her again. and im the only one in my family that knows anyhting about horses (and im bad enough) and theres no way i could ride another horse before next weekend. in fact, i think ill be lucky to be able to ride another horse within the next 3 yrs so yeah... sorry im just goin on about nothing but im not feelin too great at the moment ( my memories gone out the window and i keep forgetting what im writing) anyways sorry for wasting ur time and i guess theres nothing you can do so ive no idea y im sending u this. sorry for wasting ur time
claire

You sound as if you have concussion and need to go to the Doctor Clair!!!

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Problems at feeding time
Hi I watched your video on Dangers at Feeding. Amazing work by the way. But I was wondering if you could offer advice when my horse acts like the one in the video but he is in a 10x10 stall when I feed. Obviously there's not enough room to send him away. Should I maybe put him in a turnout arena to feed him a couple of times so he gets the idea? Some friends of mine feed him for me while I'm away at school, but they let him get away with everything. Now when it's feed time he pins his ears, shakes his head, invades the stall door, and sometimes comes at you. The way I've dealt with it so far is to make him move around his stall until he is in the back of it facing me with his ears up, then I pour the feed in his bucket. However getting to that point is a little dangerous for me, he hasn't kicked me but has turned his rear end to me. I don't know if that's the right thing to do but I figure it reinforces that being threatening is not the way to get fed. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated though. Thanks.

You shouldn't be putting yourself to those risks. Drive or bribe the Horse out of the stall into the yard, then go into the stall in readiness to feed but have a lead rope or something with you. Be ready for the Horse. Give him a flick as soon as he appears and attempts to walk in. Don't allow it. Fix the feed, walk out door, invite Horse up, one pat, walk away and let Horse go into stall. In the perfect World however, go to Round Pen and teach Horse this:

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Hi HP

I’ve had my STB for close to 6 years now and have only trail ridden him.  He has just come back into work after having 12 months off for me to have a baby.  I decided to try a little dressage training with him but have a small issue.  I usually only trail rode him in a halter or bitless bridle.  I have introduced a bit for dressage training but once I take up the contact with the reins and ask for a trot he paces.  I then took him out for a trail ride in the bit to see what he would do and he trotted and cantered as per normal.  I know I have a bad habit of throwing the reins away when asking for trot or canter as he needs to be pushed so enthusiastically to encourage the trot or canter (lazy) but now that I need some contact he seems to be getting confused so resorts to pacing.  My friend who is giving me the dressage lessons hasn’t trained with an ex-pacer before so not sure how we encourage the trot while still having some contact with the bit.  At present we are only asking him to do simple circle work to encourage him to bend at the ribs which he is doing quite well at the walk.  He is 16 years old so I’m hoping he is not too set in his ways to change this now.

Thanks,

Jen

Wow, you certainly like picking a challenge Jen :) These 'old dogs' don't like change all that much, just ask me :) I must recommend my wife's new DVD on the subject of these Horses and it is getting rave revues from Standardbred Groups all over the World. Perhaps you could share it. Double DVD set actually. You have to go back to the Round Pen to prepare the Horse for collection first, using running reins. (see my saddlery section) You must also use a dressage whip behind your leg (only in a training way) and then you must transfer to a Market Harborough as your next step. (see my saddlery section) Only then will the resistance or the brakes up front disipate and the Horse continue forwardness so you can go further. You also need to teach him to 'leg yield' and without it, forget it. Regards

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Thank you so much for this. I have to admit I am quite addicted to your writings and pods at the moment! . I'm 66 years old (a Brit that moved to Canada at twenty-five). I started riding in England at eight years old. I won't bore you with my horsey history, but had to give it all up at forty, due to rheumatoid arthritis. I'm in remission now, and finally able to ride again. I'm afraid I may have lost my touch, so it's a real blessing that I found your web site. Looking forward to the remouthing DVD, and if all goes well, I will be ordering Linda's DVD's too. Wish me luck.

Wow Jo. That's even a bigger come back than the Lady below you here :) You get the prize of the day :) Best of Luck.

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Hi Mr & Mrs HP

I wanted to say that your site is awesome, great to see someone actually helping amateurs and not treating them as idiots. As I have encountered here in WA. I have had horses since I was 7, purely pleasure horses. I have worked for a thoroughbred breeding stud many years ago. I believe I have some knowledge and understanding of horses. As you get older life changes, once married and breeding myself, the horses got put on the back burner for a while. Four years ago I yearned for my horses back, so I purchased myself a qh x th from my close friend, who is competing in campdrafting, one she bred herself. I was actually with her the afternoon he was born, so we both got in with him handling him from day one. 12 months later she offered him to me to buy, in which I didnt hesitate, knowing the horse would have great temperament and that she wouldn't sell me a rogue. I also had purchased a few months earlier a pony for my daughter. Both unbroken, I broke the pony in, she was easy being good natured and small, my first attempt and pretty proud of the outcome. So on I went with my boy, handling him until he was 18 months old, where I proceeded to break him. Everything going great guns under saddle in the paddock and out on a trail. Until about a week after the trail ride he kicked through a plain wire fence and cut his leg. Three months in stable recovering, then slowly building up to being able to ride, about another 6 months. When he had heeled we had to move properties, the only one available at the time turned out it was not suitable for riding the young horse without danger. Hence this he grew up without me. We bought our own property which needed renovations, now that they are getting under control I have more time to get back into riding. But my confidence has gone out the door somewhere, I dont know where but certainly would like to find it. So I enlisted the help of a horse trainer, only to find that he is a self important person, and has no time for people who aren't at the top of the game. He did nothing for my confidence at first, but now I think stuff him, so I purchased your mouthing dvd and have commenced the training with my horse, to try and reassure myself that I have a lovely horse, that is broken in and has a mouth. I am on day 4 and am happy to report that he does have a reasonable mouth on him. Good lateral mouth but the front brakes need more work. Once I have finished the mouthing dvd, I will be purchasing your riding the green horse. I am now a full time student of yours, you explain everything with great detail. I just want to go and ride the trails around my place with confidence and enjoy riding again. Keep up the good work, maybe consider putting out a dvd for so called horse trainers and how to treat their paying clients.

PS As for your $10,000 challenge of your mouthing system I would like this trainer in WA to challenge you and you win, that would put him in his box. He also said my horse wasn't pretty, so I have attached a photo (not the best one of him). I know his confirmation isn't perfect but I believe he is not that bad (could be biased), your opinion would be appreciated.

Have a great day, I envy you being able to work with horses all day.

What a shame. I get many letters where people have been torn away from their Horse life and lose many years. I have given you the contact details of my Apprentice who appears above here in photo form. You perhaps should just get him to jump on first ride, assess, report on the mouth, tune up and tell you exactly where you are placed and if there are any glitches that need ironing out. To protect your Body and your confidence. Might be well worth the couple of days.. I don't know how people can differentiate between the grades. That is beyond me but then again, I am of Irish Stock. The Champions of the Underdog. Best of Luck with 'Flash'

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Hi, I just wanted to know whether if some one was to take you to court after they had bought a horse of you. Because A: it had hurt them or B: it wasn’t what they wanted, is there any way they can get you in court?

Absolutely Nicole. Whether you are found guilty or not is another question but they certainly can run you through the procedure. Regards

29th April. 2008

Well, back on deck after several days down the SE of our State, attending the State Dressage Championships where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Well, you can't have it good all of the time and it is simply character building when things don't go your way.

The list included:

• Arriving late to the event on the first day and thereby interrupting the smooth entry into the events of the weekend and especially the most important of them, the Prix St. George for Mrs. HP and Bella. We stayed 100k from the event so the Horses could have the luxury of cattle yards rather than being locked in 10 x 10 stalls at the event and whilst Mrs. HP was plaiting Bella at 6am because we were on second horse at 9.10am, but 'young aureo' opened the gate to her yard and simply ran away. :) She had two heavy duty rip stop canvass combo's on and took off and jumped a Rural Barbed wire fence and joined two other Farm Horses, one of which was trying to kick her head off whilst a mob of sheep joined them because two young sheep dog pups were joining in the fray as it was their cue to go learning their craft :)
   

• The first event was the Advanced which she ended up running second in, to Heather Currie who completely deserved to win as her Horse went very well indeed during the weekend. Then came her turn in the Prix St. Georges and sure enough, the threatening Rain Storm arrived half way through and I doubt if the Judges could have even seen her as it was blinding. Mrs. HP got lost which penalized her 6 points (2 from each Judge) and that was pretty much it. Ran 3rd I think.
   

• Freezing cold and wet as a shag on a rock, she got grabbed as the only Horse to be swabbed for the day and had to stand dripping wet for an hour while the Vets and Officials did their thing with all the paperwork etc. To top it off, presentation, which they had to attend or no prize money, wasn't until 6.30pm which is one hell of an impost on Riders but in particular, Horses. One Hell of a day :(
   

• Then Bella was snorting loudly throughout an Advanced test, obviously having a problem. Came out and she had blood running from her nose. Must have got a grass seed out of the hay net.
   

• Then, none of my video for the entire second day had any footage on it, even though it was a brand new tape.
   

• The Photo Camera battery was flat even though I had charged it the night before so no photos.
   

• and then Young Aureo, who had warmed up a treat and was firing in her test, copped the Freestyle to Music next door with loud Music which normally doesn't matter but guess what it was? Austin Powers lolol. That was it for her. Tense, wanting to run and so she certainly joined the beat :) Don't know where she came but didn't deserve to place.

However, no excuses, everyone has to perform no matter what.

SWABBING

As I said, Mrs. HP got randomly selected for swabbing which is neither here nor there for us. We fix Problem Horses for a living and don't need help. In fact the biggest rogue Dressage Horse probably ever in this State was rehabilitated by Mrs. HP and was swabbed clean but I was just handed an article from this Months Australian Equestrian Life Magazine which reports how Shane Rose was tested positive recently and they blamed it on Electrolytes given to him by Megan Jones. The FEI stated that the lack of Security at the Event was not an excuse but that immediately got me thinking about the Law regarding all of this and the set up at this weeks State Dressage Championships.

Now before I start, it cannot be and it should not be the responsibility of any State Club to be able to provide Stabling such as was there this weekend, where any doubt about the opportunity to 'nobble a horse' can be ruled out but I have to say that everyone there are wide open to being 'got at.'

I noticed a very kind gesture of a big bag of carrots left at the entrance door of the breezeway where anyone could help themselves and give Horses a carrot or two. Guess what. I had a big Jar of Bute with me and dipped carrots in it for every Horse in the Complex. Only joking but think about it Folks. You have no hope of guaranteeing that your Horse wasn't slipped a 'Mickey' and the FEI states that the absence of Security is no excuse to an offence. Try proving otherwise later!!. The article goes on and states however that Cameras are being installed for future events at the International Level. Wonder why then?

I was interested in the proceedings However. Especially from my Court experience perspective.

• There was a swabbing stall but it was rather dangerous, too small and so our Horse was dealt with in the Breezeway common to all persons and Horses.

• The Swabbing Stall was just a used stable with a bale of meadow hay thrown on it but the under surface was existing used and old bedding.

• The swabbing stall was not a dedicated one and not locked.

• The Vet couldn't locate the urine bucket and so urine wasn't taken.

• 6 vials of Blood were taken, one of which was dropped on the ground but still included in the sample.

• The Vet , nor the Steward did not have sterile gloves on and could have had anything on their hands.

No reflection on anyone, I make that clear, they are all volunteers but I make the point because peoples careers are at stake here and it would be a tragedy if a mis-carriage of Justice occurred. We all know, get accused these days and you are seen as guilty by most people, guilty or innocent. Throw Mud and it sticks. It just appeared to me that the EFA needs help in the area.

Anyhow, the weekend was fantastically run by the most professional and friendly SE Dressage ASSOCIATION and the venue was fantastic. Right in the Main Street of the lovely Naracoorte. Fantastic Sponsorship and prizes and lots of Inter-State Judges which is always a breath of fresh air for all. Great Food, Stewards, Commentator and really, everybody. Thanks

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RIGS

I recently had a horse here that was a 'Rig' The owner didn't tell us however but when we suggested that she should get a blood test and to see if something could be done to make him more acceptable to her, she raised the point about the Blood Test coming back negative and therefore he would not be one.

A 'Rig' is a Rig and that is that. They can get all the Blood test they want and a Vet may say that the Horse is not but I would completely disagree. If the Horse is 'Humping' the mare in the paddock and acting like a right royal bloody out of control idiot with Female separation anxiety only, he is a Rig and all the tests in the World have absolutely nothing to do with reality. So if you get tests that come back negative, judge the Horse on his behavior, not the written word. The Horse tells all and is never wrong. Blood tests can be and often are.

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Adelaide Hunt Club

FIRST HUNT REPORT FOR 2008

After the hot spell in March the summer ended and the Adelaide hills are green but drying out again now. ( Before I could get this finished it has rained again thankfully)
It has been a busy summer as usual with a lot of polo ponies in work but with some excellent staff this year and a very early Easter Corri and I got thru it without to much stress.

Fleurieu Opening Hunt
We have been invited to join Fleurieu Hunt Club for their Opening Hunt on Sunday 4th May at “Bishops”

Directions to get there are:
On the Meadows to Willunga Road (if you are coming from Meadows) approximately 3.5km before Old Willunga Hill turn right into Bishop Rd. The Meet is in the paddock on the right half way up Bishop Rd.


Children’s Hunt and Training Day
After a successful first Children’s Hunt here at the Kennels last year we are making it a regular event.
To be held on Sunday May 11th this year it will be followed by a Champagne and Pancake Lunch and a sausage sizzle.
This will be followed by the Terrier Race’s which also qualify the terriers for the racing at the Opening Lunch the next weekend.
All welcome young or older-with or without a horse.
See the attached flyer.

Opening of the Season Lunch
We will again have a lunch at Longview Vineyard, Macclesfield to celebrate the new hunt season. We have sent emails and some letters out and hope many of you can come and join in on a great day.
After a gourmet lunch and wonderful wines we will hold our Terrier Calcutta and then Terrier Races which always entertains all that attend.
See the attached flyer



We need members and supporters to get some friends to join them at this lunch.

Please book with
Richard Cooper 0407618140 richard@coopersrural.com.au
By Monday 12th May



Pre Season Hunts
With Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert being disastrously low, all our friends around the lakes are having a terrible time. We can only hope for a normal winter’s rainfall to make their lives a little easier but it won’t change the fact that some haven’t got water for their stock or fences to keep them in.
We are about to start hunting with these pre-season days out important to get young hounds entered, young horses started and for the old hounds, horses and riders to get fit for the season ahead.
See the attached Programe

Opening Hunt
We meet at Henry Ringwood’s “Yullundi” on Sunday, the 25th May.
Yullundi is on Scotsburn Rd at Woodside.
To get there turn into Murdoch Hill Rd off the Nairne to Woodside Road, turn right at the end and follow it around past the Yullundi front gate and find us in the paddock on the left a couple of Km’s up the track.
We will meet for the Official Opening of the 08 Season and Stirrup Cup at 11am.
Following the Hunt on the roads you will see alot of the action, then the after hunt BBQ will be at about 1pm. (BYO everything.)

Other Social Events

Woolshed Dance and Hunt
“Wellington Lodge”
Saturday July 12th


The Hunt Club Ball
At the Hyatt
Saturday September 13th


Please contact me with any enquiries

Andrew Gray
Lane End
Woodside SA

Ph 08 83886084
Mob 0407603630
 

MARKET HARBOROUGH

I have really lost track of letters and other things as I had a Computer re-format also over the weekend. My appols. I did achieve one thing and got my long awaited and updated Market Harborough which are now on site and available. Upgraded in every way and the only one on the Planet with martingale rings included on it.

EXTRA LENGTH ENGLISH REINS

I have often said that one of the many reasons for the deterioration of the Mouths of English Trained Horses is the availability of length of rein when Pleasure Riding because it is just not possible to let them go with any of the standard reins on the market. I have solved this, thanks to a suggestion from one of my clients.

RAILROADS

Does the statement, 'We've always done it like that' ring any bells? Read this email to the end; you'll love it!!

The US standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches.
That's an exceedingly odd number. Why was that gauge used?
Because that's the way they built them in England, and English expatriates built
the US Railroads.


Why did the English build them like that?
Because the first rail lines were built by the same people who built the pre-railroad tramways, and that's the gauge they used.
Why did 'they' use that gauge then?
Because the people who built the tramways used the same jigs and tools that they used for building wagons, which used that wheel spacing.
Okay! Why did the wagons have that particular odd wheel spacing?
Well, if they tried to use any other spacing, the wagon wheels would break on some of the old, long distance roads in England, because that's the spacing of the wheel ruts.

So who built those old rutted roads?

Imperial Rome built the first long distance roads in Europe (and England) for their legions. The roads have been used ever since.

And the ruts in the roads?

Roman war chariots formed the initial ruts, which everyone else had to match for fear of destroying their wagon wheels. Since the chariots were made for Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of wheel spacing.
The United States standard railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches is derived from the original specifications for an Imperial Roman war chariot. And bureaucracies live forever.
So the next time you are handed a specification and wonder what horse's ass came up with it, you may
be exactly right, because the Imperial Roman army
chariots were made just wide enough to accommodate the back ends of two war horses. !
Now, the twist to the story


When you see a Space Shuttle sitting on its launch pad, there are two big booster rockets attached to the sides of the main fuel tank. These are solid rocket boosters, or SRBs.
The SRBs are made by Thiokol at their factory at Utah. The engineers who designed the SRBs would have preferred to make them a bit fatter, but the SRBs had to be shipped by train from the factory to the launch site.
The railroad line from the factory happens to run through a tunnel in the mountains.
The SRBs had to fit through that tunnel.

The tunnel is slightly wider than the railroad track, and the railroad track, as you now know, is about as wide as two horses' behinds.

So, a major Space Shuttle design feature of what is arguably the world's most advanced transportation system was determined over two thousand years ago by the width of a horse's ass.

- And -
You thought being a HORSE'S ASS wasn't important!

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RIDER AND HORSE INJURED

Laine Ashkers mother says her daughter is on a ventillator but making progress everyday. The 24 year old suffered severe lung injuries, a broken jaw, a broken collarbone and multiple fractured ribs, after she and her horse fell Saturday.

"Laine's getting better because of all the prayers and positive energy around her the past two days, the doctors are amazed of her progress so far," said her mother.

Laine is in intensive care, listed in critical, but stable condition. Her mother says she wouldn't be surprised if Laine decided to ride again.

Laines horse Frodo, Baggins a Thoroughbred from New Zealand suffered skull injuries and had to be euthanized.

The injury happened during the cross country course, which is a test of the horse's ability to jump natural obstacles. It's considered the most important part of the event.

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Horse rider critical after Hills fall

A MAN is in a critical condition in hospital following a horse fall in the Hills this afternoon

The man was riding a horse along a trail near Oakbank when its believed it was spooked and threw the man off just before 5pm.
Ambulance officers treated him at the scene before he was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi there
I would like more information regarding point 12 on your Warnings page:
12. Tying horses up solid with rope halter and Parelli type lead rope can cause serious injury to the horse if you have not done your homework and learnt about the 30 or so traps.
I have not been able to find the 30 or so traps, or instruction on how to correctly achieve tying up using the rope halter.
If you could advise me of the link(s), I would be most appreciative.

Kind regards,


Fiona

That is a massive subject which is why I have an e-book on the subject Fe. The dangers are endless. Getting hooked up, leg over the rope pull back and spin like a croc ending on the ground, rope too long and over neck and pulling back madly almost ripping ears off :), Rope Halter on too loose, pull back - halter slips into mouth and breaks jaw, incorrect knot, pull back, rope slips undone horse head over backwards and dies as it smashes it's head on the ground rupturing the major arteries, Halter on too loose, horse gets bottom loop of halter over end of tie up rail being trapped two inches long and breaks neck and the list goes on. Regards
 

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Hi John and Linda,
Hope your weekend was successful at Naracoorte!!!
Just thought I would drop you a line and let you know how we went.
Ms Gray and Gainsborough Donner Regina took out 2nd place in Grade 4. Whilst High Country Phoenix tried his little heart out!!! We got 57.5% in our dressage test (he was so quiet and sleepy!!!) we did really well on the showjumping, he jumped everything first time except the last jump which was a really scary hedge (apparently) he refused it 3 times so we were eliminated. But because we were grade 5 we still got to do the cross country and boy wasn't that fun!!!
I have included a couple of photos of Phe and myself and will send through a few more (I'm so proud of him, look at him fly!!)
And yes, I know my hands need a lot of work (too low……..) :-)
Jess and Phoenix

Looking good Jess. Great effort. He sure is a stunner now and your first comp in your short riding life. Not a bad effort learning on a Breaker :) He will eat them later :) Training days where he can actually see those types of things would be the go in fairness to him. Thanks

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Hi John and Linda love the site keep up the good work.

To answer John F questions about Old Mac's I've been using them for around 4yrs on both my horses My 35yr old goes fine on them and complains bitterly if he's ridden without them but at his age I think this is allowed. Now my t'bred finds them a little harder and does stumble a bit so I only use them when ridding out on the fire trails only and definitely wouldn't school in them, as I find them to be more slippery than shoes and he seems to stumble allot more when schooling in the Old Mac's than bare foot. I also found getting the correct fit to be a problem to big and they flop around on the hoof and to small they rub and blister the hoof. I don't want to put people off them they a brilliant if you only ride out a couple of time a weeks if more than that I would stay with shoeing. cheers Kerrie

Thanks Kerrie and blow me down, here he is :)

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Hi John,
It's that time of year in Melbourne when the nights are getting colder but the days can still be up around 20C. My horse lives on 350 acres in the Yarra Valley with about 40 other horses. Some of the herd currently have no blankets at all, whereas others are dressed like little canvas battle tanks. Do you have any particular policy on when, or if, a horse requires rugging when at pasture 24/7?
Thanks ~ John F

Read Kerrie above John. Normally, providing it isn't a Thoroughbred John, nothing is fine on fat, good doing healthy horses but nice owners put One good Canvas (waterproof and heavy 18 oz rip stop on) The closer you are to Hacking, the more rugs they put on but a lot don't then check them. The weather changes the horse sweats, rugs break and the list goes on. So I am a one good rug man and a neck rug (not hood) if you are a bit soft :) Regards

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Thanks for your insight John. I agree with you that she’s scared. I knew she had some issues when I bought her but I was hoping to get through to her. I don’t regret buying her because who knows what would have happened to her if I hadn’t. It’s a shame if I can’t get her going nicely under saddle as she is a stunning mover & the smoothest horse I’ve ever ridden. I’ve never done dressage but I bet her movement would have made her a champ in the dressage ring. We are hoping to build on our 20 acres near Ballarat one day & she may be happier there on the quiet trails, but if not, she has a home with us anyway. I have another 6yo horse from the same trainer who was going to send him to the nackeries or the place where they keep them for their blood or something as the guy is 82 & he got too sick to look after him so called me (how could I say no?) He’s as quiet & layed back as you please, not in a hurry to go anywhere. He looks more like an over sized welsh mountain than a Standie though, only 14.3h. Then theres our Arab Boon. I’ll have to tell you about his antics one day. He is such a character & people have told us they wouldn’t believe a horse would do the things he does if they hadn’t seen it with there own eyes. He’s one in a million. But that will take a lot of typing & I have horses to feed right now so will have to do it another day. Thanks again & thanks for the website, it’s a godsend.

Kind Regards,
Cathy

Best of Luck Cathy. Thanks

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Hi John,

You were right – someone is bound to pop up with a comment ……
My horse has been barefoot since August last year. Best thing I could have done for her.
Here’s a good site for John F to look up: http://www.barehoofcare.com/how.html This site is Andrew Bowe’s and he is a great barefoot trimmer and farrier. He helped set my horse on her way from flared sub-laminitic hooves to moving happily over rougher ground. I trim her myself now.
Changing over to conditioned barefoot can take 6-12mths. A lot of people speed it up by using boots (link to boot info on that website above). Horses have successfully completed 160+km rides barefoot and with boots.
Anyhow, I’d better stop now before I fall off my soap box! Haha

Cheers
Wendy

Lol. Thanks for that one Wendy. I agree with barefoot for sure but not always possible, regardless that the fanatics think it is. Cheers

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