Hilarious Horses..Have a Laugh On Us

Here in Australia, we have a bird called a Spangled Drongo....no kidding. The male is big, black and spectacularly noisy...his mates are even louder. More to the point, a male and not one, but two females have taken up residence in the garden. 'Er indoors has given away the shotgun and tells me that we'll just have to live with nature. I'm off to the toyshop today for a high powered water pistol.

Here's a great montage of funny horse pics---I laughed my socks off. Sorry about the chintzy music though.

If you're into barrel racing, then here are a few tips guaranteed to ensure that both you and your horse perform better. Courtesy of Laura Thompson, horseback riding instructor, Houston, Texas.

A 30-year-old horse was rescued from a sinkhole at least 15 feet deep Monday night. Crews worked more than six hours to free the horse, an Appaloosa named Chief. Owners said Chief is one of six family horses they keep on a farm. By 8:45, nearly six hours after the first 911 call was made, Chief was pulled to safety. Crews quickly rushed to cover him with blankets and warm his body. This is the third in my series of horses getting stuck in difficult places.

The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum was a popular tourist attraction in Victorville for more than 35 years, starting in 1967. But in 2003, five years after Rogers died in 1998 and two years after Evans died in 2001, their surviving family members moved the museum to Branson, Mo. Now, for those of you (probably most of you) who don't know about these 2, they were the first 'TV horse show stars' and they made plenty of Saturday morning movies we all crammed in to see. Roy's horse, Trigger was arguably the most famous horse in the world during his lifetime. Pity it all had to close. The stuffed and mounted body of Trigger, the golden palomino horse that co-starred with Rogers in many of his films, may alone be worth $1 million or more, auction appraisers say.

Very, very sad news here.....the daughter of champion horse racing trainer Derek Shawhas died after falling from a tractor at her family's training yard in Leicestershire, UK. His 15-month-old daughter Ellie Mae Shaw fell at the family's stables in Sproxton, near Melton Mowbray, on Monday. She was flown to hospital by air ambulance but died a short time later. Full story here

Do You Make These Horse Training Mistakes Loading Your Horse ? If you do then read this article and then hurry to our web site where you can see just how it should be done from horse training legend John Pinnell. This dvd had worked for hundreds of people who've had difficulty in the past.

Ever notice differences in how animals move their bodies? Your dog comes running up, his entire rear end swinging back and forth almost as fast as his wagging tail. Then he drops his hips and scuttles up against your legs before rolling belly-up to wriggle at your feet. Your horse’s body, in contrast, seems as solid as a rock as you brush him, and he doesn’t flinch as you place the saddle securely behind his withers and swing onto his back. You feel only a gentle undulation as he moves off. Want to know more? You should......

Dressage mare Blue Hors Matine, whose dressage freestyle at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen became an Internet video sensation, was euthanized after breaking a leg in a paddock accident, Horse and Hound reports. The 13-year-old Dutch mare was ridden by Andreas Helgstrand. She was retired from competition following a tendon injury at the Las Vegas World Cup in 2007. Blue Hors Stud Director Esben Moller told Horse and Hound Matine broke her right forelimb at the knee while out in her pasture. For those of you who have never seen this fabulous freestyle routine...here it is.

For all you 'showies'......How to Plait a Horse's Tail - Kate Baldwin is Laura Bechtolsheimer's head girl. Using a 'Bectholsheimer baby' Kate demonstrates the art of plaiting a tail.

New dvds on using the double lunge and long reining techniques available next week.

Have a great week.

PR: wait...  I: wait...  L: wait...  LD: wait...  I: wait...

Summers Here - Make Sure You Check All Your Equipment

Welcome to summer?...hah.

I pruned my nectarine tree with loving care this year to be rewarded with a bumper crop...and every fruit has been 'stung' and ruined by fruit fly despite all my 'green and natural' efforts to control them. Right...no more Mr Nice Guy next year. I got some advice from a fruit farmer and he gave me just the stuff I need. What with that, stink bugs on the citrus and the coming of the fig bird shortly (and have I got a surprise for him) it could be an interesting summer.
'Er indoors commented that I should have known better after last year....she's right as usual.

Beginning Horse Riding : Collection Horse Training Backing Up. Expert: Kathy Kentala. Kathy has been a horse enthusiast since she was six years old. Kathy owns the Bee Cave Riding Center in Texas and specializes in training youth groups. I've posted a video from this lady before and I rate her. You only have to read the comments on the video though to realise that there are many 'experts' out there that 'could do it better'. Yeh...right.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined a horse-bedding manufacturer more than $40,000 for violations the federal agency found. So if you're thinking about going into horse bedding as a business you'd better read this...not pretty.

If you love horses, but hate the cold then steer away fron the Chinese Army. At an outpost in Mongolia, the People’s Liberation Army maintains a cavalry squadron with around 150 horses, pictured. During the winter, six keepers mind the beasts until the weather warms up. It’s hard work. “Most of the soldiers suffer from arthritis, because of the cold and humid weather in [the] prairie,” Global Times reported. Soldier Liu Yuankuan “also said that horses are timid animals that are easily frightened by red plastic bags.” Red plastic bags??????

Soccer stars put faith in placenta juice 'cure'....? The supposed healing powers of the placenta have long been extolled but never proven, writes Eoin Kennedy. Arsenal soccer starr Robin Van Persie last week flew to Serbia to have juice from a horse’s placenta massaged into an ankle injury. What me..... sceptical? Well, the article is from the Irish Times but it isn't dated April 1st.

Watch the Video - A Movie Trailer About the Plight of Horses in The US Economy. Quote from article, "As most of our readers have horses living better lives than most humans, it is important to recognize the work of those who are helping our suffering equines". Equine Destiny is a documentary exposing the mounting issues facing this country's equines." Interesting.

Now remember...you have only 2 weeks to enter the H10 horse pics competition. It will close Dec 16th and the winner will be announced before Xmas with all the pics being posted for you to see after the festive season.
Here's the link for more info.

Susan Boyle seems to be all the rage these days. Her latest CD has rocketed to the No 1 position in about a day. Here's a video of the track 'Wild Horses'. Nice voice.....

A few minutes spent checking the soundness of your trailer goes a long way toward protecting the safety of every horse who rides in it.
Periodic checks of your trailer’s or float's condition are a good idea, particularly at those times of year when you do the most hauling. Such inspections can not only turn up minor problems before they require major, expensive repairs, but they can also keep you from taking to the road with potentially unsafe problems.


Got all your Christmas presents yet?

New Social Sites For Horse Lovers

Great Easter. Great family get together. Daughter came up from Sydney and slept for the whole three days. I wonder how she does it sometimes.....I got a big egg though......

Ease Mounting Pressures on Your Horse
The way you mount up from ground to saddle at the start of a ride has important implications for your horse's body and mind. By Karen Smith courtesy Equisearch

Here's a new horse blog I found. It's called 'The Long Horse Ride Blog' - From Beijing to London on horseback between the Olympics and details the travels of Megan Lewis from the UK as she treks from there to London in time for the 2012 Olympics. Takes the trail ride to a whole new level eh?

Introducing Horsevine.com - a social networking site by and for the Horse enthusiast! Their words, not mine but it looks like a Facebook for horse lovers. Their advertising slogan, "I heard it through the Horsevine'. Um.
Then there's Horse-Networks, another 'social site' for horse lovers where you can connect with 8000 horselovers and view over 13000 horse photos. Social networking has come a long way in the past few years.

Funny Horse Pictures - You Don’t See That Everyday. Can’t say I agree with all (any) of them, but you have to admit, they make you do a double take. Courtesy of Paige.

10 Fun Arena Exercises. If you've fallen into a riding rut, try our 10 basic arena exercises. By the Editors of Horse & Rider magazine
In the October '08 issue of Horse & Rider they offered 10 arena exercises you can use in your regular training sessions, as a warm up before your classes at a show, or to get the "fresh" out before a trail ride. Here, you can print out the diagrams (along with detailed information about each) and laminate them to make a handy barn-proof cheat sheet.

The worst horse-human combination possible is a green or young or unbroken horse and a beginner/novice rider. he idea that the untrained horse and the new rider will 'grow together' is one of the most believed, but most dangerously wrong ideas that floats around in the horse world. Here's a video that shows what can happen. Courtesy of Phil Tregear.

Hairdressers are used to grooming wayward locks - but Australian artist Julian Wolkenstein set a new standard when he used horses as models. The 36-year-old teamed up with hair stylist Acacio da Silva to turn the beasts of burden into supermodels of the equine world. Um...interesting.

The City of Boston's mounted patrol - the oldest police horse unit in the United States - is to be dismantled because of budget cuts. The unit, which comprises 12 horses and 10 officers, will be closed this northern summer, bringing to an end a service which dates back to the 1800s. About a dozen staff who help tend the horses will be laid off and the 10 mounted officers redeployed to foot duties. Very sad.

I have one copy only each of Storeys Guide To Raising Horses and Teaching Safe Horsemanship . Certainly worth a look since we pass on our savings to you.

Have a great week!
Geoff

Do Horses Swim Well?!

Where has the sunshine gone?
Our forecast for today after 150 mls of rain yesterday - Showers or rain areas with some moderate to heavy falls, isolated thunderstorms in the north. Fresh east to southeast winds, strong on the coast. Damaging surf conditions. I'd love to share our water.
Some north coast areas have had 750 mls over the past 36 hours...can you believe it?

"You can take the horse out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the horse." Domesticating and stabling horses has radically changed their natural environment and can lead to some serious health issues. Respiratory difficulties are reported to be the leading health problem in domesticated horses. At the first hint of any pulmonary issue, start by immediately consulting your holistic veterinarian for recommendations. From Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis

Andy Curry is a horse trainer I regard highly. Here's a TV interview of him explaining how much he owes to the methods of training used over 100 years ago when your horse was your livelihood. .
You can have a look at his site and sign up for his newsletter here and watch the second part of the interview here.

In the March 2009 issue of Horse & Rider, trainer John Lyons shares his step-by-step methodology for training a horse to load and unload from a trailer (see "Trauma-Free Trailer Loading" in that issue). But what should you do--and not do--when you encounter a particular problem with your horse as you're working on his trailer-loading training? Here are more of John's expert tips for dealing with five common trailer-loading problems.
To see the 'complete' guide to trailering, then view a short clip of John Pinnell's Australian video here

"She sent pictures of him at a dressage comp and we have spent a number of hours phoning and emailing to ensure that I knew everything about him before buying him. Bad weather and snow prevented me from going to try him out so, foolishly, I bought him without trying." This is how Not to buy a horse...Phil Tragear continues this fascinating story.

If you like horses and musicals then you should not miss this - a very professional short video.

Never heard of Kerry Kuhn? I hadn't either until I came across of column in a US outback newspaper and decided to do a bit of research. Here are some of his methods on short clips. I liked what I saw...hope you do too.

After my plea for entries for the H10 competition last week...we had lots. So thank you everyone who entered. The tame vet and I will be sitting down this week to judge the best entries. More news and the winners very soon. New comp on now though....

An Orlando man is disputing allegations that he hit and shoved two police horses early Saturday. Yep, it's the good old USA and if you hit a police horse then look out for the consequences. Quite right too.

I have always loved heavy horses and Shires too. There's something in their size and their gentleness and here's a great video that captures all that. Courtesy of Northcote Heavy Horse Centre in the UK (sorry about the few Shetlands at the end)

We have a society in Aus too if you're interested.

Have a great week and keep dry!!!

Brand New 'Jockeys' - The Latest Reality Show For Horselovers

Hi there,
There's a real mix of articles, videos and blogs this week.

Michael Bragdell talks about young horses bred and started at Hilltop Farm in Colora, Md., and shares a video from the 2008 Breeders Group Class at Dressage at Devon.

You can use this friendly game to get your horse used to you and comfortable with the carrot stick and to being touched all over. But did you know you can also use a friendly game to desensitize your horse to just about anything?

The Horse magazine appears to have had a makeover and there's ton of great info on ALL aspects of horses and horse events. In their Articles index, there are articles about literally every aspect of the horse ...and from contributors all over the Horse world. Well worth a look!

Tips for getting your halter horse ready for the ring. 'America’s Horse Daily recently received the following question, and we were able to answer it with a video our youth members filmed during the AQHYA World Championship Show'. Interesting video for kids and beginners.

In the US, there's been a spate of horses losing tails to thieves! Why?..I don't know and I don't know what a thief would do with a horses' tail either. Read this strange story here.

Move over, Heidi Klum and Paris Hilton. Some of the littlest guys in sports are joining you on reality television. "Jockeys," a 12-episode series taking viewers behind the scenes of the backstabbing, big-money, dangerous world of horse racing, debuts Friday on Animal Planet. Um!

Ex-wife demands $53,000/ week alimony!! What's that to do with horses you might ask? Have a read and see how much she's asking for horse care!!! I take no side in any of this though!

We've put some of the best selling (according to Amazon) horse books on the H10 web site and all at 20% discount. Go on, have a look!

Part of the difficulty of learning horsemanship for anyone is mastering the complex vocabulary that has grown up around riding and horse care. It is that much more complicated if one is only nine years old, and even more complicated when trying to explain to another 9 year old that one's horse has
been gelded. Read this lovely short article.

Have a great week.
Geoff

Keeping Your Horse Cool

Hot...isn't it?! And believe me your horse will feel it too. So here are a couple of important articles dealing with just that - looking after your horse in hot weather.

This from my good friend Roger Bourdon looks at the use of sunscreen with horses

And this, a more in-depth drought approach for horses from David Nash of Agriculture Victoria in Rutherglen
Both are well worth reading, especially for those of you experiencing 40C plus this week.

The year has got off to a great start with the Youth Olympics taking place at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. Queensland Rider Victoria Welch won Gold in the Dressage

Here's a 'clip of the week' from Deanna Castro's blog. It's trick used when getting your horse into a float or trailer. Clever! BUT, as they say, DON'T EVER try this at home!

Here's something different - an article on barn cats. I'm not a cat person but they always seem to cuddle up close if I'm around. It was definitely a disadvantage when I was young!

This video shows a woman doing the Parelli seven games at liberty in seven minutes. By "at liberty" we mean without any rope or halter on the horse. Pretty nice circle game. The Parelli seven games encapsulate the essentials of groundwork horse training.

Managing a Horse on a Tight Budget - and the budget isn't going to get any better! Great tips here from The Horse magazine.

Have a great week...and keep cool!
Geoff

Happy New Year Newsletter

Happy New Year!

Here's Rick Lamb with a blog entry about 'Natural Horsemanship'. It's an interesting slant and I believe that Jesse Beery and Kel Jeffrey, an American and Australian respectively had the 'art' that Rick is talking about.
Read more here

Straight Talk About Colic - Here's how to reduce your horse's risk of developing serious digestive upset and increase his chances of recovery if he does.

Time Your Cues for a Perfect Showmanship Stop. How to master your stopping cues to stay in-sync with your horse, and up your chances of a dynamite showmanship pattern.

What do horses and all animals have to teach us about discovering our hearts desires and becoming powerful co-creators in the lives of our dreams? Here's the new Natural Horse Network Life Changing Radio Series

When you're off to shows or events, it’s important to hitch up to your horse trailer safely and correctly. Here are some good tips and I want a trailer like this one please!

Here's a pink blog! When riding a horse, it is important to be able to ride the horse straight from head to tail. When riding this way, you will achieve perfect balance. Deanna Castro shows how

Stress-Free Horse Clipping Tips. Follow these tips and you will be on your way to clipping your horse safely, successfully and line-free.

Here's a little extra that might help. If you haven't got Microsoft Office, they do supply a viewer so that you can open and read any messages or emails sent to you with Microsoft Word document attached. Useful huh?

The H10 site is open again and we've some good shampoo offers. If you haven't used H10 Elegance shampoo, then you should and here's a great offer.

Have a good week

Geoff