4th March, 2010

Extremely Busy and have been spending a lot of time on Horse Trails work. Both days off as well. Today to the Vets with my Horse, to have the healed wound checked which is perfect and the staple taken out for the microchip. All went well. Young Aureo was found not to be in Foal and so was PG'd again for another try. The Lottery of Frozen Semen. You gotta be a gambler to be in this Industry :)

Stinking Hot again but change coming tonight and apparently some relief for a few days so we shall see.

LABOR PARTY NOT SUPPORTING THE HORSE INDUSTRY

I mentioned this the other night, in brief but thought I had better expand upon it. Historically, the Liberal Party (Farmers and Country) because of their Roots, have well served the Horse Industry and I do remember the Minster for Recreation and Sport, Ian Evans, doing a wonderful job in funding the start of Horse SA and was going to do the State Horse Centre. Then they got kicked out due to in fighting amongst themselves.

He is again standing and so if you want Horse Trails, Pony Clubs saved or the failed massive effort of Horsesa to get that State Horse Centre at Wayville, you will unfortunately have to Vote Liberal. Yes, they are a bunch of rabble too at the moment but better them than the Enemy of the Horse Industry and the Bosom Buddies of the Developers, the Rann Labor Govt. They are presiding over the destruction of Sunnybrae Pony Club, Blackhill Pony Club as we speak and had a crack at the Pegasus Pony Club last year but failed.

So there are the facts. The Devil you know rather than the Devil you know are your enemy. As much as I would rather say Independent and Greens, for Horse Industry, Vote Liberal. Pay back time Folks

I have to cut my work short tonight as I have a Pony Club Meeting tonight. Cheers

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The true face of Islam Check that out and find out where this Country is going to end. Kiss your Heritage Goodbye Folks.

This is what your Politicians are assuring as reality.

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A VERY BRAVE HORSE

IT's been a traumatic 5 weeks since a shocking and distressing sight greeted Gary Sanderson the afternoon of January 17 at his barn door in Tennessee. His 9-year-old Arabian endurance horse was standing apart from his herdmates with a tree branch impaled in his side.
 

"I couldn't talk," Gary said. He did manage to call his veterinarian, Dr Martin, and his girlfriend Kara Disbrow. "He was incoherent," Kara said.

Though they still don't know what happened, Gary and Kara surmise Amigo either slid in the mud into a tree, or a tree fell on him in the 110 acres where Amigo and his two buddies roam. One veterinarian later deduced that Amigo had had the stick lodged in him for 10-12 hours before Gary discovered him.

Dr Martin recommended putting Amigo down immediately. Gary asked him if he had any chance of survival. "Dr Martin said he might have a 2% chance to live if we got him to the University hospital." Amigo had shown Gary nothing but heart in their 5 years together, and, besides, Gary says, "What are you going to do? He's like my son. I had to give him the chance to survive."

Amigo walked on his own and loaded up into a trailer and was hauled to the University of Tennessee Large Animal Clinic, where his surgery immediately began. He took it all standing up, and it took the team of veterinarians about an hour to remove nearly 30 inches of the 2-inch diameter branch from his body.


It had collapsed his left lung and broken two ribs, and introduced a deathly load of bacteria into his body. The veterinarians packed the gaping hole left by the branch with four rolls of gauze, re-inflated his lung, put in ports to drain fluid from the lung and wound, and put him on several antibiotics to combat the bugs and toxins in his system. Eventually his right lung also needed a port. "He looked like he'd been in target practice with all the tubes coming out of him," Gary said.


It was touch and go over the next few weeks; Amigo came close to death several times and defied it each time. He received two series of plasma from donors, but had an allergic reaction to the second series, where his platelets attacked the plasma, instead of the infections in his body. He went into respiratory distress several times, once falling down kicking in a seizure (a vet deduced he'd had a blood clot in his brain).


Then, 4 weeks after the accident, came the dreaded "L-word" - laminitis. Gary had been hopeful and upbeat up until that day. "That's what got me," Gary says. "He'd been doing so well, getting better, every day progressing a little, PCV (red blood cell volume in the blood) good, lung drains removed, wound healing, bacteria dying, then BOOM. He crashes." Gary had a hard time keeping a positive attitude around Amigo, something his horse definitely needed.

The vets had removed the lung drain because the blood work looked good, but the bacteria had increased. Drain tubes were put back in and the lung flushed twice a day. Amigo returned to the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber for daily treatment and got ice boots for his feet. One antibiotic was changed, and a fourth added. He was put on IV fluids, he was put on tube feeding because he needed more nutrients than the hay he was eating (he wasn't interested in grain).

And once again, Amigo thwarted death. The laminitis threat was arrested. He's now alert, walking outside several times a day, and grazing (he is still being tube fed). He's down to two antibiotics.

Through it all Amigo has amazed and stolen the hearts of his veterinarians and the vet students working on him."He's an amazing animal," Gary says. "He's been the best patient. He has never fought or objected to his treatments. In fact, that's one of his problems - this horse doesn't show any pain. He's very stoic."

One of Amigo's veterinarians, Dr Nicholas Frank, concurs, calling Amigo the "most cooperative patient." He credits some of Amigo's amazing progress to Gary's devotion. "He has an extremely dedicated owner who loves him very much. We should never underestimate the power of that in a situation like this."

Amigo's friends started a Facebook page for him; he now has almost 3500 fans following his progress and sending good wishes his way.

While Amigo still has a long way to go, and he's not completely out of the woods yet, his chances of survival are now better than 50/50. He's on the upswing again, though he's pretty exhausted. He hasn't laid down once since the accident.

And while just coping with Amigo's survival has been traumatic for Gary, now comes the reality of the vet bills. The original guesstimate was $5-6000. But nobody could have predicted what Amigo would be going through, and those bills are now close to $20,000.

"Financially, I'm devastated," Gary says, but he doesn't regret anything. "What would you have done, when your horse is showing he's wanting to fight for his life? I love the horse. Next to Kara, he's my best friend. I had to give him that chance."

Gary is starting a second job; some fund-raisers are in the works, by local groups and Leslie Greenwood, a fan from from Canada; and friends and fans of Amigo on Facebook have begun sending donations, which as of Saturday February 20th, totaled over $1600.

Anybody wanting to join Amigo's fanclub and follow his progress and send good wishes can do so on Facebook.com, "Amigo - One Amazing Horse!" Anybody wishing to donate money towards Amigo's bills can do so through paypal using katpirate@comcast.net or by sending a check payable to

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NEWS OF THE DAY

HORSE TRAILS

Drivers Urged To Yield To Horses

Seminole Co. Woman Says Riding Conditions Dangerous


A Seminole County woman said the racing engines and horn honking has to stop if horse lovers are going to have any safety at all when they ride along the side of the road.
"I've been run off the road. I've had too many accidents. I've wound up in the emergency room," horseback rider Beverly Spain said.
A sign near Spain's Geneva home warns drivers to be on the lookout for people on horseback.
Spain said drivers don't always slow down or stop when her horse spooks.
"My horse went straight up in the air threw me on my back," she said. "I had three cracked ribs. I have a sore knee."
She believes some people are careless, while others look to have fun at her expense.
"I don't want them to accelerate behind my horse or in front of it too closely," Spain said.
A law is in place that tells people when they drive up on somebody either riding an animal or leading it on the side of the road, they are to show due care by law. Spain wants more people to be aware of it.
The law doesn't specifically say to slow down and give room. The wording is "due care." But the sheriff's office can write a driver a ticket if they feel they are not giving people on horses a break.
"This is supposed to be horse country," Spain said.
The law is not specific to horses. It said drivers should use due care when passing people leading an animal.

Of course this is the reality of life these days. That is why we have been attempting for a long time now, to convince the Tea Tree Gulley Council to allow us to complete my designed 'off road trails'. You wonder what their motiff is, don't you Folks. Why would the 'City Fathers' want to risk the young of the District and expose them to Death on the Roads??? Could you think of a reason why that would be so??? I can't

GOLDEN GROVE TRAILS SYSTEM

You will remember how last year the Council suddenly came up with the idea of putting the Horse Trails out to 'Community Consultation" I just love that term :)

Well it was closed 4 Months ago and nothing has been heard. That would add up though for it has now been in excess of 22 years that they have been in use in the modern era.

You'll also remember how they gave respondents, 'choices'. Trails A, B, C, D I think it was. You will also remember that only one of those Trails was a safe one and the other 3 were on highly dangerous Roads that will see a Death in the future. Maybe your Child or Friend??

Now the problem with these quaint little 'Community Consultations' is that they serve a purpose and it is always the Councils or the Pollies purpose, which is learnt at 'Yes Minister School" They are used to confuse, to get an outcome that Council may want but that is no good for the Horse People or to delay another 12 months.

In this case, it was done as a tactic to stop our wishes and advice for a new wonderful initiative and Corporate partnership, that is to allow all Trails to be totally off road in this Metropolitan area. You would think they would jump at that, wouldn't you Folks. Hell, they even represent us? We pay their wages and they serve us.

The results will be out soon. I'll keep you completely informed. Let the decision reflect the true motives of this Council and all of the Councilors who make it up. Watch this Space.

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LETTER OF THE DAY

Hi John and Linda,
Just have a question I am hoping you can answer, what is the best way to prevent my horse from cantering (very slow and almost on the spot at times) instead of going more forwards at the trot? I understand she is doing this as an evasion to work. This horse with a previous rider was always ridden very jammed up, with a closed gullet and high neck carriage and I believe that she was not trained correctly initially ie long and low.
Cheers T
 

You are right, that is the cause. Firstly of course, make real sure the Horse has been completely athletically prepared to handle the work.

When the Horse does that and the moment the Horse does that, put leg on and Canter it in an extreme tight circle (no matter what it is trained for) so that the cantering becomes a "difficult thing to do" and the trotting 'becomes an easier thing to do" " Make the wrong things difficult and the good things easy" in other words......but here is the key. Don't take the leg off when the Horse falls back to trot. Leave it there and teach the Horse to still accept leg when trotting. Repeat, repeat and job done. Stay focused, stay cool, sit still and turn the canter circles into training opportunities.  Easy. Regards

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

Thanks very much!
Really looking forward to learning more about those subjects.
People sometimes give me their problem horses, and I get results by just swapping the bridle with a ‘sidepull’ as I haven’t used bits since my ponyclub days back in Holland.
But I am very keen to learn how to retrain with the bit as most horses inevitably will get one put back in their mouth at some stage once I give them back (most people do not believe you can achieve most things (control) without a bit too).
I suppose the only thing it doesn’t teach as well, or as quickly, is for the horse to lower it’s head -and the use of any gadgets (like martingales) are out.
My horses are all very light and responsive, but I do have a little issue with a young thoroughbred who likes to have his head up high (has not had a bit in yet, but been ridden for a year), so hopefully we’ll be able to fix that .
In your opinion, can you achieve anything just the same without a bit?
Kind regards,
Kim

I have to say to you Kim that my experience and testing has shown that you cannot get the Mouth or control on Horses with anything so well as with a Bit. The rest pale into insignificant. I reject the argument of the "Tree Huggers' in relation to the use of Bits. The only problem that can occur comes from the hands and education of the Rider, not the Bits. Regards
 

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thankyou and perfect timing! look who turned up this morning. Vicky

Awe :) Cuuuuutey. Hope he doesn't get under that fence Vicky and Hobble train him in 12 days, to protect him from fences. I know you are as you just purchased my Foal Hobbles. Well done. Great Star and cutie ears :)

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Hey you! Since receiving the Dvd for Re-mouthing I have been busy with Flintstone the clydie cross. We did the side reining (I don't have side reins things in my system Chelle)

 first and I found while he was in canter that after a good 5mins of fighting the 'reins' he would slightly open his mouth and you can see his tongue desperately trying to get over the bit for relief. I would have never foun this out on saddle. I am happy to say he is starting to bob to the pressure and has stopped his tonguee thing. It has taken 5days but I don't care it is 4yrs of damage. When ridden his head is very light at walk and trot....TROT...he trots!! We have a new training technique after a frustrating ride for the both of us yesterday. I have found...you put slight contact on ...he canters, you put your legs where they are suppose to be ...he canters...ahhhhh . Read the letter tonight on here

So after thinking about it over a sleepless night. We went into the roundyard this morning, and walked on a lose rein, I collected him slowly and we took 4 steps in trot, then I made him either stop or walkdown...I did this for about 20mins in the end I got to trot around the roundyard twice before he tried to break into a canter. And by that stage his ears were on me, he was listening extremely well, he was only taking 2-3 steps to a stop. His stop is getting better slowly with every ride. I have found though, if I have a bad lesson, the next day I am expecting the ride to be pretty crappy again, but infact I am suprised with a less challenging one, guess it is true they do dream about their lessons. mmmmm.
2ndly I haven't said anything about this as I wanted to ensure it worked before I made a fool of myself. As you know we retired Bazel as the vet could feel what he thought were Spurs on his ribcage behind his shoulder. I had a Bowen therapist out 6weeks ago(never tried one), she said it was two split muscles and gave us some rubbing exercises to do. My son has been riding Baz since Monday, he is no longer girthy ! The split muscles are caused by girths done up too tight too fast and the skin/muscles are caught behind the girth and it eventually rips the muscles..this causes girthiness.

catch ya soon
ps If I get stuck with Flins problem I am going to send you a dvd and you can have a look...if you wish

cheers
chelle

No worries Chelle. You could upload it to youtube with Kevin 07 Broadband too :) x
 

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To the writer John F… aka ‘Dick Burn’ I am still holding my sides laughing and as someone who almost got scammed by them myself, I take my hat off and bow in awe and admiration….I will be keeping a copy (hope that is ok) as that is solid GOLD my friend… 

Cheers
Lorrie

It was a classic indeed. I too had a big laugh over it Lorrie. Thanks.
 

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2nd March, 2010

GAINSBOROUGH SOAP

HI Folks. Thank God it is March for this may be the last Month for the Heat although we can still get the odd 40 degree plus day even in this Month. Not a bad week this week with high 20/s and mid later.
Mrs. HP was over the Moon with her ride today as she can turn the Mare on to the next level, even in Half Pass and that is yet another major milestone. She was saying she gets more satisfaction out of the training than in competing.

Came home after a week away, jumped on 'Christians Horse' and away she went without incident. Meanwhile, prior to me going, the Horse had major issues about Tree Branches above it's head and tried to do a runner on me and buried us into a Tree one day. 'Christian' had done a wonderful job and showed me how she had Tree Branches hanging off the Mares head :)

One Rein Stop

I have warned many times about using the One Rein Stop in an aggressive manner, on Horses that do not have a good lateral Mouth. 'The Stud' had to go to Hospital last week as he pulled the mind blown Hack over on top of him and badly bruised his stomach. Lucky there wasn't more. Read my Lips. The One Rein Stop can only be used commensurately with the integrity of the Mouth that the Horse has at the time. The poorer the Mouth the less you can demand from a lateral point of view. If re-mouthed, you can rip their teeth out if you want and there is little danger. So know your Mouth, test your Mouth and rate it. If it is a 4 then you can only demand a max 4 on your One Rein Stop so go fix the Mouth. It is easy as Hell!!!!

TENSE HORSES

When one is working with the mind blown Horse, tense and stiff as a board, it is not just a matter of showing and proving that the Horse can go more correctly and therefore a more relaxed way but you MUST also deal with the psychology of the Horse as that is such an important part of fixing these Horses. In the case of this and most, Mrs. HP noticed the young Bloke doing his warm up laps at the walk, "On a contact' and of course that is NOT fixing the damaged psychological state of the Horse, which is even more important than the training side of things. So you will warm these Horses up on a 'loopy rein' with NO CONTACT for the sake of their mind.
'Councilor' lovely young Horse that was injured by getting kicked by a Standardbred, has come really good and we had to take the stitches out this week. This is where the Power of 'Leg Restraints Training' comes into it's own. In fact, this is where the most responsible Owners are found for those who train their young Horses early and plenty are far more responsible as Owners than those who don't touch young Horses. The Horse is the one who has therefore benefited greatly with perfect Veterinary care and day to day treatment, providing the best outcomes of wound treatment and all other aspects like shots. Less fight, less trauma, better training, more control, more respect and more thanks by the Horses.
I am still having the odd 'phantom agistee' leaving a Horse unattended in my round pen in the evening for I see the bite marks each day. Grrrrrrrr. I also have a phantom one that turns the electric fence off either on purpose or by accident and while we were in Surfers, no electrics and plenty of damage as a result. Sadly, we have a 'Petty Thief' on the property as well so I am installing Cameras.

The Agistment run around paddock raised it's head again today. Mrs. HP was questioned by vroom vroom as to why her horse was out with 5 other Horses and not alone with her Girlfriends (Daddies Girl) Horse. Luckily, Mrs. HP knew a little about the set up (which is not Mrs. HP's job) and that Christian, out of kindness, had offered to put the Horse out but vroom vroom had told her Girl Friend that she didn't want Christian leading it. So today, Girlfriend, who works Office, rushed down here in her Lunch hour to put the two of them out together. Meanwhile however, later in the morning and fair enough, Christian could see that the others hadn't been put out and so put others out. The Girlfriend in a rush at lunch time and fair enough, just threw the other two (hers and vroom vroom) in with he other 3, rather than having to trek in the dust to the back paddock. So once again you see the grief such a wonderful service for the good of Horses, has continued to give us for 16 years long and it is little wonder why virtually no other Equestrian Centre offers the service so Horses rot in their yards and climb the walls, 23 hours by 7. Little did vroom vroom know that Mrs. HP knew the back ground.

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STATE GOVERNMENT

I have long suspected it but it is now confirmed that Democracy is under attack in the State of South Australia, by a Govt that has been in too long and has become outright crooked. They manipulated the destruction of the Leader of the Opposition last year with a fake email that was sent to him and he fell for and not they are completely exposed as of last night. They have attempted to destroy the credibility of Mark Hannah, an Independent Member, by sending him a dodgy email with allegations of corruptions about the Attorney Generals Office, traced by the Police to a fake email address and from an Internet Cafe. Conspiracy to pervert the course of Justice and rigging the up coming State election. The system is rotten to the core and they need kicking out on their ear. Do not vote Labor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will NOT agree to an independent commission against corruption and we need one desperately. For Govt and the dirty Councils that are running around at the moment.
Meanwhile I heard the Vet, shadow Minister of Health being questioned today. He did not know his subject and made a complete fool of himself. The Liberals are a joke too. Vote independent and Greens Folks.

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GOLDEN GROVE HORSE TRAILS CONSULTATIVE PROCESS

and still we wait (4 Months) while they count 100 votes :) Meanwhile, as predicted yet again and always, Golden Grove Road portion of the Trail, between the Service Station and Greenwith Road is not completely unusuable because of Bridges, Bus Stops and now a new Foot path to Bus Stop I note. The only chance Horse Trails will succeed within this District, (without Deaths) is off road, which is exactly what we have offered Council and which is exactly what they don't want. So as they have been systematically destroying the once safe Trails, they want to restrict the Horses of the District to high Danger. What do you read into that Folks???? Do you think that has something to do with the fact that we started with our first Trail in King William Street City and have been systematically kicked, suburb by suburb to Golden Grove???? Blind Freddie can read it :(

I have a boquet for the Tea Tree Gulley Council. I recently asked Councilor Barry Winter (the Silver Fox) if he could get Council to look at a dangerous Bridge crossing on the Cobblers Creek Trail as a Horse was about to fall through it. Also, start droppers and bunting laying on the ground around the newly laid rubber at our new crossing at the roundabout of Golden Grove Road and Cobblers Creek Trail. The Council did it the same week. Thank you all.

Meanwhile, the enemy within Council of the Horse Industry, the Manager of City Assets has gone. Praise the Lord

Our thanks to Councilors Winter, Joy Ricci and Jim Mclaffity for their on going support. I'll fill you in at Council election time on the enemies :)

Meanwhile, the word has it that Sunnybrae Pony Club at Enfield was recently made promises by the local Council and Govt to get new stables and arenas as they wanted to pinch a slice of their land down one side, for a road, and all of a sudden they have been ambushed and sunk down the drain and told they are being kicked out. Meanwhile, Blackhill Pony Club have been told the State Govt wants their Land to expand the Juvenile Prison and make it Luxurious and they are relying on friends of the Premier to save them and find another location in that District. Watch this space and best of luck Folks. The election is on, don't miss is!!!! Remember, the Labour Party are the enemy of the Horse Industry, the Liberal Party are the Friends of the Horse Industry.

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HORSELAW

Hi,

In January I bough a horse sight unseen from NSW. The horse was Advertised as 16.3 - 17hh and on e-mail communication with the seller I asked her to confirm the height as this was very important to me that he be 16.3hh min, she responded back that the was 16.3hh min then in another e-mail said he was 17hh. When we arrived home via transport we thought he looked small, we measured him and the was 16.1hh (we have measured him at 2 different places using 2 different measuring devices, both times the same height).

I e-mailed the seller advising that the horse was not what was advertised but she just responded back that he must be bigger that 16.1hh cause she once had a stallion that was 16.1hh and he looked bigger than that. I asked for my money back and for her to arrange to have the horse removed and she refused. I then wrote her another letter stating that I officially request the refund of my purchase price and that she arranges the removal of the horse but once again I got the response that this is not her problem and she will not give a refund.

Can you please advise if you think I have any chance of getting my money back as this horse is not suitable for the purpose I bought it for due to it's size.

Kind Regards

Providing the advert and the emails are saved, there is high chance of winning a case against the Vendor in this matter. You cannot lie or even make mistakes about height Folks so read my lips for the future.

I am pleased to have been able to negotiate an amicable outcome between the Vendor who sold the Horse that is fine 'at the walk' and everyone is now happy. Nice outcome and thanks to all.

FROZEN SEMEN

Insure your purchase to save possible costly litigation down the track. Things can go wrong in transit and other places, as with a new case that I have right now.

VETS DUTY OF CARE REGARDING AGISTMENT

I have seen a number of cases where Horses have lost mega weight during sleep over at the Vets' premises. Vets' need to be prompted to this problem and reminded that they have a duty of care to the Horse and the Client, to keep the Horse in the same condition that it arrived. Further, there is no doubt in my mind that if 'Savvy' and 'Horsemanship' doesn't reside at the Practice. Emotionally upset and dehydrated Mares will not get in Foal as well as Happy one's. Therefore, Vet's and their Staff need to carefully think about such things. Something that I know from observation isn't on the radar with them. They need to do everything in their power to build facilities that tactically take into account the happiness of Horses. Horses must be not too far away from others and preferable next door (if not a rig or stallion) If they remove one horse they should observe and put another Friend there if a Mare gets upset. Horsemanship!!!!!!!!!!! Common sense., It is 'negligence' to have Horses lose mega weight whilst at the Vets'.

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SCAMMERS GETTING SCAMMED Want a laugh???

Hi John,
I thought I'd elaborate on the stories about Doris and Debbie the Float scammers that were mentioned in your letters about a week back. There's nothing I like better than a dumb Nigerian scammer to play with, and I've had quite a bit of fun we these types of people in the past. It took me about a week to get Doris and Debbie (who is actually the same person, by the way) to wake up to the fact that I was scamming them/him.

Attached is a string of emails between Doris, Debbie and me (operating under my infamous pseudonym Dick Burn), to show this scam works. (My comments are in red to explain what's happening.)
Get a load of what sort of ridiculous garbage this guy is willing to swallow in his greed to try and scam me. He obviously has no clue about Australian geography or our culture. I can usually keep them going for weeks following up and trying to trace non-existent money transfers, but this guy was particularly thick and in the end I had to tell him the jig was up.

One of clever things about this scam is that it uses an Australian Bank Account to give it seeming legitimacy. How this is achieved is by recruiting a local 'mule' to use their real bank account to channel money through. People are usually recruited through those ads promising 'you can earn big money at home from your computer'. The mule receivers the money from the scam victim, keeps a percentage and passes the majority on to the crooks in Nigeria. (The average 'life' of a mule is probably a couple of weeks until scam victims pass on the mule's bank details to the Police, and the game is over. But there's plenty more potential mules out there, and most of them probably think they're doing legitimate money transfers for an overseas export company.)

There are two other increasingly common scams to watch out for.
The first is the escrow scam. This is where the 'seller' (who is always a great distance from you) is willing to send you an item via an escrow arrangement. A genuine Escrow service is actually a good thing for expensive purchases, where the seller and buyer engage a third party Escrow Agency to hold money in trust until the goods are received in good condition by the purchaser, and then the funds are released to the buyer.
Unfortunately, there are dodgy Escrow Agencies around which are scams as well. Often a seller will offer to sell you something with the seemingly legitimate use of a combined Transport and Escrow Agency, but once you pay money, the Escrow they'll shut up shop and you've lost your money and no goods will ever arrive. These sites even have fake customer feedback pages citing what excellent services they deliver.

Second, watch out on ebay where people sell items way too cheap for their value. These people often have low feedback scores (usually less than 10), and what feedback scores they do have are for cheap items, such as cable ties and phone covers, etc. They may even offer 'pick up', which sounds good, but once you've won the auction they will have an excuse why you can't come and pick up, and will offer to mail it to you for free. Money gone.

In Australia, particularly in the equine industry, there are a couple of dead giveaways that something might be wrong and could stop you being scammed.
• Always find out where the item is located before you tell them where you are. If they won't tell you first, that's suspect.
• If they have a name like Smith or Jones, and yet have grammar like they just stepped off the latest immigration by-pass Asylum Boat, start to worry.
• Use a legitimate Escrow agency for expensive purchases where you need to pay any money before you receive the goods. Make sure YOU nominate and engage the Escrow agency, not the seller, and do your research to make sure it is legit. The Yellow Pages is a better place to look for an Escrow Agent than the internet.
• Lastly, if you can't see the item before hand, and you can't afford to lose the money, don't buy it no matter how good the deal is.

If you do come across a scammer, hours of amusement can be had for the whole family, but make sure you never give a real name of any actual personal details. The time they spend wasted on you is time they're not spending ripping off somebody else.

Regards ~ John F

From: Richard Burn <richardburn007@gmail.com>
Subject: Fwd: Horsefloat
To: dorisjames022@yahoo.com.au
Received: Friday, 19 February, 2010, 11:27 AM

Hi There,
Can you please tell me if you still have a horsefloat for sale. My friend was telling me about your ad, so I haven't actually seen the details.
If you still have it for sale, what sort of float is it and where is it?

Thanks ~Dick

fromDoris James <dorisjames022@yahoo.com.au>
toRichard Burn <richardburn007@gmail.com>
dateFri, Feb 19, 2010 at 11:03 PM
subjectRe: Fwd: Horsefloat

Hi Richard,
Sorry, i reply late. Someone has already paid deposit on it. She will be coming next week from Vacation to pick it up. A friend of mine has a float to sale in a good condition. (Seems to be the usual MO) If you dont mind, u can contact her in her emails: Debbiesmith1975@yahoo.com.au , she doesnt use phone but you can always find ur way to speak with the husband . All the best with ur search.

Doris
(Hhmm, not very good English, even for a Queenslander.)



Hi,
Can you please tell me if you have a float for sale, as mentioned below.
If so, can you please tell me about it and let me know where it is.

Thanks ~ Richard (Dick)


(This part is probably scammed from response to a real ad. Note how the language changes later.)
Hi Richard
We have just upgraded to a gooseneck and we have for sale our good condition Rowville 3 Horse Angle load. Attached are photos and details. All in a good condition.Registed till June 2010. Pls, feel free to ask any question. Where are u located? (This is so they can make sure they aren’t local to me.)　

Rear Gas Strut, Pop Up Roof Vents Door ,Rug Rack ( Over Rump), Pull Out Side Annex ,Rubber Lined Walls & Floor, 4 Sliding Windows & Interior Light, Fully Removable Padded Dividers, Head Dividers, Rocker Suspension, Covered In Draw Bar, Electric Brakes, Breakaway System, Always Shedded, Excellent condition.
Tow beautifully weighs 1480kg has been towed by a Pajero & Territory.
Has been used for warmbloods will fit a 17hh
Asking price $8,500.
Kind Regards
Debbie





Hi Debbie,
I hope you don't mind me calling you ’Debbie’, you can call me Dick.
I am a drover on my way from Alice to Adelaide at the moment, pushing a mob of cattle. I don't think I'll be there until late next week. I've got to time it just right, otherwise we could run out of water or hit peak hour traffic moving through Salisbury. (Let’s have a bit of fun and see how stupid these people are and just what they know about Australia.)
Unfortunately, I've only got this kind of sat nav phone at the moment that won't let me download photos, so I can't actually see photos of the float, but it sounds pretty near what I want.
How negotiable are you on price? To tell the truth, the $8500 would almost suck up nearly all of our funds from this drove, and that's counting on not losing any more cattle in the ravines between here and Adelaide.
I don't want to waste your time, but I work for a non-profit organisation that provides work for outback orphans, and we get money for the orphanage by droving cattle or sheep between stations.
I like the sound of the float, it sounds clean enough that we could use it to transport some of the younger orphans between rest camps, as well as horses. Do you think it would be good for that?
We could probably pay the full price, but it would have to be in a couple of installments.
Would you be willing to consider that?

Thanks ~ Dick



Hi Dick,
We are in Mackay QLD.How close are you to Drake Village NSW cos My husband would be coming there next Weekend. I don’t know the specific day. I can find out from him when he is back , can arrange with him to drop the float at your place if not far from there or meet somewhere around there for pick up. This is going to be for Free with all documents for delivery... But believe, is a lovely Float. The last i cant go is $8000 to be honest. Let me know ur thought abt this.
Cheers
Debbie
(Whoa, Debbie’s English is as bad as Doris. What’s Julia Gillard doing about education up there in QLD?!!?)


Debbie,
I can't tell how happy the orphans were to hear this news of your offer. They've already started drawing up a roster to see who will get to sleep in the float first. But I've told them, no more than 12 at a time. But I can't blame them really, we so seldom have a solid roof over our heads in the outback.
Anyway, it's too bad I didn't know the float would be in Mackay, because I have a friend called Clancy, who's gone to Queensland a drovin, but I don't know where he are.
We're about to stop for dinner soon, and it's started raining hard. I'm getting a lot of chafing from the saddle because my pants are wet through. I'm really living up to my shortened name now, I can tell you. Ha ha.
It's time like this when I really miss a dry space, like a float, to dry our clothes. The annex will be great for the orphans to sleep under, while I'm inside having a bit of alone time. Boy I miss those sheep, they're much easier to handle than cows.
I reckon when we get to Adelaide, I'll cancel the drove to Tassie, and see if I can could pick up another one going to Queensland instead.
If we can get another drove, I'll probably have money to buy a better car as well. You don't know anyone who's selling a good towing car do you?
If I can't get a drove coming your way, I'll just use some of the orphan's Easter money to fly up. I think I deserve it, so maybe even first class. Bugga ém.
You can see why this will be the perfect float for us, but I'm really worried you might sell it before I get a chance to see it. Do you have is advertised for sale anywhere at the moment?
Your friend ~ Dick Burn


Hi Dick,
Is nice reading from you again. The float is in a perfect condition as i have told you earlier.The float will go for whosever pay deposit down as i have many interested buyer. I gave out the float to others at $9000 but being an ophanage that is why i brought it very low. So, whosever pay deposit first will get it. I cant quarantee u until deposit is paid. If is not what want, u will have ur money back without taking any cent.

Debbie (I like the wording ‘for whosever pay deposit down’. Sounds almost like Shakespeare.)


Hi Debbie,
It's nice reading from you again, too. I just want to say you are a really special person helping us out with the price because of the orphans. There's not may people these days that care enough to help other people out that are in need, like my orphans. And you have demonstrated this in real terms by offering us the float at $1000 cheaper than other people.
I'm sorry me emails are so long, but please remember that a virile outback man like me spends many lonely hours on the trail, often going months without seeing a woman.
You probably going to think I'm being silly, because you are probably a smart city girl and I am just an obtuse country hick, but I had a dream last night that buying this float from you was just the start of and important relationship between us. Do you believe in fate? I'd like to buy you dinner when I come to pick up the float. You obviously like horses, so have you ever dreamed of getting out of the city and taking up life on a drove in the outback? (Let’s get it on, Debbie baby, yeah!)
At the moment, we're about 350km south of Adelaide, and we're making pretty good time so we should arrive a little earlier than expected, although it is very wet. (Not to mention under water.)
What's the best way for us to proceed about the float? I've got heaps of money in my saddle bags because I've got very little opportunity to spend it where I travel. I usually deposit about $10k at a time when I get to a bank, but don't tell the orphans.
Yes, I definitely do want the float! Please don't sell it, consider it sold.
Can you trust my word on it? If you can, I promise I'll fly up with the cash money as soon as I get to Adelaide. I'll even pay a little more if you're willing to trust me.
Please let me know.
Thanks ~ Dick
PS: Tell me a little about yourself. Are blond or brunette? My last wife was a flaming redhead. No hair, just a flaming red head.

Hi Dick,

Sorry, sometimes busniess doesnt work like that ok. We can only deal if i have deposit down on the float. Good day. (Oooh, she sounds PO’d. I’d better back off.)



Debbie,
Your right. I shouldn't mix business with personal things. I shouldn't abuse your good nature, and you really don't know me. I'm happy to pay you a deposit, on the provision you send me an email stating clearly that you, Debbie Smith, will fully refund the full amount of any deposit given if I am not happy with the float, or am unable to take receipt of the float within two weeks.
Will that be ok? Let's see if we can agree on a deposit amount. If so, what is the way for me to get payment to you.
Thanks ~ Dick


Hi Dick,
First,I dont want you to PANIC over anything... (ok, I won’t) We are church going people (So were Jim and Tammy.). There is no single rust on the float. A full refund would be made if float is not as seen in the photos or as described. We would not have a problem taking the float back if it’s not what you wanted. We are doing this on TRUST and I hope you will not let us down. Myself and Mary (who?) agreed on half payment will be deposited into our bank account before the float leaves. But believe me, u will like this float. Is in a perfect condition. My husband will confirm tonight when he comes back from work to know exart day he will be travelling to Drake Village, and i will get back to u. If u are okay with this, i will make the purchase agreement and send u a copy to read through.
Hope to read from you soon
Debbie.

(This is to add credibility that I believe Debbie)
f
Hi Doris,
It's Dick again. Sorry to bother you, but I'm about to enter into an agreement to buy the float from your friend Debbie.
Do you know anything about the float she is selling, like is it as good as she says it is, and is she an honest and reliable person?

Thanks, and please don’t tell Debbie I asked.
Dick


Debbie,
I was relieved to receive this letter from you. I thought I might have been too friendly in some of my earlier letters too soon.
You are only trying to sell a float, and I was fooling myself that we were becoming friends. I am sorry for this, and I will try to talk only business from now on.
I am also a Church man, but I don't get to go very often when I'm outback droving with the orphans. It probably why I behave too friendly from being lonely. It's a shame for me that I have plenty of money but no wife to share it with.
Anyway, please send me through the purchase agreement. You can try sending it as an attachment, but, as I said, I'm on a sat nav email device that does really handle attachments very well. In case it doesn't work, please also send it as text inside the email.
I probably won't be able to reply to your emails tonight, as the batteries are running low in my sat nav, and I need the horse to keep moving to charge them up because he's hooked up to a dyno generator.
I'll read the agreement as soon as I get it and reply as fast as I can.
Thanks ~Dick
PS: Who is this friend Mary you mentioned. Is she married? Or did you mean you are a Catholic and were praying to the Virgin Mary?



Hi
Is nice writting to you again. As far as i know, she is a good woman. I guess u can trust her and beside, i know where she lives. Take care

Doris


Thanks Doris,
That's is some relief to me, because it is a lot of money I'm going to spend.
But one thing worries me - what did you mean by 'take care' at the end of your message. What do I need to be careful of?
Dick


...I will need your FULL NAME and ADDRESS to prepare the purchase agreement. I will confirm from Mary when exactly she will be travelling to drake village and let you know abt it in the morning. Sorry, she is married. Thanks.
Kind Regards

f

Debbie
My details are:
Richard Randy Burn
21 Lindsay Street,
Darwin NT 0800
(That’s the address of the AFP in Darwin.)
Just to be clear, how will this work? I can't give you the full amount until I see the float. The only thing I can offer is a reasonable deposit.
Please make sure the Purchase Agreement states that my deposit will be immediately refunded by you in full if I don't like the float. Sorry to be serious after all you've done to help me with a good price, but this must be clear.
Also, the Agreement cannot be binding until I sign it, or send you the deposit as a token that I accept the terms.
I hope we cannot fail to make an agreement so near the final stage.
Thanks ~ Dick


Hi Dick,
Sorry, i couldnt reply u last night. You have nothing to be careful of, she is a good woman, i know her 9yrs now and she never cheat anyone. I said take care just a normal to say bye. So, what are u driving at??????????????????// (Jeez, what a bey-atch.)



Hi Dick,
Attached is the purchase agreement. Please take your time to read carefully.Minimum deposit of $4000 would be pay into our bank account before the float takes off from us as we don’t accept CASH due to our past experience and the balance as agreed in the agreement, pls, let me know if you are OK with it before I print it out,and to proceed on how payment will be made into our account. Mary promised to let me know when she will be leaving to Drake Village later today. Pls. check the agreement and let me know your thought about it.
Hope to read from you.
Regards
Debbie


Debbie,
It looks completely fair to me. I get all of my money back if it's not what you describe, so I can't ask more than that. The biggest risk for me is that I might make a trip to Queensland for no reason.
This timing could work out well, as I should be near a small town soon where I can get access to a proper computer or bank.
If you can print off the agreement, sign it, scan it and send it back to me, I can print it off at my end and sign and scan back to you.
Do you know anyone who selling a good towing car? Otherwise I'll have to borrow or lease a car, or look around town nearby for something for sale.

Thanks ~ Dick
PS: The orphans have a cute outback name for you 'Aunty Debbie, the Float Ho.'



Hi Dick,
You will have to sign it up first if all is alright with u and scan it back to me. I will have to sign it up and attach it with other documents like RWC and the insurance before we can proceed on payment. I wait for response. (I wait for dropped ‘second person personal pronouns’.)
Cheers
Debbie


Debbie,
No worries. I misunderstood, I thought you were going to print it first. Doesn't matter.
I've decided to call past a nearby property owned by a couple of old army pals, Erskine and Gunter, called Krakafat Station. They're nice guys, but I didn't realise they were homosexual until after we left the army and then I found out they set up camp together. (No pun intended) The fact they shared a double swag in the bush should have been a dead give away, but I didn't read too much into it at the time.
I hope that doesn't bother you, being a church lady, but I thought I had better be honest with you in case you might object. If it does, I can get to a bigger town in about 2 extra days.
As soon as I get to the station, I'll be able to print and scan the signed agreement back to you.
Once that happens, I imagine you still want a deposit, so what is the best way I can get the money to you? I could probably do PayPal or Diners (does that still exist?), or some sort of direct deposit into your bank account, if you like.
Look for the signed agreement within the next 24 hours.
After all this trouble, please don't sell the float to someone else. It would be too cruel now.
Thanks for your patience ~ Dick



Hi Dick,
Am sorry, you have to sign up the agreement before we could proceed on payment. Is better we have agreement incase of any problems in the future because some buyer after taken the float they will be reluctant to pay the balance. I think am fair enough and am doing this on TRUST and I hope you will not let us down when you have the float (Spelling and grammar, Debbie, please!)

Debbie



Debbie,
Here's the agreement. Sorry some of the colour has washed out of the scan, but I had to save it as low resolution because the internet slow dial up here, but you can still read it fine.
Let me know your bank details and I'll transfer some money as soon as possible.
Thanks ~ Dick


Hi Dick,
Good morning. Below is our bank details.Minimum deposit of $4000 would be pay into our bank account before the float takes off from us as we don’t accept CASH due to our past experience and the balance as agreed on delivery, Mary will be leaving to Drake Village on saturday 27/02 , She will be calling you as soon as she confirm the payment in her account.......
Pls, email a copy of the payment reciept when the transfer has been done.
NAME:
MARY XXX
BANK NAME
: XXX BANK
ACCOUNT NO: XXXXXXXX
BSB: XXXXX
(I deleted the details to protect the mule, because she will soon be in deep legal poop.)
Cheers
Debbie
(Ok, this part makes the scam look legit because you see an Australian bank account, right? Wrong. Some poor local sucker has answered one of those offers to ‘earn $10,000 a week from your computer at home’ ads and become their mule. The mule might actually think it’s a legitimate trading business that pays a commission for you to take payments into your Australian account and then forward the balance on to them overseas. Most mules only last a couple of weeks until they get a knock on the door from the cops, but even if the scammers get just one transfer through the mule that’s still several grand in their pocket.)


Hi dick,
I want to know if the payment has been made. (gimme a chance, Debbie. Pushy, pushy.)
Debbie



Hi Debbie,
I just got in from a hard ride, and it sounds like Erskine and Gunter are having hard after dinner ride in the next room, Brokeback Mountain style.
Anyway, I've paid the $4000 to the KRAKAFAT Station Accountant, Mr Chips Mirkin, who is a very ‘big wig down under’ in finance. (Look up mirkin in the dictionary. I crack myself up.)
He's placed it in his own company Electronic Funds Transfer system, which will transfer the money to your account when you go to the web address listed below. Either click on it or cut and paste it into your Internet Explorer address bar.
http://westraliaunderwriters.webs.com/index.htm
By clicking on this link, you accept the money and it releases it into your account. So don't start the transfer unless you really want the money. You can abort the transfer by exiting the link. (Give it a try. The progress bar just keeps restarting. This normally gives me weeks of fun getting the scammer to chase money that doesn’t exist, but this guy is one of the more boring ones, so let’s cut it short.)
As I said last night, the internet is slow here, so be patient.
The money will show up in your account in 16 to 24 hours, depending on when you start the transfer. Please send me a receipt as soon as you have it.
Hope all is good with you ~ Dick

dateFri, Feb 26, 2010 at 7:26 AM
subjectI cant access your transaction, Dick
signed-byyahoo.com.au

Hi Dick,
How are u? I just want to inform you that the transaction you made was not accessable and i advise you to take back ur money and deposit it directly into the account i sent to you. I tried all i could but it wasnt accessable. Meanwhile, Mary will be leaving for drake Village tomorrow evening and as you know the float will not leave from the garrage unless we confirm the payment.
Hope to read from you soonest.
cheers
Debbie (I reckon it may be someone with better slightly better command of the English language here. It might even be a cut and paste from the aussie mule.)

Hi Debbie,
Did you open the website and see the download working?
Dick


hi Burn, (Calling me by my last name now, eh?) i opened the website but was unable to download the transaction.i will prefer you make a direct deposit to the account.


Debbie,
I'll have to ride back a few hours to the station, because I'm back on the drove. I emailed Chips Mirkin, and he said the money has left his account and has transferred to yours. It might show up tomorrow morning because it's not instant.
He said as long as you didn't stop the download before it was finished, we should be ok.
Dick

it will be nice if u can make a confirmation from him



Debbie,
I have good and even gooder news.
I got back to KRAKAFAT Station this morning, and guess what, no Chips Mirkin! The big wig from down under had shot through during the night and made a run for it with your money!
Straight away we called the cops and set out riding hard after Chips, with we me on my horse Kev 07 and Erskine and Gunter rode behind on their horse Cyril (why they insist on riding together on the one horse, I don't know. I told them they'd go faster if they had one each. at least they weren't riding side-saddle, like last time).
Anyway, we finally caught up with Chips, camped by a billabong. At the same time the cops arrived 1, 2, 3.
Chips, realising he had been caught with no way to escape, got up and jumped right into the billabong. 'You'll never take me alive.' said he, as he sank beneath the water.
But the best thing is, we found the money in his tucker bag. The was a scary moment when we all thought we heard this feint voice murmur 'You'll come a waltzing with me.' It sounded ghostly at first, but then we realised Erskine and Gunter had disappeared behind a bush, and...well let's not go there.
It's just another day in outback life, so the money is safe and sound.
That's the good news, but the even gooder news is this.
Do you remember my friend Clancy Overflow I told you about that was in Queensland? Well, he's willing to call by and give you the full $8000 in cash, and pick up the float right there from your or Mary's place.
The best thing is, he be there in an hour with the full amount!
Being an Australian Federation Police officer, you can be sure he's trustworthy and reliable. I hope cash is ok.
Let me know and hopefully he can come and pick up the float today.
A happy outcome for us both, the orphans will be so happy ~ Dick



That is lovely. So, when do u intend to come for the pick up as i have other client coming to check for the float too. I think i have waited enough. i just wanna know ur decision on it. (Surely he’s got to be suspicious that I’m on to him now???)

Debbie,
Yes, it is lovely. Clancy can come to your place in Mackay in the morning, or I can have someone else to Mary's place tomorrow afternoon with the full amount of money. Since the Mardi Gras is on in Sydney tonight, Erskine and Gunter seem to know no end of people that could do a pick in NSW and are willing to drive it back for us.
I was looking back through your first emails, and I had an epiphany when I realised you said your husband is driving it down to Drake Village, and later that Mary was bringing it down. Now it all makes sense to me... you are in a lesbian relationship and Mary is the male in your partnership. That's ok by me, and sorry I was so slow to pick it up.
Anyway, just let me know the address of the float and I can have someone come round to get it with the cash, then we can finally put an end to this.
Thanks ~ Dick



i hv my adress on the agreement (Definitely suspicious and PO’d, me thinks.)

(I’m getting bored now, time to end it.)


Thanks Debbie,
Clancy is staying at the Coral Cay Resort Motor Inn (that’s what the address on the agreement actually is), also in Mackay.
So if that's very close to where you are, he'll be around at 8am tomorrow.
A strange thing just happened. I've just come back from a special Aboriginal Corroboree ceremony, and the most powerful magic man in the region said he had his worst wirrirrap singing curse ready to put on someone who was doing something evil to his tribe. Everybody gasped in shock, because it is a such a very bad curse it is almost never used. I couldn't believe it when he said it was for you! Look here if you do not believe what will happen. http://www.haunted.com.au/hauntedaustralia/0708melton/0708melton.html
(If he is in Nigeria, this sort of thing can often scare the carp out of them more than the cops. They are a very superstitious culture. I know of one scammer that paid to have the curse lifted.)
I have to tell you Debbie, or Doris or Ajayi or Bitalo or Guban or Mablevi, you are one of the dumbest and least imaginative scammers I've ever met. If it had have been me, I would at least have given my address as the Mackay cemetery down the road. That's real class, but that's something you'll never have.
Thanks for the entertainment cos my friends and I have been laughing our asses off at you all week. I'd love to go on with longer, but I've got to post this on the internet and you've already given me more than 10 pages of laughs. This will earn me a lot of money from my internet readers who will enjoy your story, so thanks for buying me a new LCD TV, Widescreen of course. (Not unless Mr HP is feeling generous)
You are so stupid that you used the same IP address for both Debbie and Doris. But that's why you are a thief and will always stay a thief, because you are stupid. Even if you earn a million bucks from these scams, you'll still just be a monkey in an Armani suit, no matter how much money you have.
Thanks for being stupid enough to log onto that fake website to download the money. While you were thinking you were getting the money, a program was searching your computer. (I wish, but let’s yank his chain!) I can now send all your personal details I scraped from your computer to Interpol. You better run for it quick, monkey. You will pay one day, either in this life or the next.
So monkey man, enjoy you're fun while you can, the curse will soon find you, or you should hope the police do first.
Ha ha ~ Dick (or whatever my real name is)

+++++++++++++

LETTER OF THE DAY

Hi John, ....LD has asked the most valuable question, in my view, of rider's safety,... how to get on a difficult one. Some riders will say ho hum no need to learn that, my horse is dead quiet. All horses can be difficult to mount if they are green, fresh, or you are in a group say and you have to dismount and the others have ridden off. Your horse can become frantic to join his mates and he is on the end of your bridle doing Catherine wheels, what do you do then?. This has probably happened to everyone at one time.

I have noticed in the past you have started to address the problem John, mentioning an off side monkey strap, this is mandatory, you cannot get enough grip on the pommel to safely pull yourself up, holding the cantle means you have to let go as the leg comes over and the nanno second this happens can cause you to have a fall. A fall to the near side can be disastrous as even a stirred up quiet horse can sometimes lash out at you.

When I was younger, station managers would sometimes ask you to take horses off the breaker that had been handled maybe three days and ridden once or twice. Watching good horsemen, I learned an almost foolproof way to get on. This was to tighten the near side rein, slacken the off side rein, put the back of your left hand against the horses neck, first finger up where the mane sprouts from his neck, fingers pointing towards the saddle, and half to a third of the way along his neck . Bring his head right around towards you, lock the mane and reins with your thumb over your closed fingers, face his rear end, pivot on your left knee against his shoulder, right hand over the saddle holding the monkey strap and mount on one fluid movement, pulling yourself into the saddle. Fluid mounting may have to be practised and practised in a yard, don't wait until you are in trouble in the open. If he can straighten his neck and gallop forward or worse, spin clockwise you are in big trouble, you can never reach the saddle, make sure he is spinning anti clockwise if he is stirred up, and you can always get on. By twisting your hand you can put added pressure on to make his head come around even further towards you. On a real bad one tying up a front leg works but you have to know a bit about leg restraints to try this.

If he has a hogged mane get the person who hogged it to ride him! This method is no good with no mane.
If you have an all purpose ejector saddle it is difficult to fit a monkey strap to the off side.
Sorry to be so long winded John but I get so frustrated when junior riders ( and seniors) not being taught how to get on, get hurt. Future Podcast perhaps???? Regards Bill

Dead set correct Bill and precisely how and why I mount a Horse as well. It used to be taught in Pony Clubs before the British HS Curriculum came across. They can hang onto wherever they like, front, back, cantle, let flaps but if and when a Horse jumps or worse, they don't have a Prayer :) Regards

++++++++++++++

LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi John and Linda, Its been a very long time since I’ve written. Hope Lindas leg is all good now. I haven’t ridden for nearly 3 months due to a back injury (not from riding). Anyway, I’d like to introduce you to our most perfect addition to our family. We are leasing him as we have had to many dramas with purchasing the wrong horse......That said......he seems to be the right horse....at last. So he is a Welsh Cob with the best nature on the ground and in the saddle. My daughter rides him often. He is a dope and extremely friendly. Luckily.....because last week, he stepped on a “go-cart” tyre that I had covering a garden bed picket. But he not only stepped onto it, he somehow managed to step through it and it ended up on his leg. There was no way my husband and daughter could get it off, so we called the farrier and the vet. Cut a long story short, after trying several tools and then an angle grinder (which broke one blade), the tyre was removed. We had to bandage his leg from the sparks and the pulling and tugging. He is fine, always was, even with the tyre plodding along the ground with him. He never panicked once and just let everyone do what they had to do to help. I have attached photos. These tyres have reinforced steel in them, so the usual tools just wouldn’t work. Most people said to me just “cut it off or pull it off”. We simply couldn’t. It wouldn’t budge. So my warning to people is, don’t leave anything laying around in your horses yard. I thought I was protecting him by covering a little garden picket with this tyre, but he was probably bored and started throwing it around and look where it ended up. He could have broken his leg through falling with the way he was walking whilst the tyre was on him. I am lucky....so is he.....THIS TIME! I have now removed every little item foreseeable in his yard. And with a vet bill of $166.00, (for 20 minutes), I will make sure this never happens again. The farrier took the tyre as a souvenir. He said he has never seen anything like it in the 30 years he has worked with horses. Have a good week horseproblem readersand keep your horsey friends safe! Lisa.- Geraldton.

Hi Lisa. Nice to hear from you again.  Wow Lisa. What a legend? One in a million I reckon!!! Well done in your selection and great to hear you finally have such a wonderful Horse. Regards

++++++++++++

Hi John
Very hot here John. Mid west coastal WA renowned for it's cooling seabreezes is definitely feeling the heat. 44C at 6pm on Saturday and it was 45.5 in the shade midday and even worse, it was 36C at midnight!! Air cons going non stop. Though Saturday was the hottest we have had 4 days in the low to mid/high 40s and we are only 3 kms from the coast. 42 in the shade now - midday Sunday.

Highway One closed north and south of Geraldton due to bushfires. Volunteer and professional crews working round the clock to try and control these blazes coping with searing NE winds and fickle wind changes. Luckily the fires are in open farmland/station/reserve country away from populated areas at the moment. Horse fire plan running through my head ie safest paddocks, fire proof halters/ leadropes, no float at the moment, whose to borrow, where to take horses, dogs,cats etc etc. Husband out volunteer firefighting withe the local crew for the last three days - all very weary and exhausted but soldier on with little complaint.

Horsecare/ handling restricted to plenty of hay, fresh water, checked 2 -3 times a day - troughs/baths kept topped up for the benefit of birds as well!

The recent info. on your site regarding horse dentists, power tool use (dremels) has interested me. We had a horse dentist with all the " bells and whistles" and all the latest whizz bang technology go through our horses several years ago. It all looked pretty good, impressive (and expensive) the first time. No sedation, professional, all very nice, warm and fuzzy and many people roped in. One year later the show was on the road again. After going to info. night along with the converted alarm bells rang - major dental transformations all done in the blink of an eye? Horses with severe mouth/teeth problems fixed for a few hundred dollars? Maybe I'm wrong but in the people world this major realignment would require some surgery and ongoing monitoring and attention! We used our place as a central point for the dentistry day. Sadly I had to work but left the organisation of yards/times etc in the hands of capable friends. Apparently it was a real circus - trainee dentists mastering their skills on unco-operative horses, a horrified Vet called into tranquilize traumatised horses (and owners!!) so that the job could be completed. A day to forget.

Now a wonderful, very busy equine dentist (EDDA - Melbourne University) travels up from the big smoke once a year when the weather is cooler and sees to all our horses. The horses teeth are examined thoroughly, rasping done manually, molar caps /wolf teeth/decayed or loose teeth removed quickly and quietly with no restraint or tranquilisation. The horses all behave for him though the running commentary given contains a few expletives and some interesting character references for each horse! A thorough explanation is given for every horse and I have often inserted my hand to the very back of horses mouths for the before and after "feel" - done very cautiously at first I must admit. The horses are released from the gag frequently to give them a rest and it all seems to be a ho hum, relaxed experience for them. Costs are very reasonable for each horse -and I am a very grateful client
Interestingly an old pacer whose teeth were rasped with power tools in the past has had three loose teeth pulled out in the last two years. No decay, damage etc apparent but they are all top molars next to each other -the teeth were just dead and loose. The dentist asked me if he had power tools used in his mouth - he is seeing this problem quite often and puts it down to overuse of power tools actually overheating and killing the teeth in that section. He is also seeing rows of teeth "filed" completely flat which is not natural in a horses mouth.

Anyway food for thought John. Take care and I hope this heat doesn't make it's way east. Regards to you both. Julie

Thanks for that feedback Julie. Very interesting indeed and building on the puzzle and debate abut the use of power tools on Horses Teeth. Thanks The Heat sounds terrible and amazingly, we haven't go it as we always naturally do. Things are changing. We have had destructive winds here. Days of them. Trees clipped and ripped as if a whipper snipper had been taken to them or big mob of Cockies, The World is in trouble for sure. Best of luck with the Fires. At least the wankers won't allow Trucks through to their Death like last time. Regards

++++++++++++++++

Hi John,
Thanks for your very informative article on construction of arenas. I'm looking to build stables at the moment and have just dug out an area under the stable area so I can backfill with rubble to effect good drainage.
I am not using concrete floors and I know this surface (whilst easy to
clean) to be very hard on horses legs. I have had success with dirt floors in the past. My question to you is could I use the same recycled builders fill (with large stones - the size of railway ballast) underneath. How would you suggest I layer the stones / rubbish/ fill/ whatever to achieve a really good draining surface. I've priced the blue metal stones of varying sizes and don't want to take the second mortgage required to do it the expensive way :-) The stables will be 3m x 3.6 metres.
I plan to use a thick layer of sawdust on top of the dirt. These stables aren't going to be occupied 24/7. I only have one horse and two stables so there will be lots of opportunity to rotate between them to facilitate cleaning and drainage. Horse will be paddocked during the day.

Thanks again for your article. I hope you can help with my query.

Regards,

Erica

Doesn't matter how. Just put it down and drive vehicles over it, perhaps wetting it well first. Then, put a thin layer of 50mm 20 dolomite rubble and roll. Then your sawdust. Regards

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Hi John,

Its been a while since I've written to you and I'm happy to report everyone is happy and healthy. I managed to sell my little A.D.D pinto pony to a lovely young girl who is a member of the Victorian Young Dressge Rider Squad. I'm pleased to report that they are going great guns together and the state coaches just adore the pony and her education (all thanks to you!). In fact the pony has stepped up to the next level and just thrives on the challenge and the fact she has an audience looking at her all the time, she always did perform well under pressure at events. Only a month after the new owners got her they were riding in front of National level Coaches who said she will be hugely competitive and to try out for the nationals next year. Im a very proud mummy as this little pony could well have ended up in a tin, having 5 owners up until 2 y/o as she was smart as hell being A.D.D and 'way out of her box'. So, thank you John.

My pleasure

Secondly, my little weanling that was unhandled when I got her at the markets and weaned that same day is just amazing. She is now a year old and I can't believe how quickly time flies. She is the most respectful little girl and so very well handled, I will even admit to you that I have climbed on her bareback as I ran out of things to do with her, lol.

Unreal!!

Now, my next challenge is an orphaned standardbred x welsh foal that my friend and I have taken on as his mother prolapsed and died within a few hours after his birth. The orginal mare owner just said to shoot him! Anyway, he leads, ties up solid, picks up all his feet (whilst tied up), wears a rug to keep him warm at night, and has been floated all over the place as we have been trying different surrogate mares without much success at this stage. He is now 7 days old. he is happy to drink out of a bucket and we've had several vets look at him who say he's fine, but we've just had bloods taken in case. He weighs just a tad under 60kg. I noticed on day 3 he was starting to get pushy, so we have introduced your feeding time rules and I will not tolerate any disrespectful behaviour and will send him away immediately if he gets humpy around me or pushy which he started to do to some kids on day 4.

So, now his behaviour is getting better, but I'm still paranoid he will get out of his box. Is there anything else I can do?? I'm planning on hobble training him shortly and having the farrier rasp his feet. Can I put him inn with my now 1 y/o filly, will she be able to teach him some respect or is she still too young herself, should I be looking for an older mare?? My welsh stallion was brillant with the other foal when I got her as a baby, he adored her, but then again, she was a filly. Alternatively, I have an older standardbred mare who has had a foal before and was an excellent mother and is very maternal. In saying that, she didn't want a bar of the other foal as a baby and I'm thinking now it may have been because the foal was a riding pony not a standy baby. I would not even contemplate my gelding as a companion. Oh, what to do??? Your advice would be greatly appreciated and I hope we're not out of our depth.

Take care,


Renee

I'd go for the yearling Renee and wouldn't risk the Standy  Mare as he is frail and confused and one kick can give you a broken leg or death. Give him the full leg restraints training and that'll sort him out and at his size, if he gets too smart, lay him down :) Well done again. I wish more would be so responsible. Regards


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SAND COLIC

Hi John

Just wanted to write & say ‘I am gobsmacked’!

Gave your colic mixture to a mare who has been scouring for a while. I have tried large doses of psyllium, bran, controlling qty of water consumed etc. Also wondered whether hormones were to blame as she recently had a phantom pregnancy. Within about 6 hrs of dosing her (lots of 60ml syringe-fulls & a bit of mess, wasn’t too bad ) her poo became normal and has remained such for over a week.

Do you know what it is in the milk/ honey that works/helps? I’m fascinated to understand WHY/HOW it works.

Thanks so much – best $25 I’ve spent in a long time!
Regards

Soo Broster
EA NCAS Level 1 General Coach
Proprietor, Ardis Equestrian Centre
www.ardisequestrian.com.au
 

Thanks Sue. Yes, we do know but that is the 60 year old Family Secret :) Well done though. I bet your Horse is happy :) Regards

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I watched your video on bridleing an ear shy or head shy horse, I am having that exact problem right now. I can halter him just fine, I have even got to the point where I can rub his head between his ears really good, taking the bridle off is no problem just putting it on is very difficult almost dangerous, he raises his head jerks away etc.

Would you recomend using the technique shown in your video of using knee hobbles and tying his head down?

Thanks,

aaron

Hi Aaron, yes BUT ONLY if you have seen and STUDIED my leg restraints dvd carefully and pre trained your Horse first. Regards

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28th February, 2010

My appols Folks. I simply ran out of time tonight. No news or any of the usual. Catch you soon.

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Natural Horsemanship Training Rope Halter (Full, Cob & Pony) All white with blue fleck to match Ropes

               
                         Tying Up Halter  (avail next week)                         Natural Horsemanship Halter (avail now)

E-BOOK on Tying Up here (96 Pages about systems, equipment and facilities)

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LETTER OF THE DAY

Gday John

I need a horsemans opinion on mounting..a simple question really but a debate that seems to be going around in circles with other riding members.. I have been mounting horses ever since I can remember by using the right hand on the cantle( I find it much easier) OK the rule books states that the right hand must be placed on the pommell because it prevents twisting of the tree and prevents unwanted pressure on the horses back.. This is my argument.. If a horses stands still while rider climbs aboard & the horse has the right attitude isn't that the important factor?? Not where a hand is placed. And to add to my argument I own a saddle that was given to me in 1985 has been ridden in, broken horses in with, bitten by horses, dropped on the ground & besides from numerous repackings and the odd job done to maintain it. The tree is in still perfect working condition...
Regards LD

Very good question LD. The Rule Book you speak of would be written by the British Horse Society I suspect and like most things that come from that Document, Horsemanship was forgotten. Imho, you are therefore completely correct for what is more important, a Kid in a Wheel Chair because of a Rule Book or some perceived slight discomfort to the back of a Horse. Yet there are no Rules for Obese people to rip the whither off Horses during mounting. So the number one priority should be safety and control, equaling 'Risk Management' I would submit. Therefore, hold onto whatever you like, back of saddle, front of saddle, knee roll or in my case, off side monkey strap in readiness. Well done :)

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

ELECTRIC DENTAL EQUIPMENT USE

Hi John,

Just thought I would post a little response to my mate Steve about power tools used in horses mouths. I'm glad to hear that his horses did OK with their experience but I thought I would have a little look around the web and find out what others in the equine dentistry business across the world have to say.

I didn't have to look far, read the following excerpts and websites, 2 of the first things I googled up.
Bob Livock is one of the most experienced and respected equine dentists. He learnt equine dentistry whilst in the army. After leaving the army he continued working as a professional equine dentist and was one of the founding people of this profession in the UK. He frequently travels abroad to routinely rasp horse's teeth for many of the world's top riders. He has been used by vets on numerous occasions to help sort out dentistry problems.
He has expanded the skill of rasping teeth beyond the point of simply removing sharp points to enable the teeth to be shaped according to the work required of the horse. Bob does all rasping by hand tools and will not routinely use power tools because over the past two or three years he has noticed the damage that power tools can physically do to the teeth and the problems they frequently cause to the horse in it's ability to eat and work. Power tools cannot be used to shape the teeth properly and can cause additional sharp edges to form. In Bob's professional opinion the use of power tools for routine rasping constitutes a welfare issue.

http://www.kingtonlangleystud.co.uk/equine_dentistry_13824.php


Second site I looked at was a vet Q&A site:

Question: Most of the vets in my area use the power dental tools and have stopped the traditional floating of teeth. However, I remember reading research articles that suggested the power tools could seriously damage teeth, killing the roots. The article suggested this would happen unless water was sprayed on the teeth as they were being filed. None of our local vets use water but just say they work quickly so I should not be concerned.
I'd love to have an answer as to the safety of the power tools.

Answer: Click To View
Concerns have been raised about the possibility of heat damage if dental/power equipment is used indiscriminately. The research that I am familiar with was performed with a cadaver tooth in a vice and may not accurately represent the situation in the live horse. However, caution is definitely advised.

So yes Steve, my experience with a power float is single based but was with 5 horses, all had problems. The vet was power tool trained! You reckon I should get out more, funny your the one saying you don't feel compelled to write on horsey forums, who is it that is not getting out. I'm glad it has ignited some debate because it needs to be looked into much more than it has been and people who pay for a service deserve to have that service completed in a way that helps your horse not damages it, be it the tooth or psychologically.

I have a couple of little sayings in life Steve, one is where theres smoke theres fire, and the second one is I only get burnt once.

If I remember correctly I recommended Vets do their research, I'll up it to owners to do their research, I just did, and it confirmed exactly what I found out the hard way.

P.S - Another interesting snippet is that power floating reduces wear and tear on Vets and users, didn't I mention laziness in their somewhere too?

Thanks for the right of reply :) I only operate on one principle, which is why I agreed with you. If I meet One Horse that has adversely been effected by anything, then I listen to them, not Humans and act accordingly. Regards

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Hi John
You have got me curious on the amount of food a horse should get. When you say a biscuit of hay, there would be a size difference with each biscuit as to each horse. My daughter has a 14.2 quarter horse who puts on the weight just looking at hay. Then there's a 16.3 standardbred who would starve on that biscuit if it was fed the same amount. Could you please, when you have the time, to podcast or put photos on your site what is the right size biscuit for each horse in work and the paddock ornaments. Also, could you show what else a horse should have each day to feed on. I think it will take away a lot of confusion with others horse owners who read your site. Thanks you for being there for us novices.
Kind regards
Barbara
 

Hi Barbara, Shall do. There are roughly 10 Biscuits in a Bale. That depends of course on the weight of the Bale and of course the closer to the Metro area you buy your Hay, the less the weight an if you buy from Mediterranean type people, more often than not it will be weeds and half weight. Not being Racist. That is a fact that I have learnt many times, the hard way. You should have hanging scale in your Shed. I have, to catch out my Staff as few people can judge weight (City Folk). We feed most Horses 8kg a day plus pellets and incl Lucerne. We shall look at putting a more comprehensive data article together for you though. Regards

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REARING PONY ON THE GROUND FROM THE OTHER NIGHT

>  

Thanks very much John, for the quick reply. I have now looked further into your Adelaide website, and am so pleased that I have found it!!!

Will be going thru from top to bottom. Just watched your podcast on feeding time, and am off to lock pony up, stockwhip in hand. As I said, she has little respect for me, and just watching that then made me realise HOW BADLY I have handled it to date. She does swing at me, grunts and squeals, knocks me out of the way with her back end, and has looked to double barrel several times. Am wondering if you can recommend a DVD or similar of yours, on the whole getting respect subject? I have ridden since I was 10, done pony club,etc, then had a TB gelding who I dressaged and evented for 10 years, a perfect gentleman on the ground.

Am not really familiar with rude, pushy young horses, so need some direction please! Many thanks, Elsa.

As Horse Trainers around the World say every day Elsa, "What you Manufacture on the Ground, you inherit under Saddle" So obviously, according to your letter here, your Horse is out of Control. In brief, do this....it is all my my site.

• leg restraints training
• Feeding time rules
• learn and teach the 7 Games
• Do the hide your bum

Problem solved immediately. Regards

+++++++++++++

John, Thank you so much for sending the DVDs. We are really looking forward to using your system. We've watched your YouTube and Podcast presentations and we think very highly of your techniques. We rescued three horses about 7 months ago, a yearling filly, an OTTB, and a previously unridden 8 year old Appaloosa brood mare (rescued from Falconridge Equine Rescue, http://falconridgerescuenews.blogspot.com/). I (Steve) have been working the mare. I had about 20 rides on her, both out on the trail and in the round ring and arena. Around Thanksgiving I uttered the fateful words, "I think I'll take her up to a lope, I haven't had her at a lope before (under saddle)." Well, the keeper broke as she stretched out and she started bucking. I was thrown after about 6 seconds and broke my elbow on impact.

This mare uses lots of evasions. After the first couple of rides, it was acting head shy and throwing her head when I tried to bridle her. I gently worked showing her that her head throwing didn't help. Then it was walking off when I would try to mount (fixed). Then the bucking started. She bucks really hard, often getting all four feet off the ground. Unfortunately, that worked to some extent, so now it is a learned behavior. She has recently added acting like saddles and blankets are the scariest thing ever and trying to avoid getting saddled (we are working on this one because it just appeared).

During my recovery we had a local trainer (who had worked with our Thoroughbred) start working her. I'm not sure if it is just two "alpha" mares not getting along, but the two of them really had problems. On the trainers first ride, my mare pitched a fit and threw her. She landed on her feet, and went right up in the mare's face ("showing her that I'm much scarier on the ground than on her back"). Since then the trainer tried several times to work her, but the mare would brace and look like she was just waiting for an excuse to explode. After about two weeks, we pulled her back from the trainer.

I'm have gone back to the basics (fundamentals). Working her on the ground a bunch. She is really, really good on the ground (even the trainer admitted that). I've read and studied the various pieces you have about stifle and sacroiliac injuries and think that may be a component of her problems. The trainer feels that she wasn't sore, but if I press on her pins, or just above the sacrum, she moves off as if it is not comfortable. She has had three falls since I've had her. The first happened when walking to the arena, we came up the driveway as a bike was passing and she spun and fell on her left side (fully saddled, of course); the next one happened while dressing her, I cinched her up and she exploded, running off in the stall and falling; the last happened after I broke my arm, I was working her on the driveway (just getting her to give her hip) and she got excited, slipped on the concrete and went down. Also, right after the trainer said she wasn't trainable, I was free training her in the Trainer's arena and she jumped the 4.5' arena fence. When she did, she banged her left knee badly on the concrete wall (cut, slightly infected, now healed).

I've had Debera up on her since we took her back (about 4 weeks ago) and she didn't seem to have the same brace/fear reaction. Deb weighs about 58kg. I've done a little on her back, and she seems nervous, but not explosive (I weigh about 90kg). The trainer probably weighs 140kg.

I'm planning to re-mouth her using your techniques (so I can get air brakes), and study your leg restraints training. I will add the restraints if she is still cranky, but regardless I want to teach her to hobble. If none of this works, I'll probably be sending you a video to get your assessment.:-)

Thanks again for being such a strong advocate for appropriate horse training. We are looking forward to her next trick and trying to figure out how to redirect it.

All the best from Sunny California,

Steve and Debera
 

Hi Steve and Deb. Bad Luck with this Horse. As I go through some of the few yellow parts, I can see small problems that may have compounded the various building issues with this Horse. Firstly, you cannot be a 'Trainer' at 140kg and further, putting such a person on anything short  an English Shire is 'Cruelty to Horses' So well done Horse. We should never cinch one up full and never in a large area. I NEVER back cinch such a Horse until in the Round Pen, having girthed up 70% at the tie up rail. The slipping on the concrete could tell me that the integrity of the lateral Mouth is not good enough for that is what makes Horses loose their footing. I would not be riding this Horse in an arena or a round pen, other than Mount up and short feel to see what mood she is in on the day.

The other comment I would make is that allowing a young Horse to have a victory (especially a suspect one) is a disaster but to have more than one is a worse. Hence my long term aim of showing people a better way to have safer Horses and to protect themselves. My latest Podcast shows this and proves it. He had bucked 4 straight off prior to that day. If you have a good eye, you an see that I commenced successful re-education of that Horse, within minutes and you could further see the Horse start to relax. So best of Luck. I will bet that none of this is the fault of this Horse. Regards

Hi John & Linda

Hope you are both fit and well.

Just a query regarding your re-mouthing DVD – I have a 7 yr old mare that I purchased last year that I am having some difficulty with. I have been very spoilt by first Jaylo and then Robbie who came home from you with excellent mouths. The mare is quite resistant when I ask for downward transitions. It is much worse when we are out at competitions. To get a good stop is very difficult as she resists strongly and comes above the bit. Using body weight etc to cue the downward transitions and stop doesn’t seem to do much. The back up is not terrific either due to the resistance. I am obviously failing to achieve softness and submission and Im not sure if my cues aren’t right or if she doesn’t have a good mouth to start with? Her last rider was a ten yr old. Teeth etc have all been done. Do you think re-mouthing her would be worth considering? Mare is a sweetheart otherwise.

Many Thanks

Regards

Katrina

Absolutely Katrina, that is why I made it. Regards
 

++++++++

THE BREAKER IN ENGLAND OF THE OTHER NIGHT

It's amazing what you can learn on the internet!!!

OK Good, I'm glad you said that! Owners assured me teeth/back have been checked so I got fed up with the mare fannying around & did exactly as you said - got after it! It doesn't half make a difference when you get on with the job! It tried to buck on it's first canter, not bothered about being ridden, just objecting to being asked something, it was as athletic as a fat brick so I just pushed on & kept going! Owners are coming to see it tomorrow - I think they will be a bit surprised I'm actually riding it!!
Thanks John xxx
P.S Hat in size large please

Well done Lou. I think we have him worked out so just get after him but control any attempt at bucking. Well done. Send me a pic of the face of the Owners :) I think you just earnt that Hat :)

+++++++++++

Good morning John
In need of help please, I found out on Wednesday that our mare was in foal, I was not expecting or prepared for it, we bought 27th March last year. Whilst I noticed that her belly was getting larger I stupidly put it down to being "grass belly" and had been increasing her food to help with getting her a better backline! Can't believe I was so ignorant, I even had her teeth done last Friday week hoping thinking that might have been her problem, dentist didn't notice and commented that it would help her improve her condition, also had her feet done he didn't notice either.
Anyway Thursday morning we had a new little colt in paddock, unfortunately yesterday he wasn't sucking, I call the vet (couldn't get our normal vet, away for a week) they suggested I milk the mare to see how her milk was and then feed him via a bottle, I did this (never milked a horse before) and was able to get a good amount for him, he still refused to drink. Once again requested vet to come out, they arrived on dusk, where I keep them has no night lights, mare was flushed with iodine and give antibiotic injections,
our little colt had problems with block bowel so he was flushed that end, as well as give antibiotics.
I now have to injected them both twice a day for next week, I have never given injections before, I'm terrified I will do it wrong, told the vet this and was told it's easy just do it!
There is no other vet to ring till my own gets back next week.
Also she told me to put mare straight on to suitable feed for feeding mums, my own vet said to change it over slowly as not to cause her problems with suddenly changing her diet.
Help please, I have been up most of the night searching the web for solutions to changing her diet and giving needles, so far it has me even more confused as what to do.
Thank you
Robyn
QLD
 

Go to me latest Podcast Robyn, It is about injections. Also, add new feed progressively over a week. Congrats. Regards

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Hello

I have been searching the net for some answers and found your site am very impressed. I have acquired a 3year old gelding who shows some stallion tendencies. When he came back from being broken in I was able to ride him & to lunge him quite well. I have had him about a month now. Yes he would try a few silly things but I would just ride them out.

A couple of days ago he started to get a bit toey under the bit so I decided to stop riding him & to lunge him. Normally this is no problem he picks up the paces I want & stops on command. Not this time he went nuts I gave up trying to control him & just let him run, When he quietened down I did manage to get some sense out of him but not to the level we normally do. I tried him again the following day & again he decided he would just do his own thing although not for as long. And yes I am one of those who lunge with a lunge rope although having seen your video will try without however not as young as I was not sure if I can move that fast, also do not have the pleasure of sand arena. Just have a round yard in the paddock.

Normally he is a good horse, ties up easily etc & I certainly expect him to learn manners but he has some traits I do not know how to correct.

1. He is continually mouthing things, anything he can will do. He pulls on the mares coat he will pull my socks and has even had a go at my knee(I am getting the dentist out to check his teeth)

Of course He shouldn't have been broken in or even ridden without the Teeth being done and therefore, this entire sequence of events may in fact be a non event but only that we didn't listen to the Horse who may have been communicating that the Mouth was getting sore.

2. He loves to be in your space & you continually have to tell him to back up. He will if you let him hang over you, which I do not like & I make him move away although sometimes I admit I move away.

I can tell that you need to improve in your Ground Manners Jenny and that will fix all of these problems.  Go learn and do this.

3. I read with interest your section on respect & I believe that is part of the problem I certainly strive to be the dominate one as I have been working animals for years & know that even with dogs you have to be top.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Read the letter up higher tonight and go do the 4 things immediately Jenny. Your Horse is not in it's Box. Further, it may be riggy but plus, a high IQ. That being identical to the Horse in this video.

Jenny

Regards

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26TH FEBRUARY, 2009

Home tonight and all the Hossies were happy to see us. Talking is good as it appears to show that their ridden work isn't a problem at all for them.

Back into the Saddle tomorrow.

ROPE HALTERS AND LEAD ROPES.

I notified you recently about two of my black rope Halters breaking with pull back Horses. I have been meaning to complete my range for so long but never get to my Saddlery Shop on here. I have new Products that I have had for 9 Months and are still not put up on the page. I finally have this rope again and it is magnificent.

. I also have a full range of Pony, Cob and Full sized Halters specifically for NH Training and I have a similar range coming for tying up Horses. (different thickness) I'll put the photos up tomorrow. So one rope for tying up suspect Horses and this one here for NH Training. The Balance and feel with these is so precise.

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TIP OF THE DAY

" Horses that are fed a diet of just Hay, really should have one of the many pellets on the Market, for their age and fed at the rate as shown on the Bag"

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VETERINARY

Test to prevent unnecessary foal deaths launched


unnecessary pain and suffering, and ultimately death, was launched on 1 February by UK scientists.

Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS), a genetic disorder which is known to affect Fell and Dales ponies, causes foals to become anaemic and prone to opportunistic infections. Sadly, any foal born with the syndrome will not survive.

The new diagnostic DNA test, which costs £40, is the result of ten years of research by the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and the University of Liverpool. The test will not only identify foals which have the fatal condition but will highlight adult ponies who are carriers of the genetic trait which causes the syndrome. Affected foals will be prevented by avoiding breeding a carrier mare with a carrier stallion.

Owners and breeders who wish to find out the genetic status of their ponies can arrange for a simple pulled mane or tail hair sample to be taken by a vet and submitted to the AHT. The Fell Pony or Dales Pony Societies will supply sample bags for submission on request.

A fast-track system to identify foals suffering with the condition will report results within three working days.

The team who has developed the DNA test was led by the AHT’s Dr June Swinburne and Professor Stuart Carter of the University of Liverpool with research student Laura Fox-Clipsham. They believe that by using the test, owners and breeders will eventually be able to eradicate this awful condition.

Dr. June Swinburne, said: “The DNA test gives owners and breeders the power to overcome this devastating illness. It enables them to make informed decisions about which ponies to breed. We have already had samples submitted by HM The Queen from her own breeding stock of Fell ponies. I’d urge any breeders of Fell or Dales ponies to submit samples in order to arm themselves with the facts they need to prevent the birth of affected foals and thereby avoid this distressing condition.”

Professor Carter, said: “The research, and ultimately the DNA test, has only been possible thanks to funding from The Horse Trust and the support of the Fell Pony Society and the Dales Pony Society who have supplied DNA samples. We consider that the efforts of all involved in enabling this research have lead to a major advance in animal welfare.”

++++++++++++++++++++

Effect of exercise in pregnant mares

They evaluated the effect of exercise on various parameters including maternal heart rate, plasma cortisol and plasma lactate and foetal heart rate.

Six unfit standardbred mares were assessed when nine months pregnant and again eight months later after weaning. The exercise test was carried out on a treadmill inclined at 6%. The speed increased in steps of one minute each at 4m/s, 6m/s and 7m/s.

An ECG monitor attached to the mares recorded both mare and foetal heart rate. It was not possible to record the foetal heart rate during exercise because of noise on the ECG signal, but it was recorded immediately after the end of the exercise test.

The mares’ heart rates during exercise were recorded with a micromanometer catheter, which detected the changes in blood pressure with each beat.

The results revealed some interesting differences between the mares’ responses to exercise depending on whether they were pregnant or not.

At each stage of the graduated exercise test, mares had lower heart rates when pregnant than after weaning. Plasma lactate concentrations rose less in response to exercise when mares were pregnant than when they were not. The researchers speculate that this might be due to greater cardiovascular efficiency during pregnancy.

Resting plasma cortisol levels were lower during pregnancy than when the mares were not pregnant.

The researchers were surprised to find that pregnant mares showed no increase in cortisol levels during exercise In contrast, when they were not in-foal, the mares showed a normal increase in plasma cortisol during and after the exercise test.

Exercise had no effect on foetal heart rate. This suggests that the unborn foal is not stressed by the mare undertaking moderate exercise.

The researchers point out that the foals from the mares involved in the study were born without problems and were healthy, with normal body weights.

They conclude: “these data suggest that pregnant mares benefit from greater cardiovascular efficiency during pregnancy. They should be able to perform limited moderate exercise without any major deleterious effects on their unborn foals or themselves during late gestation.”

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New equine respiratory condition described

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a Gram-negative bacterium, has been found increasingly in human medicine, especially in patients with impaired immune systems. Until recently the organism has been recorded only rarely in animals.

According to the researchers “this pathogen has not previously been associated with lower airway disease in the horse.”

In a paper to be published in the Veterinary Journal, Lotte Winther, a PhD student in the Department of Large Animal Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, and colleagues present data from seven horses with respiratory disease associated with S. maltophilia infection. The horses were treated at three equine referral hospitals in Denmark in 2007.

The report documents the clinical findings, laboratory diagnosis and response to treatment.

All cases had a history of chronic coughing. Endoscopic examination revealed copious mucopurulent exudate in the lower trachea. Culture of the tracheal exudate produced grey, slow-growing colonies, which were identified as S. maltophilia by both culture and DNA testing.

All isolates had a similar antibiotic susceptibility pattern. They were resistant to many antibiotics used to treat respiratory infections in horses, including all penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and rifampicin.

"The results from susceptibility testing and clinical response to treatment suggest prolonged administration of tetracyclines (greater than 10 to 14 days) is an effective treatment, especially for adult horses," advise the researchers.

The findings suggest that S. maltophilia can act as a respiratory pathogen. The researchers advise that the organism be included in the differential diagnosis of horses with respiratory disease associated with copious mucopurulent exudate.

They stress that many antibiotics commonly used to treat equine respiratory infections are not effective against S. maltophilia.

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NEWS OF THE DAY

Hi,

I have just read your piece on the net with interest, about rearing horses. My problem isn't when my pony is being ridden - she is rearing on the ground, and I'm wondering if you can give me some advice?? She is only 4, a very smart and stubborn part welsh/part arab, 13.2hh. She was badly mouthed, broken in and then turned out again, is very quiet but has an attitude of "if I don't want to, I won't". I've had her 9 months, she is going pretty well under saddle, is happy and relaxed on trails, in traffic, etc, but I prolapsed a disc in my lower back 3 months ago, so have been limited to lungeing twice a week since then (which is obviously very boring for a smart young pony). I put her gear on (pessoa), go to lead her down the paddock to the roundyard I have made, and she digs her toes in, then usually rears up once or twice. I must admit, I have been waiting til she is back on the ground before wrapping the lunge whip around her back end, after which she sees that I mean business and follows with bad grace down the hill. We also had the same drama with floating for a while - she'd flatly refuse to get on, would run backwards, and then started to rear. I was almost always on my own, so I put the lunge rein onto headstall, over the chest rail and back to me, standing behind her, and used to pull and drive her on at the same time. Fortunately, that seems to be over, and she gets on without a problem most of the time. I had her teeth done recently, which were bad, but she is still doing it after that. She is in show condition, and we have had 500+mm of rain recently, so the grass is exploding, she is now locked up in a small section of the paddock during the day, out at night. Not on any hard feed now, but had been, to get condition on for the show season. Doesn't seem overly affected by hot feed, as I said, is very quiet, but smart and stubborn, always trying to put a new trick over me. She has little respect for me on the ground, and no matter what I do, she doesn't seem to care about anyone but herself. She is a typical pony, ruled by her stomach, I have tried smacking her with poly pipe, and she doesn't even blink. I feel like I'm always chastising her and find it hard to reward her for much of her behaviour, so do wonder how good that can be, for our relationship?

I've not had a horse rear on the ground for me before, and am a little unsure of how to tackle the problem, as I want to stop it now, before it continues to become a habit. Am also concerned that she may learn that she could do it while being ridden. Am hoping to hear back... many thanks, Elsa Dawson. Narooma, NSW
 

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Ray Hunt tribute clinic this weekend

February 26, 2010
 

Ray Hunt

A tribute clinic to legendary trainer Ray Hunt is being held in Texas this weekend and will feature invited presenters each giving a 45 minute session with a young horse.
Organisers of the event at Watt Arena in Fort Worth say the presentations are not a competition; "rather it is an opportunity to honour both the horse and Ray's memory."

Hunt died in March 2009 at the age of 79 after suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

The presentations will be critiqued not as to how much was accomplished, but how it was accomplished and how the needs of each horse were met by the presenter. A panel of the participant's peers will be critiquing the presentations, along with each audience member who will have the chance to vote for the presenter they see as most embodying the ideals Ray worked to instill.

The presenter voted as giving the best demonstration will receive one of Ray's personal Dale Harwood saddles. Each presenter will receive a piece of Ray's personal tack in recognition of their skill, and as Ray would say their "try".

Commentators for the two-day event are Pat Parelli and Sharon Camarillo, and judges are Les Best and Bill Smith.

Trainers taking part are Martin Black, Wade Black, Buck Brannaman, Peter Campbell, Tom Curtin, Paul Dietz, Kip Fladland, Harley Green, Brook Hazlett, Charlie Hill, Doug Jordan, Bruce Laird, Jason Leitch, Jaton Lord, Buster McLaury, Ricky Quinn, Wayne Robinson, Mark Schwarm, Mike Sears, Lee Smith, David Stuart, and Ty van Norman. An auction of horses and frozen semen will follow the clinic.

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LETTER OF THE DAY

HORSE OVER CHEST BAR

Hi John

After speaking with Lara from Centaur Floats today and after reading your section on horse floats it really got me thinking. And Lara suggested that I have a talk to you about a mare that you had, as it sounded very similar to mine. I have a 5 year old Hanoverian mare, 17.1hh, who is a nightmare to float, she loads great, she unloads great, but it is the in between that is the problem, constant pawing, and arrives sweaty and nervous. I have had to replace the floor in my float and get a huge metal plate welded in as she cracked it (top layer) from her constant pawing as she can really give it to the floor!! not to mention ripping up all the rubber as well, when I ordered my float I made sure the roof was 2.3 metres and it is built on an angle chassis (but is straight load) so quite wide too, but the windows are in bad positions, and thinking about it from her point of view being such a tall girl the view would be very constricted, if I open the passenger door , she will stick her head out look around and become calm , no pawing at all, during travel (as I have cameras) she will often turn her head and neck right around to try and look out the side sliding windows, she also will bite the chest bar and wrap her leg around the bar that supports the chest bars etc up the front, I have built stabiliser bars off the side to ensure that she has ample leg room and cannot get to the walls and my centre divider does not go all the way to the floor either, and it has no support bar at the back to catch legs on either...phew... she has ample head and neck room as the float is an extended one but has no cupboards etc in the front just a big empty space to be honest, and it is a fully enclosed float, but when this horse was a 3 year old she ended up over the chest bar, watching on the camera she kept checking the lead pulled back thrashed around like a shark went right back on the hind legs and jumped over the bar I guess trying to get out the front window, but no major injuries thank god, I have since also modified the chest bar to be higher as sometimes she would literally lift her knee so high it was almost going over the bar, but she has always been nervous even before this accident. I asked the breeder if she had experienced this and was told no, but she was always travelled with other horses. So I spent many hours just loading and unloading (not travelling) just being in the float, trying to make it a nice place to be, and then started travelling her with a companion to actually get her travelling again, but now it’s always the pawing, sweaty mess when we go places, I have tried floating her with another horse, travelling in there with her, nothing makes a difference but when I have been in there with her I have seen her eyes open so wide staring at the front windows and doing the up and down thing with her head when they try to focus on things. SO I have decided to put in extra windows in my float to see if this will help I will put in 4 all up that will make the view wrap right around the front as close the roof line as possible and a window in the passenger door as well. I am hoping to get a couple of slider style ones to allow more air flow as well. With your mare did this make a big difference? Or did it take a while to see any benefits? I have also purchased your leg restraints DVD as I was contemplating hobbling this horse but to be honest have been too scared to try this to date as I am not experienced with this at all. In all other ways this mare is good, is sensitive to ride, but good to handle and do just about anything with. I just wanted to see what you had to say about the windows as I would like to try this before going out and buying a centaur. I have attached a couple of pics of my float. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Regards
Megan
 

Hi Megan,

Is that measurement from top of floor measured dead centre in middle at back (where the division leg would have been) to the underside of the roof frame (not the roof actual – in other words the lowest part that would hit the head.)
Have YOU measured that??

regards
 

Hi John thanks for the quick reply, just went out and measured the roof height now, exactly as you have said, and it came up 100 mm short of the 2.3.

Thanks Megan
 

Ok then Megan. We have established that your Ft wasn't built to your specifications and that it is now 2200mmIf you go to my HORSE FLOAT DESIGN REVOLUTION you will find that I have learnt over the years that Horses of the size of your Horse, have have the minimum of 2250mm and should be 2350mm. The Height of the 'Gainsborough'

But there is a greater problem here of course and that is precisely what your Horse has been communicating forever. That he cannot stand being travelled in a 'Cave' as Horses are "Claustrophobics and Panicaholics"

Thus proving, yet again and again and endlessly to me, that the window design you see on that Float is a total waste of time for such Horses. Apart from the reality, that the head of your Horse would be jammed up in the roof arch and not at the window height but the ridiculous back windows that most have been put in there for Looks and definitely not Horses. Put simply, you can easily see that the Designer did not have the mind of Horses at Heart, which has been the Historic case for many years now.

Therefore, with lateral thinking and "listening to your Horse" (which you have been but not helped by others) you need to make further alterations to your Float. The Float Company, if they didn't adhere to your Order, should it for you in fact. There is not doubt that you have done well as an Owner. I note that you own an 18hh Horse as well. Then you have to have 2350mm. Lara at Centaur Floats will no doubt help you with advice regarding altering this Float.Best of Luck.

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

 Hi there, I've tried to get some more info for you....

She was booked in with me as a well handled youngster. I've asked for more info & it turns out they have lunged, long-reined, tacked up & leant over her but that was it(!), they say they didn't have the knowledge to go any further, and they were a bit scared anyway!! She keeps telling me I'm very brave! These are really 'nice' people, very quiet and meek so I haven't really thought anything more about those sort of comments.

The one conversation that sticks in my mind is when the Owner called just after the first 'sit-on'. I tell her pony is doing great & I had the first sit on her today. Owner asks tentatively 'where were you, inside or outside?' I tell her inside (indoor school). Then she asks quietly 'Did you walk?' !! OMG what the bloody hell does that mean!!!! Talk about hold on tight the next ride!!! But nothing happened, absolutely nothing, she was good as gold! It's hard to believe she is going to explode, she just doesn't give you that feel.

This mare seems to be an absolute donkey. A bit rude & loved too much but with the patience of a saint, and a whole load of pretty normal learnt evasions taught by 'nice' owners & webbing halters. On the first day she stamped her feet, swished her tail & tried to nip my hand when I asked her to move over, so there is some attitude in there & the head snapping does feel like it could be attitude based.

To eliminate the veterinary which bit do I investigate? Teeth? Then what? If it's not veterinary could it be attitude? Related to what? What to do with the mare to stop her doing it? What does head snapping actually mean when you're a horse?

I've seen them doing this head snapping business in the field but never under saddle - what does it mean in a field situation? We had one that did it so badly I had to tie a metal nut to her halter so she got a wallop every time & that seemed to calm it all down somewhat! The others were starting to copy but once she stopped it the others did too.

Best wishes, Lou x
 

Where did you learn that one from Lou hahahaha. Ok, I have the vibes now. This has all the Hallmarks of the Owners "leaning over" but then throwing the leg as well hahahaha. The Mare has attitude caused by being sick of the 'drip system' of breaking in, which probably went on forever and drove the Horse Nutso. Just get after her. Re-Mouth her first!!!!!, then establish your air brakes just in case and then get going. If she persists with the head chuck under saddle, give her a little shake up and get her attention. If that doesn't fix it (which will be an investigatory and elimination move) get her forward with a Dressage Whip, right in front of the leg with repsect, at the trot and then put her 'on the bit' That will fix it. Regards and well done Lou!! I'll have to send you a Hat :)

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John,

I have followed some of your vids – and they have been good. Thanks

I have a “spooky” horse and wondering if you have advice. He is about 9 years old. Everything is good except he gets scared of new jumps or anything else. Once practiced he is fine – but everything different (and sometimes old stuff that he had learned to accept”) causes him to stop, reverse, swerve etc.

Thanks

Stephen

Hi Stephen. highlited in yellow are your problem areas. Eliminate them, get the Horse in front of the leg, carry a Dressage whip that will reach the rump out of the back of your hand, stop kicking, ask lightly and then demand. Backing up is the big sign to me for it is the ultimate failure to go forward. Fix those and your Horse will forget about looking. I could fix that Horse inside 2 minutes.  Regards

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Good afternoon.
Just a quick email to say thank-you to you and your lovely wife, for making the lives of so many thousands of horses and riders,
all the more richer and safer
I am from the small township of Logan Village, on the outskirts of Brisvegas. And I was wondering if there is a trainer/s in this
area that uses your system for starting young horses that you know of or could recommend please? I know it won't be the same
as the REAL DEAL, but I am just starting out again after 15 years of not being able to have a horse, so my knowledge of the
horse world is extremely limited, (if not nil)
I thank you very much if you have the time to answer my email, knowing how busy the two of you are.

Cheers, Jacqui

Terribly sorry Jacqui but thanks ever so much for your kind words. I have assembled a lot of information for people like yourself, here PROBLEMS INDEX   If you get stuck, email me. Regards

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Hi John,

Not often these days do I feel compelled to write on horsey forums or to people such as yourself in response to other people’s ‘opinions’ ... but after reading Scotty’s blanket bagging of the use of power tools in horses mouth’s ... I felt ‘the need’ to respond.

It would seem based on one experience with one particular Vet ... Scotty in his infinite wisdom, has declared power tools in horses mouths ... to be EVIL ??? He declared that he was going ‘out on a limb’ ... and true to his word ... he definitely IS by spruiking such ill informed, single experience based assessment on the use of power tools in horses mouths !

A friend of mine is an equine dentist ... actually a trained & qualified one with a ‘real’ bit of paper. I have had her attend to all of my own horses & assisted her with not only my own & other people’s horses too for equine dentistry work. To say that power tools should NEVER be used in horses mouths is a ridiculous notion. Untrained & un-informed people using power tools to do ANYTHING, is always going to be a risk ... so I satisfy MYSELF as to the relavent ‘experience’ & qualification of anyone I trust to muck around in my horses mouths.

I have felt for myself the hooks & ramps that had occured in my own & other’s horses ... and that to remove them WITHOUT the use of a Dremel type rotary burr & try to rasp them ‘the old fashioned way’ ... is a tall order. I’m sure you are well aware as to just how close the palate is, in relation to the last teeth in the horse’s mouth ???

I have SEEN first hand ... ‘Other’s’ attempt at rasping hooks & ramps ... & witnessed the god awful mess to the horses palate ... & even THEN ... the hooks & ramps weren’t removed completely or successfully. Enter Equine dentist ... usually called in AFTER someone else has had a ‘go’ at fixing horses teeth & now the horse don’t want a bar of anyone going near it’s mouth ? This is usually when a full sedation IS necessary as the horse has been sufficiently traumatised by the ‘traditional’ methods have been used, as asserted by Scotty as the BEST & only way ... to get in and do the job properly once & for all.

I have watched the equine dentist stick her finger in behind the last tooth whilst taking off the offending hook or ramp ... all the time PROTECTING the palate from potential damage from the rotary burr ... WITH HER OWN FINGER !!! Have seen said finger ... on the odd occasion ... with a bit of bark removed too !!! NEVER though, have I seen her hurt or injure the inside of the horses mouth. Power floating is NOT something I see her do much of ... unless there is a raised tooth or the like. The use of the rotary burr is a god send for hooks & ramps ... floating on the whole would seem in her methodology ... IS best done with a hand powered rasp !

There are cowboys in every field & there are thorough professionals too ... but to blanket label all power tool use for equine dentistry as being wrong & dangerous ... IS simply uninformed ‘opinion’. Scotty should get out a bit more & experience the REAL world instead of relying on a single ‘experience’ to form his ‘I don’t care if I get sued because I don’t have a lot to lose’ OPINION !!!

Just my 5c worth .... based on MY experiences 

Regards

Steve ... ‘Qualified’ galloping house husband ...*winks* ...

I can go along with both of you Steve but due to seeing a number of seriously and long term affected Horses I would have to compromise to keep the peace and say that only under sedation, which Dentists cannot do. The problem is that there is no guarantee that those under sedation won't be affected either. A sample of them. Given that one is too many, no matter what the argument, I come down on the side of caution. We owe that to Horses. General no worries, which is why we did that in Holland. Regards and good to see you are still giving cheek :) Hope you haven't turned Pentecostal yet :)

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Hi john and Linda
I was just reading your blog and I was amazed to see the email from Jenni. I was ridding in the next ring when she came a cropper I’m glad to hear that she’s ok. It was a shame for the horse look very happy and relaxed with the whole day even though Jenni looked a little nervous!!!!!!! My boy couldn’t keep his eyes off of him in the warm up couldn’t work out he color!!!LOL I had a good day there with “Riqué he was very well behaved 5th in the walk trot and 11th in the prelim B bit tense in the W/T tight through the back but better in the next his mouth has improved since I’ve remouthed him judge commented that I need to work on straightness. The canter trans need improving as well!! (Any thoughts on that Linda?)The filly has gone through all the remouthing on the ground with flying colours so now I’m up to the ridding back the DVD for that!!! But I’ve badly sprained my ankle so that’s on the back burner for a few days bugger it!!:(
Cheers
Camille

Well done Camille. That would have been a shock as Dressage Queens are supposed to be riding on top of the Horse, not under their tummy :)
 

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Thanks John,


I hope you and Mrs HP are enjoying your holiday, my wife, kids and I go to surfers at least once a year, my compromise with their tolerance of the dust and my horse hobby. Thanks about the warning of the sharks up there, I have a real thing about sharks, I hate the kids grandad taking them in the beach and rivers in Queensland and hopefully I'm imprinting this fear into them!!! While my sons are only 8 and 4 y.o I think there are plenty of nice swimming pools for them to swim in and probably more bikini babes for them to look at that are too sensible to go in the beach and rivers. (my 8y.o son has a girl in a bikini up on his wall already, don't think he quite knows what it all means yet!!!)

Tell Mrs HP I really loved the podcast she did when she got back on her horse after the accident. I'm not sure what happened for her and when it all happened, but there were a couple of things I personally connected with that I believe she passed onto all the novice people that you help, dare I say it, is maybe more valuable than all the sophisticated skills you pass on through your DVD's.

Like all things horsey, it is simple, wear a helmet regardless of the conditions. It doesn't matter if it is hot, you are a professional, or you just don't like hats, we all only have one brain. Brain cells don't regenerate as far as I know so destroy them with caution.

What a nasty lesson to learn, getting kicked in the head (especially when skilled enough to land on your feet) but I am sure Mrs HP was so thankful she was wearing her helmet on that day at that time. Keep it on the post for everyone as a reminder at Gainsborough and to remind your fans that it can happen to anyone at anytime. I have worked with lots of people with an acquired brain injury or traumatic brain injury and horseriding is one of the top 10 reasons. Not only does this ruin an individual's life, but it has an affect on all horseriders through increased or refused insurance and reduced ability to strive to excell in horse sports because of "risk management" practices and increased costs in an already expensive sport.

While I never ride without a helmet, my wife and kids bought me a back protector for Christmas. I'm not sure what protection this provides to our spine (the other major area of horse damage concern) but psychologically (as a showjumper) I it does provide support to my confidence.

I had a very skilled horse friend I went through pony club with that died last year from a horse related accident , many people in the show world will be familiar with him, Gary Collier, I think he won national champion gent rider or something just prior to his death. He fell from a horse and was stepped on and had a heart attack at home in Duri NSW while working it. I wonder if a vest might have provided enough insulation to prevent the shock needed to start a heart attack at such a young age, 38y.o? I went to school and through pony club with Gary and while we were competitive and had our own riding and horsemanship weaknesses and strengths, Gary had a natural affinity with horses. He was not a normal hacky, sit and look pretty, he worked to develop a relationship with his horses, he loved his horses and the sport of horseriding. I most remember competing against him and his wonderful little mare, MEG, around the New England area in the 80's.

Life in general is a risk, but I hope to see the message spread as you are now such a powerful influence on so many people, about the importance of personal protective equipment and maybe what evidence base there is for what equipment we should be using on ourselves? The message of save horses lives on the abbatoir floor needs to be balanced with save peoples lives so that we can all enjoy what I believe is a safe, enjoyable and healthy sport and lifestyle.

Regards

Scott

Yes Scott, it is a very dangerous game but I don't think a lot realize just how dangerous it can be. Horse Trainers tend to be over the top with trying to pass on safety advice and Horsemanship but as you say, it is only because you have seen so much damage done. Well done and your Mate Steve is below :)


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hi Mr hp just wondering when you and your wife will be in Holland because i wold like to mite you ,and if you want to come in Sardinia for holidays let me no ciao Gerardo crenca t. c. equine

We never rule anything out Crenca and would certainly like to see your part of the World. We hope Greece survives the financial turmoil and doesn't bring Eu down with it. Hope you are ok. Thanks and regards to your wife.

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Hi,

I have just read your piece on the net with interest, about rearing horses. My problem isn't when my pony is being ridden - she is rearing on the ground, and I'm wondering if you can give me some advice?? She is only 4, a very smart and stubborn part welsh/part arab, 13.2hh. She was badly mouthed, broken in and then turned out again, is very quiet but has an attitude of "if I don't want to, I won't". I've had her 9 months, she is going pretty well under saddle, is happy and relaxed on trails, in traffic, etc, but I prolapsed a disc in my lower back 3 months ago, so have been limited to lungeing twice a week since then (which is obviously very boring for a smart young pony). I put her gear on (pessoa), go to lead her down the paddock to the roundyard I have made, and she digs her toes in, then usually rears up once or twice. I must admit, I have been waiting til she is back on the ground before wrapping the lunge whip around her back end, after which she sees that I mean business and follows with bad grace down the hill. We also had the same drama with floating for a while - she'd flatly refuse to get on, would run backwards, and then started to rear. I was almost always on my own, so I put the lunge rein onto headstall, over the chest rail and back to me, standing behind her, and used to pull and drive her on at the same time. Fortunately, that seems to be over, and she gets on without a problem most of the time. I had her teeth done recently, which were bad, but she is still doing it after that. She is in show condition, and we have had 500+mm of rain recently, so the grass is exploding, she is now locked up in a small section of the paddock during the day, out at night. Not on any hard feed now, but had been, to get condition on for the show season. Doesn't seem overly affected by hot feed, as I said, is very quiet, but smart and stubborn, always trying to put a new trick over me. She has little respect for me on the ground, and no matter what I do, she doesn't seem to care about anyone but herself. She is a typical pony, ruled by her stomach, I have tried smacking her with poly pipe, and she doesn't even blink. I feel like I'm always chastising her and find it hard to reward her for much of her behaviour, so do wonder how good that can be, for our relationship?

I've not had a horse rear on the ground for me before, and am a little unsure of how to tackle the problem, as I want to stop it now, before it continues to become a habit. Am also concerned that she may learn that she could do it while being ridden. Am hoping to hear back... many thanks, Elsa , NSW

Mmmmmm Elsa. I certainly think that lunging may be counter productive on one like this. You need to simulate her as she is clearly smart as too. I am getting the vibes that you are not 7 Games Trained but if you were, rather than lunging her, you should be going to the show jumping arena say and putting her through and over obstacles, of increasing difficulty and demand. This controlling boredom and building respect and trust. I keep saying it but to throw a set of hobbles on her and much more if she were mine, would do her no end of good too and especially with the respect thin. That would take her out of her comfort zone and make her look to be more reliant upon you. One day I will write the article on this but the benefits that I could list must be up to 100 now. You sure did the right thing with the chasing her backside but you can do the same thing but more effectively with a good NH rope and cracker and turn it into a training opportunity. See how you go. Regards
 

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