29TH JANUARY, 2012

Hi Folks. Hope all is well. Good to see the World economy picking up and another interest rate cut on the way. Shame those running the EU can't get their act together. They have had over 12 months and do nothing but sit on their hands. No wonder Britain is getting the irrates on with them!!!!!!!!

We have been busy finishing this place off and I have this Week started on my Round Pen Site as the ground is now dry enough for the Trucks. I haven't been able to work on Horses here, without it.

Meanwhile, others are doing very well thank you very much :) I'm green with envy :)

ADELAIDE RIDING ACADEMY

Got Shannon's Round Pen Site finally built so now the other two will still be free for agistees

Note my design with the bottom rails 600mm off the ground so that Legs can't get hooked in it, for remember, untrained Horses lean like Motor Bikes and need to get their Hooves out further than the Fence, to Canter.

Here is an example of what not to do.

The Young Lady tells me the bottom Rails have been broken and of course you can imagine the Danger involved being Wood as well!!

DONNER BELLA

You will remember her retirement due to Ulcers which were caused by Pain? You will remember the last Day of her Career and her deteriorated Neck and Coat?

Well after 4 Months in the Paddock, you will see the difference WITH NO MEDICATION. and NO WORK

Say no more. Ulcers causes deterioration of Muscle and Coat.

by the way, she hasn't come back into Heat so now we are gettiing her scanned tomorrow Night at Gainsborough. Surely not??? Fingers crossed though. The Vet had said to us that he has never seen more perfect timing for insemination as he could actually see her ovulating as he was scanning.

PODCAST OF THE WEEK

ARTICLE OF THE WEEK (updated)

http://www.horseproblems.com.au/natural_horsemanship_explained.htm

My sincere Thanks to the Lovely Agistees who gave us this lovely present for Gainsborough. In appreciation for some help I had given them.

The plaque reads, " Ya can't bloody tell em - but we listened"

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NEWS OF THE DAY

SUNNYBRAE PONY CLUB

Wonderful to see at least one Pony Club survive in this State. Well done to all involved. I can't find the details but I suspect a friendly Council may have been involved, going on all the Canary dressed Workers on Site in the picks. Most probably Salisbury District Council who have always been supportive.

As "Horsemanship is the art of reading the future with risk management in mind" I had better mention just a few brief things in case a Horse may be saved.

One will not stop agistees hosing horses here and creating a bog hole            The Local Govt Yard expertise will see these bent and looking terrible soon.
right alongside Ringlock Wire

There appears to be ringlock fencing around the property and of course that is for sheep and a most dangerous wire :(

There appears to be wire on the fence just to the right of the wash down Bay. - The Arena Fence is substandard and will look run down in no time. The arena may also be low. Winter will tell.

However, wonderful outcome and wish them all the best.

BASKETBALL COACH DIES AFTER CAR HITS HORSE

Sumter County, SC (WLTX) - The girls basketball coach at Scott's Branch High in Clarendon County has died after a car collision Thursday night.

State troopers say the accident took place at 8:10 p.m. on Highway 378.

Officers say 41-year-old Ruth Coard was driving down the road when she collided with a horse that was in the roadway. The woman's car then went off the road and struck a tree.

Coard died from blunt force trauma to the chest, according to the coroner's office. Coard's son was in the vehicle at the time of the crash, but was treated at the hospital and released for his injuries.

The horse was also killed in the accident and troopers are still looking for the owners of the animal.

PONY DOES THE BOLT

CORNWALL HORSE AND CAR CRASH

Two horses have been killed and two people seriously injured in a road accident in north Cornwall.
The crash, which involved three cars, happened at about 7.20am this morning on the B3277 between Chiverton Cross and St Agnes.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the occupants of one of the cars, a Peugeot, were badly hurt. The road was still closed at 3pm.

One of the horses died at the scene, the other had to put down as a result of its injuries.

Local reports said a father and daughter were traveling in the Peugeot — which appeared to have collided directly with the horses.

The female driver of another car was treated for shock, while the male driver of the third vehicle was uninjured.

Mark Glanville from Truro Community Fire Station said the Peugeot appeared to have hit one of the horses head on.

“The bonnet was crushed and it appeared the horse had come up and hit the windscreen, which was lying in the laps of the male driver and the female passenger.

Police are investigating why the horses were loose on the carriageway.

COACH DIES IN HORSE HIGHWAY ACCIDENT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WISTV.com) -- A Midlands high school basketball coach is dead after a freak accident Thursday near Sumter.
Coroner Harvin Bullock said 41-year-old Ruth Coard of Summerton and her son were riding in their pickup truck on U.S. 378 near Highway 763 around 8:10 p.m. when they hit a horse wandering in the middle of the road.
Bullock said the collision sent the horse through the front windshield. According to the Highway Patrol, the 2008 Chevy veered off the road and hit a tree.
Coard died at the scene. Troopers said she was not wearing a seatbelt. Her son is expected to be okay.
Coard was the head girl's basketball coach at Scott's Branch High School in Clarendon County. "Ms. Cookie" as she was known throughout the Clarendon One School District also served as the district's transportation director.
She had been the school's head basketball coach for four seasons. Staffers at the district said "Our hearts are broken."
The Highway Patrol is investigating.

 

ACCIDENT HORSE DEAD

Usario, right, at the launch of Duncan Dry'e's Bury carriage rides

Published on Wednesday 25 January 2012 06:05

THE horse involved in a fatal carriage incident in Nowton Park has been put down.

The French-bred Breton cross Comtois horse, registered as Urasio, had gut damage due to long term parasitic worm infestation.

Usario, above right, was used by Duncan Drye’s Horse and Carriage Company when he launched carriage rides round Bury St Edmunds in April 2011. But in June at a country fair in Nowton Park Carole Bullett from Bury was killed after Usario bolted into a crowd with a carriage.

He hit the headlines again in October when Reflex Equestrian of Maldon, Essex, advertised him as ‘100 per cent safe’ for ride and drive work. He was sold as a riding horse to a Suffolk couple. They were unaware of his history but when told, they informed Health and Safety which has just completed its investigation of the incident.

Health and Safety will decide on further action after an inquest, for which no date has been fixed. Essex Trading Standards said it is also investigating the case.

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LETTER OF THE DAY

Hi,
I have just been reading your article on problems floating horses and I am hoping you can offer me some advice.
I have my horse, Sammy, for approx 1month, he is a 16hh very solid built standardbred that has obviously had some very poor floating experiences. We were present when the previous owners floated him to deliver him to us - we were shocked as he was brutally kicked, whipped, punched, pushed, pulled….every abuse imaginable to get him on. I have agitated Sammy with my riding instructor and now he is ready to come home to me. We have been working on overcoming his understandable fear of the horse float and he will happily walk on and off without any stress but as soon as he sees us raise the ramp, his eyes widen with fear and he backs off in a flash. We do not want to undo any of the work we have done overcoming his fear by holding forcefully onto the lead rope whilst raising the ramp (if we can even hold him!!) - it is dangerous for the handlers and frightening for Sammy. What do we do??? Everything I read is giving advice about how to get your horse onto the float but not how to keep him there!
Can you offer any ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Cheers, Lorraine

I am very glad you are seeking advice Lorraine and thinking for the Horse. Many don't. You are dead right about NOT HANGING ONTO the lead rope because that is precisely what causes Horses to learn to run out faster AND TO HIT THEIR HEADS on the roof in so doing!!!!!!!!!

Your Horse has had a Hell of a time and so you need to go all out to win him over again and get him to believe that Humans may be Ok. Many of the Standardbred Horses leave Racing like this. It is interesting that they leave the Thoroughbred Racing Industry "Crackers' and Climbing the Walls of Floats but the SB Horses have broken Spirits, depression but not normally Floating problems. What do you think this Horse is telling you???? I know, you have a try.

You have two options to fix your problem. Both entail new loading systems and maybe a learning curve for you but that is your responsibility. Train him to enter the Float via the 7 Games "Driving Game" whereby you are generating him from the back end or the Jeffreys Method.

Then, with a Dressage Whipin your Hand, get someone to start to lift the back ramp but they MUST be standing at the side for safety reasons and prepared to drop it the moment the horse starts to come out. You simply tap on the top of his Rump to A. Stop him or B. put him back in and repeat. In very little time, you will have trained him to stand and wait.

I take it your Float doesn't have Bum Bars or a Chain (chains are dangerous)? If you did have, you wouldn't have a problem anyway. Best of Luck
 

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LETTERS OF THE DAY

Hi John, have been reading some interesting articles about the "shoulder, seat, heal" in one line and reading your article on the all purpose saddle has prompted my question.

What is your opinion on the placement of the stirrup bars on a lot of dressage saddles - I am wondering if my current dressage saddle (Anky) has the placement of the stirrup bars too far forward which tends to swing the lower leg forward. I seem to continuously be fighting to get my lower leg in line with my hip. The Bates Innova apparently has the stirrup bars set back a little but I have read a few unfavourable reports on this saddle.

Cheers
Deb

I do agree with you Deb. I don't get involved with 'English Saddles" but if I did, I would want precisely what you want. The Bates is a problem in as much as it has these big knee Rolls (a stock Saddle when you are not having a Stock Saddle). I do agree that the majority do not naturally put the Leg in the prescribed position. If I were a Dressage Rider, I would watch all the Pro's and when I found one of my liking, investigate what Saddle they are riding in?

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Hi Mr. HP

You won’t remember, but I bought a 2yr old Standardbred filly (Fred) last September. She was sold as totally unbroken - only ever had a halter on her I was told.
Well, her sticky stifles seem to be about OK now, so I started to mouth her today. She was very reluctant to have the bridle (FM thin French link snaffle) anywhere near her head at first, but I have taught her to give to pressure and the ‘John O’Leary’ method of bridling soon had the bit in. Stayed with her 40 mins and went to unbridle her. As soon as the bit started to drop in her mouth, the head flew up, teeth clenched, ran backwards and was terrified. Luckily, I was using the ‘John O’Leary method of unbridling as well so no real dramas and she dropped the bit out of her own mouth once she realised that her teeth were safe! “ONLY EVER HAD A HALTER ON” - MY ARSE! Fred told me that she has had a failed mouthing job done and I would like to bet that is why the UK racing breeder sold her. Put the bridle on and off about a dozen times before she stopped throwing her head and unbridled nicely. I think that she was so pleased that the bit wasn’t going to smack her in the teeth anymore, she had a joyous galloping, bucking, kicking, farting game when I turned her out again and kept running to me at the fence in-between circuits – and she has never done this before!

I can’t thank you enough for the unselfish way that you share your methods. Just imagine the disaster if I had been using my old ‘British Horse Society’ method!!

Regards,
Maureen
UK

Thanks Maureen and well done indeed. Horses always communicate the fact to you, when you get it right. Undoubtedly, this is what Fred was doing. How cute is that? Regards

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You might be able to get into a horse’s mind but you’ll never get into a woman’s mind HP...no matter how hard you try...you realise that don’t you??

Anyway, is Linda gonna do lessons online?? Cause the instructors here just do the PK thing. I watched a clinic last year and you are right, horses were hollow and upward thinking. May be ok in competent hands but I saw a lot of fiddling with the mouths and no complimenting leg aids (which comes instinctively to me), heads up and resistance...I’m gonna do some more reading about his system...

I ‘hacked’ at the local show on one occasion as a youngster and found it full of snobs, I hated it. It was so boring going around in circles and most of the participants were just spoilt little rich kids (yes I was jealous). While they wore their jackets, I rode an old school horse, wore a jumper and my short brown boots....and I didn’t get a ribbon. On another occasion I rode my first and very unexperienced young horse at a gymkhana....and fell off when competing in the barrel race, cause my instructor (who was my first and only) told me to keep my bloody stirrups long cause I was in a dressage saddle!!! MMMmmmm, then was not the time to be working on an independent seat GODDAMMIT!...Where was a horn or kneepads when I needed them?!!

Sorry, I’m rambling again... I have never done a dressage test and would like to do one before I get Alzheimer’s. How does one remember what they have to do next?? One day I will need Mrs HP’s expertise!

Jo

sadly for you Jo, I can and do it all Day long on Facebook and Email. It is an interesting subject. I can completely assess People through the written word and do it endlessly. When I first see a new Friend write on Facebook, I can instantly tell if they are a potential problem, if they have good intentions or are there with interest but are anti John O'Leary. They always prove the theory, without fail. So you are in big trouble with your Horse Riding Online Girl so don't be trying to pull any swifties on me

On the subject of the PK system, People who go to Clinics and Lessons have only one chance with this system and that is to ruin the Mouth of their Horse.

Hollow and Above the Bit

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"The Hoff" lookin Good!

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Hi



I have an OTTB mare for 2 years and I have learnt more from her than in all my 45 years with ponies and horses, more on an empathic level than anything else.

I ride booted, barefoot saddle and a no bit bridle, however I struggle to get her rounded, having said that I do not have anywhere to school on the flat, and mainly bush ride. She can be a joy to ride or a pain in the bum, depending on the day. I have regular chiro care on her which has helped and the barefoot saddle has also helped enormously.
I feel that the Market Harborough (which incidentally is where my mother was born in the uk!) would be useful as aid to building some topline and strength to carry me.

My questions are – would I be able to use it with the no-bit bridle, and is suitable for bush riding / trail riding and a little flat work where I can find flat ground? She will go on a long rein – I have done a lot of work on this, and generally is quite relaxed nowadays, although there are plenty of demons out there hiding in rubbish bins and the like ready to get her! Makes for an interesting ride!

Kind regards

Julia
 

Hi Julia

I cannot comment with expert knowledge as I don't use such Bridles, have tested them and am not a fan of them. So I really do not know. I personally would not be. If I were a Horse and a No Bit engaged around my snout (for English discipline reasons) I would think the Rider may be unfair on me.
 

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Hi John,

I recentley purchased and use a set of your stockmans hobbles ( great quality by the way ) for a 4yold ive just started breaking in. He is an out of the box type of horse having been bred and treated like a dog by the people that owned him previously. He is very herd bound and hates to have the herd dynamic changed ,if i move horses around he can be a fence runner. so....what im getting at is, what is the difference between your stockmans hobbles and the other set you have on your web page? as im wanting to put the hobbles on him in the paddock before i move the other horses...i hate the fence running.

Cheers
laura
 

Hi Laura

The difference being that the 'Breaking in Hobbles" are for quick on and off for use where Danger could be lurking (green horses or breakers) and the Buckle up Hobbles for fence runners, pawing and son on. They are more designed for repetitive use. Cheers

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Had a moment oops sorry! ...none of these are perfect square side on shots, I can go out to the paddock and get one if you'd prefer...but anyhows here goes.

Note the leather "normal" halter at the show - (whihc was consequently was a borrowed one haha!)

I just have to say I HATED every minute had only owned him 3weeks and by the end of the show he was walking all over me as you can see in one pic. I did not want to use a bit as we had not had any preparation for that...but Big Lesson learnt!! He has come a loooong way since then I am happy to say.

He is now 3yrs old, these are all 2yr old pics. YES he has lost alot of weight since the paddock pics were taken...my god he was way too fat...some people I shake my head at how fat they think "babies" should be....i think his former owner cringes at the bare paddock and hay he gets here..., but he looks much healthier and his behaviour is much nicer!!

thanks again :)
 

This is a conformation question and of course the Horse is still young and developing there. Not too bad but needing the rear end to catch up to the front end and work should assist that. Best of Luck

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reply to my answer re 13 Year old Thoroughbred running backwards

Hi John,

Thanks for your reply. Well I don't normally look at the OTTB's as they are usually nuts as you say! But he sounded very quiet so I went to see him and he was as they described him when I rode him at the sellers property (although he did do the slow trotting thing/head up in the air there, but didn't play up so figured he couldn't be too bad) so thought I would take a chance this one time again and bought him. I have used a whip on him previously, both from the ground and whilst on him at the sellers (due to the lazyness thing). I only tapped it against my leg or against him very gently at the sellers as I didn't know how he would react there but he didn't seem bothered by it. And i've touched him with the lunge whip in the round yard to ask him to canter (had me running around after him not paying any attention to me waving it near him) and it just makes him go faster, he doesn't buck or kick out etc so he should be ok with using it under saddle but it may also be a different story when he's already cracking it with his head like a lama and going/thinking backwards.

Some people have said they've tried making their horse back when they've started going backwards and had success with that but considering he doesn't seem to appreciate the contact and his heads already up, I don't feel thats a very safe thing to do, I think that would be even more likely to make him rear than a whack from the whip. Would you agree this isn't a good idea or is that something you'd consider?

That is the way to train them to rear or in fact rear over backwards on you.

I find it hard to replicate the conditions on the ground as unless I tried driving him with long reins (bit dodgy! might get run over if he decides to go back!) he is happy to follow me anywhere so far (& nicely too, doesn't rush or barge or push). I wonder if it isn't something physical as with free lunging him in the round yard yesterday, it is virtually impossible to get him to canter on the left rein there apart from a couple of strides whereas on the right rein, he will happily do a full circle or two once I get him going. I had originally attributed this to lazyness and the right maybe being his preferred side and way of going but it is making me wonder, esp as I think they race to the left usually don't they? So you would think he would be better on the left rein. I am going to have ----------------come out to have a check over him and make sure theres nothing else going on bodywise as well as have his teeth done. He is also very obliging really, moves over/back when you ask, you don't have to wrestle with him and he has a quiet kind disposition otherwise so perhaps it is something more than just behaviour. Saving that, he tracks up fine and doesn't show any signs of lameness, it even in his strides to me, although I have noticed turning him on the concrete washbay last night, he seems a bit stiff/reluctant to pivot/turn in his hind end. I had another bit of a going over him last night and he seems quite tight in some of his hind end muscles (just in from the point of buttock) and in the point between shoulder and neck, but again, no amount of prodding/pressing etc on the points John Konkhe tells you to check for sacro probs or around his spine area provoked any reactions, but then, Im not chiro/physio so maybe I'm not doing it right or quite in the right spots.

Anyway, I hope we can sort him out as I think he does has potential given his temperament to be a nice horse if we can get this fixed, and considering I just bought him, whilst I don't want to get injured, Im not ready to give up quite yet!

Thanks again,

Erin.

Well, it will be interesting after checking him out but don't necessarily accept that the Chiro finds all, for they don't. We have one of hers coming here right now which she has given a clean bill of Health and we know the Horse is not right. Best of Luck but the ultimate is the Horse is lacking in boldness and the engine is in the back :)

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Hi John,

I am writing to you about my raced standardbred which I have have for 6 years. he a beautiful boy but was mainly used for trail riding to start with so I never bothered much with his carriage etc. but I have recently been doing a lot more with him and he is coming along great but I am running into a few errors with him (a lot I'm sure are myself and my inexperience). before me the previous owner went to an instructor and was taught to get him to canter to lift his head high and sit deep and push/squeeze to sort of get him going through his chest. and I have stupidly continued this as it was "easy" and until lately never bothered to try another way. so a few months ago I started to lunge him more to help him round up as he was always has had a hard mouth, head high (and very flexible) and so strong in his neck and front end, where his back end seemed hollow and lean. I have been using the zilco system (which I hope is okay from your page) and also running a lead rope from each side of the bit in-between his front legs, and tying a knot on top of the saddle to bring his head down (again I hope this technique is okay). So I have noticed a definite change in his body shape for the better recently, more of a wither not so flat backed. Also at the start he would stumble/collapse in his back end a fair bit, that seems to be getting less and less so I'm hoping that's his strength building up? but now I'm having trouble getting him to canter at all. on the lunge he rushes flat out and breaks the bottom rail of wood. and on a ride it's almost like he cant canter, he will take a few strides then seem to pull up short back to a trot? is it because I've been trotting him too much as I haven't been doing too much at the canter for fear of him injuring himself, or is it because I've changed the technique. I hope I have explained this enough for you to get an idea. I think he and myself can go a lot further in education. I will attach some photo's of him on the lunge for you to tell me if what I'm doing is correct, also of him in general in case you can pick up on something I can't see. and also I was looking at purchasing your running reins and market harborough if you think I will benefit from these.. and anything else you can recommend. I have also booked in for some lessons so hopefully I'll get more guidance as well. so fingers crossed we can start making progress. I look forward to any feedback or advice. Thank you for your time.

Chantelle
 

Very bad design round pen and dangerous Chantelle. The bottom two rails need to be removed. In fact, this is probably why he can't canter in there because he needs to get his feet out on the angle and isn't game.

I also note, (in all the photos) that he wasn't flexed enough to the inside and often, slightly 'flexed off' which of course won't help matters as he can't balance. For them to balance, they have to do 'proper dressage' and then that elusive "relaxation' of the German Training Scale"

He is no doubt confused and you need to get him cantering and practiced at it, in the round pen, whilst he is 'round' Incidentally, magnificent indervidual is David. A real stunner and conformationally better than most Horses I see.I have sent you an e-book on the subject. Regards

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Hi ,
My partner told me about your website an you tube videos I decided to check it out for my self to see what it was about an I was more than impressed with what I've seen . The way things are explained to give people a gd insight on horseman ship . I liked the article on natural horseman ship as it backs up a lot of what I say to people but they tend to disregard it. I agree farriers have a few issues with naturaly educated horses. From what I've seen a lot of lately the horse is educating the owner .I have recommend your site an videos to clients for educational purposes an would like to say you've done a great job on your site an keep up the great work . USA
 

Thanks very much. Most kind and thank your Partner. Regards

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Hi Mr HP, bit of a longgg question for you if you get a chance 

I bought a 5yo WB/TB gelding just before Christmas. He’s a very ADD, hot and inquisitive little thing. I purchased him with the intentions of 2* eventing in mind down the track. He has been broken in for less than a year and done 3 intro events and one prelim.
I am having major problems with him under saddle. Initially no forwards (as in will not move forwards at all) then when I insist he started pigrooting on the spot, and half buck/half rearing? This then progressed to pinging sideways nearly taking me out on tank roof’s and tree’s. Now I find in an open area it is flat out backwards pinging left and right – so no option to even jump off. It starts as soon as I hit the saddle now and is just plain dangerous as I am out of control and have to wait for the millisecond that I get to jump off before being thrown!

I had his previous owner out yesterday and can clearly now see the problem and understand why he is reacting the way he is- but want to know from an experienced person if it is fixable and is it worth it? I bought him as a going young horse with no baggage for $12,000.

His previous owner said yesterday that he did used to have a mounting problem but he had been fine so she didn’t mention it when I bought him.
How she “handled” the situation was too hit him up on the ground with a short whip across his belly every time he moved (to make him stand still!!???!) while she mounted- and I will add she the backing routine, foot in, add some weight, off, lay on him then leg over. She repeated this with the whip every time he moved. Then when she hit the saddle and he flew backwards- she quickly bent his head and neck around and made him spin until he stopped and she could walk forward. Then when she’d get off if he moved (which yes he run backwards) she’d hit him up again because he moved. Poor horse how could anyone get it so wrong :/

My concern is for one (other than this being just so wrong! I do have some vertigo issues myself and can not handle the spinning) but mainly, even if it is fixable- how likely is it that he would revert under a stressful situation (ie at an event)? I would hate to take out spectator’s or kids on an out of control horse.

Both my coaches have told me to take him back and get my money back as she has withheld information and sold me a horse with issues that I didn’t know about.

I’m sorry I tried to keep it brief as possible, but would greatly appreciate any response or help you may have

Many thanks!
Sue

Well Nicole, not good.

There is always a reason for these cases and the first duty is to find out why. The Horse is communicating something. The problem would have been compounded by the previous Owner and her Whip tricks 

As to whether you could take her to Court, depends entirely upon the full story, which if you were to entertain that thought, you would have to go hit my token $50 paypal button on my Horselaw website. Normally, you would have a very good chance but it depends on what transpired between you and the Vendor prior to Purchase.

Meanwhile, you should book the Horse in with Fred Watkins  who has dealt with a number of these Horses, one in particular that first came to me on the way to WA. Fred would tell you inside a Week, if it is worth pursuing or fix the Horse. If you then did go to Court, Fred could appear as your witness.

regards
 

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22ND JANUARY, 2012

VICTORIAN CLINIC

This Clinic is shaping up nicely and with a wonderful selection of Problem Horses, especially Problem Dressage Horses with straightness issues, flying changes problems and so on.

Due to Nathan's injury, I am very happy to announce the addition of another of my Apprentices and great to see a Female involved. Josie Chamberlain is joining us in Melbourne. Here she is>

 GAINSBOROUGH DONNER ADONIS

has gone to the "other Side" ...and looking very lovely too.

HORSE FLOAT DESIGN

Dear John

Thank you so much for doing this. It really has been a bad time for us as we honestly thought we were doing the right thing buying a new float for our up and coming warm bloods. I feel so ashamed that I did not notice this potential danger and it has been a steep learning curve for me. I am not a novice rider and have been round horses most of my life but still I let this happen by trusting and not checking!

click on me    Tack Box too High off the Floor and with Sharp Edges.

This one is a Queensland Manufacturer, related to a NSW Manufacturer.

I thought of a few safety tips from this experience re traveling horses:

Always carry a mobile phone.

• Always have your vets number programmed in; you may not be able to get him/her to come to your accident but you can speak with him/her for advice until the other vet gets there. You will not be able to remember numbers and won’t have time to find them.
•
Always carry bandages and padding and know where they are in your float. ( I found it difficult to find these things as this was a new float and I had not got used to where I had put things plus I was in shock so it is harder to think).

• Keep children in the car or away from the scene with a responsible adult.

Thank you so much and again


Anne
 

NOT good Anne and sure brings all my Bitching into the Real World. Hope the Float Company does the right thing for they are not at the moment.

ANOTHER VICTIM as per my many warnings.

The Hook seen here on the right, did this to this Horse when the Ramp was on the Ground.

HELLO MY NAMES ROXANNE JOINER AND I HAVE A HORSE WITH A BAD PROBLEM, HE'S A RACEHORSE HE'S NAME IS 'ONALIST', WE WERE TO RACE TODAY AT KILMORE IN VICTORIA BUT ONLY GOT HALF WAY THERE AND HAD TO TURN BACK, HE 'S PROBLEM IS HE CONTINUELY KICKS THE TAILGATE TO THE EXTENT THAT HE HAS WORE THE RUBBER THROUGH AND SMASHED THE MARINE PLY AND HAS BUCKLED THE OUTSIDE TIN. AS HE DOES THIS HE KICKS THE CRAP OUT OF THE INSIDE OF HIS HOCKS, WE HAVENT HAD HIM LONG AND WE PROBABLY HAVE A $2 GRAND FIX IT BILL, BEING A RACEHORSE WE REALLY CANT TRY THE GIVE HIM HAY THAT WILL KEEP HIM QUIET, IT WAS THE WORSE IT HAS BEEN TODAY AND MY PARTNER IS AT HIS WITS END (THINKING OF DOGGING HIM) WE TRIED LONG BOOTS BUT DID SLIP DOWN. IF YOU WANT A PHOTO OF THE FLOAT I WILL SEND YOU 1, OUR FLOAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, AN OLYMPIC, ITS EXTENDED WITH EXTRA HEIGHT. I'D LOVE TO HEAR ANY IDEAS.... THANKS ROXANNE

Hi Roxanne. Photos of the Float would be handy. This sort of behavior is normal amongst the Race Horses, for all sorts of reasons. Float design but often their fear of going to the Racehorses and straining themselves there. Cheers

Hi John
I commented on your float photo. Here is a photo of mine and the metal strips that have worn away. I had to push them down so many times before loading and unloading they broke off on both sides of the tail gate .
Hope this makes sense
Helen

This one is a NSW Manufacturer, related to a Queensland Manufacturer.

and then we have this registered and transporting Horses.

Who's looking after the Horses?

CENTAUR TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

http://www.centaurhorsefloats.com.au/

you will note that the Website has been transferred to us (Thanks very much Lara) and Lara Blom will be the Western Australian Agent.

Agents in all other States have been organized, save Canberra if anyone is interested.

Manufacturing commencing soon.

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WORLDS TALLEST HORSE 1934

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NEWS OF THE DAY

Pat Patterson loves horses, but fell to her knees when she heard state police charged 24 -year-old Kelsey LeFever for fraud and upset because she deceived owners -- bought horses and sold them to a horse meat broker.

"I was horrified. It's really sad," she said. "Horse slaughter regardless of the condition of the horse is a horrible thing. Very upsetting."

State police say LeFever duped two area race horse owners by promising four horses better homes -- instead they were sold to a 'kill buyer' in may last year and shipped to Canada for slaughter.

But, this wasn't the horse instructor's first time. A witness told state police LeFever said "I killed every on of those (expletive) horses, over 120 of them. "If they only knew....every one of them is dead."

In November, the Federal Government lifted a five-year ban on horse slaughterhouses here in America. Outside the U.S., horse meat is a highly sought-after and socially acceptable delicacy.

However, there was no law against transporting American horses to Mexico or Canada where horse slaughter is legal. World-wide, horse meat is a multi-million dollar industry.

"It's a big business," Patterson said. "We've seen some of the meat brokers and they make a lot of money doing it. So, if they can't go to one facility, they'll just go to another."

Penn National racetrack forbids retired horses be sold for slaughter. But as Patterson explains, a sour economy breeds shady business.

"I don't think this incident will make it worse... I think this will bring more attention to the fact there's people out there that are just callous," she said.

3 HORSES RESCUED FROM POND

SKEPTIC

Horse massage techniques fancified by mystical woo
by SHARON HILL on January 20, 2012 at 11:27 am


Sienna, a 5-year-old reining horse, flapped her lips in satisfaction as Bill Turner ran his hands over her, putting pressure on various spots to relieve soreness and make her more grounded and relaxed.
“It’s kind of new to me, but I’ve seen a big difference with the horses,” said Kurt Plyman, owner and trainer of Plyman Performance Horses in Tumalo. “I think it just makes them feel better. There’s a lot more energy, and mentally they’re ready to go to work.”
Turner, a Sisters resident, said a combination of Eastern and Western healing techniques is the key to healthier horses.
“I’m just a piece of the pie,” he said. “My piece of the pie goes real well with other pieces of the pie, which are chiropractic, acupuncture and certainly the veterinarian.”
When performing energy work, he said, he uses Reiki, Chinese ChiGong and Jin Shin. The treatments are used to clear energy blockages within the body and restore balance to bring the body back to a natural state of healing, he said.
“My work is a full-body treatment that begins with the Horse Magnetic Pulsar unit to soften the body, followed by a full-body energy treatment,” he said. “I work the whole horse from the back to the front with my hands. The treatment lasts about an hour and 15 minutes and is very refreshing, yet relaxing to the horse.”


Let me cut through the ChiGongJinShin here. Massaging a horse, getting them used to your hands, and having them relax, is helpful. Just as relaxation is good for humans to refocus and feel refreshed. Adding some New Age mumbo jumbo about “energy blockages” and “restoring balance” is fancy talk that has no basis in reality. There is a really straightforward process going on here dependent on a kind hand that is not asking the beast to do anything but stand there. No stress. It’s not magic. Don’t believe me? Try it yourself. Give your horse a massage (assuming you aren’t deliberately smoothing their energy fields), and watch him get all relaxed. Don’t have a horse? Try petting your dog. No special mystical knowledge needed.

HORSE HAULER CHARGED

Tennessee Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Dalya Qualls said that on Jan. 16 a truck hauling 38 horses in a single-level trailer was traveling westbound along Interstate 40 in Williamson County, Tenn., when the trailer overturned, blocking the road's westbound lanes entirely and shutting down I-40 traffic for several hours. The horses contained in the trailer were owned by Three Angels Farm in Lebanon, Qualls said. Three of the horses died as a result of the accident. The surviving horses were retrieved by their owner and transported back to Three Angels Farms.

On Jan. 19 Qualls said that the truck's driver, Mance Frank Reed, was charged with unsafe operation of a vehicle, failure to exercise due care, and driving fatigue in connection with the incident. Reed also received citations for brake violations as well as frame and tire violations on the trailer, Qualls said.

Reed was unavailable for comment.

MAN CHARGED AFTER ACCIDENT

Police in Milton say an 84-year-old driver didn't stop after hitting a horse and throwing its rider to the ground.

They later got a call from Lincoln Geist of Sanbornville saying he believed he struck a horse. The accident happened Tuesday afternoon on a rural road.

A teen riding the white horse was thrown to the ground. She suffered a broken pelvis. The horse, which suffered internal bleeding, had to be put down.

Geist was charged with fleeing after the crash. He told police he did not see the horse.

HORSE TRAILER ROLLS TWICE

Firefighters have rescued a horse trapped inside a trailer that rolled over twice in the Southern California desert.

San Bernardino County fire Capt. Wayne tells KCDZ radio that the horse owner forgot to properly attach the trailer to her truck hitch before leaving her Yucca Valley home on Wednesday.

Lynn Follstad was about a mile from her home when the trailer came loose, rolled over twice and ended up resting on its rear doors.

When firefighters arrived, the horse was standing inside the trailer with its head out the window.

The trailer axles were removed and the floor was cut out to get the horse free.

The horse only had a few scratches.

Flesh ripped from woman's fingers in freak horse accident
 

A Central Hawke's Bay woman is recovering after flesh was pulled from her fingers in a freak horse accident.

Judy Walters, 46, was left with her fingers crushed and hanging by tendons, in a horrific injury known as "degloving".

Mrs Walters, who with husband Terry Walters managed Smedley Station and Cadet Training Farm in Tikokino, was loading a horse into a float when a horse was spooked.

Mr Walters said his wife's hand then became trapped between the float divider and the bar at the front of the float.

"I lent down to go in front to go under, that's when the horse got a spook from something," Mr Walters said.

"It sent me flying backwards. It all happened so fast that I don't know exactly what happened."

Mr Walters said even though they were both in shock he had Mrs Walters in his vehicle and on the way to the hospital within 60 seconds.

"Because of my vehicle being right there at the scene I had her there very quickly and safely."

Mr Walters said the 17-hour surgery performed by Hutt Hospital surgeon Dr Annie Fullarton was "just incredible".


"One of the surgeons said they have never seen an injury so bad. It was crushed, smashed, and just degloved basically."

His wife said she was "very impressed" with the surgery.

"I had this idea that I would be getting a plastic hand or something," she said. "It's just a silly idea that you get in your head."

Mr Walters said they were "the most careful people you will ever meet with many, many years experience around horses".

The horse had been on a float before and had gone through an "extensive float programme" which included training them to walk on structures via a large sheet of plywood.

For now Mrs Walters was staying at her sister's house close to Wellington Hospital with her mother looking after her.

She is slowly beginning to move her fingertips and is scheduled to have more surgery to remove pins in her fingers on February 2.

Mr Walters said he was grateful for all the support he had received from friends.

"It's a comforting feeling to have such caring people around us.

"It's important to note that the accident happened but it's the support that's not often written about."

young girl thrown from Horse

A Straughn Middle School student was injured when she was thrown from her horse Sunday afternoon.

Sixteen-year-old Paige Ladd hit her head on a fence post, causing bleeding on the brain and a C2 vertebrae fracture, her mom, Dee, said.

“We don’t really know what happened to the horse, but all of a sudden he took off in a dead run,” she said. “He ran for quite a while and came up on a fence. He stopped short and spun around and she came off and hit her head on a fence post.”

Dee Ladd said her daughter was unconscious for about a minute, and had difficulty knowing who her dad was for a few minutes following the accident.

“We called EMS and they came out and took her to Mizell,” she said. “We had Dr. Robert Revel as the ER doctor. He stabilized her and got scans of her head. That’s when he determined she was bleeding on the brain because of the trauma and had the C2 fracture.”

Paige was airlifted to Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan Sunday night.

Ladd said it was “touch-and-go” treatment on Sunday night.

“As the night progressed, she was doing better,” she said. “They did another CT scan on her head (Monday) morning, and the bleeding of the brain didn’t progress. She was stabilizing and there was no swelling on the brain.”

Ladd said Paige doesn’t require surgery right now.

“She’ll be in a neck brace for about three months,” she said. “She’s up and walking around. They’ve had her out of bed several times today. She’s been sleeping most of the afternoon, but she’s doing much better.”

Ladd said she wasn’t sure how long Paige would have to stay in the hospital.

“The neurologist told us a minimum of five days,” she said.

Despite all that happened, Ladd said she’s proud of her daughter.

“She’s pretty tenacious and independent,” she said. “She’s a good kid. I hated to see it happen to her.”

But what blessed her the most, she said, was her compassion for her mother.

“When she was coming off her medications, she said, ‘Don’t leave. Don’t leave me.’ I told her I wouldn’t, and she said, ‘But, Mama, what about your trip to Chicago?” Ladd said. “I have cancer, and I was supposed to have treatment on Wednesday. We’re going to put it off.

“Our plate is full to say the least,” Ladd said. “Our finances and our insurances are being hit hard. That’s OK. We are going to do whatever we need to to make sure she gets better.

“We are so blessed with everyone who has offered prayers,” she said. “Our friends are going crazy with posts to her Facebook page, mine and my husband’s. We’re so appreciative. I thoroughly believe that without those prayers things may not have turned out like they did. I am humbled by the number of people who have reached out.”

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LETTER OF THE DAY

THE FOAL/WEANLING

Hi,
My problem is with my 3 month old filly. Bred purely for temperament, from two station bred SH's. An angel of a mare, by a stallion that could be mistaken for a gelding (a nice quiet gelding!).....seems to have worked so far, she has been a sweet filly that has trained quickly and easily. I have halter trained her using your methods, all has been going well, I will admit I have been concerned that it has all been going a little too well, but then I have never had a moments trouble with the mare, and have trained her myself since she was a weanling.
Mare and filly have been in a very good paddock, my filly is muscled like Arnold Schwarzenegger, just has longer legs!....but the mare has become too fat, so yesterday it was time to move them.
About two weeks ago we were crossing from grassy lawn onto a gravel driveway, the filly just wouldn't put her hooves on that gravel, I was in a hurry, open gate, dogs loose, all training went out the window, I forced the issue she reared. I kept contact on her head, pulled her off to the opposite side from where she wanted to go (is this the correct tactic?) and as soon as her hooves hit the ground I jerked her forward and she leaped forward onto the gravel. All sorted, I thought!
But yesterday it was hideous weather, rain and wild winds, she was rattled, and now she is a big girl, muscles on legs. There was a protest, firstly about crossing onto the gravel from the grass (Hmmm, not sorted after all?!) and then about putting her hooves on the float ramp. So, more rearing. I won in the end, it wasn't a long hard fight, they travelled well, and she came off the float calmly and quietly.
Today I went into their new paddock and moved her around a bit, a few "hip and shoulders" to enforce my dominance, she was as sweet as usual, respectful of my space and was sure to get out of my way, no sign that she thought the rules had changed.....but I suspect that she felt her strength when she reared, and of course it wasn't matched by my strength!
I think you might tell me that I need a big strong man, to pull her around a bit when she goes up, but there aren't any like that around here. So, what do I do? I'm concerned that she will turn into a little feral that rears to get out of doing anything that she doesn't want to? Is there a chance I can sort this one out myself? Both times she has reared have been when I was rushing her, is it as simple as going back to the beginning and take some pressure off?
As always,
THANKS so much.



Hi Shona
None of this is unusual at all but it is why I say that Foals need to be Halter broken with a system like mine and then continually refreshed and challenged as they grow the strength. 100% of them test their strength against us. 100% of them are born to resist because of the "flight response"
This is also why I say that they should be not only Halter Broken but basically broken in, other than Mouthing and Riding. http://www.horseproblems.com.au/halter_breaking_the_foal.htm
When I scheme up systems, it is always done being very mindful of the majority of Owners being Ladies and therefore not having the strength of Blokes. So, the other add on systems are to compensate for a lack of strength versus a will to resist and test by the Young Horse. Therefore, you should do the following:
• Complete training of Leg Restraints.
• Drag Ropes off it for a Week
• Then train it to tie up
• Then, in my case, such a strong one would be hooked onto my Roping Horse for the Final Shoot Out before total giving.
So time for more work and ignore the rearing. Go look at this.

http://youtu.be/XxGXBB0pghk

Then, armed with all of your new found Tools, you could even go further. Knee Hobbles, and demand the Foal drops the neck and Head for later when you bridle it.
Regards
 

Thanks John,
Just a quick update.....the rearing ratbag has now become a submissive angel!
She stands quietly in the paddock to have her hooves done WITHOUT a halter on, and drops her head for the halter to be put on. She is now so attentive to what I'm doing, I was moving her around in the paddock yesterday, come to me, back up, turn and stop, all at LIBERTY!
Thanks for your advice, it gave me the confidence to sort her out myself, and training her has become fun again......until next time!!

Well done

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

LETTERS OF THE DAY

UPDATE

Hi mate,

I was just reading the “blog” and saw the little Dun harness pony driving in the gig with its head in the air.

It’s none of my business but, like you I would check its teeth and yes the high head is an indicator of the pony considering going “ta ta” shortly.

Might I make the suggestion that perhaps Carol,

• Changes the bit.
• Checks the teeth, (look for wolf teeth?)
• Drives through the tugs instead of the rein terrets.
When you are getting young horses going, initially it is a good idea, for added safety, to get a split link and with a 2 inch ring fasten this onto the front of the tug buckle on the shaft tug and drive through these rings.

This is called “driving through the tugs.”

Carol should also watch the weight in her driving reins and again for safety, if they are not, she should have them about 21 or so feet long. If she has them this length she can sit on them and they can drag on the road behind the gig. So that when Carol gets out to open or shut a gate, she can hold the reins and still be in control of the horse. Under no circumstance should any one drive a horse in a vehicle whilst walking beside it. If the horse decides to go, the driver will never hold it and a bad accident and an injury will be the result. Get in the gig and go with them. As well Carol should always have an approved helmet for added safety.

Just a thought and I don’t mean to get involved but that’s just what I would do.

Best wishes,

Glen Deholm.
Harness Coach

Thanks Mate. Well said.
 

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

Hi John,

                Been a fan of your site for some time now and always value add.  Has helped train me J.  A couple of questions:

I have a new 3yr standie, didn’t make it past trials and is a lovely natured fella.  Join up is established, already nice and soft on the lead in all directions and a number of ground manners established.  Is learning to lunge calmly.  He looks like he has a bit of a U neck which appears to have improved a little in the last couple of weeks but would like some advise.

Q1.  He does lunge quite flat and at times does round in his trot. At times he lowers his head to the ground and may do a whole circle that way, at the trott;  not too sure about the reason for this so was hoping you could help – our others standies have not done this anywhere near to this extent  so not sure if it is a benefit or not to helping him improve his confirmation.  So should I allow that when lunging, he will lift his head back up on queue if I ask. When he trotts on the lead beside me (show ring practice for lead class) he has just started to round his neck.  My assumption is now he is working on a loose lead he is teaching himself to attain correct carriage but to be honest this is my observation and I have no real experience to base this on – hence my question to the expert.  

Q2.  Will he need some other assistance such as your gear for the purpose of fixing the slight u neck look he has.

Hope this is enough info for you.

Photo attached, not the best, just had a wash after a training session

Thanks John, any help appreciated mate,

Mike

Hi Mike

Good questions.

Q1      This is a very good sign in a Horse for they have the ease of ability to do it and to stretch the back. It normally means their conformation is pretty good and that their neck comes out of their Body well. The lead stuff also sounds good. You should always improve them though, by lunging them proper.

Q2      Yes, he should be. Email me for an e-book

regards

+++++++++++

Hi John,

The time came that I had to admit that I was not that young anymore. My hips argue with me when I am in the saddle. Now I know what they mean by the saying that youth is wasted on the young. We are downsizing so some of the horses had to go. I had been really reluctant to sell some of my youngsters as I feared that I would not find good homes.

Tully was only green backed and a fearful personality so I did lots of desensitisation with him. His new owner came down regularly over a period of weeks so they could get to know each other. It also gave me a chance to explain how he had been trained and where his comfort zones were. Her previous horse had been an OTTB with shying issues and had to be eventually put down due to severe ulceration. By comparison my Tully was a gentle giant. We exposed him to everything we could think of to build his confidence and when he left he had his emotional anchor firmly attached to the new owner. She did find something that was an issue on a trail ride –not flapping tarps or big trucks but miniature ponies. Both he and the new owner handled the situation well and trail rides are fun.. a trail riding home near beaches with four teenage daughters...perfect for Tully.

Shadow was an entirely different personality. A part bred Andalusian, nothing fazed him and he has a very bold personality. At six still not backed due to no fault of his own but lots of ground work. I advertised him as having lots of potential but unbacked. Again I was very fortunate to find the perfect owner. A lovely young rider with a mum experienced with young horses. We agreed to back him together here as the mum wanted to see if he would be suitable for her daughter. I did not know at the time that the mum was in total sync with my methods. They lived fairly close so they could come round frequently. Your saddle impressed them first and then over the next few weeks Shadow’s progress was amazing. It was like he was glad to be working. The process went very smoothly without any major issues. The ground work I had cone with him translated perfectly to under saddle. The daughter was great and followed my instructions to th3e letter. He is now settled into his new home and being prepared for a mix of competition and trail riding.

I am reassured that the young horses I can still raise and train will have good homes to go to. My two foals this season are progressing at an amazing rate. Good mums and an experienced handler. Age does have its benefits after all.

Carolyn

Time for the Spring Cart ey Carolyn? :) I might join you one Day :) Well done on finding the right Homes!!! Have fun.
 

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hello my name is rebecca and i have a five year old paint QH. i got her about a month ago, she had been out to pasture her entire life was people friendly but absolutely no manners. on day one after we got her to our barn she would rear and try to climb the stall walls to get out, she reminds me of a naughty weanling. she is doing well now (inside) she is being ridden lets me clean her feet brush her cross tie her and tack her on cross ties. however she wants to be out side with other horses. we have put her out by herself and she has gone through the fence. now the peolpe i board her at and who have helped train her say she needs more manners b4 going back out. she is now starting to not respond to "forward" while riding and she will stop in the arena and not move , regardless of crop or leg pressure. i believe she is bored and will ask by gesturing with her head to the outside door. but the boarders do not think she is ready. any ideas on how to get her to repect the fence to put her out? i think it will help . Or do you think she is just being stubborn as they think and i should keep her in until she gives in. I have also heard multiple times from them that the heard mentality needs to be broke and her to bond with people before going out side as well. USA

Hi Rebecca

How Sad for your Horse. This is all about the worst traits of Humans, the ignorance of Humans and the absolute mind blowing proposition that the wonderful Animal called “The Horse”, the ultimate outside Horse, the herd Animal, the “flight animal” and which knew nothing other than being outside, could need to behave better , “Before being allowed to go outside”? I feel sorry for your Horse and more sorry for those People, who will likely go to their Grave never having arrived at a place worth of Horse Ownership

Your Horse is just communicating to you but no-one is listening. Your Horse would never have been so excited to go outside that it would run through a Fence, BEFORE BEING LOCKED INSIDE!!!!!!!!!!. Every behavioural symptoms that you speak of, is simply the Horse attempting to Talk to you and to tell you that it wants to be paroled from the Goal.

The only problem that you really have, is the danger of running through another Fence, caused by Humans. So that has to be managed carefully for sadly, you are re-introducing the Noble Horse, back into a Field go figure. 

In closing, let me tell you this. “There are no ‘naughty horses’, only dumb Humans. “Listen to the Horse”

Kind Regards
 

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listen to your horses. DVD

Dear Mr and Mrs HP.
 

While I'm at it I thought I would send you a quick line to wish you all the best for the coming year and to again thank you for all your help.

I also wanted to let you know how I got on with the ex driving friesian that I emailed you about a few months ago. You suspected he was having flash backs causing him to bolt and I have concluded you were correct. (as usual!) Long story short I re-mouthed him using your re-mouthing DVD and did a good job to some extent but totally failed in another. When not being pushed or tested he was wonderful. ORS perfect, beautiful relaxed contact. Walk and trot to die for, correct bend and flexion all good. BUT big problems with canter. Every time I asked for canter when ridden massive overreaction and total panic. My initial thought was that the horse was painful somewhere or had been punished in the past for cantering whilst driven. I am a vet myself and had previously checked the horses teeth/back and he was sound. So lots of work on building muscle and transitions on the ground first. In addition to this he was still occasionally bolting with me.
9/10 times out in school or hack he would be perfect and not put a foot wrong but several times for no apparent reason he bolted/tried to bolt. Twice I ended up on the deck partly due to not being able to stick his movement (Very big moving horse) and partly due to failure of my re-mouthing in panic situations. So I know my re-mouthing wasn't good enough when the chips were down. I concluded that this was something I wasn't going to be able to fix. I didn't know if the issue with canter was connected but suspected that it was due to strength of the reaction to canter.

Interestingly some answers came to light when the horse suffered a bout of colic.The colic did not require surgery but he did need stomach tubing twice. (which he stood for like a dream.) He was off work for several days and dropped a lot of weight and muscle. (more than would be expected for the severity of the colic - in my experience anyway). So query underlying issues? Also he began to lock up both stifles and was stiff behind. So I wondered if this was his problem with canter? Current pain or flashback to pain? At no time was he lame and never had stifle effusion. Its impossible to know if he is still in pain or even if this is the root cause of his problems with out extensive testing. His owners feel they cannot invest anymore money in this horse and he is not insured for vets bills.

As I said I am a vet and had checked him as fully for soundness as I would for a 5 stage vetting before taking him on. I had my boss (30years equine veterinary experience) check the horse and he could not find anything in this horse either. (won't lie but this made me feel a lot better about myself). We all know vettings are not a 100% guarantee and upward fixation of the patella is a notoriously difficult condition to diagnose as it rarely causes lameness unless severe BUT I can't help feel like I missed something and let the horse down. Also am I missing things in vetting clients horses? Hence I'm buying your listen to your horses DVD and taking a few refresher courses as I want to be as good as possible and not miss things.

The horse is now returned to his owner. I have made it clear to them that he is far from fixed and that I feel he is unsafe to ride or drive. I have told them that he is beyond my skill level to continue re schooling. He is just sitting in the field being lunged occasionally to stop him locking up. Very sad. I wonder if you know of anyone in the UK up to taking him on? I know its a long shot but I really like this horse. With regular work his stifle issue may come right. I'm not sure about his flashbacks/panic issue and this would require professional level horsemanship along with time and TLC.

Sorry to bother you with all this. As you can probably tell this has worried me a great deal over the past few months. I'm concerned for the horse and especially for anyone who might work with him in the future. Thanks for reading this.

Yours, Suzie from Edinburgh. xxx

I find that these Breeds can often have panic with Canter. I meet it regularly with Cobs and other of them. Once they start, due to the fact that they are extremely sensitive Horses, they take it too seriously and feed off their own paranoia and build their fear as they go. Which is why they need a AAA remouthing job, for if you can't stop them during their panic, you can't fix the psychological.

Every system requires slight tweeking of course Suzie and on this Horse, I would have wanted to set him up at the Canter when working on stopping him, which would have entailed upsetting his Apple Cart a Bit but we must always repliciate the negative trait to be able to fix it.

 What a shame Suzie but at least perhaps hearing what I just relayed, may make you a little more at ease with yourself. Personally, we would NEVER buy a Friesian for Dressage say. I'll get shot for saying that but I watch them regularly and I watched one last Sunday with one of the States Top Riders on board and even she couldn't win on the Horse. They are not bred for Canter Suzie. Anyhow, well done for your great efforts and for having an open mind and actually talking to a Horseman as most won't :( Regards
 

Dear John

Thank you for the reply. I very much appreciate it as I realise you are extremely busy and in high demand.

I will relay all your thoughts to the horses owners but I'm not convinced they will listen/understand. I've since found out that the horse in question has put 3 people in hospital including 2 horse professionals who deal specifically with problem horses. It may be better for him to stay in the field where he won't hurt anyone.

Anyway thank you very much for all your help and advice.

I've just finished watching Listen to your horses. What an interesting production. A lot to take in. I'll need to watch it several times over to grasp all the finer points. Makes me stop and think about several cases. Thank you. Finding your website and watching your DVDs has already helped my horses and several of my clients horses. You deserve to be knighted!!

Suzie xx
Vet. Scotland

Thanks Suzie. Most Kind and give us hope :) Regards

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You don’t have to reply or comment cause I know you’re busy, I just need to write...There’s an old show horse in the paddock opposite mine. The other day I found him in an awkward position, lying up hill on his side with his legs beneath the fence. So that as he was trying to get up, he was banging his legs against the metal post. I really thought he was gone, there was nothing I could do solo to help him, so I sat with him and calmed him, he moaned as he began to relax When he was quiet, I raced down to the arena and grabbed a fellow neighbouring agistee. As I was fighting back tears cause I was a little emotional (a female thing- yes I can still crack a stock whip), She said “No worries, I have been getting him up twice a week!” So the two of us managed to move him over and helped him get up....GOD...if there is one...I was P&^%$ OFF!!!! When he did get up, he trotted off in the distance- as if he was trotting around in the show ring!

But I couldn’t help thinking....How could anyone let their horse suffer for so long!! This horse needs to be euthanized asap. So my friend gets on the phone to the owner of the property and explains the situation. Apparently, she replied...”but it’s too sad seeing them put to sleep..I’ll ring the owner anyway”.

A few days later, While I was working my horse today, I met ‘the owner’ for the first time. An elderly educated lady (shrink) who lives in Sydney. She had organised for the vet to come tomorrow. I realised shortly into our conversation, however, that this lady was procrastinating (understandably). She was worrying about how the other horses would feel witnessing such an event (euthanizing by vet)..I said that “you need to do what is best for your horse, don’t worry about the other horses. Death is a part of life and the horses understand that, they are intuitive”. Then I posed a question to her..” How would the other horses feel if they saw him fall down, near a fence, unable to get up by himself...then watched him suffer until he exhausted himself to the point of death...how would the other horses feel then?” ...I think I made my point...Then she made another excuse....The irony...the lady is a psychologist.

Anyway, I got into a conversation with the woman, she was on for a chat and just needed someone to listen. So while I took some video footage and a few photos she told me that she had this horse from the moment he was born until now.....37 years. 37 YEARS!! SURELY THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE!? She said he had been here for 8 years and that no one in Sydney could handle him-said he was dangerous so that’s why she moved him to the country. I gave her my best wishes and said all will work out for the best...I hope so

Thanks for listening

Jo

The Horse dies a few Days Later. God rest his Soul

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QUIZ OF THE WEEK WINNER

Hey John
Thanks heaps for the DVD it arrived yesterday – awesome I will sit down on the weekend and watch it.

Not sure if you saw on my facebook – Tell Linda Sparky and I got 71.11% for our second Novice test 2A the easy one (I really feel like my lesson with Linda was a turning point some things just clicked, of course I am getting lessons down here which an excellent teacher and we have been working hard but it was a turning point definitely) – probably the first and last time we get that good but I have it on paper *big grin*

Thanks again for the DVD
Cheers
Michelle

Linda is thrilled with the News Michelle. Well done!!!!!!!!!!! and keep up the good work.

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Hi,

We have just put shoes on our quarterhorse which we bought about 2 months ago. Since he has had them on (about 5 days) he is clicking his shoes excessively when he walks, to the point he pulled some of the nails out on the first day he had them on. Our farrier seems to think it is because the horse does not move out enough but when we watch him walk he moves his back legs are tracking the fronts quite well (if that makes any sense). Is this a farrier issue or does the horse just move his back feet to close to the front?

Regards,
Ashleigh
 

Farrier issue Ashleigh. Normally too long on the toe and not breaking over quick enough to get out of the way of the back feet. Cheers

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Hi John; I was hoping you would be willing to answer a question or two about a lesson pony I own, as I am truly perplexed and don't know how to go about working with him.

Fiddler is a welsch/cobb that I rescued as an abused 2 year old stallion. After gelding him and a lot of work, he turned around and has become a lovely little lesson horse EXCEPT.

As long as he has a halter or a saddle on him, he is sweet, kind, and patient. The problem is that he threatens to bite (with ears pinned, not playful) whenever he is approached in his stall, and one student of mine has told me that he actually lunged at her over the stall door (didn't witness it). If a student goes in with a halter, he is fine. It only seems to happen when someone simply goes up to him to pet him. I have tried to simulate whatever a student may do to annoy him (moving quickly, hard pats, etc) but the problem is is that if I am within touching range of him, we cannot get him to display that naughty behavior; I have to be a decent way away from him to even see it. My feeling is that he is being dominant over them and knows that I am the boss, so doesn't do it when near me. With needing him to be good for everyone, how do I go about correcting this? Obviously, this is very serious but I don't know what would happen to him if I tried to find him a different home. Would the endo tap help him? The only other thing I can think of is to have a student try to do join-up with him but don't know if thats the right approach, either.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated. I am willing to do just about anything to help this pony be a good boy!

Thank you,
Gabrielle

Hi Gabrielle. He is signaling his discontent with past handling or current riding and may be sick of the Learner Riders. You are right, he knows who are Pupils and who is the Boss. Yes, get a Pupil to do join up for sure but the other option may give you more difficulties than it is worth on a complex Horse. This one is not straight out naughty but hiding his worries and fears within his mind and is therefore a complex individual, which these COBS often are. Read the story above from the Vet in Scotland. This Breed takes things far more seriously than we know and they are "Deep and Meaningful" types with the profile in Human Terms of one more likely to commit Suicide. Here    Here is one of them. He is now deceased.

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I have a 14 yr 15.3hh 1,700lb QH x Belgian (Tank) who was quiet & farmer broke to ride
& drive when I got him about 1 ½ years ago. He had just been out on pasture for about
a year when I got him with three boarded horses. He was pushy when leading & at feeding
time right from day one. He wouldn’t leave the yard when riding either. I have improved
him over time just with my own knowledge but he still needs work. I have been using your
method from the pod cast for keeping him back while I put his hay out. He acts just like the horse in the
video (like how dare you try to tell me what to do). I will not be riding him again until
I get his ground manners fixed because I think he would just get worse again under saddle. He is
very light on the halter or bit from the ground for yielding laterally, vertically, & lowering his head but as soon
as all gear is off he doesn’t even know I’m there. I have tried the 7 games with him but can’t
get past the yielding to pressure without a halter. I have to literally grab his nose to stop him
from walking away (obviously I haven’t earned his respect). Eating is all he ever thinks about. I can
make the noise of a large parade & he won’t even look at me. Would you suggest round
penning or lunging would be my next step to fix this (to my knowledge he has never done either) if so what method?
Please give me your expert advice if/when you have time. And let me know if you need
more info or pics. Thanks 
P.S. He is a very good driving horse other than trying to eat all the time
P.S.S. He is very violent with our other gelding, to the point where I think he might kill him, so I keep
them in separate areas but they can see each other. Tank runs around calling for the other guy if I take
him out instead. And acts like he never saw a horse before when seeing strangers on the trail. When
he was at his previous home he never paid any attention to the other horses.
Much more I could say but don’t want to waste to much of your time.
Thanks again.
Sylvia in Canada

Hi Sylvia. Cold up there? He sounds like what we would call a "Garbage Guts"

I have seen three of these Horses this Week and they are all Gutses and all disrespect their Owners, meaning they are pre-occupied with the Grass when doing Halter and stuff like that. First up of course, GET HIS RESPECT and concentration. In my experience, Liberty work (which is great) doesn't get the respect that in Hand work does, so mix it up. In fact, only half an Hour ago, I was watching one at Liberty and it was being fed Treats out of a Bra for a job well done but the respect was clearly lacking there too. First step to the round Pen. Then this.

Whenever he takes concentration off you when working, remind him with this briefly, to get his attention again.  now back to the Feeding. I am able to say Sylvia, that if the Feeding Regime problem isn't fixed in the first ever sitting, then that is a commentary upon the Owner, who didn't get the message across and go just above the resistance zone of the Horse in question. Horses know where that Line breaks, which is why they kick each others Gutses out and aim to Maim, first up, no questions asked. It is also a fact that the only reason these Horses get this way in the first place is because of Owners. So you may need to raise the levels there. You will see all the Do Gooders on Youtube, commenting on how cruel I was to dare hit that Horse over the ass with a stock whip (they like to cal it a BULL WHIP) They are the dumb one's and the smart one's who just may not end in a Coma, are People like you. Best of Luck

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Hi Mr Hp :-) just letting you know that I have successfully got my horse to go backwards your way was so easy and much better for the both of us thanks for your help its greatly appreciated
Will be riding her this weekend and have got an instructor who believes in the natural way which is good again many thanks
Cheers Jacci
 

Well done Jacci. Thanks for letting me know.

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FRIDAY NIGHT QUIZ

Hi John,

I don't pretend to know all the ins and outs of dressage, but the predominant thing about your quiz video that stands out to me is that you never see the horse work on the right rein throughout the whole video, except for a few seconds at the end! Also i don't know what level this horse was being sold at, but we see an awful lot of trot and not a lot of much else in the way of gait or movements...

Also when the legs/spurs go on the ears seem to go back.

Cheers!

Very True. Spot on. A shameful attempt at deceiving the Buyers but didn't get us, did it? :) Regards

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Thanks John, appreciate your advice. The foal has come good and I believe you picked it right with the mares milk. I know you’ve seen a thousand horses but I have attached a couple of pictures of this particular filly at day 1 with our 4 year old Daughter. Look forward to meeting with you at Tonimbuk.

Wonderful Effort and Photo. Lovely!!!!

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HORSE TRAINING ONLINE

Morning Mr HP. That would be wonderful :)

I shall try and get onto that sometime this week, I am a bit technotarded (haha) and have never uploaded a video before we shall see how long it takes!

I just this week started the I love your arse but its your face I want on this horse who while turned out has become very attached to another horse I have here - making a difference in his behaviour already, he is far happier to be with me away from her, actually he has not SCREAMED blue murder the last two or three sessions, one of which I took him right away out inhand on our farm. When I brought him he is what I would describe as heavy and pushy on the ground, with his damn shoulder always barging in your side and his head peering whereever he wanted...has improved greatly but have only just started handling again recently (time out having a baby) and he seems to have gone back a bit?

Also have recently done the whip at feedtime...attitude adustment also happening here ;-P

He isnt "bad" at feed times...but having been away at a friends place has reverted back to pushing close as he can and although will bugger off when told he is straight back and pacing back and forwards - I was horrified to hear that said friend had great trouble even getting in the paddock at feedtime!!!!! Had not watched your clip for a few years went over to refresh my memeory...and lightbulbs...two sessions and already he will go and stand and wait. Just Brilliant :)

So as you hear we have some work to do, I am so keen to get started.


Anyhows thanks very much for your time.
Kind Regards
Haylee
 

Well done Haylee. Video is very important for this as it allows me to get in your Mind and the Horse and know what advice to give to balance things. Look forward to it. I have another couple of Stars who have started off and are Mouthing their Horses already. They are doing great.