Newsletter XXVI
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Edition XXVI |
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Hi Welcome to this month’s HorseConscious Newsletter.
Me? Yep, I lapped it up being the big, old romantic that I am. They looked like a very happy couple to me and I’m darned sure that William wasn’t going to make the same mistake that his mother and father did. Hats off too (or should that be veils off?) to Kate for the way she handled herself throughout their relationship and on their big day too, I thought she was grace personified, considering nearly 1/3 of the world’s population was tuning in. I’d like to wish them every happiness and hope that the press give them a little peace in their private lives. Hip, hip, hooray! OK, moving back to the subject in hand… namely horses. A couple of interesting points came in from Helene following recent discussions, which I thought you might like to read: "Lukas and Beautiful Jim Key demonstrate their exceptional form of sensitive-intelligence, but they also prove that with the right approach, they can cross over into our domain and communicate in our terms. Although all horses like human are not equally intelligent, the point made by Jim Key still prevails: With kindness and patience, many horses (and children) can reach their maximum potential. Lukas is not an exceptional horse, he is an exceptionally intelligent horse brought out by his exceptional trainer." And the second good point, which had not occurred to me: "A thought I wanted to share with you is about the windfarming considered by Madeleine Pickens. I have read that people in Portugal that were obligated by the government to have such devices on their farms were not very happy about it. It seemed that the type of “noise” generated could be part of the problem.
It would be great to hear your feedback on this and the best place for this is on the HorseConscious Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/HorseConscious In fact, our Facebook page is an ideal space to share all your horse(conscious) thoughts and I encourage you to visit there any time and tell us what you have been up to in your horse life. All your friends will still see your post as well as all the HorseConscious Facebook fans. The easiest way to find it is just to start typing HorseConscious in the search bar right at the top of the page in Facebook.
Towcester, one of the major National Hunt (jump) racecourses in the UK, announced that they will they will outlaw the use of the whip in all meetings from Oct 5. Instead, riders will race using a system known as hands and heels in which they can carry a whip but only in the back hand position and can only use it to hit the horse down the shoulder. A source at the racecourse said, "It is the Towcester board’s view that the public who attend our fixtures do not enjoy watching horses getting whipped after they have raced up our steep hill." The debate over the use of whips was brought into the spotlight again recently during the Grand National (the UK’s top steeplechase race) earlier this month when Jason Maguire, the winning jockey, was banned for five days for excessive use of his whip on his mount, Ballabriggs. Many race fans complained about Maguire’s actions after the exhausted horse was seen being given oxygen after the race. Earlier the same week, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) warned that unless rules were tightened, they would consider taking action to bring in a blanket ban on the use of whips. Of course, the topic has polarised the racing community although it is interesting to note that many well-known fogures within the industry are calling for a change in rules. One of the most colourful characters on British racecourses, the commentator John McCririck, said: "The only living things you can hit are horses, and it just cannot be right. It’s the unacceptable side of racing. The best horses would still win." Similarly, one of the writers of the piece, Marcus Armytage, a former jockey himself said in an accompanying article: "An outright ban may not yet be a racing certainty… but this stance looks to me like a golden opportunity to incorporate it as a pilot scheme." So it seems like the tide is turning, folks. Clearly most HorseConscious readers would like to see the complete ban on horse racing but we must be realistic and realise that this will not happen overnight. We must therefore seize this opportunity to take the first of what could be many smaller steps until the ultimate goal is achieved. I therefore urge you to do whatever you can locally or via the internet to support all those who are campaigning on the front lines to change the way horses are treated in the name of sport. On that very subject therefore and further to an article we featured in the February edition of the HorseConscious Newsletter by Australian barehoof practitioner, Glenn Wilson, I received an email from Madelaine Innocent with an update on their campaign. This is a letter therefore to you all from Glenn From: Glenn Wilson
Hello Everyone, I am involved in a discussion with the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) regarding several horse welfare issues. The query I put to the AVA was - “When a vet science student graduates I presume they all swear the “Veterinary Oath” which states “I solemnly swear to practise veterinary science ethically and conscientiously for the benefit of animal welfare, animal and human health… “, and the AVA website also has the following posted “Equipment or gear used during training or performance should not cause distress, pain or injury to the horse on which it is used”. Australian Veterinary Association policy on horse welfare. Current policy, January 2011. First ratified 01.01.1997 Given the above statement and veterinary oath, I am wondering how the AVA can:
when clearly all these activities cause horses distress, pain, or injury?” AVA president, Mr G Barry Smyth, responded to my query with a letter that does not really address my questions in a clear way. He did however state that the “AVA would be interested to hear if you have verifiable evidence of any welfare issues related to horses or any other animal. If so, these matters should be reported to appropriate authorities for investigation and follow-up action.” He also stated that “Data from many countries demonstrates that horses which can race as two year olds are more likely to have a prolonged career than those horses which commence training and racing at a later stage. If the horse is mature enough to race as a two year old, there are no reasons to delay his racing career”. I have asked him if he can direct me to any verifiable evidence to support this statement. What I am urgently seeking is information. Verifiable, scientific, statistical or empirical evidence that is available that clearly demonstrates the harm, distress and trauma that is caused to horses by the issues bulleted above. I am casting this request for information as far and as wide as I can. This is not just an Australian issue (although I am targeting the Australian Veterinary Association as a starting point), it is a world horse issue. If you know of any organisation that may be able to help in this quest for evidence to present to the AVA, please forward this message on to them, requesting their help. If I can put up a substantial body of clear and irrefutable evidence, the AVA will have very little excuse for maintaining the stance they currently have on these issues. Of course there will probably be resistance and delay, but I will continue to encourage them to put the welfare of the animal (in this case the horse) first. No ifs and no buts! Thanks in anticipation of a mountain of scientific evidence to free the horse of unnecessary pain and trauma. If you can help, please email Glenn (waterfallcreek@westnet.com.au) or Madelaine (enquiries@twolegsandfour.com.au)
"This summer issue’s theme is "Wild and Free" and we have features including renowned equine photographer, Tony Stromberg. Stromberg has spent much of his time getting to learn the nuances and habits of his most beloved equine companions in their natural environment. Don’t miss the upcoming issue when Stromberg reveals his latest passions and captivating photos of horses that have spoken to his heart’s mission. A special feature on Return to Freedom where the stallion that inspired the buckskin star in Disney’s "Spirit" resides. See upclose and personal photos of the wild horses that live with him in the sanctuary in California. LandonAlso onboard is Adrian Landon, a metal sculptor of New York, whose story is as riveting as his art form. Kim McElroy shares lesson 4 in her ongoing series on drawing horses. Another upcoming Horses In Art Exclusive: Dolly Parton and the Dixie Stampede introduce the latest in the Trail of Painted Ponies Celebrity Collection, so don’t miss an issue." Both print and electronic subscriptions are available and are incredibly good value. For the print version, you can sign up online here: Horses In Art print subscription and for the electronic version here: Horses In Art digital Or to subscribe by mail or phone, inquire about editorial submissions, or receive advertising information, Horses in Art, Before I go, a quick reminder to all HorseConscious Members that today’s (Sunday 1st May) call with Kathy Pike is at If you would like to make any comments about the Newsletter or any other horse-related subject that is close to your heart, please remember to visit the HorseConscious Facebook page. Next month’s Newsletter will be coming to you live from the special HorseConscious E.A.R.T.H. Retreat in beautiful British Columbia, where I’m looking forward to chilling out, relaxing and spending some time with my horsey friends, both 2-legged and 4! Till then, enjoy your month. Best wishes |
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‘ You took care of your horse, and your horse took care of you.’
- Elton Gallegly |
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A GIFT FROM GODS Dreams. It’s what shapes us and the world around us. It gives us all hope when the world gets a little cold. Unfortunately not many get to live a dream, but one September day years ago; the universe listened to my heart and right then in that moment made a dream come true. I met and fell in love with a big, sorrel horse, named Brutus. His named matched him perfectly. He stood proud, beaming full of life. At times a little clumsy and a bit lazy. However, there were also many more times in which he would explode for no apparent reason. These “explosions” came in the form of bolting or bucking. On the ground or in the saddle. Everyday was a battle. I thought I have just made a huge mistake. There were times of calm, when we rode all by ourselves; he carried me so beautifully and so carefully. I knew something is not right here. However, when we rode with others, it was a complete disaster. Rumors started to fly. I was the girl with the out of control horse. To them Brutus was mean, dominant, disrespectful, and way to much horse for me. But his big brown eyes told me a different story. To me all I could see was a gentle, kind hearted animal, who was misunderstood. I enlisted some help from horse trainers. There weren’t many in our small community, and mostly everyone practiced Natural Horsemanship. I thought I have nothing to loose. But was soon to loose it all. They believed he needed nose chains, harsh bits, restraints, and a good whipping when he was being naughty. Being a novice, I listened and trusted what they had to say. Deep, down inside, though, there was this little voice that would scream at me “don’t do it, there’s a better way!” But was there and where to find this better way? After the years of trainers, Brutus finally hit rock bottom. His spirit broke, his heart in pieces. And me knowing I was killing his soul. It was time for both of us to be reborn and little did I know about the journey that was waiting for me. A journey out of the dark. I worked for a horse tack store for years. I ordered all the merchandise, which included books. On my lunch breaks I would pick out one book and read it. Hoping this “better way” was hidden in one of these books. One day the gods must have been looking down on me for there it was, a simple book I had been waiting for, named Dancing with Horses, by Klaus Hempfling. It was much different then I thought it would be and a lot deeper then I was prepared for. There was a truth in those pictures, the answers in the script. All of a sudden I became obsessed. I believed this book was written just for me and his words I read flooded my mind with the possibilities I have just found. Years of studying all his books, and researching, my life started to make more sense. My beloved horse, the one creature I love more then anything on this planet, is only acting this way because of the way I was inside and all my emotions, stress, anger, rage, everything he was mirroring in his own way. Life needed to change and now. First off and most importantly I divorced my husband, who had caused most of this upset in my heart. Secondly I needed to start living again. I needed to unleash myself and to find my original nature. It was time to start making me happy first. I had lost myself in this world. I was so worried about putting everyone else first, I forgot about my dreams and ambitions. And thirdly I felt in deep down that someday I was going to Denmark to meet this man who changed my whole life. Being form a small town in north Idaho, I knew this was going to be no easy task. I contemplating waiting for him to come to the states or waiting for him to have a clinic a little closer to me, but my heart was set on going to his origins, to where it all began. The universe must have been listening, for not soon after I made up my mind that someday I was going to Denmark, the opportunity came about. There was no holding me back, my time had come. With my soul on fire and my heart aching for answers, I flew half way across the world for a one day seminar, to shake this mans hand. I felt perhaps, I have lost my mind. I am spending all this money and time and I have never traveled overseas. However, there was a force beyond my control that was fueling this journey. Arriving in Denmark was exhilarating; I was so close now, so close to him. I needed to travel eight more hours to get on the tiny island where Klaus resided. So I grabbed my gear, said a prayer and off I went. I arrived finally. The island was a step back in time. So simple, so quite, nothing I have ever dreamed of. My clinic started early the next morning, and I should have gotten some sleep, but that was the farthest thing from my mind. I was pumped full of emotions. I wondered, am I going to cry when I meet him? Will I feel relieved? What will happen? That little voice inside came back, “soon” it said “soon you will have your moment”. Sitting in the damp, cold, arena, waiting for Klaus’ appearance, I felt at peace. I have finally made it. My dream is about to come true. Not a moment later he walked in. I have read his books and watched his videos so many times, but here was the real person. We made eye contact and then tears started to push thru. I held them back; it seemed no one else there was so moved as I. After the clinic, one of Klaus’ helpers came to me and asked if I wanted a private meeting with Klaus. My heart dropped. Time stood still. I was going to shake his hand. She led me up to his home, he opened the door and my first instinct kicked in. I held out my hand, looked him in the eye and said thank you. Inside I knew that was all I wanted. I was ready to go home. However, he wanted to talk and know a little about Brutus. We talked briefly. I remember him saying “everything you need to help you and Brutus is already inside you. Don’t be afraid, trust yourself.” That was many years ago, but stays with me wherever I go. Brutus and I have grown so much since then. I see him differently now. I don’t judge him, or have expectations; I put the pressure on me. And that is okay, he doesn’t speak human and would rather not, but I am learning horse. It has been a journey and everyday is something new. I always remember to live life, to be more childlike, to learn, explore, be silly and love. I try to be my genuine self, after all that is who Brutus recognizes and that is they type of leader he needs. And it is easier to be myself, and then do what everyone else does. Our time together is only getting better, and everyday I see him, and wonder, what will you teach me today? I truly believe the gods bestowed a beautiful gift to me, the gift of a dream. A short essay by: Jenifer Evans, HorseConscious Member |
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‘‘What we are seeking so frantically elsewhere may turn out to be the horse we have been riding all along"- Harvey Cox |
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UK AND UofL EQUINE PROGRAMS COLLABORATE Equine industry and equine higher education programs have much in common: Just as the industry is at its best when different disciplines and niches work together, higher education is also strongest when complementary programs unite. The University of Louisville’s (UofL) Equine Industry program and the University of Kentucky’s (UK) Equine Science and Management undergraduate degree program have collaborated this year through teaching, industry activities, and undergraduate research to enhance students’ educational opportunities. This partnership has benefited students, challenged and enhanced faculty, and opened doors for future joint efforts. Teaching is at the heart of both programs and each has different strengths. UofL focuses on the business side of the industry while UK emphasizes the science behind equine management. Offering core classes to equine program students at each institution provides access to the best of both worlds. For instance, over the last two semesters Bob Coleman, PhD, PAS, UK’s associate director for undergraduate education in equine science and management and extension horse specialist, has taught an introduction to equine science class at UofL. UofL’s Tim Capps, PhD, participated as a mock interviewer in UK’s equine career prep class and offered his business background and insight into career opportunities. Plans for him to teach an equine business class at UK next year are under way. While this is a great start, more is possible as the programs move forward, including an increase in joint classes. Ideally, faculty will guest lecture with each other more in module-type settings, and students could even be invited to visit both schools at different times throughout the year. But the classroom is not the only place that collaboration occurs. Because UK and UofL are located only about 75 miles apart, there are also many opportunities for shared activities outside the classroom. Both programs send students to intern at the same sites, and graduate job placements often overlap. Both schools organized and supported the Kentucky International Equine Summit in 2008 and again in 2010. Furthermore, students and faculty from both programs traveled abroad together in 2009 when they toured England’s equine industry. In the future, the schools could enhance shared industry activities by offering opportunities for their students to socialize and build personal relationships. The ultimate goal of the collaboration between UK and UofL is for students to learn together and from each other, as well as establish relationships that will help unite the next generation of horse professionals. Working together to solve industry issues is another avenue of collaboration between the two schools. Currently, for example, UofL students can participate in undergraduate research studying optimal broodmare band sizes, evaluating macroeconomic influences on the equine breeding industry, and comparing the positive and negative aspects of artificial insemination. Students at UK, on the other hand, have opportunities to work on genetics and disease diagnostics in Gluck Equine Research Center laboratories or help care for horses and collect data for research projects related to equine nutrition, pasture management, reproduction, and parasitology at Maine Chance Farm. Both programs’ current undergraduate research opportunities are strong, and collaboration in this area would only strengthen them. In the future, students from both programs could work together in partnerships or teams to investigate the business and science sides of important industry issues such as the unwanted horse or race track surface comparisons. Students would learn both the business and science sides of these issues. They would also learn the benefits of an integrated approach to solving problems that face the industry, and most importantly, they would learn the value of collaboration early in their careers. Building the bridge between UK and UofL has only just begun, and many opportunities to improve both programs lie ahead. While cooperation between two schools that are rivals on various fields of play can sometimes seem daunting, the efforts to accomplish this have led to more faculty interaction. This increased interaction has helped ease the administrative barriers that often exist between universities, and it is also facilitating more student interaction, which furthers the schools’ respective goals to help students gain a broader knowledge and more sophisticated understanding of the horse industry worldwide. As the faculties become better acquainted and work together in the classroom and on research projects, students will follow. thehorse.com, Elizabeth LaBonty,April 21, 2011, Article # 18133 |
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‘One reason why horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other horses.’
- Dale Carnegie |
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THOROUGHBRED TRAINERS AGAINST POTENTIAL BAN ON ANTI-BLEEDER MEDICATIONS Saying they support efforts to limit race-day medications, two prominent Thoroughbred trainers say they hope the initiatives do not go so far as to ban use of the anti-bleeder drug furosemide (Salix). During an April 11 panel discussion as part of the monthly meeting of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club, trainers Tom Amoss and Bob Hess Jr. agreed that some drugs, such as phenylbutazone (Bute) and cortisone, should not be allowed on race day. “Knowing that horses bleed when they run, why put a horse through that?" Amoss, a leading conditioner in the Midwest, asked of the proposal to ban Salix, which was previously marketed under the trade name Lasix.” Amoss said when he was working in New York in the 1980s, Lasix was not permitted and trainers went to great lengths to simulate the beneficial effect of the anti-bleeder medication: "In an effort to simulate what Lasix does, they were spending $200 where it would cost $15 for a shot of Lasix. If we got to where there was no race-day Lasix, the only ones who benefit are the vets." “We could get away with not having Lasix, but it’s much better with it," said Hess, whose stable is based in Southern California. While previous efforts to ban race-day medications have never materialized, Amoss said he believes the current initiative will come to fruition, especially considering the number of organizations that are lining up behind the movement. He noted that a significant development occurred earlier in the day April 11 when the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association announced support for the ban. thehorse.com, by: Ron Mitchell, April 13 2011, Article # 18092 |
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‘They are more beautiful than anything in the world, kinetic sculptures, perfect form in motion.’ |
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SPREADING COMPOST
I was thrilled to discover that a neighboring dairy would deliver and spread dry dairy manure on our pastures for a small fee. At Sweet Pepper Ranch this week we are working on just that: spreading compost. We are lucky enough to live in close proximity to several dairies. A friendly visit got me hooked up with one that was happy to deliver dry dairy manure and spread it for only $35/giant truck load. We are thrilled! Using their manure allows us to save our compost for the many landscaping projects we have going, such as the areas where we are putting in lawns and gardens. Plus, they have lots of it (much more than we have compost!) so we’ll have enough for our seven acres of pasture. We are spreading our composted horse manure in landscaping areas where we are planning a lawn and garden. Here are a few things to keep in mind when spreading manure or compost:
Compost is a rich soil enhancement that improves the health of both plants and soil and helps retain moisture. It contains micro- and macronutrients that benefit plants and it adds important organic material to your soil. Plus, it’s good to know that the composting process kills pathogens and parasites in manure. Happy spreading! thehorse.com, by: Alayne, April 14 2011 |
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‘’The wagon rest in winter, the sleigh in summer, the horse never.’- Yiddish Proverb |
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NEW ARTICLES ON HORSECONSCIOUS |
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From the Studio – Kim McElroy
It is amazing trying to look back at the process of a painting. Like a train of thought it is difficult to break down each step. Which thoughts did I have first? Which lines did I draw first and what led to what? To read the compete article, visit Kim’s blog Grace Photo by Sandra Wallin |
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The Creative Edge – Linda Kohanov
“Reclaiming your innate ability to imagine and manifest, to express the deepest yearnings of your soul, these are revolutionary acts of self-empowerment,” Linda Kohanov emphasizes. The author was intrigued to find that the courage to create—and the ability to support/motivate others to create—is one of the biggest issues in the corporate world. “I’ve had the great pleasure of designing horse-facilitated clinics for a variety of management teams,” she reports.“As a part of that process, I interview key staff to understand the challenges each business faces, so that I can gear activities with the horses to particular skills and goals my clients want to work on." To read the compete article, visit Linda Kohanov on HorseConscious Facebook |
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Lounge Lizard to Pegasus – Carolyn Resnick When a horse has lost his natural herding instincts it makes it impossible to dance at liberty with him. In this post, I am going to talk about how to use the round pen to return the natural herding instincts of a horse to respond to a driving aid. When you start with this exercise, I am setting it up so that the horse can see that we are wanting to bring back his herding response from a friendly approach. You initiate the game like you would surprise a friend with a good game of “Boo! I can catch you!” that would develop into a game of tag. To read the compete article and more of Carolyn’s articles, visit Carolyn Resnick on HorseConscious |
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YES, YOUR HORSE IS FAT Horse owners are often warned about the dangers of equine obesity and encouraged to help overweight horses drop a few pounds. But to solve this problem they must be able to acknowledge it in the first place. According to the results of a recent study completed by a group of researchers in the U.K., one of the biggest challenges posed by equine obesity could be that owners don’t recognize their horses are overweight. Obesity is a problem in horses; as horse owners we need to be aware of this and learn how to recognize it," said Sarah Freeman, BVetMed, PhD, CertVA, Cert VR, CertES, Dipl. ECVS, MRCVS, associate professor of Veterinary Surgery at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, in Leicestershire. Freeman worked with Helen Stephenson, BVMedSci, and other colleagues to examine the prevalence of obesity in a population of U.K. horses and ponies (specifically horses in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire that were not in a professional training program) along with the owners’ perceptions of equine obesity. The researchers reviewed owner-completed surveys that included individuals’ perceptions of their horses’ body condition scores (BCS) according to the Dodson and Horrell feed company body scoring chart. Then each of a random selection of horses was examined by a researcher that provided his or her assessment of the horses’ BCS. Each researcher examining the horses was blinded to the owners’ perceived BCS. The horse owners scored only about 20% of the horses in the study population as overweight or obese (a score greater than 3 on this particular scoring system), whereas the researchers perceived nearly 55% of horses in the study population to be overweight or obese. Upon evaluation, the team determined that 53% of owners scored their horses at least one grade less than did the researchers. "There are probably two reasons why people underestimate weight," Freeman explained. "One is not wanting to admit that their horse has a problem (like saying you are a dress size smaller than you actually are), and the other is that if the problem is as widespread as this study suggests, then ‘fat’ horses are the norm. "It was interesting from interviews that the owners knew how to manage obesity, which suggests that the main problem is recognizing it," she continued. "I think there is some reluctance to discuss it–you would probably feel comfortable telling a friend if you thought their horse was lame, but would (feel less comfortable) telling them that their horse is fat." Freeman also noted that the team was not able to pinpoint one single link between the horses they evaluated and the animals’ obesity; however, she believes diet and exercise are contributing factors: "My personal opinion is that it relates to a mismatch in nutrition and workload. In the study just under half the horses (49%) did between zero and five hours (of) work per week, however 90% received concentrate feed." Freeman suggests consulting a veterinarian to determine each horse’s individual BCS and an appropriate nutrition and exercise program. She also advocates determining whether the horse has any other conditions that might predispose him to obesity, such as equine metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance, and treating them accordingly. The study, "Prevalence of obesity in a population of horses in the U.K.," was published in the February 2011 issue of the Veterinary Record. The abstract is available online. Want to determine your horse’s weight? Learn how with our video tutorial and Horse Weight Calculator. thehorse.com, by: Erica Larson, News Editor |
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 click image to visit The Cloud Foundation Site |
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REPORT EXPOSES ABUSIVE CONDITIONS AT BLM WILD HORSE HOLDING FACILITY IN UTAH Cloud Foundation asks Congress to reform Wild Horse and Burro ProgramWASHINGTON (April 8, 2011)—The Cloud Foundation received a written report and video documentation from Lisa Friday after her tour last month of BLM’s Butterfield Short Term Wild Horse and Burro Holding Facility (aka Salt Lake City Wild Horse & Burro Center), outside Salt Lake City. Friday was shocked to find wild horses living in unhealthy conditions that would that raise concerns and charges of abuse if they were observed in private facilities. “When government is facing a shutdown, tax dollars cannot be used for animal cruelty,” states Anne Novak spokesperson for The Cloud Foundation. “We ask Congress to defund the roundups and use that money to help Americans in their time of need.” The video contains disturbing images of once-wild horses penned in areas where they were unable to navigate out of a knee-deep mixture of mud, manure, and urine. Friday, a wild horse adopter and long-time horsewoman from Richmond, VA; reports of seeing 30 horses laying down in mud and excrement for the entire three hours in which she was at the facility. ”They never got up,” she states. “I saw more than 10 horses in one pen alone trying to escape the quagmire but their legs were suctioned deep into the mud,” explains Friday. “Seeing wild horses in this kind of squalor is heart-breaking,” says Ginger Kathrens, Director of The Cloud Foundation who has spent 17 years documenting the wild lives of horses in her Cloud productions for PBS. “I don’t understand how BLM can justify the removal of these animals from the safety of their wild homes, only to dump them into these hellish conditions. I seriously doubt that the American taxpayers want their money used for this kind of cruelty.” In her report, Friday describes conversations with BLM facility employees who acknowledge that wild horses are not given the required three opportunities to be adopted, but are regularly sent to long term holding for life after only one advertised event—which may be nothing more than one exposure on the internet. Friday noticed a young mare that was extremely emaciated. The BLM told her the female was a three-year old from a roundup in the Moriah Herd Area of Nevada. The mare was captured 8 months ago; raising another red flag about the care the animals receive in the BLM facility. Friday asked where the sick pens were and was told, “Any pen, which contained a sick animal was a sick pen”. She was told there were pregnant mares in the pens. She asked why she hadn’t seen any foals. The employee replied that there was one foal born. When Friday asked where it was, the employee changed the subject. “Besides their horrible living conditions, it was disturbing to see how cruelly BLM interacted the horses,” explains Friday. “I was horrified to see horses being moved from pen to pen with the help of a ‘Bobcat’ (small bulldozer).” “Perhaps this is natural horsemanship, BLM style?” asks Kathrens, a wild horse adopter herself. “Anyone who interacts with our wild horses should be required to go through classes to learn the contemporary techniques taught by so many wonderful clinicians. There is really no excuse for this kind of aggression toward already terrorized animals.” The Cloud Foundation is sharing Lisa Friday’s report with Congress, asking for an investigation of all holding facilities—especially those on private property that are currently off limits to the public. The Foundation demands that BLM follow the law and allow all young wild horses five years and under three legitimate opportunities to find adoptive homes, before being housed for life at taxpayer expense. The Cloud Foundation and 200 other organizations continue to call for Congress to withhold money for more roundups until BLM undergoes an overhaul of its broken Wild Horse and Burro Program. The BLM is currently asking Congress for an additional $12 million to conduct their scheduled summer roundups. More than 40,000 wild horses and burros are housed in holding facilities throughout the US at huge taxpayer expense. The Cloud Foundation estimates that less than 15,000 wild horses remain in the wild. Caroline Betts, PhD, predicts wild horse extinction in 11 years if BLM is allowed to continue removing massive numbers of horses from their legally designated ranges in the West. “The only way to save the water, land and last wild horses in the American West is to remove the government’s incessantly corrupt Bureau of Land Management…” says Academy Award winner Michael Blake, author of Dances with Wolves. Media Contacts: Anne Novak Lauryn Wachs | |
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‘Under his spurning feet, the landscape sped away like an ocean flying before the wind.’ |
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COOKIES WITH A CLUE FOR YOUR HORSE – SIMPLIFYING THE SUPPLEMENT "JUNGLE"
For Marian Nilsen, owner of Healthy Horse Boutique, a company that prides itself on caring for horses with healthy, safe, effective methods, finding a solution to the supplement jungle became a mission. “One day I was in the barn mixing and measuring when I really wanted to be riding, teaching and training. I just felt like there had to be an answer. So, I approached equine nutritionist Gabriele Sutton of KAM Animal Services, a company that focuses on therapeutic supplements for better health, to see if she had any clues on how I could simplify supplementing my horses.” Together, Nilsen and Sutton came up with a clever solution. Why not put the supplements into a cookie? That was the birth of Cookies with a Clue, a line of cookies that are designed to target the situation, while ensuring your horse gets the basic supplements that every horse needs.” “I came up with that name because it’s a spoof on words as in ‘having a clue’ about what horses and horse owners need. I am very aware of what it takes to benefit them: supplements that are healthy, safe, effective and time saving. In other words, I’m not clueless,” explained Nilsen. “It now allows me to do what I want to do and not spend so much time researching the products, buying them and then divvying everything up. Instead I mix and match the cookies based on the activities of that day. For traveling I make sure to take the cookies with me so I’ve got what I need at a moment’s notice,” she explained.
If you are someone who reads labels and understands about health then the following words are going to clarify how beneficial these cookies are: organic, GMO-free, no additives, no hormones, no chemicals, low NSC, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, sugar free, gut support, reduce the risk of ulcers and colic, help balance the acid/alkaline level, prebiotics, decrease lactic acid buildup, no side effects and, best of all, “legal” for competition. With her “Cookies with a Clue,” Nilsen has achieved her goal because her cookies are revolutionizing the way horses are supplemented and changing the way horse lovers think of “treats.” So now Nilsen is on a mission to share her cookies with other horse owners. Her motto: “Nutritious, Delicious, and Effortless!” To find out more about Healthy Horse Boutique and “Cookies with a Clue,” visit her web site at www.healthyhorseboutique.com or www.cookieswithaclue.com. Receive a 5% discount on your first Cookies with a Clue order by entering HHBPR during checkout or by mentioning this press release on an email/phone order. by Newsroom Associate, Staff Writer – HorsesintheSouth.com, support@horsesinthesouth.com | |
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"To see the wind’s power, the rain’s cleansing and the sun’s radiant life, one need only to look at the horse".–Unknown |
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COMMENTARY: THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX FOR EQUINE DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS With sick animals, people often think negative diagnostic results are “bad” results since the cause of disease is still unknown. However, we would do well to remember Thomas Edison’s mindset: “I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.” For example, if blood test results indicate that a horse has normal bloodwork (including kidney and liver function tests) and no evidence of anemia or infectious disease, much information can be gained from these “negative” results. If basic test results are all normal, it tells the veterinarian which organ systems are functioning within normal limits. Far from being unnecessary expenses, these so-called “negative” test results can point the way to the next steps in diagnosing the real problem. But as Neil Williams, DVM, PhD, points out, despite a complete postmortem and multiple diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, the cause of equine abortions sometimes cannot be determined. In 1977 several Thoroughbred mares in Newmarket, England, developed an unusual grayish vaginal discharge after being bred, and their failure to conceive caused significant concern. Standard aerobic culturing failed to detect conventional bacterial causes for endometritis, and examination of cells showed a white blood cell response. Since all routine diagnostic methods had shown negative results, other diagnostic laboratories were consulted for further assistance. Eventually a vaginal swab from an affected mare was taken to the Public Health Laboratories in Cambridge for testing using methods to detect human gonorrhea. This testing showed the growth of a new, slow-growing Gram-negative coccobacillus. The equine disease is now known as contagious equine metritis (fortunately not horse gonorrhea!); the bacterial cause is Taylorella equigenitalis. Who would have thought to take a mare’s vaginal swab to a public health laboratory? By ruling out other causes of equine vaginal discharge and still running into negative results, veterinarians and scientists were forced to think outside the box. In another example, in 1966 a mathematician wrote an article speculating that a protein could replicate on its own. “Self-replication and Scrapie” was written by J.S. Griffith of Bedford College, London. He proposed a self-replicating protein in association with scrapie, now known to be caused by a prion protein. Scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of sheep, just as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is of cattle. Griffith never wrote again on scrapie, yet his paper was read (out of a textbook in a library) by researchers some 15 years later, shortly before the devastating outbreak of BSE began in England. While no transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of horses yet exists, let us hope that libraries, textbooks, and “think-outside-the-box” scientists never go out of vogue. Want to determine your horse’s weight? Learn how with our video tutorial and Horse Weight Calculator. thehorse.com, by: Equine Disease Quarterly, April 16 2011, Article # 18098 |
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THE PATH OF THE HORSE – LETTERS TO STORMY MAY Stormy May, maker of the film documentary ‘The Path of the Horse’, sent out an update with news of her trip to France. It also featured letters from around the world she had received, which go to show the impact her film has had. Thank you Stormy. “I think the seed has been planted – a lot of people who saw “The Path of the Horse” are trying to change their ways of thinking about horses – I can see it on the polish facebook pages devoted to horses. Of course many still think this is another, gentler and nicer way to make your horses do what you want, but anyway, people start to get on the path! It makes me very happy, as many of those people are really sensitive and truly love their horses so there is a hope that some horse’s lives will be better. A lot of people visit your blog and subscribe to Horse Conscious after they saw the film. I read some of the comments people wrote after the viewing and I noticed that those who find the idea close to their hearts are usually people who run shelters or foundation for “discarded’ animals. Many of them wrote that they felt a relief as the film somehow explained to them why they do not feel the urge to ride horses any more. Those who have bigger stables or their private horses still struggle with the idea of “not riding’ but they see there are different ways of communicating with horses and they decide to take this road. I myself am still struggling with the memories of slaughter horse fair I have been to. It is hard to recover and get back to normal life. In winter I had my first reiki level and I worked on myself to open up more to horses and people. And during this kind of “training of the soul” I went to this terrible fair. It was like a thunder of evil and it somehow broke me. Sometimes I think that I felt the tremendous terror of those animals and the aggression of the men at the same time and it confused me and made me lose my hope. But I do my best to recover, and my horses help me with their patient presence and endless love.” – from Poland "I’ve grown up with horses – my mother had me on a pony at 18 months of age and it’s been a lifelong love affair. They are such beautiful and intelligent animals and I love watching the way they interact with each other and humans. No two horses are alike and it always fascinates me how they form instantaneous impressions about particular humans and decide immediately whether they like you or not. My experience has been that they rarely, if ever, make errors in judging a human’s character! I’m absolutely amazed at the progress being made by such visionaries as yourself and Alexander Nevzorov in changing long held and historical ideas about how to ‘break’ (a term I’ve never liked because it truly is akin to ‘breaking’ their spirit) and train horses. I’ve always found that kindness, love and attention get the best results and my horses returned my love for them tenfold. One thoroughbred gelding that I rescued from the race track at age 4 with a badly injured off foreleg suspensory ligament (the owners were going to destroy him and claim the insurance but I took him home instead – much to the total dismay of my Dad – I already had 4 other horses at the time!) was like a big 16h chestnut dog. I spent a lot of time with him because he came from a racing stable where the horses were just running, winning and money making machines and had no love or individual attention. He used to grab the handle of the rake between his teeth and swing it backwards and forwards while I was mucking out his stable and yard – copying the way I used the tools. He would bang it against the side of the wheelbarrow and when the wheelbarrow was full would tip it over so I would have to stay longer to clean it up! He was such a beautiful horse and the relationship ended tragically when he was badly injured in a paddock accident. I had to make the heartbreaking decision to put him down and it really broke my heart. I still occasionally cry over the memory even though it was 20+ years ago. It’s true what they say – some love never dies. Thank you for raising people’s awareness that horses can be encouraged to achieve amazing things without sawing their mouths, using whips and force to subjugate them by breaking their will and spirit. If you are ever in Australia I would love to have the opportunity to see your work." – from Australia For more info on Stprmy May and her work, visit The Path of the Horse on HorseConscious. | |
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‘’A lovely horse is always an emotional experience of the kind that is spoiled by words." -Beryl Markham |
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DIARY DATES: |
April 29-May 1 | Anna Twinney, Animal Communication Evening,Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary, info@reachouttohorses.com |
| April 30-May 1 | Sandra Wallin, She Walks With Horses, www.chironsway.com/seminars.html |
| April 30- May 5 | Kathy Pike, EFLC Level One Training – UK, support@coachingwithhorses.com |
| May 12-15 | Sandra Wallin, PSYCH-K® Advanced Integration Workshop, http://www.chironsway.com/registration.html |
| May 14-15 | Kathy Pike, Hearts in Harmony: The Dance of Horse and Human- Workshop, register here |
| May 18-24 | Liz Mitten Ryan, E.A.R.T.H. Shoulder Program with Moira Sambey |
| May 25-29 | Sandra Wallin, Dancing With Equus Enhanced Facilitator Training in Equine Guided Development, chironsway@shaw.ca |
| May 28-29 |
Kathy Pike,Dance of Authenticity through the Wisdom of the Horse – Workshop, heresupport@coachingwithhorses.com |
| May 28-June 2 |
Kathy Pike, EFLC Level One Training, support@coachingwithhorses.com |
| May 28- June 4 |
Liz Mitten Ryan-Horse Conscious Special Retreat , http://www.equinisity.com/register.html |
| June 3-6 | Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, Entrance Package, www.hempfling.com |
| June 5-12 | Anna Twinney,Healing Horses at Bitterroot Ranch, Anna@reachouttohorses.comand Roz@equitours.com |
| June 7-8 | Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, Horse Feedng, Saddles and Care, www.hempfling.com |
| June 11-13 | Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, Rythm, Movement & Expression, www.hempfling.com |
| June 16-19 | Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, Manager-Mentor, www.hempfling.com |
| July 10-12 | Anna Twinney, Reach Out to Wisdom- Three Days from Your Destiny, vin@reachouttohorses.com |
| August 27-29 | Anna Twinney, Reach Out to Wisdom- Three Days from Your Destiny, vin@reachouttohorses.com. |
| November 12-19 |
Anna Twinney, Animal Communication Ranch Retreat- An Extraordinary Adventure of Riding, Relaxation & Animal Communication, info@reachouttohorses.com |
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Various dates – Please quote HorseConscious when booking |
For details of all of all Anna Twinney’s events and workshops click here |
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Various dates – Please quote HorseConscious when booking |
Kathy Pike’s calendar and clinics can be found here |
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Various dates – Please quote HorseConscious when booking |
Details of Epona workshops by Linda Kohanov can be found by clicking here |
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Remember: |
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‘‘Whether you regard the horse with awe or love, it is impossible to escape the power of his presence."- Mary Wanless |
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Well, did you watch the Royal Wedding?? I was in the UK last week and the excitement reached fever pitch come Friday. Or at least, the excitement from the female half of the population did. Most of the men I spoke to didn’t seem too bothered about it all.
I was delighted to read the article to the left in the UK newspaper, The Daily Telegraph.
If you’ve not come across the Horses in Art magazine, then I can highly recommend it. New editor/owner Davina has really moved the publication up several notches since she took over. Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming up in future editions:
It’s that exciting time of the year when grass is starting to turning green and we’re itching to get our horses back out on pasture. Once soils are no longer saturated and while we still have some spring rains ahead of us, do your horses and your pasture a favor by spreading compost. The nutrients, organic material and beneficial bacteria and fungi in the compost will help your grass plants become more productive.
Welcome to my new From the Studio Blog series. In these I will feature the process of creating my art, the inspirations, trepidations, and illuminations that lead to a creation. Visitors to my studio can sometimes get a rare glimpse of a work in progress. This is the first time I have shown a work in progress online. Previously I thought that it would take the mystery away from the final art. When I asked my husband about this – he likened it to watching the “making of” the Lord of the Rings movie – and asked me if watching that took away the magic of the movie… I admitted it does affect one’s awareness of what goes into the movie – but not the final effect… so I am inviting you all to experience the creation of “Portal of Grace”…
Creativity is one of the essential ingredients to success in life—whether you aspire to be a great educator, business executive, parent, counselor, equestrian, or leader/innovator in any number of other fields.
Have you ever been frustrated by how much time you spend making sure your horse has all the necessary supplements and wished there was a way to simplify the process? After all your research, are you confident your supplement program is designed to deliver results and that the individual supplements will work together? Well, you aren’t alone. Lots of horse owners feel the same way.
All five cookies start with a base that is safe for metabolic horses and provides the necessary combination of ingredients to ensure that the nutrients are actually being absorbed. Two of the cookies offer daily multi vitamins. The first, Booster Bites, also adds human grade joint, ligament and bone support. The second one, Chubbies, has nutrients to help those “easy keepers.” Belly Bites is designed specifically for horses that need digestive support. When your horse needs relief, Cookies with a Clue offers two options. Owchies reduce pain and inflammation associated with injury, chronic pain and muscle recovery. Stress Busters calm horses and give them the ability to focus.
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