10th July, 2011 What to do with a stick

Here is Seven-Up from Horseworld demonstrating what to do with a stick!

10th July, 2011 Zoopharmacognosy

A few years ago I watched a demonstration by Caroline Ingraham who practises and teaches Applied Zoopharmacognosy. As a result I began to use some essential oils with my own horses. I was delighted to be able to meet up with her again for an exclusive demonstration for the Listening Post at Horseworld on Friday. The results can be seen in the next edition which is due to be published on 1st September.

6th July, 2011 Valley Equine Hospital

Yesterday I spent the day with the veterinary team at The Valley Equine Hospital on behalf of the Listening Post. Not only did I get to see the gastroscopy I needed to see, but I also observed a horse having his tendon flushed following an accident with a gate which caused an infection. Later I watched a urethral extension on a brood mare. The day reminded me of just how well and just how badly horses are designed especially when we put them under the stresses and strains of our lifestyles. Another fascinating day and an insight into just how a team should work, quietly co-operative, without ego and not afraid to check that you have heard things correctly.

5th July, 2011 Furry friends

On Friday I went out to a Welsh Cob that although broken in, had regressed to not being caught and being really frightened of ropes due to a mishap. As the fencing could not be trusted, I could put no pressure whatsoever on this little mare and therefore used clicker training from the outset. I asked her to touch and then put her nose in the furry hoola-hoop and then the furry hoola-hoop headcollar that Xanthe made for me. I left this with the owners and yesterday they got it all the way on successfully using clicker themselves.

7th July - "... she whinnied when I arrived again today and was fine with the fluffy headcollar and her own headcollar. I also led her a few steps using the headcollar and she didnt mind..." KF

I would hope that her owners can now retrace their steps through her education, perhaps spending more time on some areas in order to consolidate and to build up her confidence, before she is ridden again...

5th July, 2011 IH Garden Party

On Saturday we went up to Lambourn to Kelly's IH Garden Party. I'm not given to wearing frocks so white trousers was the best I could do. It was a fun afternoon with eighteen team members from Horseworld there and lots of IH people. I was touched to be a given a copy of 'For the Horses' a History of the Friends of the Bristol Horse Society which had been signed by the Horseworld Team. I was glad of my sunglasses as I went a little bashful.

1st July, 2011 Passed!!

My good friends Jenny Crouch and Jenny Major, both tutors on the Dartmoor Foal Handling Course, have passed the exams for the Monty Roberts' Preliminary Certificate in Horsemanship. They have both worked so hard and revised so well and really really deserve to have passed.

1st July, 2011 Whoosh Cobs

Never a week goes by I should think when I don't see a New Forest pony for one reason or another - but that is because I live here and the place is inundated with them. However, I also see at least one Welsh Cob a week and this week there have been two. I try not to label horses and don't like to make generalisations about any particular breed, nevertheless, I am going to rename the Welsh Cob the Whoosh Cob because of the propensity they seem to have for whooshing. Yesterday's Whoosh Cob's whooshing was intimidating the owner on the ground and affecting her confidence in the saddle, today's Whoosh Cob has decided to woosh when her owners want to catch her and during the week, my friend's Whoosh Cob has Whooshed so badly that he fell off and has now decided to Whoosh his hands of her. Of course, my whole life changed course as a result of a Whoosh Cob - otherwise I would still be a lawyer and perhaps have more money. Kelly says that she loves Whoosh Cobs because they keep all of her RA's in business. I reckon these ponies are at their best when they have a job to do - they certainly have a lot of stamina and make a good job of a decent hill. They are often speedy and strong too. They were bred of course to pull and carry things but they can never be called a quiet cob.