Latest On EI In Australia

I just got this from Jodi on the EI epidemic and an upcoming important meeting you may want to know about:

AHIC is concerned about comments reported today from Minister Ian McDonald in NSW in support of compulsory vaccination for competition horses.
There is to be a national summit in Sydney on 25 September to discuss future options for Equine Influenza management in Australia. The Minister's comments (if accurate) seem premature, given that the summit has not yet taken place. AHIC surveys and other feedback clearly indicate that the majority of participants in the Australian horse industry, including the racing sector, do not favour ongoing vaccination against Equine Influenza.
EI has been eradicated from Australia by the very successful emergency response to the August 2007 incursion.
You can express your views directly to Minister McDonald at macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au

Thanks Jodi

My friend Roger Bourdon has some excellent tips on his blog for hoof care and also for looking after an older horse. HERE

US Asthorities are considering slaughtering thousands of wild horses - it's a budget issue as much as anything else they say. Can't say that I agree with this but have a look for yourself HERE.

Here's a very sensible blog with all sorts of useful info on Practical Horse Care and Horse First Aid. Worth a read. HERE

'Should We Send Our Horses To Slaughter? Why? Well, a 2007 estimate by the American Association of Equine Practitioners showed that there are about 170,000 documented unwanted horses in the U.S. each year'. The great American debate goes on but this article is sensible reading for anyone with a horse HERE .

What's Your Horse's Favorite Flavour? Researchers set out to identify which flavors horses like best. Courtesy of Equisearch. HERE

Quarantine lifted on Brisbane's 'Hendra' clinic. The latest in this disturbing story HERE.

Some good news though. You can now buy at the H10 web site and pay with a cheque, Money Order or Bank Deposit. To celebrate we're giving away a 500 ml bottle of Elegance Red Label Shampoo with every purchase of a 1 Litre size bottle.
Go over and have a look HERE.

It's getting warmer at last. Have a great week.

Geoff

How To Get Corporate Sponsorship

Hi there,
Just one message in the newsletter this week but it's one close to my heart and one everybody should listen to if they can.

Sponsorship is important to the horse industry at all levels from top to bottom. It's how the industry 'gets along' and yet most of us know precious little about requesting sponsorship and going about it in a way that will give us the best results possible.

My good friend Patricia Reszetylo has produced a broadcast interviewing real expert Linda Hollander on getting sponsorship, and she's been kind enough to make it available to us...but for one week only. So, get your skates on and listen to the broadcast and also download the work book that goes with it so that you can make notes and get yourself in shape for future sponsorship requests. Believe me, what Linda doesn't know about getting sponsorship isn't worth knowing.

Here's the link so that you can download the workbook http://www.h10.com.au/documents/sponsors.pdf

And here's the link for the broadcast - don't miss it!!
CLICK HERE
Have a great week

Olympic Magic For Australia

Hi there,
Well is was quite a night and I really thought we had a great chance of beating the Germans but just fell short. Still, the silver must have made up for the medal drought over the past 8 years and when you consider the EI problems etc, it was a great effort. I finally clamboured into bed at an unmentionable hour to be greeted by displeased grunts from 'she who must be obeyed' but it was worth it.

Here's the latest The Horse newsletter for you - with lots of news and some articles on new drug testing techniques.
www.thehorse.com/enews/8122008.html

I found a news Team and Rider newsletter that's full of great tips and training techniques. Well worth a look - no cost of course.
tinyurl.com/5dtckn

For you dressage fans, here's an article from Equisearch and Sally O'Connor - Developing Flying Changes with Counter Canter
tinyurl.com/6xdj6q

Atari has produced an equestrian game to test the knowledge and training techniques of players. The game, for Nintendo DS, is called Equestrian Training, and offers horse and riding fans the chance to learn about the equestrian world and test their knowledge through various exercises and exams. Could be a great training aid for kids and I'll get more details and offer it on the site if I can.
tinyurl.com/6yzswh

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Healing Therapy or Just Hype? You be the judge
tinyurl.com/5f9adz

Here's a good article on Navicular Disease and your horse. If you haven't come across it, it's a prime cause of horse lameness and 100% attributable to treatment by owners.
tinyurl.com/6579oj

We've got some great horse books available - the braiding techniques book is almost gone so get in there fast!
tinyurl.com/6kqemq

Finally, for those of you who have asked, I am trying to negotiate for you to source supplies of H10 Gloss with the UK. Should have news soon and sorry for the delay.

Have a great week
Geoff

How A Miniature Horse's Leg Was Saved

Hi there
Bit the bullet and went for my first dragon boat paddling session this week. The aches and pains afterwards reminded me of my early horse riding days when I hadn't quite got the technique. And I haven't quite got the technique. Ouch! The dragons were very nice to me though.I've heard that the import of stallions for 'duty' during the breeding season is in full swing and that they are currently in quarantine. Sounds to me like a prayer or two is warranted!!

The Horse magazine is now publishing 4 new online newsletters. These newsletters will contain articles, news, video links, tips, and links to downloadable information specific to the topics of nutrition, lameness/laminitis, preventive care, and breeding. I already receive 2 and can recommend them. Go here to subscribe:
http://tinyurl.com/67tdap

Here's an article about 2 woman who started a business from their love of horses.
Well didn't most of us? Their basis - "People are cutting back on vacations and we want to make it affordable for backyard horse owners to be able to go on vacation." Read on here:
http://tinyurl.com/5o7jpa

British Para-equestrian dressage rider Lee Pearson is widely regarded as one of the top riders in the world with six Paralympic golds and numerous world and European titles to his name. Here's an article on his preparation for the Paralympics.
Incidentally, we went to the Paras in Sydney in 2000 as we have a friend who plays wheelchair rugby for Australia. Wonderful sport, a wonderful occasion and for me so much more interesting than the 'real thing'. How do these athletes do what they do?
http://tinyurl.com/5rlteq

Human wound care techniques are helping save a miniature horse's leg. It's a lovely story and she's a lovely little horse too.
http://tinyurl.com/6ozfrx

What should you do if your horse keeps getting his tongue over the bit? Dr. Joyce Harman offers bitting advice in this Ask the Vet column on EquiSearch.com
http://tinyurl.com/66obpz

Here's the link to the official Australian Olympic site - equestrian section, where you can read all the news, developments and of course see the medal tally for our equestrians. A word of caution though, the site takes a while to load up.
http://tinyurl.com/552uuz

Finally, I try to grow veggies to help the dollars do further. I was stunned by these examples from the large veggie show in the UK. They'd feed us for a month.

http://www.h10.com.au/images/cabbage.jpg
http://www.h10.com.au/images/pumpkin.jpg
http://www.h10.com.au/images/leek.jpg

Have a great week.
Geoff