Horses Playing Football?!

You won't believe this.
There are some nice, short videos of talented horses playing with footballs of various sizes. We could almost put a team together. From Horse Training Success blog.

We've planted a big crop of veggies in the patch this season to carry us through the winter since vegetables are getting so expensive. I've found a great way to control the birds and caterpillars together...the water pistol filled with pyrethrum mixture. Works a treat.

Some great articles for you this week. Informative and useful..these courtesy of Equisearch. We all know horses can act stupid on occasion, both amusing and confusing their caretakers. But which, if any, of these equine actions are considered normal? One way for horse owners to find out is to study the 11 primary categories of equine behavior as outlined in My Horse University's online Horse Behavior and Welfare Course, based out of Michigan State University.


Click 'n Learn: Flying Lead Change with Clinton Anderson
Control of your horse's hind end is key to overall control of his forward motion. Use the Click 'n Learn stop-action sequence to see Clinton Anderson's flying lead change as it happens.

EquiSearch's Ask the Vet: Horse Allergies. Horses with allergies need help regulating their immune systems. Dr. Joyce Harman explains what to do in EquiSearch.com's Ask the Vet.
Question: My 9-year-old Quarter Horse gelding has many allergies (food/environment). He is allergic to molasses, corn, oats and timothy/orchard mix hay......

A zorse is what happened in a German safari park when a zebra named Ulysses got hot to trot for a horse named Eclipse. To the park keepers’ surprise Eclyse the zorse was born and she is rare. Weird or what....

I didn't know that there was a Miss Rodeo pageant every year... when I viewed these pics I thought it's almost worth the trip.

No, she’s not sinking is she? — or is she just short? Mayflower, a small Shetland pony has become a minor celebrity in her hometown of Southhampton, Hants in the UK. Four times passers by have called emergency rescue services because they thought the pony was sinking into the mud by a river...is she or isn't she? Courtesy of Elizabeth Goldsmith and Equine Ink.

If you've a horse in a boggy field then there's always a chance of him getting ringworm, mud fever or some other nasty fungal infection. Why take the chance? We've a great offer on H10 ointment and spray and you can read what others think too.

Have a great week

New Horse TV Now Available

6 weeks to Christmas. Frightening isn't it. We've already had some cards arrive - some with snow scenes look ridiculous when I look out of the window and watch the sun and the blue sky. I have some friends originally from the UK who turn up the aircon fullblast on the 'great day' to try and recapture some of the 'old UK atmosphere'. We were invited to their festivities once but I inadvisedly told them that I thought the whole thing was crazy and I've never been invited back. I wonder
why....

Here's some info that could help you trailblazers out there. Master trail class lope-overs by learning how to gauge your horse's stride length with this private lesson from Charlie Cole.


Discover how Horse & Rider staffers' horses "type out" on the Parelli Horsenality Profile. Now I have to admit that I'm not an avid follower of this type of personality profiling of a horse. So I'm a bit old school I guess but my methods have always worked well for me. However, I'm not one for denying other methods so have a look:


The Horse Health newsletter is a good one this week with some relevant topics for us all.


The holidays are upon us and it is time to start thinking about what you want to get for the horse lover in your life. This kind person did some research and came up with some of the best gifts she could find online to help get you started. She's even separated them into 4 sections, the essentials, fun stuff, horse gifts for the kid in all of us and something for the guys. OK so it's mainly US stuff but you'll get some great ideas here.


The economic downturn is hitting Britain's paddocks as well as our own. Charities say they are getting more calls than ever from owners who can no longer afford to keep their horses. The Horse Trust says it has received 640 requests to retire animals in the past month - four times the usual amount. Read this BBC article:


I didn't believe it until I saw it. Horsegirl TV takes the classic world of horses and plugs it into the wired generation. Tune in, tack up...their words not mine. Have a look:


Our H10 ointment offer ( 2 for 1) is still on at www.h10.com.au. It's worth a visit.

Have a great week.

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

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

Competition Results!

Made it back from my funereal trip to the UK on Sunday and have been wandering around like a jet lagged zombie ever since! The better half has no sympathy since she's got a lousy cold too!! Anyway, we'll be right for the weekend I hope!

I went to see the 'tame vet' this week and we judged the competition entries for June/July and they were terrific. We had real difficulty choosing the best 'Magic Moments With Your Horse' story but finally agreed on the best from Lynne and Zoe and it's posted on the H10 web site www.h-10.com.au/competition.asp
The prizes each month are pretty good so don't delay and get your entry in!!!

What are the signs of pain caused by the saddle? A horse's physical symptoms, behavior problems and performance issues can all give clues. Here's a great article to help from Equisearch:
http://tinyurl.com/6nu68p

Homemade First-Aid Recipes for Your Horse. Recipes for common horse care first-aid solutions from Horse & Rider magazine - H10 bears no responsibility for these if you use them though!!http://tinyurl.com/5dh5us

My UK friend Roger Bourdon recently posted an article and a video clip on the smallest horse in the world...thought you might be interested:
http://www.anyhorsebackriding.com/myblog/

Jodi, one of our supporters has told us about a new Australian web site for stud stallions...and other things. Take a look:
http://www.studstallions.com.au/index.php

Here's the latest The Horse newsletter, as usual packed with all sorts of interesting articles although I have to say that an article on rattlesnake bites isn't quite relevant to us here:
http://www.thehorse.com/enews/782008.html

If you're interested in history and in particular horse training history then we have a CD of Jesse Beery's training booklets available at a fraction of the cost you'd pay on most online sites. It's a fascinating insight on 'how things were' when the horse was the only mode of transport and makes great reading.Have a look here:
http://www.h-10.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=78
Keep warm and have a great week

H10 - New Competition Starts!!

Hi there
Seems like our winter has started early this year...our wattle birds are broody again and I reckon they're are far too well endowed with hormones! Their latest escapade is to try and nest in not just one, but TWO hanging flower baskets on the back deck...all in all about two metres from our outside table! A bird of very little brain I'm thinking!

I've puts lots of new stuff on the web site under the What's New page (where else?!) and this week, at long last we start the NEW COMPETITION!!
It's the idea of Reena who sent in the suggestion that we should run a comp entitled 'Magic Moments'. What we'd like are the magic moments you have shared with your horse. It could be a magic ride you shared, a magic experience, a magic day, a magic result...a magic anything really!!! As before we'll judge the entries monthly and I'm looking forward to the company of the 'tame' vet once again. He's looking forward to the coffee and muffins as usual!

We'll award a great prize to the winner every month and publish the winning entry in this news letter and on the H10 site and H10 blog. Fame at last!!!
We'll also collate the entries and make up an e-book to give away at the end of the competition.
So, don't be shy...give it your best and share your 'Magic Moment' with the hundreds of horse lovers who receive this newsletter!! Here's the link to click on:
http://www.h-10.com.au/competition.asp

Have a great week!
Geoff

Australian Horsemaster Special

Isn't it getting cold?! Since I cycle in the mornings to try and keep fit (don't laugh yet, the joke is yet to come!) the better half got me a new pair of black, lycra sports tights, guaranteed to keep me warm. Well, I was pleasantly surprised since they give me a 'cyclist' look I thought, that is until I saw myself side-on in the mirror the other morning....some 'bodily' improvements are required I think!!

I thought this week that I would give you some Australian horse masters to visit since we have a wealth of talent here outside the usual 'famous 5' or so that everyone quotes.

Wayne Anderson - a free lesson from Eques entitiled 'Handling Horses Softly'.
http://www.eques.com.au/training/previous/softly.htm

Steve Brady - For people who enjoy advancing their horses by educating and improving themselves
http://www.stevebradyhorsemanship.com/

Phil Rodey - here's his website but I couldn't find any up to date info for him there.
http://www.philrodeyhorsemanship.com.au/

The ability to understand life from the horse’s point of view that has made Ross Jacobs and Michèle Jedlicka popular among horse owners who are looking for a willing partnership with their horses.
http://www.goodhorsemanship.com.au/index.html

Here's the latest Horse health E-newsletter - a good read for anyone involved or concerned about horse health topics
http://www.thehorse.com/enews/5202008.html

Next week we start a BRAND NEW Competition with the return of great monthly prizes and the 'tame vet' too. Um!! More details soon!