This page is
devoted to the education of Horse People everywhere, in the hope that
one small thing learnt will improve the life of their horse.
If I 'get up your nose', ignore
it. I say things with a 'glint in the eye' and mean the best for you and
your horses.
** ALL PHOTOS ON THIS SITE ARE FREE TO USE.
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Ranked 4th in the World - Horse
Training
dagmar versus caring for horses
6th August, 2008
Quite night tonight. Rained all day here.
Yayaroony!!! The Farmers must be rapped. We are in
for another 30ml too apparently. Great News and
worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Our Hay is
guaranteed here in this State now, no matter what
comes. The late rains will be necessary for the
Grain however, to fill the heads so lets hope so.
********
I
spent the day doing maintenance which is a full time
job on a place like this. Mrs. HP got drenched as
usual, whilst out riding on her Mare..
*******
THE BREAKING IN
PROCESS
We
have a young Warmblood here for education at the
moment. She was broken in and only ridden a few
times, then 8 months off. The Horse is reminding
Mrs. HP of the high importance of the Breaking in
process and especially for the quality of
"forwardness". That is instilled in a Horse by a
Good Trainer and really remains with the Horse going
forward. You really only get one chance at that one
because if you have a young Horse that is dead to
leg or dead to anything else, you are really chasing
your tail in trying to improve it later. Forwardness
is easy to put on a young Horse in the first two
weeks but if you miss the chance, it can be nigh on
impossible later and often end with a sour Horse or
one that becomes unhappy and starts retaliating. I
think I may have mentioned this in passing once
before but I naturally produce very forward young
Horses, no matter what the Breed or type. I really
don't know why. I couldn't teach it to you. They
just all are and of course you can imagine the Boss
when she starts the Dressage Education because
'forward is everything'. That is why the top
Dressage Riders often buy the Horses that others
couldn't even ride. They want steam coming out of
their ears for they know when they get to F.E.I.
that hotness is going to be their greatest asset. So
think about that if you are breaking in your own.
*************
Here
is a Golden Opportunity for you all. David will not
be doing this for much longer. He, like me, are
heading to the 'Long Yard' soon.!!
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***********
Tapeworm role in horse
colic questioned
Just when it seemed that the role of tapeworms in
colic is becoming clearer, along comes a study that
produces conflicting evidence.
Dr Lise Trotz-Williams and others at the Ontario
Veterinary College in Guelph, Canada, examined the
level of tapeworm ELISA antibodies in horses with
and without colic. They also looked for tapeworm
eggs in the faeces.
The ELISA test detects antibodies to the tapeworm in
the blood of infected horses. The results provide an
indication of the number of parasites in a horse;
the higher the test result, the larger the number of
parasites present.
Over half (56.4%) of the horses tested positive for
the presence of tapeworm ELISA antibodies. In
contrast only 6% of the horses had tapeworm eggs in
the feces.
Horses that depended on pasture for much of their
food were six times more likely to have high
tapeworm ELISA levels.
However, when they looked at the relationship
between tapeworm antibodies and colic they found no
evidence that higher tapeworm antibody levels
increased the risk of colic. In fact, they found
that horses with a medium ELISA optical density
(>0.2- 0.6) were actually at lower risk of colic
than horses with low optical density (<0.90).
This is at odds with the previous studies in the UK¹
and the Netherlands², which showed that the risk of
colic increased with higher tapeworm antibody
levels.
However the authors of the report point out that
their work does not refute the findings of the
previous studies. They suggest possible reasons for
the difference.
Their study involved horses with mild colic treated
on a first opinion basis by veterinarians in
Ontario. In contrast the previous studies involved
more narrowly defined cases examined at a referral
hospital.
There were also differences in the study design that
may have contributed to the difference. For example
nearly all the horses in the Ontario study were
matched with control horses from the same stable for
statistical analysis. Only about half of the cases
in the UK study were matched with horses from the
same stable. No attempt was made to match cases with
horses from the same stables in the Dutch study.
The authors do suggest that the findings question
whether tapeworms play a role in cases of colic that
are treated on a first opinion basis by
veterinarians in Ontario.
********
Olympic equestrian tickets sold out
August 5, 2008
The last batch of 14,000 tickets for the Olympic
Equestrian Events have been sold out. About 120,000
tickets have been sold for the events in Hong Kong.
"We are delighted with the enthusiasm shown by Hong
Kong people for the equestrian events," said the
Equestrian Company's Head of Games Services, Mr Tang
Ho-kong.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part
of the Olympic Games. Hong Kong people have
enthusiastically supported the event to make it a
sell-out success."
Mr Tang reminded spectators to redeem their ticket
coupons for the actual entry tickets as soon as
possible. Collection details are printed on the
coupons.
"To avoid disappointment, we strongly advise
spectators to go along to the designated China
Travel Service (CTS) branches as early as possible
within the specified redemption period to collect
their tickets," he said.
Mr Tang said free shuttle bus services would ferry
spectators from University Station to the Sha Tin
venue, and from Fanling Station to the Beas River
venue.
He urged spectators to arrive at the venues one to
two hours before the start of competition to ensure
adequate time for shuttle bus transfer, and security
screening at entrance gates.
He said live commentaries of the events at Sha Tin
would be available in both Cantonese and English on
specially-designated FM channels. Spectators can
bring along a small, pocket-size FM radio and
earpiece to listen to the commentaries.
At the Beas River venue, English commentary will be
available via the venue sound system. Spectators
will not be allowed to turn on radios with speakers,
as this will interfere with competition.
LETTERS OF THE DAY
OK, HP,
Please advise why would a horse be lazy.
Rather cuddle than work.
He says to me I don't want to work.
We usually work with other horses in view but not
with us. He loves to get back to the mates, bit like
a bloke really.
Any hints?
Cheers
Rosemary
Very
Droll Rosemary :) Is his name, Norm? Just like
people, some are lazy, others are not. Horses are no
different and Horses like that are born like it. I
readily identify that in a Horse and if it is a
genuine case and I have exhausted all of the
Veterinary angles (which you must do) I send that
Horse to a ridden career that is best suited to it.
Trail Riding. I then go and buy one suited to the
use that I first wanted. Simple. Horse Owners are
too quick to generalize sometimes and don't think
about such things. They lack an enquiring mind which
is so important if one is to be the best Owner
possible. You could send him down to Centre Link :)
***********
Hi John
Quick question...I'm thinking of leasing a horse for
pleasure riding, it is green (ex racehorse) 5yrs, he
seems very quiet, the thing that worried me was he
paddles on front leg....I've just been watching your
dvd on teaching leg yields and does the beautiful
Jailo (?) also seems as if she is paddling?
Should I leave this horse or lease it, what problems
could i expect?
Cheers
Robyn
That
generally doesn't worry them Robyn and especially in
a pleasure riding career. Yes, Jaylo did paddle too.
If you lease, you can send it back. That is a good
idea. Being an x Racehorse, you may want to send it
back for other reasons once you start your Trail
Riding :) Hope not. You wouldn't buy it at this
stage. You are lucky with this opportunity to try.
Regards
**********
5th August, 2008
Day
Off.
Was
pleased to be invited to a Council Meeting regarding
the future of the Pegasus Pony Club. That is being
held in a week of two. Will keep you posted.
*********
MESSENGER PRESS
This
will save me writing to them as I am aware they read
this Site. Hell it has more Readers than Rupert's
Paper hehehe.
I read
the Leader Messenger and it is like reading a news
letter from the Country Women's Association. They
are 'pussies' who roll over for their Bellies to be
scratched by Local Government and Police. In short,
the Paper is not doing it's job and are letting free
Press down.
********
I note
that a piece of Land that the President of the
Pegasus Pony Club had been asking for since 1993 has
just had it's future announced. A Shopping Centre
and a Pub. Jim was always told that no way could he
be considered as Horse Manure might get into the
Creek :) The Developers have since Bull Dozed the
entire guts out of the creek, even changed it's
complete direction. Not a problem :)
***********
This
is where Government priority follows the money and
not nature.
Governments and
Councils still don't get it. They think they do but
they are hardly striking a blow yet!
I see the Leader of
the Opposition here has flown off to England. Hell,
why not spend a few hundred thousand. He doesn't
even know if he is going to be Leader much longer.
"Snouts in the Trough"
*******
and the outer
Melbourne Council who have just spent $500,000 of
Rate Payers Money fighting a losing battle over a
piece of Land they didn't even know they
owned....since 1908. They lost in the Courts so now
they are appealing. Again with Rate Payers money.
Out of Control Council Officers' with no
supervision. That's what's wrong with Local
Government now. Arrogance to the max and Councilors
having zero power. They are a status symbol only and
that is where the system has failed. Long over due
for a giant shake up! Who's to blame? The apathetic
Australians, that's who. I saw 4 Council Officers
meet on the road side to look at a job recently. 4
different Cars and not little one's either. How dare
they. Arrogant!! :(
************
Has anyone heard the
Street Racing in Greenwith over the past few months?
Commences 1am and goes to about 3am. Non stop. The
Police Station is a k away. Poor Residents :( I am
4k away and I can hear it. Authority? There is none.
**********
There, I feel better
now :)
**********
HIWASSEE, Ga. A 48-year-old
motorcyclist is dead after she collided with a horse
on Georgia highway 75 near the state's northern
border.
Towns County coroner Rickey Mathis said Beth Bennick
was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck.
Mathis said the horse was also killed on impact.
The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the
incident.
Mathis said the horse had gotten loose from its
owner and wandered into the highway.
**********
HOLLY
Our sympathies go to
Jane and Holly. Holly was put down yesterday after a
Tumor that had been cut from her flank area 12
months ago, had spread to her neck. The Horse had
told Dagmar that she had trouble breathing and the
Vet said that he entire trachea had been moved
sideways by swelling that had transported to the
location. This is the Horse that had said she wanted
to be an Indian Horse. She was such a Doll and one
of the best jumpers I have seen. Seen here just
after one week jumps training.
Pictured with Mrs. HP's Cousin from Holland on top.
LETTER OF THE DAY
I had this letter last night.
Hi, John. pleased picture of dan can
be used in a positive way for the education of
youngsters, maybe some adults may need it too lol
:-) I just wanted to add, the haynet was up on the
top bar seconds prior to pic being took by my
daughter, who wanted me out the way for the pic, as
I was undoing the net, hence on the floor.
Nevertheless a good point, can see nothing gets by
you John, lol :-)
Dan, has one vice as you might see from the pic he
cribs but that is the only thing. Might well give
you an order at some point John for the crib collar,
have not liked the ones over here as they look harsh
and victorian and previous to me having him they
were used and he has a bit of white coat where it
had scarred him at some point so I have never made a
big thing of it and wouldn't use it as I believed it
would stress him even more.
One thing dan does John, and it might go once I
reducate his mouth using your system.
when out on a ride, I ride loopy rein in walk.
Sometimes, not all, when I gather the reins up and I
have tried to do this very slowly, he anticipates
the next pace up and will go when he thinks. So I
have been gathering up then letting them go loose
straight the way. I know once training starts I will
have the one rein stop to stop the running through
the hand.
This could of been down to his former owner as dan
was an International eventer and would imagine this
anticipating is attribited to this.
I want him to enjoy being a horse again and not
ridden like a machine, don't get me wrong I like to
jumpcross him and show jump and the smaller shows
but on a smaller scale to what he was used to. I
want him to enjoy this time in his life as he has
worked hard.
Will try and drop the odd pic once training begins
to keep you up to date.
Kind regards steve uk
Haha Steve. You are
right, I don't miss a thing :) Horsemanship, the art
of reading the future :) Now, your Horse. In this
situation, the One Rein Stop is not the tool. The
immediately stop (on a dime) and back up is.
BUT!!!!!!! with immediate release of the reins to NO
REINS, walk another 20 metres having taken your
energy level down again and then repeat. Repeat many
times. Your Horse has too much forward in his brain
and needs to be balances with what I call "Reverse
Gear Rate", after which, your Horse will be
anticipating two things. Go and back. That equals
concentration on you and an awaiting for the aid. I
would like those pics Steve. Love your Buildings.
Nice Horse too. Regards
and tonight.......
Hi,John, Just an update on the advice
you gave me yesterday regarding gathering reins up,
and horse wanting to go to the next pace up.
I thionk it's nice for you and your readers to have
some feedback.
We went out for a pleasure ride yesterday,I wanted
to go to the places I knew he (dan) would attempt
the increased pace.
I might add here that when out on a pleasure ride at
anytime if I have cantered one day on a certain
stretch, the following day I will change to say walk
the next day for that stretch, then the following
day trot maybe,that way I always have him thinking.
Getting back to your advice you gave and your
thoughts of a balanced mind instead of him thinking
forward all the time. we were out for about an hour
and within the first ten mins it started to make him
think, I could feel his hesitation to perhaps go off
but not quite sure and each time from that point he
got better and better and I only did it just over
half a dozen times in that hour as I didn't want to
phase him, but by the end of the ride he had
stopped, I know that I may need to give him a
reminder maybe today if he goes to move off but that
is all about being consistant with him so we make
things black and white to him that way ,no
confusion!
I have a lot of respect for you as a trainer,also
your wealth of experience,as your methods work, you
also share your knowledge and experience, unlike a
lot of people that have that knowledege and don't
give it willingy.
I might add I like your no nonsence approuch, a
man's type of fella, you see you have me picking up
on Australian lingo now lol.
I'm sure people have mentioned before but thankyou
from the other side of the world for giving us your
knowledge to help our horses and for us to enjoy
them more so.
Regards to you and lynda.
P.S I tried to have a look at Lynda's clothing items
but when I clicked on the links I got errors! maybe
I will have to see if my security on pc is allowing
the pages, as I would like one of the polo shirts at
some point which I can wear and promote you this
side of the world.
Steve. UK
Well done Steve!!!
Thanks for your kind words. No, those pages were
taken down as no-one was interested in the clothing
Steve. We have some here so I will let you know
privately. Regards and thanks
LETTERS OF THE DAY
Hi John
I will just give you a quick word of what happened.
I was out riding my Arab X 5yrs bareback and bitless
as I have never needed to have a bit in he’s mouth
as he response well to neck reining and if worried
about anything he just does a little dance on the
spot and with a pat and kind words he is alright In
other words he draws confidence from you if you are
relaxed and not worrying. I have owned him from the
day he was born as I have his mother and have used
the parelli seven games with him regularly. Well
what happened was on a ride I just crossed over a
creek when he saw two large dogs chargeing straight
towards us, I then pointed him straight at them but
instinct kicked in and he bolted with me on top and
the dogs still chasing all i could do was ride him
in a large circle to try and slow him down luckily
in was in a large paddock and not on a road
eventualy the women that owned the dogs caught them
and I finally pulled him up after telling the owners
what I thought I ca!
lmed down myself and so did he , now this horse has
had dogs around him all hes life and usually its him
thats chasing the dogs.I was wondering what would be
the best way to treat this as it could now happen
again as hes now done it once and also I think I
will be riding in a saddle now when going out of the
paddock.I also think that even if he had a bit in it
would not have been any differant as I have seen
many horses bolt with some horrendus bits used and
still have no control.
Thanking you Kindly
Ricky
That's the warning I
have always given about Bitless Ricky. The day such
an event happens, you are gone :) I disagree that
there is nothing you could do. Mrs. HP's Horse was
attacked by a Bull Terrier who was attempting to
Kill the Horse, in the Traffic and at a round about.
It went for 5 minutes. The Mouth saved the
situation. If the Mouth is good enough, nothing can
beat it. If I wee you, I would be testing the mouth
via this:
TESTING THE LATERAL MOUTH OF YOUR HORSE
and
then doing something about it. Regards
********
Dear John
Im glad I wasnt on the back of this one!!!!
What a jump..
Helen
Unbelievable
Helen!! Thanks. What an athlete? Wouldn't want to be
a bucker :)
4th August, 2008
Day
Off. Lovely Lunch with my wife and a nice
little chat about all of you :) Nice Rain again and
we hope the Farmers are getting it too. The water
was actually running down the Roads this Morning and
the Hills were fogged in by the look of it.
**************
Farmer crushed to death by bale of hay
Police are investigating the accidental death of a
man after he was crushed by a bale of hay on a farm
at West Portland, in Victoria's southwest.
Police were called to the property in McNeillys Road
at about 5.00pm Sunday when a neighbour found the
man.
The man, aged about 40, was using a front end loader
to move the bale, which weighs several hundred
kilograms.
The man died when the hay bale fell back onto the
cabin of the vehicle, crushing him.
**************
HONG KONG — Many horse enthusiasts
try to beat the summer heat by going for a ride at
dawn or sunset, but the Olympic equestrian events
here from next Saturday to Aug. 21 will take this to
an extreme.
The events will start as early as 6:30 in the
morning and end by late morning, or begin as late as
10:45 at night. The goal is to make sure that horses
and riders are not exposed to the midday heat and
humidity of Hong Kong, one of the most tropical
places to host an Olympic event.
Hong Kong is slightly farther south than Havana and
is nearly surrounded by the tropical waters of the
South China Sea. That makes it humid, with
considerably higher humidity on summer afternoons
than hot and sticky Atlanta, the site of the 1996
Olympics and previously the toughest climate faced
by Olympic equestrian teams.
The humidity is a particular challenge because
horses, like humans, keep cool as their perspiration
evaporates. The evaporation, particularly crucial
for the arduous cross-country ride over jumps,
happens more slowly on steamy days.
“The horses are much more able to manage conditions
of hot and dry than hot and humid,” said Dr. Leo
Jeffcott, the senior international veterinarian for
the Hong Kong events and a veterinary adviser to
every Summer Games since the Seoul Olympics in 1988
in South Korea.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, which manages the city’s
racetracks and donated the Olympic facilities,
starts its racing season in early September and
occasionally has trouble with heat. Each season, the
club runs about 700 races, with about four or five
horses showing unsteadiness or other heat-related
difficulties, said Dr. Chris Riggs, the club’s top
veterinarian and veterinary services manager for the
Olympics.
Once every season or two, a horse collapses from the
heat, he said. But the horses are quickly revived
and do not develop long-term health problems from
the collapse.
To cope with the climate, Olympic organizers and the
42 national equestrian teams competing are taking a
lot of precautions.
Enlarged golf carts have been fitted with portable
generators, hoses and bathtub-size red plastic tanks
full of cold water, ready to be driven straight to
overheated horses in need of a quick dousing.
Rows of powerful fans fitted with water valves have
been set up to spray the horses before and after
they compete. And the stables not only have
air-conditioning, but also fans that blow curtains
of cold air across the entrances to keep the hot air
outside.
Horses suffer much less from heat if they spend each
night in a cool place, said Dr. Jill Beech, a
professor of veterinary medicine at the University
of Pennsylvania.
The United States team is taking additional
precautions. It has devices designed to spray a
horse with cold water and wipe the water off, as
well as special blankets that can be filled with
cold water, said James Wolf, the team manager.
Many American riders and their mounts have trained
in Florida and learned to compete in hot, humid
conditions, he added.
Officials from Beijing, a city at the same latitude
as Philadelphia, lobbied successfully in 2001 to
hold the 2008 Olympics. They did not plan to hold
any events in Hong Kong, which Britain returned to
Chinese rule in 1997.
But China was forced to move all six equestrian
events after international veterinary groups
declined three years ago to certify Beijing as free
of equine diseases. If the equestrian events were
held in Beijing, the horses would be forced to
endure lengthy quarantines upon leaving China.
Hong Kong has the necessary certification, as well
as lavish, state-of-the-art facilities. The Hong
Kong Jockey Club has a legal monopoly on gambling,
and it spends whatever money it needs to run horse
races and other events, donating the rest to
charity.
As a result, the Olympic horses will have immediate
access to one of the world’s top equine hospitals
and one of the world’s handful of equine
drug-testing laboratories. “Without a doubt, these
are the best facilities we’ve been given to run the
Olympics,” Jeffcott said.
The Olympics have been held closer to the equator.
In 1968 the host was Mexico City, which is at an
altitude of almost 7,400 feet and quite dry.
**********
Firefighters get creative to save horse that fell
through floor
HAMPTON FALLS — Firefighters rescued
a horse that fell partially through barn floorboards
and was dangling eight feet above the ground Friday
afternoon.
The horse had been put in a stall before the boards
gave way, said Fire Chief Jay Lord.
"The horse has got a leg and a half between two
holes in the floor; it's eight feet underneath," he
said. "It basically was straddling this support
beam, its legs dangling."
The horse is OK, said Lord, who had no further
information on the type of horse, only describing it
as "black."
Firefighters responded to 149 Drinkwater Road, the
home of Ed and Tracy Healey Beattie, around 2 p.m.,
said Lord.
Firefighters went underneath the barn and built a
wood frame, Jenga-like, 6 feet tall, said Lord. This
was to give the horse something to stand on, to give
it "enough oomph" to get out of there.
It worked, said Lord, but the horse bounced around
and broke through the floorboards again.
"Because it fell in the corner, we had to take part
of the stall wall apart," said Lord. "Somewhere
along the line, the vet showed up and gave it a
sedative so it wouldn't hurt itself."
Firefighters then pulled the wall apart and dragged
the horse out of the hole.
"We pushed it up enough to get a plank under its
butt," Lord said.
Exeter firefighters were called in and asked to
bring their airbags. The thought was the airbags
could go in the middle of the wooden tower, to push
it up.
"We ended up not using the system," said Lord. "At
that point, we were looking for options."
The rescue took two and a half hours, said Lord,
with 13 local firefighters, three from Exeter and
numerous bystanders on scene. Police did traffic
control on Drinkwater Road, said Lord.
Lord admitted firefighters don't generally have much
experience with this type of rescue.
"We're not really trained for pulling horses out of
floors," he said.
*********
New horse quarantine arrangements start
New quarantine arrangements for international horse
transfers through Sydney Airport are now in place in
the wake of last year's equine influenza (EI)
outbreak.
Twelve horses which arrived on Thursday night from
the US were the first imported horses subject to the
enhanced quarantine requirements to move through
Sydney Airport's Livestock Transfer Facility (LTF)
since the EI outbreak last August.
Over the next couple of days, International
Racehorse Transport (IRT) will bring in a
substantial number of shuttle stallions including
Bernardini, Shamardal, Exceed And Excel, Haradasun,
Dylan Thomas and Aussie Rules to stand at studs in
the NSW Hunter Valley, Victoria and South Australia.
The CEO of Sydney Airport, Russell Balding, said the
application of the new requirements for horse
imports was a welcome milestone in the recovery from
EI.
"Sydney Airport has worked closely with the
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)
to ensure that horse movements are made in line with
the government's response to the recommendations
made by the Honourable Ian Callinan AC in his
commission of inquiry into the equine influenza
outbreak," he said in a statement.
"I want to acknowledge the practical, no-nonsense
role played by the Honourable Tony Burke MP,
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in
helping operations get back to normal.
"His willingness to work with all parties to get
results is appreciated.
"The economic costs and social disruption caused by
the equine influenza outbreak were significant, and
we are pleased that Sydney Airport is again able to
play its role in the facilitation of horses from
overseas, in particular the shuttle stallions which
are so important to the thoroughbred breeding
industry.
"To facilitate international horse transfers, Sydney
Airport has installed an amenities block with
showers in the LTF.
"This enables AQIS to ensure that staff who have
come in contact with imported horses shower out
prior to leaving the LTF.
"Secondary fencing has also been installed around
the amenities block to enable AQIS to control the
flow of personnel to minimise the risk of
cross-contamination after personnel have showered
out.
"Sydney Airport is committed to working closely with
Minister Burke and AQIS on any future quarantine
upgrades that may be required."
*********
Horse recovers thanks to stem
cells
All the injured thoroughbred gelding Viz Vitae
needed to win was a little more Viz Vitae.
A bowed tendon had put the brown horse out of action
- an injury that was once cause for retiring a
horse.
But Vet Biotechnology Ltd, a South Australian based
company listed on the Newcastle Stock Exchange,
stepped in with stem cell therapy and repaired Viz
Vitae by using the horses own cells to speed its
recovery.
"We returned Viz Vitae to the race course after a
severe tendon injury," Vet Biotech managing director
David Brigland told AAP.
"In the case of Viz Vitae, he would have been
retired."
The horse went on to win its owners $110,000 at the
Moonee Valley, NSW Hurdle Track last Saturday.
By collecting stem cells from the umbilical cord of
a new born foal, Vet Biotech can harvest and
reinject the cells, regrowing and repairing
career-ending horse injuries.
Developed by the Royal Veterinary College of London,
the regeneration of damaged tendons has since June
2005 been tested on 50 horses by Vet Bio Tech.
Some 36 of those have returned to racing and 18 hade
won races, Mr Brigland said.
"When you have these injuries the tendons infill
with scar tissue, which is inflexible and the tendon
no longer has its mechanical power generating
capacity," he said.
"What we're trying to do is return a fully
functioning tendon by regrowing the tendon cells and
return it to its normal function."
Because the technology is heavily regulated, it
costs $5,500 for the procedure, limiting its growth
in the market for racing animals.
"People aren't willing to spend thousands of US
dollars to repair a $5 cat or dog," said Mr Brigland.
"The principle is very simple, but the cost is very
high."
But the therapy's implications for the multi-million
dollar horse racing industry are endless.
Viz Vitae is owned by veterinarian Dr Campbell Baker
and David Hayes, owner and operator of Linday Park
stables in South Australia, Victoria and NSW.
"Early results to date in terms of returning injured
horses to the racetrack have been nothing short of
stunning," Dr Baker said in a statement.
"This horse suggests to us at Lindsay Park that no
matter how severe the tendon injury, stem cells
promise a complete regeneration of the damaged
tissue."
So far, Vet Biotech has specialised in tendon and
ligament regeneration.
But it has received limited licensing permission for
treatments to bones.
The prospects for a successful bone treatment could
open a new market for Vet Biotech.
"We're moving into the bone and ligament end," Dr
Baker said.
"The stem cells promise to speed those repairs, but
trying to keep these horses immobilised for a long
time is very, very difficult."
"At this stage what we can say is the cells we were
able to expand into massive doses have been proven
to create bone and create cartilage."
Mr Brigland said the case of Barbaro, the Kentucky
Derby champion, was a prime example of the value of
stem cell therapy for horses.
In 2006, the three-year-old had just won the
Kentucky Derby when, two weeks later, he shattered
his leg in 20 places at the Preakness Stakes in
Baltimore.
Barbaro was euthanased in January 2007 after
suffering complications from the gruesome break,
putting an end to the eight-month ordeal.
"The best horse of the generation tends to capture
the hearts and minds of people," he said.
"We just don't have the surgical techniques at this
stage to repair fractures."
*******
Aust rider takes huge World Cup
eventing lead
With only two more FEI World Cup qualifiers to run
in the 2008 season, Australia's Kevin McNab has
sensationally swept into a huge lead in the FEI
World Cup rankings, after scoring a one-two at his
local qualifier at Warwick, in Queensland.
A member of the local Queensland Eventing Committee,
McNab, 30, is now on 220 points, 60 clear of his
nearest rival, Clark Montgomery (USA) on 160.
McNab won at Warwick on Hufflepuff, his Melbourne
runner-up, and finished second on Game Play. He is
now planning a trip across the world to challenge
for the HSBC FEI World Cup Final at Deauville,
France, on September 18-21.
Two riders from South Australia were third and
fourth; Kerrie Bowman on Foxhill Aphrodite and
Melbourne winner and Atlanta Olympic gold medallist
Wendy Schaeffer with Koyuna Sun Dancer.
As a result, Schaeffer has also moved dramatically
up the leaderboard and is in third place behind
Montgomery on 130 points.
On the same weekend over in the US, Tory Smith of
Camarillo, California, won the Kalispell qualifier,
held at Rebecca Farm, Montana, on her 10-year-old
Irish Sport Horse Bantry Bay V.
Smith, 21, went into the final, stadium, phase with
a massive 16-penalty lead after the withdrawal of
the overnight leader, Jolie Sexon (USA) on Killian
O'Connor, but did not need the luxury of this
leeway, finishing with a foot-perfect clear.
"He has springs in his feet and hates to touch a
rail," said an elated Smith.
Her long-time trainer, Debbie Rosen, was second on
the Alchemist, and Chelan Kozak (CAN) was third on
her new ride Tasman Sea.
Nine riders started the dressage, judged by Eric
Smiley (IRL), Janis Linnan (USA) and former US team
rider Jim Graham, who unanimously placed Sexon first
on 44.1pen. Smith was second at this stage on 49.4.
Five horses jumped clear over the cross-country
course designed by Mark Phillips. Nicholas Cwick
(USA), lying third after dressage on Asterix,
drifted slightly off line and missed the skinny out
of the Trout Pond. Sexon was fastest, home with 2.8
time penalties, ahead of Smith on 2.8.
With just two European qualifiers left in the 2008
FEI World Cup series, at Martinvast, France, on
August 21-24 and Schenefeld, Germany, on August
28-31, British riders Oliver Townend and Pippa
Funnell, both of whom have missed out on the
Olympics, have a chance to further their status in
the rankings. They share equal fourth place on 115
points, ahead of Irish Olympic rider Geoff Curran,
fifth on 112, and British Olympic team member
William Fox-Pitt, sixth on 110.
ANIMAL COMMUNICATION
Hi John
I’m a good friend of Dagmar’s & have seen your
little bit on her abilities. I would love to
congratulate you for opening your web site to
something the majority of the horse world class as
bullshit. Oh how close minded they are!
Dagi has spoken to a few of my horses, initially I
myself was a cinic, but thought I’d give it a go as
I was just starting to have a few issues with my
stallion. Her feedback from my stallion was so
detailed I automatically went about my checking each
issue out with different professionals, she was spot
on & now my boy is brilliant again! After that
experience she had a chat to another of my horses,
and again, spot on.
I do not say this because she is a good friend, but
because I am very proud of what she is doing on a
professional level, and wish more people would see
the benefits of opening their minds – even just a
little!
Cheers
Alice Morley
Romley Sporthorses
PO Box 165
Meningie SA 5264
Thanks Alice. Most
kind of you.
*******
LETTERS OF THE DAY
ANIMAL COMMUNICATION
Hi John,
Well Chardo had his communication … and like you, I
wanted to know about the veterinary stuff going on
for Chards…all Dagmar knew was that he was 28 and a
bush pony… Here’s some of what he told her…..
Veterinary stuff
He told Dagmar that he was stiff but not sore and
pain wise he was really good… he showed her that he
could still run and although he knew the end of his
life was coming, he was not there yet….
Tightness in the neck at the base of the ear; Off
side front leg stiffness and he would like it
rubbed; (I rubbed his legs the next day.. started
with the near side, nil reaction… got to the off
side and instantly he stopped eating, put his head
up, closed his eyes and lapped it up) Click in the
near side hip; Tenderness in the rump area; Near
side back hoof is sensitive to hard ground; Near
side shin splint; Itchiness in his coat and he would
like me to give him vitamins for it; (I’ve been
treating him for his itch for a couple of weeks with
shampoos and lotions etc.. – have now introduced the
vitamins of course!) Clicking in near side back
fetlock;
Other stuff Chards told Dagmar...
His rug was slipping and could he please have that
fixed; He described to Dagmar (to a tee) his
paddock, said it was muddy and lumpy and he didn’t
like it, he wanted to go into the front paddock
(where all the green grass is) He told her that I
had little dogs and that he didn’t like them.. he
said they were Jack Russel’s - (I have two (2) Jack
Russel’s x Poodles and they are glued to my side
24/7); He doesn’t like that he is on a diet – but
says he enjoys the treats I give him; (his weight is
in check to prevent founder) Said he was my first
horse (got him when I was 11) and that he taught me
how to ride, but he meant how to REALLY ride... He
told her that would buck, pigroot and shy and that
he did this all his life.. (How I made it to 34 I’ll
never know – he was everything you’ve ever listed on
your problems index)… He likes that I spend a lot of
time with him and the walks I take him on; Recalled
that he stood on my foot last week; (It was actually
my hand - and i had forgotten all about it until
Dagmar reminded me)
This is only some of what he told he told her; the
detail is pretty impressive….
Cheers,
Joyce
Well Joyce. What can
one say. Spooky indeed.
I had forgotten about
something that the Horse that had the tumor removed
allegedly said. "I want to be an Indian Horse" We
couldn't put our finger on that but later came a
South Australian Bowen Therapist who worked on the
Horse and she commented out of the blue to the
owner, "Your Horse wants to be an Angel" The owner
asked why and explained about the 'Indian Horse'
bit. The Lady explained that the Mare wanted to be
put down soon and that both statements largely meant
the same. To go to the Spirit World. She has had
swelling chasing up her neck and into her head. We
have been attempting to influence the Owner to put
her down. I wonder?
*************
Dear John,
I love reading the articles on your site, no words
can express how much they have helped me over the
years!
I was hoping you could give me some quick
suggestions on how to proceed with some training I'm
doing with a new horse. Will give you a background
run down first.
He is a 17.1 WB gelding. Truly quiet horse that I
started leasing 6 months ago. Medium-Advanced
dressage. Has been out of work for a year before I
got him, and with a beginner for 4 years before
that. He is 14 now. I've been riding over 20 years
(am 28) and feel like I have a good handle on this
horse's personality and can read him pretty well.
I knew the second I tried to get him on my float he
had had a previous bad experience, as my normally
relaxed, predictable, gentle, aiming to please
gentleman
started sweating and stressing out as soon as I
walked him within 30m of the float. This
horse is truly quiet and to see him shit himself
like this was scary seeing as he is so big and I am
not! Suffice to say I immediately decided not to
float him that day but to start some training to
help him get his confidence back. That day I was
happy to have him tie up at the float, and just be
near it.
I have since done 3 sessions of the shoulder tapping
method as I am on my own. I have had a LOT of
success so far - he went from snorting and running
around like he was 20hh, to needing just one or two
very light taps to walk all the way in (the last
session yesterday was the first time I could ask him
all the way in and have him stand for more than a
few seconds.). I have been conscious of asking him
to back up and out of the float every time, and to
NEVER pull on his head when he ran out etc. I didn't
have any trouble controlling his back end as I would
just wave the whip near his bum end if he lost the
straightness briefly and kept asking him up the
ramp.
Now, at this stage, when in the float, he is a bit
looky still, but is
chewing,
listening to me. I have been standing in with him (other
side of chest bar) and just talking, patting,
keeping his attention. I am loading him in a normal
straight load double with the divider completely
removed (he will always be travelling alone).
Until the last session, once fully in, he often
rushed back out (walked calmly if I beat him to it
and asked him out first).
Questions:
What do I do know to keep him in there? The longest
I have asked him to stay in was about 30 - 40
seconds yesterday, and he backed out carefully when
i asked him to. I have been going in in front of him
and loading him very slowly.
For me - this next step of shutting either part of
the ramp/back (it is a split tailgate with the 1
foot high panel at the top that you can close
separately) is the part I fear most for my safety
and his.
Should I keep loading, pausing, unloading and
eventually he will just stay there while I leave to
close up? Do I need a second person? Should I change
the way I load now and find a way to get him to self
load? Any pointers on how to seal the deal with
closing the back up safely would be much
appreciated! I feel like we have come a very long
way and I don't want to do anything to ruin his
fragile confidence now!
He does walk on quite well now but I know with
whatever happened in the past - it would only take a
tiny fright to send him flying out backwards again.
I don't know if he is a scrambler etc either but
will be doing plenty of around the block trips to
see how he goes.
I was even thinking to get someone to make a noise
etc while I am in there with him to help try and
desensitise any reaction too?
Thanks in advance, love your work!
Vanessa
Yes Vanessa. Highly
complex case indeed! ....and dangerous. For
starters, measure the height of your float here:
(photo courtesy of Mustang Floats. )
If the float is not
2250mm the Horse shouldn't be in it.!!! As your
centre division is out, I would never go in front of
the chest bar with one of these horses for if he
went like a rocket, you would be caught out and
having to perhaps pull on the rope. I would be
standing at his neck on the same side of the chest
bar as the Horse at this stage. Next, I would be
feeding his hard feeds in the float for a week or
two. Not in his stable. The method you are using is
the Tom Roberts method and whilst it is good in
principal, it lacks control of the back end of a
horse. You should go back and teach the Horse the 7
Games and then Parelli train him to load and TO STAY
IN THERE from behind, you outside the float. Then
you can put the bum bar up when it comes time to
'pluck your Rosemary Beads" :) I can not write
enough her about this subject and the list of
dangers. Rattling the float is a BAD IDEA. He will
have enough to contend with in good time. Does the
Horse give to pressure, tie up solid, is he hobble
trained etc?? This is yet another huge benefit of
this training as it eliminates fight and death in
these situations? You should install a my whither
strap on him, the moment he is loaded with back
locked away and tie him up short with webbing halter
and Pony Club Rope. Not string. Should you have
another Horse in with him. For his sake definitely
but you gamble with the result if he goes off. If he
does, the whither strap may stop it all (it often
does) because it stops the up, where they all go. Is
the view good for him. Will the window of your float
be 20 foot below his eyes like most floats in this
Country???? Will he be looking at the tow bar?????
rather than having a nice view which would make him
happy? Boot him up well. IN the end you have to bite
the bullet but be prepared. Regards
*************
Hi John
My cushings sick pony has got a second lease of
life. I was about to put him down facing the
management of his disease and medical costs but my
husbond said, no you can't do that, he is still
moving around (my husbond used to be an extensive
farmer and thought nothing of culling sick animals
but other rules for this pony)! Anyway he's been on
Pergolide now for a while given orally every day and
he's perked up so much that I might consider
re-mouthing him after a couple of rides down the
road bucking and trying to bolt! I haven't ridden
this pony for a year due to bouts of laminitis and a
really bad farrier job.
I am managing his diet very careful and that is also
why he is so well now. I would suggest that all of
you out there with fat, laminitis prone ponies go
have a read of the articles here:
http://www.safergrass.org (also interesting research
about cushings disease and equine metabolic disease
often mistaken to be cushings) - even if you think
you are not giving them much to eat - a paddock full
of weeds that may be the worst thing you could do -
weeds are sometimes higher in sugar than grass.
It must also be said, I don't even have shoes on
this pony anymore but credit to my new farrier he's
moving really well and I have his feet done every
5-6 weeks - which is necessary to keep them in good
shape.
I have decided that as long as he can handle light
work and be happy he can live...
Regards,
The Dane
Well done indeed Dane. What a
great owner and with the right attitude. That is the
attitude that so many mamby pamdys in the Horse
Industry do not have and as a result, Horses suffer
badly due to the Owner not being able to handle
their own grief. THE HORSE COMES FIRST HERE!!
Balance is the key. Your Husband would know, the
balance that Country people have. Do you best but if
you fail, shoot the bloody thing. Thanks for the
valuable links. I'll have a look. Regards
**********
Hi, John. pleased picture of dan can
be used in a positive way for the education of
youngsters, maybe some adults may need it too lol
:-) I just wanted to add, the haynet was up on the
top bar seconds prior to pic being took by my
daughter, who wanted me out the way for the pic, as
I was undoing the net, hence on the floor.
Nevertheless a good point, can see nothing gets by
you John, lol :-)
Dan, has one vice as you might see from the pic he
cribs but that is the only thing. Might well give
you an order at some point John for the crib collar,
have not liked the ones over here as they look harsh
and victorian and previous to me having him they
were used and he has a bit of white coat where it
had scarred him at some point so I have never made a
big thing of it and wouldn't use it as I believed it
would stress him even more.
One thing dan does John, and it might go once I
reducate his mouth using your system.
when out on a ride, I ride loopy rein in walk.
Sometimes, not all, when I gather the reins up and I
have tried to do this very slowly, he anticipates
the next pace up and will go when he thinks. So I
have been gathering up then letting them go loose
straight the way. I know once training starts I will
have the one rein stop to stop the running through
the hand.
This could of been down to his former owner as dan
was an International eventer and would imagine this
anticipating is attribited to this.
I want him to enjoy being a horse again and not
ridden like a machine, don't get me wrong I like to
jumpcross him and show jump and the smaller shows
but on a smaller scale to what he was used to. I
want him to enjoy this time in his life as he has
worked hard.
Will try and drop the odd pic once training begins
to keep you up to date.
Kind regards steve uk
Haha Steve. You are
right, I don't miss a thing :) Horsemanship, the art
of reading the future :) Now, your Horse. In this
situation, the One Rein Stop is not the tool. The
immediately stop (on a dime) and back up is.
BUT!!!!!!! with immediate release of the reins to NO
REINS, walk another 20 metres having taken your
energy level down again and then repeat. Repeat many
times. Your Horse has too much forward in his brain
and needs to be balances with what I call "Reverse
Gear Rate", after which, your Horse will be
anticipating two things. Go and back. That equals
concentration on you and an awaiting for the aid. I
would like those pics Steve. Love your Buildings.
Nice Horse too. Regards
***********
Hi There,
I have read your page and have a question. We had to
bring in clay to build up the arena. Not a good idea
but its done. Now the clay is coming up through the
sand mixed with blue metal dust that we used for a
top and the horses are pulling up sore.
I haven't got time but I am sure I
would have mentioned that fines are a complete no,
no in the construction of arenas. Nothing wrong with
bringing in fill to build up, in fact it is far
better than cutting in but it is the base that goes
on top that is the key. You only have one option.
Bobcat the sand off roughly and put 300m of at least
a 20mm rubble or bigger over it and start again. Bad
Luck. Regards
*************
3rd August, 2008
AUSTRALIAN DRESSAGE
There is always a lot
of debate in this Country, about the future of
Australian Dressage but I want to talk about the
past. I was frankly 'gob smacked' when I was sent
this video of Heath Ryan, who I think is great by
the way, fantastic for the Sport, announcing that he
has been selected for the up coming Olympics to
represent Australia in the Dressage. Whilst what
Heath has to say is refreshing as Hell, the fact
that he appeared to have just landed on the Planet
and after 40 years of lessons by the so called best
here, has found that there is a better way and
happens to be in Europe :)
I guess then that the
video says it all about the past 40 years of
Dressage in this Country and to all of those
Dressage Judges and Coaches who have followed the
"Kick em and Holdem" system and the Trail Riding in
the Dressage arena, rather then the excitement of
free and forward young Horses that are actually
allowed to 'express themselves" without being scored
out of the competition, whilst following "German
Training Scale should perhaps go talk to Heath and
find out what it was that he saw over there :) If it
wasn't so serious, I do struggle to keep images of
the Beverley Hill Billie's from creeping into my
mind. :)
Anyhow, good luck to
Heath and thanks for being so honest, open and
straight about what you learnt. He will no doubt go
ahead in leaps and bounds from here.
Hey you!
Bazel had his reading...apparently he is very very
chatty and very wise! I didn't need to be told he
was wise as you can see this in his face and in his
actions to life. I never told her of any of his
injuries, past or present. She didn't know ANYTHING
about him apart from breed and age. Bazel told her
that he was very worried about the barbwire fence
and the 'foal'. He told her about it slanting on one
side of our property. He showed her his X Country
days, Dressage and Jumping. He told her he wasn't
consistent at his Dressage and that he was not a
safe jumper. When we bought him, his old owner Lisa
told us exactly this. She came up with a few small
medical problems. One in particular I have been sus
on for a few months. He has been having problems
peeing and He showed her that his Penis hurts. He
showed her the close call in the float we had when
it almost Jacked-knife. He knows I hate to float the
horses now. He totally trusts me, and missing ME
riding him and wants to see me more . He wants to be
ridden again, but doing small jumps, etc. He said "
life is great, but very boring". He wants to teach
someone young, but knows he can become a handfull
when riding. He showed her a "dog collar" around his
ears and neck... She didn't know it was a
Windsucking collar. I got her to ask him if he was
fine about a Mare coming to live with us and having
a foal here. He is happy with this,, he wants to be
a Big Brother. I had to ask this question because I
have learnt he becomes very attached to horses
coming in and I hate seeing him getting upset if
they leave.
This is only half of the reading.
I am very very happy with this reading, everything
she said was happening, or has happened. I got this
reading done, due to wanting to know if Bazel is
happy and I wasn't sure what he wanted to do riding
wise due to his foot injury...She asked for me "Do
you still want to be ridden"...his answer ..." Do
you want to walk!!"
cheers
chelle
Well Chelle, there you go ey? I wrote that I only
commented on the Veterinary with our Horses but the
detail was the thing that surprised me. You would
think that if you were dealing with a Con, there
would be basic, general feel good info and that's it
but we had the same and it was all true :) Bloody
spooky if you ask me. I risked my name writing about
Dagmar, as did James Gardiner. I have been having
Kittens :) Regards to Bazel :)
**************
Speaking of Dressage,
remember 'young king' the stock horse? Well he has
just had 6 weeks off, ridden three times since, went
to the Official Dressage today, not unofficial and
brained the expensive Warmbloods :) aaaaaah, brings
joy to my heart :)
oh, not to forget the Rider :) First Dressage Comp!!
********
WEIGHT WARNING
I have often seen
(virtually 100% of the time in fact) that City Folk
who buy the acreage and move their Horses onto it
and out of their agistment facility, often get
caught with their Horses dropping weight. They say
to me "There's plenty of green grass" and I explain
that such green grass is of little or no use in the
State where I live anyway as most of the Country is
substandard, most of the grass is weeds and even if
there was proper grass, it doesn't have any goodness
until well into Spring and that is counteracted by
the drop in Temperatures which doesn't help the
retention of weight. Then you also have the
emotional side of things where the Horse is leaving
it's friends behind, may not have been alone before
and other things. So if you come from the City and
you are buying a property, treat it as if there is
zero grass as that is basically the case whether you
can see it or not.
**************
FLOATING
I am sorry to have to
mention this I do know it gets up the nose of people
involved but if you float Horses and you drive out
of my drive way like you are a Rally Driver, I will
mention it for the sake of the Horses. A few weeks
ago, I saw the fastest float Driver (Black Hill Pony
Club) and yesterday, Mrs. HP saw another one. (Black
Hill Pony Club) Which of course backs up my frequent
thoughts on the subject of Pony Clubs not teaching
the things that count and once again, there is the
proof. The Owners (depending on their personality)
may well get their noses out of joint when they
think they have been identified if I write but the
Horses come first around here. Who is looking after
the Horses???
**************
AN OPEN LETTER TO MY AGISTERS'
Excuse me for writing
to you here. Saves me typing out letters and
printing etc.
As you know, we have
done our bit for the Environment and purchased
$30,000 worth of Rain Water Tanks. All of the Horses
are now on Rain Water and hooked to the Tanks via a
float valve set up. Things have changed in this
World and whereas once, the water in those Tanks
would have been taken for granted, not any more.
There are thousands of dollars of water involved
there plus the Capital write down to pay for the
Tanks. Therefore, the cleaning of water Troughs
cannot no longer be as it was (which was always
extravagant to say the least). I will tell you when
you may carry out your first clean and that will
depend upon the quality of the water, NOT what you
can see in the bottom of your Trough. The odd piece
of carrot, oats, sand or whatever, if lying on the
bottom of the trough but the water is clear, will
not be a reason to clean any more. Due to the fact
that it is Rain Water, the algae factor that you
used to have to contend with has largely gone. I
have had my troughs hooked up for a month prior to
the commencement of yours. They will tell me when
the first clean is due and it is not yet. Then, when
it is due, the partner stables hooked up to the
particular Tank may go and turn off the water, at
least two days prior so the Horse drinks the water
down to stop wastage. Prior, when using water from
our bore, I never wanted water put on the gardens as
it would kill the flowers. Now it can be thanks.
IMPORTANT! When the Tank is ready to be turned back
on, I WILL DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as I just have it to
a trickle in case a Horse breaks a float valve and
you get 9,000 litres in your Stable. They only need
to dribble and if broken, we have a second back up
and will notice it next morning etc. Please don't
touch the main taps!!! Thankyou.
*************
RUMOUR OF THE WEEK
That we are
selling up and moving Interstate. Wrong as usual :)
*************
THE HORTH WHITHPERER
A guy calls his buddy, the horse rancher, and says
he's sending a friend over to look at a horse. His
buddy asks, 'How will I recognize him?' 'That's
easy; he's a midget with a speech impediment.'
So, the midget shows up, and the guy asks him if
he's looking for a Male or female horse. 'A female
horth.' So he shows him a prized filly. 'Nith lookin
horth.
Can I thee her eyeth'? So the guy picks up the
midget and he gives the horse's eyes the once over.
'Nith eyeth,
Can I thee her earzth'? So he picks the little fella
up again, and shows him the horse's ears. 'Nith
earzth,
Can I see her mouf'? The rancher is getting pretty
ticked off by this point, But he picks him up again
and shows him the horse's mouth. 'Nice mouf,
Can I see her twat'? Totally mad as fire at this
point, the rancher grabs him under his arms and
sticks the midget's head as far as he can up the
horse's fanny, pulls him out and plops him on the
ground. The midget gets up, sputtering and coughing.
'Perhapth I should rephrase that. Can I thee her wun
awound a widdlebit'?
*********
HORSE FLOATS
Hi John,
Tim and I have just been approved for a loan so I
can finally get a float of my own!!! Hooray no more
hiring!!! We are going to build one, hopefully to
your safety standards & specs. Just browsing and
came across this website and thought it may be of
interest to you, not sure if it is all hot air but
they seem to have half a clue? Hope all is well over
there and you tanks are still full, we have just had
a whole week of rain and it only stopped today.
Hi Kel. They may be
terrific but could be better imho. Regards
************
Riding instructor
jailed for five years over indecent assaults
A Victorian horseriding instructor who indecently
assaulted three students has been jailed for seven
years.
Ross Duncan Barnett, 60, targetted the girls one
after the other between 1986 and 1988, abusing each
girl for six to 10 months before moving on to his
next victim, the Victorian County Court heard today.
Barnett believed he was a handsome, glamorous man
who was in a relationship with the girls.
His sexual acts included digital and oral
penetration but when confronted about the conduct in
2004 he blamed his victims, the court was told.
Barnett pleaded guilty to 10 counts of an indecent
act with a child under 16 and one count of gross
indecency.
Judge Paul Lacava said Barnett groomed the girls for
his own sexual gratification.
"You were a person in a position of trust, you were
a person these girls turned to for instruction on
how to succeed at riding," Judge Lacava said.
Barnett was ordered to serve a minimum of five years
before being eligible for parole.
***********
LEG YIELDING
I have often said
that 'Leg Yielding' is the foundation stone of all
Dressage. Today, Mrs. HP was teaching a Pony Club
and there was an owner there with a Standardbred and
she was having trouble with the canter of the Horse.
She couldn't get it going if following the
principals of correct Dressage but said she could
get it if she went loose rein. Mrs. HP asked for a
look and sure enough, the Horse cantered around,
running, leaning like a motor bike, flexed off and
so on, as they do. Mrs. HP said to the Lady that she
should have her DVD on the subject and she replied
that she has it :) Mrs. HP asked to ride the Horse
at the end and stayed back to do it. She immediately
found that the foundation stones were not on the
Horse, that of 'leg yielding' and 'bending around
the riders inside leg' The Owner commented that the
Horse does leg yield and here is the point abut this
piece.
We meet many Horses
that will go through the motions of leg yielding,
know how to do it but most do it on their terms or
in cosy training situations. Many more WILL NOT leg
yield when they don't want to and that is the point.
They do not 'leg yield' unless you can leg yield
them when THEY DON'T WANT TO!!!!!!!!!!!!. 10 minutes
later, Mrs. HP got the Horse around her leg and got
half a lap of reasonable canter. Then she tried
again and got a full 20m circle of canter as good as
any Horse. I guess she rested her case and so I
related this to you for all of those people who
think their Horses 'leg yield' but cannot make them
if the Horse says 'No"
***********
HORSEMANSHIP
I got this lovely
photo sent to me today from England and thought I
might use it to educate the Kids. I know the Horse
is tied up with a webbing Halter and PC Rope, both
of which would break if the Horse got in trouble but
what about the Hay Net. They are strong enough to
see the Horse rip the Gate from it's hinges or cut
the Horse to the bone behind the pastern. Hay Nets
are highly dangerous unless tied up real high.
***********
LETTER OF THE DAY
Surprising What a
Horses Mouths Can Reveal
Hi Mr HP,
Not sure if you want to put this up on your site (it
may be of interest for other readers and probably
reaffirms advice you've given out before about the
importance of checking our Horses Teeth)?
Some brief horse details and my own observations:
• Horse, 10 year old ASH, good natured and obliging
(I purchased him a short time ago as an
all-rounder).
• He was ridden by the previous owner with a
"jaw shutting" strap on and looked to always be
trying to open up his mouth and when I
watching him ridden he had a quick head raising sort
of action as he was about to transition up and down.
• On riding the horse before purchase, I felt his
mouth was quite poor with minimal brakes (which I
put down to the Pony Club riders hands) and his head
carriage was a bit high. I felt I could improve him
in this area with time.
• My opinion on his condition is that he's still a
bit "light-on", even after several months of 24/7
winter pasture access and additional good quality
feed.
• He has poor muscle development across his top
line.
• He eats notably slower than my other horses and
appears to sort of play with any pelleted/hard feed
in his mouth.
• His manure consistency is always slightly loose
compared to my others.
I have recently
been working the horse using your methods to try and
improve the mouth and his generally stiff neck &
bodied way of going. We have definitely made some
progress with lateral flexion but the "front mouth"
has been very resistant and bracing. (I don't intend
to do Dressage but like a horse to be soft and
giving to the bit when I pick up the reins).
My gut instinct about this horse said could it be
teeth ?, even though before purchasing the horse I'd
asked the owner about his dental history and was
told that for the last 6 years he'd "had his teeth
done every 12 months".
As I live in the country it can present a number
problems for horse ownership, as access to any
qualified professionals such as vets & equine
dentists etc. involves travelling long distances or
seizing the opportunity when they are visiting
anywhere near your area. Luckily this week I heard
of a highly qualified, equine dentist who was
visiting for 1 day only 150km from where I live, so
I made an appointment, loaded up the horse and off
we went. This dentist had both power and hand tools
and was well equipment for a thorough investigation.
So a brief discussion took place about what I knew
of the horses dental history prior to inspection (I
could obviously only offer the previous owners
comments)
When he started looking inside, his first
exclamation was
"holy crap, this horse has a hole in the side of his
tongue", this was then followed by "and I bet
you have trouble getting this horse to collect". My
heart sank and my cheque book cringed ! I was really
shocked to see with my own eyes what problems were
revealed in his mouth. An offending sharp tooth near
the back of
the jaw had created a hole the size of a $1 coin in
one side of his tongue. I asked if it looked
recent but was told it had been there for quite some
time. Also the very back teeth on both sides of the
bottom jaw looked like big ski ramps with very high
sharp points. There were numerous other issues, long
canines and poor bite across the front teeth...poor
beggar !
Anyway it all seemed treatable to my relief. I was
given a thorough report on everything that was done
and advised to get a check-up in 6 months time and
then annually after that.
I was reflecting about everything whilst driving
home (plenty of time on a long trip) and thought
maybe the teeth problems could be the "root" (excuse
the pun) to a lot of what I'd observed about this
horse and it was surprising what a horses mouth can
reveal. I'll be really interested to see how he
progresses in all areas over the next 6 months.
Mr HP you've really opened my eyes with your website
when it comes to horse ownership. Your experience,
matter of fact manner and your achievable techniques
are really appreciated.
So thank you for all the time you put in.
Heather
Hi
Heather, Thank you. There you go ey? You never know
what is up there unless you look. Poor little bugga
:( Anyhow, the Horse is now lucky to have a good
owner and you should be proud of yourself. Well
done!! Get a pic? We see the importance of
checking Mouths before any re-education then :)
Regards
*************
LETTERS OF THE DAY
Hi,
I just wanted to ask for some advice, I recently
purchased an 18yo TB mare, she is such a lovely
thing i have only had her 2 weeks and 3 days ago she
came up with these scaby things all over her face,
pretty much from the eyes down, all under her chin
and everything, they have pus coming out of them and
they smell. I have rang my vet he said to give her a
few days and see what happens. I have been bathing
them in warm salty water, and applying yellow lotion
to them. Also have started her on garlic granules.
She also has a few on her back legs and stomach, on
her stomach she has a large lump but it has one of
the same sores on it. She does not have any tics
present, just wandering what exactly it is and if
there is somethng else i should be doing. I recently
did change her paddocks and there was tea trush
bushes in it, and have since moved her back out. I
would love to hear back with some information.
Thankyou
Amanda
It
could be anything Amanda. I take it you asked the
Vet that question???? It could even be plants or
Trees and of course I don't know about what exists
in other States. It could also be one of the
fungicidal rashes in which case you should shampoo
the Horse by following the instructions on a Product
called 'Triocil" and/or one of the bleech/chlorine
based washes for rashes. Even a weak dilution of
water and iodine can't hurt. Ask you Vet about that
Amanda. Just for interest, I would never buy a Horse
of that age and especially a Thoroughbred. You are
purchasing the worst years of their life as it is
equivalent 61 yeas of age. Regards
**********
Dear Mr. HP, I know
your very busy so maybe one of your web visitors can
help out my Mum bought a standie from the riding
school I went to (this was 10 years ago) and she has
been feeding him the same thing since then. He is
now 16 years old, about 14.3hh and 494kg! We would
like to get him down to 450kg.
He is fed 2kg oaten hay in the morning and 3kg at
night with a hard feed of 300g wheat chaff, 300g
lucerne, 250g bran, 100g livamol and handful epsom
salts.
I got some advice from a couple of web sites:-
1. First web site - Soak hay to remove some of the
nutrients, only give him the lucerne for protein
with a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral
supplement.
2. Second web site - 2kg lucerne hay, 3kg oat hay,
600g oat chaff, 50g broad spectrum vitamin and
mineral supplement and 20g dicalcium phosphate.
I don't know if you remember but I sent you an email
about Paterson Curse in SA when I travelled across
the Nullabor, that they were experimenting on you.
Whilst I was surfing the net on feed I came across a
discussion on a forum about spraying the Paterson
leaves to make them curl up so cattle could eat it.
They actually said that in the early days it was
used to feed cattle. I thought it had came here by
accident in feed imported from South Africa and it
was imported on purpose by beekeepers to make
Salvation Jane honey.
I investigated this further and found that the
poison goats, sheep, cattle, pigs and horses can be
harmed to varying degrees, I think pigs and horses
the worst.
In SA they have done experiments to neutralise the
poison.
So when eating beef not only are you taking in
poison from PC also chemicals to make the leaves
curl.
Regards, Angela (Western Australia = WA = Wait
Awhile)
Thanks for that Angela. I
really needed to hear that :) What about the Honey
then? That Standie is a piglet and a half :) I take
it the HOrse is in a paddock as well? That is the
point that needed to be know probably. If he was, I
would lock him up and feed him one biscuit meadow
hay morning and one night. Cruel to be kind. 44kg
wouldn't take long to whip off him. I like those
types :) "Live off the smell of an oily rag" ey?
Hope that helped a little. Others may know but we
really should know what the pasture situation is.
**********
Dear John lv just discovered your web site and think
you sound like god in the horse world.lm hoping that
you can help me with a mare l purchased a year
ago.lv just had her at a supposively professional
show trainer who advised me that l should probably
sell her on due to ability to rear and have such bad
anxiety attacks away from other horses.I have not
done a lot of riding on her but what l have done is
taken her quietly and went right back to basic
ground work 1st and road work and slow flat work and
not pushed her because she seemed very sensitive in
the mouth.She has never reared on me ridden but on
the ground in attempt to get her own way at Ponyclub
because she was sulking because her paddock mate
wasn’t there.She has got a temperament issue when
she wants to get her own way but l also know that
she has had a lot of beltings and a hard time with
her mouth by a previous young rider.When l purchased
her she was a bit poor but seemed quiet and the
owner was a Ponyclub instructor and seemed honest
and she was into the western work so Annie had only
had this training and some Ponyclub exp.l
had her teeth done the next day by Luke Cambell and
he pulled out the 2nd largest wolf tooth that he had
seen so lm assuming this is why she has had a mouth
problem and would contribute to her rearing.The
last trainer l feel got stuck into her with to much
training gear and a whip and applied to much
pressure and l felt she was scarred of her because
she bolted on her. When l picked Annie up she didn’t
even ride her to show me what she had done All l had
was a mare who didn’t even know me and was so
distant
which worried me because she such a sweet
loving mare when l left her and who would respond to
my voice.She carried on once loaded because she was
leaving another stable mate and kept her rot up for
about 30mins.Once home she still wanted nothing to
do with me for a day or so so l just let her settle
back in.l started her ground work again and had a
ride on her last weekend so did the kids and
couldn’t fault her in the paddock but l feel taken
her away from her mate she will perform again so
this is why lm asking for your help. l nearly was
going to sell her but she is so loving most of the
time and l know with the right person that she will
be ok.My 12yr old has ridden her around the roads
with no worries so if you could get back to me with
a price or details about if l could send her to you
to be trained that would be great we love her dearly
and don’t want to part with her because underneath
theirs a lovely horse thankyou Kerry.
Hi
Kerry, bad story there. Much baggage and of course
they can be difficult. You may have the added
problem of the separation anxiety and of course when
that kicks it, the negative behavior becomes really
an involuntary thing. They just go into zombie mode
which is nothing to do with training, it is a matter
of the psychological profile. As a result, they can
be much hard work and most time consuming. They
normally don't fit into a time frame that is
economically viable to send to a Trainer and I would
never see you sucked into a 'gravy train' that some
do. You should simply bring the Horse here for a one
our assessment and let's see what we think of her
and find a plan for the future. Regards
**********
Hi John
Had to comment on those videos that Phil raved
about. You are right not one of those horses are
happy. In the one clip of the horses going down on
their knees it was like watching a movie when
someone is beaten and they fall down on their knees
only movies are make believe and what those horses
are told(not asked) to do is real. I wonder how many
have damaged their front legs in the process? And
the lady in the finale did you see the horse throw
in a little buck in the canter sidepass (or whatever
it was supposed to be) that really showed how the
horse felt. It was a bit sad when she unsaddled him
and he had no idea where or what he was supposed to
do so instead of reasuring him she takes the whip to
him. Like you say it is not dressage in its pure
form its just a stage show with all the props. There
were definetly a few stifle problems in one of those
horses as well.
By the way more horse Jubes is going beautiful at
the moment. His mouth has improved and the lunging
in running reins has finally paid off. I have been
watching the videos of Linda riding and putting it
into practice. I must admit in the past i was taught
the vibrating rein but how much easier it is just to
hold put leg on and then soften . I feel like i have
won the lottery and his stifles are so much better.
His topline has improved also so something is
definitely going right. All i need to do is invest
in a Market Harborough for trail riding as that is
when he tends to lose the plot a little. Its sad to
think i have known about ORS for over 8 yrs and take
them for granted and so many people have not had
that advantage or safety of knowing about them due
to the old schools of thought and teaching. But its
nice to know your site can offer this to all those
that need it and will be so much safer with it
especially all those children(The ones that go to
PONY CLUBS) I was known as a bit of radical as in
the past if i was asked to teach a class a pony club
as a guest instructor the first thing i taught was
the ORS and i would only help out on the condition
that i taught and used the methods that i had
learned that were kind to the horse but also
required the horse to listen and concentrate and not
barge off on their riders which the majority of them
did.
Good on you John and Linda
Cheers
Maxine
Thanks
Maxine. I daren't say much when I put those vids up
because they suddenly see a heap of hits against
their vid and it tells them that it is my site :) I
get into too much trouble :) The last Horse was a 3
year old do you mind??? Go figure that???? The first
Horse was so frightened it had it's ears back, not
in retaliation thoughts mode but in cringing mode.
That Horse can tell you plenty. There are some
terrible things on youtube. I had someone come onto
my 'riding the standardbred ' vid and say that they
would love to 'rack it' Yuka roony :)
