H10 Newsletter On Video Soon??

A very big thanks to everyone who responded to our small web survey. The answers will be very useful and I am now already looking for video software so that I can become a web star. 'She who must be obeyed', thinks I'm mad but did remark that it was amazing what they can do to videos these days to make people look good.........I did not rise to the bait.


Then came a not wholly unexpected phone call from the tame vet offering his services on video. He's always been that way inclined but when he mentioned that he'd be cheaper than even a minor movie star I decided that enough was enough. The phone has been quiet ever since......


Horses are having a ball trying out the latest equine training technique to hit Wearside in the UK. Spotting a gap in the market, Lisa Bond has begun selling the 44inch high balls from her Washington-based business. As well as being a good way of getting the animals used to moving objects, the balls have also proved to be ideal for horseplay. However, Sprite the horse is a little camera shy when asked to try out the training balls, despite encouragement from reporter Daniel Walker and photographer Corrina Atkinson. Nice thought though.

What NOT to do when grooming someone else's horse. This poor fella was never visited by his owner and a young girl at the facility decided she'd groom him properly. Then she decided his mane needed a trim. Imagine what you'd say if your hairdresser did this to you.

This blog advertises itself as - A place for horseback riders to get equine information: from training & tack to general horseback riding advice and veterinary care, there's no topic we won't touch! There's lots of back articles with info on all sorts of horsey things. Worth a look I think.

Here's a new blog I found - The journey of a 40-something woman and her horses, oh and real life, too. I liked it and there's a good link to an interview with Wylie Gustafson who's a champion Cutting Horse rider. He rides his cutting horse barefoot...the horse, not him. It's an interesting view into a sport I've really admired watching at the Royal Easter Show but have to admit I don't know much about.

How to introduce your horse to water jumps. Nice little video from an expert. Eventer Boyd Martin shows you how to give your horse the best start for conquering cross-country water questions, both mentally and physically.Never done it myself, always got the horse to wade through so it's probably time I learned although I don't think I'll be taking up eventing anytime soon.

This video clip is the famous Indian Horse Movie Slide. The comment from the video poster is, "FYI, I've done some research and no horses were harmed in the filming of that clip. At least no horses were harmed physically. I'm pretty sure the horse's ego took a bruising. He was probably emotionally scarred for quite some time. Casting agents haven't taken him seriously since". I'm not surprised either.

Serious stuff this - thrush on the back of a horse. Nasty eh? What would you do?

From Equisearch and by Sandra Cooke, Trail-Riding Essentials The right gear and gadgets make your trail ride safe and fun. There's nothing like having what you need when you need it to help you feel competent and in control. When you and your horse are ready to leave home and go out on the trail, you can prepare for the changing environment and its challenges with additional clothing and equipment that's simple and affordable. Yep, couldn't agree more.

Finally, a great article on hoof abcesses from Equisearch. EquiSearch's Ask the Vet: Help for a Hoof Abscess How long should it take a hoof abscess to heal? Dr. Joyce Harman offers advice to a Standardbred gelding's owner in EquiSearch.com's Ask the Vet.

Have a great week!

The Terrible Equine Toll From Victoria's Fires

Well, the fig birds won the battle and the tree is now devoid of fruit. Any ideas for next year? The local lake flooded and so had to be opened...but of course the exposed mudbanks smell awfull at low tide..urgh.
We've been looking at the toll of equine damage from the Victorian fires and it's not pretty. We've got an article for you on that.

A 550 million year old source of minerals and trace elements for your horse or pony. Mined from the vast and ancient Himalayan mountains, transported down steep passes on the backs of Yaks, and providing the mountain people with one of their main sources of income, these Himalayan salt licks must be the purest form of salt available. They cost a bomb...are they really worth it?

One Hour to Rodent Control
Consider these measures to protect your horses and property from the ravages of rats and mice.Barns and stables provide horses with shelter and sustenance--but they provide the same service to rodents who happily nest in any number of tiny spaces in barns or tack rooms, and consume spilled grain, cat or dog food and other feed sources they find.

The best estimate of the equine toll from Victoria's bushfires is in the region of several hundred. About 50 horses are reported to be receiving intensive veterinary care as a result of injuries. There's more news here

Chris Cox’ entire life has been influenced by his relationship with the horse. He moved with his ranching family from Florida when he wasn’t yet two-years-old, to an island off the coast of northeast Australia to raise cattle. Here's a blog radio talk from him.

Deanna Castro has written about 'Legs, Feel, and The Correct Stirrup Length' in her blog this week and it's worth a look to get things right.

There is a degree of horsemanship in almost every country on the planet and I thought it might be fun for horse lovers to see what the word horse looks like in other languages.

Here's a fascinating point of view from an American on the the value of the wild or wilderness, and their decreasing use of, interest in, and value placed on the wild places…um. Interesting to see other people's perspective and compare it with our own.

Courses for old horses. Ex-racehorses should be eased into a career change or good care - I can equate with that!

We're still offering a 2 for 1 deal on H10 ointment. Click here to see what others think about it and why it's do darned good.

Have a great week!

How To Vacuum A Horse - Really!!

Hi there,

The Jacaranda festival is on in Grafton later this week and me and the rest of the Dragons will be battling 29 other teams in the Dragon Boat Races - might have some pics for you next time. Weather looks set for warm so it should be a great day. Jacarandas herald the start of the summer but my miserable Jacaranda effort in the front yard isn't heralding anything other than a eviction order.

Those of you who haven't signed up for Patricia Reszetylo Parade of Breeds audio series should have a look. The Virtual Parade of Breeds is a free teleconference/webinar that you can join, view and listen to for free. Attendees are able to watch and listen to the show online, and it will replay if you aren't able to attend the live event. The full programme is here and covers a multitude of horse breeds with expert coverage. Well worth a look.


Something caught my eye from Equisearch. I rarely ever advertise products but this is something taking the US by storm and I don't know if it's available in Aus yet. Here's some blurb: 'Known by the trade name of ProMotion EQ… it’s a powerful combination of micronutrients designed to have a positive impact on your horses mobility and quality of life… especially in their senior years. The healing and protective effects of the ingredients in ProMotion EQ are well documented. More than 150 research presentations, publications and abstracts have reported on the health benefits of its key ingredients'. Here's the link if you want to have alook - and I have no tie-up with these people whatsoever.

Here's The Horse healthcare latest newsletter

Here's How To Do a One-Rein Stop - with Clinton Anderson.


Purdue University in the US has a short 4 pager on Horse health. Could be useful for anyone including learners.

Karen Armstrong from North Yorkshire has discovered a new way of combining housework with grooming her horse. This short video on the BBC web site is amazing...a horse based carpet shampooer. Brilliant.

We still have great offer on Eleganve Red Shampoo and H10 ointment. See them here

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

H10 Horse Lovers Blog - Budget Special!!

Interesting budget wasn't it? Bang goes my new Ferrari with the car tax increases...I wish!! Nothing in it at all for small business though....
I've added a whole raft of small articles to the H10 web site that I hope you'll find useful. I'll be adding a whole lot more in the upcoming weeks. You can view and download them here:
http://www.h-10.com.au/shopcontent.asp?type=News

Here's a useful Equine Body Language Chart - courtesy of Equisearch
Use this body language chart to understand your horse's mood through his physical clues. I like it!!!
http://tinyurl.com/5dlobu

Learn how to manage a pony with laminitis with attention to grass, supplements, hoof trimming and more in this edition of Dr. Joyce Harman's Ask the Vet on EquiSearch.com.
http://tinyurl.com/5q8hd3

What to Look for in a Dressage Horse??
Find out what to look for in a dressage horse and why a big mover might not be your ideal partner:
http://tinyurl.com/6arekr

I met up with my 'tame vet' the other day. Remember him? He used to help me judge our competition entries and asked me why I hadn't been in contact. Could be that we never agreed on the decisions!!! Anyway I said, no competitions recently!
He suggested I get one, fast...I think he just misses the wife's muffins and the great coffee. Seriously though, I'd like to start a new comp so if you have any ideas for one then let me know...there's a nice prize in it for any ideas that we pick and run with and I will of course acknowledge any suggestions.

We've a special on Elegance Red Label high foaming shampoo this month. If you haven't tried it than you should! Have a look:
http://tinyurl.com/6hvmsx

Some Great Articles This Week - Don't Miss Them

Terrible events in Burma that may be the worst since the S E Asia tsunami of a couple of years ago. I can only imagine what's it's like and a Burmese friend of mine hasn't heard from her relatives in a few days...very worrying. This isn't a charity site but if you can help then World Vision is helping there too:
http://www.worldvision.com.au/emergency/myanmarCyclone.asp?isource=64

Fibre in Hay - what's the magic amount? Christy West from The Horse, helps us:
http://tinyurl.com/5kkptd

Managing the Changing Needs of Older Horses
Time takes its toll in predictable ways, providing guidelines for managing the changing needs of older horses. This is a great article in Equisearch from Joanne Meszoly who wrote this after her experiences in WA:
http://tinyurl.com/4dqs72

Trimming Tips for Banded Manes by Patty Brumley. Try these tips for a tip-top mane trim.
http://tinyurl.com/6r3pg3

If you follow eventing, you'll know that there have been a spate of tragedies recently. Here are some discussions on proposed changes to make the sport safer from Nancy Jaffer and Practical Horseman.
http://tinyurl.com/4q4c5t

If you're taking your horse on a trip, then here's a great page of tips from The Horse for before, during, and after your trip to help your horses be safe, comfortable, and healthy.
http://tinyurl.com/3n24sk

We've had lots of interest in a CDROM we have on the site with the famous US horse trainer Jesse Beery's 'mail order horse training course' on it. Worth a look and not expensive either!
http://www.h-10.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=78

The wife is away for the weekend, the beer's in the fridge and the lads will be around later in the week. Who needs a shed?!!!
Hope you have a great weekend too!

Horses Get Dementia Too?!

Almost May already and, as always at this time of the year, I was duly taken out into the garden by the better half to be briefed on the changes she expects over the winter gardening period. I won't bore you with the list since it covers a whole A4 page but it looks like I'm going to be busy!!

I never thought about the prospect of dementia in elderly horses but it happens! Here's an interesting article from Equisearch on caring for the condition
http://tinyurl.com/43ukpu

The Perfect Stop For Your Horse. How to master your stopping cues to stay in-sync with your horse, and up your chances of a 'dynamite' showmanship pattern.
http://tinyurl.com/4um8tj

My UK friend Roger Bourdon has just published the final part of his series on 'Training To Load' your horse. The programmes come from a new dvd from Sue Gardner in the UK and if any of you would like further details just drop me a reply and I'll send them to you.
http://www.anyhorsebackriding.com/myblog/

Here's a great article from Karen Briggs on Horse.com on whether you can influence hoof growth and what form that might take. Incidentally, if you haven't registered for this site then you really should. It costs nothing and it's a mine of info for horse lovers.
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=3297

Before you decide on signing up for horse training classes, ask yourself the following questions to determine whether this is the right track for you - from Heidi Edris http://articlepower.org/blog/?p=15398

Looks like sunshine for the next week - don't forget to rug the horses for the cold nights though!