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One Week Average Hits:  January 2008 -  1,573,048

Ranked 4th in the World - Horse Training.

22nd February, 2008

Mrs. HP Birthday so have been neglecting you and showering her :) She went to the Saddlery Shop and did what most Horse Ladies do there...shopped til she dropped :) What could I say? It's her Birthday :) Dinner tonight and that she exhaust my responsibilities for the week, 18th Anniversary and all. Yes, I did nick her out of the Cradle lol I also taught her everything I know which is why she still knows nothing.

No Horse work to report of course but back into it tomorrow.

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Dear South Australian Horse Riders,

We would like to invite you to come and watch, or have lessons with Biomechanics Lecturer, Seat & Posture Specialist, Colleen Kelly in South Australia. All standards of riders welcome – from absolute beginners to FEI professionals. Nervous riders a specialty.

As two of the events are FUNDRAISERS…please “pass the word around”…It is only with your help and support that these wonderful clubs can raise much needed funds ….

Thur & Fri 28 & 29 February, 2008

Daytime Lessons Plus Special Evening Lecture. Come & ride or watch daytime lessons. A great fun day for all. Fri Evening Lecture - learn all about the rider's seat, posture & balance from the beginner to the FEI rider. All Welcome. (A fundraiser for Blackwood Riding for Disabled) Eco Park. Cnr. Berry's Rd & Rowe Road, Echunga, Contact Renai Burchell renaischack@aapt.net.au Mobile: 040086 6696 More info>>


Sat 1 March, 2008

Daytime Lessons Plus Special Evening Lecture. Daytime lesson places available. The Saturday Evening lecture is different from Friday. Learn how the rider affects the horse from beginner's movements to FEI. How the rider puts the horse on the forehand in the beginner's trot and the Grand Prix horse's piaffe! Great evening for children and coaches alike! Fundraiser for Paracombe Pony and Equestrian Club Inc. All Welcome. Contact Bianca Stawiarski, Secretary, biancastawiarski@bigpond.com Ph: 0438253202

Sunday 2 March, 2008

Daytime Lessons All welcome! Pegasus Pony Club. Contact James Thompson, Mob: 0413 053 049 jjenterprizes@hotmail.com

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Adelaide Polo Club 2008

www.adelaidepolo.com.au

Welcome to the 2008 season of the Adelaide Polo Club.
We have been unable to let you know what is happening due to the uncertainty of being able to play because of the Equine Influenza outbreak in NSW and QLD.
With the easing of restrictions we are now able to plan our tournament.
The Barr-Smith Cup tournament will be held over 2 weekends as we have over the last few years.
The play off rounds will be Saturday 1st March, Sunday 2nd March and Saturday 8th March.

The finals will be held on Sunday 9th March.
Polo begins each day at approx 10am
Social Events during the tournament

Saturday evening 1st March there will be a BBQ at the Club house.
Saturday evening 8th March there will be a Dinner Dance (the venue and cost to be confirmed)
VIP Car Parks for Finals day
Car parking and Picnic spaces (3 metres x 3 metres) running adjacent to the main field with trackside viewing are now available.
Cost $150
For bookings Contact Anne Salisbury.
ASalisbury@hlbsa.com.au Phone 81302000
Car park positions will be allocated when paid for.
For more information please contact
Andrew Gray ahgray@bigpond.com Phone 8388 6084
Callum MacLachlan callum@jumbuckpastoral.com Phone 8223 1516
 

LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi

Love your problem site, have used a great deal from it. I was wanting some advice on handling my new unbroken 3 year olds legs. This horse leads, backs ups & loads nicely & also leads off another horse but I had the farrier out a few weeks ago as the feet were badly in need of trimming. This horse will pick his feet up then slams them down from you, swings them around if you hold onto them and if you persist will rear straight up and swing over the farrier. I drove him backwards hard then put him back in the same spot. He settled after this. Apparently this horse has always done this. I was so embarrassed to present such an animal as I always like to have my horses ready and behaving. The hinds are OK.

Anyway I have been using a soft rope to pick up the feet a little at a time and I am not drilling the horse, 2 or 3 pick ups without drama and I leave it. I can now pick up the feet and hold them for a few seconds and put the foot down. There is alot of improvement. I have read your article on leg restraints v NH and am interested in using the simple leg strap, I have used this before with a horse that would not stand for me to treat hind leg greasy heel. I would like your opinion on whether you think I should continue what I am doing which may only to have the horse go off when the real deal is presented or use the leg strap to solve the problem & more detail on how to go about this.

Many thanks

Kate

All very good Kate but when the real deal comes along, completely irrelevant. Don't get me wrong, the more of any handling you do the better but there is no substitute for doing the job right and there is only one way to do that. The front leg strap will fix the fronts but not the backs.  Ask most Farriers and they will tell you the NH horses are the worst. I completely agree with them. Regards

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Dear HP,
Firstly I would like to thank you for offering such a vital and invaluable wealth of infomation on horse problem solutions.
I currently own and ride a unraced 10 yr TB, I have only had him 10 months and previously was owned by my twin sister who had left him in a paddock for over a 1yr. When I got him he was completely feral and very distrusting. I first would bring he out of the paddock to brush him and give him additional feeds (pony cubes, carrots, apples etc). I then started doing some join-up work with him. I still do this before I ride. However he still has major issues, especially about being touched or rubbed on his legs and feet. I have also noticed his fear of jumping, he tends to scramble and bolt over the jump and if he knocks it or even brushes if with his legs all hell breaks loose. I have tried doing figure of 8 circle work before the jump however I find this doesnt work. Mainly because I think that princple works on the horse wanting to jump and circling away from the jump only rewards him. He is always tense around the jumps, I have tried lunging him and moving the circle closer and closer to the jump (its only a small
cavalletti) but as soon as he turns towards it his head comes up and back hollows right out. Prior to my sister and I owning him he was jumping 1 metre easily but now a trot pole is so daunting and scary he just leaps the lot of them. I have spoken to my sister about this and she said one of the first times she rode him in a lesson she was going over some trots poles and the horse infront knocked one and pushed it backwards and it landed right under his foot, causing him to stumble and bolt off and this coinsides with his fear of jumping and trot poles. I should also mention when he first arrived we had a vet check and found he had a terrible case of seedy toe and part of his hoof was taken off and he was very sore for a few months. I was just wondering if there is anything I can do to make him more trusting and accepting of me and of jumping? I would really like him to feel relaxed and safe around me.
I hope this information helps, I am hoping to get a video done in the next few weeks as well Thanks Veronica

This sounds as if it comes down to a number of things Veronica. Poor breaking in and just as the horse above, not handled assertively enough around the legs. The 'flight from fear' was not cancelled out during the breaking in. Then comes the 'flight from fear' where he is running from the poles for goodness sake. What a poof? That leads to a poor mouth I would think as he simply should not be able to do that, again back to poor breaking. The foundation stones are not on the Horse. Go test his mouth properly for starters, not as a softy person. Then look at re-mouthing him but you must start to include a lot of stops and backups after any jump or attempt to run. "Put him back from whence he came" Go to your 7 Games. Lunge him over everything, endlessly. Expose the horse and take control of him. Don't worry about his frame of mind. Make him grow up and cop it all. Back him up with the yo yo game with this as well. That should keep you occupied :) Go to my problems index for the testing of the mouth under the mouthing section. Regards

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Hi there!
I've been into Natural Horsemanship for 1 year now, and can't say enough good stuff about it! I bought my first halter and line from Lodge Ropes will soon try out their endurance bridle. I actually found them from your website!

I've opened a small eBay shop selling horse gear, and was wondering if I could put a link to your website in my blog or listings?
Please check out my site, I only endorse humane practise and don't sell anything that contradicts my love of natural horsemanship. I sell leather bridles, rugs, I'll soon be stocking rider wear and breastplates. No martingales, side reins, whips, spurs, hobbles etc. I believe the casual horse rider should never get their hands on this stuff. Leave it for trainers such as yourself. If I stock bits in the future, I will only stock snaffles.

I want to make an impact on people through my business to make them think differently about how they ride and train. Your website is what pushed me into actually doing an 'Australian Natural Horsemanship' clinic with Ken Faulkiner. I was watching the parelli DVDs at the time, and some things just weren't working! The clinic was ideal and I haven't looked back since. I think that if someone is intrigued by NHMS, and go to your site, they will probably try it out. After that, the results speak for themselves. Your no bullshit approach is fantanstic!

Thanks for your time, and I hope you understand I am sincere in my request.

All the best and hope to hear from you,
Tanya

Best of luck Tanya. Will link you then.

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Dear John

I have inherited a TB mare who is rising 6 this year. She had been abandoned by her owner on an agistment property. My husband and I had 2 ponies already ( our children ride )and we live on a 200 acre property in Victoria. So I had the room and facilities to take her but I still don’t know much about her background. It is thought that she may have been purchased at a horse sale yard? by the previous owner & that she had had difficulty riding her and therefore didn’t .And that she possibly ‘had an old injury to her pelvis’.
She has only been with us 6 weeks. She is quiet on the ground and very friendly in the paddock. However when I have ridden her she exhibits many of the problem traits you talk about on your website. She tosses her head, rein snatches and kicks out with her back legs, becoming more and more agitated and then bucks.
My husband is naturally worried and doesn’t want me to ride her. I feel that this girl deserves a better deal than the life she has probably had thus far. I can walk straight up to her in the paddock, take her day rug on or off without her moving. Likewise I can put on her fly veil or catch her easily. She is very friendly, good around the dogs but becomes silly when ridden.
I am so relieved to find your website today! I think there is now hope for this girl. Only problem is that I am now anxious riding her too and think it might be best to send her off for some re- educating. Is there anyone in Victoria who you could recommend? I know it would be best if I get out there and practise what you are preaching but I am worried that she has too many problems for me to tackle.
I would consider sending her to you but I assume the cost of that would be substantial?
What do you think is the best way forward for this mare?

Kind regards
Amanda

First get the Vet out for a full Vet check Amanda, including age, then the Horse Dentist and then the local Breaker for a one hour assessment where she is put through the ropes completely. Video that and send it to me. Cheers

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This word "Thankyou" doesnt convey to you how eternally grateful i am for this website. Somehow i stumbled across it this morning after a sleepless night of worry and sadness.

I live in NewZealand and i have been trying to find someone here to help me with my very alpha mare... it has proved to be incredibly difficult and last night she lounged at me again over her food... it was a bit of a straw breaking as i have had her a year and her behavioural issues havnt improved as much as i feel they should have. I love the natural horsemanship and she is great at the 7 games... problem was she had a whole heap of other issues and today i have solved two of them by reading your website.... i am absolutley on cloud nine.

You have given me such a boost to carry on with her as alot of people have told me to give up... i nearly did. I also know if i sold her on she would end up at the knackers... she is to good for that.

Today i watched your feed demo video and applied it exactly to my mare. It worked like a dream. She got a bloody good smack on the bum with my carrot stick and her respect was un-believable after that... no ears back, no nothing. I will never ever go into a horses space again while they eat.

I also had a terrible issue with her bridling. Shes a big girl.. 16.1hh.. and she knows how to use that. She had an issue with putting her head up in the air like a giraffe.. and when the bridle came off she wouldnt open her mouth and would scare herself until she spat it out with her head up. Today we did the head lowering pressure and release, and in half an hour, with your technique i was popping that bridle in and out no probs. I am discusted these things were never taught to me before (ive been involved with horses on and off for the last 27 years and i read a hell of alot on the subject)... such a very simple easy way. Il continue with this and i feel in a week... i will be able to bridle her on my knees.

If you ever come to New Zealand on a clinic... would you please let me know! More people need to learn your no-nonsense,logical and brilliant ways.

Greatest Regard
Vicki

We would come there Vicki, if we had someone to organize such clinics which would be one only in north island and one in south. We don't have the time to suss out such people but wouldn't rule it out. Thanks for the vote and glad to have helped you. Regards

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Weel John and Linda,
I am pleased to report I am now the owner of an absolute pearler. Bear the STB got him for $500 just wonderful. I watched him for a while with a small 12 yo on his back. no worries in the wind and calp as they come.
Another horse playing up in the yars girl bear back with hulter and lead roap and just stood there didn't even look at the carry on of the other horse. He ate his hay and then I saddled up. tested him to yielding to pressure. no worries hind and fore quaters, back up. good as gold. Got on his back and not a hoof out of place. I just squeeze and voice command and away we go into trott. perfect just had to keep him going as he is a little lazy. He backs up in the saddle if you lean back give the rains a jiggle and he backs for as long as you tell him to. Hard in the mouth but with the right commands and little pressure does as told every time. half halt and wooo boy and stop on the spot. just a wonderful boy. Loading was not good we tried every trick in the book. Called the farrier and he took half an hour to put him on lifting each leg with encouragement. ant we were away. we went slow and we got home at 6:30 long day as we left at 4:30 thismorning. I am still walking on air. the best horse experience I have ever had. no nerves at all. He lets you touch him anywhere and can crawl under him. he swims and rides out on the side of the highway with 2 teend on his back. when he came off the float. I was worried as he stressed all the way home. came off the float and back to being a softy. We led Wacky to the small yards to seperate. Mac went crazy when Bear had to walk half km back to the gate. He was scared Bear was leaving again. we took Bear in and mac stood waiting. No need to seperate. Mac and bear sniffed. not one squeel, kick, bite nothing at all. They just stood and put their heads over each other. Bear mirrored all macs mooves. so cute. no nasty behaviou even at the food bowel or water. noses touching. Mac came straight to me once they had met and now I know that feeling you get when a horse says thank you. it was worth every cent and minuet in the car to see that moment....... I am so very happy. Mac was immediatly bighter and all is well. I will leave them til saturday and then I will be back in the saddle for a ride. oh you can ride loose rains and he is fine. put the reins down no worries. just perfect for me. He is fit and in show condition. Just an angel. I can't describe the feeling of this at all not even a smidge.. I walcome my self to the beginnings of no return and I am glad that I didn't give up the fight to finding the right horse.. Did I mention figure 8 in canter bare back. not me but the 12 yo. I am still at trott. My knees need some work. had 2 reconstuctions on the right at 14 and never been as strong since. I will be priding myself to work on that. Poor boy just puts up with it. I promis to be kind to him and that hard mouth as he is one of a kind.
Cheering yay. from Cindy I could kiss the sky.

Awe :) Well done and glad to hear you are so happy!!

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Hi Mr HP,


I was interested in what you had to say about horses turning bonkers in the wind. I have a theory that it's because when its windy its hard to hear noises precisely and to differentiate where they are coming from. This means that predators could sneak up so they have to remain super vigilant! Just a theory and as you say, a bold leader overcomes this as the horse trusts that we will take care of all 'monsters' for them.
Also wanted to say thanks for the mouthing dvd. Here is my three year old Anawa Eclipse. I have never ridden a horse with a nicer mouth! She never steps through a halt and does not attempt to walk off or move when mounting like so many do. I'm sure she's convinced that it just isn't possible.
I'm sure you and Mrs HP would be happier with a Tassie climate. 22 degrees here with a brief shower this morning then sunshine all day. Its heaven!

Merry
 

Aah...brings the joy to my heart Merry. Well done indeed. Another one of my Cyber Breakers :) Nice Horse Girl!! Well done

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thanks for the great website just a question re my weanling filly. she is coming home soon from the stud been weaned and hanging round with other weanlings and been handled floated etc and been very good with it all. she is coming home to a large well fenced electric fencing with shelter and company of geldings beside her does she need another weanling in with her or will she be fine with others close by for company she will go out the paddock with the geldings when i can trust them together.any ideas on weanlings in general cheers jenny

Yes Jenny, you can never predict them and so I do not take risks. Weaning with another weanling is the go but in a solid and secure yard for the first night, no fencing. Then out. Then with the mob whenever but often rotated later with different friends, different paddocks/yards/stables. Don't let them become welded with anything ever. Regards

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Hello I really would like some direction when it comes to dressage saddles.

im a level 3 Parelli student, and have had the parelli fluidity saddle (the one Linda Parelli designed) shoved down our throats and nothing else comes close to being so called this perfect. I ride in a KN at the moment but it feels i not right for my new warmblood.
What do you think? have the Parellis and Balance got it right,very very wide saddles with lots of padding in front to allow more freedom and muscle development in the back and shoulders.

PS what does Mrs HP ride in?

Thankyou very much for your honesty Trudi

She rides in an Anky Trudi. Go look at my Consumer watch page re a saddle. This is a serious subject and a reall good saddle fitter is important as the fit of the horse and to you is number one. Then look at brands, quality and so on. There are qualified fitters around the place now and they do play an important part!! We are of course not familiar with the Parelli one. Cheers

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Hi John

I have another question for you regarding my horse Amber! A little history first - arab, just turned 5 last month, totally arena bound (before i got her) personable, insecure at times, not a bold horse, does not like walking on any ground that is not firm and looks like grass!!

So....... I have been doing 6 months of natural horsemanship with her and she is responding so well. I thought it now about time to take her out on her first trail ride ever in her life!! I had to wait also till I had the confidence to go out myself. We rode out with 2 other seasoned trailers and we all rode in halters. I had the rein loose the whole time and only time we used contact was either to stop or turn - otherwise she had full rein of the reins!! There was absolutely no sign of jig jog, silly dancing around etc. She did not want to walk through any wet areas so I did some ground work over these first (small running water gulleys) and got on and rode her across, she was great.

However I did find something that we need to improve on and which is the best way to do it? when I took the lead I found Amber kept slowing down for the others to pass and take control of what lies ahead, so I guess she in not totally happy with me being her leader yet? When I made her take lead she seemed to notice a few more obstacles (there were heaps, cows, junk, plastic bags flapping on fences, tin lying around etc etc.) she still went forward but at times wanted to do rather large arcs around the object or try and change direction - I immediatly did a hindquarter turn and kept her going foward.........It is best for her to take lead at the moment or should she till follow the others for now to get more experience out and gain more confidence??......don't want to mess anything up as we are just learning to ride out - both of us that is!!

Thankyou
Belinda

Sounds like she is good Belinda. You should ride out a few more times with he others first, let her follow, 2dn, last, up alongside the Leader and so on. Then say 5 rides later, hit the front for half a k and then back in the pack and build from there. Don't ever take anything on you can't finish. Nothing wrong with passing 10 metres from a Goat one day and then 9 the next day and so on. Ride to your ability. Especially considering you are riding in a halter. When you do bite the bullet, you have to be assertive but use discression on the challenges, remembering that you have to have the goods to achieve the aim once you present the horse to it. Fail once and you are stuffed. It all comes down to ability and experience plus rein handling. Which is why the Pro can do this on the first ride :)

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Hi John

Hope you may be able to help a little here!! A couple of months ago I bought 40bales of good lucurne hay to store in our shed which is open on one side and has plenty of ventilation. However due to such constant wet and humid weather the hay seems to have an awful lot of dust coming from it when when we hit the edges with a broom!!

There seems to be absolutely no sign of mould growing on the hay and inside between the biscuits it is not dusty, just a little shedded looking. The dust is only on the outside of the bales.


There is a horse on our property with a thick smelly runny nose - only in one nostril. It is not EI !!! he has had tests and has also been vaccianted. This horse is 28years old. A vet has said he thinks that the condition is environmental and highly contagious and may have come from the hay, this was just a thought?? No other horses have shown any symptoms like this and are still eating the same hay? I do dust the biscuit off before feeding my horses and sometime give it a good hose on the outside to settle any dust. I am not sure if this dust is mold dust????

Do you think it would be still ok to feed them the hay as it looks fine on the inside where the dust has not settled. It seem such a wait to throw away $400 worth of feed?

Thankyou
Belinda

Hosing it is smart and I guess it comes down to the fact that no other horse is experiencing Colic from it. You want to stick your head in it and have a good sniff. You should be able to smell the mould if there is any but if it really was, you would have Colic already. The other thing is that Horses are not stupid and will ditch most moldy Hay out. I see it all the time here. We have a couple of round bales of Lucerne and occasionally, a handful will be moldy but the rest is right. They leave it in the Hay Net. Being 28 could cause that horse to be affected by the dust where others are not?? I don't know. If in doubt though, you know what to do :(

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Morning Mr HP!!

Aaaahhhh I am back online! Sorry about that, have been off line for a couple of days.

Just got up to date with your letters of the day and your response to my problem.

Thank you very much for your feedback, I really appreciate it, I know you are so flat-strap so thanks so much.

Mare seems to be fine now, kicking about in the paddock and scarfing around. I did do another mixture of rememdy and put it in her feed the other day. She wasn't impressed at first, I also put some psyullim husks in there too.....it was all gone and eaten up by the morning! Seems to be 'toileting' very well.

Yes, will do the process of elimination with her feed. In relation to a mineral block, she has had those in the past but she tends to knock them about in the stable (as a toy) and eventually destroys them. Nutritionists tell me that the Cell Provide she is getting, mixed with her hard feed (or even fed on its own as its in pellet form) is best because you can guage the exact amount of minerals she is getting, whereas you can't exactly guage how much of the blocks they lick when they are in the stable or paddock. This has only just been introduced to her diet, so will be able to watch and observe in the next few weeks in relation to the dirt eating thing.

Have given her a bit more time off riding just incase. Will see how she goes being ridden tonight though.

Thank you once again - and thank you Barb!

Kind Regards, Tanya.

P.S Interesting watching the 'They Talk We Listen' podcast, what an absolute shame she had to be retired to stud, she was a stunning animal that is for sure. John, will that problem of hers with the larynx pass onto her foals genetically? or did that incident occur in some sort of accident ie after she was born?

No, it won't pass on to Foals. Vets guaranteed that. Otherwise she would not have gone to Stud let me tell you :( There is enough feral Breeding going on without us doing it too. Glad the horse has come good.

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Hi John,

we're currently pursuing an adopt-a-standy for my daughter. One has been offered a 3 year old which has had a short racing career & retired due to a bone chip in it's hock. Sounds ideal in every other way. Owner states it is only an issue at high speed/impact.

I've never had a horse with bone chips, but I'm feeling a little hesitant. Of course I'm thinking: how big is the chip, where in the hock etc. This info won't become available until NSW is all zoned white & I'm put in contact with the owner. Clearly it should have been X-rayed. I'm hoping those details will become available.

The horse will do some dressage & trail riding. Probably no or not much jumping.

Any comments on bone chips?

Cheers,
Donna.

Yes Donna, go find another one. End of problem :) I have never been caught with going along buying horses with troubles and never really will. Life is too short and there are too many goods ones out there. Think through your head, not your Heart. Your Daughter is jumping one day and the horse collapses, putting your daughter in a wheel chair. Did that focus you?

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Thankyou so much for a fantastic easy to read and very interesting site.

Beginner here with so much to learn and with your valuable information I have picked up so many tips.

Good work, you are wonderful and once again thankyou so much. You will be stored in my favourites for quick references.

Namka

My pleasure Namka and thanks very much. Regards

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Hi HP

I have a strange problem with a new horse at our property and I was just wondering if you had ever seen it before.

This is a 7yo OTTB, 3 months ago he came to us just off the track pretty skinny (ribs and poverty lines) but shiny coat, we wormed and got his teeth done (were very bad) and put him out to pasture supplemented by grass hay. As he has not been putting on weight (although the others in the same paddock were) we have started to also feed him some lucerne hay. We are not giving him any other supplements or other feed although there is a salt lick in his paddock - he does not seem to spend much time using the salt lick. His weight is starting to improve but he would still be classed as under weight.

The problem is that the past month the skin on his topline (from just in front of the wither to the top of the rump and back to the tail) has started to "weep" salt, quite alot of salt, it is like crusty tears. He is also getting sensitive skin under the saddle. In the past 2 weeks we have stopped exercising/riding him and have been washing him each 3 days with "Quit Itch" (an iodine based wash), he does not appear to sweat up in the paddock, at least not during the day and he is not wearing rugs day or night. There is no salt under his neck or between his back legs as I would expect if it was normal sweating.

Have you ever seen this, can you suggest what I could do to stop it?

Thanks in advance
- Christine

No Christine, I haven't seen it. I would just ring the Vets and ask if they have heard about it. I cringe every time I read OTTB and again, this is why. I would guess the Horse has a 'Chemist Shop " down his throat and the Body is attempting to get rid of it all. They really should be turned out for 12 months to clean their systems. He could also be over drinking due to the natural horse having been taken away from the horse. You should ration his water to an acceptable literate for your climate and location. Ask the Vet. Regards

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21st February, 2008

Hi Folks. It is Mrs. HP Birthday and our 18th Anniversary so I have taken her away for two days and so am off the air until Friday night. Hope you understand. Answer letters then. ....back in the spa now :)

 

 

19th February, 2008

Another quote that took my eye in the Book that I am Reading. A Vet, head of German Olympic Driving Team and DOKR German Olympic Committee Riding.

" Judges - However, in order to be able to meet the requirements of their task when judging demanding shows, they should not only be able to prove that they themselves have shown successfully but also that they have a comprehensive theoretical knowledge at their disposal. In addition, they should have developed the necessary HORSE SENSE"

WALKING HORSES

Remember some time ago we had video of this Sport in America? Well I have been sent this video as representing the true and natural gait of the Breed. As against what you will see next :(

 

This is one of the most cruel acts I have seen in my 54 years with Horses. Surely this is not supported in the most sophisticated Democracy on Earth???? I really cannot get my head around this sickening sight.

 

There is a lovely little Duccio Foal belonging to Karen Lowndes of www.equineart.com.au Going to be a pretty one I reckon. Got Daddies neck and the Hackies head

Stinking Hot and not fit for Horse work or building stables. I have gone on strike and am doing organizing of materials :) Mrs. HP is riding three after Dinner and in the morning I am riding one of hers to help out.

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HORSES LEFT TO STARVE IN CARTS


Ribs showing clearly through their tattered flanks, the starving horses corralled on the edge of the eastern Romanian city of Galati are just a few days away from death.

Once, they would have pulled wooden carts along the city's streets or worked in the fields, as horses have done in Romania for centuries. But now they have been abandoned by their owners, victims of a disastrous attempt to bring the country into line with European Union law by banning horse-drawn carts from main roads.
Victims of EU law: Hundreds of horses have been abandoned
Over the past month, hundreds of stray horses have been found roaming the streets and parks of Romania's major cities. Many are half-starved and barely able to walk; some have died where they were discovered, unable to get back to their feet.
Pitifully thin and bearing the scars of frequent beatings, the horses rounded up in Galati will be sent to the slaughterhouse within days unless someone comes forward to claim them, or to offer them new homes. But there is little demand for an ailing animal in a country where an estimated one million working horses have been officially labelled an anachronism.
Some owners have decided it is cheaper to dump the animals than to keep them, since the cost of feeding a horse is now about £80 a month. Many people living in the countryside earn just £50 a month.
"People only care about exploiting the animal," said Corina Daniela Grigore, who runs the Help Labus animal welfare group in Galati, home to Romania's giant Mittal steel plant.
They think that if it is no use to them any more they can just set it loose."
She said the authorities were struggling to cope with the scale of the problem and were turning to private groups for help.
"We had a call to say there was a sick horse next to the steel plant," she said. "We had to rent a truck to pick him up and we looked after him for four days, but his legs were injured and he could not get up off the ground. We had to watch him die."
Similar stories have emerged across Romania after police started to enforce laws banning carts from the roads in order to bring Romania into line with European road safety legislation.
Romanian police, who say they were under pressure from the EU to cut accident figures, blame horse-drawn carts for 10 per cent of the country's 8,400 serious road accidents last year.
Chief Commissioner Carol Varna, head of the Romanian police traffic safety department, said that more than 1,000 carts had been seized since officers started to enforce the law.
"There are some owners who just let their horses go when they cannot afford them any more," he said.
In the past month, at least 15 horses have been found abandoned in the centre of the capital, Bucharest.
Elsewhere in the country, campaigners have been told of animals pushed into ditches and beaten to death with sticks. Television news reports showing abandoned horses dying in the snow prompted 200,000 people to sign a petition calling for a new government body to look after animals.
Calin Alexandru, a vet who is co-ordinating Bucharest's attempts to deal with the problem, said it was a struggle to find homes for the horses. "We are seeing more and more abandoned," she said. "We cannot find their owners."
In response to the outcry, the government is introducing tough fines and jail sentences for anyone found to have beaten or abandoned a horse.
But horse owners, who face fines of up to £100 and the confiscation of both their cart and their animal if they are caught on main roads, believe that it is the end of a way of life.
Vasile Adresana, 25, said he had no choice but to get rid of his horse when the police started cracking down on the roads around his home town of Roman, in the north-east of the country.
"I used to work gathering wood which I would sell, but the government introduced these laws under EU pressure. Everyone ignored them for a while, but when the police started enforcing the laws there were many roads that I was no longer allowed to travel on with my cart.
"There was not enough thought given to the consequences."
His wife Miheala, 23, said one of their neighbours had kept his horse, but only because he could no longer get rid of it legally. "The animal is all skin and bone and he beats it all the time - he can't use it for anything and he gets frustrated, but it's not the horse's fault."
John Ross, a British equestrian who arranges riding holidays in Transylvania, said that the police were too quick to blame animals for the high accident statistics.
"The ban was slipped in stealthily," he said. "There are some villages where farmers cannot legally get to their fields any more."

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi John

I'm a horse trainer in Texas and I deal mostly with "problem horses". I read your website regularly and I really enjoy it and I appreciate all you do for the horses. Whenever I'm asked who my favorite trainer is, I tell them it's John O'leary because I really like your approach, your knowledge of horse's minds and all the levels of communication they're capable of, your understanding that natural horsemanship is wonderful but once a horse has been soured or spoiled to the point of being dangerous, we can't always be as gentle as we'd like early on... amongst a thousand other things. Not to take anything away from the many other effective succesful trainers but you're the first trainer I've run across that I don't see anything that I would prefer to do a little differently.

I asked your advice once and didn't get a response but that's ok, I know you're busy and there are people who need your help more than I do. I'm a pretty fair horseman myself and you do more to reinforce my beliefs than to teach me, but that's really very reassuring to me given your record and your results and your following... And I especially appreciate the way you stress that most, if not all, 'horse problems' are actually 'People problems' or at least legitimate veterinary issues, and usually, both. That's a hard pill for most horse owners to swallow and I'm even less tactful than you are when it comes to making that point. I'm getting more and more intolerant of people who blame the horses for their problems.

One thing I wanted to mention because I don't think you're the kind of guy who would want to misrepresent other trainers, The 16 year old from the USA said that Clinton Anderson says that lunging horses teaches them to lower their head and it does that by tiring them out... That's doesn't even remotely resemble anything he teaches and I can't imagine where she got that but you may not want to advertise that misconception on your website. I'm sure you know who Clinton Anderson is and I'm guessing you'd approve of most of his methods. Any person/trainer who ties a horse's head down and thinks that's the proper path to vertical softness ain't much of a trainer by my estimation anyway.

Not really important I guess but being a stickler for accuracy, it was buggin me, especially considering how popular your website is becoming worldwide.

Thanks again for all you do and keep up the good work... the horses need you.
Tim

Well Tim, firstly my appols for not answering you. That is a rare thing indeed but the spam is getting to me these days because one has to comb through 0ver 1000 a day, looking for the legit one's and occasionally I miss one. Especially early in the morning b4 my eyes are open :) Thanks for the praise. I am honored. We all get mis-represented of course but you are right, I don't like it. I have highlited the passage so people know about it. I don't think she mentioned gear on though??? Can't quite remember. Anyhow, kind regards and all the best.


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Dear K and Sometimes Lumpy,

I think I may be able to help. My horse has had exactly the same allergic reaction as you describe. I too arrived to find my horse looking like something out of a monster film. Ballooned face, huge welts (lumps) all over her body. In a panic, I called the vet to request an anti-histamine injection. He said he would if I really wanted him to, but he assured me that my horse has been stung by something and that the swelling would go down. He was absolutely right. The following morning there was only very slight swelling. This has occurred a couple of times since then. Not as violent a reaction as the first time, but nevertheless a couple of golf ball like lumps. They do not bother her and I have not stopped riding her. As a matter of fact, I think riding helps as it elevates her metabolism and works it through her system faster. Another factor is that my mare is fairly thin skinned and this makes her hide easier to penetrate for stingers. Have a look around the paddock and surrounds for what kinds of insects you see. I have seen quite a few bush wasps and bush flies where I live so I would not be surprised if they were the culprits. I hope this helps.

Thanks Madam.

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Hi John

Di here with the shetland ponies. Why do horses get so unsettled by the wind? Every horseperson knows that it can upset them but who knows the reason? Do you? I'm very interested to find out.Yesterday I took two ponies to our normal venue for led rides. An overcast day with a strong gusty wind.
Home time couldn't come soon enough as with two spooky ponies I felt an accident could easily happen.

I re-purchased one of the ponies three years ago. To my dismay - no, horror - I realised he'd been subjected to abuse by being thrashed over the head. Gradually over time he's improved with little or no reaction to any sudden or otherwise upward movement. That is until yesterday. He was a mess!
Even walking quietly up to him would cause him to widen his eyes and throw his head up in terror. I can only conclude that the wind triggered off his fears.

Your thoughts and advice please. Any suggestions as to how to get him permanently over his past traumatic experience?

Kind regards
Di

My opinion is that due to the horse being the 'prey animal' with a strong 'flight from fear', they lose focus on their normal surroundings when windy. Things are moving too fast and things that don't normally move, are. They want ordered lives with everything in it's spot so they can focus on a predator who may enter their field of view. When every Tree and Bush are sweeping around, things blowing and moving, they cannot keep a focus on everything and they become agitated. The more that moves, the more they worry. This is where an assertive Leader is appreciated by the Horse. Regards

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G'Day John,
Since finding your site a few months ago and learning "the one rein stop" my confidence has improved a lot,so thankyou for all your help.
last weekend I actually got the guts to take my TB mare out on a trail ride (first time out of dressage arena in 2 years) she was well behaved considering,actually so well behaved we had a gallop up a hill,boy can she move ! we both enjoyed it and she pulled up well,but spent the rest of the ride home trying to get her tongue over the bit,this worried me as I have heard if they do, you loose all control.I ride her in a D snaffle with a light twist to keep her head up (not dragging on the ground)
I'm not a fan of dropped nosebands,tongue ties
Thanks Nat

Funnily enough, this can be an indicator of some breathing restrictions in their throat or nose but not necessarily. Experimenting with different Bits can help these one's and the nose band is not the answer. I have experimented with that. There is a special stainless Bit sold at the Saddle Shops and it has a swiveled stopper on the snaffle that lifts up and stops the tongue if they try to put it over the Bit. They do work but find out which way they are supposed to be installed as it is easy to do it back to front or upside down. The racing Industry pull their tongue out of their mouths so that the bulbous part is exposed and then tie the tongue down with panty hose (something that is becoming rare these days ) :) My Generation still may be holding stocks of them in the bottom drawers hahahaha. Make sure the teeth of the Horse are in good order.

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Hi John,

Just thought this may help the lady with the horse with the sore back (possibly saddle related) my TB gets sore on the back, will dip down when you brush him etc, I wrote to you about it a while ago.
I got my saddle re-fitted & it didn't make any difference. I had a Bio-scan done & the results showed Benson was sore up his hind legs (not picked up by 2 massage therapists, 1 Bowen therapist or chiro) this in turn sent him on the fore all the time as it was more comfy for him, but in turn that sent referred pain up to where the back of the saddle sits.
Since we have sorted his pain in his back legs, he is not going on the fore hardly at all (instructor commented how much better we were doing, cause in previous lessons we were on the fore a lot) and now no more pain at the back of the saddle, no dipping. Things never seem to be as straight forward as they seem.
Now we ride in the same saddle as before, no problems, just had to get the back end right first.

Anyway hope it helps a little bit.

Cheers
Caroline

Thanks

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Hi John
Tanya really has a her work cut out for her to find the problem with her horse.
Tanya, if your horse is lacking something in it's diet, have you a mineral block hanging somewhere for your horse to lick at, when required. Horses need extra mineral supplements, especially in warm weather and its easy with the mineral block. With John's sand colic recipe and a mineral block, I hope you find the solution for your horse's problem. If not, you will need to get a expert in to help you.
Barbara

Thanks Barb

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HI John

might have a suggestion for Zoe with the horse with bad itch. A friend has a similar problem and the horse needs to be rugged 24 / 7 with rug and a hood. She put Stableaide (it looks like a medicated vaseline) on any bites. It has really cleared up doing that.

K

Thanks K
 

18th February, 2008

Mrs. HP competed today for the first time. Stinking hot. Not fit for Man or Beast so very little warm up and took horse straight home after tests so no idea how she went. 2 hour drive and that was enough for the Horse.

POD CAST OF THE WEEK

I promise to let this go now but wanted to make sure the Pony Club Association of Australia realized the turmoil that hundreds of their Horses are going through, in the hope that it may make them think about upgrading their curriculum to actually teach Kids so that they are not crippling horses.

Dr. Gerd Heuschmann in his recent Book entitled, "TUG OF WAR: CLASSICAL VERSUS "MODERN DRESSAGE", says this:

"The Horse's Body tells us whether our riding is truly gymnasticizing and 'building our horse up' or simply 'wearing it down' and tearing it apart'  He also says:

"The Bridle and the nosebands flash strap is adjusted much too tightly"

I agree completely with him.

CROOKEDNESS VERSUS VETERINARY

NEW YORK CARRIAGE PROTESTS

Valentine’s Day, like Christmas, is often associated with feelings of amity, reconciliation and good will toward others. But a rally by animal-rights activists seeking a ban on horse-drawn carriages in New York City resulted in police intervention this afternoon, after supporters of the industry held a noisy counterprotest. Police officers set up metal barricades to separate the two sides, which screamed and chanted at each other. Each group tried to drown the other out.
About 40 supporters of Friends of Animals, a nonprofit group that says it has 15,000 members in New York City, gathered on Central Park South near Fifth Avenue around 1 p.m., seeking to draw attention to what they described as the neglect and mistreatment of the roughly 200 horses that are licensed by the city to carriages.
“Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days for carriage rides, but there’s nothing romantic about animal abuse,” Edita Birnkrant, the New York City campaign coordinator for Friends of Animals, said after the rally. “We just wanted to be there to tell the truth, that this isn’t romantic. It’s animal abuse, it’s cruelty, it’s an industry that exploits and causes suffering to these horses.”
The carriage industry, which is regulated by the city’s Department of Consumer Affairs, has faced a string of bad news in recent months.
Last July, after a collision that injured a horse and a taxicab driver, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages called for a ban on horse-drawn carriages. In early September, an audit by the city comptroller’s office found inconsistencies in the oversight processes used to ensure the well-being of the horses. Later that month, a horse was killed in an accident on Central Park South, prompting an investigation by the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
But the greatest threat of all to the industry came in December, when City Councilman Tony Avella, a Queens Democrat who is planning to run for mayor in 2009, proposed a legislative ban on horse-drawn carriages, saying: “The animals are not being treated properly, and enough is enough. Horses are incompatible with traffic, especially Midtown traffic.”
Mr. Avella’s bill has not been acted upon yet, but the carriage owners have mobilized to defend their industry, hiring two lobbyists and a spokeswoman.
The spokeswoman, Carolyn Daly, dismissed the animal rights activists as a fringe group. “The horses are in excellent condition,” she asserted. “We’ve never had a cruelty violation. We have an impeccable safety record and it’s a popular, popular tourist attraction.”
Ms. Daly said the counterprotest was led by members of the New York Therapeutic Riding Program, a nonprofit group that uses horses — many of them held in the same stables where the carriage horses live — to assist adults and children with disabilities.
“They’re sick and tired, as are most New Yorkers, of this small group of animal extremists who just won’t shut up,” Ms. Daly said of the counterprotesters.
Calling the opponents of the industry “extremely delusional,” she insisted that there was “no public momentum” in support of a ban. The industry remains as popular among ever, she maintained, with “lines and lines of people every day” waiting for rides.
Ms. Daly also criticized the timing of the animal rights activists. “They continue to have a mean-spirited, negative approach to everything they do,” she said. “It’s Valentine’s Day. Go out with your boyfriend. Meet your husband for dinner. Love a horse. But no, not them. They’re outside, as usual, talking to deaf ears.”

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WORLD CHAMPS

Horse riding sisters 10-year-old Emma Brightwell (left) and 13-year-old Kate Brightwell pause for a portrait with their animals at White Fox Manor in Olathe. Sisters Kate and Emma Brightwell share the usual: Parents, secrets, clothes, smiles.
But they also share an uncommon talent for an equestrian sport and all that goes with it, including cooperating with each animal’s quirks, traveling to competitions, and finishing homework quickly so they can race to the barn.
As with most other sisters, though, comparisons can go only so far.
Where Kate is fastidious, her little sister is gregarious. Where Kate is focused, Emma is creative. Where Kate is elegant, Emma is eager.
After six years of riding, Kate has seen her work pay off.
At this years’ American Horse Association Nationals, she won one world championship and three national championships. She won Hunt Seat Junior Equitation World Championship for riders 13 and under, after qualifying with the Hunt Seat on the Flat Equitation for riders 11 and under in Nationals. She also won the AMHA Hunt Seat-Over Fences Gold Medal for riders 19 and under and the Hunt Seat Over Fences Junior Exhibitor National Championship for riders 17 and under. “She’s pretty young to compete against adults and trainers,” their mom, Ethel Brightwell said of Kate. “She is not all that tall.”
Kate’s strength lies in Equitation, which involves judges scrutinizing her every gesture and posture. Kate labors over exactly where her fingers are positioned when she’s riding.
“She strives for perfection in everything that she does,” Trainer Julie Pickering said of Kate, explaining that here exacting nature has contributed to her success this year.
While Kate holds fast to her singular goal of perfection, little sister Emma aspires to two goals: higher and faster.
Emma prefers Jumping judged on height and time.
“She has that need for speed,” Pickering said. “Emma just goes out there and has a blast. She’s very naturally gifted, so I think she just likes to go out there and have fun with her friends and horses.”
Emma likes to help the other young riders in the barn get ready at White Horse Manor, where they train. Kate had finished saddling her horse and was warming up on the arena while Emma introduced strangers to Copper, a friends’ horse, and pointed out that a horse in the stall across the barn had a Texas sign on its head. Emma’s pony waited, brushed but without a saddle.
Ten year-old Emma won sixth place in the world in the Walk Jog Western Pleasure for ages 11 and under. For Western Pleasure she dresses in a cowboy outfit “with lots of bling on it” and confidently touts her “fan club,” a phrase Kate clarifies in big-sister fashion.
“Well, it’s not exactly a fan club,” she said. “Emma is very social. A group of new friends always comes to cheer for Emma.”
Suspicion floats between mom and trainer that Emma is mostly interested in the social side of riding, though she does have a few more beginner years of leeway to go.
“It’s finally kind of clicking with Emma that she has to ride well to go faster and higher,” Ethel Brightwell said.
Kate didn’t get serious until about a year and a half ago, and now she practices about three hours per day. Time will tell Emma’s ultimate fate, but time is on her side, as she has quite the model before her.
“I kind of want to be like her,” Emma said of her sister, “in like how good she rides and how nice she is.”
Nice may not count for much in most sports, but it could be a key ingredient in equitation riding, where half the performance depends on animal compliance.




YAY OR NAY TO HORSE BALLOT


 Horse and other equine animal owners/leasers in Surry County and around the state will take part in an upcoming referendum affecting the fate of promotional programs.

The vote will determine whether owners want to continue assessing themselves at the rate of $2 per ton of commercial horse feed in order to provide funds to promote the interests of the horse industry.

T. Bryan Cave, Surry director of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, says the local vote will take place in the county Extension Center from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5.

Any North Carolina resident who has reached his or her 9th birthday as of Jan. 1, 2008 and has complete or partial ownership or lease of an equine (horse, pony, mule, donkey or hinny) is eligible to vote. Individuals must sign a statement certifying eligibility when attempting to cast ballots.

Since many horse owners work away from home during business hours, a provision has been made for absentee voting. From now until March 1, horse owners may visit the Surry County center at 210 N. Main St. in Dobson or call 401-8025 and request a ballot and absentee registration form. These must be turned in to the Extension Service office by March 4, and will be counted along with others on March 6.

If the vote is favorable, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will continue to receive the assessment funds from manufacturers and/or distributors of horse feed, and will remit the money to the state Horse Council.

The Horse Council indicates that the funds will be used to support 4-H programs, REINS volunteer programs, trail advocacy, equine research, horse interests in government representation, program marketing, horse law enforcement and improved public awareness of diseases and other threats to horses' well-being.

Many other agricultural commodities have similar voluntary assessment programs. Horsemen may receive a refund of the assessment by providing proof of purchase to the North Carolina Horse Council within one year of the transaction date.

The council has estimated the state's horse population at more than 250,000 head on 60,000 farms. A major horse farm can be found within 25 miles of any point on the North Carolina map, a council official has said.

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

 

Dear John

Me again, I've written to you a few times before about various problems and you've always sorted them out brilliantly; I think my friends are slightly bemused when I go on about my amazing horse whisperer contact in Australia and how he solves all my problems...so I've got a new one for you!

I've got a new horse; very nervous although sensible underneath it and keen to please. When I first got her I couldn't get near her ears but following your system and a lot of patience I can now bridle her within 5 minutes which is a huge achievement and she's getting better every day (thankyou.) I'm trying to get her to back up when I ride her - I've read your guide and am following it closely. The problem is, she gets really stressed and stops straight, but when I ask her to back just swings sideways and reverses her bum in all kinds of crazy directions when I try to correct the swing by putting leg on. Then she starts throwing her head up (I am keeping the front door closed but nothing more) and she feels just a step away from a little rear. Then after that she won't stop straight and starts trying to spin round as soon as I stop her. It isn't a fast spin, just a kind of sidle. When I stop her after backing up she tries to walk off straight away, every time.

I just wondered if you had any thoughts? i've tried backing up parallel to a wall but she still sidles about.

Thanks

Kate Mckee
Yorkshire, England

Hi Kate. A number of things here. Firstly, her Mouth is not quite good enough and needs lightening up. Then she doesn't 'leg yield' well enough either. Fix those two things and you are almost there but there is more. She has a mental block with the back up and she is evading you for that reason. If you look at tonight's Pod Cast, you may see some clues as your Mare may well have some issues there and/or never backed up with a Rider before. It is important that you really only ask for half a step at a time or the movement of one leg only and reward the horse, rest, relax, go on to a different place and re-commence. The horse needs clear direction. Don't be using 'leg on' at this stage, other than your straightening leg however, it would be better if you could get her in a raceway where you didn't have to interfere with her at all with the leg. Another thing you would do with this horse is to pre-programme it on the ground. To back up on command. Using one or all of these options. Yo Yo Game of Parelli, pressure on the lead rope and rope halter to get a step or each thumb in the chest, one quarter in from the outside where there are two pressure points. It is imperative that you cease the moment the horse moves. Regards to the Girls :)

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hello john have you some tips on concussion in racing stb our tracks are very hard at this time of the year even though my training track is 2-3 inches of sand and in good order.are there any products for getting the soles toughened up.any tips appreciated.not keen on pads for racing. jenny

Clean out the sole really well, leaving the hoof wall above the sole about 2mm. Shoe horse. Fill with silicon sealant the gap between the shoe and the sole, using the silicon gun as per normal. Let it set. Lasts the shoeing. Regards

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Hi Mr HP,
just wondering if you or anyone else could help me with a quiery I have about my QHx. He seems to have some sort of allergy but to what I have no idea.
The first time he had "this reaction" I thought he was going to cark it! I had purchased him only the week before. I arrived at the paddock after a phone call to find him with an extremely swollen face including his lips, mouth, nose and cheeks. He also had lumps down his side and under his stomach the size of golf balls and his breathing was laboured. Anyway I rang the vet and got an antihistamine injection into him which worked but took a week for the lumps to dissappear and to be able to ride him again. At first I thought he had been bitten by bees but with no evidence concluded that wasn't the case.

He had a similar episode 6 mths later but didn't escalate to the level of last time thank goodness, but was given another antihistamine injection. Since then (which has been a further 8 months on - no other "episode" but he quite often has "Chipmunk cheeks" which is obviously odema,and he is often very lumpy under his whole jaw from throat latch down to mouth. He hasn't had any lumps on his body since the last "episode" and is quite well and happy in himself - in great condition. The vet says they would have to do a lot of blood tests to find out what it is thats causing it but being that 99% of the time he's fit and well it's more of a case of wait untill -or if it happens again and I'll get the vet back out.

He was not eating lucerne at the time of either reaction as I know the chemicals in that can effect some horses so I have ruled out that. He is only fed when ridden and this also doesn't coincide with the reaction days. The only other thing he gets is grass hay.
It's really got me stumped although it doesn't seem to bother him when it's just the mild swelling iin his cheeks (enough for the halter to leave marks).

Sorry about the novel but I would be interested if you or anyone can shed some light on this for me.
Keep up the great work, your site is the best horse site on the net, I look forward to reading it daily and your podcasts are great.

Cheers from K & the sometimes lumpy QHx :):)

Have you sprayed your stable and facilities for all bugs, spiders, funguses etc? The symptoms are classic anti mould agent as in Lucerne Hay. Have you checked your Hay for weeks? Have you changed Hays and all feeds? I would be immediately. Pigeons/chooks'spoggies??????? Lets see what others say. If you lightly sponge your Horse all over with a Betadine wash, you may find rash infected areas that will show up as raised areas. If so, get back to me. Regards

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Hi HP and Mrs HP

How are you both? You are working very hard with your stables, they are coming along well, very very good.

Just thought I would give you an update on my mare with the sand colic.

Thank you to you and to Barbara for posting that snippet of info on the web for me re: sand colic and how she does her horses and then feeds them the mixture in the chaff and her horses scoff it down etc. I will do that tonight and see what she does.

That was good to hear that as after my mare was stomach drenched by the vet (as she wouldn't eat anyway) she just seemed out of sorts, but the vet said she probably would with a bit of dairy in her gut.

This happened Wed night.

Just to let you know no manure until 7.30am Thursday morning, where I got one manure which was healthy.

When I got home from work Thursday arvo, there was about 5 manures in the stable, which was great!

Manure was normal Thursday night, Friday morning and Friday, double great, thanks to your recipe.

Then I go to her this morning (Sat) and there was only one poo in the stable, which I am concerned about, hopefully there will be more when I get home. Have also done a test on the poos, ie got some of it and shook it in a jar with water and distilled it over night and to my suprise there was only a tiny bit of sand in the bottom. Nothing overly abnormal looking to me, so now I am thinking.....what could be wrong with her?

I am trying to go through the process of elimination as I feel she is still not quite right......you know when you just get that 'gut' feeling.

John, last night I thought that I would saddle her up and take her for a 15-20 minute light hack, just walking and some trotting to see how she was, but she didn't seem forward and was not really too happy to go forward like she normally does when I put my leg on her. Wasn't overly happy to trot, even though she did for me. I am just wondering if she is sore inside somewhere?

I also notice, that when I put her out in the paddock she is now trying to eat dirt! Never has she done that before, which is a concern, so maybe she is lacking something??

I have recently introduced a hard feed to her (over time and slowly) since she is getting worked 4 times a week now, with the help of Dr John Konkhes nutritionist who was lovely and very helpful.

She is getting a hay net in the morning, a hay net at night, then with her hard feed (which is once a day in the evening with her hay net) she is getting 2 scoops of mixed chaff, 1/2 scoop steamed barley, Dr Johns Golden Garlicy Cool Oil, Dr Johns Cell Provide (which is apparently the best mineral mix for her) and a dollap of molasis.

Last night I let her have a hard feed again (didn't get a hard feed Wed night or Thurs night) and her hay net which she ate all up.

She is happy enough, bright in the eye and is eating and drinking, but just seems lathargic to me. Many years ago I had a horse diagnosed with Peritinitous (can't spell) where by he had the same sort of symptoms, the only difference was he would not eat anything at all, whereas my horse is more than happy to eat, which is a good sign.

I popped her out in the paddock this morning and usually she may trott off a bit being glad to be out in the day paddock, but nothing like that this morning just mosy-ing around sniffing the ground/dirt and wanting to eat it and was actually eating it! So I brought her back into the stable, so I could also keep an eye on the poo thing just in case.

I know you are no vet, but I just thought I would run this by you to see if you had experienced this before?? My vet seems to think she is in fabulous order, checked her heart and all that sort of thing when he was out on Wed night.

It's a worry being a mother! :) Would really appreciate any feedback. Hope you both are having a nice weekend.

Kind Regards, Tanya.

Until the problems are over Tanya, I would simply not allow her near dirt. Treat her again immediately with my recipe. Those horses it is often the second go round that does the job. I would remove all additives and go back to straight Cereal or Meadow Hay and Lucerne for a while in case there is any allergic reaction to any of the supplements. You never know. Process of elimination so back to default and start again. Regards

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Hi John,
Annette here from Virginia, USA. I have to comment about the wonderful uses of Equaide for proud flesh after reading the letter and viewing the pictures of the horse with the deep cut. This product is very effective. I have a horse who had a deep puncture wound on the inside lower leg. Proud flesh started appear. Like the other horse owner I searched the web, read veterinary books, asked the vet and anyone for advice about getting rid of the ugly stuff. I discovered Equaide after my many searches and ordered the
2 oz. jar. I saw immediate results within two applications. After about 8 weeks the wound is completely healed. Their web site is www.equaide.com I hope this imformation can be helpful to your many readers. I have tons of fun reading all the letters and viewing the pod casts. "Ain't" the word wide web great!!!

Many thanks!!
Annette

Sure is Annette. A wonderful learning tool indeed. Glad to hear of your success as well. Voting for Obama, are you? :) McCain might fall off his Perch before the big day and Bill will be under the Desk in the Oval Office hahahaha. Regards

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Lololol. Those Horses love your Family :)

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Hi John

Finally managed to get some time to myself to watch your leg restraint dvd this morning. Its hard to fit it in with a couple of mad petrol heads who whinge every time I want to watch something horsey and educational. ;-)

Still I can't grumble as my 14yo petrolhead son did a marvellous job helping me and catching my horse when I had that freak fall last month. He even took all the gear off which was pretty awesome as he's never done that before, and the horse was wearing full Spanish gear at the time including a crupper, he took it all off and hung it up nicely in the tackroom then put the horse back in the paddock for me before he called the ambulance. [I wouldn't let him call it until he'd sorted the horse out first! ;-) ]

I want to use the little hobbles on the latest foal as soon as I can so that she is up to speed in all areas, and of course I will have to train all the other horses as well. Some of them have already been used to ropes and other things about their legs so hopefully this won't be a problem for them. I'll have to barricade off an end of the arena so we have a soft place to work in first as I haven't started work on building the round pen yet. The arena surface is post peelings which are quite springy so hopefully that will be ok and provide sufficient protection should they decide to leap about and/or fall over.

Love the quick release design & the strength of your hobbles too, my question is where do I get the chain piece that goes between the hobble straps and the big Dees? Do you sell these and the spare Dees? [I live in NZ so the options here are a bit more limited than in Australia for some horse gear and I've had to import a number of tack items that aren't available here at all, including all my Spanish gear!]

I have seen something similar to your hobbles at a local shop but the chain bit doesn't look as strong as it should be to me... see attached pic. Do you think these will do or can you offer something that is nice and strong and better made to do the job? I don't want to risk them coming apart and injuring the horses.

Its finally raining here again and we are all very grateful for it as we have been having a drought lately, its not as bad as you guys get over there but its been the driest summer in over 100 years here!

Kind regards
Jane
[from New Zealand]

Wow, you too with the weather :( I have emailed you this:

Hi Folks,

These do not come with a hobble chain because of freight costs. The Saddlery Shops sell them cheaply.

However, should you wish to save, just cut the two rings off the end of an old Bit, go to Mitre 10 and buy 320mm of 25mm chain and two open links. Join together and hammer shut. $2.

You can also put two small d shackles, one on each end so that you can narrow them for smaller horses or Foals should you desire. With Foals, using the normal hobble chain, you would be down the chain at least two full links, maybe more, due to the closeness of their legs. Remember, the two end rings that the hobble goes through, makes the whole thing extra long.

NEVER USE A HOBBLE STRAP FOR PULLING UP BACK LEGS!! USE THE BACK LEG STRAP.





Pick the chain that suits you. It doesn't have to be over kill! If it did break, there would be little harm done.

Remember, you don't allow a horse off the end of the lead rope until they have completely accepted the procedure and all signs of panic have gone. Regards

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Hi John,

Thanks for great page on float design- very helpful. I'm looking to buy a 2 horse straight load with 2 foot extension. Just wondering if you would be able to recommend any brands that seem better than the others. I've been looking for ages but have yet to find a float that ticks all the boxes as far as safety goes. We would be able to do some minor modifications if need be, and we're prepared to go interstate for the right float. I just want a very safe float that will last.

Thanks in anticipation, Bonnie  (QLD).

Sorry Bonnie, can't help. There isn't one that has got it's act together yet. Steve Frost at Mustang Floats was about to but he took ill and is still recovering. Bugga!! Hi Steve. Chin up!!!!

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Hello my name is Zoe and I am from northern Queensland.

One of our horses is scratching himself to pieces. It started with his shoulders, along his back and the top of his tail. We tried everything, permoxin, oils, vetadine, scold solution (the vet told us that it was good for Queensland itch as well), nothing work. We have finally got it under control by having him wear his coat 24/7 and aplying a home made recipe that a friend gave us (parafin oil, metho, betadine and permoxin). Luckily the weather has been wet and rainy so it isn't to hot for him, he also gets washed every couple of days with the vetadine solution as well. His shoulder have started to grow fur again and so has his tail. All would be fine except now he has started to rub his face. In a period of two days he has rubbed patches of his face raw. It is horrible, I have been putting betadine on all his cuts and scrapes. I just can't stop him rubbing his face. If he can't scratch his face on a pole or tree he uses his leg instead. The people at the local stock food place recomended something called Y itch, which we have just started using. I am so worried, and am running out of ideas. If I could we would sent him somewhere else, but he has a lot of health and physical problems. Can you suggest anything, I am really desperate. We are getting the vet out in the next couple of days hopefully, but not sure if they will be able to do anything that we haven't already tried.

Thank you
Zoe

Any information or help would be much appreciated.

Have a read of this Zoe but my 'Pineapple Heads' will have the answer for you :)

QUEENSLAND ITCH

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I have a bad feeling. I am going to get the vet out. I have noticed that mac is limping on the leg with the scarring. It has a lot os scartissue built up and is enlarged. He can't turn a corner with out obvios restriction and discomfort and he rolls outward on the same hoof andwhen rain is coming he kicks that leg out at nothing. When he eats he often kicks at his belly. Combined with brown urine I feel that he may be in some real pain. The injury is old and he was raced on it till just over 4 months ago. The trainer he spent years with has been known for drugging his horses so I wonder if that is how they got a race out of him. The only thing I can think of is that he is not getting enough rest off his leg as he doesn't lie down to sleep. What would you do if the vet says he is in too much pain. He is limping at a walk. and never stands square. What would you do in this situation. Do you think it is time to say goodnight or would you get pain relief for him and just not ride him. Can I send a video to show you. It does not take a trained eye to see he is limping.
I am so worried. I have just bought him a bombproof buddy. I hate to have to make any decision but for the sake of seeing him suffer it ould not be fair.

Let the Vet try his best but if he says not much hope, put him down immediately. He sounds like a definite candidate for putting down with the way he is at the moment so unless the Vet can fix that or give some new hope with treatment, take his advice for the good of the Horse Cindy. Best wishes.

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Hi John,

Just thought this may help the lady with the horse with the sore back (possibly saddle related) my TB gets sore on the back, will dip down when you brush him etc, I wrote to you about it a while ago.
I got my saddle re-fitted & it didn't make any difference. I had a Bio-scan done & the results showed Benson was sore up his hind legs (not picked up by 2 massage therapists, 1 Bowen therapist or chiro) this in turn sent him on the fore all the time as it was more comfy for him, but in turn that sent referred pain up to where the back of the saddle sits.
Since we have sorted his pain in his back legs, he is not going on the fore hardly at all (instructor commented how much better we were doing, cause in previous lessons we were on the fore a lot) and now no more pain at the back of the saddle, no dipping. Things never seem to be as straight forward as they seem.
Now we ride in the same saddle as before, no problems, just had to get the back end right first.

Anyway hope it helps a little bit.

Cheers El

Thanks E! and yes, true advice. We see that a bit with shorter backed horses. Saddle fit and design is so important these days and becoming more important as the obesity problems increase at an alarming rate. Regards

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Hi John
Just read what Tanya wrote about her horse having sand colic. I would like Tanya to know we use your sand colic recipe John, 2-3 times a year. We live in a very dry and sandy area on the Yorke Peninsula and your recipe is a real blessing for our horses. On the day we give it to them, they don't have any breakfast. (They're not happy girls, but it's for their own good in the end) At tea time, we mix your recipe in a bucket of chaff and they scoff it down. There is not a scrap of chaff left. Then they get their usual biscuit of hay. It's that simple and it works.
Barbara

Very True Barbara. Thanks.

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