WHY WE CRAVE CONNECTION With horses...
HOOF SOAKING
HAY SPECIES –
What is best for the horse?
TRAVEL TRAUMA
BONE Gold nutritional bone, joint, hoof and collagen supplement was formulated to provide some of the essential amino acid requirements of collagen type I, II and III (found in bone and connective tissue) in addition to supporting the nitric oxide pathway which has been found to assist in the formation of bone callus post-injury.
Veterinary surgeons have recommended that Bone Gold may assist with sore shins, tendon injuries, ligament injuries, osteoarthritis and post-surgery in horses and polyarthritis, geriatric osteoarthritis, and post-surgery in dogs.
Here is a veterinary radiographic report on a horse with a fracture evident on the medial toe and after treatment and feeding Bone Gold during this period.
More information on these products can be found at www.vetgold.com.com.au
HORSE: “XXXXXXXX”
DATES OF EXAMINATION: 26TH AUG, 21ST OCT 21 & 17TH NOV ‘21
PLACE: XXXXXXXXXX FARM
XXXXXXX’s left and right front feet were radiographed on 26th Aug, 21st Oct (8 weeks) and again on the 17th Nov ‘21(12 weeks).
RADIOGRAPHS:
26.08.21: Right Front: Large P3 solar margin fracture evident on medial toe 32.6mm x 4.1mm with approximately 1.4mm separation from parent bone as below left image.
21.10.21: Right Front: Fine residual 4.2mm fracture still evident, approximately 90% resolution.
17.11.21: Right Front: Fracture fully resolved.
Nutritional Hoof Supplement Contains nutrients which have been found to contribute to the health of Hooves, Hair & Skin
Supports Coat, Hoof & Hair Health
Contains the essential Amino Acids & building blocks for the production of Keratin.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Radiographic results as of the 17th Nov ‘21 show total resolution of the original fracture.
Supports Bone, Joint, Hoof & Collagen Health
Contains nutrients to support Type 1, 2, 3 Collagen formation.
vetgold.com.au
Available from our online store, vet clinics, farriers and regional produces
XXXXXXX was reshod today utilising off an alloy shoe with a toe clip - inner circumference seated out to avoid any sole pressure.
The horse can return to training.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further queries.
COMMENTS:
Solar margin Type IV fractures of this magnitude have well-documented internationally published healing rates of 7 - 12 months. Full resolution of these fractures is rare as most often the fracture fragments are resorbed. Full resolution in a 3 month period was not anticipated.
The horse was on Bone Gold 3 x scoops fed once per day for this period.
26th August 2021 21st October 2021 17th November 2021
We often speak of our connection to horses in spiritual terms. They are powerful, beautiful creatures that have an uncanny ability to sense our emotions and meet us exactly where we are at. For many of us, they are healers, teachers, and best friends. We can’t help but be drawn to them, and it’s no wonder why.
There is something incredibly special about the bond between humans and horses. It is a relationship built on trust, respect, and love. When we open ourselves up to this type of connection, we tap into something truly magical. Horses have the power to transform our lives in ways that we never thought possible.
If you’ve ever felt a deep connection with a horse, you know what I’m talking about. There is nothing like it in the world. If you haven’t yet had the privilege of experiencing this type of bond firsthand, I urge you to seek out opportunities to do so. You won’t regret it!
It is a universal truth that connection is an innate need for every human being. We long for connection with our loved ones, and connection between us and the natural world around us. When it comes to connection with animals, there is perhaps none more profound than the bond we share with horses. The connection that develops between human and horse feels almost spiritual; the touch of their velvety muzzle or the sound of their whinny can be comforting and reassuring in moments of need. To ride or even just take care of a horse can provide an unparalleled sense of connection – one that satisfies our deepest yearnings in life for companionship, warmth, and acceptance.
Horses are particularly special to us because of their incredible capacity for connection and understanding. They mirror our own human traits, such as
emotions like trust, vigilance, joy and even grief. Their presence is particularly calming and grounding, providing a much-needed sense of security amidst all the chaos in the world. The bond between horse and human is unique, ever-evolving and incredibly powerful – it’s no wonder why so many of us crave connection with these majestic creatures. Horses remind us that the most powerful relationships come from the heart – not from words or rhetoric or expectations. They remind us that we can learn, grow and be changed through a deep connection that transcends simple understanding.
Horses are undeniably special creatures, not only for their immense strength and remarkable beauty, but also for the amazing connection that can form between them and us. That magical bond is something we deeply crave, both in ourselves and in our animals. After all, why do we find such joy and comfort when around horses? It’s because they too have a profound need to connect with others. Unlike us humans, they don’t have the luxury of spoken communication; it’s through nonverbal communication that they give love and compassion to their human companions. It’s beautiful really, how even without language they manage to echo our emotions so simply by being tangible; it almost seems spiritual. As conscious beings, we are all born with the innate desire to connect with one another, whether human or horse. By understanding this need in each other, we can ensure positive relationships between man and beast.
Horses have an incredible and almost miraculous ability to not only detect but respond to our emotions, offering us a sense of comfort and understanding when we need it the most. They provide unconditional acceptance, understanding, and companionship, indicating that they are truly connected to us on a deeply spiritual level. In this way, horses are one of the few creatures on earth that can help us through emotional distress in ways no other creature could. The power of human connection with horses is unlike any other—it helps us heal by allowing us to feel truly seen and understood.
Forming a bond with a horse is like entering a different realm of understanding. When we form that special connection, the level of emotion, love and harmony between humans and horses is even more powerful than any other relationship we have. Through caring for our equine friends, we are able to tap into something tender and sacred – an inner spiritual connection that many of us crave in our everyday lives. This powerful connection transcends all boundaries, fulfilling us with an intense feeling of joy and peace, far beyond what words can express.
Horses are uniquely captivating creatures, and their presence has the power to stir something deep within us. Our view of them is often tinged with a hint of mysticism, as though there’s something magical in their being that speaks to our very souls. This connection we share is almost spiritual; it grounds us in an unfamiliar place where we can feel calm and at peace. Horses are versatile animals who can take on a seemingly infinite number of tasks and roles, and yet with us they are gentle companions, allowing us to explore the depths of understanding and connection between animal and human.
When we form a bond with a horse, it’s unlike any other relationship we have
We all crave connection, whether it’s with other humans or animals. Horses are particularly special to us because they share so many characteristics with us. They’re social creatures that need companionship, just like we do. When we form a bond with a horse, it’s unlike any other relationship we have. There’s something about their presence that makes us feel calmer and more at peace. horses have an incredible ability to sense our emotions and respond in a way that helps us heal.
Take the time to observe – Spend a few moments observing your horse without any expectations or agenda. Notice the little things such as their movement, breathing pattern and behaviour. This will help you to gain insight into how they are feeling and will make it easier for you to connect with them on a deeper level
Listen with your heart – Listen to what your horse is telling you, not only with their body language but also with their eyes. Horses can give us a wealth of information if we just pay attention and take the time to really listen.
Find stillness – Connecting deeply requires us to step away from the chaos of our everyday lives and find a sense of stillness. When we quiet our mind, we open ourselves up to the possibility of forming deeper connections with horses.
Show patience – Horses are sensitive creatures and need time to adjust to new environments and people. Give them space and be patient with them as they learn to trust you.
Communicate non-verbally – Horses communicate mostly nonverbally, so it’s important to learn how to read their body language and energy. This will help you better understand them and develop a deeper connection.
Spend time together – The best way to form a deep bond is to spend quality time together. Doing activities such as grooming, riding, or even just cuddling and enjoying each other’s company can help deepen the connection between you and your horse.
Practicing Reiki with your horse is another way you can connect more deeply
Reiki is an energetic healing system that uses spiritual energy to reduce stress, promote relaxation and wellbeing. It can be used to help both humans and animals, allowing us to connect with our animals more deeply.
Practicing Reiki can be a wonderful way to connect more deeply with horses. It helps us open our hearts and minds to the wisdom that comes from our equine friends, allowing us to become open channels of healing energy. By creating a loving, healing space for our horse, we can help create an atmosphere of peace and trust between ourselves and the horse. This helps us to build a deeper connection and understanding, allowing us to be more sensitive to the horse’s needs. Reiki helps us recognize how our own emotions can affect the horse and vice versa, enabling us to foster a more meaningful relationship with them. In turn, we become better stewards of their health and well-being. Ultimately, Reiki helps us to create a more meaningful connection with our horse and deepen the relationship we share. With practice and patience, Reiki can help unlock a beautiful bond that can be treasured for many years to come.
About the Author – Julie Abrahams
Julie is the founder of Four Winds Reiki, a business dedicated to helping horse lovers create a happier, healthier life that they love, in harmony with horses. Julie has combined her lifelong love for horses with many years as a Reiki teacher and transformation coach to create a unique range of courses designed for horse lovers who want to learn how to improve their own and their horse’s health and wellbeing, and for those who want to connect spiritually with their equine friends and build a strong relationship with their horse based on trust, respect and understanding.
The courses are open to all horse lovers and take place at Julie’s property on Wallanbah Road, Bucca Wauka at various times throughout the year.
PHONE: 0404 470 571
EMAIL: Julie Abrahams
WEBSITE: www.FourWindsReiki.com.au
Mid North Coast, NSW
Pasture and hay are the main types of forage/fibre that are VERY important to the healthy digestion of all horses, ponies and livestock. We all should be aware that horses in a natural environment would be eating for 16 to 20 hours each day. Sometimes due to time of year, drought, flood or health reasons such as laminitis, adequate pasture is not available and therefore hay is the main source of fibre available. The choice of hay is extremely important and very much dependant on the individual horse’s health, weight, work load and age, to name but a few parameters.
Depending on the individual horse and its workload and requirements, a horse should be eating between 1.5 to 2.5% of its weight in fibre each day. This equates to 7.5 - 12.5kg of roughage (hay and / or pasture) per day for a 500kg horse. An overweight horse is best suited to being fed around 1.5%, whereas a young horse or a broodmare are best suited to around 2.5% of their bodyweight.
Complete equine and bovine veterinary services in the NSW Northern Rivers, covering Lismore, Casino, Kyogle, Bonalbo, Ballina and surrounding areas.
• Equine veterinary dentistry, using Powerfloat and portable crush
• Equine reproduction, including chilled and frozen AI
• Equine surgery, including castrations, leg surgery, other general surgeries (also work closely with specialist equine surgeons)
• Hospitalisation facilities for horses requiring ongoing treatment
• Digital real-time radiography, ultrasonography and endoscopy, including for airways and stomachs
• Equine podiatry, with particular interest in laminitis treatment and rehabilitation
• Equine ophthalmology, including more specialised eye surgeries following eye trauma
Dr Bruno D. Ros BVetBio BVSc (Hons)
MOBILE 0427 293 227
EMAIL bruno@neequinevets.com.au
“Old Dairyvale” 488 B Kyogle Rd
Tuncester NSW 2480
www.neequinevets.com.au
There are MANY different hay types in Australia that horse owners choose to feed their horses. Again, this is very much an individual horse and human decision, and availability will often dictate what you are able to feed your horses and livestock. Droughts and rain are the biggest determining factors of hay and pasture availability.
Lucerne can be a controversial hay to feed horses. Some swear by it, others have had horses appear to go ‘nuts’ when on it and others have had issues with scouring. To the right type of horse, fed in the correct amounts in conjunction with other hays such as pasture, it can be a valuable forage source.
Feeding Lucerne alone as the only forage source is not recommended by Equine Nutritionists as the protein generally exceeds what is required as well as the Ca:P and Ca:Mg ratio being unbalanced.
Lucerne has the advantage of being highly palatable and can boost a diet of energy, protein and calcium if required. It is also good for weight gain and is high in essential amino acids.
Excess protein however, can be a problem in performance horses in training, especially due to the increase in urinary ammonia for stabled horses thereby possibly resulting in respiratory problems. Other problems with excess protein are that it can contribute to dehydration due to water loss through increased urine product, or excess heat production of the digestive system can contribute to hyperthermia.
Lucerne is certainly not recommended for good doers, and although it may typically be lower in sugar/starch, it can increase the risk on laminitis due to contributing to obesity.
Because Lucerne is so highly palatable, we recommend 2cm, 3cm or 4cm sized holes depending on the type of horse and its requirements. Lucerne is recommended to not be fed more than 1/3 of the daily hay diet. Therefore, if feeding 3 biscuits of hay, one biscuit of lucerne with 2 biscuits of another hay such as pasture hay is ideal.
Not all grass or pasture hays are created equal. They differ very much in species of grasses contained within them. For example, ryegrass and clover hay is typically very high in sugar and starch and not recommended for laminitic prone horses or ponies. It can also contain endophytes.
Grass hays are popular in Australia and can also contain native species which are more typically lower in sugar. The best way to determine sugar/ starch levels is to get your hay tested. I personally now use Feed Central in Toowoomba, QLD as this is easier than sending to Equi-analytical Labs in the USA.
In addition to ryegrass, grasses can include, but not limited to, wild oats, phalaris, cocksfoot, prairie grass, red grass and a multitude of native grasses. Rhodes and Teff grass hays will be discussed further on.
There are so many factors that influence the sugar / starch content of hay. These include the time of day cut, how old the plant is (ie; just starting to produce seed head up to having a mature seed head), rain/weather damage, nutritional status of the soil, drought or adequate rain and many other factors.
Grass hays can be high in energy and protein, but are generally not as high as legumes. In addition, poorly made or more fibrous grass hay is often not as palatable for horses.
For any horses or ponies where sugar content is important, it’s advised to get the hay tested before feeding. Physical appearance tells you nothing about the sugar and nutritional levels of the hay.
When deciding what hay net size to choose, palatability and sugar content as well as the work load or health status of the horse or pony all come into play.
Speaking with Equine Nutritionists, Rhodes Grass seems to be one of the best hays in terms of general mineral balance and sugar levels. This is because it is well balanced and doesn’t require much diet ‘tweaking’ to ensure you are feeding a balanced diet.
Although it is a C4 sub-tropical pasture species, it is low in oxalates. It can be quite a consistent and reliable hay when you are searching for a low sugar/starch hay for laminitic or IR type horses and ponies as it is generally less than 10% ESC + Starch.
Its digestibility declines as the plant matures, and more than 10-15% seed head result in less nutrient dense hay and and ADF (Acid Detergent Fibre) content over 45% is too high which means it becomes more of a ‘chew food’ rather than nutrient dense hay. This can still be ok if you are just wanting fibre for your horses to eat and are supplying them with a balanced hard feed daily.
Therefore, it is recommended to get tested just so you know both the sugar levels and nutrient levels of the hay.
Teff is another grass species that is ‘typically’ known as low in sugar. However, as mentioned it still comes down to the soil nutrition the hay was grown on, time of day the hay was cut, if the plant was stressed before cutting v’s having had a shower of rain on it a few days before cutting and many other factors.
I know a few years ago in an area a few hours from us there were some laminitis prone horses that were getting sore feet from Teff off one particular farm. Turns out this hay was cut in the afternoon when the plant was at its highest sugar level. Time of day of cutting has huge implications on sugar level of plant.
Teff can be low enough in sugar for laminitic or Cushing’s horses, but don’t assume that it is. It needs to be tested so you don’t get caught out. Some horses aren’t keen on eating it.
Depending on the palatability and sugar levels of the Teff, you may be able to use 3cm or 4cm sized nets, perhaps even 2cm for those really gutzy horses and ponies as it is a fine hay that will easily come through the holes.
Cereal hay (oats, barley, wheat) can vary a lot in both nutritional profile and sugar levels. It can be stalky and not very palatable to soft, and highly palatable and full of sugar, to everywhere in between. Therefore, when deciding on a hay net size, you need to take these things into consideration. We had an old horse eating oaten hay in a 3cm Large Hay net, alongside her pasture hays, because it is nice and soft and palatable. Cereal hay is something to watch with horses. It can be very high in sugar. Wheaten hay can be an issue too, particularly if bearded. If cereal hay is made off a drought stressed crop, it WILL be high in sugar.
Depending on the palatability and sugar levels of the Cereal hay and the condition and health status of the horses that are using it, will help you determine what size hole hay net to use.
3cm and 4cm would be the most popular hay net hole sizes for oaten or cereal hays! Again, the only way to know what your hay is really like is to get it tested!!
Soaking hay can be great to lower the sugar and starch levels of a hay for those overweight or laminitic prone horses and ponies.
It is recommended to soak for half to one hour before feeding, maximum!! Soaking longer than this can drive excess iron back into the hay which is not good for metabolic horses and ponies and in warm, humid conditions can make the hay go rank and not be healthy for the horses.
Take home message!
Forage is critically important in maintaining a happy, healthy equine. Natural grass and pasture changes so much during the year such as availability, nutritional levels, and sugar levels, therefore hay is very much required for many horse and pony owners to make up for deficiencies of fibre/forage during these times. So many factors influence how hay turns out in terms of sugar and nutritional levels.
• Time of day it is cut (morning means it will be lower in sugar, than if cut in the afternoon/evening).
• If the hay gets rained on after cutting then this will reduce the sugar levels by leaching out some of the sugars, but too much rain may damage the hay so much that it has less nutritional benefit. We are fortunate to get around 10 to 15mls of rain most times we cut hay which works wonderfully to reduce sugar levels. The key is to rake the hay at the appropriate times so that it dries and does not get mouldy before baling.
• Cutting the day after a cloudy day generally means lower sugar hay due to decreased photosynthesis overnight.
• Balanced nutrition of the soil that the hay is grown in. If the soil is of poor quality, then this impacts on the quality of the hay that will be produced.
If in doubt, enlist an Equine Nutritionist:
• They will help you test your hay and balance your horses’ diet and take the guess work out.
• Although this might cost a little to get done, it soon pays off when you aren’t buying supplements you don’t need and only buying what you do need.
There are many factors to take into consideration when purchasing a slow feed hay net and every situation is different. If in doubt of what size hole suits your individual needs – 4cm is the best place to start.
Please ring me on 0418 282 097 or email me on admin@gutzbusta.com.au to discuss your individual situation and requirements if you still aren’t sure.
An effective way to ensure all the tight nooks and crevices within the hoof capsule are penetrated with a liquid to help kick off and maintain your hoof care management. Suitable for various hoof problems or as a routine weapon against hoof pathogens.
Why
Soaking horses’ hooves in an effective but mild solution helps rid the hoof and all the “nooks and crannies” of debris. This is the most effective way of penetrating into those areas which are really difficult to attend to, even with the correct tools on hand.
Is it beneficial for all hoof ailments OR just a thorough cleanse?. Especially beneficial in cases such as Seedy Toe, White Line Disease, Thrush, Abscess (during and after eruption), fungal and bacterial infections, canker along with softening hooves and clearing debris prior to trimming. It is recommended prior to commencing any other topical treatments to ensure you are working on a hoof that has had a thorough cleanse with a topical solution. Many hoof care professionals are turning to this approach for horses on their books. As a hoof care professional myself, it has helped immensely for long standing hoof problems in clients horses I’ve worked with. This ensures the hoof has a thorough “blast” weekly prior to using topical applications.
Hoof Mate® (pictured above) is a Chlorine dioxide tablet (self-activating in potable water) – the box of 30 tablets makes 15 litres of Hoof Soak.
Chlorine dioxide works on organisms through a process called oxidation. It is a highly reactive compound that readily donates oxygen atoms, leading to the disruption of cellular structures and metabolic processes in organisms. When chlorine dioxide comes into contact with organic
matter, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other microorganisms, it reacts with and oxidizes essential components of their cells, including proteins, enzymes, and cell walls. This oxidation process damages the microorganisms, ultimately leading to their inactivation or destruction. Chlorine dioxide is known for and used for various applications, including disinfection, sterilization and water treatment.
No, it’s not difficult to apply a hoof soak. Of course, your horse will need to be fairly patient to stand quietly with soaking boots or your preferred form of soaking equipment for 20-30 minutes to let the solution penetrate. A quick prep is all that is needed on the hooves prior to application. What Will I Need?
1. Water & liquid dish soap mixed into a trigger spray bottle
2. Stiff hoof brush or a hoof pick with robust metal bristles
3. Hoof Soaking boots or rubber buckets. (We use and recommend the TUBBEASE soaking boots)
4. Clean, empty 1 litre bottle
5. HOOF MATE® White lightning® Tablets
There are various soaking boots available which make the process much easier for applications such as the Tubbease soaking boot, or soaker boots from the Easycare range available at: www.hoofbootsaustralia.com.au
You can also get creative with what you have on hand to use as a soaking vessel. Just be aware that not all horses take to boots/buckets or bags around their hooves and common sense says that they may need some desensitisation or time to adjust to these items prior to the first application.
Then What?
Simply grab the empty 1 litre bottle and fill with clean (drinkable) water. Add 2 Hoof Mate tablets, seal the bottle and allow 10 minutes for the tablets to dissolve. The solution will turn yellow. (This will make 1 litre of solution which should be enough to cover 4 hooves in soaking boots. You may need to make a bigger solution for buckets).
Whilst you are waiting for the solution to be ready, clean the hooves with the hoof pick and spray with the water/dish soap mix to ensure most of the paddock debris is dislodged. Apply the soaking boots as you go or prepare the rubber buckets ready for solution.
Pour the solution into the boots or buckets and soak for 20-30 minutes. This can be applied up to 3 x per week for a month for more severe cases or weekly depending on the severity of the condition you are targeting. Be aware that the solution turns yellow upon activation. You may notice post soak that the hooves are slightly discoloured as shown in the before and afters. This may also discolour leg hair temporarily, so be wary of this when applying the solution.
A simple way to look after hoof hygiene is to ensure they are kept clean and disinfected. At least 3 times per week it would be good practice to clean out the hooves with a wire hoof pick and use some hoof spray in conjunction with the picking to flush and cleanse thoroughly. Curved tip syringes can be used for liquid and have a nifty curved tip and a good reach for small areas. These come in a pack of 5 and are a very handy item for the tack room. Keep hooves out of unsanitary conditions such as manure or urine areas and provide a firm dry footing for your horses to access daily.
FOR STUBBORN or ongoing HOOF issues, we suggest starting with 3 x weekly hoof soaks for 20-30 mins at a time. After 2-3 weeks, you should be able to move on to weekly soaks ensuring you are using a good quality topical application in between. This could be Beeswax Blue Balls® for Seedy Toe or white line defects or Hoof Pack Clay in between soaks for thrush maintenance.
The liquid is most potent used within 1 hour of the fresh batch being made so unfortunately doesn’t keep. It’s quick and simple to reactivate another batch to ensure you are using the solution when its most active.
If you have old nail holes or hoof defects. After soaking, seal these areas with some Beeswax Balls to prevent further debris and pathogens entering the site. Keep these areas plugged with the wax ball until you need to soak again. Clean out the wax, soak the hooves as per the process above and reseal with wax post soak.
Below are some pre and post soak photos. You can see the liquid has penetrated deep into the wall separation and more notably the central sulcus of the frog. It has opened up the whole area, giving a thorough cleanse and is now ready for topical application when dry.
Soaking boots made specifically for the job are the easiest solution. Pictured opposite top left The Tubbease and opposite top right the Easyboot Remedy both available from www.hoofbootsaustralia.com.au
For more information and further articles, please visit our website: www.bareequine.com.au
Julie Wright.
Dip.EPT, Cert.EMT. © Bare Equine Australia June 2023.
By Dr Angelique Barbara
Most breeders that I know practice what I would call “cold turkey” weaning. This is where the foal is abruptly separated from the mare (preferably where they cannot see each other). Many times the foal is either turned out with other foals and/or a “baby sitter” horse. The baby sitter horse is normally an older mare or gelding who gets along well with young horses. The foal usually cries out for it’s mom and paces the fence until it eventually (can last hours to days) settles down and seeks companionship from the other horse(s). If the mare and foal can hear each other’s cries, this will usually prolong the process. While this can be a very stressful way to wean, it can be warranted at times. Some circumstances that would support abrupt weaning are medical reasons and necessary sale of the foal and/or mare. However, it is important to note that in addition to it being emotionally stressful on the horses, it also can have physical implications. The potential risk to the mare and foal is higher due to them possibly trying to escape to find each other and also the likelihood of frantic running along the fence line. Additionally, you need to consider the risk of GI ulcers during this high stress time. The mare will also experience discomfort as her udder enlarges due to the foal no longer nursing. The period of time it takes to dry up will vary from mare to mare. Some mares will dry up in days while others can take months.
As some of you may know, I had two foals born this year. It has been about 6 years since I raised foals and Stoli (paint) and Whisky (palomino) are the 10th and 11th foals I have raised in my lifetime. Over the years I have used different weaning methods, ranging from “cold turkey” weaning to natural weaning. Now that Stoli is 6 months old and Whisky is 5 months old, I am often asked when I plan to wean them. Most breeders wean their foals between 4-8 months of age. In this article I would like to share my view on the best way to wean a foal.
Unlike “cold turkey” or abrupt weaning, gradual weaning takes place over a longer period of time. With this method of weaning, you can begin to separate the mare and foal for short sessions and then re-unite them. As they become comfortable with the short separations, you can then increase them until eventually you separate them permanently. This method of weaning is far less stressful for both the mare and foal and decreases the likelihood of separation anxiety. The longer you take to complete this process, the less emotionally traumatic it will be.
In the wild, the mare will naturally wean her foal by nipping at them when they attempt to nurse. The mare usually begins the process of natural weaning when the foal is about 10-11 months old in anticipation of her new foal being born (the foal will be 11-13 months old when their sibling is born). This is my preferred method of weaning. Along with being the least stressful method of weaning, it also allows the foal to benefit from learning socialization skills from their mother and other horses. I believe that is essential to the foal’s mental development to have them turned out with other horses. I try to always breed two mares together so that the foals can interact with each other and the additional mare. I also introduce my other horses (geldings) into the herd once the foals are old enough so that they can learn from them as well. In my opinion, the more horses a foal is around, the more mentally stable they will be as adults. I’m not a fan of keeping young horses together without older horses as role models. I
‘Whiskey’ and ‘Stoli’also like the idea of the foals being able to benefit from the nutrients they receive from their mother’s milk for a longer period of time. I believe this will make them physically and immunologically stronger. That being said, natural weaning will not work in every situation. Sometimes stud colts will become too “stud-y” when left with their mom and other mares for that long. Other times the mare may not be able to physically handle the caloric requirements necessary to lactate and be pregnant at the same time. In these cases gradual weaning would be recommended. With Stoli and Whisky (who are both fillies), I plan to do natural weaning with them. Their mothers are not pregnant again (I personally do not like to breed-back mares....I prefer to give them at least a year off in between pregnancies) and they are both in good condition. There is no reason for me to rush the weaning process. I will allow the mares to begin weaning them as they see fit. In the meantime, the foals are handled daily and are being exposed to different environments. They have stalls that they go in when the weather is bad and they have learned that just because they are separated from each other, it doesn’t mean that it is permanent. They always see each other again. This takes a lot of the stress out of separation (not just separation from the mares, but separation from their other horse friends). They have been exposed to other horses and I move my geldings in and out of the pasture so they can become used to not always seeing them. We also ride the mares with the foals following along. We plan to do more of this during the winter when the weather cools off here in Florida. Whisky had an injury recently which required her to be in the hospital for a week. The silver lining to this was that she gained a lot of experience with the horse trailer, being handled by other people and being away from mom (for short periods) and away from the other horses (for 2 weeks). I plan to keep both Stoli and Whisky so they will remain with their moms until they go off for training as 3 year olds. My goal is for them to be completely independent and emotionally well rounded horses by that time. If you do not have the time or ability to work with your foal during the natural weaning process, I would recommend following gradual weaning instead. Foals that are too attached to their mom and
companions will be more difficult to train and could potentially end up in bad situations. I like to know that if something were to ever happen to me, my horses would be productive members of society and have the best chance at a happy life.
Dr. Angelique Barbara (affectionally called Dr. Angel by many of her clients) is a Doctor of Chiropractic who holds additional degrees in Veterinary Science (B.S.), Equine Science (Minor) and Veterinary Pathobiology (M.S.). Dr. Barbara has been passionate about animals her entire life and has spent the majority of her life studying animals (both in the classroom and in the field). She developed her first animal bodywork seminar in 2009. Since that time, her seminars have grown both in number and popularity and she has fine tuned her seminars and techniques to optimize the learning experience. Dr. Barbara was one of the first practitioners to start utilizing kinesiology tape on animals and she was so impressed with the results that she decided to develop an entire seminar dedicated to the taping applications she developed. Her background in both the clinical and research animal health care world as well her experience as a human chiropractor give her a unique perspective on animal bodywork, which is evident in her courses.
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15.2 HH Great feet, leg and body conformation
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The immune system - a complex network of organs, cells and proteins – protects the body from damage and defends the body against infection. A deficiency of key vitamins, amino acids and trace minerals can suppress the immune system and increase the risk of disease. A wide variety of veterinary conditions - ranging from mild to debilitating conditions like chronic liver failure and life-threatening diseases such as tetanus and Hendra – are caused by infection with bacteria, fungi, viruses or parasites. Each invader uses a different tactic to infect horses and each is thwarted by different components of the immune system.
The front line
Firstly, the microbe must move past the external armour - the skin, penetrable only through cuts or tiny abrasions; the gut with mucus and acid to entangle and destroy pathogens swallowed with food, and mucus, coughs and sneezes that eject and expel microbes attempting to enter via the respiratory tract. If the would-be invaders survive the body’s frontline defenses, they confront specific weapons of the immune system, tailored just for them - and when challenged by an invader, the immune system has many weapons to choose.
Specialised white blood cells lie in wait to ‘eat’ the invaders (Figure 1.) and natural killer cells - programmed to attack and kill - patrol the body.
The immune system - an elaborate and dynamic communications network is the second line of defence. In response to an invader, millions of cells, organised into sets and subsets, mass together and pass information back and forth. Once they receive the alarm, the cells become activated and produce powerful chemicals that enable them to regulate their growth and behavior, enlist other immune cells, and deploy recruits to trouble spots. Extraordinarily complex, the immune system can identify and remember millions of different invaders, and produce fluids and cells to match up with and wipe out nearly all.
Positioned throughout the body, the immune system includes lymph nodes, bone marrow, the spleen, thymus gland and clumps of tissue in the linings of the gut, airways, and lungs. These depots stockpile a huge arsenal of cells – some of which take on all intruders, others trained on highly specific targets. Working together, immune cells communicate by direct physical contact and by releasing chemical messengers.
When the immune response is triggered into action it releases chemicals that act as alarm signals, warnings and messages. These chemicals initiate an inflammatory response, which raises body temperature (causing fever); increases blood flow to the affected area (seen as redness, heat, swelling and pain); summons white blood cells, and recruits immune cells to the war zone. The battle that follows initiates a cascade of chemicals that coat the enemy cells and mark them for destruction, disrupts their protective outer cell wall and deploys millions of white cells to kill the invaders.
Anthrax Bacteria
White Blood Cell
White blood cells are the individual soldiers or police - always on patrol, identifying, attacking and killing invading microorganisms. They have special chemicals that can kill on contact, or they can swallow, engulf and kill invaders by digestion (Figure 1.). Special ‘killer’ cells release poisons that burn holes in the outer membrane of enemy cells, allowing water to flood in; ‘helper’ cells search for invaders and then alert, direct and deploy killer cells. Other white blood cells display on their surface, copies of the invading organism‘s structure.
Figure 1. White blood cell engulfing anthrax bacteriaOther killer cells, identify and destroy tumour cells and cells infected with viruses (Figure 2).
As well as defending the body against foreign invaders, the immune system cleans up waste products, such as reactive forms of oxygen (known as oxidants or free radicals) and removes abnormal cells (eg cancer cells). Electrically charged free oxygen molecules are a waste product of energy production and they weaken the immune system. Production increases with illness, ageing and exercise. The immune system provides antioxidants to scavenge and mop up oxidants.
The elaborate antioxidant defence system depends on the daily intake of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, vitamin A, copper, manganese, selenium and zinc and vitamin C. Because more oxygen is used, the generation of reactive oxygen waste products increases 10 to 30 fold during strenuous exercise. While rare in humans, vitamin E deficiencies are common in horses just on hay. Vitamin E varies markedly in feedstuffs - highest in fresh grass and declining with processing and storage by around 50% a month. Up to 5000IU vitamin E/kg per day is needed to maintain blood and muscle levels. Again it’s important to check feed labels - if the feed bag analysis lists vitamin E at 1000iu or mg, it would need to be fed at 5kg/day to meet vitamin E requirements. Magnesium also plays a very important role in immune system balance and most equine diets are low in magnesium.
Feeding the immune system The immune system demands a lot of nutrients and energy. Nearly every nutrient has a role or effect on the immune system. Most diets provide enough vitamin A, a healthy gut generates abundant B vitamins, while the liver generates vitamin C. But common diets may not provide enough copper, magnesium, zinc, selenium, vitamin E, Omega-3 and amino acids.
Horses produce their own vitamin C – and unlike humans – have no need for it in their diet. However, older horses and those with fractures, severe infections, overtraining, or a compromised immune system may have a reduced ability to create vitamin C, and in horses under stress, demand may exceed supply. Vitamin C is not easily absorbed in the equine intestinal tract and they need 10 – 20g (10000 to 20000mg) a day to make a difference in blood levels. This is a good example of why reading labels and knowing how much your horse needs can help you make the best decisions. For example, if a feed lists vitamin C at 4000mg then you need to feed 2.5 - 5kg day to provide recommended levels of vitamin C.
Omega 3 Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids have immune-boosting properties. They can’t be synthesized and must be included in the diet. Flaxseed, linseed, sea algae and cold-water fish oils are good sources of omega-3s. Horses with respiratory disease and osteoarthritis receiving both omega-3s and -6s have reduced inflammatory markers. The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine recommends adding the omega-3 to the diets of horses with inflammatory airway disease.
Did you know that a large percentage of the equine immune system is located in the gut? The gut biome harvests nutrients, extracts energy from the diet, resists colonization by pathogens, develops the immune system and removes toxic compounds. An imbalance in the biome allows overgrowth of ‘bad’ microbes that damage the intestinal lining and contribute to or cause a ‘leaky gut; so we want to keep the delicate dance between gut microflora and the immune system happy with appropriate nutrition and management.
Functional fibres (prebiotics such as beet pulp, soyhulls and oat hulls) help bacteria in the gut produce energy and reduce pathogenic bacteria. They support immunity by feeding beneficial bacteria, binding to pathogens, supporting the intestinal lining and interacting with immune cells. The opposite occurs with diets that are high in starch/sugar or based on grains or grain by-products (Table 1). More research needs to be done to determine the effects of probiotics as unfortunately nutritional advantages do not always transfer from one species to the next, and the results so far are variable.
TABLE 1.
Ingredients that flag caution NSC > 10%
Barley average starch 60% sugar 3% = 63% NSC
Bran/pollard (wheat) average starch 23% sugar 7% = 30% NSC
Cereal byproducts include bran, pollard, wheat middlings and millrun = >30% NSC
Cereal coproducts generally corn or wheat meal, hominy feed, bran and pollard = NSC>30%
Corn approximately 73% starch and 2% sugar = 75% NSC
Millmix contains wheat pollard and bran = >30% NSC
Millrun contains bran and pollard = >30% NSC
Molasses average 65% sugar = 65% NSC
Wheat average starch 70% sugar 3% = 73% NSC
Rice bran (fibre < 4%) average starch 42% sugar 4% = 46% NSC
Feeds high in starch and sugar reduce microbial diversity and stability, inducing changes linked with behavioural stress, known as alimentary stress. Understanding the words on feed labels helps select a low starch/ sugar feed (Table 2).
Figure 2. Antibodies surround a virus.Grain-free No official definition, generally means no whole grains but could still include grain-byproducts such as bran and pollard, millrun etc which are high in NSC
Hominy meal Ground corn meal ~ 38-45% NSC
Low GI Glycaemic index (GI) is determined by measuring insulin, glucose and ACTH before and again 1, 2 and 3 hours after feeding to be labelled ‘low GI’ - check if the maunufacturer has done this.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC9889680/pdf/JVIM-37- 302.pdf https://web. archive.org/web/20190222221947id_/http://pdfs. semanticscholar.org/3d7d/5697df47bdbc435d0deab6699143877bb1c5.pdf
Low sugar It is the sugar + starch that is important so if the % starch or total NSC are not also given, it could be unsafe
Low starch It is the starch + sugar that is important so if the % sugar or total NSC are not also given, it could be unsafe
Micronised The feed is ‘cooked’ making it more digestible and dramatically increasing the availability of glucose - which can cause a profound increase in glucose and the glycaemic response.
Extruded
Extruded feeds may also not be a good choice for horses with metabolic syndrome. Extrusion increases starch digestibility making it easily converted to glucose and absorbed. Easy-keepers often gain too much weight on an extruded feed. Horses with metabolic issues may not be able to handle the starch and sugar content of extruded feeds. https://ivcjournal.com/extrudedhorse-feeds-proscons/#:~: text=What%20is%20 extrusion%3F,causes%20the%20feed%20t o%20 expand
Nutrition analysis Needs to list sugar - which may be listed as WSC or ESC AND starch or else the total NSC <10% or it may be unsafe
Cool feed Cool feeds are described as formulated to avoid spikes of rapid energy - unless the blood glucose levels have been measured after feeding, this term is misleading - contact the manufacturer
Starch Recommended feed analysis <10%
During times of stress (as exercise increases, during lactation, weaning and growth, travel, changes in routine, stabling at showgrounds and racetracks where they’re at increased risk of exposure to pathogens) dietary needs change. In addition to a good vaccination program, a balanced diet is one of the best defences a horse has against disease. The higher the demand for nutrients, the lower the margin for error. The impacts of an unbalanced or deficient diet are more likely to be seen in all areas of performance, including immune function.
Newborn foals are protected by antibodies they get from the colostrum – a super rich immunity drink – produced by the mare before she starts milk production. Mares produce antibodies to infectious agents in the environment and to vaccinations they receive in the last month of pregnancy. These antibodies concentrate in the udder colostrum. Because the newborn foal relies on the colostrum to protect it, proper vaccination of mares is important to protect the foal. Antibodies are quite large structures and the foal’s gut can only absorb them for 18 hours after birth. After 24 hours the gut is closed and no antibodies can be absorbed. Failure of the foal to receive good protection can occur if the foal didn’t nurse strongly in the first hours after birth or became separated from the mare; if the mare died or didn’t produce good quality colostrum. Without enough good quality colostrum, foals can become sick within two to five days. Veterinarians commonly take a blood sample for testing when the foal is 1 – 2 days old and will advise treatment if the foal hasn’t received enough antibodies. Because foals are an easy target for infections, it’s important that mares are vaccinated and live for at least a month in the place where they will foal – this allows her to respond to infectious agents in the local environment. Make sure mares don’t become fat because overfed and overweight mares have poorer quality colostrum – thought to be due to excess fat taking up space in the udder. Foals usually nibble at mares’ manure during the first weeks of life, colonizing the gastrointestinal tract with good bacteria and this shouldn’t be prevented.
Antibodies from the colostrum last for around 6 months in the foal’s body which means they are declining when weaning occurs, Weaning is a stressful time that renders a foal more susceptible to infection because increased cortisol (the stress hormone) diminishes the ability of white blood cells to react to invaders. Weaning stress affects appetite and immune competence. It’s often thought that foals are less stressed when weaned in pairs – but in fact even if they have spent a lot of time together before weaning, they show little care-giving and more aggressive behaviour towards each other when weaned together. Placing foals singly in stalls for weaning rather than in pairs has been shown to be beneficial because aggressive behaviour was moderated. Vitamin C requirements are increased with weaning stress and access to pasture will allow the foal to increase vitamin C levels.
Older horses Immune function declines with age and this increases susceptibility to diseases. Around 30% of older horses are affected by Cushings disease (PPID) which adds another layer of immunosuppression. PPID-affected horses have diminished immune function and often suffer chronic infections, such as dental disease, sinusitis, and parasitic disease. Horses with EMS also have lowered immunity, especially of overweight.
Supplements:
A balanced diet is fundamental. Feeding beyond requirements can lead to imbalances, excesses and still deficiencies can occur. Oversupplementation with selenium and iodine (in seaweed meal) are the most common causes of toxicity. Recently the European Union imposed legal restrictions limiting the amount of zinc fed to horses after it was found to be toxic to the gut biome and increase antibiotic resistance. Given the importance of a balanced microbial composition and metabolic activity, especially for hindgut fermenters like horses and ponies, the depressing effects of high dietary zinc concentrations might be critical with regard to gut health. Many hoof supplements contain added zinc, high intakes of which have been found to reduce the richness and activity of the microbiota of horses and ponies.
As simple as it sounds, the key to maintaining a healthy immune system is a balanced diet. Diet is the foundation of health. Nothing can replace a healthy diet for promoting optimal health, and in warding off both acute and chronic disease. Processed commercial pet foods can contain both excesses and deficiencies of many minerals, making supplementation potentially hazardous if certain minerals, such as zinc, become excessive. It’s safer (and often cheaper!) to feed a correctly balanced, low starch/sugar, vitamin, mineral and amino acid formulation than to add supplements.
© Dr J H Stewart My 2023All content provided in this article is for general use and information only and does not constitute advice or a veterinary opinion. It is not intended as specific medical advice or opinion and should not be relied on in place of consultation with your equine veterinarian.
Dr Jen Stewart has been an equine veterinarian for more than 40 years and an equine nutritionist for more than 10 years. Jen has been developing premium formulas for studs, trainers and feed companies in Australia and around the world and regularly consults to leading international studs and trainers in various countries.
Jen has spent a fair bit of time researching and being involved in nutritional management of developmental orthopaedic diseases, colic, tying-up, laminitis, performance problems, post-surgery and other conditions. And is currently the only practicing equine veterinarian and clinical nutritionist in Australia. Jen’s promise is to continue to BRING SCIENCE TO YOUR FEED BIN
www.jenquine.com
At Save the Brumbies we received a frantic phone call earlier this year. Help please!!! A little Brumby filly was on the main road at Corindi NSW. Cars and trucks were piled up; horns tooting at her and the little one was so scared and frightened. A kind lady managed to coax the filly into her paddock which bordered the highway. Hence the phone call to us.
At STB we have no equipment for trapping Brumbies; this is done by either Local Land Services or NPWS and the horses are subsequently delivered to our New England Brumby Sanctuary at Armidale. As it was holiday time, LLS were not available to help so we were called. What to do ? Alas the paddock where the filly was now safe had no small yard or loading ramp and this was a wild Brumby!!! How to catch her and transport to our Bellingen Sanctuary, home for our horses in high level care was, to say the least, a major headache particularly as the lady’s geldings were certainly not impressed with their new neighbor and had to be locked away for safety all round. It took several weeks before we were able to locate an angle load float that would be safe enough for the little one to travel in.
Meanwhile the filly had been encouraged to come for hay by her kind savior and had settled quite well. Our Committee member Yvonne Hicks kindly offered her angle load float and armed with hay, sight tape etc. we made the journey to Corindi to attempt to load the filly. We were all very apprehensive about the outcome and expected to spend many exhausting hours trying to load her. What a delightful surprise!!! We parked the float at the gate; erected sighter tape either side and let the ramp down. We were told to stand back, well out of the way and within fifteen minutes her temporary ‘Mum’ had the filly up to the ramp with hay and with a few pauses this wild Brumby walked straight up onto the float!!! Amazing; safely locked in and we commenced the journey home. Our little one travelled well, no stress apparent and was soon safe in a small yard where she could meet her new family of horses.
It wasn’t long before we were able to turn her out with our resident nanny mare to relax and check out her new home. A few injuries were apparent, no doubt from running through barbed wire fences but not serious and now well healed. Of course our new arrival had to have a name. Due to her traumatic experience we settled on STB Little Miss Toot Toot, very appropriate!!! So our new arrival is happy and safe at last; she is a delightful youngster, inquisitive and curious, already coming up eagerly for cuddles and a few carrots, not to mention her nutritious feeding routine.
We do what our name says, we Save the Brumbies in a practical, hands on way and are currently working closely with Grafton Local Land Services to take as many as possible this year as the horses in these areas are causing havoc on properties, going through fences and as in Tootie’s case, getting onto roads and posing a serious risk to motorists and also themselves. We urge all horse lovers to check out our website: www.savethebrumbies.org and also our Facebook page: New England Brumby Sanctuary and see the quality of these lovely horses for themselves. We need to find caring homes for so many right now; if we can’t take them it’s bullets and nobody wants that result. Our horses are well handled, colts gelded, all are microchipped and vetted before placement and are also registered with the Australian Brumby Horse Register. As the Corindi/Grafton Brumbies have been used to seeing people we find that they are quiet and easy to handle; we have mares with dear little foals at foot also available. Conditions do apply however the right, caring home is our first priority. Finally if anyone is interested in taking a small group themselves do contact Local Land Services, Grafton. So horse lovers unite, help us to Save the Brumbies, you won’t be disappointed.
Jan Carter President STB Inc.
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10-11
Club, Social Drive, Venue TBA, NSW - Ph: Liz O’,Brien - 0427 766 726
CDG Great South Eastern Championships, QSEC, Caboolture, Qld - Ph: 07 5433 3222 - www.qsec.com.au
10-12 NSW State Vaulting Championships, SIEC, Horsley Park, NSW – www.equestrianvaultingaustralia.com.au
17-25
Hawkesbury Dressage, OC/CU/Ch, Pr-GP, SIEC, Horsley Park, NSW - Ph: Sally 0416110 258 - www.hawkesburydressage.com.au
13-14 Gladstone Callope: Equestrian, Sh/gr, Mt Larcomb, Qld - www.qld.equestrian.org.au
13-14 Townsville Dressage, Oak Valley, Qld – Ph: 0437 228 676 – www.qld.equestrian.org.au
13-14 Far North Equestrian Group, Redlynch, Qld - www.qld.equestrian.org.au
17-18 Upper Hunter D Assoc, OC/CU, Pr-GP, Scone, NSW - Ph: Julie Gilmore 0417 409 395 - www.upperhunterdressageassociation.com
18 VEIS Dressage Grand Final, WPNEC, Werribee, Vic - Ph: 03 9741 7672 - www.wpnec.com.au
18 Echuca & Dist Adult Riding Cl, Winter Woolies Show Series, Echuca, Vic – Ph: Debbie 0488 570 888 – www.vic.equestrian.org.au
18 Mentone HRC, Dressage Jackpot @ Eq/Ctr, Boneo Park Vic – Ph: Shaye 0450 734 035 – www.boneopark.com.au
20
21
Maroondah ARC, Show Winter Woollies (Official), P/Cl Grounds, Healsville, Vic – Ph: Mandy 0407 554 184 www.vic.equestrian.org.au
Hurstbridge & Dist ARC, Winter Woolies Show, Racecourse, Hurstridge, Vic – Ph: Karen 0407 433 956
24-25 Berry Riding Club, Dressage Practice Day & Unofficial Comp Berry, NSW - Ph: BRC Secretary 02 4464 1143 www.berryridingclub.com
24-25 Far South Coast EC, OC/CU/CR, Pr-A, Cobargo, NSW - Ph: Trish Hayes 0491 269 230 - www.fscda.com.au
25 TVEG, Contetitive/ Partiipant & Club, Prep – Inter 1, Sh/gr, Murwillumbah, NSW - E: secretary@tveg.org.au – www.tveg.org.au
25 Manning Valley Dressage, OC/CU, Pr-GP, Taree, NSW - Ph: Helen Zimic 02 6553 9506 - www.mvdressage.com
27-28 QLD Dressage Riders Series, QSEC, Caboolture, Qld - Ph: 07 5433 3222 - www.qsec.com.au
23-25 TOM QUILTY GOLD CUP, Contact: Elizabeth Moir - 0476 166 903 – www.aera.asn.au
8 -12 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL THREE DAY EVENT, WPNEC, Werribee, Vic - Ph: 03 9741 7672 - www.wpnec.com.au
17-25 2023 Festival of Showumping, QSEC, Caboolture, Qld – www.qsec.com.au
17 VEIS Grand Final Jumping , WPNEC, Werribee, Vic – Ph: Julia 0427148488 – www.wpnec.com.au
24-25 North Coast Equestrian Club, Ev45- CCN1* - ODE, Equestrian Grounds, Nana Glen NSW, – www.nsw.equestrian.org.au
25 PHR Cl, Official HRCAV Showjumping Day 2023, Eq/ Reserve, Langwarren, Vic – Ph: Karen 0407 433 956 – www.peninsulahrc.com.au
www.queenslandpolo.com.au – Ph: 0459 272 277 - 17-18 Alsace, Low Goal, 24-25 Noosa Polo Charity Cup, W/days, Kids Polo School Qld – Ph: 07 4632 3045 - 17-18 Thargomindah, 17-18 Stanley Rivers, 24-25 Nebo, 24-25 Taroom-MH, 24-25 Toompine.
18 Tallebudgera P Cl, Official & Unofficial ODE, P/Cl Grounds, Tallebudgera,Qld - Ph: 07 3216 1255- www.ponyclubqld.com.au
25 Zone 19 Show Riding Championships 2023,Pony Cl/gr, Sun Valley, NSW – Ph: 02 4229 8925 – www.pcansw.org.au
www.reiningaustralia.com.au - 07 5429 8797 - 17 NRHA Approved Jackpot Show, Elmore Equestrian Park, Elmore, Vic - Ph: 0418 427 252
18-24 Australian National Reining Championships, AELEC, Tamworth, NSW - Ph: Secretary – 07 5429 8797
10-11 QLD AHAA Andalusian Championships – Ph: Secretary Louise Kropach 0412 085 236 – www.ahaainc.org
2- 18 PAINT-O-RAMA & 2023 Qld Paint Championships – Ph: Sharon Cameron 0418 985 781 – www.painthorse.com.au1
7-18 Scenic Rim Clydesdale & Heavy Horse Spectacular. Sh/gr, Boonah, Qld - Ph: 07 5463 1124 - www.clydesdalesqld.com.au
21
Hurstbridge & District Adult Riding Club Official Show - HRCAV showing – www.hdarc.org.au
28-1 July Queensland Quarter Horse “AAA” State Show 2023, Eq/ctre, Gatton, QLD – Ph: Karra 0402 591 664 - www.gqha.org.au
17 -18
24-25
11
Mongogarie – Richmond River Trail Riders – Ph: Aiden 0431 486 354 www.facebook.com/RRTHRC
Echuca & Dist Adult Riding Club Inc Navigation Jackpot W/end, Old Racecourse, Barmah, Vic – Ph: Debbie Wild 0488 570 888
CSRCl Official 3 Phase Equitation 2023 - HRCAV 3PE, Cranbourne Sth, Vic Ph: 0407 433 956 www.cranbournesouthridingclub.com.au
17 Berry Riding Club, Working Equitation Play & Obstacle Day - Berry, NSW – Ph: BRC Secretary 02 4464 1143 – www.berryridingclub.com
17-18
18
18
Camden Working Equation, HOTY - E: Melissa – camdenequitation.secretary@gmail.com
Tamworth HOTY & Comp, Tamworth, NSW – tamworthworkingequitation@gmail.com
Clarence Valley, Comp Grafton, NSW – Ph: Barbara Gosper 0427 266 801 www.clarencevalleyworkingequitation.org
25 Bellingen, HOTY, Bellingen, NSW – www.facebook.com/bellingenworkingequitation
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CARRIAGE DRIVING
NSW: 1 ABHA Mid North Coast, Wingham, 8-9 Geurie, 29 Mid North, Wingham. QLD: 1-2 ABHA Central Qld, Moranbah, 15-16 Callide Valley, Biloela, 15-16 Queen of Hearts Barrel Series, Fernvale, 29-30 Central Qld, Moranbah
7-9 (DA) Cubbaroo C/D, 7-9 (DA) Wiangaree C/D, 8-9 (DA) Neil Faint Kids C/D, 10-11 Gloucester Junior C/D, 13-15 Wallamba Junior C/D, 14-15 (DA) Manning Junior C/D, 23-23 (DA) Narrabri C/D
1 - 2 Northern Country Club, Indoor/Outdoor Qualifiers, Koonoomoo Rec Reserve, Vic – Ph: Zanda McGuire - 0422 362 176
8-9 Tamworth Club, Graded Dressage, Sh/gr. Gunnedah, NSW - Ph: Liz O’Brien - 0427 766 726
23 Hills Club, Small Arena Day, Rossmore, NSW - Ph: Jan Muspratt - 02 9606 6085
25-26 Hunter Club, Camp Out w/end. Cherie Masons, Black Camp Rd - Ph: Rosemary 0408 562 257
30 Camden Cl, Pleasure Drive, Camden, NSW - Ph: Lou Lyons - 0417 684 508
6 - 9 Northern Rivers CHC, Casino, NSW - Ph: Alan Dixon - 0417 160 15 https://www.nrchc.com
14-16 Southern Queensland CHA, Burrandowa, Qld - Ph: Ray 0402 380 407- www.sqcha.com.au
CUTTING
15-16 Gold City Cutters, Charters Towers, Qld - Ph: Bronwyn Terry 0429 625 384 - www.facebook.com/groups/gccutters
22-29 DDCC Futurity 2023, Sh/gr, Toowoomba, Qld – Ph: Nadean McKenna 0428 772 034
1-2 2023 Vaulting Qld State Championships, QSEC, Caboolture – Ph: 07 5463 5267 – www.facebook.com/faccifernvaulting/
2 Young Dressage, OC, Pr-GP, Bendick Murrell, Ph: Megan - 0429 831 427427 - www.youngdressage.com
6 - 9 Aust Youth Dressage Championships, OC, OC, SIEC, Horsley Park, NSW – Ph: Bruce McVey - 0414 252 515 - www.dressagensw.com.au
12 Hawkesbury Riding Club, CU/CR, Pr-M, Clarendon, NSW - Ph: Amanda 0439 411 787 - www.hawkesburyridingclub.com.au
14-16 Qld Dressage Riders Series, Star Championships & Young Horse Championships, QSEC, Caboolture -Ph: 07 5433 3222 – www.qsec.com.au
15 Yarra Valley Dressage Cl, Official EA Dressage Comp 2023,Gladysdale, Vic - Ph: 0418 171 872 www.yvdc.com.au
15 Rosedale & Dist ARC Official HRCAV Dressage Jackpot 2023 Ph: 03 9013 0707 – www.vic.equestrian.org.au
DRESSAGE & EQUESTRIAN – VAULTING
15-16 Townsville Dressage Club, Winter Official Dressage, Competitive & Participant, Alligator Creek P/Club Grounds Qld – Ph: 07 3891 6611 –www.equestrian.qld.org.au
16 Sydney Dressage Inc. 0C/CU, Pr-GP, SIEC, Horsley Park, NSW - Ph: Debbie 0414 731 416 - www.sydneydressage.org
22-23 Rockhampton Equestrian Group, Competitive Participant Club, EQ Participant Leaderboard, Crompton Park Hack & Pony Cl groundswww.rockhamptonequestriangroup.com.au
23 Hunter Valley DA, OC/CR, Pr-GP, Salt Ash, NSW - Ph: Amy Giles - 0498 627 767 - www.huntervalleydressage.com
23 Shoalhaven Dressage, OC/CR, Pr-GP, Worrigee, NSW - Ph: Alycia Targa - 0401 901 013 - www.shoalhavendressageclub.com.au
29 TVEG , Participant & Club/ Members Championships, Showground, Murwillumbah, NSW - www.tveg.org.au
29 Gladstone Calliope Group Jumping & Dressage, Competitive, Participant & Club - includes EQ Leaderboard, Sh/gr, Mt Larcom, QldPh: 07 3891 6611 – www.equestrianqld.org.au
29 Summerland Dressage Club - Far North Coast Dressage Championships, Sh/gr, Bangalow, NSW – Ph: 0400 718 998 –www.summerlanddressage.org
29-30 Willinga Park, OC, P-GP, NSW - Ph: Cathie Drury Klein - 0417224 432 - www.willingapark.com.au/events
8 RM Equestrian Centre ODE Venue Hodgsonvale Qld Ph: Jo Williams 0412 790 417
EVENTING & SHOWJUMPING
POLO
POLOCROSSE
PONY CLUBS
20-23 Fig Tree Pocket Eq/Club, Eventing Qld - www.qld.questrian.org.au - 07 3891 6611
21-23 Sunshine Coast Showjumping & Equestrian Cl, Qld - Ph: 0400 104 099
29 Mildura HT, EV 45 & 65 - EvA 105, Mildura, Niclols Point, Vic – Ph: 0431 838 621 – www.vicequestrian.org.au
29-30
Hampton & Harlow Equestrian, Winter Championship, EQ Leaderboard, Lockyer Valley, Qld - Ph: EQ 07 3891 6611 – www.equestrian.org.au
Queensland Polo Assoc - Ph: 07 0407 677 423- www.queenslandpolo.com.au
QLD: 1 - 2 SEQPC, Club Polo, 8-9 SEQPC, Club Polo, 15-16 Downs, Cooke O’Leary Cup, 22-23 Downs, Sapphire Shield, 29-30 Downs, Downs Shield
QLD: 1-2 QPA ZONE TITLES, - TARA, 1-2 Quilpie - 60TH Anniversary, 15-16 Calliope, 8-9 Eulo, 8-9 Narrabri Junior Challenge, 15-16 Bauhinia, 15-16 Lower Burdekin, 15-16 Cunnamulla, 22-23 Capella, 22-23 Goondiwindi, 29-30 Bowen, 29-30 Dirranbandi.
9 Whittlesea PC -Brian Woods Memorial Showjumping Day, Whitlesea Vic Ph: 03 8685 8925 –www.ponyclubvic.org.au
Qualifying Show & Clinic, QSEC, Caboolture, Qld - Ph: 0412 479 340 - www.qrha.org.au
2 2023 IMHR WINTER WOOLIES SHOW, Luddenham Sh/gr, NSW - www.imhr.com.au
15 -16 Sydney Quarter Horse Assoc, A Show, K Ranch, Mount Hunter, NSW - Ph: 0437 703 353 – www.sqha.com.au
29 2023 IMHR NSW Youngstock & Gelding Show, Dubbo Showground, NSW - www.imhr.com.au
30 2023 IMHR NSW Halloween Fun Show, Dubbo Showground, NSW - www.imhr.com.au
Richmond River Trail Horse Riders Club Inc meet 3rd w/end of the month - Northern Rivers NSW - Ph: Louise Wallace 0432 909 026 www.facebook.com/rrthrc
1-2 Bulahdelah, Hoty, NSW – Ph: Adele 0428 388 055 – www.bulahdelahdressage.org.au
8-9 Stroud Comp, NSW www.facebook.com/people/Stroud-Horse-Riding-Club-Inc/100063704285706/
10 Rosedale & Dist AHRC 3 Phase Equitation Comp 2023, Rosedale, Vic – Ph: Karen 0407 433 956 www.hrcav.com.au
16 Clarence Valley Hoty, Grafton, NSW clarencevalleyworkingequitation.org
16 Hunter to Hawkesbury, Hoty, NSW P: 02 6626 6711 http://www.anwensw.org.au/
22-23 Mid North Coast Hoty NSW www.midnorthcoastworkingequitationclub.com
29-30 Tri Valley Equitation Hoty Comp, Sh/gr Rosewood, Qld www.facebook.com/trivalleyequitation
30 Tamworth Comp, NSW Koobah Performance Horse Centre, Kingswood NSW P: 0438 815 472
9 Horsemanship – Ranch Pattern riding – Barnier Equine Lodge Grafton NSW P: Leanne 0427 431 973
22-23 Western Dressage-Ranch riding-Pattern work, Barnier Equine Lodge Grafton NSW Ph: Leanne 0427 431 973
The design creates Power Steering and Brakes for strong horses. Very kind in the mouth and relaxes them. Lowers the horse’s head, creating a smooth, flowing, winning action. Can stop climbing, head tossing, pulling, leaning and time faults, making the difference of winning. Award-Winning Bit. Horses, trainers, coaches, and riders love them, stating: “It’s a Game Changer”, “Brilliant”, “Amazing Transformation”.
Check out our EP design for tongue over the bit, breathing & displacement issues.
Leanne Barnier (Rose) Horse riding coach and professional cutting horse trainer. Providing private lessons and clinics – Cutting Horses – Ranch Riding – Western Dressage and Hacking. Over 40 years experience as a competition rider, trainer and coach. Call Leanne to book a clinic in your area | 0427 431 973 | barnierequinelodge@gmail.com
BARREL RACING
CAMPDRAFTING
NSW: - 5 Mid North Coast BRC, Sh/gr, Wingham, 12 Central West BHC, Geurie, 19 Moonbi Magic BRC, Moonbi. QLD: - 11-12 ABHA - Central QLD, Sh/gr Moranbah, 19-20 ABHA - Callide Valley, Biloela, 26-27 Queen of Hearts Barrel Series, Fernvale.
5-6 (DA) Neil Faint Beginners Ladies C/D, 5-6 (DA) Uki Campdraft & Challenge, 19-20 (DA) Casino C/D, 18-20 (DA) Dorrigo Silver Spurs C/D, 18-20 Hunter Challenge & Campdraft, 18-20 (DA) Walgett Charity Bushmans Carnival, 18-19 (DA) Wingen C/D, 19-20 (DA) Gravesend, 23-24 (DA) Newman Campdraft 2023, 25-27 (DA) Glencore Bunnan Bushmans Carnival, 25-27 Gresford C/D, 26-27 (DA) Geurie Challenge, 26-27 (DA) Tom Price C/D, 30-31 (DA) Robe River C/D.
8-11 NSW Southern Highlands Cl, Certius Training Clinic, Bundanoon - Ph: Yvonne - 0497 603 424
12-13 NSW Southern Highlands Cl, Certius Ashes Com, Bundanoon - Ph:0497 603 424
CARRIAGE DRIVING
12-13 VIC Central Highlands Club, Indoor/Outdoor Qualifier, Venue tbc
19-20 NSW, Tamworth Cl, L3 CDE Event, Moonbi Reserve - Ph: Liz O’Brien - 0427 766 72
26-27 VIC Geelong Club, Indoor/Outdoor Qualifier, Venue TBC - Ph: Karina 0407 271 222
27 NSW Hunter Club, Come & Try, Stroud Showground - Ph: Margie - 0434 014 952
TBA NSW, Hills, Camden & S/thern Highlands, Inter Cl Challenge Day, Venue TBA - Ph: 02 9606 6085
3-10 NSW Cutting Horse Cl Inc - White Park, Scone, FUTURITY - Ph:0407 050 780 - www.facebook.com/nswcuttinghorseclub
4-6 Rocky Cutting Club, Middlemount, Qld – Ph: Kelly 0421 798 525 - www.ncha.com.au
CUTTING
11-13 Nebo Cutting Cl, Ph: Sharon 0417 609 415 www.facebook.com/nebocutting club/
19-20 Gold City Cutters, Lyrion Qld Charters Towers,Qld – Ph: Janette 0408 186 630
26-30 Balonne River Cutters, Futurity Show, St George, ACT – Ph: Nadean 0428 772 034
5-6 Manning Valley Dressage, OC/CU/Ch, Pr-GP, Taree, NSW - Ph: Helen Zimic - 02 6553 9506 - www.mvdressage.com
6 Sugarloaf/Cobbitty, OC/CU, Pr-GP, SIEC, Horsley Park, NSW - Ph: Joanne Squires 0427 114 095
11-13 Maryborough Active Riders Cl, Frazer Coast Dressage Championships – Ph: 0402 126 585 - www.maryboroughactiveriders.org.au
12 Eurobodalla DA, OC/CR, Prep-Adv, Moruya, NSW - Ph: 0429 436 165 www.eurobadalladressage.org
19 QLD Dressage Riders Series, QSEC, Caboolture, Qld – www.caboolturedressage.org.au
DRESSAGE & EQUESTRIAN – VAULTING
19-20 Townsville Dressage Cl, Official & Closed Restricted Dressage Comp, Oak Valley, Qld - Ph: EQ 07 3891 6611 – www.qld.equestrian.org.au
19-20 Alexander Park DC, OC/CR, P-FEI, Salt Ash, NSW - Ph: Wendy Cotton - 0419 873 321 - www.alexanderparkdressageclub.org
19-20 REA Wagga Wagga Dressage, OC/Ch, P-FEI, Wagga Wagga, NSW - Ph: Maryann - 0428 632 494 - www.reaclubs.com.au
20
26-27
26
ENDURANCE
EVENTING & SHOWJUMPING
NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP
POLOCROSSE
REINING
WORKING EQUITATION
CLINICS & COURSES
TVEG WINTER DRESSAGE #1 PREP/INTER 1 Murwillumbah Showground www.tveg.org.au
QLD State Youth & Pony Dressage Championships, Prelim –GP, Sh/gr, Toowoomba, Qld - EQ: 07 3891 6611 – www.qld.equestrian.org.au
Far South Coast EC, OC/CU/CR, Pr-A, Cobargo, NSW Ph: 0491 269 230 - www.fscda.com.au
27 NCEC, OC/CR, Pr-PSG, Canberra, ACT - Ph: Lisa 0418 303 868 - www.nationalcapitalequestrianclub.com.au
27 Singleton DC, OC/CR. Pr-GP, Singleton, NSW - Ph: Dimity 0426 824 443 - www.singletondressage.org
27
Warringah Dressage Assoc, OC/CU, Pr-Ad, St Ives, NSW - Ph: Kim 0422 993 572 - www.warringahdressage.org
31-3 Sept NSW DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS, OC, P-GP, SIEC. Horsley Park, NSW - Ph: Jo Gunn -0414 416 362 - www.dressagensw.com.au
26-27 QERA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS @ LOVERS, QLD - Ph: 0438 467 970 - www.qldendurance.asn.au
5-6 Berry Riding Cl Showjumping Championships, Berry NSW – www.berryridingclub.com
18
Waratah World Cup, SIEC, Hosley Park, NSW – Ph: 02 8883 6900 www.sieceventing.org.au
19-20 Border Dist Showjumping Cl, Tier Level 3, Albury Wodonga Eq/Ctre, Thergoona, NSW
24 Tamworth World Cup – AELEC, Tamworth, NSW – Ph: 02 6767 5658 - www.equestrianaustralia
25 GVSJC Indoor Show, Tier 2, Wyuna, Vic – Ph: 0427 743 344 - www.vic.equestrian.org.au
25-27 Sustainable 3DE, Equestriad Camden, NSW – Ph: 02 4653 1097 -www.equestrianaustralia
4 - 6 Intermediate Course, Macksville, NSW Mel Fleming Horsemanship – Ph: Mel 0428 385 745 – www.melfleming.com
QLD: 5-6 SEQPC, Stonewall Shield, North Star NSW, 12-13 NSW, Goondiwindi Tournament Qld, 19-20 SEQPC, Alsace Cup, Tamara Qld, 26-27 SEQPC, Salisbury Cup, Gunnedah NSW
QLD: 5-6 Eidsvold, 5-6 Pyramid - Norweld Cup, 5-6 Toompine (Chukka), 12-13 Chinchilla, 19-20 Townsville IOR Rosebowl
5-6 QRHA, Qualifying Show & Clinic, QSEC, Caboolture, Qld - www.facebook.com/qrha
12-13 DDWDC, Sh/gr, Toowoomba, Qld – www.facebook.com/darlingdowndwestern dressage/ 20 CVWE, Hoty, Grafton, NSW – Ph: 0427 266 801 www.clarencevalleyworkingequitation.org
WINTER 2023 32 EQUINE NEWS.COM.AU
• Comprehensive oral examinations
• Removal of sharp enamel points
• Wolf teeth removal with local anaesthetic
• Assessment of peridontal disease
• Basic treatment of peridontal disease
• Diagnosis of fractured teeth
• Retained cap removal
• Oral x-rays
• Canine scaling
• Incisor rebalancing
• Full general practice ambulatory service
• Vaccinations - Hendra, Tetanus, Strangles, Herpes
• Equine Chiropracty and Pulse Wave therapy
• Musculoskeletal & lameness assessments
• Hoof health assessment
• Dietary advice
• Geriatric horse management
SERVICING BYRON BAY AND THE GOLD COAST + EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN INCLUDING: Tweed, Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby, Bangalow & Ballina
NSW – (02) 9879 6777 3 Warren Show
QLD (07) 3277 7747
2-3 Boonah, 2-3 Maleny, 2-3 Hughenden, 2-3 Springshaw, 3-4 Gin Gin, 3 Muttaburra (Landsborough), 3 Ridgelands, 6-7 Emerald, 9-11 Caboolture, 9-11 Winten, 9-10 Toogoolawah, 10-11 Yeppoon, 14-16 Rockhampton, 16-17 Lowood, 16-18 Cloncurry, 16-18 Sunshine Coast (Nambour), 17 Teebar, 18 Pineer Valley (Finch Hatton), 20-23 Mackay, 23-24 Kalbar, 23-24 Mount Isa, 23-24 Prosepine, 23-24 Woodford, 24 Barcaldine, 24-25 Mt Larcom, 24-25 Mudgeeraba, 27 Bowen, 28 Ayr (Burdekin), 30-1st July Redcliffe, 30-2nd July Rosewood.
VIC (03) – 5441 5555
23-25 VAS Ltd Convention @ Geelong.
QLD (07) 3277 7747
6-7 Herbert River (Ingham), 7-9 Laidley. 7-9 Malanda, 8-9 Dayboro,10-11 Atherton, 13-14 Innesfail, 15-16 Mareeba, 15-16 Samford, 19-21 Cairns, 20-22 Gatton, 23-24 Mosman, 28-29 Tully, 29-30 Mt Gravatt, 29-30 Texas, 30-1st August Charters Towers.
VIC (03) – 5441 5555
14-16 North Central Victoria Sports Shears Association, Australian Sheep & Wool Show.
www.agshowsnsw.org.au
NSW – (02) 9879 6777
5-6, Mungindi, 11-12 Tullamore, 15-16 Trundle, 19 Bedgerabong, 19 Ganmain, 20 Weethall, 22-23 Peak Hill, 25-26 Condobolin, 25-27 Wee Waa, 26 Barellan, 26-27 Penrith, 26-27 Wentworth, 28-30 Parkes.
QLD (07) 3277 7747
4-6 Pine Rivers, 5-6 Sarina, 12-20 RNA – Ekka ROYAL, 12 Mt Morgan, 19 Mary Valley (Imbil) 19-20 Moura, 26 Wowan, 26 Canungra.
VIC (03) – 5441 5555
2-3 Mallee Machinery F/ Days, 6-7 Hamilton Sheepventions, 20 Little River, 29 Wentworth.
NSW – (02) 9879 6777
1-2 lake Cargelligo, 1-2 Narromine, 1-2 Grenfell, 1-2 Woodenbong, 2 Narrandera, 3 Finley, 3 Woodstock Memorial, 5-6 West Wyalong, 8-9 Forbes, 8-9 Hay, 8-8 Wagga Wagga, 9-10 Cudal, 9-10 Quirindi, 9 Ungarie, 10 Ariah Park 14-16 Silver City, 15-16 Eugowra, 15-17 Merriwa, 16 Ardlethan, 17 Molong, 17 Young, 22-23 Canowindra 22-24 Singleton, 23-24 Dapto, 23-24 Nimbin, 23 Hillston, 23 Temora, 24 Lockhart, 30 Culcairn, 30 Bribbaree.
QLD - (07) 3277 7747
1-3 Gold Coast, 1-2 Wondai, 1-2 Beaudesert, 8-9 Noosa, 9 GIRU, 9 Quilpie, 16 Beenleigh, 16 Brigalow, 16 Carnival, 16 Kenilworth,30 Eumundi, TBA Gladstone.
VIC - (03) – 5441 5555
3 Finley, 10 Ringwood, 23-30 MELBOURNE ROYAL
www.queenslandshows.com.au
We take our animals to shows, events, studs, trainers or new properties all the time. We spend enormous amounts of energy and money preparing them for their sport and bringing them to a peak for the big event and we should spend an equivalent amount of effort in making sure we don’t blow it, during one such trip... We all know people who get car sick, airsick or seasick and there must be a few horses out there which get motion sickness in the same sort of way. I don’t know of anybody who has died or had their career ruined as a result of travel related illness, but I hear of lots of horses to whom this has happened.
In discussing this problem with my clients and friends I began to appreciate just how much time some horses spend on the road and that the problem ranges all the way through ignorance, poor preparation, cruelty, neglect, and the poor design and maintenance of floats. I also found out that some animals can be severely stressed by a three-hour trip and that some carriers, notably some of the respected interstate ones regularly transport horses right across the Nullarbor, and deliver them in perfect condition every time.
The first thing to do with a new or a young horse is to get their confidence in loading and unloading and generally being in and around floats. It is also a good idea to go through this sort of retraining for a horse which has had a bad experience with floating and shows that he has lost his confidence or trust. Practice trips with loading and unloading at breaks along the way is an essential part of float training as all trips should be broken every 3 hours and the animal unloaded to have a little green pick, a walk around and something to drink.
Stand in the float one day and have someone drive along a winding or bumpy track too fast. This will give you some idea of what the horse can be going through if you the driver are not thinking about him at every corner along the way while you are at the wheel.
Argument over design and loading configuration will go on for ever and don’t assume that a well known brand of float is well designed. You cannot buy a well-designed wheelbarrow anymore and we have been making them for hundreds of years!
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Access should be quick and simple and strong and there should be room to manoeuvre if necessary once on board. You should be able to get to a horses head quickly upon stopping to calm or reassure an animal after any sort of incident along the way which could cause panic and the head space shouldn’t be claustrophobic.
Ventilation should be plentiful, adjustable and circulate freely about the head area but not be a chilling draft about the body.
Temperature should be manageable through air flow and rugging and each individual horse will have his own requirements which you should cater to.
Flooring must be in good condition and provide drainage and plenty of grip with no possibility of becoming slippery whatever happens inside. Woven rubber matting on top of a rubber floor or a bed of fresh shavings on the rubber floor are a couple of good alternatives.
Partitioning must be very strong and positioned to provide support to the body but not extend too low and interfere with the legs at all, it must
provide lateral support but not encourage the horse to travel leaning up against it. There must be no possibility of the horse getting hung up over or jammed under partitions if it falls or panics during a trip.
Room to brace while the float travels is crucial. If a horse cannot brace for a corner without its hooves coming up against a wall or standing on another horse’s feet it will quickly, and quite naturally, become distressed or worse.
Regular maintenance and attention especially to the state of the floor and the suspension is often overlooked. Make sure the braking system works smoothly and well.
Whether you should load facing to the rear, to the front or diagonally all have their proponents with the rear facing positioning being favored recently. Common sense tells me that a horse could be better able to brace against a sudden stop if it were facing forward and thereby be better protected from a bad driver. I would think that care, consideration and good preparation are more important than many of the finer points of design. You will have horses who will show you their own preferences as to how they like to travel - accommodate them if you can.
Prepare your horses properly with travelling boots, leg padding or tail bandages if required.
Plan long journeys with regular wayside stops no more than 3 hours apart. Plan to have extra time in hand for extra breaks or unforeseen problems along the way.
Look out for and use good and safe places along the way. Get the horses off, give them a drink, let them have a walk about and possibly a pick of grass.
Many horses who don’t like to urinate in the float will happily wait if they know you will be stopping regularly.
Check and clean the floor of the float, take out the manure, smooth over the bedding.
Take note of the frequency of evacuation, no manure when expected can be the first sign of colic.
Take note of the temperature and ventilation and check the horses when you first board the float for any signs of temperature distress.
Hydration is very important while traveling and feed much less so. You should be most aware of the horse’s consumption and attitude toward water offered. Some animals prefer water from home (in this case - bring it) others will appreciate a treat with molasses in the water (if this helps to get water into them - do it )
If you are following a special travel preparation program like the one I outline overleaf, add the Herbal Travel Mix to the water at each stop. If there is any distress add Rescue Remedy or a Herbal Trauma Mix to the water or feed it directly over the tongue. If there were any suspicions of colic developing or dehydration or nervous distress give the appropriate treatments, spend the time required exercising and comforting the horse and extend the break.
Interview your carrier and ask him about his equipment, his route, when and where his scheduled stops will be and encourage him to convince you that he knows what he is doing. If the carrier has not come recommended to you by someone you know who has had firsthand experience with him ask to provide you with names and phone numbers of people who have used him regularly. Call a couple of these people.
If you have any doubts whatsoever look around for alternatives or reconsider taking the horse yourself.
Provide the carrier with adequate rugging, any special Herbal Travel Mixture or Trauma Mixture and instructions as to dosage. Above all, provide contact telephone numbers so that you can be advised of any problems developing along the way. All carriers now carry mobile phones and there is no excuse for an unreported problem.
Arrange to be at the destination when the animal arrives and make it clear to the carrier that you will pay the account only upon your animals delivery in good condition. If, while making any of these detailed arrangements, you have any doubts, go back to square one.
Once a horse has had a bad experience or ‘gone down’, they will lose confidence and can become bad travellers. When a horse has become a nervous traveler it will always use up adrenaline and nervous energy during a trip, which you would rather have available for your competition.
Your horse can be flung down, jammed under, hung over or otherwise trapped or injured by a bad driver (and that includes yourself).
Your horse can be asphyxiated.
Your horse can become dehydrated.
Your horse can become overheated or chilled by poor design or management of ventilation or over-rugging.
Your horse can become panicked and remain in a state of panic for a period of many hours in the worst possible case.
Any of these “worst case” extremes are inexcusable and constitute cruelty and ignorance. They would be prosecutable offenses if inflicted upon a person.
Any of these experiences are likely to result in impaction colic, high temperature, extreme dehydration, extreme stiffness in the limbs, no interest in feed, in water or life in general and require immediate first aid treatment.
Such severe mistreatment can lead to pneumonia as a secondary infection or develop into stress founder and, if not cause the death of the animal, it can certainly be end of a competition career not to mention the loss of your investment.
Any carrier who regularly delivers a horse in this sort of condition should be named to everyone you speak to whenever talking about horse transport and your personal ambition should be to take care that your horses never have a single bad traveling experience.
Any extreme of shock whether physical or emotional requires urgent treatment to prevent the downstream effects of such shock. The homeopathic Rescue Remedy treatment is the very first thing which should be administered to the animal. This can be administered as just a couple of drops in the mouth or in the eye and is best administered before the horse is moved at all. Take a dose yourself when coming upon a distressed animal to help you settle and to make better decisions.
Our Herbal Trauma Treatments which are blends of suitable herbs to help an animal recover more fully from trauma. These blends would include herbal treatments for nervous and adrenal exhaustion, for kidney function in the case of dehydration, for heart stress in the case of prolonged panic and for the immune system which always suffers as a result of stress. I would include also homeopathic treatments to minimize the effects of the trauma on the animals trust, confidence and subsequent reaction to travel, competition or tolerance to stress in general.
Preventative Treatments
I often formulate Herbal Travel Mixes for individual animals taking into account their own personality and experience. These consist of herbal extracts or decoctions to build up an animals reserves, to ensure it is in the best possible shape to cope with the stress of travel.
The advice I give may be as simple as just adding cold rosehip tea to drinking water for the trip to ensure that kidney function is maintained and adrenal glands are well protected from depletion.
For animals who don’t travel well or are so valuable or so highly placed in their field that absolutely no chances whatsoever can be taken with spoiling any of their physical or emotional form during travel, we create personalised mixtures. These will include herbs to minimize any chances of digestive system problems like scouring or colic; herbs to protect kidneys and adrenal glands from stress; herbs to nourish and strengthen the nervous system to allow a fearful horse for example to be relaxed and comfortable on the trip; herbs to build up the immune system to ensure there is no physical loss of form or likelihood of contracting an infection; and homeopathic treatments to treat any weakness areas in the individual animals reaction patterns (fearfulness, apprehension, self-confidence, tendency to panic etc.)
These individual comprehensive treatments are given for a couple of weeks before, during and for a few days after, a major relocation or the day before and during a normal weekend trip.
I was first introduced to the concept of Herbal Lore when I was very young. I think one of the earliest influences I can remember was from my grandparents, who were very traditional Bathurst farmers of the well known Cox family. My grandfather had the “people’s home library” which was a compendium of all kinds of home cures. Herbal Medicine is, at its core, studying nature and the humanities. It’s about observing our diet, our environment and how we respond. Keeping a balance is difficult in the modern era as we are no longer interacting with our environment in the same way as we may have done even as little as a 100 years ago.
As a Dorothy Hall graduate working along side the well known Robert McDowell for many years and furthering my education with Dennis Stewart, I have developed my own unique application of herbal remedies. Working primarily with animals (Horses and Dogs) has been the most rewarding. Having seen herbs work so well in so many cases has proven to me time and again the under-utilised power of herbal medicine. It is heartening to see now Vets, and some Medical Doctors seeing the traditional application of herbs as useful.
My comprehensive service includes free animal consultations 24/7 via my web site, and face to face consultation at 62 Corporation Avenue, Bathurst NSW 2795.
CLINIC: (02) 6331 3937 INTERNATIONAL: +61 2 6331 3937
ADDRESS: 62 Corporation Avenue Bathurst NSW EMAIL: info@mcdowellsherbal.com WEB: www.mcdowellsherbal.com
The following list is by no means comprehensive, but it includes most of the herbs I would consider for inclusion in preparations to treat travel related trauma or for protecting horses from all possible negative effects of travel.
Rosehips - A valuable herb extremely high in Iron and Vitamin C and especially useful to protect the body from kidney and adrenal exhaustion occasioned by fear or panic. As a herbal tea Rosehips can be prepared and given in drinking water and if you want to do nothing else to protect your horse on a trip, Rosehip tea in their drinking water would be my #1 Tip.
Maritime Pine - This extract from the bark of a particular species of pine tree is an antioxidant 15 or 20 times more powerful than Vitamin C or Vitamin E. This herb can build up your immunity more than any single other substance I know of and is useful in a whole range of immune systems illnesses from Cancer through to Attention Deficit Disorder in Children. Its application in a Travel Mix is to give your horses immunity a huge boost so that any stress which can cause a depletion is countered immediately.
Hawthorn Berry - Hawthorn is a major Heart Tonic especially suitable for horses and is the second thing I reach for when coming upon a distressed horse. (The first being Rescue Remedy) Hawthorn is your best bet to bring back a severely abused animal (I am thinking of one which has been down and/or in a panic for hourswhile some barbarian has continued to drive)
Vervain - Is a herb I include in almost all my nervous system treatments for horses. The nervous system requiring is one which tends to be agitated, fidgeting, and “nervy” generally. (Nervous Nelly). Such a horse is more likely to panic or lose its cool if unexpected things happen during a trip. Giving Vervain before and during a trip will help such a horse cope better with the trip and be less likely to run into trouble.
Hops - Is another nervous system herb which I often include in a horse mixture and this represents another aspect of the panicky nervous disposition found in many animals. Any fashion in which the nervous system can be supported during a trip will leave more nervous energy “in the tank” for the competition.
Chamomile - Is the primary digestive and parasympathetic nervous system support herb. Chamomile administered prior to stress or regularly to a horse prone to Colic is the best preventative treatment for this condition. There is no excuse for Colic resulting from travel it is always a reflection of poor preparation or handling.
Dandelion and Agrimony - Are liver support herbs which along with Chamomile may help reduce the chances of scouring occurring due to stress. Scouring will aggravate dehydration problems, is debilitating in itself and can make footing more difficult and lead to a fall within the float if the floor becomes slippery. Dandelion will also play a role in preventing Colic developing during a trip.
This certification course takes a holistic view when teaching the anatomy and physiology of the horse’s hooves and mouth (dental). Bring your equine practice to the next level by learning how the foot and mouth of the horse can impact their health and wellbeing.
The course includes high quality photographs including hoof dissections and explains the importance of having an in depth understanding of the internal and external hoof and mouth anatomy. The horse’s feet and mouth play a large roll when it comes to their soundness and overall wellbeing. As an equine bodyworker, expanding your knowledge of equine anatomy will allow you to make more educated decisions when creating individualized treatment plans for your clients.
After starting from a coffee table almost two years ago, migrating to a desk and eventually occupying a fair chunk of my home. The time has come to have to open our very own bricks and mortar store where you’ll be able to explore the best of what Wild Rider has to offer - from in-store custom made rope tack, to rider and horse wear, hoofcare, grooming, dog accessories and so much more! (and more to come still)
So far, I’ve collaborated with some amazing brands from Australia and around the world, some of which I am proud to be the only Aussie stockist of.
My primary goal has always been to provide equestrians with high-quality, functional tack that also looks great, while keeping in mind whats best for your horses.
All of the rope tack is hand crafted by myself, and the rope used is designed by me and manufactured right here in Australia. After countless late nights and early mornings of teaching myself how to splice, braid and tie knots, I think its safe to say the rope tack making gig is a tough one, but the reward of seeing a simple piece of rope transform into something that can be used for years to come is totally worth it.
Scheduled to open late June / early July at the stunning waterfront promenade shopping complex in Coffs harbour, NSW. I can’t wait to see you all there!
- Emmawww.wildriderequestrian.com.au
