If in doubt go gentler\quieter

I recently 'downgraded' Yoda's bit from a mild sweet-iron french link, to a rubber mullen mouth. He seems happier, and the rubber mullen let's us work through any silliness or resistance, with less worry about pain in his mouth causing a fear response. I even dropped it down a hole in the headstall, as being thicker it seemed to irritate him being in the same position (1 wrinkle) as the previous bit.

I did wonder if this would be a disaster on our first forest ride, perhaps I should go back up a level to have more brakes. But it wasn't, I didn't. So yet again, I wonder about the wisdom of the usual response to increase gear, increase the leverage\severity of bits or even to increase the level of pressure when a horse is not responding.

I'm sure that there are times when doing the first two are required. However, both my horses have responded positively when I have trusted my gut and done the opposite to conventional wisdom.

In have even found this to be true in relation to pressure. I know the rules of behavioural modification, I know how negative reinforcement works. I also know that I am not as smart, tuned-in, or non-emotional as I hope\need to be. The ability to take a breath, a step back and try a different approach when a 'conventional' one isn't working (or is adding side-effects) is valuable. Sometimes, a whisper is more effective than a shout (oh dear, that sounds very zen doesn't it?). But really, if your horse doesn't respond to arm waving, whip cracking or whatever other level of pressure - maybe try dialling it down 99% instead of dialling it up another 2%

Are you spending your feed money wisely

In 2006 Fonterra banned the feeding of Copra to dairy cows due to Aflatoxin levels , which then were detected in the milk.  For the dairy farmers the main concern was the potential for their products to be rejected by the EU. 

However, horse owners are historically high users of Copra, and many took note of this problem. Some researched Aflatoxins, and decided to discontinue copra as part of their feeding regime, others carried on having decided the risk was low.

Aflatoxins are still an issue for Copra and many other feeds.  Essentially it is a type of mould that grows on stored dried products.  Copra and Palm kernel are particularly susceptible because they are finely ground AND they originate in tropical countries that may not have the highest quality control standards of production or processing.  

Many horse owners, have now returned to buying Copra, as it is a very economical feed and has many nutritional merits.  But just as many are also purchasing a new and popular supplement - mycotoxin binders.  This is interesting because mycotoxins in pasture are quite rare in the New Zealand environment, so could it be that we are feeding our horses mycotoxins in the first place -and then spending more to resolve the problem?

It's not an uncommon problem.  How many times do you witness someone feeding their horse with large amounts of processed sugar, and then adding dollops of magnesium or some proprietary 'calmer' (an expensive form of magnesium) on top.  

Rather than reaching for the next supplement, or additive to solve a perceived problem,  look for the root cause.  If you think your horse is hyper-excitable or 'toxic': 

• get it blood tested to ensure that selenium, magnesium and other blood mineral levels are correct.  
• Train the horse to be calm, is this just a behavioural issue.   Training of course takes longer than popping a pill, but do you drug your kids? (well let's not discuss ADHD)
• Look at your own behaviour - do you act hyper-excitable and get your horse worked up?  Maybe you should take the supplement :)
  

Then look at what and how you are feeding.  

• If the horse gets one large meal a day - and then gets a sugar rush,  well that's no real surprise.  If you can only feed once a day, feed small to get any minerals or medicines in and then throw out a huge pile of hay.  Hay is cheaper, better for your horse and will not cause a sugar rush - so you can throw away those calming supplements.  
  
• Check your hay! Buy quality hay and check it throughout it's storage.  It should smell sweet, look greenish, feel dry but not be dusty or mouldy.  
• Look at the type of feed - but don't go feeding a different thing each week looking for an immediate behaviour change.  Analyse the feed rationally.  Are you simply feeding too much?  Would the horse do better with more access to pasture\better grazing.   Would you be better getting a lower GI feed? 
• Don't believe every old wives tale - look for evidence, talk to the local equine nutritionalist (a free service from some feed manufacturers!).  Simple whole oats may be much better (and cheaper) for your horse than an expensive processed feed, depending on how much access to pasture\hay your horse has.
• If you are feeding magnesium, although this is possibly one of the safest minerals to feed there are still consequences for overfeeding (it can block other minerals).    Are you adding it on top of something that hypes your horse - if so why not get rid of both and make your feeding regime simpler (and cheaper usually).
• Look at the way that you store your feeds! If you are concerned about mycotoxins - you must store your feed correctly.  In a cool, dry, clean place to ensure that mould is not growing on the feed you have purchased.  This applies to MOST feeds,  and especially grains that have been cracked\rolled or damaged -and to processed feeds.  

An important aspect in controlling aflatoxins in feed is to ensure that feeds that are readily susceptible to mould growth are stored appropriately. For dry feeds this means keeping the feed dry and cool. Mould growth in a susceptible feed such as copra can occur at any time prior to feeding, so on-farm storage must not be ignored. Likewise feed waste should be removed so that the animals do not have access to any mouldy waste. (NZFSA Article)

• Look at the ingredients of your processed feed - many are based on copra, palm kernel or soy meal.  All are very susceptible to mould, so ask your manufacturer about their processing plant, storage and testing regimes.

Most misguided rescue\vet procedure ever

http://www.ridingpals.com/peggysue.html 

A website called riding pals is currently running a story about a filly foal with a prosthetic leg. I have to say this is possibly the most misguided rescue attempt ever, and borders on animal abuse.  The rescuers do not have the money to pay the vet clinc (who should have said no to such a procedure - obviously a vet with an ego bigger than his brain), nor apparently do they have the money to house or fence the property properly for this animal.  Since this is a foal, not an adult horse the prosthesis will have to be constantly altered (more money they don't have) and the horse will never have a normal life.  Let's not even talk about how on earth they will trim the other hind foot, or the potential damage being done to the rest of the horse's body by the uneven weight bearing that must be occuring (horses are fragile enough when balanced on their own four feet!).

Please don't encourage this sort of stupid effort,  the money wasted should go to more salvageable rescue horses who can live normal healthy pain-free lives... 

Equine Property Registration Database

Equine Influenza Horse Property Registration

While the initial database was formed from already registered studs and farms in Agribase, and some breed societies were contacted, there has been little work done to let ordinary horse owners know about Equine Property registration. This is a double shame because Agribase provides the best statistical data on horse numbers and properties that we have in New Zealand, and yet it is very incomplete without recreational horses in the picture. 

read more and get the online form...

The politics of being irresponsible

Okay I am going to vent my spleen. It seems that the way to get things these days is not to be responsible, work within the rules and try to get along with others. No, it is to be a bastard, do your own thing and ignore anyone else's rights or even the laws of the land. And if I really want to get un-PC, then I would have to say this is 'men's' way of doing things - particularly young men.

What has yanked my chain? ARPASS and the various councils seem to be going full steam ahead with an off-road motorised recreation study. Why? Because trailbikes, ATV and 4WD users have broken the law, killed and injured people and generally made a giant pain-in-the-arse of themselves in the last few years. The reponse, is not to get tough or even simply to enforce the rules that currently apply in the troublespots, no let's give the poor diddums somewhere nice and free and convenient (their rules) to play in.

Is this how authorities think things should work? Apparently yes. Skateboarders are a problem? Hey let's give all the skaterboarders parks and ramps. Taggers a problem, hmmn lets set up some programmes and 'art walls' ...

What about all those sports and recreation groups that HAVE followed the rules, and have quietly gone about their business as best they can with few resources or acknowledgement? Do they get more access to public places? More support when they are pushed out by the next illegal or anti-social activity? Like buggery they do.

oh and BTW most of these groups are young men too... so which group consistently loses out - women ... but hey, nothing new there I guess.

FEI Executive Board Calls for Immediate Resignation of the FEI Dressage Committee

03/11/2008
The FEI Executive Board has requested the immediate resignation of the entire FEI Dressage Committee. The FEI Executive Board has taken this decision following a series of issues indicating the current Committee’s lack of flexibility on certain key matters. The Committee has been seen to work in isolation, not fully representing the interests of the Dressage community as a whole.

...visit the official FEI website to read this story

Fugly Horse of the Day

Fugly Horse of the Day

Quite possibly the funniest-saddest and definitely the most honest blogsite about horses and horse people on the web. Some of the blogs are so rippingly truthful that they will make you weep with laughter. Shame more people don't live by this author's simple 'rules' of horse ownership (breeding).

Neck Pain research

Neck Problems in Sport Horses
by: Erin Ryder, TheHorse.com News Editor
May 11 2008, Article # 11841

An interesting article on neck pain, but then it gets to the "did we really need research to tell us this" bit >

....
However, Dyson noted that, in this case, daily under saddle evaluations at the clinic had their own effect--this horse was typically ridden in a very short, tight frame by its trainer. The staff at the clinic utilized a longer contact, and, over the period of time the horse was in the clinic, its way of going had already improved dramatically under saddle before the physical cause was pinpointed and medical treatment initiated.

"I think that the way in which horses are worked can produce neck stiffness in some horses," Dyson noted.

Doh! really??

Pitbull to be destroyed

The dog that attacked horses and riders at Muriwai Beach earlier this year will be destroyed. On January 5 a pit bull dog attacked a group returning from a guided trek.

The man, in his mid-20s, who owns the dog has been found guilty of common assault as well as being convicted on two charges of owning a dog involved in a serious attack.
On August 18 he was fined $150, ordered to pay $130 court costs, made to pay reparations of $1000 and the destruction of the offending dog was ordered.

Read the Full story at Nor-West News >>

There is no mention in this story of whether the dog is currently in the Council's custody or whether the owner will hand over the dog for destruction.

$150 seems a pitiful fine for an attack that affected 4 horses (one of which later died from colic), a group of tourists, and included an assault on one of the tourists. The article also doesn't mention how the dog was not surrendered immediately, but instead the person in charge of the dog tried first to deny it was theirs, then failed to help anyone, hit one of the victims and finally loaded the dog up and left the scene of the attack...

Vet dies from Hendra virus - National - smh.com.au

Vet dies from Hendra virus - National - smh.com.au

Previously the NZ Herald had reported on the outbreak (July 2008)

Filming in Woodhill - It's a wonder they don't get each other in shot!

There are so many movies and TV series being filmed in and around Woodhill Forest, it wouldn't surprise me if they started getting the wrong cast in shot. They all use the same bits of forest - the falls at the back of Muriwai and further up at Rimmer Rd. Recently there has been - Underworld, Power Rangers, one of the Narnia's (or was that a while back?)

Currently "Wizard's First Rule", and I think there must be another one because there are currently two pointers up "W" and "F". I'm not sure if the film crews think that using an initial is secretive or if it's just to save writing.

There's always local ads and programs, and sometimes recreation (trailbike promos) filming. My only reason for being interested in seeing some of them is to check out whether a local walking their dog, or a horse rider pops up unexpectedly in the background ;)

Horseshoes and the Trims They Bring - HorseShoe Manufactures Set the Trend, Our Horses Pay the Price

Horseshoes and the Trims They Bring - HorseShoe Manufactures Set the Trend, Our Horses Pay the Price.....click here to read the full article

I found this interesting article by KC LaPierre on ezinearticles. It looks at the development of some hoof problems as possibly coming from the development of horseshoe technology (and the resultant changes in trims). Although there are some gaps in the theory it makes for interesting reading, and those interested in hoof care will find some ideas to mull over in it.

The major gaps I see are:

* the use of cadaver hooves in creating correlations. Although, this may be ok, there is no information on whether cadavers provide a representative sample of the horse population. Perhaps the cadavers are collected from a local horse slaughter house, and this increases the likelihood that horses will have hoof problems i.e. perhaps these horses are slaughtered because they aren't well cared for through their lives or have developed foot problems and are chronically lame. Having a skewed sample doesn't mean

* How do they know what shoes have been used on the horse during it's life? Since these are cadaver hooves, all they can know for sure is how the horse was trimmed recently. This may or may not be how it has been trimmed previously.

* No comparison to other farriery cultures. Although, this article mentions shoes coming in from UK\Europe and replacing the 'keg' shoe tradition in the US, there is no information on whether UK\European horses suffer more or less than the US cadaver sample. If those horses have been used to having shaped shoes for longer, then this should be seen as an effect on hoof health on those horses too. What is it?

The Horse: Study: Positive Reinforcement Aids Equine Training

A new study comparing positive reinforcement training techniques with traditional negative reinforcement, has provided some interesting insights. Read More ...The Horse: Study: Positive Reinforcement Aids Equine Training

Horse Sense on the Roads

Horse Sense on the Roads

A new website promoting safety for horse riders, riding on the roads. Has information for all types of road users and explainations of some of the peculiarities of horse behaviour (rather than simply rules).

TheHorse.com webinars and videos

TheHorse.com has a really good new resource online (actually it has always been an excellent online resource of news and health articles) - videos and webinars.

One of the first of the health webinars that I viewed was on parasite control and resistance. The webinar was in two parts (two presenters) and included information on research studies. The information included some interesting information on parasite resistance to macrocyclic lactones (the ivermectin, abamectin, moxidectin family) and in particular the different parasite families susceptibility or resistance to various chemical families.

Take home messages from the webinars included:

What makes resistance?

• Too frequent dosing
• Underdosing
• Single chemical dosing
• Creating a small refugia (a refugia can be thought of as the number of parasites in the population that are NOT resistant)

Some older chemicals are still very effective against certain worm types.

• It is important to understand that because they are not effective against all worms, this should not mean that they don't get used.

Parasites are changing, and they don't change back.

• Once a parasite population begins to show signs of resistance, they will not change back over time. Studies of resistant strain parasites that have not been exposed to chemicals in over 20 years are still resistant.

Bridleways Auckland

After much umming and erring I have finally set up a website and discussion group for horse riders to collaborate on public access and recreational riding. Bridleways Auckland sets out to document all the horse riding parks, areas and routes available in the Auckland Region. It also explains who owns or manages an area, so that you know who to contact, and other details like costs, parking, access, terrain and provides maps and photos.

I've also used Google maps to create 'clickable' maps of all the riding areas, forests etc and hope that these will also be useful when we start to put routes (bridleways) in.


The discussion group is just a mailing list at the moment, and we already have a number of people signing up each week (it's free). I'm also extremely pleased to see that people are helping out by sending in photos and information of their local area - exactly what we need in order for a site like this to work.

Lake Okaihu and Woodhill Forest coming to a picture theatre near you

Well it's been very busy down at Lake Okaihu, Muriwai recently. Two films are being made down there at the moment Underworld 3 was filming last weekend and then I saw a crew again a day later but this time it is Power Rangers... watch out for people and their dogs roaming around in the background of shots :) This area is open for public access and is popular with walkers, family picnics and dog walkers...

Horses savaged in frenzied dog attack

Muriwai Horse Treks have suffered a terrible blow, with 3 horses seriously wounded when a dog attacked a ride on Thursday. The loose dog severley wounded the trek leader's horse, ripping large wounds in the mare's hind legs. It then continued to attack other horses in the ride, wounding at least 2 others.

Riders (novice and tourist) were thrown to the ground as frightened horses tried to escape the attack. The owners of the dog initially denied that the animal was theirs, and refused to provide any sort of assistance during the attack. Later they became abusive toward frightened riders and staff who were attending to wounded, loose and bleeding horses. The male owner assaulted a tourist, and the pair then took the dog and fled the scene.

Rodney animal control and the police are investigating. All the horses are under veterinary care but it is uncertain whether they will recover, or ever be able to return to work.

Improvements at Muriwai

Since mid last year, when Muriwai seemed to reach a crisis in stupid, and unsocial behaviour things have gradually improved at Muriwai. Numbers of boy racers in un-warranted\registered cars have dropped, the numbers of trail bikes have also dropped dramatically. Peace appears to have been restored.

The increased attention of the police (after a death on the road and increased pressure from Councils) has been a major factor in my opinion. I have probably seen more police at Muriwai in the last 3 months than I have ever seen in all my years of riding there. Hancocks, the new owners of Woodhill Forest also seem to have stepped up to the plate at long last. A new gate to one of the parking areas appeared and has dramatically changed the numbers and types of people using the Okiritoto stream gate.

Walkers, horse riders and dog owners are still able to enjoy the spot but it seems to have gotten rid of the element that were using the place for a variety of noisy\anti-social activities (and reduced the amount of parking for trail-bike riders).

Innside Montana

Found this lovely blogsite when trawling the web. Innside Montana is listed as "the ongoing adventures of an eco-friendly bed and breakfast keeper". Well written, thoughtful and with some great photos; it covers a variety of subjects including the journey of an adult learning to ride.

MAF Biosecurity Hotline for Equine Influenza

MAFBNZ is asking horse owners to remain vigilant for signs of the disease. Anyone who suspects their horse may be showing symptoms of equine influenza should isolate the horse from other animals and contact their vet immediately or phone the MAFBNZ emergency hotline 0800 80 99 66.

Tug of War - Dr Gerd Heuschmann

Tug of War - Dr Gerd Heuschmann

Dr Heuschmann will in New Zealand in October this year to deliver two workshops, one in the North Island and one in the South Island.

Seminars are just $50 - use the link above for more details from ESNZ or to download the application form.

http://www.gerdheuschmann.com/

Equestrian Club Membership Figures

Have been doing some research for another project and came across SPARC's records of club memberships (latest 2002\2003). I've graphed up the equestrian organisations.

Pony clubs have been declining steadily while registration with ESNZ was rising. The latest figures from ESNZ are around 5500, so they have slumped again from their high here.

Ramon Guerrero Akld Sept 14-16

Ramón’s clinics are fun, and beneficial for all riders and horses of any ability.

Create a soft, supple and strong horse for any riding style or competition. Learn how to deal with problems and create a better relationship with your horse.

Private Lessons: $100 per hour
Group (2-3) Lessons: $60 per hour
Audit: $20

Pay all ground fees directly to Royale Oak—$10 per horse \ per hour
















About Ramón

Riding master Señor Ramón Guerrero, also known as 'The Systematic Horseman', was chosen to perform as a guest rider with the Spanish Riding School of Vienna for their 1972 400th anniversary performances in London and Paris. In 1975 he moved to Australia and founded El Caballo Blanco, later he established the “International Dancing Stallions of Australia”.

Since 1990 Ramón has been dedicated to developing and spreading his knowledge of horsemanship and the equestrian arts throughout Spain, New Zealand and Australia.

Horsey Holidays

Always on the lookout for new places to ride, I'm thrilled to see more horse-holiday places opening. Not treks or farmstays with riding, but places you can take your horse on holiday with you.

Dune Lakes Lodge is near Parakai, at the northern end of Woodhill Forest.

Wild Valley Farms is in Glen Murray, a little north of Huntly.

Taking your horse will cost just $20 per 24 hr stay for each horse, in addition to your accomodation costs. This includes grazing, hay if needed, use of washdown hoses and gives access to all trails, jumps and riding facilities.

The Horse: Performance Evaluation of Western Saddle Pads

The Horse: Performance Evaluation of Western Saddle Pads

A very interesting article on 'The Horse' which evaluates the performance of a number of different saddle pads. With most riders constantly on the lookout for products that will make their horses more comfortable and provide any number of therepeutic benefits, saddle pads are always popular on horse owners shopping lists. These days there are numerous types of pad available, each claiming to have amazing benefits for horse and\or rider. Finally, here is some unbiased scientific data to answer some questions on what really does work in some of these high-tech pads (and some of the low tech ones!) .

What a surprise - deaths at Muriwai

"The death of a 15-year-old passenger riding in a car driven by another 15-year-old girl took the holiday weekend road toll to five last night. The teenager was killed when the four-wheel-drive rolled on Coast Rd, Muriwai, at about 9.45pm." http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10443527

Well well, what a bloody surprise, it has been just a matter of time before someone was killed at Muriwai. http://virtuallyhorses.blogspot.com/2006/11/peace-and-tranquility-of-country.html It was back in November when I said "No doubt it will take a serious accident or death on the access road to provoke any action on this escalating situation"

It may seem heartless but frankly I am relieved that they have not killed some innocent tourist, walker or recreational user who happenned to be on the same piece of road as these idiots. Maybe the police will take a little more notice of this area now. Don't hold your breath though...

Bridleways in the UK

Bridleways in the UK are being upgraded and expanded in an effort to increase tourism and local economies, as the two articles below show. Such a shame that this has not caught on in New Zealand yet. There are many new walkways opening or in planning - as horse riders we should all be lobbying to have these include horse traffic whenever possible.

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BHS opens new ride across Wales
Trevor Cooper, H&H news writer
28 May, 2007

A new 80-mile ride across farmland, forest and moorland has just been opened in Wales by the British Horse Society (BHS). Known as the Prince Llywelyn Ride, the trail runs from the Powys Shropshire border to the mid-Wales coast at Borth.

Mark Weston, BHS director of access, safety and welfare, said: "This new ride provides riders with the opportunity to ride across Wales, experiencing beautiful and varied landscapes and vistas. It will hopefully attract a large number of equine tourists to the area and make a significant contribution to the local economy."

The route was devised by former regional access and bridleways officer Brenda Wickham and passes through just five villages and a number of tiny hamlets. Ms Wickham said: "It has taken two years of hard work by a number of people to get to this point and it is wonderful to see all that effort come to fruition."

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Work continues on bridleway route

The area has outstanding natural beautyWork has started on the next phase of the new Pennine Bridleway through the Yorkshire Dales.
A section of the trail will be given a facelift as part of the huge project to create a route for riders and walkers.

The Pennine Bridleway will eventually link Derbyshire with Northumberland - a distance of 350 miles. The first Dales section - the Settle Loop - opened last August. Now the stretch between Feizor and Austwick is being restored.

Completely Irresponsible Comments from KWHPS - NZHERALD

Year after year, there are Kaimanawa horses sold to completely unsuitable homes during the wild horse round-ups.

So how irresponsible is it for the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Protection Society to make the following remark in the National newspaper when being interviewed on this years roundup? "The horses made excellent pets and work animals, said Kaimanawa Wild Horse Preservation Society (KWHPS) president Sharon Brown." - bloody irresponsible, I say!

These are wild horses, not pets. People with little or no knowledge of horses go along to these DOC sales thinking that they will have a cheap pony. The result is abandoned and ill-treated animals each year. Fortunately, there are no statistics on how many people are injured as a direct result of taking on a wild Kaimanawa. This is not to say that these horses won't make excellent pets or riding horses - of course they can and do, in the right hands. But it takes skill and experience to to train a wild animal and this is not the impression that either DOC or the KWHPS have given in this latest story in the Herald.

Read the full Herald Story Here

EveryRider

EveryRider is a really nicely written and presented blog. Well worth a visit it covers many topics that are dear to riders and owners hearts.