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

31st October, 2008

I have been spending a large part of my day with my wife and all the information is now coming together. Yes she has got an infection. Not good. A relation to TB. From the Environment (dirt at point of accident) and that is good imho. Not a Hospital Bug which is great as they are the dangerous one's these days. Still collating all the info, now three teams involved, Plastics, Orthopedics and Infections :) Very important Lady :) Plastics and Ortho are fighting as they always do. Plastics want to remove the Plate, Ortho says no way. They are nailing down the type and dose rate of the antibiotics as we speak and an x-ray of the leg today we will know about tomorrow. Slight problem being that they can affect your hearing and your Kidneys if not monitored to the exact rates which I am sure they will do. If she goes deaf she will suit me hahahaha.

Anyhow, I have given her homework and for the first time, she is writing an article and it is a killer one. The first time attempted on the Planet  and it is looking very impressive. She says she had to remember back to her School days of how to put together such things :)

HIND END UNSOUNDNESS

You already know now that Vets cannot diagnose such things during Pre-Sale Vet checks and you will also know that many Horses suffer from the problem. There are two types. Injury caused or Rider caused and by our statistics, they run at about 50% each. The good news is that we have found how to successfully fix a large percentage of them, with exercise regimes and most importantly, the ridden work. There has recently been a very bad case come to this property and Mrs. HP has fixed him. You may read all about it soon and I hope it helps.

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It is not a boring place the RAH. Action a plenty and Mrs. HP is being well entertained. Yesterday there were two incidents in her Section alone. An Aboriginal Woman screaming and threatening to Kill the Nurses at Station and calling the  "White Trash" When it comes to the discussion of "Racism" most people run a mile these days but in this Country, there is nothing more Racist than our Aboriginals. I am not Racist and will accept any Nationality with open arms but this bunch of City based Blacks are getting right out of hand and need sorting out big time. The Govt throw Billions at them each year and all they do is bitch, complain and get pissed. A large percentage of them are a total waste of space and out of control. Violent and dangerous. There will be trouble if they try anything on Mrs. HP as I am a bit worried as she is right near the Nursing Station where they can see her. She hid her face in a Book. There are two innocent Working Men in the same Hospital, in critical condition, slashed with a Machete by an Aboriginal Youth on Monday Morning as they opened for work. He raided the safe. Mongrel Bustud GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

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INFECTION AND CLEANLINESS

Quite frankly, it just boggles my mind how the number one Hospital in this State can be such a filthy place. How in the Hell can a Government not know and how in the Hell can Health Professionals in the Administration (Fat Cats) not know? Why don't they do something about it. If 'Blind Freddie" like me can see the appalling state of the place, how is it that they can't or do they just not care? The Controls for Horses is far better than it is for Humans in this State. Remember EI?  Get this?

Speaking of Blacks, they are wandering around the Hospital left right and centre, bare footed. Get that? Some no doubt direct from treading in 'Bridle Dog Shizzer" but not to mention the whites with every disease known to God and Man. So too are the Patients. Innocently walking around in bare feet, completely oblivious to the dangers as to what they may catch. We have been privately warned by Senior Nurses, to not walk on the floors with bare feet. Then there is the lack of infection protocol. The number of times Mrs. HP has had to interject quickly and ask even Doctors where their gloves are is amazing. When would the last time a wheel chair would have been cleaned? Especially the foot rests?? Even the Bays where each patient is. I have been watching the Cleaner who resides permanently on the Floor and moves at about .001 Metre per second. Mopping, sweeping, shining but under the beds, to the side of them, the back of them, the walls, fittings, tables, Hell know. I had a bit of fun with the local one there yesterday. He swooned through the aisle. First with the Vacuum, then the mop and then the shiner. When he got to Mrs. HP Bay, he moved one chair and sent the equipment about 2 foot in and then moved in. I said, "Hang on, I'll move the chairs etc and you can do right in." "Don't worry he said, I did that yesterday" I said, "Don't Bullshit me young Fulla, I have been here for a week watching you and you didn't. He got the sheep grin on and we moved everything for him to do his duty. Not his fault of course. No supervision, no protocol.

None of what was just said has anything to do with the over worked Medical Staff. The Buck stops with at the Top as usual. .......So when you go into Hospital, which you will, 100% of you, don't walk around with bare feet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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ROPE HALTERS

I have had a rope Halter designed in my name. Something different. I hope you like them. Go here for a look:

http://www.horseproblems.com.au/Saddlery%20Sales%20Page/Rope%20Halters%20by%20Horse%20Problems.htm

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OWNER OF THE YEAR

A crippled horse has been given a false leg in a pioneering operation to stop her being put down after suffering an awful injury. These amazing pictures show how technology has given the lame horse a new lease of life rather than face the prospect of being put down.Now this mare Riley will spend the rest of her days in an animal sanctuary.

Walking miracle: Staff at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Wyoming feared the worst for Riley when she was brought in four years ago with what was describes as ?an awful? hind leg injury

Thanks to the artificial leg, she is able to trot around her paddock and graze normally with her pony friends.And the vet who treated her believes the surgery will be able to prevent many more otherwise healthy animals being destroyed because of broken or infected limbs.Staff at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Wyoming feared the worst for Riley when she was brought in four years ago with what was describes as ‘an awful’ hind leg injury.

The buckskin horse had a severe cut on her left hind leg. Scar tissue formed, causing her tendons to contract to such an extent that her fetlock (or ankle) was pulled out of place. The best option at the time was to surgically insert a metal plate into her leg to fuse the fetlock and straighten the leg.




For a few years, the plate helped Riley lead a decent life.But despite the best treatment, the plate became contaminated and an infection developed around it, causing the bone to deteriorate.Removing the plate and putting in a new one wasn’t feasible because it would entail removing bone that had grown around the plate, which would have destabilised the leg even more.

Normally in such a situation, the horse would be put down but sanctuary manager Jen Reid and the centre’s veterinarian Dr Tara Timpson were determined not to let that happen.Then one day two volunteer workers at the sanctuary in Utah mentioned Vet Ted Vlahos in Wyoming, who had successfully fitted horse amputees with artificial legs.He was one of three veterinarians who pioneered the procedure and came to assess whether Riley would be a good candidate for a prosthetic limb.

To endure recovery and get accustomed to an artificial leg, a horse must have a calm temperament because post-op rehabilitation involves spending a good deal of time hoisted in a sling. If the horse is prone to anxiety, the stress incurred while in the sling could lead to colic.

The horse also needs to have a strong opposing leg - in Riley’s case, a strong right rear leg - because she would be bearing much of her weight on that leg until she adjusted to the prosthesis.He decided she fitted the bill and agreed to perform the surgery a discounted rate while a generous benefactor met the cost of the treatment.

The vet transported Riley to his clinic where he amputated her leg just below her knee and fitted her with a temporary prosthetic limb.Five months ago Dr Vlahos loaded Riley into his horse trailer and transported her to his clinic where he fitted the first of three titanium limbs she will receive while the swelling in her stump heals.

Not long after the procedure, she was trotting, running and even playing, as well as easily bearing the weight of Dr Vlahos’s daughter, whose birthday wish was for Riley to be well enough to ride.



Then last month Riley returned home to Best Friends.Though stiff from the long ride, she now wanders her pasture grazing, trotting and flirting.Jen Reid said: ‘She’s eating great. She takes lots of naps. She likes to flirt over the fence with her male neighbour.‘She’s doing everything a normal horse would.’

Best Friends spokeswoman Barbara Williamson said:‘Each year, thousands of horses are put down for reasons very similar to those that necessitated the amputation of Riley’s leg. ‘Nowhere has that fact been more apparent than at the racetrack, where countless thoroughbreds have been destroyed after breaking a leg. ‘Riley now shows that horses’ lives don’t have to end that way, thanks to this advance in equine medicine.’


She added: ‘This procedure isn’t for every horse with a broken or severely infected leg, but many horses can be saved from a death sentence if people simply knew that having a prosthetic limb fitted is an option.’Tara Timpson who is now taking daily care of Riley said: ‘She has always been an amazing patient.‘We knew we needed a horse like that to be a good candidate for this procedure.’

Dr Vlahos said the ideal candidate for the procedure was a thoroughbred racehorse because they are incredibly fit.He added: ‘We really feel that its old school to quit on these horses.’He stressed it isnt for every horse with a broken or severely infected leg, but feels many horses can be saved from a death sentence if people simply know about this option. Currently, two other veterinarians, Dr Barrie Grant of California and Dr Rick Redden of Kentucky, perform the procedure.

Dr Vlahos believes that eventually the prosthesis option will become a common practice.He went on: ‘We’re hopeful that horses like Riley will get the word out that we don’t always need to kill them.‘We have thousands of guys who come back from Iraq with amputated limbs. We don’t throw them away, and nor should we with horses.’

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Girl, 15, dies after falling from horse

A 15-year-old girl was crushed to death after falling from a horse during a riding lesson.
Jade South, aged 15, fell from her horse Jaffa - which then landed on top of her - during a rally at Pauntley Court, Redmarley, Gloucestershire.
The incident occurred at around 1.35pm on Thursday. Both the coroner and the Health and Safety Executive were informed.
The teenager was tackling a cross country course which has jumps up to 3ft high when she was thrown.
She was riding with the South Hereford and Ross Harriers Pony Club at Pauntley Court, which overlooks the picturesque Leadon Vale in Gloucestershire.
The four adult members of the riding group rushed to help and frantically tried to save her life with first aid.
Two ambulance crews and an air ambulance also raced to the cross country course but the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jade lived with her parents Paul and Claire at a large house in exclusive Linton, Ross-on-Wye, in Herefordshire.
A family friend consoling them said they were too distressed to speak. Mr South, a 44-year-old engineer, is listed as a director of sports concern, The Challenge Initiative Ltd.
He is also a director of Heritage Traders Ltd, believed to be an importer of wood products.
Douglas Clapham, owner of the course, said he had been left in a "state of shock" by the accident.
He said: "I can't believe it. I didn't have too much to do with the girl as I had only hired it out to the club.
"However, I have worked with the club on plenty of occasions before and I know that they had a very experienced team.
"This is just a terrible tragedy. We are all in a state of shock and our thoughts are with this poor girl's family."
He added: "It is very distressing. They had four very good instructors, but unfortunately just before they finished the girl was killed.
"They had been here before and there had never been a problem. It is absolutely tragic. We are bereft."
A spokesman for Great Western Ambulance Trust said the girl had fallen under the horse.
He said: "A specialist doctor was flown in by air ambulance but the girl was pronounced at the scene."
The coroner has been informed and the incident has been referred to the Health and Safety Executive.
Pauntley Court is a popular site for local horse riders, boasting more than 100 cross country fences. The site has five separate courses including water jumps.

and we think we have problems. :(

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Horse put down after attack at Cork halting site

Ireland

Gardai in Cork are investigating a horrifying attack on a horse at a halting site in Knocknaheeny earlier this week.

The 15-year-old piebald mare suffered several deep wounds to her neck and legs in the attack, which is believed to have been carried out with slash-hooks.

She was later put down by a vet.

Gardai are investigating whether the attack may be linked to an ongoing feud between rival Travellers in Cork and Waterford.

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HORSE PUT DOWN AFTER CRACKER SCARE

Fireworks set off next to a pony club scared a horse called Kracker so much it ran into an object, severely hurting itself and had to be put down.

The blast was set off a week before fireworks started selling in shops, which worries the SPCA.

The parents of the 14-year-old girl who owned the show-jumping, bay-coloured mare were yet to tell her what had happened as of last night.

She had just competed in an event on Saturday at Woodhill Forest with Kracker, who she had owned for about 10 months, and had planned on entering several more competitions this year.

"The horse was someone's love and their sport project," club district commissioner Geoff Wood said.

"Hours of work training the horse for the competitive season went up in a flash, bang and a puff of smoke.

"She basically had everything planned out for the year and it's all gone down the drain."

It is understood neighbours called police after midnight on Monday after hearing fireworks near the Te Atatu Pony Club which sounded like "cannons going off".

Mr Wood said he thought the offenders had put the fireworks inside containers to increase the sound and then let them off.

Members of the club noticed the 14-year-old horse, which had head and shoulder wounds, lying in one of their enclosed paddocks with 23 other horses, when they came in on Monday morning.

"Like most animals when frightened, they have a tendency to run and it's obviously got such a fright it ran into a solid object," Mr Wood said.

"The family, club and fellow equestrian riders are saddened that the action of a few has led to this tragedy. It understood that the horse had seven fractures and obviously suffered throughout the night until it was discovered the next morning."

The horse was taken to the Redvale Park Equine Hospital in Dairy Flat but had to be put down yesterday morning.

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Danger in horse flu vaccine, leading vet says

THE racing industry's push to vaccinate horses against equine influenza could have a devastating effect on the horse population, according to a leading veterinarian.

In a speech to be delivered in Melbourne today, James Gilkerson, a past president of the Equine Veterinarians Association and a virologist at the University of Melbourne, will also discuss how the federal Government failed to control the EI outbreak last year, despite having a system in place to do so.

The AusVet Plan, which recommended the EI vaccine be registered for importation because of the high risk of an outbreak, was put to the federal government in mid-2006 but it did not act on the advice.

"Avian flu was deemed to be the more immediate threat ... and the (EI) vaccine was not registered," Dr Gilkerson said.

The vaccine was not administered in Australia until September 29, five weeks after the outbreak was identified.

It is still not formally registered, largely because of the dispute over whether horses should be vaccinated against the disease in advance of any future outbreak.

Dr Gilkerson said yesterday the call by prominent racing figures to selectively vaccinate horses against the disease was "terribly mistaken".

"It puts the rest of the industry at risk because it effectively disguises any outbreak and makes it very difficult to detect -- and stop its spread -- until it's too late," he said.

Dr Gilkerson said the better option was to improve Australia's quarantine system and to ensure faster access to the emergency vaccine should there be another outbreak.

He said the selective vaccination of horses would lead to a sub-population of immune horses that might develop the disease but not show symptoms, in the same way that some children who were immunised against chicken pox could still develop a mild form of the disease and spread it to others.

Dr Gilkerson argued that the infectious horses would not be detected until the devastating disease had spread into the general horse population.

As the racing industry is still reeling from the $1 billion loss caused by last year's EI outbreak, influential figures within the sport are furious about the opposition to their vaccination plan.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys said yesterday: "That argument against vaccination, it's just the biggest load of crap."

He said there was a simple nasal test that allowed vaccinated horses to be tested for the disease.

He argued that, if properly conducted, the test would enable the spread of disease to be contained.

"It's a $20 test," Mr V'Landys said. "That's not a lot when you are talking about a $1billion loss.

"And like we saw last year, there's 40,000 people for whom racing is their livelihood."

Queensland Racing chief operations manager Mal Tuttle backs the stance by Racing NSW.

"The vaccine has been used quite successfully around the world," Mr Tuttle said.

Dr Gilkerson said the idea had no scientific merit.

"A horse that has symptoms might test negative one day, butthen develop it the next," he said.

"How long do you test for? It slows the whole (containment) process down."

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UPDATE ON FERRARI.

Inside information ahead of the Press...again lol, the car was being test driven from Prestige Motors. Go figure? Wonder what their excuse was? hahaha. Wonder what the Insurance said?? Car owned by Real Estate Property Manager and on consignment :)

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STOLEN!!!!!!!!
Show Jumping equipment stolen!
Jump wings, cups and poles taken from the One Tree Hill Pony Club grounds on Precolumb Rd, OTH in the last week or two.
If you have seen anything suspicious or know something, please let us know!
We would really like this equipment returned!
Either email this site, or call (08) 82807113
Thank you.

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi John,

I have just been catching up with your site. Hope that Linda has continued to improve - and I sincerely hope that the idiot driving that car is hurting real bad. Not just from his injuries, but also from the loss of a really nice vehicle.

Thanks for the info regarding breaking etc for our horse. It certainly isn't going to be for another two years, although the yobbos around our area think we are mad, and should have started this boy already (he'll be one on November 8th). I have finally come up with a standard reply - "Of course you choose to break your horses at 14-16 months. You could never control them if they were any older." Hopefully that might shut some of them up.

We had someone come and ask to use our bullring last night for the first backing of their horse. Beautiful animal - TB/QH, and really lovely. He is three (and she has copped the same criticism we get) and after a couple of humps was calm and quiet and walking around the ring on a relaxed rein. Didn't hurt him to be left to mature, not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

Now the real reason I am writing is to ask for contact details for the lady Dagmar whom you have mentioned in a couple of posts - assuming that she is willing to have those details passed on.

I would love to have someone "read" my horses. Many years ago, as a total skeptic, I went to a physcic, and was absolutely blown away by what she told me. Stuff that I have still, 35 years later, never told a single soul - but she knew it. No longer a skeptic.

I have a horse whom I am sure is trying to tell me something. I actually wrote to you about him some time back - he had a horror trip on a horse transport, which took him 18 months to recover from. This horse just tries so hard to communicate with you, and I am sure he is frustrated when I just don't get it.

Don't mean to take up too much of your time but a short story will illustrate some of his personality.

We had this horse (Spud) and his mate Lincoln on agistment, about 25kms south of town. As there was virtually no feed in the paddock were running out every 2-3 days and dropping bales of hay. We went out on the Thursday prior to the Adelaide Horse Trials, and then didn't get back there until the Tuesday, having been in Adelaide for the weekend.

Pulled up into the paddock and began to drag the hay out of the float. Could see the horses moving towards us - the paddock is about 100 acres. Lincoln was on a direct line - Spud was angling off from us and heading for the track, which led to the yards.

When he got to the track he stood there looking at us and tossing his head and knickering. By this time we could see that the horses were looking extremely tucked up, and their condition had dropped alarmingly from 5 days previously.

I suggested to Amelia that she walk down to Spud, while I finished throwing off the hay and closing up the float. As Amelia got close Spud walked off towards the yards, stopping and checking every few yards to be sure she was following.

As you have probably guessed when she got to the trough it was dry - and I mean totally dry, not even damp. So much for the people assuring us that they checked the horses daily.

We had no way of getting water in, so hopped in the car to go to the homestead for assistance. Spud kept trying to stop us - standing in front and whinnying. I didn't need to have someone interpret his thoughts that day. It was very clear. "What sort of DH's are you. Can't you bloody see there's no water???"

We alerted the owner's - who weren't able to help. The elderly father was alone, and the men had knocked off for the day. Thankfully we had the float hitched up and ready to go. The vet said that the horses were in a pretty bad way, and that another hot day without water may have seen the end of them, and it took weeks to get their condition back to the starting point.

Truly that day the horse communicated so clearly - something I thought only happened in movies. I would love to go that one step further, but was unsure from what you wrote whether Dagmar is someone who does this for outsiders.

If she is would love her contact details.

Cheers

Lynn

I have put her in touch with you Lyn. I refrain from talking about her for fear of sounding biased but now we have had a Race Horse pointing out the distance was wrong and proven so :) Now we are talking money :) Unreal about Spud (love the name) You did well. Regards

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Good Day Mr. O'Leary:

Hope this finds the Mrs making good progress toward full recovery. Today, I read for the first time some of your comments on your Web site & pieced together a bit about the concurrent illness & injuries of the Mrs--& your care-giving.



I recently came upon the Web site for & your video on the so-called Endorphin Tap. What goes around, comes around.

In my mind, I can hear the laughter (of appreciation?) of such horsemen as Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt, & the Dorrance brothers (Frank Bell too, I reckon). The "Horse Whisperer" indeed!

I have seen Buck Brannaman (who was the real-life inspiration for the book & movie "The Horse Whisperer") lay down a number of horses--with hobbles & ropes. However, I never thought I would see the day when laying down a horse would be promoted as a mainstream training intervention or "tool." However, Endospink does seem to be someone who has quite a high level of horsemanship, accomplishment, & understanding.

And one does grow weary of sending a horse around & around a round pen & hopiung for "join-up" (an expression, by the way, that Monty Roberts has successfully trade-marked in the USA & has litigated over its enforcement-with much success). For my part, I am very reluctant to consider using a hobble or any technique to induce a horse to lie down.

However, I am now much more open to considering such interventions than I was even a few years ago. I cetainly do not hear of many Europeans, particularly the Germans, talking about or using such techniques.



Best wishes,
M-D Kerns. USA

Hi MD. What you have just written is something that the multitudes on the Horse Forums around the World would never know about of course. Marketing is a powerful tool :) As I said I think, the Worlds 'legends' cringed away to the back room for quite a few years when Patrick hit the scene. It was a very interesting thing for me to watch. Especially having been at Pat's first ever Clinic in this Country about 20 years ago now. I know for a fact that I was the first to have the guts to steal some of the ground back towards the middle and for that I am proud. Thanks

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My mare has had 3 foals to date all sired by the same stallion, the first is now a healthy 3yo filly, the second & third colt foals were both born with contracted tendons the last foal being the worst he was locked from the knees down and we could not straighten his legs at all, the vet advised us to put him down.
My concern now is how can I avoid this happening again? I have read that nutrition & or genetics can play a part in this problem occurring. Therefore I am debating on breeding my mare to a different stallion in the near future but I am very hesitant as I do not know if I can put my mare through this again let alone myself.
In regards to nutrition I also need to know what she should be fed in case she has been lacking something which may have contributed to the foals having contracted tendons. I did have her agisted on another property in approximately the last 4-5 months of her pregnancy whilst carrying the last two foals, with the last pregnancy I provided a mineral block and also fed her once each week with the following
1/3 bucket Lucerne chaff, ½ dipper pellets, plus 1 tablespoon of dolomite, 1 teaspoon copper & 1 desert spoon yellow sulphur powder plus 20ml cod liver oil.
This mare has always been an extremely good doer and gets overweight just looking at the grass her foals are big and very leggy at birth.

Any information or assistance you can provide would be very much appreciated I have read to the point where it is all becoming too confusing to know what to do for the best.

Regards

Sherry

Here you go Sherry.

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dear John

I have a rug nazi in the paddock near mine .. I see these horses everyday and they are ALWAYS rugged.. today it was 30 plus degrees and the are still rugged.
The first few pics I took at around 8.45am . I picked up my horse and went for a ride with a mate and got home round 11.30 . The last photo was taken then .. The horse was totally blind and walking round looking a little distressed.. I wasnt going into the paddock as the other horse in the paddock has a bit of an attitude. I tried getting it closer over the fence but it couldnt see.. I eventually found the owners phone number and called them. Their answer machine was on , they did call me back about two hours later. The horse had no rug on when I went to feed up at 4pm. Funny thing is after I rang their number and left a message I went and bought the new horse deals and I saw the very same horse for sale..$25000 dollars..They say its 14.3hh I say at least 15.1hh. I also think they are "dreamin" hahaah The paddock also has a bit of old tin and old chook yards in it so it could have been a lot worse than it was.
Helen

Hi Helen, good effort. I won't include this one on the page though as Summer Rugs and Hoods are acceptable in this Country and even though I hate Hoods, for the reasons you have witnessed, I do realize that Global Warming and Appaloosa Horses are a complete NO, No. You highlight a very important issue though. Not letting the Owners off the Hook by any means, if they knew that this was happening they need their cobblers cut out but we have to give the 'benefit of the doubt' at this point. Thanks once again. Great photo!! See the Horse asking for Help :(

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Hi,
I'm from Western Victoria, I regularly consault your site and find it to be verry informative, I have read your tying up articles However, I have a horse at the moment who wont tie up. He is a 16.3 hh TB gelding who is nervous at times. He pulls back on a daily basis, at least once every time I try to do something with him, when I'm grooming him, washing him and even when saddling him up. He has done this since the day I unloaded him off the float, which wasn't a nice suprise, I tied him up to the fence to take his float boots off and off he whent. I use a rope headstall on him and a 10 ft lead with a loop, not a buckle. I have tried tying him up solid to a post but when he decides to pull back he nearly rips the post out of the ground and when he stops, he is a nervous wreck and will try and try again untill it is too dangerous, I have to untie him and take him for a walk to cool him off. I hate to think what it is doing to his neck. I honestly dont think he is doing it purely to be naughty, he can stand calmly for hours on a calm day but when the wind picks up or there is a comotion somewhere he panics and pulls back. This is verry stressful for him and me, It has taken the enjoyment out of owning a horse for me. He is great in every other way, in hand and under saddle, its just when he is tied up and cant escape he looses all sense and goes nuts, he has even tipped himself on his side and rolled over, after that I dont tie him anymore, I just wrap the lead around the fence so if he does go I it will give which is probably no good either. I just dont know what else I can do, I do alot of ground work with him, he knows to give to the pressure of the halter when im holding him, when I apply pressure he lowers his head straight away, he just cant seem to make the connection to do the same when tied up. If you could help me in any way it would be much appreciated, If you think it is something I'm doing that causes him to pull don't hesitate to tell me, I just want to rectify the problem so nobody gets hurt and I can feel safe around him.
Thanks
Suzie

He has a mental thing about it Suzie. I am going to email you privately as there is a fix for this HOrse but it is highly technical. Reverse Psychology and it is going to be on my new DVD on the subject. I am getting the vision that you do not use a neck strap. That is highly counter productive with this Horse and in fact would trigger him to do it. Pain has no place in fixing these poor souls. You must have a neck strap on him!!!! http://www.horseproblems.com.au/Saddlery%20Sales%20Page/Neck%20Strap%20Protector.htm

Regards

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Dear HP,

My thoughts are with you two again as I just remouthed my 7th horse via your system, I'm quick enough with my ropes now to lassoo a young cowboy! I wish you extreme good luck from now on....maybe its time to buy that lottery ticket.

I spent a couple of years working in the adjoining ward Q3 many years
ago. I'm sure it hasn't changed. As for the continual flow of
drunk idiots off their bikes and V8s and their arrogant attitudes, we used to sort them out by putting efferdex and mercurocome in their
urinals. (among other things! Bet the tradition still continues
quietly. Never heard a bigger scream than when some young bugga
thinks he's peed copious amounts of red froth!! Our record was 12
similar admissions on one night shift. World's full of them.

I am sorry for Mrs HP losing her special horse, so sad. I have just been through it too. I thought I would show you a photo of my lovely
QH who I have to put down but cant bring myself to do it right now.
Hairline fracture. Incredible personality and my good mate. The other is my beautiful WB mare, in her prime, superb dressage horse, suddenly cannot be ridden any more due to another freak injury. Both animals brilliant and now worthless.

Ah thats horses! Keep on battling with chins up!

Jen.
 

Jen, those two Horses are an absolute Credit to you. One couldn't find a more perfect picture of Health in Horses. It should be in a Book that photo. So sad isn't it? Chin up. They have a lovely Mum :) You can see it in their eyes!!!!!!!!!!! I just wish I could see the Red Sea moments :) Laughing here :)

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Hi John and Linda,

Just jumped on your site today for the first time in a week or so, sorry to hear Linda was back in the hospital with problems, please pass on our best from WA, hope the Docs can get it all under control so she can come home soon. I was also saddened to hear of her young horse loss, that is always a difficult thing, we do invest ourselves in them don't we!!

Anyway, I have two more weeks and the rotten brace comes off the leg, then rehab for a few weeks, probably allowed to ride after Xmas as my leg has lost so much strength, I want to be strong before getting back on my 17.2hh boy (even though he is a big teddy bear, I don't want to be silly!). I am going stir crazy being inside all the time as I have to wear my brace to bed hubby not keen on it being covered in horse dung. Don't blame him really, so I get to look from afar. Got to the fence to talk to my big boy and he just nudged and nudged me for attention, ignored the people with me which makes me feel good, aren't they wonderful, no talking but still you feel comforted by them.

Take care you two, hope to hear good news soon.

Cheers

Leanne and Amy WA

Lol Leanne, so not only do we have 'Bridle Dog turds" hahahah but now Horse Dung in the Hospital Wards :) She gets Internet tomorrow, Dial Up hahaha, South Australia, the State of Excitement ROFLAO :) Regards

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Hi John & Linda,

Its been a while since I have written to you about our 2 standies.
Now we have added a 3rd re-homed boy & I have just got to
tell you about him as he is extra special.
He is a beautiful 7 yo dapple grey standardbred although he tried hard he was just
to slow for the track & he had a few minor leg problems….(he was a pacer)
We picked him up 2 weeks after his last race.
He had never had a saddle on his back let alone a person but we just fell
for him & his amazing nature & decided to take him on.
We were so confident about his nature that we let our young daughter who is a
very kind competent rider put a saddle on his back during their second
session of ground work & then she mounted him(under strict supervision)…
he just stood there,took a few minutes to get his legs...& just took the whole thing in his stride
we just led them around whilst he got the feel of having someone on his back..
By session 3 they were trotting around our round yard
Session 4 was a short trail ride…& then a few days later a longer trail ride in company
& he didn’t put a foot wrong..even with trucks & the odd kangaroo jumping around..actually
he was probably the best behaved horse on the ride…!!!
A month has passed with just a few short sessions working on the usual things..brakes,leg yielding etc
Yesterday they had their first real trot & canter around the paddock…its just an amazing testament
to the humble Standardbred & what can be done with them.
I constantly go back to your standie DVD’s…they are fantastic
& I am just blown away by your approach & sincerity towards these much maligned horse
Here is a short video of them…not six weeks since he finished racing…with only basic work

Kind regards James
 

Well James, they have to be sent from Heaven? There is no other Breed that you could do that with. It never ceases to amaze me. You have just reminded me to take video of the one I used in our Podcast. Including the Rider who had never ridden in his life. Dealer in the High Roller Room at the Casino :) At least he would have soft and quick hands now, wouldn't he hahaha and for sure he has :) I'll get that. Well done and thanks for showing me. I do appreciate it.!!

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Hey you! Don the old owner was one of the ambulance officers who came and took care me. My husband got to drive the ambulance so he got a treat out of it. After sitting and thinking of the event it makes me giggles at what the kids were doing. My middle daughter was crying because she thought I was dead ( don't know why I was talking!) my eldest was running by foot after Red (looks funny now) and my younger son was crying because dad gets to drive the ambulance and he wasn't allowed to come!

Don is coming here next week to take Red for a few weeks to see what he can find out for me. So I will keep you posted.

cheers
chelle

Isn't that lovely Chelle. I reckon girth gall or pinch.  Anyhow, you are laughing now....well so to speak :) Best wishes.

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29th October, 2008

I was half an hour late at the Hospital this Morning after getting up nice and early and feeding everything on the property and cleaning yards. All because of this idiot in a Ferrari, traveling at 150k in a 50k Street. Guess what? He is in the next room to Linda and so in the Morning, I am going to waltz in and tell him what a DH he is :)

Anyhow, the good news is that the swab taken about 10 days ago, when the first stitch erupted, came back negative to infection and immediately after that day, she was on antibiotics so here is hoping. I have been watching them cut two holes in her Graft and draining the fluid that has built up. It does not look infected in my experience but the swabs results will be back in two days. Fingers crossed.

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RSPCA VICTORIA

Get this. How refreshing?

Firstly, this would never happen in this State and secondly, the biggest single turn off re the RSPCA is for well intended people making reports about stricken animals and never hearing any feedback. I know it frustrates the Hell out of people when it would be so easy to just put peoples minds at rest....like this kind Officer.

Hi John

Further to our telephone conversation yesterday morning, I asked an equine vet. to examine the horse yesterday afternoon.
He stated: Old wound with thickening and scarring, granulation tissue formed, not infected, not lame.
The mare trotted and galloped and exhibited no sign of lameness. As we left she was standing and resting her other hind leg. The vet. did not believe the mare needed pain killers or further treatment. The mare is in CS of about 3/5 and there is plenty of natural grazing. I have spoken to the owner and he is trying to find a paddock with better fences. The owner has been advised of his responsibilities and there are case notes filed. I believe there may have been at least 2 ladies caring for this horse (at their own discretion) as well as the owner saying he has applied topical sprays.

Not sure how many dealings you have had with the RSPCA (Vic. or otherwise). Horses are (unfortunately) a big part of my day. Last Friday I was talking to a lady who 'saved' a Stallion pony a few years ago, now on a tether. She says "it's a pet...." Sunday evening I attended a Shetland pony attacked by 2 Pit Bull terrier types. Monday, seized 2 horses in poor condition. Tuesday looked at the horse in Drouin and today attended to a report about horses with long hooves. Plus in between: the cats, dogs, sheep.... .

Thanks for your concern and I hope the wife's recovering

Graham

Thanks Graham. Most kind. I am sure most Folks know what pressure you are all under. I can certainly tell the Animals are in good hands around your area. Regards

27th October, 2008

MRS. HP

I have to admit that I am a bit Sad tonight as we went to a routine Out Patients appointment this Morning and I ended up going home without my wife :(

The Doctor who checked her began shaking his head and admitted her for an operation to clean the wound and flush it due to infection. We don't yet know what is going to happen. I'll keep you posted. I don't know how much to say about Linda here as I don't want to sound possessed?

You wouldn't believe who I ran into whilst there. Dagmar :) She had a Galloper do a summersault on her last year, dislocating her Hip. She came up to the Ward after and performed Rake (sp) on Mrs. HP and said that she couldn't feel much heat at all. I suspect it is the Body attempting to reject stitches that have not dissolved. Of course the Hospital was very busy as it was MOnday and the joint was wall to wall with 'Scum Bags'. Tattooed Bikie types with black eyes from the Saturday night binge. They ought to change this Medical system to protect the innocent Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.   Linda was warned not to walk around in bare feet there unless you want to catch something dreadful due to the dirty types who visit or are customers. Anyhow, we shall see. She told me a couple of stories :)

When they were at Mooney Valley two weeks ago, their Horse was in a Lady Jockeys only Race. The Horse is called Magic Pearl. The Trophy for the winning Rider, on Magic Pearl, happened to be a $5,000 Pearl Necklace. :) How bout that?

Then she told me about stopping at a Race Horse Trainers property, over night near Ballarat somewhere. He had a Horse that was about to have it's first start. 1600m. Dagmar spoke with the Horse who said that the distance was incorrect and should have been 1400. This last weekend, at the same property, the Trainer commented that he was dropping the Horse back to 1400 for it's next start :) Spooky? I can just hear the septics right now. "He's gone bloody mad" :) I can understand that too :)

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WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

Kids, did you know that being nice, having integrity and doing the right thing can actually save your life. Remember this, you never know what life is about to bring you.

Take this case with Mrs. HP. She has never been to a GP other than for the Pill etc. Never an operation but hey, look at her now. Her very life is being threatened. So if that were you and you went into Hospital being read as a cold, non caring type, selfish and so on, who do you think is going to look out for you. You are only a number and the system really doesn't care if you come out the other end or die inside it.

Due to Mrs. HP's integrity and genuineness, she won many of the Staff on her last visit. They respected her with her non complaining, strength, inner fortitude....and so today, within 5 minutes of arriving, a most lovely Doctor from another Ward was cuddling her and conducting Blood tests to be ahead of the rest. Tomorrow, in Theatre, a high profile Sister is watching over her because Mrs. HP teaches her Friend and then another Doctor from two floors up also went to see her. That may very well save her leg, and even her life.

So remember, what goes around comes around and if you treat others how you would expect them to treat you, you just never know when it will save your ass sometime in the future. By the way, all of that was precisely the opposite to what you are watching on all of your TV Shows and Records right now so you have a battle on your hands.

***********

Anyhow, this soon cheered me up :) BUNNY SHOW JUMPING. Us Humans are a funny Breed :)

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK - DRESSAGE DIVA

"Remember, divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom."

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HORSE FIGHTING

Catch this: Hi John, saw you have been made aware of this awful practice, you might like to post this on you web page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w0Q-JS9RME

Kirsty

It was as if they were at a Country Women's Assoc Fate :( It is incredible how different Peoples are.
 

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INJURED HORSE

Hello John

Council did have a report of the injured horse and our initial investigations caused us to contact the R.S.P.C.A. The matter is being handled by the Pakenham branch of the R.S.P.C.A. who we believe has had recent direct contact with the owner of the horse.

regards

Laurie Arundale █ Community Compliance Coordinator █ P: 56242 447 █ F: 5622 2287
Baw Baw Shire Council █ PO Box 304 Warragul Vic 3820 █ www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au

The RSPCA have not got back to me.

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Hi John

Boy are you guys having a bad run! Sorry to here about the big fella. Hope your darling lady is getting there. Sending lots of good thoughts your way. Never no what might help ;-)

I was wondering if I could be a bit naughty and advertise our new Trail Riding Club through you. If not all is good, I am being cheeky.

We haven’t anything like this within 400kms, so got it going.

Promoting the recreational values of horses in a safe & relaxed atmosphere - Coolgardie Pleasure Riding Club

Arvo All J



Well we are finally organised and ready to advertise and call for new members!!!

We are a new riding club in the Goldfields, WA. We are affiliated with the Australian Trail Horse Riders Association ( www.athra.com.au ) and we are primarily a trail riding club (aka bush bashing) with a shared enjoyment of riding.
We support all styles of riding all types of horses and age is no limit however Junior members (under 18) need to be sponsored or have a nominated guardian.

As part of our ATHRA affiliation we are covered by their Public Liability and are bound by their Code of Conduct. We have planned five rides for the 2008/2009.

Our first ride is an overnighter to Bullabulling (29.2kms each way) on the 22nd & 23rd November. All are welcome.

If you would like more information please feel free to contact us via email: CPRC@CoolgardiePleasureRidingClub.com

or phone the Club secretary on 043 217 4745

or Publicity officer on 0439 330 773

Please pass on to anyone whom you think may be interested.

We look forward to seeing you all soon J

Tania Petersen

Publicity Officer

Coolgardie Pleasure Riding Club


Hell, I wish you were closer. I could use one of those rides right now. Have fun. My kind of rides.

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

Dear John

I read your article on the web site about NH and just wanted to let you know – I agree.

I started my horse as an amateur trainer in 1989 when PP made his first visit to Aus.

We enthusiastically embraced his principals, me especially, because I had seen a lot of cruel and rough training using the Aussie bushman method, which was just ignorance.

I was looking for a better way and PP and NH provided it.

But over the years I have learned that GH is a skill, and you don’t “get it” at one weekend course. The modern “instant everthing” mentality is positively dangerous with horses!

I also had the privilege to work with Ray Hunt when he was in Australia and while he was less showmanship, it was easy to see those years of experience were substantial.

It is those years of experience that really count.

Year after year, keeping an open mind, learning new stuff, absorbing new ideas, trying them. Every horse is a little different, every trainer too. Years it takes to finely hone your skills. There isn’t one answer, there is wisdom. Horse sense. Common sense and a dash of humour to keep it going.

Thanks for your thoughtful words.

Cas

My pleasure Cas and how true is that. You forgot the 'Bullshit" :) Ray Hunt and John Lyons got swept up in the NH thing and whilst most admirably embracing it, were a little overwhelmed by it, as were most other Horsemen of the time. I remember as I was watching. That is one of the reasons I started my site and dared to talk about 'hobbles' "go wash your mouth with soap" You are spot on, the best have to be the one's who embrace it all and that is why I have converted hundreds, if not thousands to NH as another string to their bow. Pat has mellowed now :) You do that when you get 'cuddly' hahaha

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

 
BTW I sent you a photo of my daughter campdrafting a few weeks ago and I realized I sent you the wrong one..
I have sent you the right one now..

Helen

Lovely Helen. Just think about this scene. Out in the fresh air with genuine people instead of hanging around 'scum bags' and being tempted by drugs. No wonder the Country Towns are gaining new Residents. x
 

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Dear John and Linda, big hugs for you all, wish we could all be there to hold your hands and make endless cuppas and see you smile again. The bug Linda has, has done the rounds where we are and while most of us have been hellishly sick and taken a couple of weeks to get over it, one of our friends ended up in hospital with pneumonia and that takes weeks and weeks to get over! She is coming along well and should be riding again soon. I have continued to have lessons in staying ON the horse and George and I have been doing really well. No longer green the pair of us - well perhaps a pale pale faded green, anyway, what colour is next?...a couple of weeks ago George had been a real trial. Not going forward and throwing himself around going into a trot....ever seen a horse do a 5 legged trot...well I have felt one! Upshot is that I was trying to listen to George but I wasn't reading him too well, and my trainer mentioned during a lesson that she had a friend of hers coming over to 'manipulate' another horse so I asked could he look at George...WELL this guy manipulates muscles and ligaments and such, not chiropractic...and he was amazed that George was upright and allowing me to mount let alone ride. I was thinking you would be amazed at the change in George, but then you probably wouldn't as you and Linda will have seen this before. Well, talk about a walk to die for and the most amazing flowing and floating trot......I swear he has put on weight and does not require any encouragement to go forward at all, he even likes going into a trot and STILL comes to a complete stop when asked and before all of this I hadn't realised how grumpy George had become and now he has turned back into this really nice kind personality - even enjoys being groomed again. I suppose that over time he became sore and it was gradual and I didn't notice all that well. I WILL PAY MORE ATTENTION...I have had a ride on the Smooch horse. What a difference compared to George. Not only lower to the ground but I realise how far George and I have come together. Funny how when I float both boys by myself I have no problems with them loading together and unloading like lambs, but add a husband to the mix and it all goes to pieces...The boys will have to learn to cope with him too! Well anyway I hope to have pics of us all for you soon so you can see how well my boys look...hugs and kisses again to you and Linda and all your horses. Things will get better and if they don't I (and several other people from around Australia and the rest of the world) will come over and make it be better or we'll want to know the reason why! okay?
Lauren and George and Smooch

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Sorry John if there was something I could do to stop that I would be on to it right this min. I almost cried reading the write up on that. That poor mare. Like gang rape or something sick like that. The poor males too I had a hard time watching. Well no vet available til some time during the week for poor Cinnamon who I am convinced is in foal. Her belly is down to her knees. I feel and see movement .If not in foal giant sized worms which she was wormed recently must be invading her. I could see movement near the flank area so put my hand there and it was as hard as a rock her belly is sunken there. Then it disappeared and then it came back and went away again. That went on til she decided she wanted to be left alone. She had more discharge from the vulva this morning it was looking a bit pinkish just a little bit on the tail and out her vulva. And a little dried up there was looking like blood dried up again. I took pics of her belly but I have lost the cable for the computer to download. From front on she is an odd shape from her front and back she is hollow in the top of the belly towards the flank and bulbous and hard at the bottom from side on looks like a u shape. I will be shocked if I am wrong. I don't know though as not confirmed by a vet and I may be paranoid as I was told there is no chance and I was not intending a 2 in one package 2 months ago when I got her. There was a colt/ stallion on the property with her and the fences where shocking what are the odds. Hope that Linda's cold is getting better. Chin up Blossom I am thinking of ya Linda and oh you too John I hope that you are coping too. Chin up champ. Oxoxox Better times ahead. By the way I hope you didn't break a mirror?

Sounds like it Cindy. You are about to be a Mummy :) I got a slap in the face once about the 'Mummy' :) I said to a young Lady, "How bout you come with me to the Pyramids and I'll make you a Mummy?" Nite

26th October, 2008

AROUND THE TRAPS

I was rather chuffed to see the main daily broadsheet Newspaper had the story of the Horse with it's head stuck in the Tree, 2 days before them :)

*******

I see Goodwoods Saddlery has stolen the idea of our Wind Sucking Collar and altered it to make it look like their idea. Sorry Boys, invented by Michael O'Leary.

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

At a Pony Club Event yesterday, one of Mrs. HP's pupils having her second start, was 7th after Dressage but went to 14th after Show Jumping. Reason, time penalties. No, not for going to fast but for going too slow. Now that would have to be one of those Mad Rules that are anti Horse training, anti Rider Training, anti introduction into the Sport (Grade 5 would you believe) in a calm way to keep Horses calm, anti safety and anti risk management. An Ass of a Rule made by someone with 'Paralysis of the Analysis' and needs to be changed for the good of all competitors. The young Rider and the inexperienced Horses need all the time in the World in order to gain confidence. This would no doubt be one of the many foundational reasons why Australian Show Jumping was classed as Clowning on Dutch TV when we were there last.

*********

Mrs. HP is still as sick as a Dog with a shocking bug that she caught off her Hair Dresser. Coughing fits through the entire Nights and vomiting. Rather than getting weight on her, I am fighting a losing battle. :(

On a good note, the Breeders of her deceased Horse, have offered her a replacement of a Brother who is just a Baby. That made Mrs. HP smile. How nice is that. I'll identify them later and embarrass the Hell out of them :)

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AGGRESSIVE WHIP RIDING

I see there is a d