Post Office Box 89, Surrey Downs, South Australia.
5126
Phone: +(61) 8 82515250
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Account Name: J. O'leary
Bank: Bank West
Account: 0064862
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PERTH CLINIC
28th & 29th June
This will be the last
visit to WA before the end of my ridden career.
18/6
The Fuel and Gas
Crisis has affected two of our booked Horses so now
two vacant spots.
Sunday 10am and 2pm.
HORSE BOOKING
***************
19th June, 2008
POD CAST OF THE
WEEK.
Had
trouble uploading this so you will have to watch it
here:
Mounting Trotter for the 1st time
****************
I knew
there was a reason why I purchased that Machine :)
Here is that Black
Horse I have been Breaking in and Mrs. HP riding.
Like the Helmet? :) Little bit spooky :)
***************
LETTER OF THE DAY
THE MARKET HARBOROUGH AND SHYING
Dear HP,
You advised me to use a market harborough on my mare
who lacks a lot of confidence when riding out and
becomes difficult to keep round
when those rabbits jump out of the grass.!! I havn't
needed to use
one in years but tried it today and had her so much
more under
control. Surprise....crappy thing broke for the
second time.
Rather than trip back to the saddler again have just
ordered one of yours.
For a 7 yo horse who has only experienced arenas,
how long before I could perhaps see some improvement
in confidence if I take her 3 or 4 times a week
around the farm and keep exposing her to as much as
possible?? I've been doing it for 4 months with not
much
improvement. She used to be scared of the cattle and
sheep but they
are OK now.
I make sure that she is always relaxed and head low
by the time I bring her home.
Regards and THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart
for all your fantastic ongoing advice.
Jen
She does sound a
difficult one Jen. I never have those periods of
time with them. I really don't know. She may be a
long term prospect that needs to mature into it??? I
take it you put her head where she could concentrate
on the job at hand rather than star gazing?? That
makes a big difference as the fearful ones are
trotting, the speed of the Ghosts come faster. Twice
as difficult to hem to handle. Which brings me to
the point about the difference between Trainers.
Historically, Breakers have always ridden Horses on
a loose Rein and handed them over on a loose rein,
often saying, "poke him around for 6 months and
you'll be right" or similar. I don't subscribe to
that view and the two photo's you see of the Black
Horse above, is how I ride them and rode him. They
then do not get to shying and therefore don't start
to feed off it and become worse and worse. There is
no doubt that they build on shying and it is
something that needs nipping in the bud quick imho.
The Market Harborough therefore, is a wonderful tool
for such Horses as I can tell you, most Riders'
cannot put their heads where they want them when the
fear begins to come onto them. They go into "flight
from fear" mode and resistance increased past that
of a lot of Riders', especially Lady Riders' due to
the strength being less than for male Riders'.
By the way, don't you
just love the way they fall apart?
I have a situation and would like to
know how to go about it. One afternoon late I was
in the arena doing my flat work when one of our
stable gentlemen came up to talk. While we carried
on with our work the gentleman gallop off back to
the stable suddenly which caused my mare to shy and
become nervous. Then there where other riding
around and every time the mare heard them she would
lift her head in anxiety, I would just warn her and
she would go on still not happy.
Would you recommend
A) one rein stop
B) one rein stop with hind quarter
disengagement
C) push her through it
D) yield back to track and continue
on
E) set up situation again and again
so the mare gets over it. With option A or B.
I did option B. I just want to know
what is the best way to tackle this in the future,
I would go for option
C providing the Horse was not a suspect one in terms
of Bucking possibilities or Bolting. On the more
seasoned Horse, you should be working the Horse
through it and so therefore I would jam leg on, take
her face equal to the increased resistance, thus
putting the head straight back down to concentrate
not be gawking and accompanied with a straightening
of the Horse via legs so as to regain our line.
However, if the Horse suddenly went the 'scoot' and
you could feel within the split second that you were
going to be caught short in the strength area, then
ORS, settle and re-commence. If you perhaps could
not put the head of that Horse straight down with
the Half Halt then this again would be a handy case
for a Market Harborough for a while. To let that
Horse know that this particular Rider (if found
wanting slightly) is back in control, so put your
bleeding head down and shut up :)
The next day I took my mare out bush
trotted half way then walked all the way home, which
is not a problem normally but not now ever since
yesterday. My mare heard a group riding around the
young kid was talking very loud almost shouting,
this upset my mare. All she did was do to the toilet
and look back, that was ok we carried on. Further
down the road the group came past us at a distance
but far enough that my horse could see them. Well
the head went up the eyes would of popped out of her
head if they could. I applied to ORS. She tried to
spin around and have a look at where they were. I
could feel her heart just about jumping out her, the
body was shaking the eyes were about to pop.
I released
the reins but had to keep them with a good contact.
When I could feel her relax a little I would
let the reins out. A couple of time she tried to
jig all I did was take more contact then release
once she came back to walk and if that did work the
ORS where applied.
With this one, there
is never a situation where I would continue with a
hold on the Reins. I am either fully correcting them
in that situation but letting them slack
immediately. In that case, I would have allowed the
Horse to stand and look at them rather than ORS and
I would have done that with loopy reins. Horse did
the wrong thing then I would correct it and then let
it loose again. Take the "Making the Horse Stand"
That system can only truly work if the release is
total and complete from the Mouth, the moment the
Horse stands. Holding onto one rein with the neck
bent around a bit is simply cheating and completely
destroys the system and becomes anti training. You
have to commit to the systems for them to work. I
have highlighted your Problem area. Again on the
jog. The stop and backup is the way to handle that
but again, if the system isn't followed to the T, it
won't work and becomes no better than people hanging
off the head of the Horse. There has to be loopy
reins in between ever correction in order to ALLOW
THE HORSE TO MAKE THE MISTAKE
LETTERS OF THE DAY
I read your site everyday and learn
so much from it. I don't have any one here who know
what you need to do. All they would say is push
them through it, which I don't think is always the
answer.
Cheers from
Sabrina in Kalgoorlie
Regards
Sabrina
****************
Hi John
I'm pleased to see you have the research done by KER
on low GI feeds and OCD etc on your site !! We have
so much fantastic info :) (1600 articles in the
library on our website :))
I saw someone from WA asking you about breed and
grow and couldn't find it, the equivalent type feeds
in WA are the pegasus range.
KENTUCKY EQUINE RESEARCH
cheers
************
18th June, 2008
CONFORMATION and the
BREAKER
You
probably think we are making them up by now :)
The
last two of my 'Breakers' have been
Note here the angle of the cannon bone in the photo
versus that one on the Drawing.
Now, I am not suggesting that this young Horse is
unsound or that he will be unsound but I am saying
that as of today, he commenced kicking up during the
canter transition and it is only the 4th Canter Day.
Consequently, the Horse was sent home slightly ahead
of time.
We often get the Breaker having problems like this
and a warning to all Trainers out there. If you
persevere with the Canter aid, be ready for the
Horse to get Mental Problems about it, go sour or
even start bucking.
The responsibility here lies with the Owners', not
the Trainer. They Bred or purchased the Horse and it
is their responsibility to go home and put in the
hard yards to build the young Horse up with lot's of
trotting and walking and then bring it back to the
Pro if they so desire, for the Canter work. Their
call as to how fastidious they go about supporting
the young Horse and whether they put in the 'Hard
Yards' that I was talking about last night. As I
said, we meet many Breakers who start locking up
temporarily, during the canter work almost
exclusively but perhaps on trot walk transitions we
can feel it ever so minor. We can always feel it
however. The Horse I sent home last Sunday locked up
in front of the Owner which was good.
It all gets down to conformation however. Mechanical
Engineering pure and simple. The two red lines on
the photo shows you immediately, that from an
Engineering point of view, a weight bearing point of
view that the Horse in the pic will have far more
force and stress put on it's hicks and above than
the Horse in the Drawing.
Now having talked about the same type of angles this
week, what about the angle where the legs are out
the back and that red line would be running down the
centre or front of the rear legs? Then I would much
rather have the type we have been featuring
(providing they x-rayed and tested sound) for
Dressage.
DRESSAGE
RIDE BUYING THE HACKING HORSE
We see a lot of X Hacks and in terms of muscle
development and are therefore ill prepared for a
Dressage Career. This is because so many of them are
simply ridden reverse 'German Training Scale, jammed
up, pulled in, double bridles and side reins. The
muscle Development builds incorrectly and begins to
produce a stilted and choppy trot with the Horses
lacking looseness. Mrs HP can feel all of these
things of course as she can feel when they first
start to "Let Go". Often, we find subtle unsoundness
enduced by the style of training. So the Hack
is not the way to go for the serious Dressage Rider
in our opinion.
************
I am Breaking in a bit of a Cheeky Boy as I said and
today I upped the demand on him in order to take the
sneer off his face. I caught him walking behind me
last night at feed time with the ears flat back on
his head. This is one of those areas where you can
straight forget about NH as it doesn't work. He
needs a slight attitude adjustment otherwise he will
buck. I haven't got 3 months to twirl ropes at him
and besides, that would pee him off something awful.
I jumped up and lay over him bareback this morning
and he attempted to bite my Leg. Remember, poor
ground manners, bites the Breaker. It is all
elementary my dears :)
*******************
Sheik masterminds brumby 'super breed'
AN oil sheik
billionaire has started flying wild mares and
stallions from remote WA to Dubai to create a "super
breed of endurance racehorse.
Thirteen of the animals have arrived at plush
stables in the United Arab Emirates from Lake
Gregory, south of Halls Creek in the Kimberley, Peth
Now reports.
The deputy ruler of Dubai, Hamdan bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, sent his personal Australian veterinarian
Alan Post to hand-pick them for breeding and racing.
He was alerted to their plight by a website run by
Broome woman Libby Lovegrove.
Mr Post said the horses, previously regarded as
pests and sold for pet food at $20 a head, could
spark a stampede of orders from other cashed-up Gulf
stables if they did well.
"The boss hasn't seen this lot yet (from Australia)
because he's away, but if he likes them he will send
us back for more,'' Mr Post told The Sunday Times
from Dubai.
They will initially be used for the popular sport of
endurance racing, covering distances of between
120km to 160km.
"They are thoroughbred types with a dash of Arab
with good strong hearts, something which is probably
genetic and passed on from original bloodlines,'' Mr
Post said.
"We will start racing them this year and when the
females are retired, we will start a breeding
program.''
He said the sport was "massive'' in Dubai because
sheiks could compete.
"They don't have to be expert riders or be the
weights of jockeys,'' he said.
"It's something they can do themselves and their
children can do as part of something they are
passionate about.''
The tycoon owns thousands of horses and spends much
of his time in England for big-ticket racing events.
Ms Lovegrove, an ardent animal rights campaigner,
said it was a potential breakthrough after three
years of hard work.
"This is wonderful news that could guarantee the
future of the horses and provide a form of revenue
for the three Aboriginal communities around Lake
Gregory,'' she said.
"Hopefully, if the sheik is happy with them he'll
take more and thus prove the value of these
horses.''
Ms Lovegrove started her website after visiting the
area with Margaret River equine veterinarian Sheila
Greenwell.
Her research has indicated that many of the horses
are descendants of thoroughbred Arab horses, taken
to the Balgo and Kalumburu missions by priests
looking to breed and sell them in the 1930s.
Some were used as stock horses on cattle stations,
but were released into the wild when replaced by
motorcycles and helicopters.
"Today, these beautiful horses (palominos,
buckskins, chestnuts and paints) roam the wild
gorges, rainforests and parklands of the northern
Kimberley,'' Ms Lovegrove said.
The Paruku (Lake Gregory) indigenous protected area
is a wetland of national and international
importance, covering about 270,000ha in the northern
Great Sandy Desert.
***************************
FIFTH
SCOTTISH HORSE STABBED IN WEEKS
Police are urging horse owners to be vigilant after
a fifth horse was attacked in Stirlingshire,
Scotland in a matter of weeks.
The horse was attacked in its field in the Dunipace
area sometime during Friday night (13 June). All
animals suffered cuts to their bodies.
Inspector Paul Fleming said: "This is the fifth
attack on a horse in recent weeks and we appeal for
anyone with information to come forward."
"It took some time for the owner to catch the horse
as it was really frightened after what had happened
to it.
"We have increased patrols in the area and as a
result a number of lines of inquiry are being
followed.
"This is the first time in my 26 years I have come
across anything like this and it is really sad,
insensitive and cruel."
Last week H&H reported that four horses were
attacked in the Bonnybridge area, one so severely
injured that it had to be put down.
**********************
Animal
control raids LA County horse sanctuary
PALMDALE, Calif. About a dozen horses have
been euthanized and a caretaker arrested during a
raid at a Los Angeles County horse sanctuary.
Sheriff's officials say Janis Damiani, the ranch
manager at the Equus Sanctuary in Pearblossom, was
taken into custody at 7:30 Monday morning. She's
being held at the Palmdale sheriff's station on
$20,000 bail.
Department of Animal Care and Control deputy
director Michelle Roache says veterinarians
euthanized a dozen horses and provided medical care
to another 30 and transported them to shelters.
Roche says there was no food or running water on the
property and some of the horses were "skin and
bones."
Roche says the officers plan to return Tuesday to
complete the work.
Sanctuary volunteers deny allegations that the
horses had no food or water. They say they were
well-cared for by people dedicated to their
well-being.
************************
LETTERS
OF THE DAY
Help help,
I am tying to get my new horse in my horse trailer.
I have spent The better part of three days trying
carefully not to Upset the horse, but every time I
try to lead the horse in he rears up like a marlin
turning and twisting in the air. It's horribly
frightening. He does everything so right, except
this.
Or maybe I have'nt experience it yet.
Please any advice.
Thank you Mary
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Go Read this Mary.
LOADING
AND FLOATING OF THE HORSELearn
yourself the Jeffrey Method. Go put your Float in a
raceway or make one out of a shed, truck, fences,
cattle yards, you name it. Let the rear end handler
send the Horse in while the front end handler just
does not fight. Generate it from the rear and your
have fixed the upward mobility called evasion.
Regards
******************
Hi HP
I have been following your promotion of
Standardbreds and following the retirement of my
best mate (yes an OTTB and a chestnut to boot!) I
have been thinking about my next project. Having
gotten too bloody old for loose cannons and
buckjumping shows I am thinking the standardbred is
a definite option for an old dressage queen such as
myself. I have been in touch with my local
Standardbred Association and there are many options,
my question is this – having been a devotee of you
and your lovely wife for a while and having a number
of your DVD’s (inside leg to outside rein changed my
life!!! Sad I know) does the standie DVD include
backing the off the track standardbred? I would love
to take on a standie but would be concerned about
backing them for the first time as I never have
before and there is no one in my area that I would
trust with the job. I know it is dependent on the
horse and I do have facilities (good roundyard etc)
but don’t fancy any crashes! Could you advise me
please?
Regards
Carla
I will do a special Pod Cast for you tomorrow Carla.
I have one here right now and will get on him
tomorrow. Hope he doesn't make a liar out of me :)
Regards
*********************
Hi there,
I am delighted with your article on shying horses as
I have a horse who tends to shy. He is generally
ridden by someone else who I think is far to kind to
the horse and is not really a ‘bold rider’, but that
is about to change. One problem I do find
challenging is that the if the same horse dosent
like something he starts to reverse and keeps
reversing and reversing and is almost impossible to
move forward. Again I think more aggressive riding
is required but he is very stubborn when he gets
into this backing mood, like a child having a
tantrum. Have you any advice.
By the way I have only just found your website and I
am delighted, it is excellent.
Many thanks
Tina
Yes Tina, strong Riding is required to break this
habit for it is unwanted and dangerous as many plait
their back legs and fall over backwards with you.
This is where my Split Reins come into play but not
swung as you would imagine. Rather, as the Western
Riders learn to use them. They therefore reach right
around the back of the rump (where the engine is)
and are applied quickly up the scale to what ever
level is required to stop the Horse and commence
forward movement, THEN REWARD AND REST.
and/or....providing the Horse gives it's lateral
Mouth with lightness and does leg yield well, take
either lateral rein, pull the head around to the
knee and apply the spur to disengage the hind
quarters of the Horse to send the rear end in a 90
degree direction from where it was heading. Make the
wrong things difficult and the good things easy.
Regards
*****************
17th June, 2008
Day
Off.
TRUE LOVE
I am
reminded by three recent situations on this
property, all involving young people. Ordinarily
very quiet Horses have suddenly reacted
threateningly towards their owners. One rearing and
striking at one, another attempting to bite and kick
and the latest, coming at the owner during lunging
and eventually putting them out of the yard.
Given
that the Horse is the best judge of Human Character
of the time and given also that all three Horses
rank as normally lovely Horses, I would strongly
advise young Riders' to dwell on this.
Horses do not rate you by the number of carrots
you feed or how much you brush them. They rate
you by the things that count to them.
If
you are a nervous type and show false bravado,
they don't like you.
If
you are not consistent of Mood and with your
Riding, they don't like you.
If
you thing feeding them to obesity will gain
their respect, you are wrong.
If
you over Rug your Horse because that is what you
learnt from the Hacking Community, they most
certainly won't like you.
If
you have 'Mood Swings' because of 'Soap Opera'
in your life, they won't be happy.
If
you are not consistent, and even handed that
will serve to start them thinking bad thoughts
of you.
If
you hurt them because of a temper tantrum they
won't like you
If
you are not there for them for the things that
really count, they certainly know and judge
you.....and above all, if you do not ride with
'Justice, assertiveness but empathy, they
definitely won't like you.
Young
people these days belong to the 'disposable
Society', are often spoilt rotten, control their
Parents as if they were the Parent and the Parent
the Kid and the things that count most to a lot are
found inside the mobile phone or the Chat Room. They
act as if they love their Horses "Oh sooooo much"
but the real things that count don't prove the
rhetoric.
The
last point was the most important. Riding
assertively, with confidence, consistency and
empathy. I rarely see a young Rider Pat a Horse or
give it a soothing voice for a small thing well
done. They ride them as if they are machines, often
flog the Hell out of them without appreciation or
indication of thanks. The simple gesture of resting
a Horse between Hooning as per the 'German Training
Scale' goes so far towards keeping a Horse from
turning sour.
So
these are some of the reasons why those three Horses
have chastised their Owners'. Well done to the
Horses I say. Meanwhile, here is Mrs. HP during 60
hours of no sleep last week. Her Horses knew it,
whilst sick kept seeing the Stable Cats off her lap
as she was jealous, still knows it, is talking to
her more than she ever did, is closer than she ever
was and knows full well what 'True Unity' is.
****************
Another comparison against the chart. This Horse is
unsound in the rear end at present.
*************
Across Missouri: Rolla man rides horse to save gas
ROLLA | Rider tries to beat high gas prices
A Rolla man has a novel way to beat high prices at
the pump. He’s riding a horse to work.
Roy Snelson recently began riding the horse to his
job as a 16-year veteran plumber for Missouri S&T.
Snelson, who lives 13 miles from his job, plans to
ride his horses once or twice week to work, to
offset the $6-to-$7-a-day fuel costs he incurs for
the commute.
****************
JOCKEY
FINES FOR KICKING HORSE IN RIBS
Jockey Bobby El-Issa has again found himself in
trouble with Queensland Racing stewards, this time
for kicking a horse in the ribs at the Ipswich race
meeting.
El-Issa was head-butted by his mount Mythical King
behind the barriers before Saturday's Cooney
Handicap. He then dismounted and retaliated by
kicking the horse in the ribs.
Acting chief steward John Hackett grilled El-Issa
after he was spotted by a race official on a
television monitor lashing out at Mythical King.
El-Issa told the inquiry he had every reason to kick
Mythical King.
"He head butted me and it gave me the right to kick
him," El-Issa said.
"I don't normally lose my temper you know, but I did
with him. He got what he deserved."
Hackett told El-Issa there was no justification for
his actions and stewards fined him $A500 ($NZ630)
after finding him guilty of misconduct.
El-Issa, who has had a long running battle with
stewards since he moved to Queensland from Sydney
several years ago, pleaded guilty to the charge.
The Gold Coast-based jockey was also fined $A250 for
challenging the evidence of the clerk of the scales.
El-Issa was last week cleared to ride again after an
appeal was upheld against an eight-week ban for not
giving Jugerson every chance in a race at the
Sunshine Coast on May 14.
However, the matter is not over as chief steward
Reid Sanders has appealed against Queensland
Racing's first level appeal body's decision to
reverse the original suspension.
The matter will be heard by the Racing Appeals
Tribunal at a date to be fixed.
Meanwhile Northern Rivers apprentice Joshua Jones
also was fined $A1000 at the Ipswich meeting for
using a modified vest while trying to weigh out.
Jones, 17, returned to race riding in May after
serving a three-month suspension resulting from an
inquiry into a fall at Grafton in December in which
jockey Daniel Baker was killed.
**************
WILY FOX
READY TO RUN
The man who taught Madonna how to ride has
unfinished business in the Olympics
Halfway through interviewing William Fox-Pitt, an
Old Etonian who is married to the TV racing
presenter Alice Plunkett and is better known to the
wider public as The Man who Taught Madonna to Ride,
and you felt you had intruded into a world normally
sequestered by Hello! But it was that kind of
morning down in the Cotswold countryside near
Stow-on-the-Wold, where the five eventing riders of
Team GB had gathered. A few yards away, his then
fellow team member Zara Phillips, whose significance
for certain media lay in the fact that she is 11th
in line to the throne, was attempting to concentrate
on equine matters while denying she had become
engaged to the England rugby union player Mike
Tindall.
"It's tough for her but it's great for the rest of
us because we can go unnoticed," said Fox-Pitt. Not
for long, he couldn't. Two days later and Phillips
was ruled out of the Olympics following an injury to
her horse Toytown. She had missed Athens for a
similar reason. It was "a huge loss to the team",
said Fox-Pitt, knowing that in terms of celebrity
profile, the focus returns to him, a character whose
imposing physique, being constructed to giraffe-like
proportions, you can hardly avoid noticing. He
understands only too profoundly Phillips' current
frustration.
The Dorset-based rider was one of the favourites for
individual gold at the 2004 Olympics, only for his
partner Tamarillo to be withdrawn after the
cross-country phase because of a minor injury. His
contribution towards a team silver was only part
consolation. "This is a fantastic opportunity to put
Athens to rights," he said. "It was hugely
disappointing and, sadly, cost me a medal – and the
team a gold medal. But there's plenty of 'what ifs'
in sport, and my career is full of them. You have to
pick yourself up and take what's good to come out of
it. The fact is that Tamarillo was ultimately fine.
He's competed well since. So, in that sense, we got
lucky. I'm hoping that we get a bit luckier next
time."
Fox-Pitt, who will select his Olympic mount from one
of three horses, including Tamarillo, added: "It's a
particularly frustrating sport, but in many ways
it's the same as being a footballer or an athlete.
There's lots of things that can go wrong with their
bodies. The same with horses. What's amazing is how
rarely things do go wrong. When you think of the
pressure the horses and athletes are under it's
remarkable that bodies do stay in one piece."
Which is not to underestimate the inherent risk to
life and limb in equine sport. "Sadly, I've known
most of the people who have been killed," says
Fox-Pitt, 39. "[When it happens] it does hit home
and make you do some serious thinking. You have to
take every precaution. You have responsibilities to
be fit – and ride in conditions that are safe.
Beyond that, if you start thinking about the risks
in eventing, you would not do it."
Madonna could attest to the dangers. Three years
ago, the singer suffered three cracked ribs and a
broken collarbone after a riding accident.
Undaunted, she climbed back into the saddle, with
the aid of Fox-Pitt's expertise. "I haven't helped
her for a while," he said. "We've both got a lot of
commitments. She's someone I've got to know quite
well as they live nearby. She's very keen, and we've
had a lot of laughs."
"Madge" could hardly have had a more learned or
well-bred mentor than a man whose mother was also a
member of the British three-day event team.
Fox-Pitt plans to continue at least until London
2012. He smiled wryly. "Eventing is a very fine line
between technique and courage. I always say, when
you're young, you've got courage and no technique,
and when you're old you've got technique and no
courage. It's finding the balance."
At Beijing he will closely follow the progress of
the rowers. "They're the people I most admire,
people like [Sir Steve] Redgrave and [Sir Matthew]
Pinsent [who was in the year below him at Eton].
Just imagine what they've done and put their bodies
through, with very little gain for the amount of
pain put in, apart from their medals."
Beyond eventing, he and Alice harbour ambitions to
train National Hunt horses. "We train a few
point-to-pointers," said Fox-Pitt, whose mother bred
Flat racehorses. "I've got great backing from owners
and friends. I wouldn't want to train a lot, though.
I'd never want to be a Martin Pipe or Paul
Nicholls."
You suggest his dream would be a Grand National or
Cheltenham Festival triumph. "It would. It'd be good
fun." First the seriousbusiness of that elusive
Olympic individual and team gold.
********
LETTERS OF
THE DAY
Hi Mr HP
Just looking at the conformation pics on your
website.
My holsteiner mare has fairly straight hindlegs,
also used to be a bit bow legged.
She had loose stifles from a youngster onwards. She
is now 5.5 years and I have done a lot of
conditioning work to build her up....hillwork....poles...you
name it. She is a lot stronger behind then she has
ever been.
I have noticed her bow leggedness is now not so
obvious...she still moves a little wide behind.
Would this be from her maturing or all the
strengthening work I have been doing? She also has a
fabulous topline and is very soft in the
hand......works over her back well...chews the bit
with a foamy mouth. What I am saying is that surely
there is hope for some horses built like this? Given
the proper conditioning work? She has started
lateral work...and finds it quite easy.
Thanks for your help
L
Don't get me wrong L, many of these Horses go on to
good careers. Especially as Jumpers as such
conformation or Horses that are slightly stifely
lift their rear ends better that other. However, I
generalize to warn because the bottom line is, the
better conformed Horses remain more sound. You are
right though, the proper conditioning work is the
key and so is the proper feeding regime with the
accent on NEVER OVER WEIGHT!!!!! Regards
*************
Hi Mr. HP,
Glad that Mrs HP's mare is fine.
At your clinic in Perth are you going to have
someone inspect the floats, I saw two on the
Saturday past leaving a show going down the Roe Hwy
that need your help.
They were both fully enclosed at the back, the first
one the horse's head was right up against the front
window (large) and the second one was an angle load
with what I thought was a curtain to stop the horse
getting dirty on the side window, but it was
actually the rump or flank of the horse.
Hope you have a great trip this time.
OT, why do people keep breaking in two yr olds, are
these the ones that end up broodmare (because they
have a uterus, obviously), stud only or companion
only (gelding).
Also I am a bit worried about people starting out
breeding crosses with QH and associated breeds as
the AQHA is no longer registering HYPP affected
horses and they could be sold to unsuspecting
breeders (clydie x QH seems to be popular). I saw in
the last Horse Deals a QH N/H mare for tender (she
had one foal already).
Maybe more people should read earlier topics on the
FHOD blog (OK I am an addict).
And I don't think people should complain about you
on other forums, people that really read your
website know that your a bit cheeky!
Regards, Angela
Hi Angela, as I have been saying, there are no
controls on Breeding in this Country. They think
there are but compared to EU, there are not. I may
be a bit cheeky Angela but it is 'straightness' they
can't stand :) They are used to dominating their Men
:) That's why they don't like Sparrow either :) We
can have a look at the Floats if people want. Good
idea. Regards
***************
Dear HP,
I have a 7 yo TB/WB dressage mare who is perfect to
handle in every way. Beautifully educated and light
and responsive. Her previous owner who bred her,
really only did arena work so now I am faced with
trying to build her confidence when I'm riding out
and about in different areas. She takes a good hour
to settle into a show environment.
She lacks a lot of conficence on ride outs and does
not seem to be improving after 4 months of trying to
expose her to as much as
possible. I am an assertive and relaxed rider, and
feel very safe
on her as I remouthed her via your system. We will
ORS at least 2
times a ride if I'm out and off the arena. If she
gets a fright she
can pigroot and she gets pulled up ORS each time.
I can walk on a loose pleasure rein anywhere which I
do when I'm riding out, I can easily control her
speed with half halts....(needs
a lot though
when shes trotting and worried.) Since she's
had a couple of rabbits jump out in front of her,
she seems to be looking for them now and even more
worried.
What else can I do to boost her confidence?. I dont
take the slow
and touchy feely attidude but I also dont overdo
it....I'm just assertive and fair with how I ride.
Any ideas appreciated.
Regards Jen
Do you have her trotting like
this Jen ?
or this?
I ride such Horses like Mrs. HP there when trotting
and cantering, so that they concentrate and mind
their own business a bit. I would suspect that your
Horse may be getting 'above the Bit' as I know the
profile and what it takes to have them 'round' when
frightened. That is where the Market Harborough is
such a valuable Tool for the Amateur. Especially
Ladies. Work her soundly. Make her sweat and know
she has done some Dressage and then go loose rein.
Allowing her to drop her neck of course as this is
the key. Unless they can lower the neck they cannot
relax.! Excuse the Grass in 'Young Aureo's Mouth' :)
****************
Hi John,
It has been some time since I last contacted you but
due to family circumstances my time with the horses
came to a halt.Things are back on track now but I am
taking a different direction away from horses for
awhile so I have decided to sell Ivy.
I have had Ivy in for the last week lunging her with
the running reins I bought from you (she got over
the struggle of getting the bridle on and off very
quickly after getting her teeth done but I had not
touched her since then and that was at least 4
months ago) I still have the bit 4 sizes too big to
put the bridle on and still no brow band but she
accepts it without any problems what so ever so that
in itself is an achievement.
The reason I thought I would contact you is to send
you a few quick pics of her working with the running
reins and to get your opinion on whether or not I am
asking too much or not enough with her,it has only
been the last 2 days that I have asked her to carry
herself at this point the rest of the week I was
slowly working up to this point but now I am not
sure if I need to ask more or not.
I believe I can already see a change happening
already,under her neck that was full of muscle from
running around with her head in the clouds does seem
to look saggier if that is even a word but if you
can get what I mean it doesn't seem so tight,she
still has the roundness there but I am sure in time
that will disappear.
Would love to hear your opinion on whether I am
asking for the right amount of pressure with the
running reins or not.
The middle pic is only at a walk, I think that is
the right angle I am asking for the other 2 are at a
trot and she is tucking her nose in but still
carries her neck high.
Thanks in advance for your wonderful advise.
Wendy
P.S Sorry the pics aren't the best but it's hard to
keep a horse lunging and get a good shot at the same
time.
That's fine Wendy.
After a few days and if the Horse is attempting to
run down them, you may then come out a hole or two
(providing she doesn't exploit you byt coming 'above
the bit') in order to do this>
Cheers
***************
Hey there John
Ok next question that i've been trying to find
answers to...
The mare that came with my foal (the walers from
Clayton Station) had been running with a stallion
whilst she had Echo (the foal) at foot, the
Oldfields (Clayton Station owners) thought that
she'd probably be in foal again to this stallion.
Since we've had her she's gone from being skinny and
a bit tucked up to extremly large in a very short
period of time, her belly seems angular and if you
stand behind her it protrudes to one side more
noticably than the other, her vulva has also become
swollen which it wasn't when she first got here and
seems to have only happened in the last two weeks or
so.
Now i know you'll probably say call your vet to make
sure she is pregnant....but i don't trust her with a
vet at the moment - she's already tried stomping on
my head twice when i was playing with her and she
has a serious rear end issue where no touchy
allowed!!! I wouldn't want to endanger anyone, and
the facilities up in Darwin just aren't there (not
even sure if there is a crush available at any of
the vets).
So my questions are:
1. How long after a mare has given birth can she get
pregnant again - Echo is 10mths and the stallion
Delta was running with was not the sire of Echo
10 days
2. Can you use a human pregnancy test to test a mare
for pregnancy? No.
3. Do you think that these signs could suggest that
she is pregnant - if you think she is how long till
she drops? 2-3 weeks.
Have you checked her tits? Has she filled in the
udder? When she waxes up on her nipples, look out :)
Just let her have it and trust her Nicole.
Congratulations for the package :)
Thanks kindly yet again
Nicole
****************
hi there,
just reading down your page and saw the lady who
purchased the WB for a large sum and after not
riding for some time. two things don't add up in
regards to the blood test she had done. If your
horse is anaemic, the red blood cell count is low.
if the white blood cell count is low, this indicates
the immune system is well down and is mostly likely
caused by a virus. so having anemia and a low wbc
just doesn't add up. I think she should get a second
blood test done by another vet. the fact that the
"Vet could not really identify a cause and
recommended treatment was for ulcers, gut bacteria,
iron + steroids" is a bit concerning. any vet worth
his money should be able to point you in the right
direction and give you a definite diagnosis based on
a blood test. there is a great vet here I use if she
is interested in a second opinion, you can just fax
a blood result to him and he will give you definite
answers and methods of treatment. steroids for a
ridden horse and especially for someone just getting
back into riding is not a safe way to go. if the
cause is ulcers, this will show a low RBC and a good
treatment I use is a product called "Ulcergaurd",
purchased from Garrards Horse and Hound. this an
'over the tongue' product is A1 and has always
worked for us. gut bacteria can be rectified with
acidophilus and a correct diet. iron deficiencies
can be rectified once again by a correct diet and if
needed an injection of haemoplus or something
similar. no steroids needed unless you want an
unmanageable horse. also, john, perhaps if the horse
has a virus, you could pass on the treatment I sent
into you earlier to this lady.
regards,
Naomi
Thanks Naomi. Yet more good advice from you. I
passed your other letter onto the Race Horse
Trainer. He asked me to thank you.
Regards
****************
16th
June, 2008
Day
Off. Mrs. HP spent 60 hours without sleep with her
Horse and saved her.
*************
Had a
Horse swallow a whole big fat Carrot here last night
and his tongue and lips were going blue. Mrs. HP put
a Gag on him and shoved the hose down his throat
about 600mm. The Vet had been phoned. By the time
the Vet came, the Carrot was gone :) Isn't my wife a
brave little one?
***************
This is
the week where I attempt to shock the Hell out my
readers because clearly, the Horse Industry in this
Country is wearing 'Blinkers"
LETTER OF THE DAY
CONFORMATION
Hi
John,
Firstly I want to tell you that I just love your
site. There is so much information on it and all of
it has helped me with my daughter’s coffin bay pony.
We have only had him for just over 2 months. He is 5
years old and newly broken in but a lovely free and
forward moving pony. My daughter is 10 and had never
ridden before. She went in her first dressage
competition with him on Sunday (yesterday ) and took
first prize. There were six eligible riders in her
age group and the other riders had been riding for a
minimum of 2 years with reasonably educated horses.
I have used all your techniques in teaching her to
ride and in educating the pony so far with much
success.
I actually had not ridden for almost 20 years.
Growing up my riding instructor was -----------who
you may have heard of and that they are both
deceased now. In the past I was a fairly good rider
and loved dressage and showing. I also worked for
------------for 2 years. I have not had many horses
– an arab/quarter horse cross and a pure bred
andalusian. I had both horses long term but gave up
riding after children.
My youngest is the first to be interested hence the
pony. But now I would also like to have my own horse
as I am in a position to do so with time to ride
daily. I went to see this unraced thoroughbred on
the weekend which looks a bit like a nag. She has a
lovely temperament and was a nice ride with a soft
mouth and responsive to the leg and seat. She looked
reasonable in the photos but in poor condition and
the viewing. I would like to do some showing and
dressage again but not having much to do with
thoroughbreds am not sure if I can picture this
horse in a healthy state as being suitable. What
draws me to her as an option is her kind eyes,
gentle and friendly nature. She is obviously the
bottom of the pecking order in her paddock and when
she in a smaller yard with another gelding he wasted
no time in showing her who was boss.
Please tell me what you think. I do not think she
was drugged and I will get a vet check to be
certain. It is the current appearance of her that I
am not sure of with the thin neck and fall away
rump. Then the possibility that she may end up being
a handful when in good condition. You know
thoroughbred chestnut mare just sounds HOT. In one
of her photos she looks a little cow hocked but I
did not see that when looking at her, she looked
very square. We did not take photos until the light
had disappeared.
I would really appreciate if you could fit myself
and my daughter in for a half hour lesson in each
per week if possible or at least put us on your
waiting list. Also do you have riding schools during
the holidays and can 45 year olds be including in
them if you have them?
I have included a photo of my daughter with her
pony. He is a fantastic little man. Everyone at pony
club is very impressed with his movement and the
fact that my daughter is riding completely on her
own with him.
Thank you again for spending the time putting such
useable information on your website. My confidence
has been low but using your information and seeing a
happy pony and child has been sooooo encouraging.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Keep smiling! Pam
Hi Pam, run a mile :)
**************************
X-RAYS
Mrs. HP is buying a new Horse. 44 X-Rays.
VETERINARY
SURGEONS RESPONSIBILITIES VERSUS NEGLIGENCE
Now don't get me wrong, Vet's should be encouraged,
they do a wonderful job and they shouldn't be sued
because it impacts upon us all via fees and charges
which are always passed onto the Customers. Us.
However, having listened to many of them who still
think that the old saying, "Caveat Emptor" is the
main game, I know that a lot of them just don't get
it. I write this in the knowledge that there are
plenty of Vets who read this Site but nevertheless,
they have to lift their game in certain areas.
CASE ONE
You would have read the story about the Dressage
Horse and the 2.5 year saga last week. Went well
known and accomplished Vet's here in SA with suspect
rear end problems and so the Vet X-Rayed the front
Fetlocks, suspecting ring bone and in fact
proclaimed that the Horse had it. 3 years later,
X-Rays reveal no ring bone but the Horse is still
not traveling correctly through it's rear end and
can't be competed. Imho, the Vet was pompous,
believing in his own importance a little too much
and badly erred in judgment. A reasonable Legal Case
could have been brought against him for 'Negligence"
CASE TWO
The $17,000 Warm Blood purchase for Dressage.
The Owner tells the Vet that she wants X-Rays. He
quotes her $900 for 12 x-Rays but suggests that she
may save money by only x-raying the Knees and
Fetlocks. She listens to the advice of her expert
but was quite prepared to pay whatever it took to
protect herself. So she buys it and shortly
afterwards the Horse is lame, it comes to us. We
take one look at it and see it's conformation is
more like a Hippo than a Horse. It's rear end is
that of a cripple! Mrs. HP rides it, it won't travel
straight. She can feel unsoundness. It has all of
the symptoms found here:
STIFLE PROBLEMS, THEIR RESULTS & TREATMENT
Now I thought Dressage Horses are supposed to carry
their weight on the hind legs???? Be 'Off the
forehand" and "sit for piaffe, passage, canter
pirouette etc" So imho, that Vet, if sued, would be
in real trouble for 'Negligence. (Adelaide Hills
Vet.) I will tell you why. It is the responsibility
of a Vet imho, to advise a client if the Horse is
"suitable for the purpose" for the Sport as
indicated. Therefore, Dressage was stipulated and
the Rider a good one likely to go far. The Horse
stands in front of the Vet and looks like a HIPPO.
Is the Vet Blind??? It is one thing to get lost and
be front leg mad but take a look. The bloody Horse
is a cripple. Why would you not X-Ray the Stifles
and Hocks?????? Not only that. The Horse was born 4
inches higher in the rump than the whither. Hardly a
Dressage Horse. Why would the Vet just not say,
"Walk away my Dear, this is not a Dressage Horse. So
the question that springs to the mind of the
'Investigator" is, "Incompetent or Mates with the
Seller" Sorry but that is what incompetence causes.
The Buyer is the Victim here, NOT THE VET!!!
***********************
OSTEOCHONDRITIS DISSECANS
OCD is prevellant in Warmblood Horses in
Australia.
What is OCD?
Top
OCD (osteochondritis dissecans) is one of a number
of diseases categorised under the name
‘developmental orthopaedic disease’ (DOD) and is a
significant cause of wastage and loss of revenue for
breeders, owners and trainers all over the world.
In Kentucky an incidence of 10% yearlings with
surgical OCD is considered to be acceptable,
although most breeders in Australia would be shocked
at having that many foals affected with OCD. It is
also worth noting that OCD is not an automatic
‘death sentence’ for a yearling’s racing potential;
in one year the first 3 placegetters in the Kentucky
Derby all had undergone successful surgical
treatment for OCD.
Detection of OCD is one of the reasons for the
adoption of the pre-sale X-ray repository in
Kentucky and these concerns led several buyers to
request X-rays of yearlings purchased at major sales
in 2001. Some studs have surveyed the status of
their yearlings prior to major sales, but this
request for post sale X-rays created consternation
amongst some breeders. In 2003, X rays of valuable
yearlings at major sales will be more widespread,
and for this reason bone disorders including OCD and
will become a bigger issue for breeders, vets and
purchasers.
What causes OCD? Top
OCD is considered to be a multi-factorial disorder
with the predisposing causes being complex and
numerous. They include both genetic and management
elements including mineral balance, overfeeding,
rapid growth, excessive confinement and injury. Risk
Factors for OCD development can be summarised as
follows:
Genetics
Rapid Growth
Heavy for Age
High energy intake
Poor mineral balance (including pregnancy)
Trauma
High Glycemic feeds
Excessive Confinement
Excessive exercise
Dietary management Top
A new study conducted by KER may lead to new feeding
strategies to reduce the risk of OCD in horses.
In this study, a high glucose and insulin response
to a concentrate meal was associated with an
increased incidence of OCD. Glycemic responses
measured in the weanlings were highly correlated
with each feed’s GI, suggesting that the GI of a
farm’s feed may play a role in the pathogenesis of
OCD. In foals, increased blood insulin levels may
affect cartilage cell maturation, leading to faulty
bone mineralisation, or altered cartilage growth by
influencing other hormones that affect bone
metabolism.
Based on these findings, it would be good advice to
formulate feeds and feeding practices for weanlings
and yearlings, which produce low glycemic responses
and have relatively low glycemic index scores. Of
course, more research is required before it can be
known that simple dietary management can reduce the
predisposition for OCD.
KER has formulated and tested low GI feeds and these
are being used in the US, UK, NZ and Australia.
These feeds supply more energy from fat and fibre,
and less from carbohydrates than conventional
formulations. These feeds are generally presented in
a half-inch diameter cube form, which also reduces
wastage of feed. The results from radiography of the
current yearling crop in Kentucky will be reviewed
later this year, and horses on the new feed compared
with those reared on conventional feeds. A side
benefit of the low GI feeds may be better behaviour
in young horses.
More research is needed into feeds and feeding
practices that can reduce the glycemic response to
feeding. Our research has collected information on a
number of feeds used with horses but we also need to
consider the impact of processing methods, meal
size, rate of intake and the addition of chaff to
glycemic response. For instance we know that cracked
corn has a 10% lower GI than oats yet steam flaked
corn has a 40% higher GI than oats. Lucerne and rice
bran have low GI and adding fat reduces the GI of a
feed. Adding fat can slow stomach emptying and
reduce the GI of a feed as well as providing an
additional source of calories. KER has a new product
EQUI-JEWEL, a high fat stabilised rice bran which
has a low GI of about half that of Oats. It can be
used to supply energy for growth, reduce the amount
of grain fed and could reduce the risk of OCD as
well.
Processing such as extrusion and micronising that
increases the digestion of starch in the small
intestine, may be good for performance horses, but
may not be desirable for weanlings and yearlings as
the GI of the resulting feed may be too high. Recent
GI research has shown that a fully extruded feed and
a sweet feed containing extruded components both had
similar GI to Oats, whereas a KER Low Glycemic Cube
had a significantly lower GI than Oats. Research in
Florida has shown that supplementary chromium can
reduce the glycemic response to grain in yearlings
and it may be a useful additive.
Further research is required to investigate
Australian feeds and feeding practices so
appropriate advice can be offered to breeders.
Remember, this is only 1 piece of the OCD jigsaw,
not a magic cure all potion.
For your urgent consideration The NSW Minister for
Primary Industries is expected to
move swiftly on this one.
RE:
NSW Rural Lands Protection Board System Review
Final Report
June 2008 full review www.rlpb.org.au
Quotes from the review
The core business of the system going forward is to
be NSWs advisor, regulator and
facilitator in animal health and in pest animal and
insect management, operating
within a local, state and national bio-security
framework. (p8)
The relevance and importance of these services has,
if anything, strengthened in
recent times, with the response to the recent Equine
Influenza (EI) outbreak seen by
many as an example that RLPBs animal health
responsibilities have grown beyond
the traditional livestock classes of sheep and
cattle. (p23)
Opportunities (p30)
Provision of registration for horses, and other
non-commercial livestock classes as
required.
Major recommendations include:
All non-commercial or recreational livestock in the
new board regions should be
included on RLPB Data bases and this livestock
should be subject to an annual
registration or licence fee. (P10) (p16)
The review recommends that the livestock data base
be extended and that horses
(and other non-commercial livestock) on rateable
properties be registered with an
annual fee.
If you have any concerns about the registration of
horses from small holdings on the
RLP Board data base or the associated annual cost
now is the time to urgently bring
this to the attention of equine clubs and industry
bodies.
Responses should be made to the NSW Minister for
Primary Industries
The Hon Ian Macdonald
Parliament House
Macquarie St
Sydney NSW 2000
macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.msw.gov.au
*******************
LETTERS OF
THE DAY
Hi John
Well I have received your DVD on retraining the
standardbred and found it very helpful, although I
did not understand a lot of the terminology. But
luckily, having the dressage queen beside me and
after watching it a second time, I was taught the
correct language to use instead of, getting its head
in or pushing it over with the leg etc :).
It is coming along nicely now after only a couple of
rides, he is leg yielding and starting to keep in
the trot. Haven't got to canter yet, trot needs a
lot of work first.
The problem we are having is that when we are
collecting him, he has the tendency to lower his
head. He is used to riding on a very loose rein and
as soon as we attempt contact to gather him in, he
fights the bit and lowers his head. We do get him to
collect but he is constantly wanting to lower his
head.
I have my own suspicions that maybe his mouth isn't
as good as I thought or maybe it just will take time
to strengthen his neck and back muscles . Your
advice would be appreciated.
Running Reins to prepare him and soften him up in
the Mouth Greg as well as let him know in advance
that going forward can still happen whilst being
collected a little. The gradual build up of the
muscles is important though of course. Now, the
desire to want to bore down lower is simply the
Horse trying to please, having probably already
having had preparation as referred to by me just
now. Now it is your job to teach him a head set that
sits at an appropriate level (as explained by your
wife) Not long and low but for your purposes, in a
"Novice Dressage frame". Half halt him when he tries
to follow your hands too low and bring him up. Do
not allow what he is offering. Block him as often as
is required and that may be 20 times per circle for
a while. All very subtle of course and not
re-arranging his teeth but still, giving the Horse
the direction of what you want.
We have also ordered the leg yielding video to help
as well.
The second problem I have is that in the last week,
for some unknown reason, he has started chewing my
fence rails away.
In two nights, he completely ate through two rails,
they are treated pine rails and I know this isn't
good.
He has taught the other horse this bad habit and now
they both are doing it. People I have spoken too
have different opinions on what's causing this, some
say lack of minerals, so I bought a 25kg mineral
block on Saturday and stuck in their paddock which
they are happily chewing and licking. Some say
boredom, but he has had more work in the last 2
weeks than all year, some say dentist so we are
going to get him out(he is due anyway). Don't think
it will be dentist though, as both of them are doing
it.
They all do it Greg, they drive me nutso. I have
more elctric wires here than a German Concentration
Camp/. Every rail protected. Horses are 'Beavers"
and they love Wood. The giant Con put on the
Australian Public by the Woods and Forests
Department (I still remember their words) that said
Stock won't eat it hahahaha, is garbage. White Ant's
eat it too :) You need Creosote Posts of heaps of
Electricity. My favorite time of the Day is when a
Horse gets a zap or even a Kid or two
They are fed a biscuit of hay each in the morning
with Gumnuts and Molasses in the evening, and put
out to graze during the night and day.
I have not changed anything, they were still going
into the night paddock they have always gone into,
but have decided that at night they would just chew
there way out.
I kept them both in the paddock were we feed them
,over the weekend, that also has there stables and
zapped up the fences to try and get them to stop.
There is one part of the fence that wasn't zapped
and it had wire nailed on the top to stop them
chewing and bugga me dead they ate that part of the
fence from the bottom up to the wire,cheeky buggers.
At this rate i will be rebuilding all my fences if I
cant stop them, as the pine rails are being chewed
away I am replacing them with hardwood rails,
untreated and then coating them with a mixture of
sump oil and old diesel fuel. Cant buy creosote
anymore.
I did read once you said as soon as they chew
somewhere hit it with creosote but at this rate i
will be repainting the entire property. They only
seem to do it at night for some reason.
I am worried that next might come the wind sucking.
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
Greg
PS Absolutely brilliant riding in the standardbred
DVD by Linda, wish I could ride like that. Even my
dressage queen missus was
impressed, kept saying, see, ya legs shouldn't flap
around like yours do, see how straight she is, blah
blah blah , that's how you do it :)
haha Greg. They give us a hard time don't they? :)
*************
15th
June, 2008
I have
completed my current two lovely young Geldings and
handed them over this weekend. I have had a new one
arrive.
When he
arrived, I commented to the Owner that she needed
help with her ground skills as he was moving her
feet around the Car Park as we spoke and she would
take hold of his lead rope up near his head and
forcibly push him backwards after which he would
immediately return :) Yesterday afternoon, my first
hand shake with him in the Round Pen, I asked him to
lunge whereas he immediately spun and attempted to
playfully kick my head off my shoulders....3 times.
Once again, daily, " what you get on the ground, you
inherit under saddle" Do I bore you????
Mrs. HP
is getting back to normal after spending two full
nights sitting in her Horse's Stable due to Colic
(impaction) caused by a small piece of moldy Lucerne
that got through the system. Anyhow, she came
through it and so did my wife :) The Stable Cats
sure liked it though, sitting on the lap of a Human.
:)
CONFORMATION
I am
reminded daily, how the lack of controls on Breeding
in this Country compared to Europe, impact upon
Horse Owners in so many ways.
Basically, I can't remember when I saw a properly
conformed Horse! Meaning, that basically every Horse
that comes through my hands, are not up to the mark.
We can
leave out Thoroughbreds here as there are no
controls there. They will Breed put a Ferret over a
Rabbit if they think it can run but what about the
Breeds of Horses that are supervised and supported
by the relevant 'Breed Societies' and their
registration systems. Classification Days and so on?
You would think that those Breeds would be churning
out well proportioned Horses, wouldn't you? Afraid
not. Unlike Europe, the controls are not there and
the ol Human fragilities shine through, thus
diminishing quality where the Friends of the
Classifier gets 'Brownie Points" or they just can't
see it.
Take
the Warmblood Horses for instance. If ever there was
a Breed where you would think Controls would be
stringent, it would be with these Horses who are
Bred to perform at the elite level of the Sport of
Dressage and are purchased with the expectation that
every Buyer is going to get to the Olympics. I am
afraid not. I rarely see a properly conformed German
Warmblood Horse come through here. In fact, the
majority are so poorly conformed that they have
Veterinary issues of one type or another. Why do I
notice these things? What do I care. My job is only
break them in.
Well,
true but I keep riding Horses, most of whom have
rear end problems from the ever so subtle to the
serious. Many re-education jobs and the reasons are
invariably due to conformation but of the pristine
'Breakers', MOST have poor conformation and MOST
have varying degrees of rear end deterioration. Most
caused by being 'too straight behind", 'Too upright"
and not having the correct angle through the Gaskin,
hocks, hips etc. It is a crying shame, it is simply
not fair on Horses and most are not equipped to
achieve the Dreams of the Rider. You know what that
then means for the Horse into the future, don't you?
Once more, another serious Horse Welfare issue that
is never highlighted or even thought about by those
that run our Industries. They could do so much if
they got their act together :(
CONFORMATION AND SOUNDNESS IN
HORSES
by John R Kohnke BVSc RDA
Have a look at this!!!!!!! THEN GO CHECK YOUR HORSE.
CONFORMATION VERSUS
RIDDEN EXPECTATIONS
I have
been vividly reminded of late about the relationship
to the conformation of the Horse to the desires,
plans and aims of the Owner. Once again, due to the
lack of education within the Industry to
conformation and the lack of controls as outlines
above, you get THE VAST MAJORITY of Horse Buyers who
NEVER give conformation a thought. They look at the
head of the Horse, the colour, temperament and so on
but NEVER conformation.
So they
buy the lovely sweet Filly and they want to do
Dressage. The Filly has front legs 6 inches shorter
than the back legs and the Horse was 'born on the
forehand' The Judges however, have a different set
of requirements. They want to see 'hind end
engagement and 'off the forehand' Well guess what
Folks. The little Filly has ZERO chance of doing any
of it and gets flogged around for years while the
Owner wastes their budding career, waste's valuable
years of their life and in some cases blames their
frustration for the lack of performance of the
combination, on the Horse. Never themselves...and
you know what that can and does mean in so many
cases. Rips in the teeth and so on. I see it every
day, I see it every time I am at the Dressage and
you know what? " No one in authority ever tells them
so because this is the age of "Political
Correctness" and covering one's ass. You know what
that means for the poor Horse, don't you???
CONFORMATION
ACCENTUATED BY RIDER
I have been vividly reminded once again by a real
life example this week where we have another Hack
Horse here with problems. Yes, rear end Problems.
Now apart from the appalling conformation of the
Horse, the Rider has markedly accentuated the
problems for the Horse and built incorrect muscle
tone on top of Poorly conformed rear end, just the
opposite of what the Horse should have had. Instead
of the "German Training Scale" to do everything
possible to equip the Horse to do the work when it
was clearly born not to, the Hacky Double Bridle,
the Carrot up the ass and the locked elbows have
worked wonders in building incorrect muscle tone
over the loins and hips of the Horse basically
sealing the Deal. So they sell the Horse of course.
Let someone else deal with it and go stuff another
one. Yet again, the lack of Education in this
Industry. You can forget Olympic Medals in Dressage
for this Country. The Grass Roots gets no teaching
MOUTHING THE
CONFORMATION CHALLENGED HORSE
Not a problem. I can Mouth these as good as any of
the others BUT.........guess what happens when an
Amateur Owner later attempts to collect the Horse
and go ride 'English" Yep, forget it. The Mouth is
out the gate inside two days because there is not an
Amateur out there that would have the skills to
achieve this task AND keep the integrity of the
Mouth of the young Horse. Doesn't happen. Such
Horses simply bore right down into the hands of the
rider and ask them to carry their head. As I said,
the Mouth is gone inside two days with any lightness
gone. Something to be remembered by any young Horse
Trainer out there. Do they keep their mouth shut and
just take the money or do they try and explain the
difficulties to the Owner who will probably get
peeved with you? Well, if you care about Horses over
people, you know what to do.
BUYING HORSES IN
WORK
and of
course we now come to the inevitable sale of the
unsound Horse with the ever so smick move of telling
the Buyer that the Horse has been out of work for a
Month or so.
I have
TWO $15,000 one's of these this week!!!! Both
stuffed, both Owner's conned, sucked in but entirely
their fault for being so gullible. "Lambs to the
Slaughter" I call them.
Why do
you think people often sell Horses on the basis of
"not been in work for a while"? Hellloooooooo,
they probably "bucked the ass off or are
UNSOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. So what
similarities did these two Buyers have?
They both purchased $15,000 Horses not in work.
They both believed the Seller.
Both Sellers would have known that the Horses
were unsound
Neither Buyer looked for help only after a
period of 3 Months of "working the Horse through
it" Silly Girls. That only gives Sellers an out
in the Courts.
Neither Buyer looked at conformation.
How can
it be that in this day and age, with the Consumer
warnings, the daily News, the horror stories from
Friends? After 6 years of me highlighting such
cases almost daily????? So frustrating
I
feel the pain for the Owners and the Horses :(
*************
Hi
there!
Just a quick note to let you know that Mid South
East Dressage Club is selling some great gear from
the SA State Dressage Championships.
The clothes look fantastic, and are selling quickly!
If you would like to grab some of the last items,
please let me know.
You can purchase through our website
www.msedc.equestrian.org.au
,
or email me (or the club msedc@westnet.com.au) for
mail order.
Direct deposit and secure PayPal available.
Thanks to those who supported such a successful
event!
regards,
Carly Boon
MSEDC
*************
LETTERS OF THE DAY
Hi
A few months ago I purchased a WB for a considerable
sum of money. I am getting back into riding after a
long spell, and was a little apprehensive about
taking on something that was a bit more advanced
than I was. However he was quiet, willing natured,
responsive, moved forward nicely and quite
forgiving. I
was advised by the seller he had been competed
lightly, traveled well in a two-horse in-line float
and was good on outings.
The problems started when I loaded him into my
float, as soon as I started off
he pawed and kicked the float. We had a short
trip home and I took it very slowly. When we got
home he
rushed off and nearly hit his head. He was
very unsettled from the move and I spent a lot of
time with him trying to ease him into his new
situation. I tried to keep to a similar feeding
regime initially, which was very basic rations,
however he started to
drop
condition rapidly and I needed to increase
his feed. He has a few digestive issues and is quite
sensitive to
some feeds, so it has been a bit of trial and
error.
I took him away for a non-ridden weekend school a
couple of weeks ago. He was a
nightmare on
the float, even though I crawled there, I now
have some lovely dints in the side door of my float.
My float is a stallion highliner and I have floated
many horses in it without any issues. He still tries
to rush off and throws his head up, but if I pause
him after each step backwards we seem to be managing
our way through that one. He also had
bad diarrhea
and was very
stressed during the school.
He continued to lose weight, is very lethargic and
has “checked out”. He is not the alert, engaged
horse I purchased. He barely seems to register that
you are there. Vet blood tests revealed anaemia and
low-white blood cells. Vet could not really identify
a cause and recommended treatment was for ulcers,
gut bacteria, iron + steroids (not happy) but went
along with this. He checks out without any sore
spots, initially some shoulder issues but we fixed.
We think he has a wheat problem so I have amended
his diet accordingly and hopefully we can get on top
of that. He is not putting on weight, he has no top
line even though I am pumping the feed into him. He
has perked up a little since the steroid shot, but
when I try to ride him as soon as I push him up to a
trot or canter he starts to
pig root and resist. Vet wants me to continue
to work him. It's not saddle fit, I purchsed the
same saddle (including size) that the previous owner
had and he had been ridden every day. I also had it
fitted by the saddler and rechecked since. He really
does not seem to cope with change at all. I just
cant seem to get to the bottom of his issues and it
is not for want of trying. He has a lovely nature
and I don't want to (nor can I afford to) give up on
him.
Have you got any advice pls.
Lyn
This is
a recurring theme Lyn and my first comments aren't
going to assist you much but if I can influence just
one person this Web Site has done what I designed it
to do. Imho, you have been 'dudded' The Float should
have been turned right around on the first trip and
straight back to the Seller. You persisted like
most. A big mistake and I wish people would get wise
to this. Read the signs and get rid of the Horse or
go straight back to the Owner. Friends and Vets all
give the advice," keep working him", I hear it every
day. I say, reject the Horse and get your money
back. Then go buy a good one. Sorry, I know. No
sympathy at all. In fact I have too much Lyn :( I
just hate bloody crooks but they are wall to wall in
this Industry now. Now for some advice :) My vibes
tell me he has Vet problems. Take video of a
full workout and send it to me. My address is on
this site. Make sure your Camera person has a tipod
and knows WHERE THE ZOOM BUTTON is!!!!!!!!!!!! I
suspect it is pain related. Regards
*************
THE UNMOUNTABLE HORSE
Hi
John,
Thank you for your insight into the problem with
this horse. I have utilized hobbles and a tied
approach for other issues in the past and did not
even connect utilizing this method with this horse.
However, I do not currently have the proper hitching
rails to conduct this type of exercise, we will
probably use a soft cotton hobble. He does tie (even
cross ties now for saddling) and the owner is of a
small frame, horse savvy and obviously just missed
the body language of the horse when she mounted - I
had no connection with the two of them until she
brought him to my barn with the "problem". She
wanted a resistance free approach applied to this
horse. All that to say, It is always insightful to
get another's opinion and your advice is
appreciated. I think It was necessary for this horse
to put the time into the ground work and work
through his anxiety levels. However, your right in
that I drug it out a bit and got stuck on the
"resistance free" thing too much for this situation.
We will move forward and get this pony mounted
rather he likes it or not and then go forward in a
positive manner from there. (I HOPE< LOL>)
Thank you again!
Best of
Luck. Remember, the Pony came from an unknown
History identification :)
18/6
I
feel the pain for the Owners and the Horses :(