.:EQUUS:.

Moving on...

2007-07-24T22:55:00.000+10:00

Hey guys! Just to let you know that I've moved my blog along to http://equus.thomases.org/ so come along and check things out and don't forget to update your bookmarks!

Chris

Some photos from South Africa

2007-07-19T19:55:00.001+10:00

A river we had to cross on the third day on trail. On Puzzle, I had to bring my feet out of the stirrups and rest them up on the pommel to not get wet!

One of the three 3 month old cubs we got to play with at the Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve. This picture is huuuge if you click on it!

The view I woke up to outside my room two mornings of the trail. I could have lived at Wavecrest!

A photo of three of the boys used on trail; left to right - Suave, Puzzle and Dougal. Puzzle was my mount for the five days on trail - he is rising five, was one of the shortest on trail but boy could he move! Loved riding him.

"As the wind swept over the saddle, it turned to a mixture of bright colors and painted the world." - Ronan Warriors

Calling All Volunteers

2007-07-18T13:42:00.000+10:00

So I've just been looking at the Equitana website and remember the fun a friend had as a volunteer a couple of years back. And through being a volunteer and getting a pass and therefore access to the likes of vet Ian Bidstrup, Andrew and Bettina Hoy, saddler Peter Horobin, Linda and Pat Parelli, Sandi and David Simons and many more, who wouldn't want to be involved?

Equitana is run over the 15 - 18th of November 2007 at the EQUITANA Precinct, Melbourne Showgrounds, Victoria, Australia. If you're horse obsessed, and have that weekend free, consider checking it out! Better yet, volunteer and get yourself in amongst some of the best in the industry! Probably wouldn't look too bad on the resume, either ;)

The site is http://www.equitana.com.au/ and while you're there, do yourself a favour and check out the photo competition!

"An exhibitor went up to a horse show judge to complain about being placed below someone who made some sort of mistake, such as being on the wrong lead. The judge's explanation:'the other guy did it better wrong than you did it right.'"

Acquiring Funds/Passive Income

2007-07-14T14:21:00.000+10:00

So I've just spent all my saved money on my trip to South Africa - and it was well worth it! But I'm now back to square one, saving up again. Sometimes it seems a silly task due to the fact that as soon as I've saved a decent sum, I spend it all at once!

My mum is a big believer in building up a passive income and I'm starting to see the benefits. The general idea of a passive income is to have funds coming in without having to put in the work. Well that's not quite right. You put in the time and effort to start off with, but manage to build up a process by which eventually you're not working but still receiving money for the initial work. For example, you write a book and get it published and then put it as a product on Ebay. You've put in all the work and as the book gain's interest, you continue to sell it with no real continual effort from your behalf.

Now it's to be a long time before I see this dream realised, but it's nice to be aware of ways to bring in funds to put towards a goal and if I had this built up now, I'd be less worried about taking working holidays (granted, I learn lots and work lots and acquire contacts on these holidays) that aren't actually earning me any money while I'm away.

If you've a goal in mind - whether it be instructing horse riding; running your own property; renting a horse related property; start up your own business but you're not sure where to find the funds. For example, for insurance, purchasing a property or shop or ongoing costs of rent, feed, etc I encourage you to look around at the funds on offer. Just be willing to prove that you can make a living off your dream.

The Nescafe Big Break (http://www.nescafebigbreak.com.au/) although taking a break this year, has for the past 17 years provided funds (up to $20,000 to winners) for young Australians/New Zealanders to start up their own business.

The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (http://www.nna.asn.au/NEIS.htm) is focused on bringing back to the workforce people whom were previously unemployed, by training them up in business skills, creating a business plan and helping with funds to start their own business. I have a friend who is so excited as she has just finished work with NEIS and is to start her own photography business. Have you a passion for taking photos of horses, creating calendars, diaries? Perhaps you hadn't considered the possibility of turning it into a business…

Sorry that both of these links are Australian oriented, but if the only thing holding you back is funds, start researching the schemes or people that are willing to invest their time and money in others. Initially it may be a way for you to kick start things, but who knows - in the future it may be a way for you to invest in someone else's dream.

Also, don't underestimate the value of putting your money to work. Consider a savings account - every little bit helps. Ing Direct, an online savings acount is free to set up, has an interest rate of 6% and has a competition offering $10,000 to a random person whom sents up an account:
"When you use an Automatic Savings Plan (ASP) between 1 August and 31 October 2007 to deposit funds into your Savings Maximiser, you'll be automatically entered into the draws to win $10,000 in bonus interest. For every one dollar you deposit in August, September and October, you'll have one entry into the draw for that month. Deposit $100 in August and you'll have 100 entries into the draw for that month."

"If money can't buy happiness how do you get a horse?"

Jumps Course Design

2007-07-14T11:41:00.000+10:00

Really enjoy jumping? Love riding and working out related distances, setting up different types of jumps with rollbacks and interesting changes of lead? Perhaps you should look into jumps course designing.

http://www.aachen-course-design.com/ - Seems to be the place to go to learn about course design and get yourself known in the industry/gain certificates. Links to seminars on Course Design run through the Federation Equestre Internationale; upcoming seminars in Brazil, Russia, France, Australia and Germany.

http://www.jumpdesign.net/ - website of Eduard Petrovic, International Course Designer.

http://www.mudhotline.com/la/coursdes.htm - Longacres Course Design
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_jumping - Show Jumping on Wikipedia
http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/horsesense/sporthorse/jump_design/interview.html - Interview with Richard Jeffrey, renowned course designer.

"Been There... Jumped That!"

Professional Riding: Polo

2007-07-13T21:57:00.000+10:00

Different types of the sport:
Arena and outdoor polo. Read about the history of polo at http://www.hpa-polo.co.uk/about/history_polo.asp.

Horses needed – number:
As a beginner, 1-2 horses should do suffice to practice on and play matches. This can increase to 4 as your level progresses and even stables of 10+.

Costs involved:
Horse care – tack, polo equipment – helmut, boots kneeguards and mallets, shoeing regularly, vet bills, rugs, feeding and stabling. Game entries, tuition.

Rules of game:
Arena polo is made up of 4 chukkas (each 7 minutes in length) with teams swapping horses and goal ends at the end of each chukka. Indoor is played with 3 players per team on a field 300 x 150 feet.

Outdoor polo is played on a field of 160 x 300 yards – 10 times the size of an official arena. There are four players to each team and goal ends are changed each time a team scores a goal. There are six chukkas in outdoor polo. More horses are needed for outdoor as it is a faster, more demanding and longer played game.

Links to associations:
http://www.aapolo.com/ - Argentina Polo Association
http://www.us-polo.org/ - United States Polo Association
http://www.hpa-polo.co.uk/ - The governing body of polo in the UK, Ire and other countries worldwide.
http://www.sapolo.org.za/ - South African Polo
http://www.australianpolo.com.au/ - Australian Polo Association
http://www.fippolo.com/ - Federation of International Polo
http://www.polo.org.nz/ - New Zealand Polo Association

The game is fast paced and no doubt requires a decent amount of time and money to invest in horses! The financial rewards may not be the amount invested into polo, but many would argue the thrill of the game is award enough.

"A polo handicap is a persons ticket to the world." - Sir Winston Churchill

Job Opportunity: Weatherbeeta

2007-07-08T21:56:00.000+10:00

Hi guys!

Back from a week up in Sydney - have a post for you once I sort through all my stuff! Just thought I'd post a job possibility received through an email from Horseland.

'Weatherbeeta are looking for a new Marketing Coordinator to join their vibrant Marketing team based in Nunawading, Victoria. If you have a passion for horses, a marketing degree, and at least 12 months marketing experience Weatherbeeta would love to hear from you!

Send your resume to jobs@weatherbeeta.com.au by 11th July.'

Weatherbeeta specialise in horse rugs and provide for the US/Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

"Horse people are stable people."

The Joys the Wild Coast has to Offer.

2007-06-22T21:13:00.000+10:00

Well, I've less than a week left in South Africa and I've had an absolute ball. The current group of work riders plus one staff and the proprietor of Wild Coast Horse Trails have just been out on a trail for five days. The trip in a nutshell? We rode from Kei Mouth to Trennery's to Wavecrest, along the Eastern Coast of South Africa.

Consequently, you see a lot of sand and surf! Two nights are spent at each place in gorgeous rooms on the beach. The trail involved around 3-5 hours in the saddle each day, long canters up hills and across the beach; a gorgeous gallop and lots of breath taking scenery - a ship wreck, sand dunes, rocks, hills and beach, cliffs and valleys and South African culture.

Before the trail I had the time to ride 15 of the horses here - up roads working on fitness; on trails round the 400 hectare property and at the beach and school horses in flat and jumping - what a great riding experience!

I also got to work with a foal that was born the night I arrived, work with weanlings, yearlings and stallions; free lunge endurance horses and learn Join Up and start two 3 year old mares under saddle. Oh, and I've raided an impressive horse library here, making note of a half-dozen must haves for my collection and have read five books while here - relaxing!

Yesterday we got to go to the Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve and saw warthog, giraffes, a rhino, many types of antelope, lions, ostriches, wildebeast, kingfisher, elephants and finished up playing with cheetah and lion cubs - just gorgeous. Photos to follow when I get home!

For the horse riding enthusiast, you can't pass this working/riding holiday up!

"Good horses make short miles."

Ask and You Will Receive

2007-06-13T01:22:00.000+10:00

One of the horse's I've ridden and watched closely while here in South Africa is a piebald mare rising four years old, who was backed (put under saddle) last November. Partly her temperament and breeding can be attributed to this responsive young animal. The other instigator? The backing method here is along the lines of Monty Robert's classic 'Join Up'.

I was curious to hear this as for my next adventure, I want to be just above Australia; helping out at Tiwi College and helping with 2,000 or so wild horses on the islands. The man I know linked in with the Tiwi College plans has informed me they use the Monty Roberts' method for young people from broken homes so suddenly this way of doing things has my attention twofold.

I commented how I was disappointed that I couldn't see this process carried out before I went home from South Africa and suddenly the proprietor was on the phone to friends and days later, we had two mares about 3 years of age, barely handled to practice Join Up with.

Four days into the process (working with each mare for about an hour each day) and we have been on the chestnut mare twice, having her happily walk and trot around under saddle with a rider in the saddle. The bay mare we started under saddle today and she took things well.

It has been amazing to see all the signs these gorgeous animals give off in regards to body language and submission. Sometimes it's very subtle, other times it's as if their whole body is shouting, "please, let me be friends. I'd rather be with you than away."

Now both have been amazingly quiet in accepting the saddle, but just so you know - it took hours to get a head collar on both mares and a long time to get them into a lunging ring to be able to start the process. Oh, and the bay mare loves to bite - anything within her reach and the ears go flat back and the teeth are bared - she is obviously the dominant one of the pair. And go figure, only by asking have we been able to get a saddle on her so quickly. Amazing.

"It is easier to attach reins to a freight train and practice pulling to a halt than it is to slow down some of our horses."

Calling All Bloodstock Wannabes

2007-06-01T01:52:00.000+10:00

So I've signed up to receive news from William Inglis, a rather large bloodstock setup here in Australia and thought I'd share one of the emails as it's regarding a 12 month position with the Inglis crew.

So if you're interested in/wanna learn about "an excellent opportunity to gain an understanding of the workings of William Inglis & Son... spending 12 months gaining experience in all facets of the company," take a look at the William Inglis and Son Internship.

"Time will be predominantly spent within the bloodstock sector of the firm, while the opportunity to work within the company’s marketing, leasing and insurance divisions, will offer this person a succinct knowledge and thorough understanding of the runnings of a respected auctioneer/bloodstock agency."

They have setups in Newmarket, New South Wales and at Oaklands Junction, Victoria, Australia and applications are due in by October 26, 2007.

"Whoever said that money cannot buy happiness didn't know where to buy a horse."

A Place to Vent Online - SIM/Roleplaying

2007-05-29T02:11:00.000+10:00

...the 21st century way to excite kids about horses...

My childhood horse loves were Jinny, Silver Brumby and Saddle club - the books, not the shows - and I'm sure previous generations fell in love with equines through Black Beauty and National Velvet.

There are so many "places" online that now fuel a horse obsession in the form of simulation games and roleplaying. For many, this is an easy "fix" for the horse obsessed who are without a horse. On Horseland you can create, breed, train and show practically any breed of horse. Those successful in the game are filthy rich (since when was it so common to be handed $10,000 to start investing in horses and over a short time accumulate 10's or 100's of millions?) and have horses with a high number of "points" from wins or places in shows.

...and all I want is a lousy $3 Million and a half dozen of my own broodmares... and some hacks, and carriages... and, I'm getting carried away!

http://www.equination.net - Equination.net (aka "EQ") is an online virtual thoroughbred horse racing simulation game. In this game, each user (aka "stable") has the ability to manage every aspect of their horses, which includes: purchasing/selling; claiming; breeding; training; racing; and much more.
This exciting and free ongoing game is family-safe and enjoyed by people of every age group from all over the world. With plenty of instructions throughout the game and technical assistance just a click away, users don't even need any knowledge of horses or how horse racing works. (Though it is helpful) You can also play with either a basic account which is free, or a premium account, which you pay a certain amount each year and it gives you access to other goodies on the site, like the Race Viewer, where you can actually watch the races your horses run in.

http://www.equintium.com - Similar to Horseland.com. Buy, sell, breed and show horses.

http://www.howrse.com - Join us for free and play on Howrse, create your first horse or pony, choose his/her breed, coat, name and find out all his/her capacities. Look after him/her and make him/her the best. Then you will have the chance to become the best breeder!
Discover an entire world of horses in a fascinating game! You can also run an equestrian centre, but need to be at riding level 3, and you get that after 20 days of logging on.

Fancy "being" the horse? Consider roleplaying:

http://www.freewebs.com/lost-intentions - The Story:
Through the years, Lost Intentions has seen many come and go, leaving their prints within the ever growing book of legends. Sadly enough most of these have been forgotten for they hadn't been passed from generation to generation as they once were. But never fear...

Your Role
Come and make your own life with your own horse, either go and live your normal equine life or make a carrie that hates other stallion. Rebel against all stallions, and when they come in to make trouble you give them a peice of your mind! Lost Intentions is for all Levels and is currently rated PG-13, and is filled with friendly people. PS. there are lead spots open as well!

http://www.freewebs.com/odina - RPG by Sharyn that "needs members, once I finish it, and I hope it'll be really active. Set in the Australian High Country, age and breed have been abolished, as there will only be Brumby's here. And also, who can remember how old their horse is and such? I can't, so I've gotten rid of that. The only 'ages' we have are foal, young adult, and adult. All you have to do is remember what year your horse was born, if born in Odina. More stuff on the rules page."

*thanks to Sharyn for these links!

"Horse's comment on a car - '150 horsepower, big deal. I'd be impressed if it ran on hay.'"

What Could Be More Appealing?

2007-05-28T02:48:00.000+10:00

Three days in South Africa and I’ve been horseriding twice – all day Friday (beach to town to bush) and 10kms Sunday morning up the road. Rhino were pointed out to me and warthog and there’s promise of many more rides and scenery to come. I had the joy of riding Top Deck – a roan/grey arab gelding on Sunday morning and was riding with a young man who does endurance riding. The result: trotting 4kms or so before heading back at a walk (only cause my mount felt a bit sore, or I’m sure we would have continued at the same pace).

To keep up with the horse in front, Top Deck extended his trot beautifully or broke into a rocking horse canter which I could have sat to all day. What a gorgeous feeling!

Running a trail ride business is half of the package here. I’m learning a bit about the family’s real passion: endurance racing in South Africa.

A horse will start around the age of four and a half or older. If only four, they can start in 30km rides, but no more than this distance. There are 80, 120 and 200km rides. You can race an 80km competitively or can enter and run the first leg (30km) and if all’s well the next 30 and finally the last 20. You get no recognition of having competed, but do build up km’s for you and your horse.

At the end of each leg, a horse’s fitness is tested and if deemed fine by a vet, you can continue racing the next leg of the ride. Before the race, the Cardiac Recovery Index (CRI) or Ridgeway test is performed on the horses.

The essential element of this test is the horse is put through an exercise period of around 30 seconds followed by a similar rest period. The horse’s heart rate is then monitored a minute after the exercise starts to see if it’s heart rate has returned to normal – this being the heart rate that is taken before the test is started to establish a resting heart rate figure. The exercise is carried out at the trot and over 80 metres – 40 away from and 40 towards the vet.

There is no monetary value for endurance racing though some events have sponsors who provide prizes. However, most are taken part in for the recognition of kilometers for the horse and rider. There is of course also the sense of achievement through having trained up a horse to be fit enough to cover these distances at a trot or canter. If you love your time in the saddle and to be constantly moving, consider this form of horse riding!

"Riding is not a sport, it is a passion. If you do not share the passion, you do not know the sport, and therefore are wasting your time."

Your Hands, Their Feet

2007-05-23T12:08:00.000+10:00

I always thought farriery was the way to go - variety, good money, physically active - and then concluded equine dentistry was even more appealing. Yes, it was the money that persuaded me, how did you guess? However, I see some pros for farriery in that this business is easier to run on a smaller client base - your horse's feet need doing every 2 months, unlike the teeth which are done annually, calling for more people to use you to be constantly in work.

Spending the majority of my short working life on studs, I've viewed many foals born with the most interesting looking legs. Sometimes it's the vet's job to fix problems; others the farrier can fix in various ways.

The legs are a focus over the first few months of a foal's life as at this age, things can be adjusted to "encourage" growth in a different direction (correcting/minimising the problem).

For example - a foal that toes in - a farrier can rasp a little more off a particular side, encouraging extra growth on this side, pushing the foot in the opposite direction, straightening it out over time. The end result may not be a 100% correct horse, but can alleviate problems, make them more correct and therefore more appealing to buyers/less likely to receive stresses on their legs while in work.

In Victoria it's pretty common for a farrier to charge around $50 to trim your horse's feet (less, the more horses you have) and around $100 for a set of shoes all round. Now in a day one farrier can easily manage 20 horses. Say they were all done at the same place, all trims and therefore at a cheaper rate - $30 - this is still $600 for the day. And honestly, they can manage more, but 20 horses would be quite a demand on the body!

To become a farrier in Oz, you're looking at a 3 year apprenticeship with what I've been told is an average income, but once you've invested this time over the short term, the wage is a lot more appealing.

Some Associations:
American Farriers Association:
http://www.americanfarriers.org/

Aust. Farriers and Blacksmiths Association:
http://www.afba.org.au/

New Zealand Farrier's Association:
http://www.nzfarriers.co.nz/

Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association:
http://www.bwfa.net/

"Be wary of the horse with a sense of humour." - Pam Brown

Off to South Africa!

2007-05-23T11:46:00.000+10:00

I'm heading off to the airport this afternoon so for those of you browsing through/reading this blog, there will be limited updates over the next month. I am not sure of how much internet access I'll have while over there, so probably won't be posting as often.

However, I do have a few pieces half written so may be able to finish these or will get them up ASAP upon returning. They will cover the likes of farriery, polo, hopefully a piece on course designing and online horse games.

Catchya!

Chris

"Here is one little girl who would rather clean a stall than her own room...
Here is one little girl who would rather wear chaps than a party dress...
Here is one little girl who would rather go to the barn than the mall..."

Mixing Cattle and Horses

2007-05-14T15:53:00.000+10:00

I was at work last week and sometimes feel rather like a valet parking person... for horses. One of our clients had just finished his ride and I took his horse off him and started to untack while he got the trusty animal some snacks that he'd left in the car.

Upon his return, I was amused to once again have someone comment on my age. For a 22 year old, rising 23, it's funny when people question "So, you got a day off school today and wanted to play with some horses, ey?" Where I instruct, some mothers don't consider me looking old enough to drive - I'm gonna having fun when running my property convincing people of my age and experience!

I got chatting with the client and he mentioned how he was having a few lessons before heading off on a Cattle Drive coming up very shortly. Curious, I found out from him that it's an annual event that people can take part in for five days at a time.

The drive starts in South Australia and works in around four parts, a certain number of people trek the cattle to a previously planned location and then do a swap, after the 5 days of travel, another group takes over the large head of cattle and moves them onto the next location and so forth until the whole trek has been carried out. Sounds very interesting and a great chance to see some awesome scenery in Australia's bush!

Looking at the site, it states the ride "...offers people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, the opportunity to re-live the glory years of Australia's outback cattle drovers by riding alongside real working people, moving a real herd through real outback wilderness."

Check out the Annual Great Australian Cattle Drive at http://www.goway.com/cattledrive/.

"Heels down and head up, knees down and heart up, ankles close to your horse's side, elbows close to your own."

An Abundance of Horse Jobs

2007-05-12T22:43:00.000+10:00

So! I've added a random "quote" generator to the page, listing horse jobs, careers, possibilities working with or in relation to horses. There's 54 in total listed in the coding, so if you think of other job possibilities with horses that you think others should know about, feel free to let me know so I can add them to the coding!

Invest in the Best

2007-05-12T00:21:00.000+10:00

5 Top Tips to further/establish your equine career.

Invest in yourself:
If you're looking to improve yourself for a particular field but struggle with the idea of a full time focus on acquiring skills or a piece of paper; consider work and study. For example, I was working on a horse stud and am interested in teaching, so took up a correspondence course for instructing while working. I could do it at my own pace and because it all relates to horses, things I was doing at work (although not directly related to teaching people to ride) were of benefit to me in this study.
Many put off furthering their skills/starting in a new area until they can focus solely on this decision and consequently end up not doing anything at all.

Invest in others:
Make yourself known; get out there. Attend events related to an area you are working or wish to work. It is possible to do so through work, for example I attend horse sales with my job and have received other work through being seen at these sales. People start to recognise you if you get out there often enough and if you're taking the time to get to know them and what they do, you may just find it'll help you in your particular focus.

Invest in education:
Consider saving to invest in furthering your knowledge - books, a particular course, even travel to a particular property or country to focus on a certain discipline. If this is the place where you can get access to the 'experts', then consider going there.

Invest in the future:
Set goals for tasks that would be of benefit for you to have achieved and find ways to learn or master that particular skill. When I first started out working on a stud, through my six weeks of work placement leading up to that employment I did all I could - injections, dealt with the birth of foals, handled the stallions, mares for covers, helped with vetting, feeding. In the last week I concluded the only thing I hadn't done was drive the tractor around the farm... A rather amused boss obliged to this request, also!

Invest in your industry:
Find out if there are any clubs, federations, etc that you can be a part of in a particular industry you want to work/be known. Many of these clubs have a fee which means you're putting money into that industry, proving you're taking it seriously but as an added benefit, you're being informed of events, changes, important things in relation to this field. Also, you're getting to know key people in this industry.

"A horse is like a violin, first it must be tuned, and when tuned it must be accurately played."

The Value of Planning and Planting

2007-05-10T11:30:00.000+10:00

Many people that are strong influences in my life teach and agree on the value of planning and planting - my parents, pastors at church, people I work with - all of whom are successful people that I look up to.

It is so important to (metaphorically speaking) plant a seed - discover your life's desire - and work (plan) on having this come to pass. For me, it's of course my property and reaching people through it and doing what I love.

One of the beautiful men I work with up in the country when doing the whole stud thing works on a few different studs as well as running his own 50 acre property. He has commented often on how he wishes he'd planted trees on first purchasing the property over seven years ago. The time has quickly passed and he knows it would have been smart to take the time initially, to see the fruits now.

In the middle of a strong drought for us here in Australia, the upkeep of horses is proving to be difficult and very expensive - especially for those utilising these gorgeous animals as part of a business. My current boss who has the facilities to keep horses is taking advantage of this time, getting good horses cheap because she can afford to keep them while others can't. I'd much rather be in this boat than considering selling my beloved equine because I couldn't afford to keep him!

Always with my (yet to be purchased) property in mind, I am looking for ways to be able to set myself up to be self sufficient so that I won't suffer from problems that could have been at least lessened due to planning.

Trees provide shelter, wind breaks, shade and more importantly at this time I'm coming to realise, can work well as fodder. My boss has recently been pruning back many trees on her property - not as a big garden clean up, but because certain trees are quite appealing to the horses and work as a gut filler in this time where grass and hay is scarce.

The worker who has implanted into my brain the importance of planting trees on your property when first purchased has mentioned how valuable something like a lucerne tree can be - it's a big bushy plant that can act as shade or a windbreak but more importantly, is appealing to horses and if planted and allowed to grow, can be of great value in times of a drought. Curious about other trees that could do the same thing, I did a search on the net and have found a half dozen trees that could be used as fodder (and wind breaks, shade, fire protection, etc).

I also stumbled across the book - Managing Horses on Small Properties by Jane Myers - which I purchased online (74 horse books in My Library, now!). Check out http://www.landlinks.com/?nid=20&pid=4896 for info on this book. Listed in this book for good fodder trees are:
- Willows, especially Weeping Willows - drought tolerant
- Poplars - tolerate dry periods
- Carob
- Honey Locust
- Tagasaste (Lucerne tree)

Also take a look at Landscape Design on the Sustainability Victoria Website - ESHousingManualCh10.pdf
Did you know that:
- Dense trees and shrubs can deflect strong winds and channel cooling summer breezes?
- A tree shading a window can reduce a room's temperature by up to 12 degrees celcius?
- Deciduous trees provide summer shade yet allow winter sun access?
- Winbreaks are most effective when located at 90 degrees to the direction of the wind?

Some very helpful points on this .pdf file linked above. If you're going to invest time in your horses and have a property, why not invest in planning and planting as well? It'll only benefit you.

"Love means attention, which means looking after the things we love. We call this stable management." - George H. Morris, The American Jumping Style

More of the Force

2007-05-05T09:29:00.000+10:00

So I got an email back yesterday from a Senior Sergeant at the New South Wales Mounted Police. Here are her replies to the questions I've sent out:

Do you have to be a certain rank as a police officer to become a mounted police officer?
To join the Mounted Police you need to have 3 years of general duties policing experience.

Do you need horse skills or are these taught?
You really need to have some basic horse knowledge and skills to be a successful applicant. And also a good level of fitness as it is quite a physical job riding all day and working with horses.

Why did you join the Mounted Police?
I joined the Mounted Police along with most of my collegues to combine a love of horses and riding with a worthwhile career in policing. It is a very unique job and I feel priviliged to be a part of this organisation and the continuance of such a historical institution.

How much of the job is horse related?
All of this occupation is revolved around horses being the riding of and management of. Obviously when we do Police work on our horses we have to do relevant paperwork and go to court etc...

How long have you been a mounted police person?
I have been with the NSW Mounted Police for 18 years.

Is lots of training involved for the horses?
Yes the horses have quite extensive assessment and training. This training is pretty much on going for the horses to keep them fit and obedient.

What would a normal day consist of for you?
For me a normal day could be anything from completing my relevant paperwork, to attending a demonstration or public protest, patrolling the streets of sydney or a country location, training at randwick racetrack or just mucking out some stables, grooming horses and doing general tasks that need to be completed every day such as vetting horses and checking shoes etc taking horses for spells, assessing new horses and instructing new riders.

New South Wales Police Website:
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/

"How to ride a horse:
Step One - Mount the horse...
Step Two - Stay mounted..."

A Tooth Fairy Goldmine

2007-05-03T18:51:00.000+10:00

Admittedly, I am terrible with my horse's teeth - I've had him rising 10 years and not had his teeth done once. (Gasp, shock horror!). Initially, it was ignorance and quite possibly still could be, but I've figured as long as he's in good condition and having no problems keeping weight (he's always rather festively plump) that he's chewing and digesting everything alright.

Well he had them done for the first time today, along with 23 other horses at one of the riding schools I work at. Apparently they get done this time each year and the same trusty equine dentist comes out with his helper and they get them done in a day.

Now, between the two of them they managed 24 horses in 4 hours. For curiosity's sake I enquired about costs - if it's a special visit for just your horse, you're looking at around $110 to have their teeth done. For a number of horses, it's $50. So, in the four hours, they made $1,200.00 between the two of them and this was only from the one riding school.

They'd done a few before coming out to us and had another half dozen or so to do before finishing up for the day. What an income! The main dentist pointed out he has a bit in the way of expenses - the big one being insurance and then lesser - petrol, cost of floats (used to do the horses' teeth - one costs around $100 and he went through four between the 24 horses). But still, taking out $400 for the floats, say $60 for a tank of petrol and then giving even half to his coworker would leave him with around $370.

I'm sure it's higher as the apprentice probably gets a lot less than 50% of the day's earnings! So, for around $100 an hour, not a bad way to work at all!

The dentist who annually comes out to this riding school advocates the course at Melbourne University - one year of study, one year on the job. Apparently there's a lot of people doing the course and too many from Victoria, so quite a few get trained and then head overseas to put their skills to use. But consider two years of training, then another few years on the job and travelling and then you'd be set with experience, a build up of clients in more than one country and the chance to earn a decent income with horses. Not a bad five-year-plan, ey?

"A stubborn horse walks behind you, an impatient horse walks in front of you, but a noble companion walks beside you."

Movies and Novels Igniting the Passion

2007-04-28T18:22:00.000+10:00

There’s nothing quite like a viewing of the Black Stallion or settling in a comfy chair on a rainy afternoon and delving into the likes of the Silver Brumby or the classic Black Beauty. And really, this is where the passion for horses starts for many.

It’s been a very interesting week – working at one of the riding schools and ending up with new instructors and therefore learning even more while in the saddle. This has been topped off by a weekend of teaching today and a gymkhana tomorrow and Monday I’m going to another Thoroughbred Sale. And in less than four weeks time, South Africa! Guess I can’t complain about things being boring ;)

I had some friends over last night and yesterday morning in anticipation of wanting to eat lots of junk, I drove down to the local IGA store to stock up on the essentials – chocolate, icecream and Pringles. Where could you go wrong? My mistake – parking right in front of the Opp Shop next door to the IGA.

Now I keep telling myself that I won’t purchase any more horse books until I’ve read all the ones I’ve got (still got 15 of those to read. Well, now it’s 17). It’s a bit hard not to notice when you look up from parking the car and staring at you out of the shop window is the front cover of a book that definitely has a horse on it. Now horse books are enough to have my attention, but extremely cheap horse books? I’m doomed. So of course I wandered in and go figure, the book I’d seen wasn’t actually about horses, just had one on the front. But this led me to spotting A Horse Called Butterfly by Thurley Fowler. The front cover of a girl sitting in a tree looking completely unimpressed with a Palomino beside her jogged a memory of reading the book around fifteen years ago in primary school – scary!

So, I just had to add it to my collection and another – Pony Jobs for Jill by Ruby Ferguson that was on the same shelf. Addicted? Indeed.

I was telling a client about this at one of the riding schools that I was at earlier in the week and she commented how it was the movie National Velvet that actually convinced her to follow up on a childhood dream. Now with a child of her own who is old enough to be riding, she has finally acted on the desire to ride that was long ago ignited probably due to a similar movie or favourite horse book. It’s the likes of these classics that keep instructors and stable hands in work, I do believe.

Love reading horse related pieces yourself? Take a look at ridersnreapers.com – two pieces: Shivers and Taken Care Of. There’ll be another up there titled In the Midst of Adversity when the next edition comes out; a third horse piece I’ve written.
Got a rather large collection of horse books yourself? See if it compares to mine and tell me what I’m missing!

"There are only two emotions that belong in the saddle; one is a sense of humour and the other is patience." - John Lyons

Straight to the Source

2007-04-19T22:18:00.001+10:00

And my current source? This week, the force. Mounted Police if you want to get down to specifics.

I've sent out a request to the London, Royal Canadian, New South Wales and Victoria Mounted Police to see if they'd answer a half dozen questions or so for me. I'm waiting on the answers from Canada as they agreed to answer my questions but as yet haven't heard back from London or NSW.

A Victorian Sergeant was kind enough to answer them and promptly returned his replies:

Do you have to be a certain rank as a police officer to become a mounted police officer?
No a constable can apply but only after they have completed their probationary period of 2 years

Do you need horse skills or are these taught?
Yes you do require horse skills as the positions available are highly sought after and for safety reasons you have to be competent on a horse before attempting to become a member of the Mounted Police.

Why did you join the Mounted Police?
I grew up with horses and I wanted to use my experience with horses in a policing role.

How much of the job is horse related?
At the Mounted Branch all of the tasks we attend are horse related.

How long have you been a mounted police person?
I have been a member of the Mounted Branch for 13 years.

Is lots of training involved for the horses?
Yes the horses are constantly undergoing training even when they are a fully qualifed troop horse.

What would a normal day consist of for you?
Stable work in the morning for an hour depending on the current tasks riding my horse at a variety of activities (patrols/ceremonial jobs training or protests).

Victoria Police Website:
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/

"Our hoofbeats were many, but our hearts beat as one."

Equine Dentistry

2007-04-16T21:59:00.000+10:00

I have a mate who’s considered pursuing this career path with horses – in between stud work, polocrosse and farriery. He’s mentioned that to get into training in Australia can be difficult as not many are taken in each year to receive formal training. Still, I’d never really followed up possibilities or thought about this profession. Have found a few courses and listed information below.
Anatomy has always interested me and suddenly a 3 month course in New Zealand seems a perfect way to focus on that interest and visit a country I really want to see.

New Zealand:
3 Month course, limited places.
Based in Pukekohe in the Franklin District, 50kms south of Auckland City Centre, NZ., accommodation provided. Application form on site.
Cost: NZ$20,000 (Aus$17,800 / USD$14,800 - converted at xe.com)
http://www.equinedentistryschool.co.nz/

Idaho, USA:
2 day – 2 week courses. Application form on site.
Cost: USD$400 - $4,400
http://www.equinedentalacademy.com/

The American School of Equine Dentistry:
Virginia, USA. 4 week intensive Introduction to Equine Dentistry Course. Application on site.
Cost: USD$5,500 (plus $650 including accommodation)
http://www.amscheqdentistry.com/

College of Equine Dentistry, Australia:
Located near Gunnedah, New South Wales. Courses offered in January, June and October annually. Application form on site.
http://www.equinedentistry.com.au/

Equine Dentistry Information Site:
http://www.hanne.com/
International Association of Equine Dentistry:
http://www.iaedglobal.com/

"The Horse... If God made anything more beautiful he kept it for himself!"

Educating Self with a First Class Teacher...

2007-04-16T15:28:00.000+10:00

...your horse.

It's amazing all the different theories, exercises, recipes and discplines that are covered in horse-related books these days. You can learn a lot from them, granted; but it just doesn't beat the hands on experience of having your own horse.

I had one of the girls at work asking me the other week about the costs of owning a horse and have concluded that in Victoria, Australia, $5000 would be a good amount to save up in order to be equipped for 12 months of horse related expenses.

Farrier - the horse's feet need to be done every 6-8 weeks. Cost around $50; this can be cheaper (around $25) if done with other horses.

Food - 25kg bag of oaten chaff, lucerne chaff and bag of pellets. Cost around $80; if the horse needed to be fed; this would last for 2 months, based on a pony being fed at least four times a week

Agistment - $50 weekly; can be more expensive than this or a lot cheaper, but a reasonable rate to expect - should come with somewhere decent to ride.

Extras to consider - riding lessons - one per fortnight at around $50 for a 45 minute lesson.

One off costs - saddle, bridle, brushes, from around $300-$900. You can usually get a beginners start up kit (fully mounted saddle) for around $200-$300.

Total annual cost for farrier, feeding, agistment, fortnightly lessons and around $500 worth of tack - $5,145. Got all this? Better start saving for the horse!

"When in doubt, ask a horse."

Consider yourself a good horse person?

2007-04-13T21:24:00.000+10:00

...and have a heart for helping others?

It's amazing how you end up in the right place at the right time for the important things. I meet up with some gorgeous friends Thursday mornings as part of a prayer group from 7-9am and this Thursday just passed (when I was more than happy to stay in bed rather than go out!) I dragged myself out of bed to catch up with these friends and spend some quality time.

The partner of one of the girls' mum's was down for a visit from Darwin (Australia) and as he asked about what we each did with ourselves, talk quickly turned to horses as I mentioned what I do.

Turns out the guy - Andy - is on the lookout for 'horsepeople' who also have a heart for helping others from troubled backgrounds. His passion in life is focused on Tiwi College.

I'm still reading up on all this but from what I gather:
- Bathurst and Melville Islands (the Tiwi Islands) were proclaimed an Aboriginal Reserve on the 4th of December 1912
- The total land area is almost 780,000 hectares. Melville Island is the second largest islands off the Australian mainland and spans 570,000 hectares. Bathurst comprises 210,000 hectares.
- Tiwi College is an "exciting development designed to provide quality secondary education for all Tiwi young people. The college will be owned and operated by the Tiwi people through the Tiwi Education Board representing all Tiwi families and communities."
- It is to be located at Pickertaramoor on Melville Island, where students will be accommodated in family group homes. The College features ‘24 hr education’ combining classroom learning with sport, life skills, outdoor education and contributions to the life of the College.

Where do the horses come into it?

Andy mentioned that there are thousands of horses running over one of the Islands and that to put them to use, it'd be amazing to be able to place these gorgeous animals with these gorgeous young adults and establish learning and a relationship between the two. Apparently staff are trained to be able to educate and work with the Tiwi people and some of the training involves the 'Monty Roberts' method - for the horses and the young adults!

I'm part of a young adults group at my Church and one of the girls with us that morning who is also 'horsey' commented on how amazing it would be for our young adults group to be able to invest in something like this - our time, money and any hands willing to work over there. And to think - selfish me was just thinking how much fun I'd find it!

Now I tend to job/holiday hop and can't stay in one place for very long and it seems that this kind of experience would require a decent investment timewise (6, 12 months, I'm not sure but will find out!) But if you love working with horses, have a heart for young people and think a change of scene just might be your thing in the near future, then check out the site... and check back here for updates!

"A Dog looks up to a man,
A cat looks down on a man,
But a patient horse looks a man in the eye and sees him as an equal."

Unique Opportunity - Level One Instructing

2007-04-07T22:12:00.000+10:00

Got some mail from the Equestrian Federation of Australia the other day for those enrolled in their Level 1. Now I've been really slack and not read over it yet but thought I'd post an ad that came with it. This is the sort of situation that I'd take up if I wasn't doing seasonal work! Maybe those interested in competing/teaching should consider possibilities like this:

Provided with shared accommodation and pool on 26 acre Equestrian based property; paddock agistment for 1 horse; 3 lessons a week; attendance at workshops for Introductory/Level One Coach trainees - conducted by resident Coach Educator - all for the price of a normal rental.

Other possibilities include - transport to local competitions; educated horses to learn on; experience in coaching, grooming at shows, etc; help in work placement.

ALL available on flexible part time basis (for those of you in full/part time employment or studying).

Candidates NEED - no previous experience in industry; just keen to learn and a love of horses. Where could you go wrong? Location - Hawkesbury, NSW, Australia.

Contact - Sally-Ann Barbera horswise@acay.com.au (not sure if this should be horsEwise@acay.com.au - but copied from Ad I received).

"You Know You're A Horse Person When... trying to calm down a baby, you start crooning 'Whoa, now, easy.'"

Equine Photography

2007-04-03T13:05:00.000+10:00

When I think horse photos, the main name that comes to mind for me is Bob Langrish. Every year for the past decade or more I have been given a horse calendar as part of a Christmas present and every year, the photos have been by this photographer.

Have just stumbled across another who has some brilliant works - Robert Vavra.

*These pictures from the Robert Vavra site and copyright to him.

Horse Photography is another avenue that could be explored as a possible career relating to horses. I'm not aware of a particular course relating to learning how to specifically photograph horses; but am sure there are many animal or live subject courses focusing on photographing moving creatures.

If you're already taking shots, perhaps you haven't considered the possibility of having these published, and why not do so online? There are sites out there that take in people's photos and publish them in catalogs/books that are sold online. They can also be publicised on popular sites and possibly provide a payment for photos that are published.

One site I know of that publishes 'rural' photos and stories is Ridnersnreapers.com. Check it out.

Have you considered horse magazines; sending in pictures where appropriate or taking photos for people that are wanting to sell their horses? Visit horse events to practice and become known as a photographer. Events like competitions, races, rodeos, pony clubs, sale days.

If there is a passion there and you're proving to have some skill, pursue it! Bob Langrish "is a totally self-taught photographer". Who's to say you can't achieve the same?

"Horses leave hoofprints on your heart."

Time is Short, Use it.

2007-04-01T20:53:00.000+10:00

I was chatting with a few of the girls down at horseriding over the past week and realised a few things that could help those pursuing a lifetime of horses.

Taking Advantage of Hemispheres:
One is doing year twelve with the aim to become an Equine Vet. She commented on how the study is long (5 years) and the pay not so appealing initially. Looking at the midterm (say 10 years out of highschool - which moves quicker than you realise!) it is possible to make your input of 5 years at uni and the first few years out turn into a job you love, decent income and still some time to enjoy yourself!

On the studs I frequent there's a vet that works the breeding season here in Australia. In their mid to late twenties they haven't been out of study all that long, but in a short time (because they KNOW where they want to specialise), they have taken advantage of the two hemispheres. Our breeding season (August 1 - December 31st) they spend in Australia before soaring over to Ireland for the stud season there.

Effecitvely, they're getting twice the amount of hands on in the peak of the season in comparison to those who stay home during the quieter time of the year for a reproductive vet. Result - one who has commented on having too much money and too much time! Not that I would ever complain about that!:)

Riding Schools in Your Area:
Another I was chatting with is quite a bit younger and eager to start working in a riding school as this is where she'd spend all her time if permitted. If you discover your passion at a young age, pursue it! It'll put you largely in front of those who are still deciding in their later years of highschool/uni.

It is possible in Australia from the age of 13 to be a 'helper' at riding schools that need the extra pair of hands. They take on the horse crazy (often) girls and over the weekend have them help to tack up ponies, assist others learning about horses, pick up yards, feed horses, etc. Some, mundane tasks indeed, but why not at a young age learn about the good and bad jobs so you can ascertain if that industry is for you?

If considering this field, look into the riding schools in your area and give them a call if old enough to see what you can do to help and most importantly, learn.

"If you look back over mans path to victory, you will see it is lined with the bones of horses."

Qualifications Needed to Own a Horse Stud

2007-03-31T16:42:00.000+10:00

So I don't believe there's any rule about this one... one of my bosses bought a stud after managing his own mechanic shop. Another grew up on the property and took over after his dad. I think anyone with the money or interest can manage this one; whether or not they have any pieces of paper to say they know a thing or two about horses.

Just thought I'd put a piece up here cause it's a topic or phrase that was searched upon and resulted in someone visiting this blog.

The above is exactly what I want to do with my life - own my own horse property and breed horses (plus lots of other things!). Currently I have three pieces of paper - all pretty much in the same area. Certificate II in Horse Studies (12 month course gained at 17 years of age); Diploma of Horse Studies (2 year course gained at 20 years of age) and a Certificate of Merit from the Irish National Stud (6 month course gained at 21 years of age).

I don't believe any of these are NEEDED to own or run a horse stud. However, I believe ALL have brought me to the stage where if I had the funds at this very moment, I'd happily consider myself capable of running a horse property; focusing on breeding.

If your desire is to run your own horse place; I encourage you to look into doing a course, expecially if you haven't been brought up with horses. It's an awesome way to get experience and a piece of paper; to gain friends in the industry for life and to learn of important contacts in that same industry.

There's no particular course that is the essential one to help you do so; but if you're considering studying, think about doing a course that is at least 12 months, moreso 2 years or more and is at least at Diploma level. These courses are generally 'management' courses; designed for people with this level of work in mind. Another thought - make sure it covers that which to wish to focus on; find something a little more specific rather than general if you have a specific goal in mind.

"Poverty is another word for owning a horse..."

Job available in North East Victoria on TB stud.

2007-03-19T18:47:00.000+11:00

Hello out there! Anyone interested in a job? Was chatting to a previous boss not too long ago who is looking for at least one person to fill in a permanent position at a Thoroughbred stud.

Don't think TB experience is necessary, but definitely horse experience. In the middle of weaning foals currently, breeding season starts August 1 and Yearlings from December. Accomodation available on the property and about 5 mins from town.

I worked here for nine months, learnt lots and gained lots of sale experience through many yearling preps. For the breeding enthusiast they are a decent sized stud with many mares going through the property to foal down and be bred and they have their own stallions.

If interested get in contact with me via darquette_@hotmail.com or leave a comment with a way to contact you.

Chris

"You Know You're A Horse Person When... you try to get by someone in a restricted space and instead of saying "excuse me" to him/her, you cluck at them instead."

Added Benefits

2007-03-18T22:27:00.000+11:00

I'm one of those people that jumps more at opportunities to work in an area I'm not familiar with but want to be, rather than looking for the security of decent pay, good hours, etc. For now, anyway.

However, other things that you can get out of a job are really worth looking into, especially if you've been in an industry for say twelve months, have gained some decent experience and are getting to know people in that industry.

For example, currently I'm working at two riding schools with the view to become qualified to teach. Technically, I entered the field blindly, knowing nothing about the rate of pay I should expect, hours or even where to look. I just chose schools that were close to home for convenience and sent out letters to see if any were looking for workers. Now, of the four letters I sent, I got two replies (50%, not a bad strikerate for job searching!) and took on both jobs as it was experience.

In hindsight I realise how blessed I am to have gotten the two positions and how one complements the other. All I really needed was a place to take me on, teach me how to teach others and hopefully help me out with getting a piece of paper to say I had done the study to be able to teach.

What I ended up with was one place where I was expected to do general stable duties and in return, got paid, got to view other's teaching, I'm getting three riding lessons a week to improve my riding and also give me one on one with instructor's teaching and I've got a place to keep my horse at no extra charge. Talk about benefits! At the other school, I am being paid to teach after being under training with other instructors and they are also providing the qualified assessors to mark off my capabilities and teach me so I can get the piece of paper I desire.

If you have been in a field awhile, I encourage you to find out from others why they are staying at a particular job. Do they get benefits?

I have friends in the stud industry who each get different benefits:
- One has literacy problems and on top of being paid to work with horses and working on a stud that could place her in four different countries around the world, they are paying for her to have classes to improve her literacy.
- Another works on a smaller stud where she is given access to all areas of stud work, gaining experience at anything and everything. She also gets a rather nice bonus around Christmas time each year.
- Where I work during the season I am provided with accomodation at no charge which means my only expenses are fuel and food (and I live at work, so there's not too many travelling costs) and my horse is allowed to stay where I work also, an added bonus at no extra cost to me.

On a stud situation or a family run riding property that shows constantly, it is often common for accomodation to be provided. Why not consider adding this to your list of requirements when job hunting? It could save you a lot on rent, especially in an environment where the hours can be many and the rate low.

'You Know You're A Horse Person When... you pull a $17,000 horse trailer with a $1,000 pick-up truck. '

Online Equine Library

2007-03-11T23:54:00.000+11:00

Boy am I having fun playing rather than behaving and heading off to bed. Have been strolling through horse sites/blogs and found one that listed horse related books that the person owned/had read and out of curiosity clicked on the link.

This lead me to Librarything.com - a site where you can build an online catalog of all the books you have, drawing information from the likes of Amazon.com. Now, as someone who has recently posted about building up my horse related library, this was totally appealing! Curious to know what I've got in my library? Check out the search I have placed on the right hand column of this page a bit further down. Example, type in the word 'polo' and see what happens... totally cool!:D

You can also have on your blog/site a random show of books in your library like so:

"You Know You're A Horse Person When... ...on rainy days, you organize the tack room, not the house. "

I've been published!

2007-03-08T21:12:00.000+11:00

Sorry, no massively insightful piece tonight, just me jumping for joy cause two of my horse related pieces have been published online! Check out http://www.ridersnreapers.com/ and look for the pieces by Christine Thomas. And feel free to check out the others!

"You Know You're A Horse Person When... ...someone asks for a screwdriver and you hand them a hoof pick."

Horse Networking

2007-03-05T19:11:00.000+11:00

So I went along to a thoroughbred sale today as I had the day off and wanted to catch up with mates from TAFE. It's a great way to keep in touch with those in an industry that I aim to stay a part of, even when I take short breaks from it.

It's also a great way for someone to get their foot in the door in a particular industry. If you're frequenting events, you're getting your face known and hopefully getting to know others and how they are placed in the industry.

Horse sales can be a great way to get to know who provides a service, sells horses; who is looking to buy horses and race them; who provides transport for horses to and from sales, etc. If you're interested in getting into the Thoroughbred industry, keep on top of when sales are and attend some. So much in relation to employment in this industry is who you know, rather than what. That can be in your favour as long as who you know, is aware of your dedication to the industry.

So maybe Thoroughbreds aren't your scene, but if horses are, look into attending special events - Equitana, the Scone Horse Festival, horse shows or even rodeos if Quarter Horses are more your thing.

Another great way to get contact with horses and meet others who are obsessed and may also be in the industry, is to volunteer for certain horse related events or even sports such as Riding for the Disabled.

If you're interested in a certain horse field but don't know where to start, consider getting yourself known by attending social events relating to that field!

Horse Sales:
Magic Millions
William Inglis
Tattersalls
Tattersalls Ireland
Doncaster Bloodstock Sales
Keeneland Sales

"You Know You're A Horse Person When... your mouth waters at the sight of a truck full of hay."

For Me

2007-03-02T20:59:00.000+11:00

If you can't get something out of your own blog, what is the world coming to? So I have a huge obsession with books - namely, horse books. Surprised? I know - of course not!

Currently I have around 70 horse books in my collection - this is discluding all my magazines and catalogues from horse sales. I have been telling myself for the past 18 months that I won't buy any more until I've read all the ones I've got, but it just ain't gonna happen! I love purchasing horse books. Once I've got my property established, one of my dreams is to have a library with books from all over, about anything horse related!

So I have a request for anyone who reads this post:
- Help me to grow this collection of books
- Help me to establish a library that contains fiction books for all ages; non fiction books on any and every discipline, health issues, nutrition, breeding or anything else horsey!

How? Easy, send me an email or reply to this post with the title and/or author of a book that you have or have read that you feel would be an asset in anyone's horse library. If you really enjoyed it/learnt a lot from it; chances are I will too!

The more information you can provide, the better - Title, Author, Subject, even a link to where I can purchase the book online if you'd like! I look forward to your suggestions :D

"You Know You're A Horse Person When... you consider a golf course as a waste of good pasture land."

Flying Horses

2007-02-24T15:11:00.000+11:00

Finally found my information relating to flying with horses! As someone who is eager to travel often, it was pointed out that sometimes it's possible to find your way to your desired country while fulfilling the requirements for another job.

Example: Wanting to work in England for the Thoroughbred Breeding Season. Why not fly over with stallions that are shuttling from Australia's just finished season to England for the upcoming season? There can definitely be benefits from working in an industry that follows seasons and is prevalent in both hemispheres.

Although I haven't done this, I was curious to find out what might be involved in being qualified to travel via air with equines.

Two main sites of interest for this may be the Animal Transportation Associate and International Racehorse Transport. AATA actually has information regarding being accepted as an AATA Animal Attendant. Check out http://www.aata-animaltransport.org/assessment/criteria.htm.

My only dilemma in regards to this criteria is you must have proof of having previously flown with horses in order to be able to do so. Seem a catch 22? So if anyone could inform of other transport places where you are able to gain this experience, I'd be interested to hear! The only other possibility I can think of is being a stallion handler or groom for a particular racehorse that is being flown somewhere and due to being that horse's particular handler, you may have access to fly with them and hereby gain experience in this area.

Take a look at:
IRT.com - International Racehorse Transport
AATA-animaltransport.org - Animal Transportation Association

"The wind which flows between a horse's ears is the air of heaven." - Rolf Kopfle

Writing About Your Passion

2007-02-21T08:47:00.000+11:00

My mum sent me a link to a website that was looking for writers who could provide pieces based on farm/ranch life. As someone who has spent the most of her short working life on a stud farm and loves to write, this seemed very appealing. The site I visited was Ridersnreapers.com - a Christian website aimed at sharing "stories of life on the farm or ranch… Stories that make us long for moments away from the hamster wheel that most of us feel like we're on."

So after reading at the bottom of their page what they were looking for and reading over a few pieces from the recent online publication, I decided to e-mail a story based on a night of foal watch at work to see if it was the sort of works they might be looking for. I was rapt when I received a prompt reply telling me the piece would be used in the next publication. So this and another I have sent along to be used on their site. The next edition where my pieces will be shown will be up from March. Currently there are pieces for the Jan/Feb edition. Either way, check it out!

If you are passionate about horses and looking to share your experiences or knowledge and love writing, I encourage you to also explore this avenue of "horse work". Not everything horse related has to be done in the saddle!

Look for online magazines relating to your particular passion with horses or magazines that are interested in freelance writing and find out their regulations before sending off some examples. Another possible foot in the door could be Letters to the Editor.

Some links to check out:
Thehorse.com - Freelance Info; taking in writings or photos
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=4883
The Appaloosa Journal Online
http://www.appaloosajournal.com/magazine/freelance.html
American Horse Publications - Thehorsegame.com
http://www.americanhorsepubs.org/career_center/career_track/listings/CT_233.asp
Ridersnreapers

"Grab life by the reins."

Aloha

2007-02-12T22:25:00.000+11:00

Ok... perhaps a corny title, but just stumbled across a camp of sorts in Hawaii that totally appeals! Was actually searching for employment in the area of flying with horses, but the terms "employment" and "horse" seem to be the main two in the results.

I always wanted to go to Hawaii and learn to surf - yeah, I could do so in Australia, but love the excuse of being able to travel and try something new in a totally new place. Might still have to have that plan on the cards, but I've suddenly found something even more appealing!

Check out http://www.dahanaranch.com/. This is a place that trains "working cow horses, rope, cutting horses and polo ponies" and offers clinics and the most appealing for me - a Horsemanship Camp. Offered over 14, 30, 60 and 90 day terms, it includes airport transfer, room, utilities/laundry, rodeo and competition attendance, cattle work, meeting tourists from around the world, one day of sightseeing per week.

Always dreamed of trying out the joy that is a Quarter Horse or already addicted but want to learn some new skills/improve old? Oh, and ever dreamt of visiting Hawaii? Perhaps this is worth some thought...

"You'll never know how much you love to be on a horse... until you fall off!"

The Law and Horses - Mounted Police

2007-01-28T16:23:00.000+11:00

One of my friends a couple of years back managed to get her year ten work experience at the Mounted Police of Victoria, Australia. She thoroughly enjoyed herself, getting to do general stable duties with the horses and also view the sort of training that the animals and riders went through.

If you have an interest in policing and the law and love your horses, perhaps this line of a career is worth investigating? I believe you have to be at a certain rank as a police officer before being able to focus on the specialised area of the mounted police. Ranking works from Constable to Senior and Leading Senior Constable, Sergeant, Senior Sergeant and all the way up to Chief Commissioner.

http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=5 has information on a career as a Police Officer with links on policing as a career, the role of the police officer, being prepared before applying, career opportunities and more.

Some helpful links:
http://www.policensw.com/info/gen/u7.html - mounted police history, NSW, Australia
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=177 - mounted police history, VIC, Australia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mounted_police - great site with many links around the world
http://www.mountedpolice.com/
http://www.riderselite.com/

"A horse carries a certain goodness, an inner light from which beauty flows."

Welcome Helping Hand in the Thoroughbred Industry

2007-01-22T20:47:00.000+11:00

I've been flicking through a manilla folder I've got with numerous sheets on possible horse courses, careers, job possibilities and holiday ideas and stumbled across my Darley Flying Start application form.

I've long since realised that the course isn't for me as I am not Thoroughbred industry focused, but for anyone who's dream is to work in this industry (training, breeding, riding, racing, whatever) I encourage you to take a look at the Flying Start course. It is a relatively new course but very popular as it runs over two years and covers the likes of stud management, horsemanship, veterinary topics, nutrition, farriery, pedigree analysis, management, information technology, legal topics, insurance, marketing and advertising, the horse business, enterprise development and first aid.

Visits are made to studs, training yards, sales complexes, racecourses, veterinary hospitals and research facilities. The course itself is held in peak racing countries and the students travel from Ireland to England to the US to Australia and Dubai over the two years.

Applications include an up to date resume, three references and a cover letter outlining your career ambitions/why you should be chosen. If you are one lucky enough to be picked for an interview and make it through this process, look forward to having your education in the industry funded for you! What could be more appealing?

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Confucious

Polo Fanatic?

2007-01-21T10:32:00.000+11:00

Or perhaps you have the potential to be one… I believe I do. Almost anything relating to horses appeals to me and after catching some docos on polo on television and even being along to a polocrosse match, the two sports suddenly had quite an appeal. And of course, anything with horses that can be used as an excuse to travel is good in my books!

Hence my interest in http://www.alejandropolo.com/. Alejandro's Argentina Polo Experience looks like a brilliant way to improve on the game or even learn the basics while being on a property that has the facilities and horses that allow you to do exactly that!

The property offers other activities and facilities for the times when you may need a break out of the saddle - swimming pool, carriage driving, golf - or even just a change of scene with cattle round up programs. And on a gorgeous property with a comfortable and stylish looking place to live out your stay, it looks very appealing for even couples where only one half is polo crazy.

Whether a beginner or at a higher level of polo playing, this place looks fully equipped to improve anyone's game. With Argentina being a Mecca for polo players, I can't think of a better place to try out your game.

Things to consider for a trip like this - airfares, cost of staying and participating at the polo property, insurance (horse riding is a high-risk sport).

"Riding isn't the matter of life or death. It's more important than that!"

Small Mercies

2007-01-08T16:21:00.000+11:00

It seems funny to me that making someone even more unsure than me feel comfortable feels better than focusing on someone with so much more experience who is giving me information.

Started a new job today and things seemed to go pretty well and although I wasn't in my comfort zone, it was easy to spot that I wasn't the only one and although not totally secure in my new job, it didn't take much effort to make another in the same situation feel more comfortable (and it made me feel better). Small mercy.

For those of you out there considering the whole instructing path, can I encourage you to have at least one place lined up where you are able to gain a lot of experience, over varied situations. (I'm to be working at two which I think will be interesting for contrast reasons and to help learn as much as possible for running my own place).

The best way to do this initially may be to save up a lot of money before focusing on gaining a new qualification especially if you will be doing so full time. Before starting your Level 1 and work at a public riding school, it may be necessary to spend around $500 to get yourself ready to start training as a Level 1. Take into account the cost of joining the Equestrian Federation, purchasing the paper work/theory for teaching; having a police check to ascertain you can work with children; getting your first aid up to date and possible uniform for the place you will be working.

Also, the pay may be low while in training so some funds set aside are always a smart idea. Being aware of and prepared to pay for these things will make the whole change seem less stressful.

"All I need to know in life, I learnt from my horse: If someone's constantly on your back, lie down and play dead, or run like heck."

Rude Awakening

2006-12-24T19:55:00.000+11:00

Know when you get told something and it's a given that it's for your own good, but you're not keen on hearing it anyway? Had one of those moments not too long ago.

So I've finished the breeding season with Thoroughbreds and with its end, have moved from work back to the parents place for the next five months or so with the view to get work in a riding school and achieve my Level 1 in instructing.

It was a given the horse work wasn't going to be a problem - I've worked with and studied them for the past four years.... and on the ground am happy, confident and capable. In the saddle, I'm happy on my own horse and any other that behaves... Anyone spot the problem I may have with becoming an instructor? Then again, they say if you can't do it, teach it.

So my riding I thought may be the area I most needed to work on and it was pointed out in an interview not too long ago that this is definitely the case and perhaps at this point in time I'm biting off more than I can chew.

I've landed one part time job at a riding school where I will be doing my Level 1 and teaching youngsters the basics. I've also just had an interview at another school where I'd be expected to prepare horses for lessons, care for tack, pick up yards, feed, rug, etc. Will be good to be at two successful riding schools and doing varied jobs. However, the other part of the job was to be exercising 'willful' ponies. I was honestly informed that in the said person's opinion, I wouldn't be capable of doing so and would struggle to pass the riding component of my Level 1.

Insert massive kick in the guts. Still a bit disappointed about this realisation but it has been suggested to me that I am capable of carrying out the rest of the job, so perhaps I could do this, accept slightly lower pay than anticipated but in return have a couple of riding lessons a week to get myself up to scratch for my Level 1.

Sometimes, it's not nice to hear that you're moving faster than you should (and yet slower than you want toward your goal!) but it is worth it if you're made aware and are going to be helped to achieve your goals... even if it's at a slower rate than anticipated.

"All I need to know in life, I learnt from my horse: Leather and chains can make anyone look studly."

Grubby kids, chubby ponies.

2006-11-26T17:25:00.000+11:00

Nearly time for the change! I have three weeks left at work and was home at the parents place this weekend with an interview lined up at a riding school. All sounds good! So the plan is as of January 2007, to be training towards my Level 1 instructor's licence. Brilliant!

Was hoping for full time work as am used to twelve days a fortnight of work, each around ten hour days... Now this one is generally going to be weekend work, maybe a weekday here and there... but not enough to keep me busy; even if it will be days full of grubby kids on chubby ponies!

So am standing in faith waiting on another job possibility that can fill in my week days, still be about working with horses and earn me a reasonable income. Big ask? You bet! All things are possible, though.

Have been thinking lately about doing a massage course in relation to horses, so once I've done a bit of research, will add a post about this and possible places to do so; although for now the focus should be just the Level 1, I think! Will be enough to keep me busy over the next 18 months or so... with South Africa in between - brilliant!

"All I need to know in my life, I learnt from my horse: Great legs and a nice rear will get you anywhere in life. Big, brown eyes help too."

Comfort Zone? Bah!

2006-11-04T16:32:00.000+11:00

I'm a restless kind of person - unless I'm working constantly and learning new things, I get really anxious about the use I'm making of my time. The breeding season is coming to an end and yearlings are next on the list for the Thoroughbred Industry.

Of breeding, yearlings and weanlings, the mares and foals are definitely my favourite and with the most variety, I believe. I love this time of season as it covers so much on the care of the horse - medications, feeding, foaling down, getting mares in foal, bandaging, breeding.

But, upon the arrival of the other six months of the year, I find myself with heaps of extra time, a pretty set routine and not a lot looking like it'll help me with my goal to become a horseriding instructor and teaching other kids about horses.

So - I'm going for a change of scenery - yes, again! Currently, I'm looking to move back home for awhile and have started the search to work in a horseriding school, gain experience in relation to riding and teaching and hopefully get practical tasks from my instructors course marked off. Now that that's the plan, I'm getting impatient again! Also got the added fun of finding agistment for my gorgeous festively plump gelding.

Anyone that knows of agistment around the Cheltenham area or of any riding schools that are looking for an extra hand, I'd love to hear from you!

"All I need to know in life, I learnt from my horse: Ignore cues, they're just another prompt to do more work."

Money, Money, Money

2006-09-30T16:31:00.000+10:00

Sometimes, I hate the horse industry...

We've had a few ups and downs at work as is commonly the joys of the breeding season with horses, and every year through talk with friends, it becomes more apparent that people are in this 'game' because they have enough money to own a horse or two. Pity that it's seen as a hobby, sport or financial game rather than an animal's life and they don't have enough money to continue it's life if it's not considered worth it.

There always seems to be an incidence where something has happened to a horse, affecting it's ability to race and although it is healthy enough to live (after an operation and thousands of dollars later); the situation is assessed, the animal isn't 'worth' the amount of money it costs to operate and consequently, it is put down. Some 'game' that is!

Ideal world for this not to happen - I know; but when I have my own property, I can't wait to each year invest in an animal that would be in such a condition that due to money, it runs the risk of losing it's life. It'll be amazing to teach children the value of someone's life and have them help treat, feed and nurse the said horse back to health and more ideally, into a future riding pony. Oh for the funds, time and experience to do so now!

Got the funds? Consider:
http://www.horserescue.com.au/sponsor.htm
http://www.equinerescue.info/
http://www.jolenehorserescue.com/
http://www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org/

"All I need to know in life, I learnt from my horse: Follow the herd, that way you can't be singled out to take the blame."

Great to be Back!

2006-09-09T11:48:00.000+10:00

Man it’s good to be back at work! Have been back two weeks now and boy did they fly by! Have gotten right back into the swing of things with foaling down mares, holding mares for covers and general feeding, stable duties and vet work.

Boss hired a new person while I was overseas who has been running the farm, handling weanlings and prepping yearlings and I’m now working alongside her for the breeding season. Total blessing – before I went overseas I started my Certificate III in Recreational Coaching and had been doing all the theory, but had no one to mark off my practical. Well, turns out my new co worker is qualified to mark off all my practical work, so I can gain another qualification while working and playing with my horse outside of work! Brilliant!

I’ve also been chatting with her about wanting to learn about artificial insemination and it was suggested to me to do a breeding season with trotters and then look into the short course offered at Glenormiston - http://www.swtafe.vic.edu.au/campuses/glenormiston/ courses/short.aspx. I believe it’s a six week course and suddenly sounds very appealing! Just gotta work out where to fit it all in! Am currently saving up for South Africa now that I’m back from Ireland and earning a decent wage again.

"All I need to know in life, I learnt from my horse: When in doubt, run far, far away."

More Education?

2006-08-15T16:33:00.000+10:00

So it's coming up to exam times for those in their last year of highschool and therefore, time to decide what to do next.

For many, it is so appealing to go straight into working with horses after highschool... or possibly even instead of the last couple of years of highschool, but I believe the education is worth it.

With the main outcome being working with horses and earning money from your passion, the last thing I wanted to do was consider a two or more year course after highschool that would 'stop' me from doing exactly that! But when I finally settled on a course to do at the start of year twelve, it became evident I would have to see the year out to be able to get into the course. It was either that or gain some experience with horses before hand, and fast!

Anyone with a desire to work with horses and the revelation that they need to work hard, be interested and show initiative can get a job with horses... and then you do your learning, while working. This is a little more daunting than learning the ins and outs of the industry while under the education of those who have been through it all and are now teaching in a horse course.

The VTAC guide shows a few possibilities for working with horses, but it is possible to do so much with them, so for the horse obsessed but discipline confused, look around. Consider a general course (equine management for example) rather than specific (dressage instructor) so you're at least getting hands on training in a field that offers many jobs and can later lead to a specified area.

If your main reason for getting education is employment, check out courses that have a high employment percentage rate (GOTAFE Diploma has a 98% employment rate for students that finish their two year course). If earning money while studying is appealing, apprenticeships may be the way to go. The pay isn't brilliant, but it is a bit of support while also learning.

TAFE can be more appealing than Uni price wise, but there are more expensive courses that offer scholarships, and it may be worth looking into these too. Another possbility is working on a horse property while studying, for example working at a riding school while gaining your Level 1 instructor's certificate. Some riding schools will fund this as your education will benefit their business once the course is finished.

There are many possibilities and it's well worth the research - you're talking about your passion and career, not just a job.

"All I need to know in life, I learnt from my horse: New shoes are an absolute necessity every 6 weeks."

Diploma of Horse Studies

2006-08-05T21:20:00.000+10:00

I can't work some things out, like a course that has honestly helped me to learn about the Thoroughbred industry, has a 98% employment rate for students at the end of the course and offers a scholarship each year to the Irish National Stud having such a low number of students this year. Hence, this post.

I studied at the Wangaratta Campus of Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, Victoria, Australia in 2003/4 completing my Diploma of Horse Studies (Breeding) straight after year twelve. Of the two courses I was considering, this was more appealing as it is actually run on a stud, for 20 students in their first year and 20 in their second, allowing daily hands on with mares, foals, learning to foal down and even handling of two stallions.

There are three lots of work experience, two in the first year: a four week placement over the breeding season and an eight week placement for a yearling preparation and another five weeks over the breeding season in the students second year of study.

Much more practical for someone who wants to work with horses (how can you learn to handle them through a text book?) and a lot cheaper than any university course with near guaranteed employment in the industry as long as you're willing to put in the work. How can you lose?

Simple - I didn't. The course also offers a scholarship to the Irish National Stud. I didn't manage the scholarship the year I finished the course, but did get accepted into the course a year later and paid to do this as international experience was someting I wanted to gain also. Now, I am headed back to work at a stud where I did work experience during my Diploma.

http://www.gotafe.vic.edu.au/courses/course_info.cfm?CID=DHOR-BRE - Diploma of Horse Studies (Breeding)
Duration: 2 years
Location: Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia

http://www.nationalstud.co.uk/Education-Diploma.asp - The National Stud Diploma Course
Duration: 6 months
Location: Britain

http://www.kmc.ac.uk/courses/engine/detailsF.cfm?id=647&type=Full%20Time%20Course&subject=equine%20studies - First Diploma in Horse Studies
Duration: Full Time and Part Time Courses
Location: Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, Dorset, England

http://www.nmit.vic.edu.au/courses/horse/equine_dip_a.html - Diploma of Equine Stud Management
Duration: 2 years
Location: Epping, Victoria, Australia

http://www.eit.ac.nz/study_programmes/
advanced_diploma_in_applied_science_equine_studies.aspx - Advanced Diploma in Applied Science (Equine Studies)
Duration: 2 years
Location: Hawke's Bay, North Island of New Zealand

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/careers/article.php?aid=48204 - Equine courses at Colleges in South East England.

"All I need to know in life, I learnt from my horse: Heaven is eating at least 10 hours a day...and then sleeping the rest."

Musée Vivant du Cheval

2006-08-03T21:55:00.000+10:00

So, I think I've found the horse lovers mecca which is annoying, as I wanted to set up the equine owners nirvana on my property. The Living Horse Museum has given me a few ideas though!

So it'll cost you around 17,50 euros for a visit to the Living Horse Museum, giving you access to the 30+ rooms of the museum; a small dressage show/lesson (half an hour) and entertainment show (2006 show is called Swing Horse and is around 45 mins long). It is possible to pay more and also see the Chantilly Castle or less and not see the second horse performance.

'In 1719, Louis-Henri de Bourbon, the 7th Prince de Condé, commissioned the architect Jean Aubert to design and build stables befitting his rank. Legend has it that the Prince believed in metempsychosis and thought he would be reincarnated as a horse after his death...'

In 1982 under the ownership of Yves Bienaimé, founded with his wife Annabel, the Musée Vivant du Cheval, designing and equipping it at their own expense. Today the 31 rooms each focus on something different, but all horse related. There are texts, paintings, models, toys and sculptures covering breeds of the horse, disciplines, quotes, systems (digestive, respiratory, circulatory, muscular skeletal and reproductive), tack and accessories, figurines of the horse in history and more.

The end room has over 30 life size models of horses done up under different disciplines - flat racer, steeplechase, trotter, side saddle, dressage, show jumping, eventer, cossack rider, matador, cowboy, carriage, indian and many more.

Now, it couldn't well be a living horse museum without some real four legged animals. These perform in the show being under saddle, on a lead or long reined. They are also tied in open stalls for all to see. Breeds include the Adulusian, Friesian, Shetland, Ass, Miniature Shetland, Arab and many more.

And I thought I loved horses - this place is for the obsessee, by the obsessed. To top it off, they have an indoor working area, arena outside, kennels for the hundreds that were kept when the prince had the stables full and many hounds to accompany the horses on hunts. And, its right next door to Chantilly racecourse. Can't beat it!

"In the fray I risk my life to protect him, just as in the night he watches over me and protects me." - Al Monzir et bon cheval Al Arime

La Sagesse

2006-08-02T23:41:00.000+10:00

I'd like to think I already had wisdom before this trip, but I have definitely been enlightened by coming to Ireland and France. Thanks Claire!

26 July after being about a week in Normandy, France we paid a visit to the Haras National du Pin - one of the French equivalents to where I have been studying for the past six months. I say one as France has 23 national studs in total.

This one is a slight different from the Irish National Stud where the sole focus is Thoroughbreds. Haras National du Pin has on show many different breeds with us seeing a barb stallion, french riding pony, french donkey, percherons, a cob, new forest pony and arab pony.

The horses are used for competition; being worked in harness or under saddle for an hour each day and later turned out before retiring in their boxes for the evening. It's nice to see different types of horses for different uses all on display. During our paddock visit we were able to see a percheron in harness being worked in their equestrian area, which was made up of different parts in which to practise dressage, go over jumps and work horses in harness; all of which was surrounded by a track with jumps placed throughout which we saw a cob working over. Getting some ideas for my place...

And the nicest way to top off my time in France - we're going to the Living Horse Museum in Chantilly on Saturday! Whoop!

"To ride is to take occasional trips into the dirt..."

All Over Ireland!

2006-07-08T18:18:00.000+10:00

Well, my course at the Irish National Stud is now finished, having had the graduation yesterday afternoon. The 25 of us graduated, eaching receiving a Certificate stating that we completed the five or so month course at this well known property.

So, now I have friends and horse related contacts from Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, England, Hungary, France, Canada, Scotland, Belgium, and America!

Half of the students are checking out the Southern Hemisphere shortly, most coming to Oz and a few to New Zealand so it'll be awesome to be able to catch up with them. One will be just up the road!

Head off today to see Connemara and then on to Giant's Causeway. Then - the horsey area of France that is Normandy! Going there with one of the girl's from the course - can't wait!

You cannot beat travel with work - the experiences, the people you meet and the contacts you gain.

"I am still under the impression that there is nothing alive quite so beautiful as a thoroughbred horse." - John Galsworthy

Pony Club

2006-07-01T20:08:00.000+10:00

Got a horse crazy kid in Australia? Pony Club is a great way to help them to learn to ride, show and look after their horse. Pony Club was my first introduction to riding lessons and in a group. My first pony, Pride, that I now own, was available to me initially on a lease basis - $50/month and the horse was mine, tack was available to ride him in and 100+ acres to ride across. An added bonus to where I leased him, Pony Club was run the first Sunday of every month on the property.

PC allows kids to ride together with classes on dressage, show jumping and games and learn about horses through theory lessons each month. Kids that are eager to improve are encouraged to be graded on their horses (from base level 4 - 1) and complete certificates (D/D*, C, B, A, K) that test knowledge of the childs fitness of the horse, nutrition, care, grooming, etc.

PC is great for kids wanting to compete, learn to instruct orjust improve their relationship with their horse and capabilities to care for it.

Irish Pony Club Website
UK Pony Club
Hong Kong Pony Club
US Pony Club
Pony Club Australia
Canadian Pony Club
New Zealand Pony Club

"All horseback riding is great until you go to a $40 show for a 75c ribbon."

Instructing in Australia

2006-06-30T07:37:00.000+10:00

Plan - wipe out as many ignorant horse owners as possible through owning my own agistment property, running a riding school and having facilities and contacts available for all areas of horse work.
Weakness - impatience!

I'm currently working on a stud to improve my hands on, still be working with horses and have the chance to earn/save money. This isn't enough though! I want to instruct eventually and thankfully boss is kind enough to agist my horse so I can ride often, but I need the piece of paper that says I am qualified to instruct. After a small amount of research, one has discovered there are a few different possibilities in relation to teaching:

NCAS - Level 1 instructing is through Pony Club Australia and on the Pony Club Victoria website, it is stated to be for people over 18 years of age, designed to enable them to instruct at Pony Club C Certificate level and above; Candidates are expected to attend an NCAS Pony Club Level 1 Course (32 hours total) with 100% attendance.

EFA - Equestrian Federation of Australia - The EFA covers many disciplines - dressage, eventing, showjumping, show horse, reining, paraequestrian, vaulting, endurance and more. They offer coaching courses under an EFA/NCAS registered intructor. Need to be a member of the EFA to be able to become qualified. FEI is the International Federation for Equestrian sport.

RDA - it is also possible to be qualified to coach as part of Riding for the Disabled. The RDA Victoria, Australia website has some information although I'm sure any RDA branch would welcome those interested in coaching.

http://www.horseridingcoach.com/instructors.aspx - I stumbled across this site from the Pony Club Victoria website while looking into instructing qualifications. The courses offered here are appealing as you pay as you go at your own pace. There is a good response time in relation to doing your theory, handing it in and getting results back corrected. My only issue is finding an accredited person to mark off practical skills for me. Also some 'events' need to be carried out in a riding school. So, working in a riding school may be the easiest way to go about being qualified, but while working on a stud, the idea of being able to work toward being a qualified instructor also, is very appealing.

Before heading off to Ireland, I was doing about one module a month which costs between $100-200 each month - $50 a week investment and after 13 months (13 modules) you can be qualified to instruct at basic level... not bad!

"Definition: Equitation - The ability to keep a smile on your face and proper posture while your horse tries to crowhop, shy and buck his way around a show ring."

Machu Picchu, Peru

2006-06-27T05:32:00.000+10:00

So my time at the Irish National Stud seems to have turned into a bit of an eye opener in many ways...

One is definitely finding out more about other's cultures and countries and the other day I had a bit of a history lesson. I have a list of what will eventually be (got 53) 100 things I want to do before I die - see the aurora borealis, ride over the snowy mountains, take part in a Group 1 race, etc... and was talking with a friend about it who consequently mentioned her desire to visit Machu Picchu in Peru - http://www.machupicchuperu.info/.

The next day on tea break I was flicking through a horse magazine from last year and stumbled across an article on 'a charity horse ride in Peru, aimed at helping two remote, rural communities in the Andean mountains' which involves a train trip to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas! Go figure.

The site referenced is http://www.perolchico.com/ but doesn't appear to say much about the charity ride although there are some awesome looking tours over this area! Further investigation appears to be required... haven't yet worked out how much it's gonna cost me either, but this'll have to go on the list of things to do!

"The horse thinks one thing and he who saddles him another" - Benjamin Franklin'

Finding Work Online

2006-06-15T04:14:00.000+10:00

So there are many different courses and holidays that you can do with horses to gain experience and qualifications, but this isn't always a financially viable option. The best way to get hands on and learn as much as possible is to actually get yourself a job with horses.

If you really want both the qualifications and the hands on, there are places that are willing to help staff by sending them along to seminars, or apprenticeships that can be carried out, or once earning money, it may be possible to invest in doing a correspondence course outside of work hours.

For me, stud work is currently the most appealing as it covers so many aspects of the horse's life and you can work on a stud almost anywhere in the world. However, if something else appeals - go for it! Polo, dressage, show jumping, cross country, polocrosse, national hunt, western, farriery, vet, pacers/trotters and many more.

http://www.stablemate.net.au/ advertises jobs in most of these fields and in Australia, Europe, America and Canada.
http://www.horsedirectory.com.au/classifieds/index.php?mid=1 - Horse Directory Australia offers the chance for employers to advertise jobs for sale in all states of Australia and also for those seeking to publish their skills and the type of job they are looking for.
http://www.horses-sales.com/horse_classifieds.shtml has links to possible jobs with horses under many different countries.
http://www.agriseek.com/work/e/Employment/Equine-Horses/ advertises jobs based on category or location.

"Even the greenest horse has something to teach the wisest rider."

AI Course, Colorado

2006-06-02T04:08:00.000+10:00

Another course!

The one thing that annoys me about the Thoroughbred racing industry is that AI is illegal. Now, there are valid arguments both for and against the use of AI, but either way, being something that is used in the breeding side of the horse industry outside of Thoroughbreds, I'd be interested in learning about it.

Was chatting with a mate about this while in Ireland working and another that has spent a bit of time studying in the US suggested a short course on AI at the Colorado State University.

Did a little search and:
http://equinescience.colostate.edu/content/view/41//

"The four-day course includes 24 hours of classroom instruction and 12 hours of laboratory work in mare and stallion management, seminal collection and evaluation, artificial insemination, and care of the pregnant mare and neonatal foal. Participants are encouraged to actively participate in the collection and evaluation of semen and insemination of mares. Topics to be covered include anatomy and physiology of the mare and stallion genital tract, hormonal relationships and fertility, seminal collection and evaluation, techniques of artificial insemination, factors affecting sperm production and output, sexual behavior of the stallion, training a stallion to a phantom, hormonal control of the estrous cycle and pregnancy, care of the pregnant, foaling and postpartum mare, and nutrition of the stallion and pregnant mare."

Looks pretty appealing to me! Now, to add that to the list of things to save for... after South Africa next year, the Jackaroo/Jillaroo course, my motorbike and bass guitar. And they say money makes the world go round!

"A horse has so docile a nature that he would always rather do right then wrong, if only he could be taught to distinguish one from the other."

Wild Coast, South Africa

2006-05-07T04:04:00.000+10:00

I'm a firm believer that if you're interested in it - find out a way to learn more and work in that area.

After finishing studying in Ireland and having a bit of a look around, I'll be returning to Oz to do the breeding season at my favourite stud and all the while, save for another travelling experience: a working/riding holiday in South Africa mid-2007!

I want to eventually be a riding instructor while running an agistment property and so need to improve my own riding skills before I can teach others. This holiday seems like the perfect opportunity!

http://www.sunrayfarm.co.za/ - Check out the working riding holiday link.

Sunray Farm "offer volunteers the opportunity to come to Africa on a working riding holiday. You stay on the farm and time permitting run the riding project for local disadvantaged children. Horse lovers are given an opportunity to eat, sleep and breathe horses from a couple of week’s holiday or up to 3 months in the volunteer program. You will be able to improve your riding skills, learn about the daily management of a equestrian establishment, work with young foals, school young horses, exercise the trail horses, assist and take out holiday riders on the beach rides, and if there is a Wild Coast Horse Trail booked during your stay you will be asked to join us as an assistant trail guide & groom!"

I figure taking into account flying out from Tullarmarine Airport in Victoria, Australia... it'll cost around $4,000 Australian to fly over and pay to stay where food and lodgings are provided for around a month... very, very appealing!

"It is not enough for a man to know how to ride; he must know how to fall." - Mexican Proverb

Jackaroo Course, NSW, Oz

2006-05-06T05:01:00.000+10:00

So I love looking for any sort of course/holiday/work that I can do with horses that is different to what I already know... and gives me a chance to check out another place! Stumbled across this one the other day... not that I remember what I was looking for:

http://www.leconfield.com/

Tis a Jackaroo/Jillaroo 'school' set over five days that covers grooming, riding, natural horsemanship (Pat Parelli style), horseshoeing, whip cracking, lassooing, mustering sheep, barrel racing, sheep health, shearing, pasture improvement, fencing/yard building, mustering cattle, yarding and drafting cattle, using working dogs and more.

The school is run at Leconfield on a 5000 acre property in New South Wales and those that run the course offer the possibility of helping you find work afterwards if this is your desire.

So, once I'm back home from Ireland and have had enough of the racehorses for awhile, I think I'll check this out... just hope I'm up to it! Has anyone done anything like this before?

"Riding: The art of keeping a horse between you and the ground."

Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch

2006-04-23T22:00:00.000+10:00

Currently, the most rewarding thing about horses is the fact that you will always learn about them.

It's impossible to know everything about them. I hope that in the future, the most rewarding thing for me will be teaching others all I have learnt and am learning about this gorgeous animal and nursing back to health neglected equines.

There are so many people that own and work with horses that have a terrible ignorance and it almost seems that we should have a license to be able to work with or own any animal. Some are so badly neglected, I'm always asking if the person that let them get in that state meant well, but just didn't know enough. It appears to be the same way with children at times, too.

Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch is a property run by Kim Meeder and her husband Troy. The pair work together to influence abused and neglected children while at the same time nursing back to health horses in the same condition. Thanks to an ever alert mother, I was given a copy of Kim's book - Hope Rising and loved the stories between the pages.

What better cause can one give to than a child or animal's life being restored?

"Follow a horse where no one else can tread, through the minefield of pain that surrounds a broken child's soul." - Kim Meeder, Hope Rising.

http://www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org/

Certificate II in Horse Studies

2006-04-18T01:16:00.000+10:00

It all begins here... So the earliest I discovered that I could actually start 'studying' horses at school, was in year ten (third last year of highschool in Australia, was 16 at the time) through the joys of work experience.

Only for a period of two weeks, looking back now it seems hardly enough time but I am glad over the course of my last three years of high school, I was able to complete three lots of work experience - at a small racing stable/stud, riding school and a stable at Caulfield Racecourse.

Rather than dissuade me from the not so kind hours and manual labour, this only fuelled the want to get the rest of school out of the way and work with horses.

Fortunately, in between the school I attended had just recently offered the chance to study horses (Certificate II in Horse Studies) as part of your VCE subjects and so over my second last year of school, I was able to actually do one of my chosen subjects as horses, at the end of it having a Certificate II and a little more of an idea of the direction I wanted to head after highschool.

I completed this course at Balmoral Warmblood Stud, attending the stud every Wednesday to work, ride and learn about horses. It is possible to also do the course via correspondence so it doesn't cut in on classes at school.

"The horse through all its trials has preserved the sweetness of paradise in its blood." - Johannes Jensen

Take a look at:
http://www.balmoral.info/ - check out the 'education' area.
http://www.bhtafe.edu.au/Courses/AST20.htm
http://www.landfood.unimelb.edu.au/courses/tafe/c2-equine.html

Stud Work, TBs

2006-04-13T07:03:00.000+10:00

Joys of the Thoroughbred Industry.

Planning on working with horses? Want to run your own property? Experience wise, you couldn't go past spending a season or three in the stud side of the racing industry. Pay wise - Thoroughbreds are your best bet for a half decent income when it comes to working with horses.

For the past twelve months I have been out in the 'real world', working - finally! Before coming to Ireland to study, I spent my days in a small town called Euroa, in Victoria, Australia that seems to house about a dozen studs - I worked at three over this duration.

As someone who wants to breed thoroughbreds for a hobby and run my own horse property, working on a stud is the best way to go about gaining experience. During the breeding season (August - December in Australia) you get practise at handling mares for service, handling stallions, horses for the farrier, treatments for horses (oral and injections), bandaging, foaling down mares, feeding horses and general stable work.

As the year comes to an end, it moves on to the yearling season where practice in preparing horses for sales, grooming, exercising, parading for clients and eventually taking the gorgeous animals through the sale ring (some, for prices in the hundreds of thousands!) is gained.

From December through to April yearlings are prepared and every eight weeks, a new group is brought in and it starts again, introducing them to being brushed, having rugs on, leading correctly.

Following this, it is time for the 'babies' to be weaned, and mothers are taken away and they start life without the 'milk bar'; slowly getting used to people and being handled, having feet trimmed and sometimes, prepared for sales at the young age of five or six months.

Excluding the horse's actual racing career, working on a stud gives you the chance to see the birth of a foal, it's first year or so of life and upon retiring to stud, the progeny it then goes on to produce. What more could you ask for?

"Correction does much for the horse, but encouragement does more."

http://www.larneuk.com/ - My 'home' and work from August till the end of each year.
http://www.bluegumfarm.com/ - Another stud I worked at in Euroa.

Volunteer With Horses

2006-04-12T05:59:00.000+10:00

So you know the cheapest way to get extra horse experience? Can't quite remember how I found out about it, but I'll almost do anything to have myself working with horses. So, when I found out about Riding for the Disabled and the fact that they are always looking for volunteers, I thought - why not?

One Saturday every two weeks for about a two year period, I joined up with other volunteers at Riding for the Disabled of Australia in Moorabbin, Victoria to help out with grooming ponies, feeding, tacking up and leading young riders around an arena, over and around obstacles and on 'trail rides'.

RDA is really a great cause and what better way to get extra hands on with horses, and be able to help out at the same time? An added bonus if you'd like, this would look excellent on the resume but just helping out was reward enough.

As someone who wants to eventually run my own agistment property and riding school, it was a great eye opener and an invaluable experience.

"In riding a horse we borrow freedom" - Helen Thompson

Why not help someone else to a chance at freedom?

http://www.rda.org.au/
http://www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk/
http://www.rda.org.nz/

Ireland and Horses

2006-04-09T21:43:00.000+10:00

So I love horses, and I love the idea of travelling; but travelling isn't cheap. One thing that's so appealing about these animals though, is that you can work with them almost anywhere around the world.

Ireland has always been a dream of mine as a place to visit and has been made possible thanks to horses.

If you love working with horses and have a desire to travel, I strongly recommend you do so! The cheats way to do it without it costing too much, I believe is working holidays or attending an equine related course.

Currently, I'm studying at the Irish National Stud and am thoroughly enjoying myself, having come to another country to work with horses in an environment where I am learning daily, doing something I love and getting to meet different people from around the world and therefore - many contacts.

Check out the stud at http://www.irish-national-stud.ie/

"The outside of a horse is good for the inside of man." - Winston Churchill