Edition IX

Hi

Welcome to this month’s HorseConscious Newsletter.

Following last month’s item about the Blue Tongue dressage video (see it at: http://www.DressageDisgrace.com), things have moved on apace with letters going to the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) and it’s President, Princess Haya, from the likes of the British Horse Society amongst others.

The FEI has responded and you can read their statement here:
http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/fei-statement-on-horse-welfare

Whilst in itself it does not say very much, it clearly indicates that it is keeping an eye on the situation. The Humane Society of the United States has called the video featuring Patrik Kittel in warm-up "deeply troubling". The U.S. Dressage Federation Executive Board has also made a statement in support of the FEI.

In reality though, all of these utterances are just so much hot air. Nothing concrete has been said, no firm dates have been set on a decision on whether to ban Rollkur and it is my suspicion that they are all hoping it will all blow over. What will prevent this happening is continued support of the cause by the lobbying of dressage associations at all levels as well as the sponsors of the FEI World Equestrian Games and the those of the top riders who are using Rollkur. You can find a list of these here:
http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/dressage-directory

Please support the cause if you feel it the right thing to do by signing up for updates at the Dressage Disgrace site and writing to those listed on the page above. There is even a standard letter you can use with which to write to the sponsors.

We also had an amazing teleseminar on the subject with Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling and you can hear the replay of this here:
http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/live-teleseminar-klaus-ferdinand-hempfling

This coming Sunday 6th December at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern, 6pm GMT, 7pm CET, we will be joined by Carolyn Resnick, who will be talking about why she is backing the anti-Rollkur campaign and how she uses her Uberstreichen Excercises to train dressage horses. Just go to the home page of Dressage Disgrace and follow the link at the top for more details and to ask a question in advance for Carolyn. This is a free call open to everybody, so do please take advantage of this unique opportunity to hear one of the foremost equestrian trainers today.

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Whilst all this has been going on, the FEI has been busy having problems of it’s own over the use of drugs in the sport. There is currently a possibility of a split in the FEI with the head of the German equestrian federation, Breido Graf zu Rantzau, appearing to be talking of the possibility of the European equestrian nations breaking away from the World Equestrian Games.

Back in September, forty European countries decided to merge into the European Equestrian Forum (EEF). At the time, the Danish Equestrian Federation president, Ulf Helgstrand, said that despite the fact that the European countries stand for 80% of the world’s equestrian sport, they only have one third of influence in the sport and that EEF would work work at changing that.

Well, it looks like they are already making their presence felt with this possible breakaway from the FEI’s premier event, the World Equestrian Games. The move would be akin to the EU countries deciding en masse to boycott the Olympics and if they go through with it, it would be quite a statement. And with the German Federation having disbanded its entire team of top level riders in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines earlier this year, it seems they are not afraid of tough choices.

Let’s hope then that they sufficiently embarassed/shamed by the effects of Rollkur that they will take a similar stance on that.

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On the other side of the pond, horses have been very much in the news with the singer Sheryl Crow and some other high profile people appealing to President Obama to stop the culling of America’s wild horses. I won’t go into too much detail here as you can read more in the article that follows, below which there are links to reports on what’s currently happening and some of the background.

Again though, the only way to bring about change and is to get out there and make yourself heard. The internet is a great starting place to do this. You will find petitions to support and you can air your views on Facebook and other social community and bookmarking sites as well as on your own blog. What am I seeing more and more of is democracy in action, the people are speaking and now have the channel and means to make themselves heard. So suddenly your single voice does count, so please make it count.

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Sometime in December, probably in the week before Christmas, I will be holding a series of 3 special HorseConscious Member call-ins with Anna Twinney. These 3 call will be on the subject of animal communication but each will cover a different topic as follows:

* In the first call, Anna will share her experiences and thoughts on assisting and supporting vets in providing comfort for our four-legged companions
* The 2nd call, we will look at behavioural issues and how learning to listen is the first step to understanding
* The final call will cover the subject of death and dying and you can best prepare yourself and your companion for their transition

Please note that these calls will be a different format to the usual HorseConscious calls as we will only be allowing a small number of people to take part in what will be an open, round-table discussion with Anna and myself. If you are a HorseConscious Member and would like to take part in these special calls, then please send a new email to info@horseconscious.com with the subject ANNA’S CALLS.

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Before I close, I just want to tell you about the release of a couple of new DVDs.

The first is the new DVD from equine artist extraordinaire Kim McElroy entitled ‘Secrets of Drawing Horses – Level 1: Connecting with the Essence of Horses’.

It seems a long time since we were at her house at the end of June doing the filming and if you watched some of the HorseConscious on The Trail videos on YouTube, you might have seen us. We have since edited the footage and done a small release of the DVD to a test group, who seemed to love it. Here’s what some of them had to say:

"I just loved this and am honored to have been able to participate. Thank you for the energy!..it really is nourishing."

"Thank you! I love it… and will recommend it to my friends.."

"…lovely presentation by Kim, and her inspiration to create freely and with passion; this, to me, is the reason for any art."

We asked them too for their suggestions on how we could improve the DVD and have re-edited accordingly. We feel sure you will love the finished product and it will make a fabulous seasonal gift too. You can order the DVD now at http://www.horseconscious.com/products/dvds

The other DVD to tell you about is the new one from Liz Mitten Ryan called ‘Equinisity’. This is actually a 3-DVD set and was shot on location at her amazing ranch in British Columbia earlier in the summer. It features participants from all around the world taking part in the Liz’s E.A.R.T.H. Program‘s, which stand for stands for Equine Assisted Re-connective Therapy and Healing.

There is a link below to a full article on the subject and you can watch a trailer for the DVD here:
http://www.horsebc.com/2009video/OneWithTheHerdWS.html

The workshops this year ended with a wonderful private session with Heidi Krupp, a publicist from NYC, who has been asked to share her journey on Oprah’s blog, so watch out for that. 25 hours of footage from the summer’s workshops have been edited down to about 3 hours that take you on a journey to magic land. The DVD has been specially priced for launch and you can get it here:
http://www.lizmittenryan.com/store.html

OK, that’s about it from me for another month. We’ll be back just before Christmas with a probably abbreviated HorseConscious newsletter and so until then, here’s hoping you have a very happy start to the holiday season.

Best wishes

Mark Mottershead

Sheryl Crow Asks President Obama & Secretary Salazar to Stop the Assault on America’s Wild Horses and Burros  
Actors Ed Harris, Wendie Malick, and Over 100 Organizations Demand Roundup Moratorium, Protesting Nevada’s Calico Complex Roundup to begin December 1    

COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. (November 20, 2009)—Sheryl Crow speaks out for the wild horses and burros on America’s public lands in the west. The multi-GRAMMY®-winning singer-songwriter and mustang owner joins The Cloud Foundation, over 130 organizations, scientists, authors and celebrity supporters calling on President Obama, Members of Congress and the Department of Interior to place an immediate moratorium on all wild horse and burro roundups until a long-term and humane policy to manage the animals is developed.  

“With one voice we are insisting that our government stop managing these beautiful and important animals to extinction” — Sheryl Crow  

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) removal plan for Nevada’s Calico Complex wild mustangs is fueling outrage across the country and internationally. In a unified sign-on letter (full text below), wild horse supporters outline their opposition to the Obama Administration’s October 7, 2009 announcement regarding the management of wild horses and burros. Groups oppose moving 26,000 wild horses to purchased lands in the east and the current government practice of removing entire wild horse and burros herds from public lands specifically designated for the animals by Congress in 1971.    

“We ask that President Obama or Secretary Salazar cease all BLM roundups as of this date to prevent further suffering.  We request that the government and BLM begin to work in good faith with wild horse advocates for a sustainable solution. The Calico Roundup, scheduled to begin in December and continue through the dead of winter, is inhumane and must be stopped!” — Sheryl Crow  

Upon hearing about the BLM’s plans for the large-scale removal of 2,500 horses in northwest Nevada near the Black Rock Desert, more than seven thousand citizens submitted public comments to the BLM opposing the Calico Mountain Complex Round Up, scheduled to begin on December 1, 2009. Public comment has been extended through November 22, 2009 according to the BLM.  

Currently more than 33,000 wild horses are stockpiled in government holding facilities at a cost to taxpayers of $100,000 a day. The scheduled removal of 2,500 from Nevada will bring that total to more than 35,000.  

“We already have enough wild horses in pens. Adding more horses to those already held in confinement, when they are much safer on the range is shortsighted, inhumane and fiscally irresponsible.”— Ginger Kathrens, Emmy Award Filmmaker & Volunteer Executive Director of the Cloud Foundation.  

The BLM will pay the private contractor $610 per horse rounded up for an estimated total of nearly $2 million for the Calico roundup alone according to BLM spokesperson, Tom Gorey. Branding, vaccinating, sterilizing and processing of horses to be placed in government holding will cost several million more. The BLM hired the same contractor for the controversial roundup of the famous stallion, Cloud, and his Pryor Mountain herd in September, 2009. Bands including two-month-old foals were chased down off the mountaintop by helicopter for 10-15 miles in more than 90 degree heat resulting in trauma and lameness. 

"The government is acting in defiance of the spirit and intent of the 1971 Free Roaming Wild Horses and Burros Act which Congress passed unanimously." — Julianne French, wild horse advocate.  

The 1971 Act preserves wild horses and burros in over 300 areas of publicly owned rangeland in the west, forbidding their exploitation, harassment and removal. Regardless, only 30 million acres remain of the 54 million acres designated primarily for wild horse use in 1971. Over 100 herds have been  completely removed by the BLM and most remaining herds are too small to insure their long-term survival. The BLM’s current policy of eradicating these herds is a betrayal of the wishes of the American public.  

Sheryl Crow, with wild mustang and burro supporters, calls the public to action urging all to write, e-mail, fax and phone Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, their congressional representatives and President Obama. The list of contact phones, e-mails, faxes and mailing addresses is online here.

“Its time for all of us to speak up for our Wild Horses and Burros so we do not lose these living legends and inspiring symbols of our freedom in America.” — Sheryl Crow

Supporting Documents/links  

Sheryl Crow Joins in Wild Horse Fight
Stampede to Oblivion: An Investigate Report from Las Vegas Now
Craig Downer, wildlife ecologist: interview on upcoming Nevada roundup
Public lands grazing fiscal costs report from Wild Earth Guardians
Managing Wild Equids On Public Lands: A response to the DOI Plan (TCF)
Environmental Assessment on proposed Calico Complex Gather
American Herds report “Crunching Calico”
The BLM’s Wild Horse Numbers
2009-2010 Roundup Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions on Wild Horses

"Good friends are like Quilts. They age with you, yet never lose their warmth"

The Plight of PMU Mares and Foals Rages On…

PMU stands for "pregnant mare’s urine". The urine of pregnant mares is used in the manufacturing of Premarin the female hormone replacement. This industry is located mostly in Canada, in the region of Manitoba, close to the Wyeth-Ayerst pharmaceutical company who manufactures Premarin. Since research has proven that Premarin causes cancer in women, there has been a decline in production of the hormone. Consequently, over the last few years over 300 PMU ranches have been closed. Only 70 are still in operation.

NEW ARTICLES ON HORSECONSCIOUS

E.A.R.T.H. Programs 2010 – Liz Mitten Ryan

Imagine a land where love is the guiding principle, where one’s consciousness and connection to Earth is the ultimate goal. A land where miracles are commonplace and spontaneous healings, connections, and a clear understanding of one’s life journey are natural occurrences. E.A.R.T.H. stands for Equine Assisted Re-connective Therapy and Healing.

Come experience Gateway 2 Ranch in British Columbia, Canada, home to crystals, vortexes, and natural flora and fauna as well as author Liz Mitten Ryan, her husband, and their sixteen horses. In this pristine setting, all things properly align for the highest earthly vision human beings can possibly experience.

Here, the free-roaming herd come and go from the barn that is attached to the house used by Liz and Kevin. Born to this paradise, the horses are loved and treated as family. Indeed, the animals of Gateway 2 Ranch have co-authored Liz’s four award-winning books that have garnered eight Independent Publishing awards. As a result, visitors come from around the world to seek the healing connection with higher consciousness this land and animals facilitate.

To read the compete article and more of Liz’s articles, visit Liz Mitten Ryan on HorseConscious

To Whip or Not to Whip… – Anna Twinney

“I don’t want to exasperate the issue”, my client pronounced a few hours prior to her private lesson with me. She expressed concern that the desensitizing lesson may be less than helpful to her at a time where she needed it most to progress to the next level dressage, involving a high-level movement called Piaffe. For now she was at a standstill. I assured her that our lesson would not harm, but only enhance her relationship with her Andalucian Stallion and that she would be present throughout the whole session.

A small group gathered just moments prior to what was supposed to be our private consultation as word had leaked out amongst the whole dressage barn. My briefing included a small synopsis that “Madrid” was passionately concerned with the dressage whip and no-one could get near him with the whip without him freaking out and running backwards or spinning leaving the scene absolutely out of control. It was believed that he had been chased with the whip by his former guardians outside of this Continent.

To read the compete article, visit Anna Twinney on HorseConscious

Bonding before you ride – Carolyn Resnick

Here are some tips on how to connect with your horse on a daily basis so that you can warm up the working bond between you before you ride.

1. Before you get to the barn remember to clear you mind and make a mental outline of all the things you are going to do with your horse. Be prepared however to change course depending on how the connection with your horse goes and how he is feeling. Be in a good mood and happy to see your horse. Remember to give him your full attention as a horse finds it hard to follow your lead without your full attention. Try to see him around the same time each time so he looks forward to your arrival.

2. Remember to keep your eye on everything in your immediate environment that might influence your horse in some way so you can handle any changing situation appropriately.

To read the rest of the tips, visit Carolyn Resnick on HorseConscious

RERUN’S ANNUAL MONEIGH® AUCTION ON EBAY TO BEGIN NOV. 29 TO BENEFIT RETIRED RACEHORSES

Helmetta, NJ – It’s time to find that unique holiday gift for yourself, or a horse-loving friend, and make a tax deductible donation to a worthy charity at the same time.

ReRun, a 501 (c)(3) Thoroughbred race- horse adoption program, announces that its annual holiday eBay auction of Moneigh® paintings, created by famous horses, will be held November 29 through December 6, 2009. This will be ReRun’s largest auction ever, with about 40 paintings to bid on. Anyone can view this year’s selection during the auction by search-ing the word “Moneigh” on the eBay site. However, you must establish an eBay account to bid on a painting. A.P. Indy, right, who stands at Lane’s End Farm, admires his work.

"Moneigh Mary" Simons, assistant to the equine artists, says this year’s auction will feature different breeds of horses to please all horse lovers. In addition to some famous Thoroughbreds who have won the Kentucky Derby and Breeder’s Cup, there will be some famous Kentucky and Florida stallions, broodmares, and up-and-coming racing stars. Other artists will include: a Dutch Warmblood, Holsteiner, Percheron, Standardbred, and mini pony. These particular artists have excelled in driving, jumping, harness racing, and just being cute.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Moneigh®, it is an original, abstract painting created by a horse, using the horse’s muzzle, whiskers, hoof, and tail. Some were created by the horse holding a paintbrush. When possible, the artist signed the work with a hoofprint. A brass plate with the artist’s name is attached to the mat and a lock of mane or tail is attached to the painting as a souvenir.

Proceeds from the auction benefit the horses in the ReRun program who are housed in New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

For a Complete List of the 40 paintings as well as Moneigh Mary’s “Awards” for special artists and stories about some of the horses, featured click HERE.

Why I Teach Horses with Clicker Training – Debra Olson Daniels

Thank you for reading this article. There are so many layers to Equine Clicker Training that mere words can only begin to describe the deep relationship and bonding that it creates.

First, let me tell you about how and why I started to study this training system based in science of some 40+ years. In the year 2000, a seven year old Tennessee Walking Horse named Magic came into my life. He was a handful. I was his 5th home by age seven and I could see why. Not only was he terrified of everything, he would protect himself against the world. None of this was pretty to watch or experience.

I was told to put him down by two top trainers. Through a series of events I discovered clicker training in 2001. I was hooked immediately. And Magic loved it!

I worked with Magic for around a year helping him over come his various fears using operant conditioning . We spent an entire winter in a head down position for most of our time together. This was a very powerful tool in changing his view of his world. He became calmer and more relaxed in his body. His self protective / aggressive behaviors were diminishing rapidly.

We then started the in-hand work to help him learn how to carry his body in balance, do weight shifts, shoulder-in and haunches-in and so on. Because of his body issues, I knew this was paramount in his regime for keeping him sound. He also learned how to ground drive at liberty in collection. And when it was time to ride, he knew how to manage his balance. Very cool indeed.

Raising a clicker trained horse from a young age is easier than taking a horse like Magic on. I taught my husband’s filly how to engage her abdominal muscles and be in balance right from the beginning. She knew nothing other than balance. Everything was taught at the walk first, and then we took it to the trot and canter. Bingo she transfered it all! And then when it was time to ride her, it was all there. The softness, lightness and balance all on a loose rein.

Teaching our horses how to carry their bodies correctly, and us learning how to carry our bodies correctly helps to protect the joints and spinal column of both parties. If we love our horses, this is one of the kindness things we can do for them. And it is all taught with positive reinforcement so the horse thinks it is his/her idea.

At The Magic Center www.equineclickermagic.com , many come to study just how we apply clicker training to horses. After all, we have our pockets full of treats, and then there are the hand feeding questions, and what about using the whips and phases of escalation people ask. So in the beginning we spend a lot of time talking about training theory and what are clicker compatible tools from our tool box. How do we handle the lead rope with respect to the spinal column? How do we ride without hurting the joints? Do we want to be threatening our horses causing tension, inversions, and mistrust and then clicking and treating for that or something else? So in the beginning it is sometimes a paradigm shift in thinking. Oh, but once we start to get happy, relaxed, eager horses that are so willing to please us – who cares about a paradigm shift! The horses so love it and we find ourselves laughing with them at how brilliant they can be!

We start with the foundation lessons no matter where the horse is in their training. We create relaxed, focused and trusting horses and the ripple effect goes through out all of their work. We never start with the goal. We chunk each piece of the exercise down and explain each nuance to the horse and handler. The results are stellar!

I love clicker training horses. I love watching their eyes come alive. If we treat them with respect they in turn respect us and become like puppy dogs. And they feel proud of the work they own.

Debra Olson Daniels
Certified Biofeedback Specialist
Certified Stress Management Specialist
Certified Pain Management Specialist
Equine Clicker Trainer/Massage Therapist

360-274-6310 –
www.equineclickermagic.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE QUILTERS!

Our quilt has been juried into the upcoming horse quilt exhibition to be held at the National Quilt Museum in the fall of 2010. The four-person jury has assembled a group of quilts that will tell a story and do it with visual panache. We are very pleased to be included. More info will be forthcoming!!

Congratulations to each of the participants! Your contribution helped make this idea a voice for Horse Consciousness!!!!

Tessa and Kim

NEW DVDs AVAILABLE NOW!

Secrets of Drawing Horses Kim McElroy

Waterfole Reflections Carolyn Resnick

Equinisity Liz Mitten Ryan

 Click images for more info & to purchase

Remember:
HorseConscious Members can promote their own events here too!